Guyana Times - Tuesday, August 17, 2021

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4742

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

President announces $2.6B additional measures for vulnerable Guyanese

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Teen dies in hit-and-run accident P11

See story on page 3

…1-off $25,000 for pensioners; $25,000 for persons living with disabilities, 1 month free electricity, Offshore Technology Conference

Guyana aiming to attract major investments, MoUs to be signed today Chaos, desperation Oil and gas, in Afghanistan as agriculture Taliban seize Kabul on agenda as visit begins today 4 more succumb to COVID-19 …active cases now 1001 Page 16

Suriname President's 2nd State Visit

See story on page 19

P10 Berbice pensioner raped during robbery

Motorcyclist dies after P11 dropping into pothole during high-speed Police chase

APNU/AFCP7 backed New York rally "deceitful, dishonourable, race-baiting" – President Ali Ready to serve – new Caricom SG installed P13

See story on page 2

Page 9

More than 170 P14 households, businesses affected by flooding in Region 7 – CDC

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Suriname President’s 2nd State Visit

Oil and gas, agriculture on agenda as visit begins today

S

uriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi arrives in Guyana today for his second official visit and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the visit is a continuation of collaborative efforts between the two South American nations.

This State-visit is as a result of an invitation extended by President Ali. It follows President Ali’s visit to the Republic of Suriname in November 2020, during which the two Heads of State launched the Guyana-Suriname Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

President Santokhi arrives today and will depart on Friday.

Speaking on the side lines of an event on Monday, President Ali told reporters that the visit is an important one in advancing collaborative agreements between the two countries.

Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

“Suriname is also going be a big player in the oil and gas sector. The two countries both have small populations, similar challenges, similar opportunities ahead.

So, we have to see how we can merge our thinking and ensure the policies reflect that integrated approach we

want to bring betterment for all the people of the two countries,” he said.

When asked about some of the key areas up for discussion, the President said that it includes transportation, trade, security, agriculture, oil and gas and many other transformational areas. He added that they would also be focused on removing barriers for the development of both nations.

President Santokhi will be accompanied by First Lady, Mellisa K SantokhiSeenacherry, and a high-level delegation during this week’s visit. This includes: Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Minister, Ambassador Albert R Ramdin; Natural Resources Minister, David Abiamofo; Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister, Parmanand Sewdien; Public Works Minister, Riad

Nurmohamed; Transport, Communication and Tourism Minister, Albert E Jubithana; representatives of the State Oil Company of Suriname and members of the Private Sector out of Paramaribo.

The Surinamese President made his first visit to Guyana for the inauguration of President Ali back in August 2020 – following the tumultuous fivemonth long election process.

During that visit, the two Presidents engaged in a series of meetings with stakeholders on a number of issues. In fact, the Guyanese and Surinamese Presidents met with members of the Guyanese Private Sector and diplomatic community during which business and commerce opportunities, among other mutual areas of benefit, were discussed.

As newcomers in the oil and gas sector, the two countries are looking to tap into

each other’s Private Sectors to peddle sustainable development and further strengthening bilateral ties.

President Ali had said at the time that Guyana and Suriname must not compete but complement each other as they embark on this new development trajectory.

Meanwhile, during President Ali’s reciprocal visit to Paramaribo last November, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to facilitate the joint bridging of the Corentyne River.

Both Presidents had underscored the critical role that a bridge across the Corentyne River could play in advancing cooperation and joint activities and ventures in all the areas mentioned.

It was reported last month that 38 bids were received and jointly reviewed by the two countries and eight bidders were eventual-

ly shortlisted.

Suriname news agency Waterkant had reported these bidders as: China Road and Bridge Corporation (China), EGIS (France), Exp Services Inc, Pedelta, Arcadis, CEMCO (Canada, Spain, Netherlands, Guyana), FIGG/Sunecon/ SRKN’gineering & Associates/E&A Consultans/ P-ALL Consultants/ E n v i r o n m e n t a l Management Consultant (United States of America), Politecnica and Rina JV/ ILACO/SRKN’gineering & Associates (Italy, Suriname, Guyana), SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies Inc/AP&G Consultancy Suriname NV/ Delta Marine Consultants/ Deltares (Dubai, Suriname, Netherlands),TYPSA/ Leonard, Andra und Partner GmbH/FIRM (Spain, Germany, Suriname) and WSP Caribbean Ltd (Trinidad). (G2)

Closing date for applications is Tuesday, August 31, 2021

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Aug 17 – 12:00h – 13:30h and Wednesday, Aug 18 – 00:30h – 02:00h and 13:00h – 14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Aug 17 – 11:25h – 12:55h and Wednesday, Aug 18 – 12:55h – 14:25h.

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

President announces $2.6B additional measures for vulnerable Guyanese …1-off $25,000 for pensioners; $25,000 for persons living with disabilities, 1 month free electricity

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday night announced $2.6 billion in additional measures to help the most vulnerable cit-

On Monday evening, the Head of State pointed out that these new measures are in addition to those which were catered for in the 2020

household necessities, and on medical and educational supplies. Government had also announced a $25,000 cash grant to each house-

Government remains committed to supporting all Guyanese as “we navigate the current challenges of our time, as we rebuild our

izens in Guyana, aimed at improving their lives.

The first measure is a one-off cash grant of $25,000 to all old age pensioners.

This grant will benefit almost 65,000 persons, and place an additional $1.6 billion of disposable income in the hands of the elderly.

“I wish to reiterate that this $25,000 one-off grant is equivalent to additional month of pension to every Guyanese pensioner in every community,” the Head of State said.

The second measure is a one-off grant of $25,000 to all public assistance recipients and persons living with disabilities. This grant will benefit about 25,000 persons, and place more than $600 million of additional disposable income in their pockets.

“Thirdly an electricity credit paid to GPL (Guyana Power and Light) on behalf of households consuming not more than 75 kilowatt hours per month. The credit to each household will be equivalent to one month of their electricity bill, and will inject more than $200 million of disposable income to more than 40,000 households,” the Head of State announced. “…those households in our society would receive the equivalent of one month’s free electricity in these new measures that I’m announcing, this will benefit directly more than 40,000 households across the country.

Together, these three new measures will provide additional income support of $2.6 billion to our most vulnerable households,” President Ali said.

The announcement on Monday comes on the heels of the reduction $4.8 billion in shipping-related charges announced last week.

With the aim of cushioning the high shipping costs due to the global pandemic, Ali on Tuesday last had announced several reductions to shipping-related charges to the tune of $4.8 billion in order to bring relief to citizens and businesses.

While these reductions would result in the treasury losing a consequent $4.8 billion in revenues, they are necessary for dealing with the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ali had said.

and 2021 budgets and also the decision by Government which had removed the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, as well as on basic food items, basic

hold in Guyana. Also, a slew of measures to assist those affected by the recent countrywide flooding were announced.

He noted that

country from the difficulties of the last five years, and as we work towards realising the prosperity that inevitably lies ahead for our country and all our citizens.”

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South- South-Westerly to Southerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 11:52h reaching a maximum height of 2.21 metres.

Low Tide: 17:43h reaching a minimum height of 1.04 metre.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

12 13 15 22 25 28

FREE TICKET

20 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

01 04 11 19 22 LUCKY 3

7

9

3

3

Afternoon Draw

1

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 04 06 07 08 18 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY Friday, August 13, 2021

04 06 09 15 16 13

03 06 10 11 20

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$69.51/barrel

-1.55

Rough Rice

$243.54 /ton

-0.02

London Sugar

$491.10/ton

0

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1786.90

$1787.90

Low/High Change

$1770.40 0.00

$1790.40 0.00%

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

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

Rescuing our boys

O

ver the last four decades, developing Caribbean countries have been struggling to maintain law and order within their respective territories, while simultaneously causing a reduction in the increasing levels of crime and criminality in their societies, which pose the most serious threat to their forward movement and the notion of national security.

While these countries have all approached the subject matter differently, most of them have failed in addressing the root causes of crime and criminality, so much so that some of their judicial systems have become ineffective and slothful in the dispensation of justice.

This is not as a result of poor management on the part of the judiciary, or the lack of adequate resources in the form of magistrates or lawyers, but can be directly attributed to a breakdown in the traditional family structures within our societies; the changing socioeconomic, domestic and regional environments; the shifting of gender roles; the emergence of new, complex gender identities; and the changing dynamics of a world now driven by newer forms of information and communication technologies.

While all of the abovementioned factors are important to any discussion on solving the proliferation of crime within our regional economies, many researchers and policy makers underestimate the role of males and boys in growth and sustenance of the Region’s crime problem.

The truth is that many Caribbean men and boys are being poorly socialised, and are many times not given enough attention during their early years of development at home, in school, and within the wider society.

At an early age, boys within developing countries are told that they must be tough, and the burden to provide for their families still falls on their shoulders, despite the shifting gender roles and the advances made in gender equality. They are socialised to hide their weaknesses and sensitivities, and to shun anything that even slightly appears feminine.

We must re-educate our boys, therefore, and change how they perceive the importance of an education, despite the economic hardships and feminisation of this tool by the societies in which they dwell.

A renowned Jamaican educator, Wayne Campbell, offers a number of solutions for saving our boys and reducing their involvement in crime, which could see them moving from not populating jails, but universities and think-tanks that arrive at solutions for male empowerment and the economic advancement of the entire family as a unit.

Campbell asserts that “there is also the need to urgently recast our current gender policy. One way of doing so is to incorporate more men in the discourse to shape our national gender policy. It’s ludicrous to think that women only, or a gender board dominated by women, can advocate the needs of our boys and men. We also need to examine the possibility of creating so-called ‘boy-friendly’ curricula, assessment and pedagogical practices. We now know that boys learn differently than girls, and therefore we should use this knowledge to refashion teaching methodologies that speak to both sexes in the classroom.”

In Guyana, there is a need to view the issue of underperformance and underachievement with a sense of urgency and dispatch. If not, we are going to continue to witness the spread of a deviant strand of hypermasculinity that is sweeping across the education system.

This reconstruction of masculinity is already manifesting itself in all our schools. Our boys are wearing their school pants well below their waists, and at times exposing their undergarments. Those boys who wear the uniform correctly are teased and referred to as “old”.

Our boys have become more violent in recent years, even to the point of physically abusing female teachers. Male teachers, over the years, have endured physical attacks; however, the attacks on the female teachers by boys should have been viewed as a wake-up call in regard to the urgent need to rescue our boys.

Ladies performing a cultural dance in celebration of India’s 75th Independence Day, which was celebrated in Guyana over the weekend by the Indian High Commission

Falsehoods pedalled at Brooklyn rally: Open letter to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Dear Editor, Greetings! We write about some serious concerns that have been triggered by the PNCR-aligned GCIDsponsored rally, with support of BLM, in Brooklyn on August 15, 2021. While we commend the organisers for the conduct of a peaceful rally, the rhetoric by Speakers betrayed that feeling of serenity.

Decent Guyanese, including the Guyana Government, have been bemused by a litany of falsehoods that permeated the event. The main organiser has referred to Hon Mark Phillips’s reaction to the event as follows: “the Prime Minister is a lightweight buffoon and a despicable token house slave.” Burke claims, further, that the PPPC government is building an “apartheid regime”.

These are the most outlandish comments being made by an activist who fights for issues that do not exist, and whose cause is still a mystery.

Guyana’s Prime Minister rejected “all the malicious and false claims” spewed by speakers at the rally. He referred to those remarks as appalling. Hon Mark Phillips writes, “We are disappointed that the Congressman has allowed himself to be negatively influenced by individuals who are adamant in destroying our beautiful country by in-

stigating violence and division among our people. We have been told that you are a man of integrity, but after your prominence and identification with people who support electoral rigging and reject democratic norms, our attitude towards you is now one of ambivalence.

“Congressman, we do not know what was the basis for your call to end racial discrimination in Guyana, but if you follow the real news from Guyana, you would have known that the PPPC Government has been the most inclusive in the country’s history that implements policies and programs to benefit all Guyanese, irrespective of race, gender, and geography. Very perplexing is your call for the removal of the American Ambassador Sarah Lynch, who is a great friend to all Guyanese.

“Of note, on the very day of the Brooklyn rally, at a national forum, a group of independent Guyanese, representing the legal profession, the private sector, political parties, the press, and civil society was loud in their praise of the government for the remarkable job they have done during the first year, despite major COVID-19 constraints and the devastating floods. The Government has touched the life of every Guyanese through various programs.

It is ironic that a PNCRsponsored rally in New York seems to have hundreds of supporters, but in Guyana, where Guyanese have fist hand knowledge of the Government’s performance, attendance rarely reaches 30-40 at PNCR street rallies. To get better traction, therefore, the PNCR is taking their fight onto the streets of Brooklyn, New York! Their calls to make the country ungovernable have not only been rejected by most Guyanese, but their (PNCR) baseless claims have not enjoyed the support of the major diplomatic missions.

“This is significant, and necessitates your inquiry.

You should be aware that the PNCR party attempted to stage an electoral coup d’état at the 2020 elections. Stealing an election is the mother of all corruption. The head of the OAS team stated, “It was the most transparent attempt to steal an election.”

It was the vigilance exercised particularly by the foreign diplomatic missions that saved democracy from collapsing.

“The PNCR’s claim about race discrimination could not be supported by empirical evidence. They use polemics and platitudes instead of evidence. One example will suffice. The Government has recently granted 6,000 scholar-

ships (39% of awardees are to Afro-Guyanese, 40% are Indo-Guyanese, and 21% are Mixed and Amerindians).

“Allegations of racism are being made to detract also from rampant corruption by PNCR operatives.

For example, they hired one person as an advisor to the then Minister of Natural Resources when she had no expertise in that area. More perplexing, though, was that she was receiving five salaries for multiple positions. This is the type of largesse that the PNCR operatives have missed. Thus, their desperation.

“The PNCR have power at all layers of Government, except at the ministerial level. They could add the remaining layer (ministerial power) by focusing to win the next general and regional elections. Using divisive tactics like stirring race hatred will divert them from this path, as they are more interested in getting there (ministerial power) through the fomenting of racism.

“Would you advise them to change their approach?

We need to build Guyana, and not to destroy it.

“Finally, to dispel any misgiving, we urge you, Congressman Jeffries, and your delegation to visit Guyana to make your own assessment and judgment”.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

5

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

Do the Mayor and comrades understand that Congressman Jeffries, APNU/ citizens of Georgetown have had enough? AFC clearly not on the same Dear Editor, It is my sincere hope that the Guyana Elections Commission can pull off the Local Government Elections before the end of the year, now that there has been some cleaning of the Augean Stables at GECOM. If that is not possible, then the Government has to move swiftly to install an Interim Management Committee as soon as the life of this Georgetown City Council expires.

With the recent antics of the Mayor of Georgetown, it is quite clear that there is a dirty plot and plan to bring the Georgetown Municipality to its knees, and consequently the City of Georgetown. A house divided cannot stand;

it’s as true in life as it is in managing a city. Conflict inside would inevitably lead to conflict outside.

It is particularly disappointing to see so much effort being put in to modernise and transform our country as a whole, while a few are seeking to destroy our capital and main urban centre.

With statutory meetings being disrupted and adjourned for no good reason, the end result will be that important decisions would not be made, including the one to send the new Town Clerk’s signature to the bank as a signatory for cheques.

What a few misguided individuals are hoping for is that workers would become disgruntled when their salaries

cannot be paid, and contractors would withdraw their services when they are not paid.

The Ministry of Local Government must take notice of this development and take the appropriate action to nullify this evil plan.

The constant hiring of pricey lawyers and filing of lawsuits and other courses of legal action at the expense of the citizenry by the Mayor and a few at the Council without their express permission must stop. This is not what we are paying property rates for. How about if the Mayor uses that money to buy a garbage truck or two?

I wonder what it would take to get the Mayor and

his comrades to understand that the average citizen of Georgetown has had enough of the political gimmicks, the mismanagement, the nepotism, the vice and duplicity at City Hall? We would prefer if more time and effort is spent cleaning the city, preventing crime, getting rid of mosquitoes, clearing the drains, and restoring the cemetery.

I say to the new Town Clerk: the ability to manage through an internal crisis like the one currently on your hands is a skillset we know you have, and will encourage you to use it. Expect criticism, you will ride it out.

Sincerely, Magagula Jackson

We know the truth

Dear Editor, I urge all Guyanese to stand up for decency, truth, and integrity; to condemn the racism being practised covertly and overtly by the Opposition APNU+AFC politicians. They are now holding marches under the banner of allegedly being anti-racist and anti-discriminatory, but we know the truth.

The APNU/AFC politicians are trying to play with the emotions and postures of Guyanese. I urge Guyanese to listen to the tone of speeches given by the Opposition and look at the ethnic composition of the audience there. Listen to their comments made

while they are not on the camera and are talking among themselves.

I believe the crowd present there at the march was duped into supporting the march because of the food, drinks, alcohol, and money offered as an enticement.

Also, I believe that the US officials are watching that Congressman and listening to his statements made at the march and rally. I am all for Congressmen supporting other groups and external affairs, but they must never be one-sided and opportunistic.

That Congressman never spoke to the Irfaan Ali Administration, nor did he research what platform he

was standing to speak on.

Had he done so, he would never have listened to Rickford Burke and the rest of them in the US about the mood of the people miles away in Guyana.

The truth is that the Guyana Government, as a policymaker, is not racist.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic is not racist. This is an inconvenient truth to those in the Opposition who want to fan the flames of racism and allegations of discrimination far and wide.

The Opposition politicians are the real racists, parading as patriots of virtue when they are like vampire bats. I say so because

they are sucking the life blood out of Guyana with their talk about racism and discrimination.

Of importance is that they try to prosecute with threats of any kind if you are not willing to subscribe to their views about race.

Also, I say that the PPP Government is for all the people.

I know when the APNU+AFC Opposition are being truthful and honest; and they are not. They would not manage to fool Guyanese again, at least right-thinking Afro-Guyanese who live in Guyana.

Yours truly, Suraj Singh

page on US Ambassador

Dear Editor, I observed over the weekend in relation to the APNU/ AFC’s anti-PPP protest and rally in Brooklyn, NY. To say that I find it all to be comical is an understatement. The coalition and their activists made a big fuss, claiming that they were hosting the protest and rally in demonstration against racism and discrimination by the Government.

However, from the start of all the speeches, the only racism that was noted was that coming out of the mouths of the speakers.

I found it to be quite hypocritical that they were rallying against racism but still found it appropriate to be racists themselves.

Editor, I wish to draw attention to the speeches that were made by US Congressman Hakeem Jefferies over the weekend, at both the luncheon which they hosted and the rally.

Jefferies was critical of the US Ambassador in Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, calling for her removal. He said that it is time for the Biden Administration to act on the matter. His comments were

quite surprising, given his stature and the fact that he repeated the lies peddled to him by the APNU+AFC without any sort of hesitation.

You also recall that this same Jeffries was the lone voice in support during the APNU+AFC’s attempt to rig the March 2nd, 2020 elections. Back then he urged the US Government to stop meddling in Guyana’s affairs; a position he is now walking back on with his pleading for the Biden Administration to meddle in Guyana’s affairs.

But what is comical is that he is clearly not on the same page with the APNU+AFC when it comes to his position on the Ambassador. If the Opposition truly felt that the Ambassador is racist, as the Congressman claims, then how come the Leader of the Opposition and a delegation of his MPs met with her several times over the past months? It just shows how ridiculous these people are.

Sincerely, Adron Pires

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

Page

Foundation POEM

H

ow does a cooler keep things cold? Which material makes the best insulation? Try this project to find out how long you can keep an ice cube from melting once it’s out of the freezer!

Materials

Two equally-sized plastic food storage containers (one will need to have a tight-fitting lid).

Ice cubes (at least two of the same size) Two plastic zip-lock bags or matching smaller food storage containers/ cups that fit inside the larger ones A work surface where both of your containers will have equal exposure to external sources of heat (such as sunlight or a vent). To speed up the activity put your containers in the sun and/ or take them outside on a warm day.

An insulating material such as cotton balls, bubble wrap, crumpled paper, and so on (more than one is optional) -- enough to mostly fill one of your large food containers

Prep work

Mostly fill the inside of one of your plastic containers with insulating material. This is your “cooler”.

Place a zip-lock bag or smaller plastic container inside each of the larg-

er containers (make sure that the lid on the insulated container will be able to close all of the way; remove any insulation needed until the lid can close; leave it open for now).

Procedure

Place one ice cube in each of your smaller containers or bags.

Quickly close the lid on the “insulated” cooler container. (Do not put a lid on the other larger container.) Which ice cube do you think will last the longest?

If your workspace isn’t very warm, the ice cubes might take a while to melt. Go do something else for 15 minutes, and then come back. How big is the ice cube in the open container now?

Depending on how fast it is melting, continue to check the ice cube periodically. Keep checking until it has melted completely.

As soon as that ice cube finishes melting, open your cooler and check on that ice cube. Has it also fully melted?

If not, how big is it?

What happened?

When the ice cube in your open con-

tainer finally melted, you might have discovered that the ice cube in the insulated container was still almost half its original size! Putting the ice cube in a sealed, insulated container dramatically reduces the amount of heat it can gain by conduction (because the insulating material is not a good conductor of heat) and convection (because the lid is sealed extra air cannot flow around the ice cube). If your insulation is opaque, it also reduces the amount of heat transferred by radiation --although this is a much bigger factor outside in the sun than if you’re doing the activity indoors.

Think about what you learned in this activity and how it relates to real coolers. For example, have you ever seen a transparent cooler? Why would that be less desirable? If you want to keep something cold, is it better to leave the cooler lid open or closed? If you need to keep something cold for a long time, would you use a lightweight, thin-walled cooler or a cooler with thicker walls? How does what you learned in this activity impact how you might pack your lunch or a picnic? (Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies)

Before man came to blow it right The wind once blew itself untaught, And did its loudest day and night In any rough place where it caught.

Man came to tell it what was wrong: It hadn’t found the place to blow; It blew too hard—the aim was song.

And listen—how it ought to go!

He took a little in his mouth, And held it long enough for north To be converted into south, And then by measure blew it forth.

By measure. It was word and note, The wind the wind had meant to be— A little through the lips and throat.

The aim was song—the wind could see.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC-backed New York rally “deceitful, dishonourable, race-baiting” – President Ali

…calls for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to re-examine motive

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday called the Opposition-backed rally in New York on Sunday a dishonourable and deceitful event filled with lies, hate and race-baiting.

The President made the statement on the side lines of an event on the East Coast of Demerara.

“I think that it is very deceitful, dishonourable and obstructionist that people would go to the extent that they went in telling lies…

It was just an event filled with lies, hate and racism race-baiting and I’m very disappointed that people who should have some amount of credibility, but find themselves, enveloped in this type of behaviour,” he said.

Sunday’s anti-Government rally was hosted by a group called Guyanese Organisations Against Racism and saw the participation of US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. During the rally, protesters called for the removal of the US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch for the role she played in condemning the APNU/AFC’s attempt to rig the 2020 General Elections.

Several of the APNU/ AFC’s Members of Parliament and its regional representatives attended

President Irfaan Ali

the event which was held in Brooklyn, New York. They include MPs Sherod Duncan, Ganesh Mahipaul, Juretha Fernandes, Natasha SinghLewis, Amanza WaltonDezir; Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Chairman Daniel Seeram; and Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) Vice Chair Kamal Persaud along with others.

Ali said that the statements made by Jeffries are unfortunate and very concerning.

“It’s very concerning, that you have persons who profess to have credibility envelope in that type of behaviour calling on time’s up for the Government, time’s up Ambassador. Listen, well

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips

then it has to be time’s up for Caricom, time’s up for the OAS, time’s up for EU, time’s up for all the countries and all the international bodies… that supported the efforts to have a democratic environment in Guyana and defeated the efforts of those who try to rig the election and install themselves, undemocratically in the country,” the President told reporters.

Re-examine motive

At the event, Congressman Jeffries, whose support for the APNU/AFC never wavered during their attempt to rig the elections, allowed himself to be influenced by partisan reports of

racial discrimination.

Jeffries claimed that he has been following the events in Guyana since the PPP/C took office in August 2020.

“I am open to engagement with anyone. But when someone who professes to be credible, in the face of what OAS would say, in the face of what the EU would say, Canada, the US, the Carter Center, and still envelope himself in the lies and the deception and the hate that went on there, then I think that a serious examination or re-examination is needed as to what the motive was,” Ali urged.

The President went on to say that he is open to engagement with anyone, even Jeffries, in the interest of the development of Guyana.

“My focus is on the people of this country, all the people, and nothing that they do or nothing that they plan will ever wean my energy, or distract me from that focus of working hard every day for all the people of our country,” he said.

“Mere desperation”

In a strongly worded statement late Sunday night, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips condemned the protests – noting that they are an act of

US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

desperation by the Joseph Harmon-led Opposition.

The Prime Minister said the assertions made against the PPP/C Administration during the events are false and malicious as he rapped the APNU/AFC for propagating racial division and tension in Guyana and in the Diaspora.

He related that the Government rejects all the fallacious statements made at the rally by all of the speakers there.

“The APNU continues to propagate racial division and tension in Guyana and in the Diaspora through the dissemination of inaccurate information about the Government of Guyana and by extension, the People’s

Progressive Party. These attacks are mere desperation by the APNU who, one year later, refuses to accept the results of the 2020 General Elections needless to say, after a lengthy court battle,” the Prime Minister said in his statement.

In relation to the remarks made by Jeffries, Phillips said “Further, we note the remarks made by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and find them to be quite appalling.

We are disappointed that the Congressman has allowed himself to be negatively influenced by individuals who are adamant in destroying our beautiful country by instigating violence and division amongst our people.”

In calling on the US politician to desist from participating in these activities, the Prime Minister invited him to have discussions with the Guyana Government on matters of mutual interest. He further emphasised that the PPP/C Government led by President Ali is working for the benefit of all Guyanese and evidence would show that they uphold democratic principles, adhere to equitable practices, embrace diversity and inclusivity and promote transparency at all levels. (G2)

8 NEWS Brawl over $3000 debt lands man in court for attempted murder A TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

n argument between two men over a $3000 debt has landed one of them in court on an attempted murder charge. Joshua Perreira, 21, of Charlestown, Georgetown, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Anthony Rampaul on August 2, with the intent to murder him. The accused was remanded to prison until August 25. The prosecutor told the court that the two

Remanded: Joshua Perreira

men are known to each other.

The court heard that on the day in question, Perreira confronted Rampaul and asked him about $3000 which he owed him. An argument erupted between the men, during which Perreira pulled out a knife and dealt Rampaul several stabs about his body before making good his escape.

The injured man was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remains a patient.

The matter was reported to the Police and following investigations, Perreira was arrested and charged. The prosecutor objected to him

being released on bail because the victim is still hospitalised.

Last year, Perreira was among two men charged with robbery under arms.

It was alleged that on January 17, 2020, at Saffon Street, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a cutlass, he robbed Patricia Abrahams of $150,000 cash, a gold chain valued $40,000, a gold ring valued $54,000, a bag valued $2000 and a cell phone valued $65,000, property of Omianna Dyeram.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, Perreira was remanded to prison. (G1)

Accused in murder of Linden footballer freed

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Dead: Leonard Peters

ichael Emanuel, the 25-year-old labourer who was on trial for murdering a Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) footballer in 2018, was freed on Monday after a no-case submission put forward by his lawyer was upheld. The indictment against him had alleged that he murdered Leonard Peters on December 21, 2018, at Watooka, Linden.

Emanuel, also of Linden, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the close of the case for the prosecution which was led by State Counsel Lisa Cave, State Counsel Taneisha Saygon and State Counsel Muntaz Ali; Emanuel’s lawyer Damien Da Silva submitted that the State had no case against his client, and as such, he should be discharged without being called upon to lead a defence.

Justice Sandil Kissoon upheld the no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

Based on reports, Peters

was lashed to his head and stabbed to his chest during a fight at a social event. He died while receiving treatment at the hospital. It was reported that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding between Peters and Michael Emanuel’s 19-year-old brother while they were at a party.

Whilst at the event, it was reported that Peters accidentally spilled alcohol on the teenager and they ended up in a scuffle. The teen then went home and complained to his mother. Peters is alleged to have run in the yard and attacked the teenager with a piece of wood, causing his brother to intervene.

Michael Emanuel, however, managed to disarm Peters and allegedly dealt him a blow to his head.

During the ordeal, it was reported that Peters was also stabbed.

Justice Kissoon, in upholding the no-case submission, said that the defence of self defence arose from the very case in which the prosecution was seeking a conviction. The Judge said that the evidence shows that it was Peters who attacked Emanuel on his hand with a knife after a quarrel. According to the Judge, Emanuel responded by firing lashes at Peters with a bicycle bar before they ended up in a scuffle.

During the scuffle, the Judge said Emanuel disarmed Peters, and even though he had the knife, he kicked him, although he had to opportunity to attack him with the weapon.

“Paradoxically, the defence of self defence arises from the very evidence on which the prosecution relies to sup-

Freed: Michael Emanuel

port a conviction. The prosecution’s case, therefore, suffers circumstantially from its own inherent weaknesses,” the Judge held.

Justice Kissoon explained that a person could not be acting in self defence of their person, in defence of their property, or in defence of the safety of another and at the same time be found to possess the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm - an element of the offence of murder.

While there is the inference that Emanuel acted offensively out of provocation, the Judge added that the matter does not end there.

On the assumption that the evidence by the prosecution is true, the Judge said that such evidence gives rise rationally to two conflicting inferences and it is required by law that the inference which is most favourable to the accused [Emanuel] be drawn by the jury.

The Judge reminded that at all times the eyewitnesses testified that Emanuel was armed with a piece of wood. However, he said that the prosecution is asking the court to rely on indirect evidence, in that, there were

two parties to the conflict and therefore it has to be one or the other who inflicted the injury.

According to Justice Kissoon, the prosecution was relying on circumstantial evidence to show that because Emanuel was armed with a piece of wood, he had the opportunity and the time to attack the now dead man. But Justice Kissoon told the jurors that there is a difficulty here since the evidence puts a crowd of persons in the yard and at the entrance to the track.

“This is not a case where two persons are present and all others are excluded. No one can account for whether anyone else present in the yard would have inflicted the injury [on Peters],” he added.

The Judge continued, “At the close of the prosecution’s case, the prosecution has failed to negatise the defence of self defence, and in failing to negatise self defence, they had failed to establish an element of the offence of murder - that the accused intended to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to the deceased.”

Equally, in the present case, the Judge highlighted that the prosecution’s case suffered a two-fold defect it failed to negatise the defence of self defence and direct evidence that it was Emanuel who inflicted the fatal injury on Peters.

Having regards to the deficiencies in the prosecution’s case, the Judge upheld the submission of nocase to answer and directed the 12-member mixed jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. (G1)

The fall…

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…of Kandahar ell, it wasn’t as bad as the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the US lost that decade-long war in Vietnam and there were apocalyptically frightening scenes of them evacuating their Embassy in Saigon and Vietnamese who’d supported them scrambling to board their departing helicopters. Your Eyewitness always wondered what happened to those Vietnamese, since they would’ve been branded as “traitors” by the victorious communists.

And this is what he’s presently wondering about Afghanistan, where, after 20 years - and by conservative estimates US$2TRILLION spent - the evacuation was only less frantic. What’s going to be the fate of the thousands and thousands who’ve worked along with the Americans??

We all knew that this day would come…after all, Biden had signed that agreement at Doha back in February, committing the withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan by Aug 31.

Only a week ago, the Yanks had assured everyone - including their allies - that the troops they’d trained for over two decades and equipped with the most advanced weaponry on the planet would be able to hold the line.

But here it was on August 15, the President of Afghanistan - who embodied the USA’s effort to introduce democracy into that country - ignominiously fled his country, and the Taliban took over the Presidential Palace.

Kandahar has fallen!! The edifice built over twenty years, and more than a hundred thousand dead, had collapsed like a house of cards. Afghanistan has now defeated four empires - the Russians, the Brits, the Ottomans and now the Americans!

The question on most foreign policy wonks’ minds is, “What will be the effect of the Taliban returning to power on Asia?” China, which might now be challenging the US for bragging rights as Number 1 in the world militarily with the economic rung within its grasp - couldn’t wait to gloat. Its state-run Global Times published an analysis on Afghanistan which concluded that Washington had proven to be an "unreliable partner that always abandons its partners or allies to seek self-interest." This was clearly directed at those countries forming alternative alliances, like India and Japan, in the “Quad” to counter China’s rise.

The biggest strategic benefit will be to Pakistan, which had provided support to the Taliban when they’d been pushed out by the US forces in their post-9/11 “war against terror”. They may now be emboldened to pursue their quest to wrench away India’s portion of Kashmir.

For the Afghan people, we already have a preview of Taliban rule, which is to impose its vision of Islam on the populace by any means necessary. There’s already been a rush to hide or burn books and makeup.

The supply of burqas has already been exhausted.

…of Opposition credibility Your Eyewitness continues to be entertained by the factions of the PNC vying to rise to the top of the heap.

Sadly, from the goings on here and in Region 11 (Brooklyn subregion) there seems to be a lot of “Jumbie Umbrellas” springing up. But then that’s always the danger with heaps!! Take the “Rally” on the Buxton Public Road, which was supposed to ground the one at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.

Both were overwhelmingly dominated by older folks well past their fifties and into their eighties. These are the old line PNCites who’re fading out! If the PNC is to have a future, one would’ve hoped the organizers would’ve enticed some youths to come out. Especially in Buxton, it appears that the energetic efforts of Minister of Sports Ramson have captured the imagination of the local youths - who we know form more than 65% of our population!

Only one PNC MP at Buxton to show their flag?

So they realised it would’ve been a geriatric bust?

…of “friend’s” word Congressman Hakeem Jeffries - a very, very PERSONAL friend (wink, wink!!) of the fella who organised the PNC’s Brooklyn Rally - promised to “remove” Ambassador Lynch.

Isn’t this going a bit too low down?!

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 more succumb to COVID-19 …active cases now 1001 ...59.1% 1st dose vaccine administered

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our persons were on Monday reported as casualties from the novel coronavirus, contributing to an increased death toll of 578.

Among those to succumb was a 27-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who died on August 15. On that same day, a 50-year-old man from Region One (BarimaWaini) also succumbed.

The other two persons are a 78-year-old man from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and a 51-yearold man from Region Four – both of whom died on August 14.

An updated dashboard showed an increase of 14 new cases in one day. The total confirmed cases in the country have now increased to 23,575. There are 16 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 87 in institutional isolation, 895 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine.

Some 21,999 of the 11,470 males and 12,105 females that tested positive have since recovered.

Guyana has tested 244,884 persons since the virus was detected here.

New cases

An analysis of new cases showed two from Region One (Barima-Waini), one in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), two in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), eight in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), and one in Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne).

There were no increases in Regions Five (MahaicaBerbice), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday informed that there has been an overall decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases recorded generally across the regions.

“We’ve seen a decreasing trend in cases so the numbers generally have gone down a little bit and across the regions, we’re seeing that… We’re seeing people across the age spectrum getting infected and we continue to monitor that. Male and female ratios remain the same and by distribution by regions, in all the regions we do have cases,” said Dr Anthony in the COVID-19 briefing.

Authorities care currently monitoring 10 cases in Mabaruma, Region One; 15 cases in Wakapao, Region Two; 17 cases in Crane, Region Three; 25 cases at Grove; 15 at both Eccles and Diamond, 18 in Mahaica and 16 in Enmore, Region Four.

For Georgetown, Kitty and Lodge have 21 and 19 cases being monitored respectively. There haven’t been any major spikes in Region Five. Meanwhile, New Amsterdam in Region Six has 24 cases and Bartica, Region Seven has 21 positives and 13 cases in Lethem, Region Nine.

It was pointed out that

Region Eight and Region 10 have reported new cases but persons are not forthcoming to be tested. As such, the numbers are low and not a true reflection of the actual situation.

Meanwhile, the Minister said active cases have increased slightly, now exceeding 1000. Some 66 patients are hospitalised across designated facilities, with 16 in the Intensive Care Unit.

“Active cases have gone up slightly. Last week, we were around 900 or so. Now we’re 1001 case so that has gone up slightly…Most of these patients are at the Ocean View Facility,” he shared.

For vaccination, 287,837 persons or 59.1 per cent of the adult population have received their first dose.

Completely immunised persons stand at 147,128 or 30.2 per cent.

“We’re seeing a general uptake in the first dose vaccine, which is very good and I want to encourage people to continue coming and getting your vaccines. For second dose, we’d like to see a bigger uptake. There are people who received their first dose and haven’t come back for their second dose.

We want to urge them to do so,” the health official advised.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 16 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

14

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

87

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

895 16

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

4

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

12,105

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

11,470

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

23,575

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

21,999

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

287,837

FULLY IMMUNISED

147,128

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

578

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1337

REGION 2

681

REGION 3

2708

REGION 4

10,698

REGION 5

779

REGION 6

1960

REGION 7

1303

REGION 8

380

REGION 9

2154

REGION 10

1575

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which

emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance

of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene. (G12)

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Peacemaker hit to head while Berbice pensioner raped during robbery "parting" wedding house fight

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47-year-old man was taken into custody after he reportedly raped a pensioner at her Region Six, East BerbiceCorentyne home on Monday.

Police stated that the 64-year-old woman was at home when the suspect entered, raped her and carted off with $200,000 in cash.

After leaving the premises, the elderly woman reportedly raised an alarm and neighbours went to her assistance.

The matter was reported to the Police and based on information gathered, the suspect was arrested at his home where a portion of the cash was recovered.

In February, a 98-yearold woman was raped and beaten at her Rose Hall Town home. The woman lives alone and was discovered in a battered state by a neighbour.

It was reported that the elderly woman’s neighbour went to her home to wake her up, so that they could go out. However, as she arrived at the house, she observed that the door was open, and immediately thought that something was amiss.

A glass containing alco-

hol on the step.

The woman reportedly told the neighbour that “them boys come in and beat me up”. She said that the elderly woman related that the men choked her.

The neighbour related that as the elderly woman showed herself and her injuries, she realised that the nonagenarian’s face was swollen and there were bruises about her body.

She immediately took a photo and alerted the caretaker.

Upon the caregiver’s arrival, and in attending to the victim, she observed that the elderly woman was very traumatised. At this time, she also noticed what appeared to be blood on the victim’s clothing and bedspread.

The caregiver immediately reported her suspicions via a call to the Police after which she accompanied the victim to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where a medical was done. The medical certificate confirmed that she was raped. Two persons were subsequently arrested and charged for the heinous crime.

E

nam Ally also called “Scraper” was in the wee hours of Sunday lashed to the head after he intervened in a fight at Burn Bush Dam, Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice.

The incident reportedly took place at about 03:30h at a

wedding house.

Police stated that on the day in question, the now injured man was attending a friend’s wedding at Burn Bush Dam, Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice, when he observed two men fighting.

As such, he intervened with the aim of parting the fight but instead, one of the men armed himself with a beer bottle and dealt the victim one blow to his forehead thus causing him to receive an injury. After the incident, the suspect fled the scene.

Ally was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was treated and admitted a patient in a stable condition.

The matter was reported to the Police and an investigation was launched. The suspect remains on the run.

Duo injured in 2-vehicle Motorcyclist injured after collision along Brickdam colliding with minibus

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wo occupants of a motor car were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a truck at the intersection of Brickdam and Sandeman Place, Georgetown.

The injured persons are 62-year-old Pamela Fox of Lot 72 Brickdam, Georgetown, and 29-yearold William Lockhart, 29, of Lot 19 Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police stated that on the day in question at about 19:30h, the truck bearing registration number GZ 3901 and the motor car, PYY 2821, driven by Fox, were heading in the same direc-

tion. The car was reportedly driving behind the truck.

However, at the intersection of Brickdam and Sandeman Place, the motor car reportedly collided with the rear of the truck and as such, the two occupants of the car sustained injuries about their bodies.

They were pulled from the wrecked vehicle and taken by ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Lockhart was treated and sent away while Fox was admitted a patient.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the truck, a 44-year-old of De Hoop, Mahaica, but there were no signs of alcohol in his system.

A

motorcyclist was admitted a patient at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after he reportedly collided with a minibus along the Tempe Public Road West Coast Berbice (WCB) on Sunday.

Injured is 21-year-old Osbert Abrams of Lot 645 No 30 Village WCB. Police stated that on the day in question at about 17:30h, Abrams was driving motorcycle CK 3952 along the said road at a fast rate when he lost control of the bike and collided with the rear of the minibus bearing registration number BZZ 5437 which was parked on the said road.

After the impact, the driver exited the minibus and upon checking, he saw the motorcyclist lying on the road’s surface behind the minibus with injuries about his body and head.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited persons and taken to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he was treated and transferred to New Amsterdam Public hospital.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the minibus but there were no signs of alcohol in his system. Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen dies in hit-and-run accident an unconscious state by the Police and public-spirited citizens, placed into a vehicle and taken to the Mackenzie Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When contacted, an uncle, Anthony O’Connor, told Guyana Times that his nephew had worked as a mason/carpenter at Kairuni, and on the night in question,

20:30h, soon after the family were given the devastating news.

The late Ryan Boodhoo leaves to mourn his parents and seven siblings. Up to late Monday, the driver of the motorcar was not arrested.

Last May, 8-year-old Akese Jerome, her grandmother Anthonia Henry, and her aunt Melina Emmanuel

The car that was involved in the accident

Motorcyclist dies after dropping into pothole during high-speed Police chase

Dead: Ryan “Rambo” Boodhoo

A

teenager was on Sunday evening killed in a hit-andrun accident along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway at Kairuni.

Dead is 19-year-old Ryan Boodhoo, also called ‘Rambo’, of Lot 113 Kuru Kururu village, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway.

Based on reports received, the now dead teen was with three others, walking along the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway at Kairuni when one of the friends heard a vehicle approaching from behind. He looked back and saw the car approaching them at a fast rate of speed, and he reportedly pulled the person next to him to safety.

However, Boodhoo, who was in front and on the right, was hit from behind by the speeding car, which fled the scene in the direction to Linden.

The injured teen reportedly fell on the roadway and sustained injuries about his body. He was picked up in

state, placed into a passing vehicle, and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Henry and Emmanuel were also picked up in an unconscious state and placed into a passing vehicle and taken to the Mackenzie Public Hospital, where they were also pronounced dead on arrival.

Kevin Bizzeth, subsequently charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving, was released on $900,000 bail.

A The Kairuni public road along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway

he, his brother and two cousins were going to the shop to make a purchase when the accident occurred.

“They normally stay at the worksite, so they went to buy some snacks, and were heading back when the car come around a turn with a speed and hit him… After the accident, the car drive away, but a friend went behind it on his motorbike and get the number… it’s a red car with registration number PZZ 2881,” the uncle started.

O’Connor noted that his nephew had sustained severe bodily injuries from the impact of the hit. He recalled receiving the dreaded news at some time after

were killed when a speeding car crashed into them as they were sitting at the curbside along the Kairuni public road of the LindenSoesdyke Highway.

It was reported that motor car PHH 6628, which was being driven by a 39-yearold fireman of Mackenzie, Linden, was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle, and it collided with the left side curb of the road before ploughing into a group of persons, all relatives, who were sitting on the side of the road on the said curb.

Little Akese Jerome was picked up in an unconscious

motorcyclist who was being pursued by members of the Guyana Police Force lost his life on Sunday evening after he reportedly fell into a pothole and injured himself on the La Parfaite Harmonie public road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Based on reports received, 20-year-old Mahendra Deopaul of Lot 267 La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD was spotted by the Police driving motorcycle CK 5677 without wearing a safety helmet, and a Police mobile pickup approached him with its flashlight on.

As the ranks attempted to intercept the motorcycle, Deopaul drove away at a fast rate of speed in a bid to

The pothole that caused the accident

evade the Police.

The Police vehicle pursued him, and during the high-speed chase that ensued, Deopaul ended up dropping into a pothole that caused him to lose control of the bike. He reportedly fell on the roadway and sus-

tained injuries to his face and body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana commits to strengthening relationship with India

R

eflecting on the positive bilateral relationship which Guyana has secured with India over several decades, Prime Minister Mark Phillips has positioned that Government is committed to building on this partnership for the benefit of both nations.

He was delivering the chief address at the celebration of India’s 75th Independence Day, executed by the Indian High Commission on Saturday evening at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC).

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the pace of growth of IndiaGuyana relations and wished to further strengthen the bilateral relations.

He lauded the country for its generosity, especially during the current pandemic where

the health sector has benefitted from vaccines to immunise Guyanese.

“As we celebrate with India today, Guyana proudly reflects on its warm and friendly relationship with this nation…most recently, the benefits of this positive bilateral relationship peeked, when India showcased enormous generosity through a donation of 80,000 doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine to Guyana in March… these and other shows of good relations with India serve as testimony to Guyana’s commitment for continued strong friendship built on mutual respect, benefits and understanding,” Phillips outlined.

Indian High Commission, Dr K.J Srinivasa was also joined by former President Donald Ramotar; Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony;

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud; and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd.

The High Commissioner to Guyana added that the two countries will continue to build on their long-established relationship and that India would continue to be a multi-sectoral partner in Guyana’s development.

“India and Guyana have shared a lot and I believe that in the coming years we will be partners in progress… I believe that the time for Guyana has come and I want to re-emphasise that Guyana should count India as one of its stable friends… we are very happy to share our expertise to upgrade skills, expand capacity and at the same time to see that Guyana gets the best of what

Prime Minister Mark Phillips with High Commissioner KJ Srinivasa

it deserves,” said the diplomat.

Along with cultural items, the event sought to highlight the concept of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” - a series of events organised by the Government of India to celebrate this milestone and regarded as a peoples’ movement across the country.

Then on Sunday, the High Commission organised a flag hoisting ceremo-

ny in the morning at the SVCC. Dr Srinivasa hoisted the national flag of India, iterating the message to the nation by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind as he stated, “When India won Independence 75 years ago, many sceptics thought democracy would not survive in India. Little did they know that roots of democracy were nurtured in this soil in ancient times, and even

news@guyanatimesgy.com

in modern times India was ahead of many western nations in offering franchise to all adults, regardless of any distinctions. The founding fathers had reposed their faith in the wisdom of the people, and ‘we, the people of India’ have made India a strong democracy.”

He went on to say that along with equality, there must be action to effectuate justice, equality and fraternity.

“We must strive for more equality in an unequal world, more justice in unjust circumstances. Justice has come to encompass a larger range of connotations, including economic and environmental justice.

The road ahead is not easy.

We will have to negotiate many twists and turns, but we have the benefit of incomparable guidance. It comes to us from diverse sources, from the venerable seers of millennia ago, down to the sages and leaders of more recent times. In the spirit of “unity in diversity,” we as a nation are following the right course.” (G12)

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ready to serve – new Caricom SG installed

T

he Caribbean Community (Caricom) has officially received a new Secretary General, with the formal installation of Dr Carla Barnett on Monday.

Back in May, regional Heads of Government unanimously agreed to appoint Dr Barnett as the eighth Caricom Secretary General.

She replaces Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and is the first female to hold this position since Caricom was formed.

Taking up the role on Monday, Dr Barnett recognised the current state of affairs in the region with threats of climate change, crime and unemployment taking a leap. Simultaneously, the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating economies.

“I begin my tenure with no misapprehensions about the severity of the challenges that our community faces economically, socially, environmentally and financially. The thrust to build resilience against the existential threat of climate change in all its dimensions, and the urgency of constructing a recovery from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic demand our continued focused energy.”

She added, “We cannot afford to neglect youth unemployment, which has led the explosion of the jobless in the wake of COVID-19, a troubling rise in crime, especially violent crime in the home and on the streets, the need to strengthen food security, reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases, and more effectively address

New Caricom SG Dr Carla Barnett

the issue of blacklisting by the major industrial countries and the consequential loss of correspondent banking relations.”

The Secretary General emphasised that the spate of such issues is felt by people within the community and it is incumbent on the regional bloc to find solutions through collaboration.

According to her, stakeholders in all sectors will be invited to share their concerns and vision for the future of the Community and discuss ways in which they can contribute.

“To build on and maintain that strength, will require that my team and I reach out on a regular basis to explain, to exhort, to inform, to educate so that all will feel a part of the whole that constitutes Caricom and “I Am Caricom” will mean much more than a catchy slogan.”

She said this will have to be the new approach moving forward, if leaders want to build an “integrated, inclusive and resilient Community that is driven by knowledge, excellence, innovation and productivity; where every citizen is secure with guaranteed human rights and social justice; and contributes to, and shares in, its economic, social and cultural prosperity. A Community which is a unified and competitive in the global arena.”

Caricom will soon approach 50 years as a body, and Dr Barnett detailed that it is not only about securing and improving gains, but to use the creativity, ingenuity and dynamism that are the signature characteristics of the region to reimagine the next 50 years of Caricom.

“As we build on the work of those who came before, space has to be created for new thinking, not only to solve the problems of the present but to outline new paths for the future of our integration process…No one has all the answers. No one has all the ideas. That is why all must be involved. I see a Caribbean Community that the average citizens of the Region will feel a part of and not apart from.”

Her predecessor, Ambassador LaRocque has been lauded for his advancement of the integration movement. He made progress in this area over the past 16 years, the first six as Assistant Secretary General and the last 10 as Secretary General.

Meanwhile, Chairman

of Caricom, Prime Minister Gaston Browne reiterated that with the current challenges facing the region, there is need for urgent action, to which he will lend continued support.

“Your previous experience in senior leadership at the Secretariat places you in a position to hit the ground running. While giving the varied challenges that confront governance in Caricom

and the wider world today, I’m certain that you will have to hit the ground running,” said Browne.

Dr Barnett was educated at the University of the West Indies (UWI) where she read for a PhD in Social Sciences. She also holds a Master of Economics degree from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from

UWI. She has extensive experience at the executive level of the public service in Belize and in the Caricom region. Her work experience includes service as Financial Secretary and Deputy Governor/acting Governor at the Central Bank of Belize. She has also served as a Vice President at the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank. (G12)

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More than 170 households, businesses affected by flooding in Region 7 – CDC

T

he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) this past weekend conducted a flood assessment at Eteringbang, a mining community located along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS)

received reports that an average of 80 households, commercial entities and farmlands were inundated at

Eteringbang and as such, dispatched a small assessment team along with 80 food hampers, 200 cleaning hampers, and 10,000 water purification tablets.

The team travelled by boat from the town of Bartica, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, where they noticed many

landings and villages impacted by the rising waters of the Cuyuni River due to torrential rainfall.

The Wyamo Landing, Two Point Mining Camp, Devil’s Hole Island and Kurushie Landing all had seen water levels rise by at least 3ft over the past week.

Cumang Landing and Makapa saw flood waters increase to at least 4ft over the past five days. All the

settlements and dwellings observed along the Cuyuni River were affected by the current floods.

At Eteringbang, and nearby locations, the waters had risen some 10ft.

The assessment team met with Regional Representatives led by Lorenzo Valenzuela, and members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) who assisted the mission.

to healthcare and essential supplies.

The Regional Representatives distributed the hampers and long boots to affected residents by way of a list they compiled while going door-to-door along the riverbank. The assessment also revealed that more food and cleaning hampers are

while the water levels have fluctuated over the past three months, this is the highest it has been in a long time. Eteringbang is located on the Guyana-Venezuela border and the regional authorities indicated that Guyanese living on both sides of the Cuyuni River will attempt to receive flood

After careful observation and interaction, it was surmised that at least two dozen business establishments and over 170 households were affected by the floods.

The health centre and primary school at Eteringbang were impacted as well. Many persons were forced to seek higher ground as the waters rose, which also meant limited access

needed, along with mosquito nets; more long boots and medical supplies.

The General Medical Officer (GMO) at Eteringbang, Dr Nigel Anthony, anticipates a boom in flood-related health issues when the water subsides and prefers to be prepared for that situation.

Residents and visitors in the area confirmed that

aid once it is available.

The CDC plans to dispatch more flood relief supplies to Eteringbang and other affected areas along the Cuyuni River during this week. Additionally, the Commission continues to work with the regional officials and the GDF to receive regular updates as they monitor the circumstances at Eteringbang.

56-member Cuban Medical Brigade arrives in Guyana

A

nother Cuban Medical Brigade, comprising of 56 health professionals from various disciplines in the sector, on Monday arrived in Guyana and will commence service to the Guyanese people.

Arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the brigade was welcomed

by Director General of the Health Ministry, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo and Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Socorro.

The Director General noted that this cohort comes at the opportune time when the country is battling the coronavirus pandemic. He acknowledged that the team sports a series of different specialists and other pro-

fessionals within the field, proving useful in serving the population.

“For the next couple of years, Guyana is going to be your home and we do hope that you will have a good stay. You have come as ambassadors of the Cuban people to Guyana and our heartfelt thanks for taking up the challenge to be here, to come to serve Guyana especially at this time of crisis of a pandemic. We have doctors, specialists, nurses, intensivists, laboratory technologists and pharmacists.

So, we have an entire medical team, a complete medical brigade and you will be serving the Guyanese people across the country,” the Director General asserted.

Dr Mahadeo added that

Members of the brigade being greeted by officials upon arriving at CJIA (DPI photo)

Cuba has a history of generosity and service to its belt, and this is evident from the

numerous brigades that have been sent to work here.

The brigade includes 20 intensivists who will lend support primarily to

the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, medical specialists in general surgery, anaesthesiology, internal medicine, gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics. The group also includes nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians.

Guyana and Cuba have over the years developed a good partnership in the health sector, and over the past 44 years, numerous brigades have been sent to offer their services here. Just recently, the last brigade of 43 professionals would have completed their four-year service to Guyana.

“You’ve had a great history of service to Guyana…

You have a proud tradition to continue,” he told the new brigade. (G12)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Drivers of disparity between male and female entrepreneurs need to be fixed – Ali …lauds business incubator for fostering women's businesses cal content strategy.

“And that is why these programmes are critical to give you that early advantage; in ensuring your business model and development model address these key issues, and the brand that you’re building is built in such a way that is sustainable, that it is valuable and adds value.”

Collaboration, cooperation

British High Commissioner Jane Miller was among those who toured the facility with President Irfaan Ali

P

resident Irfaan Ali on Monday reiterated that his Government, through its programmes and policies, is working to create a winning culture among Guyanese women.

In the feature address, at the launch of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) Business Incubator, at Cove and John on the East Coast of Demerara, President Ali highlighted the importance of equality.

He said that although more females than males graduate from university, this statistic is not often reflected in the world of work.

“Let’s look at who transitions into business and who transitions into the corporate world…it is a remarkable change again that is skewed away from women,” Ali said.

He lauded the Institute and said that by adding

“women” into its name, it gave weight and drive to the organisation. He added that the word brings a specific identity and a specific brand, which works to highlight the need for equality.

Identifying the transition point

He explained that in a person’s younger years, there is no differentiation.

Yet, changes occur as persons get older and this competitive environment is designed and built in a particular way that is disadvantageous, particularly for women.

According to the President, there is a need to fix the transition process which fuels the disparity between male and female entrepreneurs.

He said that this should be fixed at both the national level and by the international community.

Private Sector

The President pointed to the critical role that the Private Sector also plays in creating the environment for women entrepreneurs.

“The Government could provide all the opportunities; you get the education, but what happens afterwards?

What environment is created to ensure that women are given that opportunity to raise capital, to get loans, to be part of the business opportunities? So that’s another point in the box that we have to address.”

President Ali added that dynamic changes are coming, and as such, he assured that his Government is striving to create a winning culture among women to be part of the transformation ahead.

On this note, he encouraged those present to recognise the need to transition to the expected level that will be required as part of the lo-

He also expressed the hope that the programme would highlight the importance of working together to build businesses, corporations and networking.

“So in creating a winning culture in Guyana, we have to move from the ‘I’ concept to the more ‘we’ and ‘us’ concept. The changes that will come and the opportunities that will come will not be coming for ‘I’; it will be coming for us, all of us, and that is the direction in which we have to move. I want us to look at the opportunities and at how we create value.

I want us to look at how we bring together initiatives.”

The President challenged participants to come up with ideas that they can pursue together once they have graduated. Since the initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, he acknowledged that it is the task of Minister Vindhya Persaud and the Ministry to find these opportunities and to ensure that the Institute would build capacity to match them.

“Definitely, once we develop a winning culture, once we develop a collective approach then there is no other output than success for all.”

President Irfaan Ali and Minister Vindhya Persaud cutting the ribbon to launch the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) Business Incubator at Cove and John, ECD

WIIN

In her remarks, Dr Persaud noted that the female-centric business incubator at the GWLI will allow for the roll-out of the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), among other programmes.

WIIN is a programme by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry that seeks to empower women and girls and help them become financially independent. Since its inception, 120 women and four men have benefitted from the WIIN initiative.

Persaud added that there are over 4000 applicants for the WIIN initiative from across the country.

“I want women to start moving away from conventional types of employment and to start to think like the

bosses,” Minister Persaud said.

The GWLI will be the lead agency for all of these programmes. The Institute would also serve as the first business incubator where women will have access to services to improve their products and skills, and be provided with links to markets.

She also announced that the Ministry has created a cost-free digital directory and app of all women-owned businesses in Guyana.

President Ali accompanied Minister Persaud and members of the diplomatic corps for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a short tour of the facility. The President was able to interact with some of the beneficiaries who were attending classes.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Offshore Technology Conference

Guyana aiming to attract major investments, MoUs to be signed today

G

uyana has opened a booth at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which is the largest oil and gas sector trade show in the world. This is Guyana’s second time participating at this international conference in Houston, Texas. The Government of Guyana through GO-Invest, is collaborating with several Private Sector organisations and businesses which comprise its delegation at OTC 2021.

The contingent comprises: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar and Chief Investment Officer and GO-Invest CEO Peter Ramsaroop along with representatives from AmCham, GCCI, PSC, GM&SA and private businesses GUYSONS-GKB, GAICO, MID Atlantic Oil and Gas, GOGEC, GYSBI, GTT, ExxonMobil Guyana and Halliburton.

The OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park in Houston.

The event is sponsored by 13 industry organisations

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo surrounded by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, and Chief Investment Officer and GO-Invest CEO Peter Ramsaroop, along with representatives from AmCham, GCCI, PSC, GM&SA, ExxonMobil Guyana and Halliburton at the Guyana booth

and societies, which collaborate to develop a technical programme for energy professionals to meet to exchange ideas and opinions on advanced scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources, and environmental matters.

Guyana’s participation

at the OTC is necessary for local content development.

It provides opportunities for local businesses to network and seek partners in pursuit of emerging opportunities here. Participation would also help to attract more of the supply chain opportunities to Guyana’s

shores. Education, connection and networking are the major focal points of this mission.

Several related events are scheduled to maximise every opportunity to showcase and attract investment opportunities to Guyana. A Guyana Evening

of Information Sharing and Networking is planned for Wednesday, August 18, at the Asia Society Texas Center.

Presentations will be made by the Vice President, Minister of Natural Resources, Exxon Rep, US Ambassador to Guyana and the CEO of

GO-Invest to headline the event.

The Guyana Evening is an unpaid invitation-only event. Approximately 400 representatives from various international and local companies are expected to attend to meet with the Guyanese delegation.

The event will see representatives from both the public and Private Sector using the opportunity to network and develop relationships with key persons within the industry to attract investment primarily to Guyana’s oil and gas and services sectors, and to establish and develop crucial partnerships.

The Vice President delivered the keynote address at OTC on Tuesday on the topic: “Guyana an emerging oil industry in the context of net zero emissions.”

Jagdeo also addressed the Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy on “Climate Change Aspirations and the Viability of Small Development Countries.”

Today, the Vice President and the Natural Resources Minister will be featured on the “Around the World Series Panel Discussion on the Guyana and Suriname Basin and Liza Project.”

Trinidad records another case of Delta variant

T

rinidad and Tobago registered a third case of the Delta variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as regional countries continued to record deaths and cases linked to the virus over the past 24 hours.

Trinidad's Ministry of Health said that the patient is a recently returned national who travelled to Trinidad from Turks and Caicos, transiting through Florida. The new case comes less than 72 hours after health authorities in the twin island republic reported that two persons, including a foreign national, had contracted the Delta variant.

“As per existing quarantine protocols, the national provided a negative PCR test, which was taken 72 hours prior to arrival. The national was immediately placed into state-supervised quarantine, as per the protocol for unvaccinated adults.

“As a result of the positive

COVID-19 results from their seventh-day swab, the person was subsequently transferred and isolated in a state step-down facility. The presence of the delta variant was confirmed via gene sequencing at the laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI,” the ministry of health said in a statement.

The statement reminded the public that since July 16, the Government had updated its quarantine protocols for people entering the country, and all returning adults who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should

spend 14 days in a state quarantine facility.

“These entry protocols will continue to be implemented,” the ministry said, noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had said cases of the Delta variant had been confirmed in 142 countries.

In the meantime, seven more people in the country died from the virus while 190 others were infected with COVID-19 between the period last Wednesday to Saturday, the Ministry of Health said in its update on Sunday. (CMC)

NEWS

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Malaysian PM Muhyiddin resigns Sri Lanka replaces Health Minister as political crisis escalates as COVID outbreak worsens

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin arriving at the National Palace for a meeting with the king, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia August 16, 2021

M

alaysia's Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as Prime Minister on Monday after months of political turmoil culminated in the loss of his majority, but his resignation is likely to open another chapter of instability in the absence of any obvious successor.

Muhyiddin's resignation ends a tumultuous 17 months in office, the shortest stint of a Malaysian leader, but hampers efforts to reboot a pandemic-stricken economy and curb a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

The Southeast Asian nation's king appointed Muhyiddin as the caretaker Prime Minister until a new one is found, but did not set a timeline.

King Al-Sultan Abdullah ruled out elections because of the pandemic, saying he

would invoke his constitutional power to appoint a Prime Minister he believes is likely to command a majority.

Malaysia's ringgit currency fell to a one-year low on the news and the stock market slipped.

Muhyiddin said he resigned along with his Cabinet after losing majority support in Parliament. As caretaker, he added, he will have no Cabinet, but will perform executive functions and advise the king until a new Prime Minister is appointed.

Malaysia's infections and deaths per million rank as the region's highest in the pandemic.

It was not immediately clear who could form the next Government, as no lawmaker has a clear majority in Parliament. The

Opposition bloc and the biggest party are split on support for their prime ministerial candidates.

Muhyiddin's resignation is likely to return the post to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia's “grand old party”, which was voted out in a 2018 election after being tarnished by graft accusations, though it remained influential. (Excerpt from Reuters)

S

ri Lanka’s President has demoted his Health Minister, who publicly endorsed sorcery and magic potions to battle COVID-19, as infections and deaths hit record highs.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office on Monday said Pavithra Wanniarachchi’s health portfolio had been given to Media Minister Keheliya

Rambukwella who is also the Government spokesman.

Wanniarachchi was in intensive care in January after contracting the virus despite publicly consuming and endorsing a “magic potion” against COVID-19 made by a sorcerer.

She also poured a pot of “blessed” water into a river in November after a selfstyled “godman” told her it

Uganda anti-pornography law dropped after backlash

A

controversial anti-pornography law has been quashed in Uganda following pressure from women's rights groups.

The Government introduced the legislation in 2014 to prohibit the spread of pornography, which it said would help protect women and children.

But critics say the law was misused, leading to women being attacked in the streets for wearing certain types of clothing, such as miniskirts.

The legislation has now been annulled by Uganda's Constitutional Court.

A panel of five Judges unanimously ruled that sec-

tions of the law that defined pornographic offences, including a ban on "indecent" clothing, were unconstitutional.

They said that no harm would occur to society if certain bans on acts or material that elicit sexual excitement were lifted.

The introduction of the legislation in 2014 - initially branded the "anti-miniskirt" law - led to street protests in the capital, Kampala, after women dressed in short skirts were publicly harassed and assaulted.

Several women's rights organisations and human rights lawyers urged the Government to review the

law and later presented a petition to the constitutional court.

The organisation Uganda Women's Network said at the time that the legislation was in conflict with the country's Constitution, which guarantees equal rights for both sexes.

Under the law, song lyrics and music videos could also be categorised as pornographic, with artists facing arrest and jail.

A nine-member committee set up when the law was introduced to help prevent the spread of pornography in the country will now be disbanded, our correspondent added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

would end the pandemic in the island nation of 21 million people.

During Wanniarachchi’s tenure, the Health Ministry came under intense criticism last week for understating coronavirus infections.

Despite the demotion, she will remain in the Cabinet – the President gave her the Transport Ministry.

The number of daily virus deaths crossed 150 in the past week, overwhelming crematoriums.

Daily infections crossed 3000 and, with hospitals struggling to cope, even Government health workers say the actual number of infections could be three times higher.

The Government has so far rejected calls for a lockdown to contain the surge, but last week tightened restrictions, imposing a sixhour nightly curfew on shops, restaurants and offices with effect from Monday at 10pm (16:30 GMT).

Weddings and parties have been banned from today, while state ceremonies and public gatherings are also prohibited until September 1. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

Regional

Venezuela Opposition Leader 513 new COVID cases recorded Guevara released from prison in Jamaica, 11 deaths

V

enezuelan Opposition Leader Freddy Guevara was released from prison on Sunday, a month after his arrest and days after the start of talks in Mexico City between the Opposition and the Government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Intelligence agents pulled Guevara from his car on a Caracas highway on July 12. Officials later said he was linked to a bout of gang violence in the capital.

The United States condemned his arrest, and his father and doctor last week said his health could be at risk.

Guevara told reporters on Sunday he had been in isolation until several days ago and did not have any further details about his release, according to footage from local internet broadcaster VIVOPlay.

“I’m not clear on what the limitations are,” Guevara said.

Two sources with knowledge of the situation had earlier said Guevara was expected to be put under house arrest.

The Venezuelan Government and the Opposition on Friday signed an initial agreement laying out guidelines for the dialogue in Mexico City. The talks will include more than a dozen countries, including Norway, Russia and the Netherlands. (Excerpt from Reuters)

J

amaica recorded 513 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and 11 virus-related deaths, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

This pushed the total number of confirmed cases on the island since the outbreak to 58,458 and the confirmed deaths to 1311.

The new cases comprise 306 females and 207 males with ages ranging from 33 days to 96 years.

According to the Ministry,

134 of the cases were recorded in St Catherine, 94 in Kingston and St Andrew, 93 in Westmoreland, 54 in St James, 47 in St Ann, 21 in St Elizabeth, 17 each in Hanover, Manchester and Trelawny, 10 in Clarendon, seven in St Mary, and one each in Portland and St Thomas.

Meanwhile, four of the latest deaths are from Kingston and St Andrew — including three females ages 54, 84 and 86 and an 83-year-old male. Two

of the victims were from Manchester, a male and a female both aged 43. The remaining victims were a 31-year-old female from St Elizabeth, a 62-yearold female from St Ann, a 31-year-old female from St Catherine, and a 52-year-old male from Westmoreland.

The Ministry further reported 42 new recoveries, which pushed the total recoveries to 47,480. There are 9297 active cases on the island. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

15 landslides, street flooding Pressed by US, Mexico hastens reported across T&T migrant expulsions with flights south

A man walking through flood waters in Mt Lambert on Sunday

S

unday’s adverse weather caused 15 landslides and widespread street flooding across the country, damaging several homes and costing one man his life.

According to data from the Office of Disaster Preparedness (ODPM), there were 10 landslides reported in the North West region. The OPDM said there were landslides reported in Belmont, St Ann’s, Morvant, Malick, Santa Cruz, San Juan and Petit Bourg but

there was no flooding reported in those areas.

In the North Central region, there were two fallen trees reported in Maracas and along the Riverside Road, Curepe. There was also a report of a landslide at Noel Trace, St Augustine and residential flooding on Savannah Road, Arouca. On Saturday, there was one report of a roof being blown off a house on Koon Street Malabar.

In South Central, there was one report of residen-

tial flooding on Xeres Road, Carlsen Field, street flooding reported along Cedar Hill Road, along the Inverness Road, on the Tasker Road and in Borde Narve—all reported on Sunday. There was one report of a landslide at Phipps Trace, Talparo, on Saturday.

In the South West region, there were a total of 11 incidents reported on Sunday, including street flooding along the Penal Road Road, Penal, along Beach Road in Palo Seco, along Scotts Road near Sou Sou Lands, along Crawford Junction, along July Trace, along Solomon Knox Road and along the Buenos Ayre Main Road.

A landslip at Syne Village, Penal, meanwhile finally claimed the entire roadway, cutting off access along the SS Erin Road.

Heavy rains caused the entire road, which had been partially affected by slippage, to slip away into a precipice on Sunday, causing further damage to several homes. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Colombia reissues Interpol Red Notices for three more ex-FARC

C

olombia has reissued Interpol Red Notices for three leading FARC dissidents, the country’s Police Chief said on Monday, and called on Interpol member countries including Venezuela - to arrest and extradite them.

So-called FARC dissidents are former members of the demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas, who reject a 2016 peace deal with the Government.

The international arrest warrants were issued for Hernan Dario Velasquez, known as El Paisa; Henry Castellanos, known as

Romana, and Jose Vicente Lesmes, known as Walter Mendoza.

The three men are members of a FARC dissident faction led by Luciano Marin, who is better known as Ivan Marquez.

Interpol Red Notices were reissued for Marquez in August, while the United States has offered US$10 million for information leading to his capture.

“We are proceeding with the reactivation of international arrest warrants against this drug-trafficking group,” General Jorge Luis Vargas, Colombia’s Police Chief, said.

Marquez - who was one

of the FARC negotiators who signed the peace deal with the Government - and the other leaders declared their rejection of the deal in 2019 and returned to arms.

The dissident leaders face charges of drug trafficking, terrorism, homicide, forced displacement and other crimes against humanity in Colombia, Vargas said.

The Government of Colombian President Ivan Duque accuses Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro of sheltering and protecting FARC dissidents, but Caracas has repeatedly denied the accusations.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

U

nder pressure from the US Government to contain illegal immigration, Mexico has been quietly flying thousands of undocumented migrants to the south of the country to expedite their departure, according to officials and migrants.

The Government said in late May it had carried out four return flights of migrants as it began a socalled “air bridge” south, without saying how many people were on them.

Mexico has now sent roughly 13,000 people from northern cities to its southern border on about 100 flights, complementing US efforts to return migrants

to Central America, two Mexican officials familiar with the matter said.

Some 1200 people were flown south in the past week alone, they said. The figures have not been previously reported.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement it supported a humane migratory system that respected national and international law, and was working with Washington to tackle the causes of migration.

The migrant flights come as the Biden Administration faces increasing criticism over its management of the issue.

“This is all being done to accommodate the

Americans, who are very worried about migration,” said one of the Mexican officials. “Efforts are being made to speed up expulsions.”

Mexico, meanwhile, is pushing for the United States to lift restrictions on non-essential travel across their shared border that were imposed during the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the US Administration of President Joe Biden began flying Central American and Mexican families to southern Mexico to deter migration - resuming a practice seen under his predecessor Donald Trump. (Excerpt from Reuters)

THTI to be converted to University of Tobago

T

he Tobago House of Assembly is currently undertaking a process to convert the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Institute (THTI) at Mt St George into the University of Tobago.

THTI CEO Dr Steven Sheppard announced the plan during a weekly virtual THA panel discussion titled “Tobago Matters” which looked at education on the island.

Sheppard said the list of subject areas to be taught at the proposed university has already been developed and approved by the Board of Directors, and these areas, both traditional and unconventional, are based on Tobago’s developmental needs.

“Tropical Agriculture and Food Technology, especially during this COVID and post-COVID era, where food security is such an important issue. We see every week, complaints about food prices going up, we have to depend on other countries too much, we have to focus more on what we produce here,” Sheppard said.

He said there will also

Flashback, 2018: Jafi Barrow, left, serving pastries to THTI Chairman Alison Williams and THA Division Education, Innovation and Energy administrator Jacqueline Job, right, as THTI CEO Dr Stephen Sheppard, back, looks on

be an emphasis on food processing which will target micro-entrepreneurs on the island, adding they can be formally exposed to methods of food preservation and food processing, as well as the chemistry behind food processing.

The University of Tobago will also offer courses that cover traditional and unconventional tourism areas.

According to Sheppard, areas such as earth and environmental science, allied health sciences, such as spe-

cialised therapy areas and diagnostic imaging, are also being proposed as courses.

However, there will be a major emphasis on art and culture.

He gave a timeline of between two to three months for the launch of the first bachelor’s degree from the University of Tobago, pending approval from the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago and the first master’s degree within the next year. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

19

Around the world

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil settles lower, pares losses despite weak economic data

O

il prices settled lower on Monday, paring steep losses on weak Chinese economic data after sources told Reuters that OPEC and its allies believe the markets do not need more oil than they plan to release in the coming months.

Brent crude settled down US$1.08, or 1.5 per cent, at US$69.51 a barrel after earlier falling to US$68.14. US oil fell by US$1.15, or 1.7 per cent, to US$67.29 after reaching lows of US$65.73.

The market had dropped more than 3 per cent earlier in the session after data showed Chinese factory output and retail sales growth slowed sharply in July, missing expectations, as flooding and fresh outbreaks of COVID-19 disrupted business activity.

Crude oil processing in China, the world's biggest oil importer, last month also fell to its lowest level on a daily basis since May 2020 as independent refiners cut production in the face of tighter quotas, elevated inventories and falling profits.

However, prices rebounded slightly after sources from OPEC+, which comprises the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, said there was no need to release more oil despite US pressure to add supplies to check an oil price rise.

OPEC+ agreed in July to boost output by 400,000 barrels per day a month starting in August until its current oil output reductions of 5.8 million bpd are fully phased out.

Two of the OPEC+ sources said the latest data from OPEC and from the West’s energy watchdog - the International Energy Agency (IEA) - also indicated there was no need for extra oil.

The IEA last week said that rising demand for crude oil reversed course in July and was expected to increase at a slower rate over the rest of 2021 because of surging COVID-19 infections from the Delta variant.

US oil output from seven major shale formations is expected to rise by about 49,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, led by growth in the Permian, according to the Energy Information Administration's monthly drilling productivity report on Monday.

Money managers reduced their net-long US crude futures and options holdings in the week to Aug 10, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday.

Speculators also cut their futures and options positions in New York and London by 21,777 contracts to 283,601 over the period, the CFTC said.

"With COVID cases rising, the demand outlook is looking unclear, so traders are increasingly wary about hedging and locking in prices," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Malaysian PM Muhyiddin resigns as political crisis escalates

M

alaysia's Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down as Prime Minister on Monday after months of political turmoil culminated in the loss of his majority, but his resignation is likely to open another chapter of instability in the absence of any obvious successor.

Muhyiddin's resignation ends a tumultuous 17 months in office, the shortest stint of a Malaysian leader, but hampers efforts to reboot a pandemic-stricken economy and curb a resurgence of COVID-19 infections.

The Southeast Asian nation's king appointed Muhyiddin as the caretaker Prime Minister until a new one is found, but did not set a timeline.

King Al-Sultan Abdullah ruled out elections because of the pandemic, saying he would invoke his constitutional power to appoint a Prime Minister he believes is likely to command a majority.

Malaysia's ringgit currency fell to a one-year low on

the news and the stock market slipped.

Muhyiddin said he resigned along with his Cabinet after losing majority support in Parliament. As caretaker, he added, he will have no Cabinet, but will perform executive functions and advise the king until a new Prime Minister is appointed.

Malaysia's infections and deaths per million rank as the region's highest in the pandemic.

It was not immediately clear who could form the next Government, as no lawmaker has a clear majority in Parliament. The Opposition bloc and the biggest party are split on support for their prime ministerial candidates.

Muhyiddin's resignation is likely to return the post to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia's “grand old party”, which was voted out in a 2018 election after being tarnished by graft accusations, though it remained influential. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chaos, desperation in Afghanistan as Taliban seize Kabul

T

housands of civilians desperate to flee Afghanistan thronged Kabul airport's single runway on Monday after the Taliban seized the capital, prompting the United States to suspend evacuations as President Joe Biden faced mounting criticism over the US withdrawal.

Crowds converged on the airport seeking to escape, including some clinging to a U.S. military transport plane as it taxied on the runway, according to footage posted by private Afghan broadcaster Tolo news.

US troops fired in the air to deter people trying to force their way on to a military flight evacuating US diplomats and embassy staff, a US official said.

Five people were reported killed in the chaos. A witness said it was unclear if they had been shot or killed in a stampede. A US official told Reuters two gunmen had been killed by US forces there over the past 24 hours.

A Pentagon spokesperson said there were indications that one US soldier was wounded.

The first of three German evacuation planes diverted to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, because it could not land in Kabul, which lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. A second plane circled over the city.

The Taliban's rapid con-

People try to get into Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan August 16, 2021

quest of Kabul followed Biden's decision to withdraw US forces after 20 years of war that he described as costing more than $1 trillion.

The speed at which Afghan cities fell, in days rather than the months predicted by US intelligence, and fear of a Taliban crackdown on freedom of speech and human rights, especially women's rights, have sparked criticism.

In a televised address on Monday afternoon, Biden said he did not regret his decision, insisting he had had to decide between asking US forces to fight endlessly in what he called Afghanistan's civil war or follow through on an agreement to depart negotiated by Republican former President Donald Trump.

"I know my decision will be criticised but I would rather take all that criti-

Four Palestinians killed in clashes during Israeli raid

F

our Palestinians have been killed in clashes during an Israeli raid to arrest a suspect in the occupied West Bank, local sources say.

Israeli Police said undercover forces came under fire after entering Jenin refugee camp to arrest the suspect from the Islamist militant group Hamas.

The Palestinian news agency Wafa said four Palestinian men were killed and that a fifth was seriously wounded.

It is one of the highest death tolls in West Bank violence for months.

The Israel Border Police said officers from an undercover unit "came under heavy fire from close range from a large number of terrorists" as they sought to arrest the suspect in the early hours of Monday.

The officers returned fire and "neutralised" the at-

tackers, it added.

According to the Palestinian news agency Maan, the Israeli forces opened fire after setting an ambush.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the killings "an ugly crime" and warned it could lead to an escalation of violence.

An Israeli police spokesman said the bodies of two of those killed in the gun battle were in Israeli custody, while an AFP news agency journalist saw another two bodies at Jenin hospital's mortuary.

Israel said none of its forces were injured.

The incident comes weeks after two Palestinian intelligence officers and a Palestinian suspected by Israel of carrying out attacks were killed during an undercover Israeli raid to arrest two suspects in Jenin.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

cism than pass this decision on to another President of the United States," Biden said.

The Democrat has faced a barrage of criticism, from even his own diplomats, over his handling of the US exit, pulling out troops and then sending back thousands to help with the evacuation.

said several hundred people had been flown out so far.

Kirby, speaking at a news briefing in Washington, said Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin had authorised the deployment of another battalion to Kabul that would bring the number of troops guarding the evacuation to about 6000.

Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban, said in a message on Twitter that the group's fighters were under strict orders not to harm anyone.

"Life, property and honour of no one shall be harmed but must be protected by the mujahideen," he said.

It took the Taliban just over a week to seize control of the whole country after a lightning sweep that ended in Kabul as Government forces, trained for years and equipped by the United States and others, melted away.

Taliban members standing outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 16

"Afghanistan is lost ... every terrorist around the world is cheering," Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters in his home state of Kentucky.

Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary of usually staunch US ally Britain, said earlier on Friday that the 2020 Doha withdrawal accord struck with the Taliban by Trump was a "rotten deal."

The UN Security Council called for talks to create a new Government in Afghanistan after Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned of "chilling" curbs on human rights and violations against women and girls.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged the United Nations to act with a single voice.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled on Sunday as the Islamist militants entered Kabul virtually unopposed, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said US forces were working with Turkish and other international troops to clear Kabul airport to allow international evacuation flights to resume. He

US officers had long worried that corruption would undermine the resolve of badly paid, ill-fed and erratically supplied frontline soldiers.

Hundreds of Afghan soldiers fled to Uzbekistan with 22 military planes and 24 helicopters during the weekend, including one aircraft that collided with an escorting Uzbek fighter jet, causing both to crash, Uzbekistan said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed Afghanistan by phone and agreed to continue talks with China, Pakistan and the United Nations, Russia said.

The militants sought to project a more moderate face, promising to respect women's rights and protect both foreigners and Afghans.

But many Afghans fear the Taliban will return to past harsh practices.

During their 1996-2001 rule, women could not work and punishments such as public stoning, whipping and hanging were administered. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

An open mind will help you gather information that will encourage better decision-making. Stick to the people and projects you trust to lead you down the right path. Always know what’s expected of you.

Emotional matters will TAURUS escalate if you jump to conclu(April 20- sions. Get everything in writMay 20) ing before you agree to proceed. You may desire change, but don’t make a move that isn’t in your best interest.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Be honest about how you feel, and ask direct questions to find out where you stand with someone who is evasive. Spend time fixing up your space. Making things more comfortable and convenient will give you a boost.

Talk to someone who can offer guidance or knowledge regarding something you want to pursue. Knowledge is power, and without the facts in front of you, frustration and anger are likely to set in.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

It’s essential to test the waters. Mingle, share your thoughts and opinions, and listen to what others can contribute. Knowledge will help you gain insight into what’s possible.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Proceed with caution when dealing with emotional matters. Sparring with a loved one will result in an irreversible change in your relationship.

Bide your time, listen well and go about your business.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Friendly banter will help you get to better know someone who interests you.

Socialize with peers, and you’ll build respect and common ground that will improve your chance to advance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Be careful what you share with co-workers. A competitive situation will sprout quickly, leaving you in a vulnerable position. Concentrate on your work, not on trying to get others to like you.

Emotions will fester if SAGITTARIUS you believe everything you (Nov. 23hear. Someone will feed you Dec. 21) false information to sway your opinion. Go directly to the source before you act.

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SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Don’t take unnecessary risks with your health or physical well-being. Abide by the rules and avoid indulgence. An intelligent and well-informed decision will help bring about a positive change.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Rely on facts and figures, not on hearsay. Utilize your skills and stamina to help you finish what you start.

Opportunities are within reach if you are passionate about making a difference.

PISCES

Change will require action. Consider what you can do to put yourself in a better financial position or ease stress. Don’t give up or give in. Do your own thing.

(Feb. 20March 20)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

21

India vs England: The Lord’s Test…

India script famous win A

− Siraj finishes England off; hosts fold for 120 in chasing 272 in the last hour

nother overseas Test, and there was another flourish from India's lower order. Jasprit Bumrah's day began as a batter in a hostile environment, but by the end of the day, he and Mohammed Shami had turned the pressure around on England; so swiftly and clinically that the hosts, who were in control of the game coming into the last day, folded in the final hour, allowing India to go 1-0 up in the series.

India were 154 ahead when the day began, with Rishabh Pant and the bowlers left to contend with the second new ball. For the first half an hour, everything went according to plan for England.

Their relentless, disciplined attack against India on Sunday evening had set them up to go all guns blazing.

Pant has foiled a plan or two this year, including on England's tour of India in February, and he was priority number one. They got him early, when he nicked behind on the forward defensive.

India were 167 ahead then, with three wickets in hand.

It was a big gamble they had taken on the first day to play four fast bowlers, bringing a pure bowler in Ishant Sharma to replace the injured Shardul Thakur, while they had allrounders R Ashwin and Axar Patel on the bench.

Given that reality, England couldn't have imagined what came next - a dogged resistance that took victory out of the picture and ended on India's terms 104 runs later, ten minutes after lunch, when they declared after Shami and Bumrah had added 89 runs for the ninth wicket.

England never recovered.

In the post-mortem, they'll identify their bowling to India's tail - particularly Bumrah - as the phase where everything went awry. Mark Wood, who had gone off with a shoulder injury on Sunday, didn't start the day on the field; he did, however, come back in, although not at full fitness, for a burst of shortpitched bowling.

That seemed to be the plan from the other end as well, as England attacked India's lower order with intimidating bowling, ostensibly for the treatment they had dished out to James Anderson at the end of England's first innings.

The execution was good enough, but Bumrah and Shami weathered a storm that turned out in the end to be a major distraction for England from the job at hand. Bumrah, usually a genteel figure on the field, argued and battled on, weathering a few blows on the body. One of them hit him on the helmet and pinged in third man's direction, only for him to hold his hand u p a n d deny a single, with two balls remaining in Wood's over. The clear message was that he was ready to take what he had previously dished out.

It was a message England didn't heed, as bouncer af-

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS (TARGET: 272 RUNS)

Extras (b 17, lb 7, nb 4, w 1) 29 TOTAL (51.5 Ov, RR: 2.31) 120

Rory Burns cMohammed Siraj b Bumrah 0 Dom Sibley c†Pant b Mohammed Shami 0 Haseeb Hameed lbw b I Sharma 9 Joe Root (c) c Kohli b Bumrah 33 Jonny Bairstow lbwb I Sharma 2 Jos Buttler † c†Pant b Mohammed Siraj 25 Moeen Ali c Kohli b Mohammed Siraj 13 Sam Curran c †Pant b Mohammed Siraj 0 Ollie Robinson lbw b Bumrah 9 Mark Wood not out 0 James Anderson b Mohammed Siraj 0

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rory Burns, 0.3 ov), 2-1 (Dom Sibley, 1.4 ov), 3-44 (Haseeb Hameed, 15.3 ov), 4-67 (Jonny Bairstow, 21.6 ov), 5-67 (Joe Root, 22.3 ov), 6-90 (Moeen Ali, 38.1 ov), 7-90 (Sam Curran, 38.2 ov), 8-120 (Ollie Robinson, 50.5 ov), 9-120 (Jos Buttler, 51.2 ov), 10-120 (James Anderson, 51.5 ov) BOWLING O-M- R-W Jasprit Bumrah 15 -3-33-3 Mohammed Shami 10 -5-13 -1 Ravindra Jadeja 6-3-5-0 Mohammed Siraj 10.5 -3-32-4 Ishant Sharma 10 -3-13-2

India celebrating their win

ter bouncer was delivered at the pair, to the point of the bowlers tiring out of sheer frustration, and eventually being unable to breach the defenses of Bumrah and Shami.

When England attacked the stumps, they both picked off boundaries, and soon enough Shami was past 50, bringing out his favoured heaves over midwicket against Moeen Ali. India finished that opening session, having gone at more than four an over, and the possibility of a win was now distant for England.

Bumrah and Shami remained the protagonists in India's script, nabbing Rory Burns and Dom Sibley for ducks in the first two overs, to seize complete control of the match. Haseeb Hameed and Joe Root had to face four bowlers in 15 overs, before Ishant - India's hero the last time they won at Lord's - was introduced. Ishant struck immediately, catching Hameed deep in the crease with an inducker.

Jonny Bairstow didn't look nearly as assured as he had in the first innings during his brief stay, and Ishant trapped him in front as well - with an assist from DRS - to pin England down to 67 for 4 at tea.

And so, once again, England's fortunes seemed directly dependent on how deep Joe Root would go in the game. Coming back after tea, the England captain knew he had to bat through a majority of the remaining 38 overs; but, once again, Bumrah was around to foil his plans.

Root only lasted until the third ball after tea, stabbing one to Virat Kohli at first slip, leaving England's flamboyant line-up of batters Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Sam

Curran - with a steep task.

A majority of the work India put in to remove the trio might have ended in the 27th over, but Kohli dropped Buttler off Bumrah, creating another plot in the thread that would threaten India until the final hour.

Mohammed Siraj, however, showed up, prickly and persistent as ever, to account for all three of them. Buttler and Ali hung around for close to 16 overs, before Siraj had

got the latter edging behind on the angle. With the next ball, he inflicted a king pair on Curran.

With just the bowlers to come in, India's chirp turned into raucous chatter. Ollie Robinson had to take most of it - staring, encircling, unrelenting pressure between balls from the moment he came in. During his brief stay alongside Buttler, it seemed to stir him on. He got more and more resolute, in congru-

ence with Buttler, and soon enough the sun had come out over Lord's.

Their vigil took England into the final ten overs of the 60 they had been asked to bat. And then they ran into Bumrah again. Bumrah went around the wicket to Robinson, and sent two bouncers past his left shoulder, before slipping in an offcutter to flummox England's No. 9. It pitched just in line with the stumps, caught Robinson on the back leg in front of the wicket, and returned three reds when India reviewed it.

The clock had begun ticking as soon as it happened.

Siraj replaced Ishant, and Buttler's nerves showed immediately, as he fenced one in the channel to Pant.

Anderson received a similar welcome to Robinson, but he would not be worried with any short-pitched bowling; Siraj went full, and knocked his off stump in the same over to seal the win for India.

Purposeful, tactical bowling - which England had done for the most part as they came from behind in this Test - finished England off. (ESPN cricinfo)

Spectators not allowed at Tokyo Paralympic Games

S

pectators will not be allowed at the Tokyo Paralympic Games because of the city's ongoing struggle with coronavirus, organisers have confirmed.

The Japanese Government has proposed expanding and extending the country's state of emergency, with the Paralympics beginning on 24 August.

"We very much regret that this situation has impacted the Paralympic

Games," organisers have said in a statement.

Apart from the stadiums, fans have been requested not to attend road events. Organisers confirmed spectators would not be allowed at events in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Shizuoka because of infection rates in those regions.

Schoolchildren would still be allowed to attend at the request of local authorities or school administrators.

Fans were barred from

venues in the capital for the Olympics, with events held in some other regions allowing up to 50% capacity.

"We sincerely apologise to all ticket buyers, who were looking forward to watching the Games at the venues," the statement continued. "We hope that you understand that these measures are unavoidable, and being implemented in order to prevent the spread of infection. Everyone is encouraged to watch the Games at home." (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

FIDE Youth and Cadet World Cup

Lall, U16 & U18 spring into action

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From left: Anaya Lall, Keron Sandiford, Kishan Puran, Oluwadare Oyeyipo, Matthew Singh, Akili Theophil

H

earing-impaired Chess player 11-year-old Anaya Lall will be among the next group of Guyanese youths set to compete in the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE’s) Youth and Cadet World Cup, as she features in the Girl’s Under-12 category.

Lall, who also featured in last year’s tournament, will join Queen’s

College boys Kishan Puran, Raveon Adonis and Matthew Singh who will participate in the Under-16 Open event. Oluwadare Oyeyipo of Marian Academy, Keron Sandiford of Saint Stanislaus College and Akili Theophil of the University of Guyana will be participating in the Under-18 Open division.

These players are scheduled to represent Guyana

over the next five days as they do battle with the best in the world in each category.

Entrance into this elite tournament has been made possible through the online nature of the event, which was introduced in 2019 due to the global pandemic. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has been able to enter 22 players in this year’s tournament, following a

Osaka in tears at news conference

qualification tournament.

Players were also drawn from the GCF’s “Chess in Schools” programme, which is funded in part by FIDE. The Chess in Schools programme has been expanding locally, and the GCF, in turn, is drafting plans to enter more elite tournaments and continue to offer opportunities to train beginner, intermediate and elite players

throughout Guyana.

The implementation of an expert trainer in International Master Atanu Lihari has already yielded favourable results in this year’s tournament, with victories earned by the Guyanese Children over several FIDE-rated players, which is being viewed as the prelude to creating a pool of FIDE-rated young players in Guyana.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta reveals club debt stands at £1.15bn

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Naomi Osaka is a two-time Australian and US Open winner

N

aomi Osaka broke down in tears before resuming her first news conference since the controversy over refusing to speak to the media at the French Open.

Osaka became emotional shortly after being asked about "dealing with media in this format", and the Cincinnati Masters video call was briefly halted.

Earlier, the Japanese star, 23, said she was "proud" of the stand she took in Paris.

"It was something that needed to be done," she said.

At May's French Open, four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka said that, in order to protect her mental health, she would not do news conferences. She went on to pull out of the event, and missed Wimbledon to take a break from tennis, having experienced anxiety and depression.

Osaka returned to play at her home Olympics in Tokyo, where she lit the flame at the opening ceremony before going on to lose in the third round.

At Tuesday's conference, everything had initially gone smoothly, before Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty asked how she balanced the benefits of a big media profile with not talking to them.

Osaka sought clarity around what he was asking, and the pair had a calm exchange before the player began to cry as questions about tennis from another reporter were asked.

The conference was briefly stopped to allow her to compose herself, and Osaka returned to respond to the question she was asked in English before fielding more questions in Japanese.

'Something that needed to be done'

At the French Open, Osaka was fined $15,000 (£10,570) for not taking part in a news conference following her first-round match at Roland Garros.

Grand Slam organisers had said she could face expulsion from the tournament

should she refuse to take part in media duties.

But the player withdrew the following day, saying she needed to "protect her mental health".

In the Cincinnati conference, she added: "It felt like something I needed to do for myself. I felt like I holed up in my house for a couple of weeks and was a little bit embarrassed to go out.

"The biggest eye-opener was going to the Olympics and having other athletes come up to me and say they were really glad I did what I did," she revealed.

Osaka also said she supported America's four-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles, who pulled out of the women's gymnastics team final - and individual all-round, vault, uneven bars and floor exercise finals - in Tokyo to focus on her mental health.

"I sent her (Biles) a message, but I also wanted to give her space, because I know how overwhelming it can feel," Osaka added. (BBC Sport)

arcelona President Joan Laporta has revealed that the Spanish club is 1.35bn euros (£1.15bn) in debt, and has described the situation as "very worrying".

The club's wage bill currently accounts for 103% of total income, and Laporta blames predecessor Josep Maria Bartomeu for the debt, accusing him of leaving a "terrible inheritance".

Extending Lionel Messi's contract would have made the wage bill accountable for 110% of revenue, which La Liga refused to accept.

Messi announced an emotional exit from the Nou Camp last week, and signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract.

"Our salaries represent 103% of the club's total income, that's 20-25% more than our competitors," said Laporta, now in his second term as president, after winning the election in March.

"The first thing we had to do when we arrived was to ask for a loan of 80m euros; because, otherwise, we could not pay the salaries. The previous regime was full of lies.

"Barcelona has a negative net worth of 451m euros - it is a terrible inheritance. What has been happening is very worrying."

Bartomeu defended himself in an open letter released on Saturday, claiming financial measures he would have put in place had he not been forced to resign in October would have allowed Messi to stay at Barcelona.

"As is known, our board of directors planned to call elec-

Barcelona President Laporta claims he was lied to by predecessor Josep Maria Bartomeu

tions on 21 March, within the statutory period at the end of our mandate, which would have allowed us to take on and carry out the settlement of the 2020-21 season accounts," Bartomeu said. "We would then have taken the decisions necessary to avoid arriving at the current financial situation.

We would have been the only ones responsible for the closure [due to the pandemic] and its consequences, a decision that the new board has not taken throughout these past months, making clear their inaction."

Laporta described Bartomeu's letter as "an effort to justify management that is unjustifiable", and "an exercise in desperation". He added: "They will not escape their doing."

New signings Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj were only able to be registered by La Liga after defender Gerard Pique agreed to a wage cut to comply with salary cap rules. (BBC Sport)

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23

And they’re off!

Guyana Amazon Warriors depart for St Kitts with CPL on the horizon T

he local component of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) team on Monday afternoon departed Guyana for St. Kitts and Nevis, where they will spring into action from August 26th in the 2021 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Once in St Kitts, the regional and international components of the GAW would link up with their teammates as they prepare for the upcoming CPL season.

Before his departure, Guyana Times Sport caught up with GAW Team Manager Omar Khan, who shared on the importance of the local training camp that concluded last week.

“Well, the purpose of the short camp we had here in Guyana was to really try and get the local players together - the local Guyanese players - and try to do an assessment and evaluation on where they are in terms of their fitness levels and where they are,” Khan explained.

GAW players and support staff boarding their bus enroute to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (Jemima Holmes Photo)

He continued, “More importantly, try to get them in a frame of mind that would get them mentally ready for the tournament. As you know, the tournament is being held under a strict bio-secure bubble and COVID-19 protocols. And, of course, under those conditions, the team cannot leave the hotel. We’ll all be in that bubble and we’ll have to adhere to all the requirements and the protocols that have been laid out by the St Kitts and Nevis Government and the CPL. “So, with that in mind, it was important that we get the guys in a frame of mind that they appreciate what is required of them when they get to St. Kitts,” he concluded.

With the team expected to be completed in St Kitts, the Warriors will take time to gel ahead of their opening game - the first of the CPL 2021 season - against Trinbago Knight Riders, on August 26th, starting at 10am.

The entire CPL 2021 season will be played exclusively at Warner Park in Basseterre, capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Manniram Prashad Narayan Ramdhani cops confirmed as New gold in Canadian tournament CWI Director G C

ricket West Indies (CWI), through a missive on Monday, has finally confirmed reports that Guyanese businessman and former politician Manniram Prashad is the fourth and final member of the CWI non-member Directors Group.

The missive read, “Cricket West Indies (CWI) announces that Manniram Prashad, a past Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for Guyana, and current Chairman of several prestigious commercial organisations, has been appointed to the CWI Board of Directors as a non-member (independent) Director, effective July 30, 2021.

“Prashad brings over 25 years of experience in commerce and private sector leadership, having held several senior positions in a variety of industries. He has also held the position of chair for a number of large state corporations, including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Guyana National Shipping Corporation.

“Mr Prashad is also the current Chairman of MP Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, Consul General of the Philippines to Guyana, Corporate Coordinator and Executive Member of the Private Sector Commission, and President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber.

“Prashad is a long-standing cricket enthusiast, having served as President of various cricket clubs and leagues, including the Gandhi Youth Cricket Club and Eastern American Cricket League”.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt said: “I am confident that Manniram will add significant value to the CWI Board. I have had the benefit of knowing Prashad when we were both serving our respective countries as Ministers of Tourism. He is a very

Manniram Prashad

experienced and astute businessman who will help to bring more gravity and focus to the CWI Boardroom. I also expect him to help CWI reach out to much needed commercial partners in our region and beyond.”

Reacting to his appointment, Prashad said: “I am truly honoured and humbled at my appointment. I see this as a challenge and an opportunity to serve West Indies Cricket, and to join a team of Directors who are committed to improving and uplifting the standard of our game.”

Prashad’s appointment means that CWI has reached its allocation of four non-member Directors. He joins Trinidadian Attorney Mrs Debra Coryat-Patton, Jamaican Surgeon and University Administrator Dr Akshai Mansingh, and former West Indies captain Daren Sammy as non-member Directors whose terms will expire at CWI’s Annual General meeting in 2023.

uyana’s number oneranked badminton player Narayan Ramdhani has earned two gold medals over the weekend at the Kings University 2021 Open Summer Badminton tournament held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Following a bye in Round 1 of the Men’s Singles and defeat of Guyanese Jatin Rathour after two sets (21-5, 21-10) in Round 2, Kyle Gomez was the next to fall prey to Ramdhani; in the quarterfinal after a 2110, 21-10 match.

Ramdhani defeated Calvin Siu in two straight sets 2110, 21-18 in the semifinal, and in the final confronted Calvin Kwan. It was another walk in the park for the Guyanese, as he won the contest 21-6, 21-10 to take gold.

For the mixed doubles, Ramdhani paired with Abby Ledda, and they eased through the first few rounds of play.

T h e duo was awarded a bye in Round 1, but met with Joe Lu and Jing Yang in Round 2.

They won that encounter 21-13, 2110.

The quarterfinal was eerily similar, as Ramdhani and Ledda surpassed William and Eyota Kwan 217, 21-14.

In the semis, a three-set win saw them overcoming Rishav Raj and Anna Chakravorty 21-15, 18-21 and 21-15. All they needed to clinch gold was a win against Sunny Singh and Manasi

Narayan Ramdhani, the tournament organiser and Abby Ledda

Pandit, which came in two sets, 23-21, 21-16.

This is the first tournament that the elder Ramdhani sibling has played after he returned to Canada three weeks ago to finish off his scholarship programme in Business Management at the Kings University.

While on his break during May-July, he competed in the Guatemala International to improve his world ranking,

but missed the Olympics tripartite spot by a few points.

During his time in Guyana, Narayan won the National Tournament and conducted four Shuttle Time programmes in Linden and Berbice and one Air Badminton project at the University of Guyana.

He also assisted in raising the standard of Guyana local National Badminton players. Additionally, he is expected to attend the Mexican International from September 1-5 to start his campaign towards the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

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

And they’re off!

Page 23

Guyana Amazon Warriors depart for St Kitts with CPL on the horizon India vs England: The Lord’s Test…

Narayan India script famous win Ramdhani cops gold in Canadian tournament Page 23

− Siraj finishes England off; hosts fold for 120 in chasing 272 in the last hour Page 21

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