Guyana Times - Monday, November 14, 2022

Teen mom dies after giving birth to stillborn twins

Guyana recorded two maternal deaths over the weekend. One of the women was a patient at the Ocean View Hospital, where COVID-19 patients are kept, while the other was a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Both deaths were reported by GPHC on Sunday.

A 19-year-old female died shortly after giving birth to twins on Sunday at the GPHC. The babies were stillborn.

According to the hospi tal, the now dead teenag er was from the East Bank of Demerara, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The second materni ty death reported was a 40-year-old pregnant wom an from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who also died on Sunday at the Ocean View facility, which houses the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Last month, there were two other maternal deaths at GPHC. On October 20,

a 31-year-old mother of two, Rashanna Dindayal of Lodge, Georgetown, and her unborn child died at the city hospital. Then, Navita Maraj, a 39-year-old moth er of five, and her unborn child died at the GPHC on October 29.

Sunday’s death of the pregnant woman, who test ed positive for COVID, is the first in almost two months. The last fatality from the novel coronavirus was re corded on September 15 when an 88-year-old male

from the Demerara-Mahaica region died as a result of the virus.

Nonetheless, the COVID-19 death toll in Guyana has gone up to 1282.

Only last week, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony reported that two pregnant women were hospitalised with COVID-19.

In Guyana, approximate ly 14,000 pregnancies are reported yearly. It has been reported that most pregnant women are at risk of con tracting COVID-19, but im munisation would reduce their chances of either con tracting the novel coronavi rus disease or of having to be hospitalised therewith, or of even dying therefrom.

If a pregnant woman is vaccinated, some antibodies would be passed on to her foetus, thereby transferring to that foetus some protec tion against the virus.

Since the Pfizer vaccines are available for women in this bracket, the Ministry had started a campaign to get more of these persons vaccinated.

Even though most coun tries in the Region recom mend that pregnant wom en be vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease, their up

take has still been very low. A lack of access to timely care and disruptions to prena tal services are to be blamed for an increase in maternal mortality in the Americas during the pandemic, with one in three pregnant wom en being unable to access timely critical care, accord ing to Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director Dr Carissa F Etienne earlier this year.

The PAHO Director had also called for greater em phasis to be placed on pro grammes that address wom en of ethnic minorities, such as Afro-descendants, Indigenous women, and mi grants who “are often at greater risk due to the over lap of gender and social fac tors.

COVID-19 statistics

In the Ministry’s updat ed COVID-19 dashboard on Sunday, three new pos itive cases were reported. This took the total num ber of confirmed cases in Guyana to 71,471 of which 34 are currently active cas es, that is, one patient in the COVID-19 ICU and the re maining 33 persons in isola tion – 31 in home isolation and two in institutional iso

lation.

In the past few months, there has been a significant reduction in coronavirus cases reported daily.

To date, some 71,471 persons have recovered com pletely from the life-threat ening virus.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total of 703,716 tests have been con ducted countrywide and of this, some 32,761 males and 38,710 females were found to be positive.

All three new COVID cases recorded on Sunday were from Region Four.

Back in March, the Guyana Government had removed most restrictions as the country recovers from the pandemic and returns to normalcy.

Nevertheless, health au thorities continue to urge persons to get vaccinated and for those qualified to get their booster shots as an added layer of protection against the virus.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent figures, some 630,832,131 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6,584,104 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has in creased to 180,478,506 while the death toll in the Region has gone up to 2,859,445.

As it relates to vaccina tion against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 12,885,748,541 dos es have been administered worldwide. (G8)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, Nov 14 – No closure and Tuesday, Nov 15 – 10:00 – 11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Nov 14 – 08:05h – 09:35h and Tuesday, Nov 15 – 09:20h – 10:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light cloud and light rain showers during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:44h and 19:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.19 metres and 2.16 metres.

Low Tide: 13:27h reaching a minimum height of 1.07 metre.

Remembrance Day 2022

President Ali honours World Wars'

for “supreme sacrifice”

As Guyana joined the rest of the world on Sunday to observe Remembrance Day, President Dr Irfaan Ali called for a re newed commitment towards maintaining peace every where while the Guyana Veterans’ Legion (GVL) reit erated calls for the end of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday of November, while Remembrance Day is ob served on November 11 an nually by Commonwealth countries every year to hon our those men and women who fought and made the ul timate sacrifice in World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). It is also used as an opportunity to recog nise the surviving world war veterans.

On Sunday, the commem orative wreath-laying cere mony commenced with a mil itary parade followed by the Presidential Salute, the last post, two minutes of silence, the sounding of the reveil le, prayers and the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial at the Georgetown Cenotaph.

Delivering brief remarks, President Ali reflected on the “supreme sacrifice” of all the gallant men and women who give their lives in the two world wars as they fought for peace and freedom. He noted that the world is forever in debted to them.

The Guyanese Head of State also expressed grati tude for those who have made similar personal sacrifices over the years in continuing the struggle for human digni ty, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression.

“Their example strength ens our resolve to maintain all efforts for a world of peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples. On this sol emn occasion, we, the citizens of Co-operative Republic of Guyana, rededicate ourselves to the search of peace every where and renew our commit ment to the development and wellbeing of our beloved coun try,” he stated.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces laid the first wreath, followed by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Chiefof-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Godfrey Bess; President of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion Lt Colonel (Ret’d) George Gomes; Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force (ag) Clifton Hicken along with the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller and other members of the diplo matic corps.

Following the tradition al wreath-laying ceremony, the Guyana Veterans’ Legion held its annual Remembrance Reception after a two-year hi atus due to the COVID-19 pandemic at its headquarters at Coghlan House, Carifesta Avenue.

The GVL President, Lt Col (Ret’d) George Gomes, said

those heroes who died in the two world wars must never be forgotten and underscored the importance of having fu ture generations taught the significance of these annu al remembrance observanc es in order to maintain them. He added too that those sur viving veterans must be cher ished.

Currently, there are just over 5000 WWII veterans still alive in the Commonwealth with majority being in Africa, India, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

International call for peace

In Guyana, there are only six surviving WWII veter ans, with the youngest be ing 96. They are: Kenneth King, Bertram Harry, Donald Grant, James Samuels, Franklin Courtman, and Victor Brush.

In 2019, there were 15 surviving world war veterans in Guyana but nine of them

have died over the past two years.

“Remembrance obser vances, Poppy Day [or] Poppy Season, continue to be a time of significant, historical im portance in Guyana. We have to ensure that these obser vances are never watered down. They are a most inte gral part of our history and must be maintained for pos terity,” the GVL President posited.

He went on to say that “The Guyana Veterans’ Legion, wishes to be recorded as initiating an internation al call for peace. We urge our Government and our leaders to vigorously pursue this ef fort and joint with civil-mind ed countries to avert or fore stall any further escalation.”

Govt’s support Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips re affirmed his, as well as Government’s support for the

care of military veterans and their families in Guyana. He noted the Government re mains committed to ensuring that the needs of Guyana’s veterans are better served.

“The Government of Guyana is committed to en suring that all our service members, all our veterans benefit from an improved economy in our country. We have oil and gas now and that has contributed tremendously to improving our economic po sition. In the world, today, we are the fastest growing econ omy...and it is our resolve to utilise the revenues from oil and gas to improve the lives and livelihoods of all the peo ple of Guyana,” PM Phillips, a former army chief himself, stated.

Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister, on behalf of President Ali – who is a pa tron of the GVL, presented a cheque valued at $1 million to the organisation.

It was revealed that through the support from various agencies including the Guyana Defence Force, the GVL received over $2 mil lion in donations during this year’s remembrance obser vance.

Also at the reception, remarks were shared by the High Commissioners of Britain; Canada, Mark Berman, and India, Dr KJ Srinivasa – all of whom hon our the sacrifice of the men and women who served in the world wars to fight for the freedom that many enjoy to day. (G8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali laying a wreath at the Georgetown Cenotaph on Sunday

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The Roots of War

We just commemorated “Remembrance Day” for WWI and WWII. From his recently-published “Why we fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace”, Chris Blattman advises that “while there’s a reason for every war and a war for every reason, there are only so many logical ways that the incentives for peace can break down. There are five main reasons it happens: unchecked interests, intangible incentives, misperceptions, uncertainty, and commitment problems…” Below are excerpts that may help us in Guyana choose peace and not war.

1.Unchecked interests

Like gang leaders, autocrats and oligarchs can ignore many of the costs of war because the soldiers and citizens who pay them cannot hold their leaders to account. Unchecked leaders are also free to pursue their private interests, and this can lead them to go to war against their society’s interests… Democratic societies are vulnerable to unchecked interests as well, such as a president who hopes to boost popularity ahead of an election, military leaders who see opportunity in a conflict, or extremist splinter factions who want to spoil the peace.

2. Intangible incentives

Sometimes violence can deliver value, such as glory, renown, or justice. Any ideological reward might offset the costs of war, spurring sides to fight instead of bargain. Consider status. A desire for glory and dominance has driven kings of the past and tyrants of the present to warfare… Unaccountable leaders are not the problem if the populace shares nationalistic and ideological goals. When they do, the leader is faithfully representing the group’s ideals by going to war. Most commonly, however, rulers and their cabals seek personal and national glory.

3. Misperceptions

A third way rivals get the costs and benefits of war wrong is when they form and hold mistaken views, even when evidence piles up to the contrary. In this scenario decision-makers do not stop acting strategically, but rather strategise from a set of delusional and biased beliefs. We often misperceive others. Humans are prone to demonising their enemies and attributing to them the worst intentions. We often treat opponents too harshly—repressing protesters with deadly force, striking insurgent leaders with imprecise drones—and then wonder why they angrily reject the miserable deal on offer. People are especially prone to these errors when the conflict follows ethnic and religious cleavages: Other times we misperceive ourselves, overestimating chances of victory or underestimating the costs of a fight. Sometimes, we owe this overconfidence to psychological biases.

4. Uncertainty

Misperceptions are important, but generally speaking, people attribute too much influence to mistakes, and too little to uncertainty. Most leaders simply do not know the strength or resolve of the other side. Likewise, in war, enemies do not know the other’s strength or resolve. They may be bluffing. The optimal approach is to play what is called a mixed strategy: occasionally you ought to fold; occasionally you ought to call (risking war). Each time is a gamble. If uncertainty explains why wars break out, it also helps to explain why the average war is so brief—typically counted in weeks rather than years. Once the uncertainty dissipates, each side prefers to bargain rather than fight.

5. Commitment problems

Commitment problems comprise the fifth and final strategic dilemma…(They) arise whenever one side believes its opponent has an incentive to renege on a peace deal—to use some future advantage to attack. Knowing this, a deal unravels before it can even begin.

A classic example is the preventative war, where one side expects its adversary to become more powerful in the future and renegotiate the deal in their favour. One side capitalises on its ability to strike while still strong.

Another common mistake is to blame inept and ideological leaders alone. This is the dominant account of war after war. But in all these cases, a set of subtler strategic factors—unchecked political systems, uncertainty, and commitment problems—narrowed the range of peaceful settlements to a sliver, to the point that gloryseeking, overconfident leaders and chance events could take their societies to war.

We need both the psychological and strategic explanations if we are to understand why fighting happens.

Bullying must not be tolerated

By Wayne CampBell

Were you bullied at school or were you a bully? It is rather ironic that our schools, which should be safe zones, are per haps where the most incidents of bullying occur. Research in dicates that in most cases of bullying the victims do not re port the matter. In not calling out the bully we continue to empower them and do damage to our self-esteem and self-con fidence.

School violence and bully ing, including cyberbullying, is widespread and affects a significant number of children and adolescents. Each year on November 3 the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying is commem orated. This year’s theme is ‘Not on my watch: The role of teachers in preventing and ad dressing school violence’.

This anti-bullying day brings into focus the fact that school-related violence in all its forms is an infringement of children’s and adolescents’ rights to education, health, and well-being. It calls upon United Nations (UN) mem ber states and other relevant international and regional organisations as well as civ il society, including non-gov ernmental organisations, individuals, and other stake holders, to help promote, cel ebrate, and facilitate the day. It also calls on students, par ents, members of the educa tional community, education authorities, and a range of sec tors and partners, including the tech industry, to encour age everyone to take a part in preventing online violence for the safety and well-being of our youth.

What is Cyberbullying?

The American Psychological Association de fines cyberbullying as verbal ly threatening or harassing behaviour conducted through such electronic technolo

gy as cellphones, e-mail, so cial media, or text messaging. The Cyberbullying Research Center defines it as bullying with the use of digital tech nologies. It can take place on social media, messaging plat forms, gaming platforms, and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour aimed at scaring, angering, or shaming those who are targeted. Examples include spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media; sending hurtful, abu sive, or threatening messages, images, or videos via messag ing platforms; and imperson ating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf or through fake accounts.

Needless to say, part of the reason bullying can be so emotionally or psychologically damaging is because it is re petitive. Those who are target ed actually have a relationship with the one doing the bully ing, albeit a dysfunctional one. For example, targets of bully ing often dread going to school because of what the other per son might do that day. If the incident occurs/occurred one time, there is no such dynam ic.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states the 2022 International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying highlights the important role teachers play in making school a safe space for all learners and posits that teachers are at the heart of the solution and need to feel em powered, capable, and ready to act. It also empahsises the urgent need for more train ing and stronger support from schools.

School violence can be dev astating. The children and young people affected can find it difficult to concentrate in class, miss classes, or drop out of school altogether. This has an adverse impact on aca

demic achievement and future prospects. The atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and insecurity is incompatible with learning and undermines the quality of learning for everyone.

Warning Signs

Changes in mood, be haviour, and physical ap pearance can all be warning signs of being bullied; how ever, some students may not display any warning signs at all. It is important that as ed ucators and parents we rec ognise the signs. Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are unexplainable in juries; lost or destroyed cloth ing and other personal items; declining grades; loss of inter est in schoolwork or not want ing to go to school; sudden loss of friends or avoidance of so cial situations; self-destructive behaviour, such as running away from home, self-harm, or talking about suicide; and changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Children may come home from school hun gry because they did not eat lunch.

Get Help

Bullying is unwanted, ag gressive behaviour among school-age children that in volves a real or perceived pow er imbalance. It can take the form of physical contact, ver bal abuse, or more subtle ac tions. Children who are bul lied may already feel socially isolated. They may feel like no one cares or can understand. The bullied individual typical ly has trouble defending him or herself and does nothing to cause the bullying. There is documented proof that there is an association between sui cide and bullying.

We know that bullying be haviour and suicide-related behaviour are closely related. This means youth who report any involvement with bullying behaviour are more likely to report high levels of suicide-re lated behaviour than youth

who do not report any involve ment with bullying behaviour. Negative outcomes of bully ing — for youth who bully oth ers, youth who are bullied, and youth who are both bullied and a bully to others — may include depression, anxiety, involvement in interperson al violence or sexual violence, substance abuse, poor social functioning, and poor school performance. Horrifyingly, there are instances of teach ers bullying students. When teachers bully students there is a clear power imbalance.

We have all heard the pub lic education campaigns which have denounced, ad nause am, any form of bullying. The Ministry of Education should be at the forefront of stomping out bullying in our schools.

It is important that International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying is observed at the national level and at all levels of the education system. Our schools need to create an atmosphere in which bullying is not tolerated. Undoubtedly, there will be cases of bullying, and in those instances sys tems must be in place to swift ly deal with the situation. It is not enough for schools to have a policy against bullying, the systems, when implemented, must be effective.

Though it is oftentimes ignored, we must remember that bullying also occurs in the workplace. Unfortunately, many employees suffer in si lence from bullies who are positioned in their units, de partments, and workspace. In reclaiming their voice the vic tims must speak out.

Bullying is morally rep rehensible, and we all have a role to play in facilitating an atmosphere of inclusion. Say no to bullying. (Jamaica Observer)

(Wayne Campbell is an ed ucator and social commenta tor with an interest in devel opment policies as they affect culture and/or gender issues.)

Remembrance Sunday: Veterans during the military parade for the commemorative wreath-laying ceremony for fallen World Wars I and II heroes on Sunday. Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday of November, while Remembrance Day is observed on November 11 annually by Commonwealth countries to honour those who died in the World Wars (Office of the President photo)

“We have got to dispel this myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage.” — Barack Obama

Upper Corentyne Chamber concerned over rice, cattle farmers’ conflict

The Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce has ex pressed concerns over the ongoing conflict between rice and cattle farmers in Region Six. Only recent ly, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha meet with the farmers but after no tangible results were seen, the Chamber is call ing on the Minister to once more engage the farmers to resolve their issues.

Both the rice and cat tle industries are very im portant to Region Six’s (East Berbice-Corentyne), as well as the country’s, economy.

The rice farmers al lege that the cattle farm ers have been deliberate ly allowing their animals to the feast on their crops, while the cattle farmers are alleging that the rice farmers have been illegal ly impounding their ani mals – many of which are being picked up on dams and other grazing pas tures to be impounded.

Many rice farmers are themselves, cattle farmers

also.

The standoff between the two sides escalated last month after officials at the Number 52-74 NDC were instructed to release cattle that were illegally impounded on two occa sions.

President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI) Hemchand Jaichand said despite a resolution being agreed on by both sides during their separate meetings with the Agriculture Minister,

the issue still persists as rice farmers continue to complain that the cattle have damaged their crops.

Jaichand said he met with a group of rice farm ers, who are members of the Chamber, and they claimed that the cattle owners have been cutting the barb-wire fence built to prevent the animals from leaving the 17,000 acre savannah.

“It was reported that one rice farmer was chopped and that mat ter is before the court so I

don’t want to talk about it but if the issue is not ad dressed it seems that it will be a very serious is sue,” Jaichand said.

The Chamber President said the body is seeking to have Mustapha meet again with Corentyne rice farmers along with the Chamber, in an attempt to bring a solution to the sit uation.

“I also believe that the

cattle industry is a very important one and we as a responsible Chamber is working to see how we can have a good solution where both parties can be happy. No one will want to invest and lose, likewise the cattle farmers.”

Cattle farmers have been contending that the Government had in structed that all pounds be closed. However, rice

farmers argue that the law provides for the im pounding of animals.

Following the meet ings with the two groups earlier this month, Mustapha had indicat ed that Attorney General Anil Nandlall was going to give a pronouncement on how the law should be interpreted.

That pronouncement is still forthcoming. (G4)

UCCCI President Hemchand Jaichand

2) Once the paint dries, cut out a rectangle open ing near the top of the car ton.

3) Decorate your bird feeder with a marker.

4) Poke holes through the top sides of the car ton and insert a string for hanging.

5) Fill the inside of the carton with birdseed.

6) Poke a pencil in the base to form a hole, then insert a twig for a perch. (pbs.org)

By The BroThers Grimm

Over 36% of Guyanese living overseas – Forbes report …large

Diaspora a legacy of 1970s, 80s exodus – Guyana’s Foreign Secretary

With over 36 per cent of all native-born Guyanese living in foreign lands, Guyana has the dubious distinction of having the largest diaspo ra population of any country in the world. This is accord ing to the United States (US) magazine, Forbes.

According to the re port, which was released on Friday and looked at sta tistics dating from 2020, Guyana had the largest share of its native-born pop ulation living overseas. This amounts to 36.4 per cent of all Guyanese.

“In regions where small countries are common and remoteness is added as an other factor, for example in the Caribbean or Oceania, living in the diaspora is the most widespread. Out of all sovereign countries with at least 750,000 inhabitants,

Caribbean nation Guyana had the biggest share of its native-born popula tion—36.4 per cent—living abroad,” the report said.

“Jamaica comes fifth at 28.6 per cent. Taking into ac count independent countries of all sizes, island nations

dominate the top ranks with up to half of their popula tions having settled in other countries. Polynesia was the region with the highest over all diaspora share in 2020, at 28.7 per cent, followed by the Caribbean at 17.7 per cent.”

Exodus

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, in an interview with this publi cation, acknowledged the fig ures contained in the Forbes report. However, he noted that Guyana’s large dias pora community is part of the legacy of the 1970s and 1980s when Guyanese fled in droves to escape the eco nomic and political policies of the then Forbes Burnham Government.

“We are aware that we have a very dense Guyanese global diaspora, very concen trated in North America and

in our neighbouring coun tries of Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil, but also the Caribbean. We also have in Europe, as well as parts of Africa and Asia.”

“This is as a result of the 70s and the 1980s, when there was economic stagna tion and political repression. A lot of persons were forced to flee, in search of better op portunities or as a result of the persecution they faced,” Persaud said.

The Foreign Secretary noted, however, that in re cent times Guyanese have been reversing this trend in seeking to return home. This is something Persaud said is being influenced by the pos itive economic and political climate and moreover, he noted that the Government has been having more en gagements with the diaspo ra than ever.

“What we’ve noticed re cently is that there’s now a reverse trend, where mem bers of the diaspora are more interested in returning. We have a reverse taking place of inward migration. Not only by the diaspora, but also by persons who are non-Guyanese.”

“Given the economic transformation taking place in the country, as well as the positive political climate and the vision being articulated by President Ali, I think this stimulates greater inter est in the diaspora coming back,” the Foreign Secretary added.

Since its return to of fice, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government has made engaging the dias pora a priority, particularly at a pivotal time of Guyana’s development. Apart from diaspora engagement, the

Government has been en gaging Guyanese missions, consulates, consul generals and honorary consuls across the globe.

This has extended to Guyanese organisations in North America and else where, to update them on developmental projects. An allocation of $50 million was earmarked for the Diaspora and Remigration Unit for staffing, internships, and providing the positive infor mation that would attract possible remigrants.

The Government has also been urging the Guyanese diaspora, which Persaud has maintained has a criti cal role to play in Guyana’s economic development, to tap into the opportunities available under the Local Content Act and the local content framework it sup ports. (G3)

Police confiscate over 90 bicycles in 24hrs over traffic law breaches

popularly known as “Cake Man”, a 44-year-old baker of Logwood Enmore, ECD, was killed along Foulis Public Road, ECD, after he was struck off his bicycle by a vehicle owned by the State and then run over by a sec ond vehicle.

Police reports stated that the vehicle was proceeding west along the Foulis Public Road in a convoy that com

prised four vehicles with flashlights and sirens. At the time, Ramana was on his bicycle and attempted to cross the road.

And in so doing, the ped al cyclist came into the path of the pick-up PXX 8090, the third vehicle in the convoy.

This caused the rightside front portion of the ve hicle to collide with the rear of the pedal cycle, which

was then flung onto the northern carriageway into the path of motor car PAC 9344.

As a result, the pedal cyclist fell onto the north ern carriageway, which caused motor car PAC 9344 to collide with the pedal cy cle and subsequently run over Ramana. He was pro nounced dead at the scene by EMTs. (G9)

traffic laws.

Police ranks on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) con fiscated more than 90 bicy cles on Friday in a safety push.

In a report on the region al division’s social media page, their traffic depart ment said that cyclists had their bikes seized for break ing traffic laws, which may endanger the lives of road users.

The officers had intensi fied their traffic patrols in the East Coast Demerara areas, where it was found that people use bicycles very often while breaking

“This is in keeping with the theme for Road Safety Month 2022, ‘Safe Driving Saves Lives’ … the exer cise was conducted between 18:30h to 21:30h. Inspector Roop, Corporal Kadir and ranks of the Regional Police Division 4 'C' Traffic Department carried out the bicycle campaign on the East Coast Demerara.”

“The following cases were made during the ex ercise: Unlighted bicycle front/rear, 35; no warning appliance on bicycle, 34; and no efficient brake on the bicycle, 21. Total cases: 90,”

the post read.

This campaign comes on the heels of the Police Force announcing that they found that motorcyclists and ped al cyclists are the main causes of road accidents and road fatalities on Guyana’s roadways.

As such, they have been clamping down on errant cyclists after realising that they have a habit of riding outside of roadways and in the process confusing the Police’s traffic arrangement for a smooth flow.

This campaign also comes one week after ped al cyclist Anil Ramana,

Some of the bicycles that were confiscated by Police

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud

AUS$4.4 million contract that was awarded in 2019 under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government for an ambassador’s residence and diplomatic staff quarters to be built in Brazil, is current ly under special investigation by the Audit Office of Guyana. This is because the proj ect is one riddled with dis agreements over what type of contract should have been signed, as well as conflicts be tween the contractor, who was

the lowest responsive bidder of three, and the superviso ry management team for the project.

According to the Auditor General’s 2021 report, the US$4.4 million (G$937.9 mil lion) contract was initially awarded in 2019 with a six months defects liability peri od and a construction duration of eighteen months. However, there was conflict between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the contractor over whether the contract should be a “measure and value” or a

“fixed price” contract.

“The contractor claimed that the contract should be classified as ‘a measure and value’ contract and that pay ments should be based on mea sured works. The contractor also claimed that the approved bill of quantities was incorrect since it did not match the de signs and additional works on the ground had to be carried out.”

“There were also prob lems between the contractor and the supervisory manage ment team. The contractor reported that the consultant was recommending payments based on the bill of quantities and not measured works,” the Audit Report said.

As a consequence, it was related that the labour force was reduced. To address these issues, a stop work or der was issued for the period 5 February 2020 to 5 March 2020, and then extended to 20 March 2020.

A number of meetings were also held and it was finally de termined that the contract should be a “fixed price” con tract. Although works recom menced on the project, there was further delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which

bill of quantities

AG probing construction of US$4.4M embassy in Brazil …says

affected labour and resource mobilisation

At the end of 2020, the con tractor received payments of US$2.4 million (G$501.2 mil lion). In 2021, amounts total ling US$1.8 million (G$383.7 million) were paid, bringing the total payments to US$4.2 million ($885 million).

According to the Auditor General, these payments to date represent 94 per cent of the contract sum. At the time of reporting, the project was 64 per cent completed and a special investigation of the project by the Audit Office was underway.

The sod for this project to be built in Brasilia, Brazil was turned since 2017, by then Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, during a visit to the neighbouring country.

Speaking in other sections of the media, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd had said earlier this year that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government in herited the project with nu merous flaws. A sum of G$17.3 million was set aside in the 2022 budget to complete the project. (G3)

Cleaning up…

…after (infantilized) Guyanese

Your Eyewitness knows that folks gotta clean up after their infants and little kids. Hey!! They don’t know better, do they? But what’s the reason for the Government – led by Pres Ali and a convoy of highranking officials – cleaning up every few months or so after grown-a55 adults who should know better?? They dump their trash on the streets – from where it end up in the drains – causing their raw sewage to block them up and flood the towns and villages. Isn’t this government clean-up syndrome encouraging the miscreants who litter to move on to dumping their garbage wherever they want??

Your Eyewitness remember back in January on a cleanup mission, the President insisting that Guyanese must take responsibility for their (disgusting) littering and pull up their socks. Well, looks like – judging by the mountains of garbage retrieved from the drains in as public a place as opposite Demico House – the socks have been dropped rather than pulled up!! This confounded nonsense must stop – and right now!! This time the President looks like he got the message, because he announced that it’s time for “enforcement”!!

But let’s take the biggest eyesore of all – Georgetown. It has moved from being the “Garden City” that was the envy of the Caribbean – to being the “Garbage City” that now elicits the contempt of the world. Didn’t the Lord Mayor announce that his eagle-eyed Constabulary would be fining litterers?? Whatever happened to that initiative – assuming it moved from a thought to an initiative!! The question posed is how exactly will the laws against littering be enforced?

Well, first of all, the Municipalities and villages gotta provide garbage bins at strategic locations. Can’t expect folks to put garbage in their pockets, can you?!! Once that’s done, your Eyewitness proposes that rather than any monetary fines, litterers be immediately compelled to clean a 100-foot drain in the vicinity where they were snagged! And just as with other misdemeanours there can be citizens’ arrests and enforcement. All that would be needed would be two persons willing to attest that the litterer did the dirty!!

But as with all social transgressions, littering and dumping garbage won’t stop until there’s the moral consciousness developed in us Guyanese that it just ain’t right. Your Eyewitness notices that as soon as Guyanese end up in “white man country” they stop littering. What this reveals is that the self-contempt that we just aren’t “good enough” still abounds in us. Remember the old Groucho Marx quip, “I won’t belong to a club that would have me as a member”?!

Same here in dear old mudland. Unless we begin to see ourselves worthy of a clean country, we’ll remain mired in garbage!!

…Remembrance Day

Well, if it’s the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, then it must be Remembrance Day!! But for convenience, the Commonwealth, which inaugurated the day as “Armistice Day” back in 1918 when …ah well, an armistice was declared to end WWI – decided to celebrate it on the second Sunday of November. So across the country, officials have been solemnly laying wreaths to remember our fallen soldiers of WWI and WWII.

But, your Eyewitness has a different take on the whole affair. First of all, those of our forebears from the colonies – more than three million soldiers from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean – who fought in WWII did so when we weren’t even granted the franchise!! We were judged by Britain as not competent enough to choose a government – but competent enough to fight her arch-rival Germany!! While we must mourn our deaths – there’s no reason to CELEBRATE the Armistice.

After all, our rice exports to the West Indies were established because of the war!!

…in Cricket

Your Eyewitness had expected to see an India vs Pakistan final in this year’s T20 World Cup. But India choked and England beat Pakistan to win it all.

They’re now both T20 and ODI Champs. Congrats!!

Then Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson turned the sod in 2017 to mark the start of the project

project mired in conflict over nature of contract,

AFC pulls out of Local Government Elections

…now wants them postponed

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has made the decision to bow out of contesting the up coming Local Government Elections (LGE), a decision the party supposedly ar rived at due to its concerns over the list of electors.

On Sunday, the par ty said that the National Executive Committee (NEC) made this decision after much debate. It add ed the caveat that it would not contest unless there are changes to the list of elec tors.

The party claimed that the list of electors is ‘bloat ed’, an often-repeated claim of its coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The party also echoed concerns of its partner, which is yet to con firm if it will participate in LGE, that the list contains the names of Guyanese who migrated.

According to the Constitution of Guyana and previous court cases, howev er, Guyanese who have mi grated cannot be removed from the list of electors since residency of Guyanese citi zens is not a requirement to vote.

This was demonstrat ed since 2019, when Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George ruled that the removal of the names of persons from the list of registrants, who were not resident in Guyana and could not participate in the House-to-House Registration exercise, would be unconstitutional. Her de cision was subsequently up held in the Court of Appeal.

The requirements for a person to vote, as set out

in Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution, are that that person must be 18 years or older, and must be a Guyanese citizen or a Commonwealth citizen resident and domiciled in Guyana.

Postponing

The AFC also said in their statement that the electoral system is not per fect and that they were not willing to “perpetuate a de ception”. They further said that they would support postponing LGE until their definition of a “clean” voters’ list is arrived at.

“The AFC has already called on the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) to produce a credi ble voters’ list by conducting a certifiable house-to-house verification and registration process. Accordingly, we would go as far as support ing the postponement of the LGE as was done in 1992 to present a “clean” voters’ list to the electorate,” the party

said.

“We have also indicat ed our acceptance of using biometrics and the neces sary electronic equipment to enhance our voting expe rience and reduce the pro pensity for impersonation. However, as warned, we will not participate in the up coming Local Government Elections if these changes are not made to bring legit imacy to our electoral sys tem.”

AFC’s pull-out from con testing LGE comes at a time when the smaller party is al ready receiving diminished returns whenever it goes to the polls. Such was the case in 2018, when the par ty, then part of the APNU/ AFC coalition Government, was forced to contest LGE on its own. It ended up se curing just four per cent of the total votes cast.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has already designated December 12, 2022, as nom

ination day for the upcom ing LGE, which are set to be held next year March. On nomination day, parties make their way to a desig nated location, where their representatives are usually required to submit their list of candidates to the Chief Election Officer, as well as sign on to the required doc uments, such as a code of conduct, to contest the elec tions. These representatives are usually accompanied by a large retinue of their sup porters, dressed in party co lours, although all the par ties who submit symbols do not always make a grand entrance or even go at all.

Parties, voluntary groups and individuals are meanwhile required to sub mit their symbols in accor dance with Section 48 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Cap 28:03. The law requires that these symbols be submitted at least 21 days before nomi nation day.

“Political parties, volun tary groups and individuals in outlying Local Authority Areas (LAAs) may sub mit their symbol to the Registration Officer at the GECOM Registration Office in their area.”

“A list of candidates sub mitted by any political party, voluntary group or individu al candidate on nomination day must be accompanied by the pre-approved symbol, as this is required for the publication of the list,” the notice said. Under Section 51 of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, none can contest the election without submitting their symbol.

The People’s Progressive

Party/Civic (PPP/C), has al ready signalled its read iness to contest the up coming LGE. As far back as August, Vice President

Bharrat Jagdeo, who is the General Secretary of the PPP/C, had said that the party is in preparation mode for LGE. (G3)

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Vice Chairperson Cathy Hughes

Local footballer nabbed with illegal gun at gymnasium Road rage, aggressive driving increasing – Traffic Chief

Alocal footballer of Bent Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown, was arrested on Saturday evening after he was found to be in possession of an il legal firearm and ammuni tion.

The 24-year-old was stopped and searched by Police at the gymnasium, which is located on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, during a football match.

The footballer is no stranger to the law. In 2018, the footballer was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess on a wounding charge committed on a Police offi cer.

According to reports at the time, he had a relation ship with the Police officer’s girlfriend, who went to the woman’s, Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt home, and found her in the footballer lap.

It is alleged that the vic tim and his girlfriend had an argument and the foot baller, in retaliation, at tacked the officer and dealt him a punch to his face. He then allegedly snatched the officer’s service revolver and pointed it at him.

The officer left and re ported the matter to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, and the footballer

was subsequently arrested and charged.

Two weeks after he was charged for that incident, the footballer was charged for robbing a woman of a $30,000 cell phone, at Albert and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun. He was further accused of damaging the woman’s motor car, val ued at $3.5 million.

When he appeared in court, he had denied both charges and was on trial. However, when the matters were called, the virtual com plainant told the court that she did not wish to proceed with the matters. Hence, the

Magistrate dismissed the robbery and damage to prop erty charges.

Also, in February this year, the footballer was ar rested and questioned in connection with the killing of Carlos DeShawn Waithe, 24, a clothes vendor of Lot 2 Norton Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown.

On the night of Waithe’s murder, he was consum ing alcohol with friends in Charlestown after which he indicated to them that he was leaving to head to a known bar at Breda Street, Georgetown.

It was reported that Waithe, while in the compa

ny of another friend, arrived at the bar, during which the dead man’s friend became involved in an argument with another patron at the bar.

The friend, Police said, was then seen running east on Leopold Street towards Smyth Street while being chased by a group of men.

Loud explosions were heard during the chase which caused Waithe to also give chase behind the men, yelling “y’all can’t shoot da man”. The men then turned their attention to Waithe and an argument ensued, during which he was shot and later died. (G9)

Guyana’s cops are scrambling to deal with road rage, a cul ture Guyanese have devel oped over the years, Traffic Chief Dennis Stephen has said.

Across the country, road rage altercations have be come a problem, and in some areas, Police said they have seen these incidents spike.

Aggressive drivers usual ly respond by yelling or flash ing an obscene gesture. In some instances, these drivers would have thrown objects, rammed or sideswept other vehicles, or overtaken vehi cles, forcing them off the road.

The Traffic Chief said the Force has been tracking road rage incidents and has found that it has now been embed ded into the Guyanese cul ture.

“In Guyana, persons to wait, persons to have patience is something very difficult at this moment. Everyone is in a rush; that is the reason I would have assumed that we would have developed a cul ture of aggressive driving,” he said.

Stephen explained that the rules of the road are clear, especially when it speaks to overtaking, an issue the Police Force is battling.

“When you are going to overtake another vehicle, you must ensure that in the oppo site lane it is safe and clear… our road markings are also clear, where they are solid

yellow lines, it indicates that you cannot park, you cannot cross…”, he said.

He stated that it is im portant that motorists adhere to the rules of the road de spite their rage.

Just recently the Guyana Road Safety Council warned commuters of the dangers as sociated with road rage. The council said that there are serious implications if mat ters are taken into one’s own hands, and this should be stopped.

They also expressed that road rage in Guyana has re sulted in many physical al tercations over the years, and these cases continue to spike. As such, they noted that con sideration must be given to other drivers.

They stated that while they are aware that there are inconsiderate drivers, there is still a need for caution on the roadways. (G9)

Traffic Chief Dennis Stephen

The illegal firearm that was found in the footballer’s possession

Fire destroys Berbice home, 2 homeless

said that the house did not have electricity.

Reid said she suspects someone went into the building while she and her cousin were away.

“The lock was tampered with and also the gate be cause the fire fighters said when they reached the gate was already broken and no one broke the gate to go in to help. Me ain’t have no where, nowhere fuh stay,” the teenager said in tears.

Two persons are now homeless after a Saturday evening fire completely destroyed their Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice home.

The occupants of the home, Government parttime worker Kashia Reid and her cousin, had report

edly left on Saturday morn ing to attend a birthday celebration at West Coast Demerara.

Residents told this publi cation that fire was seen in the house at about 19:00h.

One neighbour, who is also a cousin of both victims,

Jermaine Lampkin, said he walked past the house shortly before fire was seen in the building but did not notice anything amiss.

Neighbours said the building, located at Lot 42 Semple Street Sheet Anchor, East Canje, was completely destroyed within eight to 10

Jilted husband stabs man to death, injures wife

Police in Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), are on the hunt for a truck driver who stabbed his wife and fatally stabbed anoth er man in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Dead is 30-year-old Joshua Dianid, a truck driver of Kwakwani Staff Hill, Upper Berbice River. Cavita Williams, a 36-yearold labourer of Kwakwani Airstrip, was injured during the ordeal. She is said to be in a stable condition at the

Kwakwani Hospital.

Reports are that the in cident occurred at about 02:10h at the Double Deuce Creek Site (Bush Pool), Kwakwani Staff Hill.

This publication under stands that the suspect of Kwakwani Staff Hill, Upper Berbice River, saw his wife and Dianid together at a football match and became enraged. He confronted them and a heated argument en sued during which the sus pect broke a bottle and stabbed the woman on both

of her hands. Upon seeing this, Dianid intervened but was stabbed multiple times to his left side abdomen by the jilted husband, who es caped after committing the act. This publication was told that the woman and the suspect had separated about a month ago. Both injured persons were rushed to the Kwakwani Hospital, where Dianid succumbed an hour later and Williams was treat ed. Police have since visited the scene and an investiga tion has been launched.

minutes. Reports are that the fire was first seen in the ceiling, and the entire build ing was engulfed quickly.

According to one neigh bour, the door was open and the padlock was not in place when he went to the scene, leading many to believe that someone might have gained access to the building and left shortly before the fire.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive Mc Donald has since said that initial investiga tions revealed that the fire

appeared to have been ma liciously set.

Meanwhile, Reid told this publication that she was on her way home when she received a telephone call informing her that the house was on fire.

She said that she had been living there for the past eight years. According to the woman, she lost ev erything she owned, point ing out that her home was equipped with everything except a refrigerator. She

“We lost our mother in 2019 and onto now we can’t get justice and every thing that she died and left for us is being taken away; we don’t have anything. Nothing we ain’t get…”

Reid pointed out that she has two older siblings and also two younger ones. Persons who may want to provide assistance to the teen can contact her on tele phone number (592) 6938818. The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation in collabo ration with the Police. (G4)

The house on fire

The ruins of the Berbice home

Kashia Reid

Kwakwani residents form farming groups to tackle food security

said, will ultimately lead to the transporting of their produce outside the sub-re gion to better satisfy the growing population.

The farmers would have signalled their interest to the Government in getting themselves organised, which led to two recent consecu tive meetings with executive members from NAREI with the farmers in their quest to encourage all to form groups to better achieve capacity building, pooling of resourc es and ideas to accomplish

what they desire to achieve.

National Coordinator with responsibility for farm ers’ groups, Robinjurnauth Persaud, who is attached to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at a re cent outreach urged farm ers gathered to take full ad vantage and to do their best since as a group, a lot more can be achieved than in dividually and the groups must have a vision for the community.

Farmers of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Wednesday formed them selves into six organised groups intending to be reg istered with the Farmers’ Cooperative Societies.

This, they said, is due to the fact that food securi

ty is paramount and, in this way, accessing much-need ed assistance – whether training, farm supplies and the easy access to loans or Government grants in their efforts to better meet the needs of the market – will be much easier.

The residents of the com

munity, which once relied solely on the bauxite indus try, are now transforming their yard spaces into lovely kitchen gardens while oth ers are farming on a largescale level to cater to the needs of the local markets in the community.

This expansion, they

National Coordinator with responsibility for farmers’ groups, Robinjurnauth Persaud

Farmers gathered at the Kwakwani Recreational Centre

Remembrance Sunday: Military parade for the commemorative wreath-laying ceremony for fallen World Wars I and II heroes on Sunday (Office of

CoA to rule on former pastor’s child rape conviction

The Court of Appeal of Guyana has reserved its decision in an ap peal lodged by former Pastor Andrew Hannibal, who is currently serving a 40-year jail sentence for raping an underage girl.

Hannibal was found guilty as charged by a jury in 2018 for raping a 15-yearold girl between January 29, 2016, and January 31, 2016, in the county of Berbice.

High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon imposed the custo dial sentence on Hannibal, ordering that he must serve 30 years before becoming el igible for parole.

Shortly after he was con victed, Hannibal, however, mounted an appeal against his conviction and sentence, contending that, among oth er things, there were dis crepancies in the prosecu tion’s case, that the trial Judge failed to adequately direct the jury, and that the jail term imposed on him was manifestly excessive and not in keeping with es tablished sentencing guide lines.

The appeal hearing was

presided over by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn GregoryBarnes and Rishi Persaud.

In relation to his convic tion, Hannibal’s lawyers, Murseline Bacchus, SC, and Arudranauth Gossai, main ground of appeal was the fact that Justice Kissoon re ferred to the virtual com plainant as a “victim” on no less than 20 occasions in his summing up. Having referred to her as that,

Bacchus argued that the Judge conveyed to the jury that “she was in fact a vic tim of rape.”

In dealing with the is sue of sentencing, Gossai referenced the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Linton Pompey v the Director of Public Prosecutions, a case of a sex ual offence from Guyana, in which the apex court used a starting point of 15 years. Pompey was convict ed of sexual assault and two counts of rape committed

Two WWII planes collide in mid-air in Texas show

against a 14-year-old girl.

In Calvin Ramcharran v the Director of Public Prosecutions, a case of an other sexual offence from Guyana, counsel said that the CCJ used a starting point of 15 years as well. Ramcharran, on the oth er hand, was found guilty of raping and assaulting a woman so as to cause her bodily harm.

Gossai, in his submis sions, urged the local ap pellate court to follow the guidelines given by the country’s court of last resort in the aforementioned cases, in re-sentencing his client.

Gossai submitted: “We say further that because [Hannibal] does not have any previous antecedents, unlike Pompey’s case where there were aggravating cir cumstances, and Calvin Ramcharran also, where there was an offence of rape and assault occasioning ac tual bodily harm.

In this instant case, there are no factors that may encourage this court to add any additional years to the starting point that was suggested by the CCJ...”

“Position of trust”

Interjecting, Chancellor Cummings-Edwards and Justice Gregory-Barnes questioned Gossai on the “position of trust” factor giv en Hannibal’s standing in society, he was a religious leader. But Gossai said that

this was taken into account by the CCJ in arriving at the 15-year starting point.

For her part, Senior State Counsel Natasha Backer contended, “The tri al Judge referring to the vir tual complainant as a victim in the summing up…. That may not have been the most sensitive choice of words in all the circumstances… [I] submit that in this case, like all others, of course, the summing up has to be tak en as a whole and it would not be proper to simply zone in on the use of that word by the trial Judge while ignor ing the overall context of the summing up…”

The State prosecutor submitted that the gener al directions given by the Judge to the jury were suf ficient to cure him referring to her as a victim instead of a complainant.

She urged the Court of Appeal not to move from the starting point of 15 years since each case must be tak en on its own facts. To this, she said more years can be added for aggravating fac tors.

Backer argued, “Though there was the issue of trust in Pompey and there is a large issue of position of trust in this case…the two, though similar but not iden tical, you have to look at the facts and the position of trust he [Hannibal] was in. He was the pastor and nextdoor neighbour of the child.

Not only did he hold a po sition of trust in relation to her but he would have held it for the entire communi ty given that he was a pas tor…”

Community lost confidence

In reacting to the ju ry’s verdict, Hannibal had said, “Your Honour [Justice Kissoon] and members of the jury, I never knew this day would come. When I would have found myself in such a situation and have to experience such a decision. As a community leader and a pastor for over 29 years, never did I thought this day would come. I am very sor ry; it is very painful. I know the community has lost its confidence in the church be cause of the expectations of me. All I ask for is leniency, so I can serve the time and resume back to society as a brand-new man.”

During the trial, it was revealed that the victim’s sibling awoke one day and discovered that she was not in bed. When she was found, the teen would later confess that she was with Hannibal.

Certain information dis closed by her led to a re port being lodged at the Blairmont Police Station and a medical examination being done on her which proved that she had geni tal injuries. It was reported that Hannibal is the found er of a church at Rosignol, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Two vintage World War Two-era planes have collided and crashed at an air show in the US state of Texas, kill ing six people.

Footage shows the air craft striking each other at a low altitude, breaking one of the aircraft in half. A fire ball can be seen as it hits the ground.

The planes - one of them a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress - were taking part in a commemorative air show near Dallas.

Firefighters said there were no injuries among peo ple on the ground.

"According to our Dallas County Medical Examiner, there are a total of six fa talities from yesterday's Wings over Dallas air show incident," Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a tweet on Sunday.

The Allied Pilots Association, which rep resents American Airlines pilots, said Terry Barker and Len Root - two of its for mer members - were among those who died in the colli

"It went from being a fairly excited, energetic crowd... to complete silence and stillness, and a lot of people, including myself, turned their children to wards them and away from the airfield because there was burning wreckage in the middle of the airfield."

The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the crash at the three-day event, which de scribes itself as the US's premiere WW2 air show and was being held in hon our of Veterans Day, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called it a "terrible tragedy".

"The videos are heart-breaking," he tweet ed. "Please, say a prayer for

the souls who took to the sky to entertain and edu cate our families today."

The number of casual ties are not yet confirmed, he said, but added that no body on the ground had been reported injured.

The event's website states that several planes had been scheduled to do a flyover demonstration on Saturday.

The B-17 bomber played a major role in winning the air war against Germany in WW2.

The second plane, a P-63 Kingcobra, was a fighter air craft used in the same war, but used in combat only by the Soviet Air Force.

The B-17 usually has a crew of about four to five people, while the P-63 has a single pilot, said Hank Coates, from the Commemorative Air Force which organised the event.

"This was a WW2 flight demonstration type air show where we highlight the aircraft and their capa bilities," he told reporters. (BBC)

Convicted child rapist: Andrew Hannibal

sion.

Eyewitness Chris Kratovil - who was one of between 4,000 and 6,000 who had gathered to watch the Wings Over Dallas Airshow on Saturday - told the BBC he had "never seen a crowd grow more quiet or more still in just a blink of an eye".

NGO organises forums to increase awareness of femicide, GBV

Cognisant that fe micide and gen der-based violence (GBV) are cause for concern in Guyana, not-for-profit or ganisation, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) has announced plans to combat the situa tion as the annual campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, ap proaches.

The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence, is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

The annual movement which began in 1991 com mences on November 25— the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women—and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day. The Centre for Women's Global Leadership estimates that more than 6000 organisations in some 187 countries have partici pated, advancing progress toward the urgent goal of ending gender-based vio lence. TCV is one of those or ganisations and it is urging everyone to sign this petition to declare December 6 as the International Day to End Femicide.

See the link to the pe tition here: https://www. change.org/p/united-na tions-declare-dec-6-as-inter national-day-against-femi cide.

As well, TCV is plan

ning a workshop on Youth Relationship Violence on December 3 from 13:00h to 15:00h. The workshop is pre sented by Proverbial Peace Revived Ministries with the lead presenter being Dr Brenetia Adams-Robinson, a transformational life strat egist and empowerment coach.

On December 9, from 18:00h to 20:00h, the TCV will also hold a panel discus sion on Safety and Resiliency for victims and survivors.

According to the TCV, other ways in which 16 Days of Activism can be observed include: focusing on speakouts by survivors and loved ones of victims of femicide and GBV.

The NGO said that videos can be shared on social me dia, letters sent to the print media, and interviews done with print media and broad cast media, both traditional and virtual. TCV is willing to help with sharing and pro motion if videos, letters/arti cles, and interviews are pro vided.

It said that the planting of trees, especially fruit trees to memorialise victims of fe micide and gender-based vi olence by friends, families, neighbours, and former col leagues of victims.

Perhaps short pro grammes can be produced around each tree planting that may include sharing of memories of victims, mu

sic, poetry, skits, releasing of balloons, and sharing of snacks and beverages, the or ganisation suggested. It add ed that organising marches, rallies, and candlelight vigils can be done by communities, faith-based organisations, community-based organisa tions, leaders, and influenc ers. Interfaith events would be fabulous as well as events planned by a collaboration of organisations, with sup port from Local or Central Government.

Donating

The NGO proposed do nating to an organisation that supports survivors of gender-based violence, and educating oneself about GBV – lots of information, pod casts, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions are available online. It said it could provide links if needed.

“Organising focus groups – this too can be done by the Government in collaboration with organisations in com munities to sensitise and build awareness and pro vide prevention strategies.

Lobbying – writing or calling the Head of State and the re sponsible Minister, holding picketing exercises, having meetings with other stake holders and policymakers, reach out to social and tra ditional media for support,” were among other ideas put forward by TCV.

According to the NGO,

reaching out to the Police to hold community forums to discuss what they have in place to address femicide and GBV violence and how communities can collaborate with them, is another way awareness could be raised of the problems.

A day to remember It also suggested reach ing out to needy survivors and giving them a day to re member in the form of gift baskets, consumer supplies, a cookout/games session with them, and beauty treatment.

“Creatives can produce prevention songs, poetry, or even plays and everyone can help to post and share on so cial media. Plays can be act ed out by students, youth

groups, and the like and vid eotaped for sharing and pro motion. TCV can assist with this if the material is provid ed.”

In addition, the TCV rec ommended adopting an ani mal in the name of survivors who love animals, clean ing up the environment and erecting a plaque with the victim’s name, and maybe even planting some flowers and, if possible, construct ing a bench. If all of this is done, the NGO noted that the area could then be main tained and developed into a community gathering place. According to the non-govern mental organisation, many do not have the time and of tentimes the wherewithal to become activists and ad

vocates but many, if not all, can find one or more activ ities from the above list to observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

“It does not matter how small the start is; for once there is a start, it will grow. And the above range of ac tivities provides scope for all communities to be involved in activities against gen der-based violence, many of which also address other is sues like environmental sus tainability and animal adop tion as well as fostering links between various components of society.”

The Caribbean Voice has assured that it stands ready to help out where desired. (G1)

Kwakwani residents form farming groups to...

“If you don’t put your best, you would not achieve anything. Good better best, never let it rest, until the good be comes the better best. My charge to you is to don’t accept nothing less than the best,” Persaud charged farmers.

The Agriculture Ministry aims to build a

solid working relationship with groups rather than individually since as a body, problems can be eas ily addressed and most im portantly, farmers’ needs can be met efficiently.

Meanwhile, NAREI’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Pooran Seeraj, who was also present, handed over seeds and

acoustic ant baits to the leaders of each group for fair distribution among themselves.

Also present was Regional Agricultural Officer Derick Collins; Regional Coordinator with responsibility for agricul ture, Andrew Forsythe and other regional techni cal officers.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer Pooran Seeraj handing over farm supplies to group leaders

7 accused in Kaieteur News robbery denied bail again

Seven men, including two former employ ees of Kaieteur News, who are charged with car rying out a robbery at the establishment's Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown office, were de nied bail for a second time when they appeared in court last Thursday.

Joshua Junor, 35, a se curity officer of Middle Street, La Penitence, Georgetown, and Ryan Wharton, 33, a Research Assistant of Canary Street, Tucville, Georgetown, both former employees of

Charlestown, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, they robbed Kaieteur News owned by Glenn Lall of $38.8 million in cash, a Republic Bank cheque valued at $9.1 million, US$9360, a .32 Taurus pis tol and ammunition valued at $515,000, a firearm case valued at $25,000, six mag azines valued at $60,000, among other items. They were also charged with rob bing Noel Junior of $5000 and Wayne Little of a cel lular phone worth $44,000. The men have pleaded not guilty.

Kaieteur News; Lemuel Grant, 23, a clerk of Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown; 36-year-old Harry Stongster of Hyde Park, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and Ivor Belingie called “Wild Life” appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The joint charge read to them stated that be tween October 9 and 10 at Lot 24 Saffon Street,

The men first appeared in court on October 14 be fore Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who in remand ing them, cited the serious nature of the offence and the public’s safety. They were again refused bail and remanded last Thursday by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Grant was represented by lawyer Eusi Anderson, who submitted that the only part his client played

in the commissioning of the crime, was lending his mo tor car to Wharton, who is his cousin, unknowing that he was going to use the car to commit a crime.

According to him, at the time of the robbery, his cli ent was at a popular bar, and CCTV footage from the establishment will be pre sented to support his alibi.

Collis Heywood and Kevin France, on the oth er hand, were separately charged for the unlawful

possession of guns and am munition. The two charges read to Heywood, a 40-yearold chef of Lot R2-578 Canary Street, Tucville, Georgetown, stated that on October 10 at Georgetown, he had a .32 ammunition and 210 matching rounds in his possession, when he was not the holder of a fire arm licence enforced at the time. Meanwhile, France, 35, a taxi driver of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was accused of having a 9mm pistol along with 10 matching rounds in his pos session when he was not the holder of a firearm li

cence enforced at the time. The pair pleaded not guilty to the charges and were re manded until December 9.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that investigations revealed that the robbery was planned a week prior by Wharton, the master mind.

According to the pros ecutor, a probe into the robbery led to the arrest of Heywood and France— both of whom were found with the company firearm in their possession.

Guyana Times had previously reported that

three bandits walked into Kaieteur News and held three of its employees at gunpoint, before carting off millions of dollars in cash.

Wharton, who had pre viously worked with the company as a Research Assistant, was arrested shortly after and confessed to plotting the armed rob bery.

Police recovered over $6 million of the stolen cash, the stolen pistol and am munition, the broken safe, and the car used in the rob bery. From the outset, Lall had asserted that the rob bery was an “inside job”.

Cabinet reshuffle looms in Jamaica

There are increasing ly louder whispers in Government circles that Prime Minister Andrew Holness is planning a reshuf fle of his Cabinet before the end of this year.

After being elected to serve a second-consecutive term in 2020, Holness announced his first Cabinet shuffle in January.

Now Jamaica Observer sources say the prime minis ter has gone back to the draw ing board for two main rea sons, with the announcement expected at the earliest before Christmas, and at the latest early in the new year.

"The prime minister wants some fresh thinking for the leadership of some minis tries and he is also keeping an eye on the next general elec tion as we approach the mid term of the 2020 victory," said a Sunday Observer source.

"Some of the changes will reflect the prime minister's

dissatisfaction with how the ministries are performing but look for at least two strategic shifts which will be designed to ensure that, while the par ty remains in Government, the political machinery re mains in good condition," add ed the source.

The Sunday Observer has been told to pay keen atten tion to the ministries of na tional security, health, educa tion, agriculture, and foreign affairs, as those could all see changes.

"I can't speak for the prime minister, but I expect that one change will be in the posi tion of Leader of Government Business in the Lower House. While [Bartlett] is a good man for the job, he is frequently overseas on official business as the minister of tourism, so I expect 'Babsy' [Olivia Grange] to get that job, and that is the only change I would bet on," declared one Government source.

He noted that with the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) calling for the head of Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton over the deaths of 13 babies at Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Holness might not want to shift him at this time as that might be seen as bowing to the demands of the PNP. "But it has been a tough ministry for Chris, who did an excellent job steering the health sector through the COVID-19 pandemic while dealing with the rebuilding of Cornwall Regional Hospital, a shortage of staff in a number of key areas, and the myriad other problems facing the sec tor. "So maybe the PM decides to give him a break and assign someone else to that ministry, but it will not be because of the baying of the Opposition or a lack of faith in Chris," the source declared. "Similarly, if there is a shift in the Ministry of National Security, it will

not be because the PM has lost faith in Dr [Horace] Chang. It must be remembered that Dr Chang is the party's general secretary and, in a little over two years, we will have an other general election to win, so Dr Chang could be shift ed to a less demanding min istry to allow him time to do the groundwork that the par ty needs, and he is the best at that," the source added.

In the January shuf fle of his Cabinet, the major changes by Holness included Robert Montague, who was shifted from the Ministry of Transport and Mining to the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, as minis ter without portfolio; Floyd Green, who returned to the executive as minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister; and Marlene Malahoo Forte who was ap pointed to head the new ly-created Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Dr

Derrick McKoy replaced her as attorney general.

Other changes includ ed Robert Morgan, who was the minister of state in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, being ele vated to the Cabinet as min ister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for infor mation; Pearnel Charles Jr was shifted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, while Audley Shaw replaced Montague as the minister of transport and mining. Senator Aubyn Hill was named the minister of industry, invest ment and commerce, to re place Shaw while Senator Matthew Samuda was shifted from national security to take charge of environment and climate change. Zavia Mayne replaced Samuda in the secu rity ministry as a minister of state.

At that time Holness said the changes took into account

the need for greater focus and attention on constitutional and legal reform as well as improving the pace of develop ment and passage of legisla tion through the Parliament.

"These changes are also de signed to facilitate greater co ordination and synergy of re sources on further increasing the number of housing solu tions at affordable prices as well as the development and pursuit of new economic op portunities, such as the blue and the green economy as we recover from the pandemic.

"As the Government moves towards fulfilling its mandate, increasing the pace of implementation of projects, and transitioning its manage ment of the pandemic, there is also a greater need for co ordination in the dissemina tion of timely and accurate information to the public," Holness said in the news re lease announcing the chang es. (Jamaica Observer)

Remanded: Joshua Junor

Remanded: Ryan Wharton

Remanded: Lemuel Grant

Remanded: Harry Stongster Remanded: Collis Heywood

Kevin France

Remanded: Ivor Belingie

The cash, firearm and ammunition that were recovered by the Police after the robbery

Regional

Crypto collapse being scrutinised by Bahamas authorities

The collapse of cryp tocurrency exchange

FTX is the subject of scrutiny from Government investigators in the Bahamas, who are looking at whether any "criminal misconduct occurred", the Royal Bahamas Police said on Sunday.

FTX filed for bankruptcy on Friday, one of the high est-profile crypto blowups, after traders rushed to with draw US$6 billion from the platform in just 72 hours and rival exchange Binance abandoned a proposed res cue deal.

In a statement on Sunday, the Royal Bahamas Police said: "In light of the collapse of FTX globally and the provisional liquidation of FTX Digital Markets Ltd, a team of financial investi gators from the Financial Crimes Investigation Branch are working closely with the Bahamas Securities Commission to investigate if any criminal misconduct oc curred."

FTX did not respond to Reuters' request for com ment.

FTX's newly-appoint

Bankman-Fried

ed Chief Executive John J Ray III, a restructuring ex pert who took over after the bankruptcy filing, said on Saturday that the company was working with law en forcement and regulators to mitigate the problem, and was making "every effort to secure all assets, wherever located".

The exchange's dramat ic fall from grace has seen its 30-year-old founder Sam Bankman-Fried, known for his shorts and T-shirt attire, morph from being the poster child of crypto's successes to the protagonist of the indus try's biggest crash.

Bankman-Fried, who lives in The Bahamas, has

also been the subject of spec ulation about his where abouts and he denied ru mours on Twitter that he had flown to South America. When asked by Reuters on Saturday whether he had flown to Argentina, he re sponded in a text message: "Nope". He told Reuters he was in The Bahamas.

The turmoil at FTX has seen at least US$1 billion of customer funds vanish from the platform, sourc es told Reuters on Friday. Bankman-Fried had trans ferred US$10 billion of cus tomer funds to his trad ing company, Alameda Research, the sources said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Floodwaters sweep Claxton Bay man to his death

The screams of Ramnath Minwah's wife and children shattered the quiet com munity of St John’s Trace in Claxton Bay around 18:30h on Saturday when they saw him fall into a swollen river and get swept away by the strong currents.

Minwah’s family and neighbours rushed to res cue him, but it was not un til almost an hour later, that the man who spent his life as a boat captain, was found unresponsive, his arms wrapped around a tree.

Firefighters, Police Officers and ambulance at tendants who arrived on the scene later retrieved

the body from the floodwa ters.

Distraught relatives said Minwah was a strong swimmer, but age and ill ness as well as strong cur rents conspired to pull him under and to his death.

“If he was not old and sick, the waters would never have taken him. He was a top swimmer back in the day. He was a sea man, the captain of a boat. He worked all around the world,” said Dolly Minwah, his wife of over five de cades.

She said that shortly after 18:00h, Minwah, 76, a father of six, grandfather of 16 and great-grandfa ther of four, left home to purchase cigarettes.

“He went by his neph ew, one house away from ours and the nephew went and bought the cigarettes for him.” On returning with the cigarettes, she said, Minwah's nephew ob served that the river on the opposite side of their home was swollen. He told his uncle to stay until the water receded.

“My husband said he wanted to come home be fore the waters got high er,” she said.

“As he left his nephew's home, a car was parked in the middle of the road and my husband just stepped to his left to go around it and in so doing, slipped and fell into the river. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Protesters in Peru break into Hochschild mine, cause interruptions

Residents of an Andean communi ty in Peru broke into Hochschild Mining Plc's Inmaculada gold and silver mine, the company said on Saturday, causing interrup tions and putting the safety of its workers at risk.

London-listed Hochschild Mining said in a state ment that residents of the Huancute community in the

Ayacucho region on Friday night broke the metal fence to the mine and attacked the vehicles with stones.

While the incident in terrupted the flow of inter nal operations at the mine, a company representative said it "did not paralyse pro duction".

Reuters was unable to immediately contact lead ers from the community for

comment. Residents from the area last year demanded that the company close its mining operations – which it rejected.

Protests from poor com munities against big mining companies are common in Peru. At times, these have led to temporary closures of operations in the world's second-largest copper pro ducer. (Reuters)

Tens of thousands protest Mexican President's electoral reform plan

Tens of thousands took to the streets in Mexico on Sunday to protest President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's plan to over haul the country's elector al commission INE in what they fear would concentrate power in the hands of the Government.

Lopez Obrador, who put the plan forward in April, has long criticised the coun try's electoral authorities, including accusing them of helping to engineer his de feats when he ran for the presidency in 2006 and 2012.

He has said that the re form would let citizens elect electoral authorities and re duce the influence of eco nomic interests in politics. It would also cut financing for political parties and limit ad vertising time.

Last week, Congress started discussing the plan.

It sparked widespread concerns that the chang es could presage a pow

er grab because it gives the President more control over the electoral systems.

In the past, Lopez Obrador pursued conten tious policies by pitching ref erendums – including on the cancellation of a part-built airport – to claim popular mandates for his objectives.

Protesters in Mexico City,

many holding placards and banners or wearing t-shirts with slogans "defending the INE", started at the Angel of Independence monument.

It gathered momentum during the day as protesters moved on Reforma Avenue towards the Monument to the Revolution. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica: Taxi operators warn of strike action today

Taxi operators were scheduled to go ahead with an islandwide withdrawal of service by the island's public transport oper ators, if a traffic ticket amnes ty was not given by Sunday afternoon. "We have done all that is necessary and with in our scope to do, our main concern is to get an amnesty and if we don't get one, we are urging all public transport operators to stay home on Monday and remain at home until an amnesty is granted. Taxi operators will be doing the wrong thing if they drive out on Monday, because they can be arrested for having

outstanding tickets, remem ber now that summons are being prepared as we speak," Egerton Newman, President of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services, said.

"If we don't hear that an nouncement then it's all sys tems go on Monday from the east to the west and north to south. I urge all commuters to secure alternative modes of transportation for Monday morning. We need an amnes ty and get it now," he added.

The cabbies in the Corporate Area withdrew their services in September to protest against the threat of

being carted off to jail by cops because of unpaid tickets, many of which, the cabbies believe, were issued unfairly.

The Government has de clared two traffic ticket am nesties in the past 10 years.

In 2012, the Government de clared an amnesty that ran from July 1 to December 31. Some J$340 million was col lected by the Government.

The second amnesty, which was declared in 2017, yielded some J$846 million.

At the time, the Government said more than J$2 billion in unpaid tickets were uncollect ed. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

2 Trinis killed in vehicular accident in Las Vegas

Details of the accident have not yet been revealed, but CNC3 News understands that the vehicle in which the

family was travelling in was involved in an accident and exploded on impact killing a 53-year-old mother along with her two daughters ages fifteen and ten and her niece.

The mother Carlma Subero Hardin and niece, Nadine Ramnarine are

Trinidadians while the chil dren Dorietta and Ocean Hardin are American citi zens.

Nadine Ramnarine who was in her late thirties left Trinidad on Friday for va cation in the US. (Trinidad Guardian)

Sam

Demonstrators march against the electoral reform proposed by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and in support of the National Electoral Institute (INE) in Mexico City, Mexico, November 13, 2022 (Reuters/Luis Cortes)

Four members of a Trini family were killed in a vehicular accident in Nevada, Las Vegas on Saturday.

Two of the four killed were Trinidad citizens

Iraq wants stable energy prices, Prime Minister says

Iraq is keen to maintain stable oil prices at not more than US$100 per barrel, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia alSudani told reporters on Saturday.

Iraq, a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), will have discussions with other members to reconsider and increase its production quota, he added in a briefing.

"Iraq is keen for stability of energy prices, we do not want prices to increase above US$100 and neither, at the same time, for them to fall in a way that affects the level of supply and demand," he said.

Sudani's Cabinet took office in late October, ending more than a year of deadlock since a parliamentary election. He was backed for the post of Prime Minister by an alliance of Iran-aligned factions.

Sudani said Iraq was determined to keep mediating between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, which have been locked in proxy conflicts across the Middle East and started talks last year hosted by Baghdad to try to contain tensions.

"The concerned parties officially asked us to continue playing this role", Sudani said.

Frictions have grown recently between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which has been swept by more than two months of protests ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while she was in the custody of the country's morality police.

Iran has accused foreign adversaries of fomenting the unrest.

Iran's intelligence minister told Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that there is no guarantee of Tehran continuing its "strategic patience," according to semi-official Fars news agency.

Last month, Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami warned Saudi Arabia Riyadh to control its media outlets. (Reuters)

Istanbul: Six dead, dozens wounded in Turkey explosion

At least six people have been killed and 81 wounded in an explosion in a busy area of central Istanbul, Turkish authorities have said.

The blast happened at about 16:20 local time (13:20 GMT) on a shopping street in the Taksim Square area, the Turkish city's gov ernor Ali Yerlikaya said.

Vice President Fuat Oktay said the blast was thought to be a terrorist at tack carried out by a wom an.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the perpetra tors would be punished.

Speaking at a news con ference in Istanbul, he con demned what he called the "vile attack" and said "the smell of terror" was in the air.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.

BBC correspondent Orla Guerin, who is in the area, said there was a heavy Police presence around

Istiklal Street, which had been cordoned off. Helicopters were circling overhead as ambulances went back and forth.

Many shopkeepers standing in their doorways on the normally bustling street looked stunned, she said, adding that the in cident will have come as a shock to many in the city.

Hayat, who was in an in ternet café on Istiklal Street when the blast took place, said there was turmoil fol lowing the explosion.

Another eyewitness, Cemal Denizci, was about 50m (54 yards) from where the blast took place when it happened. "There was black smoke. The noise was so strong, almost deafening," he told AFP.

The street - one of the city's main arteries which is usually packed with shop pers - was previously tar geted by a suicide bomber in 2016. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Around the World

Democrats retain grip on US Senate, defying 'red wave'

Democrats held onto control of the US Senate while lim iting projected losses in the House, handing a ma jor victory to President Joe Biden and extinguishing hopes of the "red wave" that Republicans had expected leading into the midterm elections.

Democratic leaders de scribed the outcome - sealed late Saturday with a win for the incumbent senator in Nevada - as both a vin dication of their agenda and a rebuke of Republican candidates, many of whom had parroted former presi dent Donald Trump's false claims about widespread election fraud.

"We were on the edge of autocracy and, thank God, the American people pulled us back in this election," Senate Majority Leader

The better-than-expect ed performance gave Biden, who struggled with low ap proval ratings ahead of Tuesday's elections amid persistently high inflation, a political lift ahead of what are expected to be intense

talks on a range of geopolit ical issues with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to day in Indonesia.

Republicans, howev er, remained close to seiz ing control of the House of Representatives as officials continued counting ballots, with returns still flowing

in for several races, includ ing many in liberal-leaning California.

As of late on Saturday, Republicans had won 211 seats and the Democrats 205, with 218 needed for a majority. It could take sev eral days before the out come of enough House rac es is known to determine which party will control the 435-seat chamber.

House Republicans, should they prevail, have pledged to try to roll back Biden-led legislation to battle climate change and want to make permanent a series of 2017 tax cuts set to expire. They also have vowed investigations into Biden administra tion activities and probes of the President's son, who has had business dealings with Ukraine and China. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Utility companies in Kherson were working to re store critical infrastruc ture damaged and mined by fleeing Russian forc es, with most homes in the southern Ukrainian city still without electrici ty and water, regional offi cials said on Sunday.

Amid their jubilation, some residents of the city recounted ill treatment by the Russians during their occupation of Kherson.

The governor of Kherson region, Yaroslav Yanushevych, said the au thorities had decided to maintain a curfew from 5 pm to 8 am and ban peo ple from leaving or enter ing the city as a security measure.

"The enemy mined all critical infrastructure ob jects," Yanushevych told

Ukrainian TV. "We are trying to meet within a few days and (then) open the city," he said.

Ukrainian troops ar rived in the centre of Kherson on Friday after Russia abandoned the only regional capital it had cap tured since its invasion be gan in February. The with drawal marked the third major Russian retreat of the war and the first to in volve yielding such a large occupied city in the face of a major Ukrainian count er-offensive that has re taken parts of the east and south.

On Sunday, artillery exchanges echoed over the city but they failed to discourage crowds of ju bilant, flag-waving resi dents bundled up against the cold from gathering on Kherson's main square.

The crowds tried to catch mobile phone signals from Starlink ground stations carried on Ukrainian mil itary vehicles.

Local authorities said most of the city lacked electricity or water. Yuriy Sobolevskiy, first depu

ty chairman of Kherson regional council, told Ukrainian TV that even as the authorities were work ing to restore critical ser vices, humanitarian sit uation remained "very difficult". (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ethiopia combatants sign deal to start implementing truce

The Ethiopian Government and Tigrayan forces on Saturday signed an agree ment laying out the road map for implementation of a peace deal that both sides reached in South Africa this month.

Representatives from the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) have been meeting in Nairobi since Monday to reach agreement on var ious aspects related to the implementation of

the peace pact signed in Pretoria.

Saturday's declaration is expected to boost efforts by the African Union medi ators to resolve a two-year conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions in the Horn of Africa country.

It will facilitate un hindered humanitarian access, provide security guarantees to aid work ers, ensure the protection of civilians and establish a joint committee to over see implementation, medi

ators said.

The deal will be put into effect "immediately", me diator Olusegun Obasanjo told a news conference be fore the signing.

Both sides said they were committed to the dec laration, stressing it was the only way to restore peace and stability.

"We will fully dedicate ourselves to implement ing the Pretoria agree ment and this declara tion," said Birhanu Jula, a senior Ethiopian military official and one of the gov

ernment representatives at the talks.

Ethiopian military of ficials and TPLF had reached an agreement on the disarmament of TPLF fighters and entry of the Ethiopian military into the Tigrayan capital of Mekele, the federal gov ernment said in a state ment issued after the sign ing.

Disarmament will start on Nov 15, the declara tion, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, showed.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Chuck Schumer said at a news conference on Sunday.

Ukraine's Kherson races to restore power, water after Russian retreat

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and US House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speak to the media in Washington, DC, US August 7, 2022 and July 27, 2022 in a combination of file photographs

Children celebrate after Russia's retreat from Kherson, in central Kherson, Ukraine November 13, 2022

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Think big, but stick to the basics. Plan your actions and keep things simple and doable. Don't guesstimate; sticking to the facts will help you maintain your budget and get things done on time.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Put your emotions aside and decide what to do next based on facts and fig ures. Watch how others react to situ ations to figure out how to proceed. If you are feeling uncertain, tread care fully.

Put your energy and enthusiasm where they will count most. Use your skills and talents to outmaneuver the competition. Take whatever you do se riously. Don't take chances with your health.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22)

Present what you have to offer with pizazz. Pay attention to detail, and you'll make a lasting impression. A partnership will help you bring about changes at home that add to your com fort.

Pay attention to detail and avoid a mishap. Decisions you make while un der emotional pressure will backfire. Explore the possibilities, but don't commit time or money to something uncertain.

Gather information before mak ing a decision that affects your posi tion. Stay calm and demonstrate what you have to offer and are willing to do. Stretching your imagination will en courage new beginnings.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

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

Explore the possibilities. Check out what's new and exciting. Keeping your plans simple and affordable will improve your life. Update your image to boost your morale.

Size up what's happening in your life. Evaluate your strengths and weakness es, and adjust your lifestyle to ensure you put your best foot forward. Romance is in the stars.

Don't take anything for granted. If you want something done correctly, do it yourself. Verify facts before you pass them along. A serious discussion will help clear up a misunderstand ing.

Make a change and a difference. How you handle contracts, domestic issues and love will determine your happiness. Be bold, say what's on your mind, find out where you stand and act according ly.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don't feel obligated to do some thing that doesn't fit into your sched ule or help you get what you want. Putting your energy into something that matters to you will pay off.

Prepare before you act. Have a plan to prevent mishaps and physical setbacks. Pay attention to meaning ful relationships. Make changes that bring you closer to a loved one.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- SCINTILLA

T20 World Cup: Curran and Stokes the heroes of final as England break Pakistan hearts

England became the first team to hold both men’s World Cups simultaneously, sneaking past Pakistan in a tense run chase to win the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup final at the MCG by five wickets with an over to spare.

Ben Stokes, England’s match-winner in the 50over final three years ago, anchored another run chase and ground out his first halfcentury in T20 internationals in the format’s biggest game. He had battled to 24 off 34 balls, but a late flurry of boundaries removed the scoring pressure.

The game changed in the 13th over of England’s chase when Shaheen Shah Afridi slid forwards to complete a catch off Shadab Khan, dismissing Harry Brook. Pakistan’s celebrations were cut short when they realised that Shaheen had jarred his right knee, which had once threatened to rule him out of the tournament.

He received some treatment and attempted to return for his third over with 41 needed off 30 balls, but pulled out of his run-up once, then sent one down to Moeen Ali at 71mph/114kph. Iftikhar Ahmed completed his over and Stokes targeted him: he miscued him just short of long-off, but then slapped him through cover for four and launched him back over his head for six.

When Moeen started the next over with back-to-back boundaries off Mohammad Wasim, the required rate was below a run a ball. Wasim returned to york Moeen, but Stokes crashed him through cover then hauled him through the leg side to secure England’s title.

Curran strikes early – and late England primarily used Sam Curran at the death throughout this T20 World Cup, but his role shifted slightly in the knockout stages. Chris Jordan’s inclusion, replacing the injured Mark Wood for the last two games, meant Curran bowled a second powerplay over in both the semi-final

and final.

It proved crucial. Pakistan started slowly after being asked to bat first on a slow pitch, with Mohammad Rizwan’s slog-swept six off Chris Woakes their only boundary in the first four overs, and Curran – in his second over – struck as Rizwan looked to up the tempo, inside-edging a booming cover drive onto the base of his leg stump.

Curran returned at the death and had both Shan Masood and Mohammad Nawaz caught by Liam Livingstone at deep midwicket, using the MCG’s vast square boundaries to his advantage. He finished with remarkable figures of 3 for 12 across four boundaryless overs, winning awards as both Player of the Match and the Tournament.

Rashid finds his form

It was a World Cup of two halves for Adil Rashid: he took combined figures of 0 for 89 in 12 overs across his first three appearances, but England insisted they were confident that he would come good when it mattered. He delivered in style, taking 1 for 16 and 1 for 20 against Sri Lanka and India, then made two crucial breakthroughs in the final.

Mohammad Haris, Pakistan’s dangerous number three, ran down the pitch

and tried to clear long-on off Rashid’s first ball, but holed out to Stokes, and neither Babar Azam or Shan Masood could get him away. Instead, Masood took on Livingstone, crashing him back down the ground for four and then six to take 16 off his only over.

But Rashid struck with the very next ball, Babar miscuing his googly back to him, and then delivered a wicket maiden as Iftikhar struggled to read his variations. He conceded his only boundary in his final over when Shadab slapped him back over his head during a stand of 36 with Masood – but regular wickets at the death restricted Pakistan to 137.

Chaos in the chase

Heading into the final, one key battle stood out: England’s opening batters against Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales had demolished India in their semi-final, but Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf stood out as the best pace trio in the tournament.

Shaheen landed the first punch, ripping Hales’ middle stump out of the ground with a full ball that brushed his back pad on the way through, but Buttler countered: Naseem overpitched, desperate for another early wicket, and was pinged through the covers for consecutive boundaries.

Phil Salt, batting for the

first time in the tournament after Dawid Malan failed to recover from a groin strain, got two early boundaries away. But, when looking for a third, he picked out short midwicket off Rauf, who roared in celebration.

Naseem’s second over was sublime, but somehow cost 11 runs despite him beating Buttler’s outside edge five times thanks to one wild ball down the leg side and an audacious, trademark scoop shot, which flew away for six. Rauf reaped the rewards in the following over as Buttler edged behind, and England finished a chaotic powerplay 49 for 3.

The Stokes show

With the required rate in check, Stokes and Brook opted to dig in for the next six overs, looking to minimise dot balls without taking undue risks. Both struggled for timing as the ball got older, and boundaries were hard to come by: Stokes scored a single run off his first nine balls after the drinks break, and was repeatedly beaten by Naseem in another brilliant over.

Stokes looked to have dug himself into a hole with 45 required off 31 balls, but cut the final ball of Rauf’s third over away for four to relieve some of the pressure and when Shaheen gestured

to the dug-out that his night was over, he sensed an opportunity. He threw his head back in disbelief when he mistimed his first ball from Iftikhar, the part-time offspinner, towards Babar at long-off but it fell short, and he pummelled his final two balls to the boundary.

With scores level after he

had brought up his maiden T20I fifty with a slap through the off side, Stokes swung and missed at Wasim and then muscled him away for the winning run. As England’s bench ran onto the pitch in celebration, they did so with their legacy as one of the great limited-overs teams secured. (ESPNcricinfo)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Shaheen Shah Afridi 2.1-0-13-1

Naseem Shah 4-0-30-0

Haris Rauf 4-0-23-2

Shadab Khan 4-0-20-1

Mohammad Wasim 4-0-38-1

Iftikhar Ahmed 0.5-0-13-0

Sam Curran was Player of the Tournament

Ben Stokes scored an important fifty

England are T20 World Cup champions for the second time

Nicholas Pooran just missed out on a century, but helped Trinidad and Tobago Red Force defeat Windward Islands Volcanoes by sev en wickets with six balls to spare at Tarouba on Saturday. The win means

the Red Force have ad vanced to the semi-fi nals of the CG Insurance Super50 competition.

In a match reduced by rain to 40 overs, Pooran scored an unbeaten 99 and Darren Bravo 67 not out sharing in an unbeaten

TOTAL 40 Ov (RR: 5.02) 201/4

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Johann Jeremiah, 1.3 ov), 2-16 (Johnson Charles, 2.1 ov), 3-35 (Alick Athanaze, 6.1 ov), 4-36 (Kavem Hodge, 6.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Akeal Hosein 10-0-37-2

Shannon Gabriel 5-0-36-1

Jyd Goolie 3-0-14-0

Sunil Narine 9-0-38-0

Yannic Cariah 7-0-39-0

Terrance Hinds 4-0-23-0

fourth-wicket partnership of 155 as TT Red Force cruised to 249-3 (D/L).

The West Indies whiteball Captain scored his runs from just 71 balls and hit 11 fours and two sixes along the way. Bravo hit

BCB/Lochan Samkarran project assists 6 West Berbice schools with uniforms and gear

nine fours in his 63-ball knock.

Opener Kjorn Ottley made 43 for the Trinidad franchise while partnering in a 49-run second-wick et stand with Jason Mohammed, who made 25. Ottley was eventually dis missed after putting on 13 for the third partnership of 13 with Bravo, who would find a match-winning part ner in Pooran.

Justin Greaves was the best of the Windward bowlers with 2-55. Preston McSween took 1-57.

Earlier, the Windwards

recovered from a precar ious 36-4 in the seventh over after Akeal Hosein (237) and Shannon Gabriel (1-36) did the early dam age.

They owed their recov ery to unbeaten knocks of 90 from Sunil Ambris and 68 from Andre Fletcher, who shared in an unbro ken fourth-wicket stand of

Australia allrounder breaks leg at birthday party

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to invest heavily in the development of cricketing talent at the school level.

A delegation of executives headed by BCB President Hilbert Foster on Friday handed over uniforms, cricket balls and gear to six secondary schools in the West Berbice area. The total donation was worth close to one million dollars.

In remarks at the handing over, Foster stated that the BCB was committed to taking Berbice cricket to a very high level and believed that in order to do so, they would have to invest heavily in youths at both the club and school level. Schools, he stated, are the nursery for the clubs and the BCB’s main objective is to facilitate the game at both the primary and the secondary level. He announced that the BCB in early 2023 would be hosting a 30-over Under-19 tournament for six secondary schools and a tapeball tournament for 14 primary schools in the West Coast Berbice area.

To loud applause, Foster announced that sponsorships for both tournaments have

been obtained. Firstly, a comprehensive coaching programme in secondary schools with sponsorship from Namilco would be organised. Following the two tournaments, an elite squad of 30 players from each level would be selected for special coaching sessions with BCB Coaches.

Foster urged the schools to take proper care of the donated items and to use them for their intended purpose: Each school received 15 pairs of uniforms with the names of the school, two boxes of red balls and other cricket gear including bats, batting gloves, wicketkeeping gloves, and private guards. The schools benefiting were Fort Wellington, Rosignol, No. 8, Belladrum, Woodley Park, and Bush Lot Secondary Schools.

Government Member of Parliament (MP), Faizal Jaferally congratulated the Cricket Board for its outstanding leadership of the game. Noting that investment at the school level was very important, Jaferally urged the leadership of the schools to place special emphasis on the game. He traced the legacy of Berbice cricket from

the days of John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, and Basil Butcher, and stated that the legacy must be upheld at all costs. He also pledged his support to the BCB in the future. The People’s Progressive Party MP since 2018 has worked closely with the Foster-led administration to develop the game by sponsoring tournaments, a cricket trust fund and also securing sponsorships for tournaments in the West Berbice area.

The West Berbice Cricket Association President expressed thanks to the BCB and sponsor Lochan Samkarran for the investment. The donation, he stated, will play a major role in identifying new talents for Region Five. Blacks expressed delight with the special emphasis being placed on the sub-association with assistance to schools and clubs while several tournaments are being organised along with coaching sessions.

Samkarran is a US-based businessman and with his support, the BCB was able to assist a total of 23 secondary schools across the county with an estimated $3 million worth of uniforms, balls and gear.

The 34-year-old was running in the backyard

called into the Australia squad as Maxwell’s re placement.

“Glenn is in good spir its,” said Australia chief se lector George Bailey.

165 that took the team to 201-4 from their 40 overs. Unfortunately, thanks to Pooran and company, it proved not to be enough. (Sportsmax)

a friend

both slipped, trapping Maxwell’s leg.

Maxwell had surgery on Sunday and will miss the three-match One-Day International series with England, which begins on Thursday.

Sean Abbott has been

“It was an unfortunate accident and we feel for Glenn in the circumstances given he was in great touch in his last few games.”

“Glenn is a critical part of our white-ball struc ture and we will continue to support him through his recovery and rehabilita tion.” (BBC Sport)

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has broken his leg in an accident at a friend’s 50th birthday party.

with

when

Representatives of the schools pose with Government MP Faizal Jaferally and BCB officials

Pooran on his way to an unbeaten 99

Glenn Maxwell has won 232 caps for Australia across all formats

George Russell beats Lewis Hamilton to 1st full Formula 1 win

him heading into the final 10 laps.

George Russell took a maiden Grand Prix victory – and a first for Mercedes in 2022 – as Max Verstappen was pe nalised for a collision with Lewis Hamilton in São Paulo.

Russell was in control of the race throughout after Verstappen and Hamilton came together as they dis puted second place in the early stages at a safety car restart.

Hamilton dropped to ninth place after the colli sion with his 2021 title ri val, but came back to secure a Mercedes one-two and seal the team’s recovery af ter a difficult season that the eight-time champions started with an uncompet itive car.

Russell’s accomplished drive included him surviv ing a late safety car that bunched up the field and put Hamilton right behind

The Mercedes drivers were told that they were al lowed to race, but Russell held the lead at the restart and kept Hamilton at bay until the end.

Behind them, the fi nal 10 laps were a frantic fight as a number of drivers who had had difficult rac es revived their afternoons. Among them were Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc – who had been barged off the track by McLaren’s Lando Norris at Turn Five shortly after the Verstappen-Hamilton in cident and dropped to the back – and Verstappen him self.

Leclerc was sixth at the restart but moved up to fin ish fourth behind his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz, as both passed the fading Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso also overtook the Mexican to take a strong fifth place after starting 18th.

The late caution peri od also helped Verstappen move up from the bottom of the top 10 to sixth place, just

failing to pass Alonso on a race to the line. Verstappen had been allowed to pass Perez a few laps earlier to chase Alonso, but was told heading into the final lap that he should let his teammate back ahead if he did not pass Alonso by the final corner. But he did not com ply.

Asked what happened, Verstappen said: “I told you already last time, you guys don’t ask that again to me, OK? Are we clear about that? I gave my reasons and

Windies fans deserve much more – Viv Richards concerned current players not living up to legacy

I stand by it.”

Perez said over his radio: “It shows who he really is.”

Mercedes went into the race with a front-row lockout – after Russell’s win in the Sprint race on Saturday and a grid penalty for Sainz, who had finished second ahead of Hamilton – but concerned about the poten tial pace of Verstappen.

They held their posi tions at the start only for the safety car to mean they had to do it again a few laps later.

Russell managed the re-start perfectly, but Verstappen got a run on Hamilton and dived for the outside into Turn One. Hamilton fought it out and they collided as they tried to negotiate Turn Two side by side. Verstappen com plained that Hamilton had

not left him space, but the stewards saw the inci dent differently and gave Verstappen a five-second penalty, declaring that he had been “predominantly at fault”.

That left Perez as Russell’s only realistic rival for the win, but after man aging his pace for the first few laps the Briton obeyed a request from the team to up his pace and build a gap and Perez had no answer.

As Russell took control of the race, the question was how far could Hamilton climb back up the field in his recovery and it soon be came apparent he had a chance of second.

Hamilton ran longer on his first set of tyres to give himself a pace off-set. He stopped six laps later than Perez and emerged

in fourth place also behind Sainz.

Sainz, whose race was disrupted early on by a forced early pit stop when a visor tear-off got caught in a rear brake duct, pitted out of the way, and Hamilton caught and passed Perez with 26 laps to go.

Eight laps later, more jeopardy was introduced when Norris’ McLaren stopped on track and first, the virtual safety car and then the safety car were de ployed.

But none of the main runners stopped for tyres and the result then depend ed on who had the freshest rubber.

Perez, who had made his last stop earlier than others and fitted medium tyres rather than softs, was left vulnerable and he succumbed to Sainz, then Leclerc and then Verstappen, who he was or dered to let by so the world champion could try to take points off those ahead of him.

Verstappen made no fur ther progress, though, leav ing the Red Bulls sixth and seventh, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel. (BBC Sport)

West Indies leg end Sir Vivian Richards has in sisted the cricket-lov ing fans of the Region de served more from the team in light of a disappointing World Cup campaign.

On Sunday, at the end of the 2022 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup fi nal, England defeated Pakistan, to join the West Indies as two-time winners of the tournament.

The Caribbean team, however, once the stan dard bearers in the world’s shortest format, were no where close to hitting those heights in this edi tion as they crashed out of the tournament in the first

round following losses to Scotland and Ireland.

Richards, who once thrilled as part of an all-conquering squad, in sists such results are diffi cult for fans in the Region to take, particularly given the team’s once-proud leg acy.

“There is a legacy where this whole thing is concerned and maybe that’s why some of these players are currently on show,” Richards told the Good Morning Jojo Radio programme.

“So, there are a lot of things to represent and I just think that’s lacking. The West Indian fans de serve much more, because we have had so many is

sues like the pandemic and we needed something to uplift us and there are times when we look to our sportsmen and women to do that and presently, the West Indies team is basi cally lacking where that is concerned.”

The former Captain, however, also believes the issue of player availabil ity must be addressed.

(Sportsmax)

Sir Viv believes the fans deserve more

Sir Vivian Richards

Hamilton was involved in an early race collision with champion Max Verstappen

George Russell

Lewis Hamilton