Guyana Times, Thursday June 20, 2019

Zika cases decline in Guyana– US Ambassador

P14

…after ranking number 1 for South America in 2017 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3960

thursday, june 20, 2019

PRICE

Onslaught on democracy

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

President, PM, Finance Minister defy CCJ's rulings

Berbice P14 man stabbed to death by friend Wakapao suspected cyanide poisoning

Another P11 victim dies, 4 others remain hospitalised

P1

...call for street protests See stories on …as elections violence fear surfaces pages 3 & 9 PPP writes to Top Cop over PM, Finance Minister’s

“war break”, “street protest” statements

See story on page 7

Bar owner

jailed for 15 years P10 for human trafficking

…to pay victims $5M in compensation

…ERC also called on to intercede given President, Ministers' defiance

Hundreds to lose

jobs as Emerge BPO downsizes in Guyana Page 11

Paramakatoi dorm flooded

Page 10

Trade unions call on Govt to follow CCJ rulings

Page 14

Prison officer remanded for ganja trafficking P8 Central Bank getting ready to manage oil revenues P12

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THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

CCJ ruling

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

Thursday, June 20 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, June 21 – 05:00h-06:30h.

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THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jordan, Nagamootoo call for street protests, “troubles” …as elections violence fear surfaces

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, June 20 – 06:00h-07:30h and Friday, June 21 – 06:30h-08:00h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to thundery showers will prevail throughout the morning into the early afternoon with sunny intervals in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies followed by light showers are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:02h and 18:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.41 metres.

Low Tide: 12:05h reaching a minimum height of 0.65 metre.

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Finance Minister Winston Jordan in Bartica

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

egardless of what the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) or anyone says, the coalition Government is not prepared to call elections unless House-to-House Registration is carried out.

This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Jordan made this statement during a Government outreach in Bartica on Tuesday, in the presence of several other Ministers of Government, in clear defiance of the CCJ ruling. At the time, Jordan also rallied coalition supporters to protest if necessary for Houseto-House Registration. This is despite the fact that this exercise is likely to further delay elections that were constitutionally due since March 21 of this year.

“Comrades, be on the ready! Because we will be able to call you out to picket for House-to-House registration. No registration, no elections!”

“And CCJ or no CCJ, they can’t tell us that we must tinker with that list to call an improper election.

Elections must be free, fair, and proper,” the Minister said in gross disregard for the ruling of the highest court in the Region.

It was only on Tuesday that the CCJ ruled that Government fell to the no-confidence motion the Opposition brought against it last December. The law says that when this occurs, the President and Cabinet must resign and elections must be held within three months of the motion.

That deadline elapsed since March 21, 2019, with Government having spent much of this time moving from the High Court to the Appeals Court seeking to overturn the motion, rather than ensuring elections were held.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had rejected the November timeline for elections put forward by President David Granger.

According to Jagdeo, the parliamentary Opposition expects, in the interest of principle and practicality, elections in three months.

But Jordan, during his address, called on the Police to be on guard and utilise its intelligence. He also made it clear to the party’s supporters that the coalition government had no intention of demitting office.

“From today Comrades, war break. Because we got to go to elections before the end of this year, hopefully. I say hopefully because we can only go to elections

and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to register its complains over the two officials’ statements.

On Tuesday, the CCJ ruled that the no-confidence motion of December 21, 2019 was validly passed against the Government.

It also ruled that Alliance For Change (AFC) defector Charrandas Persaud was entitled to vote against his party list and that even as a dual citizen, his vote was still valid.

On the matter of the Guyana Elections (GECOM) Chairman, the court ruled that not only was that appointment unconstitutional but the President ought to have given the Opposition Leader an explanation as to why consecutive lists of nominees were being reject-

R

when GECOM says it ready.

So don’t let anyone tell you anything.

“And I’m putting the Police on notice. Mischief will be afoot between now and when the elections are called. You have to be on your guard and your lookout. Your intelligence has to be upgraded. Because already there is talk about bringing people on the street,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo also made his pitch to the coalition supporters.

Nagamootoo announced that there would be trouble if youths are disenfranchised – despite there being a process for adding youths to the list automatically whenever they become eligible to vote.

“The young people who turned 18 since the last elections, their names are not on that voters’ list and anyone who calls for an election without our young people being on that voters’ list, they’re calling for trouble in this country,” Nagamootoo said.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has since wasted little time in writing to Police Commissioner Leslie James (who coincidentally joined the Ministers in Bartica for the outreach)

ed.

Already, the diplomatic community, members of civil society and the Private Sector have called on all parties to respect the CCJ ruling. Soon after the ruling, however, President David Granger issued a statement in which he said that while he respected the ruling, the Government would still insist on House-toHouse Registration – a process that could further delay elections.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Jagdeo also stated that Government was using GECOM and the voters’ list as excuses to “desperately hang on to office, hoping his Government can spend taxpayers’ money to improve its political fortunes – all while the country is drifting”.

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 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

Govts continued defiance

T

he rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion (NCM) and the appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), are without ambiguity. In simple and clear language, the court declared that the NCM was properly passed; Mr. Charrandas Persaud’s vote was valid with the right to vote against his Party; 33 is a majority needed and Justice Patterson’s appointment was unconstitutional.

The decisions were a stinging rebuke of the government’s arguments especially their laughable and absurd theory that 33 is not a majority of 65. From all accounts, there weren’t doubts in the minds of ordinary Guyanese as to the constitutional provision for a NCM and what its success would automatically trigger. One can also safely suggest that the government was aware of those said provisions as evident from the initial statements of the Prime Minister and the President.

The ruling of the CCJ, which is final and which upheld the decision of the Chief Justice and one of the Appeal Court Judges, may have confirmed that the government deliberately delayed the inevitable by taking the legal route. In doing so, not only did the government clutched at straws with a trumped up and ridiculous mathematical theory, but expended precious taxpayers’ monies in the process.

During that time, legal minds, both local and across the Region except for those on the government’s team, were dumbfounded at the reasons for seeking legal cover. Sadly, their defence found a place in the minds of two legal practitioners who are probably now ruing their stance while possibly drenched in embarrassment. The CCJ ruled on the basis of law and no other sentiments. In doing so, it upheld and protected the constitution of Guyana from the whims and fancies of those who trampled upon it.

Guyanese must be feeling a tremendous sense of outrage at the fact that millions of dollars and time were sapped just for the obvious to be reiterated. Clearly from the ruling, elections should have been held within the constitutionally stipulated three-month period following the NCM. That period expired on March 21, 2019.

As it is, the government is currently illegal and has been so since that expiry date given that no constitutional extension was granted.

Following the ruling, the President boldly proclaimed that elections will be held in November this year after the completion of house-to-house registration. That smacks of defiance. The timeline, five months from now, is in keeping with that of the GECOM’s Chairman and which may be deemed as support for the delaying process. That announcement may be seen as another attempt to violate the constitutional process and a deliberate maneuver to pass to GECOM the responsibility of deciding election timelines.

It also suggests a continuance in delay to buy time which appears the government’s thrust after been broadsided by the NCM. With an abysmally poor track record in all spheres of governance and having inflicted wanton economic hardships upon the Guyanese people, the government desperately needed time to try and appease the electorate.

Immediately after the successful passage of the NCM, the government unearthed frivolous reasons to resort to the courts, condemned the voters’ list as unacceptable and embarked on expensive exercises across the country to engage under the guise of taking services to the people. Ministers who never left the comfort of their offices since May 2015, were suddenly in the villages.

Just six weeks prior to the NCM, the voters’ list was used for Local Government Elections (LGE). Then, the government boasted of and defended the integrity of that list. In its strategic delay to avoid the holding of the elections within the constitutional 90-day period following the NCM, the list was made to expire at the end of April 2019.

That emboldened the government’s call for house-to-house registration for a new list despite being aware of simple mechanisms that can facilitate any necessary addition within a short time span.

That same good list is now conveniently being castigated as corrupt with the claim it contains some 200,000 incorrect entries. Why that wasn’t made known in the runup to the 2018 LGE is still baffling?

The inference is clear; buying time.

The CCJ has given up to June 24 for some solutions to be derived through expected engagements with operatives from the political divide. The understanding is if none is found, it will pronounce on consequential orders. That is expected to be in keeping with constitutional provisions which the said court has protected in its ruling. The President’s pronouncement may therefore be seen as a violation. Simultaneously, his government is pushing ahead with its position of “no registration, no elections” which a worrying indication.

Having spent millions for Caribbean legal luminaries to state the obvious in our constitution, the government seems undeterred in its endeavours to hold on to power as it did for 28 years prior to 1992. Then, it took a former President of the USA to end that charade. Now the CCJ has been given that responsibility. Its ruling is on that said course.

Presidential photographer, Ms Sandra Prince, AA retired this week having served seven presidents of Guyana. Ms Prince served under late Hugh Desmond Hoyte, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, Samuel Hinds, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and now President David Granger

Elite life with its pageantry and photo opportunities Dear Editor, Brother David Granger seems to be the Millie Vanilli of Guyanese politics. As he continues to give lip service to the issues affecting the masses, he remains very indifferent to the plight of the poor and the working class.

For him, it is all about the elite life with its pageantry and the photo opportunities but never about the real human development issues.

Case in point, how many families have had to pass their Father’s Day without adequate living conditions because, under Mr Granger, the housing strategy is almost dead on arrival for the people.

But let us reflect on one issue under Mr Granger that has drastically affected the people economically, psychologically and socially – crime.

As we read in the newspapers, there is a major crime racket in the Police Force in Berbice but the reaction from Team Granger is absolute si-

lence. But this trend is not today’s attitude of mind, it seems to be in the DNA of Team Granger.

Who promised in 2015 to support the establishment of a multi-agency task force on crime and security to influence policy and action in the Guyana Police Force so that fewer people will be exposed to crime. Who promised to root out the criminals in the Police Force? Who did not deliver on his promises to the people? David Granger!

Who promised, as one of his Foundation Principles in the 2015 APNU/AFC Manifesto, to enhance the personal security of the people? He even called himself the security candidate in his speeches. Who did not deliver on his promises to the people? David Granger! (See Page 11 of the manifesto).

Who promised the nation to confront serious crime and improve public and personal security but did very little to change the crime trajectory

as it got worse? Who did not deliver on his promises to the people? David Granger!

Who promised the nation in 2015 to develop innovative, modern policing strategies and tactics to combat crime but has failed on every front to deliver on these promises to the people?

David Granger!

Who promised the people that he will seek the help of the FBI, Canadian Mounted Police and Scotland Yard to help him build capacity but since achieving power treated these international crime fighters like aliens and pariahs in the war against the Guyanese crime wave?

Who broke his promises to the people yet again? David Granger!

Who promised that he would fashion a functional Youth Policy that will focus on reducing crime?

However, if we observe the process since May 2015, who has distanced himself from youth-friendly policies and

Honour CCJ rulings Dear Editor, The Government and the Opposition should immediately demonstrate good faith in honouring the judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that was ordered on Tuesday, June 18. Saying you respect the court’s ruling but defying the order is not showing good faith or honouring the rulings. Saying elections can’t be held before November or waiting on the advice of the GECOM Chair (to hold elections) is not showing good faith.

The GECOM Chair is illegally appointed; his advice is null and void.

The Constitution allows a No-Confidence Motion and elections within ninety days of its passage.

It, therefore, means that GECOM must always be prepared to hold elections because the Government can fall anytime and elections held within the required ninety days. Other Caricom territories are permanently prepared for elections, and in those countries, a maximum six weeks notification is required to hold elections.

Some countries require only three or four weeks notice to hold elections.

Guyana’s Constitution requires ongoing registration of anyone over 14 and upon attaining 18 years of age their names are extracted and added to the voters’ list. So all eligible voters would have been on the list. Elections were

held last November and the list was good. Some six months later, the list can’t be that defective (bad) not to hold elections. Any eligible voter whose name is not on the list can simply have it added to the registrar. This does not take eleven months (December to November). Additions and deletions can be done in eleven days. That still leaves 79 days to hold an election.

The other ruling is to replace James Patterson as GECOM Chair. Any judge or individual worth his name would resign after a country’s final court rules that he unlawfully occupies the post. Patterson should do the honourable thing. The President

has totally failed to engage the youths in fashioning such policies that will help reduce crime? Who again broke his promises to the youths?

David Granger!

Editor, from my observation, Mr Granger just shows up and gives these speeches to give the impression that he cares, but when you dissect his policy actions, it is all about serving a small elite political cabal that is too tied to a principle of holding on to power by any means necessary so that the few friends and families like Simona Broomes can continue to enjoy the good life from the sweat of the poor and the working class.

It is from this angle that all Guyanese must expose, oppose and work hard to depose Mr Granger and his PNC gang, now paraded as APNU/AFC, from power at the ballot box.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

should immediately ask the Opposition Leader for a list of six nominees and appoint one forthwith to be Chair of GECOM. It is the right thing to do and in so doing would honour the CCJ’s rulings. Failure to do so would defy the court.

On a separate note, people in the diaspora are ridiculing Guyanese judges saying they don’t know how to read (can’t comprehend what they read) or calculate a simple majority.

They suggest that all current and prospective judges receive basic math and English lessons that kindergartners receive – on what is a majority and on mastering what they read.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 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

What criteria were used to grant scholarship to the Minister’s child?

Dear Editor, After news broke of aggregate payments of over $20 million to a sitting Minister’s child’s bank account, the Government, through Mr Joe Harmon, disclosed these payments to be for “scholarships” and no details were made available.

Minister Broomes’ daughter is now a student of Howard University where she is reading for an undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry and for all indications seems to be an educated young lady on the right path.

I make no hesitation to say as Guyanese citizens, Ministers’ children are entitled to scholarships just like any other citizen but there must be a clear policy on how these scholarships are awarded. This particular awardee is no stranger to the media and controversy. If I am allowed to make a conclusion, this particular awardee is already a millionaire in US$ term. According to Minister Broomes in her May 2016 Joint Press Conference with Raphel Trotman, she has relinquished all her mining concessions since she became a Minister and her daughter, who shares the same name with her, is wholly the owner SD # 1967 on Mining Permit H43/MP/000.

Minister Broomes, when questioned by the media, also acknowledged that she had long-term mining interest with Australian-owned mining company, Pharsalus Gold Inc (Troy Resources Limited) but she turned it over to her daughter.

Government, in the interest of clarity and transparency, should come forward and tell the nation if

there was a change in policy for granting of scholarships.

Recent revelations in the absence of a clear policy in the awarding of scholarships to students seem to be very contentious, least of which are Ministers’ children.

What makes this more bizarre is the firing of an entire department at the Ministry of the Presidency because it is alleged that these persons leaked information to the Leader of the Opposition and the wider press. Having failed to gain the public sympathy and the plot backfiring, the Government then used journalist Gordon Moseley to cast doubt over the awarding of a scholarship to Jessica Anthony, daughter of Frank Anthony. We wait to see who will get fired for releasing information to Gordon Moseley; we wait to see whom David Hinds will label as moles of News Source.

Editor, in 2012 President Ramotar laid out a clear policy in which he said that the two top performers at CSEC and the two top performers at CAPE would be beneficiaries of Government scholarships to pursue studies at universities of their choice.

Editor, the fact that $20 million was transferred to the personal bank account of the daughter of a Minister is strange. I myself being a student that studied medicine in Cuba under a GoG scholarship know this is very unusual. In fact, one would have to ask Mr Harmon on what basis was a scholarship awarded to the younger Broomes. Was she a top student? Was the Government offering scholarship to Howard University in Biology and Chemistry

and after reviewing the application and interviewing Ms Broomes she came out as the top candidate? If either of the cases is true then kudos to her but to use Ms Anthony as a foil is unscholarly. For the media to treat Miss Anthony’s award as news or some corrupt activity is quite shocking. As recent as December 16 during the consideration of the estimates, Mr Harmon after being questioned by Gail Teixeira released a list of students that were being funded by the GoG and Ms Anthony’s name never raised eyebrows. In fact, on that occasion, what raised eyebrows was the fact that the then Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine’s daughter was benefiting from a $2.58 million scholarship in the UK. What was also shocking was the fact that Minister Nicolette

Henry and Minister Annette Ferguson were receiving $3.36 and $3.38 million each to pursue their studies in the United States and the UK respectively. In fact, the current Minister of Public Service, Tabitha SaraboHalley, had also received $3.4 million for studies in the UK. Editor, the hustlers are not only hustling from the Government. It is now common knowledge in the medical community that just a mere three months after taking office a former Junior Minister of Health, Dr Karen Cummings, instead of securing a scholarship for our cadre of healthcare workers wrote PAHO/WHO requesting for them to pay for her PhD. Thank God Dr AduKrow rejected this offer.

It would be very interesting also for Minister Harmon to answer what

Elections are imminent!

Dear Editor, With the ruling of the CCJ out, many can now get on with their daily activities with one certainty. Elections are imminent!

That being said and upon reading the leader of the opposition’s press release, I now wonder what must be going through the minds of those in the APNU/ AFC coalition Government.

On March 21, 2019, this Administration became an illegal Government and all projects awarded and all monies paid out are now considered an act of illegality. This should make anyone nervous to the tummy but not this coalition. They

continue to parade in their land cruisers which are paid for by taxpayers, with undeserving gumption.

If and when there is a change in Government, does this mean that these individuals will be prosecuted or can legal action be taken against them currently? After all, I am sure permission was not granted to spend our hard earned tax money after they became illegal. To what extent should we as a democracy extend leniency?

Where are SOCU and SARA when you need them?

Sincerely, Nicholas De Grootw

criteria was used to grant those and whether they are now contractually bonded to serve the GoG. It would also be foolish to call on SARA and SOCU to investigate these transgressions since one of their own, Godfrey Bess, son of PNC executive Gary Bess, was the recipi-

ent of a scholarship for $3.5 million under the same circumstances. He happened to study Forensic Auditing and is now the head of investigation of the Public Procurement Commission.

Sincerely, Hema Maniram

Everlasting stain on President Dear Editor, In speaking, the Caribbean Court of Justice has made a mockery of Government and left an everlasting stain on the legacy of President David Granger.

Under the guise of a right to judicial redress, Government instead engaged in an abuse of the judicial process at the expense of taxpayers, thereby push-

ing Guyana towards an area of darkness.

All that has been achieved, if anything, is an intentional delay of the people’s right to vote in a timely manner, and an opportunity to further undermine the electoral process. This is a whole lot.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

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THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

Page

Foundation

Your nose A

big batch of cookies coming out of the oven.

Your gym bag full of dirty clothes. How do you smell these smells and thousands more? It’s your nose, of course.

Your nose lets you smell and it’s a big part of why you are able to taste things. The nose is also the main gate to the respiratory system, your body’s system for breathing. Let’s be nosy and find out some more about the nose.

Nose parts

The nose has two holes called nostrils. The nostrils and the nasal passages are separated by a wall called the septum (say: SEP-tum). Deep inside your nose, close to your skull, your septum is made of very thin pieces of bone.

Closer to the tip of your nose, the septum is made of cartilage (say: KAR-tel-ij), which is flexible material that’s firmer than skin or muscle. It’s not as hard as bone, and if you push on the tip of your nose, you can feel how wiggly it is.

Behind your nose, in the middle of your face, is a space called the nasal cavity. It connects with the back of the throat. The nasal cavity is separated from the inside of your mouth by the palate (roof of your mouth).

Getting the air in there

When you inhale air through your nostrils, the air enters the nasal passages and travels into your nasal cavity. The air then passes down the back of your throat into the trachea (say: TRAYkee-uh), or windpipe, on its way to the lungs.

Your nose is also a two-way street. When you exhale the old air from your lungs, the nose is the main way for the air to leave your body. But your nose is more than a passageway for air. The nose also warms, moistens, and filters the air before it goes to the lungs.

with the ability to sense certain odour molecules.

Research has shown that an odour can stimulate several different kinds of receptors. The brain interprets the combination of receptors to recognise any one of about 10,000 different smells.

The inside of your nose is lined with a moist, thin layer of tissue called a mucous membrane (say: MYOO-kus MEM-brayne). This membrane warms up the air and moistens it. The mucous membrane makes mucus, that sticky stuff in your nose you might call snot. Mucus captures dust, germs, and other small particles that could irritate your lungs. If you look inside your nose, you will also see hairs that can trap large particles, like dirt or pollen.

If something does get trapped in there, you can probably guess what happens next. You sneeze.

Sneezes can send those unwelcome particles speeding out of your nose at 100 miles per hour!

Further back in your nose are even smaller hairs called cilia (say: SILL-ee-uh) that you can see only with a microscope. The cilia move back and forth to move the mucus out of the sinuses and back of the nose. Cilia can also be found lining the air passages, where they help move mucus out of the lungs.

Sniff, sniff, take a whiff

The nose allows you to make scents of what’s going on in the world around you. Just as your eyes give you information by seeing and your ears help you out by hearing, the nose lets you figure out what’s happening by smelling. It does this with help from many parts hidden deep inside your nasal cavity and head.

Up on the roof of the nasal cavity (the space behind your nose) is the olfactory epithelium (say: ol-FAK-tuh-ree eh-puh-THEE-lee-um). Olfactory is a fancy word that has to do with smelling. The olfactory epithelium contains special receptors that are sensitive to odour molecules that travel through the air.

These receptors are very small — there are about 10 million of them in your nose! There are hundreds of different odour receptors, each

How signals get sent

When the smell receptors are stimulated, signals travel along the olfactory nerve to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb is underneath the front of your brain just above the nasal cavity.

Signals are sent from the olfactory bulb to other parts of the brain to be interpreted as a smell you may recognise, like apple pie fresh from the oven. Yum! Identifying smells is your brain’s way of telling you about your environment. Have you ever smelled your toast burning? In an instant, your brain interpreted the smell and a problem and you knew to check on your toast.

You learnt to associate a certain smell with burning and now your brain remembers that smell so you recognize it. Your sense of smell also can help you keep safe. For example, it can warn you not to eat something that smells rotten or help you detect smoke before you see a fire.

Tastes great!

Most people just think of the tongue when they think about taste. But you couldn’t taste anything without some help from the nose! The ability to smell and taste go together because odours from foods allow us to taste more fully.

Take a bite of food and think about how it tastes. Then pinch your nose and take another bite. Notice the difference? It’s just another reason to appreciate your knockout of a nose! (kidshealth.org)

Why does my nose run?

You may have heard the old joke: If your nose is running and your feet smell, you must be upside down!

But why does your nose run? Read on to find out the whole story.

What’s running?

To understand why your nose runs, you need to know what mucus (say: MYOO-kus) is. This is the gooey, sticky, slimy material that’s made inside your nose (also known as snot). Believe it or not, your nose and sinuses make about a quart of snot every day!

For something kind of gross, mucus does a lot of good. It keeps germs, dirt, pollen, and bacteria from getting into your lungs by stopping them in your nose.

But sometimes mucus doesn’t stay put.

Reasons for running

If your nose is running, there are several possible explanations: You have a cold or the flu: When you have either one of these, your nose goes into mucus-making overdrive to keep the germ invaders out of your lungs and the rest of your body, where they might make you even sicker than you already are. You know what happens then: The mucus runs down your throat, out your nose, or into a tissue when you blow your nose. Or it can fill your sinuses, which is why you get that stuffy feeling.

You have allergies: Kids who have allergies get runny noses when they’re around the thing they’re allergic to (like pollen or animal hair). That’s because their bodies react to these things like they’re germs.

You’re crying: When you cry, tears come out of the tear glands under your eyelids and drain through the tear ducts that empty into your nose. Tears mix with mucus there and your nose runs.

Stoppin’ the Runnin’

If you have allergies, your doctor might give you medicine called an antihistamine (say: an-tye-HISS-tuhmeen). But sometimes the easiest thing to do is — you guessed it — blow your nose! (kidshealth.org)

news

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THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP writes to Top Cop over PM, Finance Minister’s “war break”, “street protest” statements …ERC also called on to intercede given President, Ministers’ defiance id and elections must be held within the shortest time,” Teixeira wrote.

“I, therefore, call on you as Commissioner and the custodian of public safety and order to carry out your mandate vigorously and to publicly defend, preserve, and protect the rule of law and the Guyana Constitution in our nation.”

ERC

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has written the Commissioner of Police and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) over comments made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Prime Minister Moses

Nagamootoo, in seeming defiance of a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling.

Writing the letters was Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who referenced media reports quoting the two officials while on a Government- sponsored outreach in Bartica.

She referenced Jordan’s calling for citizens to be ready for protest for House-to-House registration. She also made reference to Jordan saying “war break” as he called for street protests.

Another reference was made to Jordan saying that regardless of the CCJ ruling, House-to-House Registration must be carried out. Meanwhile, she referenced quotes attributed to Nagamootoo in which he warned of “trouble” if House-to-House registration was not completed.

In her letter to Police Commissioner Leslie James, she reminded him of his calls on March 21 for Guyanese to remain calm and keep the peace. She also reminded him that he had warned at the time that persons breaching the law would be held accountable. According to Teixeira, these statements are inciting and a threat to public order and safety.

“Your statement of March 21, 2019 is more relevant now than then, as we have now the rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the highest court, and we are all, therefore, expected to abide by the CCJ rulings that the No-Confidence Motion is val-

Teixeira expressed similar concerns in her letter to ERC Chairman, the Reverend John Smith. In this letter, she called on Smith to intercede with the President and his Ministers, in keeping with the Commission’s constitutional mandate to promote peace and harmony.

“Reports in the media emanating from the President and Ministers are cause for concern. These statements in response to the rulings of the highest court of Guyana, the Caribbean Court of Justice, have been unsettling and disturbing. These statements and declarations should no doubt also be cause for profound concern by Ethnic Relations Commission and the entire citizenry.

“These statements are inciting and a threat to public order and safety, and are in contempt of the Caribbean Court of Justice rulings of June 18, 2019. I, therefore, call on the ERC to carry out its constitutional mandate vigorously to promote peace and harmony and to stand publicly in defence of the rule of law and the Constitution. I urge you to register with the President and his Ministers that the CCJ ruling must be complied with in spirit and intent,” Teixeira also wrote.

On Tuesday, the CCJ handed down its ruling that Government was defeated in the No-Confidence Motion case. The court also ruled that GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, was unconstitutionally appointed.

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Bar owner jailed for 15 years for human trafficking …to pay victims $5M in compensation

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he owner of Liquid Love Bar was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Savita Persaud was found guilty of the charge of trafficking two Venezuelan women and as an additional consequence, she was also ordered to pay over $2.5 million in compensation to the victims.

The trial was held in-camera and Persaud was represented by Attorney-at-law

George Thomas.

The charge stated that between January 31 and March 8, 2019, at Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown, she recruited, transported and harboured two female Venezuelans for sexual exploitation. One of the victims was a minor.

Chief Magistrate McLennan sentenced Persaud to serve 10 years’ imprisonment for trafficking the underage girl and five years for trafficking the adult female.

The sentences will run concurrently. She was ordered to pay $2.3 million to the underage victim and $2.2 million to the other Venezuelan woman.

Persaud was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and fined $1.1 million.

She was also jailed on two counts of employing a 17-year-old child on a premises that sells intoxicating liquor and confiscating the Venezuelan women’s immigration documents for the purpose of trafficking.

Consequences… …of the Judgements

Jailed: Savita Persaud

Horse cart operator slapped with larceny charge

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horse cart operator, who was allegedly caught red-handed trying to steal lumber was granted bail at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when he made his first appearance on Wednesday.

Christopher Kumaje pled not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The charge alleged that on March 5 and 6, 2019, at a city lumber yard, the 29-year-old man stole 250 BM of lumber valued at $560,000 from Raymond Dupert.

Kumaje’s attorney told the court during her bail application that her client is not a flight risk and, therefore, bail should be granted in a reasonable

sum.

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman objected to bail on the grounds of the nature of the offence, the value of the article and the prevalence of the offence.

The prosecution is contending that on March 6 at about 06:00h, the Virtual Complainant saw the defendant moving lumber to a horse cart, after which he

summoned the police. The defendant was then apprehended and the lumber was recovered.

The man was released on $100,000 bail and the case was adjourned until July 10. Kumaje was ordered to lodge his passport and report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Friday until the completion of the trial.

B&E lands man 12 months in jail

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Compton Fernandes

man, who was jointly charged with another in May for larceny, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after he changed his initial not guilty plea to guilty.

Compton Fernandes, 47, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday where he admitted to a breaking and enter-

ing charge.

The charge stated that Fernandes and Latchman Sukham, 43, of Albouystown, Georgetown, on May 20 and 21, 2019, at Albouystown, Georgetown, broke and entered the shop of Shanelle Prince and stole two gas bottles valued $17,000 and one Samsung music set speaker valued $96,000.

The prosecution contended that a relative of the owner was passing the busi-

ness establishment when he noticed that the shop was opened. Upon checking, the two men were discovered in the shop and an alarm was raised. Fernandes and Sukham were both arrested.

Magistrate McGusty had remanded the two men to prison but the men provided incorrect addresses to the police.

However, Sukham is still on remand for the offence.

“Bushes” confesses to killing “Uncle Bertie” in 2007

…walks free as time served on remand compensated for sentence

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fter spending the last 11 years on remand for murder, Rayon Dick called “Bushes” on Wednesday confessed to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice Navindra Singh, during the case hearing at the Demerara High Court.

Dick was initially slapped with a murder charge detailing that on November 11, 2007, in the county of

Essequibo, he murdered 55-year-old Hubert Albert called “Uncle Bertie”, however, his guilty plea was accepted for the lesser count of manslaughter.

After accepting the plea, Justice Singh considered the years Dick already spent on remand and noted that those years would have been the duration of his initial sentence for the lesser offence, as such he was allowed to

walk a free man.

The state’s case was presented by Prosecutor Teriq Mohammed in association with Tuanna Hardy, while the former accused was represented by Attorney Mark Conway.

According to Police reports, the deceased of Port Kiatuma, Region One (Barima-Waini), was a cook at a mining camp in the North West District (NWD).

On the day in question, Albert was murdered at about 08:30h at White Creek Backdam, NWD. Investigations had revealed that Albert was in the camp preparing a meal when Dick had entered, and being armed with a knife, dealt the deceased several stab wounds about his body.

“Bushes” was later arrested and the murder weapon recovered.

Prison officer remanded for ganja trafficking

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prison officer, who was allegedly caught with cannabis in a bag at the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, was remanded to prison on Wednesday when he made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Cleon Webster, 22, of Lot 2 Golden Grove, West Coast Berbice, denied the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The charge stated that on June 14, 2019, at Camp Street Prison, he had 120

grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Webster was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay, who told the court in his bail application that his client is cooperating with investigators into the matter.

The lawyer further stated that his client is not a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and the penalty it attracts.

Cleon Webster

Prosecutor Blackman further disclosed to the court that on the day in question, Webster was enter-

ing the prison to report for duty when he was stopped and searched. The prosecution is contending that it was during that search that the cannabis was discovered in the bag that he was carrying.

The court also heard that the defendant told the officers who carried out the search that the bag belongs to his sister.

After listening to the submissions, Magistrate McGusty remanded Webster to prison. The case will continue on July 10, 2019.

The CCJ has deferred the “consequential orders”, to be issued following its judgements on the NCM and GECOM Chair’s appointment cases, till next Monday. But in the meantime, there are other “consequences” that your Eyewitness has been highlighting that were already playing out and which have now risen to the fore with a vengeance. The most dangerous one is the cynicism engendered in our Constitution by Granger and his PNC Government’s treatment of it.

A democratic country’s Constitution is as close as we can get to the stipulated “social contract” political philosophers like Hobbes, Locke and others proposed between we, the citizens, and the state we have formed to move us out from the “state of nature”, where life was “nasty, short and brutish”. The Constitution lists the powers – and separation of those powers – of the State and the government we elect to run that State on our behalf; gives us procedures to elect and to remove that government; enumerates our rights that the State cannot violate; procedures to amend the Constitution and finally insists that ultimately sovereignty resides in we the people.

But like its predecessor regime under Burnham, the Granger PNC has insisted on violating the rules of the Constitution with impunity and incredibly declaring that orders of the Court interpreting those rules are their “perception” and they, the PNC, are entitled to theirs!!

Even though the Constitution insists the Courts are the authoritative bodies to interpret it!! Case in point was Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson as the GECOM Chair and his retort to CJ George that the choice HAS to be a Judge!! Who he duly appointed so we know he had made his choice all along outside of the constitutionally-mandated list submitted by the Opposition Leader. Well, the CCJ has now supported Justice George – even though they rejected her acceptance of Granger’s unilateralism – but the damage has already been done to undermine the Constitution and its guardians. And we can see this in the reaction of PNC’s partisans now that Patterson has to go.

Everyone knew why Granger wanted Patterson – the latter’s subsequent actions proved beyond a shadow of a doubt he was a PNC poodle – and as the CCJ declared, Granger’s unilateralism violated the intent of the change to the Constitution that incorporated the “Carter Formula”. But a large section of the populace now believe it’s OK to subvert the Constitution for political expediency and that the President trumps the Judiciary on interpreting the Constitution.

And this is exactly why Granger has just declared that there won’t be elections until AFTER HtH registrations!

Never mind that this will ultimately be decided by the CCJ.

…of illegality

The CCJ has now concluded that Granger committed an illegality when he reached outside the names submitted by the Opposition Leader and plunked Patterson into the GECOM Chair. Now, there are some, who argued this point from the moment the illegality occurred – because it so clearly violated the consensual mechanism that was embedded in the Carter Formula. However, some of those same folks are now suggesting that we allow him to remain there – because of the need for quick elections, which, they presume, selecting a new candidate will preclude.

Well, apart from that unfounded premise, there’s that old maxim in law – “Ex turpi causa non oritur action” – “from a dishonourable cause an action does not arise” – which suggests that a law breaker must not be allowed to profit from his illegal action. And this is exactly what will be done for Patterson – who’s a serial law breaker – if allowed to continue.

Remember him claiming his false declaration of being Chief Justice of Grenada was a “slip of the pen”.

Patterson must go!!

…of a conscience vote

Even though the CCJ ruled that Charrandas Persaud’s NCM vote was in accordance with the Constitution, PNC partisans are still baying for his blood.

They’ve resorted to interpreting the Bible to insist he’s a “Judas”!

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

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…says unilateral appointment of GECOM Chair not “flawed” the Head of State said that he would be writing Jagdeo for them to meet as soon as possible.

Meeting Opposition

CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders

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espite a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that his decision to unilaterally appoint Justice (rtd) James Patterson as Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman was flawed, President David Granger is insisting that he acted within the ambit of the constitutional provisions.

On Tuesday, the Trinidad-based regional court ruled that the appointment was unconstitutional and the process used by the Guyanese President was flawed.

However, President Granger contended on Wednesday that he selected a “fit and proper” person as Chairman of GECOM in accordance with the definition laid out in the Constitution.

In defiance on Wednesday, the Head of State told reporters that the CCJ must show where the flaw occurred.

“I’ve never gone outside the Constitution. If (the Court) tell that the process is flawed, they must let me know what the flaw is! So let us wait until the 24th of June when they make some consequential rulings.

There is no way I can see that decisions I’ve taken are flawed,” he posited.

Despite the Court’s decision, Granger said that it was the responsibility of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to submit a list of six nominees who are not objectionable. To this end,

“I have no problem meeting the Leader of the Opposition ... I will write to him and as soon as he is available maybe as early as next week (we will meet). I will write to him this week, inviting him to resume the consultations which are mandated under the Constitution,” the Head of State noted.

According to the Constitution, President Granger is required to appoint a Chairperson for GECOM from a list of names submitted by the Opposition Leader.

Back in 2017, Jagdeo had submitted three separate lists, but the Head of State rejected all 18 nominees and went ahead to unilaterally appoint Justice Patterson as Chairman of the elections body.

However, the CCJ ruled on Tuesday that the process to appoint the GECOM Chairman was “fatally flawed”.

According to CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, the President gave no specific reason for refusing to appoint a Chairman from the lists submitted by Opposition Leader Jagdeo. He noted that the President disapproved a third list, without giving a specific reason.

Justice Saunders referenced historical facts pertaining to the previous appointments of GECOM Chairmen. He cited the recommendations made by the Constitutional Reform Commission in 1999, that the Chairman should be appointed through consultations.

“To determine the meaning, the Court looked at the drafting history of Article 161(2), observing that changes had been made to it to promote consensus and inclusiveness by involving the Leader of the Opposition in the selection process.”

Further, the Judge noted

President David Granger

that the President relied on the provisions that gave him discretionary powers and insulated him from providing an explanation for excluding the Opposition Leader from his final decision.

However, Justice Saunders pointed out that giving the President the power to reject candidates without giving reasons would frustrate what the Constitution contemplates.

In fact, the Court decided that the President has a duty to give reasons for rejecting names in the interest of transparency.

“The Court, therefore, found that the process was flawed and in breach of the Constitution. In a concurring judgment, Mme Justice Rajnauth-Lee stated that by giving reasons why nominees are rejected, the President will engender greater public trust and confidence in the Elections Commission.”

To this end, the Court concluded that the most sensible approach to the process of appointing the Chairman of GECOM is for the Leader of the Opposition and the President to communicate with each other in good faith and, perhaps, even meet to discuss eligible candidates for the position of Chairman before a list is submitted formally.

He recommended that in future the Leader of the Opposition and President communicate and meet in good faith to discuss eligible candidates before a list is submitted. The court also recommended that moving forward, all parties work together, as the Constitution

envisions, selecting a Chairman.

Justice Saunders also declared in the ruling that before President Granger rejected persons nominated by Opposition Leader Jagdeo, reasons should have been given for the rejections in the interest of transparency.

This case, which was heard by the CCJ on May 8, was brought by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha.

Mustapha challenged the appointment of Patterson

GECOM in October 2017.

Meeting with Caricom SG

GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson

who was appointed to the position of Chairman of

Meanwhile, changing his posture later in the day, the Head of State during a meeting with Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said that the Government would continue to respect the Constitution, and abide by the law.

“We respect the jurisdiction of the National Assembly; we respect the jurisdiction of the Court,” President Granger said.

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Paramakatoi dorm flooded …occupants accuse Govt of neglecting Amerindians

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Children housed at the North Pakaraimas Secondary School Dormitory sweeping out floodwaters

he Paramakatoi, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), North Pakaraimas Secondary School Dormitory has been under water for days now as a result of the persistent heavy rainfalls. This issue has been affecting residents since 2017 and no efforts are being made by the Administration to remedy the problem, this newspaper was told.

A housekeeper at the dorm told Guyana Times on Tuesday that on Sunday last, she and the children occupying the dorm were awoken by floodwaters gushing into the building.

She said they were forced to get out of bed and pack up books and clothing and whatever else they could have saved in an effort to avoid further damages.

“The water was already coming in…by the time I get up, I woke the kids to pack up their bags and books and so on because everything would have damaged completely. All their shoes and so were floating away,” she said.

The frustrated woman explained that they have raised concerns on this issue at several meetings with those in authority,

Floodwaters rushing into the dormitory

however, no intervention has yet been made.

“Every time they call a meeting we bring it up… two years after, we still bringing it up and we’re still waiting on action. This is hard on us and these children here suffering. Nobody cares…I really believe this present Administration doing a poor job for the Amerindian people. It is clear they have no regards for us. Now you see them running around trying to bribe people to buy votes but we see right through them. We will not be fooled or misled. They care about no one but themselves,” she

not affected by heavy showers. “The regions knows of the problem. They come and visit and so on. They know what is happening here but they say they don’t have the resources to deal with this issue. They said they informed the Ministry and they are waiting on a response so I don’t know when that will be and how long more we have to be suffering. I would like for the Government to see what they can do to help us here in this situation because it’s a big place and houses a lot of children,” she said.

Meanwhile, when contacted for a comment on the

“Every time they call a meeting we bring it up… two years after, we still bringing it up and we’re still waiting on action. This is hard on us and these children here suffering. Nobody cares…I really believe this present Administration doing a poor job for the Amerindian people. It is clear they have no regards for us. Now you see them running around trying to bribe people to buy votes but we see right through them. We will not be fooled or misled. They care about no one but themselves,” – Amerindian housekeeper added.

She further stated that regional officials are fully aware of this problem while adding that they oftentimes claim that they have to await the intervention of Central Government to address the issue. She made calls on the authorities to put necessary measures in place to execute the much-needed works to ensure that the facility is

issue, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Alethia Charles said that both Ministers are on outreaches in the field and could not offer a comment at the time.

The dormitory accommodates some 400 students from across the region and even some from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) communities in close proximity.

Man charged for shooting incident at Lusignan Golf Club

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he man who allegedly discharged several gunshots during a private event held at the Lusignan Golf Course in April was on Tuesday taken before the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court to answer to the offence.

Fizul Mohamed stood before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and denied the allegation against him. The charge stated that in April 2019 at the Lusignan Golf Club, he discharged several gunshots in a public place.

The licensed firearm holder had his license revoked by Magistrate Azore and was placed on $50,000 bail. The

matter will continue on July 8, 2019, at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

News of the shooting incident first broke on social media and following a probe by the police, Mohammed was charged. It is alleged that in his statement to the investigators, Mohamed reportedly said he discharged several rounds at a snake.

Initially, officials at the golf course had denied the incident, however, a patron, who served as the club’s Vice President, resigned with immediate effect in light of what he said was the executive trying to “cover up” the incident.

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Wakapao suspected cyanide poisoning

Another victim dies, 4 others remain hospitalised

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Selena Thomas

he father of Selena Thomas, who died on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), succumbed on Wednesday afternoon, having been hospitalised for suspected poisoning.

Edward Richards’ condition worsened on Tuesday and as a result, he had to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. He died on Wednesday. The 76-yearold of Wakapao, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has four other family members who remain hospitalised at the GPHC. The entire family fell ill after reportedly consuming cassava, which they reaped from their farm.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination performed on Thomas on Wednesday

was inconclusive and samples were taken to be sent overseas for further testing. A relative of the family told Guyana Times on Wednesday afternoon that the other family members are being treated for cyanide poisoning.

The relative expressed frustration over the mystery illness which has left two of her family members dead without answers as to what really could have caused their demise. “I am devastated right now. I don’t know what to think or say.

Just like that, they died. It could have been anybody.

We all eat cassava bread all the time. Why now or how?

I just can’t find answers. I hope the doctors find what it is soon because I am so scared because the others are still hospitalised,” she told this publication.

The disastrous ordeal started last week after Selena Thomas baked some eight cakes of cassava bread which she and her household consumed and shared with family. “She baked about eight cakes of cassava bread and that’s what they were using all the time.

And when family come over they would share and so… this was the norm but they didn’t imagine something

Edward Richards

was wrong with it or anything like that,” a relative said.

The relative explained that soon after eating the cassava, which they reaped from their farm, they complained of stomach pains then started to vomit.

“They were fine. But they ate cassava which they get from their farm. They prepared it as a meal and then they started to vomit and they were getting bad pains to their stomach. It was the only thing all of them eat the morning,” the distraught woman related.

The relative added that they reportedly fed the same food to two of their dogs – both of which later died. It is suspected that their farm had been contaminated with an illicit substance.

Hundreds to lose jobs as Emerge BPO downsizes in Guyana

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undreds of employees of Guyanese business processing outsourcing company, Emerge BPO, will soon be without jobs as the company on Tuesday served employees with termination letters stating that it is downsizing its operations in Guyana.

According to one of the letters seen by this publication, the company stated that one of its biggest clients recently pulled its contract which will see the company losing millions. As such, Emerge stated that it will be unable to pay employees and plans to downsize its operations in July.

Emerge BPO, Middle Street, Georgetown, is a nearshore leader in customer management, back office and transaction processing services which opened in Guyana in July of 2008.

The company, which created employment for hundreds, was founded by Adrian Collins and his wife, Carole Fletcher, whose vision was to create a worldclass contact centre in the heart of their native Guyana which would perform a variety of outsourcing services to clients and their customers in North America.

Since its opening, the company has continued to develop at a steady pace and is still on the map as a leading nearshore hub for

Emerge BPO building on Camp Street, Georgetown

outsourcing from Guyana.

Just recently, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emerge, Heidi SolomonOrlick and the company’s Vice President of Operations, Dalgleish Joseph, announced an expansion with the investment of a new campus located at Camp Street, Georgetown.

Expected to be completed at the end of 2019, the expansion was targeting some 1500 to 2000 employees with 3000 more to be

added within the next five to 10-year period.

After revealing that Guyana is 30 to 35 per cent cheaper than any other nearshore destination to do the outsourcing business, Solomon-Ordick had said that Emerge was in talks with several prospective clients about business.

When contacted, a representative from Emerge told this publication that the company will be issuing a press release regarding the matter on Friday.

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Central Bank getting ready to manage oil revenues

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ith oil revenues expected to be flowing as early as next year, the Bank of Guyana is preparing to manage those funds.

Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga told reporters on Monday that training for staff will begin in September 2019 and that the bank will “start opening accounts” and “looking at investment avenues”.

Guyana has passed laws for the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund or a Natural Resources Fund, which will manage the country’s revenues earned from the lucrative oil industry.

Principal explorer, ExxonMobil has already made 13 discoveries offshore, adding to the previously announced estimated recover-

able resource of approximately 5.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels in the Stabroek Block.

This translates to billions of dollars in oil revenues, of which Guyana will be getting 50 per cent once costs incurred by ExxonMobil are recovered.

According to the Central Bank Governor, the bank is trying to forge a partnership with the Reserve Advisory and Management Programme out of the World Bank to aid in the process of operationalising the SWF. “That will ensure that we have the wherewithal to operationalise the National Resource Fund or national Sovereign Wealth Fund,” he said.

The Bank of Guyana is responsible for holding the

fund for its operational management while the Finance Minister is responsible for the overall management of the fund.

The Act states that the Central Bank shall establish a committee to be known as the Investment Committee which shall consist of six members to be appointed by the Finance Minister.

These members will include a nominee of the Minister who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee as well as another nominee of the Minister to be responsible for the petroleum sector, a nominee from the Opposition Leader, a nominee from the Guyana Association of Bankers and two ex-officio non-voting members.

This Investment Committee shall be responsible for advising the Minister and shall take account of the

overall objectives of the fund; the current conditions, opportunities and constraints in relevant financial markets;

international best practices in investment portfolio management; among other things.

Caribbean counterparts meet on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Treaty

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aribbean counterparts met on Wednesday at a forum with Guyana International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) organisation to hold discussions in upholding the conditions of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

The ICAN recognises the pivotal role Caricom played in the establishment of the treaty and as a result, consultations with the Caribbean counterparts are vital. ICAN won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for this initiative.

Treaty Coordinator of ICAN, Celine Nahory in her statement at the forum, which was held at the Ramada Princess Hotel on Wednesday, said that the use of nuclear weapons is on the rise and as a result, can have severe consequences on humanity.

In this regard, she noted that all treaty members have a role to play in achieving the goals of the treaty. She urged member states to “open their eyes” to the destructions being caused by the use of nuclear weapons while adding that the treaty has over 100 members in more than 500 organisations and this speaks volume for this treaty.

According to Nahory, the prohibition treaty is vibrant in upkeeping humanitarian law and preventing the disastrous consequences that these destructive weapons can have on humanity. Nahory pointed out that the treaty changes the status quo while noting that ICAN will continue in its efforts to work toward completely eliminating the possession and use of these weapons. She added that each Caribbean counterpart has led an active role in the participation of the development of the treaty and she expressed gratitude to Guyana for hosting such an event which is not only timely but will also aid in the establishment of some very important initiatives.

Meanwhile, in his address at the opening ceremony of the forum, Foreign Secretary Carl Greenidge highlighted that Guyana was the first member state to sign and ratify the treaty when it opened

Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge poses displaying the Nobel Peace Prize ICAN won in 2018 with members and other Caribbean counterparts at Wednesday’s opening of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Forum at Ramada Princess Hotel

for signatures in 2017. He said this decision to both sign and ratify the treaty was rooted in the firm conviction that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is dependent not just on words but more importantly on actions in fulfilment of our common obligation to work for the maintenance of international peace and security. He pointed out that several studies have shown the detrimental effects of radiation from nuclear testing yet these persist. “These are the realities that TPNW addresses. These are the threats that the TPNW confronts,” he said.

Guyana, as a ratification of the TPNW, as a non-nuclear weapon state. This is a demonstration that the continued existence of nuclear weapons requires action by all given the indiscriminate and unparalleled destruction that they cause, the existentialist threat that they pose and the level of insecurity they create.

Greenidge noted that nuclear disarmament concerns us as a region and as a result, members have the opportunity to take this agenda forward. He urged members that during the two days of deliberations, the opportunity should be used to ventilate the TPNW issues individual counties are faced with.

Greenidge, in his address, noted that the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) reported that to date, over two thousand (2000) nuclear tests have been conducted. “That is two thousand (2000) too many,” he said. UNODA

also reported that the world still has over fourteen thousand (14,000) active nuclear weapons. “That is fourteen thousand (14,000) too many.

Nuclear weapons provide only a false sense of security to those who possess them while simultaneously provoking fear and anxiety at the prospect of these weapons being used,” Greenidge stated.

He further stated that Guyana is of the view that the nuclear disarmament architecture provides an ample framework to bring us to a more critical understanding that we need to take at this critical juncture. In this regard, he said Guyana shares the view of many other Caricom member states of the reduction in overall stockpiles of all types of nuclear weapons and reduction in the role and significance of nuclear weapons in military concepts, doctrines and policies.

Additionally, he stated that measures to build confidence in mutual trust and increased transparency in nuclear system programmes are among the critical elements that need to be addressed.

Guyana, Brazil and Chile are among more than 50 countries that have signed a new treaty banning the use, development, testing or storing of nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

The world’s first legally-binding treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons opened for signature in 2017 with President David Granger signing the treaty Guyana’s behalf.

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Trade unions call on Govt to follow CCJ rulings Berbice man stabbed to death by friend

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ollowing Tuesday’s landmark ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), local trade unions have come out urging Government to respect the court’s decisions and for leaders to have consensus going forward.

The regional court ruled that the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) was validly passed on December 21, 2018, and also deemed the unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) unconstitutional.

Since then, calls have been pouring in from stakeholder bodies for the CCJ decisions to be accepted and respected. Joining these calls on Wednesday were the umbrella trade union bodies which called for consensus to be displayed by the political leaders.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) noted that the rulings have been finally determined, and now the parties should show maturity and arrive at a consensus on the way forward.

In its missive, FITUG viewed the landmark rulings as having provided final answers to important questions which have occupied the national space for many months now.

“We were heartened that the CCJ has provided what we felt were clear and unambiguous answers to the questions that were posed. The FITUG, recognising that we have the answers we sought at hand, sees that we need to now put in place the necessary arrangements to address the consequences of the rulings to ensure that there is full compliance with the

Constitution of Guyana,” the union body stated.

The FITUG recalled previous commitments by the parties to adhere to whatever decisions the court handed down. But noted that now “some quarters” have now sought to import certain conditions to their acceptance, which, the trade union body posited, belie the initial commitment.

“We hasten to call on all concerned that the rulings be accepted without the imposition of any condition whatsoever,” the missive stated.

Furthermore, FITUG also recognised that the CCJ gave Guyanese leaders an opportunity to arrive at a consensual way forward ahead of Monday’s hearing for consequential orders regarding the rulings.

“The FITUG certainly looks forward to this opportunity being fully grasped and maturity, at this time, be displayed as we seek to put Guyana and its people first. In our view, the rulings, which have provided clarity now and in the future as well, represent too, a decisive victory for democracy. The Federation cannot fail to point out that the road to restoration of democracy was long and arduous and one that was paved with the struggles of the Guyanese working people, among others,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which called for politicians to put the country first, adding that there should be no delays in arriving at a position that would best serve this country.

According to GTUC, the

CCJ order requires citizens uniting to hold politicians accountable to a higher political order and love of country- not just power.

The trade union umbrella body pointed out that the Government, Opposition and Guyanese society are bound by the rulings of the CCJ and neither party can claim they were denied due process. It noted that this is not a time for triumphalism or an opportunity to create ethnic tension and divisions in society, but to instead rise to the challenge of building a better Guyana.

According to GTUC, it is now time for political leaders, supported by all stakeholders, to come together in determining the way forward to provide a better Guyana for all.

The GTUC also posited that the parties must appear before the CCJ Judges next Monday with a plan as to how the country would proceed, in the interim and after the elections, consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution.

“It would be unfortunate to have the CCJ imposing on us what we are capable of determining. It would be an insult to our forebears who came together to fight common enemies and build Guyana. It would cast a dark cloud on our ability to unite for the common good and leave us vulnerable to internal and external destabilising influences. The jury is out now on the ability of Guyanese citizens to unite and hold the politicians of this country accountable to a higher order of politics and love of country, not just power,” the GTUC stated in its missive on Wednesday.

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a Berbice labourer who was reportedly stabbed to death by his friend.

Dead is Elvis Benedict of Sand Hills, Upper Berbice

River. Reports are the man’s body was taken to New Amsterdam on Wednesday afternoon by boat.

Police have since confirmed that a suspect was arrested by residents and handed over to Police in

New Amsterdam along with the body.

Up to press time, Police were still trying to find out the circumstances surrounding the death of Benedict.

Details surrounding what transpired are sketchy.

Glasgow, Edinburgh residents protest deteriorating condition of bridges

Co Pa

By Andrew Carmichael

R

esidents of Glasgow and Edinburgh villages on the East Bank of the Berbice River are calling on the relevant authorities to intervene and execute immediate repair works on the bridges that link the communities to other parts of the East Berbice-Corentyne region.

Joining the call for immediate infrastructural interventions were the taxi drivers and other vehicle operators who provide services to the affected communities.

On Wednesday, the residents and operators decided that enough is enough and they have suffered for far too long so they called in the media. When Guyana Times visited the communities, the residents were quick to express their displeasure at the lack of vision by the authorities.

Over at Glasgow New Housing Scheme, the residents reported that the bridge has not seen any repairs for over a decade despite their repeated complaints to authorities at the New Amsterdam municipality.

The housing settlement has two entrances and both are in a dire state. In fact, some residents are thinking of shutting down the bridge since it is the main reason for thousands of dollars in damages to vehicles traversing it.

One resident, Bebi Yadram, told this publication that vehicles are refusing to take passengers into the housing scheme because of the condition of the access bridge.

“I am very concerned about this bridge. It is since 1999 this bridge has been fixed or repaired. Immediate work is needed on it,” she said while relating that a “dray cart” was stuck for some time on the bridge on Wednesday morning.

Hire car driver and Glasgow Housing Scheme resident, Abdul Khan said that the community is being neglected by both Regional and Central Government. According to him, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally was in New Amsterdam a few years ago and he raised the issue with her. Promises were made but no follow-up was done.

“I told her [Ally] about the

The Glasgow New Housing Scheme access bridge

bridge, the conditions of the road and also the garbage and she promised that Government will be looking into it. So far, I have not seen anything being done. Every day I traverse this road and only yesterday a driver damage he car right here on the bridge. So, we are asking the Government to look into the matter,” Khan pleaded.

Meanwhile, Municipal Representative Nalini Tahal told Guyana Times that the residents have been bombarding her to get action but she believes that she is not getting the needed support at the New Amsterdam municipality.

“I reported it several times and nobody seems to be paying any attention. I reported it to the Mayor and Town Council. I even spoke to the Regional Chairman how about it…the Town Council told me that it is budgeted for in the Ministry of Housing budget but I am not sure about that.

Even if it is a bit of repairs, something, it needs to be done,” Tahal related.

A vehicle operator, Dwayne Laagadou, reported that as drivers, they were going to take action, relating that they have been complaining for months about the state of the bridge at Glasgow.

“Everyone that use this bridge fearful of it. So we as hire car drivers have decided to come here today to see how we can put a temporary fix so this bridge because as drivers we need the bridge especially when you have to use this scheme and go over to the other scheme a lot of time.

So, if this one is not functional then it defeats the purpose,” he said.

The drivers and residents pooled together their resourc-

es and labour to place a temporary fix on a permanent problem. They remain hopeful that the authorities will be a bit considerate and come up with a permanent solution.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been expressed over the state of the roads in the community which is home to more than 5000 residents.

Mitford Ward, one of the community’s representatives and a senior resident of the community, assured that Government will be stepping in.

Ward told Guyana Times that he was at a meeting where the issue was discussed.

“I am aware that the work was advertised. I was at a meeting where it was discussed and we were assured that the two main entrances along with the main road running in the middle of the scheme will be fixed.

It was advertised but I cannot say at this moment what is the status of the tender or the tender process. As it is right now, it is important that we get some temporary relief. Even if the construction of a new bridge in the making it is still urgent that we get some temporary relief right now. It would not be much to just block that hole even if it is done with planks so that we can drive over safely,” he informed.

Ward said that is all they are asking for at the moment since he has confidence that the bridges and the road will be repaired.

Even with that being said, the bridge at Edinburgh linking the entire East Bank Berbice and which was recently reconstructed by the Public Infrastructure Ministry under the East Bank Berbice Road Rehabilitation programme is also in need of urgent repair.

C

Th We lie ed wa cil

mi En wo de loa Ca Ba the ty tur Ste

news

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THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

Zika cases decline in Guyana Restaurant Week Guyana – US Ambassador set for June 21-30 …after ranking number 1 for South America in 2017

T

he Zika virus has seen a steep decline in Guyana due to a number of partnerships which worked to reduce the number of infected persons, especially pregnant mothers and children.

This is according to the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch, during the conclusion of the Maternal and Child Survival Programme (MCSP), which initiated in March 2018 to combat the Zika epidemic in this part of the world.

Addressing a gathering of health workers, the Ambassador relayed, “This important health partnership between out governments supported clinical and non-clinical Zika services benefitting infants, children and families across Guyana…Thanks to the continuous and dedicated work to curb the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, reported Zika cases have decreased”.

The virus spreads from mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, primarily the Aedes Aegypti species. While there are usual symptoms in infected persons, pregnant women are at risk since a serious birth defect called microcephaly and brain defects are noted.

As such, the US diplomat warned that while the statistics are presently low, there will be other outbreaks in the future. This requires preparation and attentive medical practitioners.

“The significant decrease in cases compared to this time last year suggests that the risk of infection with Zika is minimal in Guyana. However, debate continues within the scientific community not as to if there will be another Zika outbreak in the future, but rather when the next outbreak will occur so it is important that we all remain extremely vigilant.”

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch

In 2016, the World Health Organisation declared Zika a public emergency and one of international concern. By the end of the year, a project was launched to strengthen the capacity framework of some 11 Caribbean countries.

This targeted the prevention of further transmission, reducing maternal complications and vector control measures.

As part of the MCSP, healthcare workers are now equipped to improve the quality of services offered to children and families.

“Guyanese healthcare workers now also have increased access to clinical literature and job aids to improve the quality of care and support available to infants and families.

While this work focused specifically on Zika, I would like to underscore that the investments made are far-reaching and will help to strengthen the public response to all mosquitoborne illnesses,” Lynch positioned.

Microcephaly

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Maternal and Child Health Unit, Dr Suzanne Siebs targeted the cases of microcephaly in Guyana over the past

four years. While the head circumference of an infant is observed for signs of this condition, it varies from mild to severe.

“When you have either mild to severe cases, this is when you know obviously due to the improper or damaged brain growth. You have seizures occurring, developing mental delay, speech delay, feeding problems, hearing or vision impairment,” Siebs explained.

As of 2016, 17 countries had reported signs of microcephaly. In Guyana, information is limited to determine the exact figures, but the first case was detected in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

“In Guyana, we would have had some reported cases as well in 2016 and 2017. However, baseline information is not known.

We had our first confirmed case of Zika in 2016.

In September 2016, a microcephaly birth was first recorded in Region Seven.”

After that, there were 20 such births in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

During the course of 2018 to March 2019, there was a decline with just three more cases reported. However, it was high when compared to other countries.

“The cases identified in 2016 to 2017, there were 20 cases with 15,750 births…We would have had quite a number of cases as compared to Jamaica, Brazil, Canada and the USA,” the coordinator demonstrated.

Two years ago, Guyana was ranked higher than most countries within the region that were suffering from Zika outbreaks.

F

ood lovers across Guyana are saving their appetite and calorie intake for when the much anticipated Restaurant Week kicks off in Guyana on June 21 this year.

The week of food will culminate on June 30.

Already, a number of restaurants have signed on to the event. Some include the Guyana Marriott Hotel, The Caribbean Inn Hotel Beach Specialities Restaurant, Herdmanston Lodge Hotel, Aagman Indian Restaurant, Grand Coastal, New Thriving, Pegasus Hotel and OMG!.

Guyana Restaurant Week is an amazing and unique event being hosted by the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana.

It provides the perfect opportunity for food lovers to get their crew together and visit the participating restaurants for delicious food at reduced prices.

These restaurants “will be offering delicious prix fixe lunch or dinner menus at reduced prices” the Tourism and Hospitality Association said.

These include, but are not limited to, tantalising sweet treats from the Chef’s Italian Dessert Selection at Marriott or a savoury Middle Eastern dish – creamy delicious hummus topped with a flavourful combination of Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives, roasted red peppers, tomato slices and fresh parsley served with a spicy dressing of cayenne pepper and extra virgin olive oil at Grand Coastal.

Aagman’s Restaurant will be offering its special Tandoori chicken, which is marinated in a creamy hung yoghurt-based sauce with selected herbs and spices to give their own unique taste, along with other meals.

Last November, the event was jointly held by the Tourism and Hospitality

of Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

Restaurant Week was one of the signature events for Tourism Awareness Month 2018.

Each restaurant had featured two-course lunch menus at $1000 and $2000, and three-course dinner menus for $4000 or $5000 per person.

President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar said Restaurant Week is an excellent marketing opportunity for businesses and will benefit patrons as well. He explained that the event will see the participating restaurants offering fixed prices on their menu throughout the week.

“Restaurant Week was designed to appeal to the local market and for people who feel certain restaurants are not for them. I’m encouraging all Guyanese to come out and explore them all”.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

Regional

UN rights chief Bachelet heads Human Rights Watch accuses Nicaragua of to Venezuela for 3-day visit torture against protesters, urges sanctions

Michelle Bachelet is expected to hold conversations with President Nicolás Maduro and Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó [AP Images]

U

nited Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet is set to arrive in Venezuela on Wednesday for a threeday visit where she is expected to hold separate talks with both President Nicolás Maduro and Opposition

Leader Juan Guaidó.

She is also expected to speak to civil society leaders and "victims of human rights violence and abuses", the UN rights office said.

Her visit, at the invitation of the Government, comes in advance of a UN Human Rights Council three-week session.

The trip also comes at a critical time for the country. It has been nearly six months since Guaidó invoked the Constitution to declare himself interim President, calling Maduro's 2018 re-election illegitimate.

Dozens of countries, including the United States and many of Venezuela's regional neighbours, have recognised the Opposition Leader as the country's leader. Maduro, who maintains the backing of Russia, China and Cuba, as well as most of Venezuela's State institu-

tions including the military, accuses Guaidó and the US of staging a coup.

Bachelet will deliver a statement at the end of her visit on June 21, and she is also expected to submit a report to the UN Human Rights Council in the next month.

In recent months, the rights chief has been critical of Maduro's crackdown on opponents. In a report to the UN Human Rights Council in March, Bachelet said Venezuelan security forces, backed by pro-Government armed groups, had quashed peaceful protests with excessive use of force, killings and torture.

She has also criticised US sanctions against Maduro's Government, cautioning that they are exacerbating the crisis and possibly hurting "people's basic rights and well-being". (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

P

ro-Government forces in Nicaragua committed human rights abuses, including torture in suppressing recent protests against President Daniel Ortega, and top officials should face sanctions, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Wednesday.

After demonstrations against Ortega broke out in April 2018, more than 700 people were arrested and 325 mostly Opposition protesters died in clashes with security forces, creating the country’s worst crisis since a bloody civil war in the 1980s.

Human Rights Watch said it had interviewed 11 former detainees who

C

harm if they did not leave and harassed their families, the NGO, which has links to Cuba’s largest Opposition group, the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), said.

Cuba’s Government, which did not reply to a request for comment, accuses dissidents of being mercenaries paid by its long-time Cold War foe, the United States, to undermine it and typically dismisses such charges as attempts to tarnish its reputation.

Cuban Prisoners Defenders NGO, which was formed late last year, said more than a third of the 26

activists who responded to its online survey said they were escorted to the airport

by State security and forced into exile.

Some were given boarding passes, typically for flights to Guyana where Cubans can get a tourist visa on arrival, and money for their first month, it said.

The group said that during an eight-day survey period this month it identified 42 more people whom State security forces were currently pressuring to leave and concluded there were likely many more cases. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ment on the report.

Doctors interviewed by the organisation said they treated dozens of people showing signs of physical harm consistent with abuse and torture described by the detainees.

The acts included rape, waterboarding, electric shocks, acid burns, mock executions, and removal of fingernails.

“The cases we documented are consistent with a pattern of systematic abuse against anti-Government protesters and opponents that international human rights bodies have reported,” Human Rights Watch said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Politician demands answers on Govt's involvement in US detention of J'can fishermen

Cuba forces dissidents into exile, advocacy group says uba’s State security is pressuring dissidents to go into exile in its attempt to weaken Opposition on the Communist-run island, a non-governmental human rights organisation said on Wednesday.

The Madrid-based Cuban Prisoners Defenders released a 259-page report that named 35 activists, independent Journalists and artists whom authorities had forced to leave the country over the past two years, telling them never to return.

State security threatened them with prison or bodily

had experienced a form of abuse, and had collectively witnessed the abuse of some 40 other people.

“Daniel Ortega has shown no real commitment to justice for the victims of the brutal crackdown by National Police and armed thugs during the 2018 protests,” Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

The group called for sanctions such as freezing assets and banning travel for Ortega and various other senior officials.

The Nicaraguan Government did not immediately respond to a request by Reuters for com-

Opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, Lisa Hanna

O

pposition spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, Lisa Hanna is demanding that the Government provides a detailed explanation of its role in facilitating the actions of US authorities, which led to the incarceration of five Jamaican fish-

ermen in the US after they were detained in Haitian waters.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday disclosed in a press release that it granted a waiver to the US authorities, allowing them to detain the Jamaican fishermen who have now filed a lawsuit against the United States Coast Guard on claims that they were held in inhumane conditions for more than a month.

According to the Ministry, the waiver allowed for the arrest of five Jamaicans in 2017 under the Ship Rider agreement with the US, based on information regarding suspicion of trafficking in contraband, the location of the vessel, the Jamaican registration of the vessel and the nationality of the crew.

Hanna, in a statement on Wednesday, demanded that Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith and National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang provide the details of the waiver of Jamaica's right to exercise jurisdiction and authorisation of the treaty state to enforce its laws against its nationals in the interest of security, defence, international relations, and justice.

She contended that the information from the Foreign Affairs Ministry reveals a serious dereliction of duty by both Ministers based on the provisions of Section 20 of the Maritime Drug Trafficking (Suppression) Act and questioned whether or not due process was followed in granting the waiver. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

EU signs financing agreement to Look deep inside – T&T PM urges citizens support climate resilience in BVI

T

The BVI has suffered major damage from hurricanes

he European Union has signed a financing agreement for two million euros (US$2.2 million) with the British Virgin Islands (BVI), as a special measure in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The programme, to be implemented by the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO),

comes in support to the Government’s ongoing efforts and aims to establish fully-equipped and functional emergency shelters in the BVI, as well as to contribute to the islands’ efforts to strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards and disasters.

Most of the existing shelters in the BVI will be reha-

bilitated and upgraded to the highest resilience standards, as well as pre-stocked with the necessary emergency relief items.

“This action will include the development of a training plan aimed at sensitising BVI’s communities on disaster response strategies and services offered in the shelters, and providing shelter management training to targeted community members,” the EU said in a statement Wednesday.

The programme is part of a series of regional and bilateral special measures funded by the EU in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, among which are support to Barbuda and Dominica for housing reconstruction and a World BankImplemented Caribbean Regional Resilience Facility.

(Caribbean360)

T

he Trinidad Prime Minister has appealed to citizens to look deeply within themselves; assess their negative emotions and identify feelings of anger, aggression, envy, jealousy, apathy, hypocrisy, racism, prejudice, bigotry, withdrawal and materialism, which, he said, appear to be

the prevailing mood worldwide.

In his Corpus Christi message, Dr Keith Rowley also told citizens to acknowledge that many among us are sustained by emotions that are unworthy of the essential message of Jesus Christ, of all other religions, and our common humanity.

He said citizens should give a moment to the essential message which is common among all religions, as they join with the Christian/Catholic community throughout TT today in celebrating the Holy Feast of Corpus Christi, which marks the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. (Excerpt from Newsday)

Trini Policewoman to face Jamaican Magistrate today

A

T r i n i d a d and Tobago Policewoman accused of attempting to smuggle cocaine to The Bahamas from Jamaica will appear before a Jamaican Magistrate today to face the charges.

Sources said Tamara Boyce, 42, was ordered off a flight bound for The

Bahamas at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday, after customs officers and Police reportedly received a tip that she and her boyfriend, a Jamaican, were attempting to smuggle packets of cocaine strapped to their body.

After a search, both Boyce and the man were

found to have drugs. They were arrested and taken for questioning.

Boyce, who is from Arima, was last assigned to the Police Mounted Branch in Long Circular, St James. Her four-yearold daughter was also with her with when she and her boyfriend were arrested.

(Excerpt from Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

17

Around the World

Explainer: Mysterious ‘brain North Korea drought: South Korea fever’ killing children in India to send 50,000 tonnes of rice

Relatives visit child patients who suffer from acute encephalitis syndrome in a hospital ward in Muzaffarpur, in the eastern state of Bihar, India, June 19, 2019

M

ore than 110 children in India, most from poor rural families, have died this month from encephalitis, a type of brain disease that has afflicted the eastern state of Bihar for more than two decades.

Health experts have long been dumbfounded by the root of the encephalitis outbreak, commonly known as brain fever, in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district.

Recent studies have sug-

gested that natural toxins in lychees could harm undernourished children by blocking their ability to produce enough blood sugar, which can lead to death.

The link to the fruit, however, is inconclusive, said Alok Ghosh, the Muzaffarpur district magistrate, who said that in about half of the more than 400 known cases of encephalitis, the children had not consumed lychees.

Three medical sources

at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, where some 95 patients have died, said they thought serious dehydration was likely to blame.

Researchers who conducted a study of 390 children who fell sick in 2014 in Muzaffarpur said that lychees contained hypoglycin A, an amino acid that can disrupt metabolism, lowering blood sugar levels. That can trigger hypoglycaemia, and in extreme cases, death.

The study by India’s National Centre for Disease Control and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added that when the brain lacks glucose, it turns to other sources of energy, which are rapidly depleted, eventually pushing people into a coma.

Officials are scrambling to contain the outbreak, but victims’ relatives say poor hospital facilities have allowed the death toll to balloon. (Excerpt from Reuters)

S

outh Korea plans to send 50,000 tonnes of rice to drought-stricken North Korea, its first food donation to the isolated nation in a decade.

A severe drought, compounded by economic sanctions, has led to chronic food shortages in North Korea.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said the rice will be delivered “as soon as possible”.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) will be in charge of overseeing the food donation.

South Korea’s last food donation to North Korea was in 2010, when it sent 5000 tonnes of rice across the bor-

der - just a tenth of the current planned donation.

Amid improving relations between the nations, Seoul recently donated US$8 million (£6.3 million) to UN programmes providing nutritional and medical support to women and children in North Korea.

Last month, a UN report said up to 10 million North Koreans were “in urgent need of food assistance”.

The UN report found North Koreans had been surviving on just 300g (10.5 oz) of food a day so far this year.

This scarcity of food has been attributed to North

Prince Mohammed (R) says those who killed Jamal Khashoggi (L) were not acting on his orders

T

here is credible evidence that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other high-level officials are individually liable for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a UN expert said.

A report by special rapporteur Agnes Callamard said the evidence merits further investigation by an independent and impartial international inquiry.

Saudi agents killed the journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Saudi authorities in-

sist they were not acting on Prince Mohammed’s orders.

The Gulf kingdom has put 11 unidentified people on trial behind closed doors for Khashoggi’s murder and is seeking the death penalty for five of them.

However, Callamard said the trial had failed to meet international procedural and substantive standards, and called for it to be suspended.

Callamard was tasked by the UN human right’s office with establishing “the nature and extent of states’

The convicted men will be sentenced next month [Baz Ratner/Reuters]

M

ore than 110 children in India, most from poor rural families, have died this month from encephalitis, a type of brain disease that has afflicted the eastern state of Bihar for more than two decades.

Health experts have long been dumbfounded by the root of the encephalitis outbreak, commonly known as brain fever, in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district.

Recent studies have suggested that natural tox-

ins in lychees could harm undernourished children by blocking their ability to produce enough blood sugar, which can lead to death.

The link to the fruit, however, is inconclusive, said Alok Ghosh, the Muzaffarpur district magistrate, who said that in about half of the more than 400 known cases of encephalitis, the children had not consumed lychees.

Three medical sources at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, where

Stratford, reporting from Basra, said a local security official confirmed Exxon evacuated 21 foreign staff in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

“The oil ministry is saying that oil production in the area has not been affected by this attack,” Stratford said, adding the security official described the rocket used as a Katyusha.

According to security official Mahdi Raykan, the Katyusha rocket landed at dawn in the Zubair and Rumeila oil fields camp, operated by the Iraqi Drilling company, where ExxonMobil

and other foreign oil companies have tents.

Workers of the foreign companies were not on site at the time but still in their sleeping quarters, said another Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to address the media.

Wednesday’s incident was the latest in a spate of attacks on oil infrastructure in the region and came after the United States evacuated hundreds of diplomatic staff from its embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, last month, citing unspecified threats from Iran. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

some 95 patients have died, said they thought serious dehydration was likely to blame.

Researchers who conducted a study of 390 children who fell sick in 2014 in Muzaffarpur said that lychees contained hypoglycin A, an amino acid that can disrupt metabolism, lowering blood sugar levels. That can trigger hypoglycaemia, and in extreme cases, death.

The study by India’s National Centre for Disease Control and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added that when the brain lacks glucose, it turns to other sources of energy, which are rapidly depleted, eventually pushing people into a coma.

Officials are scrambling to contain the outbreak, but victims’ relatives say poor hospital facilities have allowed the death toll to balloon. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Russians, Ukrainian to face murder charges over downing of Flight MH17

Rocket hits site of foreign oil firms in Iraq’s Basra, three hurt

A rocket landed at the headquarters of several global oil companies in Iraq’s southern city of Basra on Wednesday, wounding three Iraqi workers and raising alarm amid rising tensions between the US and Iran in the region.

The rocket hit the Burjesia residential and operations headquarters west of Basra, Iraqi police said.

The site is home to a number of international oil giants, including US firm ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, and Italian Eni SpA. Al Jazeera’s Charles

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Kenya court convicts three over Garissa university massacre

Jamal Khashoggi killing: Saudi crown prince ‘should face investigation’

and individuals’ responsibilities for the killing”.

Saudi officials insisted that Khashoggi’s death was the result of a “rogue” operation, but the special rapporteur’s report concludes that it was “an extrajudicial killing for which the state of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is responsible”.

Callamard also determined that there was “credible evidence, warranting further investigation of high-level Saudi officials’ individual liability, including the crown prince’s”.

The special rapporteur said the crown prince should be subject to the targeted sanctions already imposed by some UN member states, including the US, against other named individuals allegedly involved in the killing.

The sanctions, focusing on his personal assets abroad, should remain in place “until and unless evidence has been produced that he bears no responsibility for the execution of Mr Khashoggi”, the reports says. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Korea’s worst drought in 37 years, which has resulted in poor harvests and crop damage across the country.

In 2018, North Korea’s crop output hit the lowest level since 2008, according to the UN report.

North Korea has struggled for decades with food production. The nation suffered a famine in the 1990s which is thought to have killed hundreds of thousands.

It has long claimed that international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programme has crippled its economy and diminished its ability to feed its people.

Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov, as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko, accused of downing of flight MH17, are shown on screen as international investigators present their latest findings in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, nearly five years after the crash that killed 298 passengers and crew, in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, June 19, 2019

T

hree Russians and a Ukrainian will face murder charges for the deaths of 298 people aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, the international investigative team said on Wednesday.

The suspects are likely to be tried in absentia in proceedings set to start in the Netherlands next

March. Dutch authorities said Russia has not cooperated with the inquiry and is not expected to surrender defendants.

“Although they did not push the button themselves, we suspect them of close cooperation to get the (missile launcher) where it was, with the aim to shoot down an aeroplane.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry denied that it had

not cooperated while saying on Wednesday the investigation was intended to damage Moscow’s reputation.

Dutch Justice Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus said in a letter to Parliament the Netherlands had taken unspecified “diplomatic steps” against Moscow for failing to fully comply with legal requests or providing incorrect information.

MH17 was shot out of the sky on July 17, 2014, over territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Everyone aboard died.

The Dutch-led international team tasked with assigning criminal responsibility for the plane’s destruction named the four suspects as Russians Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin, as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko. It said international arrest warrants for the four had been issued. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURsDAY, JUNE 20, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Work your magic and achieve what you set out to do. Show enthusiasm and refuse to let negative people burst your bubble. Celebrate with a loved one.

Ask questions and find TAURUS out how you can help oth(April 20- ers. Stepping up will make May 20) an impression on someone influential. Don’t be hesitant to show what you have to offer.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Honesty is the best policy. If you lead someone on or make a promise you aren’t likely to keep, it will hurt your reputation and damage an important relationship.

Consider all aspects of a proposal, contract or settlement before you accept. Time is on your side, and following your intuition is in your best interest.

An industry event will lead to an encounter with someone you find inspiring. Enjoy mingling and gathering information that will help you advance.

Someone you least expect will make you an offer.

Use discretion if someone overreacts. Offer someone advice, but don’t take charge. Your time should be spent collaborating with people who share your interests and concerns.

Set time aside for you. Go to the gym or meet a friend for lunch. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for taking time to rejuvenate. Selfimprovement projects are favoured.

An emotional situation should be dealt with carefully. You must be sensitive to a situation that someone close to you is experiencing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Make plans, but don’t go overboard. You’ll leave a better impression if you are responsible and come up with a cost-efficient idea that is fun for everyone. Romance is highlighted.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Take a walk down memory lane to reacquaint yourself with old dreams. A change will be eye-opening and will spark a greater interest in diversifying what you have to offer.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t waste time trying to convince others to do things your way. Concentrate on what you want to pursue, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results you get.

Volunteer your time to a worthy cause. Taking part in events will lead to a chance meeting with someone who will influence your life. Let your intuition be your guide.

thursday, JUNE 20, 2019

19

Kane Williamson guides New Zealand to narrow World Cup win over South Africa SCOREBOARD T 22 proved beyond he World Cup’s David Miller at first gripping finmid-wicket – it ish ended with would have been the result that may well a screamer – but have sewn up the top four Tahir’s final ball with 20 group games should have secured the still to come, as a Kane breakthrough the Proteas Williamson-inspired New so badly craved.

Zealand overcame South Williamson tried to dab a fizzing Africa by four wickets to go leg-break fine, only to miss out. Tahir top of the table. was convinced of a nick, but Quinton de The Black Caps Captain Kock, behind the stumps, and umpire was at his emotion-free and Nigel Llong were oblivious to any brilliant best in what proved contact. Had Du Plessis reviewed, a tense second innings run Williamson would have departchase, stroking an unbeaten ed for 76 with the faintest of 106 from 138 deliveries from edges detected.

No 3 that took his side to their The late tension, in target of 242 with three balls to which Williamson spare. brought up his 12 It has left the Proteas effectiveODI century with a six ly – but not mathematically – out in the final over, was reof the running after six games, but ward for a near sell-out crowd that Faf du Plessis’s side did not make had waited 90 minutes for the start it easy. When New Zealand slipped due to a damp outfield. The 49-overto 137 for five – Chris Morris ima-side format that resulted was a pressing with three wickets – they strange decision – why not 50 overs still required 105 runs from 100 from 11.50am? – and prompted the balls, while Williamson, unbeaten on stadium’s DJ to reach for OMC’s 63, needed a partner to continue Jimmy mid-90s single “How Bizarre”.

Neesham’s support in a watchful stand Equally puzzling was a pitch of 57.

Colin de that was white in colour, but slowStep forward Warwickshire favouGrandhomme er and stickier than this shade rite Colin de Grandhomme, who essmashes a six suggested. South Africa struggled chewed restraint and instead crashed to truly cut loose at any stage un60 from 47 balls, including a couple of meaty thwacks into the boisterous Hollies til Rassie van der Dussen, top-scorer with 67 Stand. Though the all-rounder holed out late from 64 balls, ended the innings with a six on, his cameo, allied with Williamson’s steel, and a four.

De Grandhomme was able to send down 10 broke the back of the chase and now means fifth-placed Bangladesh must surely beat overs of his medium pace for figures of one for Australia today if a side from outside the cur- 33 – Aiden Markram his victim for a 55-ball rent top four is to break into the semi-final 38 – while Matt Henry, though sharper, was similarly stifling with none for 34 from his alspots.

South Africa, with one win, four defeats location.

But it was the pace of Lockie Ferguson that and one washout to show for their efforts, had their chances. Imran Tahir had twirled shone brightest and continued a fine World away for thrifty figures of 10 overs for 33 Cup, as he castled Du Plessis with a searruns, the last of which could have had both ing 92mph yorker for 23 and then saw both David Miller (36) and Andile Phehlukwayo de Grandhomme and Williamson dismissed.

A diving catch offered by the former on (0) caught trying to force shots late on.

3

Kane Williamson hits a six that completed his century and tied the game before securing the winning runs

South Africa Innings (49 overs maximum) Q de Kock † b Boult 5 HM Amla b Santner 55 F du Plessis (c) b Ferguson 23 AK Markram c Munro b de Grandhomme 38 HE van der Dussen not out 67 DA Miller c Boult b Ferguson 36 AL Phehlukwayo c Williamson b Ferguson 0 CH Morris not out 6 Extras 11 (lb 7, w 4) TOTAL 241/6 (49 Overs, RR: 4.91) Did not bat: K Rabada, Imran Tahir, L Ngidi Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Q de Kock, 1.5 ov), 2-59 (F du Plessis, 13.6 ov), 3-111 (HM Amla, 27.4 ov), 4-136 (AK Markram, 32.3 ov), 5-208 (DA Miller, 44.5 ov), 6-218 (AL Phehlukwayo, 46.3 ov)

242 runs from 49 overs) MJ Guptill hit wicket b Phehlukwayo 35 C Munro c & b Rabada 9 KS Williamson (c) not out 106 LRPL Taylor c †de Kock b Morris 1 TWM Latham † c †de Kock b Morris 1 JDS Neesham c Amla b Morris 23 C de Grandhomme c du Plessis b Ngidi 60 MJ Santner not out 2 Extras 8 (lb 1, nb 1, w 6) TOTAL 245/6 (48.3 Overs, RR: 5.05) Yet to bat: MJ Henry, LH Ferguson, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-12 (C Munro, 2.1 ov), 2-72 (MJ Guptill, 14.6 ov), 3-74 (LRPL Taylor, 16.1 ov), 4-80 (TWM Latham, 18.1 ov), 5-137 (JDS Neesham, 32.2 ov), 6-228 (C de Grandhomme, 47.1 ov)

Trent Boult detonating De Kock’s leg-stump had O M R W made for an inauspicious start BOWLING MJ Henry 10 2 34 0 BOWLING O M R W

by South Africa, but Hashim TA Boult 10 0 63 1 K Rabada 10 0 42 1 Amla’s 55 from 83 balls – one LH Ferguson 10 0 59 3 L Ngidi 10 1 47 1 10 0 49 3 which made him the second C de Grandhomme 10 0 33 1 CH Morris 9 0 45 1 AL Phehlukwayo 8.3 0 73 1 fastest man after Virat Kohli MJ Santner New Zealand Innings (target: Imran Tahir 10 0 33 0 to 8000 ODI runs – steadied the ship.

That fortuitous breakthrough was followed Amla was troubled by the pace of Ferguson, by two further strikes in quick succession. but eventually was undone by the delicate Morris looked slightly embarrassed when left-arm of Mitchell Santner, who got a ball Ross Taylor flicked his second ball down leg to dip towards the opener’s feet, grip the sur- to De Kock, but there was little doubt about face and then ping the off-stump for a beau- the follow-up, a ball that jagged off the surtiful dismissal. face and snicked the edge of Tom Latham’s New Zealand were not perfect in the field. bat for a more classical caught behind.

Two catches went down. But neither was costMorris returned in the 33rd over to have ly and in the chase they overcame the early Neesham caught at slip on 23. But with the loss of Colin Munro – caught and bowled by new man, de Grandhomme, in no mood to Kagiso Rabada via an inside edge onto pad – muck about and Williamson ice-cool, New as Williamson and Martin Guptill put on 60 Zealand found a way. Williamson and de runs in 12.4 overs for the second wicket.

Grandhomme shared in a 91-run stand Guptill, like all but de Grandhomme, was that set up New Zealand’s pursuit of South unable to truly free his arms, but did pierce Africa’s 241 for 6, Williamson pumping a the in-field for five fours. His dismissal was last-over six off Phehlukwayo that brought more memorable than the innings itself, the up a match-winning hundred before his umpright-hander swivelling 360 degrees when teenth dab to third man brought up the win. trying to pull Phehlukwayo, only to slip and (Excerpt from the Guardian) kick the leg-stump with his back foot.

Dhawan ruled out of World Cup, Pant confirmed as replacement

S

hikhar Dhawan’s World Cup has come to end midway through India’s campaign. The opening batsman suffered a hairline fracture to his left thumb during his century against Australia on June 9 and has not recovered well enough to play the tournament.

Rishabh Pant, who was rushed in as a cover by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on June 11, two days after Dhawan suffered the blow, and trained with the Indian squad in Manchester ahead of the Pakistan match, has been approved by the ICC as Dhawan’s replacement following a formal request by the BCCI. Dhawan was present in Southampton during the Indian training session, with his left hand wrapped in bandage.

According to the BCCI, Dhawan’s hand is expected to be in cast beyond the World Cup, which ends on July 14.

Speaking at a media briefing, India team manager Sunil Subramaniam read from a note: “Shikhar has a fracture at the base of his first metacarpal on his left hand [thumb].

Following several specialist opinions, he will remain in a cast until July, mid-July, which rules him out of the ICC World Cup 2019.”

“I feel emotional to announce that I will no longer be a part of #CWC19. Unfortunately, the thumb won’t recover on time.

But the show must go on,” Dhawan tweeted a while after the

announcement.

It was an unfortunate blow for Dhawan, and the team, considering it was only their second group match after winning the opening fixture against South Africa. The injury took place while Dhawan was hit in his gloves by a short Pat Cummins delivery. Dhawan carried on batting and scored a century, which earned him the Man of the Match award as India won by 36 runs. However, he did not field during the Australia innings.

He travelled to Leeds to meet a surgeon after that, where the fracture was diagnosed. The Indian selectors opted to take time on the matter and not name a replacement immediately following a positive appraisal from the team’s medical staff led by physio Patrick Farhart.

Another significant factor behind the reluctance of the selectors and the team management to name a replacement in a hurry was Dhawan’s record at various global tournaments. Dhawan was the highest scorer in each of the last five multi-team (five-plus teams) ODI tournaments for India: Champions Trophy 2013, Asia Cup 2014, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017 and Asia Cup 2018.

Against Australia, where he batted deep into the innings, the left-handed Dhawan had blunted the Australian slow bowlers, including legspinner Adam Zampa. After the wash-

out against New Zealand in Nottingham in the third match, Indian Captain Virat Kohli underlined Dhawan’s importance to the team. “We want to hold him back, keep him here, because he wants to play. I think that kind of mind-set will help in healing the injury as well as he really wants to play,” Kohli had told the host broadcaster on June 14 while discussing the team’s plans vis-à-vis Dhawan.

Pant’s inclusion, meanwhile, did not come as a surprise.

A debate had erupted when Pant did not figure in the original 15-man World Cup squad. Eminent cricketing minds like Ricky Ponting, Pant’s Coach at Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), felt the Indian selectors might have missed out on an X-factor player by ignoring the 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman. Instead, Vijay Shankar and Dinesh Karthik had been picked ahead of Pant and Ambati Rayudu, who was part of the squad in the last series India had played before the World Cup. Pant, who has only played five ODIs (93 runs in four innings, at an average of 23.25 and strike rate of 130.08), was, however, named as one of the five stand-by players by the selectors. Being a left-hander, a very explosive one at that, the selectors felt Pant was a good replacement for Dhawan and could be fitted into the middle-order with KL Rahul now being pushed up as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner. (ESPN cricinfo)

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thursday, JUNE 20, 2019

Rambarran, Sealy named co-Captains for Windies U-15s – Ramnauth, Thorne, Dindyal are Guyanese

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he interim Junior Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies announced on Wednesday, a 14-member West Indies Under-15 squad for a tour of England to take part in a series of matches sponsored by the Barmy Army. The selection panel, comprising all of the head coaches of the teams that participated in this year’s West Indies Under-15 Championship, as well as CWI high performance coach Graeme West has recommended that left-arm spinners Andrew Rambarran and Nathan Sealy be appointed co-captains for the trip. “The panel has identified Nathan and Andrew as two potential leaders and that they should be given the opportunity to share the captaincy during the period of the tour,” said West.“ When one is captain, the other will be vice-captain. Both young men have led their respective sides during the recent West Indies Under-15 Championship and were impressive.” It’s the fourth straight year that CWI has invested in sending an Under-15 side to England to play in the Barmy Army sponsored series.

“Selection for the West Indies Under-15s is a significant step on the development pathway to representing the West Indies at the elite level,” said West. “This tour gives these players a great opportunity and experience as a squad to develop their skills in different cricket conditions, but also to develop their

teamwork and build camaraderie with new teammates. “It’s also an important part of CWI’s ongoing development and investment plans for youth cricket at every age group, especially since some of this group are likely to be wearing the maroon shirt more and more as they aim to progress through to Under-17 and Under-19 level.” The squad will play a series of matches against local opposition on the trip culminating in a match against England’s Barmy Army Under-15 Colts on August 18.

August

Full schedule

Thu 8: tour Match vs South Hempstead CC Invitation XI (25 overs) – Willesden Fri 9: West Indies Under-15s vs Hertfordshire EPP (50 overs) – Merchant Taylor’s School Sun 11: West Indies Under-15s vs Northamptonshire Under-15s (50 overs) – Venue to be decided Mon 12: West Indies Under-15s vs England SW & London & East Regions U15s (two Twenty20s) – Merchant Taylor’s School Wed 14: West Indies Under-15s vs London Schools CA (50 overs) – Enfield Fri 16: West Indies Under-15s

Throwback, West Indies Under 15s in 2018

vs North & Midlands Combined Under-15s (two Twenty20s) – Loughborough University

Sun 18: West Indies Under-15s vs England’s Barmy Army Colts (50 overs) – Venue to be decided (CWI)

Luis Enrique: Spain Manager quits after 11 months Emiliano Sala: Manslaughter

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pain manager Luis Enrique has stepped down for personal reasons and will be replaced by assistant Robert Moreno after less than a year in charge.

The former Barcelona boss signed a twoyear contract in July 2018. Enrique had been absent since March because of “a family matter of an urgent nature” according to the Spanish Football Federation.

The 49-year-old took over the national team following their exit from the 2018 World Cup in the last 16. “It was a decision Luis Enrique took himself, which we are grateful for,” said Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). “We will have a perfect memory of him. It’s a personal matter which doesn’t depend on us. We think it’s the best thing to do. “We are convinced that the best response is the most prepared team, and that team is represented by Robert [Moreno] and his group, who arrived with Luis Enrique.”

In a brief statement on the RFEF website, Enrique later thanked staff at the federation “for the faith they have shown me and for understanding the situation”.

Enrique took charge of Spain’s Nations

League campaign, where they failed to reach the semi-finals, and began their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. He travelled back home for a family matter before Spain’s 2-0 victory in Malta in March and Moreno was placed in temporary charge.

Under Moreno, Spain have won their past three games and will take on Romania in their next Euro 2020 qualifier in September. Moreno, 41, told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday it was “a bittersweet day” but he was “encouraged” by support from Enrique.

Moreno was assistant to Enrique at Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona before joining up with Spain and says he “instilled in me the knowledge of the players”.

He said: “Since I was 14 years old, I have thought about reaching the highest level, but I didn’t expect it this way. “I’ve spent nine years with Luis training the best in the world and watching his decisions. We’re going to do a great job.”

Moreno is the fourth manager to be appointed by Spain in the past 12 months, after Julen Lopetegui was sacked two days before the World Cup and replaced by Fernando Hierro. (BBC Sport)

arrest over footballer’s death

A

man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in relation to the death of Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala who died in a plane crash.

The striker, who had signed with Cardiff City, was killed in the crash along with pilot David Ibbotson. A spokesperson for Dorset Police said a 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire had been arrested and released while investigations continue.

The force added the families of the two men who died had been informed. Mr Sala, 28, had been travelling from Nantes to Cardiff on 21 January when the plane he was in lost contact with air traffic control north of Guernsey. His body was recovered in February but Mr Ibbotson’s has never been found.

Mr Sala’s body was brought to Portland and Dorset Police has been carrying out inquiries on behalf of the coroner. Det Insp Simon Huxter, of the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “As part of this investigation we have to consider

whether there is any evidence of any suspected criminality and as a result of our inquiries we have today, Wednesday June 19, 2019, arrested a 64-year-old man from the North Yorkshire area on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.

“He is assisting with our inquiries and has been released from custody under investigation.”

Det Insp Huxter urged people not to speculate about the identity of the man as it could hinder the investigation. The Piper Malibu aircraft was carrying Mr Sala and Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, after the footballer returned to FC Nantes to say goodbye to his former teammates.

An official search operation was called off on January 24, after Guernsey’s harbour master said the chances of survival were “extremely remote”.

Shipwreck hunter David Mearns found the plane wreckage on February 3, 220ft (67m) below water, using sonar after a crowdfunding appeal to find the aircraft raised £340,000 (371,000 euros). (BBC Sport)

21 Inspiring Bangladesh face huge step-up in challenge against Australia M guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, JUNE 20, 2019

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ashrafe Mortaza’s team has been excellent so far, but they need to do all the things they have done right so far, and more, when they face five-time champions Australia on Thursday, June 20.

Australia are doing what they do best at World Cups: dominate. An injury to Marcus Stoinis hasn’t set them back.

And if their assistant coach Brad Haddin is to be believed, we haven’t seen the best of them yet. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are proving to be a nightmare to face. Aaron Finch and David Warner have been providing solid starts. And Steve Smith has been a rock in the middle order.

At present, it’s difficult to see how Australia don’t make the final four.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, are leaving behind their own trail in this tournament. They have lost as many as they have won, but they have been clinical in the two games where they ended up on the right side of the result, and absolutely pushed New Zealand to the brink before coming

up short. After bossing West Indies in a chase of 322 on Monday, they need to repeat all the things they did right in that game, and more, against a top-flight opposition in Australia.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s men have been excellent so far, but can they live up to the challenge of competing against a five-time champion?

Key players

Mitchell Starc (Australia): Among bowlers to have taken 20 or more wickets in World Cups, Starc’s average of 13.51 and strike-rate of 18.8 are the best ever. Starc takes just over two-and-a-half wickets a game and concedes runs at 4.30 an over. To put things in perspective, if teams faced only Starc when they batted, they would manage about 135 runs per innings before being bowled out. Those are staggering numbers.

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): Shakib is really showing why he is the world’s top-ranked all-rounder in ODIs. With five wickets in four

matches, er on. and two cenSquads turies and two Australia: fifties in four inAaron Finch (c), nings, Shakib has David Warner, made it simply imUsman Khawaja, possible to look past Steve Smith, Shaun him anymore. In his curMarsh, Alex Carey rent form, Shakib against (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Starc and Cummins could Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell be a one-on-one battle Starc, Kane Richardson, made in cricketing heaven.

Pat Cummins, Jason Conditions Behrendorff, Nathan There could be some Coulter-Nile, Adam scattered showers in Zampa, Nathan Lyon Nottingham on Thursday, Bangladesh: Mashrafe but they will be accompaMortaza (capt), Abu nied by a gentle breeze, Jayed, Liton Das (wk), which could help in keeping Mahmudullah, Mehidy Mitchell Starc interruptions to a minimum.

Hasan, Mohammad Chances of rain gradually go Mithun (wk), Mohammad down as the day progresses. As for the Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, underfoot conditions, there will be as- Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur sistance for fast bowlers early on, but Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir if the games that have taken place Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya so far are any indication, they could Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal. significantly ease out for batting lat-

Ali’s 6 cart off Jeet Brothers Dominoes Tournament

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li’s 6 emerged winners of the Jeet Brothers (USA) sponsored dominoes tournament, held at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road, Georgetown last Monday night.

Organised by Manniram “Packer” Shew, the tournament, held in honour of Muntaz “Bhajee” Ali who was visiting Guyana from the USA, saw his side romping to a comfortable victory.

The victorious Ali’s 6 led from start to finish, tallying 77 games in the process, nine ahead of Beharry’s 6 who placed second with 70, edging out Sammy’s 6 on 69.

Brian Allen was the star player for Ali’s. marking 17

and received fine support from Selwyn Prescott (15), Dino Bissessar (13) and Ariel O’Liviera (13).

The top players for Beharry’s 6 were Mark Singh and Intikab Ali with 15 games each while Claude Stuart registered the maximum 18 games for Sammy’s 6 and Hilbert Ali 13.

Prizes, in the forms of caps, were awarded to the top player in each team, Allen of Ali’s 6, Singh of Beharry’s 6 and Stuart of Sammy’s 6. Singh got the

Organiser Manniram Shew (right) hands over the winning trophy to Muntaz “Bhajee” Ali in the presence of other team members

nod over Intikab Ali, who also marked 15 games, sharing 22 games to the

latter’s 24.

Organiser Shew has expressed sincere thanks to

the Jeet brothers, among them Rico, Boogie and Basil.

Agnus Chess Institute offers RECEIVING 4-week chess camp

NOT YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

A

gnus Chess Institute presents a chess camp that will last for a period of 4 weeks.

It will commence on July 15 and conclude on the August 7, the class days and times are Mondays to Wednesdays 9am-12pm, at the American University of Peace Studies.

The individual behind this initiative is Candidate Master (CM) Ronuel Greenidge, 1728 in rating, who proudly represented Guyana in the 41st Chess Olympiad, where he snatched his CM title. From there Greenidge has continued to use his platform by training players over the course of his career.

He is the current chess coach for the University of Guyana who bagged a total of 11 medals at the University Games Colombia. At the chess camp

some of the issues that will be covered are how the pieces move, tactics, opening, middle game strategy and concepts, endgame concepts and more.

In an invited comment the Candidate Master said, “the camp is for anyone who is interested in the game of chess and the persons should ensure that they are registered for the camp before July 15. The institute has many aims, the first is to provide quality training to chess players of all levels. The second aim is to identify chess talent that has to desire and drive to help them become a titled player (CM, FM, WCM, WFM, WIM). I'm still a competitive player with further aspirations and I have knowledge and experience that can be passed to my students.”

Over the course of four weeks the students will be given the opportunity to learn from one of the top players in Guyana as Greenidge is no stranger to hosting such events. At the culmination of the camp participants can be assured that their chess game will improve, while seeing a surge in their problem solving skills, critical thinking, planning, assessing, sportsmanship, and patience. As such, intense training sessions will be offered to deepen their understanding of the game, building on game skills and techniques.

For Further information, interested individuals can contact CM Ronuel Greenidge on 6306458 or 657-7543.

The cost for the four-week camp is $30,000 and caters for the ages of 7 and above.

in your area? RAW Nationals (Unequipped) set for August 25 Contact our

Circulation Department on Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

I

n keeping a keen eye on its calendar of activities the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) will now focus their attention on the RAW Nationals (Unequipped) which is scheduled for August 25 at the Saints Stanislaus Auditorium.

At this competition, the athletes will be lifting with little to no additional equipment during their lifts. Persons who are interested in competing at the RAW Nationals are required to submit their application and pay their fees. The forms and monies can be submitted to executive member, Martin Webster. A screenshot of the filled out registration along with the deposit slip to the GAPLF Bank Account #6552194 will be accepted as well.

The competition will be one to watch as vet-

erans will return to stake their claim, while the newbies will aim to break new records and show off their strength on the given date as they fight for supremacy. Natoya Robinson who was last year’s victor in her category is expected to return and defend her title as she set national records for the 84+kg division, she squatted 165.5kg, bench-pressed 92.5kg and dead lifted 195.5kg for a total of 453.5kg.

Up for grab this year will be year will be the position of male overall winner which was once held by Carlos Peterson Griffith. This occurred because the athlete violated both the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) constitution along with the GAPLF constitution. In Article 14.9 of the IPF constitution it states, “Participating in non-IPF competition: any lifter, coach, referee or

official who competes or participates in an international powerlifting or bench press competition not organised, sanctioned or approved by the IPF shall not be permitted to take part in any IPF international or regional competition for a period of 12 months from the date of that non-approved competition.”

Peterson set a national record of a 305kg squat and Bench press 160kg en-route to claiming the male overall crown with 509.490 Wilks points; Peterson set a new national record in the deadlift, lifting 345kg. His total of 810kg was also a national. Therefore, a new winner will be crowned and as such without the dominant factor making his presence felt, lifters can breathe a sigh of relief as the target will now be achievable.

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Gold Cup: Game One aftermath

“We’ve gained a lot of confidence”, says Coach Johnson

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ravery is the only term available that can be used to describe the Golden Jaguars, who on Tuesday night took on seven time Gold Cup and defending champions who have been a part of the competition since its inception, USA. Unfortunately, in front of a sold out crowd at the Allianz Field Stadium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Guyana suffered their first Gold Cup loss, 4-0.

Witnessed by a crowd numbering 19,418 inclusive of quite a few patriotic Guyanese, the USA; contesting their 74th Gold Cup match, held a slim 1-0 advantage at the end of the first 45 minutes but fired in three more in the second half.

Head Coach of Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, Michael

Johnson who took over the job in June of 2018, commended his charges for a competitive performance against a team that has played the most Gold Cup matches (73) and recorded the most wins (56) in the history of the tournament.

Citing the fact that the USA has a depth of experienced players including one player who is worth 52 million pounds, Johnson, at the post match press conference posited, “To be competitive in that fixture for the best part of an hour, we should be proud.”

Player of the match, Tyler Boyd in only his second match netted a double for the USA in the 51st and 81st minute, the opening goal was scored in the 28th minute by Paul Arriola while Gyasi Zardes account-

ed for the third in the 55th minute.

Johnson noted that his charges will continue to stick together as a team acknowledging that they {team} will win, lose and draw matches together. The coach also addressed the unorthodox starting XI that was used in Tuesday’s game.

“Nobody in my opinion had a horrible game, yes, there were mistakes but you’re going to get that against a top-class United States team. Was that our best possible starting XI? That’s what we as staff sat down and spoke about, that’s our staring eleven and that’s what we went with, that’s what we believe in, that’s what we trusted; all 23 of the team and anyone of this 23 for me deserves a place to start.”

Golden Jaguars Coach Michael Johnson

A lot of confidence was gained from the encounter, Johnson said, and it would serve the team well going into its second and third matches, on Saturday at

the First Energy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio from 17:30hrs (18:30hrs) against Panama and June 26 at the Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS against Trinidad and Tobago.

“We’ve gained a lot of confidence from tonight (Tuesday), yes there were individual errors but as a team, we speak about how we look dangerous with Callum Harriott at times, we look dangerous with Emery Welshman. We were under no illusions about the task tonight, we’re probably a little bit more realistic going into the next two games, have opportunities.”

He mentioned the names of players the likes of Harriott, Anthony Jeffrey and Stephen DukeMcKenna among others who can be interesting forwards

in the next two matches.

The Head Coach also mentioned that the task was a tough one but the players gave their all for their country.

Johnson also pointed out that Terrence Vancooten was his choice for player of the match for Guyana: “He tackled, passed the ball incredibly well, very good upstairs against tough opposition as I’ve said and I thought he was outstanding; he really, really was.”

Both nations utilized three subs in the second half, Guyana introduced Sam Cox for Brandon Beresford in the 58th minute; Anthony ‘The Beast’ Jeffrey replaced Keanu Marsh-Brown in the 73rd minute while Captain for the match, Neil Danns was replaced by Sheldon Holder in the 85th minute.

Hutson urges athletes to Windies Women eyeing win in 2nd stay far from performance T20I after washout, says King enhancing drugs Hayley Matthews bats in the nets

President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will host their National Senior Championships on June 29-30 at the Leonora Track and Field Centre with fireworks expected when the country’s top athletes clash.

It is expected that over 150 athletes are currently registered and while the number is gradually growing President of the Guyana Athletics Association Aubrey Hutson is urging the athletes to compete with honour, and resist the temptation of illicit drugs to enhance their performance.

In his statement Hutson said, “Anti-doping is one of the major factors that Lord Sebastian Coe (a British politician and former track and field athlete and was appointed as Chairman of the British Olympic Association) has emphasized from the time he became president creating an even playing field for all athletes to compete anywhere without the use of performance enhancement drugs. It is important to our sport, so an athlete must understand that he must train hard, come out and be competitive. No athlete should be influenced by taking such enhancement drugs, this is important for us in Guyana because so far I can say that we have not had one case of doping taking place among our athletes over here. I must commend the athletes, the coaches and the administrators for not encouraging the athletes to take such drugs, because 9 out of 10 times the encouragement to use said drug is from the agents or coaches.”

He also noted that Dr Karen Pilgrim who is one of the directors of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO), has been working with athletes that the association has sent to compete internationally to complete their where about forms. Hutson also urged athletes to work in connection with the Guyana Olympic Association and not prohibit the use of banned substance.

The action starts at 10:00hrs daily at the Leonora National Track and Field Facility.

The Association will be doubling the event with a fundraising barbecue. Any patron purchasing a barbecue ticket for $1200 will be afforded entry to the event, while regular tickets would cost $300.

The AAG anticipates that a large turnout of spectators will be on hand to witness the event.

Stacy Ann King during practice

T

he West Indies Women will play England Women in the second T20 International tomorrow Friday June 21, 2019 at the same Northampton venue from 14:00h local time. After the first of three T20 series was washed out, the West Indies Women were disappointed they did not get a match.

Speaking to Cricket West Indies media after the rain-out match, all-rounder, Stacy Ann King explained that the entire team is disappointed because this is T20 cricket, a familiar format for the Caribbean women.

King who made her return to the senior set-up with the series in Ireland and England, added that the last time West Indies and England Women met was in the ICC Stand-alone Women’s World T20 in the Caribbean and the West Indies were victors.

The 35-year old, Trinidadian, King is looking forward for a win in Friday’s second Vitality T20I; we know they will come hard at us but we have to win and gather momentum for the

home series later this year.

West Indies have won five of their last seven T20 matches against England. Lydia Greenway, who played for England Women between 2003 and 2016 said: "This should be a really welcome change for the West Indies in the T20 series.

"They've got good form in T20s, especially against England, they've had some good success, and I think in the batting department it should generally suit how they like to play."

Former England Women cricketer, Charlotte Edwards added: "West Indies seem to have a different method in the T20 format and they need to express themselves in the same manner in the ODIs. They won the 2016 World Cup and played brilliantly in the T20 2018 World Cup so hopefully, we'll see a different West Indies in this T20 series."

West Indies FULL SQUAD: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Hayley Matthews (vice-captain), Britney Cooper, Afy Fletcher, Karishma

Ramharack, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Shemaine Campbell, Natasha McLean and Stacy Ann King.

England squad to play West Indies: Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Linsey Smith, Sarah Taylor (wk), Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield and Danni Wyatt.

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thursday, JUNE 20, 2019

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Guyana open Gold Cup campaign with 4-0 loss to USA

By Jemima Holmes

F

or the first time in the tournament’s sevenyear history the Guyanese national anthem was sung loud and proud at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, their opening game did not go as planned for the Gold Jaguars.

A tentative starting lineup consisting of Akel Clarke (goal keeper), Liam Gordon, Terrance Vancooten, Matthew Briggs, Jordan Dover, Elliott Bonds, Brandon Beresford, Keanu Marsh brown, Emery Welshman, Callum Harriott and Captain Neil Danns, were the chosen XI to take the first stance against the defending champions USA. In hindsight, it must be admitted that the debutants had a great showing in their opening game, managing to hold down the experienced USA team in much of the first half. On the other hand, one can only imagine the outcome of the game had Samuel Cox and Anthony Jeffery been given the green light to start the encounter.

After all, it was Jeffery who teamed up with Callum Harriott to successfully police the wing in Guyana’s qualifier match against Belize.

In the opening half, the bold USA, while controlling the majority of the possession, began to pressure the Guyanese back- line, specifically

debutant player Jordan Dover. It then came as no surprise in the 28th minute when Paul Arriola was able to get past a fumbling Dover to sink USA’s first goal of the game.

While USA tested the Guyanese defence early, Guyana’s wing Callum Harriott did the same and almost had Guyana’s first Gold Cup goal with a shot that sailed inches over the cross bar.

Nevertheless, the Guyanese defense worked hard to keep their North American counterparts at bay for the remainder of the half.

However, the second half quickly became a nightmare for the local boys as Tyler Boyd netted his first international goal for USA in the 51st. After USA’s third goal came off the head of Gyasi Zardes in the 55th, it was only then that Guyana saw their first substitution, Samuel Cox coming in for Brandon Beresford. Anthony Jeffery later replaced Keanu Marsh Brown, on the field but even the contributions of the two usual starters could not stop Boyd from netting

A glimpse of the Gold Cup action between USA and Guyana

his second goal of the game in the 81st.

Goalkeeper Akel Clarke, although not being able to hold on to everything that flew past him on Tuesday night, can be commended for his efforts. Given the prowess of the USA team and their intent to trample the newcomers Guyana, Clarke held his own to prevent what could have been a far uglier score.

Guyana’s next Gold Cup encounter will be against Panama on Saturday, June 22 at

A rollercoaster World Cup for Windies thus far – Hope, Pooran quickies among few positives

By Brandon Corlette

T

he warm-up match against New Zealand was an inspirational performance by the West Indies especially with the bat when they scored 421 runs with a 91-run win heading into their opening match of the ICC World Cup. After five matches in the World Cup, West Indies are in seventh position with only three points to their name and one win thus far.

West Indies will be eying a similar performance against New Zealand as they did in the warm-up match when they lock horns on Saturday , June 22, 2019 from 8:30h local time, in their first day/ night match.

West Indies have played some good cricket in the first quarter of the tournament but with a solitary win, this does not show how good they were in the early days.

In the first match West Indies opened their World Cup with a bang, defeating Pakistan by seven wickets with the f a s t

b o w l ers having a ball, bowling bouncers.

Since the final day in May a win has been an unfamiliar element for the Caribbean team. The Jason Holder-led team threw away the match against Australia losing

by 15 runs in their second encounter, despite the umpire’s decisions been biased.

That match was followed by a rained-out encounter against South Africa, while England inflicted an eight-wicket win on the team.

Things further went downhill for the Caribbean team when they suffered their third defeat in five matches against Bangladesh. The hopes of booking a semi-final spot faded when Bangladesh won by seven wickets and 51 balls to spare. It has been a World Cup with more negatives than positives for the West Indies.

From Holder’s poor captaincy at times, the selection and balance of the team, the poor spinners on tour to Shai Hope’s lack of intent. Among the few positive signs for the West Indies in the World Cup are the fast bowlers taking early wickets and bowling quickly and Pooran batting with maturity and control.

Carlos Brathwaite’s poor form, Andre Russell’s being unfit and Darren Bravo being out of form add to the negatives from a West Indian perspective on the World Cup. In the batting charts for West I n d i e s b a t s man has been able Sheldon Cottrell

6.30pm. Meanwhile, the Jags will come up against Trinidad and Tobago in their final group game on June 26.

Meanwhile also in Group D Panama recorded a 2-0 victory against the Trinidad and Tobago ‘Soca Warriors’. The encounter saw a quiet first half before Panama’s Armando Cooper found the back of the net in the 53rd.

Edgar Yoel Barcenas netted Panama’s second goal in the 68th.

Hetmyer, Bramble among confirmed awardees for Sunday’s BCB ceremony

to score a century but Hope is the leading run-scorer with 186 runs in four innings.

Pooran has been a surprise to many, batting ahead of the likes of Bravo and

Shai Hope playing a bouncer in awkward fashion

Shim ron Hetmyer.

T h e Nicholas Pooran

Trinidadian has grabbed his opportunity and is currently the second leading batsman for the Caribbean team in this World Cup. Pooran who scored his maiden half-century against the star-studded England has 162 runs in four matches.

Hetmyer has 117 runs while Chris Gayle has 107 runs, only the fourth batsman to accumulate more than

100 runs in four innings.

In the bowling department, Oshane Thomas has the most wickets. Thomas has seven wickets including a four-wicket haul against Pakistan which seemed a life-time ago.

Russell has five wickets along with Sheldon Cottrell and Holder has four wickets. The likes of Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis will be looking to explode at the top of the innings in upcoming matches. West Indies have managed to bowl out a team twice in this World Cup with the short-ball ploy being the main factor. Being predictable at times, the West Indies bowlers have not been consistent and in the four group matches remaining they will have to.

With preliminary matches against New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan remaining, West Indies will be eying wins in these matches to claim a spot in the semis. It is possible if they get the right combination, if the players win critical moments and capitalise when given an opportunity.

Anthony Bramble

T

he second edition of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Brian Ramphal Award Ceremony is slated for Sunday June 23, 2019 at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground. Among the 32 awardees that will receive awards are West Indies World Cup player Shimron Hetmyer, West Indies Women player Shemaine Campbelle and Guyana Jaguars wicket-keeper-batsman Anthony Bramble.

These cricketers will be recognised for their outstanding performances in 2018 while media personnel and sponsors will also be recognized. Hetmyer the Berbice lad from Canje, will be awarded male player of the year while Erva Giddings is female player of the year. The following players and representatives are asked to attend.

Rampertab Ramnauth, Johnathan Rampersaud, Seon Glassgow, Keith Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Anthony Bramble, Shimron Hetmyer, Gourav Ramesh, Marian Samaroo, Isiah Thorne, Ashley Ramnauth, Trevon Stanislaus, Oma Matadin, Andre Percival, Winston Smith, Moses Ramphal, Imran Moakhan, Balram Samaroo, Junior Sinclair, Rep of Blairmont Club, Rep of YWCC, Rep of No72 All Stars CC, Rep of Fyrish CC, Rep of RH Canje CC, Neil Rudder, Orvin Mangru, Roger Mc Donald, Tekha Pooran, Jerome Inderdat, Sylvina Autar, Lakram Latham, Leslie Solomon, Vemen Walters, DR.Cecil Beharry, Sydney Jackman, Dennis DAndrade, Ruthel Henry, Angela Haniff, Tremayne Smartt, Tomesh Hemraj, Rishi Persaud, Rep of No72 All Stars, Rep od No 72 Cut and load, Rep of No73 Young Warriors, and Vickram Seubarran.

thursday, JUNE 20, 2019

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

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Guyana open Gold Cup campaign with 4-0 loss to USA Page 23

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A rollercoaster World Cup for Windies thus far

– Hope, Pooran, quickies among few positives

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