Guyana times november 25,2017

UG looking to bridge skills gap ahead of oil and gas industry

P11

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3403

Saturday, November 25, 2017

PRICE

GECOM Commissioner post

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

AFC sidelined

by President again

27 cops P8 charged in 2017 for criminal offences – Ramnarine

Pages 3 and 7

...72-year-old sworn in …decision is an injustice – party leader …Granger says his selection was “fit and proper”

1-year-old crushed by father’s reversing minibus Page 7

Trio nabbed for robbing pastor

Page 11

National Trust writes Govt over colour change of State House

Guyanese woman P9 critical, daughter killed in BVI shooting Baksh was P2 a strong believer in young people – PYO

E Division P12 records increase in robbery under arms, burglary

The National Trust of Guyana was forced to write the Government over the colour change of State House, which is a historical site in Guyana. State House is being repainted green, but according to the National Trust it was not consulted on the colour change, as guided in the National Trust Act, which governs national monuments and historical sites in Guyana (See full story in Sunday’s edition)

BHS sexual misconduct investigation

Page 9

Ministry hands over findings to Police …head teacher to be warned for “slack and loose” comment

GPL rolls out multibilliondollar network P13 for ECD Consultations underway to improve city transportation challenges P13

2 news

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Baksh was a strong believer in young people – PYO P rogressive Youth Organisation (PYO) in offering its condolences on the passing of former parliamentarian and Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Chairman Alli Baksh, reflected on his life and contri-

butions.

“He was a mentor and exceptional example for young people in the Party.

He played an integral role in nurturing and developing the careers of many leaders,” the PYO said in a statement

on Friday.

According to the PYO, Baksh’s loyalty, commitment, and selflessness in the struggles against “oppression, discrimination and dictatorship were most admirable. Comrade Alli was a wise

counsel who was patient and attentive to the concerns of youths and these qualities made him an exceptional leader.”

Representatives of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) youth arm further noted, “Comrade Alli was a strong believer in young people and played particular emphasis on their involvement at all levels of leadership.

To the end, he remained a

guiding force and inspirational motivator to the PYO. He spoke with passion about the youth arm as he himself played a crucial and fundamental role is its early days.”

Baksh was appointed Minister within the Agriculture Ministry after then President Donald Ramotar took office in 2011.

Prior to that, Baksh took on the role of Region Two Chairman from 1992, and op-

Former Minister Alli Baksh

erated in that capacity for almost 20 years. Additionally, he also served as a Member of Parliament representing the PPP/Civic.

Meanwhile, Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) leader Sheila Mathura stated on Friday that Baksh would “go down in history as the one who spearheaded the structural, social and economic developments on the Essequibo Coast”.

Baksh will be laid to rest today in Essequibo.

news

3

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM Commissioner post

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

AFC sidelined by President again

Saturday, November 25 – 09:00h-10:30h and Sunday, November 26 – 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, November 25 – 08:10h-09:40h and Sunday, November 26 – 09:10h-10:40h.

…decision is an injustice – party leader …Granger says his selection was “fit and proper”

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected to be followed by light rain showers in the morning hours, with sunny conditions in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies followed by thundery showers are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 08:43h and 21:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.25 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 14:33h reaching a minimum height of 1.05 metres.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

10

14

15

16

17

19

01 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 03 09 12 13

25

LUCKY 3 6 9 0

6

Afternoon Draw

2

1

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04

11

14

15

16 18 19

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

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman

L

eader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman, has said that the Party is disappointed that President David Granger had overlooked its nominee for the position of Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission and had gone on to appoint Working People’s Alliance member Desmond Trotman for the post. The position became available after APNU nominee Sandra Jones passed away over the weekend.

“We (the AFC) have been promised the position for some time, and we had really hoped that, having been seen as a worthy partner in the Coalition, we would have been seen worthy to name one of our ranks to (that) position,” Raphael Trotman explained.

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan had earlier this week revealed that President David Granger had requested the party to present a name to fill this

“We (the AFC) have been promised the position for some time, and we had really hoped that, having been seen as a worthy partner in the coalition, we would have been seen worthy to name one of our ranks to position” – Raphael Trotman The AFC Head told reporters that the AFC feels it has been meted out an injustice, since it was promised the post.

“On the other hand, the AFC as a party, I can tell you that we are pretty disturbed and disappointed that it was not chosen again to name the replacement. This is an ongoing saga; it has been ongoing for about 8 years between the Opposition parties,” he said.

vacant post and Williams had been suggested. He had noted that should the President, for some reason, not find favour with Williams, the party’s alternative nominee would be Beverley Alert, a former AFC spokesperson.

The AFC has always pressed to have representation on the Elections Commission, especially given that the party had representation in Parliament, where it once held five

Desmond Trotman being presented with his Instrument of appointment by President David Granger

seats, and then seven seats subsequently.

The party’s executive committee has released a statement supporting its leader’s expression of dissatisfaction.

“Further, acknowledging that 65% of the electorate is under the age of 40 years, the AFC believes that the appointment of the GECOM commissioner should have taken this salient point into consideration. In this regard, the rank and file members of the AFC have expressed reservation about the appointment, and were expecting the new commissioner to be a youth or a woman, as was proposed by the party,” the statement read.

The party added that this sidelining and backpedalling by the APNU

reinforces the call for review of the Cummingsburg Accord, which is scheduled for review after midnight on February 13, 2018, when the three-year period comes to an end.

“There is a requirement to review the Accord after 3 years, and (those) 3 years will expire on February 13 at midnight. So it is well within the rights of the AFC to request that, and I have no complaints against that,” President David Granger has said.

Responding to that Party’s disappointment, Granger has said it was up to his judgement to make the selection, and he has considered all the nominees, and Desmond Trotman prevailed as the “fit and proper” person.

Turn to page 8

4

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Right to live a violence-free life

T

oday, Guyana will be joining the rest of the world to observe International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls, which is being celebrated under the theme, “Leave no one behind: end violence against women and girls.”

UN Secretary General António Guterres in his message on this day stressed that every woman and every girl have the right to a life free of violence.

Around the world, more than 1 in 3 women face violence throughout their lifetime; 750 million women were married before age 18, and more than 250 million have undergone female genital mutilation.

Women’s rights activists are being targeted at alarming levels.

There is increasing recognition that violence against women is a major barrier to the fulfilment of human rights, and a direct challenge to women’s inclusion and participation in sustainable development and sustaining peace.

According to UN Women, when world leaders adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, they recognised that ending violence against women and girls was a prerequisite for the achievement of the development agenda. Goal 5 on gender equality includes a specific target to end all forms of violence against women, including trafficking, other forms of sexual violence, and harmful practices.

Despite this, the body pointed out, the resources dedicated to addressing the issue still do not match the scale of the challenge. It also emphasised that allocating adequate resources to prevent and address violence against women is not only a legal obligation and a moral imperative, but a sound investment, too.

In Guyana, when one reads the media reports, our women are shot, hacked, stabbed, burnt, strangled, drowned, mercilessly beaten, and chopped. Guyana’s women are being brutalised and murdered, and there is little more than a ripple from the political establishment or the movers and shakers of society. Women are victims of “crimes of passion”, home invasions, sexual assaults, alcoholic rages, misplaced macho mind-sets and isolation/neglect by families and society.

Guyana’s second periodic report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) states that “violence against women is widespread in Guyana”.

Tackling gender-based violence must remain an ongoing endeavour that must gradually incorporate all stakeholders.

While not limited to Guyana, violence has been declared a global pandemic and human rights violation against women. In the male-dominated world-view, the role of women in the family, home, relationship and society has been taken for granted, and this taken-for-granted-ness has led to the perpetuation of violence in several forms. Such acts of discrimination impact the socioeconomic well-being of women and girls, impeding progress in areas such as poverty eradication, HIV/AIDS, peace and security.

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has highlighted effective interventions and reiterated that the pandemic of violence against women and girls can end, but it would need commitment and investment nationally and internationally.

Violence against women and girls, a gross human rights violation, devastates lives, causes untold pain, suffering and illness. It also incurs high economic costs. A recent study estimated that the cost of intimate-partner violence accounted for 5.2 per cent of the global economy.

Beyond the direct medical and judicial costs, violence against women takes a toll on household and national budgets through lost income and productivity. In Vietnam, for example, expenditure and lost earnings resulting from domestic violence was estimated at 1.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010. In the United Kingdom, the cost of domestic violence in 2009, including servicerelated costs, lost economic output and human and emotional costs, amounted to 16 billion pounds sterling.

In Guyana, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, which joined with many other organisations to speak out on the occasion, also acknowledged that one of the major challenges to efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide is financing. As a result, they pointed to the glaring reality that resources for initiatives to prevent and end violence against women and girls are severely lacking.

In their bid to reinforce the point that there is much more work to be done in Guyana to ensure that the Prevention of Discrimination Act and the constitutional provisions on non-discrimination and equality are enforced, they pointed to the overall economic impact of tackling the existing issues, which can actually contribute to the prevention of violence against women and girls.

On this International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls, let us as a nation move forward with a collective action to end violence against women and girls.

The focus of these young girls is on education, as they attend school with their chalkboards in Ivory Coast’s main city, Abidjan on Friday (BBC photo)

A more balanced approach Dear Editor, When you listen to President Granger’s messages to the nation, they are extremely cryptic; so much so that only the expert can decipher his tone, which ranges from didactic to plain old empty sloganeering. But all of these empty lofty messages are worthless, since they fail to reconcile with the public actions of his administration, especially on public sector appointments.

The majority of public sector appointments since this Granger team arrived in the Presidential Complex illustrate a persistent attitude that could only produce a schism in our society. In simple terms, Mr Granger and his team say one thing but are doing a completely different thing. They continue to make a mockery of the whole concept of social cohesion and national unity.

I have had cause to look

at the pictures showing trainees being trained as new asset recovery agents

by Dr Clive Thomas. History has already taught us that those who tried to pursue this bigoted path in the 1970s and 1980s failed miserably. You cannot build a nation by rejecting half of that nation.

Unfortunately, the damage from these Granger-led actions has already started to bear fruit, as the state of the economy continues to regress. So why is Mr. Granger being this dogmat-

ic and shortsighted? Our nation is woven with many threads, not only the green and yellow ones. Thus I urge President Granger to take a more balanced approach, which can be seen as pro-Guyana and pro-people, rather than this totally irresponsible path that seems to be wedded to an ideology of “kith and kin”.

The only outcome from his path would be that the societal damage to the nation would be irreparable in the short term. Mr Granger will be long gone while the na-

tion will be stuck with the damage his administration is causing.

I am aware that the AFC and WPA leaders are now fully fledged PNC members/ apologists, and thus nothing of substance can be expected from them. However, I am expecting civil society to reflect on these anti-Guyanese actions of the Granger Administration and raise their voices. The reality is: all lives matter.

Yours faithfully, Sase Singh

AFC has become a mere pawn to PNC-dominated Govt Dear Editor, In Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’, Cassius, a nobleman, in the interest of his country, advised his friend Brutus thus, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.’

Paraphrasing this in the context of the AFC, the fault is not in the Cummingsburg Accord, but in the inability of the AFC leaders to act in the interest of the party’s members and supporters by promoting the policies and fundamental principles which they have so gloriously expounded in their Action Plan 2011. I was a member then.

However, the AFC members and supporters -- at least some of them -- were

willing to forgive and forget what was said about both the PPP and the PNC by co-founders of the Party, Messrs Ramjattan and Trotman. Ramjattan had said: “Over four decades of PNC and PPP Governments have left us bruised, weary and hopeless”, while his counterpart, Trotman, had said in his own inimitable style, “For 45 years, Guyana has had the same parties making turns in the wrong directions, disappointing and betraying its citizens…’.

But alas! After just over two years, the AFC has made numerous ‘wrong turns’, with the GECOM unilateral appointment making it clear that the party has become a docile ‘bride’ in the PNC’s

harem.

The AFC leaders have deviated so far away from their manifesto that it is difficult to discern their original identity. They have been consumed, and have become mere pawns to the PNCdominated Government.

Their minimal input has been relegated to agreeing or disagreeing, as the need arises.

The Cummingsburg Accord is only about ‘sharing the spoils’, and nothing else matters. Even the involvement of civil society was decisively excluded. The 60/40 partnership between APNU and AFC was the crème de la crème; but this was just mere writing.

The AFC leadership,

chaperoned by the experienced campaigner Moses Nagamootoo, who is adept at damage control, is quoted earlier this year as saying that, “After two years in office, things have changed, and the AFC is of the belief that the time has come for the Cummingsburg Accord to be renegotiated”.

On the other hand, according to WPA’s Tacuma Ogunseye, the Cummingburg Accord is more in favour of the AFC than APNU. He rationalised this by concluding that the 10% AFC got 40% of the ‘spoils’, therefore renegotiation is out of the question.

In other words, they got a lot more than they deserved.

CONTINUED ON page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

5

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

has recoiled from IAC apologises to Nigel Austin AFC democratic tendencies

Dear Editor, On Wednesday, November 22, 2017, the Guyana Times published a letter from the Indian Action Committee (IAC) which expressed the organisation’s shock, outrage, and condemnation of a post on the social media site Facebook which contained a message attributed to someone alleged to be Nigel Austin, whose face allegedly was portrayed.

One day later, Mr Austin contacted the IAC by a phone call, followed by emails, stating that the IAC among others had published incorrect information, and that he and his family were being verbally abused as a result of this publication.

The IAC, following Mr Austin’s intervention, early Thursday, submitted the controversial Facebook post to an IT expert from the University of Guyana for her considered opinion.

The IAC has received the following response: (1) The provided screenshot of the offending Facebook post has been

identified as a malicious forgery.

(2) The image appears to have been created by combining two different screenshots.

(3) The name and image of Nigel Austin appear to have been taken from a past comment made on Facebook by Nigel Austin.

(4) The content of the comment was created and posted by a third party (identified as one Denish Raj Mallay by Nigel Austin) and posted to Facebook.

(5) The time stamp on the comment described in (4) indicates that the screenshot was taken immediately after it was posted.

(6) It is unlikely that Denish Raj Mallay saw the alleged offending comment immediately after it was posted, in order to take a screenshot with the time stamp indicating that the comment was posted "Just now". A more plausible explanation is that Denish Raj Mallay created and posted the comment himself, after which he immediately took the screenshot.

(7) Finally, the name

of Nigel Austin and the content of the comment are NOT aligned in accordance with Facebook's format. The content of the comment is indented to the right under Nigel Austin's name. Facebook does not indent the content of any comment.

The IAC therefore offers Nigel Austin a full apology, and regrets any mental distress he and his family have suffered as a result of this sequence of events.

The IAC is outraged at these egregious and reprehensible anti-national acts against the fragile social cohesion fabric of this ethnically bifurcated nation.

The IAC is calling upon all Guyanese, resident in Guyana and abroad, to desist from such 'obscene' and 'demonic' behaviour, which can only cause further capsizing of the delicate relationship that has been established between the two major ethnic groups in Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Indian Action Committee

AFC has become a mere...

The AFC is cognizant that Ogunseye is correct, yet there is now haste to review the Accord before ‘Lovers Day’ 2018. This time, the call for review will, apart from its usual endorsement of APNU’s decisions, include some issues which will be mere attempts to placate the AFC’s rapidly dwindling support base. This is the guile of the AFC leadership.

Now being faced with extinction, since their main financial supporters in the USA and Canada have exposed the AFC’s useless appendage roles to the PNC, they have now once again moved to ‘revise’ the Accord.

However, the problem with the AFC is the fact that the leaders have lost sight of what they stood for: the fight against corruption, massive squandermania, cronyism, and the fight for transparency and accountability. All of

these have become very endemic in this Government while the AFC leaders are rooted in enjoying the ‘good life’, with their silence becoming unbearable with each passing day.

What immediately comes to mind is that the AFC leaders are deathly afraid that, should they speak out against these ‘wrongs’, they will be unceremoniously kicked out, not unlike the UF when they spoke about the corruption of the PNC. But I do have a strong prognostication that some AFC leaders will be baptized into the PNC (it seems some have already done so) to save their status quo, especially when President Granger’s Atlanta speech comes to mind about how power should be retained based on the PNC’s past strategies.

Has this Atlanta plan been set in motion with the

from page 4

unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman? Are some AFC leaders privy to this plan, hence the need to save their material gains?

Time will tell, as it always does.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Former AFC member

Dear Editor, The press recently reported that AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan referred to the AFC as a "liberal democratic party." If that is so, why then did he and Party Leader Raphael Trotman decide to approve the unilateral appointment of the GECOM chairman while many senior AFC members have strong reservations about this appointment, which was not vetted?

This is revealed from a brief reading of recently leaked emails. Mr Ramjattan has unreasonably accused those who released those emails as being "rogue elements." Even if that is so, it still underlines the fact that the AFC did not engage in transparent discussions about the GECOM issue, which is expected from a liberal democratic party.

But for the actions of these "rogues," the Guyanese people would have remained trapped under the continuous guises and gamesmanship of the AFC top two leaders. One may argue that when a party member discloses party affairs externally, it almost always points to a lack of democracy and failure to discuss an issue openly.

Incidentally, it was the AFC chairman, I believe, who, many years ago, wrote a guest column for the Stabroek News in which he argued that politicians do not think through issues anymore.

Guyana lacks strong institutions that compel politicians to be honest with the public. The AFC has recoiled from democratic tendencies, as is evident by these emails

-- tendencies that have always bedevilled political parties that operate on the whims of personalities and agendas of party leaders disguised as party interest.

But discussions of matters of paramount national interest that occur within any political party, such as the foremost election officer who shall preside over general elections, amount to property right or property interest that belong to the public at large.

Said another way: the AFC is allowed to assemble or operate through the auspices of the people, not party rules or partisan interest, which often is used to scapegoat party members as "rogues," and override rights they have under the national constitution.

The AFC can easily oblige with both its party interest and the national constitution by holding open discussions among party members, with its final decisions being relayed to the public. In this case, it did not do so, and can hardly hope to dispel its gross dereliction of duty by unjustified accusations of rogues and claims of liberal democracy and apologetic mea culpas.

Open discussions are needed, because party mem-

bers will always have different opinions. For example, from the emails, one sees that Ms Cathy Hughes's opinion on public concerns about theft of votes in future elections appears to vary from the blunt opinion of another senior party member, Mr Rohan Somar.

If the AFC is truly a liberal democratic party, it should have held discussions to enquire whether members such as Mr Somar are talking 'jumbie story" or crap; or whether its top two leaders can make objective decisions without being influenced by their personal relations with the leaders of the PPP and PNC respectively. One has an old feud with the former, and another has an old friendship with the latter.

Perhaps these two AFC leaders gave Mr Granger a free pass for personal reasons. If so, this is not how a liberal democratic party operates, especially when it resulted in a GECOM chairman who apparently has ties to trials and executions of Caribbean nationals who may have been denied due process in order to curry favour with a certain foreign regime.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

6

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

– new research suggests that digital addiction can begin sooner than you think

By Romeo Vitelli, PhD

T

here is certainly is no disputing that children are putting in more media time than ever.

Along with televisions, smartphones, texting, and video games, many children now have personal computers, digital music players, and the Internet to fill every waking moment. And evidence suggests that even toddlers and preschoolers now joining the digital masses.

Still, despite repeated warnings from public health experts and researchers, actual research looking at how addictive digital media really is remains fairly limited. In fact, up to now, much of that research has focused on video games addiction.

Based on available research, the American Psychiatric Association has even proposed a new diagnosis, Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).

Based on other forms of addictive behaviour such as problem gambling, symptoms that might indicate IGD include: spending excessive amounts of time

online, inability to control use, loss of interest in other activities, etc.

But can these same symptoms be applied to other kinds of screen media

use? And can those symptoms appear differently in children under the age of 12 than they do in adolescents? A new research article published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture attempts to answer both of these questions. In this article, Sarah E Dormoff of Central Michigan University and a team of researchers presented the results of two studies looking at how parents and children often clashed over media use and whether it was related to other childhood problems.

They focused specifically on preadolescent children (aged 4 to 11) since they are more dependent on their parents for access to digital devices. Also, symptoms o f

addictive behaviour may be easier to detect in preadolescent children since they are usually not as secretive as older children.

To help with their research, Dormoff and her colleagues developed a parent-report measure of children’s addictive use of screen media, the Problematic Media Use Measure (PMUM).

This measure was developed from a pool of 60 items designed to reflect different symptoms of addictive behaviour as seen in the IGD diagnosis. From this pool, they extracted 27 items that

formed the test which they administered to the study participants. Items in the PMUM include: It is increasingly difficult to pull my child away from screen media.

My child is always thinking about using screen media My child gets upset when he/she cannot use screen media.

Problems occur for our family when my child cannot use screen media.

The first thing my child asks to do when he/she comes home from school is to use screen media.

The researchers also developed a nine-item version of the same measure to test how useful the short form was when compared to the longer form. This short form, also known as the PMUM-SF, used items such as: It is hard for my child to stop using screen media When my child has had a bad day, screen media seems to be the only thing that helps him/her feel better My child’s screen media

use causes problems for the family.

T h e amount of time my child wants to use screen media keeps in-

creasing.

My child sneaks using screen media Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform, the researchers recruited 291 mothers of preadolescent children (average age of seven years). They looked at mothers exclusively since previous studies showed that mothers were more likely than fathers to monitor and restrict media use in young children. The participating mothers were then asked to estimate the average screen time their children engaged in each day as well as the nature of that screen time (amount of time spend watching television shows, playing video games, using computers, etc.).

Participants were also asked items such as ““What age did your child first get his/her OWN mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet (eg, iPad and Kindle

Fire)?”, “How often do you worry about your child’s screen media use (TV, computer, video games, or mobile device)?” and “What type of screen media does your child use the most (not including screen media used for school or homework)?”

They then completed a questionnaire looking at their child’s psychosocial functioning, including whether they showed conduct problems, emotional symptoms, or trouble socialising with other children.

Results showed that high scores on both measures correlated strongly with total amount of screen time as reported by the mothers in the study as well as predicting psychological and social problems in children.

This included hyperactive behaviour, social problems with other children, as well as conduct problems (aggressive acting out, etc).

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

Parents should limit children’s screentime to 90 mins a day to prevent obesity, says study – scientists have found links between prolonged periods of exposure to screens and obesity in children

C

hildren who spend prolonged periods of time using technology are more prone to obesity, a new study suggests.

A group of child health specialists have found “a strong link” between rising child obesity levels and frequent exposure to social media.

In light of their findings, they are warning parents to take action by limiting their children’s screentime to 90 minutes a day.

“Parents should limit TV viewing and the use of computers and similar devices to no more than 1.5 hours a day and only if the child is older than four years of age,” advises lead author Dr Adamos Hadjipanayis.

“Moreover, paediatricians should inform parents about the general risk that mass media use poses to their children’s cognitive and physical development.”

The average toddler today spends an hour watching TV, the researchers found.

By the time a child has reached the age of nine, they are watching more than seven hours daily and spending much of the rest of their time engaging in other forms of digital media, reports The Daily Telegraph.

It’s hard for them to escape it too, given that most households have at least one television and access to a computer, the study, published in the journal Acta Paediatrica, found.

Researchers believe this has contributed to the childhood obesity epidemic which has become prevalent in the last 25 years.

They also found that engaging in media late at night can be hugely disruptive to young people’s sleeping patterns, which can put them at higher risk of obesity.

In addition to banning TVs from children’s bedrooms, the study’s authors advise parents to lead by example and reduce their own screentime, particularly when they’re in front of their own children. (The Independent)

news

7

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

72-year-old sworn in as new GECOM Commissioner Following the ceremony, Trotman told reporters that he brings to the position over 30 years of experience in electoral matters, and that cannot be brushed aside.

He added that he is also going to sit on the Commission as a Guyanese, as opposed to being a member of a political party.

“I would hope that the other members of the Commission would assume that posture. I believe that the commissioners representing the Government side would understand the importance of adopting a position that advances the interest of the nation, and I

Desmond Trotman taking the Oath of Office before President David Granger

S

eventy-two-yearold Desmond Hugh Trotman, a former Member of Parliament, took the oath of Office on Friday at State House as the new commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission, following the demise of Sandra Jones.

At the swearing-in ceremony, President David Granger said he had consulted all the parties in the

coalition Administration, and had requested that they submit nominees for the position.

The Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) submitted Trotman, while the Alliance For Change submitted former Member of Parliament Trevor Williams, and the People’s National Congress and the other coalition partners submitted Attorney Kesaundra Alves. Alves

is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

In selecting Trotman, Granger said on Friday, the appointment is in the interest of advancing the nation. He noted that among the names nominated, he is of the opinion that Trotman was the “fittest”, and comes with years of experience in electoral matters.

1-year-old crushed by father’s reversing minibus

A

one-year-old was on Friday morning crushed to death by a Route 40 minibus his father was reversing at their Kitty, Georgetown home.

The child, Malachi Willis, of Lot 21 D’Andrade Street, Kitty, was reportedly behind the bus while his father, Wayne Willis, reversed the vehicle.

Upon hearing the child’s cry, the frantic father stopped the minibus and

went to check, and it was then that he realised the toddler was injured.

He was rushed to the Woodlands Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries.

The child’s body has been taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem.

At the Funeral Home, an aunt of the dead child refused to comment on the tragic accident, stating only that she was not

there and was not in a position to give any information with respect to what had occurred.

The child’s distraught mother was inconsolable.

It is unclear if the oneyear-old was the only child for the couple. The father, Guyana Times understands, is assisting the Police with their investigations. The minibus has been impounded at the Kitty Police Station.

would hope the commissioners on the other side will take the same position.

I look forward to working on the Commission, and I hope whatever decisions we arrive at are decisions that would advance the interest of the people, as distinct (from) the interest of political parties,” he explained.

Trotman, also a member of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), has said that if membership in SARA poses a conflict of interest, he would resign from the SARA post to continue work as a commissioner at GECOM. “I looked at the law up to last night, and I did not

see anything in the law that says that I am not qualified to hold both positions.

But if it is that wiser counsel would offer advice that I am not eligible to hold both positions, certainly I will resign. I believe that it is important that the Commission advance the interest of the nation,” Trotman told reporters.

The Guyana Elections Commission has six commissioners. The Constitution of Guyana allows the President to have three nominees on the Commission based on his own judgement; the other three are to be appointed based on the judgement of the Opposition.

8 NEWS 27 cops charged in 2017 for criminal offences – Ramnarine J saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ust hours after two high-ranking Police Officers were charged for the murder of a businessman, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine blasted the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the increasing number of charges laid against ranks implicated in criminal offences.

He lashed out at the rogue behaviour at the closing ceremony of four training programmes at the Police Officers Training College on Thursday.

Infuriated by news of once Best Cop Derwin Eastman and Officer Jamison Williams being charged for the murder of businessman Godfrey Scipio, also called “Saga”, Ramnarine slammed the Force saying, “It seems as though when we make some strides forward, by our own design we seem to go backwards. And it ought not to be in an organisation that can deliver so much.”

The acting Commissioner pointed out the significance of being an officer attached to the GPF, thereby underlining the high expectations that come with the job.

“Our role in the security environment is perhaps the most important role to play in public security in this country, and some of us are playing with it and toying with it and think that we can get off with it,” Ramnarine outlined.

T

Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine

Former Best Cop Derwin Eastman

Police Constable Jamison Williams

Even as he acknowledged that Police Officers, like civilians, are prone to making mistakes and could make wrong decisions from time to time, he reminded the ranks of their oath to protect and serve.

As such, he emphasised, “We must not forget that the average member of the public did not take an oath.

We who wear uniform took an oath and that is why we must be held to that standard.”

With that, the acting Commissioner of Police reiterated that great levels of professionalism are expected from officers at all times.

“You cannot be a professional in the line of work we do for the eight or 10 hours you are on duty and

you’re not a professional when you’re off duty.

It does not work. Learned people would never buy that idea,” he contended.

During his tirade, Ramnarine took the opportunity to point out some of the recent incidents which have seen ranks of the GPF being implicated in crimes.

In doing so, he noted, 27 of the Force’s Officers have been charged for criminal offences for the year thus far.

Meanwhile, the acting Top Cop further presented statistics on the number of complaints filed against Police Officers in recent years. For 2015, that total amounted to 619 complaints. Complaints saw a decrease in the following year with 609 cases re-

corded. However, in 2017, the instances of misdemeanour and malpractice reports filed against the GPF ranks has spiked at 623, with the year not yet completed.

Adding to that, he posited that this number was expected to increase even further given that at least two or three more ranks would be arraigned in coming weeks for the prison unrest and escape of inmates from the Lusignan penitentiary.

It was then that Ramnarine indicated that similar to their relentless efforts to prosecute civilians for their acts of crime, Officers of the Force will be placed under strict scrutiny and dismissed with, if tied to unlawful activities.

AFC sidelined by President...

“The Coalition is a coalition of 6 parties, and every party was asked to make a nomination, and they did.

Mystery…

Every party made nominations, even the PNC. It is up to my judgment, and I am empowered under the

Constitution to exercise my judgment on this matter, and I believe that when all the nominees are looked at,

from page 3

Mr Trotman is the fittest,” the President told reporters.

Desmond Trotman, who is 72 years old, has been chosen over younger nominees such as Trevor Williams and Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Board, Attorney Kesaundra Alves. Just recently, following an appeal by Youth Ambassadors in Parliament, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo stood and told the ambassadors that the coalition Government is one for the youths.

The coalition won the May 2015 general elections on the premise of providing opportunities for the advancement of youths; and two and a half years later, it is yet to deliver.

The Guyana Elections Commission has six Commissioners.

The Constitution allows the President to have three nominees on the Commission based on his own judgement; the other three are to be appointed based on the judgement of the Opposition.

Charles Corbin, Desmond Trotman and Vincent Alexander are the Government’s commissioners; while opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic commissioners are Bibi Shaddick, Robeson Benn and Sase Gunraj.

…in sugar?

he Government boasted that sugar workers have nothing to worry about their future, since some 70 companies have submitted bids for the four estates they’re closing down and selling off.

Really?? A number of questions come to your Eyewitness’s mind. The first one has to do with the Trinidadian expert the Government brought in to advise them on their “divestment”.

It was advice only people in this APNU/AFC government in general, and its Minister of Agriculture in particular, needed to be told. Anyone with even the slightest connection with sugar would’ve already taken that fact into consideration when the decision to close the estates was made: cane-cutters aren’t farmers!!

And you can’t just snap your fingers or wave a wand -even while wearing a tu-tu -- and make them into one!

Some might say Nagamootoo and Ramjattan should’ve known that fact when the Government blithely announced they would “lease” the land to the fired cane-cutters, who could then cultivate “cash crops”. But Ramjattan comes from a rice village and Nagamootoo from a fishing one; even if they remembered anything from their childhood, it had nothing to do with sugar.

So back to the 70 companies who’ve lined up to take over the sugar estates. Will the Government insist they keep on with sugar production? Well, that would put them in an awkward position, wouldn’t it?

If those companies could make it in sugar, why didn’t the Government continue in the business, and possibly hire one of those companies as advisors? Would’ve been far less traumatic for the workers, wouldn’t it?

But if the companies are going to enter other crops for the world market, the Trini knows that would involve a whole different skill set from the workers -- which cane-cutters don’t have. These fellas are specialists whose work is so practised and fluid that to look at them is to look at the Bolshoi Ballet performing Swan Lake! To grab that stalk of cane at just the precise point of equilibrium, cut the bottom at just the right height from the ground (so it’ll sprout a new shoot), then swing the top, which is then lopped off in one unbroken movement, is a thing of beauty to behold.

Ballet dancers can’t cultivate cash crops!

But the Government is just playing the fool. Most of the businesses indicating interest are like the Private Sector Commission -- they want to use the land for housing or suchlike. Which would be tragic when we keep on hearing about the US$4Billion food bill of the Caricom bloc - and we would be putting the best drained and irrigated lands in the Caribbean into housing!

And cane-cutters on the breadlines!!

…of Ramjattan whistling in the dark

Back in the countryside where Ramjattan comes from, when they went out into the dark (say, to the outhouse!), they were so scared of “jumbies” they’d be whistling as loud as they could, hoping that would scare them away. They knew the whistling didn’t do a damn thing, but they kept at it - hoping against hope. All it was, however, was to kid themselves that “everything would be okay”, and they wouldn’t mess themselves before they squatted in the outhouse!!

Ramjattan’s whistling in the dark when he keeps on insisting the e-mail revelations by the betrayed Canadian affiliate wouldn’t affect the AFC!! He knows, like his US Affiliate Chair said, their Indo-base has evaporated like snow in hell after the revelation on Ramjattan and Trotman’s role in advising Prezzie on his unilateral choice.

They have no bargaining chip to negotiate with the PNC come 2020 (the Jumbie!!). To keep on enjoying their perks, they’ll have to continue being poodles to give the PNC a multi-ethnic fig-leaf.

A VERY small fig leaf!!

…new GECOM Commissioner

Prezzie didn’t consult his “partners” to select the GECOM Chair - who holds the “casting vote”. Now, after asking AFC for candidates to fill the vacant Opposition Commissioner’s seat, he decided to sideline them once again. And they have no choice but to pull their tails between their legs and stay quiet!

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

News

9

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BHS sexual misconduct investigation

Ministry hands over findings to Police …head teacher to be warned for “slack and loose” comment

T

he Education Ministry’s Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry, has concluded investigations into the allegation of sexual misconduct at the Bishops’ High School (BHS), and the matter has now been handed over to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Economics teacher Coen Jackson has been accused of abusing his position of trust as an educator and began grooming female students for sexual activities.

Jackson has vehemently denied the accusations, but has admitted to having sexual relations with two former students who are now both in their early 20s.

In light of those allegations, BHS Head Teacher Winifred Ellis called a general assembly on Monday, and allegedly berated students for not defending Jackson.

"I remember once I (was) coming down the corridor and I had to step back and ask a child to close her legs, a male teacher is teaching.

How many times I telling y'all, ‘Don't touch the boys!

Don't touch the boys!’ How much times I am standing at my office door and when y'all see me y'all running inside, cause you hugging and touching the boys? You are very slack, very loose with youself,” Ellis declared at the assembly.

“Do you know Mr Jackson? I want to see the

“Inappropriate behaviour by teachers in school”, which is liable to a first warning,” the Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The committee has since recommended that Ellis be reprimanded and be made to offer an apology to the students and teachers at the institution. It also recommended that the Ministry offer training and support to teachers on how to deal with children and sexual issues, in addition to providing counselling to students after they made the request.

Coen Jackson

Head Teacher Winifred Ellis

hands...If you felt uncomfortable at any time, step out the line. If he ever touched you and you tell me, step out of the line. Y'all saw it on FB (Facebook), right? Y'all know what I talking about, right? Can you corroborate that story? I didn't see any of you going and defend him on this story. Not one! Don't lie, tell the truth!” she further stated.

Ellis’s comment has drawn national attention, and a number of persons took to the streets calling for her to be fired. In response to the protest action, Education Minister Nicolette Henry convened a committee to look into the actions of the head teacher.

The team comprised Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson (Chief and final arbiter); Legal Advisor to the Education

Ministry, Kelly-Ann PayneHercules; Guyana Teachers Union Representative Lance Baptiste; President of the Bishops’ High School Board, Ruth Lee; Parent Teachers Association president Sondra Lowe; National PTA Coordinator Nadia Hollingsworth; Coordinator of Health and Family Life Education (HFLE), Coleen King-Cameron; and the two head prefects of the Bishops’ High School.

“At the consultation, a recording of the headmistress’s address to the students was presented, and she had an opportunity to provide an explanation.

Based on the evidence presented and the explanation proffered, the committee found the headmistress culpable of breaching the regulations under the Education Act 39:01 section 35:

Guyanese woman critical, daughter killed in BVI shooting

A

3 6 - y e a r - o l d Guyanese woman is said to be in a critical condition while her 11-yearold daughter is now dead following an execution-style shooting on Wednesday night in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The dead child has been identified as Trinity Moses, while her injured mother has been identified as Ramona Moses; they are both of Huntums Ghut, BVI.

According to BVI Platinum News, the incident occurred at about 21:30h on the West End Public Road, Tortola. A third person, Franklin Penn, 41, of Parham Town, East End, was also killed in the shooting incident.

It has been reported by the news agency that the woman and her daughter, along with BVI man, were in a vehicle when a scooter with two riders pulled up alongside.

Subsequently,

several gunshots were fired into the vehicle before the two suspects fled the scene.

The three victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where the 11-year-old girl and the man were pronounced dead on arrival.

The Guyanese woman is still hospitalised.

BVI Platinum reported that the Police are yet to establish a motive for the shooting incident.

Nevertheless, investigations are ongoing.

Student body speaks

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, the BHS

student body representative Jensen Samaroo related that the students feel victimised by the attack on the institution.

“Launching an institutional attack is unwarranted and unjustified. The inherent pitfall and danger in this approach that has been adopted is that, in an attempt to help apparent victims of a ‘nationally’ flawed system that has failed them, a wider array of persons, who happens to be children, have become subjected to victimization,” the student wrote.

The student noted that since the allegation hit social media, the right chan-

nels are yet to be used.

“Indeed, as far as I am aware, since the recent sexual allegations have been levied upon Sir Coen Jackson, Economics and Financial Services’ teacher at The Bishops’ High School, there has been no formal and appropriate channel, no forum at which current students of the aforesaid institution have been given the opportunity to speak on how the current state of affairs has affected them. This is rather unfortunate,” the post related.

The head teacher is expected to make her apology to the student body on Monday.

10 News

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

106 ranks complete GPF training

A

s the Guyana Police Force embarks on a mission to reform the public security systems throughout the country, over 100 personnel attached to various levels of the Force have completed training programmes aimed at developing their individual capacity to serve as law enforcement officers and aids to the justice system.

This was as the GPF brought the curtains down on four courses which were embarked on over a month ago.

This batch of training programmes comprised: an Elementary Prosecutors’ Course, the first of its kind; the Continuous Development Programme, being thus far undertaken for the fifth time for the year; the third Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Induction Course, as well as the third Special Constable Initial Training course for 2017.

These ventures, which had kicked off on October 16 and 19

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine is joined by senior officials of the Guyana Police Force and the officers completing the training programmes

respectively, have seen 106 officers building on their knowledge and skillsets in the areas of standing orders, narcotics, trafficking in persons, firearm training, cybercrime, and sexual offences. The courses also focused on customer service, conflict resolution, and stress and

anger management, among other fields.

Cashing in on the capacity building initiatives were workers emanating from public offices such as the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Revenue Authority, Ministry of Social

Protection, Department of Labour, the Analyst Food and Drug Department, City Constabulary, and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

At the end of the five weeks’ training stint, 101 of the officials had managed to make it to the finish line, and were on Thursday officially initiated as law enforcement officers or aids to the country’s justice and security system.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, hosted at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, was acting Training Officer Maxime Graham, who is also an Assistant Commissioner of Police. In her address, she underlined the objectives of the training programmes.

“The training courses were conducted to contribute to the reform process of the Guyana Police Force, by equipping ranks with the requisite skillsets and also to establish professional relationships and collaboration with other

Government agencies,” she explained.

In congratulating those making it through to the end, the head of training for the GPF urged the officers to “utilize this training to enhance your professional skillsets and (contribute) to efficiency and productiveness in your respective areas.”

Expressing similar sentiments was Assistant Superintendent Halley, who presented an overview of each of the four courses. She highlighted, “These courses were a task for you all; a task for you to show that the lecturers’ efforts must not go futile. I implore you all to be resolute in your approach to your work. Practise what you have learnt, so that you execute your duties diligently.”

Delivering the feature address was Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, who stressed the need for quality service and professionalism within the

Guyana Police Force.

Ramnarine also pointed out, “If we contend with being the mere minimum, we will always be where we are; and we really can give more.”

He called on the more than 100 officers completing the programmes to go above and beyond their respective calls of duty. “I only hope that you display, on the job at your various offices, quite a lot of what you have learnt at the programmes, and help those who are younger than you are. You have had the benefit of an improved programme of learning; make the best of it,” Ramnarine urged the officers.

However, in light of the several instances in which Police officers have been implicated in various criminal offences, some at the highest levels, the Acting Top Cop emphasized the need for ranks to put into practice what they were taught, and maintain the oath they had taken to protect and serve.

“Today, the expectations of law enforcement are increasing, they are multiplying. Be careful of what you do, and how you do it and where you do it; you’re always under the microscope,” the Commissioner cautioned.

Of the 101 officials completing the four training programmes offered through the Guyana Police Force, some of the individuals will now go on to take up the role of law enforcement officers, while a great majority are expected to return to their posts within the public institutions, now tasked with the responsibility of aiding in the fight against crime.

news

11

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

UG looking to bridge skills gap ahead of oil-and-gas industry

I

n efforts to boost local capacity-building ahead of Guyana’s oil-and-gas industry coming on stream, the University of Guyana (UG) on Friday hosted a one-day seminar focused on identifying and meeting the demands of specific skills that would be required when oil production commences off these local shores.

The University sees this symposium as an opportunity to begin orienting stakeholders towards strategic training, in order to support the impending oiland-gas sector, having recognised the absence of the required engineering and operations management skills needed.

This initiative is the brainchild of Head of the Faculty of Technology, Elena Trim, and Resident Engineer Dr Vince Adams.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the symposium, held at the Marriott Hotel, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman lauded the University for taking the step to enhance the conversation on the country’s preparation for ‘first oil’.

“In developing the policies and systems to manage the sector, we are therefore committed to ensuring that both present and future generations will reap the benefits. The nexus between our current development efforts and repositioning our people, especially our youths, to be able to responsibly manage this sector and all of its ‘spin-off’ benefits is of

A section of the gathering at the University of Guyana’s stakeholder symposium held on Friday at the Marriott Hotel

the utmost importance to the Government,” he stated.

Trotman noted that Government is doing its part to ensure that an enabling environment is created for the emerging sector to thrive and the nation to flourish. He reminded of the recent arrangement for a $100 million grant to the University to enable capacity-building efforts such as the stakeholder symposium.

“I see this initiative by the University of Guyana as another pillar that builds on the firm foundation we wish to create, by helping us to continue a conversation about local content generally, and the demands for engineering and operations management skills within the emerging sector specifically. Here we can identify pressing needs as well as new capabilities that need

to be developed or enhanced to help us close any existing gaps, and ensure that all Guyanese have the opportunity to benefit from the sector directly and indirectly,” Trotman added.

According to the Natural Resources Minister, the oil industry perhaps employs the highest ratios of engineering professionals, since this skillset is necessary along the entire value chain, from exploration to decommissioning of wells.

To this end, Trotman outlined that despite the large capital employed, the industry does not employ as many persons directly as is the belief.

Highlighting that only four per cent of Trinidad’s population was directly involved in the oil-and-gas sector, the Minister added, “However, the industry generates revenues that can be made available to expand

Trio nabbed for allegedly robbing pastor

P

olice in ‘A’ Division (Georgetown) have arrested three male suspects in relation to the armed robbery of a pastor on Wednesday last.

According to reports, the 66-year-old victim of North Haslington, East Coast Demerara was robbed on Church Street, Georgetown shortly after leaving a city bank.

The pastor reportedly had $1.8 million in cash in his possession when he left the bank on Wednesday morning heading home.

However, while on Church Street, in the vicinity of Carmichael Street, a silver-grey Toyota Spacio reversed into the rear of his motor vehicle, PVV 3830.

The pastor existed to investigate the damage, and was pounced on by two armed occupants of the said Spacio motor car. The perpetrators assaulted the man before grabbing the parcel containing the money from inside the victim’s vehicle.

According to the Police, the vehicle allegedly used by the perpetrators, together with a pair of false number plates and a part of the stolen cash, has been recovered.

Additionally, one of the

suspects has since admitted to the crime, and has implicated others. Police say that stringent efforts are being made to apprehend one of the implicated ones.

Moreover, a search of one of the suspects’ homes on the West Bank of Demerara

has resulted in the arrest of six persons. Three males and three females have been taken into custody after a total of 299 grams of cannabis were found in the house.

Investigations are in progress.

development and provide jobs in other sectors of the economy. Therefore, as you shift, think also of enhancing skills that are transferrable to other sectors.”

Among the objectives of the symposium are: to understand how to better align with the activities and plans of oil companies in Guyana; to understand

and align with the priorities of Government; and to build partnerships with industry movers and shakers.

The latter, according to UG Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, is paramount as the institution prepares for the delivery of programmes for the energy sector.

“This is a wonderful op-

portunity, not only to gather the Faculty of Technology’s input, but it’s an opportunity for us to build the partnerships that are going to be necessary to deliver what is designed in the Faculty of Technology,” he stated.

Professor Griffith went on to urge participants not only to listen during the seminar, but make contributions that would help the tertiary institution to fashion the kinds of programmes and partnerships that would redound to the benefit of the industry, the nation and the University.

The one-day symposium saw presentations delivered

by Operations Manager of ExxonMobil, Doug McGhee; Chairman and Executive Director of CGX, Professor Suresh Narine; Dr David Alexander of the University of Trinidad and Tobago; Professor Andrew Jupiter of the University of the West Indies’ St Augustine campus in Trinidad and Tobago; and Attorneyat-law and Oil and Gas Consultant Nigel Hughes.

12 news

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

E Division records increase in robbery under arms, burglary …decrease in other crimes

E

Division (LindenK w a k w a n i ) Commander Fazil Karimbaksh has lauded efforts by ranks and the working relationship with members of the community, in achieving several successes and reductions in serious crimes in 2017.

However, despite the recorded decrease in serious crime, there was an increase in robbery under arms and burglary.

According to Karimbaksh, there was an increase in offences such as robbery under arms by 20 per cent and burglary by 33 per cent in 2017 so far when compared to the same period in 2016.

On Monday, the Divisional Commander presented the Division’s report in the presence of regional and policing officials at the Linmine Constabulary Hall in Linden. In delivering the crime and traffic statistics’ compara-

tive figures for January 1-November 15, 2016 and January 1-November 15, 2017, Karimbaksh noted that there were major successes for 2017. For this year, he noted that there were only 50 reports of serious crime, as compared to 85 last year.

According to the statistics, there was a 41.1 per cent decrease in serious crimes in 2017 as compared to a 40 per cent decrease in 2016, signalling a 1.1 per cent decrease in 2017, compared to 2016.

So far, the Division has recorded one murder, which was committed on Shenika Elliot London on May 19, at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden. The Commander praised the “hard work and dedication” of Police which saw the accused, Michael London, being arrested on the same day, following intense Police cordonand-search operations in the backlands at Moblissa,

Karimbaksh said, 57 persons were arrested for trafficking of narcotics totalling 41 pounds. There were six robberies, and all were solved, with eight persons being prosecuted. He further highlighted that intelligence-led operations also resulted in the recapture of Kendall Skeet and Uree Varswyck (deceased) who had escaped from the Camp Street Prison.

Karimbaksh also re-

Commander Fazil Karimbaksh

Linden Highway.

There were six serious accidents in the Division so far for 2017, as compared to 12 around this time last year, a decline of 50 per cent. Overall, there was a 33.3 per cent decrease in traffic accidents.

Also for 2017,

ported that drug eradication exercises were conducted at Rockstone, Wisroc Back Road, Kwakwani, Linden Highway and the Coomacka Mines area resulting in over 15 acres of approximately 9130 cannabis plants being destroyed. Stop-and-search exercises, the Commander emphasised, were also conducted at the Mabura Police checkpoint, which resulted in the seizure of

200 grams of cocaine, 26.4 kilograms of cannabis, a .32 pistol and several rounds of matching ammunition. The Commander also indicated that four more anti-crime motorcycle patrols were introduced in the Division in 2017, along with two additional four-wheel vehicle patrols and a motor car traffic highway patrol along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. (Utamu Belle)

Man gets 12 years for killing gold trader

J

oshua Payne, who admitted to the December 19, 2012 killing of Kelvin Caines, called “Reds,” was sentenced to serve 12 years in prison after he plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter last month.

‘Reds’ a 42-year-old gold trader, was fatally stabbed at the crowded Stabroek Market Square in Georgetown in an attack which the court found was not provoked.

State Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken told the court that from Payne’s caution statement, he attacked the man because of a grievance between them. He had told Police that the deceased had “buss (me) head a day on Henry Street”.

The deceased, a father of two, was said to be carrying out his normal business operations at the time he was stabbed, and he died the same day while receiving medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

State Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh gave Caines’s cause of death as perforation of the heart and lung due to

stab wounds. The doctor further stated that while one of the wounds was fatal, there were four wounds to the body and chest, caused by a sharp instrument 12 cm in length.

A senior probation officer highlighted the difficult circumstances under which Payne had grown up, as he had left school early, and had taken to the streets doing various odd jobs. Earlier in life, he moved in with his grandmother after his parents separated. At the time of ‘Reds’ killing, Payne had no fixed placed of abode. He was also admittedly illiterate. His siblings and other relatives detailed a violent past wherein he physically attacked them in youth and in adulthood. Some even said they felt safer with him in prison, as he would often threaten them with sharp instruments if they did not comply with his demands.

Another relative said Payne had committed a violent act in a foreign territory, and had been released after pleading insanity. He had served one year’s imprisonment for robbery with violence.

Payne’s defence counsel, Attorney Keoma Griffith, petitioned the court to exercise great mercy, because the deceased had attacked his client prior to the killing.

A former resident of Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, Caines was stabbed under his left arm

by Payne. Caines’s gold chain was stolen, along with some of the cash he had. The remainder of the money was reportedly handed over to the family. It was said that Payne, a known person who suffered with mental health issues, was well known to the family of Caines. During last month, Payne was evaluated by a doctor, who found him to be quiet and cooperative. He was declared mentally fit, and was cleared to be arraigned on the charge.

Justice Reynolds started the sentence at 20 years, and deducted 5 years for time spent on remand, and another 5 years for the guilty plea. He, however, added on two years for the aggravating circumstances, which brought Payne’s sentence to a total of 12 years to be served.

news

13

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Business Minister claims tourism to rake GPL rolls out multibillion-dollar in more foreign currency than sugar network for ECD villages

Business Minister, with responsibility for tourism, Dominic Gaskin

B

usiness Minister, with responsibility for tourism, Dominic Gaskin told stakeholders at the Department of Tourism’s Regional Tourism Planning Business Session that with the current projections the tourism industry is expected to bring in more foreign currency than the sugar industry. He also appealed to the stakeholders to ensure that they begin to change their mind-sets to further develop

Guyana’s tourism product.

According to the Minister, Guyana is moving towards nature tourism and the challenges in marketing that product are tremendous. Therefore, a National Tourism Policy was drafted to provide a comprehensive approach to maximise the benefits of the tourism industry.

“We are projecting about 240,000 visitors to Guyana for this year as I said not necessarily eco-tourists, but wherever they are coming from, they are our tourists and they are spending money in our economy.

If each of those 240,000 spend US$500 in our economy, you can do the math that is US$120,000,000 in our economy. It is certainly more than sugar is earning and sugar is considered an important national industry…everyone takes sugar seriously and here is a sector that is earning more than sugar even in its infant stage,” Gaskin stated.

He said it was important that the stakeholders under-

Director General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair

stand what the Government planned to do in the industry. He said every administrative region has its own structure and economy and as such, the Government needed to take an integrated approach when dealing with the advancement of the tourism sector.

“Every region has its own structure, has its own economy, has its own stakeholders and tourism attraction. We want to engage the

regions, so rather than us saying to you that we want to build on this or that, we want to hear what you think the tourism opportunities are in your regions because you know your region better than we do and that is what this series of engagement is all about,” the Minister stated.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair explained that the activity aimed to produce a final register of endorsed tourism hotspots throughout the country. He added that the consultation process has been ongoing for the past four months.

The workshop is part of a series of workshops that were conducted in every administrative region. The various regions were asked to identify their tourism hotspots, which they did and submitted to the Department of Tourism. Following the submission, the Government will now develop a programme to enhance the sites to improve the overall product.

Consultations underway to improve city transportation challenges

A

Sustainable Urban Transport (SUT) study, facilitated by the Public Infrastructure Ministry and Brazilian company LOGIT, has shown that the city of Georgetown needs new mechanisms for improved transportation.

Carried out between October 2016 and November this year, the study was aimed at providing specific project recommendations and policy options to allocate road space more efficiently among users, and increase the use of cleaner and more sustainable transportation modes.

It included the Urban Public Transportation Improvement Sector, the Traffic Improvement Programme, Gender Study, and the Institutional

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Strengthening and Parking Management Plan.

Addressing the consultation on Friday at the Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said that according to data, some nine

thousand new vehicles find their way on the road each year. And while the city of Georgetown has served Guyanese well, the road network system has not improved significantly.

“Another study, coupled with this report, shows

that 65 to 70 per cent of all traffic heads to the city of Georgetown, coming from the East Bank as well as from the East Coast. So you can imagine the strain we add annually to Georgetown,” Patterson is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The recommendations coming out of the study fall under the ambit of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Taking this into account, Minister Patterson said, the proposals set forward are simply for discussion.

“At the end of this stakeholder meeting, a final report will incorporate your comments, and the final report will be presented to the Ministry, the municipality, and the public as a whole,” Minister Patterson said.

CEO (ag), Renford Homer

T

he Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has started the rollout of a multibillion-dollar upgrade to the electricity distribution network for villages on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Speaking at a community outreach with residents of Buxton and neighbouring communities, at the Buxton Secondary S c h o o l last evening, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) acting, Renford Homer said the project is part of the wider Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP) and is aimed at providing a higher quality of service to its consumers.

“It’s not just about what’s happening in Buxton/ Friendship. This is a programme that has been identified to help our company in improving the quality of service. This has come about because there has been a long recognition that our network is quite aged but more importantly because as a company we are always challenged financially because of the intense cost of generating electricity,” Bowen is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying to residents.

The renovation to the East Coast distribution net-

work is part of an approximately US$65 million utility upgrade funded equally by a grant from the European Union (EU) and a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The project among other things will see the use of distribution boxes and insulated wires, to minimise the instances of illegal connection that cause disruptions to the power distribution network; and smart meters to allow for more frequent, accurate readings without the need to visit a consumer’s premises.

According to the CEO acting, the upgrade which targets an overall 85 communities, will be rolled out in four phases, namely excavation and pole planting, stringing of conductors, electrical installation, and

installation of smart meters.

“This is just one phase of a project that is expected to span approximately 830km of new and upgraded cable and it’s also meant to see overall an average of about 58,000 meters being equipped with more modern electronic metres,” Homer explained.

GPL has since said that during phase two and three, there will be extended periods of outages and asks that consumers bear with them.

The contract for the execution of the PUUP was awarded to China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation/ China Synergy Electric Engineering Company (CMC/CSEEC). The local subcontractor is Ramoutar and Sons Contracting.

Malta donates defibrillator to St John’s Association

T

he Ambassador of Malta to Guyana, Roland de Rosiere handed over a defibrillator to the St John’s Association of Guyana to aid in its work as first responders to disasters and medical emergencies.

Following a number of visits in the past year, Ambassador de Rosiere returned once again, but this time with a gift for his hosts, St John’s Association, more so the Ambulance Brigade.

The automated portable defibrillator is to be used during voluntary attachments across the country.

Speaking at the handing over hosted at St John’s headquarters was Vibert

Parvatan, the Association’s Chairman.

In highlighting the significance of this donation, Parvatan explained the use of the medical equipment.

“It’s automated and it’s so designed that having connected, the voice will tell you what exactly to do, what not to do and what are the difficulties. It will give electrical shocks and take you along aiming at keeping the heart going, keeping the person alive, until he or she may get to an institution.”

With the importance of the equipment established, the Chairman thanked the Sovereign Order of Malta for the life-saving donation.

The Ambassador, in ad-

Maltese Ambassador Roland de Rosiere presenting the defibrillator to St John’s Association Guyana Chairman Vibert Parvatan, flanked by other officials

dressing the gathering at the presentation, indicated that defibrillators were essential in the work of first responders.

The Maltese official noted that such equipment should be available at all public offices and places that attract large crowds.

Moreover, de Rosiere applauded the work of the local St John’s Association, while pointing out the mission of the international organisation.

Adding to that, he emphasised the significance of volunteering at organisations such as St John and thereby called on young Guyanese to get involved in the work of the Association.

14 news

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 6 Chairman Gender-based violence calls on Govt not to WPO observes “16 Days of forsake pensioners Activism” campaign

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

P

ensioners are being treated with almost no respect when they turn up at post offices to collect their monthly pension. This is according to Region Six Chairman David Armogan, who on Friday said that Government must act now and put measures in place to prevent the long periods the elderly have to wait to collect their monthly pension.

“What I have seen around and people have reported to me is that they go to these post offices on the first or second day of the month, which is the designated day to collect their pensions; and when they go there, sometimes that have to wait until 10 or 11 o’clock.

They go there at 6 0’clock in the morning, and hardly any of them would have had anything to eat,” Armogan told

this publication.

However, that is just the tip of the iceberg, he said, adding that many pensioners need to be accompanied, while others have medical conditions which make it almost impossible for them to be at the post office for five or six hours.

The regional chairman explained that post offices are now no longer ready to make payments as soon as they open for business.

He noted that the pensioners receive only a small amount of money, and when they are asked to return on a second day, there is an additional cost in terms of transportation.

Armogan said the situation is far from being acceptable. He also noted that many of the post offices -not only in Region Six, but countrywide -- do not have

proper sanitary facilities to accommodate pensioners.

“I have seen instances where pensions have virtually soiled themselves because they don’t have access to toilet facilities,” Armogan related. Hunger, he said, also affects many pensioners waiting to collect their pension at post offices, which is assigned to distribute old age pension.

The regional chairman said he have received reports of pensioners fainting as they wait to receive their pension at a post office. Many post offices lack seating accommodation, the chairman added.

“They have to stand up in a line just for those couple dollars. Even as heart-rending as this may seem, some pensioners are forced to endure that ordeal for two days, and on occasions for a third day,” he said.

Armogan has said he is hoping that the authorities responsible for the payment of pension – moreso the Social Protection Ministry and the Guyana Post Office Corporation -- would come together and improve the situation.

Pensioners, he added, have contributed immensely to Guyana’s development, and should therefore be treated better. “They don’t deserve that kind of treatment. The onus in on the current Administration to fix the situation,” he has declared.

T

he Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) joins Guyana and the rest of the world in observance of the ‘16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence’ campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.

The campaign runs from today, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th December, Human Rights Day. The theme for this year is “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls”.

To commence the day, the WPO will pay homage to the three Mirabel sisters of Guatemala, who were murdered by the Trujillo regime on 25th November, 1960, while saluting the women of Guatemala who were relentless in their campaign internationally to expose the tyranny of the Government and the murder of the three sisters, which became the catalyst for change.

According to WPO, these women are not only to be seen as a symbol of resistance, but also champions of freedom and justice, as the United Nations (UN) has officially recognized this day.

The organisation also cited that the theme to end violence against women is becoming a top priority issue, since statistics by the UN Women have revealed that 35 per cent of women in the world have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by

a non-partner at some point in their lives. Some national studies show that 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.

According to the WPO, in Guyana, although the Domestic Violence Legislation was passed in 1996 and support was given to areas, including shelter, counselling and legal aid, there is still a high level of violence against women and girls.

While recognizing that not all cases are reported, the WPO says that statistics in the public domain are frightening enough.

“It is unclear whether the law which was passed is known in the various corners of the country, or whether the agencies and institutions responsible for implementing the laws are following the prescribed processes and procedures required of them.

Are reports properly documented, and are court orders enforced? Do citizens have ac-

cess to services such as adequate shelter, counselling and legal aid?” WPO questions.

These mark some of the important areas to be addressed in an effort to not only promote awareness, but to also provide justice to those who have been violated, the WPO has said.

While the issue is compounded by poor reporting by law enforcing officers, the WPO calls for the issue to be addressed urgently.

The WPO is of the firm view that the Government should provide greater leadership and support to the areas raised above, by fostering closer collaboration with the many groups who are already engaged in fighting violence against women and girls.

“The news of another woman or girl who becomes a victim is one too many. Let us all do more in helping to reduce the scourge of violence in our society,” the women’s arm of the PPP has appealed.

Access to education

Government will take urgent steps to remove impediments – President

P

resident David Granger has said that education is the gateway to equality, and it will pave the way for employment and empowerment.

Speaking on Thursday during a visit to Kako Village in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni section of Guyana known as Region 7, the President said it is for this reason that his Administration has been placing much emphasis on boosting teachers’ capacity, and enhancing education delivery and access through increased budgetary allocations and the introduction of innovative programmes, such as the Buses, Boats, Bicycles + Books and Breakfast (the Five Bs) initiative.

President David Granger, along with Minister Dawn HastingsWilliams and Head Teacher Stephanie Krammer-George, participated in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting exercise to commission the newly-constructed dining hall at the school.

The Head of State had visited the village to join the residents and students in celebrating the 29th anniversary of the Kako Primary School, where he told them that, as President of Guyana, he is a partner in the development of their village and the country as a whole.

“We want to make sure that every child is given the best possi-

ble start in life. If you cannot read, if you cannot write, if you cannot count, if you cannot spell, then doors will be closed to you… Every Guyanese is equal, and every Guyanese must be given equal opportunities; and the way to achieve that equality is through education.

If we want to ensure that children have equal opportunities, we must ensure that they have equal access to education,” the President is quoted as saying by the Ministry of the Presidency.

In this regard, he urged the Toshao, village councillors, members of the regional authority, and residents to inform the Government of any impediments to access to education, so that urgent steps can be taken to remove them.

“If there is anything keeping a child from school, let us know, and we will try to solve that problem,” he said.

President Granger spoke of the importance of education in securing meaningful employment. He noted that in this age of technology, people must advance their skills so that not only can they be employable, but able to create employment for themselves and for others. Technology, he said, can help people to venture into agro-processing, whereby they can

President David Granger presenting the Presidential Awards Shield to the Head teacher of the Kako Primary School, Stephanie Krammer-George

process their ground provisions, fruits and vegetables and seek competitive markets in and out of the country, rather than having to take their raw produce out of the village to sell, risking spoilage and other such disadvantages.

The President said that is why the Government is working to en-

sure that communities like Kako get a reliable supply of energy, which is vital if residents are to move in the direction of agro-processing.

The Head of State also urged the residents to ensure that they stay informed on what is happening in their country, and what pro-

grammes and projects are being undertaken for their benefit. “We want you to be educated and empowered. You must be able to exercise your rights as citizens by being fully informed,” he said.

Public Affairs Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams, who is from Kako Village and had attended the Kako Primary School, urged the children to keep studying and to ensure that they attend school regularly.

She noted that the institution continues to churn out individuals who have gone on to excel in their various fields, such as head teachers and health workers. These persons have served not only Kako, but other hinterland communities.

The President and Minister Hastings-Williams have handed over a quantity of equipment to the village, including a music system and sports gear; and with the Christmas season fast approaching, they also distributed toys to the children of Kako.

Chairman of Region Seven, Gordon Bradford, and several regional officials were also in attendance at yesterday’s event, which culminated with the cutting of the ribbon to officially commission a new dining hall for the students of the school.

News

15

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Latin America and Caribbean most Canada’s Trudeau violent Region in the world for women apologises for boarding

I

n Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of countries with national women protection policies has risen from 24 in 2013 (74 per cent) to 31 in 2016 (94 per cent); yet, the Region is still the most violent in the world for women, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-UN Women report.

The report released in Panama, “Commitment to Action: Public Policies to Eradicate violence against women in Latin America and the Caribbean”, stresses that although the Region has shown great progress in the normative frameworks that recognise violence against women as a social phenomenon that affects women, their families and communities, sustainable development and the protection of human rights, the problem persists, with high rates of violence against women remaining a dire challenge.

In spite of the notable advances in national action plans, the Region registers the highest rates of violence against women outside the intimate partner and the second highest within the couple, according to data from the Observatory on Gender Equality in Latin America and the Caribbean, cited in the report. It points

The number of female homicides is on the rise, with two in every five resulting from domestic violence

out that the number of female homicides is on the rise, with two in every five resulting from domestic violence. Moreover, about 30 per cent of women have been victims of violence by their partner and 10.7 per cent have suffered sexual violence not related to an intimate partner, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) figures.

To halt this problem, the report recommends addressing women’s protection issues at a higher political level, with more investment, a comprehensive approach and greater cooperation as key to eradicating violence against women and girls in Latin America and the

Caribbean.

The new study also compiles best practices for the eradication of violence against women, identifies critical issues and proposes key actions to achieve qualitative advances and overcome this social scourge of epidemic proportions in the Region.

“It is very important to see the approach to violence against women as a catalytic factor for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda as a whole.

In addition, it is essential for the achievement of peace, economic productivity, rights, justice and social cohesion,” said Richard

Barathe, Director of the UNDP Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean.

UN Women’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luiza Carvalho, said the report highlights several points of great importance: the need to allocate more resources, to better structure the response and to better articulate the work between the different actors.

“In addition, we must work to improve the collection and measurement of data recording violence against women in the Region,” she said.

The report calls for generating social pacts among Governments, the Private Sector and civil society to engage all relevant actors; the creation of national plans at the local level and policies with a multidimensional approach; to strengthen victims’ reparation actions, especially those focused on their economic empowerment; and work with men, especially young men, to add them as partners in the fight to end violence against women. The report is launched as part of the “Unite to end violence against women” campaign, which brings together several UN agencies. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

school abuse

P

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

rime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised to hundreds of indigenous peoples in Canada who were forcibly placed into a system of boarding schools that were rife with abuse, but some local leaders say the Prime Minister’s apology does not go far enough.

Trudeau apologised to the indigenous students who attended residential schools in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, on Canada’s east coast, on Friday morning.

“Today, I humbly stand before you to offer a long overdue apology,” Trudeau said during a ceremony in the town of Happy ValleyGoose Bay. “To all of you, we are sorry.”

About 150,000 indigenous children attended residential schools across Canada between the 1940s

and late 1990s, when the last of the schools were closed.

Residential schools were created in an effort to assimilate indigenous children into white Canadian culture.

Students were neglected, separated from their families and communities, prevented from speaking their native languages and learning about their culture, and many endured severe physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

“These are the hard truths that are part of Canada’s history. These are the hard truths we must confront as a society,” Trudeau said on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sarah Anala, a residential school survivor, said: “to have the strength to stay alive until today is a miracle”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

False terror alert sparks fear in London shopping district

A

Armed Police patrol along Oxford Street following an incident in central London on November 24, 2017

rmed Police rushed to London’s busy Oxford Street shopping district on Friday after reports of shots fired sparked fears of a terror incident, but authorities said it was a false alarm.

There was panic around Oxford Circus and in its underground station shortly after 16:30h (4:30 pm), as Police said they were responding “as if the incident is terrorist-related”.

Crowds ran from the scene, many rushing into already packed shops for safety, reflecting the nervousness in a country that has seen five terror attacks since March.

But just over an hour later, the Metropolitan Police said: “To date Police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or casualties.

“Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police in the area of Oxford Circus.”

A short time later, they tweeted: “Our response on #OxfordStreet has now been stood down. “If you sought shelter in a building please now leave, and follow the direction of police officers on the ground if you need assistance.”

Oxford Circus, the junction of London’s Oxford Street and Regent Street, was packed with shoppers seeking to take advantage of “Black Friday” bargains.

The British Transport Police said they had received one report of a woman sustaining a minor injury when leaving the station.

Shopper Ahlam Ibrahim told AFP she was pushed into a shop when people started shouting.

“We didn’t know what was going on, it was really a nightmare. I am glad nobody was hurt,” she said.

Transport authorities said Oxford Circus station was reopened, as was nearby Bond Street, which had been closed amid fears of overcrowding. Trains were stopping at both.

In the first statement, Police said they were called

at 16:38h “to a number of reports of shots fired on Oxford Street and underground at Oxford Circus tube station...

Police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related”.

They later said there were “numerous 999 (emergency) calls” reporting shots fired in a number of locations in the area. (Excerpt from AFP)

Rwanda could take 10,000 refugees from Israel – Minister

T

he Foreign Affairs Minister of Rwanda has confirmed the country is in negotiations with Israel to take in as many as 10,000 African asylum seekers, according to a local Rwandan newspaper.

In an interview with The New Times, Louise Mushikiwabo said the two countries have yet to reach an agreement on how many asylum seekers currently in Israel could eventually be resettled in Rwanda.

“We have had discussions with Israel on receiving some of the immigrants and asylum seekers from this part of Africa who would be willing to come to Rwanda,” Mushikiwabo told the newspaper.

“If they are comfortable to come here, we would be willing to accommodate them. How it’s done and their livelihoods, once they are here, are details that have not been concluded yet,” she said.

Mushikiwabo did not say when a possible transfer would take place.

The Minister’s comments come less than a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his government would seek to remove 40,000 asylum seekers from the country “without their consent”.

“This is very important,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday, the same day the Israeli Cabinet voted to close a detention cen-

tre in the country’s southern Negev desert that currently houses just over 1000 asylum seekers.

Israel is currently home to about 40,000 asylum seekers, according to Government figures. That includes 27,500 Sudanese and 7800 Eritrean asylum seekers, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported.

Israeli officials have said they intend to shutter the Holot detention centre within the next four months and give remaining African asylum seekers two options: indefinite detention in Israel, or deportation to a third country, with or without their consent.

According to Israeli daily Haaretz, Israel will pay

Rwanda up to US$5000 for each asylum seeker it agrees to take in.

It will also pay each asylum seeker US$3500 to leave Israel and buy their flights out of the country, the newspaper reported.

The United Nations has raised concerns about potential deals to deport asylum seekers to a third country such as Rwanda, however.

“As party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Israel has legal obligations to protect refugees and other persons in need of international protection,” Volker Turk, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, said in a recent statement. (Al Jazeera)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

Regional

No lawlessness accepted: Trinidad PM Jamaica deserves issues warning after violent protests reparations, House Speaker says D S eclaring that his Government will not tolerate anarchy, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has ordered the country’s crime chief to use all resources necessary to maintain law and order following violent protests by Beetham residents.

Disgruntled residents took to the streets Thursday, blocking the Beetham Highway and allegedly attacking some motorists.

The protest erupted after a Police raid in the community, but residents insisted their action had nothing to do with the operation which resulted in the arrest of two men.

During the protest, there were reports that people were being robbed on the highway. Several people reported that the windows of their vehicles had been damaged during those incidents and there were also reports of delivery trucks being looted.

At a news conference Friday morning, Dr Rowley not only condemned the action, but said his government would not back down from its responsibility to protect citizens.

Police clearing the debris after Thursday’s protests (CNC3 photo)

The Prime Minister explained that during the operation in Beetham, Police were evicting people who had unlawfully occupied apartments when residents attempted to obstruct officers. He made it clear that citizens have a duty to abide by the law.

And he has instructed Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams to use any and all resources available to him

to seek out those who have evicted people from their homes unlawfully and ensure that lawful occupancy prevails.

He has also instructed National Security Minister Edmund Dillon to ensure the T&T Defence Force provides lawful support so that citizens do not stand in the way of Police Officers as they exercise their lawful duty.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

peaker of the House of Representatives in Jamaica, Pearnel Charles, says compensation should be awarded for the many indignities heaped on the country’s ancestors during the period of slavery.

“We cannot undo the injustices of slavery, but we can honour our ancestors by demanding that their contribution be properly recognised,” he said during the Reparations Youth Baton Relay and Rally earlier this week, adding that the British Government felt it was just to compensate the planters, who had already benefited from slavery, by awarding them £20 million, the equivalent of more than £20 billion today.

“I encourage all Jamaicans not to dismiss

the issue of reparations offhand, but to try to understand the reasons behind the call and the implications it would have for our society.”

Charles commended the Caricom Reparations Commission, and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, through the National Council on Reparations (NCR), for staging the Reparations Youth Baton Relay and Rally The Caricom initiative is aimed at building awareness among young people across the Region about the issues surrounding the reparations movement and agenda.

Relays have been held in Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, St Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda.

(Caribbean360)

Cuba marks anniversary of Fidel’s Honduras election: Women's rights put on the agenda death as post-Castro era nears

A member of the local electoral commission tests a microphone in front of an image of late Cuban President Fidel Castro

C

uba marks the first anniversary of the death of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Saturday with a week of vigils nationwide, as the island embarks on a political cycle that will end 60 years of the Castro brothers’ rule.

Fidel, a towering figure of the 20th Century who built a Communist-run

State on the doorstep of the United States and defied US efforts to topple him, died aged 90 on November 25 last year.

The Cold War icon had already been largely out of public view for around a decade, having formally ceded the presidency to his younger brother, Raul Castro, in 2008 due to ill health.

Cubans say his death changed little on the island.

The pace of reforms instigated by Raul to update the Soviet-style command economy has continued as hesitantly as before. Cuba’s relationship with the United States, meanwhile, has actually worsened due to US President Donald Trump’s more hostile stance.

More significant politically, analysts say, will be the electoral cycle that starts Sunday with a municipal vote and will end with the selection of a new president in late February.

Raul, 86, has said he would step down at the end of his two consecutive terms.

The transition is expected to be gradual as Raul will remain head of the Communist Party. It comes, however, as the country faces a tricky time with a decline in aid from ally Venezuela, weaker exports and a resulting cash crunch. (Excerpt from Reuters)

L

ucia Vijil pounds out a flurry of tweets directed at Honduras' leading presidential candidates, pressuring them to make specific proposals on women's rights. It's more than clicktivism, she says.

Vijil is one of hundreds of feminist activists with a clear message for politicians ahead of Sunday's election: Honduran women will not vote for candidates who ignore them.

A recent graduate, Vijil, 21, is the social media mastermind behind a new Oxfamfunded initiative that aims to put women on politicians' agendas.

The initiative called PoletikaH – a Spanish portmanteau combining politics and ethics – aims to widen the conversation and expose candidates when they fail to rise to the occasion.

Fed up with seeing their concerns sidelined, PoletikaH and more than 70 women's organisations came together to launch on September 12 a feminist political agenda to serve as a measuring stick to scrutinise the presidential candidates' focus on the problems women face ahead of the November 26 election.

One woman is murdered every 14 hours in a femicide crisis that has reached epidemic levels in the wake of the 2009 USbacked military coup, which briefly put Roberto Micheletti in power as president be-

“We have to at least try to put women on the agenda,” women’s rights activist Lucia Vijil says [Rodrigo Abd/AP]

fore Porfirio Lobo Sosa of the conservative National Party won national elections later that year.

Under strict rules outlawing abortion, women can face up to six years behind bars for seeking to end a pregnancy.

In the most unequal country in Latin America, according to World Bank data, women also disproportionately suffer the brunt of poverty, a global trend recognised

by UN Women, the agency that deals with gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Argentina missing submarine: President Dominican Republic President to visit Jamaica pledges inquiry to “know the truth”

A

rgentine President Mauricio Macri has promised that an inquiry into the disappearance of a navy submarine will "know the truth" of what happened.

Macri urged Argentines not to look for people to blame until all the facts were known.

He said the search for the ARA San Juan and its 44 crew would continue.

Hopes have faded since the navy said an event "consistent with an explosion" was detected near the sub's last-known location.

Announcing the official inquiry at navy headquarters in Buenos Aires, Macri said the 34-year-old submarine had recently undergone a refit and was "in perfect condition".

"We should not venture into looking for people to blame," he told a news conference.

"This will require a serious, deep investigation that reveals certainties about why we are witnessing what happened. My commitment is with the truth."

Earlier, navy spokesman Captain Enrique Baldi said there was still no trace of the subma-

rine, which vanished nine days ago.

More than 12 countries are involved in the search.

Baldi said search teams had access to "the best technology available" via the US navy.

He added: "We have the best naval, air and sensor resources available in the area, all focused on searching for the submarine. We are still looking and no country is saying at the moment when they will stop. Logically it's time-limited, but no-one is speaking about that at the moment."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

T

he Government of Jamaica will host Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina Sánchez when he arrives on the island Monday for a State visit.

Upon his arrival, Medina will be welcomed by a 21-gun salute. He is slated to participate in a host of activities including a floral tribute at the National Heroes Park.

He will also have robust discussions with the Government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

The meeting is aimed at forging

deeper ties between both countries.

Medina will attend a State luncheon hosted by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen at King's House.

At the luncheon he will receive a national honour.

Holness will also be presented with State honours from the Dominican Republic by Medina.

Medina will then depart Kingston for Montego Bay where he will participate in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation conference to be held November 27-29 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

(Jamaica Observer)

saturdAY, november 25, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Militants kill more than 230 at Zimbabwe's new mosque in Egypt's North Sinai President vows to “re-

M

ilitants killed more than 230 people at a mosque in North Sinai on Friday, detonating a bomb and gunning down worshippers in the deadliest such attack of Egypt’s modern history, State media and witnesses said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but since 2013 Egyptian security forces have battled a stubborn Islamic State affiliate in the mainly desert region, and militants have killed hundreds of Police and soldiers.

State media showed images of bloodied victims and bodies covered in blankets inside the Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El Arish, the main city in North Sinai.

Worshippers were finishing Friday prayers at the mosque when a bomb

The militants targeted a mosque near al-Arish

exploded, witnesses said.

Around 40 gunmen set up positions outside the mosque with jeeps and opened fire from different directions as people tried to escape. ”Four groups of armed men attacked the worshippers inside the mosque after Friday noon prayers. Two groups were firing at ambulances to deter them, said

Mohamed, a witness.

The public prosecutors’ office said in a statement 235 people had been killed and 109 more wounded.

Hours after the attack, Egypt’s military launched air strikes on targets in mountainous areas around Bir al-Abed, security sources and witnesses said.

“The armed forces and

the Police will avenge our martyrs and restore security and stability with the utmost force,” Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a televised address.

“What is happening is an attempt to stop us from our efforts in the fight against terrorism, to destroy our efforts to stop the terrible criminal plan that aims to destroy what is left of our region.”

Egypt later said it would delay the opening of the Rafah border crossing to Gaza after the attack due to security concerns. The crossing had been due to open for three days beginning on Saturday.

Striking at a mosque would be a change in tactics for the Sinai militants, who have usually attacked troops and Police and Christian churches. (Excerpt from Reuters)

engage” with world

Z

imbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to re-engage the country with the world, following the dramatic departure of Robert Mugabe.

In his inauguration speech, Mnangagwa sought to reassure foreign investors to attract badly needed funds to revive Zimbabwe's failing economy.

And he also praised Mugabe, calling him Zimbabwe's "founding father".

Mnangagwa's dismissal as Vice President earlier this month led the ruling party and the army to intervene.

Mugabe – who had wanted Grace Mugabe, the then First Lady, to take up the presidency – was forced to announce his resignation on Tuesday, ending 37 years of authoritarian rule.

Addressing Harare's packed 60,000-capacity National Sports Stadium, the new leader said Zimbabwe was now "ready and willing for a steady re-engagement with all the nations of the world".

He said "key choices will have to be made to attract foreign direct investment to tackle high-levels of unemployment while transforming our economy". (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Beijing nursery 'needle abuse' 10 days to crack Brexit deal, EU tells May of children shocks China T

A

Beijing nursery is accused of giving injections and feeding drugs to toddlers, in a case that has sparked outrage in China.

Authorities are now investigating the nursery, which is a branch of the well-known RYB Education chain.

The company says it "deeply apologises" for the matter that has caused "severe disquiet".

Beijing officials are also conducting a security check in all nurseries in the Chinese capital.

The incident comes weeks after a Shanghai childcare centre was alleged to have abused several toddlers.

At least eight children at-

Authorities are investigating the RYB Education kindergarten in Beijing's Chaoyang district

tending the RYB Education pre-school in the upscale Chaoyang district are said to have been injected with unknown substances.

Parents told local media

they had discovered needle marks on their children's bodies in recent days, and also circulated photographs online. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he European Union handed British Prime Minister Theresa May a 10-day “absolute deadline” to improve her Brexit divorce offer or face failure in persuading EU leaders to open trade talks with Britain at a December summit. Without a deal next month, time will be very tight to agree arrangements before Britain leaves the EU in March 2019, adding to pressure on businesses to avoid potential losses and move investments.

“We need to see progress from UK within 10 days on all issues, including on Ireland,” European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted after meeting May in Brussels for one hour following an EU summit.

A deal on the Northern Ireland border became sud-

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Britain's EU Ambassador Tim Sparrow (left) attend the Eastern Partnership summit at the European Council Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, November 24, 2017

denly trickier on Friday as the Dublin Government looked set to fall.

Tusk said it was still possible the other 27 EU leaders would conclude at a summit on December 14-15 that

Britain had made “sufficient progress” toward meeting three key conditions for them to approve the opening of trade talks in the new year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Tiger shot in Paris after North Korea replaces soldiers, South Korea awards medals after defector's border dash roaming streets

N

orth Korea has reportedly replaced guards and fortified a section of its border with South Korea where a North Korean soldier defected last week, while South Korean and US soldiers have been decorated for their role in the defector’s rescue.

The North Korean defector

It is not yet clear how the tiger escaped from the circus

A

tiger broke out of a circus in central Paris and roamed streets just south of the Eiffel Tower before its circus handlers shot and killed it.

Police tweeted that the tiger had gone on the loose in the 15th district, but "the danger has been eliminated".

Nobody was hurt by the 200kg (31-stone) tiger, according to local reports.

Tram traffic was suspended in the area. Residents called the emergency services when they spotted the

animal on the run just before 18:00 (17:00 GMT).

"It was a very big tiger," a witness called Ralph told Le Parisien website. "We heard two or three shots and saw Police going down towards the tracks." The tiger was killed in an alley, a fire service spokesman said.

Its owner, who brought the animal down with a shotgun, has been taken into custody, AFP news agency reports say, citing a Police source.

Police have opened an investigation.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

was shot and wounded by his fellow soldiers as he dashed into the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) last week.

The South Korean and US soldiers who led a rescue attempt to drag the gravely injured soldier to safety have been awarded medals, according to US Forces Korea.

A group of senior diplomats

based in Seoul visited the JSA on Wednesday morning where they saw five North Korean workers digging a deep trench in the area where the soldier had dashed across the line after getting his jeep stuck in a small ditch, a member of the diplomatic delegation told Reuters on Friday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind released

T

he United States has expressed "deep concern" at the release of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai that killed more than 160 people, calling for him to be "arrested and charged for his crimes".

Saeed was released in the early hours of Friday in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, after a

court rejected a government application to extend his detention under anti-terrorism laws, saying there was no evidence to support the application.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder had been under house arrest since January.

"The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar-eTayyaba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house ar-

rest in Pakistan," Heather Nauert, US state department spokesperson, said in an emailed statement.

"LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens. The Pakistani Government should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes." (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

ARCHIE

Personal change will do you good. Taking a short trip (March 21or spending time with someApril 19) one you find interesting will lead to new ideas and personal changes. Self-improvement projects are featured.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

You’ll have unusual ideas that will help shape the way you get along with partners and move forward with your relationships. Offer a fair and honest assessment.

Get to know your peers GEMINI (May 21- better and be willing to ally June 20) with those who share your concerns, interests and will to bring about positive change.

Visit a friend or relative who can shed some light (June 21- on a situation you’re facJuly 22) ing. Knowing where you stand will help you understand what needs to be done.

Romance is featured.

CANCER

Peanuts

Take care of personal fiLEO nances and tidy up any unfin(July 23- ished business that needs to Aug. 22) be addressed before the year comes to a close. You’ll discover information that will alter your current habits.

Stick to basics and reVIRGO fuse to let anyone tell you (Aug. 23that you need to do someSept. 22) thing you don’t. Moderation and common sense will win in the end.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Taking short trips, going on shopping sprees and spending time with someone who mentally stimulates you will make this a stellar day, as long as you stick to your budget.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

When dealing with sensitive issues or while trying to help someone in need, use intelligence and show compassion to avoid disruptive interference.

Stick close to home and avoid dealing with bureaucracy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Getting together with old friends will have an impact on you emotionally. Don’t be too quick to forgive and forget an incident that left you down and feeling bad.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Choose to use your energy wisely. Sign up for a physical activity that will challenge and stimulate you.

Focus on positive change and keeping the peace. Love is highlighted.

Avoid making an impulAQUARIUS sive physical change. If you (Jan. 20- want to do something differFeb. 19) ent, try volunteering for a cause you believe in or taking a course to enhance your current skills.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Stress will impact your PISCES (Feb. 20- health. Clear up unfinished March 20) business and walk away from physically challenging situations and demanding people.

Listen to your gut feeling, not to what others tell you.

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

19

Hamilton Green Knockout Cup 2017

Mouthwatering semifinal clashes anticipated –Georgetown/Linden rivalry to resume

W

hich one of the Georgetown teams will face either Winners Connection or Milerock will be answered on Sunday when the semi-finals of the Mayor’s Cup Football 2017 edition kicks off, at the Mackenzie Sports Club in Linden.

In the opening encounter, the in-form Police will collide with Soesdyke from 19:00hrs, while the feature clash pits Winners Connection against Milerock in what is anticipated to be a bruising engagement.

The outcome of these two games sets up a highly anticipated final with the historical Linden / Georgetown rivalry being the incentive for a large turnout on Thursday, at the same venue.

Police has been the most prolific team in competitions this year, making the final or semi-finals on numer-

Attio Wallace (left) and Kester Dundas

ous occasions and their rich vein of form and confidence combined with the quality of players in their line-up

makes them clear favourite to proceed to the championship.

Players the likes of Attio

Wallace, Quincy Holder, Kester Dundas, Lescharles Critchlow, Steffon Ramsay, Dwayne Wilson and the

in-form Darrius Frank between the uprights are all proven match winners.

Soesdyke’s chances of winning will rest on the shoulders of the skilful Tyrone Khan, the only player with a hat-trick in the competition.

Players such as Colin McLean, Tyrell Khan, Alvin Batson, Colin Holder and Kelson Benson form the supporting cast and they will need to put together strong performances to guarantee a place in the final.

What more could be said of the feature encounter between the two Linden heavyweights.

Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens, who will certainly be one of the more experienced players on the pitch will lead Winners Connection bid for a place in the final.

His support could come from Marmalique Davidson and Keon Sears, both proven

Hamilton fastest

contributors in the goals column, while Trakel Thomas and Derrol Dainty has been a two-man Rock of Gibraltar at the back.

Joel McKinnon, Denzil Fordyce, Nellon Walcott and Lorenzo Miller performances are crucial for Milerock’s chances of advancing, while Oswald Benjamin and Akeem Green have the formidable duty to snuff out Winners Connection attack on goal.

Over $1million in total prize monies are up for grabs with the winners set to receive $500,000 and the Ministry of Citizenship trophy, while the runner-up takes home $250,000 and the Busta trophy.

The third and fourth placed finishers will walk away with $150,000 and $100,000 along with trophies donated by John Fernandes Ltd and Cummings Electrical respectively.

in Abu Dhabi practice

F

our times world champion Lewis Hamilton kept Mercedes on top in the last Friday practice of the Formula One season with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel close behind.

Hamilton, chasing a 10th win of the year after wrapping up the championship in Mexico last month, lapped the floodlit Yas Marina circuit in one minute 37.877 seconds in the evening session.

“It’s been a good Friday, but I‘m happy that it’s the last one of the season,” said Hamilton.

“We got lots of laps in today and made good progress with the balance of the car. We have a bit of work to do, but I feel like we’re quite competitive here. It’s relatively close still, but I like that.”

Vettel, who had set the pace in the afternoon with a lap of 1:39.006 and looked quick on long run pace, ended the day 0.149 slower and also expected a close battle in Saturday’s qualifying.

The German is set to become the first non-Mercedes driver of the last four years to finish in the top two of the championship, leading Valtteri Bottas by 22 points into the final round.

Both Hamilton and Vettel, a quadruple world champion with Red Bull, are three-time winners in Abu Dhabi although Ferrari have yet to triumph there.

Red Bull were third in both sessions, with 20-year-old Dutch driver Max Verstappen taking that place in the first and Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the second.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes’ Bottas were fourth and fifth.

Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa, preparing for his last Formula One race with Williams, was 11th fastest.

“I didn’t feel that anything was different or strange today compared with any other Friday, but maybe when we get to the first race of next season I will miss this,

the competition, and everything else,” Massa said.

“I‘m ready for that and I think it’s the right time.”

The tight battle for sixth place in the constructors’ championship between Toro Rosso, Renault and Haas -- with just six points separating the three teams -- is another focus for the weekend.

Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz were ninth and 13th respectively for Renault with Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly 15th and the two Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean 16th and 20th.

British youngster George Russell, taking part in first practice only, was 11th fastest in Esteban Ocon’s Force India and less than a second off the pace of the team’s Mexican driver Sergio Perez.

Russell also took part in first practice in Brazil, and looks set for a reserve role in future.

With both championships wrapped up, Mercedes having clinched their fourth successive constructors’ title in Texas last month, most teams used the opening session as an early test for 2018.

Some also tried out the ‘halo’ head protection device that will be introduced next year. (Reuters)

Lewis Hamilton

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

Stonewall Smith drags Australia back from brink

C

aptain Steve Smith frustrated England with a fighting half-century and pushed Australia to 165 for four at the close of a see-sawing day two, rescuing the hosts after a top order collapse in the series-opening Ashes test in Brisbane on Friday.

With his team in peril at

76 for four, Smith’s unbeaten 64 in an 89-run stand with number six Shaun Marsh gave Australia hope of reeling in England’s first innings 302 at the Gabba.

Lefthander Marsh, under pressure to perform after winning his eighth recall to the test team, played a fine support role to be 44

SCOREBOARD England 1st innings (Overnight: 196-4) A. Cookc Handscomb b Starc 2 M. Stoneman b Cummins 53 J. Vince run out (Lyon) 83 J. Root lbw b Cummins 15 D. Malan c S. Marsh b Starc 56 M. Ali lbw b Lyon 38 J. Bairstow c Paine b Cummins 9 C. Woakes b Lyon 0 S. Broad c Handscomb b Hazlewood 20 J. Ball c Warner b Starc 14 J. Anderson not out 5 Extras (b-5 nb-1 w-1)7 Total (all out, 116.4 overs) 302 Fall of wickets: 1-2 A. Cook,2127 M. Stoneman,3-145 J. Vince,4-163 J. Root,5-246 D. Malan,6-249 M. Ali,7-250 C. Woakes,8-270 J. Bairstow,9-286 J. Ball,10-302 S. Broad Bowling: Starc 28 - 4 - 77 3(nb-1 w-1), Hazlewood 22.4

- 6 - 57 – 1, Cummins 30 - 8 85 – 3, Lyon36 - 12 - 78 - 2 Australia 1st innings C. Bancroft c Bairstow b Broad 5 D. Warner c Malan b Ball 26 U. Khawaja lbw b Ali 11 S. Smith not out 64 P. Handscomb lbw b Anderson 14 S. Marsh not out 44 Extras (nb-1)1 Total (for 4 wickets, 62 overs) 165 Fall of wickets: 1-7 C. Bancroft,2-30 U. Khawaja,3-59 D. Warner,4-76 P. Handscomb To bat: T. Paine, M. Starc, P. Cummins, J. Hazlewood, N. Lyon Bowling : Anderson 15 - 4 26 – 1, Broad 10 - 5 - 18 – 1, Ali 19 - 6 - 50 – 1, Woakes 8 - 1 - 31 – 0, Ball8 - 1 - 35 1(nb-1), Root 2 - 0 - 5 - 0

not out at stumps.

“I think the game’s in the balance still,” Australia spinner Nathan Lyon told reporters. ”There are two unbelievable batters at the crease.

“Hopefully we can put (England) under pressure in the second innings but there’s a lot of cricket in this game.”

After day one saw only four wickets fall, 10 tumbled on day two as the Gabba pitch recovered some of its customary bounce and pace.

England lost their last six wickets in a hurry to be out for 302 at lunch and Australia seemed to be back in control at their Brisbane fortress.

But the pendulum swung again as England’s bowlers scythed through the hosts’ top order.

After replacing Matt Renshaw in the squad, opener Cameron Bancroft’s first bat in his Ashes test debut lasted 19 balls after he nibbled at a teasing ball from Stuart Broad and was caught behind for five.

Number three Usman Khawaja’s problems against spin in the subcontinent followed him home as he was trapped lbw for 11 by Moeen Ali.

The alarm bells began ringing when opener David Warner holed out for 26, pulling paceman Jake Ball straight to Dawid Malan at short mid-wicket to give the Ashes debutant his first wicket in Australia.

And Australia were left reeling at 76 for four when Peter Handscomb was trapped lbw for 14 by James Anderson in the first over after tea.

RESCUE MISSION Once again it fell to Smith to mount a rescue mission and the 28-year-old was a rock through 148 balls as he ground out one of his grittiest half-centuries.

He reached his 22nd test fifty with a single having all but nicked Anderson behind on the first ball faced.

England had been in control at 246 for four in the morning session when momentum shifted away from them but seamer Ball felt his team were well-placed.

“I think we’re in a good position,” he said.

“I think with the turn and a little bit of varied bounce we were quite happy with the (302) score.”

Malan had reached his third half-century in his sixth test, completing a hattrick of fifties for England’s

rookie batsmen after opener Mark Stoneman had 53 on day one and number three James Vince scored 83.

But like his colleagues, Malan squandered the chance by pulling Mitchell Starc straight to a fielder and was out for 56.

The wicket broke a stubborn 83-run partnership with Moeen, and England promptly crumbled.

Denied a wicket on day one when recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine grassed a nick from Vince, spinner Lyon trapped Moeen lbw for 38 and bowled Chris Woakes for a duck in quick succession.

J o n n y Bairstow was caught for nine by Paine skying a pull shot, before Warner took a brilliant, diving catch at leg gully to remove Ball for 14.

Broad was dropped in the deep by Marsh when on 10 but he was out for 20

Steven Smith lifted his side with a vital halfcentury ©Getty Images

pulling Josh Hazlewood to Handscomb, bringing an end to England’s innings.

Starc captured 3-77 and Cummins 3-85 for Australia.

(Reuters)

Virtual starts to become a reality for top clubs C utting edge virtual reality technology, allowing football clubs to return players to match situations and for the injured to get ‘match sharp’, is being tested and used by top English and European clubs.

The technology, developed by Manchester-based company Mi Hiepa, is currently being employed by four Premier League clubs and teams in Italy and Germany are also trialling the platform.

For contractual and confidentiality reasons, the clubs cannot be identified but they include some of the biggest in the Premier League and Europe.

“We believe this is a revolutionary product that will help players come back from injury sooner, help players be more cognitively aware, help better decision-making on the field and prepare them for pressure situations during games,” said Andy Etches, sporting director of Mi Hiepa.

The system allows a club to input their existing match data to recreate game situations which a player can then ‘re-enter’ when he puts on the headset, with two small, light devices attached to his boots and shin pads.

The platform also features a series of drills which will allow players to practise their skills, such as passing, and develop their reactions and decision-making abilities.

That could be particularly valuable to players returning from injury lay-offs who would be able to sharpen themselves up to match speed without the risk of physical contact. ”We can do a range of no impact, low load, rehabilitation movements, where you have players going through the typical muscle memory rebuilding. We fire in all the neural pathways between the brain and the foot to ensure that the player is staying sharp during the period of recovery.

“It is reaction time that is lost typically and we ought to be able to limit that through daily interaction. We have been told that the loss of reaction time can be 60 percent during recovery and we believe that we eliminate that or drastically reduce that by putting players back into match situations,” added Etches.

While designed for use by elite clubs, the platform developed by a team headed by Mi Hiepa development director Adam Dickinson, who previously worked for EA, the

company behind the popular FIFA video game, could be scaled for individual players at home.

Mike Phelan, former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and an ex-player of the club, has used the platform and, through the Burnley-based company Sensible Soccer, of which he is chairman, is among those with distribution deals for the product.

“It is certainly unique and different,” Phelan told Reuters, “I think most coaches would see advantages, small gains advantages,

in using the system.”

Phelan said one element that coaches find useful is being able to view situations from the player’s perspective.

“It is interesting to be able to be the player. As a coach we talk to players and show them things but with this the coach can actually be involved in the scenarios that the players encounter,” he said.

As well as ‘re-playing’ situations, the platform allows for preparation for possible scenarios ahead of a game.

“You can programme the platform to show you a game, a certain situation or a certain player and then live it,” he said.

While the contemporary football manager is now well used to dealing with sports science, analytics and other technological developments, Phelan believes VR could become established as part of the mix at clubs.

“You could use it at academy level, use it with injuries, use it with senior elite football players,” he said.

“There are gains to be made in football, be that individually or collectively. We know the market today in football: everyone wants that little bit more, to be a little bit different and there is an opportunity with this system to develop something, create something and get the reward at the end.” (Reuters)

saturDAY, november 25, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Conferences and retreats – full service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne Weddings and anniversaries: Rental or full service: Banquet Hall & Catering. Aracari Resort 264-2946 Alex Wayne

EDUCATION Jean offers courses in dress-making, curtain designs, floral arrangement, cake decorating 670-2653/ 638-8449

JOB OPENING Administrative Assistant for Pro business Builders, we are looking for a highly motivated person to assist a corporate executive and be a part of our team.

Your spoken and written English are superb. Send resume to jannessa.kalloo@probusinessbuilders.com

NOTICE With regards to the notice of Sunday October 8th, 2017 placed by one Raymond Anthony also known as Raymond Ramos who is claiming prescriptive rights to both properties at 3128 Buttercup Place, South Ruimveldt Park and 469 Kiskadee Drive, South Ruimveldt Gardens, take notice that this claim by Raymond Anthony/Ramos is totally false and incorrect. The only person who has absolute rights and interest to both properties is Mr. Sydney Bunbary.

property for sale Two-storey concrete, 4-bedroom, one self-contained, two bathrooms, toilet. 2320 Tuschen, E.B.E. $20M, price negotiable.

Phone 664-9310 or 626-8190.

FOR SALE Mercedez Benz C200, Model-2009.

Immaculate condition. Contact number: 616-5933

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

WANTED Maid Needed. Contact Tony: 218-0167 Waitress for bar 612-2522

spiritualist Lalita Mahadevi Spiritualist Center.

Baba is specialised in name and date of birth reading, patra reading and book opening. He is an expert in removing black magic, enmity, bad luck and gives permanent protections. Solutions will be given to love, health, marriage, business, sexual problems and much more. Call him on 660-1938 or 618-6569. Take that number again: 660-1938 or 618-6569

Business upliftment, marriage problems, pregnancy, remove blockage impotent and many more. Tel: 6121608, 683-5228 Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 651-9663/600-7719.

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

Call:

223-7230 Ext 50

sports

Floodlights, Regal and Sunrisers record wins

T

he Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) continued its weekly round of intense 20 over matches at the Demerara Cricket Club Ground (DCC) with wins for Floodlights, Regal and Sunrisers.

Floodlights defeated Fisherman Masters by 57 runs after making 1605 in 20 overs, thanks to a fine innings of 58 from Vishwanauth Lutchman and John Sumir 35. Robert Mohan grabbed 2-25 for the Fishermen who were bowled out for 103 in 14 overs.

Veteran opening batsman Yunis Yusuf; top-scored with 23 following Imitaz Mohamed’s burst of 4-29.

Regal Masters whipped Ariel Masters by 4 wick-

Softball action will continue at the Demerara Cricket Club this weekend

ets after knocking over the latter for 106 in 18.5

overs. Mohamed Rafeek hit 40 but Parsaram Persaud

pulled things back for Regal with returns of 5-8. Regal

Diamond Mineral Water Hockey festival

Mixed fortunes

for top clubs on day 2

I

t was a night of mixed fortunes for clubs participating in the 13th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The ruthless Pepsi Hikers put on another impressive show of hockey skills on Thursday as they chalked up their second victory in of the tournament over Bounty GCC The marquee matchup did not disappoint the crowd as the game saw action throughout the match with a fine display of skill from both teams and an exciting finish.

In the very first minute of play, the GCC men seemed to be caught sleeping as a Shane Samuels pass from deep defence found a free Robert France in the scoring circle. France made a swift drag to his right before sending his shot into the net past the advancing GCC goalkeeper Medroy Scotland.

Although GCC would equalize five minutes later through a Peter DeGroot penalty stroke, the Hikers kept themselves ahead ever so slightly throughout the match with GCC keeping themselves within striking distance. The Hikers scored three more field goals in the half through Randy Hope, Quin Clarke and a brilliant solo run by Shane Samuels while GCC’s Dwayne Scott scored once more for GCC. With the halftime score at 4-2 in favour of the Hikers,

Dominique De Groot of Pizza Hut GCC battles with an Old Fort player

each team would manage to add 4 more to their tally in the high-scoring affair that saw the Hikers emerge with the 8-6 victory.

Hikers Captain France and Shane Samuels added one each to their first half totals while Aroydy Branford and Devin Munroe completed the team’s list of goal scorers.

GCC’s Peter DeGroot scored twice more to complete a hatrick for the match while Mark Sargeant and Orland Semple were the other goal scorers.

Earlier GCC Vintage took on Antonio’s Hickers and dispatched of them 6-2.

Patrick Edghill bagged a hat-trick while Alan Fernandes, Phillip

Fernandes and Dwayne Scott netted a goal apiece.

The Hickers goals came courtesy of Devin Munroe and Alex Gouveia.

The Pizza Hut GCC Ladies disposed of Old Fort Shooting Stars 6-2. Three goals in both halves ensured that Pizza Hut took away maximum points.

Kerensa Fernandes was once again among the goals netting a hat-trick while her teammates Tiffany Solomon, Carina Moller and Gabriella Xavier had a goal each. Scoring for Old Fort was Candacy Glen and Minsodia Culpepper.

In the Men’s division Old Fort were dominant with a 7-2 win over Saints.

Jason De Santos and Jason

Clark bagged a brace each for the winners with Jael Gaskin, Omar Hopkinson and Akeem Hope scoring a goal each.

Hilton Chester and Edmond Chinian were the scorers for Saints.

The Queens Park Hockey club out of Trinidad was ruthless in their 13-1 win over Mixed Nuts.

Scoring for Queens Park was Jordan Veira, Akim Toussaint, Matthew Tang Nian and Mahinder Malli while Onasis Fraser had the only goal for the Mixed Nuts.

Action continues daily at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall until Sunday when the finals will be played.

21

then ended on 110-6 with Mahendra Arjune smashing 36.

Parika Defenders suffered a 5 wickets defeat at the hands of Sunrisers after their 124-9 proved too small of a total Oswald Chandla defied with 31after Gopaul Deen ripped through the attack to end with 5-16. In reply, Sunrisers ended on 1255 with Deen leading the way with 40.

Fixtures for this weekend include; Floodlights versus Regal Masters on Pitch one from 10:00hrs while Speedboat takes on Regal All Stars from 13:00hrs.

Meanwhile Pitch 2 will see Wellman tackling Sunrisers from 10:00hrs and at 13:00hrs Success will lock horns win Farm XI.

Watling not fit to take gloves for Windies Test

N

ew Zealand will be without regular wicketkeeper BJ Watling for at least the first Test against the Windies as the player has failed to recover from a niggling injury.

Watling, who has not missed a Test match for the Black Caps since 2013, has missed out on wicketkeeping duties for his local club Northern District for the last four matches due to an ongoing hip problem. The player has, however, for now remained a part of the squad as a batsman, but could fail to feature in the series entirely.

Should Watling miss out the uncapped Tom Blundell is favourite to take the role although the decision won't be confirmed until after the New Zealand A match against Windies.

Blundell will start behind the stumps for New Zealand ‘A’ in the threeday warm-up match, scheduled to begin on Saturday in Lincoln. The squad has, however, been hit by other injuries with Martin Guptill (hamstring), Colin Munro (ill), Adam Milne (back) and Scott Kuggeleijn (ill) all withdrawing from the team. The Windies will face New Zealand in a two-Test series beginning on December 1. The twoTest series will be followed by three ODIs and three T20Is. (Sportsmax)

22

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

“I will let the runs do the talking”

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

…as Gajanand Singh eyes Jaguars Super50 spot

By Akeem Greene

C

ricket Guyana Inc (CGI) 50-over league enters its third round today and Lower Corentyne’s batsman Gajanand Singh is focused on having a prolific season to catapult into the Guyana Jaguars squad for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Super50 tournament next January.

Since the stylish left-handed batsman had a productive outing with the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in January at the University of West Indies T20 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, his career has gone north as he managed to secure a stint with the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the Caribbean

Premier League (CPL) and then made a return to national colours for a T20 series in Antigua.

Now with a chance of returning to the 50-over team, Singh is planning on letting his numbers be judge for possible selection.

“It always good to get runs under my belt whenever team is being selected, I will be aiming to get some good scores and let the runs speak for itself”, the 30 yearold told Guyana Times Sport.

A career which started in the middle-order with and contained suitcase filled with shots, his ‘second coming’ in regional cricket has seen him fashioned into an opening batsmen or in a some cases a ‘pinch hitter’. However, the man from Cumberland, East Canjie, Berbice says should he

be selected he will play whatever role the squad requires.

“I started as a middle-order batsmen and my recent form at the top over the last year has been my best but whatever role the team sees it fit I fill, I will play that role and do it to the best of my ability”.

A former West Indies under 19 player, Singh would have made his List A debut in 2008 against Windward Islands at Blairmont but only two matches under his belt with the last coming the same year against Canada.

With Jaguars last winning a title in 2005, Singh contended that a positive approach would be needed by the squad to garner success.

“I know it has been a while since we won the title but you have to remain positive. It is important during matches you win key moments, key situations.

Each player must know their role and give it 100%”.

Prior to the start of the 50over league the batsman would have spent time in the United States of America, playing his trade, which has given him the necessary confidence and form.

“Playing some white ball cricket in Florida was great, it was a T20 competition but I got some good scores. In 4 matches I scored over 200 runs so it was good to spend time in the middle.

Any opportunities I get to best prepare I will use it”, Singh declared.

Playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Singh showcased signs that he is nearing his vintage best yet again

GCA/Noble Darren Sammy Stadium swimming in debt House/NBS

T

he Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia once again found itself heavily indebted as a wave of unpaid bills continues to flood the institution, reports claim.

It is claimed that the facility currently owes both island’s utility companies, the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) somewhere in the

A view of the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground

region of US$115, 672.71 for bills that date back as far as three years. Reports indicate that water has been cut off at the facility, but it still has access to light.

It isn’t the first occasion that the facility has found itself in the headlines for unpaid bills. In January 2012 it was revealed that the venue had fallen behind to the tune of US$200,000.

On that occasion the ven-

ue, previously known as the Beauséjour Stadium, but was renamed to the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in 2016, was bailed out by the National Lotteries Authority as the Sports St. Lucia Incorporated the managers of the facility were unable to meet the expenses. In the past, the facility has also had troubles paying National Insurance Corporation( NIC) dues.

(Sportsmax)

Grimmond backing Georgetown to rebound

G

eorgetown franchise Coach Clive Grimmond is optimistic his team can regroup following a loss and Thursday’s rained out affair versus table leaders Essequibo when round two of the 2017 Jaguars 50 Overs League continued.

After suffering a huge 131-run loss in the first round at the hands of Lower Corentyne, Georgetown were seeking to retaliate against current table-toppers Essequibo in round two before rain washed out the Everest Cricket Ground as well as the encounter.

After the match was called off by officials due to the waterlogged outfield, Grimmond told <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> that he was a bit disappointed about the washed out game as his team was eager to go out and make amends for a disastrous opening round.

First game we lost, but we have a strong side and I had a chat with the guys so it’s just pick up and go from here. We’re just a bit disappointed about today’s weather, so it’s a point each for both teams and we’ll be looking forward to the upcoming rounds”, said the Coach.

Following the Regional 4-Day break which runs a little over a week, the Guyana Jaguars players have not slacked up and as such majority of them have already turned out for their respective franchises; including Georgetown skipper Leon Johnson who’s now back with his team for a

few matches.

Grimmond believed that with Johnson back in the side, even if it’s temporary; the team will rally around the national cricket captain and find their groove before the tournament concludes. “Having the skipper back is a big boost, he’s a very serious man and he’s very enthusiastic about his cricket, I would have love to see them perform under him today (Thursday) but as I said the weather took its toll”.

Despite a bevy of stars in their side, Georgetown currently sits in 7th spot, a position higher than the last placed team East Coast, following the two rounds but their Coach is nevertheless upbeat about the franchise improving their cricket individually and as a team.

He was also cautious about the approach taken thus far by most teams, with regards to their overly aggressive batting which has so far resulted in teams ending up with low totals, adding that he wants his players to bat aggressively but sensibility and play out their allotted 50 overs.

“As I said the one day squad is a very good team on paper but we can’t just play off of paper, the spin bowling department is so strong that even a guy like Gajanan Suknanan can’t make the side.

Our batting is strong; we have about five openers but our team talk and practice we would try to talk about what we need to do”. He ended.

Clive Grimmond doing some work with Guyana/ Georgetown skipper Leon Johnson

2nd Division cricket continues

T

he Georgetown C r i c k e t Association’s (GCA) weekend fixtures continue with the Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division and the New Building Society 40-Over 2nd Division Cricket Competitions.

On Saturday November 25, GYO and Transport will battle at the Gandhi Ground while GCC tackle Diplomats at Eve Leary and Sophia will play Malteenoes at the Malteenoes Cricket Club Ground. All three matches will bowl off from 10:30am at the respective venues.

Also on Saturday, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground will see the home team DCC playing GNIC while over at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Ground; the home team will come up against Ace Warriors. Everest then do battle with the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) team.

Meanwhile, on Sunday November 26 at the Turkeyen Ground MYO and UG will face each other while Third Class and GNIC do battle at the GNIC Ground.

5

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 25, 2017

Joshua Persaud

23

Guyanese in West Indies U-19 World Cup squad G

uyanese are all-rounders Bhaskar Yadram and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, opener Raymond Perez, wicket-keeper/batsman Joshua Persaud and spinner Ashmead Nedd have been named in the West Indies Under-19, 15-member World Cup squad to participate in an 11-day camp in St. Kitts and Nevis according to a Cricket West Indies release on Friday.

Their selection is reward for outstanding individual performances in this year’s Regional Under-19 tournament. The camp, which will run from December 1020, is the last round of preparation before they depart the region on December 28.

Windies Under-19s are the defending champions for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, New Zealand 2018. The tournament runs from January 13 to February 3.

Head Coach Graeme West expressed excite-

ment at the team chosen, “It’s an exciting time for these guys now that they’ve discovered they’re going to be going to a World Cup. It’s a bit of a younger side than the last one we took to Bangladesh. However, we have a very established, experienced batting group, with the likes of Kirstan Kallicharan and Emmanuel Stewart who went to the last World Cup.” West thinks there will be “a lot more attention on the West Indies in this tournament, after the last tournament and title in Bangladesh. In the group stage, we’re in a very tough group as the #1 seeds, so we’re going to have to hit the ground running, just to succeed in the group stage.”

The team is scheduled to depart the region on December 28. A one-week camp will be held in New Zealand prior to the start of the World Cup. SQUAD READS: Emmanuel Stewart – Captain (Windward

Ronaldo Alimohamed (Photos courtesy of Royston Alkins)

Islands- Grenada), Kirstan Kallicharan – Vice Captain (Trinidad & Tobago),

Georgetown Zone "Guinness of the Streets" Football

Sparta pass stern test on opening night – Future Stars perfect

O

n Thursday’s opening night of the Georgetown zone of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets, early favourites Sparta Boss faced a stern test while Future Stars were dominant on the Cultural Center Tarmac.

Sparta Boss needed a late “Guinness Goal” to beat Ol Skool

were rewarded for their persistence in the 14th minute through an Omari James goal, however Sparta rallied in the final moments of the game for Eusi Phillips to net a Guinness Goal which meant that Sparta won 2-1.

Established favourites Future Stars breezed past East Front Road winning 6-1. Akeemo Anthony net-

Action on the opening night of "Guinness Greatest of the Streets" (Georgetown Zone)

Ballers. The “Guinness Goal” is a new rule implemented by the organisers, if a team scores in the final three minutes it is counted as two goals.

Ol Skool Ballers were defensively sound for most of the game and posed a threat to Sparta offensively. They

ted a brace scoring in the first and eight minutes while Jamal Cozier and Rafael Edwards added two more in the 13th and 17th minutes respectively. Kevin Griffith scored in the 20th minute which meant he was awarded a Guinness Goal which took Future

Stars tally to 6, grabbing a consolation for East Front road was Kenroy Demonick in the 11th minute.

Earlier in the night GTI Ballers beat Bad-A-Yard 4-0 while Broad Street needled Stabroek Ballers courtesy of a Daniel Favourite goal in the 9th minute.

Kingston disposed of North East La Penitence 2-0 and Gold is Money held off Smyth Street for a 1-0 victory with Jamal Pedro netting in the 14th minute.

A Travis Grant double and a goal from Eon Alleyne ensured North Ruimveldt had a comfortable 3-0 win over Judgement Yard.

Bent Street got off on a winning note against Norton Street with a 2-0 win while Sophia Bullies also bullied their way to a 2-0 win over Tucville.

Channel-9 Warriors defeated Gaza Squad 2-0 while Upsetters needed penalty kicks to beat Alexander Village New Market Street disposed of Festival City 2-0 while California Square had a dominant 4-0 win over Tiger Bay. Action will continue this evening in Albouystown from 19:00hrs (Michelangelo Jacobus)

Ronaldo Ali Mohammed(Guyana), Alick Athanaze(Windward Islands-

Dominica), Cephas Cooper(Trinidad & Tobago), Jarion Hoyte(Barbados), Kimani Melius(Windward Islands- St. Lucia), Ashmead Nedd(Guyana), Kian Pemberton(Leeward Islands- St.Kitts & Nevis), Raymond Perez- (Guyana), Joshua Persaud- (Guyana), Jeavor Royal- (Jamaica), Keagan Simmons- (Trinidad & Tobago), Bhaskar Yadram(Guyana) and Nyeem Young- (Barbados).

RESERVES: Brad Barnes- (Jamaica), Joshua Bishop- (Barbados) and Javier Spencer- (Leeward IslandsAntigua & Barbuda).

M A N A G E M E N T TEAM: Graeme West(Head Coach), Dwain Gill- (Team Operations Manager), Corey Collymore(Assistant Coach), Khevyn Williams(Physiotherapist), Zephyrinus Nicholas(Strength & Conditioning Coach) and Dinesh Mahabir- (Analyst).

2017 GCB/Jaguars 50-Over League Round 3…

Teams looking to regroup after rain-affected 2nd round

F

ollowing a semi rain-interrupted second round, teams will now be shifting focus to round three of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Jaguars 50 Overs League which bowls off today. Action will see East Coast playing Georgetown at Enterprise, while Essequibo battle East Bank at the Imam Bacchus Ground in Essequibo.

Defending champions Lower Corentyne will tackle Upper Corentyne at the Albion Ground and West Berbice will face West Demerara at Bush Lot Ground.

Round two on Tuesday saw the game at Everest between Georgetown and Essequibo and Upper Corentyne and West Demerara Tuschen; being abandoned without a

Leon Johnson

ball being bowled, due to rain.

East Coast suffered a six run loss at the hands of West Berbice in another low-scoring encounter. West Berbice were bowled out for 145 in 37.2 after spinner Amir Khan grabbed 4-33 but East Coast chasing a low total, were then rattled for 140 despite knocks from; Chandrapaul Hemraj (35), Kamesh Yadram (29) and Khan (30).

West Indies A and Guyana Jaguars pacer Keon Joseph had a good match with 3-17 while Stephen Harris bowled well to end with 4-15 for West Berbice.

Lower Corentyne recorded an easy 8 wicket win over East Bank in another low-scoring match, after East Bank folded for 99 in 31.1 despite Sherfane Rutherford’s 22. Off-spinner Sharaz Ramcharran bagged 4-20 with support coming from ace left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who opted to play for his franchise following the Regional 4-Day break, making full use of his time by snatching up 3-17.

National youth batsman Kevlon Anderson who made 40 and veteran Gajanand Singh who chipped in with 37; were the stars for Lower Corentyne during the chase which they completed in 22.4 overs to end on 102-2. Round three’s matches are set to bowl off form 9:00am, weather permitting.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Ashmead Nedd

Ryamond Perez

5 Guyanese in West Indies U-19 World Cup squad Bhaskar Yadram

Diamond Mineral Water Hockey festival Pg 21

Mixed fortunes for top clubs on day 2 Trinidad national striker Akim Toussant on the attack for Queen’s Park against Mixed Nuts

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Sport: sport@guyanatimesgy.com Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.