Guyana Times Daily August 10 2017

7 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Issue No. 3297

Press freedom under threat

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

PSC, GCCI appeal to President not to assent

See stories on pages 3&9

Red House lease challenge

AG's P9 submissions overruled

... another conservatory order granted

... Opposition to challenge Broadcast Bill in court

Granny jailed, fined $21M for cocaine in cylinder

… charge against teen grandson withdrawn

Page 11

Nabbed: Ryan Singh

Assassination claim

Nephew P8 slapped with murder charge … accused of beheading uncle

Page 7

Man who slashed girlfriend’s throat nabbed in Berbice

Accuser’s former landlady advised him – CoI to ‘wuk obeah’ hears Page 11

Mother charged for arranging sex for underage daughter Page 12

Police offer $10M reward P10 for prison escapees

Kabakaburi P7 livelihood affected as GFC halts lumbering activities – Toshao

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West Berbice rice farmers’ 50-year leases

CJ rules President’s revocation “unlawful, null & void”

– applicants get $300,000 in court costs

S

ix West Coast Berbice (WCB) rice farmers have mounted a successful legal challenge against the revocation of their leases for lands at Seafield and No. 40 Village, under control of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA).

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, has ruled that their leases constitute property under Article 142 of the Constitution, and the President’s revocation of those leases amounts to depriving the applicants of property without compensating them, as noted in Article 142 of the Constitution.

The applicants -Brian George and Tiffany Hubbard; Vaughn Aaron; Joylyn, Gratien and Herman Nicholson – were, in November 2014, granted by former President Donald Ramotar fifty-year leases for State land located in the rear of No. 40 Village, West Coast Berbice. The MMA/ ADA cancelled the state land leases last year, and these WCB farmers filed legal action challenging that cancellation.

The farmers claimed that as the leases were granted by the former President, only the Head of State could

session of the land to the MMA/ADA.” According to Acting Chief Justice George in her ruling on Tuesday, cancellation of the applicants’ leases amounted to compulsory acquisition of their leasehold interest without prompt payment of any, or ade-

of MMA/ADA, or any other officer of the State, from entering upon, remaining, occupying, or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the applicants’ quiet and peaceful possession, occupation, and enjoyment of the said lease unless compensation which is to be deter-

Basil Williams, to the effect that President Granger’s actions are immune from legal challenge, and that the applicants’ leases were invalid because they were not signed by President Donald Ramotar.

“The Court held that the applicants’ leases were prop-

President David Granger

Chief Justice Roxane George SC

rightfully cancel the leases.

After months of hearing, former Chief Justice Ian Chang had, in February, ruled in favour of the farmers and quashed the cancellation of their leases.

However, in a turn of events, the farmers had, on March 18, observed a publication in the newspapers which stated: “Notice is hereby given that His Excellency, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, has cancelled all State land leases as described in the Schedules hereunder.”

On March 21, the farmers received official letters from MMA, reportedly ordering that “they must cease occupation and give up pos-

Some of the Region Five rice farmers whose lawsuit was defended by Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall

quate, compensation, as is guaranteed by Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana.

The acting Chief Justice further ruled that “cancellation of the applicants’ leases was unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”

The court also granted to the applicants a conservatory order which prohibits the servants and/or agents

mined by the parties is paid.

The Court has, moreover, ordered that costs be paid to the applicants in the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000).

Attorney for the applicants, Anil Nandlall, in a statement, expressed that Chief Justice George “rejected the arguments” advanced by Attorney-General

erly executed, and were valid and binding,” Nandlall pointed out.

The former Attorney General stressed that at no time were the applicants afforded a hearing by any person or body or authority, thus they had not been offered opportunity to show justification why their leases should not have been can-

celled.

He further explained that reasons for the cancellation were never given.

As such, his clients were seeking damages in excess of ($5,000,000) five million dollars for breach of their fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed by Articles 142 and 153 of the Constitution of Guyana; besides exemplary damages and special damages. Johnson is asking for special damages in the sum of $692,500 and continuing for every rice crop; while Blackman is seeking $619,000 and continuing for every rice crop; and Miller is seeking $346,500 and continuing for every rice crop.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 10 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, August 11 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 10 – 05:50h-07:20h and Friday, August 11 – 06:30h-08:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning hours, while light rain showers can be expected in the afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.68 metre to 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:03h and 18:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.73 metres and 2.67 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:00h reaching a minimum height of 0.50 metre.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

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Tuesday, August 8, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 02 04 05 10 11 LUCKY 3 2 2 7 Afternoon Draw

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Opposition to challenge Broadcast Bill in court T

he opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has announced plans to challenge in the High Court the controversial Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2017 which was recently passed in the National Assembly.

Acknowledging the support received from major international press bodies on arguments about the ramification of the Bill, the Opposition has said it plans to take the matter one step further.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall announced on Wednesday that the PPP would challenge the matter in court, since the Bill tramples on the right to press freedom.

Nandlall asserted that the matter would be challenged on several grounds, but especially on ground of the licence having the same spectrum reach. “All of that is deprivation of property, as well as violation of the constitutional right of freedom of the press,” he said.

The former Attorney General has said the other aspect of the legal challenge will be based on the mandatory imposition of one hour of Government service on private broadcasters’ media.

“It’s an interference with my right not to listen to Government programmes, and my right not to air (them). It is also an infringement of the people’s constitutional right to property, because you are taking away basically one hour of airtime from them, which they can otherwise sell.”

Nandlall argues that the Bill is another indication that Government has a fundamental problem with private property.

“Something is wrong with them when it comes to private property,” he added.

He reminded that a broadcasting licence is a powerful commercial instrument which can be traded or sold. Because it has economic value, it is considered in law private property.

“They have obsessed themselves with the argument of the radio licence issue, making that a huge political issue to detract from the real violation. This law that they have passed goes way beyond the radio licence issue; it terminates all radio licences (issued) from 2011, and even those obtained in 1991.”

Regardless of the Government’s position on

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall maintains that the Bill in “unconstitutional”

this matter, Nandlall says, the Opposition feels vindicated by the support it has received from the international media watchdogs.

“You will see that the identical ground by which we objected to the Bill is the same ground that the international agencies have found the Bill objectionable. It shows the genuineness of our criticism.”

The parliamentary Opposition has maintained that the Bill in its current form is ‘unconstitutional’, and will have several implications on private broadcasters. Broadcasters have been advised to challenge the Bill in court, because it would have far reaching repercussions that could harm their businesses.

Nandlall had opined

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who has responsibility for information, tabled the Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2017 in the National Assembly

that a “properly advised” court would strike down the Bill as unconstitutional. The former Attorney General has said private broadcasters could file for a conservatory order to block the law from taking force, something he said broadcasters have already expressed a willingness to do.

Apart from obtaining a conservatory order, Nandlall said, those who file the court action could seek damages for breach of constitutional rights.

The Government used its parliamentary majority on Friday last to pass the Broadcast Amendment Bill although several bodies have come out in criticism of the Bill, including the Guyana Press Association.

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

Reducing diabetes in Guyana

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he Government has initiated steps to reduce the number of deaths from harmful tobacco usage in the population. But this is only one of the four risk factors that lead to the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases that account for 70 per cent of all deaths here.

The four main NCD’s – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory – disease amounts for the highest burden on mortality and morbidity.

Diabetes occurs when two processes are impaired – both connected to the body dealing with the transportation of glucose sugar to the cells of the body via the blood. All carbohydrates and sugars are digested to glucose – which is small-molecule sugar for easier transportation to the cells that use it to produce energy for our activities. Too high a concentration of glucose in the blood, however, adversely affects several organs in the body in addition to forcing the cells to break down other molecules – even our proteins – to obtain energy.

The affected organs are the eyes, heart, kidney and the feet and cumulatively debilitates the patient in the early stages and can lead to death in the end. Diabetes, for instance, increases heart attack risk by up to three times for men and five times for women.

However, diabetes is one of the NCD’s caused by the other three risk factors – unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. A programme to reduce these risks is within the capabilities of the Public Health Ministry, since it involves primarily education.

There are verbal questionnaires that can indicate a predisposition in persons towards developing type 2 diabetes. If these are conducted early enough, a change of lifestyle to incorporate the above mentioned factors of regular exercise and controlled diet have been shown capable of averting the diabetic condition.

The body controls the level of glucose sugar in the blood at a safe, optimum level by secreting the hormone insulin from the pancreas whenever the level rises beyond that level. There are two types of diabetes: type 1, in which the body is unable to produce the hormone insulin; and type 2, in which the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Type 2 is the most common form, accounting for around 90 per cent of all diabetes cases worldwide. Type 1 is diagnosed very early one and affects mostly children while type 2 develops gradually and manifests its effects generally in adults approaching their 40s. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas production of insulin could be impaired as well as the mechanisms by which glucose sugar is transmitted from the blood through the cell walls.

The treatments for diabetes attempt to positively assist the impaired processes. There can be the direct intake of insulin at prescribed times, which is the only path for type 1 patients and type 2 patients at an advanced stage. There are also medications that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin as well as some to assist in glucose transfer into the cells. It has been found that mild daily exercise also assists in the latter process and coupled with a diet that is low on sugars, easily digestible carbohydrates and high of leafy vegetables and lean protein, can significantly lower glucose levels in the blood.

Guyana had 61,800 cases of diabetes in 2014 leading to a rate of 14.3 per cent for the adult population (2079 years) which is significantly higher than the world rate across the age spectrum. There were 1025 persons whose deaths were directly attributed to diabetes. These are very alarming figures.

Over the past decade, the Government of Guyana has done a credible job of improving the facilities for dealing with diabetes-related medical complications, such as infected and gangrenous feet in patients. This must be continued but conjoined with an even more robust programme to prevent the development of the condition.

We have avoided describing diabetes as a “disease” because of the impact of factors within the control in the individual to prevent or control the condition.

Devotees play flutes during a parade commemorating the Neku Jatra-Mataya festival, otherwise known as the Festival of Lights, in Lalitpur, Nepal (Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Indians not given free land during indentureship Dear Editor, My ultra-nationalist African friend Eric Phillips asserts that Indians received free land and Africans bought land during the period of indentured servitude. That conclusion is not supported by facts. It is a misnomer that Indians were “given” land during indentureship.

Indians were due money, and in lieu of the money, they were given worthless land as compensation.

In effect, Indians paid for land just as the freed slaves did, with the exception being that Africans bought cleared estate land (ready for cultivation) whereas Indians bought “uncleared” swamp land or forests that they had to prepare for tillage.

The record showed that almost anytime during indentureship, Africans and Portuguese owned more land than Indians. Indians bought or leased land from Africans, Portuguese, and the British; that in itself suggests that Indians owed less land than others.

When slavery ended in 1838, Whites abandoned the estates that became

valueless. It is asserted that the White missionaries induced the freed slaves to purchase the abandoned land that remained fallow.

The freed slaves pooled their meagre savings from their four years of paid apprenticeship to purchase villages on the estates. It could not be determined if the Africans got fair value for their money. The value of the land could not be resolved, as land was not being bought and sold at the time. Land was free, and only the British owned land given to them by the crown.

The British bought and/ or sold the land. Cost per acre of land was not known.

Different areas would have a different value for land.

Cleared estate land (where Africans settled) would be more valuable than swamp land with thick vegetation, or plain barren land, or mud-land that Indians were provided with in exchange for their money owed.

Indians were given a little piece of land, as compared with Africans who bought entire villages (or estates). It can be safely argued that the estate land

was worthless, since they were abandoned post-slavery, with most of the owners leaving or having already left for UK. Some of the owners handed over their estates to the two Bookers brothers, both lawyers, to look after their land interest.

Land was available for purchase dirt cheap. The Bookers brothers bought out several estates at bargain prices. The Tinne family from Liverpool, that owned Diamond Estate, also bought cheaply a few estates that came to be known as Sandbach Parker.

The ex-slaves bought a handful of villages for the equivalent of a few hundred dollars at that time. It is estimated that the land was sold for between one and two dollars per acre.

Land transfer occurred around 1840s. Both Portuguese and Africans bought land, like the British. Indians would start buying land much later, during the 1860s.

Africans and Portuguese owned much more land than Indians. By the 1880s, over a third of the Indians had returned to India. The

others were owed a return passage of around $50 at that time. Instead of paying the money, the planters cried they had no funds, and offered land for money owed. As done to Africans, Indians were induced to exchange money for land.

As Prof.

Lomarsh Roopnarine tells us, just over two thousand Indians (of less than 1% of the indentureds) obtained a plot of land varying in size of up to five acres (a few received ten acres) in lieu of money owed.

During the 1880s, Prof Basdeo Mangru tells us, some 38,000 Indians were entitled to a free return passage. Had they stayed back, they would have been entitled to over $4 million.

Indians were cheated of land. Useless un-cleared land was sold (exchanged) to them at a very high price.

Some of the land was barren, and the Indians abandoned them, losing their money. At no time did the Indians receive free land; land was obtained in exchange for money owed.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

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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

step in the GPL’s behaviour reprehensible Giant right direction

Dear Editor, The treatment recently meted out by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to the residents of Ocean View, Uitvlugt has been reprehensible.

For more than a decade, the two western blocks of Ocean View, Uitvlugt have experienced severe problems with the transformer. Since the start of this year, there have been an increasing number of disruptions and explosions of the transformer, which have resulted in long blackouts.

GPL’s response has become disturbingly slothful

and neglectful. The last two weeks have been especially atrocious. Just before midnight on 28th July, 2017, there was an explosion in the transformer. Although numerous reports were immediately made to GPL, the Emergency Response Crew came some 12 hours later to address the problem. The remedy lasted for a mere six hours, because the transformer exploded again at 18:00 (6pm) on 29th July, 2017. This time the area endured a blackout of more than 18 hours by the time the Crew showed up.

This reprieve was brief, as it was followed by two succes-

sive blackouts to the grid.

On Tuesday night, a small explosion was heard from the transformer at 7pm. A report was made and the Emergency Crew came at 21:00 hrs (9pm). The Crew members informed us that they are the Georgetown Emergency Crew and so they would not fix the transformer. Incredibly, we were advised that the problem would be addressed the following day by the West Demerara Emergency Crew.

Editor, at the time of writing this letter, 15 hours later, the crew is yet to show.

I cannot overemphasize the inconvenience and discom-

fort this situation has caused and is causing. Shopkeepers in the area have suffered significant losses. Moreover, extended periods of darkness are especially concerning in these troubled times.

GPL should engage the residents on the causes for the frequent disruptions to this transformer; and, above all, should work with the community to remedy the situation.

Sincerely, Leo Ramotar (Editor Note: Electricity was re stored in the area at 15:15hrs)

Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry needs to help families Dear Editor, The Mabaruma sub-regional hospital (at BarimaWaini) is desperately in need of medical supplies to treat patients bitten by scorpions and snakes, since it is a hinterland hospital.

On Saturday, August 5, 2017, four-year-old Keishon Campbell of the Mabaruma township was bitten by a scorpion, which carries poison. The child’s parents quickly rushed him to the Mabaruma hospital, but, unfortunately, the hospital had no remedy for persons

bitten by poisonous scorpions or snakes. The hospital tried to administer “saline” to the child, but his condition worsened and he was air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he died on the same day.

Can the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) say why hinterland hospitals are not supplied with the drugs to treat patients bitten by poisonous scorpions and snakes? The MoPH is responsible for the child’s death, and would be respon-

sible for the deaths of hinterland patients bitten by poisonous scorpions and snakes.

Will Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, and his Junior Minister, Valerie GarredoLowe, assist the child’s parents to return to Mabaruma with the child’s remains, so he can have a decent burial?

In fact, the only assistance given by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MoIPA) to the close relatives of poor hinter-

land patients when they die in Georgetown is a mere $30,000. The question is: will an innocent four-yearold Amerindian child from the Mabaruma township be given a “poor or criminal burial” in Georgetown by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MoIPA), instead of assisting to take the child’s body back to Mabaruma for a decent burial? I am currently monitoring the situation.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Killing the sugar industry Dear Editor, I read through a media report that embattled Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, is reported to have said, during a visit to the Caricom Cement factory on August 06, 2017, “Sugar doesn’t have a future”.

This is a most disingenuous statement from the VP. The reason sugar does not have a future is because of Mr Ramjattan and his Government’s incompetence in managing the affairs of the industry. Several persons and organisations have pointed to the value of the sugar industry in furthering national development and promoting rural social stability; But, for whatever reason, Ramjattan and company are intent on killing the industry, and will kill a great part of rural coastal Guyana in the process.

The minister’s statement is poles apart from what he

preached during the 2015 Elections Campaign. I recall his lusty serenades about the importance of the sugar industry, and more so its workers. He reminded the nation that sugar was “too big to fail”, and that the Coalition was going to fix it.

Now what do we have: one estate closed, two more slated for closure, and another up for sale.

Certainly, no one having listened to Mr Ramjattan in 2015 would have imagined this is the fix he and his colleagues had in mind.

The report also goes on to say that the ‘goodly’ Minister lobbied the Cement factory to hire some of the workers who would be displaced when Rose Hall is closed. But this is akin to a two-card con. The workers who may be employed would be engaged as labourers.

Undoubtedly, their rates-ofpay and benefits would be very dissimilar from what

they enjoyed as sugar workers. Furthermore, with excess labour supply in the area, pay rates would clear-

ly be depressed.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud

Dear Editor, All four daily newspapers, in their Wednesday, August 9, 2017 editions, carried articles on His Excellency, President David Granger's request for the Police Service Commission to put on hold police officers' promotions.

Let me be pellucid: I hold no brief for the President or the Government of Guyana on the issue. I have no political ambition, nor do I seek public office. However, I have an abiding interest in law enforcement, more so the Guyana Police Force.

I want the Police to act professionally at all times, and to deliver the highest quality of service to the citizens of Guyana, whom they swore to serve and protect; hence my letters to the press.

Here is my take on the vexed issue in question: The conduct of many senior and junior officers of the GPF is being questioned at the Commission of Inquiry been conducted by Paul Slowe, retired

Assistant Commissioner of Police. These officers have been highly recommended to the Police Service Commission for promotion.

What if the PSC goes ahead now and promote them, and the CoI finds them guilty of misconduct? On the other hand, why not wait a short while, until the CoI completes it work. Certainly, if the CoI clears the officers of any misconduct, they will be promoted. That will be well within the ambit of justice and fair play for all. It is only a matter of time.

I agree with the action of the President. It is a giant step in the right direction.

Let there be many swifter, certain and appropriate actions by His Excellency, David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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Foundation

Building classroom community – 5 ways to set up a gender inclusive classroom

BY ELIZABETH J MEYER, PHD

I

t is back to school time and I just completed our student teaching kick-off event which got me thinking about classroom community and climate. Talking with beginning teachers about ways to communicate inclusiveness and respect for diversity got me thinking about the ways I have learned to set this up in my classes with a specific attention to gender diversity. The ideas here were started during my time as a high school teacher and have continued to evolve while teaching at the university level. I do believe all of these can be applied in some form at any age-level.

1) Inclusive welcome I learned this wonderful strategy from a colleague from Saskatchewan at a conference years ago and have been refining it ever since. She told me about how she would start a new year/term with every class using a very intentional and thought out welcome address. I started using it in the first five minutes of any new class I taught and it is one of the things my students remember distinctly and ask to borrow most often. I start off by saying: “Because who we are matters and our identities and experiences impact how we learn and engage or disengage from learning environments, I want to start with a very clear and explicit effort to acknowledge and welcome your full selves into our classroom.

I would like to welcome: * People of all races and ethnicities, biracial and multiethnic people, and people from other racialised and minoritised cultural groups. Our race, culture, and identities impact how we see ourselves, how others see us, and how we engage with school and society. You are all welcome in this classroom. * I would also like to welcome Atheists, Agnostics, Bahai, Buddhists, Catholics, Christians, Jews, Muslim and pagan people, and people of all religious and faith traditions. How we view the world and our place in it deeply shapes us and our world views. Please explore and examine how your own spirituality shapes the ideas you connect with and resist and respect others' perspectives if they are different from your own. * I now want to welcome citizens, immigrants, international students, permanent residents, undocumented students, and folks of all immigration statuses. Your status impacts your interactions with financial aid, law enforcement, and other social institutions. It helps you see different strengths and limitations of our nation and it matters in this classroom. You can share or not share your status with us, but we want you to feel safe and supported to speak about it here. * Next I would like to welcome people of all abilities: those with a learning disability, physical disability, mental disability and other visible, and invisible disabilities. These impact the resources and challenges we have to draw on as learners. If you

require accommodations or have information that can help me make this class more accessible for you, please be sure to let me know. * Please welcome people of all social classes: poor, working class, middle class, upper class; people who have experienced homelessness or food instability, people who have experienced upward and downward mobility in their lifetimes. These impact our access to educational opportunities, health care, housing, nutrition and how much energy we have available to invest in learning, studying, working, and supporting our families. * Thank you. If at any time during this class you’d like to add or remind us about this welcome, please let me know or feel free to do so yourself.

Who we are matters and I want to invite you to bring all parts of who you are into this learning environment. Your identities and experiences shape how you experience the world and offer us all new ways of seeing and understanding the world. I hope you will share those experiences with us so we can all broaden our horizons and develop deeper and more diverse understandings of the world and trust and respect for each other.”

Some of this language may need to be adapted to your student body, but hopefully this template is a starting point to help you think about how you want to welcome students.

2) Introduce yourself intentionally This is a standard first day thing all teachers & professors do, but the way you do it will impact students differently. You can tell your students you are going to introduce yourself using the name and pronouns you want people to use in interacting with you and then you will ask them to do the same (in small groups or to the whole room).

“My name is Liz – please address me as Liz, Dr Meyer, or Professor. I am happy with any of the three – use what feels best for you. I use she/her/hers pronouns. When you introduce yourselves, please give us the name you want us to use in this class and the pronouns that feel right for you. Some possibilities include: he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, and ze/hir/hirs.

If it changes during the year, please let me know so I can be sure to recognize you the way that feels most affirming to you.”

3) Don’t “call the roll” I have stopped this practice for many reasons including gender diversity. There are often students who don’t use their legal first names, many students who dread it because their names are chronically mispronounced, and some students whose legal name does not reflect their gender identity. I like to work a warm-up /team-building activity in the first 15 minutes to help me learn student names and promote activity and collaboration early on. One of my favourite “roll call replacement” activities is a standard Line-up challenge where the task is for students to line up alphabetically by last name without talking. If students have been in school together for many years they might need a different challenge (birthday order by month from JanDec or middle names). (psychologytoday.com) TO BE CONTINUED

5 strategies to build healthier classroom relationships

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uilding positive relationships within a classroom has a major impact on a student’s academic and behavioural success. When students believe that their teacher values and respects them, they are more likely to value and respect the teacher. This mutual respect leads to students behaving more appropriately and participating in classroom activities. In addition to a healthy relationship between teacher and student, healthy peer-topeer relationships encourage inclusion, participation and make children feel safe. When children feel safe in the classroom, they are more likely to take positive risks both academically and socially.

With these benefits in mind, it’s not hard to believe that building healthy relationships is very important!

Here are five tips to creating healthy classroom relationships and transforming the culture of your classroom: 1. Greet students at the door and use their names.

This lets students know that you know who they are and care for them. Additionally, you will have a pulse on the emotional state of students as they enter your room. For a fun twist you could even come

up with a class handshake.

2. Call on students randomly and equitably. Students view themselves (and are viewed by others) as more reputable when the teacher trusts them enough to call on them in class. Try these different ways to call on your students randomly and equitably.

3. Allow for journal writing or other activities that allow students to share their experiences. This gives students a voice and a stake in their classroom.

4. Engage students in cooperative activities. Cooperative learning allows for peers to rely on each other, to begin to trust each other, to problem-solve, to practice conflict-management, and to use social skills. Use these ideas to build your classroom community.

5. Increase class pride by displaying student work and showing your pride through verbal praise. Relationships are the hallmark of positive, welcoming, and focused classrooms. The development of strong relationships can create a positive classroom climate in which students feel welcome, validated, and can learn and thrive. (boystowntraining. org)

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Kabakaburi livelihood Granny jailed, fined $21M affected as GFC halts lumbering for cocaine in cylinder … charge against teen grandson withdrawn activities – Toshao Cocaine stashed in gas cylinder

Toshao Cleveland Simon The cocaine blocks concealed in the gas cylinder

The well wrapped rectangular blocks of cocaine found at the Delph Avenue home

aiomi Persaud, the 51-year-old woman who admitted ownership of some 20 pounds of cocaine discovered by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks stashed in a cooking gas cylinder in her home, was on Wednesday jailed when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The woman pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

That charge alleged that on August 7, 2017, she

cricketer and his girlfriend were arrested for the crime as they were present when the drugs were unearthed.

However, the young woman was questioned and released following the disclosure by Persaud that she was the owner of the prohibited substance.

Her grandson had the charges against him dropped following the woman’s guilty plea in court on Wednesday.

A wanted bulletin was issued for the owner of the house, Andre Gomes, called

N

was found to be in possession of the cocaine at her Campbellville, Georgetown house. CANU ranks had swooped down on the house and conducted a search of the premises, unearthing nine well wrapped rectangular packages hidden in a cooking gas cylinder that had a false bottom.

Persaud was also fined $21 million which is the calculated street value of the drugs.

Originally, the woman’s 17-year-old grandson who is an Under-19 Guyanese

“Zipper” in which the drugs were reportedly discovered.

The man is said to have had previous brushes with the law and it is alleged that Persaud and Gomes share a relationship.

The US Embassy is also said to have now revoked the visitor’s visa of Persaud.

On the day of the discovery, the cocaine was unearthed concealed in nine packages which were hidden in the gas cylinder which had a false bottom.

T

he livelihood of hundreds of Amerindians living in the village of Kabakaburi, in the Upper Pomeroon riverine community of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), is currently being adversely affected by the cessation of lumbering activities ordered by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

Kabakaburi Toshao Cleveland Simon revealed that the village economy has declined since the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) brought a halt to all lum-

bering activities there, and villagers are now burdened with depleted spending power.

"Most of the residents depend on lumbering, (yet) they were ordered to stop harvesting… This is unacceptable, and something needs to be done," Simon bemoaned.

Simon disclosed that he is currently requesting the village "Land Map", in order to lay to rest the issue of village demarcation, because the GFC is contending that his villagers are harvesting lumber from outside the village boundaries.

He said residents are fully aware of the village’s boundaries, but having the Land Map would put the issue to rest. His only problem is knowing for sure whether the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) would release the map.

The matter, he disclosed, is currently engaging the attention of the hierarchy of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), besides those of the Ministry of Indigenous People's Affairs and other relevant authorities.

Simon says he is very concerned about his people's welfare, and would be happy to have the matter resolved promptly.

(Indrawattie Natram)

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thursDAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Nephew slapped with murder charge

… accused of beheading uncle

T

he former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank who on Sunday morning allegedly decapitated his uncle over a land dispute, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Dwayne Tappin, called “Waynie”, appeared before Magistrate Ashley George and had the indictable charge of murder read to him.

The charge alleged that on August 6, 2017, at Lot 125 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, he murdered his 51-year-old uncle, Randolph Seenauth.

The 27-year-old was re-

manded. The case will continue on September 28.

Guyana Times had previously reported that Seenauth’s head was found separate from his body in his bloodied home early Sunday morning by Police ranks that were called to the area at the behest of neighbours.

Neighbours were reportedly awakened by a loud commotion coming from the property and the Police were called to investigate.

This publication understands that after hacking his uncle to death, Tappin fled the scene but later surrendered to the Police and

Murder accused: Dwayne Tappin, called “Waynie”

confessed.

Meanwhile,

the

dead

man’s sister, Indra Seenauth, revealed that the murder stemmed from a land dispute in the family coupled with another incident.

It was reported that Tappin accompanied by two male friends allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl. The matter was reported and the 27-year-old man had since threatened to kill Seenauth, whom he believed reported the matter to the Police.

However, Indra Seenauth denied that the dead man reported the matter as she disclosed that he is epileptic and as such cannot read and write.

Teen who blamed ganja smoking for committing crime fined

N

awali Clarke, the 18-year-old who was late last month charged for robbery under arms, was on Wednesday fined for the crime after he admitted to the charge.

The charge against the Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown teen, read that on June 6, 2017, at North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Sally Khan of one Samsung S5 cellphone valued $120,000 and on the same day, he robbed Joel Ramsarran of one Samsung S4 valued $45,000.

During his first court appearance, the teen had denied the charge but on Wednesday he changed his

plea to guilty.

The defendant was placed in the care of a Probation Officer who read a report to the court on her finding after her interaction with him.

Following her disclosures to the court, Magistrate Fabayo Azore asked the defendant why he committed the act.

He explained to her that “I tend to do negative things

when I am under the influence of marijuana.”

Magistrate Azore told the teen that it is not the custom of the court to imprison young people. She told him that sending him to jail would not help him.

She also told him that the court recognises that he did not waste its time and that he acknowledged he indeed needed help.

As such, the Magistrate

fined the defendant $25,000 on each of the charges against him and recommended that he receives counselling.

He was ordered to meet with a probation officer no less than three times per month for six months.

It was previously reported that Clarke pounced on the Virtual Complainants (VC) from behind. He placed a knife to the neck of one of the VCs before relieving them of the valuables.

The matter was reported to the Police and CCTV footage showed the defendant carrying out the act. As such, he was arrested and charged with the offence.

Clarke apologised to the VCs in open court.

Forever…

Y

…the first esterday was “World Indigenous People’s Day”.

Unfortunately, even though they’re the fastest growing segment of our population – and now approach 12 per cent overall – there was almost nothing done by Government to highlight the significance of the day. This is more than passing strange. First of all, on their own merits, all Guyana must acknowledge the significance of our Indigenous peoples.

Whether we like it or not – and there are some in the Government who don’t like “it” – we are inheritors of folks who used the principle of “might is right” and seized all the land on which we live, from the Indigenous peoples. There’s no “ifs and buts” about THAT fact, Jack!!

We can’t, on one hand, seek reparations from the Big and Bad “white man” for enslaving us, while at the same time pretend to forget we’re squatting on the Indigenous peoples’ lands seized by those same “Big and Bad”.

The least the Government could’ve done was thank the Indigenous peoples for allowing us to live here. Since back in the day, those white men arbitrarily rewrote international law to justify them taking “ownership” of the lands, how would we feel if the Indigenous peoples now reject those laws and drive us back into the Atlantic Ocean across which, we were brought?

After all, over in South Africa, some Indigenous peoples (African tribes) have demanded the courts reject those old land ownership claims based on conquest and the courts have given them title. Check it out!! The courts rejected the riposte that when the white Dutch “Africaans” arrived in that part of Africa, the particular African tribes there now, hadn’t been “indigenous” then!!

Even if they’d been living elsewhere – they were living in Africa! Not having the Dutch notion of “land rights”, they obviously couldn’t have stated their claims in that idiom!!

The Indigenous peoples of Australia (“Aboriginals”) are making similar claims and having them accepted!

But your Eyewitness was sure, for more prosaic reasons, the Government would’ve “bigged up” the Indigenous peoples yesterday: their voting power. With the gap between the Government and the PPP Opposition only a measly 4500 votes, one would’ve thought the fiftythousand plus “hinterland votes” – plus their “regional seats” on account of their distribution was a valuable prize to woo.

So there must be very powerful Anti-Indigenous peoples forces in play for them to be given such short shrift. As explained above, your Eyewitness believes this is very sad on both pragmatic and moral grounds. Or is the Government biding its time until they officially launch “Amerindian Heritage Month” in September.

Too late shall be the cry!!

…blackouts The Public Infrastructure Minister just said he’s sorry about the ever-increasing spate of blackouts the country’s been subjected to over the past six months. He’s clearly forgotten that being Minister in Guyana means “never having to say you’re sorry”!! But really…your Eyewitness isn’t surprised at the blackouts. Ever since the leaders of the PNC vowed to continue with the “legacy” of their comrade leader Burnham, what other course of action was there?

Ask anyone old enough to “have sense” during the Burnham years as to what do they remember most about those days – and without fail they’ll shout (in anger) “Blackouts!!” Since at the death anniversary of Burnham last weekend, the “legacy” vow was reaffirmed, it wasn’t surprising that some sections of the country hadn’t received any electricity for almost a week. Even though GPL’s awash in cash because of rock-bottom oil prices!

Your Eyewitness is just hoping the Government isn’t planning to widen the “legacy” to ban “ice apple”.

What would his Christmas be without this essential reminder of the Divinity?

…fit?

In passing over the Queen’s Baton to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, shouldn’t Prezzie have been running to ensure his deputy keep up with him for the hand-off?

Or did he suspect there were going to be issues not covered under Cummingsburg??!!

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

News

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thurSDAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt roasted on Broadcasting Bill

Controversial Broadcast Bill

“Flawed Amendment to GCCI appeals to President Flawed Act” – PSC not to assent T T he Private Sector Commission (PSC) said it has noted with increasing concern, the passing last Friday, August 4, 2017, of the Broadcast (Amendment) Bill 2017, now before the President for his ascent.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday night, said it preferred to refrain from commenting on this Bill, which is clearly contentious, until it had been fully debated in the National Assembly.

“The Bill will now amend the Broadcast Bill 2011 which itself, though it did not invite much public attention at its passing, is, in the opinion of the Commission, far from adequate in a number of critical aspects in delivering a Broadcasting Authority and Law meeting certain fundamental provisions for administering and regulating broadcasting in our country,” the PSC stated.

It noted that the 2011 Bill, for instance, establishes a Broadcasting Authority, entirely composed of persons appointed solely by the President, completely compromising the independence of the Authority.

“The precedent has long been set in the United Kingdom, Canada and the majority of

Commonwealth Countries and in the USA, to ensure that, even though broadcasting authorities are appointed by the Government, in practice there is extensive and widespread consultation with the political Opposition and civil society as to their composition,” the PSC contended.

“The Commission, in fact, holds the view that this Government has missed a golden opportunity to have revisited and revised the 2011 Broadcasting Bill which did not, at the time of its passing, receive full and adequate consultation with licensed broadcast owners and the general public. Instead, the Government has used its majority in Parliament to enforce amendments of a bad bill which bring into question the Government’s intention with regard to the Amendment’s real purpose and the Government’s commitment to freedom of expression in the broadcast media,” the PSC added.

The Bill to amend the Broadcast Bill 2011, offensively, provides for the cancellation of all current broadcasting licences in place immediately before the commencement of the Act, forcing these licensees out

of business with no option but to reapply for a licence in a totally unreasonable period of time.

The PSC said it wishes to point out that these licences were issued under the law, however bad the law, to broadcasters who have made considerable investment and accepted in good faith that they will not be arbitrarily cancelled without cause.

“In fact, the Amendment to the Broadcast Bill has been introduced by the Government without any serious prior consultation with Broadcast Licensees, never mind public hearings. The Commission finds this to be totally unacceptable and a complete departure from internationally accepted norm and practice.”

The Amendment of the Broadcast Bill also, again without any consultation, provides for the Broadcasting Authority to enforce the provision of broadcasting time on licensees of a minimum of one hour per day at times which include prime time commercial broadcasts for the purpose of “public service programmes”, whatever that may be, entirely at the discretion of the Prime Minister who, in any event, has

ultimate direction over broadcasting content under the 2011 Bill.

The Commission, while acknowledging that there is legislative precedent for Government to place public service programmes on private commercial broadcast stations, said the nature and content of this material is usually very carefully defined in broadcast regulations to ensure against programmes involving political and/or controversial material intended specifically to serve the interest of any political party outside of an election period.

The Private Sector Commission urges the President to send the Bill amending the Broadcast Act back to Parliament for extensive public consultation with the Broadcasting Licensees, and, indeed, the general public.

The Commission further encourages the President to consider amendment and revision of the 2011 Broadcasting Act to reflect a broadcasting policy and philosophy for using the airwaves which will serve the public interest and convenience subject to the constitutional guarantees of free speech and expression.

he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has expressed concern over Government using its “slim majority” to advance legislation to amend the Broadcast Bill.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the GCCI appealed to President Granger to withhold his assent to the Bill in its current format, urging the Head of State to instead send it to a Select Committee.

The GCCI has posited that the bill should be handed over to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo -- who has the Information portfolio -- to hold consultations with various industry stakeholders.

The GCCI has opined that Government should consider amending the language in the bill in an effort to make it more appealing to stakeholders. The body pointed out that its stance was taken following various consultations among its members within the media industry.

“GCCI would like to register its concerns with the current legislation approved by a

Red House lease challenge

AG's submissions overruled ... another conservatory order granted

T

he Opposition People's Progress Party has managed to secure from the High Court two conservatory orders blocking the State from ejecting the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) from Red House in Kingston, Georgetown.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, on Wednesday overruled every submission made by Attorney General Basil Williams, and refused his request that the CJRC case be dismissed.

The Chief Justice upheld submissions made by Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall on behalf of the CJRC: that there are serious issues to be tried, and those cannot be determined at the interlocutory stage.

Attorney Nandlall later disclosed that the interlocutory conservatory orders were granted to preserve the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the principal matter.

He said the first order has to do with preventing or restraining the defendants, their servants and/or agents, or any other officer of the Government or the State of Guyana from ejecting or evicting the plaintiff, its servants and/or agents from the property.

And the second order prevents or restrains the respondents, their servants and/or agents, or any other officer of the Government or the State of Guyana from removing any documents, photographs, artifacts, souvenirs, furniture, fix-

tures and fittings, appliances, or any other movable property from the premises.

Nandlall said these proceedings were originally heard by Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards when she was acting in the capacity of Chief Justice, and she had rejected the preliminary argument of the Attorney General: that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear those proceedings. claimed that Nandall during Wednesday’s hearing, Williams had again attempted to mislead the court by insisting that the CJRC was no longer in possession of the Red House, and that the Government is in possession of the property.

Nandlall further said the Chief Justice has directed the plaintiff to file a Statement of Claim within 21 days, and has directed the defendants to file their response within 21 days

thereafter. The plaintiff was further directed to file a reply,

if necessary, within 14 days, and the matter was ordered to take its normal course.

Nandlall said the CJRC was also ordered to pay to the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys costs previously imposed by the Court but not as yet paid.

Attorney General Basil Williams had earlier this year expressed an opinion that the Red House lease was invalid and could not be pleaded in any court of justice. He had argued that the case should have been thrown out because the applicants had failed to make full and frank disclosures before the court.

But Nandlall, in response, had noted that the Attorney General’s arguments were premature at that stage; and

he had also accused the AG of pressuring the Chief Justice by signifying on several occasions that the President has a special interest in the Red House proceedings.

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, then acting Chief Justice, had said that while the President was immune from the proceedings, his actions were not. This had clarified the reiterated contention that the President’s actions could not be prosecuted.

President David Granger had, last year, given the occupants of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre 48 hours to vacate the premises, a directive which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had described as “unconscionable and vindictive”.

slim majority in Parliament…

We note that the legislation includes two particularly contentious portions,” the veteran body noted in reference to Section 9 (1) and the First Schedule of the 2017 Amendment to the Broadcast Bill.

According to Section 9 (1) of the bill, “Every person carrying on a broadcasting service immediately before the commencement of this Act, for which a licence had been previously issued, shall apply, within thirty days of the commencement of this Act, for a licence in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Act, as amended by this Act, for the continuation of the broadcasting service.”

The GCCI says this language “creates an abrupt process” which, in its view, could see some broadcasters and entrepreneurs “having to wind up their operations within an unreasonable amount of time”.

“Some of these entrepreneurs have invested into equipment and have bank debt securing their investment; therefore they would need a more reasonable timeframe and an appeals process that (would) allow for fairness in the process,” the GCCI has reasoned.

The GCCI further expressed its objection to the first schedule, which insists that: “Every broadcasting agency shall broadcast public service programmes in the following manner – (a) for a total of up to sixty minutes per day; (b) between 6:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs; and (c) free of cost.”

It also states that the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) reserves the right to direct a broadcasting agency to broadcast emergency notices or disaster warnings for any length of time, and regularly during peak or prime advertising time periods, depending on the nature of the emergency and having regard to public safety.

GCCI sees this section as Government intrusion, and highlighted that it threatens freedom of expression.

10 news

thurSdAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police offer $10M reward for recapture of prison escapees

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has amped up efforts to recapture the four remaining prison escapees. As such, the Force on Wednesday announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the remaining four prison escapees. The fugitives include three high profile prisoners, who escaped the Camp Street penitentiary during the July 9, 2017 riot where prison warden Odinga Wickham was shot dead. The remaining prisoner escaped from Lusignan on July 24.

Paul Goriah is the lone Lusignan inmate on the run while the wanted prisoners, who hijacked a taxi and fled the Camp Street Prison are Uree Varswyck; Mark Royden Durant, also known as “Royden Williams”; and Cobena Stephens, also known as “OJ”. These three are considered armed and very dangerous; so much so that Varswyck, an ex-cop was fingered by several prison officers as the gunman who murdered prison officer and principal breadwinner for his family, Odinga Wickham.

Varswyck, Durant and Stephens were believed to have been moving as a unit along with fellow Camp Street escapee Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander, but the latter was

re-captured by Police on July 29. During a period of heavy rain on July 24, 2017, 13 men – 10 who were charged for murder – escaped Lusignan via a dug-out hole which was

hidden under a make-shift pit latrine. Clive Forde, Pascal Smith, Kerry Cromwell, Odel Roberts, Kendell Skeet, Rayon Jones, Jason Howard, Shawn Harris, Paul Goriah and Jamal Forde were held for murder armed robbery; and accused inmates Teshawn McKenzie and Winston Long and attempted murder accused, Jamal Joseph. While 11 of the men were recaptured without incident, Clive Forde put up a fight will Joint Services ranks and was killed in a gunfire exchange.

Police advised that anyone with information that may lead to the recapture of the escapees, is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-8196, 2252227, 226-1389, 227-2128, 227-1149, 226-7065, 6990869, 600-3019, 699-0867, 669-4606, 603-3261 or the nearest Police Station. Police noted that all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

One year prior to this latest spat of prison unrest, 17 inmates were killed in a prison riot at the Camp Street Prison in March 2016.

Mentally unstable man attacks mother, gets 3 months jail

T

imothy Johnson of 1946 North R u i m v e l d t ,

Georgetown Wednesday before

was on arraigned Georgetown

Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with maliciously wounding his mother,

Timothy Johnson

Arette Johnson, at their place of residence.

According to Prosecutor Simone Payne, on the day

Going native

S

atiricus was ambling over to the Back Street Bar with a smile on his face. It was “Indigenous Peoples Day” and since his barkeeper Allicock was Indigenous to the bone, he was serving only Piwari, on this special day. For “cutters”, he was offering unlimited access to the Tuma Pot. “Suh tell me again, Ali-Cack,” said Bungi as he passed the bar on his way to the back table, “Wha’ deh in de Tuma Pat?” “Budday, is how many time ah gun tell yuh?” asked Allicock good naturedly. “It has all kind of wild meat in Guyana like wild hog, deer, wild cow, labba, agouti and some fish – all cooked in cassava water.”

“But da soun’ jus’ like peppa-pat which dem bais does cook!” complained Bungi.

“Nahh! That’s what Arawaks cook,” countered Allicock. “They does cook the meat in cassareep…We Wapishana does cook them in cassava water.”

“Na even tell me de difference,” said Bungi smiling.

“Jus’ send some to de table quick!”

Satiricus and Hari were already there sipping their Piwari gingerly, with a glassful waiting for Bungi.

Bungi grinned as he polished off his Piwari in one practiced swig, “Ah how come a’yuh ah tek yuh time wid de Piwari? Like ayuh friken yuh lipstick guh run aff??!!” he asked slyly.

Satiricus and Hari didn’t reply as they eyed the big bowl of Tuma that was brought by the waitress, just as warily.

“Ayuh still worry beca’se dem Alli-cack wife chew up de cassava fuh mek de Piwari?” Bungi asked.

“Well, it does come to my mind,” confessed Satiricus.

“Suh how come when yuh drink wine yuh na worry ‘bout dem Italian lady foot a mash-up de grapes?” Bungi asked.

“That’s different,” said Hari defensively.

“Really,” said Bungi with a wide smile, “White hooman foot mo’ clean dan buck hooman mouth?” of the incident, the virtual complainant (VC) Arette Johnson had placed a glass of water above her door, but it fell and broke when the accused entered the house.

He then reportedly took up a shard of the glass and attacked his mother, cutting her multiple times on her neck before calmly retiring to his bedroom.

The woman reported the matter to the East La

Penitence Police Station, and the defendant was arrested and charged.

Questioned on the reason for his action, the mentally unstable 26-year-old responded: “Where is my mother? She with a man!

That is why I cut she neck!

So I deh here because she deh with a man!”

He was then sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

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thurSDAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man who slashed girlfriend’s Assassination claim throat nabbed in Berbice Accuser’s former landlady advised

him to ‘wuk obeah’ on accused – CoI hears

T

Murdered teen, Rosanna Lakhpal

Nabbed: Ryan Singh

T

wenty-five-year-old Ryan Singh, who alleged killed his teenaged girlfriend last month, was apprehended by Police in Springlands, Berbice on Tuesday. On July 29, 2017, Rosanna Lakhpal, a secondary school dropout from the Berbice Educational Institute (BEI), was reportedly murdered at the hands of Singh following an alleged dispute over the accused not making an effort to find a job.

Police disclosed that the man was caught around 11:30h in an abandoned house in Springlands on Tuesday and was charged with the capital offence.

Reports were that the duo reportedly met on Facebook

and they subsequently started living together.

Guyana Times had been told that the relationship commenced before the young girl turned 16. Neighbours said they had made numerous complaints to Lakhpal’s mother that Singh was abusing her daughter when they were alone. However, the teen denied that the abuse was happening.

On the day that the 16-year-old met her demise, Singh and the teen were arguing over his lack of interest in finding a job. Lakhpal had however started babysitting her neighbours’ children on the day of the argument with Singh. The children then ran back home to their

mother and complained of the fight.

The accused was reportedly angered by her “nagging” and this resulted in him slitting her throat, leaving her in a pool of blood. An eyewitness had related that the girl’s face was partly covered with a pillow as she lay on a carpet on the floor with her neck slashed in the vicinity of a tattoo. He then reportedly flung the knife he used several feet away and fled the scene.

Singh was on the run until Tuesday when he was captured. He will soon be arraigned for Lakhpal’s murder.

Singh has also been implicated in an incident where he almost killed a previous girlfriend, after stabbing her over 50 times about her body. It was claimed that the 25-year-old was never arrested for that allegation.

he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger on Wednesday heard that Andrif Gillard’s former Landlady, Luanna “Diva” Walker, advised him to ‘wuk obeah’ on Nizam Khan, rather than going to the Police to report details of the alleged plot.

In a statement to the Police on July 19, 2017, Walker said she knew Gillard for over six years and about three years ago, she opened a salon and rented a barber station to the accuser. She related that during that time, she had to make several reports to the Police station because Gillard would not pay her the rental fee.

She told the Police that one morning, Gillard came over by her and made a proposal offering her a spot to move her salon, where he had his taxi service but she declined. Walker added that she then questioned him further and he related that he moved to a new location since Nizam Khan was instrumental in getting him kicked out of the place he was presently in.

“I then ask Andrif how he know that and he said “I does know anything I want to know, when I done with he, I gon give everybody thing fuh talk.” I then told

Corentyne home invasion/ terror attack

Prime suspect nabbed, taxi driver remanded

By Andrew Carmichael

T

he prime suspect in the Number 69 Village home invasion and armed robbery has been caught and is in police custody. That is according to Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams.

Speaking with reporters in Berbice on Wednesday, the Commander said the arrest followed an operation which led members of the Joint Services to the West Coast of Berbice.

“We have the suspect in custody. He was arrested this morning [Wednesday] at Bath Settlement after we would have launched a full campaign,” Williams said.

This full campaign, he said, included patrols and searches of known drug houses, along with searches of abandoned houses. Road blocks were also employed.

The operation, according to the Police Commander, commenced at about 16:30h on Tuesday and concluded when the suspect was nabbed at about 9:00h on Wednesday.

Following the home invasion and robbery on Saturday, the Commander told this publication that the police had a few leads, and ranks were going to apprehend the

Police Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams

main suspect and bring him to justice.

During the operation to apprehend the suspect, members of the police-led joint services operation sought to develop a relationship with persons in the communities they went into, while leaving no stone unturned in an effort to find the suspect.

Meanwhile, the man who was arrested on Saturday moments after the robbery has been remanded to prison. Rabindra Kumar, 25, appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s

Court and was not required to plead to the charge of having a firearm in his possession while not having a valid firearm licence.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Orin Joseph told the court that on Sunday, August 6, at Number 72 Village Corentyne, Kumar had in his possession one shotgun and one matching live cartridge. The gun was an unlicensed shotgun.

Kumar has also had two other charges read against him. He has been charged with possession and with trafficking in narcotics.

Kumar will have to return to court on August 27 for a police report. Meanwhile, the five men who were taken into custody following the robbery remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Last Saturday at about 22:20h, three heavily armed bandits hammered their way into the home of Sachin Ramrattan, also called ‘Kemmy’, 27. The fisherman and his wife Vidya Gopaul, also called ‘Polly,’ 24, who is nine months’ pregnant, and the couple’s 4-year-old son were able to escape before the men were able to enter the building.

As the three men ransacked the building, seven

others, all masked and heavily armed, remained guard on the outside, covering the yard and street.

According to one report, the intruders gained entry by smashing a window and then hammering out the iron grill; and remained in the house for more than two hours.

Jewellery worth $1.7 million, $100,000 cash, and other items were reportedly confiscated from the home by the bandits.

According to the Police Divisional Commander, the lawmen have not been able to make a link between that robbery and the Number 73 home invasion and robbery.

On July 25, a Corentyne businessman, his wife and son were taken to hospital after they escaped from a group of heavily armed bandits that had invaded their home at Number 73 Village.

At least seven heavily armed men committed that robbery in a similar fashion -by hammering their way into the building and smashing a glass window, and then using a heavy piece of wood to hit out the grill.

Similarly, the family of three also fled their home, leaving the robbers in the building. That investigation continues.

Luanna Walker

Andrif that he must not do Nizam nothing because he must remember he get a son and he told me he don’t have to beat nobody he will lost him away in jail. I then said to Andrif how you mean you gon lost he away in jail, what you gon do to him, you gon plant something on him or set he up with a gun, and he (Andrif) said ‘no’. He said I got better things to do; when I done with he everybody gon believe because people know me and he is friends and when I done plan I gon go and say that he pay me to kill (President) Granger. I then told Andrif not to do that,” Walker told the Police.

When she took to the stand before the Commission, she was unable to clearly answer the questions posed to her; rather she was focused on relaying the impression that Gillard was abusive to his wife.

The Commission’s attorney, James Bond, noted that Walker’s statement lacked date, time and names and he tried to establish a timeline when the alleged conversation took place but the task proved to be a challenging one.

Walker informed that the conversation took place sometime in 2017 before Gillard made the report on

March 29 while noting that she cannot recall the month ‘but it was not too long before he reported it.’

In her initial statement, Walker claimed Gillard said that he would go to the Police and say Nizam offered him money to kill Granger but that changed slightly when she testified on Wednesday.

“When I do what I got to do to the man (Nizam) I gon lost he away in jail because you know how long he come tell me that he want I kill the President,” she testified.

She related that she tried to dissuade him from doing that and offered him a solution. “I even go so far in telling Andrif that is best he (Andrif) go wuk lil obeah somewhere on the man before you do something like that,” she suggested.

As she continued her testimony, the details began getting even sketchier since Walker was unable to remember the name of the attorney who advised her to make a statement in the matter. What added more questions to the woman’s testimony is the fact that she did not know the location or the name of the Police Station at which the statement was given.

Corporal Jermain Laundry of the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, Eve Leary, took the statement.

However, when he testified on July 21, Laundry failed to inform or submit the statement to the Commission.

On Wednesday, Laundry related that after he took the statement he handed over it to Assistant Superintendent of Police Mitchell Caesar.

The public hearing aspect of the CoI comes to an end on Friday when Gillard will take the stand once again. The final report is expected to be submitted to the President on August 18.

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thurSDAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

In Essequibo

Mother charged for arranging sex for underage daughter A thirty-five-year-old mother and house wife of Bush Lot village, Essequibo Coast was on Wednesday arraigned before Anna Regina Magistrate Esther Sam on two charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

It is alleged that this mother had harboured a male in order that he might have sex with her underage daughter.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, the woman pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her, and told the court she does not have any money to pay bail.

The Prosecution objected to her being granted bail, but the magistrate overruled the prosecution’s objections and placed the woman on $150,000 on each count.

The case will be called again on August 23. (Indra Nathram)

Brother remanded for wounding sibling

A

K i n g s t o n , Georgetown resident was remanded to prison on Wednesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for wounding his brother.

Rajesh Pollard, 42, of Kingston, Georgetown, denied that he committed the act when Magistrate Fabayo Azore read the charge to him.

The charge against him alleged that on August 6, 2017, at Kingston, Georgetown, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Sunil Pollard.

According to the defendant’s Attorney, Paul Funga-Fat, his client’s wife had previously taken out a restraining order against the Virtual Complainant (VC) who is a substance abuser.

On the day in question, the VC allegedly broke a bottle and attacked the defendant who was forced to defend himself which caused the VC to suffer injuries.

However, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being grant-

Rajesh Pollard

ed for the accused and revealed that her facts differed from that of the attorney’s.

She said that the VC and the defendant were fighting over a property which caused him (defendant) to strike the VC about his body with a piece of wood.

As a result of the injuries, the VC had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is presently hospitalised.

Pollard was remanded to prison and is expected to return to court on August 16.

Golden Fleece residents disappointed - 1 year and dilapidated bridge still not fixed

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esidents, especially motorists, utilising the Golden Fleece bridge in Region Two (Essequibo Coast) are very dissatisfied at its present condition; and despite several reports to the Regional Administration, the bridge is yet to be fixed.

Residents say a report about the condition of the bridge was made to Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson one year ago, but, to date, no action has been taken in regard to its rehabilitation, and

its deterioration continues unabated, even though it has to be used on a daily basis.

At the moment, they say, several boards have been removed from the bridge, and the front of the bridge is almost collapsing.

“Why over and over we have to complain one thing! Many persons use this bridge every day!” an irate resident contended.

Residents are calling on the relevant authorities to give the bridge priority in the Region’s budget.

13 Packed programme for Amerindian Heritage Month 2017 news

thurSDAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

– logo unveiled at media launch

BY PAULA GOMES

T

he Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry launched the annual Heritage Festival at the Umana Yana, in Georgetown on Wednesday, under the theme “Guyana’s first peoples; sustaining a rich cultural environment”. The launch was done in the spirit of International Day of World Indigenous Peoples.

Amerindian Heritage Month 2017 is geared at celebrating Guyana’s first peoples by reflecting on their contributions and to protect, pursue and promote Indigenous heritage while trying to recapture lost traditions.

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples Affairs

to improve the livelihood of Indigenous peoples across Guyana; making reference to the Amerindian Land Titling Project and the recently inaugurated Tomato sundry factory in Paramakatoi which is expected to bring revenue to the village as well as neighbouring communities in the Potaro-Siparuni region.

She also indicated that the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) had applied for and was successfully granted a plot of land for the construction of a secretariat.

Minister Garrido-Lowe further pronounced on the Government’s commitment to close the existing gap between rural and coastal regions.

“Governments, past and

present, have been working with our Indigenous peoples to ensure that lands are legally owned by villages and communities

vested $64 million in the sundried tomato project that will bring revenue that will bring ease… that will bring comfort to the

Amerindian Heritage Month Logo 2017 unveiled

across Guyana. This process is ongoing through the Amerindian Land Titling project. Also we have the Amerindian development projects which are the livelihood projects and these are ongoing in 160 communities right now. In Paramakatoi, Government with the assistance from the Canadian High Commission has in-

The Riverside Angels

Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe, highlighted the struggles of Indigenous peoples in their fight for equal rights, not confined to Guyana but rather on an international scale.

“In many countries, (including) in our South American continent many Indigenous peoples still suffer injustices simply because they are the first peoples and they want to be recognised as such. Many are advocating and literally fighting for their lives, for their lands and some of the most outspoken; some of the bravest have died for this cause,” the Minister lamented.

She reflected on her 2016 visit to Ecuador, where Indigenous women had gathered to discuss the concerns of Indigenous peoples and the way forward and was amazed at the indignities that fellow Indigenous peoples had to suffer in this modern day and age.

“I realised then how far advanced Guyana was as a nation in the treatment of Indigenous peoples,” she noted.

The Minster reflected on the policies implemented by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration

people of Paramakatoi and neighbouring communities.

Farmers will be earning as they should, they will be able to support their families with dignity as they should. The NTC, we have a National Toshaos Council and I was informed that recently they have asked the President for land and they have received an allocation,” Garrido-Lowe stated.

This year’s calendar of activities was also unveiled at Wednesday’s launch which will kick-start with a ceremonial launch and cultural extravaganza on September 1, 2017, at the Sophia Exhibition Centre in Georgetown.

Ovid Williams presented an overview of the cultural aspect of the month’s celebrations.

Trailing this opening ceremony will be the Art/ Craft and Food exhibitions, the heritage sports, reflection on the life and work of first Indigenous parliamentarian, Steven Campbell; the heritage dinner at Lions Club and the much anticipated Miss Indigenous Heritage Pageant showcasing elegance, beauty and culture.

The event was graced by members of the Indigenous Peoples Ministry, NTC’s Vice Chairman, Lennox Shuman and other representatives from non-governmental organisations.

The gathering saw performances by a female Indigenous (Akawaio) dance group called “The Riverside Angels”, comprising triplets and another sibling who enthralled the audience with their creative choreography. This year’s winner of the Jingle competition, “Mr Pakuri”, also performed his award-winning song followed by a soulful solo piece by a talented youngster, titled, “Indigenous Man”.

Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe

In a final question and answer segment, members of the public were open to pose questions to the organising committee and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry. This year’s jingle winner grasped the opportunity to raise concerns in the line of music, making suggestions to the Minister to have allowances or programmes geared at assisting Indigenous youths in realising, nurturing and marketing their talent.

Minister Garrido-Lowe responded by saying that the Ministry has a section for culture, more specifically language, but she assured that music would be added to the agenda among other arts such as poetry and writing.

Intense first sitting of Youth Parliament anticipated

“I

t will be very heated; it will be intense. I can guarantee you that… these children are excited…

I think Guyana will stop and listen for that whole day… it is just something refreshing,” according to Eden Corbin, the Assistant Coordinator for the Youth Parliament.

The debate scheduled for today is expected to be a vigorous one, and it will be one the Guyanese public will want to hear.

The first sitting for Youth Parliament will start today, Thursday. Students will be debating motions on topical matters such as the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy, suicide prevention, capping of CSEC subjects and the oil and gas industry.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), several participants have already expressed readiness and confidence for the upcoming debate.

Danelle Williams from Three Miles Secondary School, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) explained that her area of focus will be on the oil and gas industry. She noted the preparation leading up to the

debate has not been easy. “I am doing a lot of research, we have a lot of sleepless nights and the mentors are helping us in some areas with information and their experience,” Williams said.

However, despite the experience being overwhelmed at times, she would encourage her fellow colleagues to

Sheman Ram from Berbice High School. Ram said he was chosen by his teachers and accepted the offer, since he believes he has the qualities of a good debater. He will also focus on the oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, concentrating on the Guyana/ Venezuela controversy, Port Kaituma Secondary School

Some of the youth parliamentarians intensely preparing for the debate today

become involved.

“The Youth Parliament is an exciting event that I am excited to be participating in, because it is widening my scope of knowledge in evolving political activities that I did not know of,” said

student, Slyvia DaSilva, said she is using a wide range of resources to gain information for her debate. “I am getting assistance from the teachers, I am using the Internet and I am using textbooks in the library.” Assistant

Elected Indigenous Affairs Minister, Sylvia DaSilva

Member of the Opposition, Danelle Williams

Coordinator, Eden Corbin, posited, “This week is going to be amazing, I have interacted with some great young minds; just listening to them makes me feel like we can continue doing this.”

Hailing from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Keron Williams from Paramakatoi Secondary School who aspires to be a doctor said, thus far, the experience is enlightening, “… I am learning a lot now that I did not know before, it is a really good experience.” Williams indicated that he will be making

use of the handouts received from Parliament, along with sources from the Internet to prepare for today’s debate.

He will also be discussing the oil and gas industry.

On August 3, the Parliament Office officially launched its Youth Parliament with the participation of 40 students from secondary schools across nine administrative regions.

The event is being held from August 6-12, under the theme “Our Generation, Our Voice to Inspire, Encourage, Impact”.

14 news

thursDAY, august 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

President’s directive to halt Police promotions

PSC adhering to directive, but wants justification … Opposition says Guyana becoming authoritarian state

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he Police Service Commission (PSC) says it is going to adhere to President David Granger’s directive to halt all promotions until further notice, but is calling for some clarity and justification of the circumstances that have led to such a decision being made.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in a letter dated July 27, wrote to the PSC to inform that the President had directed that there be no consideration of promotion for members of the Guyana Police Force until further notice, and the directive should be implemented immediately.

“We are the authority to promote, and at our meeting on Monday (August 7) the correspondence came up for discussion …and I asked the view of the other Commissioners on the letter, and they agreed to go with the directive,” Omesh Satyanand, Chairman of the PSC, told the Guyana Times.

“We are not sure about the reason for the President to give such a directive. There was no clarity, and personally, as the Chairman, I would want to see some clarity or

some justification why he would arrive at a decision like that,” Satyanand added.

He said this is the first time the constitutional body has received such a directive from a sitting President. The last time a directive was given to a constitutional body was when Minister Simona Broomes had written to the Public Service Commission, instructing them not to hire anyone to fill vacancies.

Asked about the impact of the President’s decision, Satyanand said it is a blow for those hardworking ranks who were expecting to be rewarded for their services. “When you’re working for a number of years, you expect to have an increase in wages and salary; you look forward for promotion, because you are working hard; and these are expectations of employees, and it would affect any organisation from an employee-employer perspective,” he related.

Asked whether he thinks the move is linked to the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the effectiveness of the Guyana Police Force in investigating the alleged plot to assassinate the President, Satyanand said if it is, then it

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

should have been clearly stated on the correspondence sent to the PSC. “My view on that (directive) is that it has nothing to do with our promotion, because if you are promoting ranks, if a rank is under investigation, or there is an allegation levelled against that rank, then that person should not be considered for promotion until the matter is dealt with,” he informed.

He noted that when Government receives the report of the CoI, it would have to deal with the issues arising

at the departmental level; and as such, the decision to halt the promotion of other ranks is an unfair one.

President Granger is accused of disrespecting Article 226 section (1) of the Constitution, which states: “In the exercise of its functions under the Constitution, a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.

The three-year life span of the current PSC expires on September 4, 2017, and the offices of Chairman and commissioners become vacant automatically.

Meanwhile, Clement Rohee, a one-time Home Affairs (now Public Security) Minister, has said the recent directive shows that Government has its own plans, and the witch-hunting phase is being set in motion.

“We are now faced with another situation where we have directives given to constitutional bodies by the Executive, when that ought not to take place under (any circumstance)… what we do know is that a (witch-hunt) is proceeding, to get rid of senior ranks within the Guyana

MoPT launches CODE SPRINT 2017 – Agri sector set to benefit

T

he Public Telecommunications Ministry (MoPT) has launched CODE SPRINT 2017 to enable the development of software to enhance the agriculture sector. Fourteen teams over the next 20 days will be building an application that will link farmers locally and regionally to meet supply and demand of the markets.

CODE SPRINT is similar to a Hackathon; however, CODE SPRINT participants will be allowed to take home their project. This will grant them adequate time to conduct research to build the application.

Ministerial Advisor to the Telecommunications Minister, Lance Hinds said CODE SPRINT is a continuation of the Ministry’s programmes to enhance young peoples’ abilities. He noted that CODE SPRINT will be used to boost the Ministry’s

and this is a continuation of that work,” Hinds said.

Requirements for the CODE SPRINT include: a practicable and applicable solution to be used in Guyana; demand statistics must be generated and be accessible to farmers, the payment system process should be fast and easy and the solution should offer order tracking functionalities.

The application must match buyers and sellers of agricultural products based on offers on both sides; match and conclude transactions and generation of statistics based on volume per products; average price and total dollar value. Additionally, there must be an easy way to aggregate order quantity (eg a consumer wants 10 tons of organs then several small farmers coming in at one to two tons each should be able to combine their quantities in order to meet the order).

Lance Hinds, Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Public Telecommunications

finding buyers for their produce, resulting in losses suffered due to spoilage. They are often forced to sell produce below market value to avoid waste. There is no structured system under which international buyers can conduct Buyer to Buyer (B2B) transactions with local producers.

Participants who will participate in CODE SPRINT 2017

capacity building exercise.

“You may remember there was a Hackathon last year where there were eight teams

Hinds noted the complaints of small- and medium-scale farmers in Guyana, regarding the difficulty in

However, large- and medium-scale consumers both regionally and locally are com-

plaining that the producers in Guyana are incapable of supplying large orders of fruits and vegetables. It is believed if farmers are able to see demand trends (statistics) they will know what to produce and the amount to produce thereby matching production capacity to market demand.

Production specialisation might be a spin off, and as direct consequence farmers can benefit from economies of scale, hence, the CODE SPRINT, Hinds pointed out.

Several participants said they are excited to take on this new challenge. Stephanie Simon, Team Mega Girls, said that her team will be happy to develop software for one of the leading sectors in the country. She expressed delight that the team has enough time to conduct research and possibly carry home this project. Deenauth Mahabeer from Team Innosys noted the task is a bit challenging but not difficult.

He said the challenge comes when there are a number of teams producing the same applications.

The victor will receive $300,000, while second and third place winners will receive $200,000 and $150,000 respectively.

CODE SPRINT is a collaboration between the Public Telecommunications Ministry, dev X and Virtue 75.

The Public Telecommunications Ministry will also host another Hackathon in November of this year.

Omesh Satyanand, Chairman of the Police Service Commission

Police Force. Major Crimes Unit is going to be disbanded, changes are being made in the Criminal Investigation Department; and we know that SOCU is likely to play a greater role within the Guyana Police Force. And we also understand that Special Branch is going to be expanded,” Rohee posited.

“It is quite possible that other branches are going to merge with Special Branch, to make it a more powerful body within the Force, because the intention of the Government is to use Special Branch to more

effectively monitor the activities of persons of interest, as well as the political parties… they are moving in the direction of authoritarianism,” he charged.

Rohee told a press conference on Wednesday that despite the investigation into the assassination plot against the President, a CoI was ordered; and while in process, the directive was given. He noted that the directive is an instruction to the PSC, knowing that the PSC is already beginning to examine ranks for promotion due at the end of this year. He said those promotions are now put on hold to facilitate the President’s wishes.

President Granger has a history of making decisions without giving reasons. One of those decisions is the rejection of two successive lists of nominees for the post of Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission. That decision was challenged in the Courts, and acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire ruled that the President must give reason for his decision.

However, the President has said he would continue to be guided by his interpretation of the Constitution.

‘Girl Stand Up’ teens tour State House

First Lady Sandra Granger shares a warm moment with this teenage girl who was among the participants in the Girl Stand Up project’s tour of State House

F

irst Lady Mrs Sandra Granger on Wednesday facilitated a visit and guided tour of State House for 26 teenage girls from the Girl Stand Up project.

Project Director of Girl Stand Up, Collette Venture, said she requested the tour because she knew it would be an excellent opportunity for the teenagers to meet the First Lady.

“We think of the First Lady as a woman who can empower the young girls.

She is a strong lady and a good role model, and can be a good mentor -- someone that the girls could look up to. So we thought that it would be a good idea to bring the girls here to meet someone whom they can look up to; who can provide words of encouragement to let them know (how) to follow their dreams, and [that] they can do anything

that they set their heart to do,” she said.

At the close of the tour, the visiting team, which also included six organisers, presented the First Lady with a token of appreciation, and one of the teenagers, Gabrielle Allen, performed a moving rendition of popular gospel artiste Mary Mary’s “Can’t give up now”. The Girl Stand Up project is planned and executed by the non-profit organisation Impacting Communities, Changing Lives. Its directors and organisers hail from Linden, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region Ten), and together with other supporters in Guyana, the United States and Canada, help provide confidence-building and educational sessions for girls.

The Project serves girls from the Linden community who are between the ages of 14 and 17 years.

thursDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

“Beautiful flower”: Reneé Chester “... being humble has kept me here”

A

s beautiful, vivid, diverse, and resilient as the group of tropical flowering plants her cosmetics store/makeup studio is thoughtfully named after, Reneé Chester, the March-born owner of Bromeliad.rnc, has a simple philosophy when it comes to business: “Know what you want...Be hungry”, because everything you do will depend on what you want, how badly you want it and how hard you will work for it.

Another insight for those contemplating being business owners? “Do your groundwork – don’t do it based on the success others have had in the field; do your research” – be sure whatever business you are getting into you can actually continue to do and don’t start then stop.

She adds: Be patient, be humble, don’t take things for granted, and recognise your blessings and the good things that come with your occupation.

But perhaps the greatest business lesson is evident in her own story: be open to opportunities and take full advantage of them.

The busy entrepreneur says her career “literally bumped into” her, explaining that while on the hunt for the perfect shade of foundation in Bridgetown, Barbados, she walked into the office

of the product manager of Black Opal Barbados and found more than the right foundation. “…we chatted, exchanged numbers, (and) she told me that I should think about taking some products back to Guyana and sell. I said okay. I did do that, sold out in the first week just by using my BBM (Blackberry Messenger) contacts. And that was it!” the former model, designer, dancer, poet and writer revealed in an earlier interview.

Chester, who is passionate about catering to

the beauty needs of women who come in “a variety of colours, tones, shades”, parlayed that success and her creative spirit into a career as an in-demand certified Make Up Artist (MUA) and retailer of great makeup, founding Bromeliad.rnc, an authorised distributor of the Black Opal line of beauty products in Guyana, in 2011.

As one of the go-to MUAs for local celebrities, brides, photoshoots, TV/ film productions, and pageants, the stylish charmer

Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Buying

able in Guyana as a car e e r h a s o n l y grown o v e r years. The Black Opal country rep has taught and certified dozens in her “Become a Makeup Artist” programme; exposed thousands to the wonders of makeup through her weekly column, in one of the Sunday papers; set up her own line of products; worked as a creative director in the fashion and photography arenas and recently hosted the Fifty Shades of MUA event for professionals.

“I wanted to make a change in the makeup industry. I wanted to create a platform for makeup artists to network and share ideas; to create makeup unity,” she said in detailing the thinking be-

hind the event, which was inspired by her “fashionista” mentor, Trinidadian guru makeup A r l e n e Villarule.

At the well-rec e i v e d event, w h i c h was attended by almost 200 makeup artists and is destined to be an annual trade show held throughout the Caribbean, Chester’s status as a doyenne of the local makeup industry was never clearer – a reflection of the perseverance, humility, positivity and business skills that built a thriving industry leader from a chance encounter.

Contact: 28 Queens Street, Kitty, Georgetown (two buildings away from Windjammers); 2311022, 679-9212, facebook @Bromeliad.rnc; bromeliad.rnc@hotmail. com

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Market statistics

Cur

has plied her brushes on a diverse array of faces to much acclaim.

For others wanting the glamour treatment, she offers the full gamut of services to meet your skincare and make-up needs at her 28 Queens Street, Kitty, Georgetown store: from beauty supplies to full make-up applications for all events to make-up classes. “Makeup is just an accessory on top of the beauty you were born with...”

For all its serendipitous beginnings, the former School of the Nations student’s entrepreneurial journey has not been all smooth, with unpleasant competition and controversy rearing their ugly heads. But her approach is to surround herself with positive energy and remain humble. “So many things I went through on this journey, only being humble has kept me here.”

Pointing out that there are many perspectives in makeup, she believes that like their clients, the different talents and abilities of individual MUAs should be celebrated. Chester, who has not hesitated to share her extensive knowledge and have mentored many other MUAs, is all about growing from strength to strength.

Her stature in the makeup industry she has helped to make fashion-

Calculated at 94% purity, August 2, 2017

Selling

GBP

$205.98

$208.44

CAN

$162.46

$164.35

USD

$241.68

$244.77

EURO

$267.37

$270.76

USD

$1269.60

Gross

$247,719

Net

$230,379

Indicators as on August 9, 2017 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$52.14

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$270.77/ton

London Sugar

$380.50/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

-0.44 Change %

+2.16 -0.42 USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1275.80

$1276.80

Low/High

$1264.20

$1279.30

Change

-1.10

-0.09%

Business Concept – Income 1. The flow of cash or cash-equivalents received from work (wage or salary), capital (interest or profit), or land (rent).

2. Accounting: (1) An excess of revenue over expenses for an accounting period. Also called earnings or gross profit. (2) An amount by which total assets increase in an accounting period.

3. Economics: Consumption that, at the end of a period, will leave an individual with the same amount of goods (and the expectations of future goods) as at the beginning of that period.

Therefore, income means the maximum amount an individual can spend during a period without being any worse off. (Business Dictionary)

S&P closes barely lower despite North Korea tensions

U

S stocks clawed back losses late on Wednesday as investors appeared to brush off geopolitical concerns after falling in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s “fire and fury” warning to North Korea.

Bargain-seeking investors instead turned their focus to strength in the global economy and earnings toward the end of an active trading day.

“It’s amazing when you consider the headlines just how calm the equity markets are, how they’ve taken things in their stride,” said Ryan Detrick, senior market strategist at LPL Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“There was some skittishness earlier but then some buyers stepped in,” he said.

Investors had rushed to safe-haven assets after

strongly worded exchanges between Washington and nuclear-armed North Korea late on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he did not believe there was an imminent threat.

“You’d need to see something more tangible than just rhetoric for a broader pullback,” said Richard Steinberg, managing director at HSW Advisors, a finance team within HighTower Advisors, in New York.

After a dip of as much as 0.52 per cent earlier in the day, Wall Street’s three major indexes bounced off intraday lows.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 36.64 points, or 0.17 per cent, to end at 22,048.7, the S&P 500 lost 0.9 point, or 0.04 per cent, to 2474.02 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 18.13 points, or

0.28 per cent, to 6352.33.

While gold XAU=, a safe-haven favourite, pared some gains, it was last up 1.2 per cent, at around its highest since mid-June. The Swiss franc CHF= and the Japanese yen JPY= also rose.

Politics lifted US defence stocks. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman all rose and the Dow Jones US defence index was up 1.6 per cent after hitting a record high.

The CBOE Volatility Index, the most widely followed barometer of expected near-term stock market volatility, ended at a session low of 11.11 after rising as high as 12.63.

Six of the S&P 500 sectors ended higher. The consumer discretionary index was one of its biggest losers with a 0.47 per cent drop. (Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, august 10, 2017

Regional

Mystery as US expels 2 Cuban diplomats PM pleads with

W

ashington has expelled two Cuban diplomats after US embassy staff in Havana suffered mysterious physical symptoms, the US state department said.

It was not immediately clear what had happened, with spokeswoman Heather Nauert saying there were no “definitive answers about the source or cause”.

But Nauert refused to be drawn further on what the symptoms were.

But one source told the Associated Press news agency the symptoms reported included hearing loss.

It was suggested the

Two Cuban diplomats have been asked to leave the US

hearing loss could have been caused by some kind of sonic device placed outside the diplomats’ homes, emitting inaudible sound waves that

can cause deafness. Staff began complaining of the strange symptoms late last year, Nauert said.

While they were not

life-threatening, she revealed a number of people had been brought home to the US as a result. Nauert said the government was taking it “very seriously, and there is an investigation currently under way”.

It is understood that the two expelled Cuban diplomats left Washington DC in May, the BBC’s Will Grant reports from Havana. So far, their government has not responded to the reports.

Washington and Havana only re-established ties in 2015, following 50 years of hostilities between the two countries. (BBC News)

Haiti thanks Canada for accepting refugees from US

H

aiti’s Foreign Minister was set to meet Quebec’s top immigration official on Wednesday to discuss the flow of refugees from his country arriving in Canada from the United States.

The number of Haitians fearing expulsion from the United States has surged in recent weeks on Canada’s southern border, with requests for asylum tripling since mid-July, of-

ficials say.

The wave of Haitians stems from their loss of “temporary protected status” in the United States, which was granted to 60,000 Haitians after the Caribbean nation was devastated by a 2010 earthquake.

The US special status has been extended for six months, but is due to expire at the end of the year.

Haitian Foreign

Minister Antonio Rodrigue, on a visit to Montreal along with the Minister for Haitians living abroad Stephanie Auguste, said that he came to “learn the needs... of the thousands of our compatriots here in Canada.” Since late July, more than 2500 Haitians have fled the United States seeking asylum in Canada, crossing the border into the Francophone province of Quebec. The flow continues

at a steady pace, according to Canadian officials.

At a Tuesday press conference, the Haitian ministers expressed their thanks “to the Canadian government, the provincial government of Quebec and the mayor of Montreal.”

The Haitian officials were scheduled to meet with Quebec immigration minister Kathleen Weil on Wednesday. (Excerpt from Jamaica

Observer)

Caricom reaches out to help Venezuela solve escalating crisis

C

aribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman, Grenadian Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell is expected to make fresh overtures to Venezuela’s political leaders as the Spanishspeaking Caribbean country remains crippled by violent protests.

The move got the blessing of regional leaders ON Tuesday at a special emergency meeting via a video conference convened Dr Mitchell.

The regional grouping is yet to issue a formal statement on the outcome of the talks, but a brief statement released by the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the heads ex-

Caricom Chairman Dr Keith Mitchell (left) will make fresh overtures to Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro

changed “varied and robust views” during the threehour discussion.

It also noted that talks “centred on promoting dia-

logue among stakeholders within Venezuela geared towards resolution of the political and social challenges in that country.”

Following the 38th annual Heads of Government meeting in St Georges, Caricom leaders offered to mediate dialogue between Venezuela’s feuding political leaders.

In a response, President Nicolás Maduro said in a July 7 letter that he “wholeheartedly welcomes the valuable proposal…offering the good offices of Caricom to reactivate an agenda of constructive dialogue among the political parties of (our) country”.

He had proposed a “working meeting” in Caracas on July 11 or 12, but that never took place since Dr Mitchell only received the letter on July 12. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

PM says Barbados won’t tolerate underworld justice system

B

arbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart believes there are two systems of justice operating in Barbados and he says one of them must be eliminated.

He expressed the view while noting his deep regret and profound sadness over a shooting incident on Monday evening during the climax of the island’s Crop Over

festival, where 20-year-old Tareid Rock was killed and several others injured.

“One thing is very clear to me; if those who say gun violence is an incident of the drug trade and the existence of gangs in Barbados, it is clear that we now have two justice systems running parallel with each other,” Stuart said even as he extended condolences to Rock’s

family and best wishes to all those who sustained injury.

“There is the mainstream justice system, beset with complaints about delays, adjournments, the amount of time it takes to get decisions and that kind of thing; and there is the underworld justice system in which there is no scope for delay or adjournment of any kind. Once guilt is established, justice

is swiftly and ruthlessly dispensed and the question that we will ultimately have to ask ourselves is whether we can continue to have two justice systems running in our society.

He pointed out that the problem of firearm use by some young men first came to the fore about 30 years ago and it had gotten progressively worse over time.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

students to repay loans

T

he St Vincent and the Grenadines Government says one in four persons who have received loans under the economically disadvantaged student loan programme is not repaying the funds borrowed.

“I am concerned that within recent times, the non-performing student loan portfolio has risen to about 25 per cent,” Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said.

However, “we still have more people who are paying than who are not making their payments on time”.

The statement by Gonsalves, the Finance Minister, came just over a week after the Student Loan Company, a state-owned agency, published in the lo-

cal newspaper the names of people, urging them to contact the company.

While the notice did not say why the persons were being asked to contact the company, all the names were of persons who had received loans under the programme.

But it later emerged that some of those on the list were, in fact, servicing their loan, and, according to reports, when contacted the company said it merely wanted to update the recipients’ contact information.

Gonsalves told a news conference Monday that “it must not be assumed that all the names which were published are names of students who are in arrears”.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Hugo Chavéz’s brother among 8 Venezuelans placed under US sanctions

T

he Trump Administration has imposed sanctions on eight more Venezuelan officials, including the brother of late socialist leader Hugo Chávez, to punish them for their role in President Nicolás Maduro’s creation of a new legislative superbody, US officials said.

The US targeted individual politicians and security figures but stopped short of placing broader financial or “sectoral” sanctions on its vital oil industry though such actions, the officials told Reuters, are still under consideration.

The new measures announced by the Treasury Department will freeze their US assets, ban them from travel to the US and prohibit Americans from doing business with them.

Washington slapped sanctions on Maduro himself last week following similar action against 13 Venezuelan figures on July 26.

The sanctions marked a further escalation of the US response to Maduro’s establishment last week of the new constituent assembly, an all-powerful body run by his Socialist party loyalists and which has drawn international condemnation.

Most prominent among those targeted on Wednesday was Adán Chávez, 64, a physicist and late President Hugo Chavez’s elder brother. He is former Culture Minister, served for nearly a decade as governor of his home state of Barinas and is now Secretary of the new assembly’s presidential commission. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Tropical Storm Franklin brings heavy rain to Belize and Mexico

T

ropical Storm Franklin moved across the Yucatan Peninsula on Tuesday bringing heavy rain to northern Belize and area of Mexico.

According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami, maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. A strengthening trend is likely to begin when the centre moves over water, and Franklin could be near hurricane intensity at landfall in the southwest Gulf coast of Mexico. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the centre.

Franklin is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, and isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches are possible across portions of the

Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico through Wednesday. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches are possible across northern portions of Belize and northern portions of Guatemala. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

Meanwhile, disorganised showers and thunderstorms continue in association with a trough of low pressure located about 700 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Development of this system is not expected during the next few days due to unfavourable environmental conditions. However, some development of this system is possible this weekend while the system moves generally west-northwestward at about 15 mph over the western Atlantic. (Caribbean

News Now)

thurSDAY, August 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

North Korea warned not Transgender military personnel to invite 'destruction' sue Trump over service ban

U

S Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has told North Korea to avoid actions that could usher in the "end of its regime and the destruction of its people".

The Pentagon chief also said Pyongyang would be "grossly overmatched" in a war against the US and its allies. His stark warning comes a day after President Donald Trump threatened North Korea with "fire and fury".

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought to assure Americans there was no imminent threat.

In Wednesday's strongly worded statement, Mr Mattis called on Pyongyang to halt its arms programme. "The DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit

F

Despite reported threat to Guam, Americans can "sleep soundly", says Rex Tillerson

of nuclear weapons," the US Marine Corps general said.

"While our state department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now possess the most precise, re-

hearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth."

Pyongyang's actions "will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates", Mr Mattis added.

(BBC)

Young couple die in crash a day after wedding

A

teenage couple have died less than a day after being pronounced husband and wife by a judge in Kansas.

Rebekah and Austin Wesson, both 19, were killed after their pickup truck swerved off a dirt road on Saturday near the bride's family home.

Instead of a formal wedding ceremony in September, the couple's families are now planning a joint funeral. The couple met in Austin's native South Africa while they were both doing Christian missionary work.

The happy couple drove from Clearwater, Kansas, with the bride's mother to the Sedgwick County Courthouse in Wichita for the brief ceremony on Friday. On Saturday, on what would have been their first full day of marriage, Rebekah bought the ingredients for a pork chop dinner and was making plans for

ive transgender members of the US military including Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans sued President Donald Trump on Wednesday, challenging his ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces.

Trump said on Twitter on July 26 that the US Government "will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity" in the military, a reversal of Pentagon policy that the lawsuit said was made without consulting senior military commanders.

The surprise announcement, citing healthcare costs and unit disruption, appealed to some in Trump's conservative political base but created uncertainty for thousands of transgender service members, many of whom came out after the Pentagon said in 2016 it would allow transgender

A rainbow flag flies as people protest US President Donald Trump's announcement to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals from serving in the army

people to serve openly.

Trump's tweets appeared to dismiss findings from a RAND Corporation study commissioned by the Pentagon that found allowing transgender people to serve would "cost little and have no significant impact on unit readiness."

The White House and the Pentagon said they do

A

n Iraqi court has sentenced to death 27 men for their involvement in the massa-

were released because of a lack of evidence.

It is the latest batch of death sentences passed in

Rebekah and Austin Wesson

their wedding reception, Mrs Bouma told the Washington Post. (BBC)

Paul Manafort and President Donald Trump

F

counsel's probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, a spokesman for Manafort said on Wednesday.

The predawn raid was conducted at Manafort's

home in the Washington suburb of Alexandria without advance warning on July 26, a day after Manafort had met with Senate Intelligence Committee staff members, the Washington Post reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the probe.

The search warrant was wide-ranging and FBI agents working with Robert Mueller, the special counsel named by the U.S. Justice Department in May to head the investigation, departed the home with various records, the Post said.

Investigators were looking for tax documents and foreign banking records, the New York Times reported.

(Reuters)

Wall Street falls on ramp-up of US tension with North Korea

U

S stocks were on track for their biggest one-day dip in a month on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump's "fire and fury" warning to North Korea escalated global uncertainty.

But while investors appeared to favor safe-haven

(BBC)

Iraq to hang 27 for IS Camp Speicher massacre

FBI raided former Trump campaign manager’s home

BI agents seized documents and other material last month at the Virginia home of Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, as part of a special

not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in Washington, D.C. The service members suing the president are three US Army soldiers, one US Air Force airman and one member of the US Coast Guard who are active duty.

assets, some bargain seekers helped Wall Street's three major indexes pare losses and some U.S. officials sought to dial back tensions.

Late Tuesday, North Korea had said it was considering plans to fire missiles at Guam, a US territory, after Trump's warning earlier in

the day.

Trump tweeted on Wednesday about the strength of the American nuclear arsenal, but expressed hope it would not need to be used, while US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he did not believe there was an imminent threat. (Reuters)

Mass graves were discovered near Camp Speicher after Iraqi forces recaptured the area in 2015

cre of up to 1,700 soldiers by so-called Islamic State (IS) in June 2014.

Twenty-five suspects

connection with the killings - 36 men were hanged a year ago for their part in the massacre.

IS filmed the killings, at the former US base of Camp Speicher, near Tikrit, in an early piece of shock propaganda.

Most of the victims are believed to have been young Shia recruits who were based at the camp when Tikrit was overrun

by IS. Photos and videos published by IS at the time showed soldiers being lined up and shot at various locations.Some bodies were pushed into the River Tigris, while others were buried in mass graves that were found after government forces recaptured the city a year later. The condemned men have the right to appeal against the sentences.

Iran appoints female Vice Presidents after criticism

I

ran President Hassan Rouhani has appointed three women as Vice Presidents and one as a civil rights assistant following criticism of his allmale cabinet.

Iran's 12 vice-presidents run organisations linked to the presidency.

There has been only one female cabinet member since Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979.

The cabinet, which must be approved by parliament, also lacks Sunni members. Sunnis are 10%

of Shia-majority Iran.

Masumeh Ebtekar has been named vice-president for family and women's affairs, Laya Joneydi is vice-president for legal affairs and Shahindokht Mowlaverdi is the president's assistant for civil rights. Lawmakers are not expected to challenge the chosen cabinet, as key roles are filled with the approval of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rouhani beat hardliner Ebrahim Raisi to the presidency in May

after vowing to improve Iran's civil liberties and rebuild ties with the West.

At a conference in February titled "Women, Moderation and Development", he called for a greater female presence in politics and culture. The only woman to hold a cabinet position in Iran since 1979 was former health minister Marzieh Dastjerdi, who served from 2009-13 under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Roujhani's hardline predecessor. (BBC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, august 10, 2017

ARCHIE

Quickly take care of any responsibilities you are giv(March 21- en and move on to pastimes April 19) that you find more enjoyable.

Don’t make changes that will affect your appearance or living space.

ARIES

Let your charm and innoTAURUS vative ideas lead to a better (April 20- future. Indulge in events that May 20) will give you the opportunity to share your skills and promote your goals.

dilbert

You’ll be taken advantage GEMINI (May 21- of by someone asking for help.

June 20) Pick your friends wisely and refuse to let temptation lead to indulgent, unhealthy behavior that will cost you.

Your creative imagination

CANCER will help you find a unique way (June 21- to use your skills more effecJuly 22) tively. Time spent with some-

Peanuts

one from a different background will spark your interest and inspire personal growth.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Get involved in projects or causes you find stimulating.

If you let your imagination lead the way, you will come up with ideas that will put you in a leadership position.

A little charm will go a VIRGO (Aug. 23- long way. Nurture a relationSept. 22) ship that means a lot to you.

Lending a helping hand will win you favors and bring you closer to someone special.

LIBRA Be open about your feel(Sept. 23- ings and plans. It’s importOct. 23) ant to find out who does and doesn’t support you before you begin to make changes.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Short trips, creative coursSCORPIO es or self-improvement proj(Oct. 24ects will all bring good reNov. 22) sults. Preparation will help build the confidence you need to show off what you have to offer.

Listen carefully. Someone SAGITTARIUS will mislead you. Emotional ma(Nov. 23- nipulation will be costly. Stay Dec. 21) focused on what you need to accomplish, not on what someone says. Don’t spend money on something you don’t need.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Don’t limit what you can CAPRICORN do because of an emotional (Dec. 22- incident. Spending on someJan. 19) one or something to impress others will not bring the returns you expect. Protect your reputation.

Confusion will set in if you AQUARIUS believe everything you hear.

(Jan. 20- Do your own fact-finding to Feb. 19) avoid wasting time. Your due diligence will result in financial gain.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Don’t let the choices or PISCES last-minute changes some(Feb. 20March 20) one makes limit you. Follow through with your plans, even if it means doing so alone. A physical change will lift your spirits.

thursDAY, august 10, 2017

Tiger Woods likely to enter 1st-time DUI offender programme in Florida

Bolt to run relay heats Saturday E

ven though admitting that he is sore from his campaign in the 100 metres, the 11-time World Championship gold medallist Usain Bolt said he will run the heats of the Men’s 4x100m relay on Saturday at the IAAF World Championships in London.

"Physically I am alright, there is a little bit of pain, but nothing a massage can't cure, I'm taking it easy," Bolt said.

The Jamaican team that has had a practice session Tuesday with Bolt leading the team comprised of youngsters including 100-metre silver medalist Julian Forte.

"I have talked to Julian Forte a little bit. I haven't really talked to the youngsters so we'll see when it comes to the baton changes, but I'm always excited to run relays and we see what the guys are prepared and ready to do," Bolt said Monday.

Yohan Blake is the only other experienced member of Jamaica's sprint relay pool to have won medals at the World Championships or Olympics. (SportsMax)

P

ALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Reuters) - Golfer Tiger Woods is expected to enter a program for first-time DUI offenders to resolve charges filed against him after police found him asleep at the wheel of his parked car alongside a Florida road, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.

The former world No. 1 golfer was not in court as his lawyer entered a not-guilty plea to a charge of driving under the influence stemming from Woods' arrest in May. But Woods, 41, is expected to appear at the Palm Beach Gardens courthouse for an Oct. 25 hearing to plead guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving, according Adrienne Ellis, a chief assistant state attorney for Palm Beach County.

The reckless driving plea would allow Woods to take part in a 12-month probation programme that would involve community service, DUI school, a substance abuse evaluation, possible treatment and other conditions.

Woods would avoid a DUI conviction if he Tiger Woods completes the programme.

His attorney, Douglas Duncan, declined to discuss the case with reporters at the courthouse on Wednesday.

Police found Woods stopped on the side of a Palm Beach-area road in his Mercedes-Benz at about 3 a.m. on May 29. He had "extremely slow and slurred speech" after being awakened by a Jupiter police officer but was cooperative and told officers he takes several prescriptions, including Xanax, according to a police report.

Woods, who had been heading away from his home on the exclusive Jupiter Island, could not remember where he was going and told police he was returning from Los Angeles.

A blood test showed he had the painkiller Vicodin and the antidepressant Xanax in his system but no alcohol. He was charged with driving under the influence and improperly stopping his vehicle.

In a statement after his arrest, Woods apologized to fans and blamed the incident on prescription medication he was taking to manage pain from a recent back surgery.

In mid-June, Woods said he was receiving professional help to manage his use of pain medications and a sleep disorder. The following month he announced he had completed an out-of-state program.

Woods has won 14 major golf championships, second only to Jack Nicklaus, but has competed little during the past two years after undergoing multiple back surgeries. He currently is not ranked on the PGA's list of top 1,000 players.

19

Radford wants Windies to build on starts

W

est Indies batting coach Toby Radford has encouraged the team’s batsmen to look to carry on from solid starts ahead of the upcoming series against England.

The Windies have drawn two practice matches against Essex and Kent with a number of solid displays at the crease. Against Kent, Shai Hope and Jermaine Blackwood made first-innings centuries and Shimron Hetmyer added an unbeaten 43 on day three.

"We're getting a lot of 30s and 40s, we need to convert them to bigger scores and make sure we post big first-innings total because if we're to truly push England then we must get big scores up on the board first time around,” Radford said. “Players batting for two-and-ahalf hours won't be enough, they have to be prepared to battle it out for a whole day or more." The coach, however, believed that the tour has been beneficial so far as it relates to the team adjusting to the conditions in the country.

"Kent bowled in good areas and kept com-

Toby Radford

ing at us. They swung it away to the righthanders and whenever we batted in this match there was cloud cover and a little bit of juice around. It was nipping around throughout, perfect English bowling conditions for when we batted and we talked about that, playing late and knowing where your off stump is. They're finding out for themselves now that's how you have to play here.” (SportsMax)

T&T's Michelle Lee-Ahye forced to pull out of the women’s 200m ‒ after displaying symptoms of being infected by a virus

A

ccording to reports, at least 30 people from one of the team hotels at the IAAF World Championships in London have been affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis, officials have confirmed. Two of the cases have already been diagnosed as the norovirus, a stomach bug which causes vomiting and diarrhea. The most noted of the athletes affected was Botswana's Isaac Makwala, who had to withdraw from Tuesday's men's 400m final on medical grounds. Reports are, however, surfacing that suggest the effects of the outbreak

may have perhaps been wider than initially reported.

Ahye finished sixth in the women’s 100m final.

With a season best of 22.50 Ahye has clocked the 13 fastest time over the event so far this year. The United States’ Tori Bowie has the fastest time in the world this year at 21.77, followed by Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo 21.91.

Bowie has since withdrawn from the event. The athlete could also be a doubt for the women’s 4x100m relay team but is currently under medical observation.(SportsMax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

Makwala

England’s top order has ‘worst ever’ batsmen, says Damien Fleming F

qualifies for 200m semi-finals after solo run

A

ormer Australia quick Damien Fleming says England’s top six contains some of the worst batsmen he has seen play test cricket and believes the home pace attack will run through them in the Ashes series at the end of the year.

While Fleming conceded that all-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, as well as wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, would cause problems for Australia he was scathing in his assessment of Keaton Jennings, Tom Westley and Dawid Malan.

“England needs three decent batsman in their top six,” Fleming, who played 20 tests and 88 one-dayers when Australia were in their pomp in the 1990s, told Melbourne’s RSN radio.

“Watching the South African series, they’re some of the worst batsmen I’ve ever seen play test cricket.”

England beat South Africa 3-1 in the just-completed series but Fleming said the retention for the Ashes of opener Jennings and top order batsman Westley would offer plenty of opportunities for the Australian bowlers. “(Jennings) scored 127 runs at an average of 15. I used to bat nine in test matches and I would just be happy with that, averaging 15. Just be happy. He’s opening the batting,” Fleming added.

“I don’t like his technique, closed grip, he’s going to nick people that can angle the ball across him and bowlers that can actually get the ball to shape back in, that gap between bat and front pad. This is an opening batsman.

“Westley has a similar technique. He is squared up, he has hands that are a long way in front of his body with a closed grip.

How does he hit the ball through the off side? He’s going to nick off or get in trouble with the ball that comes in.

“Where are 80 percent of the deliveries going to be to Jennings and Westley? Outside off stump, maybe shaping away. They don’t have a technique to cope with that.”

Westley and Malan made their test de-

fter being pulled from Monday's 200m heats, Isaac Makwala's solo run was quick enough to qualify for the World Championships

semis.

Isaac Makwala put a difficult 48 hours behind him by qualifying for Wednesday's IAAF World Championships 200 metres semi-finals via a time trial after being declared "medically fit" by the IAAF. Running on his own inside London Stadium, Makwala - the world leader in the event having clocked 19.77 seconds in Madrid in July - recorded a time of 20.20secs to comfortably beat the qualifying time of 20.53s.

He signalled his confidence in his fitness to run by celebrating his progression to the semis with a series of press-ups.

The IAAF controversially withdrew the Botswanan from Monday's 200m heats and the 400m final the following day after he displayed symptoms similar to those affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis at a team hotel.

World athletics' governing body cited a 48-hour isolation protocol recommended by Public Health England for Makwala's exclusion and he was given another chance to race following the conclusion of that period after a request from the Botswanan federation.

Makwala is expected to be the main challenger to Wayde van Niekerk's hopes of becoming just the second athlete to win the 200m and 400m at the same championships, with Michael Johnson the only person to have previously achieved the feat.

(SportsMax)

Axar Patel called in as Jadeja replacement

I

ndia have brought in left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Axar Patel for the Pallekele Test, as a replacement for the suspended Ravindra Jadeja.

He will be the third spinner in the squad behind offspinner R Ashwin and leftarm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav.

Axar is yet to make his debut in Test cricket, but has played 30 ODIs and seven T20 internationals.

He has played 23 first-class matches and taken 79 wickets at 30.37. He has just finished playing the 50-over tri-series in South Africa with India A. He finished the team's third-highest wicket-taker in the series with seven wickets in four games and an economy rate of 4.11.

Jadeja was suspended at the end of the second Test for disciplinary issues; following an incident where he threw the ball at batsman Malinda Pushpakumara "in a dangerous manner" according to the on-field umpires. He was given three demerit points, taking his total to six demerit points

Axar Patel

inside a 24-month period which triggered a one-Test suspension. Incidentally, he was the Man of the Match in that Test for his his unbeaten 70 off 85 balls and second-innings five-for, following which he moved to No. 1 on the Test allrounder rankings, to go with his No. 1 rating among Test bowlers.

The Pallekele Test begins on August 12. India have already won the three-

match series, with victories in Galle and at the SSC. Updated India squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund (Cricinfo)

Damien Fleming

buts in the third test against the Proteas, with the former taking over at “first drop” from the injured Gary Ballance, who did not escape Fleming’s brutal analysis.

“How did Gary Ballance play test cricket again after that last series two years ago there?” Fleming said, referring to the batsman’s axing after two tests of the 2015 Ashes.

“Young Malan, 35 runs at an average of eight. There’s real opportunities for Australia to run through the top order.”

England, who won the 2015 series 3-2, begin their defence of the Ashes in Brisbane on Nov. 23. (HindustanTimes)

Massive pressure'

on Mayweather, Froch claims C

arl Froch has issued a dire warning to Floyd Mayweather Jr over the potential fallout should be suffer an upset loss to Conor McGregor.

The consequences of losing to Conor McGregor could "mentally destroy" Floyd Mayweather Jr, according to Carl Froch.

An undefeated five-division boxing world champion, Mayweather is set to come out of retirement to fight UFC star McGregor in Las Vegas on August 26.

The eagerly anticipated bout is reportedly set to generate as much as $600 million, making it a lucrative payday for both men, but former super-middleweight star Froch, who hung up his gloves in 2015, feels McGregor is the man with nothing to lose.

"I think there's massive pressure on Mayweather," he told Omnisport.

"He's coming back and taking the chance. If it goes wrong, the consequences… will destroy him mentally.

"McGregor can go in there and relax. Mayweather is going to have to try and make something happen.

"If McGregor goes to land a

shot he'll struggle.

"Mayweather is going to have to be offensive and aggressive also. It's the whole unknown is why everyone wants to go and see it. It's going to change the game, hopefully for the better and not the worst."

Although the concept of a mixed martial artist fighting one of the world's best in what is the Irishman's first professional boxing match has been criticised in some quarters, Froch claimed the fact Mayweather has not competed since beating Andre Berto in September 2015 may afford McGregor a chance.

"I can understand why people say it's a bad for the sport… you just can't see a guy who has never laced up his gloves and stepped into a boxing ring take on any decent boxer, yet alone Floyd Mayweather," he said.

"Mayweather has beat top, top boxers who McGregor wouldn't stand a chance against. On paper and whatever [way] you want to look at, no one gives McGregor a chance.

"But this is the Mayweather two years ago, not the Mayweather that is retired.

"He's fighting a young, hungry fighter. McGregor doesn't seem to be wired up right, I mean, let's be honest, but he is a PR marketing machine.

"I think he can give Mayweather trouble but I think Mayweather wins and I think he better win, because if he doesn't, he is letting boxing down.

"I think he's 41 now and only because he's fighting a mixedmartial artist he should win. It's a two-horse race, McGregor is young and hungry, so he'll bring something different to the ring.

"McGregor may have that element of surprise, so you never know, but the longer the fight goes on, you expect Mayweather to suss him out.

"I think it will get easier for Mayweather. I think [where] McGregor will struggle is physically and technically.

"On the flip side, McGregor can punch and Mayweather has been out of the ring for two years. "You don't know what Mayweather is going to bring but you know what McGregor is going to bring. I think Mayweather will have too many skills to trouble him."

(SportsMax)

sports

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The national badminton team

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uyana will be represented by nine badminton players in the Caribbean Regional and International Badminton Championships.

The team is already in Trinidad for the competition which commences today and concludes on Friday, August 25.

The national squad includes; Under-13 Junior -Vikash Mootoo. Under-17 Junior Priyanna Ramdhani, Tyrese Jeffrey and Akili Haymes. Under-19 Junior – Jonathan Mangra, Priyanna Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj. Masters Over-45 Championship:

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CAREBACO Seniors International Championships– Narayan Ramdhani & Priyanna Ramdhani.

CAREBACO Masters Over-45 Championship: Gokarn Ramdhani and Dr. Nicholas Waldron.

BCB Senior limited over tourney

Archrivals Albion, RHTYSC set to clash A

rchrivals Albion and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club are scheduled to face off each other this Sunday in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) 50 Overs Senior Competition.

The match will be played at the former international venue, Albion Community Development Centre Ground.

It is one of three matches set for that date and is expected to be the featured match as several of the nation’s top cricketers play on each side.

The other games will see Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club versus West Berbice at Rose Hall Canje and Bush Lot will hosts Tucber Park.

Eon Hooper, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd and Raun Johnson are some Romario Shepherd of the top players expectMeanwhile, the BCB is ed to play this weekend.

All Clubs are asked requesting that all Clubs to take note that match- make contact with its es start at 09:30hrs. Host Office on Tele 333-2375 for teams are reminded of their Registration forms for their obligations as set out in the Under 15 players as a comrules and procedures of the petition in that division would commence shortly. competition.

Kares Engineering/RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy Trophy

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 651-9663/600-7719.

Gokarn Ramdhani and Dr. Nicholas Waldron.

The Tournament will be played at the National Racket Centre in Tacarigua.

Last year, when the championship was held in Aruba returned home with 13 Medals (2-Gold, 7-Silvers and 4-Bronze). This year Guyana will be participating in Singles, Doubles and Mix Doubles in these Events The players will participate in two segments the Regional and International.

The following are the respective categories the players would participate in.

CAREBACO Regional Championships: Under-13

21

F

Grill Masters lead semi-final qualification

our teams moved closer to championships honours after qualifying for the semifinal of the inaugural Kares Engineering/RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy Competition.

The teams advancing are, tournament favourites Grill Masters of Canje, Prophecy Boys of Port Mourant, Hard Knock of Manchester/ Ulverston and Jai Hind of Albion, all of whom were in action in front of a capacity crowd at the Area H ground in Rose Hall on Sunday In the first match of the action packed day, Jai Hind defeated Letter Kenny by seven wickets. Letter Kenny amassed 68-8 off their allotted eight overs as only V. Narain and G. Narain (14 each) reached double figures. Andy Moonsammy claimed 2-8 for Jai Hind, who replied with 70-3 in 6.3-overs.Skipper Adrian Singh top scored with an unbeaten 24 with two boundaries.

Grill Master easily defeated Canje Pathfinder by 75 runs as Vishal Phillips blasted an entertaining 83 not- out from just 26 balls to lead his team to 118-1 from

Best Batsman Vishal Persaud receives his prize from Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu

8-overs. The left- handed Phillips struck eight massive sixes and four boundaries as he added 102 for the first wicket with Imran Kishawn, who scored 23.

Needing to score 119 off eight overs to clinch a semifinal spot, Letter Kenny were limited to 43-8 as Kishawn returned with the ball to take two wickets without conceding any runs.

Skipper David Looknauth took 2-3.

In the third game,

Prophecy Boys defeated a determined Shamie Grocery of Rose Hall Town by 13 runs. The visitors reached 118-4 with A. Marimoothoo 38 and N. Ramnauth 49 not- out being the principal scorers.

In response, Shamie Grocery reached 105-6 off their allotted eight overs as S. Thakurdin top scored with 40 while Mahendr Sewindra supported with 21. Bowling for Prophecy Boys, Deonarine Itwaru

claimed 2-17.

Hard Knock created a major upset when they defeated Hustlers I by five wickets.

Batting first the powerful Hustlers I team were restricted to 83-4 as the boys from Central Corentyne fielded brilliantly. Jason Sinclair led the way with 28 while Khemraj Mahadeo supported with 16.

In response, Hard Knock reached 86-5 with five balls to spare. P Tyndall top scored with 21 while N. Emanuel supported with 17.

In the only Playoff match, Prophecy defeated Chasers of Canje by 13 runs to take the fourth semifinal spot.

Prophecy scored 85-7 off eight overs before restricting Chasers to 72-5 to spring wild celebration from their supporters.

Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Hilbert Foster described the day’s event as a huge success and stated that the club was thrilled at the massive achievement of the Kares Engineering Inc/ Patron’s Green Economy Tournament.

The semifinals, third

place playoff and finals have been scheduled for Sunday, August 27, at the Area ‘H’ Ground. The winning team would receive $500 000.00 and the Green Economy Trophy while the first runner up would receive $300 000.00. The 2nd runner-up would pocket $100 000.00, 3rd runner-up $50 000.00.

The tournament is being sponsored by Kares Engineering Inc, KSM Investment, S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies, BK International, Bakewell, Annirud Ramcharitar Construction, V NetCommunication, Regal Enterprise, Ameerally Sawmill, Farfan & Mendes, F & HPrintery and Fazal Habibulla among others.

The tournament has so far been described as the most exciting cricket tournament ever hosted by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS,.

It is being held in celebration of the Club’s Patron, President David Granger, 72nd Birthday and to promote the country’s effort to develop a Green Economy.

The Tournament is also being used to educate youths on the effect of Climate Change.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

CONCACAF U-17 qualifiers

Woeful Lady Jags

mauled 5-1 by Barbados

B

arbados turned out not to be gracious guest after whipping host Guyana 5-1 when Group D action of the CONCACAF Female U-17 Qualifiers commenced at the National Track and Field Centre in Lenora yesterday.

The visitors took advantage of shaky defending, which allowed in one own goals, and an out of sync midfield to collect three valid points.

The more physical Barbados side outran and outplayed Guyana from the beginning as the inexperienced locals, most of who were in their first major tournament, crumbled under the floodlights.

Guyana would go ahead

ONDON (Reuters) Battered and bruised he may have been but Mo Farah took it all in his long, loping stride as he negotiated the minefield of the 5,000 meters heats in the rain at the World Championships on Wednesday to set up one final assault on track gold.

Even with three stitches in his spiked left leg and suffering from a bruised left

toric if I could do the double.

You can’t take anything for granted. They are coming for me and they are hungry.”

Youthful brigade

Indeed, while Farah will be overwhelming favorite to secure a seventh world championship gold, the heats again demonstrated the pitfalls that lie ahead with a new youthful brigade

Barbados on the attack against Guyana

through arguably their best player, Tiani Smith in the 12th minute. Smith struck a stunning free kick into the top left hand corner of the net to spark celebrations among

her teammates. However, Smith would later rub some polish off her performance when she scored an own goal in the 21st minute. Barbados had struck earlier with a

Tiandi Smith (with ball) was the lone goal scorer for Guyana

strike from Kitlin Padmore to hold a 2-1 advantage at the end of the first half.

In the second half, the Barbadians would score three times, all coming from free kicks. Scorers for Barbados were: Tia Brigg-Thompson (50th and 71st), Tiana Sealy (51st).

Speaking to the media during the post-match press conference, Head Coach of Guyana Akilah Castello pointed out that the team lacked speed and size. She also claimed that nerves played a big part in Guyana’s lackluster defending.

Barbados will next face Cuba in game two on Friday; a more detailed report will follow in a subsequent article.

Federer cruises in 1st match since Wimbledon win

M

Farah advances in 5000m for final assault on track gold L

ONTREAL (Reuters) - Roger Federer needed less than an hour to defeat Canadian Peter Polansky 6-2 6-1 at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Wednesday in his first appearance since winning a record eighth Wimbledon title in July.

Gael Monfils produced the comeback of the day to beat Kei Nishikori in three sets, while emerging Canadian Denis Shapovalov enjoyed the biggest win of his young career by defeating hard-hitting Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.

A day after celebrating his 36th birthday, Federer played the aggressive game that has propelled him to five titles, including two grand slams, this year, attacking the net and rocketing second serves.

Polansky, a wildcard for the ATP 1000 event, never looked comfortable. The 29-year-old double faulted twice in his first service game and had difficulty handling Federer’s pinpoint serves.

Federer, who has lost only two of 34 matches this year, will next play the winner of American Jack Sock and Spaniard David Ferrer, who are scheduled to do battle later on Wednesday.

Frenchman Monfils fended off four match points to beat Japanese world number nine

Nishikori in a three-set thriller 6-7(4) 7-5 7-6(6).

The 27-year-old Nishikori had two chances to serve out the match and led 6-2 in the decisive tiebreak, before Monfils won six points in a row to complete a superb fightback.

Monfils, a crowd favorite during Wednesday’s battle, will face Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round on Thursday.

Shapovalov saw off Del Potro in straight sets 6-3 7-6(4).

The 18-year-old pumped his fists and rose his arms in triumph after dispatching the 2009 U.S. Open champion, who struggled with the accuracy of his serve during big moments in the match.

A Del Potro double fault put Shapovalov up a break at 6-5 in the second set, but nerves appeared to get to the tournament wildcard, who needed a second set tiebreak to prevail.

Shapovalov will play the winner of Wednesday’s match between number one seed Rafael Nadal and 20-yearold Croatian Borna Coric.

Mo Farah

knee, the legacy of his turbulent 10,000 meters triumph on Friday, Britain’s endurance maestro had the quality and nous to qualify easily for Saturday’s final.

Having finished runner-up in his heat in wretched conditions in a modest 13 minutes 30.18 seconds, the 34-year-old now has one race to put the exclamation mark on his extraordinary track career before concentrating on the marathon.

In Saturday’s final, he will be seeking an incredible fifth consecutive 5,000m/10,000m double at a global championships.

“The rounds are the hardest part,” Farah said after finishing behind 20-year-old Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha (13:30.07) in the first heats, easing into one of the five automatic qualifying positions.

“It was cold and miserable out there, but job done.

The 10,000m did take a lot out of me but I am okay now. The knee is fine now, just the body is a bit tired but anything is possible.

“It isn’t easy to win the double, we saw that with Usain Bolt. It would’ve been nice to see him win, I was looking forward to that, but it didn’t happen. No-one is going to give it to you no matter who you are.

“It would be pretty amazing and something his-

of Africans snapping at his heels.

After a fairly pedestrian heat, it looked as if Farah would only slip up if he got tripped or became over-confident.

Much to the delight of a home crowd desperate for more British success after a poor week, their main hope avoided all the trouble to ease home with the leading quintet.

The second heat demonstrated the potential for calamity as one of the favorites, America’s Paul Chelimo, tripped on the heels of another runner, took a tumble and had to work hard to get back into contention.

As the pace for the second race was vastly quicker, Chelimo’s eighth place behind 17-year-old Ethiopian Selemon Baregaheat, who clocked 13:21.50, was enough to make the final.

The heats suggested that Farah’s biggest challenge will come from the three young Ethiopians Barega, Muktar Edris, the fastest man in the world this year, and Kejelcha.

“The rain was bad but I am happy to get to the final.

It was not easy in these conditions and with some falls,” Barega said.

“Can I win? I don’t know, Mo Farah and Edris are very tough.”

guyanatimesgy.com

THURsDAY, august 10, 2017

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23

Coe and IAAF behaviour ‘inhumane’ ‒ Gatlin’s agent

ondon , United Kingdom (AFP) — Athletics chief Sebastian Coe and the IAAF’s treatment of controversial 100 metres world champion Justin Gatlin is ‘inhumane’ and ‘unsportsmanlike’, the athlete’s agent told the BBC in a blistering attack.

British athletics legend Coe — a twotime 1,500m Olympic champion — had told the BBC on Sunday two-time drugs cheat Gatlin’s victory in the sport’s most high-profile event in London, which was watched by over eight million viewers in Britain, was not the ‘perfect script’.

Gatlin, 35, had been loudly booed throughout the 100m rounds and the verbal abuse was ratcheted up a few notches when he won the final, denying Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt a 12th world title in his last individual final. The 60,000 plus spectators jeered Gatlin whilst chanting bronze medal winner Bolt’s name as if he were the champion.

Coe — who had said prior to being

Athletics chief Sebastian Coe

Justin Gatlin

elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations

(IAAF) he felt ‘queasy’ about dopers returning and winning titles — remarked he wasn’t very excited about the prospect of placing the gold medal around Gatlin’s neck.

“I’m not eulogistic that someone who has served two bans has walked off with one of our glittering prizes,” said the 60-yearold.

However, Gatlin’s agent Renaldo Nehemiah, a former 110m hurdles world record holder, was scathing about Coe’s remarks.

“I take offence to, with all respect, Lord Coe,” he told the BBC. “I don’t condone doping but Justin Gatlin is not the poster child for it.

“He’s done his time, he plays by the rules, the IAAF reinstated him. They said if you come back we should accept that.

“So to put a narrative out that it’s just Justin Gatlin and he’s the bad guy, it’s really not fair.

“It’s inhumane. It’s unsportsmanlike.”

Nehemiah, who won the 1984 Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers, said Coe and the IAAF should be more gracious and accept their rules allowed athletes like Gatlin to get a chance at redeeming themselves.

“Lord Coe’s a part of the IAAF who set the rules, who set out the punishments, and when you serve the punishment you are supposed to be reinstated, which these athletes who have offended and abused some of these rules have, and if you don’t want them in you should change the rules,” said Nehemiah.

“You don’t allow them in and then still condemn them,” said the 58-yearold.

Coe has always been a hardliner on doping, believing second-time offenders like Gatlin should have life bans — however that view has fallen foul of the legal system when athletes have gone to court to challenge such punishments.

Francis takes shock 400m gold as Miller-Uibo stumbles

L

ondon (Reuters) - American Phyllis Francis won a surprise World Championships 400 metres gold on Wednesday as Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo inexplicably stumbled when seemingly certain of victory and dropped to fifth place.

Francis looked out of it with 80 metres to go but maintained her form amid the carnage to post a personal best time of 49.92 seconds and take a shock gold medal even though she had no idea she had won.

Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser, 19, claimed a brilliant silver in 50.06, her third national record this week, as defending champion Allyson Felix of the United States faded to get bronze in 50.08.

Bahamian Miller-Uibo, who famously dived over the line to pip Felix to Olympic gold last year, was clear with less than 20 metres left but as she tired and tied up she tripped on her own foot, stumbling almost to a standstill as her rivals stormed past her.

It was incredible finale to a race that had appeared to be going to form for the first 300 metres. Felix looked her usual smooth self despite the sodden track and had made up the stagger on Francis a lane outside her by the end of the first bend.

However, she did not come off the final bend with her usual authority and Miller-Uibo took it up and surged ahead into the final straight.

The title seemed secure as Felix began to fade further but Miller-Uibo then lost her form in the most dramatic style. Her legs seemed to stiffen, perhaps through cramp, and became entangled. As she virtually stopped running, the fast-finishing Francis,

Phyllis Francis

Naser, Felix and fourthplaced Shericka Jackson of Jamaica all surged past.

"I am so excited. It is such an amazing feeling, being world champion sounds pretty cool," said Francis, who finished fifth in the Rio Olympic final.

"This win has not hit me yet, but I guess tomorrow when I will wake up.

"Allyson and Shaunae are amazing finishers but when I went down the home straight I just believed in myself and stayed patient. I just knew what I was capable of doing, so I stuck to my race model.

"At the finish line I was surprised, I thought I was second or third, but then they told me 'you are first'.

That is crazy."

American former 400 and 200m world champion Michael Johnson, working as a pundit for the BBC, was as stunned by what unfolded as everyone else in the 55,000 crowd.

"I have never seen anything like that," he said. "At the 200m mark it looked like it was shaping up to be a great race. When an athlete pulls up and jumps in the air like that, it is normally a hamstring strain."

Felix's bronze took her world championship medal haul to 14, matching the record of Jamaican sprinters Usain Bolt and Merlene Ottey. The American's tally includes nine golds.

Gatlin — who reacted to the crowd’s booing of his victory by placing a finger to his mouth — served a four-year ban from 2006-10, reduced from eight years and also served a prior ban whilst a student, although that was also reduced as it was ascertained that he had taken medication for his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Nehemiah, who missed out on his chance of an Olympics due to the US boycott of the 1980 Games in Moscow over the invasion of Afghanistan, said if Bolt could accept graciously that Gatlin was justified in being there, then it should be good enough for anybody.

“If it’s good for Bolt it should be good enough for everyone else,” said Nehemiah, who observed that when Gatlin competed and won bronze at the 2012 Olympics in London he was not booed.

“If the king, the legend, is OK with it we should all be OK with it.”

Tallawah's put Knight Riders to bed Sunil Narine's bat chips off at the bottom as he meets a full toss outside off, T&T Riders v Jamaica Tallawahs

SCOREBOARD

Trinbago Knight Riders Innings BB McCullum c Smith b Williams 16 SP Narine c Simmons b Williams 23 C Munro c Powell b Santokie 41 DM Bravo c Foo b Mohammad Sami 33 D Ramdin † c Shakib Al Hasan b Smith 5 DJ Bravo (c) c †Sangakkara b Santokie 5 Shadab Khan c McCarthy b Imad Wasim 6 R Frylinck b Smith 5 JPR Scantlebury-Searles c Imad Wasim b Williams 2 KK Cooper b Smith 5 K Pierre not out 1 Extras 5 (b 2, nb 2, w 1) TOTAL 147 all out (19.5 Overs, RR: 7.41) Bowling: K Santokie (4.0, 0, 30 , 2), Imad Wasim (3.0, 0, 35, 1) KOK Williams (4.0, 0, 26, 3) Mohammad Sami (4.0, 0, 22, 1) Shakib Al Hasan (1.0, 0, 12, 0) OF Smith (3.5, 0, 20, 3) Fall of wickets:1-33 (BB McCullum, 2.2 ov), 2-52 (SP Narine, 4.1 ov), 3-109 (C Munro, 9.6 ov), 4-122 (D Ramdin, 12.4 ov), 5-124 (DM Bravo, 13.5 ov), 6-131 (Shadab Khan, 14.4 ov), 7-135 (DJ Bravo, 16.3 ov), 8-139

(JPR Scantlebury-Searles, 18.2 ov), 9-146 (KK Cooper, 19.2 ov), 10-147 (R Frylinck, 19.5 ov) Jamaica Tallawahs Innings KC Sangakkara (c) † c Shadab Khan b DJ Bravo 47 LMP Simmons b Shadab Khan 38 AM McCarthy lbw b Narine 3 R Powell lbw b Narine 18 Shakib Al Hasan c & b Cooper 16 JA Foo c Scantlebury-Searles b Cooper 19 Imad Wasim not out 2 K Santokie not out 0 Extras 5 (nb 1, w 4) TOTAL 148/6 (19.2 Overs, RR: 7.65) Did not bat: OF Smith, Mohammad Sami, KOK Williams Bowling: K Pierre (3.0, 0, 33, 0) JPR ScantleburySearles (1.0, 0, 12, 0) KK Cooper (3.2, 0, 25, 2) SP Narine (4.0, 0, 21, 2) Shadab Khan (4.0, 0, 25, 1) DJ Bravo (4.0, 0, 32, 1) Fall of wickets:1-61 (LMP Simmons, 5.3 ov), 2-64 (AM McCarthy, 6.2 ov), 3-93 (R Powell, 10.3 ov), 4-123 (KC Sangakkara, 16.2 ov), 5-132 (Shakib Al Hasan, 17.3 ov), 6-147 (JA Foo, 19.1 ov)

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Kares Engineering/RHTYSC Patron’s Green Economy Trophy

Pg 21

Grill Masters lead semi-final qualification

Pg 23

Francis takes shock 400m gold

as Miller-Uibo stumbles

Pg 23

Tallawah's put Knight Riders to bed Lendl Simmons lifts one over the long-off boundary, T&T Riders v Jamaica Tallawahs

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