Guyana Times, Tuesday February 11, 2020

P9

Banks DIH donates over $4M to charities Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4193

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

PRICE

Energy Dept mum on price for Guyana’s oil being sold to Shell

WHAT'S INSIDE:

See story on page 3

Pedal cyclist killed after P10 being struck by minibus

…as Guyana's 1st oil lift expected next week amid plunging prices Elections observer mission

Jason Carter, former Senegal PM to co-lead Carter Center team to Guyana Page 7

Gunmen rob GTT store at Giftland Mall

Family of Jude Bentley calls for swift justice P15 …as PNCR executive Gary Best released on $100,000 bail

P8 Murder accused jailed for escaping from Police custody

In this composite photo: gunmen are seen running from Giftland Mall following a daring robbery at GTT store

See story on page 9

2 foreign P10 engineers stabbed, robbed by bandit

Husband, P16 wife charged for killing neighbour

Page 14

Global Witness’ anti-corruption credentials impeccable ...nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

$80 VAT INCLUDED

Appeal Court throws out Govt’s Jailed H2H Registration Jagdeo slams false claims challenge he failed to Integrity Commission declarations

Page 7

…upholds ruling that residency not a requirement to vote …confirms that AG’s mystery Act of 1991 “irrelevant”

P14

declare assets

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, February 11 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Wednesday, February 12 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, February 11 – 06:00h – 07:30h and Wednesday, February 12 – 06:40h - 08:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy skies followed by thundery showers in the midday and light rain showers for the rest of the day. There will be cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:09h and 18:28h reaching maximum heights of 2.79 metres and 2.87 metres.

Low Tide: 12:00h reaching a minimum height of 0.41 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

DAILY MILLIONS

08 11

13 19 23

LUCKY 3

7

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

20 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

$54.47/barrel $245.51/ton $429.90/ton

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

$1572.00 $1569.10 +0.20

Change % -0.84 +0.59 0.00

USD Per Ounce $1573.00 $1577.80 +0.01%

Energy Dept mum on price for Guyana’s oil being sold to Shell

…as Guyana's 1st oil lift expected next week amid plunging prices

W

ith Guyana’s first share of the oil expected to be lifted next week, the Department of Energy is mum on what price has been secured for the crude which will be sold to the Barbadian branch of Shell International.

This played out on Monday, when Department of Energy Director, Dr Mark Bynoe held a press conference. When asked by the media what price has been agreed on for the oil, Bynoe referred the media to the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

“First of all, we cannot discuss prices here. As it is, we’ve been on record as indicating that we will be working with the EITI, which has specific guidelines on reporting on first trades. And that’s how the Department will ultimately conduct its business,” Bynoe informed the media.

Bynoe explained that EITI is being engaged when it comes to reporting on financial transactions in Guyana’s oil sector and they are committed to working with them.

Guyana, he further explained, will get its first oil lift next week. Bynoe laid out the methodology for processing these funds.

“The Department has established a working relationship with the EITI and has committed to proving the GYEITI with all the data and information required by the EITI standard, with full observance of the laws of Guyana. We have committed to continuing our collaboration to ensure that compliance, transparency and accountability are resident within [Guyana’s] oil and gas sector,” Bynoe said.

“Guyana’s first lift of approximately one million barrels is scheduled for early next week. This will represent part of Guyana’s profit oil allocation of 12.5 per cent.

Additionally, the country will be receiving its two per cent royalty on gross production of all oil produced. Monies from the sale of Guyana’s crude and its cash-based royalty will be deposited into the Natural Resource account that is being managed by the Bank of Guyana.”

Back in December, the Department had revealed that Guyana’s first three lifts of one million barrels of oil each will be sold to Shell. Shell was chosen ahead of companies like Exxon, CNNOC, Hess and BP, all of which bid for the oil. But since the oil would be sold on the spot market, there have been questions as to whether Guyana would earn less money for the oil.

This news was immediately criticised by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who has also said that companies participating in this process could be barred from doing business in Guyana should his party be elected next year.

In addition, Auditor General Deodat Sharma had said in sections of the media that his department would look into the transaction.

In defending the decision, the Department had said that at the end of the process, Shell

Energy Department Head, Dr Mark Bynoe

had the most competitive yet secure pricing.

The Department had also claimed that Shell’s global trading reach, Latin America interests and willingness to share refinery info were factors in the decision. In addition, they had reported that Shell was ready to support the Energy Department in operating the cargoes.

“The decision was based on the following criteria: A competitive pricing that limits the Government’s exposure to market uncertainty, the size, scale and global reach of the

Shell trading operations, the company’s high level of integration between Upstream, Trading and Downstream,” the Department had said.

The Department also cited Shell’s “strong foothold in the Latin American markets and the size and scale of their shipping and storage operations in the region, allowing for multiple options on the Liza crude commercialisation.

The range of new grades Shell has recently introduced into the market and their willingness to share critical refinery information with the DE which Guyana needs in order to understand Liza crude behaviour.”

Demand crumbles

Meanwhile,

Oilprice.com

reported on Monday that with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sliding below US$50 on Sunday evening, even more downsides should be expected according to S&P Global Platts' Claudia Carpenter, who wrote that oil prices will probably drop to the "mid$40s" a barrel in the next couple of weeks because of weak demand, according to Matt Stanley, Director of Starfuels commodities brokerage.

Crude prices have dropped significantly in the past few weeks on concern that the virus outbreak could blunt global crude demand. Frontmonth Brent settled Friday at US$54.47/b, 16 per cent below its most recent peak on January 20, while WTI futures were down 14 per cent over the same period.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

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

Lip service to young people

F

rom all indications, the youth population will once again make up the largest bloc of voters for the upcoming March 2 elections. That would suggest they hold tremendous influence over the outcome of those elections.

Clearly, they play an important role, not just in the outcome of the upcoming elections, but possibly on policymaking. It is therefore not surprising of the ongoing pitch being made to garner those votes.

The efforts of the two main political parties toward young people, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and APNU/ AFC vary from genuine and hypocritical. That, of course, is from historical evidence; evidence which would reveal one party’s proven efforts to empower young people as in the case of the PPP/C and the other’s lip service— as in the case of APNU/AFC. The PPP/C has produced the youngest President in the history of the nation in the person of Bharrat Jagdeo, who possesses an enviable mind for economics. For the March 2 elections, it is poised to present the second youngest in the form of Dr Irfaan Ali if it were to win.

Mr Jagdeo, who now holds the position of Leader of the Opposition and General Secretary of the PPP, is longest-serving Executive President of Guyana. His extensive achievements are unprecedented and he is referred to as the architect of Guyana’s modernisation.

The evidence of those achievements can be seen across the country: the Berbice Bridge, the National Stadium, the Arthur Chung Convention Center, ICT transformation and numerous new hospitals, health facilities and learning institutions are just to name a few.

His efforts for a genuine green and sustainable economy and for the protection of the environment earned him the prestigious international “Champion of the Earth” award. The services of many facilities Guyanese enjoy today are a direct result of his efforts. It shows the calibre of what the PPP has produced over the years.

Dr Ali entered the National Assembly at a very young age and was at the helm of two major Ministries under the PPP/C Government. His achievements, especially at the Ministry of Housing, are unprecedented. Like Mr Jagdeo, his economic prowess has been proven as his managerial skills. Those qualities are crucial for the position of the Presidency he seeks.

Aside from those two, the PPP/C has not only produced young people of such quality but have entrusted them in very senior positions in Government. A cursory look at the PPP/C’s Members of Parliament and Ministers over time would reveal that deliberate effort to empower young people. This continues through its current lists of candidates for the upcoming elections.

The PPP/C’s efforts to elevate young people have proven to be genuine and are without the intent to pander. That is a stark contrast to the manner in which young people were, and continue, to be treated by the APNU/AFC. Having made bold promises to empower young people during the 2015 campaign, the expectation was rife for empowering them through positions in Government.

That did not happen. As a matter of fact, the coalition government, taking office in May 2015, did not in any way make an attempt to honour their promise to elevate young people into governmental positions as the PPP/C did. That APNU/AFC Cabinet was deemed as one geriatric in nature; a comment that was never intended to offend but one that speaks to reality.

The young people who were very prominent in the APNU/ AFC’s 2015 campaign were noticeably side-lined when the coalition came to Government. Throughout its tenure, the coalition has resisted calls to have young people empowered through the Government’s administrative structure.

Not to be swayed, the coalition’s lists of candidates for the March 2 elections are not reflective of intent to empower young people if it were to win. In addition to not giving young people a chance, some of its policies were unhelpful to improving the welfare of young people.

The cost of data and tuition for the University of Guyana were increased. In addition, APNU/AFC’s policies are prohibitive to young people desirous of owning a home or a new vehicle.

In the context therein, with President David Granger again boasting of empowering young people through jobs, mistrust is inevitable. Without ambiguity, any utterance from APNU/AFC that speaks to intent to involve and empower young people would be mere political rhetoric just to garner support.

In other words, given its proven history, APNU/AFC’s new promises for young people are not short of lip service. It’s a stark contrast to the PPP/C’s with a proven and tested track record of empowering young people who are the future leaders of the country.

ARRIVING IN STYLE: These People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporters made quite an entrance when they utilised two boats to attend the Party’s rally at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara on Sunday

Open letter to all Guyanese and foreign observers Dear Editor, This is an open letter to all Guyanese and foreign observers concerned about the need for free and fair elections and the connected welfare of our nation. Observers not intimately familiar with Guyana’s electoral process may not grasp the disconnection with the laws of the land, procedures of GECOM and the actualities that obtain on Elections Day. At the urging of party officials, persons gather outside of polling stations to intimidate voters. While this is clearly against the law, it often occurs without a strong Police response. GECOM staff will often ignore the manual of procedures and not recognise the right of party polling agents to be placed in polling stations; GECOM staff try and (sometimes) succeed in ejecting party polling agents during the counting process; GECOM Presiding Officers will often not allow party polling agent to place seals on envelopes as allowed for by law. To add to the general confusion, uninformed commentators such as Lurlene Nestor of the PNC Executive Committee continue to advance rhetoric devoid of fact; seeking to distract from the very real concerns that need urgent attention. For the information of all concerned parties, here is an overview of what is prescribed in law and recommendations based on a review of the GECOM manual and practical experience as a party agent.

We will assume the following; · Police protection is afforded to each polling station all day (This is mandatory). · Counting in the polling station is over. · The Statement of Poll has been filled out by the GECOM Presiding Officer and has been signed by all polling agents present.

The Statement of Poll (SOP)

1. Two copies of the SOP are placed in envelopes for the Regional Returning Officer (and the Chief Election Officer).

2. Both of these envelopes will be affixed with GECOM and party seals.

3. A copy of the SOP is given to each of the party polling agents present.

4. All materials are then packed into the clear plastic GECOM ballot boxes, including the unused ballots.

5. At that point, the SOP is affixed to the door of the polling station.

SOP destinations

1. The SOP is now with the GECOM Presiding Officer and staff who are provided transport and security by GECOM and the Police Force.

2. Party polling agents follow the GECOM vehicle (in acknowledged convoy) and ensure the GECOM SOPs are handed over to the DRO with the PO and party agents seal placed there are intact.

3. Party agents must be present at all times within the DRO office while the SOPs are there.

4. Party Polling agents hand over responsibility to party Agents at the Office of the DRO and proceed to deliver their SOP copies to Party Representative.

Challenges at this stage

1. While parties urge their polling agents to insist on accompanying the SOP by forcing their way into the GECOM vehicle, this is not practical and ill-advised. Often there is simply no space and the police will order the polling agents to find their own transport.

2. The SOPs in GECOM possession needs to be accompanied/closely followed to ensure integrity.

3. Polling agents are also tasked with getting their copy of the SOP to their party.

4. Polling agents were not allowed to use their own cars or may not own a vehicle.

5. Polling agents are often left waiting on transport from command centres.

6. Command centres sometimes wait until all polling stations in a cluster are complete before dispatching group transport.

7. A vehicle/operative

needs to be available to ensure that the GECOM SOP is never out of sight.

The insertion of Deputy Returning Officers into the process of transmission of SOPs to the Returning Officer; this was/is enabled by an administrative decision of GECOM in contravention of the relevant existing law. If we are to continue with this arrangement, security arrangements need to be tightened for stringency and security of the SOPs.

The Deputy (Regional) Returning Officer

1. SOPs are delivered to various Deputy Returning Officers.

Challenges

1. The rate of hand-over of SOPs varies by region and is determined by transportation infrastructure and distance.

2. Counting begins at random times due to the challenge outlined in 1.

3. Party counting agents and observers are often caught unprepared for the count.

4. DROs have conducted counts without all party agents present.

Solution

1. There should be enough time for the party counting agent to have in their copies of SOPs in possession.

The Returning Officer (Regional)

1. There must be an agreed-upon fixed time for the commencement of the counting of the votes by the RO. 2. The RO must, in the presence of the persons entitled to be present, ascertain the total votes cast in favour of each list in the district by adding up the votes recorded in favour of the list in accordance with the SOP tabulations (Form 24).

3. Party counting agents must be allowed to ascertain the accuracy of the numbers being added up by the RO by referring to their respective copies of the SOPs being dealt with. Party counting agents must be in possession of legitimate copies of the relevant

SOPs to so do.

4. Having ascertained the total votes cast in the region for each political party, by adding up the totals on the tabulation (Form 24) provided by the DROs, and providing there is no request for a recount of votes based upon discrepancies or other issues, the RO must publicly declare the votes recorded for each party. (See Section 95 (1) of the Representation of the People Act.) 5. The RO’s declaration cannot be delayed for any reason including want of clearance from the Chief Election Officer (CEO) for him/her to make his/her declaration upon completion of the count.

6. On ascertaining the votes cast in the district for each List of Candidates in accordance with the prescribed procedures (see Section 95 of the Representation of the People Act), the RO shall communicate to the Chief Election Officer, by the quickest available means, the total number of valid votes cast in the district for each List of Candidates.

7. Form 24 is the Statutory Form on which the results for the district must be documented by the RO. This Form, when completed by the RO, can be photographed and sent to the CEO via WhatsApp while an original copy is couriered to the CEO. 8. Police escort should accompany the original Form 24 as it is couriered to the CEO. The laws that govern our electoral process are written with a view that the Returning Officers are the ones who count and release results. The Chief Election Officer should not interfere with this process as it is outside of his/her legal remit. All of the procedures outlined above are supported by law; it is my fervent hope that we move towards a lawful electoral process and abandon the interference by the GECOM Secretariat as has become the norm in recent times.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

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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

Jagdeo and Ali have submitted integrity declarations, but has Granger done so?

Dear Editor, There was a bold headline story yesterday in the Sunday Chronicle alleging that Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the PPP, and Irfaan Ali, the PPP’s Presidential Candidate, are among a new list of persons published by the Integrity Commission who did not submit their financial and asset declarations required by law.

The statement that Bharat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali are among persons who have not submitted their declarations is a blatant, deliberate lie. Both Jagdeo and Ali have unequivocally stated

all their submissions have been made. Thus, it is either that the Guyana Chronicle totally fabricated the story or that the Chairman of the Integrity Commission, who was quoted by the Guyana Chronicle, provided false statements to the newspaper. In the meanwhile, the nation has no idea if David Granger has submitted his declarations.

The fact is that since these declarations have been required from 2000 to present, Bharrat Jagdeo, both as President of Guyana and as Leader of the Opposition, has submitted on a timely basis for every year. The

same is true for Irfaan Ali who was first required since around 2006 to submit declarations. Neither of them has had to be warned and neither of them has ever failed in their submissions.

From his Facebook page, we know Anil Nandlall is suing the Guyana Chronicle and its Editor for libelling both Bharat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali. The Guyana Chronicle, the mouthpiece for APNU/AFC, prominently promoted a total lie. Who is responsible for this blatant lie? It is either that the Guyana Chronicle decided to balance out the terrible image of the large number of

Government Ministers, MPs and other officials who have breached the law and failed to submit their declarations to the Integrity Commission by alleging PPP leaders have done the same. Or it is that the Chairman of the Integrity Commission provided false information to the Guyana Chronicle. At a time when Granger has injected honesty and decency as an election issue, someone must do the decent, honest thing and tell the nation the truth. The Chronicle must state whether it simply made up the information or if the Chairman did provide false information. The

What an insult Dear Editor, The more I mingle with my brothers and sisters at meetings and rallies across the country, the more I am angered by the US$55 billion (Guyana twelve trillion dollars at 220) which the Granger-led cabal has “signed away”. I feel that it is, therefore, my duty to put this issue into context so the average man and woman can understand how such a sum could have been used for his/ her benefit and for the country’s development generally.

Poor people have no choice but to go to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) when they are ill. Sometimes they have to travel long distances because since APNU/AFC came to power regional hospitals are lacking even basic medicines. GPHC, our premier State-owned hospital, does not own a MRI or a CAT Scanner so those who can afford it obtain such services at private institutions. Those who cannot afford it, and the cost for medical imaging is prohibitive, have to battle on without. That US$55 billion was sufficient to purchase over 100,000 new MRI machines and 22,000 brandnew lifesaving CT scanners.

Such equipment is desperately needed to save lives in the public health sector.

It was reported that occasionally, Georgetown Hospital runs out of beds and patients are forced to share beds. I can only imagine the horrors, the legal, the medical and the human rights violations/exposure. Well, a new hospital bed costs US$1000, plus VAT compliments Jordan/ APNU/AFC, so Granger,

Trotman and company have given away the equivalent of 55 million hospital beds. As we are on health, the PPP/C Administration fought hard to build the Specialty Hospital at Liliendaal, which was budgeted at US$18 million. The project was eventually terminated by the APNU/AFC in 2016 despite Khemraj Ramjattan’s shameless push for his client, Fedders Lloyd. Granger, Trotman and the APNU/ AFC coalition have therefore “signed away” 3055 Specialty Hospitals. Just imagine that for a moment we had in our grasp sufficient funds to build a hospital, and a specialty one at that, for every 245 persons in Guyana.

The PPP/C secured US$50 million in financing from India to build a four-lane highway from Ogle to Diamond. This is a 12km stretch of road. It took Winston Jordan more than four years to determine, whether accurately or not I cannot say, that the cost for the same road will be about US$175 million. The cost per kilometre is, therefore, US$14.5 million using Jordan’s math. For US$55 billion ($12 trillion dollars) Guyana could have built 3770 km of roads ie we could have built a road so long it would have stretched from Ogle to the northern borders of Argentina and Chile way at the bottom of South America. Separate from this, we are hearing that in a few decades the entire coast will be submerged due to global warming. I am sure the US$55 billion would have been more than enough to reconstruct the entire crumbling seawall infrastruc-

ture from Corriverton to Essequibo or construct new roads to shift everything and everyone inland. In terms of our airport, where APNU/ AFC is spending more for less, we could have built 4 proper international airports costing some US$13 billion each like Beijing Daxing, Istanbul Ataturk and Mexico City International. With that sum, we could have purchased in cash 211 Boeing 747 Jumbo 400 passenger carriers.

In December 2015 it was estimated that there were 500 persons living on the streets in Georgetown. By extrapolation, we can estimate that there are about 2000 beggars or homeless persons in the country. It would take less than US$10 million to set up one shelter in each of our 10 administrative regions. This sum is a mere 0.018 per cent of

US$55 billion. Granger, Trotman APNU/AFC and Co could not even muster the courage to bargain for such an insignificant amount to save our needy brothers and sisters. Incidentally, the US$18 million signing bonus, which APNU/AFC received and hid, is 0.03 per cent of the sum they signed away. If a man, working for $65,000 a month, received a 0.03 per cent Christmas bonus from his employer that would translate to a measly $20 and to him and every other Guyanese that would be an unpardonable insult.

That, in a nutshell, is the indignation we should all be feeling today regarding the US$18 million bonus, the US$55 billion given away and the ExxonMobil deal.

Sincerely, Ravi Ram

Chairman must immediately clarify what the position is.

APNU/AFC senior officials have been exposed by their own appointed Integrity Commission. The fact is that prior to 2015, none of them submitted their declarations, in total violation of the law.

They claimed then that the Commission was appointed by the PPP and had persons who were not impartial and other excuses.

Since 2015, the Integrity Commission has been made up of persons appointed by David Granger and APNU/ AFC. The Chairman of the Commission is a known friend and associate of Moses Nagamootoo. What, therefore, are the excuses now?

A few weeks ago, it was highlighted that David Granger, as President, failed to submit his declarations.

He had admitted that much last year. In raising the issue, I surmised Mr Granger was “too busy” to submit his declarations. The Ministry of the Presidency objected to my statement, demanding an apology, for me telling the truth. As I stated, Mr Granger had admitted to not submitting his declaration and had said he was still working on completing the submission. Given the many months since he had done so, reasonable people can deduct he was busy with other things, preventing him from completing a relatively simple form. Reasonable people could consider another possibility, that he was working assiduously on completing the documents, but that in the five years as

President, he had accumulated so many assets that it was taking an extraordinary length of time.

In demanding an apology for the use of the word “busy”, insisting Mr Granger had only said he was still working on the documents, the Ministry of the Presidency never confirmed whether Mr Granger ever completed those documents and whether he has since submitted them. The nation is in no position to say whether Mr Granger has done so or not. The Integrity Commission, like the Guyana Chronicle, like the Ministry of the Presidency and like Mr Granger, has studiously avoided addressing the question. Therefore, the nation is still not aware of the status of Mr Granger’s declaration to the Integrity Commission.

Mr Granger is obligated under the laws of Guyana to submit his declarations to the Integrity Commission.

Has Mr Granger now fulfilled his obligation in accordance with the law?

Mr Granger and the Commission have an obligation to the nation to answer clearly this question.

The honest and decent thing is to be transparent with the Guyanese people - Mr Granger must tell the nation if he has submitted his declaration and, if he has, when he did so. If he will not do the decent and honest thing, the Integrity Commission is abrogating its duty to the Guyanese people by remaining silent.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

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Foundation

ots of people stress out about talking in front of the class or getting laughed at if they make a mistake in front of an audience. Feeling nervous before a performance is natural – and part of your body’s way of helping you do your best.

The “stress hormones” (like adrenaline) that your body produces at times like these can actually help you focus.

But when worry and stress about performing get to be too much, these hormones give people that “red alert” feeling – the one that causes you to feel cold or sweaty, get butterflies in your stomach, or feel like you can’t think straight.

These tips can help you manage that feeling:

opportunity. Practice until you feel relaxed and ready. Nothing calms nerves like the confidence that comes from knowing you’re prepared.

Be prepared

Young performers, such as Olympic gymnasts and music soloists, talk about how important it is to prepare for the pre-

You’re less likely to freeze up if you’re well prepared. Rehearse as much as you can and practise — alone or in front of others — at every

Psych yourself up

Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, rev up some positive energy. Watch a football team before they run onto the field. They get in a group and pray or sing a team song to pump themselves up with positive energy and team spirit. You can do this whether you’re performing alone or as part of a group. Have a friend give you a pep talk. Give yourself one too. Tell yourself, “I got this!” “I’m ready to do this – here goes!” or, “This is going to be fun!”

Learn ways to chill

performance jitters as well as the performance itself. At certain types of competitions, there’s quite a wait before it’s your turn to perform. Some people take along inspirational photos, put together a playlist to help them relax, or learn yoga and breathing techniques to help them feel calm. Some people need to be active to relax; others need to be still and calm. Find out what technique works for you, then make a plan to use it in the downtime before a big performance.

Don’t be afraid of the nervous feeling

When you feel performance jitters, don’t freak out! Don’t let the feeling stop you or intimidate you. Just let it be there. Remind yourself it’s natural, just your nervous system revving up to get you ready and set to go. Know that it’s up to you to manage it to your advantage.

Use your positive pep-talk and calming strategies to do just that. Then, go for it!

Look after yourself

Before big performances it’s easy to let taking care of yourself slip as you spend too much time on rehearsals and practice.

You’ll look and feel your best if you get enough sleep and eat healthy meals before your performance. Exercise can also help you feel good, and along with sleep and nutrition, is an excellent way of keeping those stress hormones from getting out of control. (kidshealth.org)

P

eople with social phobia can learn to manage fear, develop confidence and coping skills, and stop avoiding things that make them anxious. But it’s not always easy. Overcoming social phobia means getting up the courage it takes to go beyond what’s comfortable, little by little.

Here’s who can support and guide people in overcoming social phobia: Therapists can help people recognise the physical sensations caused by fight-flight and teach them to interpret these sensations more accurately. Therapists can help people create a plan for facing social fears one by one, and help them build the skills and confidence to do it. This includes practising new behaviours. Sometimes, but not always, medications that reduce anxiety are used as part of the treatment for social phobia.

Family or friends are especially important for people who are dealing with social phobia. The right support from a few key people can help those with social phobia gather the courage to go outside their comfort zone and try something new.

Putdowns, lectures, criticisms, and demands to change don’t help — and just make a person feel bad.

Having social phobia isn’t a person’s fault and isn’t something anyone chooses. Instead, friends and family can encourage people with social phobia to pick a small goal to aim for, remind them to go for it, and be there when they might feel discouraged. Good friends and family are there to celebrate each small success along the way.

Overcoming social phobia

Dealing with social phobia takes patience, courage to face fears and try new things, and the willingness to practice. It takes a commitment to go forward rather than back away when feeling shy.

Little by little, someone who decides to deal with extreme shyness can learn to be more comfortable.

Each small step forward helps build enough confidence to take the next small step. As shyness and fears begin to melt, confidence and positive feelings build. Pretty soon, the person is thinking less about what might feel uncomfortable and more about what might be fun.

(Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Appeal Court throws out Govt’s H2H Registration challenge …upholds ruling that residency not a requirement to vote …confirms that AG’s mystery Act of 1991 “irrelevant” months before President David Granger’s election proclamation.

She noted, “this matter is not an elections petition matter, and does not determine the validity of the elections… it has nothing to do with elections but issues arising from the Constitution”.

No relevance

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

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he Court of Appeal on Monday upheld the August 14, 2019 High Court ruling by acting Chief Justice Roxane George which blocked the removal of persons from the National Register of Registrants (NRR) Database – something that the House-toHouse (H2H) Registration exercise sought to do by creating a new database that would have excluded non-residents.

The Appellate panel, consisting of Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, unanimously voted to dismiss the appeal filed by Attorney General Basil Williams against the decision of Chief Justice Roxane George on the H2H Registration case by filed Christopher Ram. In handing down the ruling, Chancellor CummingsEdwards agreed with previous arguments of the Attorney General who had claimed that the case has no relations to the upcoming March 2 General and Regional Elections since the Notice of Appeal was filed in September 2019 – three

Nevertheless, she asserted that the panel saw it fit to overrule the AG’s submissions which argue that residency is listed as a requirement in Guyana’s Constitution to vote.

Pointing to a piece of ‘sunset’ legislation resurrected by Williams, namely the Constitution Amendment Number 4, Act of 1991 that was never included in the Constitution, Chancellor Cummings-Edwards agreed with former Attorney General Anil Nandlall’s arguments that it has no relevance to current events but rather, is relevant to the period prior to the 1992 elections.

“Citizenship of a country must carry some privilege, and voting seems to be one such privilege…We are of the view, therefore, that the right to vote should not be curtailed,” she noted.

As such, the Court accepted and adopted every submission Nandlall made on behalf of Ram as well as submissions made by the Guyana Bar Association.

After the court proceedings, a content Nandlall told the media that such a victory is a significant one and stands in accordance with the country’s laws.

“This is a significant victory I think for democracy, for constitutionality, for the rights and

freedom of the electorate of our country. I think this is a good ruling that has sound bases in law and in the Constitution.”

Meanwhile, AG Williams, on behalf of the Government, expressed that they will be challenging the ruling at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) since, according to him, despite the Court’s decision, it is “ludicrous”.

“We will go to the CCJ…we

will appeal in the normal course but I mean the Court made its decision, that’s how the law develops. It won’t be the first or the last,” Williams stated.

The Chief Justice had ruled that persons, once registered, could not be removed by enumerators without just cause. In the AG’s appeal, however, the Chief Justice is accused of being misconceived in law by not properly considering Section

6 of the National Registration Act. According to the AG, Section 6 of the Act makes residency a requirement for registration during the qualifying date period. The AG is also alleging that the Chief Justice, somehow, breached the separation of powers doctrine by ruling that GECOM could not remove registrants who were alive and well.

Attorney General Basil Williams

Elections observer mission

Jason Carter, former Senegal PM to co-lead Carter Center team to Guyana

Former Prime Minister of Senegal, Aminata Touré

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s Guyana’s General and Regional Elections loom closer, former Prime Minister of Senegal, Aminata Touré and Chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees, Jason J Carter will co-lead the Carter Center’s international election observation mission in Guyana.

“The Carter Center and my grandfather, President Carter, care deeply about democratic

governance in Guyana,” Carter said. “This election is an important opportunity for all Guyanese to rise above political divisions, respect democratic principles, and move together toward a brighter future. I look forward to returning to Guyana to observe this important election,” the Chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees said on Monday.

Meanwhile, Touré said that she is honoured to co-lead the mission: “We hope the election will help move Guyana forward in the spirit of inclusive governance.”

The Carter Center has had a core team and group of longterm observers in Guyana since early January. Carter and Touré will arrive in the days leading up to the election to meet with key stakeholders — including political party candidates, civil society organisations, Government officials, and other international election observer missions, before observing polling, counting, and tabu-

Chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees, Jason J Carter

lation on March 2.

Last week, the European Union (EU) announced that it will be fielding teams of observers to cover every single region in Guyana. These observers will be complemented by a team of analysts.

It was explained that there will be long-term observers deployed for six weeks countrywide. These observers will be replaced just before elections

with short-term observers, who will be active during and after voting.

Other overseas-based observers expected to participate in overseeing the election include teams from the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

GECOM is also getting assistance from a number of technical advisors who were provided by other countries and international organisations.

Canada, for instance, is providing GECOM with Jean-Pierre Kingsley, a Canadian elections expert.

The Commonwealth is also providing the services of its senior technical advisor, Dr Afari Gyan, who arrived in Guyana last month. It is also understood that Dr Syed Nasim Zaidi, an elections advisor from India, is also expected to join the team.

In fact, this publication has been reliably informed that Zaidi has since arrived and met with the Commission.

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Murder accused jailed for escaping from Police custody

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Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident, who escaped from Police custody while under investigation for murder was on Monday jailed for 12 months.

Twenty-six-year-old

Terrence Pitt called “Sonna Boy” or “Shots” of Third Street, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and ad-

mitted to the offence.

Pitt was slapped with two charges – murder and escaping from lawful custody – and initially appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Beating…

W Terrence Pitt

Dead: Darrel Breedy

However, on Monday the case was called again, this time before the Chief Magistrate.

The first charge stated that on October 5, 2019, at Hummingbird Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he murdered Darrell Breedy during the course of a robbery.

It was further alleged that between November 11 and November 12, 2019, at Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Eve Leary, Georgetown, while in custody pending an investigation for murder, he escaped from custody.

It was reported that Breedy, a court tout, was shot in the abdomen when masked bandits invaded his home on October 5, 2019.

Two armed bandits reportedly removed several window panes to gain entry into the home. After shooting Breedy, the bandits escaped with a television set and $11,000.

Pitt was subsequently arrested and taken to CID Headquarters, where he escaped while being interrogated.

A wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest. The case will continue on February 14, 2020.

…a dead donkey ith elections less than three weeks away, your Eyewitness thought folks would be focused on the PNC and PPP’s manifestos – since one of them is sure to win the said elections. That way, they’ll be in a better position to monitor the new Government to ensure they keep their promises – which has become their contract with us! So we won’t have governments like the PNC in 2015: promising “substantial” raises to public servants, but instead giving themselves a whopping 50% top-up!! The reason offered – to save the Ministers from temptation – certainly wasn’t in their manifesto!!

But what we have instead is this old, retired Professor Harold Lutchman proposing that only “power-sharing” can save us from perdition. Now, this fella was the representative of the list for the APNU/AFC coalition when they won that election. Meaning that he was trusted by both sides to “do the right thing”, as Spike Lee would say!! Did he bother to remind the PNC at any point in the following five years that they weren’t keeping their manifesto promise to have “Shared Executive Governance” as their first step to a wider “power-sharing”??

More specifically, that Granger would specifically give up some presidential powers to his PM Nagamootoo?? What about that promise to “Commence a national discussion for constitutional reform and propose amendments for the rationalisation of the Executive presidency”?? In fact, wasn’t Lutchman appointed to that Steering Committee for Constitutional Change? Whatever happened to their recommendations that were delivered to Granger and company??

The point your Eyewitness wants to make is that armchair commentators like Lutchman, when given the opportunity to put their money (reputation) where their mouths are (on constitutional reform), refused to point out that the PNC scuppered their promise to move in this direction!! Even when it was in the manifesto that helped persuade people to vote them into office!! The bottom line is that since the 1960s when Jagan offered a power-sharing deal to Burnham and the PNC, the latter party has consistently refused to go down this route. Jagan tried again in 1977 (Government of National Unity) and in 1985 (aborted by Hoyte after Burnham croaked) with the same failure.

And now Lutchman – who, with James, wrote the definitive critique of the Burnham Dictatorial 1980 Constitution – is again flogging “power-sharing”?? So how does he propose to even get the horse (PNC) to the water, much less to have him drink of constitutional change to facilitate power-sharing??

Unless folks like Lutchman develop the courage to call a spade a spade and call out the PNC in this regard, the people will continue to see politics as a zero-sum game.

With the concomitant extreme behaviour!! …no hasty retreat from Trotty So the Government has come out and backed Trotman’s handling of the oil contract he signed in 2016, which left us holding “wood”!! Surprise, surprise!! The PNC’s brain trust obviously believes that this late in the campaign, they’d better hunker down and ride out the storm. But the problem is, this isn’t a “storm”, but a tsunami that’s so powerful, it’ll wash them away even after they’re defeated on March 2.

International anti-corruption NGO, Global Witness ain’t no pushover: they’re backed by such powerful philanthropic institutions like the MacArthur Foundation – which gives out those US million-dollar “genius grants”!! Because of their solid investigations and advocacy for the downtrodden, they were even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. If they’ve determined that Trotman didn’t bargain in good faith for the Government of Guyana on behalf of its people, then Trotman will remain in their crosshairs till justice is done.

He should check out the fate of former Nigerian Oil Minister Dan Etete. …a man who’s down Your Eyewitness hopes justice will be done for Jude Bently. But Gary Best has caused a tragedy that so many other Guyanese could be guilty of – because we insist on drinking and driving.

Let this be a wake-up call for all of us!!

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

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Global Witness’ anti-corruption credentials impeccable ...nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

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lobal Witness, an internationally recognised NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) that has received awards and international acclaim for its relentless fight against corruption and exploitation, recently published a report in which it was critical of the Guyana Government’s handling of the oil sector.

According to a senior civil

society member, the default response of supporters of the Government has been to attack the messenger rather than deal with the message.

He reminded that long before Guyana renegotiated its oil contract in 2016, Global Witness had carved out a formidable international reputation as a watchdog.

Global Witness was nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2003—

after some of its most aggressive undercover work exposing injustice in Cambodia, where it investigated the illicit timber trade as well as its work in exposing the notorious blood diamond trade in Angola. Both campaigns were led by British anti-corruption activist Charmian Penelope Gooch.

Its campaign in Cambodia in 1995 saw Gooch and her team going under-

Banks DIH donates over $4M to charities

Representatives of organisations along with Chairman Clifford Reis and Directors of Banks DIH Limited at the ceremony

B

anks DIH Limited has made a substantial donation to 27 organisations to a tune of over $4 million.

At a simple ceremony held at Thirst Park, Greater Georgetown, the Human Resources Director, Andrew Carto said that the presentation of Deeds of Covenant to faith-based and other organisations is part of the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates.

“This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility as we embrace the work of these organisations that perform charitable work across Guyana,” he added.

Chairman, Clifford Reis and Managing Director George McDonald made the presentations to the repre-

sentatives.

Sister Julie Matthews, of St John’s Bosco Boy’s Orphanage, who spoke on behalf of the recipients, expressed gratitude to Banks DIH Limited for providing assistance to the organisations.

“We are encouraged by the financial support given

by Banks DIH in assisting us to serve the society in a meaningful way,” she added.

The 27 organisations were Missionaries of Charity, St Andrew’s Kirk, The Scouts Association of Guyana, Girls Guides Association, St John’s Ambulance Brigade, The Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Uncle

Eddie’s Home, Salvation Army, Gentlewomen’s Relief Association, St George’s Cathedral, St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Guyana Red Cross Society, Guyana Society for the Blind, Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, St Thomas Moore Men’s Home, St Philip’s Parish Church, St Vincent De Paul Society, St George’s Cathedral (School Feeding Programme), Dharm Shala, Guyana Sanathan Dharma Maha Saba, Shaheed’s Boys and Girls Orphanage, St Ann’s Orphanage, St John’s Bosco Boy’s Orphanage, Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre and Our Lady of the Mount Charities.

Banks DIH, over the years, has also made major donations to the education and sport sectors in Guyana.

Global Witness co-founder Charmian Gooch has been credited with risking life and limb highlighting exploitation and corruption

cover as timber buyers to study the trade, which was a violation of a United Nations ban. According to the documentation of their time in the logging camps, there were times when Gooch and her team were in personal danger. Nevertheless, they persevered to produce a report titled Forest, Famine, and War – The Key to Cambodia’s Future.

In the case of Angola, Gooch and her team investigated how blood diamonds were being used to fuel a decade-long civil war that resulted in millions of deaths and refugees. Their work played a major role in pushing for more transparency in the trade and has been credited for inspiring parts of the 2006 film Blood Diamond— which received several Oscar nominations.

Global Witness’ collaboration with local groups calling for justice after the 2016 assassination of Honduran environmental activist and

Indigenous leader Berta Isabel Flores has also been credited with the arrests of some of the perpetrators.

Global Witness itself has produced extensive research shining a spotlight on the killings of environmental activists around the world, including its 2016 report Defenders of the Earth and 2019’s Enemies of the State. In many cases, these murders have been tied with corporate interests.

Prior to oil companies Royal Dutch Shell Plc (better known as simply Shell) and Eni SpA being taken to court in Italy on corruption-related allegations for its acquisition of a large oil field off the coast of Nigeria, Global Witness was one of several whistle-blowers who published reports highlighting the fact that a number of public officials ended up pocketing millions from the money Shell paid the Government.

Signed away

Global Witness’ Signed Away report on Guyana’s 2016 renegotiated contract with ExxonMobil came after months of investigations and interfacing with various officials. While it found no evidence of corruption on the part of any Government officials, it urged a probe in the face of the Government’s lacklustre negotiation and failure to adequately represent Guyana.

The entire process, from when negotiations began in early April, concluded with a signed deal on June 27.

The Watchdog included estimates it garnered from Open

Open Oil’s founder, Johnny West

Oil, an international agency that provides financial analysis and advice on natural resource, which indicated that Guyana may have missed out on US$55 billion.

Open Oil itself came out in defence of its estimates, which have been attacked by the Government and its supporters. According to Open Oil, its numbers cannot only stand up to scrutiny but they invited critique or amendments of the figures and model before they were published. The company noted that no one, including the Government, provided any substantial criticisms of the data or model.

“Our model projected the revenues Exxon’s Stabroek licence would produce until 2056, and some have stated that projections like this are speculative, or arbitrary.

Of course, our model’s estimates are speculative in the sense of not being empirical fact – all forward-looking estimates are. But they are not somehow more speculative than anyone else’s,” Open Oil stated.

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Pedal cyclist killed after being struck by minibus

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pedal cyclist is now the country’s latest road fatality after being struck by a minibus at Planters Hall Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Sunday evening.

Dead is 57-year-old Terrence D’Aguiar of Lot 2 Cottage, Mahaicony, ECD. According to reports, at about 18:00h, the minibus, BXX 3501, which was driven by its owner, a 49-year-old resident of BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was proceeding west along the southern side of the public road while D’Aguiar was in front of the vehicle, peddling

his bicycle in the same direction.

Police on Monday said that the minibus driver claimed that D’Aguiar made a sudden “right turn” (south to north) and that this caused the front left side of his vehicle to collide with the man.

He alleged that as a result of the collision, the pedal cyclist fell onto the road where he received visible injuries to his head and to the neck.

According to Police, the driver further claimed that he immediately sought to render assistance and picked up D’Aguiar from the

roadway to transport him to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, ECD. Police stated that when the driver arrived with the injured man, the doctor on duty examined D’Aguiar and pronounced the pedal

cyclist dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver but no trace of alcohol was detected, Police said. The minibus driver is in Police custody and assisting with investigations.

Trial into 2014 murder of fisherman set for Wednesday

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he High Court trial into the murder of Chetram Bharrat, a fisherman formerly of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was chopped to death in May 2014, is set to begin on Wednesday as a 12-member jury was empanelled before Justice Brassington Reynolds on Monday.

Murder accused, Errol Khan of Blossom Scheme, ECD, made his appearance at the High Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the two indictments. The first being murder and the second being larceny, attempted murder and/or felonious wounding.

Khan denied the first charge, which stated that on May 2, 2014, in the county of Demerara, he murdered

Murder accused: Errol Khan

Bharrat.

The first count of the second indictment read that on the same date and location, he stole $370,000 from the dwelling house of the deceased and Lomattie Ramdat. The second count stated that on the aforementioned date and location, the accused wounded Ramdat, called “Nero”, with

intent to murder or feloniously wound same with intent to maim and disfigure.

According to reports, Khan entered the home of Bharrat and his reputed wife Ramdat and began hacking away at the two with a cutlass.

During his appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court in 2014, Khan admitted that he was sharing a relationship with the dead man’s wife and they had a problem. He said she defected to her husband which caused him to get upset and jealous. During the attack, the woman reportedly attempted to go to her husband’s aid but was chopped several times by the attacker.

After the incident, Ramdat claimed that she

Deceased: Chetram Bharrat

and her husband suffered the fate as a result of a robbery but was forced to change her story after residents who are familiar with her relationship with the now accused man began speaking about it, expressing the view that it was Khan, her lover, who committed the act.

State Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Sarah Martin are representing the State while Attorney Rabindra Mohabir is representing the accused.

Only on Saturday, former national cyclist Jude Bentley was killed in an early morning accident on the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy turn.

The accident occurred sometime around 05:30h when 41-year-old Bentley, who owns Jude’s Bike Shop on Robb Street, was riding a bicycle, heading up the East

Coast at the time.

A Land Cruiser, which was driven by retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, struck down Bentley.

According to Traffic Chief Linden Isles, Best was subjected to two breathalyser tests and each revealed that he was way above the legal limit for alcohol consumption when operating any vehicle.

2 foreign engineers stabbed, robbed by bandit

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wo foreign engineers were robbed and one stabbed by a knife-wielding bandit at Robb Street, Georgetown.

Reports are that one of the engineers was stabbed to his neck by the bandit, who attempted to rob him after stealing his colleague’s cellular phone.

The 33-year-old and his 32-year-old electrical engineer colleague arrived in the city on Sunday at about 05:00h on a vessel, which is docked at the John Fernandes Wharf.

Reports are that at about 22:00h on Sunday, the now injured engineer and his colleague, who both work for a major oil company, left the wharf to purchase cigarettes. Some 30 minutes later, while they were walking along Robb Street, Georgetown, in the vicinity of a city bank, the bandit pounced on them.

The bandit whipped out a knife and threatened the men while demanding that they hand over their cash and other valuables. This

newspaper was told that the bandit relieved the electrical engineer of his cellular phone, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

However, when the knife-wielding bandit turned his attention to the 33-year-old engineer and demanded his valuables, the man put up a resistance and a scuffle ensued.

During the fight, the suspect stabbed the engineer to his neck, then made good his escape on foot.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by his friend, with the aid of public-spirited persons.

When contacted on Monday, Police Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas told Guyana Times that an investigation has been launched. He said Police are reviewing footage from Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the area.

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Integrity Commission declarations

Jagdeo slams false claims he failed to declare assets O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has come out swinging against reports by Stateowned Guyana Chronicle that he and other party leaders failed to file their declarations with the Integrity Commission, making it clear that the reports are false and intended to distract from the Government’s noncompliance.

During a rally over the weekend at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, Jagdeo made it clear that both he and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali have consistently been filing their declarations.

“Their rallies are spent cussing Irfaan Ali and my-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

self, or the PPP. They have nothing to talk about and no plans for the future. This is why they go on ad hominem attacks. And they have Chronicle carrying the lead.”

“Twenty of them were

gazette for failure to submit their reports. You can go to jail for one year. So, guess what Chronicle has; that Jagdeo and Irfaan did not submit their (declarations) in 2018. A total lie. We have submitted all the years, from 2000 when we passed that law.”

It has since been revealed that Jagdeo and Ali will both be instituting legal proceedings against the Guyana National Newspaper Limited, the publisher of the Guyana Chronicle and its Editor-inChief, Nigel Williams, in his personal capacity for libel.

They are suing the Guyana Chronicle for an article that was published in its February 9, 2020, edition under the headline “Do

the right thing and resign…

Jagdeo, Ali, among public officials who fail to file 2018 asset declarations”.

The lawyer for Jagdeo and Ali, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, on Sunday said that the publication was designed to defame and damage his clients’ reputation and tarnish their character.

“The said publications are blatant and gross untruths intended to tarnish the character and reputation of my clients and to cause their status to be lowered in the estimation of

right-thinking members of society,” Nandlall said.

According to the Attorney, the malicious political publicity “gimmick is clearly intended to detract attention from a long list of Government’s Ministers and officials, including the Attorney General, for committing the criminal act of failing to file the relevant declarations with the Integrity Commission, in accordance with the Integrity Commissions Act.” According to the attorney, the legal proceedings which will be filed will cer-

tainly be pursued to the end, “even after APNU/AFC loses the Government at the coming elections”.

Earlier in the month, the Integrity Commission published a list of a number of public officials who failed to declare their assets last year and among those are a number of Ministers and former Government parliamentarians.

According to the gazetted list, as of January 2020, a total of eight Ministers failed to declare their assets between July 2018 and June 2019.

Gunmen rob GTT store at Giftland Mall

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wo bandits on Monday evening robbed the GTT store on the ground floor of Giftland Mall, Plantation Pattensen, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. Reports are the robbery occurred at about 21:00h. While details are sketchy, Guyana Times was told that the two men, one armed with a handgun, pounced on the sales clerk at the location even as numerous persons were in line to pay their telephone bills. This newspaper was told that when the gunman pulled out the weapon, persons in the line panicked and started to run.

After the robbery, the men

ran out of the mall but it is unclear whether a vehicle was waiting outside for them. There was no security around at the time. The police have since collected

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from the mall’s management to identify the bandits. More details in Wednesday’s edition of Guyana Times.

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Family of Jude Bentley calls for swift justice …as PNCR executive Gary Best released on $100,000 bail

Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best

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wo days have passed since former national cyclist Jude Bentley was killed in an early morning accident involving retired Rear Admiral of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Gary Best, and charges are yet to be laid.

A Post-Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on Monday on the body of Bentley revealed that the cyclist died as a result of multiple injuries to his body.

On Sunday evening, a vigil was held at the Kitty seawall, Georgetown, where hundreds of relatives, friends, colleagues and fel-

low cyclists turned up to pay spent his 41 years on this tribute to him. earth to do and to work for His reputed wife, Akesia just goes as nothing. We Hodge, told the media that have to do something better her family needs justice for than this as a society, as you Bentley’s death and that the have seen how many people perpetrator needs to be held here are coming together for accountable. something like this, it is so “We cannot have a sysunfortunate that this is the tem that condones and accircumstance that we had to cepts the fact that somebody come together under but evhas been killed, a father eryone here feels the same has gone, a brother, a son, a way. We need justice and we loved one, his life is no lonneed it now, justice delayed ger and the person responis justice denied,” Hodge Dead: Former national cyclist sible is not going to be held added.

Jude Bentley accountable...I expect to see The retired Rear the full course of justice ad- which it was designed.

Admiral, who is also a can“Right now, what we didate for the APNU/AFC at ministered in this matter and every other matter; this are trying to do is to just the upcoming elections, was is not going to go down like see that Jude gets the jus- behind the wheel of the vehianother statiscle that was tic.” She addinvolved ed, “We cannot “I expect to see the full course of justice in the accihave a system administered in this matter and every dent. that endorses A f t e r something like h i t t i n g other matter; this is not going to go down that. This is unBentley, like another statistic…we cannot have the vehifair, it is absolutely unfair. a system that endorses something like cle dragged Jude’s life had him for that. This is unfair, it is absolutely unfair. some disno value? Any other life had no beJude’s life had no value? Any other life tance value?” fore coming She stated to a halt afhad no value?” – Akesia Hodge that the main ter it struck focus of all those a lamp who turned up to pay tribute tice that he deserves and post. Best was released on to Bentley is to ensure that that his death does not go $100,000 station bail after the country’s justice system unrecognised and wasted being treated for cardiovasoperates in the manner for and that everything that he cular ailments and trau-

City Hall probing multiple leases issued for single property

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he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown has been placed in a conundrum as it relates to leased properties in the city and the possession of relevant documents for these lands.

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine at Monday’s statutory meeting explained that the Communities Ministry would have sent 54 leases for the Council to examine. However, they are still battling with cases where multiple leases exist for the same plot of land.

“We cannot deal with all of those leases. Dealing with all those leases at one time will not solve the issue. I said to the Deputy Mayor, ‘see which one you can get the lease for and get those matters tabled and let us see how we are going to be able to get the others to submit their leases’. Why I use ‘leases’ is because one property has two and three leases,” he indicated.

He went on to say that all such transactions should

pass through the required systems of the Council.

“Everything should pass through this council. No one cannot commit this Council without the knowledge of the Council…Some councillors are aware of the issue that we have at East Street where a huge place was leased and the then-Town Clerk wrote a letter. We had to go all around to get that lease, talking with the community and different bodies to find who it is really leased to,” he pointed out.

According to Narine, properties which were leased for less than the actual worth would have cost the Council millions of dollars.

Throughout recent years, there have been many issues at the Council surrounding leased properties.

Just last month, the quorum was at odds over the Water Street, Georgetown training complex, which remains unused since 2014.

While some councillors were of the belief that the building should be leased to gar-

ner much-needed revenues, others disapproved the price offered. City Hall had received a proposal of $1.5M per month for the said spot.

In 2018, during the Commission of Inquiry, it was heard that former Town Clerk Royston King leased lands to Quick Shipping Incorporated.

This plot of land was not owned by the Council but rather the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

It was alleged that King leased the land located at Lot 1 Mudflat, Lombard Street for a price of $625,000 per year since 2016.

NICIL would have pro-

vided statements to the Commission stating that they acquired the property in 2002. The Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC) would have vested all of its assets to NICIL and they became the lawful owner.

While a letter was issued to NICIL for permission, it was insinuated that King did not submit the document to the Council for deliberations as was mandatory.

On another note, King verified that this matter was never brought to the attention of the Council since he has the power to ensure all of the Council’s properties are effectively managed.

Relatives of the late Jude Bentley at a vigil on Sunday evening

ma at a city hospital under Police guard.

Police Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas told Guyana Times on Monday that shortly after the accident took place, Best had initially discarded the offer made by the cops to have him seek medical attention.

However, he subsequently began complaining about “feeling unwell” while in Police custody and then agreed to visit the hospital

for a medical check-up.

According to Commander Thomas, Best complained about pains to his chest near the region of his heart and was taken to a cardiologist.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief, Superintendent Linden Isles also told this publication on Monday that the probe into Bentley’s death is presently ongoing with hopes to have the matter concluded soon.

He added that Best’s hospitalisation would have no negative effect on the investigation since a statement from him about the accident has already been retrieved and filed.

Motorcyclist injured after losing control of speeding bike

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speeding motorcyclist is now hospitalised and nursing multiple injuries about his body after he lost control of his bike along the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy, Georgetown.

The injured biker is 37-year-old Andrew Bowman, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Reports are that on Sunday at about 19:45h, Bowman was riding his motorcycle along with fellow bikers on the southern carriageway of the public road, to honour dead cyclist, Jude Bentley, when the accident

occurred.

According to a video of the accident seen by this publication, Bowman was proceeding west on the Rupert Craig Highway at a fast rate of speed and was about to negotiate a left bend when he lost control of his motorcycle.

This resulted in him being hurled off his bike and falling onto the roadway.

Persons in the area who were attending a vigil for the late national cyclist, Jude Bentley, rushed to aid the injured man. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

News

Husband, wife charged Primary school fracas DPP withdraws charge against teacher for killing neighbour

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29-year-old man and his 43-year-old reputed wife, who allegedly beat their neighbour to death, were slapped with a murder charge.

Dhanraj Ramkishan, also known as “Ganga”, of Long Dam, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Deomattie Salikram, known as “Shobma”, of Lot 10 Helena No 1, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Marissa Mittleholzer at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that on February 5, 2020, at Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, they murdered 48-year-old Gopaul Seeram. The couple were remanded and the case will continue on February 28.

According to reports, the couple reportedly beat the farmer with a piece of wood during an argument.

Police stated that the incident stemmed from the now-dead man’s wife rejecting phone calls from the female suspect. This newspa-

per was told that the female suspect resides at Helena, Mahaica, ECD. However, whenever she is in the area, the woman would call the victim’s wife to inquire whether her husband was at home.

According to reports, on the day of the incident, the woman called and the victim’s spouse terminated the call without responding.

The female suspect then went to the couple’s home to confront the woman about disconnecting the call. The confrontation led to a heated argument and the wom-

en’s husbands intervened.

Guyana Times was told that the two suspects allegedly armed themselves with pieces of wood and allegedly dealt the now-deceased man several lashes about his head and body.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

A Post-Mortem Examination conducted on Wednesday by Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that Seeram died from multiple injuries as a result of blunt trauma.

he charges levelled against the teacher of the St Agnes Primary School, who was involved in a fight with the parents of a child at the school, have been withdrawn as per recommendation by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

On Monday when the case was called before Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the prosecutor related that based on advice from the DPP, the prosecution will not be proceeding with the case against the teacher.

Tiffani Hinds was charged for assaulting and provoking Soyini Gardner on January 15, 2020, at St Agnes Primary School, at Church and Thomas Streets, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, the parents and relative of the child at the centre of the controversy – Sherwin Dalrymple, Kendace Peters and Soyini Gardner – were also charged. The trial is expect-

Teacher: Tiffani Hinds

ed to commence shortly.

The first charge read that on January 15 at St Agnes Primary School, Sherwin Dalrymple (a parent) provoked Tiffani Hinds (a teacher) with intent to insult, annoy and assault her.

It was further alleged that Candace Peters (a family friend) unlawfully and maliciously damaged Hinds’ dress valued $6500. Another charge stated that Soyini

Gardner (Dalrymple’s wife) unlawfully assaulted Hinds and further damaged the teacher’s acrylic denture valued at $12,000.

As a result, the defendants were released on bail in the sum of $50,000 for Gardner, $20,000 for Hinds, $20,000 for Dalrymple and $20,000 for Candace Peters.

It was alleged that Dalrymple confronted the teacher at the school about an incident between his son and another student.

During the confrontation, Dalrymple allegedly told the teacher, “You ain’t fit to be a teacher, you should be a market vendor”.

Hinds reportedly responded and said “Like ya woman” which caused Gardner to become annoyed. This led to the fight and Peters, who had accompanied the couple, allegedly joined in and they ripped off the teacher’s dress.

Dalrymple allegedly kicked and punched Hinds during the fight.

Constitutional crisis in El Salvador Colombia aims to eradicate 130,000 hectares of coca in 2020 over Bukele’s security plan

A soldier of the Colombian National Army stands guard during an operation to eradicate coca plants at a plantation in Taraza, Antioquia province, Colombia

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olombia hopes this year to eradicate 130,000 hectares (321,237 acres) of coca, the base ingredient in cocaine, Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said on Monday.

A wide variety of tools will be made available to remove the coca plants, the Minister said, including the possible re-introduction of

aerial spraying of the herbicide glyphosate.

The country has come under constant pressure from the United States, the principal destination for cocaine, to reduce coca cultivation within its borders since the end of 2017 when the area taken up by coca plantations hit 209,000 hectares.

The coca crop in 2017 had the capacity to produce 921

tonnes of cocaine, according to the US government.

“Regarding the eradication target, we set a goal of 130,000 hectares, taking into account all the available tools,” Trujillo told journalists.

The goal for coca eradication in 2020 is 30% higher than the previous year when the Andean country managed to destroy a little more than 100,000 hectares of coca using manual removal techniques.

Colombia suspended aerial fumigation of glyphosate in 2015 after the World Health Organization said the herbicide was harmful to the environment and health, potentially causing cancer.

President Ivan Duque’s Government is working to meet various health and environmental requirements demanded by the Constitutional Court so it can restart aerial fumigation, possibly in the first half of this year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Soldiers stand inside the National Congress as the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, assists a special session to push for the approval of funds for a Government security plan in San Salvador, El Salvador [Photo by Victor Pena/Reuters]

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housands of Salvadorans gathered outside the country’s legislative assembly on Sunday as the country faced its most significant constitutional crisis since it signed a peace accord agreement to end a civil war in 1992. Military officers entered the legislative chamber in an unprecedented show of military power by President Nayib Bukele against the country’s legislators in the post-war period.

“I support him (the

President),” said Rosario, 36, who is currently unemployed, outside the legislative assembly Sunday after the president addressed the crowd.

“We are just looking to improve the country in every way possible,” she added, wishing only to give her first name.

But human rights groups say the president’s actions are a “smokescreen” that threatens the balance of separation of powers in the country.

The crisis started on Thursday night when Bukele

called the country’s legislators to an emergency session scheduled for Sunday to approve a $109m loan for the third phase of his security plan, called “Plan Control Territorial”.

In a news conference, Bukele accused the legislative assembly of using the Constitution in ways that did not benefit the Salvadoran people, reiterating a constant theme of his campaign in which he criticised the country’s corrupt politicians and painted himself as an outsider immune to this corruption.

He invoked Article 167 of the country’s Constitution, which says the President can convene the country’s national assembly extraordinarily “when the interests of the Republic demand it”.

When invoking this clause, he promised citizens to use the Constitution for their benefit.

But the decision set off a constitutional crisis as legislators, experts and human rights groups debated whether the situation merited the use of this clause. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Marielle Franco murder: Suspect shot dead by Police

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olice say they have shot dead a former policeman suspected of involvement in the murder of a prominent left-wing politician and campaigner in 2018.

They say Adriano da Nóbrega was killed after he fired on police officers trying to arrest him in north-eastern Bahia state.

Nóbrega is said to have led a paramilitary group suspected of ordering the murder of Marielle Franco.

Franco, 38, and her driver were shot dead in Rio de Janeiro in March 2018.

Franco, an outspoken councillor, had been critical of the police’s often deadly raids in densely populated shantytowns, or favelas, and denounced paramilitary groups run by retired and off-duty Police known as milícias.

Last year, two former Police Officers were arrested in connection with the murders.

Marielle Franco was an outspoken councillor in Rio de Janeiro

Bahia’s state security agency issued a statement, saying Nóbrega was shot dead by Police during a confrontation in the city of Esplanada on Sunday.

“At the moment of his arrest, he fired on officials and was wounded in the shootout.

“He was taken to a hospital but died as a result of his wounds,” the statement said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Oil could drop to mid-$40s as demand crumbles

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ith WTI sliding below US$50 on Sunday evening, expect even more downside according to S&P Global Platts’ Claudia Carpenter, who writes that oil prices will probably drop to the “mid-$40s” a barrel in the next couple of weeks because of weak demand, according to Matt Stanley, Director of Starfuels commodities brokerage.

Supply isn’t an issue but demand is and demand growth is so fragile that an excuse like coronavirus has caused the 15 per cent drop in prices the past few weeks, Stanley told the 7th annual Global Commodity Outlook conference in Dubai on Sunday.

Crude prices have dropped significantly in the past few weeks on concern that the virus outbreak could blunt global crude demand. Front-month Brent settled Friday at US$54.47/b, 16 per cent below its most recent peak on January 20, while WTI futures were down 14 per cent over the same period.

OPEC and 10 allies, including Russia, are debating whether to institute deeper production cuts to stem the price slide, but Stanley said the coalition, known as OPEC+, should instead be looking to increase output to revive demand growth. “Cutting supply to keep prices up is not the way to do it,” he said.

The only big winner of cutting supply would be US shale producers who would boost production on higher prices, effectively pushing prices even lower, he added. US President Donald Trump has probably had his eye on re-election for his second term ever since the first one started, with an eye on supporting the US energy industry so it becomes a key supplier to China, he said, predicting that Trump will win a second term in office.

An OPEC+ technical committee last week recommended that the coalition cut an additional 600,000 b/d on top of its existing 1.7 million b/d cut accord through the second quarter, to combat the coronavirus’ expected hit to oil demand. Russia, the main nonOPEC participant, has yet to commit to the deal, which requires unanimous approval by all 23 OPEC+ countries.

The coalition is next scheduled to meet March 5-6 in Vienna, but delegates have said it could be moved forward if a consensus on new cuts can be reached in advance.

The coronavirus has sparked fears of a major economic slowdown in China, the world’s largest importer of crude, where quarantines and travel restrictions have caused a contraction in oil consumption. China sources some 70 per cent of its crude imports from OPEC+ members, and its refineries are expected to slash runs by about 1 million b/d in February, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics.

Robert Willock, Middle East and North Africa Director at the Economist Corporate Network, part of the Economist Intelligence Unit, said his base outlook for the coronavirus is that China will have the outbreak contained by the end of March. That would mean China’s gross domestic product would grow at 5.4 per cent this year, down from 5.9 per cent forecast before the virus, he said.

If the virus is not under control until the end of June, the GDP would grow by 4.5 per cent, he said. “All bets are off” on the GDP forecast if it’s not under control beyond then, he added. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Bahrain committed to supporting additional oil production cut – Minister

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ahrain said on Monday it is committed to supporting an additional oil production cut of 600,000 bpd as recommended by Opec+’s joint technical committee at a meeting last week.

“The proposed voluntary adjustment in production is recommended to counter the expected drop in oil demand, mainly in China, due to coronavirus outbreak,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Alkhalifa, Bahrain’s Oil Minister, said in a statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigeria’s petroleum bill to be passed by mid-2020 – Oil Minister

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igeria will pass its Petroleum Industry Bill by mid-2020, Minister of Petroleum Timipre Sylva said on Monday, the latest assurance that the legislation would be enacted after nearly two decades of wrangling.

“We are on the same page as the National Assembly,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s Parliament, adding that he hoped international oil majors were also on board. (Excerpt from Reuters)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

17

Around the World

Advance team of WHO experts arrives in China to probe coronavirus

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n advance team of World Health Organisation medical experts arrived in China on Monday to help investigate the coronavirus outbreak, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Tedros, who met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month, returned with an agreement on sending an international mission.

It took nearly two weeks to get the green light from the Chinese Government on the team, led by Canadian emergency expert Dr Bruce Aylward.

There have been 40,235 confirmed cases reported in China and 909 deaths, he said.

Tedros voiced concern at limited incidents, report-

Traders wearing face masks are seen on the trading floor at a flower auction trading centre following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country, in Kunming, Yunnan province, China February 10, 2020

ed by European authorities at the weekend, of person-to-person spread of the virus by people with no history of travel to China.

“The detection of this small number of cases could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire. But for now it’s only a spark. Our objective

remains containment.”

Dr Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergencies expert, asked about an international business meeting held at a Singapore hotel on Jan 2022, said it did not appear to have spread the virus widely.

“So are we not dealing here with a super-spreading event, people are comparing it to the Amoy Gardens or to the Metropole hotel,” he said, referring to the SARS outbreak in 2002/2003.

Tedros urged countries to take public health measures to help “prevent a bigger fire”, adding: “This is a message for the whole world. This is a common enemy that we can only defeat if we do it in unison.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US charges 4 Chinese military officers over huge hack

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he US has charged four Chinese military officers over the huge cyber-attack on credit rating giant Equifax.

More than 147 million Americans were affected in 2017 when hackers stole sensitive personal data including names and addresses.

Some UK and Canadian customers were also affected.

Announcing the indictments, Attorney General William Barr called the hack “one of the largest data breaches in history”.

According to court documents, the four are allegedly members of the People’s Liberation Army’s 54th Research Institute, a component of the Chinese military.

They spent weeks in the company’s system, breaking into security networks and stealing personal data, the documents said.

The nine-count indictment also accuses the group of stealing trade secrets including data compilation and database designs.

The FBI released this wanted picture of the suspects

The whereabouts of the suspects is unknown and it is highly unlikely that they will stand trial in the US. FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich said: “We can’t take them into custody, try them in a court of law, and lock them up - not today, anyway.”

Equifax said hackers ac-

cessed the information between mid-May and the end of July 2017 when the company discovered the breach.

The accused allegedly routed traffic through 34 servers in nearly 20 countries to try and hide their true location. The credit rating firm holds data on more than 820 million consumers

as well as information on 91 million businesses.

Bowdich said there was no evidence so far of the data being used to hijack a person’s bank account or credit card.

Equifax CEO Mark Begor said in a statement that the company was grateful for the investigation. (BBC)

Attackers kill, abduct dozens in northeast Nigeria

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t least 30 people have been killed in an attack in northeastern Nigeria, according to officials.

The attack on Sunday evening targeted the village of Auno on a key highway linking to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

The attackers stormed in on trucks mounted with heavy weapons, killing, burning and looting before kidnapping women and children, State Government spokesman Ahmad Abdurrahman Bundi said.

They “killed not less than 30 people who are mostly motorists and destroyed 18 vehicles”, Bundi said in a statement after visiting the scene.

Babakura Kolo, a mem-

The attackers combed through the village, looting and burning shops and property before withdrawing

ber of a state-backed militia battling fighters in the area, said travellers who had stopped for the night came under attack by the gunmen who torched vehicles.

“Many of the drivers and their assistants who were

sleeping in the vehicles were burnt alive,” said Babakura Kolo, a member of a statebacked militia battling fighters in the area.

The attackers combed through the village, looting and burning shops and prop-

erty before withdrawing, he said.

Kolo told the AFP news agency the fighters took away three buses carrying women and children to Maiduguri which had parked in the village for the night.

Auno lies on the 120km (75-mile) highway linking Maiduguri to Damaturu, a major regional city in neighbouring Yobe state.

The highway has been increasingly targeted by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) group in recent months.

The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting the creation of a regional military coalition to fight the attackers.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Leave nothing to chance.

Take care of matters personally. If you count on someone to do things for you, you’ll be disappointed. An evening spent with a loved one is favored.

Stay one step ahead.

Keep an open mind and be ready to make a move quickly and with the utmost precision. Refuse to let emotions stand in your way or cost you financially.

Speed up and finish what you start. Preparation for something special will be fun and will bring you closer to a loved one. A domestic change will add comfort and ease stress.

Take care of unfinished business and move on to a creative project that satisfies you. An important relationship will lead to an unexpected opportunity.

A physical outlet will help ease stress. Share your feelings with a loved one, and together you will come up with a plan that will improve your life.

Choose whom you spend your time with carefully.

The wrong person will stifle your ability to have fun.

Get involved in projects that include upbeat people who share your concerns.

Say no to anyone who is making demands or trying to manipulate your life.

Back away from adversity and make positive changes that improve your state of mind. Romance is in the stars.

Personal growth will take you on a magical journey. An open mind, heart and attitude will lead to interesting encounters and new beginnings. Trust your intuition.

Trust only what is backed SAGITTARIUS up with facts. Put your energy (Nov. 23into self-improvement projects.

Dec. 21) A relationship with someone who shares your beliefs and long-term goals will flourish.

Romance is encouraged.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Don’t make a fuss. You’ll accomplish far more if you are direct and implement your solutions before matters get out of hand. Offer kindness and consideration, not chaos.

AQUARIUS

Look for projects that excite you. Call the shots instead of being told what to do. If you want something, it’s up to you to make it happen. Romance is encouraged.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Getting together with people from your past will be a reminder of old dreams, hopes and wishes. Consider revisiting some of your ideas and making adjustments to suit current trends.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

19

NBA round-up: Bogdanovic's

buzzer-beater lifts Jazz a demoralizing defeat one night earlier for an easy road victory over Cleveland.

Marcus Morris Sr. had 10 points in his Clippers debut as Los Angeles distanced itself from a surprising 27-point defeat against Minnesota on Saturday. The Clippers won without Kawhi Leonard, who received a day of rest on the second night of a back-to-back scenario.

Andre Drummond scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in his Cavaliers debut, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 17 points for Cleveland. The Cavaliers saw their losing streak extend to six games while also falling for the 13th time in their past 14 contests.

Portland Trail Blazers 115 - Miami Heat 109

Damian Lillard recorded 33 points and eight assists to lead Portland past visiting Miami.

Gary Trent Jr. contributed 22 points and four steals off the bench, and Trevor Ariza scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half as the Trail Blazers won for the seventh time in the past 10 games. Carmelo Anthony scored 15 points, CJ McCollum added 13 and Hassan Whiteside had 11 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Goran Dragic had 27 points and seven assists off the bench for the Heat, who lost a season-worst third straight game. Duncan Robinson scored 19 points, Jae Crowder had 18 points and 11 rebounds in his team debut, Bam Adebayo added 13 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 11 points. (Reuters)

Williamson set to return as New Zealand eye 3-0 sweep against India Utah Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrate after the Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets (USA TODAY Sports)

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ojan Bogdanovic hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Utah Jazz to a 114113 victory over the host Houston Rockets on Sunday.

Bogdanovic had just two field goals and eight points for the night, 13 below his season average. But Utah executed the final inbound play to perfection, with Bogdanovic making a 28-footer over James Harden and P.J. Tucker, the final clutch 3 in a sequence of them down the stretch.

Harden registered a triple-double (28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) with his pass to Robert Covington, whose 3-pointer with 28 seconds left gave the Rockets a 110109 advantage.

Jordan Clarkson paced the Jazz with 30 points off the bench while Mitchell added 24 and six assists. Rudy Gobert had 12 points and 15 rebounds. Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 39 points. After a hot start from the perimeter, Houston shot just 10 of 33 from behind the arc over the final three periods.

Boston Celtics 112 - Oklahoma City Thunder 111

Kemba Walker scored 27 points to help Boston to a road win over Oklahoma City.

Walker hit a pair of crucial 3-pointers late to seal the victory for Boston, which won its seventh straight. The Celtics have won 10 of their past 11 games. It was just Oklahoma City’s second loss in 11 games.

Philadelphia 76ers 118 - Chicago Bulls 111

Furkan Korkmaz scored 31 points to carry host Philadelphia past Chicago.

Joel Embiid added 28 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots for his 30th double-double this season while Ben Simmons had 19 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth triple-double. Tobias Harris contributed 14 points for the Sixers, who improved to 24-2 at home.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 32 points while Luke Kornet added a career-high 25. Cristiano Felicio had 13 for the Bulls, who dropped their fifth in a row. Thaddeus Young also had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies 106 - Washington Wizards 99

Ja Morant recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as visiting Memphis rallied late to defeat Washington in the nation’s capital.

Kyle Anderson added 16 for Memphis while Jonas Valanciunas had eight points and 18 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, with Tyus Jones adding 13 points off the bench for Memphis.

Bradley Beal led Washington with 26 points. Beal has been a force throughout the season but especially in recent games — since being snubbed for the Eastern Conference All-Star Game. Mo Wagner scored 19 off the bench for the Wizards, with Davis Bertans adding 15 and Hachimura 12.

Atlanta Hawks 140 - New York Knicks 135

Trae Young scored 11 of his 48 points in the second overtime as Atlanta held on to defeat visiting New York.

John Collins added 32 points and 16 rebounds for the Hawks. DeAndre Hunter added 19 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in the second overtime.

New York saw its four-game winning streak end despite getting 35 points and 18 rebounds from Julius Randle. Reggie Bullock added 21 points and Mitchell Robinson had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Los Angeles Clippers 133 Cleveland Cavaliers 92

Lou Williams scored 25 points and Paul George 22 as Los Angeles rebounded from

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s if injuries to Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry weren't enough, New Zealand were hampered by absence of Scott Kuggleijn and Mitchell Santner for the second ODI. Tim Southee, too, battled an illness while Ish Sodhi had been released to play a four-dayer against India A in Lincoln.

Southee soldiered on and meticulously took down India captain Virat Kohli, but had to leave the field after finishing his ten overs.

So depleted were New Zealand that they had to call their assistant coach Luke Ronchi as a substitute fielder. Yet, they dug deep enough to overcome a batting collapse and a late scare from Ravindra Jadeja to sew up the series.

But problems - even outside fitness reasons - persist. Ross Taylor has fired in both the ODIs, but the rest of the middle-order has faltered. Williamson's return at Bay Oval, his home ground, could remedy some of those issues.

He had a proper workout on the eve of the game, and is set to resume his mouth-watering tussle against Jasprit Bumrah.

Santner and Kuggleijn are also coming along well, according to bowling coach Shane Jurgensen, while Sodhi has flown back to Mount Maunganui

and rejoined the squad along with fast bowler Blair Tickner.

After India had conceded the series in Auckland, Kohli reckoned that the team management might use this dead rubber to test out their bench. Wicketkeeperbatsman Rishabh Pant, who hasn't played a single match so far on tour, might get a look-in on Tuesday.

Will there be some room in the middle order for Manish Pandey too? Allrounder Shivam Dube is also among India's reserves and hasn't played in the team's last nine ODIs. Colin de Grandhomme din't bowl in two of the three T20Is he played, but has been pretty tidy with the ball i n the two ODIs. After removing Prithvi S h a w with an outswinger in the first game, he tricked KL Rahul into cutting a ball that was nei-

ther, short or wide enough for the shot. His batting form, though, has cooled off and he has floated down the order as the hosts have looked to maintain a leftright combination. Can he land the mighty blows with the bat on Tuesday?

There has been plenty of scrutiny over Kedar Jadhav's role in the current set-up. He has played some charming cameos while coming in with just a few deliveries left, but has bowled all of one over with the ball since the World Cup. Jadhav has one more opportunity in Mount Maunganui before the new selection panel picks the squad for the three-match ODI series at home against South Africa in March. ( E S P N Cricinfo)

The New Zealand Captain returns to boost his side’s chance of a revenge sweep

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

Seales and Young named In U-19 ICC Team-of-the-Tournament

Pele is depressed, reclusive due to health issues, says son

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razilian soccer great Pele is depressed over his poor health and reluctant to leave the house because he cannot walk unaided, his son Edinho said in an interview published in Brazil on Monday.

Pele, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers in history and who will be 80 in October, has had hip trouble for years and now needs a frame to walk. Many of his recent public appearances have been in a wheelchair.

“He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation,” Edinho told TV Globo.

“So he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression. Imagine, he’s the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can’t walk properly.

“He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house,” his son added. “He is very sheepish, reclusive.”

Edinho said he had argued with his father because he had not done the physiotherapy called for after a hip operation.

Pele, the only player to win three World Cups, spent most of his career with Brazilian team Santos before moving to New York Cosmos in the 1970s.

This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of the striker’s third World Cup title, won in Mexico in 1970 with what many people believe is the greatest team of all time. (Reuters)

Nyeem Young bats against England U-19

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wo members of the West Indies team – fast bowler Jayden Seales and allrounder Nyeem Young have been named in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Team of the Tournament.

The ICC made the announcement on Monday after the event ended on Sunday – with Bangladesh defeating India in the final to win their first title at this level.

Seales, who is from Trinidad and Tobago, was hailed as the best fast bowling talent in the tournament. The strongly-built 18-year-old consistently topped 90 miles per hour and ended with 10 wickets at an average of 18.30 runs per wicket.

Young was equally impressive and starred with Player of the Match performances in the first round wins over Australia and England.

His 61 helped West Indies recover from 92/5 to claim a brilliant victory over Australia.

The 19-year-old from Barbados ended with 140 runs – which included two half-centuries; as well as

eight wickets with best figures of 5-45. He also held four catches.

An adjudication panel of five selected both the team and player of the tournament, with commentators Ian Bishop, Rohan Gavaskar and Natalie Germanos joined by ESPN Cricinfo correspondent Sreshth Shah and ICC representative Mary Godbeer.

Team Of The Tournament (in batting order): Yashasvi Jaiswal – India, Ibrahim Zadran – Afghanistan, Ravindu Rasantha – Sri Lanka, Mahmudul Hasan Joy – Bangladesh, Shahadat Hossain – Bangladesh, Nyeem Young – West Indies, Akbar Ali – Bangladesh (WK, Captain), Shafiqullah Ghafari – Afghanistan Ravi Bishnoi – India, Kartik Tyagi – India, Jayden Seales – West Indies, 12th man: Akil Kumar – Canada (CWI)

McIlroy back at number 1 after 5-year absence R ory McIlroy has returned to the top of golf’s rankings for the first time in five years after a string of strong finishes.

The 30-year-old Northern Irishman, a four-time major winner, replaces American Brooks Koepka.

McIlroy was tied third at the Farmers Insurance Open last month and was fourth at the World Tour Championships in Dubai in November, following his victory at the WGCHSBC Champions.

His rise back to the top of golf’s official world rankings, which uses a rolling two-year points format, means McIlroy will move into fourth place in total time spent as number one.

This will be his 96th week there, be-

hind only Tiger Woods (683), Greg Norman (331) an fellow Briton Nick Faldo (97).

McIlroy has ended only one of the last 11 years outside the top 10 but has not added to his majors haul since winning the PGA Championship in 2014.

Koepka slips down to number two with Spaniard Jon Rahm at three, followed by Americans Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Woods and Xander Schauffele.

Englishman Justin Rose completes the top 10.

McIlroy is scheduled to play at the Genesis Invitational in California, which begins on Thursday. (Reuters)

Rory McIlroy

WICB PCL Regional 4-Day Championship…

Jaguars slump to 2nd place after Scorpions’ defeat

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ive times’ defending champions of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) PCL Regional 4-Day Tournament, the Guyana Jaguars, have again been dislodged from the apex of this season’s points standings following their loss to the Jamaica Scorpions in round 4 play on Sunday at the National Stadium at Providence in Guyana.

The Barbados Pride have now assumed that lead following their massive victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 81 runs, their score of 398 being enough to overshadow the Hurricanes’ scores of 181 and 136-9.

Pride are at the apex with 65 points, while Jaguars sit in 2nd position with 49 points, accumulated from two wins and an equal amount of losses. The Trinidad & Tobago Red Force are in 3rd place with 41.2 points, following their fourth-round draw against the Windward Islands Volcanoes. That draw meant the sides had to share

m a t c h points, thus the Volcanoes, with 40.4 points, are in 4th place and are closely tailing the Red Force.

Jamaica’s win against Guyana will definitely boost their confidence following their shaky start to this season.

This win now aggregates with a loss and two draws to produce a combined total of 36.8 points, which places them at 5th place. The other team in the tournament, Hurricanes, played to their third loss in four games; and with only one win to their credit, they are at the bottom of the points’ table with 29.2 points.

The fifth round of this tournament continues this Thursday, February 13, across the Caribbean.

Pride will meet Red Force in Barbados, Scorpions host the Hurricanes, and Guyana meet the Volcanoes in Grenada.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

Jude Bentley’s passing…

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NSC, Sports Ministry extend condolences

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Former National Cyclist Jude Bentley at his place of business

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ollowing last Saturday’s untimely death of former National Cyclist Jude Bentley, a respected member of the Cycling Federation,

top sports officials like Social Cohesion Minister Dr. George Norton and Director of Sports Christopher Jones have extended their sincerest condolences to his relatives and other survivors, including his friends and fans.

“The Hon. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, wishes to extend sincerest condolences to the relatives, friends, fans and well-wishers of National Cyclist Jude Bentley.

Bentley’s passing has undoubtedly saddened the entire sports fraternity, particularly the cycling community and the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.

“Bentley’s contribution towards the development of sports has been exemplary, and he will forever be remembered as the thriving rider that he was.

“It is our hope that his family will take comfort in the outpouring of love and prayers that has been coming from all across the country. May his soul find eternal peace.” A release from the Sports Minister’s office has stated.

The National Sports Commission wrote the following message in paying their respects to the fallen athlete:

GABA pre-season basketball…

Trojans level series with Eagles

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The victorious UG Trojans U-23 basketball side

he UG Trojans U23 basketball side reclaimed some pride over the weekend when they levelled the three-match pre-season series against their Eagles counterparts 1-1 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

This match was a must-win for the Trojans if they wanted to keep the series alive, and with the sides seemingly evenly matched, success could have flowed to either side. However, the Trojans bounced back from their 104-92 defeat to the Eagles on February 3rd to level the series by winning game two 106-91.

Having entered the match brimming with confidence, the Eagles faltered in the first period, losing 15-24. The Trojans led by 9 points heading into the second quarter, but a reversal of roles saw the Eagles snatching

that quarter 29-23 to take the score to 47-44 at half-time.

The Eagles’ offensive tactics scared the Trojans into believing that a repetition of their Monday night encounter was about to occur; so, heading into the third period, the Warren Wilson-led unit pulled out all the stops and made the necessary substitutions, even using timeouts to frustrate the Eagles’ flow and throw them off their game.

This tactic apparently worked, because the Trojans outscored the Eagles 29-20 in period 3, and it all came down to the final quarter, with the Trojans ahead 76-64.

An already tired and rhythmless Eagles side made all efforts at a resurgence but failed, losing the final quarter 30-24.

Meanwhile, in senior division play, the Trojans are ahead of the Eagles 1-0.

“The National Sports Commission are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of national cyclist and sports philanthropist Mr. Jude Bentley. Jude’s contribution to sports development has been noteworthy and exemplary.

“As Director of Sports, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Jude’s family, friends, and loved ones for the immeasurable loss you have just suffered. May you find strength in prayers, and be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you, and (may) the loving memories you forever hold in your hearts give you the courage to face the days ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of bereavement”.

Members of the Guyanese sporting community have come together to mourn this monumental loss of an influential member of their society, and a ‘Ride Out and Candlelight Vigil’ was held on Sunday, wherein those who were close to the proprietor of Bentley’s Bike Shop on Robb Street continued to pay him their respects.

West Demerara Cricket Assn T20 competition for 2020…

McGill Super Stars dominate opening match with 80-run win

M

cGill Super Stars Sports Club have opened their West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) 2020 T20 campaign on a high note: by inflicting an 80-run defeat on Christ Ambassadors Sports Club (CASC) in the opening game of the season.

With the game -- played at the Belle Vue Sports Club Ground -- reduced to 15 overs a side because of a late start to proceedings, Mc Gill won the toss and chose to bat, racing to 150-5 after their 15 overs had expired.

The Canal #1 unit got off to a quick start, but lost two wickets in the power play overs.

Skipper Sudesh Persaud, who contributed 10, was caught at long-on off the bowling of medium-pacer Lester Christian in the third over, when 25 runs were recorded on the board; and former Guyana Under-19 Captain Travis Persaud, who contributed 13, fell in the 4th over to Kevin Paul, when the score had to be adjusted to 322.

Razack and Deen then joined forces to put together a 33-run, third-wicket partnership that took the score to 65 in the 8th over, before Razack fell LBW to Emmanuel Martin after scoring 23.

Troy Persaud and Azar Deen then took the McGill score to 86 in the 10th over, before Persaud was bowled for three by Kenton Boyce.

Former Guyana Under-19 all-rounder Basdeo and Deen then rallied McGill to 127 in the 13th over by producing a blistering partnership of 41 off 18 balls, before Paul bowled Basdeo for 27.

Mc Gill eventually finished their 15 overs on 150-5, with Azar Deen having contributed a quick-fire unbeaten 48 not out

and the innings having received support from Daniel Basdeo with 27 and Abdul Razack with 23.

The CASC bowling was spearheaded by Kevin Paul with 2-17 and Emmanuel Martin with 1-16.

The Christ Ambassadors Sports Club (CASC) had a slow start to their innings. Chasing a mammoth total of 151 in 15 overs, the opening pace-andspin combination of former national players Daniel Basdeo and Travis Persaud proved too much for them, and they could not keep up with the run rate, even from the start of their innings.

In the third over, when the recorded score was 9, Basdeo uprooted the stumps of Emmanuel Martin, who departed without scoring; and with assistance from Persaud, continued to strangle the CASC batting line-up with good precision and accuracy.

CASC struggled to record 34 in the 8th over before former national under-19 all-rounder Kheshram Seyhodan had Jay Benit caught at long-on for 22.

Seyhodan struck again in that same over, when the CASC score had to be adjusted to 35-3 after he had removed Melroy Alert, trapped leg-before without scoring.

CASC skipper Selwyn John, who contributed 19, tried to steady his team’s ship, but fell to medium-pacer Azar Deen at 56-4 in the 13th over. In that same over, Deen removed Paul for three when he had him caught at long-off with the score on 59-5.

The CASC innings eventually closed at 70-6 when their 15 overs had expired.

Bowling for McGill, Azar Deen took 2-10, Kheshram Seyhodan took 2-22, and Daniel Basdeo took 1-4.

22

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wine Vault Pre-Valentine Golf Tournament… Guyana Karate Federation’s Biennial General Meeting…

Harry strokes Executive magnificent net score returned en bloc

The Wine Vault reps and the winners proudly displaying their Ventisquero wines

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or their inaugural Pre-Valentine’s Day Golf Tournament on Saturday February 8, playing off a handicap of 15, Ravindra Harry produced an excellent gross of 74 to finish with the fantastic net score of 59 and claim the spoils.

Maurice Solomon came closest to Harry with an outstanding net score of 63.

With fine golfing weather and superbly well-manicured grounds, the golfers teedoff excitedly at 12:30 hrs, many of them captivated and stimulated by the fine selection of wine prizes on hand.

In the highly competitive 10-18 Flight, where the bulk of the golfers play, Harry’s 59/15 had no close contender. Following him were former Guyana Open female champion Shanella London (66/13) and Parmanand ‘Max’ Persaud (67/13) respectively.

The bunch after that was close, as some 9 golfers placed within 5 strokes from the Winners’ Row. These were: Aasrodeen Shaw (68/13); Lekhnarine Shivraj (68/15); Kalyan Tiwari (69/15); Patanjilee Persaud (71/14); George Bulkan (71/16); reigning Guyana Open Female champion Christine Sukhram (72/12); Maxim Mangra (72/18); Rakesh Harry (73/14), and former Guyana Open female champion Dr Joaan Deo

(73/16).

In the 19-36 Flight, the best net scores were returned by wine connoisseur Maurice Solomon (63/26) – 1st. He was followed by a tie between Troy Cadogan (67/26) – 2nd and Nirmaldeo Sarwan (67/24) 3rd. Other good performances in the Flight were offered by Brian Hackett (73/22); Rohan Albert (75/25); Bholawram Deo (77/19); Carlos Adams (79/26) and Eion Blue (79/28).

In the 0-9 Flight, Former Guyana Open Champion Mohanlall Dinanauth - very likely motivated by the Ventisquero prize - produced a great play to beat the group, scoring both the group’s best net (66/6) and the tournament’s Best Gross (72). Former Captain Patrick Prashad was close on his heels with a good 67/9. After them, Mike Mangal’s 75/8 placed him 3rd, while reigning Guyana Open Champion Avinash Persaud delivered net 77 off a 2 handicap.

Visitor Romick Cummings netted 85 off a 7 handicap.

On Saturday, both red and white Ventisquero wines offered by the Wine Vault at the Marriott were exquisite, crisp, firm, fruity, and soothingly refreshing. And indeed so, the competition of the day was similarly firm and refreshing.

Guyana Rugby Football Union’s AGM…

Dey elected new President

The newly-elected GRFU executives

T

he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held its Annual General Meeting on February 09, 2020 at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, and a new executive body was elected.

After going toe-to-toe with Earl Edghill for the presidency of this body, Ryan Dey was eventually so elected. Immediate past president Peter Green did not seek re-election.

Following his election, Dey thanked Green for the hard work he had done over

the years, and committed to elevating the standards of Guyana Rugby.

The full list of executives reads: President: Ryan Dey; Senior Vice President: Joshua Griffith; Junior Vice President: Kevon David; Public Relations Officer: Godfrey Broomes; Secretary: Terrence Grant; Treasurer: Quacy Bremner; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Tiffany Spencer; Committee Members: Michael Whitehead, Natasha Andrews, Sherlock Sam, and Shane Grant-Stuart.

In photo: Bhagwandin Persaud, William Grant, Amir Khouri, Ivor O’Brien, Roger Peroune, Keith Beaton, Bernice Irving

T

he Guyana Karate Federation’s (GKF’s) Biennial General Meeting, held on Sunday February 9th at the YMCA on Thomas Lands, has seen Amir Khouri returned as president and that body’s entire executive membership returned en bloc.

Ivor O’Brian, Honourable Life Member of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), presided as returning officer, and the meeting was attended by members of the various affiliated associations as stated: Association do Shotokan Karate – Guyana (ASK-G); International Shotokan Karate FederationGuyana) (ISKF-Guyana); Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association (GWKA); National ShitoRyu Karate Association Guyana (NSKAG);

Guyana Karate College (GKC); National Martial Arts Association (NMAA); and Berbice Shotokan Karate Association (BSKA).

The following persons were elected to serve in the Executive for the next two (2) years: President - Amir Khouri; Vice President Roger Peroune; 2nd Vice President - Keith Beaton; Secretary - Bernice Irving, Treasurer William Grant; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer - Bhagwandin Persaud.

The President and Executive Members of the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) take this opportunity to thank Ivor O’Brien for taking time off of his busy schedule to support the Federation and give his generous support in ensuring the smooth running of this election.

BCB/RHTY&SC Nand Persaud Female 50-Over Tournament…

Gajnabi smashes 152 as RHT crush WCB by 324 runs

W

est Indies female all-rounder Shabika Gajnabi smashed a majestic 152 as she spearheaded her team, Rose Hall Town Metro, to a crushing 328-run victory over West Berbice in the opening round of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/RHTY&SC/Nand Persaud Female 50-Over cricket tournament.

The match was played at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town, and Gajnabi, who failed to gain selection to the West Indies female World Cup squad, stroked 24 boundaries and blasted two massive sixes as she added 220 for the second wicket with Marian Samaroo, who scored 45.

Captaining the RHT Metro team in the absence of Shemaine Campbelle, Gajnabi won the toss and elected to take first strike. Kimmone Thomas and Samaroo put on 30 for the first wicket, before Thomas was bowled by T. Isaacs for 06.

The rules of the tournament dictated that every wide bowled would result in two runs being awarded to the batting side, with the bowling side having no opportunity to bowl that delivery again. Samaroo played the supporting role to her West Indies counterpart Gajnabi, who looked a class above the other batters.

Kassie Munroe chipped in with 40 not out, while useful scores came from national under-19 player Oma Matadin (15), Aleema Arokium (16), Erva Giddings (15) who was not out, and Dian Prahalad (12).

Extras contributed a healthy 120 runs, as inexperienced West Berbice bowlers struggled in the charged atmosphere. Bowling for the visitors, Isaacs took 2 for 62 and D. Frank took 3 for 65.

Needing to score an almost impossible 425 from 50 overs if they wanted to win, the West Berbice team made 100 all out in 33 overs against an experienced RHT Metro bowling attack that

Shabika Gajnabi

included two bowlers who played for West Indies, and several who are Guyana players. West Indies players Shemaine Campbelle and Sheneta Grimmond were absent from the proceedings.

National player Kantana Mentore top scored with an unbeaten 30, while Isaacs returned a score of 15. Erva Giddings took 2 for 15, Sherika Campbelle took 2 for 17, Plaffina Millington took 3 for 19 from 10 overs, and Dian Prahalad took 3 for 30. They were the RHT Metro team’s wickettakers, who would now play New Amsterdam/ Canje in the second round of this tournament.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

23

Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge…

Mahadeo, Adonis are fittest duo in Guyana

The top 5 male athletes Story

I

and

Photos

by

Jemima Holmes

n an impressive display of raw muscle power on Sunday afternoon at the National Park tarmac, Reebok Fitness Games 2020 prospects Dillon Mahadeo

ponents Omisi Williams and Shane HamelSmith shining in that very same event.

But when spectators made their way to the National Park tarmac to get a better look at the deciding event #five, in which double unders, pistol squats, hand stand

The male rope-climbing event in progress

first places and a second in her remaining events, enabling her to bag the top spot with 456 points.

Adonis later shared why she struggled in her first event, and what motivated her to go for the gold. Here’s what she said: “Today got off to a slow start. I’ve been recovering from an injury to my shoulder, and I was scared of pushing it. But, I mean, this is a lot on the line; competition is competition, and it doesn’t make sense if you’re not going to give your best. So, I made sure to do that for the rest of events, and it was favourable.”

In the male category, Linden’s Omisi Williams (Perry’s Gym) bagged the $400,000 second prize with 460 points,

Archer finished third and fourth, with 440 and 416 points respectively.

Suriname’s Lieke Verwoerd (The Backyard Box), with 410 points, completed the podium space.

Athletes more than 30 years old were also recognized for their commitment to the sport. In the female category, Rochelle Jin Wong Joe (The Backyard Box, Suriname) was the best Over- 30 finisher with 319 points. She was awarded $100,000.

Latoya Roberts of Genesis Fitness Gym, who finished second with 292 points, bagged $75,000.

In the male category, the Bajan Demron Thomas, who missed out on a topfive placement, picked up a $100,000 prize

The top 5 female athletes

and Delice Adonis outperformed the competition in the Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge to be crowned champions in their respective categories.

Although dark clouds had overcast skies from which brilliant sunshine had been pouring after the first three events were staged, nothing was more ominous than the glistening, sculpted, muscled bodies displayed by the 31 athletes vying for top honours.

The 6th annual Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge got off to a tough start at the crack of dawn on Sunday, when the athletes participated in rice-bag carrying; overhead squats; and a high-speed, one mile run around the National Park.

Burpees, cleans, no-touch- box jumpovers, lugging kettle bells, heavy-bag carries, reps, thursters and pull-ups were all witnessed over the course of the next 4 events when the competition reconvened at 1pm; and the boisterous crowd was sent into a frenzy at intervals.

After three events, Dillon Mahadeo of CrossFit 592 was in prime position to sweep the competition, but a split- second slip in event# 4 raised question marks about his chances, especially with his op-

push-ups, muscle-ups, deadlifts, and a handstand walk were all on the cards, they saw Dillon Mahadeo breezing his way through these exercises in just about 5 minutes, to be crowned the five-time champion with 485 points to his tally.

Following his awesome performance, a beaming Mahadeo shared that he was, most of all, grateful to his support system.

“It feels great to be back here for the sixth time, winning my fifth title. I must say, ‘Thank you’, to all my supporters, my sponsors, Fitness Express, MVP Sports, Premyum, Fireside Grill, Lotus Hardware and Degree, my family, my mother, my siblings.

“You know you can’t get here without your support system, so I’m just very grateful and thankful. It feels great to come here and retain my title,” an ecstatic Mahadeo declared.

The female championship contest was equally captivating, with similar events in smaller measure.

Eventual champion Delice Adonis of CrossFit 592 got off to a slow start in her one-mile run, finishing fifth in a field of 10 competitors.

She, nevertheless, bounced back to two

The Surinamese female trio during their penultimate event

while Trinidad and Tobago’s Shane Hamel- Smith (We Heart CrossFit) finished third with 442 points and took home $300,000. Guyana’s Kellon Reid (Fitness Addicts/Sharpy Fitness Gym) and Suriname’s Mark Tawjoeram (Rock CrossFit, Paramaribo) had 414 and 410 points respectively, and they copped the $200,000 and $100,000 fourth and fifth prizes respectively.

Kim Pinas of Suriname’s Rock CrossFit was second to Adonis in the female category with 445 points. Semonica Duke and her Genesis Fitness Gym mate Tonnica

in the Over-30 category. While he did not make it to the final event, Thomas finished on 296 points.

Guyana’s Paul Meusa of Kares CrossFit was second with 264 points, while Shawn DeJesus of Living the Dream was third with 249 points. They pocketed $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Sponsors of this auspicious event included Lotus Hardware, Kares CrossFit, Ansa McAl, MVP Sports, Fitness Express, Pollo Tropical, Birkenstock, St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Star Party Rentals, and Genesis Fitness Gym.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

Kares Caribbean Fitness Challenge…

Mahadeo, Adonis are fittest duo in Guyana WICB PCL Regional 4-Day Championship…

Page 20

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