Guyana P records increased non-traditional exports in 2020

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Region 9 administration provides support to affected families following earthquake

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to monitor the impact of the 5.7 magnitude earthquake which struck several parts of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Sunday.

The CDC stated that based on the assessments conducted across the regions, the Regional Disaster Response System was activated.

Assessments were done in the Katoonarib and Sawariwau villages located in the Deep South, Rupununi areas.

Those assessments revealed damages to two (2) homes and a few earth surface cracks. While the team was on the ground, loud rumbling sounds were heard about three times from different directions around the communities. There are no reports of loss of human lives.

However, residents related that years ago a similar sound was heard, and it felt like “movement” of the earth.

Nevertheless, Regional Executive Officer Karl Singh has informed the CDC that the region will assist in the rehabilitation of the homes that were damaged by the natural disaster.

Construction materials were being transported to the affected communities on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Civil Defence Commission would be partnering with the Natural Resources Ministry to conduct further analysis, observation, and assessments to gain a comprehensive perspective of the region’s susceptibility to seismic hazard.

The Commission is also in discussion with the Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide technical support if the need arises.

The result of these assessments could determine future actions which can include are but not limited to conducting earthquake preparedness and response planning and training, evacuation drills and exploring the possibility of developing earthquake-resilient infrastructure codes for that region and by extension Guyana.

Guyana recorded increased non-traditional exports in 2020

Guyana has recorded a 9 per cent increase in the export of non-traditional agricultural commodities from January to December 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.

The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) in a statement to the press highlighted that this increase was achieved in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, a total of 9907 metric tonnes of non-traditional agricultural commodities valued at $2.5 billion or US$12 million were exported from Guyana. This increase is due to a 20 per cent (8217 metric tonnes) and 44 per cent (419 metric tonnes) increase in the export of dried coconuts and coconut water respectively.

Further, in 2020, Guyana also recorded a 110 per cent (2194 metric tonnes) increase in regional exports of non-traditional agricultural commodities. The major regional export destinations in 2020 were Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Antigua.

Of the total non-traditional agricultural exports, 99 per cent (9805 metric tonnes) was shipped via sea, representing a 14 per cent increase when compared to the year 2019.

Meanwhile, 1 per cent (102 metric tonnes) of non-traditional agricultural commodities were exported via air in 2020. The 102 metric tonnes represents an 82 per cent decline in exports via air.

This decline is mainly as a result of the temporary cessation of flights by Caribbean Airlines in 2020 due to the closure of the international airports, a measure put in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Consequently, there were declines in the exports of mangoes, bora, boulanger, pineapple, eddo, and peppers in 2020 when compared to the year 2019. Most of these commodities are exported mainly to Canada and the USA.

Moreover, the country saw an increase in the export of commodities such as coconut water, pepper sauce, achar, sauces, cassava cassareep, and preserved fruits when compared to the year 2019.

The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) said it will continue to work aggressively to ensure this trend is maintained in 2021 and the years ahead. Further, the entity said GMC’s officers will continue to create linkages between buyers and sellers of non-agricultural commodities. The ongoing facilitation of the use of the corporation’s packaging facilities will also continue, GMC noted.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM GWI to drill new well to alleviate water woes on ECD

Technical staff carrying out work on the defective Lusignan well

Preparations are underway for a new well to be drilled in Enmore, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Annandale, Good Hope, Friendship and the community of Lusignan to alleviate the water woes being experienced by a number of communities along the East Coast of Demerara.

This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated, Shaik Baksh, during a meeting with the Chairman and Councillors of the Mon Repos – La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) as well as residents of surrounding areas last week.

Villages such as Enterprise have been experiencing a low level and, in some cases, a disruption of service due to the collapse of a well. Baksh explained that a camera inspection of the well revealed that there was a breach in the well casing, causing the pump and motor to be stuck. “Our investigation reveals that there is a perforation in the casings at around 224 feet below ground.” This resulted in the well producing sand. Numerous attempts have since proved futile to repair the well and bring it back into operation.

It was noted that the entire well head had sunk approximately 2 inches into the earth. This is an indication that there is danger in proceeding further, since the entire well surroundings, buildings, machines, equipment and people could potentially be dragged into a pit.

Following these events, the CEO made a decision to drill a new well to provide a permanent solution to affected residents. He told the NDC Councillors that GWI will return to the community to consult with residents regarding the most suitable location for the well to be drilled.

The CEO explained that GWI has already moved to secure funding and all necessary resources to drill the well, noting that the materials have already been ordered. The materials are expected to arrive within 2 months, after which drilling will commence.

In the meantime, GWI has implemented alternative arrangements to provide a steady level of service to areas that have been affected by the collapsed well. This includes reactivating the Enmore well station, which has previously been out of operation.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

GWI CEO Shaik Baksh addressing Councillors and residents at Lusignan

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Guyanese secure spots in chutney competition final

– as 23 set to challenge GI Beharry for title

Prince JP

Vicadi Singh Vanita Willie Tony Cuttz

The performances by the four Guyanese artistes last week have secured them spots in the finals of the International Chutney Soca Monarch billed for February 13, 2021.

Vanita Willie, Vicadi Singh and Tony Cuttz performed at the Shakti Sting Studio for the semi-final but now with one performance closer to the title, the three artistes are expected to record their performances at the Mantra, Lamaha Street, Georgetown. On the other hand, Prince JP, another Guyanese, preformed in New York.

However, the semi-final round was described as one of the best in the history of the competition, and much of it had to do with the venue at SAPA, South Trinidad, and also, of course, the fact that the event was able to be prerecorded and packaged for television.

“With the cancellation of Carnival announced in August 2020, Southex grasped the opportunity to create something different for CSM, and I think we have been able to achieve that in many ways,” Director of CSM, George Singh noted.

The semi-final event featured performances from Canada, New York, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, with 36 artistes competing for a place in the Grand Final and for a chance to be crowned the new Chutney Soca Monarch for 2021.

A completely new and unique aspect of the competition was the inclusion of “live” comments from judges. In Trinidad, the competitors were supported by the back-up “live” band, Avatar headed by Kishore “Wizzy” Ramdath.

In New York, the backup band was RML Band led by Rishi Lakhan. Guyana was supported by Shakti Strings led by Avinash Roopchand.

The pre-recorded events were packaged for TV and aired on CNC3, Sangeet 106.1 and on several social media outlets across the USA, Canada, Suriname and Guyana. As expected, thousands of chutney fans tuned into the semi-final.

“The artistes really giving their all with dancers and presentations that were befitting of a Grand Final. Producers were very happy as it showed the commitment of the players in the industry especially in these very trying times and with a raging pandemic that a show of this quality and stature could have been produced at the level that it was,” Singh added.

A “text to vote” component was reintroduced in 2021. This was done deliberately since the viewers would be all online. Meanwhile, 23 artistes will now join GI Beharry, the defending champion, to compete for the title of Chutney Soca Monarch 2021.

Those moving forward are Damian Sookram from New York, Prince JP, Vanita Willie, Vicadi Singh and Tony Cuttz from Guyana.

The Trinidad lineup comprises Jairam Dindial, Ricardo Melville, Prince Navin Prabhoo, Dubraj Persad, Derrick Seales, Rasika Dindial, Kenneth Supersad, Riz & Theatrics, Russel M, Shiva Lakhan, Cherish Ragonanan, Neeshad Sultan, Reshma Ramlal, Surendra Ramoutar, Veejai Ramkissoon, Saleem Beharry, Nisha Ramsook, and Adesh Samaroo.

None of the artistes from Canada made it into the final round of the competition.

With the Grand Finale set for Saturday, February 13, 2021, fans can expect a final with all the frills that they are accustomed to at the live events.

The Grand Finale will air via CNC3 and Sangeet 106.1 and will also be available via “Southex Events” on Youtube Live.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

APNU/AFC shamelessly defends Patterson's corruption, holds PAC hostage

Another example of dictatorial behaviour by a political party is on display in Parliament right now. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is one of the most critical committees in Parliament. It is responsible for scrutinising the Auditor General's Annual Report. This committee is also responsible for supervising the Auditor General's Office on behalf of Parliament. Under a previous PPP Government, the Auditor General's Office was divested from the Ministry of Finance and placed under direct supervision of the Parliament, which assigned the PAC as the direct supervisor for this office.

The PAC is made up of five Government and four Opposition MPs. The Opposition is made up of APNU+AFC and the Joinder Party (ANUG+LJP+TCI). But APNU+AFC, in choosing its four members, chose all four from among its ranks. It totally left out the Joinder Party. In ignoring the presence of another political party among the ranks of the Opposition, APNU+AFC brazenly Dr Leslie Ramsammy underlined its dictatorial DNA. Even more brazen in this brute display of dictatorship is its present display of holding the PAC hostage, derailing the work of the PAC and preventing the scrutiny of the Auditor General's Report.

From mounting evidence, the present Chairman of the PAC, David Patterson, has been shown to receive expensive gold jewellery as gifts bought with taxpayers’ money. While Patterson initially clumsily denied receiving these gifts, insisting they might have been bought but were never delivered to him, thus throwing his benefactors under the bus, he has since defended himself by insisting it is normal practice. But such gifting has not been shown to be normal practice in any scrutiny of Government accounts before 2015.

These unusual and improper behaviours from Patterson and others in his Ministry do not represent the only violation of the accountability and transparency laws of Government. He is presently in front of the courts for violating the procurement laws in the Demerara Bridge Feasibility Study, and there are many other violations in the last five years from his Ministry. It is within this context that the Government MPs have asked Patterson to resign as the Chairman of the PAC.

It makes sense that a man under the heavy burden of corruption should not be chairing the most important committee in Parliament, the one that is responsible for accountability in Government finances. Patterson refuses to resign. The Government MPs have submitted a motion to the PAC, asking for the committee to remove Patterson as Chair, in accordance with the Standing Orders and the rules of Parliament, but the PAC has not been able to meet on the motion for Patterson's removal. First, Patterson recused himself as Chairman for the proceedings.

Since the rules cater only for an Opposition MP to chair the committee, it means that one of the remaining three has to be nominated to chair in Patterson's absence. Each of the three remaining Opposition MPs has refused to chair the meeting, thus effectively preventing any meeting from taking place that would result in Patterson's ouster as Chair. This "wrong and strong" posture by APNU+AFC's MPs is characteristic of their bullying tactics. If Patterson had any shame and any decency, he would have resigned, not only as Chair, but as a member of the PAC. But for Patterson and his APNU+AFC colleagues, corruption is no reason for him or any of his colleagues to be ashamed. For them, corruption is just a normal everyday occurrence in their management of taxpayers' money. This is exactly how dictators behave.

No matter what it does, the People's National Congress (PNC) cannot hide its stripes. It was born out of a greed for power, and has innate, natural dictatorial instinct. Authoritarianism and dictatorship are deeply rooted in its DNA. The present APNU+AFC is nothing more than a name, convenient as a disguise for the PNC. They claim APNU+AFC is a coalition of seven political parties, but four of these so-called political parties exist only on paper. I bet if someone were to ask leading members of the PNC what are the names of these four political parties, they would have great difficulty answering. Those parties are essentially oneman political parties, and even those single persons might have forgotten the names of their parties. A fifth political party, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), is now just a handful of persons pretending they have some meagre support in the communities, but they do not dare compete by themselves in any election, because they would be wiped out.

The sixth party, the AFC, is rapidly going in the direction of the WPA, but most of its members are now integrated into the PNC; so there is no such thing as APNU+AFC, it is really now the PNC defrocked and exposed.

The insistence by APNU+AFC that Patterson's corruption is nothing to be alarmed about disgraces our parliamentary democracy. It is another stain on the fledgling democracy movement in Guyana. We must not permit their holding the PAC and the Parliament hostage.

The Speaker must convene a meeting of the Selection Committee and ensure that all political parties in Parliament are represented on the PAC. It has always been so until APNU+AFC decided to throw the other party in Opposition to the side. Let us select MPs from all parties to prevent APNU+AFC (PNC) from holding the PAC hostage ever again.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM GTT collaborates with MoH to offer free pap smears, VIA screening

GTT recently collaborated with the Chronic Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health (MoH) to offer a week of free pap smears and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening to women across Guyana in an effort to promote early detection of the deadly disease, cervical cancer.

The one-week outreach, to kickstart Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, began at the Goed Intent Health Centre in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and spread to several other regions.

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens said the company was delighted to contribute to this outreach as it offered women in Guyana access to screening and testing – free of cost.

“It is my hope that women in the respective areas where the free tests and screening were offered took advantage of the availability to know their status. As GTT has reminded over the years, ‘early detection saves lives’ and this exercise was

National VIA Coordinator, Dr Martin Campbell receives a donation from GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens

aimed at doing just that – helping as many women in Guyana to fight against cancer through early detection and medical care,” she stated.

National VIA Coordinator at the Health Ministry, Dr Martin Campbell said he and his team were pleased once again to be collaborating with GTT to provide VIA and free pap screening during this year’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

“We hope to continue building on this relationship until every woman in Guyana is screened for cervical cancer,” Dr Campbell posited.

The cervical cancer screenings also occurred at the Rosignol Health Centre, the Mahaica Health Centre, the Kuru Kururu Centre, and the Mahdia District Hospital. The outreach concluded at the Craig Health Centre.

Gittens noted that the Linden Cancer Society and the Berbice Cancer Society will host screenings during the month of February for women in their regions.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM PAHO urges diagnosis and treatment of cancer

– says disease is 2nd leading cause of death in the Americas

World Cancer Day is being observed today, February 4, 2021, and the Pan American Health Organisation Director, Carissa F Etienne has called for diagnosis and treatment of the disease in the Americas, where services have been seriously disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We must not forget other grave illnesses while we combat COVID-19,” Etienne said. “We must fight the pandemic while continuing to make advances against other diseases, particularly cancer. For cancer patients, lack of diagnoses, treatments, and medications can be deadly,” she related. In the Americas, cancer is the second leading cause of death, with an estimated 4 million people newly diagnosed in 2020. An estimated 1.4 million people died from cancer in 2020. And approximately 57 per cent of new cancer cases and 47 per cent of cancer deaths occurred in people 69 years of age or younger, in the prime of their lives. Among men, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers are most common whereas, among women, breast, lung and colorectal cancers are most common.

However, pandemic-related disruptions to cancer services arose due to multiple causes, according to a PAHO/WHO survey of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, in seven countries in the Americas.

They resulted from cancellation of elective medical procedures, closure of services, reduction in demand due to lockdowns, and the need to channel resources into COVID-19.

In addition, some cancer patients have been reluctant to show up for office visits or go to hospitals for treatment where COVID-19 patients may also be receiving care. Cancer patients are at increased risk of developing the most serious and potentially fatal forms of COVID-19. “We must ensure that people who are already sick with cancer do not miss life-saving diagnosis and treatment because of the pandemic,” said Anselm Hennis, director of PAHO’s Department of NonCommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

“There are tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment that can show us how to achieve this.”

World Cancer Day works to save millions of lives each year by raising awareness and education about cancer and by calling on governments and people around the world to take action against the disease. From 2019 through 2021, the theme of World Cancer Day is "I am and I will" – a collective call to action to reduce the global impact of cancer. This global day invites people to express who they are and what actions they will take to create a world without cancer. Between one-third to onehalf of cancer cases could be prevented by reducing risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine also prevents cervical cancer. “Cancer should never be a death sentence, even during a pandemic,” Dr Hennis noted.

Pan American Health Organisation Director Carissa F Etienne

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Eroded Burnham Drive in Linden rehabilitated

Residents and officials in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), are now breathing a sigh of relief, following the rehabilitation of an eroded section of the Burnham Drive Road at Wismar done by the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Owing to extreme erosion, a significant part of the road which is located in close proximity to the Christianburg and Blueberry Hill communities had disappeared.

Following complaints by regional officials and residents, emergency works were executed on the affected areas.

The work was undertaken by Orin Supreme Enterprise and according to the contractor, Orin Charles, revetment and the replacement of a bridge and drain were among the emergency works undertaken.

“The asphalting of the section would not be done (until) another month from now because we’re looking to see if we get 96 per cent compaction. If we don’t get 96 per cent compaction, (there is) a high chance of re-occurrence of a depression...So vehicles would be traversing it as per normal but the finishing will be another month from now. We’re going to do a compaction test every weekend...” Orin Charles added.

Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman, Douglas Gittens has praised the level of work carried out to the area, and also noted that it was completed in a “fair” amount of time.

“It was done well by the contractor. In a timely manner and to the scope of work. He even did far more work than what was required,” Gittens said.

The Regional Vice Chairman noted, however, that along the Burnham Drive stretch, there are several other dangerous breakaways, many of which are hidden by thick vegetation.

“These should be treated as emergency work, since they all connect the community of Christiansburg to the rest of Wismar and pose grave danger to the residents,” the Regional Vice Chairman noted.

Additionally, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in a recent statement highlighted that the Council has completed the rehabilitation of roads under the budget prepared by the 8th Council chaired by former Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

It was noted that consultations under the previous Administration had led to the inclusion of roads at Amelia’s Ward (near the Linden Foundation Secondary School), at Block 22 and drains at Casaurina Drive and Third Alley, among other rehabilitation projects.

“The 9th Regional Democratic Council would like to extend thanks to its predecessors who would have initiated these projects, and stands ready to ensure that our work programme, as dictated by engagements with residents, is executed by the current Administration when they would have approved the projects submitted for consideration in our 2021 budget,” the statement read.

A section of the rehabilitated road at Burnham Drive, Linden

The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy: The drama of two strategic blunders

By Daniel K. Gibran PhD (Retired). Professor of International Relations and Security Studies and Fulbright Scholar. Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN USA

The current and continuing impasse between Guyana and Venezuela over ownership of two-thirds of the current territory of Guyana, a sizeable piece of real estate, is traceable to two strategic blunders, one by the British Government in 1966, the other by Forbes Burnham also in 1966. Both blunders were incubated within the larger geopolitical and geostrategic context of the Cold War. And both were avoidable.

Today, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is facing an existential territorial threat that is at the heart of its existence, a threat that will not simply disappear into thin air by the waving of a magic wand. In short, Guyana’s security, the security of the State in the context of its physical space, is threatened by an unstable, belligerent neighbour that claims two-thirds of its territory. This sharp and heavy sword of Damocles continues to hang over Guyana.

Understanding what happened in 1966 is crucial to any explication of the current impasse. But before we get to 1966, we must first know what happened in 1899. The Arbitral Award of that year is the linchpin event in the dispute between Britain and Venezuela. Britain acquired possession of the Colonies of Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice from the Dutch in 1814. Spain, the original European power to lay claim to this region, did not contest Britain’s acquisition. Twenty years later, Britain delineated the physical boundaries of its newly acquired possession. And a new physical map was published in 1840 to the chagrin of Venezuela. When Venezuela became an independent state in 1810, it claimed this “disputed” territory as part of its inheritance from Spain.

But Spain did not possess this territory in a manner that granted it ownership. Hence, Spain cannot grant title of this territory to Venezuela because it never acquired title, not even an inchoate one. Venezuela’s claim that Essequibo was occupied and settled by Spain does not chime with historical reality. It was the Dutch who first occupied and settled this region in 1616 and Spain recognised Dutch sovereignty. Both countries sealed this arrangement when they signed the Treaty of Munster in 1648. The Dutch, the undisputed owner of Essequibo since 1648, ceded this territory to Britain through the terms stipulated in the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814.

A few years preceding 1899, Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Britain and requested US intervention to arbitrate its claim, basing it on Spain’s ownership of the disputed territory. In 1897 both disputants agreed to submit their case for arbitration and under the aegis of the American Government, an arbitration tribunal was established.

A total of five jurists, two Americans, two British, and one Russian who acted as President constituted the tribunal. After two years of deliberation in Paris, the Tribunal issued a unanimous decision, which awarded 90 per cent of the Essequibo Region to Britain and 10 per cent of the land approaching the estuary of the Orinoco River. The disputants agreed to abide by the terms of the Treaty as being “full, perfect, and final.” Venezuela did not protest the Award. And six years later in 1905, the borderline was fixed by a joint Anglo-Venezuelan Boundary Commission. Venezuela accepted both the 1899 Paris Tribunal Award and the 1905 boundary line. And the contentious issue was settled.

Entered Severo MalletPrevost in this drama. A junior lawyer on the Venezuelan legal team, Mallet-Prevost contended in a letter that the Paris Arbitration of 1899 was improper because of collusion between the two British jurists and the Russian President of the Tribunal. He sealed his letter and requested that the contents be made public after his death.

The letter was published in the American Journal of International Law in 1949. For the next 12 years, Caracas remained silent. But in 1962, it decided to act by declaring its intention not to abide by the terms of the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award followed by a strident pronouncement that the Award was “null and void.” The entirety of Venezuela’s disavowal was based on the letter of a disgruntled, dead man, who did not have the audacity while he was alive to make public his accusations or to publish his letter.

Great Britain’s agreement to hear Venezuela’s contentions while noting that the 1899 Arbitral Award was “final” was a monumental strategic blunder. The culmination of what followed after “talks” between Britain and Venezuela was the Geneva Agreement of 1966. In this 1966 Agreement, Britain sold its former colony, British Guiana, down the Orinoco River. And the question is why? Two plausible explanations should be considered.

The first explanation centred on a mutual perception shared by London and Washington DC that Guyana’s Opposition Leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan was an avowed Marxist and Communist. And should he be voted into office after 1966, Guyana would join Cuba and become another Soviet satellite in America’s strategic backyard. The USA played a pivotal role in persuading Britain to grant Independence to its former colony under the political leadership of Mr Forbes Burnham, the lesser of the two evils, in 1966, months before the Geneva Agreement was signed with Venezuela.

The second explanation of Britain’s behaviour and subsequent proclivity to rid itself of British Guiana was driven by the imperatives of culture and ethnic affinities. British Guiana was not the Falkland Islands. It was a different place in its ethnic makeup and cultural affinities. It would be more accurate to say that British disposition towards its former colony was fairly similar to how they treated the inhabitants of the Island of Diego Garcia located in the Indian Ocean. In 1966 an Anglo-American military agreement attempted to turn the island of Diego Garcia into a military outpost. At the time, the island was inhabited by about 1800 settlers. Diego Garcia had been their home for several decades.

After the Agreement was signed with America, the Ilois people were forcibly deported en masse to Mauritius over a thousand miles away. They were not consulted about their wishes or compensated by the British Government. Both the Labour and Conservative Governments had, in succession, approved the wholesale removal of these island people against their wishes. These people were “Black,” they had no cultural or ethnic affinities to Britain and were perceived this way by the British.

Contrast this treatment with that of the less than 2000 Kelpers of the Falkland Islands. They were of British stock in colour and culture, and of kith and kin. The same cannot be said of the people who inhabited British Guiana. They were different and of inferior stock in the perception of Downing Street. Hence, the eagerness to rid itself of this colonial territory and at the same time unburden itself from the “mess” it created.

The newly independent state of Guyana was left to pick up the pieces.

And pick up it did. Mr Forbes Burnham, the coalition leader, was sanguine and gleeful to pick up the pieces in 1966. Leading British Guiana to Independence was for him a signal victory and high honour. He knew fully well what he was getting into. So, in a correspondence to his counterpart in Caracas who had objected to British Guiana’s Independence, Burnham stated his intention to revisit the border controversy and requested Venezuela’s acquiescence in the march to Independence. This was the second strategic blunder.

Independence cannot be foisted upon a former colony without the political leadership of said colony agreeing to accept it. It must be negotiated. By not refusing the transfer of sovereignty from Downing Street, Burnham committed an incalculable strategic blunder. He should have, instead, insisted that Britain clean up the mess it created and have the border controversy with Venezuela settled before agreeing to a formal transfer of sovereignty.

His refusal to do so saddled the independent State of Guyana with a strangulating burden and placed the country in shambles. Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo is not simply Maduro’s claim and boisterous fulminations. It resides in the soul of every Venezuelan citizen. It is a national feeling, unlike anything we have seen demonstrated in Guyana.

Two strategic blunders, both committed in the same year, have burdened Guyana and stymied its path to economic development. The AliJagdeo Government is well placed to strengthen its relationship with the United States.

Today, Washington DC is eager, ready and willing to support and defend Guyana. And the current governments on both sides of the Atlantic are ready to do business.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 News

Guyana records 24 new COVID-19 cases from 220 tests

Guyana on Tuesday recorded 24 new cases of the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 7678. These cases were from a total of 220 tests that were conducted within a 24-hour period.

According to statistics provided by the Health

Ministry, five persons remain in the COVID-19 ICU, 57 in institutional isolation, 758 in home isolation, and six in institutional quarantine.

The number of persons who have died from the virus is 177, with the latest death being that of a 58-year-old female of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). She died on Sunday while receiving medical attention at a COVID-19 facility.

Meanwhile, the number of recoveries stands at

6681.

From the 24 new cases, one was recorded in Region One (Barima Waini); three in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara);

COVID-19 dash board

eight in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); six in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and four in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Of the 7678, confirmed cases, 1005 are from Region One (Barima-Waini), 228 from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 565 from Region Three, 3384 cases are from Region Four, and 206 from Region Five.

Also, in Region Six, 434 COVID-19 cases have been recorded, 618 in Region Seven, 238 in Region Eight, 410 in Region Nine, and 590 in Region 10.

To date, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 102,942,987 confirmed cases globally along with 2,232,233 deaths.

WHO also reported on Sunday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 45,785,210 while the death toll stands at 1,057,894.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had stated that since the airports were reopened last October, 35 imported cases were recorded. This figure remains unchanged.

“I think what has helped is that many countries are requiring now that you have PCR for travel. By having tighter measures in terms of travel, it has drastically reduced the amount of persons coming in,” the Minister had stated.

High Court throws out $80M-plus lawsuit filed by Colwyn Harding

High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh on Monday threw out two lawsuits filed by Colwyn Harding – the man who alleged that the Police had sodomised him with a condom-covered baton back in November 2013.

Harding had sued the State for over $80 million in damages for torture and breach of his fundamental rights.

However, when the matter came up for hearing on Monday, Harding’s attorney failed to show up to court resulting in the trial Judge dismissing the two lawsuits.

Harding contended in the lawsuit that he was viciously assaulted by several members of the Guyana Police Force who entered his home on November 15, 2013. He also claimed that Police Constable Singh 19175 had inserted a foreign object into his anus, triggering a need for corrective surgery, and that the said rank repeatedly assaulted him in the Timehri Police Outpost between November 15, 2013 – November 18, 2013. As a result of the injuries sustained during the alleged assault, he developed an intestinal hernia and had to undergo multiple surgeries.

Constables Devin Singh and Rosell Tilbury were subsequently charged with assault causing actual bodily harm against the then 23-year-old man. Both officers have since been cleared of the charges due to insufficient evidence.

In the two lawsuits filed back in 2014, one was against the two cops, whom Harding alleged assaulted and battered him, causing him to sustain injuries.

However, the State had denied these claims. Specifically, the State asserted that the medical evidence did not support Harding’s contention of a foreign object being inserted into his anatomy, and that any surgical procedures undertaken were as a result of a medical condition which he had developed.

Harding was asking the court to grant him damages in excess of $100,000 for assault and battery between November 15 and 22, 2013, at Timehri, and exemplary damages.

Meanwhile, the second suit was filed against the Attorney General in which Harding alleged that his fundamental rights were breached as a result of the actions of the Police ranks.

He had asked the court to grant him damages in excess of $80 million for breach of his fundamental right to protection from torture and/or inhumane and degrading treatment as guaranteed by Article 141 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana between the 18th day of November 2013 and the 24th day of December 2014 at Timehri.

Additionally, he sought damages in excess of $100,000 each for breach of his protected fundamental right to protection from inhumane treatment; for breach of his fundamental right to protection against an arbitrary search of his person as guaranteed by Article 143 of the Constitution; for breach of his right to protection against torture and other inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment as provided by Article 154 (a) of the Constitution; and for breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by Article 139 of the Constitution, along with exemplary damages.

Harding also asked that the defendants in each action pay the costs of his legal fees for bringing the actions.

The trial into the two lawsuits was scheduled for commencement at 09:00h on Monday before Justice Singh.

But on that day, Counsel for the Attorney General was present, however, Harding’s lawyer was not present, and had not made any communication to the court.

The AG’s counsel informed the court that her records show the matter was fixed for 09:15h and so the trial Judge delayed the commencement to 9:25h in an effort to accommodate Harding’s attorney.

Subsequently, the AG’s counsel indicated to the court that an attorney-at-law for Harding had called to indicate that he would not be able to attend court until 09:30h or 09:45h.

In those circumstances, the counsel asked the court to dismiss both matters and that Harding pay the Attorney General’s costs in both dismissed actions.

Justice Singh granted the orders and dismissed the lawsuits for want of prosecution. He also awarded the Attorney General’s Chambers $100,000 in costs.

Colwyn Harding

Electrician’s new Allion carjacked in Sophia

Forty-three-year-old Corwin Griffith, an electrician, was on Monday evening relieved of his Toyota Allion motor car bearing registration number PXX 4871 by passengers who wanted to be taken to Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The incident is said to have occurred at about 22:20 hours.

According to information received, Griffith of West Minister, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was operating as a private hire service at the time of the incident.

On the day in question, the victim reportedly picked up a man along with a female in the vicinity of America Street, Georgetown, who requested to be taken to D Field Sophia.

The male is dark in complexion and medium built with low cut hair while his female accomplice is also dark in complexion, medium built with braided hair.

At the time of the incident, the man was said to be clad in a grey jersey with a pair of black short pants and the female was wearing a romper suit.

The two suspects were carrying two black plastic bags which were placed in the trunk of the car before they entered the vehicle.

The driver took the suspects to last street, D Field Sophia, as requested.

Upon arrival, the driver exited the car to take out the bags for his “customers” and it was then the male suspect hopped into the driver’s seat and sped away.

A report was subsequently lodged at the Turkeyen Police Station and an investigation was launched. Up to press time, neither the car nor the suspects were located.

OILNEWS

Oil jumps 2%, hits highest in year as producers limit supply

Oil prices rose more than 2 per cent on Tuesday, reaching their highest in 12 months after major producers showed they were reining in output roughly in line with their commitments.

The US and global benchmarks rallied as optimism about more US economic stimulus added to market bullishness from supply cuts.

Brent crude was up US$1.22, or 2.2 per cent, at US$57.57 a barrel by 12:03 EST (1703 GMT) for its third straight day of gains, touching US$58.05, the highest levels since January last year.

US oil gained US$1.26, or 2.3 per cent, to US$54.81, after touching a session high of US$55.26, the highest in a year.

The rally began as OPEC production increases were less than expected.

OPEC crude production rose for a seventh month in January but the increase was smaller than expected, a Reuters survey found.

Voluntary cuts of 1 million bpd by OPEC’s de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, are set to be implemented from the beginning of February through March.

Russian output increased in January but is in line with the supply pact, while in Kazakhstan oil volumes fell for the month.

The rally picked up steam as the US Congress looked ready to adopt an economic stimulus package, and as cold US weather boosted heating oil demand.

“You got the U.S. economic stimulus package that no one thought we would get,” said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

A cold snap and heavy snow in the US northeast drove the margin for heating oil to an 8-month high of US$15.88, lending further support to crude.

However, energy giant BP flagged a difficult start to 2021 amid declining product demand, noting that January retail volumes were down about 20 per cent year on year, compared with a decline of 11 per cent in the fourth quarter.

Oil demand is nevertheless expected to recover in 2021, BP said, with global inventories seen returning to their five-year average by the middle of the year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

2 FBI agents shot dead and 3 hurt during Florida raid

Two FBI agents have been killed and three others wounded during a shootout in Florida while serving an arrest warrant, according to the FBI.

The gunfire began around 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) in the city of Sunrise as agents were investigating a child abuse case, US officials say.

The suspect has also been killed. Asked how many bullets were fired, a Police official replied: "Too many to count."

The gunfight took place at an upscale gated community north of Miami.

A statement from the FBI said two of the agents had been transported to the hospital and were in a stable condition. The third injured agent did not require hospitalisation, the FBI said.

According to the Miami Herald, the suspect was barricaded inside a home for several hours before shooting and killing himself. "In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under investigation by the FBI's Inspection Division," the FBI said. "The review process is thorough and objective and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances."

FBI Director Christopher Wray identified the two agents as Dan Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger, who both worked for years to combat child pornography in Florida. "Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Schwartzenberger exemplified heroism today in defence of their country," he said. "The FBI will always honour their ultimate sacrifice and will be forever grateful for their bravery." (Excerpt from BBC News)

19 Around the World

COVID: Poland decides against giving elderly AstraZeneca vaccine

Amid mounting questions over the efficacy of the Oxford UniversityAstraZeneca vaccine on people over 65, Poland has said it will only use the shot on people aged 18-60, the Polish Prime Minister’s top aide said, following a recommendation from the country’s medical council.

“Yesterday evening, the medical council submitted recommendations regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine, on the basis of which it was decided that it will be used in Poland for people between the ages of 18 and 60,” Michal Dworczyk, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s top aide who is in charge of Poland’s vaccination programme, told a news conference.

Also on Tuesday, Sweden’s health agency said it would not recommend the AstraZeneca vaccine for people over 65.

Poland’s decision follows recommendations by medical experts in Germany and Austria that the vaccine should be given only to people aged between 18 and 64.

Spain’s Health Ministry, meanwhile, will decide this week whether or not to give AstraZeneca’s vaccine to elderly people.

For its part, AstraZeneca has dismissed concerns over efficacy but acknowledges that the company has less data than other drugmakers on the elderly because it started vaccinating older people later.

“But we have strong data showing very strong antibody production against the virus in the elderly, similar to what we see in younger people,” AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot recently told Germany’s Die Welt newspaper, referring to blood analysis.

Europe’s medicines regulator approved the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine for use on people over the age of 18 on Friday, but said there were not yet enough results for people aged over 55 to determine how well the vaccine will work. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

People visit a shopping centre which was reopened after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions were eased in

Gdansk, Poland, on February 1, 2021 [Bartosz Banka/Agencja Gazeta via Reuters]

Russian court jails Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, West demands his release

ARussian court jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Tuesday in a ruling which the opposition politician blamed on what he called President Vladimir Putin’s hatred and fear of him.

The Moscow court handed Navalny a three-and-a-halfyear sentence but his lawyer said the anti-corruption blogger would serve only two years and eight months in jail because of time he has already spent under house arrest.

The widely anticipated ruling, which followed nationwide protests calling for Navalny’s release, is likely to further strain relations with the West, which is likely to consider imposing sanctions on Russia over its handling of the case.

The United States, Britain and Germany urged Moscow to immediately free Navalny, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying Washington would coordinate closely with allies to hold Russia accountable.

A Navalny ally had urged the West before the hearing to hit Putin’s inner circle with personal sanctions.

Navalny’s supporters urged people to gather in central Moscow though riot Police had already taken up position. His lawyers said they would appeal the ruling.

Navalny, one of Putin’s most prominent critics, was arrested on Jan 17 for alleged parole violations after returning from Germany where he had been recovering from being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent.

Navalny said Russian state security agents had put the poison in his underpants, something the Kremlin denied. It has suggested that Navalny is a CIA asset, a charge he rejects, and has told the West to stay out of its domestic affairs.

But Navalny, in a fiery speech to the court, alleged he was jailed because of Putin’s concerns about him as a political rival, a suggestion the Kremlin has laughed off, referring to Navalny as a troublesome blogger without wide popular support. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Jeff Bezos to step down as Amazon CEO

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is to step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the e-commerce giant that he started in his garage nearly 30 years ago.

He will become executive chairman, a move he said would give him "time and energy" to focus on his other ventures.

Bezos, the world's richest man, will be replaced by Andy Jassy, who currently leads Amazon's cloud computing business.

The change will take place in the second half of 2021, the company said. "Being the CEO of Amazon is a deep responsibility, and it's consuming. When you have a responsibility like that, it's hard to put attention on anything else," Bezos said in a letter to Amazon staff on Tuesday. "As Exec Chair I will stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives but also have the time and energy I need to focus on the Day 1 Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, Blue Origin, The Washington Post, and my other passions." "I've never had more energy, and this isn't about retiring. I'm super passionate about the impact I think these organisations can have," he added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos

Impeachment: House lays out case against Trump

Donald Trump must be convicted because he is "personally responsible" for the riot at the US Capitol, House Democrats have said.

They detail the former President's "incitement of insurrection against the republic he swore to protect" in a pre-trial brief released Tuesday.

It calls for him to be disqualified from ever running for office again.

Trump's legal team will argue the impeachment article is in "violation" of the US Constitution.

House impeachment managers said the former President's repeated refusal to concede the election to Joe Biden encouraged the riot.

Prior to the armed insurrection, thousands of Trump supporters gathered at a "Save America" rally near the White House and listened to Trump, who urged them to "fight like hell" because "we won [the election] by a landslide".

Trump's "statements turned his 'wild' rally on January 6 into a powder keg waiting to blow", the brief says.

Impeachment managers plan to use Trump's own words and video footage of the riot to say that "the furious crowd" was "primed (and prepared) for violence if he lit a spark". "The evidence is clear. When other attempts to overturn the presidential election failed, former President Trump incited an attack on the Capitol," it reads.

They argue that, although Trump is no longer in office, the Senate has to act because "a President must answer comprehensively for his conduct in office from his first day in office through his last". "This is not a routine corruption charge," they wrote. "Trump has committed an impeachable offense of historic proportions." (Excerpt from BBC News)

ARCHIE

DILBERT

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Be patient with partners. Don’t let your emotions lead to potentially damaging argument. Pay attention, do a good job and choose love over discord. Relationships are more important than your pride.

Talks will be explosive if you aren’t mindful of what others want. Work on projects that you can do by yourself. Focus on creativity, be inventive and keep moving until you finish what you start.

Emotions will rise to the surface. Learn the lessons of the past. Be helpful and take care of unfinished business to avoid problems with institutions. Romance and love are encouraged.

Connect with someone who shares your interests or concerns. Don’t make a financial donation that you cannot afford. You’ll get more in return if you contribute your skills, time or experience.

An unexpected financial change will have emotional implications. Look at every angle, and figure out the best way to make the most of a situation that you cannot alter.

Don’t rely on others to make changes. Do the work yourself, and take the credit for the outcome. Refuse to let a personal matter stand between you and what you are trying to achieve.

Problems at home will develop if you haven’t spent enough time nurturing personal relationships or taking care of domestic matters. Examine your financial situation.

A change heading in your direction will make you feel unsure about life, love and your prospects. Don’t ignore what’s happening. Do your part, and rid yourself of undue stress.

Use your connections to get ahead. Pay off debts and collect money owed. Financial and lifestyle changes will give you a new lease on life. Capitalize on your newfound energy.

Put more energy into your surroundings and domestic relationships. Be attentive, and make personal changes that will make life less stressful for your loved ones. Learn from your mistakes.

Read the fine print before you make a decision. Someone you least expect may try to outsmart you. Be respectful, but speak up if you think you spot a mistake. Keep the peace.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20- Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A change of plans will play out in your favor. Don’t complain about something that may not occur. Keep a low profile, do things your way and be satisfied with the work you do.

Kane Williamson’s New Zealand are now guaranteed a spot in the WTC final

qualify for World Test Championship final

– after Australia-South Africa postponement

Australia’s tour of South Africa has been postponed indefinitely. It is extremely unlikely that the series can be rescheduled in time for the results to count towards the final of the World Test Championship, set to be played in June at Lord’s.

And that means a few fresh tweaks to the scenarios in the run-up to that final.

Does this mean New

Zealand are through?

Yes. Australia, marginally behind New Zealand on the points table at this stage, will not get the opportunity to go past them now. India and England are both in contention, but since they play each other, only one of them can exceed New Zealand’s points percentage of 70. That means New Zealand versus…

Australia, possibly?

Australia are not out of it yet, but they will be ruing the four points they dropped because of a slow over-rate against India in the Boxing Day Test. Had that not happened, Australia would have been level with New Zealand on 70, which would then have brought the runs-per-wicket ratio into play (that is the ratio of the runs scored per wicket lost, and the runs conceded per wicket taken). Australia’s ratio is currently 1.39 while New Zealand’s is 1.28.

This means Australia would have stayed ahead of New Zealand if they hadn’t been docked those four points, and would have been certain of qualification. Now, they will need India and England to help them out: if the two teams share the total points on offer from the series in such a way that their overall percentages drop below Australia’s 69.17, then Australia can still make it to the final. That can happen only if the series is drawn (by any margin), or if England win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, or if India win 1-0.

What do India need to do to qualify?

Both India and England will target Australia’s points percentage - whichever teams tops 69.17 will qualify.

India need 70 points from the four-Test series to go past Australia. That means they need to win by at least a 2-1 margin - that will fetch them 30 points for each of the two wins, and 10 points for one draw; 3-0 or 3-1 or 4-0, of course, works even better.

And England, don’t they have a shot too?

England need 87 points from these four Tests to go past Australia. That means they need to win at least three matches. History is against them there, though - the last time a touring team won three Tests in a series in India was West Indies, in 1983-84. (ESPNCricinfo)

Katie Boulter upsets Coco Gauff in Australian Open warm-up event

Britain’s Katie Boulter belied her world ranking Heather Watson said she was to secure a stunning victory against “not putting a lot of pressure on American teenager Coco Gauff, as the myself” before the Grampians countdown to the Australian Open continues. Trophy, which begins on Wednesday

Ranked down at 371 after a lengthy spell in Melbourne. The world No 58 left out with a back injury suffered in 2019, and hotel quarantine on Friday, and said playing a second WTA event in almost two years, she was “super excited” to begin Boulter defeated Gauff 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the training on actual courts, but was second round of the Gippsland Trophy at taking a considered approach to the Melbourne Park. warm-up tournament.

The 24-year-old, who began her “It’s unusual circumstances, season the day before with a dominant so it will be interesting to see victory against 107th-ranked Anna how my body is tomorrow, Kalinskaya, had to battle hard to but I’m not really putting a lot defeat Gauff, with the No 14 seed of pressure on myself for this double-faulting three times in the next tournament. It’s a unique final game. situation, so I’ve just got to play

Fifth seed Johanna Konta it by ear, play it day by day,” she defeated American Bernarda Pera said. 6-2, 6-3 in 81 minutes in the Bianca Andreescu withdrew second round, with the British from the tournament to focus on No 1 saving three break points the Australian Open, which will be on her way to victory. her first WTA match in more than

The American struggled a year. with her serve throughout, Dan Evans, seeded eighth in and double-faulted six times the Murray Open, will begin his before being broken for campaign in Melbourne in the match point, while Konta second round on Wednesday got into a rhythm early as she Katie Boulter after he received a bye, and continues her recovery from a will face Portugal’s Pedro knee problem. Sousa. (Guardian)

Coco Gauff

Wolves defeat Arsenal 2-1 In Premier League match

– Moutinho makes the difference as nine-man Gunners collapse

Joao Moutinho’s spectacular second-half strike gave Wolves a 2-1 Premier League win that ended the nine-man Gunners’ recent surge in form.

Arsenal headed into Tuesday’s encounter unbeaten in their last seven league games, and looked primed to extend their run to eight. After Bukayo Saka saw an early goal disallowed, Nicolas Pepe gave them a deserved lead, which was erased with the final kick of the first half, as Ruben Neves converted a penalty after David Luiz was sent off.

Wolves were in control thereafter, and made their one-man advantage count through a rasping strike from Moutinho, with Arsenal then reduced to nine after goalkeeper Bernd Leno inexplicably handled outside the area, a largely self-inflicted defeat that left them eight points off the Champions League places, having played a game more than fourth-placed Leicester City.

Saka almost had a hat-trick in the space of the first nine minutes, the teenager lashing against the lefthand post after just 36 seconds from Thomas Partey’s superb long ball, before seeing a close-range effort kept out by Rui Patricio, and an emphatic finish chalked off by VAR due to Alexandre Lacazette straying offside in the build-up.

Maximilian Kilman headed over from a corner, and Nelson Semedo tested Leno from long range, but Wolves were fortunate to receive another let-off when Patricio turned a fierce strike from Pepe against the crossbar.

Wolves did not learn their lesson, however, and Patricio was helpless to deny Pepe in the 32nd minute, as the Ivorian showed determination to win possession in the box and bend the ball into the top-right corner.

But the game turned in first-half stoppage time, David Luiz seeing red after clipping Willian Jose as he bore down on goal, and Neves left Bernd Leno no chance with a superbly struck penalty.

Arsenal brought on Gabriel Magalhaes for Lacazette, to make up for the loss of David Luiz at the back, but there was nothing Gabriel or any Gunners’ player could do to stop Moutinho giving Wolves the lead in stunning fashion.

The Portugal midfielder took aim from well outside the box, and produced a sparkling effort that beat the dive of Leno and flew in off the left post.

But Leno was deserving of criticism in the 72nd minute, when he charged out of the box and knocked a long ball out of play with his hand, his dismissal ending any hope of Arsenal avoiding a damaging loss in their top-four push. (Sportsmax)

Stephanie Taylor

Deandra Dottin

Anisa Mohammed

Cheers to a decade of success! Nothing but the best from these 3

The West Indies Women continue to fly the region’s flag proudly when it comes to international cricket. Three members of the squad were named by the International Cricket Council among the elite performers for the last decade.

Stafanie Taylor, the inspirational leader, was named on both the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I teams of the Decade. Joining Taylor on the lists are: Anisa Mohammed - highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, and Deandra Dottin - the first woman to score two T20I centuries.

All three women have been the superstars of West Indies Women’s cricket for the last decade. Taylor is the highest run-scorer in the history of women’s cricket in the region. She is also the second highest T20I run-scorer, and fifth highest in the ODI format in the history of the sport.

Mohammed is the first cricketer, male or female, to take 100 wickets in T20I, and remains the leading wicket-taker in that format.

Dottin became the first woman to hit 100 sixes in T20Is, and, back in 2010, scored the fastest ton against South Africa in St. Kitts.

The players shared their thoughts on their achievement.

On being selected on the ICC’s Women’s ODI and T20 teams of the Decade, Stafanie Taylor said: “Well, I was elated to be selected on both the ODI and T20I teams. To know that I’m regarded among the best in the world. It’s a really good feeling to know that all the work over the last decade has paid off and is recognised.”

Anisa Mohammed had this to say on being selected on the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Decade: “It’s not every day you get selected for such an award, and to be one of two players from the West Indies to be in the ODI Team of the Decade. I think it’s a tremendous achievement, and I’m extremely happy.”

On being selected to the ICC’s Women’s T20I Team of the Decade, Deandra Dottin said: “I felt really proud of myself. I came from a long way, making my debut in 2008, putting in the hard work, and at the end of 2020, to be selected as a Player of the Decade is definitely showing that the hard work is paying off.”

All three women are currently in Antigua for the first training camp under newly appointed Head Coach, the West Indies legend Courtney Walsh. (Windies Cricket)

Bartomeu denies

CLASSIFIED ADS

leaking Messi’s Barca contract details

Former Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has denied leaking Lionel Messi’s contract details, and says the Argentina captain deserves his eye-watering salary.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Sunday reported that the deal Barca captain Messi signed in 2017 could earn him in excess of €555 million.

The leak of the mercurial forward’s earnings came as it was revealed that Barca’s debts have reportedly risen above €1.1billion, with the coronavirus pandemic having such a huge impact.

With much talk of who might have been responsible for passing on such confidential information, Bartomeu says he had nothing to do with it.

He told Esport3: “It’s a very serious issue, and it’s totally illegal to leak professional contracts.

Bartomeu added: “Speaking on TV and making accusations is easy, but it’s not a joke, and this will end up in court. By the way, Leo deserves what he earns, both for professional and commercial reasons. Without the pandemic, Barcelona could easily pay those figures.”

LaLiga President Javier Tebas also said it is unfair to put Barca’s financial situation down to Messi’s staggering contract, which expires at the end of this season.

He wrote on Twitter: “Barcelona’s delicate financial situation [like those of other big clubs] is not Messi’s fault, but the devastating effect of COVID.

Without the pandemic, the income generated by the best player in history would prop up that expenditure. The sensationalism that surrounds the matter is unfair.” (Sportsmax) LAND FOR SALE

Residential Land for Sale at Eccles Public Road. 0.1205 Acre/5,248 Sq Ft. Price: $150 mil. Negotiable. Serious enquires only. Call – 233-2152

LEARN TO DRIVE

Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek You can also obtain an International Driving Permit covering over 134 Countries.Contact us: 227-3835 / 627-6155. WhatsApp: 619-0106. Join us on FaceBook.

PUPPIES FOR SALE

Mix Breed Puppies For sale Contact : 253-3114/692-0126

TAXI SERVICE

GR Taxi 227-1982, 225-7878

219-5000, 227-2100 Wanted: Contract Cars

Tel: 614-6202

2237230-1

ROUNDUP LeBron’s Lakers take down Hawks, Rockets tie NBA record in 48-point 1st quarter

NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 10799 behind a dominant final quarter from LeBron James.

James posted 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds against the Hawks on the road, having managed only nine points through the first three quarters on Monday.

His Lakers team-mate Anthony Davis scored 25 points of his own in Atlanta, where a small crowd were granted access to attend.

James was involved in a brief verbal confrontation with a female fan during the fourth quarter.

Trae Young (25 points and 16 assists) and Clint Capela (16 points and 13 rebounds) both had double-doubles for the beaten Hawks.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets tied an NBA record after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 136-106.

The Rockets knocked down 11 threepointers in a 48-point opening quarter to match a league record away to the Thunder.

Eric Gordon (25 points) and DeMarcus Cousins (17 points) each finished with five three-pointers, John Wall (18 points) and Danuel House Jr. (13 points) nailed four from beyond the arc, while Victor Oladipo (15 points) made three of his own.

Monk cools Heat

Malik Monk starred off the bench, posting a career-high 36 points as the Charlotte Hornets outlasted the Miami Heat 129-121 in overtime.

De’Aaron Fox had 38 points, including 17 straight Sacramento points during the final seven minutes, to lead the Kings past the New Orleans Pelicans 118-109. It capped a night which saw seven Kentucky players score 20-plus points in the NBA – Fox, Monk, Davis, Keldon Johnson (25), Devin Booker (24), Bam Adebayo (23) and Julius Randle (23). According to Stats Perform, it is the most 20-point games by players from any single college on any single day in NBA history. Nassir Little put up 30 points, but the Portland Trail

Blazers still suffered a 134-106 defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks.

A double-double of 23 points and 18 rebounds from Jarrett Allen inspired the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 100-98 success against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Trent struggles in Milwaukee

Gary Trent Jr. had a tough night for the Trail Blazers. In 29 minutes, he was three of 13 from the field, and made just two of eight three-point attempts for eight points.

Danilo Gallinari did not fare much better for the Hawks. He finished two-of-10 from the field, while draining only two of his five shots from beyond the arc for six points.

Booker calls the game

The Phoenix Suns trailed by two points at the death, but Booker nailed a clutch threepointer with 1 . 5 seconds remaining to stun the Dallas Mavericks 109-108. It was Booker’s fifth career game-winning shot in the final three seconds of a contest.

Monday’s results

Los Angeles Lakers: 107; Atlanta Hawks: 99

Charlotte Hornets: 129; Miami Heat (OT): 121

Cleveland Cavaliers: 100; Minnesota Timberwolves: 98

Chicago Bulls: 110; New York Knicks: 102

Milwaukee Bucks: 134; Portland Trail Blazers: 106

Sacramento Kings: 118;

New Orleans Pelicans: 109

Houston Rockets: 136; Oklahoma City Thunder: 106

Phoenix Suns: 109; Dallas Mavericks: 108

Memphis Grizzlies: 133; San Antonio Spurs: 102

Denver Nuggets-Detroit Pistons (postponed)

Clippers at Nets

In-form Western Conference leaders the Los Angeles Clippers (16-5) put their three-game winning streak on the line against the star-studded Brooklyn Nets (13-9) on Tuesday. (Sportsmax) (Ext 55) NOW!

Swimmers’ return to pool unlikely at the moment

Speaker’s Cup International Softball tourney to be hosted in April

GASA President Dwayne Scott

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) had been hoping that its athletes would be allowed to resume in-pool training, especially in the interest of their preparing to participate in the Olympics and CARIFTA Games, but the likelihood of that happening in the near future is slim to none.

This publication understands that the GASA had been hoping for this development after its athletes had abstained from in-pool activities for almost a year, but the National COVID-19 Task Force has not given the goahead in this regard.

“Well, no; not at the moment,” Dwayne Scott answered when probed by Guyana Times Sport about plans for athletes to get back in the pool.

Scott, President of the GASA, shared that the Association had already consulted the Task Force about its plans, but its request was denied.

“We’ve been asked to consult with the Task Force, who subsequently shared their concerns; and those concerns will allow them to not provide any approvals for the athletes. So, at this point, we have no confirmation,” Scott shared.

Further, he revealed there was not much explanation accompanying the Task Force’s decision. “There’s not adequate information provided by the Task Force on the decision not to proceed,”

The GASA boss stated. “There were no guidelines provided to us by the Task Force as to why we cannot proceed. But what we have provided the Task Force with are conditions that were approved by FEMA and the World Association to allow athletes in aquatic sport to re-enter the training exercise.”

Nonetheless, Scott maintains that GASA understands the Task Force’s position, given the nature of the situation.

He stated, “However, we must respect the Task Force’s decision and the Ministry of Health’s decision in the interest of the health and welfare of the athletes.”

Despite the setback, Scott highlighted, the GASA is committed to working according to the guidelines, which definitely means swimming is on hold for the foreseeable future.

“So, you know, it’s not the most appropriate situation, but we have to comply with whatever guidelines are provided,” he explained.

Belle Vue B to meet All Youths team in final of WBD cricket tournament

– 16 teams set to compete

The Everest Cricket Club Masters, in partnership with Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, will host the Speaker’s Cup International Softball tournament from April 2-4 in Georgetown.

The tournament will feature 16 teams, six based overseas and ten locally based, who will compete in the Masters (over-45) and Legends (over50) categories.

Attractive cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners and runners-up, while the Man of the Match in each game will cop an award, and there will be a cash prize for the Player of the Tournament.

The final will be played at Everest as part of its fund-raising efforts, and all of the established COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

This tournament is expected to be the third since the pandemic with the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup being held in November last year, and the President’s Cup tipped for March of this year.

“Softball is a growing phenomenon in Guyana, and given the current times, we saw it fit, with necessary approval, to host this tournament during the Easter

Weekend. We expect it to be three days of exhilarating action; and, most importantly, everyone will abide by the strict safety rules that will be established”, the Organising Committee has expressed.

The official launch of this tournament would be on Friday, February 5, 2021, from 17:00h at the Everest Cricket Club at Camp Road, where further details will be disclosed to members of the public.

Minister Collin Croal is Matarkai Sports Council Patron

The victorious Belle Vue B

Playing under strict COVID-19 protocols at the Belle Vue Ground, the Bell Vue A Team battled La Grange All Stars, while the Belle Vue B Team battled the All Youths Team in what could be termed some of the most riveting cricket encounters witnessed of late.

In match one, Belle Vue A defeated La Grange All Stars by 7 runs in a nail-biting game. The All Stars won the toss and bowled first. Belle Vue B, with the addition of some players from neighbouring clubs, posted 109 all out from their allotted 18 overs. Skipper Ryan Seecharran led the charge with 31 (1×4) (3×6), and was supported by Imran Khan with 24 (3×6) and Vishal Gannie with 20 (2×6).

Bowling for the All Stars, Robin Singh took 3-22 off his 4 overs, and Satesh Joda took 2-30 off his 4 overs. The All Stars, in reply, posted 1027 in their 18 overs. Top scoring was Naresh Persaud with 29 (3×6), while K. Persaud chipped in with 23 (3×6) and Tyron Carrington contributed 19 (1×6).

Bowling for Belle Vue B, Navendra Persaud (Shane) and Imran Khan returned respective figures of 2-24 and 2-25 off 4 overs. Economic bowling came from Vishan Gannie (Baby) with 1-10 in 3 overs, Ryan Seecharran claimed 1-8 in his 2 overs, and Joel Thomas took 1-12 in his 3 overs.

In the second matchup, All Youths SC won the toss and bowled first. Belle Vue A posted 141-9 in their 20 overs. Top scorers were: Nicholas Rajpat with 26 (2×4) (1×6), Devon Harris with 26 (1×6), and there was a quickfire 22 (3×6) from Safraz Baksh while Randy Ramroop contributed 18 (2×6).

Bowling for All Youths SC, Azeez returned figures of 3-20 off 4 overs. All Youths, in reply, posted 145-8 in their 20 overs. Top scoring were the following players: M. Williams with 24 (1×4) (2×6), Arvin Persaud with 23 (3×6), D. Persaud with 21 (2×6), and Sanjay Persaud with 20 (2×6).

Belle Vue B will be taking on All Youths Sports Club next Saturday @13:30 hrs at the Belle Vue Ground in the finals.

MSC Chairman Miquel Perez

In a simple ceremony held last December, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, was named Patron of the Matarkai Sports Council (MSC), and was presented with a plaque by an elated Council Chairman Miquel Perez even as the Minister, as the new Patron, donated two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) towards the development of sports within the Matarkai SubRegion.

Perez has said he plans to get sports up and running at Matarkai, and have same played in a safe environment in which all COVID-19 protocols are scrupulously observed.

Thus far, under his leadership, the MSC has received 5 gallons of gasoline to assist in the weeding of playgrounds, even as the intention is pursued to activate now dormant plans for future tournaments.