Monday April 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
This sign about the Liliendall PNC domination is alive and for longer medication bridge repair is wrongly placed thriving in Region 5 treatment… Pethidine should not be used for chronic pain
DEAR EDITOR, This sign on the Railway Embankment informing drivers that you cannot continue to Sheriff Street if you are driving west on the embankment is wrongly placed. This sign faces the south at the junction of the Embankment and UG Access Road at the traffic lights and is only visible to north bound traffic on UG Access Road. It means if you are travelling west on the Embankment to reach Sheriff Street you will not see the sign that informs you that you
have to detour because of bridge repairs at Liliendaal. It is only by luck if your eyes glance in a northerly direction. It is commonsense to put signs facing oncoming traffic from all directions. I was travelling west on the embankment and it was only when I reached Liliendall that I then saw the bridge repair work. Why a sign that only north bound drivers on the UG Access Road can see. What nonsense. But then again this is Guyana, the land without commonsense Annoyed driver
A call for participation in National Youth Week DEAR EDITOR, Let me take this opportunity to thank you for publishing my letters whenever the space in your letter column presents itself. I am happy to ask once more that you publish this letter for the benefit of the Youth of Guyana. Guyana will celebrate 51 years as an independent nation on the 26th of May 2017. During the month of May, decades ago Guyanese looked forward to celebrating National Youth Week. It was a time to inspire our youth and celebrate their achievements. During these years we saw the advent of the Guyana National Service, Guyana Defence Force, People’s Militia, and the National Youth Corps, our young people were being trained in technical and vocational skill areas, while with free Education from Nursery to University many pursued Secondary and Tertiary Education, at the Teachers Training College. Thousands of trained teachers were produced so too were doctors and nurses, lawyers and engineers. However, Guyanese in our quest to own and control our natural resources, through our Government of the day
undertook a policy of nationalization. This angered the capitalists resulting in Guyana being sanctioned by the international financial institutions, resulting in the devaluation of the Guyana dollar. What happened next is that the majority of those trained young people migrated to Europe, North America and the Caribbean where the dollar was stronger as against the Guyana dollar. This brain drain was responsible for the slow pace of development over the last fifty years; our commodities for export was valued against a weak Guyana dollar.This sorely undermined our nation’s development. We were being trained to develop these countries we migrated to, at the expense of the tax payers of this country. With the production of oil commencing shortly, the increase of gold production, the housing drive and the diversification of our economy, training of our young people to take up jobs that will soon be available is of utmost importance. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Department is spearheading the reintroduction of National Youth Week slated for the Sunday 21st to Saturday 27th of May
GWI must accept its fault and not blame others DEAR EDITOR, Previously, I wrote about the malfunctioning of the water treatment plants at Linden but this was NOT published. What I said then and I repeat now, is that the GWI staff is responsible for reviewing a consultant’s design before it goes out to bid. I asked; did GWI staff complete such a review or further; is GWI staff capable of such a review? I have been informed that the contractor on the project indicated to GWI staff during construction that the design was faulty and suggested changes. However, GWI staff maintained that the design was acceptable and that the contractor must proceed as per the design documents. Unfortunately the plants were completed but do not work and the CEO of GWI is now blaming the consultants and the previous Government. This is incorrect. GWI must take the blame and accept that someone or many persons at GWI failed to do their job. John Persaud EDITOR’S NOTE: We were never in receipt of a letter from such a signature above on water treatment plant in Linden.
2017 with the Theme; “Inspiring our Youth, Celebrating their achievements. On Sunday the 21st of May 2017 a Military and Paramilitary Parade will be staged in Georgetown to remember our young people who stood in defense of our territorial integrity and internal security for the last 51 years. On Wednesday the 24th of May a Career Exposition and Health Fair will be staged at the National Park Thomas Road, Thomas Lands Georgetown, at this event all organizations, institutions, schools, agencies and individuals that are involved in training young people in technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skill areas are expected to occupy booths to be provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to disseminate information, demonstrate their work and receive application from prospective students. Parents and guardians are asked to encourage young people to visit the event and get the requisite information to ensure their participation in a program of their choice. An unattached, unskilled, unqualified youth will be left on the sideline to look on while others who are trained will receive the benefits that come with their training. His Excellency President David Arthur Granger and The Honorable Nicolette Henry Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport are very passionate about young people getting the necessary training to elevate themselves, their communities and the nation as a whole. We are all in this together. Let us put aside our differences and do what is right to ensure we experience that promised good life that comes as a reward for our collective efforts to transform our economy. RAS Aaron Blackman Social Worker/ Youth Officer Department of Youth
DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to a letter in the Kaieteur News (Friday, 21 April) in which the Regional Executive Officer of Region 5, Mr. Ovid Morrison, questions my qualifications to determine “the right to so confidently declare how much medication a patient should or should not get?” This is, of course, in response to a previous letter in the same medium in which I exposed a high profile APNU+AFC Councillor in Region 5 being given more medication than is required. By now, the entire nation knows that the APNU+AFC Councillor is the highly erratic and controversial Carol Joseph. I will not question Morrison’s qualifications to determine which community in Region 5 is more deserving of having infrastructural development work done, as opposed to others that have been neglected. Neither will I question his motive to funnel government’s resources to develop communities of a certain community over another. I will not justify my training as a New York State certified Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillation, that enables me to identify symptoms associated with drug abuse. I will also not dwell on his ignorance of judging Sherilyn Marks’ qualifications and ability to do the same, given that he knows absolutely nothing about this heroine’s background as a highly trained Staff Nurse/Mid-Wife, and that her entire family is made up of doctors and nurses, including her sister who is a doctor; her father who was a staff nurse and now a pharmacist; and her mother who has given 33 years of service to this country in the nursing profession as a registered nurse/midwife, all of whom nurse Marks consults with on a regular basis. But I don’t expect Morrison to know that. He owes this lady an apology. Like the RHO, Dr. Steven Cheefoon who is now actively trying to influence nurses in a very intimidating
way, at the Ft. Wellington Hospital, to sign their names on a petition in an effort to remove staff nurse Sherilyn Marks from the region. The Region 5 CEO, Mr. Ovid Morrison is obviously trying to protect one of his own PNC/ APNU comrades, and to hide all the questionable things taking place at the Ft Wellington Hospital under his watch. PNC paramountcy is indeed alive and well in Region 5. But even if neither nurse Marks nor myself were “qualified” to determine what amount of drugs constitute an abuse, let me assure the REO, that it is highly unusual for anyone to be taking injections of 100mg of the highly addictive drug, Pethidine, almost every day since last September, and occasionally twice a day, unless that person is an addict. If a Commission of Inquiry (COI) is ever conducted into these allegations of drug abuse, and I hope one is forthcoming, the level of abuse and cover-up they would unearth would be nothing short of phenomenal. The REO is a friend and colleague of Carol Joseph. If he did not know of her addiction, he should have known. Morrison is just like the others who, like the ostrich, bury their heads in the sand to ignore and to cover up this abuse of authority by a known and fearful notorious character. Addiction Hope, an online Christian-based organization that is dedicated to helping people learn more about various forms of addiction and mental health disorders, wrote about the drug Pethidine: Its use, signs and symptoms of abuse. ( h t t p s : / / www.addictionhope.com/ blog/pethidine-use-of-thedrug-signs-and-symptomsof-abuse/) It says, “Historically, pethidine has been used for both acute and chronic pain management, including during labor and delivery. Pethidine has uses during and after surgical operations, however, is highly addictive and may not be the first line of treatment
as other multi-modal options exist for long-term pain management, where the risk of dependency is lessened… In fact, in 2003 the World Health Organization removed pethidine from the model essential drugs list stating that “morphine is the preferred potent opioid… Drug seeking behaviour by ‘double doctoring’ and illegal possession can result in 7 years’ imprisonment while trafficking, exporting or importing can result in a life sentence (in the USA).” It also makes the point that, “Clearly, professionals with increased access to substances like Pethidine are at risk for substance abuse and dependency… Regular use of Pethidine can result in dependency, and drug seeking behaviours. Specifically, regular or longterm use of Pethidine leads to the development of tolerance, requiring a user to take more of a substance in an effort to match the initial high.” (end of quote) Editor, contrary to what is being reported, Staff Nurse Sherilyn Marks did not write any letter to the press, I did. Neither did she disclose any confidential patient information to me. I got that from a confidential source that will remain anonymous. I merely contacted nurse Marks to confirm that her letter, sent to me by a colleague, was in fact written by her. I am pleased that Carol Joseph was finally forced to resign as a Region 5 RDC Councillor, as she was not only an embarrassment to the region and government, but also a liability to the PNC/ APNU. I will be monitoring the progress of Staff Nurse Sherilyn Marks very closely. And if the RHO, Dr. Steven Cheefoon is vindictive enough to believe he can force her out of the region with his petition, he should be prepared to defend this action in a court of law, and his medical role and participation in Joseph’s addiction and subsequent cover up to the Guyana Medical Association. Harry Gill, MP (PPP)
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Monday April 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
The Coalition government is Conspiratorial attacks on a not performing satisfactorily nice woman in Region 9 DEAR EDITOR, It is without a doubt that this present administration is without a proper vision to make life easier for Guyanese, instead, they are hell bent on making it more difficult for Guyanese. Many can be described as dishonest, barefaced bullies and are on a wild witch-hunt and my personal belief is that they are going after certain businessmen. Since assuming leadership of Guyana, they are faced with the dilemma of the Berbice Harbor Bridge and its atrocious toll that was approved by the previous administration. In order to combat that issue, they introduced two speedboats to ease the burden on a contractual basis. Because of their incompetence and poor planning, the system is presently in disarray. The owner is not being paid promptly, forcing the captains and owner to be running to those in authority for their money and salaries that are long overdue. In frustration they took various forms of action including working less hours, striking and informing the media. Articles were published with comments from Minister Patterson who’s Ministry is directly responsible. According to him, he was not aware of the issue and would
be looking into the matter and in the meantime they will be getting their own river taxis (speedboats). At that time I was tempted to reply to his comment but I put it off because that Minister was dishonest in his explanation. The owner of the boats was tired of being pushed around so he sought a meeting with the Minister and the Minister personally told him that he would look into the matter He said that they are trying to get their own boats but this is just a form of stalling because the matter still persists and the owner was forced to remove one of the boats from operating on the Berbice River. School is about to reopen and there is only one boat operating and based on the response, it requires two boats to assist. One boat alone cannot ease the burden there. That is not the only area being affected. In Pomeroon River, two ‘David G’ boats were donated to the community to transport the school children from both upper and lower Pomeroon Rivers and before school was closed, one of the boat engines broke down. To date that boat is still without an engine so when school reopens, many will be affected. Only recently the President visited that area and he told the children that he will ensure that they got
job done. It is bad enough that since Mr. Granger has taken over of the Presidency, factories and businesses are being closed, employment places are downsizing and no jobs are being created for many of the unemployed youth around the country. Making promises without showing any indication of job creation is outrageous and not being able to get a proper education is another problem. I am not seeing SOCU going and seizing anything from those former ruling politicians that accusations are being levelled against. Are they telling me that these politicians are exempt from victimization? The way I see it, it’s no secret that many businessmen from the previous administration accumulated wealth overnight and are not being charged, however business people who are helping with the development of this country are being fought down based of accusations or because they are more supportive of the previous administration. There are many things happening under this administration and I’m wondering why they aren’t being questioned by citizens or are people fearful of victimization? Sahadeo Bates
A description of an ugly traffic situation on the East Bank DEAR EDITOR, My letter here was sent to the Traffic Chief. I kindly ask you to publish it. I reside at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara in one of the turn key houses and I traverse the road daily, seven days a week, sometimes five or more times a day. This road is situated between the Ramada Hotel and the National Stadium. What I am writing about today is the traffic congestion that occurs at the entrance by the public road and it is caused by a few taxi and private taxi cars. Sir, some days the situation is so
ridiculous that the trucks, vans, buses and cars have to go wide to turn left from the East Bank Public Road when they are coming from the city because the taxis jostle each other for space and passengers; sometimes they are lined up 3 in a row. I took it onto myself to observe what really transpires and the chaos and greed is so evident. A few drivers pay no heed to the traffic markings and just shout, jostle and fight for the few passengers that traverse the location. Earlier this year, some of the pioneers and regular taxis used to assemble on that same spot or area and the traffic department at Providence came and moved them and ensured that “no parking” and “no stopping” markings
were written on the road. This caused some order and brought semblance to the situation. However, recently a new breed of drivers and taxis has emerged and they are showing total disregard for the law, police and safety of the said passengers they are fighting over. For your easy reference I do submit the cars that are the main culprits and law breakers. Mr. Traffic Chief, I plead with you to have this situation corrected so that order is once again restored in this thriving housing scheme and that the law abiding taxi drivers be given a chance to earn a decent living and eradicate the greedy and unruly new drivers from this location. William Chambers
DEAR EDITOR, In March of this year, we observed International Women’s Day which was celebrated all across Guyana and afar. While we must salute those women who have contributed to the development of our country, we must also acknowledge the women’s organisations that have stood up against the abuses that were perpetrated against the will of our children, sisters, mothers and daughters of this country. Not so long ago, an attempt was made to defame the unquestionable track record of our Region 9, Assistant REO, Miss Althea Fitzpatrick, by planting a package containing drugs in close proximity of her Tabatinga residence, in Lethem, central Rupununi. It was very disturbing and disgusting to learn that such a humble and god fearing woman was targeted by these criminal-minded goons to drive fear in her for unknown reasons. While this pill remains hard to swallow, these goons also used the social media to add more pressure on our Assistant REO in an attempt to bring trumped up charges against
her. However, good judgement prevailed among the police ranks at the Lethem police station. Our Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Miss Althea Fitzpatrick is a former teacher by profession and would have taught many of the students who are now at the secondary level, and also those who would have completed schooling and are presently working in the closely knit community of Lethem. While it is very difficult to accept the fact that Ms. Fitzpatrick has now chosen to distribute drugs among these very young people that she had nurtured over the years at the nursery level, it is with God’s’ grace that she had been delivered from the claws of these devils; while the goons are left without life jackets to sink in the very murky waters they had wanted to pull her under. Editor, it is in my humble opinion that Ms. Fitzpatrick is very aware of the challenges that these young students face in the Rupununi to have reached this point in their educational career. More so, she would have great expectations from those who have grown to
adults and she would never have considered being involved in the distribution of drugs to destroy these young people at will. These unfortunate circumstances have placed this respected woman in a very awkward position, where she was forced to abandon her home because of fear; driven into her by these criminal-minded goons. Hence, a number of concerned women and men residing at Tabatinga, Lethem and its environs of Region 9 are calling on the women’s organisations in this country to join them in condemning this well planned plot to embarrass Ms. Fitzpatrick in her capacity as a senior public officer and deny her the right to reside at her private property. Editor, we close in adding our voices with those who are in support of our women who are under constant attack by these pathological goons on the loose. Mark Anthony Rodrigues Wayne Mann Wendella Rohlehr Elizabeth Adolph Youlander Moffett Regina Robertson Region 9
A call for APNU+AFC to prove that it is a caring government DEAR EDITOR, The culture of Governance can change. The present government captured the hearts of many Guyanese in 2015. The speeches and promises were like honeymoon bliss. Many supporters, especially East Indians left the PPP, for what they thought was the answer to their woes. However, within a short period of governing this nation, the coalition inflicted a wound on this nation, which was unbelievable - the huge salary increases for the ministers. This was carnival for Mr. Jagdeo. What is very disturbing is the disregard for public and civil servants, including teachers. We will all agree that all workers born in Guyana are Guyanese just as the members of the present government. Did the thousands of Guyanese workers become Venezuelans; enemies of the state who should be denied a better salary? Teachers were promised a certain percentage during the campaign; maybe they have become terrorists and may only be given what is due when they are deemed friends of the state. This government must be reminded that many teachers laboured publicly and behind the scenes to help them APNU+AFC defeat the PPP. While in Opposition this government provided evidence that the PPP was the nuclear bomb in Guyana, but how different is this regime? Promises were made to rice farmers yet they keep hearing that the government will not intervene in the private arrangement between the farmers and the millers. Where are the rice mills located? Are they on Mars? Why can’t the laws be amended to ensure serious actions are taken against millers who fail to pay farmers promptly? If this administration concentrated more on
transforming the lives of Guyanese, Jagdeo would have been absent from the PPP congress due to a heart attack, instead he was present, overjoyed to read the numerous sins of this government. I urge the coalition to focus seriously on how they can empower Guyanese, especially the workers such as teachers and those in the armed forces. These workers need a better salary. Which member of the Cabinet can live on the salary these workers get? The time has come for the culture of governance to change. Please note, there are initiatives which can be launched resulting in the coalition regime getting thirty percent of the votes only. Kindly address urgently the horrible salaries and conditions Guyanese are forced to accept. I doubt that the ‘no apology ‘minister will enjoy watching a new cabinet secretary. Will Mr. Jordan rejoice while looking at a new finance minister present the 2021 budget? Will this government celebrate the PPP returning to power? The generation which was fooled with sweet words for the sake of their votes has died. This dispensation of Guyanese support is based on performance. Believe it or not your performance, dear APNU+AFC will decide what happens in 2020. I believe this government can provide a better life for Guyanese immediately. We had enough of those who ruled only to serve their indescribable greed. Members of the cabinet create history by being a government of the people; you can do it. If President Granger and his ministers do not focus on the people they will debate in 2020, with disbelief, from the opposition side of the house and will continue beyond twenty eight years. What will they think if this becomes reality? Henry Noble
Monday April 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Alleged plot against President Granger…
Probe stalled as cops fail to find man who National Assembly will soon claims he was hired debate the sugar industry’s future The police investigation into claims by a man that he was offered $7M to assassinate President David Granger has hit a snag. Police have no idea where the individual who made the allegation might be. The latest twist in the bizarre story was revealed yesterday by a senior police official. “Despite diligent efforts to contact the complainant, based on advice by our Legal Officer, he wasn’t located. Efforts are ongoing to find him,” the official added. Based on instructions by the Police Legal Advisor, investigators had intended to arrange a confrontation with the man making the allegation and an alleged eyewitness. Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had told journalists on Friday that police had hoped to receive legal advice on the matter early this week. The Commissioner had said that “the matter was investigated and sent for legal advice (and) we got advice today (Friday). There was a witness that the police contacted, who the Police Legal Advisor asked that we confront with the person making the allegation to clear up some issues, and then to resend it (the file).” He had also stated that the Police Legal Advisor was the best person to say “whether the allegation can be proven, or whether there was mischief.” The Top Cop and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan have angrily refuted claims, allegedly aired by a television station, that police ranks were involved in the alleged plot. They had threatened to take strong action against the television station. Ramjattan had said that such a report could constitute public mischief that could lead to prosecution, “and could lead to severe consequences about their licenses.” Urging journalists to be responsible in their reporting, Commissioner
Persaud recalled the genocide in Rwanda, which was triggered by unprofessional media reports. It was during his weekly post-Cabinet briefing last Thursday that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, confirmed that the Cabinet and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were aware of the reported threat made against President Granger’s life. Minister Harmon stated that the matter has been referred to the Police Legal Adviser, but declined to give further details, noting that an investigation was already underway. “Security is not something you play with. The professional people know what they do and they put certain measures in place.” The alleged plot was reportedly revealed when a man whose name was not disclosed was interviewed by HGP TV and a section of the footage was released on Thursday. During the interview, the man who had no problems with his identity being known, detailed a plot in which he was offered $7M to kill Granger near or at State House, the official residence of the president. The man claimed that he went to borrow $6M from a businessman, said to be a gold miner. Instead, the businessman offered $7M. The businessman allegedly showed the person being interviewed a long gun and said it was to be used in the assassination. However, the man claimed he turned down the offer. The police reportedly have been investigating the matter for a month now. The man was reportedly picked up and questioned. It was claimed that police officers and a businessman with links to the gold industry were said to be involved. The man, who insisted that he has never harmed anyone before, said he was threatened with death by the persons who attempted to hire him.
DEAR EDITOR, There were public calls for high level national conferences to find a national agreement on ways to save and revitalise the sugar industry of Guyana to make it a viable and profitable industry again, from the growing of sugar canes to the manufacturing of sugar and its by-products. It is welcome news that the National Assembly will soon engage in a debate on the future of the sugar industry. The nation expects mature and serious encounters in the National Assembly, free of rancour and abuse of each other, and from the partisan blame game for cheap political points. This is a test for all the political parties and Members of the Assembly and the Government to debate, and then to confer in good faith
in a Select Committee to find common ground on the future of the industry, putting partisan political consideration aside. Failure to arrive at a national consensus by the National Assembly and the Government would be a source of grave disappointment to all in this country. The Members of the National Assembly must take into consideration the Government’s Commission of Inquiry Report into the Guyana Sugar Corporation, (GUYSUCO), October 2015. They must give serious consideration to the recommendations on the way forward for this vital industry, in particular recommendation (iv), which states “... the COI does not recommend the closure of any estate at this time” The National Assembly
must take into account recent studies and the views and positions of various stakeholders and put all on the table on the National Assembly, including the view that the industry has the capacity to increase its production by at least one hundred thousand tons (100,000) of sugar annually which can turn around the industry. This must be considered among others to find a broadbased national consensus to restore the viability of the sugar industry. Serious consideration must also be given to the contributions of the sugar industry to the national treasury of foreign currencies over the years. The industry is still a significant foreign currency earner. Many knowledgeable and experienced persons on the sugar industry are convinced
that the industry can be saved and revived to profitability. This requires determination and the right decisions from the best practices in the cultivation of sugar canes, to producing sugar and its potential for value added products, and other revenue earning ventures flowing from the sugar industry. The challenge is for the National Assembly and the Government to find common grounds on the future of this industry taking into account the livelihood of workers and their families, and adjoining communities of sugar estates. The citizens of this nation are looking to the political leaders to find acceptable solutions to the challenges facing the future of the Sugar Industry in the interest of all and the national good. Joshua Singh
APNU+AFC REGION 5 councillor wants Nandlall to stop his mischief DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to compliment Mr. Nandlall for telling some truth to Berbicians concerning the protest happening against this government on his weekly TV program that was held on Tuesday 18th April, 2017 on NTN. Mr. Nandlall was truthful when he mentioned that people are protesting against this government every day be it Parking Meters, VAT on Education, NIS for hire car drivers, sugar workers, rice farmers, etc. He was totally correct that people are protesting. But he was untruthful when he said the PPP is not involved in or organising the protests. So on one hand the man speaks some truth and on the other hand he lies. If the PPP is part of or organising the protest, he must tell us. Why is it that a few weeks ago the rice farmers were asked to block the roads in protest against the land rental fee? Why is it that the President of RPA and PPP organisers were seen at several rice farmers’ protest holding placards? Why is it that GAWU’s President, who is also a PPP MP, is telling the sugar workers to strike so they cannot earn a day’s pay? Why is it that you had to ask the hire car drivers in east Berbice to protest in their numbers last Wednesday? Why is it that the PPP takes credit for all the protesting happening that Nandlall mentioned? Mr. Nandlall, you didn’t
mention the protest that you and your fellow PPP MPs started or maybe you forget. Well let me remind you about this new type of protest. In the Parliament you and the PPP MPs are protesting and walking out. The last in the Parliament was on the 13th April, 2017, when you and your comrades stood up to protest against the Speaker and walked out just before 10pm. The former AG must tell the people why the speaker had to ask them to take their seats? It was because the former AG was disrespectful to the Speaker. The Speaker is the one that presides over the business of the National Assembly, not the Opposition leader or Mr. Nandlall. The speaker gives reasons why the motion cannot be carried and the House must respect such decisions. The PPP’s protest in Parliament shows that they are also part of the countrywide protesting that Nandlall says is ongoing. But I think that the government would give people their constitutional rights and allow them to protest and allow for freedom of expression. And under this government all are enjoying their democratic rights. The former AG said (on the program) that the Speaker of the National Assembly is only shushing one set of people and those are the ones on the PPP’s side, not the government benches. Well, I saw the Speaker on several occasions asked members of the governing side to be quiet
and retract statements at times. So, for you as the former AG to accuse the Speaker of being in favor of one side, it’s a shame. Mr. Nandlall went on to lash out at the Hon. Broomes, Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, saying that she babbles like a radio and the Speaker says nothing to admonish her. He went on to say that Hon. Ramjattan is half of the time drunk and preaches like an old man in the Parliament and the Speaker doesn’t hear him. The AG seems to be making lots of wild accusations against members of the government side in Parliament and the Speaker. He needs to stop. The former AG seems to be driving fear into persons by saying that every time people speak ill of the government their property will be liable for seizure according to the
SARA bill. This is totally untrue. I once again call on the GNBA to monitor the political programs in Berbice because it is causing fear among our people and can lead to political unrest. The former AG said that nothing will stop him from speaking and that he will continue to do so and speak out against those that want to divide the nation. Well, it is the former AG that is trying to divide the nation by feeding on and preaching false information and by making racial comments publicly. He also said he is hunting elephants and will not be distracted by rabbits. Well, I hope that the rabbit gets the former AG searching for words to tell the truth to Berbicians and stop the racial comments. Abel Seetaram APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Region 5
Can Mr. Heath-Retemyer answer this question for me, please? DEAR EDITOR, Over the last two days, I read two letters in your newspaper in which persons were trying to justify the appointment of Mr. Aubrey Heath-Retemyer as head of SARU. I was amazed because while these persons tried to justify the appointment, all they could come up with is that he is a Christian and spent the last several years teaching Maths in some school in New York. Prior to that he was an engineer in the GDF. I failed to see what qualifications and or experience were presented to justify this appointment and had to agree with the leader of the opposition in that this appears to be another appointment of Granger’s old friend from the GDF. If someone or Mr. Heath-Retemyer has good reason why or how he was appointed to this position, I would be happy to hear this and to congratulate him on the appointment. Otherwise, I have to believe that if is a position for one of the boys. J. Persaud
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Monday April 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
GRA needs to improve tax collection in mining industries, other areas Some of the nation’s tax advisors are urging the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to improve its efforts in the area of revenue collection. They believe that there are still a number of areas such as the mining industries, where tax evasion is rampant. According to tax advisors such as Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram, Economist Dr. Thomas Singh and NICIL’s Chairman, Maurice Odle, tax evasion continues to be a major issue that the GRA must work feverishly to stamp out. In a comprehensive report, the team of tax experts said that tax evasion depends in part on the resources and efforts that the Government expends on the enforcement of existing laws. The advisors said too
much resources at GRA have been used up in activities not related to tax assessment collection, but rather on the issuance of compliances, manual data entry, and other issues unrelated to the collection of the rightful tax. Going forward, the tax analysts recommended a number of areas which could be looked at. SMUGGLING One area which the tax experts pointed to was smuggling. The officials said that Guyana is subjected to major revenue loss from smuggling, not only because of its porous borders but, also, at its wharves and ports of entry. They said that this is especially so for fuel, gold, cigarettes and alcohol, where there are ongoing allegations that collusion and corruption
-Tax advisors
NICIL Chairman, Maurice Odle facilitate such tax evasion and revenue leakage. “Fuel markers are available on demand to fuel smugglers, gold mined in Guyana is exported and sold in Suriname because of lower royalty taxes, and smuggled cigarettes and alcohol are being sold in plain sight and on which no duty had been paid.” “We understand that the GRA is in the process of acquiring a digital stamping programme for the latter two products at a substantial
cost. It is crucial that the GRA avoids the experience of TRIPS which has failed to deliver on its promises and that it ensures that a proper assessment of all the features of programmes is examined and options and avenues considered and evaluated before entering into any contract.” The tax experts added, “In areas of smuggling, it is known that producers and distributors have a vested interest in reducing such activity, since it reduces their bottom line and, ideally, such parties should have been requested to cooperate with any such a design, rather than having it trusted upon them, as they would be responsible for its implementation.” The officials said it is recommended that GRA hold consultations with all the players in the field. They said too that it is known that digital stamps “in plain sight” are more easily forgeable, than digital markings when so placed in the packaging by producers. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES The process of issuing tax
compliance certificates is another area of concern for Guyana’s tax advisors, especially in view of the potential for major leakages of revenue. On the basis of the existing laws, policies and procedures, the tax experts said that all a taxpayer has to do is to file tax returns, pay whatever small amounts of taxes the taxpayer chooses to declare and request a tax compliance certificate. They said that the certificate is issued indicating that the taxpayer has complied with all tax obligations. In this regard, the officials said, “This is without any audit or verification of the correctness and validity of the tax returns, particularly in relation to the very small amounts of taxes declared and paid. Whatever declarations are made are accepted without question or verification, this leading to revenue leakages.” They subsequently recommended the removal of the tax compliance certificate requirement for motor vehicles and for tender submission and for transports and titles in 2017.
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram MINING INDUSTRIES Furthermore, the tax officers said that attention must be given to the gold and mining industries where there are reports of large scale smuggling and money laundering activities. The officials said that tax officers rarely audit these activities, mistakenly believing that the 2% payment is enough, and indeed the gold declared resulted from the working of claims, rather than from purchases, and sold to the Board as a way of cleaning. They said that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and GRA officers should therefore work together in this exercise.
Monday April 24, 2017
Dem boys seh...
NEVER LATE “You are late… again!” said the man with the bright red shirt to his friend who had just entered. “You are a latecomer.” The meeting place was a nice, quiet joint where you could enjoy a drink. The light however was p o o r, w h i c h h a d i t s advantages. It allowed you to concentrate on what was being said rather than who was saying this. It allowed for voice recognition and association. It allowed for a certain degree of privacy. “Yeah,” chimed in the third man who was wearing a yellow jersey which looked like it needed laundering. He sounded like an echo, even though he did not repeat what was said. The latecomer, dressed modestly in a white cotton shirt buttoned to the sleeves, tried to apologize, but the salvoes just kept coming. “You bring your bad habits here,” the first man rebuked the newcomer. In Guyana, people are hardly punctual, but here time is money. If you are late, you are shown the gate. Time is money and money is time here.” He scratched as if an afterthought. Then placed one of his fingers in his nose and made two semi circles. It was hardly noticeable in the dim light. The second fellow chimed in again, “The only two things that start on time in Guyana is cricket and funerals.” The first man, interjected, “I once saw a Test match start late in Guyana!” “Impossible!” said the second man. “No Test match ever started late in Guyana.” “Yes,” insisted the first man. “This match was two hours late.” “Nah, you are mistaken,”
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Kaieteur News
said his friend. “What were the names of the teams? And when did this match take place?” “I cannot remember those details. It was a long time ago.” “So how come you remembered that it was late when you cannot even remember the teams or when it was played.” “I remember because it started late. There was rain on that day. The toss was spun near to one o’clock and the match started half an hour later” That is delayed, not late.” “Delayed or late is the same thing. It started behind time and that means it started late.” “Why did it start late?” asked the latecomer. “Because there was rain,” said the second. “That is not starting late. That is another thing. Cricket does not start late.” “So, guess what is the second thing in Guyana that always starts on time.” “Political rallies!” “Wrong,” indicated the second man. “Political rallies are always late. They start late and end late. Guess again.” “The newscasts?” “You are close but not near.” “How can someone be close but not near?” “I also know a man who was late for his funeral,” said the first man. “How is that?” said the newcomer finally finding the confidence to speak. “He was not only late.
A lesson to the greedy is a lesson to Jagdeo He was absent. The parlour prepared the wrong body. Was one big confusion. First time a funeral that started had to be pushed back.” “ Ye a h ! ” s a i d t h e second man turning to the newly arrived “You have not told us why you kept us waiting. “One of these days, you are going to be late for your own wedding,” “Weddings are always late in Guyana, “said the newcomer. “Almost always. Hardly a wedding starts on time. So being late for my wedding will not be unusual.” “Okay,” said the newcomer, “but I know of one thing which no Guyanese is ever late for.” “What is that said the first man?” “Guess, “said the latecomer” “The fire service?” “Wrong!” “The police responding to a 911 call?” “Wrong!” “Your flight?” “Wrong, but you are getting closer. This is the one thing that people do not turn up late for. The one thing.” “I give up,” said the first man. “I give up,” said the second man. The latecomer stood up. Raised his head and said. “No Guyanese is ever late for his immigrant visa interview.”
People does want to get rich. In fact, de more rich some people get de more dem want and that is a problem. De richest man in de world, Steve Jobs, had some good words before he dead. Dem boys want to repeat these words. “I have come to the pinnacle of success in business. In the eyes of others, my life has been a success. However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I have grown accustomed. At this time, lying on my hospital bed and remembering all my life I realize that all the accolades and riches I was once so proud of have become insignificant with my imminent death, “In the dark, when I look at green lights of the equipment for artificial respiration, and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me. “Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life you
have to pursue objectives that are not related to your wealth. It should be simple stories more important. For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood. “No. Stop pursuing wealth. It can only make a person a twisted being just like me. God has made us one way. We can feel love in the heart of each of us and not illusions built by fame or money like I made in my life. I cannot take them with me. “I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love. This is the true wealth that will follow you, will accompany you; will give strength and light to go ahead. Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits. “Move to where you want to go; strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart
and in your hands. “What is the world’s most expensive bed? The hospital bed. You, if you have money can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take your illness that is killing you. Material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find once you have lost it is life. “Whatever stage of life here we are right now, we have to face the day when the curtain falls. Please treasure your family’s love, love for your spouse, love for your friends. Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbours.” Dem boys understand every word because dem does think about de facts of life. Talk half and pray fuh all of dem that just grabbing. Jagdeo is one.
Monday April 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Law student’s ten-year wait for exam results…
Cox failed to pay loans on time, says former Registrar
Clairmonte Cox is contending that UG withheld his exam results for ten years.
Former UG Registrar, Vincent Alexander Former Registrar of the University of Guyana, Vincent Alexander is insisting that former law student Clairmonte Cox, who claimed that his exam results were withheld for ten years, was never wronged by the University of Guyana. He has placed the blame on Cox, who he said failed to repay his loans in the stipulated time. The former law student had aired his grievances in last Sunday’s edition of the Kaieteur News. Kaieteur News had made several attempts via cell phone to reach former Registrar of the University, Vincent Alexander, in an effort to include his response in the article. However, it was only after the piece was published, that Mr Alexander responded to the article via a letter to Kaieteur News. In that letter, he stated that “While it is true that initially the University, at the end of the programme, engaged Cox on the possibility of paying-up the fees, he was not forthcoming, thus the University resorted to the position that Cox had not registered (not paid fees) for two years and was not entitled to results for examinations taken in defiance of clear stipulations that he was not entitled to sit the examinations.” The UG Council Member elaborated that “It is a verifiable fact that Cox was granted a loan in the first year, on condition that he commenced repayment immediately, on a monthly basis. He never honoured that commitment/obligation and as such was refused loans in the subsequent two years of the programme. Thus, his fees were not paid and he literally ignored all notices of his nonentitlement to sit examinations. And, in collusion with members of the University’s staff sat examinations, the results of which he now argues he is entitled to.” Alexander is contending also, that there was no hiccup on the part of the Ministry of Finance, in relation to Cox’s student loan. “Cox was in default with regard to his first loan. He was not granted the two subsequent loans and consequently did not pay his fees
for the two remaining years of his programme.” Alexander is also contending that Cox’s claims of having three years to repay his owed fees, is nothing “but another fabrication of Cox.” “The University has no such facility,” Alexander added. He said, “It is true that some three years after the University had ruled on Cox’s matter, he did come forth with an undertaking of the Ministry of Finance to grant him loans retroactively. At that time the University had already disengaged three years prior and moved on.” Cox, armed with a number of stamped documents, from both the Ministry of Finance and the university, had accused UG officials of withholding his examination results for a decade. After engaging the courts, the Central High School teacher was finally provided with the outcome of his three-year-long studies. But, it showed that he had failed two subjects. Not satisfied, Cox, upon receiving the results, went back to the court, seeking a comprehensive review of the examination. Before engaging the court in 2012, Cox said that he spent years ensuring that all the internal avenues were exhausted. He wrote his final letter to the University in 2011, and got a response from the then Registrar, Vincent Alexander, who claimed that the institution hadn’t any examination results for Cox, since he was not a student at the University. Simultaneously, Cox, according to records, received additional letters from UG officials, acknowledging that he was a student, but that he needed to settle all his outstanding balances before receiving his examination results. Cox has admitted to have been lagging in payments, but insisted that he still had ample time to settle his arrears. “So I never understood how they could’ve just refused to give me my results,” he said. A document dated September 7, 2012, signed and stamped from the Ministry of Finance, shows the date of the first loan agreement to be September 1, 2000. It highlights the repayment period to be six years, ending August 31, 2006. At the time, Cox had only paid 10 instalments on his loan, and had fallen short on 34 such payments. Cox, who at been pursuing what was supposed to have been a vibrant career in law, was required to pay a monthly instalment of $5,015.00. The “repayment total” was pegged at exactly $300,041.00. Nonetheless, as it relates to the court actions filed by Cox, Alexander is contending that, “when Cox first filed his action against the University, the University’s administration was never served notice and was not aware of the proceedings until after the court had ruled in a case in which there was no active respondent.” The Former Registrar said that the notice was served on Pro-Chancellor Dr. Prem Misir, whose office took no action, and allowed the court to hear the matter in the absence of any response/defence from the University. “It is anyone’s guess as to what the outcome would have been had the University been able to present its case,” Alexander said. He highlighted that when the ProChancellor informed the Council of the University of the matter and its outcome, it was too late for the University to have appealed. “I know of no other instance when the ProChancellor was the recipient of a court order on behalf of the University. It is worthy of note that this matter was brought to the Council’s attention by a member and that only then the Pro-Chancellor’s office acknowledged receipt of the summons and the court order,” Alexander added.
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Monday April 24, 2017
Monday April 24, 2017
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T&T Education Ministry defends announcement about UWI Chancellor
St. Lucia may launch prosecutions of extrajudicial killings
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Ministry of Education has sought to defend its decision to announce that local businessman Robert Bermudez has been selected as the next Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), although final approval has not been given for his appointment. In a release following last week’s announcement by Education Minister Anthony Garcia, the UWI expressed “surprise” at the statement, adding that Chancellors are appointed in accordance with the University’s Statute 4 which states, “The Chancellor shall be appointed by the University Council.” The UWI said final approval must be given during the upcoming Annual Business Meeting of the University Council to be held on Thursday in Barbados. However, in a statement on Friday, the education ministry said Cabinet instructed Garcia “to inform the population that the search for The UWI Chancellor was completed and that Robert Bermudez would be the next Chancellor”. The ministry said the statement was to “clear the air” and explain the process used to select the next chancellor. It said the University Council established a Search Committee on September 7 last year to begin the process to appoint a new chancellor to replace Sir George Alleyne, who will vacate office on July 31. It said the committee was chaired by Vice Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles and included
Robert Bermudez
Anthony Garcia
representatives of the governments of several Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. “The committee was of the view that there needed to be a paradigm shift away from a chancellor whose background was strictly in academics. It was felt that since the Caribbean economies are on the decline, the university needed a chancellor who in addition to academia also possesses business acumen. “Following this procedure, the Chairman reported to the Committee at its meeting on April 7, 2017 that all Heads of Governments were in agreement with the recommendation to select the nominee of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Robert Bermudez to be the next Chancellor of The University of the West Indies,” the release stated. It said on April 20, Garcia reported to Cabinet that at the 28th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Governments of the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) held in Guyana the prime ministers had all agreed with the decision of the Search Committee that Bermudez be the next chancellor of the university. “He also said during the meeting of the Business Session of Council of The UWI that the report will be submitted for approval on April 27, 2017.” Bermudez is the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bermudez Group of Companies and has led the growth of the Bermudez Group from a local, familyowned business, to a regional business throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. He has enjoyed a distinguished career in business and is associated with several other corporate bodies in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. He is also a non-executive director of the Massy Group. He was elected to the Board of Neal & Massy Holdings Limited, now Massy Holdings Ltd., in 1997 and has served on the Company’s Audit and Governance and Compensation Committees.
CASTRIES, St Lucia — According to reports coming out of Saint Lucia, the authorities there may be preparing to launch prosecutions of those thought to be responsible for a number of alleged extrajudicial killings in 2010 and 2011 by members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) during a highly controversial security initiative called Operation Restore Confidence (ORC). It remains to be seen whether the anticipated prosecution of those responsible, whether by the director of public prosecutions (DPP), or by a special prosecutor as indicated last year by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, will simply be window dressing designed to create the
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith will visit the United States to attend two Jamaica 55 Diaspora conference launches in Miami and New York today and tomorrow. The Miami launch, to be held at the Miramar City Hall, Miramar, Florida, is the first in a series of Diaspora launches for the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference scheduled to take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown, Kingston from July 23 to 26. The New York launch will take place at the Consulate General of Jamaica in the city. Addressing journalists at the Ministry’s quarterly press
briefing recently, Johnson Smith said that she will be leading a team from the Ministry to the two launches to address the Jamaican community and to “drive interest’ in Miami and New York. The Minister said that other launches will be held, if there is time before the conference. “The time is short, so we are looking at whether the schedule can permit a London event, which we are hoping for in May, depending on the time. We have not been able to map other locations,” she added. Since the official launch of the conference earlier this month, the Minister said that Jamaicans overseas have
shown “excitement and enthusiasm across the board about coming home.” “We certainly are looking forward to having them here from July 23 to 26 in downtown, Kingston, as the city celebrates its 145th anniversary as our capital, and as we celebrate our 55th anniversary of Independence,” she noted. She encouraged Jamaicans to log on to dca@mfaft.gov.jm for further details of the conference or to get in touch with the nearest Consulate or Mission in their area. The Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference was officially launched on April 4 at the office of the Prime Minister
perception of credible judicial processes and prosecutions or if it will actually bring to justice those responsible within the RSLPF for gross violations of human rights. Local inquests have so far concluded that six of the shootings were justified but relatives of the victims have insisted they were murdered. The United States also indicated it did not have confidence in the outcomes of the inquests and, in 2013, Saint Lucia was prohibited by the terms of what is commonly referred to as the “Leahy Law” from receiving security-related assistance from the US as a result of “credible evidence of extrajudicial killings of 17 people in 2010-2011” by the island’s security forces. In response to the US
Allen Chastanet sanctions, in August 2013 the Saint Lucia government requested the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to investigate and report on all alleged extrajudicial killings by members of the RSLPF. (Caribbean News)
Raymond: Don’t give CL Financial back to Duprey Trinidad Guardian -It will be “unacceptable” if CL Financial is returned to Lawrence Duprey, Afra Raymond of Disclosure Today, said Saturday. “I don’t believe the people who caused this disaster and who are in a position of responsibility could be just handed back this company after the money is repaid and so on. “We don’t even know how much money has been lent and how it is being repaid,” he said. “I don’t think it should be returned to them those people are not fit and proper to have ownership, directorship or hold positions as officers or controlling shareholders of a financial
Minister of Foreign Affairs to launch Diaspora conference in US
Lawrence Duprey institution in this country. There are fit and proper guidelines and that is one of the very issues we raised with the Governor of the Central Bank Dr Alvin Hilaire.” Duprey was chairman of CL Financial when the conglomerate went to the Central bank for assistance in 2009. Raymond, along with the (CEO of Disclosure Today Rishi Maharaj and David Walker have written to
Hilaire calling for him to explain what is going on. He said Hilaire has to account to the population on the issue of the CL Financial bailout and the way forward, The trio delivered their letter to Hilaire on Wednesday. Hilaire was written to on January 31 but there was no response. “We need to know what is happening. It is a colossal amount of money that has been spent on this bailout. It was administered through the Central Bank and there are more questions than answers,” Raymond said. He said the letter to Hilaire asked how the bail out could have gone on so long without any proper accountability. The group also asjked whether the Central Bank now has to “release CL financial from its control”. “If we have to release it because the law says we have to release it because targets have been achieved who do we leave it to,” Raymond said.
SPARE THE ROD
Kamina Johnson Smith in Kingston. The Conference is convened every two years by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with several partners.
Daily Nation - The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has renewed its call for Barbados to ban flogging, but local authorities are asking for understanding on ending its use in the home. The recommendation was among twelve that the committee, an independent body, made to Barbados after consideration of the second periodic report submitted by Barbados on its implementation of the International Convention On The Rights Of The Child. A team of officials led by Minister of Social Care Steve Blackett, and including Child Care Board officials and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) children’s champion for Barbados, Faith Marshall-Harris, attended the meeting in Geneva. In relation to flogging, Barbados submitted that there was still a “strong cultural attitude in favour of corporal punishment
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WANTED 1 Experienced general domestic to work in G/town, must know to cook Indian dishes. Call: 656-6388
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Floor sanding & Lacquering, house plans, estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission. Call: 650-4362 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 General Computer Repairs and maintenance, replaced damaged laptops screens and more. Contact Dynatec: 225-2303
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
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Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
Monday April 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Truck Driver. Call: 227-1717
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 Toyota Pickup (Tacoma) 2002 /4 wheel drive Manual 4 cylinder - $3M negotiableCall: 649-7771/ 690-7155
AutoCad Technician. Must be familiar with AutoCAD 2008 or higher. Computer will be provided. Call: 628-2962
Not working vehicles for sale, 1 small bus, 1 canter, 2 cars, 2 motor bikes, 1 bobcat. Call: 227-4377/624-6013 Fully loaded Ford explore sport truck, excellent condition, 22" rims, surrender sound system, DVD head rest. Call: 627-7718
1 Welder to work in the Interior. Call: 625-5136 Contract hire car to work @ GR Taxi. Contact Ganesh: 614-6202 Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660
1 RZ bus EFI in Excellent condition, BKK Series - $900,000 negotiable. Call: 617-6781 19 Seat minibus, BRR8754. Call: 626-5869
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
Unregistered 2010 Fielder $2.5M, Dark Interior. Call: 6175536
Urgently: One electrician. Please contact Lawerence: 664-9635 or 644-9084
1 Toyota Vigo, with 3 RZ engines - $2M. Call: 698-7807
One female shop assistant to work in the Interior, age 2345. Contact: 668-6421
SALE! SALE! 2011ALLION $3.350M, 2011 BLUEBIRD $2.7M, 2010 RACTICS $2.5M,ALLVEHICLESFULLY LOADED&UNREGISTERED. CALL: 642-7295
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Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business.Call: 226-7012
Two Massey Ferguson Tractors, one 4299 and one 290, price negotiable. Call 611-1277 for more information.
Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013
1 Double Stall for sale @ Bourda Market Section D. Call: 665-7896 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
LAND FOR SALE Transported land for sale size 37X270 @ Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D. Call: 650-5644/677-9938 Tuschen Phase 2 - $1.4M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M with fence, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.5M. Call: 642-1252 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Space for rent @ Vreed-en Hoop Junction, lessons place, church, storage bond, office, others -$20,000 monthly. Call: 603-6400 1-Bottom flat 2 rooms apartment situated pm East Bank Demerara. Call: 6886228
Nissan Murano 2009, woman driven, immaculate condition. Price $5.5M negotiable. Call: 617-8202
Two bedroom bottom flat, fully grilled, fenced, concrete yard @ Tuschen Housing Scheme. Call: 692-5525/2663973
14 Acres farm land @ Yarrowkobra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, price negotiable - $13M. Call: 6178202
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Land to buy in: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt and La Pafaite Harmonie. Call: 642-1252 One Arc/Acetylene welder/ driver, one live in family, mechanical & structural experienced is an asset. Call: 227-1830
FOR RENT
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Fully furnished house with five rooms and four bathrooms. Call: 641-0959/ 225-0140 Business property to rent near Campbellville Secondary School. Call: 6276480/ 613-6815 TO LET 4 AC Rooms/2 large hall with 1 extra room, suitable for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350 Furnished 1 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824; 233-5560
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Journey Inn apartments: 1,2 & 3 bedrooms with AC and Kitchen. Call: 233-2300/ 7182301695
Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land 91X50, house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 self-contained- $23M. Call: 718213-6496/617-7691
Fully furnished air-condition apartments, refrigerator, television, queen size bed and microwave etc. - $65,000 monthly. Call: 694-7817/ 6680306 Furnished apartments April, 22 2017- April 29 2017. 318 East St, North C/Burg between Middle + New Market. Call: 653-0490/ 6414614/ 226-3199 3 Bedrooms fully furnished upper flat size 38X40ft $160,000 monthly. Call: 6445151
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Property Execution Sale Berbice Sub- Registry 27Apr-2017 at 10.00 hrs. Contact 335-3344 or 616-4821 for details.
VACANCY Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 614-4358 Experienced cook (for canteen), porters, bond clerks, snackette attendants, drivers. Apply: Survival, Lot 10 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty. Diesel mechanic, welder/ fabricator, machinist. Have Technical background & atleast 3yrs experience. Apply: Written application @ Technical Services, Eccles Apprentice. Must have Technical Background. Apply with written application @ Technical Services Inc, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. Painter. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Experienced female Accounts clerk – Maths & English. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street Bourda Cashiers to work at Super bet, 21-22 Hink Street, Georgetown. Call: 625-5322 Washers/presser, hotel attendant, bell boy. Call:2277714/223-3448
Monday April 24, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Trump pressures Democrats on Obamacare to get border wall deal WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - President Donald Trump put pressure on Democrats yesterday as U.S. lawmakers worked to avoid a government shutdown, saying Obamacare would die without a cash infusion the White House has offered in exchange for their agreement to fund his border wall. The escalated push to get Trump’s priorities, which Democrats reject, into spending legislation could jeopardize prospects for an agreement to keep the government open. If talks fail, the government would shut down on Saturday, Trump’s 100th day in office. “Obamacare is in serious trouble. The Dems need big money to keep it going otherwise it dies far sooner than anyone would have thought,” the Republican president said in a Twitter
post. In a second tweet, he added: “The Democrats don’t want money from budget going to border wall despite the fact that it will stop drugs and very bad MS 13 gang members.” MS-13 is a criminal gang with members of Central American origin. The president’s tweets appeared after White House budget director Mick Mulvaney accused Democrats of “holding hostage national security” by opposing $1.5 billion to help build a wall along the U.S.Mexico border, one of Trump’s top campaign pledges. Democrats have said they would not support legislation that ends federal subsidies to help low-income people buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as
President Donald Trump Obamacare. The healthcare law was former Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement, which Republicans are trying to repeal and replace. On Sunday, Democrats called for Trump to stop making “poison pill” demands.
France’s Macron appears set for Elysee in runoff with Le Pen
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in both the House of Representatives and the Senate were “going quite well” and that he was hopeful a deal could be reached. “The only fly in the ointment is that the president is being a little heavy handed, and mixing in and asking for things such as the wall,” Schumer told reporters. “We’d ask him to let us do our work, not throw in some last-minute poison pills that could undo it, and we could get this done,” he said. Trump wants money for the wall included in spending legislation that Congress must pass by Friday to keep the federal government operating through Sept. 30, when the 2017 fiscal year expires. Mulvaney and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus played down the danger of a shutdown. Mulvaney said talks between Republicans and Democrats could produce an agreement as early as Sunday. “I’m pretty confident we’re going to get something that’s satisfactory to the president in regard to border security within the current negotiations,” Priebus said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Homeland Security
Former President Barack Obama Secretary John Kelly said Trump had been clear about his desire for a wall. “I would suspect he will be insistent on the funding,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.” The White House is expected to address another Trump campaign promise this week with a Wednesday announcement on tax reform that Mulvaney said would offer “governing principles, some guidance, also some indication of what the rates will be.” But he said basic elements of the plan remained undecided, including whether to have deficit-funded tax cuts that would not be permanent. “You can either have a small tax cut that’s permanent, or a large tax cut that is short term,” he said. In a tweet on Saturday,
Trump promised that a “Big TAX REFORM AND TAX REDUCTION will be announced next Wednesday.” Legislative text on tax reform is not expected until June, Mulvaney said. Spending legislation will require Democratic support to clear the Senate, and the White House says it has offered to include $7 billion in Obamacare subsidies to help low-income Americans pay for health insurance, if Democrats accept funding for the wall.Democrats showed no sign of softening their opposition to wall funding on Sunday and sought to place responsibility for any shutdown squarely on Trump and Republicans who control the House of Representatives and the Senate. “The Democrats do not support the wall,” House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “The wall is, in my view, immoral, expensive, unwise.” Senator Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, called on Trump to “back off.” “To think that he would consider shutting down the government of the United States of America over this outlandish proposal of a border wall ... that would be the height of irresponsibility,” he told CNN.
North Korea says it is ready to strike U.S. aircraft carrier
Benoit Hamon, French Socialist party 2017 presidential candidate, reacts as he delivers a speech at La Mutualite meeting hall in Paris after early results in the first round REUTERS/Vincent Kessler Reuters - Centrist Emmanuel Macron took a big step towards the French presidency yesterday by winning the first round of voting and qualifying for the May 7 runoff alongside far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Though Macron, 39, is a comparative political novice who has never held elected office, new opinion polls yesterday had him easily winning the final clash against the 48year-old Le Pen. Yesterday’s outcome is a huge defeat for the two centre-right and centre-left groupings that have dominated French politics for 60 years, and also reduces the prospect of an anti-establishment shock on the scale of Britain’s vote last June to quit the European Union and the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. In a victory speech, Macron told supporters of his fledgling En Marche! (Onwards!) movement: “In one year, we have changed the face of French politics.” Conceding defeat even before figures from the count came in, rival conservative and
Socialist candidates urged their supporters now to put their energies into backing Macron and stopping any chance of a second-round victory by Le Pen, whose anti-immigration and anti-Europe policies they said spelled disaster for France. As investors breathed a collective sigh of relief at what the market regarded as the best of several possible outcomes, the euro soared 2 percent to $1.09395 EUR= when markets opened in Asia. It was the euro’s highest level since Nov. 10, the day after the results of the U.S. presidential election. In a race that was too close to call up to the last minute, Macron, a pro-EU ex-banker and former economy minister who founded his own party only a year ago, was projected to get 23.7 percent of the first-round vote by the pollster IfopFiducial and 24 percent by Harris. Le Pen, leader of the National Front, was given 21.7 percent by Ifop and 22 percent by Harris. Other pollsters projected broadly similar results.
Reuters - North Korea said yesterday it was ready to sink a U.S. aircraft carrier to demonstrate its military might, in the latest sign of rising tension as U.S. President Donald Trump prepared to call the leaders of China and Japan. The United States ordered the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group to sail to waters off the Korean peninsula in response to mounting concern over the North’s nuclear and missile tests, and its threats to attack the United States and its Asian allies. The U.S. government has not specified where the carrier strike group is as it approaches the area. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive “within days,” but gave no other details. “Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike,” the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, said in a commentary. The paper likened the aircraft carrier to a “gross animal” and said a strike on it
would be “an actual example to show our military’s force”. The commentary was carried on page three of the newspaper, after a two-page feature about leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a pig farm. A senior U.S. administration official said Trump was expected to speak later on Sunday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In another sign of the intense focus on Pyongyang in Washington, the White House is expected to host U.S. senators for a top-level briefing on North Korea on Wednesday, a White House official said. The official said the briefing would be led by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Marine General
Kim Jong Un Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. U.S. and South Korean officials have been saying for weeks the North could soon stage another nuclear test, something the United States, China and others have warned against. South Korea has put its forces on heightened alert.
When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise. Take time out to feel the peace of silence.
Monday April 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Ratings agency lowers T&T’s credit rating … But maintains stable economic outlook
NEW YORK - CMC – International credit ratings agency Standards and Poors (S&P) has lowered its Long Term Sovereign Credit Ratings for the twin island republic to BBB+ from AHowever the agency has maintained the country’s economic outlook as stable. S&PIn its ratings announcement, S&P said the change was based on the country’s higher debt burden. It added that at the same time it was affirming its “A-2” short term sovereign credit ratings and lowering its transfer and convertibility assessment to ‘A’ from ‘AA’. In making the changes, S&P said the country’s debt burden increased sharply since 2014, amid the economic recession and while government introduced austerity measures to reduce fiscal imbalances, it expects budget consolidation to be slower than initially anticipated and interest costs to be higher . In a report issued on Saturday, the agency said that maintaining its stable outlook reflected its expectation that the local economy will recover modestly in 2017 – 2020 based on higher natural gas prices and production, supporting deficit reduction and the stabilisation of the debt burden. It continued that the downgrade reflected further deterioration in the country’s debt burden, including a higher- than-expected rise in net general government debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the interest burden over 2017-2020. Its analysis said that Trinidad and Tobago’s economic recession stemmed from low oil and gas prices in global markets, disruptions in domestic production (due to plant shut-downs for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades), as well as ongoing US dollar shortages from the banking system . It said that preliminary
estimates indicated output declined by 2.3 per cent in 2016, after falling 0.6 per cent in 2015, as output in the energy sector dropped by 9.6 per cent. This, in turn, affected the non-energy sector, which declined by 1.8 per cent. According to the agency, “Our measure of economic wealth– GDP per capita–has continuously dropped since 2013, and we expect it to be $16,346 in 2017. Trend growth in real per capita GDP, of 0.7 per cent (average 2011- 2020), remains below other countries with similar GDP per capita. “We expect domestic natural gas production to rise in 2017-2018 amid fewer planned plant shutdowns and as new gas fields come on stream, particularly from the start-up of the Juniper field facility in third-quarter 2017. We expect global oil and gas prices to slightly increase following the agreement between OPEC members to restrain oil supply,” the agency said. Economist at UWI, St Augustine campus Professor Anthony Birchwood said he was not surprised the country was downgraded as this was inevitable. He added that all major producers of oil in the world have been downgraded so it’s not a funny thing that we
had to be downgraded at some point in time because the oil prices continue to be low for an extended period of time so the whole economy is adjusting downwards. He said the move downward from ‘BBB+’ to ‘A’ does not mean that the sky will fall. He said the economy is still strong “because we have healthy foreign reserves and I think that is what is propping it up. We have a healthy foreign exchange reserve and therefore we will not be written off and we will not be reduced to the status of junk bonds like some other countries.” He said the country had sovereign savings in the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF) and healthy foreign exchange reserves of more than a year while the standard for CARICOM countries was three months of import cover. He added that even if the country was downgraded, it was downgraded because of its dependence on oil which has suffered a true and sustained depression in the oil prices. According to Professor Birchwood, “I think we have enough still, if we carefully manage our foreign exchange reserves and that is the key now – to carefully manage the foreign exchange reserves and don’t arbitrarily invest in things that will lose our foreign exchange reserves. So we have to be very careful from now on what we do.” Standard and Poor’s is projecting that the oil price will rise to US$50 per barrel this year, up from US$45 and the price of natural gas at Henry Hub will increase to US$3.00 per million metric British thermal units from US$2.75 .
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Monday April 24, 2017
Monday April 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Brazil’s Temer vows Brazil to survive corruption scandal Brasília (AFP) - President Michel Temer insists that a growing corruption scandal in his government will not paralyze Brazil as it struggles to emerge from its deepest recession in history. “Brazil doesn’t stop,” he said in an interview broadcast Saturday on Spanish television TVE ahead of a visit today by Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. “So it won’t be corrupt acts that paralyze the country.” Temer — who is alleged to have chaired a meeting where the corruption-riddled engineering giant Odebrecht agreed to pay a huge bribe to his PMDB party — said the accusations were unfortunate. However, he took pains to voice support for the investigative judge, Sergio Moro, who is leading the massive probe known as “Car
Michel Temer Wash.” Moro is “fulfilling” his role, Temer said, adding that he would avoid criticizing a wave of new investigations because it “could be construed as wanting to shut down Car Wash.”
Eight of Temer’s ministers were placed under investigation for alleged participation in a sprawling embezzlement and bribery network in which Odebrecht and other companies paid politicians to get them contracts with the state oil company Petrobras. A third of the Senate and 39 lower house deputies were also singled out for probes. The developments are complicating Temer’s push for Congress to approve far reaching austerity reforms, including a shrinking of the country’s hugely expensive pension system. The scandal has also contributed to investor nerves. One of the world’s biggest emerging markets, Brazil is forecast to exit a more than two-year recession this year, although only just.
Syrian army, allies gain ground against rebels north of Hama
A rebel fighter stands near damaged buildings in rebel-held area of southern city of Deraa, Syria yesterday. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Faqir Reuters - The Syrian army and allied forces advanced against rebels in western Syria near Hama city yesterday, building on recent strategic gains in the area, a military source and a monitoring group said. Government forces captured the town of Halfaya and nearby villages, they said, taking back territory that rebels seized last year from forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. “We gained control of Halfaya and several hills in the area,” the Syrian military source said. “The army will of course continue its fight.” Boosted by Russian air
strikes and Iranian-backed militias, the Syrian army has pushed into rebel areas north of Hama, expanding its control this week along the western highway that links Damascus and Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britainbased war monitoring group, said the army began advancing into areas near Halfaya when rebels withdrew yesterday, following intense battles and air strikes. Rebels confirmed the town had fallen after several days of relentless air strikes by jets from Russia and Syria which are accused of a
“scorched earth policy” that uses phosphorus and incendiary bombs on civilian areas. “Russian jets had intensified their bombing ahead of the ground offensive the regime launched. This allowed them to advance,” said Mohamed Rasheed, spokesman for the Free Syrian Army’s (FSA) Jaish al Nasr rebel group. Warplanes have pounded Halfaya and swathes of territory near the highway in a region vitally important to Assad’s government, which has shored up its rule in the populated west of the country.
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Monday April 24, 2017
Monday April 24, 2017
London Marathon 2017:
Mary Keitany & Daniel Wanjiru win Mary Keitany of Kenya broke Paula Radcliffe’s women’sonly world record to win the London Marathon. Keitany, 35, crossed the finish line on The Mall in two hours 17 minutes one second, the second-fastest time in history. That was 41 seconds quicker than four-time British Olympian Radcliffe ran in winning the event in 2005. Kenyan Daniel Wanjiru, 24, won the men’s race in 2:05:56, with Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia second. Bekele - the 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder looked to be mounting a challenge in the final stages, but Wanjiru found enough pace to finish strongly and eventually win by nine seconds. Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia was the runner-up in the women’s race, clocking a time of 2:17:56. Speaking to the BBC after the race, Keitany said: “It was a great day for me. It was really amazing, to run the best time. “The weather was good at the beginning, it was nice for me and my pace. I’ve run my best.” Wanjiru said he felt comfortable running at world-record pace for sections of the race and is still aiming to break Dennis Kimetto’s time of 2:02:57, set in Berlin in 2014. “In the beginning the race was very fast and we were inside world record pace. It was the pace I was preparing for,” he told BBC TV. “We tried to maintain that pace for half of the race. From there it was becoming tougher and tougher. The sun was coming and the day was beautiful - but we don’t need too much sun!” In the women’s race, Britain’s Alyson Dixon finished 12th in a personal best of 2:29:06 to secure her place at this summer’s World Championships. However, Jo Pavey, who needed to finish as one of the top two British women to qualify for August’s championships in London, was forced to retire after about 17 miles. Earlier, Britain’s six time Paralympic champion David Weir took victory in the men’s wheelchair race, beating his rival and last year’s winner Marcel Hug in a sprint finish. Why is Paula Radcliffe still a record-holder? In 2003 when Paula Radcliffe set her world-record time of 2:15:25, she ran with two male pacemakers. World athletics governing body the IAAF changed the criteria for marathon world records in 2011 stipulating that the women’s record had to be set in a women-only race, and accordingly downgraded Radcliffe’s record to a ‘world best’. But after a protest, they relented and reinstated her world record. The time Keitany beat on Sunday was also Radcliffe’s, set in London in 2005 without male pacemakers, so classified as a women-only race. (BBCsport)
N’Golo Kante wins PFA ... From page 34 struggling to find a fault in his game. “He made five mistakes. He has to improve,” Conte said. “I am joking. He has great stamina, great quality and we are working to -improve that quality.” Alli’s young player prize is consolation for his -controversial omission from the six-man shortlist for the senior award. The England midfielder, 21, has again been critical to Spurs’ title push, with 16 goals. Manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “He’s -improved a lot from last -season. He’s a better player and deserves it. He’s -showing he’s one of the best players in the Premier League.” Manchester City’s Lucy Bronze won the women’s Player of the Year award for the second time having also won it in 2014, and -Birmingham’s Jess Carter topped the voting in the women’s Young Player -category.
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Former England captain David Beckham received the PFA’s Merit award for his contribution to the game. Beckham, who won 115 England caps and starred at club level for Manchester United, followed ex-Red Devils’ team-mate Ryan Giggs in winning the Merit prize. He also received the prize alongside his ‘Class of 92’ United team-mates in 2013. Former England captain David Beckham received the PFA’s Merit award for his contribution to the game. Kante has played a key role in Chelsea’s surge to the top of the league this season and is renowned as a tireless box-to-box competitor who helps break up opposition attacks and initiate them for his own side. He is set to become the first player to achieve the distinction of winning successive Premier League titles with different clubs if Chelsea can hold off Tottenham in this season’s championship race. (Mirror)
Europe becomes a new destination for American women soccer stars For years it was assumed that if professional women’s club soccer was to truly take off it would be the United States that would provide the home for an elite competition. The U.S national team have won the World Cup three times and are four-times Olympic gold medalists. The country has produced some of the women’s game’s biggest and most marketable names. On Saturday, however, two of those big names of American women’s soccer, 2015 World Cup winners Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan, were in action in the north-west of England at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium. Lloyd, the current World Player of the Year, lined up in the sky blue of her Manchester club while Morgan was facing her for French team Olympique Lyon in the first leg of the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. It is a situation that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago but the recent growth of well-resourced women’s teams at big European clubs such as City, Lyon and the other two semifinalists, Barcelona and Paris St Germain, has changed the landscape for women players. The big clubs are assembling increasingly international squads and recruiting from far and wide and Lyon’s Norwegian international striker Ada Hederberg sees it as completely natural that American women would now come to Europe. “If you are an American player I would think you would want to play at the highest level and you have the Champions League here in Europe, so why not?” she told Reuters after Lyon enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 win against City. “You have European football growing a lot now -–
USA forward Alex Morgan (13) moves the ball against Romania defender Teodora Meluta (15) during the second half at StubHub Center. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Barcelona, the Spanish teams, the English league, France, Germany, the game is growing in Europe and it is going to be exciting the next few years to see what happens,” she said. Both Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the 2015 World Cup final, and Morgan are on temporary deals in Europe while remaining under contract with their U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams. Lloyd will return to her Houston Dash at the end of the England’s Women’s Super League Spring Series while Morgan is due back with Orlando Pride after Ly o n ’s s e a s o n e n d s i n June. The NWSL is the latest attempt, after some failed efforts, to establish a solid professional club league in the U.S. and while it is making progress, limited budgets may lead to more Americans turning to Europe. Recently Heather O’Reilly, a three-time goldmedal winner with the U.S., joined Arsenal while
Messi’s 500th Barca goal...
From page 33 with an elbow on Messi. The Argentine came in for harsh treatment throughout, with Casemiro lucky not to be sent off for multiple hacks on him after picking up an early booking for a foul. The Brazilian opened the scoring for Madrid in the 28th minute, tapping home at the back post after Ramos had fired Marcelo’s cross against the post. Five minutes later Barcelona were level and it was Messi who finished it, dancing away from Dani Carvajal and slotting the ball beyond Keylor Navas. Gareth Bale went off injured towards the end of the first half and was replaced by Marco Asensio. The youngster set up Ronaldo in the second period but the Portugal international blasted over from close range. Rakitic made him pay with a long-range strike that flew beyond Navas and then Ramos was dismissed as he lunged in on Messi recklessly. Rodriguez leveled the score after he reached Marcelo’s near-post cross but Messi had the final say, blowing the title race wide open. (Reuters)
emerging American talent Crystal Dunn quit the NWSL’s Washington Spirit to join Chelsea. BIG NAMES City’s England international midfielder Jill Scott welcomes the trend and says she would not be surprised to see more Americans packing their bags soon. “It is fantastic that we can attract players like this, you see the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, players are now wanting to come and play in our league. That shows the progress that we have made and hopefully we can keep increasing the standard of our league and we can attract more big names,” she said. Lloyd says she had received plenty of questions from American players about life at Manchester City and the opportunities in Europe.
“I have had nothing but good things to say,” she told Reuters, adding that she too would expect more of her compatriots to follow her path, especially before the big international competitions. While Lloyd has been full of praise for the facilities available to City players, Morgan has made a point of highlighting the different styles of play that can be learnt in Europe and when she signed for Lyon talked of being “immersed in a soccer culture”. Although the U.S. college system continues to be an attractive option, the growth of big clubs in Europe and leagues such as England’s Women’s Super League, are likely to limit the number of players heading across the Atlantic to play club football in the States.(Reuters)
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Knight Riders defend small total in style, RCB 49 all out One hundred and thirtytwo runs. That’s all Royal Challengers Bangalore needed. A little over 13 runs per wicket, only 6.6 runs an over, with Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in their side. Against quality pace bowling led by the astute Gautam Gambhir, the most glittering batting line-up in Twenty20 cricket sensationally collapsed to 49 all out, the lowest score in the IPL and the 10th-lowest in all Twenty20 cricket. Not one man reached double figures. This was only the 10th time in the IPL that a total of 131 or under was defended successfully. At the halfway mark, Kolkata Knight Riders felt they were about 50 short of the par score, especially after the start Sunil Narine had given them: a 17-ball 34 in the fastest team fifty this IPL. They had collapsed from 65 for 1 to be bowled out only for the third time when batting first in IPL. That fall couldn’t hold a candle to Royal Challengers, though, who batted with their edges, starting with a golden duck for captain Kohli. Nathan Coulter-Nile began the slide with the wickets of Kohli, AB de Villiers and Kedar Jadhav in his first three overs, and then Chris Woakes and Colin de Grandhomme feasted on the carcass, taking three wickets each. With Umesh Yadav taking the other wicket, this was the fifth time all 10 wickets had fallen to pace in the IPL.
Trini Posse - At the toss, Kohli said he expected the pitch to be a little tacky, and thus helpful to seam, after rain last night and a delayed start because of more rain. However, he opened with his trusted legspinner Samuel Badree, who has for long been one of the best T20 newball bowlers. Fellow Trinidadian, Narine, played him like a man who knows him inside out. Immediately he played him like a slow seam bowler angling the ball away from him as opposed to bringing it back in. 4, 4, 6, 4 in the first over, and Knight Riders had their most productive first over since 2013. Narine continuing punishing S Aravind, who had a decent Powerplay economy rate of 7.32, in the third over. Mills, Binny strike - The Narine onslaught forced Kohli to bowl half of Tymal Mills’ quota in the first four overs. It also meant Kohli had to hold back his two other big bowlers, legspinners Badree and Yuzvendra Chahal. Mills responded, though, hitting Gambhir’s thumb on the way to Jadhav in the fourth over. A slower short ball from Stuart Binny in the sixth over accounted for Narine, who pulled and found deep square leg. Legspinners come back In the last match at Eden Gardens, Knight Riders posted 187, and lost with 10 balls to spare. They must have been under extra pressure now to get a total that was Gayle-Kohli-deVilliers-proof, which is
Kolkata Knight Riders’ players celebrate a comprehensive win. ©BCCI perhaps why they kept going after the legspinners. Badree and especially Chahal loved it. Robin Uthappa fell playing Badree across the line, Yusuf Pathan was stumped down the leg side off Chahal, de Grandhomme skipped out and edged Chahal to slip, and Manish Pandey flicked a Chahal full toss to midwicket. The real show, though, was yet to begin. Pace like fire - Going into the chase, Royal Challengers might have thought of getting a big net run rate bonus here. Small ground, quick outfield, a paltry total to chase, with explosive batsmen in the shed, this was fertile ground for a quick finish and big momentum. Gambhir, on the other hand, walked out like a desperate nothing-to-lose
Tony Montana from Scarface. He had his helmet on, and he asked Royal Challengers to say hello to his little friend: raw pace and upright seam. A pumped-up Coulter-Nile began with a massive no-ball, but he hit Gayle on the shoulder on the free hit. And when Kohli faced first up, Gambhir had a second slip in place, which is where the edge to the outswinger went. At the other end, Umesh was cut straight to point by Mandeep Singh, who had moved ahead of de Villiers in the order. The strategy for de Villiers this season has been to give him no room, doing which Knight Riders conceded two early boundaries, but a sharp bouncer from Coulter-Nile drew the fatal top-edge on the hook from well outside off.
Towards the end of the fourth over, Gambhir was seen gesturing towards fine leg. He wanted one more from Coulter-Nile, who came back and accounted for Jadhav with the first ball of his third over. Gambhir also knew that Gayle was not enjoying the pace, and he kept peppering him with the pace of Umesh. Gambhir then overlooked Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav, who many might have thought were the key now, with the score 39 for 4 after six overs and with Gayle on 7 off 15. He went to Woakes, who was not going to pitch anything in Gayle’s half, even if it meant bowling a wide. That wide out of the way, perhaps Gayle felt there would be no more short balls in the over, but Woakes still bounced him, handcuffing his
attempt at a big shot, and having him caught at wide mid-off. The rest was just a procession. Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 131 (Narine 34, Chahal 3-16, Negi 2-15, Mills 2-31) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 49 (De Grandhomme 3-4, Woakes 36, Coulter-Nile 3-21) by 82 runs. Kings XI defend 188 for first away win Kings XI Punjab won the critical moments of a T20, with both bat and ball, to record only the 11th instance of a team successfully defending a total in 26 matches this IPL. They got to 188 with Hashim Amla following up a century in his previous game with a 40-ball 65 that was also filled with sparkling strokeplay. Then Axar Patel smashed 34 off 17 balls in the death, complemented that by picking up two crucial wickets and eventually made sure Kings XI had their first win after batting first in this IPL. Dinesh Karthik struck a gritty, unbeaten 58 but it was in vain as the Kings XI bowlers had solid plans and executed them as well as they could have hoped. KC Cariappa concentrated on bowling wicket to wicket and spinning the ball away from both left and right-handers. Mohit Sharma’s back-ofthe-hand slower balls found purchase on a pitch that got slower as the match progressed. And together they picked up three wickets in eight overs, giving away only 49 runs. Scores: Kings XI Punjab 188 for 7 (Amla 65, Axar 34, Tye 2-35) beat Gujarat Lions 162 for 7 (Karthik 58*, Cariappa 2-24) by 26 runs.
Chappell finally wins on PGA Tour in 180th career start Kevin Chappell ended a frustrating run of near misses when he clinched his first PGA tour title with a one-stroke triumph over fellow American Brooks Koepka at the Texas Open yesterday. Chappell let out a scream of ecstasy after sinking his winning putt, an eight-foot birdie at the final hole at TPC San Antonio. His elation was understandable, following six previous runnerup finishes on tour, including four last season. “I’m just excited I don’t have to answer that question (again) of what do I have to do to win,” Chappell said in a greenside interview after closing with a 68 to finish at 12-under-par 276. “I was really calm all day. I know it’s very cliché, we all say that when we get it done, but I was calm. I never freaked out. Playing the last, it was simple, make four and you win.” Chappell, equal seventh at the Masters two weeks ago, will jump into the top 25 in the world rankings, after starting the Texas Open ranked 41st. Regarded as an excellent ball-striker whose putting does not always match the quality of his long game, he seemed in danger of coming up short again after three-putting from 80 feet from the fringe at the penultimate hole. But the 30-year-old made amends at the last, starting his winning putt just outside the left edge of the hole and watching with delight as the ball broke just enough to topple in. Koepka made a bold challenge on another windy day, notching eight birdies in a 65 before waiting in the clubhouse to see if he would get into a playoff. But Koepka came up one stroke short as Chappell, in his 180th start on tour, finally found out what it felt like to win. (Reuters)
Kevin Chappell poses with the winner’s trophy. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Monday April 24, 2017
Highlights of yesterday’s NBA games
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) battles for a rebound against Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) and guard Jeff Teague (44) in game four. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports CAVALIERS 106, PACERS 102 LeBron James scored 33 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:08 remaining, and Cleveland completed a fourgame sweep of Indiana in their NBA playoff opening-round series. Indiana, which never had been swept in a seven-game series, took a 102-100 lead on Thaddeus Young’s tip-in with 1:31 to play, but the Cavaliers scored the game’s final six points to advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference. For James, it was his 21st consecutive firstround playoff game victory, breaking Magic Johnson’s record of 20 set in the mid-1980s. James’ three-pointer gave Cleveland a 103-102 lead, and Kyle Korver made two free throws with 19.1 seconds left for a 105-102 lead. Paul George missed a potential game-tying threepointer with one second left, and James got the rebound and was fouled. He made one of two free throws for the final score. Kyrie Irving added 28 points, Deron Williams scored 14 and Kevin Love had five
points and 16 rebounds for Cleveland. Lance Stephenson led Indiana with 22 points, Myles Turner had 20 and George finished with 15 on only 5-of- 21 shooting. ROCKETS 113, THUNDER 109 Nene scored 28 points and Eric Gordon and Lou Williams added 18 each as Houston took a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series with Oklahoma City. The Rockets have a chance to close out the series on Tuesday at home in Game Five. Houston’s James Harden was just 5 of 16 from the floor and missed all seven of his three-point attempts. Russell Westbrook had 35 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists for the Thunder but Houston made a push both times Westbrook left the game and made a final one late with Westbrook on the floor. Westbrook had a triple-double in the first half, making him just the second player in NBA history to record three consecutive playoff triple-doubles. Wilt Chamberlain did it in four consecutive games in 1967. He was just 5 of 17 from the field in the second half. (Reuters)
Rooney helps Man Utd see off Burnley Wayne Rooney scored his first goal since January as Manchester United kept up the chase for the top four in the Premier League with victory at Burnley. Rooney’s second league start of the year was one of eight changes made by United manager Jose Mourinho after Thursday’s Europa League win over Anderlecht. The England captain started the impressive counter-attack which led to Anthony Martial’s opener, and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle to double United’s lead before half-time. Andre Gray had Burnley’s best chance of the first half when his shot was blocked by defender Eric Bailly, but Sean Dyche’s side failed to register a shot on target. It means United remain fifth in the league but are only a point
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off rivals Manchester City, whom they face on Thursday at Etihad Stadium. Burnley have now won only once in 11 matches and are five points off the relegation zone in 16th. After season-ending injuries to striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Marcos Rojo, Mourinho was forced to shuffle his pack again. And, with one eye on the Manchester derby, he left Thursday’s hero Marcus Rashford on the bench. Martial returned to the attack alongside Rooney and Jesse Lingard and played a part in both first-half goals. The Frenchman sprinted forward after being sent on his way by Rooney, and after a delicate lay-off from Ander Herrera, Martial swept the ball past Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal. It was Martial’s 25th goal for the club and a clause in
his contract, which he signed last year, means United will now have to pay an extra £8.5m to his former team Monaco. Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer in January against Stoke but has been made to wait three months for goal number 251. He completed a full 90 minutes of league action for the first time since September and enjoyed a productive partnership with Martial. Having played a part in United’s opener, Rooney scuffed home the second goal of the match from a few yards out after Martial’s shot was well blocked by Heaton. It crept over the line, and goal-line technology confirmed it was legitimate, although it may have taken a slight deflection off the leg of Burnley defender Michael Keane.
Digicel Regional First-Class Cricket
Three-times champs play like novices; Blown away by Hurricanes again By Sean Devers On a day for celebrating the winning of the HeadlyWeeks trophy, three-times Digicel Regional Four-Day Champions Guyana Jaguars played like novices and were blown away by the Leewards Hurricanes by 10-wickets inside three days yesterday at Providence. The Hurricanes, the cellar dwellers, had handed the Jaguars their only defeat in their last 28 games when an unexpected declaration give them a four-wicket victory last November in St Kitts in the second round. The Jaguars remained unbeaten in seven games since then and the Hurricanes arrived in Guyana for the final round of the competition desperate to prove their second round win was no fluke. After dismissing the host for 187 in their first innings the visitors dominated most of the match except briefly on the post lunch session on day two when Guyana reduced the Hurricanes to 104-7. But two poor performances with the bat condemned the Jaguars to their second loss in a tournament which they had already won regardless of yesterday’s result. Scores: Jaguars 187 & 143, Hurricanes 306 & 25-0. The Hurricanes started the penultimate day on 255-7 and a 68-run eighth wicket stand between Jacques Taylor, who struck 10 fours
and a six in his 160-ball/211minute innings and pacer Jeremiah Louis, who made 32 from 83 balls, 102 minutes with three fours and two sixes, rallied them past the 300 mark. Gavin Tonge with an unbeaten 17 chipped in towards the end as the Hurricanes’ tail, as with most of Guyana’s opposition this season, wagged. Left-arm pacer Raymon Reifer, the Jaguars’ most consistent performer, trapped Louis LBW at 299-8 before inducing Taylor to edge a catch to wicket-Keeper Anthony Bramble at 305-9, to finish with his third fivewicket haul as he claimed a career best 6-74. When the Jaguars batted a second time needing 119 to avoid an innings defeat, they quickly slumped to 30-2 by Lunch with both of their openers back in the pavilion cheaply. Assad Fudadin (1) edged Tonge to the keeper at 5-1 before 17-year-old debut Baskar Yadram played a ‘nothing’ shot and was taken at slip to give debutant leftarm spinner Elvis Berridge his first scalp at this level on the stroke of lunch with the Jaguars still 89 away from making the Hurricanes bat again. Out of form Skipper Leon Johnson (9) drove a full, wide ball from Tonge to extra cover while Chanderpaul Hemraj, who survived a raucous LBW shout off the previous delivery, had his stumps knocked over by Louis just
when he was looking promising on 29 as the home team slipped to 64-4. Things got progressively worst when Reifer (2) was run out by half the length of the pitch when Anthony Bramble failed to respond to his call for a second run, Tonge then had Bramble caught and bowled for a 69-ball 26 with Guyana slipping to 96-6, still 23 behind. Cornwall removed Steven Jacobs in identical fashion to his first innings dismissal when he gloved an ill-advised sweep at one that bounced from the off-spinner for a second ball duck at 104-7. Keemo Paul, batting with a swollen hand, and Veerasammy Permaul offered some resistance before they were outfoxed by Cornwall who removed them both to irresponsible sweep shots, the very poor shot selection continued as batsman after batsman threw their wickets away in ideal conditions for batting Louis removed Clinton Pestano (5) to leave the Islanders to get 25 to beat Guyana in their own back yard; Cornwall took 3-68 to follow up his 6-68 in the first innings, Tonge (3-33) and Louis (2-11) had a good day at the office. Monchin Hodge (6) and Chesney Hughes (14) then saw their team to victory in 9.1 overs with Yadram being robbed a First-Class wicket when Jacobs at deep midwicket dropped Hughes on 13.
Five wins out of five for Marquez in Texas Triple MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez took his fifth successive Grand Prix of the Americas victory yesterday while 38year-old Italian great Valentino Rossi surged into the championship lead. Rossi finished runner-up and three seconds behind Marquez to take over at the top after Yamaha team mate Maverick Vinales, winner of the season’s first two races, crashed out on the second lap. The Italian now has 56 points after three races with Vinales on 50 and Marquez moving up to third on 38. Marquez had crashed in the previous race at Argentina’s Termas de Rio Hondo circuit while leading from pole but he made no mistakes this time after starting from the top slot for the fifth year in a row at the Circuit of the Americas. He lost out at the start to Honda team mate and fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who made a great getaway from the second row of the grid, but was always biding his time. “At the beginning I tried to stay calm because I chose the hard front tire and I didn’t know the feeling...after Argentina it looked really far but now again we are there and
really close,” said Marquez. With Vinales gone, his bike sliding from under him at turn 18, the two Honda riders battled each other for the lead until Marquez made a move stick on the ninth of 21 laps and began pulling away. Rossi was given a 0.3-second penalty for gaining an advantage by cutting the track on lap seven but made sure that was of no consequence by passing Pedrosa for second place on lap 19 and finishing more than two seconds clear. “It was a very difficult race but I was able to stay very close to the Hondas, “said Rossi, whose penalty came after the Italian and French rookie Johann Zarco almost touched and he took evasive action. “Sometimes I lost a bit but I could stay more or less (with them) because I had some points of the track where I was very strong. “I’m very happy we are at the top and have a lot of points and also it’s my best result in Austin.” Britain’s Cal Crutchlow finished fourth after a late battle with Zarco, who crossed the line in fifth place. (Reuters)
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Monday April 24, 2017
GFF calls 25 U15s to encampment; U.S. tops Jamaica on second-half Region One player included surge at CU17
Lopez, Torres lead Mexico past El Salvador
Some members of the National Under-15 Squad prior to leaving for Berbice. Twenty-five players from across Guyana are encamped in New Amsterdam, Berbice as part of the National Under-15 team’s preparations for a scheduled tournament in Saint Maarten in June and CONCACAF U-15 tournament in August, respectively. The three-day camp, which began on the 22nd The players called are: NAME Leston Smith Oswin Fredericks Richard Roberts Usher Jones Joshua Braithwaite Wayne Da Silva Cyrus Nicholson Jermaine Padmore Rickford Emmanuel Miguel Stoll Kevin Reddy Jerimiah Douglas Okifi Patoir Shannon Samnauth Orville Daniels Tyrel Khan Derron Niles Jermaine Garrett Marcus Wilson Nicholas Andrews Omari Glasgow Ken Salvador Troni Semple Maliki Grannum Ronaldo Rodrigues
April and ends today is one of two as the team is exposed to the new national playing philosophy as implemented by the GFF Technical Department. The second camp is scheduled from May 5 – 7. Among the players are four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards from the following Member POSITION Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Defender Defender Defender Defender Defender Defender Defender Defender Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Forward Forward Forward Forward Forward
Associations – Georgetown (8), East Demerara (5), East Bank Demerara (3), Bartica (1), Berbice (2), Upper Demerara (1), Rupununi (4) and one player from Region One. The players have been engaged in intense fitness and other technical activities under the guidance of designated Head and Assistant Coach respectively, Bryan Joseph
ASSOCIATION Rupununi FA East Coast FA Georgetown FA East Bank FA Georgetown FA Rupununi FA Berbice FA Georgetown FA East Coast FA Georgetown FA Bartica FA Upper Demerara FA Berbice FA East Bank FA Rupununi FA East Bank FA Georgetown FA Georgetown FA Georgetown FA Georgetown FA East Coast FA Rupununi FA East Coast FA East Coast FA REGION ONE
and Challus Mc Kinnon. Following this, a shortlisted squad will be announced. The group selected is among the most talented taken from the GFFScotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC). The ATC is a national initiative, which seeks to, among other goals create a pathway for the development of players to the senior national team. CLUB Paiwomak Warriors Buxton United Santos FC Grove Hi-Tech Fruta Conquerors Saints Sports Club Corriverton Lynx GFC Buxton Stars Santos FC Potaro Strikers Blueberry Hill United Rosignol United Soesdyke Falcons Paiwomak Warriors Soesdyke Falcons Santos Fruta Conquerors Eastville FC Fruta Conquerors BV United Saints Sports Club Buxton United Buxton United Atkinson Brothers
Panama City, Panama - The United States exploded for all the goals in the second half to earn a 5-0 win over Jamaica in the 2017 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship opener for each yesterday at the Estadio Maracana. After an entertaining — but scoreless — first half, the U.S. went ahead 1-0 in the 53rd minute, when Chris Durkin headed in from the edge of the six-yard box off George Acosta’s left-sided corner kick. From that point on, it became the Ayo Akinola show. The 17-year-old Toronto FC product assisted on Tim Weah’s goal in the 77th minute to make it 2-0 and then struck for a brace, netting in the 88th minute and from distance spectacularly in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. The outstanding Josh Sargent assisted on Akinola’s first goal and extended the advantage to 3-0 himelf in the 87th minute. Both sides return to action on Wednesday as Jamaica will look to bounce back against El Salvador, followed by a meeting between Mexico and the USA. Meanwhile, Mexico’s bid for a third consecutive CONCACAF Under-17 Championship got off to the perfect start with a 6-0 win over El Salvador yesterday at the Estadio Maracana. The result left the Tricolor atop the Group C table, edging the United States – a 5-0 winner over Jamaica – on goal difference. Even though he didn’t score himself, Ian Torres was at the center of nearly everything Mexico did offensively. In the first minute, his cross from the right found Jesus Perez, whose shot hit the left post and then Salvadoran Kevin Menjivar for an own-goal. Mexico went ahead 2-0 in the 31st minute, when it appeared that Torres was going to take a free kick from near the left-end line, only for him to leave it for Alexis Gutierrez. The 17-yearold Guadalajara midfielder’s delivery found Luis Oliva for a header that beat goalkeeper Tomas Romero. Four minutes later, Torres’ low cross from the right was pushed by Romero into the path of Daniel Lopez, who bundled it over the line. The advantage was extended to 4-0 in the 41st minute as another Torres cross was turned by Giovanni Avila past Romero for another own-goal. Just seconds after the break, Lopez made it 5-0, lashing a right-footed shot from 19-yards out into the upper-left corner of the net. Second-half substitute Alan Maeda punctuated the scoreline, heading in at the right post after Roberto de la Rosa found him with a header of his own. Mexico and the United States will meet in a top-of-thetable clash on Wednesday, preceded by an encounter between El Salvador and Jamaica.
USA’s Chris Durkin (#6) celebrates after scoring against Jamaica. (Photo Victor Straffon/Straffon Images)