14th Nov 2013

Govt to establish unit to tackle financial crimes P2

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1952 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, November 14, 2013

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

New GPC vs Kaieteur News

Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News to stand trial in New York libel case

See story on page 3

Freed P2 murder accused shot dead Guyana P10 to host high-level security meeting next week IT equipment stolen P8 from citizens security office Man shot P8 after terrorising students, teachers

More drama! Students of one of the participating schools perform on Wednesday at the National Cultural Centre as part of the ongoing National Drama Festival (Carl Croker photo)

Guyanese troops Domestic on high alert at woes might border with have triggered Venezuela Deryck Kanhai See story on page 15

See story on page 15

P19 Cabinet greenlights $176.5M for rehabilitation of LindenLethem Road

Rose Hall Estate P19 workers reject one per cent wage hike

2 news

thurSday, november 14, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Govt to establish unit to Freed murder tackle financial crimes accused shot dead

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n an effort to cushion the impact that might follow due to Guyana’s failure to enact the Anti-Money laundering and Countering The Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, the government has agreed to the creation and operationalisation of a Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), with support from multilateral and bilateral partners.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon made this disclosure during his weekly postCabinet press conference at the Office of the President on Wednesday.

According to Dr Luncheon, the SOCU will investigate suspected financial transactions suggestive of money laundering and financing of terrorism, in keeping with Guyana’s treaty obligation to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

He disclosed that the SOCU will operate under

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

the purview of the police commissioner. The unit will also be working closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The FIU was established under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009, with the primary objective to monitor the financial sector. According to Dr Luncheon, SOCU will raise the bar from monitoring to investigating.

“FIU in its remit obtains

information about suspicious financial transactions; there is a statutory obligation for the financial bodies and para-financial bodies to have surveillance by supervisory bodies through which this information is made available to the FIU. They compile that information of suspect financial transaction and that information is passed on to SOCU,” he explained.

SOCU, armed with that information, would then conduct investigations to determine the nature of the identified financial transaction.

According to Dr Luncheon, the recruitment process for investigators to constitute SOCU will commence shortly, noting that the process is expected to be completed by year-end.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader David Granger on Tuesday said the coalition is willing to re-examine the money laundering legisla-

tion at the level of the parliamentary special select committee.

APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) members of Parliament used their one-seat majority to vote down the bill.

Granger told Guyana Times that there are unresolved clauses in the bill to be dealt with at the parliamentary committee. Asked whether Guyana would be able to meet the November 17 deadline; he said CFATF is more concerned about compliance and a legislation that is enforceable.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has indicated that the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill can be re-tabled, but stressed the importance of a common understanding between People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), APNU and the AFC parliamentarians.

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2 8 - y e a r - o l d Albouystown, Georgetown man who was freed on a murder charge in 2012 was shot dead by a lone gunman late Tuesday night in his community.

Dead is Rayburn Harvey of Lot 144 James Street, Albouystown. A close relative told Guyana Times that Harvey was at a wake in Rasville around 23:20h when he received a phone call. “Ah coming just now,” were his words to the person on the phone. The miner left the wake on a CG motorcycle with the promise to return but he never did.

Harvey had reportedly stopped in the vicinity of the “Island” in Albouystown when he was shot. “As soon as he come off the CG he was riding, a tall, fine Negro man dressed in all back shot him and when Rayburn fell to the ground, the man went over him and fired about six to seven bullets after,” the woman said, recounting what family members were told by the eyewitness, who had run to Harvey’s aid after the gunman fled the scene.

As he bled profusely, the miner begged the eyewitness to call his family members, but, by the time, they arrived at the scene, he had already been rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. “When we went to the hospital, he was critical but the doctors managed to stabilise him: he went to the theatre breathing, they almost got out all of the bullets except for one to his neck...I left there about three o’clock,” the woman recalled. Harvey, however, succumbed to his injuries subsequently.

Unknown motive

The only thing that was missing from his person was his cellular phone. Family members said they were at a loss as to the motive behind the shooting. Harvey leaves to mourn his wife and one-month-old baby.

Back in March 2012, Justice Franklyn Holder had freed Harvey who was accused of killing Samantha Belle in a robbery/murder in 2011, after the prosecution had failed to make out a prima facie case against him.

It was alleged that Harvey had shot Belle and taken

Rayburn Harvey exiting court

her scooter after she had refused to hand it over to the accused and his accomplice.

Harvey thanked the judge and left the courtroom after he was discharged.

The jury was also discharged. Harvey was represented by Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith, and was not called upon to present a defence. After the prosecution had closed its case, following the testimony of five witnesses, Attorney BurchSmith elected to make a nocase submission in the jury’s absence.

Alisa Griffith, Belle’s sister, had told the court under oath during Harvey’s trial that on the day in question, she and her daughter visited Belle at her D’Urban Street home.

Griffith said around 18:00h, Belle decided to take them home on her motorcycle but she opted to walk part of the way, ahead of Belle, to Vlissengen Road.

Shortly after, she recalled, Belle rode up on her scooter and stopped a short distance away from her.

Griffith said as she was walking towards her sister, she noticed two men coming from a nearby stall. One man, who was later said to be Harvey, held on to the scooter’s key while it was still in the ignition, while the other man clutched the throttle of the scooter.

Harvey allegedly demanded that Belle get off the scooter, while she was knocking his hand away from the key.

Griffith stated that although Harvey wore a cap, his face could still be clearly seen.

The woman said she focused more on Harvey after her sister said to him, “I know you. How can you do this to me?”

News

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Thursday, November 14 from 14:00h to 15:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Thursday, November 14 from 14:05h to 15:35h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Partly cloudy to cloudy with occasional showers over coastal and near inland regions. Thunderstorms are likely over Regions One, Two, Three, Seven, and 10. Rainfall is expected to reach a maximum of 30.0mm. Temperatures will range from 20.5 to 31.5 degrees Celsius over coastal areas, and from 17.0 to 33.5 degrees Celsius.

Waves: Moderate, reaching about 1.5 to 2.0 metres in open waters.

Winds: North-easterly at 4 to 12 metres per second, gusting at times over some areas.

High Tide: 13:51 hours at 2.85 metres.

Low Tide: 07:25 hours at 0.80 metre.

High-tide flood advisory is in effect until Thursday, November 21.

wednesday, november 13, 2013

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Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News to stand trial in New York libel case N

ew York Judge Joan M Kenney absolutely did not rule that “Kaieteur News has every right to publish what it did” and that the newspaper never even disputed claims that the articles were (a) false and (b) defamatory, NEW GPC INC lawyer Ray Beckerman said.

His comment comes in the wake of reports by Kaieteur News paper and the Capitol News (TV) that the judge ruled that Kaieteur News has every right to publish what it did about the NEW GPC INC and that as a preliminary matter, the pharmaceutical company failed to make any showing that the articles published by Kaieteur News International “constitute fault as judged by, at a minimum, a negligence standard.”

In an invited comment to Guyana Times, Beckerman said the judge merely ruled that as a media defendant writing on a matter of public interest, Kaieteur News had the right to invoke the First Amendment privilege which would insulate it from liability unless NEW GPC could show that the paper acted with knowledge of the falsity of the statements, or with

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Kaieteur News owner and publisher Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

reckless disregard for their truth or falsity.

In addition, the judge also ruled that there were triable issues of fact concerning whether Kaieteur News acted with knowledge of the falsity of the statements it made, or was reckless or grossly irresponsible in making them. NEW GPC had asked the court to rule summarily in its favour, on the ground that the news articles were false and defamatory.

False articles

Kaieteur News, in responding to the motion, did not dispute NEW GPC’s claims that the articles were both false and defamatory, Attorney Beckerman said.

Kaieteur News editor-in-chief Adam Harris

He added that Kaieteur News’s sole defence was that as a media defendant writing about a matter of public interest, it was entitled to invoke the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which meant that it was protected by privilege and could only be found liable, even if the statements are in fact false and defamatory, if (a) it knew the statements it had made were false, or (b) it had acted grossly irresponsibly and/or recklessly.

The court agreed that Kaieteur News was a media defendant entitled to claim privilege, since the articles were about a matter that was of public interest to the Guyanese community

in New York, and, therefore, NEW GPC was required to make an additional showing of knowledge of the falsity, or recklessness or gross irresponsibility, before it could collect damages.

The court scheduled a “preliminary conference” for January 9, 2014, at which a schedule will be set for the completion of pre-trial discovery, and for a trial date, further summary judgment motions, and other similar litigation events.

Back in August last year, the NEW GPC filed the lawsuit in New York seeking US$1 million in damages. In its writ, the company stated that it was relying “on its good reputation, goodwill and integrity in its business dealings both in Guyana and internationally”, and that was being impugned.

The company had also accused Kaieteur News of waging a campaign designed to destroy the Guyana Times newspaper and defame the reputation of Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, chief executive officer of NEW GPC. It had also described as malicious, defamatory, false and libellous, the allegations that the Health Ministry had paid it exorbitant costs for drugs it procured.

Policeman dies in road accident

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LUCKY 3

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thursday, november 14, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

ragedy struck the police force again Wednesday evening when a rank was killed and another injured in a motorcycle accident at Zeelugt

Daily Millions

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Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

Dead is Constable Shaquille Anderson. He is attached to the traffic department at the Parika

Police Station. His injured colleague has been hospitalised. Anderson died while being treated at a private city hospital, sources told this newspaper.

Only Tuesday, two other policemen were killed during a shootout between police and a businessman, who went berserk on Middle Street, Georgetown.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, november 14, 2013

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

11 million people affected in the Philippines

Editorial

Partisan politics

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t is unfortunate that in spite of several pleas from almost every stakeholder, including the international community and the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AMLCFT) was defeated in the National Assembly by a majority opposition vote last week.

The absence of adequate legislative support had resulted in the country missing an August deadline and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) granting an extension to November 18. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) head Paul Geer have now been tasked with examining the anticipated impact of the failure to pass the legislation on Guyana.

From all indications, Guyana’s representatives will appear before a CFATF plenary next week, and it is expected that the country’s representatives will report that the AMLCFT Bill has not been passed. The government fully understands the many negative implications of the legislation not being passed and certainly has not given up in its continued efforts to place pressure on the opposition parties.

President Donald Ramotar met numerous civil society stakeholders earlier this week for crucial talks. Among them were members of the private sector, bankers and trade unionists, the majority of whom will be directly or indirectly be affected by the opposition’s rejection of the bill that sought to upgrade Guyana’s laws against financial crimes.

The PSC must be commended for being so vocal on the issue. The body has issued several releases and has been engaged in serious lobbying efforts, imploring all sides to act in the nation’s interest. It is always encouraging to see civil society stakeholders taking an active role in matters of national importance.

We were very disappointed that the opposition voted to prevent the PSC’s petition from being presented in Parliament. This, of course, raises several other questions in relation to the role of the legislature in strengthening democracy. In our view, the PSC’s petition would have given lawmakers an opportunity to hear the concerns of the various constituents in relation to the legislation.

The PSC represents those industries that drive the Guyana economy forward ,while providing the bulk of the employment opportunities and include, as outlined in the petition, Guyana’s business community across the country – rice; mining (gold and bauxite); banking and insurance; construction; telecommunications and associated services; domestic aviation; manufacturing; fishing; tourism; and forestry.

Preventing the PSC’s petition from being read, therefore, could be interpreted as an attempt by the opposition to silence this very important stakeholder. This most recent action sends the wrong signal and may even discourage other stakeholders who may have a genuine desire in shaping future debates on national issues.

All of the political players are in support of having such legislation in place and from the way it looks, they are still open to discussion on the matter. However, it will call for much maturity, flexibility and compromise on everyone’s part to see the successful passage of the bill.

For its part, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has signalled its willingness to support an agreement to take the bill back to the National Assembly. However, it maintains that it will not vote for the legislation to be passed unless steps are taken towards making the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) a reality.

Similarly, Opposition Leader David Granger expressed the willingness of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to cooperate with its counterparts to bring the bill back before the National Assembly, but he said that it would need to be recommitted to the select committee level for further considerations. It must be noted that to date, we have no idea as to the real concerns of APNU in relation to the bill as it has not made these public.

It is hoped that our politicians will rise above partisan politics and act for the good of the country and its people.

The nation expects no less.

The Philippine government says it is facing its biggest ever logistical challenge after Typhoon Haiyan, which affected as many as 11 million people. Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras said the government had been overwhelmed by the impact of Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record. The official death toll stands at more than 2300, but local officials and aid workers say it could rise much higher, according to BBC News. Many people have left Tacloban – the worst hit area, but among those left behind there is a growing sense of panic and fear, not just of food running out but of law and order breaking down. On Tuesday, eight people died when a wall collapsed as thousands of desperate survivors mobbed a food warehouse. Aid is slowly beginning to arrive in the worst-affected regions. U.S. military planes have been arriving, delivering World Food Programme supplies, and a French-Belgian field hospital has been set up. Guyana Times continues its call on the government of Guyana to join the United Nations in offering humanitarian assistance to the people of the Philippines during this time of national tragedy.

Support for the call by Guyana Times to help the Philippines Dear Editor, I applaud your front page photos and article (November 12) urging our government to send assistance to the Philippines that was devastated by super Typhoon Haiyan which has wreaked havoc on the lives of the overpopulated islands. The nation deserves our help.

When we were affected by natural disaster (flood), other nations (though not the Philippines) helped us. Although we are not a wealthy nation, we can afford to send some form of assistance (rice, for example) to help alleviate the sufferings of people in need.

In looking at the news of the destruction caused by Haiyan, one is speechless and grief stricken. Their lives have been turned upside down by Haiyan. One can’t help but feel compassion for Filipinos, some of the warmest and most hospitable people in the world – not much different from Guyanese.

I know the Filipinos well and am familiar with their culture, politics and economic development, having visited several of the islands that make-up the archipelago nation some years ago. Also, I and other Guyanese joined Filipino friends – when I was a student at City College of New York (CCNY) – in the struggle against the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship.

We can relate to Filipinos because we share some commonalities and they need our help and we should re-

spond to the international calls for assistance. Their struggle for free and fair elections was similar to ours (with their dictatorship backed by the U.S. similar to ours) and the battle for the restoration of democracy was carried in the U.S. similar to Guyanese struggle in America.

Guyana and Philippines were both client states of America and both had dictators installed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and were sponsored by the U.S. The U.S. ultimately pressured the dictator to restore democracy in the Philippines in the late 1980s, as America would later do in Guyana in 1992.

During the Filipino struggle, I supported and hosted Raul Manglapus, the foreign minister who broke with Marcos, at CCNY when I was president of the student government.

Several Guyanese joined the democracy solidarity movement of our Filipino brethren. Manglapus subsequently served as foreign minister again under Corazon Aquino, the widow of the assassinated democrat Benigno Ninoy Aquino, killed by Marcos. Corazon’s son is the president today and served as senator previously.

Filipinos are very warm and wonderful people, like Guyanese. I interact with Filipinos all the time in New York. My experience with Filipinos, including during my stay in the Philippines, was positive. They are terrific hosts. Several Guyanese

and Trinidadians are married to Filipinos and I occasionally hosted some of them at celebrations of Guyanese festivals at CCNY during the 1970s and 1980s when I was an officer in the student government.

They love Indian (Bollywood) films and would come to campus to watch them. Many shop at Indian stores in Elmhurst. They also eat at Indian restaurants. Their cuisine is similar to Indians – spicy and a lot of curry.

Many Filipinos live among Guyanese in Queens, New York and they socialise with us, coming to our Phagwah celebrations and love our Diwali lights and foods.

Their food is absolutely terrific, cooking with ingredients similar to ours like using coconut milk and curry, among other things.

Like Guyanese, they love katahar, saijan bhajee and much more. Filipinos cooked for me when I was there during my teaching sabbatical break to study rice and coconut cultivation, and ethnic conflict – yes, like Guyana, they have ethnic conflict with, for example, Chinese.

New York Filipinos were sympathetic to us during our struggle for free and fair elections in the 1980s. They also supported us during the campaign last year to obtain a council seat and an assembly seat for Richmond Hill in exchange for our support for a seat for their community in Elmhurst, Queens.

We did not get a seat in Richmond Hill.

I meet Filipinos all the time during stays on cruise ships, travels and stays at resorts where Filipinos are employed in the Caribbean, such as Aruba, St Martin, Turks and Caicos Islands, and The Bahamas, and on visits to Dubai, Singapore, California, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Seattle and British Columbia to stay abreast of the political and economic development of their nation. They are well informed of developments in their nation similar to Guyanese in North America about their country.

Not surprisingly, several Guyanese took an interest in the welfare of the nation relating to the Typhoon Haiyan, as Guyanese, being such kind people, want to help the victims and the country to restore normalcy.

One can’t help but feel deep anguish in looking at television news to what has happened to the place.

I can’t recognise any of the areas, some of which I visited, that saw wholesale devastation. The fury of the storm left countless deaths and immeasurable destruction in its path.

The people need our assistance. I join with Guyana Times to urge the Guyana government, Guyanese Americans and others to respond generously with donations to the International Red Cross Society, the United Nations and other groups channelling aid to the country.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Proper pesticide use and Psychoneurobic sessions for management awareness Essequibo Coast Dear Editor, Over the years Guyana has encountered several matters of suicide with the ingestion of poison being the leading cause.

In addition to the improper storage and handling of chemicals by the Agriculture Ministry, too many people have easy access to these toxic substances via local distributors.

In Guyana, the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PCTCB) is responsible for the stewardship of chemicals. I must commend them for the aware-

ness campaigns that they have carried out countrywide.

Chemicals not stored properly can contaminate surroundings. They should at all times be properly labelled and stored under suitable conditions. It is extremely important for people to know the unique symbols of volatile and toxic products.

Several schools have promoted pesticide awareness by engaging their students in a competition that requires them to display knowledge of proper storage and use of chemi-

cals.

It is extremely important that the Agriculture Ministry, in collaboration with those who sell pesticides, take responsibility to ensure that chemicals do not get into the hands of children and other people of unsound mind.

As it relates to storing chemicals at home, parents need to ensure that bottles are properly labelled and they are stored out of children’s reach. We need to minimise the misuse and ingestion of chemicals.

Sincerely, Rhonda Joseph

Rehabilitating prisoners Dear Editor, Education is the key to success. It is an essential component in life that gives individuals the opportunity to garner knowledge which in return opens new doors and offers them more opportunities.

It contributes greatly to the overall development of a person and allows individuals to acquire and further develop everyday problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Evidently, many of the individuals who become involved in illegal and unlawful activities are those who were unfortunate in obtaining a sound education.

Additionally, many wrongdoers share similar traits consisting of being high school drop outs, idlers, unemployed, come from broken homes and portray negative, irresponsible personalities.

It is unquestionable that had these individuals been given the opportunity to pursue an education and further develop themselves, then they would have been leading constructive lives.

In my opinion, the imprisonment or prosecution of an individual found guilty of committing an unlawful act only serves as a punishment for their actions. It rarely contributes

to the rehabilitation or betterment of that person.

We fail to realise that it is never too late to educate someone or for them to learn something new.

Presently, prison systems worldwide have adopted a strict rehabilitative approach for their prisoners. Prisoners are required to attend classes and undertake examinations on par with the countries educational sector’s policies.

I strongly recommend that Guyana adapt a similar approach for its prisoners.

Yours truly, Jackie Hinds

Dear Editor, The International Sigfa Health Organisation (ISHO), with head office in New York, is a not for profit organisation, which teaches health by psychoneurobic exercises – healing yourself in curing all kinds of diseases, losing weight or gaining weight, and how people can energise their own bodies.

We will be in Essequibo from November 16-17 and are seeking your help to inform people of events in your newspaper so that our nation would be able to have better health.

The ISHO is inviting the general public to attend these psychoneurobic classes, which will be conducted by Vishnu Bandhu.

They will allow people to heal themselves, cure all kinds of diseases and energise their bodies.

Please bring along family and friends. Don’t miss this opportunity. It is free of cost. Following are the dates and locations: * Vedic Mandir at Mr Hack Dam, Golden Fleece, Sand Quarter, Essequibo Coast, November 16, at 09:30h. Contact Pandit Munniram, 774-4024.

* Airy Hall Mandir Compound, Essequibo Coast, November 16, at 12:30h. Contact Leila, 7744105. * New Road Vedic Mandir, Essequibo Coast, November 16, at 16:00h.

Contact Munesh, 6165307. * Cotton Field Vedic Mandir, Essequibo Coast, November 17, at 08:00h.

Contact Pandit Vishnu, 656-3838.

Thank you, Vishnu Bandhu ISHO International President

A boost for crime-fighting in Guyana Dear Editor, A recent agreement between Guyana and Brazil has resulted in Brazil contributing to the boosting of Guyana’s crime-fighting ability by rendering services in forensic analysis.

For many years, forensic scientists have played a significant role in solving criminal investigations. Scientists in laboratories worldwide have been able to undertake a variety of tests including DNA analysis. These

kinds of tests seek to identify drugs, gunshot residues, in addition to blood analysis, handwriting analysis, and 3D facial recognition.

Presently, several forensic samples have been taken from approximately 10 murder cases in Guyana and are expected to be transported to Brazil in January for testing.

I can only imagine how the existence of such technologies and facilities must be intimidating for many criminals. The re-

sults from the 10 murder cases will surely determine the convictions and consequences of the accused murderers and rapists.

Forensic science is a remarkable study that can solve depths of criminal activities by establishing what may have occurred based on evidence collected. It brings an accurate, realistic perception to many criminal cases.

Sincerely, Bhopaul Tiwari

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Foundation

Childhood trauma may contribute to teen weight problems

BY SHEREEN JEGTVIG

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hildren who have gone through trying times are more likely to be overweight by age 15, a new study suggests. Stress in childhood has been associated with a greater risk of becoming overweight, although the link isn’t always consistent from study to study, researchers said.

“I felt like I was seeing a lot of children who had experienced stress early in their lives later gain weight pretty rapidly” Dr Julie Lumeng at the University of Michigan Medical School told Reuters Health.

“There has been quite a bit of research looking at stress in the lives of adults leading to weight gain, but it has not been studied as much in children,” said Lumeng, who led the new study.

“We did this particular study because it looked at simply ‘events’ that had occurred in children’s lives and then asked mothers to rate the events in terms of how much of an impact they had,” Lumeng said.

The researchers used data from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.

The mothers of 848 children enrolled in the study completed surveys when their children were four, nine and 11 years old. They were asked if any of 71 different life events had occurred during the previous year, and they rated the impact of the event on a scale

from -3 (extremely negative) to zero (no effect) to +3 (extremely positive).

Four categories of negative life events were studied: health problems in the family; work, school or financial stability; emotional aspects of

the 85th percentile for age and gender based on CDC growth charts were defined as being overweight.

Of the 848 children, 260 were considered overweight and 488 were not. Thirty per cent of the overweight chil-

family relationships; and family structure, routine and caregiving.

The children’s height and weight were measured at age 15. Teens with a BMI above

dren had experienced a significant number of negative life events, compared to 22 per cent of the non-overweight children.

Experiencing many nega-

tive life events was tied to a nearly 50 per cent higher risk of being overweight, versus no negative events. The associations were strongest for negative events related to family physical or mental health, among children of obese mothers and among children who waited longer for food, the researchers report in the journal Paediatrics.

“The number of negative events that had happened in a child’s life predicted the likelihood that the child would be overweight in adolescence,” Lumeng wrote in an email.

“We thought this was important as well because while lots of interventions focus on healthy eating and promoting more exercise, if stress is related to children’s risk of becoming overweight, this could be a new focus for interventions,” she said.

The results were about the same for boys as for girls.

“There is prior evidence in adults that women may be more likely to ‘stress eat’ than men, so we thought that girls may be more sensitive to the effects than boys. This was not the case, however,” Lumeng said.

It’s also important to note that the risk was greater for children whose mothers were obese. Obese mothers may have more obesity-promoting environments, which could lead to their children being overweight as well, the researchers point out. It could also contribute to some of the family health problems reported as negative life events.

“I think without a doubt that if you work in the field of

weight management, you often hear about challenging situations that folks are coming from. Seeing this study just further documents what we’re already experiencing in the clinics,” Dr Stephen Pont told Reuters Health. Pont is Chair of the American Academy of Paediatrics Provisional Section of Obesity.

“This study starts to show that there may be significant stressors that these children have experienced that has to some degree resulted in the weight problem they have right now. If we understand that, then maybe we can be more empathetic and not guilt or blame or look down on them,” said Pont, who was not involved in the new research.

Family support is crucial for managing both stress and weight issues. Parents can help children get through stressful events by talking to them and focusing on coping skills, Pont said.

“Conversations are very important,” he said.

“Sometimes we can’t know how a child is experiencing something unless we talk to them about it. With anything regarding stress or behavioural health, we recommend talking to your children.”

Parents can ask children how they feel about any stressful life events. Pont cautioned that some children may not admit there’s a problem and that younger children may not be able to verbalise how they feel. In those cases, parents should look for other clues like problems with friends or school, or unexplained headaches or stomach aches. (Reuters)

Motivating learning in young children (conclusion)

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here are several strategies parents can use to help children remain more fully intrinsically motivated. * Provide an environment (through age appropriate toys, activities, etc) that allows children to freely explore and to see the effect of their actions (ie, toys that have visible or tangible changes when moved). * Allow children ample time when working to allow for persistence. When children are deeply involved with an activity, make sure that they can finish without interruption. Resist the natural urge to “help,” and let the child know if, for example, we have to go to the grocery store in a few minutes. * Respond to children’s needs in a consistent, predictable manner, but allow them to be as independent as possible.

This does NOT mean ceding all control to your child. All children need clearly defined limits. Playtime, however, need not be structured and organised. Let your child be a child! * Provide many opportunities for children and adults to explore together and interact directly. It is important for both children and adults to be working together on an activity. This lets you observe, model, and encourage your child. * Provide situations that give children an acceptable challenge. Activities that are slightly difficult for the child will be more motivating and provide for stronger feelings of success when accomplished.

This may take some trial and error at first. * Give children opportunities to evaluate their own accomplishments. Rather than stating that you think they have done a good job, ask them what they think of their work.

You’ll never go wrong by asking the question, “What do you think?” * Do not use excessive rewards. They tend to undermine children’s ability to value themselves. Praise and rewards should be based upon children’s effort and persistence, rather than on the actual accomplishment.

The world through a child’s eyes is an awesome place.

Allow children to explore and discover their world. Around every corner is an experience just waiting to surprise and excite young growing minds; all they need is a small amount of direction and a large amount of freedom. It is not necessary to praise and reward children for their own actions as they attempt to control their environment. The feelings of accomplishment they gain from results of those actions will be reward enough. Providing excessive praise and rewards is unnecessary and can actually be harmful to children’s motivation and desire to learn.

Remember, the habits and attitudes toward learning that are formed in these early years set the mood for all future learning. (nasponline.org)

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thursday, november 14, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

for Miss Guyana Opposition appears to Search World 2014 begins! be putting nation at T risk – Dr Luncheon Amendment Bill.”

PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has expressed similar views. Teixeira strongly believes the opposition had no intentions of supporting the bill, pointing out too that neither the APNU nor the AFC capitalised on the opportunity to table amendments for the bill at the level of the parliamentary special select committee.

Absence

APNU leader David Granger

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan

ead of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday said it appears as though the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are prepared to put the nation at risk in an effort to remove the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government from office.

His comment comes in wake of the combined opposition’s move to vote down the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill on November 7.

“Its Cabinet’s contention that APNU’s actions, opposition actions, were clearly intended to hurt Guyana and our national interest and it is obvious that hurt is to be spread indiscriminately,” he said while addressing reporters at his weekly postCabinet media briefing at the Office of the President.

“Their strategic objective it seems is at Guyana and its future, and it would seem also that they are prepared to destroy Guyana in their efforts to remove the People’s Progressive Party from office,” he said.

Dr Luncheon opined that the irony of the situation is that opposition is placing the nation at risk with-

out any explanation. He explained that the opposition, in particular APNU, has failed to table any formal amendment or proposal as it relates to the money laundering bill. He maintained that the opposition had no intention of supporting the bill ahead of the November 17 deadline set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

H

No amendment from APNU

“APNU has not provided nor published anywhere their specific amendments to the bill, their specific objections to the current CFATF provisions in the bill endorsed by CFATF or have they submitted additional provisions that exists in anti-money laundering laws in other jurisdictions.”

According to the head of the Presidential Secretariat, the opposition’s move to vote against the money launder bill is the latest blow to Guyana’s development.

The opposition’s action follows their move to vote down the Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill.

“APNU and AFC have taken their anti-Guyana practices to unprecedented heights, this time with their rejection of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism

Before the bill was killed

by APNU and the AFC on November 7, she pointed out that the opposition members; Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Debra Backer; APNU parliamentarians Basil Williams, Joseph Harmon and Carl Greenidge and AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan were present at 14 of the 17 meetings held between May 8 and October 22, but failed to propose any amendments.

“They did not bring one amendment to the discussions on the bill. They said they had amendments to bring and they were encouraged to bring them so that they could be discussed. But nothing was produced. Not even on November 7 where they could have demonstrated their sincerity by tabling further amendments to the bill as amended in committee, but did not use that option,” Teixeira explained.

As against tabling their concerns at the special select committee, she said both the APNU and the AFC, took their concerns to the press.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader David Granger on Tuesday said the coalition is willing to re-examine the money laundering legislation at the level of the parliamentary special select committee.

APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) members of Parliament used their one-seat majority to vote down the bill.

he search for the contestant to represent Guyana at Miss Guyana World 2014 has commenced via the launching of the organisation’s new website http://www.missworldguyana.com.

The fully functioning website, which is symbolic of national pride, unity, and empowerment, provides the latest official information on the upcoming Miss Guyana World 2014 pageant.

It includes the online application for the pageant, in addition to very specific pageant details on the format of the show. The website will be regularly updated with exclusive content, features, and links to important information. The pageant will cater to young women interested in sports and fitness, community development, and expressing various talents.

Franchise holder and Miss Guyana World Committee Chairwoman, Natasha Martindale is focused on improving the pageant process. Strategic efforts have been made to implement many changes including the acquisition of talented, vibrant, and young professionals to an already impressive executive team.

The Miss Guyana World website will serve as an interactive information centre for all Guyanese, diaspora, and stakeholders interested in the Miss Guyana World 2014 pageant and community development. Sponsors spotlight, pageant details, and other related announcements will be consistently updated, especially as pag-

Ruqayyah Boyer was Miss Guyana World 2013, who will represent Guyana next year?

eant deadlines draw near.

Public participation is encouraged for the many exciting and innovative elements of the show that are being introduced. The website was designed by Fuze Arts and features an elegant, sleek design with an impressive slideshow of scenic Guyana by the talented photographer Ryan Beharry, whose images add a presence of patriotism to the site.

“A big thank you to pageant bloggers from Chilean Charm, Missosology Guyana and especially Donald West from Pageantology.com, who assisted with valuable photographic content and historical insight,” Martindale said.

The Miss Guyana World pageant commenced in May 1966 and crowned its first title-holder Umbilita Van Sluytman, who was also known as the Independence Queen and became Guyana’s first placement and semifinalist in the Miss World 1966 pageant.

The Miss World pageant is the first international pageant that Guyana has achieved repeated successes. As a result, Guyana is known for having one of the longest consecutive placements in the history of the Miss World pageant. On May 26, Martindale was awarded the franchise from Miss World Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer Julia Morley.

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thursday, november 14, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Suspected cocaine dealer on remand A

37-year-old man was remanded to prison on Tuesday after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Trevor Garraway, of Lot 28 Leopold and Cross

streets, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on Monday, November 11 at Princes and Lombard streets, Georgetown, he had in his possession 6.2 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Sergeant Vishnu Hunt objected to bail, stating that the defendant did not provide the

court with any special reason why he should be granted his pretrial liberty.

An unrepresented Garraway told the court that he is a father of two children and a vendor.

The defendant, who has no antecedents, will make another appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry on November 27.

Venezuelan national on illegal entry charge

A

Venezuelan national was brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Tuesday, to answer to the charge of illegal entry.

Marian Gonzales, 26, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on

November 8 at Morawhanna, North West District, she entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer.

According to the prosecution, on the day in question, she entered Guyana by sea in a small boat at Morawhanna, which is a port of entry and did

not present herself to an immigration officer. She was later arrested and charged, and did not produce any documents to show she was here legally.

Magistrate Latchman gave Gonzales the option of paying a fine of $30,000 with an alternative of 12 months’ imprisonment.

IT equipment stolen from citizens security office

P

olice are investigating the theft of a quantity of information technology (IT) equipment from a storage room of the Citizens Security Programme office at

Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

According to a Home Affairs Ministry release, a quantity of IT equipment, including computers and related equipment were discovered missing from a

storage area at the office.

Some of the equipment was earmarked for the new forensic laboratory. The Guyana Police Force is investigating the matter, the release said.

Man shot after terrorising students, teachers

A

cutlass-wielding man was shot Wednesday afternoon after he chopped a policeman who was trying to chase him out of the Soesdyke Primary School compound.

In a statement, police said about 12:45h on Wednesday, ranks responded to a report that a man who appeared to

be mentally unstable was in the Soesdyke Primary School, armed with a cutlass, terrorising students and teachers.

Upon their arrival at the scene, the armed man attacked the police with the cutlass and inflicted a wound to the left hand of Inspector Mohan Khan, police said.

The police were forced to re-

sort to the use of force and the man was shot and injured to his left shoulder.

He has been identified as Christopher Mc Cullen of Timehri Docks. Inspector Khan and Mc Cullen were taken for medical treatment at the East Demerara Regional Hospital (Diamond Diagnostic Centre).

Eyew tness Berserk...

T

...businessman

he newspapers yesterday were chock full of reports on the fellow they unanimously dubbed as going "berserk" on Middle Street, Georgetown. He ended up killing four persons before he was taken out. For good reason. The ancient Norse warriors, who were the original "berserkers", worked themselves into a state of rage by eating heavily drugged food – then plunging into battle.

The man was said to be a miner who was high on cocaine – the drug of choice today – and with no apparent reason killed two employees of a taxi service renting his premises. The other two killed were policemen who responded to the berserker's onslaught. We'll all be spending the next few days speculating as to why a presumably sane businessman from a perfectly respectable business family would commit such a horrendous act.

We're all used to the stereotypes that crimes of this sort are committed by people from poverty stricken backgrounds and dysfunctional families who're all "messed up". They take out their frustrations on anyone who comes in their way.

So what do you say about this berserk fella who obviously had it "good"? The point is, anyone could snap and go over the edge – even in the most well adjusted societies. Imagine the possibilities in a country like Guyana where there are leaders who perpetually exhort their followers to vent their anger in protests – even to burn buildings and block bridges.

We have leaders who admit it’s illegal to block a bridge and denying vital supplies into interior communities – but yet are on record for not only encouraging it, but facilitating it as well. And they sit in Parliament and make those same laws for the nation. Where are the leaders that teach their followers to control themselves and use the processes of the law to settle differences?

We're sure in the end we'll find that the berserk mining businessman was frustrated in some way, shape or form. If he'd been living in a country where people were all encouraged to stick to the straight and narrow, there's a greater likelihood we wouldn't have five families in grief tonight.

Yes...the berserker's family's grieving now also,

if you don't mind. Now, we aren't daft enough to suggest that the opposition politicians who've been creating mayhem in Guyana since the 1960s are directly responsible for the mayhem in Middle Street. But what we're saying is that everything happens within a context.

And very sadly the opposition has created a context where frustrations are encouraged to be settled through violence rather than through discussion. For this they must take the blame.

....youths

And if we want to be honest, we have to place the Hot Skull youth gang of Albouystown, Georgetown in the same context of acting outside the law when frustration kicks in. Everyone knows that Albouystown's a depressed community... but there's a whole lotta depressed communities across the country.

Have you noticed that these criminal gangs spring up only where the opposition stirs them up?

As far back as the 1960s, wasn't it the opposition that unleashed the "choke and rob" phenomenon – in the form of youths from Albouystown, mugging People’s progressive Party (PPP) supporters who'd "come to town"??

Trouble is, they spawned a whole new urban sub-culture that's become self perpetuating.

During their 28 years in the government, what did the People’s National Congress (PNC) do for the youths of that depressed community? Nothing... nada, zilch. Just waited for another generation to spring up for them to use as cannon fodder in their slow fyaah...mo fyaah in the past decade.

When the effects of the torpedoed AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AMLCFT) kicks in, be prepared for more violence springing from the increased frustrations.

...politicians

So we return to these politicians who are bent on stirring up the pot of anger in Guyana. Hey... we know that things in Guyana are hard for some people. But how does precipitating a financial squeeze help matters?

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thursday, november 14, 2013

News

UNESCO strengthens ties with govt ministries

BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN

T

he Guyana National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is partnering with several ministries to develop its work programmes and plans as it looks forward to strengthen its presence here.

Guyana National Commission for UNSECO, Secretary General Inge Nathoo told Guyana Times on Monday that while focus is placed particularly on science, culture and communication, heavy emphasis is being placed on education.

According to Nathoo, the UENSCO Guyana office has made huge investments in this sector and plans to continue building on the progress already made.

UNESCO has been working closely with the Education Ministry in a number of areas. The most recent investment is a $3.6 million donation of equipment to the Education Ministry’s Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme.

The equipment included computer systems, keyboards and cameras, among other things. The beneficiaries included the Government Technical Institute (GTI),

the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) and the Carnegie School of Home Economics. While the ministry had approached UNESCO for US$26,000 for the TVET sector, it has only been able to provide $3.6 million or US$18,000 to this cause.

Nathoo told this newspaper that another area of achievement is the initiation of the global micro-science project.

“This has been a huge success for Guyana,” she said. Education Minister Priya Manickchand, at the recent UNESCO general conference in France made mention of this progamme and the success it has achieved in Guyana.

Reaching out to hinterland pupils

According to Nathoo, the progamme seeks to serve pupils in the interior locations of Guyana. It promotes student learning in the sciences subjects as there is no access to laboratories to conduct practical exercises.

In addition, UNESCO was able to get government to fund an effective science and technology action plan.

This plan is not specifically to raise and promote the subject in the education sector, but in industries and other areas.

Guyana National Commission for UNESCO General Secretary Inge Nathoo

“It’s basically formalising steps government has to take, to have a strong science and technology profile.”

These are one of the many areas in which UNESCO is patterning with government to strengthen the education sector.

Meanwhile, Nathoo also stated that the UENSCO office has also been partnering with the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, as it seeks to build and maintain Guyana’s rich culture.

The main feature of UENSCO’s partnership with this ministry is the digitisation project which seeks to have old immigration papers digitised and placed

in the National Archives of Guyana. UNESCO has provided US$26,000 to aid this project.

However, this is not the only project UNESCO is supporting. Nathoo told Guyana Times that soon, the local office will be working with the ministry to revive steel and masquerades bands.

She said efforts will be made to strengthen support to the various ministries that deal with matters of interest to UNESCO’s office. However, with limited funding, Nathoo said consideration of all programmes will not always receive the requested amount of funds.

Despite this, UNESCO, she said remains committed to working with the government and other partners to promote its goals and objectives to further development Guyana and its citizenry.

The Guyana National Commission for UNESCO has made valuable contributions to education, culture, science and communication over the years and continues to build on the foundation laid with its support. UENSCO is a specialised agency of the United Nation. Its purpose is to promote peace and security by promoting international collaboration, poverty eradication and sustainable development.

No body could save Green Ham, de Mook and de headitor

S

ince Green Ham limin wid dem boys who seh dem is boys, but dem is not boys, although dem dressin like boys, he gettin wuss than them. De mayor-fuh-life Green Ham ain’t got no shame. People know bout he since de days when he thought he woulda replace Burnt Ham. De Heights Man end up turnin prezi and leff Green Ham like spoilt ham. Now de spoilt ham turn rotten ham.

But Green Ham was rotten in he deeds since Burnt Ham time. Now he rotten in deeds, words, thoughts, and looks. De mayor-fuh-life tell de people of GT de garbage town that de s*ity is at de mercy of de town clerk Carol Sober. But de people of GT deh at de mercy of Green Ham since he turn mayor-fuhlife. Even Roy Stone who gettin pay to write letter whole day at de s*ity council can’t help he. With Sober keepin dem sober, Roy Stone can’t even help he self.

As fuh Mook Lall and de headitor, dem does stay silent when dem get expose. But dem accusin other people of stayin silent, yet dem mouth stitch up and does only open when dem boys who seh dem is boys doin tings whah only dem does do when dem together.

De Mook still can’t answer all de questions he gettin. And de headitor still can’t find any answers to write either. But laugh gon turn cry when dem gon have to find answers fuh all dem lies whah dem write in de mud paper bout de court story in New York.

Glenn gon turn hen and Adam gon turn madam in order not to go to de U.S. because dem friken whah de Eff-BEE-I gon do to dem. Not to mention dem ICE people at de New York hairport.

One of dem boys who seh dem is boys seh he like de New York hairport more than Grantley Adams in Barbados. He seh he never know John F Kennedy was so sweet more than Grantley.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! De Mook and de headitor might wanna stay at de hairport instead of goin to court!

Guyana to host high-level security meeting next week

G

uyana, in collaboration with the U.S. government and the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) will be hosting the fourth meeting of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) next week.

The meeting scheduled for November 18 and 19 will be held at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

According to a release, the CBSI was conceptualised at a meeting held in April 2009 in Trinidad and Tobago by U.S. President Barack Obama, at the fifth summit of the Americas, where a multimillion dollar

package of support was announced to aid countries in the Caribbean region to address crime and security in a holistic manner.

The joint Caribbean-U.S. framework for the security cooperation engagement is based on three pillars: The Caribbean-U.S. Security Cooperation Dialogue at which meetings are held at least once per year at the ministerial level; the CaribbeanU.S. Security Cooperation Commission which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of projects and related issues; and the ad hoc technical working groups that are required to meet as required.

At next week’s meeting, representatives of the U.S.,

The Dominican Republic, Caricom countries and other partners will be present.

At the sessions, the programmes that were implemented under the initiative will be evaluated and decisions relating to future projects will be taken. The security cooperation initiative between the U.S., Caricom countries and The Dominican Republic is aimed at building capacity of law enforcement agencies as well as focusing on initiatives targeting youths at risk. Guyana hosted a similar event in October 2011.

Agreement

At the third meeting held in Trinidad and Tobago last year, the countries agreed

that IMPACS will be the primary entity for the coordination of all regional security programmes and projects among Caricom states and The Dominican Republic; that they provide resources to IMPAC; and requested that international partners coordinate with IMPACS to provide effective political, technical and financial support.

Agreement was also reached on the implementing of a mechanism for the dissemination of information on CBSI and regional efforts to enhance security in the Caribbean through a virtual site for official use and a website for public use; ensuring the monitoring and evaluation of programme

implementation for effective results; identifying national focal points for the internal dissemination and coordination of information with respect to the CBSI within and among countries and with the CBSI secretariat; and ensuring full representation of member states at CBSI meetings, including technical working group meetings.

Additionally, the countries agreed to the development of a common maritime and airspace strategy, as well as standard operating procedures or other measures including, as appropriate, those provided in the Caricom Maritime and Airspace Security Cooperation Agreement and the Caribbean Regional

Maritime Agreement that allow for the coordination of maritime interdiction efforts between and among Caribbean countries, to include regional security institutions such as the Regional Security System (RSS) and the security institutions of The Dominican Republic.

Continuing progress on a counter illicit trafficking strategy for the Caribbean was also agreed on, with the sides agreeing to adopt the programmes, initiatives, guidelines and Action Plan of the Hemispheric Drug Strategy of the Inter American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

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Internationally-renowned Muslim scholar on visit here

T

he World’s most renowned and respected Muslim scholar, Maulana Shaykh, Dr Hisham Kabbani will soon be visiting these shores as part of activities organised by the local Muslim community in observance of the Islamic New Year.

The local Muslim community, through The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman will host a series of programmes in observance of the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1435AH. The distinguished scholar will visit Guyana from November 27-29, (after visiting neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago) and will be associated with four programmes here.

Maulana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has dedicated his life to calling people to increase their love of Prophet Muhammad (May God’s blessings and peace be with him).

For over two decades, he has worked tirelessly to validate expressions of love of Allah’s Messenger through mawlid celebrations (birth of the prophet) and gathering of dhikr (devotional act) in the West and the East.

Shaykh Hisham was born in Beirut, Lebanon to the family of the Beloved Prophet, on both his paternal and maternal sides. He has studied Islamic jurisprudence from an early age and has acquired a proficiency in the major schools of Sunni fiqh. He obtained a degree in chemistry from the American University of Beirut before completing his medical studies in Belgium. His teacher in the science of tasawwuf (Sufism) is Shaykh Nazim Haqqani, the world renowned leader of the Naqshbandi order, known as the “Golden Chain”, who would later became his father-in-law. He also acquired sacred knowledge from his uncles, one was the grand mufti of Lebanon and another was the president of the Association of Islamic Scholars of the Middle East.

Shaykh Hisham has the rare gift of being able to combine the demands of the Shari’ah with the inner certainty of the tariqa (way or path). This characteristic allows him to weave together religious and scientific knowledge and to convey the message of Islam to diverse groups of people in English, French, Arabic, and Turkish.

His message has touched millions of the people all over the world and through his da`wah (summons), by Allah’s grace, over 15,000 people have accepted Islam in the Americas and Europe.

Peace advocate

Maulana Kabbani advocates an understanding of Islam as fundamentally based on peace, tolerance, interreligious cooperation, respect and love. He has counselled and advised Muslim leaders around the world from Afghanistan to the UK to build community resilience against violent extremism.

In 2012, the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre named him one of the top 500 most influential Muslims.

Even at his advanced age, the eminent shaykh continues to travel extensively to speak

Maulana Shaykh, Dr Hisham Kabbani

to ordinary people, kings, presidents, prime ministers and even Prince Charles of England. He has published dozens of books on Islam and Sufism, many of which have been translated into French,

Spanish, Italian, Russian, Arabic and Urdu.

Shaykh Kabbani presides over the Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (ISCA), WORDE, the AsSunnah Foundation and eS-

haykh.com, which provides online guidance in matters of jurisprudence, theology and responding to requests for prayers.

He is also the founder/chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA), a non-profit, non-governmental educational organisation dedicated to teaching personal moral excellence.

ISCA has spearheaded a number of peace initiatives, hosted notable conferences, actively engages in inter-religious dialogue, and promotes traditional and moderate Islamic views. ISCA has addressed numerous world bodies such as the United Nations and continues to advise the U.S. Department of State on issues regarding Islam, religious tolerance and terrorism.

Lectures

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has given lectures at many universities, including Yale,

Oxford, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Chicago, Columbia University, the American University, Howard, McGill, Concordia, the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) and Rutgers.

He has also been active throughout the world in the field of disaster relief and poverty alleviation. In 2010, he developed a series of water supply projects and relief supply centres in drought-affected regions of Kenya. He has also worked with local orphanages in Nairobi to provide funding and material assistance. In 2001 and 2002, Dr Kabbani was recognised as one of the few Muslim scholars at that time to have warned of the threat of violent extremism. His discourses, presentations and dialogues have earned him the enviable respect of leaders and peoples of all faiths.

For the very first time, the people of Guyana will get the opportunity to meet Shaykh Hisham and listen to his words of love, wisdom and sincerity. The visit of the scholar is expected to attract a wide cross-section of people of various religions in addition to delegations from Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, the U.S. and Suriname.

The main programme will be held on Friday, November 29 at 18:30h at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, West Coast Demerara. His eminence will deliver the Friday Juma sermon at the Queenstown Jama Masjid the same day. Other programmes are slated for Peter’s Hall Jama Masjid, East Bank Demerara as well as paying courtesy calls on several government functionaries, opposition leader and members of the diplomatic corps. Timings of these will be announced shortly.

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More drama on today After three days of fun-filled drama at the National Cultural Centre, the festival continues this evening with three plays, which will commence at 18:00h.

Name of group: The Theatre Guild Name of play: “The Professor” Playwright: Unknown Director: Randolph Critchlow

National Drama Festival 2013 highlights [Day 3]

Name of group: The Conquerors Name of play: “Dominion Generation Speak To The Nation” Playwright: Adesh Rambharose Director: Adesh Rambharose Stage manager: Adesh Rambharose Actor

Character

Tejraj

Grandfather

Prem

Father

Adesh

Single-parent father

Gladdis

Mother

Judy

Daughter

Marina

Daughter

Amille

Daughter

Padmattie

Daughter

Reshma

Neighbour

Monesha

Neighbour

Name of group: West Side Youth Ambassadors Club Name of play: A Twist Of Faith” Playwright: Taneka Caldeira Director: Mark Luke-Edwards Stage manager: Eon Mc Farlane Actor

Character

Kerri Merchant

Faith

Lisa Adams

Rebecca

Twyla Sealey

Maisie

David Loncke

David Tony

Brief history of the group This group was formed in 2007 after a youth empowerment forum sponsored by Council For World Mission in South Africa. The group would usually meet twice monthly to discuss issues affecting young people and the way forward. Members are also engaged in a number of cultural activities, which help them to boost their self-esteem and become rounded individuals.

Synopsis of the play This play focuses on a single-parent mom who tries to hide the reality of the situation from her only child, Faith. As the plot unfolds, Faith tries to solve the puzzle as to if her mom was being truthful with her. When she finds out the truth, it hurts Faith tremendously because her mother was living a life of lies and this led to her being in love with her brother. Both parents are led to strengthen their relationship for the sake of children living with broken hearts.

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News

Guyana seeks closer collaboration with El Dorado gold heist make South American countries on mining accused first court appearance

T

he government through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is committed to exploring ways to improve current mining practices with more efficient and environmentally safe technology.

According to a release, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Tuesday made this commitment prior to the screening of a film titled “Amazon Gold”, which highlighted the impact of mercury in gold mining.

The event was organised by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

WWF Country Manager Patrick Williams, Sarah DuPont of Amazon Gold and Dr Luis Fernandez, a specialist on the impact of mercury in gold mining also par-

A section of the gathering at the screening of “Amazon Gold”

ticipated.

Minister Persaud called for greater collaboration between South American and Amazon countries in sharing experiences and technologies for suitable and environmentally safe mining practices.

He pointed out that the government has an aggressive stakeholder approach

programme in keeping with the new international convention to control mercury emissions which was signed in Japan – the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The agreement is an international response to the reality that mercury pollution is a global problem that no country can address unilaterally.

Recognition

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud speaking prior to the screening of “Amazon Gold”

He emphasised that the government recognises the environmental and human health risks of mercury use and pollution and supports the implementation of a global legally binding instrument on mercury that will prohibit its production, export and use through a planned approach.

Guyana’s mining sector is developing rapidly and is poised to develop even further with hydrocarbon exploration, resumption of manganese mining, increased production of bauxite and gold and the opening of new exploration for new minerals and elements such as uranium and elements of rare earth.

Additionally, the government through the education and natural resources and environment ministries has reviewed the evidence on the factors for growth, and as such, recognises strongly the role of improved education in technical training in the mining sector. This will be done through the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc (GMSTCI) through a grant agreement between the WWF and the GGMC to develop a curriculum of the mining school.

As such, the ministry is encouraging many miners to use mercury free technology through the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).

Already, a series of demonstrations were conducted using mercury free technology, which has shown that a higher efficiency rate can be achieved.

Ameerullah Khurchullah

Kenneth Garraway

hree men involved in the El Dorado Gold heist made their first court appearance on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charges against them.

The men charged were Ameerullah Khurchullah and Anil Diaram of Berbice and Kenneth Garraway of Charity, Essequibo.

The trio appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on Friday November 8 at Port Kaituma, North West District, they stole a quantity of cash and several ounces of gold totalling $93 million.

Special Prosecutor attorney Glen Hanuman stated

them and this cooperation led to the police conducting further investigations into other persons who may have been accessories to the crime before or after the fact.

Other charges are likely to come and other persons are likely to be charged.

Also, other articles believed to have been stolen were recovered. The police are trying to investigate the origin of those articles and the possibility that the same group may be involved in past robberies, and in particular, a robbery/murder that occurred in the same office involving the same employee a few years ago.

The prosecuting attorney added that he made an offer for a medical examination to be conducted on the accused since they claimed they were

T

Correia Mining

One of the more recognised gold miners, Correia Mining has converted their entire operation to mercury free in hope that the mining industry will begin to realise the added benefits.

Minister Persaud also expressed appreciation to collaborate with WWF to organise a showing of “Amazon Gold” for Guyana.

Although “Amazon Gold” focuses primarily on the gold mining industry in Peru, similar comparisons could be drawn. Similar to that of the Guyanese mining industry, small scale and artisanal mining is quite prevalent in Peru. Over the years, the Peruvian government has struggled to curb the high deforestation and degradation rates that were attributed to mining. “Amazon Gold” gives us the opportunity to learn from other South American countries about devastating impacts of mining on the environment.

Guyana can learn and adopt some of the more practical initiatives that are successfully implemented. Although Guyana’s mining industry is governed by the Mining Act, which is constantly being amended, there is much more than can be done to ensure the local mining industry remains sustainable and viable in the future.

Anil Diaram being escorted to the courtroom

that the general manager of the business orchestrated the crime. He procured Khurchullah and Diaram, whom he knew from before to come from Berbice to Port Kaituma with the third accused, Garraway, three days before the crime.

Khurchullah and Diaram collected the gold and cash and returned to the Charity area, via boat, with Garraway.

Hanuman said that the general manager confessed to his early involvement in the crime and lead the police to the house of the two Berbicians where millions of dollars and several ounces of gold were found.

Oral and written confessions were collected from all of the defendants. Monies were recovered from all of

terrorised by the police but the defence opposed.

Khurchulall and Diaram were represented by attorney Tajnarine Ramroop who told the court that neither of his clients were previously convicted and made an application for bail stating that the offence was a bailable one.

Attorney Nigel Hughes, who represented Garrway, told the court that his client is not a willing accomplice since he merely transported the other two accused. Attorney Hughes also made an application for reasonable bail.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry ordered that the accused undergo psychiatric evaluation and they were remanded to prison. The matter stands adjourned to November 26.

15 News

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, november 14, 2013

Domestic woes might have Guyanese troops on high alert at triggered Deryck Kanhai border with Venezuela – friends, relatives say he was a “really good man”

By Vahnu Manikchand

A

fter evicting his reputed wife and his child from his Middle Street property on Monday and subsequently going on a drinking binge, Deryck Kanhai went on his murderous rampage on Tuesday, killing four persons, including two policemen, before lawmen cut him down.

A father of seven, the 52-year-old gold miner, is the owner of the three-storey building located at Lot 315 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, which also housed two businesses. The fourth of nine children, Kanhai grew up in Bartica but moved to Georgetown along with his family.

Guyana Times was told that up to recently he was living with a woman and a child they shared; however, no one knows where either of them are. He also fathered six other children in previous unions; three of them are living in Venezuela while the other three are in the U.S. The man had shared a close relationship with his children despite the distance, as they would talk frequently. Guyana Times understands that he spoke to his three children in the U.S. on Tuesday morning.

Kanhai is well-known for his mining operations in the interior. He has a dredge in the Cuyuni area and is currently building a hotel in Bartica. The man’s businesses also include a fuel transport service and a mining materials supply business.

Domestic woes

As Guyanese try to come to grips with the rampage, Guyana Times revisited the scene of the shootout on Wednesday and was told that Kanhai had actually put the woman he was living with and their child out of the house on Monday. A source said that this might have triggered the man’s behaviour the following day. “He was drinking whole day after he put them out, so maybe that triggered him to behave the way he did, but no one knows for sure what did,” the person said.

Speaking with this publication, the brother of the businessman, Aubrey Kanhai, expressed his sadness over the entire situation. “I must feel bad, four persons lose their lives and I’m very sorry about that because I know them ain’t do he nothing,” he stated regrettably.

The man reiterated that he knows nothing about what could have caused his brother to do what he did, noting that his brother was fine earlier that day and, at no time prior, showed any signs of depression or worry. He disclosed that he was there at the building, where he also resides, when his brother came out armed; however, he left shortly after and about five minutes later, he was informed about the shooting, so he rushed back.

Deryck Kanhai Two friends of the businessman described him as a friendly person who likes to ‘gaff’. One of them said that Kanhai was proud of his business and accomplishments, since whenever they talked he would always mention his business operations. The man said Kanhai was a happy person who loved to make jokes.

He noted that he last saw the man about two weeks ago.

“He called out to me and I came over the road to meet him, we hugged, because we haven’t seen each other in a while… so he said you have to come upstairs and I tell him when I get time a day I gon come up and sit down, it didn’t happen.”

The friend recounted his reaction to Tuesday’s event.

“When I heard the gunshots, I was at public hospital and I say which jackass is doing things like that around here, then somebody say is Deryck…

I was shocked and then I wonder is who do him something,” said the man.

A really good man

Another friend of Kanhai said he was a “real good” person and he added that this incident has shaken him. The man, known as Dara, said he last saw Kanhai about six months ago. He noted that he used to work with the businessman; however, they had a close relationship as he was left to care for the property whenever Kanhai went into the interior.

“When he come out, we does lime together, he does enjoy he self. He gon go out and walk, nobody tell he nothing and he don’t tell nobody anything. We does have a nice time, especially Christmas time when he does come, he does greet everybody.

Everybody he see, he always get something to give them that was the kind of person he was, this what happen shook everybody,” Dara related.

The owner of Crown Cabs Taxi Service, one of the businesses located in the bottom flat of Kanhai’s property, Abdul, told Guyana Times that he was at the premises, minutes before the shooting started; however, he left to go to the service’s main base on East Street and while there, he heard gunshots. “We heard the shots and then we realised

it was coming from here, so we head here and saw a body in front the building.”

The man disclosed that by this time, the police had already arrived on the scene and one was reportedly injured.

Abdul said this incident has shook him up a lot, since he has been operating at the location for close to three years now and nothing like this ever happened; however, he noted that he heard that Kanhai had discharged rounds twice before at the premises, but could not say whether that was true.

The taxi service owner explained that he had only shared a business relationship with Kanhai, and there was nothing personal between them.

Rampage

Kanhai went on a rampage on Tuesday sometime around 13:30h, shooting the dispatcher of the taxi service, Vanessa Vyphuis, and a resident of the area, Hugh “Bonny” Rowland, who would usually lime at the base. Another taxi driver, Paul Raman, 45, of Vreed-enHoop, was also injured. He underwent surgery on Tuesday evening and is currently in the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

He then retreated to inside his house where he took cover from the police who came shortly after. A gun battle ensued between him and the police, lasting for more than three hours, during which two police officers lost their lives.

Constable Sherwin Pantlitz, 35, of Diary, West Demerara and Lance Corporal Michael Forde, 24, of A Field Sophia were shot and killed in the line of duty during the standoff.

Kanhai was eventually shot dead by the police who closed in on him sometime around 16:15h.

Opposition legislators from Venezuela at the Eteringbang area with the sign that says “The Essequibo Is Ours” on Guyanese soil

G

uyanese troops at the border with Venezuela are on high alert after recent noises in the opposition camp in Caracas concerning Eteringbang on the Cuyuni River. Opposition legislators also recently visited the border community and raised a banner saying that Essequibo belongs to Venezuela.

Speaking during his postCabinet media briefing on Wednesday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said such interest has been noted and the Joint Services ranks stationed there have been put on alert.

Dr Luncheon added that the interest “is in the context of their attitude towards Guyana’s Essequibo, one that is felt to be massaged in the eve of the imminent electoral process in Venezuela”.

The Cabinet secretary added that the historic opposition parties in Venezuela have fed on this nationalistic overture which they feel would enhance their appeal.

He explained that members of Venezuela’s legislature have undertaken to visit and have been visiting Eteringbang accompanied by the Venezuelan paramilitary.

He, however, added, “Our Joint Services detachment in the location have been made aware of these planned visits and have been ordered to remain vigilant in the context of such visits.”

Legislators who have been

identified from opposition parties in Venezuela have had at least one visit that has been documented and which occurred “with all the rules and regulations in accordance with such visits”, Dr Luncheon said.

According to the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal, a group of Venezuelan opposition deputies travelled to the Essequibo, in defence of Venezuela’s sovereignty earlier this week.

The deputies departed from Tumeremo on Sunday and headed to San Martín de Turumbán, east Venezuela, in an attempt to make it to Eteringbang, in the Essequibo, after crossing the Cuyuní River.

The group of legislators who took part in the initiative were: Américo de Grazia (LCR); María Corina Machado (independent); Leomagno Flores (AD); Andrés Velásquez (LCR); Juan Pablo García (AD); José Gregorio Contreras (Copei); Luis Barragán (Copei); Eduardo Gómez Sigala (Independent); Ángel Medina (AD); Freddy Marcano (AD); Juan Guaidó (VP); and opposition leader Leopoldo López (VP).

Investigation under way

In September, the government of Guyana investigated the circumstances of the ‘visit’ by a group of Venezuelan civilians and military personnel to Eteringbang. This landing occurred on the same day that Venezuelan President Nicolas

Maduro was on a state visit to Guyana – August 31 – to hold talks with President Donald Ramotar. Dr Luncheon later told the media that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers had objected to the Venezuelan soldiers landing on Guyanese soil with their weapons although they were advised not to do so.

The 45-member group had included six uniformed Venezuelan soldiers, three exVenezuelan generals, and other persons in civilian dress.

The El Universal had reported that the Venezuelans went on a mission crossing “the Cuyaní” River and into the Guyana-Venezuela area accompanied by officers of the Venezuelan Army. “We came here to carry out a civil exercise of sovereignty, but we do not understand what was Nicolás Maduro doing there (in Guyana),” said law student Ricardo de Toma, a member of an organisation called “My Map of Venezuela also Includes Our Essequibo”, who took part in the expedition, along with administrator Jorge Luis Fuguett, and internationalist Rajihv Morillo.

De Toma recalled that in spite of the mining projects Guyana has been developing in the Essequibo, plus the granting of oil concessions ‘in front of the Venezuelan Atlantic front’, President Maduro “paid a visit (to Guyana) only to spread an ideological model”.

16

thursday, november 14, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean

BlackBerry’s powerful Z30 to hit Caribbean by Christmas

C

anadian smartphone maker BlackBerry (BB) will before Christmas launch its biggest and most powerful phone – the Z30 – in Jamaica and other Caribbean markets as it seeks to maintain its toehold in the region.

Kenneth Moore, BlackBerry’s territory sales manager for the Caribbean, is expecting the Z30 to raise BB’s profile in the region as it targets both the corporate customer as well as persons

he called ‘professional users’ who always want to stay connected.

The Z30 is expected to compete against Samsung’s S4 and Apple’s Iphone 5, but while Moore insisted that cost would depend on the island’s two carriers – Digicel and LIME – industry sources believe it will be priced below those two rivals in what is expected to be another fight for the top end of the smartphone market.

Moore, in an interview

with the Jamaica Observer, was, however, excited with the timing of the launch of the Z30, which he called a top of the line instrument. “It is the best in the market, giving you 25 hours of mixed usage [before it needed to be charged again],” Moore said. The improved usage of the Z30 has been credited to the integrated battery, which Moore said is 60 per cent larger than that of the Z10, launched earlier in the year. (Jamaica Observer)

North America

Africa

Petra Diamonds’ first-quarter output rises, keeps full-year target

S

outh Africa-focused Petra Diamonds said output rose 25 per cent in the first quarter and maintained its full-year target of about three million carats, as its key Finsch mine was unaffected by labour strikes.

Petra said it produced 816,735 carats in the quarter ended September 30 up from 654,690 carats a year earlier, helped by its Finsch mine.

First quarter revenue rose 27 per cent to US$65.1 million.

The company said the labour situation at its South African operations had remained stable since the end of the industrial action which began in August. Petra, which has seven producing mines in South Africa and one in Tanzania, said it maintained its overall outlook for average prices for fiscal 2014 ending June 30.

The company said the diamond prices were weak in the post-summer period but that it expected a firmer market

through to calendar year end and in the second half of fiscal 2014.

Petra Diamonds, whose customers are primarily in India, the United States and China, gets most of its production from five mines that it bought from Anglo American Plc’s De Beers unit, the world’s biggest diamond producer by value. Petra shares were up 0.6 per cent at 114.9 pence at 08:14h GMT on the London Stock Exchange. (Reuters)

Asia

Starbucks to pay US$3B in row Japan’s machinery orders fall, BoJ warns of overseas risks over packaged coffee

A

n independent U.S. arbitrator has told Starbucks to pay US$2.76 billion (£1.74 billion) in damages and other costs to Kraft Foods in a dispute over packaged coffee.

Kraft began selling bags of Starbucks branded coffee in 1998 under a deal that was due to run until March 2014.

But the U.S. coffee chain ended the contract in 2010, accusing Kraft of breaking the

terms of their deal.

Kraft challenged that move by starting arbitration proceedings saying it had built a business worth US$500 million a year. On Tuesday the arbitrator ruled that Starbucks must pay US$2.23 billion in damages plus US$527 million in interest and legal costs.

Kraft Foods was spun off

by Mondelez International last year and under an agree-

ment between those two firms the payments from the case will go to Mondelez. “We’re pleased that the arbitrator validated our position that Starbucks breached our successful and long-standing contractual relationship without proper compensation,” said Mondelez.

In a statement Starbucks said it “strongly disagreed” with the conclusions of the arbitrator. (BBC News)

Europe

J

apan’s core machinery orders fell more than expected and a central banker warned of headwinds from soft overseas growth, underscoring the difficulties of sustaining the economic recovery Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies generated.

Board member Ryuzo Miyao stressed the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) readiness to loosen monetary policy again should the global economy and domestic wages fail to pick up, forcing a change to

the central bank’s upbeat economic forecasts.

“I see risks somewhat tilted toward the downside for both the economy and prices,” said Miyao, who is among those in the nine-member board relatively pessimistic about the outlook. “If the BoJ were to act again, it won’t rule out any policy steps in advance,” he told a news conference on Wednesday after meeting with business leaders in Matsumoto, north-western Japan.

Miyao’s comments came

after data showed core machinery orders, a volatile series regarded as a leading indicator of capital expenditure, fell 2.1 per cent in September, more than a median market forecast for a 1.4 per cent drop.

Firms surveyed by the government forecast that core orders would fall 2.1 per cent in the final three months of 2013 after two straight quarters of increases, suggesting that business investment remains the weak link in keeping the economy afloat. (Reuters)

Germany under review over Middle East economic role in EU Dubai to launch Islamic Corporate Governance Centre next year A review by the European Commission is looking into whether Germany’s international trade surplus is hampering Europe’s economic recovery.

Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it wanted to see if Germany “could do more” to help rebalance the European economy.

The commission is also scrutinising 15 other European countries for not meeting EU economic targets.

France, Italy and Hungary were also told to take “decisive policy action”.

An investigation led by the commission will use new powers to look into the economic programmes of the 16 countries. It will run until May 2014. Analysts have accused Germany, which has the EU’s biggest economy, of relying too much on exports and not doing enough to boost domestic demand.

Barroso said: “This is not

about the EU running economies in place of national governments.” But he said the move was to ensure that “what is good for individual states is also good for the EU” and called for “bolder” crossborder policy-making for the economy.

Olli Rehn, EU economic and monetary commissioner, said: “Let’s be clear on this, we are not criticising Germany’s... success in global markets.” (BBC News)

Market statistics Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

Fixed as at July 24, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$337.79

$331.90

CAN

$195.89

$198.14

USD

$205.49

$207.93

U.S.

$1335.00

Cambio

$202.67

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

Indicators as on November 13, 2013 USD Per Once

Indicators

Bid/Ask

Live Spot Gold $1282.30

$1282.90

Crude Oil

Low/High

$1267.80

$1285.40

Change

+16.10

+1.27

USD GBP EUR

AM

PM

1276.00 798.75 951.25

1272.50 796.36 949.13

AM

PM

Nov 12

Change %

$105.81

USD per Ounce

-0.56

Change %

$20.61

-0.09

$1427.00

-6.00

Last: 15821.63 Open: 15739.50

High: 15822.96

% Change: +0.45 Low: 15672.00

% YTD: 20.74

52Wk Hi: 15721.00

52 Wk Lo: 12471.49

GBP EUR

tourism and education.

The standards will not be compulsory for firms but the centre will issue sharia-compliance certificates to companies and banks meeting them, said Ali Ibrahim, deputy director general for planning and development at Dubai’s Department of Economic Development.

The standards would cover issues such as corporate transparency and disclosure; certificates will not be issued

for individual products, said Ibrahim, a member of the committee leading Dubai’s Islamic business efforts.

He did not elaborate on how the Islamic standards would differ from conventional standards of corporate best practice. It is believed to be one of the first times that a government is trying to formalise Islamic guidelines for the behaviour of corporations other than banks and insurers. (Gulf Business)

Investors' guide Be your own boss with no money down (conclusion) Office equipment Desks, computers, phones and fax machines are usually provided by the company.

Disadvantages

Long hours Most car rental locations are open seven days a week.

Early hours for corporate customers are common.

Inventory A corporate dispatcher is in charge of any special rentals you may need.

Sometimes this is a problem during holidays when the demand for rental vehicles is high.

Cleaning supplies Rental cars must be clean and ready to rent. Some companies may provide a vacuum cleaner, but other cleaning solutions are the agency operator’s expense.

Employees Hiring qualified assistants is your expense.

You are responsible for

their actions in the eye of the company. Workman’s Compensation Insurance, Unemployment Insurance and all necessary federal and state taxes must be filed and paid on time.

Car rental companies compensate their independent contractors on a commission basis. A respectable income can be earned by a hard working agency operator without a large initial investment. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Organised crime

1281.25 803.75 952.39 Changes: +70.96

USD

1281.00 807.03 956.90

Silver

Platinum

London Gold Fix

Nov 13

Price

US$ per barrel

T

he Dubai government plans to establish a centre that will develop standards for corporate governance based on Islamic values, guiding companies in both financial and non-financial activities.

The centre, to be opened in the second quarter of next year, is part of the emirate’s plans to become a hub for Islamic business in areas ranging from banking and insurance to food processing,

Ongoing conspiratorial enterprise engaged in illicit activities as a means of generating income (as black money). Structured like a business into a pyramid shaped hierarchy, it freely employs violence and bribery to maintain its operations, threats of grievous retribution (including murder) to maintain internal and external control, and thuggery. Its activities include credit card fraud, gun running, illegal gambling, insurance fraud, kidnapping for ransom, narcotics trade, pornography, prostitution, racketeering, smuggling, vehicle theft, etc.

news

17

thursday, november 14, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rosignol Secondary upgraded to A-List status

The gathering at the commissioning of the Rosignol Secondary School as an A-List institution

G

overnment said it has spent $45 million on improving the Rosignol Secondary School, in Region Five to an A-List School. The money was expended on text books, chemical and laboratory equipment, physical rehabilitation, computers and furniture to bring it to A-List level, and on Tuesday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand commissioned the upgraded school.

The school, which was offering 16 subjects, has now added six others namely biology, physics, economics, building technology, technical drawing and Spanish, and soon visual arts and mechanical engineering technology will be added.

To bring Rosignol Secondary to an A-List school, a block was built to house two science laboratories, and the old labs were converted into five classrooms. Major renovation work was done, while 21 computers were installed for information technology and materials and equipment

bought for home economics.

The industrial technology laboratories were renovated and equipped with furniture and materials while space was created for an agricultural science laboratory.

In the area of sport, a tarmac was constructed to facilitate games and sport gear was bought.

Each child has the recommended texts in the following 15 subjects – mathematics, English A, English B, social studies, integrated science, chemistry, physics, biology, food and nutrition, home economics management, clothing and textiles, principles of accounts, principles of business, office administration and economics.

There are class sets for the following four subjects – physical education, agricultural science, history and geography. For grades seven to nine, each child has the recommended texts for English, mathematics, science and social studies. There are also class sets for the following subjects – agricultural science, home economics and

Spanish.

One less

Rosignol Secondary requires a cadre of 36 teachers, but now has one less.

Eighteen are trained, with seven being graduates. Four additional trained teachers were appointed to the school this year to teach biology, physics, Spanish, English A and mathematics.

Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand speaking at the commissioning, said that “Education is the only tool that could change your life… the only way we can secure the future of our children is by giving them an education, the only thing you can give a child and no one can take it away from them.”

The education minister said the only way to ensure that the country’s children are equal is to put the necessary infrastructure and human resources in place, and the current administration has done that through heavy investment in the sector.

This investment, Minister Manickchand said, has produced results in that, today

Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a tour of the computer laboratory

because of access to education, poverty has been cut in half which is significant and 80 per cent of the secondary age children have access to secondary schools, 70 per cent of the teachers are trained, and Guyana has been able to attain universal primary education. Government is now working to achieve universal secondary education in keeping with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number two.

Minister Manickchand said Region Five has already achieved universal secondary education, and complemented the region for the work it has been doing to sustain the quality of education delivered.

Need to improve quality education

She said even as the ministry is looking at building schools in some other areas, there is need to improve the quality of education delivered.

“It’s not us alone, all around the world this conversation is happening, how we make sure the children get a proper edu-

cation… government has ensured that we dedicate a large amount on education to ensure that happened”.

One of the criticisms, she said is that children have to go to extra lessons and the ministry will be looking into that issue. However, she said that this will not be possible without the partnership of the parents, teachers and the regional administration.

She urged the regional education officers to be stern and ensure that the school curriculum is completed, and the teachers, to be the very best they can be and ensure they deliver the quality of education that is expected.

Minister Manickchand said parents also have a major role to play. “When you check all the children that are doing well, they have parents that are very supportive, not rich or educated, but they go to the PTAs and stay up and study with their children,” she said. Minister Manickchand also charged the students to make full use of the opportunity that has been given to them, and work

hard so that in less than five years, the school can produce the best in the Caribbean at all levels.

Region Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth expressed happiness that the school has been made an A List institution, and very soon Bygeval Secondary School will be converted as well. Bisnauth promised that the regional administration will continue to support the school’s programme, and make representation when necessary. He said that the region will continue to ensure that it becomes one of the best in the country.

Recently, a new wing was commissioned at the Fort Wellington Secondary School, also in Region Five, to accommodate 150 Grade Seven students.

Other schools in Region Five to be commissioned include Novar Primary (extension), new Woodley Park Secondary School and the Bygeval Secondary School as an AList School, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Home Affairs Ministry saddened by Guyanese-Canadian celebrates 10 years of radio broadcasting in Canada Middle Street shooting

T

he Home Affairs Ministry said it is deeply saddened over the shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday at Middle and East streets, Georgetown, which resulted in the death of five persons, including two policemen and the alleged shooter.

The ministry in a release said the incident was most unfortunate.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to extend its condolences to the relatives of the policemen who lost their lives in the line of duty and the two civilians who were brutally murdered. This incident reinforces the contention of this ministry that there is a dire need for well trained specialised units in the Guyana Police Force to respond to similar types of incidents.

We are now more than committed to ensure that the SWAT team is established in the force within the timeframe stipulated,” the release said.

The ministry commended the efforts that were made by the brave ranks who responded to the incident.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

The government and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have expressed condolences to the relatives of those killed by a lone gunman.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the tragedy began unfolding just after 13:30h with the alleged shooter, who was identified as a miner and licenced firearm holder, Derrick Kanhai apparently going berserk, shooting at least two persons in-

cluding a female dispatcher, Vanessa Williams who was on duty at the Crown Cabs Taxi Service.

As shots rang out, passersby took cover and police ranks raced to the scene.

Kanhai then retreated into his home above the taxi service. An initial attempt at storming the building was met by a barrage of gunfire.

Two wounded ranks, Lance Corporal Sherwin Pantlitz and Lance Corporal Michael Forde were rushed to the nearby Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where they later succumbed. The businessman barricaded himself in the property.

Police subsequently stormed the building and came under fire. The ranks returned fire and he was fatally shot, bringing to an end an almost three-hour standoff. A shotgun, a .32 pistol and a .22 pistol were recovered by the police. The police have also expressed sincere condolences to the relatives of the two police ranks and two civilians who lost their lives in the tragic encounter.

I

t was 10 years ago when Narine Dat Sookram saw the need for a West Indian radio show in Waterloo region, Ontario, Canada. It was then when “Caribbean Spice Radio” was born. Sookram started the show because he realised something was missing and he wanted the West Indians in Canada to feel a sense of home.

The whole purpose of the radio show is to promote, entertain, educate and to keep West Indians in Canada feeling a sense of “home”, through the radio show that can be listen to worldwide on www. soundfm.ca and in Canada on Rogers Cable 946 and on the dial 100.3 FM, Radio Waterloo every Sunday from 19:30h to 20:30h Eastern time.

Since the initiation of the show, it has captured listeners both in Canada and internationally and has become the only radio programme to receive the CKMS Sonic Boom People’s Choice awards for “Favourite Caribbean Music” and “Favourite Word Music”.

The radio show becomes a

Narine Dat Sookram

place where new and young artistes get the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents. On Caribbean Spice Radio, people also get the opportunity to listen to unpopular songs by popular artistes.

Sookram said he is proud to be part of a community radio station; Radio Waterloo has been in existence for almost four decades but he is even more proud that fans around the world cannot seem to have enough of the “Caribbean Spice Radio” show. “The secret for the success of the show is to build a

good relationship with the listeners, especially the ones who usually take the initiatives to call in and give feedback, because that is how the show has developed over the years,” he said.

Sookram added that the radio show allows him to be part of a bigger “family” which really fits in with his values. He is a people-person and always gets excited when meeting someone new and the show allows him to broaden his horizon as well as to reach out to people and being a mentor for his supporters. When he was asked what will he do if the show no longer exists, he said though he will be thankful for the opportunity for the past 10 years to connect with his listeners, he will take some time to adjust to the change, but will take a different approach where he can continue that same passion. Sookram would like to thank his listeners and supporters who contributed and made “Caribbean Spice Radio” a success and is looking forward for their continued support in the years ahead.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, November 14, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Offer an unusual solution at work, and you will gain respect. Expect someone’s insecurity to cause friction. Handle this person with care.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Don’t let someone dictate your options. You have to be your own boss and make the decisions that best suit your needs.

If you want to remain emotionally sound, you need to make a change.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Take on a challenge and show everyone how adaptable and knowledgeable you are. Your ideas will spark personal and professional interest in you. Partnerships are favoured.

CANCER (June 21July 22) Volatile emotions will surface if you think someone is taking advantage of you. Put more emphasis on the projects you are working on and less on the demands that someone is making.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Tread carefully. Not everyone will agree with the choices you make. Get as much accomplished as possible before you decide to share what you are doing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Interacting with others will lead to plenty of giveand-take, with a positive plan ultimately resulting. Romance should be on your mind, and a celebration should be planned.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll have trouble making up your mind between work and getting to know an interesting acquaintance better. Tread carefully, assume nothing and don’t step on anyone’s toes.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Fix up your place and prepare to do a little entertaining. Time with friends and family will bring out the best in you and will encourage interesting offers that could brighten your day.

Problems at home or in a personal relationship can be expected. Listen to any complaints being made, but don’t give in to unrealistic demands.

Keep a low profile.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Hunker down and learn all you can. What you observe will spark your imagination, allowing you to come up with bold concepts that complement your talents.

Wednesday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Before someone forces you in a direction that leaves you feeling uncertain, you need to initiate change. Taking control will give you the upper hand and leave you some wiggle room to reach your goals.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Interesting alternatives will arise at home.

Don’t let someone pressure you into passing on an opportunity that you really want to pursue.

Your heart will lead you in the right direction.

news 19

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Rose Hall Estate workers protesting the one per cent wage hike

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C

ane harvesters attached to the Rose Hall Estate, Providence on the East Bank Berbice, on Wednesday downed tools in protest over a proposed one per cent wage increase and also criticised their union – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) for being a “sell-out”.

The workers represent almost half of the field workers attached to the estate. They marched from Providence, chanting “One per cent can’t wuk” to New Amsterdam where they staged a picketing exercise in front of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) New Amsterdam office. Police later cordoned off the area and diverted traffic as the workers demonstrated.

“P Gang” representative Carlton Austin told this publication they are dissatisfied with the increase offered to them. According to him, workers understand that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) might be cash-strapped, but in spite of this, it is still able to pay some of its managers huge salaries.

The workers’ representative added that the company also spent huge sums to pay auditors. He is of the

opinion that the workers’ demand for an eight per cent wage increase is reasonable, given the fact that initially they were pushing for a 12 per cent increase.

“If you are cutting cost, you can’t start from the bottom and then increase at the top,” he lamented.

Inadequate

Cane harvester Kurt Matthew Kaiu said the one per cent increase is inadequate, noting that the cost of living increases at a greater rate. “I bought a pound of milk for $800 last night and Friday gone I paid $760.”

He said like many other workers, he was not satisfied with the representation which they receive from GAWU. According to the cane harvester, some workers are paying union dues although they have not joined the union. “The union wait until the crop finish and then say that wages talk freeze and we have to accept a one per cent increase; that is not fair.”

He argued that GAWU President Komal Chan is a representative of the sugar workers and he is also a PPP/C parliamentarian; therefore, he cannot adequately represent the workers in their best interest.

“You are being paid to represent the sugar work-

ers and not GuySuCo and government.”

GAWU Berbice Regional Supervisor Harvey Tambron, in an invited comment, said management will not have union duties deducted from workers’ wages without proper authorisation. While refusing to comment on the issue of salaries for GuySuCo’s top management, Tambron said the union understands the difficulty workers are facing and it will continue to represent them. “That is our legal obligation,” he stressed.

Tambron noted that the union met with workers’ representatives on Tuesday and a decision was taken to allow the negotiations between GuySuCo’s management and union officials to continue.

“There is nothing wrong with organised protest or strikes. We will support the workers in strike action once the union can defend and justify the cause,” he added.

According to Tambron, Wednesday’s action cannot be justified, because representatives had agreed to wait on the outcome of the current negotiations, before anything is done.

“No other gangs on any of the other estates are on strike for wage increases,” Tambron said.

Cabinet greenlights $176.5M for rehabilitation of Linden-Lethem Road

T

he deplorable LindenLethem Road will be rehabilitated to the tune of $176.5 million, Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said on Wednesday.

The project was placed high on the agenda when Cabinet met on Tuesday, Dr Luncheon said, noting that the multimillion dollar project will be executed in three lots.

Contrary to frequency complaints from drivers who ply the route, Public Works Ministry, Hinterland Roads Engineer Naeem Mohamed said recently the more than 300 miles of road is in good condition.

According to him, emer-

gency works were executed in the vicinities of 40 Mile, Mabura Road, Region 10 and Aranaputa, Region Nine.

Guyana and Brazil have been collaborating on the Linden-Lethem Road Project at the request of former Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, who had commissioned the bridge across the Takutu River in 2009.

The Guyana/Brazil Joint Commission, comprising representatives of both countries, facilitate meetings on a regular basis. In December 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her Brazilian coun-

terpart Antonio Patriota signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring into being a working group on infrastructural projects. The group held its first meeting in February this year.

Meanwhile, Cabinet has granted its no-objection for the rehabilitation of roads in Region One at a cost of some $33.48 million. Cabinet also granted its no-objection for the supply of drugs and medical supplies to the Health Ministry at the cost of $381.4 million, in addition to laboratory supplies at a cost of $124.8 million.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, november 14, 2013

Police increase lead on second day of ISAC

West Indies greats hail Chanderpaul on 150th Test

By Treiston Joseph

S

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

T

Davin Fraser ran away with heat one of the men’s 200 metres on day two of the ISAC championship

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) increased their first day lead by ending on 181 points when the second day of the Inter Services Athletics Championships (ISAC) concluded at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, on Wednesday.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) finished second with 150 points, while the Guyana Prison Service was third with 13 points. The Guyana Fire Service ended fourth with 12 points, while the City Constabulary was fifth with 11 points.

On the track, Kevin Bayley caused the upset of

the day when he came from behind to dip in front of Cleveland Forde to win the men’s 800 metres event.

Bayley clocked 1:57.7s to win the event, while Forde clocked 1:58.1s for second.

Tyshon Bentick finished third in a time of 1:58.6s Leslain Baird threw away the men’s javelin with a throw of 57.06 metres to claim the event, while Troy Lewis was third with a throw of 51.09 metres. Cordel English finished third with a throw of 50.55 metres.

The women’s 800 metres was won by Jonella Jonas, who clocked 2:31.7s for top the spot, leaving Karlissa

Atkinson in second as she clocked 2:33.5s. Nadine Rodrigues was third in a time of 2:37.7s.

Natasha Alder won the women’s javelin with a throw of 35.85 metres, while Stacy Wilson placed second with a throw of 30.75 metres, leaving Wonetta Wayne in third with a throw of 28.83 metres.

In relay action, the GPF dominated the distance medley relay as both the male and female teams captured their respective events, while GDF picked up second.

Meanwhile, the men’s preliminary 200 metres ran

off with Olympian Winston George winning heat two in a time of 22.2 second to defeat Patrick King, who clocked in at 22.4s. Keith Roberts was third in the heat with a time of 22.8s.

Davin Fraser cruised to win heat one of the men’s 200 metres in a time of 21.8s, while Akeem Stewart finished second in a time of 22.0s. Shawn Semple was third in 22.2s.

The event will conclude on Friday when the overall champion will be decided at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. Action will get underway at 13:30 hours.

"I thrive on criticism" – Sammy D arren Sammy knows the feeling.

He has been there many times before. After every West Indies loss, the first man questioned is Sammy. Does the spirit, the pride, the passion he brings make up for the imbalance this less-thanstrike-bowler causes to the side? Would the side feel the need for an extra bowler had Sammy been a tearaway fast bowler looking to take wickets? Then again, Sammy is the only man of any sort of pace that has stayed fit in the West Indies side for any considerable period. He bowls long, consistent spells when others are being awry, although the last Test is not a good example of that.

So the question is asked of Sammy again. He has to justify his place in the side.

More than batsmen who are throwing their wickets away like millionaires.

More than bowlers who are missing their length while striving for pace. “I have said many times before I thrive on criticism,” Sammy said. “Probably it is the way the big man

works above. I need to be under pressure to bring the best out of me. I have been in that situation from the day I started my career.

“To be honest right now I am not even worried.

There is nothing more that anybody can say that will faze me,” he said. “I criticise myself as well. I am not really worried about the criticism. I am here to do a job to the best of my ability. When the selectors who put me in that position feel it is time to move on, then so be it. We have moved on from Sammy as captain in one-day cricket. I am still enjoying the game. That [criticism] is the least of my worries right now.”

This time, though, Chris Gayle has joined Sammy after looking uncomfortable in Kolkata. What is he going through? “I don’t know if I could go into his mind,” Sammy said. “I am not worried about Chris.

Chris is somebody that could come up on any given day, like he has done all over the world, and destroy any attack. Hopefully he can start in this match,

but over the years we have learned to not rely on one person. We all fight for each other together.”

As a batting unit, which he now should be considered a part of because West Indies are playing only five specialist batsmen, there is a lot of work to do after the disappointing show in the three-day defeat in Kolkata. “I think it’s more of us applying ourselves, being mentally tougher,” Sammy said. “Both teams came into this series playing one-day cricket. India adjusted quicker than us. We were not patient enough. Once we were put under pressure, we didn’t respond well enough.

Something to work on.”

Sammy spoke about working on the mental side of things after the last Test, but how can you change it in three-four days? “It is up to each individual to go back to that wonderful place where you were happy and confident,” Sammy said.

“To go back to that one good innings you had, that good bowling spell, that moment of brilliance you

had, and fall back on it and get your inspiration.

“It is about getting inspiration from whatever, your kids, your family, your mum, your dad, whatever. To go out there and fight for yourself and your team-mates.

It is going to be tough.

It is always difficult to face India in India. It is a tough battle. But this team likes a challenge. We have to show we can rise to the challenge, and give Sachin a good send-off.”

About the send-off, Sammy is hoping his bowlers will be extra motivated and queuing up to take that historic wicket, Tendulkar’s last. “From the moment we heard Mumbai was going to be his last Test, all the bowlers were quite motivated,” Sammy said.

“This is a chance to go down in history. The last stroke he would play in any cricket match. Your name could down in there.

The guys are motivated.

Knowing Tino Best, he could be in his 14th over, and if Sachin comes in he would want to bowl.” (Cricinfo)

t John’s, Antigua – Several legends of West Indies cricket have hailed left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul as he prepares to play what will be a West Indies record 150th Test match.

Three West Indies batting greats – Sir Everton Weekes, Rohan Kanhai and Desmond Haynes – applauded Chanderpaul and urged him to celebrate the occasion. The match will be played against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and will also be the 200th and final Test match for India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

“It will be a West Indian record and to play 150 Test matches tells you all you need to know about his stamina and longevity. He has not changed his style – which is a very beautiful thing – he has remained a batsman who bats for long periods and always looks to secure his wicket,” said Sir Everton.

“Chanderpaul’s style is unique and quite different to that of most West Indians but he has done a magnificent job for West Indies cricket. I want to wish him all the very best in this historic match,” added Sir Everton, who played 48 Tests and averaged 58.61 runs per innings.

The 39-year-old Chanderpaul made his Test debut in 1994 against England at Bourda. He enters the historic Test with 10,897 runs at an average of 51.89 and made 28 hundreds and 61 half-centuries. Only fellow left-hander Brian Lara has scored more runs (11,953) for West Indies.

Kanhai, who played 79 Tests between 1957 and 1974, praised Chanderpaul for his ability to bat for long periods and never get flustered.

“I first saw him playing years ago in Guyana and was always impressed. Back them he was a raw youngster with bundles of talent

and immense concentration.

He has blossomed to become one of the great cricketers of the world,” Kanhai said.

“He has a unique style of batting and it works well for him. He continues to show he has the great powers of concentration and likes to bat for long periods and the most important thing is he never gives his wicket away.

“I want to urge the West Indies first four can take leaf out of Chanderpual’s book and look to bat for a long period. If they do we will do well, and look to make 350 to 400 runs in first innings.”

Kanhai added: “Sachin Tendulkar will also be playing his 200th Test match and this is another great achievement by another stalwart of our great game – an achievement that will be remembered forever.”

Chanderpaul was named the International Cricket Council’s Player of the Year in 2008. He has scored 4,161 runs at an average of 70.52 runs per innings in 48 Tests since 2007 including 14 hundreds.

Haynes, who played 116 Tests, praised Chanderpaul’s approach to his batting.

“When he first came into the West Indies team I was still around and I remember seeing a little boy and I was very impressed with his ability. He was someone who was driven and was determined to get better. He came into Test cricket with a good attitude towards batting – always looking to bat long and play within his limitation and I was pleased with his progress,” said Haynes.

“A very memorable moment for him was when he batted with Brian Lara when he (Lara) broke Sir Garry Sobers’s record in Antigua.

Not many people remember the role Shiv played on that day but I will always recall how he stayed at the crease and did the perfect job.

“He (Chanderpaul) will be missed when he makes the decision to retire and we have to look at a succession plan for when Shiv goes.”

thurSday, november 14, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

21

Central NA crowned Beef Humphrey South Africa seamers set up crushing win U-15 football champs

Mohammad Hafeez fell to his nemesis, Dale Steyn, again

F The Central New Amsterdam lads pose with their medals after being the top team in the one day tournament

I

n an effort to ensure youngsters in New Amsterdam have an opportunity to play competitive football, the Beef Humphrey’s memorial interward Under-15 tournament was held recently at the All Saints ground.

The tournament, which was run on a round-robin basis, was played amongst Canje and North, Central and South New Amsterdam.

Central New Amsterdam emerged as champions after an exciting day of football rivalry.

They received a trophy and fifteen gold medals, while the runner-up- South New Amsterdam- received a trophy and fifteen silver medals.

In the opening match of the day, Canje, through a Shamar Arendell goal, defeated North New Amsterdam 1-0. In game

two, Central and North New Amsterdam played to a goalless draw, while Godfrey Howard netted to allow North New Amsterdam to inflict a 1-0 defeat on South New Amsterdam in game three.

J-Que Simson scored for Central New Amsterdam against Canje and also scored against North New Amsterdam as both teams lost 1-0 to Central.

In the final game, which turned out to be the decider for second place, Joshua Butts scored the lone goal in the game to give South New Amsterdam victory by a 1-0 margin.

The MVP was Tierrie Phillips of Central, while his teammate J-Que Simson took home the most goals award.

The best goalkeeper was Joel Doris, also of Central New Amsterdam.

India v West Indies, 2nd Test, Mumbai…

The final leg of the epic farewell

A

fter this match, there will be no switching off the television when he gets out. No Indian fan will wait for the second India wicket to fall. There will be no standing ovations that stretch from the fall of that second wicket to the time he takes strike. Sections of crowds at grounds won’t take turns in going ‘Sachin, Sachin’. For after this match, Sachin Tendulkar will never play cricket for India again.

So for one last time, it is over to the ground where it all began in 1988, for Bombay against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy. Few international cricketers get to say goodbye on their home ground, in front of home fans. In that sense, Tendulkar and Mumbai are fortunate that the parting, in the playing sense, will be at Wankhede Stadium.

Fortunate is a word MS Dhoni has used often of late. He’s been asked numerous times how it was to play with Tendulkar, and he’s said he has been fortunate to have done so for close to a decade. There was a cartoon recently doing the rounds with Tendulkar cradling some babies - a few of his youngest current India team-mates - while the rest of the squad stood around as grinning boys. How old, or young, each of them were when Tendulkar debuted for

India is a factsheet that gets thrown around a lot. But that Mohammed Shami is younger than Tendulkar’s international career is a fact that seems as astonishing each time you think about it. He’s been a colossal father figure.

All the India players have grown up looking up to the man.

The opponents were hastily arranged for this farewell series and were not expected to play a big role. That is exactly what West Indies did in Kolkata, folding up in three days. The last time they played at Wankhede, they produced an exciting draw with the scores tied. This match will be known in history as Tendulkar’s final game, but West Indies will look to somehow miraculously ending up winning it.

In the spotlight

All these years, Sachin Tendulkar has given the impression that he shuts himself from the expectation India heaps upon him every match. Only those very close to him, and perhaps not even them, would know what actually goes on inside the man’s mind. Is it only an impression, or does he really manage to insulate himself? Over the course of this final match, however, there will be no need for all this. People will of course love it if he goes out

with a big hundred, but as his career has wound down over the past fortnight, they have been happy just to watch him do what he does. Bat, field, bowl, practice, wave. There will be a different kind of pressure now. The realisation that this is it - the end of what has been routine for most of his life. How will he react to that final standing ovation?

To that final guard of honour?

To that final cheer?

The opposition has a man who has been almost as durable as Tendulkar.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul debuted in March 1994, and will be playing his 150th Test. It is a monumental disservice to him that commentators still talk about his stance after nearly 11000 Test runs.

And unlike Tendulkar, he’s showed no signs that the end is approaching. He averaged close to 100 last year with three centuries. Sadly, his misfiring team is more likely to squander his legacy than build on it.

Mohammed Shami and Tino Best. One fast, the other faster. Both managed reverse swing in Kolkata. Shami had control, Best didn’t. Shami had nine wickets on debut, Best had one in 17 overs.

With no Kemar Roach in the squad, and an inexperienced new-ball partner at the other end again, Best will have to produce a markedly better

effort than what he came up with at Eden Gardens.

Team news

India have little reason to change the winning combination, both debutants Shami and Rohit Sharma having performed superbly in Kolkata.

India (probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 M Vijay, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 Virat Kohli, 6 Rohit Sharma, 7 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Pragyan Ojha, 11 Mohammed Shami. Playing only five specialist batsmen hurt West Indies in Kolkata. The second spinner Veerasammy Permaul could not support Shane Shillingford. Will they go in for an extra batsman who can bowl a bit? West Indies have also flown in Shannon Gabriel as replacement for Roach.

Sheldon Cottrell impressed in patches on debut at Eden Gardens. There is an outside possibility of West Indies playing three fast bowlers.

West Indies (probable): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Kieran Powell, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Darren Sammy (capt), 8 Narsingh Deonarine/ Veerasammy Permaul, 9 Shane Shillingford, 10 Sheldon Cottrell/Shannon Gabriel, 11 Tino Best (Cricinfo)

orget Twenty20. Two overs were enough to decide this contest.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Dale Steyn sliced through Pakistan’s top order to effectively end the match before it had even properly begun.

They drilled the holes from which Pakistan’s structure collapsed, eventually succumbing to their fourth total under 100 in this format and giving their bowlers no chance.

While South Africa’s attack used the short ball cleverly, poor shot selection accounted for most of Pakistan’s undoing and none were guiltier than the three batsmen who were dismissed early. With non-existent footwork, they chased tempting deliveries placed outside the offstump and laced with a hint of swing.

Ahmed Shehzad flayed loosely and got a thick edge to slip, where Hashim Amla took a good catch. Sohaib Maqsood was equally irresponsible, proding at a Steyn delivery to give Quinton de Kock a simple chance. And Mohammad Hafeez did as expected, against Steyn.

He tried to cut one that was just back of a length and also sent an edge de Kock’s way.

Pakistan were 4-3 after two overs and there was no way back even after Shahid

Afridi had been promoted to No.3.

Defending 98 was always going to be tough but Pakistan made it harder for themselves when they missed a chance off the first ball. Hashim Amla edged to slip, but Sohaib Maqsood barely moved. After Amla had played two classy drives, he moved across his stumps to whip Tanvir away but was bowled.

Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis looked set to finish things quickly as they reached 37-1 after five overs, but were forced to be more careful against the spinners. They dragged the match past its halfway stage and then accelerated.

Abdur Rehman’s first over went for 18 as du Plessis scooped him over Akmal’s head and launched him down the ground. De Kock’s good form from the one-day series continued.

He smoked the ball over midwicket for six, twice.

Two more fours took him within two runs of his fifty, but he let du Plessis hit the winning run. The pair went on to add 83.

South Africa won the match with five and half overs remaining and sent a powerful message ahead of the remaining fixture in the UAE and the two return legs back home. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Pakistan innings (20 overs maximum) Ahmed Shehzad c Amla b Tsotsobe 0 Sohaib Maqsood c †de Kock b Steyn 4 Shahid Afridi c McLaren b Tsotsobe 10 Mohammad Hafeez* c †de Kock b Steyn 0 Shoaib Malik st †de Kock b Imran Tahir 12 Umar Akmal† run out (†de Kock) 49 Abdul Razzaq c Miller b McLaren 10 Sohail Tanvir st †de Kock b Imran Tahir 0 Abdur Rehman not out 7 Saeed Ajmal b Steyn 0 Extras (lb-1, w-5) 6 Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 98 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Ahmed Shehzad, 0.5 ov), 2-4 (Sohaib Maqsood, 1.4 ov), 3-4 (Mohammad Hafeez, 1.6 ov), 4-21 (Shahid Afridi, 6.4 ov),

5-41 (Shoaib Malik, 9.5 ov), 6-70 (Abdul Razzaq, 14.5 ov), 7-72 (Sohail Tanvir, 15.3 ov), 8-98 (Umar Akmal, 19.5 ov), 9-98 (Saeed Ajmal, 19.6 ov) Bowling: LL Tsotsobe 4-29-2, DW Steyn 4-0-15-3, R McLaren 4-0-29-1 (2-w), WD Parnell 4-0-27-0 (1-w), Imran Tahir 4-0-17-2 (2-w) South Africa innings (target: 99 runs from 20 overs) HM Amla b Sohail Tanvir 13 Q de Kock† not out 48 F du Plessis* not out 37 Extras (lb-1) 1 Total (1 wicket; 14.3 overs) 99 Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Amla, 2.2 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Hafeez 3-0-24-0, Mohammad Irfan 2-0-7-0, Sohail Tanvir 2-021-1, Saeed Ajmal 4-0-120, Shahid Afridi 2.3-0-16-0, Abdur Rehman 1-0-18-0

22

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, november 14, 2013

“Ride for Life” pedals off today – Minister Anthony urges riders to break records

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Break records

Columbia’s Jaime Ramirez (centre) of Team Coco is the defending champion

Up to press time, 73 cyclists were confirmed to take the starter’s orders at Corriverton this morning including three overseas riders. However, according to officials close to the organising committee, that number could be increased overnight, as riders from Suriname and French Guiana had earlier indicated an interest in joining the race.

Team Coco’s Jaime Ramirez, who is the defending champion, holds the record for the event, having

completed last year’s race in a time of nine hours, 46 minutes, 51 seconds (09h: 46m: 51s).

Meanwhile, at the send off from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Wednesday, subject minister Dr Frank Anthony said his ministry has been a part of the race since its inception and he is pleased at the manner in which it has evolved.

Minister Anthony commended the Guyana Cycling Federation and the National Sports

The minister threw out a challenge to the riders as they aim to surpass each other over the next four days. He charged the riders to improve on last year’s time and at the same time demonstrate discipline among themselves.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar, national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed and president of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Cheryl Thompson, urged the riders to “stick to the rules” outlined.

As was the case in previous years, the event will be held with the objectives of increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/Aids among participants and the public, and increasing HIV/ Aids activism and volunteerism among the participants and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/Aids.

NATI boys lift Wilbur Hope football title

The NATI boys strike a pose with their trophies and officials of the Wilbur Hope memorial football tournament

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ew Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) emerged as the new champions of the annual Wilbur Hope memorial inter-secondary school football tournament.

In the final of the second annual tournament at the All Saints ground in New Amsterdam, the eventual champions registered a 2-0 victory on Berbice High School (BHS).

After a goalless first half which saw NATI having more than 50 percent of ball possession, Steffon Hinds

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

Commission for their efforts towards making the race bigger and better.

He also commended the Health Ministry, which has partnered with the Sport Ministry to make this race possible on an annual basis, noting that while the concept of the event evolved from the sport ministry, the funding comes from the latter whose main aim at the time was to make people more aware of HIV/Aids.

By Rajiv Bisnauth

uyana’s premier cycle meet, the “Ride for Life” five-stage race, an event that touches all three counties, covering an approximate distance of 266 miles, will pedal off today in Berbice.

The opening stage will start at 07:30 hours at Corriverton and end at New Amsterdam (46.6 miles), while stage two willbe held later today from Rosignol to Georgetown (60.4 miles), starting at 14:00 hours.

Stage three will take place on Friday from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09:00 hours, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07:30 hours the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles.

The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08:30 hours and finish on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown on Sunday, covering a distance of 62 miles.

Over 70 local and foreign riders will face the starting line for the seventh edition, and what will make the event more interesting is the fact that the roadways have been improved, lending itself to the possibility of all the stage times and overall record being broken.

Superb Shiv still solid at 150

sent a shot from just off the side line in the 51st minute to push NATI ahead.

Six minutes later, it became 2-0 when Jermaine Samuels found the back of the nets, leaving BHS to finish the competition in the runner-up spot for the second year.

Meanwhile, in the playoff for third place, defending champions Tutorial Academy (TASS) won on sudden death penalty after Vryman’s Erven Secondary (VESS) held them to a hard fought goalless draw at the

end of regulation and extra time.

The MVP of the tournament was Steffon Hinds of NATI, while his teammate Steffon Boucher, with six goals, took the best striker and most goals awards.

Renson Mitchell, also of NATI, was awarded the best midfielder prize. The best defender was Randy Arrendell of BHS. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Vicepresident of sponsors Hope Foundation, Mark Adams, expressed gratitude on be-

half of president Kevin Henry to the schools, teachers and staff who participated in the competition. He also thanked the Hearts of Oak Masters football club for organising the competition.

Coordinator Neil Humphrey expressed his disappointment with the standard of play and some schools attitude towards playing the game. Wilbur Hope, in whose honour the tournament was held, was a national footballer and athlete, as well as an accomplished cricketer, coach and referee.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

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host of adjectives can aptly describe Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is still superb and solid as the Guyanese will be playing in his 150th Test match from today against India at Mumbai.

The left-hander has been a phenomenal Test batsman since his first appearance in March 1994 at the world famous GCC ground, Bourda, much to the delight of the fans.

Predominantly this twomatch series has been arranged for the great and iconic batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, who will be accomplishing an incredible 200 Test caps before saying a final goodbye to the game.

Chanderpaul’s career has been stunning too given the fact he did remarkable things as a batsman and was duly called Mr. Reliable as he proved it via his marvellous consistency and astonishing performances.

He can be rated a high-profile cricketer in the long list of West Indies dominant batsmen. Since the exit of the great Brian Lara, Chanderpaul has taken up the mantle with superb efficiency. His captaincy was respected, but the rapid decline in West Indies’ cricket demonstrated a sense of incompetence unfortunately.

His style as a batsman has never been in doubt, but an alteration to his unique stance captured the kind imagination of many viewers, both at the ground and on television.

In contemporary cricket, he has displayed a heroic athletic passion, churning out admirable performances and the revelations of statistics and records can give ample justification.

His 63-ball century against a powerful Australian line-up at Bourda is still unforgettable to many loyal and adorable West Indian fans.

Usually reserved and not a man of many words, Chanderpaul uses his bat with mighty concentration while he has been instrumental in many achievements for Guyana and the Caribbean side over the years. A firstclass triple-century at Sabina Park against a formidable Jamaica side also epitomised his profound and superlative love and predictable appetite for runs.

There was not too many to shout about in the first game at Eden Gardens as India whipped West Indies by an innings and 51 runs, courtesy of

two centurions. West Indies’ first-innings batting performance was simply modest, while the second innings they capitulated at the hands of some tidy and intelligent bowling from the combination of pace and spin.

Chanderpaul contributed marginally in both innings with 36 and 31 not out, but the journey to the accomplishment of 150 Tests has been fantastic.

Many may have wondered what the road was like, but he is a man with great determination and dedication.

Additionally, there is a massive degree of motivation and this record is indeed esteem.

Now that this batting beauty is approaching a landmark there is time to reflect on his distinguished career.

Even at the Under-19 days, Shiv was touted as a player to achieve many great cricketing feats. This is because of his self-perseverance and wonderful commitment.

For certain, he always wants to stick to his philosophy as a cricketer that hard work will pay dividends on a regular basis. From humble beginnings at Unity Village on the East Coast Demerara he was a sturdy trainer and worked assiduously on his physical and mental fitness.

What transpired in the opening Test is history, but Chanderpaul and his colleagues will have to come out and be more stubborn to square the series and to give him something special to reminisce on this memorable encounter. I anticipate that this 39-year-old veteran will come to the fore with a significant contribution and keep improving his Test batting average from 51.89 and his accumulation of 10,897 runs in this form of the game.

He gets lots of admiration for his continued battle on the field when most of his colleagues fall in quick succession. The indomitable approach is definitely indicative of his willingness to make an impact. He has batted with the customary stubbornness and tenacity and has never really shown the tendency for flamboyance, particularly in the longer version of the game.

Batting one thousand minutes without being dismissed is unmatched in the game’s history, and there is no doubt that another superb knock from Shiv in Sachin’s farewell Test will further enhance his credentials.

thursday, november 14, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Young Chattergoon enjoys first stint in Canada

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

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wenty-one-yearold Harrienarine Chattergoon has enjoyed his first stint in Canada playing in both the Toronto and District Cricket Association and Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) leagues that concluded recently.

The former Guyana Under-19 batsman, the youngest brother of the Chattergoon siblings, represented Vikings Cricket Club at the Toronto Elite competition, while he played for the Hawaiian Arctic Sports Club in the Scarborough division.

His elder brother Hemnarine Chattergoon featured in Canada senior team last year and also donned Guyana and West Indies Under-19 colours.

Sewnarine Chattergoon, a former West Indies Test and One-Day International opener, and Ramnarine Chattergoon, who represented Guyana Under-19 and the Combined Colleges and Campuses in the West Indies Cricket Board tournaments, are the other brothers.

Harrienarine arrived in Canada earlier this year and immediately began his club cricket career, but with modest success. He made an impression with the bat, while his off-break bowling also came into the reckoning.

His desire now is to represent Canada at the senior level and his hopes are enthusiastically high that he will make it soon rather than

Harrienarine Chattergoon

later once he performs to the best of his ability.

Only recently he was part of the Hawaiian Arctic Sports Club team that crowned champions for the fourth consecutive year in the limitedover competition, which was also run under the auspices of the SCA. His team trounced Bawan’s XI by ten wickets to lift the title. A number of former Guyanese cricketers also played for Hawaiian in this year’s edition, including Royston Crandon, Trevon Garraway, Azib Ally Haniff and Hemnarine Chattergoon.

Harrienarine’s contributions were useful, but he was quite disappointed with himself after his primary objective was to score more heavily and consistently. However, he enjoyed the game to a great degree and rated the steady competitiveness and felt the experience initially has also been magnificent.

“I came here to play cricket and I will try my utmost to do well; I think the cricket is

good here and I know runs are important if I am going to make it on the international scene,” Harrienarine declared.

His introduction to the new environment had also given the right-hander the impetus to aim for achievable things as he wants to play professionally on a regular basis. According to the former Albion Cricket Club first-division player, his bigger brother has been very influential so far in his decent cricketing career in Canada and even since he was representing his native country.

“I must thank big brother [Hemnarine] for his continued encouragement to play the game hard; he has a great work ethic; he strongly believes in fitness and discipline so he is indeed a good role model for me as young, ambitious cricketer,” Harrienarine related.

He also took the opportunity to say that he had appreciated his cricket back home too since he was a regular member of the Berbice team at all levels. He skippered Berbice in the Under-15, 17 and 19 competitions and was a successful leader as they emerged with a number of trophies, both collectively and individually.

“I definitely had a good time in Guyana representing my club, county and country. I think I could have done more but it was always challenging at the various levels, but I am confident that I could contribute to Canada’s cricket from now on,” Harrienarine concluded.

Registration for F&H domino tourney gaining momentum

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he number of teams set to participate in the F&H Printing Establishment’s countrywide domino competition playoff segment 2014 has already surpassed the number of qualifying from teams last year-59.

Already 65 teams have qualified for the playoff segment. Confirmation of participation is still to be received from Madhia, Port Kiatuma and the New Amsterdam/Canje/ Corentyne and Linden areas, while last round matches are being in Georgetown.

Possibly 72 -75 teams can therefore make the playoff stage, according to chief organiser Hazim Hakh.

So far, 28 teams are from outside of Georgetown, 20 from the corporations and 17 from the captial city.

Some of the teams from oustide of Georgetown are Double Deuce and Punters (East Coast Demerara); Run Away and Ravi Six (West Coast Demerara); All Stars, Police, Limpy Lotto and Upsetters (Bartica); Adventure, Rocket, Big Bird and CH Boyz (Essequibo

Hazim Hakh

Coast); Dynamite and Atomic (Essequibo Islands); and North West All Stars and Mabaruma Dynamite (Mabaruma).

Some of the teams from the corporations are: All Seasons Racing Service, Caricom, Guyana Gold Field, Ivan’s Grocery, KTS, Mayor and Town Council, Ministry of Health, Republic Bank, Regal, GT&T, Vidya’s Enterprise, F&H Printing, Global Sea Food, Police Mix, CCI, Up Scale Warriors, Police B and Universal Group.

Among the Georgetown teams are Gangster, Mix-up,

Providence, C7, Delta Force, Assassin, Phantom, Rage, Lions, Thunder, Scramblers, Transport, Specialist and TNT. The playoff will commence at 17:00 hours on Friday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, where Director of Sport Neil Kumar will observe the march pass of teams.

Immediately after that, the “spreading out” drawing system from last year will again be used to make the occurrence of collusion among teams more difficult.

Matches will resumes on Saturday at 10:00 hours, while the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be played on Sunday with action starting at noon.

Hakh said the F&H Printing Establishment would like to thank all the teams for participating, as well as Kumar, the Sport Ministry, All Season Racing Service, King’s Advertising, Courts (Guyana), and Dave Persaud of Trinidad for partnering with his company to ensure the successful hosting of the event.

23

GFRC launches Christmas fund-raising raffle

President of the GFF, Christopher Matthias, makes his purchase of raffle books from president of the GFRC, Alfred King, while representatives of the sponsors and members of GFRC look on

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he Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) launched its Christmas fund-raising raffle on Wednesday at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport compound where the first prize of a 125cc Honda motor cycle was on display.

President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias, GFRC president Alfred King, representatives of sponsoring companies and members of the GFRC were also present at the launch.

King said it was a very significant venture being undertaken by the GFRC which will assist in development and promotion of refereeing in Guyana.

He said the raffle, which will be drawn on January 1st 2014, have several attractive prizes and he urged

members of the public to support in a very great way.

GFF president Matthias congratulated the referees’ council for running off the raffle and also thanked the sponsors who made it possible.

The first prize winner will receive a 125cc Honda motor cycle; second place is a return trip to New York, third prize a return trip to Barbados, fourth prize a Blackberry Smartphone, fifth prize is a day trip to Arrowpoint Resort, while there are two consolation prizes of a microwave oven and a food hamper.

The main sponsors are Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Caribbean Airline Limited (CAL), LIAT, GT&T, Roraima Group of Companies, Demerara Harbour Bridge, BK International, New GPC

and Neal and Massy Guyana Group of Companies. The price per ticket is $100 dollars.

LIAT Station Manager, Ovid Walton, who spoke at the launch, pledged an additional incentive of a ticket for a return trip to any LIAT destination to any member of the GFRC who sells the most tickets. Also present were representatives of CAL and New GPC. GFRC Secretary Troy Peters said that tickets can be purchased from any member of the GFRC and plans are currently being put in place for the grand drawing on New Year’s Day. Tickets went on sale immediately with Matthias purchasing 15 books, while Walton and media operatives Stephan Sookram and Quacy Coates being among the first to purchase tickets.