GuyanaTimes

Trigger man for court this week

“Killer gang” members for court today

Five of the six men who were arrested and later confessed to the murder of businessman Ganesh Ramlall and the attack on Land Court Judge Nicole Pierre are expected to make their first court appearance today. The sixth suspect is reportedly still hospitalised.

A senior Police rank told Guyana Times that three of the men were charged for

the attack on Justice Pierre committed at her Felicity, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. The Judge was attacked by four men who escaped with cash and jewellery. During the attack, the men assaulted the Land Court Judge and her husband causing them to be subsequently hospitalised.

Two of the men, including a taxi driver, will be charged for the capital offence of murder. They had confessed to killing Ramlall who was shot dead by three armed men who confronted him moments after he arrived at his La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara home three Sundays ago. He was reportedly shot five times to his body by the men who relieved him of his jewellery and cash.

The senior Police rank stated that they are still hunting for three men – two for the murder of Ramlall and one for the attack on the Judge. Nevertheless, while it is believed that the men were implicated in the murder of

Travis Rudder, they have not confessed to the murder although the ballistic test conducted on the gun that was found with the men upon their arrest was proved to have been used in Rudder’s execution. The Police had recovered a 9mm Glock pistol along with two magazines and 25 matching rounds. The weapon was tested and ballistic experts confirmed that it is linked to Rudder’s

and Ramlall’s murder. Also, a number of 9mm spent shells were also recovered at the scene. Additionally, the Police found two wristwatches, which are suspected to have been stolen from Justice Pierre.

On Tuesday, members of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Guyana Police Force fatally shot a suspected bandit while arresting six others during an operation that also saw one rank being shot and a bandit being seriously wounded.

The dead man has been identified as 29-year-old Rolston Morrison, called “Mappy” or “Sadam” of Nabaclis, ECD and Providence, East Bank Demerara. The Police, several months ago, had issued a wanted bulletin for Morrison for the murder of a fellow villager, Dwayne Kennedy, 28, who was executed at the Golden Grove Market in March, during an argument with Morrison.

Morrison was also wanted for questioning in relation to several robberies on the East Coast of Demerara and in the interior. A firearm belonging to the now dead man was also found hidden under his mother’s house.

His accomplice, 22-yearold Warren McKenzie of Brutus Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, was the suspect hurt in the exchange between Police and the gunmen. McKenzie was charged back in 2013 with armed robbery. He, along with the Constable who sustained a gunshot wound during the shootout, was hospitalised.

GuyExpo 2015 still not confirmed

Business and Investment Minister Dominic Gaskin

Business and Investment Minister Dominic Gaskin said he can neither confirm nor deny that there will be a GuyExpo for the year 2015.

Gaskin stated that discussions were being held within the Ministry about GuyExpo 2015 and as soon as those discussions were concluded, presumably at the end of July, Guyanese will know whether or not the trade fair will take place this year. He mentioned that if there is a GuyExpo 2015, various changes have to be made to bring this event back to what it was truly meant to be.

Minister Gaskin shared that he would like the focus of the event to be the promotion of Guyanese businesses and not a crowd of foreigners making the works of Guyanese appear inferior. The Business

Minister mentioned that the Government would like to be sure that if it chose to carry on this event, that the model and format that used was aligned with its vision. He said he believed that GuyExpo was designed to be a trade fair to promote Guyanese businesses and the Government of Guyana would like to ensure that the priorities of the grand event were so aligned. He noted that he is aware that many businesses, both large and small, do rely on GuyExpo as a money-making venture and it was, therefore, important to them. Gaskin added that if the event was only seen as a money-making venture or an entertainment event, while he has no problem with money making or entertainment, these were not the priorities of the Business Ministry.

GuyExpo began in Guyana in 1995 and has since evolved, with 2015 marking 20 years of the premier event in Guyana. It began as an activity that attracted almost 200 exhibitors and was now Guyana’s biggest trade fair with almost 500 local and international businesses participating yearly with the chance to display their goods and services. GuyExpo became an annual event in 2004 under the Chairmanship of Keith Burrowes. It is now recognised as the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean.

4 arrested with gun, ammo in Kitty

Three men and a woman were on Saturday evening arrested by Police following the discovery of a gun, ammunition and a quantity of stolen items in the car in which they were travelling.

Based on information received, the vehicle was stopped and searched along Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, during which an unlicensed .22 pistol with three matching rounds

were found. In addition, the Police unearthed seven mobile phones and a laptop computer suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.

The four persons were taken to the Kitty Police Station where they were being questioned about the items. Police are expected to institute charges shortly as they continue their investigations.

Slain Businessman Ganesh Ramlall

Justice Nicole Pierre

Slain murder accused Travis Rudder

monday, july 20, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 18 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, July 19 – 05:30h-07:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 18 – 05:15h-06:45h and Sunday, July 19 – 05:50h-07:20h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Winds: East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 05:41h and 18:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.64 metres and 2.54 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:39h and 23:52 reaching minimum heights of 0.60 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

Crum Ewing killing

Trigger man for court this week

...cops pursue "hired gun" theory

By Bhisham mohamed

ays after being charged for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and escape from lawful custody, 37-year-old Regan Rodrigues of Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown is expected to face another charge, this time for the execution of Courtney CrumEwing.

Crum-Ewing was gunned down on March 10 while encouraging residents of Diamond New Housing Scheme to cast their vote in the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

A source told Guyana Times that the .32 pistol which was found in Rodrigues’ possession on Monday last was sent for a ballistic test to be conducted and it was proved that the same gun was

used to execute the ex-soldier. Rodrigues was on Wednesday last charged and refused bail for being in possession of the Taurus pistol and 14 matching rounds. He was remanded and will make his next court appearance for that matter on August 4. The source stated that from all indications, the suspect, who was presently being grilled, will make his next court appearance this week to face a

murder charge. The source stated that the gun was also implicated in another execution.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Sunday morning told media operatives that investigators have hard evidence against the suspect which can potentially lead to prosecution. “This is not somebody we just went on the road and pick up off the street. He has been fingered previously in at least one execution and also he is a known character to the Police … so currently we are continuing our probe into the Courtney Crum-Ewing murder,” Blanhum stated.

From the inception, it was believed that CrumEwing’s execution was politically motivated and this was confirmed by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Saturday when he was bombarded with questions from the media with respect to probe.

“There are several lines of inquiry: the proximity of the incident to the election, the time of the incident to the election would have driven one line of inquiry that this thing may be related to the elections. The fact that it occurred near to the home of a political activist again developed that line of inquiry that not only

this thing is related to election but somebody wants to bring a focus to the individual that lives there,” Persaud told media operatives on Saturday.

With Rodrigues in custody, the Police are looking for the “intellectual authors” in the execution-style killing since they believe that the suspect was paid a hefty sum to get the job done to cause chaos during the elections period. They have a few leads that they will continue to pursue and the investigative team is confident that they will have a major breakthrough sooner or later.

Crum-Ewing, a father of three, came to the public’s attention after he held a one-man demonstration for 80 days in front of the office of the then Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, following revelations of a taped conversation between that official and a senior reporter of Kaieteur News.

He was shot five times – three bullets to the head, one to the back of the neck and the fifth bullet entered under one of his arms. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited through his shoulder.

Known character

Rodrigues has been implicated in a number of armed robberies within the past 10 years. He was held for illegal possession of arms and ammunition and armed robberies, one of which cost him 10 years in prison. He was also questioned for the murder of Police Corporal Romein Cleto, who was gunned down in the vicinity of Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street, Georgetown in April 2013.

Also, he was questioned for the murder of Jason Wills, called “Teddy”, of

Mahdia, who was shot at least seven times in May 2013 as he sat watching television in the bottom flat of the two-storey house at Meadow Brook Gardens.

In 2012, the suspect, who is known as “Grey Boy”, survived a gun attack along the Ruimveldt Public Road when a heavily tinted vehicle pulled up alongside him and its occupants opened fire. He was struck to the leg during the attack by men whom he recognised.

Months prior to that attack, Rodrigues was involved in another drive-by shooting at a popular hangout spot in the Ruimveldt area. He escaped unhurt. The illegal arms and escape charges against the suspect were read on Wednesday last at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on July 13 at Riverview, Ruimveldt, while in the custody of Constable 2041 Thomas pending criminal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, Rodrigues escaped from lawful custody. It is also alleged that on the same date, he had in his possession one Taurus pistol without being a licensed firearm holder and 14 live rounds of ammunition.

Slain Police Constable Romain Cleto

Slain former soldier Courtney Crum-Ewing

Slain miner Jason Wills

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Cricket for Unity

“Sports: it's not just a game!" might be seen as a hackneyed expression. But the two games played by the Guyana Amazon Warriors during the last week proved in so many ways, that, like all clichés, it expresses an almost universal truth. That is why expressions become clichéd. We will see it in action again on Tuesday.

Before, during and after the elections, commentators of all persuasions have been forced to remark on the deleterious impact of our "divisiveness". Of recent, there has been greater openness in accepting that our salient cleavage, as far as negative outcomes are concerned, is "ethnicity". Even those who cleave to ideologies such as Marxism, which denies the "reality" of such divisions and once dubbed it "false consciousness", have been forced to grapple with its salience.

The question posed is: "What is it that can make us see past our ethnic divisions and begin to act and work as a nation that accepts its fate as the fruits of a collective endeavour?"

There have been several proposals - not the least being the said ideologies undergirding the programmes of most of the political parties in the post WWII era and operationalised in their activities in and out of government. Most kindly, they call all be said to have "failed".

Like most human behavioural patterns, ethnic salience is not the result of any one factor, and as a corollary, it cannot be addressed through any one "silver bullet". But what we do know is that ethnicity is an affective orientation - much of its salience is not due to the "rational choice" premise of the social sciences, but also on emotions and feelings. And one of the ways to move past its gravitational pull, without necessarily invalidating its relevance for identity, is to cultivate positive emotions in the populace as a whole, around events that are not tied to ethnicity.

And this is where sports in general, and cricket in particular, come in. Cricket is not a game tied to any one group in Guyana, or even in the wider Caribbean. It is the game of all our people. In that remarkable book of his, "Beyond the Boundary", CLR James, exposed us to the deep and wide wellsprings of the game in our psyches. And during the aforementioned three games at Providence by the Warriors, the truth of James' epiphany came alive.

Guyanese of all ethnicities became as one when they cheered, fretted, screamed and waved their flags for THEIR team. They wore the Warrior colours to identify with their talisman. Strangers hugged and gave high fives when victory came; and consoled each other, ("They did their best.") when victory was denied. Cricket demonstrated that we can be united.

From his remarks, the new Minister of Education and Sports evidently accepts the vital importance of sports in the holistic development of the individual, the community and the nation. And also its role in nation building. Right after being installed into office he pointed out: “Education, culture, sports, and youths are in fact the areas, where we are able to work at uniting a divided country. This is the task of this ministry." His Ministry has been mandated to craft a "National Sports Policy". Cricket

We would like to suggest that in designing this national sports policy, cricket must be at its centre, as an integral part of our overall thrust to create "One People, One Nation, One Destiny". We must being in our schools. One immediate action by a government pushing cricket in a national sports programme, is to make the game part of the school curriculum from nursery to University. As shown by the success of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), modern cricket is big business and can be significant contributors to the GDP, as any of the "traditional" industries.

In the language of the economists, the transcendence of ethnic boundaries can eventually become merely a positive "externality".

The Warriors in the jungle

Will the new Government pursue a path of progress?

Dear Editor,

The Cummingsburg Accord is a topic for conversation everywhere. However, the people wonder if the majority of terms of the Agreement weren’t already breached. Anyway, Mr Nagamootoo did become Prime Minister although most of his powers seem to have been given to Minister Harmon.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo says he is not bothered about the breaches as they are minor irritants and what critics have been saying isn’t relevant. Minister Ramjattan os also not perturbed about the breaches. Why should they be bothered or perturbed?

However, they both fail to understand that the Accord was presented to the nation and thousands voted for it, and as such the breaches are unacceptable. To ride to power on the back of the accord and then kill it without remorse shows how depraved they are. These AFC members seem to sacrifice self-respect to obtain power and accept to be sidelined by the APNU to ensure thatbthe coalition works.

Even if the Accord is to be renegotiated, the people have initially voted for something else.

Although the international bodies and the European Union are pressing the Greek government to violate the promises it made to the people, it has decided that the people will decide by way of referendum.

I believe that changing or violating the Cummingsburg Accord should also be determined by a referendum.

Now, I have made a few observations with regards to the attitude of the new government towards the achievements of the previous administration. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder witnessed the test release of water from the EDWC to the ocean through the Hope Canal. He expressed satisfaction with the work that was done. The embankment of the EDWC and the concomitant flooding of the Mahaica/Mahaicony area were averted.

Yet, The Minister was part of the previous opposition that condemned the project. The residents of East Demerara acknowledge the efforts of former

President Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C for their vision and commitment to prevent a repeat of the 2005 flood.

However, this canal wouldn’t have been necessary if the former PNC government had acted in national interest rather than satisfy its supporters when the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) project was done. As a young public servant I attended a community meeting with Hamilton Greene, the then General Secretary of the PNC. A farmer had asked why the MMA project wasn’t being constructed from the Mahaica end as the design of the project provided for but instead was being done from the Abary end. Mr. Greene then indicated that it was engineer wise to construct from the Mahaica end but it was politically expedient to start from the Abary end. This is the party which now forms part of the present government.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, went to Rome and received an award of distinction for Guyana having met the Millennium Development

Goal relating to hunger. This achievement was obtained through the efforts of the PPP/C. When the PPP/C took office in 1992, the country was in shamble, poverty and hunger were significant, food items weren’t available and for many food was reduced to sugar water and laawa (parched paddy and sugar). To get paddy to make the laawa was a problem, since soldiers would seize the farmers’ paddy and many farmers had abandoned their rice fields. Today production is over 600,000 tons. Yes, through hard work and dedication hunger and its related diseases have gone from this beautiful land of ours. Can the new Government maintain this improved situation? Mr. Holder and this Government did nothing to warrant receiving this award. As I see it, with the current infrastructure and level of production, Guyana can become the bread basket of the Caribbean, should this government pursue the course of the PPP/C. Will they?

Safraz Bacchus

Guyana Amazon Warriors Brad Hodge and David Wiese surrounded by fans. The players took time out from their busy schedule to visit the Kaieteur Falls, one of the amazing natural wonders of lush, beautiful Guyana, the Amazon Adventure. The Warriors take on the Trinidad Red Steel on Tuesday when they return to work at the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is a former President, who is Chris Ram?

Dear Editor

Peering into the mindset of anyone who would persevere to disrepute the high office of the President of Guyana, a song 'trumps' then 'shivers' the body: "ram goat liver good fu mek manish water" -- lyrics that cannot go forgotten.

Guyanese freedom of expression perpetually was enabled to facilitate strong views about officials, problematic situations and hardships in our country; most often perception than reality.

In full and unprejudiced considerations of our 'country-man' laughter, speculation and our profound sense of respect-for-authority in this dear land of Guyana are inconceivable as default to relegate any President or Prime Minister in office, exofficio or even in posterity.

There cannot be derogatorily or worse yet defamatory, the prevalence of over reach if not out-of-context/ robe; indulgent actions to melt down the national pride of Guyanese in exten-

sion to the rest of the world.

In Kaieteur News, July 14,former President Jagdeo is quoted as having said racist remarks which Chris Ram's, Accountant and Lawyer, trumped-up charge alleged 'could' have resulted in ethnic violence and hate among our people.

This accountant, Mr. RAM, may have missed the legal tally by huge inaccuracies.to begin with, nothing of the sort resulted from what our light-hearted, argumentative and strong-willed President Jagdeo said. Also, there is no precedent in this country to this effect, and international law dictates that a direct call-to-action or the facilitation therefore, is requisite for the prosecution of a constitutional leader.

Heads of State have the ability through the power bestowed upon them, to express themselves on matters, which, if taken out of context can be deleted, rescinded or modified according to their mood, preference, priorities and legal

It was and still is

aspirations to no cause of penalty.

Harassment takes many forms and is to compensate for up-front or counter-measures. Accounts are not Law and they do not work well together, since the first is based on mathematical principles while the latter is comprised of authorised practices. To speak of hate and violence is not only a sin, it is the incitement which is not permissible in law.

Guyana and the world know former President Bharat Jagdeo and happily so.

Who is Mr. Christopher Ram and what has he done fornGuyana and nation building?

Mr. Ram, the nation needs a leader who has the capacity to lift us up.

We need Chris Ram's charge of Dr Jagdeo's non 'prima facie' matter thrown out of court into oblivion.

Yours sincerely Arnold M Christiani

Burnham’s Constitution

Dear Editor, Leroy Nelson takes offense in my referring to the fraudulent 1980 constitution as Burnham’s. He also infers that a Parliament of 65 M.Ps is a greater democratic representation than the voting population of 500,000.

However, the Constitution was the creation of the late dictator Forbes Burnham, who in his desire for power, designeded it according to his dictates. Although Burnham died 30 years ago and although there were amendments to the constitution, the original ideas and constructs remain Burnhamite. It is noted that writers and the media commonly refer to it as “Burnham’s Constitution”. Guyanese did not play any role in the drafting of the Constitution. There was no consultation with the population as there was in the drafting of the American Constitution – no constitutional convention, no representatives of the people meeting and holding discussions. It was never approved in a free and fair referendum as required by law and as is the process in democratic countries. So it is Bunrham’s creation, not the people’s.

With regards to still referring to it as the Burnham Constitution, there are many airports, buildings and streets named after famous individuals. Should we change the names of these edifices and streets because their founders or those after whom they were named are

no more? There is no sinister plot in referring to it as Burnham’s Constitution. That is what it is and will remain as long as it is not replaced. There is hardly any Guyanese who is opposed to changing the Constitution because of the undemocratic manner in which it was foisted on the population and for its creation of an all-powerful executive branch, a lack of balance of power with the other branches of government and the people.

As Nelson stated, the political actors like the constitution because it empowers them. The parties and/or their agents harbor the hope of ruling the country under the Burnham Constitution. They look forward for the opportunity to tower over the people who want it replaced. They want an opportunity to be a part of the process of constructing a constitution that empowers them, not the politicians.

Nelson posits that twothirds of the assembly, acting as agents for the voting population, is supreme over 51% of the people who elected them to make decisions. Which of the politicians has behaved like a true democrat and has consulted with the people on any decision? They all have towed the party line for fear of losing parliamentary perks and in fact, one of the amendments to the Constitution specifically prohibits voting against a party’s position. So they cannot exercise a vote of conscience and or do what the people de-

Trinidad imposes death penalty on 2 convicts

Dear Editor,

The recent decision by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to impose the death penalty of two Trinidadian men is the talking point in legal circles in the region, including in Guyana, although the Co-operative Republic abolished appeals to the London based Court more than four decades ago.

The Privy Council varied its own decision it handed down 22 years ago in the landmark decision of Pratt and Morgan, the famous Jamaican case in which the Court ruled that persons convicted of murder and sentenced to death cannot be legally executed if they spent more than five years on death row awaiting execution.

Reports state that from the Pratt and Morgan ruling

in 1993, the Privy Council has commuted the death sentence imposed on possibly hundreds of individuals to life in prison, based on that principle.

The reason for the new ruling by the Council, is that lawyers for the two men, Timothy Hunte, and Shazad Khan, didn’t raise the argument of the constitutionality of their sentence and as such, it could not be raised as a fresh issue at the Privy Council.

This means that if the President of the twin island republic does not pardon the two men, and so they will go to the gallows. The last execution in Trinidad and Tobago took place in July 1999 when Anthony Briggs was hanged for brutally murdering a taxi driver.

The last judicial execution

in Guyana took place eighteen years ago, and February 1995 was the last in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In the United Kingdom the last hanging was in 1964 - 51 years ago, and the death penalty was abolished in all circumstances in 1998 in the UK and all its dependent territories, including the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands.

Guyana passed the legislation in October 2010, partially abolishing mandatory death penalty.

Death sentence can be imposed for killing a police officer in execution of his duty, or for slaying a judge or other judicial officers.

Oscar Ramjeet

Iwokrama Review Committee needs competent members

Dear Editor,

Permit me to refer to an article published in the Guyana Times newspaper on July 13, captioned “Iwokrama review committee convenes first meeting”.

Firstly, I would like to commend Honourable Minister Raphael Trotman for appointing a review committee to the Iwokrama’s International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, to determine its way forward as a result of a severe financial crisis.

mand. They hardly ever act in the interest of the people.

In closing, in my deep understanding of political maths, two thirds or 45 M.Ps can never be more powerful than a majority of the electorate or 205,000 voters. As the original Greek democratic theorists, natural rights theorists, and modern day democratic advocates would argue, direct democracy, where convenient and possible, is always superior to indirect democracy. In political theory, the people are supreme over the assembly. In a small nation like Guyana, it is not inconvenient or difficult for a voting population of 500,000 to discuss, debate and vote a Constitution.

If we are true practitioners of democracy, let the people decide on how they are to be governed since they were never asked for their approval of the Constitution concocted by Burnham. Under our current crop of politicians and parties, it will never happen because our politicians are afraid that the people will do the right thing and reduce their powers. Am I the only democrat in Guyana and the diaspora who is interested in empowering the Guyanese nation? It is time that a serious effort be made to bring a new Constitution into effect or to replace the Burnham constitution with the one it fraudulently replaced.

Yours truly Vishnu Bisram

Iwokrama is certainly a jewel in Guyana’s crown and it must be sustained for the role it is presently playing in the fight against Global Climate Change. However, since Iwokrama has now entered a new phase of its life, the review committee has to be serious, logical strategic and be

composed of realistic planners. Unfortunately, the review committee does have some short comings where some of the appointees are guilty of not being able to manage Iwokrama and its resources.

By this I mean former Director David Singh, current Chief Executive Officer (CSO) Dane Gobin and Director Rachael Thomas. These appointees would have better served as resource persons. What new ideas and recommendations can they contribute when they have over the years failed to ensure the financial sustainability of Iwokrama?

Persons knowledgeable in strategic planning, environmental management, forestry, marketing tourism and good leadership ought to have been on the committee. For instance, Joe Singh, Clayton

Hall, Hamely Case and Presidential Adviser Gary Best would have been excellent choices. The committee could have also included Dr. Paulette Bynoe, Annette Arjoon, Minister Cathy Hughes, Vandan Radzik, Sase Singh and Janette Bulkan. It is my hope therefore that Minister Trotman urgently corrects this anomaly before it becomes a national and international embarrassment and moreso, prevents Iwokrama from becoming an ecological nightmare. It must be noted as well that the former PPP/C Government approved in excess of US$1M ito fund Iwokrama over the past 24 months, which was omitted in known sections of the press.

Sincerely Martin Luke

Page Foundation

Moving your child to his own bed to sleep (Part one)

BY PATTY WIPFLER

Many of us sleep with our infants and children. We sleep with them because they love being close to us, and we (at least sometimes) also enjoy this closeness. Some of us sleep with our children, hoping it will bring us a better night’s sleep.

But at some point, the difficulties of sleeping together can outweigh the advantages and you may consider moving your child to his own bed. Perhaps your child is restless in the night; his night waking has become more frequent, instead of less; perhaps your bed is crowded; or importantly, the loss of privacy and intimate time with your spouse may have cooled your relationship.

We know that you want your child to feel safe at night, all night. We know it’s hard to figure out how to help your baby or your child gain “sleep confidence,” when he glues his little body to yours to soothe his fears. We know that some parents may judge you harshly for wanting to move your child out of your bed. Others have probably already expressed doubt that you were ever wise to allow your child into your bed. How confusing for us all!

You are considering taking a step that will very likely upset your child and it’s okay We’ll show you how to

help your child transition to his own bed in a way that will build his overall confidence. It can be done – parents the world over have helped their children sleep on their own, without doing harm, and without breaking their child’s trust in them.

You can supportively wean a child from your bed beginning in infancy

A note about the ages of the children we’re talk ing about. Our rec ommendations are geared for healthy children of about four months of age and older. If your baby was born prematurely, had a rough birth, has digestion issues, is underweight, or experienced trauma early on, he might benefit from the re assurance of a few more months of sleeping next to you. Check with your paediatrician about your baby, and be guided by his or her assessment.

joy in your spousal relationship, the process of weaning your child from your bed can help both you and your child greatly.

You need good quality sleep

You do need sleep. When you must wake many times in the night, week after week, the sleep deprivation can fraz- zle your

This article won’t discuss the timing of weaning your child from your family bed. We’ll leave the timing to you. We will say that if your child is healthy, but is waking in the night, demanding nursing an increasing number of times, is afraid to sleep alone, causes you to get broken sleep, or if you sense that you’re losing the

judg - ment, slow your reaction time, cloud your ability to think, and drain your patience and happiness. Your child needs a parent who is running on all cylinders. Your child needs an aware parent during the day.

How the family sleeps is not, by itself, a predictor of secure children

At Hand in Hand, we support parents who want

to sleep together as a family, as well as parents who don’t. In my own four decades of observation of families who have slept in a wide variety of ways, I started out convinced that one particular sleep choice would give children the strongest boost in the area of emotional security and sound judgment. But I found over time that I was mistaken. I knew many parents who adopted

What gave these young people the advantage of growing up sound and secure was having a parent or parents who were relatively well supported and well attuned to others. These parents knew how to listen to their children’s feelings. They helped their children shed behaviours that weren’t working well in the family or at school. And these parents de

their children into their own cribs early in infancy. I have followed these children through adolescence and young adulthood. Whether they slept with their parents or slept in their own beds from infancy, they stayed in close contact with their parents. They became competent, smart, loving, creative adults.

lives who they could turn to regularly to offload their own frustrations. Life for families isn’t easy. Emotional support for parents, who then offer emotional support to their children, is far more important than exactly how sleep is arranged. Close connection between parent and child is vital, and it is nurtured pri-

marily during the day. Night time snuggles are frosting on the cake of a day full of interaction. If a parent is tired, worn, and frustrated, sleeping together won’t substitute for his or her lack of daytime enthusiasm for parenting.

Children collect lots of fears, and use physical closeness to keep them in check It’s not easy being an infant or a young child. Lots of things happen that are surprising, overwhelming, or momentarily painful. From an infant’s point of view, your parents have to cook, clean, and earn a living, when all you want is for them to love you dearly, and play the whole day long. The world is loud, fast and unpredictable. So it’s easy to become frightened, and sad. When infants and young children are struck by a big feeling like fear or grief, they try to tell their parents about it, and to heal from it. In the arms of a loved one, crying, having a tantrum, or writhing, sweating, screaming and trembling actually heals the hurt. If a parent can listen and pour in warmth and caring, the child can get rid of the feeling, and return to a contented, unafraid state of mind again.

Parents are taught to stop a child’s screaming or crying – the signals that big feelings are ready to be expressed and dissolved. We assume that our precious child might be hungry, or needs some jiggling to provide a distraction. So we try to soothe his crying with nursing (which is, of course, the appropriate thing to try with an infant, as crying also signals hunger or pain), and after he’s fed, with rocking, patting, singing, bouncing, pacifiers, scolding, time out or even physical punishment.

What we aren’t taught is that, when hunger or pain isn’t the issue, all the energy we put into stopping our children’s screams and cries has a drawback. If our child doesn’t get to work the bad feeling all the way through, with our support, that fear or sadness gets stored in their memory. Stored feelings make trouble for children. Unless a child is ill, it’s stored feelings that wake him in the night, that make him restless in bed, and that make him afraid to relax into sleep unless he can cling to you for comfort. Children don’t “grow out of” a set of stored feelings. The feelings take root and multiply, so that children harbouring fear will wake once in the night, then twice, then three times. The child’s feelings beg for your attention. (Handinhandparenting.org)

GMC’s Hassan tipped to be new head of GRDB ...on team to Venezuela to sort out rice deal

By IndrawattIe natram

Former Guyana

Marketing Corporation (GMC) General Manager Nizam Hassan has been appointed acting head of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), replacing Jagnarine Singh who resigned his post last month after serving in that capacity for 15 years.

Hassan, who will effectively take up the acting position today, is currently on a delegation which departed Guyana for Venezuela on Sunday to sort out rice shipments from this country which were stopped by its neighbouring Venezuela earlier this month. The vacancy for General Manager (Head of GRDB) was advertised in the media. It is unclear whether Hassan has applied.

Hassan, who holds a Masters in Business Administration and has vast knowledge of marketing, had outshone the other persons who had applied for the Job.

Rodney CoI

During Hassan’s stewardship, he had managed to market many of the Pomeroon farmers’ vegetables and also assisted farmers to establish their own coconut waterbottling plant.

Meanwhile, Singh worked for 20 years at the GRDB. Over the years, he had travelled extensively to market Guyana’s rice internation-

ally. Under his stewardship, the Burma Research Station, Paddy Bug Management Team and several training programmes were established. Recently, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon disclosed that Singh had indicated his desire to resign from his post and that the new Administration fully welcomed this move. For years, there were mounting calls from rice farmers for the removal of Singh as the GRDB Head. Singh’s contract with the Government would have expired in 2018.

Government had announced that there would be a total shakeup of the GRBD, much to the satisfaction of Essequibo rice farmers. For some time now, the farmers have been protesting lack of proper representation, drainage and irrigation problems which were not being efficiently addressed, misuse of excavators in the region, and the long overdue payment of monies for paddies supplied to millers. As part of its reforms, Government said representa-

Submission of witness statements closes …Commission to sit for five days

The submission of witness statements to the Secretariat of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has come to an end, as the three-member panel probing the circumstances of the death of the historian will only be meeting for five days to receive the submissions representing various interests in the investigation.

Head of the Secretariat, Hugh Denbow told Guyana Times on Sunday that all systems have been put in place for the five-day hearing, as the Chairman of the proceedings, Sir Richard Cheltenham has indicated his and fellow commissioners’ availability. However, the hearing this time around will not facilitate any witnesses, although the Secretariat was still receiving witness statements. Attorneys will have to make their submissions to the three-member panel before it prepares its report which will have to be presented to President David Granger.

Attorneys participating in the hearing include Barbadian Queens Counsel Andrew Pilgrim representing the interest of the wife and children of the slain Rodney; Keith Scotland appearing on behalf of Donald Rodney- the only known witness to the bomb blast and brother of the deceased Rodney; Christopher Ram, representing the interest of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the political party which was co-founded by Dr Rodney; Selwyn Peters for the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and Basil Williams on behalf of the People’s National Congress (PNC). Williams, who was recently appointed Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister under the new

Administration, should be replaced by Attorney James Bond.

Denbow told Guyana Times that although witness statements were still being received, witnesses will not be able to appear on the stand to give evidence. Attorney General Williams had related that the final session of the hearing would not run for more than five days – two days will be for hearing of submissions by the parties involved and the remaining three days will be used to do administrative work; that is, for the Commissioners to review the submissions as well as all the evidence and statements of persons.

According to the Minister, the final session is expected to utilise some $17 million. He had earlier said that the CoI had up to that time exhausted some $325 million. That amount included $16.8 million (US$80,300) which was paid to a journalist attached to a state-owned print media entity, who received a monthly fee of US$7300 to write on the proceedings of the Commission. The AG had also disclosed that

tives of both the farmers and exporters would sit on the rice board. It is unclear whether the board has been composed and who are its members.

Rice shipments

Hassan, Singh and GRDB Logistic Officer Collin Watson departed Guyana for Venezuela on Sunday. The team will be spending four days in Caracas trying to sort out why Venezuela had ordered the cessation of rice shipments from Guyana to that country despite the rice for oil contract, which will end in November. The team left with the aim of salvaging the contract.

This is the second time in recent weeks that official here were forced to go to Venezuela to negotiate rice shipments. Back in June, a team headed

so far, the salaries for the threeman Commission had amounted to some $150 million.

The Commission, including Sir Richard; Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown and Trinidadbased Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, was set up in February of 2014, by then Head of State, President Donald Ramotar to investigate who or what was responsible for the massive bomb blast which caused the instant death of the WPA Co-founder on the evening of June 13, 1980.

Then President Donald Ramotar had said that the establishment of the Inquiry was due to persistent requests made by Rodney’s widow, Patricia, and their three children. However, the People’s National Congress (PNC), the major player in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, had maintained that the move was a political stunt undertaken to tarnish the reputation of that political party.

Williams had previously told reporters “we had from the outset, complained about the manner in which this Commission was set up and we recognised that it was really largely for political purposes and a witch-hunt. Obviously that failed because the Guyanese people turned out in their numbers and can vote”.

The Rodney CoI, which had initially received a $112 million allocation from Parliament, was originally expected to last for some three months.

However, after its first sitting came to an end, it was further extended for three months. Since then, it has had several extensions.

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Singh and Quality Control Manager Allison Peters had left Guyana for Caracas. It was then it was indicated that the Venezuela rice contract under the PetroCaribe agreement would not be renewed. Ever since the announcement, rice farmers have been worried and frustrated, since the Venezuelan market was the highest paid market and most of the paddy produced in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) had been exported there.

Presently, there is a huge amount of paddy in the system waiting to be shipped out, with a lack of markets. Rice officials are hoping that with proper negotiation and understanding the remaining rice and paddy cargo would continue its journey. Only recently, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder declared that the Guyana-Venezuela rice agreement under the PetroCaribe deal was not in jeopardy, and there was no question of Venezuela putting a halt to rice shipments before this year’s supply contract comes to an end in November. At the time, Holder was meeting with members of the Guyana Millers and Exporters Marketing Association.

The delegation, which was headed by Association Chairman, Dr Peter De Groot, sought an update from the Minister, as to whether the Guyana-Venezuela rice deal was in jeopardy. The Minister explained that Guyana had varied its schedule of shipments by increasing the rate of rice shipments. This caused problems at the receiving end in Venezuela and Guyana was asked to revert to the agreed schedule. The total quantity under the existing contract will be accepted until the contract comes to an end in November, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The Venezuelan authorities have indicated to Guyana that they are prepared to discuss continued shipments of rice and other commodities as part of a revised agreement for 2016. A high-level team, inclusive of representatives from the Guyana Millers and Exporters Marketing Association, is expected to visit the Spanish-speaking country shortly, to discuss the way forward for the supply of commodities in exchange for oil under the PetroCaribe agreement. “Venezuela has assured us that rice shipments from Guyana have not been stopped. However, the rate of supply has to be adjusted in keeping with the agreed schedule,” Minister Holder said. Dr De Groot welcomed the announcement, alluding to the fact that the Association will be working collaboratively with the Guyana Government and Venezuela, to ensure that all avenues were looked at and that the present misconception was cleared up.

Acting GRDB Head Nizam Hassan

Former GRDB Head Jagnarine Singh

Dr Walter Rodney

City Hall decentralises Council services to meet citizens

In an effort to re-energise cooperation between the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and residents of Georgetown and to revitalise local communities, City Hall has decided to decentralise its services.

Newly-appointed Town Clerk Royston King, in his administrative capacity, has decided to make Council officials available to citizens at least twice a week, and has placed them at strategic locations, making them more accessible. According to a release by the M&CC, the Town Clerk said that “the city has to be reorganised into manageable areas to provide more efficient and effective services to citizens”.

For this initiative, he said, Georgetown has been divided into northern and southern sections. “Two Assistant Town Clerks: Sharon HarryMunroe and Sherry Gerrick will be available with a team of senior officers.” These officers, King explained, will come from all departments of the Council such as the City Constabulary and Public Health Department. Harry-Munroe will be placed in the northern end of the city at the Cummings Lodge Community Centre, while Gerrick will be at the Agricola Community Centre at the southern end.

The officers are expected to consult and meet with citizens seeking assistance or

clarity on any issue consistent with the responsibilities of the City Council. This may include information on rates and taxes, property issues, environmental and public health issues among others. King said the officers will be open to suggestions from the public and information which will be taken back to the Council. The officers will be available from Thursday, July 24 and will be at the centres every Tuesday and Thursday from the following week during regular working hours.

“We are now going to go to the citizens rather than waiting on them to come to us. We are providing core municipal services and we

see our citizens as valuable and important; that’s why we are moving into their local communities.”

King said the initiative is also to benefit especially “our valued and respected senior citizens,” who might not be able to get all the way to the Council in the heart of the city. “We want to build strong and durable relations between the Council and stakeholders,” King explained. This idea, he said, is just one of the ways the M&CC plans to reconnect with the citizens of Georgetown to build strong and lasting partnerships and to return the city to its previous prized state.

Enmore man killed in road accident

Apedal cyclist was in the wee hours of Sunday morning killed after he was reportedly struck by a motor car while he rode on the main road at Foulis, Enmore, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is 28-year-old Saturjeet Roopchand of Enmore Village, East Coast Demerara. According to reports received, the now dead man might have been under the influence of alcohol.

An eyewitness stated that the man rode out of the access road and onto the main road and into the path of a motor car that was heading in the direction of Georgetown. He related that the man was dragged several feet before the vehicle came to a halt. Roopchand, from all indications, might have died almost immediately. Blood was evident on the roadway and it took sometime before the man

was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was taken to the Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. The driver of the car who might have also been under the influence of alcohol was taken into Police custody and was assisting with the investigation. Police, in a statement, noted that the fatal accident occurred about 02:00h. This is the 81st road fatality for

the year thus far. Only on Saturday, Deryck Glasgow, 63, of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, was walking along the Queenstown Public Road when it is alleged that he attempted to cross the roadway and was struck down by a motor vehicle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Hospital. The driver of the motor vehicle, Police disclosed, is in custody assisting with the investigation.

Music vendor murdered on Linden Highway

Apush cart music vendor was stabbed to death just after midnight on Saturday following an argument with a group of men at Swan Turn, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara. The dead man has been identified as 21-yearold Leroy Moore of Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Based on information received, three men were taken into Police custody on Sunday afternoon, including a pair of twins.

Guyana Times was told

that about 00:15h the now dead man and two other friends were drinking at a shop in the area where the suspects were also imbibing. Moore and his friends reportedly began to harass two women who were also in the shop.

Upon seeing this, the suspects reportedly warned them about their behaviour, but they continued to trouble the young ladies. The three suspects, along with another man, reportedly confronted the three push cart vendors and an argument ensued.

It was during the argument, Moore reportedly pushed one of the suspects and the situation escalated.

One of the men collected a knife and stabbed Moore several times to his body, including his abdomen. The group of men then fled the scene leaving the young man on the sand.

His friends reportedly picked up the injured man and rushed him to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital popularly called the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced

dead on arrival.

The matter was reported and statements were taken. When the Police visited the area where the incident occurred, there was no sight of the suspects. Police later revisited the area and arrested the twin brothers. They are presently at the Timehri Police Station assisting with the investigation. Attempts to contact the relatives of the dead man proved futile.

His body is at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Eyew tness

Revisiting...

...elections

There's more than a touch of opprobrium to being dubbed an "interested party" when commenting on matters of significance to the wider public. There's always the suspicion that your opinions are tainted. By having a stake in the outcome, you'll tilt the scales in your favour and all that. So does calling yourself a "stakeholder" change matters?

In certainly does, since on every issue under the sunand some under the moon - "stakeholders" are summoned to give they views and no one gets their knickers in a knot. Well most times. Take the PPP's claim about the last elections that the PPP being rigged with the connivance of those in charge of the elections machinery at GECOM. The PPP's a stakeholder in the election's outcome, no? But when THEY talk about rigging, they're dismissed as an "interested party" and not a "stakeholder".

So what to do? Well luckily in this case, the PPP has the option of going to the courts that's mandated to settle matters like these. Courts aren't supposed to be "interested parties" or "stakeholders", but guardians of the truth who're "blind" to the identities of those who appear before them. But this Eyewitness will bet you dollars to donuts, that were the PPP to prevail in their suit, the Courts would be dubbed "interested parties". It would be "obvious" they were bought out, no?

But ordinary folks are also "stakeholders" in this elections business. Especially if Justice Chang's to be followed in his latest ruling - reminding us that that power is in the hands of "we the people" and not even in the PPP and PNC, who're just our representatives. Well we could start by "picking sense from nonsense" as we hear from each other. Remember it still takes people to rig elections. And people talk. Remember your old neighbour who used to write up ballots all night at Camp Ayanganna for the PNC?

Anyhow we just saw a letter from a solid citizen Alfred Bhulai, who certainly can't be dismissed as one of those PPP "interested parties". Fellow used to regularly lace into that party in the press. Bhulai, who - from his letters - was a physics lecturer at UG, a Christian faithful and all round "good burgher", reports that even though he'd previously been an elections officer and received training once again in 2014, he wasn't selected for any role on elections day.

And this is what the PPP was saying, weren't they? That the GECOM operational head honcho, hired only his own people. And they did what to do -by any means necessary.

Just ask your neighbours.

...music in schools

Well it looks like happy days are here again in our schools. Our little darlings can't read or write to save their lives (literally) but they're going to enrich their life experience by learning music. It could be that the new Government's worried about what the schools are sending out into the society and it's been said that "music soothes the savage beasts". Or is it "savage breasts". Anyhow it leads to less savagery.

Now there's nothing wrong about this "musical turn" in pedagogy. This Eyewitness is convinced that humans are all wired to appreciate music. Isn't that why every culture's come up with their unique type of music to which they groove? You'll have no problem recognising "Chinese" music from say, "African" music, would you?

And that's the point that needs to be asked about this musical turn in schools.

Exactly what type of music will be taught in the schools? When the British were ruling, they insisted that we learn European music.

So are we finally going to have some African, Indian and Chinese music - all blended into a Caribbean mélange?

...cultural sensitivity

Could Government types be a wee bit more sensitive about launching "crusades" against this or that "social ill"?

The crusades were religious wars launched against the Muslims of Jerusalem.

PPP/C remembers Ballot Box Martyrs

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee is calling on supporters to draw inspiration from the courage displayed by the Ballot Box Martyrs. He said the two young men gave their lives for what citizens take for granted.

The General Secretary, who was at the time speaking at a formal wreathlaying ceremony held at the Number 65 Village Cemetery, Corentyne,

Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), by the graves of the fallen comrades on Thursday, believes that what Guyana is experiencing today is something that the two martyrs fought against. He said back then there was a fight to ensure every voter had his or her ballot counted, something that the party was currently fighting for.

Bholanauth Parmanand, 45, and Jagan Ramessar, 17, were shot dead by members of the

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on the evening of the General Elections on July 16, 1973, outside the polling station at Number 63 Village, Corentyne, while demanding that PPP votes be counted at the place of poll or that a party agent be allowed to accompany the ballot boxes to wherever the military personnel were taking them.

Rohee, addressing the gathering on Thursday said President David Granger

must share blame for the deaths of the two men. On several occasions, Granger has refuted the allegations that have been levelled against him, but Rohee maintains that Granger

should be held accountable. “But he was the man that was in charge of the Army and if you are in charge of the Army, it must mean that you gave instructions on how they must conduct themselves in operations on Elections Night of that year.”

Back then the incumbent People’s National Congress (PNC) claimed that it was not responsible of the death of Parmanand and Ramessar. “Then who is?” Rohee asked. “There was a confrontation that night with the Army and in the course of that confrontation these comrades

were killed and someone has to take responsibility for these deaths.”

He said the PPP would not rest until it was known who specifically was responsible for the death of Parmanand and Ramessar.

“We say that it is the PNC because it is the PNC that was in the government at the time, but there must be someone in the PNC and there must have been someone in the Army who gave the instruction to shoot.

In the same way that they sought to implicate me as the then Minister of Homes Affairs in the shooting of the people at Linden, I am

saying in the same way we must be able to implicate some individual or individuals in this matter,” Rohee said.

Meanwhile, PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha, also speaking at the ceremony, noted that the two men gave up their lives for the cause of betterment of the country. He noted that ever since 1974 a ceremony has been held on the Corentyne to pay homage to the two ‘great heroes’. Also attending the ceremony were regional officials of Region Five and Six.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan laying a wreath at the graveside of the Ballot Box Martyrs

A section of the crowd at the ceremony

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

Govt to help revive Bina Hill Learning Centre

The Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre for Research, Training and Development is struggling to attract students, this is according to its principal, Victor Pereira.

The Centre is located at Annai, Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu).

Addressing the institute’s 2015 graduation exercise on July 15, Principal Pereira noted that the youth learning centre was a unique idea which needed to be embraced fully by all stakeholders. In attendance were Vice President and Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe.

Pereira said that the Learning Centre, whose primary goal is to build the capacity of North Rupununi youths by developing their skills, offers programmes which “should be pursued non-equivocally”. The Centre focuses on areas such as agriculture, forestry and natural resources management. These subjects are supplemented by English Language, Mathematics and Arts and Craft. The Head

Teacher ,however, pointed out that with the rapid development of the Rupununi, careful thought must be given to the introduction of culinary skills, auto mechanics, masonry, sewing, carpentry, computer repairs and the expansion of the agricul-

ture programme for food security.

Needs

The school’s top official also stated that with adequate funding in tourism, forestry and the provision of a vehicle to do com-

prehensive practicals, the Youth Learning Centre would be able to advance to the stage where it needed to be. Pereira also emphasised that accreditation of the centre was of “paramount importance”, and must be sought from a recognised institution. “The way forward is very clear and only dedication to the task, sufficient monetary and stakeholders’ support and student application will see this great idea through,” he said.

In the face of it all, the Youth Learning Centre was negatively affected by a high dropout rate, as reported by Pereira. It was disclosed that from an enrolment of 32 students in September 2013, the numbers have constantly decreased each term. He said that the enrolment at September 2014 was 26, and that there were 13 dropouts since then. To this end, he said that the 13 who were graduating have shown strength and resilience to arrive at this juncture.

He also disclosed that the application period for entry into the next academic year was still open. The Centre is looking for an intake of 25 students for the new academic year, but has only received eight applications so far. Other challenges to the Learning Centre stem from the fact that its goal to offer an Information Technology programme has not got off the ground. The Principal said this could be attributed to the absence of the required laptop computers and a skilled Information Technology (IT) tutor. Attempts to have business studies also had to be put on the backburner because of the absence of resource personnel.

Through the school’s agricultural programme, stu-

dent planted three-quarters of an acre in peanuts then harvested and sold 770lbs. Chickens were also reared for sale and for students’ consumption. Pereira named Surama, Oasis and Sante Fe as the Learning Centre’s main markets for chicken. He revealed that over time, demand for this commodity dwindled as the Centre’ supporters found it more feasible to purchase chickens brought from neighbouring Brazil. “The Brazilians supply coming at a cheaper rate suffocated our market, and we were forced out of business,” he said. Heavy losses of the birds through transportation and other factors were also contributing factors that denied the institute a lucrative income. In spite of this, the students were able to save $500,000 at the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) in Lethem: $142,000 from the sale of peanuts and the rest from the sale of the chicken.

Cassava was also planted and the yield was good. Students then learnt to process farine. Through this activity, students were able to reduce the overall cost for their meals, the Principal said. He also highlighted the need for repairs to the lower roof over the auditorium, the bordering classroom and staff room. A call was also made for a building in which to process farine. At present, the students are utilising a nearby resident’s facility to do this.

On the positive side and in the area of tourism, the Principal explained that he was able to clinch a deal with Surama and Rewa EcoLodge to accommodate the students to do hospitality training. The Centre also received frequent donations from

Santé Fe; Food for the Poor; GBTI; Tourism Ministry; the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry. Many books on tourism, forestry, environment management and marketing in tourism were received from the United States Embassy in Georgetown, while Jamaica provided sponsorship for a student and tutor to participate in a youth centre tour conference in Jamaica in November 2014.

Assistance

Minister Allicock, following the Principal’s address, read a personal message from the Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, in which the Minister committed not only to working with the Youth Learning Centre but more importantly, working with them to ensure appropriate accreditation of the Centre. Minister Roopnaraine in his message said that the Ministry saw the Learning Centre as “a model of practical skills, applied learning and preparation for the world of work in its environment and region”. “The curriculum is remarkable, with emphasis on sustainable development, governance through the school government system that builds leadership and pride in the wonderful indigenous culture.”

The teachers, students and those gathered also heard of the Education Minister’s plans to visit the Centre in September and to provide support in the best practical way. The Centre was also the recipient of support from the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry.

“So many young people out there need to be properly trained. We are going to use funding streams that were being misused to thoroughly train young people … money will be redirected into areas where it is needed,” Minister Allicock assured. He also spoke of plans to establish technical institutes in the other three hinterland regions and to introduce an agricultural institute in Region Nine.

To the 13 graduates, he said, “You are the metal of the future of this region of this country, you are poised for the new wave of development…we are with you.” Of the 13 students, eight wrote the Caribbean Secondary Examination (CSEC) examinations in May 2015; three students wrote Mathematics and English, three Mathematics alone, and two English alone. At the institute’s internal finalyear examination, all students passed the subjects offered. Fiona Edwards was named the top student.

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister and Vice President Sydney Allicock with the 2015 graduates of the Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre for Research, Training and Development, Annai, Region Nine

Times Notebook

Media houses have failed to hold Government accountable for the flood and its response to the flood

Guyana’s Coastal area suffered major flooding again this past week. In particular the city suffered one of its worst flooding since 2005. Clearly, the amount of rainfall in the city was more than the drainage infrastructure could handle and with the amount of rainfall exceeding 150 mm over a 24 hour period flooding in the city was inevitable. The City experienced this kind of rainfall before when the PPP/C was in Government.

APNU+AFC and the media Houses then did not accept that nature had any role to do with the flooding. Those floods were solely blamed on the PPP/C Government.

During the past week, however, Mayor Hamilton Green and the predominant APNU+AFC-dominated city government were caught unprepared and, worst, the APNU+AFC Government was in no man’s land in preparation for and in their response during the flooding. Some took time off for birthday parties. Others were traveling to important international meetings. This is a Government that claimed the drainage system in Georgetown is at its optimal and yet within an hour after the rainfall started flooding was evident and both the National and City Governments were missing in action.

The media houses which in the PPP/C Government days in office would have been making political condemnations, today join the government in trying to hoodwink people that there is nothing government could do because this was a freak occurrence of nature.

The Kaieteur News, in particular, which used to be venomous in criticizing the PPP/C Government for flooding in the City, today discovered with the APNU+AFC Government, that the flooding has to do with more rain than the drainage capacity can deal with at any one time.

In this instance, like rain events of the past when the PPP/C was in Government, the city indeed suffered from an act of nature combined with an infrastructure that did not cater for nature’s occasional outbursts. Whether it is the now APNU+AFC Government or the previous PPP/C Government, nature’s occasional outburst at this level will overwhelm the drainage capacity that was designed to cater for about 40mm of rainfall over a 24-hour period. With the reported more than 150mm of rainfall in the city over a 24-hour period, the massive flooding last week was not unexpected.

The difference now is that APNU+AFC and the media houses suddenly have adopted the PPP/C’s position that climate change is resulting in more frequent rainfall events that exceed the drainage capacity of Georgetown and other parts of Guyana. The media now accept this explanation because it comes from APNU+AFC and not from the PPP/C. The same APNU+AFC joined the media houses for years in denouncing the PPP/

C’s explanation that climate change had led to more frequent heavy rainfall events than the city’s original design catered for.

For the city, the presently designed drainage capacity, with all pumps working at optimal level and all drainage channels and drains and sluices working at optimal capacities, it is a herculean task to ensure that no flash or sustained flooding occurs when rainfall exceeds 40 mm over a 24 hour period. Other parts of the country has a capacity that is similar, varying from about 40 to 60mm of rainfall over a 24-hour period. These are not unknown facts. These realities have been known forever and have been frequently highlighted by the previous PPP/C Government and even debated, but always rejected by APNU+AFC and by the media houses, particularly Kaieteur News and Stabroek News.

For the greater part of two decades the previous PPP/C Government tried to explain that Guyana’s designed infrastructure - canals, channels, drains, sluices and pumpscannot cater for the new climate change realities. It is for this reason that the Hope Canal was constructed. It is for this reason that the pumping capacities around the country were increased by more than 500% in the last 20 years. The PPP/C Government and, in particular, President Bharat Jagdeo, were very clear that Guyana must rapidly revised its drainage capacity to deal with a climate change-driven increased periods of rainfall.

Many in the present APNU+AFC government were critical of the then PPP/C Government, both for the initiatives to increase drainage capacities around the country and for pushing a climate change agenda. Many of the initiatives that the PPP/C Government undertook to increase the drainage capacity to deal with heavier than 40 to 60mm rainfall over a 24-hour period were criticized by the APNU+AFC Opposition, even when that opposition was in the form of the PNC.

We recall the ludicrous allegation that some of these initiatives had nothing to do with Guyana’s genuine need to increase drainage capacity, but that the then Government was creating projects to provide contracts for its “henchmen”. Even though there were several contactors for the Hope Canal, many in Government today criticized the canal as providing an opportunity for putting money in government officials’ pockets through BK International.

Today, BK has become the darling of the new Government and he is akin to the Chief Engineer for the City. Then he was the conduit for corruption; today, he is Guyana’s premier engineer. He led the cleaning of the city and the new government pronounced that flooding of Georgetown is history. Well we are all back down to earth and it has dawned on us all in the new consensus

that climate change has created a need for a drainage system that can cater for far more than 40mm of rainfall in a 24hour period.

Both that National and the City Governments failed the people again. We concede, as the above paragraphs eloquently portray, that the Government could not have prevented nature’s outburst. But both the National and City Governments failed to prepare for nature’s onslaught last week that would have re-

duced the losses and the inconvenience experienced.

What happened to the weather advisories that should have alerted people to make flood preparations? We cannot recall any indication from any government agency or from any government officials that Guyana should brace for such heavy downpours. The rainfall was not unexpected. But every government agency and official and the media paid no attention and the rainfall came, instead, as a complete sur-

prise. We cannot now hear any media houses chastising the government for its inaction in advising the public.

The truth is that people suffered major losses and people were inconvenienced in a major way during this flood.

The truth is that this level of rainfall occurs several times in a year. Since 2005, such amounts of rainfall occurred several times. This was not the highest level of rainfall in Georgetown ever, other than 2005. Georgetown

experienced that kind of rainfall many times in the last decade. But outside of 2005, this has been the worst flooding. Both the National and City Governments failed in advising people, in making preparations and in their response during the flood. The National Media Houses have failed to hold the government of the city and of Guyana accountable. Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@ gmail.com.

Govt looking to ramp up rice exports to Panama

…says Venezuelan market is not guaranteed

By Alexis Rodney

Agriculture Minister

Noel Holder said the failing Venezuelan economy would not guarantee Government continuing the rice for oil deal after the November 2015 expiration date, noting that more efforts would be placed in developing the Panama market which has proposed increased prices for rice from Guyana. Guyana and Venezuela, through the PetroCaribe deal, have been trading rice and oil under the special agreement. Venezuela is known for its rich oil reserves; however, its rice industry has been at a standstill for some time now. Moreover, the country, said to have the most unique economy with its luxury of tremendous natural resources, is also said to represent more than a quarter of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) total.

Holder, who had just returned from Brazil, told Guyana Times on Sunday, that the Venezuela deal will have to complete its course, since a contract was signed in this regard during the tenure of former Venezuela President Hugo Chávez back in 2009. He said with the way things were going with the oil rich nation’s economy, he did not see the deal continuing after the contract ends in a few

months’ time.

This development will be a major blow for many farmers and millers who benefited from the deal. However, Holder said while Venezuela accounted for 30 per cent of the export market for rice, the remaining 70 per cent was accounted for by several countries, including Portugal and Panama. The United States of America (US) has also indicated that its rice industry would be willing to facilitate trade with farmers here. During talks between diplomats, Panama hinted that it would be willing to pay more for the rice it was already receiving from Guyana. Holder admitted that Venezuela’s price has been “very high” and benefited the many farmers and millers who had signed on to the deal. However, with the collapse of the economy, there has been a “low oil price for high rice price”. According to him, this

could not continue. The Minister explained, however, that Government was not getting itself in any rice arrangement, as that is the responsibility of the Private Sector.

Critics have said that with the Venezuelan crude down to about US$50 a barrel the Government there has been devouring its foreign currency reserves and plunging deeper into debt. As a likely distraction from its woes, Venezuela has embarked on a “vigorous and noisy campaign” to take control of Essequibo, which belongs to Guyana.

Venezuela has long refused to recognise a boundary drawn in 1899, which came out of an arbitration it has agreed to recognise as final and binding, and claims about two-thirds of Guyana’s territory as its own. Venezuela published a new map in May that purports to expand its maritime territory by claiming the waters off the Essequibo Coast.

Guyana’s Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the timing of the rice announcement made it at least appear that it was connected to the border controversy.

“It will have to be considered whether Venezuela’s position of

the non-renewal of the PetroCaribe barter agreement is indeed an act of economic sanction against Guyana,” he said in a statement.

Many believe that the attempt to take control of two-thirds of Guyana was somewhat strange in light of the “hard-earned reputation” of Maduro’s political mentor, the late Hugo Chávez, as a big-hearted, tireless advocate for the world’s poor.

Particularly because Guyana is known to be one of the poorer countries in South America, while Venezuela sits “atop the world’s largest proven oil reserves”.

Experts believe that Guyana is also home to significant oil reserves and it signed an offshore drilling agreement with ExxonMobil recently. The company started drilling in March and in May, it announced a significant oil find some 120 miles off the Guyana coast.

The Venezuelan Government, which had objected to the company’s operation in the area, demanded that ExxonMobil leave.

Venezuelan

President Nicolás Maduro then issued a decree proclaiming Venezuelan control over the waters off the coast of the Essequibo and

quite a bit beyond that. The decree left little more than a pitiful little slice of sea for Guyana itself.

The controversy has pushed tensions between the two countries to their highest point in decades, particularly as Maduro blasted Guyanese “aggression”, after he issued his decree which authorised military force by the Venezuela navy in Guyana’s waters. He accused President David Granger, who took office in May, of “provoking” his country, casting him as a lackey of foreign oil companies and US imperialism.

“It doesn’t help that Venezuela has a longrunning dispute with ExxonMobil as well, stemming from Chávez’s nationalisation of the company’s properties in 2007. Other US multinationals, like Chevron, continue to work in partnership with the Maduro Government,” a US newspaper article said.

During the 14 years that Chavez was President, the Essequibo controversy was largely smoothed over by generous oil subsidies to Guyana through Venezuela’s PetroCaribe assistance programme, it noted.

Miner critical after stabbed by bandits

Aminer is now nursing several stab wounds to his body after he was attacked during an attempted robbery as he disembarked a minibus at Pouderoyen Public Road, West Bank Demerara on Sunday afternoon.

The injured man, Clint Gunput, 25, of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to information received, the suspects, who were arrested by public-spirited citizens in the area, travelled as passengers in the same minibus from Georgetown leading investigators to believe that Gunput was tailed.

As the young miner exited the minibus, two men followed suit and attacked him from behind. Gunput reportedly put up a fight and at the same time raised an alarm. The men then whipped out knives and stabbed the miner at least three times. Upon seeing what was happening, persons in the area ran to the young man’s assistance and give chase behind the two suspects. They were eventually cornered and held by the public-spirited citizens who subsequently handed them over to the Police when they arrived. The men are expected to be charged shortly.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Third presidential term PM and President allude to possible consideration

...“many a true word spoken in jest” – analyst

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in wishing President David Granger a happy 70th birthday last week remarked lightly that the Court ruling that removed the two-term limit on him running for President has actually come at a good time.

“It is a good day for him coming after a certain ruling of a certain court that you can go for three terms as President. What a gift for your 70th birthday. And I know Lord Byron had said that ‘my hair is grey but not with age’ but I can assure you that by the time he comes to take up the challenge for the third term, the hair will remain grey, he would not be bald,” Nagamootoo remarked with a smile.

Granger had himself, during the swearing in ceremony of regional chairpersons, alluded to the ruling, telling the regional representatives that he would be there again to swear them in for a second term at the end of their first five year term. “Some of you have already served two terms and I see the law courts are allowing people to go for another term so you might as well try again…”

While both the President and his Prime Minister couched their comment in jesting tones, observers pounced on them to indicate that they might actually be floating a trial balloon on the issue to gauge public sentiment. One political analyst also said in jesting tones, “All skin teeth na laugh!” This was the local idiom of “there’s many a true word spoken in jest.”

On July 9, Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that the two-term limit imposed on the candidature of Presidents was unconstitutional. This move has opened the floor for much heated debates among society, with parts of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) constituency hoping for the return of Bharrat Jagdeo as President. Chang ruled that the two-term limit and other restrictions imposed on the candidature of Presidents and on overseas citizens were in violation of the substantive foundational democratic imperative of the Constitution, which was normative, via a clause that was merely procedural. Such a change that diminishes the very essence of the Guyanese state required not only the two-thirds approval of the Parliament but the subsequent approval of the people themselves via a referendum. In effect, Chief Justice Chang quashed the two-term limit of serving or retired Presidents, which

was imposed by the National Assembly via a two-thirds majority back in 2001, following the Herdmanston Accord Reform process which was fully supported by the then Government and Opposition political parties. Meanwhile, contacted on the issue of the ruling Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams on Friday noted that the ruling was allegedly in violation of the democratic rights of the people of Guyana and therefore, the government will go ahead and file an appeal to the ruling. When the Chief Justice made the ruling, Williams had immediately expressed his utter surprise, stating that he was not expecting the Judge to take this position.

According to the Laws of Guyana, the government has 42 days (6 weeks) since the ruling was made in which they can file an appeal. When asked how soon the APNU/AFC administration will be challenging the ruling, Williams simply said the government has 6 weeks in which to do so. Nonetheless, he gave his assurance that the APNU/ AFC coalition will definitely be challenging the decision. Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, although he said he was not surprised by Chang’s decision as the Judge had allegedly prepared the ruling since before the May 11 General and Regional Elections. Trotman said that given the “far reaching impact” of the ruling, it was necessary for a higher court to review Chang’s decisions as other critical changes which emanated from the 2001 reform process could also be negatively impacted and challenged if the ruling is left to stand.

“It’s important for the Supreme Court of law to review this matter because you may be thinking that you are going at one provision but really and truly, this ruling if allowed to stand really sets apart and washes away all of the re-

forms that would being agreed to by Herdmanston process in 2011”, he told media. He said he was generally disappointed at the ruling.

In the writ filed on February 2, by Richardson, age 50, of Lot 4 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, it is pointed out that Act No 17 of 2001, passed by a twothird majority of members of the National Assembly that altered Article 90 of the Constitution, “curtails and restricts the sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect the person of former President (Bharrat) Jagdeo as the Executive President of Guyana”.

Guyana’s Constitution,

upon passing of the Act, states that a person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once. The Constitution further states that a person who acceded to the presi-

dency after 2000 and served therein, for a single occasion for not less than such a period as may be determined by the National Assembly, is eligible for election as President only once. As such, the defendant asked the court to determine, that the Act is unconstitutional and is of no effect for reason of non-compliance with Article 164 (2) (a) of the Constitution; and that the National Assembly restricted and curtailed the democratic rights and freedom of the electorate by purporting to eliminate from the executive Presidential candidature a person who has been re-elected as Executive President.

Justice Chang pointed out that the amend-

ments under Act No 17 of 2001 to Article 90 of the Constitution (which details the requirements for presidential candidates) in effect “undoubtedly” diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President, by excluding from presidential candidature persons who are: Citizens of Guyana not resident in Guyana on Nomination Day; Citizens of Guyana resident in Guyana on Nomination Day but who have not been continuously resident in Guyana for seven years prior to that date; Citizens of Guyana by registration, and citizens of Guyana who have served for two terms as President.

President David Granger

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Brazil President losing main bastion of support

Less than a year into her second term in office, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is fighting for her political survival.

Corruption scandals involving many of her allies have prompted calls for her impeachment, as she rapidly loses support among working class voters who brought her to power.

Exposed by a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal, a contracting economy and basement approval ratings, the Brazilian halls of power have become a reallife “House of Cards”.

But amid dramatic political bluffing and posturing, the game is far from over for President Rousseff, who has to date maintained a remarkable poker face.

Almost daily revelations about how money was channelled from the statecontrolled oil company Petrobras during her tenure as Chairwoman have fuelled a debate over Rousseff’s political survival on which challengers have been quick

US, OAS

As Haiti prepares for upcoming presidential and legislative elections, officials from the United States and the Organisation of American States (OAS) will visit the French-speaking Caribbean country this week.

The US Department of State said Director of Policy Planning, David McKean, will travel to Haiti on Monday to meet with senior members of the Haitian Government, United Nations officials and representatives of the Private Sector.

During the two-day visit, McKean will discuss upcoming elections, cooperation on social and economic develop-

to capitalise.

A recent survey found that just nine per cent saw Rousseff’s Government as “great or good”, with 68 per cent assessing it negatively, just eight months into her second term.

After years of growth thanks to a commodity boom, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 0.2 per cent in the first quarter, with a decline of 1.5 per cent expected for the full

year. Talk turned to Roussef’s impeachment almost as soon as she was re-elected by a narrow margin last October.

As the Petrobras investigation – known as Operation Lava Jato, or “Car Wash” – has moved increasingly close to Brasília’s inner circles, political observers have tried to forecast the fall-out for the President, who denies any wrongdoing. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera and the Independent)

officials to visit Haiti

ment efforts, as well as challenges and opportunities on justice, security and migration issues.

The OAS’ Chief of The Electoral Observation Mission (EOM/OAS) in Haiti, the former Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, José Enrique Castillo, arrived on Friday in Port-auPrince, the Haitian capital, to begin his work related to the organisation of the legislative elections of August 9.

During his visit, the OAS said the Chief of Mission will hold meetings with President Michel Martelly; Foreign Minister Lener Renaud; Executive Director of the Provisional Electoral Council,

TT prison officers demand weapons

The Prison Officers Association (POA) says there will be no further talks until all prisons officers are armed and their safety and security demands met. So said POA President Ceron Richards.

He was speaking at the Association’s headquarters in Arouca Sunday, following the shooting death of 27-year-old prison officer Andell Primus in Morvant, Friday night.

Richards said, “It is regrettable that such an incident can happen. We understand how the family must be feeling and express our condolences.

“Prisons officers have been continuously threatened and over 12 officers have been murdered over the past several years. We’ve had several meetings, dia-

logues. We were even part of a committee throughout the years in an effort to raise these issues and to provide solutions to no avail.

“We’re now demanding that all officers be armed forthwith given the current and past circumstances and what is likely to happen because we see the prison service as under threat.”

He said the POA at this point in time was no longer interested with meeting any of the stakeholders regarding the safety and security of officers on and off duty and the remedies to be applied.

Richards said another of the Association’s demands was that all officers residing in high-risk areas who wanted to move should be relocated forthwith.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

American Airlines expanding presence in Caribbean with new routes

American Airlines (AA) plans to add eight new routes throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and Mexico later this year, further strengthening its position in the Region.

The expanded service includes twice weekly flights from Los Angeles to Jamaica starting December 18; a Saturday service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Curaçao beginning December 19; and three flights to the Dominican Republic on Saturdays from CLT and Pine Island Airport, also in North Carolina, and Chicago’s O’Hare

International Airport, beginning December 19.

The remaining flights will be to Mexico and Ecuador, starting at various times between September 3 and December 18.

The new routes are awaiting regulatory approval.

“As the premier carrier to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America with flights to 85 destinations, these additions highlight our commitment to providing our customers with a network that is second to none,” said Art Torno, AA’s Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

“We are committed to each country we serve, and these new routes allow us to contribute to and further promote travel and tourism to and from the Region.” AA said it also plans to reinstate its service between New York’s John F Kennedy Airport and Simon Bolívar International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 17. Those flights will operate five times per week. With the new routes, the carrier will operate more than 1750 weekly flights throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. (Caribbean360.com)

Prime Minister Gonsalves writes Barbados PM protesting ‘Barbadosonly’ plan for CLICO policyholders

PMosler Georges and representatives of political parties and international organisations present in the country.

On Wednesday, a mobile group of observers will visit the 10 departments of the country to gather information about the electoral process at the local level, the inscription of candidates, and the electoral campaign.

Last week, two senior United Nations officials urged continued support for Haiti, stating that the impending elections will be an “historic milestone” for the country, as it continues on its journey toward economic and political recovery. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

rime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has written to his Barbadian counterpart, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart over what he says has emerged as a “Barbados-only” plan for policyholders of the collapsed British-American Insurance Company Limited (BAICO).

“The judicial manager in Barbados put forward a plan and I don’t like the plan,” Gonsalves told reporters, adding that he did not “mince words” in his fivepage letter of June 25.

Gonsalves did not release the letter to the media but read sections, which, he said, would give insights.

“We are aware that in its December 2014 report, the judicial manager of CLICO International Life Insurance Company (CLICO) recommended to the Supreme Court of Barbados that there be a liquidation of the

company. We are aware, too, that in the week of June 15th, 2015, there were two meetings in respect to the above-mentioned matter in an effort to avoid liquidation and arrive at a con-

sent order and another on Wednesday the 24th of June 2015. All concerned appreciate that liquidation is a last resort.

“However, we wish to place on record the vigorous objection of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union to the proposed Barbadosfirst plan which is now emerging as a Barbadosonly plan,” Gonsalves said.

Gonsalves, who is also Minister of Finance, told reporters that he has to defend the interest of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the policyholders of CLICO.

Noting that he is also the person in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) with responsibility for BAICO and CLICO, Gonsalves also said he has to defend the interest of policyholders in the ECCU. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

More than 300 arrested for electricity theft

JPS crew members removing illegal connections from Windsor Heights in St Catherine

Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is re-

porting that operations carried out in collaboration with members of the security forces, have resulted in the arrest of 304 people for the illegal abstraction of electricity, since the start of the year, to July 15.

In a release on Sunday, JPS said crews have also pulled down 9512 throw-up lines for the same period.

The company has said it has been relentless in pursuing the perpetrators of electricity theft.

On Tuesday, July 14, the teams’ latest move saw the St Catherine community of Windsor Heights in Central Village, being rid of 850 throw-up lines. One man was reportedly arrested, but several others fled from their residences to avoid being associated with

the illegal connections.

– JPS

On June 30, nine people were brought before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court for the illegal abstraction of electricity. The JPS said six of them pleaded guilty and were fined an average of J$150,000 each or six months in prison.

Following that, on July 1, five people were brought before the Linstead Resident Magistrate’s Court for the same charge.

Four pleaded guilty and were also reportedly fined an average of J$150,000 each.

JPS, in the release, also reminded non-paying users of electricity that regularisation is a straightforward process.

The company also said it was anticipating that its Community Renewal programme in seven communities in Kingston, will assist in creating sustained regularisation through public education and practical assistance (such as house wiring), among other measures. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

President Dilma Rousseff

Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves

Japan’s Mitsubishi to make prisoners of war apology

The Mitsubishi Corporation is to make a landmark apology for using American Prisoners of War (POWs) as forced labour during World War Two.

An executive from the Japanese company will make the apology to former POW James Murphy, 94, and the relatives of other one-time prisoners.

The executive will express remorse at a ceremony at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Los Angeles, officials there say.

Campaigners say it is the first formal apology by a Japanese firm to POWs.

“We hope this will spur other companies to join in and do the same.” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean at the centre.

The apology in Los Angeles on Sunday is being made independently of the Japanese Government, officials say.

They say that it is an important gesture ahead of the

70th anniversary of the end of the war in August. No cash compensation has been offered by Mitsubishi, but the apology has been welcomed.

“Mr Murphy will represent all the American POWs who were put to labour in the then company’s mines in Japan,” a Mitsubishi spokesman told the AFP news agency.

The mines operated at four locations run by Mitsubishi’s predeces-

sor company, Mitsubishi Mining Co.

Only two living survivors could be located to accept the apology, and, only Murphy is fit enough to make the trip to Los Angeles, local media reported.

About 500 American POWs were forced to work in the mines from among the thousands of allied,

The Japanese government officially apologised to American former POWs five years ago. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Burundi Opposition leaders to boycott elections

Three Opposition candidates, including two former Presidents, have announced their withdrawal from Burundi’s upcoming presidential elections.

Domitien Ndayizeye and Sylvestre Ntibantunganya – former Presidents –and Jean Minani, former Speaker of Parliament, said in a letter sent to the electoral commission on Saturday that the political and security environment could not guarantee free and fair elections.

The letter announcing the pullout from next Tuesday’s election is the

latest blow to the country’s political system, which has been rocked by months of violence after the incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a third term – a move critics are calling unconstitutional.

Opposition leaders have complained that they have been unable to campaign because of intimidation by Government security agents.

Nkurunziza chose to spend Saturday, the last day of the campaign, in his hometown Ngozi, watching a football match between local teams.

Prosper Ntahorwamiye, the commission spokesman, said on Saturday he had received the letter but the names of the candidates will remain in the ballot papers which had already been printed and distributed.

Burundi has been tense since April when the ruling party nominated Nkurunziza to be its candidate – prompting widespread demonstrations in the capital, Bujumbura.

On Saturday, the AU Commission said in a statement that it was ready deploy human rights observers and military experts to Burundi. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Uniqlo sex tape: Beijing Police arrest 5 people

Police in Beijing have arrested five people over a sex tape filmed in a branch of the Uniqlo clothes shop, Chinese state media say.

A clip filmed in the dressing room of a Beijing store went viral on Chinese social media last week.

Media reports said the couple in the video were arrested on Wednesday, hours after the footage was published.

Part of the investigation will reportedly focus on whether the clip was a publicity stunt.

The clip quickly spread on Weibo, the Chinese social network, and on the mobile messaging service WeChat.

Since the video was posted, people have been posing for selfies outside Uniqlo stores in China.

China’s online regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), said that distributing the footage was “against socialist core values” and called for online operators to help with the investigation.

Since the video was posted, people have been posing for selfies outside Uniqlo stores in China

“The Police investigation has two main parts: who published this unsavoury video, and was it an example of hype by the business,” Beijing Television said.

China Daily reported that Uniqlo could face a fine of between 200,000 and one million yuan (£21,000-£103,000) and see its licence revoked if the video is found to be a publicity stunt.

Uniqlo, a Japanese-owned company, has not responded to the reports. (BBC News)

Around the World

Merkel says Greece must act fast as banks prepare to reopen

Greece will reopen its banks today for the first time in three weeks, but with restrictions on withdrawals still in place, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Government would have to move fast on any new bailout terms.

The cautious reopening of the banks, and an increase in Value Added Tax on restaurant food and public transport from today, are aimed at restoring trust inside and outside Greece after an aid-for-reforms deal last week averted bankruptcy.

Greeks will be able to withdraw 420 euros a week at once instead of just 60 euros a day, but capital controls will remain.

“That’s not a normal life so we have to negotiate quickly,” Merkel said in extracts from an interview with German public broadcaster ARD.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is trying to turn a corner after he reluctantly agreed to negotiate a third bailout, allowing the European Central Bank to top up emergency credit lines but prompting a rebellion in his leftist Syriza par-

ty.

The head of Greece’s banking association Louka Katseli urged Greeks to do the opposite of what they have done for months and put cash back on their bank accounts rather than withdraw more.

“Tomorrow when the banks reopen and normality is restored, let’s all help our economy. If we take our money out of chests and from our homes – where they are not safe in any case – and we deposit them in the banks, we will strengthen the liquidity of the economy,” she told Skai television on Sunday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Aussie surfer scuffles with shark

An Australian surfer has made an incredible escape after encountering two sharks during a major competition in South Africa.

Mick Fanning was competing in Jeffreys Bay, on the eastern Cape, when one of the sharks approached his surfboard.

The final of the J-Bay Open had only just started when Fanning was knocked

off his surfboard and into the sea.

Fanning, the defending champion, escaped injury. The tournament was called off soon afterwards.

“I was just sitting there and I felt something just get stuck in my leg rope, and I was kicking trying to get it away,” Fanning told Fox Sports.

“I just saw fins. I was waiting for the teeth.”

Fanning, a three-time world champion, said he was able to “get a punch into its back” and startle it.

The event was being broadcast live on television. Footage later cut to Fanning and co-competitor Julian Wilson, also of Australia, on a rescue boat reliving the incident.

The relieved-looking pair then received loud applause from a crowd on the beach.

The World Surf League (WSL), which organises the competition, said Fanning was approached by two sharks, and that he and Wilson were both rescued from the water by jet-skis.

Reuters says the waters are some of the most sharkinfested in the world, and that a surfer was killed by a Great White shark close to Jeffreys Bay in 2013. (Excerpt from BBC News)

India, Russia to jointly build 200 military choppers

In a move aimed at boosting India’s defence sector, 200 helicopters will be manufactured in the country with Russian collaboration as part of intensification and diversification of their strategic ties.

The agreement, reached recently, is one of the several new defence projects on which the two countries are working on, including under the ambit of “Make in India” programme, Indian Ambassador to Russia PS Raghavan told PTI here.

He underlined that the

decades-old defence cooperation with Russia remains vibrant despite India purchasing military equipment from other countries, like the recent decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter aircraft from France.

“This (India-Russia ties) is a huge, broad based relationship, getting broader every day,” he said.

He said this could possibly be the first defence project under “Make in India” initiative.

Raghavan was responding when asked to comment on the perception that the defence relations between India and Russia are getting diluted as New Delhi has been looking at other countries for military purchases. (Excerpt from Times of India)

“Recently, we have agreed to joint manufacture of helicopters in India ... Joint manufacture of 200 helicopters in India is big bang. If two countries decide to manufacture 200 helicopters in India with transfer of technology, and licence production, this is big bang,” he said.

KKK rallies for Confederate flag in S Carolina

Scuffles broke out in the grounds of the South Carolina state house after members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) conducted a rally in protest against a decision to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds.

About 100 members of the KKK and other white supremacist groups were met by around 400 AfricanAmerican activists and their supporters outside the statehouse on Saturday.

The state last week removed the flag from the capital grounds where it has flown for more than a half-century, after a gunman who took pictures of himself draped in the flag shot nine black churchgoers. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Protesters of mostly Korean or Chinese descent took to the streets of Los Angeles in May to protest against Japanese war crimes, during a visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Mick Fanning pictured earlier this week surfing in Jeffreys Bay –with no sharks sighted

CPL action at Providence Stadium

Members of the Caribbean Airlines party team

A section of the packed party stand on Saturday

Amazon dancers pose with two spectators at the game

Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Denesh Ramdin with some of the fans

Fans at the National Stadium

Another packed section with cricket fans at the National Stadium

Fans being entertained during the half-time break

Warriors v Red Steel showdown

...to determine playoff spots tomorrow

and the Barbados Tridents.

Rain ruined the first one without a ball being bowled, but the sold-out crowd transformed the National Stadium at Providence into what was indicative of the “Biggest Party in Sport”.

That electrifying atmosphere was at an even higher pitch at the weekend although the home franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors suffered mixed fortunes in two low-scoring thrillers against the St Lucia Zouks

After a stunner on Sunday evening at Queen’s Park Oval, which saw the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel getting past the Jamaica Tallawahs by seven runs, cricket-crazy Guyanese fans are in for another treat on Tuesday as there has been some movement on the Hero CPL Leaderboard.

Jacques Kallis’ unbeaten 61 and Dwayne Bravo’s 49 off 30 balls powered the Red Steel to 145-3.

A victory would have

pushed the Tallawahs to second spot, but they would be guaranteed a spot in the playoff even if they lose by 50 runs or less.

That they did to remain in the hunt for a second title at the completion of their preliminary games.

The victory for Red Steel has catapulted them to second spot, and now in with a real chance of going straight to the final.

The defeat means the

Tallawahs will finish fourth in the table and will face either the Red Steel or the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the first semi-final on Thursday.

Should the Red Steel win the final group game of the competition against the Amazon Warriors on Tuesday at Providence, they will finish top of the table and qualify automatically for the final.

If they lose, they will finish in second or third depending on net run rate.

Whatever happens, the final four has been set – defending champions Barbados Tridents, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Jamaica Tallawahs will be in the knockout stages.

Clash of spinners

Given the traditional low and slow Providence track, the Amazon Warriors/Red Steel clash has already been dubbed a clash of spinners as both teams boast a battery of high-quality slow bowlers.

Local fans who have been filling the Stadium to its rim in support of the Amazon Warriors will once again be roaring for their spin trio Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo, who have been a dominant force this season.

Red Steel, however, has a packed line-up of spinners, the likes of Samuel Badree, Johan Botha, Sulieman Benn and Derone

Davis, who would no doubt enjoy Providence’s turf. The quartet has been influential in lifting the Red Steel from the cellar position to now being labelled as one of the favourites heading into the playoffs. With both teams searching for a win to end higher than where they currently are on the points table, a humdinger of a contest is anticipated from 18:00h.

Guyana courts France for development assistance

Though challenged by natural disasters and limited resources, the Government of Guyana is determined to ensure the safety of its people and to improve their lives.

In this regard, it will continue to count on the support of its developmental partners, including the Government and people of France, says First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who was performing the duties of the president while President Granger was in Brazil last week. The Prime Minister was at the time addressing the commemoration of the National Day of the Republic of France (Bastillle Day) which was

held Friday evening at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown.

In his address, the Prime Minister expressed Guyana’s appreciation to the Government of France for its support over the years, especially in providing for debt-relief and for offering economic and technical cooperation in several areas. He noted that all of these meaningful efforts have contributed significantly to Guyana’s well being.

“We hope that in the near future, we could secure opportunities for training in ‘weather forecasting’, as well as humanitarian assistance for flood victims,” he said. He also stated that

the Government is also looking forward to further enhancing cooperation with France, particularly in the areas of trade, foreign economic investment and crime fighting. He expressed the hope that the formalization of the Guyana’s Honorary Consulate in Cayenne, French Guiana, would help to boost these efforts.

The acting President reiterated the Government of Guyana support in the fight against climate change, both domestic and internationally while acknowledging the crucial role that France has played in the global process. “Our future depends on a comprehensive, holistic approach to global warming and climate

change,” the Prime Minister said. “If we are to leave behind a world for the benefit of future generations, we must ensure its sustainable existence, and this should remain the primary goal of the international community,” he said.

frustrate our development and to threaten our territorial integrity.”

Meanwhile, France’s Ambassador to Guyana Michel Prom assured that Guyana's contribution at the UNCCC summit will be, “important to the success of

Minister of Governance and acting Foreign Affairs

Minister Raphael Trotman, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin. Bastille Day, the annual celebration, known

To this end, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC,) scheduled for Paris, France in December, results in “a balanced outcome representing the concerns of both the developed and developing countries.” The Prime Minister also stressed that this country will count on the friendship of France and the French people, “as we stand up resolutely against coercive attempts to

the conference.”He took the opportunity to thank the authorities and the people of Guyana for the solidarity shown earlier in the year with regards to the Paris bombing and to this end, reiterated cooperation in the field of security. Noting the attention that President Granger has been giving to the opening of the Guyana Consulate in Cayenne, the French Ambassador said this move will provide for greater regional integration.

Also present were,

to the French as “La Fête Nationale” is a nationwide holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of France marked by the storming of Bastille. The medieval prison called Bastille, was where political prisoners were held for capricious reasons and had no chance of appeal at the hands of Louis XVI’s royal government. Bastille became a symbol of the monarchy and was targeted by the people of Paris, when they stormed the fortress on July 14, 1789. (GINA)

First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and France’s Ambassador to Guyana Michel Prom share a toast at the France’s National Day (Bastille Day) commemoration at Cara Lodge

Prime Minister, First Vice-President and President (acting) Moses Nagamootoo addressing the reception to commemorate France’s National Day (Bastille Day) at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Sunil Narine

Veerasammy Permaul

Samuel Badree Sulieman Benn

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Don’t be intimidated by all the decisions in front of you. You have the determination and stamina to resolve anything that comes your way. Be strong and voice your opinion.

You will be betrayed by someone you trust. Don’t reveal personal or private information. Be circumspect about what you are up to as well as what you think.

Understanding your family background can help you find out who you are and what you are best suited to do. Ask relatives for information regarding your ancestors.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Emotions will run high. Resist the urge to blame or accuse others. If you wittingly or unwittingly pass along false information, it will cause a rift with someone you care about.

Don’t spread yourself too thin. Making too many commitments or promises will stretch your limits, leading to a minor illness or mishaps that are best avoided. Put your needs first.

Confident action will make a strong impression and will lead to valuable prospects. Participate in events that allow you to stand out and be heard.

Being too demanding will not get you where you want to go. Be adaptable and agreeable in order to gain the support you need to reach your goals.

Break out of your routine. Go on a day trip with an enjoyable someone. Visiting local or faraway areas of interest will educate and inspire you.

Your assistance will be needed. Help an elderly relative. Your time will be rewarded in an unusual way. You may rethink your methods and priorities. Show empathy and help those who are unwell or unsettled, but not at the expense of your own responsibilities. Assist others without letting anyone take advantage of you.

Do what you can and don’t worry about what doesn’t get finished. Focus on whatever requires your undivided attention. Treat yourself to a reward at the end of the day.

Don’t let anyone treat you poorly, but don’t jeopardize your position either. It’s important to stand up for your rights with truth as well as diplomacy. Be smart and tactful.

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

FIFA presidential election date to be decided on today

Fifa will meet on Monday to choose a date for a special congress at which to elect a new president.

It is the first meeting of world football’s governing body since seven of its officials were arrested on corruption charges on the eve of Fifa’s presidential election in May.

The seven were among 14 people indicted by a United States inquiry.

Sepp Blatter was reelected as president but stepped down following the series of arrests.

A second criminal investigation into Fifa was also launched at the time, with Swiss prosecutors looking into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively.

The extraordinary congress to elect a new president is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016, although Uefa - European football’s governing body - is believed to want Blatter to vacate his position sooner.

Blatter did not use the word ‘resign’ when he announced he would leave a post he has held since 1998.

But the 79-year-old said: “While I have a mandate

Sepp Blatter

from the membership of Fifa, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at Fifa.

“Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as Fifa president until that election.”

Blatter was said to be considering standing for re-election again before Domenico Scala, the independent chairman of Fifa’s audit and compliance committee, urged him to stick by his decision to quit.

“The times of flirting with the power are definite-

ly gone,” said Scala. “I call on all concernedincluding Mr Blatter - to endorse in the interest of the reforms unequivocally the announced changing of the guard at the top of Fifa.”

Monday’s meeting will take place against the backdrop of former vice-president Jeffrey Webb pleading not guilty to charges of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights.

Webb, who is from the Cayman Islands, was one of the seven arrested in May was extradited to the US this week.

He has been placed under house arrest on $10m (£6.4m) bail by a New York judge. (BBC Sport)

Murray puts Great Britain into Davis Cup semi-finals

Andy Murray took Great Britain into their first Davis Cup semi-final in 34 years with a dramatic victory over France’s Gilles Simon at Queen’s Club.

Murray looked exhausted when he trailed by a set and a break, but he hit back to win 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-0.

The world number three’s second singles victory gave Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie.

Britain will host Australia in the semi-finals on September 18-20, with a venue to be chosen by early August.

“It obviously feels unbelievable to get through that, it wasn’t looking great in the second set,” said Murray, who teamed up with brother Jamie to win Saturday’s doubles match.

“I just managed to try

and find a way and used up all my last ounces of energy.”

Murray off the canvas Britain’s hopes were hanging by a thread when Simon led by a set and a break, with Wimbledon semifinalist Richard Gasquet lined up to play world number 89 James Ward in a possible deciding rubber.

Simon had won just two of his previous 14 matches against Murray but had prevailed in their most recent meeting earlier this year, and he played beautifully to earn his lead.

The world number 11 exposed the fact that Murray was playing for a third straight day by relentlessly moving the Scot around, firing heavy groundstrokes into the corners.

When Murray fell to his knees after losing a gruel-

ling 35-shot rally deep in the second set, it appeared as though his challenge might be over.

However, a brilliant forehand brought him back into the game and he finally broke serve to level at 4-4.

Spieth birdie blitz gives him joint lead at Open

Jordan Spieth roared up the British Open leaderboard in ominous fashion with a burst of birdies helping the American catch leader Dustin Johnson on Sunday.

The 21-year-old, bidding to become the first man to win the first three majors of the year since Ben Hogan in 1953, began the delayed third round at five-under but the putts began to disappear on a perfect day for low scoring.

Apart from a bogey five at the ninth, Spieth was unstoppable while Johnson opened with four consecutive pars.

Spieth responded to that setback with three consecutive birdies at the 10th, 11th and 12th to move into a tie with Johnson and 2010 champion Louis Oosthusien.

Australian Marc Leishman finished with an eight-under 64 -- one off the record round for British Open -- and is nine under.

Twice Open champion Padraic Harrington also feasted on the birdie buffet as he made up six shots to reach nine under near the end of his second round.

With flags hanging limply and the greens and fairways soft and lush -- quite a contrast to Saturday’s gales that forced the third round to be moved to Sunday and prompt a first Monday finish at the British Open since 1988 -- a procession of players tucked in with relish to the Old Course’s offerings.

American Jim Furyk, the 2003 U.S. Open champion produced a flawless six-under 66, to surge into contention.

ing 4-1 as both men struggled to hold serve, but a backhand and two volleys hauled Murray back once again.

The Frenchman could

Simon forged ahead again in the tie-break, lead-

only find the net at 5-5 and Murray cracked down a big

“In those conditions there were going to be a lot of low scores,” he said. “That’s as good as scoring conditions as I have ever seen here.”

David Duval, Open champion in 2001 but more often found in The Golf Channel commentary booth these days, carded seven birdies in a five-under 67.

Also enjoying himself on a tranquil Old Course, was South African double Open champion Ernie Els with a three-under 69.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, winner of the 2010 U.S. Open, was kicking himself though after a round of two-under 70 which included eight birdies, but two double-bogeys.

A head-spinning start to the third round, with birdie putts being rolled in left, right and centre, also saw Ricky Fowler push himself into contention for a first major.

The 2014 runner-up steadily accumulated birdies to sign for a 66 and move to within three shots of Johnson on a congested leaderboard in which 25

serve to grab the set and send the home crowd wild.

Murray surged into a 3-0 lead in the third and held off a flourish of resistance from Simon, and when the Frenchman slipped over for the second time while dropping serve early in the fourth, his challenge was all but over.

The home crowd roared Murray to the finish line as he closed out the match with a love set after three hours and 26 minutes. Now what?

Let us not be accused of allowing the dust to settlelet’s talk semi-final venues for the home tie from 18-20 September.

They need to have a capacity of at least 8,000 and submissions must be with the International

players were within three of the lead midway through a the afternoon.

Leishman went out in 32 and looked set to break the record for the lowest round at the British Open but could only par the last four holes to narrowly miss out.

“I was definitely trying to make it, and you’re right, it did look really good,” Leishman, who missed a good birdie chance at the 16th, said. “It was disappointing not to go a couple better, but still, 64 gets me right back in it.”

British Open debutant Eddie Pepperell moved briefly into a tie for the lead at the 16th but at the next hole a wild drive saw his ball land in the Old Course Hotel’s garden. He hit another tee shot and eventually wrote down a six.

English amateur Ashley Chesters leads the race for the silver medal at six-under after a round of 67 although Ireland’s Paul Dunne began his third round at six-under.

(Reuters)

Tennis Federation by “early August”, although extensions are not unheard of. The Emirates Arena in Glasgow, which hosted the first-round win over the United States, held 7,700 for that tie.

Wimbledon’s Court One has been a Davis Cup venue in the recent past, but the slow hard courts used in Glasgow might be just the thing to nullify the power of Nick Kyrgios and the grasscourt guile of Lleyton Hewitt. They could just as easily be laid in Birmingham, London, anywhere with a sizeable arena. The semi-final will see old foes Britain and Australia meet for the 13th time, with the Aussies 8-4 in front and having won the last three. (BBC Sport)

Jordan Spieth lines up his putt on the sixth hole during the third round of the British Open golf championship on Sunday

Andy Murray

Pakistan batsmen, Yasir pummel Sri Lanka

The third ODI ended badly for Sri Lanka, whose cricket team were pummeled by 135 runs, but it was made worse by an outbreak of violence in the stands, which forced a halfhour suspension of play. Rocks were thrown inside the southeastern stand, and when offenders were evicted from the ground, projectiles were thrown from outside the stadium, through the back of the same, open stand. One of these rocks made its way to the field, and match referee Javagal Srinath suspended play until the situation was brought under control by authorities.

Sri Lanka’s on-field loss, meanwhile, was set up by a commanding Pakistan batting performance, featuring a lively opening stand, two brisk fifties from Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Hafeez, and a sprint at the death that lifted them to 316 for 4. Sri Lanka began losing wickets in the sixth over, and never appeared to have the measure of the target. They were all out for 181 in the 42nd over, and now trail 1-2 in the five-match series.

It was the hosts’ bowling that faltered first, however, as a bare-bones attack produced another insipid showing. Sri Lanka made no changes to an attack that features only two specialist bowlers, and relied on four allrounders to deliver the lion’s share of overs. Of the four wickets they claimed, two were run-outs. Malinga disappeared for 80 from his full quota, leaking 21 runs in his final over.

All of Pakistan’s batsmen made meaningful contributions but, batting from No.4, Sarfraz’s 77 from 74 balls ensured their early gains were consolidated, and that his team were wellset for the late dash.

Sarfraz was a dynamo at the crease, pilfering singles all around the wicket, and capitalizing on severe of errors of length. Equally adept against pace and spin, he scored at a run-a-ball at least against all bowlers ex-

cept Angelo Mathews (seven runs off nine balls) and Tillakaratne Dilshan from whom he took six runs from seven deliveries. He might have provided the fireworks himself, had he not been run-out in the approach to the death overs.

Ahmed Shehzad prospered in the arc between midwicket and long-on early in Pakistan’s innings, crashing Angelo Mathews through that region off successive balls, while finding singles square either side of the pitch. Azhar Ali was not as aggressive, but was adept at turning the strike over. He became Pakistan’s fastest batsman to 1000 ODI runs when he creamed Lasith Malinga through square leg in the eighth over.

Making use of muddled lengths from Sri Lanka’s seamers, the opening pair played and missed at one or two, but mustered a brisk scoring rate. They hit 55 runs from the first 10 overs, then 88 from the first 15.

Though the occasional lofted stroke only just cleared the in-field, neither batsman seemed troubled by Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowling. The hosts’ breakthrough came in the 17th over, thanks in equal part to a well-executed short-ball plan and careless batting from Shehzad. Mathews and Malinga packed the leg side, deploying three men in the deep and two close, catching, as Malinga sent his first two balls at the batsmen’s bodies.

Expecting another one at his ribs next, Shehzad seemed to play a pre-meditated pull shot, but couldn’t control his stroke when the ball came a little wider of off stump. He was caught by deep midwicket. Azhar also fell needlessly in the 24th over, when miscommunication with Hafeez found him well short of his ground on 49. Hafeez’s knock was full of edges and mis-hits, but he chose his areas well, usually getting the ball to drop

some distance from the fielders. Thisara Perera teased his outside edge with fulllength deliveries occasionally but, as was the case with Nuwan Pradeep, could not build pressure on the batsmen for any length of time.

Hafeez enjoyed milking Sachith Pathirana’s leftarm spin, occasionally trekking down the surface to loft him straight or, more often, sliding back to turn him behind square. He was essentially the link-man between the two fast-paced ends of the innings and will be pleased to continue his good run with the bat, now that he plays as a specialist batsman.

Though Sri Lanka managed to control the flow of runs briefly, after Sarfraz’s exit in the 45th over, they were unable to prevent the final charge. Malinga, who had relied exclusively on slower balls for 13 straight deliveries, was brutally treated by Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan in the final over. The pair hit a six and three fours to finish

the innings.

Sri Lanka’s opening batsmen were unable to reproduce their explosive success from Pallekele.

Tillakaratne Dilshan holed out to mid-off for 14, and Kusal Perera was caught brilliantly by Sarfraz off Anwar Ali soon after. Lahiru Thirimanne attempted to get the chase back on track, but continued to lose partners. Upul Tharanga was stumped off Yasir Shah for 16 and Angelo Mathews ended a laboured 12-ball stay by sending a leading edge down long-off’s throat. Thirimanne himself moved to a much-needed fifty, but when Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed soon after, leaving Sri Lanka at 130 for 5 in the 27th over, Sri Lanka’s challenge was virtually done. On a turning track, Yasir ended up taking two more scalps to finish with 4 for 29, while Anwar Ali and debutant Imad Wasim, who bowls left-arm spin, had two apiece. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan innings (50 overs maximum)

Ahmed Shehzad c Pathirana b Malinga 44

Azhar Ali* run out (Tharanga/NLTC Perera) 49

Mohammad Hafeez c MDKJ Perera b Pathirana 54

Sarfraz Ahmed† run out (NLTC Perera) 77

Shoaib Malik not out 42

Mohammad Rizwan not out 35

Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 8, nb 2) 15

Total (4 wickets; 50 overs; 229 mins) 316

Did not bat: Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan

Fall of wickets: 1-93, 2-124, 3-196, 4-257

Bowling: AD Mathews 8-052-0, N Pradeep 9-0-47-0, SL Malinga 10-0-80-1, SS Pathirana 10-0-49-1, NLTC Perera 10-0-63-0, TM Dilshan 3-0-20-0.

Sri Lanka innings (target: 317 runs from 50 overs)

MDKJ Perera c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Anwar Ali 20

Ireland through to 2016 World T20

Paul Stirling’s incisive spell was followed by a John Mooney hattrick at the end of the first innings as Ireland quelled a Jersey threat to seal their spot in the 2016 World T20. Ireland’s qualification was also helped by losses to Papua New Guinea and Namibia. PNG, Namibia and Hong Kong finished on seven points to confirm their place in the playoffs next week.

Stirling claimed 3 for 16 before bashing a swift halfcentury in the chase, which was sealed with 20 balls to spare, while Jersey’s knockout stage hopes were extinguished with the loss.

Jersey were 88 for 1 in 13 overs after being sent in as captain Peter Gough and Sussex academy batsman Jonty Jenner put on a 46-run stand before Stirling

ries of slower balls in the final over. Charles Perchard was done in by a yorker out of the back of the hand off an attempted paddle scoop. Kevin O’Brien claimed a skier on the next ball to remove Ben Kynman before George Dockrell settled at deep square leg to catch Ben Stevens and give Mooney his hat-trick.

With Niall O’Brien still nursing a knee injury and unlikely to take any further part in the tournament, William Porterfield moved himself back up to open with Stirling for the first time in the tournament. The previous five opening partnerships - a mix of Stirling, O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie - amounted to a total of 27 runs, but the reunification of Ireland’s prolific opening duo from the last few years had its desired effect, adding

sparked the visitors’ slide with the wicket of Jenner. However, replays showed that Jenner was struck outside the line of off stump on his attempted sweep.

TM Dilshan c Azhar Ali b Anwar Ali 14

HDRL Thirimanne c †Sarfraz

Ahmed b Rahat Ali 56 WU Tharanga st †Sarfraz

Ahmed b Yasir Shah 16

AD Mathews* c Shoaib Malik b Yasir Shah 4

LD Chandimal† b Imad Wasim 18

NLTC Perera c Anwar Ali b Yasir Shah 12

TAM Siriwardana run out (Shoaib Malik/†Sarfraz Ahmed) 2

SS Pathirana c Anwar Ali b Yasir Shah 19

SL Malinga b Imad Wasim 6 N Pradeep not out 3

Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 5, nb 1) 11

Total (all out; 41.1 overs; 182 mins) 181

Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-42, 3-82, 4-93, 5-130, 6-142, 7-144, 8-170, 9-172, 10-181

Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 7-132-0, Anwar Ali 5-0-24-2, Rahat Ali 7-0-35-1, Shoaib Malik 5-028-0, Yasir Shah 10-1-29-4, Imad Wasim 7.1-0-28-2

Jersey were still in with a chance though at 102 for 2 in 15 overs with Gough still at the crease, but Stirling and Alex Cusack continued to keep Jersey off balance and the last eight wickets fell for just 16 runs. Stirling hadn’t bowled since the tournament opener against Namibia, but his spell shifted momentum back in favour of Ireland as he induced Cornelis Bodenstein to loft to long-off before another ill-advised sweep accounted for Anthony Kay.

Cusack opened the bowling and was hit hard in his first two overs - going for 18 runs, but came back in the 17th to end Gough’s scratchy innings for 42 as he mistimed a slog over midwicket that was well taken by Stuart Poynter backpedaling from edge of the circle. He struck again four balls later, teaming up with Poynter at cover to get the right-handed Nat Watkins for 1 before snatching his third in the 19th over as Corey Bisson lofted to Stuart Thompson at long-off.

Mooney reinforced his position as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, moving to 14 in six games by wiping out the tail with a se-

44 runs in just 4.5 overs. Jersey’s fielding, which had been impressive all tournament, let them down as Porterfield did survive a straightforward chance at slip in the first over. Stirling also could have been caught off a slash to third man on 35, but Nat Watkins opted to let the ball fall in front of him to prevent a boundary which left the bowler Kynman bemused. Porterfield added 17 to his tournament tally of 186, including a huge six that clanged off an oak tree beyond the deep square leg boundary but fell trying to repeat the shot off the following ball from Kay and was caught by Bodenstein running in from deep midwicket. Stirling added another 47 for the second wicket with Balbirnie and brought up his fifty off 34 balls, his first of the tournament, before being caught in the deep by Jenner off Stevens’ left-arm spin. The only other wicket to fall was Kevin O’Brien, leg before after missing a sweep to Stevens. Balbirnie and Gary Wilson took Ireland the rest of the way in an unbeaten 21-run stand. Balbirnie hit the winning single through the off side on the fourth ball of the 17th over to finish 32 not out while Wilson ended unbeaten on 11. (Cricinfo)

Yasir Shah celebrates a wicket

Paul Stirling’s incisive spell was followed by a John Mooney hat-trick at the end of the first innings as Ireland quelled a Jersey threat to seal their spot in the 2016 World T20

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The Ashes... Johnson inspires Australia’s 405-run rout

In the end, it was a 405run annihilation, but there were all sorts of other figures that highlighted just how dominant Australia were in this Lord’s Test. England claimed 10 wickets in the match; Australia took 20. England scored 415 runs in the match; Steven Smith and Chris Rogers between them made 495. England had to survive five sessions to salvage a draw; they lasted just 37 overs. Ultimately, only two numbers mattered: 1-1.

That is the scoreline that the teams take to Edgbaston, and this Investec Ashes series is alive and kicking. And as we have learnt after Cardiff, things can change quickly. Do not assume that Australia will again dominate in Birmingham. For now, they will celebrate with gusto their enormous win at the home of cricket. That they dismissed England for 103 in the second innings on a pitch decried on the first day as a road was testament to their strength.

Michael Clarke’s declaration shortly before lunch meant a victory target of 509 for England. Before long, that number was so abstract it might as well have been painted by Kandinsky. In a disastrous middle session they lost five wickets for 57 runs. They had needed some magic but found themselves be-Mitched, as Mitchells Johnson, Starc and Marsh all claimed important wickets.

Their problems started when Adam Lyth edged behind for 7 off Starc, the victim of a fine ball that bounced and moved away, but also of his own poor judgment - it was a ball he could have left. Alastair Cook wafted at one and was tamely caught behind off Johnson for 11, and Gary Ballance managed 14 before he also edged behind, this time off a short rising ball from Marsh.

None of the batsmen looked especially comfortable, and Johnson sent down the odd nasty bouncer to keep them guessing. But it was not just the pace that caused problems - Ian Bell found an inside edge that flew up to short leg off Lyon for 11. The most embarrassing dismissal, though, came shortly before the tea break.

Joe Root had driven Marsh to mid-on, where Johnson collected and threw at the stumps at the wicketkeeper’s end. His throw was so accurate it struck the middle of middle stump and Ben Stokes had neglected to ground either bat or foot, leading to the farcical sight of him hovering in the air well inside his crease, but with nothing having touched down. He was out for a duck, and looked like a goose.

After tea, to paraphrase Ron Burgundy, things es-

calated quickly. Jos Buttler edged the first ball of the session, off Johnson, behind to Peter Nevill, who pouched his seventh catch of the match and equalled the all-time record for wicketkeeping catches on debut, although the dismissal record of eight remained out of reach. Four balls later, Moeen Ali fended a fearsome bouncer to short leg.

At seven down, it felt as though Johnson might need just three more balls to finish the job, such was his venom. But Stuart Broad survived a few overs before he drove Lyon on the up to cover for 25, which turned out to be England’s highest score. Josh Hazlewood finished the procession by bowling both Root for 17 and James Anderson for a duck.

The odd ball had stayed a touch low, but there was nothing wrong with this pitch. On day four, it still felt like a pretty good daytwo surface, and England could not blame the conditions for their collapse. There will be plenty of time for ruminations over the next week and a half before Edgbaston, and they won’t like what they find.

Australia showed earlier in the day that it was still a good pitch, declaring at 254 for 2 shortly before lunch. Chris Rogers had sent a scare through the Australian camp when he suffered a dizzy spell and required medical atten-

tion on the ground; he retired hurt on, with the total on 114 for 0. That brought Steven Smith to the crease to join David Warner, and Smith enjoyed the licence to attack.

Smith played some outlandish strokes during his 48-ball stay, notably when walking across his stumps before the ball was bowled, then working it from far outside off stump through the various large gaps on the leg side. They were the shots of a man in such strong form that he could put any ball wherever he wanted, and knew it.

He struck nine fours, including three in three balls off Stuart Broad, the second of which brought up his half-century from his 43rd delivery. It was more than a cameo but less than the starring role he had played with his first-innings double-century; in the end he was bowled for 58 dancing down the pitch to Ali.

Smith finished with an aggregate of 273 runs for the match, the second highest by any batsman in a Lord’s Test, behind the 456 that Graham Gooch compiled in 1990, when he made 333 and 123. At the other end, Warner added 23 to his overnight score before he thumped Ali to extra cover and was caught for 83, missing the chance to join Smith and Rogers on the Lord’s honour board. (Cricinfo)

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Mitchell Johnson claimed the key scalp of Alastair Cook

Confident Guyana Under-19s keen on retaining regional 50-over title – team depart today for Jamaica

Aconfident 14-member Guyana team will depart this morning for Jamaica, where they will aspire to retain their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 title.

However, Guyana will not be able to defend their three-day crown since the WICB has surprisingly chosen not to play this version.

This year’s tournament is scheduled to take place from July 22 to August 2, and will be contested in a 50 overs-a-side format.

The six regional teams – Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago and Windward Islands – along with a side from ICC Americas – will play each other once in a round-robin competition with the top two teams contesting the final to determine the winner. Based on media reports, Canada’s Under19s will represent the ICC Americas.

Guyana’s 14-man squad is led by Travis Persaud and includes Ricardo Alimohamed, Shemron Hetymer, Tevin Emlack,

Parmesh Parsatom, Balchand Baldeo, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Parmanand Ramdhan, Kasim Khan, Nathan Persaud, Akinie Adams, Grisean Grant and Akshaya Persaud. In an invited comment on Sunday, Coach Adrian Amsterdam expressed every confidence that the team would defend the title which they won last year at home.

He said that despite the inadequate preparation, the team was confident of doing well, adding that the team would be going all out to win the title.

“Turf practice was the main setback for us, but having said that, we spent six days at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence hostel and indoor facility where we went through some intense training, so I am confident that the boys are ready for the battle,” Amsterdam revealed.

He added, “The advantage we have this year is that the team have a few players who played in last year’s tournament, so the experience at this level is there and add to that we have Hetymer (Shemron) who has played for Guyana at the highest level, so we

have a team that is capable of winning.”

Amsterdam confirmed that Hetymer, who is with the Guyana Amazon Warriors line-up for the current Hero Caribbean Premier League will also travel with the squad today.

The 50-over tournament is in its 18th year, having been inaugurated in 1998.

It has been the main scouting ground for the Region’s finest talent who go on to grace the international stage in West Indies senior colours. Most of the current Windies players found their footing in the regional Under-19 tournament before going on to represent the Caribbean in Test, One-Day and Twenty20 International cricket.

During this year’s tournament, all new One-Day International playing conditions, recently introduced by the ICC will apply, which presents another opportunity for the Region’s best Under-19 players to showcase their talent to break into the West Indies Under-19 squad for the ICC Youth World Cup next year in Bangladesh.

Linden clubs agree to unite for Boyce/Jefford Classic

The only two clubs in Linden will join forces in hopes of lifting the 2015 Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic trophy at the event scheduled for next month in Linden.

With the top prize set at $600,000 and given the fact that neither of them has ever finished in the top two positions in the past five years, both the Christianburg/Wismar and Upper Demerara Schools have decided to work in cahoots in an effort to lift the title for the sixth instalment of the games.

Coach of Upper Demerara Johnny Greavesande highlighted that the move was one the Linden people have been calling for.

“We have no problem with merging; that is the way to go; Linden is too small to continue to carry two teams. Once the athletes are happy, I’m happy and so

far, I have not heard any complaints that this is not the right thing to do. Linden wants it,” Gravesande stated.

Coach of Christianburg, Moses Pantlitz stressed that the merger was the right move.

“Out of that meeting, we discussed the merger, which in my view is a good idea where we will be able to be more competitive than ever before as one Linden team,” Pantlitz, who coaches athletes like Cassie George and Compton Caesar, highlighted.

According to organisers, Linden will continue to be host to Guyana’s most lucrative and only international track and field meet from August 15-16.

Meanwhile, Pantlitz informed that the teams will train together in hope of fielding the best team.

(Treiston Joseph)

FiFa corruption: Webb pleads not guilty in us

Former Fifa VicePresident Jeffrey Webb has pleaded not guilty in connection with a massive corruption scandal in the world football governing body.

He was placed under house arrest on $10m (£6.4m) bail by a New York judge.

Mr Webb, from the Cayman Islands, is accused of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights.

He was detained in Switzerland in May, along with six football officials, and was this week extradited to the US.

He was the only one not to contest his extradition from Switzerland and the first to appear in an American court.

He must remain at home within a 20-mile (32km) radius of the court, his movements will be monitored via an electronic tag and he has already relinquished his three passports, two of which are UK passports.

His lawyer has declined to comment.

The arrest of the Cayman

Jeffrey Webb

Islands’ favourite son

Appearing in court wearing a dark blue business suit, a crisp white shirt and a silk tie, Mr Webb smiled at his wife, Kendra, as he walked in, accompanied by US marshals.

A giant of a man often referred to as “Mr President” in the Cayman Islands, he projected a confident air as he stood before the judge, flanked by his defence team and the US prosecutors who have mounted the case against him, and secured his extradition from Switzerland.

Mr Webb entered a plea of not guilty to charges of money-laundering, wire fraud and racketeering.

But most of the arraignment hearing at the Brooklyn courthouse was taken up with the details of his bail arrangements.

Ironically, as he was listening to the charges he faces, there was a football match being played on the grass outside the courthouse, our correspondent says. Mr Webb, 50, has been provisionally banned as Fifa vice-president. He is also the former president of the Central and North American football federation (Concacaf).

The other six people arrested are fighting their extradition to the US, where the charges were laid.

Shemron Hetymer

Travis Persaud

Moses Pantlitz

Johnny Gravesande

july 20, 2015

Chibhabha, Cremer set up Zimbabwe’s maiden T20 win over India

Chamu Chibhabha and Graeme Cremer played starring roles as Zimbabwe finally coalesced their different strengths into a functional, all-round performance to trip up India by 10 runs in the second T20 international.

After Chibhabha's 51ball 67 helped Zimbabwe put up a total of 145 - one that seemed inadequate at the halfway mark - Cremer garotted India's batsmen with a spell of 4-0-18-3. Zimbabwe seemed to be headed towards another lopsided defeat when Robin Uthappa, who blasted 42 off 25 balls, was in the middle, but Cremer's introduction in the seventh over saw India slip from 56 for 1 to 61 for 4. India took the equation to 25 off 12 balls, but Taurai Muzarabani conceded only six runs in the penultimate over, before Chris Mpofu, buckled India's batsmen in the last over to complete Zimbabwe's first T20 win over India.

India's start had an ominous portent to it when

captain Ajinkya Rahane was run-out having been sent back by his opening partner, M Vijay, who bailed after initially setting off for a run. Uthappa, however, produced an innings that bore no resemblance to his grinding effort in the first T20 international.

Uthappa found his bearings with successive boundaries off Muzarabani, a well-timed cover drive followed by a powerful whip through midwicket. Two overs later, he collected three fours off Mpofu with rasping pulls off the front foot and a cheeky nudge behind short fine leg as India galloped to 57 for 1 at the end of six overs.

It was the first delivery after the Powerplay, however, that brought Zimbabwe back. Cremer, who troubled India two days ago, slipped one past Vijay, and three balls later, had Manish Pandey out lbw, but the ball appeared headed down the leg side.

India lost two more wickets in the next two

overs. Uthappa was the prize wicket, as Sean Williams completed a sharp return catch. Kedar Jadhav's departure in the next over was as much because of his laxity as some sparkling fielding from Muzarabani, who produced a direct hit from deep midwicket.

Stuart Binny and debutant Sanju Samson, though, took charge of the restoration job, putting on 36 runs for the sixth wicket. With 41 required off 30 balls, however, India suffered another jolt through Cremer. Binny's attempted thwack over long-off seemed to dip in front of Chibhabha, but the fielder flung himself forward to grab the chance. Zimbabwe's seamers then removed Samson and Axar Patel in successive overs, effectively deciding the result.

India's tactics with the ball appeared to be predetermined, as they persisted with bowling short. The short-ball gambit was particularly puzzling given that their seamers were

getting the ball to move appreciably off a fuller length.

Hamilton Masakadza and Chibhabha were alert to opportunities, swatting away half-trackers between square leg and midwicket. Masakadza, though, was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma, attempting to dab a short delivery that fizzed off the wicket, one ball after carting the bowler for six.

Sikandar Raza, standing in as captain for the first time in international cricket after Elton Chigumbura was injured, showed intent before his slash floated into third man's hands. India's spinners - Axar Patel and Vijay - sent down a few tight overs immediately after the Powerplay in which Zimbabwe scored 49.

But, Rahane didn't have the luxury of a second specialist spinnerHarbhajan Singh was rested - and appeared loath to let Vijay complete his quota. Chibhabha and Sean Williams then knitted together a 37-run partner -

ship for the third wicket.

India's bowlers, though, were chipping away, and Chibhabha found himself without much support at the other end. Once Chibhabha was bowled

in the 19th over, the innings stagnated further. Zimbabwe eventually managed 69 runs in the last 10 overs, including 33 in the last five. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe innings (20 overs maximum)

H Masakadza c †Uthappa b Sandeep Sharma 19

CJ Chibhabha

6-139, 7-142 Bowling: B Kumar 4-0-26-2, Sandeep Sharma 4-0-39-1, STR Binny 2-0-14-1, MM Sharma 4-0-28-2, M Vijay 2-0-9-0, AR Patel 4-0-23-1 India innings (target: 146 runs from 20 overs)

Pandey lbw b Cremer 0 KM Jadhav run out (Muzarabani) 5 STR Binny c Chibhabha b Cremer 24 SV Samson c Waller b Mpofu 19 AR Patel c Williams b Muzarabani 13 B Kumar run out (†Coventry/Mpofu) 9 MM Sharma not out 3 Sandeep Sharma not out 1

Extras (b 1, w 1) 2

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 135

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-57, 3-57, 4-61, 5-69, 6-105, 7-117, 8-124, 9-131

Bowling: P Utseya 3-0-180, T Muzarabani 3-0-23-1, CB Mpofu 3-0-26-1, CJ Chibhabha 1-0-9-0, SC Williams 4-0-31-1, AG Cremer 4-0-18-3, Sikandar Raza 2-0-9-0.

Chase Academy win South Georgetown

Sir Leon Lesson demolished Dolphin Secondary School to walk away as the North Georgetown champs when the tournament continued on Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Forced to change their first choice goalkeeper Ronell Roberts due to injury, Morgan Learning Centren (MLC) fell victim to a cunning Chase Academy 4-2, despite leading 1-0 before the injury in the first 23 minutes of play.

Kelsey Benjamin led Chase Academy with a hattrick in the 41st, 71st and

73rd minutes to put the game out of reach for MLC while Andre Trotz scored in the 59th minute.

Orin Moore scored both goals for MLC in the 17th and 78th minutes with his first goal being a beauty from 24 yards out via a free kick that rocked the top right hand corner of the net.

With the win, Chase Academy now advances to the quarterfinal round of the national playoff. While the fixture promised so much, the substandard presiding started as early as the 15th minute as Chase Academy was awarded a

penalty kick for a dubious challenge inside the box.

With both teams headed to the half locked on 1-1, an officiating error would allow Chase to take the lead as they never looked back with two more quality late goals to win the game.

Meanwhile in the opening fixture, Sir Leon Lessons demolished Dolphin Secondary9-0 to walk away with the Georgetown South Zone title and a debut birth in the quarterfinal of the national playoffs.

After playing tough for 20 minutes the disparity in talent began to show

Red steel edge...

With the Tallawahs 87-7 the match seemed over, and briefly, it seemed like the Tallawahs may not make the 96 they needed to finish in the top four. They did get there, after getting lucky with a dropped catch and then they went on, and on and on. Russell then played a sensational innings of 36 off 22 to suddenly bring the Tallawahs to the brink of victory. Russell was then dismissed in the penultimate over when he found a fielder on the cover point boundary leaving the Tallawahs with 16 to win off the last over and one wicket in hand. Some excellent bowling from Kevon Cooper restricted the first three balls to just three and even a four off the fourth ball was not enough as the Tallow’s fell seven runs short. (CPL.com)

SCOREBOARD

Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel innings (20 overs maximum)

JH Kallis not out 61

WKD Perkins lbw b Taylor 5 Kamran Akmal† run out (Jayawardene/†Walton) 14

DM Bravo c Theron b Russell 5

DJ Bravo* not out 49

Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 5) 11

Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 145

Did not bat: CS Delport, J Botha, KK Cooper, SJ Benn, S Badree, DYA Davis

Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-66, 3-76

Bowling: J Theron 4-0-22-0, DL Vettori 4-0-25-0, JE Taylor

4-0-27-1, K Santokie 4-0-290, AD Russell 4-0-36-1

Jamaica Tallawahs innings (target: 146 runs from 20 overs)

CH Gayle* c Botha b DJ Bravo 27

CAK Walton† c & b Benn 11

DPMD Jayawardene c DJ Bravo b Benn 3 N Deonarine st †Kamran Akmal b Davis 12 J Blackwood b Badree 12 CA Lynn st †Kamran Akmal b Badree 10

DL Vettori lbw b Badree 0

AD Russell c sub (M Deyal)

b DJ Bravo 36

K Santokie lbw b Cooper 10

J Theron not out 3

JE Taylor not out 5

Extras (b 2, lb 1, w 5, nb 1) 9

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 138

Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-36, 3-54, 4-65, 5-74, 6-74, 7-87, 8-120, 9-130

Bowling: S Badree 4-1-35-3, JH Kallis 1-0-2-0, DJ Bravo 4-018-2, SJ Benn 4-0-28-2, J Botha 2-0-11-0, DYA Davis 2-0-12-1, KK Cooper 3-0-29-1.

and Sir Leon Lessons was clearly a higher class than the Dolphin side.

Dolphin Secondary conceded the opening goal through an own goal as an attempted clearance deflected into the net.

It soon become 2-0 in

the 42nd minute as Captain Curtis Kellman scored, the score line would then balloon once more in the 43rd minute through Lonsdale George. David George easily made it 4-0 going into the halftime break.

With the match basically decided in the first half Sir Leon Lesson added insult to injury when George, Kevin Boters, Stephon McLean, Kellman and Amanick Muir scored in the 47th, 52nd, 57th, 80th and 87th minutes respectively to seal the deal.

Red Steel edge Tallawahs in nail-biter!

Anumber of excellent individual performances combined to take the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel to a thrilling 7-run victory over the Jamaica Tallawahs, who although defeated scored enough runs to ensure qualification for the second phase of the season. The victory also ensures the Red Steel will finish in the top four and ends the hopes of the St. Lucia Zouks.

After posting a strong total of 145-4 from their 20 overs, the Red Steel took wickets at regular intervals to peg the Tallawahs back and despite a late surge led by Andre Russell ended up victorious.

After winning the toss and electing to bat the Red Steel’s innings was expertly anchored by Jacques Kallis who finished with 61 not out. Kallis was supported by a brilliant and powerful cameo from Dwayne Bravo who blitzed 49 from just 30 balls including three sixes. Other than Kallis and Bravo no other Red Steel batsmen

hit a single boundary.

All the Tallawahs bowlers recorded economical figures other than Andre Russell who was a tad expensive, conceding 36 from his four overs. He and Jeromy Taylor were the only bowlers to pick up wickets, with Kamran Akmal run out by a superb piece of fielding from Mahela Jayawardene.

The Tallawahs chase began in incredible fashion with Chris Gayle plundering Samuel Badree’s first over for 26, even including a final ball dot ball.

However, although the Tallawahs were ahead of the rate very early the Red Steel bowlers stuck to their task and by taking wickets at regular intervals punctured the run-chase. At the end of the Powerplay the visitors were just about still in it at 54-3, however the Tallawahs lost 4-33 in the middle-overs as Badree returned brilliantly in his second spell to take 3-9 from his last three overs.

continued on page 23

Chase Academy win South Georgetown

hase Academy had a bit of luck with them to walk away as the 2015 edition winners of the South Zone Georgetown final of the Digicel Nationwide School Football Championships.

Victory is sweet for the Red Steel franchise as they move to second on Hero CPL leader board

By TreisTon Joseph

Chase Academy pose with their winning trophy alongside CEO Kevin Kelly

Sir Leon Lessons celebrate their debut South Georgetown title at the presentation ceremony