Guyana Times Daily - February 21, 2015

No unity with AFC/APNU coalition P10

– stick with old names and symbols Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2411

Saturday, February 21, 2015

6 children, teacher killed as car runs off road

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Elderly P2 woman brutally raped, murdered

Page 3

Concessions to AFC were necessary – APNU MPs ...justified by goal of “Government of national unity” P11

Heavy P12 spring tides cause flash flooding

Public-spirited citizens desperately tried to rescue the teacher and students from the car that crashed into the trench along the Burma Road (Carl Croker photo)

Justin Abel

Asiyah Abel

Martina Persaud

Raydon Abel

Jagdeo to chair National Economic Council Page 7

Shondell Duke

Miners shot by bandits in camp P12 invasion AFC not worried P16 over resignations – Trotman

2 news

saturday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Elderly woman brutally raped, murdered

Dead: Suroogpattie Ramlakhan

T

he village of Richmond on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was plunged into a state of shock on Friday morning following the gruesome discovery of a 73-year-old woman who was allegedly raped then murdered.

Dead is Suroogpattie Ramlakhan called “Aunty Karmin” of Richmond Village. At the time of her death, she was living alone

in a wooden house.

The woman’s lifeless body was discovered by neighbours at around 7:30h on Friday with marks of violence. Several condoms, a raincoat and a piece of wood were reportedly recovered from the scene by investigators. When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, detectives were taking finger prints while villagers looked on from afar.

According to one of the neighbours, several of them had gone to see a snake which was at the time eating a fowl in a nearby trench, when they noticed Ramlakhan’s back door opened.

It was then they decided to check on her. “We went to check because we know she usually wake up early to pray, but we weren’t seeing her so we went, we live good and she was very jolly and kind,” one neighbour said.

It was after entering the kitchen of the wooden house that the gruesome discovery was made.

“We saw her sprawl up with no clothes, no underwear, she was surrounded by feces,” the neighbour recalled. An alarm was raised and the Police were subsequently called in. The body was then taken to the Suddie Mortuary.

Ramlakhan’s sister, Sumindra said she last saw her sister on Thursday evening, noting that she confirmed her worst fear after receiving the dreadful news.

“When I came, she was off her bed, lying in the kitchen, the door was wide open and she was in blood. I screamed to see my sister in that state,” she related.

According to villagers, Ramlakhan was a very respectful person who was never married. They said the elderly woman sold “Chicken foot chips” and reared poultry for a living.

Ramlakhan is the second elderly woman that was reportedly raped and murdered for the year. On February 9, a 67-year-old

Investigators removing the body from the scene

Corentyne woman was found dead in her Lot 665 Topoo, Albion, Berbice home.

The woman, who was identified as Ramdai

Mohabir, was discovered by her son.

The man recalled that as he approached an opened window, he saw the naked body of his mother lying on the bed with her legs in an upward position and her fists clenched. She

reportedly had marks of violence on her face, mouth and neck.

According to the family, the only thing noticeably missing was $6000 that they knew Mohabir had in her possession from the previous day.

Court throws out injunction to stop Sooba from selling Mash Day vending spots

T

he High Court has quashed an application filed by Deputy Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen to bar acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba from selling vending spots to persons for Mashramani Day. The legal action was filed on Tuesday at the High Court in the name of the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown and named Sooba along with Treasurer Ron McCalman as defendants. The ex-parte application by way of affidavit was for an interim injunction to be granted against the acting Town Clerk.

In the legal document which was seen by Guyana Times, Chase-Green had asked the Court to grant “An injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, agents, servants, assigns or any person or persons acting through them or on their behalf whomsoever, whether such person or persons are employees or officers of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown including all members of the City Police also known as the City Constabulary, from levying, receiving, demanding or in any other manner exacting rents from any person or persons desiring to utilise any part of the parapets along (Church Street, Irvine Street, Vlissengen Road, Thomas Lands) to the National Park during the Mashramani Celebrations to be held on February 23,

2015.”

According to information reaching this newspaper, the application was denied by the judge after the matter was heard.

Over the past few weeks, both Chase-Green and the City Mayor Hamilton Green have been complaining about Sooba’s decision to double and triple the fees for vendors who use the streets to ply their trade on Mashramani Day. At a press conference last week, Green pointed out that major companies have voiced their concerns on this issue in letters and during visits to his office.

He said Sooba continues to make executive decisions, without his consent or approval of the council, pointing out that the hike is exorbitant.

Green said that Banks DIH is reluctant to take part in this year’s Mash celebrations. According to the Mayor, picnickers on the Merriman’s Mall are expected to pay a whopping $8000 to enjoy their annual Mash outings; photographers $15,000; and persons wishing to sell local treats like, channa and palouri $10,000.

According to him, some major players are being asked to pay as much three times the amount they were asked to pay in 2012, when all prices were sanctioned by the Mayor’s office prior to 2013.

news

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saturday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, February 21 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, February 22 – 05:30h-07:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, February 21 – 05:45h-07:15h and Sunday, February 22 – 06:25h-07:15h

FERRY SCHEDULE Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 06:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery showers are expected in the morning with light rain showers in the afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 06:13h and 18:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.90 metres and 2.88 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:07h reaching a minimum height of 0.31 metre.

6 children, teacher killed as car runs off road

By Bhisham Mohamed

S

ix pupils of Augsburg Primary School and their teacher were killed Friday afternoon when the car they were travelling in crashed into a trench at Burma, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara causing them to drown in one of the most tragic accidents here in recent times.

The tragedy has put a damper on Mashramani festivities for scores of Mahaicony residents – many of whom wept openly at the scene as the bodies of the students and their teacher were retrieved from the trench.

The teacher was identified as 41-year-old Shondell Duke, of Lot 9 Burma Housing Scheme, Mahaicony. The children

The car in which the seven people met their demise

Persaud.

After the programme, which ended after 15:00h, Duke left with her pupils and as they were heading into the Burma Road, the car skidded, causing her to lose control. From all reports, the silver-grey Toyota

the hospital, they were all pronounced dead on arrival. When the Guyana Times visited the hospital, scores of villagers and curious onlookers had converged at the mortuary of the medical institution to get a glimpse of the dead.

Inconsolable

Wailing relatives were inconsolable as they arrived in their numbers. At the hospital, the Regional Chairman, Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice), Bindrabhan Bisnauth told the Guyana Times that he was on his way out of the village when he saw the car

too late. He said that he immediately summoned the ambulance and the children and their teacher were rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital.

“It’s a very sad situation for us. Augsburg is one of our remote area schools with a student population of 15 and six children at one blow is terrible. You can imagine the situation in the Community at present,” a saddened Bisnauth said.

Hours after the accident, Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Public Works Minister Robeson Benn travelled to the area to meet with the relatives of the victims. Manickchand stated that the accident was not only tragic for the Region but the entire country.

“These are six of our babies; they are the future of Guyana – our young children.

And a dedicated teacher who, to me, epitomises what dedication and teaching is. She is a senior assistant mistress.

She not only teaches, but took the time to bring the children out to expose them to something that is happening nationally,” the Minister in a solemn voice stated.

Residents in the area stated that the condition of the

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Mourning relatives at the Mahaicony Hospital Mortuary

are: Martina Persaud, 7, of Lot 70 Burma Housing Scheme; Justin Abel, 9, Asiyah Abel, 10, and Raydon Abel, 7, all of Lot 8 Burma Road; Atisha Woolford, 9; and Asaficia Fraser also of Burma. According to information received, the teacher drove the children to participate in a programme at the Calcutta Primary School to mark Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary.

The vehicle was reportedly loaned to the teacher

by Ronald Persaud, father of the now dead Martina

Caldina Wagon veered and ended up in the trench with its four wheels in the air.

The car was fully air-conditioned at the time of the accident, thus the windows were up, making it impossible for the teacher and children to get out. After some time, a passerby reportedly saw the four wheels in the air and rushed to assist.

The six children and the teacher were pulled out and rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital by an ambulance that was summoned, but by the time they arrived at

Distraught relatives of the Abels at the Mahaicony Hospital on Friday evening

partially submerged in the canal and persons were attempting to get the occupants out. Public-spirited citizens were forced to break two of the car windows to get them out, but by then, it was

road might have been a contributing factor for the accident, but Benn stated that it would be up to the investigating team to make such pronouncement. turn to page 8

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, february 21, 2015

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

Editorial

Gun violence T

he chilling execution Wednesday night of tyre shop owner is yet another stark reminder to the Guyana Police Force of the ever present danger that the unchecked rate of gun violence poses to this nation.

Though there have been fewer incidences where high-powered weaponry has been used, Police statistics have shown that in almost one in every three robberies, firearm is the weapon of choice.

At the end of October 2014, robbery under arms overall soared by eight percent in comparison to the same period in 2013. The statistics also indicate an increase of 13 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a one per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

For 2014 up to the reporting period, there were 674 reported robberies with the use of firearms, while in 2013 there were 596 reported cases.

Government in 2013 enacted the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2013 which was passed in the National Assembly and was one of the first countries to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) - a multilateral pact to regulate the international trade in conventional arms provides one avenue for this country.

But although in place for years, as was reported by this newspaper, no one has ever been convicted under the new law. Government had amended the antiquated law to include stricter penalties for offenders in efforts to curb trafficking and possession of illegal firearms.

However, outside, of the legislative framework there appears to be gaps in the Police anti-crime efforts.

It has been pointed out that Brazil, Guyana’s neighbour to the south, is one of the leading manufacturers of small arms, yet our fragile border with this country remains relatively unmanned. Without apparently taking into account the influx of Brazilian nationals here and the boom in the mining sector, the presence of lawmen in the hinterland remains inadequate to police our borders.

Apart from the traditional smuggling of arms, there is also a thriving ‘rent-a-gun’ business locally - a facility which offers criminals easy access to firearms.

It is perhaps the most utilised modus operandi of the criminals today as it eliminates any risk of them having to smuggle their weapons into the country. It is also cheaper and very often the gun being rented would have been used in several other crimes.

The international trade in weapons is worth an estimated US$100 billion a year, in addition to the related installation and transport, a further $20 billion.

There are more than 40 countries with large-scale production capabilities and another 60 manufacturing arms on a smaller scale.

The world’s largest arms traders are the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom – the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the highest UN organ devoted to world peace.

The Police have before it several options. It must fortify our borders with the kind of checks that would eliminate large-scale smuggling of arms into the country; beef up its own internal surveillance and intelligence to root out the many illegal gun rentals and also utilise fully the provisions contained in the Arms Trade Treaty that would see it working closer with countries like Brazil to arrest the problem.

No doubt there are other measures to be taken such as ensuring that traffickers feel the full brunt of the Firearms Amendment Act; tightening the firearm licence issuance process, thus ensuring that legitimate citizens with real security threats are the beneficiaries; and punish firearm holders who use their weapons indiscriminately.

Schoolboys imitate George of the Jungle. In this Carl Croker photo, a St John’s College student swings from a vine outside the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown while his schoolmates wait their turn

The AFC’s desperate damage control mode Dear Editor, When Raphael Trotman said that the AFC came out of the coalition negotiations a winner with only 10 percent of the votes, he was making a desperate attempt at damage control.

He was referring to the deal which saw them (supposedly) getting more than their fair share of political status in that alliance of sorts.

Of course, I am compelled to add that they did get more than their fair share, to hammer out a Prime Ministerial post deal with a 40 per cent partner is good politics. However, I must caution Trotman with that smart talk of being a winner.

Must I remind him of what did take place after the 1964 coalition with the same PNC? Let me give you the answer. Soon thereafter they kicked the United Force’s Peter D’Augiar to the curb and took full control of all things political in this country.

The PNC loves to be in control, that is their modus operandi and there is no reason to believe that they have relinquished that idea.

You are playing around with a experienced party that has near five decades of this sort of behaviour, so hear me and hear me well AFC you are doomed. The PNC is a wiley competitor when it comes to reneging

on promises and the AFC has walked right into their trap.

So, that fancy footwork in they being a winner is mere idle talk. The PNC/ APNU will never tolerate a miniature junior partner being so vocal and powerful in any partnership with them ... period.

It is not going to happen. It never happened in the past and certainly wouldn’t happen now. Lest they think that this writer is scaring anyone, I am not all I am doing is laying out the cards on the table in plain talk.

I must hasten to a close by repeating the good old Guyanese proverb “smart fly does get lock up in cow

b****d.”

No conversation on Guyana can be sweeter unless you use one of these creole proverbs, like the proverbial fly in that story, the AFC smart fly has been “zooming” around that part of the PNC cow’s anatomy for sometime and has finally decided to zoom in.

They are now locked shut and has the devil’s own job to extricate themselves.

Meantime, the onlooker electorate are shocked as to the course of events.

I say the people will help this AFC/PNC mishmash coalition by voting them out into the cold.

Neil Adams

Was there no Guyanese who could have been appointed GFF General Secretary?

Dear Editor, Guyanese have always been known to be amongst the best certified and qualified in the Caribbean and in some instances, in the world.

Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of Guyana must be hurt and feel worthless, offended and disrespected at the breaking news – Trinidadian Richard Groden is the General Secretary to the national football authority, the GFF After eye brows were raised and frustration expressed, the chairman of the GFF Normalization Committee Clinton Urling, a gentleman who has gained much respect from many, indicated that FIFA and CONCACAF were consulted and as a result, the appointment was made.

As is the practice, the

filling of a position as important and prestigious as the General Secretary of the GFF, must be adequately and widely advertised. Was this done? Were Guyanese given an opportunity to apply for this position?

Can the Guyanese public be informed of the job description and job specification of that of the General Secretary? How does one know why Guyanese were over looked?

It is important to state that while the appointment of Mr Groden is temporary, it does not change the situation. Are we sure that all is well with the reputation of Mr Groden? Is he above board?

Are there no Guyanese who can match the certification, qualification, experience and ability of Mr Groden? Why all the secre-

cy?

Is there really and truly no Guyanese good enough to be appointed? Is it the function of FIFA/CONCACAF to dictate to and or instruct the Normalization Committee?

The state of our football is at a crucial juncture, hence, special care and attention must be taken when dealing with such matters of great significance. The slightest wave can rock the boat over.

Guyanese, being as honest, understanding as they are, will definitely accept the appointment if the playing field is level. If the playing field is not level, then Guyanese have the right to ask questions and overtly vent their feelings.

Was the overall cost for such an appointment taken into consideration? Will the powers that be, now see it

convenient and respectful to formally inform the nation of the true picture of this unproductive development?

The Guyanese are certainly patiently waiting on such an explanation. Please!

Do not take the Guyanese for granted. It is imperative that we should not make the mistakes of the past.Instead let us focus on what can be done now to take football and its development to the next level.

The life of the Normalization Committee comes to an end in September, 2015. While we respect you as human beings, we expect you to do the best, within your power, to really and truly normalize the situation of football and bring it back to a level of respectability.

Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, february 21, 2015

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Guests decline invitation to AFC-PNC arranged ‘shaadi’ and ‘tilakh’ Dear Editor, Supporters of the AFC are not pleased with the sudden announcement of the ‘tilakh’ (engagement) and proposed ‘shaadi’ (wedding) between the AFC and PNC to defeat the PPP/C. Since it was born, the AFC has consistently stated it will remain single and not go in bed with the two other parties. Then AFC began to leave the door unlocked and allowed the ANC visits. Then it left the door ajar and undressed itself allowing the PNC into its bed. And now, the AFC announced a tilakh and printed invitations for a wedding catching its supporters unaware.

The supporters were shocked and said they are prepared to do what is necessary for disgracing them.

Most of the invited guests for the tilakh and shaadi have declined their invitation; they vex and AFC will pay a heavy price. Supporters are prepared to take the party to the burial ground.

Many guests posed a question: If the AFC so badly want a man, why didn’t they approach PPP/C to see if they are willing to accept a bride instead of courting the PNC that has not shown to be a trusted and reliable partner and one who can be depended upon to provide support for its children and step children.

Former AFC supporters are convinced that proposed marriage won’t last and that the AFC will be dumped after a few nights of merry making like what the PNC did to the UF in 1967 after marrying the UF in 1964.

In Guyana, Indians are fearful of the return to power of the PNC, which has been reluctant to apologize for its past excesses to make Indians feel somewhat relaxed and willing to trust that party. They see the ghosts of Burnham everywhere even 30 years after his death.

And the PNC has not done anything to assuage the

fears of Indians – announcing the launch of the campaign on Burnham’s birthday. AFC supporters asked: How could the AFC celebrate the birthday of a dictator who brutalized Indians and even his own people?

This is the major challenge facing the emerging alliance (engagement and proposed marriage) of the PNC (APNU) and AFC as revealed in a survey I have been conducting this week.

Indians supported the AFC in 2011 because they were angry with the PPP/C for treating them like step children. The PPP/C has since apologized and started to re-embrace their children, most of whom who left out of anger are returning home.

The AFC’s decision to marry the PNC will force the others to quickly re-enter their parents’ home for comfort and shelter because they still remember the abuses they suffered last time when the PNC married the UF. Indians are not supporting this proposed secret arranged marriage between AFC and PNC. What is worse is they notice that the PNC has offered big dowries and finger rings to the ‘dulhin’ and her wedding entourage as well as to some match makers and nothing for the guests who have been invited to attend the wedding.

The Indians complain that were not even considered for their views if the engagement would receive their blessings. In fact, the Indian guests have been invited to a marriage ceremony and have been requested to come with presents (no box gifts, only cash gifts accepted).

The invited guests from the AFC family complain that the dulhin took no pandit, ‘mulvi’ (‘meiji’) or pastor to give blessings to the engagement. They did not ask the pandit to check the political ‘patra’ if it is a good match.

They just accepted the engagement ring and signed the

document without consulting the greater family or the religious figures. Although caste and religion don’t play any significant role in shaping love marriages, in arranged marriages it matters – are the stars lined up?

All the pundits say no and are opposed to the marriage.

Even the mulvis and pastors also are opposed. Some people frown upon inter-caste, inter-racial, and inter-religious marriages and some express disgust at such arrangement. We will soon now if this mixed marriage is made in heaven and will triumph or fall prey to convenience and political opportunism.

From all indications, Indians don’t like this arranged marriage. They prefer the AFC remain single for a while longer when a better groom may emerge. In the meanwhile, the AFC could become more mature, attract better suitors and making more gains at the expense of both older partners who are weakening and likely to be rejected by voters sooner rather than later.

Indians are fearful of what could happen after the marriage is consummated, making comments about what happened in 1967 between the arranged marriage of the PNC and UF that took place in 1964 when the US and Britain arranged the marriage to throw out the PPP. And many Indians are declining attendance at the AFC-PNC wedding reception. They don’t feel comfortable going to that wedding. A follow up invitation from the PNC will end up in a dustbin because Indians remember well when they attended weddings during the 1970s and 1980s, there was no roti, channa, mohanbhog, sirni, alou, dhal, etc.

And they had to keep watch all night to protect themselves from kick down door bandits and food Police checking on what they ate. In

fact, almost all of them say that might be the last wedding where there will be alou curry and roti.

In order to ease the concerns of Indians, the AFC has to come up with a strategy convincing Indians that their proposed wedding with the PNC will be blissful and there will not be any spousal or child abuse like what happened post 1964 after the arranged marriage by the match makers US and UK between the PNC and UF. The spouse, children of the PNC and step children (from UF) and the outsiders (from PPP) suffered for 28 years until the American and British matchmakers said enough was enough and stepped in to save the country from the endless abuses of children and step-children.

The Indians reminded me of that marriage failure and period of extreme terror.

The AFC has to assure the Indians that none of those abuses would recur. Printing invitations alone and sending them to guests won’t work.

The AFC bridal party (dulhin, her family and her cheerleaders) will have to go house to house with political ‘neotas’ and convince the guests they should not be fearful of a marriage of an old abusive partner and a young decent wife, who is fearful that she will grow too old and be rejected if she does not get a husband now.

But AFC is still young and time is on its side; moon has not passed her as yet and she is looking more beautiful by the day until she fell for this engagement and proposed marriage. She will get more beautiful and a handsome partner will come along and when family members ‘rub dye pon she, she gon look even more beautiful’.

So there is no need to hurry for a husband, and an abusive one at that. People say moon has passed the PNC and it desperately wants a partner. As people noted, the PNC took several concubines

in 2011 and now it wants to marry the AFC like what happened in 1964 with the UF. The AFC needs to rethink if going for marriage is appropriate now. Will it commit suicide if the marriage fails? It is not too late to return the rings and forget about the tilakh. So far, contrary to what the bride claims, the invited guests are very concerned and may chase the bride with ‘jharoo’ (broom) when they bring the neotas.

The dulhin will know how her guests feel when she visits them and tries to force a maticore on them. Based on the attendance, the dulhin will get a feel of the guests’ position on the arranged marriage.

Before the dulhin even gets to the maticore, it must perform some jhandis, koran shariefs, and Christian services – these will give the AFC some sense of where the supporters stand.

Vishnu Bisram

Please investigate this vehicle as well

Dear Editor, There is someone (name provided) who seems to be prepared to do any and everything for public recognition.

Some of his excursions include writing columns in the newspapers, entering in the political arena on behalf of all three political parties, but unfortunately for him none of them took him seriously, joining lawyers appearing in any case that he thinks will give him publicity, writing regularly in the letter columns of the newspaper and now writing on a blog with the hope of getting his views carried in the newspapers.

Notwithstanding all the above efforts, he is still discontented as he obviously believes that Guyana is ignoring his overwhelming talent and potential.

The result is a regular public outpouring of bitterness, venom and nasty personal attacks upon anyone who enjoys the public prominence which he so badly craves.

He is a sad and lonely old man.

I know that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) boss has recently been on a campaign to investigate whether the relevant duties and taxes have been paid on vehicles.

This gentleman drives a Mercedes Benz. As a taxpayer, I hereby request the Commissioner General to investigate whether or not duties and taxes have been paid on this car.

In so doing, they must examine the chassis number to ensure that the chassis is not from a different vehicle which may have simply been super-implanted onto this vehicle in order to be able to use the Certificate of Registration and registration number of that other vehicle.

I am not saying here that this was done. So he cannot sue me for libel. I am simply asking for the investigation. The findings of such an investigation, I am sure, will give this individual the public prominence he is seeking.

Richard Mendonza

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Foundation

Protecting your child from dehydration and heat illness W

ith the hot days of summer come summer sports – baseball, tennis, football practice – both in the neighborhood and at camp. Before you send the children out to practice – or just for a long day of play in the sun – learn to protect your child against the dangers of dehydration and heat illness.

WebMD turned to Albert C Hergenroeder, professor of paediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and Chief of the sports medicine clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, for answers to parents’ common questions.

• Make sure they drink cool water and sports drinks early and of-

ounce is about two childsize gulps.

• Get them acclimatised before summer practice. “If you’re going to send your child off to tennis camp, they shouldn’t be sitting around doing nothing in May and then going out to play ten-

or two per cent dehydrated on Monday and doesn’t drink enough fluids that night, then gets one per cent or two per cent dehydrated again on Tuesday, that means your child is three per cent or four per cent dehydrated at the end of the day. “They may

ten. Send your child out to practice or play fully hydrated. Then, during play, make sure your child takes regular breaks to drink fluid, even if your child isn’t thirsty. A good size drink for a child, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics is five ounces of cold tap water or sports drink for a child weighing 88 pounds, and nine ounces for a teen weighing 132 pounds. One

nis eight hours a day in June,” says Hergenroeder.

“They should be outdoors jogging, riding a bike, and otherwise slowly building up their fitness and ability to handle the heat.”

The fitter children are, the sooner their bodies will start to sweat after beginning to exercise – and that’s a good thing!

• Know that dehydration is cumulative. If your child is one per cent

be gradually developing a problem, but it won’t show up for several days,” says Hergenroeder. “You should always monitor your child’s hydration.”

One way to do this: weigh your child before and after practice. If his weight drops, he’s not drinking enough during his workout.

A simple rule of thumb: if your child’s urine is dark in colour, rather than clear or

lost two per cent of his or her body weight as sweat.

Untreated dehydration can lead to three worse types of heat illness: • Heat cramps: Painful cramps of the abdominal muscles, arms, or legs.

• Heat exhaustion: Dizziness, nausea, vomit-

when untreated, can be deadly. Any child with heat stroke should be rushed to the nearest hospital.

ing, headaches, weakness, muscle pain, and sometimes unconsciousness.

• Heat stroke: A temperature of 104 or higher and severe symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, seizures, disorientation or delirium, lack of sweating, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, and coma.

Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke require immediate care. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that,

What can I do to prevent dehydration in my child?

What puts my child at risk for dehydration?

The same things that put you at risk for dehydration: prolonged exposure to high temperatures, direct sun, and high humidity, without sufficient rest and fluids. The difference is that a child’s body surface area makes up a much greater proportion of his overall weight than an adult’s, which means children face a much greater risk of dehydration and heat-related illness.

What signs of dehydration should we watch for?

Early signs of dehydration include fatigue, thirst, dry lips and tongue, lack of energy, and feeling overheated. But if children wait to drink until they feel thirsty, they’re already dehydrated. Thirst doesn’t really kick in until a child has

light yellow, he or she may be becoming dehydrated.

If my child develops heat illness, what can I do to treat it?

The first thing you should do with any heat illness is get the child out of the sun into a cool, comfortable place. Have the child start drinking plenty of cool fluids. The child should also take off any excess layers of clothing or bulky equipment. You can put cool, wet cloths on overheated skin. In cases of heat cramps, gentle stretches to the affected muscle should relieve the pain.

Children with heat exhaustion should be treated in the same way but should not be allowed back on the field the same day. Monitor your child even more carefully, Hergenroeder says. If your child doesn’t improve, or can’t take fluids, see a doctor.

Heat stroke is always an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Are some children more prone to dehydration or heat illness than others?

Yes, says Hergenroeder.

One of the biggest risk factors: a previous episode of dehydration or heat illness.

Other factors that can put your child at greater risk for heat illness include obesity, recent illness (especially if the child has been vomiting or has had diarrhea), and use of antihistamines or diuretics.

Lack of acclimatisation to hot weather and exercising beyond their level of fitness can also lead to heat illness in young athletes. “If a young player isn’t in shape and tries to go out and do things quickly to ‘make the team,’ – or goes to summer practice or summer camp and hasn’t been used to that kind of heat and humidity and duration of exercise – that sets them up for dehydration and heat illness,” Hergenroeder says.

Is it ever too hot for my child to practice or play sports?

A growing number of athletic programs suggest that it is sometimes too hot to practice. In fact, many are restricting outdoor practice when the National Weather Service’s heat index rises above a certain temperature. The heat index, measured in degrees Fahrenheit, is an accurate measure of how hot it really feels when the relative humidity is added to the actual temperature.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) offers information and guidelines for parents and coaches on their web site. (WebMd.com)

news

7

saturday, febrUARY 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jagdeo to chair National Economic Council F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo has been appointed Chairman of the National Economic Council, a commission which was recently established by President Donald Ramotar to accelerate growth in Guyana.

Jagdeo’s appointment was announced on Friday by President Ramotar, who in a statement said that though he was proud of the progress made thus far, greater focus and attention can lead to enhanced performance in many crucial areas.

As such, he said the National Economic Council will bring greater support to his Government in enhancing and accelerating its transformational and modernisation agenda for Guyana.

“The economic transformation and modernisation of our country are priorities that require the skills of every bright and experienced mind as well as an enabling framework,” the President said just before announcing that Jagdeo would lead the Council.

Based on his wealth of experience in the field of economics, both on the local and international stage, Jagdeo is the ideal individual for the position, the President said.

He pointed out that the for-

mer President served for a number of years as the pivot in the modernisation of the country’s economy, noting that he crafted many strategies including the National Development Strategy, the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

“More importantly, as Head of State for over a decade through a most crucial and rewarding period, former President Bharrat Jagdeo has much to offer and has kindly agreed to assume this responsibility as chair of the National Economic Council. Further his growing international profile and work can be useful for this effort,” President Ramotar added.

Pro-bono

The National Economic Council will, among other things, assist in conceptualising and crafting economic strategies and initiatives as well as support in the oversight in the implementation of various projects and strategic interventions.

“The Council I anticipate can give impetus to the already successful efforts of ensuring that my Government continues to be responsive to the socio-economic needs of our people,” he added.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

President Ramotar said while Jagdeo has made clear his non-interest in any constitutional post, Government will ensure that it taps into his vast experience and competence in making Guyana a more prosperous nation. The former President will be offering his services on a pro-bono basis.

The work of this Council will commence almost immediately.

According to the President, the

composition and terms of reference of the Council will soon be made public.

In addition to chairing the National Economic Council, Jagdeo will assist the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in crafting its Manifesto for the upcoming General and Regional Elections billed for May 11.

An economist by training, Jagdeo was appointed President of Guyana in 1999 following the retirement of former President Janet Jagan, who was ill at the time. Prior to that, he had served as the Finance Minister.

In 2001, he was elected as President and was subsequently re-elected in September 2006.

During his tenure as President, major economic and social reforms were undertaken in Guyana. When he relinquished office, Guyana was concluding its fifth consecutive year of strong economic growth, often out-pacing all other countries in South America.

Under his watch, external debt had been almost halved, and external reserves were almost three times their 2006 level.

Unprecedented investment in social services took place during

the Jagdeo’s presidency, thereby transforming the education, health, transportation housing and water sectors within the country.

In September 2005, the former President was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position he held until September 2006. Also in 2006, he was identified by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of their inaugural “Young Global Leaders.”

In 2010, Jagdeo was one of six persons who received the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champion of the Earth award for their fight to preserve the forests and combat climate change.

He was also honoured with the Pushkin Medal by the Government of Russia and the Pravasi Bharativa Samman Award by the Government of India. These are just a few of the many awards he has received to date.

Today, he holds a number of global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable development, green growth and climate change.

Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond fired M agistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond who presides over Court 10 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was on Friday fired from her job.

According to information received, the Magistrate was summoned and dismissed by the Judicial Services Commission headed by Justice Carl Singh for matters relating to misdemeanor.

Her Attorney, Nigel Hughes claims that the Magistrate is being punished for trying the case of the Prime Minister’s son. He was scheduled to be sentenced in the coming week.

According to Hughes, on January 16, 2014 Chandan-Edmond was written to by the Judicial Service Commission in relation to the following allegations; absence from a Magistrate’s Association meeting to discuss the Sexual Offenses Act, medical leave for two days between the 5th and 7th June 2013, absence for sick leave, failure to report absence of work to the Chancellor, in-

Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond ability to deliver 19 decisions, failure to respond to queries from the Chief Magistrate and departure from Guyana on the 20th day of January 2013 without approval.

He alleged that at that time there was no allegation of misconduct leveled against Chandan-Edmond nor was there any hearing or any invitation to a hearing on the allegations for the entire year of 2014.

The Magistrate in a conduct of a trial, found Samuel Hinds Junior guilty on the 6th February 2015.

“The Magistrate deferred sentencing Mr Hinds to allow a Probation Report to be prepared and adjourned the matter to 20th February 2015. On the 13th day of February 2015 at 4:15 PM the Judicial Service Commission in excess of one year after they laid the above allegations against Magistrate and four days before the date sent for sentencing of Samuel Hinds Junior, the Judicial Service Commission instructed Magistrate Chandan Edmond to attend a hearing on the 18th day of February 2015,” Hughes explained.

Chandan-Edmond attended the hearing where Hughes inquired about the rules under which the

Commission intended to deliberate, the procedure to be adopted particularly whether it was an adversarial or inquisitorial proceeding during which it was pointed out to the JSC that there was no rule which required the Magistrate to notify the Chancellor and or seek his permission prior to her departure from the country.

“The Commission conceded that there was no such rule in existence either in the Judicial Service Commission Rules or the Public Service Rules but said that there was a standard administrative practice that the Chancellor approves her departure. The Commission further informed the Magistrate that they were not obliged to specify what procedure they intended to pursue as they were going ahead with the inquiry. Every single allegation leveled against the Magistrate was answered and refuted with the production of documentary evidence including a letter from the Doctor who examined Ms Chandan

Edmond,” the legal advocate said.

He noted that when the case of the Police V Samuel Hinds Junior was called on Friday, the probation officer was unable to produce a report thereby forcing an adjournment and at approximately 14:15h the Magistrate was informed that “the Commission therefore considers it both necessary and appropriate, that it is in the public interest that you be forthwith discharged from further magisterial duty”.

According to him, the Magistrate intends to pursue all legal remedies available to her up to the Caribbean Court of Justice since it is strongly believed that it is a case of political intervention and victimization.

“The termination of the Magistrate’s service is that the verdict against Mr. Hinds is vacated and a new trial before a different Magistrate will now follow.”

The Magistrate has over the years been fingered in a number of controversies including physically abusing her babysitter.

8 NEWS

saturday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Cocaine 'mule' who excreted 83 pellets pleads guilty

S

tephon Jones Watson, a drug mule who excreted 83 pellets of cocaine between Monday and Friday while in custody pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking narcotics. Watson appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The Patentia, West Bank Demerara resident was brought before the court on the charge of trafficking narcotics, after he was intercepted trying to board a Liat flight to Antigua and Barbuda

Stephon Watson

at the Ogle International Airport. Police had confirmed that the defendant was a frequent flyer and on the day in question, he was attempting to make his fourth trip to the Caribbean island. He is the founder of Watson Furniture and Building Services According to reports, Watson was seen acting in a suspicious manner thus drawing the attention of Police ranks who were nearby. As the Police ranks approached him, he started to perspire profusely. He was

questioned and initially denied carrying drugs. The Police then threatened to arrest him and it was then that he reportedly admitted to swallowing the pellets.

It was stated that he ingested a total of 850 grams of cocaine via pellets.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, stating that he was extremely sorry and asked the Magistrate to be lenient in his sentencing. The Magistrate sentenced Watson to four years in jail, along with a fine of $30,000.

Labourer fined $60,000 for illegal possession of firearm

A

23-year-old labourer was fined $60,000 on Friday in Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for being in possession of an unlicensed

Bodyguard 380 semi-automatic pistol.

The defendant was brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

In presenting the facts of the case, the pros-

ecution stated that on July 30, 2014, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Junior Alfred, of Second Street, Crane, West Coast Demerara, had in his possession one semi-automat-

6 children, teacher...

Minister Benn, in rebutting the sentiments of the residents, explained that the relevant authorities including engineers, traffic specialists and the Police, would be looking into the matter and would determine what caused the accident.

He, however, admitted that the road was being done at the moment. “Some weeks ago, the road southwards going in was in very poor condition … the first section of the public road was done.

I visited the road on three occasions. I was there on Wednesday afternoon,” he told the Guyana Times.

At the teacher’s home

At the home of the teacher, a niece told the Guyana Times that her aunt left home at about 08:30h with the children for Calcutta to

attend the event and about 16:00h, they received the news that she was involved in an accident. At that time, they were not informed of the seriousness until a few minutes later when someone called to inform them that she was dead as well as the children.

Duke was a dedicated teacher, the niece stated.

She was always jovial and would always go out of her way to give her pupils the exposure they needed. Duke leaves to mourn her six siblings and her father. Her mother passed away a few years ago.

A short distance away from the home of the teacher was the house of seven-yearold Martina Persaud. Her brother, Marlon Persaud, with tears in his eyes said: “It was only the two of us

ic pistol, while he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and the Magistrate fined the defendant $60,000.

From page 3

… My dad lent the car to the teacher to take the children to the Mash celebration so that they did not have to catch bus to come back.”

He added that they felt comfortable that his sister was safe with the teacher and the other children in the same vehicle. He said that they received the message about the accident about 16:05h and his father rushed to the scene where he saw Martina’s motionless body and broke down, but was consoled by other family members and friends. His mother, he added, is crying “nonstop” recalling the last time she saw her daughter alive.

At the home of the Abels, relatives converged to offer their sympathy to the grieving family. Roberta, mother of Justin and Asiyah, was

too distraught to talk beyond noting that Raydon was her late sister’s child.

She said when she left home for work on Friday morning, the children were already dressed.

“They had to go to the teacher’s house and from there they would go to Calcutta… I was at work when I get the call… I dropped everything and run out the factory… It overbearing… it overbearing,” she cried.

Another relative explained that by the time they arrived at the scene, the children were already rushed to the hospital.

“When we reach … they were all dead”, he stated.

The relatives of the other two children were not available for comment.

Eyew tness

Pig in a poke...

I

...from AFC to APNU

t hasn’t even been a week since the arranged marriage between the AFC and APNU - and the proverbial sh*t has already hit the fan. Not surprising since, like in most arranged marriages, one of the parties misrepresented their “assets”.

The AFC leaders sold a bill of goods to APNU - as to how they can bring to the marriage the votes of “Indian Guyanese” - especially from Berbice.

Problem was, they never took the trouble to ask those folks if they agreed to be bargained away - just for the aforementioned leaders to be assured of titled positions in a hypothetical future administration. But now that the cat’s out of the bag...APNU can see - as plain on the noses on their face that they’ve bought a pig in a poke.

Some of the medium-level leaders of the AFC - the ones who’re the life and soul of any organisation - have quit in disgust. And they’re not being bashful about the source of their anger: the betrayal by what one high-profile member who quit - was dubbed “a Gang of Five” who’re calling the shots in the coalition.

And who have all been given big time titles. Like Nagamootoo as PM and Ramjattan as Vice President. (But then he does know a thing or two about “vice”!!)

The Gang of Five - Leader Ramjattan, Chairman Nigel Hughes, Vice Chair Nagamootoo and Exec Kathy Hughes - seemed to have forgotten the folk wisdom of the US President Abe Lincoln (“Honest Abe”). You can fool some of the people all the time; you can fool all of the people some of the time...but you sure as hell CAN’T FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. In addition to the mid level execs, ordinary members are jumping off the AFC deck more dramatically than the folks who plunged off the deck of the Titanic after it hit that iceberg in the Atlantic. But what makes the story richer is that the Gang of Five couldn’t care less...they’ve been given “iron clad guarantees” for their sinecures.

It’s Granger and the rest of his PNC leaders who’re shitting bricks. They’re having to face the wrath of their supporters for giving away the store and getting “larwah” in return.

But that’s nothing like the fury from the old, faithful mid-level leaders who were shunted aside to accommodate the AFC “saviours”. Hell hath no fury like a Parliamentarian discarded!!

...with a name

“What’s in a name??” asked the Bard...A rose is a rose and all that. All to prove he definitely wasn’t Guyanese!

Here, a name means everything. Who do you think is “Rum Jhaat”?? And take the pig in poke between the AFC and APNU. They’ve already hitched up but only yesterday they announced their name. Right off the bat, you knew this must’ve cause no end of argumentation between the plenipotentiaries - and they still couldn’t agree. Granger and Ramjattan had to be pulled in.

They’d already agreed that on their common “symbol”.

They’ve used both the “hand” of APNU and the “key” of the AFC. Now this makes sense, no?? Even though an open hand can’t grasp no key - at least both parties got a piece of the action.

This was the same principle Ramjattan had used to come up with the name that the straight-laced Granger rejected - PANTY!! He’d taken a word from the names of the parties - including the PNC to form “Partnership Alliance for National Trust - Yes!!” - PANTY!!

Now wasn’t that better than ......?? But what do you do with prudes??

...and fertility

Nagamootoo took a shot at a PPP/C’s ad that imitated one of Pres Obama’s. As if he’s never imitated JFK’s, “Ask not what your country ....”!! He said the PPP/C doesn’t have “fertile” minds.

Poor fella... he means “creative”...which he can never be since he doesn’t even know the word!!

9 Region 2 Children Road Parade draws hundreds news

saturday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

After the grand parade, children socialised with each other at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, creating an atmosphere of unity. The parade concluded the Education Department’s activities for Mashramani in Region Two. On Monday, the Region Two Administration will be hosting their parade and road march. Several businesses are expected to participate.

Children from the Fisher Primary School in the costume parade

H

undreds of persons gathered at the Anna Regina Car Park and along the parade route in the town on Friday to witness the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Children Road March and Float Parade. The activity was hosted by the regional Department of Education.

Children from nursery, primary and secondary schools danced their way, some with the Guyana flag in hand, from Richmond Village to the Anna Regina Car Park then to the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground. The entire town came alive with Soca and Chutney music, which emanated from various music

systems.

Leading the parade was the Department of Education’s contingent, followed by Charity Nursery, Better Success Nursery, Flora Nursery, and other nursery, primary and secondary schools.

With floats depicting Guyana’s majestic Kaieteur Falls, six ethnic groups, the Golden Arrowhead and the wonders of the Pomeroon River among other nationalistic concepts, this year’s Mash theme, “One People, One Culture, One Celebration” was well-illustrated.

The floats and parade were supervised by teachers from the various schools.

Sparta Nursery School pupils having a fun time

Mash bands to be penalised for vulgarity – Dr Anthony

T

he highly-anticipated Mashramani float and costume parade is approaching and thousands of Guyanese are eager to hit the roads to experience the thrills and excitement of the wild soca music and the usually skimpy yet creative costume designs.

In an effort to head off extreme displays at the event to which Guyanese families flock, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said the Mash bands were warned not to go overboard with their designs and their music.

During a brief interview with the Guyana Times, Dr Anthony said meetings were held with the various bands and they were advised that the judges would penalise them if they were too explicit on the roadways.

“There is a criteria and the judges will be penalising them…,” he said.

Over the years, the parade has been criticised as not “clean” enough for parents to bring their children to enjoy.

“I know Mash Day, they have all

these half-naked women jiggling their bodies and it’s not nice for children to see that. It will destroy their innocence,” Denise McKenzie, a mother of two girls, said.

She also expressed that the music is often vulgar and degrading, not only to children, but women as well.

“It’s supposed to be a wonderful holiday, but to me, it’s just too indecent,” she said.

While the Minister stated that measures were in place to minimise vulgarity on the roads, he acknowledged that there were many who violated these.

“We try to set standards, but usually people violate that and we can’t really ensure everyone on Mash Day follows those standards,” he explained.

Meanwhile, also coming out of the meetings were guidelines for the Mash bands as it relates to punctuality, security, and other judging criteria.

So far, the Minister disclosed, approximately 20 bands were registered

to parade the streets, but he expected more to sign on before the big day on Monday, February 23.

“Usually they register on the last minute and we have systems in place to facilitate this,” he explained.

When asked if he was concerned about a minimum focus on the true meaning of Mashramani, Anthony replied in the negative.

He explained that there were many activities during the Mashramani period that catered for people of all ages and interests.

“At all these activities, we ensure we emphasise on the fact that we are celebrating our Republican status.”

Mashramani is an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970.

Leading up to the grand festival, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry organises a host of events all throughout the country to engage everyone in this holiday that promotes unity among Guyanese.

10 news

saturDAY, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

No unity with AFC/APNU coalition – stick with old names and symbols

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Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) have insisted on retaining their individual identities while contesting under one umbrella in the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

This was disclosed at a joint press conference on Friday at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street, where the provisional symbol was revealed. The parties have decided to retain the names APNU-AFC and for now their two symbols will go side by side. The latter is not acceptable under electoral rules and will undergo requisite changes in due time. “Neither party wants their symbols diminished or desecrated in any way and both will feature prominently in the final symbol for the coalition,” says AFC Executive Raphael Trotman, who along with APNU’s Joseph Harmon will lead the campaign for the coalition. He believes that retaining identity has always been a challenge for coalescing political parties. “With 80 plus days to go we are not going to play around with our identity and I can say that for the AFC.” Similarly, Harmon explained that the decision to preserve individuality is an element of the consummating ‘Cummingsburg Accord’.

VC mouth open and true story jump out

W

(From left to right) Joseph Harmon and Raphael Trotman – Campaign Managers; Ronald Bulkan – APNU Representative; and David Patterson – AFC General Secretary, as they address the media

“While we maintain the party identity, we are going with a single slate and a single list of candidates,” he outlined. The panel, which also comprised AFC’s David Patterson and APNU’s Ronald Bulkan, was asked whether the insistence on individuality contradicts the ideals of unity, to which Trotman replied “there is nothing contradictory about it; we’ve been working together in parliament for a number of years as opposition parties ...of course there are some small idiosyncratic differences but we all agree on a 10 point plan.”

“The name will not make a difference; the people have already resolved, they have resolved since 2011for a change,” he added, refer-

ring to the outcome of the 2011 elections which saw the majority of electorate voting against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

10 point Plan

Meanwhile, the APNUAFC coalition has agreed to the implementation of a programme of governance, should it win the election. Featured prominently on the 10 Point Plan is Constitutional Reform, which Harmon said is geared towards improved governance and fair representation. While he did not detail specific areas that will be reformed, but in accordance with the Cummingsburg Accord changes may be necessary to the functions of the

President, Prime Minister and the inclusion of three Vice-Presidents.

Constitutional changes require either a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly or a referendum, the option of which Trotman has favoured. “I think the time has come for the people of Guyana to have a say in how the structure of a government should be designed and I will certainly be one who will be in full agreement for a referendum rather than us locked up in parliament for 6-18 hours to decide what we think is in the best interest of the people,” the Parliament Speaker posited.

The other features of the plan are economic development, financial legislation, local democracy, national unity, taxation reform, telecommunications and information, public services and youth.

“The APNU-AFC Coalition, in accordance with the Cummingsburg Accord, commits itself to accept and promote dialogue, discussion and the use of constitutional means to advance economic, political and social change; respect the value and sanctity of human life; maintain high levels of mutual respect; reject ethnicity as a consideration for the participation of citizens in government, denounce corruption and promote financial transparency, probity at all levels of government,” read Harmon, from a prepared statement.

Unity Government A true reflection of a ‘government of national unity’ as advanced by the coalition should reflect the participa-

hen mouth open story does always jump out.

No matter who mouth it is. And a lotta people openin dem mouth nowadays. Rum Jhaat on de other hand hardly openin he mouth these days though, except when a large in fronta he.

But Cement Roti does open he mouth at dem press conferences and then fuhget whah he seh by de time de next one come around. After de Pee-P-P win, he might not get to do another press conference.

De U-Gee workers open dem mouth fuh more money just like dem public servants not too long ago. Then dem march in de streets and open dem mouth fuh more money again and again, and dem still ain’t done yet.

De Vee-See fuh U-Gee also been opening he mouth. But finally de other day he open he mouth again and de story that he had always want to come out finally come out. That is, de U-Gee people don’t wuk, yet dem want more money.

All de time, he was holdin back.

Is de same problem wid de public servants. It look like people lookin fuh less wuk and more money, when de rule is that when yuh need more money, yuh supposed to wuk more hard. But this striking and walkin is too hard fuh dem.

Soon dem gon be back pun campus teachin five hours a week rather than marchin whole day.

And that is de problem wid plenty people in this country.

Dem want tings whah dem ain’t wuk to achieve. One man want two Lexus just like that. Nagga man want to be Prezzie when he never wuk fuh that.

Wid elections just about de corner, it gon be another story in all de parties, including dem who done marry and dem who still single. Nagga divorce one party and now he marry again. But nutten ain’t change because is de same demands all over again.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

Somebody seh if Nagga was a woman, not a man woulda be able to satifsy that kinda appetite. Not even See-Hen, nor he son.

tion of all other politics parties. Asked whether the inclusion of the PPP/C post victory is explored, Trotman said earlier discussions on the topic proved disinterest from the ruling party.

“Mr. Ramotar in that meeting responded that that was not the mandate that his party went into elections with and therefore could not accede to that request,” related Trotman referring to meeting involving himself, Khemraj Ramjattan, David Granger and President Donald Ramotar, days before he was sworn in.

Trotman had told Guyana Times earlier this week that it would be wise for the coalition to open its doors to interested members of the PPP/C. On Saturday February 14, 2015 APNU and AFC

signed an agreement to coalesce to contest the May 11 elections. Currently, the two parties combined have a one seat majority in the National Assembly but the constitution does not allow for post election coalition. Already a coalition movement, APNU is made up of several parties including the Working People’s Alliance and significantly the People’s National Congress.

AFC was able to get a small percentage of the PPP’s votes, which commentator have speculated could be lost in a coalition with PNC. Many Indo-Guyanese have associated this party with rigging and food shortage and may return its support to the PPP/C, one commentator speculated.

APNU-AFC will launch their campaign on March 4.

Digicel launches Flexible Data Plans

G

uyanese are increasingly connecting to the Internet via their mobile phones and other enabled devices, and Digicel Guyana is now making it even more convenient for consumers to do so, with the launch of its “Flexible Data Plans”.

In a release, the communications provider said the revised data plans are 1 Day(50 MB) for $280; 2 Days(100 MB) for $500; 1 Week(350 MB) for $1100; 1 Month(800 MB) for $2800; and 1 Month Plus(1 GB) for $3200.

The new flexible data plans will make it easier and more affordable for pre-paid

customers to enjoy more data on the go in the constantly changing technological world, the company said.

While activation code *136# remains the same, there are changes to how the prepaid data plans work.

Digicel data plans will no longer have a daily cap. The caps will now apply for the entire period customers have subscribed. Under the old month plan, customers would have been given 50MBx30, which is equivalent to 1500MB. There is also a new ‘Addon’ feature to the data plans for customers who reach the limit before the plan expires. The

‘Add-on’ will cost $100 and will give customers an additional 15MB of data. Customers can use an ‘Add-on’ every hour as needed.

Commenting on the changes, Customer Care Manager Sherwyn Osborne stated, “ The changes were made based on feedback from customers that 50MB daily cap was too limiting, since on some days they have the need to use more and also they wanted a mechanism to better manage their spend once they are over their cap.”

Digicel believes the new plans will give customers more choices while they enjoy the same great value.

news

11

saturDAY, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Concessions to AFC were necessary – APNU MPs ...justified by goal of “Government of national unity”

By Gomatie Gangadin

A

mid the fallout over the massive concessions handed to the Alliance For Change (AFC)

by A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) in the formation of their pre-election alliance, two Members of Parliament of the main opposition said that the concessions were necessary for the coalition to have been established.

Several commentators including AFC’s founder, Raphael Trotman have admitted that the minority opposition party walked away with more than it had expected from the coalition negotiations, but APNU MPs, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Basil Williams said the deal took into consideration the bigger goal of the their party which is to establish a “government of national unity”.

Speaking to the Guyana Times on Thursday, Co Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Dr Roopnaraine said despite, on a personal basis, having to surrender the Prime Ministerial Candidate po-

sition to AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo, he does not believe that the smaller political party got more than it deserved.

He however admitted that whatever the AFC had managed to receive was due to the fact that a coalition could not have been borne had those concessions not be given.

According to Roopnaraine, the concessions were not worth more than the APNU’s wish to see a government of national unity being created for the first time in Guyana. “The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) must make whatever concessions necessary to achieve a government of national unity which it wants to see.

What the Alliance For Change got was the demands that they had made. The APNU believes that the need to include the AFC to achieve a government of national unity far outweighed the concessions which were given to them”, Dr. Roopnaraine told this publication.

Similar sentiments were also echoed by Chairman of the People’s

ACDA Executive Director Dr Eric Phillips

National Congress Reform ( PNCR) , Basil Williams.

According to him, the coalition is a partnership and as such he does not believe any one party got more than it deserved. He noted that the concessions and privileges given to each of the parties were as a result of extensive discussions and the circumstances surrounding the discussion for a pre election alliance.

“Concessions were made according to what the circumstances demanded”, he shared. Williams relat-

ed that the parties have achieved what it had set out to achieve- a government of national unity, and that is all that matters now, noting too that the two were preparing and are anticipating the May 11 polls.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), Dr Eric Phillips in a telephone interview with this publication on Wednesday, when asked about the ACDA’s perspective on the formation, related that the organisation has welcomed the initiative of the two parties to have a pre-elections coalition. According to Phillips, for decades, there has been a push for the formation of a “government of national unity” but this was never achieved.

He said the fact that this is now a possibility means that the country has a bright future. “There is always a push for national unity. We have for 20 years pushed for shared governance because no single government can run the country. There must be a common vision and a plan

for all and I think that the coalition has that,” Dr Phillips opined. When asked about the association’s thoughts on the concessions which were given to AFC, Dr Phillips said that the considerations made for each of the political parties should not be a matter of concern at this time, but rather Guyanese should recognise the meaning behind the coalition.

“A government of national unity has always been the theme of the APNU and then the AFC began talking about it. A coalition is the best that can be done at this time. I believe once it succeeds at the polls, it can foster national unity,” the ACDA Executive Director said.

One political analyst, in reviewing the responses, noted that all of the responders we’re assuming that a coalition of the AFC which has secured 10.3 per cent of the votes at the last elections and APNU with APNU and its 40.8 per cent is a “government of national unity”, even though it excludes 49 per cent of the country.

Political Scientist, Dr David Hinds had also al-

luded to this in one of his recent commentaries, stating that “the AFC has been allotted more than its electoral strength from the last election. This would offset the fact that it did not get the symbolic leader slot which it went into the negotiations thinking was crucial to both the success of the coalition and its own ability to convince its mainly Indian Guyanese supporters of its correctness.” According to the agreement which was signed, the AFC trails APNU by 19 seats in the National Assembly polling just about 10 per cent of the votes in the last elections comparing to APNU’s 40 per cent. However during the negotiations the AFC had insisted that it must lead the coalition and having not succeeded in wresting this from APNU they were able to field the Prime Ministerial candidate in the person of Moses Nagamootoo. In addition to being assured of 12 seats in the National Assembly, the party will be allocated two Vice Presidents both of whom will be members of the Cabinet.

Moco Moco Toshao accused of rape M

ark George, Toshao of Moco Moco Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu, Upper Essequibo) was on Friday detained by Lethem Police for rape allegations.

According to reports, the Toshao was taken into police custody following allegations that he raped a 13-year-old girl from his village. Sources say he was under investigation by both the Police and the Child Care Protection Agency prior to his arrest A release from the police said the 13-year-old is a student of the Moco

Moco Primary School.

“The report of the incident which is alleged to have occurred on February 01, 2015, was made to the police at Lethem on February 17, 2015, by the Regional Schools Welfare Officer based on information obtained.”

Police said it is believed that there was some attempt to cover up the matter initially by members of the village because of George’s suspected involvement.

In addition, the release said that police were earlier unsuccessful in contacting the victim and were only able to do so

on Friday.

Earlier this week, George reportedly denied permission to President Donald Ramotar for entry into the Central Rupununi village. On Tuesday, the President was forced to cancel a campaign visit to Moco Moco after the Village Council denied him permission upon George’s order.

According to reports, George had said that the reason for the denial was on account of late notice provided by the President’s campaign manager. George had said that he was given a day’s notice, which was

too short of a time to accommodate the President’s visit.

He had also contended that the request was informally done via telephone and not by letter.

The Amerindian Act of 2006, Section 5, part II states “A person, other than a person travelling for official business for the Government who wishes to enter Village lands shall apply for and obtain the

permission of the village Council”.

Each person is required to complete the Application form for entry into an Amerindian Village at least and should be submitted at least one month prior to visit.

Meanwhile, James George, Deputy Toshao of the Village on Friday said the people of the village were knowledgeable of the President’s visit and were

anxiously awaiting him.

He explained that villagers are disappointed that the President did not get to visit.

“They did not make any decision to stop the President from visiting their community, my community and unto this day, they are still waiting and they will continue to wait on the President of Guyana,” the deputy Toshao said.

12 news

SATURday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Heavy spring tides cause flash flooding

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uyana is once again experiencing heavy spring tides much to the dismay of residents residing along the coast and several commercial entities.

On Thursday and Friday, some commercial areas and residential communities in the city and along the coasts were flooded as a result of the high tides which propelled huge waves.

However, the floodwaters quickly dissipated, but the aftermath of the incident greatly affected and annoyed many residents.

Garbage and other de-

A section along the seawall affected by flooding

bris were washed up, leaving several areas in a filthy state when the water re-

ceded.

Residents lamented the threat posed to their farms

Water overtopping the seawall on Thursday afternoon

and vegetable gardens while vendors in commercial areas in the vicinity of Stabroek Market complained about the inconvenience it caused.

The Ministry of Public Works said the highest tides were expected at 16:36h on Thursday at a height of 3.36 metres and at 17:23h on Friday at a height of 3.34 metres.

The Ministry also indicated that areas such as Wakenaam Island, Leguan Island, Parika, Anna Catherina, Kitty to Ogle and Number 74 to Number 76 Villages, Corentyne and along the banks of the Pomeroon, Berbice and Canje Rivers are susceptible to possible flooding.

Miners shot by bandits in camp invasion

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wo men are now nursing gunshot injuries after they were shot during an invasion on a mining camp at Cassawini Backdam, Barima River, North West District (NWD) on Thursday evening.

Injured are Randradin, 57 of Port Kaituma, NWD and Aaron Ramkarran, 37 of Johanna Cecelia, Essequibo Coast.

Randradin was reportedly shot to his left hand while Ramkarran was shot to his right foot. Both men have

been admitted to the Pakera Village Hospital where they are listed as stable.

According to information received, two men who were armed with a handgun and a cutlass entered the mining camp at about 23:30h and held up the miners.

During the ordeal, the bandits demanded gold and other personal items from the men but the men reportedly claimed that they did not have any in their possession.

In addition, one of the bandits ransacked the min-

ing camp while the other held the men at gunpoint but came up empty handed.

The bandit, based on information got angry, collected the gun from his accomplice and threatened to shoot Randradin and Ramkarran if they did not hand over the gold. The two men reiterated that they had none and it was then the gunman discharged two rounds, hitting the men before escaping.

Persons who were close to the mining camp reportedly heard the gunshots and

rushed to the camp where they saw the two men.

Ramkarran and Randradin were taken to the hospital where they were treated and admitted.

A team of Police ranks have travelled into the area to investigate the shooting incident. Only recently, miners had complaint that there was a group of men robbing mining camps, moving from one place to the other.

A report was made to the Police but no one was arrested.

Region must “stay the course” with renewables and efficiency – CDB

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he Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has stepped up its drive to encourage Public and Private Sector investments in sustainable energy -energy efficiency and renewable energy projects as a matter of priority, in spite of lower oil prices.

To this end, the Bank is expanding the range of funding and technical assistance programmes that can be tapped by Governments and commercial interests. In a recent interview, Head of the Bank’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Unit, Tessa Williams Robertson said the multilateral funding agency was particularly keen to support projects in solar, wind and geothermal energy, as priorities, but would support other renewable energy options such as bio-energy.

“We are looking at the inclusion of renewable energy and energy efficiency components in all of our projects wherever the opportunity presents itself,” Williams Robertson said. This approach is consistent with the Bank’s Climate Resilience Strategy, which recognises the critical role of sustainable energy in achieving climate resilience, and contributes to the achievement of targets set within the Caricom Sustainable Energy Strategy. Williams Robertson advised that the Bank is now developing special products to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on concessionary terms. Two such special facilities are the geothermal energy development facility and the proposed Sustainable Energy for the Eastern Caribbean (SEEC) Programme.

The Bank is in discussions with donors and contributors on the establishment of the geothermal facility. Last year, the CDB; Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to collaborate on the promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean, with a special focus on geothermal energy development.

“Our objective is to support the development of geothermal – from exploration, studies, all the way through to field development and plant installation.

Developing geothermal is not low cost, and much of the investment will need to come from the Private Sector. It is also highly technical covering a range of disciplines; so it makes sense for us to work with credible developers/investors who have the capacity and the experience,” Williams Robertson explained in a recent interview.

Final stages of approval

The SEEC is under consideration by European Union (EU) Caribbean Investment Fund and DFID for grant funding, and is now in the final stages of approval. “We will be blending the CDB market resources with those grant resources to produce a more attractive interest rate for our member countries in the Eastern Caribbean for investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Also, we expect to be financing not only investments, but technical assistance for building capacity and strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks,” Williams Robertson said.

Effective energy efficiency interventions in Government buildings and in street lighting will necessitate collaboration between Government and the electric utility in an effort to reduce Public Sector electricity bills. In some cases, the reduced Government expenditure could have a beneficial impact on high Government indebtedness and fiscal deficits. “Recent declines in oil prices, although welcomed, have not removed the persistence of vulnerabilities associated with high dependency on imported fuels. Even at the lower oil prices, the costs of electricity to consumers is still relatively high, at approximately two to three times those in the USA, and many other countries with which our member countries compete. Consequently, CDB encourages its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) to take the longer term view in responding to energy sector challenges,” Williams Robertson said.

CDB has made energy security a cross- cutting theme in its new Strategic Plan 2015 to 2019. This means that energy security is a consideration in all of the technical assistance and investment projects which CDB finances.

news

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saturday, febrUARY 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

All classes or no classes – UGSS ... blocks campus entrance again Griffith stated that the UGSS was appreciative of the progress made as it relates to their demands for improvement of facilities.

Improvements?

UGSS President Joshua Griffith

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he University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) has blocked the entrance to the Turkeyen Campus again, demanding regular resumption of classes or none at all. The student body wants both sides of the ongoing industrial action to consider the effects of their actions on the student population.

“We understand that both parties played a role in this deadlock and both parties need to get back to the negotiating table, because no one party could negotiate,” UGSS President Joshua Griffith stated. “We have said to lecturers, we understand your plight, we support your cause, but you are hindering students by your actions.”

According to him, the UGSS had proposed to the lecturers that they resume teaching for a week to allow for negotiations to continue. The lecturers are reportedly willing to resume if the administration were to make an interim offer.

The student body later suggested that the university be closed for a week to facilitate the negotiations, but the administration could not facilitate this.

“Every day they abstain from negotiating, it is to the detriment of the students,” Griffith expressed.

The small group of students, who used furniture to block the entrance, have admitted that they were not stopping anyone from entry or from attending ongoing classes, but were hopeful that these students would understand the unfairness of only a few being able to attend classes.

“We are advising students, those who have classes to understand that at this juncture, it is unfair if a few students have a few classes at uncertain times when the cause is bigger than that … we’re asking them to support this cause so that all classes can resume. Let us take a mature stand and stop being selfish and support each others as students,” the UGSS President pleaded.

However, one of the students on site Glenfield Dennison says clean bathrooms, weeded grass and lights on campus are basic necessities for which students should not have to protest. Now that students are made to pay a $50,000 facilities fee, he believes that such improvements should be done with ease.

The Belizean national is pursuing a Bachelor of Law Degree here. He expressed concern that a delay in classes could mean firstly increased expenses, but also importantly affect his entrance into the Norman Manley Law School. “The time that it takes for the grades to come out brings us very close to the time we have to get those grades and transcripts into the law schools when there isn’t a delay and now there is a four-week delay, it could very well mean that we won’t have our grades on time,” he expressed.

Dennison, who contended for office in the student body, said he has had sessions for three of his five courses so far which were not continuous.

Several lecturers have been delivering sessions over the last two weeks, but thousands of students are yet to attend their first class. The University was due to be opened at the end of January.

The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) have been on strike for weeks demanding a 60 per cent salary increase and improved working conditions.

The UG administration offered an increase of 25 per cent over a three-year period as well as other benefits such as house lots and dutyfree concessions for the purchase of a vehicle for lecturers with a Master’s Degree and 10 years of service.

The Council had also made an offer to buy the cloth needed for work outfits for some staff as well as provide bursaries to their children who performed well in the National Grade Six Assessment; the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

The Unions, two days later, made a counteroffer of 75 per cent over the three-month period. While the negotiations continued, the Vice Chancellor’s expectation was that classes would resume and after workers failed to ensure such, he ended talks.

A small group of students at the blocked entrance of the UG Turkeyen Campus

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, February 21, 2015

Regional

Barbados Govt Aggressive new “Informer fi dead” strain of HIV moving to tighten culture still a problem discovered in Cuba immigration policy - says Bunting

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A coloured scan of HIV infecting a human T-Cell

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n aggressive new strain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been found in Cuba that can progress to AIDS so rapidly that patients may not even know they are infected before symptoms appear, scientists say.

According to a report in Medical News Today, the Cuban variant of HIV is categorised as a recombinant version of the virus, which can occur if a person engages in unprotected sex with multiple infected partners and contracts multiple strains of the HIV virus, which later recombine within a person to create a new variant.

In a normal HIV infection, the virus attaches to proteins on the membranes

of cells known as CCR5 before it is able to penetrate the cell. Consequently, the HIV-infected patient may experience a number of healthy years before the virus becomes CXCR4, which quickly progresses to AIDS. Researchers found that in the new Cuban strain, HIV makes the transition to CXCR4 more quickly than in the other strains, resulting in a reduction in the number of “healthy” years. The new strain can cause AIDS to appear within just three years of infection, the report said.

Scientists compared recently infected patients with the recombinant form of HIV to patients who had progressed to AIDS after the usual period of infection.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

arbados Government legislators have defended the immigration policy of the island despite a recent ruling by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice awarding a Jamaican national a substantial amount of money for being denied entry.

Debating the Immigration (Amendment) Bill, the legislators urged immigration officers not to be intimidated by travellers who sought to subvert the island’s immigration policy.

Attorney General and Home Affairs Minister Adriel Brathwaite, who has warned of non-nationals going “underground” in a bid to evade authorities, said that the CCJ ruling may have affected some immigration officers who are feeling intimidated.

“They should not and cannot execute their responsibilities looking over their shoulders worrying about whether or not Barbados will be sued. Therefore, Caricom has offered some guidance

in terms of this issue of the automatic six months entry into Barbados. The Solicitor General’s chambers have offered some guidance, [and] I know we’ve had some discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Brathwaite said.

Brathwaite said “notwithstanding the court ruling no one can determine the national security concerns of the country”.

“We have a responsibility as the elected members of Parliament and part of our responsibility is to secure our borders and, therefore, we should not water down what we do because we are afraid of what people might say outside the Region, in the Region about being sued.”

“I am saying and I am encouraging them when individuals come in front of them, do not be afraid to interrogate them. Yes, there is a six months automatic entry, but you must ask the questions.”(Excerpt from CMC)

Colombia court keeps limits on same-sex adoption C olombia’s constitutional court ruled on Wednesday to keep the current limits on samesex adoption. The court said that same-sex couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners.

Discussion about whether to lift the current restrictions had dominated social media in the hours before the ruling. It comes almost two years after the country’s Congress voted against allowing gay marriages.

Colombian media said the ruling showed great wisdom, arguing that it took the middle road between allowing same-sex couples to freely adopt children and banning same-sex adoption outright.

But lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups expressed their dis-

In the hours before the ruling, a debate about same-sex adoption was trending on social media in Colombia

appointment, saying the ruling did not go far enough.

Senator Armando Benedetti, a supporter of LGBT rights, called the judges “cowards”.

The President of Colombia’s Conference of Bishops, the Right Reverend

Monsignor Luis Augusto Castro Quiroga, said he would continue fighting for “the right of children to have a father and a mother”.

“Two mums don’t make a dad,” he said. The decision by the court does not

prevent Congress from legislating on the issue in the future. In fact, the court suggested Congress should debate the “legislative vacuum” LGBT couples face in Colombia. (BBC News)

The arrest comes on the anniversary of the start of months of protests against Maduro’s rule that left dozens of people dead.

The Human Rights Watch group has called for Ledezma’s immediate release.

Hundreds of people gathered at the intelligence agency’s HQ in Caracas to protest at the arrest.

Maduro said: “Mr

Ledezma, who today [Friday] by order of the prosecution was captured, must be processed by Venezuelan justice to answer for all the crimes committed against the country’s peace, security, constitution.”

Ledezma was on a list of people and foreign powers named by Maduro last week as attempting to bring down his Administration.

Ledezma, Caracas mayor since 2008, replied that it was Government corruption that was bringing down Venezuela. He was taken on Thursday from his office in the banking district.

Opposition legislator Ismael Garcia wrote on Twitter: “I just saw how they took Ledezma out of his office as if he were a dog. (Excerpt from

Venezuela Police arrest Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma

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he Mayor of Venezuela’s capital, Antonio Ledezma, has been arrested amid accusations of a coup attempt. President Nicolas Maduro said the Opposition Leader must answer “for all the crimes committed against the country’s peace and security”.

Camouflaged Police smashed into the Mayor’s office and carried him away.

BBC News)

Peter Bunting

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amaica’s National Security Minister Peter Bunting is continuing to lament that the “informer fi dead” culture is hindering efforts to fight crime.

Speaking at a function in May Pen, Clarendon on Thursday, Bunting said

some communities use the culture to provide refuge for criminals instead of turning them over to the Police.

According to him, the communities must work with the Police to help address the problem.

Meanwhile, given the spike in crime last month, the National Security Minister says the security forces will be improving their strategies to prevent the trend from continuing into the rest of the year.

More than 20 murders were recorded in January.

And Bunting says so far this year, the statistics for the month of February look a lot more encouraging. (Jamaica Gleaner)

CDB projected growth is welcome relief for St Lucia

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he Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) held its annual press conference on Wednesday in Barbados.

The focus of the conference was a review of the economic performance of the Region, particularly CDB’s borrowing member countries (BMCs) for 2014 and forecasts for 2015; and a review of the Bank’s performance and key developments in 2014.

While Saint Lucia celebrates its 36th year of independence on February 22, the 100th anniversary of Sir William Arthur Lewis birth is likewise celebrated as the founding President of CDB. Sir Arthur holds the distinction of being the first West Indian to be appointed Principal of the University College of the West Indies at Mona; the first Vice

Chancellor of the University of the West Indies; and Saint Lucia and the Caribbean’s first Nobel Laureate in economics.

“It is notable that the CDB’s ongoing efforts to mainstream gender; build institutional and human resource capacity; improve macro-economic management, and more recently, to help BMCs to establish energy independence by exploiting their abundant renewable energy resources are all built on the same poverty reduction platform that inspired Sir Arthur’s development work many years ago,” CDB President, Dr Warren Smith, said.

CDB estimates Saint Lucia economic performance of -2.3 in 2013; and -2.7 per cent in 2014 is projected to recover to 1.1 per cent in 2015. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Software guru John McAfee “only feels comfortable armed” after Belize chase

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ohn McAfee, the software mogul who founded McAfee Antivirus, says he only feels comfortable armed since he became a fugitive after being named a person of interest in a 2012 Belize murder case.

The Scottish-born electronics genius moved from his adopted homeland of the United States to Belize’s exotic Ambergris Cay in 2010.

Two years later, his neighbour and fellow US citizen was shot dead and McAfee went on the run after refusing to let Belizean Police question him.

“In Belize, you can stay in prison forever for questioning,” McAfee told wbbjtv.

com. “I chose to run instead of be questioned.” McAfee, who reportedly elected to be interviewed with a loaded gun in each hand, maintains that he was framed after he uncovered misconduct such as money laundering and sex trafficking by Belize Government officials.

“They want to remove me because I have every incriminating evidence of all the crimes that are performed,” he said. The software guru has been back in the US for about three years, during which he and his wife have reportedly been “constantly looking over their shoulders.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

saturday, february 21, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Ukraine accuses Russia over Maidan 2014 killings

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krainian President Petro Poroshenko has accused Russia of direct involvement in the sniper fire which killed dozens of protesters in central Kiev a year ago.

He was speaking as the capital marked the first anniversary of the clashes between protesters and Police which toppled ex-President Viktor Yanukovych.

A top Kremlin aide, Vladislav Surkov, had organised snipers, he alleged.

The Russian Government hit back at the claim, calling it “nonsense”.

More than 100 people died in the violence on Kiev’s central Independence Square, known as the Maidan, a year ago.

The anti-Yanukovych revolt was called the “EuroMaidan revolution”,

15

as huge crowds demanded a pact with the EU. In a speech at the Maidan on Friday, President Poroshenko condemned the insurgency by pro-Russian rebels in the east.

Earlier he told Maidan victims’ relatives that, according to Ukrainian state security, “the Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov led the organisation of groups of foreign snipers on the Maidan”.

He was speaking just two days after his army retreated from the key town of Debaltseve, now in rebel hands.

The Ukrainian Government, Western leaders and NATO say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers.

Independent experts echo

One year later a huge crowd mourned the protesters who died at Kiev’s Maidan

that accusation. Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are “volunteers”.

A Ukrainian military spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, said more than 20 Russian tanks, 10 mis-

sile systems and busloads of troops had entered Ukraine in the past 24 hours, heading for Novoazovsk, a rebel-held town on the coast.

The report has not been confirmed. (Excerpt from BBC News)

UK Police try to trace Syria-bound teenage girls

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ritish Police have launched an appeal to trace three London schoolgirls who are believed to be making their way to Syria to take part in country’s conflict, having flown to Turkey earlier this week without telling their families.

The three friends, two aged 15 and one 16, left their east London homes on Tuesday and travelled to Gatwick airport where they caught a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.

Police said on Friday that they were working with Turkish authorities to try to find the girls and bring them home.

“We still think there’s a possibility they’re in Turkey and that’s why we’re having the appeal,” Richard Walton from London police’s counter terrorism command told reporters on Friday.

The three girls, two of whom were named as British nationals Shamima Begum and Kadiza Sultana, were pupils at the Bethnal Green Academy.

They are friends with a fourth teenage girl from the same school whom Police believe is already in Syria, having travelled to Turkey in December.

Their families were surprised and devastated by the disappearance of the girls, Walton said.

Security forces estimate some 600 British Muslims have travelled to Syria to join the conflict there, some of them with the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant group.

Around half have since returned, and dozens have been arrested in Britain under anti-terrorism legislation. (Al Jazeera)

China protests Modi’s visit Eurozone to discuss vital Greece to disputed border region bailout proposal

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hina said on Friday development of bilateral reit had lodged an of- lations”. ficial protest against Modi visited Arunachal Prime Minister Narendra Pradesh on Friday to inauModi’s visit to a border re- gurate the opening of a train gion claimed by both coun- line and power station. He tries. did not mention China, but China disputes the entire territory of Arunachal Pradesh, calling it south Tibet. Its historic town Tawang, a key site for Tibetan Buddhism, was briefly A signboard is seen from the Indian side of occupied by border at Bumla, in Arunachal Pradesh Chinese forces during a 1962 war. pledged billions of dollars of “The Chinese investment to develop infraGovernment has never structure in the region. recognised the so-called “I assure you that you ‘Arunachal Pradesh’,” a will witness more developstatement on the Chinese ment in the state in the next Foreign Ministry’s website five years than it has seen in said on Friday. the last 28 years,” Modi said, It said Modi’s visit was addressing a huge crowd. “not conducive to the overall Faster transport

links and exploitation of Arunachal Pradesh’s hydroelectric potential are the keys to fighting poverty and bringing about rapid development in the frontier state, he said.

I n January, China objected to statements

by Japan’s Foreign Ministry supporting India’s claim to the region. the Indo-China A visit by US President Barack Obama to India in January was widely seen as a sign Modi is moving closer to the United States, to offset rising Chinese influence in Asia and, in particular, intensifying activity by the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean. (Reuters)

New Zealand reporter assists in woman’s rescue from sinking car

Rescuers plunge into the water to save a woman, whose car went into the water at Northcote Point on February 17 in Auckland, New Zealand

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oincidentally on assignment near Northcote Point in Auckland, New Zealand, when a woman in a BMW drove off the wharf and started sinking, newspaper reporter Simon Maude not only photographed the woman’s dramatic rescue but as-

sisted in it as well.

“I was sort of battling my reporter instincts versus just being a human being and helping out,” Maude told Yahoo News. “When I got down there and saw what was happening, there were already four people in the water, so me getting in the water wasn’t going to help.”

Two Police officers and two civilians jumped into the water to rescue the woman, who had managed to climb to an air pocket in the back seat of the quickly flooding car. But the doors would not open, and, as Constable Simon Russell later reported, the Police Officer’s baton was not enough to break through the car window.

“I saw the Policemen having difficulty breaking the windows, so I put down my camera and asked them what they needed,” Maude, who works at Auckland’s North Shore Times. (Yahoo! News)

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reece has asked its European creditors to extend its bailout loan for six months while it negotiates a new deal.

But Germany has rejected the request and tense lastminute negotiations were scheduled to resume.

Greece has dropped key demands for the bailout settlement, but still faces stiff opposition from lead lender Germany, which criticised its latest proposals as a “Trojan horse” designed to dodge its commitments.

Eurozone Finance Ministers agreed to hold

their third meeting on the Greek debt crisis in just over a week after Greece formally requested a six-month extension of loan agreements with rescue creditors that expire this month.

The Ministers were scheduled to meet at 14:00 GMT in Brussels.

Going back on recent election campaign pledges, Alexis Tsipras’ new left-wing Government said it would honour debt obligations and agree to continued supervision from bailout lenders and the European Central Bank.

Late Thursday, the Greek

Prime Minister held telephone conversations with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel after Germany sharply criticised the Greek offer during preparatory talks in Brussels.

Greek media, including state television, widely quoted a German representative at the talks as saying the Greek offer “rather represents a Trojan horse, intending to get bridge financing and in substance putting an end to the current programme”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 news AFC not worried over resignations – Trotman saturday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

sixtus Edwards

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espite the resignations of two of the party’s executives and threats that more are in the offing, Alliance for Change (AFC) founder, Raphael Trotman says that the party is not at all worried by the developments.

Earlier in the week Trotman had ruefully admitted that he was not going to be returned as Speaker even if the AFC-APNU coalition were to win the elections. Speaking at the first ever joint press conference of the APNU-AFC coalition, which was held at Office of the Opposition Leader’s office on Friday since the coalition was announced; Trotman placed a brave face on the developments and claimed that even as the party would have lost the two key members, it was not a matter of concern since with the loss of the two, the party has gained “hundreds”.

“For every Balwant Persaud and Sixtus Edwards that we lose, we are getting hundreds to replace them. It is not a matter of concern,” he boasted.

Trotman went on to say that the duo’s resignations was a welcome move since according to him, they were never active members in the party. “Edwards had not been active for almost three years and Mr. Balwant Persaud both of whom I worked with in 2011 and I have not seen them since.

Mr. Balwant Persaud came when he was hounded by

the PPP/C. I believe based on the feedback that I have been given, I believe that he has been compromised and he is being made to sing a song,” Trotman told media operatives.

Trotman, however, had not been very active in AFC party matters since he had distanced himself from party work during the tenth Parliament.

Questioned on whether this has raised any concern in the party’s

balwant Persaud

constituency, Trotman responded in the negative noting that the party was becoming inundated with calls and emails from persons wanting to join the party’s cause. Responding to the claims that the party has always been seen as a middle ground between the other two parties and as such, runs the risk of losing its supporters’ due to the coalition, Trotman stated that while the party was actively working to determine whether this was true, its followers have thus far, expressed support for the coalition.“We are dealing with it. It is not unanticipated…We are working assiduously, we are fanning out around the country, what we’ve found is that when we explain, people are understanding and perhaps we undervalue the appreciation for us and love for the party.

Despite the predictions that people will leave in masses, it’s been marginal…,” Trotman shared.

As it relates to the party’s members, he noted that prior to signing of the agreement on February 14, the Executives and the members were engaged in frequent discussions and were able to give their input. He said that too that the biennial conference which was held in December gave the council full permission to proceed with discussions with APNU and Civil Society for the coalition and as such, he does not believe that there is anything to be worried about.

Edwards who tendered his resignation earlier in the month, explained that he felt betrayed by the party which he helped build pillar by pillar after its formation back in 2006. He admitted that while he said he resigned for “personal reasons”, many National Executive Members and others who were familiar with the internal politics of the party know that there was more to his decision to depart the AFC. “The reason why I left the party is because of the people within there are not keeping with their core values”, he said sternly. He explained that back in 2006 when the AFC was formed, the party Executives and members swore that they would remain neutral offering hope to those who were willing to leave their homes in the PPP/C and PNC to join a journey to heal and change Guyana. However, the coalition has taken this away.

Meanwhile, businessman Persaud announced his resignation from the party on Thursday at his place of business in Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Persaud said that the AFC has betrayed his trust and that of thousands of its supporters who believed the party when it promised never to align or join forces with the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

He explained that the par-

Mechanic and sons remanded for gun possession

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hree men were remanded on Friday when they were brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court One of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for gun possession.

The Dass family is understandably in a state of anxiety as three of its members – Oswald Dass Sr and his sons Oswald Dass Jr and Ivan Dass – were refused bail by the Chief Magistrate on Friday for the charge of illegal possession of firearms.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry stated that the men are from Kuru Kururu, Linden Soesdyke Highway, and were found with a 9mm pistol and a 12gage shot gun in their possession on February 18. The men were not the holders of firearm licences. The facts also stated that the men were also found with three rounds of 20-gage shot gun cartridges in their possession.

The men pleaded not

guilty to both counts that were lodged against them.

Presenting the details of the case, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that the Police established a sting operation in Kuru Kururu which led to the authorities making contact with Dass Sr for the purchase of the weapons. The Police went to the sting location with $320,000 in marked bills and met the defendant where the money was handed over.

It was stated that further information led to the other two defendants (his sons) being found with the Police’s marked money and the guns in their possession.

The Prosecutor asked that bail be denied for the defendants.

However, Attorney for the defence, Asa Steward Shepherd stated that his clients deserved to be granted their pretrial liberty as they were simply delivering a package for an affluent businessman who owed them money.

He detailed that the payment received was what the businessman had owed to them.

He continued that “at no time were they knowledgeable of being in possession of firearms.”

Regarding bail, Attorney Shepherd told the court that his defendants have all live in the same household for years.

He continued that the father is a known mechanic with 10 children who was brought before the court once before – 15 years ago – for the charge of marijuana possession. He said it was dismissed.

He continued that Dass Jr, is a 21-year-old farmer while his brother, Ivan Dass, was a mechanic like his father.

Neither of the sons have any criminal antecedents.

After listening to the prosecution as well as the defence, the Magistrate refused bail. The defendants were told to return to Providence Magistrate’s Court on February 24 for trial.

ty has also compromised the foundation upon which it was built and its founding principles which set it apart from the other two

main political parties in Guyana. “But recently, the AFC has deceived the members of the party by aligning with the APNU… the AFC’s

Executive are just selfish … the leaders of the AFC are just concerned about getting into Parliament and holding positions,” he said.

Demico House robbery suspect sentenced to 5 years imprisonment

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thief who attempted to steal $950,000 from a man while at Demico House, Stabroek Market, Georgetown, was sentenced to five years and four months in jail on Friday.

Calvin Dover was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two for sentencing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the charge of attempt to commit the felony; that is, robbery.

Magistrate McLennan detailed that the 26-yearold defendant had made a daring attempt to rob the Virtual Complainant (VC) Dave Rodrigues on September 26, 2014, with an unlicensed firearm.

The facts of the prosecution’s case revealed that the VC was drinking with friends in the vicinity of Demico House when the defendant made a daring attempt to rob the VC at gunpoint of a haversack he was wearing. The court was told that the haversack contained $950, 000.

The facts further revealed that the defendant made a bid to grab the haversack and a scuffle ensured between the VC and the de-

fendant. She stated that during scuffle, the VC lifted the defendant and threw him down, rendering him unconscious. He lost control of the gun at this point.

The VC then proceeded to the nearest Police Outpost at Stabroek Market where he handed over the unlicensed firearm and showed Rural Constable (RC) Jeffers the scene where he was robbery attempt took place. By this time, the defendant was beginning to regain consciousness.

Police Officer Jeffers identified himself and proceeded to apprehend the defendant, who was taken to the Brickdam Police Station, followed by VC. Dover was charged.

RC Jeffers had reported that the gun had 12 live rounds. This was lodged at the station and taken to the Eve Leary Headquarters where it was further studied.

Magistrate McLennan stated that the court was satisfied that the gun that was retrieved and lodged was the one used by the defendant in the commissioning of the crime. Also, she stated that “there was sufficient evidence to put the de-

fendant at Demico House” as the VC’s friends acted as witnesses along with other bystanders who witnessed the incident. The Magistrate stated that the court was quite satisfied that the “matter was investigated thoroughly and not being obscured in anyway.”

In addition, the Magistrate said the ourt disbelieves the defendant’s statements that he was at Demico House on September 26 to buy bread for his mother and was unknowingly knocked out.

Having heard this, the Defence lawyer Adrian Thompson, asked the court to consider the five months on remand that his client had spent already.

The court then found Calvin Dover guilty of having a firearm and was sentenced to one year and seven months imprisonment for the charge along with $5000 fine. For the charge of possessing that gun without being the holder of a licence, he was given one year in prison with another $5000 fine and for the attempted robbery charge, the defendant was sentenced to two years in jail. The sentences will run concurrently.

National Suicide Prevention Plan nears completion− CMO ... reintroduction of suicide hotline not likely

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hief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud said the National Suicide Prevention Plan should be launched soon, but the reintroduction of the suicide hotline is highly unlikely.

“We are trying to have a comprehensive launch… but we have some fine-tuning to do. We were targeting the end of March but it will be a little later,” Dr Persaud noted.

Alluding to the suicide hotline, he explained the original hotline had many challenges which may make it difficult to be reintroduced.

“The original hotline had very few subscriptions…

We don’t have personnel to put the hotline back in effect; persons did not want to work after working hours,” he explained.

Nonetheless, the CMO said various methods are being explored to have it restructured.

When asked about the possibility of a national network of counsellors, Dr Persaud said the procedure is not as easy as it sounds.

Dr Shamdeo Persaud

“A national register can only be compiled if they are legally employed and designated and licensed, so we are unable to publish a list just in the open because you have to be careful with counselling. If the person just commits then it will always be a question of who contributed or not, so we have to set some standards”.

The idea of a national network of counsellors was recently suggested by a local non-governmental organisation, The Caribbean Voice (TCV). The aim is to provide an alternative to the suicide

hotline, so persons with suicidal thoughts can access the registry and contact a professional for counselling.

Meanwhile, Dr Persaud pointed out that before the suicide prevention plan can be launched, a monitoring unit first needs to be in place.

“All of our strategies come with a monitoring and evaluation framework”.

He explained that in order to measure the success of the aims and objectives listed in the strategy, they will have to establish an effective system to determine the flaws in order to develop new initiatives to correct those errors.

According to the CMO, the National Suicide Prevention Plan will include several of the previous programmes, such as the Gatekeepers’ Programme.

“We’re hoping to have that rolled out in a more organised fashion among faith-based leaders in social groups, among women’s groups at the churches, so they can now have the opportunity to discuss suicide in a more open manner.”

17

news

saturday, february 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Burglars cart off millions Donald Rodney denies that from Ram’s Pharmacy his irresponsibility caused Walter Rodney CoI

The hole in the wall which the men used to gain access into the building

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ust when Ram’s Pharmacy was in the process of expanding its services, it was burglarised yet again on Friday.

The burglars gained access into the building, located at Lot 101 Cummings and Regent Streets, Georgetown,

the pharmacy, he recognised a box lying on the floor and thought it fell from its original position but as he looked closer, it was a wasted thought.

Udit explained that the cash register was opened and monies were missing. He noted too that the doors to the

but was told that there was none available. He was quite surprise too, that no one in the vicinity heard any unusual sound, claiming that for a concrete wall to be broken, it had to take a lot of work by the burglars.

Udit stated that the break in occurred at a time when the pharmacy was on verge of opening its own laboratory. Apart from the drugs, several machines were taken.

The businessman stated that since he opened the pharmacy some 20 years ago, he was robbed at least 40 times.

He is still to make a list of the missing items but was certain it was a tremendous loss yet again. “Every time something like this happens, nothing comes out of it… and I continue to lose… this time, the Police say that no one was at the station and they couldn’t come”, he stated.

The section of the pharmacy that was ransacked

by breaking a portion of a concrete wall which created a big hole for them to enter.

The discovery was made at about 9:00h on Friday by the proprietor, Lakeram Udit when he turned up for work.

The frustrated businessman told Guyana Times that as he opened the front door of

pharmaceuticals’ cupboard were opened and the drugs missing. At that time, he realised that something was amiss and went to the back to check.

There he saw a huge hole in the wall which the bandits used to gain access. He immediately telephoned the Police

Udit added that he does not want to add all the losses over the past 20 years, claiming that he might suffer from a serious case hypertension.

Guyana Times understands that the Police had since visited the store and dusted it for finger prints as they continue their investigations.

brother’s death

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onald Rodney on Friday denied suggestions that his irresponsibility caused the death of his older brother, Political Activist and Historian Walter Rodney, on the night of June 13, 1980, as the Commission of Inquiry continues.

Under cross-examination by People’s National Congress (PNC) attorney, Basil Williams, the witness explained that when he was given the package that night by ex Guyana Defence Force (GDF) member Gregory Smith he did not open it because he had previously seen the box in which the walkie talkie device was contained so there was no need to check it.

Rodney had previously testified that he became involved in his brother’s work around 1979 and during that time there were many threats against the Political Activist as such he (Donald) began ‘shadowing’ him as a form of protection. The man had also told the Commission that he did not receive any training to take up such a role.

Against this backdrop, Williams put to the witness that if he had been trained then he would have checked to see what was in the bag and not just handed it over to his brother. “I had seen the box before… I didn’t consider it necessary (to double check)” he stated to which the attorney said “well it cost him his life”.

The PNC lawyer further put to the witness that he did not open the package because he knew that it contained explosive devices and did not want to trigger it. He responded reiterating that he had seen the box before.

Chairman of the Commission Sir Richard Cheltenham then asked Rodney whether as a “go between” he did not think

it necessary, despite seeing the box before, to open it just to be satisfied with its contents.

The witness said “I didn’t consider it at the time,” he mentioned. Donald added that he is unsure whether Dr Rodney had taken the object out after he was handed the package. “He hadn’t taken out the object from the bag is because he would have relied on you to do so before when you took it from Gregory Smith,” the attorney suggested to the witness, who responded “if he didn’t then I won’t know why he didn’t take it out the bag.”

“I don’t know if he knew (it was a sensitive device being taken to him), I don’t know and I would be very surprised if he did,” the witness replied when asked about his brother’s knowledge of the explosives.

“How would I know that he knew that there was danger and if so I would have to say, he won’t have known it was associated with danger because it would mean that both he and I will be exposed to whatever danger it was,” he continued saying.

Furthermore while being cross-examined by Attorney Christopher Ram, who is representing the WPA, Donald said that his brother was never known to be violent or reckless. Asked by the attorney whether the historian would ever endanger his (Donald’s) life but the witness responded saying that “No he didn’t, I don’t think so.”

Ram had also asked the witness whether he had any concerns about Smith having dealings with his brother and if he had expressed such with Dr Rodney. The witness noted that he never did.

On the other hand, Barbadian Attorney Andrew Pilgrim questioned the wit-

Donald Rodney being grilled

by PNC Attorney Basil Williams

ness on events prior to his brother’s death specifically around the time ‘Father Darke’ was killed. Donald recalled that he witnessed the stabbing to death of ‘Father Bernard Darke’ in 1979 which occurred in the presence of a police officer who had ignored what was happening by turning the other way.

Father Darke was a Catholic Priest who was stabbed to death during a protest outside of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where Dr Rodney was being tried for allegedly burning Congress Place. He was killed by Bilal Ato who was subsequently sentenced for murder.

“The death of Father Darke was one of the things that had moved a number of people who are not affiliated to any party came forward and were attempting to put a certain amount of pressure on the Government,” he agreed based on suggestions posed by Attorney Pilgrim.

This, the eight round, of the Commission of Inquiry into the death of the political scholar has gone on break until March 23 when it will resume and run until March 27.

That sitting will be the last until the May 11, General and Regional Elections are held.

Agricultural methods not compatible with food challenges – FAO

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he model of agricultural production that predominates today is not suitable for the new food security challenges of the 21st Century, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva said on Friday.

While the numbers of the chronically hungry have been reduced by 100 million over the past decade, 805 million still go without enough to eat on a regular basis, he noted in remarks to Ministers, scientists, farmers, and representatives of civil society gathered in the French capital Paris for a Government-organised International Forum on Agriculture and Climate Change.

Increasing production has long been seen as the

natural pathway to ending hunger – but today, even though the world produces enough food to feed everyone, hunger remains a problem, he pointed out. “Since food production is not a sufficient condition for food security, it means that the way we are producing is no longer acceptable,” said Graziano da Silva. “What we are still mostly seeing is a model of production that cannot prevent the degradation of soils and the loss of biodiversity – both of which are essential goods, especially for future generations.

This model must be reviewed. We need a paradigm shift. Food systems need to be more sustainable, inclusive and resilient,” he added.

Agriculture has a potentially large role to play not

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva

only in guaranteeing food security, but also in building resilience to the effects of climate change and in reducing humankind’s emissions of global warming gases, ac-

cording to the FAO DirectorGeneral. “The impacts of climate change are no longer an anticipated threat. They are now a crystal-clear reality right before our eyes,” he warned, adding: “Climate change will not only affect food production but also the availability of food and the stability of supplies. And in a global, interdependent economy, climate change makes the global market for agricultural products less predictable and more volatile.”

In his remarks, the FAO Director-General underscored the important role played by healthy soils.

“Soils host at least one quarter of the world’s biodiversity and are key in the carbon cycle. They help us to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” he said. 2015

has been designated by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Soils, and FAO is the lead agency for coordinating the year’s activities.

New approaches

One promising new approach, said Graziano da Silva, is what is known as “climate-smart agriculture” – adjusting farming practices to make them more adaptive and resilient to environmental pressures, while decreasing farming’s own impacts on the environment. FAO is home to the Global Alliance on ClimateSmart Agriculture, a broad coalition of stakeholders, including Governments; farmers and food producers, processors and sellers; scientific and educational organisations; civil soci-

ety actors; multilateral and international agencies and the Private Sector established last September by the UN General Assembly. The Alliance is working to promote sustainable and equitable increases in agricultural productivity and incomes; build greater resilience of food systems and farming livelihoods; and achieve reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions by agriculture.

The FAO DirectorGeneral also highlighted “agro-ecology” as a promising way to move food production onto a more sustainable path. The approach uses ecological theory to study and manage agricultural systems in order to make them both more productive and better at conserving natural resources.

guyanatimesgy.com

Saturday, February 21. 2014

saturday, February 21, 2015

19

WICB PCL tournament...

Brathwaite ton gives pride Rugby rules the roost day 1 honours at NSC awards tended his good form with 69 while opener Kyle Corbin struck 46 at the top of the order.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo led the Jaguars attack with four for 66.

Brathwaite and Corbin gave Barbados a healthy start, by adding a positive 69 for the first wicket, in decent conditions at the historic venue.

The right-handed Corbin faced 75 balls in 81 minutes at the crease and struck eight fours before becoming the first wicket to fall, bowled by left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul after missing a low full toss.

At lunch, Barbados were 99 for one, with Brathwaite on 33 and Kirk Edwards on 19.

However, Guyana struck in the second over after resumption, with Edwards removed by a sharp catch at slip by captain Leon Johnson off Bishoo.

Tino Best is all smiles for another wicket

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aptain Kraigg Brathwaite stroked his 11th first class century and fifth in regional cricket to give Barbados momentum but three wickets late in the final session, helped leaders Guyana Jaguars fight back on the opening day of their WICB PCL seventh round contest here Friday.

The right-handed Brathwaite scored 102, an innings which helped his side up to 258 for five at the close at Kensington Oval, after the hosts were asked to bat first.

Overall, Brathwaite faced 241 balls, in five hours at the crease, and striking 12 fours.

Rookie Shai Hope ex-

Barbados then consolidated through Brathwaite and Hope who put on 140 for the third wicket, as the hosts dominated the second session to be 183 for two at tea.

Brathwaite, unbeaten on 76, raised his hundred late in the day while Hope, not out on 36 the break, marked his second successive halfcentury in the final session.

Overall, Hope faced 170 deliveries and counted seven fours, in three-and-a-quarter hours.

However, they both fell within 11 deliveries of each other, Brathwaite pulling Bishoo to Ronsford Beaton at mid-wicket and Hope holing out to Shiv Chanderpaul at long-off off Bishoo.

Guyana added another wicket to their tally when Bishoo had the in-form Shane Dowrich caught behind for seven. (Windiescricket)

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Pride 1st Innings Kraigg Brathwaite* c Beaton b Bishoo 102 K Corbin b Permaul 46 K Edwards c Johnson b Bishoo 1 S Hope c S Chanderpaul b Bishoo 69 R Chase not out 8 S Dowrich+ c wkp Bramble b Bishoo 7 J Warrican not out 0

Total: 258/5 (104 Overs) Extras: (w3, nb4) 7 Fall of Wickets: 1-69, 2-100, 3-240, 4-243, 5-252.

Still to bat: A Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, M Cummins, T Best Guyana Jaguars: 1st Innings Bowling: R Beaton 13-330-0, R Reifer 11-2-48-0, C Barnwell 6-0-29-0, V Permaul 30-8-50-1, N Deonarine 166-35-0, D Bishoo 28-9-66-4.

ANSA McAL Mashramani golf tourney billed for today T he Lusignan Golf Course will come alive today for the annual Mashramani Medal Play tournament, sponsored

by ANSA McAL Trading.

The tournament is expected to attract a large field of golfers for the Club’s first major event for the year at the Lusignan course.

ANSA McAL Guyana, a subsidiary of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies – headquartered in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and one of the largest conglomerates in the Caribbean, has been supporting golf in Guyana for over 10 years now, and continues to be one of the very

reliable sponsors of tournaments for the Lusignan Golf Club.

ANSA McAL’s Heineken Brand Coordinator Robert Hiscock handed over the trophies to Lusignan Golf Club Public Relations Officer (PRO) Guy Griffith at a simple ceremony.

Club President David Mohamad cited the ANSA McAL tournament as one of the more significant highlights on the Golf calendar each year, and is extremely appreciative of the continued support from the company.

Mike Mangal is the defending male champion, having won the tournament last year.

ANSA McAL’s Heineken Brand Coordinator Robert Hiscock handing over the trophies to Lusignan Golf Club PRO Guy Griffith

The national ruggers were outstanding in 2014

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he discipline of rugby emerged with the lions share of the awards on Friday when the National Sports Commission held its voting for the top sports achievements for 2014.

At the end of it all, rugby copped five of the six awards it was nominated for.

Leading the way was the national Men's team, which copped Team-of-the-Year.

The Guyanese created history in 2014, winning both

Cassie George

the NACRA 15s and 7s titles.

It was the first instance of a Caribbean country holding winning both competitions in the same year.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) won the Sports Association of the Year award, the Most Improved Association, while Theodore Henry was named Coach-of-the-Year and President of the GRFU Peter Green clinched the Male Sports Personality of the Year award.

Captain of the national Men's rugby team, Ryan Gonsalves, was nominated for Sportsman-of-theyear, but lost out to cricketer Veerasammy Permaul, who won that category, with mo-

Veerasammy Permaul

tor-racer Kristian Jeffrey being the runner-up.

Athlete Cassie George won the Junior and Senior Sportswoman awards, with fellow athlete Jason Yaw voted the Junior Sportsman.

President of the newly formed Guyana Sports Shooting Federation, Vidushi Persaud, copped the Female Sport Personality accolade.

Guyana Times journalist and TVG News Anchor Avenash Ramzan copped the Sport Journalist Non-Print award for the fourth year in succession and fifth time overall, while the Stabroek News duo Emmerson Campbell and Orlando Charles were adjudged Print Sport Journalist and Photographer respectively.

The award ceremony is billed for March 13.

Jason Yaw

20

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, February 21, 2015

New Zealand v England, World Cup 2015, Group A, Wellington ...

Pakistan v West Indies, World Cup 2015, Group B, Christchurch..

Ramdin, Simmons, Russell take West Indies past 300

Southee, McCullum trample England I T im Southee produced one of the great displays of ODI bowling and Brendon McCullum hammered a World Cup record 18-ball fifty as New Zealand produced a display of scarcely believable dominance in Wellington. Southee's figures of 7 for 33 were the third best in a World Cup, the best for the country in all ODIs and only the third time a New Zealand bowler had taken a five-wicket haul in the tournament.

England subsided to 123 in 33.2 overs after deciding to bat first - their out-of-form captain Eoin Morgan limping to 17 off 41 balls - and lost their last seven wickets for 19 in eight overs as they had no answer to Southee and a suffocating fielding performance.

"It's a bit of a blur at the moment," a rather shocked Southee said at the end of the innings which came so soon that New Zealand had time to bat, and almost win, before the interval.

As if to mock England, McCullum then surged to a record fifty - and the thirdfastest in all ODIs - breaking his own mark, to complete one of the most embarrassing days of England's oneday history and one of New Zealand's most famous.

McCullum crunched seven sixes of varying ferocity; Stuart Broad was taken for 18 off his first over while Steven Finn was brutally dispatched for 49 off two that included four consecutive sixes.

If he had not been bowled by a Chris Woakes full toss in the eighth over, New Zealand would have won before the break that came after nine overs; considerable boos rang around as the players trudged off. The formalities were completed 45 minutes later, fittingly with five wides, to equal England's heaviest defeat in terms of ball remaining - 226.

Sir Richard Hadlee and Shane Bond were the two New Zealand bowlers to bag five-wicket hauls in the World Cup before this. Southee produced a spell that would have done either proud. Much will be made of England's limp effort, but it was one of the occasions when the mastery of the bowling has to be the focal point.

Southee set the tone by striking twice in his opening spell, but swing with the new ball is one thing. It was his second burst, between overs 27 and 33, that elevated his spell to greatness as he con-

Tim Southee acknowledges the crowd after his career-best figures

tinued to hoop the ball away from England's right handers. Two of his wickets came from late-swinging yorkers while delightful leg-cutters accounted for Ian Bell and Chris Woakes.

It took Southee a couple of overs to find his range and he struck in the first delivery of his third over when Bell played inside the line of one which nipped away to take the off stump. This was followed by a well-planned setup for Moeen Ali - and one many a fast bowler are now following - when a bouncer preceded a spearing yorker.

His new-ball partner, Trent Boult, with whom Southee has formed a devastating combination over the last 18 months, was all over Gary Ballance. He survived a review for lbw on 1 and would then have been gone for 5 if New Zealand had not used up their DRS option. A painful 26-ball stay ended with a toe-

end to cover against the worst ball Boult produced.

Morgan entered on the back of four ducks in five innings and looked bereft of form, but he and Joe Root began something of a recovery operation without ever convincing. Key to New Zealand never losing control during this period was their outstanding fielding, led by McCullum and Kane Williamson, which must have left England's batsmen feeling as though they were playing against 13 men.

McCullum was at his most aggressive in the field, starting the innings with four slips and regularly keeping three or four catchers in position even when well outside the initial 10-over Powerplay.

He was superbly supported by the accuracy of his bowlers as neither Adam Milne or Daniel Vettori allowed the pressure to loosen. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD England innings (50 overs maximum) IR Bell b Southee 8 MM Ali b Southee 20 GS Ballance c Williamson b Boult

10 JE Root c Vettori b Milne 46 EJG Morgan* c Milne b Vettori 17 JWA Taylor b Southee 0 JC Buttler† c †Ronchi b Southee 3 CR Woakes b Southee 1 SCJ Broad c Vettori b Southee 4 ST Finn c Taylor b Southee 0 JM Anderson not out 1 Extra (lb 6, w 7) 13 Total (all out; 33.2 overs; 153 mins) 123 (3.69 runs per over) Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Bell, 4.1 ov), 2-36 (Ali, 6.2 ov), 3-57 (Ballance, 13.1 ov), 4-104 (Morgan, 25.6 ov), 5-104 (Taylor, 26.2 ov), 6-108 (Buttler, 28.1 ov), 7-110 (Woakes, 28.4 ov), 8-116 (Broad, 30.4

ov), 9-117 (Finn, 32.3 ov), 10-123 (Root, 33.2 ov) Bowling: TG Southee 9-0-337, TA Boult 10-2-32-1, AF Milne 5.2-1-25-1, DL Vettori 7-019-1, CJ Anderson 2-0-8-0 New Zealand innings (target: 124 runs from 50 overs) MJ Guptill b Woakes 22 BB McCullum* b Woakes 77 KS Williamson not out 9 LRPL Taylor not out 5 Extras (lb 4, w 8) 12 Total (2 wickets; 12.2 overs; 62 mins) 125 (10.13 runs per over) Did not bat: GD Elliott, CJ Anderson, L Ronchi†, DL Vettori, AF Milne, TG Southee, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-105 (McCullum, 7.1 ov), 2-112 (Guptill, 9.3 ov) Bowling: JM Anderson 5-0-370, SCJ Broad 2.2-0-27-0, ST Finn 2-0-49-0, CR Woakes 3-1-8-2

n a cage match in professional wrestling, one of the ways to win the contest is to climb out of the roofless cage that surrounds the ring. Matches are often tight tussles with only a few clear opportunities where one wrestler slithers away to the top of the cage and the other is lying inside the ring. Often, though, because wrestling is a spectacle and not quite a sport, the wrestler on the top of the cage chooses to jump back into the ring with an elbow drop or a leg drop or a frog splash. Often the other wrestler moves away just in time. The first innings of the league match between the two most frustrating sides in modern cricket was an unfinished cage match where the teams kept jumping back into the ring every time they had an opportunity to go the other way and end the contest then and there.

Who knows we might yet have us a spectacle to rival the best of cage matches after West Indies scored 310, a perfect neither-here-nor-there total in modern ODI cricket. In these two teams' respective first matches the first-innings score was around 300. West Indies never came close to defending that against Ireland in Nelson, and Pakistan never threatened to chase it against India in Adelaide. We might just get our first real thriller.

Even if there were not to be a thriller, the first innings of the match was almost cagematch comic in terms of errors.

Pakistan dropped at least four catches, their field placements - seven-footer Mohammad Irfan at long-on during the slog - left a lot to be desired, their ground fielding was pedestrian, West Indies openers made no pretence of trying to guts it out during the opening exchanges, their set batsmen chose part-time spin of Haris Sohail to hole out to long-off to, and the general lack of urgency prevailed as their top order mostly played eitherboundary-or-dot cricket.

There were flashes of brilliance too. Irfan made life difficult with uncomfortable bounce from just short of a length, and produced figures of 10-0-44-1. Wahab Riaz produced a special catch running in from fine leg. Denesh Ramdin produced the first bit of modern cricket in a match that looked straight out of the '70s with an urgent counterattack of 51 off 43 after West Indies had been 103 for 3 in the 25th over. Lendl Simmons continued his good form after the Ireland hundred with 50 off 46 to make sure West Indies didn't peter off in the end. He even sacrificed his wicket trying to go for a nonexistent third off the last ball of the innings. Andre Russell produced a blinder of 42 off 13 balls to become the difference

Denesh Ramdin executes a cut on his way to 51

between 280 and 300.

West Indies began the match in a sea of trouble, and were asked to bat in fresh morning conditions. They had Pakistan's fielding to thank for. It was a matter of when and not if the openers would fail. Dwayne Smith was given some extra time, Chris Gayle wasn't. At 28 for 2 Marlon Samuels decided he was going to hit boundaries or nothing at all. Darren Bravo, although slow, provided the stability West Indies needed, and even Samuels settled into the stand. However, with the partnership reading 75 off 16.1 overs, Samuels picked out long-off with the first ball of the new spell of Haris.

Samuels and Smith had shown great self-respect in refusing to live off the Pakistan fielders' generosity, but the increments had been big enough to take West Indies close to the last 20 overs with wickets in hands. Ramdin then played what might be the decisive innings of the match. There was a certain intent to how he batted. Short-arm pulls, slogsweeps, pinched singles, they threatened to run away with the game with 48 runs in 5.5 overs. Ramdin then showed more intent by calling for a Powerplay.

The next twist, a hamstring injury to Bravo minutes after he had been reprieved by Afridi. As he was taken off the field on the drinks cart, West Indies had

to exercise some caution. Only 16 came in the Powerplay, but they didn't lose any wicket. Pretty soon Ramdin rediscovered his range, only to hit Haris straight down long-off's throat moments after bringing up his fifty. Once again a wrestler had brought the match back to life even when he could have ended that contest.

West Indies were now effectively 194 for 5 with 11 overs to go. Darren Sammy, a rare modern West Indies cricketer, didn't look in touch, but Simmons kept going. He targeted Haris sensibly to expose the lack of a fifth specialist bowler, hitting him for a six and two fours in the 42nd over. Some brilliance followed from Pakistan as Sohail Khan and Irfan conceded a total of 15 in 43rd, 44th and 45th overs. There was pressure, Simmons ramped Riaz straight to third man in the next over, but Irfan dropped him too.

Although Simmons added only six to his 44, Russell punished every little error in length by Pakistan. His hitting was flat and powerful.

Pakistan, though, took the easier route of fancy deliveries as opposed to the yorkers that had effectively slowed India down in Adelaide. That AB de Villiers' record for the fastest fifty wasn't threatened was down only to the lack of balls left when Russell came out to bat. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies innings (50 overs maximum) DR Smith c Haris Sohail b Sohail Khan 23 CH Gayle c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Irfan 4 DM Bravo retired hurt 49 MN Samuels c sub (Yasir Shah) b Haris Sohail 38 D Ramdin† c sub (Yasir Shah) b Haris Sohail 51 LMP Simmons run out (Sohail Khan/†Umar Akmal) 50 DJG Sammy c Shahid Afridi b Wahab Riaz 30 AD Russell not out 42

Extras: (b 2, lb 6, w 14, nb 1)23 Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs; 225 mins) 310 Did not bat: JO Holder*, JE Taylor, SJ Benn Fall of wickets 1-17 (Gayle, 4.6 ov), 2-28 (Smith, 7.5 ov), 3-103 (Samuels, 24.1 ov), 3-152* (Bravo, retired not out, 31.2 ov), 4-194 (Ramdin, 39.5 ov), 5-259 (Sammy, 47.1 ov), 6-310 (Simmons, 49.6 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 10-0-44-1, Sohail Khan 101-73-1, Shahid Afridi 10-048-0, Haris Sohail 9-0-622, Wahab Riaz 10-0-67-1, Sohaib Maqsood 1-0-8-0

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21 Lance Armstrong enters cycling event L SPORTS

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921

ance Armstrong is getting back on his bike, this time to raise money for the charity he founded and was later pressured to leave.

Armstrong has set up a fundraising team for the Livestrong Challenge ride in Austin in October. It will be his first return to the event since 2012, when a report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency exposed performance-enhancing drug use by Armstrong and his U.S. Postal Service team.

Armstrong was later stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles and pressured to leave the Livestrong board. He was banned for life from official competition.

Armstrong registered for the charity ride and made a $5,000 donation on Feb. 2. He also set up a “Lance & Friends” team that has drawn several longtime Livestrong ride participants and has surpassed $10,000 in total funds raised.

Livestrong officials said they welcome his contribution. Spokeswoman Ellen Barry said he has “no official role with the foundation and there are no plans for him to.” The organization, which had informally adopted the Livestrong slogan, changed its name in late 2012.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Armstrong says he remains “humbled

Lance Armstong

and proud” of Livestrong, which he founded in 1997 as the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Armstrong’s fame and story as the testicular cancer survivor who won the Tour de France every year from 1999 to 2005 transformed the foundation from a small charity into a $500 million organization with an international brand.

“When I started the Livestrong Foundation 18 years ago, I never dreamed it would realize the growth and success it has achieved,” Armstrong said. “I look forward to supporting that effort.”

The charity has struggled after Armstrong’s cheating was exposed. It reported a large drop in donations and revenue in the year after his downfall.

The Livestrong Challenge ride is the foundation’s mar-

quee event and Armstrong used to serve as host and master of ceremonies. Barry said Livestrong officials learned of his return the day he registered for the ride. She said he had not been asked to stay away the past two years.

“We welcome all contributions to the Livestrong Foundation as we continue our work to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. This includes the recent contribution by Lance Armstrong,” Barry said. “He has signed up to ride in our annual event with his own team as the ride is open to participants nationwide.”

In his last appearance at the ride, in 2012, Armstrong greeted thousands of cyclists with a short speech at dawn, then retreated into privacy. He had stepped down as board chairman a few days earlier.

Earlier this week, Armstrong was hit with a $10 million sanction by an arbitration panel overseeing a longrunning dispute with SCA promotions, a Dallas company that had paid him $12 million in bonuses for his Tour de France victories. He also pleaded guilty to a guilty to a careless driving charge in Aspen, Colorado, for hitting two parked cars with his SUV, a crash his girlfriend originally tried to take the blame for.

(ESPN)

Manny, Mayweather...

On Friday afternoon, Top Rank was notified and Mayweather made the announcement about an hour later, though the deal had been done for a couple of days with both sides having signed the paperwork.

Contracts were also signed by broadcasters HBO and Showtime, who will team for a historic joint pay-per-view.

“It’s hasn’t been easy,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com. “But I think in some strange way the inability to get the fight done before now enhances its value and this is one event that the public all over the world has been talking about and discussing for years. The interest in the fight will be absolutely red hot. I’ve been promoting boxing for nearly 50 years and there is nothing that has come close to this because there has been nothing that has been so difficult to come to fruition. As interest is concerned, this is akin to the first (Muhammad) Ali-(Joe) Frazier fight.

“You have to be grateful that this is finally happening. You can’t bemoan the false starts and the inability to do this before. It’s here now.”

The fight is expected to shatter every revenue record in boxing history, including the pay-per-view buy record of 2.4 million generated by Mayweather’s 2007 junior middleweight championship fight against Oscar De

La Hoya; the all-time payper-view revenue record of $150 million generated by Mayweather’s 2013 junior middleweight championship fight against Canelo Alvarez; and the all-time gate record of $20,003,150.

“Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports.

“All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing fans around the world.

ESPN Radio

Dan & Stu on the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight finally happening, the latest with Chris Bosh plus Dan & Joey Galloway make a bet and love advice from Marcellus Wiley.

More Podcasts » “Now, for the second time under his current deal with Showtime Networks, Floyd Mayweather has agreed to fight an opponent that many people thought he’d never face. We set an all-time payper-view record with the first event back in September 2013 (with Alvarez) and we look forward to another record-breaking performance on May 2.”

Said HBO Sports president Ken Hershman, “Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have been the two most prominent fighters

from back page

in the sport of boxing for the past decade, and fight fans around the world have been clamoring for them to face each other.

“And now, on May 2nd, in what everyone believes will be the biggest boxing event of all-time, fight fans have been granted their wish. May 2nd will be a signature moment for the sport of boxing and HBO Sports is thrilled to be a part of this spectacular event. I know the fighters and their teams will be primed to excel and we plan to work closely with everyone involved to deliver the same level of performance from a broadcast perspective.”

It is only the second time Showtime and HBO have made such a deal. The first time was for the highly anticipated 2002 fight between then-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who was with HBO, and former champion Mike Tyson, who was with Showtime.

For years, Mayweather and Pacquiao have been the two best fighters in the world, fighting in the same weight class but having not faced each other despite constant public demand.

Both have been considered the pound-for-pound king at various times, with Mayweather having held that mythical position for the past few years with Pacquiao right behind him for most of that period. (ESPN)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, February 21, 2015

BCB, Republic Bank InterZone final set for Sunday

T

he long-awaited final of the 2014 Republic Bank Limited sponsored Inter-Zone Under-17 cricket competition in Berbice will be played on Sunday at the famous Albion Sports Complex.

After several postponements due to the unpredictable weather and other unforeseen reasons, the match will commence at 09:00h, and will feature the best young cricketers in the county with Lower Corentyne set to clash with New Amsterdam/Canje.

Lower Corentyne will start as slight favourites, but a stiff challenge is expected from the lads from the East Bank Berbice NA/ Canje area.

Lower Corentyne, who defeated Upper Corentyne in a semi-final, have a strong batting line-up led by national Under-17 player and Captain Brandon Persaud.

He will receive support from Adrian Sukwah and Matthew Hardial. Pacer Sylus Tyndall will spearhead the bowling with support from all-round-

er Joshua Harrichand and Suraj Dookhna.

NA/Canje, on the other hand, will have in their line-up several allrounders with Kevon Sinclair, Steve Deonarine, Joel Seetaram, Junior Williams and Sasenarine Sukhu all expected to play key roles.

The BCB junior selectors, headed by Leslie Solomon, will witness the game, which will also be used to assist them in selecting the Berbice Under-17 team for the upcoming InterCounty tournament.

Milo Under-20 football tournament...

Crucial games expected for this weekend

By Treiston Joseph

T

he Milo Under-20 Football School Tournament is set to have an exciting Mashramani weekend when the Tournament continues over the weekend at the Ministry of Education Ground.

Ascension will face St Mary’s Secondary School in a much-anticipated match-

up that will excite the crowd.

Lodge Secondary will face Central High School, while South Ruimveldt will go up against St Stanislaus College on Saturday.

Cummings Lodge Secondary will battle Queenstown Secondary in a game that will prove to be the contest of the day.

Meanwhile on Sunday, three games will be played, with Queen’s College versus

Mae’s Secondary expected to be the biggest game of the day.

Dolphin Secondary will face Houston Secondary on Sunday in another highlyanticipated game expected to be keenly contested.

Chase Academy and St John’s Secondary will meet on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the weekend to determine Group A leaders.

Mo Farah ‘hurt’ by nationality question in Andy Vernon row

M

o Farah claims Great Britain team-mate Andy Vernon questioned his nationality after the double Olympic champion won European 10,000m gold.

Somalia-born Farah, 31 - who beat his fellow Briton to the 2014 title - said Vernon suggested he did not deserve the win because he was not European.

But Vernon told the BBC this was a “huge, huge misrepresentation”.

“All I said, in a complete joking fashion, was that I was European champion,” said Vernon, 29.

Vernon said he considers Farah to be British and has called for the pair to “act like men and move on”. He says he hopes his team-mate breaks the two-mile record at the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday.

The nationality claims were made by Farah when he was questioned by reporters on Friday about a row the pair had on Twitter earlier in the week.

Farah has apologised

Mo Farah

but said their past contributed to his frustrations.

The Olympic champion called Vernon “an embarrassment” after he criticised the lack of high-level competition to face Farah in Birmingham.

Vernon said he was also surprised by Farah’s reaction to his initial tweet.

“If I did put the first jab in, he certainly re-

turned with a low haymaker,” said the runner from Hampshire.

Farah, who returned from altitude training on Thursday, has said sorry for the row being in the public domain.

“I do apologise. I should never come out publicly and say some things but we have to move on,” he said.

“Andy and I are not best friends, we’ll never be best friends. That’s just how it is.”

Vernon said he had tried to contact Farah to clear up what he considers to be a misunderstanding.

“I wanted to smooth it over and say, ‘Look Mo, if you had a problem with what I said, I’m very sorry, I meant no offence by it’,” he added.

“I don’t like having enemies or anything like that.

It wouldn’t be great for us to go out, say we were on the same team at the world championships, in the same races, and we were avoiding each other. I’d like us to be men and forgive and forget.” (BBC Sport)

Muhammad Ali, Under Armour join up

M

ore than 33 years after his last fight, Muhammad Ali is still commanding big dollars.

On Wednesday, Under Armour announced that it has signed a deal to make an extensive line of Ali branded and inspired products by partnering with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which bought Ali’s estate and licensing rights in 2013.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

A limited edition graphic T-shirt goes on sale Wednesday to launch the partnership, with a lifestyle apparel line rolling out next month. In November, Ali’s name and image will be on training apparel, footwear and accessories.

“He’s an iconic hero from the past and a true innovator,” said Glenn Silbert, vice president of men’s, outdoors and team sports for Under Armour. “We wondered what Ali would have been like if he had a brand like ours when he was getting started and how great it could have been. That has been the mentality of our design team throughout this process.”

Nick Woodhouse, president and chief marketing officer of ABG, said, “Under Armour is irreverent, disruptive, they pivot quickly and they’re explosive. Those words also speak to Ali and how he changed the game.”

Under Armour has dipped its toe in the water with licensing boxing names through its Roots of Fight line, which recreated retro Bruce Lee, Mike Tyson and Boom Boom Mancini products, but the Ali effort prom-

Muhammad Al

ises to be more than images and slogans.

Nontraditional training is on the rise and Ali was one of the pioneers of working out outside the gym, shunning weights and lifting logs.

“We are truly flattered to have Under Armour pay homage to Muhammad in such a significant way,” his wife, Lonnie, said in a statement. “We see in the Under Armour brand a similar spirit and drive that pushed Muhammad to be such a groundbreaking force.”

Ali, in years past, had previously been signed by Adidas, which unveiled a retro shoe and had a commercial in which Ali was digitally imposed to create a fight between him and his daughter Laila. But product releases were few and far between.

“Under Armour will treat him differently,” Woodhouse said. “We see this more as an endorsement than a licensing deal. He’ll be more

of an athlete that they think about at 8 a.m. on a Monday than 4:30 [p.m.] on a Friday.”

Silbert said the retailers’ reaction to Ali, who is still one of the most recognized people in the world, was unanimous.

“We spoke to our partners outside the building who we do business with and asked them how they’d respond to Ali products and the immediate response was, ‘Do it, let’s go,’” Silbert said.

Ali, who turned 73 last month, has Parkinson’s disease, which limits his capacity to physically do much to promote the deal.

Muhammad Ali Enterprises, which is controlled by ABG, owns more than 20 trademarks including his name, “King Of Boxing,” “Cassius Clay,” “Float Like A Butterfly Sting Like A Bee,” “The Greatest Of All Time,” “Rumble In The Jungle” and “Thrilla In Manila.” (ESPN)

23 RHTY&SC Busta Champion of R&R 11-race programme Champions semi-finals bowls off set for today guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, February 21, 2015

Anthony D’Andrade

B

oth semi-finals in the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) 11th Annual Busta Champion of Champions 40-Over Cricket Tournament are slated for today at two separate venues.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets will host West Berbice, while Tucber Park (formerly Bermine) will face Albion Community Centre at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets in the absence of several of their players due

to overseas cricket commitments and migration will depend heavily on Jason Sinclair, Delbert Hicks, Shawn Pereira, Brandon Prashad, Vihal Crandon, West Indies female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle, and Leroy Bristol in the batting department.

Their bowling attack will be spearheaded by medium pacers Keon Sinclair and Sherain Murray. The duo is expecting support from off-spinner Troy Mathieson, left-arm spinner Leroy Bristol and leg-spinners Pereira and Prashad.

West Berbice, who have

Raun Johnson

Delbert Hicks

reached the semi-final of the tournament seven times but have never appeared in the final, will be hoping that Arthley Bailey, Keith Fraser, Keon Fraser, Raun Johnson, Kellon Carmichael, Steffan Adams and Rendell Bobb come to the party.

In the other match, a depleted Albion Community Centre team will miss several national players and will have to be at the top of their game. Albion’s challenge will be led by first-round centurion Kandasammy Surujnarine,

Balchan Baldeo, Jonathan Foo, Gudakesh Motie, David Latchaya, and Daniel Lewis.

Tucber Park is no pushover with the services of skipper Anthony D’Andrade, Eugene La Fleur, Joemal La Fleur, Nial Smith, Hakeem Hinds, Devon Clements and Damon Vantull.

The final is expected to be played in March, with ballby-ball commentary on the National Communications Network (NCN) and will be played under lights at the Albion Sports Complex.

Gudakesh Motie

Hassan Mohamed

W

ith the cycling season in full swing, local riders will look to outdo each other today with the 24th staging of the annual R&R International 11-race programme at the inner circuit of the National Park.

The event was initially slated to be held last Saturday, but had to be pushed back by a week due to the Junior Mashramani float parade concluding at the National Park.

Last year’s main race, the 35-lap School Boys and Invitational, was won

by Marlon Williams, who clocked one hour, 19 minutes, 10 seconds (01h: 19m: 10s),

with Alanzo Greaves second and Hamzah Eastman third.

Other category winners were Jamal John (1214); Raul Leal (Junior); and Ralph Williams (Veterans Under-50). Other races carded for the day include the BMX Boys 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and the Veterans Over-50 and Over-60.

The day’s activities are being organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, who on Friday noted that all systems were in place for the races.

He also said the riders will be in action again on Sunday for the annual Forbes Burnham memorial two-stage road race in Demerara.

Marlon Williams

Showdown at Sports Defending champs Dynas Hall tonight Ravens off to terrific start Road to Mecca II...

By Treiston Joseph

T

he Dynas Ravens controlled the game from start to finish to record their opening win of the Road to Mecca II National Club Basketball Championships on Thursday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In a game that ended 8157, Berbician side Smithfield Rockers played their best basketball in the first half to hold the defending champs to just 41 points while scoring 36 of their own in the first 20 minutes of the game.

However, the Ravens turned on the burners in the third quarter to outscore the Rockers 24-9 with stifling defence which allowed them to run the fast break for easy

buckets.

In the final period, the Rockers simply could not hang with the Ravens who won the game by 24 points.

Jermaine Slater had a team-high 13 points and nine boards while Marlon Rodrigues also chipped in with 13 points as well.

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai dropped 11 points of his own, picking up nine boards as well in the win.

Jamal Felix was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points while grabbing eight boards, almost notching a double-double. Michael Bowen was the Rockers’ next best scorer with 10 points.

Meanwhile, in the final game of the evening, Victory Valley Royals (VVR) topped

the Republic Bank Nets 73-61.

The Nets just seemed out of sync, unable to find their rhythm on the offensive side of the ball despite playing tough defence.

Staying close throughout the game, the Nets’ offensive woes were even more evident in the fourth period, as VVR pulled away in the final period after the third quarter ended with VVR leading 44-43.

Ron Beckles and Harold Adams each scored 24 points to lead the way for VVR to help the Linden-based side move onto the next round in the tournament.

Michael Richards had a team-high 18 points; no other Nets player was able to be productive with their offence.

T

he Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will be transformed into a battle ground tonight when the highy anticipated "Caribbean Collision" boxing card comes off at 20:00h.

Guyanese Clive "The Punisher" Atwell will square off with Jamaican sensation Sakima Mullings in the feature contest.

The duo will square off for the vacant CABOFE Junior Welterweight belt over 12 rounds.

The card, the first for 2015 in Guyana, will start with a clash between debutants Travis Fraser of Guyana and Charwin Estwick of Barbados in

Clive Atwell

a Junior Middleweight six-rounder, and will also see an eight-round Middleweight rematch featuring Edmond DeClou and Dereck Richmond.

The last time these two met, DeClou suffered

a broken jaw and has not entered the ring since.

In the other two fights, Quincy Gomes will face debutant Keeve Allicock in a four-round Lightweight contest, while Dexter Gonsalves will match gloves Mark Austin in an eight-round Welterweight rematch.

Admission to the venue is $3,000 (Ringside) and $1500 (Stands).

Patrons are also in for a treat as there will be three door prizes up for grabs.

These are two tickets to any of three Fly Jamaica destinations, a gold cricket bracelet from Kings Jewellery World and two cases of Banks DIH beverage.

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

saturday, February 21, 2015

Manny, Mayweather set for May 2!

A

t long last, pound-forpound greats Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will fight.

Yes, the bout that looms as one of the most anticipated in boxing history is finally on.

For more than five years sports fans have clamored for a summit meeting between the two best fighters in the world and after various failed negotiations − and a protracted and difficult effort to make the fight in recent months − they will get it on May 2 to unify their welterweight world titles at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The showdown is a lock to be the richest in boxing history and will, barring a draw, settle the issue that has been debated for years: Who is the No. 1 fighter in boxing and who is the king of their era?

Mayweather made the announcement on Friday afternoon on a social media platform called Shots, of which he is an investor.

“I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done,” Mayweather said, referring to a chance Jan. 27

Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao (right) at an NBA game

Bisnauth shines but Media XI lose R

Rajiv Bisnauth of the Media team plays a shot gently through on-side

ajiv Bisnauth scored a fine halfcentury, but could not inspire victory for the Media XI against Gas XI on a sunny Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road.

Batting first upon winning the toss, the Media XI racked up 133-8 from the allotted 20 overs, and

their bowlers did well to take the game deep into the afternoon, with Gas XI responding with 134-3 from 17.3 overs.

The Media XI faced an uphill task from the inception with skipper John Ramsingh nursing a finger injury and regular wicketkeeper Daniel Singh missing the game due to oth-

er pressing duties. But the Media men rose to the occasion, batting out the 20 overs, an achievement that made possible by a sterling knock from Bisnauth.

Batting at number three, the left-hander held the innings together, adding 44 for the second wicket with opener Ravi

meeting with Pacquiao at a Miami Heat game followed by a private discussion after the game. “Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus. This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport.”

In addition to the future Hall of Famers finally hammering out a deal for their welterweight title unification bout − one that will see Mayweather receive the lion’s share of a 60-40 money split in a fight that could gross around $400 million − rival premium cable networks Showtime, which has Mayweather under contract, and HBO, which has a deal with Pacquiao, went through a brutal negotiation.

The networks resultingly will come together to produce and distribute a joint pay-per-view telecast, which is expected to cost a recordhigh $89.95 (and probably $10 more for high definition).

“I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” Pacquiao said. “They have waited long enough and they deserve it. It is an hon-

or to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world.”

Many involved expected the announcement to come on Thursday but Mayweather was upset because Top Rank, Pacquiao’s promoter, was leaking word of the impending announcement and Mayweather wanted it to be a surprise.

“Boxing fans and sports fans around the world will witness greatness on May 2,” Mayweather said. “I am the best ever, TBE, and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win. Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful. He will be number 48.”

According those familiar with the agreement, the contract Mayweather signed for the fight gave him the right to be the one to announce the fight, even though he was obligated to notify Top Rank of when he would do it.

Persaud after Shahrukh Imran fell for five. Persaud made a breezy 21 that included two fours and a six, falling with the score 59-2.

Bisnauth and Avenash Ramzan then collaborated for a partnership of 41 for the third wicket, before Ramzan fell for nine.

At 100-3 in the 15th over, the Media practitioners were poised for a late onslaught, but lost five wickets for 33 runs in the final five overs.

Bisnauth top scored with a classy 56, an innings that included seven fours and a six. Clifton Ross and Treiston Joseph added nine and six respectively towards the end of the innings. Gas XI leaked 20 extras.

Gas XI’s response was

put on course by an opening partnership of 49 by Shaheed Mohamed and Nadeer Baksh. Mohamed stroked four boundaries in his 26.

Baksh and Nigel Bissu then added 54 for the second wicket, before skipper Baksh was dismissed handling the ball for 60. His innings included six fours and three sixes. Bissu made 15, while Dwayne Perreira (08*) and T Ramsaywack (01*) took Gas XI to victory with 15 balls to spare.

Shahrukh Imran and Clifton Ross were the wicket-takers for the Media XI. Meanwhile, the Media XI will be in action again on Sunday against hosts Port Mourant Cricket Club.

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