Guyana Times - Monday, June 12, 2023

MoM currently identifying beneficiaries for housing initiative

is Local Government Elections

“Gift of love” – Ali on $100M facility for Persons with Disabilities

Wanted murder accused nabbed with gun, ammo in Berbice

…as sod turned by UAE Minister of State for WCD specialty school

Natural Resource Fund

Page 9 Today

Management must be further strengthened – Jagdeo …ahead of increased money that will accumulate

Bartica man gets 12 months' jail for cutlass attack

Fireman critical after crashing into lorry

Bids pour in for $9.5B in contracts to build 5 new schools

See story on page 7

Police unearth over 6lbs ganja in Berbice busts

Page

4

…says Granger talks about trust while uttering barefaced untruths is his characteristic

Policeman hospitalised after crashing into culvert

Today is Local Government Elections

After a nearly fiveyear delay, Guyanese will today head to the polls for Local Government Elections (LGE).

These elections are due every two years and were last held in November 2018. The next LGE was scheduled for 2020 but could not be held due to the holding of General and Regional Elections, which had a five-month political deadlock that ran until August before the results were finally declared. This was exacerbated by the novel coronavirus pandemic that was raging at the time.

In the following years, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had undergone a massive overhaul of its senior management at the Elections Secretariat –replacing its Chief Elections Officer and Deputy CEO among other officials.

Since then, the Election Commission has been in preparatory mode for the holding of local government polls. In fact, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had

budgeted monies in the 2021 and 2022 national budgets for these elections.

Despite these and other delays including legal actions taken by the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Opposition, LGE 2023 was finally set for June 12. There are 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) consisting of some 610 constitu-

encies across the country.

However, there will be no voting at 13 of those LAAS, which has a combined total of 98 constituencies along with an additional 193 constituencies from other local areas where there are unopposed Lists, that is, only one party is contesting the elections.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has

already indicated its readiness for the 2023 LGE, saying that they are “ahead of the game”.

Confident

At a press conference on Friday, GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh said she is confident that the elections will be conducted in accordance with electoral laws.

“I will surely guarantee that these elections will be conducted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner,” Justice Singh told the media.

Chief Election Officer Vishnu Persaud informed that from the position of the Secretariat, they are ahead of the listed activities under the work programme approved.

“I can assure you that we have been working with a work plan approved by the Commission for the conduct of the elections. And as we speak, we are ahead of the game so far as the implementation of the listed activities are concerned.”

Coming out of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, concerns were raised since some staffers within the establishment were compromised. However, Persaud acknowledged that there is no reason to fear as the work of the Commission will not be undermined.

“I have established a direct working relationship with all

of the managers, senior managers, mid managers, supervisors. We have been working together and I can assure you, we have a very cohesive team that is focused and committed to acting within the parameters of their responsibilities towards efficient, effective and satisfactory delivery of their functions,” the Chief Election Officer declared.

As of Friday, the Secretariat was engaged with the packing of ballot boxes and placing them in containers that are to be distributed to the various districts. Full support has been given from party agents, the Commission has reported.

Meanwhile, it was noted that GECOM has employed a decentralised supervisory structure, which entails the appointment and positioning of Deputy Returning Officers in LAAs. The CEO has reassured that GECOM is 100 per cent fully-staffed for the conduct of Local Government Elections. Replacements were made for some polling staff, in cases where these persons who were contesting as candidates.

With regards to election results, Persaud explained that due to small numbers of Statements of Poll in some LAAs, the results will not be a “tedious thing” to be declared before midnight on Monday.

However, he cautioned, “This would be affected by agents objecting to the count

of the Returning Officer. In this regard, I assure you that the agents themselves will be in possession of the Statements of Poll and the Returning Officer will be displaying his or her SoPs for the benefit of persons there to observe the count.”

Larger LAAs, such as Georgetown, will take longer. The law provides for up to five days for the declaration to be made. Moreover, results for those non contesting areas can be released within the same night. GECOM has since accredited 10 local observer groups to oversee the electoral process.

At the last LGE, held in November 2018, the then PPP/C Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 LAAs. This had followed the holding of the 2016 Local Government polls, wherein the PPP/C had also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

Nevertheless, the 2023 local government polls will see much focus being placed on three main municipalities – Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden. These towns are traditionally controlled by the People’s National Congress-led APNU Opposition, but the ruling PPP/C has declared its intention to take over the reins of these townships at today’s LGE.

Polls open across the country at 06:00h today until 18:00h. (G8)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 12 – 00:30h

– 02:00h and Tuesday, June 13 – 01:00h – 02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 12 – 11:50h

– 13:20h and Tuesday, June 13 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 11:59h reaching a maximum height of 2.32 metres.

Low Tide: 17:57h reaching a minimum height of 0.88 metre.

“Gift of love” – Ali on $100M facility for Persons with Disabilities

…as sod turned by UAE Minister of State for WCD specialty school

The sod was turned on Sunday afternoon for the construction of a multimillion-dollar modern school facility for Persons with Disabilities, at Crane, West Coast Demerara.

The facility is being funded by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the tune of US$500,000 or G$100 million.

UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy led a delegation to Guyana for a one-day visit to participate in the sod-turning ceremony.

According to Minister Al Hashimy, the event was the highlight of her visit to Georgetown, noting that the school will target and benefit the most vulnerable group in society. She said it is “…a school for young children and their families so that we better understand how we can help them and grow with them and learn from them.”

The UAE Minister joined President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali for the sod-turning ceremony at the site, located in Crane.

Addressing the gathering, the Head of State noted that the

an unwavering commitment towards enhancing the lives of persons living with different vulnerabilities, especially children.

“Our little children, who are differently-abled, they too must enjoy a good life. They too must enjoy a prosperous life. They too must be able to experience the joys of life in a comfortable environment – in an environment in which they're safe; in an environment in which they're protected, in an environment in which their parents can find the comfort of having their children there,” he stated.

To this end, President Ali highlighted that over the

“In addition to these schools, we are in the process of procuring seven new specialised vehicles, seven specialised school buses that will pick the children up and transport them to the school so that they will have an adequate means of getting to the schools. So those buses will also be connected to this facility… Those are the type of investment that will ensure the gap – the inequality gap – does not widen, but that we close that gap and give opportunity to every segment of the Guyanese population across the country,” the Head of State posited.

In addition to Sunday’s sod-turning, the UAE Minister also joined President Ali, his wife and son, Zayd, for a tree-planting exercise at the site location for the school.

Prior to this event, Minister Al Hashimy and her visiting delegation attended a breakfast hosted by President Ali on Sunday morning at State House, where they both spoke about the importance of enhancing relations between Guyana and the UAE.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, a number of other Cabinet Ministers, Government officials, representatives from the private sector and members of the diplomatic community were also present to engage the UAE officials.

Following the breakfast, the UAE Minister and her team had a formal meeting with President Ali and members of

his Cabinet.

President Ali and Minister Al Hashimy first met in October 2021 when the Guyanese leader visited the UAE. During that visit, the two countries inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance technical assistance and cooperation.

The agreement was signed by the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and Minister Al Hashimy, who was the Managing Director for Expo2020 Dubai in which Guyana participated.

More recently, the two officials met in Nassau, Bahamas, on the sidelines of the 44th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) back in February of this year.

During that engagement, President Ali and Minister Al Hashimy discussed preparation plans for COP28, which will be held in the UAE from November 30 to December 12, and Guyana’s partnership with the UAE regarding the conference.

Other issues discussed during that meeting included carbon credits, innovation, science and technology in the context of climate security, energy security and food security.

The UAE Minister first visited Guyana in January 2016 when she met with then President David Granger and his Cabinet Members. (G8)

funding of this project, which he described as a “gift of love,” is a tangible demonstration of the character, concern and care of the UAE for Guyana and its people.

“Despite the miles that separate us, despite the cultural differences that separate us, despite the geographic separation, today, we are seeing the unification by good act and an act in the interest of people and in service to humanity… An investment that came from a country that has continuously demonstrated its support for humanity,” he stated.

This facility, according to President Ali, will stand tall as Guyana continues to work with the UAE in building stronger partnerships in the interest of both countries, for the joint prosperity of people, for the advancement of business opportunities for the private sector of both countries and for the development of a long-lasting, friendly, sustainable relationship between the two Governments.

The Guyanese leader noted that his Administration has

past three years, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry led by Minister Vindhya Persaud has been working on many initiatives to help vulnerable groups in the Guyanese society including Persons with Disabilities. He added that even the First Lady, through her office, has been doing a lot of work with people living with disabilities.

The Guyanese leader mentioned the almost 5000 children with disabilities who are registered to receive a $100,000 cash grant under the Public Assistance Programme. He also pointed to the $130 million special needs business centre that was built at Palmyra village, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), for persons with disabilities to be integrated into the work force and engage in commercial activities. These are in addition to the 13 special needs schools across the country, and according to the President, Government is investing in the training of more special-needs teachers.

President Dr Irfaan Ali with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy at State House on Sunday

Officials at Sunday’s sod-turning ceremony for the construction of a school for PWD at Crane, WCD

Editor: Tusika Martin

News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

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

Whither political culture?

In light of the Opposition’s descent into aggressively confrontational politics since they were removed from power on August 2, 2020, it might appear matters of culture may be farthest from the mind of the average citizen right now. Especially when, in a pique of sour grapes, they are accusing the PPP of “raiding” African Guyanese communities when the latter is merely democratically courting their votes. But that would be a mistaken view, and in fact, “culture” in general and political culture in particular lie at the heart of the storm – the eye of the hurricane, so to speak.

We all know “culture” is our “way of life”, and no matter how divided we may believe our country to be, there is a “Guyanese culture” and as part of this, a Guyanese political culture. That this may be one that is plural and fractious is beside the point: it would do us good for us to recognise that reality and deal with it face front. Refusal to do so just ensures perpetual political turmoil.

Political culture consists of the attitudes, beliefs, values and orientations about politics in a given population at any given time. In Guyana, our political “attitudes, beliefs, values and orientations” are dominated by ethnicity and our elections have been called, with much truth, “ethnic censuses”. We have to just look at the blogs on the stories concerning Smallie’s funeral to confirm that “race” still looms large on the political front.

The structures of a political system, as in any social system, refer to the regularised activities, which make up that system. These regularised behaviours are passed down during our socialisation especially by our families when we are very young. Consequently, while we may not be making explicit political choices as children, the seeds of such behaviour are already set, ready to sprout. Structures are comprised of roles which are guided by norms; the totality of norms or rules which govern a particular structure would be referred to as an “institution” – for instance, the institution of the family that is the earliest socialising vehicle as mentioned.

To a large instance, if we want to change our political culture, we have to begin with the family. However, most overt interventions occur in the school/educational system, which is generally run by the State which sets the curriculum. There has been a concerted call by several elements of civil society for a “civics” component that teaches wider civic virtues to be added in our educational system starting from the nursery level. But while this has fallen on deaf years up to the present, it is not too late to begin.

At the overt “political” level, Parliament is a structure – a set of patterned activities of its members, such as the Speaker, Clerk, etc, fulfilling roles defined by rules. Parliament is then, simultaneously, an institution – the total set of rules that delimits its permissible activities. “Structure” is a more inclusive term than “institution”, since rules rarely describe the full range of incumbents’ activities. Political culture and political structures are two sides of the same coin and they interact continuously to shape, influence, and direct each other. But even though the rules of the institution were designed to guide its members into a more nationalist responsible direction, of recent there has been a sad fall from such graces.

Political culture, structures, and institutions are typically shaped by a nation’s history and evolve out of the interaction, disagreements and conflicts among social forces, as they attempt to resolve their common problems. In Guyana, however, the political culture, structures, and institutions were imposed by a colonial power whose concerns were not to solve the contradictions of the society but to rule and extract resources most efficiently for its benefit.

While there have been several institutionalised attempts to intervene and change our political culture, structures and institutions, it is clear that what our country needs now is possibly the frontal attack to overcome ethnic barriers by the PPP.

See below full statement by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C):

Former President, former leader of the PNCR, former Chairman of the APNU, and the APNU+AFC Coalition, David Granger, emerged today (June 11, 2023), seemingly emboldened by the misguided notion that the Guyanese people suffer from short-memories, to pontificate, shamelessly, on the issue of trust.

At the eleventh hour, Mr Granger’s last-ditch effort to ramp up support among Guyanese at Local Government Elections, scheduled for Monday, June 12, 2023, exposes the desperation of the PNCR-led APNU, which failed even in its ability to field candidates in more than half of the 610 constituencies and in 25 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) being contested.

To wax lyrical about trust, while uttering barefaced untruths, in his familiar ‘sanctimonious’ tone, is characteristic of Mr. Granger and his stewardship as a leader.

First, Mr Granger’s attempt to credit the former APNU+AFC Coalition with the return of Local Government Elections as a signal of the APNU’ commitment to democracy falls flat in the face of the brazen efforts of his administration to block the holding of constitutionally due General and Regional Elections after the passage of a no-confidence motion, as well as the blatant attempts to steal the Election after Guyanese went to the polls on March 2020.

Secondly, his further efforts to claim that the PPP/C cannot be trusted because it “spurned the Constitution” is unbelievably barefaced. The biggest, most flagrant and persistent violations of our Constitution and laws since Guyana gained independence have marred Mr Granger's record and that of his administration. Between May 2015 and March 2020, Mr. Granger and/or his Ministers repeatedly broke the law, often with his knowledge, and violated our Constitution. There are more than 15 where, under Mr Granger’s watch, the Constitution of Guyana was violated. Mr. Granger did not give the sense

that he wanted to stop these intrusions on our country's democratic structure with his detached and frequently aloof attitude in the face of these violations. One of the most egregious and poignant memory of his constitutional violations is his unilateral appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. Following retired Justice Patterson’s appointment as Chairman, the matter was filed in the High Court, the Appeals Court and all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

On June 18, 2019, the CCJ ruled that “we have no choice but to conclude that the process that was followed in the appointment of Justice Patterson was flawed and in breach of Article 161(2)” Guyana’s Constitution. The Caribbean Court of Justice, on three significant occasions, had to intervene to reverse Mr. Granger’s unconstitutional actions.

Thirdly, Mr Granger ought to be aware that naming a new town or proclaiming a National Day of Villages –the only two substantive ‘achievements’ he pointed to in his almost nine-minute spiel – does not evidence a commitment to local democracy or development. It does remind, however, that Mr. Granger presided over a period where ‘pomp and ceremony’ mattered more than the people of this country and their prosperity – the decision to spend billions on food and other forms of consumption at the expense of taxpayers. Mr. Granger would have probably been better served if he, having finally emerged back into the public eye, could have defended or at least attempted a defense of his Administration’s imposition of hardships on our people; the institution of over 200 taxes and fees; the firing of almost 2,000 Amerindians – who were the first of our people to be targeted by his Administration; the firing of thousands in the sugar sector; the massive loss of jobs in the forestry, mining, construction and retail sectors; the removal of the “Because We Care” cash grant from our children; the removal of the one-month bonus for our Joint Services, and the list

goes on.

Fourthly, Mr. Granger’s lecture to Guyanese on the issue of trust warrants underscoring that if anyone should trust the PPP/C it is Mr. Granger. Despite his vindictiveness in taking action to remove access to medical care for former presidents, he was fully supported by the PPP/C government during his difficulties and enjoyed the luxury of having his medical expenses fully covered by the State. To date, Mr. Granger maintains use of the most expensive vehicle purchased in Guyana’s history for a public official because of the PPP/C Administration, which refused to lower itself to the levels of his APNU+AFC Coalition administration and graciously allowed him to do so.

Finally, Mr Granger is correct in one respect, and one respect only, that local representation is based on trust and the PPP/C stands confident that all right-minded Guyanese trust that: the PPP/C is the only party they can trust to deliver on their promises; the PPP/C is the only party that has matched its words to its actions; the PPP/C is the only party that has worked, and continues to work, assiduously to bring our people together, and further the advancement of our nation for our collective progress and prosperity.

The only thing Guyanese can “trust the APNU” to do is to: look out for their own elitist interests. After the December 2018 passage of the no-confidence motion, Guyanese were witness to a massive land grab that benefited the Ministers, their relatives and their elite cronies.

This all took place in the face of a shameful lack of focus on meeting the housing needs of average Guyanese.

The fact that Mr Granger has no track record to stand on is clear, given his misrepresentation of what took place in Guyana before 2015 – a return to the old arsenal, which is nothing but a menu of lies, half-truths and excuses. This is the only “Kool-Aid” that Guyanese should avoid.

“Representation is based on trust” – PPP/C to Granger

…says Granger talks about trust while uttering barefaced untruths is his characteristic

Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates Reem Al Hashimy speaking at an engagement at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, on Sunday where she underscored the importance of having the youths lead the way (DPI photo)

Green’s misrepresentation, distortions, falsification (Pt 2)

Dear Editor,

On the question of National Service let me say from the outset that the PPP opposed it as a condition for admittance to the University of Guyana. It was in fact a racist move to push Indian Guyanese in general and Indian Guyanese women in particular, out of UG.

The PPP pointed out that National Service could take another form and take into account the mores and customs of Indian women. Forcing them into camps was tantamount to expelling them from UG. Indeed, as soon as National Service was implemented more than 100 Indian women withdrew from the University.

Incidentally, it is more than just a passing coincidence that National Service was thought up as a scheme after the PYO had a resounding victory at the student council elections in 1974. That embarrassed the PNC which in 1973 boasted of a "break through" (by then the only thing they broke through were the ballot boxes of 1968 & 1973 elections).

The PPP was asking for a change of form of National Service so that

no one would have been left out.

In his letter Mr. Green went on to say that the PPP was opposed to CARIFESTA in 1972. Knowing that he did not have any proof to substantiate his charges he resorted to saying that "... the PPP activists worked behind the scenes to keep Indo-Guyanese away..."

It is true that the PPP had some critical remarks of the PNC and CARIFESTA. However, these were more from a philosophical/ideological position. At a press conference in August 1972 Dr. Jagan extended a warm welcome to the overseas visitors. He said, "we in the PPP hope that their stay will be pleasant in our beautiful country and most enjoyable among our hospitable people".

He made comments about the content and form of culture and did say that culture could not be fully developed under imperialist/neo-colonial rule. However, he did not call for a boycott.

A call for boycott came from the Guyanese Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO). In a release published on September

David Hinds, my commitment to country is paramount

Dear Editor,

I have noted the comments by Dr David Hinds directed to me on June 9, 2023, which was conducted on a live Meta feed.

In that live video between 9 mins, 21 seconds and 10 mins and 46 secs, there was another attempt by Dr David Hinds to label me with a pejorative tag that has no place in a modern multi-ethnic society.

In order to erase any doubt, I hereby wish to reiterate the principles articulated in my statement issued on March 13. In that statement, I expressed concerns over statements issued by Mr Tacuma Ogunseye in which he made inflammatory statements that can threaten the peace and secu-

rity of Guyana.

Although I am in the Opposition realm, my commitment to country is paramount and where I see a need to speak out on issues to preserve our Republic, I shall not hesitate to do so.

Dr Hinds' paternalistic and chauvinist calls for me to 'shut up', will not affect the sacred commitment to country.

Regardless of one's ethnic origins, the peace and unity of Guyana is everyone’s business and no one should have their tongues tied in these affairs due to tribal and ethnic restrictions.

Sincerely,

Geeta ChandanEdmond Attorney-at-Law

17, 1972, the GCIO "... reminded Guyanese that while it was never against the principle of CARIFESTA, it was forced to make the boycott call because of Government’s arrogant seizure of the Indian Immigration Fund and its failure to involve the true cultural representatives in the planning of the programme..." – those are the facts.

On the issue of Security Forces, it is true that the PPP called for ethnic balance of our security forces. This call in my view is still valid, particularly at a time when Green and the PNC among others, continue to propagate racism in our country.

In 1965 when the ICJ met we had just come out of a period when the PNC instigated racism, supported and directed by the British. It saw Indian Guyanese being attacked, robbed, raped and even murdered in the presence of police officers. Indeed, at Mahaicony police officers were involved in attacks against Indians.

Let me also state that the ICJ recommended to the PNC government that the security forces be balanced. That was never

done. Instead, Indian officers were dismissed and forced out of the service. Remember Col. Sattaur, Assad Ishoof and many others Mr. Green!

Green went on to say that Indians did not want to join the security forces. That is a gross falsehood. Indian Guyanese were kept out of the force by the British at first. They used all kinds of means to accomplish this. These included height, size of chest etc.

In fact in the 1960s Minister of Home Affairs Janet Jagan found that two different exams were prepared for entry into the police force. In African dominated communities, the exams was very easy to pass. In Indian dominated areas it was almost impossible for even someone in possession of five subjects GCE 'O' level to pass. All these measures were used to keep Indians out of the Police Force.

He then moved to again make the false charge that the location of the Berbice Bridge was done to disadvantage Afro-Guyanese in New Amsterdam etc. That was another lie that the PNC racists persist in.

Vice President Jagdeo

Ignoring reports is general outcome of investigations conducted

Dear Editor,

The UNICEF Report on the state of dorms countrywide was as revealing as it was damaging. From what is circulating in the public domain, it seems that the Report's findings and recommendations were not acted on.

This is the general outcome: Studies and investigations are conducted, with millions spent, but nothing is heard of the findings and recommendations of these exercises. No follow-up is ever heard about the investigations. Of note are the several investigations supposedly carried out on hospital deaths, maternity in particular, but nothing is ever heard on the outcomes

only recently dealt with this issue at a press conference when he said that it was constructed on the present site due to the best technical advice given to the government while he was president. I can testify to that having been present at one of the presentations of the technical team, I believe it was a French group.

Finally, in his determination to promote racism Mr. Green once again took Dr. Jagan’s remarks totally out of context in relation to the position of black people. Mr. Green said that Dr. Jagan said that Afro Guyanese were at the bottom of the ladder.

Firstly Dr. Jagan never mentioned "Afro Guyanese". He was referring to the American oppo -

sition to his government of 1961-1964 period. He was making the point that the American opposition to the PPP was more political than racial because it is known that in the United States during the 1960s Blacks were at the bottom of the social ladder.

Hamilton Green is not interested in context. He is hell bent on dividing our people.

At this stage of his life Hamilton Green could play a very important role for the good health of our country by coming out with the truth. Unfortunately, he has chosen to practice the politics of lies and hate. So, so sad!

Sincerely,

Donald Ramotar Former President

of these investigations. Reports are left to gather dust, and successive administrations are unmindful of the existence of these investigations and reports.

Now the horrific Mahdia fire has revealed that a study commissioned by the Ministry and conducted by an international agency on dorms is only now made public, highlighting deficiencies and inadequacies. Failure to act on the report has resulted in damning consequences.

It is difficult to understand the perceived indifference to the report that you commissioned.

Sincerely,

Shamshun Mohamed

Page Foundation

Decimal place value and rounding

Sometimes you will be asked to round a number with a decimal to the nearest whole number. You need to look at the number on the right side of the decimal point. If that number is less than five, keep the whole number as it is. If that number is 5 or greater, add 1 to the whole number.

In other exercises, you might need to round a decimal to the nearest tenth, the nearest hundredth, or the nearest thousandth. Always look at the number to the right of the place you are rounding to. For example, if you are rounding to tenths, look at the hundredths place. If the number you look at is less than 5, keep the original number, but only to the place you need. If that number is 5 or greater, add 1 to the number in the tenths place.

Exercises:

By Wilson Harris

The Earth, glorious with the last colours of sunset.

Quiet coconut palms faintly stirring moving with the slow and stately deliberation of unstudied beauty in last, melancholy greeting to the departing day. Man, too, Pausing awhile and dreaming in child-like wonder before this vast and colourful dissolution; thinking about the stars; standing upon the lip of darkness in grand and ageless contemplation; renewing a strange and nourishing compact with the womb of Night.

WORD SEARCH

Bids pour in for $9.5B contracts to build 5 new schools

Eteringbang

Other contractors who submitted bids include Mohamed Sayaid Enterprise, Golden Goose Construction Service, DS Construction Service and Supplies, Gen X General Service and Supplies, Pacific Development Incorporated, Singh and Son Construction, Cummings Electrical Company, Zeco Group of Services Incorporated, K&S General Contractors Incorporated.

ary schools across Guyana, Manickchand had said last year that universal secondary education will be a reality by 2025.

According to Minister Manickchand, the education system is now retaining more children in school, which is a good thing. However, she noted that this reality has placed some strain on space within schools.

we can bring in universal secondary education just as we were able to achieve universal primary education. So you are going to see universal secondary education before the end of 2025 and we will be very happy to do that.”

Bids amounting to almost $10 billion in contracts have poured in for a number of schools and teaching quarters around the country, as part of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s drive to improve education delivery in previously underserved areas.

The schools that will be built, each of them in lots of one to six, are the esti-

mated $1.9 billion Kopinang Secondary School (Region Eight), the $2.5 billion Hosororo Secondary School (Region One), the $2 billion Kwebanna Secondary School (Region One), the $2 billion Jawalla Secondary School (Region Seven) and the $978.6 million contract to construct a modern school building/complex to house 800 students, Tuschen West Bank Demerara.

Among the contractors who have submitted bids for individual lots are Industrial Fabrications Incorporated, Steve’s Construction Service, Singh and Son Construction, Supreme Contracting and Supplies, International Imports and Supplies, VG Group Guyana Incorporated, AS Construction, LG Global, Bree’s Enterprise and AS Construction.

All told, these five schools will amount to an approximately $9.5 billion investment, based on the engineer’s estimates. However, this could be subject to change depending on the most responsive bidders selected. Meanwhile, Government will also be constructing and furnishing teachers’ living quarters in Bartica (Region Seven) and Eteringbang, also in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The engineer’s estimate was $30 million for the former and $37.9 million for the latter.

Back in 2022, Education Minister Priya Manickchand had announced the impending construction of a number of schools including secondary schools at Turkeyen (East Coast of Demerara) and Orealla (East BerbiceCorentyne). And with the construction of new second-

She had said that the rebuilding of St Rose’s High School and North Ruimveldt Secondary School, the construction of Yarrowkabra Secondary School, Good Hope Secondary School on the East Coast and the expansion of other schools such as East Ruimveldt Secondary, Queen’s College and The Bishops’ High School will create more space to accommodate the growing number of learners. According to her, these developments will provide comfortable access to secondary education.

Further, she said, “We’re working really hard to achieve universal secondary education within this first term [in office] is up. So you will see two new schools going up in Region Three, one in Upper Mazaruni (Region Seven), one in Region One, the rebuilding of the North West Secondary School in Region One just to ensure

Progress has been made when it comes to rebuilding schools. Following an electrical fire last July that destroyed St George’s High School and displaced hundreds of students, the Education Ministry on Friday last signed six contracts amounting to $253.8 million for its reconstruction.

And the Thursday before, the Education Ministry signed over $668 million in contracts to rebuild Christ Church Secondary School, which was also gutted by a fire in January.

The Minister had also assured that soon, contracts will be signed to rebuild St Mary’s High School.

This, along with the reconstruction of North Ruimveldt Secondary School, St Rose’s High School, extensions at Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High School, East Ruimveldt Secondary School and St Winefride’s Secondary School, will see the space issues in the Georgetown District being addressed.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a visit to Kopinang back in March, to the site where the sub-district’s first secondary school will be built

…teaching quarters to also be built in Bartica,

Death of pregnant teen Inquest to be conducted into accident – DPP

truck was being driven by Rickford Beckles, a 67-year-old resident of Annandale, ECD. On the other hand, the electric bike was being ridden by 16-year-old Maria, while the now dead teen was the pillion rider.

Police had stated that the truck was proceeding along the Coldingen Public Road when the driver alleged that as he approached the main road, he stopped and observed the traffic before going onto the main access road. He, however, claimed that when he drove off, he felt his lorry ‘bump up’ and upon checking, he saw the two sisters lying on the road next to an electric bike.

“very, very good child”. When asked about how she is coping, the mother had shared, “Inside of me feel very sick and empty but only Allah knows the best. She was six months pregnant.”

The grieving mother had related that on that tragic day, Bibi and her sister left home on the electric scooter which they would normally use to run errands in the neighbourhood.

“It is my bike. She [Maria] takes her other siblings to school using the bike. I does tell her to be careful and she does tek she time and ride,” Estelle had said during the telephone interview.

Let’s talk… …about Reparations

Today, the elephant in the room is the Local Government Elections…but your Eyewitness can’t get into it – lest he be accused of trying to influence the voting!! ‘Cause how do you talk about LGE 2023 and not mention that fella who – like Voldemort – can’t be mentioned?? That’ll be like discussing the sinking of the Titanic and not mention ing the iceberg!! And we know there’s a massive sinking about to happen in Guyana, don’t we??

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered that a Coroner’s Inquest be held into the February 17 Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD) accident which claimed the life of a 17-year-old pregnant girl. An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to determine if anyone is to be held liable for a person’s death.

Bibi Sophia Mohammed and her sister, Maria Mohammed, were on an electric bike when they were struck by a truck bearing registration number GRR 3130, owned by R and B Investment.

At the time of the accident, the

Persons rushed to the scene, and the girls were picked up and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where they were examined but Bibi was pronounced dead on arrival.

The young sister had been admitted to the hospital for various injuries.

Bibi, who was six months pregnant at the time of her demise, leaves behind her mother, Estelle, sister, and other loved ones. For her family, it will be heartbreaking to move on without her. Bibi had resided with her parents and siblings at Lot 366 Non Pareil Railway Embankment, ECD.

During a recent interview with <<<Guyana Times>>>, Estelle had described her late daughter as a

Meanwhile, Maria, who had been hospitalised after the collision, had recounted what happened on the day in question. “The truck went behind me, so me done cross the road to head up Annandale. He [the truck driver] watch right and he didn’t watch who went in front of him, and me feels like something just knock me…and me sister start to holler…”

“I am feeling sad,” expressed Maria who misses her older sister.

Following the fatal accident, the truck driver was arrested but was subsequently released on station bail pending investigations. After completing the probe, the Police sent the case file to the Office of the DPP for legal advice. It was advised that an inquest be conducted. (G1)

Anyhow, a few days ago, your Eyewitness noticed an article in the Jamaica Gleaner – announcing that a study commissioned to quantify the Reparations owed by the Countries that participated in enslaving Africans across the Atlantic – “Transatlantic Chattel Slavery”(TCS) – came up with the number US$107 TRILLION!! Imagine that!! That’s US$107,000,000,000,000!! Well, our Eyewitness can’t imagine that much money…since the amount he receives monthly doesn’t even amount to US$1000!! Just for comparison, the number of stars in our Milky Way Galaxy is just 100 billion!!

Your Eyewitness is fully supportive of Reparations for descendants of those who were enslaved by the European colonisers as they exploited the wealth of the New World using the TCS labour of the more than 10 million human beings for FREE! This Report shows that the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) has continued – and now broadened – its efforts to bring justice and relief for the descendants of the victims of that “crime against humanity”.

It was formed in 2013 by the Caricom Heads of Government. They immediately crafted a concrete 10-point Plan for Reparations and encouraged their 15 members to launch local Reparations Committees to support the plan. The then PPP Government enthusiastically supported both initiatives which would benefit the 31 countries that were affected by TCS. The CRC hired US economists from The Brattle Group – guided by a team of lawyers, historians, and history students – to compile the quantum of damages that can now be taken to a court – since the offending countries such as Britain, France, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, etc… have steadfastly refused to acknowledge responsibility for the enduring structural conditions TCS unleashed.

To assess the reparations due, it must be established that the injuries or harm suffered by the enslaved are the consequence of wrongful conduct by those who carried out TCS. And that’s what the Brattle Group did, using the methodology used in the Judicial System to calculate damages to persons such as loss of life, uncompensated labour, loss of liberty, personal injury, mental pain and anguish, and the rape – of African women by White slave owners.

Britain, for instance, is required to pay 14 countries US$24 trillion – with Jamaica to collect US$9.5 trillion. Your Eyewitness hopes the local GRC will find out what’s coming to Guyana.

…exams

Our Secondary Schools’ students are busy writing their CXCs and CAPE Exams. And in a couple of months, we’ll all gasp in amazement at those special students who’re inexorably inching towards writing the TOTAL number of subjects offered by CXC!! Thirty-five, he believes. And as he’s been doing for the past decade, he asks once again – to what end?? It used to be that poor students went that route to obtain scholarships to foreign universities. It was like the situation in the NBA where millions of Ghetto youths spend their entire life trying to get into the couple of hundred places available!!

But the new Guyana’s different. Not only is there the GOAL programme with 20,000 scholarships for whatever subject you can think of, but the Government also assists gifted students into the top-tier foreign schools. So, your Eyewitness hopes that at long last, students will now turn their attention to preparing themselves for skills that the country needs in its present development trajectory.

Like engineers of all types!!

…standards

And as we witness the slow transformation of our economy and society into First-World aspirations, let’s all begin transforming our standards accordingly. We’re not gonna enjoy a First-World lifestyle with a ghetto mentality!! Pearls to swine??

Dead: Bibi Sophia Mohammed

Natural Resource Fund

must

further strengthened – Jagdeo

While a lot has already been done to strengthen the oversight of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that the Government is cognisant that even more must be done to further strengthen the management system under which the fund operates, especially since the oil money Guyana accumulates will only increase.

Jagdeo made these comments during a recent press conference, where he informed the media about the discussions that were had between the Government and a group of high-level executives from some of the United States’ leading financial services companies who were on a visit to Guyana to explore the potential investment opportunities available here.

“We discussed future growth of our own markets for management of the funds in the oil and gas sector. But this is not now. In the outer years. Right now, we’re not receiving a lot of money. The fund is not a big fund. By 2027, 2028, 2030, that’s when large sums will accumulate in the fund,” Jagdeo

said.

“So, we need to strengthen the capability of the Board of Directors and the management system there. The ones under the Natural Resources Fund Act, to manage it. So, it was a broad discussion about Guyana and greater financial sophistication in the future,” the Vice President added.

According to Jagdeo, it is necessary that Guyana continues to improve its financial sophistication if the economy is to grow, since they must keep pace with global advances. According to Jagdeo, “the real economy will only keep growing if we have a greater, more sophisticated financial sector.”

In the first quarter of

2023, Guyana received in excess of US$300 million in payments for profit oil and royalty, increasing the balance of its Natural Resource Fund to well over US$1.4 billion by the end of March 2023.

Based on the gazetted inflows of money for the first quarter, the Natural Resource Fund received US$377.1 million in oil and gas payments. This included a payment of US$157.6 million made in January for two profit oil lifts that occurred last year from the Liza Unity and Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

Meanwhile, payments dating from last year’s trans-

actions also included a royalty payment of US$57.5 million for the 2022 fourth quarter oil production. Meanwhile, Guyana received payments for two lifts that occurred this year from both FPSOs.

There was also a payment of US$82.2 billion for a lift of profit oil that occurred on January 17, 2023 from the Liza Destiny FPSO. There was also a payment of US$79.6 million for a lift from the Liza Unity that occurred on February 3, 2023.

There have also been withdrawals. Last month, the Government made its second withdrawal from the NRF for 2023, intended to fund programmes under this year’s $781.9 billion budget. Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had announced the withdrawal of US$200 million ($41.6 billion) from the fund. He had assured that, in accordance with the law, this sum would be transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

Previously, the first withdrawal for this year was made in February. In December 2022, the Government had made its third overall with-

drawal — US$207.6 million (G$43 billion) in oil funds — from the fund, which went towards financing Guyana’s national development plans. This had brought the accumulated withdrawals from the NRF for the year 2022 to US$607.6 million, equivalent to G$126 billion, in line with approved amount in the 2022 budget.”

In January of this year, the Bank of Guyana signed an agreement to officially hand over control of the NRF to the Board of Directors appointed by the President. According to Section 5 (6) (d) of the Act, the Board is required to enter into an operational agreement with the Bank, so that management of the Fund can change hands. This agreement was signed two days after the reading of the 2023 budget.

The NRF Board consists of five members, while the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC) is comprised of nine members, and the Investment Committee, seven members. When it comes to the NRF Board, it is Chaired by retired Major General Joe Singh.

Other members of the Board are Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Private Sector Executive Ramesh Dookhoo; former People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian Dunstan Barrow; and former Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Compton Bourne. Guyana is, in 2023, expected to earn a total of US$1.6 billion in profit oil and royalties combined, buoyed by the startup of ExxonMobil’s third development in the Stabroek Block – the Payara development – before the end of the year. (G3)

Management

be

…ahead of increased money that will accumulate

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Guyana’s oil funds are held in the US Federal Reserve where they accumulate interest

Police unearth over 6lbs ganja in Berbice busts

Fireman critical after crashing into lorry

Afireman was critically injured when the motorcycle he was riding slammed into a truck on Saturday morning.

Injured is 20-year-old Shamer Bollers of St Ann Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, who is currently attached to the Rose Hall Fire Station.

The accident occurred on the Palmyra Public Road. The truck is said to have been turning onto the Berbice Bridge Road when the accident occurred.

Police ranks on mobile patrol in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) unearthed a quantity of marijuana in a motor car on the West Coast Berbice Public Road.

Reports are that a cordon and search operation was conducted between 12:00h and 17:00h on Friday, which resulted in multiple arrests and the

confiscation of substantial amounts of narcotics.

Police said they found 277 grams of cannabis concealed within a plastic bag inside an old freezer at a stall situated on the bustling Rosignol Public Road.

The owner of the stall reportedly admitted to being in possession of the illegal substance and was taken into custody.

At another location in the same area, Police uncovered 272 grams of cannabis in a black plastic bag, hidden beneath pieces of wood at a residential property. The occupants of the dwelling were detained and are currently being held pending further investigations.

Meanwhile, at about 17:30h, while conducting a routine mobile patrol along Lichfield Public Road, officers observed motor car PAB 3518 dangerously overtaking their vehicle. The officers alerted

Weldaad Police Station and promptly intercepted the driver.

Upon conducting a search of the motor car, Police found a haversack in the back seat, which contained five parcels meticulously wrapped in transparent plastic, each suspected to contain cannabis.

With no individual claiming ownership, all occupants of the vehicle were apprehended and taken into custody. The weight of the seized parcels amounted to six pounds (2.724 kilograms) of cannabis. (G9)

Police said Bollers was riding motorcycle CL 8270, while the truck was being driven by a 29-yearold businessman of Fryish Village, Corentyne.

According the Police, the truck, GAC 2588, was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane at a normal rate of speed and as the driver approached the Berbice Bridge Junction, he put on his indicator to turn right onto the Berbice River Bridge Access Road. However, while in the process of turning, Bollers, who was riding in the same direction at a fast rate of speed without a safety helmet, attempted to overtake the truck, the Police said.

According to the Police, he collided with the rightside front portion tray of the truck and as a result, fell onto the road, where he received injuries to his head and about his body. He was picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was seen and examined and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in an unconscious conduction.

Investigations are continuing. (G4)

Injured: Shamer Bollers

The ganja that was found in the haversack

The ganja that was found at Rosignol

Wanted murder accused nabbed with gun, ammo in Berbice

Aman who was wanted for the 2021 murder of a mechanic in Sophia, Georgetown, was arrested with a firearm and matching ammunition by Police in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

John Kennedy called “Big John”, a 39-year-old farmer of Field 8, Section

During the search, officers found a 9mm pistol with no serial number along with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The man taken into custody.

However, this publication was told that at the time of his arrest, the suspect told the Police that his name was “Mark Brown”

by the Police since August 2021 for questioning into the murder of Jaleel Leow.

Leow, a 21-year-old mechanic of Dennis Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was gunned down on August 2, 2021.

Police had reported that the incident occurred at around 17:50h while the young man was hanging out with a group of people at B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

According to Police, Leow was with a female shopkeeper and several other mechanics at the woman’s house when they were approached by two suspects – identified only as “Big John” or “Double Clip” and “Brainer” at the time.

The group were heading into the woman’s yard when one of the suspects, “Big John”, reportedly pulled out a handgun from the waist of his pants, walked up to the Leow as he was walking into the yard, and discharged two rounds which struck him to his upper back. The young man fell to the ground and the gunman discharged two more rounds, which hit him in his upper chest.

The injured Leow got up and ran to the back of the yard where he collapsed.

B Sophia, was arrested on Sunday by Police on mobile patrol duty.

According to reports from the Police in Region Six, ranks were on patrol duty when they stopped the suspect at about 10:00h in the vicinity of Main and Church Street, New Amsterdam, and conducted a search on him.

and gave his address as Lot 80 Rose Hall, Corentyne.

It was not until after he was processed for the offence of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition that it was discovered that he is already wanted by the Police Force for murder.

Kennedy was wanted

The shooter then fired another shot at another man from the group, who was standing by the roadside. However, the bullet just grazed him on his right upper hand.

The shooter and his accomplice then mounted their bicycles and made good their escape.

Days later, on August 10, 2021, the Police issued a wanted bulletin for Kennedy’s arrest in relation to Leow’s murder. (G4)

The gun and ammunition that was found

Dead: Jaleel Leow John Kennedy, who gave his name as “Mark Brown”

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and members of his Cabinet held discussions with the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy and her delegation at State House on Sunday during her one-day visit to Guyana. (Office of the President photos)

Inquest to be held into Frenchman Backdam fatal stabbing

tim operated a shop in the interior where he sold beverages.

The main suspect, according to reports, worked at a camp in the area and had reportedly owed George $11,000 since last year after he credited several items from his shop.

killed by the suspect and four other men.

According to George’s wife, her husband was lured to his death.

Bartica man gets 12 months’ jail for cutlass attack

as “Troy Rodrigues” and “Fuggie” appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court last week Tuesday.

An inquest has been ordered into the death of businessman Calvin Lloyd George, who was stabbed to death, allegedly by a group of men on February 24 at Frenchman Backdam, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). No one has been charged in connection with the killing, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that an inquest be concluded.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to determine if anyone is to be held liable for a person’s death.

George, 30, a father of three, of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was reportedly killed after receiving several death threats from a man who owed him money.

Based on reports, the vic-

According to George’s family, after he asked for the money several times, the suspect paid $2000 of the $11,000 owed. George’s sister told reporters that after her brother was paid the $2000, he kept receiving threats from the suspect.

The family member said that on February 24, George went to the man to collect the remaining sum and an argument ensued. During the argument, George’s wife said he was beaten and

“A man from the interior told us that when Calvin go to sell the boys them, the boy plan with he friends them and he sent three of them to buy from him, and when he was about to sell them they all come up and bank him and bore him up,” she explained.

After committing the act, the men made good their escape, until one of the suspects was arrested.

Based on reports received, the suspect was released on station bail after the legal detention period had expired. As such, the file was sent to the DPP for legal advice. (G1)

A46-year-old man was slapped with a 12-month jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to a wounding charge before Magistrate Christel Lambert. Stephen Rodrigues also known

On June 3, at the Bartica Vendors' Arcade, Rodrigues maliciously wounded 30-year-old Devon Assaye. He attacked and chopped Assaye several times with a cutlass before escaping. The incident reportedly stemmed from an old grievance between the two.

Meanwhile, in a separate matter, Randy Bisnauth called "Strokes Mouth", 26, of Lot 580 Haslington New Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on a wounding charge.

However, after the virtual complainant, Daniel Samuels, declined to testify against him, the charge, contrary to Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, was dismissed by the Magistrate. (G1)

2 arraigned on separate drug trafficking charges

Two men appeared in court last week on separate drug trafficking charges.

At the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, 29-yearold Steve Bacchus of Lot 57 Prince William Street Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), pleaded not guilty to a charge for the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Bail was granted to him in the sum of $300,000 by Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool.

The case has been adjourned until July 27.

Over at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, Earl Scott, 64, of Lot 43 Howes Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, was arraigned for allegedly trafficking 664 grams of cannabis and 18 grams of cocaine.

He pleaded not guilty to both counts and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000, for the cannabis and was remanded to prison in relation to the cocaine charge.

The cases have been postponed until June 23 by Magistrate Christel Lambert. Based on reports, the narcotics were seized on June 5 at Itaballi Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). (G1)

Dead: Calvin Lloyd George

Jailed: Stephen Rodrigues

Freed: Randy Bisnauth

Steve Bacchus

Earl Scott

MoM currently identifying beneficiaries for housing initiative

to be very active in 2023.

“Next year, under the Men on Mission umbrella, we are going to launch a massive programme. We are hoping that through the Men on Mission Initiative alone next year, we can build at least 150 homes across the country.”

The Head of State explained that the banks have already been engaged

and are willing to finance the projects, once persons own their own lands.

Additionally, a sum of $500 million was set aside for the MoM to carry out works this year, which will include the advancement of a number of community projects, the introduction of training, and programmes to address issues affecting men and boys.

A portion of the fund will also go towards revamping and rebuilding homes for citizens, specifically elderly citizens living in “very bad conditions.”

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira announced that if the $500 million allocated is not utilised, it will be returned to the Consolidated Fund.

Policeman hospitalised after crashing into culvert

The Men on Mission (MoM) committee is currently seeking out vulnerable individuals who will be beneficiaries of their housing programme, which will see a total of 150 houses being built for vulnerable persons who own their own house lots in 2023.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Sunday, the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force

(GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan shared that in the first phase of the initiative, the MoM committee will be identifying persons in various regions across the country who fit the criteria to benefit from the programme.

“The plan is to build 150 homes. In the first phase we are identifying the persons in various regions who fit the criteria,” Khan told this publication.

In December last year, MoM, which was founded by President Dr Irfaan Ali, handed over a brandnew home to an 85-yearold woman whose previous living conditions were not up to par.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the Head of State shared that this initiative is what is going to cement the country as ‘One Guyana’ while noting that MoM is going

APolice officer attached to the Mibicuri Police Station is now a patient at the Georgetown Hospital after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a culvert on the Corentyne.

The injured Police Constable is 25-year-old Clinton Douglas of Albert Street, Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceBerbice).

According to the Police, Douglas was riding his motorcycle along the Kingston Access Road at Corriverton when he lost control, causing the left side of his motorcycle to collide with the culvert on the northern side before ending up on the parapet.

The incident occurred at about 04:20h on Sunday.

The injured policeman was picked up in an unconscious condition by the Police and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was treated be -

fore being transferred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital for further medical attention.

At about 09:30h on Sunday, he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention. (G4)

File photo: The house that was handed over to the 85-year-old Herstelling resident in 2022

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family meDicine/ enDocrinology/ DiabeTes

Life changes with every decade, and so does our body. Just as personal and work-related milestones are set, health goals should be included for every stage of life. Practising these healthy behaviours is important for all women, regardless of age.

YOUR 20S

Get the HPV vaccine.

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is most common among young people in their late teens and early 20s. High-risk strains of HPV are present in more than 99% of cervical cancer cases. One way to protect yourself from HPV is by getting the HPV vaccine. It protects from the HPV types that cause most genital warts and anal cancers.

Say, “No!” to tanning salons.

Tanning bed use significantly increases the odds of getting melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer). Using tanning beds

HEALTH TIPS

WOMEN IN THEIR 20S, 30S, 40S, AND 50S

regularly when under 30 increases the risk of skin cancer by 75%.

Other ways to limit sun exposure:

• Avoid direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Use sunscreen when outdoors.

• Wear sun-protective clothing

• Steer clear of the fast (food) life

• Avoid Fast foods.

A person may be eating fast foods because they’re cheap and easy to obtain. And in their 20s, a person may even have the metabolism to burn unwanted calories. But, in eating fast foods, they are not powering up with the nutrients needed to keep body and mind healthy today and later in life.

The better choice? Learn to whip up a few simple, healthy meals made from whole foods – mostly plants. If people do buy processed foods, thy should be sure to read the nutrition labels and check for sugar, carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

Pop in for a Pap/ VIA

After your 21st birthday, schedule a VIA test or Pap test every three years. It may be an awkward test to do, and may be uncomfortable, but this examination is worth the brief discomfort. That’s because the Pap test can find abnormal cells before they turn into cervical cancer. Snuff out the cigarette.

Each year, more women die from lung cancer than breast cancer. The cause: smoking.

Smoking raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, and affects one’s reproductive health. And during pregnancy, it also causes problems that can hurt both mother and baby – miscarriages, stillbirths, and early delivery. Quit, especially if pregnant, and don’t pick up the habit after the baby is born. Nicotine can be passed through breast milk, and secondhand smoke can affect the child’s health.

Want to quit? You are not alone – 70% of women who smoke say they want to quit. Get help and support. If still having trouble, cut back as much as possible, and make the home smoke-free.

YOUR 30s

• Lift some weights.

Most women begin to lose muscle mass after age 30. Strength training can prevent muscle loss and build bone density to avoid osteoporosis. It can also increase the rate at which the body burns calories to help keep you at a healthy weight. And maintaining a healthy weight can help to avoid diseases like cancer.

Take time to unwind.

Chronic stress affects almost every system in our body, and wreaks havoc on their functioning, making it harder to fight off diseases like cancer. Curb stress by doing breathing exercises and other relaxation-type activities.

• Test for HPV at Pap/ VIA visit

Women over age 30 should get an HPV test along with their Pap test every five years. High-risk strains of HPV are present in more than 99% of cervical cancer cases.

This test doesn’t happen often in the 20s because, at this age, the immune system is more likely to clear the virus without treatment. And regular HPV testing may result in unnecessary interventions and follow-up care.

• Snuff out the cigarette.

Nearly 20% of women aged 25 to 44 smoke.

Your 40s

• Maintain a healthy weight.

As we get older, our metabolism slows down. This is especially true for women after age 40, who may have a hard time maintaining the weight they had in their 20s and 30s. Making healthy food choices and staying active every day can help jumpstart one’s metabolism, so one can keep off unwanted pounds.

• Schedule a mammogram Don’t put off a yearly mammogram. Women

should get one every year, starting at age 40. It’s one of the best ways to find breast cancer early. Getting the first mammogram can be stressful, but it is very beneficial.

• Snuff out the cigarette.

Want to quit? You are not alone – 70% of women who smoke say they want to quit. Get help and support. If still having trouble, cut back as much as possible and make the home smoke-free.

YOUR 50S AND OLDER

• Limit the use of hormone therapy.

Taking hormones can increase the chances of developing uterine cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots, and stroke. Ask a doctor if hormone therapy is the best choice for you.

• Focus on foods, not supplements.

Researchers are still unsure about whether supplements help prevent cancer. Speak with a doctor or a dietician before taking a new supplement. The doctor can decide which pills are needed and in what dosage. Even if a doctor recommends taking a supplement, the top priority should be getting

the nutrients needed from fresh food.

• Check colon.

It’s that time. Colorectal cancer screening starts after age 50. These exams are worth the minor discomfort, if any. Why? At least six out of 10 colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented if everyone aged 50 and older got screened regularly. So, start the colorectal screening discussion at the next check-up. The doctor can help to decide which exam is the best option.

• Snuff out the cigarette.

Want to quit? You are not alone – 70% of women who smoke say they want to quit. And it’s never too late to quit. Get help and support. If still having trouble, cut back as much as possible and make the home smokefree.

• Get annual checkups.

Making your health a top priority is important at every age. Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, or 60s, yearly check-ups are a must. With the aid of a doctor, create a personalised health plan to help stay healthy for many years to come.

Regional

PM Henry optimistic about Haitian stakeholder consultation China has been spying from Cuba for years – US official

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel

Henry is expressing optimism that the consultations with Haitian stakeholders being hosted in Jamaica will eventually lead to a sustainable solution to the humanitarian, political, and economic crises in the French-speaking Caribbean country.

“We had to leave Haiti to meet and I sincerely hope that this meeting will be successful and this will lead to even more fruitful meetings, because we had so many meetings [on] so many subjects that we have to agree on to have a consensus on,” he said at Sunday’s opening ceremony for the three-day stakeholder meetings being held at the Liberty Hall at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s headquarters in downtown Kingston.

The Haitian consultations were endorsed by Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government, following Jamaica's offer to host the meetings during its participation in a mission to Haiti, led by Jamaican Prime

Minister Andrew Holness, in February this year.

Henry said that he was pleased that members of Caricom have convinced all the other stakeholders to convene in Kingston to have these discussions, which he was hopeful would not just result in another agreement, but a tangible solution.

“We did not come here to negotiate for another agreement. We are here to speak together and talk about national interests and the

next steps we have to take to build our democracy amongst ourselves with our brothers and sisters from Caricom,” he said.

He said that Caricom convincing everyone that a long-lasting solution could be brought about through commitment and dialogue, “is the first step and I hope that there will be others that will allow us to go through all of the stages necessary to rebuild our country”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Mexico's ruling party to announce 2024 presidential candidate on Sept 6

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's ruling National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) said on Sunday its candidate for the 2024 presidential election will be announced on September 6.

The winner will be declared following five polls to be carried out by the party, Alfonso Durazo, MORENA Governor of the northern state of Sonora, said following a meeting of the leftist party's leadership in Mexico City.

All those competing for the party's 2024 candidacy must step down from public office to campaign, MORENA resolved.

That decision had been

Alfonso Durazo, President of the National Council of Mexico's ruling National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party, announces the names of four aspiring candidates for the party's 2024 presidential candidacy, in Mexico City, Mexico, June 11, 2023 (Reuters/Henry Romero)

widely anticipated, and followed what party insiders said was a recommendation made by Lopez

China has been operating an intelligence unit in Cuba for years and upgraded it in 2019 as part of a global effort by Beijing to boost its intelligence-gathering capabilities, according to a senior US White House official.

The statement on Saturday came days after The Wall Street Journal reported that China had reached a secret deal with Cuba to establish an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island roughly 160 kilometres (100 miles) from the state of Florida in southern United States.

The WSJ reported that China planned to pay a cash-strapped Cuba billions

of dollars as part of the negotiations.

The US and Cuban Governments have cast strong doubt on the report.

The White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the WSJ’s characterisation “does not comport with our understanding”, but did not specify how the report was wrong nor address in detail whether there were efforts by China to build a new eavesdropping facility in Cuba.

The official said the issue predated US President Joe Biden’s Administration as had Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its intelligence collection infrastructure worldwide.

“This is an ongoing issue and not a new development,” the official said. “The PRC [People’s Republic of China] conducted an upgrade of its intelligence collection facilities in Cuba in 2019. This is well-documented in the intelligence record.”

Asked for comment, an official at China’s Embassy in Washington, DC pointed to Friday’s statement by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson who accused the US of “spreading rumors and slander” with talk of a Cuba spy station and of being “the most powerful hacker empire in the world”.

The Cuban Government, meanwhile, slammed the latest development. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Colombian Indigenous children survived 40 days eating seeds, roots

Four Colombian Indigenous children, who were discovered 40 days after their plane crashed in the Amazon jungle, survived eating seeds, roots, and plants they knew were edible thanks to their upbringing, according to Indigenous people.

“The survival of the children is a sign of the knowledge and relationship with the natural environment that is taught starting in the mother’s womb,” according to the National Organisation of Indigenous Peoples of Colombia (OPIAC).

The local knowledge of Indigenous adults, who were involved in the search alongside Colombian troops, also played a part in the children being found alive.

The four siblings, aged 13, nine and four, as well as a now 12-month-old baby, survived a small plane crash on May 1 that took the lives of the pilot, their mother, and a third adult. The children’s family clung to the hope that the siblings’ familiarity with the jungle would see them through.

the jungle well. They know what to eat and what not to eat. They survived because of this and their spiritual force,” said Luis Acosta of the National Indigenous Organisation of Colombia (ONIC).

Acosta, who took part in search operations, said the children ate seeds, fruits, roots and plants they identified as edible from their upbringing in the Amazon region.

The children have been reunited with their family after their rescue on Friday.

Obrador on Monday evening which aimed at keeping his movement united.

(Reuters)

Honduras opens Beijing embassy in China after cutting ties to Taiwan

Honduras opened an Embassy in China on Sunday, Chinese State media reported, after the Central American nation cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan earlier this year.

The Embassy in Beijing was opened by Foreign Ministers from the two countries, State broadcaster CCTV reported.

Honduran President

Xiomara Castro is in China for a state visit, during which she is to meet with her Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, State media have reported.

Tegucigalpa in March ended its decades-long relationship with Taipei and established diplomatic ties with Beijing.

China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory with no right

to state-to-state relations, a position Taipei strongly rejects. China demands that countries with which it has ties recognise its position.

Taiwan now has formal diplomatic relations with only 13 countries, mostly poor and developing countries in Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

(Reuters)

“They are Indigenous children and they know

“They are happy to see the family… they have

all their senses,” the children’s grandfather, Fidencio Valencia, told reporters shortly after visiting them at a military hospital in the capital Bogota.

“They are children of the bush,” Valencia said, adding that they know how to survive in the jungle.

Javier Betancourt, another ONIC leader, told AFP: “We have a particular connection to nature.”

“The world needs this kind of special relation with nature, to favour those like the Indigenous who live in the jungle and take care of it.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Expert: Tackle vaping as a Region

Acall is being made for a regional approach to stem the growing use of e-cigarettes and vaping among young people, rather than individual countries going at it alone.

The recommendations came on Friday from Barbara McGaw, a regional tobacco control advisor with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control. She was participating in a webinar hosted by HCC titled “Clearing The Air: Vaping And Youth In The

Caribbean”, which served as the launch of its report on Vaping And Youth In The Caribbean.

Although the report will not be available until today, McGaw said there was a need to protect the youth and to enact or update legislation to include ENDS – Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems – in addition to the conventional methods of tobacco or nicotine, which Antigua and St Lucia had started to do.

She said it was also important that public education programmes be insti-

tuted on their dangers.

“Apart from environmental challenges, there have been reports of e-cigarettes exploding because of the batteries. The fact is that sometimes they [people] may use a charger that’s not approved, a cheap charger. There’s one person whose toe was blown off…., it exploded. We’ve seen videos of people having an e-cigarette in their pockets and it explodes . . . . Being that it’s an electronic item, there have been challenges there,” she said. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (centre) is flanked by Haitian Prime Minister, Dr Ariel Henry (right) and Bahamian Prime Minister and Caricom Chair Philip Davis (left), during the opening ceremony of the meeting of Haitian Stakeholders at Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade headquarters in downtown Kingston on Sunday, June 11

The four siblings, aged 13, nine and four, as well as a now 12-month-old baby, survived a small plane crash on May 1 that took the lives of the pilot, their mother, and a third adult

The United States should not tell Saudi Arabia how to manage its crude oil production, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"Saudi Arabia is a sovereign state, a responsible state, and a very important player in the international energy markets. Of course, this sovereign state is capable of making decisions that concern its own economy. Hardly anyone, even the US, should lecture (Saudi Arabia) on how to be in this or that case," Peskov said in a Moscow press briefing on Friday.

Saudi Arabia voluntarily agreed over the weekend to cut the country's crude oil production targets for the month of July by an additional 1 million barrels per day. President Biden did not make any noteworthy response to the decision, with oil prices only briefly rallying in response to the oil production curtailments.

Peskov's rebuke, then, does not follow any new backlash from US President Joe Biden. A rather way back response to OPEC's oil cuts came in October 2022, when President Biden threatened "consequences."

In the same press briefing, Peskov also said that its Russian atomic energy sector would continue developing despite the US and UK forming a new economic alliance that looks to box out Russia from the international nuclear energy markets. Peskov referred to the situation as "unfair competition."

President Biden and PM Sunak signed a declaration on Thursday on the new pact "for a new age", referred to as the New Atlantic Declaration, Sunak said of the deal that it was a deal "of a kind that has never been agreed before," adding that it included US$17.5 billion in new US investments that were promised to the UK.

A UK Government document providing details about the deal says in part, “We face new challenges to international stability — from authoritarian states such as Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC); disruptive technologies; nonstate actors; and transnational challenges like climate change.” (Oilprice.com)

Portion of I-95 in Philadelphia collapses after vehicle engulfed by fire

Aportion of a major US highway collapsed in Philadelphia after a vehicle caught fire underneath it, city officials said on Sunday.

City officials in a statement said preliminary reports indicated that a tanker truck was involved in the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Smoke billowed from the rubble of the collapsed section of the northbound lanes of I-95, the main northsouth interstate on the East Coast. Video showed emergency vehicles and workers gathered in the vicinity of the huge chunk of the charred, collapsed overpass. Traffic in both directions of the eight-lane highway was halted due to concerns about the structural integrity of the remaining southbound lanes.

US President Joe Biden was briefed on the collapse and the White House has offered assistance to state and local officials, according to White House press secretary

Ukraine says it retakes village in 'first results' of counterattack

Ukraine said on Sunday its troops had recaptured three villages from Russian forces in its southeast, the first liberated settlements it has reported since launching a counter-offensive this week.

Kyiv's forces posted unverified videos showing soldiers hoisting the Ukrainian flag at a bombedout building in the village of Blahodatne in Donetsk region and posing with their unit's flag in the adjacent village of Neskuchne.

"We're seeing the first results of the counter-offensive actions, localised results," Valeryi Shershen, spokesperson for Ukraine's "Tavria" military sector, said on television.

Ukraine's army also retook Makarivka, the next village to the south, and advanced between 300 and

1500 metres in two directions on the southern front, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said in a statement.

"No positions were lost on the directions where our forces are on the defensive," Maliar added.

Saudi Arabia seeks cooperation with China, "ignores" Western worries

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday gave his strongest signal yet that Kyiv has launched its long-awaited counterattack to seize back land in the east and south, confirming that "counteroffensive and defensive operations" were taking

place.

Around The World OIL NEWS Russia tells US not to lecture Saudi Arabia on oil

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that a Ukrainian military push was well underway, but that it had failed so far to breach Russian defensive lines and taken heavy casualties.

Kyiv officials have imposed a strict period of operational silence and urged Ukrainians not to disclose any information that could compromise the operation.

With so little information out of Kyiv and scant independent reporting from the front lines, it has been almost impossible to assess the battlefield situation.

Russia said at least twice this week that it had repelled Ukrainian attacks close by the nearby settlement of Velyka Novosilka.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Nicola Sturgeon arrested in SNP finances inquiry

Karine Jean-Pierre.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the closure of I-95 will have "significant impacts" on the region and the city of Philadelphia. Buttigieg said on Twitter that he was coordinating with regional leaders for recovery and rebuilding efforts.

This stretch of the I-95 corridor sits in the dense northeast section of Philadelphia and connects the city to its northern suburbs, like Bucks County.

On a Sunday in the summer, it’s routinely used by beach goers coming home from the Jersey Shore. During the week, it’s crowded with commuters and vehicles traveling to Boston, Baltimore and Washington.

Dominick Mireles, the director of the city's Office of Emergency Management, said officials were concerned about the accident's potential impact on the environment due to the proximity to the Delaware River.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia wants to collaborate, not compete, with China, the kingdom's declared on Sunday, saying he "ignored" Western suspicions over their growing ties.

As the world's top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia's bilateral relationship with the world's biggest energy consumer is anchored by hydrocarbon ties. But cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing has also deepened in security and sensitive tech amid a warming of political ties - to the concern of the US.

Asked about criticism of the bilateral relationship during an Arab-China business conference, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said: "I actually ignore it because ... as a business person ... now you will go where opportunity comes your way."

"We don't have to be facing any choice which has to do with (saying) either with us or with the others."

Chinese entrepreneurs and investors have flocked to Riyadh for the conference, which came days after a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In March, state oil giant Saudi Aramco announced two major deals to raise its multi-billion dollar investment in China and bolster its rank as China's top provider of crude.

They were the biggest announced since Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia in December where he called for oil trade in yuan, a move that would weaken the dollar's dominance.

The two nations' momentum has also raised prospects for a successful conclusion to negotiations for a free trade deal between China and the Saudi Arabia-dominated Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ongoing since 2004.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the SNP.

Police confirmed a 52-year-old woman was taken into custody as a suspect and is being questioned by detectives.

It follows the arrest and subsequent release of her husband, ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, in April.

A spokeswoman for Sturgeon confirmed she had attended a Police interview by arrangement on Sunday.

The former SNP leader, who stood down in March, was then arrested and questioned by officers who have been investigating for the past two years what happened to more than £600,000 of donations given to the party by independence activists.

SNP MP Angus MacNeil has joined opposition parties in calling for Sturgeon to be suspended from the party - arguing that "this

soap-opera has gone far enough".

Officers searched Sturgeon's home and the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh on April 5, with Murrell being arrested before later being released without charge pending further investigation.

A luxury motorhome which sells for about £110,000 was also seized by Police from outside the home of Murrell's mother in Dunfermline.

Almost two weeks later, SNP treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested and released without charge while further inquiries were carried out. Beattie resigned as party treasurer shortly afterwards.

Sturgeon, Murrell and Beattie were the three signatories on the SNP's accounts and the arrest of the former First Minister had been widely expected - although there was no indication of when it was going to happen. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ukrainian soldiers in front of a building bearing the Ukrainian flag, during an operation to liberate the first village amid a counteroffensive, in Blahodatne, Donetsk region, Ukraine (Screen grab from video broadcast June 11, 2023/Reuters/68th Separate Hunting Brigade 'Oleksy Dovbusha)

Nicola Sturgeon's arrest follows that of her husband Peter Murrell earlier this year

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman AlSaud speaks as event moderator Dan Murphy reacts during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Pay attention to what you spend and how much you owe. Don't discuss your plans with someone prone to stealing your ideas or taking control. If you want to be competitive, work alone. A self-improvement project will turn out well.

You'll accomplish the most if you approach others with encouragement and charm. Offer unique ideas, but don't push what you want on others. Change begins with you. Be ready to compromise.

20-May 20)

Share information if it helps you asses your options and get things done. Don't limit what you can do. Forge ahead with a positive attitude and a plan. Selfimprovement projects will build confidence.

(May 21-June 20)

You will be misconstrued. Listen, observe and choose your words carefully. A change will require connecting with someone you can trust to finish things on time. Follow your instincts.

(June 21-July 22)

You've got the energy to execute your plans. Refuse to let anyone distract you from reaching your objective. Align yourself with like-minded people, and you'll find it easy to stay on track.

23-Aug. 22)

Focus on the changes you want to implement, but don't lose sight of your budget. A cost-efficient change will ease stress and help you remember what's important.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Share your thoughts with someone knowledgeable. Work alongside people who are good at taking orders. A change at home may not be welcome, but it will prove to be relaxing.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Make slow progress. A physical response will send the wrong message. Don't force change when you aren't ready to make a move. An impulsive act will lead to disappointment. Keep a steady pace.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take care of money matters and documents that need updating. Handling your affairs promptly will help build a good reputation. Concentrate on maintaining healthy habits.

Do your best to get along with friends, relatives and colleagues. Don't let your emotions take the reins, revealing something you'd rather keep secret. Don't give up or give in prematurely.

Consider all financial possibilities. Invest in your skills, qualifications and home. A physical push will backfire, causing a rift between you and a close friend or family member.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Joint financial ventures will cause uncertainty and possible regret if you don't set down ground rules. Changing how you manage your money won't please everyone, but it should protect you.

SATURDAY'S WORD -- ZEALOTS

Ruthless Australia gear up for Ashes by being crowned Test world champions

Australia will head into next week’s Ashes as Test world champions after they stamped out Indian resistance in ruthless fashion to claim a 209-run win at the Oval.

With just five days to go before they renew their biggest rivalry against England at Edgbaston, Australia soared to victory, dismissing India for 234 on the final morning of the International Cricket Council’s second World Test Championship final.

Scott Boland provided the key breakthrough, removing star batter Virat Kohli in the seventh over of the day and making it a double strike by dismissing Ravindra Jadeja two balls later.

Boland was unlikely to play until injury ruled Josh Hazlewood out, but the bustling 34-year-old seamer must now be well fancied to take on Ben Stokes’ side in Friday’s first Test.

Everything was on the line on the fifth day of the red-ball showpiece, with 280 runs needed and sev-

en wickets up for grabs.

Ordinarily, such an equation would have made Australia overwhelming favourites, but Kolhi’s presence as a master chaser left Indian fans with real belief

UFC star sends Miami Heat mascot to hospital

that their side could make a record 444 to win the match.

He was in fluent touch on the previous evening, reeling off a punchy 44, but he added just five more to his score as Boland landed the key wicket.

Immediately after beating the outside by a whisker he tossed one wider and drew a lavish drive from Kohli, who sprayed a rapid chance between second and third slip. Steve Smith did the rest, throwing himself into action to take a brilliant catch.

Unlike an equally outstanding take from Cameron Green on day four,

there was no debate whatsoever about the legality of this one, nor of its relevance to the final outcome. With Kohli gone for 49, India’s hopes were all but over.

Their fans, who have dominated the stands all week and who poured in on Sunday in the hope of witnessing a famous victory, were dumbstruck.

If anybody doubted it, then Boland wasted no time in hammering home the point. Two balls later, he was celebrating again, Jadeja caught behind for a duck as Boland found a hint of movement around off stump.

When Srikar Bharat

saw a thick edge squirt off the toe of the bat it looked like three wickets in four deliveries for Boland, but this time the ball kept rising and narrowly beat a

leaping David Warner at first slip.

Ajinkya Rahane did his best to reinvigorate the battle, stroking a couple of regal drives down the ground, but Australia held all the cards. He departed for 46, struck clean in front of the stumps attempting a sweep.

Mitchell Starc, who could be vulnerable if Hazlewood comes back in against England, added the wicket of Umesh Yadav, but the rest of the tail was mopped up in efficient style by Nathan Lyon.

He finished with figures of four for 41, nailing Shardul Thakur lbw, collecting a skier of a return catch from Bharat and finishing things up when Mohammed Siraj steered a reverse sweep straight to point.

Australia’s celebrations began in earnest as they formed a circle in the middle of the pitch, while India were once again runners-up, having lost the inaugural final to New Zealand two years ago. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

India 2nd Innings (T: 444 runs)

Rohit Sharma (c)lbw b Lyon 43

Shubman Gill c Green b Boland 18

Cheteshwar Pujara c †Carey b Cummins 27

Virat Kohli c Smith b Boland 49

Ajinkya Rahane c †Carey b Starc 46

Ravindra Jadeja c †Carey b Boland 0

Srikar Bharat †c & b Lyon 23

Shardul Thakur lbw b Lyon 0

Umesh Yadav c †Carey b Starc 1

Mohammed Shami not out 13

Mohammed Siraj c Boland b Lyon 1

Extras (lb 2, nb 5, w 6) 13

TOTAL 63.3 Ov (RR: 3.68) 234

Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Shubman Gill, 7.1 ov), 2-92 (Rohit Sharma, 19.5 ov), 3-93 (Cheteshwar Pujara, 20.4 ov), 4-179 (Virat Kohli, 46.3 ov), 5-179 (Ravindra Jadeja, 46.5 ov), 6-212 (Ajinkya Rahane, 56.2 ov), 7-213 (Shardul Thakur, 57.4 ov), 8-220 (Umesh Yadav, 60.2 ov), 9-224 (Srikar Bharat, 61.5 ov), 10234 (Mohammed Siraj, 63.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Pat Cummins 13-1-55-1 Scott Boland 16-2-46-3 Mitchell Starc 14-1-77-2 Cameron Green 5-0-13-0 Nathan Lyon 15.3-2-41-4

Djokovic beats Casper Ruud to win Roland Garros title and claim 23rd major

McGregor proceeded to land a straight punch on the mascot's headgear.

The clash was set up for McGregor to promote a pain-relief spray. He is seen trying to spray Burnie, who was dragged from the court by his feet by staff.

According to The Athletic, the man portraying Burnie received pain medication, was discharged, and is currently in good condi-

Connor McGregor

The last time McGregor competed was in 2021, when he broke his leg in a fight with Dustin Poirier.

The Heat's 108-95 loss to the Denver Nuggets put the Nuggets in a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, with the chance to secure the NBA championship in Game Five today.

(Reuters)

Novak Djokovic showed his greatness once again by overcoming a sticky start to win a men's record 23rd Grand Slam title with victory over Norway's Casper Ruud in the French Open final.

Djokovic, 36, was far from his best in the initial stages but his quality in a first-set tie-break laid the platform for a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-5 victory.

The Serb moves into the outright lead of men's majors ahead of Rafael Nadal.

He also becomes the first man to win all four majors at least three times.

Victory on the Paris clay moves Djokovic alongside Serena Williams in terms of major titles, with only Margaret Court now standing in front of him on 24 Grand Slams.

He will have the opportunity to tie Court's record at Wimbledon next month – a place where he has already won seven times and will also be the favourite to equal Roger Federer's title record.

(BBC Sport)

Novak Djokovic moved clear of Rafael Nadal, with victory at Roland Garros securing him a men's record 23rd major title

Good outing for Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club in Barbados

The West Demerara-based Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club is one of the top clubs on the West Demerara Cricket Association Club Panel. The well-established club has been in existence for 30 plus years and boasts more than 10 WDCA titles.

The Canal Number Onebased unit departed Guyana's shores for Barbados on May 26, 2023. The Guyana-based club competed against prominent Barbadian clubs in five fixtures from May 26 to June 6, 2023.

The Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club previously toured the island of Barbados in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2022.

The tour was made possible owing to the generosity of some prominent businessmen, former members of the club, current members of the club, and residents of Canal Number One.

The Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their sponsors for making the tour possible. Among them are the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry (Charles Ramson Jr); Anand Persaud; Nankishore Persaud; Deodat Persaud; Ganesh Persaud; Ramroop Parsram; Jagat Parsram; Liloutie Bahadur; Shines Beepat; Amanda Beepat; Karan (Lalo); Rameshwar Persaud; Chichanand Shiwram; Peter Persaud; Gangaram Lochand and Gowkarran Dially

In an exclusive interview, after the tour concluded, Captain Sudesh Persaud said that he was very pleased with the performance of his unit. He also stated that the pitches in Barbados were much different

than those in Guyana and that the players adapted quickly to those conditions which resulted in the team's success.

The Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club boasted two former national Guyana Under-19 players in Travis Persaud and Narendra Persaud and two current national athletes in Sachin Balgobin and Nityanand Mathura, who were all instrumental in the team's success.

Left-arm spinner Navindra Persaud was the most successful bowler, grabbing nine scalps with the ball from his five matches. Persaud got support from medium pacer Narendra Persaud, who also claimed nine scalps and off-

spinner Sudesh Persaud, who had six wickets.

Former national under-19 Captain Travis Persaud led the batting charts with 202 runs from four Innings at an impressive average of 67.3 and a top score of 82 against Maxwell Sports Club.

Persaud was well supported by national under-17 players Nityanand Mathura (114 runs at an average of 38); Sachin Balgobin (106 runs at an average of 35.3) and also Narendra Persaud (92 at an average of 23) and Joshua Ferrell (79 at an average of 39.5).

Notable performances:

Travis Persaud – 82 v Maxwell SC

Nityanand Mathura – 79 v Maxwell SC

Sachin Balgobin – 79 v Cupid Cavaliers

Narendra Persaud – 73 v Cupid Cavaliers

Navindra Persaud – 4-22 v Mappwest SC

Joshua Rahaman 3-6 – v Police SC

*Match Summaries*

Game 1

Mc Gill registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win in their opening fixture against Cupid Cavaliers at Lears Cricket Ground in St Michael, Barbados.

Cupid won the toss and decided to bat first. Cupid –117-6 (20 overs): Akeem Mc

Collin – 51 (3x4)(3×6); Roy Alves 38 – (4x4); Sudesh Persaud (211); Nityanand Mathura (213); Narendra Persaud (2-22). Mc Gill – 118-1 (13.5 overs): Narendra Persaud 73; Travis Persaud 25*; Jason Small 1-10. Mc Gill won by 9 wickets.

Game 2

Mc Gill thrashed Cupid Cavaliers in their 40-over fixture at Lears Cricket Ground in St Michael, Barbados. Mc Gill won the toss and chose to bat first. Mc Gill – 297-7 (40 overs): Sachin Balgobin 79 (8×4)(1×6); Prahalad Singh 51 (5×4)(2×6); Travis Persaud 48 (8×4); Abdul Razack 43 (5×4)(2×6); Charles Murray (2-37). Cupid – 163 all out (36.2 overs): Akani Mc Caskey 46 (5×4)(1×6); Akeem Mc Collen 29 (2×4); Narendra Persaud (3-30); Navindra Persaud (2-15); Ganesh Puran (2-23); Abdul Razack (2-32). Mc Gill won by 134 runs.

Game 3

Mc Gill made it three wins in as many matches in Barbados after they defeated Barbados Police Sports Club by eight wickets at the Police SC Ground.

Police SC won the toss and chose to bat. Police SC – 80-9 (20 overs): Ramon Gittens 36 (4×4)(1×6); Joshua Rahaman (3-6); Sudesh Persaud (2-2). Mc Gill – 84-2 (12.1 overs): Joshua Ferrell 21* (4x4); Teijnauth Jadunauth 17* (4×4); Sudesh Persaud 16 (2×4); Ramon Gitten 2-23. Mc Gill won by 8 wickets.

Game 4

Travis Persaud (82) and Nityanand Mathura (79) backed by exceptional bowling led

Mc Gill to a 131-run win over Maxwell Sport Club at the MSC Ground in Barbados.

Mc Gill won the toss and chose to bat first. Mc Gill – 2627 (34 overs): Travis Persaud 82 (9x4); Nityanand Mathura 79 (9x4)(3×6); Joshua Ferrell 31 (2x4)(1×6); Andy Collymore 2-22; Herald Baker 2-25; Zedani Yearwood 2-26. Maxwell – 130 all out (26.4 overs): Zedani Yearwood 64 (6x4)(3×6); Delon Chapman 29 (1x4); Abdool Razack 3-17; Narendra Persaud 2-18; Navindra Persaud 2-24. Mc Gill won by 131 runs.

Match 5

Mc Gill romp to a 34-run victory over Mappwest Sports Club at the Mapphill Cricket Ground to end the tour to Barbados with five Wins and no losses.

Mc Gill won the toss and chose to bat first. Mc Gill – 164 all out (35.5 overs): Travis Persaud 46 (7x4); Abdool Razack 32 (3x4); Joshua Ferrell 26; Mateo Adams 3-17; Darnel Green 3-21; Ravin Paramdeo 3-36. Mappwest – 131 all out (36 overs): Charles Boston 30* (1x4); Raiden Eli 18 (1x4); Darnel Green 17 (1×4); Ravin Paramdeo 17 (1×4); Navindra Persaud 4-22; Narendra Persaud 2-30.Mc Gill won by 34 runs.

Mc Gill squad reads: Sudesh Persaud (Captain); Travis Persaud; Sachin Balgobin; Nityanand Mathura; Shafiek Deen; Adesh Mohan; Abdul Razack; Matthew Salim; Ganesh Puran; Joshua Rahaman; Taijnauth Jadunauth; Narendra Persaud; Navindra Persaud and Joshua Ferrell.

No plan to shift 2024 Men's T20 World Cup from West Indies and USA – ICC confirms

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have stated that there is no consideration to relocate next year's Twenty20 World Cup from the Caribbean islands and the United States to the United Kingdom.

Both cricket bodies made these assertions separately on Friday in response to suggestions that the championship would be allocated to England, Ireland, and Scotland due to administrative uncertainty in USA Cricket (USAC).

"There is absolutely no truth to reports that the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will be moved from the West Indies and the USA," said an ECB spokesperson. "Since the event is organised by the ICC, their statement must be taken as binding and conclusive."

The 2024 Twenty20 World Cup, the ninth edition of the championship, will feature the largest-ever congregation for an ICC event, with 20 teams and 55 matches. The ICC confirmed that preparations for the event are already underway, and venue inspections have been completed.

"Venue inspections have recently been concluded in both host territories, and planning for

the event in June 2024 is in full swing," said the ICC spokesperson.

An ICC member dismissed these suggestions as creative speculation. "The 2024 event is scheduled for June, and the only other possible location is England.

If someone were to ask the ECB if they can host in 2024, the answer would be crystal clear – they can't. So, the possibility doesn't even arise. Just a glance at the England venue fixtures for next year will confirm this to anyone observant enough," stated the member.

Reports have indicated a potential trade-off between the 2024 and 2030 championship hosts, with England, Ireland, and Scotland staging the next year's event and the West Indies/ US hosting seven years later, allowing the USAC to address its administrative issues.

Florida, Dallas, and one more venue are being considered

for hosting the championship matches in the US, with minimal administrative involvement for USAC. US and ICC insiders say some innovative solutions are being planned for staging the championship in the US with regard to venues.

IOC Session to decide on cricket's inclusion in LA28 in October

The International Olympic

Committee (IOC) has officially announced that its 141st session will be held in Mumbai from October 15 to October 17, coinciding with the World Cup taking place in India. However, the meeting will commence on October 12 itself. During this session, the IOC will make a decision regarding the ICC application for cricket's inclusion in the Olympic Games, specifically for the upcoming Los Angeles Games in 2028.

The IOC has stated that there will be an opening ceremony for the session on October 14. Prior to that, the IOC Executive Board will convene on October 12, 13, and 14. The meetings have been assigned specific venues, with the Executive Board meeting taking place at the Trident Hotel at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, and the IOC Session being held at the adjacent Jio World Centre (JWC). (cricbuzz)

The McGill team

The Central Broward Stadium will host matches at the T20 World Cup next year

Sinclair dedicates Player-of-the-Match award to his grandfather –

Athanaze bursts into spotlight

but]. [I] haven't batted much in the night, so it was a first for me actually. But normally that's how I play in the powerplay – I always look to get the team off to a good start."

Athanaze grew up idolising Brian Lara and more recently when he was with West Indies' Test side in South Africa, he worked with Lara, who was on tour as the team's performance mentor. Athanaze said that the conversations with Lara have had a positive influence on his batting approach.

Friday's match was a special one for Kevin Sinclair, too, who marked his international return with figures of 4 for 24.

Carlos Brathwaite, who was on TV commentary, noted that Sinclair is now getting his offbreak to grip and turn more than he did in the past. This has in turn made his slider more effective and put him in West Indies or West Indies A contention across formats.

"We were in a bit of a bother, so my thing was just to keep it simple and keep it as tight as possible," Sinclair said. "Hence, getting a breakthrough as well, and that was really good for myself."

Sinclair credited former Guyana all-rounder and coach Esuan Crandon for his recent progress. During the HeadleyWeekes tri-series, Sinclair also benefited from working with Nikita Miller.

"As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Esuan Crandon," Sinclair said. "The support he has given me and every time I step out [onto the field], I try and do what I can do with the bat, ball and in the field as well.

"It's all about consistency and I just want to take that moving forward and try to be

consistent in what I do."

After winning the Playerof-the-Match award, Sinclair dedicated it to his grandfather Carlton, who was employed as a security guard. Carlton has doubled up as Sinclair's mentor over the years.

"Just want to mention that two days ago was my grandfather's birthday," Sinclair said. "It was his 75th birthday. He has been behind me since my tender age of seven, so I want to say this performance is for him."

Alick Athanaze's blistering start

Alick Athanaze has admitted to being nervous before making his international debut, but he shook it off quickly and went on to make it a memorable one by slamming the joint-fastest half-century on One-Day International (ODI) debut. Athanaze's 65 off 45 balls, including 51 which came in the powerplay alone, set the tone for West Indies' successful chase of 185.

"I was a bit nervous actually, but the nerves went away when I got my first runs and it was good," Athanaze told CWI media after West Indies swept the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-0 in Sharjah. "It was a really good experience [on de-

"For me, it has been really good," Athanaze said. "Basically, what we spoke about was judging lengths and trying to get ahead of the bowler. It worked really nicely, and I got myself into some good positions and it was really good to bat out there tonight."

Athanaze put left-arm fingerspinner Aayan Afzal Khan out of the attack in the powerplay with a brace of sixes. Then when UAE's seamers bowled into the Sharjah pitch, Athanaze countered them with a variety of pulls, including the short-arm jab.

Athanaze was the top

Umpires training set to commence on June 19 at GCC Bourda

The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association will host a Level One and Level Two umpires training from June 19 to July 23 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bourda.

"Cricket is not just a sport; it's a passion, a way of life. Umpiring is an integral part of the game, ensuring fair play, upholding the spirit of cricket, and maintaining the highest level of sportsmanship. By participating in our Level One and Two Umpires' Training, you have the chance to contribute to the development of cricket in Georgetown and Guyana," a release from the Association stated.

This comprehensive training programme is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and techniques to become proficient cricket umpires. Whether you are a cricket enthusiast eager to gain a deeper understanding of the game or a player looking to enhance your decision-making abilities, this training will serve as a step-

ping stone toward a successful umpiring career.

During the training, individuals will have the opportunity to learn from experienced umpires who have officiated at the highest levels of the sport. They will share their insights, provide valuable guidance, and conduct practical sessions to ensure you receive hands-on experience in umpiring. From understanding the rules and regulations to managing match situations and making accurate decisions, this training will cover all aspects of umpiring.

"Take advantage of this auspicious opportunity to enhance the level of cricket

run-getter in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, ahead of Shubman Gill, but it has taken him five years to make the stepup to international cricket. Athanaze is not part of West Indies' ODI squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup Qualifier but could get a run in the following home series against India. Spinner Sinclair, who had been part of the Under-19 and West Indies A set-ups with Athanaze, was impressed with Athanaze's

fearless strokeplay on debut.

"For me, I've always known Alick since Under-19 [cricket]," Sinclair said. "He's a good player and a good batsman. To watch himself express himself tonight at a higher level is something really good to see from the sidelines. I always knew he could bat and he did bring form from Bangladesh and he did very well."

Athanaze also spoke of how the new team management, under the leadership of Daren Sammy and Shai Hope,

has encouraged the youngsters to play with confidence and freedom.

"The team did really, really well," Athanaze said. "One thing the Captain stresses about is always improving and as you saw right throughout the series, we improved – not just on the batting but fielding as well and bowling. As a young player, it's always good to be in a winning team and it gives you the confidence to go out and express yourself." (ESPNcrinfo)

Grenada name squad for Gold Cup clash against Guyana

in Georgetown and Guyana. By joining our Level One and Two Umpires' Training, you will not only elevate your skills, but also contribute to the growth and development of cricket in our beloved city," the Association added.

The sessions will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 17:00h to 19:00h between June 19 and July 23. Registration fee is G$5000.

Limited spots are available, therefore, it is advisable to secure a spot early.

To register for the training programme or to learn more details, please contact the following numbers: 592-6452596, 592-615-5330, and 592-684-5250.

Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association is committed to fostering excellence in umpiring and contributing to the growth of cricket in our community.

Note: The fee will be waived for all participants under 18 or any individual associated with a club in Georgetown.

Team Grenada

Grenada announced their squad for the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims that will battle against Golden Jaguars.

The tournament will take place between June 16 and June 20, 2023, at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, FL), and will include two direct elimination rounds.

For Round One, the 12 participating teams were divided into six pairings. After single-match elimination play, the match winners will advance to Round Two. The three Round Two matchup winners will advance to the 2023 Gold Cup Group Stage.

Group stage action will take place between June 24 and July 4 and will feature 16 nations divided into four groups.

After round-robin play, the top two finishers in each of the groups (eight teams) will advance to a knockout stage. The knockout stage will comprise quarter-finals, to be played on July 8 and July 9; semi-finals on July 12, and our final at

SoFi Stadium, on Sunday, July 16.

Grenada Senior Men’s Football Team Squad:

Goalkeepers: Chad Phillip (FC Camerhogne); Reice Charles-Cook (Bromley FC); Jason Belfon (All Saints United FC, Antigua)

Defenders: Trevon Williams (Queen’s Park Rangers); Roman CharlesCook (Sutton United UK); Sawan Mark (Sunsetters FC); Kimron Marshall (FC Camerhogne); Mackell

Ganness (Hurricanes SC) and Aaron Pierre (AFC Wimbledon, UK)

Midfielders: Kwazim

Theodore (All Saints United FC); Antigua

Kayden Harrack (Queen’s Park Rangers, UK); Jacob

Agyepong (Gloucester City FC, UK); Regan

Charles-Cook (KAS Eupen, Belgium); Ashley Charles (Wealdstone FC, UK) and Shavon John Brown (Unattached)

Forwards: Romar Frank (FC Camerhogne); Saydrel

Lewis (Paradise FCI); Joshua Isaac (Paradise

FCI); Jamal Charles (Paradise FCI); Kriston Julien (Hurricanes SC); Kairo Mitchell (Eastleigh FC, UK); Myles Hippolyte (Stockport County FC, UK) and Lucas Akins (Mansfield Town FC)

Guyana's squad should be announced in the coming days.

Guyana’s Gold Cup preliminary squad: Marcus Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Emery Welshman, Terrence Vancooten, Anthony Smith, Marcus Simmons, Pernell Schultz, Quillan Roberts, Terrence Ondaan, Sese Norville, Colin Nelson, Joshua Naraine, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Deon Moore, Tre Medford, Kai McKenzieLyle, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Leo Lovell, Connor KurranBrowne, Curtez Kellman, Jalen Jones, Akini James, Sheldon Holder, Callum Harriott, Reis Greenidge, Jonathan Grant, Liam Gordon, Akel Clarke, Jeremy Garrett, Stephon Duke-McKenna, Elliot Bonds, Samuel Cox, Kadel Daniels, Neil Danns and Trayon Bobb.

Umpire Ryan Banwarie

Kevin Sinclair had a Player-of-the-Match performance on his WI return

Alick Athanaze scored a record-breaking fifty on ODI debut

Sinclair had four wickets against the UAE