Guyana Times - Saturday, December 10, 2022

APNU/AFC’s chief scrutineer being investigated for $6M fraud at rice company

The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) on Friday hauled in APNU/AFC’s chief scrutineer Carol Smith-Joseph for questioning in connection with a fraud committed on the Mahaica-Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS) Rice Milling Complex Limited back in 2016.

SOCU said the privately owned company made a report against Smith-Joseph for fraudulent appropriation of the company’s funds while she had been a director. Upon receiving the report recently, SOCU commenced its investigations, and it has been revealed that Smith-Joseph, as a di-

rector on MARDS’ board, had solely approved 14 transactions, amounting to $6,121,108, without the Board’s knowledge. These were reportedly approved between June 1, 2016 and August 2016.

According to SOCU, the monies were used for her personal benefit, and for purposes other than that of the rice company’s. However, on completion of the investigations, a file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Chambers for legal advice.

DPP’s Chambers have since recommended that Smith-Joseph be invited to SOCU on Friday, where the

14 allegations of Fraudulent Appropriation of Property of Body Corporate were put to her. Prior to her making her appearance at SOCU, the APNU+AFC had accused the SOCU of political intimidation.

The Coalition has said it is calling on citizens to condemn this action as intimidatory, politically-driven, and therefore totally unacceptable. “As the Opposition’s Chief Election Scrutineer, Ms. SmithJoseph has been at the forefront of our struggle for credible elections, inclusive of a clean voters list,” the political party related in a release.

In fact, back in 2020,

Smith-Joseph, the then PNC/R Chairperson Volda Lawrence, and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo were slapped with several charges in relation to electoral fraud following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Joseph was the one who signed off on the District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent figures the second time. The first time, it was signed by PNC Executive Volda Lawrence.

Meanwhile, Joseph has only recently filed an application asking the court for declarations that GECOM violated several provisions of the Local Authorities

(Elections) Act in the preparation of the List of Electors for the Local Government Elections.

The APNU/AFC feel that it was on this basis that Smith-Joseph was pulled in for questioning.

“The summoning of Ms. Smith-Joseph by the Police is a violation of her basic human rights as a law-abiding citizen. It is an abuse of Police powers,” the APNU/ AFC added.

These are not the only instances in which SmithJoseph has taken the spotlight. Back in August 2020, it was revealed that despite lacking any qualifications in the oil and gas industry, she was appointed under the APNU/AFC regime as a Petroleum Unit Advisor –one of the portfolios used to collect large sums of money from State agencies.

Back then, it was reported that politically-affiliated persons had held different positions under the Granger-led administration, and were collecting salaries despite being unqualified for the respective positions.

Following the revelation, the Auditor General and the Guyana Police Force were called in to investigate these irregularities.

APNU/AFC Chief scrutineer

Carol Smith-Joseph

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, Dec 10 – 04:30h – 06:00h and Sunday, Dec 11 – 07:00h – 08:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Dec 10 – 06:20h – 07:50h and Sunday, Dec 11 – 06:50h – 08:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light rain showers and light cloud during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: West North-Westerly to East NorthEasterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 05:34h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 11:09h and 23:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.65 metre.

Pres Ali officially launches auction of 14 oil blocks offshore Guyana

As the Guyana Government moves to have its petroleum resources developed expeditiously, President Dr Irfaan Ali has officially launched the much-anticipated first auction of the remaining oil blocks offshore.

The Head of State made this announcement of the competitive bidding process during a live broadcast on Friday morning.

There will be 14 oil blocks up for tender including 11 in the shallow area and three in the deepsea area. These blocks will range from 1000 square kilometres (sq km) to 2000 sq km but with most of the blocks being approximately 2000 sq km.

“I am pleased today that we are able to, in this very public manner, launch our bidding round for the 14 new blocks in shallow and deep water.”

“And we're hoping that the course of the submission of the bids will be on the 14th of April, 2023 and our timeline is to have contracts awarded by end of May 2023. This of course will follow negotiations and evaluation of the bids that we received during this bidding round…,” the President disclosed.

Each bidder would be charged a participation fee of US$20,000 to join the auction and according to President Ali, this cost was settled so as to not dissuade interest in the bidding process. The payment of this fee will allow bidders access to a virtual data room which will have all the details on the blocks so that interested parties can participate in a competitive

bidding process.

According to Ali, this auction is being done in keeping with lessons learned over the years in Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas industry and is aimed at enhancing transparency, and openness, and getting the best possible deal for Guyana. He noted that in order to ensure that latter, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has moved to implement a sleuth of new terms and conditions for these potential new oil contracts.

These include more stringent relinquishment terms to allow for expeditious development of the country’s petroleum resources.

“We have a situation where there is a timeframe on oil and gas development. We understand the direction in which the world is going so it's very important for us to have developers who are serious [and] who will, in an expeditious way, move towards the development of the oil and gas resources. So, strong contractual commitments are in place in this bidding round with strong, realist relinquishment obligations,” he

stated.

Also, part of the relinquishment clause is the minimum work commitments specified for the initial and renewal periods of the prospecting licence. This consists of a combination of seismic and drilling of exploration wells with the fulfilment of prior commitment as a precondition for renewal.

“…there's specific commitments that must be met in a phased manner –specific commitments that must be met with specific time bomb deliverables – so that we don't have blocks held up for a very long time with minimum investment,” he contended.

Another major feature of this auction is improving the financial terms to provide a greater balance of the shared revenue between the Government and contractor, all the while maintaining Guyana's competitive edge in the Region and globally. This, the Guyanese leader explained, is important since Government recognises that the capital cost for oil and gas exploration and de-

velopment is not only going up but access to such financing has become more cumbersome due to the global shift from fossil fuel.

Under new conditions, Guyana stands to benefit from as high as a US$20 million signature bonus for the deep-water blocks and US$10 million for the shallow-water blocks. Additionally, all future Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) will also include the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing after cost recovery; the increase of the royalty from a mere two per cent to now a 10 per cent fixed rate; the imposition of a 10 per cent corporate tax, and the lowering of the cost recovery ceiling to 65 per cent from 75 per cent.

Government is currently in the process of finalising this new PSA, and according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday, by mid-February 2023 these documents are expected to be completed in time for the close of the four-month bidding process.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Accidentfree holiday

The holidays are associated with fun and merriment, but for members of the Guyana Police Force, it means working harder to ensure that the citizens are safer. This they are doing through their annual Christmas security plans. When Christmas plans were discussed recently, questions were raised on whether the Police Traffic Department had any plan to make the roads safer over the holidays.

This year has seen many major accidents. During the holidays, we are going to see an increase in the number of traffic offences, all because of increased congestion on the roads. In addition, high stress levels typically associated with the holidays would add to the recklessness on the roads. And for this reason, we are disappointed – as we were last year – at the Traffic Department’s approach to the holiday traffic. For inasmuch as an increase in traffic offences is worrying, it is even more worrying that the probability of accidents and deaths would increase as a result of drunk-driving particularly.

In the lead-up to the Christmas holidays some time ago, we mentioned that the Police would have to be more vigilant for drivers operating under the influence of alcohol. This year, it is necessary to ask if the traffic Police are more prepared this time around to handle the increase in traffic offences – especially drunk-driving. Drunk-driving is one of the most troubling traffic offences. Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous, and drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at greatly increased risk of being involved in car accidents and sustaining highway injuries and/or vehicular deaths.

Every single injury and death caused by drunk-driving is fully preventable. Although the proportion of alcohol-related crashes locally may not be as significant as they are in other countries, those that occur are still worrying. Unfortunately, in spite of these concerns, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects many victims and their families.

The approach to combat drunk-driving has been severely lacking; and were the Police more prepared for this battle, then, as the holidays approach, public messages via the media would have been issued to citizens to constantly remind drivers about the impacts of drunk-driving and what the law’s position on it is. Cautioning drivers every time about getting behind the wheel after surpassing the drink limit is necessary, as every year there are scores of young and new drivers who are not familiar with these issues, or the reality of the roads.

Drivers need constant reminders about the dangers of drunk-driving, and the Police must have plans that proactively seek out drunk drivers before they drive off.

Now with the passage of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022, aimed at toughening existing laws to prevent drunk driving and the carnage on the road it is hoped that this will be properly enforced. We agree that this is not a Police issue only but full responsibility must be taken by the driver, however full enforcement will send a pellucid message to drivers.

We agree with Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, when he had said during his presentation on the Bill, that the nation need to change its mindset. To quote the AG: “This can’t be the Government’s job alone, and legislative changes alone can never be able to curb this horrendous, tragic loss of human life in our country. Every member of society, every responsible organisation in this country must join hands with our government, as we begin to chart a new course of making our roads safe.”

As the Christmas and New Year holidays draw nearer, the Traffic Department is urged to implement more measures to prevent – as much as possible – drivers from drinking and getting behind the wheel. This year has seen far too many deaths, and Christmas makes it even easier for people to die, since alcohol consumption increases and is perhaps higher than it would have been over the rest of the year. The aim should be for an accident-free holiday; and in achieving this, the Police may consider issuing public messages mandating the installation of interlock devices that prevent intoxicated persons from starting a vehicle, vehicle impoundment or immobilisation, and the implementation of an alcohol server training programme. These measures can make a difference between life and death.

Indigenous organisation congratulates Guyana on 1st carbon credits’ sale

Dear Editor,

As President of the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF), I wish to extend heartiest congratulations to the Government of Guyana for achieving this historic milestone of signing the first sale agreement of carbon credits between Guyana and Hess Corp.

I shall not attempt to repeat the sterling presentations made by our President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and by Mr. Hess.

In retrospect, COP 15, which was held at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009, proved to be a motivational, empowering and energizing tool for the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana. The Government of Guyana on that occasion had a battery of Indigenous NGOs waving to the world the flag of the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the fight against Climate Change. On return to Guyana, the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF), Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), and The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) worked assiduously with the Government in its collaboration and interaction with the Indigenous population on climate change awareness.

At the signing of the carbon credits sale agreement, the Vice President sadly reported that COP 15 did not foster many positive results, as some developed countries failed to accept climate change as real, and some failed to hon-

our their commitments to mitigate climate change. However, that did not deter Guyana’s position, as we are recognised for our global leadership on climate and forests. Those who echoed the opinion of misguidance and non-realistic evidence to refute the fact that climate change is happening are silenced today through the historic signing of the ‘agreement of sale of carbon credits’ between Guyana and Hess Corp. To curtail the prolonged chronology of a masterful vision of garnering benefits from the preservation of forests, I now shelve this grand accomplishment in the archives of climate change.

The National Amerindian Development Foundation applauds the Government of Guyana for its committed and strong leadership, strategic planning, and astute ability to propel the fight against climate change. The success story of sales of carbon credits did not evolve without its challenges. As mentioned, COP 15 motivated, empowered, and energised the Amerindians, as at that forum the road to mitigating climate change was never visualised to be a walk through the park. Forest preservation and dwelling within the forest is a way of life for the Amerindians, and so they supported and stood steadfast with the Government while negotiations on the carbon storage capacity of Guyana’s 18 million hectares and the service it can offer to the world were being negotiated.

Today, the sale of carbon credits to Hess Corp has created one of the most robust intervention platforms for the

Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

These platforms include economic development, governance, land security, health, education, social, food security, and infrastructure development. This great achievement follows closely on the heels of one of the most successful National Toshaos Council Conferences, wherein a clear commitment to making life better for the Indigenous Peoples was demonstrated.

Finally, this manifestation came from the Government’s hard work, strong leadership, clear vision, commitment, and astute planning, which clearly validate the Government’s commitment to Guyana and its Indigenous Peoples.

NADF now joins the Government in charging the Indigenous Peoples to be visionary, projective, and crafty in planning; develop a community “think-tank”, and be supportive of Government’s efforts to spread benefits that would enhance the development of communities throughout Guyana.

Lastly, there should be established a financial mechanism to manage, monitor and control the expected wave of activities and expenditures that would flow towards Amerindian development.

Respectfully, Ashton Simon President - NADF

A star is born

Dear Editor, I recently had the pleasure of watching the One Guyana Christmas Concert on Facebook. All the items presented were enjoyable and uplifting, but can anyone deny that Eon Singh’s rendition of “Mercy walked in” stole the show?

I watched, and was deeply moved as this severely challenged individual from Essequibo sang soulfully from the heart. Eon stood tall, and as I listened to him, I felt myself getting smaller…and smaller…and smaller. What are my problems and complaints really? I - we all - should have an attitude of gratitude. We should count our blessings.

As Eon was nearing the end of his performance, I said

to my wife, “I think Irfaan will stand up.” Sure enough, President Ali stood up and gave Eon a well-deserved standing ovation. Everyone did. In so doing, President Ali was in effect publicly saluting Eon Singh, whom he brought to the event, and to whom he gave the spotlight.

What a performance by Eon! What a President!

Allow me to wish all my Guyanese brothers and sisters all the very best for the Christmas season. Enjoy your Christmas shopping too.

My book, “Judge Mohamed Shahabuddeen; a pictorial biography”, is now available at Austin’s Book Services on Church St.

Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, engaging Guyana Defence Force ranks in a game of dominoes during their annual Christmas Luncheon at Base Camp Kanuku in Lethem, Region Nine

Poll: Norton struggles for support

Dear Editor,

As Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton approaches the first anniversary (December 18) of his being chosen as Leader of the PNCR, his party has been haemorrhaging in support under his leadership, and struggling to gain traction from traditional supporters of the Opposition APNU coalition as well as its AFC partner.

The latest tracking surveys conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram for NACTA show that the public is losing confidence in current PNC leadership, and by extension interest in the party, which is facing widespread apathy.

The recent polls reveal that the PNCR or APNUand-AFC coalition is not likely to do well in the coming Local Government Elections, scheduled for March 2023. The AFC has indicated that it is not contesting the LGE.

Opinion polls conducted last December revealed that Norton would win the PNCR leadership contest. Although he faced resistance after his election as Leader of the PNCR, it was foreseen that it was just a matter of time before Norton would become the Opposition Leader. Norton became Opposition Leader last April, and has since been struggling to win over the masses that support the Opposition PNCR and APNU. He has virtually no support among AFC supporters, and polls also find that he has zero support among those who traditionally vote PPP. And he has no support among those who voted for the minor parties in the March 2020 elections, indicating that he has no traction of middle-ofthe-road voters to take the Opposition to victory in an election.

These are some of the findings of surveys conducted this month, November,

October, August, July and April. Norton’s likeability or favourability ratings and job performance numbers have not improved in any poll conducted since he became Opposition Leader last April. His numbers remain stuck in the 20s and 30s percentile.

In the latest surveys, the public at large, and PNCR supporters in particular, do not feel Norton can take their party, APNU, and AFC coalition into Government.

The biggest complaint against Norton has to do with personality traits. Voters say he does not display an affable personality, and rarely ever smiles. They describe him as too confrontational, and more suited for street politics rather than for a leadership position to win over cross-party appeal to make his party electable. They say he comes across as too aggressive and brash, and is not personable and approachable like his predecessors or other likable PNCR politicians. They note he is stuck in his street politician days, not transitioning to the politics of diplomacy and conciliation.

In contrast, the public praises President Ali’s leadership, noting that he is approachable, congenial, and engaging. And they say the PPPC Government under Ali’s leadership has been taking Guyana to new heights in social, economic, and political development never before experienced in the country.

The December tracking poll shows the APNU (PNCR) losing seats to PPP in traditional strongholds. African working-class people are leaving the PNC. The newly formed independent party of broadcaster Bobby Vieira -- Citizens for Progress -- is already a beneficiary, gaining traction and pulling support from the PNCR and middle-ofthe-road, unaligned floating voters. With time, Vieira’s

movement could win significant popular support, and seats that would hold the balance in control of the capital’s Mayoralty.

While Norton has maintained support among ‘the lumpen’ and lower-class Africans, he seems unable to win over professional and middle-class Africans and Mixed-race Guyanese. The polls reveal he has no crossover support from among other ethnic groups than those that traditionally support PNCR. This is in sharp contrast with previous party leaders like Desmond Hoyte, David Granger and Robert Corbin.

The public says Norton lacks the panache and finesse of his predecessors, and of Vincent Alexander and Carl Greenidge. Among the names of MPs mentioned who have the potential to transform the PNC into an electorally appealing force to give it a good chance at the next general election are Volda Lawrence, Amanza Walton-Desir and Roysdale Forde, to mention just a few. However, they note that Volda and Amanza retain baggage, having made unforgettable statements that hurt the sentiments of Indian voters. And both lack crossover appeal. Roysdale garners cross-racial appeal among non-traditional PNC supporters and floating voters.

Other findings of the poll will be released in subsequent reports.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The plight of the passengers continues to be perilous

Dear Editor, Mass chaos, confusion and consternation confronted passengers on Friday, December 9, 2022, as they attempted to channel their way from the Vreed-enHoop Stelling to Stabroek, and also from the Stabroek Stelling to Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling.

This inconvenience occurred as a result of the owners and operators of the water taxis going on strike unannounced, for a few dollars more. As passengers piled up waving, running and shouting frantically to drivers of minibuses, cabs and private cars, traffic built up on the western end of the bridge running for over two miles, despite the double-lane crossing being in effect.

Workers, school children, vendors, and those conducting business one way or the other were left out in the cold and rain, and at the mercy of sympathizers.

How can those ruthless water taxi operators be so callous, carefree and conniving as to call a strike on a crucial day like Friday, especially when it was raining? And above all, they did not inform passengers by way of a notice upfront. It just goes to show how merciless these guys are, and all they think about is their welfare, making money, and remaining unconcerned about the poor passengers who were left stranded for hours and had to battle their way on this part of their journey.

Thousands had to suffer

the agony of running late, getting soaked in the rain, having to be squished as they fought for a place and space in some vehicle; and many were dumped at the eastern end of the bridge, and had to again face the music to get to their final destination.

Those bus drivers who decided to go all the way to Georgetown, many of them increased the fare.

A closer look at many of these water taxis would reveal the untidy, unkept and unhygienic conditions under which they operate. Their lifebuoys are dirty and damaged, and some are not in working condition. Their conductors are often not courteous, and bully their way with passengers; and boats would be pulling off without everyone having been seated. Often, these boats would have to return to the shore and ask passengers to leave, because the head count was incorrect and the boat would be overcrowded.

Operators are accustomed to hitting other boats alongside as they moor their boats, which causes passengers to fall or be thrown off balance and have to scramble or clutch on one another in order to prevent further accident. Operators also do not secure their boats firmly. When passengers are embarking or disembarking, the boats would sway and move away from the stairs, endangering passengers as they try to either get on or off. Some of these operators love to blast their music so

loudly that a decent conversation with anyone or on the phone becomes impossible.

Why are they allowed to charge double fares at times? Agreed, not all operators are guilty of the aforementioned misdemeanours. Some are indeed polite, and do greet passengers respectfully, extending a helping hand and managing well-kept boats.

How often are these boats checked by the authorities for safety approval? We have seen so many accidents occurring, many of them leading to deaths, are these boats equipped with any sort of radio signal in event of any unforeseen circumstance? What would happen if both engines ‘konk’ out? Is there any watch tower with telescope or binoculars monitoring the movements of these boats? The PPP/C Government has reduced the price of gas, yet no road taxi or water taxi has reduced their fares. Now passengers are asked to pay more instead.

Why it is that the consumers are always the ones who have to face the heat and be at the receiving end of the shaft to pay the hefty penalty? It is past time the relevant authorities pay closer attention to the operation of these water taxis, and stop taking for granted that all is well.

Meanwhile, the plight of the passengers continues to be perilous.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Add

Kitschy Candlesticks

Decorate the holiday table with a few of these easy-to-create festive candlesticks.

To make: Hot-glue ornaments in assorted sizes to silver or glass candlesticks.

Ornament Trees

So shiny and bright

To make: Cover Styrofoam cones (we used 12- and 15-inch cones) with ornaments, attaching them with hot-glue. Start with larger ornaments at the bottom, transitioning to smaller ones as you work your way up. Fill in any gaps with mini ornament balls. If desired, wrap the finished trees with vintage tinsel and beaded garland. (countryliving.com)

By The BroThers Grimm

CONTINUED FROM FRIDAY

Shiny Bright Curtain Tiebacks

instant and easy flair to curtains by simply threading ribbons through the loops of a few ornaments and tying them around your curtain tiebacks.

and festive, you will proudly display these sparkling beauties year after year.

Sugar workers to also benefit from 8% salary increase – VP Jagdeo

Workers attached to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will also benefit from the eight per cent salary increase that was announced last month for public servants, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Friday.

According to Jagdeo, this decision was taken at the Cabinet level on Thursday.

“The sugar workers will also get an eight per cent increase in their [wages and] salaries,” the Vice President stated. Guyana Times understands that this increase will also be retroactive to January 1, 2022.

This represents the Government’s continuous interventions for the sugar industry to revitalise it to a state of viability. Only this week, the Government secured an additional $1 billion in supplementary funding to advance works at GuySuCo.

Last month, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced a retroactive across-the-board salary increase of eight per cent for all public servants. This pay raise is expected to be paid to eligible employees together with their December salary.

Additionally, the Head of State had indicated that further announcements will be forthcoming regarding specific categories of public sector employees. In fact, he has already rolled out salary adjustments for members of the Joint Services that will see

ranks getting pay raises ranging from 5.8 per cent to 21.7 per cent for different levels of ranks from the various law enforcement agencies.

These increases, which will take effect from January 2023 and are added to their eight per cent pay hike, will see some 8000 services members benefitting from over $1 billion.

However, there have been criticisms by some sections that this eight per cent increase is insufficient given the high cost of living Guyanese are currently faced with.

But VP Jagdeo on Friday reminded of the sleuth of initiatives and policy measures already undertaken by the PPP/C Administration to offset the burden of the rising cost of living, which is now a global phenomenon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

and rising oil prices due to the Ukraine-Russia war.

These include several direct transfers to citizens via cash grants such as several one-off payments to pensioners and $250,000 severance payment to thousands of sugar workers sacked by the previous Government; the growth in employment opportunities especially the part-time job initiative that put over $6 billion in the pockets of 11,000 beneficiaries; the fulfilment of promises relating to children via the “Because We Care” cash grant and bonuses to categories of public servants.

“[We took steps] to do two things: one, to increase income so that more people can have more money in their pockets… And then on the cost-of-living side, we have kept electricity and water rates constant. If you look at

Pres Ali officially launches...

Meanwhile, in order to make this auction more competitive, the Government has opened the process to both local and foreign companies/individuals, who will have to meet the minimum technical and financial qualifications that will be outlined.

President Ali pointed out that these minimum qualification criteria are consistent with international best practices on expertise and capital requirements that are necessary to conduct exploration and production activities in shallow and deep-water areas.

“There are different types of expertise to this required for shallow water and deep water; there's a

different type of capabilities that is required for shallow water and deep water. So, the criteria used in this bidding process take that into consideration to ensure that there is great transparency and that those who are participating in the bid meet the minimum requirements but at the same time, there is enough room for greater participation in the bidding,” the Head of State explained.

He further outlined that the qualification bar is set higher for deeper areas, which are more complex and require stronger capabilities for operational activities.

As the world's fastest-growing super basin in

FROM PAGE 3

recent years, Guyana is estimated to have potential resources in excess of 25 billion barrels offshore. In the oil-rich Stabroek Block alone, which is operated by ExxonMobil and its co-venturers, there are nearly 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

To this end, President Ali “…encourage all those who believe that they could have attractive, and they can attract investors to do so, to participate in this process. We are hoping that there will be maximum participation and that Guyana would be part of a partnership that things greater benefit and create greater wins for our country and our people.”

the last budget, we went for supplementary [funding] for those because the State has to subsidise water and electricity…”

“We didn’t allow electricity prices to go up, we didn’t allow water rates to go up – we absorbed it. We changed the rate of assessment for taxes not to reflect the higher freight increases, we’re now giving free steel and cement who are building low-income houses. All of these are measures that we took to try to cushion the cost-of-living increase,” Jagdeo asserted.

Earlier this week, the National Assembly approved over $47 billion in supplemental funds for a range of expenses including some $6.6 billion for the provision of additional resources for the payment of electricity arrears to the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), which is being absorbed by the State.

Back in March, President Ali had announced that the Government would be absorbing the impact of rising fuel prices on the cost of services provided by electricity companies to ensure that it does not translate into high electricity bills for the Guyanese people.

Meanwhile, last week,

Jagdeo told reporters that contrary to what most people believe, Guyana currently receives modest sums from the oil and gas industry.

“[But those modest funds] will grow to fairly large sums in the future years. We still run a huge fiscal deficit given the development needs and the other needs of the country for intervention… If you look on the whole how much has been given back to the Government to the people of this country on the tax measures that we reversed under APNU, if you analyse those measures, that’s $40

billion less in taxes that people have to pay. Public servants pay that too,” he pointed out.

The Vice President further stated that, “We have given out in cash grants to people about $12 billion in two rounds. The first round and then the second round in the hinterland and riverine areas… You have to look at all of these measures in a combined way to see benefits flowing back to the people of this country. It’s not just public service salary. It’s not just that, and we still run a fiscal deficit.”

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

No racism or discrimination in the award of contracts – Teixeira

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira has dispelled claims of discrimination in the awarding of contracts to companies owned by Afro-Guyanese for Government projects.

Minister Teixeira on Wednesday evening appeared on a programme “The Guyana Dialogue”, where she addressed the assertion made by an Opposition political party that the PPP/C Administration has awarded contracts mainly to IndoGuyanese-owned businesses since it assumed office.

The senior Government functionary reminded that Guyana has strong constitutional provisions in place that deal specifically with anti-corruption and procurement.

For example, contracts have to go through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) before they are awarded to contractors. Contracts $16 million and over are forwarded to the Cabinet for a no-objection. The Cabinet can only grant no objections, not award contracts.

In 2020, 331 contracts were granted no-objection by the Cabinet, 1608 in 2021 and 1790 in 2022. In total, around 4000 contracts were granted with no objection by the Cabinet.

The Minister explained also, that contracts are tendered at various levels of Local Government including the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCS), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, municipalities, and Ministries.

She said when the Opposition members talk about discrimination in contracts, they must be challenged to bring the facts and statistics.

“First of all, there are small contracts that Ministries are allowed to have, that they are basically service contracts and these go to a ministerial tender board and they also have to go to the National Tender Board,” she said.

Minister Teixeira highlighted that a claim of marginalisation cannot be made in a country where no one ethnic group is over 50 per cent.

“What is wrong with a contractor, regardless of his/her ethnicity getting a job based on providing the requirements and specifications and financing to be able to do the job. And what if they don’t do the job? Well, they will be terminated and we go to tender again and we bring up another contractor as required by the law.

“But one cannot, it is unacceptable in a multi-ethnic

society for a political party to be so highly irresponsible, to be dredging this up all the time about ethnicity. Every Guyanese regardless of their ethnicity have a right to live a

better life, a right to housing, a right to water,” the Minister said.

She reminded that it was the APNU/AFC Cabinet that got into hot water for approving a contract for the new Demerara River Bridge without approval from NPTAB.

Also, big contractors who were aligned with the Opposition were hogging up not only billion-dollar projects but small contracts as well.

Now, there is currently over 1000 small new contractors in Guyana who are doing projects for the Government.

“All the parapets being done; the small work being done in communities. It’s not been given to contractors outside but using and developing skills of those in the communities,” Minister Teixeira added. [DPI]

Berbice teacher gets bail on alleged rape charge

A21-year-old teacher attached to the JC Chandisingh Secondary School, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was on Friday charged with the alleged rape of a female student.

Kevin Nascimento appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Albion Magistrate’s Court where he was charged in relation to the crime. The victim is under 16 years old.

Apart from the victim being below the age of consent, the court heard that the accused is considered someone whom the child trusted.

Reducing...

…corruption

Notice that your Eyewitness wants to talk about “reducing corruption”. So, when he heard the ABCEU Ambassadors say, “We look forward to more initiatives by the Guyanese Government to address and eventually ROOT OUT corruption”, he thought they were asking for the impossible. As even a saint (Augustine) once said about his (human) susceptibility to corruption, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”!! The Christian Church even made it part of their most popular prayer: “lead us not into temptation”!!

Corruption ain’t gonna be rooted out – but we can certainly try to reduce the temptations for our Government workers to engage in corrupt activities. And here is where your Eyewitness wanna make it clear that he’s not talking about “corruption” writ large – involving the whole society. He’ll leave that to all those dedicated to saving our souls – not necessarily harvesting them!! He’s interested in just corruption by those who’ve been elected by us to look after our country’s affairs, and those hired to do the actual work in the Ministries and agencies. In other words, the Government Ministers and their workers.

And he suspects that this is what the Ambassadors really meant, since they continued, “Guyana’s sturdy anti-corruption policies, together with swift responses to evidence-based cases of corrupt practices, will clearly demonstrate to Guyana’s citizens and the rest of the world that the Government is committed to transparency, accountability, and responsiveness for the future benefit of all Guyanese”. So, let’s unpack what they’re suggesting.

First there’s the need for “sturdy anti-corruption policies”. So, right off the bat, they’re saying our anti-corruption policies ain’t “sturdy” enough. Now, your Eyewitness wishes they’d been a tad more specific, since they had to’ve detected some gaps in the present anti-corruption regime before making the claim. Is it the “procurement laws” or institutions? The powers of Ministers, or Government workers? The Traffic Police shaking down drivers? Reporters should ask some questions, since maybe the Government itself doesn’t know??

According to the Police, Nascimento was a frequent visitor to the student’s home, as his father, also a teacher, would have taught some of the victim’s older siblings.

It is alleged that during one of those visits in October 2022, the teacher committed the act. Nascimento is being represented by Senior Council Mursaline Bacchus. He was granted $100,000 bail and the case was adjourned to January 13 when the prosecution is expected to make a disclosure of all statements it will be using during the trial.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that the Police have presented other evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the form of a video, showing the teacher in an allegedly compromising position with the schoolgirl’s younger brother.

After the incident was reported in October, several students of the school reportedly made complaints of sexual misconduct against the teacher.

The Police are currently investigating those reports. In fact, some of them have already gone to the DPP for advice. The teacher will make his next court appearance in the new year.

Then there’s the “swift responses to evidence-based cases of corrupt practices”. Is it the “swiftness” AND the “responses” that need rejigging?? The first might have to do with the backlog in the courts; the efficiency of SOCU and the Police Force, plus the DPP. Government corruption, after all, is a law-and-order issue, and its guardians are SUPPOSED to be independent of the Executive.

On responses…are they saying we should adopt the Saudi’s lopping off of various extremities…or the Chinese death by hanging, for corruption?

One intriguing part of the request was that if the measures were implemented, they’d redound to “the future benefit of all Guyanese”. Are they once again giving a “gentle reminder” that corruption is shutting out some Guyanese from our bounty??

…fear in elections institutions

There’s been a lot of criticism of our GECOM Chair after her testimony to the CoI into the attempted heist of our March 2020 elections by the PNC. But these critics ignore that, in Guyana, political power – secured at the polls – ain’t no garden tea party!! One previous CoI showed that those at the very top of the political ladder actually arranged for one of his challengers to be executed!! Even though the Chair pointed out that she was just a year with GECOM, as a Judge for decades, she had had inside information about how the PNC views losing elections!!

And it’s this knowledge about what might be coming down on her after the PNC realised they’d lost the elections that got her to behave erratically!! The proof is demonstrated by her testifying that she reached out to Amna Ally, the General Secretary of the PNC – the only friend she had in the Government!!

Why else would she call Ally, unless she felt that she could intervene on her behalf??

…oil ambiguity

Pres Ali just announced that the Government have launched bids for our remaining offshore oil blocks. As they’ve been saying for years, they’ll now show the PNC how to secure the best deal for Guyana on our oil!!

Charged: Kevin Nascimento

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

US$2.6M contract awarded for works at Good Hope Secondary

The Education Ministry on Friday signed a contract to the tune of US$2,607,879 for the completion of outstanding works on Good Hope Secondary School.

The construction of the school, which falls under the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project and is being funded by the World Bank, was awarded to Dean + Partners – the supervisory consultants for the project.

The school, which is estimated to house a total of 1000 students, will see works being done in areas such as the installation of electrical panels and cables, the installation and connection of all plumbing fittings and fixtures, repainting of the facility, finishes to windows, doors, roofs, remedial works to the floors, and much more.

The works are expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.

Subject Minister, Priya Manickchand related that upon completion all primary tops across the East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be closed. Immediately after opening, a total of 479 students will be placed at the school to continue their studies.

The Minister explained that Good Hope Secondary School is important because

it will help to achieve universal secondary education in Guyana.

The state-of-the-art building will consist of fully equipped Home Economics and TVET buildings, a full complement of science laboratories, an allied arts department that caters to Music, Visual Arts, and a Dance Studio along with 25 classrooms, 3 Information Technology laboratories, an

audio-visual room, and a large library.

The entire facility was designed to accommodate persons with special needs through the use of ramps and two elevators. Male and female washrooms are provided for all students and teachers. These will be connected to a pressurised water system to ensure adequate supply at all times.

The entire school site

will be fenced with three accesses and on-site parking.

There will be two entrances for staff and students with the third to facilitate deliveries to the TVET building. The site will be fully landscaped and may be used for outdoor sports.

The school was designed in 2017 by VIKAB Engineering and works commenced on site in October 2018. A contract totalling

US$4,082,506 was awarded to BK International on October 1, 2018, for the construction of the building which was expected to be completed by January 14, 2020.

However, the firm was unable to deliver despite benefiting from four extensions being given on March 10, 2020, May 18, 2020, June 15, 2020, and August 17, 2020. And the contract was terminated on May 25, 2021, on the grounds of fundamental breaches in the contract such as not maintaining a security bond and delays.

Since the termination of the contract, several options were explored by the Ministry to have the school completed in the shortest time possible, including engagements with R Bassoo and Sons, repackaging works into smaller lots and retendering, and also entering into a management/ EPC Turnkey contract with a suitable consultant.

After much consideration, the Ministry found most it suitable to enter into a management/EPC Turnkey contract, after being approved on September 19, 2022, by the Government of Guyana. The deal was offered as a direct contract to Dean + Partners.

Additionally, works at the Yarrowkabra Secondary

School, on the SoesdykeLinden Highway is also expected to be completed next year which will bring a close to some of the primary tops along the Highway and will reduce the overcrowding at the Soesdyke primary and secondary schools.

According to Minister Manickchand, these new schools along with the new building for St Rose’s High School, the extensions at East Ruimveldt Secondary, St Winefride’s Secondary, St Joseph’s High, Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High and the new building for the St George’s High School, will ensure the children in Georgetown and Region Four are accommodated comfortably.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand and other officials during the signing ceremony

President Ali lauds GAICO for commitment to corporate social responsibility

...urges Private Sector to build consortiums to go after big opportunities

company.

“Our private sector has shown that it has the capacity, the capability, the strength, the dynamism to move things forward. They have shown consistently that they can move forward.”

For his part, GAICO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Komal Singh, recalled that he started as a sole trader, trading under “Komal Singh Construction”. He shared that his business has grown diversely over the years while crediting all of

President Dr Irfaan Ali has lauded GAICO Construction Incorporated for its resilience in overcoming setbacks and converting from a sole trader company into a massive corporation as well as for its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Speaking at the company’s 30th anniversary and awards ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, President Ali recalled celebrating with the firm many years ago but in its founders’ “backyard”. Thursday’s event at the fivestar hotel, he noted, tells of the growth GAICO has achieved.

According to him, the company was built on a high level of social consciousness and despite its tremendous growth over the years, it has remained committed to this.

“GAICO has shown us by their work that they have embraced the challenges, but they are also conscious of opportunities and are adjusting their strategies to make use of those opportunities,” President Ali stated as he urged businesses to stop complaining and push forward.

Alluding to the vast investment opportunities in Guyana, the Head of State pointed out that his Government has challenged foreign diplomats to respond to Guyana’s developmental needs.

“Bring the projects in, bring the financing in, and we are ready. We don’t have any reluctant relationship; our relationship is based on trust, partnership, and advancing the cause of Guyana… getting the best value for the country and the people. And once the best value comes for the country and the people, it also brings greater value to bilateral relationships…”

Moreover, the Guyanese leader expressed his desire to see the local private sector building consortiums and going after big opportunities.

“We need to see people

sitting around the table and building relationships, extending yourself to foreign investors who have the capacity and technology. That is how you have direct transfer, building the partnership. But understand that isolation is not the solution. We cannot isolate as a country; we cannot isolate as an economy and you can’t isolate as a business. That is a business model that will fail. Competition is best challenged with cooperation,” explained President Ali.

He also encouraged the private sector to pay taxes “efficiently and effectively to ensure that the development of the country benefits from the growth of their

its accomplishments to his very supportive employees who “we can call on them at short notice to do wonders for us”.

According to him, GAICO has seen tremendous opportunities in this country, not just from a business standpoint, but has also recognised that Guyanese have great potential.

“We just need to give them the opportunity, give them the coaching and counselling and training that deserve and they will excel,” Singh said as he addressed the large gathering.

For context, the CEO divulged that even though 50 per cent of his staff did not

complete high school for varying social reasons, they are multitalented and excellent at what they do.

In closing, Singh ap-

plauded the Irfaan Ali-led Government for supporting the private sector and the development of the country “with the people in

mind”. He noted that the Government has proven that it will hold “our hands and walk this path” to make Guyana successful.

GAICO CEO Komal Singh with President Dr Irfaan Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali

A section of the gathering at GAICO’s 30th anniversary and awards ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel

Christmas is a holiday filled with good cheer, joyful decorations, and time with family and friends. Whether you are celebrating a secular or religious Christmas, it is a day for fun, love, and happiness. To celebrate Christmas, decorate your home and do things to get yourself in the spirit. Enjoy Christmas traditions with your family and take time to give back to others.

1. Put up a Christmas tree and decorate it. You can choose between a live tree or an artificial one. Then, string lights on the tree by moving from the bottom up, wrapping the lights around each branch. Add garlands to the tree, such as ones made of tinsel, popcorn, or cranberries, by wrapping them around and around the tree. Put your favourite ornaments on the tree, such as Christmas balls, stars, or really any

small trinket. To finish the tree, place a tree topper at the tip, such as an angel or star.

* You can decorate your tree with family heirloom ornaments or try something new by decorating a tree with Star Trek or superhero-themed ornaments, little trains, or Disney characters, for example.

* Ornaments can be homemade or store-bought. You can even use things like candy canes!

2. Brighten your home with Christmas lights. Try lining the roof of your house with lights or threading them through bushes or around your trees. Hang them up around your porch or make a boundary around your yard. Inside, try hanging them on the mantle, across bookshelves, or along the length of a wall near the ceiling.

* You could also wrap them around a handrail on your stairs along with some fake evergreen garland.

* Always plug your lights into exterior GFCI outlets—do not run an extension cord from an outdoor outlet through a window.

* Be sure to use extension cords that are of sufficient size to support the load of the lights. You'll see a wide range of extension cords if you go to a home improvement store— some are very thin and meant to be used inside only, while others are rated for outdoor use.

3. Add a nativity scene to focus on a religious Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth, so nativity scenes are traditional. Nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus, including Mary, Joseph, the 3 wise men, shepherds, and all the animals that were in attendance. Baby Jesus is placed in a manager. You can place small ones on your mantle or in other areas of your home, or you can set up a life-size one outside.

4. Watch classic Christmas movies to learn the meaning of Christmas. Classic Christmas movies are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. They range from fun and silly to more serious, but most of them focus on the meaning of Christmas, either in a secular or religious sense.

* For some silly, fun movies, try Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or even White Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street.

* For some more serious movies, opt for one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol or try It's a Wonderful Life.

5. Go Christmas carolling. Christmas carolling is when you go to other people's homes and sing them Christmas songs. You can also sing carols at your home or go to a senior living centre to sing for them. All you need to do is learn some Christmas songs and gather some friends.

* For song ideas, try ones like "Frosty the Snowman," "Holly, Jolly Christmas," "Silver Bells," “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bells,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Let it Snow,” or “It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas.”

6. Give presents to friends, family, and people in need. Giving Christmas presents is a tradition this time of year. Kids usually get toys from "Santa" on Christmas Day, but it's also customary to give gifts to others you love. Presents don't have to be big or expensive. Even giving a chocolate bar, baked goods, or small handmade gifts is welcome.

* It's also a good time of year to offer gifts to those in need. For instance, you can give toys to toy drives for families who are down on their luck or send packages to troops overseas.

* For a bit of fun, try opening one gift on Christmas Eve. Books or pajamas make good Christmas Eve gifts.

* However, while gift-giving is fun, there's no reason to get into debt for it. Make sure you spend only what you can afford.

Guyana tops Region again at CAPE, CSEC

Two Guyanese have emerged as the most outstanding overall performers at this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) announced on Friday.

Atishta Seenarine of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School, who gained 18 Grade Ones, is the Caribbean’s most outstanding CAPE student.

On the other hand, Vish Kistama of Berbice High School (BHS), who secured 15 Grade Ones and three

Grade Twos is the country’s second-best student at CAPE.

However, Outam Heeralall of Anna Regina Multilateral School is the Region’s best-performing student at CSEC, having attained 25 Grade Ones.

In addition, Ramoll Baboolall who gained 25 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, and Daniel Dowding, who gained 22 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos, are Guyana’s second and third best-performing students, respectively, at CSEC.

Both Baboolall and Dowding are from the Anna Regina Multilateral School.

Seenarine was also

named the most outstanding overall student in Natural Sciences at the CAPE level.

At the CSEC level, Saskia Twahir of Queen’s College is the most outstanding student in Humanities and Business.

Meanwhile, Sheridan Dyal of Queen’s College is the most outstanding student in the Sciences while Heeralall is this year’s most outstanding student in Technical Vocational Education.

Joshua Adrian of Diamond Secondary School is the most outstanding student in Agricultural Science (DA). Guyana also received several other awards.

A total of 10,368 candidates from Guyana registered for this year’s CSEC examinations as opposed to 9808 in 2021. For CAPE, a total of 671 candidates from

12 secondary schools and four private centres sat the exams. In 2021, there were 723 candidates.

The Education Ministry has congratulated all the

ing them the necessary support to achieve this feat.

students for their exceptional performance, noting that it wished to thank their teachers and parents for giv-

Atishta Seenarine, the Caribbean’s best-performing CAPE student

Outam Heeralall is the Region’s most outstanding CSEC student

Vish Kistama

Ramoll Baboolall Daniel Dowding

Saskia Twahir

Sheridan Dyal Joshua Adrian

No decision on using electronic fingerprinting for LGE – GECOM clarifies

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has dispelled reports that it will move forward with the use of electronic fingerprinting at the places of poll for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), nor has it decided on the demarcation of boundaries.

In a statement on Friday, the Commission explained that it was of crucial importance for the sake of clarity to refute the misinformation carried in sections of the media, for the benefit of all stakeholders.

“With specific reference to the call for the introduction of a biometric identification system at every polling station, the decision given by the Chairman was that if such a system were to be introduced at the places of poll as a requirement for persons to vote, persons will be unable to vote in that in any absence or failure of such a means of identification and that this would be contrary to the Constitution, as was absolutely clear in the decision in the Esther Perreira case,” the statement read.

Referring to the Esther Perreira case, the Chairman recalled that the decision established that in accordance with Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution, once a person is 18 years and is registered that person is entitled to vote at an election.

If, on the other hand, a biometric identification system was to be used as an alternative means of identification, persons will be permitted to be identified by additional means and be allowed to exercise their right to vote even in the absence of such biometric identification, then the introduction of biometric identification at the Polling Stations might be permissible.

But this would simply be another means of identification for which the legislation does not currently provide, and as such, this will require legislative amendment.

“Notwithstanding her considerations, the Chairman was very clear that she does not support the calling for legislative provision to be made before a feasibility study is done to assess whether the intro-

duction of biometric identification at polling stations is something that can be done effectively.”

In November, for 14 areas in which boundaries were modified by the former APNU/AFC Government, the decision was made to revert them leading up to the March 2023 Local Government Elections to allow for better representation.

While the decision was made to revert boundaries to before they were changed in the year 2016, other communities which were previ-

GDF joins MARAD’s initiative to transport passengers amid speedboat strike

ously not captured will be placed under townships and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. In some areas, NDCs will also be merged or split.

In giving her decision on whether the Minister of Local Government acted in contravention of the laws, the Chairperson explained that the powers given to the Minister and the Commission are different and not in conflict.

She explained that the Minister has the power to

divide Guyana into areas as provided for, considering the factors specified by Article 72(2) of the Constitution in defining the boundaries of those areas. This includes the power to define and/or modify the boundaries of neighbourhoods and people’s co-operative units within those neighbourhoods, and the establishment of local democratic organs for those.

The Chairman further posited that, on the other hand, the Commission only has the power to combine or subdivide those divisions within neighbourhoods, and municipalities, to form constituencies.

“It follows therefore that the Commission can only exercise its powers after the Minister had demarcated and defined the boundaries of the electoral divisions within the local authority area. The Commission cannot ignore those divisional boundaries and arbitrarily set its own. The Commission’s constituencies must be based on and reference the boundaries of

the electoral division that have either been combined or subdivided to form the constituencies.”

Addressing some existing concerns regarding the recently gazetted orders of the Minister, in which he made changes to the existing Local Authority Areas, and at the same time may have identified changes to those constituencies within the Local Authority Areas, the Chairman pointed out that those changes made to the boundaries and any changes to electoral divisions within those Local Authority Areas, are within the legal authority of the Minister.

She emphasised however, that if the Minister sought to form or change the configuration of constituencies within those areas, he would have usurped the power granted to the Commission to combine and sub-divide electoral divisions to form constituencies. If such were the case, the Minister would have acted outside of his legal remit.

Contracts awarded to construct 13 bridges along Linden-Lethem route

In light of a strike called by the speedboat operators plying the Vreed-en-Hoop to Stabroek Market route, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has offered free transportation for Region Three residents.

In addition, the Guyana Defence Force has made available six buses to assist in shuttling passengers across the Demerara River (Demerara Harbour Bridge) from 14:00h to 20:00h.

Passengers wishing to be transported by the army buses are asked to assemble at the Ashmins building at the corner of High and Hadfield Streets Georgetown.

Also, 14 boats from the Parika Service were also added to the route to compliment the relief efforts of MARAD, Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Guyana

Police Force and Sheriff Security.

All support service vehicles operated free of cost on Friday.

The operators called the strike after MARAD made a decision not to increase the fares. MARAD wishes to reinforce that the fare for the Georgetown to Vreed-enHoop crossing remains one hundred dollars ($100.00).

However, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has expressed his dissatisfaction with the abrupt disruption of service which caused a massive build-up of traffic at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, leaving scores of commuters stranded.

A passenger, who spoke with Guyana Times stated that she does not see the additional $20 as unreasonable given the rise in the cost of living.

“Is not bad what the boatman wants because it’s a very long time $100, and the cost of living has gone up so I think twenty dollars is a joke to give the boatman them… as the Government care about the people in the country, they should give the twenty dollars more for the boatman them, cost of living is so high,” the passenger expressed.

Another passenger added that the decision by the speedboat operators to strike shows great disrespect for MARAD.

“It’s better for the commuters today… these people… normally exploit passengers, Sunday they take two hundred dollars… they have no respect for the system, so I think what they should do is suspend some of them,” the frustrated passenger explained.

The Public Works Ministry on Friday awarded several contracts in keeping with the Government's vision of building for the future, which included 13 bridges along the Linden to Lethem route.

Along the Linden to Lethem Road, contracts were signed for the construction of 13 bridges from Mabura Hill to Kurupukari. This year, contracts for 32 bridges were already awarded to the tune of $3.19 billion from Kurupukari to Lethem.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill shared that timber bridges are being replaced with structures that will sport a longer lifespan. This is especially for continued accessibility along the Linden-Lethem route.

“We are putting in resilient infrastructure as it relates to our bridges. We have to take out the timber bridges that we have traditionally used and put in things that are going to last us… Today, we are signing off on contracts for all the remaining bridges,” Edghill underlined.

In the Maritime Administration, work is continuing to encourage safety as well as preparation for the incoming ferry for the North West District. In this light, contracts were awarded for beacons to be installed and works at the wharves to accommodate the MV Ma Lisha

The vessel will be sailing later this month and works are to be done at Morawhanna, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Kingston wharves.

“We have to do some adjustments at the Transport and Harbour Wharf at Kingston. This will just be the first wharf…but importantly, we are starting here at the Kingston wharf and we’re getting work done.”

The Minister warned that when these projects are being carried out, stakeholders should not be affected for a long period of time. With these bridges being constructed, he shared that trucks should still be able to traverse.

“We can’t have these kinds of complaints…So, we should be sensible in our

approach in ensuring that when we interrupt people's lives, it's not for long periods...The trucks got to continue to pass so we have to be able to ensure that bypasses are in place. Traffic has to continue to flow,” the Minister asserted.

In this light, higher community engagement was called for so that they understand the developmental works taking place.

He stressed, “People understand when we communicate. When we don’t communicate and they don’t understand, we have problems…Some people only see the small picture, which is the one in front of them. They don’t see the connections. They don’t understand networking. Don’t go into communities and start work and don’t talk to the people.”

"We are not there to pick a fight. We are here to bring development. We are not there to interrupt people's lives. We are here to bring improvement and benefits. And through that engagement, they'll be able to understand that."

GECOM Chairperson, Justice (retired) Claudette Singh

MARAD officers assisting passengers off of the boat they provided

Awardees with the officials from the Public Works Ministry

Guyana secures US$97M IDB loan to strengthen health services

Guyana has secured a US$97 million loan from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) to strengthen its healthcare network – the first operation under a conditional credit line for investment projects (CCLIP).

The overall objective of the CCLIP, which will include multiple loans, is to improve access, quality, and efficiency of health services in the country.

The programme will expand the capacity of seven hospitals, spanning four hinterland hospitals in Regions One (BarimaWaini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Linden Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital, and Georgetown Public Hospital.

Funds will also be used to extend the coverage of diagnostic ex-

ams and medical consultations. It will also increase the efficiency of the public health system by supporting improvements in logistics, management, and processes.

Infrastructure upgrades include more efficient use of water and energy as well as accessibility provisions for disabled persons.

“It is expected that the project will benefit around 406,000 persons, over half of the country’s population. In addition, the telehealth activities, which will be installed in over 15 health facilities, will reach all ten of the country's regions, including the hinterlands,” the IDB in a statement related.

As part of the investment project activities, the CCLIP will also finance Guyana's plans for a digital transformation in health, including the expansion of the teleradiology and teleophthalmology networks. Finally, it will strengthen supply chain management, improve the provision of maternal and child health, and contribute to pandemic and emergency preparedness, among other activities.

This programme included a gender and diversity assessment to identify and address health disparities by gender, ethnicity, and disability status. In addition, it contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation by financing health infrastructure that is environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change.

The IDB loan has an amortisation period of 25 years, a grace period of 5.5 years, and an interest

rate based on SOFR.

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance, and training to the public- and private-sector clients throughout the Region.

Access to proper healthcare has been high on the Health Ministry’s agenda, with an injection of a whopping $73 billion into the sector during the 2022 budget. This was an enormous increase from the $53.5 billion in 2021. From this figure, $1 billion was set aside for upgrades to health centres and an additional $2 billion for medical and non-medical equipment.

Orphaned at 12, Bush Lot lad is 1st in family to graduate from UG

“Looking back to where I came from, to now, achieving a Diploma in Communication Studies at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, is certainly a major accomplishment for me, as I am now the first of 8 children for my mother to obtain a university education,” young journalist Royan Abrams expressed.

This 32-year-old’s academic journey from secondary to tertiary education was one of a rollercoaster

as he encountered several financial challenges and setbacks. At the tender age of 12, Abrams was forced to drop out of Bush Lot Secondary School and was placed in an orphanage.

He explained: “Sadly, I was placed in an orphanage and this was to ensure that I was allowed to return to school since my parents could not have afforded it. After spending just over a year at the orphanage, I was adopted by a journalist and this further changed my life for the better.”

Upon completion of his secondary education, Abrams decided he wanted to become a journalist. He said: “My foster mother at the time would take me with her to various events and work assignments that she would be covering for the news and this caused me to fall in love with the profession.”

Abrams received his first big break at the Little Rock Television Station in New Amsterdam where he worked as a reporter for almost two years before relocating to Georgetown to pursue his Diploma in Communication Studies.

Just when he thought he was on the verge of academic success at the University of Guyana, he had to withdraw from the programme due to the work constraints and demands of the media profession.

The onset of COVID-19, which saw the introduction of online learning, allowed him to forge ahead with his studies and finally, he was able to attain his diploma.

Expressing words of inspiration to fellow students who might be going through similar challenges, Abrams enthused: “I urge you to continue to

push yourself to obtain academic success. Important to note too, is that the secondary school you achieved at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) does not determine where you end up in life. It is your ability and perseverance to go the extra mile and make the necessary sacrifices despite the fact that it might take you away from your comfort zone.”

This year, UG’s graduation exercises will be blended with the large majority of the graduands attending face-to-face and the remaining participating virtually. The event will be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/uniofguyana and on UG Broadcasting Service at https://broadcasting.uog.edu.gy/.

UG IN BRIEF

The University of Guyana, now in its 59th year, was founded in October 1963. “UG” as it is fondly referred to, offers 150 programmes in over 60 disciplines in online, faceto-face, or blended formats. UG delivers in a Guyanabased system across eight campuses. It is the largest, oldest, most advanced,

and only state University in Guyana with a student population of over 10,000. “UG” has provided education, training, and research for over 50,000 alumni over its 59-year history.

UG’s national and global impact and footprint are significant. Its graduates have risen to populate the commanding heights of national, regional, and international organisations of repute in over 150 different disciplines. The mission of the University is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation, and all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom, innovation, and universal respect.

UG’s forward-thinking Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University’s future design and institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana, the region, and the world.

UG will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023 and is stepping up its focus on becoming one of the leading and most sought-after educational institutions in the world for both staff and students. [UG Feature]

Royan Abrams and some of his colleagues during an assignment

Royan Abrams

Human Rights Day 2022 message: Dignity, Freedom and Justice for all starts with accountability

The Caribbean Observatory Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) joins the international community to celebrate Human Rights Day. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948.

This declaration outlines all the fundamental human rights for all people that should be respected and protected, including sexual and reproductive health. Human Rights Day is the final day of the 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls, which runs from November 25 to December 10 each year.

To achieve “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for

All”, services and interventions are needed to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of all individuals. The State must address issues such as violence, stigma and respect for bodily autonomy, which profoundly affect individuals’ psychological, emotional and social well-being. The sexual and reproductive health and rights of neglected groups (eg adolescent girls, Indigenous peoples, LGBTI+ individuals, persons living with HIV and those with disabilities) must be prioritised and discrimination against those groups must be eliminated in law, policy and social norms/practices.

A major challenge in the Region is the limited available data to adequately monitor, track progress, evaluate the performance of policy and legislation, and to

map the road ahead in what needs to be done for key populations. There must be accountability of Caribbean states in the honouring of signed human rights agreements. The Caribbean Observatory on SRHR mandate outlines 7 thematic areas of social monitoring and tracking progress:

1. Universal access to SRHR and Gender-Based Violence support services;

Taxi driver on $150,000 bail for allegedly raping woman

Ataxi driver accused of raping a 31-yearold woman has been granted bail in the sum of $150,000. Imran Mohamed, 37, of Lot 1 John Street Danielstown, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on November 18, 2022, at Essequibo Coast, he engaged in sexual penetration with the woman without her

consent. The case was postponed for December 23 for disclosure of statements.

Last month, a 26-yearold Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) man was charged with raping an underage girl and also released on $150,000 bail. Yusuf Hinds was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that he engaged in sexual penetration with the minor between October 1 and October 27, 2022.

He appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

2 slapped with drunk-driving charge

Traffic Act Chapter 51:02 as amended by the Road Traffic Amendment Act 17 of 2022.

Police said when the charges were read to both Naidoo and Williams, they pleaded guilty and were fined $60,000- or threemonths’ imprisonment.

Only a few weeks ago, the Guyana Police Force had called for persons to put safety first when behind the wheel and to never drive impaired.

2. Implementation of anti-discrimination laws and policies against vulnerable populations (migrants, women and girls, LGBTQ+, sex workers, Indigenous peoples, PLHIV, Persons living with disabilities);

3. Sustaining public knowledge about SRHR and Gender-Based Violence;

4. Provision of age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health services for adolescents;

5. Monitoring the experience of Gender-Based Violence;

6. Enabling legal and

policy framework to advance SRHR and Gender-Based Violence;

7. Data gathering and data sharing.

Our commitment to this thrust resulted in the launch of our Virtual Knowledge Platform (VKP) on December 5, 2022. The VKP comprises an interactive website that uses a database, country profiles, dashboards, blogs, multimedia, and factsheets that will serve as avenues to convey information on human rights agreements, policies related to SRHR/ Gender-Based Violence issues, advocacy, and tracking progress in the Region.

The platform also employs the use of infographics and family planning clinic statistics and has the potential for users to generate their own graphs based on issues, indicators and countries.

The CFPA’s research publication “Winning Narratives: Engaging men and boys as partners in ending GBV” was also launched on December 8, 2022. The aim of this research is to

gain a better understanding of the thinking of men and boys around gender and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in order to develop more effective GBV prevention messages and strategies which would engage men and boys as partners in violence prevention.

A total of 520 men and boys between the ages of 15 and 60 from Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were engaged in this research project as a part of an integrated approach to involve everyone in the fight against GBV.

We call on the Caribbean Community to #StandUp4HumanRights by demanding state accountability in their duty to ensure that the rights of their people are respected, protected, and fulfilled and call for the promotion of regional solidarity in data and knowledge sharing to improve our work as we chart the course ahead for the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Police hunting man who robbed duo along Water Street

Police are now hunting a 23-year-old man whose name was given as Rovaldo Ameir Jaundoo, who committed a daring robbery on Water Street, Georgetown, on Monday, on two money changers.

ally ply their trade daily on Water Street, Georgetown.

It was reported that they were robbed of an undisclosed sum of local and foreign currency on Monday last by the bandits who were on a motorcycle.

the armed suspect discharged a round from the gun, which hit the second victim on his right-lower forearm and his right-side abdomen.

After relieving the shot victim of the cash, the suspects escaped on a motorcycle parked along Water Street.

Two males who hail from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) were charged for failing the breathalyser tests administered by the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Charged are Chaviraj Naidoo, 26, of Montrose, ECD, and 51-year-old Errol Williams of Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice.

Police said both Williams and Naidoo were stopped along the East Corridor this week and when tested, they

both failed the breathalyser tests that were issued to them. As such, they were both arrested and taken into custody.

However, on Wednesday the duo appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for the offence of driving a motor vehicle whilst their breath alcohol levels exceeded the prescribed limit. They were both charged separately and appeared before Magistrate A George.

The charges were laid under Section 39 (a) (1) of the Motor vehicle and Road

As such, they said they were targeting rum shops to help minimise drinking and driving, along with having discussions with bar owners with the aim of curbing this issue.

They also reminded that driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit attracts a charge for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI) which carries a fine.

Persons can be charged if, when tested, their blood alcohol content is found to exceed the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

In a report from the Police Headquarters, it was revealed that the man is wanted for “robbery under arms, and discharging a firearm with intent”.

He, along with an accomplice, robbed a 66-yearold man from Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, and a 41-year-old man from Sophia, Georgetown. The victims usu-

Reports are the money changers were confronted by the two suspects, one of whom was armed with a gun. During the confrontation, the armed perpetrator relieved one of the victims of his money.

While attempting to rob the other victim, who pulled out a knife from the waist of his pants to defend himself,

The shot victim was picked up and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was admitted as a patient. A .32 spent shell was also recovered from the scene.

The Police are asking anyone who might have any clue of Rovaldo Jaundoo’s whereabouts, to contact the nearest Police station, or contact the Police on 225-6140, 2258196, 225-7476, 225-2317, 227-1147.

Accused rapist Imran Mohamed

The duo that was charged for DUI

Wanted: Rovaldo Ameir Jaundoo

A screenshot of CCTV footage of the robbery

Regional

Peru's Castillo faces criminal charges as new President Boluarte takes helm

Peru's former President Pedro Castillo faced a first court hearing on Thursday over his arrest on charges of rebellion and conspiracy, as his successor issued her first pronouncements from the presidential palace.

Castillo's swift fall from power on Wednesday came after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to remove the leader following his failed attempt to rule by decree and dissolve Congress to avoid a third impeachment vote.

The Andean country has suffered intense bouts of political instability in recent years, with five Presidents in just the last five years all unable to complete their elected terms.

Castillo, a former teacher and union activist who won a narrow victory in 2021 buoyed by poor rural and Indigenous voters, was arrested Wednesday on criminal charges of "rebellion and conspiracy," according to prosecutors. He simultaneously faced separate corruption allegations.

Some Peruvians protested his arrest, shouting their lingering support for Castillo on Thursday. 'The fight has begun! Free Castillo!' said one placard held by a demonstrator in Lima. Other, small protests led to clashes as Police fired tear gas.

Castillo was ordered to be detained for seven days as the investigation into the charge that he orchestrated a rebellion proceeds.

Castillo's lawyer Victor Perez rejected the charge, arguing that such an act implies use of weapons and violence, which he said never occurred. He called his client's detention "illegal" and "arbitrary."

A constitutional court separately dismissed Castillo's claim of arbitrary detention Thursday, ruling the police acted properly in arresting him.

He has requested asylum in Mexico and Mexican and Peruvian authorities are in consultation over the request, Mexico's Foreign Minister said on Thursday. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has indicated he would be open to granting asylum to Castillo, a fellow leftist. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil’s President-elect Lula names incoming Cabinet Ministers

Brazilian Presidentelect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has unveiled the first Cabinet picks of his incoming Administration, including for key posts such as Foreign Relations Minister, Finance Minister and Chief of Staff.

Speaking from his transition team’s headquarters in the capital, Brasilia, Lula on Friday announced that close ally Fernando Haddad, the former mayor of Sao Paulo, would become his Finance Minister.

He also chose career diplomat Mauro Vieira as Foreign Minister, former congressman Jose Mucio as Defence Minister, Bahia Governor Rui Costa as Chief of Staff, and the ex-governor of Maranhao state, Flavio Dino, as Justice Minister.

“When you mount a Government, you look at Brazilian society as a whole,” Lula, who is set to take office on January 1, later wrote on Twitter.

“The [Ministers] announced today are people

qualified to perform the job. We will have other Ministries with women, Black men and women, and Indigenous people. We will have a Government with the face of Brazil.”

In October, Lula – a popular left-wing candidate representing the Workers’ Party (PT) – narrowly prevailed over far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in a run-off presidential election that saw him earn 50.8 per cent of the vote compared with 49.2 per cent for Bolsonaro.

Despite unfounded accusations of election fraud from Bolsonaro’s party, Lula’s election was confirmed by the country’s highest election authority, the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

Lula had previously served as Brazil’s President from 2003 to 2010. But he was convicted in 2017 on corruption charges and money laundering, and his bid for the presidency in 2018 was cut short when he was arrested.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Colombia, US to hold conference on migration in 2023

Colombia and the United States will hold a conference in the first quarter of next year to look at measures that would guarantee rights for migrants heading north to the US border, officials from the two countries announced on Friday.

Colombia has become a stepping stone for many migrants from Latin America and elsewhere who travel through the dangerous jungle of the Darien Gap that links Colombia with Panama, before continuing up through Central America.

The phenomenon is a problem for the whole region, US Secretary for Homeland Security

Alejandro

"This is a regional challenge and it therefore requires a regional solution," Mayorkas said during a joint declaration with Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva, following a meeting with President Gustavo Petro.

"We have to respect the humanitarian rights of individuals seeking shelter and at the same time we also have to abide by the laws of our respective countries," Mayorkas added.

The Administration of US President Joe Biden has struggled to deal with a record number of migrants trying to cross the country's southern border with

Mexico.

In November a US federal judge invalidated a border order known as Title 42, implemented in March 2020, that allowed authorities to quickly remove migrants caught crossing the border without letting them apply for asylum.

The effective date of the ruling was delayed until Dec 21 and - legal challenges not withstanding - the administration is preparing for the possibility of 9000-14,000 migrants per day if the order is fully lifted.

The objective of next year's conference is to establish rules that the attending parties can comply with, Leyva said. (Reuters)

Gasoline queues return in Venezuela as refineries fail to produce

Long lines for motorists at Venezuela's refuelling stations are back due to repeated outages at state oil company PDVSA's refineries and a lack of diesel and gasoline imports.

In 2020 and again in 2021, drivers had to line up for days to get gasoline and farmers halted work because of insufficient diesel. The shortages had eased earlier this year as imports of Iranian crude boosted refinery output.

But Venezuela's refining network again is operating at a fraction of its capacity due to problems with deep-conversion units essential for motor fuel production, according to workers, leading to a new round of shortages.

"I had more than 100 cars before me in the line when I arrived in the afternoon. Right after midnight, the station ran out of gasoline," said Ramon Blanco, a 32-year-old who filled up the next day at another station. "I hope we don't go back to

2022

that terrible time when we had to line up for days."

Venezuela's central region has been most affected by the fuel scarcity, which has not yet reached the capital city Caracas. But lines also have reappeared in Falcon state, home of PDVSA's largest oil refineries.

At many stations, hundreds of motorcycle drivers - a common way of transportation in the country - circle every morning waiting for a chance to fill up. Some mo-

torists said they worry about the dollar-denominated prices charged for the gasoline when supplies are available.

The fluid catalytic cracker at Venezuela's largest refinery, the 645,000-barrelper-day Amuay in Falcon state, has been out of service since last week. It was the plant's third outage since July on power interruptions and unplanned maintenance. The unit has been offline for a total of 23 days this year.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica leading trade discussions at 8th Caricom-Cuba Summit

Jamaica is encouraging exporters within the Caribbean Community (Caricom), to benefit from reduced tariffs on their exports to Cuba, as the list of goods allowed into that market has been expanded.

These goods include, fresh and frozen fish products, fresh and processed fruits, fruit juices and concentrates, alcoholic beverages, cement, industrial soaps, and certain apparels.

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, who led the discussions on trade on behalf of Caricom made the statement at the eighth Caricom-Cuba Summit held in Barbados on Tuesday, December 6.

Her pronouncement follows as the Region and Cuba seek to further enhance bilateral trade and improved trade performance under the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (TECA).

According to Foreign Minister, “The TECA has allowed for the strengthening of economic and commercial relations through the liberalisation of trade in goods; elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade and the establishment of financial and other arrangements to facilitate the progressive expansion of two-way trade.”

She however, urged, “for more to be done in relation to trade between Caricom and Cuba, which she says, can be facilitated through

greater private sector collaboration amongst the trading partners.”

Johnson Smith further underscored that in the past five years, there has been a noticeable decline in trade between Caricom and Cuba, especially in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noting that Cuba and some Caricom countries have already completed the required action to give legal effect to the Second Protocol of the TECA, the Minister called for timely action by the Community to complete the necessary legal procedures, which she emphasised is critical if countries are to harness the maximum potential of Caricom-Cuba bilateral trade. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

US sanctions officials close to El Salvador's Bukele for alleged corruption

The United States sanctioned several Central American officials it accused of possible corruption in their respective countries on Friday, including two politicians close to El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele.

US authorities sanctioned over 40 people under the Magnitsky Act, which authorises the Government to sanction foreign officials for human rights offences, freeze their assets and ban them from entering the United States.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said in a statement Salvadoran Labour Minister Rolando Castro engaged in "misappropriated public

funds for his personal benefit," and used his position to influence unions.

"To the people of the United States, my respect and appreciation. To your Government, go ahead, I authorise you to freeze my bank accounts in your country!" Castro said in a tweet with laughing emojis.

The US Treasury Department accused the Salvadoran presidency's legal secretary, Conan Castro, of obstructing investigations into misappropriation of public funds intended to fight the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

The United States also sanctioned two Guatemalan lawmakers and a former Minister, none of whom immediately replied to a request

for comment.

It accused Allan Rodriguez, former President of Guatemala's Congress, of facilitating and receiving bribes in exchange for favouring public contracts and backing a state of emergency bill.

The United States accused Guatemalan congressman Jorge Vargas of leading a network that controlled contracts and operations in Government-run ports for personal gain.

The United States also sanctioned Guatemala's former Minister of Energy and Mines Luis Alfonso Chang, accusing him of asking for "bribes and other favours in exchange for not revoking an oil exploitation licence."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Drivers wait in line to get gasoline amid repeated outages at refineries operated by state oil company PDVSA and a lack of imports of diesel and gasoline, in Maracay, Venezuela, December 9,

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose administration will take office on January 1, is preparing a social spending plan for 2023 [Ton Molina/AP Photo]

Mayorkas told journalists in Bogota.

Oil drops in volatile trade, records biggest weekly slump in months

Oil price settled lower in volatile trading on Friday, with both benchmarks recording their biggest weekly declines in months, as growing recession fears negated any supply woes after weak economic data from China, Europe and the United States.

US West Texas Intermediate crude settled 44 cents lower at US$71.02 a barrel, a new low for 2022. Brent crude settled 5 cents lower at US$76.10 per barrel.

"Any concerns about supply are secondary to worries about the economy," Mizuho analyst Robert Yawger said.

Oil prices had found some support and risen more than 1 per cent earlier in the session after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the world's biggest energy exporter could cut output in response to a price cap on its crude oil exports.

However, a slightly higher-than-expected rise in US producer prices in November, and news of a partial restart on the Keystone Pipeline undid those gains and pushed the benchmarks more than a dollar lower. Keystone shut earlier this week after a 14,000-barrel oil leak in Kansas.

The US producer prices index (PPI) rose slightly more than expected in November amid a jump in the costs of services, according to a report from the US Labor Department.

The increase may make it more likely that the Federal Reserve will "step on the accelerator" on interest rate hikes, furthering fears of a looming recession, Yawger said.

Both crude benchmarks posted weekly losses of around 10 per cent each. It was the biggest weekly decline since April for the US WTI futures, and since early August for Brent.

Both Yawger and Walter Zimmerman, chief technical analyst at ICAP, warned that if US crude falls below US$70 per barrel, it could enter a freefall and hit the low US$60s range over the upcoming sessions.

The market structure for WTI contracts switched to trade in contango over the next year for the first time since Nov 2020, with contracts for near-term delivery cheaper than one year later. Brent contracts have also switched to trade in contango over the next six months.

A market in contango suggests less worry about the current supply situation due to weakened demand, and encourages traders to put barrels in storage.

In China, surging COVID-19 infections will likely depress economic growth in the next few months despite some restrictions being eased, economists said.

Economists polled by Reuters forecast the US economy will hit a short and shallow recession in the coming year. Forecasters expect the US Federal Reserve to raise rates by 50 basis points (bps) on Dec 14.

The European Central Bank will also likely lift its deposit rate by 50 bps next week to 2 per cent, even as the euro zone economy is believed to already be in recession. (Reuters)

Around the World

Huge fire engulfs Russian shopping mall Mega Khimki near Moscow

A

huge fire has ripped through a major shopping complex on the edge of Moscow killing at least one person, Russia's Emergencies Ministry has said.

Video of the blaze showed explosions at the massive Mega Khimki mall.

Arson is being investigated as a possible cause of the fire, but an electrical fault is thought to be a more likely trigger.

The centre had housed major Western retail outlets, until they pulled out after February's invasion of Ukraine.

The fire spread across the roof of the OBI superstore at the complex early on Thursday morning, and at one point covered 18,000 sq m (194,000 sq ft).

By around 08:30 Moscow time (05:30 GMT) firefighters quoted by Russian media said it had been contained to an area of 7000 sq m.

Two

cial

put out.

At least one explosion at OBI, which sells home and garden improvement wares, caused the structure to start collapsing, firefighters said.

The blasts are thought to have been caused by exploding aerosols and paint tins.

Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case into the incident. Losses from the fire have been estimated at US$320 million-US$480 million (£261 million-£390 million).

The German hardware chain OBI no longer owns the store, having sold all its Russian outlets - including 27 superstores - over the summer.

A 60 per cent stake was bought by Russian-born German-Israeli businessman Josef Liokumovich for just US$10 (£8).

been

(BBC News)

UN Secretary-General calls on Nigeria to investigate report of forced abortions

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by the Nigerian army, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Nigerian Army has run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the country's northeast since at least 2013.

The programme involved terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, many of whom had been kidnapped and raped by Islamist militants, according to doz-

US to send Ukraine anti-drone air defence aid worth $275 million

The United States is preparing to send Ukraine a US$275 million military aid package offering new capabilities to defeat drones and strengthen air defences, according to a document seen by Reuters on Thursday and people familiar with the package.

Details of the anti-drone and air defence equipment included could not be determined.

The Pentagon is also expected to include rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers made by Lockheed Martin Corp, 155mm ammunition, Humvee military vehicles and generators, according to the people and the docu-

ment.

A National Security Council spokesperson declined to comment on the aid package. The contents and size of aid packages can shift until they are signed by the President.

The US$275 million will be covered by Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) which allows the United States to transfer defence articles and services from stocks quickly without congressional approval in response to an emergency.

Russia's surge in missile strikes in Ukraine is partly designed to exhaust Kyiv's supplies of air defences and achieve dominance of the skies above the country, a senior Pentagon official said

in November.

To counter these attacks, the United States has sent sophisticated anti-aircraft NASAMS systems to Ukraine which have been running for a few weeks.

Washington previously announced it was sending four Avenger short-range air defence systems that use Stinger missiles, made by Raytheon Technologies Corp, and HAWK interceptor missiles.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", the United States has sent around US$19.1 billion worth of security assistance to Kyiv. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ens of witness accounts and documentation reviewed by Reuters.

"The Secretary-General takes note with concern of the allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by the Nigerian Army against women and girls who had already been victimised by

Boko Haram," Dujarric said in an email to Reuters.

He called for a thorough investigation and "immediate remedial actions and accountability measures," if such measures were necessary.

"We call on the Nigerian authorities to fully investigate these allegations and

make sure there's accountability," Dujarric told reporters later on Friday.

Nigeria's defence chief said on Thursday the military will not investigate the report, saying it was not true. The Nigerian Government has not responded publicly to the story. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Africa to decriminalise sex work in hopes to diminish crime

South Africa has said it will decriminalise sex work, hoping to tackle high levels of crime against women in a country with one of the world’s highest HIV caseloads.

The sale and purchase of sexual services will no longer be treated as a crime under the proposed legislation put forward by the Justice Ministry.

According to advocacy groups, there are more than 150,000 sex workers in the country.

“It is hoped that decriminalisation will minimise human rights violations against sex workers,” Justice Minister Ronald Lamola told a press briefing on Friday.

“It would also mean better access to healthcare and … afford[ing] better protection for sex workers, better working conditions and less discrimination and stigma.”

South Africa has been hit by a growing wave of violence against women.

Police Minister Bheki Cele reported a double-digit increase in murders of wom-

en year-on-year between July and September with almost 1000 women killed.

Rapes were also up 11 per cent, with 10,000 cases during that period, he said.

“With sex workers no longer labelled as criminals, they can work much better with the Police to tackle violence,” sex workers’ rights group SWEAT wrote on Facebook, welcoming the Bill as “incredible news”.

Amanda Gouws, a professor of political science and the South African research

chair in gender politics at Stellenbosch University, said the proposed law is “long overdue”.

Bottom of Form

She has been working with a commission to establish such a law since 2012.

South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution is among the most liberal in the world, allowing for progressive laws on abortion and samesex marriage, but sex work has long remained a divisive issue. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

hours later, an Emergencies Ministry offi-

said what he described as the "open fire" had

A large fire rages at a shopping mall in Khimki, Moscow Oblast, Russia, December 9, 2022, in this still image obtained from a social media video. Video obtained by Reuters/via Reuters. This image has been supplied by a third party

According to advocacy groups, there are more than 150,000 sex workers in the country [Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters]

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Review every detail before you decide to do something that can cause emotional mayhem or problems at home. Consider how you live and how you can make your surroundings more convenient.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Make plans to get together with people who encourage you to do your best. Engage in get-togethers that stimulate your mind and offer information that helps you make better decisions.

Question what others ask for before you decide to pitch in and help. Take care of your responsibilities before you donate your time to something that won’t benefit you directly.

(May 21-June 20)

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

Share your intentions and find out who can be of help. Review paperwork, check expiration dates and ensure you have taken care of debt or promises you’ve made. An orderly approach to everyday living will keep you on track.

Contemplate your options and do what will bring the highest return. A change may be forthcoming, but if it isn’t right for you, take a pass and keep looking for what you want. Get some exercise.

Spend more time with family and friends. Share your insight and experience, and you’ll give hope to someone who is going through a rough time. Think about fixing up your living quarters.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Stay active and set goals. Too much idle time will lead to pointless worry. Use your time wisely; it will give you space to figure out your next move. Avoid deceptive people.

Keep an open mind and remain flexible. Use your resources to keep the momentum flowing. Call on trustworthy people and offer cost-efficient options that suit your financial situation.

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

Practice caution around clamorous people. Talk is cheap; wait and watch to see what transpires. Don’t get left to do the work alone. Protect your assets and your sanity.

Channel your energy into self-improvement, personal growth, and mental and physical challenges. Question your objectives and motives. Personal gain comes with change and commitment.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Putting in a few extra work hours will pay off. Focus on fixing up your place, planning an event or challenging yourself with a fitness goal that will make you look and feel your best.

Set aside time to have fun. Join forces with like-minded people who make you laugh. Avoid discussions with people looking for an argument or trying to change your lifestyle.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ARCHIE PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

GCB names under-13 team to play touring TT side

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced the national under-13 team to play in the Bilateral series (Goodwill series) against a touring TT team, starting on Sunday, December 11.

All matches would be played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence from 10:00h to 16:15h, and the series includes four (4) One-Day, 40-Overs matches against the touring TT under-13 team.

The schedule for the games is as follows: Sunday, December 11, 2022, Tuesday, December 13, 2022; Thursday, December 15, 2022; and Saturday, December 17, 2022. All matches will be live-streamed on the Guyana Cricket Board Facebook page.

The presidents of both these territorial boards have expressed delight at the conduct of the tournament, which they indicated allows the young players to be appropriately exposed at an early age. President Singh said, “We recognise the need for children to develop their art: bowling, batting and fielding, in a fun-related manner. However, we strongly believe that players in the under-13 age group can begin to challenge their minds a bit more than is currently being done. Learning cricket techniques is good, but executing the respective skills in competitive

environments will set the players on a greater path to success.” Singh has also indicated that he hopes this initiative would pave the way for a regional under-13 tournament.

The Bilateral/Goodwill series announced by the Guyana Cricket Board is the region's first-ever National Under-13 series.

The touring Trinidad and Tobago Under-13 team arrived in Guyana on Friday, December 9, and will be led by Zakariyya Mohammed, with Mikael Ali as vice-captain. Chairman of the GCB Junior Selection Committee,

Andre Percival, led the selection of the national Under-13 team following a series of trial matches recently played at the National Gymnasium. Those matches were arranged following cancellation of the inaugural GCB Under-13 One-Day 40-Overs Inter-County Tournament scheduled for the Everest Cricket Club ground in early December 2022.

Demerara Under-13 Captain Brandon Henry will lead the Guyana Under-13 team, while Berbice Under-13 Captain Richard Ramdeholl will serve as his deputy. The

BCB congratulates 2 Guyanese in WI U-19 Women’s squad

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has extended congratulations to the Rose Hall Canje duo of Ashmini Munisar and Realanna Grimmond, two Guyanese players in the West Indies Under-19 Women's World Cup Team. Both young ladies are proud products of the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Cricket Club, which continues to produce young talents, especially female cricketers.

In a social media post, the BCB said: "The President and members of the Berbice Cricket Board would like to extend profound congrats to Ashmini Munisar and Realanna Grimmond on their selection as the only Guyanese on the West Indies Under-19 female team for the first ever World Cup. We are very proud of you, and we wish you all the best for the tournament.

“Berbicians continue to gain selection at all levels, and without doubt, we

are the standout of Guyana Cricket. We are also very proud that Ashmini would be the first captain of a West Indies Under-19 Female Team to a World Cup. The county also has three players in the senior West Indies Female Team. Congrats, girls! And may God bless you," the BCB posted.

West Indies Women’s

Under-19 Rising Stars will play in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa in January 2023. The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup would feature 41 matches being played from 14 to 29 January in South Africa. The official warm-up matches will be from 9 to 11 January. The 16 participating teams will play in four groups in the preliminary round. West Indies have been drawn in Group C, alongside New Zealand, Ireland, and Indonesia.

WEST INDIES WOMEN’S UNDER-19s RISING STARS SQUAD

Ashmini Munisar (captain), Asabi Callendar, Jahzara Claxton, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Earnisha Fontaine, Jannillea Glasgow, Realanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, K D Jazz Mitchell, Shalini Samaroo, Shunelle Sawh, Lena Scott, and Abini St Jean.

team also includes exciting opening batsman Ravid Fredericks who scored a century and fifty in the tournament.

Guyana Under-13 Team: Brandon Henry (Captain), Richard Ramdeholl (Vice-Captain),

Ravid Fredericks, Ethan Silas, Lamar Seecharan, Mohamed Balle, Khush Seegobin, Nathaniel Ramsammy, Makai Dowlin, Rayaz Latiff, Tameshwar Deonandan, Raffel Mc Kenzie, Darrius Pearson, Thierry Davis, Leon Ready, and Arif Marimutoo.

Coach: Lathman Yadram Manager: Rayon Da Costa

Trinidad and Tobago Under-13 Team: Zakariyya Mohammed (Captain/wicket-keeper), Mikaeel Ali (Vicecaptain), Brian Harricharan, Shaan Ramtahal, Reyad Jerome, Roberto Badree, Ethan Ramcharan, Ra’ed Ali-Khan, Sameer Ramdath, Zion Phillip, Abdiel Boland, Tyler Ramroop, Aaden Owen and Jordan Julien.

Asst. Coach – Brent Francis Coach – Kenneth Samuel Asst. Manager – Azard Mohammed Manager - Peter Padmore

optimistic as GBBFF’s Seniors Championships loom …seeking future sponsorship

Jeffery

By TimoThy Jaikarran

The Guyana

Bodybuilding Fitness Federation’s National Seniors Championships will be electrifying the National Cultural Centre on December 18, 2022 from 18:00hrs, and local strongman Jonathan Jeffery will be there flexing his package in the Men’s Physique category.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Jeffery revealed that he is extremely pumped and excited as time of the competition draws closer. In terms of his training, he said, “Training is very intense at the moment, and the biggest reason for it being so intense is having to work twelve hours and having to find the time and energy to put in an effective workout with the right diet and workout plan. My mindset right now is straight positivity and focus. (I have) one tunnel vision, and that is to take the Mr Guyana Title.”

He also disclosed that he had placed fifth in the first international competition he had participated in in Barbados, and that had made him see his errors and the areas in which he is weak.

He said that after returning from Barbados, he had put in the work and hours to develop his body, and he is now impressed with his body

and the results he has seen, his morals are high, and he is very optimistic about his chances at the competition this year.

Jeffery is urging his fans to come watch the Seniors, as it is going to be fun, exciting and energetic. He is also encouraging the fans to witness the Seniors because their first time in the audi-

ence could inspire them to become competitors on stage the following year.

“When I hit the stage this year, it is going to be a bigger (and) better me. They said I needed more mass; I gained a little bit more mass. My condition will be

on point, and you will see a bigger, better me,” he has promised.

Jeffery has given much credit to his sponsor Fitness Express, through proprietor Jamie McDonald, who ensures his supplements and goodies are on point when he is heading towards a competition. He has also given much credit to his captain Michael Leahy, who ensures he is home on time, so his hopes of participating in the competition can remain alive.

This athlete has explained that he is seeking sponsorship for future shows, because of his love for the sport. He says he believes he can take bodybuilding to higher heights with the support of the nation.

Ashmini Munisar

Brandon Henry Captain of Guyana

Mikaeel Alli, Vice-Captain of Trinidad & Tobago

Zakariyya Mohammed Captain of Trinidad & Tobago

Richard Ramdeholl, Vice-captain of Guyana

Chanderpaul leads WI fight back

...as Neser leads Australia charge

An accurate Australia attack menaced with the pink ball under lights to leave West Indies in disarray after day two of the second Test in Adelaide.

In response to Australia's mammoth first innings, set up by big centuries from Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, West Indies limped to stumps at 102 for 4, with their hopes of a series-levelling victory appearing forlorn.

After a memorable debut 12 months ago in the Adelaide Ashes Test, recalled Michael Neser was relentless with his accuracy outside off stump, and he was rewarded with the wickets of captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks.

Unlike the West Indies' uninspired attack, which claimed just seven wickets in 137 overs, Australia consistently threatened, with quicks Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc unlucky not to break through. Only Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of legendary batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul, defied the attack through patience and well-judged leaves against probing seam bowling from Australia's quicks.

After an impressive debut with scores of 51 and 45 in the first Test, Chanderpaul continued to dig in, and occasionally showed flair, including a sweep for six against spinner Nathan Lyon.

With his confidence increasing, Chanderpaul unleashed a bold counterattack before stumps, and smashed a couple of short deliveries from allrounder Cameron Green to the boundary.

Chanderpaul has again upstaged his senior batters, as West Indies' chances of a strong reply nosedived. Their hopes had rested on in-form openers Chanderpaul and Brathwaite, who had gutsy

partnerships of 78 and 116 in Perth. Brathwaite was particularly outstanding with scores of 64 and 110, but this was a different challenge against the pink ball under lights.

Despite having a penchant for swing, Neser was held back until the 10th over, but he made an impact quickly by having Brathwaite caught behind off a perfect line-and-length delivery. Neser almost added another, but dropped Brooks in a tough one-handed return chance, after diving to his left. It didn't matter, with Neser shortly after removing Brooks, who played as a concussion sub in the first Test, with an almost identical delivery that dismissed Brathwaite.

Lyon came into the at-

with a return catch, while Green bowled debutant Devon Thomas shortly before stumps to strengthen

were almost flawless on a batting-friendly Adelaide Oval surface. Such was their ease that it seemed like a

tack in the 21st over, and immediately looked far more threatening than counterpart Roston Chase, who did little bar release the pressure seemingly every time he bowled in Australia's first innings. Lyon got among the wickets by removing Jermaine Blackwood

Australia's stranglehold after a mighty batting effort earlier.

Stand-in skipper Steven Smith ended Australia's first innings shortly before tea in their third straight declaration in this one-sided two-Test series. Head and Labuschagne dominated an underwhelming West Indies attack with big centuries in a 297-run stand, the third highest fourth-wicket partnership for Australia against West Indies.

Coming together with Australia at 131 for 3, after the quick wickets of Usman Khawaja and Smith for a duck, Head and Labuschagne

formality that Head and Labuschagne would reach double centuries, but they both surprisingly missed out.

Labuschagne fell for 163 late in the first session, when he was caught behind off Thomas, whose handy seamers were a revelation, while Head was run out on 175 just after the dinner break.

Hometown hero Head had cruised past his highest Test score of 161, but disaster struck when he was involved in a mix up with Green. Head's fifth Test ton was marked by belligerence as he continually plundered boundaries through the off side, while Labuschagne was

Bonner caught between two minds

analyst Jamal

Former Barbados wicketkeeper-batsman turned analyst, Jamal Smith, believes struggling West Indies batter Nkrumah Bonner could benefit from some decisiveness at the crease.

The 35-year-old Bonner has earned plenty of accolades for gritty performances for the West Indies since making his debut against Bangladesh in 2021. He has, however, struggled for form of late, managing just 65 in his last five innings, and has been hit twice off shortpithed bowling in the last year.

Bonner has been ruled out of the current Test series against Australia after being struck on the back of the helmet by a Cameron Green bouncer. Despite being al-

believes decisiveness would help

lowed to continue batting for another few hours, Bonner is now under the team’s concussion protocol. In light of the latest incident, questions have been raised regarding the player’s susceptibility to pace bowling.

“Short bowling is simple, yet complex; you are either looking to attack the ball or defend it. I think, in simple parlance, either you are hooking or you ducking. I think…Bonner is caught between two minds,” Smith told the Mason and Guest radio programme.

“…he takes his eyes off the ball. We’ve seen him now being struck. If we’re being honest, we can pinpoint some of the technical deficiencies our batters have,” he added.

“We can’t knock Bonner, because he’s done reasonably

well up until this point, but you know he’s languid, he always looks a little bit slow on the ball, and these hard, bouncy surfaces will show

that up.”

Bonner has recorded two 100s and three 50s for the West Indies in 15 matches so far. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

Australia 1st Innings

David Warner c †Da

Silva b Joseph 21

Usman Khawaja lbw b Thomas 62

Marnus Labuschagne c †Da Silva b Thomas 163

Steven Smith (c)c & b Holder 0

Travis Head run out (Thomas/†Da Silva) 175

Cameron Green b Joseph 9

Alex Carey †not out 41

Michael Neser lbw b Brathwaite 18

Mitchell Starc not out 5

Extras (b 1, lb 4, nb 6, w 6) 17

TOTAL 137 Ov (RR: 3.72) 511/7d

Did not bat: Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Fall of wickets: 1-34 (David Warner, 8.6 ov), 2-129 (Usman Khawaja, 41.1 ov), 3-131 (Steven Smith, 42.4 ov), 4-428 (Marnus Labuschagne, 110.1 ov), 5-442 (Travis Head, 119.4 ov), 6-452 (Cameron Green, 122.1 ov), 7-489 (Michael Neser, 133.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Alzarri Joseph 31-4-107-2

Jason Holder 26-6-68-1 Roston Chase 30-1-117-0

technically sound and didn't require good fortune, which he sometimes seemed to have in spades.

Labuschagne hit his third straight ton to start the series, and also passed 3000 Test runs in just his 51st innings, with only Sir Donald Bradman reaching the landmark faster for an Australia batter. West Indies had no answers, and again rued sloppy bowling, while Brathwaite's tactics were rather puzzling, underlined by often not implementing a gully in a conservative move.

He was generally reactive, but a second-string attack didn't help his cause.

Without injured spearheads Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales, debutant quick Marquino Mindley bowled only two overs after suffering a hamstring injury early on day one. It was hard luck for an exhausted Mindley, who had arrived in Adelaide from the Caribbean just 48 hours before the Test as injury cover. With injuries piling up, and their being outclassed over two days, West Indies are spiralling to an inevitable defeat, unless their rising star Chanderpaul can conjure something miraculous on day three. (Cricinfo)

Marquino Mindley 2-0-11-0

Anderson Phillip 26-2-115-0

Kraigg Brathwaite 8-0-35-1 Devon Thomas 14-1-53-2

West Indies 1st Innings

Kraigg Brathwaite (c)c †Carey b Neser 19 Tagenarine Chanderpaul not out 47

Shamarh Brooks c †Carey b Neser 8 Jermaine Blackwood c & b Lyon 3 Devon Thomas b Green 19

Anderson Phillip not out 1 Extras (b 1, nb 4) 5 TOTAL 37 Ov (RR: 2.75) 102/4

Yet to bat: Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva †, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Marquino Mindley Fall of wickets: 1-35

(Kraigg Brathwaite, 13.4 ov), 2-45 (Shamarh Brooks, 19.2 ov), 3-50 (Jermaine Blackwood, 22.1 ov), 4-90 (Devon Thomas, 32.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mitchell Starc 11-3-32-0

Scott Boland 10-3-13-0 Michael Neser 9-3-20-2 Nathan Lyon 4-0-13-1 Cameron Green 3-0-23-1

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-cricket

Smith

Tagenarine Chanderpaul is at the crease on 47*

Michael Neser took two key wickets before stumps

Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head added 297 runs for the fourth wicket

FIFA World Cup: Qatar 2022 Quarterfinal Roundup…

Croatia stun Brazil to book semifinal spot

Penalty kings Croatia have knocked tournament favourites Brazil out of the World Cup, as Croatia kept their nerve in the penalty shootout to edge through to the semi-finals.

Croatia, beaten finalists four years ago, scored with all four of their spotkicks, as Rodrygo, taking his team's first kick, was denied by the brilliant Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos' crucial fourth effort struck the post. As the ball hit the foot of the woodwork and bounced away, the Croatia team sprinted to celebrate with their goalkeeper, while the Brazil players hit the turf, knowing their dream of a sixth crown had come to an end.

After an engrossing 90 minutes, Tite's men thought they had won it in extra time when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal Brazil's “official” men's goalscoring record. But substitute Bruno Petkovic had other ideas, as he stroked in a 116th-minute equaliser with Croatia's first shot on target in the match to take the game to the nerve-shredding shootout.

And it was the European side who emerged victorious once more, having done so by the same method

against Japan in the last 16, to set up a semi-final meeting with the Netherlands or Argentina on Tuesday.

Brazil were supposed to dance through to the last four in their quest for another star on their shirt, but their hopes were end-

equal Pele's official mark, now shares a record recognised by FIFA, but not the national team - as they also counted goals netted by their three-time World Cup winner in friendlies against club sides.

And the Paris St-

right time to make the stop, and he certainly was with Brazil's first penalty, diving the right way to push out Rodrygo's strike.

ed in the cruellest fashion. Neymar, who scored his 77th international goal to

Germain forward will not get the opportunity to surpass the legend at this tour-

nament, as Brazil suffered woe against a European nation once again. Since beating Germany in the 2002 final, they have been knocked out of five successive World Cups by a team from Europe.

This was supposed to be Neymar's moment, standing up for his side when they needed him most with a clinical finish to complete a slick

team move, but he was left in tears after the shootout.

He should have won it for them in normal time, but neither he nor Lucas Paqueta could find a way past the inspired Livakovic, who made a total of 11 saves, the most by a goalkeeper at this tournament. Though most were routine, Livakovic had to be in the right place at the

Croatia are a well-organised and stubborn outfit, but they did not managed a shot on target until four minutes from the end of extra time, as Petkovic's side-footer beat Alisson. Zlatko Dalic's men displayed their mental fortitude and powers of endurance once more to go through - as eight of their past nine knockout matches at major tournaments have now ticked into extra time.

Once this one went to penalties, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, the evergreen Luka Modric, and Mislav Orsic were all successful with their efforts, to take Croatia through to their third World Cup semi-final. (BBC)

Argentina secure semifinal spot after epic penalty shootout against Netherlands

Emiliano Martinez came to Argentina's rescue as his side overcame the shock of losing a two-goal lead to go on and defeat the Netherlands on penalties and reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The goalkeeper saved from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, leaving Lautaro Martinez to blast home Argentina's fifth penalty and send the Albiceleste into the last four.

Argentina looked in total control after a firsthalf strike from Nahuel Molina, and a penalty from Lionel Messi, his 10th goal at a World Cup, had given them a two-goal cushion in the second half. But the Netherlands finally came to life with some direct substitutions from coach Louis van Gaal, who withdrew Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn and threw on-target men Wout Weghorst and Luuk de Jong.

Weghorst made things interesting by heading home a cross from another substitute, Steven Berghuis, who then had the chance to level from inside the area, but fired just wide of the near post. Argentina thought they had weath-

showed more desire to try and snatch victory, and had a flurry of late chances in extra-time, with Enzo Fernandez hitting the post. As in the day's earlier game between Croatia and Brazil, a penalty shootout was required, and Argentina's charismatic goalkeeper stepped into the limelight.

Key moment: A devilish Dutch free-kick

Argentina were expecting Teun Koopmeiners or Cody Gakpo to go for goal from the free-kick in what looked like the last moment of the game, and even ordered Alex Mac Allister to lie on the floor to prevent a low shot. But Koopmeiners took everyone by surprise by passing the ball in a straight line to Weghorst, who controlled the ball with his back to goal before swivelling and stabbing it into the net.

From being down and out, the Netherlands had somehow taken the game to extra time. It wasn't enough for them to go through, but it was yet another thrilling chapter of this wildly unpredictable World Cup. (FIFA)

ered the storm, but then conceded a free-kick in a

dangerous position, and Weghorst struck again to

force the extra period.

Lionel Scaloni's side

Croatia's Dominik Livakovic saving a penalty

Neymar was in tears as Brazil were booted from the World Cup

Croatia celebrating their win

Argentina teammates celebrating after Martinez scored the last penalty

Lionel Messi was all excitement after his team secured a semifinal spot

Netherlands teammate reacting after Argentine goalkeeper saved a penalty