Monday June 19, 2017
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Kaieteur News
We disagree with the Serious mismanagement of state resources in Region 8 There is another burning money to serve these various DEAR EDITOR, the limited resources that Minister on mining I have been following the were available to them the issue that needs to be programmes within the entire news concerning the REO of region was managed better. addressed urgently; the region, not just one group of Region Eight with regards to Since this government misuse of the region’s people. If ever something was syndicate’s rights the relieving of his duties as took office the regional vehicles. All of the vehicles to go wrong the government
DEAR EDITOR, Allow me to comment on the article titled ‘Mining Syndicates vow to continue protests for land...’ dated Thursday June 1, 2017. In this article Minister Trotman ‘explained that syndicated mining was not catered for in Guyana’s laws but through an initiative from his junior minister, Simona Broomes, the idea was given the go ahead.” The Minister is quoted as saying ‘The laws themselves do not cater for syndicates. It is a good initiative but the law caters for small scale individual miners, medium and the very large scale.” We
acknowledge that the Minister is a lawyer however we believe the laws caters for syndicates. We have attached a copy of the law concerning prospecting permits so the people of Guyana can see for themselves. We cannot assume that Minister Trotman does not know the regulations so we can only conclude that the Minister is trying to distance himself from the syndicates. We wonder if that is the real reason for the slothfulness in the processing of syndicate applications and the refusal to issue them mining lands. C. Jones (Miner)
The cameraman should have been under the journalist’s supervision DEAR EDITOR, In the matter of the alleged conduct of the cameraman at Kaieteur National Park which the Army described as ‘outright stupidity, reckless’ (KN Friday, June 16 2017), I am wondering should not the cameraman, on site, have been under the direction/instruction of a reporter/journalist or a senior operative? I have to ask; does a cameraman double as reporter/ journalist on assignments? From the article it appears the cameraman was on his own and acting on his own accord and instinct. It begs the question just how suitable was the cameraman for the assignment? Shamshun Mohamed
GuySuCo’s first crop for 2017 is a disaster DEAR EDITOR, The pattern of poor performance continues uncontrollably at GuySuCo. After recording the lowest annual production in 25 years, of 183,652t in 2016, the incompetent IMC strikes yet another blow on the wellbeing of the industry and another record of 49,600t sugar after 16 weeks of grinding operation in 1st crop 2017. This is the 2nd lowest sugar production for a first crop in 25 years and one of the longest, if not the longest crop in recent memory with no estate meeting its targeted sugar production. The Corporation advised this nation in February of this year that it will produce 74,172t sugar in 1st crop then shamelessly delivers a mere 67% of that target. The estates individual contributions are: Albion18,326t, Rose Hall- 9,090t, Blairmont-9,065t, Enmore6,073t and Uitvlugt- 7,046t. Of significance, it must be noted that Rose Hall estate delivered the second highest
sugar production but, is slated for closure. To put into perspective the performance in 2017, it is instructive to compare production with 3 previous first crops. It is as follows: 2017- 49,600t, 201656,645t, 2015- 81,143t and 2014- 79,995t. Editor, with this level of sugar production in 1st crop 2017, the unit cost of production must be astronomical apart from mammoth expenditures in a failing diversification model at Wales estate. With these realities, taxpayers must demand that the Corporation’s IMC emerge from its state-of-theart hideout in the LBI compound and give an account for these unfolding disasters. How long will politicians defend a failed model for re-organization of such critical industry? Sookram Persaud
accounting officer of that region. I personally believe it was one of the best things that this government has done for this region since it took office. In the first instance he should not have even been appointed. Apart from the many allegations “of which warrant an investigation” he seems not to have any idea about management and administration. The big question is why would a government appoint someone who is not au fait with their responsibilities, to such an important position? As a resident that has lived here all of my life, since the colonial days, I have never seen this Region being managed in such a manner before. This region was overseen in such an ad hoc manner; at times one would get the notion that the political head was the accounting officer. I can recall during the colonial days and even before the regional system came into being, the region was being supervised by a District Commissioner and despite
budget has actually increased by 100% which they should be commended for. Despite this increase instead of things changing for the better they have changed for the worse. It is important for the government to know that providing resources is not sufficient; it needs to monitor functions and implementations. A responsible government doesn’t just provide resources; they put systems in place to ensure that the resources are utilized accordingly. Here is one example of a waste of resources - a bridge was rebuilt at Kurukabaru last year. I was told it cost 17 million dollars. That very bridge is being rebuilt this year for almost 10 million dollars. There are also two guardhuts recently built; one at the REO’s residence and another at the regional boardroom for a cost of almost 3 million dollars. What is so disturbing is the fact that the boardroom doesn’t need any security. Mr. Editor isn’t this a waste of tax payers’ dollars.
that belong to the various programmes of the regional administration - health, education, public works and regional administration and finance - are controlled by a certain senior member of the RDC. These vehicles can be seen parked at his home. The vehicles are being used for work not related to the Region, and on several occasions, at the nigh, can be seen at the night spots. On many occasions when projects in the region required a vehicle one had to be chartered. I can recall one case when a sick patient travelled to Madia from the North Pakarimas seeking medical treatment, there was no vehicle to transport her from the airstrip to the hospital; she instead had to be taken there via an ATV; while the hospital vehicle was parked in this senior RDC official’s yard. On numerous occasions when the hospital has patients requiring “medevac service” it has to search all over for a vehicle. These vehicles were procured with tax payers’
will be blamed for not providing resources, when in fact the resources are being misused. What is even more disturbing is that every month a certain big wig takes at least two of these vehicles with at least two drums of fuel to the North Pakarimas where he joins some senior members of his political party and they would go from village to village campaigning. Using state resources for political purposes is wrong. Whenever he returns from his trip the vehicles have to go in the workshop for repairs. Millions of dollars are being spent on these jaunts. It would be very interesting to discover whether these vehicles have a log book. And whilst all of this is taking place, the REO just sits back as though nothing is wrong. The big question is why this government permits such things to run for so long. Somehow I am getting the notion that this government doesn’t care much about the persons that voted for them. James Williams
Forces are out to disparage the sugar union DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union’s (GAWU) attention was drawn to an advertisement titled ”Do Guyanese know these facts about the sugar industry?” which appeared in the June 15, 2017 Kaieteur News. The whole-page advertisement, something which we understand is very costly, has sought to castigate our Union and is seemingly in response to our forthright stance in defending the workers of the sugar industry in the face of the cold, heartless plans promoted by the Administration. While GAWU holds no brief for the PPP/C which was also mentioned in the ad, our Union believes it is important to bring clarity to some of the spurious and ill-thought-out sentiments expressed by ‘Concerned Guyanese’. 1. The Skeldon factory was not a standalone project; it formed part of the wider Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) which envisaged the construction of the factory,
the establishment of a steam and fuel generating electricity plant as well doubling the estate’s cultivation. It is, therefore, inaccurate to say that US$200M was spent to build the factory only. Furthermore, it is public knowledge that GuySuCo was also expected to invest some of its own resources towards fructifying SSMP. It seems maybe ‘Concerned Guyanese’ has awoken from his/her slumber or is simply being wicked and misleading; 2. To identify Skeldon investment as the reason for the GuySuCo’s financial difficulties is most disingenuous. The fact is that the Corporation revenue went down by some US$40M per annum as a result of the EU price cut. Moreover, the author of the ad may want to ask the current GuySuCo management officials why is it that after receiving G$32B since 2015 from the State that production this year will be less than 200,000 tonnes sugar, well below GuySuCo’s capacity; 3. We are told the Skeldon ”will never work
properly”. But this defies logic as we have heard, through press reports, of the ready, unsolicited interest in Skeldon. It will be insane for anyone or any organization to purchase something that will never work. We must mention again that the Skeldon Co-Generation facility brought to the coffers of Skeldon Energy Inc. (SEI) over $9B through the sale of electricity to the National Grid. Again, ‘Concerned Guyanese’ seems not to have rationally considered his/her statement; 4. To speak to Cambior’s investment vis-à-vis Skeldon investment is like comparing oranges and apples. There is simply no basis for comparison; 5. ‘Concerned Guyanese’ wonders about where the Skeldon monies went. The author, whomever he/she maybe, should insist that the sums received by Booker-Tate which was charged with managing the project should come under the microscope. It ought to be noted that the Booker-Tate director at the time of
Skeldon’s construction is now-a-days firmly ensconced in the GuySuCo hierarchy; 6. The ad argues absurdly that GAWU is seeking to protect its union dues income thus its stance on sugar. If that were indeed the case, why is it that the Union is calling on GuySuCo to pay the 350-odd workers of Wales their rightful severance entitlements? Many, if not all of those workers, will not return to the Corporation for employment and, therefore, they cannot pay dues. ‘Concerned Guyanese’ is not seemingly connecting the dots but maybe is shooting from hip; 7. The author tells us that $17M is lost whenever there is a day’s strike. B y ‘ C o n c e r n e d Guyanese’ logic if the industry operates for 35 crop weeks per annum its revenue Continued on page 6
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Absence of a District Education Officer in Sub - Region No. 2, Region No 10 DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me some space in your column. As I read your editorial dated May 16, 2017 captioned “Ghost teachers,” I concluded that the COI’s visit in the Sub Region No. 2 in Region No. 10 was a bit too early to observe that there is also a “Ghost Education Officer” in the area. In September 2016, we were told that an Education Officer has been assigned to this Sub - District, and as usual she would be a resident. To date this Officer visits the riverain area occasionally and is always escorted by the Regional Education Officer. We are unable to have face- to-face contact to discuss pertinent issues with her since she is here for a just few hours. Telephone contact with this Education Officer in most cases proves futile, and the few times have always ends with her
showing irritation. We, the parents of children in the riverain areas need the services of all those who are paid to deliver education to us. The other Officers like Welfare, Probation and even the Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) are trying their best but this is not enough. “Bringing an end to an institutionalized scam” should include Education Officers not wishing to be posted in the riverain area. In short, there is no resident District Education Officer (DEO) in the Sub - Region No. 2, in Region No 10 even though it may be on paper. This matter should not escape the attention of all the authorities whose responsibility it is to improve the quality of education delivery to our children in the riverain areas. Concerned Parent
Because of oil we must fix our human resource incapacity DEAR EDITOR, Minister Jordan’s comments to Demerara Waves on June 5th touched on two critical and interlocking issues I had previously raised in the letters column. The first issue involves the suggestion that the country should capitalize on its future oil revenues now through pre-production borrowing on global financial markets (‘Guyana should go the route of resource-based borrowing’ in SN January 15, 2017). The second issue involves my warning that the oil finds may have produced a mindset which misguidedly assumes that the country’s training priorities must of necessity be focused mainly on oil and not also on the range of other skills an expanding government expenditure will demand (‘Skills that an economy fuelled by oil revenues will demand’ in KN May 07, 2017). On the first issue, the Demerara Waves reports Mr. Jordan as stating that taking advances from oil revenues to
Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
help stimulate the economy makes no sense in a country where there is already sufficient money in the treasury but limited human resources to spend it. On the second issue, the minister is reported as saying that part of the solution to fix the human resource deficit is to focus on personnel expansion and reallocation in the key government ministries. In starker terms than before, we are being told that behind the exciting prospect of multi-billion dollar oil payments lurks the reality that Guyana’s development will remain choked unless we remove the human resources bottleneck. Worded differently, if the economy continues to depend on government spending as a main driver of economic growth, and if the government is unable to spend even the current budget, oil revenues will create only pipe dreams. And, as I asserted in the May 7th letter, this incapacity cannot
Someone once said that division is caused more by impatience than by a conflict in creed.
be fixed by the narrow focus on establishing oil schools and programs. The situation amounts to a national crisis and we must urgently look for fixes. A worthwhile consideration is to set up a high-level task force with enough ministerial involvement and technical experts to quickly put together a plan of action and, essentially, to oversee its implementation. Among other ideas, we should (i) undertake a short-to-medium term analysis of skill needs, (ii) reorient and streamline our technical and tertiary institutions to respond to these needs with speed, flexibility, and quality, (iii) modernize our public procurement system, (iv) incentivize the entry of more firms into the local contracting industry for goods, services and works, (iv) find ways to attract foreign firms and overseas-based Guyanese talent, and (v) work with the private sector to improve the supply chain for such critical imports as construction material. Minister Jordan is best positioned to understand the full scope of the crisis. He must take the lead. Sherwood Lowe
The bitter politics of sweet sugar DEAR EDITOR, The tragedy confronting the sugar industry in Guyana and the fifteen thousand workers and their families, along with the tens of thousands of others who are likely to be affected, indirectly, thereby, is a classic saga of politics, betrayal and incompetence. During the elections campaign of 2011, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo spoke to the sugar workers at the “Order Lines” of almost every estate and promised them a 25% increase in wages, should the AFC win those elections. This promise was reiterated on public platforms throughout the country and in media. After those elections, the AFC teamed up with the APNU and with their combined one seat-majority, in the National Assembly, blocked almost every financial injection from the Treasury to Guysuco. These were actions which manifestly derogated from the promise for wages increase and support for the sugar industry and its workers, publicly made and advocated only a few months prior. The AFC was in collusion with the APNU, when the APNU then economic strongman, Carl Greenidge, surmised from the floor of the National Assembly in the 10th Parliament that financial assistance to Guysuco is pouring money into, “a bottomless black hole.”During the Budgetary presentations of 2013 and 2014, the sugar workers came in protest in front of the Parliament Buildings. They manhandled Mr. Moses Nagamootoo when he attempted to speak to them. Away from the sugar workers and in the confines of the National Assembly, Mr. Nagamootoo boasted, “the sugar workers had their say and now the scissors will have its day,” as they cut monies budgeted for the sugar industry. As 2015 elections approached, again the political song and dance changed. A hypocritical hand of goodwill was extended by the APNU/AFC coalition to the sugar workers in order to get their votes. This diabolical agenda, again, was
led by Mr. Moses Nagamootoo. Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, was a close second. At the Whim Rally, Mr. Ramjattan promised no closure of estates but new management and an economic turnaround for the sugar industry. The sugar workers are generally a trusting people and again hundreds of them fell victim of the fraud. They voted for the coalition. When the first bumper crop came soon after the elections, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, in an act of incomparable guile, took credit for and on behalf of the coalition Government. He proclaimed the beginning of a new vista for the sugar industry. However, when the next crop produced recording-breaking low outputs, the stories of doom resurfaced about the sugar industry. Scorn and disdain were poured upon the sugar workers and they were portrayed to other workers as parasites, living-off the blood and sweat of those other workers. It was a naked and malicious strategy of dividing the working class along the lines of politics and race. Suddenly, the sugar industry and its workers became the greatest burden on the backs of taxpayers. The sustenance, which the sugar industry provided to this nation and its people for over 300 years, was obliterated. The use of billions of dollars from the sugar levy, extracted from the real wages of the sugar workers and pumped into the Bauxite industry to keep it
alive for nearly two decades in order to provide a livelihood for tens of thousands in Linden, Ituni and Kwakwani, was vapourised. The sugar workers and their unions were made the object of such ridicule that not only were they deprived of their Annual Production Incentive (API) but also they did not benefit from a dollar in wage increase, while employees from every other state sector enjoyed annual increases by a minimum of 5%.When the unions attempted to negotiate a wage increase, they were told that Guysuco was actively considering a decrease in wages! It is against that backdrop, that Wales was closed with such arrogance that the unions and the workers read about it as a small news item hidden several pages-down in the national newspapers. The disclosure came not from Guysuco but from the Government. Not a word of consultation, neither with the workers nor their unions. Mr. Moses Nagamootoo was conveniently out of the country. When public pressure rose, the workers were promised severance pay, land to do farming and employment at Uitvlugt estate. None has materialized a year after. Instead, the nation is informed that Uitvlught, Enmore and Rose Hall estates will now suffer closures; Skeldon is up for sale. Anil Nandlall
Forces are out to... From page 5 would be $4.165B. For the author’s information, GuySuCo’s revenue in 2015, the last year available, was $21.4B. Again, ‘Concerned Guyanese’ clearly does not seem to know much or is misinformed; 8. The ad goes on to speak about workers strikes, but ‘Concerned Guyanese’ obviously fails to see the clear contradiction in the statement. He/she says on one hand, workers earn nothing when they strike but on the other says that union dues will be deducted. If a worker doesn’t earn, then it follows he/she cannot have any deductions made. We see the ad as a new low being reached and the latest in the series of futile attempts to disparage our Union for standing up and defending the thousands of sugar workers and also the thousands linked to the industry’s operations. We noticed many of the sentiments contained in the ad are also parroted by Administration officials during recent appearances on the television in Berbice. The similarities are indeed interesting and, it seems, there is more than what meets the eye. GAWU also sees the ad as a poor response in the PR attempts of those who are effectively countered by the militancy of the workers and the consistent exposure of the misinformation that come out from the officials and their apologists. It is disheartening that the ad appears on the eve of the Enmore Martyrs Death Anniversary. It speaks obviously to the level of respect those who are responsible for the ad have for the hard-working, honest sugar workers and indeed the working people who depend on the industry, in one way or another. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Monday June 19, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Stewartville Church celebrates 175th Anniversary
President Granger addressing the gathering A section of the congregation yesterday
President David Granger says that the church must recapture the spirit of community and should stand as beacons of hope to dispel despondency and contribute to the overall development of strong communities. He made these remarks yesterday at the Freedom Congregational Church at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, where he joined with members for a special service to celebrate the church’s 175th anniversary, which was held under the theme “Champions of freedom impacting the world of Christ.” “Our communities and our villages cannot be allowed to falter or to fail, but the Government cannot repair the damage alone. There needs to be a collaborative effort between the State and the church; between the communities and non-governmental organisations. The church can propel itself forward by its continued service to citizens and com-
munities. The church can remain relevant and vibrant by combining the profession of faith and practice of works,” the Head of State said. He explained that congregationalism and communitarianism are two sides of the same coin, and that it was in recognition of this very fact that he established a Ministry of Communities and designated November 7 of every year as ‘National Day of Villages’ to ensure that Guyanese can remember and honour their roots. These villages, which the
President described as the “cradle of society”, are built on four pillars. These are the school, the church, the farm and the home. However, over the years, many of these villages have suffered tremendously as a result of moral and economic decline. “You see damage, you see decay, you see deterioration of the physical infrastructure, you see dysfunctional families… We have to strengthen the homes, we have to strengthen the families, we have to make sure that every child, particularly girl children, has a place in the home…
We have to look back to the past to find this model for the future,” President Granger said. He reminded that it was the Congregationalists who played an important role in both the pre and post Independence period. “Congregationalism is a powerful faith, but we must build on that strong foundation that our forefathers built over the one and three-quarter centuries,” the President said. These sentiments were shared by Pastor of the church, Reverend Valeska Austin, who said that the
Freedom Congregational Church stands today as the proud legacy of their forbearers and urged her congregation to be proud of that legacy and to recommit to the strengthening of the missionary spirit. The church, which was first opened on June 17, 1842, is one of the three churches, which comprise the West Coast Demerara group of Congregational Churches. The other two are located at Den Amstel and Hyde Park. It is recorded that in the early 1840s shortly after the end of slavery, when the first set of lumber arrived at the site
for the construction of the church, the freed Africans were overjoyed and began chanting “freedom lumber come” and that is how the church was given the name Freedom Congregational Church. Yesterday’s service, which featured songs, dances and a well-orchestrated drill and parade by the Pathfinders from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, saw a large turnout including members of sister churches as well as residents of Stewartville. Mr. John Adams, who is a representative of the Coalition Government in Parliament and Adviser to the Minister of Education, Ms. Cheryl Sampson, were also in attendance.
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Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
Career Day fair restores optimism in youths of Region Two
Two of the booths at the Career Fair
Unemployment has proven itself a real challenge across Guyana. The public and private sectors of Region Two on Saturday hosted a Career Day fair. The event commenced at 10:00 hrs at the Anna Regina car park on the Essequibo Coast. The opening ceremony was addressed by Regional Chairman, Daveanand Ramdatt, Regional Executive Officer, Deryck Persaud, and Commander of G Division Stephen Mansell. Commander Mansell spoke of the force’s desire to develop a long lasting and solid relationship with communities on the coast. He also opined that the best way to control crime is to establish solid trust with the public. “We need to establish a good relationship with our communities. At the same time we need to make sure that school leavers are employed; we need to keep them occupied meaningfully. The Force
is hoping to bestow a measure of optimism upon youths by means of this Fair.” Since the public sector can only provide a fraction of employment, it was noted by the various speakers that the private sector had to have a share in the initiative. Regional Chairman Ramdatt expressed the belief that stakeholder partnership should be taken more seriously if an effort is to be made to restore the region’s economy. “We must have sustained growth and development. Young people as young as 10 to 25 are victims to suicide. Yesterday (Friday) His Excellency and I had a small discussion as it relates to our region’s development. We both agreed that there is an important role at all levels that government would have to play, and the region would be submitting some key areas that they believe would promote development. We would soon be having discussions
with the president of Essequibo Chamber of Commerce so that we can foster economic development in all parts of the region.” REO Deryck Persaud said that the Regional Democratic Council would continue to support the private sector, so long as it’s an effort to improve the region’s economy. Scores of youths flocked the 15 booths, which ranged from Republic Bank to the Guyana Defence Force, and catered for all levels of education. The youth interns were appreciative of the opportunity to learn more about the local offices and agencies around them. Among some of the remarks by youths present were: “We’re delighted for this opportunity to see what’s really out there.” “I feel somewhat optimistic that there’s hope out there after all, I have the qualifications that suit GTM.” “I was at the point of going crazy, nothing was coming my way.”
Monday June 19, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Fake illnesses and an abuse of the health system Years ago, a government worker went to see the doctor at the out-patient department of the Georgetown Public Hospital. He complained that he had the flu. The doctor checked his temperature. It was okay. The doctor checked his tongue. No problem was found. The doctor used a wooden spatula to check and ask him to say “AH!” There was no sore throat. The doctor found no sign of a running nose. The doctor asked the man if he had diarrhea. The man said he had running bowels all night. The doctor checked the man for signs of dehydration. He found none, his skin was supple, his membranes moist and flush. The doctor suspected the man was lying. He however preferred to err on the side of being rigorous in his diagnosis. So he sent him for
a blood test to see whether there were signs that the body was fighting an infection. None was found. The doctor told the man that he did not find any signs of an infection. The man then told the doctor that his tummy was hurting and he believed that he had an internal problem. The doctor placed the man to lie down on the examination table and began to press different parts of the man’s tummy. With every press, the man screamed. He even screamed when the doctor attempted to, but did not press the tummy. The doctor was certain that the man was feigning illness and so he decided to play along. He told the man that he needed to send him to do surgery. The man sprang off the table. He confessed that he
was there to get a doctor’s certificate so that he could absent himself from work on the grounds that he was sick. This is not an isolated case. Each day hundreds of persons flock to the outpatient department of government hospitals and health clinics in order to get medical help. A fair percentage of those that go to these outpatient services are Government workers seeking to obtain a medical certificate so that they can absent themselves from work. Many of them can work, but they are intent on staying away from work. This is an abuse of the health system. The system is being clogged up by those whose motive is to obtain a sick-leave certificate. Persons who are genuinely sick have to wait in line. There is a need for more
DEM BOYS SEH
Cop lose false teeth protecting a mom on Father’s Day This Father’s Day was the best in recent times. Every day like this man does deh wid dem children in house or outdoor fuh breakfast, lunch or dinner. Dem who got to wuk does get treat at de wuk place. De boss man was sitting in he hammock outside. He did just had lunch when he hear “Happy Father’s Day, Mr. Lall.” When he raise he head he see a police patrol at he gate. De cops sound very happy and dem was laughing, but de boss man didn’t know why dem was laughing. He invite dem in, four come in and one lef in de vehicle. De ranks seh he is a prisoner but he shout out, “Nah, Nah boss man. Me ah police too.” He didn’t have on shirt. De boss man offer dem some refreshment and piece of de Father’s Day cake. While dem eating de cake, dem continue to laugh. One of dem seh de man in de van can’t eat. Then dem tell de story. Dem seh dem went on a call for domestic violence in Grove pun de East Bank. When dem challenge de
suspect he run and jump in a trench. De one who didn’t want come out de van was de one who jump in de trench wid all he clothes. He start wrestling de man; ee false teeth fall out and he loose de man and start search fuh he teeth. De man get away, but de cop didn’t got time fuh run behind de man. He search a long time and he couldn’t find ee teeth. That is why de man in de van couldn’t eat de cake wha de boss man offer, but did come in and tek some refreshment. He start fuh talk. He tell de boss man he got to stay away from he girlfriend fuh a couple days till he get back a new set of teeth. He seh she don’t know he got false teeth.
Dem boys want know who gun pay fuh de man teeth. He lost it pun de job. Dem seh when you dead in de line of duty de police force does tek over de funeral expenses. Same thing when you lose a hand in de line of duty, de force does compensate you. In this case dem got to pay fuh de man false teeth. After all, he lose it in de line of duty. Dem boys hear de boss man mek arrangement wid C. Persaud Dental Lab at Peter’s Hall to give de man back ee teeth. And if de police don’t pay de boss man seh he gun pay. After all it was Father’s Day and de cops was protecting a mother. Talk half and hope de cop don’t lose he woman.
stringent action to be taken to reduce the incidence of those who are faking illnesses in order to get medical certificates which will allow them off from work for a couple of days. There are a number of qualified doctors trained in Cuba, and in Guyana, who cannot find jobs in the local health system. These persons should be employed within Government ministries and departments. Any person who is sick should have to go to these in-house doctors to certify them as being sick. There was a report earlier this year about a number of medexes who couldn’t find employment. I hope that all those medexes have since been put to work in ministries and government departments to ensure that
workers are genuinely sick before they obtain sick leave certificate. A number of private companies, in the past used to have in-house doctors to treat workers. The experience has been that in–house doctors reduced the aggregate number of sick days claimed by workers. The workers had the option of regularly being seen by the doctor. This served as a preventative measures against some major illnesses. When the workers contracted some communicable disease, they could visit the in–house doctors free of cost and at the onset of any illness, thereby ensuring that swift action could be taken to bring relief. The experience is that inhouse doctors, while costly,
initially, had long-term gains. It reduced overall sick leave and thereby ensured more production. It improved relations between the companies and their staff since this initiative was seen as one which had the workers’ interest at heart. The Government of Guyana should contemplate placing doctors and medexes in ministries and public departments as a means of finding jobs for those in the medical profession without a job, while reducing absenteeism due to fake illnesses and improving worker production and productivity.
Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
U.S. WARPLANE DOWNS SYRIAN ARMY JET IN RAQQA PROVINCE (Reuters) A U.S. warplane shot down a Syrian army jet yesterday in the southern Raqqa countryside, with Washington saying the jet had dropped bombs near U.S.-backed forces and Damascus saying the plane was downed while flying a mission against Islamic State militants. A Syrian army statement released on Syrian state television said the plane crashed and the pilot was missing in the first such downing of a Syrian jet by the United States since the start of the conflict in 2011. The army statement said it took place yesterday afternoon near a village called Rasafah. The “flagrant attack was an attempt to undermine the efforts of the army as the only effective force capable with its allies ... in fighting terrorism across its territory,” the Syrian army said.
“This comes at a time when the Syrian army and its allies were making clear advances in fighting the Daesh (Islamic State) terrorist group,” it added. The U.S. Central Command later issued a statement saying the Syrian plane was downed “in collective self-defense of Coalition-partnered forces,” identified as fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near Tabqah. It said that “pro-Syrian regime forces” had earlier attacked an SDF-held town s o u t h o f Ta b q a a n d wounded a number of fighters, driving them from the town. Coalition aircraft in a show of force stopped the initial advance. When a Syrian army SU-22 jet later dropped bombs near the U.S.backed forces, it was immediately shot down by a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet, the statement said. Before it downed the
plane, the coalition had “contacted its Russian counterparts by telephone via an established “deconfliction line” to deescalate the situation and stop the firing.” The coalition does “not seek to fight the Syrian regime, Russian or proregime forces” but would not “hesitate to defend itself or its “partnered forces from any threat,” the statement said. The U.S.-led coalition has in recent weeks escalated its aerial bombing campaign in northern Syria and Raqqa province. U.S.-backed forces have encircled the city of Raqqa and captured several districts from the militants. The Syrian army, which has been taking territory from retreating Islamic State militants in the eastern Aleppo countryside, has moved into Raqqa province and seized back some oil fields and villages that had been
under the militants’ control for almost three years. An SDF official told Reuters the Syrian army had been engaged in skirmishes in recent days with U.S.backed forces near the town of Maskaneh close to the borders of Raqqa province, much of which is now held by U.S.-backed groups fighting Islamic State. The Syrian army backed by Iranian-backed militias has also been in competition in southeastern Syria with U.S.backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels who are also trying to recapture territory from Islamic State. On several occasions in recent weeks, warplanes of the U.S.-led coalition have also struck pro-government forces to prevent them advancing from a U.S.controlled garrison in southeastern Syria at a spot where the country’s borders join with Iraq and Jordan. Washington also described those strikes as self-defense.
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Several injured after vehicle rams people leaving London mosque: witnesses Several people were injured in north London early today after a van rammed into worshippers leaving a mosque, witnesses said, in what British police described as a “major incident”. The Muslim Council of Britain said the vehicle had hit people as they were leaving Finsbury Park mosque. Police said they were called just after 12:20 a.m. to reports of a collision on Seven Sisters Road, which runs through the Finsbury Park area of the city. They said there were a number of casualties and one person had been arrested. “From the window, I started hearing a lot of yelling and screeching, a lot of chaos outside. … Everybody was shouting: ‘A van’s hit people, a van’s hit people’,” one woman who lives opposite the scene told the BBC. “There was this white van stopped outside Finsbury Park mosque that seemed to have hit people who were coming out after prayers had finished. I didn’t see the attacker himself, although he seems to have been arrested, but I did see the van.” A Reuters witness saw at least one person being loaded into an ambulance. A number of police and ambulances were in attendance. The incident followed a series of attacks in Britain. Eight people were killed and 50 injured on June 3 when three Islamist militants drove into pedestrians on London Bridge and stabbed people at nearby restaurants and bars. On March 22, a man drove a rented car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London and stabbed a policeman to death before being shot dead. His attack killed five people. On May 22, a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a concert by American pop singer Ariana Grande in Manchester in northern England.
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Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
Health Ministry officially launches Rehab week The Disability and Rehabilitation Services of the Ministry of Public Health officially launched its observance of ‘Rehab Week 2017’ in Guyana. This year the occasion is being celebrated under the theme “Reaching Out, Empowering Communities”. The celebrations which officially began yesterday will continue until June 24. The event which was hosted at the Umana Yana saw the attendance of persons working under the disability and rehabilitation programme from all regions in Guyana, along with persons from the Visually Impaired Cultural Association of Guyana and the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Georgetown. Minister of Pub-
lic Health Volda Lawrence delivered the feature address. Persons living with disabilities were aptly represented by members from these two institutions, who performed song and dance, entertaining a quite receptive audience. Minister Lawrence noted that with this launch, especially at its 14th anniversary, special attention must be given to family (home) and/or community-based rehabilitation service care. Additionally, the minister has recognised that there has been some level of advocacy for screening of neonates for physical disabilities at all hospitals. This will contribute to early identification and treatment for those who have been
diagnosed with any form of physical disability. “This choice of words (theme) is apt, particularly in the light of the proposal which you intend to pilot in having all new born hearing screened before they leave the hospital. This is indeed an initiative of great importance and significance in Guyana.” Moreover, the minister said the need for early identification for signs of physical disabilities in children is possible, however this service of rehabilitation must be given special priority, especially with the various areas. Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services, Ariane Mangar, took the opportunity to recognise the work of those who had made
Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence delivering the feature address at the launch of Rehab week way for the successful rehabilitation programme. “This year we are also looking to honour one of our stalwarts who is the reason for community-based rehab being so big in Guyana and big in the region. Rehabilitation in Guyana all started with Mrs. Janice Simmons.” Simmons and others were openly recognised and commended for their years of ser-
vice and contribution to rehabilitation programme in Guyana. Services offered by this department of the Ministry of Public Health include Vocational Training, Speech Therapy, Prosthesis orthotics, Occupational therapy, Audiology and Physiotherapy. During this week’s observance, there will be a public blood drive at Ptolemy Reid
Rehabilitation Centre today. This will be followed by a development workshop for staff of the department tomorrow. A team from the rehabilitation department will then travel to Essequibo Region Two on Wednesday to carry out a chain of school screening exercises in schools located between Suddie and Charity.
Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
Caribbean American Congresswoman wants Permanent Status in US for Caribbean ‘Dreamers’ NEW YORK, CMC – Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has called on the US Congress to pass legislation that would grant permanent status for Caribbean and others involved in the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, also known as the “Dream Programme”. “Since DACA was created in 2012, more than 750,000 young women and men have used the programme to expand their participation in our civil society, attend college, and start careers, all in the pursuit of the American Dream. Their contributions have been invaluable and their remarkable stories are now stitched into the fabric of this nation,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants. “But the DACA programme remains under threat,” said Clarke, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, in an interview with the CMC Saturday. “DACA recipients have been unlawfully arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and needlessly detained. “We cannot, in good conscience, allow Donald Trump to undermine their expectations or diminish their contributions,” she continued. “Congress must act to secure their permanent status in the United States.” According to new memoranda issued by the Trump administration, the president will not immediately eliminate protections for the so-called “Dreamers,” undocumented
Yvette D. Clarke immigrants who came to the United States as small children. But White House officials on Friday said that Trump had not made a decision about the long-term fate of the programme and might yet follow through on a campaign pledge to take away work permits from the immigrants or deport them. However, the US Department of Homeland Security has announced that it would continue the Obama-era programme intended to protect those immigrants from deportation and provide them with work permits so they can find legal employment.
Caribbean/American legislative forum to address US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act
WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Washington-based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) says the United States/ Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016 (HR 4939), which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in December 2016, will form the backdrop of the 19th Annual Caribbean American Legislative Forum. On Saturday, ICS said the two-day forum, which starts here on Wednesday on Capitol Hill, takes place under the auspices of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio on the Senate Side on June 21st, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Yvette Clarke and Stacey Plaskett on the House of Representatives’ side on June 22nd. The law, Public Law 114291, prioritizes the United States-Caribbean relationship and requires the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to Congress a multiyear strategy focused on outreach to the countries of the Caribbean and Diaspora communities in the US, improving energy security, countering violence, ramping up diplomacy and
Dr. Claire Nelson other priority areas, ICS said. “This law is an opportunity for us of Caribbean Diaspora to take hold of with both hands,” Jennifer Carroll, former Florida Lieutenant Governor, who will be a featured speaker at the forum. “This is the first time that a bill has linked US/Caribbean policy to the Caribbean Diaspora, and it signals a great opportunity for Caribbean Diaspora leaders to engage with the Trump Administration,” she added. Campaign Chair for National Caribbean American Heritage Month, Jamaican Dr Claire Nelson, who is also ICS founder and president, said that, since 1999, “a small, but determined band of us have been gathering on Capitol Hill
to advance the interests of US-Caribbean policy, out of duty and love. “This law represents the dividends on our investments over the years,” she said. In March, Nelson said ICS partnered with the US State Department to organize a “Listening Session” with the Diaspora to provide input to the State Department’s Position Paper, which must be presented to the Trump Administration and the Congress before the end of June 2017. Nelson said ICS will present the Diaspora White Paper on implementation of Public Law 114-291 during the forum. Other speakers slated to address the Forum include: Jerry Butler, executive director of the Inter-American Development Bank; Capt. Francis Forbes, executive director, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS); and Sally Yearwood of the Caribbean Central AmericanAction. Nelson considers ICS as “the premiere Caribbean American Think/Do Tank,” which “seeks to address development problems facing Caribbean peoples, and to adopt a thorough, systematic and coordinated long-term perspective towards their resolution.”
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Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Monday June 19, 2017
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Kaieteur News
After fire, May’s government says will act to protect Britons
A man helps a boy leave flowers next to other tributes left for the victims of the Grenfell apartment tower fire in North Kensington. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Reuters The government said it would act on recommendations from a probe into the London tower block fire, responding to a disaster critics said showed something had gone “badly wrong” in the country. Police said yesterday the number of people feared to have died in the blaze would rise from the current total of 58, which includes 30 confirmed fatalities, as they carry out a full forensic and systematic search of the building. They said they would provide an updated figure today. Prime Minister Theresa May, criticised for keeping her distance from angry residents during her visit to the charred remains of the 24-storey Grenfell Tower, said on Saturday
the response to the disaster had been “not good enough”. Her government is trying to make up ground in reacting to a fire that trapped people in their beds in the early hours of We d n e s d a y, w i t h m a n y unable to escape as the flames raced up the building, cutting off exit routes and forcing some to jump. May and her ministers have said they will do all they can to help those left homeless after the blaze and make sure other high-rise buildings, usually home to poorer people, are checked and safe. But with Jeremy Corbyn,
Trump lawyer says president not informed he is under investigation Reuters - One of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyers said in television interviews yesterday that the president was not under investigation for obstruction of justice, but when pressed on the assertion, said he was not certain. “The fact of the matter is the president has not been and is not under investigation,” Jay Sekulow, a new member of Trump’s legal team, said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” in one of four interviews he gave on Sunday. There have been multiple news reports and a tweet from Trump himself on Friday that
Jay Sekulow began with: “I am being investigated.” Challenged on “Fox News Sunday” about the issue,
Sekulow said he could not be certain Trump was not under investigation but that no one had notified the legal team if that was the case. It is common for subjects of federal investigations not to know they are under scrutiny, especially in the initial phases. A source familiar with the Mueller probe said on Thursday that investigators would have to gather a large amount of evidence before an interview with the president would be warranted. Trump, who has denied any collusion between his campaign and Russia, has frequently lashed out about the allegations, which have
overshadowed his administration’s efforts to overhaul the healthcare system, cut taxes and boost jobs. Mueller, the special counsel named by the Justice Department to probe the Russia matter, is investigating whether anyone associated with Trump or his campaign had any illegal dealings with Russian officials or others with ties to the Kremlin. Russian officials have denied meddling in the U.S. election. The source familiar with the Mueller probe told Reuters that Mueller was also examining whether Trump or others tried to interfere with the investigation.
Kuwait’s ruler calls for Gulf unity to heal Qatar rift R e u t e r s - K u w a i t ’s ruler called yesterday for Gulf Arab states to overcome a diplomatic dispute with Qatar that has led to the worst regional split in years, saying all parties had a duty to preserve regional unity. Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is leading mediation efforts after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed ties with Qatar two weeks ago, said he hoped the crisis could be solved through dialogue. In a speech marking Ramadan, Sheikh Sabah said he hoped the remaining days of the Muslim holy month would create “the atmosphere for resolving unfortunate
differences and ending the rift through dialogue and communication” in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain cut diplomatic and travel ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of funding militant groups and fomenting instability, charges Doha denies. The row has blocked imports, left travellers stranded, hit the oil price and sown confusion among businesses. Sheikh Sabah, a longserving diplomat, said Gulf countries had “one destiny” because of their historical ties and crossborder family relations. These common interests gave Gulf states a duty to remain united, he said in the televised
speech. He prayed for efforts “to preserve our Gulf states, their peoples and to avoid all that disrupts their strong relations and threatens their security and safety.” He also said the region and the rest of the world faced the “growing phenomenon of terrorism” and said Kuwait stood in solidarity with the international community to combat it and help eliminate its origins, without specifying.
leader of the Labour Party, emboldened by a better-thanexpected result in an early election that wiped out the Conservatives’ majority, May’s government has been forced to justify spending cuts at a time when talks to leave the European Union are beginning. “If something needs to be done to make buildings safe, it will be done,” Chancellor Philip Hammond told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show. 1May has announced a fast-tracked public inquiry into the fire and said yesterday every household affected by the blaze would receive a minimum payment of 5,500 pounds from a 5-millionpound emergency fund.
From Page 22
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Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
OAS General Assembly turns its Attention to Troubled Venezuela WASHINGTON, United States – After much controversy, the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela will get the full attention of the 34 member states of the Organisation of American States (OAS) when they meet for the 47th General Assembly. The three-day session opens in Cancun, Mexico today, under the theme, “Strengthening dialogue and concerted action for prosperity”. According to Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, the officials will be discussing a resolution that addresses issues related to the Constitution in Venezuela. The resolution, which was drafted by the grouping’s foreign Ministers in Washington DC on May 31, also makes reference to the rule of law, the political space provided to people who are non-governmental (NGOs) and members of civil society. It further highlights “the rights of citizens and challenges they face; humanitarian issues; the availability of resources including food stuff; how best humanitarian aid might be secured and the implication of the Constituent Assembly.”
Carl Greenidge
Luis Almagro
The Constituent Assembly was established by President Nicolas Maduro to change the constitution. For more than two months now, Venezuela has been the scene of anti-government protests, with clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters leaving more than 70 people dead and 1,300 wounded. The unrest broke out after the Supreme Court stripped the opposition-controlled parliament of its powers. The decision was later revoked, but protesters continued to take to the streets across the country against the Maduro administration. Back in April, several OAS members condemned the hemispheric body after Secretary General Luis
Almagro called a special meeting to discuss Venezuela. The meeting was however aborted, after several members protested. The move angered Venezuela and President Maduro announced that this Government would pull out the hemispheric body. Greenidge said there remains much indecision among the grouping about next week’s resolution. “I can’t tell you the likelihood of the passage. There is more than one resolution and in considering the resolution, one has to acknowledge that there are some countries themselves opposed to the very idea that Venezuela should be discussed,” he said. (Caribbean360)
Brazil’s Temer running ‘criminal organisation,’ tycoon accuser says Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - A Brazilian meat tycoon who unleashed a political firestorm with claims of wrongdoing by President Michel Temer has now accused the embattled leader of running “the country’s most dangerous criminal organisation.” JBS chairman Joesley Batista caused a major political uproar last month when he handed to authorities, in connection with a wide-reaching corruption scandal, an audio recording in which Temer appeared to condone the payment of hush money to a former lawmaker now in prison. “It’s the country’s largest and most dangerous criminal organisation. And the president is its leader,” Batista said in an in-depth interview with the Epoca weekly published Saturday. “Those who aren’t in prison today are in the Planalto presidential palace. They are very dangerous people. I didn’t have the
courage to confront them.” Batista’s remarks were made in his first interview since he clinched a plea bargain deal with authorities as the nationwide anti-graft operation codenamed “Car Wash” began targeting his business dealings. Batista agreed to cooperate in exchange for avoiding a conviction. The business tycoon’s explosive revelations could prove fatal for Temer, after the
Supreme Court set in motion corruption and graft probes targeting the president, increasing calls for him to step down. Among the claims, Batista says tens of millions of dollars were paid to various political parties, including Temer’s centre-right Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB). Temer, 76, denies the allegations and has insisted he will remain in office.
BANKS CLOSING ‘RISKY’ ACCOUNTS Daily Nation - Commercial banks have been quietly closing accounts they deem to be risky or suspicious Two Caribbean researchers have found that banks in Barbados, responding to increased international scrutiny, are taking pre-emptive action to secure what’s known as correspondent banking relations (CBR) with overseas institutions. Since 2013, they have dropped the accounts of more than 60 customers who were either “too risky from a money laundering and financing of terrorism perspective” or provided an inadequate rate of return. But that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Caribbean region which is battling the threat of a purge of CBRs as part of a phenomenon known as de-risking.
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Monday June 19, 2017
Monday June 19, 2017
Kaieteur News
President Maduro condemns Twitter for closing accounts BBC News - Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has condemned Twitter as an expression of fascism and has accused the US company of persecuting his followers. Mr Maduro made his comments after some pro-government accounts were suspended. Among them was that of Radio Miraflores - a station set up by Mr Maduro that broadcasts a weekly salsa show presented by the president. Mr Maduro called on his followers to publish pictures of Twitter ’s head in Venezuela. “Let the people know who is responsible
for this manipulation,” he said. It is not clear if Twitter has any employees in Venezuela. The company has so far made no response. Neither is it clear why the accounts were suspended, or how many have been affected. President Maduro said thousands had been suspended because his followers were an expression of the truth and were a majority. Earlier his Information Minister, Ernesto Villegas, said 180 accounts were hit. Twitter guidelines say accounts can be suspended for tweeting abuse, spam or threatening security.
Security forces rescue 32 guests from Mali resort under attack , two dead Reuters - Security forces have so far rescued 32 guests from a Mali resort that is under attack by gunmen, a security ministry spokesman said yesterday. He had no further details. Gunmen stormed Le Campement Kangaba in Dougourakoro, to the east of the capital Bamako, a resort foreign residents often visit for weekend breaks, in the afternoon. At least two people were killed in the attack by popular with Western expatriates, the Security Ministry said. Gunmen stormed Le Campement Kangaba
in Dougourakoro, to the east of the capital Bamako, a resort foreign residents often visit for weekend breaks. The attack was continuing on yesterday’s evening. “Security forces are in place. Campement Kangaba is blocked off and an operation is under way,” Security Ministry spokesman Baba Cisse said by telephone. “The situation is under control.” However, he said two people had been killed, including a French-Gabonese citizen and another whose nationality was not yet known, he said.
‘Sombre’ Britain prepares for historic Brexit talks
London (AFP) - Britain begins historic talks today on leaving the European Union while still mourning the victims of a devastating fire and reeling from an election that has badly weakened the government. Brexit minister David Davis will travel to Brussels to meet Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, to kick off hugely complex withdrawal negotiations that are expected to conclude within two years. Worried by immigration and loss of sovereignty, Britain last year voted to end its decades-old membership of the 28-country bloc — the first state ever to do so — in a shock referendum result. The government has developed a strategy of socalled “hard Brexit”: leaving the European single market and the customs union in order to control immigration from the EU. But that entire approach has come under question following the June 8 general election in which Prime Minister Theresa May lost her centre-right Conservative party’s parliamentary majority. May has clung on to power but has so far failed to conclude an agreement with Northern Ireland’s ultraconservative Democratic Unionist Party that would bolster her ability to govern.
The Conservatives now have only 317 MPs in the 650seat House of Commons and need the support of the DUP’s 10 MPs to command a razor-thin majority. The government is due to present its legislative programme at the opening of parliament on Wednesday, which will be followed by a key confidence vote several days later. Adding to what Queen Elizabeth II called the “sombre national mood” have been three terrorist attacks in three months and a fire in a London tower block in which 58 people are presumed dead. The government’s current weakness has fuelled criticism of its approach to Brexit and given rise to notions that the government might pursue a softer tone. Some Conservatives have called for a more inclusive approach that would include opposition parties as well as stronger voices from Scotland and Northern Ireland, where a majority of voters backed Britain to stay in the EU. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is newly influential after winning a crucial 13 seats in Scotland, has said Britain should prioritise “freedom to trade and our economic growth”. But finance minister Philip
Hammond confirmed Sunday that Britain would still be leaving the EU, the single market and the customs union. “We will leave the customs union when we leave the European Union. That’s a statement of legal fact,” he told BBC television. He said he wanted postBrexit trade with the EU that was not just free from tariffs but also delays and bureaucracy. But Hammond said transitional arrangements would be necessary, to give business greater certainty. “If we’re going to radically change the way we work together, we need to get there via a slope, not via a cliff edge,” he said. Monday’s negotiations are to start in Brussels at 11 am (0900 GMT) with 90 minutes of talks between Barnier and Davis, followed by a working lunch between the pair, and a press conference.
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USAID signs MOU with St. Lucia government CASTRIES, St Lucia — The US government is increasing cooperation with the government of St Lucia to reduce youth involvement in crime and violence via the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Project. Late last week, USAID
supervisory general development officer Ted Lawrence and permanent secretary of the ministry of equity, social justice, empowerment, youth development, sports, culture and local government Donovan Williams signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to govern the YES Project’s
implementation in St Lucia. The MOU deepens an ongoing partnership between USAID and the government of St Lucia, and brings strategic focus to youth crime and violence prevention. It highlights the importance of timely information sharing, effective cooperation, and sustainability planning. In addressing the signing
ceremony, which followed a YES Project National Advisory Board meeting, Lawrence said, “Today’s meeting and subsequent signing of a memorandum of understanding between USAID and the government of St Lucia represents a significant step in the YES project that was launched last November and represents
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Local Government, Donovan Williams (left) and USAID’s Supervisory General Development Officer Ted Lawrence pose after the signing of the MOU. a comprehensive response to the problem of youth violence. The National Advisory Boards are critical vehicles and platforms for collaboration and change as we continue to work with atrisk youth across the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, with particular focus on Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, and here in St Lucia.” The five-year, $64 million YES Project, which was launched in St Lucia in
November 2016, covers ten Caribbean nations. It is organised around identifying and targeting the risk and resilience factors facing crime affected communities, at-risk youth, and youth in the juvenile justice system. It emphasizes community involvement at all levels; ensuring continuity of care; and institutionalising data collection, analysis, and use for policy, programming, and evaluation. (Caribbean News)
Russia slams Trump’s ‘Cold War’ policy on Cuba Donald Trump
Moscow (AFP) - Russia’s foreign ministry yesterday said it regretted US President Donald Trump’s policy reversal on Cuba, calling it reminiscent of the Cold War era. “The new line towards Cuba announced by US President Donald Trump takes us back to already half-forgotten rhetoric in the style of the Cold War,” the ministry said in a statement on its website. Trump vowed Friday to overhaul his predecessor Barack Obama’s deal to restore ties with Cuba, promising instead to support the Cuban people against Raul Castro’s government. Moscow said Trump’s policy changes showed that “antiCuban discourse is still widely in demand. This cannot but cause regret.” It said that easing of sanctions under Obama was a “wellthought-out political decision in which there were no losers except marginal Castro opponents.” Russia said it was reaffirming its “unshakeable solidarity with Cuba.” Cuban President Raul Castro visited Russia in 2015 while President Vladimir Putin visited the island on a tour of Latin America in 2014, meeting both the president and the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who died last year.
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Vekic savours coming-of-age Fans in Pakistan celebrate memorable victory over India win over Konta in Nottingham ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan celebrated one of its biggest cricket victories yesterday, defeating archrival India in the Champions Trophy final in London. Back home, streets were deserted in the federal capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi — and in big cities across the country — as fans watched Pakistan thrash defending champion India by 180 runs at The Oval. “Congratulations to Team Pakistan on their great performance in winning #CT17 And how wonderful to watch Fakhar’s raw talent in action,” Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan tweeted. Left-hander Fakhar Zaman, playing in only his fourth ODI, smashed 114 off 106 balls and top-scored in Pakistan’s 338-4, before India crumbled to 158 all out. The last time Pakistan won a major 50-over ICC tournament was also during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, when Khan led his team over England in the 1992 final at Melbourne, Australia. Wasim Akram and chief selector Inzamamul-Haq were among the players from that famous win 25 years ago. “Wow wow wow unbelievable performance by team green. It feels like deja’vu after winning the 1992 WCup. I am over the moon,” Akram tweeted. Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir’s three-wicket burst reminded him of his own playing days, Akram said, adding: “So proud. Pakistan played like winners and now are champions of the world. Tonight belongs to the heroes in the Green and white.” Inzamam was equally happy. “This is my team. This is my Pakistan. Pakistan all the way .... Congratulations! :),” he tweeted. As soon as the sun set and people broke their religious fast back in Pakistan, large
numbers came out to watch Pakistan seamers squeezing India in its run-chase. “Our team has presented us with a best gift in the holy fasting month of Ramadan,” said Shabbir Ali Asghar, a 14-year-old student, as he watched the final with friends on television in Rawalpindi. Special arrangements were made to broadcast the final live in community halls, cinemas and parks across Pakistan. “Once we put up a strong total, I was more than million percent sure India can’t beat us today,” said Zahra Mehmood, a housewife. It was a remarkable turnaround of form for Pakistan, ranked No. 8 in the eight-team tournament. India handed Pakistan a 124-run defeat in the first group match before Pakistan defeated South Africa, Sri Lanka and then thrashed England in the semifinals to qualify for its first ever Champions Trophy final. “Today’s win shows that no one is favorite when it comes to India v Pakistan match in international cricket,” said a beaming Mohammad Ashraf, who distributed sweets among people on a street in Rawalpindi. “India didn’t expect to be outplayed in such a fashion,” said cricket fan Naseem Bukhari in the southern port city of Karachi. “It wasn’t in their wildest dreams. I think it’s the worst defeat that India has tasted in any international cricket tournament.” Not many had backed Pakistan to go beyond the group stage in the Champions Trophy, but the team led by Sarfraz Ahmed enjoyed an extraordinary revival after its disastrous opener. “After the first game I said there is a big gap between Ind & Pak these days. The gap remained in this match. Just the other way round.??” tweeted commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, a former India test cricketer.
Pakistani fans celebrate their team’s Champions Trophy triumph.
New Zealand beat USA to go 3-0 up in America’s Cup final (Reuters) Emirates Team New Zealand notched up their fourth successive win in as many races against defending champions Oracle Team USA to go 3-0 up in the America’s Cup final in Bermuda yesterday. New Zealand continued to excel in light-wind sailing and again showed superior speed over the U.S. boat. Helmsman Peter Burling, 26, took the lead in the fourth race and extended it, as he had in the previous race.
Oracle had entered the series with a onepoint advantage from an earlier regatta but New Zealand wiped out that advantage by winning the first race. Jimmy Spithill’s Oracle team now face an uphill battle to win the competition, where the trophy is earned by the team that wins seven races. “It’s not over yet, we’ve got five days and they’re five very important days. We’ve got to get faster, it’s very obvious,” Spithill said.
Croatia’s Donna Vekic and Great Britain’s Johanna Konta pose with their respective trophies after Vekic won the final. (Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic) (Reuters) Croatia’s Donna Vekic came from a set down to win the Nottingham grasscourt event in a pulsating final against Britain’s Johanna Konta yesterday to remind the tennis world why she was once considered one of the game’s hottest prospects. As a teenager, Vekic won her first tour tournament three years ago but had not won one since, enduring some tough times before this 2-6 7-6(3) 7-5 major breakthrough win over the home favourite, world number eight Konta. In a thrilling 2-1/2 hour contest in which momentum switched dramatically, the hard-hitting Vekic, who is still only 20, was left feeling very emotional after a second tight tussle in 24 hours following her dramatic semi-final win over Lucie Safarova. Vekic is probably best known now as the girlfriend of Swiss three-times grand slam champion Stan
Wawrinka but in 2012, when she reached her first WTA Tour final in Tashkent, the Croat was known only as a remarkable teenage prospect in the women’s game. “It’s pretty amazing. The last time I played a final, I wasn’t allowed to have champagne,” she told the crowd, laughing. “I’m going to drink a bottle of champagne with my team to celebrate.” At 16, Vekic was runnerup in another Wimbledon warm-up event in Birmingham, prompting former champion Chris Evert to predict a top-10 career for the Croat but she has never come remotely near to those heights. Yet with her 21st birthday coming later this month, Sunday’s victory over Konta felt like the tennis coming-ofage for a player who had finished outside the top 100 in the last two seasons but who now reckons she has become older and wiser. Konta, who had been hot
favourite to annex her first grasscourt title, said: “She was able to continuously raise her level throughout that match and I was just not able to stay with her, so full credit to her for playing incredibly well.” Konta, who has won two finals already this year in Sydney and Miami, had been expected to become the first British woman to win a tournament on home soil for 36 years since Sue Barker triumphed in Brighton. It all looked plain sailing as she outclassed the nervy world number 70 in the opening set but Vekic gradually relaxed and went for broke, finding the lines consistently with her bigger groundstrokes. After Vekic had let a 3-1 lead slip in the deciding set, Konta appeared to be surging towards the title as she moved into a 4-3 lead but the Croatian held her nerve to break for a 6-5 lead and then served out for victory.
Players ‘won’t budge’ on... From page 34 playing cricket for Australia, that’s our goal. If there’s no cricket in summer, what are we going to do? We’re going to be locked out. Where do we train? They can lock us out from all the different training facilities. It’s going to be disappointing if it comes to that, we want to keep playing for Australia. But if we don’t have the MoU done, it’s going to be hard for us to walk on that plane come Bangladesh. “From July 1, we’re unemployed. We’ve been threatened with that. We’re hopeful there’s going to be an agreement done — it’s a sticky situation.” There has been a contrast in Warner’s outspokenness next to the more measured words of the national team captain, Steven
Smith. Warner said he was happy to stick his head above the parapet on the issue, though admitted Smith could perhaps also be more vocal as the days tick down to the MoU expiry. “From where I stand and the position I take on this, I try to take as much heat off [Smith] as possible. He does lead us on the field, and rightfully so off the field as well, he does a great job,” Warner said. “In this circumstance I’m willing to go out t h e r e i n t o b a t f o r e v e r y o n e . Ye a h sometimes he could probably push a little bit more, but I think he’s doing a great job, as well as the other players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood as well.” Talks between CA and the ACA are expected to continue this week.
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Fakhar, Amir sparkle as Pakistan stun India LONDON (Reuters) Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir shone as Pakistan defied the odds to overwhelm arch-rivals India by 180 runs and pull off a major upset in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval yesterday. Fakhar capitalised on a lucky escape to strike a superb 114 and lift Pakistan to a commanding total of 338 for four and fast bowler Amir ripped out India’s top three batsmen before the defending champions subsided to 158 all out. Pakistan had come into the tournament as the lowestranked team and lost heavily to India in their opening group match but they beat South Africa and Sri Lanka to make the semi-finals where they knocked out hosts England. “Fakhar is a great impact player, he played like a champion batsman today,” Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said at the presentation ceremony. “Amir bowled brilliantly today but all my bowlers bowled really well. We have a young team and credit to my boys.” After India had won the toss, Fakhar, on three, was caught by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball and the 27-year-old left-hander took full advantage to make his first international century. He shared a fluent century opening partnership with Azhar Ali (59), the pair unleashing a barrage of crisp attacking strokes all around a sun-kissed ground. Azhar also continued his fine form, reaching fifty off 61 balls before he was run out following a mix-up with his partner. Fakhar lofted Ravindra
Fakhar Zaman exults after reaching his century, India v Pakistan, Final, Champions Trophy 2017, The Oval, London, ©AFP Jadeja over long-on for six and got to three figures by sweeping Ravichandran Ashwin to the boundary. He celebrated with an extravagant twirl of his bat and kissed the turf as the Pakistan supporters sensed an unlikely win. Fakhar hit 12 fours and three sixes before skying a catch off Hardik Pandya but Pakistan had the perfect platform to make the highest total in a Champions Trophy final. THREE SIXES Babar Azam chipped in with a solid 46 and Mohammad Hafeez struck three sixes in a punchy unbeaten 57 that left India needing to produce the highest successful run chase in the tournament’s history to lift the trophy for the third time. Within three overs, however, their reply was in tatters as Amir produced a
devastating spell of bowling. He trapped Rohit Sharma lbw for nought with a swinging delivery and removed India talisman Virat Kohli with another fine ball which the captain could only edge to point for five. Kohli, the world’s topranked one-day batsman, had been dropped off the previous delivery in the slips and the India fans looked shell-shocked as he trudged off. Their hopes now rested largely on the shoulders of Shikhar Dhawan who had been in fine form in the tournament but he made only 21 before nicking the inspired Amir to wicketkeeper Sarfraz. Spinner Shadab Khan snared Yuvraj Singh lbw for 22 and Dhoni, India’s former captain who has saved the team on many occasions, pulled Hasan Ali to Imad Wasim at deep square leg to
Claire Fraser-Green in FIVE-PEAT From page 35 Seconds and in the process, John, who had to settle for the third place behind Christopher Cornelius, last year’s winner, turned the tables this time around with Cornelius having to settle for third. Nigel Duguid took the second place (silver) behind John who had one day before placed second in the Time Trials to Curtis Dey who suffered a blow out that put paid to his ambitions of making it a double after winning the Time Trials on Saturday. A new juvenile winner was crowned in the battle of the 13-year-olds with David Hicks out-powering Jonathan Ramsuchit to take the gold medal. The bronze was taken by Raj Seenarine. In the veterans class, Under-45 category Lear Nunes and Steve Ramsuchit, who were knocked out of the race last year on the East Coast of Demerara after not being at the line for the start, ensured that they did not make the same mistake again and proved their worth by ending 2nd and 3rd respectively to new winner, Warren ‘Forty’ McKay as three new faces will take the podium on Sunday when
the presentation of medals and jerseys would be made. Three more new faces will be on the podium for the Over-45 class with Andrew Spencer, who did not place last year, storming to the top spot this time around to ensure his name is inked into the history books as the 2017 winner. Ian ‘Deaf Boy’ Jackson took the silver and Oliver Younge, the bronze. Juveniles and ladies rode from the starting line at Homestretch Avenue to the bottleneck at Timehri before returning to the place of origin, while the juniors, veterans, Under and Over-45 pedaled to the Linden Soesdyke Highway before turning back at the Camp Wesleyana sign and returned to the starting line for the finish. Attention will now be turned to the senior race this Sunday which will also start on Homestretch Avenue and proceed to Camp Sewayo before returning to complete 103.4 miles, the longest senior national championship route ever. The Guyana Cycling Federation has informed that junior and veteran cyclists can compete in this race but are not compelled to.
depart for four. Shadab picked up his second wicket when Kedar Jadhav, on nine, gave Sarfraz a simple catch and India appeared to be crumbling meekly at 72 for six. Pandya, however, briefly raised their spirits with a quickfire 76, reaching his fifty with three successive sixes off Shadab and hitting six maximums in all before he was run out. Jadeja nicked Junaid Khan to slip for 15, Hasan had Ashwin caught by Sarfraz and Hasan forced Bumrah to lob another catch to the wicketkeeper, who pouched it gleefully to complete Pakistan’s first Champions Trophy win with 19.3 overs to spare. “Early wickets are never good, especially in a chase. We thought one big partnership would have set it up nicely,” Kohli said. “Pakistan had to earn
Shikhar Dhawan receives the golden bat award from Ricky Ponting, India v Pakistan, Final, Champions Trophy 2017, The Oval, London, ©AFP their win and they made us make mistakes. We have no hesitation or shame to admit we didn’t play our best game today.”
Scores: Pakistan 338 for 4 (Zaman 114, Azhar 59, Hafeez 57*) beat India 158 (Pandya 76, Amir 3-16, Hasan 3-19) by 180 runs.
Late goals hand Chile winning start in Confederations Cup (Reuters) Alexis Sanchez came on as second half substitute to inspire Chile to a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in their opening Confederations Cup outing yesterday but he had to share the spotlight with the video assistant referee. Sanchez provided the cross for Arturo Vidal to head home their 81st minute opener and inspired the second goal as well. He beat the offside trap but failed to score. Eduardo Vargas was on hand to put the ball into the net in the dying seconds. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) also made an impact as Chile were denied a legitimate looking goal on the stroke of halftime and technology was used again at the end of the match to overturn a linesman’s offside call. Vargas had the ball in the net as the match moved into stoppage time at the end of the first half, deftly lifting it over the onrushing Cameron goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa after being expertly fed by a defence-splitting pass from Vidal. Slovenian referee Damir Skomina initially awarded it but then, more than minute later, he suddenly reversed the decision on the advice of the VAR, Clement Turpin of France. Vargas looked to be millimetres ahead of the last man in a tight call that was hotly contested by the angry Chileans as they headed down the tunnel for the
Chile’s Arturo Vidal celebrates scoring their first goal as Cameroon’s Arnaud Sutchuin Djum looks dejected. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach) interval. But Vargas was on the right side of technology for Chile’s second as Sanchez sprung the offside trap from just inside the Cameroon half to round the goalkeeper only to have his own effort blocked. Vargas followed up the rebound only to see the linesman’s flag shoot up. But a quick check with the VAR found both Chilean players had been onside and the decision was reversed to confirm a two-goal winning margin
There was no dispute about Vidal’s goal as he rose above two defenders to power home the ball as Sanchez, who had been ruled out of the starting line-up through injury but came in early in the second half, provided the perfect assist. The African champions came closest when captain Benjamin Moukandjo hit narrowly wide with a shot from the edge of the penalty area midway through the second half.
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XTREME CLEAN & MAINTENANCE CO. / GT BEER ‘GOLD RUSH’ FUTSAL TOURNAMENT
Richardson’s four-goal spree helps preserve Sparta’s reputation - Albouystown beat Sophia for third place
Minister of State Joseph Harmon (right) and Director of Sport Christopher Jones (left) takes in the action in the final of the Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co. / GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament. He is nicknamed after famous Kung Fu star Jackie Chan, who thrilled moviegoers with his funny, but skilful maneuvers and while former national striker Gregory Richardson’s display was far removed from such similarities, he did entertain his supporters with a stirring performance during a fourgoal spree that set up another title for Sparta Boss. Playing in the final of the Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Co. / GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium, Richardson fired in four spectacular goals to help his team outlast a steely Tucville unit by a score line of 7-4 to remove all doubt as to which is the best team in the shorter format. Watched by a capacity crowd that included Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart, Sparta Boss rebounded
from being 2-1 down at halftime to fire in six second half goals and in the process only conceding two to cart off the $500,000 first prize and the winning trophy. Tucville, however, should not feel overly disappointed as they stood toe to toe in a physical slugfest, before superior experience and composure under pressure, took its toll on them. Tucville that had beaten the champs earlier in the competition seemed on course to replicate that result when Dennis Edwards pierced the Sparta defence with a stinging shot past the goalkeeper in the 10th minute. Unfazed by the setback, Sparta remained resolute in offence, but had to wait ten minutes later to get the equaliser when Richardson collected a pass from the left side, before firing past the opposing goalkeeper. Once again, Tucville did not relent and regained the lead through
Edwards, who beat the Sparta custodian on the near post in the 28th minute to take a 2-1 lead two minutes later to the break. Coming out in the final period, Sparta struck two goals in the space of three minutes with Eusi Phillips slotting home from close range, while Richardson netted one minute later for a 3-2 advantage. Devon Millington then got into the act when he beat the goalkeeper with a neat piece of artistry, back heeling a loose ball across goal for a 4-2 lead. Leaking confidence and with their large band of supporters urging them to go for the kill, Sheldon Shepherd, who was having another great game made it 5-2 when he hammered a fierce right-footer into the back of the net in the 52nd, one minute before Richardson netted his third. Tournament highest goal-scorer Jermaine Junior then made things a little interesting when he hit back to back goals one minute apart to pull them within 6-4 down with a possible seven minutes to play. Both teams treated the fans to some exquisite passing, but Richardson returned to put the game beyond reach when he completed his tally with a cracking shot from the right side to seal the deal and preserve Sparta’s reputation as the best there is. Tucville took home $200,000 for their efforts. In the playoff for third place, Albouystown that fell to Sparta Boss in the semi-finals recovered from that defeat to beat Sophia in another entertaining encounter. The diminutive Lenox Cort was again the star of the show, slamming in a hat-trick in the 3rd, 10th and 20th minutes to lead them to victory. Roy Cassou in the 9th and
Part of the action in the final between eventual winners Sparta Boss and Tucville on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. Sherwin Fordyce’s 14th minute strike completed their tally. For Sophia, Omallo Williams19th, Shem Arthur-25th and Dwayne Lowe-38th were the players on target. Albouystown received $100,000, while Sophia were rewarded with $50,000. Richardson received $50,000 for being named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Among the other sponsors on board were Fas Grafix, Jefford’s Distribution and Sales, Windjammer International Cuisine and Hotel, Giftland Distribution Store and FARMSUP Mining Investments Inc. In the night’s full results: Tucville-4 vs Sparta Boss-7 Sparta Scorers Gregory Richardson-20th, 33rd,
53rd and 57th Eusi Philips-32nd Devon Millington-46th Sheldon Shepherd-52nd Tucville Scorers Dennis Edwards-10th and 28th Jermaine Junior-54th and 55th 3rd Place Playoff Albouystown-5 vs Sophia-4 Albouystown Scorers Lennox Cort-3rd, 10th and 20th Roy Cassou-9th Sherwin Fordyce-14th Sophia Scorers Omallo Williams-19th Shem Arthur-25th Dwayne Lowe-38th Individual Awards MVP-Gregory RichardsonSparta Boss Highest Goal Scorer-Jermaine Junior-11-Tucville
De Grasse blown to wind-aided 100m win in 9.69 seconds (Reuters) Canada’s Andre De Grasse was blown to an emphatic and remarkably swift 100 metres win in a wind-assisted 9.69 seconds at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm yesterday. De Grasse, who may offer the biggest threat to Usain Bolt in the Jamaican’s final major meeting at the world championships in August, flew down the Olympic Stadium track to hammer the opposition in a race which saw five men dip under 10 seconds. Yet though the Olympic 200m silver medallist’s run was by far the fastest anywhere this year, he was aided by a 4.8 metres per second following wind, more than twice the 2 mps allowable limit, which ruled it out as a 2017 world leading performance. Nonetheless, De Grasse,
who won the 100m in the Oslo Diamond League meet on Thursday, underlined the threat he could pose to Bolt in London with a victory by 0.15 of a second over Ivorian Ben Youssef Meite and 0.2 ahead of Jamaican Ryan Shields. “It was a shock to me when I saw the time on the board, I just wanted to run sub-10 and I didn’t feel in the shape to run that fast,” the 22-year-old De Grasse said. “That’s the fastest I’ve ever run. It’s going to be a shock to the body. Tomorrow’s going to hurt a little bit.” De Grasse’s time was equal to 9.79 seconds with wind of 2 mps and 9.88 with no wind. Bolt’s world record set at the Berlin world championships in 2009 is 9.58 seconds with wind of 0.9 mps. “It gives me a lot of confidence running that fast
because I didn’t feel that fast,” added De Grasse. “I know when I actually start coming together and feeling good and getting ready to peak for the world championships, I know it’s going to be something special.” The wind, which started to really gust as the field prepared in their blocks, was so strong that even the fifth finisher, Germany’s Julian Reus, clocked 9.99 seconds. The following wind ensured that the Canadian record of 9.84, held jointly by Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin, remained intact as did De Grasse’s personal best of 9.91, set when he won 100m bronze at last year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. De Grasse’s effort rivalled the other performance of the day from Kenya’s young newly-crowned metric mile
Andre De Grasse (centre) of Canada and Ben Youssef Meite (right) of Ivory Coast compete. (TT News Agency/Anders Wiklund via REUTERS) champion, Timothy Cheruiyot, who clocked a world leading mark of 3 minutes 30.77 seconds to win a high-quality 1500 metres. The 21-year-old broke his rivals with 300 metres left, his kick leaving Bahraini Alsadik Mikhou, previously the
fastest in 2017, well adrift in second (3:31.49) and an outof-sorts Asbel Kiprop, Kenya’s triple world champion, way off the pace in fourth (3:33.17). Another 21-year-old prospect, Norway’s muchtouted Karsten Warholm,
underlined his promise with an excellent front-running 400m hurdles triumph. It came hot on the heels of his national recordbreaking victory on home soil in Oslo as Warholm outpaced another quality field in 48.82 seconds.
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Andre Ward stops Sergey Kovalev Mexico snatch draw with Portugal in Confederations Cup to win light heavy rematch
Portugal’s Pepe in action with Mexico’s Andres Guardado. (REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov) (Reuters) Mexico claimed a 2-2 draw with Portugal in their Confederations Cup opener yesterday with a last-gasp equaliser by Hector Moreno after Cedric seemed to have won the game for the European champions with a goal five minutes from time. Portugal had an early effort controversially disallowed by the video referees but they eventually took the lead after 34 minutes through Ricardo Quaresma after a mistake by Carlos Salcedo let Cristiano Ronaldo through on goal. The Portugal captain could not control the ball to shoot but his brilliant pass between three defenders left Quaresma free to round keeper Guillermo Ochoa and tap into the empty net. Mexico equalised eight minutes later through a Javier Hernandez diving header after poor defending by the Portuguese. Raphael Guerreiro miskicked a cross into the box, allowing Carlos Vela to play the ball back in for Hernandez to score. Portugal looked to have won when Cedric fired home a deflected shot but Moreno
headed home a corner in added time to give Mexico a share of the points. “I think we were superior, we created more chances and we leave the field frustrated,” Cedric said. “We were always more dangerous than them, both in our organised play and on the counter attack.” Although Mexico had more possession, Ochoa was the busier of the two keepers and the Europeans could have taken all three points had the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) not controversially disallowed Nani’s first-half goal for offside. Ronaldo smacked a long-range shot onto the bar and Nani picked up the rebound to volley home. However, the VAR disallowed the goal for an offside infringement earlier in the move. The result leaves both sides tied for second place in Group A, behind hosts Russia who top the group after beating New Zealand 2-0 on Saturday in St. Petersburg. Russia play Portugal and Mexico take on New Zealand on Wednesday.
Mexico’s Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring their first goal. (REUTERS/Darren Staples)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Andre Ward vowed he would leave no doubt this time around. He didn’t, turning the tables on a big puncher and stopping Sergey Kovalev in the eighth round Saturday night to win their light heavyweight title rematch. The undefeated Ward turned the fight around with a big right hand that wobbled Kovalev, then swarmed all over him. Kovalev was in the neutral corner and Ward was landing shots to the body when the Russian sat on the ring rope and referee Tony Weeks signaled an end to the bout at 2:29 of the eighth. ‘’I knew this time it was going to be different,’’ Ward said. In a lot of ways it was the same, until Ward - who was knocked down in the first fight - showed he was a big puncher, too, with a right hand that made Kovalev’s right leg wobble and signaled the beginning of the end to the bout. The fight had been close, with Kovalev (30-2-1) winning the early rounds before Ward (32-0) began making adjustments and Kovalev began tiring. Both fighters complained of dirty tactics and Weeks spent a lot of his time breaking up clinches. Ward won the first fight in November, coming back from a second round knockdown to get a controversial decision. The rematch seemed just as close until Ward landed the right hand that caused Kovalev’s legs to wobble. ‘’He’s a great fighter,’’ Ward said. ‘’You’ve got to raise your game to the next level and thankfully that’s what we did tonight.’’ Kovalev complained that Ward hit him with two low blows in the final exchange, forcing him to sit on the first rope. ‘’Why stop the fight?’’ he said. ‘’I could have continued to fight.’’ The fight was rough and tumble from the beginning, much like when the two met the first time when both were unbeaten. But while Kovalev was supposed to be the puncher it was a big right hand by Ward that landed midway through the eighth. ‘’I could tell he was reacting to my body shots and I knew I had him then,’’ Ward said. ‘’I knew he was hurt.’’ Ward was up by a point on two scorecards and down three points on the third going into the eighth. But Kovalev was fading, just as he had in the first fight, and he picked up the pace.
Andre Ward celebrates his victory. Kovalev was credited with throwing 407 punches to 238 for Ward, and out landing him 95-80. The AP had Kovalev ahead by a point going into the final round. ‘’I don’t know, I can’t explain it,’’ Kovalev said. ‘’I thought I was doing very good. I was better and he was better this fight. I didn’t feel like I was getting knocked down by the power of his punches.’’ Ward, who won an Olympic gold in 2004 and hasn’t lost a fight since he was 12, took a few rounds to find his mark but once he did the two engaged in close rounds that were difficult to score. The crowd at Mandalay Bay thought otherwise, roaring at every punch landed by Ward and chanting his nickname. There was genuine dislike between the two fighters, born largely out of their first fight. Neither made any effort to touch gloves when given their final instructions, and once the bell rang, they both went after each other. The fight itself played out early somewhat like the first one, with Kovalev starting out aggressively and Ward trying to find his rhythm. Weeks, meanwhile, was working hard to keep control as the two fighters clinched and hit each other behind the head, with Ward landing a low blow in the second round that doubled Kovalev over and caused Weeks to pause the bout.
Ward vowed before the fight to leave no doubt this time, after escaping with a win that many at ringside questioned in the first fight. He appeared confident he would do just that, coming into the ring doing a little dance before turning to salute the crowd. Kovalev, a Russian who lives in Los Angeles, had complained bitterly about the scoring in the first fight, though he appeared to run out of gas as the fight went on. Ward was paid $6.5 million for the rematch, while Kovalev got a percentage of the gate and the pay-perview. In another fight, two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux retained his super batamweight title on a firstround knockout over Moises Flores when he landed a punch after the bell. Rigondeaux and Flores were trading punches when the bell rang to end the first round and both threw after the bell. Rigondeaux’s punch landed, and Flores dropped to the canvas where he was counted out. Nevada boxing officials huddled for several minutes and watched the replay before ruling the punch was legal. Rigondeaux, who won his gold medals for his native Cuba, improved to 18-0 with 12 knockouts as a pro, while Flores, from Mexico, fell to 25-1.