Guyana Times Daily

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P10

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1978 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

PRICE

Court grants appeal, Corentyne girls will not head to NOC See stories on pages 2 and 9

– probe launched into operations of orphanage

$60 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GAWU’s P9 credit union rakes in $16M surplus P9 Brumell orders probe into deadly shootout at Grove

P11 GPSU pickets OP over wage increase

PPP/C pays tribute to Mandela

See story on page 17

’Tis the season to make money!

P12

African-styled dancers entertain guests at the PPP/C’s “Night of Reflection” in honour of the late South African President Nelson Mandela

Govt extends life of GuySuCo board until yearend See story on page 3

Miner shot during Port Kaituma robbery See story on page 11

Anti-money laundering bill now in opposition’s P17 hands – AG

2 news

tuesDay, december 10, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Probe launched into operations of Corentyne orphanage

T

he Human Service and Social Security Ministry has set up a commission of inquiry to probe the operations of a Corentyne orphanage that has been at the centre of a scandal involving three teenage girls “In light of the recent arrest of the three orphaned teenagers who resided at Camal’s International Home in Corentyne, Berbice and based upon public allegations of maltreatment of orphans residing at the institution, the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security has appointed a commission of inquiry to in-

vestigate the allegations and review the operations of the home in accordance with the minimum operating standards for children’s homes and institutions,” a release said.

Hearings

The commission is chaired by Ayo DalgettyDean and its other members are Saudia Feroze, Erma Bovell, Childcare and Protection Agency Legal Council Joan Ann Edgill and Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Claudia Munroe. Hearings will commence shortly.

The three girls, who were

sentenced to four years at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) on the charge of wandering, have refuted claims of them running away from Camal’s children home.

They said they were being ill-treated at the home and when they refuse to do whatever they are told to do, the caretaker would verbally and physically abuse them and also limit their food.

The girls said they had to go to the home of the caretaker to do her housework when they come home from school. The girls, ages 15, 13 and 11, made an appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Court last

Monday, where the sentence was handed down by the magistrate, and to date, they are still at the Albion Police Station awaiting a probation report.

Wrong accusation

According to the girls, they were never found on the road and the police collected them from the home after a call was made about them wanting to commit suicide.

One of the girls told this newspaper: “When I come from school the afternoon before, she start lashing me and asked me why I went to school and I said aunty Shalo son is a waste man, I told her

I did not do that, the next day she tell me to weed the grass, I take the cutlass and chop when I ask for some water, she told me to stay right there and weed. I got upset and chopped up the dirt and she told me to continue and when I done go sit in the corner, when it was meals time I was given very little food.”

Verbal abuse

The young lady said when the cursing starts; she would hide in a secluded area of the home. The young lady related that she got tired and fed up of the orphanage and wanted to leave, as the caretaker would accuse her of going to school to "take man".

The teenager said the

night when the police came, about eight of the girls were in the secluded area, and they were taken to the police station.

The others were sent home and they were kept back. She thanked the police for taking care of them, noting that they are being treated better than when they were at the orphan.

Another of the girl said “the aunty” would take them to her home to work and because they refused, she has been picking on them. They at the orphanage for four years and have been getting along fine until they refused to do the housework of the caretaker.

Domestic violence costing Caribbean economies – LaRocque

Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

T

he Caribbean Community (Caricom) recognises that gender-based violence continues to be a serious problem across the region, Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque in a message marking the observance of 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence said.

Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, is being observed from November 25, which is designated as the United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, UN Human Rights Day. This annual campaign highlights the link between violence against women and human rights.

Costs

The secretary general said all forms of violence, physical, sexual or psychological had serious ramifications for the health of the victims, family members and the community.

Additionally, he said, the social costs were many, as both victims and perpetrators of violence often faced stigma and isolation, and families and communities became stressed and often fractured.

Secretary General LaRocque noted that there were also significant economic costs affecting productivity, earnings, and an added burden to health, social and judicial systems. While outlining the effects of gender-based violence, the secretary general pointed to some of the actions being taken by Caricom to address the problem. He said there had been developments in Caricom’s legal systems, including the enactment of

model legislation to address domestic violence, offering greater protection to women from abuse through the power of magistrate’s courts to grant protection orders.

He said another major stride was the full criminalisation of rape within marriage in several countries in the region. “Police have also been given greater responsibility to prevent domestic violence as well as to protect persons who are suspected to be victims of domestic violence,” he said.

Secretary General LaRocque also outlined that the Caricom Advocate for Gender Justice, Dr Rosina Wiltshire, who was appointed in 2010, had been actively engaged in research and education to highlight gender-based violence in the region.

Report

He noted that last year, Dr Wiltshire’s office released a report titled “Youth Masculinities and Violence in the Caribbean”, which revealed the link between socially constructed concepts of masculinity, violence against women and general violence in the region. He said the data gave insight into the factors that shaped the attitudes, perspectives and behaviour of young men, violence and the high incidence of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Ambassador LaRocque said while there have been achievements there was still a lot of work to be done to address gender-based violence.

“We are still inundated almost daily by reports of killings and violence in our region. These are often domestic situations where the victims are women and children and the perpetrator a ‘loved one’.

Although such incidents may occur in the home, they were not a ‘private matter’ but rather a ‘public matter’; often criminal and infringing on our collective security,” the secretary general said.

He pointed out that the education system had a role to play as teachers, parents, children and youths could create school settings that are peaceful, free from corporal punishment, harassment and humiliation.

News

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, December 10 from 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, December 10 from 10:30h-12:00h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected to prevail during the day and into the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East north-easterly between 1.66 and 1.94 metres per second.

High Tide: 10:39h and 23:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres and 2.26 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 04:04h and 16:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.89 metre and 0.95 metre respectively.

saturday, December 7, 2013

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TUESDay, december 10, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Govt extends life of GuySuCo board until yearend T he life of the board of directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has been extended for another month, with plans being made to appoint a new body no later than January 2014.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy told Guyana Times that the extension to the board’s life was done to facilitate its involvement in short-listing possible candidates for the new management team.

The agriculture minister said the board’s life will now end on December 31. He stated that several names are before the team looking to select the new board. This process is expected to end soon by the end of the year.

Not fired He told this publication that the former GuySuCo Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raj Singh was not fired but rather his contract was not renewed after November 30.

Singh has since been placed as deputy chief executive officer of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The minister believes by placing Singh at NAREI it will create an opportunity for others to move up, and move on to other positions or be filtered out of the corporation’s management system.

When asked about whether GuySuCo CEO Paul Bhim will remain in his post, Dr Ramsammy said that that has not yet been determined.

He, however, assured that the new team being considered will help to move the industry forward and place the corporation in a

better financial position.

Dr Ramsammy said as part of a collaborative effort with the Indian government, an expert has already been recruited and is here assisting the Enmore Sugar Estate.

The minister said the rumour being peddled by sections of the media that the expert is here to correct issues at the Enmore packaging plant is untrue.

He reiterated that the factory has never failed to perform, as it has not been getting the amount of sugar it was built to package.

Cash-flow problem He added that this is as a result of most of Guyana’s sugar being exported in bulk. The sale of bulk sugar ensures that payments are made to government before shipment.

In contrast, it takes several months for payments to be made for packaged sugar. He noted that it was a cash-flow issue and must be looked at from a business standpoint.

However, Dr Ramsammy said, that could change in the next year, as the corporation is currently

looking at a different business plan.

He said all of these issues are expected to be addressed in the new year, with the appointment of a new board.

Amid all of its production and financial woes, GuySuCo has been functioning under the guidance of a board of directors whose term expired in October – one that seems not to be capable of turning around the industry.

GuySuCo faces a $5.2 billion debt as stated in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan.

The corporation has produced just over 94,000 tonnes of sugar during the second crop and just under 48,000 tonnes in the first crop.

GuySuCo has had to revise its original 240,000 tonne 2013 target to just about 203,000 after the first crop’s results and the poor start in the second crop. A 203,000 tonnes output target is a low figure for the industry.

The corporation is now heading for its worst production in 20 years, with several challenges causing its underperformance.

PPP/C confident of winning next election

P

eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has expressed confidence in the party winning the upcoming local government elections and the general elections.

Rohee told a media conference on Monday, in response to questions posed to him about the party’s readiness for elections, that the PPP has all hope in its various constituencies and plans to return as a majority government.

“This confidence is not built up mainly on the basis of words, the confidence that we have … is generated on the basis of how we sense our supporters and members particularly reacting to programmes and policies of the party,” Rohee stated.

He said his party was

“always on the ground” and was working constantly to address critical issues citizens face in Guyana. He explained that the party is also fixing the damage done in the last election, which saw the government losing one seat to the opposition and becoming the first minority government in Guyana’s history. Where there have been instances where that reputation has been damaged, resulting in us losing the majority in Parliament – one of the elements of ensuring our state of readiness is to ensure that what we lost is regained.”

The party, he said, has been meeting more often with the people to provide them with the progress reports on work being executed under its leadership.

The party’s general secretary said the PPP/C

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

machinery is usually well oiled, but to keep this going it requires more than just words but hard work and determination to get issues fixed and build greater confidence in the people.

“Keeping this body greased by actively participating in activities, keeping the leaders on their feet – the NDCs [Neighbourhood Democratic Councils]; RDCs [Regional Democratic Councils]; MPs [members of parliament] and the ministers”.

Rohee indicated that over the past few months the party has been meeting with members of its various districts and branches to keep them in contact and “well greased”, to continue the struggle. Since Rohee has assumed the position of general secretary of the party he has made several bold initiatives to travel to the districts and various organisations that fall under the PPP, with the aim of mustering support for the party, so it can have the people’s trust and support in the next general elections.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, december 10, 2013

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

Sport development

K

aieteur News (KN) is on a relentless and dangerous campaign to discourage and scare away local and overseas businesses from investing in this country’s economic development. Almost daily, Guyanese citizens are fed with a dose of lies and complete fabrications of what they (KN) think is news.

There are genuine businesspersons who want to invest in Guyana and take this country to higher heights by helping to build a modern and more prosperous society, where citizens could enjoy a decent life. But they are hesitant to do so, due to fear of this particular media house attacking their character or their companies unjustifiably.

The most recent example we are referring to here is the issue with a proposal by the NEW GPC INC/CPL OPCO to build a world class stadium at Bourda, merging the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) to establish a sport academy and stadium.

Bourda cannot satisfy the criteria for international cricket at the highest level and has continued to decline steadily.

Many have voiced concern over the impact of this decline on the city of Georgetown in general and on cricket and football heritage in particular, from economic, social and development standpoints.

The proposal addressed these issues: (a) To build a world class stadium, with all amenities, with the aim of returning international cricket and football to Georgetown which would have resulted in an economic resurgence (b) The financial structure of the project would have ensured that GCC and GFC share in the profits generated, which would have enabled these clubs to return to their glory years (c) A cricket and football academy was proposed that would have seen youths of Georgetown and other areas of the country developing their talents and becoming professionals.

It is envisaged that the academy would have provided the support and guidance to the many talented sportsmen and women in the country. Further, the overall countrywide development of cricket and football would also have been facilitated.

There is no question as to the company’s ability or capacity to successfully undertake such a project. Not so long ago, NEW GPC/Limacol was able to put on a well organised and managed Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T-20 tournament when Guyana hosted its leg of the games There were many who doubted, including the principals of KN, that the venture would be successful, but the company demonstrated that the private sector could deliver a world class tournament, second to none.

It is unfortunate that NEW GPC/CPL OPCO withdrew its proposal as a result of KN’s negative spin on the proposed project details. However, there is still hope that the company would reconsider its decision in the interest of sport development and the development of young people in Guyana.

It is time that all stakeholders, including civil society groups, speak out against this high level of unprofessional, irresponsible and gutter journalism being practised by this particular media house.

We may perhaps never be able to quantify the damage (in monetary and other terms) this sort of biased, sensational reporting is doing to the country, its economy and its people.

Our Caribbean Community (Caricom) neighbours are moving forward and their people are reaping the benefits of increased private sector investments, but this is not the same here.

For almost every project proposed, there is a continuous attempt by the KN to discredit it.

Rather than discouraging investments into young people and their future development, strenuous efforts should be made to create an environment and provide opportunities and facilities for purposeful and meaningful participation by our young people in the various disciplines of sports and cultural activities.

As mentioned by former West Indies Captain, Clive Lloyd, such an investment in our youth is a worthy down payment on Guyana’s future.

That said, we challenge Lall and his team of naysayers to propose a viable alternative to the Bourda sport academy and stadium.

Remembering a great leader Ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee hailed the work of one of the greatest freedom fighters, the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on Monday evening at a “Night of Reflection” hosted by the party (Carl Croker photo) see story on page 17

May God bless Mandela for stopping a racial bloodbath in South Africa Dear Editor, May God bless Nelson Mandela for stopping a racial bloodbath in South Africa.

Guyanese can recognise Dr Cheddi Jagan as a parallel “Caribbean Mandela” for doing the same.

With the 1992 election of Dr Jagan’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP), there was no widespread prosecution of his People’s National Congress (PNC) predecessors whatsoever. He sought no revenge nor to embarrass anyone in

a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission”.

Despite the victimisation of his predominantly working class Indian supporters, Dr Jagan continued his advocacy of class, eschewing race and embracing democracy without any conflict with the West. Dr Jagan was able to prevent racial clashes among Guyana’s races.

When the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) presidential candidate Dr Clive Thomas refused the

prime minister’s job, he gave it to the current Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

It is common knowledge that despite Dr Jagan’s PPP/C’s popularity among his core supporters, many did not embrace his Marxist philosophy. That both he and his wife Janet were incorruptible, both living very modest lifestyles, both with no personal wealth accumulation, both with historic devotion to the poor and neglected, found them still

steadfastly personable, approachable, committed, honest and forgiving.

Recognising Dr Jagan’s total life’s work can be a great leap to boost Guyana’s nation building foundation, similar to that which Mandela inspired for future South African leaders to emulate. What’s stopping us?

Is it just ourselves or something else?

Sincerely, Vassan Ramracha

UG needs a complete mind revamp Dear Editor, The respective presidents of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) are calling upon the government of Guyana to address existing problems that the institution currently faces.

However, in my opinion, I am not sure that it is the government’s responsibility to address all of the matters of the institution.

Universities generally offer three academic semesters, each of which consists of 15 weeks of lecture time and examinations. The University of Guyana currently offers two semesters

and a summer programme and claims to be encountering extreme difficulties as it relates to the availability of their current lecturers. Clearly, this is an internal problem that needs to be addressed by members of the board.

As it relates to the number of lecturers that the university has, this is a problem faced worldwide. Many educational institutions are often short of staff. Guyana has many persons qualified in multiple study areas; and we can only hope that they will consider giving back in some way to the university by sharing their knowledge with students, even if it is part time.

Additionally, the current lecturers should be offered the opportunity to engage in external programmes to upgrade themselves academically. While sending these individuals away to study can contribute to the university’s inconveniences, it may be wise to consider offering courses to them via distance and online learning.

Moreover, it was brought to my attention that many of the current lecturers are new and young and often tend to exhibit pompous, know it all attitudes.

As young lecturers and potential role models, they need to learn how to deliver themselves efficiently and

also know how to simplify key concepts for students.

Lastly, I would like to focus on the developing culture of the students over the last few years. Many of them seem frivolous and infantile. UG now appears to be a large recreational facility that encourages idling and carousing. We must aim to maintain some form of academic manifestation.

I hope that the current issues can be adopted and addressed internally, and I can only hope that the mindset and culture of the students and staff members will progress for the better.

Sincerely, Denise Subryan

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

The assessment of Sooba The reality of vagrants worldwide is not reflective of fairness Dear Editor, The Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan and his colleague Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes have taken umbrage with the appointment of the acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba to the substantive post.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) continues to take offence and has called the appointment unconstitutional and the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) has challenged the government to rescind the appointment.

The decision the interviewing panel reached pertaining to the interview of Sooba for the position of town clerk cannot stand up to the principle of fairness. One of the members of

the interviewing panel was the Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene.

Chase-Greene had a vested interest in the removal of the acting town clerk. The deputy mayor was at the forefront when the council brought a no-confident motion against the acting town clerk. She was also at the forefront of the protest on Regent Street, Georgetown.

Hence, the assessment of Sooba is not reflective of a fair mind. Any decision the interviewing panel has reached is null and void.

Ramjattan labelled the recent appointment of Sooba as town clerk as an act of “executive lawlessness”.

Does the AFC leader address his mind to the principle of fairness when he gives his opinion? If he did not, he is definitely found to

be wanting as a leader. If he did, is it not lawlessness to give an opinion that is not consistent with one’s training and academic brilliance?

Hughes appears to be invoking racism in the appointment of the town clerk and her leader Ramjattan concurs. I would give Hughes and Ramjattan the benefit of the doubt that they are not cognisant of the ethnic make up of the M&CC. Both Hughes and Ramjattan would have a very compact calendar, given the Christmas season, or as some would label it, commercial season. But it would be refreshing if they could stop by at City Hall and see the ethnic make up for themselves.

Yours truly, Pitchan Bharat

Upgrading the service that taxi drivers offers Dear Editor, The use of taxi services as a means of getting from one destination to another has grown quite popular in Guyana over the years.

Additionally, many believe that car pooling is a more economic means of transportation.

However, criminals have begun to see taxis and their passengers as a new target.

Car hijacking is becoming so common that it raises great concern for those who frequently utilise taxi services.

Just recently, a 22-yearold was attacked by a couple who attempted and succeeded in stealing his new car.

He was sprayed in the face

with pepper spray and was subsequently forced out of his vehicle. The authorities have been unable to trace the stolen car.

Ideally, taxi cabs should not allow for passengers to sit upfront with the driver. Instead, the car should permit for the driver to be physically separated from the passengers by means of some form of a glass divider.

The physical barrier should be able to provide the driver with some amount of safety and the ability to monitor a hijacking situation.

Additionally, many cars these days are being made with elaborate, attractive gadgets and parts. As a driv-

er, I think that we should make it our interest to invest in some form of remote device that is capable of shutting down and locking the vehicle in the event of it being hijacked.

I must commend patrolling officers for carrying out routine checks to ensure that drivers possess the relevant vehicle documents and also to ensure that there are no signs of criminal intent.

The presence of police on the roadways can greatly minimise the occurrence of car hijacking and other criminal activities.

Sincerely, Elton Gomes

Youths have to be properly indoctrinated

Dear Editor, The Rights of the Child Commission, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently hosted a workshop with the aim of gathering the views of children and youths nationwide on the issue of inclusion.

Personally, I believe that we are taking the wrong approach in addressing our youths today. Instead of looking at it from the angle that questions why they behave the way they behave, we should instead be finding means of preventing or curbing these unwanted behavioural patterns that are trending.

Barring cases of exception, youths should be trained and brought up in a proper

manner. From an early age, whether at home, in school or even at work, youths should be taught about responsibility, limits should be established, misbehaviour should be confronted with dignity, consequences should be faced for poor judgment and they should also develop a sense of remorse and show of a change of heart.

As parents and guardians, it is our responsibility to teach our children to do the right things and to acquire proper habits. They need our guidance in order to blossom into responsible adults. They need to be taught to have respect for not only others, but also themselves. Although we want them to pursue their own well-being, we also

want them to be considerate of the needs and feelings of others around them.

A general observation will allow us to see that many youths are preoccupied with means of mass communication and other electronic devices. Additionally, they are manifesting disrespect for parents, employers and other adults; and they also lack accountability for school assignments, tardiness and general mannerism.

As the ones responsible for steering and guiding our youths in a right direction, we must take the steps to ensure that we provide a fixed framework for our children to be nurtured in.

Sincerely, Joshua Sinclair

Dear Editor, Just recently in New York, a homeless Guyanese man pushed an elderly individual off a train station platform. Luckily, the victim was fortunate enough to be rescued before the train came, but is currently hospitalised and his condition is said to be quite critical. The assailant is currently being held in custody as investigations are ongoing.

Like most countries, these vagrants can be seen scouring around the city for whatever little shelter, food and money they can acquire. However, the key difference between this problem in Guyana as compared to other countries like the United State of America and

Canada is that they make a concerted effort to remove homeless people in order to minimise the possibility of any form of vandalism or attack on the public.

Several incidents have occurred in Guyana where vagrants have posed a threat to society. Not so long ago, a mentally challenged man entered a school compound and proceeded to physically threaten the teachers and students. Police officers had to shoot him in order for him to stand down.

Several people have been physically assaulted and some even killed by the unpredictable attacks of vagrants.

Additionally, rarely anything substantial ever comes out of these investigations.

I strongly recommend that the Guyanese government take some cue from the U.S. government as it relates to addressing this growing issue. We must accept that some of the problems we face in Guyana are also encountered worldwide.

Many people believe that migrating to the U.S.A. will offer them the perfect life, but many of them also fail to realise that although the U.S.A. may offer better benefits, they also have their own share of challenges. As Guyanese, we should learn to appreciate our land before venturing out onto foreign territories.

Respectfully, Pearl Jaikarran

Drama on the rise once again

Dear Editor, This year’s National Drama Festival has come to an end and I must say that it was truly amazing and different. At its closure, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony opined that this year’s festival brought significant improvement with it.

I was fortunate to speak to a member of one of the winning groups and he suggested that the plays be performed at schools throughout Guyana and that it

would aid in boosting drama in our school systems.

Additionally, it may be a wise idea to create a compilation of our very own Guyanese playwrights and have them made available to the public.

As it relates to the publicity given to our local productions, it is imperative that we ensure that the media provides good coverage of the events. Also, I strongly believe that more promotional pieces should have be aired leading up to the date

of the event.

I wish our many aspiring writers and performers all the best in their venture along the road of performing arts. We must also keep in mind that drama doesn’t necessarily have to be done along competitive lines; it can be done for fun. Either way, it will provide our writers the opportunity to express creativity.

Yours truly, Farzana Roshan Mohamed

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

How to find Gift ideas for teachers a family to help this Christmas memorable for teachers as the child can write them a personal message.

Print off one of our card designs, and your child can go to town decorating – use paints, colouring pens, sparkly bits or whatever their imagination draws them to.

Christmas decorations

Why not make something that they can hang on the tree, or decorate their home with? Its something they can keep, and your child will love creating them. Perhaps make a few for your own home too!

W

hether to give a Christmas gift to your child’s teacher can be a controversial subject, as discussions in our coffeehouse have shown! However, if you would like to show your appreciation by giving a gift, there’s no need for it to cost the earth. Here are just a few ideas to get your started.

Biscuits and cookies

Who doesn’t like a biscuit to dunk in their tea? There are so many ways to make biscuits festive and they’re a delicious and thoughtful Christmas treat. Have a browse around for different Christmassy biscuit cutters, stock up on edible sparkles and you’re away.

Homemade coasters

The perfect addition to any teacher’s desk! Buy some cork coasters (they don’t cost very much at all) and transform them into beautiful sets.

You can cut out and use

Goodie jars

pretty pictures to glue onto them, use wahsi tape to make patterns, paint them (here we used masking tape to make stripes) or even print photos to stick onto them. Cover with varnish (two coats works best) and tie a set of four or six with ribbon to make a pretty gift.

Sweet treats

Why not make a batch of scrumptious sweets or truffles. You can make a big batch, so they’re a great idea if you have more than one teacher you need to give to. Gift wrapped up, they look lovely and show real thought. Plus your child will love making them – and scoffing a few along the way, no doubt!

Homemade cards

Keep it simple and give a homemade card.

These can be especially

Another idea for a sweettooth!

Save old jam jars (or you can buy empty ones from supermarkets and craft shops quite cheaply) and fill with an array of goodies – you can fill with sweets, bath bombs, bath salts, spices, peppercorns. Once filled add a cir-

cle of pretty fabric to place over the lid and secure with ribbon. You can make pretty labels too if you like.

Christmas crafts

Get crafty and make something that will make your child’s teacher smile.

We’ve loads of ideas for Christmas crafts. Make them a lovely Christmas picture and pop in a frame, or create a card design. Or why not make them something lovely to pop on their desk.

Get baking!

Why not whip up a batch of festive cakes for the staff room. This is a great idea if there’s more than one teacher that your child would like to give a gift to. Your child can go to town with Christmassy decorations, and they’ll go down a storm at break time!

Shop-bought gift ideas

* Sometimes there just isn’t the time to make a gift with your child. Don’t worry! We have some ideas that your teacher is sure to love. * A pretty notebook * A lovely Christmas tree decoration, which you can put in a nice box or gift bag * Some packets of mixed nuts, tied together with a festive ribbon and placed in a gift bag * A packet of ‘posh’ tea, coffee or hot chocolate (a treat at break time!) (Netmums)

C

hristmas is a wonderful opportunity to help others.

While your help is appreciated at Christmas, keep in mind that this article applies to anytime you want to reach out to others. Remember, “need has no season”! * Many charity places, such as Christian groups, Help and Shelter, and the Salvation Army, look for hosts for families in need. Many times, these are the best places to look to donate to a family. * You can also check online or churches in your area – they usually maintain a list of charities/groups that need items. * Sometimes malls or large stores such as Target will have an “Angel Tree” with spe-

cific requests to be given to specific children; you take the paper angel, buy and wrap the item, and bring it back with the angel attached to be given to the child. If you wish to just donate canned goods, the same groups accept those to give to families in need in your area! By helping those in need, you are helping to build a better and strong community! (WikiHow) Tips * Sometimes you might know a person at school who needs some help.

Don’t tell them that you are helping them, say it is a surprise. Then, they won’t be stubborn and think you are teasing them for a weird reason. * Try to imagine what would be most welcome to a person in need; put yourself in their place and try to imagine what would be welcome and helpful. For example, an adult in the family would probably really welcome a new pair of shoes more than a package of expensive candy. Low-income parents can rarely afford to buy themselves much needed shoes, since they’re struggling to make ends meet for their children. Hey, maybe both shoes and candy as a treat! Or a new perfume or lotion, hairbrush, etc. * Only donate non-perishable items, please.

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tuesday, december 10, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Granger hails impressive Hinds signs book Lusignan learning centre of condolences

Opposition Leader David Granger and directors of the centre pose in front of the institution

O

pposition Leader, retired Brigadier David Granger on Monday visited the Lusignan-Good Hope Learning Centre and hailed the institution’s programmes as impressive.

The centre, which was established in 2009 by Sandra Shivdat and her brother, Noel Naraine, caters for the learning and developmental needs of more than 135

children from the LusignanGood Hope communities.

Centre director Sandra Shivdat, a New Jersey-based accountant, told the opposition leader that the main reasons for opening the facility were the acute poverty and alarming rates of illiteracy plaguing the area.

According to Shivdat, the centre, which was built by private funds raised by fam-

ily members and overseas donors, was not intended to replace schools, but to supplement them.

The primary emphasis at the learning centre is literacy and numeracy and toward this end there are six classes held daily, a release from the opposition leader’s office said. Starting at 12:00 noon, these early classes cater for school dropouts; then

there are after-school programmes from 14:30h until 17:00h. Computer classes are held in the centre’s computer lab on Saturdays.

Other services provided at the centre include medical care to those in need, along with free meals, clothing and school supplies.

Director Shivdat wants the centre to be a sanctuary, a place children would want to come to, “a place not only for learning, but a safe haven for those who come from broken or abusive homes. I do not want to be their parents, I want them to be better; I want them to move forward, and education is the way forward.”

Brigadier Granger said that he was very impressed with the work of the centre and thanked Shivdat and her brother l for their commitment and the contribution they were making towards providing a better life for the children of the community. He noted that the drop-out rate was not sustainable, as a child drops out of the school system in Guyana every hour and many more were failing at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Religious leaders celebrate Mandela in Nevada

Various religious leaders of Nevada and other participants after the multi-faith service for Mandela in Reno Buddhist Centre

L

eaders of various religions and denominations gathered on December 8 in Reno, Nevada in the United States in memory of Nobel laureate Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who died at age 95 on December 5 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The multi-faith service, hosted at the Reno Buddhist Centre, included prayers and reflections by Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish and Baha’i leaders, among others.

In his remarks, Universal Society of Hinduism President Rajan Zed, who coordinated the event, said, with Mandela’s death, the world had lost someone unique and brave, whose vision of humanity embraced all peoples and set a milestone for the world with his efforts in pluralism, common ground, equality, colour-blindness, and coexistence.

“Mandela, who symbolised the victory of the human spirit, made huge contributions towards creation of a just society and pursuance of social justice,” Zed said.

In addition to Zed, other speakers at the service included the Roman

Catholic Diocese of Reno Bishop Randolph R Calvo; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Quorum of the 70 Member George Marion Keele; Abdulrahim Barghouthi of Northern Nevada Muslim Community (NNMC); Matthew Fisher; and Shelley Fisher of Reno Buddhist Centre; Jewish Temple Sinai Rabbi Ethan Bair; Congregational Church of Reno Pastor Richard L Smith; Trinity Episcopal Church Associate for Parish Life Rick Millsap; William John Wynn II of International Church Fellowship; and Baha’i teachers Roya Galata and Mary Jo Adams.

Martina Young performed an African prayer dance, while Jim Eaglesmith did an African healing chant with Djembe drum. Joseph E Johnson led “The Johnson Family” of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in singing the hymn, “Nearer my God to thee”.

Meryl Wynn of the International Church Fellowship, who is related to Mandela, spoke about her personal experiences with him. Sherif A Elfass, NNMC president, was also present.

for Mandela

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds signing the book of condolences for the former South African President Nelson Mandela at the National Cultural Centre

A

cting President Samuel Hinds on Monday signed the book of condolences for the late Nelson Mandela, at the National Cultural Centre.

Hinds reminisced on the freedom which Mandela fought for during his time on Earth. “I think for persons who have been reading about apartheid would know that the world holds him responsible for bringing about the ending of apartheid in a humane way.”

Hinds urged that as human beings, we should to try to settle our differences peacefully and avoid any hostility. “The way in which we are challenged, there should be no differences that we cannot settle as human beings as brothers and

sisters.”

University of Guyana Bursar and member of the Forbes Burnham Foundation, Vincent Alexander, along with several members of the said foundation, also paid tribute by signing the book.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Director Elizabeth Harper and Sir Shridath Ramphal also signed the book of condolences. Mandela died on Thursday, the December 5, peacefully in the company of his family at their home in Johannesburg. The great leader will be put to rest on Sunday, December 15. The book of condolences will be at the National Cultural Centre for persons interested in signing over the next few days.

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tuesday, december 10, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Sawmill supervisor’s alleged murderer appears in court

T

he alleged murderer of a Land of Canaan, East Coast Demerara sawmill supervisor made his first court appearance on Monday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Twenty-eight-year-old Raymond Shawn Tyson, of 43 Calidarran Road, Soesdyke, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that between May 27 and 28, at Land of Canaan, he murdered Kemraj Singh, also called “Tony” or “Fineman”.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that Singh’s death stemmed from a previous disagreement. It was discovered by his employer that a BlackBerry Curve cellphone was stolen.

The BlackBerry Messenger plan of the phone was activated and it was later discovered that the accused was in possession of the cellphone.

Tyson was seen by his former reputed wife with the cellphone on May 28. He later pawned the phone to her sister who gave it to her husband. The phone was re-

trieved and the accused was arrested, questioned and denied killing Singh. He also refused to say anything about how he came to be in possession of the phone.

Tyson was represented

by Attorney Nigel Hughes, who claimed that his client was framed.

The attorney said after his client terminated the relationship with his former girlfriend, she was not pleased. He, however, remained in the village and after the incident occurred, Tyson was not contacted by the police, Hughes added.

Tyson then went into the interior to work.

Ten days after his return, he was arrested by a police officer who was allegedly seen with Tyson’s former lover. Attorney Hughes also alleged that his client’s friends were contacted, threatened, and intimidated by officers not to give evidence. He said that the ‘alibi witness’ has fled the village out of fear and asked that he not be interviewed by the aforementioned officer, but by another officer.

The matter stands adjourned to March 3.

Lusignan woman remanded for narcotics possession

A

37-year-old woman from Grass Field, Lusignan was remanded to prison after she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, charged for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Standing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court One, Banmattie Persaud entered a not-guilty plea to the charge which stated that on November 30 at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), she was in possession of 12.330 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit Special Prosecutor Oswald Massiah told the court that Persaud usually ships vegetables and fruits to Canada.

During the month of November, she made arrangements with a shipper who she had used before to export some produce to Canada. She had asked him to uplift some of the produce from Bourda Market and she would acquire the rest, including boulangers from the East Coast Demerara and Berbice. It was then decided that they would both take what he had obtained to Timehri where they would

combine the two sets of produce to be shipped.

At the airport, CANU ranks decided to do a 100 per cent check on the boxes, but by then, Persaud had left after paying her shipping fees.

When the officer held up the first boulanger, the top came off in his hand and it was revealed that the inside of the vegetable was hollowed out and filled with a transparent bag of cocaine. Further checks were conducted on the rest of the boulangers and it was discovered that they all contained the illegal substance.

The shipper was told of the suspicions and the entire

shipment was taken back to CANU headquarters. An investigation was conducted and the ranks were led to the defendant’s house, but she was not there. Five days later, a wanted bulletin was issued for her, and she was brought in by an attorney.

Attorney Roxford Jackson made an appearance on behalf of Persaud. He told the court that she is the mother of three children and made a request for a trial date.

The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Courts where it will be heard before the magistrate there on December 11.

Eyew tness Kicking and screaming...

T

...to be town clerk he administration of the city of Georgetown has to be one of the most labyrinthine and bizarre in the annals of governance. Right off the bat, there’s a Mayor Hamilton Green who’s been able to hold on to power for almost 20 years...even though the city has long gone to the dogs under his watch. As can be seen whenever it rains cats and dogs – as it did for a few hours last week.

The said mayor has worked out a very simple strategy that protects him like Teflon to any criticism: just “blame the government”. One wonders why there’s any distinction between “central government” and “municipalities”.

But the man knows the psychology of the voters... since they mostly support the opposition, his passing the buck to the government falls on fertile ground. He can then maintain his peripatetic lifestyle, advising cities across the globe on moral revival. The immorality of his presiding over a city drowning in filth obviously escapes him.

The town council is cut from similar cloth...more concerned with securing their sinecures and perks rather than getting on with the business of the city. But what beats everything is the office of the town clerk.

Now this is an official who’s appointed by the Local Government Ministry...and has clearly delineated duties and responsibilities. The Lord Mayor, not surprisingly, is not comfortable with the incumbent of this position – being that he or she is from the “enemy camp” as far as he’s concerned. Carol Sooba is certainly not the first town clerk that’s earned the mayor’s ire. Remember Beulah Williams?

So we arrive at the present contretemps over who’s qualified or not to become a town clerk. After Sooba was once again selected, the City Hall Public Relations Officer (PRO) Royston King, who’s a sycophantic supporter of the Lord Mayor, is threatening to sue because he didn’t get the job. He’s not only going to sue the committee that vetted him, but he’s also going after his union. Seems they didn’t represent him vigorously enough. One wonders what the union could’ve done in a job interview.

We wonder on what grounds he’s going to sue. That he was discriminated against as a male? This would be a nice twist to the unsavoury soap opera to which City Hall has been reduced. Surely, it couldn’t be “paper qualifications”, which seem to be the big objection against Sooba.

One pretentious literary wannabe derided her “College of Preceptors” achievement. Seems that didn’t include “trigonometry and quadratics, dangling modifiers and ablative case”. Gasp!!! Without being able to deploy dangling modifiers, how the heck did she ever think she could be town clerk? ...for cricket stadium We’re really living in a surreal world. Look at the latest development in the Bourda brouhaha. The executives of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) said they didn’t initiate discussions with the principals of the local Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) franchise on the development of their grounds to International Cricket Council (ICC) standards.

But in the same breath they asserted the entire executive should’ve been involved. So, what is it? The executive didn’t initiate discussions? Or is it that maybe the entire executive wasn’t in the discussion? This is a horse of a whole different colour.

But what makes the whole episode even more weird is even after the local LCPL franchise owner announced he wasn’t interested in going forward – because of the politics being played by some executives...the GCC is “still considering the proposal”.

The shameful truth is they’re caught in the same web of lies they spun and now they want to extricate themselves. Do they really think they’ll drag the local LCPL rep kicking and screaming to an agreement? ...for transparency The local Transparency International marched Monday against corruption. We wondered if they marched against those accountants who blackmail companies into hiring them after scandalising them in the press.

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TUESday, december 10, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Court grants appeal: Corentyne GAWU's credit girls will not head to NOC union rakes in $16M surplus

The three teenage girls who were ordered to spend four years at the New Opportunity Corps

T

he three teenage girls who were ordered to spend four years at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) have had their sentencing put on hold following the intervention of Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

On Monday, a lawyer moved to the High Court

and appealed the judgement handed down by Magistrate Rabindra Singh. The girls aged 15, 13, and 11 were represented by Attorney Adrian Anamayah.

After listening to the grounds of the appeal, the presiding judge returned the matter to the Whim

Magistrate’s Court where the girls were discharged on selfbail.

They have since been placed in the care of the Canaan Children’s Home at Port Mourant, Berbice where they are resting comfortably after spending three nights in the Albion lock-ups.

The girls were released into the custody of Sydney Kennard after another citizen who campaigned for their release, Poonai Bhigroog, also signed for them.

The three girls, who were sentenced on the charge of wandering, have refuted claims of them running away from the Camal International Home.

They said they were being ill-treated at the home and when they refused to do whatever they were told to do, the caretaker would verbally and physically abuse them and also limit their food.

The girls said they had to go to the home of the caretaker to do her housework when they came home from school. The girls had made an appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court unrepresented last Monday, where the sentence was handed down by the magistrate.

Brumell orders probe into deadly shootout at Grove – cites conflicting reports from ranks, residents his son was shot thrice to the head allegedly at close range.

Attempts to make contact with relatives of Bascom proved futile. Based on records, he was charged last year for the armed robbery committed on a Diamond businesswoman.

Bibi Samaroo was shot to her right shoulder and pelvis by a group of men who carted off $25,000. He was subsequently released in $1.8 million bail. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

By Bhisham Mohamed

A

mid conflicting accounts as to what led to the killing of two suspected bandits by police early Sunday morning at Grove, East Bank Demerara, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell has announced that a full investigation has been launched by the force.

The investigation is being conducted by the Office for Professional Responsibility (OPR) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Brumell told media operatives that the OPR and CID have been ordered to conduct investigations into the conflicting reports, which surfaced hours after the shooting. The conflicting reports stemmed from a press statement issued by the Guyana Police Force, which suggested that the men were approaching on foot when one of them pulled out a handgun and opened fire on ranks and in retaliation they returned fire, killing the two men.

But according to media reports, Paul Bascom of Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD, and Alberto Grant of Meadow Brook, Georgetown were actually killed in the yard of the businessman and were removed by undertakers some four hours later.

Commenting on the issue, Brumell said he had no new information with respect to the shooting but was hoping to get some soon. He said once information is available, he will brief the media.

When asked for a com-

Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell

ment on the contradictions between the police report and those of the villagers, he confirmed that the men were shot in the businessman’s yard.

“The men were approaching on foot in the yard and the police challenged them, because the police were also in the yard,” the police chief added.

Tip-off

The two men were allegedly planning to invade the property of the miner.

In a statement, police disclosed that they were acting on information received that a robbery was planned hence, ranks staked out the area at Golden Grove.

The police added that a .38 snub-nose revolver with two live rounds and two spent shells, along with one 9mm round and two 7.62 x 39 rounds were recovered at the scene.

Dead bandit: Paul Bascom

The father of Alberto Grant, when contacted, stated that his son was killed a few houses from where he worked. He said he was not sure exactly how his son was killed owing to the conflicting reports, but was sure that he was not a bandit.

He told Guyana Times on Monday that his son was a Muslim and worked during the Christmas season to earn some extra money.

He also noted that the businessman knew his son and they would talk periodically. Grant was also baffled as to how his son and the other man got into the businessman’s yard, claiming that the fence is high and the property is protected by dogs. His son, he added, was talented and worked hard for his money. During the conversation, the man told Guyana Times that he was making arrangements for his son’s funeral. He said that from information received,

T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Cooperative Credit Union Society Limited has raked in a surplus of over $16 million for last year, the union disclosed on Monday.

According to a release, GAWU’s 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the credit union was successfully held on Sunday at the union’s headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown.

The gathering comprised mainly of the society’s membership in the sugar belt who heard the report of the Committee of Management which reviewed the work of the society since the 19th AGM. The report of the auditor on the society’s financial affairs for the calendar year 2012 was tendered. There was also the report of the three-person Supervisory Committee.

The audit report prepared by audit firm, Parmesar, at the instance of the Labour Ministry Cooperative Division, disclosed that the society raked in a surplus of $16,261,998 for 2012.

The sum of $3,252,400 was assigned to the

Statutory Reserve Fund and the sum of $1,626,200 was allocated to the Audit and Supervision Fund, which is remitted to the Labour Ministry Cooperatives Division. Both payments are by statutory requirements By resolutions, the AGM also approved $9,154,005 as dividend and $2,140,501 as interest rebate to members of the society. The sum of $88,893 was credited to the Social and Entertainment Fund.

The new Management Committee elected to manage the society’s business until the next AGM comprises Bevon Sinclair, Charles Cadogan, Harvey Tambron, Aslim Singh, Julius Nurse, Gaietri Baron, Sattie Basdeo, Richard DeFretias, Bhikram Singh, Seepaul Narine and Rooplall Persaud.

When the first meeting of the Management Committee is convened, within the next two weeks, the chairman, the secretary and the treasurer of the society will be elected. The AGM also elected Kavita Bishun, Hugh Caines and Narda Mohamed to serve on the Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, December 10, 2013

News

FAO lauds Nelson Mandela as champion of right to food

“W

e have lost one of the world’s passionate defenders of the right to food,” said Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General José Graziano da Silva, on learning of the death of Nelson Mandela, former South Africa president.

“As a true champion of human rights, Nelson Mandela understood that the hunger of millions of people was unjust and unsustainable,” said the FAO director general.

“At FAO, we have been inspired over the years

by Mandela’s repeated calls to address hunger and the many social and economic ills that either led to hunger or resulted from a lack of access to food in a world of relative plenty,” said Graziano da Silva.

“Mandela understood

Former South African President Nelson Mandela

that a hungry man, woman or child could not be truly free. He understood that eliminating hunger

was not so much a question of producing more food as it was a matter of making the political com-

mitment to ensure that people had access to the resources and services they needed to buy or produce enough safe and nutritious food.”

Since 2009, the United Nations has observed Mandela’s birthday, July 18, as Nelson Mandela International Day. Graziano da Silva said it was fitting that the South African government had chosen to highlight food security and nutrition issues in celebrating Mandela’s 95th birthday this year, even though the former president and anti-apartheid activist had been too ill to participate.

“Mandela has been an inspiration to me in 30 years of work to improve food security in the world, and he will continue to inspire our work at FAO,” Graziano da Silva said.

“We owe him a debt of thanks for speaking out on hunger. More importantly, we owe it to the 842 million people in the world who suffer from chronic hunger to redouble our efforts to eliminate hunger in our lifetimes.”

De Mook want Christmas, but not New Year

M

ook Lall is a man, or so dem boys who seh dem is boys does tell people, who like to cuss down people. Any body who he want to bring down does get a cuss down. De Mook does cuss down from Harry Wright down to Harry Wrang. That is normal fuh someone wid a big mouth and only lil bit brains. It does sound just like how a old woman does cuss down when she get vex, especially if is another old woman mek she get vex.

Is just like how deputy mayor de old Green Case does sound when she cussin down de town clerk Carol Sober.

Green Case cuss down does be a long cuss down. De more Green Case cuss down, de more garbage does leff down pun de road in GT de garbage town. Green Case neither de mayor-fuh-life Green Ham don’t cuss down bout de garbage though. When Green Ham ready, he does cuss down just like de Mook. After all, de mayor-fuh-life also got limited brains just like de Mook.

Unlike Green Case, one of dem boys who seh dem is boys seh it ain’t got any woman around to get de Mook vex. Is only man does get he so vex, especially when is a man who better than he. And it ain’t tek much fuh be better than de Mook. So is no wonder de Mook does cuss anybody, including de headitor.

One of dem reporters pun Saffon Street seh de headitor does have to run when de Mook seh walk and jump when de Mook seh run. But de headitor only waitin fuh time. He tell de reporter he know de Mook mouth gon get cold soon, and that is when all cuss down gon turn to kneel down.

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

That gon be when de Mook go in front de judge in New York next year. So de Mook gettin excited bout Christmas, but he don’t want New Year to come!

Guyana among most generous countries on Earth

By CATHERINE RAMPELL

G

uyana has been ranked the 16th most-generous country on earth, according to a new ranking from Gallup’s World Giving Index.

The index is based on surveys and other research on 153 different countries, which together constitute about 95 per cent of the world’s population. The survey asks in part about charitable behaviour, including donations, volunteering habits and taking time to help strangers.

Based on this index, Australia and New Zealand are tied as the most generous nations on earth.

The top 21 most generous countries, in order, are Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland, the U.S., Netherlands, Britain, Sri Lanka, Austria, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Sierra Leone, Malta, Iceland, Turkmenistan, Guyana, Qatar, Hong Kong,

Germany, Denmark and Guinea Gallup’s analysis of the data found that giving money is more strongly correlated with happiness than with a nation’s gross domestic product.

“It would be reasonable to conclude that giving is more an emotional act than a rational one,” the

report said.

Among the other findings, age and gender affected generous behaviours. Globally, giving money to charity increases with age, largely explained by changes in disposable income. Women are generally more likely to give than men, the report said.

(New York Times)

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, DEcEMBER 10, 2013

GPSU pickets OP Reduction of poverty over wage increase slows down in Latin

America – ECLAC T

S

Public servants during Monday’s picketing exercise in front of the Office of the President

everal members of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) held a peaceful picket in front of the Office of the President on Monday, demanding a proper explanation as to the reasons government is imposing a five per cent increase on public servants.

Nurses, clerks and typists were among the several categories of public sector workers who joined GPSU executives in the peaceful picketing exercise, calling for a reasonable increase.

The picketers chanted and displayed placards with various slogans including “Five per cent can’t work”, “We want 25 cent”, “Five per cent equals starvation” and “We need more”.

GPSU President Patrick Yarde said the next move is dependent on the response the union receives from government. He said the GPSU plans to intensify the protest if they do not get a positive response.

Tremendous efforts Yarde said he has made tremendous efforts to reach out to the government, allowing them the opportunity to meet and discuss the concerns and issues before decisions are made.

However, to date, the government, he said has not responded to the GPSU’s invitation and went to the extent of breaking the collective bargaining agreement.

Further, Yarde noted that in the first explanation given to the public about the five per cent increased imposed on public servants, was that it was caused by the 2013 budget cuts.

However, based on further investigation, it was realised that this was not the true reason. The government is now saying that they cannot afford more than five per cent because the money set aside for that was utilised for promotions and paying additional staff. The GPSU president believes that such an explanation is an insult to the intelligence of many persons, who know differently. He said the budget cuts dealt with the expenditure and not revenue.

All the revenues that the government placed in the annual budget were approved.

“It is insulting to one’s intelligence when they are told that and when the president signed the Appropriation Act; that was a done deal, the money was there. Now you hear another explanation. We want to see the evidence. Fifteen per cent is not adequate but we are willing to accept that,” he added.

The trade union leader also chastised the government for dragging its feet on the issue and now looking to address it, while imposing a five per cent increase.

Let the public judge “I am asking the public to judge, let them be the judge, let them tell us we are unreasonable and if not, let them join with us. You think I’m proud to bring nurses here when people need medical attention… I’m not, but they are human beings too and they have a right to certain things.

We are going to keep the pressure a bit… we are not anxious to intensify to a full-scale strike, but we are prepared to do it if necessary.”

Meanwhile, Alliance

For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan said in the 2013 budget, allocation was made to have public servants receive an increase between 10 to 15 per cent and not a mere five per cent.

Ramjattan, who also joined with the GPSU in the picketing exercise, said now that the blame has been shifted from budget cuts causing the need for the imposition of a five per cent increase, an explanation is needed to state why some $4.4 billion is being utilised for promotions and paying salaries for additional staff.

“I think there is some scam because they’ve used the money for some slush fund to deal with other expenditures probably which we cut in the budget; that is not how you treat your public servants.”

The AFC leader said once money is budgeted and approved for increases, to a certain extent, the money must go there.

Exclusive authority The executive branch, he said does not have exclusive authority over the revenues.

Revenues are controlled by the National Assembly which is comprised of all elected officials.

“They are not listening, they do not want to regard the legislative branch as that has exclusive authority over the purse and the national treasury,” he added.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader David Granger shared similar sentiments and said he will raise this issue at the next sitting of the National Assembly, which is scheduled to reconvene on Thursday.

he number of Latin American people living in poverty in 2013 climbed to around 164 million (27.9 per cent of the population), 68 million of whom are in extreme poverty (11.5 per cent of the region’s inhabitants), according to projections that the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) released Monday.

Although a decline in poverty and extreme poverty rates was seen in the region in 2012 (falling 1.4 and 0.3 percentage points, respectively, in comparison with 2011), the pace of that decrease has slowed sharply after a decade of progress, stated the Social Panorama of Latin America 2013 report, presented in Santiago, Chile.

In absolute terms, poverty remained stable in 2013 compared to 2012, when 164 million people were counted among the ranks of the poor, although the percentage of the population in this situation fell slightly (0.3 percentage point). In contrast, the number of extreme poor, which totalled 66 million in 2012, climbed to 68 million in 2013 (a 0.2 percentage point increase).

These results are closely related to the macroeconomic performance of the region, the document says. More specifically, the increase in extreme poverty has been caused by rising food costs that outpace general inflation.

Economic changes “Since 2002, poverty in Latin America has fallen 15.7 percentage points and extreme poverty 8.0 points, but recent figures show a slowdown. The only acceptable number of people living in poverty is zero, which is why we call on countries to carry out structural economic changes to achieve sustained growth with greater equality,” said ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena.

Six of 11 countries with available information in 2012 showed reductions in their poverty levels compared to 2011. In Venezuela, the rate fell 5.6 percentage points to 23.9 per cent from 29.5 per

ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena

cent; in Ecuador, it declined to 32.2 per cent from 35.3 per cent; in Brazil, to 18.6 per cent from 20.9 per cent; in Peru, to 25.8 per cent from 27.8 per cent; in Argentina, to 4.3 per cent from 5.7 per cent, and in Colombia, to 32.9 per cent from 34.2 per cent of the population.

In Costa Rica, El Salvador, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic, the values kept constant in comparison with 2011. In Mexico, poverty rose slightly in 2012 to 37.1 per cent from 36.3 per cent a year earlier.

In this edition of the Social Panorama report, ECLAC has explored the use of multidimensional approaches to evaluate poverty, which complements the conventional measurements based on monetary income.

Basic needs “A multidimensional measurement of poverty limited to unsatisfied basic needs shows that shortages like the lack of access to drinking water or to appropriate sanitation systems still affect a significant number of people in the region. That makes one wonder if the public policies intended to overcome poverty put enough emphasis on the achievement of minimum standards,” says the report, which also analyses the evolution of child poverty from a rights perspective.

In a similar vein, the report analyses three aspects of

well-being – space, time, and co-existence, which tend to be ignored in discussions about Latin America. It examines problems such as atmospheric pollution and the high murder rate, as well as the use of time and other matters.

Regarding income distribution, although the level of concentration rose slightly in some countries in 2012, overall the downward trend continued to hold firm after a decade. In spite of this, high inequality still defines the region in the international context.

On average, the poorest quintile of the population (20 per cent of households with the lowest incomes) gets just five per cent of a country’s total income, with extremes ranging from less than four per cent in Honduras, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic, to 10 per cent in Uruguay. Meanwhile, the share of the wealthiest quintile is 47 per cent on average, with that percentage rising from 35 per cent in Uruguay to 55 per cent in Brazil.

Social spending In matters of public social spending, the 2011 figures and the limited data available from 2012 (mainly from budgets, not layouts) suggest a trend of relative contraction, which does not necessarily mean an absolute reduction in the resources allotted to social areas, but does signal attempts to curb the expansion of social spending and thereby bolster public finances.

The report points out that social spending showed accelerated growth in the second half of the 2000s, above all due to policies aimed at easing the impact of external shocks.

Finally, ECLAC confirms that the affiliation of employees to health and pension schemes has grown in the region (in different magnitudes and from different starting points), revealing positive dynamics in the job market.

Nevertheless, it is still very low and relatively stagnant in some countries, and the lower the average affiliation rate, the more income is concentrated.

Miner shot during Port Kaituma robbery O ne miner is nursing a gunshot wound to his right thigh following an armed robbery along a trail at Hymakuru Backdam, Port Kaituma, North West District on Sunday evening. The incident occurred about 22:00h.

Eon Bourne, 30, of One Mile, Port Kaituma, was admitted to the Port Kaituma Hospital and is said to be in stable condition. Based on reports received, Francis Mc Pherson, 38, of Lime

Street, Georgetown, and Bourne were travelling on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) along the Hymakuru Backdam when they were intercepted and held up by two men armed with handguns.

During the ordeal, the gunmen reportedly ordered the miners to hand over the gold that they were carrying at the time. Mc Pherson and Bourne were reportedly reluctant to hand over the metal, and one of the

gunmen threatened to shoot Bourne – a threat which was ignored.

Shortly after, a loud sound was heard and suddenly, Bourne fell to the ground holding his thigh as he cried out for pain. The gunmen then turned their attention to Mc Pherson, one of them placed a gun to his head, and relieved him of the gold.

They then made good their escape on another ATV. Guyana Times un-

derstands that the men might have been set up, as the bandits were aware that the men were bringing gold out of the backdam to sell. Police have launched a probe into the robbery, but no one has yet been arrested.

In November, gunmen carried out a similar brazen robbery on El Dorado Gold Trading Company, which operates in Port Kaituma, carting off 96 ounces of raw gold valued at $22 million

and $71 million cash.

According to reports, two workers were in the building when they began feeling drowsy, which ultimately led to one of them falling asleep. After a few minutes, two men invaded the office and terrorised the two staff members, causing them bodily injuries.

It was reported that after the Georgetown office could not make contact with the men, an instruction was handed down for

persons in the area to visit the office and check on them.

Upon arriving, it was observed that the two men were both unconscious and bound. There were visible marks of violence on their faces and heads. Upon further checking, the money and gold were missed. Four persons, including an employee – the alleged mastermind, were subsequently charged for the heist.

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tuesday, December 10, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Guyana, Suriname to participate in OIC foreign ministers meeting

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uyana and Suriname are expected to participate in the 40th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers meeting, which begins Monday in Conakry, Guinea, under the theme “Dialogue of Civilisations: Factor of Peace and Sustainable Development”.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who was in Indonesia last week to attend the ninth World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting, will be in Conakry to attend the OIC meeting.

Dr Anwar S Lall Mohamed, ambassadorat-large and coordinator of OIC affairs will represent Suriname on behalf of Foreign Minister Winston Lackin, who is in South Africa.

There will be a special ministerial session on the city of Jerusalem “to seek practical steps towards addressing the Israeli policies and plans aimed at Judaising the Holy City and dividing Al Aqsa Mosque,” according to an OIC press statement.

The agenda will also focus on the conflict in Syria, the situation of the

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Rohingya Muslim minority in Burma after the recent visit of a ministerial delegation to Myanmar, the Moro Muslims in the southern Philippines, the establishment of new OIC regional offices in non-member states, and the appointment of assistant secretaries general.

The OIC foreign ministers will also address Islamophobia, humanitarian affairs, economic affairs, science and technology, cultural and social affairs and family.

In engaging the OIC and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) more robustly, the Bouterse administration in Suriname, when

it took office in 2010, reactivated ties with the OIC. President Desi Bouterse extended an invitation to the OIC Secretary General, Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to visit Suriname, and during that visit offered to host an OIC office in Paramaribo, which would be the first in the Americas.

The OIC, through the IsDB, will soon fund various projects in Suriname to the tune of over US$100 million under the interim member country partnership strategy (MCPS) for Suriname. The IsDB will support Suriname in four areas: healthcare services, skills development and vocational training, sea transportation and institutional capacity-building, including cyber security.

The IsDB is currently processing two projects with a contribution of US$68 million under this interim MCPS, while the other projects are under discussion and in the preparation stage, according to a release press from the Central Bank of Suriname during the recent visit of IsDB Vice President of Operations Birama Boubacar Sidibe.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

‘Tis the season to make money!

– Anna Regina roadside vendors tell council

First lady spreads Christmas cheer to Region Five children

Some of the children at the Bath Primary School enjoying the Christmas party

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ver 200 children from Bath and Blairmont villages, Region Five on Sunday received Christmas gifts from First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar.

The presentations were made at the Bath and the Blairmont primary schools, with assistance from Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Joslyn McKenzie.

The eager children were also given party bags.

The gifts were presented by the First Lady Foundation and distribution will be taken to other areas where children can benefit such as Regions Two, Three and Nine.

Speaking at the party, the first lady noted her pleasure in being able to hold a get together during Christmas, especially with children. She added that giving gifts to the

First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar assists with face painting

children is important to the foundation because she considers the children her family.

“We’re here to make sure our children, whatever we can afford, that we give them a good time so that they know that they are cared for, and know that they are not left behind,” the first lady said.

She added that special

emphasis is being placed on children who are unfortunate.

“As long as we care for our children, we will have a good Guyana and a good future,” she said.

The children were also entertained by music, dances, singing and games, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Giftland OfficeMax fêtes Tiger Bay residents

The vendors returned after they were removed and carried on with business as usual

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oadside vendors at the Anna Regina Market, Essequibo Coast are reluctant to move despite several notices issued to them by the Anna Regina Town Council.

On Monday, the vendors defied the council, saying they will not move and it is the season for them to make money.

The Town Clerk Diane Critchlow, along with officers from the Town Council went early morning to move the vendors, but when they tried, the vendors told them no way.

In explaining their position, the vendors said they are poor and need money for the Christmas season.

However, Critchlow did not buy their complaint and had them removed, but when her team left, the vendors sprung back into business.

According to Critchlow, the Anna Regina Town Council has taken up the responsibility to remove vendors from the road way.

She said notices were issued to the vendors on several occasions, but they remain stubborn in heeding them.

The town clerk said there is sufficient space in the market to accommodate the vendors, noting that attempts were also made last year to remove them, but they returned.

She said the council was very considerate with the vendors last year, and allowed them to sell for the holidays.

One vendor, Gaitree (only name given), who sells flower, said she came with the intention to vend, but was prevented from doing so.

Gaitree said her busi-

ness was closed for close to four hours, during which she lost thousands of dollars.

She related that in half-aday, she sells some $40,000 in items, but on Monday, she did not earn a $1000.

The vendor vowed to open her business and wants to see who will stop her.

“I have three children, we have to survive; besides it is Christmas,” she said, noting that the area where the Town Council wants to put them is dead for business.

Another single mother, Akesia Beer, who sells hot dogs, said she was also asked to remove. Beer accuses the council of being power drunk and said she will not move as she struggles to earn a daily income. The vendors are asking the Town Council to be lenient with them for the holiday season.

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iftland OfficeMax has begun to spread Christmas cheer, donating some 200 Christmas hampers to Tiger Bay residents at a recent event hosted at School of the Nations.

Giftland Public Relations Officer Compton Babb said “each year the expectation is greater and even more joyful” adding: “the goal is to reach every orphanage and shelter, making a renowned presence in their lives. It is heartwarming to demonstrate that Giftland cares, providing every home with Christmas cheers.”

He said everyone has their part to play in building a caring community.

Virtually, everyone at some point in their lives will need

to be cared for by that community, he noted, pointing out “the community is us. If it’s denied the nourishment it needs for survival, it will fail to flourish. A plant without water will die and so too will the spirit of our community,” Babb said.

According to Babb, the hampers comprised of grocery items such as Ramen noodles, flour, sugar, margarine and others and were distributed to senior citizens. A wide range of toys were also distributed to the children. In addition to receiving these food hampers, the residents of Tiger Bay were also treated to goodies.

The public relations officer thanked Bruster’s Ice Cream, Shanta’s Snackette

and M&M Snackette, which catered for 150 children, and School of the Nations directors Mr and Mrs O’Toole for making the venue available.

Among those gracing the event were soca queen, Michelle “Big Red” King; Giftland Sports and Fitness ambassadors Hugh Ross and Devon Davis; Eustace Abraham also known as “Robot Cop”; Cassandra Linton (a Canadian citizen whose father is Guyanese; and Farrah Rahaman, who is (Canadian-born and daughter of race ace Ray Rahaman).

They all shared the same passion and spirit in seeing smiles on the residents’ faces.

news

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tuesday, decEMBER 10, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

175 Lindeners graduate No arrest yet in fatal from BIT programme hit-and-run accident P

Michelle Vigilance, who graduated from the heavy-duty equipment course, receives her certificate from junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill

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he Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has been lauded for its role in guiding hundreds of young people in the direction of developing occupational skills and entrepreneurship. The programme, which is intended to empower school leavers and single parents, is continuing to impact Guyanese positively by providing technical and vocational training in several areas.

On Friday, 175 Lindeners graduated from the BIT programme which is being administered and delivered through the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE), at a ceremony held at the Egbert Benjamin Hall, Linden. Under the programme, single parents are also afforded the opportunity to be trained in the occupational areas offered.

One hundred and thirty (130) persons graduated from the youth empowerment programme, while 45 graduated under the single parents’ programme. Among the youths who graduated were 41 engineers, four mechanics and 36 heavy-duty equipment operators, while 23 graduated with health

services certificates. Under the single parents’ aspect, 20 persons completed the catering programme, 15 garment construction, and 10 cosmetology.

Linden Hospital retired Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gordon Gumbs commended BIT for the training empowerment programme, which is focused on developing Guyana’s human resources.

“This investment which the government of Guyana has made in all of you, and the empowerment, should inspire you to contribute to the country of your birth and to the taxpayers of this country who all made it possible”.

Developing human capital

Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill emphasised the importance of the programme in moulding its participants into skilled young men and women, who will be well equipped to contribute to national development.

He added that the BIT initiative is a demonstration of government’s commitment to investing in the development of Guyana’s human capital.

The minister spoke to

the relevance of the initiative, pointing out that the graduates coming out of the training programme can immediately fill vacancies that exist, both in the public and private sectors. “The Board of Industrial Training must be congratulated highly, because the programmes that they are offering you whether you are a single parent, or young people who are having another chance, are programmes once you have completed them you are relevant to society.”

BIT was established in 2005 under the Industrial Training Act and it is committed to strengthening capacity and providing training opportunities for school leavers and single parents.

The programme is geared to enhance the skills and competencies of the participants via on the job training and exposure to life skills education. In 2013, the NTPYE trained 1629 persons in eight administrative regions. Recently, 29 youths graduated from Bartica, Region Seven, while another 429 graduated at the Leonora Technical Training Centre, Region Three and 276 in Berbice.

A section of the graduating class of BIT’s Single Parents Programme

olice are yet to make an arrest in the death of a construction worker following a recent hit-and-run accident on the Coldingen Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

Parsram Jodhan, 23, also called “Permanand” or “Blacks”, of Lot 21 Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, who succumbed about a week ago at the Georgetown Public Hospital, was cremated last Thursday.

According to information received, the young man was heading home on his pedal cycle about 21:30h on the Coldingen Public Road when he was struck down by a dark coloured car, which subsequently drove away.

He reportedly went to purchase Chinese food.

He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted to the High Dependency Unit on November 29, but succumbed on December 1.

Since the incident, persons in the area had provided information to the police and an investigation was launched. Several registration numbers were also pro-

Dead construction worker, Parsram “Blacks” Jodhan

vided to the police, but upon investigation, none were useful.

Patricia Jodhan, an aunt of the dead man stated that she was at home on the fateful night when she received a call from a friend relating the devastating news.

Upon arrival at the scene, she noted that her nephew was panting for breath and was bleeding profusely.

She added that one of her relatives, who is a police rank attached to the Brickdam Police Station, picked up the young man and

took him to the Georgtown Public Hospital.

The woman stated that the police are working on the case, but feels more should be done to catch the perpetrator. The car, she noted was speeding based on reports.

Moments after the accident, the woman claimed that a nurse who was in another vehicle refused to attend to her nephew and left him on the road.

She also vented her anger in the way a particular news agency on the East Coast Demerara cast them aside when they were contacted to carry the story.

Jodhan claimed that after the accident, she telephoned the anchor of the newscast several times, but was only told that he was out of the jurisdiction However, since the police are not doing as much as they should, the relative of the dead man is offering a reward of $100,000 to anyone with information pertaining to the accident, and could lead to the arrest of the errant driver. The young man leaves to mourn his parents and three siblings.

Guyana Foundation holds concert for less fortunate children

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Singer Rebecca Xavier performing during the concert

he Guyana Foundation, a local non-profit trust, recently held a Christmas Concert under the theme, “Peace, Love and Unity” at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, Georgetown for underprivileged children.

The full house of attendees was treated to a rich and diverse array of performances by Guyana’s top artistes, the foundation said in a release, adding that among the star-studded performers were the Classique Dance Company; Kenrick Cheeks, Brian Nobrega, Marlon Nurse and Gillian Bookie from the Crystallite Dance Group; Zahrah Alli from Naya Zamana; and the Santa Rosa Dancers.

Internationallyrenowned singer, Paul Cort, accompanied by talented pianist, Marlyn Dewar, captivated the audience with sev-

eral Christmas and patriotic songs, while up-and-coming singer, Rebecca Xavier performed her single “Guyana’s Child”.

With a stage designed to resemble a slum community, and with each performance being introduced by children from various underprivileged communities that the Guyana Foundation has worked with since its formation, the audience was reminded to remember the less fortunate during this festive season.

Founder of the Guyana Foundation, Supriya SinghBodden highlighted that the true celebrities of the night’s event were the children from the underprivileged communities who travelled from as far away as Santa Rosa, Region One to be a part of the once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

In keeping with the

theme of the event, SinghBodden also appealed to the audience to work together in “peace, love and unity” to secure a brighter future for all Guyanese.

This concert was the last event of the year for the foundation, which was started in January 2013 to transform communities, bring fulfilment and well-being to families, and to enable and foster relations of trust and friendship irrespective of race and beliefs. Since its formation, the foundation has completed many projects in different regions of Guyana, with a free event management seminar in March, the distribution of mini-solar light kits to residents in Breezy Point, an eye outreach clinic in Pigeon Island, and the donation of funds towards infrastructural work at the Santa Rosa Primary School and much more.

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tuesday, December 10, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Caribbean leaders to attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral

Nelson Mandela

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everal Caribbean Community (Caricom leaders were leaving the region on Monday for South Africa to attend the funeral of the country’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela.

Mandela, 95, died last Thursday, following a prolonged illness. He will be buried on Sunday, December 15.

Caricom chairman and

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, as well as her Jamaican counterpart, Portia Simpson-Miller are expected in Johannesburg in time for the funeral.

President Donald Ramotar of Guyana and The Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie are also attending the meeting.

A Bahamas government statement said that the delegation will first travel to

Trinidad where it will “join other Caricom heads of government for the direct flight to Johannesburg via private charter courtesy of the government of Trinidad and Tobago”.

The statement said that Nassau had played a prominent role in the release of Mandela after 27 years in jail for his fight to overthrow the apartheid system.

“Once released from prison, Mandela came almost immediately to visit The Bahamas to personally thank former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling for his leadership in securing the release. In fact, Mandela made two trips to The Bahamas,” the statement said, noting that “Sir Lynden Pindling was chairman of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1985 which issued the “Nassau Accords” that led to Mandela’s release. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Huge cocaine find at Jamaican port

The seizure comes days after police, along with members of the Contraband Enforcement Team intercepted a barrel with the two bullet-making and re-loading machines and 3300 bullets at Kingston Wharves

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large quantity of cocaine, valued at millions of dollars, was seized by the police in Kingston on Saturday.

Commissioner of Customs, Richard Reece said the drug, weighing just under 400 kilograms and with a street value of US$4.7 million was found in 10 duffle bags and were

hidden in an empty container that was being prepared for export to the Netherlands.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), on Saturday morning, personnel from the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division and the Ports Division were check-

ing the facility when they came across a container which aroused their suspicion.

A subsequent search of the container, which originated in Venezuela, revealed 10 travelling bags with rectangular parcels containing cocaine.

The seizure comes days after police, along with members of the Contraband Enforcement Team intercepted a barrel with the two bullet-making and re-loading machines and 3300 bullets at Kingston wharves.

“This seizure demonstrates that all port security teams of customs personnel and the Jamaica Constabulary Force have been very effective, and so far seizures for 2013 have exceeded prior years. I am very encouraged by this seizure and the overall interdiction operations,” Reece said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

TT CJ summons judges C

hief Justice Ivor Archie has summoned judges to an important meeting at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain in the face of what judiciary sources say is an “unprovoked assault” on the administration of justice. But other senior practitioners and some judges maintain that the demand for long-awaited judgments before the Court of Appeal is justified and should not be seen as an attack on the judiciary or the Chief Justice.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has pub-

licly criticised the judiciary for failing to fast-track civil cases where former public officials are accused of fraud. The meeting among the judges also comes on the heels of the latest Salaries Review Commission (SRC) report which, sources say, has recommended a substantial increase in the housing allowance from TT$10,500 to more than TT$20,000, which would allow judges to rent “super-grade” houses, and would also give them a reported 15 per cent salary increase.

Judges have long main-

Jamaica: Pastor lashes out at “injustices” faced by gays

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eligious leaders have often come out against the lifestyle of homosexuals, also called gays, but one clergyman on Sunday defended them, saying he was disappointed that more Christians were not speaking out against the injustices faced by the men, who are often scorned by the society.

“How many Christians have you heard calling out for any kind of help for those young men who have taken refuge in the gully,” said Reverend Sean Major Campbell, priest at Christ Church, Vineyard Town in St Andrew.

He was speaking about an incident last week in which eight men, who police said were members of the homosexual community, were arrested in connection with a series of robber-

ies in and around the New Kingston area.

“We need to repent as a church as we have too often been agents of negative silence,” said the Anglican priest.

The man of the cloth was speaking during Jamaicans for Justice’s (JFJ) Church Service to commemorate International Human Rights Day and the life and work of Nelson Mandela.

Reverend Campbell said that he was aware that some members of the group (homosexuals) may have turned to crime, but said that was an issue for the police to deal with.

“But do they have any humanity on which we share common ground?” the clergyman asked his congregation made up of regular worshippers, Jamaican human rights officials, and

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APD, Osborne’s statement said that the rise, which is expected to take effect from April 1, 2014, will increase the cost of medium and long-haul flights from Great Britain.

According to estimates, this essentially means that a family of four travelling economy to the U.S. will pay £276, up from £268, while the APD would move from £332 to £340 if they were travelling to the Caribbean. Moreover, those opting for premium economy, business-or first-

class cabins, will be required to pay double the sum.

It serves to note that this is the sixth time in several years that the British APD has risen.

Grenada’s tourism minister said that she is disappointed that the decision to follow through with the tax increases was carried out in spite of the lobbying done by Caribbean tourism officials for the British to halt the APD augmentation. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

visitors from the South African High Commission.

“Who will be the John the Baptist of Jamaica, or will we leave it to civil society to usher in the kingdom of righteousness, peace and justice?” he asked.

The clergyman said that the issues with homosexuals were just part of larger problems that Christians needed to speak out against. He said that it was important for Jamaicans, the church included, to recognise the human rights of all people, bar none. “It is a shame that in a country like Jamaica we are more likely to hear the voice of civil society speaking out for human rights while the church remains quiet until some issues such as horse racing or Lotto comes to the fore,” he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Bogota mayor banned from office

Grenada's tourism minister reacts to increases in APD

renada’s Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Minister Alexandra Otway-Noel, has expressed her disappointment, following British Chancellor of Exchequer, George Osborne’s autumn statement regarding increases of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) for passengers flying from Britain.

This comes at a time when, generally, UK arrivals into the Caribbean are in decline.

In addressing the rise in

tained that they are entitled to a housing allowance which would allow them to rent super-grade houses. At present, only the Chief Justice occupies a super-grade house, at Goodwood Park, Glencoe.

In the past, as part of their terms and conditions, judges were allowed to occupy houses at Federation Park, Port of Spain but under the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) administration in the 1980s, that provision was taken away and the judges were granted a housing allowance. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro

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he mayor of Colombia’s capital, Bogota, Gustavo Petro, has been sacked following allegations of mismanagement of the rubbish collection system.

Petro, a leading leftist seen as a potential presidential candidate in next year’s elections, was banned from

holding office for 15 years.

The mayor had violated the principles of the free market and endangered people’s health, the prosecution said.

In 2012, rubbish was not collected for days after waste management changes.

Petro, a former member of the revolutionary armed

group M-19, called the decision a “coup” and urged the people to protest peacefully.

Shortly after the decision was announced by Inspector General Alejandro Ordonez, protesters started gathering at Bogota’s central Bolivar Square.

“I’m asking the world for solidarity. We’re facing a coup against the progressive government of the city of Bogota,” Petro wrote on Twitter.

The Colombian Constitution gives the Inspector General’s Office the competence of checking on the performance of those holding public office.

But the decision by Ordonez sparked criticism from Justice Minister Alfonso Gomez Mendez.

“We have to revise the constitutional norm that allows the destitution of an official chosen by popular vote,” Gomez told reporters.

Petro’s term started in 2012 and was supposed to end in 2016. (Excerpt from BBC)

15 Around the world

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, dECember 10, 2013

Mandela's daughter recalls final hours

91 world leaders to honour Mandela

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elson Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe has told the BBC about the “wonderful” final hours of the former president, who died aged 95 last Thursday.

Makaziwe said his wife Graca, the children and grandchildren were all there to say goodbye.

South Africa is observing a series of commemorations over the next week, leading up to the funeral on Sunday.

More than 100 current or former heads of state or government will attend the funeral or Tuesday’s national memorial.

Makaziwe told the BBC’s Komla Dumor: “Until the last moment he had us, you know... The children were there, the grandchildren were there, Graca was there, so we are always around him and even at the last moment, we were sitting with him on Thursday the whole

A groundskeeper collects flowers left by visitors at the home of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday, December 9

M Makaziwe Mandela

day.”

She said: “I think from last week, Friday until Thursday, it was a wonderful time, if you can say the process of death is wonderful. But Tata [Nelson Mandela] had a wonderful time, because we were there.

“When the doctors told

us I think Thursday morning... that there was nothing that they could do, and said to me ‘Maki call everybody that is here that wants to see him and say bye bye’, it was a most wonderful day for us because the grandchildren were there, we were there.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

ore than 90 heads of state are on their way to South Africa for what is expected to be the largest gathering of world leaders in Africa’s history.

It is a clear sign of what kind of impact Nelson Mandela left on the world.

Mandela, the activist who spent 27 years in prison before becoming his country’s first black president, died Thursday at the age of 95.

U.S. President Barack Obama left Washington for Johannesburg on Monday morning to attend the me-

morial service for Mandela, which will take place Tuesday in the city’s soccer stadium. The 90,000 seats probably would not be enough to house the many mourners wanting to pay tribute to the great antiapartheid leader.

A state funeral will be held Sunday in Mandela’s ancestral hometown of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province.

At least 91 heads of state and 10 former heads of state have said they are going to South Africa this week, gov-

ernment international relations spokesman Clayson Monyela said.

In addition to Obama, former presidents Jimmy Carter, George W Bush and Bill Clinton will attend.

More than two dozen U.S. lawmakers are also scheduled to attend.

Other guests include the Prince of Wales, British Prime Minister David Cameron and UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon, as well as celebrities such as Bono, Oprah Winfrey and Naomi Campbell. (Excerpt from CNN)

Typhoon Haiyan death toll still rising Somali woman who

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ne month after Typhoon Haiyan tore through six Philippine islands, the death toll stands at 5924 and 1779 people are still missing, according to government figures released Sunday.

More than 12 million people have been affected by the monster typhoon that left behind catastrophic scenes of destruction and despair when it made landfall on November 8, the government said. It left entire communities without immediate access to food and medical care.

Several countries, including the U.S., have been aiding in the recovery.

According to the Pentagon, the military effort, dubbed Operation Damayan, cost

reported rape sentenced

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A man reconstructs his house in the bay of Tacloban, Leyte province, Philippines, on Wednesday, November 27

US$32 million.

At their peak, the relief efforts involved more than 13,400 U.S. military personnel, 66 aircraft and 12

naval vessels.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. scaled down its operation in the Philippines, but the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID) continues to provide food and support as the recovery continues. (Excerpt from CNN)

Somali court has sentenced to jail a woman who said she was raped and two journalists who reported her story.

The court passed the verdict on Monday in the capital Mogadishu, saying the journalists were guilty of defamation and insulting state institutions.

The 19-year old woman, who is also a journalist, was handed a suspended six-month jail sentence for defamation and lying, during which time she will be confined to her home, said Judge Hashi Elmi Nur. The journalists are to serve out their sentences, of

one year and six months respectively, or pay a fine in order to win early release.

It is the second time this year Somalia has jailed a woman for speaking out about rape and journalists for interviewing the victim.

“The manager of Radio Shabelle, Abdilmalik Yusuf, was found guilty of offending state institutions, and therefore will serve a prison term of one year,” the judge told the court.

“Journalist Mohamed Bashir was found guilty of defamation and making false rape accusations, so he is given a six-month jail term.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Putin tightens grip Egypt’s Brotherhood leader in court on media

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he leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has appeared in court for the first time since his arrest in August.

Mohammed Badie was seized along with other Brotherhood figures after the Egyptian army ousted the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July.

Hundreds of Morsi’s supporters were killed in clashes following the ousting.

Badie, who is the movement’s general guide, denied the Brotherhood had acted violently.

He is facing charges of inciting violence and murder over the deaths of eight anti-Brotherhood protesters outside the movement’s headquarters in Cairo.

Mohammed Badie

Badie was in court in Cairo along with other Brotherhood figures.

He asked why the death

of his son and the burning down of Brotherhood offices were not being investigated instead.

Badie was a prominent figure at the Brotherhood’s protest camps in Cairo, but went into hiding as the military-backed interim government increased its efforts to shut down the protests.

His 38-year-old son Ammar was killed in the protests. In a separate case, Egyptian prosecutors referred the secular activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and 24 others for trial.

They are accused of breaking Egypt’s new laws against protests by demonstrating without permission last month.

Fattah was prominent in the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time authoritarian ruler Hosni Mubarak.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

P

resident Vladimir Putin tightened his control over Russia’s media on Monday by dissolving the main state news agency and replacing it with an organisation that is to promote Moscow’s image abroad.

The move to abolish RIA Novosti and create a news agency to be known as Rossiya Segodnya is the second in two weeks strengthening Putin’s hold on the media as he tries to reassert his authority after protests against his rule.

Most Russian media outlets are already loyal to Putin, and opponents get little air time, but the shake-up underlined their importance to Putin keeping power and the Kremlin’s

concern about the president’s ratings and image.

The head of the new agency, to be built from the ashes of RIA Novosti, is a conservative news anchor, Dmitry Kiselyov, who once caused outrage by saying the organs of homosexuals should not be used in transplants.

“The main focus of...

Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) is to highlight abroad the state policy and public life of the Russian Federation,” said a decree signed by Putin.

Sergei Ivanov, the head of the presidential administration, told reporters that the changes were intended to save money and improve the state media.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

16

tuesday, DECember 10, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean

Zimbabwe: Trouble at Marange, Caribbean Airlines blames market forces for higher fares diamonds run out

C

aribbean Airlines (CAL) has not raised air fares at the height of the Christmas season, according to the airline’s communication manager, Clint Williams. He told the TT Guardian market forces are instead responsible for higher ticket prices being encountered by some travellers.

“One of the things people must understand is that for any destination there would be a number of prices. There

is a range of prices. If it is that people are booking early and the flights are heavy, what would happen is that the tickets closer to the travel date would be more expensive. As a general rule there are a range of ticket prices on any flight,” Williams explained. “On the high season for all airlines there will be slightly higher prices. It is about market forces and demand and supply and that is simple.

“There has been no specif-

ic price hike, or anything like that. It may just be that demand is high and Christmas is one of those seasons where people make plans and book in advance,” he said. Williams said CAL’s search for a new CEO and senior executives is an “ongoing process.” The airline put out ads in the media for the positions of CEO, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Commercial and Customer Experience. (Trinidad Guardian)

A

lluvial diamond deposits at Marange have run out and companies there have neither the expertise nor the resources to crush the hard rock deeper underground to search for new deposits, it has emerged.

According to a report in the State-run Herald newspaper, Mines Minister Walter Chidhakwa was told the bad news last week after blasting companies licensed to operate in the area over poor revenues

remitted to government.

Alluvial diamonds are mainly found on the surface but these have reportedly run out at Marange and mining companies want to be given new concessions to exploit instead of digging deeper which they claim is not commercially viable.

Mbada Diamonds chief operations officer, Tendai Kadyamusuma told the minister: “Currently, we are exploiting low grade material com-

pared to when we started. We have deep-seated conglomerate making it difficult to extract.”

Said Munyaradzi Machacha, a director with the Chinese-owned Anjin: “The challenge we are facing at the moment is that we are operating at below break-even point.

“Our ore is much deeper to depths of about 40 metres and some of the areas we have had to abandon mining because it was no longer commercially viable.” (allAfrica)

Asia

North America

Faster than a speeding bullet: Japan U.S. government lost around places future bet on maglev trains $10B on GM bailout

T

he U.S. government has sold its remaining shares in General Motors, leaving it with a loss of around US$10 billion (£6 billion) on the bailout of the car maker. The U.S. Treasury spent US$49.5 billion bailing out GM in 2008 and 2009, and took a 61 per cent stake in the car maker.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said the move prevented the collapse of the U.S. auto industry and saved a mil-

lion jobs. “With the final sale of GM stock, this important chapter in our nation’s history is now closed,” he said.

GM filed for bankruptcy protection in June 2009, making it the biggest failure of an industrial company in U.S. history. The reorganisation saw it slash 13 car plants and 27,000 employees in the U.S. Since emerging from bankruptcy, GM has reported 15 profitable quarters, has

almost US$27 billion in cash and is considering rewarding shareholders with a dividend payment.

The government began selling its shares in GM in November 2010 and last month said it expected to sell its remaining shares by the end of the year. The rescue of the U.S. auto industry began under the administration of former U.S. President George W Bush in 2008. (BBC News)

Europe

T

he image of the Shinkansen bullet train streaking past Mount Fuji is a powerful part of the iconography of the resurgent post-war Japan.

Introduced in 1964, just months ahead of the the Tokyo Olympics, the bullet train represented everything that Japan wanted for itself: a sleek, cutting-edge and reliable mode of transportation.

The average annual delay of a Shinkansen train is 36

seconds – even accounting for earthquakes and typhoons.

The Shinkansen network transports around 930,000 passengers every day. During rush hour, bullet trains leave urban stations around Japan as often as every six minutes.

But nearly 50 years on, Japan’s hi-tech wonder desperately needs an update.

With the fastest speed of Shinkansen trains at a “mere” 320 km/h (200 mph) – and some of its technology decades

old – Japan is now facing intense rivalry not only from European train giants France and Germany, but also China, whose 10,000-km (6,200 miles) “gaotie” track currently in operation is the world’s longest high-speed rail network.

It has become crucial for Japan to search for a new technology so as not to lose its title as a pioneer and leader of high-speed rail, and to drive billions of dollars in contracts.

(CNN)

Middle East

GCC must invest in education Irish bank tests send few signals to anxious EU rivals to remain competitive

B

anks in Europe, keen for any hints about next year’s industry health check by European regulators, will find few pointers from Ireland’s just-completed review of its three major lenders. The Irish test results – released by banks on December 2 as a pre-cursor to the country’s December 15 exit from its sovereign bailout – could have provided a flavour of the tests the European Central

Bank (ECB) is lining up for the euro zone’s 128 largest banks over the next year.

Dublin had hoped its own “balance sheet assessment” of Ireland’s main banks would count as part of Europe’s banking industry check-up.

But the Irish banks are not off the hook as the ECB has said they will be put through their paces in the same way as other banks in 2014.

“The Irish Central Bank’s

Market statistics

Balance Sheet Assessment was conducted completely independently from the ECB’s planned comprehensive assessment,” a spokeswoman for the ECB said. The ECB aims to check if Europe’s banks have set aside enough for bad loans. Banks will also be tested to see if they have enough capital to withstand future shocks and prevent a repeat of the bank failures that followed the financial crisis. (Reuters)

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

Fixed as at July 24, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$336.38

$340.59

CAN

$192.86

$195.09

USD

$205.49

$207.93

U.S.

$1335.00

Cambio

$202.67

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

Indicators as on December 9, 2013 Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1240.40

$1241.40

Low/High

$1230.30

$1244.00

Change

+9.70

+0.79

USD GBP EUR

AM

PM

1228.50 749.95 895.60

1237.00 755.01 901.28

AM

PM

Dec 6

USD GBP EUR

1230.75 752.38 900.59

Last: 16025.53

Price Silver

Platinum

London Gold Fix

Dec 9

Indicators Crude Oil

1233.00 753.99 901.71 Changes: +5.33

US$ per barrel

$111.61 USD per Ounce

$19.84 $1371.00

Change %

+0.56 Change %

+0.30 +16.00

G

CC countries need to invest in education and raise skill levels if the region is to be internationally competitive, according to an ICAEW report. Although GCC governments have recognised the need to diversify themselves from oil-based revenues, they still face challenges in terms of skill shortages in the region.

The report said that timely investment in education would enable GCC countries to benefit from a ‘demographic windfall’ owing to strong

population growth. However, a lower skilled population would contribute to rising unemployment and drain natural resources.

Middle East GDP growth is expected to remain steady in the short term and is above the global average, but skills shortage coupled with population growth could be detrimental in the future especially with an expected plunge in oil prices, the report said.

“To compete in skills-intensive industries like engineering or financial servic-

Investors' guide

es, economies need access to a highly-skilled workforce,” said Peter Beynon, regional director, ICAEW Middle East.

“Currently, statistics suggest the GCC is lagging behind other developed economies in terms of education.

This means firms are forced into buying in expertise from abroad, but in certain circumstances if they do not employ enough nationals they are fined. This could place them at a distinct disadvantage in competitive international markets.” (Gulf Business)

Online education – Is it right for you?

W

hether you’ve just graduated high school, are currently working a full-time job and looking for ways to increase your personal marketability, or are looking to change careers by building upon your existing education and experience, online education is a cost-effective way to meet your goals without having to worry about some of the time constraints often associated with attending classes at a physical university.

The online university, commonly known as distance education, has changed the face of higher education over the past

few years, enabling people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to realise their goal of earning a college degree. And if the rapidly-increasing enrolment is any indicator, online programs will only continue to grow as accredited universities adapt their current curriculum, catering to this newfound market.

What to consider before signing up

The idea behind online education is the same basic idea that you’ll find at the root of almost everything offered online: simplicity. The accommodations and flexibility of online

education seem to make it an ideal solution for those looking to further their career.

Is it right for you?

Some students find they’re not able to complete the coursework once they begin. So before you start requesting information, you can save yourself a great deal of time and effort by keeping in mind some key considerations related to your end goal, your personal habits and the time you can afford to dedicate to the process of online learning. These factors boil down to three primary concerns: technology, time and self-motivation. (Business Dictionary) TO BE CONTINUED

Business concept – Team

Open: 16019.49

High:16058.40

% Change: +0.03 Low: 16015.29

% YTD: 22.29

52Wk Hi: 16174.51

52 Wk Lo: 12471.49

A group of people with a full set of complementary skills required to complete a task, job, or project. Team members (1) operate with a high degree of interdependence, (2) share authority and responsibility for self-management, (3) are accountable for the collective performance, and (4) work toward a common goal and shared rewards(s).

news

17

TUESday, December 10, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Anti-money laundering bill now in opposition’s hands – AG

Transparency body holds anticorruption march

… says defeating bill is defeating national interest

G

overnment sees the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill as a matter of national importance, and has committed to giving the bill its highest priority because of its fundamental importance to the lives and livelihood of the people of Guyana.

To this end, government is set to re-table the bill, at the December 12 sitting of the National Assembly.

Defeating the bill is not defeating the government but the interests of the country, said Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall.

“Defeating this bill is executing an onslaught on the welfare and well-being of every single Guyanese, including themselves (opposition) and their supporters,” he said, during a recent television programme.

Nandlall said government did not see any alternative but to persevere to have the legislation passed, hence the re-tabling of the amended bill, which was defeated at the last sitting, after a third reading, causing Guyana to be blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

“Once we lay that bill in the Parliament again, we would lose control of it. Whether it is sent to the select committee, whether it is passed in the form that we present it, whether it

is amended, whether those amendments satisfy the requirements of CFATF and are in accordance with its recommendations, whether the bill is passed by the National Assembly within the time prescribed are all matters that will be left to the opposition to determine,” he pointed out.

Last-ditch effort

The standing orders in the current construct of Parliament prohibit a bill from being re-tabled after it is rejected in the National Assembly.

The relevant standing order says after a bill is defeated at its second reading, it cannot be brought back within the same session of Parliament, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

The difficulty that government confronted was that the bill was not defeated at the second reading, but after it was read a third time. After a third reading of a bill in the normal circumstances in every Parliament in the Commonwealth, the passing of the bill is almost perfunctory.

The AG explained that fortunately there is a standing order which allows the National Assembly to suspend all other standing orders, but that will require the support of the opposition.

He explained that if Guyana is unable to go the

CFATF plenary meeting in May 2014 with the enacted legislation, then the body will hand Guyana over to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the evaluation by the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) to begin.

He explained that the ICRG review process is critical in that “there are officials who will come to Guyana and physically examine the entire financial infrastructure”. He said they will make a whole series of recommendations, all of which will have to be complied with, because the rule is that you have to enjoy 100 per cent compliance before you are removed from the ICRG process,” he said.

The minister said that he knows of no jurisdiction in the world, including the First World countries, that is 100 per cent compliant.

The ICRG process is one that can take about four to six years on average, and during the period the country remains blacklisted, it has to satisfy and undergo a whole host of requirements that will be imposed on the financial infrastructure of the country.

“The effect of all of that will be to slow down the economy, to scare away investors. It will be a disincentive for anyone wanting to transact business with Guyana,” he stated.

G

Anti-corruption campaigners during their march on Monday

uyana joins the rest of the world in observing International Anti-Corruption Day on Monday with the Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) holding a march from the Umana Yana to Parliament Building.

Several members of parliament also participated in the march and stressed that if every person said no when a situation came about that may lead to corruption, the world would be a better place. TIGI President Anand Goolsarran noted that corruption is a worldwide issue which needs to be dealt with in a holistic manner.

Goolsarran urged persons to remember the proportion of people whose income is less than US$1.25 a day; the unemployed, including women and young people; those who suffer from hunger; and the 1.2 billion worldwide who live in extreme poverty.

The aim of the TIGI is to sensitise people about the effects of corruption. As such,

the non-governmental organisation has been holding workshops, putting up billboards, and distributing flyers, among other activities. The theme of this year’s march is “Zero corruption equals 100 per cent development”.

Officials of the TIGI did not respond to the challenge thrown out to them by President Donald Ramotar on the authenticity of their surveys and research on Guyana. On Tuesday last, Guyana was given a rating of 27 out of 100 points in the Transparency International (TI) 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). A decline of one point compared to last year.

Credibility issues

The president wants to know what sources the body used and who worked on the report, since he has reservations about the authenticity of the findings.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) press conference, executive mem-

ber Dharamkumar Seeraj questioned the credibility of the recent report, which ranked Guyana as one of the most corrupt countries in the Caribbean. Seeraj said despite the report being compiled by TI itself, it had some guidance from the local chapter, which could have manipulated the overall result of the perception index report and Guyana’s low ranking.

The PPP member added that there are many misconceptions about corruption in Guyana, as there seems to be an agenda by the hostile media to tarnish the reputation of the current administration.

He said little, if anything, has been said about the progress made in reducing corruption under the current government, especially with the enactment of laws to ensure that Guyana is far from being a corrupt nation.

Seeraj is contending that the report is inaccurate as it did not seek the advice of all stakeholders, including the government.

PPP/C pays tribute to Mandela T

he ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Monday evening hailed the work of “one of the greatest freedom fighters”, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, taking credit for supporting the struggle against apartheid and recommitting to the ideals of the late African leader.

Member of Parliament Gail Teixeira, in her opening remarks, said the “People’s Progressive Party supported the African National Congress (ANC) back in the 1950s and 60s and was there when the apartheid was abolished”. She recalled that on June 26, 1925 the Freedom Charter was signed by 3000 delegates.

The charter was for the people, of the people, and by the people Teixeira added.

In 1994, four years after he was released from prison where he spent 27 years, Nelson Mandela won the first all-race election and became the first black president of South Africa.

Mandela said, “South Africa belonged to the people who lived there, whether they are blacks or they are whites.”

A section of the audience at the “Night of Reflection”

Young people across Guyana are encouraged to research the great leader’s work and the history of South Africa.

In her tribute to Mandela, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative Khadija Musa stated that many lives over the years have

been touched by Mandela’s greatness, and he inspired humanity to move on and never give up on what you believe in. She added that qualities such as equality, justice and peace are all values the UNDP supports and stands for politics and reconciliation can be used in the same sentence today because of Mandela, according

to Musa.

Emulate his example

“We owe it to ourselves to imitate Mandela’s teachings and examples.” The greatest memorial, Musa added, that persons can give him is to try and walk in his shoes.

Try to be that strong person; despite whatever hardship comes your way, stand up

for what you believe in.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee made comparisons between Dr Cheddi Jagan and Nelson Mandela after reading his autobiography.

He said despite the fact that “these great men lived in different continents, their fight for national legacy, freedom and to work for a better future were the same; they both fought for freedom of their people”.

Rohee added that the two men shared similar experiences. He noted that when Mandela entered the ANC, it was extremely challenging for him. “The wait was long for Mandela before he could speak convincingly.

Mandela sought unity and solidarity within the African nation. He was jailed, imprisoned and almost three decades after, he was freed.”

Rohee stated that Mandela had many lofty ideals which he worked very hard at attaining.

Acting President Samuel Hinds, in paying tribute to the fallen leader, said it was because of Mandela’s courageousness in fighting for the freedom of South Africa, he

was able to attain victory in the end. South Africa is now a place, not of segregation but togetherness. A place where being black or white does not matter, but rather one’s commitment and loyalty to one’s fellow man and country. Hinds noted, “After the abolition of the apartheid, the matters rising from the situation had to be addressed. There was a change in the economy in South Africa, a change in acquisition of wealth, and ownership.” There was still tension despite Mandela being victorious, and he handled those graciously, leading the nation to peace and reconciliation.

In life, a person faces many challenges but one should remember persons such as Dr Cheddi Jagan, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, and Dr Martin Luther King. Remember the battles they fought and won, despite everyone who ever said, “You can’t do it. It’s not right. You won’t win”.

Remember that those persons will forever be in our hearts, they did not give up what they believed in.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, december 10, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Move along at your own speed. Refrain from letting anyone push you into something that you have reservations about.

The less you leave unfinished, the better you will feel about your future.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Issues involving honesty or integrity are likely to arise. Speak up and set anyone straight who may not fully understand what you want or think. A judicious compromise will help you avoid trouble.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Offer favors and address issues concerning contracts, loans or settlements. Getting together with someone from your past will pay off. A change is heading your way.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

CANCER (June 21July 22) Readdress a situation that is constantly changing. Let go of the past to give yourself the freedom to take advantage of a situation that could improve your life.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Try new things, meet new people and enjoy being a participant today.

Don’t let anyone dictate what you can and cannot do. Jealousy could be behind a problem you have with a colleague or family member.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Be proactive when dealing with health or financial concerns. Changes going on at home may not be to your liking at first, but be patient. Selfimprovement projects will bring good results.

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Unpredictable behaviour can work for and against you. Stick to your usual means and methods at work, but use the element of surprise when socialising or taking part in physical activities.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Offer your skills to someone you want to impress. Expanding your interests and knowledge will also encourage new friendships or a reconnection with someone from your past.

If you face unexpected situations with grace, dignity and sound common sense, you will come out ahead. Don’t jump to conclusions about a situation or make assumptions about someone. Take one step at a time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Do whatever it takes to finish what you start.

Dedication will count for much when it comes to making an impression.

Travel or revisiting old friends or places will be eventful.

Monday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Empty promises are likely. Take precautions and get what you want in writing. Don’t be afraid to make an unexpected change in your plans if it will help you achieve your aims.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) It’s a good day to engage in activities that will improve your surroundings and make you more comfortable at home or work. Do your own research and make decisions based on what you discover.

news 19

YELLOW PAGES

Blacklist warning from business publisher

tuesDay, december 10, 2013

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

EDUCATION SAT/AP/CXC/IGCSE English classes, personalized tutoring. Phone: 6124821 after 4pm, 274-0437 after 7pm.

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

FOR SALE 1 stall stabroek market phone: 718757-8031, 658-0145 Mecury in large quantities, 99.9999% purity in grey flask. Phone: 219-4535 60FT Antenna (Mass) for Radio, TV, Cellular, with cables, brackets, sky light $500,000 227-3939, 621-4000 73” 3D TV Mitsubishi Like new $450,000 227-3939, 621-4000 DIESEL Generator silent 28 kva SDMO John Deere engine, missing Fuel Pump, Panel, Avr MAKE OFFER 2273939, 621-4000 CLARKE forklifts 2000, 3000, 4000 Lb, lifting capacity MAKE AN OFFER TEL: 227-3939, 621-4000 Generac Generator 15 kva, portable, $500,000 cash or credit available Tel: 227-3939, 621-4000 Diesel Generator, 3 cylinder Lister pitter (England) key start, 15 kva, $650,000 cash or credit Tel: 227-3939, 621-4000 Chicken Hatchery (Robbins), 28,000 eggs capacity fully ready, $ 5.5 million or CREDIT available TEL: 227-3939 621-4000 LAND FOR SALE BY BIDS. PRIME COMMERCIAL LAND AT BUSY JUNCTION. WELLINGTON STREET AND SOUTH ROAD, GEORGETOWN. SIZE: 160 X 120. SEND SEALED BIDS TO BIBI, 38 CROAL STREET STABROEK, GEORGETOWN. CLOSING DATE: 2013/12/30.

LAND FOR SALE BY OWNER. 57 CROAL STREET AND CHALMER'S PLACE. SIZE: 100 X 120. CONTACT: 225-1831 RICARDO BASDEO, JAPARTS 38 CROAL STREET, STABROEK, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA. TEL: 592225-1831, 592-227-3444, TOLL FREE: 1-941-234-4503, FAX:592-2273460. EMAIL: ricardo_japarts@hotmail.com1

GOLDSMITH R.Sookraj & Gift Shop for the best in hand made jewellery ,(made to order) Phone: 612-2125/223-6156

health Are you suffering from abnormal behaviors, addictions, stresses, or psychosomatic sickness? Feeling suicidal, low self-esteem, loneliness, unloved, anger, conflicts and relationship problems? For appointments call 592621-0552. 12:00pm -6:00pm, Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc.

Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

lAND FOR SALE Promising gold and diamond mining land for sale in different areas.

Phone: 699-3992.

LOST One Dog which answers to the name Zion. Colour Cream/White/ Brown about 1 foot tall. Last seen on Wednesday, November 13, between Success & LBI, ECD. If seen please call on numbers 619-8086, 699-7077, 220-3183.

MEDITATION Learn transcendental meditation and reduce stress & anxiety, develop full brain potential, increase creativity and intelligence, concentration, focus and memory, be healthier & happier, increase energy vitality and longetivity, enjoy more success in life, improve relationships and develop higher states of consciousness, a technique that works for everyone, for next introductory lecture. Contact Ashoke phone 233-6921, 6093701, email: kashokejp_68@yahoo.com or Sherlock phone 2252243, 614-9726

spirituality Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer. The most powerful spiritualist in the world. Are you suffering from the following problems? (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection. Private and confidential. Phone: 674-2112.

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationship, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 10am - 4pm. Tel: 592-690-1824.

Email: anew-life@live.com Dutch Spiritual work. Unite lovers, get rid of evil, enhance prosperity, good luck baths and charm bowu guards, etc. Phone: 220-0708, 612-6417, 687-5653

property for sale

Titan (hardly driven) $3.5M neg.

Phone: 691-9984

TO let

2 bedroom apartment – central Georgetown. Couple/Small family.

227 3471/614 1069.

House at Lamaha Gardens. Hot & cold water, AC, etc. Phone: 2194535.

EXECUTIVE TWO STOREY BUILDING 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230 Gas station land. Size: over one acre Phone Ms Liverpool on 625-7582, 681-9293.

1 three-building centrally located downtown in Thomas Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, recently renovated, fully air conditioned, ideal for office with spaces for boardroom, or any other business. Immediate possession. Phone: 609-2876.

services Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 662-1247.

HILUX SURF 4 DOORS, minor parts needed, sold as is $750,000 TEL: 2273939, 621-4000

Toyota Hilux extra cab, pick up $3.m.

Phone: 264-2682.

1 flat concrete house at Parfaite Harmonie. Phone: 643-4740

One two storey house at lot 93 Atlantic Gardens, ECD; upperflat-3 bedrooms, kitchen and bath; lower flat-2 bedrooms, kitchen and bath.

Call 592-619-4483, 592-656-7471

LEROY TRIDENT car 250 CC, 4 doors, power window, $495,000 cash or credit TEL 227-3939, 621-4000

Mitsubishi 3000 GT sports car, fully powered, $1.7 cash or credit available TEL: 227-3939, 621-4000

Small business space suitable for technician shop, taxi base, etc.

Phone: 691-7164, 231- 2619.

1 property at reasonable price, located in Bareroot, East Coast Demerara. Phone: 612-6417.

Trike Can-Am style motorcycle, 200cc new, unregistered $450,000 neg or credit TEL 227-3939, 621-4000

Stretch limousine, Lincoln Town car, fully powered $6.5 million or credit available Tel 227-3939, 621-4000

PRIME COMMERICAL PROPERTY, AT BUSY JUNCTION CUMMINGS AND MIDDLE STREETS IN ALBERTOWN, 3 LOTS WITH BUSINESS, (NUT CENTRE) PRICE NEG. TEL 621-4000, 227-3939

Lot 48 Light Street, Alberttown.

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VEHICLES FOR SALE

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This week’s edition of the newsletter reports the CFATF assailed Guyana’s continuing

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measures in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and The Dominican Republic aimed at reducing electricity costs. Puerto Rico is looking at introducing competition into the market.

Including the private sector, Marchand contended, this would “stimulate research across a range of specific environmental settings, technologies, and best practices which will, in turn, produce a cyclical effect, as the stabilisation of clean energy infrastructures

“This is why we are following these developments closely as they pose a significant risk to the commercial banking sectors of the two countries – and in this interconnected economy – there could be repercussions in other parts of the region.” Global News Matters Melissa Marchand inability to pass laws on antimoney laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. CFATF also cited Belize for a number of deficiencies in agreed-upon standards for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

“This is why we are following these developments closely as they pose a significant risk to the commercial banking sectors of the two countries – and in this interconnected economy – there could be repercussions in other parts of the region,” said Marchand.

Market Dynamics Caribbean also reports the Caribbean spends heavily paying for the importation of its energy needs, but there has been some movement towards decreasing the region’s reliance on expensive, imported fossil fuel.

“It is interesting to see Caribbean countries and territories moving to reduce oil and gas imports, seriously develop their renewable energy sources and putting in place energy efficiency measures because the majority of Caribbean nations spend precious foreign exchange earnings importing costly fossil fuels,” notes Marchand.

The current edition also looks at the introduction of

will attract increased private sector and foreign investment”.

Tourism is the largest driver of regional economies and Market Dynamics Caribbean reviews encouraging news of efforts to generate new business from South America.

Barbados and Chile agreed on possible direct service between the countries while Cuba welcomes Argentina as its fourth biggest market.

Suriname and Venezuela are talking about an open skies pact. Not to be outdone, Aruba is optimistic a FAM Trip with travel representatives from Brazil’s huge market will bear fruit.

Published every two weeks, Market Dynamics Caribbean covers more than 30 economies in the Caribbean region, including the Dutch, French, Spanish and English Caribbean.

The newsletter provides up-to-date information on politics, the electoral landscape, regulatory outlook, legislation, public investment, and economic and industrial developments.

Working with more than 350 regional sources per week, Market Dynamics Caribbean saves thousands of hours of research and analysis per year. (www.globalnewsmatters.com)

Labourer remanded for possession of cannabis

A

labourer was on Monday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a possession of narcotics charge.

Shawn McKey pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on December 6 in Albouystown, he was in possession of 289 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that on the day in question, around 06:30h, ranks acting on information, went to the home of the defendant where a search of the premises was

conducted in his presence.

Two large transparent ziplock bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems were found stuffed in the leg of a television stand. McKey was told of the offence and under caution, he admitted ownership of the substance. A further search was conducted on his person and a quantity of local and U.S. currency were found and thought to be proceeds of the sale of the narcotic.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail, saying that there were no special reasons given.

The matter was transferred to Court Two for January 9, 2014.

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tuesday, december 10, 2013

Shocked Cook searches for answers T

he lips said one thing; the eyes quite another.

Alastair Cook, as is his way, led from the front after England’s harrowing defeat in Adelaide. He faced the media with the same undemonstrative determination with which he faces the new ball. He didn’t shirk or make excuses. He never does.

He spoke well, too. He spoke of fight and belief. He admitted faults and accepted responsibility. He was deeply impressive.

But the eyes told another story. They told a tale of shock and disappointment and pain and exhaustion.

They suggested that even he didn’t quite believe what he was saying. Amid the call to arms was the unmistakable hint of doubt. Cook has an innate honesty that would render him a hopeless politician.

“We’ve been outplayed,” Cook said. “We haven’t played very well. You can’t get away from that. It’s hurting us like hell. It’s certainly not impossible [that we can retain the Ashes]. A lot of people will probably give us no chance.

But if we don’t believe that in our dressing room, if we believe the urn has gone, then it might as well have gone.

“Do we have the will? It’s a good question. Sometimes, when you haven’t been playing well, that’s one thing you

start looking at: whether we do have that. I can only say, from speaking to the guys, and watching them - how much this is hurting - that we do. Only the guys will know that inside themselves. But I honestly believe we’ve got that.

“Self-belief is certainly an issue you need to make sure you look after when you’ve lost heavily in two games. If we don’t believe it, then no one else is going to believe it.

That’s the simple deal. We’ve got to look deep into our souls, deep into our hearts, and turn it round. We can’t mope about giving it the ‘poor me’. It’s whether we can drag a performance out of ourselves. We’ve got players who have scored a lot of runs, players who have taken a lot of wickets. We need to stand up and do that.”

It does not help that Cook’s own form is poor. His record suggests - it all but insists - that he will find a way through the mire, but England - feeling the loss of Jonathan Trott as a building misses a supporting beam can afford no delay. And he knows it more than anyone.

“I need to score more runs,” he said. “We all do.

But there are only so many times you can tell the lads to do it. And if you’re not doing it yourself, it makes it harder.

“I’m there at the top of the

Alastair Cook order as a batter and in the last two games I haven’t been scoring enough runs. I need to go and change that. You can get good balls sometimes as an opener, and you can play poor shots. In this game I’ve got a good ball and played a poor shot.

“There are some very tough moments for the captain and we’re in the middle of one. We’re 2-0 down and I’m responsible as the captain for that. I’m leading the troops out there. It hits you hard.”

Off course

England veered off course in this game long before they batted, though. By squandering several chances in the

field - it is hard to recall a worse fielding display by an England side in the last decade - they wasted the opportunity of bowling Australia out for around 350. From then on, they were tired, dispirited and frustrated. Punch drunk, perhaps.

“On a good first-innings wicket, we created some chances and we didn’t take those chances. Australia have been very clinical in taking every chance that has come to them. We haven’t done that.

We let them off the hook and they punished us very heavily.

“Quite clearly getting bowled out for 170 wasn’t good enough. And there were some poor shots in there as well. We have to be honest with ourselves.”

It is hard to be optimistic for England. The next Test is in Perth, where their record is so grim that the squeamish should look away now: in 12 Tests at the ground, England have lost eight and won once. That was in 1978, when Australia were forced to field a virtual second XI due to World Series Cricket. Since 1991, England have lost all six Tests at the venue.

“Our record there is of total irrelevance to this team,” Cook said. “We have to go there as this side in 2013 and deliver something very spe-

cial, otherwise we’re not going to do what we’ve come to do.”

Following their media responsibilities, the team had a long meeting in the changing room at the ground. It must have smarted that, even while they were picking through the bones of the most wretched England performance for several years - in other defeats, the batting has been at fault; here all three facets of the game began to crumble they could hear the team song echoing from their Australian conquerors.

The atmosphere in the England dressing room was later described as “honest.”

Suffice to say, there is more than a little anger and frustration that, even in the second innings with a Test to save, four batsmen fell to hooks or pulls, one more hit a full toss to mid-on and not one was dismissed by a delivery that would have hit the stumps. England’s batsmen are making life much too easy for Australia’s bowlers and not giving their own a chance.

Woeful

England were woeful on the final day. They could have tried to keep Australia in the field in an attempt to tire their bowlers ahead of Perth. They could have tried to occupy the crease with a view to the rain saving them later in the day.

Instead they thrashed around in a display of macho posturing that proved nothing about their ability to withstand the short bowling they will continue to be tested by this series. Some cheap runs were scored. Some cheap wickets fell. It was no consolation.

But there are, if you look hard, a couple of areas of encouragement for England.

Most of their top-order have shown that they are capable of withstanding the barrage - Michael Carberry, Ian Bell, Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen and even Cook have made half-centuries - and the bowling has remained respectable if impotent. If they can hold their catches and string some individual scores together, there is plenty of room for improvement.

But his tour may well be remembered as a bridge too far for this England team.

Flogged to exhaustion by a cricket board whose obsession with the bottom line has obscured the damage they are doing to the long-term future, several of this team have arrived with too many miles on the clock. Graeme Swann and James Anderson, The Age revealed, have bowled more deliveries in Test cricket than anyone in the world since the start of the 2010-11 series.

Sometimes it shows. (Cricinfo)

Formula 1 to award double Swansea and Hull points for final race from 2014 battle to draw

H

Drivers will be awarded double points at last meet from 2014

F

ormula 1 is to award double points at the final race of the season from 2014 in an attempt to heighten interest in the world championship.

The plan is one of a number of changes next season, along with the adoption of a cost cap - details of which are still to be finalised - from 2015.

Drivers will also choose a race number for the duration of their career.

Governing body the FIA also announced the adoption of a new five-second penalty for minor infringements.

But it will be the introduction of double points and a cost cap that will provoke most interest.

The decision to award double points, counting towards the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, at the final race of the season was made “to maximise focus on the championship until the end of the campaign”, according to an FIA statement.

The move reduces the possibility of a championship being settled before the final race by increasing the number of points available to a driver from 25 to 50.

Two of the last four seasons have been settled with a number of races still remaining - Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won with five races to go in 2011 and with four left in 2013.

Teams have been working to reduce costs for a number of years as a result of financial circumstances caused by the global economic slow-down.

A resource-restriction agreement was introduced in 2011 but it has been fraught with difficulties and attempts to introduce a cap on total spending by each team have so far been rejected, primarily by Red Bull.

But the idea was approved at a meeting on Monday of F1’s strategy group, a rules think-tank composed of the FIA, six of the 11 teams and commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone, who represents the commercial rights holder.

An FIA statement said: “The principle of a global cost cap has been adopted. The limit will be applied from January 2015.

“A working group will be established within the coming days comprising the FIA, representatives of the

commercial rights holder and team representatives.

“The objective of the working group will be to have regulations approved by the end of June 2014.”

The idea behind allocating numbers to drivers throughout their careers is to enhance their ability to exploit the commercial potential of merchandise.

The statement added that “number one will still be reserved for the current world champion, should he choose to use it.”

It added: “If more than one driver chooses the same number, priority will be given to the driver who finished higher in the previous year’s championship”.

The FIA also approved an extra tyre test in Bahrain on December 1719 “on safety grounds” to allow supplier Pirelli to assess plans for next season, when there are swingeing rule changes affecting the cars and the engines.

Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Force India and Toro Rosso will all take part. (BBC Sport)

ull’s Danny Graham ended a 30-game goal drought to score against his former club Swansea as both teams earned a battling point in Wales.

Swansea were poor in the first half and went behind when Graham volleyed in from Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross.

The hosts improved as Chico Flores nudged Jonjo Shelvey’s cross in.

But Hull had a strong penalty appeal when Dwight Tiendalli seemed to handball Alex Bruce’s header as the sides remained midtable.

This was the first Premier League encounter between the two teams and it was hardly a classic, but they both moved up one place in the Premier League, with Swansea now in 10th and Hull in 12th.

Having lost their four previous away games, Steve Bruce’s Hull side would have been more satisfied with their evening’s work.

Michael Laudrup’s team had striker Michu back in the side after injury but despite a promising spell before they scored in the 60th minute, they struggled to find any penetration in their final third.

Their attempts to combine Premier League and Europa League fixtures each week appear to be taking their toll.

Graham’s goal was his first since he struck for Swansea in a League Cup win over Chelsea last January, a time during which the 28-year-old moved to Sunderland later the same month and joined Hull on loan last summer.

But the way he tucked in Elmohamady’s right-wing cross, following Ashley Williams’s poor pass, belied his form in front of goal and he showed incredible restraint not to celebrate in front of his former supporters.

Many Swansea fans would have

surely allowed Graham that privilege and they applauded his actions.

They were less appreciative of their own side’s efforts in the first half, though, booing their team off at half-time.

Michu all too often dropped deep and when Swansea did make inroads, Curtis Davies - who returned to the side after suspension - was on hand to clear.

Ben Davies fired over after a smart one-two with Shelvey on the edge of the box, but there was little else to show from the first period and Laudrup clearly had enough 10 minutes into the second half when he introduced Alejandro Pozuelo in place of Jonathan De Guzman.

It had the desired effect as five minutes later, the hosts were level.

Shelvey played a short corner to the substitute, took the return and delivered into the box where it hit Flores for Swansea’s 17th secondhalf Premier League goal from a total of 21.

Steve Bruce withdrew Graham to strengthen his midfield and his side had a penalty appeal soon after when Tiendalli appeared to handball Alex Bruce’s header following a corner.

That led to an improved period for the visitors as David Meyler was caught narrowly offside after being sent clear and Yannick Sagbo drew a decent stop from Gerhard Tremmel after a stinging 25-yard drive.

But as the game became more open, Michu almost put Swansea ahead as Allan McGregor stopped the Spaniard’s shot with a dispute about the resulting corner, leading to a fracas between Tom Huddlestone, Williams and Sagbo.

That was as lively as it got, with Premier League newcomers Hull now five points above the relegation zone. (BBC Sport)

tuesday, december 10, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Bryant happy to make comeback, even in Lakers loss L

OS ANGELES - After nearly eight months of recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, Kobe Bryant is back on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He’s confident his game will soon join him.

Bryant had nine points and eight rebounds in his season debut, but Amir Johnson scored a careerhigh 32 points for the tradedepleted Toronto Raptors in a 106-94 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night.

With waves of cheers washing over him from opening warm-ups, Bryant acknowledged a bit of a struggle to keep his composure when he finally stepped back onto the same hardwood where he got hurt April 12. Although Bryant is proud of his perseverance through months of rehabilitation, he’s more grateful to be back in competition - even when it doesn’t turn out well. ‘’I think the last time I had eight months off, I was still in the womb,’’ he said. ‘’It felt good to get out there.’’

Bryant began his 18th NBA season by going 2 for 9 with four assists and eight turnovers in 28 minutes. Coming back from what could be a career altering injury, the fourthleading scorer in NBA history returned in time for Los Angeles’ 20th game of the new season, only to struggle with his shot, his timing and his new teammates. ‘’My rhythm is completely out of sync,’’ Bryant said. ‘’But this is a start, and I guess a start is good. ... I don’t feel normal at all. I couldn’t wait to start watching the film and criticizing every little thing.’’

Adoring fans cheered Kobe’s every move and forgave every misstep, but Bryant couldn’t rally the Lakers late against a shorthanded opponent that

Ronaldo, Ribery and Messi on Ballon d’Or shortlist

Cristiano Ronaldo Kobe Bryant (left)

hadn’t beaten the Lakers on the road in nearly 12 years.

Bryant was touched by the fans’ reception and his teammates’ encouragement, although his ruthless competitive nature chafed against his emotions before the opening tip. ‘’You try to control it as much as you can, but you can’t help thinking about the hard work,’’ Bryant said. ‘’You try to put it to the side as much as possible and do your work. ... It makes you appreciate the game, this franchise and this city, and all we’ve been through.’’

Nick Young scored 19 points for the Lakers, who went 10-9 without Bryant this season, forging a winning record without the fivetime NBA champion and with little help from fellow injured MVP Steve Nash. ‘’I finally got to see what Showtime is all about,’’ said Young, who joined the Lakers in the summer. ‘’This is my first time out there with him, and I definitely deferred to him a lot and

looked for him a lot. That’s what the fans wanted. The whole thing was about Kobe tonight.’’

But the Lakers never led, and Toronto improbably snapped its five-game losing streak despite playing without forward Rudy Gay, who is expected to be traded to Sacramento on Monday as the centerpiece of an apparent seven-player deal. ‘’(Bryant) was a little rusty, and you could tell because a lot of his shots were short,’’ said Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, who grew up in Los Angeles watching Kobe. ‘’We were going against him his first game back, but he’s going to get it going again and he’ll be back to the old Kobe.’’

The building had the buzz of a playoff game before the opening tip, with thousands of fans training cameras on Bryant during opening warm-ups. The building erupted in loud applause at every mention of Kobe, who was introduced last in the starting lineup

to the thunderous strains of ‘’The Imperial March’’ Darth Vader’s theme from ‘’Star Wars.’’

The crowd roared again the first time Bryant touched the ball, and he found Robert Sacre underneath the hoop for an assist on Los Angeles’ first possession. With his wife, Vanessa, and two daughters sitting courtside, Bryant hit a free throw for his first point in the second quarter, followed shortly by an 8-foot, double-pump, left-handed bank shot for his first field goal.

Bryant added a signature 22-foot face-up jumper later in the period, but also showed clear signs of rust and unfamiliarity with his new teammates. ‘’We’re going to have to carry Kobe a little bit, because of course he’s not 100 percent, not in game shape,’’ said Xavier Henry, who scored 17 points. ‘’It’s going to be fun. It’s a long year, and he’s just getting back.’’

(AP)

Snicko to be used for remaining Tests

D

ubai, United Arab Emirates - The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that Real-Time Snickometer (RTS) will be part of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the remaining two Tests between New Zealand and West Indies to be played in Wellington and Hamilton.

The RTS has been included as part of the DRS after an initial approach from the teams and their subsequent agreement after briefings in Wellington on Monday.

It will be part of the decision-making technology that will be used by Sky Television’s coverage of the series, and also includes Virtual Eye (ball tracking technology) and Hot Spot.

Both Virtual Eye and Hot Spot are on the list of approved DRS technologies and can be used by TV umpires in any series in which they are available.

The RTS is not yet approved but the ICC commenced the process of evaluating it for inclusion following ICC

Snicko

Chief Executives’ Committee’s meeting in September during which broad support was shown for the new technology.

The performance of the RTS during the New Zealand – West Indies series,

and the current Ashes series, will form part of that evaluation.

The DRS Playing Conditions are covered in Appendix 2 of the Standard Test Match Playing Conditions that can be found here. (ICC)

21

C

ristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi are on the three-man shortlist for the 2013 Ballon d’Or. The trio were chosen from the 23-man list, which included Gareth Bale, and the world player of the year will be revealed on January 13. Barcelona’s Messi has won four years in a row but Real Madrid forward Ronaldo is the favourite to win this year.

The women’s final trio are Nadine Angerer (Germany), Marta (Brazil) and Abby Wambach (USA).

FIFA has also confirmed the final three for coach of the year - with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson vying with exBayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes and Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp for the award.

The winners, to be announced at a ceremony in Zurich, will be decided by a vote among the captains and head coaches of all FIFAaffiliated men’s national teams, as well as by international media representatives selected by France Football magazine.

France Football introduced the Ballon d’Or in 1956 to honour the European footballer of the year, with England’s Stanley Matthews the first winner.

In 2007 the award became a world player award and three years later it merged with FIFA’s own world player honour.

Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi, 26, has won every year since the merger, but Real Madrid and Portugal star Ronaldo, 28, emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite after his fifth hat-trick of the season sent Portugal to the World Cup at the expense of Sweden last month.

Bayern Munich and France winger Ribery, 30, had previously been considered a leading contender after winning the treble with his club last season.

Franck Ribery

Lionel Messi

Hours after the PortugalSweden game ended, however, FIFA extended the voting period from 15 November to 29 November after saying fewer than 50% of eligible voters had responded before the original deadline.

Aside from Bale, five other Premier League players failed to make the cut from the initial 23 - Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.

Wolfsburg’s Ralf Kellermann, Germany boss Silvia Neid and Sweden coach Pia Sundhage are the final three for the women’s coach of the year.

FIFA has also confirmed the final nominees for the FIFPro World XI 2013, a team of the year.

The British candidates are England defenders Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole, midfielder Steven Gerrard, striker Wayne Rooney and Wales forward Bale.

The other Premier League nominees are: Chelsea’s Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz, Manchester City’s Vicent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Toure and Sergio Aguero, Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic and Van Persie, Arsenal’s Ozil and Liverpool’s Suarez. (BBC

Sport)

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tuesday, december 10, 2013

wants Unease over pending results Bangladesh West Indies Under on Shillingford and Samuels 19s to stay despite political unrest

C

Shane Shillingford

C

HITTAGONG, Bangladesh - West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson, says he does not believe the International Cricket Council (ICC) should reveal the results of bowling test conducted on Shane Shillingford and Marlon Samuels while the second test against New Zealand was underway.

The deadline for the report into their action passes midway through the Wellington Test and there is some anxiety in the West Indies camp as they wait to see how the ICC will handle releasing the results.

Gibson says he does not believe it is in anyone’s interest to reveal the results particularly if they are not

favourable.

“The ICC, I suppose, would have an idea of what the findings might say now,” said Gibson.

“The Test starts on Wednesday, it would seem to me if nothing is said before then that they would wait until afterwards”.

Shillingford and Samuels were tested in Perth on November 29, and the 14day period for confirmation of the findings passed to the ICC will end on the third day of the test.

The results become official when the ICC releases them via a press release.

“I don’t think it would be fair for them or us to issue the results in the middle of the game,” said Gibson.

Marlon Samuels

“If anything is going to happen I’d prefer if it happened before the game started.”

Shillingford had his doosra examined during the testing and Samuels his quicker ball after they were reported following the second Test against India in Mumbai.

Both players have previously been banned from

bowling, Samuels in 2008 and Shillingford following his Test debut in November 2010.

“I’ve not heard anything from the ICC. Since we’ve done the testing we’ve left it to them,” Gibson said.

“They have to digest the report then give us the results. Everything else we do is just focus on cricket.”

HITTAGONG, Bangladesh - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wants West Indies Under 19 team to reverse its decision to withdraw from its current tour.

Windies decision to withdraw was prompted by an explosion near the team hotel in Chittagong on Sunday as the country prepares for general elections next month.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan says once the general elections, carded for January 5, are held the violence is likely to dissipate.

“The impact won’t be severe. The situation can’t be like this all the time. We are hoping that before the start of the World T20s, there will be a solution to our political situation,” said Hassan.

“If there is no solution then the games won’t work, but by January all these solutions will come. So I am not worried about the future games. I am not worried about the World T20s.

I am hopeful that all the instability will be over by December.”

The West Indies players and staff have remained within the premises of Hotel Agrabad in central Chittagong, but are expected to move to Dhaka on Tuesday morning.

The WICB had said on Sunday that it was making arrangements for the play-

BCB president Nazmul Hassan

ers to leave the country, but the BCB wants to discuss resuming the tour with the WICB. “Now whether they [West Indies] are thinking about the future, and that because the elections are coming closer there might be more danger, I don’t know,” Hassan said.

“We will have a telephone conversation with them on [Monday] evening.”

The ongoing troubles in Bangladesh seemed to have escalated in recent months and the two main political parties have been at loggerheads.

However Hassan has played down the impact of the West Indies Under-19 team’s withdrawal from its tour of Bangladesh on the country’s hosting of the World Twenty20 in February.

DJ Campbell held in football fixing probe

“D

J Campbell... was a former teammate of Sam Sodje,” reports Andy

Swiss Ex-Premier League star DJ Campbell is one of six people questioned by police in connection with allegations of fixing in football matches.

Campbell, who now plays for Championship side Blackburn, was one of six people arrested on Sunday.

That came after ex-Portsmouth player Sam Sodje told an undercover Sun on Sunday reporter he could arrange yellow and red cards in exchange for cash.

Five people were bailed on Sunday and a sixth person was bailed on Monday.

Portsmouth Football Club said it was “shocked and saddened” by the claims.

Campbell, 32 - whose full name is Dudley Junior Campbell played in the Premier League for Birmingham, Blackpool and QPR. Blackburn Rovers FC said in a statement: “Following reports in today’s (Monday’s) national media, Blackburn Rovers can confirm that striker DJ Campbell has been arrested.

“The club will be making no further comment on what is now an ongoing legal matter.”

The BBC has learned that discussions are ongoing between

Blackburn Rovers, their lawyers and representatives of Campbell over his future at the club.

It is thought there is no timescale on the talks between the club and Campbell. Blackburn have a home game against Millwall on Saturday.

Red card

Police have not named the other five people arrested.

On Monday, the Sun reported that Tranmere Rovers defender Ian Goodison, 41, was among the six arrested.

The League One Club said in a statement it was “aware of reports in today’s media regarding Ian Goodison” but had “no further comment at this time”.

Sodje was secretly filmed by the Sun on Sunday describing how he had punched an opponent in a League One game to get a red card in exchange for £70,000.

He was sent off in the 50th minute of a League One match while playing for Portsmouth against Oldham Athletic on February 23.

His team were losing 1-0, which remained the final score.

The Sun on Sunday also reported that an Oldham player, Cristian Montano, apologised to Sodje after failing to get a yellow card in the first half of a match against

DJ Campbell was a former teammate of Sam Sodje

Wolves on October 22.

And it said that Sodje’s brother Akpo, a striker at Tranmere Rovers, had said he would be prepared to be paid to be booked.

The allegations prompted the National Crime Agency to launch an inquiry.

“An active NCA investigation is now under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission,” it said in a statement.

Shocked and saddened

In a statement from Portsmouth Football Club, spokesman Colin Farmery said: “If these serious al-

legations are true then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

“The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would co-operate fully with any inquiry.”

Mr Montano’s club, Oldham Athletic, said it would be starting an immediate internal investigation.

Tranmere said it was “aware of Sunday newspaper allegations regarding Akpo Sodje” but would make no further comment on the ongoing investigation.

Former Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chairman Clarke Carlisle said an increase in the number of betting markets in recent years had made it “very easy to manipulate a single incident”.

“Influencing a match used to be wholly more complex because it’s 22 men - or 25 if you’re including officials - who you need to get to,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“But now something as simple as a booking, a red card - these can be manufactured incidents.

“I think the betting markets are something that we could have a look at as an industry.”

Former FA chairman Mark

Palios said one answer was to “get into the dressing rooms and to make sure that the guys actually have the ability to safely whistleblow”.

The game should look to other industries that “try to make it easy for the whistle-blower”, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

The Football League, meanwhile, said it took claims of criminal activity “extremely seriously” and would give police its full assistance.

The Gambling Commission and Football Association said they were working with the NCA.

Allegations

A statement from the PFA said the allegations, if proven, demonstrated “the real issue football faces in terms of corruption” and showed how important it was to educate players of the risks.

“We take the issue of integrity very seriously and will continue in our efforts to eradicate this evil from our game,” it added.

In a separate NCA investigation into an alleged international betting syndicate, two non-league footballers were last week charged with conspiracy to defraud.

BBC Sport’s Richard Conway said there had been an assumption for a long time that English football was immune to fixing. (BBC Sport)

tuesday, december 10, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

K&S Secondary Schools Football Tourney…

East Ruimveldt, Ann’s Grove win on opening day

Part of the action on the opening day of the competition on Sunday at the GCC ground, Bourda (Photo: Treiston Joseph)

T

he Kashif and Shanghai Organisation commenced its inaugural Secondary Schools football tournament on Sunday afternoon with East Ruimveldt and Ann’s Grove becoming the first teams to record victories at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

In two games of contrasting results, East Ruimveldt came back from a two-goal deficit to force the game to penalties against Wisburg Secondary, which they won 3-2, while Ann’s Grove completely outplayed Christ Church 9-1.

Tshekedi Whitehead (ninth minute) and Jermaine Moore (25th) put Wisburg ahead 2-0 before Romel Legall pulled one back on the stroke of halftime for East Ruimveldt.

Upon resumption,

Shaquille Frank found the back of the nets in the 52nd minute to push Wisburg further into the lead at 3-1, but East Ruimveldt made a stunning comeback with two unanswered goals to level the scores and force the game to penalties.

Shemar Beaton in the 74th minute and Nicholas Hunte in the 90th minute accounted for East Ruimveldt goals as the game ended three-all. In the ensuing penalty shootout, East Ruimveldt prevailed 3-2.

The other game was a walk in the park for Ann’s Grove who scored goals at will against a weak Christ Church unit.

Doubles from Kevin Peters (25th and 65th) and Darrel Pewell (44th and 63rd) and single strikes from Shane Simpson (45th), Jamal Blair (48th), Ocemie Griffith (76th) and Daniel

Francis (80th) along with an own goal in the 77th minute accounted for Ann’s Grove’s goals, while Jovanty Best in the 75th minute scored the lone goal for Christ Church.

Meanwhile, several top officials, including Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana Football Federation president Christopher Matthias and Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, spoke at the opening ceremony as they endorsed the tournament, which has attracted 24 schools from across the country.

The knockout competition will continue on Wednesday with another double-header, this time at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.

In the opening game at 16:00 hours, North Georgetown will take on Patentia Secondary, while

in the feature contest at 18:00 hours, Charlestown Secondary will tackle Lodge Secondary.

The tournament, which will conclude with the grand final on New Year’s Day 2014, has attracted schools from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Linden, Berbice and Region Seven.

The champion school will pocket $1.2 million, 75 percent of which will be used to finance a project identified by the school. The second, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $750,000, $500,000 and $250,000, 25 percent of which will used for a project at those schools.

The Most Valuable Player will be the recipient of a laptop, as well as a onemonth stint with a top club in Trinidad and Tobago.

23

Roach confident of full recovery

B

RIDGETOWN, Barbados – West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach is confident of making a successful return to the international stage after recently undergoing surgery for a right shoulder injury.

Roach has been sidelined since early November when he was forced to return from the tour of India.

Having undergone the operation in Jamaica, Roach will continue his rehabilitation in Barbados, and looking to make an impact next year when he makes a full recovery.

“I’m feeling quite fine at the moment...the surgery was successful so I know I have to get my rest and start my rehab and when the time is right I will look to make a comeback to the playing field,” Roach told WICB Media.

“It’s my bowling arm so I’m fully aware that it will

take some time before I get back out there...that’s fine but when I come back I want to make sure I’m full ready so I can continue to get a bag of wickets for the West Indies.”

Roach has been the West Indies’ most successful fast bowler in Test cricket in the last two years. He has taken 85 wickets in 23 Test matches at an average of 27.71 and 94 wickets in 61 One-Dayers at an average of 26.77.

The 25-year-old is presently at Number 14 in the ICC Test Match Bowling Rankings and at Number 16 in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. He is looking to break into the Top 10 on his return.

“I have a progress and recovery plan mapped out and I will follow it. My shortterm goal is to break into the Top 10 in Test bowling and also look to help push West Indies back to the top in all formats,” Roach said. (WICB)

Bolt and FraserPryce win Jamaica’s Golden Cleats awards

K

INGSTON, Jamaica - Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann FraserPryce walked away with top honours at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Golden Cleats Awards at the Terra Nova Hotel on Monday.

The two have continued their award-winning run after winning three gold medals each (100m, 200m and 4x100m) at this year’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

Glen Mills was named

coach of the year.

IAAF World Youth Championships stars Yanique Thompson and Christoffe Bryan received the Scotiabank Group Howard Aris scholarship, valued at $250,000 each.

Bolt and Fraser-Pryce created history last month when they became the first Jamaican duo to win the male and female IAAF World Athletes of the Year awards in the same year in Monte Carlo.

Ravens top Colts after final quarter surge in PGL tournament

By Treiston Joseph

D

espite an abysmal shooting effort from Ryan Stephney, Ravens used a late fourth quarter run to rally past Colts 69-59 in the Philip George Legacy (PGL) basketball tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Sunday.

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai ignited a late 10-2 run in the final period to help carry the Ravens over the hump despite Stephney’s gifting the Colts a lot of turnovers.

A very physical game from jump ball, both teams drove the lane consistently, looking for contact and drawing fouls.

Kanhai, who played off the ball for most of the first half, dominated the second half with his rebounding and ability to get in the lane to finish. He also picked up fouls and ran the fast-break plays to find open team

Ryan Stephney (number nine) rejected during his horrid shooting performance for the Ravens

mates for easy baskets.

Colts late in the game seemed to have started to lose their legs as many of their shots came up short while easy lay-ups failed to find the bottom of the net.

Baskets were hard for them to generate in the final minutes of the game as their offense became stagnant.

Kanhai finished with 18 points, 12 of which came in the second half, while Stephney had 13 and Darrion Lewis, 11 points.

Sheldon Thomas had a game-high for the Colts with 23 points in the loss to the Ravens.

Meanwhile, earlier in the evening Melanie Patriots outscored Plaisance Guardians 26-14 in the third period to take the lead and win the nail-biter 81-79.

Floyd Arthur hit two backto-back three’s to ignite the Patriots’ run that catapulted them to the victory.

Kurtley English had 21 points for the Patriots while

Naykeri Bacchuss had 12 points. Arthur finished with 10 points while the “big man” down low, Sheldon Legall, had 10 as well.

Ron Campbell had a game high 28 points while Travis Stewart had 19 and Enoch Matthews, 18, in the two-point loss.

Meanwhile, Pepsi Sonics routed the Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters 73-51 with a game-high 25 points from guard Jason Squires.

Collis Pluck and Rawle White each had 12 points in the win.

Hugh Arthur had 12 points for TGH Pacesetters who were without their top guard Travis Burnett, who was ejected from a game the night before with a double technical. Kwesi Roberts also had 10 points for the Pacesetters.

Meanwhile, games will continue at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this weekend with quarter-final encounters.

tuesDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013

TOP SCORES

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

Australia 570-9 dec and 132-3 dec beat England 172 & 312 by 218 runs

Pee Wee footballers Roach recognised by K&S confident of T full recovery See story on page

23

wo of the outstanding players of Courts Pee Wee Under-11 champion school, St Pius Primary, were recently recognised by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation for the roles they played in leading their school to championship honours.

Marcus Wilson was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while Beveney Mark won the highest goalscorer award for netting 13 goals and both received a full set of football gear each from England-based Guyanese Allen Tumazeri of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

Both youngsters said they were elated to receive the donation and promised to make maximum use of it to the benefit of their development.

Tumazeri also used the opportunity, on behalf of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, to congratulate the school on its success.

INSIDE TODAY’S SPORT

K&S Secondary Schools Football Tourney…

P23 East Ruimveldt, Ann’s Grove win on opening day

From right: Allen Tumazeri, Marcus Wilson, Beveney Mark and a teacher of St Pius display the gear

Keamar Roach

Ravens top Colts after final quarter surge in PGL tournament

See story on page

23

Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai goes up for a fast break lay-up during the game-changing run in the final quarter (Treiston Joseph photos)

Sheldon Thomas jumps for a three-point jumper during his 23-point performance for the Colts

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