Fire erupts at Number Primary School

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM “Your depraved criminal conduct must be condemned” – Judge tells interdicted cop

…jails him for 10 years for sexual activity with a child

Sex offender Wayde Padmore

Declaring that the prison sentence of 10 years prescribed in law for the offence of sexual activity with a child under 16 is “wholly insufficient”, Justice Sandil Kissoon’s hands were tied, as he was legally bound to impose the said sentence on an interdicted Policeman.

Wayde Padmore, 25, a father of one, who enlisted in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in 2017, was found guilty last month of engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl in October 2020.

On the charge which alleged that he raped the teen, the jury was unable to arrive at a verdict, and as such, he will have to be retried for that offence. Padmore was further found not guilty by the mixed 12-member jury of causing the girl to watch a sexual act.

According to the prosecution’s facts, Padmore was a regular visitor to the girl’s home as he is known to her family. The prosecution had contended that he raped her in December 2019.

In October 2020, according to the prosecution, he attempted to rape the girl for a second time, but when he was unsuccessful, he engaged in sexual activity with her and allegedly masturbated in her presence until he ejaculated.

During Padmore’s sentencing hearing on Friday, a probation officer revealed that the sex offender has a three-year-old son.

High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon

Padmore, he added, who was the best graduating student of his training batch, was interdicted from duties after his involvement in the crime.

Padmore’s mother and spouse, during an interview with the probation officer, related that it was “inconceivable” that he would commit such an act given his good upbringing.

The victim, who is now 16, and is preparing to sit the May/June 2023 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, expressed that she felt “disgusted” after the incident and contemplated harming herself. She asked the Judge to impose the maximum sentence on him.

During a plea in mitigation, Padmore’s lawyer, Clyde Forde, submitted that a grave miscarriage of justice has been occasioned as a result of the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to dispose of the charge for the offence of sexual activity with a child under 16, on indictment (in the High Court).

He reasoned that if the charge was determined in the Magistrate’s Court (summary disposal), it would have attracted a lesser jail term, a sentence of five years.

Section 11 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act of 2010 states that a person who is convicted of sexual activity with a child under 16, is liable on summary conviction to a sentence of five years and on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 10 years.

Justice Kissoon, however, said that the law gives the DPP the discretion to choose how to dispose of the matter, especially if she believes the circumstances of the case warrant a harsher punishment.

Forde, nevertheless, implored Justice Kissoon to “temper justice with mercy”, asking that his client be given a suspended sentence along with two years of supervised probation.

Black...

…Friday in GY

The Americanization of our culture continues apace: on Thursday, many celebrated “Thanksgiving”, and yesterday “Black Friday”!! These celebrations, of course, followed “Halloween”. And don’t you dare quibble as to whether Black Friday was really a “celebration”. All our holidays – especially the “religious” ones - have become so commercialized that Black Friday’s actually their logical culmination!! Here is a day when the hype about “sales” will make this the most profitable day in the year for merchants across the world!!

And in fact that’s connected to the name “Black Friday” - originally connected to a stock market crash in the States on a Friday after Thanksgiving in the 1860s. That was truly “Black” – a tragic day on which so many persons were ruined. But when merchants started selling off their goods cheaply to maintain a cash flow - to keep life and limb (and their businesses) going - a trend was set.

Gradually, it became customary for businesses to announce and advertise all sorts of eye-catching sales on particular items, that were actually baits to lure shoppers into their premises. Now this tactic works even with online shopping, that’s fast becoming the norm! The items you want will surely need some accessories – especially those electronic gizmos. Just check how they weigh down your shopping carts!!The merchants know fully well that, once inside the stores, the mark was certain to pick up other items at regular prices!

Nowadays, the big boys like Amazon have algorithms that predict to a tee what YOU PERSONALLY also want to buy - and will certainly make sure you see them before you click on the “bargain”!! Overall, then, the business is gonna be in the “black” (making a PROFIT) rather than in the “red” (SUFFERING A LOSS)!! Believe it or not, some businesses do more business on Black Friday that they do for the whole quarter!!

But, in all this Americanization, we seem to’ve forgotten we had our own Black Friday right here in dear old mudland. Back on Feb 16, 1962, the PNC and their Trade Unions allies allowed themselves to be used by the CIA who wanted to oust the PPP – which they concluded was Commie!! They burnt down half of downtown Georgetown and - as our National Poet Martin Carter famously wrote - “a city of clerks became men”!!

Had to be – because, on that day, thousands of fridges and stoves and sofas were hauled away from the burning stores on the HEADS of ordinary folks!! Carter obviously concluded that you gotta be REAL MEN to perform those Herculean tasks!! But interestingly, there were as many urban women doing the heavy lifting as men!!

This was one glass ceiling the sisters broke way back then!!

…eye for GY Climate Warriors

Without comment from LRB: “COP27 was held in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh…just around the corner from the world’s busiest shipping lane. Ursula von der Leyen showed up early to make deals for the EU. She signed a contract to buy rare minerals from Kazakhstan; made a timber deal – presented as a plan for the ‘sustainable development and management’ of forests – with Congo, Guyana, Mongolia, Uganda and Zambia; bought hydrogen from Egypt, and lithium and cobalt from Namibia.

“Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources signed seven MoUs with Bechtel, Shell, General Electric and others - covering things like the development of decarbonisation technologies, and feasibility studies for producing ammonia. Egypt’s setting up a carbon trade market in Africa, and Singapore was looking to buy carbon credits from Morocco. In side meetings, Caribbean engineers gave lessons on ways to secure funding from the Global Climate Fund and oil companies, and how to build carbon capture and storage units.”

Welcome to the real world!!

…bleak, future

Keeping warming to 1.5 degrees now’s impossible - with an 80% chance of 2 degrees. Given the sea’s cooler than land, a global mean temperature rise of 2 degrees means at least an unlivable 3 degrees on the land.

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM BP Int’l selected to market Guyana’s share of profit oil for 1 year

Following a competitive procurement process, the Guyana Government has selected the United Kingdom’s BP International Limited to market the country’s share of petroleum from the two floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels producing oil offshore.

According to the Natural Resources Ministry, 14 companies responded to its Request for Bids that was published on September 16 ahead of the October 11 submission deadline.

Of the 14 bids submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), an Evaluation Committee set up by the Board recommended in its report that BP International be awarded the marketing contract. That report was cleared by NPTAB and subsequently received Cabinet’s ‘no objection’.

The duration of this contract with BP will be for 12 months.

Among the services required of BP include providing support and guidance to the Government of Guyana in all operating and back-office responsibilities of managing the crude sales and each individual lift whilst facilitating timely and cost-effective crude operations; supporting the Government in the continued introduction of the grade to multiply geographies and refinery systems, and providing benchmark and performance comparisons of prices paid for Guyana’s crude; and working closely with the Government to understand the behaviour and yields of the Liza blend and how these can affect pricing differentials.

“The Guyana Government will continue to employ transparent and international best practices in the management of the nation’s petroleum resources so as to attain maximum returns and advance the livelihoods of all citizens,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.

Previously, Saudi Aramco was contracted in September 2021 to market Guyana’s share of profit oil from ExxonMobil-led operations in the Stabroek Block over the past year.

The State-owned Saudi Arabian company, whose contract has now ended, was the lowest responsive bidder of the shortlisted companies.

Guyana’s crude lift share was initially marketed by Shell Western, after which Hess International marketed Guyana’s crude.

Guyana, with US oil giant ExxonMobil as the operator, began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the Stabroek Block. Guyana’s oil revenues are being held in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, where it is earning interest.

With the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity FPSO vessels operating offshore, Guyana is entitled to 13 of 94 lifts from the oil-rich Stabroek Block this year.

Only last month, the Bank of Guyana (BoG) in its third-quarter report for 2022 (July to September) revealed that Guyana earned a total of $102.8 billion (US$493.1 million) thus far this year. This includes profit oil of $92.1 billion (US$442.1 million) and royalties of $10.6 billion (US$51 million).

The Bank attributed this increase to the additional FPSO vessel, Liza Unity, that came into operation in February this year.

It was explained that

Liza Unity FPSO

since oil production began in 2019, there have been 16 lifts of profit oil which have brought in $269.3 billion (US$1.2 billion) in profit oil revenue and $31.9 billion (US$153.1 million) in royalty payments.

“Over the quarter the Federal Reserve increased its target range for the federal funds rate twice moving it from 1.5 per cent – 1.75 per cent to 2.25 per cent – 2.5 per cent and then again to 3 per cent – 3.25 per cent… As a result of these increases which caused interest rates on overnight deposits to rise significantly, and a higher account balance, the fund continued to earn a higher level of interest income on its overnight deposits than previous quarters,” the Bank further explained.

According to the report, the NRF earned $995.7 million (US$4.7 million) in interest income over the quarter, compared to the $266 million (US$1.2 million) it had earned in the previous quarter.

Already, some $83.3 billion or US$400 million has been withdrawn from the NRF and transferred into the Consolidated Fund to fund major capital projects in Budget 2022.

The oil rich Stabroek Block, which is producing the oil, is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary EEPGL, is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

ExxonMobil said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. (G8)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM 1 dead, 1 injured during explosion at Corentyne worksite

Dead: Oliver France

Aman is now dead while another is seriously injured following an explosion at a worksite at Leeds Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), on Friday morning.

Dead is 52-year-old Oliver France while the injured man has been identified as 25-year-old Jamal Rose, both of Number 51 Village.

Reports are that the duo had gone to the village to repair a leaking concrete water tank when the explosion occurred.

Guyana Times understands that the tank was previously painted with tar on the inside. The tar was applied to stop the leaking, but it persisted.

As such, France was asked to fix the problem. Reports are that he employed Rose as his worker and used a technique that is frequently being used today; that is to use gasoline and tar to fix the leak.

However, while inside the tank, they were using an angle grinder – a device known to produce sparks.

A few moments later, a loud explosion was heard. Police said the explosion was heard at about 9:30h.

The concrete tank, measuring about ten feet in width and length and about eight feet in height, was shattered, with parts reaching the neighbour’s yard. Glass windows on the neighbour’s house were also broken.

France and Rose were seen lying on the ground in the area, with multiple injuries on their bodies.

France was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital by public-spirited persons and succumbed on arrival while Rose was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was admitted as a patient but subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

His condition is considered serious. According to the Police, several persons were questioned in the area but no useful information was obtained. The now dead man’s sister-inlaw, Chriseshal Ward, said she was at the Police station with her mother when she received the news of her brother-in-law’s passing. She said she was in disbelief at first but her mother told her that he had left the village to work at a cousin’s residence and the tank exploded. She then went to the location. “We see only blood and stuff, we didn’t get to see him,” she said. She referred to France as being a kind and loving brother-inlaw.

“If you ask him something he would always give you good advice.”

Meanwhile, Rose’s mother, Delma Lowenfield, said after hearing of the accident she rushed over to the neighbouring village but by the time she arrived on the scene, her son was already taken away.

“All I see was a lot of people there and they had Police there, they had the fire truck; I didn’t go into the scene because I am not so well so they put me to sit down. All they tell me is that Jamal get burn and they gone to the hospital,” the woman related.

Photographs seen by this publication of the men showed burns to their faces as well as to their hands and feet.

The Police have launched an investigation. France leaves to mourn a wife and five children, one of whom will be celebrating her first

birthday next week.

France also runs an entertainment centre at his place of residence. (G4)

More awareness needed on dangers of antibiotics’ misuse – Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

Using antibiotics indiscriminately for every ailment is a practice, and more awareness is needed, amid concerns that persons can develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antimicrobial resistance is accelerated when the presence of antibiotics and antifungals pressure bacteria and fungi to adapt.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony underscored on Friday that sensitisation is needed both at the level of health institutions and patients, in educating about antibiotics misuse.

He added that if antimicrobial resistance is developed, then the current drugs would be unable to cure many of the diseases.

“One of the things we have to do is start working on becoming wiser on how we prescribe antibiotics to patients. Patents themselves have to be more cognisant of the importance of how you use antibiotics, when you use antibiotics and not for any disease. This is a very important thing. If we’re continuing the way we’re using antibiotics and resistance develops for the drugs we have, then we will have serious problems,” Dr Anthony explained.

While antimicrobial resistance has been occurring globally, the Minister said persons continue to use antibiotics in cases where it would not provide relief.

“We have seen over the years that people have been using antibiotics widely, especially in conditions where antibiotics would not help. If someone has a viral infection and you use an antibiotic, then that antibiotic would not kill the virus. But we have seen people use antibiotics in a very indiscriminate way.”

With trends showing increasing indiscriminate use of antibiotics, the Health Minister shared that some microbes that are typically susceptible to antibiotics have developed resistance.

Antibiotics and antifungals kill some germs that cause infections, but they also kill helpful germs that protect our body from infection. The antimicrobial-resistant germs survive and multiply. These surviving germs have resistance traits in their DNA that can spread to other germs.

Antimicrobial resistance is a naturally occurring process. However, increases in antimicrobial resistance are linked to a combination of germs exposed to antibiotics and antifungals, and the spread of those germs and their resistance mechanisms.

The CDC outlined, “When already hard-totreat germs have the right combination of resistance mechanisms, it can make all antibiotics or antifungals ineffective, resulting in untreatable infections. Alarmingly, antimicro-

bial-resistant germs can share their resistance mechanisms with other germs that have not been exposed to antibiotics or antifungals.”

Researchers estimated that AMR in bacteria caused an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019. A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers, who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR. It was observed from November 1824, 2022. (G12)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Security guard remanded for murder of man hit by stray bullet

…juvenile to be charged in new week

AHardina Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown resident has been remanded to prison for the murder of a 53-yearold man who was struck and killed by a stray bullet.

Oyama Patterson called “Shemroy”, 23, a security guard, was arraigned on Friday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The accused, who was unrepresented by counsel, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on November 11, he murdered Dexter McFarlene.

It was reported that McFarlene, a labourer of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was killed after he was caught in the crossfire as a group of young men traded bullets.

Reports are that McFarlene had just gotten off a bus and was heading home through a shortcut in the area when he was hit to his left side chest by a stray bullet.

Based on information reaching Guyana Times, two young males were chasing another young man and firing shots at him. At the same time, McFarlene was walking in the street and was shot.

Two .32 spent shells were recovered at the scene. One resident related that the shooting stemmed from an old grievance between the two youngsters.

Patterson and a 16-yearold boy were arrested for the man’s murder earlier this week. Police ranks found them at Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Monday.

The juvenile will be arraigned in the new week.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday issued a wanted bulletin for Andrew Ridley, 30, called “Aids Man” in connection with the murder of the 53-year-old man.

Ridley is no stranger to law enforcement as he was previously charged with robbery under arms, break and enter and larceny, and discharging a loaded firearm with intent. He was recently released from jail where he spent three years for robbery under arms and assault.

Ridley’s last known residence is at Lot 173 Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Ridley is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers: 225-8196, 226-7476, 225-6940, 225-2317, 2271149 or the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Murder accused Oyama Patterson Dead: Dexter McFarlene Wanted: Andrew Ridley

“Your depraved criminal conduct... FROM PAGE 8

State Counsel Caressa Henry, on behalf of the prosecution, implored the court to impose a sentence that is commensurate with the gravity of the crime. She added: This accused [Padmore] has shown no genuine remorse. Although he has been found guilty by a jury of his peers, he has not accepted responsibility for his actions that violated a young girl…”

No ordinary offender

Given Padmore’s conduct, Justice Kissoon stressed that he is unfit to have been a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and told him: “Your depraved criminal conduct must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by this court.”

According to the Judge, the acts he carried out on the child whilst being a member of the GPF, warrant the maximum sentence contemplated by law. However, he pointed out that the maximum sentence is “wholly insufficient” in this matter.

To do otherwise, the Judge noted that the court would be turning a blind eye to the fact that Padmore attempted to rape the child in her mother’s home.

He said that the incident, which was documented on video, was viewed by Padmore’s spouse, who collapsed in the witness box while viewing it.

As a member of the GPF, the High Court Judge reminded Padmore that he ought to have protected the child, but instead, he violated her, brought shame and disgrace on his uniform and violated the trust and confidence reposed in him by members of society.

“You are no ordinary offender… you were dressed in blue…,” Justice Kissoon told the offender.

Given that the prevalence of sexual offences against children has reached a “dangerous point”, a point where it is crying for deterrence, Justice Kissoon pointed out that the safety and security of citizens remain the paramount overriding consideration at all times for the court.

In recapping the facts of the matter, the Judge said that the girl’s mother had left for work when Padmore used his position of trust to gain entry into the home. At the time, there was another occupant in the house, but Padmore, he noted, sent them away on a “fool’s errand”.

State Counsel Cicelia Corbin and State Counsel Paneeta Persaud were the other prosecutors. Padmore was tried in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.

Padmore, who was first tried for the three offences earlier this year, had to await a retrial after the jury returned hung on all three counts in that trial. (G1)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Stop splurging – Dharamlall to City Hall

…calls for enforcement of existing littering laws

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall on Friday opined that the Georgetown City Council should increase its spending in the area of solid waste management and avoid splurging in unimportant areas.

He was fielding questions during a press briefing, where questions were raised on new bylaws presented by the Council earlier this year to address solid waste management and littering.

Dharamlall pointed out that the collectible revenue for the municipality is about $2.2 billion. However, just a small fraction is set aside for solid waste management – an area which he believes needs adequate resources.

“I think that what needs to happen at City Hall is much more than the political manoeuvrings in the public that is pursued and for the administration to take account of managing the city much better. If you go through the budget, there is a minuscule amount of money placed towards solid waste management by the City of Georgetown, which is possibly the major issue that affects the management of Georgetown,” the Minister noted.

According to Dharamlall, the greater imposition of fees in the city will not remedy the issue with the existing operations, but rather put additional strain on stakeholders.

“What they’re proposing is to impose greater fees and it is not the imposition of the fees that will change the dynamic on the ground. It is actually getting the work done. They have not been pursuing and collecting what is owed to them…We have seen limited resources placed on enforcement but what we have seen is tens of millions going to public relations. We have seen hundreds of millions go towards employment and who are these people?” he questioned.

One of the propositions in the new bylaws was to have heftier penalties for littering. Commenting on this, the Local Government Minister said that the existing laws should be enforced instead.

“The city has bylaws as well as national laws which, of course, supersede bylaws that can be implemented to manage all of our Local Authority Areas. There is a law against littering and what they have to do is make sure they enforce the laws.”

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council, under the Municipal and District Act, Chapter 28:01, is allowed to fine persons $10,000 for littering while the

Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can penalise an individual for up to $50,000 while a corporate body can be issued a fine of $100,000.

Meanwhile, it has been pointed out that Government Ministries have also been assisting significantly in solid waste management and clearances of drainage networks, especially as the rainy season persists. “Our Ministries have been the ones doing the heavy lifting. The Ministry of Agriculture have basically provided all the resources to keep the city clean and drains properly. Despite the torrential rains, we have been able to manage the drainage system of Georgetown,” he outlined.

(G12)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Police unearth cocaine, ganja, molly on Essequibo Coast

The illegal drugs that were found during the operation in Essequibo

Anumber of illegal drugs were found in separate locations at Riverstown, Adventure Village, and Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Wednesday and Thursday.

It was reported that on Wednesday at about 12:35h, ranks in Regional Division Two were on anti-crime patrol headed by a senior rank at Adventure Back Street, Essequibo Coast, when they discovered the first set of marijuana.

They stated that while in the street, a male was seen under an unpainted house acting in a suspicious manner. Having observed the Police ranks, the young man walked out from under the dwelling house with a transparent plastic bag in his hand.

As the Police approached him, he reportedly threw the plastic bag in a nearby bush and ran away via the river dam and made good his escape.

A search was immediately carried out in the vicinity where the bag was thrown, and a transparent plastic bag was found. When opened, 17 transparent ziplock plastic bags were discovered containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

A further search was carried out in the area, and another transparent plastic bag containing leaves seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis and a pink transparent zip-lock plastic bag containing a cream-ish rocklike substance suspected to be molly was found.

Ranks immediately took possession of all the items found. Checks were made for the suspect but he was not located, as a result the cannabis was taken to Suddie Police Station, weighed in the presence of other ranks and amounted to 84.8 grams.

The suspected molly was also weighed and amounted to one gram, and was placed into an evidence bag and lodged with the subordinate in charge of the Police station.

Investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, while on mobile patrol in Riverstown and Charity, Essequibo Coast, Police found another set of illegal drugs.

At 10:30h, acting on information, the ranks went to Riverstown, where 24-yearold Nardeo Shamsondar, a labourer, was contacted, and a search was conducted on his residence.

During the search, a coffee bottle was found in a black plastic bag in his yard, and contained three transparent zip-lock bags containing several leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

Also, 17 small parcels wrapped with aluminium foil, containing a whitish rock-like substance suspected to be cocaine was discovered. Both substances were weighed and amounted to three grams of cannabis and 5.9 grams of cocaine, respectively.

Lastly, at around 12:15h on the same day, ranks were on mobile patrol in the Charity Market Square where they observed several juveniles, and upon seeing the Police ranks, they all left and went in different directions.

The ranks then conducted a search among some stalls and the surrounding area, and a transparent plastic bag was found in a clump of dried grass, containing several leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. The ranks took possession of the narcotics which were weighed and amounted to 19.1 grams. (G9)

UNFPA gifts US$50,000 to First Lady’s Menstrual Hygiene Initiative

First Lady Arya Ali receiving the donation of US$50,000 worth of sanitary pads from UNFPA Liaison Officer Adler Bynoe at State House

The Menstrual Hygiene Initiative undertaken by First Lady Arya erty to be recognised and actioned by international organisations like the United menstruation because they either could not afford or access sanitary products. Ali, to end period poverty in Guyana, was given a significant boost with a donation of US$50,000 worth of sanitary pads by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

UNFPA is the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency.

“Removing barriers to access basic sanitary products for girls allow them to exercise their reproductive rights. UNFPA is therefore pleased to support the excellent period poverty initiative of the First Lady as it addresses the right to health, dignity and gender equality,” UNFPA Liaison Officer for Guyana, Adler Bynoe said during a simple handing over ceremony at State House.

Describing the donation as “significant,” the First Lady thanked the UN agency for its support and highlighted how important it is for the issue of period povNations. UNFPA will also be partnering with the Office of the First Lady next year to conduct sensitisation workshops on sexual and reproductive health, and the implementation of a public education and awareness campaign. Last year, Ali announced her intention to end period poverty in Guyana – an issue which adversely affects women and girls in the hinterland and restricts access to education. Sanitary pads are currently being distributed in secondary schools across all ten administrative regions. More than 30,000 students will receive one year’s supply of pads. The First Lady explained too that the initiative started with a focus on schoolaged girls – many of whom were unable to attend school when they experienced their “So, we started with the schools; providing coverage to all school-aged girls, and then we will move to providing coverage to women, beginning with the most vulnerable,” the First Lady stated. This year, the Government provided $50 million of $60 million required to provide full coverage to all school-aged girls. Donations, sponsorship and fundraisers have helped to compensate for the shortfall. With full coverage provided to all school-aged girls, attention will now be on providing sanitary products to women in vulnerable situations, with the aim of expanding coverage countrywide. In the long term, the project seeks to ensure that every woman and girl in Guyana is provided with free sanitary products.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Fire erupts at Number 8 Primary School

Some of the items that were damaged in the storeroom at the Number 8 Primary School This section of the school’s storeroom was unaffected by Friday morning’s blaze

Asection of a storeroom at the Number Eight Village Primary School, West Coast Berbice, was destroyed by fire on Friday morning.

The Guyana Fire and Rescue Service received a report of the fire at about 08:30h and two fire tenders – one each from the Onverwagt and New Amsterdam Fire Stations – were dispatched to the Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) school.

Upon arrival at the scene, several pockets of fire were observed in the storeroom in the school’s compound.

The firefighters succeeded in containing the blaze to only a section of that room by extinguishing the flames.

A quantity of school supplies including documents, kitchen utensils and detergents were destroyed.

It was reported that prompt response from the Fire Service coupled with quick action by teachers and other persons at the school averted any further destruction to the property and also prevented any injuries.

Guyana Times understands that the fire was electrical in origin.

Over the past two years, at least five schools have been affected by fire. These include North Ruimveldt Multilateral School and St George’s High School in Georgetown; Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI); Amelia’s Ward Primary School in Region 10; and North-West Secondary School.

The fire at North Ruimveldt Multilateral School occurred in June last year, leaving 512 students and 39 teachers displaced during the time when 65 of those students were scheduled to write the 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

The North-West Secondary School fire, on the other hand, occurred in September last year. Inquiries disclosed that a security guard of Baranobo Hill, Mabaruma, was in his guard hut on his cellular phone when he heard three loud explosions. The sounds emanated from a room on the second floor of the eastern side of the building. Checks were made and he observed the room engulfed in flames. Upon the Fire Service’s arrival on the scene, the fire was extinguished – but most of the building was damaged. That fire was ruled out as arson.

Then in July of this year, a massive fire destroyed St George’s High School in Georgetown. That was electrical in nature, the Guyana Fire and Rescue Service had said.

Following the blaze, the Education Ministry commenced a registration process for displaced students to ensure that they were placed in a school for the new academic year.

In early October, a major catastrophe was averted when a fire, electrical in nature, was averted at the Amelia’s Ward Primary School in Region 10. Reports are that a staff member observed flames in one of the classrooms and immediately sounded an alarm for students to evacuate the area. Staffers at the school managed to contain the fire.

Fire responders were called to the school and an investigation was conducted. That fire was also electrical in nature.

Also last month, a major fire was averted at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) after a fast response by the Guyana Fire and Rescue Service led to its quick extinguishing. The Guyana Fire and Rescue Service in a release the following day said that the incident may have occurred as a result of a breakdown in electrical installation.

Inaugural HIV/STI conference slated for December 4

…free STI testing, other health services to be offered

In observance of World AIDS Day, the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) will be hosting the inaugural Continuing Medical Education (CME) HIV/ STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) conference on December 4, under the theme “Equalise”.

The event will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre from 09:00h to 13:30h.

NAPS Programme Manager, Dr Tariq Jagnarine during a recent interview said the objective is to provide healthcare personnel with CME to understand the evolution of HIV and STI treatment.

“The entire objective of this conference is that a lot of new best practices have been coming out with HIV…many new guidelines came out last year, in fact, the HIV guideline was updated last year. The STI guidelines, new approaches in terms of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), NPEP (Nonoccupational HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis), self-testing, new changes in treatment for STIs and many persons out there are not updated,” Dr Jagnarine is quoted as saying by DPI.

The conference will be open to the public. Persons will be able to access free STI and HIV testing and other health services.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private and civil society bodies will have booths set up as well.

The Programme Manager stated that the conference also aims to educate persons on the available treatment options for HIV and the other STIs.

“It’s no longer life-threatening. It is life-changing. No one wants to get HIV. We should all be safe but ultimately, treatment is available. We want people to actually know that. Know that they can go to any one of the care and treatment health centres and get treatment,” he said.

This is the first conference that will be focusing specifically on HIV and STIs. The objective is for the event to become an annual one. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, officials from UNAIDS, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international bodies will be present at the conference.

Programme Manager of the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine

Guyana’s new Ambassador to Suriname accredited

Guyana’s new Ambassador to Suriname, Virjanand Depoo, presenting his credentials to Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Committing to further strengthening relations between the two South American neighbours, Suriname on Wednesday accredited Guyana’s new Ambassador, Virjanand Depoo.

On Wednesday, Depoo presented his Letters of Credence to President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who accredited him as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the Republic of Suriname.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement, Ambassador Depoo has over thirty years of service in the public and private sectors in the fields of education, business, and community service.

During the accreditation ceremony, President Santokhi welcomed Ambassador Depoo to Suriname and reaffirmed Suriname’s commitment to strengthening relations with Guyana.

The ceremony was also attended by Suriname’s First Lady, Mellisa Seenacherry-Santokhi; Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, Albert Ramdin; Spouse of Ambassador Depoo, Sandra Depoo, and First Secretary of the Embassy of Guyana in Suriname, Malvie Talbot.

Depoo is replacing Ambassador Keith George, who has been appointed as Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada. George’s reposting was confirmed to Guyana Times last month by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, who had indicated that a successor had already been identified.

George’s diplomatic career spans over 29 years. He has worked in the Technical Cooperation and Political Departments of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. He was once the Director of the Frontier Department.

Regional

Colombia, ELN rebels invite 3 more countries to help with peace talks

Co l o m b i a ' s Government and leftist guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) said on Friday they have agreed to invite Brazil, Chile and Mexico as so-called guarantor countries in peace talks that seek to end nearly 60 years of conflict.

The peace talks, which had been suspended in 2019, resumed in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Monday.

Leftist Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a former member of the M-19 insurgency who took office in August, has promised to bring "total peace" to Colombia after the South American country signed a peace deal at the end of 2016 with the much larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Following a week of discussions, Colombia and the ELN said in a statement they have worked in an "environment of trust and optimism." They agreed to bring in Brazil, Chile and Mexico to join Cuba, Norway and Venezuela, as countries who can ensure compliance with commitments made.

They will also invite Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Spain to join and will encourage the United States to appoint a special envoy to the negotiating table.

Colombia and the ELN also agreed to resume humanitarian relief, but did not offer details.

Previous attempts at negotiations with the ELN, which has some 2400 combatants and was founded in 1964 by radical Catholic priests, have not advanced partly because of dissent within its ranks.

ELN leaders say the group is united, but it is unclear how much sway negotiators hold over active units. Much of the ELN's negotiating team is older than its rank and file.

Talks between the ELN and the Government of Juan Manuel Santos began in 2017 in Ecuador, later moving to Cuba, but were called off in 2019 by Santos' successor, Ivan Duque, because the ELN refused to halt hostilities and killed 22 police cadets in a bombing. (Reuters)

A view shows the Humboldt Hotel at the top of El Avila National Park where the news conference took place after renewed peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels began, in Caracas, Venezuela November 21, 2022

In South America's Andes, farmers pray for rain to end drought

High in the mountains of the Bolivian Andes, farmer Alberto Quispe has one thing on his mind: rain.

In the rural area of Tihuanacu, around 100 kilometers (62 miles) south-west of highland city La Paz, locals say there has been little rain this season during a dry spell across the Andean regions due to a third straight La Nina weather pattern. "When we raise our hands, we ask God to forgive us our sins and to ask for rain for our crops, because in the fields we don't have water, nor for the cattle," said Quispe, who climbed into the hills with community members to pray for rain.

Around Bolivia, many areas have declared an emergency due to the drought, which Bolivia's National Meteorology and Hydrology Service expects will last until 2023, when the intensity of the La Nina is expected to wane. The drought has hit crops in Bolivia as well as in Argentina, Paraguay and Peru.

Quispe and others climbed Lloco Iloco hill with their evangelical shepherd to ask for rain from both God and the local indigenous Aymara mountain deities, or Achachilas, raising hands to the skies while on their knees.

Just across the Bolivian border with Peru, the situation in similar.

In the Andean regions, drought in recent years has caused falling water reservoir levels in places like Chile and led to important glaciers retreating. Drought has hit crops like wheat and soy, including this year in major grains producer Argentina. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Stand up comedy booms in Venezuela, but politics are off stage

Samuel Rodriguez's pizzeria in Caracas does not just serve up hot cheesy pies - it also dishes out jokes, offering a stage to young comedians filling the void left by veteran comics who have fled Venezuela's economic crisis.

Rodriguez, 36, performs himself several days a week in what he describes as a kind of catharsis for dealing with day-to-day problems, at the unlikely spot that is one of a growing number of venues in Venezuela's capital attracting stand-up fans.

But politics is not necessarily on the menu.

The public and comedians alike are worn out by issues like constant power or water cuts and growing income inequality, Rodriguez noted. "The subject of (what's happening in) the country is not touched on in the routines or in the jokes... people are generally tired of it," he said.

The influx of entertainment venues, including cafes, bars and restaurants, comes after the Government relaxed economic regulations three years ago, allowing more transactions in dollars.

Those new opportunities to get onstage, alongside an uptick in video-based social media such as Tik Tok, have been a boon for young comedians, locals say.

Yet for all the gags about daily life, Venezuela's new generations of comedians tend to steer clear of political jokes. "(Venezualans' humour follows) the style of North American comedy ... which talks about everyday life, not political issues," said Laureano Marquez, 59, a renowned humourist and political analyst.

Marquez, who has toured South America and is currently doing gigs in Spain, said a "climate of political repression" has also prompted comedians to avoid touchy topics.

Authorities have closed more than 50 radio stations in Venezuela this year, which non-governmental organisations say is an effort to control information and give state media hegemony over communications and journalist guilds. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Three killed, at least 8 injured in Brazil school shooting

Three people were killed and at least eight injured on Friday when a shooter opened fire at two schools in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, local Police said.

The attacks happened around 10 am local time (1300 GMT) in the small town of Aracruz, located some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of state capital Vitoria.

Officials said an unidentified teenager in military attire had opened fire at two schools, one private and one public, and was still missing in the early afternoon.

Local Police said they initially suspected the shooter was a student at one of the attacked schools, but Espirito Santo's head of public security Marcio Celante told reporters that had not been confirmed.

The public security office said in a statement that Police and rescue workers were taking care of those injured while continuing to search for the shooter.

One injured person had to be taken by helicopter to Serra, a larger city located some about 60 km south of Aracruz.

Espirito Santo Governor Renato Casagrande expressed his condolences to the victims' families and said that all local security forces had been engaged in the investigation.

President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called it an "absurd tragedy." "I extend my support to Governor Casagrande in investigating the case and comforting the communities surrounding the two affected schools," said Lula, who will take office from President Jair Bolsonaro on Jan 1. (Reuters)

Police ramp up presence under state of emergency in Honduras

Police have stepped up their presence on the streets of Honduras after President Xiomara Castro declared a state of emergency to quash a rise in gang activity in the Central American nation.

A photographer with the AFP news agency reported a heavy presence of special forces and other officers on Friday in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Castro, who took office in January as Honduras’s first female President, declared a state of emergency on Thursday and urged Police to recover public spaces “assaulted and controlled by organised crime and its gangs”.

She also asked Police to identify hotspots where “the partial suspension of constitutional guarantees” would be necessary.

“To strengthen efforts to recover lawless areas in the neighbourhoods, in villages, in departments, I declare a national state of emergency,” Castro said as she announced the mea-

President Xiomara Castro said she declared state of emergency “to strengthen efforts to recover lawless areas in the neighbourhoods, in villages, in departments” across Honduras

sures during a live television broadcast.

Police Chief Gustavo Sanchez said he would dedicate more funds and at least 20,000 officers to the efforts to stamp out gang activity.

The state of emergency also would allow new security controls on roads and include measures against money laundering, with Castro saying her Government was declaring “war on extortion, just as we declared war on corruption, impunity, and drug trafficking”. Congress must still approve the suspension of constitutional rights, though the security plan came into force on Thursday. The move came just days after hundreds of truckers protested in the capital to demand the Government take steps to stop gangs from extorting a “war tax” from them. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Peru’s PM resigns after confidence vote refused

Left-wing Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has accepted the resignation of his Prime Minister and will reshuffle his Cabinet once again, amid a lengthy battle between the executive and legislative branches.

Former Prime Minister Anibal Torres, a staunch ally of Castillo, had challenged the Oppositioncontrolled Congress to a confidence vote last week. But Congress declined to hold such a vote on Thursday, saying conditions for it had not been met.

“Having accepted the resignation of the Prime Minister, whom I thank for his work on behalf of the country, I will renew the Cabinet,” Castillo said in a national television broadcast.

The confidence vote challenge was meant to pressure Congress amid tense relations between the two branches of government.

Opposition legislators have twice impeached Castillo but failed to remove him, although they have managed to censure and fire several Cabinet members.

“I call on Congress to respect the rule of law, the rights of the people, democracy and the balance of state powers,” Castillo said.

His presidency has been marked by a turnover in senior Government positions. Castillo is now set to name a fifth Prime Minister – his top adviser and spokesperson – since taking office in July last year.

Confidence votes are controversial in Peru as they can come with significant consequences. If Congress had issued a vote of no-confidence, Torres and the entire Cabinet would have been forced to resign.

But a new Cabinet could then call for a second confidence vote which, if also denied, would allow the executive to shut down Congress and call new legislative elections.

Last week, Torres said he would interpret a lack of a vote as the equivalent of a no-confidence vote. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022

19 Around the World

OILNEWS

Oil prices fall 2% as Chinese demand worries linger

Oil prices fell 2 per cent on Friday in thin market liquidity, closing a week marked by worries about Chinese demand and haggling over a Western price cap on Russian oil.

Brent crude futures settled down US$1.71, or 2 per cent, to trade at US$83.63 a barrel, having retraced some earlier gains.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down US$1.66, or 2.1 per cent, at US$76.28 a barrel. There was no WTI settlement on Thursday due to the US Thanksgiving holiday and trading volumes remained low. "Because there's light volume after the holiday, we're giving up some of the gains here a bit," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures group.

Both contracts posted their third consecutive weekly declines after hitting 10-month lows this week. Brent ended the week down 4.6 per cent, while WTI fell 4.7 per cent.

Brent and WTI's market structure implies current demand is softening, with backwardation, defined by frontmonth prices trading above contracts for later delivery, having weakened markedly in recent sessions.

For two-month spreads, Brent and WTI's structures even dipped into contango this week, implying oversupply with near-term delivery contracts priced below later deliveries.

China, the world's top oil importer, on Friday reported a new daily record for COVID-19 infections, as cities across the country continued to enforce mobility measures and other curbs to control outbreaks.

This is starting to hit fuel demand, with traffic drifting down and implied oil demand around 1 million barrels per day lower than average, an ANZ note showed.

Meanwhile, G7 and European Union diplomats have been discussing a Russian oil price cap between US$65 and US$70 a barrel, but an agreement has still not been reached. A meeting of European Union Government representatives, scheduled for Friday evening to discuss the proposal, was cancelled, EU diplomats said.

The aim is to limit revenue to fund Moscow's military offensive in Ukraine without disrupting global oil markets, but the proposed level is broadly in line with what Asian buyers are already paying.

Poland is seeking German support to slap EU sanctions on the Polish-German section of the Druzhba crude pipeline so Warsaw can abandon a deal to buy Russian oil next year without paying penalties, two sources familiar with the talks said.

Trading is expected to remain cautious ahead of an agreement on the price cap, due to come into effect on Dec 5 when an EU ban on Russian crude kicks off, and ahead of the next meeting of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies on Dec 4. (Reuters)

Putin tells mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine: 'We share your pain'

Russia's President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting with mothers of Russian servicemen participating in Russia-Ukraine conflict, ahead of Mother's Day at the Novo-Ogaryovo State Residence outside Moscow, Russia November 25, 2022

President Vladimir Putin spoke on Friday to a carefully selected group wounded in the conflict sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the of mothers of Russian soldiers sent to fight in Ukraine who praised his leadership while he told them their sons had not died in vain.

Tens of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or United States. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have been sent to fight in Ukraine - including some of the more than 300,000 called up as part of a mobilisation announced in September. Hundreds of thousands

China Xinjiang: 10 dead in Urumqi residential block fire

Ten people have died in a fire in flats in the city of Urumqi, capital of the western Xinjiang region.

The incident has led to anger online. The city has been under strict COVID restrictions since early August.

State media said the compound had been categorised as low risk for COVID and residents were able to go downstairs.

A further nine people were injured in the blaze, state media reported.

The fire broke out on the 15th floor of the building at about 19:50 local time (11:50 GMT) on Thursday and spread to higher floors before being extinguished nearly three hours later.

Video from the scene posted online by Chinese state media showed workers removing fences near the compound and fire trucks waiting.

One man in a residential compound near where the fire happened told the BBC that even in low-risk compounds in Urumqi, residents still had to follow directions from local officials about when they could leave their apartments for a short period of exercise each day.

He said he had been following a stay-at-home order since August 7. "We Xinjiang people don't dare to go downstairs without permits as it will violate the law even if the building gate is not locked," he said. "After the accident yesterday, we are now wondering whether we should still follow the official's notice in the WeChat group," he added.

Fires occur frequently in China because of lax safety standards.

Earlier this week, 38 people were killed at a factory in central Anyang city. Authorities blamed "electric welding in which workers violated safety measures". (Excerpt from BBC News) more have fled Russia to escape the draft, and dissatisfaction with soldiers' lack of equipment or training or the chaotic nature of the mobilisation can be found across social media. Protests against the war and the enlistment drive have been crushed by force.

Putin was shown in recordings meeting 17 women at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow to mark Sunday's Russian Mother's Day, sitting around a table laden with tea, cakes and berries, and listening to their stories for over two hours.

Putin said he understood their anxiety and concern - and the pain of those who had lost sons. "I would like you to know that, that I personally, and the whole leadership of the country - we share your pain," he said. "We understand that nothing can replace the loss of a son - especially for a mother," he added, breathing heavily and frequently clearing his throat.

Putin has said he has no regrets about what he calls Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, which he describes as the moment Russia faced down Western hegemony after decades of humiliation since the Soviet Union fell in 1991. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Scientists say 8 glasses of water a day may be too much

New research has found that the recommended eight glasses of water a day may be too much.

Scientists from the University of Aberdeen discovered the recommended intake of two litres of water a day was often more than people needed.

Given around half of the daily intake of water comes from food, scientists estimate people only really need about 1.5 to 1.8 litres per day.

The latest findings were published in Science this week.

Previous research into water requirements used surveys applied to small samples of people.

Prof John Speakman from the University of Aberdeen told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "The original estimate of two litres a day comes from a slight miscalculation. "The water that we'd need to drink is the difference between the total water that we need to ingest and the amount that we get from our food.

But scientists have now collaborated across the world to measure exact water turnover using a stable isotope technique.

They surveyed 5604 people from 23 different countries and aged between eight days and 96 years old.

Research involved people drinking a glass of water in which some of the hydrogen molecules were replaced by a stable isotope of the element called deuterium.

It is found naturally in the human body and is completely harmless.

The rate of elimination of the extra deuterium shows how quickly water in the body is turning over.

People with a higher water turnover usually need to drink more water. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Australia: Python bites and drags 5-year-old into pool

Walmart gunman railed at co-workers in 'death note' before Virginia store shooting

AWalmart supervisor who killed six co-workers at a store in Virginia on Tuesday bought a handgun the day of the shooting and left a rambling note on his cell phone in which he railed against other employees who he felt had mocked and betrayed him.

Information on the firearm purchase and note was released by the city of Chesapeake on Friday in an update on its investigation into the shooting, in which 31-year-old Andre Bing opened fire on other workers before turning the gun on himself.

In a separate shooting on Friday, Walmart said it had evacuated a Supercenter in Lumberton, North Carolina. One person was shot at the store and Police were searching for a suspect, according to a local CBS affiliate.

Also Friday, law enforcement officials were investigating threatening phone calls made to two Walmart stores in Virginia Beach, about 20 miles east of Chesapeake, according to Police. Known as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving has historically been the busiest shopping day of the year.

Bing, an overnight shift team leader, was armed with a handgun when he shot some but not all of the employees assembled in a break room prior to their shift on Tuesday, witnesses and

Police walking through the parking lot after a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, US November 23, 2022

Police said, raising the prospect he targeted individuals.

In his note, Bing made reference to an unspecified work failure on his part and perceived slights from co-workers, who he felt were mocking him. He said he believed his phone had been hacked and "was giving the worst feeling imaginable." "The associates gave me evil twisted grins, mocked me and celebrated my down fall the last day," he wrote. "That's why they suffer the same fate as me." (Excerpt from Reuters) A five-year-old Australian boy has survived being bitten, constricted and dragged into a swimming pool by a python about three times his size.

Beau Blake was enjoying a swim at home when the 3m long (10ft) reptile struck, his father told a local radio station.

The pair - still entangled - were pulled from the pool by Beau's grandfather and the boy was prised free from the animal by his dad Ben.

But Beau is in good spirits and escaped with only minor injuries. "Once we cleaned up the blood and told him that he wasn't going to die because it wasn't a poisonous snake... he was pretty good actually," his father Ben told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Friday about the incident that happened a day earlier.

Despite the lucky escape, the dramatic saga was still quite "an ordeal", he said. "[Beau] was just walking around the edge [of the pool]... and I believe the python was sort of sitting there waiting for a victim to come along... and Beau was it."

With "no self-preservation whatsoever", Beau's 76-year-old grandfather Allan jumped in the pool and passed the boy and snake to Ben. "I'm not a little lad... [so] I had him released within 15-20 seconds," Ben said.

Ben then held on to the python for about 10 minutes as he desperately tried to calm his children and his father, before releasing the snake back into the vegetation.

Ben told the radio station pythons were a fact of life in the area, about 8 hours north of Sydney, saying "look...it is Australia". (Excerpt from BBC News)

ARCHIE

DILBERT

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don’t complain or criticize others. Go about your business and take care of your responsibilities. The more you get done, the better you will feel. Do what makes you happy.

Learn as you go. Incorporate what you discover into your everyday routine. Try to fix what isn’t working for you and replace it with a cost-effective, healthy alternative.

Target what you want to achieve and get moving. Hard work will give you a sense of accomplishment. Make plans with someone you enjoy being around and discuss how to pool your resources.

Test the waters, embrace what life has to offer and share your fears and thoughts with someone who can help you change your life. Refuse to let outside influences lead you astray.

Be honest with yourself and those you deal with, and you’ll speed up the process of getting what you want. An opportunity to learn something new can change the way you do things moving forward.

Take a break, do something fun, engage with people you love and discuss the changes you want to make that will improve your life. Problems will surface if you haven’t found a way to accommodate someone.

Keep an open mind and discuss alternatives that won’t upset someone going through a rough patch. An open-minded approach that is enthusiastic and filled with hope will draw interest.

If you feel comfortable, you’ll find it easier to function and take care of your responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. The changes you make at home will have a big effect.

Take the plunge and follow your plans. Don’t let a misunderstanding ruin your schedule or set off an argument with a loved one. Be willing to meet halfway and engage in fruitful talks.

Change is up to you, so stop procrastinating and start making moves. Look for unique ways to make your assets grow and your liabilities diminish. Don’t give others the right to decide things for you.

If you search, you will find answers. Go directly to the source when looking for information and you’ll save yourself time. Ask questions and assess situations based on truth and what’s possible.

What you contribute will affect your reputation. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you or shut the door on those in need. Maintain a firm but positive attitude.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Qatar 2022 roundup… Iran sucker punch Wales with stoppage-time winning goals

Wales's first World Cup for 64 years looks set to end at the first hurdle, after a gut-wrenching but deserved last-ditch defeat by Iran in Qatar.

Nine minutes into stoppage time, substitute Roozbeh Cheshmi struck from 20 yards, before Ramin Rezaeian finished off a counter-attack to seal victory for a revitalised Iran side, who have renewed hope of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Those were decisive blows to Welsh prospects of victory, which had all but vanished when goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off with four minutes of normal time remaining, following a video assistant referee check for a reckless challenge on Medhi Taremi.

As they did in their opening draw with the United States, Wales started poorly, and had the video assistant referee (VAR) to thank for disallowing a goal from Iran's Ali Gholizadeh for offside. In one of the most highly charged atmospheres of this World Cup, Iran's players sang their national anthem this time, having declined to do so before their opening loss to England in an apparent show of support for anti-Government protests in their country; but their own fans booed the anthem, and some could be seen crying in the stands.

Roared on by the fervent and almost entirely Iranian crowd, Carlos Queiroz's side were extremely unlucky not to score early in the second half, as Sardar Azmoun and Gholizadeh both struck the post within the space of a few seconds. Wales were utterly ragged, and as they pushed forward in search of the late winning goal they desperately needed, a long ball over the top left their defence exposed, and the onrushing Hennessey brought down Taremi. Hennessey was initially shown a yellow card, but it was changed to a red after the referee was advised to check on the pitchside monitor.

The 35-year-old Hennessey has become only the third keeper to be sent off at a World Cup. That set the seal on Wales's fate for this match, and in all likelihood,

Hosts Qatar are first team to be eliminated from World Cup

Senegal whipped Qatar 3-1

Qatar have exited the World Cup in their home country after Senegal condemned them to a second straight loss and Netherlands drew with Ecuador 1-1.

African champions Senegal are up and running. Boulaye Dia broke the deadlock four minutes before halftime when he slammed home to punish Boualem Khoukhi's miscued clearance. Looking to hit back in the second period, Qatar's hopes were dashed when former Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou rose to flick in a glorious header just three minutes after the break. Watford's Ismaila Sarr had an early chance on his 50th cap, but struck into the side netting, while Idrissa Gueye of Everton's rasping drive went narrowly wide.

Qatar felt they should have had a first-half penalty when Akram Afif was bundled over in the box by Sarr, but referee Antonio Lahoz pointed only for a goal-kick, much to the anger of the home supporters. Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made stunning reflex saves to deny Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohamad, but he could do nothing about Mohammed Muntari's powerful header.

Qatar were searching for the equaliser, but Bamba Dieng stroked in to deflate the home team’s following, and leave their team at bottom of the group, without a point after two games played. (BBC)

Iran celebrating their 2-0 defeat of Wales

their hopes of reaching the second round have also been sealed.

While Robert Page's men were just as disjointed as they were against the USA, Iran were unrecognisable from the team thrashed 6-2 by England in their first match, and they fully deserved this win.

Wales now face the formidable challenge of needing to win their final group match on Tuesday against England, who take on the United States later on Friday. It is not impossible, but based on how the Group B teams have fared so far in Qatar, Wales's first World Cup for 64 years looks like it is in serious danger of ending at the earliest stage. (BBC)

Valencia scores as Ecuador draw with Netherlands

Enner Valencia scored the equaliser for Ecuador

Enner Valencia has scored his third goal of the World Cup before night was cut short due to injury. Valencia went down in the final minute of normal being taken off on a stretcher, as Ecuador drew with the Netherlands to leave Group A wide open.

Ecuador fans were bouncing with excitement throughout the second half at the Khalifa International Stadium, as their team equalised just after the break, and continued to create chances against a rattled Netherlands side.

The entire Ecuador squad, including substitutes, ran over to the corner flag to celebrate with Valencia after he poked in the rebound from Pervis Estupinan's parried shot in the 49th minute. The captain, who scored both goals in Ecuador's victory over hosts Qatar on the opening night of the World Cup, was a constant threat, but his time, and was taken off on a stretcher, but was seen hobbling to his seat in the dugout. PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead after just five minutes and four seconds - the quickest goal so far in Qatar - when he struck a shot beautifully into the top of the net. But the Dutch struggled to build on their lead, with Ecuador's Estupinan having a goal disallowed on the stroke of halftime, before Gonzalo Plata's long-range curler bounced off the crossbar after Valencia's equaliser. The draw leaves both teams on four points in Group A, needing just a draw in their final games to qualify for the knockout rounds. (BBC)

USA hold England to goalless draw

England-USA fixture ended in a draw

England laboured to a drab draw against the United States, bar in the first half. Mason Mount brought a fine save from USA goalkeeper Matt and missed the chance to seal qualification for the World Cup knockout stage.

Gareth Southgate's side were second best for long periods, as they failed to match the energy and intensity of the USA, who have their own hopes of making the last 16.

England, with Harry Maguire outstanding in defence, were unimpressive, and rode their luck when Weston McKennie missed an easy chance and Christian Pulisic struck the Turner just before the break, but that was an undistinguished display that carried none of the attacking verve that saw the Three Lions thrash Iran in their opening game, and England are left heading into their match against Wales with their fate undecided. However, England remain firm favourites to qualify for the knockout stage, knowing they need only avoid a four-goal defeat against Wales to progress. (BBC)

Neymar sustains ligament damage to right ankle

-to miss Brazil's next two group games

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's next two World Cup games after sustaining ligament damage in his right ankle, says the Brazilian team doctor.

The 30-year-old forward was replaced in the 80th minute of Thursday's 2-0 win over Serbia after a heavy tackle from Nikola Milenkovic, and sat with his face covered while receiving treatment. Pictures showed his right ankle was swollen.

Right-back Danilo will also miss the next two games with ankle damage. Brazil face Switzerland in their second Group G game on Monday (16:00 GMT), before playing Cameroon next Friday (19:00 BST). "Neymar and Danilo went through (an) MRI on Friday afternoon, and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them," said Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. "It is important to be calm, and evaluate day by day. The idea is to recover them for the rest of the competition."

Speaking after the win against Serbia, Brazil head coach Tite said they were "confident Neymar will continue playing in the World Cup", and that he "didn't see he was injured - the capacity he has to overcome it tricked even me".

The Paris St-Germain striker has suffered a number of injury problems with his right foot over the past few years. He missed the 2019 COPA America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle, and was out for several weeks in 2021 with a similar injury.

Neymar was fouled nine times during the game against Serbia, drawing four more free-kicks than any other player at this year's World Cup so far. (BBC)

WI warm-up match vs Australia PM’s XI…

West Indies set 309 to win

-after Renshaw’s unbeaten ton

Matt Renshaw has sent another strong message to Australian Cricket selectors with an unbeaten hundred on day three of the pinkball tour game against West Indies at Manuka Oval.

Captain Josh Inglis declared the Prime Minister’s XI’s second innings at 221 for 4, four balls after Renshaw reached his ton, with the Queenslander scoring 101 not out off 218 balls.

Set 309 for victory West Indies were 35 for 0 at stumps after 16 overs, with Kraigg Brathwaite on 19 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 15, requiring another 274 on the final day.

Renshaw, who has been restored to the top of the Queensland order this season, after some time in the middle order, notched the 17th first-class century of his career, and his second of the season, following an unbeaten 200 against New South Wales.

The 26-year-old, who played the most recent of his 11 Tests in 2018, added 145 for the third wicket with

SCOREBOARD

Prime Minister’s XI 2nd Innings Matt Renshaw not out 101 Marcus Harris b Seales 5 Henry Hunt c †Da Silva b Joseph 2 Peter Handscomb b Brathwaite 75 Josh Inglis (c)†c Roach b Thomas 15 Aaron Hardie not out 12 Extras (b 9, lb 1, w 1) 11 TOTAL 70 Ov (RR: 3.15) 221/4d Did not bat: Ashton Agar, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, Todd Murphy Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Marcus Harris, 5.1 ov), 2-13 (Henry Hunt, 8.2 ov), 3-158 (Peter Handscomb, 54.3 ov), 4-193 (Josh Inglis, 61.1 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 9-4-10-0 Jayden Seales 9-1-28-1 Alzarri Joseph 11-1-32-1 Roston Chase 18-0-58-0 Devon Thomas 6-1-29-1 Kraigg Brathwaite 14-0-39-1 Nkrumah Bonner 3-0-15-0

West Indies 2nd Innings (T: 309 runs) Kraigg Brathwaite (c)not out 19 Tagenarine Chanderpaul not out 15 Extras (nb 1) 1 TOTAL 16 Ov (RR: 2.18) 35 Yet to bat: Raymon Reifer, Nkrumah Bonner, Devon Thomas, Kyle Mayers, Joshua Da Silva †, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales BOWLING O-M-R-W Michael Neser 6-1-18-0 Joel Paris 5-2-6-0 Mark Steketee 3-0-7-0 Aaron Hardie 2-1-4-0 Matthew Renshaw brought up a century against West Indies

55 in the first innings, was bowled five minutes before the dinner break by spinner Brathwaite. He had been given a couple of chances, on 41 and 54. The PM’s XI accumulated runs steadily off 70 overs, after quickly finishing off the West Indies’ first innings for an 87-run lead. Resuming at 234 for 7,

Peter Handscomb, after the tourists had reduced the home team to 13 for 2.

Renshaw, who top-scored with 81 in the first innings, struggled for touch early on, and notched just one four off his first 88 balls. Watched by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he played with more fluency as the innings progressed, finishing with nine boundaries. Handscomb, who scored

Abu Dhabi T10 League…

Pooran hoping “to ride the wave” in red-hot T10 form

Former West Indies Captain Nicholas Pooran is dominating the Abu Dhabi T10 League, the left-handed pocket rocket having slammed two playerof-the-match efforts in scoring a blistering 77 and an impressive 80 in the first two matches.

Pooran, captain of the Deccan Gladiators, has said he is enjoying his cricket, and is grateful for the wins. The ‘fearless man from Trinidad’ is leading the likes of England’s Jason Roy and West Indies’ Andre Russell and Odean Smith, and Tabriz Shamsi and David Wiese in the Gladiators team.

“I am just thankful. Here I am in this T10 (tournament) trying to enjoy myself

and (trying) to win games for my team. Luckily, I was able to perform in the first two games. I am grateful that we won the game. Today was my day, and I am trying to ride the wave as (much as is) possible. As long as we are winning, I am happy,” Pooran said after his innings of 80.

Pooran stepped down from being captain of the West Indies white-ball team earlier in the week. He had

taken over the full-time captaincy from Kieron Pollard in May of this year, but the West Indies have since won just four out of 15 ODIs and four out of 15 T20Is.

In the T20 World Cup, West Indies had come into the tournament as twotime champions, but were stunned by Scotland in the opener, and then went on to lose against Ireland. They finished the tournament with just one win - against Zimbabwe - before crashing out in the first round.

Pooran’s own form has been a concern in recent times. He had scored just 94 runs in his last 10 innings in T20Is. He finished the T20 World Cup with scores of 5, 7 and 13. However, in the recent Regional Super50 tournament, he scored 342 runs at an average of 114. He has taken that form into the Abu Dhabi T10 League, and is relishing every moment of play.

Pooran, who was released by SRH, will be aiming to bag a large sum at the December 23 Indian Premier League auction. (Brandon Corlette) Jamaica Scorpions head coach Andrew Richardson has described team captain Rovman Powell as an “awesome” leader, and believes his performance in the recently staged Super50 Cup was evidence of the personal investment in his development.

Powell impressed both with his form and his captaincy as Scorpions bounced back from a shaky start to the tournament to beat defending champions and favourites Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in last Saturday’s final, and lift their first regional one-day title in 11 years.

Powell led his side’s batting with 346 runs at an average of 69, with one hundred – a brilliant unbeaten 105 in the semi-final, which spearheaded a tournament-high run chase of 318 to stun Guyana Harpy Eagles.

“Awesomeness! Awesomeness!” Richardson has said. “Rovy (Powell), the way he operates, you can tell he wants to take his game to the next level. The way he marshalled the troops on the field was awesome to see. Every time he batted, he batted with a purpose. I certainly know…(in the final) he wanted to be there at the end, but unfortunately it didn’t go according to plan.”

He continued: “He is one of the cricketers that I can tell you has personally invested in his game and his improvement, and this is just fruits of his labour.”

The 29-year-old, West Indies’ Twenty20 vice-captain at the recent World Cup in Australia, also tasted success two months ago when he oversaw Jamaica Tallawahs’ capture of the Caribbean Premier League.

Powell, who made his international debut six years ago, has played 45 OneDay Internationals and 55 T20 Internationals. He was one of several players with international experience in the successful Scorpions side, campaigning alongside current Windies stars Sheldon Cottrell, Brandon King and Odean Smith, and former players like Chadwick Walton and Andre McCarthy. (CMC)

Nicholas Pooran is in fine form in Abu Dhabi

Jamaica Scorpions coach Andrew Richardson endorses Captain Rovman Powell

the tourists added just one run from a no ball before their innings ended in the second over of the day.

Paceman Mark Steketee (3-33) trapped Joseph lbw, and two balls later had Jayden Seales well caught at second slip by Handscomb. With Raymon Reifer unable to bat, West Indies ended on 235 for 9.

By the time the PM’s XI had their lead reach 100, they had already lost two wickets. Marcus Harris edged a Seales delivery into his stumps, and Henry Hunt was caught behind slashing at a Joseph delivery.

Joseph and Seales were the most impressive bowlers, while spearhead Kemar Roach conceded just 10 off nine overs. (Cricinfo)

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GBBFF’s 2022 Seniors Bodybuilding Championships set for December 18

-Keavon Bess hoping fans would be “satisfied”

By TimoThy Jaikarran

The Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) are all set to host their first Seniors Bodybuilding Championships for 2022, on December 18 at the National Cultural Centre.

GBBFF President Keavon Bess has said he is grateful to have the competition staged as things return to normalcy, and he is optimistic that fans would be hungry for more of the same at the end of the competition.

In a discussion with this publication, he was invited to comment on the competition returning for its second year, and he said, “Well, it’s good to have the Seniors competition back two years running in a row. Last year we were still somewhat recovering from the pandemic, but this year I think we are somewhat in a better position, (because) we are back to normality. Mask mandates and all of these other COVID-related mandates have been removed; so, we are back to normal, where persons can come out and enjoy the competition.”

Bess also related that because of the pandemic, the GBBFF were restricted to about 200 seats last year, whereas they have the entire auditorium this year. This in effect means there are hundreds of seats available for the convenience of persons who wish to come out and support the athletes in the various segments, Bess explained.

In regard to what the fans can expect come December 18, Bess declared that fans can expect a high degree of improvement in physicality from the athletes on stage, and professionalism would be much improved as well.

“Most of the athletes who will be on stage have acquired a lot of international experience by now. Most of them will be coming from that large team that we took to CAC in Barbados, where they did well. So, they are coming to the local stage to showcase to the local audience their bodies which… allowed them to do well in Barbados. So, fans can come out and expect a competition of the highest quality, and fun at the same time,” Bess shared.

Bess has promised that the GBBFF 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 has disclosed that approximately 30 athletes would be competing in the 4 different segments of this competition: Bodybuilding,

Bikini, Women’s Wellness, and

Men’s Physique; and has said an official list of par-

GBBFF President, Keavon Bess

ticipating athletes would be presented to the media within the first week of December, 2022.

Among the athletes whose participation has been confirmed are Darious Ramsammy, Christina Ramsammy, Rosanna Fung, Nicolas Albert, Emmerson Campbell, Odel CrumEwing, Ashanti Conway, Jonathan Jeffery and Julio Sinclair.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23 “I can only be myself”

–says Tagenarine Chanderpaul, determined to forge own legacy for WI Cricket

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Ahead of a possible debut for the Caribbean team in the upcoming series against Australia next week, West Indies callup Tagenarine Chanderpaul is insisting he is focused on being himself.

On Thursday, the 26-year-old Chanderpaul made 119 off 293 balls during the team’s warmup game against a Prime Minister’s XI in the ongoing four-day tour match in Canberra. The knock featured 11 crisp fours and a six on his way to reaching triple figures.

Chanderpaul, who was called up to the team last month, is widely expected to partner Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the innings for the match-up with the world’s number-one-ranked Aussies, following the suspension of John Campbell, who has been banned for refusing to provide blood samples on demand.

Ahead of Chanderpaul’s potential debut, comparisons with his famous father, West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul, are inescapable. In an outstanding 164 Test match career for the West Indies, Shivnarine Chanderpaul has scored 11,867 runs, which puts him second in the all-time list behind the great Brian Lara. It’s a towering legacy to live up to.

“They’re big boots, but I try and be myself. I can only be myself, so I just try and be me,” the young Chanderpaul has said after Thursday’s match.

Like his father, Tagenarine has shown the propensity to be watchful and patient at the crease, which could bode well for the regional team. The batsman is however hoping to eventually be recognised for his own style.

“I try and be myself. I can’t replicate him, so I can only be myself. Fingers crossed… I’ll try to get some runs if I’m selected,” Tagenarine has said. (Sportsmax)

Women-only CONCACAF ‘C Licence’ course commences

The Coach Education Department of the Guyana Football Federation continues to focus on efforts to grow female homegrown coaching talent with twenty-four former and current national players, club, school and community coaches starting the journey towards Concacaf W ‘C Licence’ certification.

This six-day, women-only course opened at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, EBD with a strong showing from aspiring female coaches from nine regional associations across Guyana. Women’s Football Association President Andrea Johnson, in her brief opening address, said the course is a step in the right direction for women’s football development in Guyana.

“Today is a historic day for women in football in Guyana. Never before have we had 24 female participants for any coaching course. For too long, we have had a male-dominated coaching staff for female teams, especially national teams. For CONCACAF to be here in Guyana to do a ‘C Licence’ coaching course for only women means that we are making another step towards development of the women’s game,” she said.

The “blended learning” programme is being facilitated by Anton Corneal, CONCACAF Coaching Educator and former Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association; GFF acting Technical Direction Bryan Joseph, and Coach Linsworth Gilbert. The first part involves online theoretical lessons, followed by practical sessions at the GFF National Training Facility.

This internationally-recognised licence would give participating coaches the skills set and knowledge to design and deliver effective coaching sessions for a wider range of players and scenarios, especially for youth football development through the GFF’s nationwide network of Academy Training Centres. CONCACAF Coaching Educator Anton Corneal has stressed that the “long term effect is actually growing the women’s game.

“Countries are at different starting points, and we try to meet countries where there is a need. There is a need for women coaches. Concacaf has recognised that, and has decided to spend a lot of time growing the women’s game. We need this effort; we need to ignite that growth,” Corneal has said.

Guyana is the fifth country in the CONCACAF region to conduct the ‘C Level’ coach training. It aims to provide over 300 women across the region with the opportunity to coach at various levels.

GFF 1st Vice-President Brigadier (ret’d) Bruce Lovell added: “In the footballing world, there is a greater push to have more female involvement in football. We hear issues such as ‘equitable access, equitable pay’, and so we are doing our part here at the GFF to ensure that we implement more programmes that will provide for greater female participation in the sport.”

Acting Technical Director Bryan Joseph has assured participants that the GFF is focused on growing the proficiency of the female coaches. He explained: “This is not a course (which) at the final day we will do an assessment to determine whether you have passed or failed. The persons who are not yet quite ready to receive the licence, GFF will continue to work with them over time, and to help them develop and get to the level of competency that is required to attain the licence.”

In 2015, GFF President Wayne Forde inherited an ecosystem of coaches who had no valid qualifications. The GFF Technical and Education Department has since enabled the progress of an all-time high 58 coaches to ‘D’ Licence or ‘C Licence level, and has introduced a coaching philosophy and pathway to ensure a uniform approach to football development across the GFF’s nine regional associations. The course concludes on November 29th.

I can “ “ only be myself Pg 23

– Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of Shiv, determined to forge own legacy for WI cricket

GBBFF’s 2022 Seniors Bodybuilding Championships set for Dec 18

-Keavon Bess hoping fans would be “satisfied”

Pg 23

INTER-GUIANA GAMES 2022…

Suriname's Demetri Madamsir clocks best time at trials

The riders assembling at the National Park on Friday morning

Diminutive Surinamese Demetri Madamsir has clocked the best time at clocking 4:12:10s and Newton clocking 4:13:26s. The Guyanese cyclists were making their debut at the IGG. the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) on Friday morning at the National Park.

Madamsir, who had visited Guyana before and had battled in cycle races, clocked 4:10:12s for his two-lap ride around the inner circuit, while the Guyanese duo of Alex Leung and Aaron Newton finished second and third respectively, Leung A total of 10 riders, five each from Suriname and Guyana, had participated in the event. The cycle road race will pedal off today, Saturday November 26, from Schoonard, West Bank Demerara and head to Parika, East Bank Essequibo, before returning to Leonora, West Coast Demerara for the finish.

Berbician riders Mario Washington, Adjani Cutting, Aaron Newton, Alex Leung and Sherwin Sampson are the five Guyanese participating in the race.

More than 400 athletes from Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname are expected to battle for the championships. The Ministry of Sport in Guyana is aiming to develop this event and start expanding it to other countries involved in the Inter-Guiana Games.

Speaking before the start of the IGG, Minister Ramson said he believes Guyana has a bright future “when it comes to what we can do in the international stage, but it requires continuity in the direction we have started, and everyone to have that coordinated approach,” Ramson said.

The IGG will see males and females competing in Track and Field, Badminton, Volleyball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Swimming and Basketball. Males would also be competing in Cycling, while females would be competing in Football.

The IGG runs from Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27, and will be hosted at multiple locations in Regions Three and Four.

The IGG was resurrected by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government after it was dismantled by the APNU+AFC administration in 2017.