Guyana Times Daily

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Issue No. 3034

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

PRICE

Forensic audits

Fmr GMC Manager, co-conspirator slapped with fraud charges Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Berbice P7 man robbed, beaten with cutlass

New Peace P12 Corps volunteers to focus on environment, natural resources management

Private Sector corruption

P7

Granger’s claims will drive fear, hurt the economy – Teixeira Former General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Nizam Hassan and co-accused Felicia De’Souza-Madramootoo were on Monday slapped with fraud-related charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

Cricket Coach’s wife robbed at knifepoint Cohesion Miner offers Ministry using Police $200,000 State resources to fund PNC to drop narco work – Edghill charge Page 3

Page 11

President announces support P17 for microenterprise ventures

Page 7

No changes in US-Guyana policies with new President – Ambassador

Page 11

Domestic violence widely accepted P10 in local communities – UNICEF

2 news

tuesDAY, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nandlall’s eviction

PPP/C raps Speaker over abuse of power, assault on democracy P arliamentarian Anil Nandlall has accused Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland of abusing his powers and violating the constitution when he ordered him out of the National Assembly during its last sitting.

Nandlall, during a press conference on Monday, asserted that the House Speaker’s role is to maintain order in the proceedings of the National Assembly with a view to facilitate and encourage debate, not curtail and frustrate such discussions.

He also posited that the prohibition of an elected member’s right to speak without good cause is a violation of the Constitution since as an elected member, it is his right to speak and participate in parliamentary debates and discussions.

“The notion which seems to have permeated the 11th Parliament that the Speaker can capriciously

PPP/C MP Anil Nandlall

interfere with a member’s right to speak and to influence the content of those speeches, and the whimsical requests for evidence and sources from members during the course of their speeches in relation to matters that enjoy public notoriety and which are published widely in the press, is not

only a gross abuse of power by the Chair but is also an unlawful interference with a member’s duty to represent his constituents and a violation of the constituent’s right to be represented by his elected representatives,” he stated.

The former Attorney General reminded of Chief Justice Ian Chang’s ruling when the then combined Opposition had moved a motion preventing former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee from speaking in the House.

“It is the view of this court that Mr Rohee’s right to speak in the National Assembly derives from his office as member of the National Assembly and not from his office as an Executive Minister. Thus, his right as an elected member of the National Assembly must be concomitant with his constitutional duty to speak for and to represent his electors in the National Assembly who, in turn, have a concomitant right to be so represented,” Nandlall read in quoting from the ruling.

The parliamentarian was adamant that he behaved in no disorderly manner or created a situation which warranted him to be expelled from that sitting.

In the wee hours of Saturday last, the Speaker evicted Nandlall from the Chambers of the House after he was unable to imme-

diately present evidence to substantiate his statements.

Nandlall was making reference to a US$5.7 million settlement entered between Government and BK International in relation to the Haags Bosch Landfill, but he was interrupted by the Speaker who asked him to support his claims with evidence.

Nandlall requested an hour’s leave to get the evidence but this request was not granted.

The former Attorney General lamented that the Opposition had not prepared to debate a motion on the President’s speech since they had in fact prepared to debate other motions which were on the Order Paper for “Private Members Day” but was subsequently changed last-minute.

At this point, Dr Scotland informed Nandlall that should be not comply, he would not be able to continue making his presentation to the debate.

Nandlall instead opted to withdraw from the debate at which point Dr Scotland ordered him out of the Chambers.

But Nandlall has contended that this is where the prejudice lies since government members are afforded leniency when it comes to presenting information before the House.

“It is public knowledge that Ministers of the

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

Government are given days and sometimes weeks to produce documents. Oftentimes they never do. But there is no reprimand from the Speaker. In the very sitting, Minister Bulkan was granted leave by the Speaker to produce certain documents until the next sitting of the National Assembly. The public is also aware that Minister George Norton failed to produce the controversial rental agreement for the premises at Sussex Street rented to store drugs and pharmaceuticals, when requested to do so in the National Assembly. The Speaker gave him permission to send it at a later date to the National Assembly,” Nandlall contended.

In that instance, he argued too that the Opposition still had to remind the Clerk of the National Assembly two weeks afterwards of the Public Health Minister’s obligation.

“Only then did the minister send a copy of the contract to the Clerk’s office.

Again, not a murmur of objection or admonition from the Speaker…However, I am ordered to instantly produce a newspaper to which I made reference during my speech. My request for an hour to do so is summarily dismissed by the Speaker, and I am ordered to withdraw the statement, unless I can produce the newspaper instantly,” he stated.

Weighing in on the matter, PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira highlighted that there is no rule that says a member should produce the document to the Speaker from which he/she quotes.

She said it is usually produced for the purpose of the Parliamentary Reporters.

Meanwhile, the Party said it is waiting to see how the matter will unfold before it announces if it will be embarking on any further action in this regard.

Teixeira posited that since the Opposition members were threatened with contempt by the Speaker, it will therefore await his lead on the matter. (Devina Samaroo)

news

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tuesDAY, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, November 8 –11:30h-13:00h and Wednesday, November 9 –12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, November 8 –10:15h-11:45h and Wednesday, November 9 –11:35h-13:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunshine interrupted by light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly to East North-easterly ranging from 2.23 metres to 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:48h and 23:17h reaching maximum heights of 2.20 metres and 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 16:46h reaching a minimum height of 1.05 metres.

saturday, november 5, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

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FREE TICKET

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016

Daily Millions

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Forensic audits

Fmr GMC Manager, co-conspirator slapped with fraud charges

T

he plethora of forensic audits that had been ordered by Head of State, President David Granger, has claimed its first victim, Nizam Hassan, former General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) who was on Monday slapped with fraud-related charges, He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Hassan, who currently holds the portfolio of General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, and a female co-accused, Felicia De’Souza-Madramootoo, 34, were on Monday charged in what has been described as a multimillion-dollar fraud.

The woman’s husband Hanniel Madramootoo, a project engineer within the Agriculture Ministry, his brother Philip and friend Nizam Ramkisson both Directors of Constantine Engineering and Construction Limited of Trinidad and Tobago were also jointly charged.

Only Hassan and the female co-conspirator appeared in court and arrest warrants have since been issued for the others who are said to currently be in Trinidad and Tobago Hassan and De’Souza-

Former GMC Manager Nizam Hassan

Madramootoo were charged with intent to defraud together with three others by continuously approving payments for substandard and faulty works during the rehabilitation of the Guyana Marketing Corporation building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown.

Hassan and his co-accused were not required to plead to the indictable charge but were released on $250,000 bail each, and have been ordered to report at the headquarters of the Special Organised Crime Unit every Friday.

The matter has been adjourned until December 7.

During the course of the audit into the operations of New GMC it was found that based on the selection of

three vouchers related to the construction of the GMC’s office building for testing, it was observed that incorrect building materials were used.

Additional auditing procedures were deemed necessary and a request was made to have all payment vouchers made available for further testing.

The Auditors said it was by Owen communicated Nestor, GMC’s accountant, that none of the other payment vouchers related to the construction of the GMC’s office building could be found.

It was also communicated

by Nestor that Hassan may have been the last person who had requested all of the payment vouchers of the construction. The Auditors had recommended that a determination needs to be made as to what level of disciplinary actions should be taken and that the board of directors should instruct GMC’s management to make every effort to locate the missing vouchers.

The auditor in reporting on his findings to the Ministry of Finance had complained that the process was “deliberately frustrated by the non-response and non-commitment extended by Mr Nizam Hassan, GMC’s General Manager and the lack of commitment by

Felicia De’SouzaMadramootoo

GMC’s Accounting department’s staff.”

It was found that many vouchers and back-ups were not provided, either on a timely basis or not at all: “My conclusion is that the accounting practice at GMC shows that the General Manager and the Accountant did not provide any meaningful fiduciary responsibility when any payment originated from the Minister of Agriculture or the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.”

“In other words, GMC’s General Manager and the Accountant acted more like rubber stamps when payments dealt with transactions originating from the Ministry of Agriculture,” the Auditor declared.

Cricket Coach's wife robbed at knifepoint

W

ife of current coach of the National Cricket Team Guyana Jaguars, Esuan Crandon was on Monday robbed at knife point on Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

Lestra Crandon was in the company of her two daughters when two men pounced on her as she stopped to make a purchase at a fast food outlet.

One of the men reportedly exited a car and grabbed onto the woman’s bag, while another attempted to relieve her of the keys to her car.

Although she resisted, the men made good their escape with her handbag containing a cheque worth $300,000, $140,000 in cash, debit cards, passports, mobile phones and

other important documents.

In tears, the traumatised woman related that she stopped to purchase pizza for her daughter who celebrated her birthday on Monday.

When she stopped, a man confronted her and held onto her bag and soon after the other joined in and attempted to relieve the car keys from her.

At the time, she noted, she was fearful for her life and that of her two daughters.

She explained that prior to the robbery, she did a bank city transaction and believes that she might have been followed by the men. “I don’t know where these guys came from… they came onto me suddenly but I tried to fight them off… one of them remain in a car and the two oth-

ers were fighting with me,” she added. An alarm was raised and persons around ran to her rescue but by then the men had already taken her handbag.

However a man was subsequently arrested but has since denied his involvement in the robbery, although the

woman has positively identified him. He was not found with anything in his possession, leaving detectives to suspect he handed over the bag to his accomplices. He was taken into custody and is assisting with investigations as Police launched a manhunt for the two others.

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tuesday, november 8, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Guidance in schools

G

uidance and counselling is a very important programme implemented in schools around the world. It is the process by which students are given advice on how to deal with emotional conflicts and personal problems, both in school and how to incorporate the same in their daily life. Some sessions also involve career guidance where students are advised on which courses to do and which jobs to expect when one does a particular course.

It allows students to talk about various things which they feel uncomfortable talking about with their parents. It also allows the students to become better people because they are taught by the counsellors about how to behave in a proper manner.

The programme also enables students undergoing difficulty in their lives to have a good place to ask questions and seek clarity from the guiding and counselling office. There are some questions that one may find difficult to ask even his/her parents, which can be raised without fear because the persons in charge are very willing to help.

The importance of guidance and counselling in the school system is also an imperative element to help address the challenge of violence in the school system. This has been recognised as especially paramount to efficiently combat acts of violence perpetrated by students against teachers and/or against fellow students.

Studies have shown that comprehensive developmental school counselling programmes positively impact students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the institutions among others.

Among the many benefits are: the service prepares students for the challenges of the 21st Century through academic, career, and personal/social development; develops decision-making and problem-solving skills; encourages facilitative, cooperative peer interactions; broadens knowledge of our changing world; provides support for parents in advocating for their child’s academic, career, and personal/social development among other benefits. More importantly, it provides an interdisciplinary team effort to address student needs and educational goals.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine last year announced plans for the establishment of a central counselling body and to have trained counsellors in each school across the country. At that time, Roopnaraine pointed to the urgent need for counsellors within schools to help create an environment of learning. He also acknowledged that the rampant violence in society was finding its way into the school system. However, a tangible manifestation of such a body is yet to be presented.

Apart from subject teaching, teachers are entrusted with many responsibilities nowadays. Consequently, if these programmes were to be reinstituted in local schools (if they have not been already), then the teachers themselves need to undergo adequate training.

One cannot deny that students’ lives are getting even more complex day by day and it becomes even more vital that students understand that individual differences among themselves are expected, accepted, understood, and planned for. Just recently, two videos rose to notoriety on Facebook: one showing two schoolgirls engaged in what appeared to be a school yard fight and another , which captured an altercation between a teenage girl and an adult.

The majority of the students involved in these incidents lack a sense of direction, a sense of purpose and a sense of fulfilment. Therefore, they indulge in destructive activities, which unbeknownst to them, could lead to social damage and loss.

The provision of adequate guidance and counselling facilities is the only answer to help guide the youth to worthwhile channels and help them realise the goals of optimum academic, personal and social development.

Another quite effective service is the provision of peer counselling; this is based on the fact that young people often seek out other young people’s help and advice when they are faced with personal problems, especially in the areas of sexuality and family life. Therefore, though peer counselling, peer pressure can provide a positive influence for behaviour change. Students are likely to respond positively to messages from their peers, approach them often and influence them more.

Problems and needs in society are nothing new, but today they seem to be proliferating at an unprecedented rate. The unique problems in the changing family; conflicts in values, attitudes, and moral and economic factors; the changing role of work; new pressure and demands on school and problems of the youth – all point to the need for the counselling services.

A young man enjoys a horseback ride on the Kingston, foreshore (Marceano Narine photo)

The regime’s deaf, blind position on sugar Dear Editor, The Chairman of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board of Directors, Dr Clive Thomas, in another section of the media on Sunday spoke about how well the industry performed in 2015. The entire Government body has been making statements about how good the second crop was.

Dr Thomas mentioned that the punt dumper at Skeldon estate works very well. This is true since a lot of work was done on it.

He also mentioned that new markets have been found in Italy for Guyana’s sugar.

Well, in my view, the Chairman made an excellent case for saving the industry and to prevent its closure.

To his credit, he, as head of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), did not recommend closure.

The gains made in 2015 were as a result of the work of the PPP/C government.

The old punt dumper was replaced in 2014 and commissioned in the beginning of the first crop in 2015. Indeed, GuySuCo’s projection was that the punt dumper would have averaged 275 tonnes of cane per hour. That was possible, the fact that in some days, it was lifting 280 tonnes per hour.

The highly lauded achievements of the industry during the second crop

of 2015 were due to the good management of Dr Raj Singh (the immediate past CEO), who ensured that every effort was made to see the canes planted.

That, of course, is the main factor in dealing with the cane supply chain.

The poor performance in the first and anticipated poor performance in the second crop of 2016 is due to the lack of canes in the fields— a clear managerial issue.

The new board should find out why not enough canes were planted. The talk about drought is just an excuse.

The Chairman also spoke about the new market in Italy.

GuySuCo actually started selling sugar to Italy in 2013. In 2014, the quantity supplied was increased. It is good that GuySuCo has kept this market.

The market in the US, where we are selling ‘Enmore Crystals,’ was launched in 2014. It is good that the new board has managed to hold onto this market as well.

I wish also to point out that in recognition of the fact that the European Union (EU) had ended the Sugar Protocol, which cost the industry billions; the EU has been compensating the industry. They are giving ACP sugar-producing countries some financial assistance to cushion the ending of the Sugar Protocol. Of course,

they attached certain conditions on its disbursements.

Only last week, Finance Minister Winston Jordan received a cheque from the EU for €$24.4M (G$5.4B).

This was money which the PPP/C Government had negotiated. Indeed, it was the PPP/C administration that met all the conditions for that money. It is intended to be pumped into the sugar industry.

It is hoped that the regime would give that money to GuySuCo, which could help in staving off closures.

The fact that this year’s production is down is due to many factors. The contempt shown to the workers and their unions is one of them.

No discussions, no involvement, just dictation is now the new style of management. I suppose this reflects Central Government’s administrative style.

The decline in production is also due to the racial and political discrimination that is so rampant in the industry. Many managers with lifelong experience in the industry, some of the best the industry had, were fired for no credible reason. The only reasonable conclusion was racial and political discrimination.

I had, in a previous article, spoken about this and listed the names of the persons dismissed – all of whom were Indo-Guyanese.

These are things that the

board should investigate.

Racial discrimination will ruin the industry as it did to the whole country in an earlier PNC regime.

The regime has also gone on a hiring spree of high paying persons. The decisions being taken are very poor.

For instance, the Wales Estate is one of the cheapest estates to operate. This estate is totally gravity drained. No money has to be spent on pumps and fuel.

Moreover, 40 per cent of the canes grounded at that estate come from farmers.

The APNU/AFC regime should be told that closing sugar is a bigger mistake than the scrapping of the railways by an earlier PNC regime.

It will have major consequences on the workers, the sugar communities and on the economy as a whole.

It would also add to the growing unemployment and fuel even further the crime wave.

Dr Clive Thomas should look again at the plan left by the last GuySuCo Board.

The industry can be saved and could prosper.

Thomas is eminently qualified to so advise the regime. The problem is that it appears the Cabinet is made up of the deaf and blind when it comes to sugar.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

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America votes today Dear Editor, A majority of Americans will go to the polls today to vote for a Presidential candidate of their choice who will lead them for the next four years. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a normal routine every four years but this time around the stakes are as high as the sky, perpetuated by devious and divisive campaign tactics from both sides of the political aisle.

In all the years I have lived in the US I have never seen such high levels of anxiety, such high levels of ambiguity and such high levels of disappointment and despair amongst Americans so associated with the general election season. For some Americans, the election polling stations have become metaphorically a damp and dangerous zone to be avoided rather than a datum for expressing political prerogatives.

How can this can happen in one of the safest but

not necessarily the soundest democracies in the world is a question that can be easily answered by an average American? The answer is dirty politics and the predilection for power predicated upon the agenda of inclusion and exclusion.

I will not belabour the obvious of what have been said about the US election, particularly with regard to prejudicial and prelapsarian views, in the age of information technology. I am sure Guyanese are very much familiar with the dynamics of the US election.

What I would like to share is that the definition of an immigrant in the US during this election, and perhaps beyond, has changed to mean something new and nauseatingly worrying. Initially, the word immigrant means anyone who has entered the US from somewhere else and someone who is not born in the US. Now, the word immi-

grant means a non-white person, and all the negative trappings that come with this label. Certainly, one presidential hopeful has not addressed the East European immigrant problems in the US. I believe that this US election season has provided an opportunity, opening the door for the entrance for the formation of a political party driven by immigrant/resident/citizenship sentiments.

For too long, immigrants turned citizens in the US have been comfortable with their own insular development and their partial participation in politics. The time has come to step beyond this comfort zone.

While this might be a far-fetched thought right now to entertain further, I do hope the losing candidate concedes. My bet is on Hilary Clinton to win, a limited choice really.

Sincerely, Lomarsh Roopnarine

Who will win the US presidency?

Dear Editor, Americans of Guyanese origin and others will vote today for their next President.

Who do Guyanese Americans prefer and who is likely to win? There is no clear projected winner. But Guyanese other Caribbean and Americans and minorities in general prefer the Democrat Hillary Clinton over the Republican Donald Trump by a huge difference.

Polls reveal a very close election that surprises me and other political analysts.

Some polls have Republican Donald Trump slightly ahead, while other polls have Democrat Hillary Clinton slightly ahead. An average of the polls put Hilary slightly ahead – in effect a tie that could go either way. It has been a see-saw race with the lead switching hands back and forth until Clinton held the lead for most of October, but Trump caught up and even surpassed her over the last week over her email scandals. I don’t think the election is as close as the

polls reveal. I will make a bold projection - Hillary will win comfortably, maybe even by a landslide.

In conversations with Guyanese and other Caribbean Americans, Hillary seems to enjoy a huge lead in preference. But the support that the Donald has among Guyanese is significant – some 20 per cent.

Overall, the Guyanese percentage in the electorate is miniscule and will not make much of an impact except in closely fought states like Florida and Pennsylvania.

Donald has minor (10 per cent) support among Latinos

(critical in swing states) and even less among Blacks.

Donald enjoys an advantage (60-40 per cent) among Whites. But his partisan appeal to Whites is not sufficient to hand him a victory.

Hillary enjoys well-rounded support among all ethnicities – including a majority among White females.

Overall, the average shows 46 per cent to 43 per cent in favour of Hillary. But the election winner is not based on popular votes; a person can win the presidency with a minority of votes as George Bush last did in 2000. The Electoral College (of 535 elec-

The local pope is a joke Dear Editor, It is a great shame when a man of the Holy Cloth betrays his congregation. It is an even greater shame that he has betrayed his Creator.

Jesus Christ, upon whom be Peace, spoke of such individuals in the past and into the future. He warns the people of this earth in Mathew 7:15, to beware of false prophets, who may come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

He knew persons would use his name to create trouble and turmoil, and Pope London is such an example.

I was utterly disgusted when I saw photos all over the internet and heard reports of this heinous act by a proclaimed man of God. How could a man charged with leading persons to righteousness allow his own selfish desires to take charge and stray from the will of Our Heavenly Father?

Since the story broke the internet, I have since been told that the aforementioned “Pope” has been involved in these activities for a number of years with many different women in his church, some of

whom were married.

I am glad that this issue has come to light once again in society, so that persons can learn from this tragic example.

It must be noted that this issue is not only isolated to Guyana’s Christian Community. There have been many reports from across Guyana throughout the years where Pandits, Pastors, Sheiks, Swamis and other religious leaders have been involved in many compromising situations with members of their various institutions. This problem is even more prominent in many countries outside our borders.

I am hereby advising the general public, regardless of whatever religions we may be part of, to be cognisant of the people we look toward for spiritual guidance. I urge you all to learn to understand your own discipline, and do not willingly accept everything that is being spoon-fed to you by someone you know nothing of.

Every day, many women and children are being taken advantage of from vari-

ous religious bodies because they do not seek the knowledge of God on their own, but only accept any and everything that their so called leaders say is right. These socalled leaders then forget the spirit and only seek to fulfil their selfish desires without thought of the damage they are doing to vulnerable individuals.

I pray that each of the women whose lives were deeply affected by this individual, seek much counselling and know that God does not work in the manner in which they were taught. I hope that each of them find peace and a new leader who will not ask you to sacrifice their dignity to a man for a blessing.

To the self-proclaimed Pope Emmanuel, you will be dealt with on the Day of Judgement. It was written in the Holy Scriptures that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” shall enter into heaven. For he shall say “I never knew you: depart from me ye workers of iniquity”.

tors or electoral votes) chooses the President. A majority of 270 is needed to win the Presidency with Bush scraping through with that number in the 2000 elections amidst allegations of electoral fraud in Florida.

The way the system works is each state in America is awarded a number of electors based on its representation in the national legislature; this totals 535. Washington, not being a state, is given 3 votes for a total of 538 electoral votes (EVs). Whoever

wins the popular votes in each state wins its electoral votes. So candidates court support to get past 270 votes by appealing to voters in states; the swing states get most of their attention.

Based on traditional voting patterns, Trump and Hillary will each win certain states. Based on this projection, Trump is secured for about 200 electoral votes and Clinton about 238. The battle is for the remaining EVs in what are called swing states. It is my analysis in

looking at polling data that Hillary will get about 80 additional votes taking her past 300. It will not be shocking if Trump pulls off a victory given his many political gaffes. In American politics, anything is possible; but a Trump victory is highly unlikely. Americans exhale on midnight on Tuesday when the results will be in.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

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Foundation

Ways to enhance your memory

By Ryan Anderson

O

ne of the biggest myths about memory is that “You can’t increase your memory by training it.” WRONG! I can sort of appreciate why this myth might be accepted (‘If I can’t do anything about it, there is no point trying. Sweet, less effort for me’). The inconvenient truth is that there are plenty of ways to improve your memory, or to simply get the most out of what is already there.

Researchers have found that some of the most common study techniques are highlighting or reading and rereading text/notes.

It doesn’t take a whole lot of (cognitive) effort to read a passage or highlight a phrase. The same thing that makes them popular also makes them rather ineffective (requiring relatively little cognitively effort).

Neither of these is entirely useless, but there are better options. Here are several tips from science, that you can use to help you crush exams, impress people at parties, and just remember more stuff. Some of the following can supplement rather than replace what you are already doing.

Consolidate

Right after you learn or do something it’s fresh in your memory and you can remember it fairly vividly.

With the passage of time, as you do/read/learn more things, memories slowly decay, and become less and less accurate approximations. In addition, new memories are fragile and can easily be forgotten.

So how do you strengthen memories for recently learnt things and protect new memories? We know that consolidation (both system and synaptic) takes place on a neural level without us doing anything (or at least being aware of it), and this does strengthen our memories. However, there are things we can do to considerably improve the consolidation process. You

can’t really tell the difference between what is real and what we imagine. We know that mental imagery can activate some brain regions; and that mental rehearsal can lead to measurable improvement for some tasks.

Mentally ‘visualising’ information can also help tremendously.

If you haven’t heard of the Method of Loci (aka The

orable”, but that superior memory was NOT driven by exceptional cognitive ability or structural differences in the brain. Essentially, those that are highly adept at memorisation tasks ‘encode’ information (store it in their mind) very effectively.

The most common way of encoding large amounts of information effectively is with visualisation. This basically involves using mental imagery to represent the information you are trying to remember.

Chunk

might be surprised to learn that one of them is sleep.

Recent research supports the idea that consolidation is particularly strong during sleep. A 2006 study appearing in Learning and Memory found that students who went to sleep within three hours of learning material remembered nearly 16 per cent more content than a group that waited 10 hours and then slept. Going to sleep probably eliminates a lot of environmental stimuli that might interfere with the learnt content. While sleeping instead of studying may not be that helpful, it might be worthwhile going to bed shortly after a study session.

Visualise

Sometimes

our

brains

Memory Palace), I would definitely recommend googling it and/or reading about it extensively. You know those people that perform astonishing memory feats like remembering decks of cards, pi to 1000 places, or the names and faces of hundreds of people, all in a single sitting, well with the exception of savants like Kim Peek and Daniel Tammet, most of them are just average people with inherently average memories.

A group study appearing in the New Year 2003 edition of Nature Neuroscience investigated the reasons for memory champions’ superior performance. Their conclusion was that they employed “strategies for encoding information with the sole purpose of making it more mem-

Most people probably know that we can theoretically store 7 (+/- 2) pieces of information in our short-term memory at any given time. So we can remember the seven dwarves, but we’d be in trouble if there were 10 of them.

And phone numbers are usually between five and nine digits long. Sometimes (often) it can be beneficial to be able to remember more than seven or so bits of information.

One technique that can help is chunking. Chunking is essentially just breaking up a long stream of information into manageable ‘chunks’.

Let’s consider the 14-digit number string 1-9-6-9-4-8-12-1-6-1-0-6-6. At first sight this might seem fairly meaningless, but if I rewrite it as 1969 – 4,8,12,16 – 1066 suddenly it becomes pretty easy to remember. Instead of remembering 14 separate pieces of information all you have to remember now is: 1) moon landing; 2) multiples of 4; and 3) the Battle of Hastings.

Most information strings will not be this easy to reduce, but you get the idea. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

to be continued

By Art Markman, PhD

T

here are many situations in which you have to learn new things that you will need to recall later. When you are a student, there is material for classes that you study to prepare for recalling that information on exams (and hopefully later in life as well). As an adult, there are often new facts you need to remember at work, in volunteer organisations, and for your hobbies.

Quite a bit of research on memory has demonstrated that distributing your practice helps you learn. That is, the more that you spread out your study time, the better you are likely to remember information later, compared to cramming all of your study time into one session.

Studies have also been interested in whether sleep matters for learning.

Research suggests that if you study new material and then sleep, you remember the information better than if you study new material and stay awake for an equivalent amount of time.

What happens when you combine these concepts? That is, does it matter whether you sleep in between the study sessions you do?

This question was addressed in a paper in the October 2016 issue of Psychological Science by Stephanie Mazza, Emilie Bergier, Marie-Paule Gustin, Zumrut Kasikci, Olivier Koenig, Thomas Toppino, and Michel Magnin.

Three groups of participants were tested. All of them studied a list of 16 Swahili words and had to give their translation. The study was done in France, so the participants responded with the French meaning of the words.

To study the word list, participants first saw each word paired with its meaning.

Then, they went through the list and typed in the meaning. Each item they got correct was removed from the study list. For each item they got wrong, the correct definition was provided, and was added to the list for the next round of study. The study period ended when the participant responded correctly once to each of the 16 items.

A control group studied these words in the evening and then came back to the lab 12 hours later when they had slept. They were tested

on the words the next morning. They also came back and were tested again one week later and six months later.

The Sleep group studied the words in the evening and came back to the lab 12 hours later after sleeping. They studied the words a second time. In the second study trial, they were not shown the definitions of the words again on the first round. Instead, they started by recalling the definitions of the words and then continuing to study the ones they got wrong. This group also came back a week later and six months later for tests of the words.

The No Sleep group studied the words in the morning and came back to the lab 12 hours later without sleeping in between study sessions.

They studied the words a second time (just like the Sleep group). They were then tested a week later and six months later.

The results demonstrate the importance of sleep. The Sleep group and the Control group both remembered the words better 12 hours later (as measured by the performance on the first trial of the second study session) than the No Sleep group.

That is, consistent with previous research, sleeping after a study session leads to better recall than not sleeping.

Not only that, but the Sleep group actually relearned all of the words in the second study session faster than the No Sleep group. So, the second round of studying was more efficient for people who had slept than for those who had not.

At both the one week and six-month tests, the Sleep Group did best. That is, studying a second time after sleeping led people to recall the words better after a delay than either studying twice without sleeping or studying only once and sleeping after the test. The performance in those two conditions was about the same.

This research suggests that spreading out your study time benefits learning, but you should make sure that you sleep in between study sessions. Sleep is well-known to help consolidate memories. When you sleep before you study a second time, you are giving yourself a chance to allow sleep to consolidate your memories twice—once after the first study session and again after the second. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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TUESday, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Private Sector corruption

Granger’s claims will drive fear, hurt the economy – Teixeira P

resident David Granger is under fire once again for his assertions of corruption being rampant in the private sector.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira lambasted the Head of State for making such reckless statements, which can damage the economy and the country’s image globally.

“In what way is it help-

PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Bartica Chamber of Commerce and Industry VP, Anthony Murray

ful to our country, to the business community, to the economy, to castigate, to throw an accusation on an entire sector? No doubt there are private companies found for all sorts of wrongdoings. I have no problem with the President saying this one has been charged and that one has been charged, but to take everyone and lump them to-

gether, it is unhelpful, and it is damaging to our country,” she asserted during a news conference on Monday at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown.

Teixeira continued, “When one of your headlines comes up and says private sector in Guyana is corrupt, what message are you sending internationally and globally? There is no rhyme and rhythm to the thought process behind these comments.”

President Granger, during his weekly broadcast “The Public Interest”, again alluded to the fact that corruption exists but not only in Government.

“As far as white collar crimes are concerned, you have to realise that not only government officials wear white collar… backtracking is an illegality and I’ve read statements from mem-

bers of certain Chambers of Commerce who called for the backtrack to be kept open because its quick… when you look at white collar crimes… these are businessmen,” he stated.

Granger had previously declared that corruption is more prevalent outside of government.

“It is my view that corruption in Guyana is most widespread outside of Government,” the President had declared while addressing the launch of former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran’s book “Governance, Transparency and Accountability.”

He had cautioned Guyanese against believing that corruption was confined to law enforcement agents and public servants, defining that while persons must remain vigilant against the abuse of power

by Government, they must also look at “the abuse of trust by the Private Sector.”

Some private sector bodies had responded in uproar to the President’s claim, noting that it could put the Government/private sector relationship in jeopardy.

Bartica Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Anthony Murray had posited that while corruption exists in some private enterprises, it was inappropriate for the President to generalise the matter, presumably in an effort to shield his

Miner offers Police $200,000 to drop narco charge

The ganja and money retrieved from the suspect

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30-year-old miner, who attempted to bribe Police officers when he was found in possession of a quantity of marijuana on Sunday was arrested and is expected to be charged shortly.

Reports are the suspect of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, works in the interior, and at the time of his arrest was in a house at 4th Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven

(Cuyuni/Mazaruni), when the Police swopped down on the premises.

The Police had reportedly received a tip about illegal activities being conducted at the premises and carried out the raid. It was during the raid that 133 grams of cannabis stored in ziplock bags were unearthed.

Following the discovery, the suspect allegedly offered the officers $200,000

as an inducement to forego the narcotics charge. He is presently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

It is believed that the suspect was part of a ring that traffics the illegal substance into several mining locations.

The Police have intensified investigations into the names of those who might be involved in the racket.

President David Granger

Government.

According to Murray, statements of that nature can damage Private Sector relationships with Government: “It seems like he wants to cast the blame on us and it will drive a wedge between the Private Sector and the Government.”

Likewise, President of the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Rajnauth Ramroop argued that corruption in the private sector is contingent on corruption in the public sector. (Devina Samaroo)

Berbice man robbed, beaten with cutlass

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self-employed man was attacked and robbed of $35,000 by three bandits on Sunday as he was making rounds in Kilcoy, Chesney, in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) to collect money from his debtors.

Mohamed Budhram, 56, of No 19 Village, Corentyne, is a furniture maker and would collect money owed to him on a weekly basis.

As such, at approximately 14:05h on Sunday, while in Kilcoy, he stopped to purchase “a snow cone from the shave ice man.”

While doing so, Budhram said that he was approached by a man from behind, who proceeded to push his hands into his pockets.

According to Budhram,

he knows the man as “David” from Kokerdam, Berbice, and he initially thought the man was joking. Additionally, Budhram recalled that the same man had asked him to “make a bed for him” some time ago.

Budhram relayed that after feeling the hands in his pockets, he turned around and jokingly told “David”, “wha, you want a raise or wa?”

“David” responded by collecting a cutlass from one of his accomplices and dealing him several lashes across his body. “David” was then “towed” away by another accomplice on a bicycle, Budhram added.

The police were contacted and have launched a search for “David.”

Utility services disrupted as thunderstorm hits Linden

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he Linden community of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was subjected to severe thunderstorms and rain over the weekend. Heavy downpours, coupled with high winds on Saturday and Sunday appeared to put an end to days of extreme heat experienced in the community over the past few weeks and resulted in numerous power outages and damaged phone lines.

Highlying areas such as Amelia’s Ward at Mackenzie, Wisroc and Block 22 at Wismar were more so subjected to lightning and thunderstorms.

Over the weekend, numerous residents reported disruption to their landline and phone services, as well as

internet and transformers.

At Retrieve, Mackenzie, it was reported that numerous transformers were damaged during the storm on Sunday.

This led to an extended power outage in a section of the community.

While telephone and electricity technicians worked to restore the servic-

es, many residents suffered the inconvenience of having to wait hours before electricity was restored, while others reported permanent damage to items such as internet modems and landline phones.

In areas such as Silvertown, there were reports of minor flooding.

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tuesday, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Accused gang rapists on $250,000 bail each

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hree Corentyne men who allegedly raped a woman were granted bail in the sum of $250,000 each in a New Amsterdam court on Monday.

The accused: Sherwin Scott, 27, who is unemployed; his brother, Royan Scott, 24, a labourer; both of Mango Street, Rose Hall Town, along with Wilton Leps of Albion, who is also unemployed, were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which was read

by Magistrate Alex Moore.

It is alleged that on October 23, the trio committed the act on a 20-year-old girl of New Amsterdam.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Godfrey Playter had no objection to the accused being granted bail.

It is alleged that about 04:30h on the morning in question, the victim came out of a bar in New Amsterdam, while under the influence of alcohol, and saw the white

Cause and effects...

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Wilton Leps, Sherwin Scott and Royon Scott are accused of rape

Toyota Allion in the vicinity of the club; she then asked Leps for a lift to her home, which is situated in another part of New Amsterdam.

He agreed, but, after getting into the car in which the Scott brothers were passengers, the 20-year-old woman was told that they had to drop off a friend on the Corentyne before taking her home.

Leps then drove 18 miles out of New Amsterdam to Albion and stopped along the estate road at an abandoned house. The woman was then invited inside.

The victim told investigators that the three men took turns raping her, after which she managed to open the door and escape, leaving most of her clothing behind.

As she exited the yard, she

sought rescue from a passing lorry.

She was taken to the Albion Police Station where a report was made. The suspects were subsequently taken into custody.

Magistrate Moore has ordered that the three suspects return to court on December 19.

The three could not post bail.

Belvedere murder suspect remanded T he accused in the Belvedere, Berbice, murder was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared in a New Amsterdam court to answer the charge.

Jainarine Balgobin called “Boyo”, 39, of Belvedere Squatting Area, is accused of the murder of Bhumattie Deolall, 53, of 351 5th Street, South Belvedere, on November 2.

Balgobin was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Godfrey Platter told the court that a file has been prepared and sent to the Director of Public

The accused in the Belvedere murder, Jainarine Balgobin called “Boyo”

Prosecutions (DPP), who has advised that additional information be added to the file.

Magistrate Moore transferred the matter to the Albion Magistrate’s Court, and set December 12 as the next court date.

It was reported that last Wednesday Balgobin went into the victim’s yard armed with a cutlass and dealt her several chops to her neck, almost severing it.

He then calmly walked out of the yard, crossed the street and replaced the cutlass at the altar of the Maha Kali Hindu Temple.

The cane harvester, who also does odd jobs, is said to

have been of unsound mind when investigators interviewed him.

During the time he was in police custody, the accused was often overheard speaking to himself.

It had been reported that Balgobin had a history of physically abusing his mother and most times, the deceased would go over to make peace.

Deolall was divorced, unemployed and took care of her daughter, Purnime Nandram, 26, and her two children.

She leaves to mourn two children and two grandchildren, including a 2-yearold, who witnessed the chopping.

Bus driver charged with wounding

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minibus driver was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday to answer a charge of unlawful wounding.

Cordel Drakes, 33, a route 46 minibus driver pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts.

It is alleged that on October 11, 2016, at Georgetown, he inflicted grievous bodily harm to Dexter Edwards.

The prosecution’s investigation into the matter is yet to be completed, however, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers objected to bail due to the fact that the defendant is serving a six-month sentence for a traffic offence.

Drakes will make his next court appearance on November 16, 2016.

...in crime he old people say, "Wha' sweeten mout' does hurt (the nether region)". Your Eyewitness doesn't want to upset your refined sensibilities, but you know what he means, don't you, Dear Reader? There was a time when many were chortling over the depredations by the criminal gang based in Buxton between 2002 and 2008. The gang called themselves "Resistance Fighters" and were supposedly waging a war on the PPP and the State on behalf of African Guyanese.

Veteran resident of Buxton, Eusi Kwayana had to flee the village because he claimed the gunmen were being directed by outside "political sophisticates". Now, even though it was claimed the gang held the village of Buxton "at ransom" – and some reprisal actions demonstrated that – there was also clear evidence that quite a few villagers willingly aided and abetted them. Witness the several persons who were kidnapped by gang members and brought into the village in broad daylight.

But one chilling feature of the modus operandi of the killer gangs was their recruitment of children who were given cellphones and used as lookouts. The ideology of the "political sophisticates" seduced many adults into believing that the children were doing their bit "for the cause". For the children it was all an exciting extension of the video games they played – only this time they were paid by the gangsters for their services.

Several of these older children – some of whom came from other villages – graduated into full-fledged gang members, as evidenced by their bodies when the gang members were gradually killed off. Remember Chung Boy, Mud Up and Sancho? So what has caused your Eyewitness' rumination on this painful episode of our national history?

Well, it was something Prezzie said when he referred to the gang’s "operating in 2002".

Prezzie commented on the effects of the violence "on victims", but he now placed on the national agenda, the effect on youths "who witnessed the crimes". Now your Eyewitness always wondered how many of those "watchout" youths had turned to crime when they got older – seduced by the easy money and the romanticisation of their role not as the bandits they were – but as "Resistance Fighters".

But now Prezzie has him even more worried – since he points also to those who only "witnessed" the crimes. And since these crimes occurred all over the country, this might provide the explanation as to why violent robberies using guns have grown exponentially. These youths – now "youth men" – would've been exposed to the gun runners from Brazil and further afield.

Now that they're of age, the chickens are coming home to roost. ...in local government One of the biggest complaints the APNU/AFC Opposition had against the PPP Administration was their control of the local government apparatus via the Local Government Minister – who had control of the administrative appointments. They wanted such control to be exercised by a Local Government Council (LGC) which would be bipartisan – and fairer.

The laws were duly drafted after 20 years by the PPP and duly signed into law by the APNU/AFC coalition. Now you'd think they would've embarrassed the PPP by immediately constituting the LGC, no?

No! The Trade Unions for LG have submitted their nominee, the PPP have submitted their three – and guess who's the holdout? Go to the head of the class, Dear Reader – you're right – APNU/AFC still haven't proffered their four nominees. So after the talk about "removing Central Government yoke" from the neck of Local Government to return "real democracy" to the "people”, the hypocrisy of the Government has been exposed once again. ...in healing The scrotum of males sometimes gets filled with fluid – swelling them something fierce. While its medical name is "hydrocele", Guyanese call it "goadie". We know Jesus healed the lame, etc...but evidently one local Pope did him one better.

He healed a fella's goadie.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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tuesday, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rohee berates Granger over Trotman denies 2 gold companies buoying economy gun licence revocation desire

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…says small miners responsible for huge declarations

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atural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has vehemently denied assertions by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that two large-scale gold companies were responsible for the vast majority of gold being mined in Guyana and had essentially buoyed the local economy.

Trotman made the declaration on Friday evening in the National Assembly during a debate on a motion, which essentially called on parliamentarians to adopt the policies adumbrated by Head of State, David Granger, when he addressed the Assembly on October 13.

Trotman, in seeking to rebut the assertions related to the gold mining industry, revealed that up to the end of October last, gold declarations had reached 545,000 ounces.

Of this amount, according to Minister Trotman, small- and medium-scale miners are responsible for a whopping 362,000 ounces.

The two major companies, he said, brought in only 183,000 ounces representing some 33 per cent of the overall production.

According to Minister Trotman, the two companies – Aurora Gold Mines and Guyana Goldfields Inc, are making their contribution but it is not on their backs or shoulders the mammoth declaration is based.

Minister Trotman said

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Natural Resources Raphael Trotman

the projection of 550,000 ounces of gold as envisioned by the Finance Minister in his budget presentation would be met.

“We shall make the target and that target will be met by average man and woman involved in mining,” Trotman noted, adding that this would be supplemented by the declarations of the two large companies.

Trotman’s presentation was made after a number of speakers from the Opposition benches, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who had proffered the argument that it was in fact the performance of the two companies that was responsible for gold essentially buoying the Guyana economy.

Jagdeo, at the time, told the House that the President had lamented that the coalition A Partnership for

National Unity/Alliance For Change Government (APNU/AFC) had inherited a parlous economic situation, but this was far from reality.

According to the Opposition Leader, the country at the time was booming with investment opportunities, noting that the two new gold mines were set up during the tenure of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Jagdeo used the opportunity to lambaste the Granger Administration, saying that his Government has been unable to attract a single large-scale investment of any worth.

This, he said, is the case despite the tonnes of trips being taken by Ministers and their families at the expense of taxpayers.

TURN TO PAGE 16

Minister

ormer Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has said that President David Granger’s plan to revoke gun licences from civilians is baseless and will not address the problems of crime and violence in society.

During a news conference on Monday, Rohee contended that launching such a massive campaign based on sheer hearsay was wholly unwarranted.

“Is this the basis on which this campaign is going to be launched? Hearsay? Shouldn’t such a campaign be evidencebased rather than speculations-based?” he queried.

President Granger recently said he heard stories of private citizens renting their guns to criminals.

He also expressed his desire to have fewer firearms in the hands of private citizens and primarily in the hands of law enforcement officers.

But Rohee argued that if Government wanted to address the issue of illegal firearms in the country, it must start from 1979.

“If Government wants to address illegal firearms in Guyana, the first thing they must address is the missing 237 weapons, among them semi-automatic weapons that were issued by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in 1979 to the Ministry of National Mobilisation and Development,” he stated, indi-

President David Granger

PPP/C General Clement Rohee

Secretary

cating that he too “heard stories” that this practice could be thriving once again today.

Rohee also pondered whether Government, in its effort to get guns off the streets, would be amending the Firearm Act to make licensing of firearms more restricted or to bring it in line with the United Nations Resolution to regulate civilian ownership of guns.

The politician reminded that once the Government’s crime prevention strategy continued to fail, then fear would exist in the population.

In this regard, he posited that fear was the main driver of gun ownership in the nation.

On his weekly televised programme, “The Public Interest”, President Granger said that the Administration would be working towards seeing fewer guns on the streets

by scaling down the number of licences issued to private individuals and revoking those already distributed.

The President indicated that that may be the reason why so many weapons were in the hands of the criminals.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran also lambasted the Head of State over his comments, arguing that there were no statistics or other evidence publicly available to link lawful gun ownership to the high level of gun crimes.

He posited in his weekly blog “The Conversation Tree”, “If, as the Government argues, private owners are renting their firearms to criminals, how come no one has been charged? This indicates that the evidence against private gun owners is slim or anecdotal.”

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News

Domestic violence widely accepted in local communities – UNICEF

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he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that the highest level of acceptance of wife beating occurs in Indigenous communities, with one in every four adults believing that it is justifiable to hit women.

The UNICEF report stated that there was a high incidence of domestic violence in Regions Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); One (Barima-Waini); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). It underscored that domestic violence was more accepted among those living in rural areas than those living in urban settlements for both men and women. Further, domestic violence is also highly prevalent in the poorest of families.

According to the Crime and Social Observatory (CSO) within the Public Security Ministry, between 2011 and 2013, more than 9200 different types of domestic violence cases were

registered in Guyana, with 65 per cent of them involving assault.

Notably, despite the fact that the majority of victims were older than 25 years old, UNICEF stated that there were a significant percentage of children (eight per cent) and young adults (16 per cent) being victims of domestic violence.

The UN agency added that domestic violence had a straight connection to gender-based violence.

“Between 2006 and 2007, there was an estimated 50 per cent increase in the total number of GBV victims, 3600 more than the previous year,” it said, adding that the largest increase was recorded in Berbice (Regions Five and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne)), where reported cases rose steeply from approximately 300 in 2006 to 1890 in 2007, representing a 500 per cent increase.

It stated that a combination of social norms and social and cultural practices have been identified as the

main factors that influence violence against women.

“In this sense, using a sociological perspective, gender-based violence, and attitudes toward it, could be sub-divided into two sets of causes: those at the individual level and those at the social level,” it said.

The report stated that overall, 10 per cent of men and women between 15 and 49 years old believe it is justifiable for a husband to physically abuse his wife if she goes out without telling him, neglects the children, argues with him, refuses sex with him or if burns the food. This, it said, is a considerable reduction

when compared to 18 per cent in 2006, according to the Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF Guyana, 2008.

It added that lack of punishment for those men that perpetrate violence against women was one factor that reinforced violent acts in the country. It contended that between January and November of 2015, 582 cases of domestic violence were reported in Berbice; 326 of them reached the court, but only 17 men were convicted.

“According to stakeholders, the belief of impunity reinforces violent behaviour among different populations in Guyana,” it stated, noting that in many cases, the perpetrator is let go when reports are made, victims refuse to give statements to the Police or to the courts and are afraid of being stigmatised or being objected to future violence.

In May 2010, the Sexual Offences Act was passed to primarily strengthen measures for gender based abuse prevention.

No arrest made in money changer shooting

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s investigations continue into the shooting of a money changer at the Water Street Popeyes Fast Food outlet on Sunday afternoon, the Police are yet to make an arrest.

In fact, the Police are still reviewing the surveillance footage taken from the establishment.

Vishwanauth Nouwbat, called Vishal, of C Field, Sophia, Greater

Georgetown, was shot once to the abdomen by a lone gunman, who attacked him and his girlfriend.

The suspect reportedly walked up to the 35-yearold man and demanded that

Injured: Vishwanauth Nouwbat

he hand over the money he was carrying and other valuables. Nouwbat refused, and was shot once after which the bandit left the restaurant, jumped on a motorcycle and left the scene.

The injured man was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted. He is said to be in stable condition. Hospital sources confirmed that the bullet that was lodged in his abdomen was removed and he was recuperating.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan noted that the Police were working assiduously to nab the suspect.

He stated that while the surveillance footage has been reviewed, a clear image of the perpetrator is yet to be retrieved. However, investigators are also trying to identify his motorcycle-riding accomplice.

Does an analysis of Indian Indentured Caribbean Historiography reveal interpretations of decay or determination? Part 2

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o reiterate, Indian indentured historiography has revealed elements of decay because of the predominant use of archival records, which has inadvertently produced colonial patterns and perspectives. These colonial records were determined more by authority rather by evidence. Of course, not every colonial record on indenture should be dismissed but its originality with regards to whom, where and how it was determined should at least be challenged.

I do not expect colonial writers to write a balanced history of the colonised, that will be myopic attacking the strawman but I do think that we should not repeat the missteps and the mistreatment of the history of the Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine colonised. Unfortunately, Indian historiography has revealed the latter trend.

Over the past four decades, a substantial number of studies have been published on Indian Indentureship in the Caribbean. Two books, however, appear to have dominated the field. In fact, it is impossible to write about indentureship without using these books. The first is Hugh Tinker’s, A New System of Slavery: The Export of Indian Labour Overseas 1830–1920, and the second is Keith Laurence’s A Question of Labor: Indentured Immigration into Trinidad and British Guiana, 1875–1917. Tinker tells a story of how indentured Indians were brought from India to the Caribbean under dubious circumstances to replace slave labour and subsequently experienced conditions similar to former African slaves. He argues that indentured Indians exchanged one poverty-striven and oppressed environment for another.

Specifically, Tinker takes the position that Indians were brutalised in the Caribbean sugar plantations during indenture and reaped marginal benefits from their contracts.

Laurence’s book examines the immigration and settlement of Indians from their homeland to the Caribbean. Laurence shows how indenture was organised through a three-way interaction among the British, Indian, and Caribbean government/planter class.

The questions that Tinker did not address are as follows: why would an estimated 30,000 ex-indentured Indians return to work on the sugar plantations for a second and even third time if the system was a new form of slavery? How come a majority of indentured Indians chose to stay in the Caribbean rather than return to their homeland? Of course, the planters induced Indians with small parcels of land in lieu of return passages. But Indians did remit savings to India and Indian settlers in the Caribbean did acquire land, among other things. Where Laurence’s study is concerned, he rarely used oral resources in his study of Indian Indentureship, which is really a missed opportunity, since he started his research in the 1960s when some exindentured servants were still around in British Guiana and Trinidad.

Laurence’s book would have provided a fuller understanding of the Indian experience with indenture in the Caribbean if he had utilised oral narratives of the survivors of indentureship.

Instead, both Tinker and Laurence used and relied on the archival records of the colonialists, Christian missionaries, as well as the occasional European individual traveller/writer to write the history of Indian indenture during the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from both sides of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

The weakness of this approach is that the archival records were written by individuals from their own perspectives, reflecting anecdotal rather than analytical evidence. These individuals relied on authority rather than evidence to write on Indian indenture. The writings or documents can be described as a scholarship based on the oligarchy of strangers to the reality of indenture, at least from the point of view of the indentured.

Tinker and Laurence therefore might have magnified the narrow thinking of the creators of these original records. Both authors might have also continued a variety of errors (noted above) based on omission and commission.

Even when Indian indenture had received attention from independent-minded researchers who used empirical means to gather information and form generalisations, indentured Indian historiography still had inherent problems. They have approached and analysed indenture from the position of indentured Indians, drawing upon their own voices but these voices have been drawn from archival records that were overwhelmingly controlled by the organisers of indenture. By contrast, Prakash Vatuk’s article “Protest Songs of East Indians in British Guiana” is based on unfiltered Indian sources. The author conducted field research in British Guiana in the 1960s, a decade (1955) after the last shipment of Indians left that colony for India. He recorded over nine hundred protest songs from the descendants of indenture, but unfortunately only a few of these songs still exist.

The point should be stressed, however, that oral history and testimonies of indentured, if not used effectively, can produce weak and strong points much the same way with the use of archival records.

To be continued

edu)

(Send comments to lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.

NEWS

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Cohesion Ministry using State resources to fund PNC work – Edghill

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he Social Cohesion Ministry is nothing but a reincarnation of the Ministry of National Development and Mobilisation, which was operated under the Administration of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and is now being used to do party work funded with State resources.

This damning accusation was made by former Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill, as he delivered his presentation during a parliamentary debate on Friday.

The Minister in rubbishing the arrangements surrounding the social cohesion unit headed by Minister Amna Ally said that Guyana was today even more divided than it was in May 2015.

“When we talk about social cohesion,” according to Edghill, the conversation has to be centred on shared values and equal opportunities.

He suggested that perhaps there needed to be put in place constitutional arrangements for equal opportunities for all Guyanese.

“If we gonna talk about social cohesion, we must talk about social inclusion, but we have social exclusion,” Edghill said, insisting that what in fact obtained was that the Ministry of Social Cohesion operated as a revamped Ministry of Mobilisation.

He suggested that the good life promised by the Administration has been elusive for all but a few – that particular class of people who are enjoying what

No changes in US-Guyana policies with new President−Ambassador

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Former Minister within Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill

the

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon described as the gravy train.

“How could we be talking about social cohesion when people are being removed from their jobs on the mere perception of political affiliation?” the former Government Minister questioned.

Edghill declared that in order to secure the cohesive society adumbrated by the President and embellished by substantive Minister Amna Ally, there must be participation by all people and sectors, not just by a special group or segment of society, The Ministry of Mobilisation, which was opened and closed under the PNC, resurfaced in the media after weapons that had been issued to that outfit and never returned were discovered following a shootout between Police and bandits in early 2008.

The Police in a state-

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally

ment at the time said that its ranks responded to information that a boat with a number of men was seen in the Zeskendren, Mahaicony drainage canal area.

When challenged, the men opened fire and when fire was returned by the Police, they abandoned the boat and escaped into the thick bush north of the canal. A subsequent search led to the finding of a wooden boat with an outboard engine. Weapons and ammunition were also found.

Two of the weapons were subsequently determined to be the property of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which for its part, claimed that the weapons were issued to the Ministry of National Development and Mobilisation in 1976 and 1979. A total of 237 guns, including four general purpose machine guns (GPMG), were issued to the Ministry and were still unaccounted for.

ith the election of a new United States (US) President, Guyana has been assured that there will be no changes in the policies between the two countries.

United States Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway on Monday said that his country looks forward to continuing its relationship with Guyana and that no matter who is voted into the White House today, there will be no significant changes to US policies here.

“I wouldn’t predict who would be the winner but I will say I’ll be glad it’s over; it’s been a long, hard, tough, interesting campaign. I have been working in the US Government for 28 years and I have worked for both Republican and Democratic Presidents and my experience has been that US policies do not change when whoever is occupying the White House changes, so I look forward for us having continued close ties with Guyana no matter who wins tomorrow night. I will not talk about the individual candidates, but I would say it is one thing to campaign and another to govern, but my experience is the policies do not change significantly when the White House can-

US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway

didates change,” he told the media in an invited comment.

Americans, who did not vote in the early voting, will head to the poles today to cast their ballots for a new President.

Meanwhile, for Guyanese Americans and Americans living here, they were allowed the opportunity to register and have their votes sent home. However, that process is now closed.

“It’s too late now, because there was a process to come into the embassy and register. Voting in the US is based on the State you’re from, not nationwide; it’s state by state and local. The embassy was able to help many Guyanese Americans

living here, to register and send their votes off, but the rules and regulations vary by each state, but now absentee ballots are now closed in almost every state, they would have already had to vote”, he told the media, continuing that there was a large amount of voters.

Holloway said on Monday that the United States Government is working hard to forge a closer and more productive partnership with the government and people of Guyana to help build a more prosperous, secure, democratic and healthy Guyana.

“Our talented and hardworking personnel at the US Mission in Guyana seek to achieve this through active diplomatic engagement, targeted development assistance, and an active two-way flow of people, ideas, and information. Our Mission will continue to work with the government and people of Guyana to solidify the gains in democratic governance, bolster economic growth, and promote equality and opportunity, particularly for young people, women, the disabled, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities,” he said.

(Alexis Rodney)

12 news

tUESDay, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

New Peace Corps volunteers to focus on environment, natural resources management

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ager to share their culture and learn all about what Guyana has to offer, nine Peace Corps trainees on Monday received their pins and certificates, and are now ready to take up their posts.

The 29th batch of Peace Corps volunteers was swornin before United States Ambassador Perry Holloway at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown.

The nine new volunteers, the first cohort of Peace Corps to focus on environmental education and natural resource management, arrived in Guyana on September 2 and have since undergone some 10 weeks

natural resource management.

Over the next two years, they will serve in Indigenous Communities in Regions 1 (Barima-Waini) and 9 (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) including Whitewater, Mabaruma, Warapoka, Fairview, Annai and Shea.

While presenting an overview of the programme, Director of Programming and Training, Melanie Ingalls, encouraged the group to be open and urged them to learn from the communities they will be serving, so that the objectives could be realised.

Addressing the gather-

The new batch of Peace Corps volunteers

interests of the country until 1971 when it left. Again in 1995 the Peace Corps was invited to work as communi-

“As our volunteers have already discovered, thanks to their remote placements, Guyana is a country for nature lovers and adventure seekers. It has an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty, including pristine rainforests, incredible waterfalls and amazing wildlife - which is joined to a vibrant culture, a diverse and rich heritage, and some of the most hospitable and friendly people in the world.” of pre-service training at Laluni on the SoesdykeLinden Highway, developing skills to enable them to function effectively in the project areas of youth, environment, education, leadership, and community-based

ing, US Ambassador Perry Holloway said the Peace Corps forms an important part of the US mission in Guyana. He recalled that the programme was first welcomed in Guyana in 1966 and served the development

ty-based promoters of health and education.

“I hope you recognise that you will all be ambassadors for our nation in your communities. I know you will represent our country with distinction

and earn the respect and goodwill of the people you meet. And when you return to the United States in two years, I trust that you will spread the word about the beauty of Guyana and its people to your friends and family, and promote the spirit of understanding that President John F Kennedy knew such exchanges would create among Americans and our friends, whether here in Guyana or elsewhere in the world,” the Ambassador told the new volunteers.

He also said that like so many who have served before, he believed the new group would find that their work will be challenging, as well as rewarding.

“As our volunteers have already discovered, thanks to their remote placements, Guyana is a country for nature lovers and adventure seekers. It has an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty, including pristine rainforests, incred-

ible waterfalls, and amazing wildlife - which is joined to a vibrant culture, a diverse and rich heritage, and some of the most hospitable and friendly people in the world.”

It was on June 30 earlier this year that Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Peace Corps to support ongoing activities concerning environmental protection and sustainable use and management of Guyana’s natural resources.

Ambassador Holloway acknowledged that, although times have changed, the Peace Corps continues to adhere to the unchanged twin goals of its founding - helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women and helping to promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served and a better understanding

by Americans of other peoples.

He said the Peace Corps

generally provides the most attention to communities with the greatest developmental challenges and fewest resources with which to address them.

“I have always had great admiration for the extraordinary commitment and compassion that Peace Corps volunteers bring to supporting others and to building stronger communities by increasing human capacity to address development challenges. What is most gratifying to observe is the friendships that develop between the volunteers and their dedicated local counterparts, supervisors, and community leaders, who together have been able to help each other achieve their goals and vision for a brighter future for the people of Guyana. I would say that the future for Guyana could be very bright. Overall, the economy has been doing well for a few years and is projected to continue on this path,” the Ambassador said.

news

Historic fly-past over 52-ft Hanuman murti ...salute from Guyana's warriors to a Hindu Warrior

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tuesday, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Andyville residents seek regularisation for the squatter community

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n Sunday, history was made in Guyana when a helicopter from the Guyana Defence Force air wing, on behalf of the entire Guyana military, made a flypast over the historic 52-foot murti (sacred image) of Lord Hanuman on the island of Leguan during the commissioning of the figure.

As had been reported by this newspaper, the sculpture was constructed by a local home-grown talent, Jainarine Prahalad, in collaboration with his brother-in-law, Pandit Sunil Sharma, who is the "panditin-charge" of the Mandir in the village of Blenheim, on Leguan. All of the funds to construct the edifice were donated by the Guyanese public at home and in the Diaspora.

According to Malcolm Harripaul, the first commissioned GDF officer from Leguan and who also helped to coordinate the programme, Lord Hanuman was a soldier in the army of Lord Rama and fought so bravely, he was called "Mahabir" ever since – meaning Great Hero".

Harripaul, who is now attached to the Ministry of the Presidency, arranged for the military flypast, because he felt this was a fitting acknowledgement to the great warrior. He advised more Hindus to join the army.

The pilot of the helicopter, Major Michael Charles also has Leguan roots and as his craft circled the huge murti, the attendees at the day-long ceremony spontaneously exclaimed, "Money Man grandson!". Evidently, Charles' grandfather is from Leguan and as is customary in rural areas, is known only by his "call name". The

An aerial view of the 52-ft Hanuman murti

participants appreciated Harripaul's identification of Hanuman as a warrior, and prayers were offered regarding the role the members of the Army and its new Chiefof-Staff play in defending our borders.

The ceremonial Hindu rites to install, consecrate and sanctify ("shtaapan) the murti started at 07:00h in the morning and was conducted by Pandit Sunil Sharks. At 10:00h, a programme of speeches and bhajans (Hindu religious songs) was chaired by Harripaul.

The speeches were kicked off by the Chairman of the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Albert James, who is also the Pastor of the historic Anglican Church on the island. He said in a multi-religious society like Guyana, there has to be an acceptance that all religions advise the same relationship between man and God, and there was no need for conversion once a person practises the tenets of his faith sincerely. Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) President Hakim Khan congratulated the Hindu community on their act of faith to construct such a sculpture and also emphasised for each to practice their faith scrupulously.

Ravi Dev, represent-

ing the Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS), used the analogy of Hanuman, who, although a repository of wisdom and strength, had to be reminded about who he was as he was sent on a mission to reconnoitre the enemy island city of Raven – Lanka.

He reminded the Leguan residents that one of the first of two Hindu Mandirs was described in 1870 as being in Leguan. He also spoke of the prominent residents of the island, in addition to its role as the major producer of parboiled rice from the 1960s. Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson also acknowledged her Leguan roots and congratulated the Leguan islanders on their achievement. She affirmed that the recent asphalting of the island's roads would be completed in two weeks.

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally concluded the programme with an exposition on the nature of murtis in general and that of Hanuman in particular. She also spoke of some achievements of the Government, but wrongly stated that the roads on the island had never been asphalted.

Jonathan Subrayan, a visiting social worker from New York, supplemented the local singers with a wide array of "appropriate" Bhajans.

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The area where pipelines were laid

he Andyville community, located aback Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, has been in existence for over 10 years, and the residents of the remote Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) squatter settlement remain hopeful that now the community will be regularised.

There are more than 50 homes in the community, but the lack of electricity, potable water and proper roads remain a cause for worry of families of the close-knit community.

The squatter settlement is named after its first resident André 'Andy' Seaton who recently told Guyana Times that, even after so many years in existence, it has been a struggle to keep the community going.

He explained that initially Andyville was just an area whose residents were not vociferous in the fight for development.

However, as the population increased, the fight for development has become a priority.

"That is how it start, like behind dark doors.

Like we never really go forward to certain people and we never really been attended to...It's a lot of work I put in to like defend this place to let it remain,

because it was a dump at first...I had to stop Town Council from littering, because is good land," he stated.

In an effort to provide potable water to residents, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) recently commenced laying pipelines at the entrance of Andyville.

Residents have also assisted with that effort. Many residents revealed that they are grateful, as it is the first step towards receiving potable water in the community.

"Some standpipes they say they will start with before they start distribute to the houses until certain things regularise. I ain't really know what is the regularisation that they got to regularise," Seaton noted.

A construction worker by trade, Seaton also operates a shop outside his home, and admitted that it has not been easy to do so without electricity. This is also a concern for residents in the area.

"It is hard, real hard ’cause certain things you can't even bring to sell.

You got to close up early, you got to bring blocks of ice from out front and these things. About $500 for a block of ice, so it's real hard," Seaton said.

Adding to the list of concerns, he explained that there is an ongoing dispute with residents who live in proximity of the Andyville area. The dispute, he explained, was fuelled by those who live in the plot of land, who came up with a different name for the section they live in. So intense was the dispute, he noted that surveyors who were conducting work in the area eventually abandoned the project. This, residents believe has further stymied the process of development.

"I would like to see development, at least for the youths that coming up, because it's done a living area," Seaton said.

He added that residents were expected to meet with officials of the Housing Ministry to discuss the regularisation of the community.

"Cause remember they might got to give we land titles and have the place survey out, so must be that they coming to brief we on", he said.

Residents said they will continue to remain hopeful that the community becomes regularised so that they can pursue developmental activities.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, NOVEMber 8, 2016

Regional

Haiti floods kill at least 10 people after heavy rain

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loods triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 10 people in northern Haiti, officials say.

A mother and her three children were killed when their home collapsed in the northern city of CapHaitian.

Officials said 300mm (almost one foot) of rain had fallen in just 48 hours.

The flooding comes

just over a month after Hurricane Matthew devastated large parts of the country and killed more than 500 people.

Many neighbourhoods of Cap-Haitien are flooded.

A man died while trying to cross a river in the city of Perches and a woman was buried under a collapsing wall in Port de Paix.

Three people also died in the beach resort Cormier.

(BBC News)

Officials said 300mm (almost one foot) of rain had fallen in just 48 hours

T&T Senior cops link US$2M seizure to drug trade, AG waits for probe result

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enior Police Officers on Sunday linked the weekend’s seizure of US$2 million in a container by members of the Customs and Excise Division to the nefarious narcotics trade.

The money, which was hidden in a crate of plyboard and shipped to Trinidad earlier in the week, was found last Friday at the Pt Lisas Port.

Senior Police Officers said they believed because

of the amount of cash involved, it may by payment for drug/guns deal.

Contacted on Sunday, however, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, who did not confirm or deny there was a drug link in the seizure, said the matter was under intense investigation.

“I would not answer these specific questions.

Let’s just say I am very grateful the cash was found and action is being tak-

en,” Al-Rawi told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview. He said the probe was taking place “across all entities of the National Security Ministry”, but maintained that it was premature to give details.

“The cash is just one aspect of a larger picture, but the country can be assured there are a range of laws to treat with it, including the Customs Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, in particular,

and the matter is being addressed within the four corners of the investigation and also the legislation.”

In a press statement over the weekend, the Point Lisas Industrial Development Company (Plipdeco) said Customs and port officials, as part of their normal operating protocol, sent a flat rack containing plyboard to the Point Lisas Container Examination Station (CES) for further review. (Excerpt from

Trinidad Guardian)

Venezuelan First Lady’s nephews’ US drug trial gets underway

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US Prosecutor on Monday told jurors that two nephews of Venezuela’s First Lady sought to use a presiden-

tial airport hangar to carry out a multimillion-dollar drug deal, charges that defence lawyers said would not stand up at trial.

Those claims came at the start of the trial in Manhattan federal court of Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas and Efrain Antonio

Campo Flores, nephews of Cilia Flores, the wife of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In his opening statement, Assistant US Attorney Emil Bove said both men were secretly recorded planning to ship 800 kgs of cocaine from Venezuela to Honduras for importation into the United States.

Bove said Flores de Freitas was recorded bragging about how he had “complete control” over a Venezuelan airport, from which drugs would be shipped using a presidential hangar.

“They believed they were so powerful in their country they could ship almost a metric tonne of cocaine from one airport to another,” he said.

But lawyers for Flores de Freitas, 31, and Campo Flores, 30, said neither man was sophisticated enough to have carried out such a massive drug transaction.

Instead, their lawyers said, the defendants were set-up by cooperating witnesses or informants seeking either financial reward for helping secure their arrest or to avoid prosecution.

“They were utter novices ripe for exploitation,” said Michael Mann, a lawyer for Flores de Freitas. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nicaragua: Ortega storms to landslide victory

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icaraguan President Daniel Ortega has overwhelmingly won re-election to a third consecutive term as voters cheered in the streets and overlooked criticism that he was installing a family dynasty.

Ortega, 71, ran with his wife, Rosario Murillo, as his vice presidential candidate in a race that pitted him against five lesser-known candidates after court rulings weakened the Opposition.

The Reuters news agency reported on Monday that Ortega secured 72.1 per cent of votes citing Nicaragua’s Supreme Electoral Council.

The announcement sent hundreds of Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front party supporters out into the streets of the capital to celebrate.

The Opposition, which had urged people to boycott the election, disputed that claim, contending “more than 70 per cent” of voters did not cast ballots.

Ana Margarita Vigil, a leader from the Broad Front for Democracy, told Al Jazeera the Opposition re-

jected the results and would “fight” the outcome.

“The people of Nicaragua have said ‘no’ to this farce and we are committed to fight until we have new, free, fair and competitive elections.”

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman, reporting from the capital, Managua, said there was a real fear among some Nicaraguans that Ortega was trying to create a political dynasty.

“For many there is a real concern that history may be repeating itself. Nicaragua fought a revolution that ended a political dynasty that lasted nearly 50 years.

However, Ortega will face an increasingly difficult regional landscape in his new term.

Leftist ally Venezuela is overwhelmed by an economic crisis and Cuba is normalising relations with the United States.

The US Congress is also working on legislation to require the US Government to oppose loans to Nicaragua from international lending institutions. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jamaican innovator catches IDB’s eye

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left), and InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) President Luis Alberto Moreno (right), share a moment with IDB Local Innovator Awardee, Dr Henry Lowe (Photo Credit: JIS)

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enowned Jamaican scientist, Dr Henry Lowe, is the recipient of the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Local Innovator Award for his work in the development of novel medicinal and other products from the Jamaican Ball Moss.

Dr Lowe, who is Executive Chairman and Founder of the Biotech Research and Development Institute, said he was proud and humbled at the recognition.

“This award is all about our mission to improve the quality of people’s lives as we push on and continue to create and innovate,” he said. “Our work has been centred on creativity, collaboration, efficiency and optimisation of resources.”

The Biotech Research Development Institute, located at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus, has done extensive scientific research on Jamaican medicinal plants to identify

possible drug molecules for the treatment and management of prostate cancer.

The research has led to the discovery of the cytotoxic properties of Tillandsia recurvata (Ball Moss, old man’s beard) against prostate cancer cell lines (P-3c and P-45). Initial separation and bioactivity studies have identified a potentially promising product for the management and treatment of prostate cancer.

Dr Lowe pointed out that his company has made direct investment of more than US$6.5 million in its research and development activities around the Ball Moss project.

He hopes the award will enable him to leverage additional support from funding agencies to continue his work.

“We see the enormous potential for first-class cancer and neurodegenerative drug development that will have global impact….” (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

tuesday, November 8, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Mosul battle: Americans vote for Kurdish forces new President today push into Bashiqa T I he long US presidential campaigns neared their end on Monday in the same angry tone they began, with Republican Donald Trump calling Democrat Hillary Clinton a “phony” and Clinton accusing her opponent of worsening divisions throughout the country.

As public opinion polls showed Clinton with a narrow lead, she and Trump raced through several battleground states in a lastditch attempt to encourage their respective supporters to show up at voting booths today.

Clinton sought to capture more votes from Latinos, African-Americans and young people, while Trump was looking to rev up disaffected auto workers and a middle class he says has been sidelined by

Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump on their final push before the election today

the political establishment.

Clinton was bolstered on the campaign trail by President Barack Obama, who spoke to a crowd of some 9000 people at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, urging young

people who supported him in 2008 and 2012 to do the same for Clinton.

Obama, ending his second term in office with strong approval ratings, reiterated his charge that Trump is “temperamental-

ly unfit to be commander in chief”, and cast the wealthy New York real estate developer as out of touch with most Americans.

“In his 70 years on Earth, the Donald has never shown any regard for working folks. I don’t think he knows working people, except for the folks who clean up in his hotels and the folks who mow the fairway on his golf course,” Obama said.

With only hours left before Election Day, the Clinton campaign was boosted by Sunday’s unexpected announcement by FBI Director James Comey that the agency stood by its July decision not to press any criminal charges in an investigation of Clinton’s email practices while she was Secretary of State.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

raqi Kurdish forces have fought their way into a town held

by Islamic State militants north-east of Mosul.

Hundreds of Peshmerga fighters, backed by artillery and US-led coalition air strikes, advanced on Bashiqa from three directions on Monday morning.

By late afternoon, they were moving from house to house clearing the town, a Peshmerga statement said.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi military said it had found a mass grave filled with some 100 decapitated bodies south of Mosul.

The grave was located in the grounds of an agricultural college on the outskirts of the town of Hamam al-Alil, which troops entered over the weekend.

“Specialised teams will be sent to investigate this

heinous crime,” the military said.

IS militants have carried out many mass killings in the past, boasting about them in photos and videos circulated online.

In 2014, they targeted security forces personnel and members of ethnic and religious minorities as they swept across northern Iraq after taking control of Mosul.

The UN has also received reports that militants have carried out atrocities since the Iraqi Government’s offensive to retake Mosul began three weeks ago.

On October 29, they are alleged to have killed 40 former soldiers from the Hamam al-Alil and Shura areas, and thrown their bodies into the River Tigris.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Egypt: Saudi Arabia halts Hong Kong lawmakers barred fuel shipments indefinitely by Beijing from office

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gypt says Saudi Arabia has halted fuel shipments indefinitely in a sign of lingering tensions following a dispute over the conflict in Syria.

Monday’s move ratchets up pressure on Egypt as it implements austerity measures in the hope of securing billions of dollars in loans to stabilise its moribund economy.

Egyptian Oil Ministry spokesman Hamdi AbdelAziz said Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, stopped sending the fuel shipments to Egypt “without giving a specific timetable or reasons”.

Saudi Arabia agreed in April to provide Egypt with 700,000 tonnes of fuel monthly for five years on easy repayment terms, but Egypt said last month that October’s shipment had been halted.

The Saudi Government has not spoken about the matter, and Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move appears to have been taken in response to Egypt’s support of a United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria that was fiercely opposed by Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is a leading supporter of the reb-

els fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Egypt, on the other hand, has pushed for a political solution that might keep him in power.

Saudi Arabia provided billions of dollars in aid to Egypt after the military-led overthrow of then-President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

But that support appears to have dried up, forcing Cairo to court other patrons.

Egypt reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund earlier this year for US$12 billion in loans but must implement austerity measures for it to be ratified. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India: NDTV 24-hour broadcast ban is suspended by Government

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he Indian Government has suspended a oneday ban on NDTV’s Hindi channel due on Wednesday, which had been widely condemned by other news outlets.

Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu took the decision, the channel said.

The 24-hour suspension was imposed as a penalty for NDTV’s coverage of an attack on the Pathankot air force base.

The Broadcasting Ministry said the channel had divulged “strategicallysensitive details” while covering the attack, which took place in January.

It said that among the information revealed were details on ammunition and the locations of military planes.

Monday’s decision – reported on the channel’s website – to suspend the ban was announced after

Critics described the one-day ban on NDTV as “uncalled-for censorship”

the Supreme Court agreed to hear NDTV’s appeal on Tuesday against it.

Naidu earlier argued that the suspension was necessary for security reasons and that it was responsible for generating a storm of criticism against the Government which appeared to be “politically inspired”.

NDTV rejected the criticism, saying its coverage of

the attack – in which seven Indian soldiers and six militants were killed – was “particularly balanced”.

It argued that other channels and newspapers reported the same details.

India has accused Pakistan-based group Jaishe-Mohammad of carrying out the assault.

The ban was believed to have been the first order against an Indian broadcaster over its coverage of militant attacks.

The Press Club of India described the Government’s action as “uncalled-for censorship” at a time when “press freedom is already under increasing threat in the country”.

NDTV said after the announcement of the ban that it was looking at “all possible options” in response to the “extraordinary order”. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

B

eijing has made an unprecedented intervention in Hong Kong politics to block two lawmakers from taking office.

Pro-independence elected lawmakers Sixtus Leung and Yau Wai-ching have refused to pledge allegiance to Beijing when being sworn in.

Beijing has now interpreted a section of Hong Kong law to mean any official who does not swear the oath properly cannot take office, said State media.

The move comes after weeks of chaos in the Hong Kong legislature.

There were also protests, and some scuffles, in Hong Kong on Sunday night, with at least four arrests.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive CY Leung said his Government would “fully implement” the ruling.

Hong Kong is semi-autonomous under the “one country, two systems” framework in place since it was returned to China in 1997.

But its mini constitution,

Yau Wai-ching (left) and Sixtus Leung (right) have refused to pledge allegiance to Beijing

the Basic Law, states Beijing still has the final say in how to interpret its laws.

The interpretation by Beijing’s rubber-stamp Parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), marks Beijing’s most farreaching intervention in Hong Kong since the handover.

Leung and Yau belong to the Youngspiration party, which sprang from the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democra-

cy protests. They have called for Hong Kong to break away from China entirely.

They were elected in September, and have attempted to take their oaths several times, but each time have provocatively changed the wording.

Their attempts included using a variation of a derogatory word for China, and displaying a pro-independence banner. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Israel says no to Middle East peace conference in Paris

I

srael on Monday formally rejected France’s invitation to take part in a Middle East peace conference in Paris later this year, saying it was a distraction from the goal of direct negotiations with the Palestinians.

At a meeting in Jerusalem with Israel’s acting national security adviser and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s diplomatic adviser, French envoy Pierre Vimont was informed that Israel wanted nothing to do with the ef-

fort to revive talks that last broke down in 2014. “(They) told the French envoy in a clear and unequivocal manner that Israel’s position to promote the peace process and reach an agreement will only come through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

Vimont, who later met Palestinian officials for talks in Ramallah, made no comment following the discussions, but the French

Foreign Ministry has said it still plans to hold the conference before the end of the year.

Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, said Vimont had made clear at the meeting that France would issue invitations to the conference in December.

Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said: “We are in favour of holding the conference and we welcome it regardless of whether Israel participates or not.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 news 12 Region 2 families benefit Zika testing commences at Woodlands Hospital from housing subsidy W

TUESDay, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie SharpePatterson addressing beneficiaries in the boardroom of the RDC at Anna Regina. Seated is Regional Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah

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welve families from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) who were beneficiaries of house lots in the past and who were currently occupying same in prominent regularised schemes were presented with subsidies, compliments of the Communities Ministry.

The subsidies were given in voucher form and are worth $50,000, which could only be used for the purchase of hardware items during the months of December and January.

During the presentation ceremony, Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie SharpePatterson explained that the initiative was part of the Government’s Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Addressing scores of residents among them beneficiaries and schoolchildren in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Anna Regina, the Minister reminded that the "Jubilee Home Improvement subsidy project" was launched in May coinciding with the Jubilee celebrations.

She further explained that the month of May 2016 was a promotional one for the Ministry, dur-

ing which persons were given the opportunity to pay 50 per cent of the total cost of their house lots; beneficiaries were also given a 50 per cent discount on the remaining debts

provided an update on the initiative, which she pointed out was the first-ever for Region Two. She said that the project was aimed at enhancing the housing sector by helping families to enjoy a better life. The project was implemented in June 2015 by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, who plugged $15 million into the project.

According to the Officer, while 67 forms were uplifted, only 12 persons in Region Two qualified for the subsidy. More than 300 persons throughout Guyana benefited.

The vouchers are only redeemable at pre-qualified suppliers within the Region and cannot be converted to cash. Persons were advised that only hardware items can be

id testing have yielded false positive results.

He stated that the device, which comprises a computer and a testing kit, has the capacity to test 48 people at a time. Guyana is among the first South American countries to be on board with the PCR Zika technology.

A blood or saliva sample from the individual to be tested would be taken and placed into one of the tubes, which would then be inserted into the box. The test would then differentiate between Zika and its

cousin viruses, especially Chikungunya and dengue.

The molecular diagnostic test can also test where there is a mutation of mosquitoes that can possibly be infected with Zika. Dr Egan explained that devices could be placed at strategic locations to catch the mosquitoes, grind them and use the resultant samples to test for the presence of the Zika Virus.

The Woodlands Hospital is charging $5000 for the test, which will yield results in an hour.

Bartica Massacre trial

Witnesses continue testimony in voir dire

A

A section of the audience that attended the housing meeting

owed.

Sharpe -Patterson urged the beneficiaries to use the voucher given to them to make their family life more comfortable.

She called on families who were occupants of house lots to make further improvements and assured them that the Government would do anything in its capacity to ensure that persons enjoy the good life.

Meanwhile, Senior Community Development Officer Donell Bess Bascom

purchased as opposed to curtains or other items for home décor.

Regional Vice Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah applauded the efforts of the Communities Ministry and called for more such projects.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude during the presentation. Most have already planned what they would do with their vouchers. The vouchers are redeemable from December 1 to January 31, 2017.

Trotman denies 2 gold...

FROM PAGE 9

Finance Minister Jordan, in his 2016 Mid-Year Report, had documented that similar to the price of oil, the international gold price also showed signs of recovery, reaching US$1276.40 per ounce in June 2016.

This was higher than the price of US$1075.74 per ounce in December 2015 and the price of US$1181.50 in June 2015.

According to the Minister, the performance of the economy in the first half was buoyed by growth in the mining sector, particularly as a result of increased production of gold, as well as growth in some of the services sector.

oodlands Hospital has commenced molecular testing for the Zika Virus, following the training of several of the Hospital’s technicians.

The institution’s Quality Manager, Roger Astwood noted that testing commenced a week ago, and since then, there have been a significant number of patients coming in to utilise the service. Most of these patients, he said, are being referred from other hospitals.

Woodlands Hospital has partnered with Codiagnostics, a US molecular diagnostics company, to start Zika testing.

Managing Director of the hospital, Dr Neville Gobin, has reassured persons that they would know if they were infected in less than an hour. The Hospital has moved away from rapid testing for the Virus, as research has shown that many of the devices used for rap-

The mining and quarrying sector grew by 65.7 per cent during the first half of 2016, buoyed by significant growth in the gold industry and improved performance from the bauxite industry, according to the Finance Minister in his Mid-Year Report.

Production in the gold industry reached 322,493 ounces during the first half of 2016, an increase of 94.3 per cent over the same period in 2015.

Improved oversight of the industry and granting of concessions were among factors that contributed to an increase in output, according to Minister Jordan.

The Mid-Year Report for 2016 documented that small and medium sized miners increased by 26.2 per cent in the first half of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015.

“The improved international price for gold, combined with the two new gold companies reaching full capacity, is expected to play a major role in enhanced production levels in the second half of 2016,” according to Jordan.

Overall gold production for 2016 is expected to be an all-time high, rising from the budgeted 450,873 ounces to a projected 650,000 ounces.

s the trial of the Bartica Massacre accused Mark Williams, Dennis “Anaconda” Williams and Roger Simon continues, witnesses on Monday took the stand and testified in a voir dire (trial within trial).

Presiding Judge Roxanne George will later rule if the evidence can be admitted into the main trial.

The witnesses, along with Celbert Reece and Michael Caesar who pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter early last week, were all accused

of carrying out an attack whereby 12 persons, including three Policemen, were brutally killed.

Reece, one of the five men charged with the February 2008 massacre, had last week claimed that he was forced to drive a boat for the gang. Michael Caesar in his account stated that after the boat docked, he was dressed in a soldier’s uniform and carried an AK-47 and two handguns. Justice George has ordered a probation report for the two accused. They will make their next court appearance on

December 16 for sentencing.

The five men, allegedly part of the Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins gang, attacked the town and shot dead the 12 persons, namely Police Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne; Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh.

The matter continues before Justice George this morning.

Guyana Fashion Week kicks off

G

uyana Fashion Week (GFW) kicked off with an exhilarating motorcade on Saturday in the streets of Georgetown.

With Guyanese music blasting at the forefront, interspliced with Caribbean classic soca, the models, designers as well as executives of GFW celebrated the return of the longawaited fashion festival.

This year’s schedule of activities includes a line-up of empowering seminars, interactive workshops, engaging symposia, commercial exhibitions, dynamic talent exposures and exciting coming-out features for both models and designers, including impressive designer collections.

In keeping with the spiritual connection among the creative minds involved, the event re-

GFW representatives, including CEO Sonia Noel during Saturday’s event

ceived blessings by Apostle Claude Brooks, at a powerful service at Love and Faith Outreach Ministries; over sixty GFW representatives were in attendance.

This week, models and designers from around the region would be flying in to join the ranks of

“Brand Guyana” in commemorating not only our Caribbean aesthetics, but in this the momentous year of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary, GFW leads the way in a real integration of creative arts regionally.

news

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tuesday, november 8, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

President announces support Post-mortem on body fished out for micro-enterprise ventures of Mazaruni River postponed

T

President David Granger (centre), Government Ministers, regional officers and village officials at the "First Village" Arch, which was designed and mounted by the villagers

P

resident David Granger has announced that the Government will support viable micro-enterprise projects at the village level even as it must maintain macroeconomic stability.

The President made this announcement in his address at the National Day of Villages observance, held at the Lady Sendall Park, Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara, as he urged the various villages across the country to return to the days of self-sufficiency, especially in the agricultural sector.

The Head of State said Guyanese were children of villages and should use this day not only to reflect on the developments of the past, but to chart a new course by ensuring that the great potential for agro enterprises and self-sufficiency were again at the centre of the nation’s development.

The President said that the Government would not shirk its duties, but would ensure that the necessary systems were in place to support and sustain microenterprise development. ”Development cannot take place in the absence of both growth and macro-economic stability. Human development must be promoted particularly for the poor and other vulnerable seg-

ments of society,” he said.

Greater Victoria, he said, developed a thriving agroprocessing economy. It produced coconuts, from which it manufactured oil, used its by-products to make pig and poultry feed and coir, or coconut fibre, the natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut, to make mattresses. It also produced cassava, which was processed into cassava bread and cassareep and fruit for beverages, table consumption and preserves. This must once again become the norm for the village, the President said.

The freed slaves and indentured labourers who established villages were pioneers, he said. Even though they were considered illiterate and poor, they developed systems, which not only worked for them, but also paved the way for successful village economies.

The President said that as Guyanese celebrate National Day of Villages, the celebration recognised a movement, which began 177 years ago with the purchase of a single plantation – Northbrook, now known as Victoria Village. The Day, he said, is a reaffirmation of the Government’s confidence in the centrality of villages to the future of the nation, which should enjoin every Guyanese with the re-

sponsibility to revitalise all of the villages for posterity.

Further, the Head of State noted that National Day of Villages was about the future. “It recognises our common heritage. It acknowledges the value of the precious gift, which has been passed on from generation to generation for 177 years. It admits that we are merely trustees of this rich legacy, which we must bequeath to the next generation. Guyana is fortunate to have had fore-parents who had the percipience to provide for their progeny by purchasing plantations as places to live, work and worship. I pray that we preserve our patrimony for posterity,” he said.

M e a n w h i l e , Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan remarked that it was a proud day for the villages across the country, particularly Victoria as it celebrated the sacrifices and offered reflection on the work, which had been done by the ancestors on the land.

Attendees were treated to various cultural performances, the ‘ringing of the bells’ and the unveiling of the two stamps designed in honour of the occasion, which would be available at any of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) branches at the cost of $1000.

World Mission General Secretary pays courtesy call on President Granger

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everend Dr Collin Cowan, General Secretary of Council for World Mission (CWM), on Monday evening paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at Ministry of the Presidency.

During the meeting, several areas including the ‘green’ economy, climate change, management of the environment, human trafficking, youth employment and participation in national matters, and the role of the church in the development of society and nation, were discussed.

The Reverend is currently in Guyana on a three-day visit to facilitate the CWM Caribbean’s Roving Faculty of Theology for Transformation

President David Granger Monday evening

and Reverend Dr Collin Cowan on

at the Brandsville Hotel and meeting with the leadership and youth of the Guyana Congregational Union (GCU).

Dr Cowan said that he is impressed with the drive and determination to advance the development of a ‘green’ econ-

omy and it is his hope that the church can play a role in promoting the idea.

He was accompanied by Karen Francis, Secretary of the Council for World Mission, Reverend Noel Holder and Pastor Valeska Austin.

he relatives of Timothy Fraser, 44, whose body was fished out of the Mazaruni River on Sunday, will have to wait a bit longer to know his cause of death since the post-mortem, which was scheduled for Monday, was postponed.

Valarie Fraser, mother of the now dead man, told Guyana Times that the postmortem was now set for Wednesday. She could not say why it was postponed.

The body of Fraser, of Savannah Park Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, was discovered one day after he reportedly went missing. The mother is holding out that the family is being told conflicting stories and as such, the results of the

Dead: Timothy Fraser

post-mortem are necessary to determine if foul play was involved in the man’s death.

Based on reports gathered, the welder went missing on Saturday from his place of employment. It was initially reported that he

was dressed in his welding outfit and was waiting on a boat to collect him at a landing, but after some time he went for a swim.

His colleagues explained that when the boat arrived, several pieces of his clothing were seen, but there was no sight of the man.

Another account was that Fraser went to another location to work. And finally, the third version of what occurred stated that the young man was sitting on a boat when he fell overboard and was not seen since.

The Police are waiting on the results of the post-mortem to determine whether or not they should investigate the man’s death as a homicide.

Lethem municipality to clamp down on illegal nightspot activities

Mayor of Lethem, Carlton Beckles

M

ayor of Lethem, Carlton Beckles, has pledged to ad-

dress social issues affecting the Region Nine Township.

Beckles, at an outreach hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources over the weekend, assured residents that the municipality has drafted a plan to address illegal activities, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release stated.

“As it relates to prostitution and other social issues, the municipality is viewing it very seriously. I would have engaged the police officers, and we would have come up and devised a plan,” Beckles said.

Additionally, Mayor Beckles was critical of nightspots that encourage illegal activities. “We are looking at school-aged children fre-

quenting these nightspots.

We will have sting operations to deal with these things, I can assure you that.”

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, was critical of miners who encourage illegal activities in the region, noting that there were “too many complaints” of illegal activities such as trafficking in persons, particularly in South Rupununi.

“We are looking at that very seriously in the municipality of Lethem, and under my tenure, I’m not saying that we will achieve to the max, but I can assure you we will bring it to a minimum,” was Beckles’ pledge to the residents.

Int’l birding tour operators explore Guyana’s unique prospects

F

our United States (US) birding companies had the chance to see the many species of birds in Guyana through the Guyana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) bird expedition familiarisation (fam) tour.

The expedition commenced on November 1 at the Kaieteur National Park and ended on November 6 at the Botanical Gardens. The latter location is a haven for many types of birds. The fam exercise afforded participants the opportunity to see over 200 species of birds.

Senior Marketing Officer, GTA, Annarie Shiwram told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that Essay Expedition, Venture Birding, Eagle Eyes Tours and Wings Birding Tours took part in the fam tour.

Shiwram said that the main aim of this activity was for the US tour operators to come to Guyana, “to see if they like the destination, and if they can sell the destination in their tourism

Local and international tour operators interacting

package back home.”

Some of the places the tour operators visited, according to Shiwram, were the Kaieteur Falls and the Kaieteur National Park, Surama, Atta Lodge, and the Iwokrama International Rainforest and Conservation project.

Tourism Awareness Month is being observed under the theme - “Tourism for All, Building Partnerships For Tourism Development.”

Some of the activities for the month-long observation include: Visitors’ Appreciation Day at the Cheddi Jagan International and the Eugene F Correia International Airports on November 11; Tourism Reconnaissance Visit- St Cuthbert’s Mission/Mahaica River on November 12; and the Rockstone Fish Festival at Rockstone Village, Region 10 on November 12-13.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, november 8, 2016

ARCHIE

Keep a sharp watch over money matters and people (March 21- who may try to take advanApril 19) tage of your good nature.

Personal gains will result if you focus on mental and physical improvements.

ARIES

Focus on what needs to be TAURUS finished and don’t stop un(April 20- til you reach your goal. Clear May 20) the clutter and prepare to begin again. Don’t give up; get started.

dilbert

Emotional deception will GEMINI be a problem. Having a real(May 21istic attitude regarding your June 20) plans, relationships or financial situation will be necessary if you want to get ahead.

A day trip will result in you meeting new people, broaden(June 21- ing your perspective and learnJuly 22) ing new things. The connections you make will help you discover something that will bring you satisfaction and joy.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Keep your financial affairs a secret. It’s best not to overspend or try to buy love. Stay focused on making personal changes that will gratify you mentally and physically.

Romance is featured.

Be diplomatic when dealVIRGO ing with personal, domestic (Aug. 23Sept. 22) or health matters. Not everyone will see things your way.

Tread carefully when dealing with relationships.

Calvin and Hobbes

Your involvement in netLIBRA working functions or activi(Sept. 23ties that involve children will Oct. 23) help you look at your future in a new light. Don’t procrastinate. You should be moving forward.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Emotional mistakes will be SCORPIO costly. Think outside the box (Oct. 24and be sure to keep your exNov. 22) pectations in perspective. Get your facts straight before you respond or take action.

Put some heart into whatSAGITTARIUS ever you choose to do. Speak (Nov. 23- up and make positive changes Dec. 21) based on what you want to accomplish. Don’t settle for less.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Don’t worry so much CAPRICORN about what others are doing.

(Dec. 22Focus on honing your skills Jan. 19) and making sure you leave no room for error. Be a leader, not a follower.

Look for answers from forAQUARIUS mer colleagues or co-workers (Jan. 20with whom you shared a rapFeb. 19) port. Sharing the workload will help increase your output. Romance is encouraged.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES Focus on what you have, (Feb. 20- not on what you want. Money March 20) matters can be resolved if you are practical in your spending. Don’t let a romantic desire turn into a costly mistake.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, november 8, 2016

19

Neymar primed to face trial after Rabada bowls South Judge accepts charges Africa to 1-0 series lead N

A

Kagiso Rabada kisses the pitch after taking his fifth wicket

t the heart of the victory was Kagiso Rabada, the 21-year-old fast bowler to whom, for the past year, Steyn has symbolically been passing South Africa’s pace baton. Here, Rabada simply ran away with it, destroying Australia in the second innings with pace, bounce, seam, conventional swing, reverse swing, searing yorkers, and the ability to target cracks in the pitch. In short, almost every weapon that makes a fast bowler dangerous. He finished with 5 for 92, and seven wickets in the Test.

Usman Khawaja was accounted for when he played back to another part-timer stepping up to share the load, the offspinner JP Duminy, and was lbw for 97. He was Australia’s last specialist batsman and with him

sions for a draw would be almost as hard.

Australia began the final day on 4 for 169, with Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh at the crease, and it took only until the eighth over of the day for Rabada to break that stand.

Using reverse swing, Rabada hooped a yorker in to Marsh, who was rapped on the foot and survived an lbw shout. However, South Africa asked for a review and despite the late swing, the ball was shown to be crashing into leg stump, overturning the umpire’s decision and sending Marsh on his way for 26. The Khawaja-Marsh partnership had been worth 50 and occupied almost 16 overs, but those numbers were trifling compared to what Australia required.

Khawaja was the next to fall, and Rabada confirmed his five-for by trapping Mitchell Starc lbw to another inswinging yorker for 13 before the lunch break.

In the next session, Philander had Peter Siddle l b w , b e fore

Josh Hazlewood j o i n e d Nevill for a Faf du Plessis kisses Kagiso Rabada after the bowler took his fifth wicket partnership that frustratwent any lingering hope they may have ed the South Africans for 20 overs. It was had of hanging on for a draw, though Peter Australia’s third-highest and third-longest Nevill did his best to fight as the day wore stand of the game, but only served to highon. But Australia had been outplayed by light the failures up the order.

South Africa since the end of day one.

Nevill and Hazlewood were threatenTheir victory target was 539, but it was ing to make it to tea when, shortly before an irrelevant figure. It might as well have the break, Hazlewood closed the face and been 539,000Batting out nearly five ses- his leading edge was caught at cover, and at length Bavuma had his maiden Test wicket. The halfhour extension of the session was taken, and Maharaj South Africa 1st Innings 242 Extras (b-13, lb-11, w-4, nb-2) 30 eventually finished the job by Australia 1st Innings 244 Total (all out; 119.1 overs) 361 trapping Nathan Lyon lbw.

South Africa 2nd Innings 540 Fall of wickets 1-52 (Warner, Nevill remained unbeaten on 12.2 ov), 2-52 (SE Marsh, Australia 2nd innings 60 from 153 balls, one of few 12.6 ov), 3-144 (Smith, 44.3 (Overnight Score 169/4) 4-146 (Voges, 46.5 ov), Australians who will take SE Marsh c du Plessis b Rabada 15 ov), 5-196 (MR Marsh, 62.4 ov), DA Warner run out (Bavuma) 35 6-246 (Khawaja, 76.1 ov), much from this Test.

UT Khawaja lbw b Duminy 97 7-262 (Starc, 82.5 ov), 8-280 The reality is that this (Siddle, 92.5 ov), 9-345 SPD Smith* c †de Kock b Rabada 34 match slipped away from 113.2 ov), 10AC Voges c†de Kock b Rabada 1 (Hazlewood, Australia on day two, when 361 (Lyon, 119.1 ov) MR Marsh lbw b Rabada 26 Bowling: K Rabada 31-6-92they lost 10 for 86, beginning PM Nevill† not out 60 5 (w-3), VD Philander 22-7with Steyn’s only wicket of the MA Starc lbw b Rabada 13 55-1, JP Duminy 17-1-51match. South Africa will go to PM Siddle lbw b Philander 13 1, KA Maharaj 40.1-10-94-1 SC Cook 2-0-16-0, T Hobart 1-0 up the series, and JR Hazlewood c Elgar b Bavuma 29 (w-1), Bavuma 7-1-29-1 (nb-2) NM Lyon lbw b Maharaj 8 remain undefeated in Tests at the WACA.

SCOREBOARD

eymar’s move from Santos to Barcelona has come under legal scrutiny and the case looks set to be brought to court.

Neymar looks set to stand trial after a judge accepted charges of corruption against the Barcelona star.

It is the latest development in a case brought by Brazilian investment company DIS following Neymar’s move from Santos to Camp Nou in 2013, which has come under scrutiny.

National Court judge Jose de la Mata initially threw out the case in July over a lack of evidence, but that decision was overturned and the charges

are now set to be processed.

DIS claims it is due a 40 per cent cut of the fee that Barca paid to sign Neymar from Santos in 2013 - something it says it has not received in full, given the secrecy over the full cost of the transfer.

The Brazil forward’s father and Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu are also implicated, along with predecessor Sandro Rosell.

The case is unrelated to a second legal proceeding against Barca and Neymar, which concerned allegations of tax fraud in relation to his transfer.

Barca made a payment of €14.8m to Spanish authorities

Neymar looks to stand trial for corruption

in back taxes and fines, while they also reportedly made a voluntary payment of a further €13.5m to settle the complaint. (Sportsmax)

Federer’s 14-year top-10 stay comes to an end

Roger Federer now ranks 16th

F

or the first time since 2002, former number one and 17-time major winner Roger Federer has fallen out of the top 10 of the world rankings.

While Andy Murray was confirmed as world number one on Monday, one of his predecessors, Roger Federer, slipped outside the top 10 for the first time since 2002.

An injury-blighted year has ended the 17-time grand slam

winner’s 14-year stay among the 10 highest-ranked players.

Federer started the year in third but underwent surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee in February following a run to the Australian Open semi-finals.

The 34-year-old pulled out of the French Open with a back problem but returned to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon, where he lost a thrilling fiveset encounter to Milos Raonic.

However, Federer announced in July he would sit out the Olympic Games in Rio and the US Open in a bid to return in 2017 in the best possible condition.

The effect of his absence on the ATP Tour has seen him slip to 16th in the rankings, his lowest position since May 2001.

Federer is scheduled to return at the Hopman Cup in Melbourne in January. (Sportsmax)

Mary Keitany 1st woman to win 3 New York marathons in a row for 30 years

K

enya’s Mary Keitany has become the first woman to win three consecutive New York Marathons for 30 years.

Keitany, 34, ran a time of two hours 24 minutes 26 seconds to become the first to accomplish the feat since Norway’s Grete Waitz - who won five in a row.

“Winning three times means a lot to me. It’s not easy but I got it,” she said.

Eritrean world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, 20, beat Kenya’s Lucas Rotich in the men’s race to become New York’s youngest ever winner.

Ghebreslassie, who finished fourth at both the London Marathon and the Rio Olympics this year, crossed the line in 2:07:51 to deny Kenya a fourth consecutive double in the New York men’s and

Mary Keitany (3), Britain’s Paula Radcliffe (3) and Norway’s Grete Waitz (5) are the only women to have won three or more New York Marathon titles

women’s races.

“I am really proud with my victory today to be the first one from my country [to win the race],” he said.

American Tatyana McFadden won her fourth straight New York women’s

wheelchair race in one hour 47 minutes 43 seconds.

The win means she has won the last 17 major marathon races - London, Boston, Chicago and New York - including four calendar-year clean sweeps. (BBC)

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tuesday, november 8, 2016

Pollard barred from Ram Slam as WICB imposes NOC levy

Windies kick off preparation for India

K

ieron Pollard, the West Indies allrounder, has been denied a No-Objection Certificate to compete in South Africa’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge, after the West Indies Cricket Board made the unprecedented move of levying 20% of the contract fee on any Caribbean player wishing to participate in an overseas T20 tournament.

Pollard, who signed a two-year contract last season with Cape Cobras, was informed of the WICB decision on November 3 by the board’s chief executive officer Michael Muirhead in an emailed letter. He is currently still in Trinidad, with the tournament due to get underway on November 11.

Muirhead called the move a “policy” decision, taken by the WICB board of directors. He also said that the WICB had notified all the ICC Full Member boards of this decision.

“The WICB will levy a charge for the granting of an NOC for West Indian cricketers seeking a release to participate in Leagues outside the jurisdiction of the West Indies,” Muirhead informed Pollard in the email, which has been accessed by ESPNcricinfo. “This will be an amount equivalent to 20% of the player fee (as defined in the player contract) that is actually paid to the relevant player.”

Pollard was told he would not be granted the NOC until the WICB had received “acceptance of our position” from the various boards which feature Caribbean players in their domestic T20 tournaments.

It is understood that the Bangladesh Cricket Board is considering a 10% payment, but might ask the BPL franchises to carry out such a payment. Cricket South Africa has rejected the WICB proposal while there has been no response as yet from the Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.

The Federation of International Players’ Association (FICA) has described the WICB decision as “restraint of trade” and warned that it could attract legal challenges.

Muirhead argued that a release fee was necessary given how many Caribbean players are now seeking to maximise their earnings in the various T20 tournaments around the world.

“WICB however, having invested in developing a player’s talent, is not able to realise a return on its investment if the player is not available to play in local tournament, which would allow lesser experienced

West Indies begin preparations for the bilateral series against India

Kieron Pollard

players the opportunity to face a more experienced and skilled opposition, thereby improving on the standard and competitiveness of the domestic tournaments,” he wrote.

However, the move comes as little surprise to seasoned observers of the current WICB administration. The board has consistently said that senior players who earn big money in the T20 leagues need to compromise and give back something to the regional cricket. Otherwise, as Muirhead noted to Pollard, it “disadvantages” the West Indies team.

“In the end, it compromises the standard of the WICB’s international team and that team’s performance internationally. The primacy of international cricket is threatened.”

Muirhead stated in his email that the WICB move could not be called as restraint of trade. “While we do not wish to act in restraint of trade, we must seek a balance to ensure that there is fair and adequate compensation for the investment made in the players,” he wrote. “What WICB seeks is some compensation to recognise the investment made into players, an investment from which another Full Member is benefitting.”

Although Pollard is the only player officially contacted by WICB so far, many other Caribbean players are predicting a similar email in their inbox at some point in the near future.

Muirhead said the board could put the fees collected for an NOC from various players into a pot which then could be redistributed as contracts to players who only play T20. Pollard, along with the former West Indies captain Darren Sammy, are some of the prominent voices who have asked WICB to offer them T20 contracts.

“It is our expectation too, that the accumulation of these fees will facilitate the

offer of contracts to players participating only in the short format of the game,” Muirhead said.

Pollard, however, is not even a contracted WICB player, having been controversially dropped for the triseries in Zimbabwe, scheduled for later this month.

And for that reason, Tony Irish, the FICA chairman, believes that the move is unjustified.

“We have made it very clear to all the boards that any restrictions placed on players are likely to constitute restraint of trade and there challengeable legally,” he said. “In the case of Kieron, he is not even contracted by the WICB. Therefore their attempt to levy 20% in exchange for the NOC effectively imposes a restriction on freedom of movement.”

Irish called the decision arbitrary, considering the WICB had not even discussed the move with players and the other boards. He added that he will be speaking directly to the WICB on Tuesday about a decision that looks set to prevent Pollard from fulfilling his second year of the contract with the Cobras.

“It is not a good situation. I will be taking it directly as a FICA issue with the WICB and making them aware of the implications.”

Insignia Sports, who manage Pollard along with other leading West Indies players including Sammy, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, has also said it will be challenging the WICB move.

“It is a blatant restraint of trade on a player who has not been selected by WICB for the upcoming tri-series, does not have a contractual tie to the WICB permitting such a restriction,” said Eddie Tolchard, one of the partners at Insignia Sports.

“Applying an unreasonable and unjustifiable fee and requesting CSA pay it in order to provide a NOC is a restraint of trade.” (ESPNcricinfo)

W

est Indies Women will undergo their first training session here Monday as they kick of preparation for their limited overs series against India Women bowling off here Thursday.

The Windies side touched down at the Gannavaram airport in the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, after arriving in India on Saturday from the Caribbean.

West Indies Women will practice at the Mulapadu playfield – located 12 miles outside Vijayawada – which

will also be the venue for the six-game limited overs series.

The Windies clash with India Women in three OneDay Internationals – all designated ICC Championship status – from November 10-16 and will follow up with three Twenty20 Internationals from November 18-22.

West Indies Women are currently ranked third in the championship on 22 points, one behind the second placed England Women and eight adrift of leaders Australia Women.

India lie sixth on 13 points.

The top four in the championship at its completion will earn automatic qualification for next year’s ICC Women’s 50-overs World Cup in England.

West Indies, who are coming off a 3-2 loss to England Women in a five-match series in the Caribbean last month, will be led once again by the prolific Stafanie Taylor while stroke-maker Mithali Raj takes charge of the Indian unit for the ODIs. (WIndiesCricket)

Chari, Ervine fifties lift hosts after SL’s 504

A

n amateurish approach to spin upfront was somewhat covered up by Craig Ervine and Brian Chari, who hit unbeaten half-centuries, to lead Zimbabwe’s recovery from an early wobble. They closed the second day of the second Test in Harare at 126 for 2, still 378 runs adrift of Sri Lanka’s 504.

Ervine and Chari’s unbroken 109-run stand for the third wicket stood out on a day in which most of the wickets were brought about by faulty shot selection, rather than demons in the pitch. Even so, Sri Lanka remained in control, having been powered by centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva and Asela Gunaratne.

Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain, triggered what could have been a procession when he reduced Zimbabwe to 17 for 2. Opening the bowling, he beat Tino Mawoyo with drift to have him lbw. Then he dismissed Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe’s most experienced batsman, with a delivery that drew him forward into a feeble push that resulted in an edge to slip. It could have been 26 for 3, had Chari not made successful use of the Decision Review System, trialled for the first time in

Sharp turn and inconsistent bounce trouble Asela Gunaratne

Zimbabwe.

He slog-swept Herath’s his first ball for six, becoming the first Zimbabwe player to do so in Tests. Then got a thick edge past slip for four. The third shot, easily the best of the lot, was lofted inside-out with the spin, over mid-off. But, as the innings progressed and he had the calmness of Ervine at the other end, Chari mellowed down to play copybook cricket for the better part of the next 90 minutes. With a half-century in sight, he slog swept Herath boldly for his second six to bring up the landmark, his first in Tests.

Ervine, meanwhile, adopted a more conventional approach, getting outside the line of the stumps and sweeping Herath with the spin, one such fierce

hit behind square bringing up his half-century. By stumps, the two had steered Zimbabwe to 179 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Dhananjaya, on 100 overnight, added 27 before chipping a low return catch to Graeme Cremer. Dilruwan Perera then made a cameo 34, in which he took a liking to the Zimbabwe captain, before being foxed by a flipper. Herath played his typically unorthodox sweeps and pulls. All this added to Zimbabwe’s frustration by keeping them in the field for much longer than they would have hoped for. It also exposed the wide gulf in experience between the two sides, which could yet decide which way this Test is headed. (ESPNcricinfo)

21

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Caribbean Motor Racing Championship...

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WR Reaz’s Toyota Starlet being loaded before practice at the track

By Akeem Greene

T

he Starlet cars have known to have its own crowd support and this year, the cars have their own group called the Starlet Cup and driver, WR Reaz is eagerly anticipating to do battle when the final leg go the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) gets underway on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit.

The team MMR driver in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Monday revealed that “Preparations going good, we have some issues but will sort it out since we are looking to clock in the early 37s come Sunday and that should be good positions for us once the car runs well.”

Though the event is not a CMRC scheduled event, it was previously placed in the group three category since the mechanisms of the car in terms of weight makes it a Turbo class which is different from the normal Group Two cars.

In the past, Reaz has been quite on unfortunate on race day with his car suffering mechanical problems forcing him out of competition but this year with the past in mind the driver has started preparations early to give a chance at a podium finish.

“What we did was start testing a bit earlier and that gave us good time to deal with anything we encounter; we will be doing some testing today and then back at track on Friday; you could do the world of testing and sometimes you encounter unexpected issues but we did thorough checks since we need to be on the podium,” the driver stated.

Quizzed on he feels about his competitors, “they need to be wary; I will not go out and make the big bragging and bold statement, at the end of the day we are all friends but we are not friends when it comes to competitiveness, we will fight it out on the track but some can look out to be at the back of me, because that is where will be.”

In what will be his fourth November meet, Reaz is grateful for the support of sponsors such as A Ally and Sons, Team MMR, Buddy’s Gym, Pure Colours, Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop among others.

Looking ahead, the race car driver is hoping that the Starlet Cup can be a touring event on the CMRC callender since there is great interest in Trinidad and Tobago.

In closing Reaz asked all of his fans to wear yellow since he will have a treat for them. Tickets for the event cost $2,000 for adults and $1,000 for children.

Race Programme RACE#

TIME

GROUP

8:00 AM

LAP OF HONOR

1

8:20 AM

Street Tuner

2

8:40 AM

Starlet Cup

3

9:00 AM

Super Bikes CMRC

4

9:20 AM

Sports Tuner

5

9:40 AM

Group 3

7

10:00 AM

Super Biker Outlaw

8

10:20 AM

Group 2

6

Group 3 CMRC

9 10

Group 2 CMRC 10:40 AM

11 12

Group 4 2WD Group 4 2WD CMRC

11:00 AM

13

Group 4 AWD Group 4 AWD CMRC

14

11:20 AM

Street Tuner

15

11:40 AM

Starlet Cup

16

12:00 PM

Super Bikes CMRC

17

12:20 PM

Sports Tuner

18

12:40 PM

Group 3

20

1:00 PM

Super Bikes Outlaw

21

1:20 PM

Group 2

1:40 PM

Group 4 2WD

19

Group 3 CMRC

22 23

Group 2 CMRC

24 25

Group 4 2WD CMRC 2:00 PM

26

Group 4 AWD Group 4 AWD CMRC

27

2:20 PM

Street Tuner

28

2:40 PM

Starlet Cup

29

3:00 PM

Super Bikes CMRC

30

3:20 PM

Sports Tuner

31

3:40 PM

Group 3

32

Group 3 CMRC

33

4:00 PM

Super Bikes Outlaw

34

4:20 PM

Group 2

35 36

Group 2 CMRC 4:40 PM

37 38 39

Group 4 2WD Group 4 2WD CMRC

5:00 PM

Group 4 AWD Group 4 AWD CMRC

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, november 8, 2016

Mahadeo, Gonsalves top GTM Fitness Games Challenge

D

illon Mahadeo, who continues to be in the limelight for fitness in Guyana and upcoming power lifting enthusiast Romario Gonsalves were among the top athletes on Sunday at the GTM Fitness Games Challenge which was held the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The games which are series of gruelling challenges seeks to strength, speed, endurance saw the duo outclassing their opponents in the various challenges.

Every athlete had a time span to complete each of the events.

In event one, the athletes h a d box over jumps and dead lifts,

Guyana Chess Federation Senior National Qualifiers

6 tie for 1st after day 2

some very calm, collective athletes, especially those from the East Coast based Life Gym. Gym member Gonsalves, who unofficially broke the World Record in the 59kilogram (kg) class in September at the RAW National Power Lifting Championships, proved this strength and endurance yet again by winning the men’s overall scaled event. The 18 year-old top the score sheet with 200 points and left Daniel Sooklall (185) and Christopher Clarke (175) trailing in second and third Senior chess players concentrating on their game at the National Resource Centre

2 1 reps, r e 1 5 specDillon Mahadeo competing in the box jump over and deadlifts r e p s tively.

T h e and 9 Reps to finish off the first event. Event two had women’s event was had much more closa different series of challenges including 40 er competition with Delice Adonis and bar over burpees, 30 thrusters, 20 toes to Tanesha Toney locked on 190 points for the bar, 10 snatches and 50 m lunches with the top spot. However based on the rules, the designated weight for each class. winner was decided by the fastest timings After the bruising pain was completed, of the last event.

It meant Adonis’s 10 minutes 54 seconds Mahadeo won the RX event after scoring 280 points, edging out Charlie Walker (275 (10m;54s) in the 50m lunges was enough points) and Anis Ade Thomas (270 points). to give her the title since Toney clocked In the female category, Semonica Duke, eleven minutes eight seconds (11m;8s). surged to the top spot after scoring a whop- Commendably, Krsytsal Chanderban ping 290 points and tipping second placed pulled stomach muscle in the first event (40 Nessa Bhagwandin (285) and Shawnell bar over burpees) but still managed to secure third with 180 points.

Warner (280).

Meanwhile, in the scaled events, which The next major event in the fitness arewas introduced for the first time, was dec- na will be the senior Power lifting National imated with absolute awe and vigour by Championships slated for November 27.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 League...

Benjamin’s hat-trick leads Soesdyke Falcons to thumping win

T

he action in the Guyana Chess Federation’s Senior National Qualifiers at the National Resource Center, Woolford Avenue on Sunday afternoon, Candidate Master (CM), Taffin Khan, WFM Maria VaronaThomas, CM Anthony Drayton, Davion Mars, Calvin Giddings and Chino Chung ended the second day on two points apiece.

Mars made light work of Jaden Taylor in his first sitting before setting his sights and disposing Shazeeda Rahim in his second match.

Meanwhile, Giddings defeated Joshua Ferdinand in the morning session and then returned in the afternoon to snatch a win from Joshua Gopaul. Chung’s first victim was Akili Theophil as he moved in to

conquer Rashad Hussain in the second match as CM Khan disposed of both of his opponents, Aravinda Singh and Roberto Neto.

These wins ensured that the players were all tied at the top of the bunch on two points each.

Singh then bounced back to snare a victory from Kriskoff Persaud as Anthony Drayton, also a former junior chess champion, defeated Joshua Gopaul and veteran player, David Khan to remain in contention.

Gopaul surrendered his second game to Giddings while Khan repaired the damage of his loss to Drayton with a win over Nellisha Johnson.

Woman Candidate Master (WCM), VaronaThomas benefitted from a

bye in the first sitting before extending her tally to two points in the second sitting by defeating Frankie Farley. Farley won his first game against Andre Jagnandan and Rahim won from Jessica Callender.

The tournament is being competed on a round robin format and will resume this week. The organizers said that the current venue will be unavailable and they are scouting a replacement before ascertaining the next playing days.

Meusa, who recently secured his transfer from Barbados Chess Federation to the local entity, will aspire to retain the crown for the third time. He has chalked up a FIDE rating of 1967 and is the highest local FIDE rated player.

Bolt would be a combination of Messi, Ronaldo

Kelsey Benjamin (3rd left) starts to celebrate after scoring his first goal against CV Jaguars

K

elsey Benjamin netted a sublime hattrick to lead Soesdyke Falcons to a 10-1 caging of Yarrowkabra’s Circuit Ville Jaguars when competition in the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Intra Association Under-17 League continue on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield, Grove East Bank Demerara.

Benjamin, one of the skilful and talented young footballers showed his class by scoring in the 16th, 78th and 79th minutes. Support came from the lethal Khan Brothers, Captain Tyrone

and Tyrell; Tyrell netting in the 11th and 44th while Tyrone blasted the nets in the 23rd and 58th.

Closing out the scoring for Soesdyke were Lerone Prince in the 54th minute, Nickolas Billison in the 75th and an own goal. Circuit Ville Jaguars got their consolation strike from Melon Joseph in the 70th minute.

Meanwhile, Grove again dominated another East Bank opponent, brushing aside the challenge of the Warriors 4-1, thanks to goals from their Captain Kevin Padmore in the 29th minute, Rasheed Evans in

the 60th, Jamasi Benjamin on 77 minutes and Threvon Pluck two minutes to full time.

KK Warriors was able to pull one back through the efforts of Jonathan Bailey in the 30th minute which actually tied the match at 1-1 but never threatened after as Grove ran riot.

Agricola gained full points without breaking a sweat since their opponent, Diamond United, failed to show up for the match.

Three more matches would be contested on Saturday at the same venue.

World’s fastest man Usain Bolt would choose to be a combination of the world’s two best football players if he had a choice of skill sets to take to the pitch

W

orld’s fastest man Usain Bolt would choose to be a combination of the world’s two best football players if he had a choice of skill sets to take to the pitch.

Bolt an avid football fan seemed to neatly avoid adding anything further to the everlasting Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate by stating that he would prefer to be a com-

bination of both players if given a chance. Bolt a fan of English Premier League club Manchester United was asked which player he would prefer to be like on the football pitch.

“I’d be a good mixture.

By combining the talents of the two and adding my speed and my heart, I would be the greatest!” Bolt told Argentine magazine Viva.

The Jamaican, who has of-

ten expressed his desire to play for United, does not seem ready to give up on that dream as yet either, insisting he is keeping his ears peeled for the call.

“If they call me to say, ‘we need you now’, I’d take the next flight to England,” he added. Messi and Ronaldo are among a shortlist of players selected for the FIFA ballon d’or award.

(Sportsmax)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, november 8, 2016

23

Alanzo Greaves Wazeer, Drakes, Smith power returns with a

GFSCA/ Guyana Softball Cup 6

Speed Boat past Regal ― Fishermen came up empty handed against Floodlights

T

he curtains came down on the Guyana pocketed $200,000 and a trophy. While Softball Cup 6 in the wee hours of Amrit Rai who scored the only hundred Monday morning in emphatic fashion in the Open category to win the Most when Wazeer Hussain and Travis Drakes put Valuable Player award. He was presented on 73 runs in just over seven overs to power with a cricket bat diamond studded gold Speed Boat XI past defending champions pendant.

In the Master’s Category, former Regal All-Stars at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground Queenstown. Also, former champions, Floodlights beat Fishermen’s Masters’ champions, Floodlights took care XI convincingly by eight wickets after being of Fishermen’s XI to take their second title set 117 to win. Floodlights Captain, Rickey in three years while Mike’s Wellwoman Deonarain finished the game emphatically won the female exhibition category on a by hitting Jagdish Persaud for a big six over long off. Deonarain ended on 39 not very long and eventful day.

In the Male Open final, Speed Boat set out (2x4; 1x6) with him when victory was 173 to beat Regal All-Stars they were in achieved Ramo Malone was not out on 24 Jagdish Persaud trouble before Hussain and Drakes joined (3x4) while Uniss Yusuf gave the innings forces in the 13th over at 100/5 after losing the usual brisk start with 27 while the R a m e s h first Wellwoman got to 79/4 from 10 their entire top order. First to go was the consistent overs with Captain Latoya Smith cracking hard hitting and dangerous Lennox “The 35. Nicola Leacock took two wickets for Assassin” Marks who was bowled by Roohit 12 runs for Trophy Stall Angels who were “The Beast” Dutchin in the third over for 12 then dismissed for 54 in the eighth over. to trigger the slide. Shazim Hussain (01), Amanda Bobb-Semple picked up 4/14 Amrit Rai (00) and captain Greg Singh while Shemelle McDonald had 3/14 (12) followed in quick succession as and Smith 3/12. Smith was named Speed Boat was reduced to 61/4 Player of the Final. On their way in the ninth. Sarfraz Karim, who to the final, Mike’s Wellwoman scored 23 (1x4; 1x6) and Wazeer beat Blue Divas in the opening Hussain took their team to the semifinal while Wellwoman 10 overs break further loss. beat 4R Lioness by 3 runs in a However, after the drinks break high scoring affair. The annual the pendulum swung from side tournament began last Friday to side as the drama intensified. with 22 teams in the Masters With 97 runs needed at less and Open Categories with Regal than 10 runs per over over the Masters and Regal All-Stars last 10, the game was in the looking to defend their titles balance. However, the champs after sweeping the competition will strike shortly after when in 2015. The final was not short Richard Latif forced Karim to go of drama beyond the boundary for a big shot and he was smartly when Regal Masters staged a protest taken by Sachin Singh at long off and even went as far as uprooting the to trigger wild celebrations. With 73 stumps just before the Master’s final needed Regal were back on top with began. The behavior escalated after Regal Dutchin, Latif, Sewchand Budhu, Ameir Masters did not win an official protest Nizamudin and Tyrone Sanasie picking up after losing their semifinal to one wicket each at that point and were entertaining thoughts of a Speed Boat players celebrate winning the Open final by lifting Fishermen’s XI on Saturday. The their hero, Wazeer Hussain 2015 champs were bowled out repeat. for 84 at the Eve Leary ground Wazeer Hussain who was playing a few shots but needed the support Narine (12) was the other wicket to fall. and after losing the match by four wickets was joined by Travis Drakes. The energetic Satrohan Seeraj finished with 2 for 19 for an official protest was launched. Regal pair worked the huge gaps beautifully and the first time finalists, Fishermen’s XI who Master felt cheated after alleging that picked up the odd boundaries to see their were restricted for 116 for 8 from their 20 players from Fishermen’s XI were under team winning their first title after playing overs. The innings never got going after age. The organisers, the Guyana Floodlights in their first Guyana Softball Cup final. they were sent in. Seeraj top scored with 26 Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) used Hussain, who was later named Man of while Lionel Persaud made 18 in a late push the National Identification cards provided the Match ended on 45 not out with five for a challenging total. Malone (2/8), Manoj and it was found that the players were of sweetly timed flick shots for maximums Arjune (2/13) and Narine (2/20) bowled the required age. However, Regal Masters while the more aggressive Drakes hit two tidy spells to help the new champions questioned the authenticity of the ID cards fours and two sixes in 37 not out as Speed pocket $600,000 and a gigantic trophy. provided and the police was called in. After Boat finish on 173/5 to win by five wickets Malone, took a stunning one handed catch a trip to the police station, the players in at deep midwicket to dismiss the dangerous question and a few members of the Regal with 10 deliveries to spare.

Earlier, Regal All-Stars were bowled out Jagdish Persaud for 13 off of Narine to go squad returned to the match venue and for 172 in the final over after being sent in. with his two wickets and his unbeaten the final was called.

The sixth annual Guyana Softball They were on course for a big score at the innings to walk away with the Man of the start of the 12th over at 109/3 but Kishore Match prize. Jagdish Persaud, who scored Cup was sponsored Stag, Rubis Guyana, Smith who bowled Patrick Rooplall for 33 two centuries in the preliminary stage of Trophy Stall, Survival Group of Business, (3x6; 1x4), Fazal Rafeek and Roohit Dutchin the tournament which began on Friday Steve Jewellery, Clear Waters, Busta Soft (01) in the same over to leave the champs last was named Most Valuable Player of Drinks, Rohan Auto Spares, A&R Jewanram reeling at 111/6 and change the game the the Master’s Category and was rewarded Printery, WJ Enterprise and Mikes Speed Boat way. There were 37 extras in with a cricket bat diamond studded gold Pharmacy. There were lots of spectator total with 20 wides while Sachin Singh (31) pendant also from Steve’s Jewellery. His giveaways throughout the day including and Sarfraz Esau with 20 (1x6) tried their team also won $150,000 and a trophy for four all-expense paid trips for two persons each to Baganara, Kaiteur/Orinduik Falls, best to put the innings back on course. their efforts.

The female exhibition competition Arrowpoint and Aruwai Resort White Smith, who bowled flat and fast ended with 4 for 33 while Mark “Rambo” Harold had 2 was won by last year’s winners Mike’s H20 and 10 variety hampers from Mike’s Wellwoman who defeated Trophy Stall Pharmacy and Nauth’s Motor Spares. for 19.

Speed Boat won $800,000 and a Angels by 25 runs in the final to take the magnificent trophy while Regal All-Stars $50,000 first prize and a trophy. Batting

Regal Masters standing on the pitch to prevent the Master’s final from starting as Linden Lyght removes the stumps. Alfred Mentore (2nd from right) looks on in disbelief

He’s back! Alanzo Greaves made his return to competitive cycling after his ban was lifted on November 1

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lanzo Greaves, arguably one of the better pedal cyclists to have emerged from Guyana has returned to the local circuit with a bang, having made a big impact in the just concluded Guyana Cycling Federation, National Sports Commission’s National Three-Stage.

At the conclusion of the final stage, an emphatic Greaves, speaking with Guyana Times Sport stated, “It’s a good feeling, a very good feeling to come back into the sport I love and I get the crowd support too, so the comeback is good, Alanzo Greaves is back!”

Greaves was among those tested positive for drugs after the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) carried out a random test on ten cyclists that participated in the `Tour of Guyana’ Five Stage road race which concluded on November 1, 2015, subsequently resulting in him being banned from the sport until November 1, 2016.

Speaking on the trail to his inevitable return, the 26 year old star conveyed that “It was a long journey because I was off for one year so I started training like six months into the year, I know my suspension would have been up anytime in November so I prepared for the 3 stage.”

His six month preparation was done prior to the resumption of another year of the premier cycling event of the country which he felt would be the symbolically special event to return on the scene.

Reflecting on his return, Greaves had imme-

diately made an impact, finishing a credible fourth overall. Greaves, won the final stage in a late push to the finish line, edging out Hamza Eastman.

The returning cyclist also placed second in the first leg. However, the time trial was where Greaves faced the most difficulty.

“I didn’t do pretty well in the time trial because after a year, it was very hard to come back and competing with guys who have been racing for the full year but I recovered after the time trial and today come out victorious.” Greaves stated on his performance of the time trial stage, where he finished 15th place, one minute, 14 seconds behind the leader.

One the win of the final leg, a 20-lap race around the outer circuit of the National Park, the cyclist felt comfortable in his type of race and reminisced on the last 10 seconds to the finish line.

“The guys [Eastman, Michael Anthony, Shaquel Agard] started the sprint early and I had to come on the outside and really dig in and turn over the gears. So I know I was coming in with a speed so the guys rise up so I just jerked my bike so I know I had to do the training towards this race because this is my comfort zone, circuit racing.”

The moment was a very pleasing one for Greaves after highlighting the fact that “Those guys were competing straight out the year” and come back and still be able to be amongst the best.”

Greaves finished overall in a time of four hours, 40 minutes and 30 seconds.

tuesday, november 8, 2016

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

Mahadeo, Gonsalves top GTM Fitness Games Challenge Pg 22

Romario Gonsalves collects his prize from a company rep after his stellar performance at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

GFSCA/Guyana Softball Cup 6

Wazeer, Drakes, Smith power Speed Boat past Regal ― Fishermen came up empty handed against Floodlights

Speed Boat XI can hardly be contained after winning their maiden title

Pg 23

Rickey Deonarain (right) collects the winning accolades from Devi Sunich of The Trophy Stall. The trophy is the biggest in the history of the competition

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