Guyana Times, 27 June 2017

P10

Exxon opens local business centre Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3254

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

PRICE

Amerindian Land CoI

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

“We will not be dragged into the gutter” – NTC official Bartica man beaten to death after observing Ace biker, race car driver each 'threesome' Page 3

$550M cocaine bust

P7 Man “accidentally” shoots wife in stomach

– while clearing firearm

Teacher P7 found next to husband’s corpse commits suicide

Page 11

Page 15

ANSA McAL employee charged with $22M theft P14

granted $5M bail

In wake of mass protests against closure of estates

GuySuCo to meet residents of ‘sugar dependent’ communities

Page 13

Young writers’ programme aims to P11 promote creativity

Picking up the pieces

Page 15

Flooded Canal No 2 farmers request fertiliser assistance

P14 Woman on $300,000 bail for exchanging fake US currency

2 news

TuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt “blatantly” violating Constitution – former AG

By Samuel Sukhnandan

T

he coalition Government is blatantly violating Guyana’s Constitution in many respects, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has said.

Nandlall claimed that these violations were widespread and covered a wide menu of issues which needed to be brought to light, so that people could understand the issues.

The former Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration pointed to several recent examples, including the fact that monies that ought to have been deposited into the Consolidated Fund were not deposited.

Nandlall was referring to Government’s refusal to ensure that monies obtained through the

President David Granger

National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) are transferred into the Consolidated Fund.

Government had argued that NICIL was under no duty to do so and Article 216 of the Constitution did not apply to it, since it spoke specifically to reve-

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

nues raised by the State only.

In highlighting another issue, Nandlall told Guyana Times on Monday that many governmental agencies, Ministers and State agencies were showing a complete and utter disregard for private prop-

Attorney General Basil Williams

erty.

“So, you have the President himself unlawfully revoking and deeming unlawful, null and void, dozens of leases for rice farmers,” he alleged, noting that this too was a violation of the Constitution.

The PPP/C Member

of Parliament said that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) was confiscating core homes given to citizens who held transports and certificate of titles for these properties.

“The Ministry of Housing wants to repossess these properties. As a result, we had to go to court and the court has ruled in favour of these property owners and awarded damages for breach of their constitutional right to private property and the Attorney General (Basil Williams) refuses to pay the damages,” he claimed.

Shifting his attention to another issue which has made the headlines in the past few months, Nandlall cited the AG’s attempt to dismiss the Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh.

Nandlall maintains that the Registrar of Deeds, under the Constitution, is appointed by and subject to dismissal by the Judicial Services Commission, explaining that the AG has no authority over the Registrar’s dismissal.

“When this was pointed out to her (Baksh), she was then slapped with criminal charges which are before the courts. So, when the Constitution prevents the unlawful action from taking place, they (Baksh and others) are slapped with private criminal charges,” he explained.

Further, Nandlall said that the Constitution was being violated again whereby the AG chambers and Legal Affairs Ministry budgeted $100 million for private prosecution, when in fact prosecution is exclusively done on behalf of the State by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“The DPP is being sidelined and the AG is budgeting monies to pay prosecu-

tors when the Constitution says very clearly that the DPP office is independent and financially autonomous. They are free to prepare their own budgets,” he posited.

Nandlall said the President himself was also allegedly in violation of constitutional provisions (161:2) in relation to the selection of a new Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) chairman in many respects.

“First of all, by interpreting it to only require Judges to be appointed as a chairman of GECOM; there is a fit and proper category. Secondly, though they have admitted subsequently that there is this other category, the President and his AG continue to misinterpret the Constitution by according priority over that judge’s category and not giving equal treatment as the Constitution intended for both categories.”

Nandlall said he was deeply concerned about what he described as the rampant constitutional violations which are taking place in the country, which also include discrimination based on people’s race, religion and political preference.

“Persons continue to be dismissed because of their ethnicity or because of their suspected political belief. And the Constitution is very clear; you can’t dismiss a man because of his political belief or you can’t discriminate against a person because of his or her race or religion, but these things happen every day.

People are hired by utilising ethnic considerations, when that is a constitutional wrong. And you have many other constitutional violations taking place,” he stated.

WBD man on $10,000 bail for operating private hire car

Z

ankie Bernard, of Vaux Hall, Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was on Monday released on $10,000 bail by Magistrate Clive Nurse for operating a private hire car.

When the charge was read out to the 36-yearold construction worker, Bernard pleaded not guilty to the allegation that on June 23 at Meer Zorgen Public Road, WBD, he drove motor car PVV 2001 for a purpose other than what it was intended for.

The father of one will make his next court appearance on July 14. Over the past few weeks, a number of drivers operating such cars have been placed before the courts and Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore has warned citizens against the practice. Moore was quoted last week as saying that the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department charged 369 persons thus far who used their cars for a purpose other than which they were licensed for.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 27 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, June 28 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 27 – 06:20h-07:50h and Wednesday, June 28 – 07:05h-08:35h.

Amerindian Land CoI

“We will not be dragged into the gutter” – NTC official

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Winds: Ranging from West South-westerly to Easterly between 1.34 metres and 2.23 metres.

High Tide: 06:43h and 19:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.70 metres and 2.54 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:46h reaching a minimum height of 0.53 metre.

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NTC Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman

O

ne week after a junior Government minister accused Amerindians of being greedy because they have requested security in the lands they have held since time immemorial, an official from the National Toshaos Council (NTC) has said he did not feel inclined to respond.

Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman told Guyana Times on Monday that the inflammatory statement was not the type of discussion the NTC planned on having, because it was childish and was not well thought out.

“We don’t intend on being in the gutters. We will not be dragged into the gutter with anyone. What we intend to do is elevating the discussion to what not only is fair and just but also what history has done to the indigenous peoples,” Shuman said.

Minister Keith Scott had said in the National Assembly that sovereignty now belonged to the State, when responding to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) motion to halt the presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the issues surrounding lands belonging to Amerindians and freed African slaves.

Meanwhile, speak-

ing on the recent meeting held between the NTC, other Amerindian rights groups and President David Granger, the NTC Vice Chair said it was a meeting long overdue.

“The discussions we thought were very constructive in finding a way forward in addressing this issue in relation to the Commission of Inquiry in lands,” he told this publication.

Asked whether the NTC was confident coming out of those recent discussions that things would happen in its favour, Shuman said that that was yet to be realised, but the body remained positive and hopeful.

“We look forward to seeing what more the President could offer,” he added.

Shuman said all parties invited to last Thursday’s meeting listened to the President and his five-point plan. That plan has not yet been revealed by any of the parties.

According to the NTC official, the executive council will meet next week to discuss the issue at greater length with the intention of putting forward a general view to the President.

“We only had one engagement with the President and he has made some commitments and so far we look forward to the NTC position and other Amerindian rights organisations’ position to be respected.”

On June 16, in Parliament, the Opposition was free to press through its motion – a debate weeks in the making – calling for the immediate suspension

of the CoI that was established by the Head of State.

During the course of the debate, which began on Thursday and culminated on Friday evening, Government Speaker to the motion – specifically Minister Scott – rose and told the National Assembly that Amerindians were avaricious in their request for more land.

He was peddling the same line as African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) head and now Presidential Advisor, Eric Phillips, that Amerindians, while being a small population in Guyana, were looking to own 24 per cent of the country, including sub-surface rights.

This position was vehemently argued against by the political Opposition.

Opposition members quickly took umbrage to this position, pointing to the supreme law of Guyana, which says that sovereignty lies in the people of the country and the elected leaders were merely representatives of the people.

The NTC had called for the establishment of two

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott

separate entities to deal with the two different issues, as it voiced its refusal to cooperate with the current lands CoI. The NTC also complained of “severe” lack of consultations on the matter, an assertion which President Granger has denied. The Head of State told reporters that the statement was “inaccurate”. He said, “The proposal to establish a body was announced by me in August last year at the National Toshaos Council meeting.”

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TUESDAY, june 27, 2017

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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

The voiceless poor

T

oday, many poor and powerless victims are seeking recourse to justice; but the courts have silenced their voices, while the rich and powerful perpetrators are allowed every latitude – in the media; in the National Assembly; in the public fora; and yes, in the justice system. The poor and powerless indeed have no voice, because even the so-called advocates for justice support the rich and powerful. Justice, it would appear, is on the auction block, sold to the highest bidder.

Two examples of such pending cases where the ‘voiceless poor’ cries out for justice are those of Deokie Pooran and Sheema Mangar. Pooran was merely 21, on the cusp of her life, with the expectations of life’s promises yet unfulfilled. She was the apple of her parents’ eyes, and the idol of her little sister. She was all things good to many people, including her employers, who described her as a model employee. But to the general society, her life had no value, because she was poor, powerless, and therefore voiceless.

Pooran was killed on 17th September, 2010 by a ruthless truck driver, who had no qualms about simultaneously speeding, overtaking and using his cellphone, all while driving his heavy-duty truck on the railway embankment, despite the latent threat his actions posed to other more vulnerable roadusers.

She was approximately halfway between her home and her place of employment – mere yards away from both locations -but she never again reached her worksite. And her body only once more went home to her family – in a coffin in transit to the cemetery.

She was the only substantial contributor to her impoverished family of four. Pooran was responsible for most of the family’s expenses, because her father was ailing and could only work as an ill-paid watchman; and her mother, Carmen Itwaru, is a housewife. Pooran’s baby sister depended on her for most of her needs and educational accessories.

The truck driver’s wife was a policewoman at the Vigilance Police Station, where the report was made; so the family got from the system the royal runaround to get justice for the loss of their beloved daughter. The Police Force is a microcosm of the wider society, and the Guyanese society has become very lawless. The case was originally scheduled for November 2010, but the truck driver never turned up; and this begs the question of why he was out of prison in the first place. Due to his absence, the case was postponed to 10th February of the following year, or so Pooran’s poor and grieving parents were told. However, when the case was not called up, Pooran’s parents were advised to take their grievance to the Police Complaints Authority, presided over by Justice Cecil Kennard, by whom they were informed that the case had instead been called on the 6th January 2011 and, due to the case jacket not having been found, was further postponed to May of that year.

Pooran was no super-achiever, but she stood out in these times of rude, selfish and disrespectful young people. She was an exemplary daughter to her poor parents, a “humble and good worker” to her employers, and a superb role model to her little sister.

There were many similarities between Pooran and Mangar, also 21. The latter was deliberately run down and murdered by a beast who had stolen her cellphone. Both worked to help themselves and their families, especially younger siblings whom they were helping to educate, and to whom they were exceptional role models. Both girls were disciplined and hardworking, continuing to pursue further studies while earning an income; both girls were taken from their loved ones in brutal ways; and both were servants of the Lord and regularly attended church, even serving as Sunday School teachers.

There were many witnesses to the wanton slaying of both girls, but no-one is willing to come forward. This is a terrible indictment on the Guyanese society.

Mangar’s parents, especially mom Radika Thakoor, are running around like headless chickens, trying to get answers and action so that justice will finally be served and some value be placed by society and the justice system on their daughter’s life.

Pooran’s parents are simple persons who cannot face up to the bullies in society, and who would not know the first step to take to pursue justice for their daughter. But maybe that is the wiser option, because whether by choice or not, they are too poor to receive justice for their silenced daughters; and they are voiceless in their helplessness in a society and a justice (sic!) system that continues to fail the poor and powerless.

Children in gowns and mortarboards run with smiles during their kindergarten graduation ceremony in a kindergarten in Handan, Hebei province, China, June 20, 2017 (China Daily via Reuters)

A complete forensic audit of City Hall’s books needed Dear Editor, There has quite recently been much rumpus about the Government of Guyana renting a five-bedroom house for $500,000 per month for a junior minister, along with covering unlimited VAT, inclusive of electricity consumption.

And one can understand why, as the Government is calling on the citizens to tighten their belts, to conserve and to reuse stationery, etc. But, quite frank-

ly, this opulence pales in comparison to the overindulgence occurring at City Hall.

How could one cry out for paying $500,000 per month for a luxurious mansion in a swanky neighbourhood, when the Council doles out a whopping $82,000 per month, which has now been increased to over $90,000 per month, for a simple plastic portable toilet each?

Should citizens not be

concerned about the first class travel around the world by municipal officials, who are nowhere near ministerial level?

Should they not be concerned about officials having bodyguards as if they are prime ministers or presidents? Static security at their residences; chauffeurs, gardeners, personal assistants and many attendants?

Should citizens not be worried about municipal

officials wasting scarce resources on pointless retreats to grand resorts; hosting pageants, hat shows and expos whilst the ordinary staff members there cannot get their vacation allowances or salaries on time?

When will a complete forensic audit of City Hall’s books be done?

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

Vision of a more efficient Guyana Dear Editor, Media reports on Monday (26/6/17) quoted our President’s “vision of a more efficient Guyana” in the context of procurement spending and greater supervision of projects, etc; and that in his scheduled meeting with Cabinet on the 27th June, he plans to include the permanent secretaries and accounting staff to “discuss the adop-

tion of cost-cutting measures within their spheres of operation”.

This is indeed very commendable, and must be music to the ears of beleaguered taxpayers and the citizenry at large, on whose behalf I thank the President for his welcome initiative, and wish him well for the benefit of all Guyanese.

Additionally, I cannot let this opportunity

slip by, and trust that it is not too late to implore the President, the Cabinet and senior staff in Government to extend their focus beyond “procurement and spending” to include the recruitment, deployment and management of human resources; and, very urgently, ‘systems and modus operandi’, with particular reference to digitisation and all other aspects

of Information Technology (IT), for a leaner, more focused, efficient and motivated Public Service.

I have had the privilege of some inside experience of the service; which informs me, without any doubt, that there is definite room for the latter focus in a big way.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017

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

A few points on SN’s misleading, inaccurate article

Dear Editor, I note your article on Sunday June 25th entitled: “SOCU actively seeking Brassington, Ashni Singh.”

Permit me to make a few points.

If your report is indeed true, I find it strange that the business of SOCU is being discussed with the media, when no effort has been made to contact me. I note that this is not the first time this has happened. Earlier newspaper articles relating to the forensic audits reveal a pattern of collusion between SOCU and certain media (personnel), where matters supposedly under investigation, are divulged to select sections of the media and published in a one-sided manner. You may recall that the final forensic audit reports on NICIL and AHI were serially leaked, weeks before it was released to the NICIL Board of Directors or myself. These media leaks are prejudicial to a fair and impartial process.

Regarding SOCU “actively” seeking me, I find it strange, when over a year ago, on April 14, 2016, the attached letter was dispatched by my attorneys to the Head of SOCU, Lt. Colonel Sydney James, with a copy to the Commissioner of Police (COP), with both offices signing for receipt of the letter. My attorneys letter stated, “…..despite being out of the jurisdiction, Mr. Brassington is available to fully co-operate with any investigations, and provide evidence by affidavit or video conference as is necessary to facilitate any inquiries.

Please contact either myself or counsellor Mark Waldron with any question you may have concerning our client.”

To date, no request has been submitted to my attorneys.

Please also note that further to my letter of resignation in January 2016 to NICIL, the Board of NICIL confirmed acceptance of my resignation, thanked me for my 20 + years of service to NICIL/PU and paid me my remaining benefits.

Since that time, NICIL has sought assistance from me on various matters via email, to which I have assisted by responding as best as I could.

You may additionally recall that in 2015, our team responded paragraph by paragraph to the preliminary forensic audit reports (which are now public). In December 2015, I addressed many issues via a press conference in the boardroom of NICIL. Your newspaper published multiple reports including legal opinions from first class attorneys addressing key legal issues raised in the audit reports. I pointed out that NICIL was audited every year under my watch, and clean audit opinions issued. I recall even attending a shareholders meeting of NICIL in 2015 under the current Government, where the 2013 audited accounts were approved.

Suffice to say, it would be nice if due process was followed on matters of interest to SOCU involving myself. I believe that any questions not already answered in prior audit responses or the various publications issued over the years, can reasonably be responded to.

In conclusion, when SN headline states that SOCU is “… actively seeking Brassington …”, when there has not been a single instance of SOCU doing this per the 14 April 2016 letter from my attorneys, it becomes clear that the SN June 25, 2017 article is misleading and inaccurate or at best, contradictory.

Thank you for publishing this letter.

Winston Brassington

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017

Page

By Shawn Grimes

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tudents are sick and tired of solving madeup problems. It doesn’t matter how you present them – multiple choice, short essay, free response, multiselect – they just want to move on to something else as soon as they can.

As a classroom teacher, I saw this first-hand and, like so many others, sought ways to do things differently. And so it happened that one evening after attending a tech community event, I was sharing my frustrations with friends when I simply asked the question, “What if just we gave youth a real-world problem to solve?”

Together, we imagined a number of ideas that would fit the known realities and constraints of the classroom.

Relatively quickly, we landed on the notion of giving students a taste of the digital job market by building websites for nonprofits. As I worked on the idea, knowing that I didn’t want to wait for curricular approval to include this in school-day instruction, the answer became obvious: after-school clubs. The idea matured into a plan for six club meetings over a number of weeks with a tech mentor, all of which would culminate in a hackathon-style finale on the last weekend. It didn’t take long for me to build on the group brainstorm from that original evening spitball session to having five teams paired up with five tech profession-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation als and a space at a local university with access to a computer cart.

Since that first web-focused SLAM (Student Learning Apprenticeship Model) event, 300 or so youth have participated in

youth have learned through participating in WebSLAM is equally matched by the intrinsic motivation that they bring to the job at hand when sitting across the table from a real person whose real need they are in a position to really serve.

Since that first WebSLAM three and a half years ago, I’ve stepped out

to help you organise your own WebSLAM. Give yourself two to three months’ lead time (six weeks to recruit the youth, educators, tech mentors, and non-profit clients; and another six weeks for young people to meet once weekly leading up to the weekend hackathon). The most important thing? Pick a space that has

get excited about this idea or which people will know someone else who’s willing to become a key volunteer or supporter. The more people with whom you discuss this, and the more that your community understands how young people can be real-world problem solvers, the more excitement and commitment you’ll generate.

When spreading the word and recruiting volunteers, however, be grateful but not desperate for help -- people follow confidence.

3. Fake it until you make it

The first time doing anything is an exercise in exploration. You have to believe that you can get there, make it, deliver, and come back to tell the tale. The goal of running a WebSLAM should not be about perfection but process and empowerment. You will want to make sure that the pieces are in the right places, but don’t let the uncertainties stall the execution. a dozen WebSLAM events in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Columbus, creating more than 60 websites for nonprofits, small businesses, and student projects.

These youth have spent significant time not only learning web development for WordPress, but also working hard to understand their client’s needs, articulate the organisation’s purpose visually and through text, and work collaboratively with others to get the job done in the limited amount of time available. The value of the real-world skills that the

of the classroom and now work to extend even more real-world opportunities to young people through the Digital Harbor Foundation.

It’s an honour to inspire and support educators who want to organise and run their own real-world, civic-hackathon WebSLAMs! Do you want to bring this kind of event to your school or community? Here are a few practical pointers and how-to’s:

reliable Internet and flexible, sufficient seating. We’ve found that tables which can fit small groups work the best. (Traditional student desks are not ideal.)

2. Talk about it. . . with everyone

You never know who will

4. Show your stuff, regardless of completion

The value of showcase presentations cannot be over-emphasised. The experience of succinctly presenting one’s work (no more than five minutes per team) and openly discussing goals, challenges, solutions, and each team member’s role is

critical to the overall impact of a WebSLAM. Celebrate your shortcomings. You should also be sure to document (and share via social media) as much as you possibly can along the way.

5. Under-promise, over-deliver

When working to find your nonprofits or small business partners, it’s best to communicate both the vision and the limitations.

WebSLAMs are generally geared toward organisations that don’t have a website, don’t have the funds for one, or otherwise would not be able to build one. Although it can be easy to do otherwise, properly managing expectations and over-delivering on those is the best way to go.

6. Rinse and repeat

Running only one WebSLAM is like only using a dish or piece of silverware once. Small events are OK, and repeating it again and again will allow for a better experience for everyone involved! There are numerous ways of modifying the structure (including having two or three teams work on creating their own version of a website for one organisation), but the more you work to organise and support it, the better the outcomes for everyone involved. (edutopia.org)

1. Pick a date and commit

It’s amazing what simply picking a date will do (Continued from Monday)

BY LAURA AGADONI

4) You told your child to clean her room and she didn’t Company is coming and your child didn’t clean her room by 17:00h as asked. You clean the room for her, but you tell her that you charge for cleaning, recommends Dr Phelan. Charge her a fee that she must pay from her weekly allowance. Next time she’ll remember to clean her room.

5) Your children are playing ball in the house, which is against your rules Have them do a chore instead – perhaps some weeding outside.

Then they can continue to throw the ball outside after the weeds are pulled. They are expending their energy in a positive way by pulling the weeds.

6) Your child stole candy from a store After you go with your child to return the candy (or to apologize and repay if he’s already eaten it), depending on his age, have him write a paragraph about why stealing is wrong and why he should never steal again. Having to write this essay will make the lesson learned stick. You don’t have to do anything with the essay after you read it together

– you can keep it, or you can let your child keep it. It’s the process of writing it that is important.

7) Your child lied to you about completing homework Instead of trying to catch your child in a lie by perhaps asking her what her teacher thought of her homework assignment, let her know that you found out that she didn’t do her homework. Tell her she needs to go to bed 15 minutes early tonight. That way there is a direct consequence to the negative behaviour (the lying).

8) Your kids are bickering You tell them to play nicely.

If they ignore you and continue to bicker, separate them. They can play with a toy, but they can no longer play together. This alleviates or diffuses the bickering.

9) Your child keeps getting out of bed “Take him back to bed as many times as it takes. Your child will learn that night-time is for sleeping and that you are serious about enforcing bedtime,” says Nocera. Remember to use positive punishment right away and in a matter-of-fact way.

Whatever method you choose should be specific, immediate and make sense for the behaviour, says Dr Stavinoha. (www.care.com)

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teacher found next to husband’s corpse commits suicide

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hree weeks after 28-year-old school teacher Cindy Persaud-Dawson was found lying next to the decomposing body of her 35-yearold miner husband Kevin Dawson in the home they shared at Lot 7 Hugh Ghanie Park, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, this young widow, on Monday morning, was found hanging from a rafter in a bedroom in her father’s home at Charity, on the Essequibo Coast.

Cindy Persaud-Dawson had reportedly become emotionally unstable after her husband’s death, and had returned to her father’s house at Charity River’s Dam, Essequibo Coast, to recuperate from the ordeal of losing her husband.

Guyana Times understands that since the death of her husband Kevin Dawson, Cindy Persaud-Dawson had

In happier times: Kevin Dawson and Cindy Persaud-Dawson

been acting in an abnormal manner, although she had not displayed any suicidal tendencies. She and her husband had reportedly shared a very close bond, and his demise had reportedly been very traumatising for her.

This newspaper understands that Cindy was being treated for the trauma she had experienced, and had undergone psychiatric evaluation by a team from the psychiatric clinic of the

Georgetown Public Hospital, which determined that she was suffering from severe psychiatric trauma.

Relatives promised to take her to the psychiatric clinic for further treatment and counselling, in order to help her cope with the loss, but this never materialised.

Doctors at the clinic feel that the incident could have been prevented if she had sought the necessary treatment.

Based on reports received, the woman was last

Man “accidentally” shoots wife in stomach – while clearing firearm

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housewife of Bougainvillea Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is nursing a single gunshot injury at the Georgetown Public Hospital after her husband’s gun “accidentally” went off. The incident occurred about 02:30h on Monday.

Guyana Times understands that the 50-year-old victim and her 60-year-old husband had just returned from a function and upon en-

tering the house, the woman went to take a shower. As she was done, she went into the bedroom and upon doing so, she heard an explosion followed by a burning sensation in her abdomen.

As she looked closer, she realised that she was bleeding profusely. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was admitted.

Her husband, who is a licensed firearm holder,

told detectives that he was clearing the bullets from his weapon when it accidentally went off.

He only became aware that his wife was shot when she screamed for help. He confirmed that she was shot to her abdomen and without hesitation, he rushed her to the Hospital.

Her condition is regarded as stable. The man is being questioned by Police, and his firearm has been lodged.

seen alive by her brother at about 23:00h on Sunday, when she was looking at television. However, when the young man woke up on Monday morning at about 5:00h and was about to use the washroom, he discovered his sister’s motionless body hanging from the rafter via an electrical extension cord.

The former teacher attached to the Turkeyen Nursery School was described by her colleagues as a very caring individual. Her body was taken the Suddie Hospital mortuary awaiting a post mortem, but the police have since confirmed that there were no visible signs or marks of violence on her body.

Dr Util Thomas, Director of the GPHC Mental Health Unit, told the Guyana Times last week that poor coping skills are the major cause for suicides in Guyana.

Recap

Persaud-Dawson was discovered in an unconscious state on June 5 last, lying next to the corpse of her husband, Kevin Dawson.

She was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she spent some time before being discharged. The post mortem performed on her husband’s man’s body proved that he died from typhoid and malaria.

“You are not learning,” Magistrate tells serial thief – sentences him to 24 months for latest offence

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part-time mining worker and noted serial thief was on Monday sent directly to jail for stealing several items from a house at West Minster, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Appearing before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court, 20-year-old Leon Hinds pleaded guilty to the charge that on June 20, 2017, he broke and entered the dwelling of Nicolas Abrams and stole several items valued $183,000.

Abrams, who does not know Hinds, had secured his home in the morning of Tuesday last and left for work, but when he returned, his entire house was ransacked and several items were missing including five pairs of footwear, clothing, mobile phones, gold, haversacks and food items.

The defendant was nabbed at Parfaite Harmonie, WBD, with a haversack, which included several of the stolen items, which were positively identified by the Virtual Complainant. Before handing down the sentence, the Magistrate remarked that Hinds was no stranger to the court system, noting that he appeared before him at least three times prior to

The walk to incarceration: Leon Hinds will spend the next 24 months in jail

Monday’s arraignment.

“You are not learning. I am surprised you came back before the court,” observed Magistrate Nurse, adding that it was “unfair” for people to work hard, leave home and have other persons steal their possessions.

The Magistrate considered the prevalence of the offence, its seriousness and the fact that Hinds has made several court appearances for similar crimes.

After sentencing the defendant to 24 months, Nurse warned Hinds that should he return to court for a similar offence, he will receive the maximum penalty: five years.

8 news

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Wales gas bottle thief marketed

items for $10,000

Milking…

– sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment

T

wenty-five-year-old Deolachan Ramnarran who was caught red-handed on video stealing three gas bottles from a supermarket late last week was on Monday sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for his crime.

After spending the weekend in Police custody, Ramnarran, a mason, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

The man admitted that between June 22 and June 23, 2017, he stole the items at the People’s Choice Supermarket at Wales, West Bank Demerara which were valued $33,000, property of the establishment’s owner, Jin Lin. On Thursday last, Jin had secured her business place, leaving 11 gas cylinders in a padlocked cage in

the fenced compound. It was on Friday morning that Jin saw that the cage was prised open and the items missing.

She reported the matter and Police ranks reviewed the surveillance footage and the defendant was later identified. Guyana Times understands that the thief had returned to the establishment on Friday night and he was apprehended by community members before he was handed over to Police.

Giving an explanation for executing the theft, Ramnarran indicated that he did remove the articles, but the shop’s guard was in on the whole thing. Ramnarran told Magistrate Nurse that the guard solicited him to purchase a quantity of drugs and to carry out the robbery.

“He told me to go and buy drugs for him, and I go and park my bike and wait 10 minutes. He told me: ‘I want

you to do this thing for me’… so I take out the three gas bottles and he tell me sell it, so I call a big man in town,” the defendant told the court.

The defendant went on to say that he was promised $10,000 by the contact in Georgetown. He, however, claimed that the man only paid him $7000 upfront while the remaining $3000 was to be allegedly paid over to the guard.

“I was influenced by the guard man,” the defendant told the court.

After the Magistrate heard the man’s story, he questioned Ramnarran, asking him if he was an easily-influenced person, but the defendant claimed he did not understand what Nurse was saying to him. Ramnarran, however, pleaded with the court for mercy and explained that his wife was in hospital expecting his child.

Y

Deolachan Ramnarran

Magistrate Nurse indicated that the defendant should use his time in prison to consider what he told the court.

The court took into consideration the fact that the shop owner’s items were not recovered, that Ramnarran sold the articles for $10,000 and that he was previously jailed on a narcotics offence. It was thereafter that the nine-month sentence was imposed.

…the diaspora BS

our Eyewitness can’t get over how this bowtied hustler who was booted out of his last job in academia in the States has been able to get away with his elaborate con that somehow he’ll be able to milk “the diaspora” on behalf of UG. We all know UG is in deep doo-doo, but somebody, somewhere - anywhere - has to show this Eyewitness and the people of Guyana where Ivelaw Griffith has ever administered anything successfully for anybody other than himself.

But, of course, his claim to fame isn’t success, but access! Access to Prezzie, with whom he shares an overweening admiration for the Founder Leader of the PNC going back to his days as a card-carrying member of the YSM -- which sent him off to the USA, but from where he’s only now come back to “do his bit”. But if you examine the “initiatives” of this man, you will find a common thread running through all of them -- burnishing the credentials of one Ivelaw Griffith. Remember the UG magazine, “Renaissance”? That was all about “The Renaissance Man - Griffith”!!

The latest scam is a “Diaspora Engagement Conference”-- to be held at the Princess Hotel from July 24-28 of this year. This, of course, follows his first venture, when he took a 14-member team -- drawn mostly from his “Cabinet” at UG -- to NY to “engage” the diaspora there!

Your Eyewitness isn’t making this up! And their income’s more than the rest of UG’s senior staff combined!! He spent millions flying and living high off the hog!

Well, it’s clear Griffith now feels that if he couldn’t go to the “diaspora,” the diaspora may come to him -with all kinds of governmental access promised! His theme is “Dreaming Diaspora Engagement, Doing Diaspora Engagement”. Well, there’s no question Griffith is dreaming: the grand finale to this Conference ends in the installation of UG’s 10th VC!!! Who’s gonna come for that? His PR machine first said they expected “several hundred” participants, but now hopes for 100!!

This Eyewitness would like to know which faction of “the diaspora” would be coming down? Recently, we were exposed to a real messy catfight in New York, involving some new “diaspora” group -- GUM -- taking on the older one headed by Rickford Burke, with all the scratching, slapping, hair-pulling, and shirt-shredding that’s usual with these things.

Your Eyewitness is betting on GUM getting the nod -since this was the one that received the benediction of the local PNC big-wigs that flew up to NY -- but not of the “diaspora”, which stayed away!!

…which diaspora?

Now, with Griffith “bringing home the diaspora” to help with UG’s and Guyana’s development, you’d think he’s dealing with the GUYANESE diaspora, wouldn’t you?

Well, if you thought that, you just wasted a thought! The man is saying he’ll be able to rope in the CARIBBEAN diaspora, because he’s launching the “Caribbean Diaspora Engagement Centre”!!

What Caricom hasn’t been able to do since 1973 with all the Caribbean governments putting their shoulders to the effort -- unity of purpose for their own development -- Griffith will get them to do for Guyana!! But there’s a method to Griffith’s madness.

The Comrade Leader always hoped for the “Caribbean” to help with balancing the ethnic equation, by opening up TT to “Caribbean citizens”. It worked for Eric Williams’s PNM for fifty years, didn’t it? With us having oil in the offing, it shouldn’t be as difficult as it was in the 1970s, should it?

Watch out for Felix to play a big role after this Conference!

…the identity question

The Conference promised it would deal with “Identify Issues in the Caribbean Diaspora Experience”. Now, when phrased like that, it eliminates our local identity squabble, doesn’t it?

We ALL know what’s the CARIBBEAN identity.

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

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9

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Self-harm initiative to further Modernisation process for Bartica District reduce suicide prevalence Hospital on stream – Mental Health Unit Director

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ental Health Unit Director, Dr Util Richmond-Thomas said that owing to the alarming number of self-harm cases, the decision has been taken to launch “The National Self-Harm Surveillance” project come July.

“If we can get the majority of self-harm and depression cases treated, we can drastically reduce the suicide rate,” the Director was quoted as saying in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Self-harming cases are also known as non-suicidal self-injury. Dr RichmondThomas explained that in Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) alone, 93 selfharm cases have already been recorded for 2017.

Thirty suicide deaths were officially recorded at the West Demerara Regional Hospital for the same pe-

cide rates.

“Self-harm is the strongest indicator of future suicide,” Dr Richmond-Thomas stated. According to the GINA release, she further explained that many persons who commit suicide would have had several incidents of self-harm in their

riod. The National SelfHarm Surveillance project will be launched initially in Regions Two, Three and Six, mainly because those regions have the highest sui-

past. “It means, therefore, that if the self-harm was being treated while it was occurring, it may not have led to suicide.”

The Programme Director,

Mental Health Unit Director, Dr Util Richmond-Thomas

in explaining how the project would work, said all cases of self-harm must be reported to the Mental Health Unit within one week of presentation. Once reported, persons will then have to see a psychiatrist or mhGAP (mental health GAP-IG) doctor. There are over 40 mhGAP doctors locally. Each case will receive psychotherapy by a psychologist and be followed up by a social worker until they are no longer high-risk patients.

The Unit will also be implementing a self-harm screening tool, which is a questionnaire. The questionnaire will aid in the fight against suicide. The pilot screening tool is expected to be rolled out in three major hospitals in Regions Two, Three and Six soon.

“Making sure they (patients) are properly treated will just ensure that they have better quality of life,” Dr Richmond-Thomas added. She said the Unit’s drive to battle suicide was “well on its way”, with the Public Health Ministry rolling out several mental health projects.

“The National Self-Harm Surveillance follows closely on the heels of the mhGAP Intervention Guide programme, which recently saw non-specialised doctors trained with the necessary skills and knowledge to better screen patients and provide diagnostic assessment for persons living with mental health illnesses. This programme seeks to provide efficient care at primary health-care facilities across the nation. This programme is part Guyana’s National Mental Health Action Plan 2015-2020.

R

egion Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) residents in Bartica and the surrounding environs no longer have to travel to the Georgetown Public Hospital for critical treatment as the Bartica Regional Hospital continues to undergo modernisation and expansion.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford said the new hospital’s design was being finalised.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the final drawing will actually facilitate additional space for more patient beds and other services.

Some $3 million will go towards the Bartica Regional Hospital for the expansion of the existing building, along with construction of a number of new structures in the compound.

Bradford explained that “with this project on stream, they will be able to focus on creating community hospitals throughout the Region”.

The Region, he added, is also working on enhancing the Kamarang District Hospital to reduce the number of referrals to Georgetown.

“Right now, the final drawing is in process for the modernisation of the Bartica

Region Seven Gordon Bradford

Chairman

District Hospital which would see an additional operating theatre, expansion of the accident and emergency unit and the training of our healthcare givers in the Region. It’s a big project and we hope that within the next three years, it should be up and running,” Bradford explained.

The Regional Health Services of the Public Health Ministry has recognised the facility as a regional hospital, since most of the requisite and specialist services, including surgeries, are conducted at the facility.

Additionally, the Regional Chairman pointed out that there were other developments within the Region’s health sector. These include the construction of a building in the Hospital compound to house a Computerised Tomography (CT) scan machine, which was donated to the Region.

He highlighted that the tender for that project has already been advertised and should be closed shortly, after which construction would commence.

“Before the year-end, we can have that CT scan machine, which will be a major achievement and boost for the Region. As it stands now, anybody who seeks such services has to go to Georgetown at a tremendous cost, so that [when] it is in the Region, it will be a tremendous boost to us and ease on persons’ financial resources,” Bradford emphasised.

A recent US$17.5 million line of credit was approved by the Indian Government for the modernisation of the Suddie Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and Bartica Regional Hospital.

10 news Exxon opens local business centre tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Country Manager Rod Henson

E

sso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd, an affiliate of ExxonMobil Corporation, announced on Monday the establishment of the Centre for Local Business Development in Georgetown in collaboration with DAI Global, LLC. The Centre will assist small - and medium-sized Guyanese businesses with

building their capacity and improving their competitiveness in a range of sectors that serve the oil and gas and other industries.

“The Centre for Local Business Development is an investment in the people of Guyana and the future of the country. ExxonMobil is proud to assist in the design and implementation of this important resource,” said Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Country Manager Rod Henson. “The Centre will play a key role in furthering the capabilities of local businesses with which we are eager to partner.”

The Centre will focus primarily on developing local vendors that serve key sectors of the oil and gas industry, including areas such as safety equipment, marine operations, offshore supply and civil construction.

It will also provide mentoring, coaching, and access to

financial support.

“Local suppliers are important to the success of ExxonMobil’s operations,” said Henson. “Through the Centre, we hope to strengthen the capabilities of these local companies, as well as improve the competitiveness of Guyana’s industrial base.”

The Centre will be a reliable resource for information on safety, technical standards, procurement

opportunities, and project-specific information.

ExxonMobil, its contractors, the broader oil and gas industry, and the Government will be able to utilise the Centre for sourcing local vendors and services.

Following the Centre’s opening in July, ExxonMobil will work with DAI Global over a three-year period to transition the Centre to Guyanese management.

The seam and seal of PNC-led coalition have been cracked

T

he reassignment -- or moreso the firing -- of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine from his post as Minister of Education to the Ministry of the Presidency has revealed what some of us have known all along: the PNC is determined to have utmost power within the foisted coalition, which started in the months leading up to the 2015 General Election. Partnering with other political parties was a tactical move, since the PNC has never won a general election on its own. Arguably, the formation of the coalition turned out to be a fake political marriage designed largely to oust the PPP from power, without a sound plan or programme for the future, other than purporting a 100 days’ manifesto pamphlet which has now been lampooned into Guyana’s history as the rag of political rags.

The nation is waiting for the regime to answer -- not to fulfill -- at least ten percent of what was said in that manifesto. The nation is witnessing how the PNC Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine broom and branch of Burnham’s paramountcy has stood its ground, and how other political parties in the coalition have danced to its tune and tone. Welcome to the carnival of coalition antics. I was personally confused as to why some within the coalition, so opposed to each other over decades, were suddenly together in bed. I find solace in the thought that some will do strange things to grab power.

The lack of a sound plan on how to move Guyana forward, and a lack of meaningful discussions to reconcile differences among the coalition politicians have haunted this regime to deliver from the first days that it slipped into power. The regime’s primary focus has been to conceal schisms and cracks within itself, to project a positive image of itself through presstitue and propaganda, and to ridicule the opposition. Some columnists and the state media have helped to promote this fallacious and fictitious image with amazing servitude. The consequence is that the opportunity to bring about change in Guyana has sadly been missed by miles, while incompetence has taken centre stage.

The firing of Roopnaraine because of ill-health or otherwise does not surprise me one bit, since the coalition is not a thinking regime. Anyone who has any remote experience with education in Guyana at any level will tell you that the education system has been in dire straits for decades; suffering from skilled migration, inadequate resources, and the mere absence of dedication, determination and application, so needed to transform any educational system. The last place one should look for help is the community college of Guyana, erroneously called the University of Guyana. Roopnaraine is not the source and substance of the litany of problems that have plagued Guyana’s educational system; he is a symptom of it. However, I would like to remind Roopnaraine that silence on his reassignment/firing is not an option. Speak for yourself, sir. The public expects you to speak out and to share what you think happened, at least to those who voted for the WPA. Roopnaraine should at least say something on why the coalition regime chose to dog him on the same day, some 37 years ago, when Dr Walter Rodney was murdered in Guyana, supposedly by the then Forbes Burnham dictatorship.

The move to reassign/fire Roopnaraine seems quite bizarre when considering the following. If he is not well, why would the regime expect him to be well and perform well in another chamber of the Government? May I ask: Is the Ministry of the Presidency, where Roopnaraine will be performing his duties, a political hospice? If Roopnaraine was fired because he has failed, with evidence, to meet mandated expectations, namely to reform the education system, then why in the world would he be replaced

by Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry? Whether Henry’s appointment is interim, intermix or intern, this replacement, with all the prerequisite help, is a major step backwards, since she has proven on many occasions to be glaringly incompetent. Do you remember the seating arrangements for the Golden Jubilee Independence celebration? Do you remember how she conflated and confused Holi and Diwali? I Googled this individual and a blank slate came up. Since when are individuals placed in one of the most necessary and sensitive positions without a convincing CV? She is a decorative decorum intended to please the President while sucking on the taxpayers’ money. She will not deliver. If my children were attending school in Guyana, I would have pulled them out right now and home-schooled them.

The focus on when, who and what should have been consulted before Roopnaraine was fired is a waste of time, since the boat of that argument has left port. What the focus should be on is: why is the regime dishing out unrealistic promises and failing continuously to deliver? Moreover, if the regime’s strategy to solve ineptitude is to reshuffle Ministers, then the entire Cabinet, including the President, should be reshuffled.

Finally, while the seal and seam of the coalition regime have been cracked open, expect much rant and rave about what ought to be done; and above all, expect another Band-Aid approach upon the existing Band-Aid approach to the ongoing crisis in which this nation has found itself. Perhaps the prospects of oil revenues will help to grease the seam and seal of the coalition. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Young writers’ Bartica man beaten to death after programme aims to observing threesome promote creativity A – and revive publishing industry

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eachers, along with students between the ages of 13 and 19, were the target of a Youth Empowerment Programme for Youth Writers aimed at revitalising Guyana’s publishing and writing industry.

The programme is being rolled out by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment in collaboration with the Education Ministry.

Programme Director Alisha Layne said more than 260 students have benefited from the programme.

The schools which participated in the programme included 15 schools from Georgetown, nine from East Coast Demerara, six from East Bank Demerara, and 12 from West Coast Demerara.

Layne noted that the students and teachers were taught the art of writing and producing magazine articles. The response from teachers and, more importantly, the students were positive, especially from students of rural schools, according to Layne.

“The feedback all around have been generally good, so we are proud of the work that we would have done and we really hope that we can actually complete it in the way that we would want it to be completed, so that these students could have an opportunity upon leaving school to have something to do, (which is) geared towards developing themselves, their communities and each other,” Layne explained.

She added, “You have students who are not, I would not want to say very smart but we have those students who academically they do not excel, but artistically they are very, very gifted. There are students who cannot do a math sum to save their life; there are students who cannot understand a simple equation, but if you give them a pen and a piece of paper, they can write a piece of poetry, they can create a masterpiece in English and so this proj-

Programme Director Alisha Layne

ect basically is one that the teachers welcome because they can use it to channel those ability in those students.”

However, Layne noted that they were faced with a number of challenges during the course of the programme. One of the main challenges, according to her, was having teachers and students being released to attend training sessions during school hours.

To address the problem, Layne explained that they were seeking to have the Education Ministry adopt the programme so that it would become a timetabled subject.

Layne explained that “the school term is basically 12 weeks; we can have a successful programme run in eight weeks because the actual contact hours for the training, it takes just about one teaching period and so if we can have it for one period, which is just about 45 minutes of school time; if we can have this done in schools at the individual level for one period per day, maybe two days per week in each school, then at the end of six weeks we would have completed the entire young writers manual, so that gives them two weeks to complete their articles.”

While the current programme targets mainly schools on the coast, the overall aim is to have it in all the schools countrywide, as it is also a programme which is geared at equipping young people with a skill which they can use to create jobs for themselves. The programme was launched in November 2016. (GINA)

n unwelcome viewer of a reported ménage à trois on a beach at Third Avenue Bartica, Essequibo, is now dead after he reportedly refused to refrain from witnessing the sexual act. The dead man has been identified only as “Radika,” and is said to be in his 40s.

Reports reaching this publication indicate that between 04:00h and 05:00h on Monday, the now dead man, accompanied by two males aged 18 and 21 and a 25-year-old female, went to the beach for some enjoyment. A police source disclosed that the young adults were all engaged in “a sexual threesome act” while the deceased was “just viewing.”

While details surrounding the incident remain roughly sketchy, Guyana Times understands that before

the act could reach its climax, a misunderstanding erupted between the young adults and the man, and the three reportedly began to “cuff and kick” “Radika” about his body.

where he succumbed to his injuries at about 10:00h on Monday.

This newspaper was told that the trio did not resist arrest. A post mortem examination is expected to

Quick action by police in Bartica resulted in the three young adults being arrested on Monday morning just after they had beaten the man, who was rushed to the hospital,

be performed on Radica’s body on Wednesday. Police investigations continue.

Miner shot dead

And 40-year-old Orland LaCruz of a Pomeroon

River community was shot dead earlier this month after he allegedly refused to perform fellatio (oral sex) on one of his two drinking buddies.

The murdered miner was reportedly imbibing with the two suspects inside a camp located in the Jack and Vieira Backdam of the North West District when an argument erupted among the men over LaCruz’s alleged refusal to perform the sexual act on one of the suspects.

That individual was at the time armed with a shotgun, which he loaded with a cartridge that was given to him by the second suspect. He then allegedly shot La Cruz to the right side of his neck, resulting in his death.

The alleged perpetrators of this shooting death remain at large.

12 news

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

UK commits to closer ties with Caricom E

ven as the United Kingdom continues to face its fair share of challenging events, it has committed to closer relations with the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

New UK High Commissioner to the Eastern Caribbean and Caricom, Janet Douglas said last Thursday that her country wanted to infuse fresh vigour into its relations with the Region. She was at the time presenting her Letter of Credence to Caricom Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque, at the Caricom Secretariat, Greater Georgetown, Guyana.

In the wake of recent acts of terrorism in the UK, LaRocque placed on record the Community’s unreserved condemnation of orchestrated attacks perpetrated against innocent civilians.

He said: “Caricom joins its voice to that of the international community in condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Such disruptive and vicious acts underscore the need for the international community to deepen cooperation in the battle against terror-

ism.”

LaRocque also extended sincere condolences to the UK for the loss of lives and homes owing to the disastrous fire at Grenfell Tower in West London in the early hours of June 14.

According to the new UK envoy, it was indeed “a sombre and challenging time” for Britain, but hope was inspired by the message of Her Majesty the Queen on her official birthday, when she said, “Put to the test, the United Kingdom has been resolute in the face of adversity”.

That spirit of resolve, she said, is one that was shared with Caricom to promote common values such as respect for human rights, the rule of law, and a determination to protect the fragile environment.

LaRocque stated his appreciation for Britain’s strategic support of issues relating to climate change.

Noting that the Caribbean had been designated as the most natural disaster-prone region in the world, he said most member states bore a heavy debt burden from rebuilding after major climatic events, which were more fre-

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque welcomes UK High Commissioner to the Eastern Caribbean and Caricom, Janet Douglas

quent and more intense.

Against this backdrop, he said Caricom continues to advocate for development partners to revisit their policies on graduating vulnerable countries out of access to concessionary development financing. The use of per capita income as the primary criterion for access, the Secretary General said, was inadequate, adding that vulnerability must be factored in. He further appealed to the UK to include vulnerability of Caricom countries

in reconsidering the eligibility criteria for access to the Infrastructure Fund it has allocated to countries of the region.

The Secretary General also raised the issues regarding the blacklisting of Caricom countries as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, de-risking and the withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships by some international banks.

He urged the UK -- a key player in the Organisation

for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union (EU) – to communicate the positions of global financial authorities which have affirmed the financial integrity of Caricom countries.

Meanwhile, Douglas said that the UK would continue to collaborate with its Caricom partners to combat threats to their collective security, such as narcotic trafficking and other international organised crime.

As her country negoti-

ates its departure from the EU, she assured that it will retain close relationships with European partners.

The new envoy pledged that along with other British High Commissioners in the Region, she would work to manage the implications of Brexit for Caricom, particularly in the areas of trade and development.

Looking forward to the April 2018 Commonwealth Summit, Douglas signalled the UK’s desire to work with Caricom to ensure its success.

“The Summit will provide a platform on which to set a new vision of a strong and effective Commonwealth. It offers the opportunity to re-energise the Commonwealth, so that it better upholds its shared democratic values and delivers greater security and prosperity to its citizens,” Douglas said.

After the accreditation, LaRocque and Douglas further discussed the challenges of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and security, as well as preparations for the Commonwealth Summit and the UKCaribbean Forum in 2018.

Bandit nabbed with gun, stolen items – following Mahaicony robbery

A

Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara resident was on Sunday evening apprehended by Police ranks minutes after he committed armed robbery on a couple at Burma, Mahaicony.

Based on reports received, the victims were relaxing under a benab at a popular fun park at Mahaicony when the lone gunman confronted them, and demanded cash and jewellery while brandishing a handgun.

The suspect relieved the couple of their mobile phones, an undisclosed sum of cash, and other valuables before fleeing the scene.

The traumatised victims made their way to the Mahaicony Police Station and reported the matter. Based on the description given, the Police went to the Recess Public Road where the suspect was arrested and positively identified by the victims.

Upon the suspect’s arrest, he was found to be in possession of an unlicensed 9mm

The 9mm Glock Pistol and matching rounds found on the robbery suspect

Glock Pistol and nine live rounds of ammunition. In addition, the other items were recovered except the cash. A ballistic test is being conducted on the firearm to ascertain if it was used in the commissioning of other crimes.

The suspect is being processed for court.

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

In wake of mass protests against closure of estates

GuySuCo to meet residents of ‘sugar dependent’ communities T

he Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) has announced in a statement issued on Monday that it will be commencing a community outreach programme for residents in ‘sugar dependent’ communities in the villages where estates are located. Meetings will be held at the community centres, the Corporation has said.

The first community meeting will be held at the Wales Community Centre on June 29, and the second will be held at the Uitvlugt Community Centre on July 5, at 4:00 pm. The focus for discussion of these two meetings will be the ‘Uitvlugt Estate Improvement Programme (UEIP)’ and other matters related to GuySuCo. On July 6, another community meeting will be held at the Enmore Community Centre for residents in Enmore and neighbouring communities. The focus for this meeting and those to be held at Blairmont, Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon community centres will be ‘The Role of Communities in Improving Attendance on Estates for the Second Crop 2017’, as well as other GuySuCo-related matters.

“The aim of this outreach programme is to mobilise cane harvesters, planters, cane transport operators (and) their families and communities around the im-

portance of improving attendance at all estates, in order to sustain the industry,” GuySuCo said in the statement.

The objectives of the meetings are to create a greater awareness of the need for employees to turn out to ensure that the canes are harvested within the crop; mobilise the residents around estates to encourage employees to improve attendance; mobilise community leaders and other stakeholders, such as customers,

suppliers, government, private and civil society sectors, around the importance of improving attendance on all estates; create a greater awareness of the importance of the sugar industry and GuySuCo to the development of Guyana; (to examine) the linkages between increased attendance and greater commitment to sustaining the industry; and to build great-

er partnerships and engage more strategically with communities and other partners around estates.

General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine, only recently condemned GuySuCo for what he feels is an attempt to “denigrate” the union’s “unrelenting and principled stance” in defending the rights of thousands of sugar workers.

The sugar workers, their families and other stakeholders have been protesting Government’s move to discontinue operations at several sugar estates, as confirmed in this year’s State Paper on the industry’s future.

GuySuCo’s Senior Communications Officer Audreyanna Thomas last week penned a letter to the editor which noted that the Corporation is seeking those sugar workers who were “misled”. However, GAWU has indicated that Thomas’s letter was just another “public relations stunt” that discredits the union’s defending the many cross-sections of workers who stand to be affected by what the union termed “ill-conceived plans” that GuySuCo has advocated for the sugar industry.

“From the Corporation’s letter, it seems that the Union-organised protests at several estates are getting

under the not-too-thick skin of the Corporation and its handlers. Our most recent activity at Albion attracted an appreciable turnout and demonstrates the disagreement, shared not only by workers and their families, (but by) the wider communities,” the union official stated in a lengthy release issued on Thursday last.

Some 375 Wales workers have been out of employment since GuySuCo closed that estate at the end of 2016.

They contend that they cannot be compelled to travel 22 miles from Wales, West Bank Demerara to Uitvlugt, on the West Coast of Demerara. On that ground they have demanded severance payment, but the Corporation contends that all workers who opted for severance had already been paid. This matter is slated to come up in the High Court.

“GuySuCo says it will demand very soon a ‘higher level’ of service from GAWU. But such a call is best suited to GuySuCo. Our Union, nevertheless, is supportive of all plans which will secure the sugar industry, but at the same time cannot lend a supporting voice to plans which will wreck lives and imperil entire communities, as we have seen playing out at Wales,” Narine has pointedly expressed.

The GAWU General Secretary further highlight-

Cane cutter commits suicide on birthday ‒ in East Canje

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he lifeless body of cane harvester Suresh Singh, also called ‘Black Boy’, was discovered by his brother hanging by an electrical cord at his Workshop Street, Canefield, East Canje Berbice home on Monday morning at about 8:00h.

Singh had occupied the upper flat of the two-storey

According to the dead man’s sister-in-law, 22-year-old Ameena Majid, the late Suresh Singh celebrated his 38th birthday on Sunday last by going out and having “a few beers,” before returning home in the afternoon and going to his apartment in the upper flat of the house.

“He didn’t say (any-

the rest of the night, and we nah hear nothing.”

Majid said that her husband went to the upper flat, at about 8:00h, in an effort to install an antenna on the roof of the building. He saw the door to his brother’s apartment ajar and thought this surprising, so he went into the apartment -- and discovered his brother’s life-

Dead: Suresh Singh

Undertakers removing the body

building where his body was found, while his elder brother lived in the lower flat with his wife and children.

thing) to anybody,” she declared, adding: “He just go upstairs and nah say nothing. We nah see he back for

less body hanging from a rafter by an electrical cord.

Majid disclosed that her brother-in-law had never

spoken of having any issue which may have affected him. “He was always good with everyone; he never tell we his problems,” she explained.

The late Suresh Singh had never been married.

Some residents of the community have revealed that he had expressed how much he had been missing his mother, who passed away a few months ago. (Andrew Carmichael)

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine

ed the uncertainties of the diversification plans the sugar corporation has, plans which Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had announced last year.

Narine went on to explain that, up until now, no worker has been given any land to capitalise on the supposed diversification plans.

He noted that GuySuCo, like a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”, goes on to speak to provision of transportation and medical services to the workers and their families and pensioners.

“Is the company expecting the agriculture workers to join public transportation from their homes at 05:00 am and travel to the cultivation some 5 to 10 miles in

rugged off-road terrain?” he questioned.

Narine also reiterated that, in the main, GAWU strikes are related to price disputes. He noted that sugar workers have encountered two years of no pay increases; were “shortchanged” on API in 2015, and were given no API in 2016; and that there was arbitrary cutting down of workers’ benefits.

“We take serious and utmost umbrage with GuySuCo’s view that the GAWU is engaged in sabotage. This is completely unfounded, and (is) a figment of someone’s imagination.

Moreover, the Corporation also seems to question the wisdom of the workers’ protest actions. But wouldn’t any rational person whose livelihood is threatened take a similar approach? Ms Thomas and her colleagues ensconced in the comforts of GuySuCo hierarchy would sing a different tune had the shoe been on the other foot,” the GAWU General Secretary stressed.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his presentation of the 2017 Budget, had indicated that the status quo at the sugar industry could neither be sustained nor maintained. He had explained that, based on the CoI, it was concluded that any money injected into the sugar industry in its current state was money wasted.

14 news

TUESDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ANSA McAL employee charged with $22M theft – granted $2M bail

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hirty-two-year-old Apollos Manoharlall of Alexander Village Georgetown, an employee of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, was on Monday arraigned in City Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court on five counts of embezzlement that involved more than Gy$22 million.

The first charge alleges that on March 24, 2017, at Georgetown, while employed as a clerk at ANSA McAL, he fraudulently embezzled $6,365,000, cash taken into possession by himself in the name of ANSA McAL Limited, property of ANSA McAL. Another charge alleges that between March 17 and April 7, 2017, he fraudulently embezzled more than Gy$16,476,000, cash taken into possession by himself, property of the said company.

Manoharlall pleaded

Apollos Manoharlall

not guilty to all the charges read to him by the magistrate.

The court heard that the accused was arrested on Wednesday last and released on station bail the following day; but was re-arrested on Friday, and had since been in Police

custody.

Manoharlall’s legal counsel, Attorney-at-law Sase Gunraj, in an application for bail for his client, said the defendant was willing to surrender his passport, thus restricting any possibility or risk of flight. He contended that the Police have thus far taken no statements from the company (ANSA McAL), and disclosed that his client had only last Friday appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce in an unrelated matter, which was promptly dismissed.

Guyana Times understands also that, to date, the accused has not been notified of any termination of service by the plaintiff company.

The accused was placed on a total of $2 million bail, $400,000 for each charge, and is expected to face Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on July 17.

Woman on $300,000 bail for exchanging fake US currency

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fter she raised a defence of mistaken identity, Shavon Davis was released on $300,000 bail subsequent to her pleading not guilty to three counts of alleged fraud.

Magistrate Judy Latchman read the charge that the defendant, with intent to defraud, uttered six US$50 counterfeit notes to Virtual Complainant (VC) Marcia Lowenfield on June 21, 2017 in the Georgetown

Magisterial District.

It is further alleged that Davis, with intent to defraud, obtained G$60,000 cash from the VC under the pretence that the uttered foreign bills were genuine.

Davis was also charged for being in possession of the forged US$50 bills without lawful authorisation.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves, in presenting a synopsis of the incident, stated that on the day in question, the ac-

cused entered a fish shop at Kingston, Georgetown and purchased a GT beer.

Herein, she enquired from the VC if she could change US $900 for her to which the VC responded, saying she could only change US$300.

Following the exchange, it was discovered that the bills were fake and the defendant was arrested after the Police were notified.

Davis is expected back in court on June 21, 2017.

Pork-knocker shot More relief underway for after attacking flood-hit ECD communities Police with chopper T

A

pork-knocker of Half Mile Wismar, Linden was on Sunday shot

by Police ranks after he attacked them with a chopper in a bid to resist arrest at Omai Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Glenn McCardy was shot to the lower abdomen, and was taken to the Mackenzie Public Hospital where he underwent surgery. He was admitted to the medical facility under guard.

Based on information received, the Police ranks were performing duties at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Omai location when they confronted the 27-year-old man after receiving information that he was carrying cannabis in a haversack. The Police

ranks were armed with their service weapons.

However, as the Police approached the pork-knocker, he whipped out a chopper from his haversack and charged towards them.

He reportedly fired several chops, but in retaliation, one of the police ranks drew his service weapon and discharged a round in the direction of the man which struck him in the left side of his lower abdomen.

McCardy was relieved of the chopper, and when Police checked the haversack, a quantity of cannabis was unearthed. The amount was not disclosed to the media.

A probe has since been launched into the incident.

he National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be placing two additional pumps at Buxton to assist in relieving the flooded community and surrounding villages along the East Coast Demerara (ECD.) This was revealed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Frederick Flatts, who explained that, having recognised the urgency to bring relief to flooded communities, the NDIA has arranged for a pump to be brought from another section of the East Coast of Demerara, and another to be brought from Berbice, and both to be made operational at Buxton.

He explained that this intervention, augmented by the six pumps that are currently in place in Buxton and the one each stationed at Lusignan and Annandale, should assist in alleviating the flooding being experienced at Buxton and surrounding communities.

Heavy rainfall compounded by high tide resulted in Buxton and several East Coast Demerara communities being flooded since Thursday. A team of officials, including Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, visited flooded areas on Saturday to assess the situation and to organize relief efforts for the communities. One of the immediate interventions taken by this team has been a decision to move to Ogle one of the three pumps installed at Strathspey, to assist in bringing relief to Ogle and contiguous communities. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder disclosed on Saturday that the NDIA is spending $600 million to execute a long-term drainage solution for the catchment area between Buxton and Strathspey. He explained that the intervention covers the construction of three additional pumps at critically low points along the catchment area, and that NDIA is

Some of the residences in need of more relief

A Buxton resident leaving her home

expecting to have some aspect of the work completed before the next rainy season.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), retired Colonel Chabilall

Ramsarup, has said the CDC is continuing to assess the areas affected in order to commence the distribution of sanitation packages promised on Saturday. (DPI/ GINA)

Shyam Persaud bails water from his home at Ogle, East Coast Demerara

NEWS

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$550M cocaine bust

Picking up the pieces

Ace biker, race car driver Flooded Canal No 2 farmers request fertiliser assistance each granted $5M bail

F

Stephen Vieira

Nazim Gafoor

ce biker Stephen Vieira and race car driver Nazim Gafoor were on Friday last granted bail by acting Chief Justice Roxane George when their lawyers made the petition before her in the High Court.

The men were granted $5 million bail each and were released from the Georgetown Prison on Monday.

Vieira and Gafoor were granted bail owing to special reasons presented to the acting Chief Justice by their Attorneysat-Law, Latchmie Rahamat and Stanley Moore.

Those special reasons posited that no evidence was ever presented to the Court which proves that the defendants were in possession of any drugs.

Documents previously presented to the Court also indicate that Gafoor suffers from epilepsy.

It was also put forward to the acting Chief Justice that the trial would take a long time, since the prosecution has se-

cured 31 statements and the two men are not flight risks.

However, Nazim Gafoor’s father, Tazim Gafoor, remains in the Georgetown Prison along with Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) agent Sherwayne DeAbreu.

The $550 million drug discovery was made when Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks swooped down on a Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo house belonging to wanted man Naraine Lall and unearthed the substance stashed in a shipment of lumber.

The four men were all charged at the Leonora Magistrate’s Courts last month when they appeared before Magistrate Roshelle Liverpool.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that between March 1, 2017 and May 12, 2017, they aided Hakeem Mohamed in trafficking 84.9 kilograms of cocaine at Narine Lall’s Sawmill at Lookout, Parika.

A

armers in Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD) who suffered losses at the hands of heavy rains last week are urging the authorities to provide assistance for them to continue farming.

On Monday, Guyana Times was told that the flood waters are continuing to slowly recede in several sections of the community. Reports indicated that the tractor and workmen with cutlasses continued to conduct clearing of moss and grass in the canal.

However, farmers are still contemplating their next moves to return into the field.

On a visit to the area on Saturday, this newspaper was told of the millions of dollars in losses that the farmers incurred. According to cash crop farmer, Imran Bashk, they were already facing financial challenges from rising production costs and many had called on the agriculture ministry to ensure that farmers in the area get adequate assistance for fertilizers and other chemicals. Bashk noted that farmers in his community would welcome engagement from the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI).

“The Minister of Agriculture need to come out and meet the people; cane, rice and cabbage not planting in [his] office; come here and see what we planting, bring NAREI to see the farmers here,” the cash crop farmer urged.

Earlier this month, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) created a cred-

Farmer Imran Bashk standing in a flooded field on Saturday

it system for farmers to access fertilizer and repay the board at the end of each crop. The cash crop farmers expressed hope for the ministry to implement a similar financial arrangement for them to restart farming.

“If you go IPED, what [will you get]; take $ 200,000 and mortgage your house again,” Bashk questioned.

“Government must come with something, give we seed, fertliser, chemical so we can do something and it’s not me alone, is a hundred like me in Canal here. I begging for that help,” the cash crop farmer further noted.

On Saturday the flooding which was spurred on by intense heavy rainfall over a five-day period caused inundation to homes and farmlands in the area. South Section farmer Dookie (only name) told this newspaper that some 200 of his pear crops which he planted 15 months ago are threatened.

He had also explained that it

was only weeks ago that he invested around $1 million to excavate his drains in preparations for the heavy rainfall but his peppers and pakchoy were all destroyed.

Many of the farmers blamed the local NDC and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for ignoring their numerous complaints and Guyana Times reported that the flooding could have been avoided if the tender board had facilitated the contract being awarded for drainage works in the area.

This publication was informed that previously, a former large scale sugar cane farmer was granted monthly contracts for clearing clogged drains over the years.

However, changes in the tendering process awarded the contract to several contractors instead. It is this backand-forth that many believed was responsible for the flooding. The farmers reported that they have not seen such water levels since the 2005 floods.

Massy extends international Oreo promotion to Guyana

J

ust weeks after Oreo launched its new, globally integrated marketing campaign, a local distributor of the internationally favoured cookie extended the promotion to the Guyanese market.

Massy Distributions has announced that local consumers can now try their hands at winning a

of two global superstars.

With the purchase of Oreo’s newly-introduced cookies & cream or regular Oreo marked Oreo Dunk Challenge, consumers have a chance to journey to one of two destinations to meet singer Christina Aguilera in Los Angeles or football legend Neymar Jr, in Barcelona, Spain. Also

The launch of the Oreo promotion in Guyana

Consumers viewing the Oreo promotion in stores

VIP Dunking Experience for two, including a chance to meet and dunk with one

up for grabs are consolation prizes which include a number of electronic tab-

lets, dinner for 4, gift cards and calling cards.

The goal of the Oreo Dunk Challenge is to inspire fans around the world to dunk Oreo biscuits in milk to reconnect with their inner child.

“The Oreo brand sees the world with childlike wonder and its signature dunk ritual is the purest articulation of that vision,”

said Oreo Global Brand Director Justin Parnell.

“We believe that when you dunk an Oreo biscuit in milk, you’re releasing a bit of childlike wonder from within, and it’s those types of moments that our brand was built on. We’re thrilled to inspire fans to dunk Oreo biscuits on a global scale, thereby inspiring more moments of play and

wonder in the world.”

As such, consumers can now enjoy their favourite snack while gaining the opportunity to win themselves a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Once consumers purchase the specially marked single packet, they can go online to www.oreochallenge.com to register, and then enter the code at the

back of the packet.

Each single pack of Oreo cookies has a different code.

The promotion is open to legal residents in Guyana who must be 18 years and older.

The winner must present their packet with the winning code to claim their prize. This promotion will wrap up on July 31, 2017.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017

Regional

Search continues for Antiguan Police seize almost US$500,000 missing after Colombia in marijuana in weekend drug busts tourist boat accident

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hree operations by the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) netted more than EC$1 million in drugs that it says came from South America and resulted in the arrest of six people – locals and non-nationals – over the weekend.

The successful counter-drug operations took place

between Friday and Saturday as the ONDCP engaged in a “continued effort to rid the nation’s streets of illicit narcotics”.

In the first one, two men – one from St Vincent and the Grenadines and the other from Antigua – were nabbed in the process of transporting 103.25 pounds of marijuana, which had an esti-

mated wholesale value of EC$413,000 (US$152,963).

The second operation netted 34.8 pounds of compressed cannabis and a small quantity of marijuana seedlings carrying an estimated wholesale value of EC$139,200 (US$51,555). A Jamaican man was detained in that operation.

In the third counter-drug

operation, three Antiguan man were detained and a total of 157.8 pounds of compressed cannabis carrying an estimated wholesale value of EC$631, 200 (US$233,778) was seized.

All six men remain in the ONDCP’s custody as investigations continue into the drug seizures. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mother rescued from flood in T&T gives birth Police ride on a boat at the Penol-Guatape reservoir as the search for the people believed to be missing continues after a tourist boat sank on Sunday, in Guatape, Colombia, June 26, 2017

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escue workers searched on Monday for 13 people believed to be missing after a tourist boat sank the previous day in a reservoir in north-central Colombia, killing seven.

The cause of the accident was still unclear, officials said. Use of the Penol-Guatape reservoir, a popular site for water-sports and tours, was restricted as the search continued.

The boat,<<< El Almirante>>>, was carrying about 150 passengers, officials said. Reports of the dead and missing have varied since the accident on Sunday afternoon.

Authorities had initially said more than 170 people were onboard.

"We have seven dead and 13 disappeared," Carlos Ivan Marquez, the head of the national disaster relief agency told Journalists.

Three people previously thought missing have contacted authorities, he added.

Officials initially reported nine people dead and 28 missing, but later said some survivors rescued by private boats were taken to different docks on the reservoir shore and so were not immediately accounted for.

Videos posted on social media showed motorboats coming to the aid of passengers on the upper decks as the boat rocked from side to side. Survivors told local television they heard a loud noise before the boat began to sink.

Officials were interviewing the captain and investigating allegations by some passengers that they did not have life-jackets, Vice Transport Minister Alejandro Maya told Journalists at the scene earlier on Monday.

President Juan Manuel Santos visited rescue crews at the reservoir, about an hour's drive from the city of Medellin, on Sunday night.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico to seek FBI's help on Government spying probe

M

exico's Attorney General said on Monday it will request help from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate accusations the Administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto spied on private citizens.

Activists, human rights lawyers and Journalists in Mexico filed a criminal complaint alleging their smartphones had been infected with spying software sold to the Government to fight criminals and terrorists.

Pena Nieto called the charges "false" and asked the Attorney General's Office to investigate.

"We will ask the FBI for help," said Ricardo Sanchez of Mexico's Attorney General Office, known locally as the PGR. The PGR will ask the alleged targets of the spying to hand over their phones for analysis, said Sanchez.

"All those persons who have formally stated or through the press that their mobile phones have been hacked will be asked to hand in their phones to the investigation in order to carry out a forensic analysis," said Sanchez.

It will also request telecommunications companies to hand over the records of calls of the cellphones that have been allegedly infected by the spyware. Those records are kept on file for two years, according to Mexican law.

Those claiming to be targeted by the software included Carmen Aristegui, a journalist who in 2014 helped reveal that President Enrique Pena Nieto's wife had acquired a house from a major government contractor, as well as Carlos Loret de Mola, a journalist at leading television network Televisa. (Excerpt from Reuters)

M

eet Jael Hope Jackson.

She was born on Friday at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital weighing six pounds, 12 ounces.

Her mother, Karma Jackson, 32, says it was nothing short of a miracle when “angels” came to her rescue in rising floodwater at El Carmen Village, St Helena, on Wednesday after the passage of Tropical Storm Bret.

The simple act of kindness and bravery by strangers who ventured into almost four-foot high water, on board the tray of a flatbed truck, has inspired many in the country that all hope in mankind is not lost.

“I’m doing fine with my bundle of joy,” Jackson said Sunday during a telephone interview from her home. She

Proud parents Karma and Akil Jackson comfort their baby girl Jael Hope at their Constantine Road, El Carmen home

was discharged from the Portof-Spain General Hospital on Saturday.

On Sunday she had a special visitor, Emergency Medical Technician Lindford

Lewis – who without hesitation jumped about the truck to guide her to safety.

She said on Tuesday night she could not sleep. “My head was banging and I was having

difficulty breathing.”

She said she had a scheduled clinic appointment in Port-of-Spain that day as she was 40 weeks pregnant and her due date was on Friday.

When she looked out the window of her two-storey home she saw the streets around her home flooded.

“It is the first time we experienced anything like that.

When I saw the flood I realise I can’t go anywhere,” she said.

“I really have angels... sometimes people are in crisis and no one comes to their assistance. It was a moment, not only was my husband by my side, but strangers were there to save me. Thanks to the truck driver, the men who jumped into the flood water to take me aboard the truck, and everyone else involved. (Excerpt

from Trinidad Guardian)

Bahamas public justifiably horrified by excessive spending – Attorney General

B

ahamas Attorney General Carl Bethel said on Friday there was something “rotten in the state” as he referenced a number of reported cases of alleged misfeasance by the former Christie Administration highlighted during the budget debate in the House of Assembly.

He said that while his office would take a balanced approach when looking at such matters, he noted that Bahamians are “justifiably horrified” by some of the allegations of wastage and are calling for action.

“The budget debate in the House of Assembly… has begun to reveal the excessive

Attorney General Carl Bethel addresses the members of the Senate on Friday

spending that the PLP indulged in,” Bethel said as he

contributed to the 2017/2018 budget debate in the Senate.

“Whether it was no bid contracts issued by unqualified building contractors, or the hastily concocted public-private partnership agreements, cobbled together without the benefit of the professional knowledge and assistance of the quantity surveyors and engineers at the Department of Public Works, who are paid to protect the public purse against this sort of pillage.”

He added: “Contracts (were) issued to contractors, some of whom only formed their contracting companies within days of getting their contracts.

“…Bahamians would have also heard repeated calls to initiate investigations to these apparent or suggested abuses or alleged acts of misfeasance.

“Madam President, this is the situation which now confronts us.

“As Shakespeare so eloquently summarised in the play Hamlet, ‘something is rotten in the state of Denmark’. Something is rotten in this state.

“People feel it. They sense it and the parliamentary debate in the other place has raised questions which might tend to support the public perception and the angst felt by the general public.” (Excerpt from

Caribbean News Now)

Jamaica: Cops warn against travelling with firearm, ammo after 3 foreigners arrested

L

ast week's arrest of three foreigners at the island's international airports has prompted a warning from the Police, who on Monday reminded travellers that firearms were not permitted on aircraft.

“International regulations do not permit citizens to carry firearms on aircraft and in the exceptional cases where persons are allowed, they are governed by strict guidelines,” warned Assistant Commissioner of Police

Assan Thompson, head of the Border Security Branch.

He also noted that packing suitcases was the responsibility of the traveller, who “will be charged for items which breach the Civil Aviation Act and international guidelines”. The Police said the warning comes against the backdrop of the recent number of foreigners, who were arrested while trying to board their flight with either a firearm, ammunition or both.

In first incident, which

took place last Tuesday, an American man was arrested and charged after a firearm, two magazines and several rounds of ammunition were found in his possession at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James. The Police reported that he pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of firearm and ammunition and was fined J$100,000 or 12 months imprisonment on Thursday.

Then on Wednesday, two

other Americans were arrested at the same airport and charged following the seizure of a magazine containing eleven 9 mm rounds of ammunition. However, the following day, charges were dropped against one of the individuals, while the other was fined J$70,000 or 12 months in prison. The third incident occurred on Friday, when a Belizean man was arrested and charged with breaches of the Civil Aviation Act. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

TUESDAY, june 27, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World Trump travel ban injunction partly lifted by top US court U

S President Donald Trump has welcomed a Supreme Court ruling allowing his travel ban to be partly reinstated as a "victory for our national security".

America's highest court also granted a White House request allowing part of its refugee ban to go into effect.

The Justices said they would consider in October whether the President's policy should be upheld or struck down.

Trump seeks to place a 90-day ban on people from six mainly Muslim nations and a 120-day ban on refugees.

The President welcomed the ruling's qualified authorisation to bar visitors from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, which he described as "terror-prone countries".

"As President, I cannot allow people into our coun-

P

The original ban in January provoked mass protests at American airports

try who want to do us harm," he added.

Trump has already said the ban would take effect within 72 hours of court approval.

The Supreme Court said in Monday's decision: "In practical terms, this means that [the executive order]

US to list China among worst human trafficking offenders – sources

T

he United States plans to place China on its global list of worst offenders in human trafficking and forced labour, said a congressional source and a person familiar with the matter, a step that could aggravate tensions with Beijing that have eased under President Donald Trump.

The reprimand of China, Washington’s main rival in the Asia-Pacific region, would come despite Trump’s budding relationship with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and the US President’s efforts to coax Beijing into helping to rein in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has decided to drop

China to “Tier 3”, the lowest grade, putting it alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria among others, said the sources, who have knowledge of the internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The rating is expected to be announced today in an annual report published by the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. A State Department official declined to comment on the report's contents and said the department "does not discuss details of internal deliberations."

Tier 3 rating can trigger sanctions limiting access to US and international aid, but US Presidents frequently waive such action. (Excerpt from Reuters)

may not be enforced against foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.

"All other foreign nationals are subject to the provisions of [the executive order]."

The ruling also said it would permit a 120-day ban on all refugees entering the US to go into effect, allowing the government to bar entry to refugee claimants who do not have any "bona fide relationship" with an American individual or entity. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

U

S President Donald Trump urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do more to relax Indian trade barriers on Monday during talks in which both leaders took great pains to stress the importance of a strong US-Indian relationship.

At a closely watched first meeting between the two, Trump and Modi appeared to be getting along well. Modi pulled in Trump for a bear hug on the stage as the cameras rolled in the Rose Garden.

“I deeply appreciate your strong commitment to the enhancement of our bilateral relations," Modi told Trump. "I am sure that under your leadership a mutually beneficial strategic partnership will gain new strength, new positively, and will reach new

R

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs US President Donald Trump as they give joint statements in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, US, June 26, 2017

heights.”

Trump also was warm, but made clear he sees a need for more balance in the US-India trade relationship in keeping with

of more than 40 years of EU membership, some lawmakers demanded clarity on what the changes meant for EU citizens' family members and spouses from nonEU states.

And a major sticking point, which Brexit Minister David Davis said at the weekend would be the row of the summer, was that Britain would not defer to rulings from the European Court of Justice – an institution the EU says must be involved.

"I want to completely reassure people that under these plans, no EU citizen currently in the UK lawfully will be asked to leave at the point the UK leaves the EU. We want you to stay," May told a rowdy session of Parliament, adding some detail to a proposal made to Brussels on Friday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (right) walks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before their meeting at the State Department in Washington, US, May 10, 2017 (file photo)

Putin and US President Donald Trump have not yet met since Trump took office in January. (Reuters)

his campaign promise to expand American exports and create more jobs at home. Last year, the US trade deficit with India neared US$31 billion.

Trump said he would like a trading relationship that is "fair and reciprocal."

"It is important that barriers be removed to the export of US goods into your markets and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country," he said.

Trump said he was pleased about an Indian airline’s recent order of 100 new American planes and that the United States looked forward to exporting more energy, including major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas.

Modi came to Washington looking to revitalise a relationship that had flagged as Trump looked to build a strong relationship with India's rival, China. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dozens feared dead after abandoned in Niger desert

D agreed to continue contacts, including on their bilateral agenda, the statement said.

Russian President Vladimir

rime Minister Theresa May unveiled details of her plan to protect the rights of European Union (EU) nationals living in Britain on Monday, saying the Government would work to offer them largely the same benefits as British citizens.

An agreement on the post-Brexit rights of EU nationals is one of the easier issues for the two sides to settle, with both Britain and the rest of the bloc wanting to provide assurances to millions of their citizens living abroad.

But the EU's top negotiator Michel Barnier said Britain needed "more ambition, clarity and guarantees" in its position. "EU goal on citizens’ rights: same level of protection as in EU law," he said in a tweet.

Reflecting the complexity of family relationships born

India's Modi urged to do more in trade

Russia's Lavrov, US Secretary of State Tillerson discuss Syrian conflict ussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed by telephone on Monday the need to cement the ceasefire regime in Syria, in particular on the basis of peace talks conducted in the Kazakh capital Astana. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov had urged Tillerson to use his influence to prevent "provocations" against Syrian Government forces in the conflict. Russia is a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Lavrov and Tillerson

May offers to protect benefits of EU citizens living in Britain

ozens of people are feared dead after human traffickers abandoned them in Niger's northern desert without food or water, a senior local official said on Monday.

Fatoumi Boudou, the prefect of Niger's northern region of Bilma, told the AFP news agency that authorities on Sunday rescued 24 people who were part of a group of "70 people who had left in three vehicles from Agadez for

Libya".

Agadez is a remote town in Niger on the edge of the Sahara desert that has become a major people-smuggling point.

The traffickers "abandoned them in the middle of the desert without food or water", Boudou said, adding that those rescued had spoken of several dead bodies without specifying a number.

But the Agadez-based Air Info website, citing a

security source, said scores of bodies had been buried on Sunday by troops and locals.

A local radio station had said 52 dead bodies had been discovered by authorities on Sunday.

The 750-km trip from Agadez to the Libyan border takes between two and three days with only very short petrol and toilet stops on the way. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, june 26, 2017

ARCHIE

Trust your instincts, not what others say or prompt (March 21- you to do. Spend time making April 19) cost-efficient changes at home that will bring you joy. Don’t give in to pressure or dramatic circumstances.

ARIES

Put your emotions aside TAURUS and stay focused on what you (April 20- need to accomplish. Your dilMay 20) igence and attention to detail will make others take notice.

One of your peers will be envious.

dilbert

Look for an opportunity GEMINI (May 21- to try something new. If you June 20) talk to a former co-worker, you will get wind of a position that interests you.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Take the mystery out of what you want to pursue by stepping firmly forward. You won’t know what’s possible unless you try. Take a chance.

Keep looking straight ahead to make it to your destination. Taking on too much or expanding your ideas or plans too quickly will set you back.

What you do will count.

VIRGO (Aug. 23- Don’t be afraid to act. If you Sept. 22) say what you think, your suggestions will be well received.

Personal gains are apparent.

Surround yourself with LIBRA people you trust and know (Sept. 23Oct. 23) well. Refuse to let anyone pressure you into something you don’t want to do. Too much of anything will lead to regret.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Live, learn and enjoy the SCORPIO company of people who share (Oct. 24your passion, opinions and Nov. 22) plans. Engage in open discussions that are geared toward getting the most for the least.

Look around and consider SAGITTARIUS ways to make improvements (Nov. 23- that will help you get ahead Dec. 21) personally, professionally and financially. Unusual changes at home can be expected.

Weigh the pros and cons.

YESTERDAY’S

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Look over your personCAPRICORN al finances and make adjust(Dec. 22- ments that will help prevent Jan. 19) losses or unnecessary overspending. Your input regarding a partnership situation will pay off.

Pursue your dreams. Pick

AQUARIUS up information and expand (Jan. 20- your knowledge, skills and exFeb. 19) perience. Discuss your concerns openly. A partner will encourage you to go the distance and finish what you start.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Expand your interests and PISCES sign up for activities that will (Feb. 20March 20) inspire and challenge you to follow your dreams and develop your skills, talents and knowledge.

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017

Curaçao stun Jamaica to claim Caribbean Cup title

C

uraçao w e r e crowned new

Eastern Caribbean team as he netted twice to hand the heavily favoured Jamaicans an unexpected defeat. Hooi put Curaçao after just 10 minutes had elapsed, beating goalkeeper Andre Blake with

poorly cleared set-piece.

Hooi was once again on hand to profit just two minutes later, arriving in an almost identical position as the first goal, to smash a deep cross past Blake.

Blake takes Jamaica National Trials sprint double W

orld champion Yohan Blake continued to show great signs of resurgence after completing the sprint double at the Jamaica National Trials on Sunday.

Blake controlled the race from start to finish, easing to the line in 19.97 after showing superior speed to pull away from second place Rasheed Dwyer of Srintec who crossed the line in 20.26.

kings of Caribbean football after defeating reigning champions Jamaica 2-1 in the final of the Scotiabank CFU Caribbean Cup at the Stade Pierre Aliker stadium, in Martinique, on Sunday.

Elson Hooi proved to be the hero for the tiny

the help of a deflection.

Rosario Harriott seemed to have given the Jamaicans, who struggled to breach a resolute defense, a lifeline in the 83rd minute when he snuck in at the back post to smash the ball past Curaçao custodian Eloy Room after a

The win marked the first time the Dutch-speaking country were claiming the title.

Despite the loss, however, Jamaica had already qualified for direct entry to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, along with champions Curaçao.

(Sportsmax)

19

2012 Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir also struggled to keep pace, but secured a spot on the team to the London World Championships after finishing third in 20.39. Kenroy Anderson was fourth in 20.40.

The performance seemed further evidence that the athlete, once thought of as the natural successor to world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, is back to his best form following a few frustrating seasons with injury.

On Friday, Blake pow-

ered to his fastest time recorded in five years after claiming the men’s 100m crown in impressive fashion. His winning time of 9.90 was also the second fastest in the world this year, bettered only

by American Christian Coleman’s 9.82.

Blake’s personal bests of 9.69 and 19.28 make him the second fastest ever over both sprint events, but the sprinter has not gone close to the marks since suffering a horrific hamstring tear in 2014. (Sportsmax)

Bolt curious about who will replace him as fastest man

McEnroe urges Agassi to spend more time with Djokovic

A

ndre Agassi and world number four Novak Djokovic need to work together for at least a month if the American’s coaching is to have a long-term impact on the struggling Serb’s game, threetimes Wimbledon champion John McEnroe has said.

Djokovic, who split with his coaching team in a bid to resdiscover his form earlier this year, announced that he would start working with Agassi shortly before the French Open.

The 47-year-old American, however, only stayed in Paris for the opening week, and it is not clear whether he will be in Djokovic’s corner at next month’s Wimbledon.

“It looks great on paper when you bring in Andre Agassi, and it is great for tennis,” McEnroe told the British media.

“He did have this career renaissance so there are reasons why it makes sense, but it is hard to think that it could make sense so fast.

“I can’t see it lasting if he is only coming around for very

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and his coach Andre Agassi attend a training session

brief moments. But if they got a window of a month, obviously it is a totally different situation entirely.”

Djokovic, who has struggled this year and suffered a quarterfinal exit at the French Open, fell out of the top two spots in the world rankings this month for the first time since March 2011.

He continues to work with a spiritual adviser, Pepe Imaz, a Spanish former player. But McEnroe believes that could be draining Djokovic of his killer

instinct.

“From an emotional standpoint, Djokovic perhaps felt he wanted to bring in somebody who wants to give people a lot of hugs,” McEnroe added.

“That does not necessarily translate to killer instinct. It does not automatically lose it. But you don’t want to get into a situation where it is all peace and love, and then you have to go out and stomp on somebody’s head in competition.” (Reuters)

U

sain Bolt is curious as to who will replace him as the world’s fastest man.

He’s confident nobody will know at his last major race, at the world athletics championships in August in London.

Bolt was unperturbed when asked on Monday if he was afraid of losing his last race before retirement.

“My coach always finds a way (for me to win),” he said.

“I’m not worried.”

As for his successor, he was looking forward to the years ahead.

“I’m definitely excited just to see sit and watch and to see who’s going to be the

next Olympic champion in the 100, 200 meters,” he said.

“There’re a lot of young stars coming up. It’s exciting to see who is really going to step up to be a champion.”

Bolt has dominated the sprints for nine years, and won all of the major titles there are to be won. But knowing he’ll be finished racing in less than two months makes everything bittersweet.

He’s competing in his ninth and last Golden Spike on Wednesday, running the 100 meters in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava.

“Every meet will be emotional,” he said. “I know it will be my last time competing. It’s an emotional

season.”

He likes the Golden Spike because it’s a fast track, and the stands are always packed, no matter if it’s rainy or cold.

The only other race he’s scheduled before the worlds is the Diamond League meet in Monaco on July 21. He’s undecided about other races.

He won’t leave athletics after his last race. He intends to remain part of his racing group in Jamaica.

“When it comes to coaching, my coach really pushed me hard to try to get into coaching,” he said.

“Maybe next season I’ll be at the track a lot. I won’t be a coach but I’ll oversee and watch.” (Sportsman)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, june 27, 2017

McGregor will knock out Cavs target George Mayweather inside 35 to challenge seconds, predicts Fury Warriors’

dominance

Conor McGregor Floyd Mayweather Jr

T

yson Fury believes Conor McGregor will stop the 40-year-old American in Las Vegas on August 26.

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury backed Conor McGregor to knock out Floyd Mayweather Jr inside 35 seconds in their blockbuster bout.

UFC star McGregor will

step away from the octagon and into the ring to face unbeaten boxer Mayweather in Las Vegas on August 26.

Mayweather is coming out of retirement in search of a 50th win from as many professional fights and is an overwhelming favourite but Fury believes McGregor will stop the 40-year-old American in emphatic fash-

Law points at bowlers for Windies demise

T

ion.

“I think McGregor will knock him out inside the first 35 seconds like he did to Jose Aldo, to be honest,” Fury told IFL TV. “I think McGregor will do him in one round.

“Come on McGregor!

“It would be good for boxing if McGregor chinned him. It would be great for

he Windies bowlers have been good over the last few months but they weren’t when India faced them at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday, and their coach, Stuart Law is letting them know it.

The Caribbean side crashed to a heavy 105-run defeat in the second One Day International of a fivematch series after rain brought about a no-result in the first.

Making what was considered the right choice to bowl first in a game delayed by rain, the Windies failed to take advantage of the conditions early in the game and India made them pay, racking up 310 for five in 43 overs.

Opener Ajinkya Rahane top scored with 103, while Virat Kohli slammed 87 from 66 balls, and Shikhar Dhawan chipped in with a more-than-useful 63.

“We didn’t bowl anywhere near as well as we could’ve done and that’s probably the first time that’s happened since I’ve been here so you can live with that to a certain extent,” said Law after yesterday’s loss.

“But you’ve got to be better than that with the ball. The way we started, the way we set the tone for our innings wasn’t how we wanted to do it and I think at times our plans didn’t quite work out.”

Despite the one-sided affair, Law is still maintaining that the Windies have enough quality to challenge the Indians.

“They’ve got some of the best players, if not the best players in the world up there so we know that we’ve got to play really well and compete really hard to get anything out of these games but there is no reason why we can’t.

“We pushed Pakistan all the way when they were out here recently.

We beat them chasing down 308 in the first ODI and in the last two we nearly got over the line as well so those performances are in us.

“We’re lacking a little bit of something, a little bit of edge with our bowling and with our batting we are not quite getting off to good starts consistently.”

There was, at the very least, the batting of Shai Hope as a bright point when the Windies batted.

Hope scored 87 before a mis-timed sweep shot proved his undoing.

“Some of our boys haven’t played a lot of international cricket so to get some time in the middle against some quality bowlers is good for their confidence,” said Law. “When we batted I thought Shai Hope played extremely well.”

the real people of the world.”

Much has been made of the cross-combat fight but Fury joked: “I am going to call out Hulk Hogan next.

“We are going to get a fight on - me and the old Hulk.

“Hulk Hogan - I am going to get him out there and we are going to have a big payper-view fight.” (Sportsmax)

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Mandatory Credit: Brian)

F

resh off their NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly trying to bring Paul George over from the Indiana Pacers to add firepower and defense to the Eastern Conference champs.

George, a 27-year-old four-time All-Star, is a highly sought after target in the NBA this offseason and combining him with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving could produce a viable challenger to the dominant Warriors next season.

ESPN reported Monday on a possible three-way deal that would see the Cavs send forward Kevin Love to the Denver Nuggets, the Nuggets send several young players to the Pacers, and George forming a new Big Three in Cleveland with James and Irving.

“This blockbuster trade from the Cavaliers standpoint is all determined by what the Golden State Warriors did in the NBA Finals,” ESPN pundit Chris Haynes said on Monday.

Earlier this month the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in five games to claim their second championship over Cleveland in three years.

“The roster as structured right now, (the Cavs) don’t feel like they have the talent and depth to contend with the Warriors,” he added.

The sticking point in the deal is that the Nuggets are not yet willing to part with either of their two best players - 20-year-old guard Jamal Murray and Serbian big man Nikola Joki? - but an agreement could still be reached, Haynes said.

A team that would suffer if George went to Cleveland is the Los Angeles Lakers, who were hoping to nab George to serve as a leader in their locker room, which is budding with young talent.

George, who can become a free agent after next season, had previously expressed interest in returning to LA, where he is originally from, but may not be quick to change teams again if the Cavs move takes place and proves successful.

“If the Cleveland Cavaliers win a title and dethrone the Warriors, Paul George really has to consider his initial basis of trying to get to LA,” Haynes said.

“This is going to be a nightmare for the Lakers and could change the entire look of free agency next season.”

Whether Cleveland is successful in bringing in George or not, the team will also pursue other big names around the Association this offseason including sharp-shooting forward Carmelo Anthony, who may be freed from his New York Knicks deal.

“If things work out in the Cavaliers favor, they will have the firepower necessary to feel like they can contend with the Golden State Warriors,” Haynes said. (Reuters)

sports

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GuyanaNRA Smallbore Section .22 Precision Shoot

Guinness Greatest of the Streets…

River View are champions of Bartica

21

T

The winning River View Team and Banks DIH officials in Bartica

he Bartica Zone of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football Tournament concluded on Sunday evening at the Community Centre Tarmac with River View being crowned the champion team after defeating Police 1-0 on penalty kicks.

The match ended 2-2 with Garvin Gentle (5th) and Mark Boyce (12th) placing Police ahead but the duo of Stephen Edwards and Anzel Edwards had other idea when they scored in the 13th and 26th respectively.

For the win, River View went home with $400,000 and the championship trophy while Police won $150,000.

River View will advance to represent the mining community in the Nationwide finals billed for next month. This will featuring the top zone teams from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, Linden, Berbice West Demerara/ East Bank Demerara.

In the third-place playoff between Campbellville and Potaro Strikers the former won 2-0 on pen-

alty kicks. Campbellville pocketed $75,000 while the Strikes received $50,000.

Meanwhile in the semi-final fixtures, River View defeated Campbellville 3-2 via double from Romario Lake (23rd and 28th) and an earlier goal by Andel Norton in the 4th; Campbellville goals came off the heels of Marvin Jacobs in the 17th and 19th.

In the other semi-final , Police soared to a 2-0 victory over Potaro Strikers with Roderick Hamilton (24th) and Mark Boyce (26th) being the marksmen.

ontinuing to display of match winning form, veteran marksman Harold “Top Gun” Hopkinson has once again out shot his rivals to claim the top spot in the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Smallbore Section .22 Precision shoot held on Saturday at the Tactical Services Unit Range of the Guyana Police Force.

Hopkinson’s form which allowed him to do well in the just concluded Grenada Gun and Rifle Association's Second Annual six Stage, Level 2 IPSC competition, still held as he amassed 232 points along with two V Bulls to win the senior category.

Taking the second place was Chad Melville who ended with 228 points the same as Dr Johan DaSilva; however, Melville shot 4 V Bulls which meant that Dr DaSilva had to settle for third place.

The senior competitors shot from the 10 and 15m distances while the juniors

Harold “Top Gun” Hopkinson

aimed from the 5, 7 and 10m distances.

The leading junior on the day, the top three competing in their first precision pistol match, was Terry Milling who accumulated 232 points and one V Bull. Second was Michael Tang with 225 points and 5 V Bulls while third place went to Sherwin Solomon who tallied 221 points and 1 V Bull.

This was the third such competition held by the GuyanaNRA Smallbore Section for the year.

GFC ready for Petra/Corona Football challenge

GFC and Pele’s rivalry is expected to be renewed in the Petra/Corona Invitational Football Tournament

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espite being out of competitive football due to relegation from the Elite League, Manager of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Faizal Khan is contending that his side will be a force to contend with when the Petra Organised Corona Football Tournament gets underway on July 7.

“The Elite League was a fantastic development platform for all teams more so for GFC because we had a young team. We had big games against some top teams. We have a strong team now and expect nothing less but being in the top four going into the final leg of the tournament”, Khan stated in an interview with Guyana Times Sport on Monday.

The Invitational

tournament features twelve of Georgetown’s marque teams many of which have gotten stronger in recent years due to various transfers. GFC, one of the oldest clubs in the country, will come against the likes of Pele, Western Tigers and Guyana Police Force FC. Responding to whether the club has the resources to stem the force of the opposition, Khan responded in the affirmative.

“In the words of our Brazilian head coach Fabiano Agripino, We respect everybody but we don’t fear anybody. I have respect for the teams, they have fanatic talents but it is more than just the talent, you have the tactical, social and physiological skills are important”, he stated.

While, the club has seen

exodus of some of their premier players, Khan belives the structure they have created by fostering the development of young players has ensured the current strength of GFC. “We has been playing practice matches to stay active and the difference between us and some of the other clubs is that we have a full team, we have a first team, under 20, under-15, under 17s and under 11, so every afternoon there is one of the teams playing”.

“We are excited. What has been very good about GFC over the last nine months is the loyalty of the players and we plan to repay that loyalty,” Khan added.

Though unconfirmed, the GFC roster would include National Youth players such

as Ralph Paris, Curtez Kellman and Kelsey Benjamin.

Khan further attributed the success to the COPA Airlines and DeSinco Trading, two loyal supporters.

The tournament will be played on a round-robin knock-out phase where there will be two groups of six teams. The top four from the respective group will advance to the knock-out Phase.

The teams are playing for first place prize of one million dollars and championship trophy while second to fourth will pocket $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

The tournament was initially set to kick-off on June 30 but the inclement weather caused the delay, with the tentative date now being July

GFC Manager Faizal Khan

7 and the conclusion scheduled for September 9.

The playing days will primarily be Fridays and Sundays which will see the Georgetown Football Club, Bourda and Tucville Ground being the main playing venues.

The other clubs set to compete are: Campton FC, Santos FC, Beacons FC, Northern Rangers, Riddim Squad, Flamingo FC, Black Pearl and East Ville FC.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, june 27, 2017

Women’s 50-over World Cup…

N

icole Bolton smashed an unbeaten century Monday as Australia humiliated the West Indies Women in their opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Taunton.

Set 205 to win, after they dismissed the West Indies for 204, Bolton (107*) and Beth Mooney (70) put on 171 for the first wicket en-route to 205 for 2 in only 38.1 overs.

Australia crush Windies Women by 8 wickets the back foot.

Hayley Matthews made 46 and Chedean Nation crept to 39 off 73 balls as Australia’s bowlers kept a stranglehold on proceedings.

Deandra Dottin, staged a brief cameo in partnership with Captain Stafanie Taylor

47 runs with Taylor eventually falling for 45.

Ellyse Perry was the best of the Australian bowlers with 3 for 47 off her nine overs.

Jess Jonassen supported with 2 for 39. There were also two wickets for Kristen Beams who conceded 30 runs off her 10

Alyssa Healy exults after Hayley Matthews loses her off stump ©Getty Images

This was a game that the Australians dominated from the moment the West Indies won the toss and chose to bat. Four the West Indies top order got starts but none were able to capitalize as Australia’s bowlers struck with regularity to keep the Caribbean side on

and together they put on 34 runs off 29 balls, but when Dottin got out for 29 off just 20 balls with the score at 157 for 4, it marked the beginning of the end of the West Indies innings.

The Caribbean women lost their last seven wickets for just

Belle, Atherley top field at Bartica Table Tennis tourney

S

t Anthony’s Primary Rhys Belle defeated Eugene Baptiste of the same school in straight sets while Emanuel Atherley produced an identical feat over Tyrese Gomes to win the Bartica Table Tennis Steering Committee organized a Primary and Secondary Schools Novices Table Tennis Tournament respectively.

After a long absence the sport in Bartica, the community centre came alive with intense action.

The tournament attracted over 30 entries including females, with players coming from St John-the-Baptiste primary, St Anthony’s Primary, Two Miles Primary, Holy Name Primary, Agatash Primary and Bartica Secondary.

Teachers and parents turned out in their numbers and gave welcomed support to their children, the steering committee and the development of the sport Trophies and medals were donated by National Sports Commission and Guyana Table Tennis Association.

NSC admin officer Gravy C Harry, was on hand and he urged parents to continue to support the young players as they strive for success in the sport and reiterated the need for sports expansion outside of Georgetown.

This he said this can be

overs.

Taylor said the team simply didn’t play well enough. “The platform from the top order was pretty good but the middle order did not bat well as well as we wanted,” she said. “For the bowlers, we need to stick to the game plan and we have four

games to go. Our batters need to take this as an example to get better.”

When Australia began their chase, Mooney led the scoring early but then Bolton got going hitting boundaries almost at will as the West Indies wilted under the onslaught.

She raced from 45 off 69 balls to 92 off 96 as she sped to her third ODI hundred.

Taylor followed up her 45 with the only two wickets the Windies took for 33 runs off 8.1 overs.

Winning captain, Meg Lanning, praised her team’s dominant performance. “(It was) a very good performance overall. Our bowlers did a great job up front. Very clinical from Bolton and Mooney to take the sting out of the chase,” she said.

“They took some time early and Mooney pushed the accelerator towards the end.”

She issued a warning to their other opponents, saying Australia is focused on winning the championship and will not be lulled into a false sense of security because they are the defending champions.

“We don’t see ourselves as defending champions, we’re just here to win the World Cup like everyone else and the pressure can take care of itself.”

Nicole Bolton negotiated the short ball with ease © Getty Images

SCOREBOARD West Indies Women innings (50 overs maximum) H Matthews b Jonassen 46 F Walters c Villani b Perry 7 C Nation c Blackwell b Beams 39 S Taylor* c Villani b Jonassen 45 D Dottin b Perry 29 M Aguilleira† c Lanning b Schutt 1 S Daley c Blackwell b Beams 6 A Mohammed run out (Lanning/Jonassen) 9 A Fletcher b Perry 3 S Selman not out 3 S Connell run out 1 (Jonassen/†Healy) Extras: (b 2, lb 5, w 8) 15 Total (all out; 47.5 overs) 204 Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Walters, 10.4 ov), 2-86 (Matthews, 23.6 ov), 3-123 (Nation, 32.1 ov), 4-157 (Dottin, 36.6 ov), 5-161 (Aguilleira, 38.2 ov), 6-168 (Daley, 40.1 ov), 7-196 (Mohammed, 45.4 ov), 8-196 (Taylor, 45.5 ov), 9-202 (Fletcher, 46.6 ov), 10-204 (Connell, 47.5 ov)

Bowling: Jonassen 9-0-392 (2w), Schutt 8.5-2-22-1, Perry 9-1-47-3(2w), Beams 10-0-30-2, Gardner 8-0-35-0 (1w), Villani 3-0-24-0 Australia Women innings (target: 205 runs from 50 overs) B Mooney b Taylor 70 N Bolton not out 107 M Lanning* c Matthews b Taylor 12 E Perry not out 5 Extras: (b 4, lb 2, w 5) 11 Total:(2 wickets; 38.1 overs) 205 Did not bat: EJ Villani, AJ Blackwell, AJ Healy†, JL Jonassen, A Gardner, ML Schutt, KM Beams Fall of wickets: 1-171 (Mooney, 30.1 ov), 2-189 (Lanning, 34.1 ov) Bowling: Selman 4-0-19 -0 (2w), Connell 6-1-30-0, Taylor 8.1-0-33-2 (1w), Daley 5-0-27-0, Mohammed 5-0-23-0, Dottin 5-0-25-0 (2w), Matthews 3-0-22-0, Fletcher 2-0-20-0

(Sportsmax)

National Schools Basketball Festival

achieved through schools hence more teachers should be trained in the sport. He also assisted with the presentation of prizes and congratulated the steering committee for a job well done.

Below are the full results of the matches:

Primary Schools boy’s final:

Eugene Baptiste of St Anthony’s Primary beat Rhys Belle of St Anthony’s Primary at 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 (3-0).

Semi Finals:

Baptiste beat Yohance Prowell (3-0) and Belle beat Romain Dower (3-0) Players who reached the quarter finals were: Eugene Baptiste, Rhys Belle, Yohance Prowell, Romain Dower, Reon Hall, Jaswan Seenarine, Simon Phillips and Adrian Bobb.

Primary Schools girl’s final:

Ashley Arthur (Two Miles Primary) beat Kristie Rambharat (St John-the Baptiste Primary) 11-4,11-5,11-7 (3-0)

Secondary School Final:

Emanuel Atherley beat Tyrese Gomes at 11-4,11-7,11-5 (3-0)

Semi Finals:

Atherley beat Keenan Harper (3-0) and Gomes beat Sean Jones (3-2) Players who reached the quarter finals were: Atherley, Gomes, Harper, Jones, Wesley Franklin, Justin Rambharat, Clason Clemenson and Marcus McKenzie

M

Marian Academy, President’s College through to U-19 semis

arian Academy female team brushed aside the St Rose’s High girls 18 to 7 points when action continued in the National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Sunday.

Jada Mohan was the top performer for Marian’s Academy with 13 points and 7 steals while Renuka Ramcharran added 2 points, 6 rebounds.

Kellian Sauers assisted with 2 points, 5 rebounds.

Jamaica Blair fought hard for St Rose’s with matching figures of 4 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals.

In the males U-19 action Plaisance Secondary overwhelmed Tutorial High School 63 to 32.

Andrew Johnson top scored with 19 points while Nigel Bowen recorded 12 points, 13 rebounds and 5 steals. Reuben Reid supported with 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Denzel Logan had 15 points

and Zion Gray 6 points and 10 rebounds for Tutorial.

The Government Technical Institute was too strong for the young Adult Education side, winning 62 to 39.

Shamar Huntly scored 14 points and 7 rebounds, Nickosie Allicock 14 points, 8 rebounds, and Richard Telford 10 points and 14 rebounds for the victorious GTI side.

Terrence Ardain had 15 points, 4 rebounds while Shamar Keiler had 10 points and 9 rebounds for Adult Education.

Marian Academy sealed a place in the U19 semi-finals, with a 59 to 21 points victory over Bishops’ High School.

Timothy Thompson was dominant as he scored 25 points and had 24 rebounds, Jahleel Young chipped in with 14 points, 19 rebounds while Jether Harris and Josiah Daniels added 7 points each for Marian Academy.

Joshua Smith netted 7 points and Andre Somrah’s 6

points and 5 rebounds for the Bishops’ team.

In the final quarter-final game of the night, President’s College and St Rose’s High went down to the wire, with the former edging 55 to 53.

Anthon Fileen had a gamehigh 29 points and 5 steals while Akeem Crandon added 10 points, 8 rebounds and Kennon Roberts 12 rebounds for the victorious PC side.

Anthony Yansen scored 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals while Kwesi Roberts had 10 points and 5 rebounds for St Rose’s.

The Under 19 Semi-finals will see PC taking on Plaisance from 5pm and GTI playing Marian Academy from 6pm on Thursday June 29, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Georgetown/East Coast Regional Finals are set for Friday, June 30th, from 4:30pm.

The tournament is sponsored by Edward B Beharry Group of Companies Ltd and the National Sports Commission.

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tuesDAY, june 27, 2017

AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn absent for Test series

AB De Villiers is taking a break from Test cricket

said Kuhn was in "outstanding form" while "Andile's selection is a continuation of our drive to develop bowling all-rounders for the Test team".

He added: "He [Phehlukwayo] and Chris Morris will fill this role in support of Vernon Philander. At the age of 21, he is certainly one for the future."

Markram will provide batting cover for captain Faf du Plessis, who could miss the first Test at Lord's because his wife is set to give birth in early July.

Dean Elgar will captain the side in a warm-up match against England Lions and, if required, will stand in for Du Plessis in the first Test.

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Duanne Olivier, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.(BBC)

S

outh Africa have named three uncapped players in the squad for the four-match Test series in England, with Dale Steyn and AB De Villiers absent.

Steyn has not recovered from a shoulder injury, while De Villiers is continuing to take a break from Test cricket.

Heino Kuhn, Aiden Markram and Andile Phehlukwayo are the uncapped Test players named in the squad.

All-rounder Wayne Parnell, spinner Dane Piedt and Durham opener Stephen Cook have not been picked.

Kuhn has played seven Twenty20 internationals and replaces Cook after making centuries for South Africa A against Hampshire and England Lions recently.

Seamer Phehlukwayo, 21, was part of South Africa's squad for the recent Champions Trophy and the T20 series defeat by England.

Linda Zondi, Cricket South Africa's selection convener.

Woods not attending his DC-area event

T

he past few seasons because of ongoing back problems, will not perform his usual duties as tournament host at this week's Quicken Loans National as he addresses his use of prescription drugs to manage his back pain.

Woods was not planning to play this week at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Potomac, Maryland, but it was announced he would not be attending the event that benefits the Tiger Wood Foundation.

"As Tiger said, he is receiving ongoing professional help, and because of that, he cannot attend this year's Quicken Loans National," Woods' spokesman Rick Singer said in a statement.

"Tiger will stay in touch with the tournament and receive regular updates during the week."

Woods was arrested on a DUI charge in the early hours of May 29 in Jupiter, Florida, when police found him asleep behind the wheel of his parked car at the side of the road several miles from his home.

After tests revealed no trace of alcohol in his system, Woods said that he had a reaction to prescription drugs he was taking. He later announced on Twitter that he is undergoing treatment to manage his prescription drugs use.

Woods' DUI arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 9. "He's been in just immense pain for so very long that taking prescribed medication was a must just to be able to get up and move," said Mark Steinberg, Woods' agent with Excel Sports Management.

"I don't think it's fair to say there is an addiction."

This week marks the 11th edition of what started out as the AT&T National in 2007 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation. (YahooSports)

23

BABA basketball

Rose Hall defeat Hopetown

Action in the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association tournament

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he Rose Hall Town Jammers defeated Hopetown Stealers 57-45 when the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association 2017 Basketball Tournament continued on Sunday at the Leitch Field Basketball Court. The venue was originally slated to be Hopetown but had to be changed to Leitch field because of inclement weather.

Roy Bourne Murray top scored with 21 points for

Jammers and received excellent support from Mikel Lewis who contributed 15 points while David Hope added 11 points.

The Jammers led 17-11 at the end of the first quarter and 24-20 at the half.

Ruel Edwards and Kelon Webster were the top scorers with 18 and 13 points respectively for Hopetown.

The Ithaca Hardliners will take on Canje Knights next at the Vryman’s Erven Basketball Court in New

Amsterdam as the round robin continues.

Six teams are involved in the competition which is being played on a round- robin format in two zones. Zone A includes Canje Knights, Fryish Black Sharks and Ithaca Hardliners while Zone B comprises of Rose Hall Town Jammers, Hopetown Stealers and N.A Warriors.

Trophy, cash prizes and other incentives are up for grabs.

Sebastian Vettel “disgraced himself” at Azerbaijan GP, says furious Lewis Hamilton

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ewis Hamilton accused Formula One rival Sebastian Vettel of disgracing himself and deliberately driving into his car as a bitter clash between the world championship rivals dominated Sunday’s Grand Prix in Azerbaijan.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won in Baku after a chaotic race which saw Ferrari’s Vettel given a 10-second stop-go penalty when he steered into the back of race leader Hamilton’s Mercedes under safety car conditions after a red-flag stoppage on lap 22.

The four-time champion seemed infuriated with Hamilton after the Briton slowed on the exit of Turn 15.

After the initial collision, the German gesticulated angrily with both hands as he pulled alongside his rival and hit the side of Hamilton’s car.

After his penalty, imposed by the stewards for dangerous driving, Vettel recovered to finish fourth, one place ahead of Hamilton.

The episode left the British driver incensed.

“Deliberately driving into another driver and getting away pretty much scot-free as he still came fourth, I think that’s a disgrace. I think he disgraced himself today,” Hamilton said.

“Imagine all the young kids that are watching Formula 1 today and see that kind of behaviour from a four-time

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is currently in the second place of the F1 drivers’ championship while Sebastian Vettel is leading (Reuters)

world champion. I think that says it all.

“If he wants to prove that he’s a man, I think we should do it out of the car face-toface.

“Driving dangerously, which in any way can put another driver at risk... we were going slow, if we had been going fast it could have been a lot worse.

“It definitely sets a precedent within F1 and it also does for all the young kids that are watching us drive and conduct ourselves.

“They’ve seen today how a four-time champion behaves and I think, hopefully, that doesn’t ripple into the younger categories.”

Vettel fuming Hamilton also denied

the accusation that he had deliberately “brake-tested” his rival, arguing that he was merely “controlling the pace.”

“Like all the other restarts, I slowed down in the same spot,” he said. “He was obviously sleeping and drove into the back of me.”

Vettel was left fuming at the perceived injustice after being the only one of the two title rivals to be punished.

“In the end I don’t agree with the penalty that I got, because if you penalise me then you should penalise us both because that was not the way to do it,” the championship leader was quoted as saying on the F1 website (www.formula1.com).

“I think F1 is for grown-ups.

The manoeuvre before was not necessary and obviously

damaged my front wing. (It) damaged his rear also I think a little.

“That was not the right way to do it, exiting the corner, accelerating and then braking.

I don’t think there was any point in doing that.”

Hamilton began the race on pole and avoided the melee in lap one to establish himself as leader, but his progress was stymied when he ceded his lead after pitting due to a loose head rest.

Vettel’s sanction saw him drop from second to ninth but he recovered to extend his championship lead over Hamilton to 14 points.

Hamilton’s troubles extended his disappointing record in Baku, the 32-yearold matching last year’s fifthplace finish. (HindustanTimes)

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

National Schools Basketball Festival

Marian Academy, President’s College through to U-19 semis Pg 22

Jared Sears of Plaisance goes for a basket

McGregor will knock out Mayweather inside 35 seconds, predicts Fury Pg 20

GuyanaNRA Smallbore Section .22 Precision Shoot

“Top Gun” Hopkinson still the best Pg 21

– Milling cops junior title

The respective senior and junior winners show off their prizes

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