Guyana Times ePaper 13-Mar-2020

As Guyana waits

PPP/C maintains non-violence approach P13

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

Issue No. 4224

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

US warns of consequences of electoral fraud, de facto Govt See story on page 7

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Coronavirus threat

P14 PSC condemns price gouging by local businesses ...“put countrymen above excessive profits” – Consumer Affairs

UG cancels P11 classes until March 20 …Education Ministry says all schools remain open

…signals sanction against Govt, GECOM officials

“Too much at stake” for Guyana’s electoral process to lack transparency – Caricom Chair See story on page 9

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 11

GECOM flouts court order PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali along with party members and Change Guyana candidate Nigel Hinds, who were initially blocked by the Police from entering the Returning Officer’s High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown office

Suspected COVID-19 case in Guyana P10

CAL cabin crew, local medical staff quarantined

“Spoil Child” arraigned for murder of girlfriend P8

Marcus Bisram murder PI

…verification process suspended again; results delayed further …to resume at 09:00h today, Friday 13th …as EU requests to see GECOM’S SoPs based on statutory arrangement …as contempt of court proceedings filed against RO, CEO, GECOM See stories on pages 3&7

Prosecution closes case after failing to present final witness P12

NEWS

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Friday, March 13 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Saturday, March 14 – 8:30h – 10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, March 13 – 06:55h – 08:25h and Saturday, March 14 – 07:40h – 09:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunny skies throughout the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:06h and 19:32h reaching maximum heights of 2.81 metres and 2.69 metres.

Low Tide: 00:42h and 13:04h reaching minimum heights of 0.45 metre and 0.41 metre.

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 11

GECOM flouts court order …verification process suspended again, results delayed further

…to resume at 09:00h today, Friday 13th …as EU requests to see GECOM’s SoPs based on statutory arrangement

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is being accused of flouting the ruling of acting Chief Justice Roxane George, and as such would be in contempt of court, since the Commission failed to resume the verification process for the Region Four election results using Statements of Polls (SoPs) as specified in her court order issued on Wednesday.

According to Anil Nandlall, one of the Attorneys for the successful applicant, the exercise by the Commission began in earnest on Thursday to be in compliance with Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act with regard to ensuring the relevant per-

of s 84 (1) is mandatory, that is, non-compliance would warrant scrutiny and can result in the invalidity of the process.

“This may appear to be a fine distinction, but I feel it has to be made in the interests of the credibility of the process and in order to obviate the continued contentions regarding the tabulation and declaration of elections results. Posting of SoPs at the place of poll is one of the safeguards. The public tabulation of the SoPs is another.”

Acting Chief Justice George had ordered that the verification process resume by 11:00h on Thursday, but at 10:30h in the morning, the Commission was still trying to

Observers, including members of the diplomatic community, being prevented from passing the barricades

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sonnel were present, but the Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo opted to use a spreadsheet as against the SoPs. Nandlall contends that that move by the Commission constitutes contempt of the court, an offence that carries with it jail time.

Justice George, in her ruling, had declared, “I hold that there are primarily two explicitly mandatory requirements in s 84 (1):(i) that the total votes cast in favour of a list in the district must be done by adding up the votes recorded in favour of the list in accordance with the SoPs, and (ii) that thereafter there must be a public declaration of the said votes recorded for each list of candidates.

“I agree with the dicta of Bernard CJ that the presence of all the persons listed in s 86 (1) is not required at the addition of the votes recorded on the SoPs, and that the RO has a discretion to determine who are persons who would have good reason to be present. It is also within his discretion as to which elections officers will assist him. I also agree with Her Honour’s conclusion that this aspect of the section is directory. But I would add, especially in this era that calls for greater transparency in the actions of public officials, once any of the persons entitled to be present attends, then the addition must be done in their presence. This would especially be the case where duly appointed candidates and/or counting agents of political parties attend. In this latter limited sense, I would say this aspect

get a meeting going with the party representatives and observer missions.

Representatives were told that only a single person would be entertained in the meeting, which was readily agreed to by stakeholders.

During the ad hoc process at the Police barricades – east of the RO’s Office, several party representatives and Observers could be seen pleading with the junior ranks manning the cordon to be allowed entry.

Those persons, including a number of ambassadors, were held at bay until instructions could be had from senior GECOM officials before they were allowed in. Initially, they were told that they needed fresh accreditation to be allowed into the RO’s office.

Methodology

Shortly after noon, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) representative in the meeting, Kit Nascimento, told media operatives that the Commission, together with stakeholders, was still trying to work out the methodology with which to proceed.

He told media operatives that RO Mingo told the meeting that he was going to use a spreadsheet that was compiled using his SoPs and as such would not give the stakeholders present the requisite ability to “ascertain” how the figures were arrived at.

According to Nascimento, this was objected to by all and sundry present, before Mingo attempted to use the first spreadsheet that had initially been met with objections.

European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponce-Canto and US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch standing beyond the Police barricades after initially being prevented from entering the area on Thursday

This too was met with a rejection on the part of the party representatives and observers before an intervention was made by GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, who had just arrived at the location.

According to reports, Justice Singh suspended the activity with a promised resumption after she would have been given a chance to read and interpret the written ruling handed down by Justice George the previous day.

By 16:00h Thursday afternoon, the party representatives and observers were asked to vacate the office before it was shuttered.

Suspended

Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Presidential Candidate Lennox Shuman, in a brief update to the media, lamented what appeared to be a stalemate at the level of the Commission.

According to Shuman, “we’ve been informed there is no sense in waiting, because we don’t know when that written ruling will be given and pending that ruling it would be for Madam Chair to go through the interpretation and then to decide on the process going forward.”

Shuman posited, however, that Justice George’s ruling was clear in that it was for the SoPs to be used; “however, when we got there today (yesterday), Mr Mingo wanted to resort to using the spreadsheet that was previously set aside by the Chief Justice yesterday”.

Recognising the time limit that had been set by the Chief Justice (ag) for the resumption of the verification process, Shuman disclosed that “up until 11:00h we had not commenced, we were still going through the process of figuring out who can and cannot be in the room”.

He suggested too that “there may have been a delay by Mr Mingo trying to advance the process”.

The LJP Presidential Candidate disclosed to the media also that the political parties, and representatives, despite making requests were not told where the GECOM’s SoPs for Region Four were physically located.

According to Shuman, the RO did earlier in the day indicate to his staff an instruction to retrieve the SoPs, but this was not done.

Leave the building

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) GECOM Commissioner Saes Gunraj, at the close of Thursday’s activities, told media operatives that the process appeared to have been suspended indefinitely.

Speaking to reporters at approximately 16:00h, Gunraj indicated that the GECOM Chair had still not been in receipt of the written ruling that was handed down the previous day.

He told media operatives that the Commissioners were informed that they would be contacted “when they were ready to resume, but in the meanwhile, we were asked to leave the building”.

PPP/C GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn, along with another party supporter, could later be seen leaving the building. Asked to speak to the physical whereabouts of the GECOM SoPs, Commissioner Gunraj was also unable to say. “Your guess is as good as mine,” Gunraj said. He told media operatives Mingo only presented the meeting with a sampling of SoPs “and then reneged on his further undertaking to get all of the SoPs”.

Resumption

Meanwhile, the Commission in a public statement on Thursday evening indicated that the tabulation exercise will be resumed today at 09:00h.

EU request

Meanwhile, in a formal request to GECOM, the European Union’s Observer Mission has since asked “to examine the Statement of Polls based on which you have prepared the spreadsheet of results before ascertainment of Region Four is completed”.

That request was penned by the Deputy Chief Observer Alexander Matus and cited provisions in the General Elections (Observers) Act in addition to an Administrative Agreement between GECOM and the EU Delegation.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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

More vigilance needed

G

uyana health authorities on Wednesday announced the first suspected case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country and the subsequent death of the woman. This is amidst concerns by some local medical experts, who have expressed doubts about the reliability of the test used. This publication had reported on Thursday that some medical personnel had questioned the trustworthiness based on the fact that it normally takes one to two days minimum to be confirmed COVID -19 and in this instance, the results were supposedly confirmed in a few hours.

As the COVID-19 virus, commonly referred to as the coronavirus, continues to create havoc and spread fear in countries around the world, leading international development organisations are stepping up and are making available millions of dollars to help contain the outbreak of the disease. In addition to the rising number of deaths and infections being recorded, the outbreak of the virus has taken a tremendous toll on not only the international airline industry and public health systems worldwide, but also several other sectors including tourism, business, sports etc.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has since upgraded the global risk of the coronavirus outbreak to “very high” – its top level of risk assessment and has said that there is still a chance of containing the virus if its chain of transmission is broken. The organisation has said that there is a window of opportunity to contain the spread of the virus if countries take robust measures to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients, and trace contacts.

Certainly, this outbreak has challenged countries’ public health systems as many of them are very weak and do not have adequate mechanisms in place to detect or contain the virus if the situation were to emerge. The WHO has since called for US$675 million to fund the fight against the disease.

Already, this week, the UN released US$15M to the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to help their efforts to address the disease, and the funds will go towards funding essential activities including monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases, and the operation of national laboratories. According to the UN, the focus is on containing COVID-19 by strengthening surveillance, conducting thorough outbreak investigations to identify contacts and applying appropriate measures to prevent further spread.

Similarly, the World Bank Group is making available an initial package of up to US$12 billion in immediate support to assist countries coping with the health and economic impacts of the global outbreak. This financing is designed to help member countries take effective action to respond to and, where possible, lessen the tragic impacts posed by the virus. Through this new fast-track package, the World Bank Group will help developing countries strengthen health systems, including better access to health services to safeguard people from the epidemic, strengthen disease surveillance, bolster public health interventions, and work with the private sector to reduce the impact on economies. The financial package will provide grants and low-interest loans and give priority to the poorest countries and those at high risk with low capacity.

WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) for the new coronavirus lays out activities and resources needed by international health organisations globally aimed at implementing priority public health measures in support of countries to prepare and respond to the virus. The objectives of the plan are to limit human-to-human transmission of the virus, particularly in countries most vulnerable if they were to face an outbreak; identify, isolate and care for patients early; communicate critical risk and event information; minimise social and economic impact; reduce virus spread from animal sources and address crucial unknowns.

We have noted that some systems have been put in place to detect and deal with suspected cases of the virus. It was reported that screening is ongoing at the various ports of entry across the country, including the Eugene F Correia International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. However, the very ministry officials are now saying that proper screening is not taking place at the ports of entry.

Despite reassurance to the country that everything is being done to ensure that all systems are in place to effectively and efficiently handle the situation, on Wednesday it was clear that this was not done. Persons were ill-prepared at the public hospital with some not even wearing protective gears when the suspected case was detected. We as a nation must to be vigilant and be more prepared to respond to this virus.

The economic and financial impact of elections 2020 …10 things you need to know about sanctions

Dear Editor, While it may seem that the role of the international observers is trivial, it is necessary to understand why they are here. Their role is to report back to International organisations whether or not a government of the day in a certain country followed the necessary legal steps in electing their current government. As an economy in 2020, we must understand the far-reaching consequences of what their sanctions could do with Guyana.

I want readers to bear in mind that the observers are not saying that PPP/C won.

They are merely asking for the country to follow the procedures in place, mutually agreed upon by all political parties and GECOM, in order to verify the results in Region 4.

While it may seem that the observers are here to: ‘Wait and See’, we know that the first step of action, is always data collection.

They have already collected their data and now they can choose to act if a president is sworn without the correct procedure.

Every Guyanese regardless of political affiliation must understand the effect on their own livelihood.

When the government officials cannot provide for themselves, how can they provide for you? The international observers have been using very tame language so far to tell GECOM to follow the procedures, but we all know that: ‘Easy Snake does bite hot’.

If a President, is sworn into office without GECOM first following the correct procedure of ballot counting, verifying and reporting, we can expect the following to happen. But since we have spoken about the legal aspect already, let us now focus on economics. Here are the 10 things you need to know.

1) All Guyana’s Oil revenues will be sent directly to our SWF (Sovereign Wealth Fund) which, while it is managed by the Bank of Guyana, is actually being held in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This means that any sanctions on Guyana will start with the country not being able to access any of the oil money that the country was promised. This means that while we think we are fighting over the oil money, there will be no oil money to fight over. It will not matter about our rumblings over 2% of the oil revenue, we will now have zero.

2) International private

sector companies will be blacklisted from doing business in Guyana. This means that honest businesses cannot invest in the country.

Additionally, it means that no private company in the USA or across the world can ‘pass money’ to government officials to enact their agenda in order to operate in Guyana. Do you think that the Anti-Money Laundering Bill which was passed that requires all Guyanese to declare the source of funds was meant for the average citizens of Guyana?

Do you think that America cares that Aunty Dularie’s Plantain Chip Business made a profit this month?

No, they care that foreign companies don’t bribe local government officials or contravene the blacklist. So new businesses cannot invest, and existing business will close, and Government officials cannot be paid off.

3) If Government officials now cannot get money via the oil revenues or via private sector legal spending or illegal bribes, we can still rely on our domestic activity to earn foreign income right?

No! We will be expelled from CARICOM, which means that we will not be part of the Common External Tariff, and we now need to negotiate with every country in the world about importing and exporting. When we also get blacklisted by the World Trade Organization, we will not be able to trade with any country. So that means that we cannot export sugar or rice or fruits or vegetables.

Neither can we can import anything from the USA or Canada or EU or UK, which includes almost all consumer and capital goods. Sure, local manufacturing can continue, but did you know that the majority of manufacturers need to import raw materials from overseas?

4) If you think that you, the average Guyanese, whether Afro Guyanese or Indo Guyanese, can survive on a minimal budget to provide enough food for 1 meal a day, then you are wrong. The value of the Guyana dollar will plummet and one loaf of bread will cost much more than $200. If you think you can still steal, the question is: where will you steal from?

Supermarkets won’t have stock and importers cannot import. You will go back to basic agriculture and plant your own food, right? Wrong!

Seeds and fertilizers and pesticides are imported into the country. So we will have no food, we won’t be able to grow food and we won’t be

able to import food.

5) Additionally, all Guyanese foreign bank accounts and assets will be frozen. So the politicians keep saying that you will have enough money and food, but the fact is that they won’t have enough themselves.

The politicians may also claim that you will be fine because they may have offshore bank accounts, with no foreign jurisdiction to sanction that money. That’s not true, the money that is stashed away would have been deposited from onshore bank accounts, which can easily be traced.

6) If the politicians think that they have already moved money out of their names into their family names, let me remind you that the IRS in the USA knows a lot more about the 300 million residents in the USA than they let on. Let’s keep in mind that Al Capone was convicted on Tax Fraud in 1931. With E-Banking now, you can be discovered in a matter of minutes, not hours or days.

7) If your argument is that: I don’t get money from the politicians, I get it from the Public Sector/Ministries, then I implore you to understand that the Ministry of Finance allocates money to Ministries. They get money in a few major ways: 1) Foreign Direct Investments, 2) Foreign Portfolio Investment 3) Debt Financing 4) Taxes.

The first three ways won’t happen because the foreign countries won’t deal with us, which includes the IDB (one of the biggest lenders to Guyana). In terms of taxes, if you thought 14% VAT was bad, please remember that 14% was the lowest they would go. I don’t want to imagine the highest.

8) Ministry benefits will be slashed – Every minister will see a drastic fall in their salaries and minister allowances will not exist. Each ministry’s budget will be diminished to a point that they cannot provide basic services. Ministry of Health will have no medicine, Ministry of Infrastructure will not be able to build roads, much less assist GPL in keeping on the electricity, Ministry of Education will not have resources to teach children, Ministry of Youth Culture and Sports will not be able to send our athletes to international competitions and the Ministry of Public Security will not be able to fund the activities of policemen and women.

9) Now you think, its okay, I will use my salary as a worker in the private sector or old age pension to fund my activities. The answer again is No. Foreign businesses, will be forced to close operations thus laying off countless staff. The local businesses will either close in protest or close because they have nothing to sell or because no one is buying or the staff do not come to work.

You will not be able to access any money from local banks because a run on banks will force local banks to close since they will have a liquidity problem and lock out account holders from accessing their money. In terms of pension now, the NIS will not have enough money to sustain the pension programme and will seek a bailout from the Government, which will not be able to help.

10) It’s okay though, everyone has foreign family who can send us money through western union, or money gram or local bank accounts or send money through GTT or Digicel.

All these financial services have to sign on with the bank of Guyana as well as their international Parent companies. But I mentioned that we will be expelled from Caricom, OAS, WTO, IDB, World Bank, IMF, so then those services will not exist. Also, I am not sure if you guys guessed it as yet, but talking about international activities, air travel to get out of the trouble will be severely hampered. No more Visa/Passports/Travel docs.

Therefore, GECOM and GECOM officials, while the law is being flouted, please understand the impact on yourselves and all your supports and all the citizens of Guyana. This is not a legal matter anymore, this now has become an economic concern. Supporters, please question your political parties and GECOM as to how they will help you to survive in they continue to ignore the law and sanctions are imposed.

Because of the disregard of the law for political power, we Guyanese, Afro Guyanese and Indo Guyanese have been divided. So as the old saying goes, ‘Divide and Conquer’. But let me ask you, if the Guyanese Politicians, Businesses, Workers and Citizens do not benefit…I wonder who will conquer us…and thus benefit?

Sincerely, Analyst Name withheld

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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

PNC, its coalition partners do not We are unprepared intend to respect Guyana’s law Dear Editor, It is now very clear to Guyana and the world that the PNC and its coalition partners do not intend to respect the law or to comply with any judicial orders as they pertain to GECOM providing a declaration of lawfully verified results for the March 2, 2020 General and

Regional Elections.

It is very obvious also that the top brass at GECOM are willing collaborators in the plot. Perhaps the plan is to delay, run out the clock to the 15-day deadline then declare their unverified results and have David Granger sworn in as President at the umpteenth

hour.

Since the PNC and its partners are refusing to comply with the required legalities in declaring the election results, there is only one recourse left and that is that every right-minded citizen of Guyana now requests the United States and its allies to actively intervene in

order to forestall the installation of an illegitimate administration.

Failing this, we fear that Guyana will be returned to unlawful and dictatorial rule which would be in no one’s best interest.

Dear Editor, Once again, Guyana has lost a son (so far) all because some within our ranks cannot play by the rules of the process. Our elections in the past have been described as “more crooked than barbed wire”, by not locals who may have a stake in the outcome of the vote, but by independent overseas observers, and still we do not learn. Some say because THEY cannot afford to lose, for fear of losing their “perks” as well as what forensic audits may uncover.

Regardless of all that is being said by known apologists and sycophants, certain facts are indisputable.

GHK Lall and others of his ilk, who have publicly “endorsed” a political unit, can vomit the soup as long as it keeps going down their throats, and the stench

would fool no one.

Then there is the other gathering who are now calling for a “political solution”.

I notice Eusi Kwayana and Moses Bhagwan, two FORMER political figures from GUYANA, and others in more subtle and not so subtle language now calling for a national front government.

My question is, why is it ONLY when the PPP is in government (or about to win an election) this call is clarion? Why wasn’t such a call made in 2011 and 2015.

Do these new-born voices, concerned about the future of Guyana, remember the margin of victory (or loss) in those elections?

But, to cut a long story short, my view is that those voices MUST join the demand of the majority of Guyanese (from all politi-

cal persuasions) the local and international observers, the diplomatic community making emphatic statements (note must be taken of those who have remained deafeningly silent) NGOs, business bodies and the list goes on and on, in calling for the VERIFICATION of the SOPs for the ENTIRE Region Four votes. If PNC (in my opinion AFC and the others in APNU are non-existent so no need to mention them) is so confident that they won the elections, WHY are they refusing to have the remaining SOPs VERIFIED? Surely, they have their polling agents’ SOPs. What is interesting, as I understand it, is that all the SOPs for the polling places that were verified, by the political parties that had polling agents

in those polling stations, (mostly Georgetown) have been agreed with GECOM’s SOPs. The BIG QUESTION is how those that come from supposedly PPP areas, and not verified, differ to the extent of “changing” the results? Can GECOM and OR PNC enlighten the Guyanese nation, please?

As I started, a life has already been lost, and that blood is on someone’s hands.

No amount of “spin” by those versed in that “art” can wash the stain and stench off.

Guyana needs the correct, accurate, transparent results of the elections.

Only then can we as a people move on.

Talks on whatever formations of government can then be on the agenda.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

Blood on their hands

Regards, H N Nawbatt

Dear Editor, Guyana has recorded its first death due to the COVID-19 coronavirus and from all appearances, we are scrambling to put systems in place, as we are unprepared.

The advisory from the MoPH not to go to the hospital if experiencing symptoms of this deadly disease,

but to call some numbers for a house visit tells how unprepared we are.

This is a national dilemma and requires a national response to stop the escalation as being experienced in other countries.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Persons at GECOM who committed unlawful acts should face consequences Dear Editor, The attempt to declare the 2020 Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) election results prematurely was not in “conformity” with the law, that is, “unlawful”.

This was done under the aegis of GECOM. Breaking the law in such a high-profile national matter calls for serious reflection vis-a-vis the nation’s legal and moral standing.

Petty criminals (eg possessing a tiny bit of ganja) serve jail term in Guyana. Crimes of misdemeanour, especially by public officers in high places, are also punishable.

The “unlawful” act of na-

tional importance is tantamount to tampering. Legal minds should engage their thinking on this. For my part, if allowed within the law, individuals who did engage in the “unlawful” acts should account for their deliberate actions: be charged, tried and, if found guilty, receive appropriate sentencing.

No one is above the law or should be immune to it.

To use someone’s famous words, “this confounded nonsense must stop”.

Sincerely, G Girdhari

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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eeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. If you’re looking for ways to prevent colds and the flu, your first step should be a visit to your local grocery store. Plan your meals to include these 14 powerful immune system boosters.

Citrus fruits

Most people turn to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold.

That’s because it helps build up your immune sys- t e m .

Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections.

Popular citrus fruits include: grapefruit oranges tangerines lemons limes Because your body doesn’t produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it’s easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.

Red bell peppers

If you think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable, think again.

Ounce for ounce, red bell peppers

Foundation

contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus. They’re also a rich source of beta carotene.

Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C may help maintain healthy skin.

Beta carotene helps keep your eyes and skin healthy.

Broccoli

Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins and minerals.

Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many other antioxidants and fibre, broccoli is one of the healthiest v e g etables you can put on your table. The key to keeping its power intact is to cook it as little as possible — or better yet, not at all.

Garlic

Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and it’s a must-have for your health.

Early civiliza t ions r e c o g nized its value in fighting infections.

According to the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health, garlic may also help lower blood pressure and slow down hardening of the arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concen-

tration of sulphur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

Ginger

Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may also help decrease nausea.

While it’s used in many sweet desserts, ginger packs some heat in the form of gingerol, a relative of capsaicin. Ginger may help decrease chronic pain and may possess cholesterol-lowering properties, according to recent animal research.

Spinach/Callaloo

Spinach made our list not just because it’s rich in vitamin C. It’s also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, w h i c h may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Similar to broccoli, spinach is healthiest when it’s cooked as little as possible so that it retains its nutrients. However, light cooking enhances its vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid.

Yogurt

Look for yogurts that have “live and active cultures” printed on the label, like Greek yogurt. These cultures m a y stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases. Try to get plain yogurts rather than the kinds that are preflavored and loaded with sugar. You can sweeten plain yogurt yourself with healthy fruits and a drizzle of honey instead.

Yogurt can also be a great source of vitamin D, so try to select brands fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost our body’s natural defences against diseases.

Almonds

When it comes to preventing and fighting off colds, vitamin E tends to take a backseat to vitamin C. However, vitamin E is key to a healthy immune system. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly. Nuts, such as almonds, are packed with the vitamin and also have healthy fats.

A half-cup serving, which is about 46 whole,

shelled almonds, provides nearly 100 per cent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin E.

Turmeric

You may know turmeric as a key ingredient in many curries. But this bright yellow, b i t ter spice has also been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, research shows that high concentrations of curcumin, which gives turmeric its distinctive colour, can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

Green tea

Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Where green tea really excels is in its levels of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, another powerful antioxidant.

EGCG has been shown to enhance immune function. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG. Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented, so the EGCG is preserved.

Green tea is also a good source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells.

Papaw

Papaw is another fruit loaded with vitamin C. You can find 224 per cent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in a single papaw. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects.

Papaws have decent amounts of potassium, B vitamins, and folate, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.

Poultry

When you’re sick, chicken soup is more than just a feel-good food with a placebo effect. It helps improve symptoms of a cold and also helps protect you from getting sick in the first place. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B-6. About

3 ounces of light turkey or chicken meat contains 40 to 50 per cent of your daily recommended amount of B-6.

Vitamin B-6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. It’s also vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells.

Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin, chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity.

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They’re also incredibly high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin E is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function. Other foods with high amounts of vitamin E include avocados and dark leafy greens.

Shellfish

Shellfish isn’t what jumps to mind for many who are trying to boost their immune system, but some types of shellfish are packed with zinc.

Zinc doesn’t get as much attention as many other vitamins and minerals, but our bodies need it so that our immune cells can function as intended.

Varieties of shellfish that are high in zinc include: crab clams lobster mussels Keep in mind that you don’t want to have more than the daily recommended amount of zinc in your diet. For adult men, it’s 11 milligrams (mg), and for women, it’s 8 mg. Too much zinc can actually inhibit immune system function.

More ways to prevent the flu

Variety is the key to proper nutrition. Eating just one of these foods won’t be enough to help fight off the flu, even if you eat it constantly. Pay attention to serving sizes and recommended daily intake so that you don’t get too much of a single vitamin and too little of others. Eating right is a great start to protect you and your family from the flu, cold, and other illnesses. (healthline.com)

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US warns of consequences of electoral fraud, de facto Govt …signals sanction against Govt, GECOM officials

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he Government of the United States of America has sounded its starkest warning yet to the Guyanese election authorities, “to follow accepted procedures and allow international observers to verify the results”.

This, according to White House acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak, who on Thursday weighed in on the Guyana elections debacle and the melee surrounding the declaration of the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) results of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

Kozak, in a stern warn-

Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak

ing, cautioned that “under US Law and Practice, those who participate and benefit from electoral fraud, undermine democratic institu-

tions and impede a peaceful transition of power can be subject to a variety of consequences.”

He was adamant, “de fac-

to regimes do not receive the same treatment from us as democratically elected governments.

As such, Kozak noted, “it is essential that the High Court-mandated elections tabulation in Guyana be concluded in a free, fair and transparent manner”.

The warning by the US Government comes a day after UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab called on President David Granger to preserve the sanctity democratic elections.

“We call upon the President to preserve the principle of free, fair and credible elections.

Allegations of electoral fraud and premature dec-

larations of victory prior to the completion of a credible process pose a grave threat to the democratic principles of Guyana. We call upon President Granger to ensure that proper procedures are followed before embarking upon a transition of government,” Raab said.

He added that the UK is deeply concerned about the events following the elections in Guyana and that his government stands ready to offer assistance to ensure a credible election result is produced.

Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric –Spokesperson for United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, had also joined the grow-

ing chorus saying, “I can tell you we are following with concern the latest developments there, particularly the allegations that the tabulation of votes from one of the regions, namely Region 4, was not done according to proper legal procedures.”

On Monday last, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo announced that he discussed Guyana’s elections during a meeting with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland.

In a post on social media site – Twitter – Pompeo said he spoke about several issues including “support for democratic transition in Guyana”.

Contempt of court proceedings filed against RO, CEO and GECOM

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall

F

ollowing the failure to comply with the recent High Court orders, contempt of court proceedings were filed on Thursday against the Returning Officer of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), Clairmont Mingo; Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George on Wednesday ordered, among other things, that the Returning Officer or Deputy Returning Officer commence compliance with Section 84 (1) of the Representation of People’s Act no later than 11:00h March 12, 2020.

However, this process did not start at the stipulated time and instead was suspended until 09:00h today for recommencement.

This led the private citizen, Reeaz Holladar, who had initiated the legal proceedings last week to file contempt of court proceedings, through his lawyer Anil Nandlall, on Thursday.

Guyana Times was told that the contempt matter was fixed for hearing at 10:30h today. The notice was served on GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh. It was reported that both Mingo and Lowenfield were nowhere to be found for service.

Meanwhile, in a statement just after 18:00h on Thursday, Public Relations Officer of GECOM, Yolanda Ward, stated that the Region Four RO will resume the tabulation exercise today at his

office which is housed in the GECOM Command Centre, located in the Ashmin’s Building, High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

She also informed stakeholders who were present and approved by the Returning Officer on Thursday to be present at the appointed time to witness the count.

Prior to the court-ordered recommencement of the process, representatives from the various political parties and electoral observers, both local and overseas, were barred from accessing the RO’s office. Eventually, only one party representative and one observer were allowed in the room for the process, which Mingo attempted to use the controversial spreadsheet for, instead of Statements of Poll (SoPs) as catered for in the law.

In his Notice of Intent to file the contempt proceedings, Nandlall reminded the RO that the use of the spreadsheet is in violation of the Court Order handed down by the Chief Justice on Wednesday. “…In violation of the aforesaid Order of Court, you refused to ascertain and add up the votes recorded in favour of the list of candidates in accordance with the Statements of Poll, but instead, chose to use a pre-prepared spreadsheet, as the basis for the ascertaining and adding up of the said votes… The above constitute flagrant violations of the Order of the Honourable Chief Justice,” the former

Attorney General stated in the notice.

He further reminded that contempt of court is a criminal offence which attracts as a punishment and a term of imprisonment and aiding and abetting a contempt carries the same penalty as the contempt itself.

Nandlall went on to argue during a press conference later that afternoon that “If Parliament wanted a substitute to be used, Parliament would have said the ‘Statements of Poll or any other document or mechanism, appointed or approved by the Returning Officer in the exercise of his discretion’. That facility, that option is not in the legislation…”

He contended that even if a spreadsheet is permissible, then it should have been prepared in the presence of those the political parties so as to ensure that the information contained was extracted from the SoPs. He noted that once this is done and the data corresponds, his party would not object to the use of the spreadsheet.

In fact, this was done in the other nine regions during their tabulation process, several PPP/C agents confirmed at the press conference.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s objection to use of the spreadsheet saw the intervention of the GECOM Chair, who indicated to stakeholders that she was awaiting the copy of Chief Justice’s written judgement since she was only served with the Orders of the Court and will have to study the judgement before providing a way forward.

Hence the suspension today.

But according to Nandlall, when a case is concluded, it is the order of the Court that binds the parties and not the written judgement.

“The written judgement is simply a chronology of the thinking of the judge as the judge arrives at the orders.

You have things that are called obiter dicta, meaning things that are said by the way which are not part of the legal reasoning of the judge.

So to claim that one needs to

read the written judgement in order to obey the order of the Court is quite farcical and fanciful. And this is done by a judge of 30 years stand-

ing,” the former AG stressed.

Additionally, Nandlall contended that efforts are afoot to frustrating the process.

“…they now are trying to do everything within their power to frustrate the exercise,” he posited.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Spoil Child” arraigned for murder of girlfriend

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Dead: Collissa Hunte

eon Allen, 33, also known as “Spoil Child”, was on Thursday remanded to prison by Magistrate Dylon Bess for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, 27-year-old Collisa Hunte.

Allen, a miner of 67 E Wismar Housing Scheme and Wenbar Road, Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden was not required to plea to the indictable charge when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Security was beefed up at the court as Allen, with his arm in a sling, made his first appearance in relation to the matter.

It is alleged that he murdered the Hunte, with whom he shares a child. The incident occurred on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at Wenbar Road, Amelia’s Ward.

The matter was adjourned and Allen was remanded to prison until April 6.

It was reported that the

The PNC… S

Murder accused: Teon Allen

duo came under fire at approximately 13:30h on the day in question while they were alone at the Amelia’s

Ward house which is situated in a “desolate” section of the area.

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…and confusion ome are incredulously trying to grapple with what’s going on before their eyes at the Region’s GECOM RO’s office. They throw up their hands in despair since to reasonable folks, it just doesn’t “make sense”. Practically the entire world has demanded that GECOM complies with a law that’s been applied in five elections since 1992 …but yet, on the kindest reading, can’t get it right. Boggles the mind, right?

So let’s cut to the chase cause it’s not difficult to understand. In every election since ’92 – because of the PNC’s sordid history of rigging elections – there’s “counting at the place of poll”. The representatives of all the parties tally the ballots cast “one by one” for each party and their totals are inserted on a “Statement of Poll” (SoP) which they sign, along with the Presiding Officer. They’re then sent to a Returning Officer (RO) for each of the ten regions to be tallied. No problem so far, right?? Well for the entire country, in practice, there really WAS no problem to this point.

For 9 regions, there was no problem with the tallying of the SoPs. Those ROs tallied the SoPs like in past elections: in front of the stakeholders detailed in the law. So why not in Reg 4? You have to “pick sense from nonsense”, Dear Reader! It’s simple really. All this “jimmy-cock-andram-goat” story about “spreadsheets” versus separate SoPs didn’t really matter: in the 9 regions, the stakeholders were allowed to witness and approve what went into the spreadsheets!!

And this is the crux of the Reg 4 imbroglio that involved more twists than an Agatha Christie’s mystery and enough red herrings to trip up even the most intrepid elections observer: Clerks getting tired, RO ambulanced to GPHC’s cardiology department, unsupervised clerks “tallying into spreadsheets” on their lonesome, flash drives disappearing, miraculous recovery by RO, a cuss down between the PNC reps and the other stakeholders, injunctions served, GECOM Chair disappearing, Court hearing, Orders issued, orders disobeyed – but still no completing counting 879 SoPs!! The rest of the country had some 1500 counted with nary a hitch!!

It’s not that Reg 4’s SoPs are different – maybe MORE, but not DIFFERENT; it’s not that the Observers are different – maybe MORE but not DIFFERENT. So what’s the variable, as Miss Marple might ask?? If you look at all the factors above, you’ll see the common thread’s the GECOM staff – from the RO down to some specific clerks and supervisors.

At every turn, they’ve thrown a spanner into the works to ensure there’s no count!!

As Conan Doyle advised, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth”.

The Reg 4 staff dunnit!! …as intellectual author Now you know when a crime’s committed Miss Marple looks into the means, motive and opportunity. In the “Case of the Sequestered SoPs”, we know the GECOM staff had means and opportunity – but what’s about motive??

And now we get to the real “intellectual authors” of the tragedy-as-farce that’s playing out!! Who benefits from the manipulation of the Reg 4 numbers?? The PNC, you say, Dear Reader?? Go to the head of the class!! They get another five years!!

They insisted during the NCM and their elections campaign that they WOULDN’T ALLOW THE PPP BACK INTO OFFICE!! Did you get that?? WOULDN’T ALLOW!!

Not that they COULDN’T allow, but WOULDN’T allow!! For them to assert this, they had the wherewithal to ENSURE the PPP doesn’t get back in through the ballot boxes. And once again we should appreciate why Granger expended so much capital to control GECOM. Not only the Chair. Do you remember how Granger’s Patterson nixed Vishnu Persaud as the Dep CEO for Roxanne Myers?

She proved her worth on Declaration Day!! …and power The PNC’s conception of power is shaped by Burnham’s Machiavellian grounding. Simply put, once you control the means to impose your will, THAT’s power. Forget legitimacy!

And other states will go along, once you don’t threaten their interests.

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

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Too much at stake” for Guyana’s electoral process to lack transparency – Caricom Chair

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aribbean Community ( C a r i c o m ) Chairperson, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has strongly positioned that there was “too much’ at stake” for Guyana, should the electoral process lack transparency.

Mottley led a team of Caribbean Heads of Government including Prime Ministers of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit; Grenada, Keith Mitchell; St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley on Thursday to Guyana. The team, along with Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, met with President David Granger, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and candidates of the small political parties that contested

Caricom Chairperson Mia Mottley with Prime Ministers Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Dr Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Mitchell of Grenada, and Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines

on Wednesday morning at the Eugene F Correia International Airport. A meeting was facilitated with Opposition Leader Jagdeo and President Granger as well as smaller

“Her (Chief Justice) ruling was absolutely clear that she expects the returning officer to either start anew or complete the process with respect to the SoPs. Any attempt to be able to stall the process or any attempt to be able to obfuscate the process is one that runs against the spirit of the Chief Justice’s judgement” – Caricom Chair Mia Mottley the March 2 General and Regional Elections separately during the two-day visit.

At a press conference on Thursday hosted at the Caricom Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Mottley spoke of the country’s potential economic turnaround in light of its newfound oil wealth and as such, the contention was raised that too much was at risk if transparency was absent in the elections.

“This country is on the cusp of turning the corner economically, but it must also be on the cusp of making every Guyanese a winner and not a loser. Our fear is that if the process is not transparent, that we put at risk too much and therefore, hope that the people of Guyana will work together to ensure that there is calm, there is peace,” the Chair asserted.

The team of regional leaders arrived in Guyana

parties contesting the 2020 polls. Together, the Member States have pledged to continue engagements in a bid to foster fair elections since the appointment of a new President is minute compared to the other vulnerabilities which could face the nation.

“We, the leaders of the Caribbean Community, are committed to working with the people of Guyana for a free and fair process and transparent process. And we made it clear, because there is simply too much at stake for the people of Guyana. Georgetown is the home, the seat of the Caribbean Community.

Guyana is a founding member of the Caribbean Community and against that background, we are clear that as a community of sovereign nations, we cannot get involved in the internal processes…There is no doubt in our minds that there is at stake far

more than who will be the president of Guyana. What is at stake is also the lives and the stability of the people of Guyana.”

Mottley said this challenge which befell the nation was never anticipated in this modern time. However, both major players – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) have committed to abiding by the country’s laws.

“We find ourselves today, as we speak, in a world that is exceedingly uncer-

tain, that is being challenged in a way that we never contemplated that the third decade of the 21st Century would be challenged in this way….And it is against that background that we have appealed to both sides. Both sides committed to the fact that they want to be able to abide by the laws of Guyana and the Constitution of Guyana.

They have also committed that they believe that there ought to be a free and fair transparent process,” she informed.

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10 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Suspected COVID-19 case in Guyana

CAL cabin crew, local medical staff quarantined T

he Caribbean Airlines (CAL) cabin crew that was working on the flight which the Guyanese woman who has since died of suspected coronavirus has been quarantined.

Additionally, the local medical staff who had direct contact with the 52-year-old woman have all been quar-

antined also.

The woman of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Wednesday.

The now-dead woman, who is the country’s first suspected COVID -19 case, had recently returned to Guyana from New York and was in transit for several hours in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Chief Executive Officer at the GPHC, retired Brigadier George Lewis, told Guyana Times on Thursday that medical personnel who were on duty at the hospital between Tuesday and

Wednesday and who had attended to and/or treated the woman have all been placed under observation.

However, he could not say how many staff are being monitored.

Meanwhile, on Thursday afternoon, the Balwant Singh Hospital disclosed that internal checks re-

vealed that the now-dead 52-year-old coronavirus victim had briefly stopped at that hospital before heading to GPHC on Tuesday.

According to a press release from the private hospital, the doctor on duty, after asking background questions and observing the woman’s symptoms advised that she be taken to the GPHC since it does not have testing kits for COVID-19. “…and, therefore, it was not possible to confirm the diagnosis. In response, the Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital has identified all persons who may have been in contact with the patient during the brief stop and en-

sured that they are in quarantine and not on duty at the hospital. The persons in quarantine include the doctor who saw the patient, the nurses, and the attendants,” the hospital statement said.

Flight crew

Additionally, the Caribbean Airlines in a media statement on Thursday announced that the nowdead Guyanese woman had travelled on its flight, BW 521, from New York and was in transit in Trinidad before boarding flight BW 526 destined for Guyana.

“In accordance with established protocols, the Public Health Authorities have advised that as a precaution, the thirteen crew members associated with the flights be placed on self-quarantine for a period of fourteen days. This was done, and the employ-

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

ees will be assessed and monitored by the Public Health Authorities in keeping with the directives from the Ministry of Health. The Public Health Authorities are also contacting all persons who may possibly have been affected,” the airlines said.

If you or anyone you know are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, please call the hotline on

227-4986 ext 215 or 6243067 and a team would be sent to your home.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UG cancels classes until March 20 …Education Ministry says all schools remain open

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he administration of the University of Guyana has moved to close both the Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown and Tain, Berbice campuses for an additional week amid concerns raised by students about the unstable political climate, which has challenged their performance and compromised safety.

A few days ago, the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) had petitioned for an extension to their semester break amid the current political tension embroiling the country.

In correspondence seen

by Guyana Times, UG informed students and faculty members that the campuses remained closed until March 20. However, during this

time, stakeholders are asked to utilise electronic means to continue class activities.

“UG campuses will be closed to students and teaching faculty till March 20th, 2020. During this period, students and staff are advised to carry on their educational activities as advised last week as far as possible using electronic means,” the administration indicated.

UGSS had noted in its request that security has been a factor of paramount concern, as many students have chosen to relocate to other locations. The extended break would afford persons enough time to establish proper mechanisms in place.

“We know these past few days have been uncomfortable for you all. Same goes for us. Some of us have been

The University of Guyana

“Spoil Child” arraigned for...

However, Police investigators who were summoned to the scene following the incident were of the belief that Allen was responsible for the crime.

Reports are that Allen had informed Hunte’s father that she was dead while he went to the hospital. Family members who rushed to the scene are said to have found the woman slumped over on the kitchen floor bleeding from her nose and mouth.

She was pronounced dead after being rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex.

Ranks who visited the

scene recovered 4 rounds and matching spent shells.

Investigators believed that the shots were fired from inside the house.

A post-mortem which was later conducted on the body of Hunte revealed that the woman died as a result of gunshot injuries to the chest.

Official information received indicated that the pathologist also extracted a metal object which appeared to be a warhead from the woman’s left chest area. It is believed that the bullet entered the woman’s body from her right arm into her chest

FROM PAGE 8

which resulted in damage to her arteries.

Meanwhile, Allen is suspected to be involved in an alleged gang rivalry which has reportedly led to numerous acts of violence being meted out against him in the past.

He was recently shot during an incident with Police and is currently being treated for a wound he sustained in the region of his upper shoulder and back.

He reportedly claimed to have been injured in the same area where he was previously shot during the incident involving Hunte.

made to switch our locations due to security concerns for ourselves and our family…

Secondly, let this not be known as an extension to a semester break, but rather, the University closing down for a week so as to have proper and better systems in place where the security concerns of us all can be guaranteed,” UGSS stated.

In sharing its motive for this request, the student body said that campus should also be closed owing to transportation constraints. While that may

be the issue of many, those travelling from Berbice are fearful given protest actions across the region.

“Let us vehemently state, we strongly disagree with any suggestion that school be reopen as per normal for the coming week. There has been, to us, little to no real assessment of the transportation burden that our current political climate has imposed on our students…A vast majority of our students (over 1000) comes from Linden alone. Those who are coming from the Region Three area will now find it difficult to travel also, as most buses have stopped working,” the statement indicated.

Concerned about security on the streets, UGSS indicated that the campuses at Turkeyen and Tain were vulnerable to attacks. In recent time, violent protests have erupted throughout the streets in close proximity to the Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara base, and the situation escalated a few days ago in Berbice.

“Our campuses alone, based on security provided, can be deemed vulnerable to many attacks. Who can guarantee our safety in this regard? Peaceful protests have now turned violent, leaving one dead and a few injured so far. Should

persons in Cummings Lodge and Industry decide to join the wave of protesters, our campus at Turkeyen becomes a haven. Berbice campuses have already become virtually impossible to think to go,” the student body posited.

Adding to that, students have indicated that there has been some psychological impact from the events which unfolded postelections. This extension adds to the previous one-week break that was granted at the end of the second semester.

Public schools

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry on Thursday said that all public schools remain open.

This advisory came after the first case of Coronavirus Disease-2109 (COVID-19) was detected in Guyana.

The 52-year-old woman, who travelled to Guyana from New York, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Ministry is advising persons to take the necessary precautions as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO); Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in relation to the COVID-19.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PSC calls for swift, transparent Marcus Bisram murder PI Prosecution closes case after tabulation of results

PSC Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) requested the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to act transparently in releasing the elections results, after another delay on Thursday when the District Four verification process was slated to reconvene.

In a statement, the Commission urged GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh; Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to act in a swift manner while maintaining transparency.

“The Private Sector Commission urges the Chairman, Chief Elections Officer, and the Returning Officer of Region Four to conclude the process in a transparent manner as quickly as possible to enable Guyanese as individuals and the economy to return to normalcy,” the statement directed.

It went on to express satisfaction in acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling on Wednesday. She indicated while handing down

her judgement that GECOM breached the Representation of the People Act when Region Four Returning Officer (RO) Mingo purported to make a declaration of unverified results on March 5, three days after the recently-concluded General and Regional Elections.

The Chief Justice ruled that given the blatant breaches of the laws governing the elections and their processes, the results declared by Mingo were unlawful and as such have since been vacated and were to be deemed null, void and without effect.

While the process was slated to recommence or restart on Thursday morning, another fracas ensued when the RO reportedly opted to use a spreadsheet, instead of the Statements of Poll (SoPs).

The PSC, who is listed as one of the local elections observers, indicated, “Representatives of the parties and local and international observers were in attendance at the Region Four Office when Clairmont Mingo sought to resume the process of ascertaining the

total votes cast in District Four. Mingo immediately sought to present a document which he claimed had been compiled from the Statements of Poll. It was apparent that the spreadsheet was prepared in the absence of observers and party agents and in defiance of the ruling by the Chief Justice.

The Commission added, “Representatives from contesting parties, in the presence of properly accredited domestic and international observers, sought to remind Mingo, albeit without success, of his statutory duty as confirmed in the court’s ruling to ascertain the votes cast in favour of each list in the District by adding up the votes recorded in favour of the parties directly from the Statements of Poll.”

According to the Chief Justice, the evidence submitted “confirms the confusion that ensued with regards to tabulation and declaration of the votes for Region Four”. She did not take cognisance that the “confusion” was the result of various stratagems to delay the count and then finally to seek to announce unverified figures.

She said too that when compared with the process used for other regions as was highlighted in evidence given, there appeared to be no standard methodology employed across the various regions when it came to the process to be used.

It was observed that while there appeared to be a contention over the accuracy of the figures being used to tabulate the Region Four votes using a spreadsheet, the reports indicated that spreadsheets had been used in other regions also.

failing to present final witness

A

s the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Fayaz Narinedatt continued at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, the Prosecution closed its case after it failed to present its final witness.

The Magistrate is expected to now rule whether sufficient evidence was presented to the court to warrant the accused, Marcus Bisram, facing a Judge and jury for the murder of the carpenter.

In the courtroom on Thursday, State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings disclosed that the Police could not have contacted the final State witness, Chris Mullers. As such, she requested the court use the statement that Mullers had initially tendered.

However, in closing submissions for the defence, Attorney Glenn Hanoman argued that after three and a half years, the Prosecution based its case on “something” Chaman Chunilall, a witness, may have heard.

According to Hanuman, Chunilall, in a statement, claimed that he was unaware of anything that was reported by the Prosecution.

In fact, the defence has asked the court whether the statement given by Chunilall is being relied upon by the Prosecution.

The defence Attorney in his closing submissions ar-

Murder accused Marcus Bisram leaving the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday

gued that the Prosecution was tasked with the responsibility of proving whether the Caution Statement from Chunilall was voluntary.

In addition, Hanuman stated that the Prosecution did not have enough evidence to prove that his client was involved in the heinous crime except the post-mortem certificate.

The Prosecution, he stated, has presented a theory that Narinedatt was beaten by five persons after which he was left to die on a roadway to make it appear as though he was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

Nevertheless, he explained that the post-mortem certificate stated that Narinedatt died at the Skeldon Hospital; he noted that the wounds on the de-

ceased man were consisted with a vehicular accident.

In response, Prosecutor Goodings said the post-mortem report did not say that he died from the marks of a tyre but rather there was evidence that the wounds were inflicted by persons.

Further, she noted that the evidence also indicated that the carpenter was pronounced dead on arrival at the Skeldon Hospital while trying to convince the court that there was evidence that the deceased man was allegedly bitten and taken to the area where he was found dead.

Magistrate Renita Singh is set to rule on March 30 on whether or not a prima facie case has been made out against Bisram to stand trial in the High Court.

“Too much at stake” for...

She spared time to reflect on the ruling of acting Chief Justice Roxane George on Wednesday which clearly states that Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo’s previous declaration of unverified results was unlawful.

As such, Mottley contended that any actions to

stall or deviate from the verification of the District Four data would clash with the ruling.

The Barbadian Prime Minister asserted, “Even though the statute puts power in the hands of the Returning Officer, that that Returning Officer will understand that he holds in his

FROM PAGE 9

hands the future and stability of Guyana as we go forward…Her ruling was absolutely clear that she expects the Returning Officer to either start anew or complete the process with respect to the SoPs [Statements of Poll]. Any attempt to be able to stall the process or any attempt to be able to obfuscate the process is one that runs against the spirit of the Chief Justice’s judgment.”

Until the verified results are released, Caricom has asked Guyanese to remain calm and allow the process to take its course.

“This is not a single event. This is a process, and we are cognisant that this process didn’t get here overnight and it is not necessarily going to be miraculously achieved and changed overnight. But at this point, the most important thing, even as we fight this COVID-19 virus, is for the people of Guyana to remain calm, to remain patient, and to allow us to help both sides and their supporters understand that it is only through a transparent and open process that we can go forward,” Mottley underscored.

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As Guyana waits

PPP/C maintains non-violence approach T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has iterated its commitment to a peaceful end of the ongoing electoral process, adding that there would be no organising of its supporters to commit any acts of violence in Guyana.

These remarks were made by the Party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, who was responding to statements made by members of the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

Attorney-at-Law and APNU parliamentary candidate James Bond on Thursday posted on his Facebook account that the PPP/C was organising rioters from Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

However, at a press conference later on Thursday, Phillips, a former Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), called the statements irresponsible.

“At no time, did we or do we intend to have our supporters throughout Guyana organise for any violence.

And Mr Bond’s statement that PPP supporters in Berbice are being organised to be transported to

PPP/C PM Candidate, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips

[Georgetown] for violence, is an irresponsible statement because that will not happen under our watch,” he contended.

According to the former Army Chief, his party has been committed to a peaceful process – a message it has been relaying to supporters since the beginning of its campaign.

“From the time we started our campaign, we communicated to all Guyanese [that] we’re committed to a peaceful process. We’re interested in a peaceful election and whoever wins at the end of this process, so be it.

Of course, the process must

be in keeping with the laws of Guyana,” he asserted.

Only earlier this week, the PPP signalled its intention to file a formal complaint to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) against Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo over the provocative language used in a public statement issued on Tuesday.

PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha has since intoned that the international community should view Nagamootoo’s statement as intended to “incite racial strife and animosity among our people”.

As such, he noted that

the complaint against Nagamootoo would be “for inciting racial division by spreading inflammatory rumours”.

Mustapha was adamant that “blame for any incident following such a reckless statement will be laid squarely at the door of Nagamootoo and his cronies in the APNU/AFC coalition”.

In his statement, Nagamootoo alleged that a plan had been hatched by the PPP through a front group with tactics aimed at isolating and starving the people of Georgetown – the capital city –which comprises the single largest section of Guyana’s mainly AfroGuyanese population.

He charges that it was clear that the seditious exercise is to destabilise the country and to promote an armed and racist insurrection in Guyana.

The PPP is contending, however, that anyone with information on any illegalities, or plans to commit an illegality, should take that information to law enforcement authorities.

Moreover, Mustapha pointed out that Nagamootoo’s talk about an “insurrectionary and bloody plan to shut down the country does nothing for our country or our people at this time, except to incite”.

According to the PPP Executive Secretary, “his

(Nagamootoo) statement must be roundly condemned by all”.

It was noted that “Nagamootoo’s hypocrisy in claiming concern for Guyana and the Guyanese people is exposed when he pontificates about plans to destabilise the country without any solid evidence, even as his own actions risk doing exactly that”.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

CORONAVIRUS HOW TO HANDWASH? (COVID-19) WASH HANDS OR USE HAND SANITISERS

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice.

They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coronavirus…

PSC condemns price gouging by local businesses ...“put countrymen above excessive profits” – Consumer Affairs

– in some cases drastically – for products such as facemasks, gloves, sanitizers and disinfectant sprays.

This newspaper was informed of one instance where someone paid $2500 for a single respiratory facemask. At some shops, the price for the Lysol sprays has doubled.

However, the Private Sector Commission (PSC),

as well as the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), has condemned the sudden and significant increase in prices.

The PSC, in a statement to the media on Thursday, said it is disappointed that businesses have inflated their prices.

“As the threat of the coronavirus induces panic among the general populace, the Private Sector Commission is dismayed at recent claims reported in the media of businesses inflating the prices of necessities needed to combat the coronavirus disease,” the Commission said.

“The PSC condemns all acts of price gouging by businesses,” the PSC added.

Additionally, the CCAC, in a statement, appealed to businesses to do the morally right thing.

“While the Commission has no legal standing to regulate market prices, we wish to use moral suasion in our appeal to suppliers to revert

travel plans may be affected by the virus to rebook without incurring change fees.

The policy only applies in specific cases. It applies to passengers holding Caribbean Airlines ticket stock but does not apply to inter-island travel. It applies to tickets issued on or before March 31, 2020 with

original travel dates between February 3 and June 30, 2020.

The new travel itinerary must be completed within one year of the original booking. CAL said change fees would be waived for people meeting the criteria but fare differences will still apply to rebooking. (T&T Newsday)

Persons in queue on Thurday to purchase respiratory masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and Lysol

L

ess than 24 hours after Government announced the country’s first case of the deadly coronavirus, scores of Guyanese rushed to pharmacies and other business establishments to stock up on products to help fight the infection.

Businesses, however, have begun to capitalise on the situation, hiking prices

CAL announces COVID-19 waiver policy

C

aribbean Airlines (CAL) has announced a waiver policy for passengers affected by COVID-19, effective Wednesday. In a release, the airline said that due to ongoing developments worldwide and in order to minimise inconvenience to customers, it would allow people whose

A customer donning a face mask at a Georgetown pharmacy

to the common prices for the items they are now gouging on,” the Commission said.

“The CCAC highlights that it is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency, in this case, that of a possible public health crisis. We again appeal to suppliers to put your countrymen/people over excessive profit,” the CCAC contended.

Already, persons in the capital city and other areas have begun to wear facemasks in a bid to safeguard themselves from contracting the virus.

Canadian visitor did not contract coronavirus in TT

N

ational Security Minister and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said it was highly unlikely that a visitor diagnosed with the covid19 virus contracted it while visiting TT. Responding to questions on the flight patterns of the person, Young said he along with Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Roshan Parasram took note of the flight patterns of the person who reportedly travelled from TT to Panama which has been considered a hotspot for the disease by the Ministry of Health.

“The CMO reached out to the necessary health officials in Canada and the

person who was in TT also stopped in a number of places, including that hub of Panama.

“When Minister (Terrence) Deyalsingh and I met with his technocrats three weeks ago we redflagged at that stage certain hubs and Panama is the closest international hub to us with tens of thousands of persons coming in and getting connecting flights to travel all over.”

Young said from Panama, the traveller took another adjoining flight in Colorado in the US before reaching their final destination in Canada.

“It was not a case that came from TT. There are instances where we have been

contact tracking, there are people who would have been travelling and airlines are being affected.”

On Tuesday, Canadian chief medical Officer Dr Deena Hackshaw announced one of seven new cases of the covid19 in the Alberta province, had travelled from Trinidad and Tobago.

On Tuesday Panama confirmed seven new cases of the disease bringing the toll to 14, with one confirmed death.

One day later it was reported that Panama’s government ordered the temporary closure of schools to try and contain the spread of the virus. (T&T Newsday)

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

How the world’s largest coronavirus outbreaks are growing

By Anjali Singhvi, Allison McCann, Jin Wu and Blacki Migliozzi

M

ilan, Italy, Daegu, South Korea, Qom, Iran. Many of the world’s largest coronavirus outbreaks took root in and around well-travelled cities, but they have since grown to encompass entire countries.

Cases have spread across Italy’s north and down to Rome, leading to a lockdown of the entire country. Iran’s capital, where leaders dismissed the virus just two weeks ago, has seen thousands infected. And cases continue to surge across Europe.

The outbreaks are not all heading in the same direction. South Korea has managed to slow the growth of new cases for now, through intensive testing and monitoring of infections. Italy, Iran and the United States are still reporting large numbers of new cases every day.

Official case totals are an imperfect method of judging the world’s outbreaks.

Every country has more cases than it has been able to detect through lab tests.

And a shortage of testing kits in some countries, like Indonesia and the United States, along with a lack of public disclosure in others, like Egypt, means official reports are probably masking

NEW CASES IN PAST WEEK

TOTAL CASES

CASES PER 100K RESIDENTS

Italy

11,255

15,113

25

Iran

6562

10,075

12

Spain

2691

2950

6

France

2496

2876

5

Germany

1887

2369

3

South Korea

1781

7869

16

Sources: Local governments; The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University; CIA World Factbook. Data as of 19:47h ET, March 12

large outbreaks.

Here’s the extent of some of the largest outbreaks in the world and information on how these countries are trying to slow the spread of the virus.

With more than 15,000 confirmed cases, Italy has reported the largest outbreak outside of China. Italian authorities first put restrictions in place in the northern region of Lombardy, where the outbreak first accelerated, before moving on Monday to restrict the movement and end public gatherings for all 60 million citizens in the country. At least 1000 people have died because of the virus.

On Wednesday, the Government shut down basically all commercial activities, including bars and restaurants. Supermarkets, pharmacies and newsstands can remain open. All schools are closed until at least April 3. But Italy’s na-

tionwide lockdown, the first in Europe, is not a severe ban on movement like the one put in place in Wuhan, China. Italians are still able to move around for work, to buy groceries and other essentials, and for reasons having to do with health, child or senior care. Police checkpoints have been set up around the country, at which people are required to stop and fill out official forms explaining their movements.

The number of new cases in Italy had steadily increased for more than a week before dropping on Tuesday.

On that day, though, there were still almost 1000 new cases.

Italy is aggressively testing for the virus, which could help explain why its total confirmed cases are higher than some other countries in Europe. On Tuesday, more than 60,000 tests had been performed, more than

twice as many tests than the United Kingdom had done.

“Today, the red zone is Italy,” Matteo Renzi, a former Prime Minister, told The New York Times. But in 10 days, he warned, it will be Madrid, Paris and Berlin.

If Italy cannot show how to stop the virus, he said, “the red zone will be Europe”.

In contrast to most other countries, South Korea’s reports of new cases have begun to slow — at least for now. Unlike other countries with major outbreaks, South Korea, with a population of 50 million, has not outright restricted the movement of its citizens and has instead focused on aggressively monitoring for infections. More than 7800 cases and 66 deaths have been reported.

More than 235,000 people have been tested, and health officials carefully track down people who may have symptoms, test-

ing more than 10,000 people each day. The Government even opened drive-through testing centres.

While health officials are battling smaller clusters of infections in other cities, much of the effort has focused on Daegu, the centre of the outbreak, where many people were infected in a large church congregation.

Health officials also introduced aggressive public awareness campaigns, sending out mobile phone alerts to citizens whenever a new case is reported in their districts. Updates are provided on government websites and mobile apps as to how many people have been tested and where, along with brief sketches on each patient: their gender, how they became infected and where they are being treated, as well as which places they visited before testing positive.

Officials have advised against holding large gatherings, like outdoor rallies and religious services.

Schools remain closed.

Two weeks ago, Iran’s leaders denied the coronavirus epidemic would be a problem. Now, with the total number of cases standing at more than 10,000, and with more than 400 people dead, Iran is scrambling to control one of the worst outbreaks in the world.

The virus started in the

holy city of Qom, where thousands of pilgrims from Iran and around the Middle East travel each day. Two days after the first deaths and cases of the virus were reported in Qom, Iran held parliamentary elections, which are widely believed to have been the cause of the virus spreading to other provinces.

The authorities failed to take protective measures at this early stage. But the problem became impossible to ignore after nearly three dozen Iranian Government officials and Members of Parliament were infected, and a senior adviser to the supreme leader died.

Now, Friday prayers are cancelled, and schools and universities are closed until mid-April. Government offices remain open, but employees must work reduced hours. For everyone else, officials are asking people to leave their homes only when necessary.

A severe shortage of testing kits in Iran means the spread of the virus is likely much higher than reported.

One study projected a week ago that the true total of infections may have been more than 18,000, “and a week ago is aeons when we are talking about an epidemic,” said Isaac Bogoch, a Toronto doctor who is a co-author of that study. (Excerpt from New York Times)

Canada’s Trudeau to be in isolation after wife tests positive for coronavirus

C

anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, and the outbreak prompted the province of Ontario to shutter schools to limit the spread.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau recently returned from London and experienced flulike symptoms, so she was tested for the coronavirus, the Prime Minister’s office said earlier on Thursday. The test came back positive, it said in the evening.

“The Prime Minister is in good health with no symptoms. As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days,” an official statement said. Sophie will be in quarantine for 14 days.

“The Prime Minister will continue to fully assume his duties and will address Canadians tomorrow.”

In a personal note, Sophie said she was “experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus”, adding that she would be back on her feet soon.

Canada reported 145 new cases of the virus, a three-fold gain from a week ago. There has been one death. Seven of Canada’s 10 provinces have recorded infections.

Ontario, the most populous province, reported 17 new cases overnight, a 40 per cent jump. To contain the virus, authorities ordered all schools to close from Saturday to April 5.

Globally, more than

national events. Hinshaw also discouraged foreign travel.

Quebec, which has recorded 13 cases, has banned all indoor events with more than 250 people and said people returning from any foreign country should self-isolate for 14 days. Health and education public-sector workers who travel abroad will be required

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau leave Rideau Hall after asking Governor General Julie Payette to dissolve Parliament, and mark the start of a federal election campaign in Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, September 11, 2019 (file photo)

127,000 people have been infected by the sometimes-deadly respiratory illness COVID-19.

In a blow to hockey-obsessed Canadians, the National Hockey League suspended its season because of the outbreak, although it said its goal was to resume play “as soon as it is appropriate and prudent”, so teams can compete for the Stanley Cup championship.

With the Canadian dollar at a four-year low against its US counterpart and stocks plunging, the Bank of Canada announced measures to inject liquidity into the market.

Working from home on Thursday, Trudeau spoke with US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and joined a special Cabinet meeting on the coronavirus by

phone, his spokesman said on Twitter.

The Pacific province of British Columbia, north of Washington state, advised against all non-essential foreign travel, including to the United States. Washington is one of the worst-affected states.

Any warning that involves the United States is politically sensitive, given the two countries’ 5525-mile (8890-km) shared border and Canada’s overwhelming reliance on bilateral trade.

“This is really important ... the evolving situation both in the United States and globally is a risk for all of us,” British Columbia’s provincial chief medical officer, Bonnie Henry, told reporters.

Alberta’s chief medical officer, Deena Hinshaw, banned gatherings of more than 250 people and cancelled all inter-

to self-isolate.

Separately, Canadian authorities cancelled the JUNO music awards, Canada’s version of the Grammys, and Toronto’s annual St Patrick’s Day parade was suspended.

Ottawa committed C$1 billion (US$723 million) on Wednesday toward bolstering the healthcare system

and limiting the impact of the virus, while Ontario said on Thursday it had set aside C$100 million in “contingency funding”.

On Thursday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the public health crisis alone would cost the country “well north of C$10 billion”.

(Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

Regional

Trinidad records 1st case of coronavirus

T

rinidad and Tobago on Thursday confirmed it had recorded its first “imported case” of COVID-19 after a resident returned from Switzerland on Monday.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh told a hastily arranged news conference that the family of the 52-yearold individual, who resides in Trinidad and Tobago had been placed in isolation since Wednesday.

“It is a mild case; arrangements are being made to have him transported from his home to the Caura hospital,” Deyalsingh said.

Deyalsingh said that the confirmation had come from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and National Security Minister Stuart Young told reporters that citizens should not panic and follow the advice of

the authorities.

“What we are asking people to do is to be self-cautious,” he said, advising them not to expose themselves to mass gatherings.

The health authorities here said that tracing is tak-

ing place with regards to contacts the unidentified individual would have made, and reiterated that overseas travel should only be done at absolute necessity or in an emergency.

Trinidad and Tobago now

joins Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana as the only Caricom countries to have recorded positive cases of the virus which has killed more than 4000 people in more than 110 countries since it was first detected in China in December last year.

Meanwhile, the stateowned regional airline, Caribbean Airlines, on Tuesday said that 13 crew members who had been associated with the flight that carried the individual who later died in Guyana last Saturday, have been placed on self-quarantine for 14 days.

The 52-year-old woman had travelled from John F Kennedy International Airport on BW526 to Guyana and died at a hospital in Georgetown on Tuesday.

(Excerpt from CMC)

travel restrictions based on advisories from governments across the region.

Other measures include: - Ensuring that aircraft are cleaned in compliance with global cleaning standards at both overnight and transit stops.

- Promoting hand washing and healthy hygiene

among employees and passengers and ensuing that alcohol-based sanitising wipes are available for passenger use.

- Taking measures that follow the recommendations of regional and global health authorities.

- Activating a special Project Team to monitor this

situation in real time.

“We remain committed to the safety of our passengers and employees as we work to connect our region.

We will share any changes made to travel restrictions, our schedule and cancellation policies in a timely manner,” LIAT added. (PR/ SAT)

Trinidad Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh speaking to reporters

LIAT announces COVID-19 procedures

L

IAT the Caribbean Airline will be taking all precautions to ensure the safety of crew and passengers as the region continues to put plans in place for the COVID-19.

On Thursday, LIAT said in addition to the usual health and safety measures, they will be implementing

Argentina, Bolivia, Peru curb travel, public gatherings over coronavirus fears

A

rgentina, Bolivia and Peru announced stricter measures to seek to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in the region on Thursday, including halting flights to and from Europe, curbing the issuance of visas and banning large public gatherings.

Argentina said it would stop issuing visas to travellers from countries hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and European countries.

The decision, published in the Government’s Official Gazette on Thursday, comes

a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the outbreak a pandemic, and the United States restricted travel from Europe.

Bolivia´s decision to suspend flights to and from Europe was announced by interim president Jeanine Anez on Thursday.

Anez said all schools would be closed until the end of the month and public gatherings of more than 1000 people banned. Several candidates campaigning for the May presidential election have said they would cancel rallies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Douglas to vacate seat in St Kitts Parliament

Jamaica: J$1B scholarship programme for Public Sector workers

Finance Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke addresses Parliament during his budget presentation in Gordon House

T

he Jamaica Government is investing $1 billion over five years to finance 150 scholarships for qualified public sector workers under the new Marcus Garvey Public Sector Graduate Scholarship Programme.

Minister of Finance and

the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke announced the initiative while opening the 2020/2021 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

He said that the fully funded scholarships will enable personnel to undertake specific programmes

Brazil's Bolsonaro tested for coronavirus, but has no symptoms – son

B

razil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has been tested for coronavirus and is awaiting the result, though he is not showing any symptoms of the virus, his son Eduardo wrote on Twitter.

Bolsonaro visited US President Donald Trump at the weekend in Florida with his communications secretary Fabio Wajngarten who has tested positive for the virus. (Reuters)

of study at universities in Jamaica and overseas that are aligned with the Government's priorities.

The institutions include The University of the West Indies; the University of Technology, Jamaica; Oxford University; and Harvard University, among others. The awardees will be required to work with the Government for a specified period upon completing their studies.

Dr Clarke told the House that the scholarship programme is for members of the civil service who want to advance their careers and

are committed to strengthening the capacity of the public sector and the nation.

“It is being introduced as a human capital development initiative to provide world-class educational opportunities for Jamaican public- sector employees who are at the forefront of the effort to move Jamaica in the right direction,” Dr Clarke said.

He noted that the initiative will also be used as a tool to help attract, motivate and retain qualified and high-potential staff.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Honduras orders 2-week school closure over coronavirus

T

he Honduran Government said on Thursday that all schools, both public and private, would close for two weeks from Friday to contain the coronavirus, after the country’s National Autonomous University suspended classes indefinitely.

Other Latin American countries, including El Salvador, Panama and Peru, have also taken measures to close schools temporarily.

Authorities at Honduras’ National Autonomous University, the largest university in the Central American country, with some 87,000 students, said they were working on a program for classes to continue virtually.

The Honduras Health Ministry confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus in the country on Wednesday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

St Kitts and Nevis Opposition Leader, Dr Denzil Douglas

S

t Kitts and Nevis Opposition Leader Dr Denzil Douglas Thursday confirmed that he had been ordered by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal to vacate his seat in the Parliament over the issue of a diplomatic passport that had been granted to him by Dominica.

Douglas, speaking at a news conference held by his St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNL), said that he had been informed by his lawyers that the Court, sitting in St Lucia, had handed down the judgement and that he has no intention of pursuing the matter further.

“I am here to announce that the matter of the diplomatic passport case which has been before the courts for almost two years has finally come to an end. We have been informed by our lawyers that early this morning sitting at the Appeal Court in St Lucia, the appeal judges gave a ruling that they would uphold the appeal on this matter.

“I must let you know that

we are very surprised and we disagree with the judgement,” Douglas told reporters.

He added “we are really surprised [that] this judgement has come in the way it has”.

“However, we accept the judgement and we move on definitely to the next level,” he said.

In February last year, Douglas scored a victory in the passport case at the High Court against the Timothy Harris government that sought a declaration that since the election to the National Assembly on February 16, 2015, Douglas became disqualified from being elected as a member of the National Assembly and was accordingly required to vacate his seat by reason of his becoming a person who, by virtue of his own act, is in accordance with the law of Dominica, under an acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state, namely, Dominica.

(Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Oil falls 7% after Trump surprises with travel curbs

B

rent crude slid 7% on Thursday after President Donald Trump restricted travel to the United States from Europe as part of measures to try to halt the spread of coronavirus after the World Health Organization described the outbreak as a pandemic.

A flood of cheap supply coming onto the market from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates compounded pressure on prices. The Gulf Arab producers are raising production as they go on the offensive in an oil price war with Russia.

Brent crude LCOc1 was down $2.57, or 7.2%, at $33.22 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate Texas crude CLc1 was down $1.48, or 4.5%, at $31.50.

Global equities plunged and the Dow Jones index was on course for its worst performance since Wall Street’s “Black Monday” crash of 1987 after Trump announced the travel restrictions.

Prices pared losses briefly after the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said it would increase Treasury purchases and introduce new repo operations, but the bounce faded quickly across markets.

“Global market carnage continues as Wall Street struggles to grasp how long the global pandemic will disrupt travel, trade and daily life,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA in New York.

“Brent crude seems poised to sell off another 10% here as the demand outlook seems like it will only get worse.”

Global oil demand is set to contract in 2020 for the first time in more than a decade, with the International Energy Agency this week lowering its annual forecast by almost 1 million barrels per day, or 1% of global demand.

Demand in the first quarter has fallen sharply on the year, mostly because of the impact of the virus on economic activity in China.

Both Brent and WTI are down about 50% from highs reached in January. They suffered their biggest oneday declines since the 1991 Gulf War on Monday after Saudi Arabia launched a price war.

The six-month Brent contango spread LCOc1LCOc7 from May to November widened to as much as $7.31 a barrel, a level not seen since January 2015.

Contango is where the futures price of a commodity is higher than the price to buy it now. That encourages oil firms and traders to pump oil into storage – either on land or in tankers at sea – with an aim to sell it later at a profit.

The cost to transport oil on supertankers soared as major producers scrambled to secure vessels to ship more crude and companies looked for vessels for storage.

As top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia moved quickly to boost output, Russia stuck by the decision that led last week to the collapse of its alliance with Riyadh and other producers. Moscow said that there was no point cutting output because it would likely be too little to compensate for the virus’ impact on global demand.

For now, both sides are digging in for the price war, said Ehsan Khoman, head of MENA research and strategy at MUFG. “We believe that both sides have enough financial capacity and sufficiently divergent goals to sustain the oil price war for many quarters, not months,” he said.

Saudi Arabia has already stepped up efforts to squeeze Russia’s Urals oil grade out of its main markets by offering its own cheap barrels to refiners worldwide that buy Russian crude, seven oil sources said.

With demand falling sharply and output rising quickly, the market is facing a big surplus in April.

Estimates for the scope of the glut vary. It could be as much as 6 million BPD, said Kirill Tachennikov, director and senior oil analyst at BCS Global Markets in Moscow. (Reuters)

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

17

Around the World

Coronavirus: Italy says 1000 have died but lockdown can work

C

oronavirus has claimed 1016 lives in Italy, officials say, but Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio says he hopes his country will be the first in Europe to get over the emergency.

Another 188 people died over 24 hours.

However, Di Maio told the BBC the measures imposed in the first area of the outbreak were proving effective.

Two weeks after the first 10 towns in northern Italy were declared a “red zone” and put under lockdown, he said they had no new infections.

This then served as a model to tighten measures across the country.

Italy has now seen 1016

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio offered to share the knowledge Italy had built up with any other country that needed it

deaths, amid a total number of 15,113 infections. Civil protection officials say 1258 have recovered, although the number of cases has gone up by 2651 since Wednesday.

Italy is the world’s worst-hit country after China.

“Italy was the first nation in Europe to be affected so badly,” said Di Maio. “But I hope it also means that Italy is the first one to leave the emergency behind.”

Movement has been limited to urgent medical or

professional need. All shops are now closed, except for pharmacies and those stocking food; companies have been ordered to shut non-essential departments; a wide range of venues - from theatres to schools and hairdressers to museums – are closed.

“Our grandfathers were drafted to go to war; we’re being asked to stay at home,” said Di Maio.

“If a doctor and a nurse can work for 24 hours nonstop, we can give up leaving our own home. The huge majority of citizens are respecting the rules. Those who aren’t will face sanctions: either fines or criminal charges.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Facebook, Twitter remove Malawi anti-Government activists freed on bail fake Russia-linked accounts targeting US

The leaders of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition were accused of blocking the homes of government officials

A Facebook logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration

F

acebook Inc and Twitter Inc said on Thursday they had taken down a network of Russian-linked fake accounts operated out of Ghana and Nigeria which targeted the United States.

Facebook told reporters that the network, which it removed from Facebook and Instagram for engaging in foreign interference, was in the early stages of building audiences and was operated by local nationals, some wittingly and some unwittingly.

Facebook said its investigation found links to an NGO in Ghana called EBLA and individuals as-

sociated with past activity by Russia’s Internet Research Agency (IRA), a St Petersburg-based “troll factory” that aimed to interfere in the US presidential election in 2016.

The accounts in the new takedown managed Facebook pages posing as nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) or personal blogs, or posting in Facebook groups. They focused on topics such as black history, black excellence and fashion, celebrity gossip, US news and LGBTQ issues.

They also shared content about oppression and police brutality. (Reuters)

A

Malawi court on Thursday granted bail to three anti-government activists arrested for planning protests against President Peter Mutharika’s attempts to quash upcoming elections.

The leaders of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) were accused of contravening the country’s Police act by mobilising people to close down the homes of top government officials.

HRDC spearheaded nationwide protests since last May’s disputed elections.

Charles Kajoloweka, a leader of the Youth and Society group and HRDC member, described the arrests as “unlawful and orchestrated by partisan politics”.

“We condemn it in the

strongest terms possible and would like to call for their unconditional release,” Kajoloweka told Al Jazeera.

Malawi’s constitutional court last month annulled election results showing Mutharika was the winner with 35.8 per cent and called for a new vote because of irregularities.

Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence and Macdonald Sembereka had promised to shut down three presidential state residences last week in a bid to force Mutharika to ratify electoral bills that were recently passed in Parliament.

The trio was arrested between Sunday and Tuesday and all pleaded not guilty.

On Thursday, they were granted bail by a magistrate court. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

cessful in rebooking flights.

Though American citizens are exempt from the travel ban, Grace and many others said they preferred to return home in case the restrictions are expanded or for fear of contracting coronavirus while in Europe.

“We are nervous that we won’t be able to get back into the country,” said Atlantia resident Jay Harrison, 29,

hoping to board a flight in Brussels. “If it’s going to be another 30 days and we’re stranded, it’s going to be very difficult, very expensive and just tough to get back in and tough to live with.”

Paola Mesa, 29, a Spanish woman flying from Barcelona to San Francisco, said she backed Trump’s ban on travel from Europe.

(Excerpts from Reuters)

“It’s ridiculous”: Trump’s travel ban sows panic in European airports

W

eary and confused travellers, many wearing face masks, rushed to board flights from European airports to the United States on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping travel restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.

His 30-day travel order applies to citizens of 26

European countries but excludes Britain and Ireland as well as American citizens.

It takes effect from midnight on Friday.

“It caused a mass panic,” said 20-year-old Anna Grace, a US student on her first trip to Europe who changed her booking to fly home from Madrid’s Barajas airport instead of going on to France.

Her friends were less suc-

18

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

PEANUTS

Help a good cause. Your willingness to pitch in will impress someone important.

Networking will bring results. Form a partnership with someone who can contribute something you lack.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Finish what you start and ease tension. You can ask for help, but make sure you know exactly who and what you want in your corner. Protect your reputation and don’t criticize others or display anger.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Social activity will turn out surprisingly well. A change of scenery will pique your imagination. Visit an establishment you used to frequent. Love and romance are in the stars.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Get together with friends or offer help to a deserving organization. If you keep active, you’ll feel good about your accomplishments and avoid criticism and complaints.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Mingle, network and promote what’s on your agenda.

Someone may try to steal your thunder. If you offer facts and figures and present your thoughts with passion, you’ll come out on top.

LIBRA

Mix business with pleasure and stick to the facts.

You will impress everyone and will be praised for your skill and ability to take action and get things done.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

It’s time to update your living conditions. Consider your options and look for hidden opportunities or a new environment that will stimulate your mind and get you headed in an exciting direction.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Have fun, mingle and get to know creative people like yourself. Use your knowledge and expertise to draw attention. Your unusual insight and approach will intrigue someone special.

Expect someone to opSAGITTARIUS pose you or put you in a vul(Nov. 23nerable position if you are Dec. 21) too open. Be ready to step up and to do damage control. Keep personal changes secret.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Look over your options carefully until you feel ready to make a sound decision. A partnership could develop out of networking functions.

Romance is encouraged.

Don’t waste time worrying about things you can’t change.

Question your lifestyle and consider what you can do to improve your current situation. Use intelligence, not anger, to bring about change.

Look for an excellent investment that will contribute to your security and ease your mind. A positive approach to life will attract interesting people who have something to offer. Romance is favoured.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

19

suspends season after Jazz player tests positive for coronavirus

T

he National Basketball Association (NBA) said on Wednesday it was suspending the season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus.

The test result was reported shortly before the Jazz were due to play the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game was then scrapped.

The league said the affected player, reportedly Jazz center Rudy Gobert, was not in the arena.

“The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice,” the league said.

“The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”

Players from teams that Jazz has played in the past 10 days were told to self-quarantine, ESPN reported, citing sources.

Those teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Detroit

Pistons and Toronto Raptors, the ESPN report added.

More than 126,000 people have been infected globally by the flu-like virus and more than 4,600 have died, according to a Reuters tally based on official announcements. In the United States, about 1,280 people have been infected with 38 deaths.

The pandemic rocked the North American sports calendar on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of the figure-skating world championships and the announcement that college basketball’s annual ‘March Madness’ tournament would take place without fans in attendance.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James tweeted bit.ly/2IF2noL: "Man we cancelling sporting events, school, office work, etc etc.

“What we really need to cancel is 2020!

Damn it’s been a rough 3 months. God bless and stay safe,” he wrote, likely alluding to the death of NBA great Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash in January.

Olympics: European boxers fight off virus concerns ahead of Tokyo qualifier

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lympic boxing hopefuls from all over Europe are preparing to punch their tickets to Tokyo at a qualifying tournament starting in London this weekend, with an emphasis on clean hands and hygiene in a time of coronavirus.

The Road to Tokyo event features some 350 fighters from 50 countries including Italy, the European country worst hit by the outbreak and now in lockdown as it combats the spread of the disease.

Event director John Timms told Reuters on Thursday there had been no withdrawals from the March 14-24 tournament, other than some officials from the worst affected areas who had stayed at home.

“We’ve been blessed with some really sensible teams traveling here, who when this story started to break and unfold actually put plans in place to be in the UK a lot earlier,” he said.

“Many teams have been here for over two or three weeks in preparation camps and have been here well beyond the quarantine periods.

We’re in good shape in that respect.”

The ticketed event at the Copper Box will see 50 men and 27 women secure their places for the Tokyo Games.

It is being organized by an International Olympic Committee (IOC) taskforce following the suspension of international federation AIBA last June because of issues concerning governance and finance. “(The Italians) have been over here for a significant period of time and that was good preparation on their part,” said Timms.

“They knew there might be issues, they wanted to keep their boxers safe, they were all from outside the original quarantine area so they wanted to get them here so they could prepare properly.

“We are carrying out additional testing on athletes, that will be taking place all the way through the tournament,” he added. “We are advising teams to do that as well.”

The irony of handshakes being shunned, before the gloves come on, in a contact sport of sweat and blood is obvious but British boxers expressed no concerns at a pre-tournament media event.

“I know the Italian team have been over here for a few weeks so I’m more than confident that they are completely fine,” women’s middleweight world champion Lauren Price told Reuters.

“They have as much right to be here as us.

They’ve worked hard and it’s their dream as well to get to the Olympics.”

“We’ve sat down with the medical team and gone through all the procedures; cleaning, washing your hands, not shaking hands with other countries. I’m more than confident and happy that everything’s fine and put into place.”

Men’s middleweight Lewis Richardson, winner of the Tokyo test event last October, was equally relaxed.

“I don’t really focus on it. We can only focus on the controllables.

We’re doing everything we can,” he said. “We’ve just got to focus on training and working hard and putting ourselves in the best position to take the most of the opportunity.” (Reuters)

An NBA logo is seen on the façade of its flagship store at the Wangfujing shopping street in Beijing, China (Reuters)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said his team were “stunned.”

“This is a very serious time right now. I think the league moved appropriately and prudently,” he said.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said the situation was “crazy”.

“This can’t be true,” he told ESPN as his team played the Denver Nuggets.

“This is not in the realm of possibilities.

This seems more like out of a movie than reality.”

A game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings was also called off at the last minute, leading to tears from at least one young fan in attendance.

The NBA playoffs were scheduled to tip off on April 18 with the finals set to begin on June 4.

Following the NBA’s announcement, the National Hockey League said it was consulting with medical experts and would have a further update on Thursday.

(Reuters)

UK Government considering banning sporting fixtures

Several football fixtures across Europe have been held behind closed doors (Getty Images)

T

he UK government is considering banning sporting fixtures amid the coronavirus outbreak but it will not happen immediately.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will move to the "delay" phase of its plan to tackle the virus.

There have been 596 confirmed cases across the UK, and 10 deaths.

"We are considering banning major public events like sporting fixtures," said

Johnson.

"The scientific advice is this has little effect on the spread - but it does place a burden on other public services."

Johnson added: "We are guided by the science; there is no medical reason at the moment to ban such events.

"We are not saying no to that sort of measure, we are keeping it up our sleeves.

But it is very, very important in order to maximise our interventions that we get the timing right."

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said cancelling sporting events is not a "major way to tackle this epidemic".

"Of course there is a risk," he said. "But on average one person infects two or three others.

"You therefore have a very low probability of infecting a large number of people in a stadium, or a rather higher probability of infecting people very close to you, and that means most of the transmission tends to takes place with friends and colleagues in close environments, not in the big environments.

"It is true that any cancellations of things can have some effect (but) if you then get a displacement activity, when everyone congregates somewhere else, you may have perversely an increased risk, particularly in an indoors environment.

"So it doesn't mean you should at some point make the decision for the resilience point that has been discussed, but this is not a major way to tackle this epidemic.

"The major ways are to try and reduce and delay the transmission across households and people who have become infected and that why that is the concentration of the first actions."

(BBC Sport)

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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Europa League: Man Utd put 5 past LASK M

anchester United took control of their Europa League last-16 tie with a resounding first-leg win at LASK, in front of a crowd of 500 people.

Odion Ighalo's superb goal set United on their way inside a largely empty Linzer Stadion after the Austrian government had restricted the attendance in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 30-year-old Nigeria striker has now scored four goals in three starts United, who are now unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions.

However, he will have scored few better, or in a more surreal atmosphere than the opening goal, with the forward collecting Bruno Fernandes' pass and juggling the ball from right foot to left, before dispatching it into the top left corner, off the underside of the crossbar.

Despite making five changes to the side that started their Manchester derby victory on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side appeared confident and fluent throughout.

Juan Mata, Daniel James and Harry Maguire all had chances to add to their tally, while Ighalo hit the post before supplying James for United's second - with the winger cutting inside and driving a right-foot effort into the bottom left corner.

Fred's incisive pass allowed Mata to roll in a third, while substitutes Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira, added a fourth and fifth in injury time.

And it was no more than United deserved for a dominant display that maintained their record of having never lost to Austrian opposition in European competition.

Wolves defeat Olympiakos

Substitute Pedro Neto scored a valuable away goal for Wolves as they drew with 10-man Olympiakos in their Europa League last-16 tie played behind closed doors over coronavirus concerns.

The Premier League side, who wanted the game post-

frame of mind. They did not want to play this fixture and manager Nuno Espirito Santo said it was "absurd" it proceeded despite concerns over the pandemic.

Some of the concerns were prompted by the news Evangelos Marinakis, owner of the Greek club and Nottingham Forest, had contracted the virus this week.

However, no other Olympiakos players and staff tested positive.

The unusual build-up may have played on the minds of the players during the opening quarter - or it could have been the atmosphere inside the Karaiskakis Stadium which was like that of a practice match.

Rangers suffer first home defeat

Leon Bailey's stunning third goal ended any hopes of a Rangers comeback (Getty Images)

poned, faced 10 men from the 28th minute after last-man Ruben Semedo was sent off for fouling Diogo Jota.

But Wolves laboured and went behind when Youssef El Arabi tapped home.

Neto equalised with a low driven free-kick that took a deflection.

Wolves had largely underwhelmed inside the eerie Karaiskakis Stadium and their only other clear-cut chance was when Raul Jimenez's angled strike struck the face of goalkeeper Jose Sa. The second leg is next Thursday, but whether it is played depends on Uefa's decision over whether to cancel its club competitions because of the increasing threat of coronavirus.

If it does go ahead Wolves will need to be in a better

Rangers suffered a first home European defeat in 18 games as they lost to Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Kai Havertz's first-half penalty - given after a VAR check for handball against George Edmundson - put the Germans in front and Charles Aranguiz crashed in a second.

Edmundson gave Steven Gerrard's side hope when he headed in a James Tavernier cross, but Leon Bailey lifted in a stunning third to condemn Rangers to a third defeat in four matches.

On a disappointing night for the Scottish Premiership side, a glass bottle was thrown on to the pitch from the crowd in the final few moments before being picked by Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby.

The second leg of the tie is scheduled to be played in an empty Bay Arena in the north-west of Germany next Thursday amid measures to slow the spread of coronavirus.

However, with leagues suspended around the continent and the first legs of two Europa League last-16 ties already postponed, it remains to be seen if that encounter will take place as planned. (BBC Sport)

IPL likely to take place behind closed doors

A Police Officer in India wears a mask amid the coronavirus pandemic (BCCI)

T

he possibility of IPL 2020 being a severely restricted tournament - with at least some part of it being played to empty stands - in light of the coronavirus threat has increased following statements by two key ministries of the Indian government on Thursday. While the sports ministry said it would not stop sporting events from taking place as long as they adhere strictly to governmental guidelines, discouraging mass gatherings, the external affairs (foreign) ministry went a step further and said their advice was to not go ahead with the tournament at this time, but left the decision to the organisers.

The IPL itself is yet to issue a statement on the tournament but its Governing Council is scheduled to meet franchises on March 14 in Mumbai. The 13th edition of the tournament will likely feature nearly 60 overseas players, arriving from and through different parts of the globe that have been affected by the pandemic.

On Wednesday, shortly after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) a pandemic, the Indian government updated its travel advisory to increase visa restrictions for travel to India. At a press conference of the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday afternoon in Delhi, Dammu Ravi, its point person to deal with COVID-19 issues, was asked about impact of the new travel advisory on the IPL. "We are analysing a lot of requests of the status of sports events that are being held in India and something linked to a mega event, which is already being planned, so how do you deal with this?" Ravi replied. "It is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not. And then we will be open to the idea, if they really want to do it. Our advice would be not to do it at this time, but if they still want to go ahead it is their decision."

He was later asked how the government would deal with private organisations going ahead with their plans "for commercial

considerations despite the grave danger". "The advisory that we have received yesterday is very clear that only (for) compelling reasons if anybody wants to come they will come. Now it may even include sports events. At this point of time, I have n o definite answer whether commercial events will be banned or not. But in course of time we will see how things evolve."

The IPL is the most lucrative tournament in cricket and offers the BCCI as well as the eight franchises substantial sums of money. In 2017, Star India bought the global broadcast rights for IPL for a record USD 2.55 billion. Consequently, each franchise would earn around INR 150-200 plus crore per season from the IPL's commercial pot. Therefore, it would not be an easy decision for the BCCI to defer or cancel the IPL. Ravi, though, put the onus on the organisers, asking them to think beyond the commercial aspect. "If it is a commercial decision, then we will have to assess in course of time if that requires special guidelines to be issue on that," he said. "If we are looking at mega events there is also Tokyo Olympics which is going to happen later this year as well - all these are decisions for the organisers, they have assess for their own sake and for the health of the people around in that country as to what decisions (they ought to take), but we will be reviewing it in course of time also."

"People's health cannot be put in danger" Earlier on Thursday, Kiren Rijiju, India's Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, spoke about the guidelines on mass gatherings, issued on March 5 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They quoted expert advice to "reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus disease" and advised that mass gatherings be avoided or possibly postponed till the disease spread was contained.

"All international events in India have been cancelled," Rijiju told reporters outside Parliament. "But we are telling sports federations, we are telling all to comply with the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. So any sports body in India should ensure [the guidelines are followed]."

Asked specifically about the IPL, which is scheduled to start on March 29, Rijiju indicated that fans are likely not to be allowed at the grounds. "We are not stopping the game," he said. "We are just telling [the IPL] to ensure that there is no mass gathering. Precautionary steps are very important for the health of the country."

Considering that IPL matches are usually attended by several thousand fans across all venues, Rijiju said the organisers would need to ensure that safety of the "people" is not put at risk. "That is the guideline," he said. "If matches happen the organisers would need to put in place all infrastructure including screening machines. You cannot hold a match without that.

"We are not saying anything to stop the match. We are just saying: even if they go ahead with the match, ensure that guidelines are followed. People's health cannot be put into danger."

Shortly after Rijiju's comments, the sports ministry also

issued an advisory on Thursday to various national sports federations, the Indian Olympics Association as well as to the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

"To deal with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued advisories and advised the state governments to take appropriate action under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897," the sports ministry's advisory said.

"You are advised to adhere to advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event. In the event, the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of the people, including spectators."

The pandemic On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) a pandemic. Shortly after that, the Indian government changed its travel advisory to increase visa restrictions for travel to India. "All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15, 2020.

This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13, 2020, at the port of departure," the government statement said.

As per the figures released by the WHO, 118 countries have been affected by COVID-19, classified as a respiratory illness.

More than 120,000 people have been infected with over 4,300 deaths worldwide. In India so far, 73 people have been infected with no deaths as yet.

It remains to be seen how this development will affect the remaining matches of the ODI series between India and South Africa, which began on Thursday in Dharamsala. The second ODI is scheduled to be played in Lucknow on March 15, and the third ODI in Kolkata on March 18.

On Wednesday, the BCCI issued its first statement on how it was dealing with the pandemic ahead of the series. Along with following the prescribed dos and don'ts on personal hygiene, the BCCI had asked the India players to be mindful during their interactions with fans, including not shaking hands or using third-party gadgets for selfies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already forced the cancellation and postponement of sporting events across the globe with a few of them in India. The first major tournament to be postponed was the 3x3 basketball Olympic qualifiers, which was scheduled to be held in Bengaluru from March 18 to 22.

The Indian Open golf tournament, scheduled to be held in Gurugram from March 19 to 22, has been postponed, with the organisers promising to reschedule the event at "some point" later this year. The Shooting World Cup, in Delhi from March 15 to 26, has also been postponed, as has India's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Bhubaneswar on March 26. The India Open badminton tournament is going ahead as of now in Delhi from March 24 to 29 - but without spectators. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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Essequibo Coast T/20 Bash…

Impressive performances highlight 2nd round with Norwayne Fredericks contributing 66 and Norman Fredericks 24.

Warriors responded with 144 for 7 in 19.5 overs, with Shaquille Rigby blasting 85 of those runs.

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Nathan Persaud scored 120

Sparwin outhustled Reliance Hustlers defeated Sparwin by 80 runs in a match played at Reliance. Hustlers posted 224 for 3 in 20 overs, with Mark Austin contributing 95, Narendra Madholall 64 and Anthony Ifhil 45.

Sparwin ended on 149 for 8 in 20 overs, as they found the Hustlers’ bowling attack too hot to handle. Narendra Madolall took 3-23 and S. Lall took 2-35.

Bacchus Bulls defeated the Rebels by 118 runs in a match played at the Imam Bacchus Ground at Affiance.

The Bulls made 250 for 4 in 20 overs, with Nathan Persaud contributing 120 (5x6,12x4) and Sheldon Charles 66.

The Rebels’ response could only produce 132 for 5 in 20 overs, with Keron Boodram top scoring with 42.

In the other match played at this ground, United Warriors defeated Aurora Knight Riders by 3 wickets. Knight Riders made 141 for 6 in 20 overs,

Lima defeat the Crown Lima United defeated Crown X1 by 6 wickets in a match played at the Lima ground.

Crown X1 scored 127 all out in 16.5 overs, with B. Dasrat top scoring with 37 and T. Deonarine making 23. Lima’s Lance Roberts bagged 4-20, while Keion James claimed 2-15 and Safraz Ghani had 2-25.

Lima United then easily posted 128 for 4 in 10.4 overs, with Fazeer Khan contributing 66.

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Kemol Savory scored 105

A

ction in the second round of play in the Essequibo Coast T/20 Bash continued with Kemol Savory, Yogesh Singh and Nathan Persaud hitting centuries, and Akil Wallace bagging 6-10 in impressive performances turned in at various grounds across the county.

Rising Stars triumph The Rising Stars defeated Devonshire Castle by 38 runs in a match played at the Pomona ground.

After winning the toss, Rising Stars made 193 for 3 in 20 overs, with Kemol Savory contributing 105 and Ricardo Peters 34; while the Castle’s Anil Persaud returned figures of 2–57 as their best bowler.

Replying, Devonshire Castle could produce only 155 all out in 18.2 overs. Ajay Jailall top-scored with 40 (5x6), while Anthony Persaud and Dinesh Chattergoon supported with 27 and 20 respectively.

Rising Stars’ Quintain Sampson bagged 3 for 17, while Latchman Rohit claimed 3 for 16, and Darmendra Lakhan had 2 for 44.

In another match played at Pomona ground, the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) defeated Jaguars Over-40 by 7 wickets. Batting first, the Jaguars posted 114 all out in 19 overs, with S. Bissoon top scoring with 37.

NOC’s Akinie Adams bagged 3 for 13, Anthony Adams had 4 for 14, and B. Jones claimed 2 for 13.

NOC responded with 115 for 3 in 12 overs, with Anthony Adams making 32 not out to lead his side home.

Gunners outgunned Affiance Sports Club defeated WD’s Gunners by 52 runs in a match played at Affiance ground.

Winning the toss and batting, Affiance made 177 for 7 in 20 overs, with Y. Singh contributing 103.

WD’s Gunners, in response, could produce only 125 for 8 in 20 overs. While Grayson Paul top-scored with 57, Hemant Singh of Affiance bagged 3-20

and Devendra Narine bagged 2-15.

Spartan Challengers then defeated Jaguars Sports Club by 3 wickets also at Affiance ground.

Batting first, Jaguars made 117 all out in 16.3 overs, with Spartan’s Edward Lall taking 3-26 even as Kamesh Lall’s 2-22 and Tayiendra Boodram’s 2-24 supported.

The Spartans then raced to 117 for 7 in 18.5 overs for the victory.

Bacchus Bulls triumph

The other match played at this ground saw Queenstown defeating Young Achievers by 2 wickets.

Achievers made 146 all out in 20 overs, as Queenstown’s Akil Wallace picked up an impressive 6-10. Queenstown then rallied to 147 for 8 in 19 overs for the win.

Walton Hall defeated Cotton Field Strikers defeated Walton Hall by 7 wickets in a match played at Walton Hall ground.

Walton Hall were restricted to 81 all out in 13 overs, as Bomesh Ramdahin took 3-19, Rajiv Kissoon took 3-6 and Parmanand Persaud took 2-25 as they tore through the batting line-up.

Strikers then raced to 82 for 3 in 10.5 overs.

Charity uncharitable Charity Sports Club defeated Golden Fleece by 3 wickets in a match played at the Charity ground.

Golden Fleece scored 113 all out in 18 overs, with Eknauth Persaud producing an even 50, while Charity’s Mukesh Singh led the bowling with 3-25.

Charity ended on 115 for 7 in 19.2 overs for the win, with Singh returning to make 40.

RSPL suspends matches as Jamaica tries to contain spread of coronavirus

T

he Red Stripe Premier League has suspended matches scheduled for between Thursday and Monday, March 16, in light of the potential threat posed by the Coronavirus – Covid19.

Carvel Stewart, Vice Chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) made the announcement on Thursday, after securing the approval of Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

The decision to suspend matches was also in keeping with Wednesday night’s request by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that there not be large gatherings in a bid to limit the spread of the deadly virus.

Two Jamaicans have tested positive for the virus and seven are in isolation.

“In accordance with the government’s announcement last night and after a fairly short meeting this morning, it was decided that the matches for today and the weekend would be postponed to observe the government’s wishes that we don’t

Two Jamaicans civilians have tested positive for the virus and seven are in isolation

have large crowds attending,” said Stewart.

“We have not yet decided on the further involvement of the teams and we will be meeting next week again to determine if we go as of the next round or if there are further delays.”

The suspension of the RSPL comes on the heels of

the news of the cancellation of the 110-year-old Boys and Girls Championships that were scheduled to be held at the end of March. Also, the finals of the Digicel Grand Prix have also been cancelled over concerns over the spread of the virus, whose spread has prompted the World Health Organisation

to declare a pandemic.

More than 121, 000 people have been infected by the virus with more than 4000 dying as a result.

In recent days, the NBA, La Liga and Serie A have suspended play until further notice as the virus continues to spread unabated across the globe. (Sportsmax)

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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Coronavirus threat in the Caribbean region…

CWI taking precautionary measures T

he pandemic of coronavirus, Covid-19, having put a halt to quite a number of sporting events in the wider world, now poses a threat to activities in the Caribbean region.

With two cases reported in Jamaica and one death in Guyana, the Cricket West Indies Board is said to be closely following the spread of the coronavirus with a keen focus on how it would affect the upcoming series of the West Indies Men’s and Women’s teams.

CEO of Cricket West Indies, Johnny Grave, has adverted to precautionary measures being taken by that body, and plans for the next few months. “…but clearly again, we are continuing to monitor the medical advice as the virus spreads, and reviewing those decisions and taking

into consideration what contingencies we need (to put in place) should the situation change and develop further,” Grave explained.

Grave revealed that no tour has thus far been cancelled or postponed, but with the ‘men in maroon’ having three scheduled tours before the T20 World Cup is played in October, Cricket West Indies are keeping an ear out for any major development that would influence the holding of any tour. The tour to England to defend the Wisden Trophy is especially under focus, he explained.

“We’re following the advice of the medical team, and we’re in regular conversation with the ICC. But, at the moment, those matches are going ahead as planned, but that may well be reviewed as the virus spreads in the UK, and we’ve already seen a number

of football games and sporting events cancelled in the UK and across Europe,” the CWI CEO has shared.

While it was expected that the Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL), which is slated to commence on March 24, might be affected, Grave shared that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent no official word about the tournament, which is flooded with West Indian stars. He explained that at this point in the developments, cricket is only being affected at the level of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“To date, the major impact has been really at the ICC level. They’ve cancelled a regional qualifying tournament that was due to be played later this month in Malaysia, and we were meant to be travelling -- myself and the CWI President, Ricky Skerritt -- to Dubai at the end of this month

Selwin's Super 10 League…

V&V All Stars defeat Belle Vue to take title

for ICC Chief Executive and Board meetings, and they’ve been cancelled.”

With a handful of reported cases of the coronavirus in the Caribbean, the CWI medical team is monitoring the situation, and noting how it may affect regional tournaments such as the PCL 4-Day, Under-15, Under-17 and Women’s Super-50 competitions.

Grave also shared that the CWI have implemented a travel policy for all their players and affiliates, and he said that policy would be in place until the virus is no longer a threat.

Further, he shared that very clear directions and advice have been communicated to CWI staff, players, and match officials that only essential travel should be undertaken at this stage, and that good hygiene should always be practised.

CEO of CWI, Johnny Grave

Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc makes good on promise to Jasmine Billingy

Jasmine with her Coach Colin France (left) and Denzel Hopkinson (Aviation Director of SI&C Inc)

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The victorious V&V All Stars cricket team

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he grand finale of the Selwin's Super 10 League was played last Sunday at the Belle Vue Community Centre Ground on the West Bank of Demerara between the home team and the V&V All Stars Team.

Having won the toss and choosing to bat first, Belle Vue posted 181-8 off their 20 overs, in the process showing drastic improvement in their cricket. They did nothing wrong in the batting department, but played with aggression and class combined. And although a few wickets did fall as their innings was coming to an end, they managed to rally through to post a respectable total.

Ryan Seecharran top-scored with 46 (6x4) from 31 balls, and Colin Boucher made 36 (3x4, 3x6) from 15 balls. Good starts also came from Kerwin Bennett (16), Paul Ashby (14), Ravi Prasad (14) and Krishna Singh (12).

Bowling for V&V All Stars, Elvis Shack

returned figures of 3-32 off 4 overs, and Anand Bharrat ended on 2-34 off 4 overs.

In reply, V&V All Stars scored 182-6 in 18 overs, shocking Belle Vue with the ease with which they overtook the mammoth total.

The Belle Vue bowlers suffered a proverbial bad day at the office, which enabled the V&V All Stars to go on a rampage from the beginning of their innings, as they embraced the opportunity to score with every wayward delivery they faced.

Yogendra Singh top-scored with 71 (7x4, 4x6), and both Anand Bharrat and B. Bandoo were not-out at the end, with scores of 44 and 25 respectively as they brought home the proverbial bacon.

Bowling for Belle Vue, Randy Ramrup returned figures of 2-27 off 3 overs; Krishna Singh claimed 2-31 off 4 overs; and Paul Ashby and Ryan Seecharran each took a wicket.

lready the reigning national champion table tennis player in the under-11, under-13, and under-21 years old categories, although only nine years old, Jasmine Billingy has continued to show why she is a great prospect for the future.

She participated in the Juniors Silver Bowl Table Tennis Championships played in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago recently, and surprised her Trinidadian counterparts with her fierceness and class. She won the under-11 tournament, and took the runner-up spot in the under-13 category.

In the under-11 final, she defeated Ashley Mohammed 3-1 (8-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7), and in a close under-13 final, she lost 1-3 (11-5, 11-8, 11-13, 12-10) to T&T’s #1 player in this category, Chloe Fraser.

Jasmine Billingy’s participation at this prestigious tournament was sponsored by Harold Hopkinson of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. Hopkinson had promised that if she won in her category, he would present her with a bicycle, and with her triumph, he made good on his promise.

Former national junior table tennis player Denzel Hopkinson, son of Harold Hopkinson, presented Billingy with the bicycle on behalf of his father.

In presenting the gift to Billingy, Denzil Hopkinson said the company is more than happy to be supporting a talented player, who has the world at her feet once she remains focused and disciplined.

“Young Billingy has a bright future ahead of her, and we at Secure Innovations have no doubt that she would make herself and country proud.

We are also confident that with Coach France guiding and steering her, she would succeed in her endeavours.

“Secure Innovations and Concepts would continue to support this young prodigy,” he promised.

Billingy has also seen great input and encouragement from her grandparents, Sandra and Colin Sultan. As part of their duty, they ensure she attends all her training sessions, in order that she might maintain a high level of consistency.

And speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Billingy’s personal coach Colin France said, “As we know, Jasmine can make the national take from under-11 all the way to U21, as she always places well in these events.

“The Juniors Caribbean Championships will be played next month in the Dominican Republic.

I don’t know if Guyana will be sending her, but, nevertheless, she has the potential.”

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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Hero Caribbean Premier League 2020…

Teams announce Emerging Player signings for 2020 T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League are continuing their commitment to the development of the next generation of Caribbean cricketers with the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Emerging Player programme which will see the best young talent across the region being guaranteed game time during this year’s tournament.

This pool of players have been selected by CWI and represent the best cricketers aged under 23 across the region. Each squad will have two of these players and each team must give a minimum of five games to an emerging player, either one player taking the field five times or a combination of appearances between the two players.

The rules and regulations for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League gives each team the option to sign a player from the Cricket West Indies Emerging Player Pool who is from their home territory ahead of the draft.

The deadline for making these early signings has now passed and four teams have made the decision to sign one of these exciting young cricketers before the draft. Those that did not make one of these signings before the deadline will be given the opportunity to sign their remaining Emerging Players at the Hero CPL draft.

The four players who have been selected are Kevin Sinclair of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), Nyeem Young from the Barbados Tridents, Kimani Melius found a spot in the St Lucia Zouks and Jayden Seales emerged from the Trinbago Knight Riders. (TKR) In addition to the option to sign a home territory player the teams were also given the opportunity to retain their any of their emerging players from last year. Two teams exercised this option. The players retained are Dominic Drakes (St Kitts & Nevis Patriots) and Amir Jangoo (TKR) Pete Russell, COO of Hero

CPL, said: “There is so much cricketing talent across the Caribbean and we want to make sure that our tournament plays it’s part in creating the next generation of West Indies stars. We were delighted with how well these young players did in 2019 and we are really excited to see this group of talented cricketers during the 2020 tournament. The sky is the limit for these young men, and we want to see them succeed at CPL and beyond.”

There are still six available Emerging Player spots in Hero CPL teams for the 2020 tournament which takes place from 19 August to 26 September. These will be filled at the draft.

The players who are available to fill those spots are Ashmead Nedd (Guyana), Bhaskar Yadram (Guyana), Alick Athanaze (Windwards), Joshua Bishop (Barbados), Leniko Boucher (Barbados),

Kevin Sinclair

Keacy Carty (Leewards), Roland Cato (Windwards), Joshua da Silva (Trinidad), Nicholas Kirton (Barbados), Mikyle Louis (Leewards), Kirk McKenzie (Jamaica), Jeavor Royal (Jamaica), Keagan Simmons (Trinidad) and Shamar Springer (Barbados).

Ashmead Nedd

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Jaguars seamers rout Pride for 174 on opening day Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

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t the end of the first day in the eighth-round match of the West Indies 4-Day Championships being played between the Guyana Jaguars and the Barbados Pride at the National Stadium at Providence, the Jaguars had taken honours in restricting the Pride to 179-9 in this day/ night pink ball match.

Keemo Paul led the collective bowling effort with 3-61, while Raymon Reifer and Romario Shepherd each bagged two wickets; but, at stumps, the Jaguars were 19-2, trailing the Pride by 160 runs.

Shimron Hetmyer showed grit and determination to survive the day on an unbeaten 10, after he had an early chance put down off the bowling of Kemar Roach at second slip.

Pride had won the toss and elected to bat. With four slips and a gully, West Indies seamers Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd had steamed in with such purpose, and had extracted such good bounce and carry that one might have been excused for momentarily believing that Shepherd and Paul were bowling at Perth; but that carry lasted only at the inception.

In Shepherd's first over of the match, as he bowled from the media centre end, he

sent the left-handed opener Shayne Mosely back for a duck, dislodging the bails with the Pride score at 0-1; and Test batsman Shamarh Brooks, who looked solid for a brief moment, was trapped in front by a lively Paul, who got the new pink ball moving around, and he departed the crease at 19-2.

But Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite and Jonathan Carter hit the rebuild mode, with Brathwaite -- who survived some dropped chances through the Jaguars’ negligence -- surviving to 25 while Carter contributed 27 as the Pride score reached 63-2 at the lunch break.

When the second session resumed, Carter failed to add to his tally, being drawn into the honey and then being sharply stumped by Anthony Bramble off the bowling of Kevin Sinclair; his departure ending a 44-run third wicket stand.

West Indies Test wicket-keeper batsman Shane Dowrich then came to the crease, and he ignited the Stadium with its 40+ spectators. Dowrich was at his fluent best while Brathwaite was very selective in his stroke-play. However, peppered by some Shepherd short balls, Dowrich was struck on his chin after fending off some, and he retired hurt on 25.

Leading run-scorer Kyle

Mayers partnered Brathwaite, and the duo kept the score ticking as the sun began to set at Providence. Paul used the short ball ploy against Brathwaite, but the Test opener looked comfortable on the slow wicket.

Raymon Reifer, who was probing away, hitting consistent line and length, trapped Brathwaite at the crease for 48, to adjust the Pride’s score to 128-4. The solid Brathwaite thus departed the crease after occupying same for 202 minutes, during which he had faced 171 balls and had hit five fours.

Mayers then became another of Paul’s scalps when he was trapped at the crease for 17 with the Pride’s score on 134-5. In an eventful session, Pride reached 1435 in 62 overs at tea. This session produced 80 runs and three wickets, with heaps of dropped catches.

A fiery Reifer then accounted for Holder, destroying his furniture for 11, with the score at 154-6. Jaguars had their tails up, but Ashley Nurse struck Paul for a maximum, followed by a pullshot into the boundary.

Nurse's cameo of 11

concluded when Paul rattled his stumps at 159-7.

Jomel Warrican followed Nurse into the pavilion after edging a Shepherd delivery to Bramble,

Keemo Paul moved the ball early

causing the Pride to slip further to 159-8; and the Jaguars finally closed the Pride innings on 179-9 made in 74.1 overs.

Paul ended with 3-61 in 17 overs, while Shepherd had 2-15 and Reifer claimed 2-19. The innings closed with nine wickets, since Dowrich was taken to the hospital for scans after sustaining a blow from a Shepherd delivery.

Jaguars o p e n e r s S h i m r o n Hetmyer and Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul had to survive 13 overs.

Chanderpaul was caught

behind for six off Roach at 16-1 in the ninth over, and ‘night watchman’ Sinclair had a short stay at the crease before being dismissed by Test captain Jason Holder. He scored only three runs, as the Jaguars were reduced to 19-2.

The Jaguars will resume the second day trailing by 160 runs, but with Hetmyer and Johnson at the crease. The first ball is expected to be bowled at 14:00h.

SCOREBOARD Pride 1st Innings Kraigg Brathwaite lbw b Reifer 48 Sheyne Moseley b Shepherd 0 Sharmarh Brooks lbw b Paul 9 Jonathan Carter st Bramble b Sinclair 27 Shane Dowrich ret out 25 Kyle Mayers lbw b Paul 17 Jason Holder b Reifer 11 Ashley Nurse b Paul 11 Kemar Roach c Johnson b Barnwell 10 Jomel Warrican c Bramble b Shepherd 0 Chemar Holder not out 3 Total (9 wickets, 74.1) (13 extras) 174 FOW 0/1 (1.2) Sheyne Moseley 19/2 (6.1) Sharmarh Brooks 63/3 (30.5) Jonathan Carter 128/4 (55.2) 134/5 (56.2) Kyle Mayers 154/6 (63.2) Jason Holder 158/7 (64.3) 159/8 (69.4) Jomel Warrican 174/9 (74.1) Kemar Roach

Bowling Keemo Paul (17-5-61-3) Romario Shepherd (11-4-15-2) Raymon Reifer (13-6-19-2) Christopher Barnwell (8.1-2-20-1) Veerasammy Permaul (16-7-28-0) Kevin Sinclair (9-3-20-1) Jaguars 1st Innings Tagenarine Chanderpaul lbw Roach Shimron Hetmyer not out Kevin Sinclair c Mayers b J Holder L Johnson not out (2 wickets, 13) (0 extras) 19 FOW 16-1 Chanderpaul 19-2 Sinclair Bowling Kemar Roach (6-4-8-1) Chemar Holder (4-1-11-0) Jason Holder (2-2-0-1) J Carter (1-0-1-0)

6 10 3 0

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020

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

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CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Page 23

rout Pride for 174 on opening day Page 23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2020…

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