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Monday August 16, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Crime in Guyana - a state of low-level anarchy Recently, changes have been made at senior operational levels inside the Guyana Police Force. Among citizens, the expectations are for less daily victimisation, less violence read about, and less fear surrounding one’s venturing into the criminal minefield that is Guyana nowadays. To put differently, all citizens desire to have a certain minimum degree of safety and security, and the confidence that comes from knowing that such safety and security actually exists. But it is not so in Guyana today, where crime is out-ofcontrol, and of any soothing statistics that represent otherwise, we have this to say: statistics be damned. Because statistics that are massaged and kneaded like dough do not have any meaning for fearful Guyanese. We in the independent media are well aware that leaders in the PPP Government would prefer that we do not report on the continuing state of crime in this society, which is now clearly only at a state of low-level anarchy. The word ‘only’ is used because where we are now is at the beginning of a crime rampage that spreads its tentacles in every nook and cranny of this country. Urban and rural areas are under siege, and the far hinterlands have their share of the serious crime that is everywhere. Governments, and this one is no exception, have a long and incriminating history of wanting to make bad news go away, as though such never exist. Crime coverage by the media is at the top of the list of things looked to be suppressed. And when crime reaches the alarming proportions of creeping anarchy, then government use trusted strategies to overpower such news that leaders don’t want ventilated. The first thing that discomfited government leaders do is to protest the ‘sensationalising’ of crime. Though people are attacked, waylaid, and wounded (even dying), with their blood running in the streets daily, or brutalised in their homes, this government would like nothing better than such harrowing developments not be placed before the attention of Guyanese. When crime is less of such a fearsome beast, then very few Guyanese would be concerned, except that it is not. In fact, citizens can hardly step out of their homes or vehicles, their businesses, or shop at the marketplace, and they are targeted and violated. These are not ‘one-offs’, or of a petty variety, such as routine pickpocketing, but of the reality of serious felonies and frightening brutalities occurring seemingly at will. The media is duty bound to report on this reality, as it occurs. The PPP government may be loath to admit it, but what we have in Guyana is clearly an infant state of low-level criminal anarchy. Justified or not the reality is that when some citizens or segments of society are condemned to the margins, they take the law into their own hands, and there is hell to pay for the law abiding. When seasoned and prospective felons watch leaders, and their cronies enrich themselves (sometimes instigations come that reinforce such beliefs and observations), they then decide to create their own wealth on the backs of their fellow citizens. This aids leaders to carry on merrily because less attention is directed at them, and less criticisms are aimed at them. Leaders in this PPP Government use more tricks to diminish messages of bad news and criminal anarchy. They engage PR machinery to smooth messages, and drown out the reality of criminal anarchy: delay messages, block senior police officers from public commenting, deny media access to them, limit public exposure. The preference is for wellworked over statistics to blur criminal anarchy. Also, Government targets those exposing it for crime control failure, white-collar corruptions, and acute oil mismanagement. Government utilises resources of the state to menace those calling it out for glaring missteps. Instead of solving real threats and real predators (local and foreign) this government prioritises weakening dissenters. As we present this, we hope that Guyanese remain focused. When there is anxiety in the population over constant criminality, which stands as lowlevel anarchy, then citizens are preoccupied with their own safety. Criminal anarchy makes them feel so unsafe, they pay little attention to the billion-dollar oil heists happening, compliments of this Government and its foreign partners.
The Biden administration will not treat career diplomats as political footballs Dear Editor, I see social media reports of a US Congressman allegedly calling for the resignation/removal of the US Ambassador to Guyana. This will not happen. The US government/ Biden Administration must know that career diplomats are not treated as political footballs and should not have their service interrupted on the basis of a single Member of Congress making a call based on unfounded accusations pedaled by some of the Congressman’s constituents.
The Congressman enjoys the right to make such a call, but there is absolutely no obligation on the part of President Biden or Secretary Blinken to act on the call. To act on such a call would only serve to undermine the confidence of the professional/career officers at Foggy Bottom. These are the experienced and professional diplomats who work hard, smart and tirelessly to protect American lives around the world, help promote global peace and stability, diffuse tension and promote American economic
and political partnership with allies and unfriendly nations. Approved in late 2018, Ambassador Lynch will most likely begin “winding down” her assignment in Guyana in November/December this year for departure to a new assignment (or retirement?) by February 2022. Neither the government nor the opposition in Guyana has requested her removal. She has been actively engaging both. The Congressman might be better advised to engage the Ambassador and stakeholders in Guyana
including the government to identify the genuine issues that affect Afro and other Guyanese, and help find solutions to these issues.One such initiative on the part of the Congressman and other US elected officials, could be to help identify US businesses that could team-up with local Afro Guyanese businesspersons who are creative, honest, hard and smart working but lack access to financing and modern technology. Yours truly, Wesley Kirton
PPP/C Government has done more for the housing sector in just one year Dear Editor, I have taken note of a letter authored by Annette Ferguson titled “APNU+AFC created a sound housing sector strategy” and wish to respond to her missive. The first thing I want to point out is that Ferguson claims that the APNU+AFC Coalition left behind a foundation for the housing sector. I have no clue what that foundation is because as far as I am aware, all the coalition had in regard to the sector, was a hotchpotch plan which they failed to execute. No clear strategy was outlined and the facts in the subsequent paragraphs will contradict Ferguson’s contention. To begin, the former Minister contended that a simple comparison of the two governments’ policies for the housing sector would show that the APNU+AFC had a better plan. I completely disagree. If the Coalition had a better plan wouldn’t we have seen more development
under their tenure? The reality is that the PPP/C Government has done more for the housing sector in just one year of being in office than what the APNU+AFC Coalition did for their entire term in office. They had five years to deliver what they promised to the people but even that they couldn’t do. In her letter, Ferguson outlined several housing areas to show how many house lots were issued by the Coalition. While they did allocate a few house lots, it is important for people to know that the vast majority of those allocations were hurriedly given after the passage of the no-confidence motion and were used to trick persons into voting for them. It turned out to be another fraud perpetrated on the people by the APNU+AFC as those persons were merely issued letters saying that they were allocated house lots and that they should check with the
Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) to pay. However, these very lots were not even in existence. It was pure votebuying and trickery. The real beneficiaries of the APNU+AFC land allocation and housing policy were the ministers, their relatives, friends, cronies and the rich businessmen who bankrolled them. This group accumulated land which totaled the size of Barbados. One leading official gifted himself shore based land in the Demerara River through a front company registered in the name of employees of his close business associate. Forty-five plots of waterfront land in Linden were hurriedly transferred by NICIL to officials of the APNU+AFC, their friends and relatives a few days before elections were held. There is a long list of this sort of massive land-grabbing by a handful of coalition officials and their cronies that
is out in the public. Any comparison of housing development under the PPP/C and APNU+AFC is like comparing chalk to cheese. In just one year the Dr. Irfaan Ali led administration has allocated more than 5000 house lots. Hundreds of turnkey homes were also constructed during this period and significant sums are being spent on infrastructure in new and existing housing schemes. And this housing drive is not limited to Region Four. In a recent two-day exercise in Linden, Region Ten 400 houselots were allocated. This is way more than the APNU+AFC allocated in their entire 5 year tenure. This is an example of how big a failure the APNU+AFC was. With that in mind, I trust that no one will be fooled by the false narratives being peddled by the opposition members. Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton
Opening of schools depend on successful vaccination of adults and students over 12 Dear Editor, I totally agree with the Ministry of Education when it said, “The reopening of schools to face-to-face engagement hinges heavily on the national vaccination programme. More of the adult population needs to be vaccinated to protect themselves and children, especially those who are below the age of 12 for whom no vaccine has been approved as yet. We urge all Guyanese to see the importance of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and to consider the consequences that will come from not being vaccinated.”
The virus has had a devastating impact on the world affecting national economies, the production and supply chain, travel, and employment. A huge negative impact has been its devastation of our education process. As the Ministry rightly said, “The Education sector has been hit hard due to the pandemic and having to close schools as a response. However, the longer the school doors are closed the more our students will suffer from learning loss and greater is the likelihood of an increase in school dropouts.” We must learn from the
mistakes and best practices of other countries. In the USA, for instance, in some areas, as soon as they opened schools, they had to close again because of teachers and students found to be infected. Here is a recent headline, “Covid-19 Cases Surge as Students Return to Schools.” And from another article, “Just a few days into the academic year, over 1,000 students in Palm Beach County, Florida, have been told to go into quarantine because of COVID-19 cases at their schools. The number of kids sent home grew from 440 on Wednesday to 1,020 on Friday, the district
reported.” The amount of work it takes to do contact tracing, testing, deep cleaning, and enforce quarantining is enormous. In Guyana where most people use public transportation to and from school, the risks of infection are extremely high. So, if only 25% of teachers are vaccinated, you can bet that if schools are open in September as the Ministry has decided, it will be a series of open-close, open-close. This will be a very draining, disruptive process on everyone, especially parents. Our parents need to (Continued on page 6)
Monday August 16, 2021
Should KN’s sign campaign not be directed at Exxon? Dear Editor, I am trying to understand the picture you posted in today’s KN of a woman in NYC holding a sign that reads “ Mr. VP do your job, change the oil contract”. Help me out here since I am trying to understand the logic behind the sign this lady is holding. Should the sign not read “ Exxon Mobil, please stop taking our oil for free. We want a fairer deal”? I have a couple of questions: 1) Is the V.P. able to rip up the current contract with Exxon and force them to renegotiate a new one without retribution and not landing Guyana in deep legal and financial trouble, a situation much worse than they are with the present oil contract? 2) Is it not true that the former minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman signed this ironclad contract with Exxon to exploit us? If so, then why have you not focused on him and direct your fire at him? He being a lawyer signed a contract that was very bad for Guyana and its future. This contract has a Stability Clause and goes on for perpetuity, all in favor of Exxon. Not only that, this contract is so ironclad, there is not much Guyana can do about it on its own The fact that Mr. Trotman is a lawyer and is responsible for this debacle, does this not reek of incompetence? Did he not read the contract
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and consult with his fellow team members before agreeing to all of Exxon’s demands? Was he bribed to agree to this contract and sell out this nation’s patrimony for nothing? We want answers and would like to see you direct these questions to the right people. We want to see you lay the blame where it belongs. If you want this contract negotiated should you not be asking Exxon to play fair and renegotiate a fairer deal? Should your signs not be directed at Exxon? You need to engage the help of the American people and its Government to convince Exxon what they are doing is wrong and unfair. You need to show Exxon they are discriminating against a third world nation and taking advantage of them And while you are doing that, the former Minister of Resources needs to answer to the people of Guyana for what he did. He cannot be allowed a free pass. Yours truly, Dennis Balgobin
Be a good Samaritan and take the vaccine Dear Editor, In more than 99% of the cases of illness and death, only the unvaccinated are affected. The current version of the virus, is highly contagious and causes much more severe illness in a shorter period of time with a greater probability of death. If you contract the Delta Variant of Covid-19, you will infect others, some of whom will suffer a severe illness and possible die. The same could happen to you. Those who choose not to be vaccinated, should they become ill and die, is, in reality committing suicide. There will be a special place for them after they die. Once infected with the Delta Variant, you will infect others and would be the cause of their illness or death. Should anyone
you infect die, you would be the cause of their death. And it may be your own loved one; parent, sibling or child. Even if it’s a stranger, your guilt will be the same. I don’t think anyone need to live with that. So please take the vaccine. Do not be afraid. I took the vaccines; Astrazenica. The day of the first dose, I had a slight swelling near the injection area, no other effect. The second day, I felt kind of heavy and sluggish, so I went back to bed. And that was it. After the second dose, it had no effect whatsoever. I took it, came home and went back to work. Most persons I talk to have similar experiences. So, worrying about its effects is not a valid reason/excuse. I am over 65 and have underlying health issues; in
public health terms, I have comorbidities; which means two or more medical conditions at the same time. When you add comorbidities to age, your risk of serious illness from Covid is extremely high. Therefore, it was in my interest to protect myself. Whether or not you are older or have comorbidities, you should take the vaccine, because it will keep you safe. Remember, you are your brothers’keeper. Be a good Samaritan, it’s the neighbourly thing to do. This is the only time, when you take care of yourself, you
are also taking care of others. Everybody wins. Yours truly, Sase Shewnarain
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Monday August 16, 2021
Kaieteur News
...Opening of schools depend on From page 4 understand that online learning is a big challenge, and in Guyana where online access is unavailable or unreliable, poor rural and hinterland children will continue to be disadvantaged most. The Ministry does its best to distribute worksheets but that is not a substitute for regular face-to-face instruction and the interactive classroom processes. Parents are not teachers or homeschoolers. In the USA, a teacher who relies on worksheets as a strategy will get the lowest possible evaluation from an
administrator. They want to see more engaging, handson, differentiated, customized methods. In the best interests of the whole nation, the teachers and nurses must be role models in being vaccinated and encouraging vaccinations. Teachers and nurses are “key influencers” and nurturers. When resisting and hesitating patients don’t want to take medicines, tests or therapy, nurses are the ones to coax and persuade them “it won’t hurt, it’s good for you, if you want to get better.” The same with teachers who influence,
motivate, and mould young minds. So we call on all teachers and nurses to step up at such a time as this. This is not about politics, it’s about our people and our national health and safety. The Government is eager to get back to normal and has to think about the interests of the whole country. Parents, please speak up now and support our teachers, nurses, and older students to get vaccinated. “All are involved, all are consumed.” The virus kills our loved ones, but vaccination saves lives! Yours truly, Dr. Jerry Jailall
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Monday August 16, 2021
Kaieteur News
Sophia man charged for stealing equipment from Sheriff Street Road project site WANTED
VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota Tacoma (year 2011) GXX series excellent condition.Call:610-4242 or 626-6722.
1 canter driver sales man.Layout birds to buy.Tel:225-0480,219-2170/ 675-0587. Live in experience cook 3035000 wkly.Live in domestic 25-30000 wkly.Tel:648-7866. One live in babysitter to work.Intrested person contact Shelly on 677-8963,6224576. Experience welders between ages 30-45.MechanicDoosan & Excavator operator.Tel:223-5273/74.
SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Houseplan drawing and estimates.K.Lakeram Building Contractor.Call:2160671/692-8464 or whatsapp 622-0267.
One male able bodied clerk.Tel:231-2029/616-5954. Experienced domestic to work 3 days per week.Must h a v e b o t h vaccinations.Excellent salary.Call:226-2322. Handyman to work 2 days per week to clean up yard.Musthaveboth vaccinations.Excellent salary.Call:226-2322. VACANCY 1 part time experienced canter driver.Call:626-6722.
FOR SALE Two houses one yard income generator,Diamond H/SchemeE.B.D.34M negotiable.Contact 6572951/612-9697. 16x6Truck,1 Freightliner,1 Sylphy,1 Hilux LN 172,1 JCB loader.Tel:673-4002/ 665-3676. Household used:Dining tables,Mirrors,Side & Centertables,Floor lamps,Carpets.Call:6553070,662-2652.
Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call:615-9132. Driver Eccles office,Car/Van licence.Call:642-9823. Factory workers and sale representatives.Must have a sound secondary education.Call:223-0090. Cashier,Sales representative (in doors),Driver-Lorry/ Canter & Porter.Tel:2275286/609-2995. Email: survival.humanresources@ gmail.com. One cashier to work at Superbet.Tel:691-7123.
FOR RENT Vr e e d - e n - h o o p junction.Place for hair salon, pedicure, manicure ,other.Call:603-6400.$15,000 per month.
WANTED Puri Roti Cooks.Apply @Shanta's,225 Camp & New Market Streets. Mechanic 5-7000 day for machine equipment to maintainand repair, Excavator,loader, grader.China Railway First Group.Tel:632-1122.
Rider's for a delivery with o r w i t h o u t bike.Professional,neatly a t t i r e d , w e l l mannered.Tel:642-6832/ whatsapp. C l e a n e r, m a i n t e n a n c e worker,labours to work with P.S.G.C.S.Call:621-6969 or 615-7784,7-4pm. Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/Town or call 610-0340. One female cashier & one malewelder/fabricator@Del ice Co.Call:642-9191/2311408,8am-1pm. Security officers male & female 18+.Lamaha St between Waterloo & Parade.Call:2234172/632-0510.
Rayon Graham, 27, of Lot 633 ‘C’ Field Sophia, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was last Friday charged for allegedly stealing a jack hammer extension from the Sheriff Street, Road project site. Graham, a scrap metal seller, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on August 5, 2021, at P u b l i c R o a d K i t t y, Georgetown, while being in the company of another,
he stole one jack hammer extension value $9M, property of B.K International. B.K International has a site office at Public Road Kitty, since it is working on the Sheriff Street, Road project. On site, the company has several heavy duty machineries and equipment including the jack hammer extension that Graham allegedly stole. The court heard that Graham was caught on CCTV cameras removing the jack hammer extension.
The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. Graham was arrested and he took the police to ‘B’ Field Sophia, Georgetown, where he handed over the jack hammer extension that he had stolen. While in custody, the defendant also implicated three others. Efforts are being made to arrest those persons. Senior Magistrate Daly placed him on $300,000 bail for the offence and the matter was adjourned to September 10, 2021.
Charged, Rayon Graham.
Monday August 16, 2021
Kaieteur News
THE ART OF STARING - GT STYLE Guyanese love to stare…when it pleases them. They don’t just look. They stare. A beautiful young girl emerged out of Guyana Stores onto the pavement outside. It was an entrance from one tint of light into another. The glare of the sunlight reflecting off the pavement highlighted the effect. She was dressed to the hilt. Her blouse covered her entire midriff, but it was pasted on to her body like a swimsuit. She wore extra high heels that made her look as if she was walking on stilts. Her skirt was nothing more than a piece of rag which left very little to the imagination. Her hair was a mass of colours, more suited to a carnival than to a weekday in the heart of the city. It dangled down her neck and reached a good six inches down her back. Her face was lavish. There was a generous spread of make-up, too much for her face and definitely overdone for the daytime. Around her neck were matching accessories. Her hands bore some huge bangles, and on each ear was hooked a huge goblet that matched her clothing. She wore a huge belt around her waist. Swung across one of her shoulders was a handbag looking as if it has been bought out of an Avon’s catalogue. Three things stood out about her appearance. Her legs were very muscular as if she did a lot of walking, or perhaps exercising. There was definitely definition
there. Her nails were surprisingly short and did not seem well manicured. And despite the glare, she did not have on any protection on her eyes in the form of sun glasses. But she looked a classy lady and evoked a great deal of interest from every fellow pedestrian. As she crossed the street on the pedestrian walk, all eyes stared at her. No one said anything, no one whistled, no one complimented her, and no one giggled. But the looks said it all. She was a spectacle but by no means a speck. Two young girls walking side by side inspected her as she passed and then simply looked at each other. The expressions on their face said, “Wow!” An old lady approaching her from the opposite direction stopped and gaped, looking for a reaction from the vendors along the pavement. They were looking too but not saying anything. Even after she had passed, no one uttered a word. But their eyes followed her very step. She must have known that she was being stared at. For as she walked, her hips began to sway in an exaggerated way. But she skillfully kept her balance, her shoulders squared, and her head upright. She disappeared into the distance and life returned to normalcy after the interruption her presence had caused. Then the encore occurred. A vagrant wended his way along the pavement. The greater part of his exposed body was daubed in tar or
some similar substance. His hair was so dirty and unkempt that it was knotted in sections. Parts of his head had a sticky substance on which dust had settled, giving his head a white appearance. He wore a shirt without buttons, and his pants was falling off his waist in the fashion of these young kids of today whose loose-fitting trousers expose their underwear. In the case of the vagrant, there was no underwear to be seen. His pubic hair peeked from the top of his trousers. If you looked closely, more could have been seen. But no one wanted to look, much less to stare. As he walked along the crowded pavement, it was like the parting of the Red Sea. A clear passage was made for him to wend his way along. He was not even a distraction. Just then, a music seller was vending his wares in a cart. I stopped to ask him whether he had Phil Collins’s “Just Another Day in Paradise.” He did not know what I was referring to. I asked him, “Saw that fancy lady that just passed by?” He smiled and nodded his head in the affirmative. “See the mad man?” I asked. “What mad man?” he replied. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Dem Boys Seh…
Gold diggers pun de prowl! Dem boys find it strange dat de guvament pass amendment to de Civil Law which now mek it easier fuh settle dead people estate. According to de amendment, if yuh dead without leaving wan Will and yuh nah gat children, yuh widow or widower gan get de entire estate. Dat mean father, mother, sister brother and uncle and autnie get cut out clean. Everything yuh gat, gone to yuh partner. If yuh nah gat pickney and yuh living with gold digger, and yuh know yuh time coming, try mek wan Will. So dat yuh family gan
get something when yuh eye close fuh de last time. Somebody gan be smiling soon. And nuff people gan get disappointed. But is suh with last Will and Testament. And mek sure dat yuh do a video recording of it. Dem gat people smart enough fuh forge Will and mek it look genuine. Dem boys know nuff people who when dem dead, two to three Wills turn up. It mek dem boys remember de story of de man who was dying. He was in hospital and he call de nurse and in front of he family he start fuh tell dem, “When a dead, you my
son, tek all dem house on de East Bank. To you my daughter, tek all dem businesses pun Regent Street. And to you my dear wife, so faithful and true, you tek dem places pun de East Coast.” De nurse was surprise. So she tun to de wife and seh, “I did not know your husband was such a rich man and owned so many properties.” De wife tun to de nurse and answer, “Properties? He is a newspaper vendor!” Talk half and watch out fuh dem gold digger wah wan live home!
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More than 6000 wildfires devastated nations across the world as climate change intensifies Rescuers battle to find Haiti quake survivors as death toll hits more than 1300
Ever since the start of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s when humans started burning massive quantities of fossil fuels, there has been a continuous climb in global temperatures. This human induced crisis has led to an increase in extreme weather events such as heat waves, wildfires, flooding, droughts, cyclones, blizzards and rainstorms. Currently, more than 1000 wildfires are raging across the world as the effects of climate change intensify. The Guardian for example, recently reported that wildfires are raging across Europe and North America as scorching temperatures and dry conditions fuel the blazes that have killed many while destroying the livelihoods of others. In fact, the combination of extreme heat and prolonged drought has led to some of the worst fires ever witnessed in almost a decade. In Greece, fires have raged across the country for nearly two weeks leaving dozens needing hospital treatment. According to the Guardian, the extent of the destruction is greater than previous fire seasons. The European Forest Fire Information System, in the 10 days to August 7, said nearly 57,000 hectares (140,000 acres) were burnt in Greece while the average area burnt over the same period between 2008 and 2020 was 1,700 hectares. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently came forward to disclose that his country is facing a “natural disaster of unprecedented proportions,” as 586 wildfires burn in “all corners” of the country. He apologized “for any weaknesses” on the part of the government in containing the wildfires, which have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced people to evacuate dozens of villages
over the past week. But Greece is only of the many nations facing such adversity. Kaieteur News’ research found that a total of 270 wildfires have started in 53 provinces across Turkey in the last 14 days. While 267 of these fires have been controlled, three wildfires are still ravaging different areas in Antalya, Adana, Isparta, Mersin, Muðla, and Osmaniye. Authorities there said the fires have adversely affected forests and residential areas; thus, several neighbourhoods and villages have been evacuated. According to the most recent information received from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), a total of 9 people lost their lives due to wildfires. Many animals have perished amidst the fires too. Turkish authorities have deemed the said wildfires to be the worst ever seen in the country’s history. In Italy, fires continue to threaten the nation’s southern region with Sicily and Sardinia among the regions hardest hit. The Guardian reported for example that the first significant wildfires in the country occurred between July 24 and 26. It destroyed 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of forest and forced the evacuation of 800 people from their homes in southwest Sardinia. Over in Russia, authorities in Siberia were forced to evacuate several villages due to the climbing number of wildfires. Authorities there said they counted more than 250 fires were burning across Russia, covering a total area of more than 3.5 million hectares (8.6 million acres). The hot weather, coupled with the neglect of fire safety rules, has caused a growing number of infernos, which have destroyed scores of homes and buildings.
Furthermore, on July 26, the largest forest fire in the last two years broke out in the northern Catalonia region of Spain, while 1,657 hectares of land burned in Santa Coloma de Queralt in the Tarragona region, forcing the evacuation of 168 people from residential areas. Over in the US, firefighters in northern California are battling the largest single wildfire in state history. The Dixie Fire, named for the road where it started nearly four weeks ago, has grown to an area of 725 square miles (1,875 square kilometres). Just 21% of the blaze is contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It has scorched an area more than twice the size of New York City. California’s raging blazes were among 107 large fires burning across 14 states, mostly in the west. Fires also continue to burn across British Colombia despite some rains over the weekend. Local media reported 279 wildfires raging in the province on Sunday, with tens of thousands of residents subject to evacuation alerts. In the US’ northern neighbour Canada, 4,576 forest fires have been reported so far this year. This amounts to 1,000 times more the average rate of the last decade. To be continued… Sources 1. ( h t t p s : / / w w w. t h e g u a rd i a n . c o m / world/2021/aug/09/firesrage-around-the-worldwhere-are-the-worst-blazes) 2. h t t p s : / / www.smithsonianmag.com/ smart-news/rare-snowfallblankets-cities-acrossbrazil-180978339/ 3. h t t p s : / / w w w. c 2 e s . o rg / c o n t e n t / wildfires-and-climatechange/
3-year-old drowns in nearby trench The Guyana Police Force informed members of the media yesterday evening that a three-year-old from the North Ruimveldt Squatting Area who was reported missing earlier in the day was found dead in a nearby trench. Details of the report note that the child’s 19-year-old mother, Aaliyah Archer, had last seen her son asleep around 5: 00 hrs. But it was at 6:18 hrs she discovered Trayshawn Archer was no
longer in the house. Kaieteur News understands that she immediately started to search for him and found a pair of brown rubber slippers belonging to him on the bridge that gave access to her neighbour’s yard. The neighbour, Sean Dover, stated that he did not see Trayshawn for the day hence a report was made at the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost. Concerned residents along with the police conducted a search but the toddler was not found.
About 15:15hrs, police said the body of Trayshawn Archer was found at the intersection of the trench that runs to the front and back of his home. His body was removed and later pronounced dead by a doctor. Cops said no marks of violence were seen about the body. However ,a whitish liquid was seen on the nose of the deceased. The body is presently at Memorial Funeral Home awaiting post mortem examination.
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - The death toll from a devastating earthquake in Haiti rose to more than 1300 yesterday with rescuers scrambling to find survivors buried under rumble and hospitals struggling to cope with thousands of injured, as a major storm barreled toward the Caribbean state. The 7.2 magnitude quake on Saturday flattened hundreds of homes and buildings in a Caribbean nation which is still clawing its way back from another major temblor 11 years ago and reeling from the assassination of its president last month. Southwestern Haiti bore the brunt of the blow, especially in the region in and around the city of Les Cayes. Jerry Chandler, head of Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, said the toll from the disaster had climbed to 724, while 2,800 people were injured. Churches, hotels, hospitals and schools were badly damaged or destroyed, while the walls of a prison were rent open by the violent shudders that convulsed Haiti. The challenge facing Haiti has been exacerbated by the pandemic, economic hardship aggravated by fierce gang violence “We must work together to provide rapid and effective responses to this extremely serious situation,” said Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who had flown to Les Cayes. The government also appealed to aid organizations against setting up makeshift camps and urged them to work through the planning ministry, an apparent attempt
Rescuers scrambling to find survivors buried under rumble. (Yahoo News) to avoid the mistakes made following the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed tens of thousands of people. At Port-au-Prince airport, international aid workers, doctors and rescue workers waited to board flights to Les Cayes. Floris Nesi, a doctor heading to help the relief efforts, said the tragedy has hit Haitians at a time of economic and political turmoil, making many of them even more vulnerable than in 2010. “So we need to assist people more than after the previous earthquake,” he told Reuters in the airport. The rescue efforts are set to be made more complicated by the arrival of Tropical Storm Grace, which is set to lash Haiti with heavy rainfall today. Some parts of Haiti are also at risk of flash floods, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The United States sent vital supplies and deployed a
65-person urban search-andrescue team with specialized equipment, said Samantha Power, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Footage of Saturday’s aftermath posted on social media showed residents reaching into narrow openings in piles of fallen masonry to pull shocked and distraught people from the debris of walls and roofs that had crumbled around them. Access to the worst-hit areas was complicated by a deterioration in law and order that has left key access roads in parts of Haiti in the hands of gangs, although unconfirmed reports on social media suggested they would let aid pass. The quake sent tremors as far as Jamaica and Cuba, though no major damage was reported there. U.S. President Joe Biden and countries in the region quickly offered help to Haiti.
Afghan president says he left country to avoid bloodshed NEW DELHI - (Reuters) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said yesterday he had left the country to avoid bloodshed as the Taliban entered the capital Kabul. In a post on his Facebook page, Ghani said he had faced a difficult decision, with the fate of millions of Kabul residents and the security of the city at stake after 20 years of war in which countless numbers had already been killed. “To avoid bloodshed, I thought it would be better to leave,” he said in his first comments since quitting the presidential palace and flying out of the country. He added that the Taliban insurgents, who later entered the presidential palace in Kabul, now faced an historic test. “The Taliban won victory in the judgment of sword and gun and they have responsibility to protect the honour, prosperity and selfrespect of our compatriots,” he said.
President Ashraf Ghani He did not disclose details on his current location. The news channel Al Jazeera, citing a personal bodyguard of the president, said Ghani, his wife, his chief of staff and national security adviser had flown to Tashkent in neighbouring Uzbekistan.
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Kaieteur News
Monday August 16, 2021
Monday August 16, 2021
Olympics and Paralympics
GB athletes to get more government funds in run-up to Paris Games in 2024 BBCsport The government will increase its funding of Great Britain’s Olympians and Paralympians by £23.4m annually to £77.4m a year to aid preparation for the Paris Games in 2024. The money will be provided in addition to National Lottery funds, and athletes hoping to compete at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will also benefit. Great Britain finished fourth in the table after winning 65 medals at the To k y o O l y m p i c s . T h e Paralympics begin on 24
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Kaieteur News
August. A statement from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said funds would also be used to “help kick-start the search for the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic champions”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Team GB showed us the very best of this country in Tokyo d e m o n s t r a t i n g sportsmanship, hard work and record-breaking performances.” From the pool to the track
to the velodrome, our Olympians gave us so many reasons to be proud, and to celebrate their extraordinary success. “This increased funding will support Team GB to deliver their best possible performances in three years’ time in Paris.” Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of UK Sport - the organisation that will receive the funding - said: “This commitment from our government, as well as the incredible support we receive from National Lottery players,
Monday August 16, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You feel like a scared child who wants to hide under the bed today, Aquarius. Keep in mind that there are just as many monsters under the bed as there are out in the world. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Keeping things balanced today will prove challenging. Take this seriously because it's probably needed more than ever. You might be the arbiter in situations where a battle exists between old and new. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Passions may run high, Gemini, and you could be right in the thick of things. Today may be a bit more intense than usual. Conflicting energies will butt up against each other in your head. CANCER(June21–July22) Indecision may leave you standing at the station after all the trains have left, Cancer. Hop on one that's going in your direction. Add your name to the roster of active participants. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Something might be shaking the very ground you stand on, Leo. Just when you thought everything was calm and stable, suddenly the ground begins to rumble. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Follow your heart instead of your wallet, Virgo. Start with yourself and choose where to spend your resources. Take an active role and be on the lookout for opportunities to grab hold of and profit from.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your adaptable nature will be put to the test today, Libra. Try to go with the flow. Remember that you have a rudder with which to steer. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today is a significant day, astrologically speaking. It may be an affirmation of your pioneering spirit. Be the champion of the new and bizarre. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) There may be some tension in the air for you. Large forces are moving through your life that are suddenly coming into conflict. People who have been on a certain path for a long time now have to face the music. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your ability to juggle many tasks is going to come in handy. Information may fly and you could be asked to step up and contribute your wealth of knowledge. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You feel like a scared child who wants to hide under the bed today. Keep in mind that there are just as many monsters under the bed as there are out in the world. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today may feel like everything's coming to a head for you, Pisces. Even the slightest action might face resistance. The more stubborn your attitude, the harder it will be to progress. Your job is to infuse playfulness into every situation.
gives us greater certainty of delivering more extraordinary moments to reach, inspire and unite the nation in Beijing and Paris, and also sets us up perfectly for the ‘greatest decade’ of sport that we hope to deliver in the years to come.”
...Roach stars with bat as From page 21 few Holder boundaries had brought the required runs down under 60. Blackwood hung his bat out at Hasan once too often, sending it straight to first slip; except Butt at second decided only he could be trusted behind the stumps, diving sensationally to his left to hold on to a stunner. On the stroke of tea, Holder found his off peg knocked back with a beauty. It looked like a bridge too far whenDa Silva and Roach came out after tea still needing 54, but as in Antigua and Dominica, the West Indies lower order refused to give in. They began to knock off the runs gradually, and suddenly, with the pair looking relat i v e l y u n t r o u b l e d We s t Indies had less than 30 left to go. Pakistan, to their alarm, found they were still in a game, and with West Indies refusing to roll over, it became a game of shredded nerves as much as exquisite skill. There was the glory of Rizwan’s catch that spanned the length of the ground, the errors like Hasan’s drop at deep midwicket, the guts of Roach going for his shots with the ultimate consequence on the line, and the heart of Seales seeing off some searing pace bowling from Afridi. Pakistan broke West Indian hearts four years ago, but in a classic that contained shades of Antigua, West Indies have exacted exceptionally sweet revenge in Jamaica. Scores: West Indies 253 (Brathwaite 97, Holder 58, Afridi 4-59) and 168 for 9 (Blackwood 55, Roach 30*, Afridi 4-50) beat Pakistan 217 (Fawad 56, Holder 3-26) and 203 (Azam 55, Seales 5-55) by one wicket.
Andre ‘Padlock’ Green wins 55 miler We Stand United Cycle Club rider, Andre ‘Padlock’ Green pedaled to his first win of the season in the City in yesterday’s 55-mile road race which sponsored by Attack Racing and Professional Keyshop. Organised by Team Alanis, Green crossed the line ahead of Andrew Hicks followed by Alex Mendes, Marcus Keiler, Paul Choo Wee Nam and Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith in that order. Yesterday’s event pedaled off from Banks DIH Ltd., Thirst Park proceeded to the Yarrowkabra Police
Outpost on the Linden, Soesdyke Highway before returning to the starting line for the finish. Winning the junior contest was Team Alanis’ Sherwin Sampson ahead of Alexander Leung and Ajani Cutting whilst the female race was again won by reigning National Road Race and Time Trials champion, Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club’s, Susan Hamilton. Mendes was the top Under-50 rider while the winner of the Over-50 contest was Wilbert Benjamin.
...GFF inducts new coaches From page 22 development within the GFF’s Grassroots programme. “This is my first coaching programme with the Federation and it has not disappointed,” said Linden Pickett, a former player and participant from the Georgetown Football Association region. “I’ve learned key points that will help me to become much better than I already am. This could have only been done through the Federation.” The GFF plans to run courses for ‘D’ and ‘C’ li-
censes this year, alongside goalkeeping qualifications, fitness workshops and child protection training for coaches in the coming months. “After these last few sessions, I’m better equipped in sticking to my session plans and being more patient with players,” said East Bank Demerara Football Association participant Orin Angoy. “The support from the GFF’s webinars and coaches – they have guided me along the path and they are still guiding me.”
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Monday August 16, 2021
Guyana secure hosting rights for 2024 CAC bodybuilding C/Ship The President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), Keavon Bess, has shared the fantastic news of Guyana being confirmed to host the 2024 Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championship. Initially, Guyana had placed a bid to host the 2023 event but the hosting rights were given to Aruba, while Barbados will host next year’s championship.
Guyana has hosted the prestigious championship only once before in 2004, and the event was housed at the National Cultural Center. A statement from the GBBFF boss on social media read: “Guyana will host CAC 2024 (Central America and the Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Championship). Initially Guyana’s bid to host CAC 2023 was submitted to the Executive of the
CACBBFF. However, CAC 2023 was given to Aruba after their bid was revealed to have been presented since 2020. Barbados, at CAC 2019, had also bid for and secured CAC 2022. At both of these General Assembly Guyana was not represented. After consideration of Guyana’s bid document and oral presentation on Guyana’s
behalf, the CAC General Assembly unanimously voted in favour of Guyana for CAC 2024. This vote was then officially minuted and an official document to this effect was handed to the President of the GBBFF. Congratulations to the Executive members of GBBFF, its athletes and the people of Guyana on this monumental achievement.”
Kaieteur News
Monday August 16, 2021
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Roach stars with bat as last-wicket pair takes WI home in thrilling finish ESPNcricinfo – Antigua 2000, Dominica 2017 and now Jamaica 2021. West Indies and Pakistan added another chapter to the list of enthralling, nail-biting Tests between these two sides as the hosts eked out a stunning one-wicket win with Nos. 9 and 11 holding on. As Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales kept batting, the nerves kept building. Finally, it all came down to a fateful Hasan Ali over, as a nick evaded a valiant dive from Mohammad Rizwan to race away for a boundary before Roach pushed one through the off side to guarantee the 1-0 series lead. Pakistan had their chances, but the story, for now, is thoroughly West Indian. The hosts looked like they had been edged out of this match so often towards the death, and yet refused to acknowledge it was game over. It looked game over when Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers fell in quick succession, when Jason Holder was cleaned up by Hasan, when Joshua da Silva - the last recognized batter fell with 26 still to go. But West Indies kept knocking down the runs, and the scoreboard pressure shifted entirely to Pakistan. Pakistan might have been firm favourites after the hosts had been reduced to nine down, but as Pakistan lost their nerve, Roach and the teenager Seales held theirs. For Pakistan, there was historical precedence in perhaps their most famous Test of all. In 1954, a Fazal Mahmood inspired side defended 167 - exactly what they had on the board today against England at the Oval: the origin story of Pakistan cricket. It might even have been comfortable when Shaheen Shah Afridi blew apart the top order, and when a middle-order West Indian collapse saw Pakistan burrow deep into their tail. But the catching, so sensational up until the final session, let them down in crucial moments. Roach was put down by Rizwan as a partnership with Da Silva flowered, before Hasan Ali dropped the same man in the deep with 19 runs still to get. Rizwan’s 45-yard sprint to seal Jomel Warrican’s fate looked also to have done it for West Indies, but there was perhaps
an opportunity to pluck a diving one-handed catch off the Roach edge that ended up going to the boundary in that final over. It may seem ages ago now, but a dramatic morning session saw more drama than many entire days, spanning eight wickets across two innings. Seales led the charge in the mission to remove the lower order cheaply, and within an hour and a half, Pakistan’s last five had fallen for 35. Of those 35 runs, 28 were added by an enterprising Hasan in just 26 balls with two fours and two sixes. That pushed the lead above 150 for Pakistan, each extra run giving himself and his fellow bowlers precious breathing room. Babar Azam’s presence at the crease was always going to be vital, but a Mayers delivery seared up off a crack and looped up to Holder at second slip early in the day. Azam had departed for a valiant 55, and while it brought Pakistan agonizingly close, his side ended up needing just a bit more from him. From there on, it was down to the raw pace of Seales against Pakistan’s lower order. Yasir Shah and Afridi were sent back with little bother, but Hasan rode his luck as Pakistan brought up 200. Seales, though, would not be denied a maiden five-for in just his second Test, and got there when Hasan’s hook went straight to Roach at fine leg. In the process, he became the youngest West Indies bowler to earn a Test five-for as the hosts were set 168 to win. The Afridi show began in a somewhat surreal over that had three reviews for lbw by Pakistan against Kieran Powell, the third finally resulting in success. Kraigg Brathwaite didn’t last long in the face of a hostile spell from Afridi, his poke at one that jagged away leading to his downfall, but only after a review. Nkrumah Bonner dragged on in Afridi’s f o l l o w i n g o v e r, a n d suddenly, the pre-lunch session turned into a damage-limitation exercise for West Indies. After the mad rush of the first session came the relative slow burn of the second. No less absorbing for its slightly slower pace, it
carried with it the sensation of a building crescendo. West Indies made the early running as Chase and Jermaine Blackwood, West Indies’ top scorer with 55, threatened to take it away for the hosts with a 68-run fourth wicket partnership. They came out after lunch a much more confident pair, Blackwood continuing
to put anything too wide or too full away. Hasan in particular came in for punishment off successive overs as he struggled with his lines; and with a small target to defend, there wasn’t much room for error, every boundary tilting the scales the batters’ way. Chase, Pakistan’s pet peeve in 2017, was looking
just as untroubled without quite having as much of an impact on the scoreboard. But all West Indies needed was a partnership, and as long as the pair continued remained at the crease, the danger signs flashed for Pakistan. Faheem Ashraf, Pakistan’s impact allrounder of late, was the man to break
the partnership, constantly threatening Chase’s outside edge in a probing over. When the edge came, Butt was never going to drop a low catch; and in Ashraf’s next over, the same combination got rid of Kyle Mayers for a pair. But the moment of the session came in late, when a (Continued on page 19)
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Monday August 16, 2021
GFF inducts new coaches with first online “introduction to coaching” course The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has successfully delivered its first online “Introduction to Coaching” programme, sharing fundamental coaching principles with participants from all over the country as it accelerates its investment in the coach development ahead of the safe resumption of competitions. The introductory online course is designed to rapidly integrate as many coaches as possible into the G F F ’s n a t i o n a l c o a c h i n g philosophy and pathway as part of ongoing efforts to further
professionalise coaching standards in Guyana to spur the development of football. “My participation in this introductory course has strengthened my resolve to develop myself as a coach,” said course participant and former Golden Jaguar Dwain Jacobs, who is based in the East Coast Demerara Football Association. “My main focus as a coach was on a tactical level, but now I have a holistic view of being a coach.” The online course, which received 61 registrations from aspiring and practising coaches
across Guyana, provides a basic foundation for coaches to progress to the Concacaf ‘D’ license course and qualification – the first level of recognised professional certification. “The GFF is fully committed to improving the standard of coaching through structured and consistent education as we prepare for the return of play after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood. “We have a huge pool of talented and passionate coaches around Guyana – the key is to provide a clear pathway for development so that
they can all reach their potential and then produce better quality players for our clubs and national teams.” The online course was delivered by Greenwood, GFF Coach Education and Development Officer Lyndon France, GFF Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph and Sampson Gilbert, GFF Coach Mentor. “We continue to encourage our regional associations to put forward as many coaches as possible to receive this essential training, so that we can build on the excellent progress we have made so
far in improving coaching standards at all levels of the game,” said France. After inheriting an ecosystem of coaches with no valid qualifications in 2015, the GFF has since facilitated the progress of 51 coaches to Concacaf ‘D’ licence or ‘C’ licence level and introduced a national coaching philosophy and pathway. The online course, rolled out over several weeks, featured 24 hours of training with a special focus on coaching 6-12 year olds – the age range targeted for (Continued on page 19)
Monday August 16, 2021
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25 Deaf player Anaya Lall
FIDE Youth and Cadet World Cup
Lall set to compete in under-12 girls’ category Eleven-year-old, deaf chess player, Anaya Lall is set to compete in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Youth and Cadet World Cup i n t h e g i r l s u n d e r- 1 2 category. Lall will join Queen’s College boys Kishan Puran, Raveon Adonis and Mathew Singh who will compete in the U16s open event. Also in the under-18 open division will be Oluwadare Oyeyipo of Marian Academy, Keron Sandiford of Saint Stanislaus College and Akili Theophil from University of Guyana. The players will compete
over the next five days with the best in the world in each category. Entrance into this elite tournament is made possible due to the online nature of the event which was introduced in 2019 due to the pandemic. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has been able to enter 22 players in this year’s tournament. The players were drawn from its ‘chess in schools’ programme which is funded in part by FIDE. The ‘chess in schools’ programme has been expanding and is drafting plans to enter more elite tournaments and continue to
Barca sedge out Real Sociedad in first game of post-Messi era
Gerard Pique agreed to take a pay cut so Barcelona could register new signings Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj In time for the new season. (Getty Images)
B
BC Sport Barcelona began life without Lionel Messi by beating Real Sociedad in an entertaining La Liga opener. Gerard Pique opened the scoring for Barca with a powerful header from Memphis Depay’s free-kick. Martin Braithwaite scored either side of halftime to become the first Danish player to score a La Liga brace. Real Sociedad pulled it back to 3-2 through Julen Lobete and Mikel Oyarzabal but Sergi Roberto added a fourth for Barcelona in added time. It was fitting that Barca’s first goal of the season was scored by Pique after the defender agreed to reduce his
wages earlier in the week so the club could register three new signings in time for the new season. Many of the 22,000 Barcelona fans wore Messi shirts to the Nou Camp and chanted for their record goalscorer in the 10th minute after he joined Paris StGermain on a two-year deal earlier in the week. New signing Sergio Aguero, who has been ruled out for 10 weeks with a calf injury, watched from the sidelines. Elsewhere in La Liga, defending champions Atletico Madrid started the season with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, while their city rivals Real Madrid beat Alaves 4-1 in their season opener on Saturday.
offer opportunity to train beginner, intermediate and elite players throughout G u y a n a . T h e implementation of an expert trainer in International Master Atanu Lihari has
already yielded favorable r e s u l t s i n t h i s y e a r ’s tournament with victories over several FIDE rated players which is the stepping stone to create a pool of rated young players in Guyana.