Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-12-2022

Guyana to sign first sale agreement on carbon credits today

Historic achievement

- Guyana secures 33.47M TREES credit

- becomes first country to receive REDD+ carbon credits for successful protection

of forests against loss, degradation

THE Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) has issued the world’s first The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) credits to Guyana, marking the first time a country has been issued carbon credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compli ant carbon markets for successfully preventing

forest loss and degrada tion – a process known as jurisdictional REDD+.

“Following completion of an independent validation and verification process and approval by the ART Board of Directors, ART has is sued 33.47 million TREES credits to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020,” ART said in a press release.

Those serialised credits, listed on ART’s public reg istry, are available to buyers on the global carbon market, including for use by airlines for compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s global emis sion reduction programme, CORSIA, as well as for use toward voluntary corporate climate commitments.

- elderly Herstelling woman says in reaction to President Ali’s intervention to enhance her

‘I’m lost for words’

were raised in relation to the drainage, the roads, the garbage… This old lady was living here, and MOM decided to take this project up, like we’ll be taking many projects up across the country.”

He said that they in tend to complete the new home for “granny” by next Friday, December 9, 2022.

“We’ll be back during

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JUST days after prom ising to reconstruct a house and build a walk way for an elderly wom an from Fourth Street, Herstelling, President Dr. Irfaan Ali returned on Thursday with a team of volunteers from the Men On Mission (MOM) to dismantle and begin the recon struction of the dilapi dated structure.

Led by President Ali, representatives of MOM, together with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Neighbourhood Demo cratic Council (NDC), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the private sector put their shoulders to the wheel to get the job done.

85-year-old Meena

Bafan has been living in Herstelling for about 42 years, and, according to the elderly woman, she has never seen a President in the area before.

Not only was she happy to see President Ali, but the woman told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that she was lost for words, because of the President’s immediate commitment to improve her living conditions.

Equipped with his gloves, hard hat and hammer, President Ali returned to deliver on his promise to the elderly woman.

He said: “This morn ing, we are very pleased to be back here. As you know, we were walking through this community, and a number of issues

- elderly Herstelling woman says in reaction to President Ali’s intervention to enhance her living conditions

Leading from the front! President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials dismantled the dilapidated structure that 85-year-old Meena Bafan occupied (Office of the President photo) 85-year-old Meena Bafan (Adrian Narine photo)

Historic achievement

be sourced from global carbon markets. We are pleased that the vision of 15 years ago moves forward in a major way today.”

THE Architecture for REDD+ Transac tions (ART) has issued the world’s first The REDD+ Environmen tal Excellence Standard (TREES) credits to Guyana, marking the first time a country has been issued carbon credits specifically de signed for the voluntary and compliant carbon markets for success fully preventing forest loss and degradation – a process known as juris dictional REDD+.

“Following comple tion of an independent validation and verifica tion process and approval by the ART Board of Di rectors, ART has issued 33.47 million TREES credits to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020,” ART said in a press release.

Those serialised cred its, listed on ART’s public registry, are available to buyers on the global carbon market, includ ing for use by airlines for compliance with the International Civil Avia tion Organization’s global emission reduction pro gramme, CORSIA, as well as for use toward voluntary corporate cli mate commitments.

Guyana’s completion of the ART process paves the way for other govern ments which are looking to receive carbon-market finance for success in protecting and restor ing forests. Currently, 14 other countries and large sub-national jurisdictions are working toward their own issuances of TREES credits.

Frances Seymour, the Chair of the ART Board,

congratulated the Gov ernment of Guyana and the many domestic stake holder groups who con tributed to this achieve ment, which recognises the success the country has had in protecting its forests.

“Guyana is the first to complete the ART pro cess for generating highintegrity, Paris Agree ment-aligned carbon credits that will allow the country to access marketbased finance to continue to implement forest-stew ardship strategies. ART, other governments, and important stakeholder groups, especially Indig enous Peoples and local communities around the world can now build on Guyana’s experience to accelerate progress towards meeting global forest and climate goals in ways that ensure en vironmental and social integrity,” Seymour said.

Vice-President of Guyana, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo lauded Guyana’s leadership and tenacity which started in 2007, when Guyana set out with a far-reaching vision for how national-scale action on forests could unlock huge global benefits in the fight against climate change, the preservation of biodiversity, and build ing energy and food se curity.

The Vice-President stressed that ambitious progress was possible -in Guyana and elsewhere -- if the peoples of forest countries designed their own way forward, so that action on forests boosted their legitimate develop ment aspirations.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

“The people of Guy ana continue to be willing to play their part, but we also need international standards that keep pace with what science tells

The independent vali dation and verification process was conducted by Aster Global Environ mental Services, Inc., an internationally accredited environmental services company, which audited Guyana’s REDD+ results for conformance with

Guyana is pioneering ef forts on climate finance that will bring direct ben efits to Indigenous peo ples in advancing climate resilience and sustainable livelihood opportunities.”

Endorsement for the government to sell credits from Guyana’s Indig enous lands -- both titled and untitled – including the terms of benefit shar ing, was given by the Na tional Toshaos’ Council, which includes leaders

that allows HFLD juris dictions to benefit from carbon market finance. The HFLD crediting ap proach in TREES recog nises that HFLD juris dictions must continue to aggressively protect forests to avoid defor estation and degradation, and that carbon market finance can be a powerful incentive to help achieve this,” ART said, adding that all HFLD credits are tagged as such on its

us is needed to safeguard the world’s vital tropical forests.

“So, we are pleased that ART-TREES was created to help accelerate global climate action, by recognising what forest countries like Guyana have long called for: that the time for small-scale pilots and projects is long past. The world needs ju risdiction-scale action to make the required impact, and the world also needs to value the ecosystem services that tropical for ests provide,” Dr Jagdeo said.

He added: “Today, the vision set out in 2007 moves to the next phase, where payments for for est climate services can

both the carbon-account ing requirements and the rigorous social and envi ronmental safeguards of TREES.

On behalf of his col leagues, the Chair of the National Toshaos’ Coun cil in Guyana, Toshao Derrick John, said: “The National Toshaos’ Council welcomes this important milestone in Guyana’s programme on low-carbon development which will further sup port the development of sustainable livelihoods and protection of forests within indigenous com munities.

“As the national body which represents all elected Indigenous vil lages leaders in Guyana, the NTC is pleased that

elected by each commu nity and is the legal rep resentative of Indigenous peoples in Guyana.

Guyana’s TREES credits are also the first market-ready credits is sued to a jurisdiction classified as “High For est, Low Deforestation” (HFLD), which means it has high forest cover and low historical rates of deforestation.

Carbon markets have historically focused predom inantly on areas that have already experienced high rates of deforestation. This is now starting to change with the first TREES credits issued to Guyana.

“Prior to the credit ing approach in TREES, there had not been a mar ket-oriented approach

public registry.

Mary Grady, Execu tive Director of the ART Secretariat, said: “Our planet’s last intact forests are under mounting threat of irreversible, permanent loss if new approaches to protect them are not urgently supported.

“Without the proper financial incentives to value forests and the ac tions that protect them, there is no guarantee that forests in HFLD areas will remain stand ing in the long run. Pro viding a pathway that incentivizes jurisdic tions to keep their for ests standing will create a more effective and equitable global system for forest protection and restoration.”

Guyana is the first country to receive REDD+ carbon credits for successful protection of forests against loss, degradation

- Guyana secures 33.47M TREES credit

- becomes first country to receive REDD+ carbon credits for successful protection of forests against loss, degradation

Excitement, fanfare anticipated with return of Christmas Village

WITH work progressing rapidly on Thursday after noon, the much anticipated Christmas Village will of ficially open to the public today.

During an inspection of the ongoing work along Main Street, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, met with several ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and coordina tors of the event to ensure that with the anticipation of a large gathering, all safety protocols are established.

“We are making sure security is paramount, we will have many layers of security with the [Guyana] Police force and security,”

the minister said, adding: “We are working with great excitement and joy to set up the Christmas village, every night we would have work ers setting up the lights. So, today we are just doing a walkthrough with security with the police to make sure that the opening concert and the opening ceremony runs seamlessly.”

Further, the minister urged patrons to come out in their numbers to celebrate.

“We are inviting the en tire public to come and to enjoy the opening of the Christmas season with us,” Minister Walrond said.

In addressing plans for entertainment and the grand concert that will headline the event, the minister said: “We

are going to be celebrating our local artistes, we are going to have them on full display, the Guyanese crowd is really going to be wowed by the performances of those who are going to be preform ing.”

Persons can also expect an array of Christmas delica cies, craft and much more on sale.

“We are going to have décor for the general pub lic. We are going to have a Christmas Village for the children, we are having black cake, ginger beer all the Christmas foods on sale, we will have our small businesses as well, our local arts and craft it’s going to be a truly amazing time,” Minister Walrond said.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy engage coordinators of the Christmas Village (Delano Williams)

Opposition shows disregard for local content development

- stalls establishment of Local Content Advisory Committee by not appointing representative, Minister Bharrat says

THE government has not been able to establish the Local Content Advisory Committee (LCAC), be cause it is still awaiting the submission of a nomi nee from the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton.

According to Minis ter of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, with the Local Content Secretariat set up since January 2022, the ministry first wrote the Office of the Opposition Leader on January 7.

The ministry subse quently sent a second mis sive to it on September 6, reminding the Opposition that the government is still awaiting the nominee. How ever, according to Minister Bharrat, to date, no response has been received.

“As of November 8,

2022, the Local Content Advisory Committee has not been established as yet. We are awaiting the submis sion of the nominee from the Leader of the Opposi tion; the Ministry of Natural Resources has written the former Leader of the Op position and the current

Leader of the Opposition on January 7, 2022 and September 6, 2022, respec tively,” the minister said.

He was at the time re plying, in writing, to a ques tion posed by APNU+AFC Opposition Member of Parliament David Patter son during the sitting of

the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Patterson asked that Minister Bharrat inform the National Assembly whether the Local Content Advisory Committee has been estab lished, and, if not, what is the reason for the delay.

In his reply, Minister Bharrat submitted copies of the two letters that the Min istry’s Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie had issued to the Opposition Leader’s office.

Part Five of the Local Content Act 2021 provides for the establishment of the LCAC, which shall consist of not less than seven mem bers appointed by the Presi dent, selected from within some 19 agencies, one of which is the Parliamentary Opposition.

The function of the com

‘I’m lost for...

FROM PAGE 2

the course of the week to update you on the pro gress, but this is some thing that in every com munity, we want men to gather their efforts and come together, helping others create positive impact, not only on the social side, but also in relation to uplifting the lives of people,” the Head of State said.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bhar rat, who was also at the site on Thursday, said that they have already disman tled the old structure, and within a week, the new one would be up so that granny and her family could spend the holiday comfortably.

“This is a project that is being taken on by the private sector, MoM, the government, the NDC…

So, it is a collaborative effort; the community is also involved in it, and we would like to thank the community for being a part of this project,” the Natural Resource Minis ter said.

He said that this is a project which will be replicated throughout the country, and that if any one is aware of persons in vulnerable situations, they should inform the relevant authorities so that they could assist.

Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken, also assisting at the site, said that an elderly woman is considered vulnerable, so they intend to move to all communities to identify the vulnerable to provide help.

“Because of their vul nerability, they may not be able to defend them

selves, so, like we identi fied here, we are going to go to the other com munities and have those identified. And MOM, in collaboration with the police and all the other stakeholders, we are go ing to continue to build capacity,” Commissioner Hicken said.

Member of Parliament Sanjeev Datadin relat ed: “This is what MOM means; it doesn’t mean that we just say things, and we make grand prom ises; this is what it actu ally means.”

He added: “There is a granny who lives there with her grandson in con ditions that are very dif ficult, obviously, not by choice, so we decided that we would do everything we can to make it better.”

He said that the au thorities all came together

following the President’s visit to get plans into motion, and to have ap proved plans so that con struction could be started.

A participant in the project said he was happy to participate, and to get “granny” a new home for Christmas.

“Today, we start fill ing the environment here, and tomorrow we pretty much will be casting the base, and start preparing the wall, so we can have this building completed by next Friday,” Datadin said.

He implored those persons wanting to do something for somebody’s Christmas: “Come out here from tomorrow; come out here with your hammer and participate in help ing to put up this new structure for granny.”

mittee is to support the sec retariat in the discharge of its functions in an advisory capacity, and to provide the minister with recommenda tions. The committee may determine and document its own procedure for discharg ing its functions.

Part Two of the Local Content Act 2021 caters for the establishment of the Local Content Secretariat, which will be a unit with in the Ministry of Natural Resources responsible for petroleum.

The secretariat is tasked with developing and main taining measures for the effective implementation of local content by contrac tors, sub-contractors and licences.

The landmark Lo cal Content Act 2021 was signed into law on Decem ber 31, 2021, after the Bill

was passed in the National Assembly on December 29, following a year of con sultations in the National Assembly, with the govern ment accepting 10 of the 14 amendments proposed by the main parliamentary opposition.

The Local Content Act 2021 paved the way for Guyanese to gain equal op portunities and access in the oil-and-gas industry, and to ensure maximum benefits for Guyanese businesses.

However, the Local Content Legislation is not set in stone, since the government has repeat edly said that as more and more Guyanese are trained, the laws would be amended to guarantee increased employment and business opportu nities for the people of Guyana.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat

Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton

Hire-Purchase

IT’S an accepted reality that prosperity, whether in the home or nation ally, cannot be reached through savings alone. Credit is essential. There must, however, be rules to credit. The Hire-Purchase Bill, which makes provi sions for regulating not only hire-purchase but also sale of credit and con ditional sales agreements, was passed in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Many Guyanese have already made use of hirepurchase arrangements, which, it could be said, become especially popular during the Christmas sea son and the new year as

many opt for their homes to have a fresher look. The Bill protects both the buyers and the sellers. Clause 8 of the Bill, one which outlines a duty of the buyer or hirer, notes that this person must provide information to the owner of the good about the location of the goods if this is requested.

There have, in the past, been many anecdotal sto ries of persons purchasing items on hire-purchase and subsequently relocating without properly informing the owner that there was a change in address and the item was relocated. It should be noted that “own er” which, in most cases is

a retail store, remains the substantive owner of the goods on hire-purchase until proper ownership is transferred following the completion of the terms of ownership in the sales agreement.

Clause 6 on the other hand looks to the respon sibilities of the owner, but moreso their limitations. One such limitation is that the owner does not have the authority to forcefully enter the premises of the hirer to seize the goods. Where there are hire-purchase agreements which include such a provision, that pro vision would not be backed by law. The law also opens

the doors for matters of dis pute between the owner and buyer to be settled in ways that are mutually respectful.

Clause 17 is truly an equalizer. It proves, ac cording to the explanatory note of the Bill, that “where the hirer or buyer has paid 50 per cent or more of the hire-purchase price or total purchase price, the owner or seller shall not enforce any right to recover posses sion of the goods otherwise than by action in a court of law.” This provision gives the power to the court alone to rule on the return of the item if a substantial amount has already been paid to the owner.

Further along, Clause 23 outlines how repossessions could be facilitated. The explanatory note records: “Where goods have been let under a hire-purchase agreement or sold under a conditional sale agreement and less than 50 percent of the hire-purchase price or total purchase price has been paid, the owner or seller shall not enforce any right to recover possession of the goods unless he has given the hirer or buyer a notice of his intention to do so.

“The owner or seller may, on the expiration of 21 days after the notice has been given to the hirer or

buyer, enforce his right to recover possession of the goods. The notice shall be deemed to have been given if it is directed to the hirer or buyer and delivered at or sent by registered letter to his address.”

There are also, of course, provisions which protect the owner during lawful repossessions. This new law will surely see a transformation in the national hire-purchase ar rangement, and ultimately will see a stronger culture of consumer rights and structured credit arrange ments being developed, which are both necessary in any growing economy.

Guyana to sign first sale agreement on carbon credits today

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will today witness the signing of Guyana’s first sale agreement on carbon credits.

The historic event will be held at the Bari di Benab, State House.

This announcement was made two days after Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said that Guyana will be the only country in the world that will boast the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) credit.

At the time he was addressing a packed room at the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Cham ber’s Annual Awards and Induction Ceremo

nial Dinner.

“We quickly worked on an expanded LowCarbon Development Strategy, and, in 2020, the US and others, through the LEAF Co alition and then the Architecture for REDD plus transaction was es tablished, and we made an application for them to certify our credit. We had gone to the market already; we had a re quest for proposals. We have received those, and the first sale will take place. So that will be credit all the way from 2016, because those were the legacy credit that we applied for and hopefully it will bring in billions of US

dollars,” he was quoted as saying in a Depart ment of Public Informa tion (DPI) newsletter.

Dr. Jagdeo noted that

there is need for the oiland-gas resources to help on the adaptation side, so that Guyana can be more climate

resilient.

He reminded his audience of the gov ernment’s support for net zero and the

removal of subsidies from fossil fuel pro duction and air decar bonisation, the news letter stated.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo delivering remarks at the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber’s Annual Awards and Induction Ceremonial Dinner (DPI photo)

FAO needs $1.9B to deliver life-saving assistance to 48M people next year

THE Food and Agri culture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in 2023 is seek ing $1.9 billion to save the lives and liveli hoods of some of the most severely acute food insecure people, as acute food insecuri ty continues to escalate globally.

The announcement was made as part of the United Nations’ larger humanitarian ap peal launched by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at a special event in Geneva, on Thursday.

With less than four per cent of the $51.5 billion required across all appeals for 2023, FAO can provide timecritical livelihoods as sistance to ensure 48 million people have a steady supply of nutri tious food.

Through cash, crop and vegetable seed packages, livestock feed, animal health campaigns, improve ments to vital infra structure like irrigation systems and markets, FAO can ensure fami lies and communities in the most remote, conflict-hit areas are able to feed themselves and lay the foundations for resilience to future shocks.

In 2022, FAO’s emergency support to drought-hit commu nities in the Horn of Africa has protected

vital livestock assets, ensuring that 4.4 mil lion children can access milk every day, and has led to the production of over 100,000 tonnes of cereals and provided more than 1.5 million people with cash to pur chase food, health care and other essentials.

FAO’s interventions are above-all geared towards meeting the needs and priorities of affected communities who are overwhelm ingly farmers, fishers, herders and foresters – allowing them to re main in their homes where it is safe to do so, meet their own needs and lead their own fu ture recovery.

MAJOR DRIVERS OF ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY

Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and proliferation of oth er conflicts, followed by the growing uncer tainty around global food and agriculture markets drive acute food insecurity to new highs.

As 2022 nears an end, almost one million people face the immedi ate threat of starvation –almost double the num bers of 2021. Across the world, 222 million people are experiencing high acute food insecu rity, almost one in five of whom are struggling to access enough food to survive the day.

In the Horn of Af rica alone, struggling with an unprecedented drought - an event not seen in 40 years - be tween 23 and 26 million people are projected to be in urgent need of humanitarian assis tance, and acute food insecurity is expected to continue intensifying by February 2023 due to an anticipated, unprec edented sixth consecu tive season of drought.

The cost of food has been steadily ris ing since the onset of COVID-19, with in ternational food com modity prices already at a ten-year high be fore the war in Ukraine sent further shockwaves through the system. While prices in interna tional staple foods have recently been decreas ing, consumer prices remain high with sig nificant implications for purchasing power and food access among the poorest.

Conflicts and politi cal instability continue to ravage lives and livelihoods across the world, forcing people to flee their homes and abandon their farms,

boats, livestock, push ing them into destitu tion and total reliance on external assistance.

FAO BOOSTS RESPONSE TO CRISES AND EMERGENCIES

FAO has stepped up its efforts to reach those most in need throughout 2022 – assisting 30 mil lion people with timecritical support, focus ing on rural populations and those for whom agriculture represents their very survival.

In Afghanistan alone, FAO is expect ing to reach nine mil lion people by the end of the year – about half of the rural population experiencing high acute food insecurity. Some 3.6 million people will benefit from the ongo ing winter wheat dis tribution, which will be completed by De cember.

In Somalia, over $24 million in cash, along side livelihoods assis tance, has been provid ed to rural communities who are most exposed to famine, while more than 11 million live stock have received

feed, water and basic health treatment.

In Ukraine, along side providing emer gency agricultural sup port to farmers, such as seed potatoes, veg etable seeds and cash assistance, FAO is in tensifying efforts to safeguard existing and upcoming harvests and food reserves. FAO has provided massive ca pacity to store up to six million tonnes of grain (about 30 per cent of the national need). This assistance is cru cial to ensure that grain is properly saved, and farmers are able to sell and export grain when appropriate.

AGRICULTURE IN EMERGENCIES REMAINS MASSIVELY UNDERFUNDED

Agriculture is a frontline humanitarian response and must be considered as such in all humanitarian appeals. Urgent agricultural in terventions, especially when combined with cash and food assis tance, have enormous impacts on food avail ability, nutrition and

displacement, signifi cantly cutting other hu manitarian costs.

For example, at a cost of just $220, the winter wheat pack ages being distributed in Afghanistan will enable a family to pro duce enough food to meet their annual ce real needs and leave a surplus for them to sell.

In 2022, FAO re ceived only 43 per cent of the funds requested under the Humanitarian Response Plans, yet this conceals an enormous imbalance of funds, with appeals for Af ghanistan fully funded while those for Nigeria and the Syrian Arab Republic have barely passed 10 percent of requirements.

Thursday’s event in Geneva was one of three sequential launches to present the 2023 Global Humanitarian Over view (GHO) followed by events in Addis Ababa in partnership with the African Union and Ri yadh in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre - KS Re lief. (FAO)

Improved security measures, digital economy on the horizon

AS the government works to advance tech nology across the coun try, Guyanese can look forward to strengthened security measures at air ports and agencies, as well as improved meth ods of conducting busi ness.

According to a De partment of Public Infor mation (DPI) newsletter, Vice-President, Dr Bhar rat Jagdeo disclosed on Wednesday evening that this forms part of ongo ing efforts to digitalise the economy.

The Vice-President was at the time delivering re marks at the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Cham ber’s Annual Awards and Induction Ceremonial Din ner.

“We have a modern grid and clean, reliable power and the roads, bridg es and the ports ready and broadband technology… bandwidth across the coun try, that we need to, now layer this on with a num ber of things to support a digital economy. And so, we’re working on that. I just came from the Middle East and we’re looking in a matter of months, we’re

going to start moving in the first step,” he was quot ed as saying.

The Vice-President re iterated government’s in tention to have a national ID card with all the biom etrics that will support an electronic passport.

This, Dr Jagdeo noted, will be safer, more reliable, and other countries will accept it.

According to the news letter, this move will also see the local airports being revolutionised with eGates and other advanced tech nological features.

“We’re working now to layout cameras with fa

Lowenfield went rogue

THE Commission of In quiry (COI) into the Gen eral and Regional Elec tions of March 2020, on Thursday, heard that the

then Chief Elections Of ficer (CEO) of the Guy ana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowen field, in many cases, acted

on his own accord.

Lowenfield blatantly made decisions and em ployed procedures in direct contradiction to the law and

the will of the Commission.

This formed part of the testimony given by Sase Gunraj who sits as a GECOM commissioner on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Gunraj held that position since 2015 and, therefore, played a pivotal role in the 2020 elections.

Perhaps Lowenfield’s most glaring misconduct as highlighted by Gunraj was his initiation and or approval of the use of a spreadsheet for the verifica tion and tabulation of votes for District Four.

This action was not in keeping with the law or any of the procedures that had the blessing of the commis sion. Ideally, Statements of Poll (SOPs) are to be used for that process. The use of SOPs was employed for the tabulation and verification of votes in all other districts across the country.

Gunraj testified under oath that on March 4, 2020, after learning about the use of a spreadsheet for District Four, he immediately asked for a meeting of the com mission to be convened. At that meeting, Lowenfield sought to justify the use of the spreadsheet as opposed to SOPs. Gunraj said that Lowenfield claimed that the spreadsheet allowed for efficiency and expedi ency. Gunraj even recalled Lowenfield’s exact words: “This was to speed up the process.”

When told of this yes terday, COI Commissioner Carl Singh noted that he interpreted that part of Gun

cial recognition across the country, it would allow our banking sector to now use the data and the biometrics to feed into that, more sup port for backing up apps, mobile IDs,” the VP stated.

He had noted earlier this year that the new ID cards are part of a wider, “safe country” programme the government is advanc ing.

The IDs will be used for conducting transac tions at agencies such as the National Insurance Scheme and the Guy ana Revenue Authority, among others, the news letter added.

- Gunraj tells elections COI

raj’s testimony to mean that the CEO knew of and had apparently given his approval to a process that was not approved by the commission.

Gunraj said that indeed that is what appeared to have occurred.

The GECOM Commis sioner said that after some discussion, it was agreed that the use of spread sheet will discontinue and GECOM’s staffers would revert to the established procedure of using SOPs. Lowenfield was tasked with the responsibility of mak ing sure the decision of the commission was executed.

Gunraj said that he went down to the ground floor of the Ashmin’s building, to the tabulation centre and confirmed the use of SOPs. But then he noticed the de velopment of other issues. The process stopped, this time because the GECOM staffers manning the pro cess were “tired.”

Gunraj said that imme diately, he made efforts to contact Lowenfield for him to address the issue, but Lowenfield refused to answer his call.

Gunraj recalled that in the absence of Lowenfield, GECOM’s Chairman, Clau dette Singh tried to address the situation. She asked for the women, one of whom was pregnant, to be given a break.

Gunraj said that he later saw Lowenfield who had claimed the unavailability of staffers to continue the process. This was the case despite the fact that at all

the times, it was the inten tion of GECOM to have the process proceed until completion. Nevertheless, Lowenfield claimed lack of manpower.

Gunraj said that he then pointed out the availability of a high number of Deputy Returning Officers (DROs) who were, by law, allowed to man the process. Out of the 70 DROs, at least two were on site at the Ashmin’s building, but Lowenfield refused to have them con tinue the tabulation process. The CEO said he wanted to make a choice out of the DROs.

This was yet another de cision that went contrary to both the law and GECOM commission. The law does not allow the CEO to have his pick of individuals to his liking.

Another action taken by Lowenfield without the blessing of the commission was the deprivation of ac cess to the GECOM Com mand Centre and Office of the District Four Returning Office.

Gunraj noted that by March 5, he suffered a dep rivation of access to the building despite being a GECOM commissioner. He noted that there became a heavy police presence at the parameters of the buildings and that he had an uphill task even making it past the barricades. This was also the experience of other ac credited persons.

Gunraj said that the CEO is a creature of the commission and ought to act under its direction.

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday evening laid out government’s plans for a technology-driven Guyana that is safer and more business friendly (DPI photo)

- says VP Jagdeo

Mingo intended to prop up APNU+AFC votes with unlawful actions

IN the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, District Four Returning Of ficer (RO) Clairmont Mingo broke with procedure when he attempted to make a declaration of results for the district without completing the tabula tion and verification processes.

Moments after Min go made his first dec laration on March 5, members of the Guy ana Elections Commis sion (GECOM) had a meeting at which it was unanimously agreed that Mingo was out of order.

People’s Progressive

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioner Sase

Gunraj testified to this on Thursday, when he appeared before the Presidential Commis sion of Inquiry (CoI) into those elections.

Gunraj recalled that when he realised that Mingo was about to make a declaration, he protested.

“I followed him,

impressing upon him the need to complete the statutory procedure before making the dec laration,” Gunraj said.

But his words fell on deaf ears. Gunraj said that he followed Mingo up the stairs onto the second floor, but he was prevented from proceeding beyond that point by the then Dep uty Chief Elections Of

CANU intercepts boat with 1,000 live cartridges

OFFICERS of the Cus toms Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) discovered a large quantity of ammu nition after intercepting a boat while patrolling along Crabwood Creek

and Moleson Creek on Wednesday.

Upon recognising the CANU team, some of the occupants fled into the nearby bushes but the officers gave chase and

managed to apprehend one male along with the boat.

A subsequent search of the vessel revealed a large amount of shotgun ammunition.

According to informa tion from CANU, a North Sophia resident, Jerimiah Smith, who was recently arrested by CANU in re lation to the discovery of 40 kg of cannabis discov ered in a motor vehicle at Springlands, was arrested and handed over to the Springlands police along with the 1,000 12-gauge live cartridges.

Investigations are ongoing.

ficer, Roxanne Myers.

Mingo attempted to make his declara tion but his voice was drowned out by those who protested his move.

Shortly after that, Gunraj caused the Chairperson of GECOM, Claudette Singh to call a meeting, during which Mingo’s attempt at a declaration was raised.

Gunraj testified that the position taken by the commission was

that the tabulation and verification processes must conclude before Mingo can make any declaration. The deci sion was unanimous.

Gunraj said that Sin gh then contacted the then Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield. The call was placed on speaker.

Lowenfield said that he was at his office in Kingston. He was told of the commis sion’s decision and he endeavoured to return

to the Ashmin building and ensure the resump tion of the tabulation exercise.

Gunraj said that the meeting of the com mission had not yet adjourned when he was informed that Mingo was yet again trying to make a declaration. This was brought to the attention of the GECOM Chair.

In the end, the intervention of the court is what stopped Mingo in his tracks.

Officers of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) discovered a large quantity of ammunition after intercepting a boat while patrolling along Crabwood Creek and Moleson Creek on Wednesday

Saddam Hussain is new Chief Education Officer

THE Ministry of Edu cation has announced that the country’s new Chief Education Of ficer (CEO) is Saddam Hussain, a classroom teacher for more than 20 years.

Over the last two years, he served within the Education Minis try as the Chief Schools Inspector and has been managing the efforts to restructure the Inspector ate Unit of the Ministry of Education.

He was a Cadet Of

ficer and was appointed a Senior Education Of ficer in 2011, but later declined it.

In his previous roles, Hussain has demonstrated a deep love and passion for developing the sector and transforming educa tion and systems to meet the needs of present-day Guyana.

He brings to the posi tion of CEO a wide range of experience, having worked at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development

(NCERD), the Cyril Pot ter College of Education and the Caribbean Exami nations Council.

On Wednesday, the former CEO Dr Marcel Hutson officially handed over the office to Hussain at the Education Minis try’s 26 Brickdam office.

Dr Hutson served in the position of CEO for six years, including for two years post-retirement when he was re-engaged and contracted by the cur rent Minister of Educa tion, Priya Manickchand.

He has made excep tional contributions to the development and forward movement of the educa tion sector, the ministry said.

The ministry is pleased to announce that Dr Hut son will not be leaving the Ministry of Education. He will now take up the posi tion of Executive Director of the National Accredita tion Council (NAC).

The NAC is the prin cipal body in Guyana re

sponsible for conducting and advising on the ac creditation and recog nition of education and training institutions, pro viders, programmes and awards, whether foreign or national.

“The Ministry of Education extends tre mendous gratitude to Dr Hutson for his service as Chief Education Officer, especially during one of the nation’s toughest pe riods, the COVID-19 pan

demic. The ministry looks forward to another stellar stint in his new role,” the release said.

The ministry went on to say: “All of Guyana can be assured of the ministry’s unswerving attention to building out the best education system in the land and are encouraged to be ex cited about this time in education in the coun try.” (Ministry of Edu cation)

Dr Ramayya charged for alleged online shaming of ‘Pandit Dev’

WELL-KNOWN political activist Dr Veersammy Ramayya on Thursday ap peared in the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for al legedly using a computer system to harass and hu miliate a Crabwook Creek pandit.

Ramayya denied the cy bercrime charge and was released on his own recog nisance by Magistrate Alex Moore.

It is alleged that the 75-year-old Whim Village, East Berbice, Corentyne resident committed the of fence against Surujdyal Sa hadeo called “Pandit Dev,” 43, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, in June 2022.

According to reports, Dr Ramayya used a computer system on the day in ques tion to transmit electronic data with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to Sa hadeo.

In an application for bail, attorney-at-law Mirza Sa hadat told the court that his client is a well-known and respectable individual. Dr Ramayya was subsequently released on his own recog nisance.

The matter will be called again on February 20, 2023.

Dr Ramayya is the former Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six and a former Member of Parliament.

Dr Veersammy Ramayya at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday

The new Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, meets with staff of his office during Thursday’s handing over

- Dr Hutson takes up role as Executive Director of the National Accreditation Council

New GNBS Mabaruma office to facilitate training, other key services

THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), on Wednesday, opened the doors of its brand new sub-office in the town of Mabaruma, Region One (BarimaWaini).

The modernised and expanded facility, which was built in the Regional Democratic Council’s com pound, will better enable the GNBS to provide its core services to the resi dents of the remote region.

In her remarks at the opening of the office, Executive Director (ag) of the GNBS, Ramrattie Karan, said the services to be offered to the residents through the Mabaruma of fice includes verification of measuring instruments, product inspections, train ing and technical assistance for businesses.

She said: “These ser vices will allow businesses in the region to be competi tive.”

Karan also thanked the regional administration and the business community for past and future support.

Public Relations Of ficer of the Mabaruma Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Trevor Rupan, said that the estab

lishment of the office in Region One is welcomed, as it will positively impact the products produced by businesses.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Mabaruma, Chris Phang, said that the services to be provided by the office are directly related to the gov ernment’s vision.

“With the rapid devel opment experienced, we must safeguard the interest of consumers which the GNBS can provide, and I am happy that Mabaruma is not left lout of the devel opmental drive led by his Excellency Irfaan Ali,” the Mayor added.

Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley in his re

marks said: “Region One is on the verge of better heights. Once the right ser vices are in place, develop ment will happen at a faster rate.”

The Regional Chair man believes that the new GNBS office demonstrates a commitment to the “One Guyana” initiative, and he is delighted that the Minis try of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is setting the pace of providing govern ment services to the region through standards.

Director of Business, John Edghill, said: “The work of the GNBS holds well for the Government.”

He acknowledged the massive growth of Guy

‘Fine Man’ pleads not guilty to murder of father-in-law

A MIXED 12-member jury was on Thursday em panelled before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court for the trial of Zaheer Hos sain called ‘Fine Man,’ who is accused of murdering his father-in-law in 2020.

Hossain pleaded not guilty to the indictment which read that on June 25, 2020, at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he murdered 54-year-old Alexi Gomes.

He is being represented by attorneys-at-law Dexter Todd, Dexter Smartt, Javon Cox and Shercola Exeter.

Prosecutors Taneisha Say gon, Muntaz Ali and Simran Gajraj are on record for the State.

The trial is scheduled to commence on December 5, 2022.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Gomes lived with his wife and grandson in the United States. Hossain shared a

relationship with Gomes’ daughter and is the father of the child.

In March 2020, Gomes travelled to Guyana with his four-year-old grandson but was stuck here due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

According to reports, on June 21, 2020, there was an altercation between Hossain and Gomes at Lot 6 River view, Ruimveldt, George town, over the four-year-old.

It is alleged that Hossain armed himself with a piece of wood and lashed Gomes several times.

The injured man was rushed to a private hospi tal and died while receiv ing treatment on June 25, 2020. According to a postmortem report, Gomes died from internal bleeding and blunt trauma to the head.

ana’s economy and said that it is being felt across the regions of the country.

Addressing the business community, he advised that it is better to build capacity through services like those provided by the GNBS rather than to try to get small financing through grants.

“Services provides to these businesses will make them competitive and sus tainable in the long run” Edghill said.

He encouraged the local Authorities to support the work of the GNBS.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Re gional Executive Officer, Mr. Tikaram Bissessar; Regional Education Of ficer, Elly Peterkin; Post Master, Rainsford Smith; representative of the Guy ana Water Incorporated, Samuel Drepaul; Regional Commander Senior Super intendent Himnauth Sawh and representatives of the

Guyana Defence Force, among others.

The Mabaruma office is the tenth sub-office opened by the GNBS in adminis trative regions across the country.

While in Mabaruma, the visiting GNBS team also held several meetings with stakeholders includ ing the Mabaruma Town Council, the police, the re gional administration, and the Mabaruma Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss mutual concerns and areas for collaboration.

Further, a school lec ture was conducted with students at the North West Secondary School and an interview was conduct ed with Radio Mabaruma 95.1FM to create awareness of GNBS and its services in the region.

Stakeholders needing to contact the GNBS Ma baruma Office can call: +592-690-8032 to speak with Inspector, Johnathan Peters stationed in the town.

DEAD: Alexi Gomes Zaheer Hossain called ‘Fine Man’

The GNBS, on Wednesday, opened the doors of its brand-new suboffice in the town of Mabaruma, Region One

Israeli company to develop US$15M hydroponic project in Guyana

THE government, through the Mistry of Agriculture, on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Un -

derstanding (MOU) with the Israeli com pany, KARLICO INC., for the development of a massive hydroponic production system pro ject in Guyana.

According to a press release from the Agricul ture Ministry, last Octo ber, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that the government was in talks with Israeli in vestors, who have ex pressed an interest in developing a large-scale hydroponic project.

With climate change having a great impact on traditional agricultural practices, hydroponics, and other forms of smart agriculture are becoming more prominent within farming communities across the country.

Minister Mustapha said the Israelis were among several investors who expressed an inter est in setting up hydro ponic systems in Guy ana. He also indicated that the hydroponic pro ject will be integrated into the current shade house project that is on going on the East Coast of Demerara.

KARLIGO INC.’s team of local and in ternational experts is said to specialise in the development, financing, construction, and man agement of agricultural and agri-tech projects.

With an esti mated investment of US$15,750,000, the pro ject will involve a threephase hydroponic pro duction system based on nutrient film techniques and soilless production systems.

Those systems will be designed for the pro duction of fresh herbs, lettuce, and other leafy

vegetables as well as other high-value crops.

The first phase of the project, which is ex pected to be completed three months after the necessary groundworks are completed, will see the company setting up a 2,000 square meters state-of-the-art hydro ponic system which will include a cold room, packaging facility, har vesting equipment, ir rigation controllers, fertiliser mixers, water recycling system, and emergency water storage among other things.

Phase two will see the construction and in stallation of an advanced greenhouse system while phase three will involve the construction of a re gional distribution cen tre, where a variety of agricultural and food products will be col lected, processed, pack aged, and delivered to both local and interna tional markets, meet ing all of the necessary U.S.D.A and European Food Safety Authority standards and regula tions.

Since being elected to office in 2020, the Dr. Ir faan Ali-led government has signalled its inten tion to work with other CARICOM Member States to lower the re gional food-import bill.

In a bid to reduce the $2.6 billion import bill for cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli, last March, President Ali launched the Youth Agriculture and Innovation Entre preneurship programme.

And to date, ap proximately 54 shade houses have been con structed for the cultiva tion of those high-value crops.

The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Israeli company, KARLICO INC., for the development of a massive hydroponic production system project in Guyana

India to promote universal sense of ‘oneness’ through G20 Presidency

PRIME Minister of In dia, Narendra Modi, has said that India’s aim as President of the G20, is to promote a universal sense of oneness under the theme: “One Earth, One Family, One Fu ture.”

According to infor mation from his official website, India’s Presi dency of the G20 began on Thursday.

“The previous 17 Presidencies of the G20 delivered significant results - for ensuring macro-economic stabil ity, rationalising interna tional taxation, relieving debt-burden on countries, among many other out comes. We will benefit from these achievements, and build further upon them,” Prime Minister Modi said.

He added: “However, as India assumes this im portant mantle, I ask my self - can the G20 go fur

ther still? Can we catalyse a fundamental mindset shift, to benefit humanity as a whole?

“I believe we can.”

The Indian Prime Min ister related: “Our mind sets are shaped by our cir cumstances. Through all of history, humanity lived in scarcity. We fought for limited resources, because our survival depended on denying them to others. Confrontation and com petition - between ideas, ideologies and identities - became the norm.

“Unfortunately, we re main trapped in the same zero-sum mindset even today. We see it when countries fight over ter ritory or resources. We see it when supplies of essential goods are weap onised. We see it when vaccines are hoarded by a few, even as billions remain vulnerable.”

He related that some may argue that confron

tation and greed are just human nature, but he questioned: “If humans were inherently selfish, what would explain the lasting appeal of so many spiritual traditions that advocate the fundamental oneness of us all?”

One such tradition, popular in India, sees all living beings, and even inanimate things, as com posed of the same five ba sic elements – the panch tatva of earth, water, fire, air and space. Harmony among these elementswithin us and between us - is essential for the humanity’s physical, so cial and environmental well-being.

To that end, the Indi an Prime Minister said its agenda of oneness is not just a slogan; it takes into account re cent changes in human circumstances, which the world has collective ly failed to appreciate.

Art and creativity being used to heal hearts, bridge gaps

— nine to be honoured at ‘Orange the Runway’ on Sunday night

NINE persons have so far been confirmed as awardees in this Sunday’s “Orange the Runway Vol. 2”, which is said to be Guy ana’s first all-inclusive arts and advocacy show.

The founder, Jamicia McCalman-Nelson feels as though she’s reintroducing the show to the Guyanese audience, since the first one was held in 2018 and had to be put on pause due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

This Sunday though, at 19:00 hours at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Jamicia will finally get an opportunity to put on her second show.

Feeling that creatives and activists are not recognised enough, Jamicia, in concep tualising the event, thought it was important to acknowl edge persons in the industry for the work that they do.

Some 20 persons have been nominated in the vari ous categories which include: Advocate of the Year, Activ ist of the Year, Arts Advocacy Award, Designer of the Year, and Emerging Designer of the Year.

For Advocate of the Year (Male), Bradley Downer, Nkosi Jupiter and Shazam Somwar are the three persons nominated. Anastasia San ford, Denica Henry, Deondra Wishart, Marissa Foster and Orletta John have been nomi nated in Advocate of the Year (Female) category.

For the Activist of the Year Award, Amy Yong, Den ica Henry and Anastasia San ford are the nominees.

As for the Arts Advoca cy Award (Female), Dan iela Araujo, Nia Williams, Omaiah Hall, and Quanisha Patterson have been nomi nated.

Andrea Wilson, Mark Roy Junor, and Randy Madray have been nominat ed for the Designer of the Year Award.

The four nominees in the

Emerging Designer of the Year category are Godlyn Lyte, Esther Samuels, Na chle Designs, and Roberto Teekah.

Announcement of award recipients will be made on the night of the show.

Speaking with Buzz this

week, Jamicia reflected on how “Orange the Runway” came at a time when she was deciding what she wanted to do with her life.

“I think Orange the Run way represents Jamicia - a person who has been in the fashion industry as a model,

creative director, creative, as an activist myself. It encom passes a lot of who I am,” she expressed.

She also had in mind creating a platform to show persons that the fashion in dustry is more than just about wearing nice clothing; “that we can use our art and cre ativity to heal hearts and

bridge gaps.”

Jamicia had previously told this publication that the show is very near and dear to her heart because of her personal experience with being sexually abused at a young age.

She had added that after her return from a trip to Trin idad in 2018, she decided to

challenge herself to make a difference in the lives of others, especially those who have experienced or are ex periencing abuse.

The show which is themed, “Through the look ing glass” is being held in honour of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gen der-Based Violence.

Founder of ‘Orange the Runway’ Jamicia McCalman-Nelson

‘Orange the Runway’ creates a platform for creatives and activists to express themselves

A snapshot from the first show held in 2018 (Photos courtesy of Jamicia McCalman-Nelson)

Jamicia thought it was important to acknowledge persons in the industry

Persons with disabilities to showcase talent at NCC today

THE National Commis sion on Disability (NCD) will, today, hold a concert and talent show under the theme, “Not all disabilities are visible.”

Kaleidoscope as it is be ing called, will be held in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabil ities. It is the first of its kind to be held in Guyana and the organisers hope to make it an annual affair.

It will be held at the Na tional Cultural Centre from 13:00 hours to 15:30 hours and admission is free.

The Prime Minister’s wife, Mignon Bowen-Phil lips, is the patron of the event which will be hosted by the popular DJ Akelo, Marga ret Lawrence and Michella Abraham-Ali.

The Buzz was told that a lot of persons with disabili ties will be on stage. These

will include models from the Deaf Association. There will be singers and dancers as well.

Local singer Calvin Bur nett, the talented Granny Ivelaw, and many others will be bringing lots of “magic” to the stage.

Persons attending can look forward to some give aways from DeSinco Lim ited.

QC Christmas Gala promises to be a spectacular affair

AS part of efforts to raise funds for an education al project, the Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) of Queen’s College will be holding a Christ mas Gala on Saturday.

The lights and deco rations on the lawns and sections of the college, will be in keeping with the festive season.

Lictor Live, the school’s public relations unit, told the Buzz that gates will be opened at 15:00 hours sharp. Tickets for entry will cost $1000.

Once inside, there will be plenty of options to choose from.

According to Lictor, the highlight for the eve ning will be the Christmas Ball which begins at 19:00 hours. Tickets for this cost $3,000 and also includes access to the fashion show and a cocktail hour featur ing a live band which be gins at16:30 hours. There will be a red carpet and it is expected that attendees will dress to impress.

DJ Akelo will be in charge of music for the night.

Lictor emphasised that the gala caters for the entire family and all are being invited to this first-ever QC Christmas

experience.

Among the other ac tivities are the exciting North Pole which will fea ture numerous games, the Christmas Village for the “naughty and nice” and a 360-degree camera. There will also be food items and drinks on sale.

Additionally, art pieces done by students will be part of a live auction.

“Commence your Christmas season with the Queen’s College experience and be pre pared to step out and show out!” the statement from Lictor said.

Positive vibrations for Bob

FOR the first time since its release in 1976, Rastaman Vibration, the eighth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, has charted on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

It enters the chart at num ber four with 1,947 units in equivalent album units.

Upon its release 46 years ago, Rastaman Vibration charted at eight on the Bill board 200, making it Bob Marley’s highest-charting album in the United States.

The album contains Mar ley’s highest-ranking single in the US, Roots Rock Reg gae, which peaked at 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rastaman Vibration has been certified gold in the United States and gold in the United Kingdom.

Also new on the chart this week is Backyard Sessions: Malibu Edition, a live album by Santa Barbara, California, reggae rock band Iration, which charts at number eight.

This is the five-member act’s ninth-charted entry and it opened with 992 in equiv alent album units.

Iration has, to date, scored three number one titles. Its latest project features collab orations with Eric Rachmany,

Eli Mac, Common Kings, and Stick Figure.

Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers continues its onslaught, registering 150 non-consecutive weeks in the number one spot.

Dutty Classics Collection

by Sean Paul re-enters at two while Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy dips to three.

Wisdom by Stick Figure is down to five, Greatest Hits by UB40 backtracks to six, while World on Fire and Set

in Stone by Stick Figure are seven and nine, respectively.

Rebelution’s Live at Red Rocks dips to 10.

On the US Afrobeats Songs chart, Slip N Slide by Wizkid, featuring Shenseea and Skillibeng, tumbles from

19 to 32.

On the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart, Cyaan Tame by Whitey Don and Navi The North is the new number one.

On the South Florida Reggae chart, Guaranteed by

number one. Grown Woman by Hopeton Lindo and Peter G moves from eight to five, while Brown Eyes by Leroy Sibbles darts from 11 to eight.

This week’s new entries are Coldest Days of My Life by Kashief Lindo (number 23), This is Your Day by Ed Robinson (number 24), and One Day Soon by Raging Fyah and Josey Wales (num ber 25).

On the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Reggae chart, Everyday of My Life by Robert Ffrench spends a second week in the top spot.

Save the Children by Hezron bullets from eight to four while The Mood by Busy Signal steps up from nine to five.

In the Cayman Islands, Hot 104.1 FM reports that Guaranteed by Christopher Martin is the number one most requested song of the past week. The reggae re mix of Rihanna’s Lift Me Up is number two while Easy by Destra Garcia is three, and So Mi Stay by Sean Paul is four. Pack a Matches by Masicka is at number five. (Jamaica Observer)

Emancipation: Has ‘slapgate’ influenced reviews of new Smith film?

WILL Smith’s first film since he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars has received a broadly warm response from critics.

But many reviews of Emancipation also focused on the wider narrative surrounding Smith - and whether the film could provide a path to his re demption in Hollywood.

Set in the 1860s, Emancipation follows a slave, known as Peter, who escapes from a plan tation and flees through the swamps of Louisiana, chased closely by his for mer masters.

The deadly cat-andmouse premise sees a wounded Peter seek cloth ing, food, water and hiding places for several miles as he attempts to evade the slave hunters.

He is seen encounter ing dangerous animals and attempting to cover the scent of his blood so

it can’t be picked up by sniffer dogs.

The film, which was shot before this year’s Oscars took place, has attracted several four-star reviews - although a few critics graded it as low as two stars. Some focused solely on the film’s con tent, but others debated the circumstances surrounding the release.

Industry figures are waiting with interest to see how the public will react to the film, after Smith was disgraced for smack ing Rock on stage during March’s Academy Awards.

“That scandal may temper audiences’ enthusi asm for seeing what would regardless be a brutal por trait of slavery, but posi tive reviews might at least

encourage fans to seek out this sturdy drama,” noted Screen Daily’s Tim Grierson.

The slap was refer enced in the headline of a four-star review of Eman cipation written by The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin, who said: “This tough, tense chase thriller could prove Will Smith’s re demption.

“Will Smith’s new film was shot in the summer of 2021, long before The Slap was so much as a tingle in his palm,” Collin noted.

“But if he had specifi cally sought out a project that would get the world to move on from the fra cas at March’s Academy Awards, he could have hardly found a more con vincing one. Emancipation is a finely crafted, un flinching pursuit thriller.”

Emancipation is loose ly based on the real-life story of Gordon, a for mer slave also known as “Whipped Peter”, who was the subject of a fa mous photograph which showed the impact of slav ery.

The picture shows se vere scarring of Gordon’s back from whippings, and became one of the most well-known photos of the abolitionist movement during the American Civil War.

Some critics, such as Deadline’s Valerie Com plex, did not mention the slap at all while delivering their opinion of the film.

Instead, Complex ex amined the “ongoing de bate on about whether films like this are ‘trauma porn’, or unnecessary in an age where the black people yearn for modern stories of other types of heroics”.

“Honestly, the thought of walking out crossed my mind several times,” she wrote of Emancipa tion. “Not because the film wasn’t up to par, but see ing so much black death onscreen is exhausting and painful, and there is only so much I can take - even if the ending of a film is hopeful.”

But other critics did reference the moment in March when Smith hit Rock after the comedi an made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada. (BBC)

Christopher Martin spends a second week at

Bob Marley and the Wailers (Jamaica Observer photo)

Will Smith pictured at the premiere of Emancipation in Los Angeles earlier this week (Reuters photo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday December 02, 2022)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Tajenarine Chanderpaul (2) Nil

Today’s Quiz

(1) Which WI batsman has scored most double hundreds in Tests against AUST to date?

(2) Which AUST batsman has recorded most double centu ries in Tests against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

RACING TIPS

English Racing Tips

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Irish Racing Tips

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15:30 hrs Dalvey 16:00 hrs Dark Street 16:30 hrs Ta Na La

American Racing Tips Aqueduct

Race 1 Irish Empress Race 2 Laughter Race 3 Monshun Race 4 Lady Firefoot Race 5 Hang Tight Race 6 Snicket Race 7 Basic Trtuth Race 8 Curlin’s Wis dom

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine

Race 1 Forritable Race 2 Coleyville Race 3 Self Inflicted Race 4 Spring Moun tain Race 5 Ivictory Race 6 Silent Miracle

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Fairview

08:20 hrs Quasimodo

08:55 hrs Double Destiny 09:30 hrs Verified 10:05 hrs Fly My Flag 10:40 hrs Naval Secret

‘Special’ Chanderpaul survives bruising Test entrance

By Louis Cameron in Perth

TAGENARINE Chanderpaul might once have feared the clos est he would get to international cricket would be his cameo playing Larry Gomes in a film about India's 1983 World Cup triumph.

But after finally getting his opportunity after 51 first-class games over the course of almost a decade, Chanderpaul has been tipped to have a long Test career following a bruising but coura geous introduction to Test cricket

After an increasingly dispir ited West Indies bowling per formance that allowed Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to swan to twin double-centuries, the visiting openers faced a deficit as imposing as the fresh Australian pace attack tasked with defending it late yesterday.

But Chanderpaul, heeding the soothing advice of captain Kragg Brathwaite, peppered the Perth Stadium boundary with a flurry of daring strokes having refused to take a backwards step following multiple body blows.

The son of Windies great Shivnarine had reached 47 not out from 73 balls at stumps to give his side their brightest moment on tour so far.

"I know he's a fighter, so it isn't surprising," Brathwaite told reporters at stumps after he and Chanderpaul had taken the Win dies to 74-0.

"I really look forward to see ing a lot from him playing for the West Indies. It was good to see but obviously we need to continue tomorrow.

"I wasn't surprised. I knew for a while, playing against him, that he always takes his time and he bats long periods. He's got a bright future for the West Indies.

"He's going to be special. He's going to do a great job. I look for

ward to batting with him for many years to come."

It had not been the most aus picious of starts to his Test batting career.

After spending 152.4 overs in the field, Chanderpaul was squared up on his first ball of Test cricket as a thick edge off Mitchell Starc flew away through the slips for four. He was away.

His protective gear, which included arm- and chest-guards, got a solid working out. He was fortunate a tight 'umpire's call' lbw review went his way after being struck on the back pad, before copping knocks to his box, chest and stomach by the Aussie pace attack

Josh Hazlewood's blow that struck Chanderpaul drew a pained reaction but little sympathy. The Windies physio bore a wide grin after trotting out to the middle, shaking the batter's legs while he lay prone, seemingly in an attempt to merely distract him from the agony.

"I could understand what it's like, it's pain," a smiling Brathwaite said. "I just told him to make sure take his time, not to rush it. But he was good to go."

Yet there were also signs of Chanderpaul’s considerable bats manship, and a flair that separates him from the category of dogged opening batters.

He launched into a series of jumping cut-shots when of fered width, while he was equally forthright when Test captain Pat Cummins erred short on his body and helped it on its way for six over fine-leg

The only quibble batting pur ists might have had with his en trance to Test cricket would have been his presumption that sweet ly-struck strokes were destined for the boundary. On multiple occasions Chanderpaul barely ran as he admired his handiwork, only

to realise it may not get there. On one occasion it didn’t.

"He jumped around early here and there but seemed to relax after 20-odd runs, then played a few shots," Hazlewood told cricket. com.au after play. "He looks a good talent."

Certainly Chanderpaul’s ped igree has not led to any special treatment. He has been forced to take the slow route to the highest level.

He formed a potent top three with Shimron Hetmyer and Nich olas Pooran at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup, scoring a century against India, having had already at that stage played first-class cricket for Guyana.

He even played alongside his father in 2017 for the small nation, the only one on the South American mainland where cricket is a major sport.

A stellar 2022 season that saw him average 176.66 at last saw him win a berth at international level, before he sealed his spot with a century in a tour game against the Prime Minister's XI last week.

Chanderpaul has been eager to point out he is not his father, despite the pair's similar styles.

He was more comfortable imitating another Caribbean lefthander, playing another dogged leftie in Gomes in the Bollywood movie ‘83’ about India's first World Cup triumph after being approached by a talent scout while playing in a first-class match in St Lucia.

Chanderpaul could now dare to dream of taking a fur ther leaf out of Gomes' book. If he reaches a debut century today, he will become just the ninth West Indian to manage the feat in Perth, among which is Gomes who in 1984 notched a patient 127 at the WACA Ground. (Cricket.com.au.)

Germany beat Costa Rica ...

Substitute Niclas

Fullkrug added a last-minute fourth to confirm victory, but it will be of no consolation as Germany failed to reach the knockout stage of the tour nament for the second time in succession.

This was also a match that made history as an all-fe male officiating team took charge of a men's World Cup game for the first time, with France's Stephanie Frappart refereeing, joined by assis tant referees Neuza Back from Brazil and Karen Diaz Medina from Mexico.

SHOCKED GERMANY A FALLEN POWER

Germany's second suc cessive exit at the group stage will come as another shock to their system and they can have no complaints as they leave Qatar.

The skids were under their campaign when they lost 2-1 to Japan in their opener and, despite showing real character to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Spain, the first-game defeat left them vulnerable.

A Germany win looked a formality as they controlled the first half-hour with embarrassing ease and led through Gnabry's strike.

Costa Rica were over powered but Germany's com placency gave them an entry into the game and sudden ly it was they who looked like qualifying as they went ahead, although it did not last long.

Germany have some fine players in the brilliant Jamal Musiala, along with Bayern Munich's former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, but this World Cup may spell the end for the older generation such as goalkeeper Neuer and forward Thomas Muller.

There is certainly likely to be a lengthy inquest into another failure at the finals.

Belgium out of World Cup after draw with Croatia

BELGIUM have been knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage as Croatia progressed at their expense with a goalless draw in Qatar.

Roberto Martinez's side, who finished third in Russia four years ago and are ranked second in the world, have had a disappointing tournament with just one win in three matches.

They produced another lack-lustre display against Croatia despite knowing a win was necessary for them to progress to the last 16.

Substitute Romelu Lu kaku had numerous chanc es in the second half but failed to convert any of them.

Lukaku, still searching for sharpness following injury, poked an effort wide and then reacted too late when the ball hit him in front of goal in stoppage time.

Croatia, finalists in

2018, got the point they needed to progress from Group F as runners-up, with Morocco taking top spot thanks to a 2-1 win against Canada.

Zlatko Dalic's side will face the winners of Group E - currently Spain - in the last 16.

Belgium players fell to the floor at full-time as their supporters behind the far goal politely applauded them off the pitch.

Lukaku, who replaced Dries Mertens at half-time, came into the game with intent and immediately brought additional energy to the Belgium side.

But his missed oppor tunities in the second half proved costly, with each one bringing an audible collective groan from the stands and Inter Milan striker punched the dugout in frustration after the final whistle.

Croatia were uncon vincing - they had a penal ty ruled out by VAR due to

an offside in the build-up in the first half - but did enough to secure progres sion.

However they looked a level below what they had shown to reach the final in Russia four years ago and their celebrations were fairly subdued after scraping through.

'Golden generation' fall at first hurdle

Belgium side were

ranked number one in the world in February and their collection of star names have been fancied to do well in recent tour naments - but their sup porters are used to disap pointment.

On the biggest stages, their 'golden generation' have not lived up to ex pectations, failing to reach a major final despite their array of talented players.

The team, whose key players are approaching the latter stages of their ca reers, probed for the break through at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium but superstars Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard could do little to change the result.

Croatia had the best chances in a poor first half as Ivan Perisic struck wide while Andrej Kra maric thought he had won

a penalty following a foul by Yannick Carrasco, but it was later ruled out by VAR.

Lukaku's introduction had an immediate impact after the break when he pounced on a rebound from Carrasco's shot but struck it against the inside of the post.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric went close when his poked effort was held by club team mate Thibaut Courtois in a rare Croatia second-half attack.

But the biggest chanc es fell Lukaku's way, not least in the closing minutes when he deflected a cross wide then was slow to re act and allowed the ball to hit his body and fall into the goalkeeper's arms from about two yards out.

A draw was probably a fair result and Belgium cannot have too many complaints at their failure to progress after a disappointing group stage. (BBC Sport)

Celtics beat Miami Heat in front of Prince and Princess of Wales

BOSTON Celtics ex tended their winning streak to five games with a 134-121 victo ry over Miami Heat in front of the visit ing Prince and Prin cess of Wales.

Jayson Tatum scored a season-high 49 points and had a game-high 11 re bounds, with Jaylen Brown adding 26 points.

The Celtics are now unbeaten in their last 10 home games.

Prince William and Catherine are

in Boston to hand out awards for their Earthshot Prize.

In Arizona, Phoe

nix Suns won their sixth game in succes sion by beating Chi cago Bulls 132-113.

Devin Booker scored a season-high 51 points, with De andre Ayton also re

cording a season best of 30.

Elsewhere, Mil waukee Bucks held off New York Knicks for a 109-103 win, while Minnesota Timberwolves edged Memphis Grizzlies 109-101.

LeBron James' 31 points led Los Ange les Lakers to a 128109 win over the vis iting Portland Trail Blazers, while Lakers' city rivals, Los An geles Clippers, lost 125-112 as Utah Jazz ended a five-game

losing streak.

Kevin Durant scored 39 points for Brooklyn Nets in a 113-107 win over Washington Wizards, improving Nets' re cord to 12-11 for the season.

There were wins elsewhere for Cleve land Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramen to Kings and Den ver Nuggets. (BBC Sport)

Romelu Lukaku had several chances to score in the second half

The Prince and Princess of Wales are in Boston for the Earthshot Prize awards

Four centurions as England smash 506 on record day

on the opening day, with Crawley hitting the fastest by an England opener and Duckett and Brook compiling their first in Tests.

Crawley dispatched the first five balls for 14 runs to set the tone for the rest of the day and, alongside Duckett, put on 233.

The 24-year-old Crawley only needed 86 balls to bring up his hundred, which came

lbw by Zahid Mahmood for 107 and Crawley bowled through the gate by debutant Haris Rauf the following over for 122.

Former captain Joe Root missed out on the run fest, out lbw to Mahmood for 23.

But despite the introduc tion of new batters, England showed no signs of slowing down with Pope and Brook at the crease.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings

Zak Crawley b Haris Rauf 122

Ben Duckett lbw Zahid Mehmood 107

Ollie Pope lbw Mohammad Ali 108

Joe Root lbw Zahid Mehmood 23

Harry Brook not out 101

Ben Stokes not out 34

Extras: (b-2, lb-6, nb-2, w-1) 11

Total: (four wkts, 75.0 overs) 506

Fall of wickets: 1-233, 2-235, 3-286 t, 4-462.

Bowling: Naseem Shah 15-0-96-0, Mohammad Ali 17-1-96-1 (nb-2), Haris Rauf 13-1-78-1 (w-1), Zahid Mehmood 23-1-160-2, Agha Salman 5- 0- 38-0, Saud Shakeel 2-0-30 0.

ENGLAND'S attacking approach has reached new heights as four players smacked centuries on an extraordinary day of Test cricket that saw the tour ists rack up 506-4 on a record-breaking first day against Pakistan in Rawal pindi.

Zak Crawley, Ben Duck

ett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all reached three fig ures as England, who had players struggling with a viral infection heading into their first five-day match in Pakistan since 2005, made the highest run total ever on the first day of a Test.

It was also the first time four batters had scored tons

shortly after lunch, after En gland had piled up a record 174 in the opening session.

Duckett followed up with his maiden Test century from 108 balls on his recall to the side after a six-year absence.

The duo fell in successive overs, with Duckett trapped

Pope played some elegant strokes during a chanceless century, from 90 deliveries, before he also fell lbw, with Mohammad Ali taking his first Test wicket.

Brook briefly threatened to score the fastest-ever cen tury by an Englishman in Test

cricket with an entertaining knock, including a memo rable over where he struck Saud Shakeel for six succes sive fours.

But the Yorkshireman had to settle for an 80-ball ton, the third-fastest for his country, and finished the day unbeaten on 101 alongside

captain Ben Stokes. Stokes, ominous for Pa kistan, enjoyed the final few overs of the day, hitting 34 off 15 balls at a strike rate of 226 to cap off an outstanding batting per formance from the tourists. (PA Sport)

Ben Stokes leaves door open for possible U-turn on ODI retirement

BEN Stokes has left the door open for a possible U-turn on his ODI retire ment for England's de fence of the 50-over World Cup next winter.

The allrounder, currently in Pakistan captaining the Test side on their first tour of the country in 17 years, retired from one-day cricket in the summer to focus on the other two international formats. In doing so, he said managing his workload in a convoluted schedule was "unsustainable", urging ad ministrators to get a firmer grasp of the fixture list to prevent other multi-format cricketers from taking a similar decision.

However, following En gland's T20 World Cup win earlier this month in Austra

lia, of which Stokes was a key part with 52 not out - a first half-century in the for mat - to take his side to vic tory in the final against Pa kistan, limited-overs coach Matthew Mott floated the prospect of Stokes going back on the decision. "When he spoke to me about his ODI retirement, one of the first things I said was that I'd back any decision he made, but I said to him he didn't necessarily have to retire, he could just not play 50 overs for a while," Mott said.

Coming into the tourna ment, Stokes had not played a T20I since March 2021, and given how the 31-yearold performed - 110 runs at an average of 36.66 and six wickets - the consensus is he could play a similar periph

eral role ahead of the 2023 50-over World Cup in India, particularly as ODIs are per haps his best format, with averages of 38.98 and 42.39 (and 74 dismissals), with bat and ball respectively.

Speaking ahead of the first Test against Pakistan, Stokes revealed director of men's cricket Rob Key had floated the idea of an ODI

return to him during the training camp in Abu Dhabi last week. While dismissive at the time, the 2019 player of the final stopped short of ruling himself out of con tention.

"Keysy pulled me to the side in the UAE and as soon as he said '50-over World Cup' I just walked away," said Stokes.

"Who knows? At the moment, being out here, my focus is solely on this series (against Pakistan). But it's one of those things. But who knows how I might feel towards a World Cup at the time. Going to a World Cup is an amazing thing to do, to represent your country. But at the moment I'm not even thinking about that."

At the time of writing, Stokes faces a very frontheavy 2023. These three Pakistan Tests will take him into the New Year ahead of a two-Test tour of New Zealand in February. He will then move onto the Indian Premier League having put himself forward for the draft which takes place on December 16.

Upon returning from the

IPL, he heads straight into a four-day Test against Ireland before a five-match Ashes series which finishes at the end of July. There are also four T20Is against New Zealand shoe-horned in at the end of the home season.

Should he hold firm on his ODI retirement, he would be twiddling his thumps during the World Cup, which begins in Oc tober, ahead of a fivematch series in the Carib bean during December. If he does have a change of heart, there would be six ODIs in the summer, split evenly between New Zealand and Ireland to get back into the 50-over groove.(CRICINFO).

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley got England off to a barnstorming start in Rawalpindi (Getty)

Ollie Pope reached the third century of a remarkable day for England (Getty Images)

England all-rounnder Ben Stokes

Experienced batting duo a boost for WI, says chief selector

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Lead selector Ann Browne-John has welcomed the return of fit-again stroke-makers Kycia Knight and Shem aine Campbelle, and be lieves they will strength en West Indies Women in their upcoming series against powerhouses En gland Women.

Both Knight and Campbelle, who missed the last series against New Zealand Women in the Ca ribbean, have been named in a 14-member squad for the first two One-Day Internationals of the threematch series at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground bowling off Sunday.

Hayley Matthews will lead the unit which in cludes the experienced likes of Shakera Selman, Afy Fletcher and Chinelle Henry, but missing the services of former skipper Stafanie Taylor and fast bowling spearhead Sham ilia Connell.

“The return of Shem aine Campbelle and Kycia Knight to the ODI squad after missing the last series due to injury will bolster the team in the absence of the experienced Sta fanie Taylor, who is still recuperating from injury sustained during Septem ber’s series against New Zealand,” Browne-John said.

“The CG United ODI matches are vital as points earned will take us a step closer towards automatic qualification for the next ICC Women’s World Cup in 2025.”

Knight is a 30-year-old left-hander who has played in 84 ODIs and 67 Twen

ty20 Internationals while Campbelle, also 30, has featured in 99 ODIs and 107 T20 Internationals.

Campbelle has not turned out in a T20 Inter national in two years.

Left-arm spinner Kay sia Schultz, a 25-year-old who has represented West

Indies Women A, is the only uncapped player in the squad.

West Indies Women will also clash with the tourists in a five-match Twenty20 series from De cember 11-22. The first game will be played at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and the remaining four at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Browne-John said the pending series would be critical in helping players cement their places for key tournaments next year.

“This series against England comes on the heels of the New Zealand tour to the West Indies and continues our important

preparation for the upcom ing Tri Series against India and South Africa and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to follow,” she said.

“It gives the players a great opportunity to de velop and push for final selection for the Tri Series and World Cup.”

SQUAD – Hayley Matthews (Captain), Shakera Selman (vice captain), Aaliyah Al leyne, Shemaine Camp belle, Afy Fletcher, Cher ry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ram harack, Kaysia Schultz, Rashada Williams.

Controversial winner sees Japan into knockout stage

JAPAN scored a contro versial winner as they staged another extraor dinary World Cup come back to top Group E ahead of Spain and reach the last 16.

Ao Tanaka claimed Ja pan's second goal after the Video Assistant Referee ruled the ball had not gone out of play before substi tute Kaoru Mitoma crossed from the byeline, even though on first viewing it appeared to have done so.

It proved the decisive moment in a stunning per formance against a Spain side who were fortunate to join Japan in the knockout stage.

In a tournament that has been full of shocks, this was perhaps the most dramatic night so far, with Spain left relying on the result of Germany's game with Costa Rica for them to progress.

All four teams had started the evening with a chance of progressing but

with Spain needing only a draw to qualify, they were not expected to need any favours from elsewhere.

La Roja were cruising at the break after Alvaro Mor ata headed home Cesar Az pilicueta's cross from close range, but Japan would quickly turn the game - and the whole of Group E - on its head.

The Samurai Blue sent on substitutes Ritsu Doan and Mitoma at half-time and within six minutes of the restart they had both made a huge impact.

Doan equalised with a fierce shot from the edge of the area and, only 142 seconds later, Mitomo re trieved Doan's low cross and found Tanaka to bundle home from close range in dramatic circumstances.

The goal was initially ruled out by the assistant referee who signalled Do an's cross had gone out of play, but the VAR ruled Mi tomo had reached it in time.

To the naked eye it ap peared over the line, but the decision was made that the curvature of the ball was hanging over the chalk, to the delight of Japan's players.

Things got even worse for Spain when Costa Rica took a surprise lead over Germany moments later, because at that stage they were heading out.

The big screens at Khal ifa International Stadium showed the updated group

table, to the disbelief of the Spain supporters, and pretty much everyone else here too.

Luis Enrique's side were in big trouble, and were showing few signs of knowing how to rescue themselves, with only Ger many's late rally sending La Roja through as group run ners-up on goal difference.

Japan's reward for a re markable performance is a tie with Croatia in the last 16, while a relieved Spain side will face Morocco.

This stadium was the setting for Japan's stunning victory over Germany in their opening game at this tournament, and it clearly inspired them again.

The high-pressing style that undid Germany had unsettled Spain at times in the first half but there were still few signs of what was to come.

Morata appeared set to be the story of the night when he netted his third goal of this tournament, equalling Telmo Zarra's re cord from 1950 for scoring on his first three World Cup appearances for Spain.

Japan had other ideas, and tore into Spain from the start of the second half, again refusing to let them settle on the ball as they attempted to build from the back.

Doan started their re vival, collecting the ball on the edge of the area after another loose pass forward by Simon, and firing in a thunderous shot that Simon got two hands to but could not keep out.

That sent Japan's fol lowers wild but more ex citement would quickly follow thanks to Tanaka, albeit after a lengthy VAR check.

Spain still had virtually the whole of the second half to stage a recovery, but they lacked either energy or ideas - or both - and rarely threatened Shuichi Gonda in the Japan goal.

It was only the news of Germany's comeback that allowed the Spain fans to relax in the closing min utes, with the goals that La Roja scored in their opening 7-0 win over Cos ta Rica proving decisive in sending them throu

West Indies stroke-maker Shemaine Campbelle

Japan’s squad pile on to the pitch to celebrate stunning win over Spain

Chanderpaul's debut knock lifts Windies after Labuschagne, Smith flay double-centuries

WEST Indies debutant Tage narine Chanderpaul weath ered a short-ball assault late on day two on a grassy Optus Sta dium pitch after double-centu ries from Marnus Labuscha gne and Steven Smith powered Australia into a commanding position in the first Test.

After spending 152.4 overs in the field, Chanderpaul im pressively defied Australia's star-studded attack, alongside skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, as the West Indies showed belated fight in a bid to claw back into the match.

(Scores: West Indies 74 for 0 (Brathwaite 18*, Chanderpaul 47*) trail Australia 598 for 4 decl. (Labuschagne 204, Smith 200*, Head 99) vs West Indies by 524 runs)

Chanderpaul, the son of leg endary batter Shivnarine, copped an initiation into Test cricket as he edged a sharp delivery from quick Mitchell Starc through the slips. He then was hit on the pads by Starc only for the notout decision to be upheld in an umpire's call.

Chanderpaul was all at sea against quick Josh Hazle wood's accuracy before a fluent drive through long on was a much-needed confidence boost. But he was back in the wars after being hit in a delicate spot, which required medical atten tion, before copping blows to the body from fierce, short balls from Cummins and Hazlewood.

Showcasing doggedness and similar technical characteristics to his father, Chanderpaul sol diered on gamely and started to look increasingly comfortable on a pitch playing few tricks. He unleashed several cavalier shots to counter the short ball but made it through his first test in this format.

The gritty opening partner ship has provided a much-need ed spark for West Indies after a forgettable performance in the field.

Australia declared 15 min utes into the final session when

Travis Head was bowled for 99 just one delivery after Smith brought up his fourth Test dou ble-century.

Head's dismissal brought a close to Australia's massive first innings, where they had three straight century-plus part nerships to vindicate Cummins' decision to bat first on a greentinged Optus Stadium surface which hasn't produced fireworks so far.

Australia's massive innings was dominated by Smith and Labuschagne, who combined for a 251-run partnership and

batted almost through the entire first session.

Labuschagne reached his second Test double century just before lunch, celebrating by tak ing off his helmet followed by an enthusiastic wave of his bat. Two balls later, out of nowhere, he was dismissed just short of his highest Test score of 215 when he edged the spin of Brathwaite to wicketkeeper Josh Da Silva.

Riding a dose of luck, La buschagne continued his strong form at Optus Stadium, where he scored 143 and 50 three years ago against New Zealand in the

GSA’s Senior National Championships

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 293 for two)

D. Warner b Seales 5

U. Khawaja c wkp. Da Silva b Mayers 65

M. Labuschagne c wkp. Da Silva b Brathwaite 204

S. Smith not out 200

T. Head b Brathwaite 99

Extras: (b-13, lb-2, w-5, nb-5) 25

Total: (4 wkts decl, 152.4 overs) 598

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-151, 3-402, 4-598.

Bowling: Roach 26-3-91-0 (nb-2), Seales 21-3-95-1 (w-1), Joseph 24-4-83-0 (w-2, nb-1), Mayers 15-2-39-1, Holder 236-70-0 (nb-1), Chase 31-2-140-0, Brathwaite 12.4-0-65-2.

WEST INDIES 1st innings

K. Brathwaite not out 18

T. Chanderpaul not out 47

Extras: (lb-7, nb-2) 9

Total: (without loss, 25 overs) 74

Bowling: Starc 7-2-15-0, Hazlewood 8-1-31-0 (nb-2), Cum mins 6-1-15-0, Lyon 4-1-6-0.

Position: West Indies trail by 524 runs with all 10 first innings wickets intact.

last Test played at the ground.

Just before lunch, Smith equalled Sir Donald Bradman with his 29th Test century. He reached the milestone with a single to long on, who was strangely not brought in to re strict the run.

In the process, Smith also passed 4 000 Test runs at home. Only Bradman (98.22) and Sir Garfield Sobers (66.8) have bet ter home averages than Smith's 64.53.

He also continued his dom inance over West Indies, against whom he currently averages 232.33 from six Tests.

Even though the match me andered amid a smattering of fans, who started to create their own excitement by mocking West Indies' sloppy fielding, Smith was unwavering in his concentration. He also rein forced his penchant for his new refined technique, where he has

eradicated shuffling across the crease.

Eyeing a declaration, Aus tralia put the foot down in the second session with Head scor ing at better than a run a ball in a 166-run partnership with Smith to flatten a lifeless West Indies attack.

After aggressive captaincy early on day one, Brathwaite's 30th birthday was soured as he sought a defensive approach and he might face further criticism for his use of the bowlers.

Quicks Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales were surprisingly not used in the first hour despite West Indies needing early wick ets to claw back into the contest.

Brathwaite finally had some cheer later in the day in a rearguard along with his new opening partner Chanderpaul in belated signs of life from the tourists. (Cricinfo)

Competitive Squash highlights 3rd day action

By Sean Devers

COMPETITIVE

Squash highlighted the penultimate day of the Guyana Squash As sociation’s (GCA) Se nior National Squash Championships at the Georgetown Club on Wednesday night.

The Championships, which is set to conclude tonight, saw six matches completed on an enter taining night.

The largest gathering of the Championships so far which included

Guyana’s most acclaimed female Squash player Nicolette Fernandes, saw a repeat of the Senior CASA semi-finals in Ja maica earlier this year as Taylor Fernandes got the better of Ashley DeGroot 3-1 in a fiercely contested encounter which ended 11-5, 13-11, 8-11, 11-8.

Caribbean Singles Champion, Ashley Khalil beat Larrissa Wiltshire in three games - 11-4, 11-2, 11-6 - after defeating her sister Alika in the other semi-final at CASA.

An exhausted Regan

Pollard beat Louis DaSil va 3-2 in a gruelling bat tle; 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 while in the other men’s matches Jason Van Dijk

beat Jonathon Antczak 11-7, 11-5, 4-11,9-11, 118, Alex Arjoon defeated Samuel Ince-Carvalhal and Jason-Ray Khalil got

the better of Daniel Ince 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 14-12.

Ashley easily won the first two games before getting off to a 5-love leading in the third game.

However, Larissa scored four consecu tive points and at 5-4 it seemed Larissa would take the match into a fourth game but Ashley eventually took the game 11-6 and the match 3-0.

In one of the most en tertaining matches of the evening, the left-hand ed pair of Arjoon and Ince- Carvalhal matched

each other shot for shot. Highlighted by long ral lies and good cross-court shots, it was Alex who took the opening game 11-9

A 20-shot rally end ed with Samuel taking the point as both players executed some power ful forehand shots and demonstrated good use of the court.

Samuel, coached by Nicolette, tried to tar get Alex’s forehand but lacked consistency and made some unforced errors.

Steve Smith celebrates after raising his double century

Ashley Khalil (right) beat Laressa Wiltshire on Wednesday nght. (Sean Devers photo)

‘Special’ Chanderpaul survives bruising Test entrance

Germany beat Costa Rica but crash out of World Cup

GERMANY crashed out of the World Cup on a remarkable night of drama despite victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium.

Japan's 2-1 win against Spain would have eliminated Germany anyway, but Hansi Flick's side needed three points to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16.

They completed their part of the bargain, but it was to no avail as the four-time champions finished third in the group and were eliminat

ed on goal difference.

Germany were in com plete control and in front through Serge Gnabry's 10th-minute header, only for Costa Rica to turn the match on its head to raise the re markable possibility of Spain also going out.

Yeltsin Tejeda equalised after Germany keeper Manu el Neuer pushed out Kendall Waston's header in the 58th minute, before Neuer was deemed to have the final touch for the second goal 12 minutes later when Juan

Pablo Vargas bundled in from close range.

At that stage, Costa Rica were going through with Ja pan, and Spain were heading for the exit.

It would have capped one of the most astonishing nights in World Cup history, but Germany substitute Kai Havertz restored a measure of normality to proceedings with two clinical finishes to extinguish Costa Rica's hopes of springing a major shock.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s bruising and courageous introduction to Test cricket showed he’s made of tough stuff

Germany have crashed out at the World Cup group stage for a second consecutive tournament (Photo: Skysports)