Guyana Times - Saturday, December 17, 2022

GPF records 19.2% decrease in serious crimes for 2022

over

in cash, incentives handed out for outstanding performance in 2022

As the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to use a tough approach to crime fighting around the country, it has been reported that serious crimes have decreased in 2022 when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, during the Police Force’s 2022 Christmas awards ceremony on Thursday, said that there was a 19.2 per cent decrease in serious crimes for the period January 1,

2022 to date.

This decrease translates to some 331 fewer serious crimes being recorded for the year when compared to the same period in 2021.

While there are 12 regional divisions, Regional Division 4 A (Georgetown) accounted for the majority of the crimes. Twenty-four per cent of the country’s serious crimes were committed in this division.

Hicken also stated that the GPF was able to seize more firearms this year,

compared to last year.

Despite the many challenges in the Force’s traffic management, the top cop said they have also seen a decrease in accidents.

“Currently, we are enjoying what we will call an -11 per cent in terms of accident…we're now focused on visibility rather than just stopping vehicles," the Top Cop related.

Only a month ago, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had announced that break and enter and larceny was

the most prevalent offence in Guyana, and these cases declined by 23 per cent, which translates to 134 fewer cases during the aforementioned period.

As it relates to the Police’s drug interdiction efforts, he had mentioned that 2022 also accounted for the seizure of in excess of 293 kilograms of cocaine.

This figure represents the third-highest seizure over the five-year period with the highest being in 2021 when 536 kilograms were seized.

Meanwhile, the GPF handed out a total of $142.9 million in cash and other incentives to members during its annual awards ceremo-

ny.

The Commissioner, in his remarks, further noted that the overall outstanding performance of the Police Force has resulted in a lot of accomplishments. As such, some 4763 ranks were rewarded compared to 3467 ranks last year.

The overall best cop prize has been awarded to Superintendent Chanbinauth Singh, while his runner-up is Sergeant 21432 Douglas. Special awardees’ prizes went to Corporal Wright from Central Immigration and Passport Office, and Sergeant Cosbert from the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters.

Best Cop Chanbinauth Singh

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken

Special awardee Corporal Wright

The awardees and senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force

Best Cop runner-up Sergeant 21432 Douglas

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The

Construction on Corentyne River Bridge likely to start next year – Pres Ali

The

Saturday, December 17 –11:30h-13:00h and Sunday, December 18 – 12:25h-13:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

…says financial proposal to be ready by end of January

Heavy

Winds:

High

President Dr Irfaan Ali has disclosed that the financial proposal for the new bridge across the Corentyne River, linking Guyana with its Dutch neighbour Suriname, would be out by the end of January, thus paving way for the tendering process and then the construction stage.

Speaking at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Annual Awards Gala on Thursday evening, the Head of State disclosed that they were hoping to wrap up the tendering process by mid-2023 so that works could commence on the bridge.

“By the end of January, we will be sending out the full document for the financial proposal for the new

the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in Georgetown back in August.

Among the bidders are China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC); State-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC); China Gezhouba Group Company Limited in association with CEIG; China Overseas Engineering Group Co Ltd (COVEC) in association with China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co Ltd (CREEC), and China Railway First Group Co Ltd (CRFG); and China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited & China Railway Construction.

Meanwhile, Ballast Nedam, the construction

company that is based in The Netherlands, was the lone non-Chinese company that submitted a bid for the project.

At the contract sign-

ing in May, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill pointed out that this bridge was more than just an infrastructural project, but was a physical and social connection between the two countries that cut across various economic sectors.

“It is a vision for the further development of two nations being realised. Development practitioners have agreed that bridges are key drivers of economic activity, ensuring the increased efficiency of trade, rapid exchange of ideas and quick access to services for those who need them most,” Edghill had stated.

Guyana-Suriname bridge across the Corentyne River. We’re hoping that that tendering process can be completed by mid-next year so that we could move to the implementation phase of the new Corentyne River Bridge,” the President indicated.

The bridge project is a collaboration between the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, which have already decided on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) model for the transformational project that would be constructed via a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Back in May of this year, a US$2 million contract was signed in the Surinamese capital Paramaribo for several preliminary studies and research to be conducted on the Corentyne Bridge by WSP Caribbean. The Expressions of Interest (EoIs) were also simultaneously launched.

Already, six international companies – five Chinese firms and one Dutch company from The Netherlands – have submitted bids for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge.

The bids were opened at

President Dr Irfaan Ali

An artist’s impression of the bridge

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Peaceful and trouble-free holidays

As we have already started indulging in the Christmas holidays, the Police have already announced that they are on high alert to protect citizens from elements bent on creating fear among the citizenry by robbing unsuspecting shoppers.

In the lead-up to the holidays, the Guyana Police Force – as is customary – had unveiled their “security plans”. No doubt, some citizens may feel somewhat assured by the plan, while others would remain indifferent to it.

Already, Commander of Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ (Agricola, East Bank Demerara to Industry, East Coast Demerara), Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean, has said that the increase in Police visibility and presence has resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in serious crimes for the year so far.

Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ accounts for 40 per cent of the country’s crimes.

To quote the commander: “We are more visible. We were able to put out over 8,900 patrols this year… This, coupled with the significant increase in our intelligence-led roadblocks and operations, we were able to decrease the crimes in the Division.”

Security remains a major concern for residents regardless of where they are located, and especially on special occasions. Major landmarks and citizens are protected even more during the holiday seasons. From the pettiest thief to the most notorious criminal mastermind, they all know that holidays are times when people are distracted, and this gives them greater leeway to do their nefarious work.

Within this context, the Guyana Police Force’s annual Christmas Security Plan is nothing out of the ordinary; and if it would make Guyanese safer during the holidays, then by all means they need to implement it to the best of their ability. But since this is touching on the subject of heightened security, it needs to be asked why the Police cannot provide round-the-clock security during the rest of the year, as they do at Christmas time. It seems somewhat bewildering, but the Police also know that their approach to security is different at Christmas time, as opposed to the rest of the year.

There is a widely-held belief that crimes increase during the holidays more than at any other time of the year. And even if this were so, it does not remove the fact that, during the rest of the year, Guyanese still come face-to-face with petty thieves and hardened criminals, for which they need Police protection in the same degree as they are getting over the holidays.

Although Georgetown is not unique to other cities when it comes to thefts, muggings, and such crimes, it is perhaps confronted by a more unfortunate situation than its counterparts, the reason being the Police have not been able to significantly reduce these petty crimes, or have greater control over them. Had they focused on attaining this objective during the rest of the year, perhaps they would not have had to work as hard as they currently do during the holidays to protect citizens. This brings us to the issue of securing citizens throughout the year.

It is preferable that the Police do more to reduce crime, rid the streets of criminals, and enhance citizens’ protection during the year, since security is not a seasonal concern –at least not to the citizens. For citizens, security is a priority and a concern every day of the year, and their position on personal security is the same in March and June as it is in December.

As with the utility companies, citizens do not rank the Police Force as an efficient entity, although they do have expectations of them. But offering this level of service – and that too for 365 days – would not come without investment in the Police Force. Equipping the Force with the right tools, and recruiting the right people are what would make a major difference in the level of service being offered by the Police; and that, too, on a continuous basis.

The Police Force has the potential to do more for the citizens; as, in the past, they have enabled citizens to have a peaceful and trouble-free Christmas. They only need to build on these achievements, and develop that potential.

Are more deadly destabilising tactics being used?

Dear Editor,

The vicious and brutal attack on the Presidential Guards, and the obvious attempt to assassinate President Dr Irfaan Ali by a lone Nigerian who came into this country just after the 2020 General Elections, should not be seen as an isolated incident, though there will be vociferous denials from sympathising Judases.

There is a link, which must be investigated. There appears to be a clandestine and well-coordinated plan to destabilise the PPP/C Government. On July 3rd, 2002, the Presidential Office was stormed by a group of mobsters who called themselves protesters, and though the PNC denied being the architect of that treasonous act, PNC leader Desmond Hoyte had made the call in June 2002 for the removal of the PPP/C Government. He had endorsed the call made by Phillip Bynoe. Unwittingly, after the treasonous act, PNC Chairman Robert Corbin admitted that the Party supported the illegal protest, and PNC leader Hoyte blamed the Police for not giving permission for the protest march. Therefore, it was clear that the storming of the President’s Office was as a result of an illegal protest march that was fully supported by the PNC.

The perpetrators were pardoned in 2008 by then President Jagdeo.

The Nigerian wanted to see the President, but he had a knife concealed in a pouch, and when he was cautioned

about having to be processed before entering the compound, he began his vicious attack with intent to kill. Nothing should stand in his way.

The intention to assassinate the President was clear, but the pertinent questions are: Was he carrying out the instructions from the real architect who wanted to remove the PPP/C Government? Who stands to benefit from this act? Was he a paid assassin? What motive would a Nigerian have to assassinate the President of Guyana? Are mercenaries now being used to carry out political biddings?

In another incident, a simple order to remove the street vendors ignited a violent protest led by Mayor Ubraj Narine and AFC MP ringmaster Sherod Duncan. Where were they when the parking meters were installed? The Mayor was vehement in his clarion call to incite ethnic strife. He said the situation was escalating into a ‘religious fight’, and wondered if ‘we are heading for a Muslim State’ -clearly insinuating that the President, being a Muslim, wants to turn Guyana into a Muslim State.

His venomous statements cannot be substantiated by any event which occurred in recent times or at all, therefore, his incitement can only be seen as another attempt to destabilise the PPP/C Government by creating ethnic division, resulting in hate and violence. We have seen in the past that the PNC would

jump at any opportunity to orchestrate violent protests which would result in chaos and mayhem to mostly Indo-Guyanese. This was evident by the large mob which quickly materialised. Why would the Mayor make such an incendiary statement?

This event happened on December 14th, and on December 15th the assassination attempt on the President was made. Are these incidents unrelated? Dirty politics is rearing its head once again, but with more deadly tactics being employed.

The Guyana Police Force should leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of this new and worrying dimension in Guyanese politics. I must compliment the bravery of the two guards, who remained strong, resolute, and committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our President and his family. And I wish a most speedy recovery to Teon Perreira, whose bravery and courage in the line of duty is extraordinarily remarkable.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Misleading the public

Dear Editor, Is interesting but not surprising to see the hypocrisy of the APA and Janette Bulkan coming to light again. Two political caricatures, quiet during their party's term in office, have emerged from the woodwork. Others avoid calling them out, but everything they say is infused by political motivation that it must be done.

Bulkan's brother served an underwhelming tenure as Minister of Local Government in the PNC administration from 2016 to 2019. Laura George was granted a Ph.D. by the PNC Administration from 2016 to 2019 for scholarly work that never saw the light of day, and Jean LaRose was second on the list of candidates for the now Opposition polit-

ical party.

From January/February to June 2022, I sat on the MSSC and participated in nationwide stakeholder consultations on the LCDS, and it is one of the most comprehensive processes to date. APA was part of the planning of the sessions, part of informing the materials produced, and attended some of the sessions. They sat at the MSSC and saw and supported the proceedings. On the day of the MSSS meeting, the APA claimed to have got the date 'mixed up and did not attend. This irresponsible act signals clearly that they supported the LCDS throughout the 7-month consultation, and had no basis to say otherwise, so they hid from the meeting.

Tots of the Margaret Rose Arthur Day Care Centre of the Guyana Defence Force are officially in the Christmas spirit. The tots and their parents enjoyed an afternoon packed with fun, singing of carols, and receiving of presents. In photo, the tots are depicting the birth of Jesus the Christ

Squatters at Pigeon Island registered for land titles

outstanding applications

and Planning Authority (CHPA), Gladwin Charles, and other staff were also at the event, serving persons.

Minister Rodrigues has said the Housing Ministry aims to begin distribution of Titles before year-end. She noted that Government leads through consultations with Guyanese, and has a track record of keeping its promises.

Referring to an attack committed on State House on Thursday, the Minister said that Government would not let this occurrence affect the delivery of its manifesto promises and other services to the people.

More than 40 informal settlers residing at Pigeon Island on the East Coast of Demerara are expected to be in possession of their Certificates of Title soon, in keeping with a commitment

made by President Irfaan Ali during a visit to that community in August 2022.

Residents were on Friday able to make the necessary payments and register for their Agreements of Sale and Certificates of

Title at an exercise led by the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, at the Life Spring Ministries’ multi-purpose hall. Director of Community Development at the Central Housing

“[It was] a cowardly attack on State House, on the home of the President and his family, but that will not keep us down. (Neither) the President nor this Government will be intimidated by anyone; we will continue to do our work. We made a commitment

to the people of this country, and we will continue to be visible and accessible to Guyanese in any part of this country,” the Minister has said.

The area at Pigeon Island has been occupied by informal settlers since the 1980s, and attempts to regularise the area began in 2002. In 2015, President Ali, who was then Minister

of Housing and Water, ordered a review to determine which portion of the area could be regularised. An inventory update was executed by CHPA in 2020, following President Ali’s accession to office.

The land has since been transferred from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) to the CHPA.

Construction on Corentyne River Bridge likely to start...

The prioritisation of the bridge across the Corentyne River has been much touted by both President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

The high-span Corentyne River bridge will run approximately 3.1 kilometres, connecting Moleson Creek in Guyana to South

Drain in Suriname with a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne River, where a commercial hub and tourist destination will be established. That free zone will see major infrastructural development such as hotels, recreational parks, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, malls, and farmers’ markets.

Running from Moleson

Misleading the...

It is dishonest of Laura George, the APA representative on the Committee, to say otherwise. It is simply dishonest.

The motives are clear: creating a pathway for sustainable development for Indigenous peoples is threatening to the political objectives of these letter writers. The decision to bring value to a resource that Guyanese have protected for decades is, without question, one that supports development. My Indigenous brothers and sisters support this.

I call on all Indigenous leaders in Guyana to let your voices be heard, and not

FROM PAGE 4

let the APA and elitists like Bulkan prevent you from receiving payment for forests that you have protected for many years. The question we should ask Bulkan and APA is this: “What are you trying to get out of stopping the LCDS financing from coming to us? What is in it for you?”

The time is now to transform village livelihoods, and the LCDS and revenues from the sale of carbon credits would go a long way in achieving this.

Sincerely, Peter Persaud President, TAAMOG

Creek to Long Island, the bridge will be a low-level structure, approximately one kilometre long; with a 2200-metre (2.2 km) road across Long Island and a high bridge, spanning 2100 metres (2.1 km) thereafter.

At the high end of the bridge, which will facilitate marine traffic, it will cater for 40,000 to 45,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage)

capacity featuring a vertical (height) clearance of 43 metres and a horizonal (width) clearance of about 100 metres.

The Corentyne River bridge will not only link the two neighbouring countries, but also open up access to greater economic opportunities beyond them into French Guiana, and through the road net-

work being developed into Brazil, and eventually further into South America.

TO this end, President Ali said on Thursday evening he has already reached out to the new Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva, to have bilateral discussions on a number of issues. These include major infrastructural project such as Guyana’s

FROM PAGE 3

own deep-water harbour, which the Guyanese Leader insists must be connected to Brazil.

“I’ve already requested, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for a bilateral with the new President of Brazil because we have to start very early to ensure that timelines are not missed,” the Head of State posited.

Some residents at the meeting on Friday

Minister Susan Rodrigues in discussion with one of the residents

a) If the price of a dress is $17, 000, what would the VAT (charged at 14%) be? Calculate the total amount paid for the dress.

b) If a discount of 10% is offered if three or more dresses are purchased, what would Mora pay for four dresses for her nieces? Determine the cost price of each dress if the seller makes 20% profit?

Embellished Stocking

If time is on your side, make a bunch of personalized stockings for your entire family before Christmas morning. To make, fold the hem of the stocking to attach ribbon or pom pom-trim, then decorate with festive stickers and felt cut-outs. Once it’s fully dry, fill it with an assortment of stocking stuffers.

By The BroThers Grimm

CONTINUED FROM FRIDAY

Vintage Paper Ornaments

For added dimension, mix a bunch of paper ornaments with multicoloured baubles. To make, trace various shapes onto card stock and cut them out. Decorate to your liking with glitzy pipe cleaners and snowflake cut-outs. Finally, punch a hole, add a ribbon and hang ‘em on your Christmas tree.

Guyana, EU sign agreement on sustainable trade of legal timber

At COP 15 in Montreal, Canada

on Friday, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat signed a legally-binding trade agreement to promote sustainable trade of legal timber to the European Union (EU).

Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, EU presidency of the Council, Jan Dusík, has co-signed the agreement.

The agreement would give EU-based timber buyers assurance that timber

products from Guyana are legal. It would help improve forest governance, further curb illegal logging, and promote trade in verified legal timber products.

This cooperation takes place in the context of the EU Global Gateway strategy, which stands for sustainable and trusted connections. Global Gateway is tackling the most pressing global challenges, including fighting climate change, and supporting the security of global supply chains.

Through the Voluntary Partnership Agreement, Guyana will have to improve market access to EU businesses, as well as

modernise its forestry sector, create jobs, promote sustainable development, and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Under the VPA, Guyana commits to developing a timber legality assurance system to assess that timber products -for all stages of the supply chain - have been produced in accordance with national legislation. When this system is operational, Guyana can issue verified legal timber products with FLEGT licences.

Guyana is the first country in the Amazon region to sign a Voluntary Partnership Agreement

(VPA) on forest law enforcement, governance, and trade (FLEGT) with the European Union. With the signing of this agreement, Guyana and the EU each needed to ratify the VPA, according to their respective procedures. Forest stakeholders, as the Private Sector, Indigenous peoples, local communities, and civil society, have all been closely involved in the negotiation of the agreement, alongside the Government and EU representatives. They will continue to play a key role throughout the implementation phase. This bilateral agreement would advance the integrated planning and management

of Guyana’s forest sector under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

The signature marks the end of a 10-year negotiation process. It consolidates Guyana’s position as a frontrunner in the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forests. Under the EU Global Gateway Strategy, Guyana is also one of the first five countries worldwide that signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Forest Partnership with the EU at COP 27 a month ago.

Guyana already has robust national legislation on forests, including a Forest Code, and the VPA would

ensure this is duly enforced, guaranteeing the sustainable management of the country’s enormous forest area, and thus protecting biodiversity. It would also help to improve the competitiveness of Guyana’s timber industry by modernising timber operations. This, in turn, would create jobs and ensure that forestry brings employment to the formal economy, while expanding trade opportunities as Guyana moves to export guaranteed legal timber products.

Guyana is the second country in Latin America to sign a VPA with the EU under the FLEGT Action Plan, following Honduras.

European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius and Natural

Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat signed the agreement

The officials after the signing of the agreement

High Court scraps Schlumberger’s permit to operate radioactive materials facility at Houston

could obtain a lawful permit. He also awarded costs against the company, but said it is to be assessed before being granted, unless the parties could agree to a sum among themselves.

Danuta and Vanda Radzik and Raphael Singh, who are residents of Houston, EBD, had earlier this year filed legal action against the EPA over its decision to waiver an EIA for the construction of the facility to Schlumberger — one of ExxonMobil’s (Guyana) major subcontractors.

was in breach of its statutory duty; was contrary to natural justice; was arbitrary, ultra vires, and without any legal foundation; and should therefore be quashed.

Given that Houston and the immediate environs include residential areas where hundreds of people live, and the area for the facility is close to schools and places of worship, the applicants had contended that the EPA should have consulted with residents before waiving an EIA for a project of this nature.

Schlumberger’s

(Guyana) permit to possess, use, and store radioactive materials at its main location at Lot 1, Area X Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Friday quashed by High Court Judge Nareshwar Harnanan, who found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) breached its statutory duties when it issued the licence to the company in

Besides the EPA, these residents, hereinafter referred to as the applicants, had listed the Environmental Protection Board (EPB) and Schlumberger as respondents in the action, filed on their behalf by Attorneysat-Law Siand Dhurjon, Ronald Burch-Smith and Maylene Alleyne.

The applicants had said that, in April 2021, they discovered that Schlumberger

The applicants had said that it was not until April 11, 2021 that the EPA had issued a public notice, via the press, which stated that Schlumberger had applied for an environmental authorisation. The notice, which was published in the Guyana Chronicle, they added, further stated: “It has been determined that the proposed project will not significantly affect the environment or human health, and is therefore exempt from the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment.”

The notice had also said the public could appeal against the EPA’s decision within 30 days.

“The notice was vague and deficient in detail, and omitted significant relevant details about the nature and scope of the proposed facility. The project summary was effectively concealed from the public, and not made readily available to persons who may have concerns,” the applicants had deposed.

cision.

While grilling the EPA’s decision, they had submitted that the agency had informed them that it had used a screening tool it had developed, but it had refused to disclose the form and content of this tool, or how it had been applied.

According to these applicants, the EPA has a “track record” of unreasonable and irrational actions regarding applications for EIA relating to the oil and gas industry. Further, the applicants had complained that the EPA lacked resources, and had no interest in regulating radioactive facilities according to international best practices. This, they noted, is critical, given the absence of an adequate national regulatory framework that specifically deals with industrial radioactive sources.

They added that the project is part of the unlawful industrialisation of Houston and its environs.

Killing… …rage?

We now have a bit more info on the fella seemingly bent on assassinating President Ali. The biggest revelation is he’s a foreigner – a Nigerian, to be exact. Now, Nigerians have earned a global reputation for scamming and bilking the gullible in all sorts of getrich schemes, including and especially the lovelorn. So, here we’re entering virgin territory – so to speak! –with an assassination attempt!! We now know his name to be Bethel Ikena Chimezie. “Chimezie” is an Igbo name –the tribe that dominates in eastern Nigeria.

They’re 98% Christian, and back in early 1967-1970, they fought a violent war of secession as “Biafra” from the Federal Nigerian state that was ruled at the time by the Muslim North. The Nigerians invaded Biafra, and almost 2 million of them – mostly children - were massacred. That war – based on tribal and religious ideologies and identities - has never really ended!! We found out that Chimezie’s only 25, and arrived here in early 2020. He was employed by a security firm - Amalgamated Security Services (Guyana) Inc in April of that year - at the age of 23.

Now non-Caricom foreigners can’t just show up at Timehri and be allowed in to start working. Chimezie had to’ve secured a specific Employment Visa through the intervention of some company to the Immigration Department long before then. Winston Felix was then head of the Immigration Department hived-off from Ramjattan’s Public Security Ministry. One report claimed that Chimezie was part of a group of seven who entered the country. Had to’ve been just before our now infamous elections of March 2020!! That was around the time our eagle-eyed Security Minister Ramjattan had intercepted some Russians who were planning to rig our elections –so one suspect Chimezie passed muster, or was ushered through!!

But if he was immediately snapped up by Amalgamated, he must’ve had some background in security, no?? After all, the company boasts it’s “part of one of the largest security companies in the Caribbean, with subsidiaries in Trinidad and Tobago.” And started training staff since 2014! The Police Clearance submitted to Amalgamated gotta be scrutinized, so we can find out the background of Chimezie, who showed up at the Home of the President with a hidden knife.

January of this year.

Justice Harnanan has declared that the decision of the EPA to not conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) into the effects of the construction of such a facility prior to the issuance of the permit was not only illegal, ultra vires, unreasonable and irrational, but also was in contravention of the Environmental Protection Act.

In the circumstances, the Judge has also granted an injunction against Schlumberger, commanding it to refrain from continuing activities in the area, unless and until it

was proposing to construct a storage facility for radioactive substances at its current location, and that the EPA had waived the need for the company to do an impact study for the proposed project.

Contending that the project puts their health and community at significant risk, as the permit contains no provisions that regulate how Schlumberger is to ensure that the facility is safe for the storage and use of radioactive substances, they had asked the court to declare that the EPA’s decision to waive the requirement for an EIA

In protesting the EPA’s decisions, they had questioned the basis upon which it concluded that an impact study was not required for the project. The residents’ primary argument had been that radioactive materials should not be used and/or be located close to neighbourhoods, schools, the main highway, or the Demerara River.

Relying on Section 11 of the Environmental Protection Act, the applicants had pointed out that an impact assessment is required for any project that may significantly affect the environment, that such an assessment should be publicised, and that members of the public should be consulted.

The trio had also submitted that the EAB had refused to consider their appeal against the decision to waive the EIA, and had provided legalistic and inadequate reasons for its de-

In the circumstances, they had contended that EPA has a statutory duty to require an EIA for any activity which may cause an adverse effect on the natural environment.

The EIA process, the residents had highlighted, is outlined in the Environmental Protection Act and the Constitution of Guyana, which guarantees environmental rights and democracy, specifically Article 149 (J) of the Constitution, which establishes that “everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to his or her health or wellbeing.”

Since the facility had already been constructed at the time of the filing of their application, the applicants had been granted permission by Justice Harnanan to amend their action to target the operation of the facility being used for the storage of radioactive materials.

So what was his motive for his actions?? In Igbo, Chimezie means “Let God do it”. Was Chimezie trying to do God’s work?? Did he hear about the Mayor’s accusation that President Ali was working assiduously to convert Guyana into an Islamic State? Did the still potent fears from his native Nigeria rise to the fore and make him so desperate that he broke the cardinal rule to “never show up at a gunfight with a knife”??

Your Eyewitness needs answers!!

…and SoPs

There are conflicting reports about the firefight that ensued between Chimezie and the Presidential Guards. We know for sure he stabbed one Guard five times –who obviously was caught unawares, so he didn’t even draw his weapon. Now questions gotta be asked about how Chimezie was allowed to get so close to him without a reaction. Have you ever tried getting close to those Marines at the US Embassy?? Heck!! This is the President of our country!!

Then, after all that stabbing, he was able to wrest a firearm from another Police/Guard. What was she doing while her colleague was being punctured repeatedly? What was her reaction time to draw her weapon and fire even a warning shot?? Then the guy had to’ve been shot at least seven times. Didn’t they want to keep him alive so he could be grilled on the masterminds behind the assassination attempt?? It's quite unlikely he’s gonna live, after taking so many bullets – including through his head. Dead men tell no tales!!

…Georgetown

How long are we gonna wait before we start clearing our city of the vendors who make us look like one humungous Brazilian favela (slum)?? Didn’t Dr Kenneth King present a plan on behalf of ACDA two decades ago??

Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon

High Court Judge Nareshwar Harnanan

Determination, will to serve Guyana further strengthened – Pres Ali on assassination attempt

Following Thursday’s shocking assassination attempt on the life of President Dr Irfaan Ali, which has left one Presidential Guard severely injured, the Head of State has said his determination and will to serve Guyana has now been further strengthened.

“My spirit was renewed in hope of what humanity is capable of. My determination and will to serve this country and people of this country was further strengthened…,” he

First Lady Arya Ali and their three-year-old son Zayd.

While there was no harm to the First Family, the attack has been widely condemned by all stakeholders, including the Opposition parties.

Reports are that 25-year-old Nigerian national Bethel Ikena Chinezie turned up at the Carmichael Street entrance of State House at around 7:30h on Thursday and demanded to see the Head of State at a security

ing a female guard of her service weapon. The suspect then walked out of the guard hut and began firing shots.

At that point, other Presidential Guards engaged him in an exchange of fire, during which Chinezie was shot, resulting in ranks being able to detain him.

It has been revealed that Chinezie arrived in Guyana on March 13, 2020, and is employed with a cleaning service company. He had previously been employed with a security company. The Guyana Police Force has since engaged Interpol for assistance in gathering additional information on this Nigerian national.

It has been reported that both the injured guard, Teon Perreira, and the attacker, Chinezie, were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for immediate medical attention following Thursday morning’s ordeal. Perreira was rushed into surgery, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali showed up to check on his well-being.

[the goodness of] humanity,” the Guyanese Leader stated.

Against this backdrop, the Head of State has called on the Guyanese people to renew efforts to not only serve the country, but also look out for each other. “If all of us renew, collectively, our efforts to serve this beautiful country selflessly, I assure you that we will not only be living in a country with great prosperity, but more importantly, we will be living in a country with great humanity –a country that is built on a

strong, steady foundation of love, trust and commitment; and one that is built with a sense of character, in which people of this country look out for each other, the people of this country uplift each other, and the people of this country protect each other,” the President has asserted.

Moreover, the Guyanese Leader has reminded citizens about the impact words can have when uttered. In fact, President Ali pointed out that words not only allow people to act, but also create environments in which people are pushed into action.

“We sometimes speak loosely use words and don’t understand the impact. Unfortunately, we live in an era where information is easily and quickly disseminated, and the time to withdraw those words is not instantaneous anymore. The actions on the words that disseminate are instantaneous, so we must all recommit ourselves in the way we use words, because words can lead to different challenges,” he

urged.

This sentiment expressed by the Head of State comes on the heels of Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine accusing President Ali of creating an “Islamic State”. While protesting against the removal of vendors outside the GPHC compound on New Market Street, Georgetown, Narine on Monday descended into making a series of serious accusations against the Guyanese Leader. While he subsequently attempted to apologise for his utterance, Narine’s remarks have been met with immediate backlash and calls for his resignation on ground that he is unfit to hold the office of Mayor.

Narine and Opposition

Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan have since been slapped with several charges under Guyana’s Racial Hostility Act, and have been placed on bail in the amount of $200,000 each when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday.

said while speaking at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI’s) Annual Awards Gala on Thursday evening – hours after the attack on his official residence, where he resides with his family,

checkpoint.

After being informed that he had to go through a process, the foreign national whipped out a knife and stabbed one of the Presidential Guards about five times, before reliev -

According to President Ali, Perreira spent most of the day in surgery, and had regained consciousness by Thursday evening. “I was pleased to speak with him directly [via phone], and his words to me were, “Sir, I am back to work with you tomorrow”. It is these incredible moments in life that allows one to reflect on

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan at the Court on Thursday

President Dr Irfaan Ali

$252M contract signed for construction of sanitary landfill facility in Reg 2

few months, we’d be able to get a facility where we can properly dispose of garbage and overall solid waste in Region Two,” the Minister noted.

The contracting company has been urged to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe. “Over the next five months, we are going to see elevated services provided for solid waste management in Region Two,” the Local Government Minister stated.

UNHCR donates supplies to CDC to assist migrants

Residents of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) will soon see improved refuse disposal, as the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry on Friday inked a $252 million contract with Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. for the construction of a sanitary landfill at Zorg-En-Vlygt on the Essequibo Coast.

Permanent Secretary of the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Prema Roopnarine, and Managing Director of Puran Brothers Disposal Inc., Lakenauth Puran, have inked the contract in the presence of Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel

Dharamlall. Construction will commence within two weeks, and will be completed within five months.

Residents are expected to be gainfully employed during the execution of the project. Minister Dharamlall has said this is part of Government’s efforts to enhance the management of waste on a countrywide scale.

“This has been one of the sore issues for a long time: garbage collection and disposal; and so this is another of the many investments that we’re making in this sector in Region Two.

We had smaller facilities that we call dumpsites, and with the signing of the contract, hopefully, in the next

The $252 million facility will complement the many infrastructural works ongoing in the region. Investments of this nature would also be made in Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne).

“We have started projects in some of the larger NDC areas to also build many sanitary areas and landfill facilities, and it is the intention of the Government to intensify the construction of sanitary landfills, so that we’re better able to manage refuse across our country,” Minister Dharamlall has disclosed.

Guyanese are urged to engage in the 3Rs concept: recycle, reuse and reduce, to contribute to Government’s efforts to keep communities and the country clean.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday donated a quantity of household supplies to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to aid a group of migrants.

Solar lamps, kitchen sets, water containers, mosquito nets, sleeping

mats and tarpaulins were handed over by UNHCR representatives.

Upon receiving the supplies, Senior Preparedness Officer of the CDC, Captain Lakshman Persaud stated that the items would directly assist a group of Venezuelan migrant families residing in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-

West Demerara).

The Commission donated food supplies recently, and the UNHCR committed to render further assistance. The CDC has a stellar partnership with international agencies like the UNHCR, with a commitment to working together for the common good of humanity.

Berbice man pinned to death by tractor

Rakesh

Region Six (East

is now dead after the tractor he had been using to plough a rice field in the said village flipped over and pinned him in the process on Thursday.

Indra Loojuene, mother of this 47-year-old labourer, has said her daughter received a telephone call shortly after 11:00h on Thursday, indicating that Rakesh was pinned under a tractor. She said another sibling took his tractor and went into the backdam with others who had intended to help, but when they got to the location, the

lifeless body of Rakesh was pulled from under the tractor that had pinned him.

It is believed that the back wheel of that tractor had fallen into a hole in the rice field, and that caused the machine to flip. Rakesh’s mother could not say how long her son has been working as a tractor operator, but noted that the last time she had seen him was two weeks ago.

“He always working. That is the work he does do; he does shy paddy. Once he not working, he does come here. About two weeks ago he come, and I give him food. Sometimes he would spend the whole day, and go back in the afternoon,”

the

mother has said.

Police and the Labour Ministry have launched separate investigations into this tragic incident.

Permanent Secretary Prema Roopnarine (left); Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall (centre) and Lakenauth Puran, Managing Director of Puran Brothers Disposal Inc

Officials from the CDC and UNHCR with some of the items

Loojuene of Wellington Park, Corentyne,

Berbice/ Corentyne)

grieving

Dead: Rakesh Loojuene

The tractor at the scene on Thursday

Govt, Private Sector must join forces to meet int’l standards – GCCI President

…says

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)

President Timothy Tucker believes that for Guyana to successfully meet the demands which emerge from growing industries, the Private Sector and the State must work in unison.

He made this statement at the 133rd Annual Awards and Gala on Thursday evening which saw a convergence of key players in the business community and other stakeholders, where areas of growth and new prospects for the country were topics of discussion.

Regarding local content, the GCCI President said it was important that foreign investment in Guyana not be at the expense of indigenous companies, but locals must be able to meet the demand required. Moreover, meeting international standards would

To ensure that our economy meets the highest international standards, the Government and Private Sector must join forces,” the Private Sector official underlined.

He shared the view that Guyana was well on its way to a modernized future and

lions in revenue. With the country’s economy expanding at the fastest rate in the world, we commend the Government for its responsiveness in undertaking several megaprojects to keep up with this growth,” Tucker stated.

The Finance Ministry’s projection is that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2022 is 56 per cent overall, while non-oil GDP growth is projected at 9.6 per cent. Tucker shared that these figures painted the picture that the country’s growth remained broad-based. Moreover, he added that the business community must not forsake the traditional sectors in wake of the new oil prospects.

He told the gathering, “Our nation is now the hotspot of investments and the Chamber has witnessed this first hand as we continue to welcome delegations and potential investors. Although we are committed to pursuing all business opportunities that exist in the oil and gas sector, we must also remember the agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, tourism, finance and construction sectors are equally critical to the development of our nation.”

months, we have made it through the end of the year…We have all chosen to be here, sharing a common perspective, a set of core commitments contributing to a sustainable and stable economic and social environment in Guyana where business can prosper,” he said.

Meanwhile, receiving the Media Award 2022 for its coverage of the GCCI for the past year was Guyana Times

This year’s Woman in Business is Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran while Chartered Accountants and Professional Services Firm received the award for Small Business of the Year.

Micro Business of the Year is Nice Touch Spa and Mobile Unit. The Lifetime Achievement Award was handed over to businessman Sattaur Gafoor.

Guyana Shore Base Incorporated was awarded the Local Content Award, in recognition of its incorporation of local content in its operations. The Guyana Defence Force was also presented with the award for its outstanding public service.

UG owed $600M in outstanding tuition fees

University of Guyana Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed Martin has revealed that the institution is owed a whopping $600 million in outstanding tuition fees by its students.

She made the disclosure during the University’s Annual Business Meeting on Thursday.

The Vice Chancellor pointed out that despite the large sum of monies owed, the University still allows students to complete their education even though it puts the institution at a slight disadvantage.

“We have allowed them to continue studying and we’re collecting fees from them as they can pay and that, of course, is not very good for our cash flow, but it’s good for the country,” Mohamed Martin expressed.

“Because what’s going to happen if we say ‘if you can’t pay’ and we stop you from learning, what’s going to happen to all that pent-up talent and energy and all those needs that we have? So, the University has taken that decision to relax its fees.”

The Vice Chancellor further noted that the subvention the University receives from Government funds only about 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the workers’ salaries. Annually, they receive about $3 billion but she posited that the institution needs about $7 billion.

“One of the critical things

that people do not understand about the University and its funding is when they hear that the University gets a Government subvention, they think that … funds everything for us and it actually does not…,” she revealed.

According to Mohamed Martin, other expenses are generally covered by fees, grants, and revenues earned from the rental of facilities.

UG has seen tremendous growth since its launch on October 1, 1963. UG was first created as a small college and it has since expanded into a mid-sized university with over 10,000 students, more than 1500 staff and over 500 on-campus visitors daily.

Additionally, the University has met another milestone this year with the hosting of its largest graduation, with approximately 3000 graduates.

require joining forces with Government.

“Whether through better access to finance, developmental forums, seminars, or marketing fundamentals, the work never stops. The Private Sector seems to increasingly have a role to play in helping our nation to meet local and international development targets.

lauded Government’s responsiveness in catering to development through better infrastructure and other input.

“The making of modern Guyana is well on its way and today’s generation of Guyanese are incredibly privileged not only to witness but to be part of it… There’s no denying that Guyana’s booming oil and gas sector generates bil-

Despite challenges this year, the GCCI President said the body remained steadfast in its common agenda of stable and sustainable growth for all.

“We have faced challenges as a business community, but like an artist’s brush on canvas, we’re each other’s allies. I have no doubt that we are embarking on an age of unprecedented progress where many more masterpieces will be created. Despite what we have thought about the last 12

UG Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed Martin

body remains steadfast in its common agenda of stable and sustainable growth

Cameraman Paul Vanvield receiving the award on behalf of Guyana Times

GCCI President Timothy Tucker

Ramps continues to spread cheer through its annual Kids’ Christmas Treat

Ramps Logistics last

Saturday hosted its annual Kids’ Christmas Treat in Guyana and in Trinidad & Tobago in the form of a cross-country motorcade that put smiles on the faces of more than 290 children from 10 orphanages.

The motorcade commenced at the New Market Street main office of Ramps Logistics with Santa and a team of volunteers boarding

buses to go visit Bless the Children Home, Sophia Care Center, St Ann’s Orphanage and Joshua House Children Centre, where more than 140 children received presents from Santa Claus and danced to the festive music emanating from Santa’s DJ truck.

“Kids’ Christmas Treat is very special to us, because it’s families supporting families,” Ramps Guyana’s CSR Coordinator Rebekah Raman has said.

“It brings our people together to give back to our communities, enhance the lives of others, and spread a bit of Christmas cheer to the children at these homes.

After an eventful year, our team is excited to continue collaborating with local Guyanese businesses, and volunteering our time to make events like these possible.”

The team in Trinidad visited St Mary’s Children’s

Wishes of Reg 2 children granted through “Wish Upon A Star” initiative

Home, Sri Jaya Lakshmi Children’s Home, Wesleyan Children’s Home, Ezekiel’s Home for Abandoned Children, Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery, and El Shaddai Restoration Home for Children. The children in these homes also received gifts, and spent time with Santa and his helpers.

“The Kids’ Christmas Treat is something we are committed to doing every year with our Ramps team and our corporate sponsors,” CSR Team Lead Renuka Ragoo noted. “Each year, we are reminded of the importance of giving back and being involved in our communities. This venture is part

of our culture, to ensure we do something for the children at these homes, who have become part of our extended Ramps family.”

The Kids’ Christmas Treat is one initiative employed by Ramps Logistics to give back to communities, in keeping with the company’s corporate responsibility.

P&P Insurance Brokers makes $1.8M donation to 12 organisations

Scores of children with special needs along the Essequibo Coast were filled with excitement, when their wishes were granted by the Human Service and Social Security Ministry’s “Wish Upon a Star” initiative.

Scores of children turned up at the Regional Democratic Council’s compound where they were treated to goodies and gifts

Parsram Singh, a representative of Minister Vindhya Persaud wished the children the very best for the holidays.

He told the Guyana Times that the initiative targeted children between the ages of four and 15 who

either suffer from a terminal illness, disabilities, or psychological trauma or have lost their parents or never had the opportunity to enjoy that one gift that would make them incredibly happy.

He encouraged the children to continue sending their letters next year so that their wishes can be granted.

Meanwhile, one of the recipient Amber McLean was extremely happy that her wish was granted.

“This initiative touched my heart, when I was told about wish upon a star I immediately went ahead and write my letter. My mother received a call and I asked

her who and she told me is someone and she has to go out tomorrow… I didn’t want to go with her because I didn’t know why she is going out but I decided to go and I saw the gifts and got really excited even hearing my name called at the distribution bring tears to my eyes and I’m happy that my wish was granted,” the child added.

Another child, Devendra Persaud thanked Minister Persaud for such an initiative that brought smile to his face.

He said that he is very happy to receive the gift he wished for and cannot wait to unwrap and start playing.

P&P Insurance Brokers Limited on Thursday made its annual Christmas donations to 12 organisations to further assist those organisations in their humanitarian relief work.

The beneficiary organisations are: Bless the Children Home; Canaan Children’s Home; Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre; Uncle Eddie’s Home; Friends of the Archers’ Home; The Dharam Shala; St. Ann’s Orphanage; Cheshire Homes Guyana; Hauraruni Girls Home; Tina Insanally Foundation; Bal Nivas Shelter, and Joshua House.

Executive Director of P&P Insurance Brokers Limited, Vikash Panday, related that this is the 16th year that the brokerage has been donating, and this donation initiative commenced with only 10 organisations being beneficiaries.

“A few years ago, the number of organisations was increased to 12, with each receiving $125,000, thus making the total $1,500,000. This year, we are increasing the donation to each organisation to $150,000, making the total $1,800,000,” he explained.

Besides these increased

monetary donations, the brokerage has donated personal hygiene items to each organisation. And as a further addition, staff members of P&P have made donations of toys to each orphanage. Panday has said he is pleased that the staff took the initiative of reaching out to the community.

He has commended the recipient organisations for their support to the vulnerable, and, in response, representatives of these various organisations have thanked P&P Insurance Brokers Limited for its continued generosity and support over the years.

Ramps Logistics Team and Santa making their final stop at the Joshua House Children’s Centre

The Ramps Logistics team and volunteers, along with Santa, took a minute to pose for a photograph after the motorcade ended last Saturday

Children receiving their presents

Representatives of the recipient organisations are flanked by Vikash and Jaya Panday of P&P

Insurance Brokers Limited

Mohamed’s Enterprise donates $2M to 15 NGOs

Enterprise has donated almost $2 million to 15 charities and organisations across the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Cheques were handed over to the various representatives on Friday during a simple ceremony held at the company’s Lombard Street office. The recipient organisations are: the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center, Joshua House Children Center, Guyana Society for the Blind, Bait-Ur-Rahman, St. Ann’s Orphanage, St. John’s Bosco Orphanage, Guyana Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dharm Shala, Guyana Islamic Trust, Gifted Hands Learning Center for Special Needs, St. Barnabas Special School, MET Pride Academy, and Diamond Special Needs School.

During the presentation ceremony, businessman Nazar Mohamed commended the work of these entities, and expressed satisfaction with the role each of them plays in society. He also thanked the staff of those entities for their dedication and hard work in attending to the vulnerable.

“It’s shocking to know how many people have issues in the world: dif-

ferent sicknesses, Rett’s Syndrome, autism, Down’s Syndrome, and so many other issues. What you have been doing is amazing to take care of kids,” Mohamed expressed.

He also expressed hope that the financial aid given to these entities would assist them to further provide care for the vulnerable; and he noted that, over the years, both he and his family have been very supportive of the work of these entities.

He explained that, for decades, the Mohameds have assisted thousands of people who showed up at their door for assistance. “What you see here today is nothing compared to what we do

behind the scenes… We do not make public 95 per cent of the donations we make; we feel that once God knows, that is all that matters.”

He added that he would continue to assist the less fortunate and those in need with the wealth that has been bestowed on him by God Almighty. This has always been his message, the businessman said. He feels that it was Allah who guided and blessed him with the wealth, so that he could, in turn, help those in need. He also recalled growing up in a poor family with hardly anything much to eat when he was a child.

He has also renewed his calls for other entities to step in and assist the needy, especially at this time of the year.

sleeping on the ground… my wife and I have raised our children to be contented, and provided them with the things we did not have when we were young…” he told Guyana Times.

Today, his son and two daughters have followed in his footsteps, and are also involved in charitable work. For this, he noted, he is extremely proud of them.

ed, “You have done so much for our children. Your generosity is beyond (the ordinary), and I just want to say, ‘Thank you’, for making it possible that we can take care of these children.”

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal has said the contract for the electronic portal for the Single Window System would be signed by the end of the week.

Making this revelation on Tuesday during the Ministry’s ‘Dream Realised’ housing drive held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, he explained that the electronic aspect of the programme would allow anyone with an application to use a unique number to log in at any time to check the status of their application. He said, moreover, that the system would indicate which agency needed to provide a response or feedback.

“So, those of you who are embarking on a particular type of construction, you do not have subjectivity of having to depend on any officer, per se,” he relayed.

Minister Croal underlined that the Single Window Bill would have a significant impact on the lives of Guyanese. That bill, presented to the National Assembly last Monday, caters to the establishment of a single-window electronic processing system to in-

crease business efficiency and predictability, as the housing and construction industries are expanding rapidly. It would help to standardise application forms and checklists, as well as drastically reduce the time needed to complete a transaction.

Croal said the Government constantly examines the system, to improve efficiency in order to make the lives of Guyanese better. “When you’re seeking approval, which we have to get from the local authorities, you also have one of the bugbear issues of waiting on the no-objection that comes from the local authorities,” he explained.

Enshrined in the legislation are the regulations that would confine and state the particular time by which a response must be provided, he explained. “If the response does not come back -- whether it’s an objection or no-objection -- if the response is not given in a particular time, we will deem such a response from the NDC as no-objection,” he said.

The Minister has emphasised that the PPP/C Government’s transformational agenda is not just about infrastructure, but also legislation and ensuring that the system is much more transparent and fluid for everyone.

“We did not live that luxurious life back in the days…we struggled, but my parents ensured that our visitors received the best treatment, even if it meant giving up their beds and

The recipient organisations have expressed how this contribution would translate to creating a better experience for both persons and animals in their care. In fact, a representative from the Diamond Special Needs School shared, “Our children actually look forward for this time of the year, when they can have fun, and you are one of the persons making it possible. With a heart of gratitude, we just want to say, ‘Thank you’.”

A representative of the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages also indicat-

The representative of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center noted, “We’re truly grateful; and may you grow to continue sharing the love, so that we can continue to do what we are doing.”

These recipient organisations have all thanked the businessman for his incredible support over the years, and wished his family the best for the season.

Mohamed’s Enterprise, Falcon Logistics and Champion X have also teamed up to distribute 35 hampers to the elderly, and toys and goodies to 150 children resident along the East Bank Demerara corridor from McDoom to Agricola.

In addition, these companies have executed some community works in this area.

Mohamed’s

Representatives of the various charities posing with businessman Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and other stakeholders at the handing-over ceremony

Kelvin Fortune received the sponsorship cheque from Nazar Mohamed to offset the Mc Doom project

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

State House shooting Nigerian suspect on life support

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed that Bethel Ikena Chinezie, the Nigerian national who invaded State House on Thursday in an attempt to assassinate President Ali, remains in a critical state in hospital.

He related that the 25-year-old suspect, who was shot thrice, is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on a life support machine, battling for his life while investigators are still trying to put the pieces together in order to figure out the man’s motive for the invasion.

Blanhum also confirmed that the GPF is in talks with Interpol, but he could not divulge any information on those engagements.

However, condemnation of the attack continues to pour in. In fact, late Thursday evening, the Alliance for Change (AFC) stated that State House is the established and official residence of the President of Guyana and his family. It is not to be trifled with, and

every facility and resource must be used to protect its occupants and its sanctity.

As such, the Party has recommended that a full investigation be undertaken into the incident, to as-

certain the true motives, intentions, and associations, if any, of this man.

“Already, and regrettably, rumour and conjecture have dominated the discourse about the events -

Govt engages Leopold Street youths on employment opportunities

ranging from the actions of an insane man to this being organized, planned and targeted attack,” the party added.

It further stated that only a professional inquiry can unearth the facts and circumstances, and only then can a proper response, for future occurrences, be implemented.

“From a national security standpoint, this breach must be treated with the highest levels of seriousness and importance”, the AFC has said.

On Thursday at about 7:30h, Chinezie made a demand to see the President at a southern guard hut, located near Carmichael Street. He was cautioned about having to be processed before entering the compound. However, the assailant resisted being processed, and whipped out a knife from

a pouch he was carrying, using same to stab one of the guards present, Teon Perreira, five times about his body and to his neck.

After injuring Perreira, Chienzie relieved a female guard of her firearm and retreated from the guard hut. It was then that shots rang out in the usually quiet neighbourhood, much to the alarm of those residing in the environs. Civilian videos of the ordeal on Thursday morning captured Chinezie walking backwards from the guard hut, but continuing to exchange gunfire with the Presidential Guards and other ranks. The severely injured Nigerian national was later surrounded, intercepted, and disarmed by ranks.

Both the injured guard and the attacker were rushed to the Georgetown

Public Hospital(GPHC) for immediate medical attention. Perreira was rushed into surgery at the GPHC, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali showed up to check on his well-being. He later regained consciousness, and is reportedly alert. He, however, remains hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Meanwhile, at the scene of the shooting, Police ranks retrieved a 9mm pistol and seven 9mm spent shells. While there were no other injuries reported, there was visible damage to nearby business entities.

Meanwhile, information on Chinezie has revealed that the 25-year-old is employed with a cleaning service company. He arrived in Guyana on March 13, 2020, and was previously employed with a security company.

Women Chamber of Commerce appoints new Board

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, on Friday engaged youths from Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust on development works to be executed in their community.

That engagement was a follow-up to President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to offering training and jobs to persons from the area, made when he led an outreach to that area last month. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, and technical officials from the Ministry of Public Works were also part of the meeting.

The youths are to benefit from employment opportunities on drainage projects.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had, back in November, led an outreach to Leopold Street, where he had engaged residents in infrastructural development projects to be conducted, as well as skills training opportunities to be made available to them.

During the visit, the Head of State had informed residents that the desire of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration is to have young people “actively and positively” involved in the development and transformation of Guyana. In that way, he had explained, they could also get opportunities to live a better life.

“We have to ensure that our young people are trained,

that our young people are equipped. We have to ensure the women in our society live a more healthy and positive life. We have to ensure that we have the conditions here that will allow all the children to be in school… I’m here to push this agenda,” the President was quoted as saying.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had also been tasked with leading a full team to Leopold St. That team was to include Private Sector players who are looking to recruit people to do welding and fabrication works.

The Labour Ministry has also been integrally involved in bringing these promises to fruition.

The Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCIG) has announced the appointment of seven members to serve on its Board of Directors for the year 20222023.

During that Chamber’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), Rowena Elliot was re-elected to serve as President, with Aysha Harrop serving as Vice President, Shamela John serving as Secretary, and Alista Bishop serving as Treasurer.

The Members of the Board of Directors and the companies they represent are Rowena Elliot of Falcon Logistics Inc, A Blue Water Shipping Affiliate; Aysha Harrop of XL Engineering; Shamela John of Resysco by SJ; Alista Bishop of AX Investment and

Consultants

In brief remarks at the AGM, the President, Rowena Elliot, highlighted some of the accomplishments made during the year 2021-2022. Among those were the launch of the WE3A Initiative geared at strengthening women entrepreneurs in value chains, and the provision of mentorship and opportunities to women.

The Board of Directors has committed to adopting the vision of WCCIG, and pledges to continue working towards creating a business environment that fosters the growth and development of womenowned-and-led businesses, while building relationships for improvement of the membership.

The alleged attacker, Bethel Ikena Chinezie

Incorporated; Anita Ramprasad of Prestige Management Consultants Incorporated; Natasha Waddle of Xpress Business Solutions; and

Josephine Tapp of B&J Civil Works.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr engaging the youths

Re-elected President Rowena Elliot

Vice President-elect Aysha Harrop

Secretary Shamela John

Treasurer Alista Bishop

24-year court battle over Upper Mazaruni lands…

Akawaio, Arekuna tribes do not have “exclusive right” to area – Chief Justice rules

proven through testimonies and other evidence that the tribes have been occupying the lands from time immemorial, they do not have exclusive right to the lands, because non-Amerindians have also settled on the lands.

According to the Chief Justice, it has been proven that during colonial times the tribes had the sole occupation of the lands, but after Guyana became a sovereign state, non-Amerindians began occupying the lands, in particular those persons providing Government services.

lands by other groups, she found that it would not be prudent to grant a declaration giving the tribes possession of the lands “to the exclusion of all others”. As such, the tribes’ claim for damages resulting from “their unlawful deprivation of the lands” was refused.

In the end, Justice George declared that the Indigenous tribes hold communal and aboriginal titles to the lands, but those are subject to State lands and title.

The State has been ordered to pay the applicants $250,000 in court costs.

Commission that was tasked with mapping and suggesting titles to be issued to Indigenous communities.

Mazaruni River basin for over 2000 years, and that their homes, cultures, and livelihoods depended on their territory.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, has ruled that the Akawaio and Arekuna people do not have “exclusive right” to lands in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), as they were contending in a case filed against the Government since 1998.

The Akawaio and Arekuna are Amerindian

tribes that occupy the Upper Mazaruni area. In the case at reference, they had sought legal recognition of their rights to traditional and ancestral lands.

Delivering her ruling on Friday in the more-thantwo-decades-old case, she firstly apologised for the delay in the judgement, while noting that though it was

Justice George also referred to the lands being occupied by the Seventh-Day Adventists. She said there also is evidence that some of the lands in question are owned by the State, especially those in the vicinity of Mount Roraima.

Considering this, and the fact that there may be competing claims to the

28 years ago, a group of Indigenous peoples of the Upper Mazaruni filed a court action against the Government, seeking legal recognition of their traditional and ancestral lands. After Guyana gained independence from the British in 1966, the following year, the Government instituted an Amerindian Lands

Cocaine, ganja found during Police operations on Essequibo Coast

In 1991, titles were granted individually to each community, although they had requested to hold collective title to their traditional territory. According to reports, the villages of Paruima, Waramadong, Kamarang (Warawatta), Kako, Jawalla, and Phillipai in the Upper Mazaruni have long sought legal title over the area defined by the 1959 Amerindian District as one Akawaio/Arekuna district.

Dissatisfied at their request being ignored, the Arekuna and Akawaio people took the landmark case to court, to fight for their rights as Indigenous peoples of Guyana.

During the trial, they submitted archaeological evidence showing that their people have occupied the

The State had contended that it treats all of its citizens equally, and therefore the tribes’ contention that they were being discriminated against on the ground of their race in respect of being granted legal recognition of their rights to the lands was unsupported.

Final submissions in the case were made in 2017, prompting several Indigenous community leaders to protest the lengthy delay in bringing the matter to a conclusion. They had accused the judiciary of denying them their right to access to justice, which, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, requires a case to be determined within a reasonable time.

BoG announces upgrade of $5000 note

As part of its commitment to continuously upgrade the Guyana currency notes, the Bank of Guyana will -with effect from Tuesday, December 20, 2022 -- be issuing an upgraded $5,000 currency note, which would retain most of the elements of the previous note but would have three significant changes to the front and back of the note.

These changes are: the removal of the Dual Track thread from the back of the note; removal of the Holographic Stripe at the

front of the note; and addition of a 5mm-wide Pulsar colour shifting thread at the front of the note. The colour on this thread shifts from gold to green with dynamic movement, and a SPARK Live Truspin feature around a Jaguar is placed at the front of the note which, when tilted shifts from gold to green. Also, a double circle surrounding the Jaguar moves.

This new $5,000 currency note would be circulated alongside the existing note of the same denomination.

Police ranks on the Essequibo Coast have arrested two men following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine and marijuana during separate operations done in the week.

Law enforcement officers have said that at about 18:00h on Monday, ranks were on mobile patrol along the Essequibo Coast when a young man was observed attempting to dispose of a transparent plastic bag from a shop. The bag instead hit the wall and fell back into the shop. As the ranks

moved closer, the man retrieved the bag and kept it in his possession.

Ranks approached the suspect and conducted a search on his person, unearthing the plastic bag which contained ganja. The young man was thus told of the offence committed and cautioned.

A further search conducted in the shop resulted in the discovery of a black plastic bag with another quantity of cannabis. The young man was arrested and taken into custody. The cannabis was weighed and amounted

to 76.9 grams. He is presently assisting with the investigation.

While on mobile patrol at the Onderneeming Sandpit in Region 2 on Tuesday, Police, acting on information received, went to the home of a 36-year-old labourer and conducted a search.

They unearthed an orange bottle with a white cork, and when the bottle was opened, it was observed

to contain several pieces of a whitish- creamish, bricklike substance that was at the time suspected to be cocaine.

The suspect was told of the offence, cautioned, arrested, and taken to Suddie Police Station, where the suspected cocaine was weighed and amounted to 3.75 grams. The man remains in custody, pending charges.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC

Regional

Peru Ministers resign after protest deaths as new Government wobbles

Daughter of Haitian immigrants new Harvard President

Harvard University has named the first black person to lead the Ivy League university.

Dr Claudine Gay, who is a dean at Harvard and a democracy scholar, has been appointed as the school's 30th President.

She is the second woman to head the elite college in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Dr Gay will replace Lawrence Bacow as President in July 2023, the university said.

She will be the only black person to lead an Ivy League university in 2023 and the second black woman ever to head one of the colleges.

"humbled" by the appointment.

She said: "The idea of the 'ivory tower' – that is the past not the future of academia.

versity.

Pressure rose on Peru's fledgling Government Friday as two Cabinet Members resigned following deadly protests that have rocked the country since former President Pedro Castillo's removal from office and arrest last week.

Education Minister Patricia Correa and Culture Minister Jair Perez announced their resignations on Twitter, citing the deaths of individuals during the unrest.

"This morning I presented my letter of resignation from the position of Education Minister. The death of compatriots has no justification. State violence cannot be disproportionate and cause death," she said

on her Twitter account.

Peru's Congress also rejected on Friday a proposed constitutional reform that would have brought presidential elections forward to December 2023, one of the key demands of the protesters.

Peru has been through years of political turmoil, with multiple leaders accused of corruption, frequent impeachment attempts, and presidential terms cut short.

The Cabinet departures now raise questions about the longevity of the Government of President Dina Boluarte, the former Vice President, who was sworn in on December 7 after Castillo was re-

moved from office by a congressional vote hours after he attempted to dissolve Congress.

Castillo's ouster led to angry protests, with demonstrators calling for early elections, the closure of Congress, a constituent assembly, and the resignation of Boluarte.

Protests continued Friday, with key roads blockaded and five airports forced to close. At least 16 people have been killed in the protests so far, authorities have said.

The death toll could be as high as 20, Eliana Revollar, head of Peru's ombudsman's office, said in an interview with local radio RPP.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Stop blaming The Bahamas for FTX collapse, Foreign Minister says

The Bahamas should not be blamed for the collapse of bankrupt cryptocurrency platform FTX, the country's Foreign Minister said on Friday, following repeated accusations by FTX management of alleged misconduct by the Caribbean nation's authorities.

FTX lawyers on Wednesday said they "do not trust" the Bahamian Government, which FTX's leadership has accused of colluding with now-jailed former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) BankmanFried to help account holders withdraw US$100 million just as the platform was going bankrupt.

In a withering voice recording distributed over WhatsApp on Friday morning, Bahamas Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell, said "this blame game directed at The Bahamas" is undermining efforts to recover assets that were lost as a result of fraud.

"Every day there is some

accusation being hurled at The Bahamas, but it is clear the jurisdiction of the alleged fraud is not the reason the fraud happened," said Mitchell.

"We in The Bahamas can ask the question: How did the mastermind of FTX get on the front page of Forbes magazine, a U.S. magazine? Which nation's press called him the next Warren Buffett? Clearly that was the United States."

Bankman-Fried was arrested on Monday and re -

manded on Tuesday to a Bahamian detention centre after a magistrate judge denied his bail request.

On Thursday, his lawyers filed a new bail application, this time before the Supreme Court, according to a source.

US Prosecutors accuse the 30-year-old of misappropriating billions of dollars and violating campaign laws in what has been described as one of America's biggest financial frauds. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dr Gay has "brought to her roles a rare blend of incisiveness and inclusiveness, intellectual range and strategic savvy, institutional ambition, and personal humility", said Penny Pritzker, a senior fellow of the Harvard Corporation and the chair of Harvard's presidential search committee.

"This is crazy, right?" Dr Gay said as she was introduced to applause at the Smith campus centre on Thursday, adding she felt

"We don't exist outside of society, but as part of it.

"That means that Harvard has a duty to lean in, engage and to be of service to the world."

She is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University in California in 1992.

Dr Gay received her doctorate degree in 1998 from Harvard, where she won the Toppan Prize for the best dissertation in political science, according to the uni-

She joined Harvard's faculty in 2006 as a government professor and became a professor of African and African-American Studies in 2007.

Dr Gay's work has centred on race and politics in America, including how social and economic factors shape political views and voting behaviour.

Her appointment comes as the Supreme Court is reviewing a case that could require Harvard to change its admissions process.

The case focuses on whether an applicant's race should be a factor in the admissions process.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T Senator: Scrap-metal measures too harsh

Opposition Senator Jearlean John questioned whether measures being proposed in the Scrap Metal Bill 2022 will do more harm than good. John asked this question when she contributed to debate on the bill in the Senate on Friday.

While the United national Congress (UNC) supports efforts to properly regulate the domestic scrap metal industry, John wondered why Government closed it down, just to deal with the actions of a few alleged miscreants operating in it.

Referring to information provided by the Police, John said in 2020, there were 58 reports of scrap

metal theft and 30 arrests.

"In 2021, there were 83 reports and 52 arrests."

John said between January and August, there were 162 reports of scrap metal theft and 136 arrests.

She believed this was the reason that Government decided in August to close the industry for six months.

John did not understand the reason for closing down an approximately TT$260 million industry "as a remedy for what they described as the actions of a few criminal elements".

She said the closure of the industry caused significant unemployment within it.

John estimated there

could be at least 250, 000 people operating in the industry.

She asked how many of these people are properly licensed.

John questioned a provision in the bill which only permitted people 18 years and older to be eligible to obtain licences as scrap metal collectors or dealers.

"What makes 18 years so magical?"

She claimed that people under the age of 16 years could be scrap metal dealers or collectors under the existing Old Metal and Marine Stores Act, which will be repealed when the Scrap Metal Bill 2022 becomes law. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Mexican President slams Peru's state of emergency, blasts US official

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday criticised a state of emergency imposed in Peru to tackle violent protests and slammed the US Ambassador to Lima for meeting the South American country's new leader.

Unrest in Peru erupted after the ousting of leftist President Pedro Castillo, who was arrested last week after trying to dissolve the country's Congress.

Lopez Obrador, a fellow leftist, has called Castillo the rightful President of Peru, even as he insists his foreign

policy is dictated by non-intervention in the affairs of other states.

Peru's state of emergency has granted police special powers and imposed limits on civic freedoms. Lopez Obrador described the Andean nation as being in a "state of siege".

"Force must not be used, the people must not be repressed and freedoms must be guaranteed," Lopez Obrador said during a regular news conference.

Lopez Obrador took aim at the US Ambassador to Peru, Lisa Kenna, for meeting President Dina Boluarte, who replaced Castillo.

Lopez Obrador later questioned whether the US Government was aware of what its officials were doing in Peru.

"It may even be (US Secretary of State Antony) Blinken of the State Department doesn't know about it, and it was down to the embassy," Lopez Obrador said. "Because that's how they've always done it, especially in Latin America."

Mexico's Government has said it is consulting with Peruvian authorities about an asylum request Castillo had made to Mexico. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Demonstrators injured during clashes with security forces are treated by medical personnel amid violent protests following the ousting and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo, in Ayacucho, Peru, December 15, 2022 (Reuters/Miguel Gutierrez Chero)

Bahamas Foreign Minister Fred Mitchel

Claudine Gay is the daughter of Haitian immigrants

Around the World

Russia fires scores of missiles in one of its biggest attacks on Ukraine

Oil drops by over US$2 per barrel, dogged by recession fears

Oil fell by more than US$2 per barrel on Friday, swept up in a wider rout in global equities on fears of a looming recession, after central banks across Europe and North America signalled they will continue to battle inflation aggressively.

Brent crude futures settled at US$79.04 per barrel, down US$2.17 or 2.4 per cent, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures fell by US$1.82, or 2.4 per cent, to settle at US$74.29 per barrel.

The US Federal Reserve indicated it would raise interest rates further next year, even as the economy slips toward a possible recession. On Thursday, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank also raised interest rates to fight inflation.

"The talk around the campfire has suddenly become all about demand destruction in the face of a recession," said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho.

"The economic situation is less than stellar. Not today, but we are drifting in the direction of testing US$70-per-barrel WTI again, and things could get very ugly from there."

Both benchmarks finished the week higher, aided by rallies in the first three days. Brent futures notched their biggest weekly gains since early October, but those gains follow the worst weekly rout since August for the oil benchmark.

Heavy crude benchmarks have strengthened as the Canada-to-US Keystone pipeline shutdown continues without a timetable for restart. While the outage is supportive for prices of heavier crude oil grades, it is "doing nothing" for lighter global benchmarks, said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at Kpler.

Oil prices briefly erased some losses after officials said the US Energy Department would repurchase three million barrels of domestic crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the first purchase since this year's record 180-million-barrel release from the stockpile.

"It's not clear if this SPR repurchase is a one-off test or the start of a trend. If a one-off, it is a bit of a non-event," Smith said. (Reuters)

Russia fired more than 70 missiles at Ukraine on Friday in one of its biggest attacks since the start of the war, knocking out power in the second-biggest city and forcing Kyiv to implement emergency blackouts nationwide, Ukrainian officials said.

Three people were killed when an apartment block was hit in central Kryvyi Rih and another died in shelling in Kherson in the south, they said. Russian-installed officials in occupied eastern Ukraine said 12 people had died by Ukrainian shelling.

In an evening video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia still had enough missiles for several more massive strikes and he again urged Western allies to supply Kyiv with more and better air defence systems.

work at the site of a residential building damaged by a Russian missile, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, December 16, 2022 (Reuters/Mykola Synelnykov)

Zelenskiy said Ukraine was strong enough to bounce back. "Whatever the rocket worshippers from Moscow are counting on, it still won't change the balance of power in this war," he said.

Kyiv warned on Thursday that Moscow planned a new all-out offen-

Twitter condemned by UN and EU over reporters’ ban

The United Nations has joined the European Union in condemning Twitter's decision to suspend some Journalists who cover the social media firm.

Reporters for the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post were among those locked out of their accounts.

The UN tweeted that media freedom is "not a toy" while the EU has threatened Twitter with sanctions.

A Twitter spokesman told a US tech news website the bans were related to the live sharing of location data.

Melissa Fleming, the

Child workers found throughout Hyundai-Kia supply chain in Alabama

At least four major suppliers of Hyundai

Motor Co and sister Kia Corp have employed child labour at Alabama factories in recent years, a Reuters investigation found, and state and federal agencies are probing whether kids have worked at as many as a half dozen additional manufacturers throughout the automakers’ supply chain in the southern US state.

At a plant owned by Hwashin America Corp, a supplier to the two car brands in the south Alabama town of Greenville, a 14-year-old Guatemalan girl worked this May assem-

bling auto body components, according to interviews with her father and law enforcement officials. At plants owned by Korean auto-parts maker Ajin Industrial Co, in the east Alabama town of Cusseta, a former production engineer told Reuters he worked with at least 10 minors. And six other ex-employees of Ajin said they, too, worked alongside multiple underage labourers.

In two separate statements sent by the same public relations firm, Hwashin and Ajin said their policies forbid the hiring of any worker not of legally employable age. Using identical language, both compa-

nies said they hadn’t, “to the best of our knowledge,” hired underage workers.

The employment of children at Hwashin and Ajin hasn’t been previously reported. The news follows a Reuters report in July that revealed the use of child workers, one as young as 12, by SMART Alabama LLC, a Hyundai subsidiary in the south Alabama town of Luverne. In August, the US Department of Labour said that SL Alabama LLC, another Hyundai supplier and a unit of South Korea’s SL Corp, employed underage workers, including a 13-yearold, at its factory in Alexander City. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UN's Under Secretary General for global communications, said she was "deeply disturbed" by reports that Journalists were being "arbitrarily" suspended from Twitter.

"Media freedom is not a toy," she said. "A free press is the cornerstone of democratic societies and a key tool in the fight against harmful disinformation."

Earlier on Friday, EU Commissioner Vera Jourova threatened Twitter with sanctions under Europe's new Digital Services Act which she said requires "the respect of media freedom and fundament rights".

"Elon Musk should be aware of that. There are red lines. And sanctions, soon," she added.

Musk has not commented directly on the suspensions, but said in a tweet that "criticising me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not".

The technology tycoon later set up a poll asking whether he should unsuspend the accounts "now" or "in seven days", suggesting the decision could be reversed sooner rather than later.

"Same doxxing rules apply to 'Journalists' as to everyone else," he added, using a term to describe the release of private information online about individuals.

A spokesman for the New York Times called the suspensions "questionable and unfortunate". (Excerpt from BBC News)

sive early next year, around a year after its February 24 invasion, in which wide areas of Ukraine have been shattered by missiles and artillery, but little of it taken by Russian forces.

Russia has rained missiles on Ukrainian energy infrastructure almost weekly since early October after several battlefield defeats, but Friday's attack seemed to inflict more damage than many others, with snow and ice now widespread. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Giant hotel aquarium containing 1500 fish explodes

Agiant aquarium containing a million litres of water in the lobby of the Radisson Blu in Berlin has burst, flooding the hotel and nearby streets.

The "AquaDom" – home to 1,500 fish – is 15.85 metres high (52 ft) and was described as the largest free-standing cylindrical aquarium in the world.

Two people were injured by falling glass after the blast.

Police said there had been "incredible" damage. Video showed an empty tank with water pouring into the hotel lobby.

Guests have been moved out of the hotel following the incident at 05:50 (04:50 GMT).

A spokesman for Berlin's fire brigade told the BBC the vast majority of the fish had died, while the cold weather had made rescue attempts

more difficult. The tank had contained more than 100 different species.

However, fire brigade official James Klein later told local media that "several dozen" fish had been found alive in places where residual water had collected. He said they were being rehoused in other aquariums.

Also, the Associated Press quoted officials as saying they were working to rescue another 400-500 fish in smaller tanks under the hotel lobby which had been deprived of oxygen because of the disaster.

Outside the Radisson Blu, a pile of debris lay in front of what were the front doors, which now hang into the street – twisted at an angle by the force of the exploding tank.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Japan on Friday unveiled its biggest military build-up since World War Two with a US$320 billion plan that will buy missiles capable of striking China and ready it for sustained conflict, as regional tensions and Russia's Ukraine invasion stoke war fears.

The sweeping, five-year plan, once unthinkable in pacifist Japan, will make the country the world's third-biggest military spender after the United States and China, based on current budgets.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who described Japan and its people as being at a "turning point in history", said the ramp-up was "my answer to the various security challenges that we face".

His Government worries that Russia has set a precedent that will encourage China to attack Taiwan, threatening nearby Japanese islands, disrupt-

ing supplies of advanced semiconductors and putting a potential stranglehold on sea lanes that supply Middle East oil.

"This is setting a new heading for Japan. If appropriately executed, the Self-Defence Forces will be a real, world-class effective force," said Yoji Koda, a former Maritime Self Defence Force admiral, who commanded the Japanese fleet in 2008.

The Government said it would also stockpile spare parts and other munitions, expand transport capacity and develop cyber warfare capabilities. In its postwar, American-authored constitution, Japan gave up the right to wage war and means to do so.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a serious violation of laws that forbid the use of force and has shaken the foundations of the international order," the strategy paper said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rescuers

Pacifist Japan unveils biggest military buildup since World War Two

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t give up on something you want. Take a step back, revamp your plan, and consider what and who you need to reach your goal. Time spent volunteering or helping others will pay off.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Stop procrastinating and start getting things done before you run out of time. A change will be educational and will encourage you to take more significant steps as you proceed.

Put your heart into whatever you choose to do, and you’ll accomplish your objective. Shopping, socializing and festive preparations will lift your spirits. Be wary of scammers.

(May 21-June 20)

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

An imaginative approach to life, love and happiness will help you develop a plan to encourage better cash flow, relationships and opportunities. Embrace change. Romance is apparent.

Volunteer to help the needy, a friend or a relative, and the gratification will bring you joy. Don’t let change dampen your mood or come between you and someone you love. Be honest and compassionate.

Look for alternative ways to bring in extra cash. Don’t overspend on things you don’t need. Get out and socialize with people who offer mental stimulation and encourage positive change.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Emotions will surface if you discuss sensitive issues or share your opinions. Put your energy and enthusiasm into traveling, learning, or spending time with friends or relatives.

Indecisiveness will get in the way of what you want. Look at what’s available, do your due diligence and initiate change. Update your image and sport a trendy new look.

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

Steer clear of poor influences and people eager to make you look bad. Focus on healthy eating, exercise and the activities that lead to a fit, happy lifestyle.

Bide your time and see what transpires. Don’t let your emotions compromise a situation that has the potential to spin out of control. Patience is a virtue and will buy you the time you need.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don’t let someone’s uncertainty confuse you. Go about your business, and you’ll feel good about what you accomplish. Fix up your surroundings for the festive season.

Helping others will brighten your day. Don’t let trivial matters set you off or lead to a feud with a friend, relative or loved one. Do what you can to keep the peace.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ARCHIE PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

Gill, Pujara centuries and Kuldeep five-for put India in firm control

S

In response, Bangladesh openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan saw off the 12 overs left in the day's play. This was after Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first Test in 22 months, and his eighth overall, picked up his third five-wicket haul to skittle out the hosts for 150 in the first innings.

Resuming the day on 133 for 8, Bangladesh could add only 17 more, as Kuldeep had Ebadot Hossain caught down the leg side in the fifth over of the day to complete his five-for. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the other overnight batter, then tried to farm the strike even more, but was stumped off Axar Patel soon after, while going for a big hit. That gave India a lead of 254, but they decided against enforcing the follow-on.

In the second innings, Khaled Ahmed and Taijul

hubman Gill has scored his first Test hundred, and Cheteshwar Pujara his first in 52 innings, and the fastest of his career, as India declared on 258 for 2, setting Bangladesh a target of 513 in the first Test in Chattogram. More realistically, India gave themselves two days and a bit to pick up ten wickets.Cheteshwar Pujara has scored his first Test ton since January 2019

Islam opened the bowling for Bangladesh, as Ebadot didn't step onto the field. On Thursday, after dismissing Shreyas Iyer, he was off the field for the rest of India's first innings. With Shakib Al Hasan also not bowling, probably because of the rib injury he sustained during the ODI series, the hosts were left with just three frontline bowlers.

KL Rahul and Gill, though, started slowly, accumulated only 16 runs in the first eight overs. Gill upped the scoring rate after lunch, but Khaled broke

their 70-run stand. Using the short-ball play, he first hurried Rahul, and then had him pulling one to fine leg for 23.

Khaled also hit Pujara on the body twice, but the plan didn't work against Gill, who took the short ball on and hit the seamer for a four and a six. Later, as Khaled seemed to be tiring at the end of his seven-over spell, Pujara also pulled him for four.

Against spinners, Gill used the sweep shot to good effect, picking up three boundaries with it. He had

a scare though, on 70, when Yasir Ali pinged him on the pads. The on-field umpire ignored the vociferous appeal, and when Bangladesh opted to review it, they were told the DRS technology was down.

After tea, Gill and Pujara batted with even more intent. Gill moved to 99 with a reverse-swept four off Mehidy, and, two balls later, hit him over mid-on for a one-bounce four to get to his hundred. He fell for 110 while attempting another big shot, but Pujara took over after that.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirms new 32-team Club World Cup -revamped World Cup format to be revisited

IFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed the governing body is proceeding with plans for a 32-team Club World Cup, and that the format of the next World Cup is to be revisited.every four years.

"It will be a Club World Cup of 32 teams every four years, and the first edition will be summer of 2025," he said. "They will be the best teams in the world, invited to participate."

Infantino was addressing the media in Doha on Friday for the first time since his extraordinary press conference at the start of Qatar 2022. He opted against a 45-minute opening monologue on this occasion, instead taking the opportunity to provide an update following a FIFA Council meeting earlier in the day. During that meeting, plans were approved to push on with a previously proposed expansion to the Club World Cup.

The competition currently pits the winners of the main continental club competitions against each other every year, but the new version would feature 32 teams from across the globe, and take place once

Infantino also revealed that FIFA is rethinking its format for the next World Cup, which would be the first with 48 competing teams. Initially, FIFA had planned for the tournament to consist of 16 groups of three teams; however, enlightened by the drama at the end of the first stage of Qatar 2022, Infantino has suggested that groups of four are likely to remain.

"I have to say, after this World Cup and the success of groups of four, and looking at other competitions such as the Euros, here [four-team groups] have been incredible," he said. "I think we have to revisit, or at least rediscuss, the format. This is something that will certainly be on the agen-

da."

Speaking two days before the final game of Qatar 2022, Infantino summarised the tournament as a success in every way, in his opinion, praising the behaviour of supporters.

"The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts," Infantino has said.

"The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together. The fans meeting the Arab World; it has been very important for

the future of all of us.

"When it comes to the matches, we have seen some incredibly competitive games, some surprises, some great goals. At the end of the day, there was, on average, 10 minutes played as additional time every match. This was a very fair World Cup on the pitch; no simulations, not so many yellow and red cards. But this shows the compliment goes to the players and coaches, who maintained their calm, and of course the referees." (Sportsmax)

Having reached his fifty off 87 deliveries, Pujara took only 43 balls more to get to his hundred. On the way, he used his feet against spinners to loft them over midoff and mid-on, deployed the lap sweep on more than one occasion, and even brought out the reverse sweep as India eyed declaration.

From the other end,

Virat Kohli almost exclusively dealt in singles. He and Pujara added 75 off 73 balls in an unbroken stand for the fifth wicket, Kohli's share in that being 19 off 29 balls.

A misfield at mid-on took Pujara to the three-figure mark off 130 balls, and with that, India declared their innings as well. (Cricinfo)

Innings

India

48.5 ov), 10-150 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 55.5 ov)

Khaled Ahmed 13-0-51-1

Taijul Islam 23.4-3-71-0

Mehidy Hasan Miraz 14-1-82-1

Yasir Ali 6-0-28-0

Litton Das 2-0-13-0

Najmul Hossain Shanto 3-0-12-0

Bangladesh 2nd Innings

(T: 513 runs)

Najmul Hossain Shanto not out 25 Zakir Hasan not out 17

Extras 0

TOTAL 12 Ov (RR: 3.50) 42

Yet to bat: Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Nurul Hasan †, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammed Siraj 3-0-11-0

Umesh Yadav 1-1-0-0

Ravichandran Ashwin 5-1-23-0

Axar Patel 2-0-4-0

Kuldeep Yadav 1-0-4-0

Shubman Gill got to his maiden Test hundred off 147 balls

F

WI Test team needs rebuilding

fmr WI Captain Carl Hooper

Carl Hooper, the former West Indies captain and Guyana all-rounder, has called for changes to be made at the highest administrative levels of Caribbean cricket.

Hooper’s call was made in reaction to the West Indies having been bowled out by Australia for 77, half an hour before the dinner break on the fourth day in the day-and-night second Test played at the Adelaide Oval. The 419-run loss was the largest margin of defeat ever recorded by the West Indies in its now 95year history of playing Test cricket.

As appropriate as it may be, Hooper’s call is merely the latest addition to the ever-increasing number of voices that have been advocating the implementation of such changes. The rather unfortunate reality is, however, that Cricket West Indies (CWI) current President, Ricky Skerritt, and Vice President Kishore Shallow are both scheduled to remain in office until next March’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). It would therefore more than likely be business as usual until then.

In the interim, the West Indies Test team would be engaged in two consecutive two-match series. The

first on tour to Zimbabwe in January, followed by a visit to South Africa weeks later, at the tail end of February. While any changes in the administration of West Indies cricket may not immediately be forthcoming, there should now at least be a major shakeup in the team’s composition for the upcoming Zimbabwe and South African tours.

The West Indies’ batting and bowling were both exposed as woefully inadequate when matched against their world-number-one ranked Australian rivals. The West Indies batsmen failed to reach 350 in any of the four innings they batted during the series. The bowlers had an even more torrid time, managing to capture only 19 of the 40 Australian wickets that were available during the two Tests. Australia posted scores of 598 for four and 182 for two in the first Test, and 511 for seven and 199 for six in the second.

Facing South Africa’s vaunted bowling attack on their home pitches would likely be just as formidable a task for the West Indies batsmen, who were found wanting against both top-class pace and spin in Australia. With doing the same thing with the expectation of different results

being the accepted definition of insanity, it would therefore make very little sense for the West Indies to take the same bunch of obviously inadequate top-order batsmen to either Zimbabwe or South Africa.

The exception to that now palpably obvious need for the West Indies top-order batting to be rebuilt is of course the opening pair of Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and his newfound partner

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of the legendary great former Guyanese and West Indies batsman Shivnarine. Young Tagenarie was the find of the series for the West Indies, impressing everyone who witnessed his crease appearances with his solid technique, resiliency and stroke play.

Brathwaite and Chanderpaul have shown themselves to be a pair capable of consistently providing the West Indies innings with solid and sizable opening partnerships. The West Indies’ batting vulnerability, however, begins immediately thereafter at numbers three, four and five. Nkrumah Boner, Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood and Kyle Mayers have now all had sufficient opportunities to prove their worth, but when confronted by the very best of highly disciplined pace or spin bowling, they have each been found wanting.

Bonner showed his vulnerability to short-pitched bowling, being hit on the head and left with a concussion during the West Indies’ first innings of the opening Test, and taking no further part in the series. Brooks, his replacement, had scores of 33, 11, 8 and 0 for a Ssries aggregate of 52 runs from four innings batted, for an average of 13.00.

Blackwood, the team’s vice-captain, was only marginally better, squandering useful starts of 36 and 24 in the first and second innings of the opening Test, before failing abjectly with scores of 3 and 0 in the second.

his productivity in terms of wickets captured is far less so. A total of 27 wickets taken in 18 matches played is just one per match. Totally inadequate when viewed against the reality of the 20 opposition wickets that need to be captured for any team to win a Test match.

Mayers’s tenure on the team was also effectively undermined by Devon Thomas during the second Test of the just-concluded Aussie series. Although he only had meagre scores of 19 and 12 in his two crease appearances, Thomas batted relatively long in both innings, facing 37 balls in the first and hanging on resolutely through 56 deliveries in the second. In both innings, he demonstrated a solid technique that was much better than anything Mayers has ever displayed when facing top class bowling.

innings. Leaving the West Indies with an even further depleted bowling unit.

Jason Holder and Anderson Phillip were both wayward in their respective lines and lengths, and rarely looked likely to take a wicket. Head Selector Desmond Haynes’s experiment of using Roston Chase as a front-line spinner failed miserably in both Tests. Chase’s series returns were three wickets for 13 runs from 71 overs.

Chris Paul wants the Phoenix Suns to "keep this train moving", after they ended a five-match losing streak by beating the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns stopped the rot on their travels on Thursday, seeing off the depleted Clippers 111-95.

Los Angeles were without Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Norman Powell, Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac as they were beaten in their own backyard.

Mikal Bridges scored 27 points, while Paul weighed in with 15, and also provided 13 assists in a win that moved them to 17-12.

Phoenix sit fourth in the Western Conference, and

point guard Paul is eager to get on a roll. "I'm happy we finally got a win out of this road trip, and we're going to try to keep this train moving," he said.

Suns coach Monty Williams praised Bridges for the manner in which he responded to an off-day against the Houston Rockets. "He's a prideful player," Williams said. "He needed a forklift to get his lip off the ground the other night, he was so down about his performance.

When he's shooting the ball like (tonight), we're a pretty good team."

The Clippers are 17-14, and occupy eighth spot in the Western Conference.

(Sportsmax)

Kyle Mayers, batting at number five, could only manage 1 and 10 in the first Test, his technical deficiencies against both top-class pace and spin being glaringly exposed for all the world to see. Mayers’s bowling, which in recent times has been touted as his saving grace and justification for continued retention of his place in the team, produced returns of one wicket for 39 runs from 15 overs in the first Test. Almost a direct reflection of his overall bowling returns in the Tests he has played to date.

Aged 30, Mayers has so far played 14 Tests for the West Indies, capturing 27 wickets at an average of 18.25. While his sub20 average can rightfully be deemed as impressive,

Close behind Tage Chanderpaul’s wonderful batting, as the second most welcoming revelation of the Series for the West Indies, was Thomas’s bowling. Selected to the squad as the backup wicket-keeper, Thomas came to the fore during the second Test with his previously unheard-of medium pace bowling. Clocking speeds that were at times most impressively more than 130km, Thomas had figures of two for 53 runs from 14 overs in Australia’s first innings, and none for 13 runs off two overs in their second.

Thomas’s discovered medium pace, along with Alzarri Joseph’s sporadic hostility, were the only bright spots in the West Indies bowling during the series. The attack spearhead, Kemar Roach, having broken down yet again during the first Test, failed to recover in time for the second. His replacement, Marquino Mindley, who had been flown into Australia from the Caribbean, arriving just two days before the Test, lasted only that many overs before he, too, pulled up with a hamstring injury early in the Aussie’s first

The forthcoming twoTest Zimbabwe series would provide the West Indies with valuable opportunity to try out some changed personnel in both the batting and bowling departments. Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope should be brought in as replacements for Bonner, Brooks, Blackwood and Mayers, while Thomas should be allowed a second chance to demonstrate his worthiness as a batsman who bowls. King, Hetmeyer and Hope’s respective places can be justified by the reality that, of all those immediately available from the sadly bare cupboard of batting resources, they are the most technically sound.

In terms of the bowling, both Holder and Roach should be rested for the Zimbabwe series. Holder needs to get back into the nets and spend some time hitting lots of balls to regain his batting form, while similarly rediscovering the optimum lines and lengths that had made him the world class bowler he used to be, but hasn’t been of late.

Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie should be the replacements for the bowling unit, which would hopefully also be boosted by the inclusion of the injury-recovered Jayden Seales. Paul has shown the ability to bowl at speeds of more than 140km, while Motie deserves a chance at an extended run after this debut Test earlier this year.

The remaining four spots on the expected 15-member touring squad should

be filled by a third opener, a middle-order batsman, a bowling all-rounder, and a fourth frontline seamer. The primary criteria for the respective selections being that the candidates should all be still young, aged not above 30, worthy prospects with potentially promising careers that can become fulfilled in the immediate future. Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Dominic Drakes and Ramon Simmonds are among those who should be considered for the respective positions.

A practical rebuild for the 2023 New Year and beyond is what is needed. Hopefully, what’s good should be further strengthened by eliminating and replacing what’s clearly unacceptably bad!

(Barbados Today)

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basketball news…

win over Clippers

wants Suns to “keep this train moving”

Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport on board for National Seniors 2022

Officials of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) have met with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and Chairman of the National Sports Commission yesterday at the Ministry’s Quamina Street office.

This meeting was organised to formally welcome the Ministry on board for the Seniors Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition (Mr. Guyana) 2022, set for the National Cultural Centre on Sunday December 18, 2022. Besides the formalities of welcoming the Ministry on board, the GBBFF and its athletes have had fruitful engagements with the Minister

and the Chairman of the NSC. Among the matters they discussed were the issue of sponsorship, and plans for CAC 2024.

The Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation would like to thank Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., for his unwavering support to sports in general, and the sport of bodybuilding and fitness specifically.

GBBFF President Keavon Bess, in a previous interview with this publication, had noted that that body would be “running a very tight ship” from beginning to end, and he is confident the show would be exciting and fans would leave the venue with “their appetites wet” for more bodybuilding action. He also noted that, in regard to

what fans can expect come December 18, a high degree of improvement in physicality from the athletes on stage, and much improved professionalism as well.

Approximately 30 ath-

letes would be competing in the four different segments of this competition: Bodybuilding, Bikini, Women’s Wellness, and Men’s Physique. An official list of participating

Matthews writes her name into the women’s ODI history books

Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Odean Smith and Rovman Powell are the four West Indian players who have been selected to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for 2023. The PSL will take place between February 9 and March 19, 2023.

Player retentions have been announced on November 11, and the PSL draft occurred on Thursday, December 15. Rutherford has become a familiar face in the PSL as he plies his trade for Peshawar Zalmi. The Guyanese had been retained ahead of Thursday's draft, while his fellow West Indians Hosein, Smith and Powell were snapped up at the draft.

The PSL is set to commence in February, but would clash with Cricket West Indies’ Regional Four-Day Championships, unofficially set to commence around the February window. Below are the full squads of the PSL teams:

Islamabad United

Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Colin Munro, Paul Stirling, Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abrar

Ahmed, Sohaib Maqsood, Rumman Raees, Zeeshan Zamir, Hassan Nawaz, Moeen Ali, Mubasir Khan.

Karachi Kings

Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Malik, Aamir Yamin, Mir Hamza, Sharjeel Khan, Qasim Akram, Matthew Wade, Imran Tahir, James Vince, James Fuller, Andrew Tye, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad

Abdullah Shafique, Harry Brook, Kamran Ghulam, Zaman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Liam Dawson, Dilbar

Peshawar Zalmi

Akhlaq,

Lahore Qalandars

Rashid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Wiese,

Hussain, Mirza Tahir Baig, Ahmed Danlyal, Shawaiz Irfan, Jordan Cox, Jalat Khan.

Multan Sultans

Mohammad Rizwan, Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw, Shan Masood, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tim David, Abbas Afridi, Ihsanullah, David Miller, Josh Little, Akeal Hosein, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Sameen Gul, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Sarwar, Adil Rashid, Arafat Minhas.

Babar Azam, Sherfane Rutherford, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal, Salman Irshad, TomKohler Cadmore, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rovman Powell, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Danish Aziz, Arshad Iqbal, Saim Ayub, Usman Qadir, Suifyan Muqeem, Haseeb Ullah, Jimmy Neesham.

Quetta Gladiators

Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Jason Roy, Mohammad Hasnain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Naveen ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Will Smeed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Naseem Shah, Odean Smith, Ahsan Ali, Umaid Asif, Muhammad Zahid, Abdul Bangalzai, Aimal Khan, Martin Guptill, and Omair Bin Yousuf. (Brandon Corlette)

Some call her the West Indies Prodigy, some call her Skip; you know her as Hayley Matthews, and in 2022, she has etched her name in the history books of cricket when she became the second woman in the history of Women’s One Day Internationals to have scored 400 runs and take 25 wickets in a calendar year.

The first woman ever to accomplish that feat is none other than the former captain and current teammate of Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor. Hayley amassed the accumulated runs through ODI series against South Africa, New Zealand, England, and at the ICC Women’s World Cup.

Against South Africa, she scored 78 runs and took 5 wickets. At the Women’s World Cup, she amassed 242 runs, which included

her third ODI century, and took 10 wickets. Against New Zealand in Antigua, she scored 122 runs and took 5 wickets, and against England, she had 63 runs and 6 wickets.

As someone who doesn’t focus too much on records, Hayley has been delighted to accomplish this record, saying: “It’s pretty humbling to have achieved this milestone, knowing that Stafanie was the first to achieve it back in 2013. Growing up, she was a role-model for me, and to be able to emulate that feat is an enormous accomplishment. It also shows me that the hard work I’ve been putting in, especially in the last year and a half, is paying off.”

Hayley was appointed West Indies Women’s captain in June of 2022, taking over the reins from Stafanie Taylor. (Windies Cricket)

Irfan Khan Niazi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Mohammad Umar.

The GBBFF and their athletes alongside the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission

athletes would be presented as time progresses, but among the athletes whose participation has been confirmed are Darious Ramsammy, Christina

Ramsammy, Rosanna Fung, Nicolas Albert, Emmerson Campbell, Odel Crum-Ewing, Ashanti Conway, Jonathan Jeffery, and Julio Sinclair.

Emmerson Campbell would be seeking to become 6 times’ Men’s Physique champion

Rosanna Fung would be competing for the final time, having earned her PRO Rank Card Rutherford, Hosein, Smith, Powell selected for Pakistan Super League

Rovman Powell

Odean Smith

Akeal Hosein

Govt will ensure athletes reach “greatest potential” in sport, says President Ali

President Dr Irfaan

Ali has said his Government intends to create an environment that would generate “the best” opportunities for Guyanese athletes to reach their “greatest potential”.

He made the statement during a ceremony for the Vigilance Sports Ground Enhancement Programme, held earlier today int that East Coast Demerara community.

“I intend to create an environment in which we can achieve our greatest potential in sports, and our athletes can be given the best opportunities to create history for themselves and this country. We are going to make the investments,” the President has promised.

The President said this does not only require Government’s support, but support from the Private Sector.

Direct support for athletes

The Government, he noted, would create an academy for national athletes, where they will have “the right nutrition, the right training facility, and the right environment” to take the country forward and give themselves “a great opportunity for the future”.

Several young athletes from Vigilance and neighbouring communities were present at this event. Among them was top sprinter Ezekiel Newton, who participated in the South American U18 Games in Brazil and won a silver medal.

President Ali has told Newton that the Government would support him fully in his professional pursuit. “We will ensure that we put the resources, and make resources available to give you the best possible training and all that you need now to take your career forward,

The President noted that the Government would sit with its partners and the relevant stakeholders to identify the gaps that need to be filled to give ath

letes the best possible options for their careers. Athletics coaches have also been tasked with preparing

scouts, so they can have the opportunity to “demonstrate that they are capable of being in the best pro-

that athletes also take advantage of educational opportunities, the Head of State disclosed that he intends to meet with athletes

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because we believe in you,” President Ali has promised Newton.

President Ali at the ribbon-cutting event of the Vigilance Sports Ground Enhancement Programme

President Ali with local athletes