Guyana Times Friday January 31, 2020

Risks in renewable energy projects are P routinely covered – energy consultant 12

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

Issue No. 4182

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

PRICE

General and Regional Elections

“Don’t take anything for granted” – Opposition Leader …urges Guyanese to check OLE See story on page 7

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Juvenile P12 violence high on agenda for annual Police conference

Soldier dies in Essequibo Coast P10 accident

Man caught at JFK with P11 smuggled birds from Guyana Supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice on Thursday as Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo hosted a public meeting to discuss the Party’s manifesto

UN Human Rights Council

Guyana urged to make more effort on Indigenous rights

See story on page 7

APNU/AFC has to control RDC, NDC for “good life” – Granger tells Region 2 Page 9

Mahdia man burnt while saving children from burning building P3 Pensioner’s body fished out of P13 Demerara River

Coronavirus declared global P13 health emergency

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Poor Internet service poses challenge for US Ambassador Skype court proceedings – Chief Justice visits Region 2 …Vigilance Magistrate’s Court gets video recording system

Representatives of UNICEF handing over the system to Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court

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uyana’s poor Internet service has come in for more criticism as it poses a major challenge for court proceedings which utilise Skype.

At the handing over ceremony of a video recording system at Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara, Chief Justice Roxane George said that one of the main challenges the court is facing is poor Internet service that affects ‘skyping’ during court hearings. She noted that in some cases, parties are unable to hear or see what was happening in the courtroom because of GTT’s poor inter-

net connection.

“We do recognise that we do have these challenges, we have them with our phones and other technology but for the most part, it is definitely [the recording system] allowing somebody in a remote location to participate in the trial process,” the Chief Justice said.

Meanwhile, the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court is the first court on the East Coast corridor to benefit from a video recording system.

The $1.5M investment was donated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Technology and justice system

In brief remarks during the simple handing over ceremony, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards underscored the importance of the video recording system, explaining that technology is changing the way justice is delivered.

“This Skype system will help us to take evidence even where witnesses are abroad, where they might be in the hospital, even the Police might be in another location, they might be in the interior… Guyana is so huge that witnesses, investigators might be in differ-

ent parts of the country and may have a case in another part of the country and the time and distance it takes to get to that part of the court may result in the matter being dismissed…or the matter being adjourned,” she said.

The Sexual Offences Courts in all three counties of Guyana are equipped with this technology.

The Children’s Court in Georgetown and the newly-commissioned Diamond Magistrate’s Court have the recording system.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice George explained that these devices are particularly helpful in sensitive cases such as trafficking in persons.

“There are a lot of issues of fear, there are a lot of issues with a differential between the person who is being accused as against the person who is the victim and has to testify. If we can allow these persons to testify remotely it means they can give their evidence from a more comfortable space,” she stated.

It was underscored that the video recording systems will play a significant role in helping to restore confidence in the justice system in Guyana.

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch chatting with Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt and Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall

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n line with her commitment to visit all of Guyana’s regions in her first year, Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch travelled to Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), where she spent three days. During the visit, she met with Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall, the local Chamber of Commerce, a local school, and Peace Corps volunteers who serve in the area.

“I thoroughly enjoyed

my time in Region Two this week. From the Essequibo to the Pomeroon, the scenery was stunning, and the people were extraordinarily welcoming,” the Ambassador said. She added that it was “a pleasure to meet local Government officials and business leaders alike. And, as always, it was so inspiring to see the US Peace Corps volunteers contribute and thrive in their communities. I hope to return to Region Two someday soon!”

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, January 31 – 09:00h – 10:30h and Saturday, February 1 – 09:30h – 11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, January 31 – 07:40h – 09:10h and Saturday, February 1 – 08:20h – 09:50h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected throughout the day.

There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 08:31h and 20:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.38 metres and 2.35 metres.

Low Tide: 02:05h and 14:26h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.84 metre.

PPP/C not interested in “victor-loser syndrome” – Opposition Leader …says public servants will not be subjected to retribution or triumphalism as practised by APNU/AFC

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nder a new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration, there will be no witch-hunting or political cleansing as has been the practice of the current APNU/AFC Government.

This is according to Opposition Leader and the Party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, who during his weekly press briefing on Thursday stated that many persons are concerned about job security and those of their families and friends.

“Most people believe that the PPP will win the elections and they are worried about triumphalism and witch-hunting and all of that. Let me assure all Guyanese, including those who are worried about these issues, there will be no acts of triumphalism. For us, we see Guyana as very, very important, for all of our peo-

Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo

ple, we have no interest in the victor-loser syndrome or people just engaging in acts of retribution of triumphal-

Mahdia man burnt while saving children from burning building

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brave Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) resident is now nursing burn wounds after he rescued three children from a burning building.

Eight persons are now homeless after a fire erupted and destroyed a one-storey house in Dandro Hill, Mahdia on Wednesday evening.

Injured is 42-year-old miner Seon Garraway.

Reports are that at about 19:30h on Wednesday, Garraway, along with one of his roommates, were inside their two-bedroom wooden house, babysitting three underage children when the fire started. The parents of the children were not at home at that time.

According to Police, while watching television with the young children, Garraway, began smelling smoke and only became aware of the fire when it had spread into their living room.

The blaze quickly spread to the entire house which prompted Garraway to quickly grab the children and carry them to safety.

However, during this process, he sustained burns to his hands, abdomen and thighs.

While the fire engulfed the wooden house, the Police were called but by the time the fire tender arrived, the house was completely destroyed.

The cause of the fire was

undetermined as investigations into the blaze continue.

The structure is said to be owned by another miner, Winsbert Evans, who also hails from Mahdia.

ism”.

Repairing damages

He added that the PPP/C is geared towards repairing the damages that were made to the country’s economy under the APNU/AFC coalition and focused on the further development of the nation. Jagdeo pointed out that his Party will in no way participate in “retribution” acts.

“I can assure them that not with the PPP. Not a single act of triumphalism about us winning and the other side losing etc…people don’t have to worry about losing jobs etc; the few who

are doing the wickedness along with the Ministers etc, they have to worry a lot… but 99 per cent of the people who are working in the public sector and everywhere else, they can only look forward to a better life under us and so, we have no interest in retribution or anything of that sort.”

After taking office in 2015, the coalition Government embarked on a massive witch-hunting exercise. Several senior Government employees under the previous administration were fired and/or had their contracts not renewed.

In other instances, several persons were charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) but there were no convictions. In some instances, the charges were dismissed by the court.

Just last month, several Guyanese diplomats who served in foreign states were fired by the David Grangerled Administration but the President had downplayed the issue stating that his administration’s actions were “just a planned change”.

Shortly after, the President noted that this decision had been made after the elections were announced for March 2, 2020.

Meanwhile, since 2015, scores of persons have said that they unjustly lost their jobs because of their perceived political affiliation.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 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

If not today, when?

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t has become apparent and of recent, more glaring, that we have become increasingly irresponsible in disposing our trash, which eventually ends up in our drains and waterways. The voluminous build-up of garbage in communities across the country speaks of a society that is yet to be trained on proper waste disposal.

We are guilty of indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

A casual drive around many communities would reveal the shocking truth: in many areas, there are mounds of garbage strewn across the reserves and roadways. As an attempt to conceal the act of indiscriminate dumping, some perpetrators dispose of their trash at night and would go so far as to travel to neighbouring communities and villages to commit the act.

How sad that we have become so callously abusive of our environment. We only think of Mother Nature when calamity or disaster strikes. Every human being should go the extra mile of caring for our one and only Mother Earth.

Many of the smaller communities do not have regular garbage disposal services, and most private collectors would service these areas at least once a week; does this then excuse the action of residents to take their waste elsewhere? There are so many other options for solid waste disposal.

In most developed and developing countries, like Guyana, with increasing population, prosperity and urbanisation, it remains a major challenge for municipalities to collect, recycle, treat and dispose of increasing quantities of solid waste, especially in a changing climate. Everyone is aware of the issues we are facing with solid waste management.

Isn’t it high time we took part in making our society garbage-free? Communities cannot rely solely on our Government to clean up the environment. A concerted effort is highly needed.

A cornerstone of sustainable development is the establishment of affordable, effective and truly sustainable waste management practices. We should, therefore, make it a daily habit to help control the floods and other problems caused by the mountains of garbage we throw away. What is lacking is discipline in disposing of our garbage properly.

It was reported that the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have surged past an important threshold and may not dip below it for “many generations”.

The 400 parts per million (ppm) benchmark was broken globally. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), a new global warming report titled “United in Science,” averaged global temperature for 2015-2019 will be the warmest of any equivalent period on record. It is currently estimated to be 1.1 C above pre-industrial (1850-1900) times and 0.2 C warmer than 2011-2015.

Further, the report stated that observations show that global mean sea level rise is accelerating, along with an overall increase of 26 per cent in ocean acidity since the beginning of the industrial era.

What is alarming is that experts say that the last time CO2 was above 400 ppm was three to five million years ago!

It is time to consider the reality facing the world today, and it is even more crucial to take stock of the individual responsibility for this global situation. It is highly improbable that citizens do not yet know the impacts of climate change and are unaware of current challenges across the globe, with regard to access to potable water, arable lands and in some severe cases, access to food.

The time has long since passed for affirmative action and the hour of reckoning is upon us; the Earth itself is sending a message and it behoves us to change our attitudes and behaviours. It is time we see the importance of becoming waste-wise and take the pledge to make a concerted effort to recycle more, and reduce the waste sent to the landfill. If not today, when would be the perfect time for action?

Members of the Diplomatic Community share a photo moment at the I LOVE GUYANA sign outside the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) corporate office in Kingston, Georgetown on Thursday. The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), through a partnership with Impressions and the GBTI, commissioned the iconic 3D sign/tourist park in December 2019 (Tourism Guyana photo)

Preparing for elections 2020 Dear Editor, “Elections are the base of our democracy and if we do not have truly a fair electoral process and one that can be managed well by a truly independent body, it really is an attack on our democracy and we should all be concerned about that.”— Sheila Fraser As General and Regional Elections draw near, there is much excitement, speculation and apprehension by Guyanese as to the capacity of GECOM to deliver free, fair and transparent elections. Whilst having a credible Official List of Electors (OLE) is of paramount importance, what transpires on Election Day and the various processes leading to the Final Declaration of Results by the ten (10) Returning Officers, the transmission of Statements of Poll to GECOM, the calculation and award of Regional, Constituency and National Top Up seats are also critical to the advancement of Democracy in our country.

Our Electoral Laws (Cap:1.03) and the various processes outlined in GECOM’s Training Manual are relatively simple and straightforward but can be compromised unless extreme vigilance is exercised at all times. This effort is to ensure that there is strict adherence to legal electoral practices and procedures by GECOM’s officials. Below, I have outlined some areas of concern and recommendations for preventative actions.

1. REPLACEMENT OF POLLING DAY STAFF GECOM should issue pictorial ID to all its Polling Day Staff to avoid their replacement by individuals who were not so appointed.

2. OMISSION OF THE OFFICIAL MARK It is common knowledge that on E-Day, Ballot Papers which do not bear the Official Mark (a 6-digit number) may be rejected by the Presiding Officer,

and as such, not counted for any party on the ballot paper. Therefore, the Elector, to which the ballot belongs, is disenfranchised. Editor, this has occurred often in past Elections. It is a clear case of dereliction of duty by those involved and GECOM should impose heavy sanctions against anyone guilty of such callous practices. Let us hope that this practice will be a thing of the past. I am aware that GECOM has been repeatedly emphasising this point to its Polling Day Staff. For the edification of all electors at the upcoming polls, the following lines should be studied.

LIMITS OF THE POLLING STATION This refers to the area of two hundred yards surrounding the Polling Station. It is unlawful to canvass, annoy, molest or interfere with a voter within this radius. Only authorised persons, including legitimate voters, are allowed within this area.

BALLOT PAPERS These are of two types: 1. ORDINARY BALLOT PAPERS—These are issued to genuine voters who have not already voted. (a)Spoiled Ballot Paper— A Ballot Paper could be deemed as spoiled if it bears any mark, such as a tear or ink stain, which could identify it with the voter or if the ballot is marked incorrectly through an inadvertent action by the voter. Upon being informed of such, the Presiding Officer should retrieve the Ballot Paper, place it in a special envelope, issue another Ballot Paper and guide the elector to cast their ballot.

Notably, Spoiled Ballots are not placed in the Ballot Box and, as such, should not be counted for any List of Candidates. (b)Valid and Rejected Ballots.

These are determined by the Presiding Officer at time of the count, upon examination of the ballots

cast in the Ballot Box. (b1)Valid Ballots are counted, separated and awarded for Lists of Candidates, during which tallies are taken, after which Statements of Poll are prepared for General and Regional Elections. (b2)Rejected Ballots are not counted for any List of Candidates. Ballots may be rejected for various reasons: -Absence of the Official Mark. (6-digit stamp) -Unmarked for any List of Candidates.

-Marked for more than one List of Candidates.

-Marked so the voter can be identified. ( 2 ) T E N D E R E D BALLOT PAPERS These are similar to the Ordinary Ballots but of a different colour and are only issued by the Presiding Officer to a voter whom he/she is convinced has already voted. Such Ballots are not counted for any List of Candidates.

They are only meant to pacify the voter. Only a limited number of such Ballots are issued to the Presiding Officer who should NEVER issue them to legitimate voters.

Persons authorised to be present at the Polling Station: -Members of the Elections Commission -Members of Gecom Secretariat -Polling Day Staff -Duly appointed Party Agents -Candidate to Poll -Polling Agents/ Counting Agents -Observers approved by Gecom 3.

ELECTION OBSERVERS The presence of Election Observers has been a most welcome feature over the years. However, their pronouncements on the outcome and quality of the Elections should not be based on mere casual and sporadic visits to selected Polling Stations. It is rec-

ommended that they are allowed to monitor and observe every stage of the process up to the Final Declaration of the Results.

4. THE STATEMENT OF POLL It is generally known that the Statement of Poll is prepared in adequate copies by the Presiding Officer, signed by him/ her and Polling Agents, to whom one each is issued, one posted outside the Polling Station and the others transmitted through the Deputy Returning Officer to the Returning Officer of the District. This document represents the Official Results for the Polling Station. The information on this document can only be changed subject to any discrepancies/ inaccuracy discovered by the Returning Officer or as a result of any request for recounts conducted by him and which vary from the results on the SOP. As such, the Presiding Officer must exercise extreme care to ensure that the SOP is prepared correctly and accurately before signing it. The Deputy Returning Officer should not prepare or sign this document under any circumstance.

5. REQUESTS FOR RECOUNT Requests for a recount must be made to the Returning Officer by the relevant party representative prescribed by Law. There can be several types of recounts. These requests must be made not later than noon of the day after the declaration by Returning Officer whose duty and responsibility it is to accept these requests and to conduct these recounts, the outcome of which should be made public. It would be in the interest of contesting parties and Gecom to facilitate this process by preparing a standardized administrative format to accommodate same.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 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

Severe doubts regarding David Granger’s recent promise

Dear Editor, At his rally at Damon’s Square, Anna Regina, our President promised the residents of Region 2 cash grants for families with school children (see the article titled “We’ll put oil money in your homes,” Guyana Chronicle, January 30, 2020). This public announcement by the President represents an open admission that cash grants have merits, which is most welcomed. However, it took

five years and election pressures for the President to understand that cash grants can provide enormous benefits to low-income families.

More importantly, this public pronouncement by the President will not change the fact that by replacing the $10,000 per child cash grant with the 3 Bs initiative, his Government denied families with school children approximately $1.67 billion annually or $8.35 billion over five

years he was President.

It is instructive to note that a $10,000 cash grant was given to families with children when the PPP/C was in Government.

Unlike the APNU/AFC, the PPP/C never waited for oil or the elections season to merely promise citizens a cash grant. The PPP/C Government provided families with cash grants long before the discovery of oil.

In opposition, PPP/C con-

tinuously struggled with the APNU/AFC Government for almost five years to restore the $10,000 cash grant, but to no avail.

The promise of the cash grant by the President, therefore, is not only late but does not appear to be genuine. It is also coming from a President who failed to fulfil his promises and never displayed any real interest in the poor. His Government has also failed to successful-

ly craft and implement any pro-poor initiative while dismantling those which existed like the $10,000 cash grant and water and electricity subsidies to pensioners that approximated G$500 annually (or $2.5 billion over five years). Further, his Government has reduced the disposal income of low-income families by imposing Value-Added Tax (VAT) on essential items and services, including water, electricity,

and the internet.

Editor, I respect our President. However, I have severe doubts regarding his recent promise. Had our President, at least, retained the pro-poor policies started under the PPP/C Government, I would have believed his recent promise of cash grants for families with children.

Regards, Name provided

Private sector has its own responsibility to encourage, stimulate intra-regional trade

Dear Editor, I write in response to comments attributed to the Vice-President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry in your edition of 29 January 2020.

The SecretaryGeneral of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has time and again in public statements laid out the role and functions of the Caricom Secretariat. This is also available on the Secretariat’s various social media platforms and information booklets as well as in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

In keeping with its role

and functions as designated by the Revised Treaty, the Secretariat has been assiduously laying the groundwork for the main users of the integration arrangements – the private sector and the citizens of the Community. What we have done is to put the framework in place.

The legislative instruments, the policy documents, the administrative procedures which allow for the benefits of integration to be enjoyed have either been drafted or completed. Ongoing sensitisation sessions, workshops and consultations have been conducted nationally and regionally to

make all stakeholders, inclusive of the public and private sectors and civil society, aware of the provisions that they can utilise. These are matters within the remit of the Secretariat.

The private sector has its own responsibility to encourage and stimulate intra-regional trade by reaching out to their colleagues in other Member States among other things. In that regard, the recent visit by the Jamaica trade mission to Guyana must be highly commended. Indeed, in his meetings with national private sector organisations, the Secretary-General has been a strong advocate for

such initiatives.

The Secretary-General has also been a driving force for greater involvement of the private sector in the deliberations of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

Further, last July, accepting an initiative from the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon Mia Amor Mottley, the Heads of Government agreed that a regional body, the Caricom Private Sector Organisation, duly constituted, will become an Associate Institution of the Community.

In reference to the challenges posed by non-tariff barriers, the Revised Treaty

sets out a range of dispute settlement options which can be utilised by Member States on behalf of their private sector.

The Caricom Secretariat is not a funding agency.

Further, it cannot mobilise funds for individual organisations or groups. However, Caribbean Export, which began as a project of the Caricom Secretariat and was created specifically to promote trade, and is now an agency of CARIFORUM, does provide financial support to the private sector for trade-related activity intra-regionally. All our Member States, except Montserrat, are members of

CARIFORUM. The private sector has a critical role to play in the stimulation of development through trade and other economic initiatives that take advantage of the Community frameworks that have been put in place by regional governments with the help of the Secretariat.

Yours sincerely, Leonard Robertson Adviser Communications Office of the SecretaryGeneral Caricom Secretariat

No disrespect was intended Preparing for elections...

FROM PAGE 4

Dear Editor, This missive is directed to Members of the Women’s and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) as well as to those who have criticised and/or sought clarification on my remarks at a public meeting held at Little Diamond, EBD. In a letter sent to both Stabroek News and Kaieteur News on 27 January 2020 I offered my regrets and emphasised that no disrespect was intended implicitly or otherwise to women who felt hurt and offended by my remarks.

Stabroek News published my letter in their edition of January 28, 2020.

Kaieteur News never did.

In the spirit of self-criticism, I take the opportu-

nity to further elaborate.

I wish to make it pellucidly clear that my remarks at that meeting, in no way whatsoever, reflect the position of the PPP/C in respect to women and gender equality. The PPP, as a matter of policy, has an unblemished record in this respect.

I take full personal responsibility for what I said at that public meeting.

Throughout my entire political life, I am known to be a defender of women’s rights and gender equality.

There are no recorded instances public or otherwise where I expounded views to the contrary.

At elections campaign public meetings, it is not unusual for some speakers to resort to political satire and/or puns in song, poet-

ry or speeches to denigrate their political opponents.

However, there are times when this form of comedic political commentary can be insulting to a wide audience.

I have to concede that, regrettably, this is precisely what occurred while addressing the audience at the said public meeting.

Further, it is to be regretted that the satirical commentary came across as offensive to women (and probably men).

I wish to again emphasise that no disrespect was meant intentionally or otherwise to women in general.

My sincerest apologies to all.

Sincerely, Clement J Rohee

Broadcasting authority maintains a stony silence

Dear Editor, So now we have the News Editor of the National Communications Network (NCN) being sent on leave resulting from an altercation at NCN’s newsroom with the Director of the Department of Public Information. The Director, however, remains on the job.

We have no explanation as to why the Director was present in NCN’s newsroom nor what caused him to confront the NCN News Editor,

though it is reported that the NCN News Editor objected to an NCN employee who is a political candidate of a contesting political party continuing to present the news.

We also have, it is reported, the NCN-managed community station at Mabaruma being used exclusively to afford political campaign broadcasting time to the governing party. Is this now the purpose of accelerating the establishment

of these, otherwise, excellent stations providing a voice for the local communities?

All of these events speak for themselves while our Broadcasting Authority maintains a stony silence on its responsibility to ensure fair and balanced broadcast coverage during the election period, particularly with regard to the State-owned and operated stations.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

6.

FINAL D E C L A R A T I O N OR RESULTS AND CALCULATION OF REGIONAL AND PARLIAMENTARY SEATS The final declaration of the Elections Results by Gecom should be consistent with the summation of the final results declared by the ten (10) Returning Officers.

The calculation of Regional Seats, Constituency and National Top-Up seats should be done by rigidly adhering to a specified formula, which should be placed in the public domain.

Finally, extreme vigilance should be exercised to ensure that the Statements of Poll that are transmitted to Gecom are indeed the ones which emanated from the Office of the ten (10) Returning Officers.

It should also be noted that, long before Gecom makes its final declaration, most, if not all, of the contesting Parties would have already computed the results since they would have already had the same information as furnished by the Returning Officers to Gecom.

As Guyanese, with deep nationalistic pride, we should, at all times be vigilant and guard against forces with ulterior motives which may seek to create any form of rascality or crisis, in a desperate attempt to force Gecom to abort the Elections on or before the

Elections Day. In conclusion, I wish to urge all Guyanese, especially those directly involved in the administration and conduct of the Election Process to demonstrate transparency, professionalism, patriotism and integrity in the performance of their duties

and responsibilities. I join with my fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters in expectation of a free and fair election and one that is free from fear.

Yours sincerely, Bishop Juan A Edghill

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

General and Regional Elections

“Don’t take anything for granted” – Opposition Leader …urges Guyanese to check OLE

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ith thousands of changes made to the Revised List of Electors (RLE) and the certification of the Official List of Electors (OLE) completed, Guyanese should verify that their information is included and corrected so that they are not disenfranchised come Elections Day – March 2.

This is according to the Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Thursday urged that all Guyanese who are eligible to vote to make a special effort to double-check their information.

“I urge all Guyanese to do the same; don’t take anything for granted. Please ensure that you check your names on the OLE and

should you have any difficulties, please bring this to our attention immediately.

There are several hotlines for that to happen so we will be paying close attention to that issue,” the Opposition Leader said.

Jagdeo explained that the PPP/C will commence its own scrutiny of the OLE as soon as it is in receipt of a copy, which is expected to be provided within days.

“We believe now that the OLE now has been certified and so we will get a copy of that and we will check again, the Party will check. I urge the other Parties to ensure that those changes did not disenfranchise people and only people who were on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) or those who had registered through

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the Claims and Objections – new registrants, and the 16,000 odd new registrants from the house-to-house— those are the only names on the OLE…and they are in the right place”.

He also pointed out that GECOM has undertaken to inform by registered post every person whose particulars have been changed, and that this is a requirement of the law.

He added that the PPP/C will also conduct “spot checks” to confirm whether persons have received their registered posts.

On Tuesday, Commissioners from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) confirmed that the OLE was completed, with some 661,028 eligible voters. Governmentnominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander informed the media that the list was ready, although he noted that 661,028 was an unusually high number.

In an invited comment,

Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj said that this growth in eligible voters is normal in the case of continuous registration. He further noted that attempts to discredit the list constitute attempts to undermine the process at GECOM. In 2015, when GECOM had published the OLE ahead of those elections, the total number of voters was 570,787.

New registrants

Over 16,000 new registrants were recorded during the House-to-House (H2H) exercise that ran from July 20 to August 31, 2019. This number was subsequently included on the RLE. However, the Opposition – PPP – has always contended that the

H2H exercise was largely unsupervised and would produce flawed results.

Indeed, the party subsequently found that many of the persons listed as new registrants are either dead or were previously registered.

It had previously been announced that over 6500 persons of the 16,863 new registrants were not confirmed during the fiveday field verification exercise which concluded on December 22, 2019.

Some 370,000 registrations obtained during the scrapped $3 billion H2H exercise were sent overseas to be cross-matched with the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD) in order to filter out the duplicates.

UN Human Rights Council

Guyana urged to make more effort on Indigenous rights

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arlier this week, Guyana faced the United Nations Human Rights Council, where the country was exhorted by various countries to improve on certain aspects of its human rights record, including in the area of Indigenous land rights.

During Guyana’s 3rd review, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland, Guyana was represented by its permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador John Deep Ford. He presented a report on Guyana’s human rights efforts, after which various countries offered their comments.

In her comments, Pakistan’s representative Fareena Arshad acknowledged the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), which replaced the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) started by the previous administration.

Arshad also noted the importance of efforts to protect Indigenous people and promote social cohesion.

However, Arshad emphasised the need for Guyana to continue to promote gender equality and the delivery of services.

“Pakistan recommends Guyana continue its reforms in health and education, to enhance access to quality ser-

Pakistan’s representative to the UN, Fareena Arshad

vices. Two, continue to take steps for the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women.”

Representative Chona Idul-Desimpele, who spoke on behalf of the Philippines, also acknowledged the progress that has been made in various human rights areas.

Among the country’s recommendations, however, was for Guyana to intensify efforts to protect the land rights of Indigenous people.

“In a constructive spirit, the Philippines presents the following recommendations for considerations for Guyana: continue to ensure that its climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures pay due

consideration to vulnerable sectors including women, persons with disabilities and Indigenous peoples.”

“Further intensify the conduct of capacity building for relevant gender-sensitive handling of victims of trafficking and continue to strengthen support services for survivors of trafficking. Continue to take further steps to protect the land rights of Indigenous peoples,” she also said. In his response to the two women, Ambassador Ford alluded to the progress Guyana has made when it comes to these areas.

Dropping the ball

The Government has long been criticised for dropping the ball when it comes to titling Indigenous land, an important human rights issue, despite money being available for it from the LCDS that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) left behind.

It was only in September 2019, days after it was heavily criticised over its handling of land titles and extensions within Guyana’s Indigenous community by the Opposition, that Government announced that eight communities will soon be receiving either their title certificates or extensions, with Cabinet having recently approved the absolute grants under the Amerindian Land

Titling (ALT) Project, which is funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) to the tune of US$10.7 million.

Grants were approved for the establishment of legal boundaries in the communities of Parabaru, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo); Rockstone, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Tasserene and Kangaruma.

Meanwhile, existing communities which had their grants approved for extensions are Mainstay/Whyaka, Mashabo and Capoey on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The Amerindian Act

Philippines representative Chona Idul-Desimpele

of 2006 states that a village may apply in writing to the Minister (of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs) in order to

receive a grant of State lands as an extension to its village lands.

Furthermore, Indigenous communities can apply in writing to the subject Minister provided that it has been in existence for over 25 years at the time of application and for the immediately preceding five years, it comprises at least 150 persons among others.

However, the Act does not require a Village Improvement Plan for the processing or granting of land extensions to any Indigenous village or community. This is in contradiction of the excuse proffered by the Government for the slow progress in land titling over the years.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Dishonest…

T

…Granger he PNC has based its entire election strategy on Granger’s claimed “honesty and decency”. Burying their discredited name under the ‘APNU’ brand clearly hasn’t changed the opinion of ordinary folks about the dishonesty and indecencies they were subjected to during their 28 years of rule and 23 years in the Opposition. Poor canines, desperate to take a leak, are forced to now do so on lampposts festooned with Granger’s simpering face tagged as “decent and honest”!! It’s indecent to inflict that vulgarity on man’s best friend!!

The PNC backroom boys think that the Guyanese people have been taken in by Granger’s so obvious “virtue signalling” moves like having batteries of his official photographers religiously record him kneeling in church!

But our people have been exposed to these politricks for too long to be suckered in by these tricks. However, they aren’t the only ones who have wised up to the real nature of Granger and his PNC: the international community are old hands with leaders daubing lipstick on their porcine chops.

Just look at what occurred at the 35th Session of the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland. This is where scores of countries review the record of Member States and it was Guyana’s turn to be subjected to internationally accepted norms of behaviour by their governments. And this is what the US Ambassador had to say to this PNC Government headed by David Granger: “The United States is concerned by recent actions by Guyana that may undermine democratic principles, including apparent misapplication of the Guyanese Constitution and certain court rulings.”

And this is what “decency” in leaders of democratic countries is all about – not even just kneeling in churches while plotting to doom thousands to hungry lives that are “nasty, brutish and short” – how they respect the covenant with their people as encompassed in their constitution.

Granger, of course, had dishonestly reneged on his initial acceptance of Art 106’s NCM on Dec 21, 2018 to resign and call elections within three months!!

He had then gone on to defy the ruling of the CCJ when that Court said it should hold elections three months after June 18, 2019!! At the time the Ambassadors of the US, UK, and EU had declared: “…we deeply regret that, by surpassing September 18, the Government is currently in breach of the Constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders.”

The US Ambassador at Geneva now insisted that the PNC Government ensure “free, fair, transparent and credible” elections on March 2!!

Let us see if Granger will be honest and do the decent thing!! …Hamilton Green Knowing that Hamilton Green has never heard any booming voice from the skies presaging any Damascene conversion, your Eyewitness has always been leery of the homilies he’s fond of delivering at the drop of a hat. On India “Martyr’s Day” which they commemorate on Jan 30 – the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated – he took the time to remind us of “the lesson”: “This letter, I hope will serve as a lesson and guide to all of our young people and even the older folks... The usefulness is significant because lessons to be drawn from Gandhi’s life and assassination are profound and relevant for us in Guyana today.” Specifically, he advised, “avoid conditions where there are short fuses.”

But couldn’t Green have offered a lesson from the assassination of our own Walter Rodney – or Fr Darke - by the PNC, of which he was then a top leader??

In this climate of heightened tensions couldn’t he have reminded the present Chairman of the PNC, Volda Lawrence, to “avoid conditions where there are short fuses”?

No “nightshift”, for instance? …“last licks” Your Eyewitness wondered at the time whether the contract awarded for the $827 million school at Yarrowkabra was “last licks” for the “boys”.

Turns out it’s actually illegal!! Can’t sign a contract budgeted for 2019, in 2020!!

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC has to control RDC, NDC for “good life” – Granger tells Region 2

President David Granger waving to supporters in Anna Regina on Wednesday

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ays after calling on supporters to ensure that the incumbent APNU/AFC coalition takes control of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) in Berbice, Region Six, President David Granger now has his eyes set on Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Speaking at a rally in Anna Regina on Wednesday evening, Granger posited that in order for Region Two to enjoy the “good life”, it needs to ensure that the coalition government controls the region.

“Unless the APNU and AFC control the RDCs and the NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils) in

this region, you’re not gonna have a good life. You need to ensure that there is maximum turnout [at the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections].

At the (2018) Local Government Elections, the PPP won 80 per cent and the APNU/AFC got one single NDC – that cannot work. We fought for local government, we fought to empower you. We want to empower the villages, we want to empower the households, we want to empower the communities but you have to do your part Pomeroon-Supenaam.

You have to turn out in numbers. It didn’t happen in 2018 Local Government Elections, it didn’t hap-

pen in 2015 General and Regional Elections. We have to change all that,” he contended.

He posited that the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region is the breadbasket of the country as it produces everything from rice to coconut to fish and even timber, among other things. These, he noted, should make the region rich but it is being held back because of the leadership style within the regional administration.

“Pomeroon-Supenaam is a powerhouse. You can feed this whole country but you have a leadership problem and you have a stewardship problem, a partnership problem.

People are not prepared to build partnerships in this region. They believe in winner-takes-all. People are not prepared to give stewardship and leadership in this region. They believe that they can do it all by themselves but they are wrong…,” Granger told the supporters, some of whom were transported from Georgetown for the rally.

The APNU leader told supporters who had gathered at the Damon Square in Anna Regina that the region needs to release itself from the control of the PPP. Granger, who hails from Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), told supporters that his ideas for development come out of the Pomeroon region af-

APNU/AFC supporters at the Anna Regina rally

ter listening to the needs and complaints of the people there. One such example is his Five Bs (Boat, Bicycle, Buses, Books and Breakfast) initiative.

On Monday, the APNU leader pleaded with residents from New Amsterdam in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to ensure that the incumbent coalition not only remains in office come March but also takes control of the region’s RDC, which historically has been under PPP leadership.

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Soldier dies in Essequibo 2012 murder accused Coast accident suing State for $100M FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Private Misteno Thomas

20-year-old Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank on Wednesday evening lost his life in an accident on the Capoey Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Dead is Private Misteno Thomas, of Middle Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police headquarters revealed that Thomas was the rider of a motorcycle, which was proceeding south along the eastern side of the public road at a fast pace when he lost control of the vehicle.

Police stated that the front of the motorcycle collided with the front rightside of motor car HB 7499,

Attorney General Basil Williams

A The motorcycle Thomas was riding during the accident

which was proceeding north.

The impact caused the GDF rank to be tossed into the air, before landing on the right front window screen of the motor car and falling onto the roadway.

Having sustained injuries to his head and about his body, Thomas was picked up in an unconscious condition by passers-by and transported

by a Police vehicle to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he later died while receiving treatment.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the motor car and the reading was given as zero micrograms of alcohol on the breath.

Investigations are ongoing.

33-year-old man, who was committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court for his cousin’s murder in 2012, but remained on remand for years, has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the State for breaching his constitutional rights.

Cloyde Harris, who was eventually freed of the charge, was accused of the December 22, 2012 murder of his cousin, 71-year-old Derrick Cox, who was shot to his chest by bandits outside his shop.

He was arrested in light of a witness providing evidence on the matter and

was committed to stand trial at the High Court for the crime by Magistrate Alex Moore.

Harris had been on remand for six years, six months, and six days according to his lawyer, Dexter Todd.

Todd added that there was a delay in his client’s trial at the High Court as the case docket and deposition from the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) were not submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Moreover, the lawyer stated that the docket and deposition from the PI were with the clerk at the DPP office up until 2016.

As a result of an administrative glitch, the DPP ordered Magistrate Moore to reopen the PI to admit additional evidence from the main witness which was not properly labelled.

During the reopened PI in 2018, Magistrate Moore discharged Harris after the main witness in the case in his testimony did not place Harris at the crime scene.

Attorney Todd is seeking damages in excess of $100 million for Harris’s unlawful detention, loss of

DPP Director Shalimar Ali-Hack

liberty, and delay of trial within a reasonable time.

The former murder accused is asking the court to declare that his unlawful arrest and/or detention for almost seven years and without a reasonable trial was unreasonable and in contravention of Articles 144 and 139 of the Constitution of Guyana.

Further, Harris is asking the court for an order that he is entitled to compensation for the unconstitutional deprivation of his liberty, as well as damages. He is also asking the court to award him costs and any such order or further orders the court deems just.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Narco, ecstasy trafficking Man caught at JFK with smuggled birds from Guyana lands man on remand

Francis Gurahoo (New York Post photo)

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man who was caught at the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York with birds he smuggled from Guyana was on Thursday charged and admitted to the offence of smuggling.

According to a New York Post article, Francis Gurahoo of Connecticut, United States, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Judge Robert Levy in federal court. The charge stated that he tried to smuggle 34 live finches stuffed inside plastic hair rollers into the United States on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana through the JFK Airport.

The NY Post stated that the feds indicated that

Gurahoo planned on selling the birds which are used in high-stakes bird singing competitions held in Brooklyn and Queens —the Carrie Underwoods of these avian “American Idol” contests can be sold for thousands of dollars.

Gurahoo admitted to US Customs and Border Patrol agents that he planned to sell the birds for US$3000 each, which would have made him about US$102,000, court papers state.

“I failed to report them,” Gurahoo is quoted by the NY Post as saying to the Judge in a plea of mitigation.

“Instead I tried to sneak them into” the Eastern District of New York, he added.

“I have a family,” Gurahoo told the Judge.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Gurahoo could be sent to prison for from two years to 33 months.

The NY Post article stated that Brooklyn federal Judge Margo Brodie, who presides over his case, still has to sign off on his guilty plea. She could sentence him to less time than recommended under the guideline or give him probation.

“The birds he brought into this country are not illegal,” Attorney Eric Pack said.

The outer borough songbird contests, also known as

A

The finches were found inside hair curlers (New York Post photo)

“bird races”, are held in public parks like Phil “Scooter” Rizzuto Park in Richmond Hill. Birds are pitted against each other to see which can get to 50 tweets first or how many chirps they can belt out within a minute. The contests attract bettors and winning finches can be sold for up to US$5000, according to court papers. The competitions have fuelled a black market for Guyanese birds, which are “believed to sing better” than their American cousins and “are, therefore, more highly sought after”, a US Fish and Wildlife agent wrote in court papers.

In December 2018, a Guyanese man was busted at the JFK Airport trying to

smuggle in 70 finches using the same hair-roller concealment trick that Gurahoo attempted.

repeat offender is back before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for trafficking cannabis and ecstasy.

Marlon Norton, of Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and denied the two charges.

The first charge stated that on January 27, 2020, at Lot 59 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he had in his possession eight ecstasy pills. The second charge stated that he also had in his possession 289 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution is contending that ranks on patrol duty conducted a search at Norton’s home and discov-

ered cannabis, along with ecstasy pills. He was then arrested and charged for the offence.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh objected to bail on the grounds that Norton was recently charged for a similar offence. The prosecution further stated that bail should not be granted because of the prevalence of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts.

Norton was remanded to prison, and the case was slated to continue on February 3, 2020.

On December 18, 2019, Norton was charged for possession of 102 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. He is currently on $150,000 bail for that offence.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Juvenile violence high on agenda for annual Police conference

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday kicked off its annual Police Officers Conference and among the issues high on the agenda for discussion over the three-day period is the juvenile violence.

Of recent, there has been a number of cases of schoolchildren engaging in violent confrontations.

In fact, only last week, there were two such instances in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), one of which resulted in a 15-year-old girl, a student of the Linden Foundation Secondary School, being stabbed in her back with a Rambo knife by another student.

Videos of the incident which surfaced online showed that the injured student was involved in a physical altercation with another female of the said school when she was stabbed in the lower back. The knife was left protruding from the child’s back as she bled profusely. She can be seen in the video begging for help to be taken to the hospital.

Two students, ages 12 and 14, were taken into custody for questioning but have since been released as the Police are conducting further investigations based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

President Granger with the top brass of the Guyana Police Force following the opening ceremony of the annual Officers’ Conference at State House on Thursday morning

Meanwhile, a separate incident saw a male student of the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) also being chopped last week by another student with a machete type weapon. The alleged assailant has since been arrested and placed on station bail.

Over the past few years, school violence has been on the rise in Guyana. Last year, there were two separate incidents in Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) whereby students were engaged in physical confrontations at their respective schools. While, in February, a 15-yearold student of Covent Garden Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, was stabbed during an altercation with his classmates.

In the latter incident, a two-year suspended sentence was imposed on the two suspects and the victim’s family felt as though the justice system failed them since 15-year-old Shemuel Pierre has not fully recovered from the incident. These issues have raised concerns about the Juvenile Justice Act. As such, it was revealed that the top brass of the Police Force will be looking into the Juvenile Justice Act and the escalation of juvenile delinquent behaviour.

Elections

In addition to this, the Force’s agenda during its annual conference also listed preparations for the upcoming March 2 General

and Regional Elections, as well as migration for discussion.

During his feature address, Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, outlined the need for policing efforts to reach the most remote corners of the country. He further recognised that the existing 74 Police stations, 24 outposts and six checkpoints are inadequate to police Guyana’s territory and protect its population as well as fight transnational crime.

“There have to be changes so that no part of the country remains unmanned and no crime remains undetected,” he posited.

To this end, the Head of State noted that better systems have been put in place

to enhance border security in light of increasing migration from regional and neighbouring countries.

Among these is an expanded Tactical Services Unit, which is now being trained to protect the country’s porous borders, especially in ‘frontline’ communities.

“There are now more Venezuelan migrants in the country than there are Police Officers in the Police Force – something to think about. We’re covering five migrants for every policeman,” President Granger stated.

Other similar efforts include re-establishing an Aviation Unit within the Force, increasing its Mounted Branch and strengthening its Marine Branch.

This year’s Police Officers Conference is being held under the theme: “Maintaining the Security Sector Reform implementation to enhance public trust, security and capacity building”.

According to the Head of State, the Police Force has been assiduously implementing reforms over the past five years with the aim of reorganising, re-equipping and re-professionalising the country’s premier law enforcement agency to ensure greater public trust as well effective functioning.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Leslie James noted at the opening ceremony that the officers’ core will be engaged in intense dialogue with the aim of formulating systems to mitigate against crime and traffic lawlessness as they review strategies and work plans.

“Our mandate is clear, public security will be maintained through strategies to suppress crime with enhanced protocols and systems pertaining to law and order throughout the State of Guyana. Further, we are continually committed to ensuring that all members of the public are treated fairly as we work diligently to establish and maintaining positive relationships with our communities and key stakeholders,” the Top Cop asserted.

Risks in renewable energy projects are routinely covered – energy consultant

Consultant Catherine Allinson

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uyana has a history of regime change impacting renewable energy projects— as happened with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP). On Thursday, an energy consultant from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) alluded to such risks in noting the importance of her group’s work.

During an open forum organised by GGGI at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, one of its consultants, Catherine Allinson, made this point in her presentation. At the time, a number of members from the private sector were in attendance as they were encouraged to get involved in renewable energy.

Allinson explained that when it comes to renewable energy, particularly in Guyana, there are a number of risks such as politi-

cal risks, which drive up the cost of accessing capital and can discourage investment.

Notwithstanding these risks, she emphasised that GGGI, with its access to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), can help mitigate those risks.

“There are political risks, economic risks, currency risks. What happens in construction (may not) be of standard. There’s a lot of risk and they all add a premium price to raising capital. So, the TCF says, now hang on a minute.”

“You have all those risks; we will cover them for you.

We will guarantee that if there is a regime change or policy change and a project cannot go ahead, we will cover that. That’s very important. They also cover for climate risk,” she assured.

The event saw Environment Department Head Ndibi Schwiers also

emphasising the importance of the private sector’s involvement. She also spoke to the steps the Government is taking to collaborate with the private sector.

Meanwhile, Director of Future Earth, Catherine Allinson, during her presentation to the business persons, said the GCF guarantees coverage of political and other risks involved and that the investment is a safe one.

“The GCF guarantees that if there is a regime change or a policy change, which means suddenly your project cannot go ahead, they will cover that…they also cover the risk of having climatic inconveniences… Frankly, I think that renewable energy, these days, is a safe bet…

Renewable energy used to be a nice thing to have in your portfolio but now it’s a musthave if you’re a serious investor,” she said.

A major project that the parliamentary opposition has long said is the victim of regime and policy change was the AFHP. Such was the risk associated with the project after the Government changed and seemingly discarded it, that even the present Government has admitted difficulties in finding investors for it.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which was initiated under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Impression of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project

Administration, could have been generating about 50 per cent more electricity than the entire Guyana Power and Light (GPL) supply. But the project was scrapped by the coalition administration who had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat majority after the 2011 elections.

Amaila was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy needs while removing dependency on fossil fuels.

The Electric Plant was proposed to be a 165 MW (in-

stalled capacity) hydropower generation facility, located in west-central Guyana, approximately 250 kilometres south-west of Georgetown.

The hydroelectric plant, if completed, would have shifted Guyana’s reliance on thermal generation to renewable energy, eliminate over 90 per cent of the country’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, providing energy production for approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s population.

In addition, it would have improved Guyana’s balance of payments by significantly reducing the importation of fuel and end-user costs for electricity, and improve the reliability of energy supply

and generation of clean energy, which would help to encourage economic growth and development by improving regional competitiveness, private sector investment, and foreign direct investment.

An assessment done by Norconsult— an independent engineering and design consultancy firm from Norway— had also concluded and recommended that “the only realistic path” for Guyana moving towards an emission-free electricity sector and achieving its 2025 Green Agenda commitment was to develop its hydropower potential in general, and maintain the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in particular.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coronavirus declared global health emergency T

he new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.

"The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems.

At least 213 people have died from the virus in China.

The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths.

Most cases have emerged in people who have travelled from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began.

However, there have been eight cases of human-to-human infection - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros described the virus as an "unprecedented outbreak" that has been met with an "unprecedented response".

He praised the "extraordinary measures" Chinese authorities had taken to prevent it from spreading

and said there was no reason to limit trade or travel to China, adding: "Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China".

But various countries have taken steps to close borders or cancel flights in recent days, and companies like Google, Ikea, Starbucks and Tesla have closed their shops or stopped operations.

Preparing other countries What happens if this virus finds its way into a country that cannot cope? Many low and middle income countries simply lack the tools to spot or contain it. The fear is it could spread uncontrollably and that it may go unnoticed for some time.

Remember this is a disease which emerged only last month and yet there are already 7,736 confirmed cases in China and 12,167 suspected ones.

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa - the largest in human history - showed how easily poorer countries can be overwhelmed by such outbreaks. And if novel coronavirus gets a significant foothold in such places then it would be incredibly difficult to contain.

We are not at that stage yet - 99% of cases are in China and the WHO is con-

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

vinced the country can control the outbreak there. But declaring a global emergency allows the WHO to support lower and middle income countries to strengthen their disease surveillance and prepare them for coronavirus cases.

How unusual is this declaration?

The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is "an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease".

It has previously de-

Pensioner’s body fished out of Demerara River

The area near the fishing dock in Grove, EBD, where Samaroo’s lifeless body was found

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he body of a 77-yearold pensioner was fished out of the Demerara River in the vicinity of Grove village, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Thursday morning.

Dead is Bulla Samaroo, also called “Somar”, of Lot 146 Grove Squatting Area, EBD. Reports are that Samaroo left his home on Tuesday morning notifying his family that he was going to visit his brother-in-law. He was never seen or heard from again.

This newspaper was told that on Thursday around 10:00h, persons near the sea-dam in Grove noticed a large object floating near the fishing dock which is used by private boat operators.

Upon investigating, they realised that it was a man’s

body.

The Police were immediately notified while the news spread around the area that a man’s body was found.

Some villagers recognised the man and made contact with his family members who quickly arrived at the scene and confirmed his identity.

According to the nowdead man’s wife, Prabha Debidin, Samaroo was diagnosed with cancer and would frequently complain about physical aches and pains about his body.

On Tuesday, he left their home under the pretext of visiting his brother-in-law to enquire what medications he (the brother-in-law) uses since the man has vast knowledge of illnesses.

After Tuesday and

Wednesday passed and Samaroo did not make contact with his wife or relatives, they contact the brother-in-law.

However, the man told Debidin that Samaroo never visited him.

“I told him come back quickly. I sat and watched but did not see him, started searching for him, today (Thursday) my grandson notified me after I said he was nowhere to be found and now he gone and drown himself because he wasn’t able to handle the pain,” the distraught woman stated.

The Post-Mortem Examination (PME) is expected to be conducted shortly to determine Samaroo’s cause of death. Meanwhile, investigations into the matter continue.

clared five global public health emergencies: * Swine flu, 2009 -The H1N1 virus spread across the world in 2009, killing more than 200,000 people, and a public health emergency was called to ensure the world was carefully monitoring its spread and

able to respond, including with vaccines. * Polio, 2014 - Although closer than ever to eradication in 2012, polio numbers rose in 2013. An emergency was declared due to fears the global fight against its eradication could face a major setback. * Zika, 2016 - The WHO declared Zika a public health emergency in 2016 after the disease spread rapidly through the Americas.

Although for many Zika symptoms are mild, it can be dangerous for pregnant women and the emergency was called to spur urgent research. * Ebola, 2014 and 2019 - The first emergency over the virus lasted from August 2014 to March 2016 as almost 30,000 people were infected and more than 11,000 died in West Africa. The WHO cited "the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and

the weak health systems" in affected countries. A second emergency was declared last year as an outbreak spread in DR Congo.

A confirmed case in Tibet means the virus has now reached every region in mainland China. According to the country's National Health Commission, 9,692 cases have tested positive.

Although questions have been raised about transparency, the WHO has praised China's handling of the outbreak. President Xi Jinping has vowed to defeat what he called a "devil" virus.

The central province of Hubei, where nearly all deaths have occurred, is in a state of lockdown. The province of 60 million people is home to Wuhan, the heart of the outbreak.

The city has effectively been sealed off and China has put numerous transport restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus.

(BBC)

US tells citizens not to travel to China as virus toll tops 210

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he US Government warned Americans not to travel to China as the death toll from a new coronavirus reached 213 on Friday and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.

A new State Department travel advisory raised the warning for China to the same level as Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a notice posted on its website, the department said: “Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China.”

The death toll in Hubei, the Chinese province at the center of the epidemic, had risen to 204 and there were 9,692 cases of infection nationally as of Thursday, Chinese health authorities said. A total of 129 cases have been reported in 22 other countries and regions, with no deaths outside China.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said all air traffic between Italy and China would stop, a more drastic measure than most countries have undertaken, after Italy announced its first confirmed cases in two Chinese tourists. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said the organization “doesn’t recommend - and actually opposes” restrictions on travel or trade with China.

International alarm over the new coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, in December, is driven by its rapid spread and the fact that infectious disease experts cannot yet know how deadly or contagious it is.

An increasing number of airlines have stopped flying to mainland China, including Air France KLM SA,

British Airways, Germany’s Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic, while others have reduced flights.

American Airlines’ pilots have filed a lawsuit seeking an immediate halt to China flights.

A US flight attendant who recently landed from one major Chinese city said a big concern was spreading the virus to families or being quarantined while on a layover.

“I didn’t understand the gravity of the situation until I went there,” said the attendant, describing general paranoia on the return flight, with every passenger wearing a mask.

“Now I feel like I’m on a 14-day countdown,” said the attendant, referring to the 14-day incubation period for the virus, during which time Chinese health authorities say a person can be infectious.

Australia’s powerful Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) on Friday called for the immediate suspension

all flights from China.

Foreign governments continued evacuating their citizens from Hubei and holding them in quarantine. The first of four planned flights carrying South Koreans landed at the Gimpo International Airport.

Around 700 South Koreans have signed up for evacuation. South Korea will quarantine all evacuees for 14 days, even if they show no symptoms.

Stocks around the world tumbled on Thursday as the rising death toll fueled fears of the economic fallout in the world’s second-biggest economy, but steadied slightly on Friday after the WHO praised China’s efforts to contain the virus In a news conference in Geneva on Thursday evening, Tedros said the WHO was declaring a global health emergency because it was concerned about the virus spreading to countries that did not have the resources to deal with it. (Reuters)

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pilots union sues American First Indian American reality show to launch in March Airlines to stop US-China flights owing to coronavirus

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he union that represents 15,000 American Airlines pilots has filed a lawsuit hoping to stop the company’s flights between the U.S. and China because of the threat posed by coronavirus.

The Allied Pilots Association asked in Dallas County court on Thursday for American Airlines to suspend all U.S.-China flights while the CDC’s travel warning remains at Level 3 or higher, in order to avoid “exposing its members to the coronavirus, a potentially fatal, communicable disease.” The CDC issued that Level 3 warning on Jan. 27, which recommended that Americans avoid “all nonessential travel” to China.

Many airlines have already suspended or severe-

ly cut their flights between the U.S. and China, and American has suspended a couple of its routes out of Los Angeles from Feb. 9 and March 27 due to “significant decline in demand.” But the lawsuit is demanding that the airline cancel its flights before that date, and also suspend its service out of Dallas.

The suit notes that the average age of DFW-based captains who fly to China is 61, and that according to the CDC, “older adults are more at risk of contracting and becoming seriously ill after exposure to coronavirus.”

In a statement to the Dallas Morning News, American Airlines implied that they would not be suspending flights as long as circumstances remain the

same.

“We are in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and global public health officials to make sure we are taking all necessary precautions for our customers and team members,” said the statement. “We will continue to monitor the situation and make any updates as needed.”

But the union has told pilots to decline any assignments to China.

“We estimate that as many as 300 passengers and crew travel to DFW alone from Chinese cities on each American Airlines flight,” said a statement from Allied Pilots Association President Eric Ferguson. “To us, that level of risk is unacceptable.” (NY Daily News)

Indian Americans are making their way into reality TV stardom in March

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ravo TV announced that it is launching the first U.S. docuseries featuring an all-Indian American cast.

“Family Karma” follows the lives of seven Indian American friends in Miami, who grew up together in the same immigrant community, and the show will include depictions of their families’ expectations and cultural traditions.

“Our parents basically founded this community,” Vishal Parvani said in the trailer. “They had arranged marriages — we

had arranged friendships.”

“Family Karma” will also draw on the cast’s personal history together.

In the trailer, cast members Monica Vaswani said the friends grew up going to temple classes together as kids, and Anisha Ramakrishna spoke about performing dances together for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

“We’re like family,” Ramakrishna said. “We’re going to be friends, always.

Like ‘The Babysitters’ Club.’”

Bravo said in a state-

ment that “Family Karma” will show the friends navigating their Indian and American identities.

“These friends are determined to live life to the fullest and navigate the pressures of adulthood, while maintaining their deep-rooted connection to the Indian culture,” Bravo said.

Twitter users reacted with enthusiasm to the show’s announcement.

“Much needed representation on Bravo!” one user wrote. “Can’t wait to watch!” (NBC)

Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA in New York.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 jumped 90 cents to $59.19 a barrel by 0243 GMT, after falling 2.5% the previous session. Brent is still down 2.5% for the week.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures CLc1 were up by $1.03 to $53.17 a barrel. The contract fell 2.2% on Thursday and is now 1.9% lower for the week.

The WHO on Thursday

declared that the coronavirus outbreak in China which has killed more than 200 people there and has spread to some 18 countries - now constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

Despite the WHO announcement and the rebound in prices on Friday, analysts remained cautious and warned of further downside risks if the virus continues to spread.

“Oil’s January correction, a 13% drop to be exact, was ripe for a bounce,” said Moya.

“Oil is likely to remain vulnerable here despite today’s optimism that the coronavirus has likely been contained.”

Italy’s government decided to close all air traffic between Italy and China, and airlines including Air France, American Airlines and British Airways have stopped flying to Chinese cities.

“We calculate that demand could be hit by 500,000 barrels per day as China curbs outbound tourism, and international carriers halt flights,” said ANZ Bank in a note on Friday.

Prices were also buoyed by reports that Saudi Arabia has opened a discussion about moving an upcoming output policy meeting to early February from March following the recent slide in oil prices. (Reuters)

Oil jumps as WHO declares emergency

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il prices jumped on Friday following sharp losses this week, as the World Health Organization (WHO) came out against travel and trade restrictions in declaring a global emergency over the

spread of the coronavirus that originated in China last year. Oil prices had fallen nearly 4% through Thursday this week - hitting three-months lows - before rebounding on Friday, with investors and traders wor-

ried over how the spreading virus would impact demand for oil and its products.

“The WHO declared a global health emergency but more importantly said travel and trade restrictions were not necessary,” said Edward

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

15

Regional

Violence erupts again in Santiago Mexico cartels: 3 suspects after soccer fan run over by Police escape “with help from guards”

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iots broke out in parts of Santiago overnight and lingered into Thursday after a Police truck ran over and killed a soccer fan earlier this week, marking the most violent protests since unrest broke out late last year, authorities said.

Protesters attacked more than 20 Police stations through the night and early morning, shouting in rage, throwing Molotov cocktails and lighting some on fire, leaving one dead and 46 Police injured, according to official reports.

Several Santiago metro stations and bus lines were shut down overnight, though most had reopened in the early hours Thursday.

“Without a doubt, this was the most violent day of 2020,” regional police chief Enrique Bassaletti told reporters early Thursday, warning that it harkened back to the “worst moments” of the previous October.

Chile’s Police Force, known as the Carabineros,

A burned bus is pictured after anti-Government protests in Santiago, Chile

came under fire after protests in Chile broke out in late October last year.

Several human rights groups accuse security forces of violations from rape to torture and undue force.

The 2019 protests, the most violent since the country’s return to democracy in 1990, plunged Santiago and much of Chile into chaos. Vandals burned downtown buildings, rioters looted hundreds of grocery stores and military tanks

took to the streets for the first time since the dictatorship of strongman Augusto Pinochet.

Anger erupted again in Santiago earlier this week when a Police truck allegedly ran over and killed a fan of local soccer team ColoColo as he left a stadium following an evening match.

Police arrested the driver of the truck and said they are investigating the incident. (Excerpt from Reuters)

olice in Mexico are questioning 10 guards at a prison in the capital, Mexico City, after three high-profile inmates escaped.

The three, including a man suspected of being the financier for the sons of jailed drug lord Joaquín Guzmán, walked through five gates before driving away in an official car.

Three guards have reportedly confessed to helping the inmates escape.

All three prisoners were facing extradition to the US. When guards did their morning check of the inmates they noticed that three were missing. Víctor Manuel Félix Beltrán, Luis Fernando Meza González and Yael Osuna Navarro had all escaped from the medium-security jail in Mexico City.

The fugitives passed through five gates to get to a courtyard where they boarded a prison car which whisked them away.

The gates had been installed at the medium-security jail after the three

The fugitives passed through five gates before driving off in a prison vehicle

had been transferred there from high-security facilities.

An investigation is underway to find out whether the gates were left unlocked or whether the fugitives were provided with keys or instruments to open them.

Víctor Manuel Félix Beltrán is suspected of being an influential member of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, which was led by drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán until his capture and extradition to

the US. Félix Beltrán is suspected of handling the finances of three of Guzmán’s sons. US prosecutors also accuse him of being a “high-level drug trafficker” who operated in the cities of Culiacán and Guadalajara and shipped cocaine to Chicago.

His father, Víctor Félix Félix, was “El Chapo” Guzmán’s financier until the former was captured in 2011 and extradited to the US. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Staff Onyx Lorenzoni.

After heightened public outcry, Bolsonaro told reporters on Thursday he was firing Santini definitively and said that the main policy area run by Lorenzoni´s office, the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI), would be moved to the Economy Ministry.

Loss of authority over this key program, aimed at drawing local and foreign investors into infrastructure projects, marks a fall from grace for Lorenzoni. He was one of the first lawmakers to back Bolsonaro´s presidential bid but has been unable to muster support in

Congress for many of the administration’s policies, including a bid to restructure the government.

Santini flew from the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps on an Air Force Legacy executive jet to join Bolsonaro´s visit to India, even though such flights are reserved for ministers and other higher-ranking authorities.

The scandal adds to speculation Lorenzoni will be dropped from Bolsonaro’s Cabinet, which political analysts have been predicting for months. (Excerpt from Reuters)

dren (OPROB).

Violence declined after a 2016 peace deal the Andean country signed with rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), ending that group’s part in more than five decades of conflict that killed more than 260,000 people.

The deal allowed some 13,000 former rebels to rejoin society, yet the report noted that armed groups including dissidents of the FARC who rejected the accord are still recruiting children and adolescents.

“Threats, false promises of better conditions, the groups’ presence in schools

and the absence or weakness of the government has led to thousands of children joining the ranks of armed groups,” Silva said.

Last week a report by Human Rights Watch said children as young as 12 were being recruited by armed groups in the east of the country.

According to OPROB, between 2017 and 2019 there were 311 cases of recruiting minors in five of Colombia’s 32 provinces.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) accounted for the majority of cases, with 182, followed by FARC dissidents with 82. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T Cabinet announces 14-day travel restrictions from China Brazil´s Bolsonaro fires aide who flew on Air Force jet from Davos T

he Trinidad and Tobago Cabinet has agreed to a travel restriction on anyone travelling from China to Trinidad and Tobago, in light of the spread of coronavirus.

Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh says that with immediate effect – once necessary legal provisions are put in place –”persons who are presently living in China or visiting China, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed entry into Trinidad and Tobago for 14 days after leaving China.”

Speaking at today’s post-Cabinet news conference, he added: “If you left China tomorrow (Friday) you will not be allowed into T&T until February 14.”

He said the reason for the 14 days is that the incubation period for coronavirus lasts for that period.

He said it is now for the Attorney General’s office and the Chief Immigration Officer to effect the travel restrictions.

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resident Jair Bolsonaro fired his deputy chief of staff for the second time this week after the official used a Brazilian Air Force plane to fly from Davos, Switzerland, to New Delhi last week.

The costly trip has drawn extensive public criticism amid mounting allegations of corruption by Bolsonaro’s administration.

Bolsonaro first fired the official, Vicente Santini, on Tuesday when he returned from a state visit to India, calling his use of the plane “completely immoral.”

Santini was reassigned to another position by Chief of

Taiwanese man wears a mask at a metro station in Taipei, Taiwan

The Minister added that the Ministry of Health, under the public health ordinance, will designate coronavirus as a dangerous infectious disease as done with Ebola in 2014.

He said that once that is done these measure will

be put into effect almost immediately.

The Minister said that 18,588 people have been screened after arriving at Piarco and no one has so far been found with the virus. (T&T Guardian)

was located 113 kilometres (km) north, north-west of Lucea in Jamaica and was felt also in The Bahamas, Cuba, and Haiti.

The tremor occurred at 09:53h at a depth of 10 km.

On Tuesday, an earthquake with a 7.7 magnitude occurred between

Jamaica and Cuba triggering fears of a tsunami in several Caribbean countries, including Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

As in the case yesterday, there were no reports of damage or injuries.

(CMC)

Another earthquake rattles Jamaica

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he United States Geological Survey (USGS) yesterday reported that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 occurred near Jamaica, less than 24 hours after the island was rocked by a major quake.

It said that the quake

Armed groups in Colombia are still recruiting children, NGOs say

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llegal armed groups are still recruiting children in Colombia, subjecting them to sexual abuse and using them as cannon fodder in armed conflict, humanitarian groups said on Thursday.

“In Colombia, the recruiting and use of minors is a common and systemic practice which changes to meet the new demands of the armed conflict,” said Olga Silva of Humanidad Vigente, which published a report along with Oxfam and Benposta Nacion de Muchachos. The groups form part of the observatory for the protection of rights and welfare of chil-

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

Around the World

UN shuts refugee centre in Gunman shoots at New Delhi protesters Libya’s capital as truce crumbles

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gunman has fired at a protest rally against India's new citizenship law near the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University in capital New Delhi, witnesses and officials said.

The alleged assailant, identified by the police as a 17-year-old teenager, brandished a single-barrel weapon and shouted slogans against the protesters before firing at them, wounding a JMI student on Thursday.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Southeast Delhi said the teenage suspect has been arrested and an investigation was being conducted into the incident.

"He [the gunman] was shouting, 'Delhi Police Zindabad' [long live Delhi police] and 'Who wants Aazadi [freedom], come, I'll shoot you'," said witness Nazim Qazi, who was also part of the protest.

"And then he shot one fire.

A student named Shadab was hurt and has been taken to the nearby Holy Family hospital," he added.

Another witness told Al Jazeera that JMI students were marching towards the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's

The alleged assailant, a 17-year-old who identifies himself as “Rambhakt”, brandishes a gun during a protest against a new citizenship law outside the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, India

independence struggle when the attack happened.

The march was organised to coincide with the death anniversary of Gandhi, who was shot dead by a member of the Hindu far-right, Nathuram Godse, in 1948.

The victim has now been moved to the trauma centre of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, sources said.

A photograph taken by the Reuters news agency showed the suspect, dressed in a black jacket and brandishing a single-barrel weapon, standing metres away

from dozens of policemen deployed outside the university, where protesters had gathered for the march.

Witnesses said the assailant shouted slogans against the protesters before firing at them.

"The Police stood nearby," Ahmed Zahir, a witness, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, India's Home Minister Amit Shah posted on Twitter that Delhi Police officials have been ordered to conduct a "detailed enquiry" into the incident. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he United Nations said on Thursday it was suspending operations at a refugee centre in Libya’s capital because it could become a target while the UN envoy said a truce brokered

by Russia and Turkey was holding “only in name”.

Artillery exchanges in Tripoli have significantly increased in recent days, UN Libya envoy Ghassan Salame told the Security Council in a briefing, causing an increase in civilian casualties due to indiscriminate shelling.

Since Jan 12, when forces aligned with Tripoli’s internationally recognised government and eastern-based rivals led

by Khalifa Haftar conditionally agreed to a truce, more than 110 violations had been recorded, Salame said.

Libya’s conflict has escalated since Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli in April, upending UN-led peace plans.

International powers have supplied arms and airpow-

UN Envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame speaks during a news conference after the Libya summit in Berlin, Germany

er, though there has been a lull in airstrikes since Russia and Turkey called for a truce starting Jan 12, and international powers met in Berlin on Jan. 19 trying to broker a ceasefire.

Haftar has received support from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Russia and Egypt, while Turkey has recently stepped up its backing for the Tripoli government.

US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the Security Council that “regrettably

the promise of the Berlin conference is already under threat”. It was “past time” for those violating an arms embargo “to face real consequences”, she warned, without giving details.

The 15-member UN Security Council has been negotiating a Britishdrafted resolution to endorse the outcomes of the Berlin conference but it was not immediately clear when the text could be put to a vote. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US forces.

“We need the permission of the Iraqis,” Esper told a news conference. He said securing their permission was one factor slowing the repositioning of the air defences. He said the US military was still deciding on more tactical issues, such as where best to place the defences.

Tehran had been expected to retaliate against the United States over the killing of a top Iranian general, likely using ballistic missiles.

But in the days prior to the Iranian strikes,

the Pentagon had expected Tehran more likely to target US positions in countries other than Iraq, since Tehran counts influential allies in Baghdad.

The United States had moved Patriot batteries last year to Saudi Arabia, for example.

Thanks to US intelligence, the Pentagon gained hours of warning time that allowed it to move troops to bunkers that were strong enough to prevent loss of life or limb when the Iranian missiles struck, US officials say.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US seeks Iraqi nod to bring in E Jean Carroll, who says Trump air defences after Iran attack raped her, seeks President’s DNA

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awyers for a woman who accuses President Donald Trump of raping her in the 1990s are asking for a DNA sample, seeking to determine whether his genetic material is on a dress she says she wore during the encounter.

Advice columnist E Jean Carroll’s lawyers served notice to a Trump lawyer Thursday for Trump to submit a sample on March 2 in Washington, DC, for “analysis and comparison against unidentified male DNA present on the dress”.

Carroll filed a defamation suit against Trump in November after the President denied her allegation. Her lawyer, Roberta

E Jean Carroll is photographed in New York [Photo by: Craig Ruttle/Reuters]

Kaplan, then had the black wool coat-style dress tested. A lab report with the legal notice says DNA found on the sleeves was a mix of at least four people, at

least one of them male.

Several other people were tested and eliminated as possible contributors to the mix, according to the lab report, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Their names are redacted.

While the notice is a demand, such demands often spur court fights requiring a Judge to weigh in on whether they will be enforced.

The Associated Press sent a message to Trump’s lawyer seeking comment.

Carroll accused Trump last summer of raping her in a Manhattan luxury department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

At least 20 women and children held hostage in northern Indian village

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t least 20 children and women have been held hostage at a house in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh for about eight hours by a man who had invited the children on the pretext of hosting a birthday party, police said on Thursday.

The man, who is serving a life sentence for murder and was out on parole, opened fire and injured two

police officers and a villager near Farrukhabad in western Uttar Pradesh, PV Ramashastry, the Additional Director General Of police said.

“He had called the children on the pretext of a birthday party and held them hostage. He opened fire on villagers,” Ramashastry said.

The man had invited some children and women of

Farrukhabad, saying he was throwing a birthday party for his daughter. He held the invitees hostage at gunpoint after they reached his house. The man’s motive is not clear, nor is the number of women and children.

A team of counter terrorism forces along with local police are trying to rescue the hostages, police said.

(Reuters)

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he United States is trying to secure permission from Iraq to take Patriot missile defences into the country to better defend US forces after Iran’s Jan 8 missile attack, which wounded 50 American troops, Defence Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday.

The United States did not have Patriot air defences deployed to al-Asad airbase in Iraq, where at least 11 of Iran’s ballistic missiles struck, killing no one but triggering massive blasts that caused traumatic brain injury among

Tourists on Italian cruise ship cleared of coronavirus

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ore than 6000 tourists will be allowed to disembark from a cruise ship moored in an Italian port after a suspected case of coronavirus was confirmed false on Thursday.

Samples taken from a Chinese couple were sent for testing after three doctors and a nurse boarded the Costa Crociere ship in the port of Civitavecchia, near Rome, to tend to a woman running a fever, local health authorities said.

The passenger was a 54-year-old woman who had boarded Costa Crociere company’s ship Costa

Smeralda on January 25 in the port of Savona. She came down with fever and flu-like symptoms. Both she and her partner were placed in an isolation unit on the ship.

The ship had earlier been placed in total lockdown.

“We arrived in [Civitavecchia] with the Costa Smeralda cruise ship and they are not letting us off the boat. They say it’s due to a health inspection,” a passenger named Gaby tweeted.

The Costa Smeralda departed from Savona in northern Italy and stopped

in Marseille, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca before reaching Civitavecchia.

“We did all that we needed to do. The situation is under control and at the moment it does not seem like there are any reasons for concern on board,” coastguard commander Vincenzo Leone was quoted as saying by ANSA. In a statement, Costa Crociere said its priority was “to guarantee the health and safety of guests and crew” and that it would “strictly comply” with regulations from health authorities. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

Naya Zamana

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aya Zamana – Zindagi Express is a frank and penetrating play (in every sense), but it is staged with feeling and pizzazz. Every act is expressive in the message portrayed, be it about heartbreak, the struggle for independence, the pressures of bullying or the dilemma of staying in a relationship.

Portrayed against spectacular backdrops and sets and embellished by dazzling and vivid costuming done by design genius Trishala S i m a n t i n i Persaud, N a y a Zamana is not one to miss.

From the avid theatre goer to the first timer, the experience of Naya Zamana is like no other, you are caught and held from beginning to end as the stories unfold much like a movie up close. The actors get into the skin of their characters and you feel as if you are at one with them.

The brilliant script and direction done by Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud move everyday life and challenges onto stage and make you feel as if it is a visual of, if not your own life and experiences, definitely someone you know. No doubt the music, at times haunting or energetic, lends to the overall feel good mood that Naya Zamana invariably leaves one with.

The theatrical production appeals to every age with its grandeur, glitz

and vibrance. Cutting edge choreography is portrayed through various dance styles: modern, lyrical and interpretive, classical, traditional and creative. The dancers make you want to get up and shake a leg or join them on stage.

The 60 + cast consisting of young and talented performers includes Farzaana Khan (Misha). Darsh Mody (Veer), Anusha Doodnauth (Avni), Amisha Sarjoo (Anaya), Deepta Banik (Arnav) and the very young and

ists or visitors to Guyana.

This production has been staged in New York to almost sold out audiences and has gotten acclaim from critics. With Valentine’s Day approaching, tickets to the hottest theatrical production with dinner are sure to win you praise from your significant other.

It's a noteworthy production for study in schools that are offering theatre arts/ drama/English, we encourage schools to call and re-

captivating Sarah Dhanraj as Piya.

Sass and attitude come naturally to actors Aliyah Hassan, Rickeita Leitch, and Shania Persaud who are also part of the main cast. Surprises come packaged in all ages, but those you have to go and find out.

Acclaimed as witty, pertinent, artistic, magically creative and strongly presented, Naya Zamana – Zindagi Express is definitely something to go and watch with family, friends and even your significant other. It is absolutely a not-to-be-miss cultural experience for tour-

serve tickets.

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Naya Zamana – Zindagi Express will be staged at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 8:00pm.

Tickets are widely available at the National Cultural Centre; Dharmic Kendra, Prashad Nagar; Red Mango, Robb Street,;ENetworks Camp Street and Giftland Mall; M&M Snackette, EBD; Unique Innovations, Giftland Mall and The Murti Shop, WCD. To reserve tickets – call 2276181 or 219-1900.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

fter a successful hosting of its first anniversary last weekend, XS Bar located at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara is once again the place to be this Saturday evening as it hosts yet another concept party titled “Head Shot”. The party is promoted

by Deejay Sheik and Lionel also known as the Lash Pot Crew.

The event will see the likes of several popular deejays and selectors who will undoubtedly set the place on fire with some of the best mixes ranging from Soca to Filmi, Chutney, Dancehall and others. These versatile music geniuses include Team MMR, Selector

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Andy; Selector Curtis; Selector Chino; Deejay Sheik and a few surprises.

On Saturday evening, patrons will benefit from drink and cocktail specials all night.

Ladies will be admitted free before 22:00h after which admission fees will be charged. In addition, the first 50 ladies to enter the bar will receive free shots.

This is one party that you don’t want to missing. No weapons will be allowed and dress code is in effect.

he A1 Night Club at Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) will come alive on Saturday evening for the third edition of Showtime Birthday Bash called “Tell me if you like it”. The last two birthday celebrations have been off the hook and this year is expected to much bigger and better.

With lots of surprises in store, patrons are bound to have a grand time. Some of the best deejays are slated to juggle the console. The Fusion Sound System and Boom FM duo, Selector Diamond and Gully Ras will be in the house to make sure the

party is lit.

In addition, the deejays from several sound systems will be on deck to add some vibes to the party. These include the deejays from Mad Vybz Sound System, Silver Star, Black Stone and One Voice Family.

Apart from the vibes, there will be lots of bar-bque on sale. If you are living in Soesdyke, Timehri, Kuru Kururu, Coverden and Land of Canaan, then the place to be this Saturday, February 1, 2020, is the A1 Night Club.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t gamble or let someone bully you into taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Your time is valuable and is best used to help you get ahead.

Personal information will elude you. Do your due diligence before you get involved in something that may pose a problem. Make a domestic adjustment that will ease stress.

Get involved in something that allows you to use your skills. Your first concern should be to boost your confidence and to surround yourself with supportive people.

Handle personal situations with care. Being a martyr will not bring you peace of mind or the happiness you deserve. Put more time into love, romance and enjoying life.

Pleasure should be on your mind. Follow the direction that leads to satisfaction and fulfillment. Participate in events that offer stimulating conversations with people who share your beliefs, interests and concerns.

Someone may lean on you for assistance. Offer suggestions, but don’t take charge and do the work yourself.

You have to be more selective in where and how you spend your time and money.

Refuse to get bogged down with other people’s problems. You owe it to yourself to put your responsibilities and goals first. Use your intellect, choose your words wisely and carry on with your plans.

Secret matters may intrigue you, but don’t get mixed up in someone else’s business. Align yourself with people who are working toward a similar goal or who share your beliefs.

Romance is featured.

Use your head when it SAGITTARIUS comes to emotional matters (Nov. 23or dealing with relationship Dec. 21) issues. The truth matters, and lying should not be acceptable. When in doubt, ask questions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Stay on top of your responsibilities. Honor the promises you make. Initiate plans with a loved one. Turn today into one of accomplishment and fond memories.

AQUARIUS

Your intellect will help you win. Great ideas coupled with speed and accuracy will dazzle everyone you encounter. If you set up meetings and attend networking functions, you’ll discover valuable information.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A big decision will be easy if you follow your heart. You have more options than you realize. Happiness is up to you and is within reach. Use your creative imagination.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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NBA round-up: Lillard's 1st triple-double power Blazers D

amian Lillard recorded 36 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career triple-double to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 125-112 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

Lillard made six 3-pointers to tie the NBA record of 33 over a four-game stretch.

The mark was originally set by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors from Feb. 22-27, 2016.

CJ McCollum added 22 points and Trevor Ariza tallied 21 as Portland won for the third time in the past four games. Carmelo Anthony collected a season-best 13 rebounds as the Trail Blazers held a 50-39 advantage on the boards.

Houston’s Russell Westbrook scored 39 points, the eighth time in his past nine appearances he has recorded 30 or more points.

James Harden had 18 points but shot just 5 of 18. He has made only 69 of 210 shots (32.9 percent) over his past 10 appearances.

Indiana Pacers 115Chicago Bulls 106

T.J. Warren scored 25 points, and Victor Oladipo drilled a clutch 3-pointer to force overtime in his long-anticipated return from injury as Indiana posted a victory over Chicago in Indianapolis.

In his first action in more than a year after recovering from a right knee injury, Oladipo scored nine points

on 2-for-8 shooting in 21 minutes. He delivered the biggest shot of regulation, tying the game at 100 with a deep 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds left.

Domantas Sabonis amassed 15 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana.

Chicago’s Chandler Hutchison scored a career-high 21 points, and Zach LaVine added 20 as the Bulls saw their two-game winning streak snapped.

Memphis Grizzlies 127New York Knicks 106

Jae Crowder scored 10 points during a decisive run to open the second half, and visiting Memphis climbed to .500 for the first time this season by beating New

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles past Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) (USA TODAY Sports)

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic beats Federer to reach final

N

ovak Djokovic moved a step closer to retaining the Australian Open title with a straight-set semi-final win over injury-hit rival Roger Federer.

Serbia's Djokovic was 4-1 and 40-0 down in the opening set before recovering to

or Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final.

"The match could have definitely gone a different way if he had used those break points [in the sixth game]," Djokovic said.

"He started well - I was nervous.

"Respect to Roger for com-

three matches at Melbourne Park in the past 10 tournaments.

It would also move him within three of 38-year-old's Federer's all-time record of 20 men's Grand Slam singles titles and within two of Spain's Rafael Nadal, who lost to Thiem in Wednesday's quarter-final.

Muguruza beats Halep to reach final

Djokovic has not lost to Federer in a Grand Slam since losing in the semi-finals at Wimbledon 2012 (AFP)

win the tie-break.

That laid the platform for the 32-year-old second seed to go on and win 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-3.

Djokovic, aiming for a 17th Grand Slam title, will face Dominic Thiem

ing out tonight. He was obviously hurt and wasn't close to his best in terms of movement."

Victory would mean a record-extending eighth Australian Open triumph for Djokovic, who has lost just

Garbine Muguruza continued her recent revival by reaching the Australian Open final with a straightset win over Romania's Simona Halep.

The unseeded Spaniard, 26, battled past the fourth seed in a tense 7-6 (10-8) 7-5 semi-final victory.

The two-time Grand Slam champion fought off four set points in the opener and twice came back from a break down in the second.

She will face American Sofia Kenin in Saturday's final.

It is Muguruza's first appearance in a Grand Slam final since she won the Wimbledon title in 2017.

Muguruza clinched victory with her second match point when a six-shot rally ended with Halep hitting a return into the net.

Garbine Muguruza won the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017 (Reuters)

The way the world number 32 gritted her teeth and tightly clenched her fist as she celebrated illustrated how difficult a battle it was against the 2018 runner-up.

"I'm very excited to be in the final - it is a long way to get there," said Muguruza, who also won the French Open in 2016.

"I wasn't thinking I was down, I just thought keep going and knew I'd have an opportunity.

"I was hanging in there and fighting with all the energy I had."

Muguruza will bid to become only the third unseeded woman to win the Australian Open, after home player Chris O'Neil in 1978 and American great Serena Williams in 2007. (BBC Sport)

York.

Dillon Brooks scored a game-high 27 points to lead seven players in double figures for the Grizzlies, who have gone 11-3 this month to reach .500 (24-24) for the first time since Dec. 31, 2018. Marcus Morris Sr. scored 17 points to lead the Knicks.

A brawl nearly broke out with 48.1 seconds left when Crowder stole an inbounds pass by Julius Randle intended for Elfrid Payton, the latter of whom shoved Crowder as he went up for a 3-pointer. Payton was charged with a flagrant-2 and was ejected along with Crowder and the Knicks’ Marcus Morris Sr. New York’s Damyean Dotson and Memphis’ Jonas Valanciunas were also issued technical fouls.

San Antonio Spurs 127Utah Jazz 120

DeMar DeRozan poured in 38 points and Patty Mills added 18 off the bench as short-handed San Antonio surprised visiting Utah.

Murray added 16 points for the Spurs, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

San Antonio played for the second straight game without LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb).

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 31 points. Jordan Clarkson added 20, and Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert scored 17 points each for Utah, which has dropped two games in a row. Gobert also grabbed 19 rebounds.

Oklahoma City Thunder 120Sacramento Kings 100

Nerlens Noel converted lob passes from Dennis Schroder into dunks on consecutive possessions during a second-quarter flurry, propelling Oklahoma City over host Sacramento.

Schroder finished with a game-high 24 points to go with nine assists, and rookie Luguentz Dort surprised the Kings with a career-best 23 points, helping the Thunder win for the sixth time in their last seven games.

Bogdan Bogdanovic had a team-high 23 points for the Kings, who saw a two-game winning streak end.

Brooklyn Nets 125Detroit Pistons 115

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn pulled away to beat Detroit.

Dinwiddie helped the Nets end a four-game home losing streak and win for only the fourth time in their past 17 games. After changing his number from No. 8 to No. 26, Dinwiddie shot 8 of 13 and scored his second-most points as a reserve this season.

Reggie Jackson scored 23 points for the Pistons, who lost their fourth straight and fell to the Nets for the second time in five nights. Derrick Rose added 22 points, marking his 13th straight game with at least 20 points, and Christian Wood contributed 20. (Reuters)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

“If we’re not careful, we will commission a state of lawlessness” – Forde …GFF President clarifies clampdown on unsanctioned football

By Jemima Holmes

A

t the close of 2019, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) made the announcement that it was given ammunition by FIFA to clamp down on unsanctioned football tournaments along with players and officials who participate in such.

While many in the football world were sceptical about the stunning revelation, others, such as tournament organisers, insisted that “the football gotta play regardless”.

Similar comments were made irrespective of knowing the GFF’s rationale for taking such a bold step.

Now, GFF President Wayne Forde, speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport, shared the plethora of reasons why the Federation was forced to clamp down on unsanctioned football activity and affirmed that the GFF would spare wrongdoers.

“We believe that football should be organised within spaces that are safe, the rules should be clearly established, there should be sufficient protection for the players and officials; we believe that if there is any challenge or conflict arising out of a game or the tournament, it should be handled through the judicial arms of the GFF,” the GFF boss stated as one of his primary reasons for making the move.

Delving deeper into the issue, Forde noted that many of the unsanctioned events, primarily ‘futsal’ tournaments, do not cater to certain safety precautions that should be made at any football game.

“We believe that a lot of these organisers do not have the requisite insurance coverage in the event that someone from the public is injured or a player is injured and we are also

cautious that the proceeds from these events don’t contribute to the development of football,” Forde further explained.

When probed about how proactive the GFF intended to be in its clampdown, Forde noted that the Federation did not intend to keep the entire football fraternity under a microscope.

“Of course, we’re not a policing agency and we can’t expect to know what happens in all parts of the country, but we expect our members to be vigilant because we just have to bring a halt to this,” he said.

Nevertheless, Forde explained that the GFF would always look to resolve the arising issues in the best possible way, so as to avoid any unnecessary conflict.

“We do acknowledge that there are unique challenges in different parts of the footballing community that we have to bring leadership to, we have to try to resolve, we have to intervene from time to time. We also have the prerogative if we think that our interventions are not bearing fruit to act and it’s the last thing that we want to do because anything that can cause you the desired results without creating unnecessary instability or unwanted changes is the path that I will always pursue,” he explained.

The GFF President also spoke to the part that member associations, executives and officials (referees included) are expected to play in this ‘behavioural reform’ of football in Guyana.

“The short answer to that is yes we are and we’ve made it absolutely clear to our members that if we have any reason to believe that they are not implementing the constitution – not the directive of the Federation – the constitution

Lusignan Golf Club to honour Life Members …Part 1

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his Saturday and Sunday, the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will devote activities to honour both the lifetime achievements of some of its outstanding members as well as celebrate the birthdays of Maurice Solomon and Hemraj Kissoon.

LGC President Aleem Hussain said, “Giants aren’t always big people...sometimes they’re captains of industries, unassuming heroes, or simple persons who rise to the occasion when called.

“Such are the stories of the following people -- those who have dedicated their lives to betterment of themselves, their communities, and the lives of those that they come into contact with on a daily basis. We are fortunate to have persons like these at the Lusignan Golf Club and to follow in their footsteps, learning from their examples.”

Doreen DeCaires

Doreen DeCaires celebrated 50 years as a member of the LGC and has certainly earned her spot as a life member. For many years, Doreen served as Women’s Captain alongside her late husband, David DeCaires – the Club’s longest serving Captain.

During the ‘lean years’, it was Doreen who merged the women’s and men’s teams to ensure that there were sufficient players to host a tournament. She remembers driving to pick up members in an effort to make sure they were on time and acknowledges that her game suffered as a result of her self-imposed drive in her organisational role as she sought to promote the game alongside her husband. To her credit, she represented herself and the country well, playing in Trinidad, Antigua, and Barbados, and she continues to win in the United Kingdom.

GFF President Wayne Forde

of the GFF, we will take action against them. We’ve been clear on that.”

“We are not going to permit our officials to be part of any event that we haven’t sanctioned,” Forde went on to clarify.

“May stakeholders may think that it serves them best and there’re benefits to it, but I will argue that no one benefits from it and if we’re not careful, we will commission a state of lawlessness that will make the football space difficult for everyone. We will not stand by and allow that to happen, and FIFA will not stand by and allow that to happen,” Forde declared as he sought to highlight the part key stakeholders play when they support unsanctioned tournaments.

USA Gymnastics offers US$215M to athletes abused by Larry Nassar

Doreen DeCaires

A success both on and off the golf course, Doreen was Guyana’s honoree for the United States Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage. She received among many other accolades, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Lifetime Achievement Award for her long and dedicated service, and for promoting the development of the Private Sector.

Doreen, warmly welcomed by her friends and fellow members now that she is back in Guyana, expressed her satisfaction with the current conditions of the club, especially the fact that there are now ‘buggies’ or golfcarts available for her use.

Joe Solomon

Joe Solomon, for many years now a member of the LGC, and of course a batting icon who has his name etched forever in cricket history, was born in 1930 in Port Mourant, Berbice.

In the 1950s, he represented the Port Mourant Cricket Club, with West Indies players Rohan Kanhai, Basil

Joe Solomon

Butcher, and Ivan Madray before making a sensational start to his FirstClass career.

In October 1956, Solomon scored 114 not out on his First-Class debut, playing for Guyana against Jamaica, at Bourda. He followed this with 108 in his second First-Class innings against Barbados, also at Bourda, one week later. He scored yet another FirstClass century, in his third First-Class innings for Guyana against Pakistan.

Joe’s contribution to West Indian cricket was immortalised when he secured the first tie in the history of Test cricket by running out Ian Meckiff in the first Test against Australia at Brisbane in 1960.

These days Joe enjoys a new sporting activity – one to which he has brought over his cricketing proficiency – golfing, with his brother Maurice Solomon. Even at age 90, Joe still has the uncanny ability to keep his eye on the ball and drive it straight.

Larry Nassar

U

SA Gymnastics has announced a plan to pay a US$215 million settlement to the group of athletes abused by former national team doctor Larry Nassar.

Nassar was sentenced to up to 300 years in jail in 2018 after more than 265 women accused him of sexual abuse.

Later in the year, USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in order to be able to resolve claims made by athletes.

Athletes have now been asked to vote on whether to accept the settlement or pursue their own lawsuits.

If they accept the settlement, the insurers for Twistars, a Michigan-based gymnastics club where athletes said Nassar abused

them, will also contribute an additional US$2.1 million to the settlement amount.

“It has always been our goal to reach a consensual settlement agreement with all of our creditors through the bankruptcy process.” said Li Li Leung, President and chief executive of USA Gymnastics.

“While we do not yet have an agreement with the committee representing the survivors, we still hope to reach an agreement.”

USA Gymnastics will come out of bankruptcy if the planned settlement is confirmed.

In May 2018, Michigan State University agreed to pay US$500 million to gymnasts who were abused by Nassar. (BBC Sport)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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While the careers of his brothers faded away, Julien took giant strides on the cricket field.

Originally, just like the other kids of his age, Julien wanted to try everything, but he especially wanted to bowl off-spin.

But what made Julien switch to being a wicketkeeper was his curious soul.

When he was nine, while training one day, he found the wicketkeeping gloves of Bryan Christmas - who earned fame as a 14-year old playing the 2011 U-19 World Cup - lying around. Julien picked them up and wore them. Within two years, he was the designated wicketkeeper for the Trinidad youth team.

"I wanted to do everything when I was smaller, so I used to bowl," Julien says.

"My first choice was bowling and then batting. When I wore Christmas' wicketkeeping gloves one day, I liked the feel of it on my hands.

"The next year, in a game where the keeper got injured, a coach asked the team 'who wanna keep?' I screamed, 'me!' I've been a keeper since."

These days, when Julien isn't representing West Indies U-19, he plays for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. His batting inspi-

rations are Michael Hussey - because of "how aggressive he was in running between the wickets" - and Virat Kohli, for the way "he maneuvers the game."

"The way Kohli grabs the game with his hands, that's how I want to be," Julien says. "My playing style is like him - aggressive, but at the same time I can also stay in the wicket for a long time because I love scoring runs.

I want to own all three formats - T20s, ODIs and Tests - like him."

Julien has always been a prodigy. When he won the West Indies Regional U-17 championship in 2016, he was only 14. But he doesn't regret his formative years playing cricket instead of indulging in childhood mischief. He finds inspiration in video games, especially Fortnite, the first-person-shooting multiplayer game with more than 250 million players worldwide, and draws some parallels that it has with cricket.

"Fortnite is a game that actually inspires me," Julien says. "It's entertainment but it also helps me think.

Fortnite is all about strategising, on how to get on top of your opponent. You need

to hav e a strategy with a clear plan.

It has

helped m e think on my feet."

J u l i e n has had a quiet World Cup in South Africa. He has made only 82 runs in four games, with a high score of 40. But West Indian wicketkeepers have traditionally transitioned successLeonardo Julien drives through the off side (Getty Images)

full y into the senior sides in years to come. The 2008 alumni Devon Thomas has played for West Indies. The 2010 runner-up Shane Dowrich did too. From the 2012 squad, wicketkeeper Sunil Ambris made his interna-

tional debut two years ago, and the two wicketkeepers in the squad from 2014 - Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran - are now regulars in the country's white-ball set ups.

Can 2020's Julien do the same? (ESPN Cricinfo)

CWI President Ricky Kobe Bryant: NBA to Skerritt appointed to MCC honour basketball World Cricket Committee great in All-Star Game

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ricket West Indies (CWI) President Ricky Skerritt has been appointed to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee, which meets twice a year to discuss the most important issues in the game and acts as an independent voice in world cricket.

Skerritt joins England’s alltime leading run-scorer Alistair Cook as new members after former West Indies fast bowler and current commentator Ian Bishop and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al-Hasan stood down from the Committee.

Mike Gatting, current MCC President and former England Captain, said: “We have been keen for some time to appoint a new representative from the West Indies, and I am delighted that Ricky will be joining us. His knowledge of the game from a West Indian perspective will be invaluable, and his work outside of the sport will also be advantageous to the Committee.”

President Skerritt commented, “Serving world cricket on such an important MCC committee, among such legendary former cricketers,

is both a privilege and an honour. I will do all I can to ensure that my West-Indies based perspective will always add value to the work of the MCC.” CWI President Skerritt also serves world cricket as a member of the Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC), where he was recently appointed to the special Working Group on Governance, set up to consider the future governance structure of the ICC.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt

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he NBA will honour Kobe Bryant in next month's AllStar Game in Chicago.

Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

The NBA has announced a new format for the game that will "increase the level of competition, provide additional excitement, and make the outcome of every quarter count for charity".

A new fourth-quarter format will honour the LA Lakers great and five-time NBA champion.

The new format

Both teams – captained by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo – will play for Chicago-based community organisations.

They will compete to win each of the first three quarters, each of which will start at 0-0 and last 12 minutes. The community organisation selected by the winner of each quarter will receive US$100,000. At the start of the fourth quarter, the game clock will be turned off and a Final Target Score will be set.

This will be determined by the leading team's total cumulative score and adding 24 points – Bryant's jersey number. For example, if the cumulative score at the end of the third quarter is 100-95,

the Final Target Score would be 124.

The fourth quarter will be untimed and the first team to reach the Final Target Score wins. The winning team will win US$200,000 for its chosen community organisation. The 69th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Chicago's United Center on Sunday, February 16.

Lakers President and golfers pay tribute

Lakers President and controlling owner Jeanie Buss has made her first public statement since Byrant's death, describing him as "family".

"We are grateful to have you in our lives and we will always be here for you," she wrote on Instagram.

"To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday, the entire Laker family mourns with you. Laker Nation – we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly. We will mourn together, cry together but we will also heal together, love together and win together.

We love you."

On Thursday, a number of golfers paid tribute to Bryant during the first round of the Phoenix Open.

American Justin Thomas wore Bryant's high school jersey, while Tony Finau's shoes were in the Lakers' purple and yellow, with the numbers eight and 24 on them – Byrant’s jersey numbers. (BBC Sport)

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CMTC ready for February 16 horserace meet ꟷ club seeks more sponsors

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he Crawford Memorial Turf Club (CMTC) will be gearing up for its February 16 horserace meet – its first major event for 2020.

The meet will be held under the theme “President’s Cup” and will feature some of the most riveting races at the club’s Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice location.

The feature event of this meet is ‘The Crawford Stakes’, set to be run over 1400 metres for a winner’s purse of $500,000 and a trophy.

In a statement released by the club, CMTC President Marcel Crawford Jr said, “So far, we have about 25 horses confirmed; it is the expectation of the club that the meet will be dry as there will be no showers. Most importantly we are looking for new sponsors to come on board and we are optimistic

that things will materialise. We must say thanks to our main sponsor Banks DIH, also to Senior Counsel Poonai from Georgetown and everyone else who has supported us over the years.”

Other events listed on the card are as follows: The J and Lower race over 1400 metres for a winner’s purse of $220,000 and a trophy; the race for 3-Year-Old horses over 1400 metres for a winner’s purse of $200,000 and a trophy; the L1 and Lower race over 1000 metres for a winner’s purse of $150,000 and a trophy; the L2 and Lower race over 1000 metres for a winner’s purse of $80,000 and the L3 Unclassified race over 1000 metres for a winner’s prize of $60,000.

Individual trophies and other incentives would be given to riders who perform exceptionally well.

Gayle to play for Pokhara Rhinos in Everest Premier League

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hris Gayle has announced that he will be part of the fourth edition of the Everest Premier League, Nepal's domestic T20 tournament.

The West Indies batsman said he would be playing for Pokhara Rhinos in the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 29.

"I will be visiting Nepal for the biggest sporting event, the Everest Premier League," Gayle said in a video message on Twitter.

"Come and support my team Pokhara Rhinos and be part of a magnificent cricket fiesta."

Gayle, who returned from a hamstring injury to play for the

He also said the races would be run under the rules of the legislative draft of his father, the late Attorneyat-Law Marcel Crawford, and all bookings must be done with a deposit of $5000.

If a race has fewer than five horses participating, the winner’s purse would be reduced, he said.

Persons desiring further information are invited to contact Marcel Crawford Jr on 678-5342, or 600-7690.

Chattogram Challengers in the second half of the Bangladesh Premier League, made 144 runs in four games. He was also part of Jozi Stars' disastrous Mzansi Premier League campaign last season, following which he took a "break" from cricket for the rest of 2019, even expressing his unavailability to the West Indies selectors for the ODI series in India. During a recent media interaction in Dhaka, the 40-year-old said that he will continue playing T20s for a while yet.

He was also not part of West Indies' recently concluded home series against Ireland, but the team management and selection panel had earlier said that the door was open to all players including seniors like Gayle to be part of the T20I side.

His West Indies team-mate Dwayne Bravo recently made a comeback during the Ireland series, after coming out of international retirement aged 36.

Gayle last played for West Indies in what was expected to be his "farewell" game in the third ODI in Portof-Spain against India in August.

His last T20I was in March 2019 against England in Basseterre.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

WDM whip Belle Vue GRFU to host AGM today in one-sided affair …Green not aiming for re-election

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ome say, “When it rains, it pours”. At least that was the case for the Belle Vue Cricket Club as they were defeated with ease by the West Demerara Over-40 Masters (WDM).

The original match-up was for a Belle Vue MastersWest Demerara Masters showdown; however, the much younger Belle Vue side came to play.

The WDM won the toss and elected to bat first; they made 164-9 off their allotted 20 overs, which was impressive since they were playing against a much younger side.

Despite a few wickets falling early in the innings, they continued to play their natural game as Elroy Fernandes blasted a quick-fire 47 off 26 balls at the top of the order. He was also supported by Seenarine Mathura, who played a handy cameo of 26. D Singh was able to bag 3-16 for the opposition.

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Safraz Baksh bagged 5-12

Needing 165 for victory off 120 balls, the much younger side was expected to take the lead, but experience reigned supreme.

The disciplined lineand-length bowling slowed

Elroy Fernandes scored 47 off 26 balls

things down as Belle Vue struggled to gain any momentum.

The Belle Vue side dragged things out as if they were playing a fiveday Test, but in the end,

they were dismissed for 68 in 19 overs. The chief destroyer was Safraz Baksh who bagged 5-12 from his allotted four overs while Seenarine Mathura chipped in with 2-17.

he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will be hosting its Annual General Meeting today at 17:00h which will see all member clubs and members attending the function, which will be held at the Guyana Olympic Association, Block XX, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The agenda for the meeting is as follows: Call to Order, Welcome Remarks – President, Minutes of 2019 Annual General Meeting, Correction and Adoption, Matters Arising, Reports (Honorary Secretary, President, Honorary Treasurer), Election of Office Bearers (2020-2022) and Any Other Business.

According to sources, current GRFU President Peter Green will not be running for re-election this year. It was noted that Green, however, will render his assistance to the association in the form of knowledge he gained during his time as president.

In Green’s two-year tenure, he has managed to clear a vast amount of debt for the

Outgoing GRFU Peter Green

President

association; to date, it is still in the red zone because of unfulfilled promises by various organisations.

Guyana will commence its 2023 World XV International qualifier matches with a home game against old rivals Trinidad and Tobago in late March or early April in the Southern Zone. With the AGM and a new President set to be elected, one can be optimistic that the new committee will be eager to do its best for the GRFU, as it may have to forfeit international games that have been listed for Guyana because of the lack of international-sized rugby pitches.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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NACAC oversees CARIFTA preparation commencement

AAG President Aubrey Hutson, NACAC President Mike Sands, NACAC General Secretary Keith Joseph and AAG’s Mayfield Taylor-Trim

I

n 2021, the CARIFTA Games will celebrate their 50th anniversary, making Guyana’s first-time task at playing hosts even more important.

As a result of this, North American, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) President Mike Sands

and General Secretary Keith Joseph made a brief trip to “the Land of Many Waters”, in order to begin preparations for the 2021 games.

Working along with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), the NACAC duo have been exploring the various aspects

2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying matches schedule announced

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he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Wednesday announced the schedule and venues for the first-round matches of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying.

The four home-andaway match-ups are set to take place during the FIFA Match Window of March 2020.

The 2019-2020 CONCACAF Nations League kicked off the road to the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. After group stage play, the top two finishers in each of the League A groups and the top finisher in each of the League B groups secure their participation in the 16th edition of the Confederation’s premier tournament for men’s national teams.

The 12 nations that have already qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup are (in al-

phabetical order): Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, El Salvador, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Suriname, and the United States.

The two-round 2021 Gold Cup qualifier will kickoff with match-ups between the second-place finishers of League B and the firstplace finishers of League C. The eight matches will be played as follows (home team listed first and in eastern time):

First leg matches

Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:00 pm Guadeloupe v Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7:00 pm Barbados v Guyana – Astro Turf Wildey Stadium, Wildey, BRB 8:00 pm Bahamas v French Guiana 10:00 pm Guatemala v Monserrat

Second leg matches

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 3:00 pm Saint Vincent and the Grenadines v Guadeloupe 8:00 pm Guyana v Barbados – Leonora National Track & Field Center 8:00 pm French Guiana v Bahamas 7:00 pm Monserrat v Guatemala After home-and-away play, the four round-one match-up winners will advance to the second round, where they will face the third-place finishers of League A. The second round will take place during the FIFA window of June 2020.

The four round-two matchups were drawn as follows: Guadeloupe or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines v Haiti Barbados or Guyana v Trinidad & Tobago Bahamas or French Guiana v Bermuda Guatemala or Monserrat v Cuba

that will need to be covered, in order for Guyana to be a successful host country.

NACAC President Sands went into more detail about the trip and pledged that the federation would be ready to lend support in whatever areas Guyana might need.

“We were just here to ensure that your timelines have been met and we’ve been doing some factfinding missions. Looking at the venues and other facilities, and putting some questions forth to be able to walk away with a level of confidence that Guyana is ready to host the game. And where we feel the need for assistance the NACAC federation is more than willing to lend its assistance and guidance,” Sands shared.

On their first day here, the NACAC pair visited the Leonora Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, at which the CARIFTA Games will be hosted next year.

NACAC General Secretary Joseph while noting that the Guyanese facility was up to standard, disclosed a few areas that were not quite what they expected, such as the longjump area. In addition, he emphasised on the need for more stands.

“To be honest, with respect to the track itself, it’s not normal for the long jump/ triple jump pit to be where it is. The issue of the warm-up area; it’s not the ideal location, we would have preferred it closer to where your call room is. But if it’s there and it can be completed, we’ll work with that. You also don’t have enough of an area for javelin practice so that would mean having the athlete come out much earlier to do their preparation for the event,” Joseph explained.

Considering the fact that delegations from over 25 countries are expected to attend, including athletes, management teams, coaches, NACAC officials and other top-notch administrators, the visitors estimated that in excess of 1500 persons will have Guyana marked as their destination next Easter.

“It is not just a sporting event, but it is

NACAC General Secretary Keith Joseph

a sport tourism event. As much as anything else and if it’s well done, will have a significant impact on the economy of Guyana.”

Highlighting the sport tourism opportunity, Joseph explained that the Guyanese hospitality and hotel sector was one that he was very impressed with. The General Secretary also went on to share why Guyana was strongly considered for the host nation of CARIFTA 2021.

“But there’s a policy within NACAC that once a new country comes on board, having the requisite facilities, that we give them priority. Others would have had their experience and exposure before but we try to ensure that new members have the opportunity to do it,” he explained.

According to its General Secretary, NACAC will appoint an organisational and technical delegate to work along with the AAG as Guyana prepares to host the event.

“From NACAC, we will appoint an organizational delegate that will look after the administrative matters and we will appoint a technical delegate that will work with the technical department that will ensure all the requisite facilities are in place in a timely manner to facilitate a successful edition of the games.”

National Senior Cadet Table Tennis Championships commence today

T

he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and some key sponsors, will stage the 2020 edition of the National Senior Cadet Table Tennis Championships today commencing at 16:00h at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The event will continue tomorrow and conclude on Sunday with the grand finale.

Apart from the senior men’s and women’s categories, there will be an Under-21 men and women and B and C Class component.

The Caribbean Senior Championships scheduled for April 2-8 in Havana, Cuba which is being used as the qualification event for the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships and the Continental Olympic qualification event, being held early in

2020.

This will provide greater impetus to the national championships.

The senior edition of the men’s category truly offers up a treat for table tennis fans and enthusiasts, given

the competitiveness of the current line-up of male players.

This division will see current national champion and 2018 Caribbean Men’s Singles bronze medalist, Christopher Franklin facing the likes of an inform Shemar Britton, former national champion Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne, Elishaba Johnson, Miguel Wong, veteran Colin France, Orin Hickerson, Jonathan Sankar and Edinho Lewis, along with the young brigade looking to claim the throne.

Current national women’s champion Natalie Cummings faces the likes of Trenace Lowe, Jody-Ann Blake, Priscilla Greaves, Neveah Clarkston, Thuraia Thomas, Nhecki Mc Crae, Crystal Melville, Abigail Martin and

Christopher Franklin

Natalie Cummings

Jasmine Billingy, among others While in the B Class, Warren Hacksaw Devon Richmond, Levi Percival, Remy Taitt, Xen Goliath, Krystian Sahadeo, Maurice Cummings, Shavin Greene, Raynor Anderson, Junior Isaiah Layne, and Jonathan Van Lange will all battle for supremacy.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

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

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National Senior Cadet Table Tennis Championships commence today 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying matches schedule announced Page 23

CWI President Ricky Skerritt appointed to MCC world cricket committee Page 21

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