Guyana Times - Sunday, January 6, 2019

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Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 3796 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, January 6, 2019

No-confidence resolution

Govt has acted in bad faith, reneged on promises – Jagdeo Page 3

...says meeting with President to deal with Constitution, elections

Former Region 2 REO refuses to give up office

…says Govt aware of situation …new REO given desk in regional boardroom Page 9

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

No-confidence motions a wake-up call for govts P16 – former St Lucia PM

60% of child abuse victims in Guyana are 13 years or younger – ChildLink P11 LGC controversy

Commissioner’s ban baseless – attorney P9 …says CoI's findings were already completed

16 Berbice families benefit from Food For The Poor houses Page 13

Owed garbage collectors P15 commence limited service – Solid Waste Director

Building more than just homes: These two Berbice, Region Six women carry a mattress for their new home which was gifted to them by Food For The Poor (Guyana)

Page 12

Guyana can earn as much as US$18B from Stabroek Block – Financial Analyst

...cautions against unrealistic expectations in first 4 years

Veteran Diplomat Dr Odeen Ishmael dies Page 2

4 months later

Several Region 2 rice farmers still owed for paddy P2 – threaten legal action

2 news 4 months later Veteran Diplomat Dr Odeen Ishmael dies Several Region 2 rice farmers still G owed for paddy SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

uyanese diplomat Dr Odeen Ishmael, who retired in June 2014, died on Saturday at the age of 71 in Florida, where he resided.

His family confirmed that Dr Ishmael died at 15:00h at home.

Dr Ishmael, who was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 1997 for his outstanding work in diplomacy, served as Guyana’s ambassador to Kuwait, Venezuela and the United States. He was also the non-resident ambassador to Qatar.

Ishmael served seven years as Ambassador to Venezuela and was Guyana’s Ambassador to the US from 1993 to 2003. For several years, he also served as Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), having attained the post of Chairman of the OAS Permanent Council from in 1994 and 2003.

He also wrote several journals and newspaper articles that have reached a wide audience including Guyana, the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. One of his many writings, “The Trail of Diplomacy” released in 1998 focused on the Guyana-Venezuela border con-

The late Dr Odeen Ishmael, CCH

troversy. Some of his other works include The Democracy Perspective in the Americas, Problems of the

Transition of Education in the Third World, Towards Education Reform in Guyana, Amerindian Legends of Guyana and The Magic Pot: Nansi Stories from the Caribbean.

He also edited the book, Cheddi Jagan: My Struggle for Guyana’s Freedom, and “has written the foreword to From Bondage to Deliverance: Indentured Labour in Mauritius and British Guiana, a book authored by the Indian historian, Dr Saroja Sundararajan, and published in New Delhi in 2006,” his webpage noted.

He also received the prestigious King Legacy Award for International Service from the International Committee to Commemorate the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr in January 2002. Significantly, the US Congress paid a special tribute to him by a joint resolution in October 2003 just before he completed his service in the United States.

Prior to an illustrious career in diplomacy, he was also a teacher.

Dr Ishmael leaves to mourn his two children, Safraz Waseem Ishmael and Nadeeza Ishmael and his wife Evangeline Ishmael.

– threaten legal action

Rice farmers had gathered outside the Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast rice mill for payments two weeks ago

F

ollowing the dramatic scenes that unfolded outside the gate of the Hack Rice Mill in Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) in late December 2018 when over 300 rice farmers demanded their payments, many producers remain unpaid for as many as four months. Guyana Times was told on Saturday that the frustrated farmers will be exploring legal actions if the situation remains unchanged.

The farmers said that they were told that they would be paid sometime this month. An industry insider familiar with the matter noted that the proprietor was reportedly waiting on a cheque from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRBD) to issue the payments. This newspaper made several attempts to contact the proprietor of Hack Rice Mill, on Saturday but the calls to his mobile number went unanswered.

According to the farmers, the miller had purchased paddy since September 2018, but they had to mount their protest action last month since multiple at-

tempts to garner the attention of senior management for their payments were futile.

Management had eventually met with farmers and reportedly agreed to give them payments between $50,000 to $100,000 until full payments were available, but this was two weeks ago.

The farmers had also said that they have their monthly bank installments to meet and the cash given to them in some cases could not have met the required payment.

A mother, who had joined the protest had said that it was not easy for her, especially to finance her children's education, which she said is a very expensive exercise. She had noted that one was at one at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), one is at the University of Guyana, and the other is writing CSEC exams next year. Some of the other women who were also on the protest line had said that they are single parents and are depending only on their little earnings from the rice industry for their survival.

Unlawful wounding lands man in court

T

hirty-eight-yearold Peter Anderson found himself before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was slapped with an unlawful wounding charge.

Anderson stood before the courts and denied that on October 11, 2018, at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Stephen Robinson with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm.

Defence Attorney Clyde Ford in a bail application told the court that his client has no previous convictions and does not pose a flight risk. He further asked that his client be released on bail in a reasonable sum.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh made no objections to bail. Anderson was released on $75,000 bail. He was ordered to stay away from the Virtual Complainant.

The case will continue on January 21, 2019.

news

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

No-confidence resolution

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

Sunday, January 6 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, January 7 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 6 – 16:40h-18:10h and Monday, January 7 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, followed by partly cloudy skies in the evening.

Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 04:32h and 16:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.60 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:17h and 22:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.62 metre respectively.

saturDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

04 15 16

17 21 25

FREE TICKET

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DAILY MILLIONS

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Govt has acted in bad faith, reneged on promises – Jagdeo

...says meeting with President to deal with Constitution, elections

W

hile Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will raise the issues of constitutional matters and the holding of elections when he meets President David Granger this week, he has made it clear that this meeting comes against the backdrop of Government’s broken promises.

On Saturday, the Opposition Leader said Government by its own actions has done everything possible to undermine collaboration in the national interest between the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“After the passage of the No-confidence Motion… I made a statement that we have to see this as an opportunity to discuss how we act in the 90 days period and preparation for elections in compliance with the Constitution of Guyana (and) to start exploring post-election possibilities of working together in the interest of Guyana and all our people,” Jagdeo said in a statement.

“I was pleased that both the Prime Minister and President accepted the outcome of the no-confidence vote and that the President issued a press release which indicated that he will meet with me and that he wanted to speak about enhancing political cooperation. Since then they have acted in bad faith and

fiercely resist this.”

“Compliance with our Constitution in relation to the No-confidence Motion and preparation for free and fair elections will therefore be the main issue on the agenda of the meeting with the President on January 9, we will however still keep an open mind on issues of governance despite the bad faith approach and concerted attempts by the coalition to squander the goodwill for progress and mature, sensible behaviour.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger

done everything to undermine this collaborative approach.”

Congress (PNC) stalwarts that the PPP bribed now expelled Alliance For Change Parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud. This statement, the Opposition Leader noted, was made without providing a shred of evidence.

“Having failed to get the Speaker to reverse the ruling that the no-confidence was carried, they have now resorted to the courts to override the Constitution…

It seems as though the protracted period for the meeting is to give them time to wriggle out of the obligations imposed on them by Articles 106(6) and 106(7) of our Constitution. We will

Reneged

Jagdeo pointed out that the coalition has since reneged on the public statements their leaders made accepting the passage of the No-confidence Motion.

And according to Jagdeo, they have done this using “the most ludicrous arguments”, at this point referencing the 34, 31 as a majority argument.

He also recalled statements from Government functionaries that they took a tactical decision not to speak about this until after the motion was passed for fear of activating “five other PPP moles on the Government side.”

Jagdeo also pointed to statements made by People’s National

No confidence

On December 21, 2018, the No-confidence Motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition against the Government succeeded when Persaud, who has since left the jurisdiction, broke rank and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” turn to page 13

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Who can be an MP?

A

fter jumping on any number of limbs – bribery; the meaning of “majority” in an odd number assembly and evidently “moral turpitude” – gambling – the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led Government, via the proxy of a “private citizen”, filed a lawsuit in the High Court objecting to the validity of Charrandas Persaud’s’ vote in the No-confidence Motion on December 21, 2018, on the ground of his dual citizenship with Guyana and Canada.

While it is acknowledged that Guyanese can hold dual citizenship, the Government’s proxy is contending that the Constitution explicitly restricts such individuals from being elected as Members of Parliament. They based their claim on Article 155(1) of the Constitution which states: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state…”

While the law is very clear on its face, we cannot ignore the context where Persaud – and evidently 25 other MPs – were allowed to stand for elections to the National Assembly in 2015. And indeed, this closing of the eyes by the powers that be on both sides of the Assembly to Article 155 (1) has been the default setting from the time this Article was introduced in 1980. We are therefore entering uncharted waters and as such we need to examine the issue carefully.

Guyana’s constitutional framework is not surprisingly influenced by its status as a colony of Britain, as is indeed the other members of the Commonwealth, most of which, such as Australia, have the identical stipulation of Article 155 (1) but also choose not to enforce its mandate.

However, from mid-2017, Australia has been in the throes of a “parliamentary eligibility crisis” when claims that their comparable Article 44 (1) had been violated by several MPs, went to their High Court. The Court ruled that it had previously held that citizens are ineligible for election unless they have taken “reasonable steps” to renounce the foreign citizenship before nomination, and reiterated its rule. Since then, at least 14 MPs have been forced to resign – in one case forcing the Government to fall.

Our High Court would have to take cognizance of such far-reaching consequences flowing out of what is essentially a political question. Because the stipulation of “swearing an allegiance” to a foreign country is an attempt to ensure that the MP gives the subject country his or her total loyalty. Canada, for instance, has no restriction on any dual or even triple citizens from being elected to her Parliament – and in fact encourages the practice because its “reflects the diversity of its citizens in its law-making institution which affects all citizens.” In Britain, any citizen of a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland can stand for election to the House of Commons.

That the presumed question of loyalty of only Charrandas Persaud is being questioned when, according to information received by this newspaper, he was recalled and replaced by another individual who is a dual citizen of the US, which has an explicit oath of citizenship renouncing previous allegiances, is direct proof that Article 155 (1) is being selectively and discriminatorily applied by the PNCled coalition. Once again they have violated the spirit of the Constitution and undermined the rule of law.

For the last quarter of a century, there have been strenuous efforts by both parties when in Government to encourage the citizens from the “Guyanese Diaspora” to return and lend their skills our development. To now deny them of the right to participate in crafting the laws that they will operate under will only dissuade them from returning. If the coalition has a principled stand to deny dual-citizens from becoming citizens they should start by doing what one law professor called, “cleaning house”.

But under the doctrine of “desuetude”, which deals with laws that have not been enforced for long periods, the Court should not compel enforcement of Article 155 (1) in this case.

These sculptures illuminated by coloured lights are seen at the annual ice festival, in China’s northern city of Harbin (Reuters/Tyrone Siu)

'Not sufficient': UN on Saudi trial into Jamal Khashoggi killing – UN human rights office questions fairness of the Saudi trial, calling for probe ‘with international involvement’

T

he United Nations human rights office has said it could not assess the fairness of a trial taking place in Saudi Arabia into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, adding that it was “not sufficient”.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani on Friday reiterated the UN office’s call for an independent investigation “with international involvement”.

The comments from the UN official came a day after the high-profile trial of the 11 suspects charged with the Washington Post columnist’s murder opened in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Thursday.

A Saudi prosecutor sought the death sentence for five of the 11 suspects linked to the October 2, 2018, killing that caused a global outrage.

The UN, however, said it was “against the imposition of the death penalty” of five suspects. The kingdom previously announced 18 people had been arrested.

Khashoggi was murdered in what Riyadh called a “rogue” operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises and tar-

Saudi prosecutors have admitted Turkish evidence shows the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated (AP)

nishing the reputation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The 59-year-old Saudi insider-turned-critic was strangled and his body cut into pieces by a team of 15 Saudis sent to Istanbul for the killing, according to Turkish officials.

Turkish media reports suggested his remains, which have never been found, were dissolved in

acid.

Independent probe Rights groups have called for an independent investigation into Khashoggi’s killing.

“Given the possible involvement of Saudi authorities in Khashoggi’s murder and the lack of independence of Saudi Arabia’s criminal justice system, the impar-

tiality of any investigation and trial would be in question,” Samah Hadid, a Middle East director at Amnesty International, said on Thursday.

“This is why a UN-led and independent investigation is needed into the murder.”

The Khashoggi murder rattled the world at a time when Saudi Arabia and its de facto leader, Prince Mohammed, were pushing an aggressive public relations campaign to rebrand the kingdom as a modern state.

Among Prince Mohammed’s strongest allies is US President Donald Trump, who now faces increasing pressure to approve measures against Saudi Arabia.

The US Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly concluded that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered Khashoggi’s murder.

A bipartisan resolution approved by the US Senate last month also held the crown prince responsible for the killing.

But in November, the Saudi attorney general ruled out any involvement by the young crown prince. (Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, january 6, 2019

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

A tribute to Sir Fenton Ramsahoye QC Dear Editor, Sir Fenton was perhaps the most prolific lawyer the region has ever produced. He was featured as Counsel in more than 250 reported cases. This is about five times more than his closest rivals in the region. He has appeared in numerous unreported cases and has rendered countless opinions to litigants and lawyers throughout the Caribbean. Space does not permit a review of his contribution to the development of the law. His work in the Privy Council is well known and his book “The Development of Land Law in British Guiana” remains an authoritative work.

Sir Fenton possessed a most sophisticated intellect. He had a fascinating ability to think and generate original thought. He was a real scholar. He had the ability to grasp and unravel complex legal issues within minutes. His focus was always sharp and he harboured no confusion about the law. He easily read about 400-500 pages a night. It rarely took him more than a night to read a record of appeal and produce draft written submissions for the highest tribunals. He was one of the very few lawyers from the Caribbean who regularly led arguments in the Privy

Council against high-powered English lawyers. He consistently prevailed against them and demonstrated that our people were not inferior.

He had a great and unfailing sense of responsibility to his clients and exhibited the highest level of discipline in his work. He fought on the side of the poor, rarely representing commercial interests. The poor people he represented revered him and were grateful for his commitment to their problems. He was able to connect with them because he cared deeply about their problems. He shared their anxieties. He could not bear to let injustice pass and would often say to me that the victims of injustice must be made to know that someone was willing to fight on their side to the very end. He gave them hope, which was itself an important form of redress and sometimes the only one they enjoyed. On the many occasions when legal authorities were against us, he would insist on finding a way to secure justice. It was this outlook which led him to pioneer so many changes in the field of constitutional law.

I spent as much time as I could with him over the decade or so I have known him intending that, by doing

Dual citizenship Dear Editor, In 1986, Professor Ken Dans asked my sociology class for a show of hands of all without a relative in North America. The class had over 100 students and not one hand went into the air. It saddens me that in 2019 our Government is challenging the legality of the actions of one of its own Members of Parliament on the basis of his dual citizenship.

Editor, I will leave the interpretation of the various Articles of the Constitution to the lawyers and offer instead my opinion. Since 1992, successive administrations have asked members of the diaspora to return and serve our nation in various capacities, the political parties have not been shy about asking for funds at well-organised diaspora events, where grandiose plans and schemes are unveiled, and involvement and support solicited. We have re-migrant incentives to lure Guyanese home. Is the APNU/AFC Administration now saying that your money and labor is appreciated, but any thought of contributing by way of service as

an MP, must be accompanied by relinquishing your hard-earned citizenship of a foreign country, along with pension, health care and other social security benefits? I believe that to be an expedient position that cannot benefit our nation now or in the future.

Editor, I have always taken the position that we should not have different levels of ‘rights’ for our Guyanese citizens. No one should enjoy less or more.

Denial of the right to be of service in any capacity can be regulated by way of stipulated residency requirements. There exists no need to shut Guyanese out of Guyana. In their desperation to hold onto the perks of office, the APNU/AFC seem to have lost their morals and ethical compass.

Should the courts ultimately decide that dual citizenship holders are barred from becoming Members of our Parliament, I would respectfully beg that the next Administration introduce legislation that corrects this inherent injustice.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

so, he would cast his mind upon me. But after some time I realised that he was a unique legal genius whom I could not emulate.

He was a key figure in the independence movement in Guyana but was deeply disappointed with the manner in which our societies were being managed after independence. He witnessed the incursion of indiscipline and irresponsibility into the legal systems of the Caribbean, but it did not stop him from fighting. He was a tireless fighter and he fought to the very end.

It was his genuine belief, after practicing throughout the region for more than six decades, that it was the judiciary which did the greatest injury to litigants.

His passion was justice.

His method was discipline and hard work. His gift was an extraordinary intellect and a boundless capacity to think and generate ideas.

His weakness was his willingness to serve. His duty to society, he has fulfilled. His legacy is his work.

He imparted a great deal to me and for that I owe

him much. He was a source of inspiration to many. He shared his learning and experience generously with all. He followed a clear path of service and he was not kept from his path by pursuing lesser goals. His belief was that the poor and oppressed needed to be protected and he became one with that belief. He did good work and for that his happiness in the world hereafter is assured.

He will now rest but not by choice. He would have preferred to continue the struggle but he was taken from this world by a compassionate God. No more could have been asked or expected of him from society.

The region may not for a very long time see in a man such intellect, compassion, dedication, integrity, courage, simplicity and humanity.

May his life and work continue to be a shining example to us all.

Yours faithfully, C V Satram Attorney-at-Law

Mathematics in determining majority

Dear Editor, I wish to make a small contribution to the current debate about the mathematics involved in determining the majority in the National Assembly.

The National Assembly is made up of 65 elected members and these can be given a mathematical description of being the Universal Set. We are dealing with Nominal data. Rudimentary understanding of the mathematical operations on sets, including the Universal Set, precludes using computational operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A few mathematical operations defined for sets are union, intersection, subset and complement. The subset of the set of natural (Counting) numbers (1 – 65) can be used to describe each member of the National Assembly uniquely. Zero is not a counting number and therefore there is no member that can be labelled 0. To divide 65 by 2 is assuming that the Universal Set of 65 is on a ratio scale

implying that the scale is continuous with an absolute zero and therefore you will have fractional persons.

This is totally illogical and outside the realm of reality.

From the Universal Set of 65 members, a number of subsets can be formed and the cardinality of each subset can be determined by counting. If two subsets are formed, the subset with the greater cardinality is deemed to be the subset with the majority. In the current case, one subset of 65 is 32 and the other subset is 33. Therefore the subset with 33 is the subset with the majority. The Union of all subsets must be equal to the Universal Set, ie 32 + 33 = 65. At no time will 65 be exceeded. The claim that 34 out of 65 is majority and not 33 totally incorrect since 32 + 34 = 66 and 66 is not the composition of the National Assembly. Who is the identifiable 66th member out of 65 in this case? What stupidity!

Respectfully, Mohandatt Goolsarran

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019

Page

Foundation

The fear that fuels our doubt can drive us to be over cautious and keep us from taking the very actions that would help us and serve others.

So how do we banish the doubt? We don’t. What we do is learn how to reclaim the power it has held over us.

Only when you dare to do the very thing you doubt you can do, will you realise how little you ever needed to doubt yourself to begin with.

By Margie Warrell

V

an Gogh is reported to have said this: “If you hear a voice within you say ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

Thank goodness he did.

Chances are you sometimes get into psychic wrestling match with a little voice in your head that chips away at your confidence and dials up your doubts.

What if you mess up? You’ll make a fool of yourself?

What will people say? You’re just not smart enough, talented enough, capable enough, experienced enough?

Self-doubt is part and parcel of the human experience.

As it should be. We don’t have to look too far to see that too little self-doubt can be outright dangerous. Yet left unchecked, the fear that fuels our doubt can drive us to be over cautious and keep us from taking the very actions that would help us and serve others. I see far too many capable and talented people (particularly women) selling themselves short because they fear they don’t what it takes to succeed. Doubt sits triumphant. Actions go undone.

We don’t pick up the phone and make the call. We don’t extend the invitation. We don’t raise our hand for promotion. We don’t say “Enough!”. We don’t push back, say no, say yes, move on, dive in or pick up the pen.

Speaking of which, I remember being consumed by doubt when the idea of writing a book first took hold of my imagination. “Who am I to write a book?” I thought to myself. I’d never studied writing, and I finished my education in rural Australia without ever learning where to place all the apostrophes. As much as the idea of putting my ideas into prose inspired me, I felt wholly inadequate for the task (not to mention that I had four kids under seven at the time!) It was only when my husband Andrew said “Why don’t you give yourself permission to write an imperfect book?” that I decided to take the plunge. Was it the worst greatest piece of literary penmanship the world has ever seen? Of course not. But it’s now out in the world (in six languages) and it never would have been had doubt called the shots.

It’s my speculation that self-doubt has been a large (and understandable) factor behind why so many of the women and men who’ve come forward in recent months to call out perpetrators of sexual harassment and assault - from

Harvey Weinstein to Matt Lauer – didn’t do so earlier. They doubted their voice would be heard. They doubted they’d be taken seriously. Some probably even doubted whether they were part to blame. Self-doubt has much to answer for.

Yet while none of us are immune to self-doubt (with the exception of some serial narcissists that come to mind), we all have the ability to keep it from directing our decisions, continuing our silence and shaping our lives. So how do we banish the doubt? We don’t. What we do is learn how to reclaim the power it has held over us. Here’s six ways you can do just that.

1. Embrace doubt as part of being human

As you think about the things you’d most love to achieve or change in your life right now, just know that self-doubt is there to protect you from the humiliation of falling flat on your face. So follow the advice of Dr Kristen Neff, self-compassion expert and “Don’t beat yourself up for beating yourself up.” Far better than beating up on your inner critic is to befriend it; to acknowledge that it’s just trying to keep you safe and spare you humiliation. Embracing self-doubt as an intrinsic part of the human experience is crucial to reclaiming the power it has held over you... until now. You are human. You will mistakes. You will doubt yourself. It’s what you do next that matters. Which brings me to the second step…

2. Doubt your doubts

Self-doubts are just your fears made manifest in order to protect you from loss. Yet the irony is that, to paraphrase Shakespeare, doubt often makes you lose out on what you may have gained by fearing the attempt. Your doubts are not the truth. Rather they are fear-fuelled stories you create about who you are, what you’re worth and what you’re ca-

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pable of achieving. So let me repeat just one more time to make sure you got it: Your doubts are not the truth In fact, more often than not, they’re just the opposite. So the next time you start to doubt yourself, take a moment to challenge that thought; to doubt your doubts! Ask yourself “What if just the opposite were true?”

What if, in fact, you were more than prepared for a bigger role? If you had everything it takes to build that business? If what you had to say was extremely important? If you were more than talented/worthy/clever/ (fill-in-the-blank) enough to pursue

this goal?

If you are going to doubt anything about yourself to achieve what you want or change what you don’t, doubt your doubts.

3. Call out your critic

Often we hear our doubts relayed through the voice of our ‘inner critic.’ You know the one… it’s constantly pointing out your faults, questioning your worthiness (it’s the chief culprit for the Imposter Syndrome), and urging you to play it safe. While you can’t permanently silence it, you can dilute its power by giving it a name. Doing so helps you distinguish who you are from the fear and doubt you feel.

Think up a name the best describes the scared part of you that wants you to live small and stay safe. You may even want to write a short letter to it to tell it you’re no longer going to let it run the show. “Dear Doubting Deborah, it’s time...”

4. Make your mission bigger than your fear

Why would you bother to speak up and risk rocking the boat or being rejected?

Why would you lay your reputation on the line? Why would you take a chance on that dream? Only when you are clear about your big ‘Why’ can you find the courage needed to step through your doubts and risk failing. You need to be able to find a clear and compelling answer to the question “For the sake of what am I willing to be brave?” Doing so will help crystallise why you must take action despite your doubts, knowing that if you let them win, you will run the bigger risk of one day looking back and wondering ‘What if I’d tried?’ Letting self-doubt sit in the driver’s seat is a sure-fire recipe for regret and resentment.

5. Build a tribe of believers

You shape your tribe and your tribe shapes you. After all, mastery of life is not a solo endeavour. When you surround yourself with people who bring out your best and embolden your thinking, you can do more, be more and give more than you ever could otherwise.

The people you hang out with will either fuel your selfdoubt or fuel your confidence. So if you’re ready to make a change or take a chance, make sure you surround yourself with people who will help you to stay in action despite your doubts. Avoid those who won’t!

6. Train the brave. Daily

There is no one-step magic bullet for overcoming selfdoubt and building self-confidence. We build confidence in increments; by having the courage to take action despite our misgivings. One way we do this is by applying the research of BJ Fogg at Stanford University who found that scaling back bigger behaviours into smaller ‘bite size’ actions can create dramatic shifts that last. Think of courage like a muscle, the more you act with it, the braver you become. But you have to be willing to ‘train the brave’ on a daily basis.

The best way to ‘train the brave’ is to start right where you are right now with whatever problem or opportunity you are facing, and ask yourself “What would I do right now if I were being brave?” Chances are your doubts will be screaming at you to do just the opposite. Thank them for trying to protect you, then tell them you’re not here to live a safe life, you’re here to live the biggest life you are capable of living.

Then put your hand on your heart, imagine your success, take a big long breath and then JUST DO IT! As research has found and experience has taught me, every time you take action in the presence of your doubts you dilute their power and amplify your own. (www.forbes.com)

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Charrandas citizenship controversy

New MP also has dual citizenship – sources

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MP Barbara Pilgrim as she took her oath of office

arbara Patricia Pilgrim, the new Member of Parliament who replaced Charrandas Persaud after his expulsion from his Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentary seat due to his December 21, 2018, conscience vote, is reportedly a holder of dual citizenship.

This is according to well-placed sources, who affirmed that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian is a United States (US) citizen. This comes at a time when Government has argued that Persaud’s dual citizenship status invalidated his vote in support of the No-confidence Motion that brought the Government down.

Pilgrim took the oath as a MP during the 112th sitting of the 11th Parliament on Thursday. Repeated efforts by Guyana Times to contact Pilgrim were futile.

When contracted, Government Chief Whip Amna Ally said she is unaware of Pilgrim’s citizenship status. “I wouldn’t know, I am not working for the US Embassy,” Ally told this publication.

The MP is a former teacher, co-op officer and

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

a community development officer. In the National Assembly, she represents Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on the basis of geographical representation.

On December 21, the No-confidence Motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party against the Government succeeded when Persaud, who has since left the jurisdiction, broke rank and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes

Former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud

of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Since the passage of the motion, however, persons aligned with the coalition party have sought to question the motion’s validity even as the vote has already been certified. Attorney General Basil Williams has also argued that Persaud, as a dual citizen of Canada, was disqualified from voting.

This argument formed part of the opinions presented to Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland in the hopes that he would reverse the ruling. On Thursday, the Speaker refused to do so.

With the Speaker refusing to reverse his ruling, a court case was filed on Friday, in which an order is being sought to, among other things to delay the elections until the court rules on the matter.

In a section of the affidavit, submitted to the High Court, it is stated that an application is being made for a declaration from the court that Persaud is not

qualified as a member of the National Assembly.

According to the document filed, Persaud “…by virtue of his own act and acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience and adherence to a foreign power to wit, the Sovereign State

of Canada, in contravention of Article 155 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Guyana”.

Compton Herbert Reid, the private citizen who filed the legal challenge is arguing that the former MP’s vote was null and void.

Attorney Rex McKay

filed the challenge on behalf of Reid while the respondents are listed as Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, Charrandas Persaud and Attorney General Basil Williams.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Annandale accident

Paralysed teen released from hospital

…family offered $3M to settle case

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ne month after being struck by a speeding minibus along the Annandale Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), 16-year-old Reaz Shaw of Lot 35 Annandale Public Road, ECD is paralysed from the waist down.

This was confirmed by the teen’s father Yacoob Shaw, who spoke with Guyana Times on Saturday.

Shaw, a security guard attached to the Agriculture Ministry stated that his son was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday but there has been no signs of improvement in his son’s condition ever since the accident.

“Right now he can’t do nothing, he can’t talk, can’t walk, can’t eat, we does gah feed he with a tube. He could only use liquids like soup and juice and suh,” the

Injured: Reaz Shaw

father stated.

Shaw, told this publication that even though it’s been a difficult task financially for the family to take care of the teen they are just hoping and praying for the best at this time.

Further the man explained that while his son

was still hospitalised, relatives of the minibus driver, who hit him down visited them and offered a sum of money to compensate the teenager.

“De man family come and say how they want give we 3 million… we have to get money to buy thing for

him and we have to travel and all them things. We been doing that since the accident happen, dah is nah no money man,” the father said.

“They come with a lawyer and telling me tek the money that they offering but that can’t compensate we,” he explained.

The teen’s mother Zahida Hussain also related that Shaw - the last of four children – has been diagnosed with brain haemorrhaging (bleeding in the brain), lung injuries and also several fractured bones.

According to her, the doctors have confirmed that as a result of the severe head injuries he is not responding.

The minibus involved in the accident fled the scene after the accident. turn to page 12

From a bang…

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…to a whimper in the courts

hen Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo filed the PPP’s no-confidence motion against the PNCled coalition Government, there were hoots of derision from the Government benches. “Bring it on!!” screamed PM Nagamootoo shrilly – probably because of his neutering, everything he utters comes out falsetto!!

“Bring it on!” screamed their Chief Whip Amna Ally, with a bit more elaboration: “Our 33-seat majority is firm as the rock of Roraima!!”

Well, she should know even Roraima was formed by slow erosion from the elements over the millennia. And it was the “never see, come fuh see” elements in Charrandas Persaud’s (CP) AFC who eroded his loyalty over the past three years. Elements like the same Nagamootoo, who threw the sugar workers living around Persaud in Berbice, under the bus. And never uttered a word of sympathy, much led protested. It was for their own good!

Well from the “bang” of bravado, the PNC coalition’s been reduced to the “whimper” of meekly filing a case in the courts, claiming CP’s vote was invalid because he holds “dual citizenship” in Canada as well as in Guyana!!

This from a coalition who replaced CP with a 70+ yearold lady who holds dual citizenship in the USA as well as Guyana!! Didn’t SHE utter this pledge when she became a US citizen? “I renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen.” How hypocritical can you get?

But your Eyewitness wants to know what happened to all the bravado belted out over the alternate-universe Maths evidently holding 33 isn’t greater than 32 in a collection of 65 MPs?? Were they beamed back to Earth by the overwhelming evidence from concrete parliamentary practice across the globe – including the Mother of Parliaments? Or theoretically, from various and sundry branches of Mathematics such as “sets” or the distinction between discrete variables and continuous variables?

Forget also the “bribery” claim.

So here we have: the PNC’s brought out their newlyrewarded O R lawyer, Rex McKay – who’s gotta be, what, 90? – to tell them their only hope is to object to CP’s dual citizenship. Oh, how low has the bombastic fallen!! So, what do they say about all the legislation they passed since 2015 with this “invalid” vote?? That their hopedfor decision should apply only to the no-confidence vote?

Well, no matter how they slice it or dice it, that vote’s a done deal – as reiterated by the Speaker – and any change will be retrospective!! The very best they can hope for is a prospective declaration.

Meaning, they’ll just have to find 13 new candidates in three months!!

…to a volte face

Imagine, Moses Nagamootoo, who brought a noconfidence vote in 2014 against the 32-seat “minority” PPP Government, is now saying, “The Constitution should not allow for governments to be easily ousted”!! What’s changed since then?? Well, there was that $2.2 million salary – bumped to ensure he pipped the Attorney General! And that specially modified $60 million black Toyota Landcruiser. Then, best of all, those outriders who’re instructed to always have their sirens wailing at top decibel to announce a Very Important Person is passing!!

But back to Nagamootoo’s rationale for his outburst.

He said if a Government had 33 seats, then an Opposition with 32 seats could “buy, induce or encourage someone by one form or the other to vote out the Government.” Is this what he had in mind back in 2014, when he floated his no-confidence vote? Did his PNC comrades remind him this is what Burnham had done back in 1967 to control the Government without the support of Peter D’Aguiar??

Mout’ open and story jump out!!

…to a whimper in corruption charges

After screaming for years that the PPP had “siphoned billions and billions” from the Treasury, the PNC-led Government’s been unable to have a single charge stick!!

Leading the Opposition Leader to issue his own “bring it on” challenge!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

LGC controversy

Commissioner’s ban baseless – Attorney

…says CoI’s findings were already completed

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he showdown at the Local Government Commission on Friday involving Commissioner Carol Sooba being barred from discussions on City Hall’s Commission of Inquiry findings, has been dubbed as baseless and further violates her rights as a duly elected office-bearer.

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall shared these views on Saturday, as he stressed on the fact that the Commission of Inquiry would have compiled the findings and the LGC was only responsible for implementing the report. Strongly rejecting the decision to prevent her from sitting at the meetings, the attorney posited that Sooba’s presence is essential to her appointment as a Commissioner and further questioned the grounds under which she was banned.

“I reject such a notion because the Local Government Commission is simply engaged in considering the report and possibly, to recommend or implement these recommendations.

The Commission is not making any findings. Those findings have already been made by the CoI. I cannot imagine how Sooba’s presence can in-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

fluence our prejudice,” said Nandlall.

“On what basis are you excluding her? The report is already completed. What is going on now is examining the report to determine its implementation. As a duly appointed member of the Commission, if the commission was assigned that responsibility, then she must play a part,” he added.

Sooba was asked to recuse herself from one of the sittings, which dealt with the recommendation to have her be paid her benefits from

City Hall. This publication was told that Sooba agreed and recused herself from that particular sitting, but she was subsequently asked to remove herself from all other meetings.

She confirmed to Guyana Times that she was asked to recuse herself from the meetings after tenacious action on the part of the Chairman, Mortimer Mingo and ViceChairman, Andrew Garnett.

After looking at the reports, the former Attorney General insisted that it was understandable that the LGC prevented Sooba from attending discussions related to her concerns. However, as a Commissioner, she should be entitled to sit on the committee to hear other matters.

“The basis of prevent… of preventing her seems to be the fact that the Commission is considering the reports of retired Justice Cecil Kennard, who recently concluded an inquiry into certain aspects of the management of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. I gather that the thinking is because Sooba, a former town clerk, formed part of the inquiry and that compensations were recommended for what the report termed her

Commissioner Carol Sooba

wrongful dismissal. Based on the reports, there seems to be no basis to lawfully prevent or disallow Sooba who is a duly appointed member of the Local Government Commission, from performing the functions of the office to which she was appointed,” he mentioned.

During Friday’s clash, some Commissioners went against the decision of the Chairman thus maintaining that Sooba should be present at the meeting. While they were in the process of deliberating on the report, sources informed this publication

that a fraction of City Hall’s employees will present themselves at the next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday.

Efforts to contact the Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, for a comment proved futile.

Criminal charges were recommended for embattled Town Clerk, Royston King, for leasing lands which are owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Similar actions followed for the Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe; Internal Auditor, Omadeily Newton; City Constable, Andrew Foo; Human Resources Manager, Paula Braithwaite and others.

Evidence presented to Inquiry indicated that former Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen and Town Clerk, Royston King have not been working collectively to meet the needs of the city.

Meanwhile, one of the most important instructions was to have the Council establish a functioning legal division with an attorney-at-law who can assist in any legal matters that arise.

The CoI also called for the Mayor to send the No-Confidence Motion

Chairman of LGC Mortimer Mingo

against King to the Local Government Commission for deliberations. The motion was filed by Councillor Sherod Duncan and it was revealed that the Mayor allowed King to seek advice from his lawyer, Maxwell Edwards which was later presented to the Council.

The Chairman, Justice Kennard requested that the Commission take precedence over the matter since the Council does not have the remit to relieve King of his duties.

Former Region 2 REO refuses to give up office …says Govt aware of situation …new REO given desk in regional boardroom

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he former Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Rupert Hopkinson, is refusing to leave the office and formally hand-over duties to the new REO, Dennis Jaikarran.

According to the Regional Chairman Davanand Ramdatt, the new REO Dennis Jaikarran took up office as of January 1, 2019 and is operating on a desk in the regional boardroom while Hopkinson still occupies the REO’s office. The Chairman added that although instructed to formally hand over the office to Jaikarran, Hopkinson is reluctant to do so.

This has resulted in the newly appointed REO calling for a formal handing over to familiarise himself with the region’s assets, finance and incomplete works among others.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has condemned the attitude of the former REO and is calling for an immediate handing over of the REO office which would allow the region’s work to continue.

This newspaper was told that the former REO still visits his office and is still instructing workers. A source related that the former REO is also refusing to give up the state house in Cotton Field.

According to the Regional

Chairman, Hopkinson was informed by way of a letter dated November 27, 2018, of his replacement, sent by the Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan.

The Regional Executive posited that the former REO was given enough time to put things in place for a smooth transition.

The RDC is fearful that the delay by the former REO to hand over duties to the new REO might be a well thought out strategy. The RDC is calling on Hopkinson to be a “gentleman” and immediately hand over the office to the

new REO and let the region’s business be given priority over petty matters.

When Guyana Times contacted the former REO on Saturday, he said that the region along with the Communities Ministry is fully aware of the delay which caused him to remain in the office.

“There have been certain things that have precipitated a delay in the handing over and the Ministry knows that and Mr Jaikarran knows that,” he noted. Hopkinson has been appointed as an advisor for the Communities

Ministry.

“I have got a Ministry appointment from the Ministry of Communities in the Regional Agriculture Development so I’d be happy to take it up so there is no question…you can find out from the Ministry of Communities what my new assignment is,” the former REO added.

REO Dennis Jaikarran

Former REO Rupert Hopkinson

10 news

SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Drug shortages remain a major issue in Region 1 – Chairman

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egion One (Barima-Waini) Chairman Brentol Ashley has said that the shortages of drugs, particularly those used for the treatment of malaria, are continuing to put a strain on health services in the region.

Ashley, during an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, stated that due to the major drug shortage plaguing the community, the region has been suffering tremendously.

The Chairman added that even though monies were budgeted for the community’s medical supplies, there has not been any significant improvement in the provision of drugs and medical supplies over the years.

“The RDC, through its budgetary allocation, would have gotten $80 plus million dollars for drugs and medical supplies in this last year’s budget. To date, we have warranted over $25 million and they have not been supplied from MMU [Materials Management Unit] relating to what we would have warranted and also last year we would have warranted in excess of $70 million and the supply of drugs and medical supply for that wouldn’t have reached 50 per cent of what we would have warranted,” Ashley said.

“The region has for some time now been suffering shortages of drugs and medical supplies. With this happening, residents are left with no other choice but to resort to the GPHC,” he added.

He noted that the residents are losing confidence in the tender board since it is not functioning as supposed.

“The tender board is not competent in carrying out the works that it is intended to do in this region especially,” he said.

For instance, the Chairman stated that a toddler was recently bitten by a

gions would warrant the money for us to buy in bulk. They keep back some money themselves, so that they would buy as the need arises. Guyana buys in small bulk when compared to metropolitan countries so we would have to wait our turn when they would have served the bigger countries.”

Dr Cummings stated that medical drug shortages were also caused because of the lengthy procedures at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), but efforts are being made to eliminate these setbacks.

“There is a process with the suppliers and it takes many months to go through the tender process and so we have been working assiduously.”

Region One Chairman Brentol Ashley

snake and was unable to receive medical attention from the community’s health center. As a result, the child had to be air dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she remains in a critical condition to date.

Further, Ashley noted that in many instances, the health facility is dependent on the “internal purchases” to keep the health center afloat.

On Friday, Guyana Times had reported that sources at the West Demerara Regional Hospital confirmed that many individuals, primarily senior citizens, were left with no choice but to leave the hospital without any medication since none was available.

Junior Public Health Minister Karen Cummings subsequently confirmed that there has been an increase in the number of complaints from hospitals across the country about shortages.

“We are putting those systems in place. Health is decentralised and the re-

Venezuelans

While making reference to the influx of Venezuelans, Ashley also mentioned the shortage of food supplies and shelter.

In 2018, Ashley had disclosed that a large number of Venezuelan refugees are in Region One, staying in churches and makeshift tents with little to no belongings.

He had decried the lack of support from Central Government in providing assistance for not only returning Guyanese but also Venezuelan refugees, saying the region’s already small budget is being strained.

In response to the influx of returning migrants, Government has established a Multi-Sectoral Committee to coordinate the national response and assistance to these refugees.

Local public officers had undergone a one-day training on the international best practice in assisting migrants and protecting them from abuse and exploitation of any kind.

Suspect in Queenstown execution style killing released …PME shows victim died from multiple gunshots

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s Police continue to probe the murder of 38-year-old Sean Alistair Greene, formerly of Number 78 Village Springlands, Berbice, and also of Alberttown, Georgetown, who was gunned down on Foreshaw Street, Queenstown, the suspect has been released from custody.

The post mortem examination conducted on Greene on Friday revealed that Greene, who lived in Canada for a number of

years, died from multiple gunshot injuries.

Initial reports indicated that Greene was standing in front of the hotel with friends at about 04:00h on December 30, 2018 when he was approached by a group of men.

One of the men whipped out a firearm and opened fire on him. The gunman then stood over him and emptied the magazine.

Greene was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was

pronounced dead on arrival.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage subsequently showed Greene sitting in a chair with another person standing beside him.

The duo were engaged in a conversation when the perpetrator strolled up to them from the eastern side of Foreshaw Street, Queenstown.

Prior to opening fire on Greene, the suspect, who was clad in a black long

Murdered: Sean Alistair Greene

pants, light colored jersey and a hat, seemingly said something. turn to page 16

Last limb

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atiricus was confused. Which, he admitted, wasn’t an unusual state of mind for him. All this jumping around from limb to limb by his old KFC party to stay alive – after they’d been voted out – was making his head spin. He knew what he had to do: get as fast as he could to the Back Street Bar, for his first drink after the New Year excesses.

“Ai Sato! Me t’ink like yuh get laas’ or somet’ing!” exclaimed Bungi, as he spied Satiricus approaching the table.

“E’ wife mussee gyam good!” said Cappo, pushing a beer towards their old friend. “Yuh see how ‘e gat ‘e laang face?”

“Hey Bannuh! Let de man siddown nuh!” said Georgie, while raising his bottle to Satiricus’. “Happy New Year Sato!”

“What’s so happy about this year up to now?” demanded Satiricus sourly, after taking a swig. “Them politicians raising my blood pressure!!”

“Like yuh worry ‘bout yuh ole fr’en Nagga Man an’ Rum Jhaat, or wha?” asked Bungi with a smile. “W’en yuh play out all yuh trump cyard, yuh gat fuh lose till game done!”

“Trump cyard? Yuh call dat ‘lil mo dan big’ schupidness, wan trump?” said Cappo. “Da bin a wan Jokah!”

“Well, de bribery card wasn’t a bad one,” opined Georgie. “Dem bannuhs just couldn’t get the smoking gun!”

“But this is serious business,” complained Satiricus.

“This involves our whole Government falling!”

“Budday, da wha’ mek dem gat fuh try a t’ing!

ANYt’ing!!” laughed Bungi. “W’en yuh own louse bite yuh, ‘e does bite really hat!

“Suh how ‘bout dis citizenship t’ing, Jargie?” said Cappo. “Yuh just come back fram ‘Merica. Nagga Man dem gat wan case?”

“Y’all know how ole people does say, “all smart fly does land pon cow backside”? asked Georgie. “Duh is wuh gon happen to Nagga Man dem!”

“Wha’ yuh mean bai?” said Cappo anxiously. “Na play ‘meriddle, merridle wid abee!”

“Well if deh get Charan Rass pon de citizenship thing,” said Georgie with a wide smile. “Half deh MP’s gon gat fuh resign!!”

“Now you got me more worried!” exclaimed Satiricus.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Desperately seeking loopholes

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veryone has recourse in the courts to seek justice, but it does appear to me that the PNC-led coalition is losing sight of the bigger picture in our fledgling democracy, as they flail around for a reason to have the no-confidence decision reversed. First they tried – and succeeded to a large extent – to tie the country into knots over the claim that in a finite set of 65 discrete variables (meaning things that couldn’t be individually divided – like people, in this instance) a subset of 33 of them (call them “yes”) was not larger than the remaining subset of 32 (call them “no”). “rationale” Their involved dividing the persons in halves, and then joining them back again to “round off” and get the result they wanted – that only 34 is greater than 33. Now to “solve” this conundrum of the Government’s making, grown men sought high and low for what was the smallest child (or the Ravi Dev village moron) intuitively knew. But it was painfully obvious to most Guyanese – even some of the Government’s supporters – that the Government was really stretching to not resign and call elections in three months.

That this was a somersault from the position they took right after the vote – when they solicited and received kudos for allowing the “democratic rules” of our Constitution to work – is vitiating the spirit of the Constitution by attenuating its words, our highest law, into hot air. How will the youths of this country, who we are assured now constitute 60 per cent of our population, ever take these politicians seriously after witnessing their verbal gymnastics and contortions on TV? Sadly, they will probably extend their cynicism to the political system as a whole, on the assumption that it encourages behaviour shorn of guiding principles.

Some honour was restored to the political system, however, when the Speaker refused to entertain the Government’s request to revise his ruling that 33 was greater than 32. He bluntly told them that they – and their partisans – had “provided no compelling evidence” for him to do so.

That the Speaker had been previously criticised on several occasions for “taking the Government’s side”, made his refusal even more important in buttressing the parliamentary principle that his role was to be as impartial as possible: a good Speaker is one who is criticised by both sides.

The Government did follow-up with their threat to go to the courts to have the no-confidence resolution reversed, but to everyone’s surprise they abandoned the “mathematical gambit” as their grounds for doing so. Instead, they claimed that since Charrandas Persaud held dual citizenship – and by implication had sworn allegiance to a foreign state, in his case Canada – his vote was invalid since Article 153 (1) disqualified him from being an MP. As a matter of fact, Article 153 (1) actually does say just that – “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who – (a) is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state…”. But it exposed the Government’s desperation in jumping from limb to legal limb. This will deepen the cynicism of our young populace – and hopefully the Government’s less reflexive partisans – especially when it is known this clause was inserted all the way back to 1980 when Burnham promulgated his Constitution and was never applied to disqualify any of the dozens and dozens of MP’s who held dual citizenship since then.

Even more “bare-faced” was that the same Government which had just expelled Charrandas Persaud as an MP, replaced him with an old-line PNC member who is also a US citizen. Very dispiritingly, the PNC-led coalition is opening a Pandora’s Box for Guyana that goes beyond metastasising apathy in our political system. An eminent jurist informs us that presently, there are already 26 sitting MPs in our National Assembly. Are they all going to be expelled so that the Government is not accused of discriminatory behaviour or will use Article 155 (1) as a Sword of Damocles to dictate their consciences?

Ironically, Canada allows dual citizens from any country in the world to become MPs. This Government should take a page from their book to encourage more of our Diaspora – like Charrandas Persaud – to return “home”. Or do they feel that “duty-free” cars compensate for being excluded in having an input in law making?

60% of child abuse victims in Guyana are 13 yrs or younger – ChildLink

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recent study conducted by ChildLink Guyana found that just over 60 per cent of child abuse victims are 13 years old or younger.

According to the document, the study was conducted using the first 338 reports of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) received by the Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) operated by ChildLink in Guyana, as well as research interviews with teenage CSA victims and their supportive caretakers.

The study found that 60.9 per cent of children reported that they first suffered abuse at the age of 13 or younger, while 26 per cent of the cases reported were children who first suffered abuse at the age of 10 or below.

ChildLink also noted in its report that of the 338 children referred to its CACs during the target years, 41 were boys, which accounted for 12 per cent.

When it comes to the abusers, the child agency revealed that many of the chil-

dren said they were abused by more than one offender.

A breakdown of figures was done by the agency which disclosed that a whopping 84 per cent of child victims alleged abuse by family members or known persons from the community.

Male members of the child’s immediate or extended family, such as a father or stepfather, uncle, step-uncle or cousin, a brother-inlaw or grandfather made up the second largest category of abusers which accounted for 40 per cent of those cases.

“Stepfathers (12.4 per cent) fathers (6.8 per cent) and brothers (6.2 per cent) alone make up more than one quarter of the abusers reported to the CACs. Type of Abuse: Fully 57.7 per cent

of the victims reported to the CACs had experienced forcible rape, which means physically forced penetration of the child’s vagina, anus or mouth with the abuser’s penis, finger, or an object. 18.9 per cent of the victims reported to the CACs h a d experienced sexual contact, consisting of intentional touching of their breasts, bottoms or genitals, undern e a t h t h e i r

clothing, or being made to touch the abuser’s genitals. 12.4% of the participants experienced statutory rape. That is, they were considered below the age of consent (in Guyana the age of consent is 16 years), and

were coerced into participating in sexual acts by an older person. In some instances, threats of violence formed part of the coercion.

4.4 per cent of the children referred to the CAC were victims of penetrative sexual abuse by an older brother or stepbrother,” the report reads.

On the other hand, 42 per cent of abusers were non-family members who were known to their victims, such as community members, family friends, or service providers and professionals such as teachers, pastors, or bus conductors.

Important to note is that only one of the abusers mentioned in the 338 reports was a woman.

According to ChildLink, child sexual abuse is one of the most devastating forms of violence a person can suffer. Without adequate intervention, sexual abuse may permanently change a child’s life’s course, with echoes throughout the child’s family, community and nation.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil and gas sector

Guyana can earn as much as US$18B from Stabroek Block – financial analyst

...cautions against unrealistic expectations in first 4 years

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uch has been said about how rich Guyana stands to be with revenues from oil and gas. What has not been so clear is the timeline within which Guyana earns all this money. According to one financial analyst, the country’s returns form the first few years will be a modest one.

In an interview with Guyana Times Financial Analyst Sase Singh explained that cost recovery is designed so that developers can recover their investment costs up front.

“That usually eats away at the revenue sizably but it is capped according to the contract. But Guyana will be hit from all sides in the first four years – there is recovery of investment cost, operations cost, marketing, brokerage and shipping cost for selling our portion of the profit oil and thus from 2020-2023 it will not be pretty for Guyana,” he said.

An estimated five million oil equivalent barrels of oil have been found in the Stabroek Block

However, Singh noted that when these first four years are out of the way, what will follow will be an unprecedented bonanza.

According to Singh, there is a distinct possibility, subject to global oil prices, that the Treasury will see a

flood of revenue.

“Let us focus the peak revenue period – from 2024-2034 (10 years of oil bonanza). I am talking about Guyana actually seeing its oil revenue triple in that first year – 2024. I would not be surprised if

the Treasury has influx of a billion US dollars in oil revenue in 2024. I would not be surprised if in some of those 10 years, Guyana experienced oil revenue of more than one and half billion per year.”

“I would not be surprised if the average oil revenue per year in those 10 years, from 2024-2034, is more than a billion US per year. If the oil projections from the developers are reliable, Guyana can see as much as US$18 billion flowing into the Treasury from this Stabroek Block,” Singh stated.

To better illustrate the potential windfall, Singh

signed to support the major Private Sector led infrastructure projects like the deep water harbour, plantation agriculture projects, an oil refinery at Crab Island on the mouth of the Berbice River, support to a tolled transportation link from Linden to Brazil and so forth.

“The final 40 per cent should be (invested) in the Sovereign Wealth Fund, which will be managed professionally and in such a manner so as to not deplete the capital. The interest revenue will be used as support for the National Budget,” Singh also suggested.

“I would not be surprised if the average oil revenue per year in those 10 years, from 2024-2034, is more than a billion US per year.

If the oil projections from the developers are reliable, Guyana can see as much as US$18 billion flowing into the Treasury from this Stabroek Block,” Singh. gave an example of the per capital distribution of a one off $5 million check to every Guyanese resident. However, he acknowledged the unsustainability of similar modes of distribution, which were suggested in sections of society.

“My recommendation is a 20 per cent cash transfer to the people which is a GY$50,000 tax free check to every Guyanese for 15 years starting from 2024.

Then 40 per cent will be as-

After its 10th discovery of oil in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil has estimated the recoverable resource in the block to be five billion oil equivalent barrels. At US$50 a barrel, that equates to well over US$200 billion. In addition, an independent assessment, or competent persons report, had found that 2.9 billion barrels of oil existed in the Orinduik block.

All of this will represent a monetary windfall

Financial Analyst Sase Singh

for Guyana, which will be saved and invested through a Natural Resources Fund.

A green paper on the Fund was recently laid in the National Assembly, but the fund itself is still in its planning stages.

Government had released the draft Natural Resources Fund Bill of 2018, which had proposed among other things a 22-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee that would oversee the management of the Fund and provide checks and balances.

Investment firm Merrill Lynch has for some time expressed an interest in being involved in managing Guyana’s oil finances.

In fact, representatives from the firm had reportedly met with Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga. The Opposition has urged that the vetting process for the fund manager be a rigorous one.

Paralysed teen... from page 8

Days after, it was located covered in tarpaulin under a house at Mon Repos, ECD. The driver of the minibus has since gone into the hiding. He was identified as a Chinese national. Police sources confirmed that the suspect might have absconded to Suriname.

On December 10, 2018, Shaw and his friend, Karmachand Khemraj went to a nearby shop to make a purchase and on their way back on their motorcycle, they were struck from behind by a white Toyoto Hiace Pitbull minibus. The minibus drove away from the scene.

Both young men were rushed to the GPHC where Khemraj died while receiving medical attention.

Following the accident, the Chinese Association reportedly approached the relatives of the dead teenager and offered them $1.5 million but the family has since refused as well.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 2 forest operators welcome implementation of Environmental Authorisation

– EPA to conduct similar exercises countrywide

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mall forest operators in Pomeroon-Supenaam were on Saturday enlightened about the need to have an Environmental Authorisation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held an interactive workshop to educate them on this critical requirement for operating in the country’s forests. The first such workshop was held in Region 10 last December.

Forest operators from villages across the region, including Indigenous communities, were all part of the workshop. During the workshop, they were given an indepth presentation which explained the Environmental Authorisation, why it is important to have one, where to apply for one and how to fill out the requisite forms.

Aside from the theoretical aspect of the session, they were also taken to a nearby sawmill for a firsthand view on how to protect themselves and the environment. The operators were

Forest operators in Region Two on Saturday after completion of the workshop

very vocal throughout the workshop, asking questions to ensure that they have clarity on the way forward.

Participants were high in praise for the initiative taken to bring them up-to-date with the requirement for protecting the environment.

Judy Marslowe of Bethany said “for me it is realising that everything around you has its positive and negative which is either being used or abused and we really need to

take it seriously the things we do every day and take for granted… There must be some sort of system and control of how things are being done and if we do not, maybe somewhere down the road, we might regret it.”

Toshao of Akawini, David Wilson is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying that Indigenous people have for centuries taken care of the environment how they

know best. However, he said that “learning today more about the way to go, is a plus for us so that we can take back to our communities and enlighten our villages on what they need to do.”

Toshao David also called for similar workshops to be held more frequently.

Leo Gomes of Lake Mainstay noted that he was pleased by the efforts of the EPA to educate the people on how to care for the en-

vironment. “I am thankful for the education they have given concessionaires, small and big, where you can obtain licenses… I see that it is fit and very much acceptable” Gomes stated.

The workshop is aimed at ensuring that all forest operators become authorised in keeping with Section 14 of the Environmental Act. The act states that: “before harvesting and utilising forest resources, an operator must first seek permission from the Environmental Protection Agency.”

That permission is the Environmental Authorisation which not only seeks to protect the environment, but also the health of the those involved.

Senior Environmental Officer, Colis Primo said that with the completion of the workshop, he hopes that persons will make an effort to acquire the environmental authorisation.

Primo underscored that “this is a continuous process and we will continue to work with them. They would have highlighted some challenges that they foresee in the authorisation process

and we intend to work with them in terms of resolving those challenges because we would be happy if by tomorrow, they could submit their applications.”

The EPA, throughout 2019, will be conducting similar workshops countrywide to encourage more forest operators to be authorised. The Environmental Authorisation application process costs $10,000 (US$50) and once approved $20,000 (US$100) per year.

Alternatively, operators may apply for a maximum environmental authorisation at $100,000 (US$500) for five years.

The outreaches also focus on sensitising forest operators about the European Union/Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (EU/FLEGT) agreement with Guyana, to protect the environment.

Hence, the move by the EPA to get all forest operators on board with best environmental practices in order to mitigate any negative impact, which may result from their actions, on the environment.

Govt has 16 Berbice families benefit from FFTP houses acted in... S from page 3

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Since the passage of the motion, however, persons aligned with the coalition party have sought to question the motion’s validity even as the vote has already been certified. The original proponent of the 34-vote argument is in fact Attorney Nigel Hughes, a former AFC Chairman and the husband of Minister Cathy Hughes.

He told State media that half of 65 is 32.5 but when rounded to the nearest whole number this would be 33 as there is no half member. This argument formed part of the opinions presented to Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland in the hopes that he would reverse the ruling. On Thursday, the Speaker refused to do so.

Amid calls to resign, Government has insisted it is going nowhere. A court case was filed on Friday, in which an order is being sought to, among other things, delay the elections until the court rules on whether or not Persaud was qualified to be an MP. The PPP has since urged the judiciary not to facility Governments conspiracy to undermine Guyana’s constitution. In the meantime, President David Granger and Jagdeo’s meeting is set for January 9.

ixteen persons recently received the keys to their new homes which were constructed and semi-furnished by Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana.

FFTP last year handed over 103 houses to 103 Berbice families.

During the year, the St Francis Community Developers worked in collaboration with FFTP to make the house distribution a success.

St Francis has been tasked with the responsibility of identifying the families and working with them to ensure that they are recipients of the two-bedroom houses.

President of St Francis, Alex Foster explained that when the project initially started, families only received a house for which they were thankful, but the entity has decided to partially furnish the homes.

“We have been able to

Persons collecting home furnishings for their homes which was built by FFTP (Guyana)

have about 40 per cent of the houses semi-furnished with two beds each, tables, four chairs and some of them have pillows and pillow cases. We have also given them table cloths and other household items,” Foster explained.

The new home owners, who have been experiencing problems connecting to the Guyana Power and Light’s

(GPL) grid, mainly because of the location of the house, were also being assisted with solar panels.

“The solar panels will allow them to have three lighted bulbs in the home and the ability to charge their cellphones on a daily basis because we have an adaptor which is capable of charging most cellphones.”

Meanwhile, Food For

The Poor has scaled up its activity as it relates to supporting farmers. Over the past two months, 16 farmers’ groups were formed in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and have been

receiving farming tools.

More than 3000 pieces of equipment have been distributed to the farmers. These include cutlasses, rakes, pick axes, garden forks among other items.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Mashramani “Krank Up” hosted in Linden

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s a prelude to this year's Mashramani celebrations, the Ministry of the Presidency, Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport Department on Friday hosted Mashramani “Krank Up” in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The event which featured live performances by steel bands and calypsonians was aimed at setting the tone for Mashramani observances this year.

Hosted at the Linden/ Georgetown minibus park, Social Cohesion Ministry, George Norton in an invited comment said that the event is a way of letting people know that the celebrations will be “stronger and better” this year.

"The Mashramani celebrations is going to be strong and better than the years before. We're here to have a preview of what is going to take place... the whole idea is to let people know that the

A young steel pan group performing at the Mashramani “Krank Up” in Linden

spirit of Mashramani is alive and kicking," the Minister said. With Linden being the birthplace of the celebration, Minister Norton said he made a promise to residents to speak with organisers of the floats in Georgetown to have them travel to Linden to be a part of the community's Mashramani float parade. The community usually hosts its float parade

one week after the national parade in Georgetown.

Minister Norton said it is his hope that with this input, more floats will be available in Linden during the occasion.

"The residents asked if we can try to convince the floats to come to Linden and I promised them that I would do anything possible to encourage the floats that

participate in Georgetown to come to Linden so that Linden could have a bigger 'Mash' than before... but that is not to discourage the Lindeners from having their own floats and putting out their own thing,” he said. Prior to the event, the Minister also facilitated a meet and greet with residents at the Mackenzie Market Square.

Fake UNC dream team – Kamla hits mischief makers

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nited National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said her party will not be deterred by a bogus list of candidates to fight any snap general election if called before the due date of 2020. The list was emailed to media houses on an official-looking UNC let-

terhead in the name of UNC supporter Vaughn Ramdeen, who later denied sending it and was at a loss as to why anyone would set up a fake email account in his name to do so.

The letter purported to be sent by PersadBissessar to constituency chairmen and National

Executive members.

Warning of a possible snap election, the bogus letter asked UNC officials to give full support to candidates as polling said the party could win a snap election.

“The custom of screening candidates has been waived in the event of a snap election to ensure victory at the polls for the

UNC.” Persad-Bissessar denied the letter was valid, as did other UNC officials.

She told Newsday, “That’s obviously not official UNC correspondence.

The person called me today and said he never issued that statement but someone had used his profile and that he will now report it.” Persad-Bissessar said the UNC has chosen no candidates yet. “In my New Year’s message I said we’ll open up nominations and screening will take place.

“We have no candidates at the moment. It is someone making mischief and fraudulently using someone else’s profile.” She blamed the bogus letter on mischief makers bent on stopping the changes proposed by the UNC. “I condemn it as a desperate attempt to put a spoke in the wheel of changes I had announced that we will be opening nominations and screening candidates.”

Persad-Bissessar said anyone acting fraudulently was up to no good. “This will not deter us. We’ll make the change for the re-building of our party to ensure victory will come.”

UNC deputy leader David Lee told Newsday, “I think it’s just mischievousness at work, trying to drive disunity within the ranks of Opposition sitting MPs. “It’s pure mischief and I expect much more to come.

It’s open season.” He said it was a way to try to divert the narrative from crime, joblessness and the economic doldrums. Lee had never heard of Ramdeen before. (T&T Newsday)

Greening your New Year’s resolutions

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s we begin a new year, the management and staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wish all of our readers a prosperous 2019. Traditionally, the beginning of a new year is dubbed the ideal time to start a new chapter in our lives, hence we set our resolutions for the year ahead. We hope you have set goals to enhance your personal and professional development and wish you well in achieving your desired goals.

The EPA hopes the last 12 months of learning and reinforcing how fascinating nature is, were rewarding; moreover we hope you better understand your role in protecting and managing our environment. It is our desire that some of your new year’s resolutions involve becoming good stewards of the environment.

Let’s call them our “Green resolutions” for 2019 onwards!

Greening your resolutions will not only go a far way for the environment but will also help to make your surroundings a safe space for yourself and family. It will also save you some needed cash. Here are some small changes you can make to see big results: * Resolution 1. Choose reusable over disposable During the past year we talked a lot about the importance of choosing reusable items over disposal ones, here is another chance to put it into practice. Choosing reusable products like bottles, cups, batteries, shopping bags, hand towels, cloth napkins etc, can significantly reduce the amount of waste you generate on a daily basis and save you needed cash. * Resolution 2. Use less, save more (energy and water) A great way to start conserving on your electricity and cashing back big on your electricity is by simply designing your space to be energy efficient. Use more natural light during the day, plan well and ensure you turn off and unplug all appliances.

Be smarter when you shop: looking for those appliances with the energy saving star is another great idea on how you and your household can become more energy efficient for 2019.

It’s a new year, so it’s time to fix those old leaking faucets and broken pipes around the home. Ever heard the saying, “a small leak can sink a big ship?” Not only is having leaks around the house a wasteful and careless practice, it can cause a significant spike in your water bill. It’s also time for you to stop doing the dishes, laundry and brushing your teeth while leaving the tap running. Did you know that brushing your teeth and leaving the tap running causes you to waste at least five gallons of water?

Water is life so save it! * Resolution 3. Embark on a community enhancement project Are you wondering about a meaningful activity for your community? Embarking on a community enhancement project such as planting trees, clean-ups, parks and green space restoration are great ideas for making your resolution a bit greener and helping to restore the neighbourhood to its former glory. This will also give you a chance to connect and even reconnect with members of your community. A cleaner community means cleaner air and water for biodiversity to flourish, and people to be productive. * Resolution 4. Join or start an environment club This is the perfect “do good, feel good” opportunity to make a fresh start for 2018. Joining or starting an environmental club will help you learn and teach others about the amazing services our environment provides to us free of cost, and what we can do to help take care of it. What better way to learn about your environment through a fun and interactive way by using the environment as your classroom. You will also help to build your communication and other social skills. If you’re wondering how to locate or start an environment club in your community give us a call at the EPA or visit our Facebook or Instagram page and leave us a message for more information. * Finally: Stop littering and encourage others to do the same By now you all should know that litter is bad for our health, the economy and the environment. It costs the Government unnecessary spending to clean up when that same money can be used to build roads, schools and health centres, etc, in communities across Guyana.

Apply these simple but practical resolutions and you’re sure to have a refreshing year ahead!

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@ gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

The likely political implications of the judicial challenge to the No-confidence Motion is unhealthy for Guyana at this time

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he local press is flooded with a diversity of viewpoints and commentaries from local and international experts and all sorts of agencies and important groups that have been pronouncing on this matter almost every day. Interestingly, “The Economist” magazine featured an extremely well-articulated article entitled “Oil riches raise the political stakes in Guyana”.

The nation witnessed, despite calls from the Government for the Speaker to review the outcome of the No-confidence Motion that he instead, opted to decline in doing so. The Speaker’s ruling is available in full in the local press. One may agree that this move by the Speaker was indeed very professional and also reinforced his professional integrity since over the last three years, he was often times criticised, by this author included, for appearing to be biased in the discharge of his duties as Speaker of the National Assembly.

Now, it is obvious that the Government is not going to give up power without a fight amid the notion that the country is poised to be earning oil wealth within the next year or so. However, if they are truly serious about what is good for this country then their actions are not reflective of such. Take for example in the President’s New Year’s message, if one listens carefully to that message, clearly someone is out of touch with reality. With all due respect to his Excellency, the message on that occasion was not at all reflective of the realities of the people of this country.

This assertion is premised upon the 30,000 plus households who have been affected both directly and indirectly by the closure of the sugar estates. People are suffering, plunging deeper into poverty, children are being denied an education because their parents cannot afford to send them to school. This one act alone by the Government has deemed a loss of confidence in it by the people. In fact, this author in 2017 had written extensively on these issues regarding the downsizing of the sugar industry, including the social and economic impact wherein it was posited that about GY$10-$11 billion will be taken out of the economy annually with the closure of these estates and not to mention the other multiplier effects.

In fact, citing a fellow colleague who also writes for this newspaper, Sase Singh, in his ‘Straight Talk’ column featured on January 4, 2019, Singh showed that the losses incurred by the Guyana Sugar Corporation for the years 2015 and 2016, before the estates were closed, stood at $2.7 billion and $1.3 billion respectively; while for the years subsequent to the closure or what the Government often describes as right sizing the industry, the losses incurred for 2017 and 2018 stood at $18.3 billion and $12.8 billion respectively. Clearly, the Government is out of touch with reality and has little or no clue of what it is doing in terms of managing the economic and financial affairs of this country. In other words, they are living or governing in a vacuum of denial, especially now with the outcome of the Noconfidence Motion.

Turning now to what is happening in Guyana domestically and in respect to recent geopolitical developments – that is, the Foreign Affairs Minister reported that the Venezuelans attempted to land a helicopter on ExxonMobil’s ship. These developments can have far-reaching detrimental consequences for Guyana and can even delay the production of oil. With Russia supporting the Venezuelans in the area of military support; especially and announced plans for setting up a military base in the Caribbean, there can be an imminent American and Russian war in our own backyard. The sad reality of such an outcome is that no American or Russian would be harmed except for the military personnel, but it is the Caribbean people, Guyana and Venezuela who will suffer.

Against this backdrop, with the judicial challenge to the Noconfidence Motion, if that ruling turns out in a particular manner, then there may be a constitutional crisis and a political crisis which will lead to an economic crisis and a social crisis especially if fresh elections are not held within 90 days as stipulated by the Constitution. These events, if materialised, will inevitably weaken Guyana within these dimensions and it is when this happens that Venezuela may very well seize the opportunity to aggressively continue to threaten Guyana with the use of military force. It is no coincidence that the last aggressive move in this regard was done on the very next day after the noconfidence vote. That was a strategic move by the Venezuelans and if Guyana’s political climate becomes further weakened, the outcomes are going to be devastating. Therefore, the politicians need to do what is best for Guyana and that is, to have fresh elections in the next three months.

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

Owed garbage collectors commence limited service – Solid Waste Director

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olid Waste Management Director of the Mayor and City Council, Walter Narine on Saturday announced that owed garbage collectors – Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal – have commenced working on some locations across the city while awaiting full payment from Central Government.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Narine said that City Hall would have convened meetings with the contractors as it relates to the way forward in 2019.

Apart from this, there were no discussions on the outstanding $160 million payments.

“In terms of payments for last year, there has been no discussion. In terms of moving forward and coming back on service, we would have met with them and they would have agreed to come back and work on some areas that we identified for them. They have since commenced working on those areas,” he claimed.

The Solid Waste Director noted that he is oblivious of any payment dates since the collectors would have directly spoken to Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan back in December.

“The Government of Guyana would have engaged them directly.

Government would have indicated as of recent that they will pay off the entire hundred percent of the bill that was owed by Council.

In terms of payment dates, I don’t know.”

It has been six weeks since the collectors officially pulled their services from the Council. Narine signaled that while they have resumed operations to some extent, the smaller five contractors continue to work at their respective locations.

Bulkan would have met with the collectors and officials of City Hall, where it was declared that Central Government would stand the outstanding $160M by the end of 2018. This is not the first occasion to which the Government rescued the Council from drowning in debts.

In November of 2017, $475M was owed to contractors and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon announced that Government would assist the Council by offering some $300M. Meanwhile, in 2016, the Georgetown Council found themselves in that same position and subsequently voted to ask the Central Government for a $600 million “bailout” to pay creditors and meet expenses.

Two of City Hall’s creditors, Puran Brothers Disposal Inc and Cevons Waste Management, had threatened to suspend their services over millions owed

Garbage build-up across Georgetown

to them by the municipality.

The decision was made in the wake of uncertainty regarding the success of the “amnesty on interest owed on property rates programme”.

At that time, the Auditor General, in his audit of City

Hall’s operations, found no basis in the award of several contracts for the weeding of parapets, desilting of drains and cutting down trees in various areas around Georgetown since supporting documents were unavailable.

At present, there has

been a struggle to control the large generation of waste at markets and business hotspots with many resorting to empty land spaces to dump their waste. At the Stabroek Square, it continues to linger on parapets and bus zones.

Statements provided by contractors a few weeks ago contradict the actual outcome of events. What was dubbed as credible assurances is now reduced to uncertainty in the payment arrangement.

“It yielded what we believe to be credible assurances that settlement of the outstanding debt will commence very shortly. Our understanding is that the first payment will be made before the end of 2018. We have, without prejudice, accepted those assurances,” the service providers jointly announced.

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SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Aviation Authority perusing paperwork No-confidence for more US airlines in Guyana motions a wakeup call for govts T – Former St Lucia PM

he Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is perusing requisite documentation for several airlines which have indicated interest in connecting in Guyana.

This is according to Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson, who in an interview with the media late last week, said that multiple airlines from various continents including Europe and Africa have signaled their intention to fly routes connected to Guyana. She noted that this is being done even as the GCAA is ironing out the requisite documentation for American carrier, Jet Blue Airlines to conduct operations here.

“They’re in contact with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure the necessary paperwork, documentation that they have [is submitted],” she pointed out.

Founded almost 20 years ago, the Americanbased airline flies to over 100 destinations. Minister Ferguson further revealed that there are other carriers which have indicated interest in flying the Guyana route. With the addition of Jet Blue, local air travel is expected to become quite busy in the coming months and perhaps beyond since several agreements have been signed with Government for others to conduct operations. It is expected that prices could decline with more competition in the local market.

Last month GCAA’s Director General Egbert

GCAA Headquarters, Kingston, Georgetown

Field told Guyana Times that the Body was gearing up to sign its second agreement with an African nation in its bid to boost tourism.

The most recent open skies agreement was signed with Tanzania while another was previously signed with the West African nation of Ghana. This agreement also included Guyana’s South American neighbour, Brazil, and will allow for direct flights to those coun-

tries. It also gave clearance for any airline which wishes to fly here from those countries.

It was during the 2019 Budgetary Debates that Business Minister Dominic Gaskin boasted of a 17 per cent increase in visitor arrivals up to September, when compared with figures during the same period in 2017.

Gaskin had deemed the increase good news for the

country as it will add to the economy.

More than that, there was another Interline Agreement that Guyana inked with German airline, Condor (Thomas Cook Group) and LIAT for flights from Germany to Guyana which made flights easier and more convenient for passengers using this route.

The Interline Agreement is one between individual airlines which is drafted to handle passengers traveling on itineraries that require multiple flights on multiple airlines.

It will allow passengers to use coordinated flight connections and checkedthrough luggage and affords cheaper tickets year-round.

In this case, the contract will allow travellers from Europe to enjoy an easier and more comfortable connection to Guyana.

In addition to Germany and Guyana, countries such as Austria and Switzerland will be able to reap the benefits of this agreement. The proposed connections will run through Antigua, making it a smoother connection to Georgetown, Guyana, without passengers losing much travel time waiting for connecting flights.

This means that persons flying into the Caribbean can continue their journey and arrive in Guyana the same day. With all these agreements being signed, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project is still slated for completion after almost seven years.

Suspect in Queenstown execution... from page 10

He then began shooting at Greene which caused the other person to run for cover.

A large crowd gathered, and a dying Greene, with several bullets to his body including one to his face was left lying on the roadway in front of the hotel for some time before being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Meanwhile, reports in Canada indicated that Greene is currently wanted in that country in connection with the murder of a 42-year-old Toronto resident, which occurred September 2018.

The man identified as Chad Day was discovered lying in a driveway on West Lodge Avenue near Lansdowne Avenue and Queen Street West, Parksdale, Toronto with injuries to his body suspected to be from a fall.

Two men were arrested in connection with the incident, but a third person - suspected to be Greene - was still being sought by the Canadian officials.

F

ormer Saint Lucia Prime Minister, Stephenson King, has asserted that motions of no confidence constitute a wakeup call for governments.

King spoke against the backdrop of the shock vote in Guyana by Charrandas Persaud in support of a no confidence vote against the coalition administration of which he was part.

“Such situations are always wake up calls because what it says is that leaders cannot believe that they can lead in a kind of way, what we call a sort of totalitarian manner,” the former Saint Lucia leader told St Lucia Times.

“You cannot lead by just simply taking a course without consultation – without discussion or even just merely taking decisions and not at least considering the views of the general public,” King explained.

“So it is always a wakeup call for all governments when motions of no confidence are posed and the reasons for presenting the motion of no confidence,” he said in an interview with St Lucia Times.

According to King, it is the the right and the duty of every MP at any given time, whether in government or opposition, to stand his or her ground based on conscience.

He expressed the view that in the case of Guyana, Charrandas Persaud, after much consideration, felt he could no longer continue to support the Government because it was against his conscience.

The Castries North MP said: “That is something we all at some stage will be called upon to do because the democracies that we are involved in work on what we call – particularly the executive, the cabinet, works on what you call collective responsibility; so even if in cabinet you may have the dissenting voice on any issue and you don’t support a particular issue.”

“Once that decision is taken by cabinet you are part of cabinet and so it is what you call ‘collective responsibility’. You really and truly should not, on principle, go out and denounce the decision taken,” King told St Lucia Times.

“The moment you denounce the decision taken then it means that you have prepared yourself to step out and I think the gentleman (Charrandas Persaud) certainly, after much thought, much con-

Former St Lucia PM, Stephenson King

sideration and his conscience, decided that he could no longer continue to give support to his government and therefore supported the motion of no confidence and it is his right.”

In regard to the announcement by the opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) of plans to have a no confidence motion in Parliament against Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet, King noted that one would have to argue on the merits and demerits of what is presented and how the motion affects the ability of the Government to deliver on its promises.

“I believe that this is one which, unlike Guyana, may not necessarily mean that a successful passage of a vote of no confidence against the prime minister means the fall of the government because you have not encapsulated the entire government into the process. So it is slightly different; but it is one which again allows MPs to speak out and air their views and stand out where necessary,” the former PM declared.

King observed that in Guyana, there was a one seat majority in the National Assembly which made the successful no confidence vote ‘easy to happen’.

“One man stands his ground and votes in favour of the no confidence motion and brings down the government,” he stated.

But King noted that in many other countries the governments normally have a clear majority and not a one seat advantage.

“In the case Barbados one anticipates that there may never be a motion of no confidence or even in Grenada. But again, I say the relevance of motion is to indicate the independence of MPs, even if MPs contest an election under one symbol, that MP is a single entity and can at any time stand his ground of independence,” the former PM asserted. (St Lucia Times)

17 Guyana ranked top performing tourism destination news

SUnDAY, january 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…as market demands increase

B

ased on current performance and growing market awareness and demand, Guyana is well positioned to attract 500,000 visitors by 2025 (best case scenario) or by 2030; worst case scenario, based on historical trends if average annual growth were to remain static.

According to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Guyana was the top performing destination in the first half of 2018.

The CTO stated that due to media recognition that Guyana is generating, the destination will see an increase in market demand.

“The top-performing destinations during this pe-

riod were Guyana at 18.3 per cent, Belize at 17.1 per cent, the Cayman Islands at 15.9 per cent, Grenada at 10.7 per cent and The Bahamas at 10.2 per cent,” the Chairman Dominic Fedee declared.

“These individual results substantiate the regional messaging of the openness of the destinations for business and the confidence in destinations to deliver quality experiences,” he added.

It is noteworthy that tourism to Guyana has been growing since 2009 and visitation is now increasing.

For the period January to November 2018, visitor arrivals to Guyana increased by 16.88 per cent over 2017.

This includes an increase in Diaspora visitation (1.19 per cent), an increase in leisure vacation travel (11.66 per cent) for November 2018 versus 2017, and increases within all of Guyana’s core source markets: US (7.85 per cent), Canada (2.01 per cent), UK (10.04 per cent), and Germany (2.92 per cent) for January to November 2018 versus 2017.

This also includes a marked increase in travel from Cuba (15.73 per cent) for shopping and for processing US visas for November 2018 versus 2017.

Moreover, the tourism organisation said “Either way, the future of the tourism sector in Guyana is bright”.

The majestic Kaieteur Falls

French Ministry targeted amid protest Colombia's Cano Limon pipeline halted by first bomb attack of 2019

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Demonstrators wearing yellow vests stand next to a burning bicycle at the Champs Elysees Avenue during a protest in Paris, Saturday, January 5, 2019 (Michel Euler photo)

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rance’s Yellow Vest movement staged mostly peaceful anti-government rallies on Saturday for the eighth weekend in a row but the protests ended with a small group smashing down the entrance to the ministry of the government spokesman.

French television showed thousands marching along the Seine in Paris to gather in front of the National Assembly as well as a large crowd amassed in front of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux. Several thousand Yellow Vest protesters also blocked highway traffic in Lyon, according to Agence FrancePresse. About 50,000 took to the streets nationwide -- four times the total of a week ago, AFP reported, citing French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

Although several hundred people were detained by authorities during protests on previous Saturdays after showdowns between protesters and police forces, only a few reports emerged today. Still, as marchers dispersed around 4 p.m. local time in the French capital, tensions increased. Firemen intervened to extinguish scooters and bins

that had been set on fire, in particular on the posh Boulevard Saint-Germain.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told AFP that a small group -- with some people wearing yellow vests -- took over a construction vehicle and “smashed down the door of the ministry” around 4.30 p.m. The group then damaged two cars and broke windows in the front yard of the ministry and left, Griveaux said.

“Attacking a ministry is like attacking the common good, the Republic,” the government spokesman said in a tweet. “Those who carried out these unspeakable acts are enemies of democracy.”

For the last two months people across France have donned the high-visibility vests that motorists must keep in their cars, expressing a range of grievances and demands, from lower taxes and higher wages to better public services. The number of people rallying on the streets on Saturdays has consistently diminished after the first “Day of Action” on Nov. 17, drew some 300,000 people. (Bloomberg)

olombian state oil company Ecopetrol has halted the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline after it was damaged in a bomb attack, spilling crude into two streams in Norte de Santander province, the company said.

The Friday explosion in the rural area of Campo Giles, in Tibu municipality, is the first bombing of Colombian oil infrastructure in 2019. Last year there were 89 attacks in just three provinces, many attributed to leftist rebels.

Crude spilled into two neighboring creeks and on surrounding vegetation,

Ecopetrol said in a statement, but the spill is now under control.

The explosion did not affect exports or production in the Cano Limon oil field in northern Arauca province, operated by Occidental Petroleum.

The 773-kilometer (480mile) Cano Limon pipeline was out of operation for most of 2018 because of attacks, which the military often attributes to the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

The Cano Limon pipeline

has capacity to transport up to 210,000 barrels per day of crude oil.

The insurgent group, which frequently attacks the pipeline, has around 2,000 fighters and opposes oil and mining activities by multinational companies, saying they take advantage of natural resources without benefiting Colombians.

President Ivan Duque, who took office in August, has said he will not continue peace talks with the ELN initiated by his predecessor until the rebels stop kidnappings and all criminal activity. (Reuters)

Egyptian explosives expert killed defusing bomb

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n Egyptian police officer was killed on Saturday while attempting to defuse a bomb found near a church in an eastern Cairo suburb, state television reported, less than two days before Egypt’s Christians celebrate the Coptic Christmas.

The device was one of two found inside a bag on a nearby rooftop, three security sources and state media reported.

Two policemen and an on-

looker were also injured when the device exploded, the security sources said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Egyptian security forces have for years battled Islamist insurgents who have attacked Coptic Christians, tourists and security personnel.

Security forces have stepped up their presence outside churches and other places of worship ahead of New Year’s Eve and Coptic Christmas, which is celebrat-

ed on January 7.

The Copts, who make up around 10 percent of the population, have long complained of discrimination. Authorities have placed armed guards outside churches and monasteries in an attempt to protect them from jihadist attacks.

In November, militants killed seven people returning from baptizing a child at a Coptic monastery about 260 km (160 miles) up the River Nile from Cairo. (Reuters)

Haiti's senator convicted of money Woman abducts baby from laundering, lost a bid for freedom

Jamaica hospital

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he police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing baby girl and a woman suspected of taking her from the parking lot of the Cornwall Regional Hospital on Friday.

The baby is three weeks old, of brown complexion and was wearing a pink outfit with pink and black socks when she was taken.

Meanwhile, the suspect is said to be of brown complexion, medium build and is about 168 centimetres (5 feet 6 inches) tall. The police said she was wearing a wig and a multi-coloured dress at the time of the incident.

Reports are that the mother of the child was at the facility for an appointment when she was allegedly befriended by the suspect.

"About 1:50 pm, they both left the pharmacy at the hospital and ventured into the parking lot. The child's mother reportedly left the baby in the care of the suspect to use the restroom and upon her return, neither her child nor the woman was seen," the police reported on Friday.

(Jamaica Observer)

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uy Philippe would not be getting out of the US prison system anytime soon. The convicted money launderer and elected Haitian senator -- who was also at various times a law student, a police commander, a coup leader and a fugitive in an international drug trafficking case -- has lost another bid for freedom in a Miami federal court.

A federal judge last week dismissed Philippe’s appeal of his nine-year sentence, con-

cluding his claims that his defense attorneys were “ineffective” and “working for both sides” weren’t credible.

Philippe pleaded guilty to a money laundering conspiracy in April 2017 and was sentenced to nine years in prison that June.

US District Judge Cecilia Altonaga found that Philippe, who said he didn’t need a Creole interpreter in court and agreed to speak in English, understood the proceedings and the potential consequenc-

es while he spoke with his defense attorneys before the plea. Philippe, 50, agreed to the plea as a way to avoid a potential life sentence in a major narcotics case. As part of the agreement with the U.S. attorney’s office, Philippe also agreed not to appeal his conviction and sentencing.

Philippe’s motion to vacate his guilty plea and sentence was based on his argument that he hadn’t received an effective defense from his lawyers. (The Miami Herald)

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sunday, january 6, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Venezuela's Parliament rejects Third earthquake legitimacy of Maduro second term rattles C'bean

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enezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly declared Nicolas Maduro’s presidency illegitimate Saturday, calling on the military to support efforts to “restore democracy.”

“We reaffirm the illegitimacy of Nicolas Maduro,” the assembly’s new president Juan Guaido said as he was sworn in at the start of a new legislative session.

“As of January 10, he will be usurping the presidency and consequently this National Assembly is the only legitimate representative of the people.”

Maduro is set to be sworn in on Thursday for a second six-year term after holding controversial early elections May 8.

The elections were boycotted by most of the opposition and widely condemned by the international community.

On Friday, foreign ministers from 12 Latin American countries and Canada announced in Lima that their governments would not recognize

islands in a day

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General view at Venezuela’s National Assembly during the inauguration ceremony in Caracas on January 5, 2019 (AFP photo)

Maduro as president if he attempts to remain in office and urged him to turn over power to the National Assembly.

Guaido, in a speech attended by members of the diplomatic corps, de-

clared that the military’s chain of command had been “broken or usurped,” but called on the armed forces to support efforts “to restore democracy.” (AFP)

he Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Friday said an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 rattled three Caribbean islands, as the region recorded three earth tremors within a 24hour period.

It said that latest quake, which occurred at 18:52h (6:52 pm local time) was felt in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and the French island of Guadeloupe.

According to the SRC the quake was located Latitude: 16.88N,

Longitude: 61.15W and at a depth of 10 kilometres (km).

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, but it was felt 81 km east-south-east of St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, 82 km north east of Point-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe and 177 km north of the Dominican capital, Roseau.

Earlier on Friday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 rattled Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, after one with a magnitude of 3.9 shook St Lucia, Martinique and St Vincent and the Grenadines just after midnight. (CMC)

German mass data attack 'known Trump threatens years-long Govt for weeks' by cyber officials shutdown, emergency powers to build wall

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Angela Merkel, Greens leader Robert Habeck and TV satirist Jan Böhmermann have all been targeted by the attack

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ermany’s cybersecurity authorities have been criticised after it emerged they knew about a mass data attack on hundreds of politicians for weeks, but did not tell the police.

Journalists, celebrities and politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, are among those whose personal data was published online.

The attacks took place throughout December, but did not become public knowledge until Friday.

It is unclear who was responsible.

The contacts, private chats and financial details of figures from every political party - except the farright AfD - were posted on Twitter.

The interior ministry says there is no evidence that parliamentary or government systems have been compromised - and it is not clear whether the attack was the result of hacking or someone with access leaking the data.

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has come under fire after it emerged that they knew about the leak since

December, while the Federal Crime Office was only notified on Friday, news agency DPA and newspaper Bild report.

BSI president Arne Schoenbohm told broadcaster Phoenix that his team “had already held corresponding talks very early in December with certain members of parliament who were affected”, and launched a “mobile incident response team”.

However, Dietmar Bartsch, parliamentary head of the left-wing Die

Linke party, called the secrecy “completely unacceptable” and asked if the office had “something to hide”.

Meanwhile, lawmaker André Han said: “It makes me unbelievably cross that yet again I’ve found out about such things from the media - even though I’m a member of the parliamentary monitoring group... the federal government’s duty to keep parliament informed still applies between Christmas and the new year.” (BBC)

resident Donald Trump threatened to keep the U.S. government partially shut for months or years on Friday after he and Democratic leaders failed to resolve their dispute over Trump’s request for $5.6 billion to build a wall on the Mexican border.

After Democratic congressional leaders refused Trump’s requests at a meeting in the White House Situation Room, the Republican president threatened to take the controversial step of declaring a national emergency and building the wall without congressional approval.

Trump is withholding his support for a bill that would fully fund the government until he secures money for the wall. As a result, around 800,000 public workers have been unpaid, with about a quarter of the federal government closed for two weeks.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats had told Trump during the meeting to end the shutdown. “He resisted,” Schumer said. “In fact, he

US President Donald Trump

said he’d keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years.”

Trump confirmed that comment but painted a more positive picture of the meeting, the first since a new era of divided government began when Democrats took control of the House of Representatives on Thursday.

“We had a very, very productive meeting, and we’ve come a long way,” Trump said.

According to a source familiar with the White House discussion, Trump opened

the meeting with a speech that lasted at least 15 minutes in which he insisted on the need for billions of dollars to fund a border wall.

The source also said Trump brought up recent impeachment threats during those remarks, arguing that he had notched a strong performance as president and should not be a target for impeachment.

The president later told reporters that Nancy Pelosi, the new Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, said Democrats were not looking to impeach him. (Reuters)

Brazil troops deployed to stop criminal attacks

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special deployment of Brazilian troops began fanning out in the northern city of Fortaleza Saturday with orders to stop a spike in violent attacks by criminal gangs against banks, buses and shops, officials said.

By the end of the weekend, 300 soldiers will be patrolling that city and other towns in Ceara state in a bid to halt the rampage, national public security secretary Guilherme Teophilo said, according to government news agency Agencia Brasil.

The intervention is the

first test of new President Jair Bolsonaro’s strict lawand-order platform since he took office last Tuesday.

His justice minister ordered the deployment after concluding that Ceara police were overwhelmed. Some 50 suspects have been arrested.

The gangs terrorizing Fortaleza could be seen torching service stations in security videos aired by Brazilian media. Dozens of attacks have been registered this week, forcing residents to stay at home and leaving main roads deserted.

In one attack, explosives

A truck burns during a wave of gang violence in Brazil’s northeastern Ceara state, in the city of Fortaleza

badly damaged a pillar supporting a flyover road in the

town of Caucaia, just to the west of Fortaleza.

The triggers for the wave of violence were being investigated, but intelligence reports published by media suggested gangs were revolting against tough new measures recently imposed in the state’s prisons.

The changes include blocks on cellphone signals and an end to a policy of separating inmates according to gang affiliation.

Two gangs have set aside their rivalry to join forces against the government, the G1 news website reported, citing security officials. (AFP)

sunDAY, january 6, 2018

19

New Zealand pulls off narrow win after Thisara Perera’s 140 First session of Day Ind vs Aus 4th Test

New Zealand 319 for 7 (Taylor 90, Munro 87, Neesham 64, Malinga 2-45) beat Sri Lanka 298 (Thisara 140, Gunathilaka 71, Sodhi 3-55) by 21 runs

4 was washed out

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spectacular Thisara Perera power-hitting showcase was not enough to lift Sri Lanka out of a pit of the middle-order’s making, though it did fill the chase of 320 with much more explosive fun than it promised when Sri Lanka were 128 for 7. Perera walloped 13 sixes and eight fours on his way to 140 off 74 balls – each of New Zealand’s death bowlers given a painful shellacking.

But with 22 still needed for victory and only number 11 Nuwan Pradeep for company, Perera miss-hit a length ball from Matt Henry towards long-on, from where Trent Boult sprinted forward to complete an excellent diving catch.

That New Zealand even found them in this situation, after having had the opposition virtually toppled in the middle overs, was down to uncharacteristically poor catching earlier in the night.

No fewer than five clear-cut chances went down, including off Perera when he had been on 79 – Kane Williamson the culprit on that occasion, letting the ball slip through his fingers at long-off.

In the end though, their dramatic middle-overs collapse, in which Sri Lanka had lost five wickets for 16 runs, proved to be the definitive period of the game. Perera’s heroics, at least, were further evidence that he is a vastly improved batsman in the past 12 months.

His century off 57 balls was the fastest against New Zealand. Only five batsmen have hit more sixes in an innings – his 13 beating the Sri Lanka record of 11, which had been held by Sanath Jayasuriya since 1996.

So breathless were the final 40 minutes of the game – Perera’s blows raining down on Bay Oval like a meteor shower – that the New Zealand performances that set up this series-clinching victory seemed a distant memory by the end. Those efforts, however, were nevertheless outstanding. Colin Munro struck a 77-ball 87, putting on a 112-run stand for the third wicket with Ross Taylor that formed the base for New Zealand’s commanding total.

Taylor himself continued his sublime ODI form, hitting 90 to make it five suc-

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cessive fifty-plus scores in the format, and eight 50-plus scores in the last 10 innings.

James Neesham provided another round of death-overs fireworks, clobbering 64 off 37, before proving effective in the middle overs once more. And legspinner Ish Sodhi was terrific on what was now a surface offering moderate turn, taking 3 for 55 from his 10 overs, having precipitated that Sri Lanka middle-order meltdown.

The Sri Lanka nosedive was swift and in many ways predictable.

Whenever the top order has bestowed a half-decent foundation, in recent months, the middle order has almost uniformly tended to crumble under the pressure of keeping the momentum going. This time, Sri Lanka was 112 for 2 after 22 overs, thanks largely to a half-century from opener Danushka Gunathilaka, before they virtually surrendered the match.

Kusal Mendis was the first to fall, for 20 off 30 balls, edging the ball as he attempted to sweep Sodhi – wicketkeeper Tim Seifert moving expertly down the leg side to complete a tough catch. Gunathilaka was out next over,

attempting to lift James Neesham over wide mid-on, and managing only to send a high catch off the top edge, also to be snaffled by Seifert. Dinesh Chandimal was out next, completely failing to read a Sodhi Googly, which leapt back into his stumps as he was shaping for the cut, before Asela Gunaratne ran himself out calling Perera through for a suicidal single. The last wicket in this period was the result of another Sodhi Googly – Seekkuge Prasanna playing all around it as he tried to hit the bowler into the stratosphere.

By now Sri Lanka’s plight seemed desperate, but Perera warmed to his work with a spate of fours, before the first six came, off Tim Southee, who bowled a waist-high short ball which was bludgeoned over deep square leg.

Soon, the big blows came like an avalanche. There were two Perera sixes and a four off Sodhi’s final over – the 33rd of the innings – and another four off Matt Henry, before his partner Lasith Malinga – who had been dropped twice – was finally out, bowled off his pads by Trent Boult, for 17.

That partnership had been worth 75 off 50 balls.

The next stand brought anothN Dickwella † b Southee 9 er 51, to which Lakshan Sandakan MD Gunathilaka c †Seifert b Neesham 71 contributed only six runs. The MDKJ Perera c Boult b Henry 4 rest were all Perera thrashings.

BKG Mendis c †Seifert b Sodhi 20 Although towards the start of his LD Chandimal b Sodhi 3 innings, Perera played regularly DAS Gunaratne run out (Neesham/†Seifert) 6 NLTC Perera c Boult b Henry 140 through the offside, he was bashing balls through his main hitting S Prasanna b Sodhi SL Malinga (c) b Boult 17 zone – the arc between wide long off 6 and midwicket – by the end of it. He PADLR Sandakan c Taylor b Neesham N Pradeep not out 3 raced past his previous best score of Extras 19 (lb 6, w 13) 80, brought up his ton with a single TOTAL 298 all out (46.2 Overs, RR: 6.43) in the company of Sandakan, and Fall of wickets: 1-28 (N Dickwella, 3.6 ov), 2-63 once the ninth wicket had fallen, (MDKJ Perera, 13.2 ov), 3-112 (BKG Mendis, produced his most brutal hitting for 22.1 ov), 4-116 (MD Gunathilaka, 23.4 ov), the last-gasp lunge toward victory.

5-121 (LD Chandimal, 24.6 ov), 6-128 (DAS After having been earlier beltGunaratne, 26.2 ov), 7-128 (S Prasanna, 26.6 ed around

by Neesham for the secov), 8-203 (SL Malinga, 35.2 ov), 9-254 (PADLR Sandakan, 42.6 ov), 10-298 (NLTC Perera, 46.2 ond time in as many games, Perera launched him for two sixes in the ov) BOWLING O M R W 45th over. Then, with 50 required TA Boult 10 1 61 1 off 30 balls, he clubbed four sixes TG Southee 8 0 68 1 off Tim Southee to bring the equaMJ Henry 9.2 1 52 2 tion down to almost a run-a-ball.

KS Williamson 2 0 8 0 Although the Henry ball that undid IS Sodhi 10 1 55 3 him was in the slot, Perera could JDS Neesham 7 0 48 2 not quite bully it over the rope as he had done previously – perhaps

he first session of Day 4 was washed out. Rain in the morning was the forecast for Sunday in Sydney and so the next two sessions is expected to be played without any interruptions. Pat Cummins was dismissed almost as soon as India took the new ball and Peter Handscomb now has Mitchell Starc to keep company as they continue Australia’s floundering rescue act on Day 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Despite a good start on the third day, the hosts stumbled in the second and third session due to some poor batting and the Indian spinners making the best of the conditions. (Indian Express)

SCOREBOARD New Zealand Innings (50 overs maximum) MJ Guptill c †Dickwella b Malinga 13 C Munro run out (Perera/Sandakan) 87 KS Williamson (c) c Sandakan b Pradeep 1 LRPL Taylor run out (Perera/†Dickwella) 90 HM Nicholls c †Dickwella b Malinga 32 JDS Neesham run out (Pradeep) 64 TL Seifert † run out (Perera) 22 TG Southee not out 1 Extras 9 (b 4, lb 2, w 3) TOTAL 319/7 (50 Overs, RR: 6.38) Did not bat: MJ Henry, IS Sodhi, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-34 (MJ Guptill, 4.6 ov), 2-39 (KS Williamson, 7.4 ov), 3-151 (C Munro, 25.4 ov), 4-208 (HM Nicholls, 37.3 ov), 5-262 (LRPL Taylor, 44.1 ov), 6-302 (JDS Neesham, 48.2 ov), 7-319 (TL Seifert, 49.6 ov) BOWLING O M R W SL Malinga 10 0 45 2 N Pradeep 9 0 59 1 MD Gunathilaka 1 0 10 0 NLTC Perera 7 0 69 0 PADLR Sandakan 10 0 56 0 S Prasanna 5 0 34 0 DAS Gunaratne 8 0 40 0 Sri Lanka Innings (target: 320 runs from 50 overs)

some fatigue having weakened his muscles.

Earlier in the day, Taylor had played New Zealand’s best innings, though Munro had provided the early fireworks. Taylor’s was a characteristically wise knock from a batsman at the top of his game. He was measured through most of the innings, only occasionally venturing a big shot, and instead manipulating the ball into gaps efficiently.

Only 22 of his runs came from boundaries, with singles and twos on the leg side most heavily populating his innings.

He might have got to triple figures himself, had he not unselfishly looked for two after turning a ball to square leg – the return throw from Kusal Perera catching Taylor just short of his ground. Sri Lanka milked four run outs in the innings, but even that didn’t quite make up for their lack of menace in the middle overs again. (CRICINFO)

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, january 6, 2018

Asad Shafiq and Shan Masood lead spirited Pakistan fight back

Asad Shafiq

Junica Pluck aiming for the top...

Close Pakistan 177 and 294 (Shafiq 88, Babar 72, Masood 61) lead South Africa 431 (du Plessis 103, Bavuma 75, de Kock 59) by 40 runs

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t the fourth time of asking, Pakistan’s batsmen found the grit, resolve and flair required to compete with a pumped-up South African attack in their own conditions. But, despite a fine century stand between Asad Shafiq and Shan Masood and a doughty 72 from Babar Azam, their opponents could not be denied forever, as their pace quartet closed ranks in the evening session to put a crushing victory beyond doubt.

By the close, Pakistan had at least staved off the prospect of an innings defeat, with Babar’s hardfought half-century providing the lower-order with backbone as Dale Steyn in particular rolled back the years in a venomous short-pitched onslaught on any tail-ender who strayed into his sights. But, with a target of 41 when play resumes tomorrow, a swift kill and a 2-0 series win is surely a formality.

In fact, the match might yet have been wrapped up this evening, but for some farcical scenes in the closing overs of the day. With a lead of 25, and the prospect of an extra half-hour to gallop to the finish, Vernon Philander looked to have finished the innings when Mohammad Abbas slogged a length ball to midoff. But with the players already sprinting from the field – not least Quinton de Kock, who had clearly been primed to give it some humpty as a pinch-hitter – replays showed that Philander had overstepped.

Cue another over of mayhem from Shaheen Afridi, who mowed 12 vital runs off Steyn, including a topedged four, a straight six, a dropped catch and a thump on the helmet. By the time his fun was eventually ended to give Rabada his fourth wicket of the innings, the moment had passed, and de Kock decided that 20 minutes to s l a p h i s side t o

victory was too tight an ask, and the umpires decided that was that.

Asad Shafiq and Shan Masood batted with grit, resolve and no little flair on the third afternoon in Cape Town, as South Africa’s seemingly inexorable march to victory was checked by a third-wicket stand of 132, Pakistan’s first three-figure partnership of Babar Azam the series.

Their efforts may not yet have written off a hefty first-innings deficit of 254, especially after Dale Steyn struck 10 minutes before tea to praise out Masood for 61, but they have at least demonstrated the fight that still remains within a previously beleaguered dressing-room.

Pakistan’s prospects had been bleak when the pair came together at 27 for 2 in the 11th over, following the dismissal of Azhar Ali to a shooter from Kagiso Rabada that pinned him plumb on the front pad for 6. A side that had not passed 200 in any o f its previous three innings of the series appeared to be on another hiding to nothing, and the prospect of a three-day finish seemed very real.

But Masood and Shafiq had other ideas.

Masood, promoted to open in place of the misfiring Fakhar Z a m a n , once again showcased the tight technique that had earned him an attractive 44 in the first innings.

He set himself to repel the TOTAL 294 all out (70.4 Overs, a d v a n c es of South RR: 4.16, 339 minutes) Africa’s fourFall of wickets: pronged pace 1-10 (Imam-ul-Haq, 3.3 ov), attack who 2-27 (Azhar Ali, 10.1 ov), had at least 3-159 (Shan Masood, 37.5 ov), had a full 4-194 (Asad Shafiq, 45.4 ov), day of rest 5-201 (Fakhar Zaman, 48.1 ov), after bowl6-220 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 54.2 ov), ing Pakistan 7-221 (Mohammad Amir, out of 177 on 55.3 ov), 8-247 (Yasir Shah, the first day 59.1 ov), 9-270 (Babar Azam, but who were 67.6 ov), 10-294 (Shaheen perhaps left Shah Afridi, 70.4 ov) to rue the BOWLING O M R W absence of VD Philander 19 6 51 1 a specialist DW Steyn 19 2 85 4 spinner for D Olivier 16 3 84 1 the first time K Rabada 16.4 2 61 4 in the match.

Masood

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan 2nd Innings Imam-ul-Haq c Elgar b Steyn 6 Shan Masood c †de Kock b Steyn 61 Azhar Ali lbw b Rabada 6 Asad Shafiq c †de Kock b Philander 88 Babar Azam c Amla b Rabada 72 Fakhar Zaman c & b Rabada 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (c) † lbw b Olivier 6 Mohammad Amir c †de Kock b Steyn 0 Yasir Shah c sub (Zubayr Hamza) b Steyn 5 Mohammad Abbas not out 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi c Philander b Rabada 14 Extras 19 (b 9, lb 4, nb 4, w 2)

h a d reached lunch on 18 not out, an unruffled performance that was at odds with the skittish efforts around him, as first Imam-ul-Haq fenced Steyn to third slip before Azhar’s fate was sealed by Rabada’s first delivery of the innings. But it was Shafiq’s injection of intent after the break that turned Pakistan’s innings from one of dour survival to something approaching a genuine counterattack.

Shafiq perhaps took heart from the performance of South Africa’s lower order in the morning session, in which a succession of carefree attacking strokes had helped to add 49 extra runs in just under an hour. Despite Mickey Arthur’s damning comments about the state of the pitches for this series, there were runs to be harvested if the right mindset could be adopted, and Shafiq’s 56-ball half-century proved exactly that.

Shafiq had to ride his luck early on, with both Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier finding awkward lift from a good length to threaten his gloves and ribs. But, having laced a brace of enterprising cuts for four through backward point, his innings went into overdrive after taking on another Olivier bouncer, and top-edging a six over fine leg.

Suddenly, all short balls were being treated as an opportunity for runs, and with South Africa maintaining their attacking fields with a big deficit still to be written off, there were plenty of gaps to be exploited.

Shafiq survived an lbw appeal on 33 – South Africa lost their review when replays showed he had been struck outside the line – while a thin inside-edge saved him from another huge appeal from Olivier, but a rifled drive to the edge of the rope brought up his fifty to warm acclaim from the dressing room.

At the other end, Masood grew in stature as the partnership progressed. He had the closest shave of the innings when, on 24, he successfully overturned an lbw decision that was shown to be missing leg, but aside from his defensive purity, it was the quality of his stroke play that stood out, in particular a laced drive through long-off that was little more than a push.

His 50 came up from 98 balls with a flick for four off the pads against Steyn, and he had just passed 100 runs for the match when Steyn extracted his revenge, finding a perfect length outside off to draw a fatal nibble.

Babar Azam lived dangerously in the opening moments of his innings, edging low through the slips to get off the mark before wearing a nasty lifter on the body from Rabada two balls later. But he drilled the final two balls of the session for four to sign off in style. Pakistan have matched their first-innings total with just three wickets down, and there’s life in this contest yet. (CRICINFO)

Junica Pluck

Encourages women to increase participation in sport

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ormer bodybuilder and Miss Bikini 2015 contestant now turned powerlifter, Junica Pluck is making a name for herself as she is quickly rising through the ranks as she continues to push herself beyond her limits.

When asked about her accomplishments, Pluck told Guyana Times Sport that, “I have been competing since 2015 in bodybuilding and in the bikini category. My first powerlifting competition was in February which was Novices. Second meet powerlifting competition was in May which was the GAPLF Masters and Intermediate Championship. I copped the 63Kg category with a squat of 135kg, bench-pressed 67.5kg and deadlifted 132.5kg. My last powerlifting competition was in December 2018 which was GAPLF Senior National Championship 63kg category; I lifted my way to four new records – squats (133.0kg), bench press (68.0kg), deadlift (133.0kg) and total (336.5kg)”.

According to Pluck, her goal for 2019 is to qualify for the World’s Equipped Championship to represent the Golden Arrow Head on the international platform in the 63kg category. She further went on to state that working and training can be exhausting but she urged novices to be self-motivated as once there is a love for the sport, you will go to the gym no matter how you feel. Pluck also shared a bit of advice for women, urging them to lift weights as it will not make you look masculine, but it will just enhance your femininity. Pluck further encouraged all the females to get involved in any form of sporting activities because it will promote a healthy lifestyle, it doesn’t have to be powerlifting and you don’t have to compete.

In closing Pluck said, “I would like to thank my Trainer Aubrey Henry for being with me every step of the way; Hugh Ross for working along with myself and Aubrey to push me to where I am today and I’m thankful for them. Not forgetting my faithful sponsors who support me every step of the way and family and friends who are always there to support me. Having a trainer is important.

My trainer pushes me when I think I cannot do more, he encourages me, he motivates, he’s supportive”.

“Grifith ready” says Edwards;

F

Active at 52…

or Carlos Peterson Grifith, 2018 was a successful year, but with 2018 behind him now, he is focusing on becoming number one in the world.

According to the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Grifith is ranked number 10 in the “Classic Powerlifting Ranking 2018 – Men 93 kg. Speaking with Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview, Grifith’s present coach and active powerlifter at the age of 52, “Big John Edwards” spoke on Grifith’s preparation, stating, “He is ready for 2019; just have to continue on his training which he started last year and focus more on powerlifting. As you know he been doing a variety of strength sports and still breaking records”.

According to Edwards, he continues to train and compete because of his love for the sport. Reflecting on the first time he came to the sport, “Big John” explained that it was while celebrating with some friends, he was dared into lifting weights. Edwards also stated that for the past 30 years he has been competing and winning competitions and still holds a few international records. When asked by this publication what are some of the records he holds, Edwards said, “Best lifter locally several times, first local lifter to bench-press 400+lbs, first to bench-press 500+locally, 2018 120kg class winner both open and masters best lifter masters at Caribbean championships 2019, NAPF 120kg champion, 2010 Caribbean champion set new squat records and bench press and total which still stands 3rd at the worlds in Canada, coupled with a first at Commonwealth championships, 1st at World Games in Colombia and a hole list of other achievements I have to go through”.

The coach was questioned about the goals he has set for Grifith and Edwards explained that they are currently working to be ranked number one in the world for his category, which means he will have to defeat Anatolli Novopismennyi of Ukraine.

Meanwhile they are hoping to close out the season by setting new records which include a new deadlift record.

sports

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Jaguars last season big guns looking ominous

suNdAY, january 6, 2018

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Chandrapaul Hemraj

By Clifton Ross

T

he Guyana Jaguars’ boogeymen with the bat from last season – Chandrapaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble – seem poised to continue their pheRaymond Reifer nomenal scoring as their 3rd round twin hundreds signalled danger for bowlers goJags much-needed mammoth first ining forward. nings score.

The pair led Guyana’s batting Getting the proverbial ‘Monkey charge last season, ending as the off his back’ was crucial for the leftleading run-scorers and tormentors hander who could not pick a better of the opposition bowling during the time or demographic (Caribbean) to 10-round tournament. Hemraj, who score his first 4-Day ton; especially has made significant, strides into the with the big England series just a few Windies ‘A’ and eventually senior ODI weeks away. Selectors are now forced team smacked a career-best, maiden to pay much attention to the batsman 144 on Friday during the resumption who could likely stitch in a few more of the 2018-19 championships. significant scores ahead of the two Jaguars showed the star-studded rounds prior to the start of the tour; Barbados Pride in their backyard that thus pressing a case for his possible it was by no means a walk-over match selection in the Test team while solidas the defending champs racked up a ifying his place in the ODI makeup. whopping 500-plus first innings score.

Shifting gears to the West Indies Hemraj, who was Guyana’s leading B team skipper and Guyana’s preaccumulator of runs with 623 to his mier wicket-keeper/batsman Anthony name; unfortunately missed out on Bramble; it is clear that selectors a few hundreds, hitting a best score are high on his aura, especially after of 90 as he ended with a total of five naming him Captain of the Windies half-centuries at an average of a lit- ‘B’ team on a number of occasions. tle of 36.

Bramble was one of the Jags’ preThe Windies opener however mier match-winners and scorers; his made a strong return to First-Class ability to thump the ball when needcricket having been on internation- ed or his ‘stick-ability’ during tough al duties in the recent Bangladesh times, saw the Berbician smashing series. Hemraj stroked 24 boundar- his way to 613 runs at a brilliant averies in his classy innings; with 20 be- age of 47. The right-hander made his ing fours and 4 being launched over strongest impression as a big name the ropes as he paved the way for the batsman withstanding his 4 fifties,

the Jags vice-skipper constructed a career-best 196 not out to further impose himself as a senior batsmen and one who could put his hands up when asked.

The keeper continued his rich vein of form in the longest format of regional cricket as he followed up Hemraj’s master-class with one of his own, crafting on Saturday to help his side gain an already massive lead. His second 1st Class hundred has also thrown his name into the mix of players who could possible find favour in selection for the upcoming England series.

Although Windies have a few players who could work the gloves, Bramble, should he continue his form and score a few more big scores, could be earmarked as a possible backup keeper for the likes of Test keeper Shane Dowrich or simply just be played as a middle-order batsman; given his patience and ability to score freely.

Other impact players from last season include Windies full-time prospect Raymon Reifer who also seems keen on continuing his batting form from the Regional Super50; where he stroked six fifties and was among the

wickets. The left-arm seamer made his intentions known when he made a solid 75 with 12 fours against his countrymen; something he has been renowned for doing over the years when playing against the Bajans.

The dynamic Sherfane Rutherford, Windies’ latest trustee of power-hitting and flamboyancy also returned to the local scene after travelling the world since the 2018 Hero CPL. The left-handed bully has since been featured in a number of franchise cricket, played for the West Indies and was snapped up by the Delhi Daredevils ahead of the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL).

His runaway 54 from 43 balls included five fours and three big maximums; thus confirming his role in the team regardless of format is to impose himself onto the opposition bowling while scoring runs at a canter. Rutherford, like those aforementioned could easily walk into the Test team as a potentially good gamble and given his recent form; Windies could use a fearless power-hitting, seam-bowling utility player who could bat anywhere in the XI. Guyana can certainly bide their time and hope for more of their batters to click as they chase a record 5th consecutive title and with a strong start as current table-leaders after the first two rounds; it seems applicable that their big guns could fire them all the way to the top.

Qatar Open: Roberto Bautista Agut Karibee Rice Mega

beats Tomas Berdych in final

S

p a i n ’ s R o b e r t o Bautista Agut won the Qatar Open with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over Tomas Berdych in the final.

The world number 24 triumphed in one hour 55 minutes in Doha to Roberto Bautista Agut claim his ninth ATP tour title.

Anderson wins ‘batSeventh seed Bautista Agut tle of giants’ in India beat world number one Novak In India, world number six, Djokovic in Friday’s semi-final.

South African Kevin Anderson Bautista Agut, 30, had lost his won the Maharashtra Open, beatpast three meetings with Berdych, ing Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-4) the 33-year-old former world num- 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) in the tallest ATP ber four who has slipped to 71 in final in the Open era. the rankings.

The six foot, 11-inch tall Wildcard Berdych was playing Karlovic saved two championship his first tournament since Queen’s points in the final set to take it to a in June because of a back injury. third tie-break in Pune against the In the deciding set, Bautista six foot, eight-inch tall Anderson.

Anderson, 32, hit 36 aces Agut built a 4-1 lead but Berdych had two break points that would against Karlovic, who at 39 was have reduced the deficit to one the oldest finalist in an ATP event for 42 years – Australia’s Ken game.

He missed a forehand approach Rosewall was 43 in 1977 when he shot and Bautista Agut went on to defeated Tom Gorman to win in Hong Kong. serve out the match to love.

Sprint Classic

horse race meet set for today

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ommencing at 12:00 noon today, the Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group Horse Race Meet will set the Number 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne track ablaze. Contrary to plans previously published, there has been one change made to the day’s activities.

More than 40 entries have been confirmed for the card which will feature seven races and over $4 million in cash, trophies and other incentives will be up for grabs. With many calling for a change, the organisers have decided to replace the H Class event with the Cow Horses race. Headlining the meet will be the event for 3-year-old animals which will cover over 880 yards with $200,000 up for the taking. In the classified L Class Colts and Geldings, horses will compete for the $100,000 top prize; while in the L Mares and Fillies, rivals thrash it out for the first prize of $100,000. The event will also feature the L Class non-Earners competing for $100,000, while the K Class and Lower will walk away with $140,000. The other events will see animal in the J Class and lower competing for $180,000 and the newly add-

ed Cow Horse where wild horses will compete for $40,000. Champion jockey, trainer and stable are the individual prizes up to be won.

Some of the horses competing in today’s event are Massapequea Dr, Miss Anjali, Red Region, Plane Land, Awesome Banner, Perfection, Humming Bird, Damage Control, Awesome Banner, Perfect Return, Irish Boy and more as the all compete in their respective categories.

This event is sponsored by ANSA McAL; Exotic Style Trucking Service; Mikey’s Trucking Service; the Rupert family of Johanna, Black Bush Polder; Tejnarine Jainarine – a rice farmer of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder; 4r Bearings and Belt of Georgetown; Prem’s Electrical of Georgetown; K Persaud Trucking Service; Think about the Future Trucking Service; Anil Deonarine – a rice farmer of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne; Navindra Roopnarine (Jones) of Black Bush Polder; Trophy Stall; NTN; Stag and many more.

The Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group is a subsidiary of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, january 6, 2018

Squires, Daly-Ramdyhan, Downes and Leacock among Trophy Stall winners

T

he ninth annual Trophy Stall Open Doubles Tournament concluded amid intense rivalry last evening. When the dust settled, it was the pairs of Phillip Squires, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, Anthony Downes and Leyland Leacock who emerged victorious.

The tournament which is continuously supported by Trophy Stall allows players of all ages to compete against their superiors in a test of skill. The tournament is contested in mixed doubles, women’s doubles and men’s doubles categories.

In the preliminary rounds of the men’s doubles, Phillip Squires and Joseph De Jonge capitalised greatly when they overcame Vadeanand Resaul and Jeremiah Kalekyezi 6/0, 6/1 in the quarter-final. Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton had the same luck as they received a bye in the first round and then went on to defeat Mark Mc Donald and Ronald Murray 7/5, 1/0 to advance to the semis.

Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma later made light work of Nicholas Glasgow and Orande Dainty 6/1, 6/1 to secure their semi-final spot as well.

Meanwhile, in the quarter-final round of the mixed doubles, Khalid Gobin and Donna Walcott came from behind to defeat Rafeal Nunes and Grace

McCalman 1/6, 6/2, 6/4. Joseph De Jonge and Fiona Bushell overpowered David Rose and Dacia George 6/2, 6/2. Philip Squires and Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan then got past Vadeanand Resaul and Saskia Persaud 6/3, 6/2; whilst Afruica Gentle and Benjettan Osbourne overcame Heimraj Resaul and Kalyca Fraser 7/6 (2), 2/6, 6/0 in a hard fought battle to complete the semi-final pairs.

Afruica Gentle and Benjettan Osbourne got the better of Joseph De Jonge and Fiona Bushell 6/3, 6/2 to seal their spot in the final. The other spot was taken by Philip Squires and Shelly DalyRamdyhan who overpowered Khalid Gobin and Donna Walcott 6/1 6/2.

After two weeks of gruelling competition on the courts at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara and the National Racquet Centre, Georgetown, the finalists were ready to battle for the top spots on Friday.

The men’s doubles semi-final was an impressive show where Anthony Downes and Leyland Leacock defeated Phillip Squires and Joseph De Jonge to advance to the final. Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton were the other pair in the final after overpowering Joshua Kalekyezi and Viraj Sharma.

Anthony Downes

In the final contest, Anthony Downes and Leyland Leacock were the ones to reign supreme as they flattened Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton 6/2, 6/2.

Over in the women’s doubles final, the pair of Cristy Campbell and Afruica Gentle powered to a thrilling three set win over Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan and Fiona Bushell 6/2, 4/6, 6/3.

For the mixed doubles final, experience prevailed as Shelly DalyRamdyhan and Phillip Squires were made to work for their victory over Benjettan Osbourne and Afruica Gentle 2/6, 6/3, 6/3.

Possible Windies selection in 2019 for more Guyana Jaguars players

By Brandon Corlette

A

s the 2019 international season looms, the West Indies are scheduled to play 25 matches between January to July 2019. Those 25 international matches scheduled for this year include the England tour to the West Indies, where the two teams will play a full tour. West Indies will play three test matches, five One-Day Internationals (ODI), and three T20 Internationals against a strong England team.

The Caribbean team will then play a tri-nation series in Ireland from May 5, 2019, followed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) 50-over Cricket World Cup. West Indies final preliminary match of the auspicious tournament will be against Afghanistan at Leeds on July 4, 2019. After the cricket World Cup, the 2019-2021 ICC World Test Championship, West Indies will play India in two test matches.

It seems a hectic 2019 for the maroon boys; after a poor 2018 in all three formats, the team will be looking to redeem themselves under newly appointed head-coach Richard Pybus. The test team may be a newlook in 2019, with five test matches confirmed; top performers in the ongoing CWI Regional 4-Day tournament will be seeking selection.

The likes of Guyana’s Chanderpaul Hemraj, who had been a consistent performer at the regional level, will be aiming to become a regular member in the Windies squads during the 2019 season. A pugnacious Guyanese left-handed opening batsman, Hemraj, may be giving the regular Windies opener Kieran Powell a run for his money. Powell, who had been getting starts for West Indies, has failed to convert those contributions into significant scores.

Fast-bowling Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Clinton Pestano who announced himself

in the 2018-2019 Regional Super 50 Tournament snaring a hat-trick, will be seeking to break into the West Indies squads at some point in 2019. Pestano continued to impress at the regional level in a short span; showing his capability with both bat and ball in his player of the match performance in the first round of the CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament.

Another Jaguar’s fast-bowling all-rounder, Romario Shepherd, who is a regular member of the West Indies A team, may have an edge over his team mates to play at the highest level in 2019. Shepherd, who is a brisk fast bowler, has a First-Class bowling average of 25 in 13 matches with 38 wickets. Sherfane Rutherford who is a bright limited over prospect has already featured in the T20

International squad and in 2019, he will be adding more to his game to gain selection in the ODI format or even the Test format.

Raymond Reifer who has been more effective with bat in hand was called to the Windies squads in 2018 but the Guyana Jaguars player has not obtained a consistent run.

The game of cricket is

Shillingford bowling ban could hurt Volcanoes 4-Day chances

Shane Shillingford

F

ollowing his third suspension over allegations of illegal bowling actions, Windward Volcanoes off-spinner Shane Shillingford’s absence could significantly hurt his team’s chances in the ongoing regional 4-day championships.

The discarded West Indies Test and ODI player was called for allegedly bowling with an illegal action during the firstround of the championship when the Volcanoes played against defending tournament champions Guyana Jaguars in St Lucia. With 17 wickets under his belt from the two opening rounds, Shillingford was easily the leading wicket-taker to date but his suspension could turn the Volcanoes’ possible fortunes into woes.

The off-spinner has been one of the most impactful players in the region with the ball and has been the mainstay of the Volcanoes bowling for a lengthy period; having won matches single-handedly with his guile and cunning while capturing 570-plus victims in 1st Class cricket.

However, recent reports of his suspect action saw footage of the game being sent to England for analysis after his ‘Doosra’ delivery and other variations of the quicker balls were bowled with an illegal action.

The Volcanoes were crowned Regional Super50 champs last year and after lifting the title for the first time, it was clear that apart from the batting talent, it was the bowling and their veteran spinner which enabled the team to create a bit of history. Volcanoes will desperately want to have a conclusive status on their prime spin weapon, especially with seven full rounds left in the tank.

In the past, Shillingford had been suspended on numerous occasions; first in 2010, while his major fine came by the ICC in 2013 after his action allegedly breached the mandatory 15-degree limit during a Test match against India in Mumbai.

Although no official word has been released by Cricket West Indies (CWI) regarding the outcome of Shillingford’s situation, it is likely this additional suspension could hurt the national career of the spinner while endangering the Volcanoes as they are more susceptible to batsmen now that they are without their frontline bowler. (Clifton Ross) filled with surprises; recently, Australia’s Peter Siddle made a return to the national team. Guyana Jaguars duo – number three batsman and captain, L e o n

Johnson; and veteran batsman, Vishaul Singh may see themselves in a Windies squad in 2019. Singh in particular has shown more promise, having being a regular member of the West Indies A team. The likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Devandra Bishoo and Keemo Paul are established Windies players who will be aiming not only to make the Windies squads but to dominate international cricket in 2019.

With all these international matches scheduled, Guyana Jaguars players will be making the most of their regional matches to have the Windies selectors’ attention. Will the selectors once more surprise the Caribbean or will the top regional performers from the Guyana Jaguars team earn selection in 2019?

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, january 6, 2018

Jaguars in firm control after Bramble’s century on day 2

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Pride 33-1 at stumps after Jaguars 548

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nthony Bramble was the showstopper on day two with a brilliant unbeaten 130; Raymond Reifer’s 75 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 54 powered the Jaguars to a daunting first innings score. Significant contributions came from Clinton Pestano and Veerasammy Permaul who both scored 32 after Chanderpaul Hemraj’s 144 on day one.

It was ‘licks like pigeon peas’ at the Kensington Oval, as the Guyana Jaguars continued to bat the Barbados Pride out of the match. Berbician Anthony Bramble recorded his second First-class century while the aggressive Sherfane Rutherford notched up a counter-attacking half century. Resuming the second day on 319-5, with Anthony Bramble and Raymond Reifer at the crease, many may have thought the Jaguars would declare after the first session on day two.

However, the runs kept coming for the Guyanese team as the Barbados Pride players toiled hard under scintillating sunshine in Barbados. Reifer resumed on 53 while Bramble began the day on 51, and the 105-partnership between the pair grew from strength to strength. The all test-experience Pride bowling attack and the lackadaisical field errors continued to cost the Barbadian team. Reifer was the first dismissed in the 16th over of the day for a well composed knock of 75. The Barbadian born Reifer’s innings lasted 121 balls and included 12 hallmark fours after he was out caught by Brooks off the bowling of off-spinner Roston Chase.

After the 157-run Reifer-Bramble partnership, Bramble continued his merry way and the left-handed Rutherford partnered him as the pair continued to pressure the Pride bowlers. With Bramble well set heading into the day, the Pride captain Brooks failed to insert a sweeper as the runs kept coming with ease.

Bramble rolled back some memories when he scored his maiden century last season, with his breathtaking 130*. His unbeaten innings came off 208 balls that included 17 timely fours and one 6. Meanwhile, Rutherford was at his aggressive best scoring a 43-ball 54 that included three sixes and five fours. Returning to the 4-Day squad, Rutherford ran past a ball from Ashley Nurse and his aggressive stroke play led to his demise, when wicket-keeper Dowrich dislodged the bails. Bramble and Rutherford featured in a 73-run partnership; the score was on 444-7 when the seventh wick-

Windies and Barbados fast bowler Kemar Roach was wicket less

Mosely stepped out in the afternoon session to face the music. Berbician duo, Clinton Pestano and Romario Shepherd shared the new ball as rain interrupted play at Kensington.

After the resumption of play, Barbados Pride ended the day on 33-1 with Mosely being dismissed for 15. Raymond Reifer picked up the first wicket, as Mosely was out caught

by Chanderpaul Hemraj.

Kraigg Brathwaite is standing tall on 11 off 43 balls and he will be aiming to score significant runs for the Pride.

Play on the penultimate day will resume at 10:00h Eatsern Caribbean time.

Raymond Reifer

et fell.

The Berbician Bramble was very selective in his stroke play, hitting the ball in the gaps and at no point in time did he look to throw his wicket away. Romario Shepherd partnered with Bramble but two runs later, Shepherd was dismissed via the run out route. The Jaguars were 446-8 in the 119th over with 500 well in sight. Shepherd was run out by Shayne Moseley but Clinton Pestano entered the crease with intent.

In little time, Bramble and Pestano added 47 runs for the ninth wicket partnership as the Barbados Pride continued to endure frustration. Pestano, who was aiming to up the ante, was dismissed at the long on boundary off the bowling of Ashley Nurse. The off-spinner Nurse picked up his fourth wicket of the innings after Pestano was caught by substitute fielder, Keon Harding for 32 from two balls. Pestano’s breezy innings contained four fours and two sixes.

Pestano departed at 493-9 after 127.2 overs; the Barbados Pride players were expecting a Leon Johnson declaration but it was not the case. Veerasammy Permaul, the final Jaguars player partnered his Albion teammate in Bramble and the pair extended the first innings run. Permaul who is very capable with the bat continued to weary the Pride bowlers with a stubborn 32 from 70 balls. The right

handed batsman, Permaul was dismissed by part-timer Jonathan Carter, who did a job that no other test bowler in the Pride attack failed to do. Permaul hit a consolation boundary in his supporting knock that ensured the Jaguars finished on a daunting 548 all out.

Bramble re- Guyana Jagaurs 1st Innings 548 all out ceived a standing T Chanderpaul c Holder ovation after his b Warrican 37 undefeated 130; C Hemraj b Nurse 144 it was an innings L Johnson c&b Holder 14 where the wick- V Singh lbw Nurse 9 et-keeper bats- C Barnwell run out 5 man showcased R Reifer c Brooks b Chase 75 130 great concentra- A Bramble not out tion and impres- S Rutherford st Dowrich b Nurse 54 1 sive timing. Ashley R Shepherd run out 32 Nurse picked C Pestano c Harding b Nurse 32 up 4-122 while V Permaul c Holder b Carter 15 Jason Holder, Extras 548 all out (147.1ov) Total

Jomel Warrican, Roston Chase and FALL OF WICKETS 1 - 134 (TAGENARINE Jonathan Carter CHANDERPAUL, 46.4 ov), had one wicket 2 - 199 (LEON JOHNSON, 59.6 ov), each.

3 - 201 (CHANDRAPAUL The Barbados HEMRAJ, 60.6 ov), Pride openers, 4 - 212 (CHRISTOPHER Kraigg Brathwaite BARNWELL, 65.6 ov), and Shayne 5 - 214 (VISHAUL SINGH, 70.4 ov), 6 - 371 (RAYMON REIFER, 106.4 ov),

SCOREBOARD 7 - 444 (SHERFANE RUTHERFORD, 117.6 ov), 8 - 446 (ROMARIO SHEPHERD, 118.5 ov), 9 - 493 (CLINTON PESTANO, 127.2 ov), 10 - 548 (VEERASAMMY PERMAUL, 147.1 ov) Bowling K Roach 22-4-69-0 23-6-82-0 M Cummings 38-10-122-4 A Nurse J Holder 17-5-47-1 28-5-124-1 J Warrican 10-0-57-1 R Chase 3-0-9-0 K Brathwaite J Carter 6.1-0-31-1 Barbados Pride 1st Innings 11 K Brathwaitte not out S Mosely c Hemraj b Reifer 15 Fall of wickets 1-33 (Moseley 14.1 0v) Bowling 5-11-0 C Pestano 6-13-0 R Shepherd R Reifer 3.1-4-1

BCB/Ivan Madre 100-Ball final

Young Warriors dethrone Rose Hall Town Hetmyer, Stanislaus star performers

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est Indies and Guyana Amazon Warriors start batsman, Shimron Hetmyer, hit an unbeaten 30 ensuring his team took a seven wicket victory over the strong Rose Hall Town team. Earlier player-of-the-match Trevon Stanislaus’ 2-20 restricted Rose Hall Town to 95-6 when their 100 balls expired.

The packed Albion Community Centre Ground came alive as the presence of Hetmyer excited all Berbicians. In the day-night 100ball affair that started at exactly 16:40h, Rose Hall Town Captain Shawn Pereira won the toss and opted to take first strike. Openers Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair strolled out to bat under afternoon cloud. Young Warriors led by Suresh Dhani, saw left-arm spinner Trevon Stanislaus bowling the new ball and removing Junior Sinclair in the first over of the match. Junior fell without troubling the scores when he checked a shot and was caught and bowl by his former Berbice Under-19 team mate.

Kevin Sinclair continued to build but he was brilliantly run out by Linden Austin for 13. A huge roar came from the crowd after the prize scalp of Sinclair had been dismissed. The

natives from Canje, came in their numbers to witness a Young Warriors team overthrow the Rose Hall Town team.

Kevlon Anderson then entered but was out in similar fashion, caught and bowl by Stanislaus for a duck. The Rose Hall Town were at one stage reeling at 3-2 but Jason Sinclair, the older brother of Junior consolidated for a moment until he was dismissed

by Austin. Off-spinner Linden Austin shattered the stumps of Jason Sinclair (08) with the score on 25-3 that became 25-4.

The Rose Hall Town team lost their front line batters early but senior players in Eon Hooper and Captain Shawn Pereira stepped up. Hooper and Pereira added 36 runs together; Hooper was dismissed for a top score of 24, while Pereira was unbeaten on 21.

Keon Sinclair (11) and Keith Simpson (09) saw Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets finished on 93-6 after 100 balls. Stanislaus ended with 2-20 in three overs, while Austin, Dhani and Ishwar Singh had one wicket each.

In pursuit of a small total, Young Warriors openers Alex Algoo and Ishwar Singh danced out to bat, with the intention of producing a good start for the Hetmyer brothers. Algoo

fearlessly pulled the bumping Keon Sinclair for four before he was out that same over. The aggressive Algoo was bowed off a ball that kept low for four.

It was then the moment everyone had been waiting for, the entrance of Shimron Hetmyer. The gifted Test player and RCB bound batsman, entered with the score on 4-1. Hetmyer had a slow start, with poor fielding from Rose Hall Town team seeing him dropped on various occasions. Nevertheless, Hetmyer came and entertained the crowd with his attractive strokes.

Ishwar Singh was out for a composed 20 that included five fours, after he was bowled by fast bowler Keon Sinclair. Linden Austin and Shimron Hetmyer added 32 runs together, with Austin falling for 15. In the process Hetmyer got going with a boundary of Junior Sinclair and the crowd at Albion were on their feet.

Shimron Hetmyer (30*) and Seon Hetmyer (15*) saw their team to a comprehensive sev-

en wicket win ending the match with a huge six. The Young Warriors team ended non 963in 11 overs. It was the perfect revenge plot for Young Warriors who lost to the same Rose Hall Town team in two first division finals. At the post match presentation, Warriors captain Suresh Dhani was elated for the win his team essayed on his birthday.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

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Jaguars in firm control after Bramble’s century on day 2

Pg 23

Pride 33-1 at stumps after Jaguars 548

Anthony Bramble

BCB/Ivan Madre 100 Ball final

Pg 23

Young Warriors dethrone Rose Hall Town Hetmyer, Stanislaus star performers

Karibee Rice Mega Sprint Classic horse race meet set for today

Pg 21 Brandon Corlette photo GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

January 6, 2019

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The Guyanese Musician

love of music.

“Since I was about three years growing up, I remember my father as a musician. He was a guitarist. So in those days, they didn’t have CDs and so on, they had the string band like the guitar, violin, shak-shak and drum. When I was about three or four, I started picking up my father’s guitar and I started playi n g ; that is how I

W

e live in a world where traditions are rapidly dying owing to a number of factors. Even in the most remote places, those long-held traditions are slowly being left behind as a result of the influences of modern-day developments, but, according to Earl Thomas, preserving those traditions is important to our existence as a people.

Thomas is a 54-year-old Lokono musician from the Arawak tribe. He resides in Wakapao Village in the Pomeroon and has been do-

ing everything possible to preserve the music and traditions of the Lokono people. He said that music was an integral part of their culture since it was what they used for every occasion from prayers to the welcoming of a new bride to the family.

However, the uniqueness and intricacies of the Lokono music are what push a lot of the young Amerindian people from taking it up.

Looking at his history in music, Thomas says his family has a rich history in the arts. His father was one of the guitarists in the village band and that led to his

starte d playing the guitar,” he said.

“My mom, she was one of the teachers of the Amerindian dances and she taught the dances and we were involved. As I grew, I begin to love the music more and after I became a young man I had to go out of the village for work, because we do not have work here.

When I was about 25, I returned home to live and my mom and dad were still involved and every occasion they have, they would go and perform dances and they were involved in most of the dances. When (Amerindian)

Heritage celebrations began, they were really instrumental in teaching dancing and so on. They formed a dance group and I was a part of that group,” Thomas added.

He said that the dance group needed music and procuring the string instruments was tough for them so they decided to purchase an electric keyboard, which became their main source of

music. He said that he took up the initiative to practise endlessly so that he could play the traditional Lokono music on the keyboard.

He notes that there are various types of music required for various dances.

For instance, the ever-popular Mari Mari requires its own type of music as opposed to the snake dance.

He explained that the Mari Mari is a group dance used

in the Arawak tribe to welcome newlyweds while delivering a promise that they would be forever backed by their elders.

Thomas said one of his sons was now taking up the keyboard and it was his hope that he learns quickly so as to carry on the legacy that the family has built over the years.

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JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

The Guyanese Musician

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

uthor Helen Keller once said, “The struggle of life is one of our greatest blessings. It makes us patient, sensitive and godlike.

It teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

And no one knows struggles as much as Alexander Williams or AW Lyrical as he is popularly known.

T h e 24-year-old singer was born on the island of Leguan in the Essequibo River.

His family was in extreme poverty and a newborn child placed an added strain on their already strenuous life. So, in order for him to be given a life they could not afford, Lyrical’s mother and father decided to give him up.

“At the age of two, I was disowned by both of my parents, because of them being from a poor family.

Eventually, my mother and father give me up and never looked back at me as their child. I was raised by my grandparents, which was hard because they were old people,” he said.

He lived with both of his grandparents until he was 15 years old and soon after tragedy would strike. His grandparents died, causing his other family members to take him out of school so that he could work to earn a meal.

“I had to go work in the backdam for them (family members) just to have a

meal to eat.

I did that for three years and after that three years, I ran away and someone close to me helped me to build my life. I started my first paying job and I got $800 per day.

After one year, I went into construction and eventually I started getting up on my own two feet,” he tells me.

Because of the early struggles in his life, music has always been an escape for Lyrical. He would spend hours upon hours listening to music across genres as everything had some sort of meaning to him. He would be working construction and singing for his co-workers so as to make the work flow more smoothly as well as to entertain them, “My co-workers encour-

aged me to take it (my singing) to another level of writing my own music. So I gave it a chance and I was put on stage to perform at the age of 20. My first appearance to sing professionally was a success since everyone loved my voice and my style of music,” he said.

Lyrical’s style of music is unique, since he would interchange genres.

He sings in Spanish and most of his sets include music from the genres of Soca, Dancehall, Chutney and Reggae.

After his initial performance, the requests to perform across the country and further afield began pouring in. He said that he is a hype entertainer since he loves upbeat music and performing exactly that type of music.

“I started getting calls to perform to fly to Brazil, Lethem and travel to Berbice, Essequibo and other places. I love all kinds of music and make sure that the crowd I am performing for is enjoying every moment,” Lyrical said.

However, for Lyrical being a musician in Guyana is a battle because people prefer to listen to music created outside of Guyana, thus stifling the local musicians. He noted that there were also challenges when it came to recording music, but the talent of Guyanese was beyond measures.

“We Guyanese just need that link to click on and get that shot like in other places. We have the talent to showcase and we have been doing good work but

the exposure is what we are lacking. Over the next five years I see myself as a recognized and main artiste in Guyana and further afield,” he said.

Lyrical draws his musical inspiration from Terry “Guyana Baboo” Gajraj and Jamaican dancehall artiste Alkaline. He said he owed his success to the fans who have always been there to support his journey over the years as he aims to make himself and late grandparents proud.

Lyrical recently released a new song and shot the video with his inspiration, Terry G on the island of Leguan. He said to look out, because he intends to take Guyana by storm in the coming years.

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The Guyanese Musician

P

roviding mentorship for the development of local music as well as local artistes has always been at the forefront of Owen

(Oyein) Adams’s plan of action. The Lindener, despite being away from Guyana, continues to motivate, mentor and push for the development of local musicians as

well as the industry.

Adams, who is known as GTyouthsProductionz, was born at Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara, but

moved to the mining town of Linden at an early age. He is the third of four children. He explains that he was a nerd, since he loved Mathematics and anything to do with

crunching numbers.

While in Linden, he discovered his passion for football and music. He would spend his days kicking the ball and the nights deejaying popular music with his friends in Kara Kara. Back then Beenie Man, Beres Hammond, Bounty Killa, Sizzla Kalonji, etc, were some of the top artistes.

His adoration and love for Beenie Man saw him being given the nickname “BeenieMan” at age 10. Up to this day, some of his friends still address him by this nickname.

When Owen was 15 years old, he migrated to the USA with his mother and younger brother. This was the beginning of a new journey and though he continued to excel academically and eventually graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business, he never lost his focus on music.

In his spare time, he would listen to different

genres of music and

it was during this period that he discovered he had the ability to tell when a song is going to be a big hit, and as he grew older, he’s gotten better at it. As such, he started giving ideas to a local artiste named “Goofy George” on what track he should sing or what kind of song he should sing. Soon after, he started giving the same advice to another upcoming artist “Fojo”, not realising that it was a gift and that what he was doing unknowingly to him was actually called songwriting, those ideas became words and choruses. A few years later, he started working with some of the most talented stalwarts, such as Alaine, Demarco, Ballys, Gaddie G, Little J, Brandon Harding and Diana Chapman just to name a few.

As time progressed, he started producing music, managing and deejaying. Whilst doing all of this, a lot of his friends and family would often tell him to start

singing, es- pecially his brother Hayward and good friend Bally. It was not until he heard a track by one of

his fellow producers that he decided to take a chance on that particular journey.

One of the unique things about Owen is that he writes what he feels and his struggles in life have motivated him to write and sing “Life Too Short”— his first single.

Though it was not the first song he’s recorded, it was the first to be released to the public.

“My style of music ... well, it's a unique style. It's not fully Dancehall but it's not Reggae either. I kinda fuse the two and make it one.

But sometimes it depends on how I'm feeling. As an artiste, I use most of my life experi-

ence in my music to tell my story, but nevertheless, my style is not Jamaican, nor is it Guyanese, it's just my do-

ing the best music that I can do,” he said.

He said the art of storytelling is what inspired him to continue down this path.

His writing started after a friend in college challenged him to pen some lyrics for him and since then he has been telling his story from the dorms.

The 39-year-old said one of the challenges for Guyanese musicians is the lack of support.

“I don't blame the people because if they don't hear the music, they can't support it. I blame the media by that I mean DJs, radios, television stations and any other media outlet that choose not to support the artistes … other than that the artistes are kinda fighting against each other and there's space for everyone,” he noted, calling for a syst e m of change in the local music industry.

“I just want to say, if

support is given the way it's given to artistes from other country or island by our own people, the music won't have a limit. That’s all I'm asking for, not just for me, but for every entertainer.”

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JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

The Guyanese Musician

By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

t was sometime in May of 2018 and I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and saw a colleague shared a video of a young man in a recording booth with the Golden Arrowhead proudly flying behind him. This caught my attention since the person who shared the video has great taste in music and he was hyping the singer so I decided to listen.

I opened the video and immediately recognised the beat of the song, since it is one of my favourites from the Bollywood movie “Tiger Zinda Hai”. There was no name of the singer visible, so I did not know who this person was or what to expect so about 10 seconds

into the video he opened his mouth and began singing “Kacchidoriyon, doriyon, doriyon se” and I was taken aback. I thought my ears were deceiving me. It could not be. I mean this sounds almost identical to Atif Aslam’s version. I restarted the video and so did he.

I was captivated by the voice. Never had I thought that someone, other than Atif Aslam, would make me fall in love with “Dil Diyan Gallan” all over again. I listened while humming the lyrics of the song as this unknown person kept hitting all the right notes. After the video was finished, I began scrolling through the comments to see if the singer’s name was mentioned and after a few minutes of scrolling through the hundreds of

comments, I came across the name Ganesh Kasinath!

Well, as one would expect, in typical Guyanese fashion, I decided to snoop around to find other music he would have put out in the public. To my surprise, the video was limited and then I was reminded that this is Guyana where there are very limited opportunities for local musicians to record and put their work out there. I was also reminded that we as a people rarely support our own musicians, since we feel that they are not up to standard or that they are copying from another musician, never mind that most of the Trinidadian artistes we listen to draw their music from popular Bollywood songs.

I reached out to Ganesh to get to know a bit more about the artiste along with the story behind his music and plans for the future. What I can say is that he is passionate about music, but a man of very few words. He prefers to have his work do the talking.

The 24-yearold is the eldest of three children and hails from the village of Chesney in Albion, Corentyne, Berbice. He said that at the age of 17, his father passed away leaving his mother alone. As the eldest child, he then took up the mantle to take care of his mother and younger siblings. He is currently employed at the GuySuCo Training Centre in Port Mourant as a Tool Store Attendant.

His day-to-day responsibilities involve managing the records, doing inventory as well as issuing the required tools as needed.

While growing up, he always loved singing and knew that he had the knack for doing it well. He notes that it was and still is a hobby for him but one he really started to pay attention to in his late teens. Coming from a Hindu household meant that Ganesh attended mandir and it was while in mandir that he would sing bhajans much to the delight of the devotees there.

He was always called upon to give his rendition of the popular bhajans and then graduated to songs. Now he enjoys making covers of popular Bollywood songs. He is more focused on the soulful melodies of composers like Vishal Dadlani, Shekar, Pritam Chakraborty, Shankar Mahadevan and AR Rahman.

“I love anything that Atif Aslam sings. I am a big fan of him and he inspired me to start singing and I did so when I was 19 years old, but only started to seriously focus in it about a year ago,” he said.

He notes that from a very small age, he wanted to be a singer but never had anyone to train him how to utilise his range as well as when to hit the right note or even how to hit the notes.

He learnt everything on his own by trying to listen beyond the surface of the music. He explains that to this day he is still learning as he progresses and hopes to one day be able to record original music.

Ganesh continues to make his mark by competing in music contests as well as performing at local shows.

Thus far, he has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in regional music inclusive of popular Trinidadian band Karma and local names like Bunty Singh, Pooran Seeraj and the Shakti Strings Band.

If you are a fan of classic, soothing music, then I encourage you to follow Ganesh, since, in my opinion, if afforded the right opportunities he will make his mark in music’s history.

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Feature

The music of Guyana encompasses a range of musical styles and genres that draw from various influences including: Indian, Latino-Hispanic, European, African, Chinese, and Amerindian music.

While Guyana is filled with musicians trying to make their mark here are a few notable ones.

Dave Martins

Queen Yasmin

Eddy Grant

Big Red

Prince JP

Poonam Singh

Nisha Benjamin

Terry Gajraj

Vanilla

Mystic

Blaze Antonio

Diana Chapman

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JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

Preserving our literary heritage

by

Machine, and a well-crafted and beautiful children story labeled ‘Poolwana’s Orchid: A Tale for Juveniles’ running into fourteen pages.

Petamber Persaud

W

e, lovers of literature, can say goodbye to 2018 with satisfaction, knowing that some of the books published in this year will follow us into 2019 while others will stay, will not leave us during 2019 and decades beyond, such is this remarkable gift to man.

From its inception, the book was treated with respect, even with awe, for man valued the book very highly with regards to its potential as a tool of education and instruction, as a repository for storage and retrieval of information, as a custodian of traditions and languages, as a forum for art and entertainment, stimulating the imagination and improving memory, a source of inspiration, among other benefits.

And the book has lived up to expectations even in its new forms and formats.

Below are books crossing my desk during 2018*.

A Little Poet’s World by Aurelius Sue-Ann, 2018

Aftermath of Empire: The Novels of Roy A. K. Heath by Ameena Gafoor, UWI Press, 2017

With the publication of her singular book, Aftermath of Empire: The Novels of A. K. Heath, Ameena Gafoor has sort of brought Roy Heath back home to his birthplace to be re-discovered, to be reappraised and to be re-appreciated, in a way rescuing him from selfimposed exile and also rescuing his work from obscurity (limited critical response) because Gafoor in this seminal publication was able to place Heath among the forefront of Guyanese Literature (his oeuvre of nine novels is only surpassed by Edgar Mittelholzer and Wilson Harris) by painstakingly revealing to us how ‘Heath has practically refined the introspective Guyanese antihero’ while finding occasion to

‘celebrate every one of his flawed fictional creatures: their humaneness, their eccentricities, their weaknesses, and their strengths, even if they are social misfits and psychological wrecks’.

Gafoor also gives Heath his rightful place in the canon of Caribbean Literature by showing how he has ‘revolutionized the form of the regional novel…[n]o non-Indian writer has displayed such remarkable cultural knowledge and such psychological depth in depicting East Indian experience in the West Indian novel’. Heath’s The Shadow Bride would be essential reading here.

Red Hibiscus by Scott TingA-Kee, Way Wive Wordz Publishing, UK, 2018

Chu hua, Zhaohui and Ren share a grand destiny as the greatest diviners of all time. They are blessed or cursed with clairvoyance and decide to try to change the future. Their very existence and abilities are beyond what the Heavens should allow. The clairvoyant trio records their shared visions and dreams in the form of poetry hoping that it may be passed down as a warning to future generations.

Yoaguai and gods attack Chu hua, Zhaohui and Ren to silence them and to prevent them from changing the future they see for China and the world. The emperor feels threatened and is not sure if he should exploit their mystic powers or kill them out of fear of them.

Outcasts who rose to legendary destinies now have to work together to save China from a future they do not quite understand while fighting for their own lives.

(Synopsis provided by the author.)

Edgar Mittelholzer: Creole Chips and Other Writings ed. Juanita Cox, Peepal Tree Press, 2018

The publication of Creole Chips And Other Writings of Edgar Mittelholzer edited by Juanita Cox, the acknowledged authority on Mittelholzer, is an attempt to right many wrongs in the life and work and the perception and misconception of that Guyanese pioneering writer, sporting many firsts in Anglophone Caribbean literature.

Creole Chips and Other Writings contains twentyfive sketches, twenty-four short stories, thirteen essays & personal writings, five dramatic pieces, twenty-two poems, a novel The Adding

Here is a girl of ten stimulated by her reading to try her hand at writing; not any type of writing but the writing of poetry – one of the most exacting genres of writing and, so far, with this first effort, she has done a commendable job.

Aurelia has displayed a good grasp of issues that plague and grace childhood, not shying away from themes like friendship, love, lost, death, fear, depression, freedom and self-confidence. She also dabbles with large subjects like life. The poem ‘Life’ is one of her better pieces even buttressed with a punch line showing she has already learned or worked out for herself the essentials of a life.

Defeating Domestic Violence in the Americas: Men’s Work by Luke Daniels, Hansib Publications, 2017 A Survey of Guyanese History by Dr. Winston McGowan, Guyenterprise, 2018 Stepping on Cracks: Reflections on my Homeland

by Carmen Barclay Subryan, Demerara Press, USA, 2018 Journey Back to Watooka: A Story of Guyana by Steve Connolly, FriesenPress, 2018 Down Independence Boulevard by Ken Puddicombe, MiddleRoad Publishers, 2017 The Guyana Annual 2018, Guyenterprise, 2018 Educational Leadership: A Guyanese Perspective by Dr. Brian O’Toole, School of Nations, 2018 Two Young Birds (poems)

by Leonard C. Marks, 2017 Hand-in-Hand History of Cricket in Guyana 1898-1914

by Clem Seecharan, Hansib, 2018 Make it Shine (poems) by Ingrid Dover-Vidal Women across Borders (with a mission) ed. Sonia Noel Home Memories by Gideon Cecil The Ashgabat Verdict by Hans Gaskin, CreateSpace, 2014 Anatomy of Race Politics: Economics, Violence Against Diaspora Indians by Seopaul Singh Against the Grain: Balram Singh Rai and the Politics of Guyana by Baytoram Ramharack, Chakra Publishing House, 2005 Bitter-Sweet Sugar by Nowrang Persaud, BookVenture, USA, 2018 Monsoon on the Fingers of God (poems) by Sasenarine Persaud, Mawenzi House, 2018 *Some of the above Guyanese-authored books were published before 2018 but only now reaching my desk.

ed.

Manuscripts not includ-

(To be continued)

Responses to this author

please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Letters swallow themselves in seconds.

Notes friends tied to the doorknob, transparent scarlet paper, sizzle like moth wings, marry the air.

So much of any year is flammable, lists of vegetables, partial poems.

Orange swirling flame of days, so little is a stone.

Where there was something and suddenly isn’t, an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space.

I begin again with the smallest numbers.

Quick dance, shuffle of losses and leaves, only the things I didn’t do crackle after the blazing dies.

BY NAOMI SHIHAB NYE

8 Sunday Times Magazine

JANUARY 6, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Travel and Tourism

Guyana is indeed a beautiful place and truly undiscovered. The land of many waters lives up to its name with tumbling waterfalls and calm lakes, creeks and rivers. Our jungle is dubbed the land of giants with giant spiders, cats and other animals. However, if you are not up for that adventure there is a lot to do on the coastland. Today, we bring to you some simple but exciting views you can experience with your choice of company. (Photos by Subhash Haimraj and Deopaul Somwaru)

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JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

9

Fashion

Local designer extraordinaire, Marcie De Santos recently launched her latest hand painted collection. The pieces are stunning and available in store at The Fashion Atelier located at 159 Waterloo Street, Georgetown. Here are a few pieces from the collection. (Photos by Marcie De Santos)

10 Sunday Times Magazine

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JANUARY 6, 2019

Health

duce the frequency of patients' migraines in each study.

5. New studies on male birth control showed promising results.

E

very year, researchers quietly pave the way for the advancement of medicine, and 2018 was no exception. Over the past 12 months, professionals in the medical realm worked tirelessly to combat dangers such as cancer and cardiovascular disease and bring treatment to those suffering from various mental illnesses.

Here are 10 major medical breakthroughs of 2018 that have changed the face of medicine forever.

1. A cancer "vaccine" eliminated tumors in mice.

In January 2018, researchers at Stanford University announced in a press release that they were recruiting lymphoma patients in a clinical trial to test a potential cancer vaccine. The news came after the researchers successfully eliminated tumors in mice.

The team of researchers found that injecting "minute amounts of two immunestimulating agents directly into solid tumors in mice can eliminate all traces of cancer in the animals, including distant, untreated metastases."

Specifically, by injecting one tumor site with the two agents 87 of 90 mice were cured of the cancer.

Although the cancer recurred in three of the mice, the tumors again regressed after a second treatment.

The hope is that a vaccine of the sort would be both affordable and eliminate the need for cancer treatments that attack the immune system and result in adverse side effects.

2. A French man became the first person to receive two face transplants.

In April 2018, Jérôme Hamon, 43, of France, became the first person in the world to receive two face transplants.

The man, who suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic disorder that caused benign, disfiguring tumors to grow on his

In March, researchers University of Washington, Seattle, Washingtonannounced success in a trial for male birth control pills.

The pill in question, called dimethandrolone undecanoate or DMAU, works similar to women's birth control by combining a male hormone, like testosterone, and a progestin. Taken once a day, the pill was found to be safe — despite patient's experiencing weight gain and decreases in HDL

ketamine, the chemical mirror image of ketamine.

In the drug's clinical trial, researchers had 236 adults with treatment-resistant depression take a traditional antidepressant for four weeks alongside a nasal spray — only half of them got a spray with the drug in it while the other half got a placebo.

The results found that people who got the real spray saw significantly better improvements in their depressive symptoms than those who got the placebo, over the course of 28 days.

Johnson & Johnson isn't the only pharmaceutical company pursuing the drug as a potential treatment for

face, initially underwent a face transplant in 2010 but his body began to reject the new face in 2016. He lived two months without a face before French surgeons led

by Laurent Lantieri, the same doctor who oversaw Hamon's first transplant, gave Hamon a new face.

The successful landmark surgery proved that re-transplantation is a possibility.

3. Prescription Vascepa was found to dramatically reduce cardiovascular risk.

Considering about 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year (1 in every 4 deaths) it's no surprise that when, in September, biopharmaceutical company, Biotech Amarin, announced that its medicine, Vascepa, was found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients by 25%, people rejoiced.

Though the drug, which has only one active ingredient, icosapent ethyl, was approved by the FDA in 2015 to treat people with high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in blood, it wasn't until 2018 that this level of success was measured.

4. Researchers created an injection that might prevent migraines.

Migraines affect approximately 39 million Americans yet treatment for the debilitating condition is nearly nonexistent.

In May of this year, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of Aimovig, a preventive treatment for migraines. The treatment is administered once a month via injection and is the first drug approved that works "by blocking the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a molecule that is involved in migraine attacks."

The effectiveness of Aimovig for the preventive treatment of migraines was evaluated in three clinical trials and was found to re-

("good") cholesterol — halt sperm production, and reduce testosterone production.

This wasn't the only breakthrough in terms of male birth control. In December, Gizmodo reported that scientists began a large clinical trial to test a gel-based male birth control.

The gel, applied to the back and shoulders once daily, contains a combination of a progestin compound and testosterone that is absorbed through the skin.

Although this is a huge step in terms of medical advancements, some expressed frustration that it's more convenient than some current birth control options for women.

6. Ketamine, the "party drug" of the '60s, might help treat depression.

Ketamine, a drug previously known as a "party drug," may be the first new depression drug in 30 years.

Johnson & Johnson, one of the pharmaceutical companies pursuing the drug's potential antidepressant qualities, presented some promising new research in May 2018.

Their version of ketamine is a nasal spray made with a compound called es-

to read sensor information, no separate power source, like battery is required for the smart contact lens sensors."

So far, the lenses have only been tested on live rabbits, not humans.

8. PARP inhibitors present a breakthrough in treatments for breast and ovarian cancers.

PARP, poly-ADP ribose polymerase, is a protein found in our cells that help damaged DNA cells repair themselves. PARP inhibitors represent a new class of drugs that may aid in treating and preventing the progression of breast and ovarian cancers.

The success of the drugs capitalizes on the very nature of PARP. The drugs inhibit the protein from doing its repair work in cancer cells and the cell dies.

In October, one such drug, Lynparza from AstraZeneca, was found togreatly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. A clinical trial found that when given in conjunction with chemotherapy, Lynparza halted or reversed tumor growth in 60% of patients three years into the trial as opposed to 27% who were given chemotherapy only.

The drug is approved for advanced ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer and has been used in over 20,000 patients world-

motor functions five months after she had a DBS electrode surgically implanted in her cerebellum.

In May the team was awarded $2.2 million from the National Institutes of Health to further research the benefits of DBS in stroke patients.

"If this research succeeds, it will offer new hope for patients who have suffered a stroke and remained paralyzed," said Machado.

"It's an opportunity to allow patients to rehabilitate and gain function — and thereby gain independence."

10. For the first time, a baby was born via a uterus transplant from a deceased donor.

On December 4 researchers reported that for the first time, a woman gave birth after receiving a uterus transplant from a deceased donor.

Although a transplant from a live donor was successfully implanted in 2014, this was the first case of a live birth via a deceased donor's uterus.

In the case report, published in the Lancet, a 32-year-old woman with congenital uterine absence (Mayer-RokitanskyKüster-Hauser syndrome) underwent uterine transplantation in Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Brazil, from a donor who died of subarachnoid hemorrhage, bleeding in

depression. Allergan, the company known for Botox, for example, recently conducted studies on a depression drug called Rapastinel, which works on the same brain pathway as ketamine.

7. Smart contact lenses can monitor blood glucose in people with diabetes.

One of the frustrating components of living with diabetes is the finger pricking or burdensome monitors necessary to consistently track blood glucose levels. In an attempt to reduce the inconvenience for diabetes patients, a team of researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea developed a new contact lens capable of detecting glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

According to the press release, the smart lens has built-in pliable, transparent electronics that use tears to monitor glucose levels.

"These smart contact lenses are made of transparent nanomaterials and therefore do not obstruct the wearer's view," said Jihun Park in the Combined M.S./Ph.D. of Materials Science and Engineering, the first author of the study.

"Besides, because the system uses a wireless antenna

wide.

9. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) presents a breakthrough for patients paralyzed from a stroke.

A tragic component of strokes is their potential to leave their victims paralyzed. Cleveland Clinic researchers sought to address this problem using deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Andre Machado, MD, Ph.D., and Kenneth Baker, Ph.D. tested DBS on a 59-yearold woman who experienced hemiparesis after having an ischemic stroke.

The researchers saw significant improvement in her

the space between the brain and the tissue covering the brain.

Doctors transferred an embryo made via in-vitro fertilization from the woman's egg and her husband's sperm into her womb just seven months after the transplantation.

The woman's pregnancy was normal, and doctors performed a Caesarean section on December 15, 2017, after about 36 weeks.

The success of the transplant opens doors to people who are unable to get pregnant due to uterine factors.

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

• • • • • • • •

Ingredients 3 cup shredded potatoes ½ cup finely chopped onion ¼ cup flour 1 tsp finely chopped cilantro 1/8 tsp black pepper ½ tsp salt 1 egg Oil for frying

Directions Place shredded potato, onion, flour, cilantro, black pepper and salt in a bowl and mix well.

Add the egg to the mixture and stir well to combine. Place a heavy bottom skillet coated with 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, place heaping spoonfuls of potato mixture to the pot and press down lightly with the back of spoon to form a pancake. Cook until the edges are brown then flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a plate lined with paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve warm.

Ingredients • 1 lb Boneless, skinless salfish • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 tsp mince garlic • 10 sprigs thyme • 1 hot pepper, wiri wiri or any other will do • 1 large tomato chopped • 3 scallion chopped • 1/2 tsp black pepper • juice of 1/2 lime • 1 tsp cilantro, chopped

Instructions 1. Rinse the saltfish in warm water. Boil the salfish in water for 10 minutes. Pour off the water, fill the pot with fresh water and boil for another ten minutes. This is important step to get rid of some of the salt in the saltfish. You can also soak it overnight to remove the salt.

Drain the water from the fish and flake with a fork.

2. Heat oil in pan,onions and cook for about 3 minutes, then add garlic, thyme and pepper.

3. Once the garlic is fragrant add chopped tomatoes.

4. Saute for about 10 minutes on a medium fire, until the tomatoes have broken down. Add flaked saltfish and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Add chopped scallion and a splash of lime juice and black pepper in last 5 minutes of cooking. Cook until the liquid had evaporated and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Ingredients •4 cups passion fruit juice •2 cups orange juice •1/3 cup lime juice •3cups pineapple soda Instruction Place all ingredients in a large pitcher and mix to combine.

Chill before serving over ice.

BATHROOM: 10 MINUTES Step 1: Spray away. Spritz the sink, mirror, toilet and the floor around it with cleaner. Let it sit while you clear off the countertops so the cleaning solution can do the hard work for you. Then, spray the counters.

Step 2: Now Wipe. Work from the cleanest surface (mirror) to the dirtiest (sink) using a paper towel or microfiber cloth that easily reaches into nooks and crannies. Pay special attention to the grime and hard water deposits that collect around the drain, faucet and sink handles, which can detract from a sparkling bathroom.

Step 3: Tackle the toilet. Brush inside the bowl first, then clean the tank, seat, base and floor with disposable wipes that you can trash on the spot. (Don't forget to take the garbage out with you.)

Step 4: Hit the lights. The switch plate is one of the most often handled areas of your home and the last thing your guests will see when they leave the bathroom. Remove any muck with one quick swipe before you walk out the door.

KITCHEN: 10 MINUTES Step 1: Spot-clean. Use a wet wipe or paper towel to clean the stovetop, counters, table and inside the fridge where food or dirt is obvious. Repeat for the floor.

Step 2: Make the sink shine. When you're done prepping and cooking for the party, scoop out any bits of food from the drain with a paper towel, then spray the sink with a cleaning solution and wipe. Make sure to sponge away puddles of water under the soap dispenser, too.

Step 3: Erase streaks. Take a step back and inspect the cabinets, appliances and walls for unsightly marks and stains. Use a cleaning wipe or melamine sponge, like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, to quickly remove anything glaring (remember, you can do a deep-clean later). Then, before you throw it away, run the wipe or pad over the trash can.

Step 4: Degunk the microwave. Pour water and vinegar into a bowl and heat for 30 seconds.

This will loosen any caked-on food so you can swipe it off without scrubbing.

LIVING ROOM: 7 MINUTES Step 1: Trap dust. Put on a microfiber mitt and quickly run your hand over the coffee table, side tables, open shelves, picture frames and light fixtures. For ceiling fans, slip an old pillowcase over one blade at a time and use it to pull off and catch any dust bunnies hanging out on top. Dump the loose dust in the trash, then flip the pillowcase inside out and wash it and the cleaning mitt with your next load.

Step 2: Pick up pet hair (and more).

Roll a lint brush over your couch cushions, lampshades—even over patches of an area rug—to pick up loose strands, fuzz and larger pieces of dirt. If the floor needs it, reach for a handheld or regular vacuum instead of wasting won't need to fetch a dustpan or make an extra trip time sweeping up with a broom. Then you to the trash can when you're done cleaning.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

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JANUARY 6, 2019

Puzzles

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6

11

16

21

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24

25 26 27

28

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32

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80 82 83

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89 93

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ACROSS

107 Hung around Broad valleys 108 Porgy's beloved

"Foolish Games" singer 110 Frankenstein's gofer Newlywed 111 Beam Like a frontier town

112 Own up Ring-shaped reef

113 Check for typos "-- -- a Rainy Night"

115 Reunion attendee In-between state

116 The "k" in 24-k Puccini work

117 "Yo!" (2 wds.)

Igneous-rock source

120 Dissemble Swiped

122 Movers and shakers Be of benefit

124 Andrew's dukedom One kind of flight

128 Suffix for "forfeit" Galleon cargo

129 Mao -- -tung Flat-topped hill "Fried Green Tomatoes" star

131 Ms. Winfrey

133 Sizeable Egyptian boy-king

135 Aloha token P.O. service

136 Sri -El -- (ocean current)

138 Temporary peace Prom attendees

140 Fridge maker Fragrant shrub

142 Cover girl Zoo inhabitants

144 In a ferment Trade shows

145 Zenith opposite Mr. Greenspan et al.

146 Cook's gadget Hounds' trails

147 Helmet plume Six-shooters 148 Disreputable

Due for payment

149 Famous last words Norm's wife on "Cheers" 150 Bowling score Nosegay

151 Keats' saint Stick fast

DOWN Flash on and off

1 Friend of Pythias Sea rover

2 Video-game pioneer Ms. Merkel

3 Get ready to surf? (2 wds.)

Outspoken

4 "Nightmare" street Feeling regret

5 Marble block Do a double-take

6 Fit of nerves Pick up a lease

7 Brings cheer Brown of renown

8 Roused up Not digital 9 Twilight, to a poet

Hardly a wallflower

10 Fallon's predecessor Mechanic's friend

11 Very obvious Labor Dept. division

12 Contenders Planets or moons

13 College World Series city Overhead

14 Osaka sash 54 Goes beyond

15 Lose feathers

55 Dwindles

16 Team list

57 Quips

17 -- out (withdraw)

58 Aherne of films

18 Becomes frayed

59 Dirt

19 Implication

61 Hocus- - 20 Football gain

62 Answered a judge

31 Serviceable

63 Tattoo sites

33 Long, flat timber

66 Jinxes 35 WWII craft (hyph.)

67 Ina of "The Black Orchid" 38 Habitually

69 Reinforced

40 Woodworking chore

72 "--! My Soul" (Little Richard tune) 42 Force

73 The slow lane

44 Deadly snake

74 Iris center

46 Heart outlet 76 Goethe masterpiece

48 Ding-a- -- (airhead)

78 Get acclimated 50 "Heck!"

79 Plains dweller

51 Poet -- Neruda

81 Orbit extreme

52 Runs in neutral

82 "Forget" a letter

53 "Keep it down!"

83

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- PSYCHOSES (PSYCHOSES: sye-KO-seez: Severe mental disorders.)

Average mark 17 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 25 or more words in PSYCHOSES?

peso poesy pose posh posse posy psych psyche scope

sepoy shoe shop chess chop chose cope copse copy

cosy hope hose echo epoch epos espy

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

Mishmashes Perfume bottles Scale unit Links champ Sam -Bored responses Tulips or daffodils Fur trader's goods Ms. Jong Diner's demand Hits the hammock "Maria --" Taboos (hyph.)

Ship's officer (var.)

Nitrous -Swamped Photographer -- Beaton Standing tall Queen of the Misty Isles Lara Croft player Jaded

84 Cancel a launch 85 Very

86 Strongly advises 87 Cover the walls

88 Goody-goody

90 Trip itinerary

91 Customs

92 Drops leaves

94 "Get lost!" (2 wds.)

95 Used a parachute

96 Artemis, to Livy

99 Comic-strip possum

100 Paris cop

102 "Cool!"

105 Monklike

106 Rectify

107 The pits 109 007

111 Contract makers

112 114 115 116 117 118 119 121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Bus rider's need Traffic circle Vitamin B component More eager Wahines' dances Blank a tape Gossipy type Piano composition Maureen of film Like days of yore Ms. Witherspoon Bagpipers' garb Sicilian volcano Barks shrilly Swimming-pool loc.

Novak of "Vertigo" See Ford rival Solution on Pg 14 Atlas page Dot-com alternative

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

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pple CEO Tim Cook published a letter to investors warning of weaker than expected first-quarter earnings, citing “fewer iPhone upgrades than we had anticipated.” The weakened demand came primarily from China, although Cook notes that “in some developed markets, iPhone upgrades also were not as strong as we thought they would be.”

In his letter, Cook offers several explanations for the lower earnings guidance: earlier launch timing of the iPhone XS and XS Max compared to the iPhone X, the strength of the US dollar, supply constraints due to the number of new products Apple released in the fall, and overall economic weakness in some markets. But the core issue remains simple: people just aren’t buying as many new iPhones as Apple hoped.

Per Cook’s letter, “Lower than anticipated iPhone revenue, primarily in Greater China, accounts for all of our revenue shortfall to our guidance and for much more than our entire year-over-year revenue decline.” Cook notes that other divisions of Apple have actually risen by almost 19 percent year over year, but the truth remains that the iPhone has long

M

icrosoft finished 2018 as the world’s most valuable company, but it also passed an important milestone for Windows. The latest Windows 10 operating system is now the most popular desktop OS in the world, finally beating Windows 7’s market share according to Net Applications.

Windows 10 held 39.22 percent of desktop OS market share in December 2018, compared to 36.9 percent for Windows 7. It’s a statistic that’s taken Microsoft three and a half years to achieve, and it demonstrates just how popular Windows 7 has been since its release nearly 10 years ago.

Microsoft had been planning to get Windows 10 running on a billion devices within three years of its release, but the company soon extended that timeline after it was clear that Windows Phone wouldn’t help it achieve this aim. Windows 10 is now running on more than 700 million devices,

L

ast year, LG launched a Software Upgrade division and said it would be “investing significant resources toward extending smartphone lifespan” with consistent, stable updates. Many were hopeful that this concentrated focus on software would mean customers would receive major new versions of Android in a more timely manner; LG has never been particularly quick at delivering the latest features to its devices — even with the company’s flagship Android phones.

Unfortunately, the company’s roadmap for Android 9 Pie — posted to its Korean website — suggests more of the same and

been Apple’s core business, and if Apple can’t sell enough of them, the whole company struggles.

In an interview with CNBC, Cook elaborates on the shortfall, pointing out that “the trade tensions between the United States and China put additional pressure on their economy,” which resulted in fewer customers. But Cook also mentioned fewer carrier subsidiaries on new iPhones, as well as the dramatically lowered battery replacement price for older models (due to Apple’s iPhone slowdown drama from late 2017), as contributing factors.

All in all, Apple’s revised Q1 guidance forecast is dropping by up to $9 billion in revenue compared to its original estimate. Apple’s stock dropped by nearly 10 percent once trading resumed. (The Verge)

G

including PCs, tablets, phones, and even Xbox One consoles. Windows 7 has held on strong in recent years, despite Microsoft’s big push to get PC users to upgrade for free and even a “PC does what?” marketing campaign designed to target consumers who have four- or five year-old computers.

The market share milestone is an important one for Windows 10, and it comes just a year before Microsoft ends its extended support for Windows 7 on January 14th, 2020. Microsoft will still need to convince businesses with deep pockets to upgrade to Windows 10, instead of opting for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 7 next year. Microsoft faced a similar challenge to move businesses from Windows XP to Windows 7, and the company released white papers to compare the costs of the two operating systems nearly seven years ago. (The Verge)

shows that buyers of several phones will be waiting months longer for the upgrade.

The G7 is scheduled to receive it first; LG says Android 9 will start rolling out globally sometime in the first quarter; a beta release is already available for the G7 in some regions.

But when it comes to the G6 and the more recent V40, LG simply lists “performance updates” and bug fixes as slated for the same timeframe — without any mention of Android Pie. The V40 and its five cameras came to market several months after the G7, so this must be disappointing for owners of that device.

oogle has confirmed that automatic spam protection within the default Android Messages app has begun rolling out to some users. The rollout was first spotted by Android Police. After displaying a notification to let the user know that the feature has been enabled, the app will begin analyzing messages that are sent to you in order to detect and proactively block spam messages. However, privacy concerns have been raised about the way the feature stores the associated phone numbers.

Automatic spam protection, which is optout by default, can be turned off from within the advanced settings menu. Google was unable to provide an exact timescale for the rollout of the new feature, but it said that it is currently being released gradually in a few countries, and the company plans to release it more widely “in the coming months.”

Google was quick to downplay privacy concerns about the way the feature tracks and stores details about the messages sent.

Messages users can already report spam texts, but by working automatically in the background, Google now collects and temporarily stores phone numbers. In a statement provided to The Verge, a spokesperson from Google said: “To help identify spammers, Google temporarily stores the phone numbers of people sending and receiving messages with you and the times they messaged with you, but does not store your phone number or the

content of these messages.”

However, Google’s support site, which was recently updated with details about data protections, notes that if you choose to manually report a message as spam, then the full contents of the message is sent.

Google’s software may prompt you to submit a manual report if it identifies a message as spam, at which point “up to 10” of the suspected spammer’s messages will be sent to Google. Meanwhile, carriers who support spam reporting may receive a separate copy of the spammer’s last message and phone number.

So what about texts sent between Messages users who have spam protection enabled? In that case, Google would theoretically store both of their numbers. However, in this case, Google confirmed to The Verge that data wouldn’t be associated directly between the accounts, even if one user is reported for spamming.

The new feature comes just weeks after the Federal Communications Commission voted to reclassify text messages as information services in an attempt to fight phone spam. The regulator argued that this was necessary in order to give network carriers more power to block unwanted messages.

At least one consumer advocacy group criticized the change and said that it could allow phone companies to discriminate against messages and harm both consumers and free speech. (The Verge)

Android 9 Pie was released back in August.

According to Android Authority’s Android Oreo update tracker, it took LG until the end of April to start rolling out Android 8 to the G6. So the creation of a Software Upgrade division hasn’t done much to fix LG’s slug-

gish ways. You can buy an LG phone for many reasons — best-in-class headphone audio, camera capabilities, haptics, and onehanded comfort among them — but Android updates are still a point against the company. (The Verge)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 6, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

A

A

ctors Sushant Singh Rajput and Jacqueline Fernandez’s upcoming film Drive, which was supposed to hit the screens last year, will now release on June 28. The Dharma Productions’ project was earlier locked for release on March 2, 2018. Then it was announced that Drive will race to cinema halls on September 7.

Filmmaker Karan Johar announced the new release date and official teaser on Twitter on Thursday. In the over 20-second-video, cars can be seen ready to race. “On your marks, get set and race. See you in cinemas for a pulsating ride on June 28, 2019. Drive,” Karan tweeted.

Reports suggest that Drive is the official remake of hit Hollywood film of the same title, which starred Ryan Gosling and Carrie Mulligan in lead roles. It was speculated that the

K

film was expected to release much earlier, however, the producer was unhappy with certain portions of the film, which had to be reshot. According to a report in Times of India, Jacqueline had earlier revealed that the team was shooting some patchwork in the film.

Sushant was last seen in Kedarnath, which received mixed reaction from the critics, but the audience welcomed the film. Kedarnath also marked the debut of actor Sara Ali Khan, who is Saif Ali Khan’s daughter.

In an interview to IANS, Sushant had said about Drive: “That’s a heist film. When you are going to watch the film, you would not know what is going to happen next.”

(Hindustan Times)

im Kardashian and Kanye West are expanding their family

V

again.

A source close to the couple told CNN Wednesday that they are expecting their fourth child via surrogate this year.

The couple welcomed their daughter Chicago West via surrogate last January. The couple also have daughter North, 5, and 3-year-old son Saint.

Us Magazine was the first to report the news.

A representative for the couple could not be reached for comment.

Kardashian West was very private when it came to the news she was expect-

Crossword Solution

ctor Ajay Devgn is currently holidaying with his family including wife Kajol, daughter Nysa and son Yug in Thailand. The family has been on their New Year vacation, pictures of which have been liked by their fans on the web. He has also started the year by announcing his new projects. Besides revealing the first look of his film Taanaji, he also shared his look from his other film titled De De Pyaar De. Wishing his fans on the occasion, he shared a picture with the tweet, “Pyaar bharaa New Year aap sabhi ko. #DeDePyaarDe.” The film will be a romantic comedy also starring Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh as the female leads. It will be directed by Akiv Ali and is scheduled to release on March 15 this year. The project is being produced by TSeries and Luv Films.

Ajay is also starring in the historical biopic Taanji.

He will be playing the title role of Maratha commander Tanaji Malusare who played a major role during the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670 AD. The first look of the film shows him jumping from a

ing her third child and did not confirm that the baby was on the way until well into the pregnancy. She opted to reveal the news on her E! reality show, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

She has been open over the years about her struggles to get pregnant and documented the process on the show. While pregnant with North, Kardashian West suffered from pre-eclampsia, a complication characterized by high blood pressure. She also had placenta accreta in both pregnancies, which occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply in the uterine wall.

Following the birth of North, she wrote about the terrifying moment when her doctor realized the placenta had attached too

deep.

"My doctor had to stick his entire arm in me and detach the placenta with his hand, scraping it away from my uterus with his fingernails. How disgusting and painful!!! My mom was crying; she had never seen anything like this before. My delivery was fairly easy, but then going through that—it was the most painful experience of my life!" she said. "They gave me a second epidural but we were racing against time, so I just had to deal.

They say that this is what some women died from as a result of childbirth back in the day, without proper care. I'm so thankful that my doctor was able to catch this and address the issue immediately." (CNN)

eteran actor Kader Khan died in a hospital in Canada on Monday, news agency PTI reported. He was 81.

Kader Khan's son Sarfaraz told news agency PTI that the actor died due to prolonged illness. "My dad has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm as per Canadian time due to prolonged illness. He slipped into coma in the afternoon.

He was in the hospital for 16-17 weeks," Sarfaraz told PTI. Kader Khan's son also confirmed that the last rites will be performed in Canada.

"The last rites will be performed here in Canada only.

We have our entire family here and we live here so we are doing it," Sarfaraz added. On Friday, Kader Khan, developed breathing issues and the doctors transferred him from a regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator.

Amitabh Bachchan quoted a tweet of one his fans on Twitter, who posted an old picture of both the actors and wrote,

height to attack the enemy along with his men. Clad in a dhoti and armour with his face half-covered and wielding a sword, the intense look makes an impact.

The actor also has two other projects in hand. He will be seen in the multistarrer Total Dhamaal and in Hansal Mehta’s Turram Khan.

Last year, Ajay was seen in the suspense thriller Raid, which fared well at the box office and was praised by the critics. He was recently seen in a cameo role in Rohit Shetty’s Simmba.

He shared the frame with lead actor Ranveer Singh who could be seen saluting him in the song, ‘Mera Wala Dance.’ (Hindustan Times)

"Prayers and duas."

Last year, unconfirmed media reports stated that Kader Khan had been moved to Canada for medical treatment. However, later, Fauzia Arshi, director of his last film Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi, told news agency IANS: "He (Kader Khan) has been in Canada since three to four months. He is alright. He is in Canada because his elder son stays there, so he is with him. There's nothing like was he rushed to Canada or anything of that nature.

Everything is fine." Kader Khan has reportedly been in a wheelchair after his knee surgery in 2015.

In April 2016, rumours that Kader Khan had died went crazy viral. However, a source close to the family had revealed that the reports were not true. Later, Fauzia Arshi told the press, "All these tweets and posts are rumours. He is very much alive. I would request all to stop these rumours."

Born in Kabul, Afghanistan on October 22, Kader Khan was best known for his work as an actor and a writer in numerous films. He has worked with directors like Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra. He has featured in over 300 f i l m s .

(NDTV)

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

JANUARY 6, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Don't start an argument or let someone pressure you into something you don't want to do. Exercise will help alleviate anxiety.

Walk away from uncomfortable situations and do your own thing.

If you get involved in TAURUS events that interest you, (April 20- you will discover something May 20) you enjoy doing. Sign up for a course, or travel to visit someone who inspires you.

Romance is highlighted.

A change will do you GEMINI good, and helping others will (MAY 28- give you a sense of pride. If June 20) you volunteer your services, you'll meet interesting people who share your concerns.

Put more time and energy into personal improvements (June 21- and important relationships.

July 22) A discussion about the future will lead to plans and new possibilities. Romance is encouraged.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

You can bring about VIRGO change by being aggressive or (Aug. 23- getting angry. Taking a posiSept. 22) tive stance and making intelligent suggestions will help you reach your objective. Personal improvement should be a priority.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Take better care of your health. Getting enough exercise and proper nutrition should be high on your to-do list. Avoid stressful situations and critical people.

Slow down and rethink what's recently happened.

Don't take action until you have all the facts and are in a position to make a difference.

Bide your time.

Live and learn. If you keep SCORPIO an open mind, you will be (Oct. 24- given information that will Nov. 22) change your life. An unusual opportunity should not be ignored. Sign up and learn something new.

SAGITTARIUS Try something new and ex(Nov. 23- citing. A change will do you Dec. 21) good and spark ideas for future pursuits. Walk away from a bad situation and surround yourself with positive people.

Calvin and Hobbes

A personal change will give CAPRICORN you the boost and confidence (Dec. 22- you need to deal with big deJan. 19) cisions. Don't let distress and anger take the reins when intelligence is required.

If you reconnect with AQUARIUS someone you haven't seen (Jan. 20- for a long time, you'll be ofFeb. 19) fered information regarding a position, project or investment. Keep an open mind, make suggestions and consider the possibilities.

Congregate with likePISCES (Feb. 20- minded people. Volunteer Mar. 20) to help an organization you believe in or take part in a protest, but do so peacefully. How you conduct yourself will make a difference.