Guyana Times - Sunday, December 10, 2023.pdf

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 5579 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE PRICE $140 VAT INCLUDED

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

Guyana’s territorial boundaries not up for discussion -…agrees President Ali to dialogue with Maduro on Dec 14

WHAT'S INSIDE: Deadly GDF helicopter crash

“There is no Venezuelan flag on our border” – Army Head P26

See story on page 3

…no discussions on territorial controversy – Guyana’s Opposition …“I see great value for the communication” – SVG PM

“Guyana’s mangroves are a global asset” – PM

…as $60M Mangrove Centre is unveiled at NAREI

P27

Curative treatment available locally for prostate cancer P21

Child-triggered fires spark P31 urgent warning from Fire Service

Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan and his team visited troops on Saturday at Guyana’s border (GDF photo)

Deadly GDF helicopter crash

Venezuela’s defiance of court order

UNSC emergency GCAA, Police will meeting calls lead investigation for Venezuela to –…flightChief-of-Staff diverted; helicopter suffered significant damage Page 7

Page 29

respect ICJ orders CANU finds $30M in ganja in boat Page 30

Stop storing construction material on road shoulders – Armogan warns of charges for defiance P31

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Dec 10 – 02:30h – 04:00h and Monday, Dec 11 – 03:30h – 05:00h The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Dec 10 – 14:30h – 16:00h and Monday, Dec 11 – 15:10h – 16:40h

Guyana’s territorial boundaries not up for discussion - President Ali

…agrees to dialogue with Maduro on Dec 14 …no discussions on territorial controversy – Guyana’s Opposition Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily …“I see great value for the communication” – SVG PM FERRY SCHEDULE

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine and light rain showers during the day. Expect light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:39h reaching a maximum height of

2.55 metres.

Low Tide: 08:13h and 20:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.79 metre and 0.62 metre

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2023

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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USD Per Ounce $2004.50 $1993.50 0.00

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G

uyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion as the border case lies before the World Court, President Irfaan Ali has unequivocally said as he agreed to facilitate dialogue with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The Guyanese Head of State gave his approval for the meeting after he was contacted by leaders from the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and UN Under-Secretary General.

Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves were integral behind this move, as they wrote a letter to Presidents Ali and Maduro. The highly-anticipated engagement is scheduled for December 14 in St Vincent.

Amid this development, the Office of the President issued a statement on Saturday which declared, “President Ali has since agreed to have this meeting…[He] reiterated that Guyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion, as it is currently before the ICJ and when adjudicated will be fully respected by Guyana. The President, on numerous occasions, has made it explicitly clear that the case before the ICJ will not be an issue for bilateral discussions.”

The missive added that the Guyanese leader will continue to engage bilateral partners on defence cooperation pacts, as well as the ongoing range of political, social and economic arrangements.

Ali reiterated that Guyana has always been in support of good neighbourly relations but will not deviate from the ICJ process in the resolution of the border controversy.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

“Guyana is clear that the advancement of our development agenda will not be compromised. Our development partners and investors can be assured that there will be no changes nor alterations to existing arrangements. Guyana has always been committed to international peace and security and promotion of good neighbourly relations,” the communique outlined.

Telephone call Earlier on Saturday, President Maduro engaged Brazilian and Vincentian leaders via a telephone call.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil later informed that the general consensus was to ‘preserve our aspiration to maintain Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, without interference from external actors, in accordance with what was agreed upon by both countries within the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)’.

Maduro also spoke with Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, who committed to ‘promoting efforts in favour of direct dialogue between the parties’ and recalled that he

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

has always offered his good offices for the solution of the controversy.

Urgency Given the recent events and circumstances attendant upon the border controversy, regional leaderships have assessed the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face-toface between both Guyanese and Venezuelan leaders.

After receiving nods from both parties, Gonsalves outlined in a letter, “Both of you have agreed with me for such a meeting to be held under the auspices of CELAC of which St

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

Vincent and the Grenadines is the Pro-Tempore President and Caricom of which the current Chairman is the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Both of you have also requested the distinguished presence of the esteemed President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.”

According to Gonsalves, the two Presidents concurred with this assessment in the quest of peaceful co-existence, the application and respect for international law, and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.

TURN TO PAGE 11

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

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 Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Venezuela’s military capabilities vs Guyana’s

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he following is excerpted from the Miami Herald: “On paper, the Venezuelan armed forces count more than 120,000 men among its ranks and possess roughly 600 armoured vehicles and 200 main battle tanks, half of which are Soviet era T-72s. It also has 100 combat-capable planes and dozens of helicopters. But Venezuelan officers, active and retired, told the Miami Herald that the country’s four military branches have been decimated in recent years by massive desertions. The Defense Ministry has been swamped by a wave of resignation requests from more than a quarter of its officer corps, which are constantly turned down or placed on hold. “We have had reports of battalion level units being shrunk down to about 95 men” — about a fifth of their regular size — “because they don’t have anyone to fill those positions,” a retired Venezuelan Major said. “The actual operational capacity of the army is little more than a third.”

Officers consulted said they have not seen any evidence of a Venezuelan military buildup along the border, aside from a seasonal rotation of personnel. While not a new phenomenon, mass desertions have increased during the past three years amid rapidly deteriorating living conditions for officers and professional troops, whose salaries are among the lowest in the hemisphere. Growing discontent among uniformed men has forced the top brass to grant troops personal free time from their duties to be able to obtain second jobs to make ends meet. And an economic spiral which has seen Venezuela’s gross domestic product plunge by 75% has also severely impaired the operational status of the country’s military equipment. The Air Force, for example, has been forced to ground much of its fleet for lack of maintenance and parts. In some cases, fighter jets are capable of flying but are missing missiles, or are carrying bombs with lapsed life expectancy, Figuera said.

Even if Maduro were to muster the men and equipment, a Venezuelan incursion into the Essequibo region would then have to traverse thick jungles and swampland. There are no roads between the two countries. And while some of Venezuela’s armoured vehicles do have amphibious capabilities, they would still be ill-fitted to cross through large swamps. In a hypothetical armed conflict, Venezuela could deploy its Navy — which has one frigate and patrol boats — to block Georgetown, the Guyanese capital, and enter the nearby Essequibo River, establishing a potential beachhead on the West Bank, Figuera said.

But that beachhead would be isolated by land from the Venezuelan side, and would have a very precarious supply line, giving Venezuelan troops no other option than to stay near their boats. The difficulties of the terrain and the army’s state of disrepair would make it very difficult for Venezuela to take military control of the vast region that it claims.

Experts say Caracas could flex its muscles with an attempt to blockade Georgetown, or even bomb the Guyana capital.

But sustaining a military presence in the bordering country would be a far more ambitious challenge.

Despite Venezuela’s weaknesses, Guyana’s military by comparison is far weaker still. With military strength between 4,000 and 5,000 troops, Guyana would find itself at a disadvantage. A Venezuelan attack on Guyana could trigger Article 4 of the Regional Security System, an international security agreement among some Caribbean nations that Guyana joined last year, becoming its eighth member. That provision states that an armed attack against one member by a third state “is an armed attack against all”, and would trigger a collective military response.

Guyana is also a member of the 15-member Caribbean community known as CARICOM. But “the CARICOM military assets are no match for Venezuela,” said Anthony Bryan, cofounder of the Caribbean Policy Consortium. “Logistically, it would be difficult for them to come to the assistance of Guyana, except in a supportive position,” Bryan said. That leaves the United States. Maduro’s threats come as relations between Guyana and the United States have strengthened, particularly under current Guyanese President Irfaan Ali. It appears that the administration has realistically accepted a US military base in Essequibo as a deterrent to Maduro.

Police engaged Mocha, Providence and Herstelling youth groups with an agriculture project on Saturday. The youths and ranks prepared 'garden beds' (GPF photo)

Caribbean must stand united on Essequibo A

s expected, in defiance of the strong views expressed by the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations (UN), Venezuela went ahead with its referendum on Essequibo on Sunday (December 3, 2023).

Also not surprising is its National Electoral Council’s claim that more than 10.5 million Venezuelans took part in the exercise, and voted resoundingly — by more than 95 per cent — to support the Nicolás Maduro administration’s plan to make that mineral-rich region part of its territory.

Based on the figures provided by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, the number of voters who participated in the referendum exceeded those who voted for the late Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s very popular predecessor, in 2012.

The predictable outcome of this referendum, after the weeks of posturing and sabre-rattling over the long-disputed border between Guyana and Venezuela, only adds to the anxiety and uncertainty

surrounding this matter.

The practical and legal implications of the referendum are still unclear, but there are worrying implications for regional instability. The anxiety over this issue throughout the Caribbean and Latin America has to do with the likely use of force, which might be involved if Venezuela seeks to implement the referendum; and those concerns have not been eased by recent assurances from the Maduro regime that it is not seeking justification to invade or annex Essequibo.

The on-and-off dispute over the 61,600-squaremile Essequibo territory resurfaced recently after the discovery of oil and gas in the Stabroek Block.

However, over the years, Venezuela has often challenged the 1899 decision on the border made by arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the United States.

For T&T, particularly because of its geographic proximity, the immediate priority will be to support diplomatic efforts to avert a possible escalation into a larger conflict, and to heal the strained diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Guyana. Given all

that is at stake politically and economically, as the Maduro regime presses on with its claim to twothirds of Guyana’s territory, the best approach for T&T and all other Caricom member states is to maintain a united front on this matter.

This is easier said than done, since, in the recent past, Caricom members have been extremely divided on critical issues pertaining to Venezuela. As recently as the 2020 50th General Assembly of the OAS, the region was deeply fractured on the issue of “free and fair” elections in Venezuela. That was when the United States and its allies sought to remove Maduro in favour of then Venezuela Opposition Leader Juan Guaido. On that occasion, T&T, along with Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Grenada, St KittsNevis and Suriname, stuck

to a stance of non-interference and non-intervention.

However, with border tensions around the Essequibo region escalating since September, when Guyana took bids for several offshore oil exploration blocks and there was an announcement of a major new oil find in October, this is not a matter on which neighbouring nations can silently stand by. There must be a united Caricom front, with firm support for measures to de-escalate the dispute, and there must be the clearly enunciated position of the Caribbean as “a zone of peace, and that nothing should be done to disrupt the tranquility of the region.”

Unity and diplomacy must now be at the forefront as the region presses for a peaceful resolution of this matter. (T&T Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

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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

Remember their names in this ‘dark December’

Dear Editor, For generations to come, the people of this land, from across all 83,000 square miles, will remember their names: Brigadier Gary Beaton, Col. Michael Shahoud, Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, Sgt. Jason Khan.

Their honour, their courage, their service; and, most of all, their indomitable fighting spirit to hold dear and defend this coun-

try shall live on.

They, with their brothers: Lt. Andio Crawford and Cpl. Dwayne Jackson, were on a mission at Arau, the same mountain village where His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali had hoisted the Golden Arrowhead exactly two weeks before. These fallen heroes have left us, but will never be gone forever.

To the families of these men: we know that no

words, no poetry, no song will or can extinguish the pain, the anguish, the suffering, or the long and lonely days and nights to come.

Yet, by now you know that you are not alone, because this nation stands with you in this dark December. Yes, the nation stands shoulder-to-shoulder, heads held high, in honour of these brave souls who gave their lives so others can live with security,

peace, and dignity.

It is only fitting that, in this moment of national grief, I end with the words of President Ali, words that have moved this nation to tears. Said the President: “I knew each of these individuals personally, and my respect for them was boundless. They were not just military men; they were guardians of our sovereignty, defenders of our values, and champions of

our freedom.”

Having directly observed President Ali’s interaction with those in uniform along the border communities at Mabaruma, Eteringbang and Kikan on November 23-24, I can say unequivocally that the families of our fallen heroes will never be left alone.

I would like to send sincere condolences to the families of Brigadier

Gary Beaton, Col. Michael Shahoud, Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Lt. Col. Sean Welcome and Sgt. Jason Khan. I had the honour and privilege of meeting Col. Shahoud and Lt. Col. Michael Charles, and being with them in the hinterland just two weeks ago.

Rest, rest gently, until we meet again!

Sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud

Ramjattan’s use of tragedy Govt is people-centred to score political points is insensitive, unpatriotic Dear Editor, In wake of the devastating loss of five servicemen of the Guyana Defence Force, it is imperative that we honour their sacrifice and extend unwavering support to their grieving families. Now, more than ever, is the time for national solidarity: setting aside political differences and standing as one in reverence to those who dedicated their lives to our nation’s defence.

It troubles me deeply to witness the reckless and insensitive actions of Khemraj Ramjattan of the Alliance For Change (AFC). At this critical juncture, when unity and respect should prevail, Ramjattan has opted for a deplorable path, spreading baseless accusations and malicious falsehoods via social media platforms like a WhatsApp group, the Guyana Forum. I will refrain from repeating the post shared by Ramjattan.

Regardless of one’s profession or political stance, ethical conduct and respect for due process should be upheld. Ramjattan’s rush to judgment, and his willingness to propagate unsubstantiated claims only serve to further divide our

nation during this period of mourning. His attempt to exploit this tragedy for political gain by concocting a narrative without the facts undermines the integrity of not only his profession as a lawyer, but also his commitment to Guyana’s best interests.

In Ramjattan’s misguided attempts to peddle divisive falsehoods, he displays a profound lack of patriotism. His words not only dishonour the memory of those we’ve lost, but also erode the fabric of our society by sowing seeds of discord and mistrust. It is crucial to acknowledge that the cause of the tragic crash must be determined through a thorough investigation, rather than succumbing to the temptation of politicising a national tragedy.

Jumping to conclusions without the full understanding or evidence can be detrimental, especially when dealing with matters that demand precision and accuracy. A good lawyer should indeed comprehend the importance of evidence and the integrity of an investigation before making any statements or judgments.

Blatantly attributing

blame without evidence is not only irresponsible, but also disrespectful to the memory of our fallen heroes.

At this moment, let us unite as Guyanese: rising above political affiliations, and committing ourselves to supporting the grieving families and honouring the service and sacrifice of our brave servicemen. Together, let us condemn such reckless behaviour and strive for a Guyana in which integrity, unity and respect reign supreme in all aspects of our discourse.

Truly yours, Alvin Hamilton

Dear Editor, When examined within the context of all initiatives implemented this year, the 6.5 percent acrossthe-board salary increase announced by the Finance Minister yesterday confirms that our Government is people-centred.

As the Minister pointed out, the across-the-board salary increase will benefit 54,000 public servants, and boost their disposable income by $7.9 billion. The Minister also announced a one-month tax-free bonus that would benefit 12,000 members of the Disciplined Services and exceed $1.6 billion, thereby fulfilling the Government’s promise.

These announcements come on the heels of other significant measures announced earlier this year, in which our teachers, healthcare workers, members of the Disciplined Services, pensioners, and persons with disabilities benefited.

Editor, from adjustments made to teachers’ salaries to address anomalies in their salary scale, teachers have enjoyed a boost in disposable income approximating $1.9 billion, increases in allowances, and salary increases have been granted to graduate teachers.

Public servants, pensioners and persons with disabilities have meanwhile seen their disposable incomes enhanced by $1.7 billion, $1.8 billion and $650 million respectively from the one-off cash grant announced by the President last month. When combined, the total impact of these initiatives on the disposable income of public servants and vulnerable groups is approximately 15.3 billion.

It is important to note, Editor, that the 6.5 percent salary increase does not match, but surpasses the overall annual inflation rate and food inflation. In

this regard, the salary increase nullifies the general price increases, and puts public servants in a better position in real terms. This reflects a people-centred or caring Government that is conscious of public servants’ prevailing challenges.

Additionally, the salary increases offered to public servants will serve as a significant incremental step towards bridging the private/ public sector wage disparity that may emerge from the new oil and gas sector.

I wish to point out that increasing public servants’ real incomes cannot be done in one shot. Over time, however, these incremental increases will pay dividends by continuously enhancing real wages in the public sector. The effective increase between 2021 and 2023 was 23.07 percent.

Regards, Kevin Persaud

Sunday, December 10, 2023

06:00 (Sign on) Jewanram Rel. Hour 07:00 Cartoons 08:00 Shekinah Ministry 08:30 Evening News (RB) 09:30 Fast & Loud 10:30 Cartoons 11:00 David Persaud Religious Program 11:30 Blippi Educational 12:00 Movie - Signed, Sealed, Delivered: One in a Million (2016) 13:30 Movie - It’s Christmas Again (2022) 15:30 Forged in fire 16:30 Payless Power Hour 17:30 The Healing Touch 18:00 Wheel of Fortune 18:30 Week-in-Review 19:00 Lucifer S5 E12 20:00 Arrow S5 E12 21:00 Riverdale S5 E10 22:00 Unsolved Mysteries 23:00 Stand-up Comedy 00:00 Sign off

6 FEATURE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COMPANION ANIMAL CARE AT CHRISTMAS

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You have read my articles, on several occasions arguing that there are many so-called dog breeders who are making a business out

related.

Veterinarians and animal shelters often have to treat puppies which have anatomical deformities from incestual breeding (e.g. the top jaw or bottom jaw protruding, bent legs, the “swimmer syndrome”, hernias, and so on). The message therefore is clear: examine your purchase carefully for obvious physical abnormalities.

It is to be noted, however, that some abnormalities are not easily discernible in the young animal.

The prospective purchaser trusts the breeder, and cannot be expected to determine whether the puppy (a product of incest in the “puppy mills”) is suffering

of churning out cute puppies, not lastly as Christmas gifts. Often, the pups are products of incest, although the so-called breeders insist that the mothers and fathers of the puppies are not

from a disorder in its immune system. Regrettably, the symptoms exhibit themselves later in the pup’s life, and sequentially, as the animal gets older. Believe me, a lot of anguish is associated

he festive season has begun! Each year, it seems to begin earlier, and become more intense, with frenzied shopping and a flurry of parties.

The pet supply businesses thrive at this time with an array of toys, feeding utensils, pet crates, blankets, mattresses, and edible goodies for our four-legged friends. And, of course, cute little puppies and kittens make wonderful gifts at Christmas.

ACQUIRING PETS AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS

lished and reputed animal shelters in the new year (2024). Those articles will outline in detail the important considerations and prerequisites to purchasing/ adopting/otherwise acquiring a companion animal.

COSTUMES ON PETS

with such an evolving scenario, and the veterinarian has to painstakingly decipher and determine the root cause of the problems.

Because of considerations mentioned above, some countries (especially in Europe) place a temporary ban on the sale of puppies and kittens during the Christmas season. In addition, the authorities have found that a noticeable and worrying number of pets -collected impulsively at the last minute (and without much thought) as gifts for children at Christmas -- are returned early in the new year. In Guyana and elsewhere, the animal might simply be strayed.

“Banning” anything (even temporarily) is a harsh solution to existential problems, even when the policy is considered noble and necessary. Yet, many countries have seen the need to implement stringent laws/ poli-

cies relative to pet sales, not least because the alternative of treating pets as gifts and then abandoning them when the initial enthusiasm wears off is also cruel and unacceptable.

Solutions to this dilem-

ma can be achieved. For example, some of the established animal shelters actually monitor the prospective home/ family before and after the pet is acquired.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals (RSPCA), the forerunner to our own GSPCA, advocates that the person(s) receiving the pet should be known to be willing, able, and ready to receive and care for a new addition to the family. Clearly, the decision to bring into the family a new member must be a “together decision” – a family decision which must not be taken lightly. After all, the companion animal’s presence in the new home must be associated with the concept of permanence.

We do not wish for a “rotating door policy”, by which the companion animal is brought home only to be returned to the shelter/pet shop after the festive season or early in the new year.

Also, perhaps we should arrive at the understanding that dogs/ cats – without the full recognition of the responsibility involved – must not be construed as Christmas presents.

We shall, in a subsequent column, be advocating for the acquiring/adoption of pets from the well-estab-

The tendency to purchase pet costumes/clothes at Christmas is now becoming a norm. My first thought is that the “dressing-up” of the dog is primarily for the owner’s benefit. Lots of mirth is evoked when the costumed pet is presented to visitors.

Well, some dogs love the attention; others don’t. My recommendations on putting on a costume on a companion animal are as follows: 1) It must not impede the

animal from performing its natural functions/activities.

2) It should not be a permanent (long term) fixture on the dog, and it must comprise soft and breathable materials.

3) It must not, in any way, be deleterious and inimical to the animal’s wellbeing.

4) Do not use flash photography when taking pictures of the costumed canine.

5) Do not leave the animal unattended, to ensure there’s no suffocation or tangling should the pet decide to gnaw at, or extricate itself from, the costume.

N.B: Cats (being of a different nature to dogs) will more than likely reject and resent any costume with which the caregiver wishes to adorn them. Cats, being independent by nature, would show their dissatisfaction with the costume, and rip it off in short order.

Dogs may tolerate the costume, sometimes even if it is causing discomfort.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuela’s defiance of court order

UNSC emergency meeting calls for Venezuela to respect ICJ orders

E

manating from the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) emergency meeting on Friday – requested by Guyana amid Venezuela’s recent actions - is the widespread view that the orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) must be respected.

According to ABC News, the 15 council members shared the consensus that international law must be respected, including the UN Charter’s requirement that all member nations respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every other nation.

Under-SecretaryGeneral for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo provided the brief.

Not only did it call for the World Court’s orders to be respected, but also its role as an arbiter.

However, no immediate action was taken at the private meeting, the several international news agencies have reported.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd had issued a letter to the council, calling for an urgent meeting in light of Venezuela’s violation of the UN Charter.

The letter cited Article 35 (1) of the UN Charter, which states that any UN member state “may bring any dispute, or any situation referred to in Article 34 [that is, one that may lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute] to the attention of the Security Council or of the General Assembly”.

The UNSC contended on Friday, “Council members

The United Nations Security Council in session (UN photo)

are likely to urge a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute and express concern about its possible ramifications on the Region.

Many Council members are expected to urge respect for multilateralism and adherence to international law, and express support for the ICJ. While some members—including the US and European members—are likely to regret Venezuela’s actions, others are not expected to specifically denounce Venezuela’s role in the situation.”

On December 1, the

ICJ indicated its provisional measures, calling on Venezuela to refrain from “taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area,” and calling on both parties to avoid any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute.

The measures did not explicitly call on Venezuela not to conduct the referendum, however. The referendum was

held on December 3, with Venezuelan authorities saying that all questions passed with more than 95 per cent approval.

On December 5, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro asked the state oil company to issue extraction licences for Venezuelan companies to explore for fossil fuels and minerals in the Essequibo region and proposed that the National Assembly pass a Bill to make the area part of Venezuela.

The Council shed light on the controversy before

the meeting convened, highlighting that the dispute over the Essequibo region—an approximately 160,000 square kilometres stretch of densely forested land that constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s territory —stretches back to the 19th century, when Guyana was under colonial rule.

It was outlined that Venezuela laid claim to the Essequibo region as far back as 1841, when it argued that the British Empire had encroached on Venezuelan territory in its acquisition of the territory of then-British Guiana from the Netherlands.

The border between Venezuela and British Guiana was decided

through the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award, which was given by an international Tribunal of Arbitration, and the region has since been administered by the British and then by Guyana once it gained independence in 1966.

On various occasions since 1962, Venezuela has challenged the validity of the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award.

Venezuela became more insistent in its claims over the disputed region in 2015, when oil was discovered in Guyana.

In March 2018, Guyana filed an application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), instituting proceedings against Venezuela regarding the disputed territory. (G3)

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramping up…

M

…the blowback

ad Maduro’s been a bit too clever by half!! Not only does he face a restive populace that’s been catching hell for over a decade under his inept rule, but he’s pi55ing off the military -- the only institution with the clout to keep him in power. Now, unlike his mentor Chavez, who was a military man and had the cred that commanded respect for his Chavismo philosophy, ex-bus driver Mad Maduro has exposed himself as a poseur - with no grounding in either the military or politics. He just fell into a good thing, which he refuses to give up - even though it’s clear from the beginning he just ain’t up to the job!!

While Chavez institutionalised the enhanced role of the military under the rubric of “civilian-military union” in Venezuela in the 1999 constitution, what Maduro’s done is to dole out all strategic aspects of governance to military officials who toe his dictatorial line – just so’s to line their pockets. Between 2013 and 2017, Mad Maduro established about fourteen military firms in twenty economic sectors - including agriculture, mining, oil, construction, banking, tourism, insurance and the media. Take the nationalised oil company PDVSA, that was the money tree: it was put in charge of a military General fella who built a bankroll of over US$20 billion from the oil smuggled out by various nefarious sleights of hand to countries like China. And guess what?? Maduro was upset when it was revealed that the US$20B was used as a piggy bank by the General and his cronies!! The General’s now in the stockade, facing corruption charges!! What did Maduro expect, when a General’s salary is the equivalent of US$10 PER MONTH!!

It’s not that military personnel can’t run things, but they’re human beings who must be given incentives!!

And this brings us to the present, where Mad Maduro’s courting an almost certain war against the USA!! Now, part and parcel of Chavismo is that the US was the same as the Devil in a Catholic country!! They’ve never forgotten Chavez’s quip that he smelled sulphur when he followed Bush to the podium to speak at the UN!! Anyhow, while the military may hate the US’ guts, that doesn’t mean they will be willing to take on the mightiest fighting force in the world!! Mad Maduro might be counting on American civilian sentiments not to place American boots on the ground, as in Ukraine; they forget that the US has a long history of seeing the Caribbean and Latin America as its “happy hunting grounds”!!

The US has made many an intervention to secure American interests – starting in 1823, when the Monroe Doctrine was declared to state just that!!

The Venezuelan military may be underpaid, but not stupid. They might just oust Maduro! …pressure on our “friends” Now, your Eyewitness understands that countries act to protect their interests. So he can understand Trinidad’s Keith Rowley sucking up to Maduro, because the Venezuelan Dragon Field is a lifeline to his sinking economy. We understand, also, the US approving the joint development – along with the licences they gave to Chevron to develop some fields for PDVSA. Hey…it’s all about interests, innit??

So, Keith shouldn’t mind that Jagdeo bitch-slapped him something silly on the said Dragon Field!! The VP’s just protecting OUR interests - which holds that anything favourable to Mad Maduro ain’t kosher with us!! We can overlook the US’ actions, ‘cause they’re bellying up to the bar to deliver for us big time!! “Haan wash haan mek haan come clean”, and all that. So, will Keith be washing our hand anytime soon in Essequibo – apart from platitudes??

In the coming months, Guyanese gonna have to learn to stop playing nice and start playing tough – for our paramount interest - survival!! …our tributes The five GDF soldiers who perished in Essequibo are heroes, who must be given the highest honours available to servicemen. It’s not for us to know precisely what they were doing – it was in the national interest!!

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

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

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NEWS

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Guyana’s territorial boundaries...

FROM PAGE 3

Establish a US military base in Essequibo

A

month ago, I wrote, “As we attempt to forge a national unity to counter the (Maduro) on our Essequibo border, we should be reminded that, as a much smaller nation than Venezuela by almost all criteria, we need to deploy a strategy that checkmates those advantages. And that raises the question as to the available Ravi Dev options in such a situation.”

Now that Maduro has thrown caution to the wind and has launched a de facto annexation of our Essequibo, the time for Hamlet-like existentialist questions are long past.

We noted that, with the gradual diminution in effectiveness of the UN and other multilateral institutions…, while we must continue to utilise the UN system -- as we have done by taking the Venezuelan border controversy to the ICJ and the UN Security Council (UNSC) -- we must recognize that Maduro will not be deterred by the admonitions of either. While, through Articles 24 and 25 of the UN Charter, the UNSC can use collective force against a threat to international peace and security, the veto power of Russia and China, which are engaged in their own annexation adventures, will defang that option.

For the longest while, starting with our active involvement in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), we attempted to be neutral between the then two competing hegemons, the USA and the USSR, but we were accused of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. In the new, evolving “multipolar world”, we have tried neutrality in the rivalry between the US and China, but it should be clear by now that, notwithstanding the latter’s grandiose claims about seeking non-hegemonic relationships with other states, it is pursuing its own interest vis-a-vis the USA in working very closely with Maduro. It has not denounced Maduro’s “expulsion” of the ExxonMobil condominium from our Stabroek Block, even though its CNOOC owns 25%.

We must make a realistic decision to protect our own interests, which, in the present brouhaha precipitated by Maduro for his own political survival, is not too difficult to identify: protecting our sovereignty over our Essequibo. As we identified last month, “there are two options available at our conjuncture - balancing or bandwagoning”. In the former, we would buy the line touted by China that it is only interested out of the goodness of its heart to balance the world hegemon – the USA; or we could take the cold realistic position to bandwagon with the US hegemon purely because their interests coincide with ours right now.

Their interests range from the specific: protecting US corporations ExxonMobil and Chevron, that have been ‘expelled” by Maduro, to the general: securing American overall interests in what Pres Biden has called “America’s front yard”. In 2018, SOUTHCOM Commander Laura Richardson had pointed out: “As the U.S. continues to require more petroleum and gas, Latin America is becoming a global energy leader, with its large oil reserves and oil and gas production and supplies.” She had succinctly and candidly articulated these wider interests to the Atlantic Council in January: “This region, why this region matters, with all of its rich resources and rare earth minerals: you’ve got the Lithium Triangle which is needed for technology today; 60% of the world’s lithium is in the Lithium Triangle, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile. You just had the largest oil reserves of light sweet crude discovered off of Guyana over a year ago. You have Venezuela’s resources as well with oil, copper, gold. China gets 36% of its food source from this region. We have the Amazon, lungs of the world. We have 31% of the world’s fresh water in this region too.”

The US has been attempting to “do the right thing” to encourage democratic decision making in Venezuela by encouraging free and fair elections. But all attempts have been blocked by Maduro with various feints – especially lucratively rewarding military personnel with chunks of the economy. His latest was to appoint a General as “Governor” of Essequibo.

With reference to the elections due next year, Maduro will almost certainly postpone them because of the “crisis” he created.

Our Government appears to have already given the goahead to the US to establish a Southcom Military Base in our Essequibo region. Late last month, after a visit to the US, VP Jagdeo said, “We have never been interested in military bases, but we have to protect our national interest…” We must support this realpolitik decision to repel Maduro’s adventurism.

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

“Both of you are on public record of committing to the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the maintenance of international law. Experience has taught humanity that it is mature, wise, and preferable for leaders of nations which are in conflict, to speak to each other calmly, respectfully, and with patience, in order to avoid an escalation into threats or the use of force.

To be sure, the resolution of old controversies in challenging contemporary times is never easy; for leaders it is strenuous, but a strenuous life pursued in peace is to be preferred to one of ignoble ease in perpetual conflict or violence endeavour.”

It was acknowledged that Guyana is seeking the resolution of the border controversy through the processes of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is currently seized of the matter.

Similarly, the leaders expressed cognisance of the fact that Venezuela has rejected the path of the ICJ as the modality for resolution.

The Parliament of Guyana has unanimously instructed the President not to discuss the border controversy with the Government of Venezuela. The people of Venezuela have advised, overwhelmingly, in a consultative referendum on December 3, 2023, their Government not to accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ in the matter of border controversy.

The letter added, “Clearly, each of you has to summon the proverbial wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and the foresight of all the ancient prophets to engen-

der good neighbourliness in peace, justice, security, and prosperity for all concerned.

There is thus much for each of you to raise and/or discuss on matters consequential to the border controversy even as you respect the advice, or more, of your respective peoples and Parliament/National Assembly.”

He ended, “Time is of the essence. Let us all resolve to make this historic gathering a successful one. So much is at stake for our Caribbean and Latin American civilisation.”

Communication At a press conference held Saturday evening in St Vincent, Gonsalves when asked about the value of the meeting, since Guyana’s position is that the ICJ is addressing the matter, said, “I see great value for the communication…not to be talking is very dangerous and it is something I believe will weigh very heavily on people’s hearts and minds.”

He said that the meeting between the two Heads of State will be of great value.

No discussion on border Meanwhile, in a statement issued after the intended meeting was announced, Guyana’s parliamentary Opposition said that it welcomes the action being taken by the international community to ensure there is peace between Guyana and Venezuela.

“The parliamentary Opposition wishes to make it quite clear that we are

not opposed to dialogue or discussions with the President of Venezuela as this could lead to better relations between the Governments and peoples of our two countries,” Guyana’s Opposition said in a statement. It added that indeed, paragraph 3 of the Geneva Agreement recognises that “closer cooperation between British Guiana and Venezuela could bring benefit to both countries,” pointing out that it is for this reason since independence Guyana has sought and promoted bilateral relations with its western neighbour across a spectrum of issues including health, education, and other relevant areas of development.

“It is the considered view of the Opposition that the two leaders could continue to explore the expansion of bilateral issues which could improve the lives of the peoples of our two countries and contribute to the peaceful development of the Latin American and Caribbean region.”

However, the Opposition pointed out that there “must not be any discussions of the territorial controversy between our two countries as this matter is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and this process must be allowed to take its course so that it is settled within the confines of international law.”

The parliamentary Opposition said that it remains committed to playing its role in the ongoing relationship between Guyana and Venezuela and will always work towards the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Guyana.

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Get up, get active, make better food choices during holidays – professional trainer

M

ultifaceted professional trainer Paul Meusa has made a major impact in the lives of many Guyanese, providing persons with better, healthier lifestyle options. Meusa has been leading the charge towards a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

The 41-year-old began his journey as a professional trainer in 2008. He later went into entrepreneurship by opening his own gym in Kitty, Georgetown, with his multifunctional facility branded “Exodus”, with a tagline “Moving You to A Higher Level”.

Meusa now wears the title of CEO of Exodus, while also being an internationally-certified trainer, a strength and conditioning trainer and a certified CrossFit trainer and title holder.

“I teamed up with my friend and longtime trainer, Omar Hope in the management of this establishment.

Our mission is to facilitate our clients from their present reality to the best versions of themselves. While we hope to continue transforming their lives in many positive ways.”

“Exodus seeks to make a difference by encouraging all Guyanese to step away

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise and nutrition has be-

Professional trainer Paul Meusa

from a sedentary lifestyle and also eat healthier food even as the holiday season approaches,” he said as he recalled his journey.

come a priority for many individuals in today's fastpaced world. Speaking with Guyana Times, Meusa said in one’s pursuit of optimal

health, gym trainers and nutritionists have emerged as indispensable allies.

By forging a strong bond with all of his clients through exercise and nutrition needs, Meusa said he extends beyond simply prescribing a workout routine or meal plan; rather, fostering a deeper understanding of how exercise and nutrition work together to enhance overall health.

According to him, his comprehensive approach not only yields physical improvements but also nurtures mental and emotional well-being.

“I consider myself a lifestyle advocate and exercise is the number one de-stresser to me, of course to mankind it’s called positive stress,” Meusa explained.

Meanwhile, Meusa shared that during this festive period where many persons are looking to eat a lot of delicacies, they should also remember to maintain a balanced diet. “I know you want to eat your favourite foods and have a merry time but keep in mind to get up, get active and make better food choices,” Meusa encouraged.

E

Energy Conservation

nergy and environmental problems are closely interrelated; since producing, transporting, or consuming energy without significant environmental impact is nearly impossible. The environmental issues directly related to energy production and consumption include air pollution, climate change, water pollution, thermal pollution, and solid waste disposal. Ironically, despite the urgent need for environmental sustainability and prevention of the looming threats posed by climate change, we continue to squander more energy than we conscientiously consume.

Fossil fuel reliance has been the backbone of our energy sectors for decades, but fossil fuel consumption is also the primary contributor to carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change. The byproducts of energy generation from burning coal, oil, or natural gas lead to air pollution, affecting air quality and human health.

Water pollution from various energy-production processes, thermal pollution (resulting from the discharge of heated water), and the mounting challenge of managing solid waste further compound the environmental toll of our current inefficient energy sector. Amidst these challenges, the need for a fundamental shift in our approach to energy consumption becomes apparent.

We stand at a pivotal moment, where the urgency to mitigate environmental impact necessitates an overall shift in our energy usage habits. It calls for action that demands collective responsibility from individuals, industries, and governments alike.

A shift to energy conservation Energy conservation is key as we pursue sustainable development. It involves conscientious decisions to reduce energy waste by optimising consumption and leveraging energy-efficient technologies. Energy conservation isn't just a concept; it's a powerful tool that grants consumers the ability to take charge and significantly reduce energy waste in their daily lives.

Energy conservation practices help us to reduce some of the burden placed on our power grid. It calls us to make informed choices, cultivate habits, and adopt behaviours that limit unnecessary energy consumption and waste.

Simple actions like turning off lights when not in use, using energy-efficient appliances, and reducing unnecessary energy consumption can collectively yield profound positive impacts on the nation's energy landscape.

Amazingly, it places the power in the hands of you, the citizens; empowering you to optimise energy usage through the adoption of efficient technologies and appliances in all facets of your life, and to make a conscious effort to avoid energy waste.

According to the IPCC's latest report, we stand at a critical juncture in our efforts to prevent global temperatures from surpassing a 1°C increase above pre-industrial levels.

This threshold represents a crucial marker in averting the severest and most irreversible impacts of climate change.

By embracing energy conservation, individuals not only contribute to mitigating the environmental impact of energy production, but also pave the way for cost-effective solutions that resonate across communities and industries.

It's about taking ownership and realizing that each effort towards reducing energy waste holds the key to a more sustainable future for generations to come.

The Environmental Protection Agency urges individuals to make an effort to develop environmentally-friendly habits that collectively contribute to reducing our carbon footprints and preserving our planet's precious ecosystems for future generations to thrive.

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

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NEWS

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Curative treatment available locally for prostate cancer F

ollowing investments made by Government to enhance the institution’s capabilities, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is well equipped to diagnose and provide medical care for all stages of cancer.

This is according to Urologist attached GPHC, Dr Rajendra Sukhraj, who noted that early screening gives access to faster treatment.

Once detected early, curative treatment such as radiation and removal surgery (to stop the cancer from spreading) is available for men with stage one and two prostate cancer.

Meanwhile, medical treatment and chemotherapy is available for men in stages three and four, to help prevent many of the debilitative complications associated with these stages.

Sukhraj explained all the methods of treatment aforementioned are well-established and internationally accepted treatment options.

Further, he mentioned that over time, newer medications and advanced technological services will also become accessible.

“It is very important that if we are screening men and making a diagnosis then we should be able to offer them the treatment that they need. So, yes, we do offer treatment for all stages of prostate cancer…it’s cheaper to treat cancer in the early stages than the advanced

stages and we know that it reduces your risk of dying from prostate cancer. So, definitely screening works.

We have seen that elsewhere and it’s about time that we started doing that on a national level,” Sukhraj explained.

Sukhraj said the treatment methods available are 90 per cent effective. He said all patients diagnosed with cancer are registered with the Cancer Registry, in an effort to help them regain and rebuild their physical and emotional health.

“So, there’s always a chance with every cancer that it can come back so cancer patients generally are never discharged from our clinic, they always get a follow-up every three month or six month or one year where we do that same PSA blood test that we talk about. That give you an idea as to if there’s any reoccurrence of cancer. Yes, they do come back but just between five or ten per cent.”

According to data published in 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO), prostate cancer deaths in Guyana reached 123 or 1.71 per cent of total deaths and the age adjusted death rate is 41.13 per 100,000 population.

Prostate cancer

The Mayo Clinic states that prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Dr Rajendra Sukhraj

The

World

Health

Organisation (WHO) esti-

mates that one in five men and one in six women worldwide develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in eight men and one in 11 women die from the disease.

It is believed that some 43.8 million persons are living with cancer.

Lung and breast cancer are the leading types of cancer worldwide, accounting for about 11.6 per cent of total cancer cases. That is followed by colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, which account for 10.2 per cent and 7.1 per cent of all cancer cases, respectively.

The prostate cancer screening tests include blood

sampling called a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

This test measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer.

The most common risk factor for prostate cancer is age, however, diet and lifestyle changes can help to reduce a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer.

Nevertheless, men are advised to desist from using self-proclaimed and homemade medications that in most cases can cause the severity of the cancer to increase to another stage.

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Deadly GDF helicopter crash

“There is no Venezuelan flag on our border” – Army Head

A

lleged claims by President Nicolas Maduro that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) team in the deadly helicopter crash was going to the border to remove a Venezuelan flag has been dispelled by Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan.

At a press conference on Saturday, the GDF Head reiterated that the team’s mission was solely to visit ranks stationed at Guyana’s border with Venezuela.

The servicemen were heading to visit Guyanese troops near when the Bell-412

helicopter went down, around 30 miles east of Arau.

“We had a command visit to the border. A command visit means we are going to visit our soldiers. The mission continues. There is no Venezuelan flag on our border. None,” Brigadier Khan told reporters.

The Chief of Staff added that he engaged with the Toshao of Arau last week when information surfaced of a Venezuelan flag at Guyana’s border. However, these reports were false at that time and communicated to the

community.

In a time where social media is flooded with speculations, he advised that the GDF will only release information once verified.

“There’s so many things going on social media and I know we have to be timely in how we respond. Verifying who said what and what they said will give us some time before we can respond,” the Chief of Staff said.

Amid heightened aggression from Venezuela, ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were posted along

GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan with troops stationed at Guyana’s border

the country’s border and are tasked with reporting any act of aggression.

Of the seven servicemen who went missing when the helicopter crashed in Region Seven, only two men survived.

Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson were extracted from the crash site on Friday after two days and multiple thwarted attempts by the search and rescue team to rescue them.

In the presence of President Irfaan Ali and other

senior officials at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on Friday, the caskets carrying Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan, were taken from a GDF Skyvan by their comrades and transported to awaiting hearses.

Brigadier Beaton was the project engineer; Colonel Shahoud, an attorney-at-law, was Commander of the

1st Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Charles was the pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Welcome was Commanding Officer of the Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Khan was from the 31 Special Forces Squadron.

At about 11:20h on Wednesday, an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, but because of rough terrain and adverse weather, the searchand-rescue team was only able to reach the site on Thursday at about 14:30h. (G12)

NEWS

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“Guyana’s mangroves are a global asset” – PM …as $60M Mangrove Centre is unveiled at NAREI

A

$60 million Mangrove Centre has been constructed at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

This initiative forms part of a collaboration with the Guyana Conservation Initiative (GCI), facilitated by Iwokrama and funded by ExxonMobil, to implement a Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Statistics (SPARS) and develop an Integrated Agriculture Information System.

The centre will also serve as a hub for research on mangrove restoration; secure coastal areas, generate economic opportunities and support bio-diversity.

During the unveiling exercise, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips posited that the facility displays Government’s commitment to restoring Guyana’s mangrove indus-

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips

tively contribute to global efforts, striving to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” PM Phillips explained.

Further, Prime Minister Phillips announced that the centre will support sever-

be conducted through the Mangrove Management Action Network, is a dual strategy that will support Guyana’s low-lying coastline and engineered sea defences to enhance climate resilience.

al investments and support the establishment of sustainable businesses.

The first initiative involves expanding beekeeping in mangroves through a partnership with Cuban beekeeping experts and

“This green-grey infrastructure approach to securing our coastline by combining hard ‘engineered’ sea defences with the restoration, conservation, and management of mangroves is a strategy that provides

GLDA, contributing to the scaling up of Guyana’s honey production.

And the second being a mangrove regeneration project, which aims to integrate mangroves into the landscape, ensuring recreational space for all Guyanese.

According to the Prime Minister, the initiative to

climate resilience for vulnerable coastal communities… as we inaugurate the Mangrove Centre, a symbol of our commitment to environmental stewardship, I call upon every Guyanese to take pride in preserving these invaluable ecosystems. Together, let us ensure a legacy of environ-

The Mangrove Centre

try, lead in forest management and climate change.

“Guyana’s mangroves are a global asset. Mangroves, with their unique ecosystem and unparalleled ecological significance, play a vital role in mitigating climate change…

By conserving and protecting our mangroves, we ac-

The PM and British High Commissioner Jane Miller during a tour of the new facility

mental harmony and prosperity for generations to come,” the PM said.

The Prime Minister highlighted Guyana’s proactive restoration of over 500 hectares of mangroves across various regions. He also spotlighted the historic sale of carbon credits through ART TREES, underscoring the Government’s recognition of the importance

of forests, adding that mangroves, valued at least US$1.6 billion annually, will be explored further through LCDS 2030, with the Mangrove Centre as a hub for advancing knowledge.

Mangroves are considered Guyana’s natural sea defence and serve as a link between terrestrial and marine environments and as

such, perform multiple functions including mitigation of coastal erosion, compensation of rising sea levels, regulation of water quality, and provision of other countless ecosystem services.

Mangroves also provide about five to ten times more carbon storage that the terrestrial forest and are essential to Guyana’s low carbon development trajectory.

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HEALTH TIPS

ABNORMAL BREATHING IN BABIES

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine

N

ewborns often make unusual noises while breathing. Most of those noises are no cause for concern; however, being aware of a baby’s typical breathing pattern can help to identify any concerns early.

A newborn’s breathing looks and sounds different from those of adults because: * They breathe more through their nostrils than

takes 30 to 60 breaths per minute. This can slow down to 30 to 40 breaths per minute while they sleep. At 6 months, babies breathe about 25 to 40 times per minute. An adult, meanwhile, takes about 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Newborns can also take rapid breaths, then pause for up to 10 seconds at a time.

All of this is very different from an adult’s breathing pattern, which is why new parents might be alarmed.

Within a few months, most of the irregularities of newborn breathing resolve themselves.

Some newborn breathing concerns are more common in the first few days, such as transient tachypnea. But after 6 months, most breathing concerns are probably due to allergies or a short-term illness like the common cold.

drops or a nasal aspirator.

It can be a sign of croup; in which case it may get worse at night.

allergy to certain types of formula, as well as neonatal abstinence syndrome.

* Deep cough This is likely a blockage in the large bronchi. Large bronchi are tubes that carry air between the windpipe and the lungs. A doctor would need to listen with a stethoscope to confirm this diagnosis.

* Periodic breathing Periodic breathing is common in newborns. It is characterised by pauses in breathing that last at least 3 seconds, followed by clusters of breaths, which are often fast and shallow. This is typical, and doesn’t usually require any treatment.

However, if pauses in breathing last more than 20 seconds, it may indicate a problem, such as infant apnea.

* Wheezing Wheezing can be a sign of blockage or narrowing of the lower airways. The blockage might be caused by: o Asthma o Pneumonia o Respiratory syncytial virus o Fast breathing This can mean there’s fluid in the airways from an infection such as pneumonia.

Fast breathing can also be caused by fever or other infections, and should be evaluated right away. * Snoring This is usually due to mucus in the nostrils. In rare cases, snoring can be a sign of a chronic condition, such as sleep apnea or enlarged tonsils.

their mouth. * Their breathing pathways are much smaller and easier to obstruct. * Their chest wall is more pliable than an adult’s because it’s made of mostly cartilage. * Their respiration isn’t fully developed, since they still must learn to use their lungs and the associated breathing muscles. * They may still have amniotic fluid and meconium in their airways right after birth.

Usually, there’s nothing to worry about, but parents and caregivers may worry anyway. They need to pay careful attention to a newborn’s typical breathing pattern; in this way, they can learn what’s usual for the newborn.

TYPICAL NEWBORN BREATHING

Typically,

a

newborn

BREATHING NOISES

Parents must become familiar with their baby’s typical breathing sounds and patterns in order to be able to discern if something sounds different. Respiratory distress is one of the most common causes of neonatal intensive care hospital admittance, according to 2020 research.

The following are common sounds you might hear, and their potential causes. * Whistling noise This might be a blockage in the nostrils, that will clear when it’s suctioned (removed). Ask a pediatrician how to gently and effectively suction mucus. * Hoarse cry and barking cough This noise may be from a windpipe blockage. It might be mucus or inflammation in the voice box, such as croup.

* Stridor Stridor is a constant, high-pitched sound that indicates airway obstruction, according to 2021 research. It can sometimes be caused by laryngomalacia. * Grunting A sudden, low-pitched noise on an exhale usually signals an issue with one or both lungs. It can also be a sign of severe infection. You should visit a doctor immediately if your baby is ill and is grunting while breathing. * Frequent sneezing Sneezing is common in newborns, and is not usually cause for concern.

This is because newborns have smaller nasal passages than adults, and are still adjusting to breathing through their noses as they grow and develop.

If sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms, like coughing, difficulty breathing, or a fever, parents should talk with a doctor. It could be a sign of a respiratory infection. Frequent sneezing can also be a sign of an

* False “first cold” Many newborns seem to experience symptoms of a false first cold very early, which occurs because their nasal passages are very small and can become easily clogged. Though this doesn’t usually require any treatment, parents may consider talking with a paediatrician about ways to help improve the newborn’s breathing if needed, such as using saline

* Hiccups Hiccups are common, and can happen in babies, children and adults. Eating too quickly and swallowing air while feeding are two possible causes of hiccups in newborns. Hiccups may also be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, which occurs when the contents of the stomach flow into the esophagus, causing regurgitation.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Never hesitate to reach out to a doctor if concerned about a baby’s breathing.

Irregular breathing can be very alarming, and may cause anxiety in parents or caregivers. But first, slow down and look at your baby to see whether they look like they’re in distress. o Learn a child’s typical breathing patterns, so you’re better prepared to identify what’s not typical. o Take a video of a baby’s breathing and show it to a doctor. o Always have a baby sleep on their back. This decreases the baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). o Saline drops, sold over the counter at drugstores, can help loosen thick mucus.

o Sometimes babies breathe fast when they’re overheated or upset. Clothe a baby in breathable fabrics. o Sleep positioners and wedges are not recommended while feeding or sleeping.

Catching an issue early gives a baby the best chance for recovery in the short term, and decreases future concerns. A change in a newborn’s breathing pattern may indicate a serious breathing problem. If concerned, call your doctor right away.

Doctors may use a chest X-ray to diagnose breathing concerns, and make a treatment plan.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:

o Blue colour appears in lips, tongue, fingernails and toenails. o Doesn’t breathe for 20 seconds or more. o Grunting or moaning at the end of each breath. o Nostrils flaring, which means they’re working harder to get oxygen into their lungs. o Muscles pulling in on the neck, around collarbones, or ribs. o Difficulty feeding in addition to breathing issues. o Lethargic in addition to breathing issues. o Fever as well as breathing issues.

29

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Deadly GDF helicopter crash

GCAA, Police will lead investigation – Chief of Staff …flight diverted; helicopter suffered significant damage

GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan, along with Air Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag; Operations Officer Lt Col Andy Pompey, and Force Medical Officer Lt Col Nigel Langhorne, at the press conference on Saturday

T

he Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are taking charge of the inquiry into the devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five servicemen.

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan during a press conference on Saturday at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, said the investigation has entered a new phase outside the Guyana Defence Force's (GDF) jurisdiction.

"We have now entered the investigation phase, and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Guyana Police Force will be conducting their inquiry," Brigadier Khan said.

The victims of the crash

that both external entities and the GDF itself, through a Board of Inquiry, would conduct reviews. He expressed a commitment to transparency, stating, "As much as you are concerned, the GDF is concerned. We don't want something like this to happen again."

Significant damage

Regarding the extraction of the crashed helicopter, Brigadier Khan could not provide a definite timeline but assured that a decision would be made soon.

Air Corps Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag reported that the Bell 412 helicopter, with registration 8R-AYA, suffered significant damage, particularly in the fuselage, with only a few remaining pieces.

per was on a command trip to Arau, Macapa, and Eteringbang, as part of Guyana’s response to an “imminent threat to our territory”.

The specified helicopter possesses an unladen weight of 3207kg, an internal payload capacity of 2190kg, a maximum total weight of 5398kg, and a cargo hook capability of 2041kg. Featuring an aluminium alloy fuselage with a cargo area measuring 6.8m³, its cabin offers a volume of 6.2m³. Operated by a lone pilot, it can comfortably seat up to 13 individuals.

Ramjag said the aircraft, which had three crew members and four passengers, had a maximum takeoff weight of 11,900 pounds, stating “We were way below our max take-off weight for

potential to offer insights into this capability.

“Yes, there are devices Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) and so forth.

These are aids or devices - the aircraft is so equipped with this,” he told a news conference.

He further mentioned that the Cockpit Voice Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR), commonly referred to as a black box, holds information about the events leading up to the incident. The CVFDR will be dispatched to the United States for a thorough analysis of voice-recorded communications and other aspects of the aircraft's operations, includ-

A GDF map showing the incident location

However, on this day, the pilot deviated to the north and that could be for many reasons, and contact was lost in the vicinity of the Blake

was officially confirmed on Thursday.

A medical team managed to reach the site on Thursday and stayed overnight to mon-

Dead: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud, Sergeant Jason Khan, Brigadier (ret'd) Gary Beaton, and Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome ing altitude.

Addressing queries regarding whether the Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) had notified the pilot about the terrain and if the crash resulted from an external explosion, he stated that once scrutinised, the examination of the CVFDR will provide answers to the questions raised.

Flight track

Ramjag illustrated that the aircraft tracking shows that the helicopter, bearing registration marking

Slater aerodrome,” he said.

The two survivors and bodies of the five deceased were on Friday hoisted by the other GDF Bell 412 Epi helicopter, bearing registration marking 8R-MIA. The surviving soldiers were left stranded in the forest for two days after the horrific helicopter crash that took the lives of the five other ranks.

“They were all winched out of the crash site, flown to Blake Slater airstrip, and then transported to Georgetown with the GDF

itor the survivors, since extraction was hindered by weather conditions in the area.

They were eventually flown to the Blake Slater aerodrome on Friday and later transported to the city hospital, where they underwent extensive medical examinations.

Draped with The Golden Arrowhead, the caskets carrying Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, Lieutenant

The survivors, Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford, are now in the spotlight of ongoing investigations

are Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles and Sergeant Jason Khan.

Only two soldiers survived the crash - Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford.

Brigadier Khan emphasised the necessity for official investigations and disclosed

He said the aircraft left GDF Headquarters, Camp Ayanganna at 09:24h on Wednesday and travelled 144 miles to Olive Creek where it arrived at 10:27h. After refuelling, the helicopter departed at 10:58h for a 58mile journey to Arau; contact was lost with the aircraft, and an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) alert was received at about 11:19h.

The GDF said the chop-

this light.”

Well equipped

It was additionally disclosed that the Bell 412 Epi helicopter had a system designed to warn the pilot of obstacles ahead, enabling them to take evasive measures. However, according to Air Corps Commander Lieutenant, Colonel Mohinder Ramjag, only the aircraft's black box holds the

Bell 412 helicopter, 8R-AYA, that was involved in the crash

8R-AYA, diverted from one of its intended destinations, but there was no immediate idea why that was done “If you are familiar with the way pilots fly, the ideal route is the direct routing.

(Britten Norman) Islander and SkyVan,” Operations Officer, Lt Col Andy Pompey said.

The crash site, pinpointed about nine miles southeast of "Blake Slater's" airstrip, Ekereku Top, Cuyuni River,

Colonel Michael Charles, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan, were taken from a GDF Skyvan at Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, by their comrades and transported to awaiting hearses.

TURN TO PAGE 30

30 NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Any incursion will CANU finds $30M be dealt with by in ganja in boat security forces – VP

A

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a stern warning, emphasising that any attempt to breach the nation's borders including those by criminal gangs, will be met with resolute action by Guyana's security forces.

Speaking at his recent press conference, Jagdeo firmly declared that Guyana does not recognise any extension of the Venezuelan map.

The Vice President said that acknowledging such an extension would imply a flaw in the 1899 Arbitral Award, a historical agreement that demarcated the borders between the two nations.

Addressing the question of incursions by illegal gangs, he placed attention on the readiness of Guyana's security forces. This is part of Government's commitment to maintaining sovereignty and protecting its territorial integrity.

“Our position is that it’s illegal. What he has done is illegal but it is not unpredictable because they’ve always had this area as part of their map but as Zona en Reclamación. We know what our borders are and any incursion by anyone, including criminal gangs will be dealt with by our security forces. We are watching this carefully,” the Vice President told media operatives.

Recognising the diverse composition of migrants, Guyana is taking steps in addressing the evolving situation. In looking at every possible threat, the Vice President said they remain alert for any person who might have ill intentions to-

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

wards the country.

“The majority of the migrants here who have come, they’re peace-loving people.

Many of them are Guyanese but there could be people here who have ill intent to our country. We’re not turning a blind eye to that too.

Our security forces are looking at that. We’re looking at every possible threat to our country and our people.”

Under the watchful eyes of the world, Venezuela on December 3 went ahead with its planned referendum containing all five questions as is, including a question asking its citizens for approval to invade Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state out of two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. This is despite the ICJ ruling on December 1, which barred Venezuela from taking any action emanating from the referendum, to seize Essequibo while the Court makes its decision about the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

On Tuesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

announced several measures which his Government intends to take in enforcing the outcome of the referendum held on December 3, 2023.

Guyana has since engaged Caricom, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth and many bilateral partners, including the United States of America, Brazil, the United Kingdom and France.

The United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) commenced “flight operations” across Guyana on Thursday, and has communicated that it would continue collaboration with the GDF in the areas of disaster preparedness, aerial and maritime security, and countering transnational criminal organisations.

This exercise was built upon routine engagement and operations to enhance security partnership between the United States and Guyana, and to strengthen regional cooperation. (G12)

boat carrying an estimated $30 million worth of marijuana was found by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) personnel in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Friday.

CANU reported that its officers collaborated with the Guyana Police Force in a joint operation near a koker in Number 52 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

During the operation, the officers spotted a boat occupied by three individuals, and realising the presence of CANU officers, they deserted the vessel and fled. Upon inspecting the boat, officers discovered numerous parcels suspected to be cannabis, concealed within larger bags.

The vessel, along with the suspected narcotic, was transported to CANU's Berbice office. Subsequent testing confirmed the substance as cannabis, weighing approximately 296.5 lbs (almost 134.49 kg), with an estimated local street value of around $30 million.

Ongoing investigations are being conducted into the matter.

Just a day ago, Guyana Times also reported that ranks from CANU unearthed 11.5 kilograms (25 lbs) of cocaine in a Route 31 minibus on Friday.

Reports are that CANU officers conducted an intelligence-led operation in Providence, East Bank Demerara, where they intercepted the minibus bearing registration number, BLL 179.

According to CANU, a subsequent search of the minibus, which only had

The marijuana found in the boat

The ganja that was discovered by Police

one occupant at the time, led to the discovery of 10 brick-like parcels.

The 33-year-old man of Mon Desir, Canal No 2, West Bank Demerara, was arrested and escorted

to CANU’s Headquarters along with the narcotic.

The narcotic tested positive for cocaine. According to CANU, the approximate street value of the cocaine is $12M.

GCAA, Police will lead...

FROM PAGE 29

Their families along with President Dr Irfaan Ali broke down in tears as the bodies were being transported by military pallbearers. Each of their names was announced as their bodies were removed from the Skyvan.

ing on with them and I’m happy to report that there was no injury of significance. They are all in good medical condition,” he said.

Langhorne said the injured were being supported by their families.

Good health

Now that the medical examinations have confirmed that the two servicemen are in good medical condition, the Chief of Staff said they would be de-briefed by investigators.

He also disclosed that collaborations are underway with the families of the deceased for funeral and other arrangements, and it will be announced in a matter of days.

Following the removal of the bodies, Force Medical Officer, Lt Col Nigel Langhorne, who was among the first responders to see the injured servicemen shortly after they were rescued from the dense jungle, said they were assessed and are in good health.

“From the inception, there was an indication that they were in good medical condition. On further examination at the Georgetown Public Hospital, we were able to confirm what is go-

Debriefed

Regroup

Meanwhile, at the press conference on Saturday,

Chief of Staff Khan said even with the Force in a state of mourning, they will regroup and continue to conduct operations amid border tensions as Guyana battles increasing aggression from its western neighbour, Venezuela.

“While this tragedy of the incident has hit us hard… expect us to regroup and declare to continue with the mission of protecting our country. This is the life of the military we join. We train and we live to serve selflessly. And we do so even after we would have served,” he said.

During the past few weeks, Guyana’s military presence has been increased at that location due to Venezuela’s escalated aggression in its ongoing border controversy with Guyana. (G9)

NEWS

31

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stop storing construction material on road shoulders – Armogan warns of charges for defiance

R

egion Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan has issued a warning to contractors, telling them that they will be placed before the courts if they utilise the road shoulders to store construction material.

The warning came as he addressed the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday at the body’s monthly statutory meeting.

The warning comes on the heels of a teenager losing his life last weekend after a vehicle toppled after coming

into contact with sand being stored on the road shoulder along the East Coast Berbice public road by a contractor.

The Police had issued a release saying that the vehicle was proceeding west on the southern drive lane, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when the driver lost control and collided with a heap of sand on the southern side of the road, which caused the vehicle to topple several times and end up on the southern side of the road.

The crash resulted in the death of 19-year-old Marvin

Material being stored on the roadway for construction purposes

Ishmile of Betsy Ground, East Canje.

Armogan in making

mention of the accident, which occurred last Sunday, pointed out that many con-

tractors in the region are in the habit of storing materials along the road shoulders.

“Get some empty land and store your material there. We will be contacting the Police and we will be working with them,” he told the RDC. “Don’t store your construction material on the road shoulders. You will be charged,” he continued while adding that many of the contractors who are executing Government projects in the region have been storing materials for construction along the road shoulders and in some instances along the shoulders of highways. (G4)

Child-triggered fires spark urgent warning from Fire Service

I

n the wake of recent fire incidents attributed to children playing with lighters and matches, the Guyana Fire Service issued a stern call to parents and guardians, urging heightened vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard homes.

On Wednesday, firefighters raced to Lot 10 Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, where a single-storey concrete and wooden structure was engulfed in flames, believed to have originated from children playing with a lighter. The destructive blaze rapidly consumed the building.

A similar incident occurred on November 29, 2023, at Lot 19 Public Road Agricola, East Bank Demerara. Firefighters responded to a two-storey wooden and concrete structure engulfed in flames, again traced back to a child playing with a lighter on a mattress. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the struc-

Aftermath of fires which occurred as a result of children allegedly playing with matches

tural integrity of the property was significantly compromised.

The Guyana Fire Service, alarmed by these incidents, is calling on parents and guardians to impart crucial lessons to their children about the dangers of playing with lighters and matches. The plea extends to securing such items out of children’s reach, em-

phasising the potential consequences of neglect.

“Fire safety is everyone’s business,” declared the Guyana Fire Service, urging collective efforts to protect homes and communities from avoidable disasters.

As the holiday season approaches, the call for heightened awareness becomes even more critical, with the

Guyana Fire Service emphasising the need for a united

front in ensuring the safety of every household. (G9)

32 NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana welcomes scrutiny to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, promote human rights

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in conversation

G

uyana is committed to strengthening its anti-corruption framework and welcomes international scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

This was the key message

Minister, Gail Teixeira, during the opening ceremony of the Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday morning.

Teixeira emphasised

ti-corruption efforts, implementing robust measures.

“We have been opened to be assessed, to be examined by these international bodies, we are in the process of the second assessment by the UN Convention Against Corruption and the in-site visits will take place next year, we are in the sixth cycle of examination under the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and that will conclude in February-March next year, and we have just concluded the assessment by CFATF in regards to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering etc. We are waiting for the final report,” the Minister is quoted as saying in a DPI report “In addition to that, we have made strides so

in January 2024 which is a big step forward in terms of our relations with financial institutions, intelligence units across the world,” the Minister stated.

Teixeira also outlined measures such as the formation of the National Coordinating Committee

tance of building institutional capacity within the 17 agencies comprising the National Coordinating Committee.

“We are trying to build institutional capacity, collaboration, transparency and accountability in what we’re doing and to look at

Corruption and Human Rights Agendas: Guyana’s Progress.” It features an exhibition of approximately 42 booths, panel discussions, and interactive quizzes.

The event continues today and is open to the public from 10:00h to 18:00h.

Against Corruption, to address the country’s treaty responsibilities under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the Lima Commitment, the UN

the steps we need to take to continue making progress in the anti-corruption fight and I think that we have been able to show improvements and progress,” the

It coincides with two significant international observances; United Nations International AntiCorruption Day (December 9) and Human Rights Day

General Assembly Political Declaration Against Corruption, among others.

She stressed the impor-

Minister highlighted.

The activity is being held under the theme: “Connecting the Anti-

(December 10). Several Ministers of Government and other officials were present at the expo.

Exhibition booths at the Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday

delivered by Parliamentary Affairs and Governance

that Guyana has made significant progress in its an-

much so that it looks as if EGMONT will approve us

NEWS

33

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T&T Hockey Board boss charged in sex assault of boy T

he president of the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board, Roger St Rose, has been charged by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service with two counts of sexual penetration of a boy under the age of 16 years.

The 66-year-old is accused of perpetrating the criminal act over three years, starting in 2021.

Guardian Media understands that a second man, a 38-year-old businessman— who has not been named by police out of concerns that the victim may be indirectly identified—was also charged with sexual penetration of a minor—the same victim. It’s alleged that the business-

man committed the acts, starting earlier this year.

TTPS Communications Manager Joanne Archie addressed the charges against St Rose, saying, “The incident alleged occurred on a date unknown during the period 30-11-2021 and a date unknowing during the period 30-11-2022 to 1-1-2023.

He appeared at the 7th Port-of-Spain Magistrate Court before Her Worship Magistrate Baboolal-Gafoor.”

The incident(s) allegedly occurred at the home of the accused in Diego Martin.

St Rose was granted bail with a surety in the sum of $250,000, with a cash alternative of $25,000. The court

Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board president Roger St Rose

matter was adjourned to February 6, 2024.

Earlier this week, the Hockey Board advised members and member clubs in a notice that St Rose had taken a leave of absence.

The notice, sent by board member Reyah Richardson, said during his absence, John Lewis, TTHB first vice president will act as president.

The T&T Hockey Board is responsible for promoting, developing and administrating the sport of field hockey at all levels.

St Rose, who represented Malvern Sports Club, was elected as the new TTHB president at its 24th Annual Council Meeting (ACM)

in November 2021. He replaced Douglas Camacho as the board’s head.

St Rose has a distinguished background in hockey officiating. He was the first umpire from T&T to officiate at the Olympics (in 1996), the Champions League and the International Hockey Federation World Cup. St Rose is also a member of the Officials Committee of the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) and the Umpires Committee of the Pan American Hockey Federation (PAHF).

He also served as a National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC) legal officer. (T&T Guardian)

Ukraine condemns Russian 6 French teenagers convicted in connection with plans for elections in 2020 beheading of teacher occupied territory A

Local residents standing near their apartment building and cars damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine December 8, 2023)

U

kraine on Saturday strongly condemned Russian plans to hold presidential elections next spring on occupied territory, declaring them “null and void” and pledging to prosecute any observers sent to monitor them.

Russia’s upper house set the country’s presidential election this week for next March, and chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko said residents in four occupied Ukrainian regions would be able to vote for the first time.

Russia claims to have annexed the Donetsk,

Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions in the east and south of Ukraine during referenda last year dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a sham, but does not fully control any of them.

It also seized the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

“We call on the international community to resolutely condemn Russia’s intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories, and to impose sanctions on those involved in their organization and conduct,” Ukraine’s

foreign ministry said in a statement.

It also warned countries against sending observers to the “pseudo-elections”, saying offenders would “face criminal responsibility”.

“Any election in Russia has nothing to do with democracy. They serve only as a tool to keep the Russian regime in power,” the ministry said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he would run for president again, a move expected to keep him in power until at least 2030. (Reuters)

French court on Friday convicted six teenagers in connection with the 2020 beheading of history teacher Samuel Paty, whose murder shocked the country.

The teacher had shown his pupils caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression, angering some Muslim parents.

Most Muslims avoid depictions of prophets, considering them to be blasphemous.

Among those on trial was a teenage girl who had allegedly told her parents that Paty had asked Muslim pupils to leave the room before showing the caricatures.

The court found her guilty of having made false accusation charges and slanderous comments, as it was established that she was not in the class at the time.

The other adolescents were found guilty of charges related to taking part in a pre-meditated criminal conspiracy and helping to prepare an ambush.

Paty, 47, was killed outside his school in a Paris suburb by an 18-year-old assailant of Chechen origin, who was shot dead by police soon after the attack.

The court found those

A photograph taken on October 16, 2023 shows a commemorative plaque for slain teacher Samuel Paty (portrait) near the Bois d’Aulne school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, outside Paris (BERTRAND GUAY/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)

adolescents as guilty of having pointed out Paty to the murderer.

Louis Cailliez, lawyer for Paty’s sister Mickaelle, told reporters his client was “satisfied with the full conviction”, but less so with the sentences, that she found “too lenient”.

Dylan Slama, a lawyer for one of the teenagers, said that though it was hard to talk about satisfaction in such tragic circumstances, there was a sense of relief for his client.

The heaviest sentence was given to an adolescent who was formally given a 6-month prison sentence,

although he should be able to serve this at home while under electronic surveillance.

The girl who was found guilty of making false accusations and slanderous comments was given an 18-month suspended sentence and put on probation measures for two years.

All six teenagers’ suspended sentences are tied to them following a strict set of probation measures for two to three years.

Another trial in connection with Paty’s killing, involving adults this time, is set to take place at the end of next year. (Reuters)

34

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

Regional

Crisis-weary Argentines Bill to shorten Mexico work week delayed until 2024 pin hopes on Milei’s economic shock therapy A

J

avier Milei will be sworn in as Argentina’s President today, sealing the abrupt rise of a political outsider who is pledging “shock” therapy and deep spending cuts to fix the South American country’s worst economic crisis in decades.

The wild-haired economist and former TV pundit is carrying the hopes of 45 million Argentines who have been hit hard by 150% inflation. Four-in-10 people live in poverty, currency controls have been put in place to protect the peso, and the country is by far the biggest debtor to the International Monetary Fund.

“I want things to improve,” said bricklayer Jose Luis Rodriguez, 62, while drinking mate tea at his house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. He wants to be able to afford to fix up his home for his wife and take a short vacation.

Argentines like Rodriguez - who voted for Milei - are behind what has been one of Argentina’s most dramatic political shifts in decades, although the self-described anarcho-capitalist has tem-

Bricklayer Jose Luis Rodriguez, 62, walking with his son Alan Rodriguez, 19, to the bus stop to get to work on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina December 6, 2023

pered his rhetoric since winning November’s run-off vote.

His win was spurred by voter anger at the outgoing centre-left Peronist Government for failing to halt the country’s economic slide. Under its four-year administration, prices rose 930%, while the peso lost over 80% of its value against the dollar.

With only a small bloc in Congress for his Liberty Advances coalition, Milei has

though been forced to ally himself with centre-right conservatives, peppering his Cabinet with moderates, including in key roles leading the economy Ministry and central bank.

And he faces serious hurdles to push through some of his more radical plans like dollarizing the economy or shutting the central bank. He has already toned down criticism of key trade partners Brazil and China.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 11 dead after clash between gang and villagers in central Mexico

A

t least 11 people have been killed in a violent confrontation between suspected gang members and residents of a small farming town in central Mexico, authorities have said.

Eight of those killed in the clash in Texcaltitlan, a town located about 65km from the state capital, were suspected to be tied to criminal activities and three were members of the community, the Security Ministry in the State of Mexico said in a statement on Friday.

State police, which did

not identify the gang suspected of involvement in the confrontation, said they were working with the National Guard and other authorities to provide more details on the incident.

Local media said gunmen belonging to Familia Michoacana, a drug cartel blamed for the massacre of 20 people in neighbouring Guerrero state last year, had arrived at the village demanding local farmers pay extortion fees.

Mexico’s drug cartels are known for extorting mon-

ey from businesses using threats of violence and the Familia Michoacana drug cartel has been active in the region for years.

Footage posted on social media showed fighting break out among several dozen men, with villagers in cowboy hats armed with hunting rifles chasing suspected gang members amid bursts of gunfire. Other footage showed charred bodies and vehicles on fire.

Al Jazeera could not independently verify the footage.

(Al Jazeera)

Commodities traders pledge at COP28 to protect South American grasslands

E

ight of the world’s top commodities traders have pledged to stop buying soy from farms that ruin South American grasslands, adding to previous commitments to shun growers that clear forests, a sector group said on Saturday on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.

The move could bolster conservation for Brazil’s Cerrado, the world’s most biodiverse savannah, at least half of which has already been destroyed for agriculture.

Farming, forestry and land use account for more than a fifth of planet warming-emissions.

The firms, including

Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus Company, agreed that by the end of the decade they will longer buy soy from farms that destroyed any non-forest natural vegetation in the Amazon rainforest, Chaco dry woodlands or the Cerrado, said Petra Tanos of the Tropical Forest Alliance.

The commitment adds to the sector’s pledge last year to eliminate deforestation by 2025.

Tanos said the move is most consequential for the Cerrado, Brazil’s most rapidly expanding agricultural frontier that includes large stretches of grassland. In 2023, Cerrado destruction

hit its highest point in eight years.

Beyond the United States, the largest soy exporting nations are in South America, where natural vegetation is typically cleared to make way for farms.

In the lead up to United Nations COP28 climate change summit in Dubai, some of the companies announced even more aggressive commitments.

But the industry has a history of failing to meet past commitments. In 2010, hundreds of consumer brands pledged to reach “net zero” deforestation by 2020, but failed to meet the goal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bill to cut the working day in Mexico by eight hours to 40 hours a week is unlikely to be approved this year, pushing debate on it back into early 2024 when Congress reconvenes, five lawmaking sources involved in discussions told Reuters.

The constitutional overhaul has met resistance from business and the centre-right opposition National Action Party, and this week President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador signalled it might not pass this month by urging Congress to further analyse it.

“Let’s have more time

and invite everyone in and review what’s happening in other countries,” he said when asked about the Bill.

“With more listening and setting out of reasons.”

Congress ends its current session on Dec 13 and resumes on Feb 1.

Juan Robledo, a lawmaker who heads one of the lower house committees that must review the legislation, told Reuters there was no longer time to pass the Bill in 2023.

Robledo belongs to Lopez Obrador’s ruling leftist National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), which lacks the two-thirds

majority in Congress needed to make constitutional changes.

Presented last year, the Bill passed one lower house committee in April, but business-led concerns led to the creation of forums to broaden discussion of its implications.

Pledging to improve workers’ rights, Lopez Obrador has ushered in the biggest increases in the minimum wage in decades, including rises of 20% for both 2024 and 2023. The gap between Mexico and the neighbouring United States remains huge, however. (Excerpt from Reuters)

J/ca: St Mary woman charged after allegedly disposing of newborn babies in shopping bag

A

St Mary woman was charged with two counts of infanticide following the death of her two babies last month.

The woman, identified as 33-year-old Taneisha Richardson, a resident of Banju Hill in Days Mountain in the parish, is accused of killing her babies after giving birth.

The acts were reportedly committed between November 18 and 20 at Richardson’s home, Police said.

It is alleged that Richardson gave birth to

two infants, used scissors to cut their umbilical cords and then put them in a shopping bag and disposed of them.

The matter was reported to the Police, and following investigations, Richardson reportedly gave a caution statement admitting to the same.

She was arrested and subsequently charged.

Her court date is not yet finalised.

This is the second case of suspected infanticide in recent days, as a Montego Bay woman is facing sim-

ilar charges for allegedly throwing her five-monthold daughter from the third story of a building on Wednesday.

It is alleged that the child’s parents were engaged in a heated argument where the father refused to discuss their relationship. It was during this time that the child was purportedly thrown from the roof by her mother, who reportedly then went to the second floor to consume bleach before leaping from the building.

(Jamaica Observer)

Dominica inks deal for construction of geothermal plant

D

ominica has signed an agreement with the US-based Ormat Technologies Inc and its subsidiaries for the development of a 10megawatt (MW) geothermal plant on the island.

The agreement, which also includes the stateowned Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC), was signed Tuesday, on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28).

The agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy Minister Dr Vince Henderson, Ambassador Francine Baron, DOMLEC director and Paul Thomsen, Vice President of Business Development of Ormat Technologies Inc and its subsidiary company.

Under the agreement, Ormat Technologies Inc will finance the construction of the plant, operate and maintain the power plant and geothermal wells for a period of 25 years, while the Dominica Government will maintain ownership of the wells, lands and other assets that it has

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica

invested in.

At the end of the contracted period, the power plant and other assets acquired during the life of the agreement will be transferred to the Government of Dominica.

Government said that this development represents a major milestone for the island as it seeks to stabilise and reduce the domestic electricity tariff, decarbonise electricity generation and the responsible use of Dominica’s rich geothermal resources.

The electricity generated

will be sold to DOMLEC and will help reduce Dominica’s dependence on fossil fuels.

The power plant is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2025, with further capacity expansion planned for the near future.

The authorities said that in partnering with Ormat Technologies Inc, Dominica has chosen a leading geothermal company with over 50 years’ experience in the industry and one that possesses an added advantage of manufacturing much of its own equipment. (CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

35

Around The World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Israel-Gaza war: Half of Gaza's population is starving, warns UN

A Clashes at COP28 over fossil fuel phase-out after OPEC pushback

C

ountries clashed on Saturday over a possible agreement to phase-out fossil fuels at the COP28 summit in Dubai, jeopardising attempts to deliver a first-ever commitment to eventually end the use of oil and gas in 30 years of global warming talks.

Saudi Arabia and Russia were among several countries insisting that the conference in Dubai focus only on reducing climate pollution - and not on targeting the fossil fuels causing it, according to observers in the negotiations.

On the other side, at least 80 countries including the United States, the European Union and many poor, climate-vulnerable nations are demanding that a COP28 deal call clearly for an eventual end to fossil fuel use.

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber told nations late on Saturday to speed up their work to find a final deal, saying there were "still more areas of divergence than agreement".

"The window is closing to close the gaps," he told the summit.

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais earlier said in comments read out to the summit delegates by an official: "We need realistic approaches to tackle emissions. One that enables economic growth, helps eradicate poverty and increases resilience at the same time."

Earlier this week, the oil producer group sent a letter urging its members and allies to reject any mention of fossil fuels in the final summit deal, warning that "undue and disproportionate pressure against fossil fuels may reach a tipping point".

It was the first time OPEC's Secretariat has intervened in the UN climate talks with such a letter, according to Alden Meyer of the E3G climate change think tank. "It indicates a whiff of panic," he said.

EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra criticised the letter as "out of whack" with climate efforts.

"By many, including by me, that has been seen as out of whack, as unhelpful, as not in tune with where the world stands in terms of the very dramatic situation of our climate," he said.

Saudi Arabia is the top producer in OPEC and the de facto leader of the organisation and Russia is a member of the so-called OPEC+ group.

By insisting on focusing on emissions rather than fossil fuels, the two countries appeared to be leaning on the promise of expensive carbon capture technology, which the UN climate science panel says cannot take the place of reducing fossil fuel use worldwide.

Other countries including India and China have not explicitly endorsed a fossil fuel phase-out at COP28, but have backed a popular call for boosting renewable energy.

With the summit's scheduled to end on Tuesday, Government Ministers from the nearly 200 countries at the Dubai summit have joined in trying to resolve the fossil fuel impasse.

Climate-vulnerable countries said a rejection of a fossil fuel mention at COP28 would threaten the entire world.

"Nothing puts the prosperity and future of all people on earth, including all of the citizens of OPEC countries, at greater risk than fossil fuels," said Marshall Islands climate envoy Tina Stege in a statement.

The Marshall Islands, which faces inundation from climate-driven sea level rise, currently chairs the High Ambition Coalition group of nations pushing for stronger emissions-cutting targets and policies.

To meet the global goal of holding climate warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial temperatures, the coalition "is pushing for a phase out of fossil fuels, which are at the root of this crisis," she said.

"1.5 is not negotiable, and that means an end to fossil fuels."

The latest version of the negotiating text, released Friday, shows countries were still considering a range of options - from agreeing to a "phase out of fossil fuels in line with best available science", to phasing out "unabated fossil fuels", to including no mention at all. (Excerpt from Reuters)

senior UN aid official has warned that half of Gaza's population is starving, as fighting there continues.

Carl Skau, deputy director of the UN World Food Programme, said only a fraction of supplies needed have been able to enter the Strip - and nine out of 10 people cannot eat every day.

Conditions in Gaza have made deliveries "almost impossible", Skau said.

Israel says it must continue air strikes on Gaza to eliminate Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home.

Israel Defence Forces spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht told the BBC on Saturday that "any death and pain to a civilian is painful, but we don't have

an alternative".

"We are doing everything we can to get as much as possible inside the Gaza Strip," he said.

Movement in and out of Gaza has been heavily restricted since October 7, when Hamas fighters broke through Israel's heavily-guarded perimeter fence - killing 1200 people and taking 240 hostages.

In response, Israel closed its borders with Gaza and began launching air strikes on the territory, restricting aid deliveries which Gazans heavily relied on.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry says Israel has killed more than 17,700 Gazans in its retaliatory campaign, including more than 7000 children.

Persons taking shelter inside Nasser hospital in Khan Younis

Only the Rafah crossing bordering Egypt has been open, allowing limited quantities of aid to reach Gaza. This week Israel agreed to open the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel into Gaza in the next few days - but only for the inspection

of aid lorries. The trucks would then go to Rafah to cross into Gaza.

Skau said nothing had prepared him for the "fear, the chaos, and the despair" he and his WFP team encountered during their trip to Gaza this week. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ukraine presses ahead with removal of Soviet monuments

U

krainian officials pressed on with a campaign to remove Soviet-era monuments on Saturday as authorities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv dismantled a statue of a Red Army commander from a central boulevard.

Ukraine has doubled down on efforts to erase all traces of Russian rule amid a full-scale invasion by Kremlin troops, now nearing its two-year mark.

Municipal workers on Saturday carefully hoisted the hulking statue of Mykola Shchors, a Soviet field commander during the Russian Civil War, off its pedestal.

The structure had occupied a prominent spot on a central artery named after Ukraine's national poet.

Onlookers stopped to watch and photograph as a giant crane lowered the horse-riding Shchors onto a

flatbed truck.

"We need to educate our youth so that they know our history," said Zoya Kobyliukova, 82, who described communism as a "utopia" that led to many people being killed.

"They're doing the right thing to be taking him down."

Kyiv city councillor Leonid Yemets told Reuters the statue would be moved to a museum.

Authorities in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa dismantled a prominent statue of Catherine the Great last year after a months-long campaign by activists.

Thousands of Ukrainian streets and settlements have also been renamed in recent years as part of a de-communisation campaign launched after the 2014 Maidan Revolution, which toppled a pro-Russian leader. (Reuters)

US, South Korea, Texas Supreme Court halts order allowing Japan to step up actions on North emergency abortion Korea cyber threats

T

he United States, South Korea and Japan agreed new initiatives on Saturday to respond to North Korea's threats in cyberspace, including cryptocurrency abuses and space launches, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.

The three countries' national security advisers met in Seoul as Pyongyang warned that it would deploy more spy satellites.

Sullivan said the meeting followed up on commitments set forth at a Camp David trilateral summit hosted by President Joe Biden in August, where leaders of the US and its two key Asian allies pledged to deepen security and economic cooperation.

"We've also launched new trilateral initiatives to counter the threats posed by the DPRK, from its cybercrime and cryptocurrency money laundering to its

reckless space and ballistic missile tests," Sullivan told reporters, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

His Japanese counterpart Takeo Akiba said North Korea's "illicit cyber activities" had emerged as most recent challenges, calling them "a source of funds" for the isolated state's nuclear missile development.

The three countries' coordinated efforts will target potential threats of economic coercion, having completed work on a supply-chain early warning system, agreed to at Camp David, in critical minerals and rechargeable batteries, Sullivan said.

Biden met at Camp David with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to project unity in the face of China's growing power and nuclear threats from North Korea.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T

he Texas Supreme Court has temporarily halted a lower court’s ruling that allowed a woman who is 20 weeks pregnant to get an abortion despite the conservative US state’s ban on the procedure.

The one-page order from the all-Republican top court was issued late on Friday and the legal battle was seen as a major test case since the US Supreme Court overturned the nationwide constitutional right to abortion last year, enabling states like Texas to pass near-complete bans.

State district Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, an elected Democrat, had on Thursday ruled to permit Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two, to have an abortion under the narrow exceptions to Texas’s ban, since her foetus had a fatal diagnosis.

According to Cox’s lawsuit, weeks after she found out she was pregnant, she was told that her baby was at a high risk for a condi-

tion known as trisomy 18, which has a very high likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth and low survival rates.

Doctors also told Cox that if the baby’s heartbeat were to stop, inducing labour would carry a risk of a uterine rupture because of her two prior caesarean sections, and that another C-section at full term would endanger her ability to carry another child.

The lower court’s ruling applied only to Cox and this current pregnancy and did not expand abortion access more broadly across Texas.

But the state’s Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Supreme Court to intervene to block Cox from obtaining an abortion.

On Friday night, Cox received a one-page order in which the Supreme Court said it was temporarily staying Thursday’s ruling “without regard to the merits”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

36

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

Keep your plans to yourself.

Don’t get involved in (March 21drama when spreading joy April 19) will bring better results.

Physical activity will ease stress and help you prepare for the festive season.

ARIES

Keep your money in your TAURUS wallet and use common sense (April 20when spending.

Resist tempMay 20) tation. Overindulgence will be your downfall. Do what’s right and enjoy time with loved ones. Romance is in the stars.

Take a moment to consider GEMINI (MAY 28- your options. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you or give June 20) you the runaround. Speak up, ask questions and be practical.

Control the outcome instead of giving in to manipulation.

A reunion, trip or event CANCER will put you in a festive mood (June 21and encourage you to engage July 22) in talks that lead to a positive future. Take advantage of what’s available, and everything will fall into place.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Temptation will lead to trouble if you aren’t careful.

Too much of anything will put you in a vulnerable position. Don’t make excuses for people. Keep your distance from bad influences.

Keep talking.

Communication will clear (Aug. 23- up a misunderstanding. A Sept. 22) change of scenery will expand possibilities and give you food for thought. Trust your intuition and follow your heart.

VIRGO

Pickles

Set a budget to avoid overLIBRA spending.

Look for practical (Sept. 23ways to help those in need. An Oct. 23) unexpected gain is apparent due to a move, gift or investment. Visit friends, relatives or someone who needs help.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Engage in discussions geared toward positive change.

Look for ways to improve your surroundings, stimulate your mind and bring you closer to the people you love. Embrace what life offers.

SAGITTARIUS Be careful whom you as(Nov. 23sociate with and trust. Don’t Dec. 21) divulge secrets or give anyone an advantage. Time is on your side; do something that makes you happy. Engage in physical activities.

CAPRICORN Nothing can stop you if you put your mind to it and (Dec. 22use your finesse and charm Jan. 19) to get your way. A change at home or to your living arrangements will give you leverage to follow your dream.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t fold under pressure.

AQUARIUS Emotional manipulation is ap(Jan. 20parent, and staying on top of Feb. 19) things will necessary to maintain peace of mind. Put your energy where it will make a difference.

PISCES (Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Work to reach your objective. A financial investment will pay off and open doors to new beginnings. Don’t let the past hold you back; tidy up loose ends and move forward with an open mind.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

37

Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial badminton tournament serves off T

he Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) last Thursday hosted the Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial tournament, the results of which are stated below.

This tournament commenced with a video tribute to Gokarn Ramdhani, late past president of the Guyana Badminton Association, and national player who represented Guyana at multiple international tournaments during the 80s & 90s.

GBA Vice-President Ayanna Watson, in brief comments, spoke about Ramdhani’s effervescent and fun-loving personality, and his exceptional passion and love for the sport of badminton. She disclosed that Ramdhani had worked assiduously to get badminton on the regional and international level, and during his tenure, Guyana was ranked in the top 50 for Juniors, and 49th in the world for Team. He had also played a significant role in getting Guyana qualified for the Commonwealth Games, PanAm Games and the CAC Games, among others.

Gokarn Ramdhani was the only qualified BWF Level 3 Coach (highest level of certification in Badminton). He coached many national players, among whom are Marlon Chung, Mark Chang, Ryan Chang, Nicholas Ali, Jonathan

1.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Jonathan Robinson vs. Omkar Persaud 22-20, 2115 2.

Men’s Doubles: Jahiem Carmicheal/ Lennox Morrison vs. Andrew Browne/Andrew Browne 2220, 21-15 3.

Men’s Doubles: Chet Bowling/Xavio Alexander vs.

Gavin Cao/Anthony Stephens 21-14, 21-10

A look at the participants in the Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial tournament

Mangra, Akili Haynes, Tyrese Jeffrey, Ambika Ramraj, Matthew Beharry, Mishka Beharry and also his own children: Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani.

During the tournament, the GBA Executives learnt of the tragedy involving the five soldiers of the GDF, and a moment of silence was held in their honour. The Guyana Badminton Association wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and the entire Guyana for the loss of these fallen soldiers.

This tournament commenced with the Under-23 men’s and women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles divi-

sions. Day 1 match results are as follows: (Winners in bold) 1.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Lennox Morrison vs. Jedidiah Uwagboe 22-20, 21-17 2.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Jonathan Robinson vs. Ruel Rambiriche 21-18, 2220 3.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Akili Haynes vs.

Vishal Gopaul 21-6, 21-4 1.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Malia Haley vs.

Jefina James 21-13, 21-16 2.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Xavio Alexander vs.

Matthew Klautky 23-21, 21-6 3.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Gianna Ramnarine

vs. Genvieve Bookram 17-21, 21-7, 21-11 4.

Men’s Doubles: Ernesto Choo-a-fat/Avinash Odit vs. Omkar Persaud/ Raoul Wilson 21-11, 21-8 1.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Jahiem Carmicheal vs. Gabriel Felix 21-14, 15-21, 21-13 2.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Asiyah Eastman vs.

Tyra Gomes 21-14, 21-9 3.

Mixed Doubles: Nkosi Beaton/Neveah Eastman vs. Jason Stephney/ Ambika Ramraj 21-18, 1321,21-11 4.

Men’s Doubles: Joanathan Debidin/Frank Waddell vs. Ryan Alexander/ Colin Bowry 21-14, 21-19

1.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Asiyah Eastman vs.

Malia Haley 21-14, 21-4 2.

Men’s Doubles: Akili Haynes/Tyrese Jeffrey vs. Ruel Rambirche/Avinash Ramanrine 21-3, 21-9 3.

Men’s Doubles: Nkosi Beaton/Matthew Klautky vs. Jedidiah Uwagboe/Haresh Persaud 21-12. 21-12 4.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Neveah Eastman vs.

Gabrielle Felix 21-9, 21-8 1.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Alimah Eastman vs.

Leshaunte Berkley 21-19, 2115 2.

Mixed Doubles: Medhi Ramdhani/Emily Ramdhani vs.

Andrew Browne/Tyra Gomes 21-14, 21-14 3.

Mixed Doubles: Akili Haynes/Ayanna Watson vs.

Frank Waddell/Malia Haley 21-13, 21-9

4.

Mixed Doubles: Wenyuan Chen/Anna Perreira vs. Colin Bowry/ Genvieve Bookram 21-11, 21-4

1.

Men’s Doubles: Jahiem Carmicheal/ Lennox Morrison vs. Gabriel Felix/Nikolas Pollard 21-14, 21-15 2.

Mixed Doubles: Chet Bowling/Asiyah Eastman vs. Marlon Chung/Leshaunte Berkley 22-20, 15-21, 21-16 3.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Nkosi Beaton vs.

Avinash Ramnarine 21-11, 2111 4.

Under-23 Men’s Singles: Joanathan Debidin vs. Haresh Persaud 21-8, 21-5 1.

Under-23 Women’s Singles: Mishka Beharry vs.

Neveah Eastman 21-16, 21-10 2.

Mixed Doubles: Tyrese Jeffrey/Jefina James vs. Gavin Cao/Gianna Ramnarine 21-9, 21-9 3.

Men’s Doubles: Marlon Chung/Wenyuan Chen vs. Sekhar Mallampati/ Jason Stephney 21-8, 21-14 Profound gratitude was extended to the GBA’s sponsors without whom this tournament would not have been possible, they are Massy Distributions (Blue Waters), Sol (Guyana) Inc. and Mr. Chet Bowling. The tournament continued over the weekend.

GFF, Blue Water sign MoU for ‘Blue Water Shipping Stadium’ at Durban Park T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in partnership with Blue Water Shipping, has initiated the initial steps to create an innovative, new, multi-purpose sports, educational and entertainment venue at Durban Park.

The project will focus on expanding the ways the stadium serves the Guyana national football teams, as well as the wider community. The goal is for the venue to be accessible to people from all backgrounds, and be integrated with Guyana’s art and cultural life.

The GFF and Blue Water Shipping began discussions on a possible partnership in September 2022, when GFF President Wayne Forde visited Blue Water Shipping during that entity’s 50year Jubilee celebrations in Denmark.

Both parties envision a (potentially) new stadium that makes our community proud and enhances the reputation of the great city of Georgetown. The Guyana Football Federation is focused on designing and building a stadium capable of hosting a prestigious international event on the weekend and accommodate a steady flow of impactful community

GFF President Wayne Forde and Blue Water Shipping’s Richard DeNobrega displaying copies of the signed MoU

programming later that same week. This is a project that will serve the wider community in Georgetown and the country of Guyana as a whole for generations.

“At Blue Water Shipping, we are committed to being part of the communities where we operate. It is with great honour and respect we enter into this partnership with GFF as part of the new stadium in Georgetown. We are looking forward to great football matches and events that can bring pleasure and excitement to everyone in Guyana.

“Football, sport and culture are deeply rooted in our company values, and we are privileged to be able to strengthen our cooperation

GFF President Wayne Forde and Blue Water Shipping’s Richard DeNobrega signing the MoU

An artist’s impression of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium

with GFF – beyond our current sponsorship for the U15 Girls League,” stated Thomas Bek, COO Energy, Ports & Projects at Blue Water Shipping.

The President of the Guyana Football Federation

said: “The BLUE WATER SHIPPING STADIUM will be an imposing landmark in the city of Georgetown and a standard bearer for architectural excellence in this new era of football infrastructure.

This groundbreaking part-

nership with BLUE WATER SHIPPING is an unequivocal example of the huge strategic role corporate Guyana can play in the transformation of the sporting landscape across Guyana.

“I am truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work so closely on this project for the past year with our friends at Blue Water Shipping. This facility, when completed, will not only inspire thousands of boys and girls in the coming years, it will also transform the Wortmanville community.

It is therefore entirely fitting that I extend heartfelt thank you to the Management of Blue Water Shipping for their vision, commitment and generosity.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Government of Guyana for leasing the 7.3 acres of land on which the stadium will be built by the Guyana Football Federation.

Blue Water Shipping have consistently partnered with football in Guyana, and have put their full support behind the design and construction process. As a result, the Guyana Football Federation and Blue Water Shipping have concluded an agreement for Blue Water Shipping to hold the exclusive naming rights for the facility for an initial period of 5 years.”

Key features of the design include: • Exterior terraces and stands with panoramic views of Georgetown that will serve as critical space during event days • Open design • Good sight lines for all spectators through diverse viewing experiences • High-tech and sustainable materials throughout the building Other features of the stadium complex include a dedicated community space that could be utilized year-round for educational opportunities, youth sport, non-profit events and other community-minded purposes.

38

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

Forde again!

Forde and slate re-elected to lead GFF W

ayne Forde will spend another 4 years at the helm of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), after pipping his opponent in the Presidential race at the Federation’s Electoral Congress on Saturday morning.

Forde and his slate, comprising Brigadier (ret) Bruce Lovell, Rawlston Adams, Dion Inniss, Andrea Johnson, Denise Lovell, Alden Marslow, Magzene Stewart and Ryan Farias, secured 14 votes, while former Interim President Wilson’s slate secured 8.

In a press briefing following the election, Forde explained that seeing through infrastructural projects was the driving force in his pursuit of another term, and he assured it would be his last term.

“As I would’ve stated in some of my earlier engagements, our motivation was driven primarily by our intention to complete the National

Training Center and to embark on a monumental project at the Durban Park Facility, which we signed with Blue Water Shipping yesterday. There are other goals that we have, but those are the primary goals.

“Infrastructure is badly needed for football. We all know this, and we just felt that a transition at this time may have had a negative impact on the progress that we are making,” Forde explained.

Resolute that this would be his final term in office, Forde later shared, “I would just say that it was always our intention. What I stated before I hold true to. We are delivering to the Guyana football family the first home of football. I’m sure you would have already trained your cameras on the four floodlights that are on the field. You see the tremendous work being done to repair the pitch, and I would say to you the deal that we signed with Blue Water yesterday, I understand the tim-

Re-elected: GFF President Wayne Forde and his slate (seated) taking a photo opportunity with members of the GFF Congress

ing; it’s the largest deal in the 121 years of football history.”

The GFF election had attracted a lot of attention in the past weeks, especially with the Electoral Committee determining that certain members were ineligible to vote. Forde clarified that he had no involve-

Russell returns as Windies squad revealed for T20I Series vs England

T

he Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Selection Panel has named the 15-man squad to play against England in the first three matches of the five-match T20 International (T20I) series, from 12 to 21 December.

It marks the first time that both nations will be going head-to-head in a T20I series during the festive season, as West Indies come home for Christmas. The West Indies T20I squad return to action after their thrilling 3-2 Series win against India in August.

Matthew Forde is selected for the T20I squad for the first time, having impressed with the new ball throughout the past two CPL seasons, and this follows his recent selection for the West Indies ODI squad.

Sherfane Rutherford is also selected, and returns to the squad after last representing the regional side in January of 2020.

Gudakesh Motie returns to the T20I squad after recovering from injury which caused him to miss selection for the India Series.

The T20I squad also sees the return of all-rounder Andre Russell, who last played for the Men in Maroon at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith and Oshane Thomas miss out on selection after featuring in the previous T20I squad.

Shai Hope becomes the vice-captain of the T20I team, to add to his role as captain of the West Indies ODI team.

The Selection Panel has the opportunity to effect squad adjustments ahead of the final two matches of the Series to be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from 19 to 21 December.

Speaking about the composition of the squad, CWI Lead Selector the Honorable Dr. Desmond Haynes said: “This will be the final home T20I se-

Andre Russell will make a return to the Windies outfit

ries for the West Indies in 2023, as they prepare to be one of the two host teams for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024. We have selected a squad that we think gives us the best chance of success in that tournament. We will continue to assess in the lead up to the competition.”

Fans can purchase tickets online and in advance from the Windies Tickets Service presented by MasterCard. Fans can save up to 20% on tickets when they purchase online in advance, and local fans can benefit from other promotions and benefits. West Indies fans can also benefit from a further saving, thanks to Mastercard, West Indies official payments partner.

Caribbean fans who register with a Caribbean address and a Caribbean bank-issued Mastercard can benefit from a further 20% off selected tickets when visting the following link: https://www. windiescricket.com/news/ west-indies-fans-to-benefitfrom-special-mastercard-ticket-promotion-as-official-partner-of-the-west-indies/ Venue box offices are open at least 5 days in advance of each match.

Catch the action live in the Caribbean on Rush, the Flow Sports App, or the Sportsmax App, and on TNT Sports in the UK. Visit the windiescricket.

com website for further details on the live broadcast with our other media partners around the world.

FULL SQUAD 1. Rovman Powell (Captain) 2. Shai Hope (Vice-Captain) 3. Roston Chase 4. Matthew Forde 5. Shimron Hetmyer 6. Jason Holder 7. Akeal Hosein 8. Alzarri Joseph 9. Brandon King 10. Kyle Mayers 11. Gudakesh Motie 12. Nicholas Pooran 13. Andre Russell 14. Sherfane Rutherford 15. Romario Shepherd West Indies v England T20I Series Schedule (Match start time in brackets) 1st T20I – December 12 – Kensington Oval, Barbados (6.00pm local time/5.00pm Jamaica time) 2nd T20I – December 14– National Stadium, Grenada (1:30pm local time/12.30pm Jamaica time) 3rd T20I – December 16– National Stadium, Grenada (1:30pm local time/12.30pm Jamaica time) 4th T20I – December 19– Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (4:00pm local time/3.00pm Jamaica time) 5th T20I – December 21– Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (4:00pm local time/12.30pm Jamaica time)

ment in the decision, and said he had sought to reverse it.

“I believe this may be the only opportunity that I will have to set the record straight on the matter of the four members that were deemed not in good standing. It is important for me to state unequivocally that the GFF council, we have had no oversight or involvement in the work of the Electoral Committee. Any questions or concerns that we had, we have to channel those to the General Secretary of the GFF, and when we saw that declaration, I wrote to the committee on the 2nd of December, questioning it, asked them to provide the details and to show us that that decision benefited from input of FIFA and CONCACAF, because we understood clearly that it would

have been banded around as though we had something to do with it,” Forde passionately related.

He went on to detail how the matter unfolded, saying, “And in my email to them, I said to them that we have to lead this fraternity. Regardless of where the election goes, we have to continue with our lives, and we cannot have our credibility being undermined with something like this. It doesn’t reflect the character of my administration.

“There’s no act in the time that we’ve been at the helm of Guyana football that can signal any form of corrupt practice, dishonesty on our part, and we were very troubled by it. So, when they did and consulted with whoever they had to and they made that decision, we

were happy about it, because we were concerned about how it would reflect on the sport.

“And we were also concerned with turmoil at the Congress had those members been denied,” Forde concluded on the matter.

In spite of Wilson coming up short in the vote, the re-elected GFF President expressed intentions to have a meeting with Wilson in 21 days’ time.

“I believe we want to set an example as a small organization. Football is a relatively small organization in Guyana, compared to larger organizations, but I believe that it is important that, in our own way, we can set an example here.

“While we may have been on opposite sides when we lobbied the members for the office of the GFF leadership, we can now come together and reconcile any differences that we may have had, and find a way to work together to move our sport forward.

“And I will be taking the first step in bringing Mr. Franklin Wilson and his team into a meeting through which we can really see how we can work together,” the re-elected GFF President expressed.

The Electoral Congress was held at the Federation’s National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara, where Forde advocated for re-election under the mandate ‘Football First.’

(Jemima Holmes)

Cropper, Tain, Fyrish to vie for Future Warriors Tape ball title in Berbice Primary and Albion Primary.

As part of the festive season, the organisers, FL Sport, provided bats, balls, and transportation free of cost to all participating schools, along with various meals and refreshments throughout the playing days.

The youngsters celebrating the fall of a cricket

T

he Berbice edition of the Future Warriors Tape ball Primary commenced on Saturday and was filled with much excitement and an abundance of talent on display at the Port Mourant Community Centre Cricket Ground.

Of the 12 talented teams, Cropper Primary, Tain Primary and Fyrish Primary are through to Sunday’s finals, to be played at Port Mourant from 09:00h. These teams played unbeaten in the two matches, and to lift the title, one side needs to win two more matches in the tournament powered by ExxonMobil.

In the second round, Fyrish, led by Yuvraj Goberdan with 30 (2x4s;2x6s), were 58-6 in their eight overs, but managed to restrict All

Saints Primary to 39-2.

Tain piled on 64-2, with Sunil Samaroo making 28* (2x4s;2x6s), and Lekraj Ramberran getting 10, before restricting Bohemia to 48-4.

Cropper, led by a top innings of 47 (7x4s;2x6s) from Jayden Gardner, and Timothy Ramsaywack’s 17, posted the highest score of 76-3. Rose Hall Town Primary battled hard, but fell for 63-4, losing the match by 13 runs.

The impressive Anthony Shaeed smashed 33* (1x4; 3x6s) and support also came from Randy Williams with 16*.

The other six participating schools were: Belvedere Primary, McGowan Primary, No. 36 Primary, Kildonan Primary, St. Aloysius

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

39

West Indies vs England: 2023 ODI Series, Game 3 of 3…

WEST INDIES SEAL 2-1 SERIES WIN – as Forde, Carty, Shepherd shine

T

he West Indies have secured a long-awaited series win over England, with victory by four wickets in the third ODI in Barbados earning them the win by a margin of 2 games to 1.

Not since 2007 had they enjoyed a 50-Over success against England, who themselves craved a positive result here to move on from their abject title defence at the World Cup. West Indies, who failed to make it to India after falling in the qualifier, also registered their first bilateral win against a Full Member nation in more than two-and-a-half years.

It was a largely torturous affair, after rain had delayed the start by two hours, and then interrupted England’s innings, which began as a 43-over affair before morphing into a 40-over one.

The tourists scraped 206 for 9 before another delay, which left West Indies needing 188 from 34 overs, a target they achieved with 14 balls to spare.

Debutant Matthew Forde set things in motion in front of his home crowd by taking 3 for 29, to reduce England to 49 for 5 inside 10 overs. Keacy Carty then showed his class with a sec-

ond career half-century, after making 16 and a duck in his first two knocks of the series. All this happened before Romario Shepherd repeated his 28-ball cameo from Antigua by scoring an unbeaten 41 this time, to take them over the line.

For England and Jos Buttler, who lost the toss and returned a first-ball duck, it was another blow to wear in what has been a harrowing winter for the ODI set-up.

That being said, they were favourites on the home stretch, thanks to a fine spell of 3 for 22 from Will Jacks. The Surrey opener had helped to level the series with 73 in the second ODI, and had looked to be turning things with his offspin. Having not been utilised in the field during the first match, he was able to return career-best List A figures.

After sharing the honours in the two opening exchanges in Antigua, this showdown in Barbados was supposed to provide an opportunity for both teams to secure a nourishing series win.

Having dealt with unchanged line-ups for the first two ODIs, a single tweak was made to each XI. England were pushed into action with

Matthew Forde had a dream debut in front his home crowd

SCOREBOARD England (40 ovs maximum) Phil Salt c Joseph b Forde 4 Will Jacks c †Hope b Forde 17 Zak Crawley c Athanaze b Forde 0 Ben Duckett c King b Shepherd 71 Harry Brook run out (Joseph) 1 Jos Buttler (c)† c Motie b Joseph 0 Liam Livingstone c Rutherford b Shepherd 45 Sam Curran c Motie b Joseph 12 Rehan Ahmed c †Hope b Joseph 15 Gus Atkinson not out 20 Matthew Potts not out 15 Extras (nb 2, w 4) 6 TOTAL 40 Ov (RR: 5.15) 206/9 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Phil Salt, 0.6 ov), 2-8 (Zak Crawley, 2.4 ov), 3-45 (Will Jacks, 8.1 ov), 4-48 (Harry Brook, 9.2 ov), 5-49 (Jos Buttler, 9.4 ov), 6-137 (Ben Duckett, 25.1 ov), 7-142 (Liam Livingstone, 27.6 ov), 8-166 (Rehan Ahmed, 33.5 ov), 9-171 (Sam Curran, 35.2 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Matthew Forde 8-0-29-3 Romario Shepherd 8-0-50-2 Alzarri Joseph 8-0-61-3 Gudakesh Motie 8-0-23-0 Yannic Cariah 8-0-43-0

West Indies (T: 188 runs from 34 ovs) Alick Athanaze lbw b Atkinson 45 Brandon King c Jacks b Atkinson 1 Keacy Carty c & b Jacks 50 Shai Hope (c)† c Potts b Rehan Ahmed 15 Shimron Hetmyer c Salt b Jacks 12 Sherfane Rutherford c Crawley b Jacks 3 Romario Shepherd not out 41 Matthew Forde not out 13 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 8) 11 TOTAL 31.4 Ov (RR: 6.03) 191/6 Did not bat: Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Yannic Cariah Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Brandon King, 1.2 ov), 2-78 (Alick Athanaze, 13.6 ov), 3-99 (Shai Hope, 16.5 ov), 4-116 (Shimron Hetmyer, 21.1 ov), 5-122 (Sherfane Rutherford, 23.2 ov), 6-135 (Keacy Carty, 25.4 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Sam Curran 4-0-22-0 Gus Atkinson 6-0-58-2 Matthew Potts 3-0-15-0 Rehan Ahmed 7-0-37-1 Will Jacks 7-1-22-3 Liam Livingstone 4.4-0-34-0

Matthew Forde celebrating as Romario Shepherd sealed the series for West Indies

illness ruling out Brydon Carse, giving his Durham team-mate Matthew Potts a fourth ODI cap.

West Indies, however, opted for a tactical shift in rotating out Oshane Thomas for Forde. The 21-year-old needed just 25 balls to pick up his first three wickets, utilising the moisture in the air and extra life in the pitch to give himself a day to remember. Playing in just his 13th List A match, Forde was entrusted to open the bowling, and repaid Shai Hope’s faith by prising out Phil Salt at the end of the first over for his maiden dismissal.

Salt was typically bullish, flaying the second delivery over point for four, but he botched a drive to Alzarri Joseph at mid-off, whose catch passed the sniff test after the umpires sent it upstairs to check if it was clean.

Bounce then did-in Zak Crawley as he attempted to leave outside off stump only for the ball to lift and kiss the glove for a dolly to Alick Athanaze at second slip.

The best of the opening trio was the removal of

the 10th, and was loose enough to field his second delivery into the leg side, before throwing down the non-striker’s end stumps after Harry Brook had tipped and run

Alick Athanaze again got the chase off to a good start

for an ambitious single. Two balls later, Buttler was walking off for a golden duck, having top-edged a well-directed short ball from Joseph to Gudakesh Motie down at fine leg.

And so came an all-too-familiar sense of dread from an English per-

Keacy Carty acknowledges his half century

Jacks. Forde angled one into the right-hander, and it held its line enough on pitching to skim Jacks’s edge through to Hope, making it 45 for 3 at the start of the ninth over the last of the first powerplay with the revised playing conditions.

Things went from bad to comical for England in the next over. Joseph was brought into the attack for

gaging presence at the crease even amid the decline at the other end.

Both he and Liam Livingstone set about ticking over, safe in the knowledge

spective. As impressively as Forde had begun, the situation was reminiscent of the various moments of disarray England had found themselves in during the 2023 World Cup, with a few new faces. It was one of those new faces in Ben Duckett who set about the rebuild. Having arrived on the scene in the third over - England were only two down by then - he was an en-

that Forde’s six overs meant they would not be seeing him for a while. They knocked about spinners Motie and Yannic Cariah with ease - the latter guided through point for the single to take Duckett to his fourth ODI score of 50 or more, from 56 deliveries.

The pair exchanged sixes to score 17 from the 22nd over, delivered by Joseph.

Duckett’s six, the first of the innings, came over fine leg, before Livingstone heaved over midwicket. The tide seemed to be turning, particularly when Livingstone was given a life on 31, when Carty shelled a straightforward high catch out at deep square leg after an unnecessary hack across the line.

That should have been a learning experience for the Lancashire allrounder, but he fell on 45 to an even worse shot, clothing to midon when trying to clear the straight boundary. It was a dismissal made all the worse coming 17 balls after Duckett had unwittingly prodded to midwicket to end his impressive resistance and the sixth-wicket stand on 88.

Sam Curran and Rehan Ahmed took the score to 161 for 7 after 33 overs, before more rain lopped off three further overs, putting the onus on the tail to pitch

in. Joseph profited when Rehan scuffed a rising delivery through to Hope, then Curran skewed a shorter, slower delivery out to Motie at deep third.

But Atkinson and Potts were able to find 35 unbeaten runs between them to take England to 206. They would have had to settle for 190 had Carty not dropped his second catch of the innings when Potts chipped to him at cover.

Atkinson carried that responsibility over the elongated innings break and into his work with the ball, striking with his second delivery as Brandon King crunched a drive straight to Jacks at cover.

Athanaze and Carty then set about a run-a-ball stand of 76, which seemed to take the sting out of the chase.

Athanaze was back in the groove that allowed him to strum a classy 66 in the first ODI, driving everything overpitched, occasionally dealing with flourishes to pick boundaries through the leg side.

When a googly from Rehan passed his edge and clipped off stump through to Buttler’s gloves without dislodging a bail, you wondered if the left-hander would see things through to the end. Alas, he was yorked by Atkinson for 44, having added just one more run, and that triggered a four-wicket collapse for just 44. Hope, the only centurion of the series after his first ODI heroics, was seen off for 15 after turning Rehan to Potts at midwicket.

Shimron Hetmyer cut straight to point off Jacks, who then had Sherfane Rutherford caught at long-on.

As the required rate ticked above six-an-over, the onus was on the new batter, Romario Shepherd. Initially, his role was to play second fiddle to Carty, who brought up a half-century from 56 deliveries. Two balls later, Carty danced down and bunted a return catch to Jacks for his third wicket, shifting the focus squarely on Shepherd.

And he delivered.

His first six was a towering effort off Rehan that just cleared Crawley at longon. Numbers two and three came in successive deliveries at the start of Atkinson’s sixth over - the most expensive of the match at 24 - both off full tosses. Forde chipped in with a flick around the corner for his first boundary, before Shepherd closed it out with a powerful straight strike all along the floor to leave just nine needed from the final 18 deliveries.

With the help of five wides from Livingstone, which came in the next four legal deliveries, Shepherd secured the moment of glory with a fine sweep for his sixth and final boundary.

(ESPNCricinfo)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2023

Pg 39

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

Pg 38

West Indies vs England: 2023 ODI Series, Game 3 of 3…

Forde again!

WEST INDIES and slate re-elected SEAL 2-1 SERIES WIN to lead GFF – as Forde, Carty, Shepherd shine

Champions of MVP Sports’ U11 tournament The young ladies of Marian Academy erupted in jubilation after pulling off a 2-1 victory over St. John the Baptist Primary at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground to claim the MVP Sports’ Girls U11 Football title. They are seen in photo receiving their championship trophy from GFF president Wayne Forde, in the presence of title sponsor Ian Ramdeo (MVP Sports), Petra’s Jackie Boodie, Coach Troy Wright, and School Principal Sister Marie Harper 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 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.