PAGE 4
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
The Americans lead the charge, they mean business
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
DON’T BLAME LOWENFIELD DEAR EDITOR, The reality of Good Friday and the restrictions imposed in the interest of mitigating COVID-19 have given me the latitude to pay more than usual attention to comments, in the media about GECOM and in this instance about Keith Lowenfield (Chief Elections Officer), per se, in relation to the “Lowenfield” proposal of 156 days for the recount. In that regard, I wish to make the following comments. -There is no “Lowenfield proposal”. From the very inception,
the CEO, Lowenfield, was pellucid that since the recount is to be undertaken under the authority vested in GECOM by Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, which do not specify procedures for a recount, he would be relying on “guidance” from the Commission with regard to the manner of conduct of what he termed “a Commission recount”. It is in that regard that the document, which the (Continued on page 5)
attachments enthusiastically daily making the rounds. In some regards, rather unwittingly and definitely unthinkingly, Guyana could become the model for how not to conduct democratic elections, how to manage the delicate balance between respect for national sovereignty and adherence to broadening 21st century international norms and best practices. The watchfulness, the interest, the energies are all there. and so, too, were the demanding and correcting, the guiding hands and reprimanding voices, as characterized by the pressuring via the nuanced and noisy, the resolute and the rambunctious, from the respective foreign and domestic communities. They will talk at length and with spirit about all that transpired. Some may argue that it is because of the oil and Venezuela only, since we are less than a million people and as primitive as can be found anywhere. But we think that this is deeper than that, and apart from the usual considerations of the oil, since the same was the claim and contention almost two decades ago, relative to the invasion of Iraq. That has since
fallen flat on the weight of its weaknesses. Though the most altruistic of reasons may never be accurately or comfortably ascribed to the motives and handiworks of world powers, in this instance, the Americans have to be given the benefit of the doubt, if only in their willingness in saying the right things, standing for what is acceptable by any honest measurement, and leading the charge for a result that passes muster in terms of its rightness. To do otherwise would have been criminally collusive. As all of this is examined holistically, and with review of the obscene way all this has unfolded, it should not be mistaken for, or compared to, any road to Emmaus. That it was not, for there were skullduggeries and enough subterfuges to share between the principal players, all of whom were lacking in the principles most needed, when demanded. Into these vacuums of power, the Americans have been unrelenting in their interests, unflagging in their efforts, and unmistakable in their objectives. Those are: do it cleanly. Do it accurately. Just get it done.
I
t has been the most unanticipated kind of intervention, given its long and influential record in the electoral history of Guyana. Today, the United States first signalled its interest, then persevered with its positions, and now, in a series of slow but unmistakable steps has evidenced its ongoing commitment to stay the course through the minefield and graveyard that Elections 2020 Guyana has become. There is no retreating by the Americans, be they in Georgetown or in Washington, as they have manifested at every level sharp, but still measured, distaste for where matters stand. The latest is the extended round of the continuous calling of things for what they are in subdued diplomatic speech, of insistently cajoling towards the reality of a different set of procedures and standards, and a distinctive cluster of related behaviours, be such from the courts, or GECOM, or coalition and opposition leadership. The weight of pressures applied has been on the coalition, which has to be taken aback, if not shocked, by what it has been on the receiving end of, when the messages are sifted and interpreted. It may be called the New World Order, to stretch things a shade: the judicata Americana Guyana, a la George Bush the First, in the aftermath of the holocaust of 9/11. It started very assertively at the level of the US Ambassador to Guyana, escalated to the assistant secretary for hemispheric affairs at the State Department, and then came repeatedly from the very top from the Secretary of State. The language throughout has fallen short of the fusillades hurled by Guyanese at Guyanese, but there can be no misinterpreting the strength of intent and the sustained pressures being brought to bear for a credible outcome to Elections 2020. All the messages from all the Americans have been tempered but tough: do it right! Get it right! Cut right to the chase. From all indications, the Americans seem willing to part company with longstanding local political friends. It is willing to incur new enemies, if that is the price to be paid, and even if this means clasping hands with political folks once found reprehensible. As a reminder, the key operating principle of the Americans, in the best and imitation of arch imperialist, Lord Palmerston, is always what is best for their own interests. While there have been some speculative sounds about recent American naval movements in the vicinity, Guyana is neither Iraq nor Haiti nor Grenada, not by any means currently. So, things are being handled more covertly in Guyana via less obvious channels and people. Many back channels are being employed, multiple patriotic fronts (so called carefully) springing up in defense of democracy. Some of this is executed through the hodgepodge of Guyanese groups and organizations that have emerged to question or condemn anything that looks a hair out of place. But the objections are not from Guyanese alone. Because as the still mighty United States goes so does most of the Western world. Not slavishly, but as a matter of taking the high ground. Some solid ones are stood on by the outsiders, including insistent calls and postures for democratic processes to prevail, for transparent standards to be the primary ingredients of the day. For credible results to which most, if not all observers, could extend a nod of approval and step forward with a handshake for a job well done. For what has happened has been glaring and embarrassing, and insulting to intelligence, while lacking in embracing virtues. Crude is not even the word, for it was beyond that, and this is when a load of the vulgar is added. None were looking for a perfect process or the most impeccable procedures. Nonetheless, and because of other obvious missteps, today underlying matters have distilled and transformed inexorably into what has to be as near flawless as possible, with a flurry of transparency
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
We built a national edifice on trickeries but now expect purity?
Jagdeo should be sanctioned
DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese must be among the most peculiar people found anywhere. We are unique in our chronic selfdeceptions. I offer a short smattering of how we are daily, and which have all come back to torment us when needed the most. We cheat on everything, which includes the so-called best amongst us; yet it is as if nothing has happened. The cheaters and falsifiers pretend at newfound purity. One man, a once senior man in this country, long alleged to be a serial felon and still an unreconstructed bigot lectures to the public about integrity and nationality; another who could not make a simple decision for fear of going against political benefactors, now steps forward to share his recommendations to leaders about leadership. Are we glaring hypocrites, or what! Mention one leader and even his own people bow before the barrages of blunt truths; but they grin and continue with unruffled indifference, for as he goes, so do they. The list is long: thief, corrupter, inciter, intimidator, abuser, executioner, and that particular leader is not the only one in the record of Guyana’s leadership class. It is men such as these, who are embraced worshipfully as na-
tional saviours. And it is as if none of those means anything. Leaders set the values and standards prioritized; a nation of followers embraced in rich imitation. Daily, we take what is not our own (graft). Or hold back what belongs to the state (taxes) and thus rob treasury and people. Or succeed in thwarting justice. As a high-profile example, I refer to that sub-judice matter going back and forth with arguments about sufficiency, when it is about integrity and duty, amidst the parsing for the cover of legality. Piloting that decayed ship are the same people who wax hypocritically about constitution and its sacred provisions; they do so while standing as epitomes of what is profane. Money talks. It has the handsomest of countenances. These highpriced operators are highly obvious in the patented trickeries employed to succeed. And because this is Guyana, they do. If they play cards right, the legislature or high council beckon to serve themselves or to corrupt all who come close. This is what is throughout this land, with too few principled people left to take anywhere upward. With such people jockeying for stewardship over the affairs of this society, there can be only thicker darkness, one with a
velvet sheen. The slick educated governors set the stage for the poor less crafty to follow in their footsteps. We are fast learners mastering difficult curves with practice and increasing speeds. I call them-leaders and supporting citizens-for what they are: self-servers, self-enrichers, and selfaggrandizers of the sleaziest stripes possible. I find all laughable, contemptible. They don’t fool me, despite their strenuous efforts at pretended clanliness and rare principle. These are the people who look to lead this land. Neighbours know neighbours for who and what they really are, ditto colleagues and comrades, friends and family also: dealers and confidence tricksters. That is part of the gaudy and bizarre national circus where democracy is the shielding banner. Where does it stop? The ongoing disaster of Guyana is that it does not stop, not even for the ordinary. For there was something as basic and necessary as parking, and it became a war for widows and orphans, the downtrodden and those taken advantage of, when at the core, it was only about the nasty, dirty, ugly, politics. When the kimono was (Continued on page 6)
DON’T BLAME LOWENFIELD From page 4 Commission directed the CEO to prepare was responsive to written submissions from Commissioners and their oral guidance, both of which were provided. In those submissions, Commissioner Benn proposed the following: i. “Two (2) paired Commissioner must initial the recount statement of poll.”(Sic). ii. “Two (2) paired Commissioner to sign accepted Tabulation forms.” (Sic). It is that articulation, given that there can only be three sets of paired Commissioners, which caused the proposal to suggest the use of only three workstations. The CEO may have misunderstood Benn‘s proposal. However, he should not be lambasted as if he originated the idea of three workstations. More so, since the document was a working/draft document and Commissioner Benn clarified the apparent misunderstanding for consideration in the furtherance of the finalization of the document. The document did not benefit from detailed discus-
sions, since Commissioner Gunraj, almost preemptively, sought permission to prepare another version, which he subsequently submitted as a joint document of Gunraj/ Benn/Shadick, now acclaimed as a PPP/C submission. Permission was granted. It was therefore disingenuous and unethical for Commissioners to take to the media as if Lowenfield had conjured some plot to have the recount done in 156 days. His premise was based on Benn‘s submission and on an estimation that each box would take approximately two hours to be recounted. The antagonistic Commissioners again, disingenuously, argued that it took one night to do the original count and juxtaposed that to “Lowenfield`s” 156 days. The fact is that “Lowenfield`s” 156 days is equivalent to 1560 hours of a sequential process as opposed the election night 2339 simultaneous counts that would have taken 2339 hours if one hour on average, as is now being touted, is attributed to each count. There could be nothing short of
mischief for Commissioners to cast aspersions on a 1560 hours sequential count juxtaposed to the E-day 2339 hours simultaneous/lateral counts. It should be noted that the entire Commission suggested five workstations for the CARICOM-supervised recount and conceded that four would have been undertaken. That too would have influenced the “Lowenfield” proposal, since no operational difference is envisaged, including some form of CARICOM involvement. The instigated conclusion of the public and personal ridicule of Lowenfield in person are grossly missinformed and ill-informed. The Commissioners’ ridicule is at least malicious, albeit that Commissioner Gunraj grudgingly admitted that the proposal may have been influenced, in part and fundamentally, by Benn‘s submission. There may be all sorts of criticisms of Lowenfield and GECOM but the latest is unfound, ridiculous and malicious. GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander
DEAR EDITOR, The recent call by the PPP/C-controlled Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman, Capt. Gerry Lewis Gouveia, who benefited significantly from PPP/c patronage and largesse, for the national recount to be aborted is a clear manifestation that the PPP/C has no interest in the people of Guyana, democracy and free and fair elections. It is all about the money that the PPP/C elite, and their friends, family and allies in crime hope to make now that Guyana is an oil producing nation. It is also interesting that the PPP/C did not make the call to abort the national recount itself. It used one of its puppets to make the call. They know full well that they couldn’t agree to a national recount and then condemn it as “a waste of time. But since when principles matter to hypocrites? Or is it a case of barefacedness that not even a hypocrite will try? I think it is the latter. Let us forensically audit every box and let the truth about PPP/ C-rigging come out. I believe at the end of the process, the APNU/AFC will win with a wider margin. It appears as though the PPP/C has been able to dupe some members of the diplomatic community here in Guyana, with the help of their high-paying US lobby firm into believing that they are champions of democracy. They are not. They are the same old dictatorial cabal that wielded power arbitrarily for 23 years in Guyana and destroyed whoever was in their way regardless of ethnicity, religion or any other consideration. It is clear that Jagdeo and the PPP/C are not concerned about free and fair elections
and democracy. They are concerned with getting power at all cost and accessing the resources that will come from the oil and gas industry. In recent times, the PPP/C misused and abused the judicial system at every turn. Now, it seems that they do not believe that the Coalition government and its supporters have the right to seek justice in our courts. We do. The call by Jagdeo for sanctions to be brought against Ms. Ulita Moore and her lawyers because they exercise their democratic right to judicial review tells all and sundry the nature of the beast we are dealing with. They believe they alone have rights. No other must have the courts deliver justice. The same attitude they displayed while in government. This is an attack on our justice system and must be condemned by all law-abiding people. It should be obvious to all that Jagdeo and the PPP/C continue to be dictatorial and that they are bad news for Guyana if they get close to state power again. It is worse when it is recalled that he has threatened all with retribution and recrimination if he wields power behind his puppet presidential candidate. I invite the international community to revisit their own records of the PPP/C in government. Such a visit to your archives will of necessity remind you that the Jagdeo led PPP/C had transformed Guyana into a criminal state in which drug lords were allowed to be the law and many innocent Guyanese were murdered. That corruption was the order of the day. Many crimes went unsolved and the Guyanese people were deprived of justice. A visit to your archives will reveal that
it is Jagdeo that needs to be sanctioned for his crimes against the Guyanese people. Moon ah run till day catch am. It took President David Granger and the APNU/AFC to restore law, order and the independence of the judiciary and, to improve the investigative capacity of the Guyana Police Force so that today crimes in Guyana are being solved and are reducing. It is pertinent to note here, that many of the people who rallied behind the PPP/C in recent times are those who enjoyed the fruits from the criminal cabal that ruled Guyana and those who enjoyed the crumbs that fell from the table of the criminal cabal that constituted the PPP/C government. Gouveia included. Note the emphasis on the elite since the ordinary supporters of the PPP were not the main beneficiaries of PPP rule- it was the criminal underworld, PPP elites, friends and family who benefitted. The innocent, hardworking and decent people such as Mr. Maurice Arjoon at the New Building Society suffered at the hands of Jagdeo’s PPP/C. While it is accepted that states only have permanent interests and not permanent friends, they cannot have so short memories that they can’t recall the injustices that were done by the PPP/C to the people of Guyana and how the PPP/C acted against the interest of humanity and what all peace loving people stand for.All and sundry are aware that the PPP/C had, and continues to have a deliberate policy of using their ill-gotten gains to fete, entertain and influence some diplomats in Guyana. They have done it with reasonable success. But the (Continued on page 7)
PAGE 6
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox THE Electoral Drama of 2020 DEAR EDITOR, When they lost the election in 2015, it was a nightmare for Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP/C. They immediately began to work fervently from day one to bring down an elected Government. As an opposition party, they never gave support to the APNU/AFC Government-they were fired up to put their hands on the oil industry. They never thought they could have lost the general elections. They now had to account for what they had stolen over the 23 years in Government. The heinous crimes committed; the rampant money laundering- they allowed Guyana to serve as a trans-shipment point for the drug trade destined for North America and Europe. The trafficking of our young women was becoming a norm; our young men couldn’t find jobs. Guyanese could no longer withstand the economic onslaught unleashed upon the nation. They vowed to bring down the Government-led ably by President David Arthur Granger. Jagdeo then called upon his supporters in the business community to stop investing in the economy. One rice company immediately closed down their rice mills. The PPP/C and GAWU were then loud in their calls to bail out the sugar industry that was running at a tremendous loss. They needed $12B dollars for a start. They called for non-cooperation from the Private Sector Commission. The Government was forced to find that funds to save the jobs of those work-
ers in the sugar industry on a few occasions - this could not have been sustained and as such the closing down of sugar estates to save the nation’s economy. Commissions of Inquiry were established to investigate the theft of state property- many were afraid to go before the courts to give evidence against the blue-collar criminals who found favour with many in the judicial system. On the 21st of December 2018, Charrandas Persaud conspired a wicked and deceitful act by voting in favour of a No-Confidence Motion proposed by Bharat JagdeoOpposition Leader of the PPP/ C. During this short period (2015- 2018) of their reign in Government, the APNUAFC were able to bring significant infrastructure and human resource development across the 10 administrative regions of this bountiful nation. Immediately after coming into office, oil was discovered in 2015 and this sent shock waves across the body of the PPP/C, with Bharat Jagdeo coming out in a statement implying that only a PPP/C Government could manage an oil economy- their intention became clear -win back the Government by any means necessary . So they desperately raced to find US$34M- an equivalent of $6.8B to invest with their high paying, allegedly corrupt US lobby firm to spread propaganda and lies hoping to win the elections. A sum that would have been better spent with the young people of their constituency who they claim were starving on the closed
sugar estates. In fairness to President David Granger and his Government, the nation was not prepared for another general election that became possible through a conspiracy. On three occasions litigations were brought before the local courts and the Caribbean Court of Justice by the PPP/C making it difficult for GECOM to carry out its work after the NCM was passed. President Granger has at all times complied with the ruling of the courts during this electoral challenge which was influenced by the No Confidence Motion. He has at all times allowed himself to be guided by the constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana when taking decisions or actions that will impact positively national development and the democratic norms. He has never wavered in his commitment to have the elections deemed credible, and as such invited the Opposition Leader and the Chairman of CARICOM to join with him in an arrangement to have GECOM do a recount of the votes cast in the General elections in Regions 1- 10, even though GECOM has declared APNU/AFC winners of the national elections held on 2nd March 2020. With threats of protests and violence coming from the PPP/C, threats of international sanctions coming from members of th e d i p l o m a t i c c o mmun i t y, a l l c o m b i n e d t o force our democratically elected president to take steps to maintain peace and love among the people of Guyana- as such the GECOM recount of Regions 1-10. Ras. Aaron Blackman
NO AUSTERITY PLEASE DEAR EDITOR, From March, Guyana has been in crisis mode to deal with Covid-19. Everyone is affected financially, emotionally and, for some, health wise. Life is more important than money but especially in the urban setting, if you don’t have money you cannot eat. Although politicians talk about loving the people, that is usually sweet nothingness. Since it is unlikely that every mouth will be fed under the current lockdown, I oppose it. Firstly, social distancing and curfew only buys time. It has not stopped the spread of the virus in no country across the world. It was found that 5% to 80% of Covid-19 cases are asymptomatic.
They still can pass on the Coronavirus so testing aggressively is the best way to identify and isolate the Coronavirus. This lockdown seem like having your back watched by politicians without showing the true picture of the Covid19 prevalence in the country. It is based on political expediency. Politicians usually do what will give them votes; not what’s good for the nation. Secondly, preventing mass unemployment postCovid-19 should be the main objective not economic growth. Once people are employed, less suffering will occur and social cohesion will be preserved. Greed is a powerful motivation; people will continue business once there is money
to be made. It might be different people but that is the nature of business. There is no way businesses can survive if there is mass unemployment. Thirdly, austerity does not work because it decreases the tax base, increase unemployment and slows the velocity of money therefore promoting slow growth, if any. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank always prescribe austerity and structural adjustment. The US has veto power in the IMF and the World Bank and is their greatest contributor or benefactor. Do you see the US practising austerity? Brian Ellis Plummer
Kaieteur M@ilbox SANCTIONS A MUST AGAINST his cohorts could be indulged as after the nomotion and even the immediate THESE ACTORS confidence aftermath of those fraudulent declarations DEAR EDITOR, The Chairman of CARICOM, Mia Mottley, stated that, “it is clear there are forces that do not want to see the votes recounted” after the CARICOM electoral rescue mission collapsed in March. As the days wear on, those shadowy ‘forces’ are being exposed by their actions. Three of those actors stepped onto the stage to vociferously oppose a call from the Private Sector Commission to count the Region Four ballots- Cathy Hughes, Joseph Harmon, and Raphael Trotman held a press conference to denounce the call by the PSC as “simplistic”. The fact is that the call is indeed simplistic because the solution to the electoral fraud committed is indeed simple- recount Region Four and provide a credible result based on a free, fair and transparent process. The motivations of this trio to make a mountain out of a molehill on the other hand bear closer examination. Firstly, th e S t a t e m e n t s o f P o l l s (SOPs) of nine of Guyana’s 10 regions were tabulated without undue incident in a free, fair, transparent manner and produced results deemed credible by all observer missions. To ask for these to be redone is akin to driving an ambulance to pick up a patient in critical condition, getting a puncture and instead of changing the one flat tire, you decide to change all the tires. It defies logic and circumstance. Secondly, we must recognize that the entire world economy is reeling from the effects of a pandemic such as not experienced in over a century. Guyana is the only country on earth without a recognized government during this crisis. Guyana cannot access the help needed for her citizens by way of aid funding, vital health equipment purchasing (ventilators, etc.), the all-important Personal Protection Equipment needed for health-care providers and persons providing essential services. While other nations can tap into these resources and provide vital relief for their citizens including cash-grants for the needy, Guyana’s government is in a state of paralysis caused by those conspiring to keep power through electoral fraud and other means. There has been a change of circumstance from when the whims of David Granger and
(plural). In the face of these arguments, can the three APNU/AFC representatives provide reasons for further delays? Cathy Hughes continues to confuse herself with tales of ‘Russian’ hackers. Similarly her spouse, attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes posited a missive entitled ‘sharing the corn in 2020’ which argued that the APNU/ AFC lost the elections due to racial voting patterns and as such there should be a new paradigm other than democracy going forward. Hughes leaves the question of how that same entity won democratically in 2015 unanswered as he seeks to justify the murderous, racially motivated massacres and other atrocities by criminal gangs in that past “in the absence of legitimate means of redress, economic marginalization, ethnic domination, the African community began to react in a manner which they thought would best protect their interests”. Companies seeking to invest in Guyana are cognizant of Nigel’s marital relationship to a sitting Minister of Government. Magnitsky sanctions must apply to those deemed by the United States “seeking to benefit from electoral fraud” and in that way, the state of Guyana and her citizens can be spared from harm. Sanctions against Joseph Harmon and Raphael Trotman will hit the former Ministers with extensive international investments where it hurts. In light of the blind and unyielding fight against democracy and the will of the people, it certainly bears a full investigation, for what other motivation can drive men to abandon the greatest principle of human rights? All of these actions and possible motivations bring the trio under the ambit of audit and forfeiture of assets under the Global Magnitsky Act. These sanctions should be brought to bear against these individuals and their beneficiaries without delay. Guyana is being suffocated by these bad actors and much like COVID-19 victims, Guyanese are finding it harder and harder to breathe freely. Sanctions will also serve as a warning to other anti-democratic actors in Guyana and around the world that a new order has come and their time is up. Robin Singh
We built a national edifice on... From page 5 parted, there was the mystery revealed: politics at play. There is a crisis of a virus, but a bigger political one obsesses. The sagas are endless. Lies and subterfuges are all an integral aspect of the individual and societal character, bar only a handful. And on this, we want to build a national house of honesty. With these searing degrees of the disingenuous in free rushing flow, we paddle for any nonexistent port. And with all of this as context, history, character, and visions of what ought to be, we come to the gateway to paradise. I see a people bewitched by the biggest prize of all, when all the marbles are be-
ing played for and the house is on the line. Now they hope, they clamor, that authenticity would reign, and not duplicity; that there will be the politically clean instead of the electorally contaminated, and this is with all that is stake. Is somebody kidding me! How we fool ourselves! This is where we are: a lying, deceiving, tricking people, at all levels, and by some miracle, there is the expectation that accuracy, transparency, and integrity will prevail and win the day. Though the day itself is polluted beyond remedy, the self-deceptions continue. In perhaps the most telling irony of all, our rampant self-deceptions have traveled the circle and now haunt,
when we need the straight and credible the most. From where credibility will come, I ask. By whose hands, some tendril of straightness, I challenge. Thus, reciprocal charges are leveled. For decades, we have constructed a national edifice that stands as a global monument to great untruths, greater iniquities, and among the greatest of craven and mentally corrupted citizens anywhere. And now we desire to see god. So that is what we get: false gods to magnify our miseries. Look at us: a society built on slipperiness and sleaze, and we expect truth and righteousness. Like I said, a strange and curious people we are. GHK Lall
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur M@ilbox Komal’s caring and socially inclusive values
DEAR EDITOR, I write to pay tribute to Shri Komal Chand. I am saddened with his passing, but I am also inspired by his work on behalf of the poor and working class. He was a man of conviction. He stood up for what was right for Guyana seeking to make the country a stronger, kinder, and better place through his politics and labour leadership. He was a caring, socially inclusive, and forward-thinking person. The country needs to return to these values now more than ever as dark clouds are gathering over the outcome of elections that threaten the fabric of the nation. Komal cut his teeth in collective bargaining and trade unionism under Cheddi Jagan’s tutelage. The labour movement rightly salutes this illustrious son. Sugar workers everywhere remember and honour this man who gave so much to people he cared for so deeply. I know Komal long before he became leader of GAWU and had the good fortune to interact with him on political developments countless times at his home, at GAWU Secretariat, at social events, and over the phone. He would share various pamphlets, newsletters, handouts and invitations to social functions. This union leader pos-
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
sessed a moral framework for his leadership. He never lacked courage to speak out against wrongs even in the political party he belonged and even of internal party politics; he spoke his mind and laid out his position publicly.He was a fine man who never lost his humility and simplicity speaking softly and gently even when in anger. He was an able administrator and affable union leader. He was a wonderful human being who relentlessly fought for the working class and their families. He never shirked in his commitment at the bargaining table to get the best for workers. At a time when the term “collective bargaining” still held some meaning in Guyana, he was able to use the strength of GAWU’s membership by employing a variety of tactics, including strikes, to gain better working conditions and wages for workers. Threats of de-recognition of GAWU did not cower him. Instead, they motivated him to work harder for the working class. His death has brought immense sorrow and gratitude for his contributions to the nation in the independence movement, the struggle for democracy, and representation of sugar workers. His death a month after a general elections drew forth praise for his legacy, with even political opponents praising his contribution to
the country’s development and to the struggle for democracy. He possessed enormous passion and courage as a labour leader to stand up for the working class. Like his predecessor Jagan who led GAWU, Komal had a labour heart. Aside from Jagan, I can’t think of any other labour leader so committed to their members. He was also highly regarded among organized labour leaders across the country. He gave labour solidarity to other unions. He lent support to campaigns of other labour unions to improve conditions and wages for predominantly black workers. Komal’s vision of social unionism and broad coalition building as well as of inclusive governance in the interests of a more just society could help revive not only the labour movement but efforts to move the nation in a more positive direction as we try to find a solution to the current intractable election impasse. Labour is much poorer today because of Komal’s passing. He deserves accolades and the nation’s highest honours for distinguished serve in politics and for his representation of workers. The country will miss him, but his legacy will stand the test of time. I thank him for his contribution to the labour movement and the nation. Condolence to his family! Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Kaieteur M@ilbox AN ARTIST’S CRIES DEAR EDITOR, These are very challenging times for all Guyanese. It has impacted our lives in many ways and has brought out the humanitarian nature in many of our compatriots and some of our business people while it has also brought out the worst in others who have sought to exploit the situation. In and around the market places, the price of all commodities have gone up as if it was Christmas time, especially greens and ground provisions. Many Guyanese are without jobs on account of the shut-down and money is not circulating to make purchases as people would like. In neighbouring Brazil – Manaus Amazonas, the better of Brazilian artists, galleries, and art collectors are rendering assistance to the less fortunate artists. The galleries are still open and generous, kind-hearted people are purchasing the works of artists to ensure that they have some disposable income. In Guyana, no one has contacted me. None of the rich people who attend the
opening of exhibitions at the National Gallery, Castellani House. We have given our golden years to our country, served it with distinction without any financial rewards. Personally, I don’t have any regrets living in Guyana, though I would have been better off in Latin America
where I am respected and my work better appreciated. Many of our senior artists have long since left Guyana for “greener pastures”. We who have remained in Guyana are like the Spartans of the old, fulfilling our duty to the nation. Shut-in doesn’t mean we have to shut up. Desmond Alli
Jagdeo should be.... From page 5 time is nigh when the people of Guyana who believe in democracy and decency must fight the criminal cabal and ensure that diplomats coming to Guyana are on the side of the people. It is time to end the socialization of some diplomats by the criminal cabal and restore diplomatic work that is aimed at pursuing the legitimate interests of the sending and receiving states.
As Guyana is now an oil producing nation, the propensity to illegality and or, access to oil resources at all cost by the PPP/C has increased, placing Guyana at the gate of the oil curse. We need to pull Guyana back and ensure that it stays on the present path of progress and development. Remember under Jagdeo’s PPP/C, we were cursed without oil. Aubrey C. Norton
PAGE 8
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Justice Claudette Singh Guyana now has 45 positive must take command of COVID-19 cases GECOM now- Nandlall People’s Progressive Party/Civic,(PPP/C) Executive and Attorney- at -Law, Anil Nandlall, is appealing to Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), retired Justice Claudette Singh, to use her powerful casting vote to end the political stalemate which is holding the nation at ransom. Nandlall in a lengthy Facebook post shared his thoughts on the proposal made to GECOM for the recount process of votes cast at the March 2, 2020 elections. The suggestion made by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield, is for the nationwide recount to be done in 156 days – a proposal which is widely rejected by the political opposition as a delay tactic. In his post, Nandlall shared the same view that there is a deliberate ploy at the level of GECOM to further delay the process. According to him, it is the Government – aligned Commissioners who continue to do everything possible to frustrate and delay the recount. “In this regard, Commissioner Vincent Alexander, in essence, wants the decision to do a recount altered, to do an audit, instead. This must be fiercely resisted. No one ever called for an audit and no decision was ever made to do an audit. It is not provided for in the law and will only delay the process further,” he said. Giving an overview of the events which followed the elections, the Attorney pointed to “the constant back and forth,” between agents of GECOM and the political representatives which lead to the delays. Nandlall said, however, that Justice Singh in her capacity as Chairperson of GECOM cannot be completely exonerated from blame for what is happening. He emphasized that this can only be put to rest if the Chairperson raises her pro-
Up to press time yesterday, there were 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guyana. In fact based on data shared by the Ministry of Public Health cases of the novel coronavirus have, thus far, been found in six regions – One, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven. The number of COVID19 related deaths, according to the Ministry remains at six. Of a total of 193 persons tested, 148 have been ruled negative. According to the COVID19 dashboard, which was shared last evening, the number of persons housed in the Health Ministry’s isolation is
Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that worldwide there are 1,521, 252
Appeals were made for citizens to practice social distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
Two months imprisonment possible if health orders flouted GECOM ‘s Chairperson (Ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh verbial gavel and ends the that hang like a sword of delay. Damocles over the head of the “Her failure to act deci- Commission must be resively by using that power- moved. Confidence in the elecful casting vote with which toral process must be reshe is legally equipped, has stored’.” contributed significantly to Further, Nandlall urged all the cabal currently holding to support the PPP and reject this nation at ransom. How- any proposal which comes ever, they will not succeed. from the APNU/AFC or We are nearing the end of the Lowenfield. road. Justice Singh must take “Like Mingo, he is part of command now.” the problem and cannot be Under the command of the part of the solution. In terms Chairperson, Nandlall held of the actual counting, we that the recount must be kick prefer that GECOM calls in started next week and con- aid, a reputable auditing firm clude with every convenient or the Office of the Auditor speed. General to assist.” The lawyer emphasized, “The Secretariat staff at “She must ensure that it is GECOM no longer enjoys done transparently, voting in public confidence,” he assupport of our request to have serted. the process televised and “GECOM has the power to streamed live, will go a far way enlist such assistance, as is in achieving this objective.” expressed in Article 162(1)(b), He added, “In the end, the Commission shall issue this process must enjoy pub- such instructions and take lic confidence. such action as appear to it I remind her of the follow- necessary or expedient to ening stirring plea which she sure impartiality, fairness and made in her submissions to compliance with the provithe Court, in the Ulita Moore sions of this Constitution or case ‘In the present volatile any Act of Parliament on the situation, which pervades our part of persons exercising country. No effort must be powers or performing duties spared to assure everyone connected with or relating to that the process was fair and the matters aforesaid,” he impartial. Lingering doubts said.
Body of elderly woman found at Meten-Meer-Zorg The lifeless body of a 65year-old woman was found on a Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) Street on Good Friday. The deceased has been identified as Dhanjalie Umraoe of Lot 86 Meten-Meer-Zorg. Several residents in the community were in a state of shock after hearing the devastating news. Several of them recalled seeing the
31 and an additional 13 are in mandated quarantine. Three citizens are now patients in
confirmed cases, with 97, 798 deaths. In the Region of the Americas alone, there are 493,173 confirmed cases with 17,038 deaths.
woman walking about the village earlier in the day. Kaieteur News was told that the woman left her home at around 14:30hrs on April 10, 2020 to visit a friend who would usually assist in her checking her blood pressure. Ms. Umraoe however failed to return home. This, however, did not bother her relatives since she would usually sleep by her
son who lives a short distance away from her friend. The woman’s body was discovered the following day by a resident who raised an alarm. No mark of violence was found on the woman’s body, hence, the police are awaiting a post mortem examination to determine the cause of death. The body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral home. (Anastacya Peters)
M
inister of Public Health (MoPH), Volda Lawrence, last week announced a partial countrywide lockdown as part of the response to restrict the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Sections of the Health Ministry’s orders revealed a dusk to dawn curfew and restrictions of citizens to their homes with only essential workers allowed out. Additionally, these restrictions have halted all crowds at weddings and funerals and religious places of worship, and even at creeks and pools. It further stated that persons will not even be allowed to visit patients at hospitals or elderly persons at the Palms Geriatric Home. Even with Guyana confirming 45 cases with six
deaths as a result of the disease, some people have still been found contravening the presidential orders. But the orders are not
without penalties for defaulters. A perusal of the Public Health Ordinance Act, specifically Section 152, reveals that “any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Ordinance made by the
government, or who fails, neglects or refuses to execute any work or to do anything which he is required to do by virtue of any of the provisions of the ordinance shall be guilty of an offence and shall, unless some other penalty is provided therefore, (be) liable to a penalty with or without hard labour for any term exceeding two months.” Interestingly enough, the act also states that the individual is liable to a penalty of a meager G$50. “Where the offence is a continuing one, unless some other penalty is provided therefore, the offender shall be liable to a further penalty not exceeding GYD10 for everyday for which the offence continues, and in default of payment, to imprisonment for any period not exceeding three months,” the Act states.
Govt. greenlights private hospitals’ testing for COVID-19 Private Health Institutions will now be able to test for the novel Coronavirus since the Public Health Ministry has granted permission for them to acquire the needed testing kits. This was revealed by Head of the National COVID19 Task Force, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, during a virtual press conference yesterday. “We have now given the greenlight for the private hospitals to import their own testing kits so that you can supplement and do rapid testing in both state and nonstate intuitions,” Nagamootoo announced. Added to that, the private pospitals will be asked to dedicate some of their space to facilitate the treatment and management of positive COIVD-19 patients, he said. The Chairman of the Task Force pointed out that “gov-
ernment cannot be a monopoly in regards to testing. Private Institutions should be allowed to bring in testing kits and to dispense testing so they are being brought into play and are now a partner.” When asked whether the state will have some control over the cost of testing, Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that this will be determined by the private hospitals themselves. He could not say whether the cost will be absorbed by the State. The issue of private hospitals not being able to test for COVID-19 came to the forefront last week when the privately operated Woodlands Hospital revealed that it had requested permission from government to import testing kits. The request had gone unanswered for several weeks. Public Health Minister,
Volda Lawrence, had stated that only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is proven effective in testing for COVID-19 and that any facility that wishes to begin testing must be able to conduct this type of test. Dr. Shoba Gobin of Woodlands Hospital, relayed to Kaieteur News that now, with permission granted, the aim is to import the testing kits as soon as possible. The testing kits will take approximately 4-6 weeks to arrive. As it relates to the cost for the tests to be done, Dr. Shoba explained that they will have to factor in the cost to import the testing kits and the needed protective equipment used when conducting the tests. “We had never planned to make money off of it,” Dr. Shoba asserted. (Shikema Dey)
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Cabinet of Ministers is operating
- Nagamootoo insists Despite the March 2, 2020 election, after which there should be no ministers operating until a new government is sworn, it appears that nothing has changed. Yesterday, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo made it clear that his services have not been dispensed with and he was appointed as head of the National Task Force on COVID-19.He is continued to be referred to as the Prime Minister with Volda Lawrence also still holding on to her title of Minister of Public Health. She has been holding regular press conferences to update the nation about the local COVID-19 situation. But the issue of the Ministers still holding their positions has sparked legal questions by attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin. Datadin, a candidate also for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), made it clear that the there could have been no ministers after March 2. The only man standing after elections day would have been President David Granger, who is holding on until the swearing in of a president, in keeping with the Constitution. There have been questions by the Opposition and one viewer of a live press conference for COVID-19 yesterday asking pointedly if there was a Prime Minister. According to Nagamootoo, he has been appointed by the Executive President of Guyana and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, David Granger. Commander Appoints “He is the leader constitutionally of this country, and if he appoints me, he is the only one who could disappoint me. I am not aware that he has dispensed with the service of the Prime Minister of the Cooperative of Republic of Guyana.” Nagamootoo said that he
is not aware that Granger cannot appoint an executive for a period during a disaster or delegate responsibilities to someone who has served as a Prime Minister and who “is the Prime Minister and whose services has not been dispensed with”. Nagamootoo said that it is in that capacity he serve- and not with any “pomposity” or “arrogance”. “I am doing this because I am called up to discharge a patriotic duty, to help with the protection of the health of the people.” The official said that it is important that someone has to be in charge of dealing with the situation. It was pointed out only recently that the public transportation operators refused to carry nurses, forcing the Task Force to step in and deploy school buses.”Someone has to be the head of the Task Force to coordinate and we are the Government of Guyana.” However, Datadin made no bones about that argument.“Guyana is in danger of becoming a failed state. Guyana, by all economic and financial indicators, seemed destined to be on an economic trajectory to monumental success. The oil and gas find in 2015 was now beginning to rev the economy from its third world slumber and power itself to stratospheric heights.” The lawyer said that it was shocking to see how the political situation evolved into a fraudulent and undemocratic circus. He said that it is clear that there can be no government now. ”There is no regard for the rule of law anymore and public institutions are no longer functioning as they should because of their lack of independence.” The official said that the starting point was back in December 2018 when the Coalition Government fell on a vote of no-confidence in the
Is Moses Nagamootoo the PM or not? Parliament. “Elections were due within three months thereafter. That didn’t happen. It didn’t happen for two main reasons which every Guyanese know about. Firstly, the preposterous and downright asinine view was expressed that 33 votes was not a majority of the 65 votes case in Parliament.” Secondly, he said, the unlawfully appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson who said he could not hold elections within the three-month period. “Neither of these things was true and everyone knew it. Even its proponents knew this but they didn’t care. It allowed the veneer of decency to carry out the most indecent of activities to continue to govern even though you had no right to do so.” Datadin said that the debate of whether a Cabinet was in place was a real nonissue. “The Constitution was clear. The issue became whether the Coalition would obey the Constitution or not. It’s not surprising to anyone they didn’t.”Datadin said it was an excuse to continue in government, nothing else. “But this Cabinet-less government went to the polls on March 2 last. The tolerance by the main Opposition party and its leaders was because
Dem boys seh...
You can’t put cat fuh watch milk Dem boys nah know wah gah done fuss – the Coronavirus pandemic or de election recount. Dem boys expect more twist in the recount. You can’t put cat fuh watch milk. Dem boys predict dem guh rig even the recount. Dem boys seh everything gat it good side though. Is a good thing dat Lolofeel nah bin in charge of
the testing for the Coronavirus. It would tek 156 days fuh the first test result to come back.By dah time, everybody dead. Dem boys seh that Mingo mek Lolofeel look like a boy scout. If it was up to Mingo, he would ah count out dem 400,000 votes in one hour… and tell yuh the results before he start count. Dem boys larn that Mingo
…Ministers stopped operating since elections day - attorney-at-law Datadin
mean different thing in different language. In Spanish it means ‘balls’; in Latin it means ‘to urinate’ and in the Urban Dictionary it means ‘a silly person.’ So you mean fuh tell dem boys that we had a silly person pissing all over we elections with he balls hanging out ?Dem boys seh Happy Easter and watch out fuh Lolofeel next move!
Attorney-at-law, Sanjeev Datadin
it was felt that no-one in the presence of observers and scrutinized on live television and social media would rig an election ... how wrong that assumption turned out to be.” Misleading He was critical of the statements of Nagamootoo yesterday about his appointment and said he is misleading the public. “He holds no office and there is no government. The APNU/AFC officers are behaving as if the NCM (no confidence motion) never happened ... they went into the election without a Cabinet
and they came out of the election with a Cabinet ... by what mechanism…by what authority?” The lawyer pointed to the Constitution, Article 104, which brings ministers’ portfolio to an end on Elections Day. “No other provision could counter that because the Government went to the election following its defeat by a NCM. It was not an election called in ordinary circumstances. I challenge Nagamootoo to point to any law to justify his argument that ministers still hold office ... and not some fanciful spin
on plain English and perverse opinion like the 33 is not a majority of 65 argument.” The lawyer also said that by the same extension, there should be no Minister of Public Health. “The civil service should continue ... the Permanent Secretaries ... who should not be politicians, should be in charge. Miss Volda Lawrence, acting as Minister, is without legal authority but so much is at stake and so much is without legal foundation…what do we do? We have to find our way back to the rule of law.” The lawyer said that the country is being held to ransom to “inept and imbecilic leaders who don’t even have a clear plan of how to rig the elections ... making it up as they go along ... made with Neolithic incompetence. We have no way of accessing international skills and funds without a lawful government ... the supporters of APNU/ AFC seem to not realise this ... the whole world had said the election was not transparent and was fraudulent ... except them and because they say so they think it’s so.”
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 17
Kaieteur News
---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
A War of Attrition: Why does the PPP want to destroy the boxes in nine regions? It’s six weeks since the March 2 poll and Guyana appears no closer to an election “result” than it was four weeks ago. If anyone believes we are still fighting an election, they are badly out of touch. We are in the midst of a gathering conflict—cold for now, but showing all the signs of getting out of hand. Of course, nobody wants us to get to that point—not even those who are pushing the situation in that direction. When you are going down a slippery slope, you often find it difficult to climb back up even when danger is apparent. Call me an alarmist—I will plead guilty for now. Last week, I ended my column with a proposal aimed at stopping the descent down that slippery slope. I proposed that we go straight to the heart of the problem—the disputed election. My reasoning was, and is, that if we scrap the election, we remove the clear and present danger and allow space for resolution of the problems of which the election is a mere symptom. Towards that end, I suggested an Interim Government made up of the two gladiators, with a clear agenda of constitutional reform and political solution. In effect, I am proposing a postponement of the election until we put rules in place to ensure that our elections do not turn into civil wars. The proposal arose out of a concern for the wholeness and well-being of the country. It was not aimed at appeasing or attacking any party or ethnic group, but at putting Guyana on an alternative course to the one we are now on. I knew that neither party would consider it at this time—they are too consumed by what is before them. I knew the PPP and its cheerleaders would be most incensed, as they would see it as a ploy to take from them the victory, which they have prematurely proclaimed. I was not wrong on both counts. They turned the proposal into one aimed at destroying the evidence of their victory. Some even suggested that I was inciting violence. But despite the noise, it is important at junctures like these that some of us point to another possibility. I refuse to take the easy way out of this impasse. It’s easy to accuse one side or the other of rigging elections. It’s easy to spout niceties about democracy. It’s easy to declare one party the winner of a disputed election. It’s easy to call for a recount of the votes even when one knows that such an exercise would solve nothing.
It’s easy to cower in fear in the face of threatened sanctions by the mighty or encourage those sanctions. But it is not that easy to have to think through where the country is and try to find a path to commonsense. It is not that easy to think beyond the fortunes of the political side you supported and voted for. It is not that easy to think about the elephant in the room and what to do about it. It is not easy to push back against the force of one side whose voice is disproportionately louder than others. It is not that easy to confront our collective fear of the known and the unknown. In 1961, Eusi Kwayana, then Sydney King, feared that his country was galloping towards trouble, and he put on the table a reasonable solution of Joint Premiership between the two leaders. He floated Partition as a last resort if they rejected living together. Both sides rejected the proposal and told the country that King wanted to divide them. The country promptly engaged in the most divisive form of political expression— a four-year violent civil war whose consequences have come back to haunt us in the current impasse. It is as if we never learn. So, despite the crucifixion that I have been subjected to this past week, I still stand firm in my belief that the recount would not lead to resolution and reconciliation. In fact, it may well lead to the very opposite. Already we are seeing the signs of trouble. They are having difficulty arriving at agreed conditions for the count. The PPP has changed course and now wants only a recount of Region Four votes. They now want to “destroy” the boxes in the other nine regions. They don’t want certain GECOM officials to be part of the exercise. They want partial verification. They want to unilaterally control the recount. On the other side of the divide, some Coalition supporters are saying that the recount is illegal. They point to the fact that there is already a count and declarations from the ten regions waiting to be certified. They draw attention to the fact that after five weeks in the courts, there is no legal order for GECOM to recount the votes or to invalidate the declarations of the ten regions. Others have introduced the idea of an exhaustive recount that takes in every facet of the electoral process. There is even talk of an audit. Clearly, we are in the face of a “war of attrition.” We
now realise that there is no magic in the recount that many of us supported. The PPP tricked us into believing that it really wanted a full recount. Now we know that they always wanted a partial recount in the boxes where they think the Coalition is vulnerable, and they are against a recount of the boxes in which they think they are vulnerable. They are opposed to Lowenfield’s timeline because they fear it would expose their vulnerabilities. The PPP and their friends asked what does the Coalition have to hide in the Region Four boxes? We
must now ask: What does the PPP have to hide in the boxes of the other nine regions? I think the PPP wants to count the Region Four boxes first for the following reasons. First, if the Region Four count proves their numbers correct, they will refuse to continue the count and declare victory. If it disproves their numbers, they will refuse to continue, and claim that the Coalition tampered with the boxes while the “guardians’ were sleeping. So, as I said last week, if they happen to get past the modalities, I doubt that we would get to a completed
count. The PPP spun my proposal from last week to make it look as if I proposed the destruction of the ballot boxes to hide some evidence of the Coalition’s loss of the election and the PPP’s victory. They turned a peace proposal into a war proposal. I now ask: Why does the PPP want to “destroy” the boxes in nine regions? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) More of Dr. Hinds’ writ-
Dr David Hinds ings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his w e b s i t e www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
PAGE 18
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
NIGHT OF THE BUTCHER By Michael Jordan Roshanie Sooklall and her four siblings grew up dirtpoor in a back street in Herstelling, East Bank of Demerara. By the time she was ten, both of her parents had died and at the age of 14, Roshanie and her siblings moved to a tiny shack in a squatting community at Diamond. At around the age of 17, Roshanie started a relation-
- A brutal killer remains on the run after 18 long years ship with a young man from an area at Soesdyke known as Sand Road. By the time she was 18, she had borne the young man a son, and had moved to Soesdyke to live with the man’s family. The couple would even-
tually have two more children. But all was not well with the young couple. Roshanie’s spouse worked on and off as a canecutter at the Diamond Sugar Estate. He was also reportedly quick with his fists when he had too
much to drink. Time and again, Roshanie ran away from her abusive spouse, leaving her children behind to live with her brother in the Diamond Squatting Area. But her brother, Hardyal Damroo, would always urge her to return to her spouse and children. For Roshanie, the final straw came when her reputed husband chopped her on the arm.Roshanie packed her belongings and moved back to her brother’s Diamond Squatting Area home. This time, despite repeated pleas by her reputed husband, she refused to return. On Friday, January 25, 2002, Roshanie paid a visit to a female friend, Marcie Williams, who lived about 200 yards away in the same squatters’ community. The two women spent the entire night at Williams’ home. However, at around midnight, Roshanie told her friend that she was leaving, despite suggestions by the friend that she remain until daybreak. Eventually, Marcie Williams decided to accompany Roshanie on her short journey home. Williams was walking in front of Roshanie down a dirt track leading to their destination when she heard Roshanie scream. On looking
around, Williams saw Roshanie struggling with her reputed husband, who, from reports, was armed with a knife. As she watched in horror, the man threw Roshanie to the ground. Squatting on the helpless woman, Roshanie’s assailant then slashed her throat from ear to ear. The man then turned his attention on Marcie Williams, who was still standing nearby. He told Marcie that she was next, since she had witnessed the act. Screaming, Marcie Williams ran in the direction of her home, with the killer in pursuit. A swipe from the killer’s knife sliced her right thumb open. Luckily, her screams had alerted a female resident, and Williams managed to scamper into the woman’s residence in the nick of time. The killer then fled from the community. Roshanie’s brother was resting at home when he heard Marcie Williams scream out his name. He rushed to the scene of the commotion and saw his sister’s mutilated body lying on the ground. He recalled that her neck was almost severed. It is alleged that after killing Roshanie Sooklall, the suspect fled to Soesdyke. He reportedly then collected the
couple’s three children. According to Roshanie’s brother, Hardyal Damroo, neither his sister’s killer nor her children have been seen since. A relative of the suspect says that he has not seen the alleged killer since Roshanie Sooklall’s murder. If he does, he would appeal to him to turn himself in, he says. According to the relative, the couple’s children were taken in by an aunt. Another person, who knows the suspect, says that he may have fled to the interior.The suspect, Multi Fernandes, of Grant Sand Road, Soesdyke, is believed to be around 45 years. Fernandes is slim in build and fair in complexion. He reportedly had a gold tooth at the time of his disappearance. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Multi Fernandes, of Grant Sand Road, Soesdyke, please contact the police. You can also write to us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown. We can be reached on telephone numbers: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8473, and 225-8491. You need not disclose your name. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s : kamarangnight@gmail.com.
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 19
Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
156 days: The intellectual bankruptcy of election riggers There are three likely scenarios facing the coming shape of power. One is that the PPP or the PNC is accepted as the winner. It will not be business as usual, and the country goes immediately into deep and extensive constitutional changes. The second one is a legal arrangement under the aegis of CARICOM, to broker an immediate national government while constitutional negotiations are taking place. Finally, an interim government followed by new elections. In all three scenarios, the AFC will die and the PNC will never be the leviathan it once was. The daily actions of the PNC-AFC’s war room to rig the 2020 election since March 4, up to the present moment, has so mentally and spiritually degutted the PNC-AFC, that even if power is secured after the recount, the national, regional and international respect for the PNC would have suffered irreversible harm. My analysis would posit the beginning of the downward slide of the PNC when this election crisis is over. One sole factor has brought on this ignominy – the comical, barefaced and shameless methods that are being used. Politicians in real life do not rig a national election lasting over a month, and do not do so in such idiotic ways that make every conceivable decent person in the
world disgusted. Let us for the sake of argument say that the month was unavoidable and the riggers have to keep trying; surely not in the way it is being done. I am saying definitively that no human on Planet Earth would believe that an official in charge of a country’s election would want 156 days to recount 500,000 ballots. I am saying there isn’t a human in this world that would even as an immediate reaction ask how that is possible, much less accept that figure. So why have the people in the war room become so foolish that they continue to cause the world to throw opprobrium on them? I cannot think that among the leaders of the PNC and AFC, they have no one who can studiously work out a blueprint for the continuing rigging of the process and do it with intellectual finesse. I disagree with the reaction this line will be met with; “Freddie, what are you talking about, they have no space to manoeuvre, they ran out of strategies.” But let us say that diminishing returns are setting in, ideas are running out, strategies are fading, do the GECOM conspirators and the kings and queens in the PNC and AFC have to resort to things that are just plainly asinine? Three examples should suffice. We need not go back
from Wednesday March 4. One - even if the lady has a right to go to the court to stop the CARICOM factor in the recount, how come the same lawyers for GECOM and the PNC are taking the lady’s case. It is asinine to tell the world you want a recount, but you are paying lawyers to stop a recount. Two - PNC’s GECOM commissioner, Vincent Alexander took Guyana billions of miles down the nihilistic drain by asserting that even if you have a recount, that is no guarantee that a winner will be declared. Dr. Alissa Trotz penned a reaction to that asininity in which she implied that Guyana has become the world’s most absurd land. Three - how could the GECOM conspirators and the leadership of the PNC and AFC even think for just a fleeting second that humans - normal, decent humans would accept that it will take almost six months to count 500,000 ballots?
This is the 21st century. There are manpower, logistical arrangements and modern resources that can enable that task to be undertaken within less than a week, or maybe add a few more days on. Israel held two national elections in the space of six months. Whichever one of the three scenarios becomes reality, the AFC will be long gone, and a mentally shattered, badly tarnished PNC will lose extensive support in future elections. We can close with a question that perhaps will remain a mystery for a long time to
come. Were there no intellectual thinkers inside the PNC in Guyana or PNC diaspora groups that could have thought of better, more subtle mechanisms to prolong the election agony that these exhausting asininities are daily pouring out of GECOM and APNU+AFC? Of course, there are weeks ahead and the recount is still to be done. Therefore there is a ubiquitous curiosity making the rounds – what more foolishness, clownish sickness, shockingly embarrassing antics do the GECOM conspirators and the PNC-AFC monarchs have up their sleeves?
Frederick Kissoon Will Mingo’s replacement be a worse acrobat? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
PAGE 20
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
The PPP appears to be getting cold feet as a total recount looms From all appearances, the opposition People’s Progres-
sive Party (PPP) which together with its prejudiced in-
ternational observer friends and other politically jaun-
diced allied groups, had told the world that the party had easily won the general and regional elections, now appears to be getting cold feet as GECOM is preparing to organise a total recount and audit of the March 2, general and regional polls. From confidently agreeing to a recheck of ballots cast in all of the 10 electoral districts, we are now seeing that the party is using surrogate organisations like the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to demand a limited recount and/ or audit only of Region Four. It clearly does not want the Elections Commission to recheck all the ballots, as it fears that the nation and the world would eventually see the extent of the level of rigging that occurred during the elections. And not from the source where fingers are currently pointing. Eggs would be on the face of all those who told the world that the APNU-AFC Coalition were a bunch of cheats, determined to build what some holier than thou folks had said was a budding dictatorship in Guyana. The real cheats, the PPP, would be exposed by a recount and/or audit. In trying to give the public impression that it had absolutely no problem with a total recount or audit, the party had not made a single complaint or objection when GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, had told the High Court in an affidavit that she is prepared to organize a recheck of all 10 regions. Now it is singing a different tune. But in just a matter of days, the PPP now wants to limit the count to Region Four alone. Should the numbers come up in its favour if Region Four is counted first or alone, it would quickly abandon the process and declare a global victory, but this will not happen, as all indications are that the nation is in for a complete audit of what transpired on Monday March 2, 2020. Late last week, the Coalition had cause to respond to the PSC for their political duplicity and downright dishonesty regarding an audit of
March 2. “The Coalition APNU+AFC views with great consternation the utterances by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) with regard to the national recount of ballots in the recent National and Regional Elections of March 2020. In the first instance, the Coalition notes that this statement has arrived after the GECOM had clearly communicated to the Guyanese public, their intention to recount all of the ballots from all of the ten Electoral Districts in a sequential manner, starting from District One. We draw to the attention of all Guyanese, PSC’s insistence that only a recount of District Four be undertaken and their condemnation of a total recount as an “entire waste of time”. The Coalition wishes to point out the absolute hypocrisy of this position, given that Guyanese from District 1 - Barima/Waini to District 10 Upper Demerara/ Berbice would have exercised their franchise and should too be granted the assurance that their votes are accounted for. After all, any government elected in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana would be a government of ALL the people. This simplistic posture of the PSC, not only abrogates the transparency they claim to seek, but has removed the veil of neutrality in which it ought to be cloaked, and incontrovertibly identifies that entity as a mere stooge of the Opposition PPP/C. It is now obvious to all that the political bias of the PSC does not even allow them to acknowledge that there were discrepancies in other Districts, which led to APNU+AFC asking for a recount in Districts 3 and 6, among others, which was refused by Returning Officers. The PSC has demonstrated in no small measure, their contempt for and underestimation of the intelligence of the Guyanese people, who understand that a total recount is the only true measure of complete transparency. It is in this spirit that H.E. David Granger initiated the efforts for a total recount of
the votes and has maintained the position that GECOM must be allowed to operate without interference, intimidation, and in accordance with the laws of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The Coalition awaits GECOM’s direction on the conduct of the recount which we hope will include an audit of the contents of each ballot box, and which we are certain will take into consideration the current prevailing circumstances in which the country is engulfed, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The APNU+AFC Coalition continues to be confident of its victory at the polls and like the rest of the nation, looks forward to a declaration in that regard. Former Member of Parliament Aubrey Norton also felt compelled, recently, to weigh in on the PPP, the PSC and its friends. We concur with his opinion. “It is pertinent to note here”, he wrote, “that many of the people who rallied behind the PPP in recent times are those who enjoyed the fruits from the criminal cabal that ruled Guyana and those who enjoyed the crumbs that fell from the table of the criminal cabal that constituted the PPP government. Note the emphasis on the elite since the ordinary supporters of the PPP were not the main beneficiaries of PPP rule, it was the criminal underworld, PPP elites, friends and family who benefitted. The innocent, hardworking and decent people…suffered at the hands of Jagdeo’s PPP. The PPP has no interest in the people of Guyana, democracy and free and fair elections. It is all about the money that the PPP elite, and their friends, family and allies in crime hope to make now that Guyana is an oil-producing nation. It is also interesting that the PPP did not make the call to abort the national recount itself. It used one of its puppets to make the call.” (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
‘Contagion’ vs. coronavirus: The film’s connections to a real life pandemic (CNN) - As we live through a developing pandemic, some of us can’t help but compare it to the 2011 American thriller which some claim predicted Covid-19: “Contagion.” Directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Z. Burns, the film follows the spread of a virus transmitted when sick humans touch surfaces and leave virus behind that others can catch. Next comes the frantic attempts by public health officials to identify and contain the disease, the anarchy that unfolds amid a pandemic, and the ultimate introduction of a vaccine to stop the spread. Sound like a plot we’re in the middle of? Its prescience was bolstered by Burns consulting with representatives of the World Health Organization on the ins and outs of infectious diseases, and by Kate Winslet working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to understand the lifestyle and character of an epidemiologist charged with leading the world through crisis. The filmmakers also consulted medical experts including Dr. W. Ian Lipkin and Lawrence “Larry” Brilliant. Lipkin is the director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University Mailman School of Health. He recently contracted the novel coronavirus. Laurie Garrett also served as a consultant on the film because she wrote the 1994 book “The Coming Plague” and reported on multiple pandemics. In a 2001 article she wrote for CNN, Garrett described “Contagion” as “part fantasy, part reality and totally possible.” Here is how the virus and drama of “Contagion” compares with the real life coronavirus pandemic as it currently stands. VIRUS ORIGINS The final scene in “Contagion” reveals that the fictional “MEV-1” virus originated from a pig that ate a piece of banana dropped by an infected bat escaping the destruction of its palm tree forest habitat in China. That pig is then slaughtered and prepared by a chef who, without washing them first, shakes hands with Beth Emhoff (played by Gwyneth Paltrow), thus transmitting the virus to her. Emhoff becomes the “index case,” meaning she was the first identified case. The origin of the novel coronavirus terrorizing us today is still a mystery to scientists. It will only be solved if they’re able to isolate the live virus in a suspected species
(like in the movie), which can be difficult. However, like “Contagion,” bats are considered by some epidemiologists to be the possible source of the coronavirus. Zoologists, ecologists and disease experts have told CNN that human behaviours — such as destroying natural habitats — might be to blame for the transfer of the disease. When bats are stressed, which can occur from destruction of their habitats, their typically strong immune system is challenged, which makes it harder to cope with pathogens they could usually fight off. This allows an increase in infections and the shedding of them. One theory on the origin of the current coronavirus is that the initial epicenter was likely a “wet market” in Wuhan, China. In “wet markets,” wild animals that also may be infected and stressed are held together and sold as food or pets, leading to a mix of viruses and species. Any “zoonotic spillover,” or the transfer of disease from animals to humans, is exacerbated by population density and public transport, which make it easy for a virus to spread rapidly. Scientists studying the spread of the coronavirus have provided another theory: It may have spread into humans from animals in
Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) is considered the index case in “Contagion,” here seen transmitting the virus to another patient. ness and frothed at the mouth when they passed. The signs of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Covid-19 are similar, but there haven’t been any reports of seizures or frothing at the mouth. Covid19 symptoms include primarily a fever of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius), cough or trouble breathing, according to the CDC. Emergency warning signs of Covid-19 include “persistent pain or pressure in the chest,” “bluish lips or face” — indicating a lack of oxygen — and sudden mental confusion, fatigue or inability to rouse. Less common symptoms
people when those droplets reach the eyes, nose or mouth of an uninfected person. The film’s virus is also transmitted by fomites, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infections after sick humans touch them. The spreading of MEV-1 is exacerbated by the average person touching their face a few thousand times per day — while in between, they’re touching door handles, elevator buttons, subway poles and each other. Evidence shows that the novel coronavirus transmits through the same mechanisms, according to the World Health Organization. Actors from “Contagion”
of Covid-19 include those typically experienced during flu and cold: headaches, digestive issues, body aches and fatigue, and a runny nose, sore throat and sneezing. Anosmia, a lack of sense of smell, and dygeusia, a lack of taste, are symptoms that might flag Covid-19 in its early stages among patients with a mild case. TRANSMISSION Like Covid-19, the film’s MEV-1 is a respiratory disease, carried in expelled droplets of saliva from a sneeze or cough or other secretions. It spreads directly between
recently urged people to “control the contagion” by washing their hands, practicing social distancing and following the advice of health experts in a series of PSAs from Columbia Public Health. CAN YOU BE IMMUNE TO THE VIRUS? The fictional Mitch Emhoff (played by Matt Damon), husband of index case Beth, is found to be immune to the virus. He dodges the deliberately targeted coughs of strangers in grocery stores and survives through the film physically unscathed. Today, there are no re-
“Contagion”: A man in Hong Kong falls sick with MEV-1, the fictional virus.
a less deadly form and circulated at low levels in humans for years before adapting to us and becoming seriously infectious, according to recent research published in the journal Nature Medicine. If the “Contagion” bats were under stress from the palm tree destruction, the origin of the “Contagion” virus could mirror the potential origin of the current coronavirus. SIMILAR SYMPTOMS Sick people in the film experienced fevers and profuse sweating, pounding headaches, sore throat and cough but also had seizures, dizzi-
ports of people biologically immune to getting the novel coronavirus. But can one be immune to the novel coronavirus after recovering from it? Scientists aren’t sure yet. In the March 26 CNN Global Town Hall: Coronavirus Facts and Fears, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper asked physician Dr. Leana Wen whether a person can be immune to the virus via antibodies they developed after having and recovering from the disease. “This is what we want to get to,” she responded. “We don’t have that test yet. It’s being developed. But that would be great. It would be so helpful for people to know whether they have immunity.” And if someone could be immune, we don’t yet know how long it could last for. “There are some people who speculate that one might have immunity for a long time, even forever, but we just don’t know yet,” she added. THE R0 The number of people a sick person is likely to infect is called the R0, or R-naught, of a virus. The R0 of the fictional MEV-1 virus was 4, while the R0 of coronavirus is 2.2, according to a recent study of data from the first cases of Covid-19 in Wuhan and investigations conducted by Chinese and American health officials. They found the epidemic doubled about every seven days. In other words, on average, each Covid-19 patient transmits the infection to an additional 2.2 people. THE MORTALITY RATE The mortality rate of the “Contagion” virus, or the percentage of those that die among an infected population, was estimated to be about 25% to 30%. As of March 26, the mortality rate among patients with Covid-19 is between 1.8% to 3.4%, according to the CDC. AN UNPROVEN REMEDY: FORSYTHIA VS.
CHLOROQUINE In “Contagion,” blogger Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) pushes forsythia, a floral homeopathic tincture, as the cure for the virus, although studies hadn’t proved it worked. He appeared to have recovered from the virus shortly after taking forsythia, and anxious customers clamored for prescriptions of the remedy from their local pharmacies as well as on Krumwiede’s blog. He attracted more 12 million followers and several million dollars from the false claim, according to the film. Law, in the production notes for the film, described his character as the “‘index patient’ for what becomes a parallel epidemic of fear and panic” based on mistrust of news media, the government and health officials. There are currently no cures or vaccines for Covid19, yet the drugs chloroquine and its analog hydroxychloroquine have been called “game changers” by President Donald Trump. Both drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat malaria and other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. A man living in Phoenix died and his wife was in critical care after the two took a non-pharmaceutical version of chloroquine in an attempt to prevent contracting the virus. His wife said he heard Trump tout the drug in a news conference. On March 29, the FDA issued a limited emergency use authorization for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat patients hospitalized with Covid-19. Despite limited evidence on the efficacy of the drugs for Covid-19, the US Department of Human Health Services said in a statement that anecdotal reports suggest they may be beneficial in the treatment of hospitalized patients. The FDA said the benefits outweigh the risks. A PATH TOWARD A VACCINE In “Contagion,” CDC research scientist Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) stresses that it can take months, maybe a year, to be able to distribute a vaccine after testing, clinical trials, manufacturing and distribution. However, Hextall speeds up the process by inoculating herself with the final experimental vaccine, then is able to provide doses for human use in just several months. In reality, leading infectious disease experts say the (Continued on page 26)
PAGE 22
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Developing states and the need to reinvigorate national ICT strategies (A Review of David Granger’s The Digital State: How the Internet is changing Guyana) The global digital revolution has brought peoples, societies and states closer together through the technologies it has spawned and which has been driving their development. The Internet is the most noteworthy and transformative of these technologies. The world is much more integrated and the flow of information is more intense, today. The speed and volume of global communications have led to an exponential rise in cross-boundary transactions. These changes, made possible by the Internet, have called the traditional concepts of state sovereignty into question. States – large and small, developed and underdeveloped – have embraced the digital revolution enthusiastically. They are keen to take advantage of the emerging opportunities, locally and internationally, spawned by this revolution. The principal path through which they are at-
tempting to do this is by the establishment of digital states. Most developing countries, however, have been unable to make the transition from aspiration to achievement. Their progress towards becoming digital states has been slow and uneven. Some have failed to articulate a comprehensive vision of a ‘digital state’. Stand-alone national ICT strategies to propel their digital development have been limited to specific initiatives such as expanding broadband access, automating government services and increasing the digitization of public education. The digital revolution in some states has been detoured, as a consequence. Globally, it has been has been hijacked by corporate interests. Its potential for transforming the lives of ordinary people, generating jobs and improving the delivery of public services has been dominated by corporate interests. The dilemma facing small states is how to tailor tactics
which would include policies relevant to development rather than to the profiteering motives of global financial interests. Small states risk becoming emasculated unless they can adapt the digital revolution to their own developmental needs. Small states need a new framework to propel their ICT development. Such a model has been elusive; few have been able to develop a strong, endogenous focus which places people before profits. David Granger’s book, The Digital State: How the Internet is changing Guyana, emerges against the backdrop of the need, by small states, for a relevant ICT framework which emphasizes social objectives such education, equality, empowerment and national integration and not only pecuniary profit. The book is a refreshing addition to the literature on the ICT revolution. It offers a comprehensive vision of a ‘digital state’ and provides a pathway towards the realising of a ‘digital state’. The distinctive feature of David Granger’s adumbration
of a ‘digital state’ is that it not a stand-alone strategy. His ‘digital state’ is a lynchpin of Guyana’s transition towards becoming a ‘green’ state. There is an inconsistency in emphasis, regrettably, between the President’s ambitions for a green state and his government’s Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 which acknowledges that: “… the appropriate utilization of information and communications technologies (ICT) can improve the lives of all Guyanese…. and… has the potential to make government services more widespread, effective and responsive, as well as be a driver of new green business activity.” It fails to accord sufficient significance to policies to ensure a ‘digital state’. It restricts itself, instead, to emphasizing the need for expanded broadband access as a precursor to the development of the country’s ICT sector. The architects of the strategy seemed to have lost sight of the foundational role which the President ascribed to digital development as part of his proposals for transitioning towards a ‘green state’. The Digital State: How the Internet is Changing Guyana consists of the texts of three presentations which the President made to three different audiences at different times over the past four years. The first address, which is reproduced in this book, was delivered at the birth of his
brainchild – the One Laptop per Teacher (OLPT) Initiative – symbolically at the Cyril Potter College of Education on 5th October 2016, World Teachers’ Day. The Guyanese Head of State urged teachers to be prepared for the new demands of the information age. He indicated that the OLPT Initiative represented the commencement of Guyana’s ICT transformation. The second address was delivered to the Caribbean ICT Roadshow 2018. The event, which was hosted by the Caribbean Teachers’ Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, had a regional rationale. President Granger, in his presentation, propounded the argument that the adoption of ICT was a prerequisite of public policy and, therefore, had to be responsive to the spatial dimensions of development. He took the opportunity to enumerate the pillars of his country’s ICT policy. The third address was delivered at the opening of a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) at the University of Guyana on June 20, 2019. The President laid out a clear and practical path towards reaping the anticipated rewards of the ‘digital state’ including in agriculture, defence, employment, public education, public health and public security. The opening of the Centre attested to the importance which the President attaches to the building of a capacity
for the country’s transition to a ‘digital state’. He noted that the Centre will allow Guyana to become more agile in the ICT sector which is essential for a technologically-literate and digitally-skilled society. The book’s main fault line, and one which has bedeviled statesmen’s best intentions everywhere, is the absence of consideration of the costs associated with the establishment of a ‘digital state’ The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, despite the recent discoveries of oil and gas, remains a poor country and is not yet the ‘petroleum state’ the President wants it to be. Bridging the digital divide between Guyana and other countries in the Caribbean, will incur significant investments, a necessity which the book did not address. The reader cannot but be impressed immensely, however, by the President’s lucid and refreshing vision and policies for a ‘digital state’. He has a remarkable skill in presenting complex ideas concisely and in clear language. The book reflects that gift. This book is just the tonic which developing states need to reinvigorate their national ICT strategies. It is a beacon for guiding approached and designing policies for a sector in which change is continuous and competition is intense. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
COVID-19: The disease for which the health workers need you more than you need them By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine I live in fear daily knowing the possible consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak in Guyana. While my understanding is boosted by being a doctor, there are many Guyanese who do not understand this disease and continue to be insensitive to this potential disaster for our country. It pains me to see how most are going about their lives not knowing the dangers that lie ahead. We have not experienced such a devastation in our lifetime, and it has just started. My goal today, is to remind you of your importance in combating this disease, and urge that you encourage others to do the same. WHY STAYAT HOME? This virus needs us more than we know—It needs us to survive, spread and multiply. When we go out, we risk coming into contact with the virus and helping it to continue its destruction. If we all stay at home, the virus will be slowly eliminated in a couple of months. We need to beat this virus by avoiding it. The best
way to do that as of now, is to stay at home. WHY WEAR A MASK? There are responsible citizens that are donning their masks when they are out in the public domain. As I said previously, this virus has to spread from person to person to survive. It spreads from an infected person mainly through their mouth and nostrils. If we all wear a mask that covers our mouth and nose when we go out for necessity, the virus cannot come out if we are infected. If the virus cannot come out, it cannot spread. THE CORONAVIRUS WILL COME AND GO LIKE OTHER OUTBREAKS IN GUYANA We have experienced outbreaks before in Guyana. Most recently, we had the Zika and Chikungunya outbreaks that spread throughout the country. Some say that this is just another outbreak and we will survive it like we did with others. This virus is different, it is more easily spread, stays longer and kills more. If we are extremely negligent with preventative measures, this virus has the potential to kill thousands of Guyanese. It will not
go away as fast as others did until we have a vaccine. A vaccine against COVID-19 can take up to 18 months. During this time, the virus can continue to devastate us, unless we get strict with preventative measures. IT’S BEST I GET THE VIRUS AND GET OVER WITH IT This is what I have been hearing from some who do not really know the seriousness of this infection. The world is still baffled by this infection. This virus is playing games with us and is winning so far. We have not been able to come up with a definitive treatment plan that can guarantee good outcomes for those infected with the virus. There is no way to predict who will and will not survive the infection at this point. It has a way of beating you down to submission; some get sicker and weaker by the day and make it through, while others are not so fortunate. For those that die from the infection, it’s a slow, suffocating and lonely death. They are in isolation and cannot get to see their loved ones as they slowly die. The best way to describe
the suffocation, is similar to someone drowning slowly for hours to days. As a doctor, I’m scared of it. and you should be too. I’m am pleading with you all to help yourself, your loved ones, and help us, the healthcare workers. We depend on you so much with this disease. We are fearful for
our safety and that of our families. Yet, we still go to work knowing that you need us. Today I’m telling you that we need you more. Please, stay at home, wear your mask and practice good hygiene. If you do this and you do it well, we can win this and win it together. Save yourself, save
Dr. Zulfikar Bux the health workers and save Guyana!
PAGE 24
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
SUNDAY GECOM HAS TO RELY ON GOVT. TO FACILITATE RECOUNT The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) decided on Friday April 4, 2020 that it would conduct a national recount of all votes cast in the 2020 general and regional elections. But later that day, a partial lockdown was ordered by Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence, to last for one month, in a bid to contain an outbreak of COVID-19. While GECOM is an independent body with a Constitutional mandate to produce a free, fair and credible electoral process, the stringent measures proffered by Minister Lawrence’s order have the potential to hamper the operationalisation of the recount for several reasons. This intersection of the need by GECOM to execute a national recount and the need by the Executive government to protect the Guyanese public from a deadly epidemic have raised several questions. Can a recount actually be executed with the presence of GECOM staff, electoral observers, political party representatives and the necessary security forces, given the social distancing measures that have been mandated by Minister Lawrence’s partial lockdown? Commissioner Sase Gunraj had previously acknowledged, in response to a question posed by Kaieteur News, that the measures taken to safeguard public health against the spread of COVID-19 are sure to affect the operationalisation of the recount. Gunraj revealed that he would be making proposals for the Commission to consider as it irons out the modalities of the recount, with the goal of ensuring that the recount can be executed in a proper and safe manner. He had made this observation even before the announcement of the partial lockdown, which now ropes the Executive into the equation. Whether the electoral body would be allowed to operate at all, however fettered by the measures mandated by partial lockdown, is unclear. This issue was raised by Commissioner Gunraj in a Facebook post on Friday night. “The irony is not lost on me that this curfew was announced on the very day that a decision was made by GECOM to conduct a recount of all ballots cast in the 2 March 2020 General and
Regional Elections,” Gunraj wrote. The Commissioner, who is an Attorney-at-Law, said that “GECOM must be considered an essential service”. It was not listed as one in the Minister’s Order. He explained that its nonclassification as an essential service renders it “virtually comatose at this critical time”, adding that the prevailing circumstances make its classification as one imperative. Gunraj told Kaieteur News in a telephone call on Saturday April 4, 2020 that he had not been informed about whether GECOM would be classified as an essential service. Attempts to contact Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin by phone were unsuccessful. GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, told Kaieteur News that she would not be able to answer the question of GECOM’s operations at this time, and that the Commission would have to advise on the way forward. 2020 ELECTIONS FIASCO… TT PRIME MINISTER DISAPPOINTED WITH STATE OFAFFAIRS IN GUYANA The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, is deeply disappointed with the situation in Guyana, where an amicable conclusion is yet to be reached on the General and Regional Elections that were held over a month ago. During an interview with Elizabeth Williams of TV6 Tobago, Dr. Rowley said that on a daily and sometimes nightly basis, he is in contact with the Chair of CARICOM,
Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, on the situation here. “But speaking as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and as a Caribbean person, I am very disappointed and very concerned about the situation in Guyana,” Dr. Rowley said while adding, “I am getting a feeling that this is not going to end well. I hope I am wrong…” But what was even more troublesome to the Trinidadian Prime Minister was the fallout that took place after there appeared to be an agreement between the country’s leaders that a highlevel CARICOM team would overlook the recount of the elections. In mid-March, the CARICOM Chair had disclosed that President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, agreed to a recount of all the votes for the 10 administrative regions. The Independent High level team that was supposed to oversee the process was chaired by the former Attorney-General and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Dominica, Ms Francine Baron, and comprised former Minister of Finance of Grenada, Mr Anthony Boatswain; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government of UWI, Ms Cynthia Barrow-Giles; Chief Electoral Officer of Barbados, Ms Angela Taylor; and Chief Elections Officer of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Fern NarcisScope. But when they arrived in Guyana, a legal challenge in the name of APNU Supporter, Ulita Grace Moore, sought to block the recount. The CARICOM team left Guyana after this development. Reflecting on the foregoing, Dr. Rowley said
that the leaders of Guyana were told that the end of an election is counting of the ballots and it was his belief that this was instilled in his Guyanese colleagues and that there was agreement. He said, “…We sent our Chief Election Officer to be a scrutinizer, not to interfere with the process but just to look at it to bring comfort to the people of Guyana that the figure that is going to come out of there, having been scrutinized by a CARICOM team (was going to be credible), and then the next thing we knew was that our presence was met with a legal challenge and accusations against CARICOM so we had to get out of there.” At this point, the Prime Minister said he is not sure where this leaves CARICOM’s involvement going forward. He recalled as well that CARICOM had an opportunity to speak to all the leaders of the 11 political parties while noting that they got the benefit of CARICOM leaders’ experience and the comfort of their presence. POLICE, PROCUREMENT COMMISSION SHOULD BE CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE MINISTRY’S PURCHASE OF VENTILATORS Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin is of the firm conviction that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and even the Guyana Police Force, should be called in to examine the sole sourcing of 14 ventilators by the Ministry of Public Health from Caribbean Medical Supplies. Over the past few days, the Ministry had come in for scathing criticism for sole sourcing the ventilators that are needed to support the respiratory systems of
COVID-19 patients. Observers questioned whether there was an advertisement for the said medical equipment and whether the supplier benefitted from insider information on what the Ministry needed. Public Health officials had vehemently denied claims of improper dealings while noting that it had contacted several suppliers to provide the ventilators but Caribbean Medical was the only one that responded. It should be noted that up to press time, the names of the other companies along with the dates of when they were contacted for the supply of the ventilators were not provided by the Ministry but a commitment was nonetheless given to do just this. Taking the foregoing into consideration, Datadin said, “It is important that medical equipment and other pharmaceuticals be sourced from credible people because it is a matter of life and death. But it appears that a company with little to no track record is being awarded these contracts because they have some improper contact or contract with persons who are responsible for securing these deals on behalf of the government.” The lawyer added, “Now you have to understand why procurement is so important. It is important because the government needs to get the best bang for its buck, meaning, they have to get the best deal but when you sole sourced, the way they did, with a company that is not the authorized distributor in Guyana and who would have no ability to repair anything at least not as an authorized dealer in Guyana then that is dangerous.” Further to this, Datadin
said that the matter is one which needs the urgent attention of the authorities since there are very strict requirements that must be satisfied before one can sole source in this way. From all appearances, Datadin said that those requirements have been bypassed while adding that other reliable companies were not contacted. MONDAY APPEAL COURT RULINGS CLEAR WAY FOR RECOUNT The Court of Appeal Tuesday handed down a ruling which effectively clears the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with the nationwide recount of votes cast at the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections. In her ruling Tuesday, President of the Appeal Court Justice Dawn Gregory made it clear that “The Guyana Court of Appeal on Sunday ruled that GECOM cannot farm out its responsibilities such as the management and supervision of general elections to anyone else.” The appeals had stemmed from a decision by President David Granger to ask CARICOM to supervise the counting of ballots for Region Four, after the tabulating process was halted several times amid accusations of fraud and interference. Both the Coalition and Opposition parties have been accusing each other of interfering with the process with today making it five weeks since the elections. The delays have been characterised by one court case after the next. Justice (Continued on page 25)
Sunday April 12, 2020
From page 24 Gregory, in the emergency ruling Tuesday at the Appeals Court, Kingston, said GECOM’s decision to act on an agreement by President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to supervise the recount was illegal. “Any agreement in which supervision is removed from GECOM will be unlawful,” she said. The court relied on a GECOM press statement that spoke of the team’s intention to “supervise” the counting process. The decision of the Appeal Court deemed the recount by GECOM in itself lawful. As such, the injunctions granted by High Court Judge, Franklyn Holder, barring GECOM from carrying such functions remains overturned. The Court therefore decided against sending the case back to the High Court. Based on requests made by attorneys involved in the case, the Court is expected to issue consequential orders on the way forward by 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. The matters stems from an application filed on behalf of APNU–AFC candidate supporter, Ulita Moore. Moore, through her attorneys, had approached the Appeals Court in a bid to overturn a decision of the Full Court not to have her case heard by the High Court. Moore’s request was for the Court to inquire into the constitutionality of a decision made by GECOM to have a high-level CARICOM team supervise a national recount of the votes cast in the March 2 elections. EVEN IN LOW OIL PRICE, GUYANASTILLAMONEYMAKER FOR OFFSHORE COMPANIES The effects of the Coronavirus as well as the oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, continue to leave the petroleum industry in turmoil. But even with the low break-evens that operators are facing as a result of this state of affairs, Guyana remains a major investment growth area for the large incumbent players. This was recently noted by Westmount Energy Limited, an investment holding company with several shares in firms that hold key positions in prime offshore blocks. In its latest report to shareholders, Westmount said that the major incumbent players in the Guyanese offshore sector have been guiding reduced capital investment for 2020, in
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
response to the sudden oil price collapse. Taking this into account, it said that the picture so far suggests that near term discretionary exploration drilling offshore Guyana may be less affected by these immediate budgetary adjustments than drilling in other regions. It also said that the main impact of COVID-19 is likely to be its potential to delay some operational activities as travel restrictions upset the international flow of offshore workers. At this stage, Westmount Energy said it is not experiencing any major disruption to its business model from the Coronavirus. The British firm said that it is very well capitalized with £2.6M cash at December 31, 2019, and with a low fixed cost base. In this context, Westmount said its Board remains focused on investment opportunities and deployment of capital that gives additional exposure to drilling in this prolific emerging basin. Kaieteur News understands that Westmount’s current investment portfolio offers shareholders exposure to potentially a minimum of three ExxonMobil-operated Upper Cretaceous wells, across the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks, over the next 12 months. Current guidance from the various deepwater operators indicates that Westmount is likely to be the only London quoted junior player offering exposure to drilling offshore Guyana in 2020. It said that success in
some of these wells could result in transformational value changes for the medium term and positive times ahead for shareholders. ONLINE INVENTORY FOR STATE ASSETS COULD ADDRESS POSSIBLE THEFT BY POLITICIANS – DR. JAN MANGAL The theft of State assets such as prime pieces of land is an issue regulatory bodies have tried and failed to arrest. But former Petroleum Advisor and Consultant, Dr. Jan Mangal believes that there is a way to tackle this issue successfully. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, the consultant said the creation of an inventory of all State land assets in an online geographical information system (GIS) may very well be the solution for Guyana. Expounding further, Dr. Mangal said: “State land is the property of the people and does not belong to politicians. Any transaction involving State land has to be transparent and must have a clear demonstrated benefit to the people of Guyana. Why dispose of the people’s assets if the people do not derive significant benefit?” The consultant added: “To tackle possible thefts of State assets by politicians of both major parties, we could create an inventory of all state land assets in an online geographical information system (GIS). This public online inventory, which might look similar to Google maps, would show all land sales along with the date, buyers,
sellers (officials name), sale price and market price, and would need to go back at least ten or more years.” In this way, he said, Guyanese can easily see who benefited at their expense, by comparing the sale price with the market price. The former Presidential Advisor said this public shaming of officials and beneficiaries is an important aspect of justice. Following this, he said that the authorities could then focus investigations on all the sales over the last 10 years where there is a big discrepancy between the sale price and market price. Dr. Mangal said that Guyana would need an independent body to set the market prices. In this regard, a respected international audit firm could be used while recommending that Guyana can also develop a similar system for other state assets, like mining leases, where a simple GIS online tool would enlighten Guyanese to the theft of their resources and assets. “This would be an eyeopener to many,” he concluded. TUESDAY COVID-19 CLAIMS DRAG RACER AS ITS 5TH VICTIM – CONFIRMED CASES NOW 31 A 38-year-old popular drag racer is the country’s latest COVID-19 fatality – its fifth. Family members Monday evening confirmed that Deryck Jaisingh, more
popularly known by fellow drag racers as ‘Mad Dog’, passed away in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Kaieteur News was told that the businessman, who has an established trucking service located at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, and also lives in the village, went to GPHC last Tuesday after being refused by a private hospital. He had been experiencing breathing problems. He was reportedly admitted the same day, and tested, but the family members did not know until Thursday that he was positive with the coronavirus. He got progressively worse and died Monday evening just after 19:00hrs in the ICU. D I S P L AY I N G SYMPTOMS But it was the story that is coming out that is angering his friends and family. Kaieteur News was told that Jaisingh called the COVID-19 hotline several times begging for tests to be conducted. He had been displaying symptoms. However, no one came, although he was promised. It appears one man who was pushing to have the tests done was a doctor. He leaves to mourn a number of children and employees. The case would raise serious questions over the follow-up protocols of the hotlines. There were supposed to be follow-up calls to persons who would have reached out. Jaisingh’s trucks and
heavy equipment have been working in the gold and bauxite sector, the newspaper learnt. His death threw the local racing fraternity into mourning. The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) in a Facebook post said it is deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Jaisingh. “The club and the entire motor racing fraternity join his family and friends in the mourning of his passing which has rocked the sport. He was the reigning unlimited class drag racing champion with his Toyota Supra. He will be missed by members of the racing fraternity and race fans all around.” GECOMAGREES CARICOM SHOULD PLAY SPECIAL ROLE IN VALIDATING CREDIBILITY OF RECOUNT – COMMISSIONER As it works out the modalities of a national recount of all votes cast in last month’s general and regional elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has agreed that CARICOM should play a role different from the role of a regular observer, where its presence would serve to validate the recount. This is according to Commissioner Vincent Alexander, who spoke with reporters after the Commission’s meeting Monday. Alexander explained that the idea is to get CARICOM
PAGE 26
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
65 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica, increase of two KINGSTON, Jamaica Jamaica now has sixty-five (65) confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The two new COVID-19 cases are: - A 50-year-old female from St James with a travel history from New York; and - A 21-year-old female from St Catherine who is under investigation. The positives bring 31 the number of imported cases, 22) the number of import-related cases and 12 the number of cases under investigation. The 12 cases under investigation have been traced to six (6) individuals who have given no history of travel or contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 prior to testing positive: - One individual from Portland, two of whose contacts have tested positive; - One from Kingston and St Andrew with five contacts who have tested positive; and
- Three other individuals – one from St Mary and two from St Catherine. All of these individuals are in isolation. The ministry is actively investigating all the contacts of these cases. Persons of interest in these investigations have either been quarantined or isolated. So far, 34 (or 52 per cent) of the confirmed cases are males and 31 (or 48 per cent) are females. The cases range in age from 12 years to 87 years. The average age is 49.17 years. Thirteen (13) patients have fully recovered while four have died. There are currently 22 patients in quarantine in a Government facility. Fifty-six individuals are in isolation. One person in isolation is currently critically ill. A common feature among the COVID-19 patients in Jamaica who have had severe illness has been the presence of comorbid illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension.
‘Contagion’ vs. coronavirus... From page 21 typical vaccine takes between 8 and 10 years to develop. American health officials are trying to fast track that time frame, as are laboratories around the world. Currently a year to 18 months is an optimistic time window for a possible coronavirus vaccine, Dr. Peter Hotez, a leading expert on infectious disease and vaccine development at Baylor College of Medicine, previously told CNN. That said, a novel coronavirus vaccine Phase I trial in the US gave the first dose to test the safety of the vaccine to a participant in March. This trial is meant to establish that the vaccine is safe and that participants’ immune systems respond well, but proving the vaccine effectively prevents infection will take many more months. LIFEAS WE HAVEN’T KNOWN IT In “Contagion,” civil unrest rips at the fabric of society, leaving banks and grocery stores ransacked. Police seemed unable to respond to crime, as martial law prohibited travel between states to stop the spread of the virus. That hasn’t happened in real life. But, as in the film, a lot of us have spent weeks separated from friends, family and places we love, wondering when the pandemic will end so we can get back to life as we’ve known it. People are under variations of restrictions on move-
ment, including social distancing guidelines, shelter-inplace and stay-at-home orders. On March 29, Trump extended social distancing guidelines to April 30. In one of the final scenes of the film, after successful distribution of vaccines, people wait in an airport to board their flight. Some still wear masks, but when a man in line drops something, the man behind him touches his shoulder to catch his attention, then leans down to pick the item up for him. The man seems grateful. Naivety? Or, maybe it’s a sign that the worst is behind them. Fictional CDC head Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) gives the son of a CDC custodian his own intranasal vaccine near the end of the film. The boy hesitantly shakes Cheever’s hand, expressing his gratitude. “You know where this comes from, shaking hands?” Cheever asked. “It was a way of showing a stranger that you weren’t carrying a weapon in the old days. You offered your empty right hand to show that you meant no harm.” If there are any concrete takeaways “Contagion” offers us, it’s a reminder to stop touching your face, and a beacon of hope that this too shall pass. We can only hope we will one day be able to reach out and touch again, thankful that our pandemic is over.
PAGE 32
From page 25 involvement, but not as supervisors. The Appeal Court recently stated that it would not be lawful for CARICOM to usurp the authority of GECOM to supervise the electoral process. Commissioner Alexander, along with his colleague, Sase Gunraj, said that the Commission agreed in principle that all the other observers would be retained for the recount. The international observers were very much prominent in their involvement in the electoral process. Alexander has said repeatedly that they did not respect the distance from which they should have observed the process. They were not actually required to give validation to the process, Alexander told reporters. CARICOM had sent a high-level team when GECOM first contemplated a recount. But that plan was obstructed by a series of interim injunctions. In this case, Alexander said that CARICOM’s role would be retained in a modified form. “We have decided today that our preference in terms of an external body to give some validation…is CARICOM,” Alexander stated. Gunraj said that an approach is expected to be made very shortly to CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque. The CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley had expressed disappointment when the last plan for the recount was cut short, and said that it is clear there are forces who do not want to see the votes counted. Given the obstruction to the previous recount, Gunraj said that GECOM would have to give the team some level of finality, including when the recount would begin, to have them come back. As for all of the observers, Gunraj said that they will have to give indications about whether they will return, given the implications of prevailing issues, such as COVID-19. The Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Carter Centre have already indicated that they are committed to observing the remainder of the electoral process. STABBED, BOUND BODY OF CATTLE FARMER FOUND IN SHALLOW GRAVE The community of Belle
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
West on the West Bank of Demerara was rocked when news of an elderly cattle farmer’s gruesome demise made its rounds. The dead man was identified as 68-year-old Sohan Ramdial also called “Nancy.” His body was discovered buried in a shallow grave on his farm, some hours after he had gone missing. His daughter and other family members made the shocking discovery. Kaieteur News was informed that his body was found at around 14:30 hrs Monday. From reports received, the deceased, a pensioner of Lot 69 Canal No. 2 Claybrick Road, West Bank Demerara, left his home on Sunday afternoon for his farm at around 5 o’clock with the intention of milking his cows. However, Monday came and the cattle farmer had not returned. His daughter told Kaieteur News that this was odd, since her father would always return home by nightfall. “When I wake up, Mommy seh Daddy ain’t come home and normally, he does come home, so me and my brother come here to check if we see him.” According to her, when
they arrived at the farm, the milk bucket her father left home with was on the ground, while the cows were tied at their usual spot, but her father was nowhere to be found. “The foot for the cows tie and the head (in the milking position) but we ain’t see Daddy…so we go home and collect some other relatives and go back to search.” The man’s grieving daughter related that the search team went in different directions, when her brother stumbled upon a patch of upturned soil. This, she stated, was an odd sight, and appeared to have something buried underneath. Curiosity and fear overcame the relatives and they dug up the patch to reveal a grisly find. Lying beneath was the body of Ramdial, with what appeared to be a rope tied around his neck. Police were immediately summoned to the scene and the body was removed from the shallow grave. The grave was said to be at least two feet deep. Sources close to the investigations revealed that not only was a rope found around the cattle farmer’s neck, he was bound by the
hands and feet. Added to that, he was also found with what appeared to be stab wounds to his chest. WEDNESDAY GUYANAAGAIN EXCLUDED FROM ADDITIONAL WORLD BANK COVID-19 FUNDING The number of countries now benefiting from the World Bank’s emergency financial aid operations to tackle COVID-19 now stands at 39, according to an April 7 update. Kaieteur News had recently reported that the Bank’s first aid package, amounting to US$1.9B for 25 countries, excluded Guyana. This package is under the Bank’s fast track facility, which now lists 27 countries. Guyana still looks forward to aid from this facility, as the Bank has committed about US$14B therefore. In addition, the Bank has started executing an additional deployment of funds to 15 countries, through other forms of finance and redeployment of existing projects. Three of these countries are also beneficiaries of the fast track facility. Guyana is excluded
from this lot too. Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, recently told the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), in a telephone interview that the last communication he got from the Bank was that it is “doing the assessment”. What has been of concern to some is the worry that Guyana’s protracted electoral process could hurt its ability to secure international aid. This is premised on the fact that Guyana has been on the receiving end of international condemnation, as well as warnings that sanctions could be laid if a government is sworn in on the basis of flawed elections results. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had responded to the international statements, especially that of the US, citing its independence. Then, US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch warned Guyana not to become another Venezuela. Guyana’s immediate neighbour to the West has lost the recognition of a considerable US-led movement of the international community. One such notable implication of the lack of recognition for Venezuela’s government is the recent refusal by the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) to consider the Bolivarian Republic’s request for COVID-19 financial aid. The IMF had said that its refusal was premised on the fact that there is not enough clarity on the legitimacy of Venezuela’s government, since it could not boast the recognition of the international community due to flawed elections. EXXONMOBIL SLASHES INVESTMENTS, LOWERS OPERATING EXPENSES BY BILLIONS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 – Says Stabroek Block oil production remains unaffected American oil giant, ExxonMobil announced Tuesday that its management has agreed to reduce 2020 capital spending by 30 percent as well as lower cash operating expenses by 15 percent in response to low commodity prices resulting from oversupply and demand weakness from the COVID-19 pandemic. Elaborating in this regard, the company said that capital investments for 2020 are now expected to be about US$23 billion, down from the previously announced US$33 billion. It was noted that the (Continued on page 33)
Sunday April 12, 2020
From page 32 15 percent decrease in cash operating expenses is driven by deliberate actions to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, as well as the expectation of lower energy costs. Commenting on the new measures, ExxonMobil’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods, said that the company worked closely with business partners to plan and execute capital adjustments that preserve long-term value, maximise cost efficiency, and most importantly, place it in the strongest position for success when market conditions improve. Woods said, “The longterm fundamentals that underpin the company’s business plans have not changed — population and energy demand will grow, and the economy will rebound. Our capital allocation priorities also remain unchanged. Our objective is to continue investing in industry-advantaged projects to create value, preserve cash for the dividend and make appropriate and prudent use of our balance sheet.” In its statement to the press, it was noted that ExxonMobil will continue to monitor market developments and can exercise additional reduction options if required. As market conditions evolve, the company said it will continue evaluating the impacts of decreased demand on its 2020 production levels as well as longer-term production impacts. Additionally, ExxonMobil said that the largest share of the capital spending reduction will be in the Permian Basin, where shortcycle investments can be more readily adjusted to respond to market conditions, while preserving value over
PAGE 33
Kaieteur News
the long term. The American oil giant noted that reduced activity will affect the pace of drilling and well completions until market conditions improve. US SECRETARY OF STATE CALLS FOR TRANSPARENT, CREDIBLE RECOUNT United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has come out with another statement, this time commending the High Court’s decision that clears the way for the National Recount of ballots from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. The high-level US official made this statement Tuesday at a press briefing held in the US State Department, Washington DC. Pompeo told media operatives that the US is looking forward to working with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the International Observer Community on the recount process. This, he stated, is to ensure that the process is free, fair, transparent and credible. Pompeo said, “…we look forward to working with their [Guyana’s] Elections Commission and the international observer missions’ community to ensure that process is free and fair, transparent and credible.” The US has been issuing a number of statements since the March 2 elections raising questions about the credibility of the elections. The national recount of the ballots from the last month elections has been confirmed and will be done in chronological order; however, no official start date has been issued.
As the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) continues to work out the modalities of the recount process, it was agreed that the high-level CARICOM team will return to validate the expected recount. THURSDAY ELECTIONS 2020 – DAY 37 LOWENFIELD DRAFTS PLAN FOR 156DAY RECOUNT – OPPOSITION COMMISSIONERS SAY IT’S IMPRACTICAL IN THE CURRENT POLITICAL CRISIS, NEEDS TO BE REWORKED; GECOM CALLS THEIR COMMENTS “ABSURD, DISTASTEFULAND UNETHICAL” – PPP SAYS NEEDING ALMOST 6 MONTHS TO COUNT LESS THAN 500,000 BALLOTS IS “SIMPLY RIDICULOUS” Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield has presented a draft plan to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for a recount that would take 156 days. E x p e c t e d l y , Commissioners nominated by the opposition were disapproving of such a plan. Commissioner Robeson Benn said that the GECOM secretariat is not being helpful in terms of producing a practical solution to the current political crisis, where five weeks have passed with no official credible elections results. He said that all kinds of reasons are being proffered to justify the figure, but he is adamant that “in no way, shape or form” should the Commission have been presented with a document that suggests such a duration
for the recount. Benn said that the recount should take a matter of days. Commissioner Sase Gunraj told reporters that the plan has a lot of issues, which both sides of the Commission agreed, need to be addressed. He (Gunraj) has undertaken to rework the document, including proposals he has to fine-tune the process, and will submit his proposal to the Commission this morning. Briefly commenting on the duration, Gunraj said that the nation cannot survive a 156day wait. He explained that a count of the votes, in his view, should take a week, at most. He intends to demonstrate how that could be done. “If the requisite will is given and due diligence is exercised, we can be done with this in short order,” Gunraj said. Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander preferred not to comment extensively on the contents of the draft plan or the duration presented. He said that the matter is under study, and that, as a matter of principle, it should not be under heavy discussion. “We should allow the system to work,” Alexander said. He did not comment on how reasonable the 156-day figure is, but explained that he understands the Secretariat to have taken into consideration a two-hour period for the count of each ballot box, certain preliminary exercises executed before the count, etc. The GECOM Secretariat after observing the comments made by the Oppositionnominated Commissioners to the press, released a statement labelling their comments as “absurd, distasteful and unethical”. The statement released by GECOM public relations
officer Yolanda Ward said that the Commissioners are aware that the proposal considered the decisions of the Commission, and its content is still being discussed for finalization. HEALTH OF OFFSHORE WORKERS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED AS GUYANA’S COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO INCREASE – EXXONMOBIL With the steadily climbing numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Guyana, Public Relations and Government Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil, Janelle Persaud, has given all assurances that the American multinational oil and gas corporation is taking all the necessary precautions to protect the health of its employees, especially those offshore. Persaud said that offshore workers are being screened at the Ogle heliport before they are cleared to travel offshore. She said that this is done to ensure they are not exhibiting symptoms of the virus and that they have not knowingly come into contact with anyone who has the virus. The ExxonMobil official also said that there are medical personnel onboard ExxonMobil’s offshore facilities, while adding that they are taking necessary precautions to monitor the health of the workers and provide appropriate treatment and care. Persaud said that for the time being, there is no impact to production on the Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first floating production storage and offloading vessel. “At this time, we are managing production rates to ensure safe and responsible operations and as indicated
before, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will make adjustments as necessary,” the ExxonMobil official concluded. From the global perspective, ExxonMobil’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods has said that the company has been cutting back business travel. Woods reminded that ExxonMobil has a long history of operating in countries around the world where there has been over time, the outbreak of different viruses such as Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). He said that as a result of those periods, ExxonMobil has been able to develop robust protocols, so that it can respond effectively when faced with similar situations such as the coronavirus pandemic. Woods said, “We executed that (robust protocol) very early on, which means cutting back discretionary travel; which means folks moving into their homes and working remotely. We have geared up our workforce so we can do that effectively…So we have implemented that early on.” The ExxonMobil CEO added, “What happens is, as we find that coronavirus is breaking out in different localities, we will set up systems. We have about 1500 employees in China, 750 in Italy, 125 in South Korea, and all those protocols have been in place. I am pleased to say that it has not affected our employees.” SIXTH CORONAVIRUS VICTIM WAS PROMINENT ENGINEER – 37 CASES CONFIRMED TO DATE As this newspaper (Continued on page 34)
PAGE 34
From page 33 reported Wednesday, the novel coronavirus (COVID19) has claimed a sixth life in Guyana. The victim has since been identified as 77-year-old Colonel John Lewis, former head of the Guyana People’s Militia, prominent engineer, and sports enthusiast. Colonel Lewis passed away on Tuesday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital. While the Ministry of Public Health did not immediately identify him as the sixth person, multiple sources have confirmed that this is the case. The engineer lost his wife to pneumonia-related complications in late March, and his passing now would be a double blow for the family and a sports fraternity who knew, loved and respected him. Friends said that the engineer had been assigned recently to the Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue expansion project. Lewis would have worked over the years in a number of areas, including at the stateowned water company. President David Granger in a message of condolence said he was saddened at death of Colonel John Percy Leon Lewis. Lewis, according to the Ministry of the Presidency, attended Saint Stanislaus College and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Security footage can’t find evidence of tampering. However, there are some other emerging sides of the story. It appeared that it is not the first time that mercury has disappeared from the same wharf. Last year, another Berbician claimed that several flasks were missing from a container. There were reportedly over 100 flasks. Dozens were missing when the container was opened. An investigation that was launched found no evidence that container was opened prior to Customs checking it. TOP EXPLORATION WELLS IN GUYANA, SIX OTHER TERRITORIESAT RISK OF BEING DELAYED -RYSTAD ENERGY
A container of mercury is empty at a city wharf, with authorities disclosing that a probe has started. His military career started on March 9, 1968 when he enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Lewis would spend his
entire military service in the Reserve Force of the GDF; the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM). He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on January 1st 1999 and was the Commanding Officer of the 22 Battalion GPM. “In over 30 years of military service to Guyana, Colonel Lewis greatly enriched the life and development of the Militia. Colonel Lewis was an avid sportsman and represented the GDF at rugby. He also played soccer, badminton and basketball. President Granger extends heartfelt sympathy to Colonel Lewis’s children, relatives and friends,” the statement said. Lewis was close to the rugby association, and had been pushing for especially the development of youths. FRIDAY MAJOR PROBE LAUNCHEDAFTER MERCURYCONTAINER ON WHARF FOUND EMPTY A large quantity of mercury flasks have reportedly disappeared from
a city wharf and it has sparked a major investigation. Thursday, CommissionerGeneral of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, confirmed that an investigation has begun into the alleged disappearance of a quantity of mercury flasks from a container at a wharf. He declined to give details. However, a source close to the investigation, disclosed that that a Berbice businessman- the consigneecame on Monday to clear the container which arrived since September. The container was supposed to have contained 77 flasks of mercury. However, after the paperwork would have been completed, the container was opened in the presence of a Customs Officer and the consignee- shockingly it was empty. Kaieteur News was told that there are now discrepancies with the seal on the container. It was explained that all containers come sealed from the points of origin. However, in this case, it appeared that there were questions over the seal. The official said that the wharf officials have launched their own probe and have called in investigators from the GRA and the police.
According to Rystad Energy, at least nine of the world’s top planned exploration wells for 2020 are at risk of being suspended as a result of the combined effect on oil and gas activities of the COVID-19 virus and the oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Rystad Energy said that these wells, located in Norway, Brazil, the Bahamas, Guyana, the US, Gambia and Namibia would target a combined seven billion barrels of oil equivalents (boe). The wells that Rystad Energy has identified as candidates for suspension are at risk because of their commercial viability under the current price levels, shutdowns that affect the supplies of equipment components, operators’ prioritization among other targets and limitations in crew movements, among other reasons. “Given the prevailing global situation, we now foresee that the cumulative discovered volumes by the end of the year could go even below the 2016 level of 8.9 billion boe, which was the decade’s lowest. This will solely depend upon how many key wildcat wells will still see a spinning drill bit in the coming months, as some of them could be either suspended or postponed,” says Rystad Energy senior upstream analyst, Palzor Shenga. The Rystad official was also keen to note that the first quarter of 2020 already started on a low note, as explorers have only uncovered new volumes of around 2.5 billion boe. Kaieteur News understands that the 22 discoveries are evenly split between onshore and offshore regions, with gas representing just over half of
the volumes. Rystad also noted that volumes are down about 40% from the same period of 2019, and the number of discoveries has almost halved. At the beginning of 2020, Rystad Energy believed that the global discovery trend would continue its upward trajectory with an expected increase in volumes. However, the current global market situation it said will bring many challenges to exploration. MINISTRY SAYS NO NEW COVID-19 CASE - FOUR PATIENTS NOW IN ICU As of noon Thursday, there was no new confirmed case of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana. This is according to Minister of Public Health (MOPH), Ms. Volda Lawrence, during her daily COVID-19 update to the nation. As it stands, she said, there are 37 confirmed cases, 115 negative tests and six deaths. A total of 152 persons have been tested thus far. The Public Health Minister was keen to inform that a virtual meeting was convened Thursday morning to discuss alternative testing modalities, such as the use of rapid testing, as well as the use of medications, specifically the use of hyroxychloroquine and chloroquine. Participants of the meeting included technical experts from PAHO’s Washington office, representatives of private hospitals in Guyana, the local Medical Council, the private sector and members of the media fraternity. According to the Minister, the number of persons housed under the Health Ministry’s quarantine and isolation facilities are 11 and 22 respectively— a decrease from 27 and 30 reported on Wednesday. Lawrence further disclosed that four persons are now patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), one of whom has developed worsened conditions. Additionally, the 21 Guyanese who returned from Barbados a few weeks ago were medically cleared to be sent home. Seven persons on home- quarantine were also cleared. Concerned citizens continue to call the COVID19 hotline which, up to Thursday, totalled to 1,701. The Health Minister reminded persons to utilize the hotline provided in their respective regions.
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 35
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL! Today we at Kaieteur News join our Christian brothers and sisters to celebrate Easter, an occasion when the supernatural exploits of the risen Christ are remembered. Although he offered his life to redeem mankind, his glory was of such that even death and the grave could not keep Him
bound. He lives so that we can each live our purpose. May we all recognize the importance of this Easter celebration as we continue to navigate 2020. Below are even more Easter sentiments...
PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM The People’s National Congress Reform extends Easter Greetings to all Guyanese and more especially to members of our Christian Community, both here and around the world, on the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian Calendar. This festival, which commemorates the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, contains both in its symbolic significance, and its secular relevance, important and powerful messages. For the members of the Christian Community, the Easter story represents the f u l f i l m e n t o f G o d ’s
prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ and His subsequent Resurrection from the dead. It is this faith, which has kept the worldwide Christian Church alive and enabled its followers to significantly contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind. This Easter season in Guyana, we face a serious public health crisis as the nation takes steps to combat the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The PNCR calls on all Guyanese to obey
the orders and advisories that have been issued. COVID19 is a Global Pandemic for which there is no vaccination; no cure. As Guyanese, let us work together to fight and conquer this disease, let us now be our brothers and sisters keeper. This Easter let us be inspired; let us pray for the deliverance of our nation, let us celebrate our multireligious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society. Let us be proud of this rich mosaic that is Guyana. Our diversity is an asset, not a liability. HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!
GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION
T
he observances of Easter is one of t h e m o s t important and sacred festivals of Christianity. The observance which speaks to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most poignant chapters of Christianity. The festival also brings an end to the Lenten period which sees the faithful engaged in prayer and fasting for a forty day period as they redouble their faith and cleanse their bodies and mind. Indeed, it is a period of deep reverence and is yet another reminder of commitment to our beliefs and the upholding of our sacred traditions. Easter in Guyana has
PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER Easter is the most sacred Christian festival. It c e l e b r a t e s J e s u s ’s resurrection – the most important event in Christianity – which is the core of Jesus’s message, ministry and mission on earth. The Holy Gospel recounts Jesus’s betrayal, arrest, trial, suffering, crucifixion, burial and glorious resurrection. It commemorates, also, the promise of the redemption of mankind through the sacrifice of his life. Jesus’s death was a source of great anguish for his disciples, who were
plunged into deep despondency. The promises of his ministry on earth seemed to be doomed; hopes were dashed; the prospects of proselytizing the gentiles were halted. J e s u s ’s m i r a c u l o u s resurrection on the third day, at Easter, dispelled the darkness of despair and doubt. It reignited hope for the devout. Easter is a celebration of that hope. It recalls the triumph of Jesus’s life over death. It reasserts the power of hope over fear and that the dawn of daylight will come at the end of the darkest night.
Easter this year, when kites should have been soaring in Guyanese skies and when families should have been outdoors picnicking and socializing with friends, most of us will remain indoors. Except for our country’s doctors, nurses and medical personnel and police officers and those involved in essential services, most of us will remain at home and in a subdued and reflective mood because of the threat of the formidable COVID19 coronavirus disease. The disease will prevail only if we lose hope and only if we fail to act
responsibly. We must not submit to despair. E a s t e r ’s m e s s a g e reassures us that hope is inextinguishable. It reminds us of our duty to each other. It urges us to heed Jesus’s prescription to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Easter reignites hope that the Guyanese people can, and will, overcome the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. Let us act responsibly in the days ahead and comply with the public health directives which are aimed at protecting all of us. I wish every Guyanese a happy Easter!
grown to now encompass Guyanese from all walks-oflife, Christians and nonChristians alike. It is punctuated by the dotting of the skies with colourful kites, smiling and happy children and all-round joy and happiness. It sees the coming together of families and friends. And, it is a time of year anticipated by all Guyanese. Indeed, Easter is one of the many high points on the Guyanese calendar of events and is yet another reminder of what makes our nation even more unique and special. This year’s Easter, of course, will be vastly different from the years gone-by. Our people have been confined to their homes as the coronavirus wreaks havoc not only in Guyana but in every corner of our world. Easter finds, indeed, our world in a state of turmoil and deep anxiety as people have grown apprehensive and their normal way of life has been severely curtailed. As we consider our present-day situation, the enduring message of Easter remains relevant. It reminds us, to some extent, of the challenges Christ and his disciplines faced in their times and the adversities they would have eventually overcome. It is a story of perseverance and the will of people to confront those who seek to thwart what they stood for despite the tall obstacles put in their way. It is also a reminder that even the darkest of periods are only but a period and eventually that will soon pass. Indeed we are confident,
like in times before, as peoples have been gripped by one crisis or the other, we again will overcome and persevere and we will become stronger and better for it all. The lessons of Easter are also instructive for our local situation as well. At this time, when certain forces seek to oppress the will of our people and throw by the wayside our fledgling democracy, the story of Easter reminds us that those who seek to exploit us are never successful. Their nefarious ploys were confronted and roundly defeated as the forces of good and righteous are able to triumph. We remain convinced that those who seek to foist their will on our country will not succeed, their ploys, plots, and plans will be defeated as history and time has thought us. GAWU, at this time, extends Easter Greetings to all Guyanese and more especially to members of our Christian Community, both here and around the world, on this most auspicious event of the Christian Calendar. For the members of the Christian Community, the Easter story represents the f u l f i l m e n t o f G o d ’s Prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ and His subsequent Resurrection from the dead. It is this faith which has kept the worldwide Christian Church alive and enabled its followers to significantly contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind.
PAGE 36
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Home Entertainment ... Sangster’s Cream Liqueur recipes are sure to sweeten your weekend Sangster’s Original Jamaica Rum Cream Liqueur is a smooth, rich drink that is only a few decades old. Proudly distributed by Ansa McAL Limited , this liqueur was inspired by Bailey’s Irish Cream which was the first to combine the creaminess of dairy products with the tickling alcohol taste. If you want to sweeten your home entertainment activities this weekend, be sure to try these cocktail recipes listed below. Mudslide Ingredients: · 1 oz. of vodka.
· 1 oz. of Kahlua. · 1 oz. of Jamaican rum cream. · 1 oz. of milk, cream, or vanilla ice cream. · Ice. Directions: place the ingredients into a blender and mix them until you can see a smooth texture and color. Then, pour the mix in a glass. You can also drizzle some chocolate syrup inside the glass to add some sweetness and a mudslide visual effect. Hummingbird Ingredients:
·2 oz. of vodka. ·1 oz. of Jamaican rum cream liqueur. ·½ oz. of Tia Maria or Kahlua. ·1 banana. ·Milk. ·Strawberry syrup. (Be sure to transform your home entertainment activities with Sangster’s Cream Liqueur . Ansa McAL is also offering free delivery between Mahaica and Eccles so be sure to place your order with them by sending a WhatsApp message to 608ANSA or calling 220-8877. )
Brain Games: A must watch science television series If you’re looking for a new series to put on your watch-list, then Brain Games which airs weekdays at 12 on the Enetworks Channel (E1) is certainly a worthy pick. Brain Games is an American popular science television series that explores cognitive science by focusing on illusions, psychological experiments, and counterintuitive thinking. The series debuted on National Geographic in 2011 as a special. Its return as an original series in 2013 set a record for the highest premiere rating for any National Geographic original series with 1.5 million viewers. The seventh season aired in 2016. Neil Patrick Harris was the unseen narrator in the first season, replaced by Jason Silva for the remainder of the series as its host and presenter; in addition, sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins has been a frequent consultant and illusionist guest on the show. The show is said to be interactive, encouraging television viewers, often along with a handful of live volunteers, to engage in visual, auditory, and other cognitive experiments, or “brain games”, that emphasize the main points presented in each episode.
By now, you’ve probably exhausted all the binge-worthy options on Netflix and you’re probably hunting for new and exciting shows to enjoy. Well guys, look no further because the Enetworks team is at it again with another great selection. Every Thursday at 10 PM, the Enetworks family will be airing Doom Patrol. For those who may not be familiar with this series, it tells the story of a team of traumatized and downtrodden superheroes, each of whom has suffered a horrible accident that gave them superhuman abilities but also left them scarred and disfigured.
The members of the team have found their purpose through The Chief and have come together to investigate some of the world’s weirdest phenomena. After The Chief mysteriously disappears, though, the reluctant heroes find themselves called to action by Cyborg, who comes to them with a mission that they cannot refuse. Doom Patrol — part support group, part superhero team — is a band of super powered freaks fighting for a world that wants nothing to do with them. It’s a rich and entertaining series that marries fantasy and reality perfectly. Do enjoy.
‘Bad Boys for Life’ Review: In a Minivan, but Still Riding
The Assistant (Must wtach 2020) Cast: Julia Garner, Matthew Macfadyen, Kristine Froseth, Makenzie Leigh Director: Kitty Green (Casting JonBenet) Why it’s great: The systemic culture of indifference and cruelty that often forms around a powerful serial abuser gets put under the microscope in this studiously observed New York office drama, which draws inspiration from the behavior of Harvey Weinstein while intentionally blurring some of the details. We never learn the name of the tyrannical boss in the story and the exact nature of his crimes are never fully revealed; instead, Julia Garner’s assistant Jane, a Northwestern grad fresh off a handful of internships, provides our entryway into the narrative. The movie tracks her duties, tasks, and indignities over the course of a single day: She makes copies, coordinates air travel, picks up lunch orders, answers phone calls, and cleans suspicious stains off the couch. At one point, a young woman from Idaho appears at the reception desk, claims to have been flown in to start as a new assistant, and gets whisked away to a room in an expensive hotel. Jane raises the issue with an HR rep, played with smarmy menace by Succession’s Matthew
DOOM PATROL IS THE ULTIMATE SERIES ON FABULOUSLY FREAKY SUPERHEROES NEW SHOW ALERT !!!
Macfadyen, but her concerns are quickly battered away and turned against her. Rejecting cheap catharsis and dramatic twists, The Assistant builds its claustrophobic world through a steady accumulation of information. While some of the writing can feel too imprecise and opaque by design, Garner, who consistently steals scenes on Netflix’s Ozark, invests every hushed phone call and carefully worded email with real trepidation. She locates the terror in the drudgery of the work. https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-movies-of-2020
After probably years of high-powered agent, studio and management negotiations, the boys are back. The comedic chemistry of Martin Lawrence and Will Smith has to do a lot of heavy lifting in “Bad Boys for Life,” the third buddy-cop action movie to feature the pair as maverick Miami detectives. They get the job done — delivering a mildly enjoyable movie that committed fans of the franchise will rate a lot higher — but they have to hack through a lot of by-the-numbers plotting and indolent characterizations to get there. The opening sequence depicts Will Smith’s Mike Lowrey at the wheel of a Porsche, speeding furiously, while Martin Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett shouts loud enough to drown out the engine. As it’s been 17 years since “Bad Boys II,” one might smell a midlife-male punch line, and sure enough, they are in a hurry to attend the birth of Marcus’s grandson. Marcus, hence, would like to stop and smell the roses; Mike thinks retirement is a dirty word. A vengeful assassin, the son of a drug cartel matriarch on a mission, bloodies the
waters of their argument by taking a few shots at Mike. Six months later, a new division of the Miami P.D., led by a former paramour of Mike’s, is puzzling over the ammo that hit the detective. (AMMO is also the acronym of the new, tech-savvy division, Advanced Miami Metro Operations.) Going rogue, or roguish, Mike finds its source, forms an alliance with the new kids, and, over the objections of good ol’ Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano, here channeling a demon hybrid of Joe Pesci and Rudolph Giuliani) gets in the ring, with a very reluctant Marcus following. The screenplay by Chris Bremmer, Peter Craig and Joe Carnahan offers buddy-cop greatest hits dialogue like “He dies last” “We had a deal,”;
“If it’s the cartel, she’s gonna have serious backup”; and the ominous “One last time? One last time.” But Lawrence’s riffs almost always land. They especially need to in the final quarter, when the movie sets the bar high for this year’s Dopiest Movie Plot Twist competition. It’s a moment that’s meant to enhance character and raise emotional stakes, and the movie takes it seriously for maybe a minute and 45 seconds before Lawrence’s character starts making light of it. This is as it should be. As for the action, the directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (taking over from Michael Bay, who has a coy cameo as a wedding M.C.) blow things up real good, and do so in ways that are more often buoyant than grisly.
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 37
Kaieteur News
Identifying and treating Eating Disorders You have heard persons talking about it; you have seen persons either in real life or on television suffering from it. But what exactly defines an eating disorder? Over the years, pictures have been circulated with young women and men suffering from anorexia and they seem quite gruesome. On the contrary, some of these images are meant to raise awareness about eating disorders among young people. But did you know that anorexia is not the only eating disorder that persons can suffer from? It is commonly thought that eating disorders are actually a lifestyle choice. In that, the sufferers can actually just snap out of it or choose to eat properly. This is a common perception in Guyana and the world over where there is not much focus on mental health issues of this sort. However, it must be noted that eating disorders are grave and often fatal diseases that can cause severe disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors. Certain obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may also signal the presence of an eating disorder. Eating disorders that frequently occur include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and bingeeating disorders. People with anorexia nervosa often times see themselves as being g r o s s l y overweight despite the fact that they are dangerously underweight. It is not uncommon for persons with anorexia to constantly weigh thems e l v e s d u r i n g t h e d a y, sometimes four to five times within a 24 hour period. They also tend to severely restrict the amount of food they consume and at that, only eat very small quantities of just certain foods. Of all the eating disorders and all the psychiatric disorders for that matter, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate. Most young people with this disorder tend to die from complications associated with starvation. However, due to the depression, others die of suicide. Suicide is much more common in women with anorexia than with most other mental disorders. Symptoms of anorexia may include: · Eating extremely small amounts · Extreme emaciation (thinness) · The relentless urge to get thinner and unwilling to maintain a normal or healthy
weight · A deep and intense fear of gaining weight · Distorted body image, a self-esteem that is heavily influenced by perceptions of body weight and shape · Denial of the seriousness of low body weight
Symptoms of bulimia nervosa may include: · Chronically inflamed and sore throat due to purging · Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area · Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of
total control over his or her eating habits. Unlike bulimia, the periods of binge-eating are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. As such, binge-eaters are commonly, very overweight or obese. Some of the symptoms
· Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss What then are some of the risk factors associated with developing these disorders? Research dictates that these disorders usually occur during the teenage years or into young adulthood but can
Some other symptoms may develop over time due to the initial starvation. These would include: · Thinning bones referred to as osteopenia or osteoporosis · Anemia, muscle wasting and weakness · Brittle hair and nails · Dry and yellowish skin · Growth of fine hair all over the body (lanugo) · Severe constipation · Low blood pressure, slowed breathing and pulse · Decreased heart function due to damage · Brain damage · Multi-organ failure · Drop in internal body temperature, causing a person to feel cold all the time · Lethargy · Infertility Now, people with bulimia nervosa have frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and having little to no control over them. This binge-eating behavior is usually followed by a compensating behaviour for the overeating such as purging, overuse of laxatives or diuretics, prolonged fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of all. Unlike anorexia, bulimia patients are usually able to maintain a healthy or relatively normal body weight.
exposure to stomach acid · Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems · Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse · Severe dehydration from purging of fluids · Electrolyte imbalance (too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium and other minerals) which can lead to stroke or heart attack Finally, people with a binge-eating disorder lose
associated with binge eating include: · Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time · Eating even when you’re full or not hungry · Eating fast during binge episodes · Eating until you’re uncomfortably full · Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment · Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating
also begin during childhood or later on in life. They affect both genders, although women are two out of five
Enetworks to host COVID-19 AND YOU discussion every week day on E1 Channel
C
onsidering the im portance of bring ing accurate and updated information to the public on the novel Coronavirus, the Enetworks team will be hosting discussions on E1 at 4: 15PM. Every week, the host of the programme, Dr. Vindya Persaud, will engage various guests on the subject while providing you with useful data. Be sure to tune in.
Host of the show, Dr. Vindya Persaud
times more likely to develop them as compared to men. Unlike women who may tend to have body image distortions concerning being overweight, men may have muscle dysmorphia, a type of disorder marked by the need to become more muscular. Research has shown that eating disorders are caused by a complex interaction of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. So for those suffering from any of the above, it might not just be one trigger, it may be a combination, which is why not many Guyanese know how to deal with them when diagnosed. Treatments and Therapies Ensuring that there is adequate nutrition, helping to reducing excessive exercise and putting an end to purging behaviors are the mainstay of treatment. However, treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s needs and may include one or more of the following: · Psychotherapy · Medical care · Counseling on nutritional · Medications Medications such as ant i d e p r e s s a n t s , antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers have been found to be very helpful for treating eating disorders and illnesses occurring hand in hand such as anxiety or depression.
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
TEEN TIME MAKE FULL USE OF YOUR TALENTS AND NATURAL ABILITIES We had mentioned the importance of using the special talents with which you were born to help you in your choice of career. It will also help to fulfil the true purpose of your life and give you a sense of achievement if you develop these to help others to do the same. There is a story in the Bible which they call the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, Jesus Christ told of a servant who was given a certain number of talents, which was the name of the money then used, to invest and get more money.
But the servant, too lazy to work and afraid that he might lose the talents, just put them in a place which was safe, but which also had no way of bringing any returns. The master, when he found out the truth, condemned this servant and gave him no further opportunity to work for anything. It will be wise for each of us to think about this and about the talents that we were given when we were born or have acquired since then. No matter how
uneducated or incapable we may seem to be, each of us has been granted some talent or talents as well as the opportunity to use them. If we do not put them to good use, we will lose them, just as we lose the use of our muscles through lack of exercise, or our brain from neglecting to do our mental work. But whenever we make full use of them they will get stronger and be of greater use as we go along. What are the talents with which you were born? It may be a skill, like art or
music, or it may be a quality, like courage or kindness. What are the talents you have acquired by learning and practising since birth playing a game, singing or using a musical instrument, or working with computers? Whatever it is, you have to take the time and effort identify it, and use every opportunity to develop it to the fullest. This will not only help the world around you, but will serve to bring out your full potential in your career as well as give your life its true meaning and purpose.
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies Mrs. McGregor untied the sack and put her hand inside. When she felt the vegetables she became very very angry. She said that Mr. McGregor had “done it a purpose.” And Mr. McGregor was very angry too. One of the rotten marrows came flying through the kitchen window, and hit the youngest Flopsy Bunny.It was rather hurt.Then Benjamin and Flopsy thought that it was time to go home.So Mr. McGregor did not get his tobacco, and Mrs. McGregor did not get her rabbit skins.But next Christmas Thomasina Tittlemouse got a present of enough rabbit wool to make herself a cloak and a hood, and a handsome muff and a pair of warm mittens.
Develop your Talents by Uncle Roy God made all human beings unique, With a special set of abilities; But sometimes we do not know this, And go through life with less capacity. This can make us so much weaker In the things we do each day, Wasting so much of our lives As we fail to reach full capability. Those of us who realise this, Make a special effort to find ours, And so achieve much power To do things greater than others. So take the time and effort To find your own hidden talents, And work diligently to develop them And give your life true balance.
Realisation and development of our unique talents is the true purpose of our lives. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Crossword teens
Goo
dluck
!
From page 38 fingers—”one, two, three...”“Don’t you be silly - what do you mean, you silly old man?”“In the sack! one, two, three, four, five, six!” replied Mr. McGregor.(The youngest Flopsy Bunny got upon the windowsill.)Mrs. McGregor took hold of the sack and felt it. She said she could feel six, but they must be old rabbits, because they were so hard and all different shapes.“Not fit to eat - but the skins will do fine to line my old cloak.”“Line your old cloak?” shouted Mr. McGregor, “I shall sell them and buy myself baccy!”“Rabbit tobacco! I shall skin them and cut off their heads.”
PAGE 39
Crossword 1 name 2 praise 3 Jesus 4 enter 5 shouted 6 king
7 8 9 10 11 12
road Hosanna village colt spread tie
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies by Beatrix Potter It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is “soporific.” I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuces - but then I am not a rabbit. They certainly had a very soporific effect upon the Flopsy Bunnies! When Benjamin Bunny grew up, he married his Cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful. I do not remember the separate names of their children - they were generally called the “Flopsy Bunnies.” As there was not always quite enough to eat Benjamin used to borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother, Peter Rabbit, who kept a nursery garden. Sometimes Peter Rabbit had no cabbages to spare. When this happened, the Flopsy Bunnies went across the field to a rubbish heap, in t h e d i t c h o u t s i d e M r. McGregor’s garden. Mr. McGregor’s rubbish heap was a mixture. There were jam pots and paper bags, and mountains of chopped grass from the mowing machine (which always tasted oily), and some rotten vegetable marrows and an old boot or two. One day - oh joy! - there were a quantity of overgrown lettuces, which had “shot” into flower. The Flopsy Bunnies simply stuffed lettuces. By degrees, one after another, they were overcome with slumber, and lay down in the mown grass. Benjamin was not so much overcome as his children. Before going to sleep he was sufficiently wide awake to put a paper bag over his head to keep off the flies. The little Flopsy Bunnies slept delightfully in the warm sun. From the lawn beyond the garden came the distant
W FUN
IT
clacketty sound of the mowing machine. The blue bottles buzzed about the wall, and a little old mouse picked over the rubbish among the jam pots. (I can tell you her name, she was called Thomasina Tittlemouse, a woodmouse with a long tail.) She rustled across the paper bag, and awakened Benjamin Bunny. The mouse apologized profusely, and said that she knew Peter Rabbit. While she and Benjamin were talking, close under the wall, they heard a heavy tread above their heads - and suddenly Mr. McGregor emptied out a sackful of lawn mowings right upon the top of the sleeping Flopsy Bunnies! Benjamin shrank down under his paper bag. The mouse hid in a jam pot. The little rabbits smiled sweetly in their sleep under the shower of grass - they did not awake because the lettuces had been so soporific. They dreamt that their mother Flopsy was tucking them up in a hay bed. Mr. McGregor looked down after emptying his sack. He saw some funny little brown tips of ears sticking up through the lawn mowings. He stared at them for some time. Presently a fly settled on one of them and it moved. Mr. McGregor climbed down on to the rubbish heap: “One, two, three, four! five! six little rabbits!” said he as he dropped them into his sack. The Flopsy Bunnies dreamt that their mother was turning them over in bed. They stirred a little in their sleep, but still they did not wake up. Mr. McGregor tied up the sack and left it on the wall. He went to put away the mowing machine. While he was gone, Mrs. Flopsy Bunny (who had
ET O P H
remained at home) came across the field. She looked suspiciously at the sack and wondered where everybody was? Then the mouse came out of her jam pot, and Benjamin took the paper bag off his head, and they told the doleful tale.Benjamin and Flopsy were in despair, they could not undo the string. But Mrs. Tittlemouse was a resourceful person. She nibbled a hole in the bottom corner of the sack. The little rabbits were pulled out and pinched to wake them. Their parents stuffed the empty sack with three rotten vegetable marrows, an old blacking-brush and two decayed turnips. Then they all hid under a bush and watched for Mr. McGregor. Mr. McGregor came back and picked up the sack, and carried it off. He carried it hanging down, as if it were rather heavy. The Flopsy Bunnies followed at a safe distance. They watched him go into his house. And then they crept up to the window to listen. Mr. McGregor threw down the sack on the stone floor in a way that would have been extremely painful to the Flopsy Bunnies, if they had happened to have been inside it.They could hear him drag his chair on the flags, and chuckle: “One, two, three, four, five, six little rabbits!” said Mr. McGregor. “Eh? What’s that? What have they been spoiling now?” enquired Mrs. McGregor. “One, two, three, four, five, six little fat rabbits!” repeated Mr. McGregor, counting on his (Continue don page 39)
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
Sunday April 12, 2020
Junior page How to Make Peekaboo Here’s what you’ll need: Clothespin Eggs Glitter craft foam I got my glitter foam and clothespins at the dollar store. They don’t always have the glitter foam, so every time I see it, I snag a couple of packages. You can even get crafter’s tape at the dollar store. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I’ve definitely seen it on the shelves. Start by cutting out a small rectangle of glitter foam, about 1.53 wide by 23 tall, then trim around the corners to turn it into an oval egg shape. Cut a zig zag shape across the egg. I recommend drawing a line with a pencil on the back of the egg before you cut. You don’t have to, but it makes the zig zags look way better if you’ve planned them out a little bit. Pinch open the clothespin. While it’s open, add a small strip of crafter’s tape to 3/43 of the side, front edge of the top and bottom where the egg is going to go. Make sure the clothespin is open when you add the crafter’s tape so you don’t accidentally tape it shut. Lay the egg upside down on the table, making sure the top and bottom egg pieces are lined up and together. Carefully press the clothes pin onto the back of the foam egg so that the opening in the clothespin lines up with the opening in the cracked egg. Try to line it up so that the end of the clothespin where your chick is going to go is in the middle of the egg. Cut out a tiny chick shape from yellow paper or cardstock. Mine was about
1/23 wide by 3/43 Clothespin tall.Then use a black Small scrap of yellow paper or card stock gel pen and an orange Small scrap of craft foam or cardboard gel pen (or black and Crafter’s Tape orange markers) to Black and orange gel pens draw the eyes and Scissors to be playing with them. beak onto the little When you flip it over to paper chick shape. This next part is the front, you should be able completely optional, but I to see the top of the chick’s find it really helps to make head and the entire face when sure your clothespin opens the clothespin is open. If it’s and closes easily without not in the right position, just
shutting on top of the chick and bending it. If you attach the chick right onto the clothespin, I find that wooden clothespin pieces shift and often end up crushing the chick when it closes.So I recommend taking a tiny piece of craft foam (or cardboard, or anything else with a little bit of thickness to it) and using crafter’s tape to attach it to the back of the clothespin where the chick is going to go. Then add a little bit of crafter’s tape to the paper chick and attach it to the little foam spacer you just a t t a c h e d . I t ’s a s m a l l difference, but having the chick spaced out just a little bit so it’s not directly on the clothespin makes it really easy to open and close the clothespin when you’re done – especially if kids are going
peel off the chick and adjust it.These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!Then repeat in a bunch of different colours! These make me smile…These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!
PAGE 40
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally 1. Try Tea Tree Oil Historically, tea tree oil has been used to treat ailments ranging from acne to psoriasis. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the severity and symptoms of dandruff. 2. Use Coconut Oil Well-known for its multiple health benefits, coconut oil is often also used as a natural remedy for dandruff. Coconut oil may help improve skin hydration and prevent dryness, which can worsen dandruff. Other research has found that coconut oil could aid in the treatment of eczema, a skin condition that may contribute to dandruff. One study compared the effects of coconut oil and mineral oil on atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema characterized by itching and inflammation. Coconut oil and its compounds have also been shown to have antimicrobial properties in some test-tube studies, although the effects on the specific strain of fungus that causes dandruff have not yet been examined (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source). The potential antimicrobial properties of coconut oil may improve skin hydration and reduce symptoms of eczema and dandruff. 3. Apply Aloe Vera Aloe vera is a type of succulent that is frequently added to skin ointments, cosmetics and lotions. Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties. As a result, it may help reduce inflammation and decrease dandruff symptoms. 4. Minimize Stress Levels Stress is believed to impact many aspects of health and wellbeing. Stress can weaken the immune system and decrease the body’s ability to fight off infections that cause dandruff. Stress also often precedes episodes of seborrheic dermatitis, one of the most common causes of dandruff. 5. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Routine Apple cider vinegar has been associated with a variety of health benefits.Apple cider vinegar is also said to balance the pH of the skin to reduce the growth of fungus and thus fight dandruff. Apple cider vinegar is said to help remove dead skin cells and balance the pH of the scalp. Moreover, test-tube studies show that it may prevent the growth of certain types of fungus. 6. Try Aspirin Salicylic acid is one of the primary compounds found in aspirin that is responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties Aspirin contains salicylic acid, an ingredient found in many anti-dandruff shampoos. Salicylic acid has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-treat-
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 50
Country profile
H
eir to the ancient Khmer Empire, modern-day Cambodia is benefiting from two decades of relative stability, having endured civil war and the murderous rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Cambodia
o v e r s e a s investment to replace aid. Corruption is deeprooted and Cambodia is still one of the world’s poorest countries, with most of the workforce still employed in subsistence farming. LEADERS
Painful memories still endure of the radical communist Khmer Rouge’s time in power under the leadership of Pol Pot between 1975 and 1978, when two million people died in the regime’s brutal pursuit of a rural utopia.
T h e c o u n t r y ’s o n l y significant opposition party was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017. MEDIA Many Cambodian newspapers and private broadcasters depend on support from political parties. Prime Minister Hun Sen and his allies control several outlets.
Prime minister: Hun Sen
The economy is dominated by garmentmaking, but tourism is
expanding, and Cambodia hopes to tap into offshore oil and gas reserves and draw in
Sunday March 29, 2020
Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni King Sihamoni - a trained ballet dancer - was sworn in as monarch on 29 October 2004, after his father, the widely venerated and long-serving King Sihanouk, abdicated because of poor health. I m a g e copyrightGETTY IMAGES Cambodia’s kings once enjoyed a semi-divine status; today, the monarch’s role is mainly ceremonial.
Image copyrightAFP Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving prime ministers, has been in power in various coalitions since 1985. A former communist and - briefly - a member of the Khmer Rouge - he was last reappointed by parliament in September 2013 for a further five-year term, in the face of mass demonstrations and opposition allegations of fraud in the July elections. Since seizing power from his then co-prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, brother of the then king, Sihanouk, in 1997, critics believe Hun Sen has become increasingly authoritarian, using a mixture of electoral fraud, corruption and intimidation to maintain quasi-dictatorial rule.
Cambodians regard their ancient temples as a key part of their identity
A crackdown on independent media in 2018 means that Cambodians “only have access to news provided by major media groups directly linked to Hun Sen”, says media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Angkor Wat is one of the main temples in the ancient capital of Angkor
Sunday April 12, 2020
*Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? They taste funny. *I love how in horror movies the person will ask, “Is anyone there?” As if the killer would say “Oh yeah I’m in the kitchen. Want a sandwich?” *My aunt’s star sign was cancer, pretty ironic how she died. She was eaten by a giant crab. *“I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing... except when you’re at a funeral. *My doctor advised me to kill people. Not in such words of course, he just said that I must diminish the amount of stress in my life. *What’s the difference between Santa and a Jew? Santa comes down the chimney. *What’s Blonde and dead in a closet? The Hide and Seek Champion from 1995. *Tim bought 2 goldfish and named them 1 and 2. If 1 died, he’ll still have 2. *There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Even if it’s just not being a turkey. Will glass coffins be a success? Remains to be seen. *My grandma always said “Slow and steady wins the race.” She died in a fire. *If you run in front of a car you’ll get tired, but if you run behind the car you’ll get exhausted. *The kid drowned. All his mates showed up at his funeral with life jackets on. Because it’s what he would’ve wanted. *Just saw two zombies on a date... and they say romance is dead. *At my job, I have 500 people under me. I’m a security guard at a cemetery. *Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did. One liner tags: age, death, people, retirement, work *I tried water polo but my horse drowned. *Teacher: “Name a bird with wings but can’t fly.” Student: “A dead bird, sir.” *A guy with a stutter died in prison before he could finish his sentence •Christmas does come before Easter in one place—but where? The dictionary! •What’s the best way to make Easter easier? Put an “i” where the “t” is. •How does Easter end? With an “R”! •Where does Easter take place every year? Where eggs marks the spot! •How can you make Easter preparations go faster? Use the eggs-press lane! •What should you do to prepare for all the Easter treats? Eggs-ercise! •What kind of jewelry is the best Easter gift? A 14-carrot gold necklace. •What kind of bean can’t grow in a garden? A jelly bean. •What happens if you get married on Easter? You live hoppily ever after. •What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny. •What do you get when you pour hot water into a rabbit hole? Hot cross bunnies. •What did the Easter Bunny say to the carrot? Nice gnawing you. •What is Easter Bunny’s favorite kind of music? Hip-hop! •What do you get if you give an Easter Bunny a pair of socks? A sock hop! •How does an Easter Bunny keep his fur looking so good? Hare spray. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite restaurant? IHOP. •Why was the Easter Bunny so sad? He was having a bad hare day. •How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape? He eggsercises. •How does the Easter Bunny stay fit? Hare-obics. •How does the Easter Bunny travel? By hare-plane. •How do you write a letter to an Easter Bunny? Use haremail! •What do you call an Easter Bunny with a bad memory? A hare-brain! •What do you call an Easter Bunny who gets kicked out of school? Egg-spelled. •What the Easter Bunny’s favorite dance move? The bunny hop. •What kind of bunny can’t hop? A chocolate bunny. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite sport? Basket-ball. •What kind of rabbit tells jokes? A funny bunny. •Why couldn’t the Easter Bunny watch his favorite show? Because his TV was scrambled!
Kaieteur News
PAGE 41
Kaieteur News
Sunday March 29, 2020
Colour the picture
W FUN
IT
ET O P H
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
PAGE 49
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
TEEN TIME MAKE FULL USE OF YOUR TALENTS AND NATURAL ABILITIES We had mentioned the importance of using the special talents with which you were born to help you in your choice of career. It will also help to fulfil the true purpose of your life and give you a sense of achievement if you develop these to help others to do the same. There is a story in the Bible which they call the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, Jesus Christ told of a servant who was given a certain number of talents, which was the name of the money then used, to invest and get more money.
But the servant, too lazy to work and afraid that he might lose the talents, just put them in a place which was safe, but which also had no way of bringing any returns. The master, when he found out the truth, condemned this servant and gave him no further opportunity to work for anything. It will be wise for each of us to think about this and about the talents that we were given when we were born or have acquired since then. No matter how
uneducated or incapable we may seem to be, each of us has been granted some talent or talents as well as the opportunity to use them. If we do not put them to good use, we will lose them, just as we lose the use of our muscles through lack of exercise, or our brain from neglecting to do our mental work. But whenever we make full use of them they will get stronger and be of greater use as we go along. What are the talents with which you were born? It may be a skill, like art or
music, or it may be a quality, like courage or kindness. What are the talents you have acquired by learning and practising since birth playing a game, singing or using a musical instrument, or working with computers? Whatever it is, you have to take the time and effort identify it, and use every opportunity to develop it to the fullest. This will not only help the world around you, but will serve to bring out your full potential in your career as well as give your life its true meaning and purpose.
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies Mrs. McGregor untied the sack and put her hand inside. When she felt the vegetables she became very very angry. She said that Mr. McGregor had “done it a purpose.” And Mr. McGregor was very angry too. One of the rotten marrows came flying through the kitchen window, and hit the youngest Flopsy Bunny.It was rather hurt.Then Benjamin and Flopsy thought that it was time to go home.So Mr. McGregor did not get his tobacco, and Mrs. McGregor did not get her rabbit skins.But next Christmas Thomasina Tittlemouse got a present of enough rabbit wool to make herself a cloak and a hood, and a handsome muff and a pair of warm mittens.
Develop your Talents by Uncle Roy God made all human beings unique, With a special set of abilities; But sometimes we do not know this, And go through life with less capacity. This can make us so much weaker In the things we do each day, Wasting so much of our lives As we fail to reach full capability. Those of us who realise this, Make a special effort to find ours, And so achieve much power To do things greater than others. So take the time and effort To find your own hidden talents, And work diligently to develop them And give your life true balance.
Realisation and development of our unique talents is the true purpose of our lives. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Crossword teens
Goo
dluck
!
From page 38 fingers—”one, two, three...”“Don’t you be silly - what do you mean, you silly old man?”“In the sack! one, two, three, four, five, six!” replied Mr. McGregor.(The youngest Flopsy Bunny got upon the windowsill.)Mrs. McGregor took hold of the sack and felt it. She said she could feel six, but they must be old rabbits, because they were so hard and all different shapes.“Not fit to eat - but the skins will do fine to line my old cloak.”“Line your old cloak?” shouted Mr. McGregor, “I shall sell them and buy myself baccy!”“Rabbit tobacco! I shall skin them and cut off their heads.”
PAGE 39
Crossword 1 name 2 praise 3 Jesus 4 enter 5 shouted 6 king
7 8 9 10 11 12
road Hosanna village colt spread tie
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies by Beatrix Potter It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is “soporific.” I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuces - but then I am not a rabbit. They certainly had a very soporific effect upon the Flopsy Bunnies! When Benjamin Bunny grew up, he married his Cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful. I do not remember the separate names of their children - they were generally called the “Flopsy Bunnies.” As there was not always quite enough to eat Benjamin used to borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother, Peter Rabbit, who kept a nursery garden. Sometimes Peter Rabbit had no cabbages to spare. When this happened, the Flopsy Bunnies went across the field to a rubbish heap, in t h e d i t c h o u t s i d e M r. McGregor’s garden. Mr. McGregor’s rubbish heap was a mixture. There were jam pots and paper bags, and mountains of chopped grass from the mowing machine (which always tasted oily), and some rotten vegetable marrows and an old boot or two. One day - oh joy! - there were a quantity of overgrown lettuces, which had “shot” into flower. The Flopsy Bunnies simply stuffed lettuces. By degrees, one after another, they were overcome with slumber, and lay down in the mown grass. Benjamin was not so much overcome as his children. Before going to sleep he was sufficiently wide awake to put a paper bag over his head to keep off the flies. The little Flopsy Bunnies slept delightfully in the warm sun. From the lawn beyond the garden came the distant
W FUN
IT
clacketty sound of the mowing machine. The blue bottles buzzed about the wall, and a little old mouse picked over the rubbish among the jam pots. (I can tell you her name, she was called Thomasina Tittlemouse, a woodmouse with a long tail.) She rustled across the paper bag, and awakened Benjamin Bunny. The mouse apologized profusely, and said that she knew Peter Rabbit. While she and Benjamin were talking, close under the wall, they heard a heavy tread above their heads - and suddenly Mr. McGregor emptied out a sackful of lawn mowings right upon the top of the sleeping Flopsy Bunnies! Benjamin shrank down under his paper bag. The mouse hid in a jam pot. The little rabbits smiled sweetly in their sleep under the shower of grass - they did not awake because the lettuces had been so soporific. They dreamt that their mother Flopsy was tucking them up in a hay bed. Mr. McGregor looked down after emptying his sack. He saw some funny little brown tips of ears sticking up through the lawn mowings. He stared at them for some time. Presently a fly settled on one of them and it moved. Mr. McGregor climbed down on to the rubbish heap: “One, two, three, four! five! six little rabbits!” said he as he dropped them into his sack. The Flopsy Bunnies dreamt that their mother was turning them over in bed. They stirred a little in their sleep, but still they did not wake up. Mr. McGregor tied up the sack and left it on the wall. He went to put away the mowing machine. While he was gone, Mrs. Flopsy Bunny (who had
ET O P H
remained at home) came across the field. She looked suspiciously at the sack and wondered where everybody was? Then the mouse came out of her jam pot, and Benjamin took the paper bag off his head, and they told the doleful tale.Benjamin and Flopsy were in despair, they could not undo the string. But Mrs. Tittlemouse was a resourceful person. She nibbled a hole in the bottom corner of the sack. The little rabbits were pulled out and pinched to wake them. Their parents stuffed the empty sack with three rotten vegetable marrows, an old blacking-brush and two decayed turnips. Then they all hid under a bush and watched for Mr. McGregor. Mr. McGregor came back and picked up the sack, and carried it off. He carried it hanging down, as if it were rather heavy. The Flopsy Bunnies followed at a safe distance. They watched him go into his house. And then they crept up to the window to listen. Mr. McGregor threw down the sack on the stone floor in a way that would have been extremely painful to the Flopsy Bunnies, if they had happened to have been inside it.They could hear him drag his chair on the flags, and chuckle: “One, two, three, four, five, six little rabbits!” said Mr. McGregor. “Eh? What’s that? What have they been spoiling now?” enquired Mrs. McGregor. “One, two, three, four, five, six little fat rabbits!” repeated Mr. McGregor, counting on his (Continue don page 39)
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
Sunday April 12, 2020
Junior page How to Make Peekaboo Here’s what you’ll need: Clothespin Eggs Glitter craft foam I got my glitter foam and clothespins at the dollar store. They don’t always have the glitter foam, so every time I see it, I snag a couple of packages. You can even get crafter’s tape at the dollar store. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I’ve definitely seen it on the shelves. Start by cutting out a small rectangle of glitter foam, about 1.53 wide by 23 tall, then trim around the corners to turn it into an oval egg shape. Cut a zig zag shape across the egg. I recommend drawing a line with a pencil on the back of the egg before you cut. You don’t have to, but it makes the zig zags look way better if you’ve planned them out a little bit. Pinch open the clothespin. While it’s open, add a small strip of crafter’s tape to 3/43 of the side, front edge of the top and bottom where the egg is going to go. Make sure the clothespin is open when you add the crafter’s tape so you don’t accidentally tape it shut. Lay the egg upside down on the table, making sure the top and bottom egg pieces are lined up and together. Carefully press the clothes pin onto the back of the foam egg so that the opening in the clothespin lines up with the opening in the cracked egg. Try to line it up so that the end of the clothespin where your chick is going to go is in the middle of the egg. Cut out a tiny chick shape from yellow paper or cardstock. Mine was about
1/23 wide by 3/43 Clothespin tall.Then use a black Small scrap of yellow paper or card stock gel pen and an orange Small scrap of craft foam or cardboard gel pen (or black and Crafter’s Tape orange markers) to Black and orange gel pens draw the eyes and Scissors to be playing with them. beak onto the little When you flip it over to paper chick shape. This next part is the front, you should be able completely optional, but I to see the top of the chick’s find it really helps to make head and the entire face when sure your clothespin opens the clothespin is open. If it’s and closes easily without not in the right position, just
shutting on top of the chick and bending it. If you attach the chick right onto the clothespin, I find that wooden clothespin pieces shift and often end up crushing the chick when it closes.So I recommend taking a tiny piece of craft foam (or cardboard, or anything else with a little bit of thickness to it) and using crafter’s tape to attach it to the back of the clothespin where the chick is going to go. Then add a little bit of crafter’s tape to the paper chick and attach it to the little foam spacer you just a t t a c h e d . I t ’s a s m a l l difference, but having the chick spaced out just a little bit so it’s not directly on the clothespin makes it really easy to open and close the clothespin when you’re done – especially if kids are going
peel off the chick and adjust it.These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!Then repeat in a bunch of different colours! These make me smile…These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!
PAGE 40
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally 1. Try Tea Tree Oil Historically, tea tree oil has been used to treat ailments ranging from acne to psoriasis. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the severity and symptoms of dandruff. 2. Use Coconut Oil Well-known for its multiple health benefits, coconut oil is often also used as a natural remedy for dandruff. Coconut oil may help improve skin hydration and prevent dryness, which can worsen dandruff. Other research has found that coconut oil could aid in the treatment of eczema, a skin condition that may contribute to dandruff. One study compared the effects of coconut oil and mineral oil on atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema characterized by itching and inflammation. Coconut oil and its compounds have also been shown to have antimicrobial properties in some test-tube studies, although the effects on the specific strain of fungus that causes dandruff have not yet been examined (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source). The potential antimicrobial properties of coconut oil may improve skin hydration and reduce symptoms of eczema and dandruff. 3. Apply Aloe Vera Aloe vera is a type of succulent that is frequently added to skin ointments, cosmetics and lotions. Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties. As a result, it may help reduce inflammation and decrease dandruff symptoms. 4. Minimize Stress Levels Stress is believed to impact many aspects of health and wellbeing. Stress can weaken the immune system and decrease the body’s ability to fight off infections that cause dandruff. Stress also often precedes episodes of seborrheic dermatitis, one of the most common causes of dandruff. 5. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Routine Apple cider vinegar has been associated with a variety of health benefits.Apple cider vinegar is also said to balance the pH of the skin to reduce the growth of fungus and thus fight dandruff. Apple cider vinegar is said to help remove dead skin cells and balance the pH of the scalp. Moreover, test-tube studies show that it may prevent the growth of certain types of fungus. 6. Try Aspirin Salicylic acid is one of the primary compounds found in aspirin that is responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties Aspirin contains salicylic acid, an ingredient found in many anti-dandruff shampoos. Salicylic acid has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-treat-
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 50
Country profile
H
eir to the ancient Khmer Empire, modern-day Cambodia is benefiting from two decades of relative stability, having endured civil war and the murderous rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Cambodia
o v e r s e a s investment to replace aid. Corruption is deeprooted and Cambodia is still one of the world’s poorest countries, with most of the workforce still employed in subsistence farming. LEADERS
Painful memories still endure of the radical communist Khmer Rouge’s time in power under the leadership of Pol Pot between 1975 and 1978, when two million people died in the regime’s brutal pursuit of a rural utopia.
T h e c o u n t r y ’s o n l y significant opposition party was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017. MEDIA Many Cambodian newspapers and private broadcasters depend on support from political parties. Prime Minister Hun Sen and his allies control several outlets.
Prime minister: Hun Sen
The economy is dominated by garmentmaking, but tourism is
expanding, and Cambodia hopes to tap into offshore oil and gas reserves and draw in
Sunday March 29, 2020
Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni King Sihamoni - a trained ballet dancer - was sworn in as monarch on 29 October 2004, after his father, the widely venerated and long-serving King Sihanouk, abdicated because of poor health. I m a g e copyrightGETTY IMAGES Cambodia’s kings once enjoyed a semi-divine status; today, the monarch’s role is mainly ceremonial.
Image copyrightAFP Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving prime ministers, has been in power in various coalitions since 1985. A former communist and - briefly - a member of the Khmer Rouge - he was last reappointed by parliament in September 2013 for a further five-year term, in the face of mass demonstrations and opposition allegations of fraud in the July elections. Since seizing power from his then co-prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, brother of the then king, Sihanouk, in 1997, critics believe Hun Sen has become increasingly authoritarian, using a mixture of electoral fraud, corruption and intimidation to maintain quasi-dictatorial rule.
Cambodians regard their ancient temples as a key part of their identity
A crackdown on independent media in 2018 means that Cambodians “only have access to news provided by major media groups directly linked to Hun Sen”, says media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Angkor Wat is one of the main temples in the ancient capital of Angkor
Sunday April 12, 2020
*Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? They taste funny. *I love how in horror movies the person will ask, “Is anyone there?” As if the killer would say “Oh yeah I’m in the kitchen. Want a sandwich?” *My aunt’s star sign was cancer, pretty ironic how she died. She was eaten by a giant crab. *“I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing... except when you’re at a funeral. *My doctor advised me to kill people. Not in such words of course, he just said that I must diminish the amount of stress in my life. *What’s the difference between Santa and a Jew? Santa comes down the chimney. *What’s Blonde and dead in a closet? The Hide and Seek Champion from 1995. *Tim bought 2 goldfish and named them 1 and 2. If 1 died, he’ll still have 2. *There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Even if it’s just not being a turkey. Will glass coffins be a success? Remains to be seen. *My grandma always said “Slow and steady wins the race.” She died in a fire. *If you run in front of a car you’ll get tired, but if you run behind the car you’ll get exhausted. *The kid drowned. All his mates showed up at his funeral with life jackets on. Because it’s what he would’ve wanted. *Just saw two zombies on a date... and they say romance is dead. *At my job, I have 500 people under me. I’m a security guard at a cemetery. *Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did. One liner tags: age, death, people, retirement, work *I tried water polo but my horse drowned. *Teacher: “Name a bird with wings but can’t fly.” Student: “A dead bird, sir.” *A guy with a stutter died in prison before he could finish his sentence •Christmas does come before Easter in one place—but where? The dictionary! •What’s the best way to make Easter easier? Put an “i” where the “t” is. •How does Easter end? With an “R”! •Where does Easter take place every year? Where eggs marks the spot! •How can you make Easter preparations go faster? Use the eggs-press lane! •What should you do to prepare for all the Easter treats? Eggs-ercise! •What kind of jewelry is the best Easter gift? A 14-carrot gold necklace. •What kind of bean can’t grow in a garden? A jelly bean. •What happens if you get married on Easter? You live hoppily ever after. •What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny. •What do you get when you pour hot water into a rabbit hole? Hot cross bunnies. •What did the Easter Bunny say to the carrot? Nice gnawing you. •What is Easter Bunny’s favorite kind of music? Hip-hop! •What do you get if you give an Easter Bunny a pair of socks? A sock hop! •How does an Easter Bunny keep his fur looking so good? Hare spray. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite restaurant? IHOP. •Why was the Easter Bunny so sad? He was having a bad hare day. •How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape? He eggsercises. •How does the Easter Bunny stay fit? Hare-obics. •How does the Easter Bunny travel? By hare-plane. •How do you write a letter to an Easter Bunny? Use haremail! •What do you call an Easter Bunny with a bad memory? A hare-brain! •What do you call an Easter Bunny who gets kicked out of school? Egg-spelled. •What the Easter Bunny’s favorite dance move? The bunny hop. •What kind of bunny can’t hop? A chocolate bunny. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite sport? Basket-ball. •What kind of rabbit tells jokes? A funny bunny. •Why couldn’t the Easter Bunny watch his favorite show? Because his TV was scrambled!
Kaieteur News
PAGE 41
Kaieteur News
Sunday March 29, 2020
Colour the picture
W FUN
IT
ET O P H
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
PAGE 49
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
TEEN TIME MAKE FULL USE OF YOUR TALENTS AND NATURAL ABILITIES We had mentioned the importance of using the special talents with which you were born to help you in your choice of career. It will also help to fulfil the true purpose of your life and give you a sense of achievement if you develop these to help others to do the same. There is a story in the Bible which they call the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, Jesus Christ told of a servant who was given a certain number of talents, which was the name of the money then used, to invest and get more money.
But the servant, too lazy to work and afraid that he might lose the talents, just put them in a place which was safe, but which also had no way of bringing any returns. The master, when he found out the truth, condemned this servant and gave him no further opportunity to work for anything. It will be wise for each of us to think about this and about the talents that we were given when we were born or have acquired since then. No matter how
uneducated or incapable we may seem to be, each of us has been granted some talent or talents as well as the opportunity to use them. If we do not put them to good use, we will lose them, just as we lose the use of our muscles through lack of exercise, or our brain from neglecting to do our mental work. But whenever we make full use of them they will get stronger and be of greater use as we go along. What are the talents with which you were born? It may be a skill, like art or
music, or it may be a quality, like courage or kindness. What are the talents you have acquired by learning and practising since birth playing a game, singing or using a musical instrument, or working with computers? Whatever it is, you have to take the time and effort identify it, and use every opportunity to develop it to the fullest. This will not only help the world around you, but will serve to bring out your full potential in your career as well as give your life its true meaning and purpose.
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies Mrs. McGregor untied the sack and put her hand inside. When she felt the vegetables she became very very angry. She said that Mr. McGregor had “done it a purpose.” And Mr. McGregor was very angry too. One of the rotten marrows came flying through the kitchen window, and hit the youngest Flopsy Bunny.It was rather hurt.Then Benjamin and Flopsy thought that it was time to go home.So Mr. McGregor did not get his tobacco, and Mrs. McGregor did not get her rabbit skins.But next Christmas Thomasina Tittlemouse got a present of enough rabbit wool to make herself a cloak and a hood, and a handsome muff and a pair of warm mittens.
Develop your Talents by Uncle Roy God made all human beings unique, With a special set of abilities; But sometimes we do not know this, And go through life with less capacity. This can make us so much weaker In the things we do each day, Wasting so much of our lives As we fail to reach full capability. Those of us who realise this, Make a special effort to find ours, And so achieve much power To do things greater than others. So take the time and effort To find your own hidden talents, And work diligently to develop them And give your life true balance.
Realisation and development of our unique talents is the true purpose of our lives. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Crossword teens
Goo
dluck
!
From page 38 fingers—”one, two, three...”“Don’t you be silly - what do you mean, you silly old man?”“In the sack! one, two, three, four, five, six!” replied Mr. McGregor.(The youngest Flopsy Bunny got upon the windowsill.)Mrs. McGregor took hold of the sack and felt it. She said she could feel six, but they must be old rabbits, because they were so hard and all different shapes.“Not fit to eat - but the skins will do fine to line my old cloak.”“Line your old cloak?” shouted Mr. McGregor, “I shall sell them and buy myself baccy!”“Rabbit tobacco! I shall skin them and cut off their heads.”
PAGE 39
Crossword 1 name 2 praise 3 Jesus 4 enter 5 shouted 6 king
7 8 9 10 11 12
road Hosanna village colt spread tie
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies by Beatrix Potter It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is “soporific.” I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuces - but then I am not a rabbit. They certainly had a very soporific effect upon the Flopsy Bunnies! When Benjamin Bunny grew up, he married his Cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful. I do not remember the separate names of their children - they were generally called the “Flopsy Bunnies.” As there was not always quite enough to eat Benjamin used to borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother, Peter Rabbit, who kept a nursery garden. Sometimes Peter Rabbit had no cabbages to spare. When this happened, the Flopsy Bunnies went across the field to a rubbish heap, in t h e d i t c h o u t s i d e M r. McGregor’s garden. Mr. McGregor’s rubbish heap was a mixture. There were jam pots and paper bags, and mountains of chopped grass from the mowing machine (which always tasted oily), and some rotten vegetable marrows and an old boot or two. One day - oh joy! - there were a quantity of overgrown lettuces, which had “shot” into flower. The Flopsy Bunnies simply stuffed lettuces. By degrees, one after another, they were overcome with slumber, and lay down in the mown grass. Benjamin was not so much overcome as his children. Before going to sleep he was sufficiently wide awake to put a paper bag over his head to keep off the flies. The little Flopsy Bunnies slept delightfully in the warm sun. From the lawn beyond the garden came the distant
W FUN
IT
clacketty sound of the mowing machine. The blue bottles buzzed about the wall, and a little old mouse picked over the rubbish among the jam pots. (I can tell you her name, she was called Thomasina Tittlemouse, a woodmouse with a long tail.) She rustled across the paper bag, and awakened Benjamin Bunny. The mouse apologized profusely, and said that she knew Peter Rabbit. While she and Benjamin were talking, close under the wall, they heard a heavy tread above their heads - and suddenly Mr. McGregor emptied out a sackful of lawn mowings right upon the top of the sleeping Flopsy Bunnies! Benjamin shrank down under his paper bag. The mouse hid in a jam pot. The little rabbits smiled sweetly in their sleep under the shower of grass - they did not awake because the lettuces had been so soporific. They dreamt that their mother Flopsy was tucking them up in a hay bed. Mr. McGregor looked down after emptying his sack. He saw some funny little brown tips of ears sticking up through the lawn mowings. He stared at them for some time. Presently a fly settled on one of them and it moved. Mr. McGregor climbed down on to the rubbish heap: “One, two, three, four! five! six little rabbits!” said he as he dropped them into his sack. The Flopsy Bunnies dreamt that their mother was turning them over in bed. They stirred a little in their sleep, but still they did not wake up. Mr. McGregor tied up the sack and left it on the wall. He went to put away the mowing machine. While he was gone, Mrs. Flopsy Bunny (who had
ET O P H
remained at home) came across the field. She looked suspiciously at the sack and wondered where everybody was? Then the mouse came out of her jam pot, and Benjamin took the paper bag off his head, and they told the doleful tale.Benjamin and Flopsy were in despair, they could not undo the string. But Mrs. Tittlemouse was a resourceful person. She nibbled a hole in the bottom corner of the sack. The little rabbits were pulled out and pinched to wake them. Their parents stuffed the empty sack with three rotten vegetable marrows, an old blacking-brush and two decayed turnips. Then they all hid under a bush and watched for Mr. McGregor. Mr. McGregor came back and picked up the sack, and carried it off. He carried it hanging down, as if it were rather heavy. The Flopsy Bunnies followed at a safe distance. They watched him go into his house. And then they crept up to the window to listen. Mr. McGregor threw down the sack on the stone floor in a way that would have been extremely painful to the Flopsy Bunnies, if they had happened to have been inside it.They could hear him drag his chair on the flags, and chuckle: “One, two, three, four, five, six little rabbits!” said Mr. McGregor. “Eh? What’s that? What have they been spoiling now?” enquired Mrs. McGregor. “One, two, three, four, five, six little fat rabbits!” repeated Mr. McGregor, counting on his (Continue don page 39)
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
Sunday April 12, 2020
Junior page How to Make Peekaboo Here’s what you’ll need: Clothespin Eggs Glitter craft foam I got my glitter foam and clothespins at the dollar store. They don’t always have the glitter foam, so every time I see it, I snag a couple of packages. You can even get crafter’s tape at the dollar store. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I’ve definitely seen it on the shelves. Start by cutting out a small rectangle of glitter foam, about 1.53 wide by 23 tall, then trim around the corners to turn it into an oval egg shape. Cut a zig zag shape across the egg. I recommend drawing a line with a pencil on the back of the egg before you cut. You don’t have to, but it makes the zig zags look way better if you’ve planned them out a little bit. Pinch open the clothespin. While it’s open, add a small strip of crafter’s tape to 3/43 of the side, front edge of the top and bottom where the egg is going to go. Make sure the clothespin is open when you add the crafter’s tape so you don’t accidentally tape it shut. Lay the egg upside down on the table, making sure the top and bottom egg pieces are lined up and together. Carefully press the clothes pin onto the back of the foam egg so that the opening in the clothespin lines up with the opening in the cracked egg. Try to line it up so that the end of the clothespin where your chick is going to go is in the middle of the egg. Cut out a tiny chick shape from yellow paper or cardstock. Mine was about
1/23 wide by 3/43 Clothespin tall.Then use a black Small scrap of yellow paper or card stock gel pen and an orange Small scrap of craft foam or cardboard gel pen (or black and Crafter’s Tape orange markers) to Black and orange gel pens draw the eyes and Scissors to be playing with them. beak onto the little When you flip it over to paper chick shape. This next part is the front, you should be able completely optional, but I to see the top of the chick’s find it really helps to make head and the entire face when sure your clothespin opens the clothespin is open. If it’s and closes easily without not in the right position, just
shutting on top of the chick and bending it. If you attach the chick right onto the clothespin, I find that wooden clothespin pieces shift and often end up crushing the chick when it closes.So I recommend taking a tiny piece of craft foam (or cardboard, or anything else with a little bit of thickness to it) and using crafter’s tape to attach it to the back of the clothespin where the chick is going to go. Then add a little bit of crafter’s tape to the paper chick and attach it to the little foam spacer you just a t t a c h e d . I t ’s a s m a l l difference, but having the chick spaced out just a little bit so it’s not directly on the clothespin makes it really easy to open and close the clothespin when you’re done – especially if kids are going
peel off the chick and adjust it.These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!Then repeat in a bunch of different colours! These make me smile…These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!
PAGE 40
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally 1. Try Tea Tree Oil Historically, tea tree oil has been used to treat ailments ranging from acne to psoriasis. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the severity and symptoms of dandruff. 2. Use Coconut Oil Well-known for its multiple health benefits, coconut oil is often also used as a natural remedy for dandruff. Coconut oil may help improve skin hydration and prevent dryness, which can worsen dandruff. Other research has found that coconut oil could aid in the treatment of eczema, a skin condition that may contribute to dandruff. One study compared the effects of coconut oil and mineral oil on atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema characterized by itching and inflammation. Coconut oil and its compounds have also been shown to have antimicrobial properties in some test-tube studies, although the effects on the specific strain of fungus that causes dandruff have not yet been examined (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source). The potential antimicrobial properties of coconut oil may improve skin hydration and reduce symptoms of eczema and dandruff. 3. Apply Aloe Vera Aloe vera is a type of succulent that is frequently added to skin ointments, cosmetics and lotions. Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties. As a result, it may help reduce inflammation and decrease dandruff symptoms. 4. Minimize Stress Levels Stress is believed to impact many aspects of health and wellbeing. Stress can weaken the immune system and decrease the body’s ability to fight off infections that cause dandruff. Stress also often precedes episodes of seborrheic dermatitis, one of the most common causes of dandruff. 5. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Routine Apple cider vinegar has been associated with a variety of health benefits.Apple cider vinegar is also said to balance the pH of the skin to reduce the growth of fungus and thus fight dandruff. Apple cider vinegar is said to help remove dead skin cells and balance the pH of the scalp. Moreover, test-tube studies show that it may prevent the growth of certain types of fungus. 6. Try Aspirin Salicylic acid is one of the primary compounds found in aspirin that is responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties Aspirin contains salicylic acid, an ingredient found in many anti-dandruff shampoos. Salicylic acid has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-treat-
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 50
Country profile
H
eir to the ancient Khmer Empire, modern-day Cambodia is benefiting from two decades of relative stability, having endured civil war and the murderous rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Cambodia
o v e r s e a s investment to replace aid. Corruption is deeprooted and Cambodia is still one of the world’s poorest countries, with most of the workforce still employed in subsistence farming. LEADERS
Painful memories still endure of the radical communist Khmer Rouge’s time in power under the leadership of Pol Pot between 1975 and 1978, when two million people died in the regime’s brutal pursuit of a rural utopia.
T h e c o u n t r y ’s o n l y significant opposition party was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017. MEDIA Many Cambodian newspapers and private broadcasters depend on support from political parties. Prime Minister Hun Sen and his allies control several outlets.
Prime minister: Hun Sen
The economy is dominated by garmentmaking, but tourism is
expanding, and Cambodia hopes to tap into offshore oil and gas reserves and draw in
Sunday March 29, 2020
Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni King Sihamoni - a trained ballet dancer - was sworn in as monarch on 29 October 2004, after his father, the widely venerated and long-serving King Sihanouk, abdicated because of poor health. I m a g e copyrightGETTY IMAGES Cambodia’s kings once enjoyed a semi-divine status; today, the monarch’s role is mainly ceremonial.
Image copyrightAFP Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving prime ministers, has been in power in various coalitions since 1985. A former communist and - briefly - a member of the Khmer Rouge - he was last reappointed by parliament in September 2013 for a further five-year term, in the face of mass demonstrations and opposition allegations of fraud in the July elections. Since seizing power from his then co-prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, brother of the then king, Sihanouk, in 1997, critics believe Hun Sen has become increasingly authoritarian, using a mixture of electoral fraud, corruption and intimidation to maintain quasi-dictatorial rule.
Cambodians regard their ancient temples as a key part of their identity
A crackdown on independent media in 2018 means that Cambodians “only have access to news provided by major media groups directly linked to Hun Sen”, says media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Angkor Wat is one of the main temples in the ancient capital of Angkor
Sunday April 12, 2020
*Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? They taste funny. *I love how in horror movies the person will ask, “Is anyone there?” As if the killer would say “Oh yeah I’m in the kitchen. Want a sandwich?” *My aunt’s star sign was cancer, pretty ironic how she died. She was eaten by a giant crab. *“I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing... except when you’re at a funeral. *My doctor advised me to kill people. Not in such words of course, he just said that I must diminish the amount of stress in my life. *What’s the difference between Santa and a Jew? Santa comes down the chimney. *What’s Blonde and dead in a closet? The Hide and Seek Champion from 1995. *Tim bought 2 goldfish and named them 1 and 2. If 1 died, he’ll still have 2. *There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Even if it’s just not being a turkey. Will glass coffins be a success? Remains to be seen. *My grandma always said “Slow and steady wins the race.” She died in a fire. *If you run in front of a car you’ll get tired, but if you run behind the car you’ll get exhausted. *The kid drowned. All his mates showed up at his funeral with life jackets on. Because it’s what he would’ve wanted. *Just saw two zombies on a date... and they say romance is dead. *At my job, I have 500 people under me. I’m a security guard at a cemetery. *Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did. One liner tags: age, death, people, retirement, work *I tried water polo but my horse drowned. *Teacher: “Name a bird with wings but can’t fly.” Student: “A dead bird, sir.” *A guy with a stutter died in prison before he could finish his sentence •Christmas does come before Easter in one place—but where? The dictionary! •What’s the best way to make Easter easier? Put an “i” where the “t” is. •How does Easter end? With an “R”! •Where does Easter take place every year? Where eggs marks the spot! •How can you make Easter preparations go faster? Use the eggs-press lane! •What should you do to prepare for all the Easter treats? Eggs-ercise! •What kind of jewelry is the best Easter gift? A 14-carrot gold necklace. •What kind of bean can’t grow in a garden? A jelly bean. •What happens if you get married on Easter? You live hoppily ever after. •What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny. •What do you get when you pour hot water into a rabbit hole? Hot cross bunnies. •What did the Easter Bunny say to the carrot? Nice gnawing you. •What is Easter Bunny’s favorite kind of music? Hip-hop! •What do you get if you give an Easter Bunny a pair of socks? A sock hop! •How does an Easter Bunny keep his fur looking so good? Hare spray. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite restaurant? IHOP. •Why was the Easter Bunny so sad? He was having a bad hare day. •How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape? He eggsercises. •How does the Easter Bunny stay fit? Hare-obics. •How does the Easter Bunny travel? By hare-plane. •How do you write a letter to an Easter Bunny? Use haremail! •What do you call an Easter Bunny with a bad memory? A hare-brain! •What do you call an Easter Bunny who gets kicked out of school? Egg-spelled. •What the Easter Bunny’s favorite dance move? The bunny hop. •What kind of bunny can’t hop? A chocolate bunny. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite sport? Basket-ball. •What kind of rabbit tells jokes? A funny bunny. •Why couldn’t the Easter Bunny watch his favorite show? Because his TV was scrambled!
Kaieteur News
PAGE 41
Kaieteur News
Sunday March 29, 2020
Colour the picture
W FUN
IT
ET O P H
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
PAGE 49
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
TEEN TIME MAKE FULL USE OF YOUR TALENTS AND NATURAL ABILITIES We had mentioned the importance of using the special talents with which you were born to help you in your choice of career. It will also help to fulfil the true purpose of your life and give you a sense of achievement if you develop these to help others to do the same. There is a story in the Bible which they call the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, Jesus Christ told of a servant who was given a certain number of talents, which was the name of the money then used, to invest and get more money.
But the servant, too lazy to work and afraid that he might lose the talents, just put them in a place which was safe, but which also had no way of bringing any returns. The master, when he found out the truth, condemned this servant and gave him no further opportunity to work for anything. It will be wise for each of us to think about this and about the talents that we were given when we were born or have acquired since then. No matter how
uneducated or incapable we may seem to be, each of us has been granted some talent or talents as well as the opportunity to use them. If we do not put them to good use, we will lose them, just as we lose the use of our muscles through lack of exercise, or our brain from neglecting to do our mental work. But whenever we make full use of them they will get stronger and be of greater use as we go along. What are the talents with which you were born? It may be a skill, like art or
music, or it may be a quality, like courage or kindness. What are the talents you have acquired by learning and practising since birth playing a game, singing or using a musical instrument, or working with computers? Whatever it is, you have to take the time and effort identify it, and use every opportunity to develop it to the fullest. This will not only help the world around you, but will serve to bring out your full potential in your career as well as give your life its true meaning and purpose.
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies Mrs. McGregor untied the sack and put her hand inside. When she felt the vegetables she became very very angry. She said that Mr. McGregor had “done it a purpose.” And Mr. McGregor was very angry too. One of the rotten marrows came flying through the kitchen window, and hit the youngest Flopsy Bunny.It was rather hurt.Then Benjamin and Flopsy thought that it was time to go home.So Mr. McGregor did not get his tobacco, and Mrs. McGregor did not get her rabbit skins.But next Christmas Thomasina Tittlemouse got a present of enough rabbit wool to make herself a cloak and a hood, and a handsome muff and a pair of warm mittens.
Develop your Talents by Uncle Roy God made all human beings unique, With a special set of abilities; But sometimes we do not know this, And go through life with less capacity. This can make us so much weaker In the things we do each day, Wasting so much of our lives As we fail to reach full capability. Those of us who realise this, Make a special effort to find ours, And so achieve much power To do things greater than others. So take the time and effort To find your own hidden talents, And work diligently to develop them And give your life true balance.
Realisation and development of our unique talents is the true purpose of our lives. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Crossword teens
Goo
dluck
!
From page 38 fingers—”one, two, three...”“Don’t you be silly - what do you mean, you silly old man?”“In the sack! one, two, three, four, five, six!” replied Mr. McGregor.(The youngest Flopsy Bunny got upon the windowsill.)Mrs. McGregor took hold of the sack and felt it. She said she could feel six, but they must be old rabbits, because they were so hard and all different shapes.“Not fit to eat - but the skins will do fine to line my old cloak.”“Line your old cloak?” shouted Mr. McGregor, “I shall sell them and buy myself baccy!”“Rabbit tobacco! I shall skin them and cut off their heads.”
PAGE 39
Crossword 1 name 2 praise 3 Jesus 4 enter 5 shouted 6 king
7 8 9 10 11 12
road Hosanna village colt spread tie
Kaieteur News
PAGE 38
The Tale of the Flopsie Bunnies by Beatrix Potter It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is “soporific.” I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuces - but then I am not a rabbit. They certainly had a very soporific effect upon the Flopsy Bunnies! When Benjamin Bunny grew up, he married his Cousin Flopsy. They had a large family, and they were very improvident and cheerful. I do not remember the separate names of their children - they were generally called the “Flopsy Bunnies.” As there was not always quite enough to eat Benjamin used to borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother, Peter Rabbit, who kept a nursery garden. Sometimes Peter Rabbit had no cabbages to spare. When this happened, the Flopsy Bunnies went across the field to a rubbish heap, in t h e d i t c h o u t s i d e M r. McGregor’s garden. Mr. McGregor’s rubbish heap was a mixture. There were jam pots and paper bags, and mountains of chopped grass from the mowing machine (which always tasted oily), and some rotten vegetable marrows and an old boot or two. One day - oh joy! - there were a quantity of overgrown lettuces, which had “shot” into flower. The Flopsy Bunnies simply stuffed lettuces. By degrees, one after another, they were overcome with slumber, and lay down in the mown grass. Benjamin was not so much overcome as his children. Before going to sleep he was sufficiently wide awake to put a paper bag over his head to keep off the flies. The little Flopsy Bunnies slept delightfully in the warm sun. From the lawn beyond the garden came the distant
W FUN
IT
clacketty sound of the mowing machine. The blue bottles buzzed about the wall, and a little old mouse picked over the rubbish among the jam pots. (I can tell you her name, she was called Thomasina Tittlemouse, a woodmouse with a long tail.) She rustled across the paper bag, and awakened Benjamin Bunny. The mouse apologized profusely, and said that she knew Peter Rabbit. While she and Benjamin were talking, close under the wall, they heard a heavy tread above their heads - and suddenly Mr. McGregor emptied out a sackful of lawn mowings right upon the top of the sleeping Flopsy Bunnies! Benjamin shrank down under his paper bag. The mouse hid in a jam pot. The little rabbits smiled sweetly in their sleep under the shower of grass - they did not awake because the lettuces had been so soporific. They dreamt that their mother Flopsy was tucking them up in a hay bed. Mr. McGregor looked down after emptying his sack. He saw some funny little brown tips of ears sticking up through the lawn mowings. He stared at them for some time. Presently a fly settled on one of them and it moved. Mr. McGregor climbed down on to the rubbish heap: “One, two, three, four! five! six little rabbits!” said he as he dropped them into his sack. The Flopsy Bunnies dreamt that their mother was turning them over in bed. They stirred a little in their sleep, but still they did not wake up. Mr. McGregor tied up the sack and left it on the wall. He went to put away the mowing machine. While he was gone, Mrs. Flopsy Bunny (who had
ET O P H
remained at home) came across the field. She looked suspiciously at the sack and wondered where everybody was? Then the mouse came out of her jam pot, and Benjamin took the paper bag off his head, and they told the doleful tale.Benjamin and Flopsy were in despair, they could not undo the string. But Mrs. Tittlemouse was a resourceful person. She nibbled a hole in the bottom corner of the sack. The little rabbits were pulled out and pinched to wake them. Their parents stuffed the empty sack with three rotten vegetable marrows, an old blacking-brush and two decayed turnips. Then they all hid under a bush and watched for Mr. McGregor. Mr. McGregor came back and picked up the sack, and carried it off. He carried it hanging down, as if it were rather heavy. The Flopsy Bunnies followed at a safe distance. They watched him go into his house. And then they crept up to the window to listen. Mr. McGregor threw down the sack on the stone floor in a way that would have been extremely painful to the Flopsy Bunnies, if they had happened to have been inside it.They could hear him drag his chair on the flags, and chuckle: “One, two, three, four, five, six little rabbits!” said Mr. McGregor. “Eh? What’s that? What have they been spoiling now?” enquired Mrs. McGregor. “One, two, three, four, five, six little fat rabbits!” repeated Mr. McGregor, counting on his (Continue don page 39)
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
Sunday April 12, 2020
Junior page How to Make Peekaboo Here’s what you’ll need: Clothespin Eggs Glitter craft foam I got my glitter foam and clothespins at the dollar store. They don’t always have the glitter foam, so every time I see it, I snag a couple of packages. You can even get crafter’s tape at the dollar store. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I’ve definitely seen it on the shelves. Start by cutting out a small rectangle of glitter foam, about 1.53 wide by 23 tall, then trim around the corners to turn it into an oval egg shape. Cut a zig zag shape across the egg. I recommend drawing a line with a pencil on the back of the egg before you cut. You don’t have to, but it makes the zig zags look way better if you’ve planned them out a little bit. Pinch open the clothespin. While it’s open, add a small strip of crafter’s tape to 3/43 of the side, front edge of the top and bottom where the egg is going to go. Make sure the clothespin is open when you add the crafter’s tape so you don’t accidentally tape it shut. Lay the egg upside down on the table, making sure the top and bottom egg pieces are lined up and together. Carefully press the clothes pin onto the back of the foam egg so that the opening in the clothespin lines up with the opening in the cracked egg. Try to line it up so that the end of the clothespin where your chick is going to go is in the middle of the egg. Cut out a tiny chick shape from yellow paper or cardstock. Mine was about
1/23 wide by 3/43 Clothespin tall.Then use a black Small scrap of yellow paper or card stock gel pen and an orange Small scrap of craft foam or cardboard gel pen (or black and Crafter’s Tape orange markers) to Black and orange gel pens draw the eyes and Scissors to be playing with them. beak onto the little When you flip it over to paper chick shape. This next part is the front, you should be able completely optional, but I to see the top of the chick’s find it really helps to make head and the entire face when sure your clothespin opens the clothespin is open. If it’s and closes easily without not in the right position, just
shutting on top of the chick and bending it. If you attach the chick right onto the clothespin, I find that wooden clothespin pieces shift and often end up crushing the chick when it closes.So I recommend taking a tiny piece of craft foam (or cardboard, or anything else with a little bit of thickness to it) and using crafter’s tape to attach it to the back of the clothespin where the chick is going to go. Then add a little bit of crafter’s tape to the paper chick and attach it to the little foam spacer you just a t t a c h e d . I t ’s a s m a l l difference, but having the chick spaced out just a little bit so it’s not directly on the clothespin makes it really easy to open and close the clothespin when you’re done – especially if kids are going
peel off the chick and adjust it.These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!Then repeat in a bunch of different colours! These make me smile…These peekaboo clothespin eggs are so easy to make and they look SO CUTE! Each one takes less than 5 minutes to make and they look adorable! They’re an awesome low mess craft idea and are such an adorable Easter craft idea!! My kids loved seeing the surprise chick inside the egg!
PAGE 40
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally 1. Try Tea Tree Oil Historically, tea tree oil has been used to treat ailments ranging from acne to psoriasis. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the severity and symptoms of dandruff. 2. Use Coconut Oil Well-known for its multiple health benefits, coconut oil is often also used as a natural remedy for dandruff. Coconut oil may help improve skin hydration and prevent dryness, which can worsen dandruff. Other research has found that coconut oil could aid in the treatment of eczema, a skin condition that may contribute to dandruff. One study compared the effects of coconut oil and mineral oil on atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema characterized by itching and inflammation. Coconut oil and its compounds have also been shown to have antimicrobial properties in some test-tube studies, although the effects on the specific strain of fungus that causes dandruff have not yet been examined (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source). The potential antimicrobial properties of coconut oil may improve skin hydration and reduce symptoms of eczema and dandruff. 3. Apply Aloe Vera Aloe vera is a type of succulent that is frequently added to skin ointments, cosmetics and lotions. Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties. As a result, it may help reduce inflammation and decrease dandruff symptoms. 4. Minimize Stress Levels Stress is believed to impact many aspects of health and wellbeing. Stress can weaken the immune system and decrease the body’s ability to fight off infections that cause dandruff. Stress also often precedes episodes of seborrheic dermatitis, one of the most common causes of dandruff. 5. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Routine Apple cider vinegar has been associated with a variety of health benefits.Apple cider vinegar is also said to balance the pH of the skin to reduce the growth of fungus and thus fight dandruff. Apple cider vinegar is said to help remove dead skin cells and balance the pH of the scalp. Moreover, test-tube studies show that it may prevent the growth of certain types of fungus. 6. Try Aspirin Salicylic acid is one of the primary compounds found in aspirin that is responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties Aspirin contains salicylic acid, an ingredient found in many anti-dandruff shampoos. Salicylic acid has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-treat-
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 50
Country profile
H
eir to the ancient Khmer Empire, modern-day Cambodia is benefiting from two decades of relative stability, having endured civil war and the murderous rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Cambodia
o v e r s e a s investment to replace aid. Corruption is deeprooted and Cambodia is still one of the world’s poorest countries, with most of the workforce still employed in subsistence farming. LEADERS
Painful memories still endure of the radical communist Khmer Rouge’s time in power under the leadership of Pol Pot between 1975 and 1978, when two million people died in the regime’s brutal pursuit of a rural utopia.
T h e c o u n t r y ’s o n l y significant opposition party was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017. MEDIA Many Cambodian newspapers and private broadcasters depend on support from political parties. Prime Minister Hun Sen and his allies control several outlets.
Prime minister: Hun Sen
The economy is dominated by garmentmaking, but tourism is
expanding, and Cambodia hopes to tap into offshore oil and gas reserves and draw in
Sunday March 29, 2020
Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni King Sihamoni - a trained ballet dancer - was sworn in as monarch on 29 October 2004, after his father, the widely venerated and long-serving King Sihanouk, abdicated because of poor health. I m a g e copyrightGETTY IMAGES Cambodia’s kings once enjoyed a semi-divine status; today, the monarch’s role is mainly ceremonial.
Image copyrightAFP Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving prime ministers, has been in power in various coalitions since 1985. A former communist and - briefly - a member of the Khmer Rouge - he was last reappointed by parliament in September 2013 for a further five-year term, in the face of mass demonstrations and opposition allegations of fraud in the July elections. Since seizing power from his then co-prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, brother of the then king, Sihanouk, in 1997, critics believe Hun Sen has become increasingly authoritarian, using a mixture of electoral fraud, corruption and intimidation to maintain quasi-dictatorial rule.
Cambodians regard their ancient temples as a key part of their identity
A crackdown on independent media in 2018 means that Cambodians “only have access to news provided by major media groups directly linked to Hun Sen”, says media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Angkor Wat is one of the main temples in the ancient capital of Angkor
Sunday April 12, 2020
*Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? They taste funny. *I love how in horror movies the person will ask, “Is anyone there?” As if the killer would say “Oh yeah I’m in the kitchen. Want a sandwich?” *My aunt’s star sign was cancer, pretty ironic how she died. She was eaten by a giant crab. *“I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing... except when you’re at a funeral. *My doctor advised me to kill people. Not in such words of course, he just said that I must diminish the amount of stress in my life. *What’s the difference between Santa and a Jew? Santa comes down the chimney. *What’s Blonde and dead in a closet? The Hide and Seek Champion from 1995. *Tim bought 2 goldfish and named them 1 and 2. If 1 died, he’ll still have 2. *There’s always something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Even if it’s just not being a turkey. Will glass coffins be a success? Remains to be seen. *My grandma always said “Slow and steady wins the race.” She died in a fire. *If you run in front of a car you’ll get tired, but if you run behind the car you’ll get exhausted. *The kid drowned. All his mates showed up at his funeral with life jackets on. Because it’s what he would’ve wanted. *Just saw two zombies on a date... and they say romance is dead. *At my job, I have 500 people under me. I’m a security guard at a cemetery. *Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did. One liner tags: age, death, people, retirement, work *I tried water polo but my horse drowned. *Teacher: “Name a bird with wings but can’t fly.” Student: “A dead bird, sir.” *A guy with a stutter died in prison before he could finish his sentence •Christmas does come before Easter in one place—but where? The dictionary! •What’s the best way to make Easter easier? Put an “i” where the “t” is. •How does Easter end? With an “R”! •Where does Easter take place every year? Where eggs marks the spot! •How can you make Easter preparations go faster? Use the eggs-press lane! •What should you do to prepare for all the Easter treats? Eggs-ercise! •What kind of jewelry is the best Easter gift? A 14-carrot gold necklace. •What kind of bean can’t grow in a garden? A jelly bean. •What happens if you get married on Easter? You live hoppily ever after. •What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny. •What do you get when you pour hot water into a rabbit hole? Hot cross bunnies. •What did the Easter Bunny say to the carrot? Nice gnawing you. •What is Easter Bunny’s favorite kind of music? Hip-hop! •What do you get if you give an Easter Bunny a pair of socks? A sock hop! •How does an Easter Bunny keep his fur looking so good? Hare spray. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite restaurant? IHOP. •Why was the Easter Bunny so sad? He was having a bad hare day. •How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape? He eggsercises. •How does the Easter Bunny stay fit? Hare-obics. •How does the Easter Bunny travel? By hare-plane. •How do you write a letter to an Easter Bunny? Use haremail! •What do you call an Easter Bunny with a bad memory? A hare-brain! •What do you call an Easter Bunny who gets kicked out of school? Egg-spelled. •What the Easter Bunny’s favorite dance move? The bunny hop. •What kind of bunny can’t hop? A chocolate bunny. •What’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite sport? Basket-ball. •What kind of rabbit tells jokes? A funny bunny. •Why couldn’t the Easter Bunny watch his favorite show? Because his TV was scrambled!
Kaieteur News
PAGE 41
Kaieteur News
Sunday March 29, 2020
Colour the picture
W FUN
IT
ET O P H
RY
You are special Of all the people in the world, You are someone special, With a set of gifts from God, That makes you different from all. This means you have to search For these special gifts, Which will make your life better, And get your spirit to lift. When you have done so, And found who you really are, You will need to use these talents To give your life more power.
by Uncle Roy
PAGE 49
PAGE 42
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
New UN report says coronavirus-driven debt crisis…
Threatens Caribbean countries already at risk UNITED NATIONS CMC – A new United Nations report says the coronavirus (COVID-19)-driven debt crisis is further threatening Caribbean and other poor countries that are already at risk. The report states that as governments struggle to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of people living in countries teetering on the brink of economic collapse are being threatened further by a looming debt crisis. In its report, the UN-led Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development explores the steps that governments must take to avert debt overload and address the economic and financial havoc wrought by the pandemic. “The global community was already falling behind in efforts to end poverty, take climate action and reduce
inequalities”, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. “We have one chance to build back better together for people and for the planet”. With recommendations based on joint research and analysis from more than 60
UN agencies and international institutions, the “2020 Financing for Sustainable Development Report” outlines measures to address the impact of the unfolding global recession and financial turmoil – particularly in the world’s
EU applauds TT’s covid19 measures NEWSDAY - The European Union donated eight million euros to assist the Caribbean in its fight against the covid19 global pandemic as it thanked TT for its handling of the crisis. In a media release on Friday, the delegation said the proactive and measured steps the country took in dealing with the challenges arising out of the pandemic and the Ministry of Health’s preparedness to tackle the virus must be applauded. The delegation added that they stand in solidarity with TT as
this country continues to play its part in limiting the spread of the virus and thanked TT for assisting in getting Europeans out of the country even after the borders were closed. TT was especially thanked for opening its borders on April 8 to allow repatriation flights by Condor to collect Europeans and permanent residents who wished to return home. TT closed its borders to both nationals and non-nationals on March 23. “Practically all remaining
Book Review… Rising from... From page 30 victims of racism. No doubt, there is an inexorable resilience shown by these former slaves-turned millionaires; an immeasurable tenacity that leaves little to the imagination. Moreover, they used their wealth to advance the well-being of their people. The author’s message couldn’t be clearer: A people denied access to goods and services, a people hamstrung by antipathetic sociopolitical currents is a people destined to decay. The road to prosperity for African Americans has been torturous. But they have
withstood many failures and disappointments, only to persevere. Theirs is an exceptionalism that can hardly be denied. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby Black Fortunes by Publisher: Amistad - An Imprint of Harper Collin Publishers ISBN: 978-0-06-243760-0 Available at Amazon Ratings: Essential
EU, Norwegian, Swiss and British nationals who had expressed the wish and had the ability to be repatriated have travelled home. Special thanks are extended to the resident and non-resident embassies and honorary consuls of the EU member states as well as Norway, Switzerland and Great Britain in assisting their nationals in the repatriation process.” The delegation said they are ready and willing to support TT and the wider Caribbean region in the covid19 battle and made the donation to the regional Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to cover urgent needs, including protection material, test reagents, and lab material. To date CARPHA is the only recognised body that tests for covid19. The Health Ministry plans to expand testing through private labs and designated health centres with CARPHA accreditation. “This support complements the EU contributions to global health initiatives that include the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), the Global Fund to Fight Aids, tuberculosis, malaria, the Global Financing Facility, and the World Health Organization that will also be directed toward the fight against covid19. The European Commission will also support research on diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of covid19.”
poorest countries. The UN said the COVID19 pandemic has shaken global financial markets with heavy losses and intense volatility that have prompted investors to move around US$90 billion out of emerging markets – the largest outflow ever recorded. Particularly alarming for many Least Developed Countries (LDCs), including those in the Caribbean, is the prospect of a new debt crisis, the UN said. To mitigate this, “2020 Financing for Sustainable Development” calls, among other things, suspending debt payments from LDCs and other low-income countries; strengthening the global financial safety net; and reversing the decline in official development assistance. “We are far from having a global package to help the developing world to create the conditions both to suppress the disease and to address the dramatic consequences in their populations”, said UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, during the recent launch of his “Report on the
Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19.” “What is needed is a large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive multilateral response amounting to at least 10 per cent of global GDP”, he said. Beyond the immediate crisis response, the UN said the coronavirus pandemic should prompt the implementation of longoverdue measures to reset the world on a sustainable development path and make the global economy more resilient to future shocks. To do this, the report recommends accelerating investment in resilient infrastructure; strengthening social protections; enhancing regulatory frameworks; and strengthen the international financial safety net and framework for debt sustainability. While highlighting gaps, new challenges and risks, the current crisis also provides a timely example of the potential of digital technologies, the UN said. As lockdowns and physical distancing have become the norm, it said digital communication tools
have helped keep people connected and provided online platforms for children to continue their education. But the UN said many workers in the so-called “gig economy”, dominated by service sector start-ups, are poorly protected against income losses in a recession. “2020 Financing for Sustainable Development’ addresses these gaps and other opportunities and challenges of digital finance,” the UN said. “Only a collective response, inspired by shared responsibility and solidarity, will suffice to address the unprecedented challenges of the COVID19 pandemic”, said Liu Zhenmin, UN UnderSecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Chair of the Task Force that issued the report. “Governments, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders must work together to combat COVID19 and support every effort to address its social and economic impacts,” he underscored.
Jamaica not using anti material drug to fight COVID-19 KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jacqueline Bisasor McKenzie, says the country will not be using the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, to treat persons who have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking during a recent virtual press conference, the CMO said the decision was made by the Ministry, following a recommendation from a committee of experts from across the island who are responsible for reviewing the technical material that is available on various treatments that are being tried internationally. “We also utilise the guidance documents that are provided by the WHO (World Health Organization) who themselves have established expert panels to review the material that is available. As a result of our review, we have made a decision and this is a decision that is supported by the WHO that we will not include hydroxychloroquine in our treatment protocols.” She was responding to a question as to Jamaica’s position on the use of the
Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jacqueline Bisasor McKenzie drug. In recent weeks, there have been raging debates globally about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating patients with COVID19, after it was touted as a weapon in the fight against the pandemic. Bisasor McKenzie said that Jamaica is aware that ongoing studies are being done to look at the use of the drug in treating a certain set
of patients. The CMO said “Jamaica has applied to be a part of the solidarity study, which is being coordinated from the WHO, and in that study, we may have persons who fit definite criteria, who would be recruited to have that treatment”. She noted that there are specific treatment and monitoring guidelines that would have to be strictly observed in using the drug.
PAGE 48
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Wife sees live video of home invasion in progress - escaping gunmen run into cousin who turns up to investigate, rob him too
The businessman and a woman being led upstairs by one of the bandits. The members of a Republic Gardens family are counting their lucky stars after a harrowing home invasion Thursday morning. The incident was caught on a hidden camera in the home. A resident, who was frantically calling her husband during the 40minute ordeal, became aware of the invasion when she decided to check her security camera which is hooked up remotely to her mobile phone. She saw strange persons in her home. She was the one who called police and a cousin to investigate. According to Ryan Rajmangal, 40, he was at home with four of his children, ages five to 11 years old. “It was about 07:58am,
and I was coming out. The front door was open. They jumped over the fence,” he said. According to Rajmangal, whose family owns the popular Peter and Ruth Restaurant in Flamboyant Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, the four men were dressed in construction clothing, complete with the reflector vests and even masks to protect them from the Coronavirus. Two of them had handguns. The men held Rajmangal at gunpoint and entered the home where they quickly rounded up the other occupants…there were four c h i l d r e n . The men apparently had no clue that a hidden security camera was capturing their
The bandits during the home invasion Thursday morning.
actions. They were careful to keep the masks on and were seen on occasions stuffing items into a bag. One of the men was seen leading three children from a table to the living area where they were placed on a chair. On the ground, the gunmen tied up Rajmangal and a woman who was in the kitchen. Both were bound and appeared to be gagged. According to the businessman, who also is said to be a pastor and operator of a gas station at ‘58 Miles’, Mabura, Region 10, he was “cuffed” a few times. He said he decided to comply with a request for jewelry and cash.
Rajmangal estimates that the bandits took away about $1.5 to $2M in jewelry and a few hundred of thousands of dollars. They also left with bags of items they gathered up including cell phones and Ipads. After securing the children and Rajmangal downstairs, the gunmen took them to the upper flat where they searched the rooms. The businessman explained that while the robbery was going on, his wife was calling him repeatedly. The woman was already at work at the family-owned restaurant. Concerned, she decided to check her cellphone which had the app to the hidden
Businessman, Ryan Rajmangal camera. On seeing the strange men in her home, she became frantic and contacted the police and a relative. The relative rushed over to the Republic Gardens home. According to Rajmangal, the relative quickly arrived and repeatedly press the buzzer to the home. It forced the men to abandon their stay and on rushing out with their loot, they ran straight into the relative. He was held up and his cell phone and jewelry taken away. Outside, a white Toyota car was waiting. The driver, Rajmangal explained, on seeing the relative arrive, panicked and drove away leaving the men behind.
The gunmen were forced to stop another car and escape.The businessman said that while there are no arrests, the police have taken fingerprints and video evidence. He was thankful that the incident was not have a worse ending and said from all indications the bandits were clearly after money. The businessman said he will seek counseling for his traumatized family. Republic Gardens is one of a few gated communities on the East Bank of Demerara. Residents in the community are calling for increased police patrols. See video link — https:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / GuyaneseCritic/videos/ 867433997077117/
US allowing use of blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat critical patients By Mike Hixenbaugh [NBC] – The Food and Drug Administration is now allowing doctors across the US to begin using plasma donated by coronavirus survivors to treat patients who are critically ill with the virus under new emergency protocols approved Tuesday [late March]. The FDA’s decision comes a day after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state’s health department planned to begin treating the sickest coronavirus patients with antibody-rich plasma extracted from the blood of those who’ve recovered. The treatment, known as convalescent plasma, dates back centuries and was used during the flu pandemic of 1918, in an era before modern vaccines and antiviral drugs. Some experts have argued that it might be the best hope for combating the coronavirus until more sophisticated therapies can be developed, which could take several months. “The approach definitely has merit, and what’s remarkable about it is it’s not a new
idea; it’s been with us for a good hundred years or longer,” said Dr. Jeffrey Henderson, an associate professor of medicine and molecular microbiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “I think we don’t know until we have experience and case reports with this particular disease whether it will be effective, but just based on its track record with a number of other viruses, I think it has a very good chance of working. ”Henderson is part of a nationwide network of doctors and researchers, led by a team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who have been working to establish protocols for use of plasma to treat those suffering from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The method — essentially harvesting virus-fighting antibodies from the blood of previously infected patients — was associated with milder symptoms and shorter hospital stays for some patients during the 2002 SARS outbreak. And initial reports from China suggest convalescent
plasma might also be effective in dulling the effects of COVID-19. Under the emergency protocols approved by the FDA, doctors can request permission to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients on a caseby-case basis. For now, the experimental treatment will be reserved for patients who are in dire condition and at risk of death. The FDA will respond to most requests within four to eight hours, the agency said. For patients who require treatment faster, doctors can call the FDA’s Office of Emergency Operations to get approval over the phone.If the treatment is proven safe and effective, experts said it would likely work best if given to patients before symptoms become too severe. And past studies indicate that proactive infusions of convalescent plasma might also be effective in protecting front line health care workers from becoming seriously ill. The FDA cautioned that plasma has not been proven effective for COVID-19 and that researchers wishing to
test it more broadly should apply for permission to begin a trial. “Although promising, convalescent plasma has not been shown to be effective in every disease studied,” the FDA announcement said. “It is therefore important to determine through clinical trials, before routinely administering convalescent plasma to patients with COVID-19, that it is safe and effective to do so.”Experts said widespread
use of convalescent plasma, if approved in the coming weeks, would require significant coordination between hospitals and the nation’s blood banks. In New York, health officials said they plan to begin recruiting patients this week who have fully recovered from COVID-19. That effort, officials said, would likely start in New Rochelle, the New York City suburb that was the center of the state’s
initial outbreak a few weeks ago, because of the concentration of people there who have already recovered. “It’s only a trial,” Cuomo said Monday. “It’s a trial for people who are in serious condition, but the New York state Department of Health has been working on this with some of New York’s best health care agencies, and we think it shows promise, and we’re going to be starting that this week.”
CDC calls for unified relief effort for... From page 12 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours. The CDC has donated masks to frontline agencies like the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Immigration Department and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). It has also donated masks to the media corps. Lieutenant Colonel Craig sought to address criticisms that the Commission’s relief efforts have been slothful, saying that persons must be cognizant of the fact that, while the Commission had the foresight to procure supplies
beforehand, the situation has drastically changed from them to now. He said that the problem is a global one, and so it poses a challenge to accumulate resources that the whole world is competing for. “This is not to say that we are not trying our best. We have challenges and despite those challenges, we are still working to ensure that the citizens are taken care of during this time. We have tried, as far as practicable, to touch those communities which are most vulnerable and who would be most impacted during these measures. However, our intention
has always been to ensure that every vulnerable citizen benefit so we are trying to work out those challenges,” he said. The Director General added that the Commission is collaborating with key stakeholders to conduct reconnaissance, assessments and analysis and the neediest and vulnerable communities were the recipients of the first batch of supplies. “Further, distribution and procurement plans have already been developed to direct the process on the availability of the required resources,” a CDC release stated.
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 49
Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
A BLESSED AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL PAT DIAL
SERVICES Visa Forms Preparer. Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 We repair Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washer, Dryer-Call#231-0655/ 683-8734 Omar. REPAIRS AT LOW COST: F R I D G E S , A I R CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINE, FREEZER, SALE OF AC’S. TEL#629-4946,225-4822 We provide (armed and unarmed) services with arm response $455 and $655 respectfully. Call#671-4525. VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956.
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One Business place at D’Urban Street Wortmanville. Tel 616-2445. One Apartment for rent at Mon Repos ECD, Market Street. Tel# 220-7330/614-0005
WANTED Draughtsman with layout skills for offices etc. Carpenter/Electrician .Tel#227-1830 Ta i l o r / C u t t e r & Upholsterer.Call#231-6750/ 618-0845. LAND FOR SALE Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public Road #2 Village W.C.B/ce 5 mins from B/ce bridge.Contact#686-4818/6487109. FOR SALE White German Shepherd pups.Ruimzeight Gardens W.C.D.269-0671.Whatsapp 688-1656.
Easter 2020 has arrived and we would like to wish our readers and all consumers “A blessed and Happy Easter”. Easter really encapsulates four days - Good Friday (the day Lord Jesus was crucified), Holy Saturday (day of solemn waiting), Easter Sunday (the day Lord Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven asserting the core meaning of the Christian Faith) and Easter Monday (purely celebratory and not religious). Religious people recognise Sunday only as Easter. Easter, like all ancient religious holy days, has had many secular celebratory customs being attached to it over the centuries. This is so for example, with Phagwah, which we celebrated a few weeks ago. Thus these holy days have both a religious and a secular aspect, thus our greeting “blessed” refers to the religious and “happy” refers to the celebratory. Since most writings on Easter of recent decades tend to focus on the secular and celebratory, it would be appropriate to also mention the religious. Before we do so, however, we would like to dismiss the nonsense that because Easter derives its name from the old Anglo-Saxon diety Eostre, it is a pagan festival and has nothing to do with Christianity. In the Latin speaking countries, the name of Easter tends to be derived from the Jewish Passover. In French, for example, it is ‘Pascal’ but the way it is celebrated in English-speaking countries is much the same as in other European countries. Lord Jesus was born in
Bethlehem in Palestine and at his birth many miracles occurred: He was born of a virgin, the three Kings or Magi in faraway lands knew of his coming birth and set out for Palestine to pay him worship at his birth, or on the night of his birth the hills around Bethlehem became brightly lit with shekina light and so on. Miraculous occurrences at the birth of other incarnations of God, over the millenia, have been similarly reported, Lord Krishna’s being an example with which many are acquainted. Lord Jesus, from his childhood, showed great learning and was able to hold discussions with the High Priests. As he entered adulthood, he began to teach an ethical and spiritual message which was novel and revolutionary in the Middle East and as he taught from town to town, the number of his followers kept growing. As he wandered over Palestine, he also performed many miracles to alleviate human suffering. These included bringing back the dead to life, healing the sick including the blind, saving the lives of fishermen by quelling a storm, feeding those in hunger and saving the life of a woman who was on the point of being stoned to death by a mob. The Jewish Establishment of High Priests began to have serious fears that Jesus and his message would destroy the Jewish Faith as they knew it and conspired to have him charged for treason and brought before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. At that time, Palestine was a Roman colony. Pilate, on hearing the charge, felt that Jesus was innocent and was ready to
WHO looks into report of Covid patients testing positive after negative tests CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS & SUV'SCALL:643-5122./ 656-0087 WEB: WWW .PROGRESSIVEAUTORENTA L.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL & T O W T R U C K SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807 NOTICE Boodhoo’s General Store will be closed until further notice. Order via Telephone & delivery will be done. Contact# 260-4124/4018/4115 / 650-0402/ 603-1402.
[The Guardian] - The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is looking into reports of some Covid19 patients testing positive again after initially testing negative for the disease while being considered for discharge. On Friday South Korean officials reported that 91 patients thought to have been cleared of the new coronavirus had tested positive again. Jeong Eun-kyeong, the director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a briefing that the virus may have been “reactivated” rather than the patients being re-infected. The Geneva-based WHO, when asked about the report from Seoul, said in a brief statement: “We are aware of
these reports of individuals who have tested negative for Covid-19 using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and then after some days testing positive again. “We are closely liaising with our clinical experts and working hard to get more information on those individual cases. It is important to make sure that when samples are collected for testing on suspected patients, procedures are followed properly.” According to the WHO’s guidelines on clinical management, a patient can be discharged from hospital after two consecutive negative results at least 24 hours apart. Based on current studies, there is a period of about two weeks between the onset of symptoms and clinical recov-
ery of patients with mild Covid-19, the agency said. “We are aware that some patients are PCR-positive after they clinically recover, but we need systematic collection of samples from recovered patients to better understand how long they shed live virus,” it said. South Korean health officials said on Friday it was unclear what was behind the trend, and epidemiological investigations were under way.The WHO said: “As Covid-19 is a new disease, we need more epidemiological data to draw any conclusions.”The number of deaths linked to the novel coronavirus reached 100,000 on Friday and reported cases passed 1.6 million, according to a Reuters tally.
release him but the High Priests brought pressure to bear on Pilate and he was forced to sentence Jesus to death by crucifixion. Crucifixion was the type of execution practised in Palestine and other parts of the Middle East; in Rome executions were done by strangulation or hanging. Jesus was crucified on a Friday and the Gospels describe the terrible sufferings and humiliations he suffered before being nailed up on the cross where he suffered a painful and slow death over several hours. When he was dead and the crowd and soldiers had dispersed, his family took his body down from the cross and buried it in their family vault. In Jerusalem a large circular church is built over the sarcophagus in which Jesus was buried and thousands of people visit that ‘Church of the Holy Sepulchre’ each year to view it. Saturday was a time of sorrowing and anxious wait and when Sunday dawned, it was noticed that the large stone which blocked the entrance of the vault in which his sarcophagus had been placed, had been mysteriously shifted. The family went into the vault and found that Jesus had left it. Several persons subsequently saw Jesus and knew he was risen from the dead. One of his disciples, Thomas, however did not believe that he was seeing Jesus until Jesus had him put his hand on the wounds that were on his body. Lord Jesus had conquered death and this victory over death is what Easter celebrates. He ascended to Heaven on the same day. The early Church felt that since Jesus was crucified on a Friday that Friday should be commemorated as his death anniversary as well as the Sunday following when he victoriously rose from the dead. The lunar calendar was in use at the time and it is this use of the lunar calendar which accounts for Good Friday being commemorated on different dates from year to year, unlike Christmas, the date of which was fixed on the solar calendar. Easter is celebrated in a traditional way in Guyana but in some years, social circumstances may restrain its celebration. This year, for instance, the Easter celebrations had been restrained by the coronavirus pandemic and by distressing political tensions. We will however reminisce on a few of Guyana’s main Easter customs. The Easter church ser-
vices in Guyana do not differ very much from those in other Western countries. The established mainstream churches such as the Roman Catholic and Anglican have dramatic and colourful Good Friday and Easter services and they often use traditional church music. The services of the smaller churches are not as elaborate but they are equally suffused with sadness on Good Friday and uplifting joy on Easter. In Guyana, there is the unique custom where Hindus and Muslims attend the Easter services, often invited by their friends and relatives. Hindus participate fully as they believe that God incarnates Himself whenever there is a decline in morality and evil would have overtaken society and Lord Jesus is another of those who have been incarnated just as Lord Krishna was. Special food is associated with festivals. For example, turkey is associated with the American Thanksgiving. Fish is a favourite Easter dish and desserts tend be made with eggs such as custards and sponge cakes are preferred as against black cakes. Many families still prefer homemade drinks such as sorrel, jamoon wine and rice wine. A number of foreign Easter customs have been grafted on to the Guyanese Easter and these include the Easter bunny or rabbit and the Easter egg. Eggs are boiled and coloured mostly with red and children have the fun of discovering them. Of more recent years, chocolate eggs have replaced the coloured boiled eggs and children are more enthusiastic in finding them. Chocolate Easter eggs and other types of chocolates have also become common Easter gifts. Kite-flying is unique to the Guyanese Easter. On the seawalls, on the sports grounds and on all open spaces thousands of kite flyers from dawn on Easter Monday come out to “raise” their kites. Kite-flying is always accompanied with picnicking and whole families come out to enjoy the day. Most children and even adults prefer to make their own kites and there are many types of kites which are seen: frill kites, singing engines, bird kites, box kites, dragon kites, snake kites, caddies and kankawas. Most kites are over two feet in height though some youths create kites of six feet and over! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
PAGE 50
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 51
PAGE 52
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 53
Kaieteur News
No player pay cuts in pipeline, assures Skerritt
CWI president, Ricky Skerritt.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Cricket West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, has assured players there are no immediate plans to slash their retainer contracts, as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to wreck playing schedules across the globe. Already, various boards have been forced to postpone or cancel several money-spinning tours, which has bit into revenues and prompted debate as to whether pay cuts should be on the table for elite cricketers. Last week, England’s cricketers opted to give up 20
Plans to resuscitate...
Sunday April 12, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your audience will be attentive to you today. Take the lead and others will follow. Be yourself and project your voice into the auditorium of eager listeners. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You could feel confident today, and you should have a strong idea of exactly what it is you want. Information is power. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your mind will expand today. You'll feel like there's a ton of information crammed into your head that needs processing. Regarding big projects, try to finish them as quickly as you can. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try not to read too much into other people's words today. You may have spent hours tearing apart every off-the-cuff remark. You may build up a wild scenario in your head regarding what that person is thinking. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Long-term trends are coming to an important climax now. This dramatic period is highlighted by the added amount of information being thrown your way. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Take a break from what you're doing. Look at what people are doing around you. Check your plans in relation to those of others and see if there's a way you can combine forces
per cent of their retainers for the next three months, as part of the England and Wales Cricket Board funding of a 500 000 pound sterling donation to fight the disease. And Australia Test captain Tim Paine said recently players were prepared for pay cuts as the crisis dragged on. Skerritt said though retainer contracts were currently under their annual review, there had been no discussion over a reduction in players’ salaries. “There has been no move in that direction at this time. We are actually in the process right now, that is the technical team is in the process of reviewing retainer contracts [because] the retainer
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Get involved with the energy of today so you don't get left out of the loop. Your contribution to the group is important. You should foster positive relationships among all parties. Think big. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can add more tools to your toolbox today. Express your concerns and you'll find helpful remedies present themselves. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Join others before you make your big travel plans. The smallest idea can be quickly transformed into a huge plan of attack, thanks to the prevailing winds of the day. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't get stuck doing just one thing today. The more varied your activity, the easier it will be for you to integrate the different pieces of the puzzle. This is a day to think big. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might be in a whirlwind today, and there will be information buzzing around asking you to do this and go there. You're the one most perfectly suited to deal with the tone of the day. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might be jumping around today. This is one of those situations in which you don't want to stay in one place for too long. Each place is an individual step that leads to where you want to go.
From page 55 willing to work with the AAG and the ministry of Sport. Usually following the national schools’ championships, many athletes fadeaway, but Lewis said that one way to combat this issue is to have a national curriculum specifically to deal with athletics. He said that more clubs are needed throughout Guyana and they should be registered with the AAG. The 42 year-old Lewis, was born in the village of Maria’s Pleasure on the Essequibo river island of Wakenaam. He attended the Essequibo Islands’ Secondary school there. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sports in 2007 from the International University of Physical Education and Sports in Havana, Cuba. Lewis also played cricket and took part in a number of track and field events; he is also a level one cricket coach. He is calling on head teachers, school coaches, including Ricardo Martin and other individuals from the society, for support as he look to take athletics to another level in the Rupunini.
contracts come to an end within the next couple of months,” he told the Observer here. “So, it is being looked at as normal, but I expect that we will have to do a bit of a check on where we are and what we can afford to do going forward.” Currently, West Indies’ three-Test tour of England scheduled for June 4-25 is up in the air with both the Caribbean and the United Kingdom on lockdown because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Virtually all Caribbean nations have reported cases of the deadly virus while the UK has been severely hit, already recording 65,000 infections and nearly 8,000 deaths. May is expected to see infections at their peak across the UK, and the ECB has already pushed back their season until the end of that
month. West Indies are expected to host New Zealand in July and South Africa in August but both tours are now under the microscope because of the global shutdown of sports. Skerritt said the cancellation of tours, especially the home itineraries, would have implications for the board’s revenue stream. “CWI is facing a rapidly changing world environment for sports and with no sports taking place, with revenues related to broadcast rights and sponsorship and so on, gate receipts, all of those revenues are important, so every sporting organisation around the world is facing issues,” Skerritt said. “Those that were already facing cash flow issues or other organizational issues will just have it tougher and CWI is one of those.”
PAGE 54
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
‘Postponement of the Olympics gives me a chance to be more prepared’ - Says Table Tennis star Chelsea Edghill By Sean Devers Twenty-two-year-old former Caribbean U-21 Table Tennis Champion and PanAm Games Qualifier Guyanese Chelsea Edghill was one month away from possible qualification for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo Japan when the deadly pandemic COVID-19 brought the World and Sports, to a virtual standstill forcing the qualifiers set for March in Argentina to be called off and later the Olympics itself. Chelsea, who was born in Brooklyn New York on July 6, 1997 to Godfrey Edghill and Deirdre Baynes-Edghill, will have to wait for another year to try and fulfil her dream of being an Olympian. Chelsea and her Coach Tony Rato of Portugal travelled to Finland last December to participate in the Finland Open Table Tennis Championships which was used as part of her Olympic Qualification preparation since the tournament was an ITTF World Circuit event. Following her participation in Finland, Chelsea then travel to Romania to train, before returning to Portugal to prepare for other key engagements. “The postponement of the Olympics to next year has given me the chance to be even more prepared, since, had the games not been postponed, it would’ve been very difficult to prepare for the Olympic qualification and even attending the
tournament would have been difficult taking into consideration the health implications. The Coronavirus has had a negative impact on the tournament preparations and the inability to practice and to go to the gym has made it a bit difficult to stay fit and in top form but not impossible,” lamented the former Youth Olympian. Chelsea, presently in Portugal where she has a contract to play division two table tennis with Portuguese club Lusitania de Lourosa, told the people in Guyana, where COVID-19 has caused 37 infections including six deaths (up Good Friday) to stay safe and stay at home if they had nothing urgent to do outdoors. “If it is that you can stay inside, do so and not take any chances as this virus does not discriminate on who it infects and who it proves fatal to. In this time that we are facing, let acts of compassion and caution be at the forefront of your thoughts and not those of recklessness and ignorance. Practice proper hygiene and continue to follow the guidelines of the health agencies in Guyana,” the four-time NSC’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year advised. Chelsea, who resides in Meadow Brook Gardens when she is at home, attended the Mae’s Primary (20012009) and the Bishops High (2009-2015) and began her Table Tennis Career in 2006.
Chelsea Graduated last year with a BS in Chemistry from the Lindenwood University.
“In Guyana, for most of my years of playing, I was a member of the Malteenoes Sports Club. I played my first match in July 2006 after the “Teach them young” programme was concluded. It was at that programme that I learned to play under the tutelage of Coach Linden Johnson,” said the talented Chelsea who won first Place in the Under 11 Singles, U-13 Singles and was adjudged the Most Outstanding Female Player in Business CollegeInter Schools Competitionin 2007. Her first Caribbean Table Tennis Cadets Championship was in Trinidad where she won Silver with the U-11 Team and another Silver U-11 in the Doubles and since then she had not looked back. In 2008 Chelsea won Gold in the U-11, 13 and 15 in the GTTA/NSC-Independence Tournament in which she got the Most Improved Player Award. She journeyed to the Tobago Open and reached the Quarterfinals in theJunior Open U-13 before competing in the Charles Chocolate Ping Pong Championships in Trinidad. The skilful young woman reached the Quarterfinals of the Caribbean Table Tennis Championship-Cadets in Barbados in theJunior U-13 Singles and in the 14th Annual Junior Caribbean Table Tennis Championship in St Kitts she reached Junior U-15 Singles Quarterfinals. The next year Chelsea won Gold in the U-13 and Silver in the U-15, U-18 and the Open Doubles in Mashramani Tournament and in 2010, in the 5th Caribbean Table Tennis Championship Cadets in Puerto Rico, she copped Gold in the U-13 Singles. In the ITTF Global Junior Circuit Event in Puebla, Mexico in July 2012 Chelsea was a Quarter Finalist and in the 54th Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in Santo Domingo in August 2012 Chelsea won Bronze in the U-21 Female, while she captured Silver in the U-15 Singles of the17th Caribbean Table Tennis Championship Junior in Cuba. In 2013, in the Senior Caribbean Championships in St. Lucia she won Silver in the U-21 Women’s Singles and was awarded the Junior sports woman of the Year for the first time. “I took a six-month period off from Table Tennis to study for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination before being awarded a partial scholarship to attend Lindenwood University in
Chelsea Edghill about to receive service. Saint Charles, Missouri. The five-year scholarship allowed me to train, play and participate in high-level competitions against top level players on a consistent basis in view of achieving Olympic qualification. I Graduated last year with a BS in Chemistry from the Lindenwood University,” informed Chelsea who was again named Junior Sportswoman of the year 2015. Her good form with the Racquet continued when she won the Women’s Singles in the 2016 Guyana National Table Tennis Championships before Chelsea completed an impressive showing on the intercollegiate circuit, winning the Women’s Singles at the National Regional Division Intercollegiate Table Tennis Championships. The competition pits upper Midwest Division teams against Lower Midwest Division teams and was played at the gymnasium of the University of Lindenwood Missouri. In the 2017 Senior Caribbean Championships in Havana Cuba Chelsea, who enjoys reading novels, journals and listening to
music, won Bronze in Women’s U-21 before participating in the 2017 Islamic Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. In 2018, Chelsea was a Quarterfinalist in the Women’s singles at the South American Games, while in the Caribbean Championships in Kingston Jamaica, the Guyanese emerged as U-21 Women’s Champion. Ranked 397 in the World in September 2019, the 2018 NSC’s Senior Sportswoman of the Year is enjoying an illustrious career, but the Pan Am Games in Peru in May 2019 where she lost in the women’s singles first round to Colombia’s Paola Medina, stands out in her mind. “I think my most memorable moment in the sport to date would have to be qualifying for the Pan Am Games in Peru last May. The moment wasn’t in the qualification itself but rather after when I realized the accomplishment of the qualification. It ended an almost 30-year drought in having someone qualify for the Games,” said Chelsea. “I think the standard of the game in Guyana in recent
years has been very low and this is in comparison to our counterparts in the Caribbean. It is my opinion that, even though more needs to be done for the sport from an administrative standpoint and also from a National standpoint, more needs to be done individually. Players and parents of players need to invest more in themselves and charges. In doing so it raises the level overall,” said Chelsea, who also likes partying, wine tasting when she is on vacation, traveling and site seeing. Chelsea is the National champion, 2018 Caribbean Women U-21 champion, Caribbean Women’s Doubles champion, Caribbean Women’s bronze medallist 2019, several collegiate tournaments wins, Caribbean Cadet and Junior champion, Caribbean Women’s team silver medallist 2018 and 2019. She is currently training and playing competition in Portugal. “The main people who have helped my game would be my parents and a few coaches namely, Lisa Lewis, Idi Lewis, and Antonio Rato,” the USA born Guyanese concluded.
Grave hints at hectic schedule if England... From page 53 we would have one four-day game leading into what would almost certainly be back-toback Test matches, starting Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and possibly look to play those in July and shift our summer accordingly,” Grave explained. “The easiest matches for us to rearrange would be the six games against New Zealand. We are blessed that we can host cricket any time of year.” West Indies are already down to host New Zealand in three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals from July 8-19, meaning that series would also have to be shifted. Also, the Caribbean side are scheduled
to welcome South Africa for two Tests and five T20 Internationals from July 15 to August 16, meaning that any amendments to the England itinerary would continue to spark a ripple effect. Grave said CWI would hold discussions with the ECB following Easter in order to get a clearer picture of the options available. “We’ve agreed with the ECB we’ll sit down after Easter to see how the world looks and when we think we can get that series on,” Grave said. “The only good thing is the three venues – Oval, Edgabston and Lord’s – are prepared for international cricket at a moment’s notice, therefore in a relatively short period of time we could prepare for those matches.
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 55
Kaieteur News
Hope, Pooran, Hetmyer can inspire Windies revival: Holding BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies legend Michael Holding has identified the batting trio of Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope as proof of the exceptional talent in the Caribbean, and believes they can serve as the catalyst for the regional side’s revival in coming years. Contending all three players were good enough to make any team in the world, Holding said their talents now needed to be harnessed properly and their focus enhanced, in order to transform them into genuine world class batsmen. “I see light at the end of the tunnel [for West Indies cricket] because I see talent and once there’s talent, there has to be light at the end of the tunnel,” Holding told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket show. “It’s a matter now of whether we can garner that talent. If we can produce the best of that talent and then of course produce a good team, because individual talent isn’t going to go as far as a good team with a good team spirit and good management structure around that team.” He continued: “Anyone can look at teams and look at [players] and say ‘yeah, that guy looks as if he knows what he is doing’, and I can call three names immediately that I think have a lot of talent in the batting department – Pooran, Hetmyer, Hope. “Is anyone going to tell me those three guys can’t bat? And there are others but I’m picking those three because I think those three are the most talented I’ve seen in the last two or three
Shimron Hetmyer bats during the third ODI in St Lucia. (Windiescricket Flickr) years. “Those guys have talent, it’s now a matter of garnering that talent and making sure these guys can exhibit the right discipline to get the best out of themselves, and I’m absolutely sure there are other youngsters in the Caribbean who can come around that nucleus and give us a good team. “When I look at cricketers, I look and see who among these guys I think could make other teams around the world. That’s how I look to see if we have talent, and those three guys I think could make most other teams around the world as batsmen.” The 26-year-old Hope has dominated the one-day format where he averages 52 from 78 matches with nine hundreds. Last year, he was one of the leading players, averaging 61 while scoring
four hundreds. In 2017, he became the first batsman to score a hundred in each innings of any match at Leeds, in 118 years of first-class cricket at the storied venue. However, those centuries remain his only triple figure scores in Tests and he boasts a disappointing average of 27. Hetmyer, 22, has also made his mark in the one-day format with five hundreds and an average of 36, though he has found the longer game more challenging, with only five half-centuries and an average of 27. Fellow left-hander Pooran, 24, has enjoyed a purple patch in one-dayers where he averages 49 with a hundred and seven fifties. He has never played Tests. Holding, a well-respected television cricket analyst, also dismissed the often-levelled criticism of contemporary
players that they lacked the quality of past greats. Rather, the Jamaican argued that the major difference now was the different social circumstances in which Caribbean players now found themselves. “I don’t think there’s something necessarily missing from the makeup of the current day cricketer [in comparison to] the makeup to the former cricketers, even before my time,” Holding contended. “I think it’s just a matter of the focus. I’m absolutely sure the great players who played before me, they were coming into a world and they wanted to impress upon the world the statue of the country and the islands they were representing. “[It was the] same thing in my era in the 70s, 80s. When we went to England, we were quite adamant that we were going to let the Caribbean people who lived in England be proud of us and [let them know] they represented something of significance.” He added: “That world has changed, not totally but it has changed a great deal where a Caribbean person now doesn’t necessarily have to think they have to prove to the rest of the world that he’s of worth. The pressure is not there to prove yourself so much now as before. “It is now just a matter of each individual having their own pride of performance …
Shai Hope kept the innings together with a solid century © AFP via Getty Images so I don’t think these guys are made up any different to us [past players] but are growing up in a different world and I think it is up to the people that employ them
[to find] some way of impressing upon them that it (inspiring others) is still important, not just [performance] for their personal well-being.”
Grave hints at hectic schedule if England tour comes off
Swiss prosecutors to drop one of cases against ex-FIFA chief Blatter ZURICH (Reuters) Switzerland’s federal prosecutor is about to end its investigation into former FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s deals with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) to sell World Cup broadcasting rights. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said it has informed all the parties of its intention to close the case and was seeking ways to end it. “We confirm the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland ...considers the criminal investigation into the partial facts and allegations concerning the contractual relationship with the CFU to be complete and ready for conclusion,” it said in a statement.
The OAG “intends to discontinue the proceedings”, it added, giving no reason for the decision. As a result, Blatter, who is currently serving a six-year ban from football-related activities over ethics violations, will not be prosecuted for the matter which relates to selling TV rights for World Cup tournaments too cheaply. The 84-year-old Swiss, who led FIFA until 2015, was accused of selling TV rights to the CFU for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups for $600,000, seen as far below the market value at the time. A spokesman for Blatter said he had not heard anything officially but had no
reason to doubt the media reports. In a second criminal case, Blatter is accused of having arranged a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.06 million) to the then UEFA President Michel Platini in February 2011. The investigation in this case is not affected by its intentions to end the first case, the OAG said. Blatter and Platini, who could not immediately be reached for comment, have maintained they did nothing wrong amid what became part of the biggest corruption scandal to shake world soccer ’s ruling body, resulting in numerous prosecutions and convictions in the United States.
West Indies tour of England is under a cloud of doubt. BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Cricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, has described a “best-case scenario” for the Test tour of England which would see the regional side playing in July instead of June, having a single warmup match before the start of the series and playing backto-back Tests.
The June 4-25 three-Test series is currently in doubt following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has halted all international cricket and caused severe disruption across the global sporting calendar. Only recently, the England and Wales Cricket Board pushed the start of its domestic and international
itinerary back to the end of May, further complicating the staging of the series against West Indies. Grave acknowledged there would need to be major adjustments if the series was to go ahead as planned. “I think probably the bestcase scenario for us, although we’ve not discussed it yet, is (Continued on page 52)
PAGE 56
Sunday April 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Belarus soccer continues amid virus anxiety and empty stands MINSK (Reuters) Belarus is the only country in Europe still playing soccer amid the coronavirus pandemic but a growing number of fans are boycotting league matches, anxious about catching the disease. In the western city of Grodno, local team FC Neman Grodno drew with FC Belshina Bobruisk on Friday in front of almost empty stands. Just 253 people attended, compared to last year when Neman’s games drew crowds of around 1,500 people. The league has proved an unlikely draw for fans overseas who are starved of matches in their own countries. In choosing to stay open, it took its cue from President Alexander Lukashenko, who has resisted imposing strict lockdown measures. “Of course, it is the main problem,” said Belshina coach Eduard Gradoboyev, when asked about the lack of fans. “Because football is for spectators. And when you come to a absolutely halfempty stadium, especially such a good one like here in Grodno, it is a bit uncomfortable.” Even Neman Grodno’s own fans urged people to keep away. “Let’s stay home, reduce
the risks associated with the spread of coronavirus, protect ourselves and our loved ones,” they said in a statement. Before the match started, the Neman players applauded the empty stands in support for spectators staying away. The Belarus football federation initially explained its decision to continue because only a small number of coronavirus cases had been recorded in the eastern European country, but more recently they have declined comment. The latest figures show Belarus has 2,226 cases, with 23 deaths. The clubs say they must comply with the federation’s decision. “The federation decided to play - so we play,” Neman’s coach Igor Kovalevich said, adding the club was taking appropriate safety measures like using hand sanitizers and making sure that fans do not sit close to each other. Supporters like Vladimir, who came to the stadium, had few concerns. “Am I worried or not worried? I guess most likely not,” he said. “Because first of all there are not many people coming to watch football, there are no crowds. And all measures are taken at the stadium.” But others are not so sanguine. Nikolay Zolotov is
A general view during the match between FC Neman and Belshina at Stadyen Neman, Grodno, Belarus despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. (REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko) a Belarusian who plays for Russian club Ural Yekaterinburg. In an interview with tribuna.com, he compared the situation to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in the former Soviet Union, where the authorities concealed the scale of the
disaster to the general public for a long time. “No one really knows how many people are sick, where they are sick, how they are treated,” he was quoted as saying. “I thought: has nothing really changed in 34 years?” Zolotov lives in Vitebsk,
which ranks second, after Minsk, in the number of coronavirus cases. Lukashenko, who has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1994, has called fears about coronavirus a “psychosis”, prescribed drinking vodka and going
to saunas to battle the disease, and said he was more worried about the economy. At a meeting with officials on April 7, he said he could easily introduce quarantine measures within 24 hours. “But what will we eat?,” he added.
Floyd Mayweather: ‘I will be one of the world’s best trainers’
Roger Mayweather (left) was nicknamed ‘The Black Mamba’ during his in-ring career. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Floyd Mayweather says he will be “one of the best trainers in the world” and take after his late uncle. Former trainer Roger Mayweather died, aged 58, on 17 March following years of ill health. Having been a world champion himself, Roger helped train his nephew to become one of the greatest boxers in history over an unbeaten 50-fight career. “I’ve had incredible trainers, which included my dad and uncle,” Floyd wrote
in a social media post on Friday. “Due to the recent passing of my uncle Roger, I’ve felt inspired to help those around me the same way they have been there for me throughout my boxing career.” Mayweather, who said his uncle was “one of the most important people in my life”, has already done a training session with his nephew and eldest son. The American added that the lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic has
“allowed me to see the importance of unity and helping others grow”. “In a time where we must distance ourselves from others, it has allowed me to reflect on how I want to make a difference in people lives and help them achieve their goals,” added Mayweather. “A true trainer wants the best out of their fighter and pushes them to the best of their abilities. I am new to helping people train as I’ve always been on the other side of the mitts.”
Floyd Mayweather working with his 14 year old nephew Chris. (Instagram)
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 12, 2020
PAGE 57
FIBA releases tentative 2021 & 2022 calendar The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) recently released proposed dates for the 2021 & 2022 calendar which have seen some events being pushed forward due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The General Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF); Patrick Haynes, who also holds a seat on FIBA’s 3x3 council, released the calendar to Kaieteur Sport and explained that dates are tentative, and it all depends on how well the world deals with this current crisis. Most notably on the 2021 calendar is the Olympic Games which a scheduled for July 23 – August 8, while t h e F I B A w o m e n ’s basketball world cup is scheduled for September 22 – October 1 in 2022. The full calendar can be seen below. Meanwhile, Haynes a d d e d t h a t t h e m e n ’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championships is still
Patrick Haynes points out Guyana’s flag among the countries taking part in the world events. scheduled for later this year with Jamaica having come forward as a potential host for the tournament in which Guyana will be defending their crown. Haynes had explained that the CBC, as per direction by FIBA, has ceased all basketball activities until the end of this month when they will
evaluate the level of the pandemic and make a decision henceforth. However, it will not be surprising if the regional championships are postponed until at least next year with many territories in the regions now beginning to feel the full effects of the covid-19 virus.
The FIBA events as listed on its schedule.
Plans to resuscitate Region Nine Athletic Club on stream - former President Kenrick Lewis By Zaheer Mohamed The club has done well over the years in helping to hone the skills of a number of outstanding athletes for the Rupununi, but for some reason the organisation has ceased to function. However, its former President Kenrick Lewis told Kaieteur Sport that plans to resuscitate the club are in the making. Lewis is positive that once he gets the support from other stakeholders there, the club will be up and running when the season restarts. “The club is at a standstill at the moment, but we definitely will be working to reform the organisation so that athletes can be given a better chance to showcase their talent,” he added. Lewis stated that the process of restructuring the club was put on hold due to the Corona virus outbreak, but informed that the once this pandemic ceases, they will go ahead with their plans. Lewis, who is the acting head of the St. Ignatius Secondary School, indicated that they will reform the club through the school system. “The school has a direct connection with the Athletics Association of
Kenrick Lewis Guyana (AAG), in that it is easier for the school to be recognised by the AAG because there is already a system there in place,” he posited. Lewis said he is looking to form a network with the other schools in the area. “I will be looking to form a network with the other Secondary schools in Region nine to be part of the AAG so that we can host a schools’ competition which will garner athletes who would have met the required standard to compete at the AAG level, in other words we can continue to have quality athletes from the Rupununi competing in the city.” Whereas, staging regular meets remains a priority, Lewis stated that one of their aims is to have athletes from
region nine representing Guyana. “One of the reasons to reform the club through the school system is that athletes in the school system will not be cut off after the national schools’ championship, but will have an opportunity to go on further. It will be an extension of the athletes’ athletic life.” “The Rupununi still has some of the finest athletes in Guyana in all disciplines and with proper exposure they can excel at higher levels.” Lewis informed that he is currently working on an athletic programme that will aid secondary and primary school teachers in the Rupununi in preparing athletes for meets. Dereck Mentis of Region nine had previously competed at Carifta trials and Lewis feels that many other athletes from the area can go places. “With the help of the Parent Teachers Association through the Allied Arts Department headed by Sir Ryan Farias of St. Ignatius Secondary, we will be able to see the growth of the sport here,” he lamented. Among other athletes
Dereck Mentis during his record breaking 1.84m High Jump in the boys’ under-18 division. that hail from the Rupununi are National Schools’ gold medalist, Matrim Martin who is next in line to compete at the under-age competition of the AAG that is when it comes on stream, former national Ricardo Martin, Samuel Kaitan, Beverly Ignacio and Samuel Domingo. When quizzed about funding for the club, Lewis said that the way forward will be to host fund raising events with support from the PTA and Allied Arts Unit. “At present the grounds are being upgraded, this is a plus for us because we will be able to stage enclose
competitions to support these athletes. We will also be seeking assistance from the AAG, the business community and the Government.” Lewis has expressed gratitude to Allied Arts Department, teachers and parents of St. Ignatius Secondary as well as the businesses that supported the last fund raising activity. Lewis indicated that the hosting of more competitions, training for officials including coaches and religious education are among items on the programme he is currently working on which he plans
to enforce across the Rupununi. “Religious Education Programme for athletes will help to instill discipline so they can have longevity of the sport. Too many athletes at a young age are hooked to drinking alcohol and the use of drugs, including banned substances which help to destroy the athletes, as often we have seen athletes not reaching t h e i r m a x i m u m performances.” Lewis said his programme can be administered throughout the country and will be of help to athletes, adding that he is (Continued on page 51)
rt Spo
A lively Hetmyer and a more staid Hope symbolise their 200-plus stand in one image © BCCI
Swiss prosecutors to drop one of cases against ex-FIFA chief Blatter
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter arrives before a commemoration service for the former coach of the Swiss national soccer team Koebi Kuhn at the Grossmuenster church in Zurich, Switzerland December 13, 2019. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann)
Hope, Pooran, Hetmyer can inspire Windies revival: Holding
Left-hander Nicholas Pooran. Guyanese Table Tennis sensation Chelsea Edghill.
‘Postponement of the Olympics gives me a chance to be more prepared’ - Says Table Tennis star Chelsea Edghill
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.