Top Cop P

14NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM 79 new COVID-19 cases recorded; 13 in ICU

…testing boosted in vulnerable communities

As the number of Minister Anthony told Centre, EBD. On Saturday COVID-19 cases in the Department of Public and Sunday, testing will Guyana continues to Information (DPI) that the commence at 09:00h. raise in Guyana, the Health mobile testing unit will A schedule has been Ministry is looking to boost make access for the proce- drawn up for communities testing in communities that dure and to health officials that most need testing, and are vulnerable to the virus. much easier for citizens. that schedule will be pub-

On Wednesday, the Last weekend, the mo- lished once it has been finalMinistry reported 79 new bile unit was stationed ised. confirmed COVID-19 cases at Diamond, East Bank “We have also worked in the last 24 hours. Demerara, where the out a schedule where, on a

According to the Ministry had observed a re- periodic and, ad hoc basis, Ministry’s updated cent spike in positive cas- we’ll be sending these units COVID-19 Dashboard, the es in Demerara-Mahaica into other regions and other total number of COVID-19 (Region Four). communities to get a sense cases now stands at 4,324 – “We sent that unit into of what is going on in these 2,285 are males and 2,039 Diamond and surrounding areas. So that would be an are females. communities. We thought ongoing process from now

But only 800 of these it important to get a better on,” the Minister added. cases are currently active; picture of what is happening Minister Anthony is enthat is, 13 patients in the with the epidemic in these couraging Guyanese who COVID-19 Intensive Care communities, and the way feel they have been exposed Unit (ICU) and the oth- to know is to do more test- During this coming week- to the disease to take full ader 787 persons in isolation. ing in those communities,” end, the testing unit would vantage of the opportunity That is 62 in institutional Minister Anthony noted. be at the Grove Health to get tested. isolation and the remaining corded on Wednesday, a Since taking office, the 725 in home isolation. There are now 32 persons in institutional quarantine. Meanwhile, some 3,394 whopping 34 are from the Barima-Waini region (1); five from the PomeroonSupenaam region (2); nine are from Region Three PPP/C Government has embarked on a massive testing drive to ensure that all positive cases, especially asymptomatic cases, are detected. Top Cop commends injured Policemen for bravery persons have to date recovered from the life-threatening disease. The COVID-19 death toll remains at 130. The latest fatalities were recorded on Tuesday when a 77-yearold female from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and a 92-year-old man from Region One (Barima-Waini) died while receiving care at medical facilities. A total of 20,739 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Guyana. Of the 79 new cases re(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 25 cases are in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); and there is one case in each of the regions from Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and four cases are from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice). The figures remained the same in regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Only last week, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony had expressed concerns about the low detection rate is some regions. As such, he encouraged citizens to take advantage of the mobile testing units that are dispatched to various communities where high number COVID-19 cases are being detected, such as Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. During his latest COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Top Cop Nigel Hoppie, along with senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force, on Tuesday visited Lance Corporal Bertland Scotland who was stabbed several times about his body by a wanted man during a confrontation at One Mile, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) in September. During the visit, Commissioner Hoppie commended the Lance Corporal for his bravery in the face of Former Army Chiefof-Staff Gary Best’s causing-death trial Ruling pending in Gary Best’s causing-death trial danger, and reassured him of the Force's commitment to his welfare and personal development. On September 14, Lance Corporal Scotland, who is attached to the Port Kaituma prehend the suspect, who was wanted in connection with the murder of pensioner Earl Peters, which occurred on September 5. charged, and is currently at home recuperating. Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, Commissioner Hoppie visited Constable Amos Ramsingh, who was shot on October 5 at Guyhoc Lance Corporal Bertland Scotland receiving hampers from the GPF continued on Wednesday Park, Georgetown while arbefore City Magistrate resting a suspect who was Rondell Weever. The pros- armed with a firearm. ecution replied to a no- The Commissioner also case submission present- used the opportunity to comed by Best’s lawyer Nigel mend Constable Ramsingh Hughes, who is asking for his incredible display of that the charge against bravery in the line of duty, his client be dismissed. and reassured him of the Magistrate Weever will rule on the no-case submission on December 3, 2020. According to the first charge against Best, on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Greater Top Cop Nigel Hoppie, along with senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force, chatting with Constable Amos Ramsingh at his Force's commitment to his welfare and development. Constable Ramsingh expressed sincere gratitude for the visit from the Commissioner and his team, Georgetown, he drove a motor vehicle, PRR 8182, Former GDF Chief-of-Staff Gary Best Dead: Jude Bentley home and also for the token of appreciation for his hard work. in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Jude Bentley, a former national cyclist. It is further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he drove the motor vehicle while his blood alcohol level was 85 micrograms, above the legal limit. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. In relation to the causing-death charge, Best, an executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), pleaded not guilty and was ordered to post $500,000 bail. In relation to the charge of driving under the influence, he was released on his own recognisance (self-bail). As a condition of bail, Best was ordered to report to the Police Force’s Traffic Headquarters on specified dates until the completion of his trial. Bentley, 41, was struck down and run over by the vehicle allegedly driven by Best on Clive Lloyd Drive near the Russian Embassy turn in Georgetown. Reports are that, at the time of the accident, both Best and Bentley were travelling in an easterly direction. Investigators found that Best was driving under the influence of alcohol. After the accident, Best was taken into custody, but later complained of feeling unwell. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted. Best is a former Presidential Advisor under the David Granger Administration. Police Station, along with other ranks acting on information received, went to S1A Junction, One Mile, Port Kaituma, NWD, where they confronted the suspect, who was the occupant of the upper flat of a two-storey building. When the ranks attempted to apprehend the suspect, he reportedly whipped out a knife and stabbed Scotland to his left hand, left hip, left lower abdomen, left eyebrow and left buttock. The other ranks managed to apThe suspect was also wanted for wounding committed on Troy Roberts, who is presently admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital; and also for the wounding of Police Constable Edwards at Arakaka Police Outpost on August 20, 2020. After the stabbing, the injured Policeman was taken to the Port Kaituma District Hospital and was subsequently medevaced to Georgetown, where he was admitted in a critical condition. He has since been disAmong the GPF officers that visited the injured ranks were Divisional Commander, Region 10, Superintendent Hugh Winter; Welfare Officer, Deputy Superintendent Jewel Sullivan; Assistant Commissioner Simon Mc Bean, Commander of Regional Division 4 'A', Superintendent John Barker; Officer-in-charge of Sub-Division and Reverend Michael Singh, member of the Cops and Faith network.

NEWS15 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Blue dial scales not approved for trade – GNBS

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is again cautioning vendors and the public against using the blue dial scale, which is not approved for trade.

GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying that the agency has tried several ways to rid the market of that type of sale, but to no avail.

“It is affecting the market place where vendors and shop keepers are using those blue dial scales to conduct trade. Those scales are not approved for trade by the GNBS. They cannot withstand the activities of

Junior non-commissioned officers serving at Base Camp Ayanganna have received their anniversary gift of a spanking new Junior Ranks’ Mess Hall and Club.

Meanwhile, at Base Camp Stephenson, the soldiers of One Infantry Battalion will enjoy the comfort of a new and modern barrack accommodation, complete with steel cupboards and other contemporary amenities.

Both buildings, which were completed recently, were officially dedicated and handed over for use by soldiers as part of activities to commemorate the 55th Anniversary of the Guyana Defence Force.

The mess hall facility will cater to the messing and recreational needs of privates, lance corporals and corporals.

Chief of Staff (ag) Brigadier Godfrey Bess and other members of the Force’s leadership were on hand for the handing over ceremonies for both facilitrade,” David is quoted as saying.

He explained that the GNBS has “tried urging the consumer to desist from buying from the scale, and have spoken to the vendors and shopkeepers on numerous occasions to secure the approved scales to conduct trade.”

GNBS inspectors seize the scales whenever they encounter them.

“The cost of the scale is so negligible compared to the approved scale that they tend to revert and buy another scale, so our task is continuous, removing those scales from the market,” he said, adding that, “We have to do that because the accuties. In brief remarks, he underscored the importance of soldiers taking care of them, since both represented improved comfort for them.

GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David

racy of the scale is questionable.

The GNBS does not verify (stamp) the scale for trade because they were

He added that the Force’s leadership remains committed to ensuring that soldiers receive the best, as this too is expected from them as they carry out their daily duties.

Brigadier Bess also acknowledged the role of the Force’s Engineering Corps which was instrumental in providing supervision in the execution of both projects.

The accommodation building is two-storeyed and will house between 110 and 125 soldiers on each floor.

Plans for the rebuilding and, where necessary, restoration of accommodation for ranks of other bases are in the pipeline.

Soldiers get new facilities

designed for domestic use only. Further, the scales do not measure using only metric units, and their weighing mechanisms are not designed for continuous use, and can be damaged easily when used commercially.

Therefore, instead of using the blue dial scale, the GNBS recommends the use of the red equal arm scale, the electronic scale, and the platform scale, with measurements in the International System of Units (SI Units) or metric units.

“We have made progress in some areas, but there are some areas that are still lagging behind. Use kilogrammes instead of pounds, and metres instead of feet, and so on,” DPI quoted David as saying.

Consumers are also re-

The Health Ministry on Wednesday received 100 vials of Remdesivir from ANSA McAL Trading Limited to aid Guyana’s fight against COVID-19.

The company has committed to providing a second batch of 100 vials in one week’s time, the Department of Public Information reported.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony expressed his gratitude to the company, saying that the dona-

minded that they have the right to demand that items they purchase be weighed using approved weighing devices, which carry a verification seal or sticker.

“When we verify the scales, we are not in the market place all the time ensuring that the vendors do the right thing,” David noted.

He is therefore urging the public to educate themselves, “so that when they go to shop, they can understand what is really happening when the vendor conducts their measurements.”

Consumers can also relay their queries to the GNBS via WhatsApp: 692-

Health Ministry gets Remdesivir donation

tion is timely, as tghe drug greater challenge when one I’m happy that we’re getis part of Government’s patient requires the use of ting some more Remdesivir treatment protocol for the ten vials over the course of available if somebody redisease. treatment. ally gets sick. We are also

Dr Anthony acknowl- “We all have to work to- extending to regional hosedged that Remdesivir is gether to ensure that we pitals,” the Minister is expensive and becomes a have control of COVID-19. quoted as saying.

GNBS (4627).

16NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Flash floods leave city under water

…as City Hall yet to clear clogged drains, canals …heavy rainfall forecast to last until Sunday

Flash floods on Wednesday inundated sections of Georgetown, putting several residences and businesses in the city under water after hours of torrential rainfall coupled with roaring thunder and flashes of lightening in the wee hours.

Compounding the situation in Georgetown are clogged drains and canals. Among the areas in the city affected are: Albouystown, Alexander Village, Bel Air, East and North Ruimveldt, and South Ruimveldt Gardens and Park.

According to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), over the last 24 hours there has been approximately five inches of rainfall, while the drainage capacity caters for only two inches of water; hence the severity of flooding.

It was noted that low tide is forecast to be at 11:56h at a height of 0.90mm, which provides some relief for waters to recede.

The Public Works Ministry had dispatched regional engineers and technical officers to assess the situation throughout the ten administrative regions in light of heavy rainfall over the past few hours.

The Inter-Agency Task Force, comprising representatives from the Local Government Ministry, Public Works Ministry, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) and the Regional Officials, has already been established to ensure that the risk of damage and interference to homes and businesses is minimised.

Meanwhile, Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine has reported that businesses in the capital city suffered millions in losses as a result of the floods.

The Mayor and his team visited various wards of Georgetown to assess the damage done by floodwaters, and met with affected residents. Narine has reported that stores on Regent Street, Guyana’s premier shopping district, have been completely flooded out. However, the Mayor did not address the issues of the

City Hall’s failure to clear and clean clogged drains and canals in the city.

The CDC said, “The National Weather Watch Centre has advised that the current weather pattern is forecast to last until November 08, 2020.” To this end, Director-General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, has called on Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) to activate their Regional Emergency Operation Centres (REMS) to prepare for expected flooding.

The Director General has said that based on reports from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Service, Guyana is expected to receive above-normal rainfall and low-lying areas could experience flooding.

While the CDC would continue to monitor the expected rainfall, Craig said, RDCs should activate their multi-agency response mechanisms, since the CDC cannot do it alone.

“The CDC is prepared to work with all the Regional Democratic Councils to provide technical guidance to ensure effectiveness and

efficiency,” the DirectorGeneral noted.

The Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are also being called upon to play their role and to lend support to the RDC.

“The emergency response mechanism, from national right down to the community level, it is important that we activate it and be on standby to respond and alleviate the impact of (flooding) across the country,” Craig underscored.

The Commission is advising residents of riverine, low-lying and flood-prone areas to take all necessary precautions and to contact the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 226-1114, 6231700 and 6007500, should they be affected.

In fact, upon the direction of Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, who holds responsibility for disaster management, the CDC has decided to partially activate the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

The NEOC will immediately examine the possibility of shelters in regions that have been affected by the weather. The decision was made following an initial two-hour inspection of flooded communities throughout the city.

Following the assessment Wednesday morning, Director-General Craig told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that “almost every community has some level of water accumulation. In some instanc-

Canadian health authorities on Wednesday reported the country's first case of a human infected with the H1N2 virus, a rare strain of swine flu.

The case, detected in the western province of Alberta in mid-October, appears to be isolated "and there is no increased risk to Albertans at this time," local health officials said in a statement. "This is the only influenza case reported in Alberta so

es, there are seven to eight inches of water on the road, and some homes are under two to three inches of water.”

Assessments were done in the affected communities in Georgetown on Wednesday to assess the structural aspect of the flooding to lessen the accumulation.

Meanwhile, the CDC is collaborating with the Georgetown M&CC to identify hard-hit communities, and providing sanitation items to affected residents.

The Director-General is urging residents to start disinfecting their homes, and to keep children away from flood waters.

“I also want to encourage residents to discourage children from playing in the water, to prevent health issues, and to stock up on sand bags to protect your property,” he said.

Persons in need of support can contact the CDC’s 24-hour National Emergency Monitoring System on telephone numbers: 226-1114 or 226-1617. Reports of flooding can also

Canada reports rare strain of swine flu found in a human

be made. (G8) far this flu season," the state- that it has not spread. not transmissible to humans ment read. It added that the Since 2005 only 27 cases by eating pork or other pig unnamed patient experienced worldwide have been report- products, officials said. "This mild influenza-like symptoms, ed of people infected with the a rare type of flu in humans, "was tested and then quickH1N2 -- not to be confused typically acquired from expoly recovered. There is no eviwith the more common H1N1 sure to infected pigs and not dence at this time that the viswine flu virus. There have known to spread easily from rus has spread further." been no cases in Canada prior human to human," Theresa

Canadian health officials to this one. Tam, Chief Public Health are looking into where the viThe H1N2 strain is not a Officer of Canada, wrote on rus came from, and to verify food-related illness and it is Twitter. (AFP)

Kosovo war crimes suspect arrested, sent to The Hague

Jakup Krasniqi, a vet- Kosovo raided Krasniqi’s crimes against humanity by eran Kosovo politician home on the outskirts of the the tribunal. He was quesand former spokesman capital, Pristina. tioned over his role in the for the Kosovo Liberation The Specialist Chamber 1990s conflict by prosecuArmy, has been arrest- was set up in The Hague tors in The Hague for the ed and transferred to The in 2015 to handle cases of first time a month later. Hague, the Kosovo war alleged crimes by Kosovo The war, which came crimes tribunal said in a Liberation Army (KLA) to an end after NATO-led statement. guerrillas during the war air raids, left more than

Krasniqi, the former between 1998 and 1999 that 10,000 dead and 1,641 peospeaker of parliament, will eventually led to Kosovo’s ple remain unaccounted for. face charges of war crimes independence from Serbia Serbia does not recognise and crimes against human- 10 years later. The Hague- Kosovo’s 2008 declaration ity, the Kosovo Specialist based court is governed by of independence. Serbia and Chamber added. It did not Kosovo law, but is staffed Kosovo have been engaged give details about the in- by international judges and in negotiations brokered dictment against him. The prosecutors. with the European Union arrest came after heavi- In late June, Kosovo’s since 2011 in an attempt ly armed police from the President Hashim Thaci to normalise relations and European Union Rule-of- was among nine people in- open the door for EU memLaw Mission (EULEX) in dicted for war crimes and bership. (Al Jazeera)

NEWS17 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Tense wait as US election winner remains unclear

The outcome of the US stop," the President said, States - from the White presidential election apparently meaning that he House itself - would underis on a knife edge, wants to block the counting mine ballot-counting. with Donald Trump and his of postal ballots, which can It's a process that rival Joe Biden neck and be legally accepted by some stretches on for days after neck in key swing states. state election boards after the election even in normal

No candidate can credi- Tuesday's election. circumstances, where votbly claim to have won as yet, His rival's campaign ers haven't turned to postal and both campaigns said condemned the President's or early voting in large numthey had potential paths to statement as "outrageous, bers because of an ongoing victory. unprecedented, and incor- pandemic.

Without declaring victo- rect", calling it a "naked ef- After Trump spoke, Vice ry, Biden said he believed fort to take away the dem- President Mike Pence tried his Democratic campaign ocratic rights of American to smooth over his remarks, would prevail. citizens". declining to declare premaTrump, a Republican, claimed to have won. His Incumbent Donald Trump and his rival Joe Biden neck and neck in key swing states. A lawyer for the Biden campaign, Bob Bauer, said ture victory and insisting that all the legally cast votes campaign has filed lawsuits Wisconsin – are very close. al college votes, Biden has "I'm here to report – we any Supreme Court chal- will be counted. It was much in two states where Biden Biden is currently ahead a clear lead in the nationleads. in Wisconsin and a Trump al vote, with 50 per cent –

Several key states are ex- lead in Pennsylvania could 2.5 million votes more than pected to finish counting by still potentially be over- Trump. Hillary Clinton rethe end of Wednesday, but turned by mail-in votes. ceived nearly three million the election may not be de- However, Republicans in more votes than Trump in cided for days. Wisconsin said they would 2016, but still lost the elec-

The Biden campaign immediately request a re- tion. said it expected to win be- count in the state, claim- Control of Congress – the cause several states would ing "reports of irregularities two-chamber legislature – is

Trump supporters rally in front of a Cuban restaurant in Miami, Florida, on election night

believe we will be the winners," he said. lenge would lead to "one of more in line with how a US The Democrat added a the most embarrassing de- leader would be expected to call for unity and a pledge to feats a President ever suf- behave in a moment of politdefend democracy. fered before the highest ical uncertainty. "No-one is going to take court in the land". The damage had been our democracy away from done, however. Whether us, not now, not ever," he Doomsday scenario Trump ultimately wins or Protesters gathered at the Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House as the polls closed said. Trump, meanwhile, alAnalysis by Anthony Zurcher, North America reloses, he has cast a pall on this election, as he calls the leged in a tweet that there porter very machinery of American be called for them on in several counties". And in also at stake. As well as the had been "surprise ballot Donald Trump has been democracy into question. Wednesday or Thursday, Michigan and Pennsylvania White House, Republicans dumps", causing his lead in telegraphing for weeks that but the Trump campaign the Trump campaign has are vying to hang on to a several states to disappear, if the presidential election When will we get a result? said it was confident that filed lawsuits to stop the Officials had warned bethe maths was in its favour. counting of ballots. fore election day that we

The US is on course for Biden could also snatch might have to wait days or the highest electoral turn- Arizona, a once reliably con- even weeks for the presidenout in a century. More than servative state, and is ahead tial result this year because 100 million people cast their in Nevada, although count- of the surge in postal ballots. ballots in early voting be- ing is not expected to re- Different states have diffore Election Day, and tens sume there until Thursday. ferent rules for how – and of millions more added their However, the President when – to count postal balvote on Tuesday. is projected to have held the lots, meaning there are large

Trump has defied the must-win state of Florida, gaps between them in terms pre-election polls to do bet- and another conservative of reporting results. In some ter than predicted, but sunbelt state, Texas, where states it will take weeks to Biden has a narrow lead in the Biden campaign had get complete results. several key states. dreamed of an upset victory. The last time the result

In the US election, voters Georgia and North was not clear within a few decide state-level contests Carolina are also very close, hours was in 2000, when rather than an overall, sin- though currently leaning the winner, George W Bush, gle, national one. Trump's way. was not confirmed until a

To be elected president, a Supreme Court ruling was candidate must win at least Trump will keep hold of The Wisconsin result is proving to be one of the closest made a month later. 270 votes in what is called Ohio and Missouri, known In the meantime, it falls the electoral college. Each as bellwether states because majority in the Senate. The without providing any evi- to US media organisations US state gets a certain num- they have so often predicted House of Representatives dence. Twitter labelled the were close, he would accuse to predict, or project, the ber of votes partly based on the eventual winner, accord- is expected to stay in tweet as possibly disputed his Democratic opponents of winner in each state much its population and there are ing to the BBC's projection. Democratic hands. and misleading. committing voter fraud and sooner. a total of 538 up for grabs. Trump is also projected At an election night gath- trying to steal victory away Teams of election experts

Biden is projected to win by the BBC to win Nebraska, What are the ering at the White House, from him. In the early hours and statisticians analyse a Michigan, one of the Rust though Biden picked up one candidates saying? the President said there was of Wednesday morning, he mixture of information such Belt battleground states vote there in the electoral In an address on "major fraud" and "we'll be did exactly that. as exit poll data – interwhich propelled Trump to college, which could turn out Wednesday afternoon, Biden going to the US Supreme It is the doomsday sce- views at polling stations and the White House four years to be crucial. said it was clear his cam- Court", again without pro- nario that many Americans phone calls with early voters ago. The vote tallies in two But while the two candi- paign was winning enough viding evidence. were fearing, where the – and actual votes counted. others – Pennsylvania and dates do battle for elector- states to win the election. "We want all voting to President of the United (Excerpt from BBC News)

18 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 Regional

Hurricane Eta brought torrential rain and high winds to weakened, there remains the risk of life-threatening flash floods in parts of Eta batters Central America, killing 3 All set for PNP presidential election in Jamaica Nicaragua as it made land- Central America that lie in fall in the Central American the storm's path. nation on Tuesday. The centre of the

Two men were killed storm was over northern when a landslide buried the Nicaragua on Wednesday, mine they were working in and the NHC forecast it in Bonanza, on Nicaragua's would move across central north coast. Honduras today.

In neighbouring It was likely to continHonduras, a 13-year-old girl ue to weaken as it moved died in the city of San Pedro over land, the NHC said, but Sula when the wall of her would still produce tropical home collapsed onto the bed storm conditions close to its where she was sleeping. A woman trying to recover the part of the roof damaged by centre on Wednesday.

Eta has since been down- Hurricane Eta in Wawa, Nicaragua [Carlos Herrera/AP Photo] As well as the risk in graded to a tropical storm. Central America, the NHC Outgoing People's National Party President Peter Phillips (centre) It first hit Nicaragua as a Category Four hurricane with winds of 225 kilomeple in Nicaragua left their homes for shelters before the storm hit. of the baseball stadium was blown over, news agency AFP reports. warned of the possibility of flash flooding across a wider area taking in Jamaica, looks on as presidential candidates Lisa Hanna and Mark Golding exchange greetings at the code of conduct signing at the Party's headquarters, last month (Photo: Karl Mclarty) tres per hour (140 miles per hour) and torrential rains. Tens of thousands of peoIn the town of Puerto Cabezas, trees were uprooted and the perimeter walls The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says that although Eta has parts of Mexico, El Salvador, and the Cayman Islands. (BBC News) The People's National Party (PNP) Secretariat has deRobinson underscored that all COVID-19 protocols will be observed during the Trinis wary of Trump’s return to White House clared that everything is now in place for Saturday's delegates vote to select the voting process, with only registered delegates being allowed to enter the arA Trinidad and Tobago national living in New York is fearful Residing in the US for almost three decades, Trinidadian Alicia a US citizen in 2013, expressed fears that the close race between the two ri“I can identify knowing what it is like to be in a country where you are not party's sixth president. Just over 3350 delegates are registered to vote on Saturday to determine if eas where voting is taking place. “All delegates will be required to have their EOJ that should incumbent US Jefferson, 43, chose to vals may lead to riots, say- a citizen...so that unrest, St Ann South East Member IDs for identification purPresident Donald Trump vote by mail in the state ing the recent erection of a uneasiness and anxiety be- of Parliament (MP) Lisa poses [while] the EOJ will be re-elected, it could mean of Florida three weeks ago. “non-scaleable fence around fore I became a US citizen is Hanna, or St Andrew South have a computer at each lototal deportation of all mi- However, she said concerns the White House” and the coming to the surface now. MP Mark Golding, will re- cation which can verify the grants regardless of their were raised by voters that “boarding up” of businesses I am very fearful of what place Dr Peter Phillips as identity of all the delegates citizenship. some mailboxes contain- was unsettling. the consequences could be the party's president. and substitute delegates

Expressing fears that ri- ing ballots were broken She said the fact that for immigrants in the coun- PNP General Secretary (those selected to vote if an ots and looting could erupt into and tampered with. Trump has not agreed for a try ... their documents and Julian Robinson told jour- original delegate is unable if Trump is given a sec- Although Florida is known peaceful transfer of power if their papers could be up in nalists Wednesday morning to make it). ond term in office, Nirveeta as a Republican State, someone else is elected was the air ... especially if there that the public should hear “An election centre Charles, a family and mar- Jefferson admitted she disturbing. is a lot of civil unrest.” the results by 17:00h. will be established here at riage therapist living in voted for Biden, because Although Charles has Charles said other mi- “The voting will start PNP headquarters where New York, admitted that Trump was a total disap- been a US citizen for seven grants felt the same way. at 10:00 am and will close EOJ officials and memTuesday’s election had her pointment years, she said she is still (Excerpt from Trinidad at 3:00 pm at 12 locations bers of the party's Appeal uneasy and worried. Charles, who became looked upon as a migrant. Guardian) across the country and will and Monitoring Committee be managed by the Electoral will be present and operIn Venezuela, many hope Trump will win to keep pressure on Maduro Office of Jamaica (EOJ),” said Robinson as he noted that the change from a single location for voting to multiple locations was in ate from. The secretariat will have a representative at each of the voting locations to ensure that everything goes smoothly,” addMany Venezuelans are hoping for the re-election of US President Donald Trump, whose campaign of aggresColombia, said in the capital Bogota. “What we hope for is continuity of a policy that has so far been bipartisan, response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ed Robinson. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer) UK lockdown will hit sive sanctions against the South American nation’s ruling Socialist Party has which has supported the struggle for democracy in Venezuela…,” Guanipa told Grenada’s tourism won over a broad swathe of President Nicolás Maduro’s critics. The Trump Administration has promised that sanctions will cause the ouster of Maduro, who has overseen a catastrophic economic meltdown that fuelled a mass exodus of migrants. But the strategy has after nearly two years failed to shake him from power, and critics say the measures have exacerbated the once-prosperous Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member’s humanitarian crisis by hurting the Government’s cash flow and complicating imports of critical goods like gasoline. Despite Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s promises not to soften measures against Maduro, some Venezuelans believe he will take a less confrontational approach similar to that of former President Barack Obama. Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó hopes the United States will continue to pressure Maduro, regardless of whether Trump or Biden is declared the winner, Tomas Guanipa, Guaidó’s representative in Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó’s designated Colombian Ambassador, Tomas Guanipa, is seen before a news conference in Bogota, Colombia, November 4, 2020 reporters in Bogota’s historic Bolivar Plaza. On a commercial street in middle-class eastern Caracas on Wednesday morning, where workers in fraying shirts and homesewn face masks strolled up and down the streets, many people were convinced Trump would win. Maduro’s supporters almost universally condemn Trump while also expressing scepticism toward Biden, insisting that the US policy is meant to undermine Venezuela’s democracy. (Excerpt from Reuters) Tourism Minister Clarice Modeste says that the announced four-week lockdown in the United Kingdom will have a negative effect on the island’s tourism industry, which began the rebound phase following the resumption of international flights on October 1. Grenada went into lockdown in late March as part of measures aimed at controlling and containing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic after confirming its first case of the virus that killed more Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Grenada Tourism Authority, Patricia Maher, who also attended the news conference, told reporters that the Authority is yet to hear how the UK lockdown will impact the scheduled flights to Grenada. “We were very happy to resume the services with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways coming in twice per week as of the end of October. The UK market is our second largest international source market, so it’s a very critical market for us as well as the connectivity to than one million people and Europe via London,” she said. DLP: Barbados Govt neglecting small businesses infected 47.4 million others globally since the first case Modeste said that during discussions with the airlines was detected in China last offering the UK service, it

The Democratic ness and entrepreneurship, be made available through funds can be accessed. The December. was disclosed that the load Labour Party (DLP) said that it was unclear how FundAccess and US$10 mil- Democratic Labour Party is “It is going to affect us, factor for both airlines was of Barbados says the business persons can access lion through the Trust Loan asking once more, like it did one month without flight acceptable for the service to Government is neglecting the promised Bds$30 mil- Fund. more than a month ago, how is going to seriously impact continue. small businesses and wants lion to support their ven- “However, there seems will the US$20 million to us,” Modeste said during the “The numbers were lookto know how the money it tures. to be an apparent lack of FundAccess and the US$10 post-Cabinet weekly news ing very encouraging because said was for the sector is be- In the September 15 communication and dia- million to the Trust Loan conference on Tuesday. as you know there will not ing disbursed. Throne Speech, it was re- logue with major players in Fund be used to assist small British Prime Minister be flights if the numbers ar-

Ryan Walters, the par- vealed that US$20 mil- this sector and the average businesses,” said Walters. Boris Johnson said the lock- en’t very good,” she added. ty’s spokesman on busi- lion of the amount would business owner on how the (Nation News) down will begin today. (Excerpt from CMC)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 19 Around the World

OILNEWS

Oil prices jump on large crude inventory draw

Crude oil inventories in the United States shed eight million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a day after the American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated an eightmillion-barrel draw that pushed oil prices higher.

At 484.4 million barrels, US crude oil inventories remain above the five-year average for this time of the year when demand tends to be weaker. Yet the resurgence in coronavirus cases in the country will likely lead to a further weakening of oil demand, driving builds in inventories.

Refineries last week processed 13.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, operating at 75.3 per cent of capacity. This compared with 13.4 million bpd a week earlier, operating at 74.6 per cent of capacity.

Besides the brief respite oil prices got from the API report on Tuesday, the benchmarks have been on the decline again as new lockdowns in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom came into force while COVID-19 cases in the United States continued to rise at a fast pace, threatening to overwhelm some states’ health-care systems.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s election has had a mixed effect on oil prices so far as both a Biden and a Trump presidency have their pros and cons for the energy industry and the outlook for oil. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

UK Parliament approves month-long COVID-19 lockdown for England

“Stock up on popcorn”: World reacts to US election

AUS presidential elec- USA". tion always courts In France, officials struck massive global inter- a different tone and downest, with the eventual winner played the significance of the playing a leading role on the vote. world stage. "Let's not kid ourselves:

In fact, the decision of the The United States has not American people every four been a friendly partner to years can transform the coun- European States for several try's foreign policy and its ap- years now," Finance Minister proach to its allies and ene- Bruno Le Maire told Radio mies alike. Classique.

So it's no wonder that coun- Meanwhile, UK Foreign tries around the world have os and even social unrest," an accusation Moscow has re- Secretary Dominic Raab been paying close attention China's official Xinhua news peatedly denied. urged caution. to the neck-and-neck race for agency reported on Tuesday. There has been no of- But that call for caution the White House. Meanwhile, the State ficial comment from the was seemingly ignored by broadcaster CCTV featured a Russian Government, but Slovenia's Prime Minister Reactions video report which focused on the pro-Kremlin politician Janez Jansa, who said the re-

Relations between the US fears of post-election violence. Vyacheslav Nikonov was un- sult was "pretty clear". and China, which are long- "There is deep concern about afraid to revel in the uncer- Twitter flagged a post standing rivals and duelling continued social unrest," the tainty surrounding the result. in which he congratulateconomic powers, have sunk report said. "Whoever wins the legal ed Trump and accused the to their lowest level in de- The Government, howev- battles half of Americans will "mainstream media" of "decades. er, has said very little. On not consider them the law- nying facts".

And both candidates in Wednesday, a spokesman ful president," he wrote on With results pouring in, this election have pledged said it had "no position" on Facebook. "Let's stock up on Iran's international-facto be strong in dealing with the election. large quantities of popcorn." ing State-funded Press TV Beijing. In Russia, the State-run Elsewhere in Europe, dropped its scheduled news

With this in mind, it's TV news channel Rossiya 24 Germany's Defence bulletins to provide special perhaps unsurprising that has been giving blanket cov- Minister, Annegret Kramp- coverage of the American Chinese State media brand- erage to the election. "We are Karrenbauer warned that the election. ed this a "divisive, tense and continuing to follow the mad- US was facing a "very explo- Latin American media, chaotic" election marred by ness," one of the presenters sive situation". meanwhile, took particular "unrest, mud-slinging and said earlier. She said President Trump, note of Donald Trump's sucmoney politics". It's worth remembering who has vowed to challenge cess in Florida which was "Many media and people that US intelligence believe the election result in the boosted by support from worry that if the election is Russia tried to sway the 2016 courts, risked triggering "a Latino voters. (Excerpt from contested, it may trigger cha- election in favour of Trump, constitutional crisis in the BBC News)

Vienna gunman rampaged alone, intelligence was fumbled – Austrian Minister

Large quantities of Austria arrested 14 peo- formation currently avail- Ministry official, Director mobile phone foot- ple aged 18 to 28 on Tuesday able, some things also went General for Public Security age have confirmed in connection with the at- wrong,” Nehammer told a Franz Ruf, said. that the jihadist who killed tack and is investigating news conference. “In the next steps evidentfour people in a rampage in them on suspicion of belong- In July, neighbouring ly something went wrong Vienna on Monday was the ing to a terrorist organisa- Slovakia’s intelligence ser- here with communications,” only gunman, but Austria tion, he said. But it would vice had handed over in- said Nehammer, who called fumbled intelligence on also have to investigate its formation suggesting the for the formation of an inhim, Interior Minister own actions, he added. attacker had tried and dependent commission to Karl Nehammer said on “Before the terror attack failed to buy ammunition examine the errors made. Wednesday. began, according to the in- there, Nehammer and a top (Excerpt from Reuters)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson having previously insisted on an approach of regional lockdowns, changed course as cases continued to spiral

British politicians ap- Wednesday had been in litproved a month- tle doubt after Opposition long lockdown in Labour Party members England, voting in favour said they would support the of Prime Minister Boris move, even though they critJohnson’s plan to try to pre- icised Johnson for acting too vent COVID-19 running out slowly. of control and overwhelming He was also criticised by health services. some in his own party who

Johnson insisted that the said a national lockdown looming new coronavirus was too severe. lockdown would end “auto- Last weekend, Johnson matically” in four weeks, as abandoned a new system he tried to placate party crit- of regional curbs and anics over the spiralling eco- nounced an England-wide nomic fallout. lockdown after dire warn-

Following a first lockdown ings that hospitals could in March, the second round soon be overwhelmed with of restrictions will come into COVID-19 cases. effect at 00:01 GMT today, Senior Minister Michael but Johnson told Parliament Gove then indicated the the measures would be lift- lockdown could last beed in time to give England yond a December 2 cut-off the chance of a more normal if it failed to bring infection Christmas. rates down. (Excerpt from Al

The 516-38 vote on Jazeera) Ethiopia orders military response after army base seized

Ethiopia's Prime ties have also shut down Minister Abiy electricity, telephone and Ahmed has ordered Internet services in Tigray. a military offensive, af- Tensions between the ter an army base was tak- Government and TPLF, en over by forces loyal to which used to be part of the the regional government of governing coalition before Tigray. falling out with Abiy, have

Abiy accused the region's escalated in recent months, ruling party, the Tigray with both sides accusing People's Liberation Front the other of plotting to use (TPLF), of launching the military force. attack. On Tuesday, the federal The attack resulted in "many martyrs, injuries These Tigrayan forces are in control of the federal army base Parliament proposed that the TPLF be designated as and property damage", he The Cabinet has declared region for six months. a "terrorist organisation". said in a TV address. a state of emergency in the The national authori- (Excerpt from BBC News)

Climate change: US formally withdraws from Paris agreement

After a three-year de- decision only takes effect to- It aims to keep the glob- cope with the possibility that lay, the United States day, the day after the US al temperature rise this cen- a future US President might has become the first election. tury well below two degrees decide to withdraw the counnation in the world to formal- The US could re-join it in Celsius above pre-industrial try from the deal. ly withdraw from the Paris future, should a President levels and to pursue efforts Previous attempts to put climate agreement. choose to do so. to limit the temperature in- together a global pact on cli-

President Donald Trump The Paris deal was draft- crease even further to 1.5C. mate change had foundered announced the move in June ed in 2015 to strengthen the The delay is down to the because of internal US pol2017, but United Nations global response to the threat complex rules that were built itics. (Excerpt from BBC regulations meant that his of climate change. into the Paris agreement to News)

ARCHIE

DILBERT

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-

Nov. 22) SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-

Dec. 21) (Dec. 22-

Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-

Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20-

March 20)

Refuse to let your emotions disrupt your day or an important relationship. A change may not be something you want or expect, but you’ll benefit from what transpires.

Share pertinent, not personal, information. Be a good listener, friend and contributor. Patience will pay off when dealing with your responsibilities. Take care of red-tape issues.

Don’t mince words. Be direct, honest and sincere to avoid repercussions. When in doubt, ask questions. Don’t be too proud to admit your mistakes or let someone else take charge.

You may disagree with what others do or say, but you don’t have to change everyone’s minds. Go about your business and give others the freedom to do the same.

Take action and make a difference. Don’t get bogged down by paperwork or unfinished business. Don’t expect things to run smoothly; prepare to fight for what you want.

Embrace change and make it work for you. Expand your mind, and use your skills diversely. Don’t take a risk when it comes to your health. Keep to a safe distance.

Observe what everyone is doing and bide your time when it comes to getting involved in an unstable situation. Keep your distance from bullies and users. Focus on self-awareness.

Hide your feelings from unscrupulous people. Make decisions based on what will help you get ahead. Don’t pay for some-

thing you don’t need.

Having a proper workspace will boost your productivity and give you the energy you need to take on more challenges. Romance

CAPRICORN

is favored.

Strive to bring about change. The less talk and interaction you have with those who can disrupt your plans, the better. Present the finished product, not the idea.

Focus on physical strength, endurance and good health. Shared expenses or joint ventures aren’t in your best interest. Practice social distancing. Personal improvements will pay off.

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem, and you will encourage others to follow your lead. Stand up for what you believe in.

Ings’ injury hits England

– Southgate reviews options with Saints striker out for 6 weeks

Danny Ings will strikers contending for child poverty in England, Manchester United for- son who is now sweating not play again places in that squad. but he is delivering on the ward has scored from both on his place. Greenwood for England until pitch as well. While many of his Premier League big departed early following March 2021 at the earli- Harry Kane of his best performances chances. He is the only po- his first call-up due to an est, after the Southampton Barring major inju- have been reserved for the tential pick with a 100 per off-field incident, and has striker was ruled out for up ry, England’s captain and Champions League, the cent record, and he has since struggled to impress to six weeks. the Golden Boot winner had two assists from nine in a United shirt. He has

Ings enjoyed an out- at the 2018 World Cup, key passes. no goals and no assists in standing 2019-20 season Harry Kane, will make the the Premier League this at Saints after his move squad. But the Tottenham Tammy Abraham term, creating just two from Liverpool was made man is not being picked on Chelsea’s significant chances. The Leeds United forward permanent. He scored 22 name alone. Kane has had investment ahead of this has taken just two of his Premier League goals, and six goals and eight assists season appeared to limit Callum Wilson eight big chances, howevforced his way into Gareth in the league this season, Abraham’s opportunities, Wilson was in er. Southgate’s England and has attempted more but the striker has still Southgate’s plans before squad. shots (31) and created more played 288 minutes in the struggling last term as Jamie Vardy

The 28-year-old fea- chances (14) than any oth- league, and has provided Bournemouth were rele- If he can be tempted tured against Iceland in er forward in the pool. both a goal and an assist. gated. He has rediscovered out of international retireSeptember, and then net- his best form since joining ment, there is surely only ted his first Three Lions Marcus Rashford Dominic Calvert-Lewin Newcastle United though, one choice as Southgate goal at home to Wales last Rashford Calvert-Lewin might scoring six goals from just considers replacements month, but he suffered a has domi- have already jumped 16 shots - an impressive for Ings. Vardy scored and knee injury at Aston Villa nated the ahead of Ings in the conversion rate of 37.5 per supplied an assist against last week. headlines queue, even before cent - and creating seven Leeds on Monday, and his

Initial results were “fa- in recent this injury. The chances. statistics as a pure striker vourable”, Saints said, but months Everton frontman, blow away all others. coach Ralph Hasenhuttl for his who scored against Patrick Bamford The 33-year-old has revealed on Wednesday work Wales on his in- An unlikely candidate, seven goals - one every 67 that the forward was set bat - ternational de- Bamford was surely not minutes - and has scored for “small surgery” and tling but, is the Premier expected to be in this con- with an outstanding 53.9 would be out for “four to six League’s leading versation, but has scored per cent of his shots. No riweeks”. marksman with as many as Kane and val has been in position for

Ings will not recover in eight goals - one Wilson this season, while as many big chances as his time for the November in- every 76 minutes. outperforming Rashford, 10, and he has taken seven ternational break - the final Abraham and Greenwood. of them. (Sportsmax) England fixtures of 2020 - Mason Greenwood as the race to be selected by Ings is not the Southgate for the European Championship hots up. only forward to have been se- Tim Wellens wins stage Using Opta data, we look at the other leading lected this sea- 14 of Vuelta a España Mamadou Sakho wins “substantial – Primoz Roglic remains in red

damages” from WADA over drug claims

Mamadou Sakho has won his libel action against the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and is to receive “substantial damages” from that agency after it repeated false claims about a drug test taken by the former Liverpool defender.

In a statement read in open court at the Royal Courts of Justice, WADA accepted Sakho’s case in full. It apologised for making defamatory allegations to the press following Sakho’s successful appeal against a ban imposed for taking Higenamine, a substance commonly used in weight loss supplements.

Speaking outside the court, Sakho, a France international and Crystal Palace player, said: “I feel happy. Happy for my family, for all my friends, for the people who were around me during those tough years. It’s not easy when you are a professional athlete and are accused of doping. It is the worst thing that can happen to you.

“I always believed in my lawyers, that’s my squad, my team. We always said the truth would take time to come out, and I am happy WADA has said, ‘Sorry’. Now everything is behind me, and I just want to look forward.”

The settlement brings to an end a four-year period in which Sakho has sought to clear his name after testing positive following a Europa League match between Liverpool and Manchester United in March 2016.

At the time, Sakho had received a 30-day provisional ban from UEFA, and he never played for Liverpool again. Sakho claimed the ban put paid to his hopes of making the France squad at Euro 2016.

That ban was overturned on appeal after UEFA found that there was no certainty over whether Higenamine was on WADA’s list of prohibited substances, under the category “Beta-2 Agoniste”.

In 2017 WADA specifically added Higenamine to its list.

In two statements released to the press in 2016

and 2017, WADA repeated claims that Sakho had taken a banned substance. In the second statement, which was published in the Guardian, it claimed Sakho had taken a substance banned since 2004. In a response to Sakho’s claim, WADA retracted and apologised for those claims. In a statement through its lawyers, it said: “WADA accepts that it should not have made the defamatory allegations it did. WADA accepts that Mr Sakho did not breach the UEFA anti-doping regulations, did not cheat, had no intention of gaining any advantage, and acted in good faith.

“WADA regrets the damage the defamatory accusations caused. To indicate the sincerity of this apology, WADA has agreed with its insurers to pay Mr Sakho a substantial sum of damages.” (The Guardian) Tim Wellens won his second Vuelta a España stage on Wednesday, with defending champion Primoz Roglic maintaining his overall lead over Richard Carapaz.

Wellens, who also won the fifth stage, sprinted to victory ahead of Michael Woods and Zdenek Stybar in an unusually fast race that took riders 204 kilometres (126 miles) through hilly Galician terrain.

Representing Belgium and the Lotto Soudal team, Wellens dominated the uphill finish after staying in the breakaway group for most of the stage.

“It was not easy to win. There was a big fight to get in the breakaway, and then all my companions were really strong riders,” said Wellens. “I knew I had to be in the front

position in the last corner. I felt Woods coming, but the finish line was there and I crossed it first. I knew today suited me very well. Everything was perfect.”

The overall leaders finished together in the peloton, crossing the line almost four minutes behind Wellens. Roglic maintained his 39-second lead over Carapaz, entering the final stages of the three-week race. Hugh Carthy stayed third, 47 seconds off the pace.

“It was quite a fast and hard stage all the way to the finish line,” Roglic said. “It was again a good day for us.”

Thursday’s (today’s) 15th stage will be the longest of this year’s Vuelta, taking riders 230km through a winding terrain that favours escapes from the front. (The Guardian)

Sushma Verma and Sune Luus star in Velocity’s come-from-behind victory in Women’s T20 IPL

The Mithali Raj-led Velocity defeated Harmanpreet Kaur’s Supernovas by five wickets in a thrilling opening game of the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020.

Sune Luus played a match-winning knock of unbeaten 37 off just 21 balls to take her side home in the pressure run chase of 127 runs. Luss struck at a brilliant strike rate of 176.19 on a tough wicket to show her class and get the job done for her team.

With the help of Luss’s knock, Velocity ended their two-match winless streak against Supernovas and recorded their first ever win against Harmanpreet & Co at the Sharjah Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Apart from Luss, Sushma Verma was another star turnout with the bat for Velocity, as she batted well to keep them in the hunt till the penultimate over of the chase.

Batting first, Harmanpreet & Co. posted a fighting total of 126 runs on the board on a sluggish track in Sharjah, where spinners got a lot of help from the surface. Senior opener Chamari Athapaththu played a brilliant knock of 44 runs off 39 balls to give her team a good start. She was well supported by skipper Harmanpreet, who scored 31 off 27 balls and slammed a couple of big sixes in her knock.

Harmanpreet and Chamari added 47 runs for the third wicket for the Supernovas, after opener Priya Punia (11) and Jemimah Rodrigues (7) were dismissed cheaply.

Jahanara Alam bowled well for Velocity, picking up two wickets in her 4 overs while conceding 27. She also picked up the important wicket of Harmanpreet just when the batter started to look dangerous.

Spinner Ekta Bisht also impressed and kept

Sune Luus top scored with 37

things tight in the death overs to finish with figures of 3/22 in her four overs, includ i n g wickets on consecu tive de -

liveries in the 20th over.

Asked to chase down the target of 127,

Velocity were off to a poor start, losing opener Danielle Wyatt for a duck before her partner Shafali Verma was removed on 17, followed by skipper Mithali’s depar ture after scoring just 7 off 19 balls.

Veda Krishnamurthy played a crucial knock of 29 runs and steadied the ship for her side with Verma, who looked calm and composed in her 33ball 34.

Verma added a match-winning stand of 51 runs for the 5th wicket with Luss, who struck 4 fours and one maximum in her quickfire 21-ball 37 to seal the deal for her side.

The duo batted well under pressure, and counter-attacked Supernovas bowlers despite the required run rate mounting in the middle overs.

“Yes, we were 20 runs short, but if you want to win the game, you have to keep bowling well. I think whatever we thought, we didn’t bowl according to our plans in the last couple of overs. They batted

Shakera Selman bowled an economical spell

really well,” Supernovas in their next game on skipper Harmanpreet Thursday (today), and will Kaur said after the match. look to continue their win-

Mithali’s Velocity ning run in the Women’s will now take on Smriti T20 Challenge. (Times of Mandhana’s Trailblazers India)

SCOREBOARD

SUPERNOVAS

INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) PS Punia c Krishnamurthy b Kasperek 11 AC Jayangani c Krishnamurthy b Jahanara Alam 44 JI Rodrigues b Bisht 7 H Kaur (c) c Pandey b Jahanara Alam 31 HASD Siriwardene run out (†Verma) 18 P Vastrakar c Krishnamurthy b Kasperek 0 RP Yadav c Shafali Verma b Bisht 2 SC Selman b Bisht 5 T Bhatia †not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 6.3) 126/8 Did not bat: Poonam Yadav, A Khaka Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Priya Punia, 5.2 ov), 2-42 (Jemimah Rodrigues, 7.4 ov), 3-89 (Chamari Atapattu, 13.1 ov), 4-111 (Harmanpreet Kaur, 16.4 ov), 5-117 (Pooja Vastrakar, 17.3 ov), 6-120 (Shashikala Siriwardene, 18.5 ov), 7-126 (Radha Yadav, 19.5 ov), 8-126 (Shakera Selman, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

S Pandey 4-0-18-0 Jahanara Alam 4-0-27-2 LM Kasperek 4-0-23-2

E Bisht MK Dakshini S Luus 4-0-22-3 3-0-23-0 1-0-11-0

VELOCITY

INNINGS (TARGET: 127 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) DN Wyatt c †Bhatia b Khaka 0 Shafali Verma c Selman b Khaka 17 M Raj (c) c Selman b Siriwardene 7 V Krishnamurthy c Jayangani b Yadav 29 S Verma †c Kaur b Poonam Yadav 34 S Luus not out 37 S Pandey not out 2 Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3 TOTAL (19.5 Ov, RR: 6.5) 129/5 Did not bat: MK Dakshini, E Bisht, LM Kasperek, Jahanara Alam Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Danni Wyatt, 0.5 ov), 2-17 (Shafali Verma, 2.6 ov), 3-38 (Mithali Raj, 8.3 ov), 4-65 (Veda Krishnamurthy, 12.6 ov), 5-116 (Sushma Verma, 18.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

A Khaka 4-1-27-2 SC Selman 4-0-19-0 RP Yadav 4-0-25-1 Poonam Yadav 4-0-27-1 HASD Siriwardene 3.5-0-30-1

Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme on New Zealand injury list

Tim Southee, Neil turn in round four, which “Likewise, Wagner and Colin starts on November 14. Ajaz Patel had a de Grandhomme are Henry Nicholls, who has scan on his left calf, part of a growing injury yet to play this season, is on after suffer- ing a setlist for New Zealand, but course to return from a calf back in his r e coach Gary Stead is hopeful injury in round four as well turn-to-play that most of the problems for Canterbury. rehabilitation. are not long-term concerns Matt Henry has previ- An update on ahead of the start of the in- ously been ruled out for up Neil, Ajaz and Colin ternational summer against to six weeks after breaking will be provided once their West Indies. his thumb. scan results have been re-

However, left-arm spin- “Injuries are always a ceived and assessed.” ner Ajaz Patel has suffered concern, and we’re certainly Of the injured playa setback in his recovery monitoring each case close- ers, Southee and de from the calf strain that has ly with our medical staff,” Grandhomme are likely to delayed the start of his sea- Stead said. “Tim Southee feature in New Zealand’s son. and Henry Nicholls are both T20I squad to face West

Southee (back), expected to be fit for round Indies from the end of Wagner (hip/groin) and four of the Plunket Shield. November, whereas Wagner de Grandhomme (right Neil Wagner and Colin and Nicholls are key parts foot) have been ruled out de Grandhomme both have of the Test side. of Northern Districts’ next niggles, and we are await- The first Test against Plunket Shield match, al- ing scan results on their re- West Indies starts on though it is hoped that spective injuries to ascer- December 3 in Hamilton. Southee would be able to re- tain the next steps. (ESPNcricinfo)

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23 Innovative A team tour to expand opportunities, says CWI’s Grave

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Cricket West Indies (CWI) believes its decision to incorporate two four-day “Tests” into the upcoming tour of New Zealand will pay dividends by expanding the opportunities for specialist white-ball players to play the longer format.

The Caribbean side will play three Twenty20 (T20) Internationals and two Tests on the tour to New Zealand which lasts from November 27 to December 15. They left the Caribbean

discussion By Brandon Corlette

The 56 matches in the IPL league stages are done and dusted. For the West Indian players who played in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, young batting sensation Nicholas Pooran stole the limelight from his Caribbean team mates. While the big boys Kieron Pollard and the Universe Boss Chris Gayle had their moments in the league matches, Pooran announced himself with his clean ball striking for the Kings XI Punjab.

While more was expected from the West Indian boys, few of the men in maroon represented well, and some did not play a single match. Guyana’s Keemo Paul, who is with the Delhi Capitals, did not feature in the starting XI for any of the 14 matches the Capitals played, while it was the same for Sherfane Rutherford with the Mumbai Indians. Royals’ Oshane Thomas, and Sunrisers’ Fabian Allen did not get opportunities as well.

Back to Pooran. The left-handed batsman played all 14 matches for the spir-

last Tuesday with a 15-man Test squad and six reserves, along with a 14-man T20 side.

At the conclusion of the three-match T20 series, CWI will pull half the squad to join the reserves, and in addition to the two non-playing members of the Test squad, will form a likely 15-man squad for four-day Tests in Mount Maunganui and Nelson against the hosts’ ‘A’ side.

Both matches will run parallel to the official Tests in Hamilton, from December 3-7, and in Wellington from December 11-15, and CWI chief executive Johnny Grave has said it was an innovative way to add a developmental aspect to the tour.

“It’s one of the things we learnt from the England tour. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the reserves to come together and train with the first team, help prepare them, and be there in the event we had any inited Kings XI Punjab, and scored 353 runs at an average of 35. He slammed 25 sixes at a strike rate of 169.7 with his high-score being 77, one of his two half-centuries being the fastest of the season.

Veteran Dwayne Bravo did not dance away this season as Super Kings recorded their poorest performance in the history of the IPL. Bravo’s IPL campaign was shortened after he was injured and played only six matches. He took six wickets while scoring seven runs with the bat.

The well-paid Guyanese and highly talented lefthander Shimron Hetmyer is still to set the IPL alive. This season he played 10 matches and scored 138 runs at an average of 19.71. Hetmyer did not face as many balls as he would have liked, but when he got the opportunity, he still did not capitalise. He faced 98 balls this season, and his strike rate is 140 and his high-score was 45.

With Capitals into the play-offs, Hetmyer may want the IPL and Ian Bishop to remember his name. For the first half of the season, many would have forgotjury or illness that curtailed or ruled out any players,” Grave said.

“But once the Test matches started in England, there wasn’t a huge amount for those reserves to do, other than continue to prepare the players and do some training while the Test match was ongoing.

“I think to give them competitive cricket against New Zealand ‘A’ is great, and for some of those T20 players who have played so much white ball cricket for West Indies during the West Indies championship over the last couple of years, it’s going to be the first opportunity they would’ve had in probably two years to play some red ball cricket.

“It’s a great opportunity, and certainly one which we, as management, are looking forward to seeing how that ‘A’ team perform in those two games.”

The tour is only the second of the year for West

Pooran in full flow for KXIP

ten the name of Gayle, but he ensured he was remembered in the seven matches he played at the latter part of the season. Gayle scored 288 runs in seven matches at 41, with a high-score of 99.

His settled approach resulted in his slamming 23 sixes, three fifties at a strike rate of 137.1.

Talk about settled, Sergeant Sheldon Cottrell was unsettled after he was torn into pieces when he was slammed for five sixes in an over. In the six matches Cottrell played for Kings XI Punjab, he took six wickets with his best bowling figure being 2-17 and his economy rate being 8.8, in his first outing on the IPL stage.

The performances of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine reflected on KKR’s performances this season. KKR failed to qualify, and the dynamic duo of Narine and Russell failed to deliver. In Narine’s 10 matches, he scored 121 runs at an average of 13.44. While he was inked on the suspect bowling list, his bowling was poor by his standards. Indies, amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic which forced a lockdown of international cricket last March.

Until the pandemic outbreak, CWI had planned a busy home itinerary, but were forced to scrap every series due to public health concerns.

One of the series cancelled was a South Africa ‘A’ tour of the Caribbean, comprising three four-day Tests and five 50-over matches, and Grave said the New Zealand tour offered the opportunity for the ‘A’ team programme to be revived.

“To travel all that way (to New Zealand), to then go through 14 days of quarantine for three T20s played across four days, it’s an awful long way to go for four days’ worth of cricket,” Grave pointed out. “That’s when we started listening to the feedback from the players and management from

Pooran, Pollard, Gayle ignite IPL league stages with Caribbean flavour

Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine in

around the England tour, He claimed five wickets at an average of 60.4 and an economy rate of 7.94.

Meanwhile, Russell played 10 matches as well, and scored 117 runs at an average of 13. He took six wickets at an economy rate of 9.72.

Captain Pollard has just bossed another season. The dominant Pollard scored 259 runs in the league matches at an average of 86.33 and a strike rate of 193.2. Pollard will be hoping to continue that form for Mumbai and help clinch another IPL title.

West Indies Test captain Jason Holder was unsold at the auctions. He then became a replacement player for the injured Mitchell Marsh, and the rest is history for the big Barbadian.

In five matches, Holder was very impactful with 10 wickets at an average of 15.80 and a strike rate of 12, helping the orange army to the play-offs.

With the league stages completed, the West Indians who are present to play the playoff fixtures would each want to finish on a high note. and thought with the six reserves that we’ve got, with some of the T20 players the selectors wanted to encourage to play red ball cricket and give them opportunities — which isn’t always easy when our 50-over and T20 schedules are so packed tight — it just seemed a really good idea for us to work on.

“Clearly we don’t really play ‘A’ team cricket against New Zealand and Australia because it’s so far to travel…but it’s a great opportunity.

“Obviously conditions in New Zealand are fairly unique, there’re going to be different challenges for the players, so it’s going to be a great opportunity.”

After travelling with 10 reserves for the three-Test tour of England last July, selectors have only carried six to New Zealand, but Grave explained this was due to the more relaxed COVID-19 regulations in place.

West Indies wicketkeep er-batsman

Joshua Da Silva has admitted he is thrilled with the prospect of another opportunity to showcase his ability after recently arriving in New Zealand. The 22-year-old was last selected as part of the team’s tour to England after a solid performance in the regional four-day competition. Da Silva led the T&T Red Force’s batting with 507 runs, a high score of 113, and an average of 50.70. Da Silva, however, did not feature for the firstteam squad, but made a good impression in the warm-up games, leading some to call for the player’s inclusion in the first team. The player scored 133 not out in the first practice match, and 56 not out in the final practice match. With some experience batting in

New Zealand, Da

Silva hopes to put in another good performance. “ I ’ m looking for ward t o learn-

“It’s a different tour (from) the England tour. The reality is that after the 14day quarantine, the whole touring group will join New Zealand society – as long as the New Zealand level of COVID remains at level one, the lowest possible threat level,” the Englishman said.

“So, we’re not having to play a three-day game amongst ourselves, which was obviously the case in England. We’re also not having to use our own net bowlers throughout the whole tour. They’ll be able to have young New Zealanders as part of the practice.

“So, the whole practice and preparation after the 14-day quarantine will be as a normal tour, whereas in England we not only had to have a full XI to play against in terms of warm-up games, but we couldn’t have any net bowlers or additional support to prepare the team. That’s not the case in

Da Silva eager to make full use of New Zealand opportunity

New Zealand.”

ing a lot like what I did on the tour of England earlier this year. It’s really good to be playing red-ball cricket again, and being back with the West Indies team,” Da Silva told West Indies Cricket.

“I played in Auckland and Queenstown…the pitches were always nice and good for batting, so I’m really looking ahead to getting out there and performing,” he added. (Sportsmax)