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Friday Edition Berbice NEWS pensioner found dead in home; son arrested

AIETEUR

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

July 02, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 27

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 78,333

Dr. Vincent Adams says...

Govt. has weakened environmental standards in favour of ExxonMobil

- calls for Liza, Payara permits to be amended teens Sister stabs Father of four Three in custody feared drowned in for robbing brother over $1000 Essequibo River Lethem cop ‘chaser’ money

Suspect allegedly kills man who told him not to enter his yard AGM local workers GECOM’s DCEO takes complain of being treated Jagdeo, News Room differently from Chinese to court for libel

Haresh Police refute claims Singh by Hughes surrounding murder...charge of Henry relative -say lawyer attempting to pervert the course of justice @11:00am VP Jagdeo, Brassington allowing EconomiconListen Kaieteur Radio Hitman to take Guyana down at any cost. 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 02, 2021

Haresh Police refute claims Singh by Hughes surrounding murder... charge of Henry relative -say lawyer attempting to pervert the course of justice Screengrab from a video footage showing that Inspector Sarrabo was present at the autopsy of the Henry cousins, and not at the Henry residence.

Inspector Sarrabo in the background of a Prime News video – Nigel Hughes is in the foreground.

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has moved to refute claims made by attorney Nigel Hughes, that it unfairly instituted a charge against a relative of the Joel and Isaiah Henry for the murder of Haresh Singh, 17 without interviewing his alibis.

The relative identified as Glaston Henry better known as Gladwin was among four suspects remanded on Tuesday, for murdering Singh in Number Tree Village Backdam, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Glaston is the elder brother of Isaiah, 16 and cousin of Joel, 19, whose mutilated bodies were found dumped on a coconut estate at the Cotton Tree Backdam on September 7, last year. As riots broke out in the communities around Number Three, Haresh Singh was discovered brutally injured in what was suspected as revenge of the murder of the Henry boys since one of the initial suspects in the killing was

Singh’s grandfather.

This is the second Henry relative to be charged for what has been seen as a reprisal killing in four months. In April, Mark Anthony Henry, brother of Joel and cousin of Isaiah, was remanded to prison for the murder of his neighbour, 68-year-old Surojdeo Deochand called “Sarjie, another man who was initially arrested and released in relation to the Henry cousins’ murders.

Glaston Henry was arrested on Saturday after he turned himself in, in the company of Hughes, following the police issuing a wanted notice for him in relation to Haresh Singh’s murder. Earlier this week, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had advised that he be charged with the capital offence after one of the other three suspects implicated him as the mastermind of the crime.

That suspect had reportedly confessed too that the motive

behind the heinous act was revenge for the murder of the Henry cousins.

H u g h e s y e s t e r d a y, during a press conference, made claims that his client was elsewhere during the time of Singh’s murder and has since written the DPP to review his murder charge.

The lawyer alleged that Henry has an alibi as testified to by multiple witnesses but the police had made no attempt to interview them.

The alibi witnesses who were present with him during the press conference said that Henry was at home with them during the time of

the murder watching a live recording by his father, Gladston Henry, of the autopsy being performed on the bodies of the Henry cousins.

Galston Henry’s mother, Patricia Henry, claimed that a police officer identified as “Sarrabo” had visited their home around the same time and seen her son at home.

“Sarrabo fully well know that my son was in the back yard… Officer Sarrabo, you

know the truth,” she told r e p o r t e r s y e s t e r d a y.

Another relative, Claudette Kurtzious, claimed this too and added that Henry was drinking “red wine and turbo” with the rest of the family including herself.

“All of us were there.

When we hear that this Haresh get murder, we went out on the bridge and come back inside,” she said.

Hughes then lashed out at G P F, c r i t i c i s i n g i t s

investigators for not doing a proper job in seeking to interview the persons providing the alibi before charging Henry.

In response, to the claims made by Hughes, however, GPF yesterday issued a statement beginning, “The Guyana Police Force (GPF) notes with serious concern the allegations made by Nigel Hughes, Attorney-atLaw, who represents Glaston (Continued on page 21)

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Friday July 02, 2021

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Govt. has weakened environmental - Dr. Vincent standards in favour of ExxonMobil Adams - calls for Liza, Payara permits to be amended W hen one considers the ramifications of certain actions the government has taken to regulate the oil sector, it is clear that there has not been a strengthening of industry standards. Instead, the principles have been weakened in favour of ExxonMobil.

Making this statement among others yesterday at a virtual press conference that was held by the Alliance For Change (AFC) was former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams. He was at the time denouncing what he referred to as the “callous misinformation campaign” being peddled by the PPP/C Government. Dr. Adams said the message of the PPP/C is that it strengthened the environmental permits awarded to ExxonMobil.

He noted however that when the modifications made by the PPP/C are examined alongside what existed in the past, it is clear that the government is spreading a false message.

The first amendment he highlighted to prove his point was in relation to flaring in the Payara Environmental Permit. Dr. Adams said a provision was modified to allow flaring to be done for up to 60 days from the time of start-up instead of the two days that were previously agreed to by the team of experts who were examining the permit. He noted that apart from himself, the team had

comprised of technical personnel from the Department of Energy, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the EPA. Dr. Adams contended that such an amended provision in the Payara Permit is a “godsend” for ExxonMobil given its record on the Liza Phase One Project. He recalled that ExxonMobil was flaring from the time the project commenced in December 2019 and at a maximum level of 90 million cubic feet of gas for 60 days.

If this performance is replicated at ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase Two Project where production will be 220,000 barrels of oil per day (double the Liza Phase One capacity) then flaring of gas could reach into the billions in a matter of days.

Another “gimmick” of the government to show that it has supposedly improved industry standards are with the introduction of a flaring penalty said Dr. Adams.

In May, the government had announced that the Liza Phase One Permit was amended to include a provision which states that ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), will pay the EPA US$30 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent released after May 13, 2021 via the Liza Destiny vessel. If one were to do their research, it would be seen that this tax should be between US$60 and US$100, Dr. Adams

Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams.

intimated. But the worst part about this move by the government is not that it has shortchanged itself, the former EPA said – Dr. Adams argues that the fact that Guyana has no expert or technical person at the EPA who is capable of properly calculating this penalty is much worse. He said that, due to this, Guyana would therefore be led by ExxonMobil on what it wants to pay to the regulator.

In addition, Dr. Adams noted that the amendment by the government does not say what happens after the contractor is made to pay the fee. “It does not say how long you can continue to flare, so you can therefore go on forever. I have dealt with these companies and if it is cheaper to flare then that is what they will do,” the environmental expert noted.

Upon taking these and other issues into consideration, Dr. Adams said he is convinced that the government has not strengthened the principles

Three teens in custody for robbing Lethem cop Three teenage boys, ages 15, 16 and 17 are now in custody at the Lethem Police Station for allegedly robbing a police sergeant of his money on Tuesday night.

Kaieteur News understands that sometime between 21:00hrs to 22:20hrs in Tabatinga, Lethem, Central Rupununi, the trio stole $90,800 in cash from 36-year-old Kenyatta Bishops’ motorcar.

According to reports received, the lock on the driver’s side of the car would malfunction sometimes.

Bishops reported to the police that on that day, around 15:00hrs he left his house with a black bag containing the money and went to a mechanic shop situated in the same community to do some repairs on his vehicle.

About 21:00hrs, he further reported that he a r r i v e d a t a f r i e n d ’s residence and parked his car on the side of the road, and had secured the car with the money inside. While awaiting the arrival of a car part at his friend, he said

about 22:10hrs, he went back to his car and there he discovered the bag with the money missing.

Immediately, he left and went to the police station where he made a report.

Sometime later in the evening, police managed to arrest the suspects and they were taken into custody.

There the three were questioned when one admitted to the crime. After confessing, he took the officers to an unknown location and handed over the bag of money.

o f t h e i n d u s t r y. H e categorically stated that they have been weakened for ExxonMobil to continue its abuse against the State.

The former EPA Head also told Kaieteur News in an invited comment after yesterday’s press conference that he is calling on the PPP/C to withdraw the modifications it made to the Liza Phase One and Payara Permits as this would be in keeping with the best interest of the people.

He said he would also call for an independent team of experts to be convened to investigate the issue of flaring by ExxonMobil for the last 18 months. The former EPA Head said this is crucial given the oil giant’s inability to resolve issues that have led to flaring.

GAS COMPRESSOR ISSUES Since start up in December 2019, Kaieteur News would have followed and reported on ExxonMobil’s continually malfunctioning gas compressor system. On December 20, 2020, it had announced that the gas compressor issue was fixed.

But during that one-year period, it had already flared 12.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day, equivalent to the removal of 1.6M acres of forest.

In simpler terms, this means that Exxon flared toxic Natural gas that could have been offset by a forest the size of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2020/12/22/exxo ns-flaring-this-yearequivalent-to-the-removalof-1-6m-acres-of-forest/).

But the issues didn’t stop there as the system malfunctioned for a second time on January 13, 2021.

The company did not reveal the cause but said that it was fixed within a matter of hours, or so it thought. https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2021/03/07/exxo nmobil-had-flared-earlyjanuary-claims-it-lastedless-than-hours/).

On January 29, 2021, the

gas compressor broke down for a third time, forcing ExxonMobil this time around to send the faulty equipment to Germany for repairs and upgrades. A detailed assessment of the compressor subsequently revealed that an axial vibration of the compressor rotor is what led to other mechanical disruptions. The equipment was back in Guyana by the second week of March where it was installed on the Liza Destiny v e s s e l . Te s t s d u r i n g installation were being c a r r i e d o u t . (https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2021/03/14/exxo ns-repaired-compressorback-in-guyana/).

But before that could be completed, the gas compressor, which was supposedly repaired and upgraded, malfunctioned for the fourth time. It was subsequently removed and transported to Houston, USA, where it was repaired.

Exxon reported this week that the equipment was recently installed at the second phase of tests are being carried out.

ExxonMobil also reminded that an order was made for a new compressor, which is due to arrive in Guyana for installation before year-end.

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Friday July 02, 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

The World Bank and its alms Fellow Guyanese, let us not beat around the bush. The World Bank is not a friend of Guyana. For when the World Bank, and others like it, bring their alms, they function as another very skillfully disguised arm of the foreign companies based in North America and Western Europe that rip-off poverty stricken underdeveloped countries. It is why we warn: the World Bank should be compared to Greeks bearing gifts.

Like the Greeks who took their Trojan horse inside the fortified Troy, grants and loans and emergency relief programmes and provisions made available are enticements for poor countries to let their guard down. Those charitable gifts have poisoned teeth, and are intended to lull Guyanese into a false sense of complacency, that all is well. All is not well, when the great bulk of this country’s oil and other natural resources wealth is being carted away to enrich already prosperous societies, while leaving the hungry and vulnerable poorer and more endangered than before.

All the leaders of the Word Bank are doing, with bright shiny smiles that light up the world of the unsuspecting, is to take the money of (the unwary and unwise and give them a small fraction of it back in the form of this and that aid. The way this works is that the rich countries benefit so much from how their highflying corporations and money managers perform and profit on the back and sweat and treasure of billions of poor people, coloured people, the world over that those advanced countries can turn around and contribute from their loaded Treasuries to the coffers of the World Bank.

Their advanced societies have it so good that they can prop up financially the World Bank and others like it, which then give alms to needy societies. This is a vital aspect of a world class Ponzi scheme that robs the poor to give to the rich, who can then hold their noses and calm their consciences with a little charity amid much fanfare.

For those who think otherwise, we encourage a quick look at some of the past World Bank presidents. With a rare exception, they are either from that capitalist stronghold Wall Street, which many a Third World country regret having anything to do with; or very powerful figures from mainly that major American political force, the Republican party.

The work of the World Bank cannot be trusted to outsiders, no matter how respected the economists may be, or how proven others are in different fields, and which their record supports unerringly.

To support our position, we offer a roster of the cream of the American Establishment that served as past World Bank presidents. They would put on their Top Hats and white gloves, and best faces, and deal benevolently with exploited coloured people around the globe, who don’t know better.

It was then and remains today part of the charade. There was former president John J. McCloy, all the way back from the days of President Harry Truman, a renowned mover and shaker in the highest American power circles. Later, there came Paul Wolfowitz and Robert Zoellick, who were famed or notorious as Vulcans in President George W. Bush’s time; they were part of a radical neocon group that believed in the projection of American power, military and economic, to express most forcefully America’s foreign policy visions and interests.

Before them came, that now departed Vietnam warhorse, the Ford whiz kid, Robert McNamara. And dotting the World Bank’s presidential red carpet were Lewis Preston, A.W. Clausen, and Eugene Black of JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Chase National Bank respectively.

We are sure that no Guyanese needs convincing that those names represent an honour guard of American corporate rapacity and the primacy of American economic and political supremacy globally. For those still thinking kindly of the charitable exercises of the World Bank to Guyana for COVID-19 and education and whatever else, these are the leaders who live by one mantra only: the biggest, richest return. What is best for America and American powerhouses, like Exxon and Schlumberger and Goldman Sachs. If any Guyanese thinks that World Bank generosity is enriching, then he or she should be quarantined full-time.

WPA singled out for unfair criticisms based on hearsay and biasness DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Mr. Vishnu Bisram’s letter published in Kaieteur News Friday June 25, 2021 edition, captioned “WPA&AFC could have saved the sugar estates.”

Editor, a more appropriate caption would exclude the mention of the AFC since Bisram’s missive is a propaganda blast against the WPA and is part of an organised orchestrated campaign against the party which is pervasive in the newspapers.

To substantiate my contention, I will cite the following: The WPA is mentioned in the letter 8 times; the AFC once; Clive Thomas 7 times; Rupert Roopnarine once; the AFC’s Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo 2 times; the AFC Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder once. A quick tabulation will show that WPA and its personnel are mentioned 16 times in Bisram’s letter, and the AFC and its personnel are mentioned three times.

Based on the above tabulation, any objective reader will agree that the WPA was the principal target of Bisram’s rage.

It is not my intention to deal with Bisram’s letter in a detailed manner. The letter, when contextualised in terms of a “blame game,” places the WPA and Clive Thomas as scapegoats for the government’s decision to close sugar estates.

Bisram and the anti-WPA detractors are aware that while Thomas and the GuySuCo Board had the authority to formulate proposals/plans for the future of estates, the decision to accept/reject those plans or implement different initiatives resided in the APNU+AFC cabinet and not the GuySuCo Board.

The record would show that the government rejected the Thomas/Board’s comprehensive plan for the right sizing of GuySuCo operations to get the corporation back to profitability. Bisram/Dev are also aware that the decision to close the Rose Hall, Skeldon and Enmore estates was made by the AFC and announced publicly by its Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, without the prior agreement of the cabinet.

And this has nothing to do with Clive Thomas. The cabinet subsequently endorsed the decision and later implemented its plan that closed the estates.

Another aspect of the propaganda sheet is information on visits to India and Trinidad by the Bisram/ Dev outfit for potential investors for the estates.

From their account, at no point and time did they approach Thomas and the GuySuCo board but write, “…I found out from my meetings with local investors and private cane farmers that Clive Thomas

was not keen at having local investors take over the estates or to stop the closure.” The Bisram/Dev outfit had no interest in checking the accuracy of the information received or putting their proposals for the divestment of GuySuCo estates to Clive Thomas and the GuySuCo board. After the privatisation unit was given the responsibility for divestment of the estates, the proposals for the two estates were submitted.

Readers should note by this time that the future of GuySuCo and its assets was not in the hands of the Thomas/board. The Bisram/ Dev outfit chose to rely on hearsay, that is, that Thomas was not open to local investors and had no interest in stopping the closure of estates. This question I pose to these “noble” fighters for sugar workers: explain why on this matter the GuySuCo board was not approached or sent one of the many proposals they had worked on for the divestment of sugar estates?

Every time our detractors attribute to the WPA power and influence in the APNU+AFC coalition government that we never had, we are vindicated - we are not “dead,” as they opportunistically declare.

Bisram wrote, “Clive Thomas, Rupert Roopnarine and Nagamootoo had a lot of clout in the government.”

Note the order of the names

in parceling out greater responsibility to the WPA than the AFC. I will not speak for the AFC. On numerous occasions, I had pointed out in previous polemics the WPA’s marginalised position in the coalition government. It is no secret that the WPA was not consulted on the government’s decision to end the Walter Rodney COI. And we could not stop the removal of Roopnaraine from the Education Ministry, and we are expected to force the government to change its decision to close the sugar estates.

When it suits our detractors, the WPA has tremendous power and influence in the government and the political equation, and on other occasions, they taunt us on our marginalised position in the coalition and our ‘dead’ status. The Bisram/Dev outfit wanted the WPA to do what Charrandas Persaud did to bring down the government, that is, threaten “to walk from the government over the issue.”

The letter continues, “ ... It clearly showed that the WPA and elements of other coalition partners were not very keen in the protecting the sugar workers whose votes were responsible for their being in office.” If the WPA had claimed one of those sugar workers vote there would be endless (Continued on page 6)

American pressure or American pretense DEAR EDITOR, A few United States Congress people recently articulated that all Guyanese must share in their oil wealth.

The skeptical in me brings disbelief; the charitable contributes the critical; and the practical thinks that my fellow Americans agree with what I placed before them, Guyana, and the world: visions and courses of action being perfected by the PPP government cannot hold indefinitely.

Editor, where oil is concerned, Americans are smartest; much exposure, more agitating experiences: Libya, Nigeria, and Venezuela. So, before American interest gets upended by seething, warring natives, Congress people are going public with that unbeatable Gospel rendition: all. As in all, Guyanese must benefit from Guyana’s oil. I appreciate that after nearly one year of PPP power, the restless reigns. On one hand, Americans support

machinations of PPP leaders with slick media management, security apparatus control (PR, promotions fight, joint security team), and oil cooperation that suits their interests and visions. I detect shifting from the volatile, hostile Middle East to an ironclad arc of influence spanning Guyana, Venezuela, and Suriname; as China cements the Middle East, America recalibrates in Latin America. Thus, there is kind and gentle appealing for all Guyanese to share in this nation’s oil wealth.

The latter is threepronged.

First, the American Ambassador, has articulated clinically and objectively her conclusions on prospects for political stability and social security.

Recently, one of her compatriots (Tradewinds) was robbed. Burgeoning crime is a byproduct of instability, and that we have (low level instability) currently, and which an unsettled Guyana Police

Force combats unsteadily.

Additionally, skilled PNC diaspora members would have given Congress people the lay of Guyana’s land, with its dangerous racial and political minefields, which don’t require much to activate.

From an American perspective that would not be helpful to Exxon’s and Hess’s and Schlumberger’s interests (or AMCHAM Guyana fronts). Hence, U.S. Congress people have recently been issuing noble calls (concerns) for all Guyanese to be beneficiaries of this country’s wealth in terms of deeds, and not just words.

Americans have seen how super-elites have profited elsewhere, and what that has meant for those without, plus how they react. Such could upset carefully laid American plans. Third, I think that visible and audible protests in Guyana and New York, via relentless newspaper coverage and radio programmes,

increasing street disagreements peopled with placard-armed citizens, and all pointing to Exxon’s thievery of Guyana’s oil, have also contributed to engage and stir American politicians to say something.

Editor, I think that what the PPP government should be aware of, and what the Americans know well, is what Jefferson said: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

And from Samuel Adams: “when people fear the government, there is tyranny.” There is fear and anxiety here on the tyranny of being left out. As if to confirm, the moribund Opposition Leader stirred himself to warn ominously about “civil unrest” on another issue. The many willing are waiting. No interpretation should be needed.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

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Kaieteur News

Public harassment by minibus touts Importance of male advocates in tackling CSA DEAR EDITOR, This letter seeks to shed light on the plight that many public transportation users are forced to endure daily by bus touts. Allow me to highlight one particular instance where I was at the bus park attempting to get into a minibus. Out of nowhere, I was aggressively approached by four men, forcibly beckoning me to enter the minibus they were touting. And if that isn’t terrible enough, one of the men even grabbed onto the bag I was carrying.

Much to my dismay, none of these men were wearing masks but yet they stood seemingly less than two feet away from me, with little to no consideration for my personal space or regard for the COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines.

The whole ordeal was quite traumatising for me. Both children and the elderly are subjected to this same awful treatment at the hands of these touts. This practice is beyond unacceptable.

The whole situation begs the question, what

plans do the relevant authorities such as the Guyana Police Force and the Minibus Association have to curb this issue which boils down to gross harassment?

In my opinion and I am certain that my fellow Guyanese share the same sentiments, these touts need to be removed immediately. I urgently call on the Guyana Police Force to address this matter, which continues to cause distress and annoyance to citizens.

Yours faithfully T. C. Graham

Another tanker load of oil; would living conditions be improved?

DEAR EDITOR, We are pleased to read that Guyana is lifting another tanker load of oil this week, representing the country’s share of production from the Liza Phase 1 Development.

This comes at a time when Brent is trading around $75 a barrel, the highest it has ever reached since oil

production began in the South American country in December 2019.

Every Guyanese should be pleased with this news, and at the same time wondering if our living conditions would be improved.

In several Third World countries especially, in

Africa people are suffering.

Despite they are oil producing countries, the vast majority live in poverty in Nigeria and in Africa. It is our hope that the poor people in Guyana and children benefit directly from our oil wealth Yours faithfully, Rooplall Dudhnath

GTT - stop the hounding, please DEAR EDITOR, It seems GTT is on a campaign to hound and molest customers to buy into its Blaze service.

I have repeatedly told agents of the company when they call, that I am quite satisfied with the DSL service and when I am ready

for the Blaze service, I will make contact with their office.

Yet they persist stubbornly and annoyingly.

Staying with GTT, my internet service went down Friday June 25. A report was made for which a reference number was provided.

Surprisingly, on Sunday June 27, the service was suddenly restored. To date, July 1, no representative of the company has called or visited to enquire or examine further. I have my suspicions about this disruption.

Yours faithfully Shamshun Mohamed

Relocation and flood prevention require national effort DEAR EDITOR, The progress report in the media on the CDEMA’s assessment of the impact of the flood on the 10 Regions should be a rallying cry to all concerned and affected citizens to get involved. The Regional Mayors, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the GDF and the GPF will need to increase its personnel and resources to effectively implement a corrective and preventative plan to combat future flooding. The number of GDF and GPF recruits from under represented communities needs to increase in order to be able to ensure all affected communities show greater participation in helping combat the dangers of climate change.

Guyanese are Patriots, and this is an opportunity to show true patriotism. Our top schools and universities are a great source of talent for new officers and members of the engineering corps. Also, the GPF and GDF can serve as key organisations to foster increased understanding and cooperation between our many cultures as the level of diversity in the forces increases.

The future need for a large, coordinated relocation process will require a high level of

cooperation and a more aggressive timeline for the development of a new capital city that will best meet our needs over the long term. In the near term, the entire citizenry will need to also get involved in helping to prevent future flooding in the regions. Our sea defences, irrigation and drainage systems will need an increased focused effort.

This starts with each farmer and homeowner’s management of waste, raising of their land’s level, and maintenance of the (Continued on page 6)

DEAR EDITOR, In Guyana, we have many single parent households, a significant number of which are headed by women. A lot of these households are economically insecure and can result in the parent being unable to invest as much time and effort into raising their children as they might like. While the reasons for this are many, a large part has to do with the lack of accountability by many men when it comes to childcare.

Lack of positive male figures can often result in young boys being more vulnerable to violence and choosing paths that are not good for them or others. This is why it is necessary for them to have access to those who are positive role models.

Given the cultural stigma associated with male sexual violence, many are resistant to speak on it and create supportive environments for those who have experienced assault. Working towards a safer community however means doing away with ideas that do not serve those who are most vulnerable.

Men need to recognise that refusing to talk about the implications of sexual

violence against children just contributes towards the maintenance of it, resulting in traumatised children who often lack trauma focused care and grow into adults unable to lead healthy lives.

Advocates for the care of young boys must begin with having open and honest conversations surrounding the ideas of manhood and what is really healthy for their growth and development. Too often, young boys and men are thought to internalise their pain and trauma resulting in a lot of instability within their lives.

Boys need to have safe spaces to talk about how they are and the experiences that they have without fear, shame and judgment. Having men who are in touch with themselves and their place in the world can be very important in helping to provide some much-needed support for young boys. Being a positive male figure in the lives of young boys does not mean that one has to be a part of a community group or organisation necessarily, rather, one can start small within their own homes and social groups as it is only through sustained efforts on all fronts that we will be able to achieve the goal of effectively and sustainably caring for

young boys.

We do, however, need advocates that are antiviolence and who understand how harmful aggressive expectations of masculinity can be. It is important for men to take a look at their own relationships with each other and romantic partners and examine how these relationships can have a good or bad impact on young boys. Those who grow up in chaotic familial environments can often begin to see violence as a norm. As a result, when violence is inflicted on them, there is the internalised belief that it is normal and just and can often go on to become abusers themselves if they do not receive the support that they need.

Protecting young boys from sexual violence also means protecting others as it is only through the continued challenging of the culture of violence that we can begin to make the long-term progress that is needed in our homes and communities.

Akola Thompson, Blue Umbrella Consultant - ChildLinK To report or seek counseling, please call 914/ 227-0979/227-2023/2333500

Nandlall does not get full marks DEAR EDITOR, The apologist stance of Dr. Vishnu Bisram in defense of AG Nandlall has much to be desired. Not only is the logic sketchy but also the accolades and adjectives fall short of the mark. In my grade book, Nandlall does not get full marks.

Dr. Bisram stated that “the public notes that

Nandlall has a drive for success and that he does not shy away from controversial matters.”

Here, the use of the absolute should be noted.

Logically speaking, the inclusion of the public should be “some of the public” or even “most of the public.” Does everyone believe that Nandlall fits the

Thanks for the invitation to assist DEAR EDITOR, May I use your good offices to thank Mr. Cave for the invitation to assist the Guyana Teachers’ Union in a comprehensive reconstruction of the current Job Valuation, together with the design of a much-needed

Performance Appraisal System.

I look forward to the Union’s executive taking note of this offer to contribute to their greater worth.

Yours faithfully E.B. John

full bill? In the laundry list of adjectives, the one not mentioned is courageous.

Until Nandlall brings to the bar the hands of those in the demise of Courtney Crum Ewing, especially given this instance of a homicide during the height of a politically charged atmosphere, he should not be considered the greatest legal mind in Guyana. For the apologists Nandlall may have “saved the PPP from the jaws of an attempted stolen election,” but as for others, Nandlall is not a saviour.

Sincerely, Les Archer

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Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

Vaccinate now or allow the Delta variant to kill thousands of our people this year DEAR EDITOR, We are in a race, a deadly race. The winner lives. The loser dies. Guyana must either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 now or allow the Delta Variant to enter and dominate. We have a stark choice which must be made now. Take the COVID vaccine now or live with the daily expectation that the DELTA Variant will kill us. It is not here yet. But it is coming. We have only one weapon to stop it vaccination. Will we be wise or do we choose to be stupid?

The Delta Variant of the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV 2) is deadlier than the original COVID-19 virus, almost 100 percent deadlier.

The Delta Variant is almost 100 percent more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus. The Delta Variant is more transmissible in young people than the original COVID-19 virus. More frightening, the Delta Variant affects children more than the original COVID-19 virus. We should all hope that the Delta Variant does not make its way to Guyana.

But we are already at great threat. Our future as a country is imperiled by the Delta Variant. Guyana has endured many crises, many things that threatened us before. But nothing has threatened us as a nation more than the DELTA

VARIANT. If anyone thinks I am being hyperbolic, know this - I wish I can be even more blunt.

Strict public health measures have helped to slow down the COVID-19 virus in countries like America and UK, but have proven less effective against the Delta Variant.

Vaccines, however, work against the Delta Variant, just as vaccines work against all the other forms of the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 vaccines, all of them in use today, represent Guyana’s only hope, the only hope the global community has against this deadly enemy.

The vaccine in front of us is the only weapon we have against the Delta Variant. In fully vaccinated people in the UK, the USA and other developed countries, there has been no reported death caused by the Delta Variant. But in people not vaccinated, the Delta Variant is creating havoc. These countries are discovering that vaccinating most of their people is not an effective barrier against the Delta Variant. The answer is vaccinating all adults and adolescents. Almost 70 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 50 percent are fully vaccinated. But the Delta

Variant is finding those who are yet to be vaccinated. The same story is playing out in England and other countries. As long as a small group of non-vaccinated people is present, we provide an enabling environment for the Variant to prosper.

Guyana has vaccinated close to 50 percent of our adults with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.

We have fully vaccinated just over 22 percent of the adult population. In terms of the global picture, particularly the global vaccination picture in developing countries, Guyana has done well. But in this case good is not good enough.

We must race towards 100 percent adults with one vaccination now and we must race for fully vaccinated adult population long before the end of 2021.

This is an ambitious goal.

The government of Guyana is determined to obtain all the vaccines we need to fully vaccinate the adult population.

But it is a case of “taking the horse to the water, but you cannot drink the water for the horse.” People must come forward to take their vaccines.

Even when all adults are fully vaccinated, Guyana must then try to fully vaccinate all adolescents.

This is a journey we cannot avoid. In a global milieu in which vaccine apartheid is dominant, the Guyana

Government has stepped forward with a promise to get all the vaccines necessary. The Guyana Government has committed that it will spare no expense in obtaining enough vaccines for our people, sooner than later.

Therefore, it is unconscionable that public health workers and volunteers put their lives at risk every day, beg people to take their vaccines, and still there are so many persons who resist taking their vaccines. It is reprehensible that there are public figures, like the Leader of the Opposition, who enable people in their bizarre rejection or hesitation in taking their vaccines.

The time has come for people to know they put their own lives and the lives of their family members and others in jeopardy each day they delay taking their vaccines.

It is time that political leaders know and be told in blunt language that they threaten people’s lives when they cast doubts about the authenticity of vaccines, which reinforces the antivaxxers vexing attitude. It is time we let religious leaders know they sin when they lead their congregation astray by preaching antivaxxer language or by being silent. It is time religious leaders know they stand in representation of the devil and in opposition to God. It is time professional

organisations hold their members accountable.

Organisations such as the Allied Health Practitioners Council cannot sit silent when persons who claim they are Alternative Medicine Practitioners, such as Sister Lin and Dr. Haynes, preach against the vaccine. Their licence must be withdrawn. If they practice without licence, they must be charged and jailed. It is time, the Broadcasting Authority remove the licence of those TV and Radio Stations which broadcast the deadly message that people like Sister Lin and Dr. Haynes indulge in. There are others, but these are ones I have personally heard.

Guyana has never made vaccination compulsory.

There should be no need for Guyana to take drastic actions, such as those advocated by the Indonesian President who has threatened to jail all those persons who refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccines.

I am reluctant to support such draconian action against individuals. But I am fully advocating that those who deliberately spread fake news and preach false messaging, without any evidence, should be held accountable.

Free speech is guaranteed in Guyana, but free speech does not mean we can spread false news,

especially when it has deadly consequences.

While I still believe that mandatory COVID-19 vaccination is not necessary, I do support employers who introduce measures to keep their workplace safe. If someone wants to exercise his or her right to refuse vaccination, they of all people, should also understand an employer ’s right and obligation to keep workplaces safe. I find measures such as employers demanding a COVID-19 test each week for all those unvaccinated employees to be a reasonable response to those employees who refuse to take the vaccines.

Vaccinate or be tested, it is your choice. In this regards, my recommendation for government is that our COVID-19 testing should be limited only for diagnostic purposes - referral by a medical practitioner - or for contact tracing as requested by public health officers.

All testing for travelling or for workplace eligibility must be referred to the private sector. In other words, for those who refuse vaccination, they must be tested at their own cost.

Exercising your options come with a price. Exercising your right must not put anyone’s life at risk.

Yours faithfully Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

...Relocation and flood From page 5 trenches, alley ways and gutters near their property.

Ideally, this is the Government’s responsibility and why taxes are paid, but we must remember that our elders always said that God helps those who help themselves.

An increased focus by the government on improving the sea defences and expanding the canal system for reduced water

volume intake and improved water drainage will go a long way in aiding farmers and homeowners in the near future if completed before the next rainy season. The experience of the recent flooding shows clearly that it is now time for all hands on deck!

Best regards, Mr. Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

...WPA singled out for unfair criticisms based From page 4 letters cussing us out.

However, today the WPA, a party that had about two percent stakes in the coalition government has a greater responsibility to sugar workers than the AFC enjoyed with 40 percent of the government!

I end this response to Mr. Vishnu Bisram/Ravi Dev by stating that apart from their hostility to the WPA and their own suspect political culture and character, their consistent attacks on WPA demonstrates a paradoxical

acknowledgement of the WPA’s strength in this society past and present.

Perhaps we should thank Bisram and Dev for consistently keeping the socalled deceased party in the public domain Yours faithfully Tacuma Ogunseye Publisher’s Note: Mr. Ogunseye as well as other contributors to our letter pages are hereby advised that exchanges will be limited at the discretion of the editor to allow for diversity in contributions.

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

The World Bank is falling over itself to give Guyana money.

That is our money ripped up from our oil that is being recycled to us, just like was done to poor countries in Africa and Asia.

The giant American and European multinationals fetch away the fabulous riches and organisations like the World Bank then come and offer a slice or two of leftover bread. The companies carry away the whole baker shop, and the World Bank and others step up with their so-called generosity.

Guyanese, don’t be fooled by these scavenging companies and their goody two shoes charitable backup pimps.

They are part of the exploitation, the big lie and big hustle.

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Kaieteur News

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Friday July 02, 2021

Sam Hinds assumes post as Ambassador of Guyana to the United States of America F ormer Executive President and Prime Minister of Guyana, Samuel Archibald Hinds, O.E., has assumed duties at the Embassy of Guyana in Washington, D.C., as the ninth Ambassador of Guyana to the United States of America yesterday.

According to the information published via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook page, Hinds is the fifth permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

His assumption to the office comes several weeks after he was confirmed to take up the post in the United States.

Leading up to taking up the

position, the former Prime Minister over the course of several weeks visited and met with Ministers of the Government.

He told the media that his meetings were part of his efforts to gain a better understanding of the Administration’s agenda so that he can efficiently function in his ambassadorial role.

During a courtesy call to his office in May, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, said the former Prime Minister and Executive President of Guyana will make an excellent Ambassador to the United States of America.

“Samuel Hinds is the man for the job….I knows that coming from his

years of experience and knowledge of governance in Guyana, he is wellpositioned to guide Guyana’s interaction with the United States of America.”

The sitting Prime Minister underscored the need to have someone with such experience in the position, since the United States is a major development partner.

“As you know the United States of America is one of the main development partners for Guyana, especially at a time now where we have a new investment from Exxon in Guyana, and other forms of investment coming to Guyana as a result of the country now becoming an oil and gas producing state,” he said.

Former Executive President and Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds formally commenced his new assignment as Ambassador in Washington, D.C.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 09

Character assessment should form part of police recruitment

T

he Guyana Police Force is facing a crisis on threefronts. The main Opposition A P N U + A F C i s manufacturing concerns which will only serve to demoralise the Force and result in greater disrespect shown to its members.

Already there is a crisis.

Some members of the public are resisting arrest by the police and in some instances are assaulting ranks. And on the third front, some ranks are bringing the Force into disrepute by the abuse of their powers.

The APNU+AFC has launched scathing criticisms of the Guyana Police Force.

They have charged that the Force is being ‘weaponised’ against citizens who oppose them. The APNU+AFC is playing silly politics and behaving as if its leaders are immune from being investigated, arrested or charged. But it was this same Police Force which the A P N U + A F C let lo o s e against leaders of the PPP/C. Now that the shoe is on the other, the APNU+AFC is crying “wolf!”

In recent times also, police ranks attempting to effect arrests, have come under attack by civilians. In one case, a traffic rank was chased by a cutlass-wielding minibus operator. In another case, a woman was seen removing a police barrier and every time the police put it back in place, she removed it while all the time hurling abuse at the ranks. In yet

another incident, a rank was assaulted by a soldier.

These incidents have been occurring with increasing regularity.

They suggest that there is gross disrespect for the police and this is responsible for the high-level of resistance, which the members of the Force are facing when effecting arrests.

But all is not well within the Force. As two recent incidents demonstrate, there are rogue elements within the Force who are prepared to abuse their powers.

In the first incident, a man was lashed with an object by a rank. In the other incident, an arrested and drunk individual had his feet shackled and then pulled from underneath him, and then dragged into a cell like a piece of carcass.

These latter incidents should not be treated as isolated events. They are indicative of a problem, which has become endemic in the force: abuse of power.

And the problem goes right back to the selection of persons who are recruited into the Force and for which insufficient background and psychological tests have been undertaken.

There are persons within the Guyana Police Force who should never have been inducted into its ranks because you cannot place power over others into irresponsible and reckless hands. Once this is done, there will be abuse of

authority.

The Guyana Police Force needs to consider carefully its recruitment policies. It is important that as part of its recruitment that the police undertake detailed background checks on its applicants. It should do so to guard against the wrong elements being employed.

But background checks are not sufficient. Recruits need to undergo details psychological and character assessments to ensure that they can be entrusted with the powers, which come with policing.

A great many police ranks have serious attitude problems. Some of them speak to the members of the public as they wish and when they are asked simple questions, they are insolent and abusive. Many of them feel that no one should dare question them and they can do as they please.

This problem with attitude cannot be fixed through training. Such persons should never have entered the Force in the first place. The fact that they were able to gain employment is proof enough of the need for a revamping of the Force’s recruitment policies.

The police need to take firm but lawful action to prevent and stop the disrespect which is being shown to them by some members of the public.

If the police arrest you, then you have a duty to go with them to the station, not to resist arrest. Often when

Olympic Games is boys seh... not fuh exposure!

Dem

Lang ago when we used to send dozens of athletes to de Olympics and dem come back empty-handed, dem used to claim how dem benefit from de experience.

Since den, dem athletes, dem coaches and dem officials does claim how is a good thing fuh give yuh athletes exposure at de Olympics.

But dem boys know dat is just de excuse fuh give we sportsmen and sportswomen a trip to wan international event.

Yu h d o n ’ t g o t o Olympics fuh exposure. Yuh does go fuh one purpose and one purpose alone: fuh try bring back a medal fuh give

yuhself and yuh country glory.

De Olympics is not a place fuh exposure. De exposure gat to come lang before de Olympics. Yuh does gat to be exposed to international competition before yuh guh to Olympics because dem ain’t got no learning curve at de Olympic Games.

Is either yuh ready or yuh nah ready!

Dem, boys nah want bad mouth nobody. But dem boys done know dat Guyana ain’t likely fuh get no cause fuh celebrate during or after de Olympics. So is best we didn’t send anybody at all.

We probably ain’t gonna win

no medal dis year.

But dem boys know dat if dem had certain events Guyana woulda win a set ah gold medals. If dem had a competition fuh mekkin excuse, we would win gold, silver and bronze. If de boxing games was being judged by you know who, de scorecards woulda show de loser as de winner and Guyana woulda win gold medal.

If dem had a competition fuh cussing, Guyana woulda win hands down in both de male and female categories.

De only win dem gan win is pass wind!

Talk half and who vex, vex!

persons resist arrest, the police are forced to use force and this leads to all manner of protests against the police.

However, the police in turn have a duty to inform persons of the offence for which they are being arrested.

But while it is true that the police are at present being unfairly targeted, the Force has elements who are

bringing the Force into disrepute. These persons should never have been employed within the Force.

If the attitude is not right, the conduct will be wrong.

The public is waiting to see what is going to be the outcome of those two incidents in which ranks were seen abusing their authority.

If nothing comes of these

cases, then the police would have taken a backward step in trying to ensure that it regains the confidence of the public.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday July 02, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The inscrutable East Indian mind from Guyana

I

get an awful lot of emails. I try my best to read all but that is impossible because there are days you are too distracted by exigencies and you move on.

I try my best to reply to as many as I can, hoping desperately that if I don’t, I am not dismissed as an arrogant person.

Arrogance and craziness do not synchronise. Since I have always been crazy, I cannot be arrogant even if I try.

Last year, I decided that I will end my policy of erasing en mass, the emails I receive.

I decided long after I am gone those emails can help researchers understand the mind of the East Indian from Guyana.

So I have been keeping many of them.

The majority are from Guyanese Indians who migrated or those who were born to Guyanese parents in

foreign lands. I don’t know why a majority of strangers from foreign countries who contact me for a discussion about people, places and events in Guyana are East Indians and quite frankly I am not interested in knowing. People are people, so why should I care.

When I ask my friend, Leyland DeCambra who lives in Britain, last week to speak about his experience publicly as a founding member of the UK branch of the WPA in the 1970s, a little bit of apprehension came over me.

Because of my experience with Guyanese Indians who I know live in an inexplicable world of humongous fear, I know Leyland might say no.

But then I said it will work out – Leyland is Portuguese so the fear syndrome has not infected him. If you don’t know, Leyland spoke his mind in

two columns I wrote – one last week, the other yesterday.

You have to see the emails I get.

I would be given all sorts of information about all sorts of things in Guyana and then I detect the invisible hysteria – “please Mr. Kissoon, don’t mention my name.”

And who are these folks?

Persons in their late fifties, early sixties, late sixties, early seventies, long gone from Guyana, long settled in other countries, long removed from the persons they once knew in Guyana. It would fill several columns if I describe the subjects we discuss.

But as usual – “don’t mention my name, Mr. Kissoon.”Of course, you don’t have to see my emails to get a glimpse of this inscrutable mind.

Countless letters appear in the all the daily newspapers about visiting

Guyanese expressing disappointment at what they saw and the signature would be withheld.

Who are these people?

Why do they think that if they say that their name is Rarawana Singh and on a visit to Guyana, they saw a policeman misbehaving, who is going to kill them or beat them up or lock them up when they visit again?

If you want to see the graphic expression of this inscrutable mind read a most bewildering, upsetting letter in the Stabroek News of June 30, 2021.

Titled, “A gathering in Brampton” (Canada), the writer tells about a gathering of Guyanese, all in their mid or late fifties who all worked in the same financial institution in Guyana, long ago.

The occasion was a funeral of one of their colleagues back then at the same institution in Guyana.

He didn’t name the financial institution, didn’t name the deceased person, didn’t name himself.

But he was quite happy to let readers know that they are all gone from Guyana and are contributing their skills to developed countries.

Frederick Kissoon T h e first thing that struck you is why he (it was a he because he referred to wives of his friends who were present) wrote the letter. Secondly, you want to know why he would be afraid to say, “We all knew each other from Barclays Bank and we attended the funeral of Seemangolin Ramgolin.”

How do you explain this fear that is deeply lodged in

the psyche of the Guyanese East Indian?

Ravi Dev has a sound analytical mind and knows diaspora Indians well. Can he explain it? A man who knows diaspora Indians extensively will be Vishnu Bisram.

Does he know why Indians behave like this?

You are not going to believe how desperate these people are in wanting their names withheld when they write to tell you things that should be published.

The basis of this fear has to be irrational because no one in Guyana or the foreign country could be bothered with hunting them down.

Is it because these people once lived in brutal, bestial times under Forbes Burnham that the fear seeped into their psyche? The answer is yes.

But young Indians embody the fear factor just like their grandparents.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 02, 2021

Friday July 02, 2021

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Berbice pensioner found dead in home; son arrested

By Malisa Playter-Harry

T

he community of N o . 3 Vi l l a g e , We s t C o a s t Berbice has once again made the headlines after a pensioner was found dead in her home yesterday morning by her six-year-old granddaughter.

Deceased is Teshwattie Jaglall, well known as ‘Babo’, age 64 of Lot 4 No.3 Village, WCB. Her son, a 41year-old security guard of the same address who has been identified as Deonarine Dookhoo called ‘Dinesh’ was arrested and is presently assisting the police with investigations.

This publication was informed that the alleged murder occurred between the hours of 22:40 on 30th June 2021 and 07:30 on 1st July 2021 at the residence.

The pensioner lived at the home with Dookhoo and his two children, ages three and six and she would normally serve as their guardian while

The deceased woman, Teshwattie Jaglall her son was away at work.

Kaieteur News understands from a police source close to the investigation that, based on the information provided to them by the six-year-old, her father would habitually brutalise the old woman for money and on the night in question, he did so again.

They were occupying the lower flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete house.

Police said the toddler

relayed that her father armed himself with a “shine cutlass” and brutalised the woman in the hall of their home and she was left lying on the ground and was not moving. She further detailed that her father put her little brother to sleep and he left the house with the cutlass, which he used the beat her grandmother and went to work.

The child reportedly told police that after her father left, she called out for her grandmother but there was no answer. She said the woman was lying on the ground but was not moving.

As time elapsed, she slept away, awoke the next morning and again called on her grandmother but there was no answer.

According to the sixyear-old, sometime around 07:00hrs. yesterday, her father returned home and she subsequently saw the police arrived. The police found the woman motionless on her right side in the hall of her

The home she was found dead in.

house; she was wearing a black nightgown. Wounds were noticed on her right

wrist, three lacerations on the right shoulder, two on her right finger, one on her right

elbow, one on her right eye and another on the centre of (Continued on page 23)

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

Four more persons die from COVID-19 T he Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday recorded that an additional four persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease, have died. According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a 91year-old woman from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 71-year-old woman, a 34-year-old woman and a 54-yearold man, all from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

As a result of this, Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll moved to 473.

All four persons died over a two-day period (June 29 to June 30) while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Further, the MoH in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 87 new cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 20,142.

The dashboard also shows that 14 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 100 persons are in institutional isolation, 1,460 in home isolation and three are quarantined institutionally.

To date, a total of 18,109 persons have recovered from the virus.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 15

GECOM’s DCEO takes Jagdeo, News Room to court for libel V

ice President, Bharrat Jagdeo is the subject of a libel case brought by Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Roxanne Myers.

Myers is also suing online news outfit, News Room for libel for statements published on March 5, 2020.

According to the statement of claim document seen by this newspaper, Myers has asked the Court to grant her in excess of $150M worth in damages for defamation statements made and published via the two defendants.

In the matter drafted by attorneys Nigel Hughes and Eusi Anderson, the DCEO has asked the High Court to order Jagdeo to pay her damages in excess of $50M for statements, which he made and were published on March 5, 2020.

In addition to the initial $50M claim, Myers has asked the Court for orders for Jagdeo and News Room to pay her in excess of $100M for the statements, which were published on the Worldwide Web via the online news outfit.

The claims of damages and aggravated damages were followed by a request by the DCEO, a permanent injunction, which will bar Jagdeo and News Room, their servants or agents from further publishing any such libelous statements or material of similar content that will create the same damaging effect to her character.

The claimant has also asked for retraction of the published interview and an apology from the defendants for airing the content to its audiences, which include citizens of Guyana and people across the worldwide web.

The DCEO explained, in the grounds to support the statement of claim that the incident happened while she was on duty at the GECOM Command Centre at Ashmin’s Building on High Street on March 5, 2020.

According to Myers, News Room aired a video clip of Jagdeo claiming that she was holding the Chairperson of GECOM (Rt’d) Justice Claudette Singh hostage at the GECOM centre as the entire country awaited the results of the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections.

Additionally, the DCEO said that Jagdeo accused her of being in collusion with District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo who was fingered for attempting to make false declarations regarding the 2020 elections results.

Citing portions of the 15: 56 video clip in the court document, Myers quoted Jagdeo as saying, “Roxanne Myers has it (the declarations made by Mingo)… Roxanne Myers has now taken the Chair in a room and the two of them are locked up there. I suspect Roxanne Myers is in contact with Congress Place and bullying the Chair. She is being held hostage in a room

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. with Roxanne Myers …She is being held hostage in GECOM now, but Roxanne Myers is sitting there with her.

Roxanne Myers is the one that brought the fraudulent list that came there ...”

The document continued quoting Jagdeo as saying,

“ Yo u c a n r e c a l l h o w Patterson hired Roxanne Myers. I tried to see her [the Chair] and Roxanne Myers rushed into the room and stood up there too, when I was there… She was not going to leave; she wants to be in there all the time, and she was not going to leave.

She is the one who came in there and locked up the room for the last three hours and the Chair can’t emerge…”

Further, the DCEO’s grounds outlined that Jagdeo was recorded by News Room stating, “Roxanne Myers brought the spreadsheets…

APNU is working through Roxanne Myers.”

As such, in the face of the context of the events which surrounded and followed the March, 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections, Myers submitted that the statements made by Jagdeo and published by News Room can be understood by any reasonable reader or

DCEO, Roxanne Myers.

subscriber of the news channel to mean that she was de void of integrity, of questionable character, and dishonest in the function of her duty. Myers said that it is her opinion that the statements were maliciously made against her given that

the defendants had nothing to evince the allegations.

The claimant said that she is therefore seeking compensation for the distress and injury caused to her person and character by Jagdeo and the online news outfit.

Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Father of four feared drowned in Essequibo River M

esesh Persaud, a father of four, is feared drowned after he jumped into the Essequibo River for a swim on Tuesday morning and has not been seen since.

Forty-year-old Persaud, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara reportedly went swimming sometime around 10:30hrs that day, moments after socialising with some friends at River View, Bartica.

Kaieteur News learnt that Persaud and two other men were out imbibing at an old school, located a short distance from the shoreline, when he informed them that he wanted to take a swim because his skin was hot.

According to police, the man was seen jumping into the river but failed to resurface after some time. Noticing that he was not resurfacing, people who were around at the time raised an alarm and

immediately checks were made for him, but there was no trace of Persaud.

One of Persaud’s friends who requested anonymity told Kaieteur News that around the time he went swimming, the water was high and the current was very strong. Persaud reportedly went some 40 to 50 feet out from the riverside, where, the friend said, is very deep.

The friend further told

this publication that only Sunday last, the father of four had returned to River View to complete some work at a shop since he is a contractor. When contacted, Persaud’s mother, Jesodara Harripersaud related that she last heard from her son on Monday, when he called and talked to his children.

She last saw him on Sunday morning when he kissed his children goodbye as he was departing for River

View. A worried Harripersaud said that her son informed her that he was not going to stay long there since the shop, which he was going to build would only take about three days to finish. The woman shared that Persaud lives with her at Mon Repos and was expected home to celebrate one of his daughters’ birthday today.

A report was made with the Bartica Police Station

Missing: Mesesh ‘Ajai’ Persaud. who have since launched an investigation into Persaud’s disappearance.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 17

AGM local workers complain of being treated differently from Chinese L

ocal workers at Aurora Gold Mines (AGM), currently being operated by a Chinese company called Zijin Mining Group, have complained in a five-page long document about being treated differently from the Chinese employees.

The document which was shared with this newspaper took the form of a letter and was addressed to “whom it may concern” by “we the people! (AGM Employees).”

In addition to complaining about being victimised by their Chinese bosses, denied free time, overworked, being punished without proper investigation and unfair dismissals, the local workers highlighted that they are also being fed differently when compared to the Chinese workers.

The locals in the document revealed that the Chinese nationals have a separate kitchen from them and that they are prohibited to go there. In addition, they stated, “All of the fresh food items from fruits to meats are going to the Chinese kitchen along with the utensils, napkins, etc., while the Guyanese are left to eat cut up chicken scraps such as chicken skins and little to no vegetables with meals.

Kaieteur News was also sent photos to support the local workers’ claims. In the Lunch room of the Chinese nationals, each table had napkins along with peanut

b u t t e r, k e t c h u p , e t c .

However, in the Lunch room of the locals, the tables were empty and only one pack of napkins along with a single jar of peanut butter, ketchup, etc. were placed on a counter for them to use.

The workers also complained that the nutritional value of the food they are being fed is poor and it seems as though proper sanitation is not being practiced in the preparation of the meals because a number of them had taken ill with food poisoning.

They continued that their rooms are not being cleaned due to understaffing and mold has built up on their doors and walls. They claimed that they have been forced to turn off their AC Units to assist the company with cost savings, making the situation in their rooms worse. These restrictions, according to what Kaieteur News was told, seem to be only for the Guyanese workers while the Chinese are allowed certain privileges.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, some of the employees said that they were forced to compile the document because the government has failed to address their situation as to how they are being treated.

In the document they stated, “We can no longer depend on the internal local leadership much less the union that was proposed to us through suspicious channels, we are

A section of the Guyanese lunch room.

Photo of the Chinese lunch room. going public now for the sake not just of those who work here, but for the entire Guyanese population who will be under the thumb of these foreign companies and a government whose lack of addressing antiquated labour laws and constantly overlook what is being done do Guyanese by these companies.”

Contacted yesterday, the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, said that no formal complaint was lodged by the workers about them being treated differently from the Chinese.

“And I reiterate,” said Hamilton, “that no formal report has been lodged with the ministry recently, at least not in the last two months.”

However, said he had heard such “stories” (claims) before and had visited AGM to engage the Guyanese workers. During the visit said he asked them to highlight concerns but no one had raised that specific issue or came forward to say anything.

The minister said too that he had dined together with them and the foreigners during the visit and he did not see anything out of order and had “validated” everything. Hamilton continued that the ministry cannot carry out a proper investigation or take a company to court unless someone comes forward to make an official statement.

“If the ministry is to take company to court you will need testimony and not just hearsay,” the minister said.

Hamilton and a delegation from his ministry had visited the mine on

Tuesday December 1, 2020, to get a firsthand understanding of the working conditions. He had told reporters that he had gotten to engage the local workers uninterrupted by the management of the operations.

It was reported in the media that the locals raised concerns of not receiving overtime payment, temporary contracts and long assignments. With regards to the non-overtime payment, Hamilton was quoted as saying that “there w a s s o m e miscommunication with regard to overtime payment where workers are made to work 12 hours, but their payments do not reflect overtime.” The Minister had also urged that both the foreigners and the locals must be paid equally for they are doing same type of work.

Hamilton had also recommended mechanisms to be implemented to iron out grievances between workers and management. The management had conceded to the recommendations.

Hamilton said yesterday that it was up to the representative body between the management and the workers to address such matters.

The AGM workers, however, related to this newspaper that they do not the trust “set up” because it is compromised and moreover their concerns don’t get addressed anyway. With regard to why some workers are afraid to speak out, the employees said that it is because they fear punishment, victimisation or

being fired. The workers further contended that the minister did “say a lot of things during his visit but to date those things never materialised.”

Complaints, they added have been frequently made to certain union representatives but the concerns are still not being

further voiced his opinion from the complaints his union had received by saying, “The Chinese seems to be running a business like a prison. Abusive language towards the employees almost on a daily basis and poor quality food, sleeping conditions, issues of NIS being deducted but not remitted to the NIS Office.”

Kaieteur News has since contacted the AGM Director of Corporate Office, Compliance, and Government Relations, Peter Benny, about the complaint letter written by the AGM employees. He was forwarded a copy of the five page document and has promised to make response to the claims made by the workers The licence for AGM was recently acquired by Zijin Mining Group from a Canadian company, for a total of US$238M. The company has since hired a fellow Chinese company, Sinohydro, as subcontractor to do “stripping works” in AGM (the removal of the overburden land to access the ore). A total of 1,000

The one pack of napkins that is placed on a counter for the Guyanese workers. addressed. The president of the National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana (NMWUG), Sherwin Downer, confirmed that indeed he would receive such complaints from the AGM workers almost every day.

“The employees almost daily would make contact with the union about unfair treatment by the Chinese AGM/ZIJIN,” Downer said.

When asked about the separate kitchen and the type of food the locals are being fed, Downer responded, “Scrap meat in food, yes, the union received such reports.”

The NMWUG president

Guyanese are currently working in the mine both as employees and contractors through Sinohydro.

Kaieteur News has been on the forefront exposing the luxurious deal the Chinese company is benefitting from as a result of a contract that Guyana had signed with former Canadian owner of AGM back 2011. The provisions allow the company to determine how much royalty it pays Guyana for its gold and tax waivers it enjoys. It was also recently revealed that if they find diamonds in the property, they would only pay Guyana a mere 1.5% royalty from the sales.

Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Pharmaceutical supplier charged for providing fake HIV testing kits…

Prosecution to call five more witnesses to testify B

efore the prosecution closes its case for the pharmaceutical supplier who allegedly provided the Ministry of Health (MOH) with fake HIV testing kits, it is expected to call five more witnesses to testify.

The matter will continue today in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Zameena AliSeepaul.

The defendant, Davendra Rampersaud, Technical Consultant to Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., is the representative who is facing the charge.

The company, Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., of Area ‘G’ Hydronie Railway, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, is one of the

country’s largest pharmaceutical supply companies.

The charge was brought against the company last year by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD).

A c c o r d i n g t o information provided, Magistrate Ali-Seepaul is now in trial mode for the matter. On the first hearing of the matter, Rampersaud denied the charge which alleged that on January 16, 2020, Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., allegedly sold and supplied 400 units (20 packs) of Uni-Gold HIV Test Kits, Batch #HIV7120026, with misleading representation, a violation of the Food and Drugs Act of 1971.

Rampersaud is charged for selling and supplying the devices with misleading representation, which is a violation of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap 34:03 part V section 18 (1) of 1971, to the Materials Management Unit located at 55-56 First Avenue, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

According to reports, a quantity of the testing kits was seized by the GA-FDD from the Materials Management Unit of the MoH at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and from local hospitals and laboratories.

This publication had reported that the probe was launched into the fake HIV testing kits after an Irish manufacturer wrote to the former Minister of Public

Health, Volda Lawrence, during January 2020, warning that it is aware of counterfeit Uni-Gold HIV test kits in Guyana.

The Irish company supplied photographic evidence, which indicated clearly that the kits expired since July 2019.

In its complaint, the company, Trinity Biotech, named Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., as the company that was allegedly supplying the expired testing kits.

According to the company, the fake boxes were created with expiry dates extended by 17 months, and the kits repacked in them.

Trinity Biotech said that the products were already six

Charged, Davendra Rampersaud.

months out of date when they were brought to Guyana.

The company further claimed that its Trinidad-

based authorised distributor, Transcontinental Medical Products Limited, is the only authorised distributor for the Uni-Gold kits to Guyana.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 19

Local company gets ISO certification S

ilvie’s Industrial S o l u t i o n s achieved their International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification yesterday, awarded by Global Compliance Service (GCS) at a handing over ceremony.

After working for two years to become ISO

certified, the local company has now reached a significant milestone.

Manager of the company, Bramanand Persaud, expressed his gratitude towards the entire portfolio of customers that the company has and stated that the certification needed to be done in order to excel at the

services provided.

Persaud stated that this also helps the company become consistent in the quality of services and products brought to 22 various markets. He went on to say that becoming ISO certified ensures that all areas of services are of high quality and said that Silvie’s

Bramanand Persaud receiving the certificate from Candelle Bostwick.

will continue to build on this and excel.

Persaud further stated that Silvie’s has come a long way from being a cake shop to now an ISO certified company. Silvie’s Sales Manager, Narisa Nambi, while addressing the media,

Silvie’s Sales Manager, Narisa Nambi addressing the media.

said that the activities leading up to the certification were very much intriguing and was also filled with a plethora of knowledge.

She said that part of ISO maintaining a good customer satisfaction level and that the company will be

continuously implementing practices and processes to exceed customer satisfaction. Nambi stated that the ISO certification is just one step closer to proving quality products.

GCS’S CEO, Candelle (Continued on page 20)

PAGE 20

Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

Sister stabs brother over $1,000 ‘chaser’ money A

man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital after having an altercation with his sister, which lead her to stabbing him with a glass bottle.

According to a police report, the victim, 27-year-old Ricardo Mahadeo of Silk Cotton Dam, Zeelugt, East Bank Demerara (EBD), left his residence at 12:00hrs and proceeded

to his aunt at Vergenoegen, EBD, where on arrival, he met his sister, her boyfriend and two of his cousins.

Mahadeo, along with the previously mentioned individuals were consuming alcohol when he gave his sister $1,000 for her to go buy chaser for their liquor. A few hours had reportedly passed before Mahadeo’s sister returned. However, the woman

returned empty handed.

At 21:20hrs, an argument subsequently ensued between him and his sister, which her boyfriend tried to intervene. In the midst of the argument, Mahadeo’s sister reportedly took the Guinness bottle that she had in her hand and dealt him a lash to the left side of his head. The woman then took piece of the said broken bottle and dealt him a stab to his chest.

The police were summoned and Mahadeo was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was seen by a doctor on duty, treated and referred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted a patient in a stable condition. Checks were made for his sister, which ultimately proved futile. Her boyfriend was however detained pending further investigations.

Suspect allegedly kills man who told him not to enter his yard

A

56-year-old man on Tuesday succumbed to the injuries he received from an altercation he had with a man whom he had told not to enter his yard due to a misunderstanding.

The deceased has been identified as Fredrick De Souza, of Ituni, Region Ten. His alleged killer, a 39-yearold man of the same area is presently in police custody assisting with the investigations.

According to the police while in custody the suspect stated that after he entered De Souza’s yard, the man used a picket and allegedly dealt him a lash. He claimed that he retaliated by disarming De Souza and using the said picket to inflict injuries to deceased.

A police report stated that on Tuesday morning, the police received a phone call informing them that a man

was discovered lying in front of a house at BQ Ituni, with wounds to his head, abdomen and feet. Upon arrival, police observed De Souza lying in an unconscious state with injuries about his body. The man was taken to the Ituni Health Care Centre, and later transferred to Linden Hospital Complex where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The police further reported that the suspect was contacted and he too bore a wound above his right eye.

When questioned about how he was injured, the suspect told the police that De Souza had warned him not to enter his yard but he did it anyway, which caused an altercation between the two resulting in both of them being injured.

The suspect was escorted to the Ituni Health Care Centre to receive treatment for his injuries, and later taken into custody.

Local company gets ISO...

From page 19 Bostwick, was also present at the ceremony and congratulated Silvie’s for its accomplishment and mentioned that this certification is a testament to the company’s dedication and commitment to ISO 9001 2015 quality management system standard.

She said that this company is now part of the other 15 companies that have been ISO certified within Guyana.

She went on to state that it is important for local companies to demonstrate their confidence in their product and services.

She stated that international investors can now afford to use the ISO certificate as a mark of confidence, that whatever is requested is able to meet their expectations and encourages other local companies to also become ISO certified.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 21

Police refute claims by Hughes surrounding...

From page 2 Henry (aka Gladwin Henry) that an insufficient investigation was done as it relates to the purported alibi witnesses. The GPF wishes to set the facts straight since it appears that Mr. Hughes insists on conducting a trial of this matter in the court of public opinion although this matter is ‘sub judice’.”

The GPF stated that it had conducted a video interview with Henry on Saturday, June 26, and at no time did he mention that he had an alibi or say he was elsewhere. Instead, related the GPF, Henry exercised his right to remain silent. It was after the video interview, the released stated, that Hughes told an investigator that Henry was elsewhere and had witnesses. Police claimed that despite informing the investigator about the alibis, Hughes did not “put any alibi on record nor did he submit an oral or written statement during the video interview that were

conducted.”Added in the release, “Pre-prepared statements were later delivered to the investigators at the Criminal Investigation D e p a r t m e n t ’s ( C I D ) Headquarters located at Eve Leary after 16:00 on Monday, June 28.”

The Police Force claimed that immediately after receiving the statements, its investigators made “earnest efforts to contact the witnesses”.

“The assistance of senior officers stationed in Region 5 were also solicited and they could not locate two of these witnesses namely Bibi Shaheman and Claudette Kurtzious at their given addresses,” the release stated.

GPF added, “It should also be noted that these purported alibi witnesses directly contradict other individuals who placed Henry in the company of the other suspects at Haresh Singh’s home and at the scene of the crime at the

material time”.

The Force said that “it is now seeking all nine of Henry’s “purported alibis in connection with their alleged attempts to pervert the course of justice.”

With regard to Hughes’ claim that the family had gathered to view a livestream of the autopsy of the Henry cousins done by Gladston Henry, the father of Isaiah and Glaston Henry, who was said to have “remained at the location for the entire day as confirmed by each of the above witnesses”, the GPF produced video in support of their contestation of that claim, saying that not only did Gladston Henry not have a recording/streaming device in his hand but “briefly entered and exited the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home where the post mortem examination was being conducted for the sole purpose of identifying the body of his son, Isaiah Henry.”

With regards to claims made that a police officer, Sarrabo, had visited the Henry home and family had seen him there during time of the autopsy on the bodies of the Henry cousins and the murder of Singh, the GPF provided video evidence to show that Inspector Sarrabo was present not at the Henry home at the time of the autopsy but at Memorial Gardens, located in Le R e p e n t i r C e m e t e r y, Georgetown. The Henry family home is in Berbice.

Based on the evidence provided by GPF, the inspector was spotted twice in separate video recordings.

The first was in the background of a video recording of the post mortem examination by the investigators. He was also spotted in the background of a Prime News video while a reporter was interviewing Hughes at Memorial Gardens.

“Finally, in light of the above,” the release noted, “the GPF wishes to also

reiterate that it has discharged its mandate in completing the investigation and sending the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The charges were instituted upon the legal advice received from the DPP and therefore, to indicate that this charge is a miscarriage of justice is wholly unmeritorious and can only be viewed as a desperate and deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice.”

PAGE 22

Friday July 02, 2021

Kaieteur News

PNP accuses health ministry of negligence amid health crisis

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KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shadow Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Morais Guy, has called on the Minister of Heal t h a n d Wellness to bring an end to what he described as “the absolute negligence that has caused the current crisis within the health sector”.

Guy stated that the latest development resulted from the lack of seriousness attached to the situation by the ministry, and said he is genuinely concerned about the long-term effects on the ailing health care system. He said meetings had been held, but no resolution arrived because of a lack of appreciation of the position taken by the medical workers.

The Opposition Spokesman went on to explain that the employment contracts for over 140 doctors had been cancelled, and despite meetings as late as Wednesday, no serious effort was made to head off the current impasse, leaving a small cadre of consultants to VACANCY Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/Town or call 610-0340.

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operate the system.

“It is even more alarming considering that this would be allowed in the current environment of a national crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Guy has called on the Minister of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Finance to re-employ these doctors immediately because the country cannot afford what he said was a significant brain drain in the health sector.

He said the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) had indicated last

week that trouble loomed in the sector.

Still, he said, the situation was allowed to deteriorate with the withdrawal of services, leaving many institutions without critical care facilities.

Guy described the state of the Opposition as overly concerned about the level of services now being available to the public, which is already curtailed due to the COVID19 pandemic.

He added, “Whatever is the basis for the dispute, the MOHW must take full responsibility and bring an end to the wrangling and eliminate the threat of court action.”

Opposition spokesman on Health, Dr Morais Guy

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

...Berbice pensioner found dead in home; U.S. says China’s nuclear buildup From page 13 her head.

Bloodstains were visible on the ground in the hall of the house and a cutlass was seen on a table to the back of the house. The toddler identified it as the same cutlass used by her father. The weapon was retrieved but there were no bloodstains on the cutlass.

Jaglall’s body was removed and escorted to

F o r t We l l i n g t o n P u b l i c Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is presently at the Bailey’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem examination. No forceful entry was seen on the home, police said and a video and audio interview was done with the six-yearold by the police in the p r e s e n c e o f t h e c h i l d ’s uncle, Rakesh Jaglall.

Meanwhile, a n e i g h b o u r, Ta r a m a t t i e Sukhraj, when questioned by media operatives, relayed that the suspect informed her yesterday that three men had broken into their house and beat his mother.

“He ask me if me hear anything and I said no and he said how three persons went in and kill the lady,” she said. Investigations are in progress.

deviating from decades ‘concerning’ itofwasnuclear strategy based WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said yesterday that China’s rapid build-up of its nuclear forces was “concerning” and called on Beijing to engage with it to reduce “the risks of destabilizing arms races.”

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told a news briefing the build-up had become more difficult for China to hide and it appeared

around minimal deterrence.

Price was responding to a question about a report in the Washington Post that said China had begun constructing more than 100 new missile silos in a desert area in the western part of the country. “These reports and other developments suggest that the PRC’s nuclear arsenal will grow more quickly, and to a higher level than perhaps

previously anticipated,” Price said using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China.

“This buildup is concerning. It raises questions about the PRC’s intent. And for us, it reinforces the importance of pursuing practical measures to reduce nuclear risks,” he said. “We encourage Beijing to engage with us on practical measures to reduce the risks of destabilizing arms races - potentially destabilizing tensions.”

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

Friday July 02, 2021

Keevin Allicock arrives in Jamaica names 23-man Russia for Olympics prep Reggae Boyz squad for Olympic bound boxer Keevin Allicock along with his coach Sebert Blake arrived in Russia yesterday to begin their three-week high level training programme as preparations intensify for the Tokyo Games scheduled to run this July-August.

The forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) gym member will be encamped with boxers from all around Europe and the rest of the world who are all preparing for the quadrennial showpiece.

Allicock, Guyana and the Caribbean bantamweight Championship, is the highest-ranked Guyanese

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

(19) in the world, according to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and he is ranked seventh in South America.

The 22-year-old is poised to become the first boxer in 25-years to represent the Golden Arrowhead on the biggest stage for sport and his trip to the Russian Federation was made possible by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Guyana, the Guyana Olympic Association, the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, E-Networks Inc. and Ansa McAl Trading Ltd - Guyana among others.

2021 Gold Cup SportsMax - A fully fit Leon Bailey has been included in Jamaica’s 23-man squad named for the 2021 Gold Cup competition in the United States.

Bailey, who suffered a broken toe that prematurely ended his Bundesliga season, strengthens the squad that also sees the return of goalkeeper Andre Blake and defender Kemar Lawrence.

The full squad is Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Dennis Taylor (Humble Lion), Dillon Barnes (Queens Park Rangers), Damion Lowe (Al

Friday July 02, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Some people have a tendency to be shy. They almost apologize for being alive. For them, it's essential to keep a low profile.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're an emotional person, Libra. You can easily be destabilized by something you read in the news or see on television.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You're a real master of seduction, Taurus. For quite some time, you've been able to draw a number of people to you. It seems that no one can resist your charms.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The time has come to focus on your personal life, Scorpio. Your life has certainly had its moments. During the past few months, it has been especially full of new and deep emotions.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're a real charmer. None of your friends can resist you. Today you should try to put the finishing touches to your personality.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) he day will be calm and quiet, Cancer. You feel strongly about finishing whatever you undertake.

You probably have the opportunity to add the final changes to some projects you've been working on.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're very tolerant toward a particular person in your entourage, which is probably due to your generous nature, Leo. You think everyone should have his or her own experiences and setbacks.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you may have a difference of opinion with a relative. You will try to resolve this problem. You will be irritated by this present situation, and almost feel that your relationship has been altered for good.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Even though you should watch your finances, you have a tendency to spend a lot of money. Happily, you have the opportunity to make a lot of profit.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You often neglect your health and body. Your equilibrium suffers from this.

The time has come to consider a medical checkup just to be on the safe side.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today you will tend to analyze your life. You will think about your lifestyle and the food you eat. Are you eating foods that are good for your body? Are you exercising enough?

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The next few weeks will be full of changes in your personal life, Pisces. Your relationships will evolve. You have convivial relations with your friends, but you need to keep an eye on your strong personality and let others express themselves.

Ittihad Alexandria Club), Lamar Walker (Miami FC), Adrian Mariappa (Bristol City), Liam Moore (Reading FC), Oniel Fisher (LA Galaxy), Alvas Powell (Philadelphia Union), Kemar Lawrence (Toronto FC), Amarii Bell (Luton FC), Michael Hector (Fulham FC), Daniel Johnson (Preston North End), Devon Williams (Miami FC), Blair Turgott (Ostersunds), Leon Bailey (Bayern Leverkusen), Junior Flemmings (Birmingham Legion), Bobby Reid (Fulham FC), Tyreek MaGee (Eupen), Cory Burke (Philadelphia Union), Shamar Nicholson (Charleroi) Javon East Santos (de Guapiles), and Ravel Morrison.

Most members of the squad assembled in Orlando with others expected to join by today, July 2.

The squad will have a full support staff including assistant coaches Paul Hall and Merron Gordon, who is replacing former assistant coach Jerome Waite, who has been reassigned.

The two assistant coaches have been named among members of the support staff that will also include additional equipment personnel, an additional physical trainer and masseuse as well as a performance video analyst, the JFF said.

Jamaica opens its Gold Cup campaign on July 12 against Suriname at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando.

The Reggae Boyz take on Costa Rica on July 20.

Pete Russell appointed Hero CPL’S Chief Executive Officer Pete Russell has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Russell has been part of the Hero CPL management team since the tournament’s inception, serving as the Chief Operating Officer.

Russell has overseen the operational side of the Hero CPL for the last eight years during which time the league has grown in stature to become one of the most watched franchise T20 tournaments in the world. He has also played a key role in securing commercial partnerships, broadcast deals and building strong and productive relationships with governments across the region.

Hero CPL’s chairman, Richard Bevan, said: “We are delighted to confirm that Pete will be the tournament’s CEO. Having been so fundamental to the success of the league to date he was the perfect candidate to take on this role.

Not only does he bring a huge amount of experience from within the business of world class sport, he also has an intricate knowledge of Hero CPL and Caribbean cricket. This means we can look forward to a continuation of Hero CPL’s success in the years to come.”

Russell will be leading the Hero CPL team as they prepare for the 2021 tournament which takes place in St Kitts & Nevis from 28 August to 19 September.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Friday July 02, 2021

Neymar and Sanchez return for Copa America knockout match Brazil’s Neymar takes a shot in an attempt to score during a Copa America soccer match against Colombia at Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Defending champion Brazil and Chile will have their star players back in action when they meet in the Copa America quarterfinals today.

Neymar will return for Brazil and Alexis Sánchez has recovered from a calf muscle injury ahead of the encounter at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The Seleçao spared a group of regular starters in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Sunday, resting Neymar, defender Thiago Silva and

striker Gabriel Jesus. Others, including Casemiro, entered as substitutes in that game.

Brazil, with three wins in four Copa America matches, is the clear favorite to win.

Chile’s only win in the group stage was against Bolivia and it is lacking the kind of form that inspired its backto-back championship wins in 2015 and ’16.

The last memorable match between Brazil and Chile was in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Regular time ended 1-1, with goals by David Luiz and Sánchez. The Chileans

almost beat the hosts in extra time, with a strike by Mauricio Pinilla hitting the bar in the last minute.

But Brazil won on penalties, 3-2 — Pinilla also missed his from the spot.

Thiago Silva, who could start on Friday, was marked by that match for his tears of tension during the shootout.

“I didn’t program myself to get emotional. It just happened,” Silva told a news conference Wednesday. “I was labelled negatively for that moment against Chile. It was very sad for me for a long time, but it was also a

Chile’s coach Martin Lasarte, right, talks to his player Alexis Sanchez during a qualifying soccer match against Argentina for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Juan Mabromata, Pool via AP) learning experience so I could prepare myself for other objectives, decisive matches.”

Sánchez missed Chile’s group-stage matches and his absence affected the team’s production; La Roja only tallied three goals, with Eduardo Vargas scoring twice and Ben Brereton

once.

Coach Martín Lasarte will decide after Thursday’s practice whether 32-year-old Sánchez will start against Brazil or come off the bench.

“To play against the host is always difficult, but Brazil is also the team that is possibly in best shape,” Lasarte said. “We have to

play our best match so far.

That is always possible. We will try to annul their virtues and explore their flaws.”

Also today, 2019 Copa America runner-up Peru will take on Paraguay at the Olimpico Stadium in Goiania. The winner will face Brazil or Chile in the semifinals in Rio.

Federer gets his sparkle back as sun shines at Wimbledon

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O N D O N , (Reuters) - The sun finally came out at Wimbledon yesterday and eight-time champion Roger Federer got his old sparkle back on Centre Court to eclipse Richard Gasquet and move serenely into round three.

It was not quite vintage Federer, but the 7,500 fans packed around his favourite court did not care as the Swiss gave them plenty to ooh and aah about in a 7-6(1) 6-1 6-4 victory.

The 39-year-old Swiss took a while to find his timing and needed to save three break points in his first service game.

But having been pushed into a tiebreak, the 20-time Grand Slam champion flicked the switch and his game began to flow as he claimed the breaker in scintillating style.

After taking the opener the sixth seed moved smoothly through the gears and Gasquet could not live with him as the Frenchman suffered an 11th successive defeat against Federer, a run dating back to 2011 in which

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his second round match against France’s Richard Gasquet. (REUTERS/Paul Childs) he has not even won a set.

It was in marked contrast to Tuesday evening when persistent rain meant Federer’s first-round clash with another French player,

Adrian Mannarino, took place under the Centre Court roof and looked to be slipping away from the Swiss.

He eventually got

through when Mannarino suffered a knee injury after slipping on the greasy turf but it was one of Federer’s most hollow victories of the 103 he now owns at the All

England Club.

MORE RELAXED Federer arrived at Wimbledon with doubts over his form after an unusually early defeat in Halle, but the

signs are looking positive as he prepares to face Britain’s Cameron Norrie.

“Felt good physically.

Much more relaxed in many ways, as I was able to play a really good breaker,” he said.

“What I was able to do today gives you a lot of confidence. You can start to play so much more freely.”

Federer is adored at Wimbledon, but he may find the Centre Court crowd a little less reverential when he faces in-form Norrie, one of three British men in the third round after he thrashed Australian Alex Bolt.

Norrie reached the last 32 for the first time with a 6-3 61 6-2 win against the Australian wildcard.

“I hope the crowd gets into it,” Federer said on court after dispatching Gasquet.

“I understand if they cheer for him and if it is for me it is because of the last 20 years and all the big wins I’ve had here. Cam’s had a wonderful year and played great at Queen’s (reaching the final), backing that up here. “But enough now — he needs to go out! I need to go through.”

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

...Meet the ‘Golden Jaguars’ players who’ll be representing Guyana during the nations’ second consecutive From page 31

Name: Charles Pollard Position: Assistant Coach DOB:24.03.73

Name: Wayne Dover Position: Assistant Coach D.O.B: 30.10.1973

Name: Ian DeVieira Position: Equipment Manager DOB:23.02.77

Name: Wilson Toledo Position: FitnessCoach D.O.B: 03.03.1967

Name: Rawle Adams Position: Team Operations Manager D.O.B: 28.08.68

Name: Quacy Paddy Position: Lead Physiotherapist D.O.B: 05.11.1986

Name: Ms. Naseya Brewster Position: Assistant Team Operations Manager D.O.B: 29.03.1990

PAGE 27

Kieron Pollard 51*, Dwayne Bravo fourfor help West Indies keep series alive ESPNcricinfo - West Indies defended 167 in the fourth T20I against South Africa to lock the five-match series at 2-2 and set up a decider for tomorrow. Their big names all took responsibility: captain Kieron Pollard top-scored with 51*, Dwayne Bravo claimed career-best figures of 4 for 19 and Chris Gayle’s wicket off the first ball to go with two catches were the icing on the cake.

The hosts scored 20 off their first over and 66 in the final four but their innings suffered a lull in between.

They managed just 81 runs in the 15 overs from the second to the 17th as South Africa’s spinners put the brakes on.

But their efforts were not enough for a batting line-up that lacks a finisher and remains over-reliant on Quinton de Kock.

South Africa’s former captain scored a second successive half-century and a sixth T20I half-century in his last 15 matches, but had little support from the other end as no other South Africa batter scored more than 20.

They last successfully chased a target above 160 in February 2018 when they beat India and had last won a T20I series in March 2019 against Sri Lanka, but will still have the chance to turn that around in two days’ time.

Opening overload…

Aiden Markram, South Africa’s sixth bowler, was given the new ball and eyebrows would have been immediately raised over that choice. Lendl Simmons swept Markram’s first ball past short fine leg for four, cut his third delivery which was short and wide for four more, and then took two sixes off the last three balls.

The first was a sweep over fine leg and the second an audacious smack straight down the ground. West Indies scored 20 runs off that over, their most in the first over of a T20I and the most by any team batting first in this format. … and then the squeeze But South Africa pulled things back impressively and took six wickets in the 15 overs that followed. As has been the case throughout the series, their spinners controlled the run-rate and frustrated the West Indies line-up. George Linde was introduced after the

powerplay and put in the most economical performance of his T20I career by conceding just 16 runs in four overs. He also brought up 100 wickets in the format - across both international and domestic matches - when Simmons was given out leg before after missing a sweep and being hit in front of middle and leg. Just before that, Linde had Shimron Hetmyer caught behind off an underedge as well.

Tabraiz Shamsi bowled overs in tandem with Linde initially - the pair gave away only 14 runs in five overs and then returned for a second spell. Shamsi had Nicholas Pooran caught at deep-backward square off a top-edge and Andre Russell caught at short fine leg after the latter top-edged a sweep.

The left-arm wristspinner equalled his most miserly effort in T20Is with figures of 2 for 13, an identical analysis as the last match.

Take it on the knee!

With West Indies on 101 for 6 after 16 overs and a par score looking distant, Pollard took matters into his own hands and tried to force runs with power hitting. He drilled the first ball of Anrich Nortje’s final over straight back to him and clattered him on the left knee. Nortje went down for several minutes, his face scrunched up in obvious pain. He received some treatment on field, got back up and bowled the remainder of his over before hobbling off for some rest to the applause of his team-mates.

Final four-over flourish South Africa’s tight work unraveled in the last four overs, when they conceded 66 runs as Pollard and Fabian Allen took on the specialist quicks. The pair scored six sixes in that period compared to the West Indies’ five in the rest of the innings, and Pollard hit three in three balls off Kagiso Rabada, who bowled his most expensive T20 over. Rabada delivered the penultimate over the innings which was also the most expensive at 25 runs, and did not complete a full quota of four-overs for the first time in T20Is since his debut in 2014. Also, Lungi Ngidi’s two death overs cost 30 runs as Pollard brought up a sixth T20I half-century and his highest score in seven

Kieron Pollard celebrates the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen, West Indies vs South Africa, 4th T20I, St George’s, July 1, 2021© AFP/Getty Images innings.

Too cool for (old) school The combined age of We s t I n d i e s ’ o p e n i n g bowling pair in this match was 81 years with Fidel Edwards (39) in his second series since his Kolpak comeback and Chris Gayle (41) sharing the new ball, though their youth appeared endless. Edwards gave little away until his last ball, but it was Gayle whose joie de vivre was on full display. He took on bowling duties complete with cap, sunglasses and earpiece on, lured Reeza Hendricks just out of crease, beat him on the drive and had him stumped before cartwheeling in celebration. Gayle told the commentary team he had been dared to mimic Kevin Sinclair, who showed off some gymnastics moves earlier in the series.

Take it on the shoulder now!

Nortje was not the only player to suffer an injury in the match. Allen jammed his right shoulder into the ground beyond the square leg boundary when he tried to cut off a Temba Bavuma sweep. He didn’t save the boundary and his arm was put in a sling as he left the field before he could bowl, with what appeared to be a

dislocated shoulder. Allen was the only specialist spinner in the West Indies XI. His overs were made up for by Pollard and Andre Russell, who bowled his entire quota in a T20I for the first time since March last year.

Bravo for West Indies Allen’s absence was also mitigated by the performance of Bravo, who has been consistently excellent with the ball in this series and continued in that vein in this match. Bravo’s first spell straddled the powerplay and cost just eight runs before a second spell at the death was laced with slower balls. He collected 4 for 11 in 12 balls in the closing stages of the match to eventually finish with career-best figures of 4 for 19. Bravo had George Linde caught at point off a slower ball, de Kock caught in the same position chasing a wide full toss, Shamsi skying a ball to Gayle at extra cover and Ngidi holing out to square leg, as he took 3 for 1in the 18th over to shut South Africa out of the contest.

Scores: West Indies 167 for 6 (Pollard 51*, Shamsi 213) beat South Africa by 146 for 9 (de Kock 60, Bravo 419) by 21 runs.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Tour de France 2021: Mark Cavendish wins to close on Eddy Merckx’s record

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BC Sport - Mark C a v e n d i s h ’s resurgence continued as he claimed his 32nd stage win at the Tour de France to move closer to the all-time record of 34 held by Belgian legend Eddy Merckx.

Cavendish powered past Jasper Philipsen and Nacer Bouhanni to collect his second stage win at this year’s race.

It is the third time that Cavendish has won in

Chateauroux, the scene of his very first victory at the Tour in 2008.

Mathieu van der Poel finished in the peloton to retain the yellow jersey.

Cavendish is ‘really back’ While the general classification battle will step up as the race heads into the Alps this weekend, the flat 160.6km route from Tours to Chateauroux favoured the sprinters, and Cavendish in particular.

On the wide boulevard

Struggling Svitolina joins exodus of women’s seeds at Wimbledon

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O N D O N (Reuters) Ukraine’s Elina S v i t o l i n a admitted she was struggling mentally with the demands of trying to win her first Grand Slam title as she joined the exodus of top s e e d s a t Wi m b l e d o n yesterday.

The world number five, seeded three, was beaten 6-3 6-4 in the second round by Poland’s Magda Linette, meaning that six of the top 10 seeds have already departed in the women’s draw.

Sofia Kenin (4) and Bianca Andreescu (5) were knocked out on Wednesday, while sixth seed Serena Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, had to retire from her first round match after slipping and injuring her leg on Tuesday.

Ninth seed Belinda Bencic and 10th seed Petra Kvitova, a two-time Wimbledon champion, lost in round one.

into the line, the Manx rider displayed his nous and speed to hop off the wheel of his

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina has joined the exodus of women’s seeds at Wimbledon.

Svitolina is regularly amongst the top seeds at Slams but the Ukrainian has yet to make the breakthrough many predicted.

In 34 Grand Slam appearances, the 26-year-old has managed to reach two semi-finals, at Wimbledon in 2019 and the U.S. Open a few weeks later, but has only reached one quarter-final in her last five attempts.

Against Linette, who had never beaten a top-10 player before and had lost in the first round at Wimbledon four times, Svitolina lacked inspiration and admitted she was struggling mentally and that her game was not in the best shape. “Today I was not really in a good place. I need some time to analyse, but I think mentally it was not very good for me today,” Svitolina told reporters.

“When you play a Grand Slam it’s a different kind of pressure. It’s tough to handle, but is part of the job.

“Today probably I was

not fresh mentally to do that.

I have been on the Tour for years now and there have been different kinds of situations. But right now I wouldn’t say it’s a very smooth time in my career...”

Svitolina’s hopes of winning a major are not helped by the incredible depth in the women’s game — illustrated by the fact that four of the semi-finalists at this month’s French Open were at that stage of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Unseeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova, better known for doubles, went on to win the title at Roland Garros.

“I think there has been a lot of talk about that for the past two years. There has been a really big race in the w o m e n ’s g a m e w h e r e anyone can win any tournament. “Everyone seems like the same level. So I think that’s what’s really changed. It’s like physically everyone is ready to beat you.”

Friday July 02, 2021

Mark Cavendish had not claimed a Tour stage win for five years before this year’s race. (Getty Images)

Deceuninck-Quick-Step lead-out man Michael Morkov and sweep past both Philipsen and his AlpecinF e n i x t e a m - m a t e Ti m Merlier.

Such was Cavendish’s margin of victory that he even had time to recreate his hands-on-head celebration from 13 years ago - his maiden Tour stage win.

“Wow. It’s 10 years since my last win here. It’s pretty special,” said Cavendish, who also won in Chateauroux in 2011.

“Michael [Morkov] left me space on the left to go but I wanted just a split second longer in the wheels so I had to switch trains.

“But you see the guys, how much they pull. You’ve got the world champion Julian Alaphilippe just burying himself in the last kilometres, it’s something special. I’m buzzing now.”

His performance led to more emotional scenes at the finish, with Morkov telling reporters “he’s back, he’s

really back”.

Cavendish, who has battled illness and injury in recent years, feared his career was coming to an end last winter when he was left without a team.

But having replaced the injured 2020 green jersey winner Sam Bennett just days before the Tour was due to start, he is making the most of his opportunity to return to the limelight at the age of 36.

With several sprint stages remaining in the race, Cavendish’s second victory in three days brings Merckx’s 46-year-old record for stage victories into view.

“I am not thinking about anything,” Cavendish said.

“If it was my first or my 32nd, I have just won a stage of the Tour de France, that is what people ride their whole lives for.

“If I’m good enough to win another 50 or I never win again, so be it, it’s the Tour de France.”

General classification

after stage six 1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Fenix) 20hrs 09mins 17secs 2. Ta d e j P o g a c a r (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +8secs 3. Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) +30secs 4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/DeceuninckQuickStep) +48secs 5. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz/Astana) +1min 21secs 6. P i e r r e L a t o u r (Fra/Total-Energies) +1mins 28secs 7. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education Nippo) +1min 29secs 8. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo-Visma) +1min 43secs 9. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/Ineos Grenadiers) +1min 44secs 10. P r i m o z R o g l i c (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) +1min 48secs Selected other 12. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +1min 54secs

Tour de France drops lawsuit against fan who caused massive crash USA TODAY - A 30year-old French woman is out of hot water legally after the Tour de France dropped a lawsuit after she caused a wreck during the first stage of the race.

The woman held up cardboard sign during Stage 1 and was not watching the competitors when German ride Tony Martin rode into the sign, causing a massive pileup. Nearly two dozen people were injured including some riders who had to withdraw from the tour.

“We are withdrawing our complaint,” Tour de France director Christian

Prudhomme said, according to Reuters. “This story has been blown out of proportion, but we wish to remind everyone of the safety rules on the race.

“If you come to the Tour, you hold your kid, you hold your pet and don’t cross the

road carelessly. And above all, you respect the riders — they’re the ones worthy of live TV.” The woman was taken into custody by authorities and initially charged with fleeing the scene and involuntarily causing injury.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

Gauff conquers Centre Court nerves to beat Vesnina at Wimbledon Coco Gauff.

(REUTERS/ Paul Childs)

(Reuters) - American teenager Coco Gauff overcame a bout of nerves which came with playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon before settling into her groove to beat Russian Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-3 in the second round yesterday.

Gauff is no stranger to the spotlight at the All England Club, having stormed into the fourth round in 2019 on her main draw debut as a 15-year-old to fuel ‘Coco-mania’ but she admitted she was nervous on her return.

“It means a lot to be back here on Centre Court.

Honestly, this court makes me the most nervous of any court in the world but after I win the match it’s one of the best feelings,” she said in her post-match interview.

“Today I was super nervous coming in. There’s no other court like Centre Court at Wimbledon.”

The 34-year-old Vesnina, a former doubles number one, is twice Gauff’s age and one of many mothers at Wimbledon. She returned to the Tour from maternity leave after nearly three years in April with a protected ranking.

Gauff had an early scare when she took a tumble at 22 in the opening set but immediately got back to her feet, giving the chair umpire a thumbs-up to indicate she was fine to continue.

The turning point in the opener came at 3-3 when the American broke Vesnina, who made two backhand errors and served a double fault to give Gauff the lead.

The 20th seed then served out the set, sealing it when Vesnina found the net.

Gauff carried that momentum into the second set with a double break to take a 3-0 lead, continuing to target Vesnina’s backhand as

the Russian made a slew of errors.

Vesnina then called for a medical timeout to get treatment on her back and returned re-energised as she broke Gauff for the first time in the match and rallied to make it 3-2.

A stroke of luck at 4-3 allowed Gauff to take the lead when a lob fell onto the net tape and dribbled over, m u c h t o Ve s n i n a ’ s frustration.

The American then broke again when her opponent served her fourth double fault on match point.

“I feel like I’ve changed and grown a lot, the last time I was on this court I don’t think too many people knew my name,” Gauff added.

“I feel a little bit at home now. Back in 2019 I was enjoying the experience and now I’m learning but coming into these matches believing I can win.”

Norway’s Warholm breaks 400 metres hurdles world record

PAGE 29

Pollard positive ahead of Guatemala clash, urges patience with transition process Assistant coach and former captain of the Golden Jaguars Charles “Lily” Pollard has called for patience and positivity towards the national team programme ahead of what is likely to be a “tough challenge” against Guatemala tomorrow.

The Guyana senior national men’s team takes on the Central American nation in Florida on July 3 in the preliminary round of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. It is the second consecutive appearance for Guyana’s men’s team at the Gold Cup, following its historic qualification in 2019.

“We all know Guatemala is a very good team in the Central American region and the Caribbean,” Pollard said in an extended interview with GFFNOW, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) media channel. “It will be a tough challenge for us that I think every footballer should relish – young and old – because this is what we do.

This is our game.”

Guatemala narrowly missed out on reaching the second round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification in the Concacaf region on goals scored, despite putting 10 goals past St Vincent and the Grenadines and finishing on

equal points with group winners Curacao. Guatemala has pedigree at regional level, winning the Concacaf Championship – the predecessor to the Gold Cup – in 1967 and reaching the Gold Cup quarter-finals as recently as 2011.

“We know it will be a tough game, but we are positive,” Pollard said. “The ball is round and anything c a n h a p p e n . We a r e preparing right but we have to believe as players and as staff.

We are a Gold Cup team – we have proved ourselves in the Gold Cup, we went to the Gold Cup. We are not an ordinary team.”

The winners of tomorrow’s match will play either Guadeloupe or the Bahamas for a place in the final rounds of the 2021 Gold Cup. Despite a disappointing World Cup qualification run, the Golden Jaguars have had a promising start to their preparations for the game against Guatemala.

In behind-closed-doors friendlies in Florida, the team beat Miami Dade FC 30 – with two goals from QPR’s rising star Stephen Duke-McKenna and one Omari Glasgow, before a lone strike from Ryan Khedoo was enough to beat

West Indies Women go 1-0 up in CG Insurance T20 International Series - A Team in action today

Norway’s Karsten Warholm goes on to win the men’s 400m hurdles at the Diamond League in Rome.

(REUTERS/Alberto Lingria) (Reuters) - Norway’s Karsten Warholm broke Kevin Young’s 29-year-old 400m hurdles world record when he completed the race in 46.70 seconds in front of his home fans at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo yesterday.

Warholm beat 1992 Olympic champion Young’s mark of 46.78secs, which was set four years before the Norwegian was born and was the longest-standing record in men’s

track.

Twice world champion Warholm raced to an early lead and never let up as he was roared on all the way to the finishing line, which he crossed ahead of 2019 Pan American Games champion Alison dos Santos by more than six tenths of a second.

“I knew that I had a fast time in my body,” said Warholm. “It might take another world record to win the Olympics.”

the Bahamas.

Pollard said he shared in the fans’ disappointment following the recent World Cup qualifiers, but urged patience, unity and support for the Golden Jaguars as the national programme undergoes a necessary transition phase to “integrate a lot of young players” for the future. “I was disappointed, but we know that it’s a process and the process will take time,” he said. “The coaches believe that it will take time but it will become successful in the end.” “We have to be patient,” he added. “We are in a transition. We need to give the process a chance to allow it to grow. It won’t happen overnight. So we need to give the youngsters a chance and they will deliver.”

The match against Guatemala will kick off at 21.30 local time tomorrow and will be aired on Flow Sports. Pollard urged the nation to rally behind the Golden Jaguars.

The full interview with Pollard, in which he talks indepth about his career so far, and the challenges and opportunities for football in Guyana, can be viewed on the GFF’s official Facebook page.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua- West Indies Women ensured that Head Coach Courtney Walsh finished his maiden T20 International in charge of the team with a victory, defeating Pakistan Women by 10 runs in the CG Insurance T20 International Series at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Player of the Match Shamilia Connell told CWI Media that “It’s feels great. Coming off the last game I played in England I was man

of the match also, so being able to start back my international series with a man of the match is a great feeling as well. My game plan was to just go out there and execute my areas hard and just try to contain as much as possible.”

Scores: West Indies Women 136/6 (20 overs): Matthews 32, Dottin 31; Dar 4-15-2, Sana 4-32-2 beat Pakistan Women 126/6 (20 overs): Naseem 46*, Sana 24*; Connell 4-213, Alleyne 4-23-2.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan and West Indies Women’s A Teams will collide today.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Friday July 02, 2021

Farfan and Mendes, Bakewell, Brian Ramphal, Vitality Inc and Dr Puran Singh among sponsors for RHTYSC first Home Project

Dr Puran Singh

Brian Ramphal The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club has embarked on one of their most ambitious projects with the construction of a home for one of its hardest working member and executive. The club has over the years successfully hosted thousands of activities under a wide range of subheadings but the home project is the first of its kind. The RHTYSC parent body and founder St Francis Community Developers has over the last two decades, assisted hundreds of Berbicians to get a home in joint projects with Food for the Poor.

Club Secretary/CEO

Hilbert Foster stated that executives of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation decided to undertake the special project to assist its hard working Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu in appreciation of his contribution to the development of the club.

Naidu joined the club in 2015 at the age of fifteen years and six years later is not only the Asst Secretary/CEO but also is responsible for the day to day operation of the club which hosts a record seven hundred activities every year. Naidu also serves as the very vibrant Public Relations Officer of the Berbice

Cricket Board.

The project involves the Naidu family home in the village of Hampshire which was abandoned in 2015 after the family moved to Rose Hall Town following the death of his father. Foster, who is specially looking after the project stated that a lower flat is been constructed while the upper flat would be repaired with special emphasis been placed on the stairs, back wall, roof and flooring. The eleven teams of the club would also assist with the furnishing of the home before the official handing over by early August.

Foster, who is also President

Representatives of Farfan and Mendes and Panthera Solutions hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Navin Raghoo in the presence of Hilbert Foster. of the Berbice Cricket Board stated that the club was delighted to be of assistance to Naidu as over the last six years, he has been an asset to the club with his outstanding leadership despite his young age. Foster disclosed that due to Naidu’s leadership of the club, he has been able to concentrate on his duties at the Berbice Cricket Board.

The club has received

assistance from a wide range of its friends and sponsors including overseas based Guyanese Brian Ramphal, Dr Puran Singh, Rajenda Sadeo, Bakewell, Farfan and Mendes , Panthera Solutions, GK Inc, Micheal Khan, Avenash Ramzan, Romario Samaroo/ Decoris Service, Bissan Trading, Mortimer and Lucille G e o rg e , A n a s h a A l l y,

Rajendra Ganga and Anil Beharry.

Farfan and Mendes Marketing executive Onai Vasconcellos stated that his company and the club has enjoyed close to twenty five years of partnership and was delighted to be of assistance to a remarkable young man who has himself been a positive role model to many youths across Guyana.

Paul scores 41 as Suns down Clippers to end NBA Finals wait

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portsMax - The Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul have ended their respective long waits for NBA Finals appearances after a 130-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers sealed their spot on Wednesday.

The Suns clinched the Western Conference Finals series 4-2, rounding out the triumph with an outstanding road win, with Phoenix back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years.

Suns’ 36-year-old point guard Paul was exceptional with 41 points as he progresses to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career, after 13 playoffs campaigns.

Paul hit seven-from-eight three-pointers in a masterful shooting display, going at 66.7 per cent from the field, as well as eight assists, four rebounds and three steals with no turnovers.

Devin Booker contributed with 22 points, four assists and seven rebounds, Deandre Ayton had 17 rebounds along with 16 points, while Jae Crowder hit five three-pointers in his 19 points.

P h o e n i x a r e c r o w n e d We s t e r n Conference champions having gone 12-4 in the postseason, including 6-2 on the road, clinching all three series away.

The Suns become the first team in history to reach the NBA Finals having not made the playoffs in 10 or more years prior.

The Clippers could not muster one more memorable comeback after some dramatic performances this postseason, closing within seven points late in the third before Paul showed irrepressible poise.

Paul George managed 21 points with nine rebounds for the Clippers, while Marcus Morris Sr scored 26 points and had nine rebounds.

Patrick Beverley was ejected in the fourth quarter for a push on Paul as reality set in for LA, who were behind for the most part of Wednesday’s Game 6.

Paul’s shooting was clearly on early as the Suns opened up a 10-point half-time lead, with Phoenix shooting at 58.8 per cent from beyond the arc in the first half.

The Clippers had a 10-0 run to close within seven points late in the third quarter as the home crowd erupted after Nicolas Batum’s three-pointer.

But Paul steadied for Phoenix with a long-range bucket immediately after the timeout, opening it up to 14 points at the final change and they would not relent, with the Suns veteran adding 17 fourth-quarter points.

Hawks at Bucks Star pair Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both likely to be out for the crucial Game 5 as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks with the series at 2-2.

GVF under-23 side

GVF exhibition match on tonight behind closed doors The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) highly anticipated indoor match is on tonight from 19:00hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall (CASH), on Homestretch Avenue, behind closed doors.

This information was shared by competitions committee member and player, Kristoff Shepperd, who will also be part of the action.

The exhibition match will be contested between the men’s senior national squad and the men’s under-

23 side.

The senior side will be comprised of the following list of players: Quacy Matheson, Dester Hoppie, Devendra Latchman, Vance Harding, Juan Valasques, Shemroy Ross, Klondyke Rodney, Ian Bagot, Creston Rodney, Trevon McRae, Corwin Richards and Beepaul Bando.

Meanwhile, the under-23 s q u a d r e a d s : K r i s t o ff Shepperd, Levi Nedd, Tyrone Farley, Montel Denny, Ronaldo Bobb, Daniel Joseph, Steffon

Norah, Tyreece Farley, Andre Jagnandan, Terrence Groenhart and Andy Rohoman.

This exhibition game is very much anticipated since the GVF didn’t have any competition since February 2020, just before the pandemic hit.

According to Shepperd, “The ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has given the Guyana Volleyball Federation permission for the senior team to train two days a week while following Covid-19 protocols.”

Kaieteur News

Friday July 02, 2021

PAGE 31

Meet the ‘Golden Jaguars’ players who’ll be representing Guyana during the nations’ second consecutive appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup Tournament in the USA after making its debut in 2019.

Name: Akel Clarke Position: Goalkeeper Club: Mount Pleasant Academy (Jamaica) D.O.B: 25.10.1988 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Matthew Briggs Position: Defender Club: Vijle Boldklub (Denmark) D.O.B: 06.03.1991 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Reiss Greenidge Position: Defender Club: Bolton Wanderers (England) D.O.B:08.02.1996 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Jobe Caesar Position: Midfielder Club: Guyana Defence Force D.O.B:01.01.1999 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Emery Welshman Position: Forward Club: Hapoel Raanana A.F.C (Israel) D.O.B: 09.11.1991 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Kelsey Benjamin Position: Forward Club: Guyana Defence Force D.O.B:08.05.1999 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Kai McKenzie-Lyle Position: Goalkeeper Club: Cambridge United FC (England) D.O.B: 13.11.1997 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Kevin Layne Position: Defender Club: Mount Pleasant Academy (Jamaica) D.O.B: 01.01.1998 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Bevan Baker Position: Defender Club: Miami Dade FC (USA) D.O.B: 29.07.1999 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Nathan Moriah-Welsh Position: Midfielder Club: Bournemouth FC D.O.B:18.03.2002 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Keanu Marqheal Marsh-Brown Position: Forward Club: Wrexham A.F.C (England) D.O.B: 10.08.1992 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Trayon Bobb Position: Forward Club: Uitvlugt Warriors FC (Guyana) D.O.B:05.11.1993 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Shawn Adonis Position: Goalkeeper Club: Guyana Police Force D.O.B:14.05.2002 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Marcus Wilson Position: Defender Club: Santos FC (Guyana) D.O.B:19.04.2002 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Daniel Wilson Position: Midfielder Club: Guyana Defence Force D.O.B: 01.11.1993 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Javier George Position: Midfielder Club: Stade Beaucairois 30 FC D.O.B:27.01.2001 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Sheldon Holder Position: Forward Club: Caledonia AIA (Trinidad & Tobago) D.O.B: 30.09.1991 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Hutson Hazlewood Position: Forward Club: George Washington University (USA) D.O.B: 24.04.2001 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup Technical and Management Team

Name: Terence Vancooten Position: Defender Club: Stevenage FC (England) D.O.B: 29.12.1997 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Nicholai Andrews Position: Defender Club: Santos FC (Guyana) D.O.B:03.11.2002 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Stephen Duke-McKenna Position: Midfielder Club: Queens Park Rangers D.O.B: 17.08.2000 Second appearance at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Kurtez Kellman Position: Midfielder Club: Daytona State College D.O.B:06.03,1998 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Omari Nkosi Matthew Glasgow Position: Forward Club: Fruta Conquerors (Guyana) D.O.B:22.11.2003 Debut at Concacaf Gold Cup

Name: Márcio Máximo Position: Head Coach D.O.B: 29.04.62 (Continued on page 27)