Guyana Times - Sunday, February 4, 2024.pdf

Violence through music?

Psychiatrist, artiste, youth explore topic P14 Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 5632 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

9 new Magistrates appointed by JSC SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GDF’s new patrol vessel to arrive this month – Chief of Staff P7

Lamaha Park house destroyed by fire P23

State Counsel Tuanna Hardy

State Counsel Teriq Mohammed

Attorney-at-Law Orinthia Schmidt

State Counsel Abigail Gibbs

Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clarke

Attorney-at-Law Omadatt Chandan

Attorney-at-Law Ravindra Mohabir

Attorney-at-Law Shivani Lalaram

Attorney-at-Law Michelle Matthias

Corentyne triangular love affair turns deadly Floyd Moore

...2 dead, suspect surrenders to Police Page 24

Page 10

…collided with boat owned by him, captained by his cousins Page 11

Harmonising religion and passion: Faith Corrica’s love for calypso as a gospel artiste P19

Quacy LaRose

“Stand up” against Venezuela accredits Van West injustice – Pres Ali Dr -Charles as at Islam Awareness Guyana’s Ambassador in Caracas Week launch Carpenter dies in Berbice River boat crash Page 24

$60M set aside to rent new buildings for incoming Cuban doctors, nurses P20

Govt will invest oil revenues until challenges faced by Guyanese are remedied – Jagdeo P2

2 NEWS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt will invest oil revenues until challenges faced by Guyanese are remedied – Jagdeo V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has laid a firm footing that Government would continue to invest the oil revenues in areas which develop the productive capacity of the country and its people, and once there is stabilisation, monies would be funnelled into savings.

He was responding to a recent CNBC documentary, drawing contentions that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) was not enough to keep the resource curse at bay.

However, Jagdeo pointed out that it was contradictory to save the country’s oil money in the early days of production while the population was suffering from inequalities that could be remedied with investments. It was also affirmed that Guyana’s NRF was not a slush fund, but a formula-based mechanism to determine how much is spent.

“I don’t put too much store on what they say on these programmes abroad, because we made it clear that our money will be

invested in some areas.

Education, health, some transfer to the vulnerable groups, infrastructure of a productive nature and we’ll save part of it. It is not a slush fund…Under this Government, it is formula-based. It’s transparent. At the end of the day, the Finance Minister has no say in this. It’s based on the formula,” the Vice President outlined.

Jagdeo drew attention to Norway, which took 10 years after producing oil to start saving any money through a Sovereign Wealth Fund. In Guyana’s case, this Fund was in place from the inception.

He shared that by investing in infrastructure, health care, education and other critical sectors, Government was creating a workforce that could create wealth for the country in a sustainable way.

“The same people who urge you to follow the Norwegian management and approach, they don’t look at what many other countries that had Sovereign Wealth Funds, that they only established

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at his press conference on Thursday

it when their level of development had reached, in their determination, a critical minimum…We still have challenges to address that those countries had.

“They come up with all of these prescriptions for developing countries, but you can’t prescribe in abstract. You have to live here, understand the reality of the country, and challenges of the people. So,

we want to save, but the current generation can’t even get a scholarship. We must fund their scholarship, first of all, because by funding their scholarship, more reliable power, we are developing their productive capacity to create wealth for this country,” Jagdeo added.

Back in December 2021, the Government amended the NRF Act to bring

greater transparency and accountability in the management of Guyana’s oil resources, including the requirement that Government seek annual parliamentary approval for withdrawals from the NRF as stated in Section 19 of the NRF Act 2021.

The funds in the NRF, which are being held in an account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, have their origins in the oil-rich Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where US oil major ExxonMobil and its partners – Hess Corporation and CNOOC – are producing light sweet crude using the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and more recently, the Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

This month, the Guyana Government tabled a bill that sought to significantly increase the withdrawal amounts from the NRF. Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh presented the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Bill 2024 – a bill that intitules an act

to amend the NRF Act, among other legislation.

The proposed bill was read for the first time in the National Assembly on Friday.

Under the new withdrawal formula in the proposed legislation, the Government plans to draw down 100 per cent of the first US$1 billion deposited into the Fund in the immediately preceding fiscal year; then 95 per cent of the second US$1 billion; followed by 90 per cent of the third US$1 billion; and 85 per cent of the fourth US$1 billion.

This proposed withdrawal formula is significantly higher than the figures that were catered for in the current 2021 NRF Bill. That NRF formula allows the withdrawal of 100 per cent for the first US$500 million; 75 per cent for the second US$500 million; 50 per cent for the third US500 million; 25 per cent for the fourth US$500 million; 5 per cent for the fifth US$500 million; and 3 per cent on the excess for the first US$2.5 billion. (G12)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, February 4 – 10:30h-11:15h and Monday, February 5 – 00:00h-01:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, February 4 – 11:05h-12:35h and and Monday, February 5 – 12:20h-13:50h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected during the day interrupted by thundery showers in the early-afternoon hours.

Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected at night.

Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 11:11h reaching a maximum height of

2.22 metres.

Low Tide: 17:26h reaching a minimum height of 0.98 metre.

9 new Magistrates appointed by JSC I

n an effort to fill the vacancies, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has appointed nine acting Magistrates to help ease the burden and clear the backlog of cases within the magistracy.

Among these new appointees are State Counsels in the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chamber -- Tuanna Hardy, Teriq Mohammed, and Abigail Gibbs.

The other six appointees are: Attorneys-at-Law Tamieka Clarke, Orinthia Schmidt, Shivani Lalaram, Michelle Matthias, Omadatt Chandan, and Ravindra Mohabir.

Guyana Times understands that the new Magistrates will be swornin this week.

Only recently, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, had disclosed that efforts were underway to have several Magistrates and Judges appointed to fill vacancies within the magistracy and Judiciary.

State Counsel Tuanna Hardy

State Counsel Teriq Mohammed

State Counsel Abigail Gibbs

Attorney-at-law Orinthia Schmidt

Attorney-at-law Tamieka Clarke

Attorney-at-law Shivani Lalaram

Attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir

Attorney-at-law Michelle Matthias

Attorney-at-law Omadatt Chandan

ous magisterial districts.

The JSC was appointed last year after a sixyear hiatus, and the acting Chancellor said the Judiciary was “deeply grateful” to President Ali for reconvening this very important Commission to help the court in the discharge of its functions.

Since the reformation of the JSC, Justice Cummings-Edwards said, its members have been tackling the backlog in cases and staff matters.

“It is obvious that after an absence of the Commission, there would

have been lots of outstanding work. The members have been working assiduously to build the secretariat and to create positions for the better functioning of the Judiciary,” she explained.

A Puisne Judge shall hold office until he/she attains 65 years, and the basic salary for this position is $1,425,065 monthly, along with allowances.

A Land Court Judge holds office until he/she reaches 55, and is paid $1,167,923 monthly, together with allowances.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$77.33/barrel

-1.74

Rough Rice

$331.02/ton

+1.57

London Sugar

$661.80/ton

+1.47

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

USD Per Ounce $2039.70 $2026.80 -14.50

$2040.70 $2058.00 -0.71%

During his presentation in the 2024 Budget debate just over a week ago, Nandlall disclosed that at least 10 Magistrates would be appointed this year, bringing the total number of Magistrates to 29. Additionally, the Legal Affairs Minister had also announced that new posts have been created within the magistracy to accommodate for the large intake of cases. One of these new posts that were created is that of Deputy Chief Magistrate.

He had also mentioned the appointments of six Justices of Appeal and nine Puisne Judges in the High Court, along with two Commissioners of Title.

According to AG Nandlall, the reconstitution of the Judicial Service Commission in July 2023 paved the way for these critical judicial appointments to be made.

The new JSC was appointed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on July 14, 2023. The Commission members are Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards; Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George; Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; Retired Justice Carl Singh and Retired Justice Beasraj Singh (BS) Roy. The Chancellor sits as Chairman of the Commission.

The JSC is a constitutional body responsible for handling matters related to the appointment, discipline, removal, and promotion of judicial officers, including Judges and Magistrates.

Following its appointment, the Commission late

last year published vacancies to fill the personnel gaps within the Judiciary and magistracy.

Vacant positions

Only last month, Justice CummingsEdwards disclosed that the JSC had begun the interviews for these vacant positions.

“We are pleased to say that, after advertisements, the next step has been interviews.

Interviews have been conducted.

Interviews are for the position of Magistrates.

Interviews are going on again this month, and you will soon see appointments to various positions,” the acting Chancellor said while commenting on the recruitment process.

For the Supreme Court of Judicature, which consists of the High Courts in each of the three counties and the Court of Appeal, the JSC is looking to appoint Puisne Judges, Commissioners of Title (Land Court Judges), and a Deputy Registrar for the High Court in Berbice.

The Commission is also looking to appoint Magistrates for the vari-

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

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

Warfighting domains

D

uring his visit last week, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Evan L. Pettus, 12th Air Force Commander, said he was here to discuss “air domain awareness, and collaborate on advancing Guyana’s airspace awareness capacity to protect its national security and sovereignty.” His visit followed two visits by the US Army 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), one in Sept 2023, and the other in Jan 2024. The former exercise entailed strategic planning sessions and procedures geared towards augmenting the military readiness and capabilities of both nations, in order to effectively respond to a range of security threats; while the latter focused on advising and evaluating the operations of the GDF training corps, engineer battalion, as well as maintenance and warehouse operations. Last December, we had a visit by a UK patrol boat, the HMS Trent, which conducted some exercises in the sea.

These initiatives represented military engagement in the three classical physical domains in which war is conducted – land, sea and air. Nowadays, technology has created a fourth warfighting physical domain – space - and one functional domain: cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum [EMS]).

But what exactly is “domain awareness”, of which Gen Pettus dealt with “air domain” component? According to the US Military Review, with “Domain awareness”, domain functions as an adjective to describe awareness. What a domain is depends on context. Relevant modern definitions include a field, realm, sphere, or a range of knowledge, activity, influence, responsibility, or a physical region characterized by specific features.

Awareness is simpler; it is the quality or state of realization, perception, knowledge, or understanding that something is (or is not) happening, or exists (or does not exist). By taking key elements of all of the preceding definitions and concepts, the proposed definition follows: “Domain Awareness is having operational knowledge of a particular sphere of concern, and understanding its interactions with other domains in a given environment.

By extending Domain Awareness across all domains, the operational sensors enable superior Domain Awareness through the timely creation and sharing of multidisciplined intelligence data at all classification levels through directed or automated dissemination mechanisms in near real time.”

We note that in this year’s Budget, approximately $21 billion has been allocated to improve our air and sea domain awareness capabilities: two aircraft, several longrange drones, and one coastguard boat is a welcome addition to our present equipment. According to the article, “Domain awareness will be key when employing increasingly robotized, automated forces that necessarily rely on high-fidelity information on all domains. The systems that produce domain awareness capability must be highfidelity redundant systems generating and providing highly accurate information to sensors and shooters. Otherwise, unresolved ethical considerations involving the use of lethal autonomous weapons would prohibit our developing them, let alone our destroying them on the battlefield. Defeating intelligence collection systems that enable adversarial domain awareness and domain awareness superiority will be a top priority on the way to decision dominance.” It is clear that while we may not have the capability to have a presence in space, by sharing information with an ally such as the US, we may have access to information that affects our security.

By now it should be clear that key to countering military threats, whether from Venezuela or Suriname, with which we have border issues, domain awareness, which depends on very specialized training such as in cyber security, would be key. As such, while there has been some discussion as to the appropriateness of the training offered by our educational institutions to our population in the midst of our oil bonanza, there has been no initiative taken to impart the necessary training that the domain awarenesses warfighting demand.

We have to start with the schools, to grow digital fluency and skills related to AI and automation in the young. But to satisfy our needs in the here and now, the Govt would need to “borrow” necessary skills from industry – which is already short. Recruitment of second generation skilled overseas Guyanese might be an option.

The construction of the Schoonord-to-Crane four-lane highway, which is expected to reduce travel time along West Demerara, is almost completed (Office of the Vice President photo)

Why school climate surveys matter

By D r G abrielle Jamela H osein

I

NCREASINGLY, parents are concerned about discussion of sex or gender with children and adolescents.

They are also concerned about school-based studies that ask about gender, or sexual orientation and experiences of, for example, family violence, sexual coercion, or bullying.

The fear is that these will make children become interested in sex, or identify as LBGTQ. Surveys do not expose children to sexually explicit material, and simply asking multiple-choice questions about whether an adolescent is sexually active, has been sexually abused, or is being bullied (or bullies others) doesn’t make it suddenly happen.

Surveys do not influence morality. They measure it by measuring respect for others, engagement in abusive behaviours, and the extent of family and other support systems. Rather than influencing children to have a particular view, surveys gather the range of views held by those being surveyed. They are not teaching instruments, but learning tools. They show what children and adolescents have already been exposed to, and inform how we counter harm, harassment and misinformation.

The survey may take 30 minutes to complete.

Children are in school and with peers for seven hours a day, on the inter-

net for several hours each week, and with family on evenings and weekends.

These are the agents of socialisation that teach them how to behave and what to value. There is virtually no potential for, or history of, grooming or influencing students through such data collection.

In contrast, this evidence is crucial for understanding children’s vulnerabilities, and how best to approach child protection through a national and preventative approach. The benefit of working through schools is that an entire generation can be targeted, so that wider transformation of social norms and practices occurs.

School surveys provide children’s own perspective on what the greatest number, including those in the most vulnerable contexts, need to do to be safe, well and supported.

Decades of data tell us that about one third of adolescents (more boys than girls) become sexually active before the age of fifteen. Many report their first experience as nonconsensual, or coerced. It is therefore important to teach about consent and coercion, so that adolescents know they can say no and to not be silent about victimisation.

Those adolescents who are sexually active need information to help them make healthy decisions about sex and relationships, contraception, partner violence, and trusted adults to whom to turn for advice.

If we don’t provide such information, children turn toward the internet, sexually graphic literature, pornography and their peers to answer questions.

If your Standard 4 or Form 1 child has any access to the internet, or interacts with peers, do not expect them to be innocent about sex.

Most parents still do not speak to adolescents about sexual practices, consent, feelings, desires, relationships, contraception or pornography. This is why it is important for schools to meet adolescent needs for education and guidance.

Earlier National School Climate Surveys showed that about one-third of bullying in schools is gender-based.

Reducing violence in schools (and society) requires transforming our beliefs about masculinity and femininity to promote greater acceptance, equality, inclusion and non-discrimination, and safety for children regardless of their sex, gender or sexual identity.

The 2016 and 2019 surveys showed that LBGTQ youths exist. Knowing that some students identify as sexually diverse encourages policies to ensure the safety of all students from gender-based bullying, the effects of which are long-lasting and have an impact on everyone, not just LBGTQ students.

Tolerance and acceptance improve outcomes for all, especially for boys, regardless of their sexual-

ity or gender, as fears of homophobia compel males to enact violence to prove masculinity.

The 2016 and 2019 school climate studies stressed the need for age-appropriate, comprehensive sexual education, since students reported experiencing sexual abuse and sexual assault, with many of them unable to properly understand or articulate what they had experienced, demonstrating a gap in their knowledge about their bodies and their rights.

Parents are being discouraged from allowing their children to participate in the 2024 National School Climate Survey being done by the Ministry of Education.

I urge those parents to read the surveys from 2016 and 2019, which have been very useful for advocates for child protection (publicly available on silverliningtt.com).

The Ministry of Education must also be commended for continuing to gather this vital data, although a more effective communication strategy is necessary to allay fears and promote participation rates which would give an accurate updated picture of what is happening in families, schools and communities, for children’s sake. (T&T Newsday) (This column was written collaboratively with Dr Krystal Ghisyawan, primary author of the 2016 and 2019 school climate studies)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

5

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

GHK Lall’s hard talk is pure bunk!

Dear Editor, Let us begin with Mark Twain’s 1882 essay, “On the Decay of the Art of Lying.”

Here is the American legend – “The man who tells a lie to help the poor devil in trouble, is one of whom the angels doubtless say, “Lo, here is an heroic soul who casts his own welfare into jeopardy to succor his neighbor’s; let us exalt this magnanimous liar” (Twain, 182).

Apropos, GHK Lall has represented himself as a “conscientious objector”, (1/2/2024) a construct usually used by those who refuse to serve in the military. The broader, core idea, is that, based on his morality and ethics, he does not want to participate in activities that rub up against his conscience. Yet, this same man, day in and day out, harangues a democratically elected government mostly

for the pleasure and benefit of the APNU-AFC. Day after day, this most magnanimous “conscientious objector” makes excuses for electoral bandits, for those who spent considerable parts of their lives destroying Guyana.

Some time ago, I noted that this same conscientious provocateur was using a specific strategy to build a following. The strategy: attack Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo day in and day out, and because Jagdeo is a ‘big zinc’, attention will be drawn to the goody-twoshoes conscientious objector.

The other gambit of GHK Lall is to attack Exxon. Here he is, just days ago, stating, “to date, all our leaders… have pussyfooted, fooled around, and fished about on how to deal with the anaconda that is Exxon, which has

Guyanese securely wrapped and trapped in its corporate coils” (1/29/2024). What a saviour!

Yet, this same GHK Lall is actually invested in Exxon and “other US companies” (1/2/2024). The man cusses out Exxon, calling it a reptile, then when pushed, admits he is invested in the Big Oil company, whom (among others) he has designated “foreign enslavers” (1/2/2024).

But wait, he has an exculpatory clause, a kind of moral “Get out of Jail Free” card. Here he is: “They make money, I get a penny.

It is another fact that I have petitioned, pressed for a little less for Exxon et al, a bit more for Guyanese.”

Mark Tawin looms large here. “…the Lie, as a Virtue, a Principle, is eternal; the Lie as a Recreation, a solace, a refuge in time of need, the fourth Grace,

the tenth Muse, man’s best and surest friend, is immortal…”

While GHK Lall specializes in attacking Jagdeo on behalf of APNU-AFC, his attack repertoire is much broader. In the recent past, he has attacked the Minister of Finance, Hon Ashni Singh, implying he is the Dr. Frankenstein of Money (1/30/2024); the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Hon. Manzoor Nadir, whom he described as erratic with his time; and the Parliament itself, labelling that revered institution as “overpoweringly perverted” (1/30/2024).

“Lo, here is an heroic soul who casts his own welfare into jeopardy to succor his neighbor’s; let us exalt this magnanimous liar” (Mark Twain, 1882).

Sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud

The time for legislative reform to ensure UG delivers is now

Funds being expended on Rose Hall Estate in economical, cost-effective manner

Dear Editor, The Management of Rose Hall Sugar Estate is obligated to respond to an article captioned ‘Rose Hall Estate workers complain of substituting old parts to fix machines’, published on January 29th, 2024.

As the Estate Manager, I take this opportunity to first set the records straight regarding the operability of our current fleet of tractors. The Rose Hall Estate procured six (6) 6190 John Deere tractors in 2023, of which one is currently down. Therefore, the statements “Four new state-of-the-art tractors are down” and “Three of the four tractors not working right now” are incorrect.

Regarding the maintenance of tractors, only one (1) required fuel pump repairs, and that vehicle is now back in operation. The tractor that is currently down is undergoing maintenance for worn 4-wheeldrive clutch discs, of which eight (8) are needed. This problem was diagnosed on 22nd January, 2024, and efforts were made to procure those from GENEQUIP on 23rd January, 2024. This supplier has advised that only five (5) of these discs are currently in stock, and the additional stock would

be available in another three (3) weeks.

GENEQUIP is the OEM agent for John Deere tractors in Guyana.

Secondly, the Rose Hall Estate has one (1) new long boom excavator (210 LC) which is fully operational, and at no time was this machine “cannibalised or has fuel pump defect”, as stated in the article. Contrary to what was reported, due to the extensive volume of work on the field, another excavator was transferred from Skeldon Estate to Rose Hall Estate. This machine was serviced, and is currently being utilised.

However, the image displayed in the article is actually an old excavator on the Estate, which is beyond repair.

The management of Rose Hall Estate refutes the statements made in the article as not accurate, and assures all Guyana that funds expended on the Rose Hall Estate project are being so done in the most economical and cost-effective manner. Our aim is to ensure the Estate is fully functional, and can contribute positively to Guyana’s economy.

Yours truly, Vijay Gobardhan Estate Manager

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

Dear Editor, Add absentee lecturers and unhygienic, non-functional washrooms (picture attached) to the University of Guyana’s mismanagement woes. Today a lecturer sent out a request for students to move an English tutorial with over 200 students from 1-3pm on Wednesdays to 9-11pm

on the same day (see attached 2).

It is symptomatic of an institution that has lost its way, and is moving to become an online university despite its charter as a physical plant. There are, at UG, too many lecturers who live and work overseas, or live here but have full-time jobs in addition

to lecture duties. It does a great disservice to our students.

This all begs the question: How much longer will the Government keep pouring funds into UG without guaranteed improvement in the services offered? It is time for a restructure of how the course of this institution is charted, as well

as the persons who are charged with management.

President Irfaan Ali has a clear vision of what he wants for our people, and UG is failing badly on all counts. The time for legislative reform to ensure UG delivers is now.

Tempus fugit!

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Same complaints each time at community meetings Dear Editor, Over the past days community meetings/outreaches were held along East Coast and East Bank of Demerara corridors. During the interactions several concerns and issues by residents

were raised and on-thespot interventions and solutions offered.

Following the visits on media outlets it was found the complaints in all communities were almost always the same: roads, drainage, flooding,

water woes, to name a few. These complaints, I am sure are not new and have been made before.

The point is what system is in place to monitor and ensure the promises and interventions are being acted upon and im-

plemented? It just seems that every time these undertakings are done the same complaints surface.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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6 FEATURE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MOTHER–PUP RELATIONSHIP AT, AND SOON AFTER, BIRTHING

M

other dogs learn to recognise and care for their puppies as soon as they are born. They immediately begin to clean and nurse the pups. She gives them total attention to the point where some new mothers do not leave their puppies to even go to urinate/defecate. In such a situation, just take her out for a break of about 5-10 minutes. After a short while, she would understand that she would be returned to her pups.

This mother-pup bond sometimes is not as strong when the puppies are born

by Caesarean Section. Such mothers can, during the first 48 hours, have difficulty in accepting their puppies. This is less likely to happen when some of the puppies are born before the

surgery, or when they are put to the nipples just after the sedation has worn off. I tend not to recommend such an intervention, but it is sometimes necessary.

A novice overprotective mother often may exhibit

difficulty coping with a litter of squirming puppies for the first few hours. This is understandable. With a little help, she can be shown how to nurse her puppies and keep from stepping on them; or, a worst-case scenario, eating them.

Compulsorily, keep any type of turbulence away from the nursing moth-

er dog. (Hers must be a low-traffic area). Also, give her a “safe” space close by so that she can see, hear, and smell her pups at all times.

Bitches which have a great bond to humans, or “spoiled” female house pets

(those who believe or have been made to believe that they are humans) sometimes would not care for their puppies until they are allowed to regain their former position in the family (maternal) hierarchy.

Sometimes, due to a hormonal imbalance, her milk is not discharged for the first 48 hours; during this time, the bitch may reject her puppies. The flow of milk can be helped by injecting specific hormones. Once the milk comes, the puppies are accepted. The injection of hormones is the job for your vet.

A hypothermic puppy, one whose body temperature has dropped below normal due to sickness or constitutional weakness, instinctively is pushed out of the nest. The mother dog might even eat the weak pup. This is nature’s way of culling the disadvantaged and ensuring that only the fittest and most deserving will survive.

Other causes of puppy rejection are post-partum

(after delivery) infections, and complications such as milk fever, mastitis, and acute metritis.

MILK FEVER

A reduction of calcium in the mother’s blood stream just before, during, and immediately after the dam has given birth to her pups.

Actually, this is a misnomer, because the mother dog does not have fever; at least not due to a low calcium level in the blood.

Dams who continue to ignore or reject their puppies sometimes may be helped by veterinarian-prescribed medication. If the problem is due to a maternal infection (e.g. Mastitis), then puppies may be removed and reared by hand. (I will deal with the hand-rearing of puppies in the near future).

A bitch whelping her first litter should be watched closely. She may accidental-

people. In such cases, it is important not to allow constant inspections for the first three to four weeks – especially when the bitch is highly-strung, or not comfortable with unknown people.

Do some first-time mother dogs exhibit Postpartum Depression? The answer is Yes. Lots of reinforcing TLC is needed (see previous and following paragraphs).

The main message here

ly confuse the puppy with the placenta; or injure a puppy while attempting to sever the umbilical cord and removing the surrounding membranes. Breeds with an undershot jaw or with a genetically-based and anatomically defective malocclusion of the jaws (jaws not being closed correctly) are particularly prone to this difficulty.

A novice mother may attempt to pick up and carry a puppy to some other nest.

You may wish to discourage your female from carrying puppies around in her mouth, as she may become nervous or upset and bite down too hard.

Nest-seeking can be avoided if the dam is introduced to her whelping box two weeks before she is due to deliver. She should be encouraged to sleep in the box.

In other cases, a nervous, possessive or overprotective dam can possibly injure her puppies because of an emotional upset caused by too much handling of the puppies by children or strange

is that you, as caregiver/pet owner, must never totally abandon the mother dog.

Take a peep every now and then to see that everything is going well while she is getting on with her business of delivery and subsequently nursing.

Actually, some whelping bitches do like to know that the beloved caregiver is around for emotional support and reinforcement.

Also, I must mention that you really must keep your visitors, at parturition time, at an absolute minimum, especially where cats are the first-time mothers.

Cats are secretive, and most of the time (even after you have prepared her “delivery nest”), mother cats will hide themselves away and give birth to their kittens in some obscure place (under the bed, in the wardrobe, in your neighbour’s yard, etc).

You need not worry that a problem may develop relative to the removal of the membrane surrounding the kitten’s face. This is an extremely rare occurrence.

MASTITIS

Usually a germ-related inflammatory process in the breasts (milk producing glands) of the mother dog.

METRITIS

A sudden onset of a germ- associated inflammatory condition of the mother dog’s uterus (womb), usually at the time of parturition (birthing and immediately thereafter).

NEWS

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF’s new patrol vessel to arrive this month – Chief of Staff G uyana’s capacity to monitor its maritime borders will be significantly bolstered with the arrival to local shores, later this month, of a brandnew Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), which was built by United States-based Metal Shark Boats for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan disclosed that this acquisition was part of efforts to modernise and expand the army to meet future defence and security needs – a huge aspect of which is to boost its assets.

“We are expecting a maritime asset, and that maritime asset has departed for Guyana and should be arriving mid-this month. That was a multi-year project where a new asset was being built and will be assigned to the [GDF] Coast Guard as part of their responsibility of managing our maritime areas of operation,” the Army Chief stated.

Brigadier Khan was at the time speaking at a media briefing alongside the Commander of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Air Force arm, Major General Evan Pettus, who wrapped up a three-day visit to Guyana on Friday.

The Chief of Staff told Guyana Times that in preparation for the arrival of this patrol vessel, GDF ranks have been undergoing training over the past three years on operating the OPV. Similarly, he disclosed, training is also being conducted in anticipation of the

Guyanese army’s air assets being enhanced.

“Obviously, when a capability or asset is acquired, there’s still training and support mechanisms. So, we have planned for that already,” Brigadier Khan stated.

The Guyana Government has heavily invested in boosting the country’s defensive capacity. In fact, a significant portion of the $1.146 trillion Budget 2024, from which the GDF alone received $42.2 billion, has gone towards building the technical capability and assets of the local security sector.

New helicopters

Efforts are already underway to procure four new helicopters that will not only be used by the GDF, but also the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Back in October 2020, the US State Department had approved the sale of four helicopters and related equipment to Guyana to the tune of US$256 million.

Last November, Government had approached the National Assembly for additional monies to support the procurement of the OPV for the GDF, along with other expenses.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh had told the National Assembly that the money would be used to help develop the Information and Communications Technology capacity of the Force and also cover additional expenses for the completion, transportation, and delivery of the OPV. More details were also provided to the House about

GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan

the building works the GDF plans to accomplish with the $563 million that was eventually approved.

Only in December 2023, eight bids were opened by the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration (NPTAB) for the construction of a new reinforced concrete wharf at the Coast Guard Headquarters at Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The wharf, which is being built to accommodate the new vessels being acquired by the GDF, is estimated to cost some $2 billion.

Metal Shark Boats

Back in October 2023, Metal Shark Boats said the 115-foot Defiant patrol vessel earmarked for Guyana, dubbed the “GDFS Berbice”, was completed and had departed it Louisiana production facility in the US. The vessel had travelled to the company’s Bayou La Batre shipyard in Alabama, US – from where it would leave for

The 115-foot patrol vessel, GDFS Berbice, is slated to arrive later this month

Guyana’s shores.

Metal Shark Chief Executive Officer Chris Allard had said that the vessel would play a key role in helping to protect Guyana’s oil and gas industry.

In August last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali said that the vessel being procured from Metal Shark would also help Guyana in patrolling the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against illegal fishing.

He pointed out that Guyana has been losing significant revenue from illegal fishing in its EEZ, a problem that is being dealt with through the modernisation and outfitting of the GDF with a wide range of marine and aviation equipment.

“We’re already in discussions with different stakeholders on a mother ship that would help us in securing our EEZ and ensuring that the commercial value of our EEZ is not exploited without us having a presence there. And that is what the Beechcraft would allow us to

9 new magistrates appointed...

FROM PAGE 3

A Magistrate shall hold office until he/she attains the age of 55. Salary and benefits include a total basic salary of $880,885 per month plus allowances. The Deputy Registrar will remain in office until the age of 55. The position’s total base pay is $754,284 a month and also includes allowances.

Persons appointed will be required to serve a probationary period of at least six months. On satisfactory completion of the period of probation, the appointees

would be confirmed.

Reports state that an additional advertisement will be made for Appeal Court Judges, of which there are now just three in office, despite the law providing for nine.

Given the small number of judicial officers and the growing workload, there had been rising calls for the JSC to be established before its official appointment.

This Commission is responsible for advising the President on the appoint-

ment of Judges, except the Chancellor and the Chief Justice. The JSC’s powers also include the power to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in the following offices: Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public

Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Registrar of Deeds, and to such offices connected with the courts or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.

do,” the Guyanese Head of State had noted.

He added, “When outfitted with additional equipment and the Dornier, when that comes into the fleet, [it] will help us to tremendously secure our EEZ. We know from information that is being shared with us that we’re losing a lot of revenue with illegal fishing within our EEZ. So, the commercial viability of the investment is one that is also taken into consideration.”

Meanwhile, this new OPV is the ninth Metal Shark vessel to join the current active GDF Coast Guard fleet.

According to the USbased boatbuilder, the vessel can accommodate 24 crewmembers, storage and launch/recovery facilities for a small outboard-powered rigid inflatable boat (RIB), and mounts for automatic weapons.

The aluminium hull features a reverse-raked bow offering reduced resistance for improved seakeeping in higher sea states. There are also multiple watertight bulkheads and oversized scantlings throughout the hull.

All integrated tanks and machinery areas are accessible via watertight hatches.

Equipped with twin Caterpillar C32 1600hp (1193kW) engines for economical long-range missions, GDFS Berbice boasts a range of 2000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots as well as top speeds in excess of 20 knots. This means the vessel is able to remain out at sea for up to 10 days. Crewmembers will also be able to traverse the vessel, day or night, even in adverse weather conditions, with the added protection of a prominent breakwater.

Facilities aboard the vessel include crews’ quarters, toilets with showers, a galley, and separate mess areas for officers and enlisted sailors.

Early last month, President Ali had said there were active plans to step up spending in the security sector, not only on hardware but human resources.

This comes on the heels of the heightened tensions last December with neighbouring Venezuela, which is laying claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass -- the Essequibo and a portion of its EEZ, where oil production activities are ongoing.

But the Guyanese Leader has made it clear that these efforts are merely aimed at bolstering the country’s defence capability and not for any acts of aggression.

President Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, had agreed “not to threaten or use force against one another” during the historic face-to-face meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines on December 14, 2023. (G8)

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Changes…

W

…in the world

hen you’re on a speeding bullet train with your eyes closed, you don’t even know you’re moving!! In these situations, you gotta be aware of a background to get a perspective on what’s really going on with you. You gotta have your eyes open!!

Something similar to this happens to all of us as we move in the current of history, but our eyes are closed, and we’re missing the massive changes that are hurling our world into a new dawn.

Just take the seismic changes in the world order that’s been put into play last year. The war in Ukraine ground on for a second year, with so much ammo and munitions thrown by the RUSSIANS and the West’s Ukrainian proxies that the factories just couldn’t keep up with production!!

Imagine that!! It wasn’t bodies that were running out, but bullets!! Then, of course, came Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel – boy, was it a surprise!! – that forever shattered the carefully constructed aura of invincibility that US$3 billion annually for FIFTY YEARS created!! Then there was India’s Foreign Minister being asked about their seeming nonchalance about the Ukraine War. His answer was surprising to most who’d gotten used to keeping their eyes closed: “Europe should stop insisting that what’s important to them is automatically important to the rest of the world!!”

If we’re all humans - and equally so - then by that criterion we should all be equally important! But we know that ain’t so, don’t we?? The worm had turned!!

And we arrive at the Houthis – a raggedy bunch of camel jockeys in the eyes of the west – who could carry out the largest naval blockade in the history of the world without having a navy!! They’ve turned military doctrine on its head – the Houthis rule the waves!! At least around the Arabian Peninsula, where a quarter of world trade traverses!! And they say “location, location, location” was the law of real estate!!

Then BRICS decided to get bigger – brick by brick!!

Saudia Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Ethiopia joined the ranks of the BRICS group on Monday, January 1. They were to join the group in August 2023 at the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, but even they had their bureaucratic challenges!! Argentina was also invited, but backed out at the end of December!!

And they’re creating the full range of institutions that should give the rest of the world options they never had before: a new world currency; new development bank, new trading routes, and new leadership!!

There’s a brave new world opening up – and we’d better pay attention. If nothing else, it’ll be more competitive. And that’s always a good thing, no?? …in America Now, let’s take a deep breath and look at what’s going on in America, shall we?? Did you, dear reader, ever think we could’ve had an insurrectionary raid on Capitol Hill, the home of American Democracy, and the man behind it all is well on his way to becoming president again – four years later?? Jeez!! Since 1776, they were the City on the Hill which the rest of the world regarded as a beacon!

But can we reconcile that vision with all that’s gone down in just the last decade? A president tweeting announcements on domestic and foreign policy at night - unmediated by the bureaucracy created to serve the Republic?? A Supreme Court that created the principle of Judicial Review as a bulwark against an always potentially tyrannical Executive - now using that power on behalf of an Executive that practised rampant judicial bench stacking?? So, what now happens about the separation of powers - which is supposed to be sacrosanct - when both Houses and the Court are gonna toe one line??

This will not end well!! …in campaigning It was a new low when the Opposition claimed that Pressie was exploiting the fame of Shamar Joseph after his exploits Down Under!! Jeez…Pressie feted him in 2023!!

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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10 NEWS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Stand up” against injustice – Pres Ali at Islam Awareness Week launch

A

s Guyana observes Islam Awareness Week, President Dr Irfaan Ali has called for one voice to be sounded in standing up against injustices across the world and locally.

The theme for this year’s Islam Awareness Week is: “Islam: Justice, Dignity and Equality for All.” As he addressed the Islamic community during a launching ceremony on Friday at the Muslim Youth Organisation Complex, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, the Guyanese Head of State underscored that elements which cause oppression, inequality and injustice has no place in society.

“In every equation, you have to do something whenever there is injustice.

Undemocratic forces, people who do not uphold the rule of law, people who spread hate and division, they’re not part of a system of justice, and we have to stand up

President Dr Irfaan Ali during the launch of Islam Awareness Week

against it. We can’t sit down and be part of that. We must be willing to call it out.”

He added, “We have to be consistent in our calls. If there is terrorism, we have to speak out in one voice against it. If there is oppression, we have to speak up against it in one voice.

If there are undemocratic forces, we have to step up against it in one voice. What we want of the world is what

we must show the world we are willing to give.”

Reference was drawn to Guyana’s support for Palestine in the ongoing Gaza conflict, and many other instances of injustice around the world. He contended that it was not a religious war, but one which has generated support from people of all faiths.

“Our country Guyana, as a Government, have consistently stood on the side of what is right for Palestine, Cuba, for every country that suffered as a result of some form of injustice. We stood on the side of justice against terrorists and terrorism, because that has no place in Islam. We stood on the side of justice for the Palestinian people because they deserve to live in dignity and within their sovereign space.”

Just last Thursday, the Guyana Government pledged US$150,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for

A section of the gathering at the launch of Islam Awareness Week

Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of Palestinians who are displaced and affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

“This is the first publicly televised genocide in the history of our world. More importantly, when we call for justice, dignity and fairness, we expected that when we’re in a position which require others to stand on the side of justice, they will

stand by. When we needed the support against the threat to our own borders and sovereignty, unfortunately though we stood every time with everyone that was oppressed, fanciful footwork, language and diplomacy was used – all falling short in standing up for justice and equality,” Ali remarked.

Meanwhile, Guyana Islamic Trust President

Shaikh Abdool Aleem Rahim shared that the teachings of Islam are founded on the pillars of justice and equality.

The Shaikh relayed, “Islam teaches us that we are all on equal footing and we have to strive for justice in every aspect of our lives and existence in this world; justice in our relationship with Allah and in our relationship with the creation of Allah.” (G12)

NEWS

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Carpenter dies in Berbice River boat crash …collided into boat owned by him and captained by his cousins

A Beware Maduro’s machinations

I

n the wake of the Argyle Declaration, we emphasised that Venezuela’s Maduro government cannot be trusted, since it consistently ignores international law and norms and behaves as a rogue state towards us. Usually, governments reflect rationally on future outcomes when they make decisions in the Ravi Dev present, taking cognisance of international institutions that uphold what one expert called the ‘Three Rs’ thesis on states acting in the international order – reputation, reciprocity and retaliation. But from our experience, we can see that, based on Maduro’s cavalier effective dismissal of the Geneva Agreement with its procedural operations leading to their border controversy being settled judicially, he cynically regards multilateral institutions as toothless poodles.

If we needed further proof of Maduro’s mala fides, we can look at the fate of the “Barbados Agreement” which his government signed last October with Venezuela’s Opposition parties’ Unitary Platform. They agreed to “recognize and respect the right of each political actor to select its candidate for the presidential elections in a free manner.” María Corina Machado had garnered over 90% of the opposition votes in primary elections held in the same month. The US Government, committed to ensuring democratic governance in the Western Hemisphere via free and fair elections, lifted the sanctions they had imposed on Venezuela after Maduro had massively rigged the 2018 presidential elections. US oil giant Chevron was granted a six-month license to resume operations in association with the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA. But within days of Machado winning the opposition primary, Maduro used a frequently deployed ploy against opposition candidates by banning her from participating in any election, because of “anti-national” activities. She had supported the US post-2018 measures that sanctioned his rigging. Machado appealed to the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice, but last week it upheld the ban without allowing her the right to defend herself. This, of course, violates her rights to due process and defence by international human rights standards. The InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IAHCR) emphasised that candidates could only be disqualified by conviction by a judge, within the framework of a criminal process. Consistent with its position on democracy in the region, the US immediately announced the reinstatement of sanctions on Venezuelan gold exports, and said the same would apply to the oil and gas sector once the licences expire on April 18.

But Maduro’s reaction to the US’ statement confirms his outlaw outlook, which should serve as a cautionary tale to our policy makers as we react to his manoeuvres to annex our Essequibo. Last Wednesday, he bombastically declared that “a new world has already been born” which no longer accepts “imperial tutelage” from the United States, and asserted that many allied nations “want to come and invest in Venezuela…

We do not depend on the Yankees to invest, prosper and grow.”

Significantly, he made these statements at the 2024 opening judicial ceremony of the Supreme Court in Caracas. Maduro also resorted to populism, as he had done with his December referendum to “authorize” his annexation of Essequibo, when he announced his government would “go to the people” to set a date for elections. This contravenes the Barbados Agreement, which states elections would be held in the second half of this year.

In light of Maduro’s recalcitrance in observing international law and agreements, we must intensify our efforts to tighten our security. There is wisdom in the folk observation: “When blind man seh he guh pelt yuh, he already gat brick ah he haan.” To warn Maduro not to cross Brazilian territory in any invasion of southern Essequibo, President Lula – no enemy of Maduro, but obviously a realist – moved troops once again into Roraima State, next to our border. In the meantime, following the visits of US SouthCom Commander Laura Richardson last July and August, the US Army 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) arrived in September to conduct joint exercises with the GDF, and to improve our cyber capabilities. At that time, we proposed that to counter the hybrid war being waged by Venezuela in the grey zone, we establish a military base in Essequibo to which the US forces would have access.

While some have claimed this would be “provocative”, what do they say about the US$30 billion worth of advanced weapons Venezuela acquired from Russia, and their tutelage by Cuban military personnel? We welcome the GDF acquiring drones and aircraft to augment our air domain awareness, and the visit of the U.S. Air Force Major General.

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

collision of two vessels in the Berbice River on Friday evening has resulted in the death of 47-year-old Rashleigh Gladstone, called “Ratty Boi”.

Reports are that the vessel being captained by Gladstone, a carpenter in the Berbice riverine village of Friendship, collided with a vessel being captained by two of his cousins, who are licensed boat captains, on Friday at approximately 19:00h.

This newspaper was told that Gladstone had just dropped off some of his work-

Dead: Rashleigh Gladstone

ers, and was on his way home when the collision occurred.

According to reports, family

members of Gladstone had expressed concern that he had not returned from work, as it was way beyond his expected arrival time. This resulted in his two cousins: brothers respectively 25 and 27 years old, going in search of him.

The two men left home in a boat owned by Rashleigh Gladstone and powered by a 140hp engine. It was into this boat that Gladstone, who was in a boat being powered by a 25hp engine, collided. That collision resulted in Gladstone being thrown into the Berbice River; and whereas the captain of the

vessel into which Gladstone had collided escaped with minor injuries, Gladstone could not be located on Friday evening, despite the efforts of a search party that included the two brothers. His body was found floating in the Kimbia area at around 09:00h on Saturday.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, a relative said, “The family is not good, but we’re trying. He was a very friendly and jovial person, and would go out of his way to do anything for anyone.”

Police have since questioned the brothers.

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14 FEATURE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Psychiatrist, artiste, youths, explore topic ing the public to commit heinous acts?

Following a premature ending to the “Baderation” concert in Guyana, because patrons were firing shots and throwing bottles as Jamaican Dancehall artiste “Skeng” when he performed in May 2022, subject Minister Dr Janelle Chase Mayers Mental Robeson Health Consultant and CEO of Benn had Reengineering Wellbeing Consultancy said he has instructed s the notion of “violence the Home Affairs Ministry through music” valid, and the Guyana Police Force amid some restrictions to withhold consent and apand bans on certain danceproval for any future pubhall artistes in Guyana and lic performance featuring neighbouring countries for Skeng, or any artiste whose their music, which is deemed lyrical content promotes by authorities to be influenc-

I

cull a professional view on the type of behaviour that the topic, Guyana Times was displayed at the event. spoke with Mental Health Describing the music as disConsultant Dr Janelle Chase graceful, the minister made Mayers, a renowned menit clear that “such music tal health consultant and does not have a place here CEO of the Reengineering in Guyana, due to its lack of positive influence and mesin Wellbeing Consultancy, who sage.” o r - explained, “Music definiteAs of recent, authorities d e r ly impacts the mood, and is in neighbouring countries t o deeply attached to the triggering of the pendra centers have taken positions that release dopamine withsimilar to those taken in the body. For those who by the authorities in are not aware, dopamine is Guyana: to prevent a neurotransmitter, and it ‘violent’ musical arhelps us with the tension tistes from performand focus. It’s really responing on their shores. sible for what stays in our This has prompted short-term memory based on the question of whethimaginary response.” er violence heard in this She added, “It definitely genre of music influences becomes something that we the commission of criminal need to be conacts.

Kman six interviewed by Calister cerned about, In this regard, Farrier on the Narrative show especially with our youth; as music can also act as a motivator, it can create familiarity. So, if you’re listening to music that asks you to kill, hurt, murder and rape, even though it may not cause you to do that, it creates that concept of familiarity.”

Dr Chase Mayers also explained that people who are prone to violence in their homes and communities may actually be more drawn to violent music, as it reflects their personal circumstances.

She said a study done in 2003 had shown that violent songs may lead to more hostility, and by extension, people in these areas want to listen to more violent music.

Asked what the Caribbean community should do with this information, Dr Chase Mayers said, “With this knowledge in the Caribbean community, we must really consider the fact that violent music is a precursor to behaviour; and it does impact the brain, decreases loving emotions, desensitizes thought, and… allows people to make decisions that may not be best for themselves, their community, or their country at large.”

And 21-year-old Kashif Sankar, also called “Kman 6ixx”, expressed his views, when interviewed on “The Narrative Show” hosted by Calister Farrier, about his recently being debarred from performing in an event carded for the eve of Grenada’s Independence: February 6 2024. Kashif’s lyrics, “Splitting head open, shooting and killing”, were referenced, and he was asked by the interviewer why he thinks the authorities deem such music violent.

Kashif explained, “It can only be summed up as jealousy, because it’s not me

alone who sang about this.

This is what I don’t understand; this has been going on before me, so I don’t understand how now this has become a big problem where people don’t want artistes to come in their country. Vybz Kartel and Movado sang the most vulgar music….”

Further, he expressed that he grew up in an area where crime is prevalent, and he himself was locked up at a young age for possession of a firearm. Asked for advice to give to the youths, he said, “To the youths: I want to tell y’all that y’all have a brain of your own, so do the right thing and stay in school.”

The interviewer then described two scenarios in Trinidad in which the artiste’s life had been in jeopardy, and he was asked whether he thought this had had any relation to his violent music. Sankar responded, “It has to be jealousy”.

As answers to this question flickers in many directions, youths have also found themselves giving their views on the discussion.

Daniella Joseph a 21-yearold third year Psychology student at the University of The West Indies, expressed, “From my realisation, what I have seen is that most young persons clustered in areas where what they hear is what they see normally are the ones most susceptible to indulge in the activities which negative songs endorse. Whereas persons living in less crime afflicted neighbourhoods, who manage to stumble upon the music, aren’t likely to fall ransom to the music.”

Using ‘address’ as the base of her discussion, she furthered assumptions in scenarios of what she has noticed. “I know of friends who listen to this type of music and never revert to being violent. And normally, when you do your background research on those people who listen to the music, you find out that most of them are living in normal areas where crime isn’t rampant,” she explained.

Locally, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) in 2019 increased its fines against broadcasters concomitantly with an increase in the broadcasting of graphic videos and lewd music.

The Broadcasting Act (Section 19) speaks to the promotion of discourteous content with evidence of profanity. Radio and television stations are constrained from broadcasting music that promotes violence, ‘rum culture’ or are expletive-laced.

(Mishael Henry)

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FEATURE

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F

aith Corrica, also known as ‘Lil Canary’, is a gospel artiste who is passionate and dedicated to keeping the calypso scene alive and setting new records. She has captured the hearts of audiences with her calypso vibes since she was 10 years old. As she gears up to participate in the 2024 Calypso Monarch competition, Corrica shared her genuine love for calypso and the profound connection between her faith and musical pursuits.

Corrica has triumphed in the competition twice before, in 2021 and 2022, winning the senior competition in her first year and capturing the title once again in 2022. At just 23

Faith Corrica was born on February 16, 2000, and found her love for music at the tender age of three in her church within the village where she grew up. As she gracefully navigates the vicissitudes of life, Corrica proudly carries the torch of her grandfather.

She is the eldest of three siblings, and is her mother’s only daughter.

Her mother is Natasha Taylor, and her father is Malcolm Corrica Jnr. She grew up in a strict household, and this, she adds, “keeps me grounded in all I do, especially in this music industry. In my heart, music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and unites people from

Faith’s grandfather, Lord Canary

years old, Corrica’s journey in calypso has been remarkable. With each victory, she has proven her prowess as a vocalist and storyteller, captivating listeners with her melodic expressions and heartfelt lyrics.

Despite her undeniable success in the calypso arena, Corrica is committed to promoting gospel music and inspiring other young gospel artistes. She intends to ride the wave of a genre that resonates deeply with her spiritual beliefs and values.

Faith’s mother, who is a pastor, plays a role in her calypso song writing, so the lyrics are always clean and respectful, yet captivating.

Corrica believes that music is a universal language that transcends boundaries and unites people from all walks of life.

Calypso has always held a special place in her heart, since she grew up listening to her grandfather, Malcolm ‘Lord Canary’ Corrica Snr, who was one of Guyana’s legendary calypsonians. One of her goals is to beat his record as a six-time champ.

all walks of life.”

Faith Corrica expressed that calypso allows her to show her love

for music while staying true to her faith. The decision to embrace calypso as a gospel artiste reflects her belief in the power of music to inspire, uplift, and convey messages of hope. Through her participation in the calypso song competition, she aims to infuse her performances with themes of faith and resilience.

Bridging two worlds

She said that while some pers o n s may not a g r e e with her tactics between calypso and gospel music, she sees an opportunity to bridge the two worlds and create meaningful connections.

For her, calypso is not just a genre, but a platform to spread love and positivity. Her goal is to share messages of faith and joy through every note and lyric, regardless of the musical backdrop.

As she prepares to grace the stage once more, she acknowledges the challenges and rewards of pursuing her passion for calypso as a gospel artiste.

The competition offers her a chance to reach new audiences and amplify the

steadfast faith. She shared that, more than anyone else, her mother has been her biggest support system in good and bad times. She added that while members of her church may have lost faith in her, all that they have said and done have not gone unnoticed, and she intends to remain true to her gospel roots as an artiste. Despite the criticisms and challenges she has faced, her upcoming participation in the calypso song competition serves as a testam e n t to her resilience and artistic integrity, illuFaith Corrica, also known as ‘Lil Canary’ minating the universal themes embedded in gospel music. While staying true to her calling, Faith remains resolute in her mission to touch souls and kindle a spirit of unity through her performances.

Faith has already released several successful singles, such as “Abide”, “Tomorrow”, “I Am Anointed”, and “Better Daze”, and has indicated that an album is in the works. Her unwavering devotion to both gospel and calypso music exemplifies her boundless love for music and her

harmonious intersection of her deep-rooted beliefs and musical fervour.

As Faith Corrica continues to navigate her musical voyage, her enduring love for calypso and unwavering faith would undoubtedly resonate, offering melodies of hope and inspiration to all who listen. In her uplifting journey, she proves that music knows no boundaries and “FAITH” knows no limits.

“For me, calypso is not just a genre; it’s a platform to spread love and positivity,” she emphasizes. “My goal is to share messages of faith and joy through every note and lyric, regardless of the musical backdrop.”

In the symphony of her aspirations, Faith Corrica stands as a testament to the beautiful convergence of music and faith, gracefully harmonizing the realms of calypso and gospel with every heartfelt note she sings.

20 NEWS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$60M set aside to rent new buildings for incoming Cuban doctors, nurses T he sum of $60 million has been set aside in Budget 2024 for the rental of new buildings for Cuban doctors and nurses, expected to join Guyana’s healthcare system this year.

Some 80 Cuban nurses were recruited in 2023, and another 200 nurses will be added to the system in 2024.

Further, efforts are ongoing to recruit more nurses from other countries, such as China. The provision is catered for under the Health Ministry’s programme for regional and clinical services, which amounts to $90 million for rental of buildings to accommodate health workers brought to work in Guyana.

During day four of the Consideration of the 2024 Budget Estimates

of revenue and expenditure, Health Minister Dr. Anthony disclosed that several buildings, including the one at Duke Street in Georgetown, and approximately nine buildings in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), will be utilised this year.

Dr Anthony said Government is working assiduously to meet medium and long-term needs in terms of addressing Guyana’s shortage of nurses as it aims at providing worldclass healthcare.

“Apart from those that we have already, we have set aside another $60 million or so because we are expanding the Cuban brigade. And so we, within the first quarter of this year, (will) have more Cuban doctors and nurses and other technicians coming

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and other senior Ministry of Health officials

into Guyana…So we have set aside a sum of money to rent additional buildings for them when they come,” Dr Anthony stated.

Moreover, a substantial amount of money will be expended on maintenance of buildings. This includes $22 million on the ministry’s Head Office at Brickdam, Georgetown; Food Policy Building at Camp and Charlotte

Streets, Georgetown; and $32 million on the Hospital Complex in Linden.

Budget 2024

The Health Ministry’s largest budgetary provision of $129.8 billion was approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Friday, following the passing of Budget 2024.

The $129.8 billion will

play a crucial role in upgrading and constructing healthcare facilities, expanding diagnostic care and treatment services, procure medicines and medical supplies, as well as expand tertiary education for health practitioners.

In fact, of that sum, $10.3 billion will go towards the pediatric and maternal hospital at Ogle; another $15.5 billion will

go towards the construction of six regional hospitals at Bath, De Kinderen, Diamond, Enmore, Lima and #75 Village.

The minister said substantial investments are being made in plans to tackle key health issues like breast and cervical cancer.

Last year, the health sector got $90.2 billion in budgetary provisions.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

300 body cameras for cops, new firefighting equipment, as $44.8B approved for security sector A whopping $44.8 billion has been approved for the Ministry of Home Affairs, a significant chunk of which will go towards strengthening the capacities of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

The sum of $30.3 billion was approved for the GPF, for which $1 billion will go towards the procurement of additional vehicles, including motorcycles, boats and engines, to boost the response capabilities of this entity.

An additional $5 billion has been set aside for rehabilitation of Police stations, while sums have also been budgeted for the procurement of some 300 body cameras for Police ranks.

Moreover, the sum of $1 billion has been allotted to advance construction

Supply on Friday during the consideration of the budget estimates.

“The Guyana Police Force, given the challenges, both of crime nationally and transnational organised crime, has to be a modern Police Force. This requires training at all levels…[and] we are establishing a Police academy…there’s other work going on for proper education,” Minister Benn informed.

Meanwhile, the GFS will receive $4.3 billion this year, of which $505 million would be pumped into rehabilitation of fire stations countrywide. An additional $500 million would be utilised to purchase firefighting equipment to boost the capacity of that entity to respond to disasters. Among the equipment to be purchased are new water tenders, a new

mote areas.

These heavy investments in the GFS, Minister Benn remarked, are significant, especially considering the increase in fires countrywide.

He noted that there has been in excess of 180 per cent increase in fire calls in 2023, when compared to 2022.

The Committee of Supply also approved $6.4 billion to offset operations of the Guyana Prison Service, with $2.7 billion dedicated to enhancing its infrastructure while $20 million is earmarked to enhance the mobility of its officers.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has been granted $827.4 million to acquire the necessary resources for its ranks to carry out their duties in combatting the drug trade.

Moreover, some $220 million

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, alongside CANU Director James Singh during Friday’s sitting of the National Assembly for the final day of consideration of the 2024 budget estimates Groups, $78.3 million for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), $90 million for the forensic laboratory, and $4.3 million to reconstruct the Juvenile Holding Centre at Sophia, Georgetown.

There are also plans to construction a Transitional

Register Office (GRO) has been granted $317 million to ensure maintenance and security of the national registers, with sums from the $42.3 million to improve the rate of adult registration in the country.

According to Minister

Two of the DGS Pro vessels recently acquired for the Guyana Police Force’s Marine Wing. They would soon be deployed across the country to boost river patrols and aid in crime-fighting of the new US$28 million 12-storey Brickdam Police Station, which is envisioned to become the new GPF Headquarters.

Significant investments would also be made in training of Police officers, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn told the Committee of

fire boat, new ambulances for the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), a new telescopic boom firefighting vehicle, as well as smaller firefighting vehicles. Sums have also been allotted for the procurement of more water bowsers and all-terrain firefighting vehicles for re-

was set aside to construct a new CANU Headquarters, while $80 million will be pumped into construction of a new Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters.

Additionally, the sum of $123 million was approved for Community Policing

Centre at Cummings Lodge to the tune of $82 million.

Further, the General

Benn, “There has been a serious deficit in terms of registering Guyanese… We

have taken the position that we will employ people throughout all the regions, and we will get them registered as citizens of Guyana. We have the challenge with Venezuela, and we cannot have people going there without birth certificates and other documents to verify they are citizens of Guyana. This cannot continue,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, under questioning from Opposition Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan, a former Minister of Security, it was revealed that some $278 million that was approved in 2023 for the payment of rates and taxes to the Georgetown City Council was in fact not paid, while a similar sum is being requested this year.

As such, Ramjattan asked “Why wasn’t it paid?” and Benn explained, “We didn’t get around to it”, due to “exigencies”. (G11)

22 NEWS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$2.8B in cervical testing You have to be a fool to assistance to benefit over sit on a cycle without a 350,000 persons in 2024 helmet - Traffic Chief

A

T

he allocation of $2.8 billion in the Health Ministry’s budget for 2024 is expected to assist some 350,000 persons under a new cervical cancer testing programme.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony made this disclosure following clarifications requested by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), Volda Lawrence and Dr Karen Cummings during the final day of Consideration of Estimates into Budget 2024.

Responding to questions on assistance for prostate cancer, Dr Anthony shared that a new programme would be launched in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organisation, targeting men and raising awareness on testing.

“If they have enlarged prostate, one of the challenges we had was to do biopsies. You will see that we are launching a new pathology lab where the turnaround time for biopsies will be less than a week. These are improvements that are there and while we can fund a few patients from here, the existing routine programmes of the Ministry will be able to capture quite a number of persons who require these services,” Dr Anthony said.

The Minister further informed, “In the Ministry, we have set up a programme to deal with prostate cancer and we have assigned someone to head that programme under men’s health. Last year, we did buy a number of the machines to be able to do testing.

This year, we will be rolling out a more aggressive programme.”

He further agreed that

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony during the Consideration of Estimates with other officials from the Health Ministry the Ministry would need to be more proactive in disseminating information on these programmes, since many persons were unaware of their existence. Several local figures have hopped on board to be ambassadors of this cause when the programme is launched.

The Cancer Registry has been updated as of 2023 with information on the types of cancers in Guyana, and private institutions have been mandated to provide new data for the Ministry’s records.

Meanwhile, in the National Budget, $1.8 billion was earmarked to assist children and the elderly with spectacle vouchers.

“Under this allocation, we should be able to help close to 600,000 persons get those vouchers,” said Dr Anthony.

For 2024, Government has set aside close to $600 million to support persons with coronary heart disease. Calling it a worthwhile expenditure, the Minister added that last year, $577 million was spent for some 1500 patients.

Opposition MP Volda Lawrence

Dialysis patients will also receive assistance through a $360 million allocation.

The Ministry has several regional dialysis centres, located in Suddie in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Parika and Vreed-en-Hoop in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), New Amsterdam in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and the Linden Hospital in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Dr Anthony also explained how Government has been able to bring down the expense load for patients, “We have been in partnership with many of these private providers and when these facilities are housed in a case like Suddie, we provide the accommodation for the centre, but it is run by a private institution. We also provide them with utilities. In that way, we’re able to bring down the cost because for some of those patients, they would pay $10,000 per session. This $630,000 that we give them would last longer.”

Meanwhile, $212 million will be spent for patients requiring MRIs, CT scans and other medical procedures.

(G12)

t the Guyana Police Force’s monthly traffic heads and stakeholders meeting, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh delivered a stern warning regarding the concerning trend of pillion riders neglecting to wear helmets while seated on motorcycles.

Known for his no-nonsense approach to road safety, the Traffic Chief highlighted the life-threatening consequences associated with this dangerous behaviour.

Addressing both drivers and pillion passengers, he expressed concern at this blatant disregard for traffic laws, even by individuals in positions of authority.

“Riding motorcycles without a helmet does not only give precedence to me [the motorcyclist] being a bad man or a recognized man who maybe law enforcement does not wish to target for enforcement purposes; and the same thing goes for the pillion rider,” Singh emphasised during the conference.

He underscored the risk involved in riding without proper safety gear by stating, “You (pillion rider) have to be a fool to want to sit on a cycle (and) be towed by someone who is not wearing safety equipment; or he [she] is wearing, and you are not wearing. Then when the accident occurs, you die…

Someone will be happy for the business when you die, Lyken or the rest.”

Mutual respect

Further, the Traffic Chief emphasised the importance of mutual respect between law enforcement offi-

Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh

cers and civilians. “Respect is a two-way stream,” he said as he urged Police officers to engage with civilians in a manner in which they would like to be engaged. “Do the right thing and not only expect them to comply with you, but enforce it in such a way that it is being done in an appropriate manner…,” he declared. “Utilise Force compliance with proper procedures,” he advised.

Highlighting the potential consequences for motorists who fail to comply with road laws, he warned of financial burdens and disabilities that may result from accidents. “You should be considerate that someone else is using the road with you,” he added.

The Traffic Chief has urged both members of the public and law enforcement officials to prioritize road safety, emphasizing that professionalism and adherence to proper procedures are essential to maintain the integrity of the enforcement process.

The stern warning comes as a crucial reminder for Guyanese drivers to priori-

tize safety on the roads, since there has been an increase in road accidents. In 2023, Guyana witnessed a staggering 76.8% increase in road fatalities, soaring from 99 in 2022 to 175.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn urgently addressed the alarming situation by citing speeding as the primary factor contributing to a 110% rise in fatalities, from 61 in 2022 to 128 in 2023. Benn has announced that Government plans to introduce e-ticketing for traffic violations, and to distribute helmets to motorcyclists.

During a press conference, Benn had stressed the need for behaviour modification to enhance road safety, and had encouraged citizens to report unsafe practices, particularly by minibus operators and taxi drivers.

The minister had acknowledged the challenges posed by the movement of construction materials, due to ongoing development, by emphasizing the importance of leaving early to ensure timely arrival without the stress of accidents.

A detailed analysis of traffic data revealed troubling trends, with male drivers experiencing a 79.2% rise in fatalities, female fatalities increasing by 64.7%, and the age group of 25-42 years old comprising 43.4% of all fatalities.

Fatal accidents involving motorcyclists witnessed a dramatic 166.7% increase.

To address these concerns, comprehensive driver education and training programmes would be implemented to promote road safety in the country. (G9)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lamaha Park house destroyed by fire B

u s i n e s s m a n Andrew McBean’s two-storey wooden-and-concrete structure located at Lamaha Park in Georgetown has been destroyed by a fire which commenced on Friday at about 20:42h.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has said it responded to the call by deploying to the scene a 15-member team along with two water tenders and a water bowser. The first unit arrived on the scene at 20:51h and the first jet was applied at 20:52h, but despite their efforts to extinguish the flames, the structure was severely damaged, and the adjacent house sustained minor damage due to radiated heat.

The Fire Service has said it remains committed to the safety and well-be-

ing of the country, and investigations into the inci-

The fire that destroyed McBean’s house

dent are ongoing.

“We extend our sympathies to those affected, and assure the public that ev-

ery effort is being made to determine the cause of the fire,” a release from the GFS has said.

This fire has occurred just hours after a fire on Friday destroyed the living quarters of the Guyana Prison Service in Kingston, Georgetown, displacing 30 prison officers in the process.

The Kingston fire,

which commenced at around 09:26h, required three water bowsers, a hydraulic platform, and multiple crews to be contained. Divisional Fire Commander Hemchandra Persaud mentioned that there had been challenges

in accessing water from a nearby hydrant, prompting the use of water from a canal on Lamaha Street.

All occupants of that building and contiguous ones were safely evacuated, and Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, has assured that alternative accommodations and immediate measures have been put in place for the affected officers.

With the building having been in close proximity to businesses and schools, precautionary evacuations had been triggered. An investigation by the Guyana Fire Service is underway to determine the cause of the fire in the GPS quarters, commissioned 13 years ago to alleviate accommodation. (G9)

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Corentyne triangular love affair turns deadly ...2 dead, suspect surrenders to Police A

triangular love affair between two men and a woman turned deadly on Friday, resulting in the deaths of two persons from Corentyne, Berbice.

Dead are 51-year-old Floyd Moore, called "Kinga", and 34-year-old Quacy LaRose, called "Bloody Eye", both of Alness Village.

The incident occurred at Alness Village, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Reports are that the woman at the centre of the issue is a vendor at the Port Mourant Market.

Guyana Times understands that a third person has been injured and is considered as the main suspect.

He turned himself over to Police on Saturday morning.

The 32-year-old suspect was at the house at Alness with the woman, when Moore showed up.

His sister, Nekesha Stanley, related that following the incident, her brother went to another sister and related that he had just chopped Moore resulting in his death.

She claimed that her brother was in bed with the

Dead: Floyd Moore, called "Kinga" 32-year-old woman, whom the controversy surrounds, when Moore arrived and a confrontation occurred.

The woman claimed that her brother related that after the confrontation occurred, he attempted to jump on his motorcycle to leave, but Moore, who was armed with a knife and cutlass, attacked him. She claimed that her brother then ran back into the yard and armed himself with a cutlass.

The sister said she was acquainted with the woman, whom her brother vis-

Dead: Peacemaker Quacy LaRose, called "Bloody Eye" ited. She said the lady once had a relationship with a taxi driver called "Guard" and had ended the relationship with him. She claimed that it was “Guard” who sent Moore to the house, but this publication was told that this was not the case. It was Moore, who is allegedly her former stepfather, that she had reportedly shared the relationship with.

Peacemaker killed

She said both her brother and LaRose were good friends and earlier in the day, they were repairing her

The house where the murder occurred on Friday evening brother’s motorcycle.

“My brother said Quacy was right in the yard there downstairs when the scene happened upstairs and my brother left to go to his bike.

Quacy was holding Floyd and telling him to ‘cool out, why you violating the man?’ and then is when Floyd juke him with the knife.

My brother said when he jumped on the bike all he heard was Quacy saying ‘ah, ah’ and he go down on the ground and Floyd started to run coming towards him.”

Reports are that LaRose was rushed to the Port

Mourant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Moore’s body was removed from the scene hours later.

Meanwhile, the 32-yearold suspect was subsequently taken for medical treatment after surrendering to Police.

Moore’s son, Andre Giddings said he and his father were out on Friday night. He said that when the shop closed, he took his father home and they were in conversation and then his father said that he was going out for a short while.

“I wait and after he did

not come back, I leave and go home and by the time I reach Rose Hall Town [4 miles away] I hear the man get chop up and dead,” Giddings told this publication.

Moore’s sister Rhonda said she was able to see her brother’s body at the mortuary and there were two visible wounds.

There was a gaping wound to his head and another across his neck. The woman at the centre of the situation was also taken into custody for questioning.

Investigations are continuing. (G4)

Venezuela accredits Dr Van West-Charles as Guyana’s Ambassador in Caracas …2 countries affirm importance of peace, cooperation

T

he Venezuelan Government has accredited Dr Richard Van West-Charles as Guyana’s new Ambassador to the Spanish-speaking nation.

Dr Van West-Charles, a former Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Opposition, was selected by the Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government as Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela in September 2023.

On Friday, Dr Van West-Charles presented his Letters of Credence to Minister for People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Yvan Gil. During the accreditation ceremony, Minister Gil and Ambassador Van West-Charles engaged in cordial discussions. Ambassador Van West-Charles affirmed the imperative of peace and cooperation as guiding principles for the relations between Guyana and Venezuela.

In this regard, the

Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela Dr Richard Van West-Charles presented his Letters of Credence to the Bolivarian Republic’s Minister for People’s Power for Foreign Affairs Yvan Gil on Friday

Guyanese envoy committed to working during his tenure to pursue Guyana’s interests in exploring the potential for collaboration in areas that would provide an opportunity for the neighbouring countries to develop a programme of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both peoples.

According to the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry in Georgetown,

Ambassador Van WestCharles will present his credentials to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at a later date.

Dr Van West-Charles is the son-in-law of the late Guyanese President Forbes Burnham, who was also the founding leader of the PNC. Just two years ago, he was vying for the leadership of the PNC, but lost to Aubrey Norton.

Dr Van West-Charles had

served as Head of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) under the former APNU/ Alliance For Change (AFC) Administration.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd had told <<< Guyana Times>>> last September that Government’s selection of Dr Van WestCharles for this position demonstrates the PPP/C Administration’s commit-

ment to “inclusive governance”.

Guyana’s last Ambassador to Caracas was Cheryl Miles, who had been appointed as Guyana’s Head of Mission in Venezuela back in 2016, and was removed from the post in December 2019.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Guyana is Carlos Amador Perez Silva, whose letters of credence were accepted

by President Ali in April 2022.

Dr Van West-Charles’ accreditation in Caracas comes on the heels of heightened tension between Guyana and Venezuela. The Spanishspeaking country continues to lay claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo, and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which almost 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past eight years, and in which oil production activities are ongoing.

In 2018, Guyana moved to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after the good offices process was

exhausted.

Guyana is seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award to settle the longstanding border controversy.

Venezuela had challenged Guyana’s move to settle the matter, but the ICJ ruled in December 2020 that it has jurisdiction to entertain the application for a final settlement. Having rejected both of Venezuela’s preliminary objections, the ICJ has set April 8, 2024 as the time limit for the filing of a Counter-Memorial

by Venezuela.

However, tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have been simmering since then and escalated recently when the Maduro Government held a referendum on December 3, 2023 with the aim of annexing Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Following the referendum, President Maduro announced a series of actions including, among other things, issuing identification cards to Guyanese living in Essequibo and issuing licences for mining and other activities there.

TURN TO PAGE 25

NEWS

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS MALE INFERTILITY

Fam Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes

Male infertility is any health issue in a man that lowers the chances of his female partner getting pregnant. About 13 out of 100 couples can’t get pregnant with unprotected sex. There are many causes of infertility in men and women. In over a third of infertility cases, the problem is with the man. This is most often due to problems with sperm production, or with sperm delivery. Male fertility depends on the body making normal sperm and delivering them.

CAUSES

Making mature, healthy sperm that can travel depends on many things.

Problems can stop cells from growing into sperm.

Problems can keep the sperm from reaching the egg. Even the temperature of the scrotum may affect fertility. These are the main causes of male infertility: Sperm Disorders Varicoceles Retrograde Ejaculation Immunological Infertility Obstruction Hormones Medication Sperm Disorders The most common problems are with making and growing sperm. Sperm may:

Not grow fully.

Be oddly shaped.

Not move the right way Be very low in number (oligospermia) Absent (azoospermia) Sperm problems can be from genetic issues.

Lifestyle choices can lower sperm numbers. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking certain medications can lower sperm numbers. Other causes of low sperm numbers include long-term sickness (such as kidney failure), childhood infections (such as mumps), and chromosome or hormone problems (such as low testosterone).

Damage to the reproductive system can cause low or no sperm. About 4 out of every 10 men with a total lack of sperm (azoospermia) have an obstruction (blockage) within the tubes through which the sperm travel. A birth defect or a problem such as an infection can cause a blockage.

DIAGNOSIS

Causes of male fertility can be hard to diagnose.

The problems are most often with sperm production, or delivery. Diagnosis starts with a full history and physical exam. The healthcare provider may also want to do blood work and semen tests.

History and physical exam The health care provider will take the health and surgical histories. The provider would want to know about anything that might lower fertility. These might include defects in the reproductive system, low hormone levels, sickness, or accidents. The provider would ask about childhood illnesses, current health problems, or medications that might harm sperm production.

Such things as mumps, di-

abetes and steroids may affect fertility. The provider would also ask about the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijua-

tory ducts. The health care provider can see if structures such as the ejaculatory duct or seminal vesicles are

suggest: I n t r a u t e r i n e Insemination (IUI). For IUI, the health care pro-

na, and other recreational drugs. He or she would ask if you’ve been exposed to radiation, heavy metals, or pesticides. Heavy metals are exposure issues (e.g. mercury, lead arsenic). All of these can affect fertility.

The physical exam would look for problems in the penis, epididymis, vas deferens, and testicles. The doctor would look for varicoceles. They can be found easily with a physical exam.

Semen analysis Semen analysis is a routine lab test. It helps to show the level of sperm production and whether sperm are functioning well (e.g., are moving, measured as sperm motility). The test is most often done at least twice if sperm numbers are abnormal.

poorly formed or blocked.

Testicular biopsy hormonal profile The health care provider may check the hormones.

This is to learn how well the testicles make sperm. It can also rule out major health problems.

vider places the sperm into the female partner’s uterus through a tube. IUI is often good for low sperm count and movement problems, retrograde ejaculation, and other causes of infertility.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF is when the egg of a female partner or donor is joined with sperm in a lab Petri dish.

Transrectal ultrasound

The healthcare provider may order a transrectal ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sound waves bouncing off an organ to get a picture of the organ. A probe is placed in the rectum. It beams sound waves to the nearby ejacula-

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on what’s causing infertility. Many problems can be fixed with drugs or surgery.

This would allow conception through normal sex. The treatments below are broken into 3 categories: Non-surgical therapy for male infertility Surgical therapy for male infertility Treatment for unknown causes of male infertility Assisted reproductive techniques If infertility treatment fails or isn’t available, there are ways to get pregnant without sex. These methods are called assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs).

Based on the specific type of infertility and cause, the healthcare provider may

Venezuela accredits Dr Van West-Charles...

FROM PAGE 24

Given Venezuela’s threatening posture, the Caricom-CELAC-Brazilbrokered historic meeting was held on December 14, 2023 between Presidents Ali and Maduro in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and was geared towards maintaining peace in the region.

The two South American leaders came to several

agreements, including that Venezuela and Guyana, directly or indirectly, would not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

Even as Guyana reaffirms its commitment to the judicial process before

the World Court, it was also agreed that a Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians of Guyana and Venezuela would be established and meet on behalf of the two Presidents in Brazil to continue dialogue on matters outside of the border controversy.

The first meeting of the

Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians was held on January 25 in Brasilia. Guyana’s delegation was led by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Todd, who described the meeting as a “good start” to creating a better future of good neighbourliness for the next generations. (G8)

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). ICSI is a variation of IVF. It has revolutionized the treatment of severe male infertility.

It lets couples get pregnant though infertile.

Sperm Retrieval for ART. Many microsurgical methods can remove sperm blocked by obstructive azoospermia (no sperm). The goal is to get the best quality and number of cells.

Infertility is not the partner’s fault. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) estimates that in about a third of infertility cases, it is due to the male. Another third is the female. In the last third of infertile couples, the problem is caused by either a combination of reasons or, in 20 out of 100 cases, it can’t be explained.

In men, few or no sperm is the biggest problem. In women, the common problems are ovulation problems and blocked tubes. But today, technology and surgical tools exist to address many of these problems.

26

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Griffith slams T&T PM for Chile: Forest fires excluding Hinds, CoP from DC trip death toll jumps to 46, likely to keep rising N F

orest fires raging in central Chile have killed at least 46 persons, President Gabriel Boric said on Saturday, warning that the death toll was likely to keep rising.

Black smoke billowed into the sky over many parts of the Valparaiso region, home to nearly one million inhabitants in central Chile, while firefighters using helicopters and trucks struggled to quell the flames.

Areas around the coastal tourist city of Vina del Mar have been some of the hardest hit and rescue teams were struggling to reach all the affected areas, Chilean authorities said on Saturday.

President Boric, giving an update to the nation, said 40 persons were killed in the fires and another six died from burns in hospitals.

“Given the conditions of the tragedy, the number of victims is sure to increase over the next few hours,” Boric said.

“The situation is really very difficult.”

The death toll means this is the deadliest outbreak of

Houses burning amid the spread of wildfires in Vina del Mar, Chile, February 3, 2024 (Reuters/Rodrigo Garrido photo)

forest fires in Chile in the past decade, Chilean disaster agency Senapred said.

Throughout the country there were 92 active fires, leaving more than 43,000 hectares affected by the incident, Interior Minister Carolina Toha said earlier in the day when she reported 19 dead.

Wildfires are not uncommon in Chile over summer months and last year, on the back of a record heat wave, some 27 persons died and more than 400,000 hectares were affected.

“The area with fires to-

day is much smaller than last year, (but) at this time the number of hectares affected is multiplying very rapidly,” Interior Minister Toha said.

Between Friday and Saturday the hectares impacted by the wildfires increased from 30,000 to 43,000.

Toha said that the authorities’ greatest concern was that some of the active fires were developing very close to urban areas “with the very high potential to affect people, homes and facilities”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

TA Political Leader and former Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith believes National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Police Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher should have been part of the official delegation to Washington DC. He believes their omission is an admission by the Prime Minister he doesn’t believe they are suited for the job.

He went a step further to say the Prime Minister was too “arrogant” to do what was right and remove them.

The official delegation to the US, where officials met with the FBI, CIA and others, included Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne, Energy Minister Stuart Young, Digital Transformation Minister Hassel Bacchus and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Darryl Daniel.

“The fact that our Prime Minister attended such a crucial security meeting without these two officeholders, who are pivotal to our safety and security, but instead brought the Minister of Energy, is telling,” Griffith said in a media release. “It suggests that even Rowley acknowledges the combined incompetence and unsuitability of both individuals to secure a rock on a deserted island, far less an entire country presently

Former Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith speaking at the UNC’s first town hall anti-crime meeting at the La Joya sporting complex, St Joseph, on Monday

drowning in blood. “ At a media conference on Friday, Prime Minister Rowley was asked why Hinds was not part of the delegation to Washington DC to meet with the FBI, CIA and other major national security players. “The national security minister was tied up to his eyeball at home,” Rowley said. Former

National Security Minister and current Energy Minister Stuart Young was, however, part of the delegation. “In the Government of Trinidad and Tobago ,we have our division of labour very clear [...]

The absence of the Minister of National Security is not an impediment.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

El Salvador: President eyes re-election Delta Airlines returning to Barbados on back of gang crackdown

T

here was no doubting Francisco Villegas’ political colours as he stepped off his flight into El Salvador.

Draped in a flag bearing President Nayib Bukele’s face, he was dressed in light blue - the colour of the ruling party, Nuevas Ideas.

“We’re going to win!” he yelled, to cheers and applause from a small crowd of people waiting for their relatives outside the arriv-

als lounge.

Like thousands of Salvadorans living abroad, Francisco is such a staunch supporter of El Salvador’s controversial President that he travelled back from his home in Pennsylvania specifically to vote for him.

“Quite honestly, in the past I didn’t care who won,” he says. “But I’ve seen the changes in five years and I thought I’d make the effort to come and support him. It’s been

a 180-degree shift. I feel so safe here now.”

He’s far from the only one who feels that way.

In the run-up to Sunday’s election, Bukele’s campaign spots have featured bereaved relatives of victims of the country’s two main gangs, the MS-13 and the 18th Street gang.

The latest polls have his main rivals receiving barely 12 per cent of the vote between them. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Former Jamaica Court of Appeal President Dennis Morrison has died A

Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill (centre), flanked by BTMI’s Interim CEO (ag) Craig Hinds (left) and Grantley Adams International Airport Inc CEO Hadley Bourne (Reco Moore photo)

n additional 25, 000 seats out of the United States will be available for travellers when Delta Airlines makes a return to Barbados since 2016.

On Saturday, Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian GoodingEdghill announced a dai-

J

ustice Dennis Morrison, former President of the Court of Appeal of Jamaica has died.

Observer Online understands that Morrison passed away on Saturday. He was 73 years old.

Called to the Bar in 1975, Morrison practised for 25 years before transitioning to the Bench. He was appointed to serve in the Court of Appeal of Jamaica in 2008 and in January 2016, he was appointed to serve as President.

Morrison retired in 2020.

He is survived by his wife Janet, who is an Attorney, and their children. (Jamaica Observer)

ly service from Atlanta, Georgia, from November 21 and a Saturday only service from New York, commencing December 23.

Both are expected to operate until April 2025.

During a media conference at the BTMI’s office at Warrens, St Michael,

Gooding-Edghill said the flights were seasonal, but had the potential to develop into a year-round service.

Delta Airlines last flew into Grantley Adams International Airport from New York in 2016 and Atlanta in 2017. (Nation News)

5.2 magnitude earthquake jolts Trinidad

T

Justice Dennis Morrison

he University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre recorded a 5.2 magnitude earthquake around 14:45h on Saturday, February 3.

The Centre’s Facebook

page said it was located at 10.96 N and 62.65 W with a depth of 54 kilometres.

People on social media said they felt the quake in various parts of Trinidad, among them Port of Spain, San Fernando, Diego

Martin, Fyzabad, Maraval, Tacarigua, and Sangre Grande.

One man in Chaguanas said he felt a “slight jolt”.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

27

Around the World

US launches strikes in Iraq, OILNEWS OIL NEWS Syria, nearly 40 reported killed T

US charges Iranian oil trafficking network over sanctions evasion

T

he United States announced terrorism and sanctionsevasion charges on Friday, including asset seizures, over a billion-dollar network linked to oil trafficking that the US Government says helped to finance Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other groups, the Department of Justice said in a Friday press release.

The US Department of Justice said it seized over US$108 million that China Oil & Petroleum Company Limited tried to launder through the US banking system. The seizures also include more than a half a million barrels of Iranian crude oil that were on board the Abyss, which was covered by US sanctions.

The defendants include Turkish national Sitki Ayan, Morteza Rostam Ghasemi, and Behnam Shahriyari were all charged in a New York federal court over ties to the seized funds. Chinese national Shaoyun Wang and Oman’s Mahmood Rashid Amur Al Habsi were charged in a DC court with sanctions evasion and money laundering of Iranian oil money derived from Iranian oil sales to refineries owned by the Government of China.

“Iran utilises the proceeds of its black-market oil sales to fund its criminal activities, including its support of the IRGC, Hamas, Hezballah, and other Iranian aligned terrorist groups,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a Friday statement, adding that “The Justice Department is targeting this funding source by seizing over US$108 million and 500,000 barrels of fuel that would otherwise have enabled Iran to further its destabilising activities that threaten our national security. In addition to disrupting Iran’s unlawful funding streams, the Justice Department has also charged nine individuals for their roles in supporting Iran in violation of US sanctions. The Justice Department will continue to use every authority we have to cut off the illegal financing and enabling of Iran’s malicious activities, which have become even more evident in recent months.”

(Oilprice.com)

he United States launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and militias it backs, reportedly killing nearly 40 persons, in retaliation for a deadly attack on US troops.

The strikes, which included the use of longrange B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in response to the attack last weekend in Jordan by Iran-backed militants, and more US military operations are expected in the coming days.

The strikes intensified a conflict that has spread into the region since war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian group's deadly assault on Israel on October 7.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement the attacks repre-

sented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension and instability".

Iraq summoned the US chargé d'affaires in Baghdad to deliver a formal protest.

"Iraq reiterated its refusal that its lands be an arena for settling scores or showing force between warring countries," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces, a state security force including Iran-backed groups, said 16 of its members were killed including fighters and medics. The Government earlier said civilians were among 16 dead.

In Syria, the strikes killed 23 people who had been guarding the targeted locations, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports on war in Syria.

A destroyed building is pictured at the site of a US airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq, February 3, 2024 (Reuters/Stringer photo)

US Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, said the attacks appeared to be successful, triggering large secondary explosions as the bombs hit militant weaponry. He said the strikes were undertaken knowing that there would likely be casualties among those in the facilities.

Despite the strikes, the Pentagon has said it does not want war with Iran and does not believe Tehran

Senegal's President Ukraine hits Russia's Volgograd oil refinery in latest postpones election drone attack, source says amid political tension

T

wo Ukrainian attack drones struck the largest oil refinery in southern Russia on Saturday, a source in Kyiv told Reuters, detailing the latest in a series of longrange attacks on Russian oil facilities.

Local authorities in Russia said earlier that a fire had been extinguished at the Volgograd refinery following a drone attack.

Oil producer Lukoil, which owns the refinery, later said the plant was working as normal.

The Kyiv source said the operation by the SBU security service struck the primary processing facility, without which the refinery could lose significant production capacity.

Ukrainian officials seldom take responsibility publicly for deep strike attacks on Russian territory.

The Volgograd refinery is the latest in a series of facilities to be targeted by drones. Kyiv sees such infrastructure as important for the Kremlin's war effort.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi jailed for illegal marriage Sinn Fein’s Michelle S O’Neill appointed Northern A Ireland’s First Minister Pakistani court has jailed Imran Khan and his wife for seven years after voiding their marriage, in the latest sentence against the ex-Prime Minister.

The court ruled that Khan's 2018 marriage with Bushra Bibi, a faith healer, was un-Islamic and illegal.

He is already in jail for corruption. Last Wednesday, a week before a general election, the pair were convicted of profiting from state gifts.

Khan, 71, has said the numerous cases against him are politically motivated.

Pakistan's former cricket captain-turned-politician was ousted as Prime Minister in 2022.

A court was set up inside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is serving his previous sen-

tences, for the latest case.

The complaint was filed

by Bibi's ex-husband, who said her marriage with Khan had been fraudulent.

Under Muslim family law, women are prohibited from remarrying for a few months after their husband dies or they are divorced.

The court found that Bibi had remarried before the completion of the stipulated time following her divorce.

As well as the seven-year jail sentence, the court imposed a fine of 500,000 rupees (US$1800) on Khan and Bibi.

The couple married in 2018, months before Khan was elected prime minister. Bibi, a spiritual healer believed to be in her 40s and always wears a veil in public, is Khan's third wife.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

wants war either, even as Republican pressure has increased on US President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly.

Iran, which backs Hamas, has sought to stay out of the regional conflict itself even as it backs groups that have entered the fray from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria -- the so-called "Axis of Resistance" that is hostile to Israel and US interests.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

S

inn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill has been formally appointed Northern Ireland’s First Minister by the regional parliament, the first time an Irish nationalist is leading the United Kingdom territory’s devolved government.

O’Neill’s appointment, confirmed by the Speaker, on Saturday came after the rival Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the biggest pro-UK party, ended a twoyear boycott of the region’s power-sharing Government after striking a deal with the UK Government to ease trade frictions.

“This is an historic day and it does represent a new

dawn,” she told fellow legislators after her selection.

O’Neill’s ascent to the role is the latest sign of the increasing popularity across the island of her Sinn Fein party that now believes its ultimate dream of a united Ireland may be “within touching distance”.

The 47-year-old leader was nominated as the First Minister in the Government that, under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord, shares power between Northern Ireland’s two main communities – British unionists who want to stay in the UK, and Irish nationalists who seek to unite with Ireland. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A woman casting her ballot in Senegal's last presidential elections in a polling station of Dakar on February 24, 2019

enegalese President Macky Sall has postponed this month's elections following complaints after dozens of candidates were barred from standing.

The two-term President, who reiterated that he would not be seeking re-election, did not set a new date.

Amid controversy, a constitutional council had prevented several hopefuls -including some high-profile politicians -- from running.

Sall said "these troubled conditions could gravely hurt" the ballot.

He added that he would start "an open national dialogue... to create the conditions for a free, transparent and inclusive election in a peaceful and reconciled Senegal".

An Opposition candidate called the President's deci-

sion to postpone the election a constitutional coup.

Khalifa Sall, former Mayor of the capital, Dakar, urged people to protest against the move and his political coalition has pledged to go to court.

An organisation of influential Islamic clerics had warned against postponing the vote, saying it risked destabilising the nation.

The move to delay the election is unprecedented in a country that is seen as one of the most stable democracies in the West African region.

Twenty candidates had made the final list, but among the most prominent of those who had been excluded from the original vote, scheduled for February 25, was Opposition politician Ousmane Sonko. (Excerpt from BBC News)

28

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

ARIES

Finish what you start, live

(March 21- up to your promises and proApril 19) tect your reputation. Put your energy into increasing your income and investing in yourself. Be sensible and have a clear vision.

Keep an open mind and TAURUS use intelligence and expe(April 20rience to resolve issues.

May 20) Inflicting pressure to get your way will not help you win a battle. Consider the fallout if you are shortsighted.

Pay attention to how othGEMINI ers respond. Be aware of (MAY 21what’s happening, and don’t June 20) let your emotions interfere with your decisions. You’ll get the best results if you take the time to gather facts.

Take pride in what you do CANCER (June 21- and be resourceful when you July 22) lack information or experience, and you’ll offset a loss or setback. A connection you cherish will require attention.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Pickles VIRGO

Think with your head, not with your heart. Don’t give in to someone taking advantage of you emotionally. Take control, call the shots and adjust situations to suit your needs.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Take the initiative to get your house in order. Make changes that counter anyone trying to stand in your way.

Alter your domestic situation to suit your needs. Follow your gut.

SCORPIO

Don’t let your emotions compromise your position.

Take a wait-and-see approach when dealing with friends and loved ones. Once you discover where you stand, you’ll know how to respond.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Peanuts

You can have fun without accumulating debt. Put your energy into something that challenges and excites you and gives you the push you require to begin a new chapter in your life.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Consider how you treat SAGITTARIUS others.

You will have more (Nov. 23success if you do things for Dec. 21) yourself. Don’t share secrets or be too generous with your time or money.

Calvin and Hobbes

Embrace what excites you.

CAPRICORN Be a good listener, but don’t (Dec. 22reveal your thoughts and inJan. 19) tentions. Opportunity begins with you, so stick to a budget and aim to lower your overhead.

AQUARIUS Take a different approach and put discipline and muscle (Jan. 20behind it, and you’ll push your Feb. 19) way to the finish line. Don’t count on outside help. You can accomplish something big.

PISCES You know the way to go (Feb. 20- but will be easily sidetracked.

Mar. 20) Reclaim your position before it’s too late. If you want something, you must act quickly to maintain your status. You have so much to gain.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

29

Bumrah’s six-for, Jaiswal’s 209 put India on top against England B

en Stokes's expression said it all. For the second time in as many first-innings counterattacks, all he could do was shrug his shoulders and marvel at the genius of the man who'd just had his measure, as Jasprit Bumrah cut short another spirited display from England's captain to cap a

performance that transcended the conditions that he'd been granted.

In the midst of India's surprise loss in Hyderabad, Bumrah's six wickets across two innings had been a warning as to where the true threat in India's attack would lie. So it proved at Visakhapatnam on what had been tout-

ed as a spinners' paradise, as Bumrah piled that same haul into one sensational display, springing the trap on England's batters with the insuperable figures of 6 for 45 in 15.5 overs.

All six of those came in the space of 71 deliveries across his final three micro-spells - a howling, hustling display of express-paced reverse swing, in which the cream of England's batting were simply bereft of answers.

Joe Root's audible groan as he snicked an outswinger to first slip, having aligned himself to Bumrah's initial shape into his pads, con-

cluded a 16-run dispatching of Bumrah's fourth and final new-ball over, England seemed on course to make India pay for another first innings in which they'd failed to bat their opponents out of contention. With James Anderson rolling back the years once more to finish a majestic performance with 3 for 47 in 25 overs, it seemed a total of 396 was very much game on.

In hindsight, of course, the sight of one masterful swing bowler transcending the conditions should have been taken as proof that another would surely follow suit.

Jasprit Bumrah bagged a 6-fer

Yashasvi Jaiswal got to his double-century with a six and a four off Shoaib Bashir

SCOREBOARD India 1st Innings Yashasvi Jaiswal c Bairstow b Anderson 209 Rohit Sharma (c) c Pope b Shoaib Bashir 14 Shubman Gill c †Foakes b Anderson 34 Shreyas Iyer c †Foakes b Hartley 27 Rajat Patidar b Rehan Ahmed 32 Axar Patel c Rehan Ahmed b Shoaib Bashir 27 Srikar Bharat † c Shoaib Bashir b Rehan Ahmed 17 Ravichandran Ashwin c †Foakes b Anderson 20 Kuldeep Yadav not out 8 Jasprit Bumrah c Root b Rehan Ahmed 6 Mukesh Kumar c Root b Shoaib Bashir 0 Extras (lb 1, nb 1) 2 TOTAL 112 Ov (RR: 3.53) 396 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Rohit Sharma, 17.3 ov), 2-89 (Shubman Gill, 28.5 ov), 3-179 (Shreyas Iyer, 50.4 ov), 4-249 (Rajat Patidar, 71.1 ov), 5-301 (Axar Patel, 85.3 ov), 6-330 (Srikar Bharat, 90.6 ov), 7-364 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 100.3 ov), 8-383 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 106.5 ov), 9-395 (Jasprit Bumrah, 110.5 ov), 10-396 (Mukesh Kumar, 111.6 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W James Anderson 25-4-47-3 Joe Root 14-0-71-0 Tom Hartley 18-2-74-1 Shoaib Bashir 38-1-138-3 Rehan Ahmed 17-2-65-3 England 1st Innings Zak Crawley c Iyer b Patel Ben Duckett c Patidar b Kuldeep Yadav Ollie Pope

76 21

b Bumrah 23 Joe Root c Shubman Gill b Bumrah 5 Jonny Bairstow c Shubman Gill b Bumrah 25 Ben Stokes (c) b Bumrah 47 Ben Foakes † b Kuldeep Yadav 6 Rehan Ahmed c Shubman Gill b Kuldeep Yadav 6 Tom Hartley c Shubman Gill b Bumrah 21 James Anderson lbw b Bumrah 6 Shoaib Bashir not out 8 Extras (b 7, lb 1, nb 1) 9 TOTAL 55.5 Ov (RR: 4.53) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Ben Duckett, 10.2 ov), 2-114 (Zak Crawley, 22.3 ov), 3-123 (Joe Root, 25.5 ov), 4-136 (Ollie Pope, 27.5 ov), 5-159 (Jonny Bairstow, 35.4 ov), 6-172 (Ben Foakes, 38.2 ov), 7-182 (Rehan Ahmed, 42.3 ov), 8-229 (Ben Stokes, 49.2 ov), 9-234 (Tom Hartley, 51.2 ov), 10-253 (James Anderson, 55.5 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Jasprit Bumrah 15.5-5-45-6 Mukesh Kumar 7-1-44-0 Kuldeep Yadav 17-1-71-3 Ravichandran Ashwin 12-0-61-0 Axar Patel 4-0-24-1 India 2nd Innings Yashasvi Jaiswal not out 15 Rohit Sharma (c) not out 13 Extras 0 TOTAL 5 Ov (RR: 5.60) 28/0 Yet to bat: Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat †, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav BOWLING O-M-R-W James Anderson 2-0-6-0 Shoaib Bashir 2-0-17-0 Rehan Ahmed 1-0-5-0

Ben Stokes lost his off stump to Jasprit Bumrah

firmed the extent to which even England's kingpin had been outplayed; but it was Bumrah's subsequent extraction of England's firstTest hero Ollie Pope - blasted from the crease by an unplayable inswinging yorker - which proved that, just occasionally, the danger is too acute, even for this team, to keep running towards it.

It was a one-man show to match that which Yashasvi Jaiswal had completed for India in the morning session, as he converted his overnight 179 to an epic 209 from 290 balls, in an innings in which no other batter passed 34. Though Bumrah was backed up in timeless flatdeck fashion by the wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav - whose sharp-turning wiles claimed three of the other four wickets to fall - the extent to which he up-ended this contest is perhaps best expressed by the serenity of England's progress outside of his killer burst.

While Zak Crawley was in command of England's tempo, in a long-levered knock of 76 from 78 balls, which in-

Nevertheless, England gave it a good go for as long as they realistically could. On a surface offering increasingly steepling bounce, England were obliged to tweak their game plans, with the reverse-sweep that was such a feature at Hyderabad now fraught with danger and rarely unfurled.

And in Crawley's case, that meant using his 6'5" reach to smother any danger at source with full-faced drives to the straighter deliveries and pounding slogsweeps when the bowlers strayed outside off.

This approach included another proactive tilt at the new ball, with England marching along to 59 in ten overs before Ben Duckett poked Kuldeep to silly point to depart for 21 for 17. Pope survived on his wits for the initial 10 runs of his innings, stretching forward with near-desperation in a display that had far more in common with his 1 from 11 at Hyderabad than his subsequent 196.

But Crawley was a class apart, much as he had been in

a similar one-man display in Ahmedabad on the 2021 tour.

By the time Duckett had reached 72, Crawley had scored a half-century in boundaries alone - the last of which, a half-tracker punched past cover, caused Ashwin to be pulled from the attack nursing the uncharacteristically tatty figures of 8-0-40-0.

It meant England had cruised past 100 at a rate in excess of five an over, and when Axar Patel belatedly entered the attack after drinks, to be shovelled second-ball through midwicket for four, it was clear Crawley was not about to slow down.

Unfortunately for him, and for England, Axar's next ball was pushed a fraction wider outside off, and Crawley's ambitious hack took a leading edge to be brilliantly caught by Shreyas Iyer, running back from point.

At 114 for 2, the time was nigh to recall Bumrah to greet the incoming Root - especially given that a solitary over from Mukesh before the drinks break had confirmed that the ball was indeed tailing. What followed was nothing short of a masterclass.

Even amid the carnage, however, England's spirit wasn't completely broken.

Jonny Bairstow brawled with intent to reach 24 not out at tea, albeit the bulk of his innings had been compiled while Bumrah was taking a breather - of his first 28 deliveries, their only meeting had been his very first ball, and that had been another inswinging yorker that almost extracted a review for lbw.

Straight after the break, Bumrah was back once more, and his fourth ball of the session was scuffed to Gill at first slip.

Ben Foakes came and went without much resistance, as Kuldeep bowled him

round his outside edge for 6, while Rehan Ahmed's attempt at a counterattack ended with a toe-ended slap to midwicket.

But Stokes, typically watchful at first, and inching through the gears as the wickets slipped away around him, found an ally in Tom Hartley to launch a late counterattack of 47 in 40 balls for the eighth wicket - with Mukesh's ugly figures of 0 for 44 in seven overs proving that an ability to bowl reverse-swing was not remotely the same as harnessing it.

Each man landed a slogsweep for six in consecutive overs, with Stokes's off Ashwin confirming that he'd go wicketless in an innings in India for just the sixth time in his Test career. But back came Bumrah with a job to finish, and two balls later, back went Stokes's off stump as the ball sneaked low past a half-formed block.

The Stokes wicket was Bumrah's 150th in Tests, and by the time he had mopped up Hartley and Anderson, his average had plummeted to an extraordinary 20.28, a figure that no bowler with that many wickets has matched since the great SF Barnes, more than a century ago. If ever there was proof that we are witnessing a generational talent among fast bowlers, the names in his wake Marshall, Garner, Ambrose et al - amply confirm it.

By the close, India's first-innings lead of 143 had been stretched to 171 without further loss in five overs, with Jaiswal back where he had started the day, with his captain Rohit Sharma alongside him, feasting on perhaps the first demoralised passage of play that England have allowed to slip into their endlessly optimistic attitude.

(ESPNCricinfo)

30

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

West Indies Championships 2024…

New TTFA administration on horizon as Elective Congress set for April 13

Blackwood, Bonner, McKenzie headline Jamaica Scorpions squad A

W

Jamaica’s Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner and Kirk McKenzie

est Indies Test players Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner and Kirk McKenzie headline a strong 13-member Jamaica Scorpions squad for the opening rounds of the 2024 West Indies Championships.

Blackwood, 32, will captain the team, and is looking to earn a recall to the West Indies Test outfit, after he was dropped prior to their recent tour of Australia.

Blackwood, who averages 30.18 in 56 Tests, played two games for the Scorpions in last season’s West Indies Championships, scoring 159 runs, with two fifties in four innings.

Bonner, who averages

38 in 15 Tests, with his last coming against Australia in December 2022, will be looking to bounce back from a rough season last year, wherein he scored only 43 runs in four innings at 10.75.

McKenzie is coming off a promising tour of Australia that saw him produce scores of 50, 26, 21 and 41 against a superb Australia bowling attack, and will be looking to score big runs for the Scorpions.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Abhijai Mansingh, whose performances with bat and ball last season saw him earn a call-up to the West Indies “A” team for their tour of South Africa, is also in the squad.

Chadwick Walton, the

38-year-old who last played first-class cricket in 2019, has also been named in the Scorpions squad, as has former West Indies Under-19 Captain Ramaal Lewis.

The Scorpions will open their campaign against the Windward Islands from February 7-10 at Sabina Park. They were lowest placed in last year's points table with 25.6 points.

Full Squad: Jermaine Blackwood (C), Nkrumah Bonner, Derval Green, Abhijai Mansingh, Peat Salmon, Jeavor Royal, Kirk McKenzie, Marquino Mindley, Gordon Bryan, Romaine Morris, Carlos Brown, Chadwick Walton, Ramaal Lewis. (Sportsmax)

new-look Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) administration is on the horizon, as a collective decision has been taken to support FIFA’s recommendation to host the Elective Congress on Saturday April 13, 2024.

It was revealed in a TTFA release that the decision would be facilitated by a short extension of the Normalisation Committee’s mandate, and would result in the following timeline, which is viewed as respectful to all parties concerned, as well as to ensure that the process is fair, complete, and final.

The TTFA Normalisation Committee would issue the notice for the Extraordinary Congress on or before Tuesday, February 13, after which candidates for any of the Executive Committee positions must be submitted to the General Secretariat by Wednesday, February 28.

From there, the General Secretariat must circulate an official list of candidates to all TTFA members by Wednesday, April 3, with the Extraordinary Congress for the Election of the Executive Committee to be convened 10 days later, on April 13.

This follows last Sunday’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the TTFA, at which 33 of the 47 members present unanimously agreed to accept amendments to the constitution, and also invoked the right of the FIFAappointed Normalisation Committee, being led by businessman Robert Hadad, to

call fresh elections and conclude their mandate to manage the local sporting discipline, as handed down by FIFA, in March 2020.

Meanwhile, at least three persons are eagerly awaiting the election, now that approval of the constitution is completed. However, the members are concerned by one of the new amendments that would allow only people contesting the election to be part of a slate.

Also, members can vote only for a slate, and not for an office position, as was the case in the past. The slate with the most votes would manage the sport for a four-year term.

It is one of many proposed amendments to the constitution that, though objected to, was still included by Concacaf and FIFA. Still, most of the members voted in favour of considering a promise that changes to the constitution could be made only within a few months of having a new administration.

Another major change that was of concern to the members was the increased number of votes — (two votes each) —given to T&T Premier

League (TTPFL) clubs - Tier I (12 clubs) and Tier II (six clubs) which makes it 36 from a total of 57 votes. Hadad, who led the Normalisation Committee, achieved most of its mandate, including clearing a massive debt and ensuring that football was operational. But he now has to make way for a new TTFA president.

It is reported that Selby Browne, president of the Veterans Football Foundation of T&T; Keiron Edwards, president of the Eastern Football Association; and Dennis Latiff, the new Southern Football Association president, have all expressed interest in taking the reins.

But before any candidate can be considered, each has to meet the criteria of another constitutional change. A nominee must be involved in the sport for the past eight years if he or she wants to contest the election to serve on the executive.

They also have to meet the criterion of having held a managerial position for two of the last four years in order to be eligible for election. (Sportsmax)

Newcastle, Luton share 8 goals in Premier League thriller S ubstitute Harvey Barnes marked his return from a long injury with a goal to rescue a point for Newcastle in an extraordinary eight-goal thriller against Luton.

In a breathless encounter, Sean Longstaff swept the hosts into the lead, only for defender Gabriel Osho to head an equaliser off the underside of the bar. The Hatters, however, were on level terms for just two minutes, as Longstaff restored Newcastle's advantage after Thomas Kaminski parried Anthony Gordon's attempt into his path.

But Luton were far from done, and equalised a second time before half-time, Ross Barkley firing home from five yards after the ball had dropped invitingly at his feet following Martin Dubravka's save to keep out Alfie Doughty.

The visitors went ahead for the first time when skipper Carlton Morris scored from a retaken penalty, after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled Dan Burn had fouled the impressive Chiedozie Ogbene.

It looked all over when

Elijah Adebayo made it 4-2 less than two minutes later, but Kieran Trippier's first goal since August 2022 gave the Magpies hope, before Barnes, in his first appearance since 24 September, drilled home to make it 4-4.

In one of the all-time great games of the Premier League era, Jacob Murphy missed a great chance to win it for Newcastle when he blazed over in the 85th minute, before Ogbene was denied by Dubravka at the other end in the 98th minute.

Positives on a chaotic afternoon for Newcastle

There was applause around the ground at the full-time whistle, after an incredible game which saw Newcastle twice concede the lead and then come back from 4-2 down to secure a point.

Boss Eddie Howe will prefer to focus on the positives rather than his side's suspect defending, with the Magpies shipping another four goals after conceding three against both Manchester City and

Sean Longstaff has scored in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup this season

Nottingham Forest in their previous two home games.

And amid the chaos, there were some pluses - not least the impact of Barnes and fellow substitute Callum Wilson on their returns.

Former Leicester player Barnes showed his eye for goal has not diminished during five months on the sidelines.

The loss of Alexander Isak for "several weeks" is another setback in a sea-

son of injury woes for Howe, but the return of Barnes and Wilson will provide the Newcastle manager with optimism that his side can finish the season strongly.

In addition, Trippier has more assists - nine than any other player in the Premier League this season, after setting up Longstaff for the first goal.

The Magpies were looking to build momentum after inflicting a first Premier League home defeat on

Aston Villa in midweek. Yet, at the end of an incredible game, Newcastle were relieved to have secured one point. It would not have escaped Howe's attention that his side have managed just two victories in their past nine top-flight games.

Luton play their part in an astonishing game

Luton were well-backed at St James’ Park - the early start to travel across the

country in time for kickoff well worth the effort for their fans in the end.

Hatters boss Rob Edwards and his players stayed out on the pitch for several minutes after fulltime to show their appreciation to the supporters who had made the long journey north.

There is so much to like about Luton this season, and their fighting spirit once again surfaced as they came from behind on two occasions before taking a firm grip on proceedings.

There will be disappointment for Edwards and his players, that they could not hold out after stunning St James' Park by sweeping into a 4-2 lead just after the hour mark. But Luton are showing spirit in abundance, and at times are a joy to watch.

Everton's battling draw against Tottenham in the early kick-off meant the Hatters started this game back in the bottom three.

Yet they ended the day up in 16th - with a one-point safety cushion - after playing their part in an astonishing game. (BBC Sport)

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GMMF to host International Coach certification programme T

he Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMF) is gearing up to host not one, but two events in March, both with an international flare.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the GMMF would be hosting an International Fight Night on March 23rd, now an International Certification Coaching programme is set to be hosted alongside the Fight Night, just a few days prior.

Revealing that the Coaching programme is set for March 20th and 21st, GMMF President Gavin Singh related that the event is geared at the sport’s development.

“What this affords us is the opportunity for the development of the sport here, and those persons who will be participating will have an opportunity, again thanks to Mr. [Michael] Singh and Mr. [Jason] Fraser, to see how an event is actually monitored and scrutinized according to international standards,” Singh shared at the International Fight Night’s launch during the week.

GMMF President Gavin Singh

International Coaching certification will be important for the sport’s development, says the GMMF

In divulging the aim of the initiative, Singh revealed that coaching is part of the Federation’s success planning for athletes.

Singh said, “One of the aims of the Federation’s success planning for its athletes is coaches, and we’re taking a page out of Mr. Fraser’s book. He has three coaches that are now, one in partic-

ular is an official for the IF, Mr. Warren Gill. And that is at international recognition, able to give that support for any regional and international event. In fact, he served at the last Pan Am Games and World Championships.

“That is history, not only for Trinidad and Tobago, but for the Caribbean as a whole.

We look to do the same,” he

added.

According to the GMMF Boss, the coaching programme would be an inclusive one, open to coaches from other fighting disciplines.

Singh disclosed, “We’re opening to all coaches, whether you are Shotokan, Jiu jit-

su, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Kick Boxing, Boxing. Please note, the name of the sport is mixed martial arts; know what you do, and then do the application in the cage, then we’ll see which discipline is the best!

“So, the more persons we have certified, more persons we have trained and experienced, it is an opportuni-

ty not only for yourself, but an opportunity for the sport to grow; and this is you being a part of history on that,” the GMMF President further stated.

As would be the case with the International Fight Night, the International Coaching programme is set to be hosted at the Pegasus Hotel.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ticket ballot…

Jockey Appadu eyeing Over 1 million ticket pole position at Jumbo applications received Jet’s Mashramani race in first 48 hours

C

hampion Jockey Ronaldo Appadu, owner of this accolade for his exploits in the New Year’s Day race, is aiming to extend his form at the upcoming Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee’s Mashramani horse race meet, set for Sunday, February 25, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice It is a venue with which Jockey Appadu is familiar. His last outing there saw him recording two wins and four second spot finishes. According to Appadu, he is aiming to have a fruitful 2024.

Appadu also spoke about his preparation for this Mashramani race meet. He said, “This year started very well with me. I would like to go through better than last year. Last year was not too bad, I had couple wins last year. This year, I would like to do better this year.

“The horses are 50% as it relates to preparation. We have been working them every morning to get them to 100%. We have good weather. Sometimes we have a bit of a rain, but the rain does good for the track, to get the horses on the good cushion on the track. The weather has been good to us,” Appadu said.

Energized, Jockey

E

Jockey Ronaldo Appadu

Appadu also noted that the turns at Rising Sun are sharper than at other venues, and he has taken cognizance of that.

“Rising Sun is a smaller track than Port Mourant.

When you are out there, you have to be in a good position when going around the turn.

The first turn is a very sharp turn,” Appadu explained.

Jockey Appadu also extended gratitude to the fans, who continue to show support for him.

Eight races are carded for the Mashramani horse meet, and close to G$10 million will be up for grabs.

The feature event, open to all imported and locally-bred horses, would be contested over a distance of 1,600m, and the winning horse would earn G$2 million.

The provisional programme includes the West Indian-bred four-year-old and West Indian-bred threeyear-old horses running over 1,600m, and the three-yearold Guyana-bred non-winners of two races running over 1,400m.

All the top horses and jockeys are expected to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club at the Mashramani event, he disclosed.

xcitement for the historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, being held in the West Indies and USA from June 1st to 29th, is building, and 1.2 million ticket applications have already been received in the first 48 hours of the public ballot.

Applications have come from 126 countries, showing the global appeal of the event, but it is locals in the Americas where demand has been strongest, with over 900,000 ticket applications from fans residing within the USA and West Indies.

The ballot is not a firstcome first-served system, and fans applying before the seven-day window closes at 23:59h Antigua Standard Time on 7 February 2024 would still have an equal chance of obtaining tickets.

Entering the ballot at tickets.t20worldcup. com would give fans the best chance to get tickets to all the matches they want, and be part of the biggest cricket carnival ever.

Remaining tickets not reserved in the ballot would go on general sale after the ballot period is closed, and these will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at tickets.t20worldcup. com on 22 February.

Tickets to all 55 matches are accessibly priced to en-

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley

tice cricket enthusiasts and new fans to the sport. Prices start at just US$6, and over 260,000 tickets will be on sale across the group stage, Super Eight, and semi-finals for US$25 and under.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley, said: “The initial applications for tickets indicate strong demand for tickets to the first ICC event co-hosted by West Indies and USA. T20 cricket is a growth vehicle to bring new fans to the sport. It is reassuring to see a large majority of applications coming from the Americas, reflecting the excitement of fans in the region to see world-class cricket.

We urge any fan interested in attending to not miss out on entering the ballot before

the window closes, to ensure you get the best chance of securing your seats.”

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh has said: “Given the global appeal of T20 cricket, we anticipated a high number of applications during the early stages of the public ticket ballot, but to surpass one million applications in the first 48 hours is nothing short of phenomenal, and is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collective efforts of every member of the tournament project team.

“With the ballot remaining open until 23:59h Antigua Standard Time on 7 February 2024, I again encourage all fans, particularly Caribbean fans, to take advantage of this opportunity to apply for tickets, as it is the best chance to see all the games they want.

“The cricketing world is looking forward to you coming out in your numbers and showcasing our Caribbean energy, passion, and camaraderie in a global World Cup festival where cultures will converge and history will be made.”

To start the application process, and for further ticketing information, fans are invited to visit tickets. t20worldcup.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

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

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International eyeing pole position at Jumbo Jet’s Coach certification programme Mashramani race Pg 31

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