Caribbean Times International by Gytimes

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

ISSUE NO. 96

CANADA EDITION

CN $1.00

WEEK ENDING april 17, 2014

See story on Page 32

U.S.-based Ramada spending US$7 million to rebrand Princess Hotel in Guyana Page 7

Jamaican journalists get death threats over Kartel coverage Page 10

Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer

From left to right: Director of Operations, Petal Ridley; Guyana’s acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali; Princess Hotel General Manager Cuneyt Dalcan; Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Harlsingh; and Princess Hotel Casino General Manager Eray Kamna

TT to fingerprint all deportees Page 18

TT’s Attorney General Anand Ramlogan

NEWS

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Canadian partnership to create 300 new jobs for Lindeners in Guyana

he Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) has partnered with Canadabased mineral exploration company Guyana Goldfields Inc to provide approximately 300 jobs to persons within Region 10. Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon said the move will ease hardship in Linden. “The region has been working to ensure that we have our residents involved in small microenterprise businesses, to ensure also that we see the return of cottage industries. We hope that by the end of sometime this year, we can see that creating about 300 jobs for persons. “Our next immediate approach to job creation is that the region over the past several weeks would have been engaging several companies, which to date, we have had the confirmation from one such company which has expressed interest in working closely with us, based on the approach that we have made with residents, knowing that unemployment is so high in the re-

Persons at the application exercise in Linden, Guyana (Guyana Times photo)

gion,” he said.

Application process

The application process was facilitated at the Egbert Benjamin Centre, Linden, which is more convenient as persons would not have to travel to Georgetown to uplift forms, which is more costly. The Regional Chairman, along with some stakeholders and RDC Councillors were at the venue, providing reference and facilitating police clearance for applicants. Also present, were labour and human services officials of the Guyana Goldfields Inc. “In its quest to employ persons to work at that company, it has de-

cided to partner with the region to have the process for application for jobs to be one that can be expedited in a matter of one day or so, so that we can have over 300 persons being given an opportunity to be employed. “In ensuring that we partner with this company and facilitate that process, we are seeing this as a good opportunity for those residents to save themselves the hassle and the expense that it would have cost for them to pursue having these opportunities,” Solomon said. The Regional Chairman further related that since Linden is

a mining community, it is able to provide some technical skills in this area. As such, he commended, the efforts of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Linden Technical

Institute (LTI) for providing training opportunities to residents. A critical aspect of this recruitment, he noted is that it will also provide opportunity for training. “We have said to the company, outside of looking for skills that they are certainly going to find in Region 10, they must also be committed to invest in training and we’ve encouraged them to put investments back into the Linden Technical Institute so that our young men and women who are going to enter that institution are given the opportunity to have advanced equipment and training at their disposal.”

Opportunities

Some positions, which were applied for include camp service manager, accountant, procurement and logistics officers, environmental, health and safety officers, warehouse men, medex, nurses, mill wrights, welders, electricians, information technology (IT) technicians, heavy-duty operators and light truck drivers. “The second aspect of this, in our discussion with the company, it is intended to ensure that 60 percent of the employment of the 600, required jobs are going to come to Region 10.” (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

IMF assessing whether Jamaican currency still overvalued

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is doing another assessment of the Jamaican dollar to determine whether it is still overvalued and the degree to which it should be adjusted to boost competitiveness. The fund previously estimated that the JMD was overvalued by 9-22 percent, but has not specifically indicated the level at which it expects the exchange rate to level off over time. To pinpoint a specific rate is to suggest there is a magic number and that "when you reach that number everything is fine"; but that is not the case, said IMF mission chief for Jamaica, Dr Jan Kees Martijn. "The answer is, everything is fine when you have a balance of payments that is sustainable, when you have a reserve level that is high enough and doesn't go down, (and) it is not under threat," said Martijn in an interview last week in Washington, DC. "We would really judge it by the economic outcomes rather than by any prior numerical target," he added. The implied exchange rate against the US dollar at the end of fiscal year 2013-14--based on projected NIR in the summary accounts of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) and included in IMF country report on Jamaica dated March 2014--was Ja$110.

Sliding dollar

The IMF previously estimated that the JMD was overvalued by 9-22 percent

At the end of fiscal year, on March 31, the Jamaican dollar traded at Ja$109.57 to the US dollar, and has continued to slide--averaging Ja$109.80 on Monday. IMF resident representative in Jamaica, Dr Bert van Selm, who was jointly interviewed with Martijn, observed that the outcome corresponded to the lower end of the 9-22 percent overvaluation range indicated in the May 2013 country report. The Jamaican dollar fell by approximately 11 percent in the last fiscal year. According to the BOJ's summary accounts, the implied exchange rate at the end of fiscal year 2014-15 is ja$120 based on a projected Ja$175 billion or US$1.45 billion of net reserves. It implies a further depreciation of about 9 percent this fiscal year. (Excerpted from Jamaica Gleaner)

Judge issues stern warning to TT media

T’s High Court Judge Malcolm Holdip has issued a stern warning to media personnel covering the high-profile murder of central businesswoman Vindra NaipaulCoolman. He gave the reprimand Tuesday after prosecutors raised issues with television reports on Naipaul-Coolman widower Rennie Coolman’s testimony in the trial that were broadcast on Monday night. The controversial reports relate to Coolman’s admission that he paid a woman, purporting to be an employee with

Justice Malcolm Holdip (TT Newsday file photo)

the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a TT$75,000 bribe to avoid being prosecuted in the case. The woman had claimed that

she would pay the bribe to the DPP and Senior Counsel Israel Khan, the lead prosecutor in the case. In giving the warning, Holdip advised reporters and editors to be accurate in their reporting on the trial. Holdip also advised prosecutors to request and review copies of the reports to determine if the media houses who published them could be held liable. “This may lead to further action, criminal and civil. The contents of the remarks may amount to contempt of court,” Holdip said. (TT Guardian)

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Views

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

To contact: Caribbean Times International Unit 12, 680 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario M9WOB5 Advertising: 647 990 7438/416 450 1672 Email: news@caribbeantimesinternational.com caribtimes@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Global value chains and the Caribbean

ne of the buzz-words thrown up by the new levels of “globalisation” achieved over the last four decades has been the notion of “Global Value Chains” (GVCs). From the beginning of trade between countries, value would have been added to goods at various points on the trade route and wealth generated distributed between the source and the consumer. But just as certain was the impetus to ensure that this “intermediate” wealth spun off was kept at a minimum. But in the present dispensation, it is proposed that with rational allocation of the steps necessary to produce a particular good, it might be of benefit for even the source and ultimate vendor to utilise intermediate points to add value to the product. The argument is usually stated thusly: “There would be an increase in productivity due to efficiency improvement as a result of international competition, better access to technology and new knowledge, and greater room for specialisation and economies of scale. Participation in value chains could further increase productivity since it would facilitate access to cheaper or higher quality intermediate inputs. GVCs would also work as a path for developing countries to access international markets of goods and services by focusing on certain activities and processes rather than by establishing a complete value chain.” This process, it is argued, is already well underway as pointed out by the former head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Pascal Lamy: “Almost 60 percent of trade in goods is now in intermediates, that is, goods used as inputs in the production process. An important consequence of the integration of production networks is that imports matter as much as exports when it comes to contributing to job creation and to economic growth. In 1990, the import content of exports was 20 percent; in 2010, it was 40 percent, and it is expected to be around 60 percent in 2030.” With those premises, the pitch for free trade becomes inevitable: “This is why enacting ‘protectionist’ measures in the modern world to protect jobs – such as raising import barriers – can have an inverse reaction in economies that are increasingly reliant on imports to complete their exports.” As just as inevitably, there have been several high-level conferences and summits to persuade governments in Latin America and the Caribbean that it is their interest to get into GVCs. In fact, some initiatives have proceeded beyond the talking stage and, for example, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the European Union and the Caribbean can be seen as a mechanism to facilitate a GVC nexus between the two signatories. But it was pointed out in a recent paper, “Global Value Chains and Development Policies: Setting the Limits of Liberal Views on Integration into the Global Economy”, that the GVC argument is based on some possibly flawed premises. First off, there is the assumption that if the tariffs are reduced on imported inputs, there will be a reduction of exports–and as such, domestic incomes. This is not necessarily so, since the productive structures in developing areas like the Caribbean are not on par with those of the developed countries that are also in the GVCs. There is also the assumption that there is a high elasticity of exports that will respond to price changes. But this is not necessarily so especially when one is dealing with primary products, such as rice and forestry products. More to the point, as former President of Guyana Bharat Jagdeo pointed out after Carl Greenidge and his team on the Regional Negotiating Machinery signed the EPA with Europe, the substitution of local suppliers with foreign providers from more developed countries almost always leads to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment contraction. Finally, the authors suggest, even if a country wants to exploit GVCs, and must import intermediate inputs, ultimately it must seek to manufacture those goods. And this implies government intervention through an industrial policy and even protectionism, as per the infant industry argument.

GIVING BACK: World record holder Usain Bolt with some youngsters from the Alpha Boys' Home on South Camp Road, Kingston, Jamaica, carry boxes filled with PUMA sneakers, Usain Bolt t-shirts and footballs, which the sprinter recently presented to the institution via his Usain Bolt Foundation. Bolt delivered over 80 pairs of sneakers and gave a talk to the boys, with a focus on dreaming big and how to achieve their goals (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

Growing greener cities in Latin America, Caribbean

new Food and A g r i c u l t u r e Organisation (FAO) report finds that urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is widespread in Latin America and the Caribbean, but realising its full potential requires increased support from national, state and local governments. “Growing greener cities in Latin America and the Caribbean” looks at the progress that has been made toward realising ‘greener cities’ in which urban and peri-urban agriculture is recognised by public policy and included in urban development strategies and landuse planning. It is based on the results of a survey in 23 countries and data on 110 cities and municipalities. The new report released at the World Urban Forum in Medellín, Colombia, includes profiles of agriculture practised in and around cities such as Havana, Mexico City, Antigua and Barbuda, Tegucigalpa, Managua, Quito, Lima, El Alto (Bolivia), Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Rosario (Argentina). FAO’s inquiry found that UPA is practised by 90,000 residents of Havana, and by 20 percent of urban households in Guatemala and St. Lucia. In Bolivia’s main cities and municipalities, 50,000 families are also food producers. In Bogotá, 8500 households produce food for home consumption. Strong trend The main benefit of UPA is improved access to food by low-income families. However, in 16 of the 23

countries surveyed, people practising UPA earned some income from the activity. A strong trend in many UPA programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean is toward agricultural technologies and practices that produce more, and better quality, food while optimising the use of natural resources and reducing reliance on agrochemicals. In Rosario, Argentina, gardeners cultivate highyielding beds of compost substrate. In Managua, they enrich the soil with fertiliser made by anaerobically fermenting household wastes. In El Alto, a project installed, in small, locally made greenhouses, hydroponic gardens that produce one tonne of vegetables per year. Another trend in Latin American cities is the spread of farmers’ markets that sell locally-grown organic food. Many urban farmers have entered the value chain as intermediate or final processors of fruit, vegetables, meat, canned goods, dairy foods, snacks and natural cosmetics. Many urban and periurban farmers have been tapped as suppliers of institutional feeding programmes. In Havana, UPA provided in 2013 some 6700 tonnes of food to almost 300, 000 people in schools, public health centres and hospitals. Government support needed FAO said that growing greener cities with agriculture needs the support of government. However, only

12 of the 23 countries surveyed have national policies that explicitly promote UPA. FAO’s survey also found that UPA is often excluded in city land use planning and management in Latin America and the Caribbean. The good news is that UPA has been mainstreamed at a fairly high level within national institutions. In Bolivia, for example, the Productive Development and Plural Economy Ministry will launch, with FAO’s assistance, a national UPA programme in 2014. In a growing number of cities, urban and peri-urban agriculture is recognised in urban development planning. In Rosario, the municipality is building a “green circuit” of farmland passing through and around the city. Food production is also recognised as a legitimate nonresidential land use, on a par with commerce, services and industry, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. FAO stressed that meeting urban food needs requires not only UPA but performing food systems that supply a variety of food products to –and distribute them within – expanding urban areas, an understanding of their structure, how their activities impact food safety and quality and natural resources, and how they might exclude vulnerable sectors of the urban population. Addressing shortcomings in complex food systems requires strong political commitment, regional development plans and effective public-private partnerships.

News WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Mervyn Morris first Jamaican Poet Laureate since Independence P

rofessor Emeritus at the University of the West Indies (UWI), 76-year-old Mervyn Eustace Morris, was Tuesday named Jamaica's first Poet Laureate since independence in 1962. According to the National Library of Jamaica, the first Poet Laureate was Tom Redcam (Thomas McDermott) who was posthumously awarded the honour by the Poetry League of Jamaica in 1933, and the second JE Clare McFarlane, a former president of the league, who served between 1953 and 1962 when he died. The local poetry league, an offshoot of the Empire Poetry League, a British-based organisation founded in 1917 and which attracted a number of leading British literary figures, including GK Chesterton, seemed to have died with McFarlane, although there has been a claim that George B Wallace,

who wrote books and poems for local newspapers, was once Poet Laureate in the 1980s. However, the national library has no record of this. Jamaican Poets Laureate were appointed by the Poetry League of Jamaica, so Professor Morris has become the first to be appointed to the largely ceremonial position through the actions of the government, and the first time the appointment has been seen as a national honour. Speaking at Tuesday’s function to announce the winner of the competition to select the Poet Laureate which started last December, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill explained that it was a collaborative process with the National Library of Jamaica, the Entertainment Advisory Board of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, and the Ministry of Youth and

Jamaica’s Junior Tourism Minister Damion Crawford (left) congratulates Poet Laureate Mervyn Morris at Tuesday’s function at the National Library of Jamaica in downtown Kingston. At right is Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill (Jamaica Observer photo)

Culture. Dr McNeill thanked executive director of the National Library, Winsome Hudson; Justine Henzell, chair of the Sub-Committee on Literary Arts on the Entertainment Advisory Board; the Entertainment Advisory Board; and the members

of the nine-person committee which selected the Poet Laureate from a pool of applicants.

Literacy programme

He explained that the National Library will be the secretariat and focal point for the Poet Laureate Programme. The Tourism Enhancement

Fund (TEF) contributed Ja$3.4 million to the literary programme. "I anticipate that after these first three years, which is the term of office for the Poet Laureate, other entities will also believe in the importance of this literary renaissance and support the programme,"

McNeill said. According to Hudson, while the appointment is considered a national honour, it is not in the same league as national honours bestowed annually by the nation through the Office of the Governor General. Asked whether Professor Morris will be paid, she said that there is no salary for the post, but there is a stipend which will be handled by the TEF. Morris was born in Kingston and studied at the University College of the West Indies, and as a Rhodes Scholar at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. In 1992 he was a UK Arts Council Visiting Writerin-Residence at the South Bank Centre. He lives in Kingston, where he is Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing & West Indian Literature. Morris has taught at the UWI since the 1960s. In 2009, he was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit, the country's third highest national honour. (Jamaica Observer)

Barbados’ job cuts may soon hit teachers fill every single post.” Shepherd added: “The Public Service Act states that interviews are part of the recruitment process; so set up one. Like the one that interviewed over 300 teachers in record time last year or year before to appoint senior teachers who for the most part had to be appointed because of the length of time they kept them in Hollywood [acting]. “Remember though, that any teacher you disadvantaged before

Barbados’ Education Minister Ronald Jones (centre) chatting with former school principal Victor Hutchinson (left) and BUT president Pedro Shepherd at the opening of the BUT’s 40th annual general conference Tuesday evening (Ricardo Leacock/Nation News photo)

eachers in Barbados could soon join other public sector workers on the breadline––this indication from Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) president Pedro Shepherd as he addressed the opening of the union’s 40th annual general conference at the Hilton Barbados. He told members Tuesday night that the BUT had been informed that specialist teachers

were to go, and a number of temporary teachers from each school would also be jobless. “It is a fact that teacher aides from special units have been retrenched, and I learned a school in Christ Church recently had its general worker severed and no replacement given. I also know of a school, on the other hand, that had a watchman for over a year, never watched but got paid. These things

cannot be fair. “The BUT wants the Minister of the Civil Service to tell his officers at the Public Service Commission and Personnel Administration Division to start to work,” Shepherd declared. “Let me state that the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) has nothing against retrenchment, but before a single teacher is retrenched, we are saying

giving them their legal entitlement or interview would not be taken lightly by the BUT, for who is to say that a disadvantaged or retrenched teacher would not have done an excellent interview and merits a post." Looking at the status of education in the country at this time, the president said the time for education reform is now. “From the Ministry of Education right down to the janitorial staff. We know what is need-

ed, but we seem afraid to do it unless overseas consultants say so. The time for action is now,” he added. “I believe that schools should be linked through technology. We need to allow the ITCs to access Skype and use videoconferencing as teaching tools. We need to standardize all operations across all schools. It is my contention that education must be completely overhauled to get value for our money.” (Barbados Today)

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

News WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

U.S.-based Ramada spending US$7 million to rebrand Princess Hotel in Guyana U .S.-based hotel group Ramada will be spending US$7 million to rebrand the Princess Hotel and Casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara to Ramada Georgetown Princess, officials announced at a news briefing on Tuesday. The rebranding mission has already taken effect and arose following an agreement between the Providence entity and Ramada, which is a subsidiary of the Wyndham Hotel group of New Jersey in the United States. The agreement is a work in progress in which the two have partnered on Princess’ existing hotels in Europe and the Caribbean. President of the company Sudi Ozkan and Executive Chief Officer (CEO) Hamdi Karagozoglu–in collaboration with the government of Guyana, through the Tourism Ministry– endorsed the agreement

on December 19, 2013.

Eco-friendly

Hotel General Manager Cuneyt Dalcan explained that all upgrades will be in keeping with Ramada standards and will see the repositioning of the hotel in the market place. Being mindful of global warming, the hotel will also be eco-friendly using LED technology, solar water heating systems and energy-saving systems. Ramada, which joined the Wyndham Hotel group in 1990, is a large hotel chain owned and operated by Wyndham Hotel group, the largest company in the world with more than 7200 hotels in over 65 countries. It is also ranked second on Fortune Magazine’s list of most admired hotels, casinos, and resorts. Dalcan said it was with this in mind that Princess Hotel signed a contract with Ramada to use their reservation services which is expect-

Princess Hotel and Casino located in Guyana at Providence, East Bank Demerara

ed to increase occupancy in the Princess Hotel. Princess Hotel made it clear that it has not sold any shares to Ramada and its management remains the same. Guyana’s acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali congratulated the Princess Group for rebranding. He said it was a major investment in

Guyana’s tourism sector, while acknowledging the commitment of the Princess Hotel management to improve the local tourism product. He highlighted that 75 percent of business travellers and 65 percent of leisure travellers prefer to stay at a branded hotel when travelling. The minister said,

over the years, the sector has been gaining traction and recognised the ability of large investments such as this to foster smaller investments. Princess Hotel and Casino switched hands from local investors on April 1, 2009. It comprises 191 rooms, including Presidential Suites and Executive/VIP rooms. In

addition, it has indoor and outdoor food and beverage facilities, the largest hotel conference and banqueting hall on the East Bank and the largest outdoor pool in the country. Two years ago, Princess Group invested US$2 million in its entertainment section with two state-of-the-art movie theatres, Fun City and Club NEXT. The hotel will continue to invest with the installation of 3D digital projector movie theatres this year. The Princess Hotel will commence the US$7 million upgrade this year, which will include renovation and refurbishing of its lobby and reception area, restaurant and bar, pool area, changing room, showers, bathrooms, guest rooms and conference area. These renovations will take place over the next 12 months. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

PPP/C prepared to face Guyana’s electorate – Rohee

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Central Committee has recently discussed its preparedness to face the electorate if Local Government or National Elections are called in Guyana. “The role and militancy of the women and youth arms…were discussed and broad guidelines and directions given on the way forward,” PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee told media operatives during a press conference at Freedom House on Monday. He said too that much emphasis is being placed on strengthening the party, both organisationally and ideologically, in

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

order to respond effectively to the challenges on the ground. Rohee said too that the Central Committee also condemned the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) for using their one-seat majority in the National Assembly to amend the Gy$220

billion budget. He explained that the committee took note of acts by the Opposition to derail the developmental agenda of the PPP/C administration by cutting budgetary allocations for the Ministries of Amerindians Affairs, Transport and Health. He said too that the committee was highly

Guyana Parliament passes Gy$3.3 billion for elections commission

he National Assembly has cleared Gy$3.362 billion for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) even as the main political parties test their readiness for local government or snap elections. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Tuesday told the Committee of Supply that he has been advised that GECOM is in a state of readiness for the staging of an election if one is called. Asked whether it was local gov-

ernment or general elections, Hinds said “whichever one is called”. Under current expenditure, Gy$1.6 billion has been budgeted for the Elections Commission, while Gy$126.7 million has been allotted for capital initiatives. The sum of Gy$100 million has been set aside for the Voter Education Programme, which includes continuous education and preparatory works for local government elections and Gy$3.5 million for demar-

cation. GECOM, in its voters’ education initiative, is targeting 585 constituencies. The budgetary allocation of Gy$208 million will be used to cover payments of scrutineers and other staff during seven months of continuous registration. In addition to the Gy$1.7 billion budgeted for the Elections Commission, another Gy$1.5 million was provided for the Elections Administration taking the total to Gy$3.362 billion.

critical of the Opposition media in particular the Kaieteur News, of their frequent attacks against the PPP/C government, stating that the party underscored the importance of greater unity in wake of the move by Opposition elements to destabilise the party. Although former President Bharat Jagdeo was present at the meeting and contributed to the discussion, Rohee said he did not participate in formalising

the statement that he (Rohee) read. The Home Affairs Minister, however, declined to single out comments specifically made by the former president. Jagdeo has been a target of the Kaieteur News. But despite the negative forces, the Central Committee praised the Donald Ramotar administration for the substantial gains made in fostering economic growth. Rohee said too that the government

has been improving the standard of living of all Guyanese in the face of the “hostile parliamentary Opposition and a less than favourable external environment”. Although the Opposition has accused the government of presenting a budget that does not have a human face, the PPP/C remains firm that the budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh seeks to foster a better life for all Guyanese.

News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Trinidad court rules City Council uproar against DPP in former continues in Guyana prime minister’s case P

High Court judge in Trinidad has ruled that Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, will not be able to reopen the integrity trial of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, who was alleged to have failed to declare his London bank account to the Integrity Commission. Justice James Aboud Monday set aside the order sought by the DPP to quash the decision of Magistrate Marcia Murray, who in June 2012 ruled that it would be unconscionable to permit the case against Panday to continue, because she was not satisfied the issue was fully and fairly investigated by the Integrity Commission and DPP, before charges were laid. Panday’s attorneys filed an application asking that the leave granted in September 2012 to the DPP to have the magistrate’s decision reviewed, be set aside. The DPP filed the judicial review claim three months after Panday’s acquittal in the Magistrates’ Court. Aboud held that there was delay on the part of the DPP to file the application for judicial review,

Former TT Prime Minister Basdeo Panday (TT Newsday file photo)

adding that he found no reasonable explanation given by the DPP for doing so.

Rights

The judge said Panday’s rights would have been prejudiced and he would continue to face such prejudice and hardship if the DPP was to continue the prosecution of him. However, Aboud pointed out that the DPP also had a right to obtain a comprehensive statement from the court that the magistrate misaligned. He said to leave the decision of the magistrate “undisturbed” and her findings must be tested. Panday was alleged to have failed to declare the assets of the account, amounting to ap-

proximately TT$1.6 million, held at the National Westminster Bank at Wimbledon Hill Road, London, for the years ending 1997, 1998 and 1999. He was prime minister at the time. Panday was found guilty and sentenced in March 2006 by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to two years in prison. Panday appealed Mc Nicolls’ decision and the conviction was eventually quashed by the Court of Appeal and a retrial ordered. The Court of Appeal’s decision was upheld by the Privy Council. The decision was not appealed to the Court of Appeal during the prescribed deadline and a judicial review application was instead sought by the DPP. Aboud referred to the length of time between Panday’s alleged offences and when he was eventually brought to trial, his age (81) as well as the money he had spent on legal fees for defending the charges. “The good administration of justice requires that Panday should not have been kept in suspense,” Aboud said. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

andemonium broke out in the City Council’s Chambers on Monday afternoon in Georgetown, Guyana, when Mayor Hamilton Green moved a motion to have acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba sent on leave. Tensions flared as Sooba’s supporters raised their voices in condemnation of the decision by the Mayor to send her on leave, pending the outcome of another court action. At the Council’s statutory meeting, several issues regarding the decision made by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang were discussed. And the Mayor related that because of its ambiguity, the Council would be seeking legal advice for clarification. But while that issue had its own little debate, what was more controversial was the fact that Sooba refused to take her duly pending leave.

Loud rumblings

Mayor Green was jolted out of his explanation as Councillors Kamla Devi Ross and Victor Sobers rose in defence of the acting Town Clerk, declaring that neither the Mayor nor the Council had the power to make any such decision. “You are all illegal in here; you do not have

Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba

that authority to impose on people like that,” they argued, amid loud rumbling from other councillors. Meanwhile, Sooba, who was notably calm throughout the episode, broke her silence, maintaining that she will continue to stand by the decision made by Justice Chang. She shouted over the microphone that no one could cause her to demit office or take leave. “The Town Clerk wishes to advise you, Mr Mayor, that I will abide by the decision of the court and may that be so recorded and you can’t shut me up, Mr Mayor. That decision is not with you and since you have no legal authority to do that, you cannot supersede the decision of the court. You had always purported to the public

that you had the legal authority to supersede decisions of the court. But ignorance of the law is no excuse and if you want to interpret the decision of this Council to satisfy your selfish needs, so be it but you have no authority and cannot force me out of this office,” Sooba said. But Green, unmoved by Sooba’s stern warning went ahead and took the count. Seventeen votes to two in favour of sending Sooba on leave, he announced, was the result. Last week, the Georgetown City Council was thrown into a frenzy when word circulated that Justice Chang had quashed the appointment of Sooba, saying that the then Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud went out of his power to appoint her to that position. The decision came about after the City Council’s Public Relations Officer had moved to the High Court last December, challenging the appointment. He had contended that Sooba was deemed the least qualified of several candidates who had applied for the post. King was one of the four applicants for the post. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Lionfish population down in Jamaica T

he National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) have reported a 66 percent reduction in sightings of the ferocious Pacific lionfish in Jamaican waters. This is just one of the many successes achieved under the recently concluded Mitigating the Threat of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Insular Caribbean (MTIASIC) project, which was launched four and half years ago. The lionfish is a voracious predator, believed to have entered Caribbean waters from a protected environment in the United States after a natural disaster in 1992. By 2006, experts said, they could be found on almost every reef in Jamaica. Their population can be as high as 250 lionfish per hectare–a situation which has been threatening smaller marine fish, shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans

Jamaica’s Environment Minister Robert Pickersgill (second left), shares a light moment with CEO of National Environment and Planning Agency Peter Knight (left); Project Manager Sherese Simpson (second right); and Project Evaluator of UNEP Hugo Arnold, during the closing-out ceremony for the MTIASIC project at the Pollyanna hotel in Kingston recently (JIS photo)

on which they prey. The livelihoods of fisher folk and the island’s fish exports were also at risk. However, over the course of the past four year, under the National Lionfish Project, targeted removal strategies

have seen the population in frequently visited areas reduced significantly. It is now down to approximately 80 lionfish per hectare in some areas. The project also produced the now quite pop-

ular and successful, ‘Eat it to Beat it’ campaign, as well as a number of other public awareness initiatives geared at stemming the population of the lionfish. Speaking at the closing-out ceremony of the

MTIASIC project held in Kingston last Friday, Environment Minister Robert Pickersgill, praised NEPA and other stakeholders for the successful implementation of the MTIASIC programme. The National Lionfish Project formed part of the larger MTIASIC, which was financed by the Global Environment Facility, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The project has also seen the development of a National Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Strategy and Action Plan, which will guide policy over the next six years. M T I A S I C Coordinator, Nelsa English-Johnson, said that other achievements under the MTIASIC include a two-fold increase in nesting of the Jamaican iguana. This was accomplished under the Jamaican Iguana Recovery programme, which aims to

conserve Jamaican iguanas by eradicating invasive feral animals in the Hellshire Hills. There was also the implementation of a Pet Trade pathway toolkit, which is aimed at addressing the Pet Trade, one of the major pathways through which IAS are introduced into Jamaica. Also, through regional workshops, the project helped to develop a regional IAS strategy, where Jamaica led on developing the freshwater and marine components of the regional strategy. English-Johnson said the project was also able to increase the country’s capacity in putting in place protective measures in the Lower Black River Morass (Ramsar Site) to safeguard against two freshwater plants, and other animals that are negatively impacting the wetland, which is of international importance. (JIS)

News WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Automatic voice recording systems installed in Guyana’s courts

Guyana’s Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

egal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said the automatic voice recording equipment is currently being installed in the Court of Appeal, the Courts of the Chief Justice and the Commercial Court of the High Court. Speaking with Guyanese media on Sunday, Nandlall said while the equipment will only be installed in the identified courts, it is the intention of the Legal Affairs Ministry to replicate it in the other courts. This project is expected to make a transformational change in the speed of litigation in Guyana. Minister Nandlall said too that fibre bucket chairs were expected to be installed in the Family Court on Saturday. During the 2014

Budget Debate in the National Assembly, Nandlall told the House that the Family Court would soon be commissioned, informing Members of Parliament (MPs) that the rules of the court have been completed and are with the Chancellor.

Advancements

Boasting of the advancement made in the area of Legal Affairs, Nandlall told the House that over the past two years, a number of courts have been renovated and in some cases, new courts built. These include the High Courts of Georgetown and New Amsterdam, the Court of Appeal, and Magistrate’s Courts at Whim, New Amsterdam, Sisters Village, Reliance, Mibicuri, Georgetown, Leonora, and Wales. The Magistrate’s

Courts at Wismar, Linden and Lethem are slated to be completed within weeks. These new facilities include residential quarters for the magistrates. He reminded the House of moves by President Donald Ramotar to increase the statutory complement of High Court judges from 12 to 20. The complement of judges was last increased in the mid 70s. He explained that with the Family Court coming into operation, judges of the High Court will likely migrate to that building, creating the physical space for new appointments to be made. However, there is currently no physical space to accommodate a new judge in the Supreme Court edifice. This year, budgetary allocations have been made for the construction of a building in the compound of the Supreme Court, Georgetown, to facilitate the Land Court of Demerara, a Registry and storage facilities for the Supreme Court. The building will also house a minimum of two courtrooms and chambers for the judges. The Magistrate’s Court at Number 51 Village, Corentyne, is expected to be completed this year while construction of the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court is expected to commence in June. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Water woes for yet another Caribbean country

t. Vincent and the Grenadines has become the latest Caribbean Community (Caricom) country to warn nationals about the low level of water at its reservoirs and the need to implement “strict water conservation measures”. St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica have already said the prolonged drought period is affecting water supplies to consumers and the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) in St Vincent said that the “critical levels’ at three of its intakes were due to the continuing lack of rainfall. “The CWSA is therefore requesting all citizens to now observe strict water conservation measures, including restricting watering and washing of vehicles,” the CWSA said in a statement.

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Jamaica’s CG swears in five acting judges

Jamaica’s Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen (Jamaica Observer photo)

ive judges were Monday sworn to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court by GovernorGeneral Sir Patrick Allen, at a ceremony held at King's House. The judges are: Carol Lawrence Beswick and Ingrid Mangatal, who will act as judges of appeal; Audre Lindo and Marcia Dunbar Green who will act as puisine judges of the Supreme Court; and Rosemarie Harris, who will act as master-in-chambers in the Supreme Court. In her remarks, Chief Justice Zaila McCalla reminded the judges that, while they are independent in the performance of their judicial duty, they are accountable to the public they have sworn to serve. "All judicial officers should be cognisant that we operate in an atmosphere where judicial decisions are subject to much scrutiny in the media. We must, therefore,

perform in a manner that is transparent and fair," Justice McCalla said. She also noted that, while there are certain circumstances where the law does not require judges to give reasons for decisions taken, in the interest of justice and good practice the decision should be taken to do so. "It may be prudent to exercise our judicial expression in such matters and give reasons for our decisions, especially where the matters are of public interest and the subject of discussions in the public domain," she stated. The governor general, meanwhile, said that every effort should be made, whether through case management, the exercise of earned authority, or the authority of the office to dispense with cases in a timely manner, even under trying circumstances. He added that the ap-

pointment of the judges speaks well to the quality of service given. "These acting appointments are testimony to [the] your consistently high standards of professionalism that you have shown," Sir Patrick said. President of the Court of Appeal Justice Seymour Panton also congratulated the judges on their acting appointments. "I want to suggest to you that you constantly bear in mind the oaths you have taken," Justice Panton said. He also called on lawyers to desist from giving interviews to the media in respect of cases that are ongoing. "The practice continues, and it is time for the General Legal Council to do something about it," Justice Panton said. In her response, on behalf of the judges, Justice Carol Lawrence Beswick noted that the judges were mindful of the responsibilities they bear to dispense justice in a timely manner. "We are very much aware of the challenges that face us. The howls for justice are loud. People are now regularly pronouncing their own understanding of justice and what they believe are the appropriate verdicts and sentences in trials. It is in such a society which we work, and we appreciate that it is important to deliver justice in a manner which can be understood by the man in the street," she said. (Jamaica Observer)

Trinidadian arrested in U.S. on drug related charges

Noel Watt, principal of Dunrobin Primary School in Jamaica, along with students Kelsie Spaulding (left) and Kayla Spaulding, didn't get a drop of water from these pipes at the school last week (Gladstone Taylor/Jamaica Gleaner photo)

“Caretakers of schools and public buildings are expected to ensure that wastage is eliminated and the general public is also asked to continue to report all leaks promptly to the CWSA.” The CSWA warned that should the situation worsen, rationing of water may have to be im-

plemented to ensure an equitable distribution of water from these systems, promising nonetheless to keep the public informed of the situation. Just last week, at least two schools in Jamaica had to be closed for a few days as there was no water. (Caribbean News)

he United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says it arrested a Trinidad and Tobago national on drug related charges soon after his arrival early April at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The authorities said that Bernard Charles was detained because he looked “visibly nervous”, “avoided eye contact” and was “walking awkwardly” when he got off the Caribbean Airlines flight number 520 from Piarco International in Trinidad on April 1. According to a complaint filed in Brooklyn Federal Court on Tuesday, Charles, 42, has been charged with possession of two pounds

Bernard Charles, 42, has been charged with possession of two pounds of cocaine. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in jail

of cocaine. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in jail. United States Homeland Security special agent Sean Gabay states in the complaint that, when officers patted down Charles, they found they found a “hard object in the defendant's

groin area.” Probing further the officers discovered two plastic packages of a brown paste-like substance, which tested positive for heroin. The drugs have an estimated street value of more than US$70,000, according to authorities. (CMC)

10 News Jamaican journalists get death threats over Kartel coverage D www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

eath threats have been made against the lives of two Jamaican journalists for their reporting on the Vybz Kartel case. Jamaica Observer Crime/Court Desk Editor Karyl Walker and Nationwide News Network reporter/producer Abka Fitz-Henley have been identified as the reporters whose lives have been threatened. Sunday, Walker received several threatening calls on his cellular phone making reference to a recent Sunday Observer lead story that carried no byline. Walker calmly told the caller that the only article he had in the paper was one about problems in Port Royal.

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

But the caller insisted that it was Walker who wrote the story, saying that he knew his writing style. The article quoted a source in the police high command as saying that Vybz Kartel had given information to the police that led to the recovery of 17 illegal firearms and the apprehension of several wanted men in the Portmore, St Catherine area. The police source said also that Kartel gave up the information in an effort to avoid being charged with the murder of associate Clive 'Lizard' Williams. In the case of FitzHenley, he was threatened shortly after Nationwide aired the voice notes that were used by the prosecution

Sunday, a Jamaica Observer Crime/Court Desk Editor received several threatening calls on his cellular phone making reference to a recent Observer lead story that carried no by-line (Jamaica Observer photo)

in convicting the artiste and three co-accused— Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John—for Williams' murder. In the voice notes, a man, whose voice has been attributed to Vybz Kartel could be heard issuing death threats if Williams did not recover two guns that were stolen while in his care. The explosive voice notes were taken from Vybz Kartel's phone. They were compiled into a 10-minute-long package with musical interludes and narrated by Fitz-Henley. Sunday, Nationwide boss and senior journalist Cliff Hughes confirmed the threat against Fitz-Henley. "We have written to

the commissioner of police, formally bringing it to his attention and asking him to investigate and provide the necessary guidance and protection," Hughes said. The letter to the commissioner was sent off last Friday. The journalists aren't the only ones to be threatened as a result of the Vybz Kartel matter. Sergeant Patrick Linton, the former cybercrime boss, who gave technical evidence in the matter, had received threats and there was an attempt to firebomb his house. The director of public prosecutions and her team who handled the case also received death threats. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

PNM boasts 11, 000 new members since January Guyanese customs officer arrested for W cocaine in mail bag ith the People’s N a t i o n a l Movement (PNM) internal elections a little over a month away, Monday night the executive of the General Council reported that more than 11,000 new members have registered since January and the membership currently stands at more than 79,000. PNM chairman Franklyn Khan reported the information at the post-General Council meeting media conference held at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain. He said that Monday they had the publication of the preliminary list of electors for the PNM and the major item of the meeting was the approval of the list in preparation for the May 18 internal elections. Both incumbent political leader Dr Keith Rowley and challenger Pennelope Beckles-Robinson were seen leaving the council meeting.

PNM political leader challenger Pennelope BecklesRobinson and Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne following Monday’s General Council media conference at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain (TT Newsday photo)

Khan explained that they have been putting the list together for several months and it encompasses the historical database. He said the list was printed and sent to the 41 constituencies for verification of who was on the list and whether anyone had died. Khan reported they received a “high influx” of new membership applications between January and the March 28 deadline, a total of

11,700. He said the applications were evenly spread throughout the country and there was a “burning desire” to join the PNM which he attributed to the impact of the new one-man, onevote system. He noted that with the new members and the verification exercise, the approved preliminary list now consists of 79,363 persons who are entitled to vote in the May 18 elections. The final list will be approved on April 30.

He explained there is a window between April 15, when the list is published to the various constituency offices, and April 30 for people who believe they are eligible to vote but whose names are not on the list and they are asked to bring whatever proof they have. Khan said the Election Supervisory Committee and its chairman, Charles Mitchell, will correct any irregularity. He stressed that after April 30 they will have the final list, “the door will be closed” and the party will move forward to the election. He reported that Mitchell provided information on the infrastructure that will be needed for the election such as polling stations, presiding officers and polling clerks, and it will be a similar system to one conducted under the Elections and Boundaries Commission. (Excerpted from TT Newsday)

Movie hiring 250 Barbadians

ore than 250 jobs could be created for film-makers in Barbados when the production series ‘Bajan Heat’ gets under way. This disclosure from Youth Mainstreaming Programme tutor Rahmat Jean-Pierre, during a recent Digital Media Film Project Presentation And Showcase at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports. “There is currently a series that we are doing

called ‘Bajan Heat’ from a United Kingdom company called Upstream Entertainment, which was shot late last year. They decided to film this movie…Twenty of our students got the opportunity to work on it, and I had a meeting with them last month and they are now turning it into a full movie for us. They say they would be able to hire 250 Barbadian workers for this movie,” Jean-Pierre said. The announcement

was greeted with loud applause from those present, including Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley, Director of Youth Cleviston Hunte, and Youth Projects coordinator and officer-in-charge of the Youth Mainstreaming Programme, David Denny. Jean-Pierre said that opportunities for film-makers were endless. He disclosed that work would soon start on a television series called 'Examination' that

would be based on the lives of secondary school children. He added that while the Youth Mainstreaming Programme had partnered with the Caribbean Media Corporation to televise the series, it was still seeking sponsorship. The Digital Media Film Project will run for four months with a brief introduction to film, cinematography, lighting for film, sound, scriptwriting and editing. (Barbados Today)

customs officer attached to the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) at Timehri was on Monday morning arrested in connection with the cocaine found in a mail bag last Friday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). According to information, the young man was taken into police custody after a thorough investigation following the bust, which unearthed 644 grams of cocaine in several envelopes in a mail bag. The bag was about to be loaded onto a Caribbean Airlines flight bound for the John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Based on reports, Police Narcotics Branch ranks were conducting a routine search when the illegal substance was discovered in several envelopes. Suspicions reportedly were roused after the officer did not turn up for work the day after the discovery. He was reportedly contacted and interrogated, but denied having any knowledge of the cocaine. In a similar incident in May 2013, a 19-yearold employee of the GPOC at the CJIA was charged following the discovery of 15 kilograms of cocaine in a mail bag destined for the United States. It was reported that

Police Narcotics Branch ranks were conducting a routine search when the illegal substance was discovered in several envelopes

on March 21 at the CJIA, Syaer Grantstuart worked the 06:00h to 14:00h shift and went home, but returned to the mail bond with a bag in his possession about 22:30h. He subsequently asked the security guard on duty at the time to allow him access to the bond, since he had forgotten his mobile phone. The security guard was kind enough to allow him into the bond without searching his bag, and after spending almost 10 minutes, he left. On March 22, the bag containing the mail was being prepared to be taken on board a Caribbean Airlines flight when Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks realised that the weight affixed on the tag of the mail bag did not match the actual weight. This prompted them to check the bag and the illegal substance was discovered. (Guyana Times)

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Cuba to help Guyana New therapy for advanced establish special prostate cancer available in TT needs centre

From left: Rishi Maharaj, Janssen Caribbean Area Manager; Joan Craig, Janssen Country Manager South Caribbean; Doctor Krishan Ramsoobhag, Urologist and Oncologist Trinidad and Tobago; and Dr. David Muschett, Oncology Medical Manager from Janssen (PRNewsFoto/Janssen)

FLASHBACK: Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante (left) toasts with Caricom’s Secretary General Irwin LaRocque last month

uyana has its eyes set on establishing a Caribbean centre to stimulate the development of children and young people with special educational needs associated with disabilities, but would require significant technical expertise from Cuba for the project to be successfully implemented. This was revealed by Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante during a recent interview with Guyanese media. He said the country expressed interest in the project when it was presented at the last CubaCaricom Summit held in Havana, Cuba, to Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. He also opined that such a project could benefit Guyana tremendously were the country to take the lead in this respect, noting that many other Caribbean countries have expressed the challenges they face in dealing with youth living with disabilities and

their ability to access specialised education. A m b a s s a d o r Marchante explained that the proposals were presented at the last Cuba-Caricom Summit to solicit common interest before concrete proposals are made as to the way forward. Noting that the summit is held every three years, he stated that it is set for December 2014, and will see more substantive proposals being made and decisions taken by Cuba-Caricom leaders.

Need

“In the last intersessional meeting, they (Caricom) declared that they were not in the condition to face the problem of disability in their countries….So this project comes at a very good moment in which we are offering some technical advice and structure that would allow for us to go ahead with this project,” the Ambassador sated. He explained that the centre in Guyana would be designed and piloted after the Latin American

Reference Centre for Special Education in Cuba. The centre there is one of the regional and international entities that provide quality education to children and youth with special needs. The Guyanese centre would, like its Cuban counterpart, aim to stimulate the development of children and young people with special education needs associated with disabilities. It would integrate theoretical and methodological issues to guide good practices based on educational attention strategies and methodologies that involve different educational agents such as special education teachers, schools, institutions of the community and family members, so they can contribute to student development. The centre would take approximately two years, four months to be completed and made functional, once it follows the five stage implementation and conceptualisation plan proposed by Cuba. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

he Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Trinidad Tobago Ministry of Health approved the introduction of Abiraterone Acetate to the country, the firstorally administered androgen synthesis inhibitor (testosterone) medication for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Clinical trials have demonstrated that this new therapeutic resource for the standard therapy of patients with hormone-resistant tumors reduces the risk of death by approximately 35%. Abiraterone Acetate is available in Trinidad and Tobago under the trademark Zytiga™. According to the National Cancer Registry of Trinidad and Tobago, prostate cancer leads cancer statistics in the population with 22% of all cases. Amongst males, prostate cancer accounted for 42% of all new cases of cancer. Worldwide, prostate cancer is the second type of cancer most frequent-

ly diagnosed in men, and the fifth type overall. Near 1.1 million new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed worldwide in 2012, and more than 300,000 men died because of the disease. This type of cancer is the result of the malignant transformation of certain cells of the prostate, a gland located underneath the urinary bladder in men, one of the functions of which is to produce a part of the seminal fluid. Although a slowly developing disease, some prostate tumors may be very aggressive and extend quickly to invade other organs (metastasis). Abiraterone Acetate is a new therapy administered orally as a single daily dose, which prevents androgen from being produced at their three sources: Testes, adrenal glands, and the tumor itself, through the strong block of the CYP 17 enzyme. One of the most salient aspects of Abiraterone Acetate that distinguishes it from other oncologic treatments

is that it possesses a novel mechanism of action, with a benefit as to the overall survival rate, and a tolerable toxicity profile. Additionally, Abiraterone Acetate also provides relief for bone pain that often afflicts patients at advanced stages of the disease. The treatment of this condition depends on its stage at diagnosis. Prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate), hormone block, or radiotherapy, are some therapeutic possibilities available for the treatment of this disease. The primary objective of treatment in patients with advanced prostate cancer is to block the action of androgens such as testosterone, since this may result in the regression of the tumor whose development is stimulated by this hormone. However, with passing time many patients who had initially responded to treatments aimed at blocking the production of testosterone, start to produce the hormone again, which reactivates the disease.

Low reporting of child abuse in Jamaica - study

survey commissioned by the Office of the Children's Registry (OCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that only 11 percent of adults in Jamaica have reported a suspected case of child abuse. According to the survey, that number increased to 30 percent and 76 percent, respectively for children and professionals who have reported suspected cases of child abuse. The OCR and UNICEF say the survey found that the low incidents of reporting by adults and children

The study found that those who failed to report suspected abuse were concerned about the confidentiality of their report or fear victimisation

comes despite the fact that most of them admitted experiencing the abuse or know of a child who has been abused in the last three months. It found that those who failed to report sus-

pected abuse indicated that they were concerned about the confidentiality of their report, fear victimisation or lacked confidence in the child care and protection system to effectively address the issue. It also found that emotional abuse was the most commonly witnessed or experienced form of abuse, followed by physical abuse and neglect. The OCR and UNICEF say the baseline survey was commissioned to learn more about child abuse awareness and reporting patterns in Jamaica. (Jamaica Gleaner)

13 Amerindians protest in Guyana News

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

- after Opposition votes down development fund

hile hundreds of indigenous people took to the streets outside of the Parliament Building in Guyana on Monday shouting “we want development”, National Toshaos Council Chairman Derrick John registered his disgust at the Opposition for voting down the Amerindian Development Fund. The A partnership For National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) recently disapproved Gy$1.1 billion for Amerindian development in the 2014 budget estimates. Speaking at a protest mounted by members of the indigenous community on Brickdam, Georgetown, in the vicinity of Parliament Building on Monday, John said, “We have to get back what was allotted to us…We need to get back what we rightly deserve…Amerindians felt as though they are being robbed.” The NTC Chairman went on to explain that several projects that were earmarked for expansion were launched, but their continuation seems uncertain. “They seem like a lost dream,” John said, explaining that the eagerly

Guyana's Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai on the picket line

anticipated expansion of the apprenticeship programme has been stalled as a result of the development in the National Assembly. He further maintained that throughout the years, Amerindian communities have had steady development, but the action by the Opposition has put a “spanner in the process”. Toshao Shane Cornelius expressed similar sentiments, contending that the Opposition should consider all the struggles endured by the indigenous people, and reconsider their position on the Amerindian Development Fund.

M e a n w h i l e , Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who was also at the scene, said the action by the Opposition is a serious blow to the development of the indigenous people. She maintained that from the Gy$1.1 billion that was “illegally” removed from the budget, Gy$796 million was earmarked for the provision of training and stipends for Community Service Officers (CSO) under the Young Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP). These officers, she further explained, functioned in varying capac-

New ferry for Trinidad and Tobago

n additional inter-island ferry will soon be available for passengers to travel back and forth between the sister isles of Trinidad and Tobago. The government is expected to invest at least TT$48 million annually to provide this newest service on board the MV Super-Fast Galicia. The service is expected to be a hefty TT$10 million less than the lease of the TT Warrior Spirit. This was disclosed by Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz during a recent post-Cabinet news conference. The Galicia, he said, is expected to arrive in the country before the Easter weekend, just in time for the Tobago Jazz Festival, from April 19 to 27. “All in all this is a far better deal for Tobago,” he stated. An improvement in passengers between Trinidad and Tobago is certainly expected, he noted. The vessel, which is 11 years old and 160-meters long, will be coming from Gibraltar. Cadiz noted that, while the vessel will require “minor

TT’s Transport Minister Stephen Cadiz (TT Guardian file photo)

modifications”, this will be done at the ferry terminal at Port-of-Spain. There will be expected additional ancillary costs, he stated, but did not disclose the estimated costs. The vessel, he noted, comes equipped with restrooms for disabled persons as well as medical facilities. “This vessel even has a prison cell which, of course, will work well with the ministry of national security in moving prisoners back and forth from Tobago,” he pointed out. According to reports, Galicia can transport up to 112 passengers, 110 trailers and 60 cars. He

noted too that the vessel is well able to handle all freight between Trinidad and Tobago. One issue that is expected to also be addressed with the additional ferry services, is the shortage of cement in the sister isle, he said. “The issue of shortages of cement in Tobago will no longer be the case,” stated the minister, noting in addressing the issue that Trinidad Cement Limited has had to lease a separate vessel to transport cement to Tobago. In commenting on the TT Warrior Spirit, Cadiz noted that the vessel had in fact been operating with only one engine for the last four months, which has "caused caused major problems for us in moving freight to and from Tobago". The government, he said, has determined it has “good cause” to break its contract with the owners of that vessel and terminate the lease. The vessel’s owners, he noted, were unable to repair the inoperable engine in the 32-year old vessel, which has been leased for the last eight years. (TT Newsday)

ities in their communities, with some playing integral roles in the education and health sectors.

Severe impact

"Denying Amerindian youth a chance to advance within their own community has a severe impact on them,” she

said, as she condemned the action of APNU and AFC. She also posited that several projects geared towards the economic development of Amerindian communities are “out of the window” because of the disapproval of the budgeted allocations. Sukhai indicated that the move by the Opposition is the “most disrespectful and damning action against Amerindians” in the annals of Guyana’s history. The entire Gy$1.1 billion capital expenditure, incorporated in the Amerindian Development Fund for the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, last Thursday, received the thumbs down by the parliamentary Opposition. APNU and the AFC had contended that the money is being used by the administration for

political purposes. The fund was implemented in 2013 by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and was expected to benefit some 180 Amerindian communities across the 10 administrative regions. During the consideration of the budget estimates, both APNU and AFC Members of Parliament (MPs) grilled Sukhai on the use of the money directed for the project, to which she responded to all their queries. APNU’s Shadow Minister of Local Government Ronald Bulkan had said the money was voted against because the coalition was reliably informed that it was being used to “buy” Amerindian communities in the hinterland region. (Guyana Times)

14 News 780,000 migrated from Guyana in past 48 years - study A www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

researcher on international migration at Oxford University, England, has reported that some 780,000 Guyanese have left the shores over the past 48 years. Simona Vezzoli in a recent study said most of the migrants are now settled in Canada, England and the U.S. Vezzoli’s disclosure comes amid calls by various stakeholders across the country for the publishing of the National

Census Report 2012. Last Tuesday, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan told the National Assembly that the government was playing games with Guyanese, and did not want to publish the report as it would show the areas where the government has failed. He noted that the ruling party constantly harps about largescale development in the country, but was

Researcher Simona Vezzoli

not providing the evidence contained in the National Census Report 2012.

According to Ramjattan, the government boasts of the provision of jobs, but some 1000 persons migrate every month. He said this will be reflected in the census report, which he claims the government is hiding. However, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was firmly committed to the continued strengthening of the national statistics system

to provide strong evidence-based policy decisions. He said the results from the census are being compiled, noting that the completion of a preliminary report was somewhat hampered by challenges of access to households and enterprises, particularly in mining areas in Regions One, Seven and Eight. Singh anticipates that the preliminary report will be available by the end of the first half

of the year. The main report will provide information on a number of areas including changing age structure of the population, composition of the labour market, employment, ethnicity, gender, religion, education, quality of life and fertility rates, among others. The analysis is also expected to include projections on the country’s population by 2050, based on current trends.

Dad kills kids before taking his own life in Trinidad

he gruesome discovery of the dead bodies of a man and his two toddlers at the side of a trace in Matura, Trinidad, at 6 am Sunday morning rocked the quiet east coast village. According to police reports, a pumpkin farmer found the bodies near his garden in Mora Trace, off the village’s main road. A bottle of herbicide believed to be Gramoxone was on the ground near them and police suspect it may have been a case of murder/suicide, in which Barry Karimath, 34, poisoned his two-year old daughter Keyanna

Okilia Mayers, left, is consoled by her sister Okeisha after her two-year-old daughter Keyanna and ten-month-old son Omari were found dead with their father Barry Karimath in bushes off Mora Trace, Matura, Sunday (TT Guardian photo)

Mayers and 10-month old son Omari Mayers. Karimath, police said, lived in the South and

the children lived with their mother, 24-yearold Okilia Mayers, in Barataria.

Karimath had custody of the children on Saturday. He owned a Black Mazda 323 but, the vehicle was nowhere in sight. How he ended up in Matura is yet to be known. The farmer said around 9.30 pm Saturday night, he went to his “joupa” (hut) in his garden to spend the night and saw Karimath standing near the trace with Keyanna and Omari. Curious, he asked what he was doing there and Karimath replied he had paid a woman TT$6,000 for a bush bath and he was waiting

for her. The farmer said he retired for the night and when he rose at six the next morning, he saw the dead bodies of the man and two children and called the police. The police found Karimath’s cellphone and called the children’s mother who said she had tried calling him after midnight but he had not answered. She said she had texted him and he sent back a message saying he was going to kill himself and the children. According to po-

lice reports, Okilia said she did not know where Karimath was and planned to call the police in the morning. Councillor for the Matura area Terry Rondon said the whole village, including children, trekked to the area to see the bodies of Karimath, Keyana and Omari Sunday morning. He said he cannot remember a murder like this involving children occurring in the area and said the young people are traumatised. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

UWI, U.S.-based firm sign marijuana research MOU

s the debate rages over whether marijuana should be decriminalised, the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a large U.S.-based company to facilitate research into the medicinal properties of marijuana. The MOU was signed last week between the University and GenCanna Global, Inc. trading as Strains of Hope. The agreement, which will be effective for a period of three years, was signed by Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Professor Archibald McDonald, and Strains of Hope’s founder/director, Josh Stanley at a ceremony held at the Mona Campus.

Under the terms of the MOU, researchers at the UWI, will collaborate with researchers at Strains of Hope on fundamental, academic research related to the development of the medical cannabis industry. The aim is to identify the biological and chemical properties of medical marijuana, with a view to determining how the plant works to treat disease or alleviate the symptoms of disease. The parties have also agreed to provide support with the drafting of legislation related to the decriminalisation of marijuana for medical purposes. Strains of Hope is considered one of the largest marijuana growers and dispensary owners in the U.S. state of Colorado. (Caribbean News)

News

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Jamaican cop kills wife, Still many bottlenecks commits suicide to eliminating H HIV stigma – regional consultation hears

“W

PANCAP Chair Dr Denzil Douglas

e need results. It is time for accelerated action,” said St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Chair of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Dr Denzil Douglas. The prime minister was speaking at the official opening of the Caribbean consultation on Justice for All and Human Rights Agenda, in Kingston, Jamaica, last Wednesday. Dr Douglas noted that 10 years since the landmark DFID/ PANCAP Conference on stigma and discrimination, the bottlenecks and barriers to eliminating stigma and discrimination have not been fully identified, notwithstanding the establishment of a Stigma and Discrimination Unit. The message of concerted and urgent action to promote social inclusion to reduce stigma and eliminative discrimination resonated in the various presentations. These presentations came from Global Fund Executive Director, Dr Mark Dybul; Jamaica Justice Minister, Dr Mark Golding; UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Dr Luiz Loures; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Heath Director Mandeep Dhaliwal; University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Vice Principal, Professor Archibald McDonald; Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition Executive Director, Dr Carolyn Gomes; and former Australian Chief Justice Michael Kirby,

who delivered the keynote address. According to Dr Dybul: “We cannot beat the epidemic unless we welcome all people into the human family.” Noting that Justice for All provides the pillars for eliminating stigma and discrimination thereby leaving no one behind, the Director added that the Caribbean had the tools to completely control the epidemic, this is a “historic moment”, he added. Dr Loures, in reiterating the call for social inclusion, referred to the major contradiction in the global response, noting that the Caribbean was part of this contradiction. While major progress has been made, the contradiction of discrimination, where some people are left behind, still existed.

Change in business

“We need a change in business now,” he stated and urged the consultation to set complete targets which dealt with discrimination. In his keynote address, Justice Kirby charged the meeting to go beyond the drawing board to make change happen. He identified a number of steps including basing policies on good science; reaching out to those who are most affected and at risk and speaking in their language. The three-day consultation considered updates and outcomes of the key Caribbean milestones on HIV-related human rights and the setting up of a policy and advocacy monitoring group for the Justice for All Programme.

alf-an-hour before she could celebrate her 28th birthday, Latoya Campbell Thompson was shot dead by her 31-yearold husband, Constable Davian Thompson, Saturday night in Jamaica. The shocking murder, committed at the couple's home in the Oaklands housing complex on Constant Spring Road, St Andrew, took a gruesome turn early Sunday morning when the cop's body was found a few hundred metres away in the Shortwood gully with a gunshot wound to the head. Police believe he committed suicide. "He was clutching a .38 revolver in his hand," Superintendent Steve Brown, who heads the police force's Corporate Communications Unit, told Jamaican media. Brown, who pointed out that Constable Thompson was "on suspension for a year now for his involvement in a shooting incident in Westmoreland", said that the dead cop was not a licensed firearm holder. Therefore, the police are trying to determine where he got the revolver— which was not a service firearm—he was found

A crowd watches from the bridge on Shortwood Road in Kingston as undertakers and police take Constable Davian Thompson’s body from the gully Sunday morning (Jamaica Observer photo)

clutching. The tragedy of the murder and suspected suicide rocked Campbell Thompson's family, who expressed great concern for the couple's threeyear-old son. "I heard that she had just come in, and he was waiting for her and they had a struggle," Campbell Thompson's aunt, Eleanor Gray, told the media as undertakers retrieved Thompson's body from the gully while a crowd looked on. "I know they were having some issues earlier, but she didn't tell me, she is a private person. But I normally encourage her, whatever the

problem is, take a break, go somewhere, take some time off...I guess she was just waiting on her leave (vacation)," Gray said of her niece who was an accountant at telecoms giant Digicel. Asked whether Campbell was a violent man, Gray said "no". "He was a nice guy, a nice guy, that's why we just didn't see this coming." While people in the crowd gathered on Shortwood Road were heard expressing anger at the murder, Superintendent Brown said that the police high command had dispatched the Chaplaincy Unit to both families to provide

counselling. He appealed to members of the police who are having problems to discuss them with the constabulary's counsellors. "One of the concerns we have is that police officers who are having issues may not want to come forward and discuss them. However, if the police high command is made aware that there is a problem, the Chaplaincy Unit will assist," Brown said. "So, we are again appealing to police officers who have issues, and families who know police officers who have issues to report them," Brown added. (Jamaica Observer)

News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending april 17 , 2014

World Bank voices concern over high Panday ponders cost of remittances to the Caribbean forming new

he World Bank has voiced concern about what it described as the exorbitant cost of sending remittances to the Caribbean and other places, saying that forcing migrant workers to pay as much as US$50 to send US$200 is “wrong.” The Washingtonbased financial institution said this is especially so when workers are “sending salaries they have earned in the hope of supporting their families back home.” It said US$200 often is a very significant sum for migrants’ family income. “There was little price transparency and no global effort to address this problem until the World Bank helped form a coalition to monitor the process and create a ‘one-stop shop’ information system to help remittance-senders compare services and costs,” the statement said. The World Bank said the high cost of transferring remittances internationally has typically been caused by a combination of obstacles in each local market, both in sending and receiving

The World Bank said it has provided a “variety of effective solutions” to address a high cost of sending remittances at the global, country, and municipality levels

countries.

Lack of transparency

These include a lack of transparency and consumer protection, legal and regulatory obstacles, a lack of payment system infrastructures and access to payment systems, a weak market environment without a proper competition, and weak risk-management and governance practices. These problems were discussed as the World Bank-led coalition joined in creating a new international standard called the General Principles for International Remittance Services, published in 2007. The World Bank noted that in 2009, Heads of State of the world’s industrialized powers made a commitment to reducing the global average cost by 5 percentage points in five years – the so-called “5×5 objective”.

In addition, the World Bank said it has provided a “variety of effective solutions” to addressing a high cost of sending remittances at the global, country, and municipality levels. It said the Global Remittances Working Group that it has established has provided technical inputs and advice to partners to achieve the objective, together with monitoring the global remittance costs through RPW.

Principles

At the country level, the Bank said it provided technical assistance to client countries to improve their remittance markets by addressing problems and obstacles through implementing the General Principles for International Remittance Services. As a result, the bank said the cost of sending

remittances has been reduced to about US$42.48 billion from 2009 to 2013 at the global level. It said the global average of sending a remittance of US$200 came down from 9.81 percent to 8.95 percent in the normal average and from 8.58 percent to 6.62 percent in the weighted average from 2008. “Remittances are proven to be essential for the poor not only for their income but also for financial inclusion, education, health, and investments,” the World Bank said. “A reduction of remittance costs means more money is kept in the hands of migrants and their families.” The World Bank has also said that remittances to the Caribbean and other developing countries are expected to remain robust this year, despite increased deportations of migrant workers. The bank said migrants from developing countries, including the Caribbean, are expected to send US$436 billion in remittances to their home countries this year. (Caribbean News)

party in TT

ounder of the United National Congress (UNC) Basdeo Panday says he will consider forming his own political party if UNC internal elections, which are scheduled to take place this year, are not free and fair. This news from Panday was music to the ears of interim leader of the Independent Liberal (ILP) Jack Warner who said he had no problem merging the ILP with a new party formed by Panday to contest the 2015 general elections. Panday said people have been encouraging him to contest the UNC’s election, which has been delayed by 16 months. It was supposed to be held last January. In response to calls from UNC members, the veteran politician said he should be able to contest any post in the UNC election if it is free and fair. He claimed the 2010 elections were stolen and if on the next occasion those contesting the election are in control of the machinery “the results will be determined before the first

vote is cast”. Panday was defeated by current UNC political leader Kamla PersadBissessar in the 2010 internal polls. He told TT media: “If the election is not free and fair, I invite a mass resignation from the UNC and the formation of a new party to contest the elections in 2015.” Asked if he thinks he would get the support from the people, Panday admitted he could not say so for sure but it is worth a try. Asked whether he would invite Warner’s ILP to join forces with him in a new party, Panday said: “If you form a party you usually go in the direction of the membership and that is not possible until you form the political party.” Warner said the UNC is crumbling with those at the helm. “This is not the party Basdeo Panday and I fought for years ago,” he said, adding that he is willing “to join any party whose objectives are similar to ours (ILP) and whose goals are the same”. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

News

week ending April 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana’s police on drive to rebuild public trust in Berbice

esperate to regain the trust from citizens, Guyana’s B Division (Berbice) top brass last week embarked on a walkabout in some of the crime-prone communities in New Amsterdam during which they listened to the complaints of residents and even made their own suggestions as to how the communities can help in the fight against crime. The walkabout was spearheaded by Divisional Commander Brian Joseph who spoke about the decline in public trust in the police, with serious consequences for cooperation and social cohesion. “The public need to be confident that the police are on their side, accountable for the way they use their powers and for how they deal with victims of crime”, Joseph told residents during the walkabout. He added that if people do not trust that the police have their inter-

Police ranks during their walkabout in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam

ests at heart and believe there is a wide gap between the values of the two parties, they will not cooperate. Chairman of the Safe Neighbourhood Council in Angoy’s Avenue and its environs, Pastor Persaud agreed that when an individual trusts the motives of an institution and its representatives and believes that it has their inter-

ests at heart and is on their side, they are more likely to engage with it and assist it. According to residents in the Angoy’s Avenue area, the initiative by the police is most welcomed and it is their hope that this exercise will continue at least once per month. Joseph assured that this exercise will be continued and told the residents

that he is always available to anyone in need of his assistance. Stacy Johnson of Church Street Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, expressed delight that the police had visited them on friendly terms and not only when there is a crime or lawlessness in the area. Meanwhile, over at Rose Hall Town, ranks visited several busi-

Commander Brian Joseph interacting with a child in Angoy’s Avenue

nesses and residential homes in order to listen to their concerns and also to assure them that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has their safety at heart. Both businessmen and residents commended the police for taking the time to visit and in-

teract with them at the ground level and most of them were able to speak one to one with the commander. Similar exercises were done in Region Five and the Upper Corentyne and Springlands areas. (Taken from the Berbice Times)

Manchester home for 40 more HIV-infected children in Jamaica Projects Abroad Jamaica Country Director Dr Bridgette Barrett

he seven acres of leased government land at Belretiro in Central Manchester, Jamaica is now a sprawling green space. However, there is hope that the beginning of its transformation into a residential facility for children and women living with HIV/AIDS should be realised by year-end. The flagship project of international volunteer organisation, Projects Abroad Jamaica and the BrigIT Water Foundation in Australia is slated to provide—in a family and home setting—health care and meet the social and psychological needs of 40 children without legal guardian and support, and 20 women who have been ostracised by their families. "We want it to be a world- class facility," Projects Abroad Country Director Dr Bridgette Barrett told the gathering for an information session at the Northern Caribbean University's Rotaract Club last Wednesday.

She said that the idea came about for the facility, which bears the name Belle Haven Centre, as Projects Abroad works with different organisations primarily in Manchester, St Elizabeth and Montego Bay to find opportunities for the overseas volunteers to offer their services on a shortterm basis. "Through our volunteers at Projects Abroad we work in the different orphanages. There are children in these facilities who are HIV positive. They are not getting the proper nutrition, they are not getting their medication or not getting it on time and they are discriminated against," Barrett said.

Transition

The property which became available after a three-year search for appropriate land, will also have a halfway house that will facilitate the transition of the children into adulthood and a multipurpose resource centre with computers, library and other amenities to

benefit the residents in the area. There is also the hope that there will be an economic spin-off where the local farmers and businesses will be supported and the women living with HIV at the home could be among the employees if they are well enough. According to a Belle Haven Centre brochure, the initial estimate for the project is over Ja$100 million, with the primary partner being the BridgIT Water Foundation. Also, the increasing network of volunteers from 36 that come to Jamaica, local fund-raisers and income-generating initiatives are being used to fund the project. However, Barrett in her presentation to the service club said that the students "buy-in" as well as that of others, is important. "We all have a stake in this. If each of us can give of our time, our expertise, our money we can make this happen. It's a worthwhile facility. It is very much needed and it will have a positive impact on Jamaica and a positive impact on our children living with HIV/ AIDS who did not call this on them(selves)," she said. One student expressed concern that the Belle Haven Centre was catering for only 40 children, after statistics were quoted suggesting that far more children were living with HIV/AIDS in

Jamaica and would be in need of care.

Expansion

"I know 40 sounds low but it is 40 more than is being taken care of right now," said the country director of the six-year-old Projects Abroad Jamaica. Barrett said that with the land available it is also possible that more than the expected five

houses can be built and more land space around the property could be negotiated for lease, if necessary. In addition to the stakeholder engagements for financing and building a presence for the Belle Haven Centre in people's minds, sensitisation and public education for persons including the

residents in the Belretiro community is also being done. Projects Abroad operates in 29 developing countries worldwide, with Jamaica being the only one in the Caribbean. The offices in Jamaica are located in Mandeville and Montego Bay. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

News

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

TT to fingerprint all deportees T T

rinidad and Tobago is moving to make it compulsory for all deportees to be finger-printed upon entry to the country and for their records to be kept, in addition to more reforms to DNA sample collection, according to legislation unveiled by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan in the House of Representatives last Friday. Piloting the Miscellaneous Provisions (Administration of Justice) Bill, 2014, Ramlogan said the legislation proposes certain cases where fingerprints and DNA will be taken without consent. In relation to deportees, Ramlogan said, “A deportee would have to give a sample upon arrival.” He noted currently it was within the discretion of immigration officials to determine, based on an on-the-spot analysis, whether the deportee’s offence fell within the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and this was a cumbersome procedure best suited to legal experts. “We have removed that to make it very clear and very simple,” Ramlogan said.

Compulsory

Instead, the Attorney General said, a sample

TT’s Attorney General Anand Ramlogan (TT Newsday file photo)

will now simply be taken carte blanche. Clause 9 of the legislation proses an insertion into the Police Service Act which reads: “50C. (1) At all ports of entry into Trinidad and Tobago, a police officer or an immigration officer under the Immigration Act shall take and record for the purpose of identification the fingerprint impression of- (a) a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago without the consent of the citizen, where the citizen has been deported from any place outside of Trinidad and Tobago.” Compulsory fingerprinting will also take place in situations where there is evidence linking fingerprint impressions

at crime scenes to potential persons related to inquiries. In relation to DNA samples, the definition of such samples is to be clarified; and samples are to be kept far longer, as long as 20 years, because of the possibility of cold cases being solved. “One ought to tread with extreme caution before you go to destroy it,” Ramlogan said. “The longer the period the State can retain these samples, the better we can tackle crime.” Of current anti-gang legislation, Ramlogan said because of intelligence gathering by law enforcement authorities, “We are likely to see more arrests in the future under the AntiGang Act.” He said the recent provision introducing a “one-strike-and-you-areout” rule in relation to bail had begun to take effect, saying it had resulted in a “long list of repeat offenders who have matters pending before the court who have been denied bail”. He said the rule was, “one of the most important tools in the fight against crime.” The Attorney General said a new law to re-vamp the practice of plea-bargaining is planned. (TT Newsday)

World Bank calls for renewed support to fight Haiti cholera

first year of the epidemic to around 4,900 in 2013, the World Bank said Haiti still has the highest number of cholera cases in the world. Speaking at a technical session with leading cholera experts during the World Bank Group and IMF Spring Meetings, Kim called for a renewed sense of urgency, more coordination and a clearer understanding of the remaining obstacles to stop the epidemic. The Haitian government’s US$ 2.2 billion 10-year plan to Haiti still has the highest number of cholera cases in the world eliminate cholera, launched Cholera Elimination While the number of in February 2013, broadcases has been dramat- ly outlines investments Plan. “Cholera can be elim- ically cut since the be- needed in water and saninated in Haiti. We need ginning of the outbreak itation as well as preto do much more to in October 2010–from a vention, surveillance, strengthen Haitian in- monthly average of more and case management. stitutions and support than 35,000 cases in the (CMC) orld Bank President Jim Yong Kim has called for renewed commitments from international partners and a roadmap for integrated health, water and sanitation investments in support of Haiti’s National

the government’s cholera elimination plan,” Kim said. “This will require an integrated multi-sector approach that prioritises improvements in water and health programs for the most vulnerable people.”

Guyana supports Caricom Commission on ganja use

he government of Guyana, as a member state of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), will be supporting the regional Commission that is to be set up by Caricom to address issues relating to the use of marijuana. Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett explained that while Guyana has not changed any of its laws to legalise the use of marijuana, it will nevertheless support the Commission that was mandated to be set up by Caricom Heads of Government. Rodrigues-Birkett noted that after the commissioners are selected, they will meet and then present a report to the member countries. The minister added that when the report is presented, Guyana will consider participating in the regional Commission. As it relates to Guyana’s position on the topic of marijuana legalisation, she stated that while the country has not changed any of its laws at this point, it is yet to make a pronouncement on the matter. She emphasised that the country cannot position itself against the legalisation and then on the other hand support discussion on the matter.

Discussions

At the recently concluded 25th Intersessional Meeting, Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, during a

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

press conference disclosed that the heads had engaged in intense discussions on the issue and decided that a regional Commission be established to address issues identified in relation to marijuana use. According to the Community Chairman, the medical use and the decriminalisation of small quantities for recreational use were discussed. He further stated that concerns were expressed about the repercussion that would follow the legalisation and the decriminalisation of the drug, particularly as it relates to potential public and mental health hazards. The Commission is expected to report to the regular meeting of the conference in July 2014.

Meanwhile, there have been heated debate across the Caribbean over the legalisation of the drug; however, no country has taken the drastic step forward. Much of these deliberations have been in Jamaica, which is considered the largest producer of marijuana in the Caribbean. Stakeholders in the country have been urging the Jamaican government to legalise the drug in order to boost the country’s economy. In Guyana, there is division on the issue also. However, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, earlier this year, maintained that government has a zero-tolerance policy on all drugs that are deemed illicit, which include marijuana. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

Canadian help for Tobago

Canada’s High Commissioner to TT Gerard Latulippe (TT Guardian file photo)

he Canadian government is interested in developing PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) projects in Tobago. Gerard Latulippe, Canada’s High Commissioner, met Chief Secretary Orville last week, at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Scarborough, to discuss this and other initiatives of the Tobago House of Assembly. The two also discussed the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) project in the island, according to Leslie-Ann

Boisselle, Public Affairs Officer of the High Commission in Port-of-Spain. She said these two initiatives by the government of Canada in Tobago supported the continued bilateral relations between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago and its policies for engagement in the Americas. The Assembly is currently pursuing PPP initiatives to finance a number of projects in the absence of approval from the central government to borrow money. The Inter-American Development Bank has also promised to provide support to establish a PPP secretariat at the Division of Finance and Enterprise Development; Representatives of the Ministry of Finance PPP secretariat have been liaising with the Division to set up such a secretariat. Settlements and Labour Secretary Dion Isaac disclosed two weeks ago that his Division will shortly be inviting expressions of interest under the PPP initiative to build housing units on a 63-acre site in west Tobago. The High Commissioner hosted a cocktail reception at the Sea Horse Inn in Black Rock last Thursday night as part of the visit to Tobago. (TT Newsday)

news

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Curacao’s Insel Airline to fly Guyana-Miami route from June A new airline, Insel Air International, is slated to commence operations in Guyana by June 18 with two flights per week. Roraima Airways has been authorised as ground handling services and general sales agents for the airline. The contract was signed between the two companies in the presence of media operatives at a press conference last Friday at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown. Chief Commercial Officer Jurgen Lippinkhof said it was an honour to be operating in Guyana. He explained that Guyana was chosen because it is the only English speaking country in South America. The representative disclosed that when the airline commences operations on June 18, there will be introductory prices which will last for six months. Insel Air is expected to operate flights to Miami from Aruba and Curacao, its two main hubs. The introductory

Roraima Airways Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia in the presence of wife Debbie Gouveia and another staffer, exchanges a handshake with Insel Air Chief Commercial Officer Jurgen Lippinkhof after sealing a deal with the airline last Friday (Carl Croker/Guyana Times photo)

fares for these routes is US$270 per roundtrip, which will in-transit at Aruba from Curacao, while straight flights to Miami from Curacao will be US$345, tax inclusive on both prices.

Baggage allowances are 23 kilos per suitcase, 10 kilos for a carryon and a fee of US$40 for any extra luggage over 10 kilos. Lippinkhof explained that passengers flying

with Insel Air have the advantage of clearing with the U.S. Customs and Immigration in Aruba, and as such, they will be flown to the U.S. on a domestic flight and do not have to go

through the tedious process there. He pointed out that this service will allow Guyanese to have the opportunity to travel to Destination Aruba and enjoy all the enticing

things on offer. Meanwhile, Roraima Airways Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia said the partnership allows for the promotion of Guyana’s tourism product since Insel Air’s passengers will now have the option of flying to Guyana. He noted that with the launch of the new carrier, Guyanese will also have the option of vast destinations since the airline will be conducting flights between Guyana and Miami via Aruba and Curacao, connecting many other destinations including The Dominican Republic and Haiti. Captain Gouveia said this initiative will open new opportunities for business and tourism for Guyana. Currently, Insel operates out of their two main hubs in Curacao and Aruba, with a total of 39 aircraft. It offers services in the Caribbean region along with North and South America. (Excerpted from Guyana Times)

day funeral service planned Kartel's family fearful Five for former TT president after ‘informer’ reports T T

he family of incarcerated entertainer Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer say they are now in fear for their lives following Sunday’s revelation by the police that the convicted deejay gave the cops the whereabouts of several St Catherine wanted men and additional information that led to the recovery of 17 illegal firearms. According to a police source, the information provided by Kartel before he was arrested was an attempt to ensure his freedom or to obtain a reduced sentence. It was also revealed in the story that the entertainer was an influential member of the much-feared Spanish Town gang, Klansman, and that the gang carried out murders for the artiste. However, Sunday, Kartel's family said they were very upset at the report, saying the information was news to them and that it had put their lives in danger. "This is endangering the lives of Adidja Palmer's family, his siblings, and his girlfriend, when a news like this come on the radio and we don't know if it is credible, we don't know the source...and they don't think about how it is affecting our lives," said Palmer's eldest sister, Maureen Nelson. “…We thought that when he got sentenced to life in prison it would be over. But that is not the end, it is the beginning," Nelson said. She said their fear was justified, given the "informer culture" that exists in the country. Nelson said they were not sure about how the public had taken the

Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer (Jamaica Observer photo)

news, but that the family was concerned that their relative would be branded an informer. "We are locked up in the house right now. We have fears of reprisals and I don't even know how John public will react to us," she said. Nelson said the media needed to be mindful of what it reports and whether or not the information is credible and how it will affect the family. Vybz Kartel, Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones were convicted on April 3 for the August 16, 2011 beating death of Clive 'Lizard' Williams over the disappearance of two illegal guns. Accused Shane Williams was acquitted at the end of the five-month-long trial before Justice Lennox Campbell. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

he Trinidad and Tobago government says five days of funeral services will be held to honour the life of former president Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson who died last week after a prolonged illness. National Security Minister Gary Griffith, who is chairing a committee planning the funeral service of the 87-year-old Robinson, said the former prime minister, would be laid to rest at the Scarborough Methodist Cemetery in Robinson’s homeland of Tobago. Griffith told reporters at the end of the weekly Cabinet meeting last Thursday that there would be two funerals for Robinson over the five-day period, but it has not yet decided whether the services in Trinidad and Tobago would take place between April 29 to May 3 or from April 24 to April 28. The final dates for the funeral will be made public after consultation with Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and Robinson’s family. Robinson’s body will lie in state in a closed

Former TT President Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson (TT Guardian file photo)

casket draped with the national flag at the Parliament building for two days with a funeral service taking place at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in the capital. Griffith said the funeral service at NAPA will be preceded by a procession of a military cortege with full honours. Following the funeral service in Trinidad, the body will be flown

to Tobago where it will lie in state at the Legislative Chamber of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) with a service of thanksgiving taking place on the fifth day. Robinson’s final committal and burial will be conducted at the Scarborough Methodist Cemetery with full military honour following the ceremony. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

feature

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

rinidad and Tobago’s participation in the 2014 International Short Film Festival at ClermontFerrand, France, has yielded tangible benefits, and the Caribbean has been invited to be the official region of focus at the 2016 edition of the Festival. Some 100,000 people attend the Festival annually. In February, a joint team from the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (ttff) and the Association for the Development of Independent Cinema in Guadeloupe (APCAG) took ten Caribbean films to the Festival, which is one of the largest in the world. The films were screened on February 4 and also exhibited in a ttff/ APCAG booth in the Festival’s marketplace from February 2-8. The films included TT’s ‘Small Man: The World My Father Made’ by Mariel Brown; ‘Fish’ by Shaun Escayg; and ‘After Mas’

tent that the TTFC has funded. The ttff reported after the February event in France that two of the three TT film-makers whose films were shown at Clermont-Ferand have been contacted with invitations to have their short films screened at other festivals. At ClermontFerrand, film professionals inquired about Caribbean film-making incentives, such as the Trinidad and Tobago cash

‘After Mas’ was produced by Karen Martinez

by Karen Martinez. With the sponsorship of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFC), Emilie Upczak, ttff Creative Director, and Nneka Luke, ttff External Relations Director, repre-

sented TT at ClermontFerrand. Over the past four years the TTFC has also partnered with the FEMI Film Festival in Guadeloupe, to enable FEMI to screen TT con-

rebate of up to 50 percent on qualifying productions. The Clermont Film Festival has officially invited the ttff to put together a package of films for the 2016 Festival, in which the Caribbean will be the region of focus, the ttff reported. The report added, “The ttff representatives met with the directors from the Mauritius, Madagascar and Reunion Island Festivals, and shared information, benchmarked

best practices, and explored similarities and ways to collaborate in the future. “Further, the British Council approached the ttff and requested that the Festival submit a proposal for collaboration and support. Finally, Cannes Short Film Corner approached ttff and APCAG and invited us to participate in the library and marketplace at the Cannes Film Festival in May.” (TT Newsday)

uesday, Tessanne Chin marked another milestone in her life. The Season Five winner of NBC's 'The Voice' now has her own official rum. Accompanied by her sister, Tami Chynn, and Solid Agency's Marlon Bourke, Tessanne was

Tessanne Chin

at an exclusive ceremony at J. Wray & Nephew Limited's corporate office in New Kingston, where the presentation was made. The occasion was in celebration of the singer's accomplishments and there she was gifted with a one-of-a-kind rum created just for her. The special creation was blended by Joy Spence, master blender of the Wray & Nephew line of rums. Spence told Jamaican media that after watching Chin's performance in the international singing competition, she decided to create rum that would be unique to a woman she described as a "true Jamaican gem". "We thought it would be great to create a very special blend for her, because we do that for special people, and it was an exceptional achievement," she said. Spence also revealed that in addition to presenting her with the creation, Chin was participating in the company's first rum seminar since its academy was opened last week.

Painstaking process

Spence said the process took some time, as she had to find the right

ingredients to match the effervescent personality of the talented singer. "I thought about her personality being unique and exceptional, so I selected rums to match that and blended them together, and after several trials, I decided that this was the one." Spence maintained that the blend was unique and will not be replicated. Clearly overwhelmed by J. Wray & Nephew's decision, Chin reflected on the moment she heard the news. "I was either in Canada or Miami when I got the phone call. Sharon Bourke told me and I couldn't believe it. I was like, what do you mean?" Admitting to being a lover of Appleton, Chin described the moment as an honour. "To go through the entire process was amazing. I didn't know there was so much love and effort that goes into creating one bottle of rum. It was very educational and fun." The special blend marks another historic moment in the singer's life, one she says she will always remember. (Jamaica Gleaner)

feature

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

nspired by her indigenous heritage, Anna Correia-Bevaun has become one of Guyana’s most celebrated artists. She began her career in art in 1988 as a ceramist under the tutelage of her mother, the late renowned Guyanese artist Stephanie Correia. For years Anna explored ceramics as her principle medium. Wishing to explore new techniques, materials and approaches, she took short courses in design, batik and discharge, Vedic art and watercolour. In 2007, CorreiaBevaun won both the second and third prizes in the National Watercolour Competition (Guyana). In 2009, she also won the first and second prizes in the National Watercolour Competition. In an interview, Correia-Bevaun disclosed that as a child she never had an inclination to become an artist, but being surrounded by art, because of her mother, she developed an enthusiasm for it. “My mother, who was from Pomeroon, introduced me to art, and eventually I developed a love for it. She was an extraordinary potter. She did thorough research on different types of clay in Guyana and due to this she was able to work effectively with them, and this she taught me. I never did art in school; instead I did Food and

ronment. I paint what I see. Also, I have learnt a lot from my mother, who was an avid reader. I have also gathered a lot from fellow artists. Persons interested in art work tend to ask what it is about or what inspired the painting, and listening to the explanations from my colleagues I was able to broaden my knowledge on art. I am fortunate to have worked with many veteran artists and was able to apply what I learnt from them into my work.” Correia-Bevaun comes from a line of creative and passionate ancestors who were very dedicated to their work. One such individual is her grandfather Stephen Campbell, Guyana’s first indigenous MP.

Among the indigenous people, Campbell is revered as a hero. He is credited with advocacy for land rights for Amerindians; a goal that the present government continues to advance, to ensure that Campbell’s aspiration for his people is made possible. Campbell served as Artist Anna Correia-Bevaun member of the legis- went she was with him. lature from 1957 un- He was very instrumentil his death on May 12, tal in her life and taught 1966 – two weeks before her to be the great perGuyana gained indepen- son she was, and in turn dence from Britain. He she passed down her herdied, and was buried, in itage to me and my sibCanada. lings. I have learnt from “When he died I was 3. them to make the most of I vaguely remember him God's gifts, always strivbut what I have heard ing to improve and work about him is from my to the best of my abilimother who was his sec- ty,” Correia-Bevaun afond daughter. He would firmed. (Guyana Times call her ‘little scout’ be- Sunday Magazine) cause everywhere he

The artist enjoys painting women of different ethnicities

Nutrition. However, learning from my mother encouraged me to delve into art,” she recalled. Correia-Bevaun joined the Guyana Women Artists’ Association in 1995. She has held the positions of secretary, vice-president, and president of the association. Being with this group helped Correia-Bevaun to explore new art media. In 2003, she decided to learn pen and ink drawing. Later, she explored watercolour after being inspired by her mother’s work with the medium. “When my mother passed she left some watercolour tools. I decided

to try my hand at this and joined a 12-week art course held at Castellani House. For me art is very therapeutic and relaxing and that is why I try to learn as much as I can about it just as my mother did,” she declared. Due to the artist’s diverse ethnic background, her paintings are not subject to one recurring image. She paints images of Amerindian hunters and certain traditions of the group. Women of various ethnicities are also part of her collections. Speaking on what inspires her, CorreiaBevaun explained, “I’m inspired by my envi-

ith a large number of children worldwide developing lifestyle diseases, the St Mary Health Services of Jamaica in collaboration with the Health Education/Promotion division in the parish recently hosted a diabetes dance and essay competition. Several primary and high schools from across the parish participated in the competition aimed at promoting physical activities among children. Speaking at last week's award ceremony to culminate this season of the competition, Health Education Officer Pauline Steele-Davis said the competition took hard work and dedication even as she lauded the teachers who took the time to prepare the students. According to Steele-Davis dancing is more than just entertainment, but a way of pro-

Students from Highgate Primary and Junior High perform a dance piece during the awards ceremony last Thursday (Renae Dixon/Jamaica Observer photo)

moting physical activity. The quality of performance and essays done by the students were also very high, according to acting medical officer and Chronic Diseases and Injuries Coordinator Dr Julia Rowe-Porter. Director of Health

Education and Promotion in the Ministry of Health Takese Foga also commended the efforts of the students. "Your energy and creativity, the talent which you have shown is to be commended," Foga said. Director of Non-

Painting inspired by 'everyday life'

Communicable Diseases in the Ministry of Health Dr Tamu Davidson-Saddler, who was guest speaker at the event, commended the organisers for hosting the competition. Although fewer young people have diabetes than adults, Davidson-Saddler said children getting diabetes due to lifestyle is now a major concern. Last Thursday, several schools showed those attending the ceremony the creativity and talent which went into the pieces. Dances were used to dramatise the causes of diabetes, prevention methods and the treatment of the illness. The school which walked away with the first place award in the dance competition was New Orange Hill Primary School. The institution won several sectional prizes which included best message and content. Second

place went to Highgate Primary and Junior High which was also awarded for creativity and originality, while Water Valley Primary placed third. In the essay competition Camberwell Primary emerged champions in group one as student Breanna Nolan was acknowledged for the quality of her essay. Breanna proposed that a day be dedicated to fruits and vegetables at her school as a way of promoting a healthy lifestyle. Devon Pen Primary was second in that group while New Orange Hill placed third. In the second group, Brimmervale High School emerged winners while Long Road Primary was the victor in group three. The event was sponsored by several businesses in St Mary along with political representatives from the parish. (Jamaica Observer)

feature

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

fter three successful years of bringing fashion to the forefront for consumers, Tobago Fashion Weekend (TFW) seeks to further elevate the profile of creative talent both locally as well as from around the world on May 16-18. Spearheaded by Designer United Stores, this year’s edition of TFW is themed SPD Redefined. The fourth instalment of this creative industry initiative hosted a glamorous media launch which was attended by government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, entertainment personalities and fashion enthusiasts last Monday at La Cantina, on Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain. Addresses from TFW directors Ashley Christmas, Richard Young, Meisha Trim and

From left, Interior Designer Sasha-Ann Clement, celebrity makeup artist Krysta Wallace, fitness expert Tobias Ottley, Advertising expert and UTT/CAFD graduate Kathryn Nurse, and designer Keegan Simon of 1ndividual Aesthetic (TT Guardian photo)

Aisha Keens-DumasSmith all intimated one common message: fashion is a natural extension of the Caribbean being, and the commercial potentiality is a welcomed school of thought for TT.

he assumption that the Caribbean is a hotbed of fertility is a fallacy, local experts say. Rising teenage pregnancies and large families with up to ten children can give a false picture of a highly reproductive population but, with a falling TT birth rate (currently 15.2 births per year per 1,000 people), the medical director of TT’s only IVF fertility clinic, Dr Catherine MintoBain, says TT is just about

For 2014 and beyond, the seven-member executive remains committed to engaging and encouraging the vast bodies of creative talent that continue the sustainable development thrust rooted in

that 34 per cent of TT’s men have a low sperm count, based on tests over a two-year period. At the TT IVF Fertility Centre (TTIFC), Minto-Bain says, 90 per cent of the women who want to donate eggs are rejected because they don’t have enough of sufficient quality to be accepted.

Caribbean fashion, the TFW said in a news release. The executive also noted the necessity of support from the public and private sector in this initiative. The media launch also included show-

chemical nor farming. TTIFC is now part way through a UWI-funded research study into TT’s women, particularly the rise in the number of women with polycystic ovaries. It is known that AfricanCaribbean women are more likely to have high numbers of fibroids (muscular tumours) in their ovaries than other ethnic Infertility Male and female fertility groups—making it more difficult rates are the subject of ongo- to get pregnant—and that they ing research but, so far, answers produce fewer eggs, with an earlier menopause. But the low number of healthy eggs in women in their late 20s and 30s was across all ethnic groups. “Trinidad has big problems,” MintoBain said. “Obesity and diabetes are contributing factors. We currently have 4,000 on our books and we haven’t done any advertising campaign for eight months as we are inundated. It’s all word-of-mouth.” Financing fertility treatment is a major issue for many in TT. It’s certainly Dr Catherine Minto-Bain at work in her clinic the TT IVF Fertility not cheap—full IVF Centre in Maraval (Kristian De Silva/TT Guardian photo) costs TT$31,000. replacing its population. But the TTIFC has adopted are elusive. There appear to be In reality, she says, TT and no patterns according to ethnic- the UK-pioneered system of eggthe rest of the region has ma- ity, geography or age in terms of sharing. jor problems that need to be ad- male reproductive health. At the other end of the dressed. In 2011, TTIFC published a scale, the more recent clinic in April 21-26 is National report and held a symposium ex- the Caribbean, the Barbados Infertility Awareness Week, a ploring male fertility levels based Fertility Centre (BFC) has been movement celebrating its 25th on a sample of its 3,000 patients. publicising its services more aganniversary this year with They were interested in gressively. events where people can find out whether environmental polluIVF treatments at the BFC about the issues involved. tion might be affecting fertility, are expensive. At US$5,500Male infertility is the big- but, the MD says, infertility did 6,500 it is an option that most gest problem. Last year, Health not cluster around any indus- people might struggle to afford. Minister Fuad Khan revealed tries in particular, neither petro- (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

case previews from Dexter Jennings, Rhion Romany, Dominic Hutch, Dominic La Roche, Shaun GriffithPerez, Anthony Redd, Pegus and TFW’s Art to Fashion High School Initiative. Makeup for

the models was provided by celebrity artist, Krysta Wallace. In conjunction with the Tobago House of Assembly and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, TFW 2014 aims to build on new and committed partnerships within the creative fraternity, and give a polished platform for viable commerce options and value chain development in a sector bursting with talent and promise, the release said. Other partners on board this year include the Tourism Development Company Ltd, JetBlue, Full Circle Animation, Tempo, 211, Excel and Foreign Bass. The media launch of TFW in Tobago will be held on May 3 in Scarborough. (TT Guardian)

Next to Halloween, Easter is the second most popular holiday for the consumption of candy

e are now approaching the end of the Easter/Lent period. Here are some interesting facts about the holiday which is celebrated worldwide, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1. Easter has no set annual date for celebration. The day changes each year according to the lunar calendar. 2. Easter Monday officially marks the closing of the period of Lent which began on Ash Wednesday. 3. Next to Halloween, Easter is the second most popular holiday for the consumption of candy. 4. The word Easter actually refers to an old pagan goddess called Eostre, which was the goddess of spring and fertility. 5. In many Caribbean countries, a popular Easter tradition is the flying of kites. This is done in representation of the ascent of Jesus Christ. 6. The consumption of animal products including eggs was forbidden during the period of Lent. This caused many eggs to be available for consumption by Easter Monday. 7. Guatemalans celebrate Easter by creating a long carpet made of sawdust and flowers, and subsequently march over this carpet on their way to church. 8. The act of exchanging eggs as gifts has its origin in Ancient Persia where the eggs were said to represent new life and fertility. 9. The snack pretzels were originally created as an Easter food in Germany as it was made to symbolize two hands in prayer. 10. Instead of the traditional Easter Bunny, in Switzerland their Easter figure is an Easter Wizard. In many Caribbean countries, a popular Easter tradition is the flying of kites

23 Guyana’s historical Sacred Heart Church rising from the ashes Y feature

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

ears after a devastating fire destroyed the historic Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Guyana; members are still struggling to rebuild the edifice. And though they had raised an initial Gy$90 million to carry the building to where it is currently, another Gy$70 million is needed to complete the project. Originally built by Father Schembri, a Madeiran who came to the then British Guiana in 1835, the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and Presbytery played an integral role in the historical and religious development of Catholism in Guyana. The chapel was designed, built and established on a plot of land, now 67 Main Street by Schembri and was opened on December 25, 1861. It was built to accommodate the Portuguese indentured immigrants who had come to work on the sugar and cotton plantations in British Guiana. The original building was 100 feet by 30 feet in size. However, alterations and extensions produced by 1882, a structure which was four feet

will again embark on fundraising ventures with the hope that their target can be achieved.

Satisfaction

Father James Gonsalves

above the ground, 60 feet wide and 140 feet in length. It eventually became a church which not only catered for the Portuguese but large Guyanese society in general as well.

Tragedy

Tragedy, however, struck on December 25, 2004 when a fire believed to be electrical origin, gutted the entire building, leaving nothing but ashes behind. The loss of the church affected the community, both physically and emotionally. Parishioners lost not only a place of worship, but many of the outreach programmes to the less fortunate were severe-

The newly-constructed Sacred Heart Church on Main Street in Guyana

ly affected. Hundreds of students were displaced as the adjoining Sacred Heart Primary school was also consumed in the blaze. The students were required to share spaces with colleagues of the St Mary’s Primary. This newspaper caught up with the head for the Rebuilding Committee, Ramsay Ali, who noted that the Sacred Heart Parishioners Community still long to see their church rebuilt, despite the fact the fire

was some eight years ago. He related that the decision was made in 2011 to start construction of a new building for worshippers in the parish. The cost of a new building complete with furnishings was estimated at Gy$160 million. Though the amount seemed insurmountable for such a small church, parishioners did not lose hope and had faith that it could be achieved. With cooperation and

unity among themselves, they organised fundraiser after fundraiser which proved to be very successful. Over a short period of time, they had raised approximately Gy$90 million, which has since completed the structure and fencing of the land. An additional Gy$70 million is required for the completion of the interior of the building and to provide final touches to the building itself. He related that the church

Leader of the church in absence of Bishop Francis Alleyne, Father James Gonsalves expressed satisfaction in how much they have been able to accomplish through cooperation and unity among themselves. He disclosed that the fire created a huge gap in the lives of the parishioners and more so, left many deprived of their place of worship and learning. Father James, however, noted that even though there were many challenges in getting to where they are now; the church through the grace of God has prevailed, noting that there is no doubt in his mind that it will soon be completed. To recreate a sense of belonging and to preserve its identity, the church is being built and designed in the same way it was before it had burnt. The only difference now will be the accommodation of the church. Previously, it was said to have the capacity to hold some 800 persons. The present church will only have the capacity to hold 350 persons.

Marley grandson on gun charge in Jamaica

a t t h e w Prendergast, the grandson of reggae legend Bob and Rita Marley, has been slapped with a gun charge resulting from an altercation with a security guard at the Bob

Matthew Prendergast (Jamaica Observer photo) Marley Museum on Hope Road in St Andrew. Prendergast, 25, is a musician reportedly based between Miami and Jamaica. He is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and assault at common law.

He is alleged to have pointed a gun at the security guard on April 5, during an altercation at the museum premises. A firearm has not been recovered. Last week, Prendergast was offered Ja$200,000 bail when he appeared before Justice Martin Gayle in the High Court Division of the Gun Court. He is to surrender his travel documents as part of his bail condition. A September 24 date has been set for trial. During the bail application, his attorney informed the court that there was an altercation but that no firearm was brought into play. He is the son of Sharon Marley and FIFA referee instructor Peter Prendergast. (Jamaica Observer)

“I

t is the happiest day of my life,” said Guyanese Iris Stuart Macadam of Durban Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, who celebrated her 100th birthday last Friday. Guyana’s latest centenarian celebrated the special day with members of the Brickdam Cathedral and her caregiver, giving thanks to the lord for his their abundant mercy and blessings. Macadam, who was born on April 10, 1914 at Camp and Durban Streets, Georgetown, was a seamstress in her days. She recalled that she had “a very good time in life” and has no regrets. The centenrian told Guyanese media that her favourite hymn is “Amazing Grace”, but likes more the verse “…save a wretch like me”. That aside, she said she loves to sit in her rocking chair and watch out her window. When asked what is her biggest challenge now, she stated in a dim tone “arthritis”, noting that her right arm is affected, preventing her from doing basic things for herself. This, she highlighted, irritates her much, causing her to

Iris Stuart Macadam question God about what she did wrong to make her endure so much pain. She is the only surviving member of her family and the only one to have lived to be 100. With Easter just around the corner, Macadam was asked what was Easter like in her earlier days, and she replied: “It was one of my favourite holidays”. Macadam said that she would bake a lot of goodies for her children and grandchildren, and generally, have a grand time. She also pointed out that life has changed significantly over the past 40 years. “Young people these days do

as they please and adults cannot correct them,” she said, noting that this sort of behaviour was intolerable in her days. According to Macadam, she was a not a party girl when she was younger as her parents were very strict. In terms of her favourite foods, the centenarian said she often hears people talk about fried rice and fried chicken, but she knows about cow heel soup with lots of beef, chicken foot sauce and cook up with all the meats−tripe, beef, chicken and fish, just to name a few . Her advice to young people is “take your time and enjoy life to the fullest”.

feature

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Professor Norman Girvan, a true Caribbean man

Beauty and Brains

rofessor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Norman Girvan, 72, who died in Cuba last Wednesday from injuries sustained in a fall during a hike in early January in Dominica, is being celebrated as an icon of Caribbean integration. Girvan was medivaced from Dominica to TT where he was to recuperate to a stage well enough to undergo surgery in Cuba. The injuries he sustained had left him paralysed from his neck down. He was in Cuba just over two weeks when he died. His wife Jasmine and two children were with him in Cuba. As an outstanding son of the region, “It is perhaps poetic that Norman, the Caribbean man who was born in Jamaica and lived in Trinidad, would sustain his injuries in Dominica and die in Cuba,” the Cropper Foundation said in a tribute. The Cropper Foundation, the Institute of International Relations of the University of the West Indies, Caricom Community (Caricom) and Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI) described Girvan as a “a true Caribbean man.” Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said Girvan’s “life’s work was underlined by unremitting dedication to a vision of an integrated Caribbean. His ideas and ideals placed him in the upper echelons of Caribbean intellectuals.” LaRocque described his publication, ‘Towards a Single Development Vision and the Role of the Single Economy’, as a visionary document to guide the development of Caricom and a prime example of the commitment that Girvan had to his region. According to IIR senior lecturer Dr Mark Kirton, Girvan was seen among his colleagues as an icon on regional integration which was reflected in his vision of an “El Gran Caribe” that will include the Dutch, French and Spanishspeaking Caribbean. His most recent advocacy, Kirton said, was to reverse the

Professor Norman Girvan, 72, died in Cuba last Wednesday (TT Newsday photo)

Dominican Republic’s (DR) constitutional court ruling that stripped more than 210,000 Haitians born in the DR of their citizenship. Girvan received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the then University College of the West Indies and his PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics. He has published extensively on the political economy of development in the Caribbean and the Global South and is the recipient of several honours and awards. Until his demise, he was a Professorial Research Fellow at the UWI Graduate Institute of International Relations and was based at the UWI, St Augustine. Career highlights • Professor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies.

• Professorial Research Fellow at the UWI Graduate Institute of International Relations. • United Nations Secretary General’s Personal Representative on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy (Appointed in 2010). • Board Member (2002-2011) and Vice Chairman of the South Centre (2006-2011). • Member of the United Nations Committee on Development Policy (since 2009). • Former Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States. • Professor of Development Studies and Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies UWI. • Head of Jamaican Government’s National Planning Agency.

New bio on Jamaica’s Miss Lou ‘M

Miss Lou

iss Lou: Louise Bennett and Jamaican Culture’, is a new biography by professor Mervyn Icon. Distributed by Kingston's Ian Randle Publishers, it will be released this month. 'Miss Lou' covers Miss Lou's work as a poet, performer, storyteller, singer, actress, writer, broadcaster and children's television show host. That diverse career spanned 50 years. According to a release from IRP, "the book is brief and affordable, and captures the life of a woman whose actions and life's work instilled pride

in Jamaicans in their language and culture". Bennett-Coverley is a standard-bearer for modern Caribbean literature. She appeared in many pantomimes and wrote numerous poems and scripts. She also hosted radio and television programmes in Britain and at home, championing Jamaican culture. She died in Toronto— where she lived for several years—in 2006 at age 88. Morris is professor Emeritus of Creative Writing and West Indian Literature at the University of the West Indies (Mona).

By Anu Dev “You need a role model who is beautiful, is trendy, and yet is still intelligent and has good moral values” -Shandi Finnessey

ast Thursday, there was a Ms Mount Hope pageant held right here on the medical school’s campus. The proceeds from ticket sales went to a charity in aid of children with cancer. It was an incredible event, well planned-out and executed. We got to see another side of our friends who were contesting. As our anatomy lecturer would say, they had “Brains and beauty”. Beauty pageants are becoming increasingly ubiquitous–especially over in Guyana. Does this say something about us as a society? Are we possibly looking for validation? Starting from the sixties, there’s been quite a debate about the pros and cons of such beauty pageants– especially provoked by feminist awareness. But you wouldn’t guess from the discourse in Guyana. Ah well, our sixties beauty queen Shakira Baksh did marry Michael Caine, didn’t she? World fame, other than Jim Jones, at last! Pro-pageant supporters swear that people enjoy their shows: they allow us to enjoy beauty just like any other art form. After all, nobody’s complaining about John Singer Sargent’s paintings of females. On the other hand, these contests promote a picture of female beauty that has been conditioned by the male gaze. Not to mention a male, western, white gaze. The present standard can only be achieved by dieting, plastic surgery, applying great dollops of skin whiteners or injections of Botox. Females are convinced to either obliterate their natural beauty or feel inferior for the rest of their lives. With segments involving evening gown and bikinis there’s no escaping the fact that it’s definitely a western ideal of beauty being promoted. Those that protest some of these premises, such as observant Muslims or Hindus are dismissed as “traditional”. The irony that the so-called “progressive” modern standards are all from the western “tradition” is unremarked. Another effect of beauty pageants is that by judging women mainly on their appearance, they objectify women and cement the idea that they are to be appreciated for their physical attributes instead of for other talents rather than possessing the “right” genes. The inclusion of an “intelligence” segment via questions hasn’t blunted this critique. However, do these pageants really ‘empower’ women and ‘raise their self-confidence’ as they claim to do? I’m not so sure, since they are mainly about the physical “beauty” and that doesn’t really help to liberate women form the typical stereotypes! But there are also those cases where women like Aishwariya Rai, Priyanka Chopra and Halle Berry used beauty pageants as stepping-stones to advance their careers in films. Would they have had the opportunities and attention they got, if they didn’t win their beauty contests? Some would say that these women are living proof that beauty pageants can be platforms for future success and present opportunities in a male-oriented world where there are already too-few opportunities for males. So in comparison to the large-scale pageants like Miss World or Miss Universe where many of the contestants have some degree of cosmetic surgery to have the “ideal look”, it was heartening to see the girls of our med school go up as themselves, bringing their own individuality to the stage to try to raise money for charity. In an interesting twist, which we can call feminism II, females are now demanding the right to display their bodies whichever way they want to. In that sense, the “non-display” of their charms might also be conforming to some male notions of beauty. And the debate will go one. Ultimately like with everything else in the world, the relative importance of brains and beauty is all about who has power.

Bollywood

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Abhishek Kapoor suffering Ranbir-Katrina to from back spasms live-in together?

e plans to adapt Mahabharata for the celluloid but right now, Abhishek Kapoor aka Gattu is suffering a backache of epic proportions. Mirror learnt that on Monday night, Abhishek was due to attend the premiere of a Hollywood film, ‘Son of God’, with Sushant Singh Rajput and Katrina Kaif. But before he could leave the Western suburbs for a journey to South Mumbai, he was struck with a massive back spasm. "His family panicked as the pain came on sud-

denly. A doctor was immediately called to take stock of the situation. He figured that it's a spasm but Abhishek was in

pain even while resting. He's been advised complete bed rest for at least a week," the source said. (TOI)

Shilpa Shetty Kundra launches jewelry store in Mumbai with hubby

ollowing his cousin Kareena Kapoor's footsteps, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has also decided to live-in with his girlfriend Katrina Kaif before marriage. Since the couple hardly gets time to spend with each other due to work commitments, they have decided to just stay together. A Saharasamay report says that Ranbir has finally decided to move out of his Pali Hill family residence, Krishna Raj, where he was staying with his parents Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, and has decided to buy his own apartment where he can move in with Katrina. Quoting a source, the report adds

that he has already spoken to a few builders and is looking for a big apartment situated somewhere between Bandra and Juhu. In fact the actor will visit the apartments shortlisted by his agent personally before he finally selects his love nest for his alleged lady love. It is said that Katrina used to visit the actor frequently at Krishna Raj. Her frequent visits were allegedly disapproved by his father Rishi, who often commented on her coming to their residence so often. Hence, Ranbir took this big step and has decided to move out of his parents’ house and live with Katrina. (TOI)

Vivek Oberoi lending his voice for 'The Amazing Spider-man' sequel

hilpa Shetty Kundra along with her husband Raj Kundra, was spotted launching their very first Satyug Gold store in Mumbai. On the occasion, the 30-year-old Bollywood actress and businesswoman said, "Everyone wants to buy gold because it's important for them and brings happiness and prosperity, and this business is very important for me because I will be able to fulfill people's dreams."

The store's 5-year purchase plan will give 37 percent discount on gold, and since the jewelry is crafted by her, the designs are very modern. "I will be coming up with a special line for housewives that will have bangles and earrings which will start from very affordable price," she added. Satyug Gold showrooms will soon open in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Ludhiana as well. (TOI)

ivek Oberoi continues to court darkness. After playing the evil mastermind Kaal in ‘Krrish 3’, he is now lending his voice to Electro, the baddie, in the dubbed Hindi version of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’. "The call from Sony Pictures was like a bolt from the blue. Someone saw my performance as Kaal and thought that I could do the voiceover for Jamie Foxx. It's a natural extension," he points out, adding that he is doing this for his newfound kiddy fans who now want him to lift them on his 'ungli'. Fifteen years ago, while still in college, Vivek had dubbed for films like ‘Independence Day’ and ‘The Rock’, along with TV shows like ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’, ‘Small Wonder’ and ‘The

Young and the Restless’. "I was ready to do anything, including amateur and professional theatre, to get closer to my acting goal. Dubbing was one such step," he says. (TOI)

‘My father thought I should act’ - Karan Johar ‘My years in movies help me

ilmmaker Karan Johar, who is making his fullfledged acting debut with Anurag Kashyap's ‘Bombay Velvet’, has thanked him for making his late father Yash Johar's wish come true. "My father thought I should be an actor...I didn't. Thank you Anurag Kashyap for fulfilling my dad's wish...just wrapped ‘Bombay Velvet’!" In ‘Bombay Velvet’, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, Karan plays a villain. The movie, coproduced by Fox Star Studios and Phantom Films, will see Karan

as politician’ - Hema Malini

in the role of a rich businessman who plays a crucial role in the life of Ranbir's on-screen character. In the past, Karan

has made fleeting appearances in films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Fashion’ and ‘Luck By Chance’. (TOI)

ctress Hema Malini, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Mathura Lok Sabha constituency, says her years of toil in the film industry have helped her survive as a politician. "All my years in movies--all the

hard work, tough outdoor schedules, long hours---have all helped me in my new avatar as politician! Off to Baldeo kshetra (area) today with all your good wishes and blessings," the 65-year-old posted on her Twitter page Wednesday. The star of films like ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ and ‘Sholay’ said she received a warm welcome in Baldeo. "Women coming out in hordes to welcome me - all promising to vote for me," she added. Hema was recently upset at reports that her family was not by her side to support her in campaigning. She pointed out that while her daughters Ahana and Esha have been lending their support, her husband and actor Dharmendra will join her soon. (TOI)

hollywood

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Anderson's sons were bullied over her Playboy shoot

ormer ‘Baywatch’ star Pamela Anderson regrets her infamous Playboy shoot as her two sons suffered at school due to her racy photographs. The 46-year-old says it was hard on her sons Dylan, 17, and Brandon, 16. "When my kids became teenagers it was hard on them. They fought a few bullies--and were teased by some. I regret that anything I have ever done has made them uncomfortable

or suffer," dailystar.co.uk quoted Anderson as saying. They overcame their problems together. "But our life is our life-we love each other---we are close--we have gone through a lot. It made us all closer and more resilient as a family." Anderson was chosen as Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990, a year after she made her debut on the magazine. Her Playboy career spans 22 years. (TOI)

Angelina Jolie warned Johnny Depp not to marry Amber Heard

ohnny Depp got some relationship advice from none other than Angelina Jolie. Jolie had pleaded with Depp to get a prenuptial agreement before his wedding to Amber Heard. According to MVP Entertainment, the 38-yearold star thinks that the 50-year-old 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor, who re-

cently confirmed his engagement to Heard, might be going through a midlife crisis and has become enchanted the young actress, who's only 27. Depp is currently promoting his upcoming movie 'Transcendence', which centers on an artificial intelligence researcher who strives to create a machine that possesses sentience and collective intelligence. (TOI)

Nicolas Cage worried about personal texts going public after losing cell phone

icolas Cage is reportedly anxious that his personal information, including his private text messages, may get leaked into public domain after he lost his cell phone. The ‘National Treasure’ star who will be seen in new movie ‘Joe’ was recently spotted using his friend's cell phone whilst dining out with co-star Tye Sheridan and director David Gordon Green, the New York Post reported.

Diners in the restaurant overheard the Academy Award winner telling his group that there was one text message that he would hate to see get out. An insider said that Cage's pals excitedly waited to hear what the text message said and he finally disclosed the truth that he wrote to a friend in Vegas saying, "I just wanted to thank you for all your help and support, bro". (ANI)

Cameron Diaz bats for multiple partners

ameron Diaz finds it unreasonable to expect one man to understand all needs of a woman, and so, she feels it's okay

to have lots of partners. "For some reason, we get into relationships and we expect one man to understand 'all' the parts of us and meet all of those needs. I think that's where everything fails," mirror.co.uk quoted Diaz as saying. Asked if having lots of partners was better, the single star added: "Why not? Why would that be so bad?" The 41-year-old star of ‘The Other Woman’, a film about fidelity, says she has multiple girlfriends.

"We can have all of these girlfriends, all of these friendships. I know with my girlfriends I do totally different things with each one of them. I have different conversations. We like things that others don't like. "There are different commonalities in each one of them and when I want to do those certain things, I can go to that girlfriend and we do those things together. That's perfectly fine that she doesn't like to do the thousands of other things that I like to do. I'm perfectly okay with that with her," she added. (TOI)

Anne Hathaway says she loves her younger fans

nne Hathaway has revealed that she loves her younger fans. The 31-year-old star, who'll be lending her voice to the feisty macaw Jewel in upcoming film 'Rio 2', told People Magazine that she's already showed the film to her favorite kids in the world. She always gets a "kick"

when they can see the film that she's in, she said. And it gets easier for her to convince them to do manual labors, she joked. The Oscar winner added that kids ask for so little and she takes it as a pleasure to be able to give them a moment of joy. (ANI)

Amanda Bynes' mum denies her daughter ever had mental illness

manda Bynes' mother Lynn Bynes has claimed that her daughter has never been diagnosed as schizophrenic or bipolar and she had no mental illness whatsoever. The ‘She's the Man’ star's mum said in a statement that Amanda, who had called many celebs including singer Drake "ugly" on Twitter, feels very sorry for all the hurtful tweets, statements and actions, U.S. Magazine reported. Lynn also blamed marijuana for her daughter's erratic behavior over the past few years.

Amanda had stayed at a Malibu rehab facility and spent some time in the psych ward at UCLA Medical Center.

Arnold Schwarzenegger likes napping

ctor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he likes to take naps in the afternoon and whenever he has idle time. "Yeah, I sometimes take a nap in the after-

noon. I sometimes take them when I feel sleepy and I am at home, then I have the luxury of lying down for an hour," The Sun newspaper quoted the ‘Sabotage’ star as saying. But Schwarzenegger, who will start filming ‘Terminator 5’ soon, doesn't get chance to snooze while filming due to his busy schedule, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "You get an hour lunch break and then you work until seven at night, so there's not like, 'OK guys, why don't you continue, I am going to take a little nap… There's not time for that," he said. (TOI)

‘I do not have a perfect body’-Jessica Alba

essica Alba says she is selective in her choice of clothes as the actress feels that her body is not curvaceous. The 32-year-old ‘Fantastic Four’ star said she believes that women must be happy with the way they look and take better care of themselves, reported Contactmusic. "I know how to emphasise my curves, that's all. I choose clothes that accentuate my body, but it's taken years of practice," Alba said. "I do sport even though it's not enough in my opinion. I practice

yoga, dance, I drink lots of water and I eat healthily. At least, I try," she added. The actress feels that the most attractive women are happy and healthy. (TOI)

Andrew Garfield loves being naked

ndrew Garfield has revealed that he loves being naked and it was nothing to be shy about. 'The Amazing Spider-Man' star told Guilty Pleasures that it was imperative to be naked and be in touch with their bodies and not be ashamed about what they are made of, Metro.co.uk reported. The 30-year-old actor asserted that he loves being in touch with "nature and his own nature." (TOI)

feature WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

fter being in the aviation sector for the past 27 years, Astrid Deira, a mother of two on Saturday morning made her maiden trip to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as Captain of a 723 Boeing flight. The 45-year-old Captain is the first female to touch down in Guyana, landing smoothly about 09:05h at Timehri. She was greeted by a group of staff members of Surinam Airways where she worked all her life. The Surinamese-born pilot at the age of eight had aspirations of becoming a pilot, but was told that it was not a job for girls, and as such, she should concentrate on becoming a stewardess. Nevertheless, this did not stop her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a pilot. As she sat in the executive chair of the CJIA VIP Lounge, she recalled that her father also worked at Surinam Airways and she would from time to time accompany him to his work site. At that tender age, she was up and about among the mechanics and pilots, assisting with whatever was needed to

be done, even if it meant passing a tool to a mechanic. It was from that time, she realised that she had a passion for the profession; hence, she did not care about “who did what or what anyone else did”. As she grew older, she became more fond of planes and their operation. After graduating from high school, she joined the Surinam Airways team as an administrative clerk, but after a while, she was promoted to the computer department after her superiors thought she would fit in perfectly.

Remained focused

Deira did not lose focus of her goal; thus, she saved her hard earnings and paid for her training as a commercial pilot. Her hard work and studies finally paid off. Her career started 22 years ago when she was given the opportunity to do interior flights, which she did for 14 years. Thereafter, she flew several jets as co-pilot before flying 314 heavy jets, also as co-pilot. Her time finally came when promotions arise in the company and she was given the chance to fly the 737 medium

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

jets, which she said is a stepping stone to fly bigger planes.

Little awkward

As she embarked on her career, it was a little awkward for her since passengers and more so her colleagues had to get familiarised with a woman as their Captain. “It was time to prove myself as a professional…people realised that it is not a job that someone can give you… you have to work and earn literally all the stripes and ever since, it has been a smooth sailing. I have earned a lot of respect from my colleagues,” the humble female Captain said, moments after landing at the CJIA. Despite being born in Suriname, the fluent Englishspeaking Captain said she spends more time with her mother, who is Trinidadian, enjoying the broad diversity. Her memorable occasions are countless, but those she remembered are the ones where she flew two Guyanese presidents, and of course her country’s heads of state. She intends to keep flying until her retirement, but one day hopes to take command of heavier jets, such as the A340 and oth-

Captain Astrid Deira and her co-pilot in the cockpit of a 737 flight

ers. Her advice to young women who have a passion for the aviation industry is: “If you really want it and you love it, then go for it…there will be setbacks, there will be draw backs…you will fall down but the thing is that you will get up and go and

even if anybody says to you that you cannot, remember it is in your mind that you can.” Deira described her experience with Surinam Airways for the past decades as unbelievable and would often times consider the company hers. (Guyana Times)

he Institute for Educational Administration and Leadership-Jamaica (IEAL-J) welcomed 11 visitors from England on a reverse study tour and capacitybuilding exercise from April 2-11, 2014. Academic Reader in Education at Brunel University, and President of the IEAL-J, Professor Paul Miller, led the delegation which comprised nine participants from Bay House School and Sixth Form inclusive of Ian Potter, head teacher; David Wiltshire, a member of the board of governors; two teachers and five students along with one educational leadership student from Brunel University. Participants visited Yallahs Primary, Penwood High, Mountain View Primary, College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Sandy Bay Primary, Lucky Valley Primary, Pear Tree Grove Primary, St Jago High, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Iris Gelly Primary and Rise Life Management with an aim to explore education in a Jamaican context. A joint public lecture was also given by Potter and Wiltshire at the University of Technology (UTech) on April 5.

The delegation from England which was in Jamaica for 10 days, ending last week, on a study tour of the island. In back row at right is Jamaican Professor Paul Miller, formerly of the University of Technology, now of Brunel University in England (Jamaica Observer photo)

The study tour was facilitated in alignment with the aims of the IEAL-J which are: (a) to research leadership issues related to actors in education, such as teachers and principals and (b) to engage in activities aimed at building capacity in its members and therefore in society at large. A series of fund-raising events and sponsor-

ships from various entities assisted in deferring some of the costs associated with the study tour. Evaluation of the study tour indicates that the institutions visited provided a rich tapestry of experiences because of the range of schools, colleges and education providers included in the programme.

Experience

Wiltshire was among

the participants who reflected positively on the experience. "I have achieved an understanding that I had no idea I would a week ago," Wiltshire declared. "It is impossible to know what it is you are going to gain knowledge about without engaging in this ethnographic way. The experiences we have gained must be cap-

tured in order to enable a critique and sharing of ideas. A level of discourse around pedagogy should be the outcome of the study tour, such as how we engage pupils," Wiltshire went on. Local educators also had their say. "It is a shame that Jamaican colleagues have not benefited from what English colleagues have experienced. The

Jamaican pupils felt privileged to be visited. Staff welcomed the mini-lecture provided by the English head teacher and it would be good for them to hear more", pointed out Veronica Gaynor, principal of Iris Gelly Primary School and IEAL-J member. "Everyone at the school talked about the visit because we have never had such a large group of foreigners visit. Please come again," said Shernette NelsonMayne, teacher at Lucky Valley Primary School and IEAL-J public relations officer. "My principal is really happy you visited. The parents have appreciated the visit in giving the school a sense of pride. The central theme was about resources when we came to England and it is interesting that it has also been dominant in your own discourse," noted Ralantonio Lindsay, teacher at Mountain View Primary School and IEAL-J member. "It feels surreal -did we really do this? I have learnt so much from the organisation of this (study tour). I hope it will have far-reaching implications and can snowball," professed Kadia Hylton-Fraser, teacher at St Jago High School and IEAL-J secretary. (Jamaica Observer)

feature

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com |

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

ith her amazing personality, her awesome signature unique catwalk stage model style and gait, coupled with her beautiful smile, Miss India Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana mesmerised the gathering at the 2014 Miss India Pageant in French Guiana. Roshana was invited as a special guest by the franchise holder of the French Guiana leg of the pageant. The pageant was held last Saturday. According to a release, the local queen was given the VIP treatment, along with Miss India Pageant Guyana Franchise Holder Chandini Rambalak. Roshana, who is also the Miss Limacol sponsored queen of the Miss Universe Guyana 2013 Pageant, and Miss India Worldwide: Most Beautiful Skin Awardee, was shocked at the warm reception she received from the French Guianese. “They applauded and screamed on seeing Roshana, which actually made her joyful that she was much appreciated, as hundreds were taking photos of and with her, to the point she could not go on any longer, and had to stop. When she took the stage, the electricity was awe-

Miss India Guyana 2013 Katherina Roshana with contestants and officials of the French Guiana pageant

some as she strutted the catwalk. “They told the Miss India Guyana beauty that they were voting for and supporting her for the Miss Universe competition. Later it was learnt that there was a large Guyanese migrant community, who were most proud that a queen of her talent and grace could visit their adoptive country. Katherina also expressed her joy at meeting the citizens of French Guyana, and meeting the Guyanese migrants and their descendants,” the release

said. According to the release, Roshana spoke to the gathering on autism and the need for awareness and understanding. She also delivered a presentation of how autism affects children through the neurological system. The queen advised the gathering to be on the lookout for children and adults with such traits and not illtreat them ever, but to show kindness and love as love is the medicine for all illnesses.

eggae hit machine Beres Hammond will join Australian softpop duo Air Supply as headline acts at the annual Groovin' In The Park Concert at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, June 29. Hammond, who ignited New York City when he last appeared on Groovin' at Roy Wilkins Park in 2012, is expected to again have his way with music lovers when he belts out favourites like ‘Rockaway’, ‘In Love With You’, ‘What One Dance Can Do’, ‘She Loves Me Now’, ‘Step Aside’, ‘Double Trouble’, and ‘Putting Up Resistance’. Hammond's stellar career was launched in the 1970s with the release of ‘One Step Ahead’, a blockbuster single which stayed at number one on the

Beres Hammond (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

charts for 14 weeks. "Air Supply is a powerful group. Their catalogue of hit songs is impressive. To have a group of their stature share the stage with reggae icon Beres Hammond will be a musical treat for fans. I am confident it will be a fantastic presentation," said Andrea Bullens, co-producer and executive of Groovin' Inc. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Star of the Week

Christian Sobers

or 20-year-old Christian Sobers, music has always been a significant part of his life. Both of his parents, Sean and Michelle Sobers, are also music aficionados. But it wasn’t until Sobers was 16 that music began to matter to him. As a self-taught musician, Sobers researched books, self-help guides and even YouTube for guidance. As he progressed, the musician took a few online courses to sharpen his knowledge and has been able to gain much knowledge from performing and working with other musicians. Every day he learns about music as he views it as an “unending” field and, therefore, is constantly challenging himself to explore and understand it even more. Since he began with acoustic guitar, Sobers has learnt bass and piano and his recent challenge is drums – which he loves. Now, through Music Unlimited, a flourishing music school he founded that aims to promote self-development through the lyrical power of music, Sobers passes on his passion for music and helps others find their inspiration through it. Music Unlimited offers courses in guitar, piano, drums, and vocal coaching. There are also live and online courses available. The passionate musician credits music as his saviour because it changed who he was and gave him purpose. He is also convinced that the possibilities with music are vast and it gives room for exploring one’s creativity through different genres and artists, both past and present.

sport

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Jamaica's champion jockey looks to fresh start in Canada

amaica’s four-time champion jockey Omar Walker will depart the island on April 21 for Canada to begin a new chapter in his professional career. Walker said that the lack of support locally, especially from trainers, forced his decision to take up the reins overseas. "I just want to give Caymanas Park a break. I want to ride at a track where I am appreciated for my hard work. I just want a fresh start. I think that I deserve more than what I am getting here. "Over the years, I have been putting out the hard work and only a few trainers are supporting me. I am not getting

the support that I should get and so I just feel like I need break," an emotional Walker told the Complete Racing Guide over last weekend. The 31-year-old Walker said that he was invited to ride in Canada by Durrant Dunn. "A friend of mine was talking to the chief executive officer for a particular track, Mr Durrant Dunn, about me wanting to come and ride over there. And one day Dunn called me and said that if I was still interested in riding in Canada, and I told him yes. So I was given an invitation to go there," he explained. Walker, who started riding at Caymanas Park in 2009, has won

Jockey Omar Walker looks to the heavens after winning his first Classic race, the 2,000 Guineas on Talented Tony K (Jamaica Observer photo)

four championships but won his first Classic race when he rode the Lorne Kirlew-trained 'Talented Tony K' to victory in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday last. "It feels so good to win my first Classic race. A lot of people were saying that I would never win a Classic race, but you can't win a Classic race if you are not getting the right horses to ride. On this occasion I got the horse and I rode him to victory and I am so happy with that win," the 31-year-old said. He said that if given the opportunity, he would consider coming back for the Derby. "It is everybody's dream to win the Derby,

and it is no different with me. If the owner wants me to come back and ride 'Talented Tony K' in the Derby, I would love to do that, but right now my main focus is getting a fresh start and that is overseas," he noted. Walker, who left Bridgeport High School and came straight into racing, said that he has no regrets in choosing a profession in the racing industry. "I have no regrets, everyone has been good to me when I started my career and even now some are still by my side. But I give special thanks to trainers Gary Subratie, Fitzgerald Richards, and Lorne Kirlew" he said. (Jamaica Observer)

Several Guyanese appointed TT’s Carifta athletes impress top executives of Ontario at 13th Falcon Games Cricket Association

Newly appointed executives of OCA strike a pose just after the AGM (Photo Courtesy of Azad Khan) By R avendra M adholall

everal Guyanese were appointed as new executives in the Ontario Cricket Association (OCA) when the Annual General Meeting took place at Spice Shack business entity in Markham, Scarborough recently. Mike Kendall was replaced by Gulwant Bajwa, who is set to run the affairs of the OCA’s cricket for the next 24 months. Melvin John is the new and first vicepresident while Bisham Singh remains the second vice-president. Third and fourth vice-presidents are Tauqir Uddin and Pavan Veer-Rana respectively. Azad Khan retains the position of secretary while Vish Jadunauth was elected as the new treasurer and at the same time appointed as the OCA junior coordinator. Deo Samaroo was appointed as the senior coordinator while Anwar Omar was appointed um-

pires’ coordinator for the first time. Khan, Singh, Jadunauth and Samaroo are all Guyanese. Meanwhile, out-going president Kendall said he was very satisfied with the progress made by the association during his tenure. He made special mention of the team that toured Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago last year as part of the association’s annual cricket programme. According to Kendall, the tour was a great [success] even though the team failed to win a game in three 50-over and two T20 games. Meanwhile, the new president Bajwa is very excited about the tasks that are ahead of the association especially with planned expansion in the remote areas of Ontario. He is particularly excited with the work that is being done in the schools, and is willing to make a big difference in this development.

He reiterated that his main focus is going to be the development of cricket at the grass roots level. He stated that he wants everybody to join hands through proper engagement to develop cricket in Ontario. Bajwa also spoke about the vibrancy of the association and felt that he has a responsibility to maintain high standard and a great legacy that has existed since the formation of the association over a century ago. Bajwa is a former first-vice president of OCA and former president of Ottawa Valley Cricket Council. He has been involved with Canadian cricket since 1979 as a junior and senior cricketer and an administrator. The first statutory meeting is set to be held later this month at a venue to be named. Both the T20 and 40over competitions are also scheduled to commence early May.

everal of TT’s Carifta Games hopefuls rounded into form ahead of this week’s Carifta Games in Martinique with personal best performances. Reigning two-time Carifta gold medallist Chelsea James (Tobago Falcons) signalled she is ready for the region’s premier meet for young athletes with a personal best throw in the girls under-18 shot put and discus events. On the first day of the 13th annual THA/Blink B Mobile Falcon Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday, James improved her mark in the shot to 15.38 metres. Her previous best of 15.19 was recorded in a gold medal performance at the Secondary Schools Championships on March 18. James, 16, returned to attain a new standard in the discus with a distance of 41.61 metres eclipsing the 40.24 achieved in winning the Tobago Schools title on February 12. The Signal Hill Secondary School fifth former won the girls under-17 shot put titles at the 2012 and 2013 Carifta Games improving the record on each occasion and will be going for more gold in Maritnique. Akidah Briggs (Toco Titans) produced her best mark ever in the girls under-18 javelin, winning with 38.86, (5cm) better than her previous best achieved at the Carifta trials on March 16. Asha James (Zenith) took the runner up spot (35.61m). Briggs won bronze in the Carifta girls under-17 event in

Chelsea James in action in the girls under 18 shot put (TT Guardian photo)

2011 and silver in 2012. Both are TTO’s representatives in the event in Martinique. Briggs was also second on James in the shot put (14.18). Tyriq Horsford (Zenith) improved his mark in the boys under-18 javelin with a third round effort of 62.21 to take the top spot. Horsford’ four legal efforts (56.63, 59.29, 62.21 and 57.40) were better than his clubmate Vondel Joseph who was second with 54.47. Defending boys under-20 5000 metres champion Akeem Marshall (Toco Titans) lowered his pb to 15:52.67 when he finished second in the men’s run which took the field 12 and

half times over the 400 metres track. Matthew Hagley (TTDF) took the top spot (15:48.65). Akanni Hislop (Zenith) sped a new personal record in the boys under -18 100 metres sprint getting to the line in 10.76 (+0.1) with Carifta team-mate Joash Huggins (Dovers) in second (11.09). Trinidad and Tobago will be represented by 68 athletes at this year's Carifta Games. The Carifta Games begin on Friday April 18 with the Opening Ceremony to be followed by three days of action from Saturday April 19 to Monday April 21. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

sport

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014

Guyanese takes Twelve West Indians at IPL bronze in Canada T

uyana’s national table tennis champion Chelsea Edghill is a bronze medalist after teaming up with Belgium’s Lisa Lung at the 2014 Butterfly Canadian Junior and Cadet Championships that recently concluded. Edghill and Lung started well by defeating the USA’s ‘B’ team 3-0 before falling to Canada’s ‘A’ team at the group stage. This left the GuyaneseBelgian pair in second place in their group stage to move on to the semi-final round. Edghill and Lung would then face the USA ‘A’ team, losing to the American 3-1 who then went on to defeat the Canadian ‘A’ team in the final for the gold medal. Meanwhile, in the singles competition, Edghill played her way out of the group stage and into the final 16, but lost to Canada’s Michelle Liaw in a close encounter that went to the fifth and final set that ended 12-10. The match ended 3-2 in the Liaw’s favour. Edghill will now set her sights on

Guyana’s national table tennis champion Chelsea Edghill

the Caribbean Examinations Council examination before continuing her training for the Youth Olympics in July.

‘I can break my records!’ - Bolt

t has been more than five years since Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt shattered his own world record marks in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany. However, track and field's poster boy is convinced that he still has it in him to go even faster than the 9.58 and 19.19-second world records, and says that he is looking forward to getting up to top speed in the upcoming season, after suffering an injury recently. The 27-year-old, who resumed training at the weekend after his manager Ricky Simms reported that his foot was sore a few weeks ago, also underlined that he is not bothered by the setback, adding that he expects to be back to his best soon. "(The injury) is nothing serious…my experience has taught me that that's just the nature of the sport," Bolt told Jamaican media. "Setbacks are a part of track and field. I have come to accept that a long time ago. I had mine, and (I'm) now back in training preparing for the upcoming season." Bolt had his closest brush with his 9.58-second 100m world record in the final at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where he won the gold medal in 9.63, the only time he has gone below 9.70 since 2009, with season best times of 9.82 (2010); 9.76 (2011) and 9.77 last year. In the 200m, the sprinter ran 19.32 seconds in

here is a total of 12 West Indian players who will be competing in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL)--the top T20 league in world cricket. The IPL bowled off Wednesday with matches in the United Arab Emirates (until April 30) while action switches to India from May 2 to the final on June 1. Mumbai Indians, the 2013 winners, have retained the services of top all-rounder, Trinidad and Tobago’s Kieron Pollard while they included left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie of Jamaica to their fold. The leading T20 bowler in the latest ICC (International Cricket Council) rankings, TT’s leg-spinner Samuel Badree, has joined the Chennai Super Kings, who will have a pair of all-rounders named Dwayne--TT’s Bravo and Barbados’ Smith. Dwayne Smith was a member of Mumbai at

Mumbai Indians, the 2013 winners, have included left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie of Jamaica (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

the 2013 edition, while Badree was part of the Rajasthan Royals’ outfit. The Royals have retained TT all-rounder Kevon Cooper while the number two bowler in the ICC T20 rankings, TT off-spinner Sunil Narine, remains with Kolkata Knight Riders. Jamaican pacer Andre Russell joins Kolkata from Delhi Daredevils. West Indies T20 and

Test captain Darren Sammy of St Lucia stays with Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Barbados pacer Jason Holder joining the team after playing for Chennai in the 2013 IPL. And the pair of Jamaican hardhitting opening batsman Chris Gayle and TT pacer Ravi Rampaul have been retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

TT finish eighth in Group II Fed Cup

Usain Bolt (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

2012 but has gone 19.56 (2010), 19.40 (2011) and 19.66 (2013) since running 19.19 in Berlin. If he is to lower the marks, he will need to be at his best, but the fivetime IAAF World Male Athlete of the Year is fully confident that he will set new marks before his time in the sport is done, particularly after the encouragement of his coach. "I have discussed with my coach what it will take to lower these records, and he thinks it's very possible," said Bolt, who is coached by Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club. "I trust my coach completely, so if coach Mills says they can be broken, then I know I can lower them."

Posting strong times

Bolt added that he is looking forward to posting strong times this season and believes that Jamaica stands a good chance of breaking the Santa Monica Track Club's 1:18.68 4x200m world record at next month's IAAF World

Indoor Relays in The Bahamas. "(The IAAF World Relays) should be a lot of fun," Bolt said. "Relays are always the best part of any championship for me." "Jamaica has a lot of talented athletes, so I have no doubt that we can lower the (4x200m) record," he added, without confirming whether he will actually be able to compete at the May 24 and 25 championships. Nonetheless, with three major championships on the cards for the next three years - next year's IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China; the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London - Bolt is also focused on regaining his fitness and staying injury free. "I just want to run some fast times and finish the season injury free so I can focus on these three major championships coming up," Bolt said. (Jamaica Gleaner)

rinidad and Tobago had to settle for an eighth place finish in their America Zone Group II Fed Cup division when competition concluded at the Palmas Athletic Club in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on Saturday. Of the four contesting pools, the national contingent which comprised of Anneleise Rose, Olivia Bennett and Shenelle Mohammed, finished in second position in Pool D. However, only the top qualifiers of each group were selected for the promotional play-off which provides an opportunity for one to progress into the Americas Zone Group I. In the fifth to eighth place play-off on

Saturday, the TT team went down 0-2 to Puerto Rico to claim the latter result. Bennett fought valiantly in her opening Singles encounter but was ousted 3-6, 6-2, 6-7 (4) by Puerto Rican Ariana Rodriguez. Mohammed was next to go as she was eliminated without winning a game (0-6, 0-6). The 0-2 outright win ensured that the lone Doubles encounter was not contested. However, in their opening group match the local girls started strongly with a 2-1 win over Uruguay. Rose went down 1-6, 4-6 in the first matchup against Magdelena Boado but Bennett soon levelled the playing field

with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Carolina De Los Santos in the second clash. Rose and Bennett then partnered and produced a crucial 7-5, 6-1 victory over the Uruguayan pair of Boado/ Ines Canepa. In the other clash against Costa Rica, TT went down 1-2. Rose secured an early 6-2, 6-4 Singles win against Juli Raventos but Bennett soon fell 1-6, 2-6 victim to Ariana Rahmanparast. Rahmanparast then teamed with compatriot Andrea Brenes to dispose of the Bennett/ Rose duo 6-3, 3-6, 0-6. The local women will again attempt another shot at progressing out of Group II in next year’s edition of the Fed Cup. (TT Newsday)

Francis leaves Jehue for another silver

T’s Abilene Wildcats’ Tyler Francis broke his personal 400 metres record on the second and final day of the 13th annual THA/Blink B Mobile Falcon Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Sunday, taking gold in the event with a 47.80 seconds finish. Francis, whose previous record stood at 47.88 dominated the event, leaving World 4m hurdles champion Jehue Gordon of Memphis Pioneers for a second placed finish. Gordon scraped into the final, finishing eighth overall. Behind Gordon (48.22) was Grenada’s Kemoy Henry (48.49). A day prior, Gordon also finished runner-up, but in his specialised 400m hurdles event. In the Men’s 100m dash, Guyana’s Adam Harris (+1.3) placed first ahead of 17-year-old local Jonathan

Farinha of Abilene Wildcats. American Woodrow Randall took third in that event, while former 100m junior world record holder Darrel Brown finished fourth (10.39), despite these two athletes topping their heats. Among the stand-out performers of the day was 14-year-old javelin thrower, Tyriq Horsford of Zenith, who dominated the Under-18 event, after throwing 62.21m in his best attempt, almost eight metres ahead of his nearest challenger and club mate, Vandel Joseph (54.47). In the 1,500m event, Nichola Landeau or Air Bon Sonics, who finished runner-up in the 800m, took the more gruelling 1500m in 3:57.69, less than a second ahead of Cleveland Thomas from Guyana and TT Defence Force’s Kendis Bullard. (TT Guardian)

sport

WEEK ENDING APRIL 17, 2014 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana names strong rifle team for Commonwealth Games

he Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) has named a strong team to participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be held from July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland. National captain Mahendra Persaud, a Commonwealth Games veteran and reigning West Indies Individual champion Lennox Braithwaite make up the two-man team, while experienced rifleman and wind coach Ransford Goodluck will serve as Coach/Manager. In 2010 at the X1X Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Persaud and Goodluck had teamed up to place fifth in the pairs competition, the best showing by a Guyana team at the Games. Persaud said the team will be looking to better its New Delhi showing, but expects tough competition from the 21 other competing nations. Braithwaite is a back-to-

Mahendra Persaud

Ransford Goodluck

Lennox Braithwaite

back regional champion following his success at the Timehri Rifle ranges in 2012 and the Paragon ranges in Barbados last year, while Persaud was runner-up to Braithwaite in

2012 and placed third among regional shooters last year. According to the national captain, preparations for the Games will intensify during the West Indies Fullbore shoot-

ing championships billed for early next month in Jamaica, and the annual international shooting programme at Bisley, United Kingdom, a few weeks before the Games.

The XX Commonwealth Games shooting competition will be held from July 25-29 in Glasgow. Meanwhile, the local shooters are continuing preparations for the West Indies Fullbore shooting championships at Twickenham Park ranges in Jamaica. Training sessions are being held weekly at the Timehri ranges as the riflemen fine tune their programme for the regional showdown that will see competitors from AntiguaBarbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and host Jamaica. Ryan Sampson, GNRA Secretary, said the local riflemen are focused on the task at hand and will be going all out to defend the Milex long- range title over 900 and 1000 yards ranges, and will be seeking to recapture the short range (300, 500 and 600 yards) title they lost to Jamaica in 2013. (Guyana Times)

Tallawahs acquire surprise packages for 2014 CPL TT to host Group in CFU Men’s Qualifiers

hough Jamaica Tallawahs mostly held on to members of last year's Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 (T20) winning squad during the 2014 player draft, there was surprise in some quarters at the acquisition of batsman Adam Voges and pacer Juan 'Rusty' Theron. West Indies fast bowling icon Courtney Walsh, who represented the Tallawahs at the draft staged at the Triple Century Sports Bar two weeks ago, said the absent pair of head coach Mickey Arthur and captain Christopher Gayle had recommended the international duo. Voges, an Australian, is a 34-year-old top-order batsman and the lesser known Theron, 28, is a fast bowler from South Africa. The player value for the draft ranged from US$80,000 for Round One down to US$5,000 for Round 13. Voges was picked up in Round Three of the draft for US$50,000, while Theron went in Round Six at US$20,000. To round off the four international players allowed, the Jamaica Tallawahs retained opener Ahmed Shehzad (Round Two, $70,000). Sri Lankan off-spinning legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who played for the Tallawahs last year, remains their international franchise player (IFP) and was not a part of the draft. In the meantime, Walsh rued that

The player value for the draft ranged from US$80,000 for Round One down to US$5,000 for Round 13

Jamaican batsman Danza Hyatt, a good performer last season, slipped through their fingers and was grasped by the Antigua Hawksbills in Round Nine for $10,000. "One name we had (planned for) we didn't get was Danza Hyatt. We wanted to have him in this set-up because he did pretty well with us last year. Unfortunately, the (Antigua) Hawksbills had that pick (in Round Nine) and they stole him from under our noses," Walsh explained. The 25-year-old allrounder Andre Russell, who starred, particularly with the bat, in helping the Tallawahs to victory in the 2013 edition of the tournament, was retained in Round One of the draft.

The fit-again 29-yearold fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who has shown good form since his latest return from injury, was also drafted (Round Five, $30,000) by the Jamaica franchise. Added Walsh: "When we looked at it, we wanted an all-round squad. We wanted bowling at the death (near the end of the innings), seam bowlers to get the wickets early, batsmen who can win the game for you and spinners to give the variety in attack." Meanwhile, the Jamaican left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterell was a Round One pick for the Antigua Hawksbills. The Hawksbills are captained by Jamaican Marlon Samuels, and have Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal as their

international franchise player. Barbados Tridents, led by West Indies T20 player Keiron Pollard, chose hard-hitting batsman Dwayne Smith in Round One. Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik is their IFP. Last year's beaten finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors, with off-spinner Sunil Narine as their regional franchise player and the upcoming New Zealand star all-rounder Corey Anderson as their international franchise player, chose Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez in Round One. Jamaican left-arm swing bowler Krishmar Santokie was retained by the Warriors in a Round Five swoop. Former West Indies player and coach Roger Harper, the only regional-based head coach in the tournament, was satisfied with the composition of his unit. St Lucia Zouks, led by West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy, picked out-of-favour England batsman Kevin Pietersen in Round One. Their IFP is Australian batsman Brad Hodge. Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel chose captain Dwayne Bravo's younger brother Darren as their Round One pick. New Zealand middleorder batsman Ross Taylor is their international franchise player. Big-hitting Jamaican batsman Kennar Lewis was the Round 12 pick (US$5,000) for the Red Steel. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

rinidad and Tobago will be the host venue for Group Seven, in the Second Round of the 2014 Men’s Caribbean Cup tournament from October 6-13. The Caribbean Cup will be staged under the auspices of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU). According to a media release on the CFU website, “the Caribbean Cup is the flagship tournament of the CFU as the tournament displays some of the best footballers throughout the region, while also acting as a qualifier for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.” The Caribbean Cup will get underway with the Preliminary Qualification Round from May 28 to June 4. Bonaire will host Group One, with Montserrat and the United States Virgin Islands as the other teams, while Group Two will feature hosts Aruba, British Virgin Islands, French Guiana and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The winners of the respective groups will proceed to the First Round, carded from September 1-8. Group Three, in Martinique, will have the winners of Group One, as well as Barbados and Suriname, while the winners of Group Two will tackle Curacao, Grenada and hosts Puerto Rico in Group Four.

Group Five will be held in Antigua/ Barbuda, with Anguilla, Dominican Republic and St Vincent/Grenadines while Group Six will take place in St Kitts/Nevis and includes Dominica, Guyana and St Lucia. In the Second Round, Trinidad and Tobago will welcome the challenge of the Group Five winners, the Group Six runnersup and the best overall third-placed team; Group Eight, in Haiti, will have the Group Six winners, the Group Three runners-up and the Group Four runnersup while Guadeloupe, hosts of Group Nine, will deal with the winners of Group Three and Four, as well as the runnersup in Group Five. The Final Round will run from November 9-18 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with two groups of four teams. Jamaica will battle the Group Eight winners, the Group Nine winners and the Group Seven runners-up, while reigning Caribbean champs Cuba will oppose the Group Seven winners, the Group Eight runners-up and the Group Nine runnersup. The top two teams in each of the Final Round groups will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup while a fifth CFU team will have to face the fifth-placed team from the Central American Zone, to earn a spot in the Gold Cup. (TT Newsday)

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

INTERNATIONAL WEEK ENDING April 17, 2014

Limacol renews sponsorship of Caribbean Premier League

he New Guyana Pharmaceutical C o r p o r a t i o n Incorporated (NEW GPC INC), under its popular Limacol brand, has renewed its sponsorship of the hugely successful Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament. Limacol was title sponsor as the CPL launched in 2013 to sell-out crowds, with over 250,000 spectators attending matches across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia. Global stars including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan took part in the tournament, dubbed the Biggest Party in Sport, where franchise team shareholders include Hollywood stars, Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler. The competition is set to get even bigger in 2014 with the Caribbean’s finest players set to be joined by cricketing superstars such as Kevin Pietersen and Mohammad Hafeez. In addition to providing exciting cricket and highquality entertainment, the Limacol CPL 2013 was a big success off the field. Research carried out by Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM), University of the West Indies, found that the tournament generated a combined impact of US$105.6 million across the region. Damien O’Donohoe, CEO, Caribbean Premier League, said: “It’s great to have Limacol on board again. It

Fans were out in their thousands to cheer their teams on The Limacol CPL girls were very much a part of the carnival-like scenes that prevailed at the inaugural CPL 2013 games

recognised the potential of the CPL in our early days, and after the success of our inaugural competition, we’re looking forward to working with Limacol again to further develop our brand.” Dr Ranjitsingh “Bobby” Ramroop Chairman, NEW GPC (Limacol) said: “We are delighted to be on board as CPL title sponsor for a second year. The Limacol CPL was the most exciting thing the region has ever seen in terms of sports and entertainment and we wanted it to be here to stay so we took the decision to invest. The event is Caribbean

at heart, but with global aspirations. In that sense, it mirrors Limacol’s own vision – to be a world-class Caribbean brand that also captivates the world.” The Limacol Caribbean Premier League returns in July and August 2014 when Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the St Lucia Zouks, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Antigua Hawksbills, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents.

League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport”, featured six teams competing through-

Jamaican high jumper receives one year ban

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean

Premier

Guyanese takes bronze in Canada Page 30

Damar Robinson (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

Chelsea Edghill

out the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, and Antigua Hawksbills. The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

amaican high jumper Damar Robinson has been banned for one year after testing positive for an illegal substance.

Chairman of the Jamaica Anti-doping Disciplinary Panel Kent Pantry handed down the sanction following an in-camera hearing at the Jamaica Conference Centre. Robinson’s ban will be retroactive to June 16, 2013 when he provided the positive sample at Jamaica’s national junior trials. The 20-year-old, currently studying in the U.S., will be eligible to compete again on June 17. Robinson’s suspension comes days after three Jamaican Olympians, sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson and discus thrower Allison Randall, received doping bans. (Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean Times International - (Canada Office) Unit 12, 680 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario M9WOB5 email: news@caribbeantimesinternational.com, marketing@caribbeantimesinternational.com, caribtimes@gmail.com