Guyana Times Daily

mondAY, october 6, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Jagdeo to address business community on climate change

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo will address a Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Business Dinner on Friday on “A green economy – Opportunities for the Private Sector in Guyana”.

The GMSA in a release said Jagdeo is eminently qualified to address the subject after more than a decade of formidable presence on the world’s stage among the pundits and international advocates for international action to avert the worst consequences of climate change.

“In fact, he was described in 2010 by the Chairman of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, as ‘one of perhaps half a dozen Heads of Government who truly understand the issue’ (the intricacies and consequences of climate change and global warming).

“This was after he cre-

ated, then implemented in Guyana, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) that sets out a replicable model to: 1) protect Guyana’s 18 million hectares of forests; 2) to address the 17 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions that result from defor-

estation and forest degradation; and 3) to re-orient the Guyanese economy onto a long-term path of low deforestation, low carbon emissions and climate resilience.”

The GMSA said it stands on the conviction that “our business community needs

reminding (and in some cases, sensitisation) of their responsibilities to the environment, and of the many opportunities available to establish a whole new industrial sector that will address mainstream and downstream business needs associated with climate change”.

Jagdeo was asked to share his vast storehouse of knowledge gleaned from his considerable experiences on

the international stage promoting the efficacy of the LCDS, the Association said.

Jagdeo was named the Champion of the Earth by the United Nations in 2010.

He has accumulated numerous other international accolades over the past decade. Among them was the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award he received from the Government of India, and the Pushkin Medal from the Government of Russia. The

US Times Magazine named him one of its “Heroes of the Environment” and he has consistently been appointed to hold global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable development, green growth and climate change. A cocktail reception in the main ball room of the Princess Hotel at Providence will precede the GMSA’s Business Dinner which is scheduled to commence at 19:30h.

Successful electronic voting project at UG celebrated

The Delian Project (electronic voting) was on Saturday declared a success in Guyana as it revealed the new President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS).

On Saturday even-

ing, a reception was held by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles to celebrate the success of the project following the UGSS elections.

Daniel Joly, Head of Aid within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Canadian High Commission, stated that the election was “an occasion to underscore”.

The project is a relatively new technology created with the specific objective of security and to give to electors results of elections as soon as possible.

New UGSS President Joshua Griffith shared that the automatic ballot scans and tabulation machines have been tried at other universities within the Caribbean, but is a pilot project in Guyana.

UG Deputy Vice Chancellor Barbara Reynolds said it was an immense opportunity that UG was able to be a part of the exercise, particularly at its 50th anniversary.

The new technology is not at all complex. The procedures involve the voter ticking off on a ballot of their choice, slipping the ballot into a protective covering to prevent anyone else from seeing what is there, then sliding it into the tabulator.

“This is a machine that calculates the number of voters as well as their choices and sends the results directly to a main server.

The process features complicated software and encryptions to ensure security, privacy and accuracy.

A release from the High Commission informed that the device is paper-based and allows for electronic, automatic tabulation of results via a form of document ballot voting system, meaning that there is a tangible record of the voter’s intent as a voter still marks a traditional paper ballot.

Alan Best, the Managing Director of the Delian Project, and other technicians were on hand to walk invitees through the voting process. He explained the procedure, indicating that precautions are taken to ensure that the tabulator only

sends the results to one specific main server. He stated that there are many codes to go through, thus, interception is not a possibility for information to be routed to another server.

The Managing Director also elaborated that due to the fact that some areas do not have much satellite coverage, there is a mobile device that can be taken to such remote areas for the tabulator to transfer the results to the main server.

The positive results of this device and the potential it has for national and regional elections were discussed by those in attendance.

High Commissioner Giles related that this new advancement in the electoral process will enable security as there are no persons involved, just machines.

The High Commissioner also said the amount of spoilt ballots wll be reduced as well, thus giving everyone a chance to have their votes counted and not be “disenfranchised”.

However, she remarked that the involvement of everyone in the process is quite necessary for it to be a holistic success. The Delian Project is an independent, non-profit organisation registered in both Canada and the US.

Delian was created as a joint Public/Private philanthropic entity in 2011.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

Paedophilia in Guyana Scores escape prosecution, some in “high places”

Close to 40 alleged paedophiles have escaped prosecution though various circumstances during the just concluded June Criminal Assizes in the three main counties.

Some 23 of the over 40 cases that were slated for prosecution engaged the courts’ attention and another 20 were nolle prosequi (not prosecuted) by the Director of Public Prosecutions as a result of the Virtual Complaints (VCs) or victims not wanting to proceed with the matter.

Guyana Times was told that in a number of these cases, the accused paid off the victims. Of the 23 cases that actually went to court, only in three matters the accused were sentenced – one from each county.

Eight cases ended with the accused being set free for various reasons.

According to a report issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, there were a total of 43 cases for sexual offences disposed of.

These cases varied from rape, buggery, carnal knowledge of a child under 15, sexual activity with a family member and incest, among others. At the High Court in Demerara, 36 sexual offences cases were dealt with, of which 19 were before a judge and jury while 17 cases were nolle prosequi by the chambers.

During the month of June, a rape case was quashed and a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was De Novo. Then in the following month, 13 accused were freed after the VCs indicated that they did not want to pursue with the matter while two accused were found not guilty by the jury panel and subsequently set free.

One accused had pleaded guilty to raping a child

under the age of 15 and was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. Another accused was further remanded after he requested five years to prepare his defence as he will be defending himself in court. In one of the cases, there was a hung jury so a retrial was ordered.

Only three

Meanwhile, in the Essequibo District, there were only three sexual offence cases in the May Assizes; however, a trial was only held in one for the offence of buggery, which resulted in the accused being found guilty and sentenced to nine years.

Another accused was freed after the VC did not want to proceed with the matter. The other case was nolle prosequi by the DPP after the VC indicated that she did not want the matter to be heard in court.

Then in Berbice, four sexual offences cases were listed; however, two were nolle prosequi for the same reason by the chambers. There was a 25-year conviction for a carnal knowledge of a girl under 15 after the accused was found guilty by the

jury. The other case saw the accused who allegedly had sexual activity with a child being freed after the VC said she does not want to further pursue the matter.

In the two nolle prosequi matters, one for the offence of indecent assault was thrown out because the VC died while the victim in the other did not want to proceed with it.

The noticeable trend in these cases are the fact that victims of sexual offences often refuse to pursue the matters in the courts, mostly out of embarrassment or because they do not want to go through the trauma of having to relive the ordeal during the testimony.

However, this results in the perpetrators being set at large. In some cases, the perpetrators offer huge sums of money to the victims to end the matters.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Anil Nandlall had said it was

alarming that there were no convictions for sexual offences since 2011. He blamed the archaic jury system, as well as reluctant witnesses for the problem. Giving statistics, Nandlall said in 2011, 16 sexual offences cases were completed. There were three guilty pleas and three cases were nolle prosequi (unwilling to pursue) because the (VCs) gave statements expressing a desire not to proceed with prosecution. There were seven not guilty verdicts by the jury. However, in 2012, 10 sexual offences cases were completed. Only last week, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and the Police Force announced that they were working closely to ensure the full implementation of the Sexual Offences Act of 2010. Through a process of education, the intention is to reduce the number of cases thrown out of the court due to the lack of evidence.

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack

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

Editorial

Industrial policy

The Government has just announced it has launched a factory in Region Two to produce a breakfast rice cereal called “Brekkies”. With the factory scheduled to produce five tonnes daily, the new product stands a chance of really adding value to our primary product rice, which has inevitably been subjected to vicissitudes of price fluctuations in the world market. The Government has long pleaded for private interests to take the plunge to move in this direction, but without significant success.

The factory that will produce Brekkies is the result of a joint effort by the Ministry of Agriculture; the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST); and the Ministries of Finance, and Tourism, Industry and Commerce. The factory can be seen as an instance of the application of an “industrial policy” by the Government which we have long advocated.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) defines industrial policy as a “concerted, focused, conscious effort on the part of Government to encourage and promote a specific industry or sector with an array of policy tools”. Industrial policies are geared towards shifting the industrial structure of the country by the Government in an effort to increase growth of the economy.

The Soviet Union had pioneered the structured industrial policy mode in the transformation of their economy to catch up with the developed West. The state, supposedly on behalf of the “working class”, took the lead in identifying which strategic industries would deliver both goods needed for consumption and production and then made the necessary investment. Their evident success led to most poor, developing countries in the Third World imitating this model.

In Guyana, even though the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government insisted that it was a socialist Government that would use “co-ops” to develop the economy, following the nationalisation of the “commanding heights of the economy”, the state controlled most of the productive enterprises.

It also launched a raft of enterprises such as factories to produce bicycles, glass, fabrics, leather and earthenware. Most of these failed ignominiously and following the victory of the neo-liberal forces in the developed world in the 1980s, the new dispensation of “market fundamentalism” was imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) here and elsewhere.

Under these policies, Governments withdraw from any direct involvement in production, and the market – composed of private entrepreneurs – was supposed to “decide” what and how much the economy was supposed to produce.

The fall of the Soviet bloc hastened the retreat from overt industrial policies and the embrace of “market fundamentalism”. While there was evident success from the “free market” policies, it all came crashing down in 2008, when the entire developed world entered into a recession in which it is still enmeshed.

But by then it was evident that there was a third way in economic development that led to more sustainable growth: it was exemplified by Japan and the Far Eastern Tigers. In this “third way”, there was also the identification of strategic industries and their facilitation, but the Governments very soon, turned them over to private interests.

South Korea’s Samsung is an example of such a company. China, which interestingly moved into a Government controlled but privately-driven industrial policy mode of development at the same time “market fundamentalism was sweeping the rest of the world – was also successful.

The difference between the Chinese and Russian models of industrial policy development was that while the Chinese Government was integrally involved, the companies and enterprises were subject to market forces. In Guyana, total Governmental control of productive enterprises quickly developed fatal inefficiencies. In the Chinese model, their authoritarian Government acts to eliminate such inefficiencies but such a government cannot and should not be tolerated here.

We suggest, therefore, that while we wholeheartedly support the Government catalysing our industrialisation through its direct intervention, it must see itself as an initiator and catalyst. The businesses must be sold to private interests once they have served their demonstrator role.

Satisfied customers

There is double standard on Plaisance Overseer issue

Dear Editor,

I write on behalf of the citizens of Plaisance whom have become disheartened when we read the press release sent out by Minister Whittaker on October 4 in relation to the conditions of employment and selection of the overseer in the Plaisance/Industry Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Minister Whittaker met with members of the village. Plaisance having some gullible villagers, believed that his visit was consequently genuine to resolve the issues that plague the hurting residents.

Instead, it seems as though the Minister had come with directives, or simply put, came with his mind made up on whom he wanted as overseer, much to the disappointment of all present.

Hence, this caused folks, both articulate and irate, to state their respective positions, all in all to let Mr Whittaker know that the villagers will not accept the person he had appointed, who, according to sources, has a very shady and questionable character, and was not suitable, since he was not experienced for such a position.

This young man has allegedly had issues of child molestation and, while working with the Guyana Prison Service, had reportedly aided in the escape of a prisoner to Suriname, thus causing three Prison Officers to be interdicted.

These allegations, the Minister claims, must be a case of mistaken identity and this young man is someone bearing the resemblance of (name given), but I will leave that up to the Guyana Prison Service and the Special Branch Unit of the Guyana Police Force. Plaisance remains resolute and awaits the appointment of Debra McDowell as Overseer for the Plaisance/ Industry NDC.

I would like to show the double standards which the Minister ‘administrates’ with. If my memory serves me right, in 2012-13, while dealing with the acting Town Clerk issue, Minister Whittaker was quoted as saying, “Certification is not the only criterion” that is used when selecting an officer, and that years of service were very vital also. This was in defence of Carol Sooba.

Yet in the case of Ms McDowell, who served with distinction for over 15 years in various capacities in the Council, Minister Whittaker propagates that certification matters most.

The records also show that Ms McDowell has been developing herself academically over the years and holds a diploma among other certificates.

Those who understand management, especially in human resources, can probably volunteer a session or two to the learned Minister. I have now lost whatever confidence and respect I had for Minister Whittaker,

whom I once described as the goodly Minister.

It would be remiss of me if I do not mention that Ms McDowell has been serving in various capacities in the NDC and has always been an exceptionally good employee, causing the revenue of Plaisance/Industry to ‘skyrocket’ under her watch, and also having an increase in the payment of rates and taxes in her district.

In all her years of service, at no time has her competence and professionalism been questioned, so why all the troubles now? These are reasons why she should be confirmed as Overseer of the Plaisance/Industry NDC, rather than bringing someone who has no knowledge of Local Government, more so to understand the intricacies and rudiments of the job therein.

Plaisance remains resolute and awaits the appointment of Ms McDowell as overseer for the Plaisance/ Industry NDC.

Finally, the Minister came to Plaisance Friday afternoon and established that the two persons who turned up to the final interview was this questionable fellow and a young lady (name given).

I found two things inexcusable, apart from the Minister claiming lack of knowledge of one person’s character. More appalling was that the Minister was not aware that the young lady is from Vryheids Lust, which is right next to Plaisance. And what was embarrassing for the

Minister is that he claimed she was not as certified as the fellow, nor was she certified for the job.

I then introduced her, whom the Minister wasn’t aware was seated in the meeting until I asked her to produce her certificate which she did – a degree in International Relations from the University of Guyana. The Minister was seemingly misled by his subordinates or was simply practising the now prevalent ‘square peg in round hole theory’. The Minister tried a ‘ball’ that I easily read and dispatched to the stand for six when he pontificated by saying Ms Wickham may have a degree, but it was not relevant for the job she was applying for.

So I then asked the Minister if his certification was relevant to his post as Minister of Local Government.

If you are curious the answer is no, even though he said yes, smiling as though we were at a cocktail meeting. Before I end, I must say that the young lady is by far more certified than the fellow, but they both have no experience at the NDC or Local Government levels.

Finally, I say, Plaisance remains resolute and awaits the appointment of Ms McDowell as Overseer for the Plaisance/ Industry District Council. I rest my case.

Shawn Austin, Concerned Plaisance resident

GuyExpo patrons disembark an Air Services Limited (ASL) helicopter after taking a ride over the city – one of the special features of the Expo this year (Carl Croker photo)

The Trotman affair setting an extremely dangerous precedent

Dear Editor,

The Trotman’s affair is setting an extremely dangerous precedent which will surely negatively affect the functioning of our justice system. It seems that the AFC is indeed bent on making history in this country for all the wrong reasons. Its main reason for existence is to remove the PPP/C and it has made this an open secret.

The AFC has claimed that Trotman’s sodomy allegation is a set up by the PPP/C to remove the Speaker so that he cannot pronounce on the NoConfidence Motion and as a result that motion cannot be carried out.

This is most ridiculous since the Speaker can be replaced and the debate on the motion will not in the least be affected. Mr Trotman himself made such a conclusion. This is just as absurd as the $30 million bribery claim made by Mr Ramjattan (is 30 a magical figure? Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver! I am sure that the 30 came naturally from this Biblical story).

However, what is astonishing is the fact that an injunction has been granted in favour of Mr Trotman so that the alleged victim Mr Welshman is effectively gagged from telling his side of the story.

This is an extremely dangerous legal precedent and one which has the propensity to allow the accused person in a rape allegation to use the legal system as a shield and at the same time restraining

the victim.

This will ensure that the alleged rapist gets public sympathy and at the same time creating an atmosphere of hostility towards the victim. In other words, the legal system has already taken side with the alleged rapist.

Moreover, the investigation will be adversely affected because witnesses will be afraid to come forward. But this is not the first time that the lawyers in the AFC have succeeded in perverting the course of justice and displayed their penchant for practising conflict of interest.

The lawyers within the AFC need to understand that justice must not only be done but it must be seen to be done. Mr Trotman should allow the justice system to work instead of using his money, status and influence to impact on the allegations levelled at him by a person who was merely a child at that time.

There are certain questions which need to be answered and it will be in Mr Trotman’s favour to answer them truthfully.

If Mr Trotman believed that Mr Welshman is an unstable young man who appears to have a troubled mind’ why did he gave this young man two recommendations so that he could gain employment?

Why was Mr Trotman negotiating a cash settlement with this unstable young man?

Why didn’t Mr Trotman exposed the alleged vic-

tim at that first instance? Why did he allow the alleged victim to go public before he did? He could have denied the allegation at the inception!

Why did one of the suspects tell the alleged victim that you could have come to me first? Is this not suggesting an attempt to cover up the alleged criminal act?

Why did Mr Trotman hastily sued the young man for $50 million before the matter is fully investigated? Is this not another attempt to gag the alleged victim?

Why did the victim’s mother fully support her son’s alleged rape accusation?

It must be recalled that the alleged victim did indeed accuse his father and his friend of sexually abusing him at the very inception, so the later response by the father to negate the allegation against Mr Trotman can be fully appreciated.

In conclusion we can expect that in the near future the affluent people in our society can follow the Trotman precedent and wriggle their way out of rape allegations. It is time that someone takes a hard look at the corrupt practices within our legal system. It is said that justice is blind but injunctions are now used to make it deaf and dumb as well!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne)

Volda Lawrence needs to get facts straight about Clean-Up My Country campaign

Dear Editor, Last Wednesday evening, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) held a community meeting in West Ruimveldt and several statements about the Clean-Up My Country Programme were made and misrepresented.

Volda Lawrence needs to get her facts straight. She lambasted the Government for not giving City Hall a spray can to spray mosquitoes which is presumed to be what is rightfully called a fogging machine. Ms Lawrence said several communities cannot be sprayed at a time because even City Hall don’t have a spray can. I would like to inform Ms Lawrence that, on September 23, at around 09:30h, one swing fog machine was handed over to acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, who received it on behalf of the Council.

In addition, at that event, the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) of Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo); and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were also recipients of swing fog machines, which will be used for fogging exercises in the respective communities.

In addition, the key of one of the repaired garbage trucks of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was handed over to the acting Town Clerk, all to a total value of $5.2 million.

Another bit of correction for Ms Lawrence. Well, I am not sure which alleyways Ms Lawrence has been looking at, but across Georgetown under the Clean-Up My

Country Programme, alleyways were cleared of overgrown vegetation and concrete drains are now visible to all who have eyes to see this after waiting on a lethargic Mayor to do his job of keeping the Capital City clean.

Ms Lawrence, to her poorly attended audience (not sure if she was addressing the stalls or the moving vehicles), said it was not the PPP/C’s plan to clean Georgetown, because the PPP/C is not living in it.

This is a blatant misrepresentation by APNU/ PNCR. The coalition continues to deceive its supporters with twisted tales. Interestingly enough, all of the communities which are undergoing community restoration and sanitation improvement programmes are held out as being APNU/ PNCR support base.

Given the filth that the Mayor of Georgetown has his fellow APNU/PNCR supporters living in, the Government did what was best for the population and what the Council should have done.

Ms Lawrence and the APNU’s troop or cohorts seem not to understand that as part of the implementation of the Georgetown Cleanup Programme, community consultations were held in all communities.

At each consultation, the residents were given the opportunity to highlight and elaborate on environmental issues that are affecting their communities.

After the consultations, a representing body or a Community Coordinator was asked to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development outlining the areas that needed to be restored such as clearing of

parapets and alleyways of overgrown vegetation, removal of illegal dumpsites, and restoration of playgrounds within the represented communities.

Each Community Coordinator recruited workers from his/her community and they all received emoluments for the duration of the Community Enhancement Programme.

So when Ms Lawrence said “don let anybody come into the community to put in contract to clean up yuh community or don’t let anybody tell yuh they is PPP/C and they got to get a contract”, it clearly illustrates how David Granger and his followers are misleading their supporters.

To give testimony to what is fact from makeup story, the gentleman who seemed to be the chairperson of the community meeting, Heston Bostwick, was the contractor for the Albouystown Restoration Programme of which some 34 persons, including himself, were contracted and were remunerated for cleaning their community cleaning exercise.

APNU/PNCR continues to work to undermine the efforts of the Government of Guyana to improve the living standards of the people of Guyana, and that includes the sanitation conditions under which our people live. They have attacked every effort of the Government to bring improvement to the living standards of the people of Guyana. Mr Granger seems to be playing ping pong to the detriment of his supporters and all of Guyana.

Sincerely, Raphael

A Hazel PA, Local Government Minister

APNU on campaign to drive fear in our staff

Dear Editor, The National Communications Network (NCN) Inc condemns in the strongest possible terms the constant harassment of its operatives by known activists and senior members of A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) during its ongoing public meetings, particularly in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The NCN wishes to bring to the attention of the public the clear agenda of the APNU to intimidate our journalists and other operatives. Below are a few recent cases of intimidation of our employees by APNU.

On October 1, during an APNU public meet-

ing at Kool Circle, Laing Avenue, Georgetown, executive member of the party Volda Lawrence, while addressing a public meeting claimed in her statement, NCN’s reporter and cameraman were following her and Winston Felix “all night” so that they can record them and “take it to Rohee so he can talk about it on TV”.

Also on the same day at La Retraite Primary School , West Bank Demerara, where opposition leader David Granger was the main speaker, another NCN team arrived to provide coverage of the said meeting but was accosted by three women who en-

quired which media house they represent. Upon learning the team was from NCN, they were rudely told that they cannot entire, because they were representing NCN.

On October 2, at Bagotville Community Centre, the NCN team was identified and called out by APNU supporters. Subsequently, Chief Whip of the Opposition and executive of APNU Amna Ally Scenario told the prevented the team from entering the venue and threatened that if they do she will embarrass and expose them.

Additionally an NCN Cameraman was identified by supporters of APNU

who hailed out at Felix, informing him he was being filmed. The NCN reporter was forced to beg that APNU officials not to harm her colleague.

On October 3, at Middle Dam, Pouderoyen, as the NCN team arrived to cover another APNU public meeting, the party’s supporters yelled "watch them coming...NCN". The team was subsequently told it cannot cover meeting.

The NCN condemns this kind of harassment and threat from members of the APNU, including its executives, which will only put at risk, the lives of honest and hardworking employees of NCN.

Further, we wish to advise Ms Lawrence that NCN is not aligned to, or is an organ of any political party.

It is important to note that on one hand, this political party continues to accuse NCN of not providing coverage to them and on the other hand sought to evict NCN News team from its public events.

NCN believes these recent acts of intimidation and attacks on our journalists are a direct threat to press freedom in Guyana and a violation of Article 23(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “everyone has the right to

work, to free choice of employment…” Additionally, NCN wishes to call on President Donald Ramotar, the National Assembly of Guyana, the Guyana Press Association, the Independent Media Workers Association of Guyana, the diplomatic community, political parties, the Guyana Human Rights Association and all other stakeholders to condemn this dastardly act by the APNU, which seem to be on a campaign to drive fear in our staff.

Molly

Hassan Chief Executive Officer NCN Inc

Page Foundation

Self-esteem is the collection of beliefs or feelings that we have about ourselves, or our ‘selfperceptions’. How we define ourselves influences our motivations, attitudes, and behaviours and affects our emotional adjustment. Having a healthy self-image is important to success. Life is full of challenges and a healthy self-esteem will better equip us to deal with the challenges and embrace the realities of life. Beliefs about ourselves are learned as a result of the experiences we have had in our lives, especially our early life experiences. Often, the beliefs we have about ourselves are conclusions we arrive at based on what has happened in our lives.

We may learn from direct experiences, the media, observing what other people do, and listening to what people say. This will continue throughout our lives but beliefs about ourselves are often (though not always) developed earlier in life. This means that our experiences in our childhood, family of origin, the society we lived in, schools we went to, and with our peers have influenced our thoughts and beliefs about all sorts of

things, including ourselves. Some causes can be: punishment, neglect, or abuse, difficulty in meeting parents’ standards, not fitting in at home or at school, difficulty in meeting peer group standards, being on the receiving end of other people’s stress or distress, your family’s place in society, an absence of positives role models.

Successful intervention Case Study – Names and places have been changed to protect the persons’ privacy.

Fourteen-year-old Esmarel lives in a singleparent family with her mother Daphney and at-

tends secondary school. Esmarel was a fun child in the home as well at school; she loved to play and socialise with her family and friends even though she did not speak much. Her mother noticed that she had suddenly become withdrawn from her family and friends and even though she was never much of a speaker, she was too quiet.

Daphney started to ask Esmarel questions about her change in attitude and after a while she told her mother about the sexual abuse she experienced. She related the traumatic encounter by Jonny, a close friend of the family who live in the same

neighbourhood. She pleaded with her mother not to tell anyone, because she was scared of what would happen. In spite of her daughter’s plea Daphney knew that she had to make a report to the relevant authorities and she made the reports Esmarel was referred to the ChildLinK for counselling to help her overcome the traumatic encounter and move on with her life. The counsellor started with discussions with Daphney to ascertain a better insight into the child’s history and behaviour. Daphney shared Esmarel’s frequent aggressive behaviours towards her

younger brother in the home and her isolation from the family.

Subsequently, sessions with Esmarel started, she displayed a shy personality and a very low concept of herself and some level of self-blame for the sexual abuse. During the session, she barely interacted with

These skills helped her to relax and calm herself when taking about the sexual abuse. After gradually exposing her to her encounter, she learnt the art of facing and talking about her traumatic experience without feeling re-traumatised. The counsellor then worked on helping her to remove all

the counsellor. After the assessment, the counsellor focused on helping the child to gradually speak about the sexual abuse while managing her emotions. This was done by teaching the child stress management techniques and feelings identification and expression.

the negative thinking about the sexual abuse specifically ‘it was my fault”. This was done by looking at the responsibility of each person in an incident then exploring her sexual encounter and focusing on the reasons why a child is not responsible for sexual abuse. It is important for children to understand that sexual abuse is not their fault.

After working with the counsellor over a period, Esmarel was much more open during the counselling sessions as time went by and began to interact more and be able to explain herself in ways she was not able to previously. Her aggressive behaviour began to reduce; she stopped fighting with her brothers and tried to live more lovingly.

The remaining sessions were utilised to enforce with the family the importance of Esmarel’s school work since she had fallen back in class. Esmarel’s mother worked with her on school work and as time went by, it got better. Over time, Esmarel’s school attendance began to improve, as well as her appearance and understanding of her body.

Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or at programmes.childlink@ networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and any other challenges that you may be experiencing with your children. Or call the Child Protection Agency on 227-4082.

Govt not budging on Glenn Lall’s tax fraud case

There has been a yet another twist to the emerging saga of Glenn Lall’s alleged tax fraud matters and his threat to blackmail some Cabinet members if Government does not drop its investigations and prosecution of court cases pending against him.

Government sources told this newspaper that they are not backing down despite Lall’s threat to expose confidential medical information about some members of Cabinet. Lall, the Owner and Publisher of Kaieteur News, has been reportedly communicating through a third party with members of Government.

According to information reaching this newspaper, one discussion even involved Lall offering to offset some of the outstanding taxes by paying off millions of dollars to the Government. But in the case of the two Lexus Luxury vehicles alone, the outstanding taxes are over

$100,000,000 million. It is believed that this is the reason for Government standing firm on the issue and not backing down.

On Sunday Guyana Times reported that Lall has been able to obtain various pieces of highly sensitive medical information, either about some Government Ministers or about close members of their family, and has threatened to go public if the Administration does not get off his ‘back’ with the current court cases. If indeed it is revealed that Lall obtained the medical information in question by bribery, or any other illicit means, the penalties for such offences, if found guilty in a court of law, could be jail time for several years. It is surmised that Government might be weighing its options, including reporting the threat to the Police, at this time. But this was not confirmed, as Government was also considering issuing a full state-

“You’ve not see the back of Dynamic Airways”– Gouveia

Almost three months after Dynamic Airways suspends its Georgetown to John F Kennedy international Airport flights owing to a number of issues including ground handling personnel, local representative, Captain Gerry Gouveia said he is optimistic that the airline would be back in the skies for the Christmas peak season.

Gouveia recently told Guyana Times that senior members of the Dynamic Team in the US have been in discussion with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with hope of sorting out the issues with some form of urgency.

As of now, the Captain related that he was not sure about the progress of such discussions, but reiterated that Guyanese have not seen the end of the airline.

In mid-august, the US authority on aviation, the Department of

ment. Insiders who spoke with this publication indicated that Lall, however, is bent on forcing the Government to drop all the tax fraud cases currently in court, as well as those still under investigation, as he is running scared of being sent to jail.

He is also reportedly demanding that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)

make a U-turn on a planned audit of the Kaieteur News holding company. Sources confirmed that if the tax fraud matters go to trial, questions will surface as to how Lall was able to pay in cash US dollars in America for properties bought in Guyana. Lall may also be asked to explain his US currency bank accounts in known tax havens.

The blackmail threat becomes credible when considered against the background of GRA Commissioner General Churched Statuary, who confirmed that Lall threatened him when the emigrant scam involving Lall first surfaced. Lall is accused of colluding with two re-migrants in the importation of two Lexus luxury SUVs, refusal to pay the Government rates and taxes on his property on 24 Saffron Street, Charlestown, Georgetown where Kaieteur News is located, and the importation of products associated with newspaper print-

ing.

The two vehicles were not kept or used by the emigrants, but instead by Lall and his wife. One used to be prominently parked in front of Kaieteur News, driven by Lall, and the other in front of Buena’s Footwear on Regent Street, Georgetown. This is in breach of the Customs Act and the conditions of the grant of the duty-free

concession. The Authority has since seized the vehicles, following a standoff at the home of Nain Shankar, a GRA employee, and a total of six criminal charges against the four persons have been filed.

The charges are to be read and heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on October 13, when the two couples are expected to make an appearance. It is not yet sure what action will be taken against Shankar. Lall has also been implicated in owing some $5.7 million in unpaid rates and taxes for the property on Saffron Street where Kaieteur News is located. He has also been accused of bribing GRA staff for confidential information, and hacking into email and sending fake messages. A recent attempt from an IP address in Bridgetown, Barbados was intercepted, and the Police have been requested to launch an investigation.

Transportation (DoT) published its list of public charters for 2014 and Dynamic Airways’ operation on the Georgetown/ New York route was listed as being cancelled, effective August 6, two days before it was scheduled to re-enter the Guyanese market.

Dynamic Airways entered the Guyanese market in June, but after a few flights, suspended services after it was unable to operate out of the JFK.

According to the airline, this temporary suspension “will allow us to secure time slots at JFK airport, organise better ground handling and check in process, as well as secure schedule integrity which Dynamic Airways is well known for.

All flights starting from August 8 are not impacted by this change and will be operated as displayed on our website, and in our reservation system.

Kaieteur News Owner and Publisher Glenn Lall

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

Dynamic Airways ground handling personnel, local representative, Captain Gerry Gouveia

Guyanese busted at CJIA with cocaine in rum

AGuyanese travelling to the US for the first time was on Sunday morning nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with cocaine-laced 15-Year-Old Eldorado Rum.

Joseph Stewart, 35, of East Coast Demerara was about to board a Caribbean Airlines Flight when the discovery was made. According to information received, members of the Police Narcotics Branch noticed Stewart acting in a suspicious manner and he was sweating although the air conditioning unit on. His actions prompted the Police ranks to search his hand luggage and upon checking, they discovered several bottles of Eldorado Rum. Upon closer inspection, they realised the

seals were broken, thus, their suspicion raised.

The cocaine was reportedly mixed in the rum. During interrogation, the man claimed that he was given the bottles by a businessman on East Coast Demerara for a friend who resides in the US. He was arrested and is expected to be charged shortly.

In May last, four persons died after they unwittingly ingested the con -

tents of a bottle labelled SSS tonic, which was laced with liquefied cocaine that was supposed to be sent to the US.

Simone Pryce, 36; her reputed husband, Alex Blair, 42; their sixyear-old son, Jahaquel Blair and a family friend, Natasha George, 36, all of East La Penitence died after ingesting the deadly brew.

Deon Layne, 34, a min -

er of Lot HH Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown was subsequently charged after being on the run for more than a month and was remanded to prison.

It was reported that on May 2, at Kokerite Street, Georgetown, Layne had in his possession 252 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

On the day in question, around 21:00h, he reportedly went to the home of a family member who was visiting from the US and requested for her to take some SSS tonics for his brother in the US.

Nevertheless, the woman left Guyana without the tonic after claiming that tonics are available in galore in the US. It was after this, the persons ingested the liquid, thinking that it was indeed SSS tonic.

Eyew tness

Wilful blindness...

...on Lall's corruption

The saying, "There are none so blind as those who would not see", reminds us that there are those among us who wilfully close their eyes to wrongdoing. Especially when committed by persons close to them. They're the worse scums because invariably they're the same folks who sanctimoniously advise others to "do the right thing".

And right now you can see some of these Pharisees in action - just look at the AFC and APNU giving their ringing endorsement to Glenn Lall, the Muckraker's publisher, in his remigrant scam scheme to bilk the Consolidated Funds of over $100,000,000. Now we know these two political parties and Lall are working hand in glove to depose the PPP/C government.

But surely, if they expect to earn the respect (and more to the point, the vote) from the electorate you'd think they'd draw the line somewhere, wouldn't you??

But not this lot! And they can't blame it on ignorance in this case - as they do on most other issues. "Ignorance" is their default setting. This particular hustle of Lall's is about "duty free vehicles" - and if it's one thing these Opposition MPs know about it's "duty free vehicles".

After all they get TWO duty free vehicles each Parliamentary term and it's the most open secret in the book it's the source of a whole subset of scams. Let's get real...who changes and keeps two cars every five years?? But later for that. Right now we're taking a closer look on the free pass they're giving Lall on the remigrant car scam.

We don't have to rehearse the facts, do we?? No...we didn't think so. So let's ask these AFC and APNU leaders and MPs a simple question: does it make sense for two re-migrants, who were catching their tail in the US, to bring back two luxury vehicles and then lend them to Lall to tool around with in Georgetown?? While they have to take minibuses to travel from their home in No 61 Village to Skeldon Market??

We've heard about friendships - but never like this. These vehicles never crossed the Berbice Bridge to even PARK in 61 Village!! We've heard about giving a friend the "shirt off your back", but this is beyond ridiculous!

If the AFC/ APNU really believe this fable, then maybe they also believe the US Ambassador's WikiLeak assertion that Lall "snitches" on his "friends" is false!!

...on Presidential candidate farce

The AFC announced that they have four "Presidential hopefuls" for the upcoming elections. (No! Not Local Government Elections - that's APNU's hobby horse, which the AFC's not flogging. That's a "dead horse", they say.) Anyhow, Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes, Moses Nagamootoo and Cathy Hughes are supposedly the nominees.

Now we've heard about "mamaguying" but this takes the cake - with the icing! Khemraj Ramjattam has already announced that as far as he, the leader of the AFC's, concerned, Nagamootoo's "THE MAN!!!".

Nigel Hughes, whose turn it was as the African second in command in the AFC, then promptly endorsed Nagamootoo. Knowing that he was damaged goods, discretion was probably the better part of valour for Hughes. We understand: we don't think his character could withstand another attack.

So that leaves Kathy Hughes...whose moral and ethical gyrations on the Synergy/Site AFHEP was even more vulgar than her husband's. So who do they think they're fooling, these meretricious things? It's as clear as crystal that on the day of voting at their Convention, Nagamootoo will be the last man standing - as the other three "nominees" step aside.

So much for AFC's "democratic elections"!!

...by Ramkarran

Another fella who wears his ambitions on his sleeve is ex-Speaker Ralph Ramkarran. In his Stabber column, he bigs up PNC/APNU's David Granger. While, of course, plugging "shared governance". With Roopnarine stepping aside, he's hoping to be Granger's # 2. If wishes were horses!!

Guyanese women support breast cancer awareness

BY ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON

Scores of Guyanese on Sunday took part in a march to raise awareness of breast cancer which has killed over 500,000 women in 2012, even as local advocates lamented the lack of interest being shown by Guyanese to be screened for the disease.

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in developing countries. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported last year that there was a sharp rise in breast cancer worldwide.

In 2012, 1.7 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and there were 6.3 million women alive who had been diagnosed in the previous five years.

Since the 2008 estimates, breast cancer cases have increased by more than 20 per cent, while mortality has increased by 14 per cent, the IARC said.

Breast cancer is also the most common cause of cancer death among women (522,000 deaths in 2012) and the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 140 of 184 countries worldwide. It now represents one in four of all cancers in women.

“Breast cancer is also a leading cause of cancer death in the less developed countries of the world. This is partly because a shift in lifestyles is causing an increase in incidence, and partly because clinical advances to combat the disease are not reaching women living in these regions,” the agency said.

October is known around the world as the month to recognise the debilitating effects of breast cancer and how far health institutions have come and are going with regard to treating the disease. On Sunday, marchers showed up in their various colours representing different groups to raise awareness of the disease. The Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar (Guyana), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Demerara and the Guyana Conference of Seventhday Adventist Church collaborated to host a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk from Sparendaam to Parliament Building.

A number of organisations turned out to show support to the families who have lost

loved ones to breast cancer and to mobilise the relevant authorities to put the disease on top of their agenda.

The Rotary Club and the Adventist Church had in their ranks the Salcah Youth Federation Drum Corps, which captured the attention of most persons along the route.

They were particularly inspiring as they marched through the rain to their beats, maintaining their uniformity and steady pace. The walk drew attention in every street as the marchers walked along the roads, passing the Caricom Secretariat, and the Canadian and the US embassies on their journey to Parliament Building.

Samantha Henry from

and did not go to the hospital.

The mother and grandmother said her daughter went to the Mahaicony Hospital when she got ulcers. At this stage of the disease, not much could have been done. Chemotherapy was tried but it was unsuccessful.

Dr Narendra Bhalla of the Cancer Institute said treating breast cancer is very much a possibility in Guyana, but persons are not coming out to be screened.

He stated that yearly tests are advised as most cases are only found in the late stages when much cannot be done to save the victims.

Dr Bhalla said the Cancer Institute has been into the hinterland to highlight the importance of the disease

the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar informed Guyana Times that the walk was aimed at getting more done on the issue of breast cancer as persons are not taking the disease seriously and rarely do yearly screenings.

She said that the route was chosen with that in mind and to pay respect to persons who lost the battle against cancer.

Eslyn Reynolds, 62, said she lost two of her three daughters to breast cancer. She said it was quite a loss. Reynolds stated that her first daughter was not aware she had the disease until it was too late and had to go to the hospital. She died in 2003. When her second daughter indicated that she was having creamy secretions from the breast, Reynolds advised her to do a check, but to no avail. It was not until blood was being secreted with the milky substance that her daughter became worried; however, she thought it was something that could have been easily treated

Simply the Truth

Places of worship

One of the things that struck me immediately upon my return to Berbice in 2008 after almost 30 years of being away was the number of places of worship. Churches of all sorts with derivative names, mandirs, and mosques. It was very striking indeed.

One sees this trend in places like Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana. This mushrooming of religious structures.

It is always a mistake to think that the number of these places demonstrate the raise of righteousness in the citizens of nations. Indeed, it is often quite the opposite. All too frequently, we find that the mushrooming of places of worship goes hand in hand with the loss of genuine spirituality.

With this loss of spirituality comes a certain hysteria and longing for some kind of attachment to some religious organisation. The buildings provide a concrete show of structure against our sense of being spiritually shipwrecked. In fear, we clutch.

And one supposes that some of these places do indeed offer a sense of structure against our everyday chaos. But no structure of worship contains God. There is more of God to be found in the scent of a flower, in the touch of a petal, in the soft caress of a breeze upon the cheek, in the scent of the woman or man we love, in an embrace wrought with tenderness.

Those things, however, are things that we take for granted. And so we grab to

a material structure (and money!), since we have lost sight of that which is truly valuable.

I know some good religious leaders in Berbice. Imam Moses of New Amsterdam (who actually understands the language in which he prays!); the late Pandit Achee and Pandit Dinish; Father Edwin and Father Augustin; Pastor Geer. The others can learn from these.

There are simply too many who “lead” for the money or the easy egotistical satisfaction that it brings. As if the power of divinity resides in a microphone. This is why these people give themselves vaunted names: “Apostle”, “Bishop”, and so on.

In too many countries to count, I have made it a point to go to temples, mosques and churches. Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist, Islamic, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical, and so on.

But I have always made

sure that the place is empty or with very few people around. It is quiet, and my mind can focus on the Creator. There is no ritual, no witness, no noise, no hopping around, or bobbing up and down like a monkey. It is also noteworthy that religious ritual flourishes in places where the people feel (or are) economically bereft. The poorer we think we are, the more susceptible we are to hysterical religious attachments.

In too many places this holds true. The more spiritually impoverished we are, the more intellectually barren, the more economically disenfranchised, the greater our need to cling to these rituals.

In our noise, and frantic movement, and empty words, and cheering and screeching, the simple beauty of a flower is forgotten. We attach ourselves to religion with such ferocity and hysteria that the Creator is forgotten.

to persons there. He stated that a house-to-house awareness programme was done in Mabaruma to advocate the need and show persons how to check for symptoms of the disease.

Former Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Guyana, Dr Emmanuel Cummings also addressed the marchers at Parliament Building.

He informed them of the importance of screening and the fact that persons do not take care to find out more about the disease.

Dr Cummings emphasised that youths should pay attention to what they eat as this can cause the disease.

He challenged persons to do the relevant tests and screening, noting that the facilities are here and should be utilised.

Dr Cummings is part of the research team working on carilla to isolate the anti-cancer chemical within the vegetable in a bid to find a cure for the disease.

Professor Daizal Samad

A section of the gathering at the Public Building

Dr Emmanuel Cummings addressing marchers at Parliament Building

NCN reporters accuse APNU of harassment

– says “not aligned to any political party”

The National Communications Network (NCN) has accused the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) of harassing its reporters, a claim the coalition denied even as the state broadcaster asserts that it is not aligned to nor is an organ of any political party.

The media house in a statement said its reporters have been constantly harassed by known activists and senior members of the coalition during its ongoing public meetings, particularly in Region Four.

The media house said on October 1, during an APNU public meeting at Kool Circle, Laing Avenue, Georgetown, Executive Member Volda Lawrence, while addressing the meeting, claimed that an NCN reporter and cameraman were following her and Winston Felix “all night” so that they can record them and “take it to Rohee so he can talk about it on TV”.

Also on the same day at the La Retraite Primary School , West Bank Demerara, where Opposition Leader David Granger was the main speaker, another NCN team arrived to provide coverage of the said meeting, but was accosted by three

women who enquired which media house they represent.

Upon learning the team was from NCN, they were rudely told that they cannot enter because they are representing NCN.

On October 2, at the Bagotville Community Centre, the state broadcaster said its team was identified and called out by APNU supporters. Subsequently, Chief Whip of the Opposition and APNU Executive Member Amna Ally prevented the team from entering the venue and threatened that if they do, she will embarrass and expose them.

Prior to this incident, the NCN cameraman was identified by APNU supporters, who called out to People’s

National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairman Basil Williams, informing him that he was being filmed. The NCN reporter was forced to beg APNU officials not to harm her colleague.

On October 3, at Middle Dam, Pouderoyen, NCN said as its team arrived to cover another APNU public meeting, the party’s supporters yelled “watch them coming... NCN”.

The team was subsequently told it cannot cover the meeting. “NCN condemns this kind of harassment and threat from members of the APNU, including its Executives, which will only put at risk, the lives of honest and hardworking employees of the enti-

ty. Further, we wish to advise Ms Volda Lawrence that NCN is not aligned to any political party nor is it an organ of any political party.”

The state broadcaster said on one hand, APNU continues to accuse NCN of not providing coverage to it and on the other hand it is evicting the NCN team from its public events.

“NCN believes these recent acts of intimidation and attacks on our journalists are a direct threat to press freedom in Guyana and a violation of Article 23 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment...”

“Additionally, NCN called on Information Minister; President Donald Ramotar, the National Assembly of Guyana; the Guyana Press Association; the Independent Media Workers Association of Guyana; the diplomatic community; political parties; the Guyana Human Rights Association; and all other stakeholders to condemn this dastardly act by APNU, which seems to be on a campaign to drive fear in our staff.”

APNU denies

For its part, APNU called on the NCN to take the “beam out of its own eye” saying that it found the media entity’s statement to be ludicrous, disingenuous and mendacious. APNU said it recently had cause to ask two reporters to leave a meeting after they intentionally lied about their media affiliation.

“A cameraman claiming to be Dillon Sampson from Capitol News and a reporter who identified herself as Olivia Rose were asked to leave when it was determined that they were not from Capitol News but from NCN. This incident occurred at a meeting that was not open to the public and the unethical falsification of credentials by the NCN crew was reported to the management of Capitol News,” APNU said.

The coalition added: “APNU finds the claim by the NCN that ‘NCN is not aligned to or is an organ of any political party’ to be a fallacy and laughable. It is a fact that NCN operates as an organ (mouthpiece) of the People's Progressive Party/Civic

Paper man back against de wall

Dog does be man best friend. Dog does attack thief man and defend dem yard and dem owner. But when a dog get desperate, he does snap even at he owner if he in trouble. He does growl, skin he teeth and fire bite leff, right and centre like Rum Jhaat.

But it got nuff more people who does behave like real dog. Dem does bite and snap and scratch when dem in trouble. Just like dog, when dem back against de wall, dem can do any and every ting, like de Nagga Man, who dangerous more than a dog whah deh in trouble.

In fact, dem does turn to all means to get dem back off de wall. Some does push, some does kick and some does bark like Joe de Hard Mouth. Some does just simply turn round like de Man Kisser, and don’t even turn round back.

De problem is that when some body not accustom to havin dem back against de wall, it does be big problem to get outta that kinda situation, just like Paper Man nowadays. Right now Paper Man back against de wall. Is no wonder he gettin so desperste. So he tryin all kinda wrigglin and twistin and turnin. Now he turn to bribin and blackmailin. He can hardly read he own email, but he sending email fuh people and turn round and readin dem. Paper Man back does be against other tings, so he missin that feelin. These days he feelin giddy. One minute he hey, next minute he not hey.

After all, de thought of Lot 12 Camp Street ain’t so nice. Paper Man gon sure like some of de tings whah does go on in deh, but he not sure he gon like it so often. And he ain’t accustom to this “one for all and all for one” business.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Paper Man like havin every tying fuh he self and then decide whah he gone leff fuh de rest. But right now he ain’t got a choice!

(PPP/C) Administration. It is a fact that the NCN has an institutional policy that refuses to give equal time or coverage to Opposition parties in Guyana. It is a fact that NCN’s coverage of political and national events is biased.”

The coalition reminded that in 2012, the Opposition Leader had cause to write to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President to complain about the quality and “biased character of reporting by NCN.”

“In 2013 and 2014, the practice of gutter journalism and disinformation by NCN continues, nothing has changed.”

GPA calls for respect

Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association said it has taken note of complaints of harassment of NCN reporters and called on all political parties, the Government and Opposition to be reminded that journalists, regardless of whether they are in the employ of the state or the independent media, ought to be allowed to carry out their jobs in an environment that is free from fear and intimidation.

“The GPA would also like to remind media houses of the responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of their workers in the execution of their duties and would like to encourage our journalists to continue to be fearless in their reporting on the issues of the day. Journalists also need to act professionally as

they conduct their duties.”

The Press Association said it was also very worried about recent revelations that attempts may be afoot to use resources of the state to suppress and intimidate members of the private media and private media houses in the execution of their duties.

“The Press Association is alarmed that as the ‘silly season’ in politics may once again be upon us, we are already seeing attempts to intimidate journalists and media houses from carrying out their duties in a fair and transparent manner.”

Further, the Press Association placed on record “its unwavering support for all journalists in the execution of their job”. It noted that the recent “pushing and abuse” of a reporter by acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba ought to be condemned and called on Sooba to offer a full apology to the Capitol News reporter who was allegedly assaulted.

“The Guyana Press Association also takes this time to remind Editors and media owners of the important role they need to play in the on the job training and education of their employees, especially the younger reporters who are now soaking their feet in the profession. The GPA also looks forward to the full participation of the state and independent media in the upcoming training programmes for journalists which will be focusing on elections coverage.”

The National Communications Network (NCN) has accused the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) of harassing its reporters

Times Notebook

Hacking emails is criminal

This is the 100th Times Notebook article. Times Notebook published its first article on November 14, 2012 when we highlighted the plight of Malala, a young woman who has become a global heroine.

We are grateful to the many readers who have sent in their comments and hope to see many more articles being published.

The first case of Ebola diagnosed outside of Africa occurred in the USA this past week. In our 96th article published on September 8 this year, we warned that Ebola is on its way out of Africa and countries ought to be prepared for Ebola. We went further in predicting that the first case outside of Africa will occur in the USA or Europe. The Caribbean should take note, because sooner than later, we too will see cases of Ebola.

equally repulsive and equally criminal.

In September this year, Mohamed Morsi, the former President of Egypt, was charged with leaking emails to leaders of Qatar. The famous WikiLeaks case is very much on our minds. The leaker was sentenced to life imprisonment. Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency (NSA) staffer who accessed computer information from the US Government had to run away from America to avoid being jailed for a crime equalling treason.

plain how they have access to private emails. If they obtained such emails through hackers, both Kaieteur News and the hackers are guilty. If any one of us were to purchase a stolen TV or any goods, we would be equally liable as the thief.

If Kaieteur News obtained copies of emails from a staff of the Commissioner General or the Attorney General, then Kaieteur News staff must be disciplined by being dismissed and being charged. The unauthorised access to emails is theft of personal property.

and our personal lives. While it might very well be convenient today to accept the unauthorised access to emails because it might occur to one’s political adversaries, remember that tomorrow the table might be turned.

Hacking emails or bribing staff to obtain private emails of someone is a national security scandal that Guyana must stamp out. Such cyber crime according to the United Nations (UN) constitutes a development crisis.

On September 23, 2013, our 46th article spoke of cyber-bullying. We highlight a form of cyber-bullying in our country, which must be nipped immediately before it becomes a monster. Hacking or gaining unauthorised access to someone else’s email is a genuine privacy issue and a matter of grave concern for every citizen of Guyana and of the world.

There can be no justification for unauthorised access to anyone’s emails, no matter how trivial the information might be. The publication by Kaieteur News of significant amounts of fake emails of the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Attorney General must concern all of us.

Who among us is safe from such invasion of privacy by the Kaieteur News?

Did they obtain unauthorised access to the emails of the

Thus it is a matter of national security, not only because of the political nature

of the infringement of privacy we are experiencing at this time, but for business

Whether we like or dislike the Commissioner General or the Attorney General, what is of preeminent importance is that a

crime has been committed by having unauthorised access to emails. We must not confuse the issue and Guyana must stand firm in together objecting to anyone who commits such crimes. It is for all of our protection. We speak together now or forever be haunted by the spectre of cyber crime and trespass into our privacy. Kaieteur News and its publisher are guilty of theft by invading the privacy of fellow citizens. They must face the consequences of the law and our collective rebuke. Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

In the USA, a young man in Tennessee was jailed for two years for hacking the email account of Sarah Palin. There are now many cases around the world where people have been tried under various laws for hacking into people’s email accounts. Such cases span politics, business, and personal affairs.

Repulsive

Developed countries take great care to ensure that hacking into someone’s information stored in their computers or email accounts is punishable as a crime. Developed countries also regard unauthorised access to emails by other means as

Commissioner General or the Attorney General by hacking into the email account of one of these persons or both of them and sending fake messages? Or did Kaieteur News obtain unauthorised access to the emails by leaks?

Compromised

Goggle has informed the GRA that its email accounts have been subjected to two hacking efforts from computers located in Barbados and Guyana. The Commissioner General has reported that Kaieteur News has compromised his staff.

It does not matter which form of unauthorised access Kaieteur News criminally utilised, a crime has been committed. Worse yet, they may have also sent emails to suit their sinister motives.

At the very least, the Kaieteur News must be asked by the Police to ex-

Kaieteur News and its publisher are guilty of theft by invading the privacy of fellow citizens

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

monDAY, october 6, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

TSC to fill 300 junior vacancies in teaching system

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is in the process of filling more than 300 junior vacancies in the education system, Chairperson Chandrawati Lelia Ramson said.

According to Ramson, these junior vacancies are spread across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Since the commencement of the 2014/2015 Academic Year, thousands of applications have flooded the Commission.

Though it is a humongous task, Ramson said the Commission will do its best, even if it means going back to the 2012 batch of applications to find the ideal teacher for a given post and location.

“There are many applicants from 2012 who are still waiting for jobs, especially in the country side where jobs are limited.”

In addition to the junior vacancies, Ramson said during the period JanuaryJuly, the Commission will award senior promotions. According to her, there are approximately 500 senior vacancies. But due to locations and posts required to be filled, the Chair said only 60 per cent will be filled. This is nothing new, she said, explaining that though hundreds of applications may be sent in for a given post, finding the suitable individual might be challenging.

Though applications are processed with a “fine teeth comb”, before appointments are made, the Commission is often faced with approximately 40 appeals on an annual basis by teachers who feel that they were shortchanged or cheated in the process.

Questioned on whether the education system is still being majorly affected by the issue of brain drain, Ramson responded in the negative, positing that fewer teachers are leaving for the perceived “greener pastures”.

“Fewer teachers are running to places like Bahamas and Botswana,” she said, but was unable to indicate what percentage is staying versus those who are leaving.

Alluding to the reintegration process of teachers who would have left the system, Ramson said trained teachers can be re-integrated into the public education system once they left on good terms. “If you are train, you can come back and get your job, but it is the way in which you leave your job,” she said.

It was explained that senior teachers can lose as much as 30 years of service if they would have failed to resign before leaving, or would have resigned but left before the one month’s notice expired. It was explained that senior teachers are mandated to give one month’s notice before leaving, while headteachers are required to give three months.

“You’ve not see the back of... from

We are very sorry for the inconvenience this change might have caused and thank you for your patience while we are processing refund requests and protecting our passengers impacted by this temporary suspension”.Since its launch, Dynamic Airways has been mired in hiccups. After several days in operation, it last week told the media that it will continue to land at other international airports in the US and not the JFK as it has not been granted full permission to use the facility.

The service was expected to resume on August 18, but more challenges had surfaced. However, Gouveia is sure that by November, the airlines will be up and running.

Meanwhile, Deon Inniss,

NA man gets 2 years for causing death by dangerous driving

ANew Amsterdam taxi driver has been jailed for two year after being found guilty on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Edson Ennis, 36, who is also a cane harvester, was slapped with the sentence on Friday when he appeared before Magistrate Shurdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Ennis caused the death of Sastia Natasha Phillips by driving vehicle PDD 5925 in a dangerous manner. Phillips, 27, a mother of five was at the time in the company of her fiancé and children walking along Main Street, New Amsterdam about 20:15h when she was hit.

Ennis fled the scene, but the car was later discovered by Police at his home at

Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, covered under a house.

The mother of five, formerly of Lot Fifth Street, Islington, Greater New Amsterdam, died at the New Amsterdam Hospital

while receiving medical attention.

Magistrate IsaacsMarcus also fined Ennis $40,000. He was fined $20,000 for failing to stop after an accident and a further $20,000 for failing to render assistance to the victim.

During the trial and in his defense, Ennis told the court that he was driving, heading towards his home when in the vicinity of Alexander Street, two cyclists suddenly darted out from a cross street into his path.

He said he swerved to avoid a collision with the cyclist and struck the woman. According to Ennis, after the collision, he panicked and in fear drove

away. His Attorney Joel Edmond in his submission told the court that no prima facie case was made out against Ennis, noting that that there were numerous inconsistencies in the prosecution case.

However, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Playter differed, saying that a prima facie case was made out. He stated that the prosecution had more than adequately satisfied the court that the accused was guilty of the charges.

The incident in 2012 had received widespread attention as scores of publicspirited citizen had joined Police in the search for the car moments after the accident occurred.

page 7

Sales Executive of Caribbean Airlines on Saturday said the airline is bracing for an influx of passengers, travelling the Georgetown-JKF route. He also noted that the company has enough aircraft to handle the situation but if the need arises, others will be brought in to complement the already existing fleet.

With respect to the airfares, he noted that Caribbean Airlines continues to provide the best services and the best air fares in the aviation industry. There were some concerns by the travelling public that Caribbean Airlines might increase their fare following TravelSpan’s pull out of the market, but according to Inniss, the fares will stagger from time to time, depending on fuel expenses.

Amsville

TSC Chair Chandrawati Lelia Ramson

Edson Ennis

Fun Park – a thriller for both children and adults

President Donald Ramotar examines peanut butter made by the Women’s Agro Processing Group from the hinterland regions

Fly Jamaica employees pose for Guyana Times’ camera

Taking a dip in the pool

A family stroll into GuyExpo at the Sophia Exhibition Centre

Patrons at the Namilco booth

Digicel was also an attraction for many patrons

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) booth at GuyExpo offering free Wifi service to patrons

VOX POPULI

Sherene Slowe – “There were more booths last year compared to this year and even though there are many more attractions this year, I feel there was not enough information and informative booths. That is something I would like to see next year, but, overall, this year was good.”

“What the People Say”

PUBLIC OPINION

Nonika Wilson – “Well, I think this year is definitely better than last year. There are more exhibitors and new products on the display. It had a mixture of fun and knowledge so that was okay for me. I was able to visit many of the booths this year also.”

Simran Jadanauth –“GuyExpo was nice. I like the face painting. There were also cones there which I liked too and all the booths were decorated very nice. I hope next year is bigger and better so I can come and enjoy myself again. “

Elisabeth Dyer – “It is more fun this year. There was a good layout so I got to walk about a lot and visit most of the booths, but what I think they should do now is have some sort of design to guide people to the booths because it’s so huge people get lost.”

2014

Ivan George – “I think this year is good: how they got all these foreign companies to come, it will help Guyana to develop more and put our products out there. I think Minister Ali is doing a good job with promoting Guyana and Guyanese products. The other Ministers should follow in his footsteps and do the same.”

Eunice Macklingham –“I really enjoyed this year’s GuyExpo. There were so much different things to see but my favourite is the Guyana Shop. I like the fact that they had all these local products on display for people to see. They should do the same next year, but with even more products.”

Lisa Sanichar – “This year was better than last year and there is more turnout in terms of people. There are more products on display and are selling at better prices than last year. I think it’s good that more companies took part. I’m looking forward to next year’s GuyExpo.”

SAY...

Anne Harlequin –“GuyExpo was ok this year. There were a lot of people, the crowd was big this year and the entertainment was good too but I feel there should be more educational booths like the Ministry of Health should have more information available so that is something I would like to see next year.”

Basheer Khan – “This year is much improved from last year in terms of getting to places and the parking is a lot better too. While I like the international booths, I was a bit concerned about certain aspect of the local sectors that I felt should have been more on display, but the efforts are noticeable and it was another spectacular show on display.”

Joy Allen – “Most of the booths this year were more developed than last year which is nice. I got to see a lot of fun things, but, because I brought my children, I would like to see more fun activities for children to play, like slides and swings.”

Parasaram – “Well, this year, there is less people than last year. I very much like everything I saw on showcase, especially things from the foreign companies. This year the layout was spacious, so that was good. I think the Ministry is doing a good job with the GuyExpo.”

Sharda Seeram – “Well, this was my first year at GuyExpo and I like what I saw. When I came I didn’t know what to expect but being here and seeing all the different businesses and companies putting their products on displays, I was impressed. I will definitely be returning next year.”

...is a Guyana Times effort to give expression to issues concerning Guyanese. Every week we will publish views on one issue along with contributors’ photographs. The views expressed in comments published do not reflect the opinions of the Guyana Times Inc. I Say... will be published every Monday

Guyana, T&T Private Sectors not taking advantage of opportunities

The Private Sectors of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago are being called on to create synergies and build on business opportunities that are being made available through bilateral relations under Caricom.

This call was made at a seminar hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) last week aimed at strengthening and forging new bilateral relations between the two countries.

The seminar was held at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara where the Trinidadian delegation that is here for GuyExpo 2014 met and engaged lo-

cal stakeholders. Trinidad and Tobago’s Ambassador of Trade, Mervyn Assam, pointed out that bilateral

relations between Caricom member states are not as vibrant as they should be, since members take each other for granted. The Ambassador, who heads the Trinidadian delegation for GuyExpo, noted that while Governments act as facilitator, it is the Private Sectors that need to actualise the opportunities that are provided for them.

Powerhouse

“Government tries to provide market access, it is the Private Sector that must convert the market access into market penetration and it is for this reason that the TTMA has become very proactive… I hope they

will continue this trend into other Caricom countries and look beyond Caricom,” he stated. Assam said that Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are a good fit together to provide mutual benefits.

“We have energy and you have a lot of raw materials; we have some experience in certain areas and you have a lot of experience in other areas and if we can combine all of these talents, expertise, experience, and all of our resources, I think Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana can be a powerhouse in this part of the world,” he remarked.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(GCCI) President Lance Hinds recognised the need to start to see the alliance opportunities among member states.

He stated that there was not sufficient collaboration between Caricom countries; hence he welcomed the seminar by TTMA, which he said provided potential business opportunities while broadening the horizons of local businesses.

“Every year at every stakeholder summit, we talk about the need for regional integration and organisational efforts. I’m not sure we are doing it on the ground as we should for betterment of the Region and for the better of our businesses,” he mentioned. Hinds pointed out that the talk of big trade agreements cannot be achieved if member states do not work together. The GCCI President explained that the high cost of trade within the Caribbean can be reduced only if there is an increase in the volume of business transactions. These sentiments were also echoed by Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who said that the Private Sector needs to be engaged in more Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) activities in order to get it involved in the policies and decisions making.

Alvin

Trinidad and Tobago’s Ambassador of Trade, Mervyn Assam

Adventist Church honours teachers

With the aim of recognising the unfettering contributions of teachers in molding the minds of the nation’s children, the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist on Sunday held a luncheon in their honour at the Promenade Garden, Georgetown.

Teachers attending the simple function were drawn primarily from the Queenstown Ward, with a few coming from the outskirts of Georgetown.

It is the third year the Education Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Guyana is holding the event, in recognition of World Teacher’s Day, which was observed on Saturday.

Education Director of the conference, Barbara

McDonald said the teachers were grateful for the support of the church.

“One would expect that the church would step in and do what is has to do since there are a lot of ills in society and we often wonder where is the church in all this,” she told

Savory said the church has an ongoing relationship with teachers. She said the programme, planned by the Education Department of the Conference, has an aim of publicly “recognising the role that these men and women play in the lives of the young people. And so this is a means to

the group of educators at the function on Sunday.

She noted that teachers, although seeking to fulfill their mandate, are humans too and do have their own issues which require prayer. She therefore called on the church to set aside at least one week per month to offer prayers for

“As we respond to the call of being qualified teachers and more proactive, we call on the Ministry of Education to support teachers, that we pave the way for our teachers to become more competent… so we could have better spending power.”

Speaking directly to the teachers, McDonald said “we are not here to protest” but to reflect on all that has been done over the years.

“And we want to celebrate all the goodly work we have been doing over the years,” she said as she urged the teachers to continue to do their best.

Educator Ivor English, who delivered the feature address, said teaching is not just a mere “profession”, but a “calling”, since it requires special talents.

Quoting the scriptures, he stressed on the Apostle Paul, who he said was a prudent scholar of his time. He said as the Apostle chronicled a list of profession, he rated teachers very highly.

“The lessons learned from teachers remain with their students throughout life,” he said, continuing that very often children enter school looking for help from “that calm assurance that persons who could

motivate and encourage them as best as we can to take these opportunities to continue doing just that”.

Speaking at the function, Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta

teachers.

Meanwhile, on a lighter side of her presentation, McDonald said the Education Ministry, and even parents should work toward helping teachers to be more competent in the delivery of their work.

Man stabbed to death at Tain

Police in Berbice are hunting for a man and his son who early Sunday morning allegedly clubbed and stabbed a youth to death.

Dead is Rajeshwar Ramdanny called “Suraj” of Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.

In a statement, Police said about 00:30h on Sunday, Ramdhani, 20, of Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, was fatally stabbed to the chest by a man with whom he had an argument earlier, while walking along Well Tank Dam, Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

The suspect has not yet been arrested. Investigations are in progress.

Meanwhile, speaking to Guyana Times on Sunday, the dead man’s father Thakur Persaud Ramdhanny said he received a call sometime around 12:30h on Sunday morning, informing him of the incident.

According to him, by the time he reached the Port Mourant Hospital, he re-

ceived the dreaded news of his son’s passing.

The older Ramdhanny said based on what was related to him by his younger son who was with his brother at the time of the incident, the two were returning from the neighbouring village of Miss Phoebe on separate bicycles, when they were attacked by a man known in the village as “Casareep” and his son “Peter”. From all indications, the attack

FAO calls for

give a sense of direction”.

Teachers, he said break down barriers and reach into the minds of students they are responsible for.

The function was held under the theme “Invest in the future, invest in teachers”.

was meant for his older son, since his younger son was only dealt a single lash.

The younger Ramdhanny told his father and Police that his brother was first lashed by “Casareep” after which he received the fatal stab from his son Peter.

Guyana Times understands that the injured Suraj cried out for help from his younger brother and about five persons who were close by. But by the time any assistance could have been rendered, the two men disappeared. The older Ramdhanny said he later visited the hospital and saw the stab wound, which he said penetrated his son’s heart.

Rajeshwar Ramdhanny would have celebrated his 21st birthday later this month. According to a Police press release, sometime around 00:30 hours this morning, Ramdhanny was fatally stabbed to the chest by a man with whom he had an argument. The suspect, it said has not yet been arrested, however, investigations are ongoing.

“paradigm shift” towards family farming

Policymakers should support a broad array of approaches to overhauling global food systems, making them healthier and more sustainable while acknowledging that "we cannot rely on an input intensive model to increase production and that the solutions of the past have shown their limits". This is according to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General José Graziano da Silva last week in his opening remarks to the 24th session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG).

Calling for a "paradigm shift", he said that today's main challenges are to lower the use of agricultural inputs, especially water and chemicals, in order to put agriculture, forestry and fisheries on a more sustainable and productive long-term path. Options such as agro-ecology and climate-smart agriculture should be explored, and so should biotechnology and the use of genetically modified organisms, FAO's Director General said, noting that food production needs to grow by 60 per cent by 2050 to meet the expected demand from an anticipated population of nine billion people. "We need to explore these alternatives using an inclusive approach based

on science and evidence, not on ideologies", as well as "respect local characteristics and context", he said.

Graziano da Silva also asked the COAG, which concluded its biannual meeting on Friday, to consider the importance of family farming in all aspects of its agenda. Members of COAG, a technical advisory body that helps guide and formulate FAO's policy agenda, also heard Danilo Medina, President of the Dominican Republic, outline his country's novel use of surprise visits to rural communities as a way to improve officials' understanding of their needs.

"Food is a universal right"

President Medina said his Government was a strong supporter of the principle that "food is a universal right" and that "the only viable strategy to fight hunger is to revitalise the countryside and rural incomes”. The Dominican Republic has reduced its population suffering from hunger to below 15 per cent from more than 34 per cent in 1990, and the island plans to institute a law on the right to food. In his keynote speech, President Medina said rural poverty in the Dominican Republic has declined by nine percentage points in the first 18 months of the current government, even faster than nationwide poverty, as a result of a suite of policies including almost doubling in two years the volume of agricultural loans, many of them offering improved terms of credit, grace periods, and crop insurance to smallholders. He emphasised that social and economic policies should be complementary in developing nations, most of which need to invest more in the creation of human capital in rural areas.

He added that the budgetary costs of his country's ef-

forts had proven surprisingly modest. "It is not a question of committing resources, but of taking decisions – even small amounts of money, well-targeted, can make an impact," he said. "Surprise visits" to farming communities have played a major role in catalysing an agricultural boom, President Medina said, noting he personally participates in the outreach project. The visits offer an opportunity for officials to listen and better understand concrete local concerns, and also to encourage smallholders to establish cooperatives and other organisations to scale up their competence.

"The countryside in the Dominican Republic is undergoing a real revolution," he said.

"Subsistence agriculture on small plots of land perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty. The only way that our producers can be competitive is to join forces," the President added. "We see that by working together toward a common objective, they are producing as never before."

The Dominican Republic achieved its core Millennium Development goal ahead of schedule, reducing the share of its population suffering from hunger to 15 per cent from 34 per cent in 1990.The country is also on the verge of promulgating a law establishing the right to food, Graziano da Silva noted approvingly. "'Political commitment at the highest level is fundamental to advancing towards food security," he added.

The COAG meets every two years. Central themes discussed last week are water governance and livestock diseases, in particular the effort to replicate the successful eradication of Rinderpeste on the Peste des Petits Ruminants, soil management, and food safety.

FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva

Guyana Teachers Union General Secretary Coretta McDonald addressing the gathering

Education Director of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Barbara Savory (left) chats with Chief Education Officer Olato Sam

Some of the teachers at the function

Dead: Rameshwar “Suraj” Ramdhanny

GuyExpo brings out resourcefulness of private sector – Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar has described Guyana’s and indeed the Caribbean’s largest trade fair and exposition as a fantastic event, which shows the industriousness and resourcefulness of local entrepreneurs.

“With the different kinds of things that they are making, with the different kinds of products, all we need now is to hone that skill and increase the production, and productivity, and people will have a very good quality of life here,” President Ramotar said.

Giving an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA), as he visited GuyExpo, at the Sophia Exhibition Centre Saturday evening, the President said that the fact that thousands of people from all walks of life attended the event, clearly indicates that Public/ Private Partnership is being embraced by stakeholders.

Accompanied by First Lady, Deolatchmie Ramotar and other family members, the Head of State, visited many of the booths, meeting and interacting with members of the public.

For many, it was also a

chance to have a few words of conversation, some even having their photographs taken by photographers or even “selfie” style. For the President, it was an opportunity to listen to some of the issues, including concerns expressed by some members of the public and even offer some advice to many appreciative visitors.

The visit to the booths and display areas was welcomed by business entrepreneurs who eagerly took the opportunity to explain, per-

sonally, what their displays showcased. Most entrepreneurs also offered samples of their products, where possible, to the President who inquired and listened attentively to the descriptions of quite a few unique products.

Ten countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, India, the United States of America, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, French Guiana and Suriname are participating in the event. These countries have 70 delegates in to-

and occupy 51 of the more than 370 booths. Guyana’s largest trade and investment exposition, GuyExpo began in 1995. This event which showcases locally produced goods and services, became an annual event in 2004 and is now the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean. In that year, the organisers, noting the growth and interdependence of international trade, opened the exhibition to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and other regional exhibitors.

Devonshire Castle residents thrash-would be thieves

Residents of Devonshire Castle Village on the Essequibo Coast on Sunday morning caught two thieves and dealt them a sound thrashing following an attempted robbery in the community.

The two men had attempted to rob a villager around 04:00h. The villager then alerted other residents who responded and apprehended the wouldbe thieves at Cabbage Dam, Devonshire Castle. The news quickly spread throughout the community and within minutes, scores of persons gathered at the

scene. The men were severely beaten before being taken to the hospital for treatment by the Police.

Guyana Times was told that before being arrested, the men had tried to escape, running through several streets, but were cornered by residents who were all armed with cutlasses and pieces of wood.

One of the men is reportedly from Darthmouth while the other is from Bartica.

According to an eyewitness, the men tried to escape, but residents managed to corner them. He said residents have been very alert over the past nights, owing

to constant burglaries in the area. Information also revealed that two sluice attendants attached to the Devonshire Castle sluice had seen the men earlier in the village.

Questions were asked and the men said they were heading to Darthmouth but they were walking towards Anna Regina. The men were caught in proximity to the home of a woman who was recently raped in the village.

The Police visited the scene promptly and the men are currently in Police custody.

Recycling

Recycling is important because it can help to save the planet. In fact, just by recycling different products, the environment as a whole is helped. For example, many trees are being cut down just to produce paper and paper comes from trees.

So by recycling it, we are surely helping to lessen the number of trees that are cut down. Even products that are made from raw materials should be recycled so that we can help preserve the environment.

Narine Dat Sookram

One important thing to keep in mind is that it takes less energy to process recycled materials than to process virgin materials. For example, it takes more energy to create new paper from trees than what it takes to recycle them.

If we analyse it well, it is not really worth the hassle to transport virgin materials from one source to the next. And by saving energy, this in itself has its own benefits like decreasing pollution and it does create less stress on our own health and our economy as well.

We all know that landfills are mostly composed of non-biodegradable waste which can take a long time to decay. Which means we all need to take the responsibility to recycle, so that we can lessen the waste materials that are placed into the landfills, at least in our own community.

One thing to keep in mind is that if we do not get into the habit of recycling, there will be more and more garbage littering all over the place and when that happens, rubbish starts to litter all over the place. This is not attractive to anyone passing through, so we need to also be mindful of that.

One of the greatest benefits of recycling is that it helps us save money. We have the privilege to sell recyclable materials to organisations. One thing we need to keep in mind too is that it is less expensive to use products that are recyclable. In fact, products that are made from recycled materials are much cheaper than products that are made from fresh materials.

As the population of the world increases, recycling is becoming increasingly more important. We know that for commercial reasons, many businesses are creating more products and packaging that look good and are indestructible, but the problem is, they can take many years to break down.

I hope we all realise that there are lots of things we can do right at home. For example, we can recycle things like eggshells, vegetable peelings and even fruit peelings, to fertilise plants. Just by being kind to the planet, we can save money and trips to the market. Something to be conscious of and make recycling a priority.

For questions, comments or feedback, email them to mcnarine@rogers.com

tal

President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar sign the Women and Gender Equality Commission’s petition calling for an end to violence against women

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, singer Natural Black and President Donald Ramotar at the GuyExpo

Residents helping Police to arrest the men

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Don’t hesitate to take advantage of an opportunity that comes your way. Others will be glad to do favours for you, but make sure you know what’s expected in return.

Keep a balance between your work duties and your domestic life. Clashes with a loved one are distressing, but co-workers will protest if you don’t pull your weight.

If you display your versatility and ability to perform a multitude of tasks with speed and efficiency, you will be noticed. Don’t be surprised if you are offered a promotion.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Look after your physical and mental health. Adequate rest, healthy food choices and plenty of recreational activities will help reduce stress, keep you in top shape and make you ready to take on the world.

A current relationship problem must be dealt with carefully. Take a serious look at your associates, and determine whom you really want to work alongside or spend time with.

You’ll experience trouble at home if you aren’t open about your plans and intentions. Share your creative and innovative ideas first, and let the people affected by your actions have a say.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Plan to engage in low-key entertainment with friends or family. An informal gathering at home will be less expensive, much more intimate and greatly appreciated by your guests.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Be extra vigilant with your house, car and other belongings. If you are too distracted, you are liable to forget to lock the door or turn off the stove, with dangerous results.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

You will form a meaningful and prosperous relationship with someone you have been admiring for a while. Favourable outcomes are likely if you mix business and pleasure.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t give in to emotional blackmail. Finish what you start and ignore anyone who tries to stifle your plans or progress. Someone wants to step into your shoes, so keep moving.

Investments will pay off. Scout around for real estate ventures or make purchases that will grow in value. A lot will be learned from an impromptu trip.

Children will figure prominently in your plans. This is a great time to initiate personal changes. A makeover, fitness programme or exercise routine will add to your appearance and self-esteem.

PeanuTs

AQUARIUS

GEMINI

calvin and hobbes

Sammy comfortable with early test retirement

Ahead of both his previous tours to India, Darren Sammy was hounded by the Indian press with questions related to Sachin Tendulkar. If he was pestered about how he would prevent Tendulkar from registering a 100th hundred in international cricket in 2011, the 2013 series was all about the great batsman's farewell from international.

Cut to 2014, and Sammy was perhaps expecting questions about how he caught Tendulkar off Narsingh Deonarine in Mumbai last year to put a full stop to the batsman's glorious career. Instead, even the ever-smiling Sammy seemed surprised by the number of queries related to his decision to retire from Tests in May, immediately after being replaced as the captain.

Soon after he quit Test cricket, Sammy had told ESPNcricinfo that he had given up the longest format since he believed it time for the West Indies Test team "to move in a new direction, under a new leader" and had also extended his support to the new captain Denesh Ramdin.

Still, the timing of his retirement, that too at the

age of 30 when most cricketers are around their peak, led to questions over whether Sammy felt hard done by. "No regrets, I am just happy to still be playing one-day and T20s for West Indies and that is what I am focusing on," Sammy said. "We are just finding means and ways to take West Indies cricket back to the top. No hard feelings. Hakuna Matata, no worries."

Asked about the re-

duced pressure of having to lead West Indies only in Twenty20s and not in all three formats, the ubiquitous grin got wider. "Captaining any side is tough but captaining West Indies is even tougher. We have players from different islands, different backgrounds, different cultures in itself, it has always been tough.

"For me, that side of the things I don't miss it but I

continue to be a leader in the team and play my role how I am supposed to play it and now we have three different captains. Tests and one-day that pressure goes to Bravo [ODI captain Dwayne Bravo] and Ramdin. I just wait for when it is T20. But I try to be a leader in one-day and T20 cricket."

Since being replaced as captain of the ODI side, Sammy has struggled to keep his place in the XI. He featured in only one of the three ODIs at home against Bangladesh in August. He had no qualms in attributing it to the fact that he is "not as talented as others", but that has only made him more determined to improve.

"I am not as talented as the others. After playing for a while you get more exposure, more experience and you think better. Last year and a half or 18 months I have worked hard on my fitness which has helped me concentrate a bit better. Just taking the responsibility I guess. It has been good for the team so hopefully with the opportunities I get in the future, I can continue doing that for the team."

(Cricinfo)

Chelsea holds off Arsenal

Chelsea cemented their position at the top of the Premier League with victory over Arsenal as Arsene Wenger's winless streak against Jose Mourinho was extended to 12 games.

The old adversaries squared up in an ugly firsthalf moment when Wenger shoved Mourinho in the chest in Chelsea's technical area after Gary Cahill's challenge on Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. A semblance of order was restored although the tension still resurfaced - but as so often, it was Mourinho who had the last word with a win that puts the Blues five points ahead of secondplaced Manchester City.

Eden Hazard's first-half penalty put them on their way after he was fouled by Laurent Koscielny, while Diego Costa's ninth goal in

seven games since his £32m summer move from Atletico Madrid wrapped up the win.

This never threatened to be a repeat of Chelsea's 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal in March that marred Wenger's 1,000th match in charge of the Gunners, but there was rarely a moment when his side threatened to end his dismal sequence against Mourinho as they suffered their first league loss of the season.

The home side may not have produced the flamboyant football that has featured in some of their play this season, but the old steel at the back is still in evidence and, in Costa and former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, they have acquired a potent partnership.

Costa's goalscoring has caught the eye but the wonderful raking pass from Fabregas that set up the second goal silenced the taunts

aimed from the visiting fans and was his seventh Premier League assist of the season.

It was the crowning moment of a Chelsea performance that was ruthlessly efficient and sounded an ominous note to those hoping to stop Mourinho reclaiming the Premier League title this season.

Chelsea even survived the early loss of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was taken off before half-time and replaced by Petr Cech after taking a bang on the head in a collision with Sanchez, with the Belgian taken to hospital as a precaution.

Courtois's problems started when he raced out to beat Sanchez to a through ball and there was an accidental clash between the pairthe young goalkeeper recovered after being flat out but was unable to complete the half, the Chelsea medical

Sulieman Benn to join Windies for India tour

Benn

The West Indies Cricket Board advised that Sulieman Benn will join the team for the upcoming five-match One-Day International series against India in India.

The 33-year-old leftarm spinner will join the team in Kochi ahead of the 1st One-Day International, which will be played on Wednesday, October 8. Benn has so far played 25 One-Dayers – with 29 wickets at an average of 31.86 runs per wicket – in-

team eventually signalling to Mourinho that he need to be replaced.

If the action on the pitch took time to get going, there was no time-wasting between Mourinho and Wenger as their obvious personal animosity quickly boiled over.

Wenger took exception to Mourinho giving his view on Cahill's tackle on Sanchez, marching menacingly into the Chelsea technical area before giving his counterpart a very clear two-handed shove in the chest.

Mourinho, not surprisingly, was unimpressed and it took the intervention of fourth official Jon Moss to at least restore a small measure of calm between the pair.

Arsenal had acquitted themselves well without putting Chelsea under serious pressure, but were unlocked by the pace and trickery of Hazard to go behind after 27 minutes. Koscielny had no other answer to the Belgian's run into the area than to stick his leg out and bring

cluding three four-wicket hauls.

FULL SQUAD (with shirt numbers) 47. Dwayne Bravo (Captain), 62. Sulieman Benn, 46. Darren Bravo, 98. Jason Holder, 59. Leon Johnson, 55. Kieron Pollard, 80. Denesh Ramdin, 14. Ravi Rampaul, 24. Kemar Roach, 12. Andre Russell, 88. Darren Sammy, 7. Marlon Samuels, 54. Lendl Simmons, 50. Dwayne Smith, 75. Jerome Taylor.

him down, with Hazard recovering his poise to score from the spot.

Chelsea, while not being at their best, had restricted Arsenal to the extent that the visiting attacking threat was non-existent, but the Gunners had a genuine grievance when Fabregas stopped Jack Wilshere's shot from the edge of the area with raised arms just after the hour, only for referee Martin Atkinson to remain unmoved.

And while Chelsea were resolute in defence, there remained the ever-present threat of Costa. He had barely been in the game but pounced to put the match out of Arsenal's reach with 12 minutes left.

Fabregas, as he has been so often this season since joining Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer, was the creator, as a long pass sent Costa beyond Arsenal's defence to lift a finish over Wojciech Szczesny.

(BBC Sport)

Sulieman

Darren Sammy

Diego Costa celebrates

Jules Bianchi undergoes brain surgery after Japanese Grand Prix crash

The Marussia driver Jules Bianchi underwent surgery after suffering a severe head injury in an accident at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. In heavy rain the 25-year-old’s car left the track and hit a recovery vehicle that was removing the Sauber of Adrian Sutil which had come off on the previous lap at the same corner. The race was won by Lewis Hamilton with only 47 of 53 laps possible following a red flag after Bianchi’s crash.

A statement from the FIA read: “Adrian Sutil lost control of his car, spun and hit the tyre barrier on the outside of turn seven. The marshals displayed double waved yellow flags before the corner to warn drivers of the incident. A recovery vehicle was despatched in order to lift the car and take it to a place of safety behind the guardrail. While this was being done the driver of car 17, Jules Bianchi, lost control of his car, travelled across the run-off area and hit the back of the tractor.”

The statement continued: “The driver was removed from the car, taken to the circuit medical centre and then by ambulance to hospital. The CT scan

shows he has suffered a severe head injury and is undergoing surgery. Following this, he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored. Mie General Hospital will issue an update as soon as further information becomes available.”

The race was stopped shortly after Bianchi’s crash and the FIA announced the driver was unconscious and had been taken to hospital by ambulance rather than by helicopter. There was immediate concern across the paddock as the seriousness of the accident became clear. The race had begun under the safety car in heavy rain and was red-flagged after two laps causing a delay of 20 minutes. But after a restart and a period of drying, the downpour returned and Bianchi left the track on lap 44. Sutil, who was unhurt after his incident, witnessed the crash and, in his opinion, the extremely wet conditions were to blame.

“It was the same as what happened to me, he had been aquaplaning but just one lap later,” he said. “It hit him hard. That is all I can say. I have no information about how he is but I really hope for him that it is all OK and my thoughts are with him. It was more or less the same

crash, but the outcome was a bit different. [The tractor] came out to rescue my car, and then it all happened.”

Sutil criticised the decision not to deploy the safety car sooner after his crash. “I think everyone knows this is one of the most tricky corners,” he said. “When it is getting late and the rain increases, let’s say when you have an accident there, you should probably think about a safety car.”

The race’s late 3pm start meant that, after the earlier rain delay, the closing laps took place under heavy clouds as dusk was falling. Serious questions have already been asked about why the start time was not brought forward. With the knowledge typhoon

Phanfone was approaching, the FIA had offered an earlier start of 11am but it was reportedly rejected by the race promoters, Honda, because they did not believe fans would make it to the circuit in time.

Sutil confirmed that the track conditions had a part to play in the crashes. “It was quite difficult,” he said. “In the end we got more rain and it was dark so visibility was getting less and less and this corner was a tricky one the whole way through. hen it got dark, you couldn’t see where the wet patches were and that is why I lost the car and it really surprised me.”

Formula One cars are designed to rigorous safety specifications but are built with the expectation of im-

Kevin Pietersen accuses England of fostering ‘horrendous’ bullying culture

Kevin Pietersen has alleged that England’s cricket team suffered from a “horrendous” bullying culture and accused the former head coach, Andy Flower, of “ruling by fear” during the Ashes tour.

Nine months after he was controversially sacked in the aftermath of England’s 5-0 whitewash in Australia, Pietersen also implicated the wicketkeeper Matt Prior in a campaign to undermine him but praised England’s captain, Alastair Cook, in his first interview to promote the release on Thursday of KP: The Autobiography.

The South African-born batsman also reiterated his desire to represent his adopted country again despite falling out with Flower and Paul Downton, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Horrendous. Hugely disturbing,” Pietersen told The Telegraph when asked to describe the culture of bullying which developed under Flower.

“I brought it up. All throughout my reintegration meetings [after he was suspended for sending text messages to South African players in 2012] I brought it up on numerous occasions. I told [Andrew] Strauss about it. I told Cook about it. It was a huge thing.”

In particular the bowl-

ers Graeme Swann, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are singled out for “running the dressing room”, with fielders routinely forced to apologise for errors and dropped catches.

“The bowlers were given so much power. They were doing really well,” he said. Swanny [Graeme Swann] was winning game after game for us. Broady [Stuart Broad] was contributing. Jimmy [Anderson] was contributing. We always had a third or fourth seamer that was there or thereabouts. But these guys ran the dressing room.

“The thing that horrified me the most was when Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss in Bangalore before the one-day internationals said: ‘Guys, we’ve got to stop this. It’s not right for the team. There are guys that have come to [us]

that are intimidated to field the ball.’

“And they [the bowlers] had the audacity to stand there and say: ‘No, if they’ve fucked up we deserve an apology.’ It’s the most angry I ever got in that dressing room. I thought, I reckon I could hit these guys. Who do you think you are, to ask for an apology from someone who’s trying his heart out, who’s playing for his country, who’s making a mistake?”

Despite those accusations Pietersen says his relationship with both Broad and Anderson is “fine”, while describing Cook as having been put in “an incredibly difficult situation” over the manner of his sacking. Yet there is no such sympathy for Flower, who left his post in January to take up a new role as technical director of elite coaching, or Prior.

“He stayed a selector until he sacked me and now he’s got some cushy job where he’s looking after younger players at the academy,” Pietersen says of Flower. “Are you crazy? When he was selected as the England A coach this summer I thought: ‘Oh, my days. Poor youngsters.’ ”

Prior’s own international career is on hold after being dropped at the start of the summer but it is the wicketkeeper who comes under the most criticism.

“I went after Prior and said Prior shouldn’t be in that side because he’s a bad influence, a negative influence. He picks on players,” he said. “He’s back-stabbing, he’s horrendous, he’s bad for the environment.“He’s one bloke that quite a few - I could count on more than one hand - have said: ‘Please can you tell the world what that guy’s like.’

“It’s only Prior that I’d seriously have real issues with, because of how he was portrayed as a team man, the heart and soul of the dressing room, when he was getting up to the stuff he was getting up to.”

“He wanted to start a media campaign to stop me getting the vice-captaincy. That’s what I took him up on in January when I got sacked. Is that seriously the heart and soul of the dressing room? This big team player?” (theguardian)

pacts with trackside structures such as tyre barriers or safety walls, rather than recovery vehicles, which would have caused far more severe damage. “It was a horrible incident,” Jenson Button said. “It is an incident you hope never happens in Formula One. I saw the Marussia behind the crane, and it was very damaged, which was surprising.”

Celebrations were understandably muted for Hamilton, who took a 10-point championship lead over his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. As news of the crash reached fans, they filed from the circuit in near silence.

Hamilton, who described the conditions as “difficult throughout” was also focused on Bianchi immediately after the race. “Our first thoughts go to Jules,” he said. “It overshadows everything else when one of our colleagues is injured and we are praying for him. Next to this, the race result doesn’t seem significant at all.”

Niki Lauda, who withdrew from the championship-deciding Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji in 1976 because he considered the weather conditions too dangerous, believed neither the

rain nor the dark was the problem on Sunday. “There were safety cars put in and the race was run safe more or less to the end so it could have been run to the end without the accident. Motor racing is dangerous. We get used to it if nothing happens and then suddenly we’re all surprised.

“But we always have to be aware that motor racing is very dangerous and this accident today is the coming together of various difficult things. One car goes off, the truck comes out and then the next car goes off. It was very unfortunate.”

The rain, which had been persistent for most of the day eased off 30 minutes before the start. Then with 10 minutes to go the skies opened and a start behind the safety car was quickly announced, with all the teams heading out in full wet tyres. The conditions at the start were treacherous and the visibility terrible. Hamilton radioed his crew to tell them he could not see Rosberg in front and before they had completed two laps the race was red-flagged and the cars returned to the pit lane. The downpour eased and the cars took to the track behind the safety car. (thegaurdian)

Ricky Burns defeats Alexandre Lepelley on light-welterweight debut

Ricky Burns got back to winning ways on his light-welterweight debut but was thoroughly unconvincing in a points decision victory over the lightly regarded Alexandre Lepelley at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

Burns had lost his last two fights and decided a move up to the 140lbs division would breathe fresh life into his career, but the Scot looked a pale shadow of the fighter that had won world titles in two weight classes.

He dropped his opponent in the opening round but struggled to impose himself after a decent start and although he deserved his victory, a 79-71 scoreline will do little to quieten the doubters who believe the Coatbridge fighter’s best days are behind him, despite recording his 37th win from 42 fights.

The 31-year-old, who lost his WBO lightweight title to Terence Crawford before suffering a surprise points decision defeat to Dejan Zlaticanin last time out, was fighting outside of Scotland for the first time since November 2011.

Desperate to impress on his first foray into the light-welterweight division, Burns made a strong start and was by far the busier fighter in the opening round, landing a couple of crisp jabs

before felling Lepelley with a hard right near the bell. He continued to use his superior height and reach advantage to beat Lepelley to the punch although the Frenchman grew steadily stronger as the second round wore on.

The fighters were both looking to land a knockout shot and Lepelley had his best round in the fourth, landing a hard shot that drew gasps from the crowd, but from then on the bout descended into a cagey scrap, with neither fighter really asserting themselves in the closing rounds.

Lepelley (17-2-1, 3KOs) was deducted a point in the seventh for leading with his head but it mattered little to the overall proceedings, with Burns doing enough to win the remaining rounds without landing any significant blows.

The Blackpool fighter, who was beaten by WBO light-middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade earlier this year, floored his Argentinian opponent three times for a confidence-boosting victory.

Hot prospect Callum Smith continued his rise up the ranks by claiming the 14th win of his professional career with a third-round TKO of Rafael Sosa Pintos. (theguardian)

Kevin Pietersen has accused Andy Flower of ‘ruling by fear’ during the Ashes whitewash. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Jules Bianchi

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Djokovic wins 5th China title

World number one Novak Djokovic claimed his fifth China Open title with a 6-0 6-2 demolition of Czech Tomas Berdych.

The 27-year-old, who has never lost in Beijing, won in just 66 minutes for a 24th consecutive China Open match win.

"It was probably my best performance in all the finals in my career. It was incredible, incredible," the Serb said.

"It was 6-0 5-0 in under an hour. Everything I tried worked. To be proud of the performance is the least I can say of how I played."

World number six Berdych had been broken only once in this year's event but lost his first service game and Djokovic took the set in 29 minutes.

With the Wimbledon champion serving for the match at 5-0, Berdych broke serve but Djokovic soon won in 66 minutes.

Berdych admitted he was no match for Djokovic, who claimed his first China

Open in 2009 and has held the trophy since with the exception of 2011, when he withdrew through injury and Berdych won the title.

"I met somebody in the final who I've never seen before. Really the way that he performed today was really outstanding," said the Czech.

"There is really not much I can add to that because I was just swept out from the court.

"I have probably played maybe over 600 matches in my career, and met guys like Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, all those probably in their best times, but I have never, ever experienced anything like that."

"It's definitely flattering to hear something like that coming from a player who has been around for so many years, an established Top 10 player," said Djokovic after lifting the 46th title of is career.

Having lost the opening set so emphatically, Berdych surrendered the first game of the second to love with a

double fault.

When he rose from his seat at the changeover with the score at 0-5 in the second he offered his racquet to a ballboy.

The 29-year-old survived a match point and won consecutive games to avoid the ignominy of becoming the first man to lose 6-0 6-0 in an ATP final, but Djokovic duly sealed his fifth title of 2014, the 46th of his career.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, Kei Nishikori won his second Japan Open title by beating Milos Raonic, the man he defeated in the final two years ago.

The 24-year-old's 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 win under a closed roof at the Ariake Colosseum in two hours and 13 minutes puts him fifth in the Race to London for the ATP World Tour Finals, the top eight qualifying for the 02 Arena next month.

It also gave the US Open finalist back-to-back titles for the first time in his career following his Malaysian Open victory in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Martin wins Tour of Lombardy

Ireland's Dan Martin claimed victory with an impressive sprint finish in the Tour of Lombardy one-day cycling classic on Sunday.

The Garmin-Sharp rider finished ahead of Spain's Alejandro Valverde and Portugal's Rui Costa. Martin, 28, attacked with 450 metres to go and

pulled away from the breakaway group to win by one second.

It was his second Monument win after Liege last year, and he was seventh overall at the Vuelta last month.

The Lombardy one-day race is the final of the five prestigious 'Monuments' that are raced each year

across Europe - the MilanSan Remo in Italy, Tour of Flanders and LiegeBastogne-Liege in Belgium and Paris-Roubaix in France are the other four.

The 108th staging of the Classic race, known as the 'Race of the Falling Leaves' because it takes place in autumn, has suffered from some horrendous weather in recent years but this time the skies were clear.

Dutchman Pieter Weening and Belgium's Ben Hermans formed a two-man breakaway and built up a slender lead after navigating their way over the key climb of Berbenno.

But the duo were caught by the peloton five km from the finish as they made their way up the final climb of the Bergamo Alto.

A host of riders, including Belgium's Philippe Gilbert who was aiming for a third Lombardy win, launched attacks on the road into Bergamo but they were all powerless to resist Martin's late burst to the finish line.

Martin is the fourth Irish rider to win Lombardy, with Sean Kelly claiming three previous victories. (BBC Sport)

Novak Djokovic with trophy after the finals win

Ireland's Dan Martin

Hopetown United, D’Edward clash in Hand-In-Hand final today at Cotton Tree

Hopetown United D’Edward have emerged the top two teams in the 2014 Hand-InHand Second Division 40Over Cricket Competition in West Berbice and will clash on Monday at Cotton Tree to decide who will be crowned champion.

It is difficult to name a favourite here both teams seem evenly balanced. The D’Edward batting will however be spearheaded by former Berbice all-rounder Eon Abel, who only recently slammed 114 in his team’s semi-final.

He will be backed up by two hard-hitters, Lakeraj

Sukra and Jaipaul Heeralall, as well as Devendra Lalsa, Keon Jawahir and Devindra Singh.

The bowling will be led by medium pacer Chunilall

Sannasi whose 7 for 29 against Golden Elperabell was the best bowling performance in the competition for a while. Backing him up will be medium pacer, Navindra Rampersaud, and Christian France.

However, Hopetown will also have to contend with off-spinner Abel, Devendra Lalsa and Hoolsarran Lalsa as well by leg-spinner Jawahir.

Hopetown United for their part have only one batsman with a half-century in the competition so far; Kenje Sedoc, but there are other batsmen with proven worth such as for-

mer Berbice wicket-keeperbatsman Kwaise Mentore, Claude Saul, Derrick Cadogan and Dellon Wayne.

Spearheading the bowling will be pacer Cadogan, who holds the best bowling performance in the competition so far with 7 for 9 against Achievers. He will be backed up by medium pacer Emerson Benjamin and off-spinner Mentore, Sedoc and Kelwin Bennett.

The umpire named to officiate are Zaheer Moakan and Augustus Outar with Moses Ramphal the standby.

The match starts at 11:00am on Monday.

Alistair Monroe working to bring back circle tennis

It is the only game which Guyanese can say it truly is a Guyanese game. Circle tennis originated in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice) many years ago and was initially called “Rounder’s”.

The game which was most popular in the 1980 is almost non-existent now.

Efforts are being made to introduce the game at the school level.

The programme ‘Learn To Play Circle Tennis’ started during the final academic school term of the 2014 school year. The person behind the programme is Youth and Sports Officer Alistair Monroe.

His aim is the get the game of circle tennis as popular as it was during

the mid 1980’s when there was Guyana Games which was organised by government and involved the ten administrative regions.

Schools were actively involved in the game in the early 1990’s which plenty of competitions which gave students the opportunity to travel to other sections on the coastland to compete against both schools and clubs.

Noting that it is possible for those days to return Monroe says the learn To Play Circle Tennis programme will continue this term.

The programme was deemed a success when it was introduces to schools in New Amsterdam, the

Corentyne, and Georgetown and along the East Bank and East Coast Demerara. Teams from Region Three also benefited from the programme in May and June.

The only Administrative Region to keep the sport alive over the past two decades is Region Ten. “I would love to see this game of Circle Tennis become national. It is a real ‘Family’ sport for example in a mixed team can have a father, mother daughter, son aunt and uncle.”

The schools which were exposes to the reintroduction of circle tennis through the Learn To Play Circle Tennis programme were Tuschen Primary, Meten Meer

Zorg Primary, Uitvlugt Primary, Leonora Primary, Soesdyke Primary, Timehri Primary, Messiah Primary, Number 47 Primary, Alness Primary, Auchlyne Primary, Albion Primary, Mc Gowan Primary, Kildonan Primary and Bohemia Primary. In addition to those, Central Corentyne Secondary, Port Mourant Secondary along with Winifred Gaskin Memorial also participated in the inaugural programme.

“It is my hope that more schools can be introduced to the sport during the new school year and I will be working to ensure that it happens.” Monroe says.

Gebrselassie falls out of marathon

half-marathon debut.

Wilson wins maiden title

Britain's Oliver Wilson held off a chasing pack that included Rory McIlroy at the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday to win a maiden European Tour title and breathe new life into his faltering career.

Former Ryder Cup player Wilson has slumped to 792nd in the world rankings, but held his nerve to card a final round of 70 and finish one shot clear of McIlroy, Richie Ramsay and Tommy Fleetwood.

Having begun the day three strokes clear of McIlroy and Fleetwood and four ahead of Ramsay, he finished with a 17-underpar total of 271 win to grab a long-awaited title having collected nine runner-up finishes.

"I don’t have words for it. It’s been 10 years, 11 years coming," Wilson, who received an invite to play the tournament, said on the European Tour website (www.europeantour.com).

"There were nine runners-up and I hadn’t done a whole lot to lose those, but nothing had really gone my way and this week, to be given a big opportunity by Dunhill to play – I can’t thank them enough to give

Haile Gebrselassie quit the defence of his Great Scottish Run title after 19 minutes of the half-marathon race.

The former world and Olympic 10,000m champion, 41, was having problems with his breathing when he stopped.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka won the men's race in a time of one hour, one minute and 25 seconds in

Glasgow.

Kenya's Edna Kiplagat took the women's title in a race record 1:07:57, with Scotland's 2013 winner Susan Partridge finishing fifth.

Gebrselassie won the men's race last year in the fastest time ever recorded in Scotland for the 13.1-mile half-marathon distance.

His time of 61 minutes and nine seconds was also a

world age-group record.

"The training I've done has been very good but I knew things were not quite right when I did my speed work," Gebrselassie told BBC Sport.

Mokoka, 29, surged clear to win by seven seconds from Stephen Chemlany, with Mark Kiptoo just behind, while Callum Hawkins was the top British finisher in sixth on his competitive

Kiplagat, the two-time world and reigning Olympic marathon champion, was a clear winner of the women's race, beating her compatriot Caroline Kilel by 56 seconds.

Around 30,000 participants of all ages started Scotland's biggest running event, taking part in either a 10,000m or half-marathon challenge through the heart of the city.

(BBC Sport)

me an opportunity to do this – I guess it’s what golf’s all about.

"Before I went out today I thought about how I’ve never gone out and won a tournament. I’ve played alright coming down the stretch and not lost it and other guys have just got over the line ahead of me and today I was just trying to be patient... "I could be drunk for a while -- I’ve had a lot of champagne on hold from over the years."

World number one McIlroy, who had surged through the field on Saturday to move into contention, began with a double bogey six at the first hole, but then carded four straight birdies to get back on track.

His back nine included three further birdies, but another bogey at the 17th effectively ended his challenge.

"Where I feel like I cost myself the tournament today was probably in the space of about 20 yards at the front of the green at the first and over at the Road Hole bunker," McIlroy said.

"They are not too far away from each other and they are the two things, the only mistakes that I made all day." (Reuters)

Oliver Wilson

Eon Abel

Alistair Monroe talks to students about circle tennis

Haile Gebrselassie

Sport Ministry/NSC completing infrastructure projects

The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ministry of Sport are making progress with various infrastructure projects.

GABF working with FIBA to solve Klaiber issue

In light of the fact that national player Gordon Klaiber should have played as a born Guyanese instead of naturalized Guyanese, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) is working to bring the matter to a conclusion.

Guyana Times Sport talked with president of the GABF Nigel Hinds via email who related the exact position the situation is currently at.

“The GABF is currently engaged with FIBA to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion for all the players and the GABF,” Hinds said via email.

Further, Director of Sport Neil Kumar also revealed

To start, the NSC has completed the electrical works at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the facility has been used since the works have been completed.

that the warm pool is almost finished and will good for use in the near future.

Adding the two projects the roof of the National Gymnasium has also been completed and the facili-

Hornets make strong impression on first day of 7's league

The Pepsi Hornets ended the first day of the WindJammer/Golden Brook Rugby Seven’s league with no losses on Saturday at the National Park Rugby Field.

The Hornets facing old rivals Yamaha Caribs in their first encounter seemed a bit out of sync but was able to hold off the much fitter Caribs in the encounter with a close 12-7 win.

Troy Bascombe and Jason Tyrellscored tries against the Caribs while captain Ryan Gonsavles scores a conversion for the Hornets in the close win.

Ryan Gonsalves

Captain of the Caribs was the lone score in the game for the Caribs scoring a try and a conversion to help his team to all of its

seven points.

Meanwhile in the game against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Hornet found their rhythm, routing the army men 22-nil.

Blaise Bailey scored a hat-trick of tries while Gonsalves added a try of his own. Chris Singh scored Hornets lone conversion.

Meanwhile the University of Guyana Wolves trashed GDF who 31-5 but lost top Caribs 7-29.

GDF was able to muster a win against the Guyana Police Force with a 20-5 win to end the day’s proceedings.

The league will continue on Saturday at the said ground.

ty is in full operation stated Kumar.

Kumar was happy with the progress of the projects and plans to have a walkthrough of the pool sometime in the new week.

At the 2014 edition of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC), Klaiber was forced to play as a naturalized Guyanese instead of a born Guyanese, which resulted in Guyana playing with one less international player.

However, with FIBA via a letter to the GABF acknowledging Kaliber’s status as a born Guyanese, the GABF hinted at seeking legal action.

Naturalised Guyanese are players who were not born in Guyana, but can play for the country either through their parents being Guyanese or gaining citizenship in the country.

Klaiber was born in Guyana but left before the age of 16 and was not issued with a Guyanese passport, but had his birth certificate.

Phelps taking a break from swimming

U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, said on Sunday he would take a break from swimming and undergo treatment after his recent arrest for drunken driving.

Phelps was arrested early on Tuesday after going 84 miles per hour (135 kph) in a 45-mph (72-kph) area, crossing the double-lane lines inside a Baltimore tunnel and subsequently failing a Breathalyzer test, according to police.

"The past few days have been extremely difficult," the 18-time Olympic gold medallist said on Twitter. "I’m going to take some time away to attend a programme that will provide the help I need to better understand myself."

Phelps, 29, did not say how long a break he plans to take from swimming. In a separate statement, Phelps' agent said he is entering a six-week, "comprehensive" inpatient programme.

A winner of 22 Olympic medals, Phelps had appeared to be eyeing a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Olympics.

Emerging recently from a two-year retirement, Phelps first tested the comeback waters in April at a low-key meet in Phoenix and his progress had been steady rather than his usual impressive.

USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus said the organisation supports Phelps' decision to focus on his well-being.

“His self-recognition and commitment to get help exhibit how serious he is to learn from this experience,” Wielgus said in a statement. The drunken-driving arrest was the second for Phelps, who has spent most his life in the pool but admits he likes to have a good time when not practicing or competing.

Phelps was charged in Maryland in 2004 for drunken driving when he was 19. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired in exchange for 18 months' probation.

In 2009, British tabloids published a photo of Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe while at a party at the University of South Carolina. (Reuters)

Man Utd returns to top 4 Premier league teams

Manchester United returned to the Premier League's top four for the first time in more than a year as Radamel Falcao's first United goal proved decisive against Everton.

Angel Di Maria's calm finish gave the hosts a lead that survived to half-time as Leighton Baines saw a penalty saved.

Baines picked out Steven Naismith to nod in an equaliser and Falcao cleared a Phil Jagielka header off the line.

But Falcao stabbed in from Di Maria's shot to grab the winner.

Everton, who have won only one of their first seven league games, could easily have taken something from the game but Bryan Oviedo, who scored the winner in the fixture last season, was denied by a tremendous stoppage-time save from David De Gea.

The Spaniard also had to be alert to keep out a late Leon Osman effort but, while United will be concerned by their vulnerability under late pressure, the result and the three points were paramount.

Their first back-to-back league wins under Louis van Gaal carry the Dutchman's side into the Champions League qualification places for the first time since they drew with Chelsea in predecessor David Moyes' second league match in charge. With the international break, their next game is not until 20 October when they are away to West Brom and Van Gaal will hope

his new-look side can consolidate their form to ensure more comfortable afternoons at Old Trafford.

United had begun in buoyant mood, making early inroads down the left with record signing Di Maria and Luke Shaw doubling up on Tony Hibbert, but the opener arrived courtesy of a delivery from the opposite flank.

Baines could only clear Rafael's cross to Juan Mata, who laid the

ball into the path of Di Maria to apply a composed finish with his weaker right foot from 15 yards.

Up until that point, Everton's attempts to build attacks had floundered around Romelu Lukaku with the Belgian short of support from midfield, but they posed more of a threat after falling behind.

Lukaku's aerial presence caused concern and he darted between Paddy McNair and Marcos Rojo to fire over before Kevin Friend pointed to the spot on the stroke of half-time after a foul by Luke Shaw.

The former Southampton leftback possibly made contact with the ball but his clumsy sliding tackle on Tony Hibbert gave the referee a difficult decision to make.

However, Baines failed for the first time in 15 Premier League spot-kicks, side-footing an unconvincing shot within range of De Gea's dive.

Baines made partial amends as he picked out Naismith's late arrival into the six-yard box following a clever free-kick routine with

Gareth Barry, while anxiety increased around Old Trafford as Falcao was forced into some lastditch defending from Jagielka's effort.

But the Colombian, who had done little to impress in his fourth appearance since his loan move from Monaco, pounced on Di Maria's mis-hit to score the decisive goal.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez:

"We're disappointed with the second goal. I thought the referee made a major, major error. I just don't understand that decision.

"Steven Pienaar receives a knock and he goes to ground, the ball is in front of him and the referee is well aware of it. He is talking with the fourth official.

"It is a clear-cut decision. The law says if the player is on the ground and the ball is not in a dangerous position you need to stop the game.

"Manchester United attack and the ball ends up in our net - I don't think that is fair."

Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

Radamel Falcao's scores his first Man UTD goal in crucial win

Windies lose warmup to India A

Russia's Maria Sharapova won the China Open with a thrilling 6-4 2-6 6-3 victory over third seed Petra Kvitova in the final in Beijing.

Sharapova, who will move up to number two in the world, was broken in the opening game but took the first set in as Kvitova made 17 unforced errors.

The left-handed Kvitova, 24, won four games in a row to force a decider.

But Sharapova, 27, took the first three games of the final set and went on to win in two hours and 28 minutes.

It was Sharapova's fifth successive victory over Kvitova, who would have

risen to world number two had she taken the title, following her triumph in the inaugural Wuhan Open last week.

Sharapova had a match point on the Kvitova serve in the deciding set, but the Czech Republic player, who won her second Wimbledon title this year, held to force the Russian to serve for the match.

Unlike in her semi-final with Ana Ivanovic, when her final service game contained six deuces, Sharapova won it to love to record the 33rd title of her career.

"It was a bit of an up-anddown match - maybe not the best out of the tournament," said Sharapova. "But it's never easy playing against

Sharapova wins China Cup final Sport

Petra. You don't always quite get a good rhythm.

"She became the more aggressive player in the second set. I think I took a few too many steps back and let her play that way. But I was able to lift my game again in the third and come out with a win," she added.

"I was tired, but it was a final, and every time I'm playing a final, I'm giving everything I have inside," said Kvitova.

"What I did today was a great battle. It was small things and small points that make the difference in the end.

"I had some chances but Maria just didn't let them go. She just played really well." (BBC Sport)

Ministry/NSC

completing infrastructure projects

Page 19

Acentury from Unmukt Chand, followed by a three-wicket haul by Dhawal Kulkarni helped India A to a 16-run victory against West Indians in Mumbai.

The visitors, though, had plenty of positives despite the close defeat, as Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy and Jason Holder all shone with fighting knocks down the order, after their pacers had done well to restrict India A.

Before the game, West Indians had struggled to even field 11 fit players; Sunil Narine had flown back to West Indies, Lendl Simmons had hurt his back during the previous warm-up game, and Darren Bravo was down with an upset stomach. It meant that the coach Stuart Williams was included in the team as the 11th man, and the former West Indies opener displayed his impressive fitness levels by fielding for more than half of India A's innings. He also faced two balls but failed to connect with either.

Having opted to bat, Unmukt and Karun Nair were threatening to take the game away from a fourpronged West Indians pace attack. While Nair was timing virtually every aggressive shot he went for, Unmukt recovered from a sluggish start to punish anything that was pitched short.

Once Nair was dismissed against the run of play - cutting a short and wide delivery straight to Blackwood at point - in the 28th over to end a 149-run stand, West Indians began to claw their way back. With Nair gone, Unmukt was shaky in his nineties. The captain Manoj Tiwary perished early, and with Sanju Samson also struggling to find his touch, Unmukt suddenly lost his timing. He was

lucky to be dropped by Kemar Roach on 94. Unmukt eventually raised a scratchy, yet deserving, hundred, but Jerome Taylor cleaned him up soon after with a perfect yorker. That wicket triggered a collapse, as India A fell from 184 for 2 to 282 all out.

West Indians' chase began just as poorly as it had in the previous game. With Kulkarni and Jasprit Bumrah both striking early, West Indians soon slumped to 65 for 4 and

were facing another massive defeat.

However, Ramdin, who had claimed five catches behind the wicket earlier in the day, counterattacked in the company of Sammy. The pair added 101 before Sammy mistimed a pull off Kulkarni soon after scoring a halfcentury, giving the keeper Sanju Samson a simple grab. Ramdin pushed on. With 93 required off the last 10 overs, Tiwary brought Karn Shamra on to stem the flow of runs, but Ramdin went after him, plundering 17 runs off his over. Ramdin eventually collected his third List-A hundreda run-a-ball 102 - but his dismissal off Nair in the 45th over pegged the team back. Holder was in good touch, driving Parvez Rasool and Nair for assured boundaries, but with 42 needed off 24, he was left with too much to do in the end.

Following two more immaculate overs from Kulkarni, that equation was turned to 23 needed off six balls. Holder began the final over with a six, but two wickets in the next three balls meant that West Indians fell 17 short. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India A innings (50 overs maximum)

M Vijay c †Ramdin b Holder 21

UBT Chand b Taylor 101

KK Nair c Blackwood b Roach 64

MK Tiwary* c †Ramdin b Taylor 7

SV Samson† c †Ramdin b Rampaul 5

Gurkeerat Singh c Pollard b Roach 20

STR Binny c †Ramdin b Pollard 15 Parvez Rasool not out 13

KV Sharma c Holder b Pollard 5

DS Kulkarni c Sammy b Rampaul 13

JJ Bumrah c †Ramdin b Taylor 0 Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 12, nb 1) 18

Total (all out; 48.1 overs) 282 (5.85 runs per over)

Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Vijay, 7.1 ov), 2-175 (Nair, 27.4 ov), 3-184 (Tiwary, 30.1 ov), 4-202 (Samson, 35.2 ov), 5-224 (Chand, 38.6 ov), 6-241 (Gurkeerat Singh, 42.2 ov), 7-250 (Binny, 43.2 ov), 8-261 (Sharma, 45.4 ov), 9-282 (Kulkarni, 47.5 ov), 10-282 (Bumrah, 48.1 ov)

Bowling O M R W

R Rampaul 9 0 53 2

JO Holder 10 1 44 1 JE Taylor 9.1 0 51 3

KAJ Roach 10 1 55 2 J Blackwood 1 0 7 0 MN Samuels 5 0 38 0

KA Pollard 4 0 29 2

Indians

Unmukt Chand blasts a century against West Indies

Maria Sharapova poses with her trophy and friends