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PPP donates outboard P17 engine to Region 2 office

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2906

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Banana skin row leaves P17 1 dead

Shooting at GGMC officers

Matter will not be brushed P7 under carpet – Greenidge

Time to address loopholes in CSME – Caricom leaders

Maternity Ward extension delayed P16 Page 12

Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government at the opening ceremony of the 37th Regular Meeting in Georgetown. The meeting, which continues today, will advance matters pertaining to regional security – the economic and social well-being of the approximately 16 million people who make up the Caribbean Community

City Council has no financial accountability – Goolsarran Page 3

Guyanese man shoots girlfriend, turns gun on self in Brooklyn Page 7

…calls for immediate audit

Trafficking In Persons

Guyana urged to increase victim assistance efforts – US report Page 9

Local law P16 school proposal yet to reach Cabinet – AG Improper disposal of foetus P17

Preliminary report finds doctor, nurse accountable – Dr Norton

2 news

tuesDAY, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

“Terrorism poses danger to all Tobacco Control Bill of us” – Foreign Affairs Minister for Parliament’s next sitting – Dr Norton

By Devina Samaroo

G

one are the days when the threat of terrorism was perceived as a national agenda issue for large and influential countries.

Guyana, a small country situated on the edge of South America, has introduced the concept of terrorism into its laws and has been making global strides in discussion forums on clamping down on terrorism.

These sentiments were expressed by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge during an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday.

He declared that terrorism was indiscriminate and Guyana was not immune to the threat.

There is no one definition of terrorism, but, according to the FBI, it is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

“Terrorism poses dangers to the entire global community. It poses dangers for all of us, innocent people…

Whether it’s babies or pregnant women or ill people…

We all have to be concerned about terrorism and Guyana has to be part and parcel of a global drive and action to try and curb it,” Greenidge stated.

The Minister could not say how much at risk the country was to the dangers of terrorism, but he assured that every effort was being made to make the environ-

ment in Guyana safe for all.

On the heels of a terrorism threat at a local bank, Minister Greenidge said Government was doing all in its power, despite its limited capacity and resources, to ensure the climate in Guyana was calm.

“There’s a lot more strengthening that needs to be done, but, of course, we don’t have the resources by ourselves to carry out any significant battle,” he stated.

Additionally, President David Granger spoke about terrorism concerns during his recent television broadcast of “The Public Interest”.

Granger noted that the concerns would be addressed at the Caricom Heads of Government Summit in the broader concept of threats to regional security.

He noted that particular focus would be placed on Caricom Member Trinidad and Tobago where terrorism concerns were heightened.

Last year, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud disclosed that the Guyana Police Force had “unverified” information of a suspected terrorist in Guyana.

According to the Police Commissioner, there were previous reports of a terrorist, Adnan El Shukrijumah, who was believed to be of Guyanese parentage.

Shukrijumah, a leading Al Qaeda militant, was shot and killed in Pakistan a year ago. He was wanted by the United States over a 2009 plot to attack the New York subway system.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

“There is some unverified data of one other… still unverified, but no other we are aware of,” he revealed.

However, Persaud could not say whether the suspect was in Guyana or was a Guyanese living abroad.

The Police Commissioner further pointed out that there were no reports of Guyanese who have travelled to terrorism-torn countries to join the Islamic State (IS) or have returned to Guyana from any of those countries.

Asked about measures in place to deradicalise possible terrorist threats, the Top Cop outlined that while there were currently no documented plans to tackle terrorism, this was being addressed through the highly-successful Social Crime Prevention Programme.

Persaud also pointed out that at the local level, Guyana was linked to an information-sharing system attached to the Caribbean through the Regional

Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC), the International Police (Interpol) and American law enforcement agencies.

The Commissioner explained that RIFC collected intelligence from not only Caricom Member States but other countries in the Region, before interfacing with Interpol and US databases. “They do analysis and send it out,” he stated.

Locally, Persaud said the Immigration Department was kept abreast with any such developments through intelligence provided to them from both the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Branch of the Guyana Police Force.

While there has been no proven terrorism activity on local soil, Guyana has often found itself in the midst of various terrorismrelated controversies, including the El Shukrijumah incident. Back in 2007, a former People’s National Congress (PNC) Member of Parliament in Guyana, Abdul Kadir, was among four Muslim terrorists, who were intercepted during a plot to firebomb the John F Kennedy Airport in New York.

Then in February 2014, Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) had strengthened its security procedures after one of its flights from Guyana to New York was allegedly threatened. Investigations had revealed that the call to the airline company emanated from Barbados.

The Tobacco Control Bill is scheduled to be laid at the next Parliamentary Sitting

T

he day is drawing nearer when legislation will be put in place to ensure the regulation of tobacco smoking in Guyana.

Despite strong objections from the local tobacco industry, the Tobacco Control Bill is expected to be laid for debate at the next sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, according to Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times, the Minister explained that Cabinet would first have to scrutinise the draft legislation before it was laid in Parliament, something they did not get an opportunity to do at the last Cabinet meeting.

“We rushed through our last Cabinet sitting, so we didn’t get a chance to look at the Bill, but I am hoping by the next sitting, it will be laid in the National Assembly,” he stated.

Cabinet is expected to meet today.

However, this is not the first time the Minister guaranteed that the Bill would be laid soon.

Only recently, Shadow Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony urged the Government to put an end to the lip service and act expeditiously to bring the draft Tobacco Control Bill to the National Assembly.

The legislation has been on the cards since the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration; however, it was never brought to the National Assembly.

Upon assumption to office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition intensified efforts to bring this legislation to the front burner.

It recommenced the consultation process; however, this turned sour when the local industry raised a number of objections to the draft Bill. turn to page 9

news

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tuesDAY, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 5 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, July 6 – 05:00h-06:30h.

City Council has no financial accountability – Goolsarran …calls for immediate audit

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 5 – 17:25h-18:55h and Wednesday, July 6 – 05:05h-06:35h.

W

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloud cover is expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

ith a decade-long gap of no public presentation of its financial position, the City Council has proven to have no financial accountability, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran on Monday stated as he called for an immediate in-depth audit into the Council.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Goolsarran insisted that 10 years of

months of the close of the financial year, the city treasurer is required to prepare and submit to the auditor financial statements for that year for audit. If the treasurer fails to comply, he/she will be guilty of an offence.

“Something has to be done because no efforts are being made to find out what happened in the last 10 years. This infers serious problems,” Goolsarran Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

critics to lobby for a forensic audit.

A few of these discrepancies were allegations that residential property owners were been allowed a 100 per cent reprieve on the interest on rates they owed to the Council, while commercial and corporate proper-

High Tide: 04:49h and 17:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.60 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:52h and 23:06h reaching minimum heights of 0.48 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

Saturday, july 2, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

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arrears in terms of financial reporting and auditing was not only a “disturbing trend”, but also showed that the Council had no interest in bringing the accounts up to order.

He stated that as of August 2013, the last set of audited accounts of the Council was for 2004 and that the Audit Office had received financial statements for the years 2005 and 2007.

There is no evidence to suggest that any financial statements were produced for 2006.

According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, within four

said, noting that during his tenure as the Auditor General he had cause to repudiate his opinion on the Council’s financial statements. He stated that the accounts were in such a bad state that he was unable to endorse them as it related to their completeness, accuracy, and validity.

The City Hall has been lashed with criticisms from all sides, more recently with the proposal to introduce a parking meter system as a means of generating revenue for the Council. There have been other discrepancies highlighted within the Council which had pushed

ty owners were offered a 50 per cent to 75 per cent amnesty – dependent on special circumstances.

However, this 75 per cent maximum amnesty has allegedly been breached many times and some commercial and corporate property owners have been awarded discounts of up to 100 per cent.

Goolsarran stated that while there was no concrete evidence to suggest wrongdoing within the Council over the last 10 years, he has deduced that non-timely presentation of financial statements implied disinterest and, therefore, raised eyebrows about the handling of fiscal matters within the Council. turn to page 7

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guyana-times.com

tuesdAY, july 5, 2016

Views The world’s largest radio telescope

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

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

Editorial

Culture Industries

I

t has been exactly twenty years since the UN placed the problematic of "culture" on its agenda and resolved to have its members appreciate its fundamental role in all aspects of human development, including economic development.

But somehow our policy makers in Guyana have studiously ignored all the exhortations even as our lagging development was bemoaned.

In 1996, UNESCO published the Report of the World Commission on Culture and Development, "Our Creative Diversity", which established the culture and development agenda, and identified culture as a development priority. In the years that followed, the new agenda was supported by several policy papers and reports, the names of a few which suggest the contours of the debate and discussion: "From the Margins: A Contribution to the Debate on Culture and Development in Europe"; "Culture, Creativity and Markets"; "Cultural Diversity, Conflicts and Pluralism"; "Creative Industries and Development".

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted an explicit resolution on culture and development. It emphasised the important contribution of culture for sustainable development and for the achievement of national and international development objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals.

As it stated, "Indeed, culture is a powerful economic tool which generates employment and income through cultural industries, cultural tourism and local traditional know-how.

Moreover, it contributes also in fostering dialogue and social cohesion. Cultural dimension, as an essential component of human development, remains, nevertheless, not sufficiently included in development policies and activities.

"This UN resolution invites, thus, the main development stakeholders to: Incorporate culture into all development policies; Promote its positive value, as an essential investment for the world’s future; Raise public awareness of the importance of cultural diversity for sustainable development; Support and assist the development of a dynamic cultural and creative sector in developing countries by encouraging creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and providing technical and vocational training for culture professionals."

As stated before, to a large degree, this recognition of the pivotal role of culture in development was not evident in Guyana even as the experience of several countries that pulled themselves out of poverty illustrated that the traditional "factors of production" needed to be augmented.

In line with the trend of thinking summarised by UNESCO, the main factors of economic and social growth were posited to be knowledge, creativity, originality and skills.

This new development paradigm for what has been called a "post-industrial society" in those countries such as Britain which had witnessed the diminution of traditional manufacturing, not only changed the economic structure of societies, but also the concepts of growth and development.

As far back as the later 1980s one theorist had deployed the term “cultural industries” to tie the "cultural turn" to economic development. He explained he was referring to industries” in our society which employ the characteristic modes of production and organisation of industrial corporations to produce and to disseminate symbols in the form of cultural goods and services--usually as commodities”.

The main characteristics of those industries are “to use capital-intensive process, technological means of mass production and/or distribution, highly developed divisions of labour and hierarchical modes of managerial organisation."

From the above perspective, we can consider the cultural industries sector to consist of four circles that may intersect each other in a dynamic fashion. One circle would encompass what may be considered the core "creative arts" that are not usually seen as "industrial": literature, music, performing arts and visual arts.

Another circle, consisting of film, museum, galleries, libraries, photography would be easier visualised as "creative industries" since they already "provide employment".

Even more so would be heritage, publishing and printing, sound recording, television and radio, video and computing game which form the wider cultural industries network.

Rounding it off would be the circle of related industries advertising, architecture, design, fashion, etc.

It was mentioned recently, en passant, that Guyana has been engaged in a Caricom initiative on "Cultural Industries".

Would sharing this engagement also expose us to "industrial appropriation", a la the parking meters?

The last panel of the world's largest radio telescope is installed in Pingtang county, Guizhou Province, China. The "Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope", or FAST, is the size of 30 football fields and has been hewn out of a mountain in the south-western province of Guizhou. The US$180 million radio telescope would be a global leader for the next one to two decades [Xinhua news agency/AP]

Sovereign Wealth Fund

Dear Editor, The recent announcement of a second major Oil reserve discovery for Guyana is welcome news for all Guyanese, it gives us all hope that the 'better life' will soon materialise, it also gives us all worry that the culture of corruption that has ensnared our political class from the first day of independence to this present day will suck our hopes and dreams down its bottomless vortex and we become a nation of few mega-rich families and a massive class of under-privileged citizens.

Our every effort must be to seek to avoid this fate.

Whilst campaigning during the last general election, President David Granger

made numerous allusions to the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to protect the proceeds from the new pillar of our economy.

I am sure the country would welcome more specific information on this Fund. My research shows that Funds of this nature can take many forms, the much maligned NICIL is a Sovereign Wealth Fund as defined 'A sovereign wealth fund (SWF) consists of pools of money derived from a country's reserves, which are set aside for investment purposes that will benefit the country's economy and citizens.'

In light of allegations of mismanagement, secret

deals and corruption levelled by President Granger while in opposition and the difficulty to obtain information on investments and returns to this day, I would ask that the President address the nation to inform us all of exactly what type of SWF his administration would be setting up, where it would be based, who would administer it, who would have oversight, what laws will govern it and what type of investments it would be limited to making.

One can only hope it will be managed by a reputable institution such as the World Bank and free from the whims of any present or future political party that forms subsequent adminis-

trations in our nation's future.

We have not enjoyed a happy history with political appointees and political influence on business decisions. I fully support the creation of a SWF that is managed as outlined above and would offer a word of warning to those, including our politicians, who may have delusions of grandeur and private designs on our nation's future wealth, the world has changed greatly, no longer does it tolerate the theft of a nation's wealth by unscrupulous individuals.

Faithfully, Robin Singh

People should speak out like Brian Tiwarie Dear Editor, The United Republican Party (URP) wishes to join with Brian Tiwarie in his request to have former President Donald Ramotar answer the many questions raised by the contractor.

The URP believes that the questions posed by Tiwarie are legitimate and they warrant answers.

The URP is also inclined to believe that the current administration will not pursue any of the blatant irregularities highlighted by Tiwarie. We have noticed that once the irregularities have been highlighted, even through the audits, this gov-

ernment seems content to shelve them.

This behaviour is very telling and wearisome to the country.

Ramotar, however, is the one who started this latest issue by pointing out an irregularity of the APNU/AFC Government with regards to BK. The URP is therefore calling on Ramotar to return to his writing den and be at pains to address each and every one of the damming revelations made against him by Tiwarie.

It should be noted that the URP contested the 2015 General Elections because

we were of the firm conviction that the PPP had lost their way. The URP also notes that these accusations against Ramotar are coming only from one person with access to the thievery that obtained in only the three short years of President Ramotar’s reign.

Editor, in the interest of nationalistic pride and with the knowledge of karma, it behoves all those – like Brian Tiwarie – who know of the atrocities to come forward and speak out.

The URP thinks that President Granger should offer some kind of amnesty and witness protection to

all the persons who would like to come forward and inform the Guyanese public of those who committed crimes against the state. The state should set up a hotline or a special office to allow folks to publicly or anonymously report on these matters.

The URP also hopes that this administration will encourage further revelations by actively and publicly pursuing those fingered in these dastardly deeds.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bandhu URP Leader

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, july 5, 2016

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Ramotar lashes back at Brian Tiwarie

Dear Editor, Brian Tiwarie has reacted, strongly, to a letter I had sent to the press, in which I stated that the APNU/AFC regime handed over eight containers of steel that were imported by Surrendra Company for the Construction of the Specialty Hospital, to BK International Group, days after the 2015 General Elections. I indicated that the PPP/C Government had paid all required charges to GRA and to the Wharf, took the containers off the Wharf and the Ministry of Health took possession of these containers.

In the meantime, the PPP/C Government had moved to the Courts to sue Surrendra to recover monies paid to them after the Government terminated the contract. The intention was to execute the judgment obtained against Surrendra by levying on the containers to recover the judgment.

Mr Tiwarie claimed that we did not know what were in the containers, or their value. That also is not true. At the request of the Office of the President, the GRA did a 100 per cent inspection of the containers. As a result, we were assured that the value was sufficient to satisfy the judgment.

These containers were removed at the instance of Mr Tiwarie. Therefore, I maintain that millions of dollars’ worth in steel were virtually handed to him by his new-found political friends.

After I released the letter Mr Tiwari sent to me dated March 23 2015, in which he assured me that he was a “born PPP” and still is, obliviously embarrassed, Mr Tiwari seemed to have gone on a frenzy, throwing caution to the wind and unleashed a wild set of charges against me.

He claimed that he sent that letter to me because I threatened to stop his company from using GuySuCc’s hangar. This is absolutely untrue.

GuySuCo granted his company permission to use that facility, not me nor the Government. It was not my policy or that of my Government to interfere with entities governed by a board of directors.

He alluded to an incident where certain APNU officials travelled on a flight which the Government of Guyana had chartered. Of Course I objected. I had every right to do so.

In any event, this incident is absolutely unconnected to his letter 23rd March 2015. This incident occurred long after.

Mr Tiwari also claimed that the PPP/C had allowed Surrendra’s representative to leave Guyana. That is another lie. The truth is that after his case was completed with Surrendra, the court discharged the injunction which prevented the representative from leaving Guyana. There is a Court Order to this effect.

As a result, the representative was free to leave the Country.

This had nothing to do with the Government.

The fact is that the PPP/C ended this contract with

Surrendra after their breach and took legal and administrative measures to recover tax payers’ money.

Mr Tiwari’s actions prevented the Government from recovering these monies.

In clear Mafiosi style, Mr Tiwari made a lot of allegations against my brother. Let me state from the outset that I am not my brother’s keeper.

However, I feel compelled to respond because, Mr Tiwari attempts to implicate me in a number of wrongdoings. As a result, I took the time to speak to my brother to ascertain these claims of Mr Tiwari.

He informed me as follows: 1. My brother never purchased any land from GuySuCo. No one owns any such land on his behalf.

2. My brother offered to purchase lands from GuySuCo. He never received a response.

I challenge Mr Tiwari to produce evidence to the contrary.

3. My brother never purchased any pontoons or tugs from NICIL. 4. My brother owns a tug, which he has owned long before I became President.

5. As regards the barge, this barge was owned by MARAD. Mr Tiwari used this barge for years and when it became unworkable he abandoned it at Parika and left to sink.

6. My brother was awarded a contract to fetch materials for the Government. He was permitted to repair and use this same barge. This he did for years. Eventually, MARAD offered to sell him the barge.

They produced a certificate of valuation. My brother purchased at a price above that valuation.

7. A few months ago, Mr

Tiwari caused SARU to investigate this matter. I believe Mr Tiwari wants back this barge because it is now in good condition. SARU investigated this matter and examined my brother’s documents.

My brother has heard nothing since.

8. Mr Tiwari also charged that my brother received a container of parts from a Chinese businessman. Another lie. I was told that it is Mr Brain Tiwari who introduced my brother to the Chinese businessman. He told me that he had ordered from this businessman a part for the steering of his tug. The gentleman obliged and brought it in. It was housed in a box not more than five feet long and three feet wide. That is a far cry from a forty feet container. He also informed me that in Mr Tiwari’s presence, he enquired from the gentleman, the cost, however, this gentleman refuse to accept any payment.

Mr Tiwari conveys the impression that I have some personal vendetta against him and his company. This is another fabrication. I have known Mr Tiwari for many years before I became president. Why then would I suddenly develop a vendetta for him?

The truth is that when I assumed office, it was reported to me that Mr Tiwari’s company has a long history of not meeting contractual deadlines and submitting huge variations to contracts already signed, sometimes more than the original contract value. I was unprepared to tolerate such abuse. Also, there was a long line of contractual breaches by Mr Tiwari’s company which he was failing to deliver on. These include: 1. His company was contracted to rent the GRDB Wharf, and to develop it with an option to purchase in the end for $110 million. The rent was $10 million per year. No rent was paid for four years.

No development works were done. As a result, legal proceedings were file by NICIL. The matter is still pending in the Court.

2. His company also miserably failed in respect to a contract to build a wharf for GPL at Vreed-en-Hoop. GPL faced tremendous cost overruns and delays as a result. GPL was forced to move fuel by road instead. This cost the company millions of dollars in additional expenses.

3. Bk International fabricated a claim that GPL destroyed $600 million of heavy-

duty equipment which he claimed were on a piece of land at Vreed-en-Hoop, which he owned. In response GPL contended that the land was abandoned, over grown with bushes and had some pieces of old iron on it, which they dumped in the bushes nearby. In fact GPL claimed they spent $2 million to clear the land and pieces of old iron are still in the bushes.

BK International demanded $600 million in compensation and when this demand was refused they sued. The matter is still in Court.

4. BK’s management of the Haags Bosch project was a complete disaster. They ousted Puran’s Bros from the project and took over management of the site. It was so bad that the IDB refused to fund the project if BKs continued to be the contractor. Our Government terminated the contract.

BK went to court. Even this Government could not help him. They eventually ejected him from the site.

5. The East Bank Road Project is another casualty. I do not believe the contract is completed as yet.

6. Three contracts to drill wells for GWI were awarded to him years ago. To date none has been completed.

I can go on but I think I have said enough.

I hope that I have made it clear that I have no personal axe to grind with Mr Tiwari.

Mr Tiwari has a problem with me. It all started when I begun to demand that contractors fulfil their contractual obligation.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

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TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

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guyana-times.com

Foundation W

hether they are young children or teens, learn ways to keep your children safe and healthy while they enjoy the summer fun.

Master water safety

By Hollee Actman Becker

Y

ou can never be too cautious when it comes to taking children to crowded summer places, and these creative – and easy! – tips can help keep your children a little safer during your next trip to the farmers market or water park.

Ahh, summer!

It means beaches, concerts and outdoor music festivals.

They sound so inviting, but they all mean one thing: crowds.

They're annoying for grown-ups and often downright scary for little children – what happens if you get separated?

The police department in Clovis, California, recently posted on its Facebook page a couple preventive safety hacks for when you take little ones to crowded public places.

"Taking your young child to a big event, theme park, or other busy location?" the post reads. "Write your phone number on their wrist and cover it with liquid band-aid in case you get separated."

Genius!

They also suggested taking a picture of your children with your cell phone the morning of the event

so you'll have an up-to-date photo and know exactly what they were wearing.

The tips were part of a re-post from a few months back, but that didn't stop them from quickly going viral, racking up more than 23,000 shares.

Child development expert Dr Deborah

Gilboa told Today that both of the police department’s tips are very effective. She also shared her personal strategies for when she takes her own children out in public.

For starters, she says you should teach any child over the age of four to memorise your cell phone number. "If they can learn a song, they can learn a number," she ex-

plains. "Being able to tell a safety officer how to get in touch with their grown-up will teach children a valuable life skill and also help them calm down."

Then once you get to your destination, Gilboa says it's important to point

out to your child the people who work there."Help them identify employees or lifeguards," she says. "And then make sure they can tell you how they know that person works here (has a radio on their belt, is wearing a particular shirt, has a nametag) so that they can figure it out without you."

If you're at an event with assigned seating, like a concert or cricket game, Gilboa

suggests giving your children their own seat ticket to hold onto or put in their pocket. "Most security guards and ushers will bring children back to their seat if they know where it is or h a v e their ticket stub," she explains.

And finally, we know it sounds scary, but assume you'll get separated and have a plan in place. "Give your children lots of reminders about staying together, but also talk about what you'll do when you can't find each other," Gilboa says.

"This makes children less scared when it happens and makes the whole group more prepared."

Losing my children while out in public has always been a huge fear of mine, so I always make sure to remind them to stick close. But the best plans can still go awry, which is why we also have a designated meeting spot in case we get split up.

And while my children are old enough now to know all our phone numbers, I love the liquid band-aid trick – never heard that one before! (parenting.com)

Water-related activities are popular for getting physical activity and have many health benefits. Here are some tips to stay safe while having fun.

Learn how to prevent recreational water illnesses and help protect yourself and your kids.

Help kids get H2O Smartz about water safety.

Drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young children ages one to four, and three children die every day as a result of drowning.

Always supervise children when in or around water. A responsible adult should constantly watch young children.

Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills could save someone’s life.

Install a four-sided fence around home pools.

Recreational boating can be a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Make boating safety a priority.

Wear a properly fitted life jacket every time you and your loved ones are on the water.

Beat the heat and sun

Heat-related illness happens when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Infants and children up to four years of age are at greatest risk. Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. For heat-related illness, the best defence is prevention.

Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.

Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-coloured clothing.

Schedule outdoor activities carefully, for morning and evening hours.

Stay cool with cool showers or baths.

Seek medical care immediate if your child has symptoms of heat-related illness.

Just a few serious sunburns can increase you and your child's risk of skin cancer later in life. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're outdoors.

Cover up. Clothing that covers your and your child's skin helps protect against UV rays.

Use sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection every time you and your child go outside.

Keep mosquitoes and ticks from bugging you this summer

Protect yourself and your family by preventing bites and diseases, like Zika, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which can be transmitted by insects.

Use an effective insect repellent while playing outdoors.

Make your backyard a tick-safe zone.

Check yourself and your children for ticks. Ticks are easy to remove.

Prevent Injuries

Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. Falls at home and on the playground are a common cause of injury.

Check to make sure that the surfaces under playground equipment are safe, soft, and well-maintained.

Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, such as stairs and playground equipment.

Use stair gates, which can help keep a busy, active child from taking a dangerous tumble.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity.

Learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.

Make sure kids and teens wear the right protective equipment for their sport or recreation activity.

Parents can take many actions to protect their children's health and safety at home.

Stay smart around the house by following tips on fire prevention, microwave use, and living with pets.

Learn healthy home tips for each room in the house.

Stop the violence

Kids can use electronic media to embarrass, harass, or threaten their peers. Take steps to prevent electronic aggression, a term that captures all types of violence that occur electronically.

As teens develop emotionally, they are heavily influenced by their relationship experiences, including teen dating.

Protect your children from teen dating violence. Nearly one in 10 teens reports having been hit or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend at least once over a year’s time. (Excerpt from the CDC)

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Guyanese man shoots girlfriend, Matter will not be brushed turns gun on self in Brooklyn Shooting at GGMC officers

under carpet – Greenidge

W

ith Venezuela steadfastly denying the occurrence of the shooting incident in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has made it clear that the Government of Guyana would not allow the issue to be brushed under the carpet.

During an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, Greenidge disclosed that though the situation was seemingly at a deadlock, with both sides maintaining a different position, the Guyana Government would ensure that the matter gained as much international attention as possible.

He said the matter would be drawn to the attention of the United Nations Secretary General Ban KiMoon, who was reportedly in Venezuela recently to have discussions with the Nicolás Maduro Government.

Greenidge posited that Venezuela was playing a dangerous game by insinuating that Guyana fabricat-

ed the entire story.

“It is not in the interest of the Guyana Government to create by fabricating information incidents that did not occur,” he emphasised.

He lamented too that in situations of this nature, the smaller country was likely to suffer.

“It is incidents like this … which caused us to call for a move from current arrangements where these things can occur with no particular consequences for one side, but damaging impacts on the smaller State, which in this case is Guyana,” he said.

The Guyana Government recently expressed grave concerns about the Venezuelan Government’s staunch denial of the shooting incident which almost claimed the lives of four Guyanese.

Approximately two weeks after the shooting incident in the Cuyuni River, the Venezuelan Government denied that the shooting occurred, maintaining that officers of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces

City Council has no...

“The newly-elected Councillors have to demand an audit and call for accountability within the City Council. They need to reflect on how best to fix the broken system and bring the accounts up to date.

Simultaneously, they need to commission a special audit for the last 10 years because gathering the information for that time would take years…and the people anxious to know what has been going on within City Hall and I am anxious…so a spe-

cial audit is also necessary,” he said.

Goolsarran insisted that given the Council’s lack of financial accountability, any proposal geared at enhancing the Council’s revenue base would be illogical. “It is like fixing a broken net.

You cannot use it unless it is patched or you buy a new one.”

“So before they engage in earning revenue, they need to fix the system because what guarantee do we have that the money collect-

did not open fire on the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) officers as was reported locally.

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips officially announced on May 30, 2016, that workers attached to the GGMC came under fire from the Venezuelan Army while they were patrolling an area along the border.

The Guyana Government had since dispatched a Note Verbale to the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveying its gravest concern over this incident, and calling on the Venezuelan Government to desist from such provocative and dangerous actions on the border.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have been increasingly tense over the past 13 months because the Bolivarian Republic continues to lay claim to over two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, even though an 1899 international arbitration panel set the border between the two countries.

FROM PAGE 3

ed from the parking meters would be accounted for?” he questioned.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo recently called on President Granger to commission an audit into the City Hall. He stated that the Council has been allocated millions and the country needed to know how much of those monies were spent.

He stated that it was imperative to find out how many tax waivers it had given out and how it had tendered its contracts.

A

father of four and his 23-year-old girlfriend were found dead with gunshot wounds to their bodies in their Brooklyn, New York home on Sunday afternoon. The Police are treating the incident as a murder-suicide.

US law enforcement officers believe that Christopher Pickering, 37, shot Elizabeth Thompkins in the head, in their Central Avenue home near Hancock Street in Bushwick, and then turned the gun on himself.

A relative found the bloody scene about 17:00h with a .9mm pistol resting on Pickering’s chest.

Neighbours described the two as a quiet, seemingly happy couple.

Pickering had three sons – one of them newly-born – and a daughter, and worked at a waste-management company. He reportedly migrated to the US a number of years ago.

A neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, was

Christopher Pickering and Elizabeth Thompkins in happier times

quoted by New York Daily News as saying: “He loved those kids so much. That’s really what I remember about him. He was always with them… I just don’t think he could have done something like this. It does not even seem real.”

Another neighbour, who identified herself as Latoya, told the US news-

papers that she rarely saw Thompkins, but she was typically quiet.

“You never heard them yelling and screaming. This is unbelievable,” Latoya said. “I can’t remember the last time I saw her, but she was very quiet like him. I never really spoke with her; it was mostly Chris who would say hi.”

60-year-old fined for abusive language

A

first-time offender appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court last week and pleaded guilty to the charge of abusive language.

According to the evidence provided in Court, Dwayne Ramcharran, 60, of 4248 Westminster, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, on Friday, June 24 at Parfaite Harmonie, made use of abusive lan-

guage to Joel Hickson.

After the defendant entered his guilty plea, he appealed for leniency and was fined $9000. Failure to pay this fine would see the defendant spending one week behind bars.

8 news

tuesDAY, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS

Eyew tness

Neighbours' dispute leads Caricom jumping to multiple charges through hoops...

A

fisheries labourer, a janitor and his mother were all charged for their actions in a dispute among neighbours of Rechtdoor-Zee, Canal Number 1, West Bank Demerara.

Krishna Roberts, 23, a janitor, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where he was charged with throwing missiles.

According to the allegations, on Tuesday 28 June

at Recht-door-Zee, Roberts threw missiles to the annoyance of Rolleta Junior, 35, also of Recht-door-Zee. He was further charged with use of threatening language towards the same woman. When asked for his address the young man sought his mother’s assistance as he was unable to provide this information, much to the annoyance of the Magistrate. When Roberts’ mother attempted to provide the address, she

was asked to leave the courtroom.

After his address was provided by the Police Prosecutor, Roberts was placed on self-bail for throwing missiles and $5000 bail for the threatening language charge.

In response to his charges Junior, who is also a single-parent mother of four children, was charged with threatening language towards Roberts on the same day of the dispute.

The woman, who works as a fisheries labourer, pleaded not guilty to the offence and was placed on $5000 bail.

Meanwhile, Roberts’ mother Indrawattie Roberts also of Recht-door-Zee was later charged and placed on self-bail on allegations that she also made use of abusive Language.

The three persons will all return to court on August 25 for fixtures.

Father remanded on larceny charge S uspected serial thief Anthony Brown, 24, of Lot 138 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was remanded to prison after reportedly stealing a motorcycle.

Brown appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court late last week, and the charge was read to him by Magistrate Clive Nurse. It is alleged that on October 14, 2015, at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, he stole the motorcycle, valued $420,000, property of Linden Agard.

Brown, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, explained that it was the first time he has been charged for such a crime. This assertion was, however, rejected by the prosecution. The Court was informed that based on information, the defendant, a father of one, was arrested for a similar offence. He is also wanted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for related matters.

On this basis, bail was denied and Brown will remain incarcerated until his trial, which is scheduled to commence on July 29.

Anthony Brown being escorted by a police officer

Good Intent man on bail for grievous bodily harm

N

igel Portman, 26, of 473 Good Intent Village, West Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to answer the charge of grievous bodily harm.

It was alleged that during an altercation on Thursday 16 June Portman unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Jason Prince, 21, a cook, also of Good Intent.

Guyana Times learnt that Portman used a wooden stool to hit the virtual complainant (VC), Prince.

The VC suffered a dislocated bone in his right hand, among other injuries. Prince appeared in court with one hand in a cast.

The defendant’s lawyer petitioned for reasonable bail on the grounds that Portman is a farmer and lives with his mother.

As the Prosecution had no objection, the defendant was placed on $30,000 bail and the matter will be recalled on July 29 for fixtures.

N

...on money laundering

othing brings home the ineffectualness of Caricom as much as the main topic on their agenda correspondent banks in the US and UK putting the squeeze on Caribbean banks. We’re suspected of being lax on reporting on banking transactions that might possibly be linked to money laundering. In the years after WWII, the Caribbean’s become identified with lax laws that permit anonymity for those that want to hide their wealth.

Never mind it’s US’s and British citizens that set up the tax shelters ‘cause most of the so-called “Caribbean tax havens”: Cayman Islands, Bermuda; US’s and British Virgin Islands - are still controlled by them. And Switzerland, Delaware, the British Channel Islands and London makes them look like pikers.

After decades of US’s and UK’s pretending they weren’t involved as their citizens raked in billions by hiding the wealth of the rich and the criminal - when the Caribbean havens finally bowed after regulations were tightened, the US simply moved in to fill the vacuum. And in this was the supreme irony that CariCom leaders are ignoring. The Caribbean’s clamping down on tax havens came about of the OECD’s imposing standards that are much tougher that the US’ Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, (FATCA).

Even though 97 countries signed on to the OECD standards - the US bluntly refused. And the disparity in standards started the exodus of anonymous money into the US which hasn’t ceased. As one banker quipped, “Hear that ‘whooshing’ sound? That’s money from tax havens across the globe being sucked into the US.” As one Bloomgerg headline announced in January, “The World’s Favorite New Tax Haven Is the United States - Moving money out of the usual offshore secrecy havens and into the US is a brisk new business.” Now joining Delware, which always was a tax haven, was Nevada, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

And it’s not just the Caribbean tax havens that’s bleeding green into the US banking system - it includes the grandaddy of anonymous money – Switzerland which secretes and estimated US$1.6 TRILLION. But after the OECD standards made several of their banks cough up a US$5 Billion fine, even they started losing green to the US. But why’s the US permitting this? When you cut through all the rhetoric, it boils down to the “vigorish” or “vig”. (Mafia term for “the take” in loansharking - also known as “juice”, “under-juice”, the “cut”). It’s just too much to pass up on.

While we know when you’re the US you play by your own set of rules - it’s called “American Exceptionalism” - as we’re being forced to jump through these financial regulatory hoops, can’t CariCom at least mention these points?

We at least should protest our violation.

...while it languishes

Another sign of CariCom’s ineffectualness can be found on the organisation’s website. In its announcement of the present 37th conclave of heads of government (CariCom Hogs) the best it could boast was: “CARICOM has made great strides, particularly through functional cooperation in, education, in health, in culture, in security. And despite some challenges, its Single Market functions and it is a respected voice in international affairs.”

This after 43 years and untold billions of dollars spent - just “functional cooperation in, education, in health, in culture, in security”? But even there, the functional cooperation in education has given us a very credible examination body, CXC...but as to delivering the substance of the product, has shown the governments are doing worse every year. Just look at the results of English and Mathematics at CSEC. Exactly what was done in health, culture and security?

We haven’t even been able to have a “Cultural Industries” policy paper much more implementing anything.

Mercusor anyone?

...but not for the Caribbean Peoples

The British great unwashed chose Brexit partly because they complained the Brussels’ bureaucrats were getting too involved in their lives.

At least West Indians can’t make that complaint against our do-nothing CariCom bureaucrats!!

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Trafficking In Persons Guyana urged to increase victim assistance efforts – US report

R

ecognising that more needs to be done to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, the United States' Department of State has outlined a number of recommendations for Guyana to increase its capacity to efficaciously address such cases.

In its Trafficking In Persons 2016 Report, which was published on Thursday, Guyana was ranked in Tier Two on the Watch List.

The document pointed to the fact that Government increased protection efforts, but victim assistance remained insufficient, especially in areas outside the capital city and for male victims.

In this regard, the report suggested that Guyana continued to vigorously investigate and prosecute sex and labour trafficking cases and hold convicted traffickers accountable – including complicit officials –by imposing sentences that commensurate with the severity of the crime, denying bail, and ordering restitution, where appropriate.

It called on the Government to finalise and issue written procedures to guide and encourage frontline officials, including Police, health, immigration, labour, mining, and forestry personnel, to identify and protect victims of forced labour and sex traf-

ficking.

The report also called for Government to implement training for law enforcement, judiciary officials, and front-line responders, especially those working outside the capital, on victim identification, referral to services, and victim-cen-

endanger them was also alluded to in the report and in this regard, Government was urged to increase funding for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that identify and assist victims.

The report also highlighted that there needed to be increased efforts to en-

The US State Department Trafficking in Persons 2016 report outlines recommendations for Guyana

tred investigations.

The report also underscored the need to allocate additional staff to the Inter-Ministerial AntiTrafficking Unit and to provide sufficient funding and resources for it to investigate trafficking in the mining sector and conduct awareness campaigns. The need for additional protection for victims to enable them to appear in court and testify against traffickers in a way that does not further

sure that victims were not summarily deported without the opportunity to assist in a trial against their traffickers and they were not penalised for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to trafficking.

Government was also encouraged to “develop child-sensitive investigation measures and court procedures that protect the privacy of children and minimise their re-traumatisation; regularly convene the

Tobacco Control Bill for...

The key stakeholder in the tobacco trade, Demerara Tobacco Ltd has said that the Bill – in its present state – was deeply flawed.

Managing Director of the company, Maurlaine ArgyleKirton had posited that the Bill was not “balanced” and would “cripple the tobacco industry” once passed in Parliament.

The Bill recommends restrictions on advertisement, promotion and sponsorship and also a ban on displaying tobacco products.

In fact, the Bill proposes a ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of the tobacco companies. This ban has been extended to corporate sponsorship.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on countries to get ready for plain (standardised) packaging of tobacco products, a method which re-

stricts use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.

In this regard, Dr Anthony is urging the Government to comply with Article II (Packaging and Labelling of Tobacco Products) and Article 13 (Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ,which recommend the adoption of plain packaging of tobacco and tobacco products.

The draft legislation seeks to make all enclosed spaces, public places, work places and public transportation smoke-free areas; ban tobacco promotion and sponsorship; ensure clear graphic warnings on all tobacco products with the warning

FROM PAGE 2

picture being 50 per cent of the cigarette package; and ban selling cigarettes by and to minors.

Recommendations have also been made for there to be increased taxes on the product.

Reports indicate that there are about 1.3 billion smokers in the world, most of them from developing countries and all of them at risk for debilitating chronic diseases.

The latest disease burden report estimates that globally tobacco kills approximately six million people annually. The global health care cost relating to tobacco disease is expected to increase to US$200 billion per year.

A study conducted by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey showed that 21 per cent of students aged 13-15 smokes or had smoked in Guyana.

(Devina Samaroo)

Inter-Ministerial Taskforce and finalise and implement the 2016-2017 national action plan; offer increased protection and assistance for victims near mining communities outside the capital; and continue to raise awareness of trafficking among civil society”.

In the report, it was highlighted that Guyana was a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour.

The document reported that victims were subjected to forced labour in the mining, agriculture, and forestry sectors, as well as in domestic service and shops.

It said while both sex trafficking and forced labour occurred in interior mining communities, limited Government presence in the country’s interior rendered the full extent of trafficking unknown.

With regard to children, the report said this group was particularly vulnerable to sex and labour trafficking.

Additionally, the document said Guyanese nationals were subjected to sex and labour trafficking in Jamaica, Suriname, and other Caribbean countries, and some Police Officers were complicit in trafficking crimes. The report also noted that corruption impeded anti-trafficking efforts.

Banana skin row leaves 1 dead

A

n argument between two men ended tragically on Monday morning when one pulled a knife and stabbed the other to the chest at Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown.

Dexter Arthur, 34, of Middle Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was stabbed once to his chest by his attacker, Eustace Griffith, 26, a farmer of Caneville, East Bank Demerara.

Based on reports, the now dead man reportedly threw a banana skin at the suspect and an argument ensued which quickly escalated into a fistfight.

The suspect reportedly got angry, whipped out a knife from his waist, and dealt Arthur one blow to his chest.

The injured man fell to the roadway and died almost immediately. The suspect then surrendered to the Police and admitted

to the crime. Eyewitnesses at the market on Monday stated that the two men would normally be seen in the area doing odd jobs for vendors.

One man recalled hearing the argument between the two and ignored them.

It was not until one of them collapsed to the ground with blood oozing from his chest that people reacted. He noted that people rushed to the scene only to find the man dead.

A Police source told Guyana Times that the incident occurred about 07:00h. “After the suspect stabbed the victim, he turned himself in to the Police and admitted that the argument stemmed from a banana skin that was thrown at the other.”

Guyana Times understands that two businessmen were also detained and were being questioned in relation to the stabbing incident.

10

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

News

man Infant mortality rate Zeelugt beaten, robbed slashed – Dr Norton A … 6 maternal deaths recorded Zeelugt man had to be treated at the Leonora Cottage Hospital on Sunday night after he was beaten and robbed while on his way home from a relative.

Nevendra Ramlakhan, 44, of Lot 24 Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was relieved of his wallet and a gold chain, which he was wearing at the time.

Guyana Times understands that the man was at a party at his relative’s home which he left about 22:30h for his residence. As he was walking home, two men pounced on him demanding cash and valuables.

G

uyana’s infant mortality rate has plummeted to a record low within the past six months, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton said on Monday.

Dr Norton announced a whopping average of 24 deaths for the first half of the year, stating that the rate was at its lowest in the last two years. He said there has been increased consciousness of infant deaths, improved training and more neonatal units installed at public health facilities to help reduce the rate.

The Public Health Ministry has collected data, which has revealed that there was an average of four deaths per month – a considerable drop.

Dr Norton reiterated that the infant mortality rate had become a priority for the Ministry, thus it has taken stringent measures to reduce it.

In 2015, that rate stood at 23.1 per 1000, while child mortality rate under five years of age, which was supposed to be 16, stuck out at 24.2 for 2014.

According to a multi-indicator cluster survey carried out in Guyana, Dr Norton stated, the probability of a baby dying within the first month of life was

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton (at centre) listens to officials inside the refurbished Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (Government Information Agency photo)

22.9 per 1000 live births and between birth and its first birthday, 31.8.

He opined that most infant deaths recorded were caused by infections or the negligence of medical practitioners.

Significant drop

Meanwhile, Dr Norton stated that there have been six cases of maternal death for the past six months, which is also a considerable decline in maternal mortality given the ratio for the previous years.

Recently, a United Nations report disclosed that Guyana was among five countries in the Region with the highest maternal mortality rate, and among six nations where the incidence had amplified notably between 1990 and 2013.

As of December 30, 2015, Guyana had recorded 17 cases of maternal deaths.

This is the cause of the country missing its goal to reduce maternal deaths by three-quarters between the years 1990 and 2015. The maternal mortality ratio

has decreased from 270 per cent in 1990 to 86 per cent in 2012. Therefore, in order to achieve its target, Guyana would have had to reduce its maternal mortality rate to 67.5 per cent by the end of 2015.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud had stated that an acute shortage of obstetricians was one of the reasons for the high mortality rate, along with teenage pregnancy.

Dr Norton, on the other hand, had laid some of the blame at the feet of the health practitioners, stating that some of them had displayed objectionable behaviour when it came to treating pregnant patients.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 11

According to reports, the man refused to hand over his wallet and was dealt several kicks and cuffs. The men grabbed his gold chain from around his neck and his wallet from his pants pocket before leaving him lying on the road corner.

They then made good their escape.

Ramlakhan managed to get up and sought help at a nearby house. He was then rushed to the hospital where he was treated and sent away.

The matter was reported to the Leonora Police Station, and an investigation has been launched.

National Toshaos Conference set for July 18

T

he National Toshaos Conference (NTC) has been set for July 18 to July 22, 2016.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock made the announcement, noting that at the NTC all of the leaders of the indigenous communities around the nation will gather to discuss issues and policies which affect the nation’s first peoples with Government officials and various organisations.

According to Minister Allicock, the five-day NTC will be held at Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

“A large turnout is expected at the National Toshaos Conference.

The [Neighbourhood Democratic Councils] NDCs are expected to have a majority of the Toshaos present at the Conference if not all because the Toshaos

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

Conference is an area of business for them. The Conference is a very important time for the Toshaos,” the Minister stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Allicock confirmed the completion of the Umana Yana and noted the newly-constructed Monument has been handed over to the Education Ministry’s Department of Youth, Culture and Sport.

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

guyana-times.com

Asian indentured servitude in Atlantic History: Finally some recognition

L

ast week, I received an email from someone working for Oxford University Press asking if I would be interested in contributing to Oxford Bibliographies, an innovative online research tool, on “Asian indentured servitude” in Atlantic history.

Each Oxford Bibliographies article provides a skeleton for research that guides readers through the most essential sources on a given topic.

I was moved by this invitation not so much that I was chosen but rather that the Asian indentured experience in Atlantic history has finally “made it” to a top publishing press.

For the interested, Atlantic history was developed in the 1980s to connect the history of the Atlantic Ocean, namely Europe, the Americas, and Africa during the nineteenth and twentieth century. The rationale for Atlantic history has been that the above regions can be studied Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine as one system through common exchanges and interconnections rather than separate entities.

In spite of criticism such as imperial history under another name, Atlantic history has made an enormous impact on how the events (imperialism, colonialism, slavery, etc) in the early modern period have been studied.

However that may be, a cursory reading of Atlantic history has revealed marginalisation of the Asian indentured experience, Chinese included, which seems to be on the periphery, relegated and restricted to footnotes. Such a marginalisation of this history in Atlantic studies is rather unfortunate.

To contextualise, an estimated 500,000 Indians were brought to the Caribbean following slave emancipation in 1838. Over 350,000 of them settled in the Caribbean while 175,000 went back home when their contracts expired. Another 50,000 to 60,000 returned to the Caribbean for the second time. In all, about 750,000 crossed the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. An estimated 50,000 died on the Kala Pani (sea voyage) while about 75,000 died on the plantations.

Today, Indians are the slim majority population in Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname. They comprise about 20 per cent of the English-speaking Caribbean.

One would think that the marginalisation of this aspect of Atlantic history would be unsettling to the developers and ambassadors of this field and file of study, not to mention the direct descendants who are clamouring for a political space in a predominately Euro-Afro southern Caribbean.

Why the Indian indentured experience has been marginalised in Atlantic history is a matter of speculation. What has happened is that writers have been too focused on revising and rewriting this history that they have become insular, and in particular where the southern Caribbean is concerned, Afro-centric.

Whatever might have been the reason for the marginalisation of the Indian indentured experience, there appears now a unique opportunity for writers from all ethnic backgrounds to take up the challenge and contribute.

In some ways, this has already started but not necessarily in a desired direction. Gaiutra Bahadur’s book >>>Coolie woman<<< comes effortlessly to mind. I understand that an Indian female presenter at the Jubilee conference (June 2016) in New York cited this book regularly.

Unfortunately, the presenter is acutely unaware of the weaknesses in the book. I reviewed this book in one of the dailies and information leaked to me suggested that when Bahadur read my reviews, she broke down. Of course, this was not my motive and intention. I was simply following basic academic standards of reviewing books, although my reviews might have been too harsh.

There are, however, several bright pages in the chapters of Indian indentured history currently. One of them is the work of Devi Hardeen, an Indian female Guyanese raised in England.

Hardeen argues for a space of the “Brown Atlantic” in Atlantic history.

For over two years, she communicated with me seeking my advice in helping her to develop this Brown Atlantic concept for her dissertation. Her position is that Indians in the Caribbean should be treated equally like all other ethnic groups in Atlantic history. I still think that Hardeen is on to something big but unfortunately she has fell off the academic radar. Some of her work on the Brown Atlantic is available on the internet.

My main purpose of composing this piece is to bring awareness of a new development in Atlantic history as well as sending a message to the Ministry of Cohesion. Of all the initiatives of coalition regime, I support this one: The drive to unite Guyana’s ethnic divide. However, the idea of social cohesion is forwardlooking but the approach is fraught with ambiguities.

The Ministry is crippled and cabined by incapacities and incapabilities coupled with what appears to be a one-woman show. I will ask Oxford University Press to send a copy of the article to the lap of those who control the levers of power in the Ministry of Social Cohesion. It is my way of contributing as well as bringing a voice to the voiceless. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

11

News

PPP launches Accabre College of Political and Social Sciences

By Indrawattie Natram

T

he People’s Progressive Party has launched its Accabre College of Political and Social Sciences in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) with 50 persons already enrolled.

Attending the launch late last week was General Secretary of the Party, Clement Rohee, along with the Party’s Regional Executive Committee members.

Participants in the training were drawn from various Party groups: the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) across the Region.

Delivering opening remarks at the opening was Region Two Chairman

2 charged in Belle West, WBD dispute

I

n the aftermath of yet another dispute between neighbours, a duo appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court charged with assault.

Shakira Saman, a mother of five, was last week charged with the assault of Indra Manickchand, the Virtual Complainant (VC), who is her neighbour.

It is alleged that on June 25, the defendant at Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD), unlawfully assaulted Manickchand.

When the charge was read, Saman pleaded not guilty and was placed on $25,000 bail. The case will continue on July 25.

Meanwhile, in a related matter, Kevin Goberdhan, 21, of Lot 957 Belle West, pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on the day of the altercation, he made use of threatening behaviour to Manickchand. The Wales Magistrate’s Court also heard that Goberdhan was previously fined for a similar offence, but he promised that he would discontinue such actions.

Presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse warned the defendant, informing him that there were consequences of continuing the behaviour in question. As such, he was fined $25,000 for the offence.

If he chooses not to pay, he faces eight weeks’ imprisonment for the threatening behaviour offence.

A section of the gathering at the opening

Devanand Ramdatt, who extended his appreciation to the Party’s leadership for the timely implementation of the training programme, which he said was an action point from the Party’s Regional Conference held earlier in the year. He urged participants to retain the training and wished them well in the future and their studies.

During the first class, General Secretary Rohee focused on the history of the PPP, the New Global Human Order and the role of Dr Cheddi Jagan in the struggle for a better Guyana. He em-

phasised that the PPP as a party continued to be a multiracial one and was focused on enhancing the lives of the working class of Guyana. He further said that the training was an indication of the priority the PPP was giving towards cadre building, which would serve as a catalyst for the sustainable development of the Party.

Several prominent Party leaders will be serving as facilitators to deliver the intense training curriculum.

Participating students will be undertaking a community development related project at the end of their training.

Arnold Adams, a participant from the Good Hope PPP Group, extended his appreciation to the General Secretary for providing him with the training opportunity. He indicated that having examined the curriculum and the lecturers, he realized that he was very fortunate to be a beneficiary. A classmate, Ms Courtman from Karawab, an Amerindian village located some 60 miles up the Pomeroon, also expressed similar sentiments.

A graduation and prize giving ceremony will be hosted at the end of the training.

Infant mortality...

Nevertheless, he stated that they have managed to control the situation and have employed more doctors to work in the maternity ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital – where most of the country’s population would go to have their babies delivered.

“We have a far way to go, but we are taking every maternal death as one too many and are doing everything in our power to prevent it,” he said, adding that they have

employed more specialists to work in the maternal unit and the neonatal unit in public health facilities.

Earlier in the year, the Opposition’s Shadow Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had stated that the deteriorating primary health care referral system was the root cause of the high maternal mortality rate. He had stated that Guyana would continue to struggle with the problem if the Public Health Ministry did not address

FROM PAGE 10

the issue of its faltering referral system, particularly in health centres across the country.

He stated that there were many instances when a mother would be experiencing a high-risk pregnancy and health centres would drag their feet to refer patients to a tertiary medical institution.

He suggested that if there was early detection of high-risk pregnancy, many lives would be saved.

12 news Time to address loopholes in CSME – Caricom leaders

tuesDay, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

By Vahnu Manickchand

I

n light of the recent bout of tension between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago over trade issues, the Heads of the two countries have declared their commitment to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and more specifically its integrated development strategy – Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), while pressing for much focus to be placed on the initiative to make it more effective and efficient for people in the Caribbean.

Delivering remarks at the opening of the 37th Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which got underway on Monday in Guyana, Prime Minister Andrew Holness pointed out that Jamaica

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness

including changes to its legislation.

He said Jamaica now provides a strong, transparent and predictable regulatory environment for those who wish to relocate there for working purposes, noting that this is an integrated pillar for the integration

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves

has always been supportive of CSME and undertaken the necessary reforms

process.

“For many, including the man-in-the-street, free

movement represents a tangible in which he can benefit from tangibly,” he posited. However, the Jamaican Prime Minister noted that there have been increasing cases of Jamaicans being denied entry and questionable treatment at ports across the region. This, he said, must be urgently addressed in a meaningful way, otherwise, the economic sense of Caricom will be questioned.

To this end, Holness disclosed that this matter is being discussed bilaterally and he is encouraged by the responsiveness of the concerns.

“We believe that bilateral consultations supported by additional effort in the institution of our community and make the movement of labour equal to that of the movement of goods – a reality that would extend the progress and benefit of the integration effort.”

The Jamaican Head of State observed that the re-

gion has been lacking in its efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with each other. In this regard, he announced that Jamaica is currently working with Trinidad to establish a joint commission agreement with the aim of developing a mutually beneficial cooperation programme. Similar initiatives will be undertaken with other Member States, the Prime Ministersaid.

He further explained that regional integration is not an end in itself but a means to achieving a much broader objective, that is, the economic growth and development of Caribbean countries and the improvement of the lives of its people: “It should allow small

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley

phasised that while integration processes like the CSME can deliver economic gains, it must be mindful that CSME as a mere concept cannot deliver these

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on his arrival at the opening

economies like ours to overcome regional constraints, build our resilience, and

promises. He stressed that as a functional and transformative integration process,

sentiments were adopted by Prime Minister of Trinidad Dr Keith Rowley, who in his remarks, requested that integrated development strategy be put on the front burner of discussions during the conference.

Rowley outlined that the Region must take ownership of the challenges and opportunities facing the Caribbean and view them as critically matters to be addressed.

“In this vain, Trinidad and Tobago has requested that the Caricom put the Single Market and Economy back on the agenda and the deliberations and decisionmaking should focus on that aspect,” he stressed.

The Heads of Government will have a packed agenda for business sessions, today and Wednesday. Some of the major highlights include: regional security, CSME, Border Issues,

Government Ministers and other officials

President David Granger being escorted into the opening ceremony of the 37th Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in the presence of Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

take advantage of new and existing opportunities in the global market place.”

Regionally, Holness em-

CSME can deliver the much needed economic dividends to our citizens.

Prime Minister Holness’

Correspondent Banking (De-risking), Caricom-Cuba Relations, among other issues in the region.

news

13

tuesday, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Caricom leaders urged not to suffer similar fate as EU …Skerrit addresses highs, lows of the Caribbean Community since the advent of adult suffrage following World War Two, there has been considerable progress by the federation CARIFTA and

By Alexis Rodney

D

ominican Prime Minister and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government Roosevelt Skerrit has made a plea to his regional counterparts to use the proceedings of the 37th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of Caricom, to craft a working plan that would prevent among themselves, a similar event as that which recently occurred in the European Union (EU).

Skerrit was the final Head of State to grace the microphone, in the lineup of speakers at the opening ceremony of the Heads of Government of Caricom meeting, at the National Cultural Centre on Monday.

While he sought to address some of the highs and lows of the Caribbean Community, he was seemingly a little more concerned about the situation in which the European Union has found itself, following the recent exit of the United Kingdom (UK) last week, pleading with community members of Caricom not to even consider taking that

been battered, both figuratively by global economic financial crises and literally, by natural disasters.

“Our resilience is being

Dominican Prime Minister and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government Roosevelt Skerrit

important trading partner, and a vital source of assistance on legal and financial matters.

“Let us instead work together to strengthen our cooperation and collaboration to create a stronger and vibrant community,” Skerrit said.

He called for Caricom to properly analyse and position to take advantage of the “opportunities that will arise from this.”

Second, he said, EU membership not only brings with it free movement, but also automatic access to welfare and other benefits.

“This created anxiety, as the average English voter saw membership of the EU as opening the floodgates for countless Europeans and refugees to pour into the country from any EU ports of entry, something that Britain could not afford indefinitely,” he told the audi-

“Let us therefore focus more closely on what needs to be done to strengthen Caricom, to make it more economically competitive and generate resources to sustain our togetherness.”

The chairman said he has taken the chair of Caricom at a time when the world is still in shock at Britain’s decision to leave the European Union after 43 years of leadership and at a time, when the rest of the world is moving toward regional integration in order to carve out an economic space in the global marketplace, and to balance the might of the emerging superpowers.

Meanwhile, Skerrit said the circumstances in the EU remain different to that of the Caribbean Community.

According to him, there are two main reasons why Britain would want to leave the EU. First, he said, is the historical fear of losing its sovereignty. According to him every country in Europe over the years, has been trying to conquer and rule Britain.

ence.

He said already the political, economic and social fallout from Britain’s decision has brought about considerable concern within Britain, Europe and the rest of the world.

On the other hand he said, Caricom is a fulfilment of a longstanding aspiration of its peoples, an important staging post which has created a unique Caribbean civilisation.

He said too that the people of the Caribbean have demonstrated that “the human spirit is invincible”, as during the worst forms of deprivation, they continued to dream.

“In the midst of genocide, they dreamt of peace, in the midst of hate, they dreamt of tolerance and respect, in the midst of slavery, they dreamt of freedom, in the midst of poverty, they dreamt of prosperity.”

He said their ability to dream and strive for a better life, aptly describes the Caribbean.

According to Skerrit,

Caricom leaders at the opening

route.

He said in his capacity as chairman of the Conference, he needed to make clear his position on the Brexit fallout and made suggestions on what Caricom needs to do in the face of the seismic eruption in the EU and the consequent and inevitable shift in international relationships.

He told the auditorium of Heads of Government and other diplomats: “Some of us might be ambivalent and hesitant to get a closer relationship with Caricom.

Let us not resolve to imitate what happened a few days ago in EU.” According to him, the three-day conference gives Heads of Government the opportunity to seriously consider the effect that Britain’s exit from the Union will have on Caricom and demonstrate leadership on the way forward.

Caricom he reminded, has had a very long and meaningful relationship with the United Kingdom, while Britain remains an

Let me remind us, that Caricom is primarily a community. It has been built on the powerful emotions of empathy and caring for each

Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness in conversation with Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne

Caricom.

“We now have representative governments, weaved the mandate to build nations and strive to realise the peoples’ vision to equitable distribution of the wealth created.

other. At the individual level, that fact is being reinforced whenever our peoples interact,” he affirmed.

He warned the Heads of Government that, “these are not easy times”, as the respective economies have

tested more than before, but we have proven time and again that we are strong.”

He said Caricom must now put in place building blocks to create even more opportunities than ever before.

14

guyana-times.com

tuesday, july 5, 2016

Regional

Venezuelan leader Increased number of lifts power rationing storms expected for 2016

V

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced the lifting of the power rationing that has been in place for two months.

From April 25, much of the country had its power cut off for four hours a day.

The measure was put in place after a drought caused the Guri dam, which produces almost two-thirds of the country's electricity, to reach critically low levels.

The power cuts came amidst an economic crisis and severe food shortages.

Maduro said that when he ordered the power cuts in April, Venezuela had been "six days away from a collapse, we were facing having to turn off almost the entire country".

"Today we can say that Guri [hydroelectric dam] has recovered and we're in a position where we can resume normal service," he announced in a speech to supporters in Caracas.

The cuts caused widespread anger among

Atlantic hurricane season

A

Many businesses had to reduce their opening hours due to the power cuts

Venezuelans already struggling with food shortages.

The Government said the power shortage was a result of a severe drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon which caused the level of the Guri dam to drop to a record low.

But critics blamed the authorities, saying they had failed to invest in Venezuela's electricity system and to make it less reliant on hydroelectric power.

As part of its efforts to conserve energy, the Government ordered civil servants to work only two days a week.

President Maduro also asked women to refrain from using hair dryers and otherwise "wasting" energy.

The power cuts caused problems especially in hot regions of Venezuela where residents struggled to keep their food cool as fridges were turned off. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Sudden deaths in Barbados blamed on NCDs

A

mid concerns about recent cases of young and middle-aged Barbadians collapsing and dying suddenly, the Ministry of Health has sought to assure citizens that the deaths are not due to any new public health problem, but NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs).

In a statement issued a day after the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) sought to dispel rumours that the deaths were linked to lead contamination from new water meters, the Ministry said preliminary reports indicate that the recent deaths were linked to “the usual causes of sudden

death in Barbados and universally”.

The Ministry said there was no cause for alarm.

“According to autopsy reports, the majority of these deaths were the result of Non-Communicable Diseases which were either poorly-controlled, undiagnosed, or untreated,” Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George said, identifying those problems as heart attack, stroke, brain haemorrhage, acute pulmonary embolism (clotting in the lungs) and acute arrhythmia.

The Chief Medical Officer stated that available statistics revealed only a slight increase in the num-

ber of sudden deaths in persons 60 years and under so far this year compared to last year. Statistics available up to June 16 this year showed 24 sudden deaths compared to 21 between January and June 16 last year. For that period in 2015, 11 men and 10 women died suddenly, while this year, the figures stand at 12 men and 12 women.

However, Dr George gave the commitment that a more detailed evaluation of historical data, with comparison of sudden deaths for the past five years, will be carried out and an update given to the public when it has been completed. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Antigua: UPP threatens legal action against ABEC

T

he Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) will be on a collision course if the Commission does not “immediately cease” allegedly illegal voter registration practices.

The matter stemming from two years back has landed accusations from the UPP, against ABEC, for allegedly registering voters outside of their respective constituencies, the UPP said in a statement released Sunday.

In a letter which was expected to be delivered to ABEC Monday, the UPP has

indicated its interest to convene a joint meeting, threatening that “non-compliance in this matter will result in the appropriate legal injunction being filed in the interest of The People”.

The party’s Public Relations Officer Damani Tabor told Observer media that the alleged illegal voter registration is an “Antigua Labour Party-direct attempt to suppress voter registration amongst UPP supporters and independent voters”.

He said the UPP’s evidence is based on complaints from scrutineers and individuals alike.

“Branch chairmen would have made complaints that

they would have had evidence from respective scrutineers and private citizens.

There is not a central file of complaints collated but despite this, the entire thing is illegal,” he said.

Tabor said the latest move by the UPP comes as a result of the alleged illegality’s impact on a greater number of people.

“More and more disenfranchised aspirants who wish to register have found that it is difficult and inconvenient. It’s also the call and demand of the people to bring registrations back to the villages for their convenience,” he said. (Excerpt from Antigua

Observer)

n update in predictions for the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season points to an increase in the number of expected storms. It is anticipated it will be the most active season since 2012.

The highly respected Colorado State University (CSU) on Friday released an adjusted forecast which projects 15 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes, close to the 30-year average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

That forecast includes Hurricane Alex, a rare January hurricane, and

tropical storms Bonnie, Colin and Danielle which previously formed, so it is expected there will be about 11 more storms before the November 30 end of the season.

The CSU team, headed

by Dr Phil Klotzbach, said this forecast was based on an extended-range early July statistical prediction scheme that was developed utilising 34 years of past data.

“The two primary factors that we think may lead to an average season are the potential development of a weak La Niña and cooler-than-normal far North

Atlantic sea surface temperatures. La Niña tend to favour an environment more favourable for Atlantic hurricane formation, while cool far North Atlantic sea surface temperatures may force higher-than-normal pressures and stronger trades in the tropical Atlantic for the peak of the hurricane season,” the CSU said.

“Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” it further warned.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Government Senator calls for Jamaica’s Police Chief to resign

J

amaica’s Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams is out of his depth and should resign.

That is the position of Government Senator Charles Sinclair in response to Commissioner Williams’ rejection of a proposal to impose a state of emergency in the north-western parish of St James, a hotbed for murder and other crime. So far this year, 129 people have been killed in the parish, an increase of 24 for the corresponding period last year.

On Saturday, the Top Cop argued that “the problems are not going to be fixed by a State of Emergency, or any significant police action, because they are social problems and they will have to be fixed socially”.

But in a statement issued Sunday, Senator Sinclair said it was clear from those comments that the Commissioner was “out of his depth”.

“If those are in fact the

Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams

words of the Commissioner of Police, it is my considered opinion that he should forthwith hand in his resignation to the Police Service Commission forthwith or, alternately, it should be demanded by said Commission, as it is clear that he does not appreciate the situation existing in the parish of St James,” said Sinclair, a former Mayor of Montego Bay, the capital of

St James.

“At this moment, there is a tremendous fear factor in the citizenry, children are unable to go to school as they are afraid to cross the imaginary boundaries in communities, people are afraid to go out to church, resource and community centres cannot carry on programmes as participants are fearful in going out to the events.”

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

2 pilots killed in T&T smash-up

T

wo non-functioning traffic lights at the intersection of the Bypass Connector Road and St Helena Bypass Road are being blamed for the death of two pilots in a car accident Sunday afternoon.

According to Police reports, around 01:30h, the driver of a red Toyota Tercel, Vishnu Dipchand Shukla, 56, of Crescent Court, Tacarigua, and passenger Farouk Khan, 62, were heading west along the Connector Road when they collided with a dump truck heading south along the St Helena Bypass Road.

The two Briko Air Services pilots were about to turn north onto the St Helena Road when the accident occurred.

Speaking with the media at the scene, Briko Air Services Managing Director Harry Ragoonanan said both men were stellar employees who were on their way home

Friends and family react emotionally as firefighters look over the wrecked Toyota Tercel at the scene of the accident

when the accident took place.

Ragoonanan said Khan had been with the company for the past 30 years while Shukla was employed with them for half that time.

“They were two of my best employees, never had a complaint about them. Farouk (Khan) used to live in Arima Old Road and Shukla, he lived in San Juan. They were preparing for re-certification because ever so often we re-certify our pilots,” Ragoonanan

said.

A relative of Shukla, who did not want to be identified, said he last spoke with him on Saturday and they teased each other as they were accustomed doing. The relative added that Shukla was a family man who would do anything for anyone who asked him. He said the hardest thing was seeing the mangled car and having to deal with Shukla’s sudden death given the circumstances. (Excerpt from

Trinidad Guardian)

tuesday, july 5, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

Suicide bombing hits holy Saudi Locusts to sniff out explosives city of Medina, 2 other cities S

F

our security officers have been killed and five others injured in a suicide attack outside the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Medina, Islam’s second holiest city, the Saudi Interior Ministry said.

The bombing was the third attack to hit the kingdom on Monday, after blasts in cities of Jeddah and Qatif.

Photos posted on social media show smoke billowing from a fire outside the mosque where Prophet Muhammad is buried.

“Four security guards were martyred and five others wounded as a result of their opposition to the suicide attacker who detonated explosives near them as he was on his way to the mosque,” the Ministry said on Twitter.

The blast occurred just before the Maghreb (sunset) prayers when people were breaking their fast inside the mosque, visited by pilgrims from around the world for the final days of the fasting month of Ramadan.

The blast occurred just before the sunset prayers when people were breaking their fast [Saudi Press Agency/EPA]

Qari Ziyaad Patel, 36, from South Africa, was at the mosque when he heard a blast just as the call to prayers was ending.

He said many at first thought it was the sound of traditional, celebratory cannon fire, but then he felt the ground shake.

“The vibrations were very strong,” Patel told the AP news agency. “It sounded like a building imploded.”

Saudi Arabia’s state-run news channel, Al-Ekhbariya, aired live video of thousands

of worshippers praying inside the mosque hours after the explosion.

Around the same time as the Medina blast, two other explosions struck near a mosque in the eastern city of Qatif on the Gulf coast.

Witnesses said a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Shia mosque without causing any other injuries.

They reported seeing body parts lying on the ground in the city’s business district.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attacks.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera

China offers Philippines talks if South China Sea court is ignored – China Daily

C

hina is ready to start negotiations with the Philippines on South China Sea-related issues if Manila ignores an arbitration ruling expected next week on their long-running territorial dispute, the official China Daily reported on Monday.

The Philippines brought the case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague and a ruling is expected on July 12. The case contests China’s claims to the bulk of the South China Sea, a body of water through which US$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. China has said it planned to ignore the

Court’s ruling which would represent a snub of the international legal order.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims with China in the area. Beijing has rejected the arbitration case, claiming the court has no jurisdiction and saying it wants to solve the issue bilaterally. In recent weeks, it has ramped up its propaganda campaign downplaying the outcome of the case.

China also plans to hold military drills around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea from July 5-11, which Vietnam has op-

pose, state-run Vietnam Television quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh as saying on Monday.

Negotiations between China and the Philippines could cover “issues such as joint development and cooperation in scientific research if the new government puts the tribunal’s ruling aside before returning to the table for talks”, the China Daily said.

China’s main, Government-run English newspaper did not name its sources, but identified them as “close to the issues between the two countries”. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Taxi drivers’ protest turns violent in Zimbabwe

A

protest by Zimbabwean taxi drivers against a Police crackdown turned violent when residents joined in and hurled rocks at Police, who fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the rioters.

Taxi and minibus drivers, along with company owners, accuse Police of corruption, saying they raise money for their operations by imposing hefty fines on their vehicles.

In the last month, amid rising unrest over economic woes, Zimbabwe has witnessed spontaneous protests against Government corruption, shortage of money and Government plans to circulate local bank notes.

The protesters closed roads and burned tyres in the eastern part of the capital Harare on Monday, as local youth engaged in running battles against armed Police wearing riot gear.

Officers responded with ba-

cientists are researching technology they hope will allow locusts to detect explosives using their sense of smell.

They say heat-generating “tattoos” will enable them to be guided into dangerous or remote areas via remote control Neural signals from the locust’s brain will then be processed by an on-board low-power processing chip that will decode the information and send a wireless alert back to the authorities.

And the result will appear on a simple LED: red for present, green for absent.

Baranidharan Raman, associate professor of biomedical engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science Washington University, has studied the way locusts smell for several years.

And the Office of Naval Research in the US has now given him a US$750,000 grant to continue his research.

Olfaction, better known as the ability to smell, is

tons, tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds.

Some school children were caught up in the violence as well.

Police spokesperson Charity Charamba told reporters that anti-riot Police were deployed in two townships outside Harare and arrested 30 people in connection with the violence.

The southern African country is facing a cash crunch resulting in banks running out

of notes. The Government has failed to pay June salaries to majority of its workers.

Without public transport, many residents in Harare were forced to walk to work on Monday. More protests are scheduled for Wednesday.

Monday’s clashes come days after residents protested in the border town of Beitbridge, 600 kilometres south of Harare, last Friday against restrictions on imports of basic goods from South Africa. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

considered a primary sensory quality in insects whereas it is more of an aesthetic sense for humans, according to Prof Raman.

But locusts have a similar sense of smell to humans in that they can identify a particular smell even when it is mixed in with other odours.

Professor Raman said they had “robotic noses” that could be trained to pinpoint and recall a smell such as dangerous chemicals.

He told the BBC: “It took only a few hundred millisec-

onds for the locust’s brain to begin tracking a novel odour introduced in its surroundings. The locusts are processing chemical cues in an extremely rapid fashion.

“Even the state-of-theart miniaturised chemical-sensing devices have a handful of sensors. On the other hand, if you look at the insect antennae, where their chemical sensors are located, there are several hundreds of thousands of sensors and of a variety of types,” he said. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Brexit: UKIP leader Nigel Farage resigns

B

ritish politician Nigel Farage, a leading proponent for the UK’s withdrawing from the European Union in a recent referendum, has resigned as leader of the far-right United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).

Farage, who announced his resignation on Monday, said that he would continue to support UKIP and help Britain become independent of the bloc.

“I have never been, and I have never wanted to be, a career politician.

My aim in being in politics was to get Britain out of the European Union,” the 52-year-old said.

“So I feel it’s right that I should now stand aside as leader of UKIP.” Farage, who has dedicated his career to campaigning against Britain’s EU membership, explained that his “political career has been achieved”.

“What I’m saying today, is, ‘I want my life back,’ and it begins right now,” he said.

Farage has previously quit as UKIP leader, in 2009 and 2015. His resignation last year was rejected by the party.

A member of the European Parliament since 1999, the former commodities trader was often photographed with a beer in

one hand and a cigarette in the other.

In interviews, he portrayed himself as a man of the people who simply wanted to “take back control” from the EU. Educated at one of England’s top private schools, Dulwich College, Farage often called on his supporters to reject “political elites”.

His messages resonated with millions in England during the 2015 election, in which UKIP won 12.6 per cent of votes, and more recently in the June 23 referendum, which saw 52 per cent of Britons choose to leave the EU. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Death toll in Baghdad rises to 165

T Officers used batons, tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds [AP]

Locusts have “robotic noses” that could be trained to pinpoint and recall a smell such as dangerous chemicals

he number of people killed in Sunday’s suicide bomb attack in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has risen to 165, Interior Ministry officials say.

The Government has declared three days of mourning after the huge blast, which also injured 225 people.

A lorry packed with explosives was detonated in the Karrada district while families were shopping for the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

It is believed to be the deadliest single bomb attack in Iraq since 2007.

Rescuers said whole

families had been killed.

Many people were badly burned.

So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it carried out the suicide attack.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was greeted by angry crowds when he visited the mainly Shia Muslim area in the hours after the bombing.

His office said Abadi understood the reaction of residents and would increase security by banning “magic wand” fake bomb detectors and improving vehicle inspections at roads into the city.

The fake bomb detectors, some based on cheap

devices for finding golf balls, were sold in large numbers to Iraq by fraudsters.

One British businessman, who was jailed for 10 years, sold more than 6000 devices to Iraq for up to US$40,000 each.

The UK banned their export to Iraq in 2010 and several other fraudsters received prison sentences.

Despite warnings that the devices were useless, the Iraqi security forces continued to use them.

Men continued to dig through rubble at the Karrada site on Monday, searching for the remains of those still missing. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

16 news

tuesday, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

LM&TC rates, taxes collection Driver avoids collision, system to be upgraded ends up in trench

L

inden Mayor Carwyn Holland has urged members of the community to engage and embrace the Linden Mayor and Town Council, as it embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at development.

During a recent press conference, Holland said his Council, while being a cash-strapped entity, has been working to ensure that the plans for developing the town into a city were achieved.

He said a number of initiatives have been planned, including an upgrade of the rates and taxes collection system.

Already, the Council is pleased with its plans for rates and taxes collection, an issue which the previous Council found hard to overcome.

“We are looking to upgrade our rates and taxes collection system. We’re looking to see how we can make it easier for persons to pay their rates and taxes. Also, we’re encouraging persons to start paying their rates and taxes.

Business would not be as usual in Linden anymore.

We have to go the legal and lawful way. In fact,

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

persons who are building without permission, please note that building laws are here, which would cause some distress to persons who don’t follow the rules of the law.

We want to encourage people to do things the right way and to come in to the Council and engage us when you’re looking at development and we’re ready to work on that,” Holland said.

Additionally, he noted that the toll booth at Kara Kara has been gazetted and would soon be put into operation. The Council has also planned a market front enhancement proj-

ect in an effort to forge towards making Linden a tourism hub.

“It must not be Christmas time or Town Week only that we entertain tourists…We’ve engaged the local tourism body…and so far we are planning a monthly Linden trail, which will be visits to Linden…we’re doing these things to push and stay on our mandate, which is our campaign plan,” the Mayor said.

Furthermore, the Mayor said the Council was looking at ways to enhance the National Library at Linden. The Council is also seeking to construct a heritage site to enhance the beauty and culture of the community; however, funding was a main issue, but the municipality has engaged the European Union (EU) in that regard.

He added that the municipality was also looking at ways of enhancing the town through sports, as he hailed the recent fruitful engagement with cricket broadcaster Joseph “Reds” Perreira. The Mayor said a second engagement was in the pipeline to involve Linden, Bartica and New Amsterdam.

Maternity Ward extension delayed

D

espite the recent confirmation by the Public Health Minister that the Maternity Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital would be completed by the end of June, its completion has been further pushed to mid July for undisclosed reasons.

Initially, it had been articulated that the building would be completed

by May, but construction was hindered by the inability of the contractors to procure building materials for specific parts of the Ward. Subsequent to these materials being imported into the country, the Minister had informed that the contractors had resumed their work and would be working to have the structure ready by the end of June.

However, during an interview with Guyana Times on Monday, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton informed that the building was yet to be completed. He said that construction was in its final phase and the deadline had been set at the middle of this month.

According to the information received, the Public Health Ministry had met with the contractors after the structure had not been complet-

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

ed by the initial deadline. After discussions, an agreement was made with the Ministry that the Ward would be finished in the aforementioned timeframe.

Meanwhile, work is presently being done on the upper flat of the building, which will house the Neo-Natal intensive Care Unit and the pre- and post-natal Wards.

Special materials had been shipped in recently to begin the construction of these sections. The Minister stated that this had presented some difficulty and contributed to the overall setback.

According to Dr Norton, while the upper flat is being completed, the lower flat has already

been put into use. He noted that as the space in the current Maternity Ward had begun to decline, the Ministry made the decision to move the offices in the old Maternity Ward to the completed lower flat of the new building. This has reportedly helped significantly with the overcrowding problem, since more than 50 beds were placed in the older Ward with the relocation of the offices.

The Health Minister said that this would serve as a temporary solution while the expansion of the building was concluding.

After a number of years of complaints by the general public about the state of the Maternity Ward, the current Government, after taking office, had commenced plans to complete the new building.

The call for the Ward to be completed had been amplified as images of a mother nursing her newborn under a hospital bed surfaced.

Since then, the Ministry had been working to have the new building completed in the shortest time possible.

The Minister said that this would ensure that “doubling up” and “congestion” would be a thing of the past.

A

n almost certain Caricom Day fatality was avoided when a motorist swerved from colliding with a young man on a bicycle, but ended up in the canal at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Monday.

It was reported by eyewitnesses that at approximately 12:00h, a silver Toyota Spacio car was heading west when a cyclist came within close proximity of the vehicle. The driver, following his instincts, swerved from the cyclist, but lost control of the vehicle, which headed up the muddy bank only to end up in the trench running parallel to the road.

“The entire area was very slippery due to heavy rainfall recently,” one passerby ex-

The vehicle after it was pulled out of the trench

plained.

The driver of the car escaped with minor injuries to his face and arms, but the damage to the car was extensive with the front half submerged.

Public-spirited citizens rushed to the scene to assist the driver. They eventually stopped a Canter truck that was passing, to pull the vehi-

cle out of the trench.

It was reported that the cyclist did not stop to render any assistance, but instead rode away as if nothing had happened.

Only three days ago, a driver lost control of a motor car which eventually plunged into the trench along Dennis Street, Sophia causing an occupant to lose his life.

Decision on establishing local law school yet to reach Cabinet - AG

A

s another year reaches with the debacle of the University of Guyana (UG) law students completing their legal studies at Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad still unresolved, the proposed alternative of a local law school is yet to reach Cabinet.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams in a recent press conference noted that he had previously mentioned it was in the pipeline to initiate plans to establish a private/public local law school here in Guyana but pointed out, “the matter has not yet reached cabinet.”

However, Minister Williams noted: “It doesn’t make sense to wait until it reaches cabinet to start exploring the pros and cons of establishing the local law school.”

According to the AG: “There is no doubt that Guyanese students excel at the law programme available at UG and even the HWLS.” He noted that the entirety of the issue was due to the historical background surrounding the nature of law studies in the region.

He highlighted that the government (whether past or present) does not have any privity of contract, as the matter was a triangular affair between UG, HWLS and Council of Legal Education (CLE).

His noted that his administration had merely intervened to come to an amicable solution to the problem.

According to the AG, one of the solutions of his intervention was the ability “to get Caricom to allow those students to be accepted in year one” and “In the second year I had to intervene again to get them to pay half the fees that were

Legal Affairs Minister and AG, Basil Williams

increased tremendously.

Pay half upfront and then half before they graduate… so we need to have these things settled.”

Minister Williams blamed the previous administration for cancelling the subsidising of contributions to HWLS and CLE but said when the matter involving contributions to the programme was first discussed in Cabinet, there was no funding for that exercise.

In fact, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had said that contributions each territory makes is used to subsidise the tuition fees that students are required to pay. “This practice was stopped by Guyana 15 years ago and never affected the admission of Guyanese students into the Law School. All that it meant was that the Guyanese student no longer benefitted from a subsidised tuition fee and therefore, have been paying the full tuition fee since.”

Nandlall had said further that his administration was able to facilitate a 10-year agreement towards the automatic entry of local law students to the HWLS

following negotiations with his Government and that body, but noted that they exited office in 2015, before the agreement could be signed.

“In the end, not only did we succeed in retaining the quota of 25 for Guyanese national graduates but were able to secure an additional 10 places for non-Guyanese national graduates of the said Law programme…I explained to him (Williams) that the hard work is finished and that all he needs to do is to ensure that the agreement which was being drafted by UG and UWI be signed and taken to the CLE for their signature because it is a tripartite agreement.

That’s the issue; why after one year, the negotiated agreement has not been signed?” Nandlall had questioned.

At the last council meeting, the Head of UG Law Department Ronald Singh indicated that they were ready to sign and make some concessions but the matter was sent to subcommittee by chairman of CLE Jacqueline Samuels-Brown but the status of this is still unknown.

Williams had come in for some criticism after stating last year that establishing a law school locally was not a priority.

Last year the 25 students were denied automatic entry to HWLS by CLE, which cited overcrowding of the facility. Following this, the calls for a local law school took on new urgency.

President David Granger speaking on the matter, had highlighted that Jamaica, Trinidad and Bahamas all have their own law schools with Barbados setting up their own and it was up to Guyana to fully integrate itself into the tertiary system of the West Indies.

17

news

tuesDAY, july 5, 2016 | guyana-times.com

De-risking in the Caribbean

“We don’t have to do it alone” – St Lucia PM

As the Caribbean continues to explore ways to counter the impact of foreign banks, particularly United States banks, cutting their ties with regional banks over money laundering concerns, St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet believes that a collective and broad effort is needed to address the situation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 37th Meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government Conference on Monday in Guyana, Chastanet outlined that while the Region has had a very successful campaign with the United Kingdom in which an incredible lobbying effort was put together, he is of the view that it is time for the Caribbean to put together a more effective lobbying approach towards addressing the issue of de-risking.

De-risking is when international banks withdraw from their relationships with indigenous banks because of fears of money laundering and questionable sources of funds which would cause the international banks to receive heavy fines from their regulators.

Caribbean banking institutions rely on such relationships in order to allow residents to conduct international financial transactions. However, since last year, the Region has been facing the impact of de-risking and the issue has been occupying the attention of regional policy-makers, following signals by international banks that they are unwilling to continue carrying the business of regional

St Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

banks.

This matter will come up for discussion during the Heads of Government Conference meeting happening today and Wednesday, as Caribbean leaders try to tackle the cut-off of regional indigenous banks – a situation that poses dire consequences for the Region including crushing impacts on the wider economy.

But according to Prime Minister Chastanet, the Region must stop thinking that it has to solve this problem alone. He pointed out that there are a number of multinational companies in the US such as airlines, cruise industries, suppliers and individuals who own their homes – who have a vested interest in the Region and who know exactly how to lobby their Government.

In this vein, the St Lucian Head of State posited that the Caribbean should get more persons from abroad, especially those who will be affected, involved in efforts to address the region-wide problem that threaten their

economies.

“The idea of us going to Washington, DC by ourselves is a tried and tested failure. We must be able to bring more people to the argument and we must do it urgently,” Chastanet pointed out.

De-risking in the Caribbean came into the limelight last year when the Belize Bank was cut off by the Bank of America and one of the two banks in Montserrat shared the same fate. Some of the areas that are affected because of de-risking are: transfers of remittances, cheque payments, international trade and the facilitation of credit card settlements for local clients.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) quoted a November World Bank survey as saying that about 75 per cent of international banks have experienced a reduction in correspondent banking services with the Caribbean being the worst affected.

Improper disposal of foetus

Preliminary report finds doctor, nurse accountable – Dr Norton

P

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton on Monday stated that the preliminary report into the improper disposal of a 22-week foetus at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre (the East Bank Regional Hospital) revealed that the doctor and nurse were culpable.

Dr Norton stated that the official report would be released soon, but investigators have found the doctor who had delivered the baby and the nurse who was supposed to clean up afterward were accountable. However, he indicated that both of the staffers denied any involvement.

The Standard Operating Procedure in such a situation would be to transport the foetus to the Georgetown Public Hospital to be dis-

First Lady tells Millicent Greaves home residents to savour each new day …at 5th anniversary reception

F

irst Lady, Sandra Granger, on Monday encouraged the residents of the Millicent Greaves Memorial Senior Citizens’ Residence to enjoy every new day of life and commended the care-givers at the facility for their dedication.

“Each day is a gift to savour and to gather new experiences,” Mrs. Granger said, at a glowing reception hosted by the Residence in collaboration with the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA), to reflect on its five years of existence.

The reception, held under the theme, “Lest we forget” was the last in a packed three-day anniversary programme.

The First Lady shared that when she was invited to speak at the function, on the

Pastor Exton Clarke of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists leads First Lady Sandra Granger through the halls of the Millicent Greaves Memorial Senior Citizens’ Residence

work and determination that went into the establishment of this residence are proof of the power of faith and the power of vision. For

First Lady Sandra Granger gives Myrtle Fleming a piece of her birthday cake as care-givers at the Millicent Greaves Memorial Residence look on

topic of ‘Getting old gracefully’, she was pleased as she believes that “age gives us the serenity to let go of those things, which we cannot change”. She also noted that the Residence has been established at a location, which bears a rich influence of Seventh-Day Adventist church in a small geographic space.

“The dedication, hard

now we have, standing in close proximity to each other, a place of worship, a hospital and a home for our seniors… all established and run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church,” Mrs Granger said.

Meanwhile, Pastor Exton Clarke, Executive Secretary of the Guyana of SeventhDay Adventist said plans are in train, within the next year to add another ten

rooms to the facility and to hire a fulltime licensed caregiver.

On her arrival at the home’s D’urban Backlands location, the First Lady was greeted with a march pass and salute from the Mocha Drum Corps and Pathfinders from both the Olivet and Carmel SeventhDay Adventists churches.

Mrs Granger then participated in a tour of the halls of residence and exchanged greetings with some of its residents, particularly exuberant 84-year-old Ms Gladys Campbell. The First Lady also participated in the 95th birthday celebrations of Ms Myrtle Fleming, the oldest resident of the home.

Other attendees at the function included Pastor Hugh McKenzie, who charged the gathering to “remember to thank God for the little blessings as well as the big blessings”, Pastor Philip Bowman, former President of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, who gave the Benediction, Mrs Claudette Bowman, Brother John Joseph and his wife, residents, care-givers and other special invitees.

PPP donates outboard engine to Region 2 office

P

posed of – since the hospital has the recommended facilities to dispose of bio-hazardous waste.

The Minister stated that once he received the official report this week, action would be taken. Dr Norton, however, did not state the type of disciplinary action that would be taken.

Guyana Times had reported last week that a

26-year-old woman, who delivered the 22-week-old foetus, wanted nothing to do with the child’s remains and left its disposal to the hospital. However, the foetus was poorly disposed of by medical personnel and this went unnoticed until a stray dog dragged the body out of a dump heap and into the compound of the public hospital, dismembering it.

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee handed over an outboard engine to the Party’s branch office at Anna Regina, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

The engine will boost the Party’s outreach activity, particularly in the riverine and hinterland areas.

At a simple handing-over ceremony, in the presence of Party members from the Regional Executive Committee, PPP Groups, Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), Rohee encouraged Party members to maintain contact with groups,

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee handing over the outboard engine to Party members in Region Two

residents and the working class people of Region Two. Accepting the donation was First Secretary of the PPP, Region Two, Humace Oodit, who expressed gratitude to the Party for the time-

ly donation, which he said would help to enhance the Party’s grass roots work.

Party members from the Pomeroon who were present also expressed their appreciation for the donation.

18

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

ARCHIE

Be very clear when discussing personal matters. You (March 21- will be misinterpreted if you April 19) aren't careful, causing an unexpected change in the way someone treats you. Keep personal information a secret.

ARIES

Do the things that make TAURUS you happy. Travelling, vis(April 20- iting friends or relatives or May 20) hanging out with someone who brings out your best self will relieve stress and promote happiness.

DILBERT

You'll be held accountable GEMINI if you do something question(May 21June 20) able. Don't let anyone entice you to try something that could damage your reputation or cost you physically or financially.

Finish

what

you

start.

CANCER Having the discipline to fol(June 21- low through with your plans July 22) will open up a new opportuni-

PEANUTS

ty to take on something that excites you. Romance is encouraged.

Problems that surface at home

LEO are best dealt with quickly. Money (July 23- matters are likely to be behind Aug. 22) any turmoil you face. An unusual method to lower your costs will prove useful.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Your intentions are good, VIRGO and the chance to make a dif(Aug. 23ference will pay off in a big way.

Sept. 22) Reuniting with someone from your past will turn out to be beneficial.

Don't make a fuss, or you LIBRA will be criticised or blamed for (Sept. 23interfering. Focus on what you Oct. 23) can do to make personal gains.

A partnership you are involved with needs an adjustment.

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD – CAPYBARAS

SUDOKU

You may want to help evSAGITTARIUS eryone around you, but don't (Nov. 23- let anyone take advantage of Dec. 21) you. Your generosity and willingness to aid others will lead to disappointment.

(CAPYBARAS: kap-uh-BAR-uz: Large rodents of tropical South America.)

Average mark 15 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 21 or more words in CAPYBARAS? The list will be published tomorrow.

Your efforts will not go CAPRICORN unnoticed. It's time to bring (Dec. 22- about changes that will imJan. 19) prove an important relationship. Size up what needs to be done and hop to it.

YESTERDAY'S WORD – PLATTER

pale paler palter pare partpate patter peal pear pearl peat pelt pert

petal plat plate plea pleat prate prattle late later latte latter leap

leapt alert alter aper tale tape taper tare tarp tart teal tear

teat tetra trap treat earl rale rapt rate ratel rattle real reap

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Gaining experience SCORPIO through travel, educational (Oct. 24Nov. 22) pursuits, retreats or exploration will encourage you to try something novel. A new beginning will lead to something special.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE If you make personal AQUARIUS changes, people will be en(Jan. 20couraged to treat you differFeb. 19) ently. Less time spent helping others get ahead and more time spent on your own advancement will pay off.

Refuse to let the demands PISCES (Feb. 20- of others slow you down or March 20) ruin your plans. Put a strategy in place that will ensure you get to do the things that excite you most.

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

19

ICC asked to take Kevin Durant to ‘more control’ of DRS sign with Warriors T

S

aying he has experienced "by far the most challenging few weeks in my professional life," Durant announced Monday his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in a post on The Players’ Tribune.

Durant is expected to

The Warriors plan to renounce their rights to Harrison Barnes, sources told Stein, to help clear the needed salary-cap space to sign Durant. That will make Barnes an unrestricted free agent July 7.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti expressed the

Kevin Durant is joining the Warriors after taking Golden State to the brink of elimination in the Western Conference finals last season

sign a two-year, $54.3 million contract, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein. The deal would include a player option after the first year.

"The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player -- as that has always steered me in the right direction," Durant wrote. "But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth.

"With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors."

After Durant signs with Golden State, two-time reigning MVP Stephen Curry will become the fourth-highest-paid player on the Warriors. Durant will be No. 1, followed by Klay Thompson ($16.6 million), Draymond Greene ($15.3 million) and Curry ($12.1 million), who can become a free agent after next season.

Durant's contract can be finalized July 7, when a league wide moratorium is lifted on signings and trades.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr was in Hawaii and learned about Durant joining Golden State via The Players' Tribune website, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported.

team's disappointment and gratitude over Durant's departure in a statement.

"Kevin made an indelible mark on the Thunder organization and the state of Oklahoma as a founding father of this franchise," Presti said. "We can't adequately articulate what he meant to the foundation of this franchise and our success.

While clearly disappointing that he has chosen to move on, the core values that he helped establish only lead to us thanking him for the many tangible and intangible ways that he helped our program."

The Thunder will take some time before making any roster decisions, particularly related to All-Star point guard Russel Westbrook’s future, sources told ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

The biggest catch on the free-agent market, Durant met with six teams the past three days: Oklahoma City, Golden State, San Antonio, Boston Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Warriors held their meeting with Durant on Friday. On Saturday, Durant spoke with the NBA legend Jerry West, a member of the Warriors' executive board, on the telephone, sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard. West outlined reasons why he believed Golden State would be the ideal fit for the superstar forward Durant, 27, has spent all nine seasons of his career

with the Thunder organization. He won the MVP in 2014, has been named firstteam All-NBA five times and has made seven All-Star teams. He has appeared in four Western Conference finals and one NBA Finals, losing in five games to the Heat in 2012.

"I'm from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me," Durant wrote. "It taught me so much about family as well as what it means to be a man. There are no words to express what the organization and the community mean to me, and what they will represent in my life and in my heart forever. The memories and friendships are something that go far beyond the game. Those invaluable relationships are what made this deliberation so challenging.

"It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career."

Durant bounced back last season to earn secondteam All-NBA honors after undergoing three surgeries on his right foot to repair a Jones fracture suffered prior to the 2014-15 season, when he was limited to 27 games before undergoing a seasonending bone graft procedure in March. Without Durant, the Thunder missed the postseason.

With him back for 72 games last season, the Thunder improved to 5527 and finished third in the West. The Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the opening round, upset the 67-win Spurs in six games in the second round and pushed the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference finals.

Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season, and he scored at least 20 points in 67 straight games.

In nine seasons, Durant has averaged 27.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Golden State set an NBA regular-season record with 73 wins and led the league in scoring, but the Warriors fell just short of a repeat NBA title, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. (ESPN)

he ICC's cricket committee and its chief executives' committee want the global body to take "more control" of the decision review system (DRS), the ICC chief executive David Richardson has said.

"Moving forward we probably need to take heed of what the cricket committee is saying, take heed of what the chief executives' committee is saying, which is ICC should take more control over DRS," Richardson said at the end of the sixday annual conference in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Ever since it was first put to use in international cricket, the DRS has polarised opinion despite some of the higher-ranked ICC officials such as Richardson and current general manager Geoff Allardice asserting that the referral system has been improving and performing consistently over time. Regardless players and match officials have pointed out that it does not help if different technologies are used in different countries as part of the DRS. Other than firm opposition from the BCCI, its most powerful member, the ICC has pointed out high costs as a factor behind not funding the DRS. But Richardson said various factors still needed to be considered. "So the implications of that need to be worked out: what is it going to cost, what it will take for the ICC to take more control, do we need to buy technologies, rent technologies etc. And, then, hopefully we would be able to implement down the line a more consistent form of DRS - wherever it is used it should be consistent. The players understand it, the umpires understand it, and the fans as well."

Last year the ICC commissioned engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to independently assess the performance of the technologies that are part of the DRS: ball-tracking and edge-detection. Allardice and former India captain and current head coach Anil Kumble, who is also head of the ICC cricket committee, were closely involved in the process. This June, the cricket committee was given a detailed report by the MIT experts into the testing process.

The aim of the test-

ing process, Allardice told ESPNcricinfo recently, was for the researchers "to present their findings on each of the technologies they have assessed or observed to the CC (cricket committee) - their observations of the technology and their suitability for use". He had pointed out that it was for the cricket committee to provide direction with regards future use of the DRS. "Ideally the cricket committee was very much in favour of, if we are going to have DRS it should be consistently applied. I think once we get a system which everyone trusts then we are much closer to having a system which all teams will accept," Richardson said in Edinburgh. According to Richardson the report submitted by the MIT researchers is quite encouraging and potentially silences the doubts raised by the naysayers. "DRS has been around since 2011 (2008 was the first time it was tri-

process now provides some hope. "The report is very encouraging. The report shows that actually ball tracking is ever more accurate than we perhaps gave it credit for."

Consequently the ICC decided to modify the umpire's call aspect of lbw referrals: from October 1, for on-field lbw decisions to be overturned, half of the ball would now need to hit any part of the stumps. Earlier, half of the ball needed to hit a zone between the middle of off stump and the middle of leg stump.

Richardson said this was only possible because the MIT testing had proved ball tracking was good enough.

"And for that reason we are able to safely reduce the margin of uncertainty or the umpire's call as we refer to. Ian Botham and all these experts were always saying "how can that be given not out? That ball was crashing into the leg stump." But because the middle of the ball was just marginally, one

The DRS rule in recent times has come under scrutiny for its effectiveness in making correct decisions

alled) and when it was first introduced the ball-tracking technology in most peoples' eyes was good. But since then it has got better. We knew it was far more accurate than all the doubters were giving it credit for."

The BCCI has been the main critic of the DRS and specifically the ball-tracking technology, which it has said is not 100% accurate.

Richardson said the testing

millimetre, to the right of centre of the stump, then the umpire's decision wasn't reversed.

"So what we have done really is just made that margin of uncertainty slightly bigger. Now the middle of the ball must be in line with the stump, which means half of the ball hitting the stump is going to be given out in the future. That is the simple change."

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

Hamilton wins Austrian Grand Blake takes sprint Prix after Rosberg collision double, Facey L claims women's title Y ohan Blake sealed the men's sprint double on Sunday, the final day of the Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Blake, who won the 100 metre title on Friday night after Usain Bolt withdrew citing a hamstring injury, held off a strong field to win in 20.29s.

The race was so close that Nickel Ashmeade and Julian Forte were second and third respectively but were both credited with 20.45s.

Warren Weir, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist was fourth in 20.50 and won't make the trip to Rio this summer.

The women's race proved to be anti-climactic as 100-metre champion Elaine Thompson and silver medalist Shelly-Ann FraserPryce who both contested the heats on Saturday night, did not turn up for Sunday's

ewis Hamilton collided with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg on the last lap before passing him to win a thrilling Austrian Grand Prix.

The German turned into a corner late as Hamilton tried to pass around the outside and damaged his front wing, finishing fourth.

Rosberg was given a 10-second penalty and two penalty points by stewards for causing a collision.

It reduces Hamilton's deficit to Rosberg to 11 points in the title race.

There will be controversy at Mercedes about the move that decided the race.

Lewis Hamilton

World champion Hamilton was on the outside and alongside heading into Turn Two but his German team-mate held him out wide, delaying his turn-in, and they collided as Hamilton tried to turn in.

He was pushed off the track but the collision had damaged Rosberg's front wing, which sparked along the track as Hamilton passed the German, who then lost further places to Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton's engineer Peter Bonnington said to him: "That's not the result we were after." (BBC)

Wimbledon 2016â&#x20AC;Ś

Yohan Blake

final.

In their absence, Simone Facey ran down two-time Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell Brown along the home stretch to win in 22.65. Campbell-

Brown, who was a disappointing fourth in the 100 metres on Friday night, was second in 22.80s while Kali Davis-White was third in 22.81. (Sportsmax)

Williams, Federer reach quarter-finals

S

ix-time champion Serena Williams overcame a first-set blip to reach Wimbledon's last eight with a straight-sets win over Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Williams, 34, defeated the Russian 7-5 6-0 to set up a quarter-final tie with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Kuznetsova failed to serve out the first set and before rain halted play the top seed was far from her best.

But under the Centre Court roof, Williams was supreme, winning eight games on the trot to secure victory.

From trailing 3-1, twotime Grand Slam champion Kuznetsova twice broke Williams' serve for a chance to serve for the set, but the defending champion immediately broke back to level at 5-5 before play was suspended because of light rain.

When the players returned to the court the roof had been closed and the indoor conditions favoured Williams' big serve, with Kuznetsova failing to win a

Serena Williams

quarter-finals by dismantling Steve Johnson 6-2 6-3 7-5.

Federer, 34, has lacked matches and form this summer but showed glimpses of his imperious best on Centre Court.

He will now play 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic as he hunts a record-

Roger Federer

game as the world number one confidently secured the first set and, without further loss of a game, the match.

Similarly, Seven-time champion Roger Federer reached the Wimbledon

breaking eighth men's singles title.

Johnson, 26, shares a coach with Sam Querrey but never looked like pulling off an upset to compare with

Querrey's third-round defeat of Novak Djokovic.

Federer broke world number 29 Johnson in the sixth and eighth games of the first set and maintained that momentum as the contest developed.

The Swiss was not flawless in the second set - his first serve percentage was down at 58% - but having broken Johnson again in the fourth game he was never troubled in closing the set out.

When Johnson did finally manage to disrupt his opponent's serve in the third set he was broken straight back, and when Federer broke again at 5-5 the American's slim hopes had evaporated.

Federer remains the Centre Court crowd's most favoured son, and the prospect of seeing him progress to an 11th Wimbledon final, and a possible match with Britain's Andy Murray, is an alluring one indeed.

Federer won his last Grand Slam title here in 2012 and lost in the final a year ago to Djokovic.

No man in the Open era has won the men's singles title at his age, but the draw he now faces makes one final miracle appear possible.

(BBC)

YELLOW PAGES TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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21

SPORTS Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Fierce battle predicted for Tridents-Patriots clash W

ith much to play for given the competitive start of this year’s tournament, a fierce battle is predicted for the Basseterre Stadium tonight as match eight of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) gets underway. The match will feature hosts St Kitts and Nevis Patriots against former champions Barbados Tridents.

With one loss to their name from their only game against the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) on Friday, the Tridents are yet to get out of the losing block and will be looking to do so tonight against the Patriots.

Led by power-hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard, the Tridents have been one of the top teams of the CPL and are known to be good starters. They will aim to put a tick in the box tonight to defy the odds of losing a second straight game.

Expectations will be high for the guys in blue and yellow, especially with the likes of Pollard, AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik and David Wiese in the

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Devon Thomas

side. Whether batting or bowling first, Pollard must lead his team into a zone where they can control the match early on.

The Tridents will be hoping for a good start from pugnacious opener Steven Taylor and the talented Kyle Hope, so that the middle and late order which consist of Malik, de Villiers, Pollard, Wiese and Nicolas Pooran could provide the flourish in the middle and the end.

Their bowling line-up has a mixture of youth and expe-

rience, providing the ideal balance that can wreck any batting line-up on a good day. In Ravi Rampaul they have an experienced bowler who is knowledgeable in this field and has handled pressure situations often while delivering for whichever team he plays for. There is also variety in the South African duo of Wayne Parnell and Wiese, and Pollard. Not forgetting the young but effec-

Kieron Pollard

tive Akeal Hosein, who had an excellent first game against TKR. Ashley Nurse and Malik can also add to the Tridents’ bowling department.

In its element, the Tridents are by every means a tough team, but the Patriots are a side that can be destructive and at times very hard to beat. Although not rated as one of the premier teams, the Patriots’ performance on Sunday against the St Lucia Zouks hints at how good they can be. Their openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis provided the perfect start and the other batsmen lifted the tempo to see them record the highest total (203-7) of the tournament. Discarded West Indies wicket-keeper batsman Devon Thomas seems the player to look for in this tournament, with already three delightful cameos. Carlos Braithwaite, Faf du Plesis, NLTC Perera, Brad Hodge and Jonathan Carter could all be instrumental on their day.

Samuel Badree, who has not been his usual positive self, is the spearhead of the attack, but must improve to aid his team’s bowling department.

Lendl Simmons

Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-hand chinaman bowler, is the standout bowler for the Patriots thus far and if he, along with Krishmar Santokie, Perera and others, get it right, then they can make it easy for their mostly aggressive batting.

The Patriots have won one out of three games, but with that spectacular performance in their last game, they would have certainly gained some confidence. The match is set to start at 19:00h.

St Kitts Nevis Patriots: Faf du Plesis (Captain); Lendl Simmons; Samuel Badree; Brad Hodge; Thisara Perera; Jonathan Carter; Krishmar Santokie; Evin Lewis; Tabraiz Shamsi; Kieran Powell; JJ Smuts; Devon Thomas; Shamarh Brooks; Tino Best; Jeremiah Louis; Nikhil Dutta; Alzarri Joseph and Carlos Braithwaite.

Barbados Tridents: Kieron Pollard (Captain); AB

AB de Villiers

De Villiers; Shoaib Malik; Ravi Rampaul; Nicholas Pooran; David Wiese; Robin Petersen; Raymon Reifer; Ashley Nurse; Shamar Springer; Wayne Parnell; Akeal Hosein; Imran Khan; Kyle Hope; Navin Stewart; Kyle Corbin; Steven Taylor and Jason Holder.

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Tickets will not be sold at Stadium for Guyana leg

C

PL Guyana wishes to advise the public that tickets for the Guyana games of Hero CPL 2016 will not be on sale at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Ticket sales will continue on a daily basis at the Ticketing Office at Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown and at distributors in Berbice and Essequibo.

All tickets purchased online can be uplifted at the Ticketing Office.

The Ticketing Office times of operation:

Week days - 9:00 a.m.

–5:00 p.m.

Sundays 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Telephone numbers are 231-2035 and 225-6017.

Omar Khan, Team Operations Manager is urging cricket fans to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors fresh from two victories in their opening matches will continue their campaign at home starting on Thursday against the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Guyana National Stadium

starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Warriors will square off with St. Kitts/Nevis Patriots on Saturday at 12:00 noon and will face off with the Trinbago Knight Riders on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. before closing off their home series against St. Lucia Zouks on July 12th at 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile patrons are advised to occupy the seats and stands assigned on their tickets. Ticket holders for the mound also advised that they would not be allowed into the stands.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016...

Mohammed, Smith tell tales of stunning victories

By Akeem Greene

T

he Guyana Amazon Warriors pulled two stunning victories from their first two matches in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (2016) and Dwayne Smith and Jason Mohammed were in the middle of the action in both matches.

A steely 29-ball 42

by Mohammed led the Amazon Warriors to a thrilling four wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Thursday at Warner Park while in the same match, Smith produced a man-of-the-match performance with a blazing 36-ball 62; hitting three fours and fives sixes in pursuit of 165.

Mohammed’s innings was less of the flashy one as Smith since he recovered from a slow start, hitting six fours to take his team to victory in the cliffhanger with one ball to spare.

In the last over, the right-handed batsman slapped left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie for four to take the equation to two from two balls; on the penultimate ball of the innings Mohammed pulled to deep-wicket but Faf du Plessis dropped a diving catch which allowed the Warriors to secure the required runs.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport on Sunday, Mohammed said: “It was

a little bit surprising, he [Plessis] is most definitely one of the best fielders in the world and it’s not a lot of catches he drops; it was heart-ache seeing that ball go down to him but I guess it was just my day, my luck, the Amazon luck.”

In explaining his plan during the match: “I had my plans but I had no control over what was going on at the other end; obviously the other guys were trying to get the runs down but I know so long as I am there to the end, all the guys coming in are capable of scoring; it was getting to 10 an over but I was very positive with myself and the guys that we will be able to get over the line.”

The middle-order bats-

MoH/Petra Organisation/Soft Shoe Football…

Kitty Weavers stun Leopold Street K

itty Weavers produced a stunning upset win over Leopold Street to qualify for the quarterfinal in the Ministry of Health/Petra Organisation Soft Shoe Championship.

Playing at the Ministry of Education ground on Saturday, Kitty’s 3-2 win over their formidable opponents was lead by Leon Grumble double, notching goals in the 9th and 23rd minute while Nigel Denny netted in the seventh minute; on target in the loss were Akeem Rajkumar and Mark Lawrence in the first and third minute.

Leopold Street was not the only side to suffer a shocking loss; Sophia secured the biggest upset of the elimination round, downing last year’s losing finalist West Front Road 3-1. Sophia took the lead in the fourth minute as Dwayne Lowe scored but Desmond Cottam made it 2-0 in the seventh minute.

West Front Road eventually got on the score sheet via an own goal in the 17th minute; Sophia sealed the

The Guyana Amazon Warriors are 2 for 2

man also hit six to seal the six-wicket win against the defending Champions Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday. It was only last year the batsman was Smith’s quick start With two CPL hundreds under his belt, the dashing opener is a great attribute to the team and more so, partnering alongside Captain Martin Guptill should get the Warriors off to some quick starts.

In recognition of his thumping half-century against the Patriots, the Barbadian said, “My aim

a part of the same team that defeated the Amazon Warriors in the play-offs but the cricketer says it’s a nice feeling to achieve a win over his homeland. is to get the team off to a good start, if I can spend as much time as possible at the crease I’m sure that we will be in good positions so I did that in the first game, a little unfortunate in the second game but we still got over the line, so it’s good to see we come back home with two wins.”

Before the tournament bowled-off, Smith put a high standard on his per-

“It was nice to be able to take Guyana over the line, obviously now I’m at a different set up, that is where the cricket is, I enjoy doing well against my former team and hopefully I can continue doing this kind of stuff in the tournament and helping Guyana Amazon Warriors win games”, the Trinidadian revealed.

Quizzed on what role he has been designated within in the team, the 29-yearold responded: “My role in the team is to try and bat as deep as possible, if you look around the team, you have plenty big hitters but my role is different from them; I know as long I bat as possible to the end then try to score quickly.” formances and giving the Warriors a good chance at the title.

Quizzed on how he believes in the two matches to date, he said he still feels there is more for him to do, stating: “I’m never pleased, I always think that I can do more but once we are winning I am satisfied, that is my aim, to get Guyana to win.”

Blyden’s fifty leads Pioneer to victory Part of the action during the fast-paced matches (file photo)

famous win in the 21st minute as Lowe recorded his second goal.

North East La Penitence edged Holmes Street Tiger Bay 2-1 through goals from Alwin Moore and Shaquille Brown in the 14th and 33rd minute. On target in the loss was Jahaal Greaves in the 19th minute.

In the final result of the night, Queen Street Tiger Bay squeaked past Alexander Village 1-0 compliments of a Leon Fredericks strike in the 23rd minute.

The event will resume on 10 July at the same venue with the quarterfinal

stage kicking-off.

Winner of the event will collect $300,000 and the Championship trophy while the second-placed side will receive $200,000 and the runners-up accolade.

On the other hand, the third-placed side will receive $100,000 and the respective trophy while the fourth-place finishers will pocket $50,000 and the corresponding title.

Other sponsors of the event include GTT, Lucky Dollar, Nigel’s Supermarket, Junior’s Jewellery, Star Party Rentals and 2-J’s General Store.

I

n form batsman Travis Blyden on Sunday lifted his team, Pioneer Cricket Club, to another comprehensive victory in the United States of America (USA) Metro League. Blyden was instrumental with the bat in his team’s reply against Lucas Cricket Club.

The right-handed batsman stroked his way to 77 as his team reached 164-4 in 23 overs in reply to their opponents. He was supported by all-rounder Renwick Batson (54) who had a good game with bat and ball.

Opting to take first strike Lucas was restricted to 1639 in 40 overs by the Pioneer

bowlers, mainly Batson who snared 4-36 from eight effective overs and Zamal Bash who was economical in his eight-over spell, taking two wickets while only giving away four runs.

In pursuit of the target, Pioneer started shakily, losing two wickets for 46 runs before Blyden and Batson joined forces to add 109 for the third wicket. The partnership was eventually broken when Batson attempted a scoop and was caught nine runs short of the target. With just one run to win Blyden was stumped after attempting a big slog to finish the game.

It was the third consecu-

tive half-century for Blyden, who made 90 and 63 in his previous two games to go with his 77 on Sunday.

In a brief interview via social media, Blyden said he is elated because it is his first time playing in this tournament and he is enjoying his returns so far.

However, he is not willing to stop at fifties as he believes that once he scores centuries he can contribute to his team as well as himself.

He further added that his five-year professional stint in Canada did well for him as he is able to adapt easily because of the similar condition and playing surface.

Digicel’s squash tourney concludes in exciting fashion

GRFU Olympic Day – Arjoon, Khalil cop national singles titles activities a success T T he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held a successful day of activities in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) recently at the National Park Rugby field.

A series of games were organised with Under-19 Fifteens squad taking out the Senior National reserves under wet and slippery conditions. The senior reserves

prevailed against a vastly improved and hard tackling U-19 Squad 19 - 6 The ladies then took to the field to play a best of three set of sevens rugby with the results being 2 - 1 in favour of team red.

The ladies certainly did not allow wet conditions to deter them from showing the brand of rugby that made them three-time Caribbean champions.

The U/19 men’s team is scheduled to depart Thursday even as they await the result of an appeal for two of their key players who were denied visas.

The ladies have commenced training towards a top two-place finish in this year’s RAN sevens championships billed for November 12 and 13 in Trinidad and Tobago.

he Guyana Squash Association Senior Championship, in partnership with Digicel concluded on Sunday at the Georgetown Club Facility with Alex Arjoon and Ashley Khalil copping the senior Men and Women Squash titles.

Arjoon claimed the title by defeating former champion Kristian Jeffrey 6/11, 11/9, 11/6, 11/3; during the semi-final round he held off a challenge by Jason Ray-Khalil, Jeffrey, winning 11/8, 11/7, 12/10.

Ashley Khalil secured her maiden national title af-

ter crushing Akeila Wiltshire 11/4, 11/7, 11/8. Khalil’s final berth was due to defeating Larissa Wiltshire in the first semi-finals 11/7, 11/5, 11/8 while Wiltshire outplayed Taylor Fernandes 11/9, 11/5, 9/11, 11/7 in the other match The Women’s Classic Plate title and Men’s Classic Plate Accolade went to Victoria Arjoon who defeated Rebecca Low 11/4, 11/2, 11/3 and Regan Pollard clinched the following in a walkover win over Ben Mekdeci, respectively.

The Men’s Veterans Division, Javed Alli defeated

Medhi Ramdhani 11/3, 11/8, 8/11, 11/4 and Robin Low 11/6, 11/3, 11/7 while Garfield Wiltshire brushed aside Joe Mekdeci 11/9, 11/9, 11/8 and Douglas De Groot crushed Robin Low 11/6, 11/8, 11/2.

Overall, Garfield Wiltshire was crowned the Veteran 35-49 and Veteran Over-50 champion. Alli and Ramdhani finished second and third, respectively in the Veteran 35-49 section while Mekdeci and Low secured the second and third positions correspondingly in the Over50 division.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Gayle force blows away Knight Riders

By John Ramsingh in Port of Spain

A

n absolutely magnificent unbeaten century from Chris Gayle powered Jamaica Tallawahs to a commanding seven-wicket win over the Trinbago Knight Riders in match seven of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). It was also the final home match for the hot and cold Knight Riders who hit the road with just two points from their four matches at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Set 192 to win from their 20 overs at just under 10 runs per over the Tallawahs raced home to their second win in as many matches with 10 balls to spare.

The powerful Jamaican, Gayle finished unbeaten on 108 (54 balls; 6x4; 11x6) his 18th T20 century and third in CPL with his 10th maximum

back after television replays showed that the bowler over stepped the front crease. The next ball, the free hit was hit with brute force over long-off to bring up a masterful knock in front a sea of red of about 15,000 vocal spectators.

It was destiny for Gayle to get to three figures as Akmal failed to remove the bails when he was out of his crease off Narine. Gayle also had two chances one each from Mc Cullum and Searles to go with the scare from the no-ball.

With Andre Russell, 24 from 18 balls (2x4;1x6) Gayle added 108 runs for the third wicket after opener Chadwick Walton (13) and Kumar Sangakkara (20) were back in the hut. No Knight Riders bowler was spared except Sunil Narine who bowled 4-09-1 with the Tallawahs contented with just seeing him off and attacking at the other

SCOREBOARD Trinbago Knight Riders innings (20 overs maximum) HM Amla c †Sangakkara b Williams 74 BB McCullum b Imad 35 Wasim C Munro c †Sangakkara b Ste yn 55 DJ Bravo* not out 10 JPR Scantlebury-Searlesrun out (†Sangakkara) 8 Extras: (lb-4, w-5)9 Total: (4 wickets; 20 ove rs) 191 Did not bat: DM Bravo, KK Cooper, SP Narine, Umar Akmal†, RR Beaton, SJ Benn Fall of wickets: 1-49 (McCullum, 5.3 ov), 2-152 (Munro, 16.6 ov), 3-180 (Amla, 19.1 ov), 4-191 (Scantlebury-Searles, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Imad Wasim 3-018-1, Shakib Al Hasan 2-026-0, DW Steyn 4-0-56-1 (w-2), KOK Williams 4-0-341, R Powell 4-0-27-0 (w1), JL Jaggesar 3-0-26-0

from the 49th ball he faced.

He also hit six fours. Gayle was caught on the midwicket boundary on 94 off Ronsford Beaton only to be called

Jamaica Tallawahs innings (target: 192 runs from 20 overs) CAK Walton run out (Cooper) 13 CH Gayle* not out 108 KC Sangakkara†b Narine 20 AD Russell c McCullum b DJ Bravo 24 R Powell not out 12 Extras: (lb-1, w-13, nb-1) 15 Total: (3 wickets; 18.2 ove rs) 192 Did not bat: Shakib Al Hasan, Imad Wasim, AM McCarthy, DW Steyn, KOK Williams, JL Jaggesar Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Walton, 5.5 ov), 2-69 (Sangakkara, 9.3 ov), 3-177 (Russell, 16.5 ov) Bowling: RR Beaton 3.2-0-390 (nb-1), SP Narine 4-0-9-1 (w2), KK Cooper 4-0-43-0 (w-2), DJ Bravo 4-0-35-1 (w-1), JPR Scantlebury-Searles 2-0-35-0 (w-2), SJ Benn 1-0-30-0 (w-2)

end.

After being sent in, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) openers started with all guns blazing especial-

Johnson to lead WI President’s XI against India – 4 Guyanese named in squad

L

eon Johnson leads a list of four Guyanese named to play for a West Indies President’s XI against the touring India side. Johnson joins opener Rajendra Chandrika, middle-order batsman Vishaul Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph in a 12-member squad announced by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) yesterday.

The squad will play a two-day Tour Match against India starting Saturday at the Basseterre Stadium in St Kitts and Nevis. The game is the first of two practice matches scheduled for the touring Indian side.

Rayon Griffith, the manager and assistant coach for the Guyana Jaguars, will turn out as Manager/Coach for the unit

while Henderson Springer will fill the role of Coach. Ariane Mangar will perform the duties of Physiotherapist and Hector Martinez Charles will be the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator.

The team consists of six players who would have played Test cricket already. They are Johnson (Captain); Jermaine Blackwood; Chandrika; Shane Dowrich; Shai Hope and Jomel Warrican.

The full squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain); Jermaine Blackwood; Rajendra Chandrika; Roston Chase; Jason Dawes; Shane Dowrich; Shai Hope; Damion Jacobs; Keon Joseph; Marquino Mindley; Vishaul Singh and Jomel Warrican.

ly against the spinners.

Brendon Mc Cullum who had faced 17 balls in his first two innings for 13 runs, hit three fours and three sixes from 18 balls before he was bowled

by Imad Wasim. The tournament’s only centurion, Colin Munro then joined Hashim Amla who was on 13 at that time with the score on 49/1 half way through the sixth over. At the end of the power play TKR were 52/1 while at the halfway stage they got to 90 without further loss and the foundation was laid for a fabulous finish of 191/4.

Munro and Amla carried on for 11 and a half overs to add 103 for the second wicket before Munro was caught behind for 55 (39 balls; 5x4; 1x6) with the score on 152/2 at the end of the 17th over. Amla who was dropped on 26 by Wasim and on 50 by Sangakkara was eventually caught behind off Kesrick Williams in the final over for 74 (52 balls; 6x4; 3x6).

Dwayne Bravo and Javon

Bowled: The Trinbago Knight Riders put up a valiant effort but were destroyed by the Jamaica Tallawahs in match seven of the CPL

Searles had two boundaries each to push the final score to a very commanding 191/4, their highest score in four matches and it was game on.

Imad Wasim (1/18), Kesrick Williams (1/34) and Dayle Steyn (1/56) were all roughed up.

For the crucial game,

the home team dropped the struggling left arm spinner Nikita and brought in medium pacer Javon Searles for his first match while Andre Mc Carthy was preferred to Nkrumah Bonner.

Both teams will play their next match in Guyana against the unbeaten Amazon

Warriors. The Tallawahs will be the first to Providence for their game on Thursday while the Trinbago Knight Riders who have a few more days off and will play the Warriors in a return fixture on Sunday July 10. Both matches begin at 19:00 Hrs.

TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2016

Sports is no longer our game, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our business

Gayle force blows away Knight Riders

Pg 23

Mohammed, Smith tell tales of stunning victories Pg 22

Dwayne Smith

Jason Mohammed

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