Guyana Times - Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Guyana abstains from voting on death penalty ban at UN P2 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3854

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019

PRICE

Venezuelan migrants

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Indigenous leaders complain of increase in diseases, theft in communities

Some of the Toshaos and village representatives at the opening ceremony of the Amerindian Peoples Association’s 10th General Assembly, which is being hosted at Camp Kuyuka, Linden-Soesdyke Highway (See story on page 3)

Impasse deepens between Rusal, …as company refuses to meet with workers’ union it claims is “unrecognised” bauxite unions …workers will continue to block river – union

Hindus observe Maha Shivaratri 2019

$80 vat included

Page 9

Page 14

Police to crack down MP calls for full Page on parking touts 2 disclosure of agreement between Page Govt and American Airlines 7

$19M NA abattoir abandoned, vandalised P15

‘Stalker’ charged for killing P7 mother of 5

Hearing impaired persons given green light to write drivers’ P11 examination Essequibo Coast house partially destroyed by fire P10

Good Hope chopping

Abusive farmer threatening P10 to “finish off” mother-in-law

Essequibo Coast man succumbs following Mash Day accident P11

2 news

Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana abstains from voting on death penalty ban at UN voted in favour of the UN resolution for a global moratorium on executions, while 32 countries, including Guyana and Antigua and

Barbuda, abstained.

According to the UN, 35 States, including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, India, Pakistan, and US,

which voted against the resolution, are clearly out of step with the global trend towards abolition.

Police to crack down on parking touts

F

A section of the panellists who attended the high-level meeting

or the first time in several years, Guyana last year abstained from voting on a United Nations Resolution in favour of a moratorium on the death penalty.

Guyana’s position has taken the international community by surprise, since, previously, the country voted against the death penalty ban.

In fact, the United Nations Biennial HighLevel Panel on the death penalty, which met last week in Geneva, said it has taken note of Guyana’s decision to abstain from voting while Melinda Janki, a member of the High Level Panel, described Guyana’s move as a ‘success’.

Though the death penalty is still enshrined in Guyana’s laws, the last execution was done in 1997.

As of February 2017, there were 25 persons on death

row. The death penalty is directly linked to the period of colonialism but while it still obtains in some Commonwealth countries, the United Kingdom amended its laws in 1965 to eliminate it.

Janki, according to a press statement, condemned the death penalty as barbaric and said that “like slavery, the death penalty says that some people are less than others”. She reminded countries that the Dutch and British colonial powers in Guyana used the death penalty to terrorise enslaved Africans and that even today inequality was hardwired into Caribbean societies. She also pointed out that the death penalty was also applied in a discriminatory way.

According to her, in the English-speaking Caribbean, death sentences tend not to be imposed

on the rich and powerful, but only on the poor and the powerless, the illiterate, the under-educated and the mentally challenged.

“Unlike the rich who could secure top-quality legal representation, the marginalised were often left with mediocre legal representation and a serious risk of wrongful conviction,” she highlighted.

Janki pointed out that States had an obligation to protect all of their citizens not just those people who Governments and Judges believed should be protected.

She added that: “Even the United States of America, which is such a rich and powerful country, is now infamous for the number of innocent people who have been sentenced to death in its courts.”

Last December, some 121 States, including Dominica,

A few of the parking monitors on Wellington Street, Georgetown on Monday

P

ersons who are blocking off streets and parapets and only allowing persons who are willing to pay for a parking space are committing an offence.

This is according to A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) Commander Marlon Chapman.

Of recent, parking touts have taken up positions at several streets in the city and are blocking off the parapets, forcing drivers to pay for parking.

Drivers, especially those

traversing along Wellington Street, Georgetown, have complained bitterly about this new phenomenon.

According to drivers, the touts dressed in orange vests direct persons where to park and those who refuse to pay are blocked from parking in the area.

While some persons who are urgently seeking parking are appreciative of the touts, others who are not comfortable with persons demanding payment have taken to social media to express their disgust.

One person in a post on

social media complained that he was about to park his vehicle when someone in “an orange jacket ran out to him”, telling him not to leave his vehicle there but somewhere else if he was not paying to park.

According to that social media user, these persons leave drivers with almost no options as sometimes they are even threatened “that’s why y’all car does break and enter”.

Commander Chapman in an invited comment on Monday told Guyana Times that this practice was illegal.

“That can’t be legal. I haven’t had complaints of what you are speaking about, but that cannot be legal. I don’t know if they are employed by the persons who own those business places; I can’t speak about that,” the Commander said.

Chapman explained that if those persons were employed by business owners, then the Police would have a different approach in those cases; however, if those persons are operating of their own accord, then enforcement will have to be done to ensure persons’ safety.

In this regard, Chapman promised to look into the issue, while adding that consultations with legal advisors may have to be done to decide on the way forward.

news

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Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 5 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, March 6 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 5 – 16:05h-17:35h and Wednesday, March 6– 16:40h-18:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day, followed by clear to partly cloudy skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 16:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.55 metres.

Venezuelan migrants

Indigenous leaders complain about increase in diseases, theft in communities

By Leah Hernandez

A

s the number of Venezuelan migrants continuously increases, with some 5123 documented in Guyana, Indigenous leaders from Amerindian communities are calling for stricter security in border communities as the influx of migrants has resulted in an increase in health and security issues in their villages.

Some of the alarming issues have been identified as the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) A section of the gathering at the opening ceremony of the Amerindian Peoples Association’s 10th General Assembly

Low Tide: 09:52h and 22:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.65 metre respectively.

APA President Mario Hastings

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and increase in criminal activities and were raised at Monday’s commencement of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) 10th Annual General Assembly.

These concerns were voiced by APA’s unit representatives particularly for Arau and Kaikan Villages, in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), who pleaded for the situation to be taken under control immediately by the Government.

APA’s representative in Arau Village, Devroy Thomas, related to Guyana Times that while the village leaders understand the need to render support, the issue has become very complicated, since the migrants were bringing with them bad practices which could corrupt the communities.

“Well, the situation is very complicated now because of the influx of the migrants into our village’s areas … in the mines that is around Arau Village. There are hundreds of them, but there’s no one to try to help them ... it has been reported by the community health workers that there is spread of STDs and some of the youths in the village have been affected and there are no drugs available … the crime rate is high and alarming and is making the villagers afraid,” he explained.

Residents of Kaikan Village are experiencing similar problems, since many have complained about their homes being broken into and mainly clothing being stolen.

They are growing worried about their lifestyle being negatively impacted by the migrants, especially if they are left unsupervised.

Thus, desperate calls are being made to the Government

of Guyana to have greater and effective measures in place to curb these issues being faced

by Indigenous people and communities.

Meanwhile, this year’s 10th General Assembly event is being held at Camp Kuyuka, along the LindenSoesdyke Highway and will conclude on Wednesday. To commence the event, cultural items were showcased in the form of songs, dances, and Indigenous languages.

APA President Mario Hastings, in opening remarks, underscored the organisation’s support for the promotion of transparency and accountability, adding that the APA has undertaken new initiatives which include the origination of its Youth Media programme, revision of the Amerindian People’s Act, and its Sustainable Livelihood Programme.

According to Hastings, these programmes are geared towards support of village councils, as well as to resolve and publicise communi-

ty-based issues Amerindian communities face, including water contamination and land disputes, which have so far been one of the greatest challenges.

“Some of the activities the organisation has been involved in are youth media, where we have youths making short videos highlighting problems or issues from the villages, and sustainable livelihood where persons were trained in proposal writing and book-keeping … we have trained persons from different regions to work along with the village councils, because as

an organisation we have seen that these were some issues coming from the villages and so they are there to give support,” he stated.

Nevertheless, Hastings reassured attendees that the APA will continue advocating until these problems are resolved.

The event saw the attendance of APA executives, Toshaos and regional representatives, who organised the three-day activity to discuss the affairs of both the Indigenous communities and the Non-Governmental Organisation.

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Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019

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

Violators of traffic rules

O

n Sunday, two vendors returning home after selling at the Bourda Market in Georgetown lost their lives after the minibus in which they were travelling was allegedly speeding, causing the driver to lose control after reportedly being grazed by another vehicle.

There is always an element of risk whenever someone uses the roadways: be it a motorist, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. This is somewhat inherent, since it is believed that accidents will happen.

Often the fault is not with the one being cautious.

The risks may manifest themselves in various forms, such as a lack of street lighting while driving at nights; potholes, which when swerved from could place a vehicle in the direct path of another; absence of or non-functioning traffic lights, which can create uncertainty among drivers; roaming animals; speeding; drinking and driving; narrow streets, and lack of traffic signage. In addition, disobedience of basic traffic etiquette and other rules exacerbate the risks.

Seemingly common now is the disrespect for designated major roads. Many drivers, including some within the public transportation system, refuse to adhere to what is mandatory. As a result, a number of accidents occur frequently at some of those points. Similarly, the practice of running red lights and the green signal that allows pedestrians to cross continues unabated, predominantly by minibus drivers. The danger this poses needs no explanation.

While there is a plethora of traffic violations on a daily basis, some appear more prominent. Undertaking and cutting in front of a vehicle, and the sticking out of a minibus conductor’s arm to do likewise from the other side seem the new norm of driving. Aside from the obvious danger, especially to young and inexperienced drivers, and being an irritant, it is blatant bullyism and a potent source for road rage.

It appears that those who engage in such practices do not see themselves as being errant, or what they do as a traffic violation.

Lanes that allow for turning-on-red are abused and used as if it’s the right-of-way. In the City, many roads other than what are authorised for minibus routes are used as thoroughfares. Speeding is foremost, causing areas that are supposed to be free of minibuses to become dangerous.

In addition, some drivers seemingly take pride in having an alcoholic beverage in their possession while transporting passengers.

Adding to the woes of those who abide by traffic rules, they are verbally abused when trying to stave off a potential transgressor.

These practices are not unknown to the Police and while they cannot be at all points where violations occur, there is the expectation for more and sustained intervention in the interest of safety to all road users.

This does not take away from the valiant efforts of a few dedicated traffic officers who do their best to curb the situation; one which has reached alarming proportions. Reportedly, many minibuses are owned by some Police ranks and the drivers are of the view that they have a free pass to break traffic rules. It is believed that traffic ranks turn a blind eye when they see firsthand violations by minibuses owned by members of the force.

That obviously empowers those errant drivers, and causes others to do likewise. Sometime ago, a senior traffic officer, speaking at a road safety fair, boldly proclaimed that no one is above the law when asked specifically about reports of violation by Police ranks. That is heartening to hear, and he must be commended. However, the followup question should have been how effective his action could be in the context of minibuses being owned by some of his colleagues.

In fairness to the Police, it did clamp down on tinted vehicles owned by some ranks. That shows that the force seems willing to hold its own responsible. While that offers some level of optimism, it begs the question why the unbridled traffic violations by some minibuses continue unchecked.

From all reports, some traffic ranks can easily pinpoint a particular minibus based upon design and route when a complaint is lodged. That probably suggests that traffic violation is not unique to that vehicle. Again, it must be asked: How is it allowed to continue?

One can assume that alleged pressure from within is responsible.

Seemingly gone is the expectation of the example being set by those entrusted to ensure safety on the roadways.

What is desperately needed is a sustained national campaign to reduce traffic violations, and let the law take its course on the errant ones, regardless of who they are. The carelessness exhibited puts all road users at risk. This is where the National Road Safety Council would need to be supported, and probably empowered to have a more visible presence and increased influence all year round.

It must be noted that drivers are not the only violators of traffic rules; for some pedestrians are equally guilty. Aside from the common jaywalking, they cross busy intersections when not authorized, and refuse to use the overhead pedestrian walkways, thereby bringing danger to themselves and others. Like errant drivers, they seem empowered to not observe basic traffic rules. This will only change when there is a constant stream of violators up the stairs of the courts across the country. There is a hope that that is not wishful thinking.

Worshippers gathered at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha on the East Coast of Demerara, which is popularly referred to as the Cove and John Ashram, to observe Maha Shivaratri 2019 (Dexter Ceres photo)

Venezuela crisis: Secret escape to anti-migration Hungary I t may come as a surprise to see refugees from the turmoil in Venezuela warmly welcomed in Hungary – by a government widely known to be hostile to immigration and asylum.

About 350 have already arrived on plane tickets funded by the State. Another 750 are on a list, waiting in Caracas, and more may follow.

But there’s a catch.

All those who apply must prove Hungarian ancestry, however distant that might be.

Government spokesmen have been at pains to insist that they are genuine Hungarians “coming home”, though very few were actually born in Hungary, let alone speak Hungarian.

Who are they?

Most Venezuelans with Hungarian ancestry emigrated in two waves.

The first, after World War Two, included many associated with the Miklos Horthy regime which sided with Nazi Germany. Some had been involved in the deportation of Hungarian Jews to Nazi death camps.

A very different group of around 400 followed after the 1956 failed revolution, including some who had fought the Soviet army on the barricades in Budapest.

The community has since swelled to several thousand.

Many young Venezuelans without any Hungarian ancestry were attracted by the vibrant cultural life of the community in Caracas, with its dance and scout groups.

Only when the situation deteriorated rapidly in 2017, when hunger was accompanied by arbitrary violence, did community organisers turn for help to the Hungarian Government.

The 350 who have arrived have been generously re-

ceived, with enrolment in language classes and accommodation and integration for the first 12 months.

laughed my Venezuelan contact. “But some of us are more Hungarian than Hungarians!”

Orban and his antiimmigration campaign

What next for Hungary’s immigrants?

The irony is that the programme has been drawn up by an inter-ministerial team from the Fidesz Government, which has bitterly opposed immigration for the past four years.

Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has built his campaign for the European Parliament elections in May entirely on opposing immigration to the European Union.

The campaign of billboards and newspaper ads has been condemned by the EU as distorting the truth and aiming to “paint a dark picture of a secret plot to drive more migration to Europe”.

Most refugee integration programmes there were abolished by the Government in 2016 and 2017.

Only 94 people were granted asylum in Hungary in the first nine months of 2018.

Another 290 were given lesser forms of protected status.

The Venezuelans’ arrival was revealed by independent news website Index and Hungary’s authorities have asked those taking part in the scheme not to talk to the media.

“The Government made clear to us that this would be difficult to communicate - -because of its own hysterical anti-migrant campaign,” said one of the Venezuelans already safely in Hungary, who asked that his name not be used.

“They insist on the word ‘repatriation’ – but this was rather loosely applied at the start. Now, the conditions have been tightened.”

The journey to Budapest is limited to Venezuelans who can trace their roots to Hungary

A difficult task of persuasion

Their cause was eventually championed by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen.

“It was hard at first persuading the Government just how bad the situation there had become. That my monthly pension barely covered a single meal,” my source said.

“We did not become refugees lightly. Especially those of us who were refugees from Hungary in the first place. We knew that we may lose our life’s work, our flats, everything we had in Venezuela.”

Plane tickets and even transport to the airport were arranged through the Hungarian embassy in Ecuador and the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.

The first Venezuelans arrived in April 2018 and all are deeply grateful to the Hungarian Government for its assistance.

But the peculiar anti-migrant atmosphere cultivated by the Orban Government has led to some tragicomic scenes.

When the new arrivals were placed initially in the tourist resort of Balatonoszod, local Hungarians boarded up their windows and phoned the Police in panic when they noticed what they called “negroes” in the streets.

“It’s true some of us are quite dark-skinned,”

One year on, the children are already fluent in the language, and well-integrated into their local schools.

“They love the freedom to go out in the streets safely.

The freedom to study, to be themselves here, to be exotic,” said another parent.

But worries plague the older people among them.

Image caption “What will we do when our year is up, and the charity extended to us ends? We are not entitled to pensions here,” one told me.

That is just one of the problems Hungary’s Ministry of Human Capacities is trying to solve.

Opposition parties have accused the Government of hypocrisy for taking in Venezuelans, but rejecting Syrians, Iraqis, or Afghans.

The Venezuelans fear such attacks might dilute the Government’s willingness to allow in those still queuing escaping.

They have noticed a lull in new arrivals, as the Government assesses whether the current Venezuelan Government will survive.

Under laws passed in Hungary in 2018, organisations and individuals which help migration can be fined or even jailed and have 25 per cent of their income confiscated by the State to fund border defences.

The Hungarian opposition jokes that the State should in this case fine itself.

I ask my contact: if the Maduro Government falls, would you return to Venezuela?

“Of course. That is my home.” (BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019

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

Valuation division needs a complete overhaul

Dear Editor, First, I wish to commend the writer of the article titled “Slothfulness, unprofessionalism at Government Valuation Office” carried in your Thursday, February 13, 2019, edition since it was necessary for someone to expose the alleged atrocities that take place at the Government Valuation division under the leadership of

the current Chief Valuation Officer, Julian Barrington.

My understanding of the duties of the valuation division is to provide municipal valuations for rates and taxes purposes and should not be for the preparation of valuations for private individuals. However, I can understand the boys at the valuation division are looking for some ‘side income’

to supplement their meagre salaries. My own experience at the valuation division is that from the time one enters the gate, they are bombarded by ‘touts’ and ‘sharks’ waiting to harass you to prepare your valuation and if you inquire about a particular valuation officer, they are usually in the habit of saying that the individual is not in office.

I believe that this situation was created by several Government institutions who advise that they require valuations prepared only by the valuation division and would refuse to accept valuations prepared by other qualified private valuators.

Editor, I would be happy if you can, on my behalf, and I am sure on behalf of a lot more concerned citi-

zens, ascertain whether only Government valuators can prepare valuations for the Guyana Revenue Authority, Deeds Registry, etc or is it collusion between these Government institutions and the valuation division?

Additionally, what would benefit the general public is if valuation officers could be clearly identified since there are instances where filing

clerks at the valuation division would prepare the valuations and have them countersigned by the Chief Valuation Officer.

Finally, it is my strong opinion that the valuation division needs a complete overhaul.

Sincerely, J Baptiste

We should accept the Constitution as Guyana’s social contract Dear Editor, When I think of the looming constitutional crisis I think of social contract.

In political philosophy, the social contract is the theory that speaks to the legitimacy of the authority of the State (Government) over the individual (citizens).

Most theories debate if the citizens have consented explicitly or tacitly to surrender some of their “freedoms” and to be under the author-

ity of the decision maker (Government), to keep social order.

There are multiple theories on the social contract. In all these theories it’s usually the human condition that is examined, which causes the need for a social contract. “State of nature” can be used to explain why any rational human being would give up their “natural freedom” to obtain benefits from a political or-

der bounded by a social contract.

Two opposing views on “state of nature” or “human nature” are proposed by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Thomas Hobbes in the Leviathan believed without a social contract to keep humans in check, we would have “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short” lives, as such is human nature. Humans, in Hobbes’ view, were innate-

ly selfish and would lead anarchic lives without a social contract. John Locke in the Second Treatise of Government, on the other hand, believed that humans are innately moral and would seek no harm to each other, be it lives or possessions. Locke believed that man can come together to create Government (via social contracts) to have a Body to protect these rights.

I would like to pro-

More security cameras needed Dear Editor, When some minibus operators protested recently and called for the removal of security cameras, there were mixed reactions from everyone. Some were of the view that the cameras are the cause for many to be victimised, and some will be getting away with lawlessness. Based on my information, many operators break the laws with the cameras present; they are being charged with the video evidence available from the cameras which did not go down well with many operators. On social media, still and video images are uploaded about the careless actions of drivers, especially minibus drivers. Some of these posts are from media operatives. Now there is no proper way to ease the lawlessness that is being perpetrated by the minibus operators and many of them escape jail time with flimsy excuses and lack of proper evidence, eye witness and in some cases bribery at all levels. The recent deadly accident that claimed two lives and numerous injuries at Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD) is a typical example of the scant regards drivers have for people’s lives.

The flimsy excuse is already there for his defence because immediately after an accident or whenever there’s an accident, whatever occurs will always be discussed by other operators, avoiding such in

the future would be debated and excuses would be argued to escape jail time. As usual, sometimes there’s ex-police amongst those gathered and with their knowledge of the law, their views will always be cherished. As I said before, the security cameras are the most effective method to combat crime and had there been security around the vicinity (not certain if there is) I am quite sure that after reviewing the footage, charges would have been laid against the guilty person. If any vehicle is being driven at the normal speed limit, there is no way that it would turn turtle and spin so many times when an accident occurs. At high speed, the vehicle is uncontrollable and even heavy hinds could cause the vehicle to lose control.

Editor, fair enough, lawlessness is occurring daily on our roadways and many opined that the police are victimising them when the police are executing their duties. Some even go to the extreme of videoing the police and posting it on social media in an attempt to embarrass the Guyana Police Force and its members. Looking at some of these posts you will see some sort of abnormal behaviour from the police and it’s time the police are trained on how to handle these situations. Many of the videos clearly show the police bullying and once they lay a charge

or issue a ticket against you, there is nothing you can do about it unless you are affiliated with someone higher in the Guyana Police Force or the Government. In the latest video, the person filming was repeatedly heard asking the officer to show the driver the speed limit on the radar gun as was claimed by the officer who could be seen refusing. For me, it makes no sense that you get charged for something you cannot verify. The Guyana Police Force should issue an advisory on the way charges/tickets are being issued against speeding etc. Had the officer sim-

ply showed the man the radar gun and the speed limit that the police claimed the driver was driving at, all the problems would have been over but if the officer makes a claim, how will that be proven in the court of law? The police will always be given the benefit of doubt. It is time the Guyana Police Force makes some radical changes. Running around once in a while and conducting stops and searches will not ease the countless lawlessness happening daily.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

pose that we accept our Constitution as Guyana’s social contract. In this contract, there is a no-confidence provision, which has been put into motion. Upon the arrival of 90-days after the fact and President Granger still hasn’t called elections he will be in direct breach of such a contract.

Editor, do we as Guyanese return to “state of nature”? If so, which one?

One where we are all mor-

al or one where we are nasty and brutish? With this looming constitutional crisis, what does the average man on the street expect? I would like to ask President Granger to propose a date for the election and then request the Leader of the Opposition to extend the life of the Government to this date.

Yours truly, Nalinie Singh

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part 2

Many people are attracted to the competition and popularity that can come with team sports. Others love the camaraderie and unity that are present in a team atmosphere. But for some people, teams are just frustrating and another form of cliques. If you’re not the biggest fan of organised sports, where you have to follow someone else’s schedule and rules, many other fun and exciting options are out there for you.

activities: Climb to the top. Did you love scaling trees and walls when you were younger?

Rock climbing offers participants one of the best all-around workouts possible. As a rock climber, you work your hands, arms, shoulders, back, stomach, legs, and feet — ALL AT ONCE! Take a hike (and bring your bike).

Hiking and trail biking are two great ways to learn about nature while still getting your

and trained in hiking.

Water world. The water is the perfect place to give yourself new challenges. There are plenty of water activities for all levels of difficulty and energy. Besides swimming, try canoeing, kayaking, fishing, rowing, sailing, wakeboarding, water skiing, windsurfing, and, if you’re feeling particularly daring, surfing.

You might already have an exercise routine or activity you like to do in your free time, but if you’re looking for something that will both keep you busy and allow you to blow off steam, try some of these

heart rate up. Even if you’re just going to a local trail, bring at least one other person along in case something happens. If you’re going for an intense multi-day hike, you should bring someone who is experienced

Find your inner self Many activities can be relaxing and taxing at once.

These three activities strengthen you physically and mentally: Yoga can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. In addition to the physical benefits, many people who practise yoga say that it reduces anxiety and stress and improves mental clarity.

Pilates is a body conditioning routine that seeks to build flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. Pilates also increases circulation and helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the body’s “core” or “powerhouse” (torso). People who do Pilates regularly feel they have better posture and are less prone to injury.

T’ai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art form that is great for improving flexibility and strengthening your legs, abdominal or core muscles, and arms.

Take an off-season — but not a season off!

Whether you choose one sport or three, make sure you give yourself a break from intense competition with some cross-training activities. Through crosstraining you can take a rest from your sport or sports and reduce the chance of getting an overuse injury – while still getting a workout and staying in shape.

Two examples of cross-training are swimming and cycling. They not only help build cardiovascular fitness, but also work your muscles. Swimming can really help tone your upper body, while cycling strengthens your legs.

You can also try outdoor bike rides and runs on nice days, stopping periodically to do sit-ups and push-ups. These simple exercises can work and tone your core muscles.

That time between seasons is also the perfect opportunity to get into a strength-training routine.

Before starting strength training, consult your doctor and school’s strength and conditioning coach. Your doc will be able to give you health clearance to participate in the different types of physical activities, and your strength coach can come up with a workout to help you prepare for your specific sports. (kidshealth.org)

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Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MP calls for full disclosure of agreement ‘Stalker’ charged for killing mother of 5 between Govt and American Airlines

O

pposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill has called for Government to disclose in its entirety, the agreement it signed with American Airlines to operate here.

This call comes in light of recent reports which suggest that Government may have waived a significant portion of the landing and air navigation fees for the North American airline.

“The Ministry needs to make public the entire agreement with American Airlines and to explain publicly why 90 per cent concession on the landing fees was required,” he said Monday.

The MP was quoting a

report in sections of the media.

Edghill, who shadows the public infrastructure portfolio in the National Assembly, said Government needed to say how that agreement would benefit Guyana.

“Is this compatible with any concession that has been granted to any other airline that has operated in Guyana in the past or is operating currently?” he ques-

Opposition MP Juan Edghill

tioned.

The Opposition MP is also demanding that Government explain how this move will impact on

the lowering of airfares to Guyana, stating that since the airline entered the market, airfares have not reduced.

It is alleged that the USowned airline is targeting high-end passengers who are coming to conduct oil business in Guyana.

Not against concessions

Edghill said the Opposition is not against

concessions, but noted that concessions must be granted with the aim of bringing value to Guyana.

“It must be equitable, non-discriminatory and it must not be putting another airline out of business, because they have to pay more.

It must be a competitive arrangement,” he explained.

The MP said at this stage, without having all the information – the Opposition was very concerned about it and is asking for transparency and full disclosure on this matter.

Activist and commentator Christopher Ram has said that Guyana should not allow oil companies and any of their subcontractors to continue using American Airlines given the exorbitant travelling rates.

American Airlines is said to be the world’s largest airline by fleet size, revenue, scheduled passengers carried, scheduled passenger-kilometres flown, and the number of destinations served.

The airline started operations here in the latter part of 2018. It has an average of nearly 6700 flights per day to approximately 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.

The airline uses an Airbus 319 with capacity for 120 passengers to fly to Guyana from Miami four times per week, departing from Miami at 18:00h and arriving in Georgetown at 22:40h. The return flight usually departs at 01:15h and arrives at 04:55h.

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Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

However, the airline had the highest ticket prices for travel between Guyana and Miami. In some cases, the cost of a one-way ticket is as much as seven times higher than the cost of tickets to the same destination on other air carriers.

Since these recent developments and media reports, Government has not been forthcoming with information regarding the agreement.

Several calls were made to both Ministers of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Annette Ferguson. However, there was no success in getting a comment from either official.

orty-nine-yearold Raymond Oselmo also called “Raymond Ali” and “Goodie Man” was on Monday charged for the murder of Nadina Kalamadeen, who was stabbed to death on Wednesday evening close to her North Sophia, Greater Georgetown home.

The pork-knocker of Lot 3617 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the capital offence, which detailed that on February 27, at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he murdered Kalamadeen.

The unrepresented man made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on March 18, 2019.

The 34-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed several times to her back by the accused, who was said to be obsessed with her.

It was reported that Kalamadeen was walking along the roadway in close proximity to her home when the suspect appeared and made several amorous advances towards her, which she ignored.

After the woman refused to accept his advanc-

Dead: Nadina Kalamadeen

es, he reportedly whipped out a knife and dealt her several stabs to the back.

The injured woman was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect attempted to escape but he was apprehended by persons in the neighbourhood and received a sound beating by residents before he was handed over to the police.

He was taken to the hospital for medical attention and was, over the weekend, discharged from the hospital and slapped with the murder charge.

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Businessman charged for possession of illegal gun, ammo

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orty-nine-yearold Rickey Wahid also called “Lall” of Samaroo Dam Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, was on Monday remanded to prison after he was arraigned with gun and ammunition possession charges.

It is alleged that Wahid was arrested on March 3 with an unlicenced firearm and a magazine containing eight live rounds of ammunition. During his court appearance on Monday before Magistrate Zameena Ali-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, the businessman denied the offences.

It was reported that on the day in question Wahid was also found in possession of a cutlass and a large piece of round wood.

The gun and ammunition which were allegedly found in the businessman’s car

Reports are that Police officers were in search of Wahid in relation to a report made by a butcher who claimed that the man had threatened to shoot him.

The businessman was, however, seen driving his car in the vicinity of the Vreeden-Hoop Police Station when he was stopped and told of the allegation made against him.

He reportedly remained silent when the officers prompted to search his vehicle. The black handgun with the magazine were allegedly discovered on the floor of the car. He was asked to produce his firearm licence but failed to do so. As such he was arrested. The case will continue on March 12, 2019, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

“Rasta Man” jailed for Labourer jailed for larceny attack on Mabura resident T

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omel Vieira called “Rasta Man” will spend the next two years in prison after he was jailed for a felonious wounding offence.

Vieira was found guilty by Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. He was charged in connection with the severe beating of Mabura, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) resident, Cliff Williams, which occurred on February 15.

It was revealed that 50-year-old Williams was attacked at about 13:30h by Vieira and a group of men at Mabura which caused him to sustain several bodily injuries, including fractured fingers.

According to Police, the Virtual Complainant of 47 Miles, Mabura, and the perpetrators are known to each other and would usually argue from time to time due to misunderstandings. It was reported that the men were at Vieira’s shop at Mabura consuming alcohol when the vic-

Romel Vieira also called “Rasta Man”

tim started to argue with him and another suspect. A fight then ensued during which the men dealt several cuffs and kicks to the VC, causing his right foot and left hand to break and his fingers to be fractured. The suspects then fled the scene while the victim was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex. Vieira was later arrested for the offence.

wenty-two-year-old Preston Skeete, a labourer of Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, will spend the next four years behind bars after being found guilty on two counts of larceny.

The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when Skeete made his final appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

He was sentenced to two years in prison on the first count of larceny which stated that on April 7, 2018, while at Amelia’s Ward, he stole a cellular phone from Shondel Frank valued $20,000, a purse valued $4,000 and $236,000 in cash. The items amounted to a total value of $260,000 and were the properties of Shondel Frank.

He was also sentenced to two additional years behind bars on the second count which stated that on August 17, 2018, while at Lot 6043

Preston Skeete

Third Phase, Amelia’s Ward, he stole two gold chains valued $168,000 from Felicia Seon. Skeete is presently before the court on an attempted murder charge. That case is still pending.

Narco trafficker jailed for 3 years

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inden Magistrate Wanda Fortune sentenced 31-year-old Sunil Nanhu to three years’ imprisonment after he admitted to a charge of trafficking in narcotics.

Nanhu, of Lot 598 Bell West Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, was charged with the offence of being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He was arrested by Police on February 21 at Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) after he was found in possession of 265 grams of cannabis leaves, seeds and stems.

He pleaded guilty to the offence when he made his first appearance before the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

In addition to the jail time, he was fined $397,500.

The Constitution…

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…and Basil Williams asil Williams was made the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Guyana in 2015, once the PNCled coalition slipped into office. And SLIP in it did… by less than 5000 votes!! While he certainly wasn’t in any way, shape or form noted for any legal prowess, he HAD stuck with the PNC through the years.

Most would remember his (in)famous conversation with Winston Felix, then Commissioner of Police (and now PNC Minister of Citizenship), wherein they conspired to head off the PPP Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira, from the trail of those who’d committed the Agricola massacre. The secretly recorded tape revealed real intimate knowledge of the workings of the Buxton gang, right Bannuh?

So while he was no legal bright bulb, not much was made about his appointment to what was a POLITICAL office. But when, two years later, Granger went and made him SENIOR COUNSEL, it raised a whole lotta eyebrows.

After all, by this time he’d lost so many high-profile cases he was openly criticised for being just a punching bag for his predecessor, Anil Nandlall! The legal fraternity protested that the “SC”, signifier of legal excellence, was being debased like mixing gold with copper!!

And even after Granger arranged for an advisory panel of legal “old heads” to steer him in the right direction, he continued with his losing ways. Folks wondered whether the award was intended to boost his sagging ego. But the fella keeps sticking his foot into his mouth, and your Eyewitness wonders whether he’ll be able to overcome his latest faux pas that’s so ridiculous it makes one wonder if Williams is in possession of all his marbles!!

Referring to Art 106 (7) of the Constitution, which declares that the Government “shall hold an election within three months” after the passage of a No Confidence motion, Williams announced that the constitutional provision was “erroneous”, since “The Government does not conduct elections.”!!! GECOM does!! Never mind that “holding” elections is explained in Art (61) as setting the “times for elections”, after the dissolution of Parliament, which “the President shall appoint by proclamation”!! So the PNC-coalition Government didn’t do a single thing since 2015, since everything was done by delegated agencies!??!

But even more amazing is this: Williams doesn’t understand that a Constitution, the highest law in the land, CANNOT be “erroneous”. Whatever it states IS THE LAW. Williams may disagree with a particular stipulation, but until it’s changed by amendment, procedures that are contained in the Constitution, it remains the law!!

Finally the man had the temerity to claim Burnham didn’t know what he was doing. “The framers of the Constitution got it wrong!” …and solutions Some folks also see the Constitution as “wrong”, but not in Basil Williams’s risible manner. They feel our Constitution doesn’t deal with the “real” problems of Guyana – the “ethnic divisions”. Your Eyewitness, not so respectfully, disagrees. What these folks don’t understand is that the present Constitution already has provisions where it’s unlawful to discriminate against anyone. It enshrines equal opportunity!

But the real problem is that some folks don’t want “equality of opportunity”, they want “equality of results”!! And they gloss over that, between “equality of opportunity” and “equality of results”, there’s the need for “equality of abilities” and “equality of effort”. Which just ain’t possible!! On the first fly in the ointment, abilities aren’t distributed equally. Everyone in Guyana, for instance, has an equality of entrance to the same schools – but they don’t all have the same abilities, do they? And so we have different results.

Then even though there might statistically be individuals with the same abilities within every group, they don’t all put in the same effort! Hence different results.

But everyone wants quick fixes!! …of Guyanese In addition to being the fundamental principles meant to govern our society, “constitution” also means “composition” of something – how it’s “constituted”.

And we’ll never know peace until all Guyanese are “constituted” by the same narrative.

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

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Impasse deepens between RUSAL, bauxite unions …as company refuses to meet with workers’ union it claims is “unrecognised” …workers will continue to block river – unions ing. The company, she said, has promised to reinstate workers once that is done.

But the GTUC President noted that since 2009, there was no Collective Bargaining Agreement in place and there are tonnes of unresolved issues.

“So, the union position is, we need to sit at the table, workers representatives and management, iron out our issues, after which, we will move to the next step. And they are not willing to do that,” she explained.

No unblocking

RUSAL representatives leaving the office of the Labour Department on Monday

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he Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) and other major trade union representatives were met with grave disappointment on Monday when they turned up for a meeting with representatives of the Labour Department and aluminium company, RUSAL. Instead of being able to start discussions with the aim of resolving the issue of the 90 workers being dismissed by the company, the team of trade union leaders were met with the news that RUSAL had requested not to meet with them unless President of GBGWU Lincoln Lewis was absent from the meeting.

Both RUSAL and the union representatives were invited to that meeting by the Labour Department. Based on the insistence of the RUSAL representatives not to meet with Lewis, the Department of Labour held a meeting with the RUSAL representatives before meeting with the union representatives separately.

This created uproar amongst the trade union representatives, which also led to Lewis, who is also General Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), is-

suing a staunch reminder to the company that they are obligated to abide by the laws of Guyana.

Lewis argued that RUSAL cannot choose whom they want to speak with and when. “We have a problem with RUSAL. The problem is they come now to tell this union who must lead it, who must speak on behalf of it. The next thing they might come in Guyana and do is tell us who is the President of this country,” Lewis told media operatives. The trade unionist said that it is time that Government stands up and demands that the company respect the laws or they will treat workers worse.

Meanwhile, President of GTUC Coretta McDonald said she believes it was disrespectful for the company to decide whom it wants as part of a union delegation. She said the Department of Labour should not have met with the company separately, which shows grave disrespect.

McDonald said RUSAL had requested that workers unblock the upper Berbice River.

At present, barrels and other objects are lined across the Berbice River, preventing bauxite-carrying barges from pass-

McDonald said the company is more interested in getting the river unblocked because they are spending close to $1 million per day, yet they are not prepared to give the workers more than one per cent.

“Seventeen days would have passed…but they are not prepared to use those monies.

But we will continue to block the river until they decide that they will recognise the union, and they are going to sit and talk with the representatives of the union regardless, whoever is there,” she said.

Junior Minister of Social Protection Keith Scott, who holds responsibility for the labour sector said that they both will have to finally meet. He maintained that in industrial relation practices, the two parties involved in any dispute must meet, and he believes they will meet at some point.

“While we encourage investment, we have to maintain a stable investment climate which we have been doing. It doesn’t matter who threatened who or not, our country comes first and that is the priority,” Scott said.

But Lewis feels that the Minister should invoke provisions of the labour laws and force the union and RUSAL to go to arbitration. He said that the blocking of the river could be used to appoint an arbitration tribunal and under the

Left to right: GTUC President Coretta McDonald; GBGWU President and GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis; a union representative, and GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine following the meeting at the Department of Labour on Monday

Collective Labour Agreement, it says that either party can request the matter to go to arbitration.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said recently that Government is geared at taking action against the company even if it means having the company shut down its operations in Guyana. In the meantime, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is conducting a technical and legal assessment of all of RUSAL’S operations.

Sixty-one workers were fired by the Russian-owned company after they protested a one per cent salary increase, which they said was agreed to by Government. Following a meeting with Government, RUSAL refused to reinstate the workers and subsequently dismissed 30 more persons from the department in order to tem-

porarily close it as a result of the strike actions.

On Thursday, union leaders in Guyana took to the streets to stage a picketing exercise in front of RUSAL’S headquarters in Queenstown, Georgetown. The leaders called on Government to take action against the foreign enterprise, citing that it had violated laws of Guyana and the rights of workers.

Opposition

Last week, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said that under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration, a similar matter had arisen, and the then Administration managed to save the jobs that were at risk.

Jagdeo added, “we took back the company that was private to the treasury, brought it back, renationalised it and kept

it going until we found a replacement…we worked hard to protect those workers there so our track record is important”.

According to him, not only are private and foreign companies taking advantage of workers but Government Ministers are doing the same while making specific reference to the 7000 sacked sugar workers who had to go to the Judiciary to get their legally entitled severance payments.

The Opposition Leader added that the then PPP Administration exhausted every effort to ensure that workers’ rights are protected, especially with the passing of several laws which mandated severance payments among others.

Jagdeo pointed out that he has been lending Government advice which seems to be of no use.

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Essequibo Coast house partially destroyed by fire

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he Guyana Fire Service came in for high praises on Sunday morning after they prevented a house from being engulfed by flames at Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast.

The blaze reportedly started at about 02:45h in an apartment occupied by the owner’s nephew, Kujeshwar, also called “Naresh” in the lower flat of the building.

The interior of the bottom flat of the house

Madai Sharma, 76, was at the time on vacation in Georgetown.

However, based on information received, the nephew was reportedly preparing a meal on a kerosene

stove but left the home to run an errand and upon his return, he saw the lower flat of the 40-year-old house on fire.

One of the man’s uncle, Gowkarran Sharma, who lives next door reportedly saw smoke emanating from the building and raised an alarm. Residents quickly formed a bucket brigade and started to put out the flames. The fire station was summoned and responded promptly.

Although the blaze was put out, the apartment in the lower flat of the house was completely destroyed along with its furniture and appliances. These include beds, a microwave, a refrigerator, a gas stove and music system among others.

At the scene, Gowkarran

The house that was saved at Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast

told Guyana Times that he was preparing to observe Maha Shivaratri on Monday when he saw the smoke followed by flames. He noted that it was indeed a mira-

cle that the entire wooden structure did not go up in flames.

Fire officials have launched an investigation into the incident.

Good Hope chopping

Abusive farmer threatening to “finish off” mother-in-law

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ne week after she almost lost her daughter at the hands of an abusive farmer, Zorina Mahase is now scared for her own life and is contemplating fleeing the home she lived in for several years as the man has been threatening to “finish her off” before turning himself in to the police.

The 48-year-old woman of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Monday told Guyana Times that she is fearful for her life after persons in the area reported to her that the farmer was seen and was threatening her life. According to the woman, whose daughter was chopped mercilessly on February 24, she made a report to the police but was told that they cannot do anything since they are still searching for the farmer.

Injured: Vashti Mahase

The distraught woman was almost moved to tears during an interview with this publication as she said, “We gah leave the house and go now, we gah find somewhere to go because the man still deh out deh”.

Mahase’s words were triggered by last Sunday’s episode when the 35-yearold man chopped her 22-year-old daughter, Vashti Mahase, several times with a cutlass while she was serving him a restraining order at his Lima Dam home in Mahaica.

The elder Mahase, a mother of seven, said she has lived in her home for almost 19 years now and has never had an issue to cause

her to move, even as she reported that her injured daughter’s condition is improving.

“Me daughter bin already tell me dah. Me daughter tell me that he promise to kill she and me together because is me encourage she fuh leff he,” the woman said.

The fearful woman said she never had an issue with the farmer until she learnt that he abuses her daughter, which is something she was unable to accept.

“I just want somebody to find the man, the police just said they can’t do anything because they nah know way de man deh. Tell me what I can do because I mind me children them without a father for over 19 year and now me got to leff me house and go…how lang me gun able fuh hide from me home wah me wuk all de days of me life fuh build,” she cried.

Efforts made by this publication to contact the Divisional Commander, Calvin Brutus, proved futile.

Young Mahase was sent to the home of the suspect accompanied by a rural constable to issue a restraining order a few days after he threatened to chop her head off.

Guyana Times was told

Zorina Mahase

that in the process of serving the restraining order, an argument ensued between the two and while Mahase’s back was turned, the farmer gruesomely attacked her with his cutlass, firing chops at her face, head, hands, back and other body parts.

The rural constable who was with her allegedly ran for cover, leaving the woman at the mercy of her attacker.

According to the mother, her daughter was told that it was compulsory for her to be present when the restraining order was served since she needed to identify him.

Police are searching for the suspect.

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Hearing impaired persons given green light to write drivers’ examination

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ollowing a protest by members of the Deaf Association of Guyana in front of the Public Security Ministry requesting that they be given a fair chance to drive on Guyana’s roadways without discrimination, the green light has been given for them to write the drivers’ examination.

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has given the go-ahead to commence a pilot programme in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), which will allow persons who have hearing impediments to participate in the theoretical and practical drivers’ examination on May 24.

The commencement of the pilot programme was agreed to when Ramjattan recently met with the National Commission on Disability and the Deaf Association of Guyana.

As such, six persons from the deaf community in Guyana will be included in the pilot project at a date to

be announced later.

The pilot programme is one of the recommendations agreed to by Government to facilitate the issuance of driver’s permit to persons who have hearing impediments. The other recommendations include a rigorous national awareness campaign for the general

Essequibo Coast man succumbs following Mash Day accident

Dead: Arbie Stephens

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ore than one week after a pedal cyclist was struck down by a motorcar along the Reliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast, he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday evening.

Dead is 21-year-old

Arbie Stephens of Reliance, Essequibo Coast.

Based on information received, the driver of motorcar HC 2886 was proceeding along the Reliance Public Road at a fast rate of speed when it was alleged that Stephens suddenly rode across the road and into the path of the car.

As a result, the car collided with the pedal cyclist thus causing him to fall unto the roadway and sustain injuries to his head and other parts of his body. He was picked up and rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he was admitted a patient. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was transferred to the GPHC where subsequently died.

The 31-year-old driver of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was detained but later released on station bail.

The Stephens family preparing for a wake at their Reliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast home

However, in light of the death of Stephens, the driver was rearrested and is expected to be charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, the dead man parents, Davindra Bhajan and Salome Stevens said that Arbie was their

Success fatal accident

Women died from multiple, chest injuries – PME

Dead: Denise Cully

Dead: Patricia Ellis

utopsies were conducted on Monday on two women whose lives were claimed during an accident at Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD), involving a minibus.

According to Police reports, a post-mortem examination was conducted on 59-year-old Patricia Ellis of Haslington, ECD, which listed the cause of death as multiple injuries.

A similar examination was conducted on 58-year-old Denise Cully of Vigilance, ECD, and her cause of death was crash injuries to the chest.

Both PMEs were carried out by Government Pathologist Nehaul Singh.

The women, who are

both vendors at the Bourda Market, tragically lost their lives on Sunday while returning home.

Based on information received, the accident occurred at about 07:30h and involved a minibus bearing registration number BTT 4910, driven by a 47-year-old resident of Golden Grove, ECD. Police reports disclosed that the minibus was proceeding west along the southern drive lane of the southern carriageway of the said road reportedly at a fast rate. It is alleged by the driver that a blue motorcar overtook him from the left side and collided to his left rear wheel causing him to lose control and collide into the median.

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This resulted in Cully being flung out of the bus and landed unto the northern carriageway. The minibus then turned onto its left side, crushing the now dead woman. It then skidded some distance before coming to a halt. The vehicle was eventually turned back on its wheels and the decapitated body of Cully was removed.

The other passengers in the minibus at the time of the accident included: Jaden Miffatt, 7; Laffanna Williams, 22; June Abel, 60; Wayne Blair, 38 and Jordon Beaton, 17.

They were assisted out of the vehicle by public-spirited citizens and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital.

Beaton, who was taken to the Woodlands Hospital, reportedly lost several fingers.

In the meantime, a breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and no trace of alcohol was detected. He was taken into Police custody to assist with the investigation.

On Monday, bereaved relatives of the two women were still coming to grips with their losses but trusted that the police would conduct a thorough investigation.

only son and that they have five daughters. The parents explained that Arbie was assisting them financially in keeping three of his sisters in school. When this publication visited the young man’s home, his relatives were preparing for wake.

A section of the protesters gathered opposite the Public Security Ministry on February 18, 2019

populace including the beneficiaries and the implementation of issuances of driver’s license to deaf drivers only for private and not commercial vehicles taking into consideration the present infrastructural development and culture of driving on Guyana’s roadways.

On February 18 last, a group of persons from the Guyana Society for the Deaf protested the Public Security Ministry calling for drivers’ licences to be issued for them.

It was explained that they met with the Government some time ago to discuss the issue when they were assured it would have been discussed.

They said that the deaf should be given equal privileges as those who can hear and should not be discriminated against as they held their placards across from the Ministry.

Some of them contend-

ed that they have been driving for a very long time and was never involved in an accident while others argued that the deaf are treated equally in other countries and are allowed to drive but they are being discriminated against in their own country.

In relation to responding to emergency vehicles, those persons noted that they are capable of driving by using their mirrors to see what is happening around them.

The protesters said that because of how they are being treated, they are forced to use taxis even though many of them already have their own vehicles.

In the region, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Suriname, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru among other countries allow deaf drivers to obtain licences.

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Hindus observe Maha Shivaratri 2019

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Worshippers gathered around a sacred fire to offer grains

emples were filled with thousands of Hindus on Monday as prayers were offered for the festival of Maha Shivaratri, which is celebrated in worship to Lord Shiva.

Shiva embodies the destroyer of evil and Maha Shivaratri translates to “Great Night of Shiva”. For this, prayers continue for many hours in which fruits and milk are offered at intervals along with flowers, bael leaves, honey, curd, rosewater and other components. Fasting is also essential along with meditation and yoga for spiritual enlightenment.

While other occasions are celebrated during the day, Shivaratri is celebrated during the night to depict the overcoming of darkness.

The Guyana Sevashram Sangha on the East Coast of Demerara, which is popularly referred to as the Cove and John Ashram, was the centre of attraction for many, who graced the holy monastery to offer prayers and participate in the mass

Havan ceremony, making some 108 offerings into the holy pyre.

At the Ashram, the official ceremony was attended by Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission and former Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds.

S w a m i Shivashankarananda, who spearheads the operations, would have shared the concept of this observation and noted this auspicious occurrence is observed during the eleventh month in the Hindu calendar, commonly in February or March, and before the arrival of spring.

According to the Shivapurana scriptures, when Shiva was asked by Parvathi what pleases him most, he listed the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phalgun as his favourite day, which is known as Shivaratri.

Another tale states that the great Shiva saved the world during this night and as such, people worship him with immense enthusiasm.

The Swami mentioned that different regions around the world have their beliefs of how the festival originated but the celebration remains consistent.

“On this day, Shiva is said to have saved the world from destruction on the condition that people worship him with great pride and enthusiasm. Maha Shivaratri is a major festival within Hinduism because it marks the remembrance of overcoming darkness and ignorance in the world,” the scholar explained.

“There are many other stories connected to this great occasion. There are three specific reasons to celebrate Maha Shivaratri. It is the day when Shiva appeared in the form of a Lingodbhav Murti, exactly at midnight,” he added.

As customary, students from the Hindu College and other schools took some time to visit and offer prayers.

One of the main activities throughout the year at the Ashram is this observance.

Some temples were

Two worshippers inside the Guyana Sevashram Sangha popularly known as the Cove and John Ashram on Monday

opened throughout the day, until midnight, while others held services at appropriate timings. The Radha Krishna Mandir on Camp and

Quamina Streets catered for persons in Georgetown, by opening the temple for the entire day.

Other participat-

ing groups at the Ashram this year included the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Guyana could adopt South Africa’s mercury-free mining model

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ased on reports of increased levels of mercury in waterways of interior regions, Government has made a further commitment to confront the issue, as Guyana will be partnering with South Africa to introduce mercury-free recovery methods in the gold mining sector as it seeks to enter commercial mining.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has said that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) would need to partner on the mercury-free mining initiative so as to ensure that the environment and people are protected.

The South African Government has expressed a willingness to share its bleach gold recovery method as a cost-effective and equally efficient means of recovering gold. A delegation who recently visited Guyana plans to take a number of Guyanese miners to South Africa to observe the gold recovery system.

Guyana is among eight countries which will partner with the Conservation International/Global Environmental Facility (CI/ GEF) programme, with the aim of ensuring mercury-free mining worldwide.

The urgent action is needed to protect millions of men, women and children who are exposed to toxic levels of mercury through gold production every year. This is the main contention of the backers of the new $180 million programme, in seeking to reform the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining sector (ASGM).

The programme – the global opportunities for the long-term development of the ASGM sector (GEF GOLD) – aims to reduce the

use of mercury in artisanal gold mining, and introduce and facilitate access to mercury-free extraction methods, while at the same time working with Governments to formalise the sector, promoting miner rights, safety and their access to markets.

In addition to Guyana, the programme spans several other countries including Burkina Faso, Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, the Philippines and Peru.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), are other partners in the programme.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said GGMC has been discussing the possibility of becoming a gold producer rather than being just a licencing and regulatory authority.

This idea, if properly introduced, could help to increase profits for the company.

Trotman related that Guyana may not be at that stage yet but could start with a mercury-free model, to demonstrate to the other miners not only how one can mine without mercury but also how they can mine without mercury and still be profitable.

Guyana has been taking steps to eliminate the use of mercury in mining here.

Several days ago, a meeting

of a National Working Group (NWG) on the “Minamata Convention on Mercury” was convened at the Natural Resources Ministry’s Main Street offices in Georgetown.

Guyana signed the Convention on Mercury on October 10, 2013, ratifying it on September 24, 2014. Guyana was also elected as one of the two VicePresidents from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) to serve on the Bureau of the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP 3).

At the meeting, Policy Analyst at the Natural Resources Ministry, Mariscia Charles, said the Minamata Convention follows and builds on the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) conventions which came into force on August 16, 2017.

This was the first global agreement on health and the environment for close to a decade. She reminded participants of Guyana’s participation in the plenary sessions which focused on freeing the Amazon from the impacts of mercury used in ASGM. In September 2017, President David Granger attended the inaugural Conference of Parties (COP1) in Geneva, Switzerland, where he affirmed Guyana’s position and committed to the elimination of mercury usage by 2027.

news

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Tuesday, MARCH 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

$19M NA abattoir abandoned, vandalised

Municipal Health Inspector Ackloo Ramsudh

T

he town of New Amsterdam has been without a municipal abattoir for more than two

years putting consumers at risk of consuming unsafe meat.

Although a new facility was constructed in the town for slaughtering, it has never been used.

According to Municipal Health Inspector Ackloo Ramsudh, in 2016 the old abattoir was demolished because of structural failure and since then nothing tangible has been done to have a proper facility in place.

A new $19.1 million abattoir was commissioned in New Amsterdam but it has never been used. In fact, slaughtering continued at the old derelict building for ten years before the old building was torn down, the health inspector said.

The old abattoir was condemned years prior because conditions for slaughtering were not up to health standards and the new structure was built but because of non-usage it was vandalised.

In December 2016, Ramsudh had stated that additional works were required for the entrance and access ramps for the animals – the latter of which is too steep and is without rails.

Back then, he had stated that because of the design of the ramp, persons can easily sustain injuries from the animals.

In addition, he said although the animals may be tame, whenever they enter

The vandalised $19.1 million NA abattoir

the environment they react aggressively, and proper restraining measures must be

Wildlife Commission urges Guyanese to protect marine life

Head of GWCMC Alona Sankar

W

orld Wildlife Day was birthed at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly nearly six years ago. Since its conception, countries around the world legislate laws and participate in campaigns to both celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wildlife.

This year’s World Wildlife Day is celebrated under the theme “Life below water: for people and planet”.

The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission

(GWCMC), in collaboration with several organisations, hosted an opening ceremony, panel discussion and exhibition at the Sophia Exhibition Centre to commemorate the day.

Addressing a diverse audience of youths and other stakeholders, Director of Environment Ndibi Schwiers conveyed the Government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s wildlife.

“The global theme for this year’s celebration… directly aligns with our Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) - Vision 2040…

Under this development objective, the Government intends to achieve the conservation and preservation of our rich natural capital through prudent management of our natural resources. We also recognise that Guyana’s marine environment will benefit from improved management of our water resources through the execution of sustainable practices including the prioritisation of critical natu-

Director of the Department of Environment Ndibi Schwiers

ral habitats including wetlands which are home to a diverse range of biodiversity,” Schwiers is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

Additionally, while lauding Guyana’s biological richness, Schwiers stressed that the theme of World Wildlife Day allows us to “highlight the critical issues and value of marine or freshwater wildlife, celebrate successful initiatives to conserve and sustainably manage these species and scale up future initiatives”.

Furthermore, Head of Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC), Alona Sankar cited numerous partners that are critical to the Commission’s work, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Fisheries Department, Natural Resources Ministry, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Conservation International (CI).

The Wildlife Commission Head led a charge to Guyanese, stating that “this environment is our environment and we each must take responsibility for its state… we, therefore, urge all parties involved to play their role in protecting our marine environment”.

World Wildlife Day 2019 is celebrated with Sustainable Development Goal 14 in mind, which addresses the conservational and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources.

Trudeau crisis grows as Minister quits

O

ne of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s top ministers has quit saying she has lost confidence in the Government’s handling of a corruption inquiry.

Treasury Board President Jane Philpott said: “I must abide by my core values, my ethical responsibilities, constitutional obligations.”

Trudeau has denied political meddling to shield engineering firm SNC-Lavalin from a bribery trial.

O p p o s i t i o n Conservatives last week called on the Liberal PM to resign.

A number of opinion polls indicate Trudeau’s popularity is slipping in the run-up to a general election scheduled for October.

The cabinet minister announced her decision to

Liberal MP Jane Philpott (left) has resigned from PM Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet

step down on Monday, posting her resignation letter detailing her “serious concerns” with “evidence of efforts by politicians and/or officials to pressure the former Attorney General to intervene in the criminal case involving SNC-Lavalin”.

“There can be a cost to

acting on one’s principles, but there is a bigger cost to abandoning them,” she said in a statement.

Her letter said it had become “untenable” for her to continue to serve in the cabinet.

“It is a fundamental doctrine of the rule of law that

our Attorney General should not be subjected to political pressure or interference regarding the exercise of her prosecutorial discretion in criminal cases,” she wrote.

“Sadly, I have lost confidence in how the government has dealt with this matter and in how it has responded to the issues raised.”

The former family physician has held key portfolios in Mr Trudeau’s cabinet health, indigenous services and, until this week, treasury board president - since being elected in 2015.

She will remain on as a Liberal member of Parliament.

In a short statement, Trudeau thanked Ms Philpott for “her years of service and her dedication to Canadians”. (BBC)

put in place.

Further, it was expected that the then old slaughterhouse would not be condemned but used as a holding pen and there would be a connection to the two buildings via the ramp, making it easier for the animals to be slaughtered.

Prior to its construction, butchers complained of the leaky roof, broken external walls as well as the absence of water and electricity but

they continued to use it after the new facility was constructed.

Now the NA Council is seeking to construct a new abattoir even as the $19 million facility sits there vandalised.

“We have identified a number of sites; one being at Lot 56, Stanleytown, and the other being at ‘Old Smoky’ at Lot 31 Stanleytown,” the health inspector explained while adding that the meat sold in the municipal market is safe and butchers are allowed to slaughter in their backyards.

“We have authorised butchers to utilise the faculties at their homes. Meat is also being inspected at supermarkets. The procedures involving the other regulatory agencies are still in place and so we can safely say that the meat coming in to the market is safe for human consumption.”

According to butchers, they are required to have the animals inspected by a health officer and blood samples are taken two days prior to slaughtering.

No mercy for AWOL cops – T&T Top Cop

P

olice officers who fail to show up for work today Carnival Tuesday - without a valid reason will be reassigned from their units and face disciplinary action.

The warning came from Police Commissioner Gary Griffith after he made an assessment of the “great” turnout by members of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) on Carnival Monday.

Griffith warned any officer who abandoned their post for the two-day festivity without a good explanation would have to report to the Police Training Academy on Friday to meet with him personally.

“Each and everyone (officer who did not work) will have to explain to me what was their reason for it.

There will be a disciplinary hearing for all these officers.

If you going to do the same thing on Carnival Tuesday it will be double jeopardy for you.”

Of the 7,000 officers in the TTPS, Griffith said 5,800 were rostered to work, the majority of which showed up for duty which he praised them for.

Up to late yesterday, Griffith could not say how many had not reported for work.

Last Carnival, it was reported that 808 officers failed to report to work.

Griffith said no disciplinary action was taken against them.

“If they do not do it (work) I will be reminding them what is the priority to be a police officer. They will all be reassigned from those units. You can’t just abandon your post on a situation like this and expect business as usual the very next day.

It will not happen.”

Griffith said some officers wilfully neglect their duties on critical days “to moonlight to provide security” for somebody or someone else which he would not accept.

He said some officers are not required to work in uniforms on a regular basis.

“But some of these officers feel they have reached the point where nobody could tell them to wear a uniform again so they would deliberately set themselves absent. Based on my research this has been going on for years and nothing has been done.”

Griffith said the shortcomings in the TTPS “was that there have not been consequences for those actions. There is a difference with an officer going sick from going absent.”

When an officer willfully shies from his responsibility, Griffith said it affects the TTPS’ security plan, citizens and their fellow officers.

“This is not a situation of selling a hot dog or barbecue in a booth in St James. This is national security. When you abandon your post I would take it very seriously.

There is no way I can be flexible on a matter like this.

“The big stick method will come out. There is no excuse for such irresponsible behaviour. They need to understand there are consequences and they would learn it the hard way.”

An officer who willfully stays away from work can be denied a recommendation for promotion or get a blemish on their record.

“There are other disciplinary actions that can take place,” Griffith said. (T&T Guardian)

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tuesday, march 5, 2019

Regional

Caracas crowds welcome PAHO calls on regional countries to prepare for returning Guaidó

possible dengue outbreaks

V

enezuela's self-declared interim leader Juan Guaidó has arrived back in the capital, Caracas, to a rapturous welcome from thousands of supporters.

He faces arrest after defying a Supreme Court-imposed travel ban to leave the country and lobby for international help.

"They threatened us and here we are, putting forward our face for Venezuela," he told a huge rally.

Guaidó has called on President Nicolás Maduro to resign.

The two men have been at loggerheads for more than a month.

Guaidó – who heads the Oppositionled National Assembly and proclaimed himself Venezuela's acting president after the legislature declared Maduro's May 2018 re-election illegitimate – has been recognised by more than 50 countries. Maduro, who is backed by China, Russia and Cuba, insists he is the only legitimate president.

Venezuela's political crisis has been sparked by an economic meltdown in which hyperinflation has hit salaries and savings, leading many to flee the country.

T

Venezuela's self-declared interim leader Juan Guaidó arrived to a rapturous welcome from thousands of supporters

Guaidó was received at the Simón Bolivar International airport by diplomats from the US and EU nations and a crowd of supporters who chanted "Guaidó, Guaidó" and "Yes we can".

Accompanied by his wife, Guaidó then travelled to an avenue in the eastern Caracas district of Las Mercedes to address an anti-Government rally.

While outside the country he had used

social media to urge his supporters to gather.

After saying that he had been threatened with "jail, death" before his return, Guaidó said he had been treated well on his arrival at the airport. He said immigration officers even greeted him at the airport with the words "welcome, president". (Excerpt from BBC News)

All CSME Member States sign on to Contingent Rights Protocol

C

aribbean Community (Caricom) Member States that are participating in the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) have all signed on to the Protocol on Contingent Rights and most of them are prepared to immediately begin provisional application of the Protocol.

The full complement of signatories to the Protocol was acquired at the recently-concluded 30th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, the Caricom Secretariat said.

Back in July 2018, at the 39th Meeting of the Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, when the Heads of Government reviewed the operation of the CSME, they reiterated the need to accelerate its implementation and adopted the Protocol on Contingent Rights. The Protocol covers the rights of

T

he Barbados Health and Wellness Ministry has denied a local media report that the island is experiencing a measles outbreak.

In fact, said Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr Karen Broome, Barbados has not documented a case of measles since 1990.

A local online news website last Friday quoted Director of PAREDOS, Sheila Stuart as saying that “The Ministry of Health

Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health.

“Its complexity has been increasing over the years due to several factors such as unplanned urban growth, water and sanitation problems, climate change, and, in some countries, the simultaneous circulation of all four types of dengue, which increases the risk of serious cases and outbreaks.”

According to PAHO’s latest epidemiological update on dengue, published on February 22, 560,586 cases of dengue were reported in the Americas last year, including 3535 severe cases of dengue and 336 deaths.

During the first six weeks of 2019, almost 100,000 cases of dengue were reported, including 632 cases of severe dengue and 28 deaths. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

T&T: Prayers for PM T

he ruling People's National Movement (PNM) on Monday offered prayers for the Prime Minister and his family as he left for California. At a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's, Dr Rowley said he would undergo tests on a build-up of soft plaque in an artery of his heart.

"In 2016, a small black matter was discovered in one of my arteries, which Caricom Chairman and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr was noted and monitored," he said. Rowley continued, Timothy Harris made the announcement "In 2017, I discovered that the matter was growing. persons moving to another and Barbuda, Barbados, Due to work commitments, country under the free move- Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, I was unable to conduct a ment of skills regime, as well St Kitts and Nevis, Saint check-up in 2018." While he as the spouses and depen- Lucia, St Vincent and the has no symptoms, Rowley dents of those who move to Grenadines, and Trinidad said he must follow his docanother country. and Tobago. tors' orders.

Caricom Chairman and “This means that the naSt Kitts and Nevis Prime tionals of those countries, Minister ,Dr Timothy Harris, their spouses and depenhas announced that all 12 dents will benefit from addiMember States have now tional rights such as primasigned on to the Protocol and ry education when they move nine of those countries were from one Member State of prepared to provisionally the Community to another,” he Trump apply the Protocol: Antigua he explained. (Caribbean360) Administration on Monday threatened to put new financial restrictions on Cuba's military and intelligence services amid the political turmoil in Venezuela.

"Cuba's role in usurpsent four inspectors to check measles can be prevented those green cards for immu- once children receive two ing democracy and fomentnisation purposes because doses of the MMR (measles, ing repression in Venezuela we have a measles outbreak mumps and rubella) vaccine is clear," White House in Barbados”. which in Barbados is admin- National Security Adviser However, the Ministry istered at ages 12 months John Bolton said in a said it was simply conduct- and 18 months. If your child Twitter post.

"That's why the US will ing a review of vaccination has not been vaccinated, you records of children in nurs- are advised to contact your continue to tighten financial eries and day care centres health care provider imme- restrictions on Cuba's military and intel services. The throughout the island to en- diately,” it said. sure they are up-to-date, Outbreaks of measles region's democracies should in order to prevent an out- continue to be reported in condemn the Cuba regime," break.

North America, the United he added.

Cuba, as well as China, “The Ministry of Health Kingdom, Europe and the Russia and Turkey, among and Wellness advises that Americas. (Caribbean360)

Barbados denies report of measles outbreak

he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has called for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare for a timely response to possible outbreaks of dengue.

The disease is endemic in the Region and, since its reintroduction in the 1980s, has caused cyclical outbreaks and epidemics every three to five years. The first dengue epidemic with over one million cases occurred in the Americas in 2010. Three years later, in 2013, the first epidemic with more than two million cases occurred.

At the beginning of 2019, there was an increase in cases compared to the same period of 2018, PAHO said.

“Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes that is widespread in the Americas,” said Dr Marcos Espinal,

T&T Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley

The PM said based on the advice of his doctors who he has been seeing for the last 25 years, "I am overdue

for a check-up."

The PM was not worried: "I take it in stride going forward."

He assured the population, "I am in relatively good health." But he added, "I have observations to make."

Rowley said the outcome of the tests will determine when he returns home.

In a post on its Facebook page, the PNM offered prayers for Rowley, who is the party's political leader.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to our PM and his family at this time. Be well!" Several people posted prayers and good wishes for Rowley on Facebook.

Indar Parasram said, "All will be well with our beloved prime minister, God is great." (Excerpt from Reuters)

US to tighten financial restrictions on Cuba's military – Bolton

T

other countries continue to support embattled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The United States and at least 65 other countries have recognised Juan Guaido, Opposition Leader and self-declared interim President, as the country's legitimate leader.

Bolton's tweet was made just as the Trump Administration symbolically tightened a six-decade trade embargo on Cuba by allowing lawsuits against Cuban companies using properties confiscated after its 1959 revolution.

The announcement limits lawsuits to a list of about 200 Cuban businesses and Government agencies that are already subject to spe-

cial US sanctions because they are tied to the Cuban military and intelligence ministries.

Virtually none of the businesses have any links to the US legal or financial systems, meaning the ability to sue is unlikely to have any effect on the Cuban economy or foreign businesses that work with the socialist government.

Some of the businesses on the list are hotels operated as joint ventures with foreign companies, but the Trump Administration measure does not allow foreign companies themselves to be sued, a State Department official told reporters on condition of anonymity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 5, 2019

17

Around the World

China accuses detained US House panel launches sweeping obstruction probe into Trump Canadians of spying T C

hina has accused two Canadians of spying, as tensions between the nations grow over the possible extradition of a Huawei executive to the US. Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a businessman, were detained in December after Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on suspicion of fraud and breaching sanctions on Iran.

They were set out for the first time on Monday.

Kovrig, who now works for Brussels-based think tank the International Crisis Group (ICG), “is suspected of spying and stealing national secrets for foreign agents”, Chinese state media reported, citing authorities.

It said that Spavor “had provided intelligence to Mr Kovrig and was an important intelligence contact of [his]”.

Until now China had not provided detailed allegations against the pair, only saying

Michael Spavor (left) and Michael Kovrig have been held since December

that they were suspected of hurting China’s security.

The ICG told the BBC that the group was aware of Monday’s reports but had “heard nothing official about any charges being laid against our colleague, Michael Kovrig”.

“Michael’s work for Crisis Group has been entirely transparent and in the open as all who follow his work can attest. Vague and unsubstantiated accusations

against him are unwarranted and unfair,” a spokesperson said.

The think tank has previously said his work involved meeting officials, academics and analysts and attending conferences.

Spavor lives in the Chinese city of Dandong, which borders North Korea.

He has close ties to the North Korean regime and brings foreign investors there on tours. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II’s stolen hair to be returned by UK

A

British museum is to return a lock of hair that the Ethiopian Government considers a national treasure.

It was cut from the head of Emperor Tewodros II, who killed himself rather than be taken prisoner by the British during their 1868 invasion of Ethiopia.

His seven-year-old son Prince Alemayehu was taken to the UK along with looted treasures. He became a favourite of Queen Victoria before dying aged 18.

His remains are kept in Windsor Castle despite campaigns for their return.

Strands of Emperor Tewodros II’s hair were given to the National Army Museum in London 60 years ago.

This golden artefact was also taken during the battle of Maqdala

The museum told the BBC it had decided not to make photographs of the hair public out of respect because the matter was “too sensitive”. The remains are described as two pieces “no bigger than the size of a two-

pence coin”.

The National Army Museum has now agreed to return the artefact, but says it is not returning any other items of African origin.

“It’s definitely not a precedent,” a spokesperson for the museum told the BBC. “That’s the only one that’s been requested. They have to be formal, written requests to the director with a case”.

The BBC’s Emmanuel Igunza in Addis Ababa said talks about the process of repatriation with the Ethiopian Government are set to begin within the next few days.

The move has reignited demands for the UK to return all the looted artefacts on display in British museums. (Excerpt from BBC News)

With worries of war and an upcoming election, support surges for India’s Modi

I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed opposition parties for demanding evidence about last week’s military strike inside Pakistan, and support for him is rising, pollsters say, despite the questions about how successful it was.

The Government has rejected the demand for proof.

With tensions at fever-pitch with nuclear rival Pakistan, and India’s general election due by May, the stakes are high. Pakistan responded with an air strike of its own, but no one was killed in that operation. The situ-

ation is slightly calmer but remains fraught; the two armies continue to regularly trade artillery fire at places along the frontier.

“If (the opposition) continues this campaign on ... national security, I’m afraid it is not going to stick and it’s only going to help Modi,” Yashwant Deshmukh, the founder of polling agency C-Voter, told Reuters. “Modi’s is a presidential campaign, and this is going to help him.”

The agency has not published any poll after the military strike, but Deshmukh said Modi’s approval rating has soared to levels not seen

since mid-2017, according to C-Voter’s estimates.

Opinion polls conducted before the tensions with Pakistan broke out mostly predicted Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would struggle to win a majority because of a slowing economy, low rural incomes and the Government’s inability to provide more jobs.

But pollsters and political analysts say Modi’s support is now rising, mainly because right-wing parties like the BJP typically have an advantage over others on national security issues. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he House Judiciary Committee is launching a sweeping new probe of US President Donald Trump, his White House, his campaign and his businesses, sending document requests to 81 people linked to the President and his associates.

Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said on Monday the investigation will be focused on possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power.

Among those targeted by the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee are the President’s sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric

Trump, WikiLeaks, White House aide and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Trump Organisation Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former White House counsel Don McGahn.

Nadler said that the document requests, with responses to most due by March 18, are a way to “begin building the public record” and that the committee has the responsibility to investigate and hold public hearings.

“Over the last several years, President Trump has evaded accountability

for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical, and constitutional rules and norms,” Nadler said in announcing the beginning of the probe.

When asked by reporters if he will cooperate with the committee’s investigation, Trump said he cooperates “all the time with everybody”, but he added “it’s all a hoax”.

Nadler’s announcement comes after the House intelligence panel has already announced a separate probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Trump’s foreign financial interests.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Church “not afraid of history”: Pope Francis to open secret Pius XII archives

S

aying the “Church is not afraid of history”, Pope Francis announced on Monday he plans to open fully the Vatican’s secret archives on the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII, a historic move that Jews have sought for decades.

Many Jews say, Pius, who reigned from 1939 to 1958, did not do enough to help those facing persecution by Nazi Germany.

Francis’ decision was welcomed by Jewish groups and by Israel.

The Vatican maintains that Pius chose to work behind the scenes, concerned that public intervention would have worsened the situation for both Jews and Catholics in a wartime Europe dominated by Hitler.

Pope Francis

Francis announced in a speech to members of the Vatican’s Secret Archives that the archives will open on March 2, 2020, adding that Pius’ legacy had been treated with “some prejudice and exaggeration”.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC), which has sought the opening for

more than 30 years, said Francis’ decision was highly significant.

Scholars could now objectively evaluate “the historical record of that most terrible of times, to acknowledge both the failures as well as the valiant efforts made during the period of the Shoah”, Rabbi David Rosen, the AJC’s International Director of Interreligious Affairs, told Reuters in an email.

Shoah is the Hebrew word for the Holocaust, in which some six million Jews were killed.

“We are pleased by the decision and hope it will enable free access to all relevant archives,” Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Oren David, told Reuters.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia officially suspends INF Treaty with US

R

u s s i a ’ s President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree suspending Moscow’s participation in a key Cold War-era nuclear arms control treaty, following a similar move by the United States.

In a statement on Monday, the Kremlin said the suspension would last until the US “ends its violations of the treaty or until it terminates”.

In February, Washington gave notice of its intention to withdraw from the landmark 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which was established as a major safeguard against nuclear war.

The move by US President Donald Trump set the stage for the bilateral pact’s termination

The move was in response to US violations of the INF, the Kremlin said

in six months.

Washington accuses Moscow of developing and deploying a cruise missile that violates provisions of the treaty that ban the production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles that have a range between

500km and 5500km.

Russia has denied any breaches, instead, charging that it was the US that had flouted the pact by deploying missile defence facilities in Eastern Europe that could fire cruise missiles instead of interceptors.

Washington rejects the claim.

The collapse of the treaty has stoked fears of a replay of a Cold War-era European missile crisis during the 1980s, when the US and the Soviet Union both deployed intermediate-range missiles on the continent.

Putin has previously said Russia would seek to develop medium-range missiles, but would not deploy them in the European part of the country or elsewhere unless the US does so. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, March 5, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Your priorities should be personal growth and self-improvement, but don’t take any shortcuts. Someone will take advantage of your gullibility if you fall for a scam that promises the impossible.

CANCER

Don’t fear change. Look at your options and pick the one that suits you best. Use your imagination and gravitate toward concrete offers that promote greater stability.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

Take on a challenge that involves helping others. What you have to offer will impress someone who can help you use your skills in new and exciting ways.

Don’t sell yourself short.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Don’t let excitement lead to a mistake. Sharing too much information with the wrong person will leave you in an awkward position.

Keep your plans a secret for now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Your changing attitude will leave some people wondering what you are going to do next. Look before you leap, and don’t make promises unless you are sure you can deliver.

Spend more time on personal improvements and less time with people who promote doing things that are costly or bad for your health. Discipline will pay off.

If you want change, expect it to cost you. You’ll face opposition if you get involved in a joint venture.

Compromise will be necessary if you want to be successful.

Spend time nurturing important relationships and fixing your surroundings. Go directly to the source to avoid a mishap that could be costly. Don’t hire someone to do something that you can do yourself.

Find your own opportunities. If you try to copy someone or let someone take charge, you will miss out. Do your own thing.

Don’t get angry or frustrated. Put your energy into making positive domestic and financial changes. Let your intuition guide you.

Make changes for the right reasons, not because you’re following someone else. How you react to others will affect how much help you receive.

Consider your options.

Stepping forward and letting go of the past will give you the boost you need to make the most of your life and relationships.

tuesday, march 5, 2019

Roger Federer 100 not out but still hungry for elusive Olympic gold R

oger Federer did more than win his 100th Tourlevel tournament when he handed the Greek prodigy Stefanos Tsitsipas (his conqueror in the fourth round of the Australian Open two months ago) a 6-4, 6-4 tennis lesson in the 69-minute final of the Dubai tournament. He encouraged hope among his followers that, five months shy of his 38th birthday, he can still deliver the thrills they crave.

He was always more than a tennis player. For most of his 22 years as a professional Federer has been a messiah and rarely a naughty boy. He has been the shimmering image of near-perfection, on and off the court. He says all the right things and in the right order, in five languages if required.

He can do no wrong, Roger Federer beat the 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas in Dubai to win his even when he does.

100th career title

Nevertheless the autumn of his career has been closing in since he won the last of his 20 majors, in Melbourne nearly 18 months ago. The believers will never hear of it, of course. They have the sort of faith in Federer that boxing fans had in Muhammad Ali. He surely would never let them down.

Federer has had his own doubts. His body does not lie to him and, when he recently decided to return to the clay of Roland Garros this year for the first time in four seasons, he signalled he was preparing for a concluding push towards the finish line, wherever it might be located.

Federer is driven to continue by his love of the game and by hunger for the one trophy of significance to elude him: an Olympic gold medal in singles. For all that he sometimes dismisses the accumulation of trophies as a byproduct of his efforts, he let his guard slip on court in Dubai at the weekend when asked to dwell on the magnitude of winning a century of titles: “I like these type of numbers.”

Ambition and ego should be enough to extend his stay in the bearpit until August 2020 in Tokyo. The singles final is on the 2nd of that month, six days before his 39th birthday. He will love those type of numbers.

There have been only 15 Olympic champions, in the formative years of the modern Olympics and since the sport returned in 1988. Andy Murray, who beat Federer in the London final, is the only player to win gold twice. Federer would settle for winning it once and saying goodbye.

So these are nervous times for disciples of the Church of Federer. They are suffering the same angst as a dog owner contemplating the inevitable passing of a faithful friend who cannot go on for ever.

There is plenty of life in the old Swiss dog yet, of course – as he reminded everyone in the 100th victory speech of a career that began as a precocious teenager in his native Basel and which delivered him his first title in Milan in 2001, when a year younger than Tsitsipas is now. (The Guardian)

19

Tiger withdraws from Arnold Palmer Invitational with neck strain

E

ight-times champion Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando due to a neck strain, the former world number one said on Monday.

Woods, who returned to competition last season after a lengthy recovery from spinal fusion surgery, said he had been dealing with the strain for a few weeks and that he hoped to play in The Players Championship next week.

“I’ve been receiving treatment, but it hasn’t improved enough to play,” Woods said in a post on Twitter. “My lower back is fine, and I have no long-term concerns, and I hope to be ready for The Players.”

Woods did not say how he suffered the neck strain but there was nothing about his play at the WGC-Mexico Championship, where he tied for 10th eight days ago, to suggest he was not healthy.

In his only other starts this year, Woods finished in a share of 20th place at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January followed by a T15 at the Genesis Open in

Tiger Woods

mid-February.

The injury is the first setback for Woods since he returned to regularly competing on the PGA Tour in January 2018, which marked the start of a remarkable comeback campaign he capped with a win in the Tour Championship season finale.

While the injury does appear to be anything serious it could garner more attention if he finds himself unable to tee it up at TPC Sawgrass next week for the PGA Tour’s flagship event, which is widely regarded as the unofficial fifth major.

Woods, who last won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2013, made a run at Bay Hill last year but finished five shots behind winner Rory McIlroy in a share of fifth place after his late charge fizzled with a pair of bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes.

“I’d like to send my regrets to the Palmer family and the Orlando fans,” wrote Woods. “Its connection to Arnold makes it one of my favorite tournaments and I’m disappointed to miss it.” (Reuters)

Frank Bruno “needs rest” after being treated for pneumonia

Lakers-Anthony talks on hold

P

layoff chances are sliding off the table for the Los Angeles Lakers, and with that contract talks with free agent Carmelo Anthony are on hold, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday.

The Lakers had been considering signing the 34-year-old Anthony, but four losses in the past five games have pushed them to 10th place in the Western Conference, 4.5 games behind San Antonio for the final playoff spot with 19 to play.

Wojnarowski said both sides are pondering whether it makes sense to add Anthony to a team with dwindling chances to make the playoffs.

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Lakers’ chance of a playoff berth is less than 1 percent.

Anthony, who entered the NBA in 2003, hasn’t played since November, when he and the Houston Rockets agreed to part ways after 10 games. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls in January and subsequently waived.

A 10-time All-Star, Anthony has a career average of 24 points per game. (Reuters) Carmelo Anthony

Frank Bruno (right) took on Mike Tyson (left) in 1989, before a rematch in 1996

F

ormer British world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno is recovering after being treated in hospital for pneumonia.

The 57-year-old’s agent Dave Davies said Bruno needs “a few weeks’ rest”.

Bruno was ringside for Chris Eubank Jr’s victory over James DeGale in London on 23 February.

“We must say a big thank you to the staff of The Horton General hospital, in Banbury, who have treated him,” said Davies.

Bruno won the WBC heavyweight title at the fourth attempt when he beat American Oliver McCall at Wembley in September 1995.

Last week marked the 30th anniversary of Bruno’s most famous fight, when he lost to Mike Tyson in 1989.

Bruno’s professional career came to an end against Tyson in March 1996, when the fight was stopped in the third round. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, march 5, 2019

Milo Under-18 Tournament…

Christianburg-Wismar maul Ann’s Grove ...Vergenoegen, St Cuthbert’s register wins T he Milo Schools Football competition completed yet another exciting weekend, wherein Wismar- Christianburg Secondary left yet another opponent on the wayside in an exhilarating display of skill.

It was an exciting Sunday at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, with 14 goals scored in just three games.

The afternoon began with a battle between Vergenoegen and Tucville Secondary in a West Coast versus Georgetown faceoff.

The highly competitive encounter saw a dominant Tucville Secondary controlling ball possession in the beginning, but a brief loss in focus on the part of the Georgetown team resulted in them conceding a goal, which came off the boots of Vergenoegen’s Chris Smith in the 21st minute. The remainder of the half went by quietly, until Dwayne Jones returned fresh in the second and stunned his opponents with an equaliser in the 36th minute.

However, Smith returned minutes later to hit a second goal home for the Vergenoegen win.

The second game of the day was without a doubt the most entertaining, as Ann’s Grove became the second team of the tournament to fall victim to the prowess of ChristianburgWismar Secondary.

The East Coast team employed a four-twoone lineup to compensate for their deficit in players. Competing with seven players and a

goal-keeper, Ann’s Grove was surprisingly the first to score, thanks to a Sidwell Albert strike in the 10th minute.

That, however, was the end of their scoring and a formidable defense, as Wayne Wilson got the Christiansburg scorecard ticking in the 21st minute. The next player to find the back

The Christianburg-Wismar goalscorers

Georgetown Turf Club marks March 10 meet

T

he Georgetown Turf Club will be catering to the appetite of horseracing fans especially on the East Bank of Demerara on Sunday, March 10, when it stages a meet at the Mocha Arcadia race track just after hosting a successful pre-Mashramani Gymkhana event. This meet is slated to commence at 13:00 hrs.

Racing promoter Compton Sancho has said the venue would ideally facilitate people living at the new Herstelling Housing Scheme witnessing horse racing action.

He said the main goal is to reintroduce horse racing in Demerara County, since most horse racing events are kept in Berbice and it is costly for individuals to travel so far. The promoter disclosed that preparation has commenced on the track, with a few other renovating works that should be finished well before Sunday.

He noted that keen rivalry is anticipated between top horses Victoria and Red Jet.

of the net was Andre Meyer in the 28th minute. Tyrese Lewis and Randy Pickering followed in the 30th and 32nd minutes, to push the score to 4-1 after the first half.

Andre Meyers, Randy Pickering and Tyrese Lewis all netted a double, while Wilson completed his hat trick in the 39th minute to seal the Linden team’s 9-1 win.

St. Cuthbert’s Mission finally broke their shackles in the 2019 tournament when they edged past Cummings Lodge in the final game. Looking like it would go down to a draw, Keon Kattou was the hero for St. Cuthbert’s, netting a goal in the 59th minute for their 1-0 win.

The Petra-organised Milo Schools Football tournament will continue this weekend at the same venue.

In their last meet, Red Jet was victorious, but Victoria has continued to show determination, and will be looking to level the score this Sunday.

The event will feature six races, in which the K/Class and Lower horses will be the feature event. Among the horses participating in the event are Victoria, Red Jet, Up Front, Early Bird, Something Special, Irish Boy, Rashel, Simpson, Dr Switch, Amazon Warrior and many others.

Sancho said, “I would like to thank the horse racing fans for their support; and the sponsors, for always coming on board and making these events a success. We at the Georgetown Turf Club promise to keep horse meets as regularly as possible, so that people can be comfortable and enjoy horse racing in Demerara.”

Interested persons can contact Besham Deolall on 601-6160.

National Junior Chess Championships...

Final 7 ready to take on defending champion O

ut of a pool of 29 prospects, the top seven have advanced and will focus their abilities and skills on dethroning the National Junior Chess Champion this weekend.

The National Junior Chess Championship qualifiers, which were held over the past two weekends, bore no strange faces or newcomers in the top seven, as the qualifying bunch was comprised of players who have proven that they are capable of consistency and winning.

Andre Jagnandan has shown his intent to rise to the top of the ‘Junior’ pool, with small tournament wins under his belt.

However, Jagnandan made a louder statement this weekend when he finished the qualifying tournament in first place.

While Jagnandan showed his prowess, Ghansham Allijohn proved to be equally skilled, finishing on a top spot tie with Jagnandan; and Rajiv Lee signalled that he is not to be overlooked after completing the qualifying tournament in third place. The

Defending National Junior Chess Champion Joshua Gopaul

lone female in the top seven was Chelsea Juma, who remains a force to be reckoned with in the male- dominated top spots.

Jarrell Troyer is the next player to follow; with an impressive set of games, he has taken fifth place.

After having a scintillating 2018 year with multiple wins, Jaden Taylor and Ethan Lee were expected to finish higher up, but settled for the sixth and seventh spots. No doubt, the pair will be bringing their ‘A’ game into contention when they enter the real competition this weekend.

Defending champion Joshua Gopaul, who was not required to compete in the preliminary competition, will join the triumphant seven this Saturday, March 9, at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown for the National Junior Chess Championships. The competition will go for seven rounds of round robin play wherein each player will take one all the competitors once, before a winner can be determined.

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sports

BCA not shutting Skerritt out, supporting Cameron – Riley B

arbados Cricket Association (BCA) president Conde Riley, in announcing support for incumbent Dave Cameron when the elections for president of the Cricket West Indies takes place on March 24 in Jamaica, has also dismissed conspiracy claims by challenger Ricky Skerritt.

Riley, in an interview with the Nation, a Barbados newspaper, said her organization was fully backing the nomination of Cameron and his vice-president, Emmanuel Nanthan, in their bids for re-election.

Furthermore, he said, not allowing Skerritt and his running mate, Dr Kishore Shallow, to present a defence of the reasons they wanted support for their nomination, was not an undemocratic act.

According to Riley, Skerritt’s request to present ahead of the nomination process took place just before the BCA met to discuss the nominations and it was decided that the organization would be supporting the incumbents.

“Once the board decided that they were supporting the incumbents, that was it. You can’t come

out and go against something that has been agreed on a vote by the full BCA board,” said Riley.

Skerritt had, last week, blasted the system of governance presiding over the sport of cricket in the West Indies, saying his shut out proves the need for change.

“We wrote to directly to the Presidents and the Boards, asking only for the opportunity to present our plan for change,” he said. “We did not ask for their support or for From left: Ricky Skerritt, Dave Cameron, and Conde Riley a nomination.”

“The three presidents confirmed “Three boards – Barbados, their unwavering support for the inGuyana and Windward Islands – cumbents and very respectfully said wrote back in a matter of days, all no thanks to our request to present.” turning down our request, almost in Shallow was even more forthtandem.”Skerritt said: “In the case right in his opinions on the decision of Guyana, we noted that they had of the three boards. chosen to nominate Dave even be“This type of blind, unrelenting fore the nomination process was support without even exploring leadopen.” ership options or alternative ideas

Amerith Rocky Rai Memorial T20 Tournament…

Zeeburg continue domination

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Mark Jeffers, Balbinder Shivpersaud and Raylex Payne

F

ollowing their successes in round 2 of the Amerith Rocky Rai Memorial T20 Cricket on the West Coast of Demerara, the Zeeburg Sports Club continued their immaculate form in round 3, as they pummelled Saw Pit in their highly anticipated encounter.

Zeeburg are currently undefeated in the three matches played. In the third match, Saw Pit -- who won the toss and elected to bat first -- crumbled against the Zeeburg bowling attack, and eventually collapsed for 91 all-out in 15.1 overs.

Spearheading the Zeeburg attack were Raylex Payne (4-14), Malcom Hubbard (2-13) and Yutesh Dhanpaul (2-27).

Having to chase a small total for victory, Zeeburg played smart cricket and ended on 92-2 in just 10.2 overs. Top scoring for Zeeburg were the inform Mark Jeffers with an unbeaten 36 and Balbinder Shivpersaud with a quick-fire 34 not out.

contradicts the democratic process and is probably not reflective of the majority base of members who they represent,” said Dr Shallow.

“Cricket leaders should seek more information from the base and should explore new strategies in order to push the game at the local and regional levels forward.” (Sportsmax)

Ask Julia Roberts who should coach Real Madrid, says Santiago Solari

R VACANCY

21

eal Madrid “has always been more courted than Julia Roberts”, said coach Santiago Solari on Monday about rumours of a possible return of Jose Mourinho.

Solari took over earlier this season and has a contract until 2021, but has just lost two Clasicos at home. He was speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Ajax at the Bernabeu in the Champions League, a competition Real have won the last three years and is the club’s only hope of a trophy this season.

Mourinho managed Real for three stormy seasons from 2010 to 2013. Over the weekend he was a guest pundit on Qatar-based beIN Sport where he analysed Real’s latest loss to Barcelona.

“Return to a club that I have been before?” said Mourinho, who had two stints at Chelsea and was fired by Manchester United in December. “If I think the right club, the right structure, the right ambitions, I will have no problem at all.”

“I think it’s really a reason of pride when a club where you worked before wants you back,” said Mourinho.

Real Madrid Coach Santiago Solari

Solari responded with a joke about Roberts at his press conference on Monday. When asked whether the actress would prefer himself or Mourinho, the Argentine smiled.

“Good question,” he said. “You should ask her.”

“It is true that we have had lots of chances in recent matches, except in the last one, and we have to take them,” said Solari.

“The dressing room is strong, these players have a lot of experience and a lot of character,” Solari said. “That does not mean we’re happy with what’s happening.”

“We want to win every game.

When we do not win we are not happy, but tomorrow we have another game,” he added.

Luka Modric, the veteran midfielder who joined Real before Mourinho’s last season at the club, also spoke to the press and was more interested in talking about strikers than actresses or coaches.

Modric said the pressure was on to beat Ajax, with the holders leading 2-1 from the first leg in Amsterdam.

He acknowledged that the club was missing Cristiano Ronaldo.

(Hindustantimes)

22

tuesday, march 5, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day tournament…

Hurricanes will need wins to catch up with the Jaguars – Smith, Cornwall maintain top rankings

A

fter nine rounds of matches played by four-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars, they remain table leaders of the 2018-2019 Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day tournament. Jaguars have 136 points, 25.2 points ahead of Leeward Islands Hurricanes. The Hurricanes team will play two more matches this season, in contrast to Jaguars’ one.

The Jaguars recorded six wins and three losses in their nine encounters, while second place Hurricanes have five wins, two losses and one draw in their eight matches played.

This season will see an exciting finish, but

Jaguars will be eager to win their final match to guarantee themselves a fifth title.

In third position, Barbados Pride have 96 points, while fourth place Windward Islands Volcanoes have 86 points.

The Jaguars’ next opponent, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, are in fifth position with 85.6 points, while Jamaica Scorpions have 82.4 points and are at the bottom of the table.

In the batting department, in the latter part of the season, the experienced campaigner Devon Smith has 713 runs, scored at an average of 47.53 with two centuries and

one half century. Hurricanes’ Montcin Hodge is in second position with 641 runs, scored at an average of 42.73, with two centuries and one half-century to his name. Jonathan Carter’s 580 is ranked in third position, with one century and four half centuries.

In the bowling department, Rahkeem Cornwall reigns supreme with 49 wickets in seven matches, with three five- wicket hauls.

Guyana’s Permaul has 39 wickets in nine

matches, and Imran Khan has 36 wickets in eight matches.

Nikita Miller has showed his killer instincts in the four matches he played he grabbed 35 wickets. Jaguars’ Romario Shepherd is the leading fast bowler with 29 wickets at an average of 23.06 with a best bowling figure of 4-36. Anthony Bramble remains the leading gloves man with 37 dismissals in 18 innings he kept wicket. (Brandon Corlette)

Lennox Allen and NSC to the rescue of Pocket Rocket Gym

A

tragic fire at the Linden Johnson Community Centre in Linden on Friday, March 1st, has most unfortunately gutted the home of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym; but recently crowned World Boxing Champion Lennox Allen and the National Sports Commission have come to the gym’s rescue.

Like a true Guyanese, world champion Lennox Allen needed only three days to mobilise his resources with the intent of getting the Pocket Rocket boxing gym back on its feet. “….so I reached out to him on Saturday, indicated to him what had happened in Region Ten as it relates to Pocket Rocket boxing gym.

Within a short space of time, Mr. Allen was able to mobilise all the boxing equipment that you see before you, and it was sent to Guyana,” Director of Sport, Christopher Jones explained as he detailed the interaction between himself and Allen.

“So, today, we at the National Sports Commission are officially handing over these (pieces of) boxing equipment that have been made available by Mr. Lennox Allen”, he continued.

Although still shocked by the questionable fire at the community centre, boxing Coach Orland Rogers was full of praise for Lennox Allen and the NSC, for their much needed and timely donation.

“Thanks to the National Sports Commission;

BCB/Shimron Hetmyer Intermediate Competition

Tucber Park whip Betsy Ground on back of Mickle’s 5-for – Rose Hall Canje humble Mt Sinai Director of Sport, Christopher Jones officially handed over the boxing gear to Pocket Rocket Coach Orland Rogers

Abdul Ramsammy stroked an unbeaten 30

T Some of the equipment donated by Guyana’s world champion Lennox Allen

“Equally, the National Sports Commission will be providing additional gear, punching bags and so forth, (which) are need so that the gym can be back on its feet as early as possible,” Jones stated.

Aside from the donation of gloves, shoes, guards, bags and other equipment, the National Sports Commission is also working with officials in Linden to find a suitable building to house the

Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones; and Mr. Lennox Allen, our newest World Champion.

And I think this would be very beneficial for our youngsters, and they will come out back and start working heavily,” ‘Pocket Rocket’s Rogers stated.

boxing gym, Jones disclosed.

“Contact has already been made with Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Ms Bonita Primo at the CDC Region 10 with a view to (having) them identify a suitable location at which the gym could be restarted.

Currently, we’re looking at Block 22, there’s a multipurpose building there, and (there is) also the Christianburg Community Centre,” the Director of Sport disclosed.

he boys from New Amsterdam’s Tucber Park have humiliated their Betsy Ground rivals by nine wickets in their second round clash of the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Shimron Hetmyer 40-Over Intermediate tournament.

Under suitable conditions at the Goed Bananen Land ground in East Canje, Tucber Park bowled out Betsy Ground for 87 in 26.3 overs, with off-spinner Kwesi Mickle capturing match winning figures of 5 for 14 in eight overs. Although normally good at the game of cricket, the Goed Bananen Land batsmen failed to deal with the impressive bowling of Mickle, who received support from pacemen Shamar Joseph, with 2 for 11, and Raymon Vankenie, with 2 for 3, gleaned from five miserly overs.

Bajan leg-spinner Winslow Roberts contributed 1 wicket for 1 run in Tucber Park’s win.

In response, Tucber Park scored 88 runs in 13.2 overs. Opening batsman Malcolm

Kwesi Mickle had 5-14

Mickle stroked 29, while Abdul Ramsammy hit an unbeaten 30, and the class act, Garfield Benjamin, scored 18 not out in Tucber Park’s comprehensive nine-wicket win.

In the other fixture in the NA/Canje zone, Rose Hall Canje registered a 4-wicket win over Mt Sinai. Ameer Rahaman was the star with both bat and ball as Mt Sinai took first strike and scored 152 all out, with Winston Mingo scoring 31. Off-spinner Ameer Rahaman had 3-24, while veteran wrong-footed left-arm spinner Balram Samaroo had 3-17.

In response, captain Rahaman continued his good game with an unbeaten 36 to lead the home team past Mt Sinai. The Rose Hall Canje team ended the exciting match on 153-6 in 38 overs. Opening batsman Michael Cambell had earlier stroked 47 in Rose Hall Canje’s victory, and Mark Sampson scored 17 not out. Bowling in a losing cause for Mt Sinai, Stamon Daniels had 3-17. (Brandon Corlette)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 5, 2019

23

England’s Tour of the West Indies 2019…

Visitors face hosts in favoured format E

ngland’s fringe players will have a chance to impress as they take on Windies in the first T20 international on Tuesday, in the absence of a number of established stars.

Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali have been rested for the three-match series with Jason Roy also absent as his wife is due to give birth in the coming days.

That has provided Sam Billings, Joe Denly and Sam Curran with an opportunity to show their worth with the next T20 World Cup, in Australia in 2020, on the horizon and another in India scheduled for 2021.

After losing the Test series and drawing in the ODIs, England will be aiming to end their tour of the The toss may seem crucial but it has been an unpredictable number of encounters during these series Caribbean on a high and, been more inconsistent. Morgan’s side have ries since beating England in that final, winwhile not at full strength, can still call upon won five and lost four of their nine series ning just six of them, but will hope to pick big-names players such as Eoin Morgan, Joe since reaching the final of the 2016 World up where they left off in the fifth ODI. Root and Mark Wood in St Lucia.

T20.

They didn’t need much more than 20 However, for all that England have exWindies, meanwhile, have played 12 se- overs to bowl England out and then scored celled in 50-over cricket, their T20 form has

at almost 10 an over in their chase - another stunning innings from Chris Gayle setting them on the way to a series-levelling victory.

The ‘Universe Boss’ may be planning to retire from ODIs after the World Cup although his recent form in the format might have forced a rethink - but he remains available for T20Is and will again provide the hosts’ greatest threat with the bat.

England squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, David Willey, Mark Wood.

West squad: Jason Holder (captain), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Oshane Thomas.

The match bowls off at 16:00 hrs. (Skysports)

Ludicrous to say Liverpool bottling Premier League title race

Cricket Fever: “Mumbai Indians” now I available on Netflix

O

n Friday, Netflix released “Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians,” an original unscripted series that follows the Indian Premier League’s fan-favorite team, Mumbai Indians, on their tumultuous 2018 IPL season as they sought to defend their 2017 IPL crown.

Produced by Condé Nast Entertainment, the eight-part series is an exclusive look into the world’s second most-watched sport and the unseen action, both on and off the field, including the intense pressure the team faces with the weight of “Maximum City” Mumbai on their shoulders.

The docuseries starts with the 2018 IPL auction, documenting the team’s reorganization, and ends with their dramatic loss as they narrowly miss the IPL playoffs. “Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians” charts the emotional arc of the team and reveals the never-before-seen journeys of the young yet talented team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, owners Nita and Akash Ambani and their coach Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene.

This is Condé Nast Entertainment’s first international series. Executive Producers are Al Edgington, Joe LaBracio, Jeremy Finn, Jamie Stewart and James Maby. The series is exclusively available on Netflix to over 139 million paid memberships in 190 countries around the world.

Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE) is an award-winning next generation studio and distribution network with entertainment content across film, television, premium digital video, social, virtual reality and OTT channels.

In just seven years since inception, CNE has reached TV-like scale for many of its digital videos, and has won Emmy and Critics’ Choice Awards, as well as garnered Academy Award and Peabody nominations.

t is “ludicrous” to suggest Liverpool are “bottling” the title race, says Premier League winner Chris Sutton.

Jurgen Klopp’s side led by seven points from Manchester City going into their game on 3 January, but sit one point behind after Sunday’s draw at Everton.

The Reds have never won the Premier League and have not won the English title since the 1989-90 season.

“To me the Liverpool fans seem to be bottling it, not the players and Klopp,” said Sutton.

“Can’t we just say that Liverpool and Manchester City are two great “It’s football, we don’t play Playstation” – Jurgen Klopp teams - it’s a brilliant title race. This unhappy with reporter’s question will go to the wire. it?” Sutton, who won the title with Blackburn “When Manchester City lost earlier in the in 1995, told the Monday Night Club. season to Palace and Leicester and Newcastle, “Everton, their rivals, seemed to really up did we say Manchester City are bottling it?” their game - their best moment of the season The Reds have only lost one league game may be stopping Liverpool win a title. this season but have drawn four of their past “It’s ludicrous to suggest that Liverpool are six, including against rivals Manchester bottling it. They are absolutely not. The playUnited and Everton. ers are just focused on the next game.” (BBC Sport) “Is drawing at Manchester United bottling

TUESday, march 5, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

England’s Tour of the West Indies 2019…

Visitors face hosts in favoured format Page 23

Cricket Fever:

“Mumbai Indians” now available on Netflix Page 23

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