Guyana Times, November 4, 2019.

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Central Bank Govt overdraft widens to over $69B …jumps by almost $4B in 1 month Issue No. 4097

monday, november 4, 2019

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“We have to safeguard against sophisticated crimes” – Ali

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Cutlass-wielding bandits rob P2 Essequibo Coast gas station P8 Chinese supermarket robbed by guntoting bandits

Accused child rapist found dead in Police lock-ups

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P10

Police Force gets 86 new recruits

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Enjoying a day of horse racing: Enthusiastic fans cheer as Chameli outsprints Golden Dancer and TNT to take the win at the Number 36 Village, Berbice racing facility (Brandon Corlette photo) See story on page 22

Farmer hacked to death during drunken brawl Private Sector equal partner with State in developing economy – PSC Chairman

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…businessman calls out President over “handouts” comments

P15 Nabaclis residents fume as ambulance loaned to Diamond Hospital

Guyanese P10 pirates nabbed in Suriname to face immigration charges

2 NEWS

MONday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cutlass-wielding bandits rob Essequibo Coast gas station

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wo men are presently in Police custody, after carrying out a daring robbery on a popular gas station in Lima, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Friday.

According to reports, at about 20:30h on Friday, the bandits entered the gas station and carted off $222,360 from a lone female pump attendant.

Owner of the gas station,

RDC Councillor Hardat “Sham” Narine related to this news entity that two masked men with cutlasses pounced upon the lone female from the northern side of the gas station. It was revealed that while one bandit emptied the drawer with the day’s sale of $222,360, the other held the woman by the neck. The duo made good their escape after taking the cash.

The businessman related that he immediately informed the police at the Anna Regina Police Station, who rushed to the scene to review CCTV footage of the crime. He disclosed that praise must be given to CID Corporal Clay Dhanraj and Sergeant Benjamin of the Anna Regina Police Station for their quick response which led to the arrest of both of the bandits.

After reviewing the CCTV footage, the police went in search of the duo.

It was while conducting the exercise that a group of men was seen liming at the Anna Regina Car Park. The police were able to identify the men by their cloth-

ing and footwear since they were identical to the attire the perpetrators were seen with on the surveillance.

Both of the bandits were positively identified by the female pump attendant, who pointed out that the bandit that was choking her had a tattoo on his hand.

A search was then conducted on both of the men and a quantity of cash was found in their possession.

It was also revealed that a $100 bill that was found on one of the men was positively identified by the pump attendant, who said that earlier in the day she received the money which had a pen marking on it from a customer.

One of the suspects was identified as a 21-yearold man that was recently charged and released on $400,000 bail for a multimillion theft August last.

The duo is also suspected of burglarising and robbing several places on the Essequibo Coast, including Shawn’s Mini Mart, Bacchus Supermarket, Jai Gobind and a cellphone store.

news

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monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, November 4 – 09:30h-11:00h and Tuesday, November 5 – 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, November 4 – 09:50h – 11:20h and Tuesday, November 5 – 11:30h-13:00h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain to thundery showers is expected until the early afternoon hours, followed by sunny intervals. Partly cloudy conditions are expected this evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to East SouthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 09:38h and 21:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.06 metres and 2.09 metres.

Low Tide: 15:28h reaching a minimum height of 1.22 metres.

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Central Bank Govt overdraft widens to over $69B …jumps by almost $4B in 1 month

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he Bank of Guyana’s public deposits, which holds monies for central Government and State-owned enterprises, is wallowing in an overdraft that only gets wider with each passing month, and, in fact, the deficit widened by almost $4 billion from September to now.

In the Central Bank’s statement of assets and liability as of October 23, the bank’s public deposits overdraft was listed at $69.1 billion. Compared to the $65.6 billion overdraft it was at as of September 28, 2019, this shows that over $3.5 billion was drawn down by the Government in little over a month.

Public deposits at Central Bank were plunged into overdraft status back in 2015, when the new co-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

ed that Finance Minister Winston Jordan, when asked about replenishing the fallen foreign reserves, had said there was noth-

The Bank of Guyana

alition Government ended the year with a $2.3 billion overdraft. When the Government took over in May 2015, they had met public deposits of approximately $10.4 billion.

By 2016 year-end, the overdraft had grown to approximately $21.3 billion, after a year of increasing withdrawals. At the end of the 2017 fiscal year, the overdraft had reached 25.7 billion.

In contrast, Bank of Guyana data shows that the bank’s public deposits were in the positive – $21.4 billion to be precise – at the end of 2014. In 2013, the bank’s deposits were $52.1 billion. And the preceding year, the funds were approximately $57.2 billion.

While the drawdown on funds started under the previous Administration, public deposits were built up to over $69 billion in the year 2010. Far from being built up under the current Government, they have never been able to rise above the red.

But with the coming oil revenue and the extra case it brings, Government has not appeared too worried about filling fiscal holes.

It was previously report-

ing to worry about with oil money coming in.

Jordan had said that with the revenue the Government is expecting from first oil next year, the foreign reserves will be replenished. Since he made those comments in September, Exxon and its partners have moved up their oil production schedule to this year-end.

“That is just a temporary situation, given our receipts that come in next year,” Jordan said. “And then subsequent to that. One of the reasons you have savings is that if you have need to use some, you do that and afterwards you replenish it as you pick up again.”

“So essentially, I don’t know that people have to make an alarm over it.

Imports are coming into the country, the exchange rate is relatively there, notwithstanding all the pressure on the regime itself.”

“Despite all of that, we are still there. It would be something of a concern if we didn’t have on the horizon foreign exchange coming to replenish, stabilise and grow [the fund],” Jordan had said.

The Government deposits have not been the only thing heavily used by the Government. According to figures released by the Bank of Guyana, the contingency fund stood at $2.356 billion as of August 28, 2019.

In fact, the contingency fund has been hovering in this region for some time.

But back in 2015, at yearend, the Bank of Guyana, according to its report for that year, held a contingency fund of $5.182 billion.

President David Granger

The previous year, the bank reported that the contingency fund held $4.765 billion and the general reserve fund, $2.879 billion.

In 2013, it was $4.332 billion and $2.448 billion, respectively.

However, by 2016, the fund had dropped to $2.356 billion while the general reserve fund stood at $3.493 billion. The next year, it remained untouched at $2.356 billion while the general reserve ballooned to $5.558 billion. And in 2018, the contingency fund balance remained the same while the general reserve had increased to $5.767 billion.

The contingency fund is meant for emergencies, but its misuse has frequently been highlighted by the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG). The 2015 Auditor General report had exposed instances of the fund being abused under the present Government.

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guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, november 4, 2019

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

Fairness and State media

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aretaker President David Granger’s excuse of “unfairness” in coverage for the Department of Public Information’s withholding of State ads from the Stabroek News raises several questions about the PNC’s position on the State’s role in the media in general and its placement of ads in the State versus the private media in particular. At Independence, Guyana’s media were completely private, but within a decade most were nationalised by the PNC Government while constructing its totalitarian dictatorship. The surviving weekly PPP’s Mirror and three mimeographed newsletters by the WPA and the Catholic Church were harassed continuously by libel suits, intimidation of Journalists, and non-delivery of newsprint.

Authoritarian regimes seek to control the thoughts of the populace by controlling or eliminating the private media to create a vacuum of independent information, which is then filled by the bombardment of the population with the “big lie” through its own media. What is eventually created, even in the minds of doubters, is a sense of omnipotence concerning the dictator and impotence concerning the Opposition. In Guyana, an independent newspaper – the Stabroek News – was permitted by 1986 after the death of Burnham, primarily because it was funded by the US National Endowment for Democracy. The State media was retained and continued to be the mouthpiece for the Government. They were retained by the PPP after the return of democracy in 1992, when there was a fierce debate about the role of a state media.

There are two divergent perspectives on the latter: the “public interest” theory used by the PNC, which insists that governmental ownership is beneficial since it not only highlights the State’s activities but presents information conducive to “nation building”. On the other hand, the “public choice” theory proposes that state control merely churns out propaganda on behalf of the Government of the day and undermines economic and political freedoms by stifling other perspectives. In Guyana, the State-owned Chronicle has been a propaganda organ since its launch in 1976, since unfortunately the PPP after 1992 did not do much to alter its pro-government bias. This has now continued and even intensified under the PNC-led coalition since 2015, when it was placed under the control of the Prime Minister.

In a small, underdeveloped economy such as Guyana, the role of the Government looms very large over the Private Sector and this extends to the private media which depends heavily on the placement of State ads. In 2006, the PPP used this fact to withhold ads to the private Stabroek News, which had been very critical of its activities. The PNC and the other Opposition parties were extremely critical of the PPP Government for its move and the leader of that party recently admitted that the move was not democratic.

It was, therefore, surprising when the Department of Public Information insisted that its severe cutback – and eventual cessation – of placing ads in that newspaper was occasioned not as a punitive measure for its critical stance on government policies but over a dispute on payment terms for the ads when the newspaper said it would not accept new ads until the massive arrears were reduced. This was quite disingenuous since the same cutback was made on the much smaller volume of ads to this newspaper, which had made no such threat, but had been just as critical of governmental policies. There is no question that the Government’s policy is to punish the independent media for their coverage.

And this is why Caretaker President Granger’s “explanation”, which contradicted the DPI’s proffered rationale for its cutback in ads, is most dangerous for a man who was trained in journalism under a US Hubert Humphrey Fellowship. For him to suggest that ad placement was contingent on the “fairness” of the newspapers on their coverage of his government, confirms that he follows the public choice, carrot and stick, position on Government media. Never mind, the stick violates the Inter-American “Declaration of Chapultepec”, which explicitly prohibits such governmental withholding of ads.

Performers participate in the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City (AFP photo)

A scary year for climate change

…scientists’ warnings about climate change have intensified over the past 12 months. Will world leaders finally listen?

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ne year ago, the international scientific community could hardly have expected that Greta Thunberg, a teenager from Sweden, would become one of its greatest allies. Since beginning her weekly “School Strike for the Climate”, the petite 16-year-old has skilfully used her public appearances and powerful social media presence to push for bolder global action to reduce carbon emissions.

“Again and again, the same message,” she tweeted recently. “Listen to the scientists, listen to the scientists.

Listen to the scientists!”

Well, what are the scientists saying? The answer, of course, is that they have been warning about severe global impacts from climate change for more than three decades.

But over the past 12 months those warnings have intensified. Reports detailing the massive environmental, economic, and human consequences of unfettered global warming have come at a fast and furious pace. And, collectively, they are far scarier than the sum of their parts.

The deluge began last October, with the release of a special report from the United Nations’ global climate science authority, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), on the potential impacts of a rise in global temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius or more.

Three international IPCC working groups with 91 authors and editors from 40 countries examined 6000-plus scientific studies and called for “global carbon dioxide emissions (to) start to decline well before 2030” to avoid the most severe consequences of global warming. It said “global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate”.

The release of the report provided a “breakthrough” moment in public consciousness and press coverage, with

countless soundbites, headlines, and images warning of a “12-year” deadline to head off “climate change catastrophe”. The “12-year” catchphrase was even more alarming than the IPCC’s already strong admonitions. The planet won’t implode in 2030, but further delays in major global actions will make it increasingly difficult to move to a low-carbon world.

In November, the United States’ Fourth National Climate Assessment, produced by Government and outside experts, reinforced the gloom-and-doom message of the October IPCC report.

“Climate change creates new risks and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in communities across the United States, presenting growing challenges to human health and safety, quality of life, and the rate of economic growth,” it warned.

The Trump Administration’s attempt to minimise media coverage of America’s climate report card by releasing it on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, backfired: The congressionally mandated report got double coverage as both an environmental and a political story.

The dire news didn’t abate as 2018 drew to a close. A December report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that emissions from fossil fuel-powered electricity, transportation, and other sources are “a major contributor to health-damaging air pollution, which every year kills over seven million people”. It called extreme weather events linked to human-caused climate change “a clear and present danger to health security” and concluded the health benefits of addressing climate change “far outweigh the costs of meeting climate change goals.”

Just as the disastrous future impacts of climate change were coming into clearer focus, we also received sobering news about the present. Last December, the Global Carbon Project projected that carbon

dioxide emissions worldwide reached an all-time high in 2018, up more than two per cent after three years of almost no growth.

Alarm bells about climate change impacts in the Arctic sounded throughout the year.

In April, a NASA-funded study of the Greenland ice sheet, published online on Earth Day, found the mass loss of ice discharged into the ocean from glaciers on the world’s largest island had increased six-fold since the 1980s. Meanwhile, sea level had risen nearly 14 millimeters since 1972, with half of that in the last eight years.

(Later, a severe mid-summer Arctic heat wave contributed to historic melting of the Greenland ice sheet, with 12.5 billion tons of ice melting into the ocean on a single day – the “biggest single-day volume loss on record,” according to the Washington Post).

A little-publicized Stanford University study, also released on Earth Day, found that global warming from fossil fuel use “very likely exacerbated global economic inequality” over the past 50 years. The study’s authors found that warming has likely enhanced economic growth in cooler, wealthier countries while dampening economic growth in hotter, poorer countries.

In May, a landmark UN biodiversity report provided another stark statistic: One million animal and plant species on Earth are threatened with extinction, and rates of extinction are “accelerating.”

The report gave a devastating assessment of how climate change and global economic development over the past 50 years have impacted nature and threatened the health of ecosystems important to humans and all other species.

In August, on the heels of record-breaking global heat waves, from South Korea to northern Norway, another major IPCC special report called attention to land-related climate change threats. It

found that “climate change, including increases in frequency and intensity of extremes, has adversely impacted food security and terrestrial ecosystems as well as contributed to desertification and land degradation in many regions” of the world. The report recommended sustainable land development and adaptation practices to combat further destruction.

The highly anticipated September 23rd UN Climate Action Summit in New York brought additional climate reports. On September 22, the UN Summit’s Science Advisory Group released United in Science, an ambitious synthesis connecting the dots between “the very latest authoritative” science and “concrete actions” to “halt the worst effects of climate change.” The IPCC released a post-summit blockbuster report outlining profound changes underway in the Earth’s oceans and frozen regions, including glaciers and ice sheets. The report concluded that warming oceans, melting ice, and rising sea levels are already affecting everything from coral reefs to the nearly 10 percent of the global population living in low-lying coastal areas — and negative impacts will greatly worsen in the future.

So, where does this leave us? I’d argue that, more than anything, we’re left with a heightened sense of urgency, as well as uncertainty, about immediate and forthcoming climate dangers. For many years, coverage of climate science reports had an implicit future tense, as in, “It’s a problem for your grandchildren.” Alas, the future came faster than science had predicted, and the world is now confronted with the reality of climate change-related extreme weather events and other threats.

Will the world leaders at COP25 be listening, and what will they do? (Excerpt from The Scientific American)

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monday, november 4, 2019

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

NICIL-SPU sugar assets sale is cause for concern Dear Editor, The GAWU has learnt, through newspaper advertisements over the last few days, that the NICIL-SPU is undertaking the sale of sugar assets that were attached to the now-shuttered Skeldon Estate. The advertisement, we recognised, seeks interested persons and organisations to express interest in what are deemed ‘unserviceable’ motor vehicles and motorcycles.

This is now the latest iteration of the sellout of assets belonging to the sugar industry by the NICIL-SPU. Previous information reaching the Union had indicated that the NICIL-SPU sold several movable items from the sugar estates placed in its hands. We had learnt earlier this year that tractors, motorcycles and agricultural implements were sold at what could be deemed basement prices. It was opined that the assets disposed could have obtained superior prices. This view, we should add, as far as we recollect, was never denied nor corrected by NICILSPU. Also there were concerns regarding whether the sale prices resembled

the valuation that was carried out. Then, of course, we recall, concerns being raised about the sale of socalled scrap iron from the closed estates. That sale, we understand, brought in a large sum and again, it was felt that higher prices could have been obtained.

In fact, our Union was made to understand that one buyer who purchased the ‘scrap iron’ at the Wales factory made a hefty profit from the deal.

Previously, the Government had committed to ensuring the sale of sugar assets was above reproach and was transparent. Our Union recalled that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan in responding to questions regarding the sale of the Skeldon factory, is quoted in the August 15, 2017 edition of <<<Guyana Times>>> as saying “[t]his [sale] has to be done in a very transparent process, because this Government prides itself on accountability and transparency”.

We also recollect that former Minister of State, now Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, is reported in the July 24, 2018 edi-

tion of Kaieteur News as saying with respect to the divestment of sugar assets that “…Government will not sacrifice accountability and transparency in the process”. The reality, it appears, has been divorced from what was committed to.

In terms of the planned sell-out, these so-called unserviceable vehicles, we gather, were previously operable when they were being used by the Skeldon Estate. We should add though that, we understand, while some were aged, they were still not unserviceable. We cannot help but wonder how they became unserviceable and if they really are in such a state.

We also saw in the October 31, Guyana Chronicle that Mr Charles Browne, who is said to be the SPU’s officer-in-charge at Wales Estate disclosed that some 511 acres of former cane lands are now under rice cultivation ostensible by NICIL-SPU. Mr Browne went on, accord-

ing to the Chronicle, to say “[o]ne investor already has 116.7 acres of rice to harvest now… another [rice farmer] closer to Number Two… has 438 acres…”.

Our Union, and we are sure the nation, would be interested to know who has been leased lands at Wales.

On this matter, we have also learnt, through a usually reliable source, the lands that were connected to the Wales Estate have by and large been allocated to persons. We hasten to wonder who has been leased the valued lands and for what purposes? It would be interesting to learn about the lease fees. Moreover, have any obligations been placed on lessees to employ the former estate workers?

Given the hardship that now stalks the communities connected to Wales, we believe, such requirements ought to have been insisted upon.

We also believe that the redundant workers would have been, at least, given an opportunity, to express their interests in se-

curing some of the lands to engage in agricultural pursuits. Our information indicates there was no such approach to the workers.

Interestingly, and upsettingly, we saw Mr Browne being reported to have said “[t]he estate has been assisting private rice farmers and other private investors in converting the lands from the former sugar cane lands”. This only further rubs salts in the wounds created by the closure and joblessness that has ensued.

In more recent times, we have noticed that NICIL has been engaged in the sale of many assets which are owned by the State and placed under its control. In fact, our Union, in a cursory glance of the October 19, Official Gazette, observed, that six (6) orders were signed by Finance Minister Winston Jordan regarding the transfer of lands and properties which were vested to NICIL to private individuals. Similarly, sections of the media had reported about what appeared

to be the giveaway of land and even sections of our country’s rivers to various persons which comes at the same time when the Administration has questionable status. While we know some explanation was given, it does not negate the facts at hand.

This latest sell-out of sugar assets comes, at the same time when the GuySuCo is required to use its limited, scarce resources to procure assets for its operations.

This is especially disheartening since both NICIL-SPU and the GuySuCo are siblings under the umbrella of the State. It appears that NICIL-SPU has turned a blind eye and deaf ear to these concerns especially when it had said in the past that it has a vested interest in the success of the GuySuCo. Undoubtedly, its actions are inimical to its utterances.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

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monday, november 4, 2019

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Foundation

Kids with special needs I

Kids who might need extra help

sn’t every kid special? We think so. But what do we mean when we say “kids with special needs”? This means any kid who might need extra help because of a medical, emotional, or learning problem. These kids have special needs because they might need medicine, therapy, or extra help in school – stuff other kids don’t typically need or only need once in a while.

Maybe you know of kids in your school who need a wheelchair or use braces when they walk. Those kids have special needs. They not only need the equipment that helps them get around, but they might need to have ramps or elevators available.

They also might need to get a special bus to school – one that lifts them up into the bus so they don’t have to get up the steps.

Kids who have illnesses, such as epilepsy or diabetes, would have special needs, too. They might need medicine or other help as they go about their day.

Kids with sight probl e m s might use special apps, tablets, or comers to read. Those

putwith

hearing or speech problems would have special needs, too.

A kid who has hearing trouble might need hearing aids to hear and speech therapy, too, since it can be hard to say words correctly when you can’t hear very well.

Kids with learning problems often have special needs. Kids with Down syndrome might go to a regular school and might even be in your class. But they have special needs when it comes to learning, so an aide (someone to help) might come with them

to class.

You might be able to spot a few kids with special needs, but you probably don’t notice all of them. A

kid could have a problem that isn’t noticeable unless you know the person well. For example, someone could have trouble with anxiety (worry), but you wouldn’t know it unless the kid told you about it. Privately, their parents, teachers, and counsellors may be working to help them worry less.

What’s life like for a kid with special needs?

Life can be extra-challenging for a kid with special needs.

It might be harder to do everyday stuff – like learning to read or, if a person has physical handicaps, just getting around school or the mall.

The good news is that parents, doctors, nurses,therapists, teachers, and others can help. The goal is to help kids be as independent as possible.

Other kids also can be a big help. How? By being a friend. Kids who need a wheelchair or have other

health problems want friends just like you do. But meeting people and making friends can be tough. Some kids might tease them or make fun of them. Be sure to tell a teacher if you see someone being bullied or teased. That’s a very lonely feeling.

Also try to be helpful if you know someone with special needs. Ask if they would like help with carrying their books or opening a door. Ask them to join you and your friends at lunch. It’s important not to be “overly helpful” when no help is needed.

Why? Because just like you, kids with special needs like to be as independent as they can be.

Being friendly to kids with special needs is one of the best

ways to be helpful. As you get to know them, they may help you understand what it’s like to be in their shoes. And you’ll

be helping fill a very special need, one that everybody has – the need for good friends. (kidshealth.org)

neck, head, and legs. They also include safety features such as automatic brakes and anti-tipping devices.

Power wheelchairs have many advantages for kids who need them. Electronic controllers can help a kid who uses a wheelchair drive smoothly, brake easily, and make the wheelchair move with the touch of a hand or even by puffing on a special straw! Some hand controllers look like a joystick used to play video games and are easy to operate.

away on vacation. In some cases, it will be hard to use the wheelchair or it might take a long time. That can be frustrating, but wheelchairs are getting better all the time.

People who use wheelchairs can shop, work, go to school, play, drive cars – even compete in some special types of sports competitions. But they also must look for handicapped-accessible buildings, special ramps, parking places, and environments that are wheelchair-friendly.

Sometimes, a person who uses a wheelchair may be teased, feel left out, or get treated differently than other kids. So the next time you see a kid using a wheelchair, try to be a friend. Usually, kids in wheelchairs don’t need to be pushed around, but they might need other kinds of help. Opening a door or clearing the path will be appreciated.

But the best help of all is to be kind and friendly and not to tease or stare.

People who use wheelchairs are the same as everyone else. They just get around on wheels instead of feet! (kidshealth.org)

Wheelchairs

K

Who needs a wheelchair?

ids can need wheelchairs for many different reasons.

Some have had injuries either to their legs or spine, which controls leg movement. Others have disabilities due to muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.

In some cases, kids have wheelchairs but don’t need to use them all the time.

For example, they might be able to walk with the aid of crutches or a walker sometimes.

What does a wheelchair do?

Today’s wheelchairs are light, fast, and easy to use.

Many use computer technology and offer better support for a person’s back,

What’s life like?

Kids who use wheelchairs usually fall into two categories: kids who use them for a short time (for instance, kids who broke a leg or had surgery) and those who use them for a long time, or permanently.

Even though kids who use a wheelchair for a short time may feel frustrated or sad about relying on others to get around, they know that someday the wheelchair won’t be necessary.

For kids who depend on a wheelchair for the long term, life is different.

They’ll need to learn how to use the wheelchair in lots of different situations – at home, in school, while

NEWS

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monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“We have to safeguard against sophisticated crimes” – Ali

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ith Guyana poised to undergo massive transformational changes as a result of its budding oil and gas sector, the country will also have to ensure that it safeguards itself from sophisticated crimes that such developments attract.

This is according to Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Irfaan Ali. During a recent interview, he pointed out that the climbing spate of criminal activities, particularly

violent crimes, in Guyana is a cause for concern and must be a top priority for any Government.

To this end, Ali noted that the PPP has a clearly defined strategy in its manifesto for the upcoming March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections to deal with the various forms of crime.

However, he pointed out that as the country becomes more prosperous, it has to beware of the more sophisticated crimes, for which perpetrators can use Guyana as a destina-

tion or a hub.

“This is the reality.

This is what development, growth and advancement brings to any country…

So we can’t work only on catching up to fight existing crimes. We have to ensure that we start planning ahead and put systems in place to ensure that our strategy for crime and our strategy for security embraces possible threats in the future,” he stated.

According to the PPP Presidential Candidate, his party has already outlined strategies to tackle

Fire victims get assistance from Humanitarian Mission

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he Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc has reached out to the victims of the recent fire in Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) which left seven homeless, including four children.

On Saturday, the Mission handed over $50,000 worth of uniforms and other school items, along with groceries, to the four children and other family members.

Last Tuesday, the fire believed to be electrical in nature completely destroyed the two-bedroom building at Lot 44 Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant leaving the seven persons homeless.

Sharmila Bullar, 50; two of her children and four of her grandchildren lived in the rented house.

Meanwhile, the Mission, in a statement, said it was in partnership with its donors with a mandate to break the cycle of poverty through education and empowerment and by investing in children.

“By educating children and adults, we are help-

Angela Dhuman receiving the items from a representative of the Humanitarian Mission

ing them to break away from the many social ills that have been plaguing our youths and adults within our community, because of the lack of education. Education is the only way forward for individuals who want to break the cycle and empower themselves,” the statement said in part.

Speaking about Bullar’s daughter, Angela, who is a restaurant worker, the Mission said that “with three kids and dealing with a deadbeat fa-

ther is not easy, because many fathers ran away from their responsibilities and it becomes the mother's burden to raise their children and see them through an education.

Fathers and men need to be a part of their children well-being to have successful children”.

Mission President Suresh Sugrim took the opportunity to call on authorities to enforce the laws, regarding deadbeats’ parents and child support.

such crimes and this will appear in its 2020 elections manifesto.

“You will see a clearly defined strategy in the manifesto on all aspect of crime and security to ensure not only security now but ensure that we safeguard ourselves against more sophisticated crimes in the future. It’s important,” Ali contended.

Guyana had experienced its biggest known case of white-collar crime in 2017, when gold miner Saddiqi Mohamad Rasul defrauded the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) of some $956 million.

Rasul, the owner of SSS Minerals Trading Enterprise, is currently out on $3 million bail after he was charged for withdrawing the huge sum from the GBTI Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) branch by presenting a cheque from another bank when he did not have that amount of money in his bank account.

Back in 2014, the then PPP Government had established the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to probe financial crimes and strengthen the country’s anti-money laundering architecture.

However, the organisation that was supposed to be investigating fraud found itself under scrutiny earlier this year after allegations of fraud were levelled against the agency, which falls under the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

A subsequent audit

PPP Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

conducted by the Police Force had unearthed irregularities that included falsified records and missing documents. Police Commissioner Leslie James last week told reporters that the probe into operations at SOCU is still in progress.

The PPP had long accused the APNU/AFC coalition of using SOCU as part of a witch-hunting exercise against former Government officials.

However, Government had shut down the idea.

Nevertheless, SOCU has often been criticised over its operations and the lack of successful prosecutions. In fact, several of its cases have been tossed out of the window by the courts, including a number of charges against former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) executives and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)

Directors.

Only in July, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) – an autonomous agency that investigates financial crimes and operates under the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act – had revealed that financial crimes involving over $8 billion worth of illicit money were reported to it for the 2018 fiscal year.

This is according to FIU Director, Matthew Langevine, when he handed over the 2018 report to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

“We’ve done a lot of work in sharing information [with] the Special Organised Crime Unit and the other stakeholders like the central bank, about some of the suspicious transactions we’re seeing in the sector… We’ve also seen suspicious transactions related to tax evasion, drug trafficking, corruption in public office, suspected terrorist financing and insider trading,” he had stated.

In fact, during a previous interview with Guyana Times in June of this year, Langevine had disclosed that in 2018 alone, the FIU received more than 300 reports of crimes ranging from drug trafficking to money laundering and even corruption. He noted that of those reports, his Unit’s investigations would have led to more than 25 intelligence reports being completed and forwarded to SOCU.

8 NEWS

monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chinese supermarket robbed by gun-toting bandits

F

our armed bandits on Saturday evening robbed a Number Two East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) supermarket of cash and other valuables before escaping.

Operators of the facility told this publication that they did not understand English properly and were reluctant to provide any information.

However, Guyana Times understands that two of the bandits were armed with guns and two with cutlasses.

The men demanded that the Chinese hand over the money in the cash register but after they hesitated, one of the bandits went into the cash register and emptied it himself. Police were told that $300,000 and two cellular phones were taken by the men.

Police have since launched an investigation.

Back in October 2017, the same supermarket was robbed.

At the time, Zhou Chunmine, 26, was about to close the supermarket when two armed men walked

A tale…

R

The supermarket which was robbed by gunmen on Saturday evening

into the supermarket, went straight to the cash register and snatched the day’s sale.

The bandits also managed to cart off a bag containing $210,000.

Police Force gets 86 new recruits

Police Commissioner Leslie James

T

he Guyana Police Force last week enlisted 86 new recruits following an eightmonth training programme

at the Felix Austin Police Training College. Police Commissioner Leslie James welcomed the new recruits during the passing out parade at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

During his charge to the graduating ranks, the Police Commissioner reminded of their duties to Guyana and its citizens, as they have been selected and laded with the responsibility to protect those who require same, metaphorically as guardian angels.

“You are reminded that the citizens would quite rightly expect a professional service from you…you

Some of the new Police recruits during the passing out parade

will be called upon, and you are duty-bound to protect our citizens from harm.

To protect their properties from being damaged, you

have been selected and are now being posted as men in blue, the guardian angels within our ten regional police divisions,” the Police Commissioner noted Even as Commissioner James applauded the new officers on their determination during the past few months, he noted that there will be challenges as they commence their journey as Police officers and urged that those challenges be addressed with conformity to the rule of law, and in an assertive manner while executing duties.

“You have withstood and endured the physical and mental fatigue that was meted out to you during the past months while undergoing your initial stint in becoming policemen…you are now equipped with the knowledge of the laws of Guyana, regulations, procedures and guidelines. From this day onwards you are entering out communities across our divisions where you will be forced and faced with the challenges of life as a policeman,” he stated.

During the eight-month rigorous training, the recruits participated in both practical and theoretical teaching. This included basic principles of policing, practice and procedure, self-defence tactics and firearm training, along with lectures on various topics such as crime, traffic, human rights, communication, working under pressure among other things.

The new addition of officers is expected to take up duties within the 10 administration regions of Guyana.

…of two regions emember Solomon Sharma?? Think back about the start of the decade when some Young Turks were planning to take over what they considered to be a moribund PNC under Robert Corbin. They included Sharma, his sidekick Vanessa Kissoon and Aubrey Norton – Lindeners all – who mocked Corbin for having been “defanged” by Jagdeo and the PPP. They were ready to bare their fangs. Lindeners had always been militant and the bauxite industry’s downsizing exacerbated their aggressiveness.

But Corbin, the wily old head and rigging strategist, had the last laugh at the 2011 PNC Congress, when he moved his chess pieces (and gun-toting henchmen!) to install David Granger as PNC leader. The Young Turks – who’d been made to look like turkeys – walked out, but “boat had gone a “watah””. They then staged a last hurrah to boost their sinking fortunes by organising a protest in Linden against a proposed hike in the zero-electricity tariff they’d enjoyed since the sixties.

It cost the treasury billions annually and encouraged profligacy in electricity use by the residents. The PNC agreed with the hike, but the AFC supported the Linden radicals to boost their base. This move forced the PNC into a volte-face so as not to be outflanked by the AFC. The denouement is well known to all, when three protestors were killed by the Police after they attempted to burn down the Mackenzie Bridge and refused to disperse.

Sharma and the Young Turks were afterwards banished into oblivion by Granger and the PNC old heads and not heard from ‘till this weekend when he showed up on the State media to denounce the PPP. Elections, of course, are coming up!! To rile up the PNC’s traditional constituency against the PPP, Sharma complained that the Economic, Technical, Land Selection and Broadcast Committees that were formed in the wake of the Linden Protests had petered out because of the latter’s foot-dragging.

According to the Chronic, “the Economic Committee was expected to examine the sectors within the region, existing plans and initiatives such as the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) and Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) for possible re-introduction.

It was also responsible for conducting an analysis of the region’s capacity for food self-sufficiency and thereafter develop a plan for self-sufficiency as part of the Regional Development Plan. Additionally, it was mandated to examine the employment situation of Linden and Region 10 by extension, with the aim of making appropriate recommendations.” These were all consummated by the PNC after 2015.

But they then shuttered 2 sugar estates in Berbice and threw 3500 workers into the street.

How come they didn’t even reduce their water bill?? …of Oil and GDP The PNC’s elated the IMF just announced Guyana’s GDP will grow 86 per cent next year on account of the oil revenues. What they should say is what this will mean exactly to the ordinary Guyanese. The GDP simply includes all the goods produced in Guyana – including the oil. The question is how much of this will remain in Guyana? The International Oil Companies (IOCs) , for instance, will be taking their 87.5% (75% expenses + 12.5% profits) of the revenues back to their respective countries – the US and China. All that will be left for Guyana will be at best the 2% royalties (from the top) and the 12.5% of the profits – after they pay the taxes on the IOC’s profits.

But let’s say we end up with 9% of the revenues. This will be placed into the Natural Resource Fund and from there a certain portion into the Consolidated Fund for governmental spending. From what we know about their spending during the last 4 1/2 years, none of that will show up in real development.

All Guyanese will get is lawrah!! …of SOCU and PPP crime Suddenly we hear SOCU will be disbanded and reformed because they didn’t successfully prosecute any of the PPP officials they’d accused of “siphoning billions and billions” from the treasury.

What about maybe nothing was pilfered??

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

9 Private Sector equal partner with State in developing economy – PSC Chairman news

monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…businessman calls out President over “handouts” comments November 13, 2019.

Handouts

President Granger on Friday said that local businesses need to stop looking for handouts and crying out about the economic state of the country. Instead, he sug-

PSC Chairman Gerry Gouveia

President David Granger

SleepInn hotel Clifton Bacchus

resident David Granger’s recent admonishments to the Private Sector to stop looking out for handouts is not going down well with members of the local Private Sector, some of whom have complained about being blocked from the very investments he urged them to make.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), retired Captain Gerry Gouveia questioned exactly what the President could mean by handouts. He noted that contrary to such a statement, the Private Sector has been an equal partner with the State.

“We have been equal partners and working in partnership with the Government, so I’m not sure what the President is referring to. That will be my comment on it,” Captain Gouveia stated when contacted.

Meanwhile, prominent businessman and SleepIn Hotel proprietor, Clifton Bacchus was even more di-

rect in his response to the President’s statement. In a post on social media, he took the President to task and reminded everyone of his own struggles with the Government when he sought to expand.

“I have never looked to your Government or any other Government for handouts, neither do I cry about the state of the country,” he said.

“I have taken the initiative and invested millions of US dollars.”

“I have borrowed heavily. I have created hundreds of jobs for locals. I pay millions of dollars in taxes annually. Yet I cannot get a casino licence, applied for four years ago, under your Government.”

Bacchus’ struggles in relation to SleepIn Hotel are well documented. He entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) back in 2015, before the Government changed hands, that catered for the hotel to be awarded a casino operator’s licence for

its branch on Church Street.

The building, which has over 150 rooms, conference halls, restaurants and naturally, casino slot machines, was subsequently constructed. SleepIn then applied to the Gaming Authority in 2016 for its license, reportedly paying a fee of $9 million in the process.

Months later, it received correspondence from the Authority that its casino operator and premises licence applications were refused.

Gaming Authority Chairman Roysdale Forde has subsequently alluded in sections of the press to financial deficiencies in SleepIn’s applications as the reason for turning them down.

Bacchus’ lawyer, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall took the Gaming Authority to court last month in a bid to have them step in and ensure the authority processes Bacchus’ application.

That case will come up before Justice Fidela Corbin on

P

proprietor

gested that they invest in key sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture in order to prosper.

Speaking on a local radio programme, the Head of State posited that his Administration has put in place incentives for local busi-

nesses, such as reducing taxes – both Value Added (VAT) and corporate – and incentivising key sectors. Despite this, however, he noted that business owners are complaining instead of being innovative and making new investments.

Turn to page 12

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Accused child rapist found dead in Police lock-ups

A

37-year-old accused child rapist was found dead in the Whim Police Station, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Sunday morning with his shirt tied around his neck to the bars of the lockups.

Dead is Courtney Persaud, whose last known address was in Berbice and who prior to the past 10 months, lived in the Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) with his wife and daughter.

Reports are that early

on Sunday morning, prisoners who had shared the cell with Persaud, notified ranks on duty that the now dead man was “unresponsive” and appeared to have taken his own life.

According to a senior Police investigator, it is unclear as to whether the alleged rapist committed suicide or was murdered in the lock-ups, since there were other prisoners in the cell at the time of the man’s death.

Investigations into the matter are currently ongoing, and each of his cellmates is being questioned.

Dead: Accused child rapist, Courtney Persaud

On Saturday, Police in Berbice arrested Persaud, who had been on the run for several months.

The now dead man had

lived with his spouse on the EBD, but fled their residence after a report was made to law enforcement officials that he allegedly raped a close female relative and impregnated her.

However, before the Police could apprehend him, Persaud fled Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and ventured to Berbice, unknown to cops.

The teen relative, who he allegedly raped, is 17 years old and it is alleged that the man had been sexually molesting the girl since she was seven. The teen gave birth to his baby

and that child is now eight months old.

Meanwhile, in Berbice, Persaud had moved into a house with another woman after they commenced a relationship. Quite recently, he fled that home after an underage female relative of the woman complained that Persaud had raped her on more than one occasions. That teen is now pregnant.

Guyana Times was told that as a result of the complaint made against Persaud, his lover confronted him, and he denied the allegations. She then

threatened that she would be reporting the matter to the Police in Region Six and this prompted Persaud to leave the home he shared with her and go into hiding.

The woman reported the incident to the Police and a manhunt was started for Persaud.

After receiving a tip-off, Police nabbed Persaud on Saturday.

He was then taken into custody while investigations into the rape matters were ongoing. Less than 24 hours after being locked up in the prison cell, he was found dead.

Guyanese pirates nabbed in Suriname to face immigration charges

T

he two suspects who were arrested in Suriname recently that are wanted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in connection with the killing of four fishermen in Berbice last month are still in the custody of law enforcement in the neighbouring country.

O’Brian Fraser, 21, of

Lot 66 Eversham Village, Corentyne, and 21-yearold Anonth Boodrage of Lot 97 Belvedere Village, Corentyne, were nabbed in Suriname. They are to be charged in Suriname for immigration violations and would have to appear in a Surinamese court today.

A senior police officer close to the probe told

this publication that after facing those charges in Suriname, the men will be handed over to Guyanese authorities.

“They would have entered the country [Suriname] without presenting themselves at a legal immigration port and before an immigration officer declaring their en-

try. The usual procedure is that once you travel you have to declare yourself so they would have gone there without declaring themselves. So the procedure that will be followed is having them appear before prosecution for immigration violations in Suriname first,” the senior rank exCharged: Lenox Grimond

Nabbed in Suriname: Anonth Boodrage and O’Brian Fraser

plained.

He added that when the Dutch law enforcement officials have completed their investigations with the two men then the duo can be returned to Guyana’s shores.

He also noted that the partnership between local law enforcement officials and their Surinamese counterparts remain strong and

been working with us all the way through up until now. I must say that with that kind of collaboration you will always have success,” the senior rank added.

On October 30, the GPF had issued a wanted bulletin for the duo.

Reports are that authorities in neighbour-

Charged: Suresh Sundat and Narine Dhanrajh

that the joint efforts between the two Police Forces continue to reap successes.

“Like with this case, they [Suriname law enforcement] were working with us from the very beginning, since the boat was found empty. They have

ing Suriname arrested the two in a fishing boat that moored at a port there.

Authorities there had been following the issue since it was confirmed that pirates had attacked “Sara 1”— a fishing vessel from the Corentyne. Turn to page 11

NEws

11

monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Farmer hacked to death during drunken brawl

A

nother drinking spree among friends took a turn for the worse, resulting in one man being hacked to death by his buddy while the group was partying at “Goat Bar”, Cottage, Mahaicony, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) on Saturday night.

Dead is 40-year-old David Micha of Bushy Park, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Reports are on Saturday night, the group of friends met at the “Goat Bar”, and commenced a series of discussions while consuming alcoholic beverages.

This newspaper was told that after some time, the Disc Jockey (DJ) began to play several Soca songs, one of which is named “Pick up something and run with it”.

According to reports, Micha became hyped by the song and picked up a bicycle belonging to one of the men in his group and proceeded to run with it in his hands.

An argument over his action began, and the owner of the bicycle became involved in a heated row with Micha about the bicycle. As a result of the building tension, Micha left the drinking establishment but returned shortly after with a cutlass in his hand.

When the men at the table realised that Micha had a cutlass, they tried to calm the situation.

However, he reportedly did not heed their words, and another argument started between him and some of the men at the table.

The suspect, who allegedly chopped Micha to death, is said to have gotten upset with him about the matter. A physical altercation subsequently took place after the now dead man had refused to get rid of the cutlass.

During the fight between the two men, the assailant whipped out a knife from the waist of his pants and chopped Micha about

Guyanese pirates...

From page 10

Commander of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus had told Guyana Times on Thursday last that Dutch law enforcement officials from the neighbouring country, Suriname, had been assisting the GPF in locating the two wanted men.

On October 11, the body of a man was discovered on the Abary Foreshore.

At the time, he was not identified. One day later, “Sara 1” was found on the Foreshore at Wellington Park, Corentyne, without the crew of four.

It was then the body found at the Abary Foreshore was identified as one of the four fishermen. The following day, another body washed up on the Foreshore. The men were identified as 36-yearold Kawal Kissoon, also called “Ajai” of Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, (whose body was discovered first), and Otto Lamar Petrie 20, of Lot 90 Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant.

The other two, who have not been found, are Marvin Tamesar, also called “Buddy” and

“Bin Laden”, and Vishnu Seeram, also called “Kevin” – both of Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant.

Police later arrested two men, who later confessed to the crime. It was reported that they told investigators they attacked “Sara 1” and demanded that the crew hand over their catch. The men, in their confession, claimed that the crew did not comply and were subsequently bound and thrown into the sea.

They were placed before the court on Wednesday last and charged with the murder of the four fishermen during an act of piracy. According to the charge, the act took place within the Corentyne Magisterial District.

Suresh Sundat, 22, of Belvedere Squatting Area, and Narine Dhanrajh, 30, of Belvedere Village, were charged with murder of the four crew members during an act of piracy and remanded.

On October 30, Police arrested 38-year-old Lenox Grimond of Cromarty Village. He was placed before the court on Friday and also remanded.

Police Commander of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Superintendent Yonette Stephen

his body several times. He fell to the ground but was unable to get up.

When contacted, Police Commander of Region Five, Superintendent Yonette Stephen said that a police patrol vehicle from Fort Wellington, WCB, was in the vicinity when traffic ranks noticed a large crowd

gathered and stopped to enquire.

Persons quickly related to the ranks that someone was injured and the police went to investigate.

Micha was picked up and rushed to a health facility in the area but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Commander Stephen explained that there were several chop wounds about the man’s upper body – his neck, face and head.

She noted that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and the suspect is currently in Police custody.

The Commander added that credit must be given to the traffic ranks since their quick actions ensured that the suspect did not escape.

This is not the first drinking spree in recent times that has ended in death.

On September 23, a miner who allegedly stabbed his buddy to death during

a drinking spree appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The Chief Magistrate remanded Edwards to prison, and the case has been set to continue on December 16, 2019, before the Kamarang Magistrate.

In that case, 32-year-old McNee Edwards of Waramadong in the Upper Mazaruni district of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and his friend, Dorian Brown, on September 15, 2019, were imbibing at a shop in Waramadong when an argument ensued, which led to Edwards pulling out a knife from the waist of his pants and stabbing Brown about his body.

In August, a man who allegedly killed his drinking buddy during an argument over who should have the last shot of vodka was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts.

Callis Rodrigues, a porter at Kumaka Water Front, North West District, Region One (BarimaWaini), is accused of killing 20-year-old Oswald Henry.

In the month of July, a miner was stabbed to death while imbibing at the Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Dead is 22-year-old Errol “Glasgow” Thomas of Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

Reports are the victim and a group of men were imbibing at Purini Landing when an argument ensued between Thomas and the suspect.

The argument escalated into a scuffle during which the suspect allegedly armed himself with a broken bottle and stabbed Thomas several times to his throat and neck.

Thomas collapsed and died.

12 NEWS

monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Accused serial robber for court today F

orty-year-old former taxi driver Christopher Rampersaud, who is no stranger to the police, will be hauled before the court again today for non-appearance in the courts relating to a series of armed robberies in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

He is expected to make his appearance at the Reliance Magistrate’s Court, Berbice, some four days after he was arrested by Police after an arrest warrant was issued for him. The warrant was issued for him after he was granted bail on multiple robbery charges levelled against him.

After posting bail for several matters, Rampersaud

went into hiding, and could not be found by the police until Friday last when ranks received a tip-off about the wanted man’s location.

Quick action by the policemen ensured his recapture. This newspaper was told that Rampersaud is being investigated for at least two other robbery under arms offences that were committed in the Rose Hall, Berbice, area recently.

According to a police source, Rampersaud has denied involvement in those robberies and as such, an Identification (ID) Parade will be held today.

On Thursday another senior police source in Berbice told this publication that Rampersaud is one of three

that is being accused of beating a watermelon vendor and robbing her at gunpoint at the woman’s Port Mourant, Corentyne, home earlier this month. Reports are that on October 4, 2019, at about 19:30h, three bandits, armed with a handgun, cutlass and a crowbar, attacked 76-year-old Drupatee Haraul and demanded cash and jewellery.

They escaped with a cellular phone, cash and jewellery.

On April 23, this year, Rampersaud was remanded to prison by Magistrate Renita Singh on a robbery under arms charge, when he appeared before her at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

He was slapped with the

charge which read that in the company of others on March 16, 2019, at Bermine Scheme, New Amsterdam, while armed with a gun, he robbed Robin Busgith of one Toyota 192 valued at $1,000,000, one cellphone, $3.7 million and US $1500.

At that time, he was remanded until August 23 and later released on bail.

On April 13, three masked men, two of whom were armed with guns and the third with a cutlass, stormed Indra’s Grocery and Beer Garden in the Canje Village, Berbice.

During the ordeal, the men relieved some 20 customers of their cellphones, cash, jewellery as well as car keys.

Arrested: Rampersaud

Christopher

The bandits then proceeded to the business owners, Premchand and Taramattie Seelochand, who were beaten and forced to hand over all their valuables and an undisclosed

sum of cash.

After committing the act, the bandits escaped in a car belonging to one of the victims.

The vehicle was recovered the following day in a community on the East Bank of Berbice.

Less than a week after the robbery, Police received credible information pertaining to a suspect who was seen in Linden, Region 10, selling several cellphones. An intelligence operation led to the arrest of Christopher Rampersaud, who was said to be the mastermind behind the robbery and had reportedly confessed to the crime and three other armed robberies in that region.

Essequibo Coast resident Private Sector equal... admitted to local Bar “The businessmen must turn their attention to innovation and to investment and to building the infrastructure.

I am not criticising them but businesses can’t prosper on handouts. They have to take the risks and they have to invest. I am not seeing that investment,” the President noted.

Following his comments, Presidential Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Irfaan Ali, had disagreed with the Head

“S

uccess is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all love of what you’re doing or learning to do.’ I wrote this quote on my wall in 2014 when I started UG and I held onto the word perseverance whenever I doubted myself or it became difficult, I looked at that word and I kept on going.”

Those were the words of Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) born 27-yearold Darshani Lall, who was recently admitted to the local bar at the Demerara High Court before Justice Sandra Kurtzious having graduated from Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.

Darshani’s petition was presented by Attorney of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic, Shellon Boyce, who spoke highly of the new attorney. She noted that Lall showed excellent work ethics and was always ready to help and learn during in-service training for ten weeks at the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.

Justice Kurtzious commended Lall for the sacrifices she made during her studies.

“You should continue to read and study because it will enhance your knowl-

Darshani Lall

edge since law is changing constantly. It is now that the work truly begins and you should be noble to the profession. You should forever be minded of your oath to serve and duty as an officer of the court,” said Judge Kurtzious.

The Judge highlighted that she is happy that the young attorney chose to return to the Cinderella County to serve.

Lall said she is grateful for the opportunity and intends to abide by the Judge’s words of wisdom and to practice with the highest standard expected of the noble profession.

“I wish to thank both of my parents for their countless sacrifices. Most of you may not know but neither of my parents completed their secondary education. However, they both

did their best to ensure that their children receive a quality life and education. They went above and beyond for me, all without complaining,” Lall said.

Lall attended the Anna Regina Secondary School and later, the University of Guyana.

Lall, during an interview with this publication, related that the toughest part of the journey was when her mother became ill and was hospitalised on two occasions. However, her mother insisted and convinced family members that she must go on to further her studies.

She expressed that the journey was tough but rewarding and that she intends to return to the Essequibo Coast in January 2020 to start her practice there.

of State’s position, calling such a statement “unfortunate”.

He had pointed out that the local Private Sector has played a critical role in growing and expanding the Guyanese economy in several hurdles and periods.

“The Private Sector had to be innovative and strategic at that time in the country to achieve such success…

We need to stimulate growth in the Private Sector so that they can expand and cre-

From page 9

ate more opportunities and higher-paying jobs for more Guyanese.”

“So we can’t say on one hand that our Private Sector is not equipped to grab the opportunities for the future and on the other hand, we’re not giving them the incentives – the fiscal, monetary and tax incentives – to make them capable, to equip them to grab those opportunities and create the wealth here,” Ali posited during an interview on Friday last.

$10.6M Speightland bridge under construction

T

he construction of a $10.6 million bridge connecting the Speightland and Kara Kara communities in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is ongoing. The wooden bridge, which is being constructed over a section of the Kara Kara creek is being built

by Associates Construction Company and is said to be at least 80 per cent completed. Upon completion, it is expected to accommodate light traffic. Residents in the community have expressed satisfaction over the initiative which is being executed through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and according to Chairman of the Speightland Community Development Council

The bridge connecting the Speightland and Kara Kara communities in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice)

(CDC) Gem Narine, it is a boost to the infrastructural development of the Speightland community.

“The bridge that links the two communities that is Speightland and Lower Amelia’s Ward would be a great value to residents, especially school children who wouldn’t have to wait on boats to cross the creek and it’s even worse when it’s raining. Not everyone

is fortunate to own a boat so with our new bridge, life will be much easier for everyone. Gratitude must be given to the RDC Region 10 for fulfilling their promise towards us,” Narine noted.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian during a statutory meeting of the Council said the bridge had been requested by residents of the Speightland community.

news

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monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Over 2000 UG students set to graduate on Nov 16

L

ast year, the University of Guyana (UG) churned out a little over 1700 graduates during its 52nd convocation. This year, that number will cross the 2000 threshold when the University holds its 53rd convocation on November 16, 2019.

Hundreds of these graduates met with UG’s Registrar, Nigel Gravesande, and other University staff at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre on Saturday, where they were given information about the graduation process.

It was revealed that over 2200 students will graduate, with the convocation taking place right on campus, utilising the

Turkeyen tarmac. This is a break from the past few years, as three ceremonies were held at the National Cultural Centre last year.

Back in 2017, the graduation ceremonies were divided between the National Exhibition Centre in Sophia and the National Cultural Centre.

At the time, some 2165 graduates received their certifications.

This year, the morning graduation exercise will start at 10:00h with the faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Education and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

Meanwhile, the afternoon graduation session will start at 16:00h and will see students from the Faculties of Health Sciences, Social Sciences and the School of Entrepreneurship and

Business Innovation (SEBI).

Preceding the graduation, there will be a graduation rehearsal on November 15. Persons who are graduating in the morning the next day

GPF promotions slated for next month–Top Cop

W

ith less than two months remaining for this year, hundreds of junior ranks serving the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are expected to be promoted before the end of 2019, as final preparations are ongoing to ensure that those who are deemed worthy of promotion receive it.

Commissioner of Police, Leslie James recently told reporters that the GPF is anticipating those promotions to be held next month. He acknowledged that while the initial plan was to have had these promotions in July, circumstances prevented such.

“We are likely to have a promotion probably in December…there would

always have issues which would cause delays. That is internal to us and we have dealt with it. And as I said to you, it will be in December,” the Top Cop said.

Earlier this year, over 500 officers were promoted to a higher rank within the GPF. In his New Year’s message, the Top Cop made the announcement and noted that the GPF was at a pivotal juncture whereby reformation was imminent and fruitful results were expected by the first quarter of this year.

While zeroing in on the promotions, James acknowledged, “Promotions cause the recipients to exude feelings of joy, satisfac-

tion, and, of course, a sense of achievement. Equally, it can be a catalyst to motivate ranks who may be despondent because of not being promoted on this occasion. All is not lost; I urge that you remain resolute and steadfast in your good performance”.

To fill the post of Assistant Commissioner, three senior superintendents: Edgar Thomas, Royston Andries-Junor and Paul Langevine were promoted.

M e a n w h i l e , Superintendents Phillip Azore, Brian Eastman, Adrian Simon, Linden Lord, Khalili Pareshram, Michael Sutton, Linden Isles, Michael Kingston and Charmaine Jones-

Stuart were positioned as Senior Superintendents.

Other ranks of the Force were awarded the position of Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Cadet Officer, Chief Inspector, Inspector, Sergeant, Corporal And Lance Corporal.

Meanwhile, in 2018, 31 officers were promoted from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant while 43 ranks who were once Lance Corporals were promoted to Corporals, and 22 from Constables to Corporals.

Additionally, 66 ranks who held the position of Constable were advanced to serve as Lance Corporals.

will rehearse from 09:00h, while those graduating in the afternoon will have to assemble at 15:00h. The Chancellor’s Ball, a traditional part of the graduation process, will take place at the Umana Yana on November 14.

In his remarks to the students on Saturday, Registrar Gravesande encouraged the graduands to give thanks to those who played a role in getting them to this day. He noted that students have an opportunity to take part in national development, particularly with the oil sector.

But Gravesande also pointed to the importance of Government placing a premium on developing human potential.

“Guyana is currently on the precipice of experiencing a transformation in our country. And I believe the transformation will only be

successful and only be sustainable if attention is given to the human capital of our country.”

“You will be moving into the period of first oil as the newest graduates of Guyana’s premier tertiary institution,” Gravesande said.

A new feature of this year’s convocation is a graduation ring that students will be able to purchase. The rings, which will be made to order, will be supplied by Caribbean Awards and School Supplies, a Trinidad-based company.

They will be available in gold, silver and white gold and will feature the University of Guyana’s coat of arms, either on the bezel (in the case of the signet ring option) or on the sides in the case of the rings with stone option.

(Jarryl Bryan)

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monday, november 4, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

St Francis, FFTP to build 100 houses in Region 6

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he St Francis C o m m u n i t y Developers, in collaboration with Food For The Poor Guyana (FFTP) Inc, is moving to enhance the housing situation in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

In Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), the two organisations have already established two villages – one at Hopetown and another at Trafalgar.

St Francis President Alex Foster said the project was first established in Region Five because of the existence of housing co-ops, thus, making it easier for the establishment of villages.

At Trafalgar, a playpark, which is being considered the largest imported outdoor facility in Guyana, has been erected.

Meanwhile in Region Six, St Francis has been able to acquire land from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLDS) at Williamsburg and Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.

The project will see 100 house lots being established.

According to Foster, the

From left: Lands and Surveys Regional Manager, FFTP CEO Kent Vincent, St Francis President Alex Foster and FFTP Senior Project Manager Andrea Benjamin

project is expected to include new public open spaces.

“We want to establish a playschool and other facilities which would benefit the residents of that new community. So, we would be able to empower them in the initial stage. We will start by setting up 60 houses on the land and then we will add 40 more in Phase Two of the project,” Foster said.

He noted that scores of persons have applied for new

houses and the interviews with applicants are expected to commence to select those who would benefit from the new housing project.

To date, meetings have been held with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL); the Region Six Administration; the Department of Education; the banking sector; the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC); the fire department and the Police in the region.

Turn to page 15

Mahdia youth urged to use ICT, robotics training for town’s development

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wenty-eight young persons from Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) were encouraged by Frist lady Sandra Granger to take full advantage of their newly obtained Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills to maximise the employment opportunities available in their district.

This charge was given by the First Lady at a graduation ceremony on Friday that was held for the students at the Mahdia Secondary School, following their participation in a month-long ICT workshop for adolescents and out-ofschool youth.

“Get on top of the opportunities that you can have here. Mahdia is a booming town. Mahdia is open 24 hours, seven days a week, so there are always systems you can work out and put in place to make sure that you are there reaping the benefits … with your skill. As you build them up, you can start writing your own programs [for robots] which might very well be applicable to Mahdia and Potaro-Siparuni …

There is a lot growing in the soil of Mahdia, intellectually, socially and culturally,” she said.

Furthermore, the First Lady expressed how elated she was to see that all of the students accomplished 80 per cent and above in their examinations. As such, she promised to organise another workshop in the district soon. The next workshop is expected to include elements just for the town’s adult population.

First Lady Sandra Granger (seated centre), and (seated from left to right, Confidential Secretary to the First Lady, Yvonne Smith; Director, Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Michael Turner; Regional Executive Officer, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), Mitzy Campbell; Vice Chairman, BIT, Donald Ainsworth; Mayor of Mahdia, His Worship, David Adams and Ministry of Social Protection’s Chief Manpower and Recruitment Officer, Valerie Moore with the 28 graduating students of the First Lady’s Information and Communications Technology workshop for adolescent and outof-school-youth. Also pictured are Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Social Protection’s BIT workshop, Richard Maughn (standing first, right) and facilitators of the workshop.

Likewise, Mayor of Mahdia, David Adams thanked the First Lady for her dedication in providing the youths of Mahdia with ICT skills. He expressed how delighted he was when he learnt of the student’s excellent performance.

Meanwhile, two robotics kits were handed over to the school’s Head Teacher, Marilyn Wills, by First Lady Granger.

The children were encouraged to start a STEM club that would help them to keep practising their skills.

It was noted that such a club would provide them with the necessary skills that they need to take part in the National Robotics Tournament.

The workshop was spearheaded by the Office of the

First Lady in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry.

In addition to the workshop, the First Lady also hosted a two-day Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshop for 30 Grades Five and Six students of the Mahdia Primary School.

That exercise, which commenced on October 30, was held in the computer laboratory of the Mahdia Secondary School Regional Executive Officer, Mitzy Campbell; Ministry of Social Protection, Board of Industrial Training Chief Executive Officer, Richard Maughn; Vice Chairman, Donald Ainsworth and Director, Michael Turner were all present the ceremony.

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monday, november 4, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nabaclis residents fume as ambulance loaned to Diamond Hospital

H

ealth authorities have made a dire decision to lend the ambulance stationed at the CC Nicholson (Cyril Charles) Regional Hospital, located in the village of Nabaclis on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), to the Diamond

Diagnostic Centre.

The hospital, better known as the Nabaclis Health Centre, was established since 1994 and has been serving the needs of the community and other communities along the East Coast ever since.

The facility is about

to be upgraded to a level three OB-GYN (Obstetrics Gynaecology) speciality institution with the intention to facilitate maternal and child health services on the ECD. Like many public health facilities, this hospital has many challenges. However,

residents in the community believe the situation has worsened as of recent. They are concerned over the fact that the ambulance that was attached to the institution was loaned to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, leaving the ECD facility without a vehicle.

This newspaper understands that the ambulance was loaned to the Diamond Hospital because of the EBD institution’s lack of basic services and equipment. The Diamond Diagnostic Centre, over the years, has been plagued with operational issues such as staff shortages

and inadequate equipment necessary to offer medical services to members of the public.

While the ambulance is expected to be returned soon, residents are concerned that with the absence of an ambulance, the operational services of the CC Nicholson Hospital might be affected.

They fear that there could be a loss of life in emergency cases if there is no vehicle to transport patients who are in dire need of further medical care.

A staff attached to the Nabaclis Health Centre explained to this publication

that if there is a need for an ambulance at the hospital then a vehicle would have to come all the way from Beterverwagting (BV) or the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), which is about 45 minutes to an hour away from the facility.

Nevertheless, the upcoming upgrades to be undertaken at the CC Nicholson Regional Hospital will see the facility being well equipped with maternal units, an operating theatre, a perfected birthing centre, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

St Francis, FFTP..

The CC Nicholson Hospital

T&T Top Cop to watch defence attorneys ‘‘like a hawk’’

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s the war of words continue between Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith and the Judiciary, Griffith’s latest utterance is said to have possibly left a “toxic taste in the mouths of members of the legal fraternity.”

However, Griffith has dismissed this and vowed to watch all criminal defence attorneys “like a hawk.”

Griffith said last week that some practitioners of the criminal bar are now being looked at by the T&T Police Service (TTPS) for the assistance they are giving to criminals.

The CoP spoke out against Senior Magistrate Aiden Stroude. The magistrate chastised a police officer who came to court but was unable to present the court with a summary of the evidence against the alleged offender and his criminal record history.

This dereliction of responsibility by the said officer meant that the court could not properly address the suitability of the civilian for bail. The matter was subsequently adjourned and the civilian was remanded to prison overnight until the criminal record was available.

Defending himself and his colleagues, attorney Fareed Ali sought to explain that the unsuspecting public, as well as the CoP, may not be aware that with the advent of the Criminal Procedure Rules which governs judicial procedure in a court of law that a civilian charged for a criminal offence must be constitutionally entitled to a “prompt hearing” before a court of law. Further, he added, every individu-

al charged before a court has a constitutional right to bail.

“Therefore, a court of law must not deny any civilian his right to liberty except by due process of law. Magistrate Stroude was correct in law as he was emphasising what was required for the proper administration of justice and the upholding of the rule of law when he underlined the incompetence of the police officer on the day in question,” Ali said.

“The TTPS must recognise that its function within the Constitution of T&T is essentially an executive one where they are to fulfil the requirements of investigative work on wouldbe criminal activity and to charge if the law allows.

The TTPS investigation must provide supporting evidence to substantiate a charge. Gary Griffith seems to be unaware of the strict functions of the office of the Commissioner of Police.”

Ali said the CoP must execute the law in a fair and unbiased manner without overstepping constitutional boundaries established by the Constitution of T&T. “In other words, it would be of greater assistance to the TTPS and its CoP to spend more time perfecting investigations and gathering evidence that can withstand the scrutiny of criminal defence attorneys and the court as opposed to commenting on how the legislature should form laws and the manner in which the Judiciary adjudicates.”

Ali noted that in the recent past Griffith was also critical of the ruling of Senior Magistrate Cheryl-

Ann Blake for granting bail to an individual charged for having nine assault rifles.

Griffith publicly criticised the decision to grant bail saying that the court was proving to be a revolving door for criminal activity. However, Ali said it appears that the CoP was insinuating the work of the police in arresting criminal offenders “was not bearing fruit if they are subsequently released into society.”

“Whatever the CoP’s personal views about the management of the state of T&T it is not becoming of his office to tell the Judiciary how to adjudicate upon the law and the legislature what laws should be passed,” Ali said.

“The CoP failure to alleviate the public fears of criminal activity and its deleterious effects has proven to be the hallmark of his tenure as CoP. For the CoP to now direct his skewed thinking processes towards attorneys of the criminal bar who he is of the view advise “criminals” is puerile.” ] Ali said the TTPS must simply up its game and become more efficient and effective. “The CoP latest cut that the TTPS is now looking at ‘criminal lawyers’ who have been assisting criminals is indicative of an ego that has suffered at the hands of the upsurge of criminal activity and homicide within his woeful tenure as CoP.” TTPS doing its job— Griffith Griffith, in an immediate response to Ali, said he will continue to watch all defence attorneys “like a hawk.” (Excerpted from T&T Guardian)

According to Foster, 26 organisations have so far participated in meetings involving the setting up of the new Village.

Meanwhile, FFTP Senior Manager of Projects, Andrea Benjamin, speaking on the project last Thursday at St Francis, where they had gathered for another event, said the agency was happy to be partnering with St Francis on the housing project.

“We have been working in Region Six for a number of years to improve housing quality,” she noted.

She said an early childhood development centre and play park would also be included in the village, which is also to have a community resource centre and an agricultural plot.

Benjamin further explained that the FFTP would be assisting families living there with life and training programmes.

“The aim of this project is not only to build hous-

es and provide adequate housing, but to create a sustained community. We will be providing accommodation; we will be having life and skills training programmes, recreation for the children in order to keep them active to ensure that the community mortgages. When you bring families from different backgrounds and different communities it is important to have an area where they can actually congregate and where you can learn about each other and get to know each other holistic. So, you create a holistic community,” she said.

Benjamin noted that the FFTP would not be funding the project solely, and was open to support from other organisations or individuals.

“We will have to develop the community in terms of roads and dreams, and Food For The Poor will not be undertaking that. So, we will be looking to sup-

From page 14

port from the Regional Administration and the Government of Guyana, from the Private Sector…”

Meanwhile, the houses will be furnished and homeowners will be provided with solar panels.

“So that they can have electricity. So, when we give them the house for those who do not have anything, they can move in immediately,” Benjamin added.

FFTP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kent Vincent said he has seen small zinc structures with as many as six persons living in them. Those environments, he said, was heart-breaking to the FFTP. “We feel very happy to be able to provide decent housing for those who are in need. These are people who cannot go to the bank to get loans to build because they do not have the financial resources,” he explained.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, november 4, 2019

Regional

Chile protests: Calls made Venezuela and El Salvador in to draft new Constitution tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions

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enezuela has expelled El Salvador's diplomats in a tit-for-tat response after El Salvador on Saturday told Venezuelan diplomats to leave.

The El Salvadorans have 48 hours to leave the country.

El Salvador's Government does not recognise Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as legitimate.

It said it would receive a new Venezuelan diplomatic team that represented the country's Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó.

Maduro and Guaidó, leader of the Oppositioncontrolled National Assembly, are embroiled in a power struggle.

Guaidó declared himself interim President in January, saying that the elections which brought

The Venezuelan Government accused El Salvador of being a "pawn" in US foreign policy

Maduro to power for a second term were fraudulent.

In a statement, the Venezuelan authorities accused El Salvador of "breathing oxygen into the failing US

strategy of intervention and economic blockade against the people of Venezuela".

El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele was "assuming the sad role of a pawn in

US foreign policy", the statement said.

Announcing its own expulsions on Saturday, El Salvador said that it "recognises the legitimacy of the incumbent President, Juan Guaidó " until free elections are held in accordance with the Constitution of Venezuela.

The US Ambassador to El Salvador, Ronald Johnson, welcomed the announcement.

In a tweet, Johnson said El Salvador was "on the right side" of the Venezuela crisis.

Guaidó has gained the backing of over 50 countries – but has so far failed to remove Maduro from power.

Maduro is also supported by a number of nations, including Cuba, China and Russia. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trinidad: Ex-Minister's Attorney calls on AG to destroy sexual harassment report

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ormer Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith is demanding that the Government destroy all copies of the report into the payment of TT$150,000 to his former personal assistant after she was fired amid alleged sexual harassment.

In a letter sent to Attorney General Faris AlRawi on Friday, Smith’s Attorney Annabelle Sooklal also accused Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of giving the media misleading infor-

be a fatally flawed report that has the potential to damage her client’s reputation, she is demanding that the Attorney General not only destroy copies of the report but take legal steps to prevent its publication.

Sooklal said it was also apparent that although the AG had advice since 2018 from Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, he took "no or not sufficient steps to cause the retraction of the report, fuelling public suspicion and dissatisfaction and

drawing negative comment much of which was directed at my client".

Smith was fired in April 2018 following claims levelled against him by his former personal assistant who accused him of sexual harassment and unfair dismissal.

A committee was appointed to review the circumstances surrounding the woman’s dismissal and payment of TT$150,000 in compensation.(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness with the Jamaica Diaspora in Shanghai, China, on Sunday morning

ested in learning about the latest economic developments in Jamaica, options for those who will return to do business and the prospects for employment after completion of tertiary studies,” Holness said in a tweet Sunday morning.

The Prime Minister earlier met with members of the Jamaica Diaspora during his visit to Shanghai, China on the occasion of his working visit to the People's Republic of China. (Jamaica Observer)

mation and trying to diminish Smith’s claim of a breach of natural justice.

In a strongly-worded pre-action protocol letter obtained by the Sunday Guardian, Smith’s Attorney alleged that it was now apparent that all the media houses in T&T had copies of letters between herself and the Office of the Prime Minister, with at least one media house alleging to have a copy of the report.

In light of this and what Smith’s Attorney deemed to

I

n Chile, calls for the drafting of a new national constitution for the country are intensifying.

It comes after weeks of

violent protests over a lack of funding for public services, where at least 20 people have died. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Retired Jamaican judge to head inquiry into Bermuda land grabs

J

amaica-born retired Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller is to head an investigation into alleged historic land grabs in Bermuda.

Premier David Burt announced the members of the Commission of Inquiry in the House of Assembly on Friday in a motion to set up an inquiry that was tabled by late Progressive Labour Party (PLP) legislator Walton Brown in 2014 when the One Bermuda Alliance was in power.

Wade-Miller, the island's first female Acting Chief Justice and once married to late Opposition Leader Frederick Wade, served as a puisne judge for 25 years.

She was also the first woman in Bermuda to be appointed a substantive magistrate, and then a High Court Judge.

Other members of the inquiry will be lawyers Lynda Milligan-Whyte and Maxine Binns, business manager Frederica Forth, former PLP legislator Wayne Perinchief, environmentalist Jonathan Starling and land surveyor Quinton Stovell.

“This now forms part of the legacy of the late

Retired Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller

Honourable Member Walton Brown, who was its champion,” said Burt.

The premier earlier said the Commission's scope would include the investigation of “historic losses of citizens' property in Bermuda through theft of property, dispossession of property, adverse possession claims, and/or such other unlawful or irregular means by which land was lost in Bermuda”.

Brown's motion to ask the Governor to set up a commission of inquiry into all known claims of property loss or dispossession was passed by parliament in July 2014. George Fergusson, the former Governor, rejected the request, which sparked a march on Government House. (CMC)

Haitian Diaspora group wants PM Holness meets Jamaicans in China urgent end to political crisis

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rime Minister Andrew Holness says he has encouraged the Jamaican Diaspora in China to continue to maintain an active interest in their homeland.

The Prime Minister said he also encouraged them to explore ways in which they can partner to continue making even more meaningful contributions to Jamaica's development and transformation.

“The Diaspora is inter-

“Tough times ahead” for Barbadians

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arbadians should brace themselves for more lay-offs and higher taxes come 2020.Scott Weatherhead, of the People’s Party for Development and Democracy (PdP), sounded this warning on Saturday while giving a review of the Central Bank Report issued

earlier last week.

Pointing to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) requirement that the island meets a six per cent primary balance by the next financial year, he opined that it is “unrealistic” to believe that such a target could be achieved

without more austerity measures.

The PdP’s spokesperson said this is especially so when considering the highest growth achieved since 2016 was one per cent.

Speaking to members of the media at the Leader of the Opposition’s office in

Parliament, Weatherhead said the only way this would be possible was if Government makes substantial cuts in wages and expenses, and increases taxes and other income sources dramatically in the next few months. (Excerpt from Barbadian Advocate)

A

broad coalition of Haitian groups in the Haitian Diaspora wants an urgent resolution of the current political crisis in the Frenchspeaking Caribbean country, saying that Haiti has “crumbled under the weight of this acute crisis”.

The group known as the United Front of the Haitian Diaspora (UFHD), based in Evanston, Illinois, claimed in an emailed resolution to nationals on Sunday that “anarchy and stagnation prevail everywhere”.

“President (Jovenel) Moise and his Administration can no longer resolve the crisis without radical changes,” said UFHD, stating that its mission was “to mobilise Haitians living in the Diaspora, our children, our friends and allies to help Haiti develop”.

“So, as much as we are

constitutionalists, we think that the President has to come to term with that reality and be compassionate, and make his contribution to stability and end the carnage,” it added.

UFHD claimed that Moise had not had the capacity to maintain a stable government to manage the affairs of the nation in the best interests of citizens for more than a year, adding “that such a situation has led him to the successive nomination of Prime Ministers but yet powerless to obtain ratification at the level of Parliament, in spite of the fact that he has had a clear majority”.

It also said that Moise has been incapable of addressing the root causes of the nation's deteriorating social-political crisis and its acute economic collapse”. aExcerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, november 4, 2019

17

Around the World

Whistleblower offers Iraqi protesters attack Republicans testimony Iran consulate in Karbala

T

he US official whose whistleblower complaint led to the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump offered to communicate directly with Republicans on the intelligence committee leading the inquiry, his lawyers said on Sunday.

The action was in response to Republican efforts, led by Trump, to unmask the whistleblower, a member of the U.S. intelligence community whose identity has not been released, lawyer Mark Zaid said.

Republicans have “sought to expose our client’s identity which could jeopardize their safety, as well as that of their family,” Zaid wrote on Twitter.

News of the offer came as Trump called on the whistleblower to come forward, in a stark departure from norms in such cases.

“The Whistleblower got it sooo wrong that HE must come forward,” Trump said in a morning Twitter post.

Later outside the White House, Trump called the whistleblower an “Obama guy” and a fraud and said,

President Donald Trump

“The whistleblower should be revealed.”

Republicans have complained that the impeachment inquiry in the Democratic-led House of Representatives has been unfair to them and to Trump, and that they have been restricted in their questioning of witnesses. The inquiry has followed established House rules.

The Republican president is under increasing pressure as the House of Representatives forges ahead with its investigation of whether Trump solicit-

ed help from Ukraine as he seeks re-election next year.

Leaders of the Democraticcontrolled House expect to begin public hearings in the next few weeks.

The inquiry was launched on Sept. 24 after a whistleblower complaint from the unidentified U.S. intelligence official who was concerned that the president’s actions on Ukraine were illegal and jeopardized national security.

As the inquiry enters its sixth week, however, the whistleblower’s testimony, based on second-hand information provided by other U.S. officials, is not likely to be the most important.

Lawmakers leading the inquiry have since heard first-hand accounts from U.S. officials including former National Security Council member Alexander Vindman that describe Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate the 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as accusations he used $391 million in U.S. aid as leverage. ( Reuters)

Thousands gather on Beirut’s streets for anti-Government protest

T

ens of thousands of Lebanese protested on Sunday to keep up a nationwide street movement that has brought down the Government, hours after a smaller rally of thousands was held to support the embattled President.

Unprecedented cross-sectarian demonstrations have gripped Lebanon since October 17, demanding a complete overhaul of a political system deemed inefficient and corrupt.

On Sunday evening, thousands of protesters streamed into the main square carrying Lebanese flags and a flurry of inventive slogans on cardboard,

an AFP correspondent said.

“Revolution,” they cried to the rhythm of electronic beats in Martyrs’ Square.

“All of them means all of them,” they chanted, calling for political leaders from all sectarian stripes to step down.

They also called for a general strike today to pressure political leaders.

The protest, the biggest since Tuesday when supporters of the powerful Hezbollah movement broke up the protest camp, followed a rally earlier in the day by supporters of Lebanon’s President, held to counter anti-Government protests that have paralysed

the country for more than two weeks.

President Michel Aoun has been among the main targets of mass protests that aim to sweep from power Lebanon’s entire sectarian and political elite.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned last week, meeting a key demand of the protesters, but will stay on in the role of caretaker Prime Minister until a new Government is formed.

However, Hezbollah and its allies, who dominate the Government, have held their ground without offering any concrete proposals to meet the protesters’ demands.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

General election 2019: Nigel Farage will not stand as candidate

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igel Farage has said he will not be standing as a candidate in the general election on December 12.

The Brexit Party leader told the BBC’s Andrew Marr he had thought “very hard” but had decided he could “serve the cause better” by supporting his party’s 600 candidates “across the UK”.

“I don’t want to be in politics for the rest of my life,” he said.

Jeremy Corbyn said Farage’s decision was “a bit weird” given the Brexit Party hopes to stand in most places.

Farage, who has stood unsuccessfully for Parliament seven times and current-

Nigel Farage last stood for election in South Thanet in

ly sits in the European Parliament, also criticised the PM’s Brexit deal.

The 55-year-old told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show the deal agreed earlier this month was “virtually worse than being in the EU”.

On Friday, the Prime Minister rejected an alli-

ance with Farage’s Brexit Party, telling BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg doing deals with “any other party... simply risks putting Jeremy Corbyn into Number 10”.

Farage had called on the Prime Minister to drop his Brexit deal, unite in a “Leave alliance” or face a Brexit Party candidate in every seat in the election.

He told the Marr show: “I always thought that to win an election, get a big majority so we can get a proper Brexit, a coming-together would be the objective.

“I still hope and pray it happens but it doesn’t look like it will.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

D

ozens of protesters in Iraq attacked the Iranian consulate in the Shia holy city of Karbala on Sunday night, scaling the concrete barriers ringing the building, bringing down an Iranian flag and replacing it with the Iraqi flag, eyewitnesses said.

Security forces fired in the air to disperse the protesters who threw stones and burned tires around the building on a street corner in Karbala south of Baghdad.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the incident, which comes amid ongoing protests in the capital Baghdad and majority-Shia provinces in the south.

The protests are directed at a postwar political system and a class of elite leaders that Iraqis accuse of pillaging the country's wealth while the country grows poorer [Murtaja Lateef/EPA]

The witnesses spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

There have been reports of the government authorities deploying police in the area.

The protests are directed at a postwar political system and a class of elite leaders that Iraqis accuse of pillaging the country's wealth while the country grows poorer. (Al Jazeera)

Congolese anti-Ebola fighter killed in home attack

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radio host who helped spread the word in the fight against Ebola was stabbed to death at his home in the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo, the army said on Sunday.

The motive for the murder in the town of Lwemba in the troubled Ituri region was unknown, but it came as health authorities were set to introduce a new vaccine against the disease in unaffected areas.

The attackers killed 35-year-old Papy Mumbere Mahamba and wounded his wife before burning down their home late on Saturday, General Robert Yav, the Commander of Congolese Army Forces in the Ituri town of Mambasa, told AFP news agency.

The Observatory for Press Freedom in Africa (OLPA), based in the DRC, called on the Ituri authorities to conduct a “serious in-

A view of an Ebola treatment centre in DRC’s North Kivu province [Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/EPA]

vestigation” into the killing.

DRC declared an Ebola epidemic in August 2018 in the conflict-wracked eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, bordering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

The highly contagious haemorrhagic fever has so far killed 2185 people, according to the latest official figures.

Efforts to roll back the epidemic have been hampered not only by fighting but also by resistance within communities to preven-

tive measures, healthcare facilities and safe burials.

It is the DRC’s 10th Ebola epidemic and the second deadliest on record after an outbreak that struck West Africa during 2014-16, claiming more than 11,300 lives.

Health workers have repeatedly come under attack.

In September, militiamen torched about 20 homes of health workers fighting Ebola in the area around Mambasa. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit

by WhatsApp privacy breach

I

ndia’s main opposition Congress party said on Sunday that its General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had been informed by messaging service WhatsApp that her phone was hacked during this year’s election campaign by malware from Israeli surveillance firm NSO. Last week, the Indian Government asked Facebook-owned WhatsApp to explain the nature of a privacy breach on its messaging platform that has affected some users in the country.

The surveillance revelations came after WhatsApp sued Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group last Tuesday, accusing it of helping Government spies break into the phones of roughly 1400 users across four con-

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a leader of India’s main Opposition

tinents including diplomats, political dissidents, journalists and Government officials. NSO denied the allegations.

India is WhatsApp’s biggest market with 400 million users.

“When WhatsApp sent messages to all those whose phones were hacked, one

such message was also received by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,” senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told reporters on Sunday.

Priyanka - she is usually referred to by just her first name - is the sister of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi.

People familiar with WhatsApp’s investigation told Reuters that a significant number of Indian civil society figures were put under surveillance using the Israeli spyware.

WhatsApp has not identified anyone by name.

Users including Indian lawyers, academics, Dalit rights activists and journalists have come forward to say they received warnings from WhatsApp that they were the targets of espionage.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

18

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monday, november 4, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Step up, make things happen and don’t look back or let someone’s emotional manipulation stand in your way. A joint venture will have strings attached.

Proceed with caution.

Explore your options, and don’t be afraid to make an adjustment to the way you do things or how you move forward. A better position, partnership or schedule will make a difference.

A different perspective on how you handle matters or whom you deal with will encourage you to speak up on someone else’s behalf.

Your concern will be noted and respected.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Sit tight, be observant and pour your energy into something constructive or healthy. Exercise and diet should be priorities if you want to look and feel your best.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Get involved in activities that involve older or younger family members. The support and help you give others will lead to positive lifestyle changes for everyone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Do your best to make a difference, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you.

Looking out for your financial interests in a joint venture will be necessary.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

If you look on the bright side, you will figure out a way to sidestep someone difficult or demanding. How others react to your maneuver will prompt you to expand your interests and friendships.

Rely on your experience, charm and knowledge to help you take advantage of a chance to embark on an adventure. A mix of old and new is favored.

Look over personal docuSAGITTARIUS ments and update any that are ready to expire. Staying (Nov. 23on top of deadlines and payDec. 21) ing attention to the details will also encourage you to take better care of your health.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SATURDAY’S

SOLUTION FOr SATURDAY’S puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Upgrades can be made.

A domestic change will lift your spirits and ease stress.

A service you can offer from home will bring in extra cash.

Use your physical attributes to your advantage. A personal gain is possible if you take action. Romance is on the rise, and your intentions will help you make a decision.

Look inward, explore your feelings and make adjustments to the way you handle your money. A positive outlook will help you reinvent what you have to offer.

monday, november 4, 2019

19

round-up: 76ers stun

Blazers with 0.4 seconds left

T

he Philadelphia 76ers overcame both the absence of suspended center Joel Embiid and the hotshooting Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night and remained the only unbeaten team in the NBA. Furkan Korkmaz hit a 3-pointer from the right side with 0.4 seconds left to lift the 76ers to a 129-128 road victory, their fifth win this season.

Damian Lillard of the Blazers missed a long 3 at the buzzer.

A 3-pointer by second-year guard Anfernee Simons with 2.6 seconds remaining erased a 126125 Philadelphia lead, but it wasn’t enough for the Blazers, who fell to 0-2 at home.

The Blazers led by 21 points midway through the third quarter, only to have Philadelphia close to within three points three times early in the fourth quarter and twice down the stretch.

An Al Horford driving dunk then cut the gap to 125-124 with 50.2 seconds remaining.

After CJ McCollum missed a three for Portland, Philadelphia got the rebound and called a timeout with 14.8 seconds left. The 76ers went inside and drew a foul with 10.1 seconds remaining. Ben Simmons,

who entered the game shooting just 44.4 percent from the line, made two free throws for the Sixers’ first lead of the game at 126-125.

Lillard scored a game-high 33 points on 11-for-17 shooting (8-for11 from 3-point range), and small forward Rodney Hood had 25 on 9-of11 shooting (4-for-6 from deep) to lead the Blazers. Hood was helped to the locker room late in the game after a collision with Simmons.

Philadelphia had to adjust its preferred smashmouth style of play, though the Sixers still relied heavily on points in the paint. Horford started at center and scored a team-high 25 points. Power forward Tobias Harris added 23 points.

Portland’s next game is Monday night at Golden State.

Detroit Pistons forward Markieff Morris (8) dribbles defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Taurean Prince (USA Today)

Drummond carries short-handed Pistons over Nets Andre Drummond collected 25 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and three steals while also making the clinching free throws as the depleted Detroit Pistons topped the visiting Brooklyn Nets 113-109 on Saturday.

Luke Kennard supplied 24 points and Bruce Brown scored a career-high

22 points with seven assists for the Pistons, who were missing four key players. All-Star forward Blake Griffin, who hasn’t played this season due to hamstring and knee injuries, was joined on the sideline by the team’s top three point guards — Reggie Jackson (back), Derrick Rose (hamstring) and Tim Frazier (shoulder).

Kyrie Irving recorded a tripledouble with 20 points, 11 rebounds

and 10 assists for the Nets. Taurean Prince had 20 points, Joe Harris contributed 18, Spencer Dinwiddie scored 16 and Caris LeVert added 14.

LeVert, Harris and Prince reached double figures in points by halftime as the Nets took a 54-46 lead.

Prince made two 3-pointers in the first three-plus minutes of the second half as Brooklyn increased its lead to 14, 64-50.

Brooklyn’s advantage quickly evaporated. Kennard began a 20-2 outburst by Detroit with a 3-pointer.

Kennard scored five consecutive points later in the quarter as Detroit emerged with a 78-72 lead entering the fourth.

Svi Mykhailiuk drained a 3 in the opening minute of the quarter to give the Pistons a double-digit advantage, 83-72.

Tony Snell’s pullup 3 in transition made it 91-78. Brown converted a layup with 5:45 left for a 99-87 lead.

Brooklyn scored the next seven points, including four points and an assist by Irving.

The Nets crept within three but Drummond scored in the lane to give Detroit a 105-100 edge. Harris knocked down a 3 to make it a two-point game.

Irving’s free throws with 41.6 seconds left cut the Pistons lead to one. Kennard and Irving then traded baskets before Kennard was fouled with 8.4 seconds left. He hit both free throws.

Dinwiddie and Drummond each split free-throw attempts. Prince made a free throw and intentionally missed the second but Drummond secured the rebound. Drummond then hit both free throws to clinch it. (Reuters)

Premier League: Leicester go 3rd with win at Palace

G

oalscorer Jamie Vardy lauded Leicester's "attacking talent" as his side moved back into third with victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The 32-year-old sealed victory with an 80th-minute goal after Caglar Soyuncu had headed the Foxes into the lead with his first goal for the club.

Second-half substitute Demarai Gray provided the assist for Vardy, while both James Maddison and Youri Tielemans impressed again in midfield.

Vardy said: "The creativity and attacking talent we have is incredible. We have so many options and it can only benefit us."

The Foxes are now level with Chelsea on 23 points, but with a better goal difference, and just two points behind second-placed Manchester City.

They have one more point than they did at this stage during their title-winning campaign in 2015-16.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said he did not want to put any pressure on his players.

"My senior players are first-class," said the former

Liverpool and Celtic boss.

"The spirit is very good and they understand we are trying to create something here we can sustain.

"People asked about European football at the beginning of the season and I said, 'listen, we don't want to get ahead of ourselves' because there are some incredible teams in this league."

Turkey centre-back Soyuncu, who joined from Freiburg in 2018, has been one of the shining stars for the Foxes this season and further endeared himself to their fans with a stooping header that broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

Vardy, who scored a hat-trick in the 9-0 win at Southampton, then sealed the away win in the 88th minute with a first-time strike after a swift one-two with substitute Gray.

Full-back Ben Chilwell came close to adding a third in stoppage time but saw his angled strike come off the inside of the post.

Mid-table Palace, who came into the match with seven points from 12, failed to trouble Kasper Schmeichel aside from a Jeffrey Schlupp

Leicester signed Caglar Soyuncu (second right) in a deal worth up to £19m in 2018 (Reuters)

deflected strike that had to be tipped over the bar by the Dane.

The Eagles remain ninth with 15 points.

Gomes injury overshadows Everton draw Everton midfielder Andre Gomes suffered a serious leg injury which left Tottenham's Son Heung-min in tears and overshadowed the home side scoring a 97th-minute equaliser to earn a vital point.

Gomes, 26, was tackled

by Son and appeared to be injured by an awkward fall which prompted an anguished reaction from players and fans close to the incident.

Son was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson as Portugal international Gomes received extensive treatment in a lengthy delay and was eventually taken off on a stretcher.

Former Everton winger Pat Nevin, who was the analyst for

BBC Radio 5 Live at Goodison Park on Sunday, described the incident as "horrible".

"Players looked devastated and there was utter confusion - players with their heads in their hands," the former Scotland international said.

"Son was distraught before he was sent off, and Serge Aurier couldn't watch and was praying.

"Gomes was led straight to the corner to the ambulance to take him to hospital."

The atmosphere around Goodison Park darkened as the football became secondary to Gomes' plight, until the mood was lifted by substitute Cenk Tosun heading in from close range.

Earlier, Spurs midfielder Dele Alli's clinical finish had livened up a dull game where the video assistant referee again proved a controversial talking point when Everton were denied what looked like a penalty.

Spurs, without a league win on the road since January, seemed set to take all three points when Alli punished a loose pass from Everton's Alex Iwobi to fire in.

Moments later, Alli looked to have handled in the Everton box but, after a three-minute

delay peppered with boos from supporters, a penalty was not given by VAR. Everton eventually equalised deep into the 12 minutes of stoppage time following Gomes' injury, with the draw moving Marco Silva's side three points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs were set to move eighth with a rare away win, but instead are 11th in the middle of a pack of 13 teams separated by just six points.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino sent his "best wishes" to Gomes, adding "the most important thing is he recovers quickly".

Son initially looked set to be given a yellow card for the challenge before referee Atkinson changed his mind and reduced Spurs to 10 men for the rest of the match.

Pochettino said it was "not important" whether Son should have been sent off or not, although added he did think his player was given a red card because of the "consequence" of the challenge.

"It was a normal action with the bad luck that Andre was injured," he told BBC Sport. (BBC Sport)

20

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monday, november 4, 2019

Lewis Hamilton seals 6th F1 world title with 2nd place at US Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton celebrates in parc ferme (Getty Images)

T

his was a satisfying way for Lewis Hamilton to secure his sixth Formula One championship - a competitive scrap to settle a title battle that had become a procession.

Only his Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, could delay the date of Hamilton’s coronation, so it was fitting that the two fought

hard for first place in Austin o n Sunday, duelling in the closing stages as Bottas successfully chased down the Briton.

Such is Hamilton’s points advantage that Bottas, second in the standings, had to win and hope that Hamilton finished outside the top eight. The 30-year-old Finn did what was required – but so did Hamilton, who claimed second place with a solid, composed but determined drive.

“Still we rise, guys, still we rise,” he said on the team radio.

“I really can’t believe it.”

Number six gives the 34-year-old sole possession of second place on the all-time list: the greatest driver of his generation has overtaken Juan Manuel Fangio, whose championships came in the 1950s, leaving him one behind Michael Schumacher. And few would bet against Hamilton equalling the German next year ahead of rules changes in 2021 that promise to give the lesser teams more of a shot against the sport’s big three of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Excluding 2016, when his Mercedes then-teammate Nico Rosberg was victorious, Hamilton

has won the title every year since 2014 - building on his dramatic triumph with McLaren in 2008 when he became the youngest world champion aged 23, courtesy of an overtaking move at the last corner of the last race.

More recent successes have been serene by comparison. With the finest driver competing for the best team, the destiny of this year’s championship was not especially suspenseful after Hamilton won eight of the first twelve races.

Given Hamilton’s commanding lead ahead of this, the third-from-last race on the calendar, whoever designated <https://twitter.com/F1/status/1191069557122842625> the “reserved parking [for] 2019 world champion” space in parc fermé on Sunday was being realistic rather than presumptuous.

Hamilton clinched his fourth title with a ninth-place finish in Mexico in 2017, while fourth place was good enough the following year in the same country. In Texas he was able to celebrate his yearlong achievement from the podium.

That was not a given since Hamilton started the race back in fifth, ending a streak of three straight pole positions at this circuit. It was his worst qualifying performance here since 2013, though not shocking in the wider context: Hamilton has only four

pole positions this year, one fewer than Bottas and far down on his eleven poles in 2018.

Last year’s contest was won

by Kimi Raikkonen, then with Ferrari. He was given a champagne shower by Hamilton after winning a grand prix for the first time since 2013, ending a four-ina-row streak for Hamilton.

He had won five of the seven previous grands prix on this track fifteen miles from the skyscrapers of downtown Austin, where the cosmopolitan Texan capital’s ever-expanding urban sprawl yields to a semi-rural scene of ranches and churches. It is an undulating landscape, but more abrupt changes in shape exercised the drivers over the

weekend.

Hamilton was among those who complained about the jarring track surface, which he described as the bumpiest he has ever driven on. He said the “insane” bumps left him with a “massive headache” and in need of a lie down after the first practice session. He felt better in subsequent runs after Mercedes made some adjustments to the car, but his performance in qualifying add-

ed to the impression that he was a touch below-par at a circuit where he habitually dominates.

On Sunday, though, he rose to the occasion and looked close to his brilliant best. He was quickly up to third during the first lap, past the two Ferraris, with Sebastian Vettel, who had started in second, complaining of an understeer problem. Vettel retired on lap eight, his car bent out of shape by a suspension failure that can hardly have been helped by the bumpy road.

With Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari a distant fourth, the race soon settled into a threeway tussle between Bottas, Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the 22-year-old Red Bull man taking part in his hundredth race at the age of 22.

Hamilton was on a onestop strategy, with Bottas and Verstappen adopting two-stop tactics, making the outcome hard to predict.

Hamilton enjoyed a roughly three-second advantage entering the final ten laps of the 56-lap race, but Bottas was steadily gaining ground on fresher tyres and he overtook his teammate on lap 52. Hamilton had just enough left to hold off Verstappen in the final stages. It was Bottas’ day; but it is, one again, Hamilton’s year.

(The Guardian)

Novak Djokovic beats WTA Finals: Denis Shapovalov to win Barty beats Svitolina to 5th Paris Masters title win title and record prize

N

ovak Djokovic recorded his 77th ATP title with a 6-3 6-4 win over Canada's Denis Shapovalov at the Paris Masters.

The 32-year-old Serb will be replaced as world number one by Rafael Nadal on Monday despite sealing his 34th Masters title, his fifth in Paris and fifth overall ATP victory of the year.

He maintained his record of not losing a set in the week as he wrapped up the match in one hour, five minutes.

It was Djokovic's fourth win against world number 28 Shapovalov, 20.

In his 50th Masters final, Djokovic took a 3-0 lead against Shapovalov - playing his first - and took the set in 29 minutes.

The Serb, who lost in last year's Paris final to Karen Khachanov, broke in the seventh game of the second set.

Left-hander Shapovalov won his first ATP title with victory in the indoor Stockholm Open last month and had his only break point of the final in the next game.

However, he was guilty of three consecutive back-

hand errors as Djokovic held and soon sealed the title, putting him level with John McEnroe in fifth place on the all-time list of ATP winners.

Shapovalov is projected to climb to a career-high 15th in the rankings.

Nadal will become world number one on Monday for the first time in a year, but the 33-year-old Spaniard is a doubt for the ATP Tour Finals starting in London on 10 November after an abdominal muscle strain forced him out of his semi-final with Shapovalov.

(BBC Sport)

Djokovic is now one short of Nadal's record of 35 Masters victories

A

shleigh Barty beat both the Wimbledon and Australian to win the WTA Elina Svitolina in a US Open semi-finals, finish- Tour finals since her role high-quality match to es a year without a title for model Evonne claim the WTA Finals title Goolagong and pick up Cawley in the biggest 1976. prize money W h a t ever offered makes her in tennis. s u c c e s s T h e even more Australian remarkworld number able is the one won 6-4 fact Barty 6-3 to take the stepped season-endaway from ing title in the tour Shenzhen following and a rethe 2014 cord $4.42m US Open, on t at the seas (£3.42m). saying she ing her debu ak m s er as w ay ty pl 's top eight Ashleigh Bar ld or w Barty, 23, felt tennis e th r t fo ending even had lost all her was a "lonely five of her prethe first time sport". vious matches against the since 2013.

The Queenslander Ukrainian defending chamswitched to cricket and pion. played for the Brisbane Barty ends stunning year with But she came through a Heat in the women's Big another major achievement testing second set, featuring Whatever happened in Bash before returning to the five breaks of serve, to take the Shenzhen final, Barty's WTA Tour in early 2016. victory when Svitolina net- lengthy list of achievements After rising to the top ted. in a spectacular season 20 last year, Barty's unique Barty, who won her first would not have been dimin- mix of power and variety, Grand Slam title at the ished. intelligence and creativity, French Open in June, will But she made sure she has taken her to the top of end the season as the world capped an extraordinary the women's game with tinumber one, while 25-year- year by becoming the first tles on all surfaces this seaold Svitolina, who reached son. (BBC Sport)

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Mushfiqur Rahim's fifty seals Bangladesh's first T20I win over India M

ushfiqur Rahim's perfectly paced, unbeaten 60 off 43 balls took Bangladesh to a seven-wicket win over India, their first against these opponents in nine attempts.

Mushfiqur's late charge against Khaleel Ahmed completely changed the game in Delhi, so much so that in the end, the result was almost a formality. The 1-0 lead in the three-match series will also be a massive boost to a team that has been reeling after Shakib Al Hasan was banned by the ICC last week for failing to report bookie approaches, not to mention the rift created by the players' strike against the BCB.

a four through the covers in the seventh over. Naim fell in the eighth over when Yuzvendra Chahal had him caught at long-on, having made 26 off 28 balls.

Chahal sews up Mushfiqur

Mushfiqur brings it back

Mushfiqur employed the pull shot, a scoop and two scythes through point to reduce Bangladesh's chase from 20 off ten balls to a mere four runs in the last over. Khaleel was the bowler bearing the brunt of Mushfiqur's calculated hits, which came quite late despite him being well set up until that point. But in the end, it was a masterstroke to hold back his shots as Bangladesh savoured their big moment.

The final touches

The debutant Shivam Dube was handed the ball in the last over, his medium pace an interesting choice given the history between these two sides and lastover finishes. Dube was ineffective as Mahmudullah ran hard to complete two runs off the second ball before getting a wide and then hammering one over wide long-on for six. India could have done better to avoid the defeat, notably when Mushfiqur slog-swept a ball in the 18th over to deep midwicket and Krunal Pandya not only dropped the catch but let it go for four too

India don't start quickly

When India batted first, Rohit Sharma was trapped lbw by a Shafiul Islam de-

Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates Bangladesh’s victory over India

livery that moved back in slightly in the first over. The home side's rhythm was further dented when KL Rahul bunted legspinner Aminul Islam's half-tracker to Mahmudullah at short cover.

Shreyas Iyer pushed the run rate but he too fell to Aminul, mistiming a lofted drive, having struck a four and two sixes in his 13ball 22. At the other end, Shikhar Dhawan struggled to score quickly before Rishabh Pant's poor call for a second run cost him his wicket. Dhawan top-scored with 41, but it came off 42 balls.

Afif Hossain then leapt high to complete a fine return catch to dismiss Dube before Pant fell trying to clear long-on, having made 27 off 26 balls.

A late burst

At 120 for 6 with ten balls left in the innings, India got the perfect boost as Krunal and Washington Sundar cobbled together 28 runs. Sundar struck two

sixes while Pandya struck a four and a six off the last ball of the innings.

Mahmudullah's choice to give Shafiul and AlAmin Hossain those crucial overs ahead of Mustafizur Rahman may well be questioned, but perhaps he was wary of the number of lefthanders in India's line-up.

Without a left-arm spinner in a T20I line-up for the first time, Mahmudullah used legspinner Aminul and offspinner Afif intelligently, the two youngsters combining to produce figures of 3 for 33 in six overs.

Bangladesh's left-handers ease the pressure

With Liton Das falling in the first over of the chase, the pressure was on Mohammad Naim, the debutant left-hand opener.

He took a bit of time before flicking Deepak Chahar for a six over deep midwicket in the fifth over before driving him thorugh covers for four in the same over.

Soumya Sarkar then took on Washington with

a reverse slog for six before smashing Khaleel for

3

With Naim's wicket, Chahal hit his stride in his next over and had Mushfiqur in a tangle. After a perfect legbreak, Chahal rushed one on to the batsman's pads before nearly having him out lbw. Mushfiqur managed to take a single but Soumya too had a tough time getting Chahal away. The over ended with just one run conceded as India began to look dominant.

From this point and until the start of the penultimate over, it looked like Mushfiqur had messed up his calculations trying to manoeuvre India's bowling on a slow, turning pitch. But he trusted his plans and as a result, Bangladesh walked away happily from the Kotla with a win under their belt.

(ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India Innings (20 overs maximum) RG Sharma (c) lbw b Islam 9 S Dhawan run out (Mahmudullah/† Rahim) 41 KL Rahul c Mahmudullah b Islam 15 SS Iyer c Naim b Islam 22 RR Pant † c Naim b Islam 27 S Dube c & b Hossain 1 KH Pandya not out 15 W Sundar not out 14 Extras (lb 3, w 1) 4 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.4) 148-6 Did not bat: YS Chahal, DL Chahar, KK Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Rohit Sharma, 0.6 ov), 2-36 (KL Rahul, 6.3 ov), 3-70 (Shreyas Iyer, 10.2 ov), 4-95 (Shikhar Dhawan, 14.5 ov), 5-102 (Shivam Dube, 15.6 ov), 6-120 (Rishabh Pant, 18.2 ov) BOWLING S Islam A Hossain M Rahman A Islam S Sarkar A Hossain

(4-0-36-2) (4-0-27-0) (2-0-15-0) (3-0-22-2) (2-0-16-0) (3-0-11-1)

M Hossain Mahmudullah

(1-0-8-0) (1-0-10-0)

Bangladesh Innings (target: 149 runs from 20 overs) L Das c Rahul b Chahar 7 M Naim c Dhawan b Chahal 26 S Sarkar b Ahmed 39 M Rahim † not out 60 Mahmudullah (c) not out 15 Extras (lb 3, w 4) 7 TOTAL (19.3 Overs, RR: 7.89) 154-3 Did not bat: Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Liton Das, 0.5 ov), 2-54 (Mohammad Naim, 7.5 ov), 3-114 (Soumya Sarkar, 16.6 ov) BOWLING DL Chahar W Sundar KK Ahmed YS Chahal H Pandya S Dube

(3-0-24-1) (4-0-25-0) (4-0-37-1) (4-0-24-1) (4-0-32-0) (0.3-0-9-0)

Bayern Munich part company with Manager following 5-1 defeat T

he decision follows Saturday's 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt, which was the German champions' second in 10 Bundesliga games this season.

Kovac leaves with Bayern fourth in the table, four points behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 48-year-old former Croatia midfielder had been in charge since July 2018 and led Bayern to a league-and-cup double last season.

Kovac won 45 of his 65 games in charge of Bayern but Saturday's defeat was the club's heaviest in the Bundesliga in 10 years.

Bayern said in a statement the decision had come as "result of a mu-

tual discussion with Niko rious discussion with Niko this Kovac on Sunday."

Sunday based on that and came Chief executive ofto the mutual decision that ficer Karl-Heinz Niko is no longer head coach Rummenigge, said: of FC Bayern.

"The performanc"We all regret this dees of our team in revelopment. I would like cent weeks and the to thank Niko Kovac on results have behalf of FC Bayern for shown us his work, particularly that there for last season's douwas a ble win." need for Kovac was also action. quoted in the "We statement on the had an club's website Niko Kovac coached Bayern Munich to the o p e n as saying he Bundesliga title by two points last season and sethought it "was

the correct decision for the club at this time".

"The results and the way we've played lately have led me to this decision," he said. "My brother Robert and I would like to thank FC Bayern for these past 18 months.

During that time our team won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the very best."

Assistant coach Hansi Flick will take charge of Bayern in the Champions League against Olympiakos on Wednesday (17.55 GMT) and Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (17.30). (BBC Sport)

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monday, november 4, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

9th Annual Sky Plus/Nand Persaud Sprint Classic…

Chameli upsets field in main event Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

B

efore hundreds of incredulous spectators, the mount Chameli of the Shivkaran Stables clinched the feature race of the 9th Annual Sky Plus/Nand Persaud Sprint Classic, held yesterday at the racing facility at Macedonia Estate, #36 Village Corentyne, and earned for its handlers a winner’s purse of $225,000.

Piloted by Jamaican jockey Kevin Blake and trained by one “Grey”, Chameli defied all the odds to register a stunning upset in the four-furlong feature event for horses classified G3 and Lower, beating into respective second and third places top horses of the Nand Persaud Stables Golden Dancer and TNT, both of whom were favoured to win the event.

The day’s activities commenced with the race for horses classified as ‘L Non-Winners’, and Black Track took the first prize of $100,000 ahead of Careful Choice (second), Rickey (third) and Star Quality (fourth).

Race two, the H3 Maiden and Guyana-Bred Open race for a prize of

$200,000, saw Not this Time bagging the top spot, while Storm Dancer and Miss Olympic finished in that order.

The third race of the day, the L Open race for a prize of $100,000, w a s arguably the hottest

Uprising stormed to victory

i n g with

Bodyguard was all alone in a clinical win

c o n test, with Cherish Me and Touch the Cash finishing same in a dead heat, and animal owners and fans express-

dissatisfaction the results.

Plane Land (third) and Awesome Banner (fourth) were the oth- er finishers in this race.

The fourth race o f the day, for 2-year-old maiden Guyana-Bred horses, saw Bodyguard storming to a comfortable win, jockey Kellman ensuring that Bodyguard walk away with the purse of $150,000.

Perfect Storm (second), Face D Fire (third) and Awesome Bandit (fourth) were the other top finishers in that race.

In the fifth race of the day, the J & Lower Open for 2-year-old GuyanaBred horses, “Uprising”, piloted by Rad Drepaul,

turned in an awesome performance to take the top spot and walk away with the first prize of $150,000 plus trophy.

“Uprising” finished ahead of Justify the Heat and “Uprising King”.

Among the sponsors of this event were Banks DIH Limited under its Banks Beer brand, Republic Bank, Poonai's Pharmacy, NTN TV, and Trophy Stall.

Issac replaces Cooper In 2nd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI

GT Beer/Keep Your Five Alive Futsal competition…

Semi-finalists decided Windies Women won the first match of the 3-game ODI series

C

GT Beer action in this year’s competition unravelled at the National Gymnasium

F

ollowing completion of the last quarter-final game, played between Bent Street and Tiger Bay -which the former won -- the semi-finalists in this year’s GT Beer/Keep Your Five Alive Futsal Competition have been decided.

Bent Street now join Sparta Boss, Future Stars, and Gold is Money as contestants in “the last four” (semi-final), which is slated to be played on Saturday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

In these semi-final games, defending champs Sparta Boss will tackle a rejuvenated Future Stars team, and Bent Street will take on Gold is Money in what is being re-

ferred to as two blockbuster affairs for prize monies exceeding $1 million, besides trophies.

In the opening game, Gold is Money, without their inspirational captain Hubert Pedro, will rely on leading marksman Jermin Junor to spearhead their quest for a final spot. His support will no doubt come from the experienced Phillip Rowley, Solomon Austin and Randolph Wagner.

Conversely, Bent Street -- a team loaded with national standouts -- will be aiming to underline that advantage to reach the championship game.

With the exceptionally talented Pernel Schultz, Daniel

Wilson and William Europe in their lineup, their only focus ought to be on dominating their opponents.

In the other game, champs Sparta Boss will have to be at their lethal best to hold off the impressive Future Stars, who have appeared to be in rich form.

Sparta’s chances of winning will rest on the performances of Gregory Richardson, Sheldon Shepherd, Ryan Hackett and Eusi Phillips; while the future of the Stars will depend on Keiron Solomon, Kevin Cummings and Jamal Cozier continuing to shine to get them to the final.

Two exhibition games will precede the semi-final games.

aneisha Isaac has been named by the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s and Girls selection panel as the replacement for Britney Cooper who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Colonial Medical Insurance (CMI) One Day International series against India Women.

Britney has a bruised shin after being struck with a ball, thereby ruling her out of the series. Also ruled out of the remaining two CMI ODIs is Chinelle Henry who suffered a concussion after crashing head-first into the boundary board after saving two runs, which ultimately led to the West Indies Women defeating India Women by 1-run in the first CMI ODI. As per CWI’s concussion policy, Chinelle is unavailable for a minimum of seven (7) days.

During this time she will be monitored and evaluated as

to when she can return.

Caneisha is an uncapped medium-pacer from Trinidad and Tobago (TT), having played in 2017 and 2019 for TT in the CWI’s Women’s Championship and T20 Blaze. She was recently called to the West Indies Women’s training camp where the selectors and coaches had a closer look at her.

Hayley Matthews returns to the squad for the third CMI ODI and will replace Chinelle Henry.

CWI’s lead selector for Women’s and Girls Ann Browne-John spoke of the changes to the series squad, “Two players were ruled out after the first CMI ODI due to injury, Britney Cooper and Chinelle Henry who suffered a concussion during the match and actually had the concussion substitute rule enforced for the first time in a Women's International in the West

Indies. The duo have been replaced by Caneisha Isaac who comes in from the 2nd CMI ODI and Hayley Matthews who returns from the 3rd CMI ODI.” Browne-John added, “Isaac is a young medium pacer and a live wire on the field who impressed during the recent pre series camp.

She will join the group of young medium pacers being groomed in the thrust to continue the development of young players."

The West indies Women defeated India women by one run in a thrilling match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in front of a couple thousand spectators who were all celebrating Antigua and Barbuda’s thirty-eighth Independence Day. The West Indies Women are currently seventh (7th) in the ICC Women’s Championship points table with 13 points. (CWI)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, november 4, 2019

23

Inaugural A Ally and Sons Memorial 50-mile Cycle Race…

John outsprints Green in ‘ultimate thriller’

By Brandon Corlette

T

he inaugural A. Ally and Sons Memorial 50-mile Cycle Race from New Amsterdam to #36 Village, Corentyne and

stopped the clock at two hours, 12 minutes and 36 seconds; just ahead of a determined Andre ‘Padlock’ Green who finished second, while Walter Grant-Stuart came in third and Kemuel

tests to be seen of late in East Berbice.

Other top finishers in the Open category were Marcus Keiler (fifth), Andrew Hicks (sixth), Ajay Gopilall (seventh), Ralph

Briton John trademark celebrates his win as Padlock and Stuart battle for second spot (Brandon Corlette photos)

back ended in “a finish for the ages” when Briton John

Moses fourth in one of the most thrilling cycling con-

Seenarine (eighth), Balram Narine (ninth) and Mario

Washington (tenth).

Keiler copped three sprint prizes and Deeraj Garbaran copped two; while Narine, Green and Junior Niles each had one sprint prize.

Seenarine was the top cyclist in the Novices category, while his Flying Ace team mate Washington placed second, Jason Sampson (third), and Donovan Fraser (fourth). Seenarine was also adjudged “the Club Cyclist” of the event, while Daniel Rigby received a special prize for being the oldest cyclist to participate in the race.

In the 12-14 category, Aaron Rajnarine came in first, while Shazim Yakub and Ravikhan Mootoo came in second and third respectively.

After the event, Briton John disclosed that this was the most difficult race he had ridden for the year, since he was “on-and-off the bike” ahead of the race.

“I came to help my team and not to win, but I am happy. With three more miles at the Canje Bridge, there was

‘Champion boy’ Briton John receiving his trophy from a representative of A. Ally and Sons superstore

a three-man break. Padlock was on my wheel, but I saw an opportunity to win”, John declared, after putting on another display of classy sprinting to emerge victorious in a major race.

This race commenced in front of the premises of A. Ally and Sons superstore at New Street, New Amsterdam, and the wheelsmen transformed the Corentyne highway into their playfield as they en-

gaged in furious flight to the turning point at Nand Persaud Rice Complex at #36 Village before returning to the starting point to finish the race. All prizes on offer in this inaugural event were of considerable value.

This event is anticipated to continue being attractive to participants, especially since future prizes are anticipated to exceed predecessor prizes in value.

Windies wary of world-class Afghanistan spinners, admits Captain Pollard W

indies skipper Kieron Pollard has insisted it will be important for the team to carefully plan its approach in what could be a tricky upcoming series against Afghanistan.

The Pollard-led regional squad will square off against the Rashid Khan-led Afghans in three One Day Internationals (ODI) and three T20 internationals.

Despite being ranked just above the hosts in the ICC ODI standings, the Afghans hold an

advantage in recent results winning three of the last six encounters.

The Asian team has often taken advantage of t h e Windies note d w e a k n e s s against spin bowling, a fact not lost on

Rashid Khan

Windies s k i p per Kieron Pollard.

"Rashid Khan is a world-

class bowler. It was seen by all of us and all around the world.

Again there is no secret about it.

Nabi himself has been doing well, he is a class i c a l off-spinn e r .

Mujeeb has done well for himself," Pollard s a i d Kieron Pollard ahead

of the match.

"We as a team, we have to plan how we a r e going to structure our fifty overs of batting and then our fifty overs of bowling. Each and every one of us is a good player and has own right to show what we have to offer," he added.

The team will bowl off the series on Wednesday at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium, in Lucknow.

(Sportsmax)

monday, november 4, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Inaugural A Ally and Sons Memorial 50-mile Cycle Race…

John outsprints Green in ‘ultimate thriller’

Outstanding cyclists pose for this photo with personnel from A Ally and Sons superstore

Page 23

9th Annual Sky Plus/Nand Persaud Sprint Classic…

Chameli upsets field in main event

Champion jockey Kevin Blake was among others at the presentation (Brandon Corlette photo)

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