K
AIETEUR
Brutal slaying of the Henry boys... Monday Edition
Attorney for five persons that were arrested and released says police on “fishing expedition”
September 14, 2020 -Vol. 13 No. 38
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ExxonMobil says it put Payara FPSO on hold Murdered Berbice teens laid to rest Guyana gets 56 COVID -19 death… Boat crash Ministry of Health leaves miner dead, releases guidelines passenger injured for disposing bodies Bandit shoots man Stagnant infrastructural in retaliation after projects to be completed with stumbling over fan “speed and diligence”- Edghill Tailor shot in Housing Ministry the foot during to reintroduce suspected armed robbery Turnkey home project th
Four arrested for Bath businessman’s murder
ExxonMobil slapped with another lawsuit for climate change deception
Monday September 14, 2020
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Kaieteur News
ExxonMobil says it put Payara FPSO on hold ExxonMobil now claims that it has put on hold, the Payara project Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, called Prosperity. Work had recently started on the construction of the vessel, despite the fact that the Guyana government has not greenlit the project. In its recent press statement announcing the Redtail-1 discovery, Exxon noted, of two vessels in Singapore, that the Liza Unity FPSO, meant for the Liza Phase Two project, is under construction, but that work on the third vessel has been stalled. “Construction activities,” the release said, “are underway in Singapore on the Liza Unity FPSO. A third production vessel for the Payara development, with production capacity of 220,000 barrels a day, is on hold pending government approval.” Kaieteur News had noted last week, from several credible media reports that the
hull for the Prosperity FPSO had already been delivered to SBM Offshore, the Dutch firm Exxon chose to build the FPSO. It had the hull delivered from Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) about two weeks ago. Reports indicated that preparations had already begun for the installation of the mooring system and topside modules for the vessel. This means that ExxonMobil took the liberty of greenlighting its own ship design without government approval. Hence, if the government now decides that it wants a new safeguard included in the design to protect the environment, Exxon could claim that it would be too inconvenient to turn back. Or if government decides that the FPSO design should have a wider overhaul, Exxon could claim that it would be too costly. This was exactly the case when issues of grave environmental concern were
The Prosperity FPSO hull. [Photo from SWS] pointed out by Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams. The energy scientist had advocated for Exxon’s FPSO design to be properly configured to ensure limited damage to the environment. Worrying flaws had already been allowed in the Liza Phases One and Two permits. The Irfaan Ali administration a few weeks ago took the decision to send Dr. Adams
on leave, removing him at a critical time during the review of the Payara project. According to Exxon’s Senior Vice President Neil Chapman, during the company’s 2020 Q2 Earnings Call, it was given assurances by both major political parties that they accept the urge to approve the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) as quickly as possible. It is “very, very clear” that the Government and the
Stagnant infrastructural projects to be completed with “speed and diligence” With $34.4 billion budgeted for the Public Works Ministry for 2020, the new People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) administration plans to complete a number of transformational projects that were left stagnant by the previous A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government. Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill during his 2020 budget speech told the National Assembly that APNU+AFC were mere custodians of the projects, to ensure that they were implemented expeditiously and efficiently within their budgeted amounts, but due to their negligence, Edghill said, the new government is now left with the task to ensure that the projects are completed with the utmost speed and diligence. CJIA EXTENSION One of the main projects, the Public Works Minister pointed to was the extension of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). APNU+AFC, Minister Edghill explained, restructured the project to deliver a “half-baked, partially rehabilitated facility” instead of the brand new airport for which their administration had negotiated and contracted. “This facility,” he added, “would have been able to land A380 Airbuses and would have had eight boarding bridges as well as new arrival and departure terminals.” After five years, he claimed, and a host of substandard works being done, the PPP/C was however forced to make provision in this year’s budget to finance several critical interventions necessary to make the airport functional. ROADS AND BRIDGES Moving on to road and bridge projects, Minister Edghill highlighted
– Edghill
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill that while the APNU+AFC commissioned the brand new East Coast Demerara Highway, it was only for political purposes as a substantial amount of work is still incomplete. He noted that while plans are set to have the project completed, the unspent balances will be used to replace all the acro-panel bridges between Sheriff Street to the Hope Canal. “This will pave the way for the complete resurfacing of the East Coast Railway Embankment road from Sheriff Street to Enmore, and the construction of a new paved road from Golden Grove to the Hope Canal, thus providing six lanes available for commuters on this corridor,” the Minister said. With respect to the Linden to Lethem road, the Public Works Minister explained that the Coalition only managed to conduct designs at a budget that surpassed the available funding. As
such, the new administration has commenced the remodelling of the project “at a manageable level” – one where the highway can be completed from Linden to Mabura Hill with a budget of US$150 million. Continuing, Minister Edghill said that the Ogle to Diamond by-pass road was designed by the Coalition to cost a whopping US$208 million; however, the PPP/C had previously secured a US$50 million line of credit from the Indian Government. The project, he said, moved nowhere due to “indecision and confusion.” With mere days into office, Edghill boasted that the administration managed to secure an agreement to rescope the project into phases – the first phase will proceed from Ogle to Haags Bosch, including the connector at Haags Bosch to link with the East Bank Highway at Eccles. “This,” he noted “will be done within the current line of credit of US$50 million, while at the same time, we are exploring opportunities to secure financing for the remainder of the road.” Moving on, Minister Edghill pointed out that the Coalition failed to conclude arrangements for the construction of the new Demerara River crossing. “This Honourable House will recall the impropriety surrounding the conduct of the feasibility study for the bridge and the feeble effort to launch an expression of interest (EOI), which was a phenomenal adventure in incompetence,” he said. Now, works are being completed to facilitate the launching of an expression Continued on page 15
Energy Department understands that, Chapman had said. This assurance was given even before the fivemonth electoral saga came to a close. The election season’s troubles had delayed the approval of the project, which the former APNU+AFC government meant to give early in the year. Following the delays, Guyana was treated to statements from industry analysts like Rystad Energy about how much value they claim Guyana would lose if it
delays approvals any further. Exxon wants to have the approval granted before September is out, Chapman claimed, as this is the time Exxon wants to sign off on its Final Investment Decision (FDP). Yet, the company had already handed out a contract to Saipem for the construction of a large subsea facility for the FPSO, since last year even before it handed government the FDP, about the same time it contracted SBM to conduct the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED). As the FPSO is now on hold, government has an opportunity to make key decisions on the mitigation of risks associated with the Payara project. It is also facing increasing calls and arguments for the renegotiation of the overarching Stabroek Block agreement. The agreement is rife with provisions criticized as illegal and unfair to Guyana, and can be renegotiated once all parties agree to do so in good faith.
Over $10M in equipment destroyed in Troy Resources warehouse fire More than $10M in mining equipment went up in flames after fire ravaged a warehouse at the Troy Resources mining site in Region 7. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that the fire started at around 6:30 pm last evening. The origin of the blaze is yet to be determined. Sources on the ground told this publication that workers were relaxing nearby when they noticed flames inside the warehouse. Upon realizing that there was a fire, the workers kicked into action, alerting the fire tenders in efforts to douse the blaze. However, by that time, the warehouse was completely destroyed. Asked on the content of the warehouse, an anonymous source told Kaietuer News that the warehouse contained a large amount of spare parts, uniforms and other mining material. According to the source, a forklift was also stored in the warehouse and was completely destroyed. An investigation will be launched on site today to determine the cause of the fire. No injuries were sustained.
ExxonMobil slapped with... From page 2 frequent, longer-lasting and more severe; and the cascading social, economic, and other consequences. As a direct result of those and other climate crisis-caused environmental changes, the City said it has suffered and will continue to suffer severe injuries, including, but not limited to: injury or destruction of City-owned or -operated facilities critical for operations, utility services, and risk management, as well as other assets essential to community health, safety, and well-being; increased planning and preparation costs for community adaptation and resiliency to the effects of the climate crisis; decreased tax revenue due to impacts on Charleston’s tourism- and ocean-based economy; and others. Accordingly, the City said it has brought this action against the defendants to ensure that the parties who have profited from externalizing the consequences and costs of dealing with global warming and its physical, environmental, social, and economic consequences, bear the costs of those impacts on Charleston, rather than the City, taxpayers, residents, or broader segments of the public.
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Kaieteur News
Monday September 14, 2020
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The Ethnic Relations Commission The past week exposed the serious racial fissures that exist in this society, with events that are likely set us back light years in terms of reconciliation and cohesion. We have seen the usual platitudes about the need for a conversation about race and dialogue and the request that the political leadership engage in some symbolic gesture of holding hands in a show of unity. Which means, simply, that we are repeating the same sentiment of surface and ineffectual non-solutions that we keep suggesting with lukewarm intent as we have perennially done. For his part, President Irfaan Ali has said that he is going to play hardball with those who seek to use social media, the newest and most effective battleground for racial strife, to promote division and to incite racial tensions. Said the President: “It deeply grieves me when I see almost every day on social media, the degree of race baiting, racial hate and racial hostility which pervades the social media platforms. I want you to know that it is my determination to do everything within my power and to use all the laws at my disposal, to put an end to this behaviour, which can only result in dividing our country and our people. The use of social media or the promotion of racial hate for political purpose is wholly unacceptable to me as your President and as a person, and my government will not tolerate it. I have spoken with my Attorney General and I have directed him to ensure that the full force of our laws is employed and is applied to those who pursue this criminal behaviour.” While the sentiment is understandable, the problem is that there exists a constitutional body – the Ethnic Relations Commission or ERC – that exists to deal with such behaviour, one that has been failing that mandate and spectacularly so over the past few months, when racial tensions have been at breaking point. As if there needed to be any greater example of how ineffective this Commission has been, of all the offensive comments made on social media this week, few stood out more than comments made by one of the Commissioners, Mr. Roshan Khan, during the violence that exploded in the wake of the murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry. At a time when the Commission has faced criticism about its effectiveness with regard to handling persons it has identified as making racial comments online, we had the Commission being forced to issue an ironic statement that it is ‘distancing itself’ from Mr. Khan’s comments, the second time in the past five months it has had to disassociate itself from his pronouncements. This is simply not good enough. Were Mr. Khan an ordinary citizen against whom a complaint was made, he would have been subject to the admittedly kid gloves treatment of a meeting and discussion that the ERC has been subjecting offenders to over the past five months. However, as a Commissioner, Mr. Khan is to be held to a higher standard, and therefore should face greater censure than a simple press release disclaiming his words as not in keeping with the Commission’s mission. Moving forward, the Ethnic Relations Commission has a tremendous potential role to play in healing the core divisions that split this country apart. The very name of the entity speaks to this role. What we need from the Commission, which receives hundreds of millions of dollars annually but for whom the last public annual report dates back to 2007, some thirteen years ago, is a pro-active and unequivocal stance on promoting ethnic relations and censuring anything that foments ethnic division. Before it fulfills that role, however, it has to start by cleaning its own house.
Our leaders must press the Secretary of State to work with us to force Exxon to renegotiate a fair and equitable contract for Guyana DEAR EDITOR, It is with great pride that we welcome the Secretary of State to our homeland in the coming days. It is a first for Guyana and kudos to the Ali administration for making this possible so early in his stewardship. I believe that Guyana is in good hands as we have seen in the past six (6) weeks or so. We look forward to welcoming the President of the United States and other world leaders in the near future. The Secretary of State would see the poverty that Guyanese are living under. On his East Bank entourage, he would see the old buildings, poor people, children in need, the only narrow road that leads to the airport, and much more. I hope that the humanity in him will be awakened and work with our government to
bring prosperity to our people. I am certain that the oil contract with Exxon will be on the agenda. Our leaders should use this opportunity to remind the Secretary of State of the agenda of the Trump administration. President Trump has repeatedly said that his first priority is to the people of the United States and he expects world leaders to do the same for their respective countries. President Trump has taken China to task for raping the United States economy with their lop-sided trade arrangements. We all know that the US trade deficit average US$500 billion annually. In other words, the United States has built China. President Trump did not blame China for this lop-sided arrangement; he
rightly blamed the past leaders of the US. The President also withdrew from the Paris Club arrangement that would have put the US at a disadvantage. This President has done well for the US and he does deserve a second term. I will vote for him as a United States citizen. I have mentioned the successes of the current US administration, to remind our leaders that they must press the Secretary of State of Guyana’s plan to follow President Trump’s agenda. The oil under the ground belongs to all Guyanese and our leaders must ensure that their only objective is the happiness and prosperity of Guyanese. If they fail in this endeavour, the people will not forgive them. Our leaders must press the Secretary of State to work with us to force
Exxon to renegotiate a fair and equitable contract for Guyana. I am confident that President Ali and his team will show the Secretary how dilapidated is our University, the iconic City Hall, the Supreme Court, among other institutions. He should have a tour of Tiger Bay, Albouystown, Plastic City, Sophia, Tuschen, the Harbour Bridge, the Bauxite town – so he can see first-hand the poverty of our people. Please do not hide these areas from him. Let him see it first-hand. He is human and he will be moved by the poverty of our people. I bid warm welcome to the Secretary of State and wish him a safe and memorable trip to my homeland. Sincerely, Charles Sugrim
Guyana is a sovereign state. Is this what sovereignty looks like? DEAR EDITOR, I have to admit that my eyebrows could not be raised any higher by the initial brief reporting on Saturday afternoon by the Stabroek News of the planned visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Guyana, that “The two-day trip would be seen as an expression of confidence in the PPP/C government and a signal of deeper cooperation between the two countries.” My first response was, who wrote this news story? Who would believe that it would really be a priority for the US Government, two months before their own elections, to visit Guyana to congratulate the newly elected government on a successful conclusion of our elections? I am glad that the Stabroek News Sunday edition followed up with careful, extensive and critical coverage of this important news item, and also drew heavily from the swift and excellent statement issued by the Guyana Human Rights Association, titled ‘Guyana Must Stay Out of Venezuelan Politics.’ A few questions for readers, and all right thinking Guyanese, to ponder: 1. Why do you think ‘little’ Guyana would be a priority for the US Secretary of State to visit,
two months before the US elections? Do you really think this is just about congratulating the Guyana Government on a free and fair election? 2. T h i s same Secretary of State spoke at the US Republican Convention, recording his address while visiting Jersualem. According to media reports, “No sitting secretary of state had previously addressed a n a t i o n a l political convention in at least 75 years.” What then do we make of this visit to Guyana now, in relation to such partisan politicisation? 3. Florida is a very important state for the US elections, with a significant proportion of Venezuelans and Cubans hostile to the Castro and Maduro regimes. What might this visit have to do with this fact? 4. W h y d i d t h e Government of Guyana, in August, break tradition and support Mr. Mauricio Claver-Carone, the US backed candidate, for the head of the Inter-American Development Bank (he is not from Latin America and the Caribbean, and media r e p o r t s d e s c r i b e M r. Claver-Carone as a deeply controversial figure who is deeply opposed to the governments of Cuba and Venezuela) 5. Why, just a fortnight after the installation of the
new Government of Guyana, did the US thank Guyana for endorsing the statement put out by the Lima Group that recognised Venezuela’s Juan Guaidó, who as the GHRA statement points out supports “the illegal claim on Guyana’s territory”? Has the Government of Guyana ever publicly distanced itself from this statement, and if not, why not? 6. W h a t d o e s t h i s have to do with Exxon Mobil and Payara, about which we are hearing very little? As far as we know, the Payara review is still being headed by Alison Redford, who has little direct experience on the issues to be addressed in relation to the Payara project and whose ethics have moreover been rightly questioned by the Canadian public. And why is our government, which is in the news daily about all of the corruption it is uncovering locally, silent about its continued engagement of the services of someone who was disgraced as the former premier of Alberta? Are there different rules for foreigners? 7. W h a t is the Government of Guyana’s position on Venezuela – we are certainly entitled to know this in advance of the Secretary of State’s visit and should demand same 8. What does all this
mean for regional integration in the Caribbean, which has had a sterling record when it comes to foreign policy coordination? Consider the fact that the US Secretary of State visited Jamaica in January 2020, joined by a few other Caribbean Prime Ministers, a bilateral visit that was criticized by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. What do Caribbean leaders make of this visit, to the country where the CARICOM Secretariat is headquartered? We should demand their response. Guyana is a sovereign state. Is this what sovereignty looks like? Guyanese. We remain divided at our peril. What is good for lil boys is dead fuh crapaud. They say when the elephants play, the grass gets trampled. But these local big elephants are pawns, and if they do not come together on this most crucial issue, they will make Guyanese the trampled grass in a much bigger geopolitical game. Let us remember the Caribbean women and others who have long been calling for the Latin American and Caribbean region to be declared a non-militarized zone of peace. I urge Stabroek News, and all newspapers, to carry the GHRA statement in full. Sincerely, Alissa Trotz
Monday September 14, 2020
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Kaieteur News
There are no friends, only permanent interests 80% of small miners may have to go to jail DEAR EDITOR, I don’t have to scratch my head to figure out the startling announcement of this surprise visit of US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to Guyana. As I ponder, I am wondering what this is all about: Mr. Smith goes to Washington? Or Cotton comes to Harlem? Editor, I tell you this: these visits of such high echelon American public servants are not conjured on a moment’s notice and involves intricate arrangements and coordination between visiting dignitary and host
country. Now, here it is that the new government is barely six weeks in office, and the Secretary of State himself comes to town. This is so time-sensitive, so filled with meanings, that the Assistant Secretary for Hemispheric Affairs is not sent (and he would have been very high by himself), but Secretary Pompeo comes himself, since only he can be trusted to carry the weight required, lean on balking politicians, and push the right buttons. Well, he will be here by weekend, and I think he visits for two purposes only.
The first is that matter involving Venezuela, which has hung around too long, and which needs to be dealt with through sustained strength and finality. I think that Guyana will be pressed to be the channel for operations that will come to light in time. The bottom line is that this country must serve as a land bridge for whatever the Americans have on their drawing boards at the Pentagon, or Langley, Virginia. I think that that is the biggest item on Mr. Pompeo’s agenda. But there are two other considerations,
which I believe are integral to this visit by the big chief of Foggy Bottom himself. The simple political existence of Guyana just got immeasurably foggier. First, it is mid-September and Mr. Pompeo comes, on short almost abrupt notice, a jarring lack of details and, as it would appear, a Guyanese government caught unprepared. On this one, it deserves a pass, for I get the impression that it was the equivalent of: I am heading your way. Saying ‘no’ was not an option. Not after all (Continued on page 16)
Every Guyanese should welcome this visit but…
DEAR EDITOR, A few things are on my mind as I write this letter but I will limit it to two issues. First, the visit of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Every Guyanese should welcome this visit. Although some of us may not be supporters of the current US Administration, we must remind ourselves that the Guyanese and American people enjoy longstanding, very good relations based on shared values and that Pompeo is not coming in a personal capacity, but as a representative of the government elected by the American people. What should concern us is the agenda for the meeting. I see some individuals and organizations expressing concern about what Guyana might be asked to do vis a vis Venezuela, which still claims
five eights of Guyana as well as significant areas of our maritime space while still occupying all of Ankoko, half of which belongs to Guyana. I would not support Guyana being used as a launching pad for an invasion of Venezuela. I would however support Guyana’s spectrum being used to broadcast to the Venezuelan people, on certain conditions. One of these conditions would be that these broadcasts include content that urges the Venezuelan people to reject their Government’s claims, now and in the future, to Guyana’s landmass and maritime space and to share historical information about the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award in formats that the Venezuelan man in the street could understand. Another condition would
be the signing of an agreement that the United States would militarily support Guyana now, and in the future, should Venezuela ever attempt to invade Guyana. I am also reliably informed that the US may seek Guyana’s support for its (the US) current position on the International Criminal Court (ICC) of which the US is not a member. Guyana must politely indicate that such support would not be forthcoming. Guyana must commit to strengthening relations with the US with the clear indication that there will be certain issues on which it cannot support the US...those issues currently are the US position on the ICC, on Climate Change, on Cuba, on Palestine. As far as I am aware, Guyana maintains diplomatic relations with
Israel while maintaining its position that Palestinians are entitled to an independent homeland. The next issue on my mind is the gruesome murders of the Henry cousins and Haresh. There needs to be an immediate Commission of Inquiry into these murders as well as the senseless violence which followed. International assistance with the police investigations into the murders must be swift, to include international forensic experts. These should be put in place this week. I urge persons and organizations to desist from so confidently expressing knowledge of whom and why these murders took place, and await the final reports of investigations and a COI. Regards, Wesley Kirton
DEAR EDITOR, I read your article of September 13, 2020 ‘Miner fined $12M for damaging Cuyuni River; another gets jail time for breaches’ and wish to deliberate on this renewed strategic vision for the mining sector. The honourable minister seems to not be aware of the current modus operandi of the mining industry, where 80% of small miners are forced to work without the requisite permission to operate from GGMC making them illegal miners, because the landlords of the industry do not want small miners to legally work on their mining permits and claims. This situation exists because the landlords utilize the small miner to do exploration for them and if the small miner finds any gold they come with their private security and put them off the land, since the small miner has no documents to prove that the landlord sent him there in the first place. This harsh approach by the GGMC and the Government will see 80% of small miners, numbering in the thousands facing the prospect of jail time just for
trying to earn a living. I am aware of the incident where the miner in NWD was jailed for a mining offence, and wish to state that the miner chose to defend himself because no one had ever gone to jail for a mining offence and he thought that he would only have to pay a fine. So I want to put small miners on notice that when the mines officer comes to your operation and he issues you with an order to remove and you fail to do so, prepare to find a good lawyer or go to jail or pay a hefty out of court settlement. What the honourable minister should be doing instead of trying to jail small miners is to ensure that the landlords of the industry facilitate the legal workings of the small miner or find proper land for the small miners to work, and not lottery blocks just for publicity that have no mineral on them. In the meantime, if the GGDMA cannot represent small miners, we should form a new small miners’ association to represent our cause. Concerned Small Miner
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Kaieteur News
BRUTAL SLAYING OF THE HENRY BOYS...
Attorney for five persons that were arrested and released says police on “fishing expedition” While, the Guyana Police Force has gone silent on the status of the investigation into the brutal slaying of 16year-old Isaiah Henry and his cousin 18-year-old Joel Henry of No. 3 Village, West Coast Berbice, a lawyer for some of the persons arrested has accused the police of going on a fishing expedition. The last update provided by the Force was on Friday when the PRO Royston Andries disclosed that investigating ranks were on the ground working. The Crime Chief then had also stated that four persons were released out of the seven that were in custody for the killings. However, in a Facebook post, Attorney for five of the persons that were arrested and since been released is accusing the GPF of being on a “fishing expedition”, saying they have no solid evidence that his clients, inclusive of the 58-year-old rice farmer and his son, were guilty of the grisly act. The attorney, Siand Dhurjon said the police arrested “at least fourteen
individuals and most or all of whom have now been released”. He said, “the police were on a fishing expedition, they had no real leads as to the perpetrators. I know because, as their attorney, I oversaw the interests of five of those who were arrested. I have to make clear that one of these men was arrested for one reason only: because the bodies of the Henrys were discovered on land or nearby land owned or under the care of that man. His son and three of his employees were arrested all for the same reason: that they tended to or were otherwise connected with the large land on which or near to which the bodies were discovered”. The lawyer said that his clients having a connection with the land or nearby land where Isaiah and Joel’s butchered bodies were found is not sufficient to form reasonable cause for suspicion that they committed the act. “This is especially so because the overseer of the land or of the nearby land oversees roughly 5,000 acres
of land for farming purposes. It is in law impossible for him to be accountable for a crime committed on his vast lands,” he said. Dhurjon believes that the police arrested the men to “perhaps show the country that something was being done” and those actions resulted in his clients being kept in custody for six days. He mentioned that the rice farmer who suffers from diabetes had to be taken for medical attention after he began experiencing chest pains and high blood pressure. “He was given no compassion for his ill health, the police detained him for as long as possible being well aware that there was nothing to say that this man had anything to do with the murders”, he said. The attorney noted that despite such, his clients cooperated and told the police all that they knew and after “realising there was no evidence” to further detain them, they ended their “fishing expedition” and released the men on bail.
Attorney, Siand Dhurjon He stressed that there should be more “robust and forensic methods of investigation” for justice to be served and underscored that if the Guyana Police Force continues to solve crimes solely based on confession or eye-witness testimonies then
the country will continue to suffer an “abysmal conviction rate” “In Guyana, we charge first and finish investigations later. Globally the science marches on with new abilities to analyse evidence at crime scenes while in Guyana, as though time has stood still, the police depend on the same practices that we have been using for decades”, he further said. The Attorney expressed hope that the politicians “who derive their relevance and support from instigating race hate and riots along the WCB” will eventually wake up to a Guyana that can no longer be baited by their lies. He stated that presently there is no evidence that the teens were killed by people of Indian decent and there is no evidence that the killings were done by people of African decent or any race but whoever committed the brutal
act should be apprehended and punished under the law. He also wants better investigatory practices to be executed by the Guyana Police Force so that the real culprits could be unveiled. He further asked that “one true” suspect be arrested for the murder of 17-year-old Haresh Singh. Isaiah and Joel Henry were laid to rest yesterday. They had left their homes on September 5th to go to the backdam, reportedly to pick coconuts but their butchered bodies were found the following day. What started off as protests for justice soon turned into racially targeted violence, robbery and arson. Several leaders had called for peace following the several days of unrest. On Wednesday Haresh Singh was found murdered in the No. 3 backdam. He was reportedly a friend of the murdered teens.
I have a purpose at the ERC, I will not resign – ERC Commissioner Roshan Khan
Commissioner of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Roshan Khan, who recently came under fire for making racially insensitive comments on social media, has dismissed calls for his resignation stating that he has a role to play at the Commission. During last week’s mass protests in West Coast
Berbice, following the gruesome murder of teen cousins, Joel and Isaiah Henry, Khan made a post on Facebook urging East Indian residents in the area to arm themselves against protestors. His full statement said “Indians in Berbice need to create their watch and protection groups. Equipped Continued on page 10
ERC Commissioner, Roshan Khan
The edit history of Khan’s post showing the original and edited post.
Monday September 14, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Political and economic power is at the heart of race relations
Sometimes when individuals have a captive audience, they talk as if peoples’ memories are short. Yesterday, one man demanded that race relations be put on the national agenda. He should be reminded that race relations was always on the national agenda. But when the Coalition to which he had lent his support got into office, it downgraded the sharing of executive power to something call social cohesion which was simply about building good relations between groups without addressing the core concern of race relations – – the sharing of political and economic power. The same gentleman in 2016 presented an interim report on constitutional reform. The expectation was that the recommendations contained in that report would have informed the contents of a Constitutional Reform Bill. Across the political spectrum, it has long been touted that the key to improving race relations is constitutional, electoral and parliamentary reforms. The APNU+AFC promised such reforms in their 2015 Manifesto; no such reforms took place in the five years the Coalition ruled Guyana. No such reforms followed the interim report on constitutional reform. The Coalition promised a Government of National Unity and said the Opposition would be involved in this government. When it got into office, it changed its tune and said that the Coalition was the government of National Unity. The APNU+AFC Coalition promised to immediately appoint a Constitutional Reform Commission consisting of representatives of trades unions, the private sector, religious and faith-based organizations, women, youths, professional organizations and academia. It said that the Commission would be tasked with “fashioning comprehensive reforms, for early implementation, designed to guarantee a democratic society free from the
abuse of citizens by those in high office fuelled by the exercise of arbitrary powers and behaviour by the Executive which is inconsistent with the spirit and provisions of the Constitution.” This Commission has not materialized. Race relations have never been off the national agenda. The issue has simply been put on the backburner by the same political forces which promised reforms. These political forces are controlled by the middle class. It is the middle class which exercised effective control over the leadership of the government, the parliament and the political parties. They have done nothing to bring about reforms to improve race relations. Middle class leaders and pretenders cannot be trusted to lead any process aimed at improving race relations. They are reformists who will offer a concession here and concession there but will never make the sort of substantive changes to address the core issues of who controls the state and the country’s economic resources. And so long as these issues are skirted, debated, and talked about, race relations will become meaningless platitudes touted occasionally to excite the masses. The middle class in Guyana is not interested in sharing political power; it is only interested in hogging political power. But the problem is not just one of the lack of political will, it is also the issue of capability. The middle class leaders in Guyana love to talk about improving race relations and shared governance. But they have no answers as to what should be done. Many of the loudmouths who bellow the need for power sharing, shared governance or inclusive governance cannot point to
a single model around the world where this system works. And they have none to suggest. They are clueless on this score. It is easy therefore to tout the need to put race relations on the national agenda. But where are the models which can be used to improve race relations. Those who want to propose improvements in race relations must advance a model which can be used. Not suggest another round of talk shops which will end up with yet another report which will gather dust in someone’s office. They should ask David Granger about the abysmal failure of the Ministry of Social Cohesion which absorbed millions of dollars annually in government allocations and yet can point to very few success stories. Suggestions such as having the political leaders visit communities to understand the alienation and distrust as well as to find creative ways to celebrate one’s ethnicity do not address the core issues– the control of power and access to resources which are at the heart of racial tensions in society. The middle class is not interested in addressing such fundamental issues because this will slacken their grip on power. The talk about race relations therefore becomes an excuse for the continued control and command over political power and economic resources by the middle class. Race relations will not improve until and unless the class problem is solved. A good step in that direction would be for the PPP/C and the PNC/R to agree to place all the resources of the country into a common holding for would be valued and shares issued to every citizen. For every oil block, for every timber grant, for every bauxite and gold mine, for
Dem Boys Seh…
De country getting sell out We leaders selling out we country, piece by piece. And when you stand up and talk about it, you getting lawsuit. Wan day we gan wake up and de Canadians gan own all we gold fields; de Chinese gan be controlling all we forests, de Russians gan be in charge of we bauxite and de Americans gan gat we oil lock down. Imagine if Rum-Jattan bin sell out Essequibo to de man wah part de Red Sea and he in turn sell it to the Venezuelans and tek de money and go overseas.
Imagine if Lil Joe bin hand waterfront land to he businessman friend who den tun around and lease it fuh millions to de Americans. Imagine if NICIL sell off most of them prime lands in Ogle to dem friends who tun around and flip it to dem foreigners, and de foreigners walk away with millions while de people scratching a living. De country resources getting tek out de people hand. It being handed to friends and cronies who gan tun around and sell it to dem foreigners fuh a jewel and a crown. And wah you the
oridinary man get? Yuh gan get slack change. Is only wan man who standing up fuh Guyana right now. He name Glenn Lall. De man gat mo seeds dan boulanger. But no sooner de man open he mouth, dem people drop lawsuit pun he. By de way, de Waterfall boss man gat to climb court steps today. And all because he talk about dem oil block wah Rob-de-Earth and Lamo-Tar been give way. Talk half and ask yuh self ‘wah you getting from de government?’
every inch of state land sold or public asset disposed, the people should benefit. This would give every person of every race a direct financial interest in the resources and the decisions over the use or allocation of these resources. This is a radical model which places both economic and political power directly in
the hands of the people. It addresses the core political and economic concerns of the respective races. But this is too radical a model for the middle class neo-liberalists who wish to keep the working class divided so that the middle class can continue to have its way. (The views expressed in
this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Kaieteur News
Monday September 14, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
People without a moral compass are unfit humans For any human so stupid, so ignorant, so mentally empty to say that Dr. Vincent Adams is finely qualified and should remain as head of the EPA while idiotically ignoring what Adams has done politically is unfit to be part of a society that been yearning for its freedoms and liberties as Guyana has been doing the past 70 years. Dr. Adams is one of the leaders of a political party whose actions led to the fivemonth insanity which in turn led to the Region 5 outbreaks. My inflexible contestation is that the deaths, looting, arsons and robberies that occurred in Region 5 last week were intricately linked to the five-month election rigging. As I wrote yesterday, and repeat today, if we didn’t go through those five months of
sitting on the precipice, maybe Region 5 tragedies would not have happened. One has to be saturated with moral turpitude not to see how the five-month ordeal generated political opportunities for politicians willing to use their own ethnic communities for brazen power purposes. Today, all quarters are lamenting the voracious tentacles of racist poison that spread from the Region 5 incidents but some hypocrites chose not to comment on one of the most vicious periods in Guyana’s post-colonial period – the five-month election fraud. Today those very hypocrites are lamenting the fire of racist flames while refusing to name David Granger and Joseph Harmon
as the midwives of the Region 5 conflagrations. I refer to my column of Wednesday, September 2, 2020, “TIGI, GHRA, Vincent Adams and morality in politics.” I wrote the following: “In the newspapers a few days ago, there appeared two separate letters, one from Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) and the other from Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) rejecting the government’s decision to require Dr. Vincent Adams, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency to take his leave. But where were the publications from TIGI and GHRA when the very social and legal foundations of this society were in danger within a
timeframe that lasted five months? By their very names, TIGI and GHRA should have been in the forefront of the struggle to have our right to vote and for that ballot to be counted.” Last Friday, the women’s group Red Thread, led by Karen de Souza, held what it called “virtual speak-out” on the Region 5 outburst of racist temperament. Red Thread called their thing, “Moving Forward Better.” But when Guyana wasn’t moving forward between March 3 and August 2 because one of the most blatant electoral frauds seen anywhere in the world, Red Thread lost its pen and voice like Transparent Institute of Guyana (TIGI) and the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA). Do the research the past five
months and see if you can find their condemnation of what took place for five months in front of the eyes of the world. If you look at the names of the people who were part of the Red Thread programme on race last Friday, you cannot find one word they wrote about what was taking place in Guyana from March 3 to August 2. It was one of the most frightening moments in the evolution of post-colonial Guyana. It was a time for the country to come together and save democracy. Red Thread chose not to. But now Red Thread wants to save Guyana from a racist volcano. But how intellectually poor is this group? It cannot see the volcano that erupted last week in Region 5 was rumbling for five months when a disgraceful fraud canopied the 2020 election results. What goes through the minds of people who make up the leadership of Red Thread and other groups like TIGI, GHRA, etc? Week after week, beginning from March 4, month after month, depravities, illegalities, moralities piled up on this country as the election results receded into quicksand. There was no Red Thread, TIGI, GHRA. Guyana allowed it to fester for five months and it climaxed in Region 5 last
Frederick Kissoon week. Granger and Harmon went to Region 5 and incited their supporters to destroy Guyana. Those who are calling for unity among Guyanese are dishonest not to identify Granger and Harmon as the culprits. What a sick society. It permeates the mind of almost every Guyanese. We end with a reminder of the moral nastiness of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) in March. It issued a press release accusing supporters of all the political parties of physically attacking the press outside the GECOM Command Centre and GECOM Head Office. It was untrue. It was the APNU+AFC thugs that did that and it was recorded by countless smart cameras. The GPA was afraid to tell the truth. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
I have a purpose... From page 8 with batons and sticks for self-defense only. Be firm and clever but never be the aggressor. Protect minorities in your communities.” The post was later edited to ay ”In Berbice .Guyanese need to create their watch and protection groups. Equipped with batons and sticks for self defense only. Be firm and clever but never be the aggressor. Protect minorities in your communities”. Subsequently, there was a slew of condemnation made toward Khan’s statements on social media, with at least one online petition started calling for his removal or resignation. The Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon had heavily condemned Khan’s statement saying that his behaviour was unacceptable and he should be immediately removed from the ERC. The ERC then sought to distance itself from his statement. The Commission stated that the view of the Commissioner does not coincide with the ERC’s mandate to promote “harmony and good relations”. In his appearance on a National Communications Network (NCN) News programme on Saturday, Khan defended his statement. “Just because of that post, it’s a whole conspiracy taking place, by a political man and a political entity and that is why they are doing this, to try to destroy me and break me and possibly get me to resign from the ERC” Khan said. The Commissioner was referring to the Opposition Harmon’s condemnation of his remarks. Responding to the widespread calls for his resignation, the Commissioner responded “No I can’t. I have a purpose, why should I step down? I would not resign.” He would have also posted another statement on his Facebook page saying that he was hacked. His full statement said “HACKED: MY FB HAS BEEN HACKED. PLEASE NOTE ANY NASTY, VULGAR POST NOT LIKE ME ARE NOT MINE. OR REQUEST FOR MONEY THANK YOU. “ Khan, who is also a businessman, is the representative of the Muslim Community on the Ethnic Relations Commission. A number of persons would have written to the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, with requests for the Muslim community to relieve Khan of his duties at the Commission.
Monday September 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Monday September 14, 2020
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Kaieteur News
Guyana gets 56th COVID-19 death…
Ministry of Health releases guidelines for disposing bodies The Ministry of Health (MOH) has recorded the country’s 56th COVID -19 fatality. The latest death is an 83 -year-old woman from Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) who died while receiving care at a medical facility. The test sample was collected from the deceased at the time of admission and tested positive for COVID-19 subsequently. Officials of the Ministry have contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead person. The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and her family and to allow them to mourn their loss in peace. Meanwhile, the Ministry noted that ever since Guyana recorded its first death in March, it has been developing and providing guidance in accordance with the Public Health Ordnance (1934) and other authorities on the control measure needed to strengthen systems to effectively
manage the pandemic. These guidelines developed based on the WHO interim recommendations include protocols for the management of human remains resulting from the outbreak. The protocol forms part of the core document approved for implementation by all health services providers. According to the Ministry of health, the objective of these guidelines are to provide guidance on assessing the risk during the mortuary care process and provide adequate directions to the family; respecting the cultural context of the local community in Guyana; provide guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) to the operators and family with instruction on its correct and appropriate use; and coordinate and manage each situation on a case-by-case basis, balancing the rights of the family with the risks of exposure to infection and eliminating any additional risk. As part of the Health Ministry’s measures for addressing COVID-19 the
Local funeral homes have been drafted protocol for the safe disposal of the dead as a result of the outbreak. document outlined measures that mortuaries and funeral homes are required to follow regarding how to pack and transfer of the body from the isolation room/ward/other settings to a mortuary, crematorium or burial site. The main areas listed here are complementary to all existing procedures regarding handling human remains safely. These include ensuring that mortuary staff and the burial team apply standard precautions at all times by performing hygiene
measures incuding handwashing with soap and water; hand sanitization with 60% or more alcohol-based solution; appropriate use of PPE (gown, gloves, mask and facial protection) and environmental cleaning if there is a risk of spill/splashes from the patient’s body fluids and/or secretions. Additionally, the Ministry noted that body bags are not necessary for packing the body which must be transferred and removed as soon as possible to the
Housing Ministry to reintroduce
TURNKEY HOME PROJECT
The Ministry of Housing and Water will embark on reintroducing the Turnkey Home Project that will see lowincome families benefiting significantly. This was announced by the Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues on the NCN programme “Budget 2020”. The Minister also announced that with reintroducing the project, the beneficiaries will now be able to choose from different models for their homes. Rodrigues stated, “If they want a flat house, a two-story house, two or three bedrooms; we have different models we will be working with, that are affordable because we will be giving out contracts to private developers and some the ministry will build and this way, it is cheaper.”
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues She highlighted that a significant number of young professionals building their homes for the first time have little to no knowledge of
Stagnant infrastructural... From page 3 of interest (EOI) for the design, construction and financing options for a four-lane high-span bridge. RIVER TRANSPORT According to the Public Works Minister, APNU+AFC failed to unlock bilateral processes to allow for the award of the construction of an ocean-going ferry, which would benefit from an Indian Government grant of US$8 million, and a lowcost interest loan of US$10 million. Since assuming office, he added, the PPP/C had managed to secure an agreeable settlement of the award dispute and have approached the Indian Government to mediate a mutually agreeable settlement so that the project can proceed.
going about hiring contractors, electricians, and plumbers. They would usually have to take time off of work to transact business necessary in constructing their homes and they would also hire contractors who would produce substandard work, leaving them unpleased. Rodrigues assured that once an applicant possesses the necessary qualifications, which includes being able to afford the turnkey home, it will be provided. She also stated that the homes would be constructed under scrutiny from the Ministry. The ministry will also be assessing the contractors to ensure they possess the necessary skills to build the home as well as adequate material. The Turnkey Home Project was part of the 1000Homes Project, launched by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) Administration in 2011. The construction of the houses had begun in 2014 but the project was halted in 2016 when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) FC administration secured office in 2015.
Upon taking office, the APNU+AFC administration and the new CH&PA board had launched investigations into various housing programmes, including those 1,000 homes, following a great number of complaints. The turnkey home project was labeled as a wild-west scheme and it was further highlighted that the CH&PA was using its officers to purchase materials under controversial procurement arrangements also that left the new board with deep concern. The project saw a first phase, where 200 homes were to be constructed but in 2016 many of them were still incomplete. The former coalition government had also announced that the construction of the houses was poor. A new area by the name of Perseverance which is located behind Providence on the East Bank of Demerara was earmarked for the homes’ construction. These homes are all twobedroom, 20 feet by 30 feet with inside bathroom and toilet facilities and a kitchen sink. Each home has a cost of $4.9M, $4.4M which is the cost for the house, and an additional $500,000 for the land.
mortuary area, using a special designated vehicle as is required under the Public Health Ordinance (1934) of Guyana. The Ministry noted too that if the family of the patient
wishes to view the body after its removal from the isolation room or related area, they may be allowed to do so with the following standard precautions and hand hygiene at all times. “Attendants need to give the family clear instructions not to make direct contact with the body (touch or kiss),” the document outlined. In terms of disposing of the remains, the Ministry said that embalming is not recommended as a control measure unless otherwise specified. “Disposal of human remains with an underlying cause of death due to COVID19 can be buried or cremated safely in accordance with national guidelines and the following additional advice is provided to ensure community safety,” the document added.
Daring to Believe... From page 14 used? What marketing strategies would need to be employed? What nutritional labelling requirements would there be? What further scientific evidence would be required for labelling and regulatory approvals? How would the Institute convince its stakeholders to get involved – Government, Indigenous Communities, Regulatory Agencies, Investors, Marketers, Manufacturers, the Public, etc.? Can a profit model be developed which allows Indigenous farmers to be the primary beneficiaries of such a product, given that the knowledge which created the potential stemmed from Indigenous Peoples? Can a robust supply chain be developed in the absence of enabling roads, crop insurance, land development? As the proverbial Guyanese expert can see, the above list of non-exhaustive challenges must be overcome for entirely new products to be developed. And when developed, the products will need the consumers’ support – a chance over the foreign products which dominate the marketplace. The institute has, in fact, over the past several years, developed answers and approaches to these challenges. The number of varieties has been studied; the relative amounts of anthocyanins present in each and the relative yields have been studied and the results are being finalized; the cost of production has been worked out; the cost of postharvest processing has been worked out; part of the
infrastructure that will be required has been constructed; a product has been fully developed and over a series of market consultations, perfected; labelling has been approved; product packaging has been designed; the product has been tested in elected markets across the country; a business plan has been developed. This is a remarkable amount of work, spanning diverse disciplines. The IAST must be congratulated for having the courage and perspicacity to undertake such a complex design and product development. Certainly, the experience it has gained in bringing the other products mentioned above to the market would have enabled institute staff to gain the relevant experience to attempt this higher value product design. Kaieteur News is well aware that many other similar institutions in other countries do not function at such multiple levels that the IAST has demonstrated it can effectively function at. This is the most elegant answer to the naysaying expert – here is an entirely local institution daring to compete at tertiary levels. Not only can local “wuk,” it can lead our development if efforts such as this are replicated. The Institute is now calling on investors interested in partnering with it and the Indigenous Peoples in Regions Eight and Nine to get in touch to discuss SAK: A Guyanese Nutraceutical Drink from Powerhouse Purple Sweet Potatoes. “Is we own!”
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Kaieteur News
Monday September 14, 2020
Do something for someone else
VACANCY SERVICES Visa Forms Preparer. Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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DEAR EDITOR, As the Pandemic rises in Guyana over the past months, I’ve realized that as much as we are all trying to safeguard ourselves we need to do more for each other. As for my observation it seems that help doesn’t always meet everyone that needs it and in some cases only selective people. We are GUYANESE, we should stand bold upon our motto; “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. Over the past few years I invested my time in volunteering solely in the hinterlands, assisting our indigenous people in free skills training and giving them the “know how”, to apply themselves in relevant careers. I grew up on the country side of Region 2, Essequibo Coast
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and I was not as privileged as many other persons to attend college or the university, but yes it was always something I wanted to do. I look at my ability to keep moving forward and pushing myself beyond all limits despite the fact many may see me as unqualified and I made it to the top of my career as an artist/designer. I may have lost my family over the past years but I stand tall to help others. It is my desire to do so. My struggles energized me, giving me that boost to help others, even when I don’t
have much to offer but just giving others that hope that there is more behind each struggle in their lives. My main focus in 2020 is to reach out to people, assisting them and being there as much as I can in a support system. I have started a little support group to reach out to our poor communities and I always try to communicate with various business owners to support our people. The Pandemic has hit us hard indeed, I’ve seen
people who cannot afford their rent, who doesn’t have enough to eat and I want to do more for them. But while I can only be able to do as far as my hands can reach, I am encouraging all GUYANESE, to join in, support our team in whatever way you can. We are one, we will stand together, the struggle is real for those who are feeling it. And this is the time to put aside ourselves and do something for someone else. Thanks for reading, Sameer Khan
The nation cannot beg for what it owns DEAR EDITOR, Whoopee! Free of the dictatorial choke and rob strangulation from March 2020 to August 2020. In response to KN’s call for signatures to renegotiate oil contracts in favour of the Country. This is useless in light of positions held by these invited companies. We cannot use the cliché about ‘take your knee off our necks’ when they have carte blanche to do whatever pleases them. This is a pattern and template which
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directs this sort of grabbag mentality by foreign exploiters. What is needed, indeed required is a New Form of Government for the purpose of efficient management of all agencies. Political offices have no handle to deal with specific industries which primarily improves country’s economy. This by itself is a very lengthy proposition and beyond the confines of News Insert. The matter of utmost con-
cern at this moment is this: The Government is now Mandated to Replace all present Extraction Quid Pro Quo’s with conditions and contracts amenable to the growth and development of Guyana. Those who repudiate and spit on this assertion of our dignity and rights can do the next best thing. We have reached the end of our patience. The nation cannot beg for what it owns. John De Barros
We must be prudent and err on the side of caution who almost defeated Mr. M a d u r o i n 2 0 1 4 . M r. Capriles appears to be aligning himself with the Ve n e z u e l a n Catholic Church and Venezuela’s most powerful Business Association. As a precaution, it would be good for our current Administration to meet with the EU Ambassador to ascertain their position and
willingness to ensure our sovereignty is maintained i f p o w e r s h i f t s t o M r. Capriles. Fortunately the EU does respect the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, but we must be prudent and err on the side of caution given the large trade benefit to be had with Venezuela once sanctions are removed. Best regards, Mr. Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
...There are no friends, only permanent more taxes (maybe not), and four more years in power over weak opposition. That is my interpretation of things, re this visitation from Washington. In the same vein, Mr. Pompeo himself is reported to have his eyes set on a run for the presidency in 2024. Bringing Venezuela home would be a feather in his cap. There is no richer bacon than that around. As all of this unfolds, poor parochial Guyana, and the Ali Administration, basking in electoral triumph (compliments of the Americans) is going to wonder what bargain it made, what it did to itself. But it is too late now to wring hands and lament. Just go with the flow, to use American lingo. I close by reminding my
fellow Guyanese (and President Ali) of that famous scene from The Godfather. Don Corleone wanted a favour on the baker’s daughter wedding day. When it was denied, the poor man was reminded that 25 years before, he had come on his knees and was not turned away. The new government is there because it went on its knees in its moment of elections’ need (like the baker), now it must step up and pony up. Welcome to the American Way of doing things. As I had warned repeatedly: there is no free lunch. One more thing: there are no friends, only permanent interests. It is time to get with the programme. Sincerely, GHK Lall
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Monday September 14, 2020
Kaieteur News
Ramsammy promises to push decriminalization of suicide, support for mental health initiatives Former Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has promised to push for the decriminalization of suicide as part of efforts to tackle the mental health issues under the new dispensation. During a virtual discussion at the observance of World Suicide Prevention Day held on September 11 last, Ramsammy who was recently appointed to an advisory position in the Ministry of Health under the new government, noted the need for more to be done to address mental health issues. “In Guyana suicide has been both a major health and development issue. We must do much more to stop it. We must start with decriminalizing suicide. I will campaign with our parliament to introduce decriminalization legislation this year or early next year depending on the parliamentary agenda,” he said. In addition to the decriminalization of suicide, Ramsammy promised to ensure that more resources are used towards research for
suicide prevention and other mental health issues. He called too for the reestablishment of the national commission on suicide prevention. According to him, that programme proved effective in getting all sectors involved in the stance against suicide. ”We had the gatekeepers’ programme which everybody was working together when to create an impact on suicide prevention,” the former Health Minister said. He said the involvement of certain persons, religious leaders, social networks, and health workers can be combined to help raise awareness and create strategies to tackle suicide. Ramsammy is not alone in his push to decriminalize suicide. The Caribbean Voice, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with a local and international presence has been vociferously advocating for suicide to be stricken from the law books as a crime. In a previous interview with this newspaper,
representative of the Caribbean Voice, Nizam Hussein alluded to statistics that highlighted those who died as a result of self-harm might have tried as much as 20 to 25 times before they were successful. “Attempted suicide from a mental health perspective is a plea for help— it is at the same time a criminal act that could attract a two-year prison sentence. Seeking the requisite help is often not an option when families become aware that one of their members attempted suicide,” Hussein said. As part of its anti-violence efforts, he said that Caribbean Voice has been helping through its emphatic communication programme to address the problem of suicide. According to him oftentimes suicide is preceded by evident behavioural change. In 2012, Guyana was reported to have the highest suicide rate in the world. However, by 2015, when a Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] review was
Four arrested for Bath businessman’s murder Sources close to the investigations of the murder of Experiment, Bath S e t t l e m e n t We s t C o a s t Berbice businessman, Mohomed ‘Raymond’ Haniff disclosed that four persons were arrested in connection with his murder. Haniff was chopped to his head and neck Saturday night after three masked men invaded his premises. Currently the wife of Haniff and four suspects are assisting police with investigations. Reports are that the victim and his 44-year-old wife were at home when three masked men armed with a small handgun, a metal bar and cutlass barged into their home and one of the suspects dealt the victim several chops to his head causing him to receive injuries. The men then demanded cash and the victim claimed they had none, after which the suspects left the home and made good their escape in an unknown direction.
conducted, it was found that the rate had considerably declined. “I just want to say that a lot of things are happening and sometimes people dwell on the negatives all the time. Granted that we are not off that list but we are getting off that list,” said the PAHO/ WHO Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow of Guyana’s declining suicide rate. As part of its efforts to help low and middle income countries like Guyana combat the scourge of suicide, WHO developed the Mental Health Gap Action Programme [mhGAP] which is aimed at scaling up services for people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders.
Ministry of Health Advisor, Leslie Ramsammy.
Religious leaders promote peace in National Day of Prayer Religious leaders from around the country yesterday joined to offer messages of peace and to promote harmony as they observed a National Day of Prayer. On Friday, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, hosted a virtual meeting with different religious leaders, who agreed to participate in a National Day of Prayer virtual programme. According to a release, the Ministry “recognized that there was an urgent need to partner with the leaders to help the most vulnerable and foster peace, love and unity within the nation.” The release also stated that during the meeting the religious leaders expressed their concerns to the Minister on this difficult period that we are currently experiencing in Guyana. The leaders also made recommendations to help promote harmony throughout the nation. The Minister noted that, “From the discussion, a
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud during the virtual meeting with the religious leaders. Support and Heal Network was established to engender continuous dialogue and programmes that will benefit the most vulnerable, drawing on the experiences of the religious community to foster love and unity.” The Ministry is also committed to support the religious organisations, by offering training programmes
in critical areas including domestic violence and sexual abuse. The theme for yesterday’s National Day of Prayer was PEACE, LOVE & UNITY. During the virtual prayer session there was representatives from the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Rastafarian, Bahá’í and other faiths.
Supenaam woman killed by jealous ex-lover died of multiple incision wounds Murdered: Mohomed ‘Raymond’ Haniff. The victim was picked up by a neighbour and rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was admitted a patient in a
serious condition but subsequently died at around 01:30 hrs. Nothing was stolen from the house. The Guyana Police Force’ Major Crimes Unit responded and commenced investigations.
…suspect still in custody Lunisa Peters, the twenty-four years old woman who was stabbed by her ex-lover last Friday, died as a result of multiple incision wounds. This was revealed by the postmortem examination report, which was done last Saturday by state pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. Last Friday, Peters was allegedly stabbed by her ex-lover, Namdram Persaud, after inviting him in at her aunt’s Supenaam home. Reports are the ex-lover became jealous and enraged, when the woman received a phone call from a male friend. He then dragged her to the bathroom, where he dealt her several stab wounds, before fleeing the home. Police told Kaieteur News that the suspect presently remains in custody and will likely appear in court early this week.
“Lunisa Peters.”
Monday September 14, 2020
Stray bullet grazes man’s head at barbecue A graphic designer last night had his head grazed by a stray bullet while in attendance at a private barbecue at Meadow Bank Gardens, Georgetown. The graphic designer was identified as David Grant, 27 of Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt and an employee Banks DIH Limited. It is unclear as to what really transpired; however information received indicated that the man was among friends when the bullet struck him. He was immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was treated by a doctor and told that his injury was not life threatening.
$25M for drilling of new well in Port Kaituma - jobs to be provided for residents
Injured David Grant. [Big Smith News Watch]
...Murdered Berbice teens laid to rest
From page 13 joined Members of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, and Karen Cummings to pay tributes and console the family members of the slain boys. The private viewing commenced with a prayer by the father of Isaiah Henry, Gladston Henry. President Ali afterward laid wreaths on the boys’ caskets and stood for a while in silence with his head bowed looking at their bodies. He then offered his condolences to the family and said that it was a sad day for Guyana. He further stated that his entire country should lift the grieving family members in their prayers. Ali continued by calling on Guyanese to reflect on the life and tragic death of the two young men as a way of understating how peace and unity is unique for the country. He then concluded by iterating the call for justice in a peaceful and swift manner and reminded the teens’ life should be considered a legacy for the people of Guyana. Ali then hugged and consoled Isaiah’s father before leaving and making way for the opposition leader to enter and pay tributes to the boys. Harmon who was accompanied by his party comrades also laid wreaths on the boys’ caskets. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Karen Cummings said a prayer for the family and sang a hymn in honour of the slain teens. Harmon then made a brief speech expressing condolences to the family and paying tribute on behalf of himself, political party and country at large. He told the family his party stands with them in solidarity during their tragic moment. Harmon also said that no one must rest or relent until justice is served, con-
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cluding that should anyone be inconvenienced for justice to be served then so be it. The caskets were then shut and the funeral procession headed to Parade Ground for a public viewing organized by the International Decade of people of African Descent Guyana (IDPADA). At Parade Ground, scores of Guyanese gathered together dressed in T-shirts with the boys’ photos and a phrase which has become a household name “Justice for Joel and Isaiah Henry” while others held placards that stated “No Justice No Peace”. Former Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, a close relative of the slain teens, was driven to tears as she reflected on their lives. She recounted that Joel and Isaiah had dreams and aspirations. She spoke of their love for music and recalled that they would often sing their hearts out to entertain family members especially their mothers. She reflected that their gruesome murder is proof that there are “evil and demonic” persons living in the society. The former minister echoed the calls for swift justice and reminded the public that justice delayed is justice denied. Meanwhile, Attorney at-law Nigel Hughes called on the leaders of Guyana to unite in fighting for justice and working together to eradicate racial prejudice in the Guyanese society. Their tributes were followed up echoing calls for justice and reflective remarks made by Former Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, Trade Unionist, Lincoln Lewis and representatives from Red Thread and the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA). After the Parade Ground viewing the funeral proces-
sion then headed to the teens’ hometown, Number 3 village in West Coast Berbice. Along the way they were met with villagers from Buxton who drummed, sang folk songs and danced as a way of paying their respects to the boys. Their bodies were taken to their residence where hundreds of Berbicians turned up to pay their last respects. The final service was filled with emotions of sadness and anger alike, with the sole disruptive incident of the day occurring when Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd was interrupted while trying to make a tribute on behalf of the government. He was booed and chased out of the funeral proceedings. Angry persons began surrounding the minister and police had to intervene by escorting him out. Nevertheless, family members along with police ranks and members of the APNU+AFC were able to keep the situation under control. Things were soon back to normal and scores of people were seen sitting on the grass as they listened attentively to a sermon preached by a local pastor. Some were also seen dancing and crying as popular gospel singer Samuel Medas sang a special tribute in honour of the murdered teens. While this procession was ongoing thousands of overseas based Guyanese marched in the streets of New York as well to pay tribute and respect to the boys as well. Photos and live videos surfaced on the internet of many carrying placards and chanting “Justice for the Henry Boys, No Justice No Peace”. As the historic funeral came to an end the boys were finally laid to rest just before sunset.
The Ministry of Housing and Water, has budgeted a total of $25M for the drilling of a new potable water well and the installation of a new water supply network in Port Kaituma, Region One, and jobs will be provided for persons living in the area when the project commences. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, recently visited Two Mile, Port Kaituma, where the new well is expected to be drilled. According to a release, the well will supply water for persons living within Fitzberg/One to Four Mile areas, Port Kaituma, Region One. According to Minister Croal, the project entails the laying of 4 km of pipelines and will provide direct employment for persons living within the communities. The project is expected to last two months. The new system will be interconnected with the existing Port Kaituma system. The release stated that the well will be powered using electricity from Port Kaituma Power and Light, and that the project will be managed and
Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, at Two Mile Port Kaituma where the well is expected to be drilled. [Ministry of Housing and Water Photo] supervised by engineers of the Hinterland Service Department of Guyana Water Inc. When the project is completed, it is expected to serve approximately 600 persons through the new service connections, and it will be the first time persons living within One to Four Mile will have direct access to potable water through
individual service connections. The drilling of the new well and the installation of the new water supply network is as a result of several visits Minister Croal had made to communities within Region One. The Minister visited a number of pump stations and water sources within the Mabaruma, Matarkai, and Santa Rosa Sub-districts.
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Monday September 14, 2020
Dominic Thiem rallies, wins US Open after wild fifth-set tiebreak with Alexander Zverev
Dominic Thiem of Austria serves the ball in the second set during his Men’s Singles final match against and Alexander Zverev of Germany. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Yahoo Sports- It took him a while to get going — in fact, almost too long — but Dominic Thiem picked up his first Grand Slam title last night. Thiem, after dropping into a 2-0 hole early, rallied all the way back to beat Alexander Zverev in a fifth-set tiebreak to win the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The win, which took more than four hours, marks the first time an Austrian has ever won the US Open — and the first men’s Grand Slam champion to be born in the 1990s. Thiem rallies out of 2-0 hole Zverev looked in control
Monday September 14, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Ask for help if you need it, Aries. Your nature is to serve others, but in order to maintain that energy, make sure that you're taken care of as well. Offer extra support to the people you love.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Keeping your emotions in balance is going to be the key to a successful day, Libra. Don't get swept away by a fanciful situation that could send your mind spinning.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Keeping your emotions in balance is going to be the key to a successful day, Taurus. Don't get swept away by a fanciful situation that could send your mind spinning.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're in a fun-loving and jovial mood today, and you should make time to enjoy it with friends, if possible. The one caveat to the day is that your emotions may be a bit clouded.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel like you're running into a brick wall at every turn, Gemini, especially when it comes to emotions. The intensity of the day may have you feeling like you're in a pressure cooker.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're in a fun-loving and jovial mood today, Scorpio, and you should make time to enjoy it with friends, if possible. The one caveat to the day is that your emotions may be a bit clouded.
CANCER(June21–July22) You may get the feeling that you're operating in an emotional crossfire today, Cancer. On the one hand, you may have a "me first," selfish feeling that demands attention from others.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your fantasy world is piqued today. Your imagination is running wild. Maintain a certain amount of control over your emotions or they may get the better of you.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Make sure you're getting enough sleep, Leo. You may seem groggy and your head could be a bit cloudy today, but try not to let this stop you from getting your work done.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may get the feeling that you're operating in an emotional crossfire today, Aquarius. On the one hand, you may have a "me first," selfish feeling that demands attention from others.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There may be an area of your life that seems completely fanciful now, Virgo. The issues regarding it have become a bit hazy. You may no longer be sure of the reality of the situation. Today's energies will bring these issues into focus.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You'll enjoy a day of high spirits and friendly interactions. The energy of the day is in your favor, although it may not seem like it. Your emotions may become cloudy and it might seem like people are working against you.
of the match early on Sunday, hitting 138 mph with his serve as he notched four aces, won two break points and cruised to a 6-2 win in the opening set. Theim avoided another break point from Zeverev to start off the second set, but he couldn’t keep Zverev at bay for long and fell into a 51 hole almost instantly. While Theim mustered a brief rally, winning three straight games, it was too late. Zverev finally closed out the second set 64. Theim finally closed out a set in the third, winning 6-4 while taking advantage of 12 unforced errors from Zverev. He took the next set 6-3, too, after Zverev made another 12 unforced errors in the set, evening the match and forcing a fifth. Thiem tied up the fifth set 5-5 with an incredible shot, too, and then broke Zverev to take a 6-5 lead. While he had the chance to serve for a title, Zverev broke him to force a tiebreaker. Finally, after more than four hours on the court, Thiem put Zverev away 8-6 to win the US Open.
...Michelle Waterson ekes From page 21 victory. The stakes were huge, as well, with both coming off losses and the loser likely to fall well out of title contention. For Hill, it was the second bitter defeat in a row. She lost a split decision in May to Claudia Gadelha that an overwhelming amount of neutral observers felt she deserved to win. She came out hard Saturday and was peppering Waterson with strikes. Waterson started slowly, but once she got her kicks working for her, she made it more difficult for Hill to get to the distance she wanted to fight at while at the same time racking up scoring blows. The fifth was fought at a furious pace and the intensity of the battle showed on the marks on both women’s faces. Waterson had a hematoma over her left eye, while Hill had welts all over her face. Only Waterson, though, left with a smile on her face.
...Vardy double as From page 20 area 17 minutes from time, and the striker stroked home the spot-kick to score for the fifth successive trip to West Brom as a Leicester player. Leicester were able to give substitute James Maddison his first minutes since March after undergoing hip surgery, before Vardy made the win more comprehensive six minutes from time with another penalty. The visitors, looking to forget their poor end to last season that cost them a place in the Champions League, were much too sharp for West Brom on their Premier League return.
“It’s a massive win for us,” Vardy told Sky Sports. “Especially with how we finished last season and not having long to turn it around. We are delighted with three points.” Belgian Castagne was pleased to score his first goal in English football. “It was a dream debut,” Castagne said. “It’s nice to play with him (fellow Belgian Praet). He gave me a very nice assist. I still have some things to learn like the runs to make.” West Brom’s return to the top flight does not get any easier, with a trip to Everton and a clash with Chelsea up next.
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Vardy double as Leicester ease past West Brom WEST BROMWICH, England (Reuters) - Jamie Vardy converted two penalties to help Leicester City get off to a winning start in the Premier League season with a 3-0 victory at promoted West Bromwich Albion yesterday. Vardy, the league’s top
scorer last season, and Dennis Praet both had drilled efforts well saved by West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in bright sunshine at the Hawthorns, with the hosts offering little in attack in the first half. The visitors continued to dominate after the break and
took the lead in the 56th minute through debutant Timothy Castagne — a summer signing from Italian side Atalanta — when the full back headed home a Praet cross. Vardy was fouled by Kyle Bartley in the penalty (Continued on page 19)
Monday September 14, 2020
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Hamilton wins crash-marred Tuscan GP, Bottas 2nd
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands ploughs into the gravel behind another car at the F1 Grand Prix of Tuscany.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Formula One Grand Prix of Tuscany, at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (Miguel Medina, Pool via AP)
MUGELLO, Italy (AP) — Lewis Hamilton won a hectic Tuscan Grand Prix yesterday to clinch his 90th Formula One win and move one behind Michael Schumacher’s record. The first F1 race on a Mugello track with super-fast corners usually used by MotoGP riders was incidentpacked throughout. Two crashes on the first seven laps saw six drivers go out, and a red flag suspended the race
for the first time after the second one. A second red flag late on following Lance Stroll’s heavy crash meant another grid restart - on Lap 46 of 59 and gave Valtteri Bottas another chance to beat race leader Hamilton if he made a strong start from second. Hamilton held firm and Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo overtook Bottas, who passed him back to finish second but is now 55 points behind
Hamilton in the title race. Bottas pushed hard and got to within 1.1 seconds of Hamilton on the penultimate lap but the British driver clocked a fastest lap on the last one to take a bonus point. Red Bull driver Alexander Albon drove well to finish third and clinch a first career podium that will boost his chances of keeping his seat alongside team star Max Verstappen next year. Hamilton can equal Schumacher’s record for wins at the Russian GP in two weeks and take a step closer to matching Schumacher’s record of seven world titles. The race was far from easy for Hamilton, however, and he looked out of breath sitting in his car moments after crossing the line. He had started from pole position for a recordextending 95th time but was overtaken by Bottas’ brilliant move off the line. But Bottas
could not profit from it because of the imminent crashes. Verstappen started third for Red Bull but he and Pierre Gasly crashed moments in, bringing the safety car out on Lap 1. Verstappen got clipped by Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo after falling back. Carlos Sainz Jr. somehow avoided getting seriously hit when his McLaren span in the middle of the track and cars swerved around him. After the safety car ended, a zig-zagging Bottas backed everyone up. Some of the cars tightly bunched at the back were early on the throttle after presuming the race was back on, accelerating into the middle of the pack. Chaos ensued as Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo speared into Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Nicholas Latifi’s Williams while Sainz Jr. then slammed
into the back of Giovinazzi. ‘’It’s really dangerous like that. Those at the front have to think of those behind,’’ Giovinazzi said. ‘’We were flat out.’’ No drivers were hurt but several were angered by the tactics deployed at the front. ‘’They want to kills us or what?’’ asked French driver Romain Grosjean, who narrowly avoided crashing. ‘’This is the worst thing I have seen.’’ Sainz Jr. called the incident ‘’unacceptable.’’ When the race re-started it was on the grid, meaning Bottas was on pole ahead of Hamilton. But Hamilton got a tow on Bottas and passed him easily, and Bottas was nearly eight seconds behind Hamilton when he came in for new tires on Lap 32. If he was trying to undercut Hamilton by forcing him to come in one lap later it
backfired and with 20 laps remaining Hamilton was still six seconds ahead. Then, Stroll’s Racing Point flew over the gravel and the car’s front smashed into the barriers. The red flag nullified Hamliton’s lead and gave Bottas another chance. But he failed to take it. Ferrari reverted back to an age-old burgundy livery for its 1,000th F1 race, reflecting the color first used by the famed Italian manufacturer. But there was little to celebrate as Charles Leclerc finished eighth and Sebastian Vettel 10th. Verstappen, meanwhile, was angry with his team after a second straight retirement following the Italian GP last weekend, where Gasly won his first F1 race. ‘’Similar issue to what I had in Monza. No power,’’ Verstappen said. ‘’It’s the second time we lose points like that, it’s stupid.’’
Lakers rout, eliminate Rockets behind LeBron’s 29 points
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up prior to game five of the second round against the Houston Rockets in the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Florida. (Kim Klement-USA Today Sports)
LeBron James had 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the Houston Rockets from the NBA playoffs with a 119-96 victory in Game 5 on Saturday at the NBA bubble near Orlando. Kyle Kuzma scored 17 points, Markieff Morris added 16 and Danny Green chipped in 14 for the Lakers. Anthony Davis contributed 13 points and 11 boards but committed six turnovers. James Harden had 30 points, six rebounds and five assists and Jeff Green finished with 13 points off the bench for the Rockets. Russell Westbrook had 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. It’s the Lakers’ first trip to the Western Conference finals in 10 years, also the last year they won the NBA title. They will meet the winner of the series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets. Like they did against the
Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, the Lakers dropped Game 1 of the series and then won four in a row. The Lakers, who led by as many as 30 points, seized control of the game in the third quarter. A bucket by Harden allowed Houston to creep within 65-59 but Los Angeles answered with a 18-2 surge after a putback dunk by Davis made it 83-61 with 5:01 left in the third. The Lakers carried a 95-69 lead into the fourth quarter. They outscored the Rockets 33-18 in the third. The Lakers bolted out of the gate. They led by as many as 22 points in the first quarter before taking a 35-20 lead heading into the second quarter. But the Rockets rallied, cutting the deficit to seven after a jumper by Westbrook capped an 8-0 run to open the second quarter. However, the Lakers increased the lead again to double digits and took a 62-
51 advantage at the break. James and Harden each scored 19 points in the first half. The Lakers outshot the
Rockets 52.7 percent to 37.1 percent. Los Angeles converted 19 of 37 3-pointers to 13 of 49 for Houston. (Field Level Media)
Michelle Waterson ekes out split decision win vs. Angela Hill at UFC Vegas 10 Yahoo Sports - LAS VEGAS — There was guaranteed to be a fighter who was extremely angry when Saturday’s strawweight main event between Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill ended at Apex. Both women dished out a lot of punishment and fought brilliantly. But there were a lot of close rounds and not a lot to pick between with the fighters. Waterson, whose kicks seemed to get her back into the fight after Hill got off early, earned a critical split
decision victory to enable her to snap a two-fight losing streak. Judges had it 49-46 and 48-47 for Waterson and 4847 for Hill. Yahoo Sports had it 48-47 for Waterson. When ring announcer read the decisive scorecard, Waterson collapsed in joy while an angry Hill stomped out of the Octagon. It was that kind of a fight. Each woman gave and took a tremendous amount of punishment and could make a reasonable argument that she deserved the (Continued on page 19)
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MotoGP San Marino: Morbidelli secures maiden win as Quartararo crashes Autosport - Franco Morbidelli dominated a dramatic San Marino Grand Prix to claim his first MotoGP victory, while Petronas SRT team-mate Fabio Quartararo crashed twice. Morbidelli nailed his launch from second on the grid to lead Valentino Rossi on the factory team Yamaha into the first corner, while polesitter Maverick Vinales dropped to third and Quartararo to fifth. Rossi tried to take the lead from his protégé at the Quercia left-hander, but Morbidelli slammed the door in his face, while Jack Miller demoted Vinales to fourth two corners later. Morbidelli and Rossi opened up a half-second gap to Miller, with Quartararo eventually finding a way through on Vinales with a hard move at the Carro hairpin on lap seven. As he tried to get close the
gap to the front Quartararo crashed at the Rio corner at Turn 4. He rejoined down in 20th, and after a trip to the pits on lap 20, Quartararo crashed for a second time on a cold front tyre at Turn 6 to cap off a miserable Sunday. By lap nine, Morbidelli started to eke away from Rossi, with his lead up to over a second by the 14th tour. And Morbidelli continued to ease away from Rossi, his lead standing at two seconds by lap 18. Miller’s run in third faded as Alex Rins on the Suzuki found a way through on lap 14, with Miller’s injured Pramac team-mate Francesco Bagnaia in his first race since the Andalusian GP moving ahead on the same tour. Bagnaia’s charge continued with Rins on lap 20, before he scythed through on his mentor Rossi at the fast Curvove Turn 11 right on lap 21.
The battle for second closed up in the final laps, with Bagnaia, Rossi, Rins and Joan Mir on the sister Suzuki all gunning for the podium. Rossi ran a defensive line at Turn 2 to keep Rins at bay lap after lap before Mir demoted his team-mate at the start of the final lap after Rins made a mistake at the penultimate corner. Mir then went after Rossi, bravely carving his way up the inside at Turn 10 to grab third, with the Yamaha rider unable to find a way back through. Morbidelli eased across the line having backed off his pace in the last laps to become the fourth new winner of 2020, while Bagnaia secured his maiden MotoGP podium in second. Mir completed the rostrum, denying home hero Rossi his 200th podium finish. Rins completed the top five ahead of Vinales, whose
gamble to run the hard rear tyre appeared to backfire as he quickly faded from the podium battle and ended up sixth. Andrea Dovizioso was seventh on the factory Ducati and takes a six-point lead in the standings after Quartararo’s crashes, with Takaaki Nakagami top Honda rider but he was docked a place for exceeding track limits, moving Miller up to eighth with the LCR Honda rider ninth and KTM’s Pol Espargaro in 10th. Miguel Oliveira worked his way up to 11th after a poor start on his Tech3 KTM ahead of works rival Brad Binder, with Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro, Iker Lecuona (Tech3) and Avintia’s Johann Zarco taking the final points. Lecuona was handed a long-lap penalty for failing to start from pitlane after stalling his KTM on the grid on the warm-up lap. Tito Rabat (Avintia) crashed out late on, while Aprilia’s Bradley Smith was 19th after an early tumble.
Franco Morbidelli dominated a dramatic San Marino Grand Prix to claim his first MotoGP victory.
Everton break Tottenham jinx as Calvert-Lewin heads winner England v Australia: Tourists
collapse to level series at 1-1 Chris Woakes bowled Glenn Maxwell to continue Australia’s slide. (Getty Images)
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores their first goal against Tottenham Hotspur. Pool via Reuters/Alex Pantling) LONDON (Reuters) Everton ended a miserable run of form against Tottenham Hotspur as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half header earned them a 1-0 away victory in their Premier League opener yesterday. Carlo Ancelotti gave debuts to three new signings
including Colombian James Rodriguez but it was Sheffield-born Calvert-Lewin who gave Everton a dream start to the season as he headed powerfully home in the 55th minute. Tottenham also gave debuts to right back Matt Doherty and midfielder PierreEmile Hojbjerg but were
disappointing as they suffered a first defeat by Everton since 2012. Their best chances came before the break as Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford denied both Dele Alli and Doherty. Tottenham lacked imagination after Everton went ahead and the visitors held out with relative ease.
BBC Sport - England claimed an astonishing 24-run victory as Australia crumbled in the second one-day international at Old Trafford. Chasing 232 to win the series, Australia were cruising at 144-2 before Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer induced a collapse of four wickets for three runs in just 21 balls. A reeling Australia lost their final eight wickets for 63 runs as they were bowled out for 207, despite a valiant lastwicket partnership of 31 between Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood.
England had earlier collapsed to 149-8, with legspinner Adam Zampa taking 3-36 before Adil Rashid and Tom Curran pushed the hosts to 231-9. Captain Eoin Morgan said he wanted his side to learn how to “win ugly” and will be pleased with how they dragged themselves back into the game. Archer was as hostile as he has ever been for England, disrupting the opening batsmen first up before returning to the attack with Woakes and triggering a
collapse. As good as England were, this was an almost unbelievable collapse from Australia, who gifted wickets with poor shots, no foot movement and a generally bewildered air. England now have a chance to keep their five-year unbeaten run in home oneday series going. Scores: England 231 for 9 (Morgan 42, Zampa 3-36) beat Australia 207 (Finch 73, Woakes 3-32, Archer 334, S. Curran 3-35) by 24 runs.
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GFF to invest $20M in first female friendly facilities By Franklin Wilson According to President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, plans are moving ahead nicely with regards to a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the custodians of the Ann’s Grove Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara and the GFF that would give the Federation certain rights to invest some $10M dollars to upgrade the facility into a female friendly arena. This much was disclosed by Forde when he welcomed the new Minister of Sport, Honourable Charles Ramson Jr. to the GFF National Training Facility, recently for his inaugural visit. Adequate facilities are one of the main challenges faced by the various sports disciplines and football is no different. However, the Federation has been moving swiftly with the construction of Guyana’s first National Training Centre at Providence which will soon enter the second phase of construction. And while works are moving apace at Providence, the GFF is also eyeing the development of other facilities around the country to advance the development of players, both male and female, according to Forde. “Women’s football is one of the key strategic
- Ann’s Grove and New Amsterdam to be first
President Wayne Forde exhibits his skills.
objectives of the GFF and that venue, while all football would be played would be fashioned to accommodate women’s football. So we will ensure the investment covers washrooms, dressing rooms and we’re hoping, out of that ten million dollars we can put in some lights as well; there is works on the surface that is part of that agenda. We want to give more young women access to the game by creating a wholesome environment at
venues across the country. This I believe will encourage parents to look upon Women’s football more favorably and hopefully feel safer about their daughters’ participation.” A n n ’ s G r o v e Community Centre ground is one of the more spacious facilities on the East Coast with the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) using it as one of its main hubs for the playing of matches at every level.
Forde stated that as a follow up to the National Training Centre visit, the GFF would be sitting down with Minister Ramson to update him more on their plans to advance infrastructure development, among other areas. “We’re confident that if there’s an opportunity where the government of Guyana can contribute they’ll do so.” It was also disclosed that the GFF, back in 2019 signed a 30-year lease with the
Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam for 5.4acres of land at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam. This facility would also attract an investment of $10M from the GFF. “These are the two venues that are immediately on our agenda,” Forde posited. Durban Park to be GFF’s marquee international venue Forde also shared that the 7.4 acres of land acquired at Durban Park under the
previous administration would see Guyana’s premier football pitch being developed there. “We’re getting support from our counterparts in Denmark to do the engineering services and in a few weeks you will actually see works started on the clearing of the ground.” Part of the MoU for this facility states that government must be engaged and have an opportunity to see the design. Another key component of the agreement is that the community must have access to the facility. “So we plan to put as many mini pitches as possible, we have a conceptual layout already. There’re a lot of football people adjoining that location and they will have access to those mini pitches; they’ll be artificial turf because of the wear and tear we expect it to have.” Forde said he is already envisioning small community tournaments. “I must say that the pace at which the GFF in partnership with FIFA can advance its infrastructure projects is based on the speed at which we can foster relationships with the NDCs, the other agencies and the Government of Guyana to ensure that we have the legal rights to make those investments.”
Pollard arrives to join Mumbai after CPL conquest
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BU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Explosive all-rounder Kieron Pollard arrived here Saturday to begin his stint with reigning champions Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, fresh from leading Trinbago Knight Riders to their historic capture of the Caribbean Premier League. The 33-year-old Pollard was accompanied by his family and fellow West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford, who is also on Mumbai’s roster. P o l l a r d , a l s o We s t Indies’ white ball captain, is now expected to isolate for up to a week before linking up with the Mumbai squad. This year’s IPL will be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10 after being moved from India due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Like all cricket tours played since the resumption of international sport, the IPL will be played under strict biosecure protocols and behind closed doors. Only last Thursday, Pollard captained TKR to a crushing eight-wicket victory over St Lucia Zouks in the CPL final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, as the hosts won the tournament for a fourth time. More significantly, TKR played unbeaten in the campaign to become the first team to achieve the feat. Pollard snatched four wickets in the final with his slow medium to take his tally for the tournament to eight and also shone with the bat, scoring 207 runs at an average of nearly 52 and a strike rate of 204. One of the most experienced T20 players in
franchise cricket, Pollard has scored over 10 000 runs from 512 matches and taken 287 wickets. In 10 years at the Wankhede, Pollard has played 148 matches for Mumbai, scoring 2755 runs with 14 half-centuries. At Mumbai, Pollard will line up alongside the likes of Indian stars Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, Australians Chris Lynn and James Pattinson and New Zealander Trent Boult. Rutherford, a 22-yearold hard-hitting left-hander, is in his first season for Mumbai after spending his maiden IPL campaign last year with Delhi Capitals. Mumbai will raise the curtain on the season when they clash next Saturday with fellow powerhouses Chennai Super Kings who feature Pollard’s West Indies and TKR teammate, Dwayne Bravo.
Kieron Pollard (second from left) and his family arrive in Abu Dhabi along with Sherfane Rutherford (left). (Source Mumbai Indians Twitter feed)
GFF to invest $20M in first female friendly facilities
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- Ann’s Grove and New Amsterdam to be first
The future looks bright! President Forde updates Minister Ramson at the GFF National Training Centre.
Minister Charles Ramson showcasing his football skills for the residents of Tiger Bay. Houston Rockets guard James Harden warms up prior to game five of the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Florida. (Kim Klement-USA Today Sports)
Hamilton wins crash-marred Tuscan GP, Bottas 2nd Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton finishes to win the Tuscany Formula One Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit in Scarperia e San Piero on September 13, 2020. (Jennifer Lorenzini/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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