Guyana Times Sunday October 6, 2019

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4068 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Guyana “not even close” to having requisite oil & gas expertise – EPA Head

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Modular oil refinery for Guyana should be P7 explored – economist

– says Govt should reverse brain drain Oil and gas sector

1% royalty only small part of contract – Tullow Page 10

…says production sharing main revenue source for Guyana

– says Guyana could earn less than 10% going through middlemen

Gunmen P7 storm Berbice vendor’s home Swift response needed during flooding – Leguan residents P12 …say improved defence structure a priority

These young dancers perform a cultural piece on Saturday evening at Dusshera (Navratri) Garba Night (dance) at the Indian Cultural Centre (Dexter Ceres photo)

North Ruimveldt man killed during home invasion Page 9

…gunmen escape with TV, $11,000

Carl Greenidge renounces Page 14 UK citizenship …expresses interest in APNU/AFC candidates’ list

More 8-hour power outages for Georgetown, ECD P13

Albouystown gunman shot P14 twice

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SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

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

Sunday, October 6 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Monday, October 7 – 13:00-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, October 6 – 10:25h – 11:55h and Monday, October 7 – 12:10h – 13:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine with intervals of light rain showers are expected. There will be clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to South South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:13h and 22:36h reaching maximum heights of 2.04 metres and 2.08 metres.

Low Tide: 03:34h and 16:03h reaching minimum heights of 1.03 metres and 1.23 metres.

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Guyana “not even close” to having requisite oil & gas expertise – EPA Head …says Govt should reverse brain drain

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ith first oil just around the corner, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Head, Dr Vincent Adams has admitted that Guyana is “not even close” to having the requisite expertise to manage the oil and gas sector.

He made this admission during a public policy talk facilitated by the Guyana Budget Policy Institute on Saturday evening at the Regency Suites Hotel. Dr Adams shared the panel with a number of political and oil and gas commentators, including Christopher Ram, Charles Ramson and Sasenarine Singh.

“This is very, very new to us. When oil and gas was discovered, the environmental laws and regulations were written in 1996.

So we are now admittedly in our infancy stage. We do not have our national regulations. We do not have the expertise or capacity, not even close,” Adams said.

Adams used as an example the difficulty EPA is faced with in hiring the professionals it needs, particularly those in science and engineering. According to Adams, the University of Guyana (UG) has not been much help in this regard.

There is some good news, however, as he noted that they are in the process of finalising the oil and gas unit, with the assistance of the World Bank. According to Adams, the unit will have approximately 35 to 40 staff, fully dedicated to the sector.

“For the past seven months, they’ve been helping me put together an oil and gas unit and I think we’re just about to finalise it, where we have 36 or 40 people, just designated for oil and gas oversight”.

“Of course, we’d need high-powered engineers and scientists and some other managers that without question, I know are not available in this country. So that’s going to be another challenge. How can we get them on board, to get them to manage this sector in an effective manner?”

The EPA Head also cited the potential role the diaspora could play in Guyana’s oil sector, as he noted that the disadvantage of hiring foreigners versus Guyanese nationals includes the money it will take to pay them.

“It’s going to cost us a lot more money for expertise coming from outside, rather than nationals. I think the diaspora is a major resource of talent that we ought to be using. As many of us know, the migration that we had, we need to turn that socalled brain drain back into gain,” he said.

Government has come under much criticisms in the past few years for seemingly being bested by oil companies during negotiations

EPA Head, Dr Vincent Adams

for contracts and production-sharing agreements.

In the case of Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, he claimed to have acted under orders when he agreed to a one per cent recoverable royalty with UK oil company, Tullow.

In the case of the environment, the Government has been criticised for the delay in approving an oil spill contingency plan, after the EPA promised one would be completed by mid2019. Guyana’s last taste of an environmental disaster was a cyanide spill in 1995.

In gold mining, cyanide is used as an extracting agent for the ore. In the case of Guyana’s cyanide spill, the highly poisonous material spilled out of a reservoir into the Essequibo River.

Since ExxonMobil announced its oil find in the Liza-1 well in 2015, a pertinent question has been the capacity of the relevant agencies to protect the environment in case of an oil spill. It is a topic that has regularly been raised at public lectures.

Previously, President David Granger commissioned Guyana’s first oil spill response opera-

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is home to a diaspora unit

tion service at the Gaico Wharf at Nismes, West Bank Demerara: Gaico Oil Spill Response Operation Services. The service was set up as a pre-emptive measure against probable spillage once production commences in the future.

A study by the EPA had found that while an oil spill was possible, factors such as the location of ExxonMobil affiliates’ operations, combined with the region’s water temperature would min-

imise the effects.

On the side of the Government, it is understood that efforts have been underway to train and build capacity in the Natural Resources Ministry. When it comes to the oil spill contingency plan, a workshop was organised in March of this year to work on the draft.

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Head, Colonel Kester Craig was recently quoted saying that the long overdue plan was almost complete.

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

Saving the democratic transition

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n October 5, 1992, with the return of “free and fair elections”, Guyana joined what the Harvard scholar Samuel Huntington had only the year before dubbed “The Third Wave: Democratisation in the late 20th century”.

Referring to the initial wave in the 18th and 19th century led by the US and France, and the second in the decolonisation era following WWII, Huntington noted the structural factors that undergirded the third wave after authoritarian relapses in the preceding decades.

For Guyana, the external factor was the fall of the Berlin Wall, which symbolised the end of the polarising Cold War between the US and USSR: the return of the PPP did not threaten the US strategic interests in the hemisphere. The internal factor was posited as the collapse of the economy occasioned by the PNC’s disastrous policies which led to a crushing debt burden. However, when the PNC retained 42% of the vote, the same percentage it had amassed in the last free and fair elections 28 years before, and the new party the WPA, which had presumably created a “multiracial” constituency was wiped out, it signalled that the old ethnic political cleavages had remained intact.

In 1989, the PNC Government, under the leadership of Desmond Hoyte, had accepted the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) from the IMF, in return for returning Guyana to solvency even though the loans acquired during the previous decades now totalled US$2.1 billion, with the accumulated interests. Guyana now had one of the highest per capita debt burden. Under the new economic regime of liberalisation, stabilisation and privatisation, dubbed the “Washington Consensus”, Desmond Hoyte’s PNC Government allowed the economy to return closer to its production possibility frontier, with concomitant higher growth rates.

The task for the PPP after 1992 was to complete the transition of democracy by deepening the substantive aspects as it related to the lives of the people. One area of its focus was “poverty reduction” and in this area, its success was palpable.

In 1992, the critical poverty rate was 28.7% and the moderate rate 43.2% but by 1999, this had been reduced to 19.1% and 36.3% respectively. What was interesting, was in 1992, the poverty rates of African Guyanese were far higher than those of Indian Guyanese, but by 1999, the gaps had been closed.

The poverty rates of the Indigenous Guyanese, unfortunately, remained stubbornly high.

Yet, against that background, the PNC accused the PPP Government of “discrimination” and after the 1997 elections, of “voters’ fraud” and set into motion forces that undermined our democratic transition. Elections protests segued into violent attacks on innocent citizens and the State by gunmen claiming to be “freedom fighters”, lasted through the decade 1998-2008. In spite of that, elections continued to be free under the PPP Government and economic conditions continued to improve.

Bharrat Jagdeo-led negotiations with bilateral and multilateral lenders had most of the debt burden written off and the funds saved were ploughed back into the economy which grew from a Highly Indebted Poor Country into a Middle Income Economy. For most of the first decade of the millennium, Guyana was the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean.

The politics, however, became more polarised, with the PNC insisting that, contra to all evidence, its African-based constituency was being discriminated against. In such an environment, democracy becomes more difficult to maintain since the moderating and centripetal influence of a “swing vote”, which bases its political choices on issues rather than primordial loyalties, is reduced. The PPP, to its credit, however, did not deviate from its value-free economic policies or its commitment to free and fair elections.

As such, it accepted the diminution of its support to a plurality in 2011 and to a razor-thin minority in 2015, when it became the Opposition. Since then, unfortunately, the PNC, in coalition with some smaller parties, has combined its polarising policies with a disregard for the Constitution, which further threatens our democratic transition.

The elections of 2020 will allow Guyanese to defuse that threat.

A performance of a cultural dance during the Dusshera (Navratri) Garbra Night (dance) at the Indian Cultural Centre on Saturday evening (Dexter Ceres photo)

US military says Venezuela’s Maduro “increasingly isolated” A

top US military commander says embattled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is slowly but surely losing his grip on power, forced to rely on countries like Cuba and Russia, and even on drug cartels, to stay in office.

“Isolation is working,” the commander of US Southern Command, Admiral Craig Faller, told reporters in Washington Friday, referring to international economic sanctions aimed at forcing Maduro to step down.

“The US Government’s objective of seeing a democratic transition to a legitimate interim government led by President Juan Guaidó is working,” he added, calling Maduro “increasingly isolated”.

The United States, along with more than 50 other countries, has been calling on Maduro to step down following his 2018 re-election, charging the vote was rigged and instead recognising Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim President.

Economic sanctions

Washington has slapped the South American country with repeated economic sanctions aimed at eroding Maduro’s support. Most recently, the US sanctioned three Panamanian companies and one from Cyprus that have been shipping oil from Venezuela to Cuba.

Faller, who oversees the use of US military forces in much of Central and South America, said Friday it is clear that Maduro cannot hold out indefinitely.

“We have a dictator, an illegitimate leader being propped up by Cuba, Russia and to some extent, a lesser extent, China,” Faller said.

“Nearly 100% of the presidential guard is now Cubans,” he said. “There are

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro gestures as he speaks during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela

hundreds of Russian contractors and forces in Venezuela, as we speak”.

In addition to providing Maduro with troops and weapons, Moscow has also served as a financial lifeline for Venezuela, extending the country more than $17 billion in loans and credit since 2006.

Earlier this week, Russia said Venezuela’s debt was a topic of conversation when Maduro visited Moscow last week.

But US officials say while Moscow remains interested in maintaining its traditional alliance with Venezuela, in part to preserve arms sales, its interest in Maduro may only go so far.

“I see Maduro being increasingly isolated and increasingly manipulated by Russia,” Faller said.

“Frankly, at the end of the day, the Russians want his money, to pay back the debt that he owes them”.

Feeling squeezed

In the meantime, US officials say they see indications

that even with Moscow’s help, Maduro and his supporters are feeling squeezed by international sanctions.

No longer able to make enough money off of Venezuela’s state-run industries, they say Maduro has been increasingly active in selling gold on the black market.

Faller also said Maduro has been working with transnational drug cartels, going as far as to let them fly narcotics out of Venezuela using commercial airlines.

Maduro, on Monday, rejected talk that his government was struggling for cash, saying he was laughing at the latest sanctions.

He also seized on the start of the impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump, saying allegations the US leader used his position to seek damaging information against a political opponent were not at all surprising.

“That’s what Donald Trump does every day against Venezuela,” Maduro said during a news confer-

ence in Caracas. “If they checked all [Trump’s] calls in the last year, they would find enough evidence to prove the abuse of power against noble Venezuela”.

In addition to sanctions, Trump and other US officials have also hinted at the possible use of military power to force Maduro from office.

“It’s certainly not our desire to see any military intervention. We want a peaceful transfer of power,” former US National Security Adviser John Bolton told VOA this past August. “But nobody should think that we’re going to allow this to continue”.

For now, though, Southern Command’s Faller said economic and diplomatic efforts should be allowed to ratchet up the pressure on the Maduro regime.

“We’re ready. We’re on the balls of our feet,” Faller said. “The planning that we’re doing is focused on the day after, when a legitimate Government is in place”. (VOA News)

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

Widespread dissatisfaction with performance of Govt Dear Editor, The findings of tracking opinion polls conducted in early July and early August placed PPP Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali in the lead among potential Opposition candidates for President against the incumbent David Granger.

The polls also queried voters about the most important issues facing the nation, including the handling of the budding oil and gas industry, holding elections, GECOM, and confidence in the country’s future, among other critical matters.

The polls were conducted by this writer on behalf of the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA), which has been doing surveys in Guyana since the early 1990s. Similar polls were conducted by this writer in February and April of this year, to determine popular support for the political parties and issues impacting the population.

Respondents were interviewed to represent the demographics of the population. A poll provides an estimate of support for a party or candidate at a particular juncture in time.

Support changes (up or down, or may remain constant) over time.

The findings of the NACTA poll in August revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of the Government in a variety of areas. Voters complained about the crime rate, economy, governance,

rising prices, health sector, joblessness, racism, education neglect, and infrastructure, among other matters.

People also vented complaints about arrogance of several Government officials.

The Government received praise for road work and some other projects.

Some 64 per cent gave the Government a negative rating, with 30 per cent giving it a positive rating and 6 per cent gave no rating or a neutral rating. Almost everyone was dissatisfied with the Government’s handling of crime, the contracts with the oil companies, and the holding of timely elections relating to the no-confidence vote.

Some two-thirds felt elections should have been held soon after the CCJ’s ruling on the issue on June 18. Almost everyone was displeased with GECOM for its lack of readiness to hold elections, as required by the Constitution.

Seventy per cent were unhappy with the handling of the economy. People did not express much confidence in the future of the country, even with oil production on the horizon, which is expected to transform the economy. Asked if the country is moving in the right or wrong direction, a whopping 84 per cent said “wrong direction”.

Almost everyone feels the contracts on royalties and profit sharing should be renegotiated with the oil companies.

Asked who has the

best chance among potential Opposition candidates (Lenox Shuman of LJP, Ralph Ramkarran of ANUG, Vishnu Bandhu of URP, Irfaan Ali of PPP, among others) to unseat David Granger as President, the overwhelming majority said Ali. The PPP poses the greatest challenge to the ruling coalition, although the minor parties also have some support.

The July and August polls found a competitive contest between the APNU/ AFC coalition and the PPP, with the minor parties, ANUG and LJP, trailing way behind but gaining representation in Parliament.

Earlier NACTA polls (through 2018 and earlier this year) had PPP in the lead.

With the elections some six months away, support for the parties is expected to change. It is too early to tell which party or candidate will triumph on March 2. The political situation is dynamic. Updated polls are needed to determine support for the potential presidential candidates and their parties.

The media is urged to commission polls to determine popular support for the parties. The political parties are advised to conduct internal polls to test their voter strength, and plan their campaign accordingly.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (pollster and political analyst)

A complete failure Dear Editor, I am a business owner in Calendar Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, and I am faced with a very unhealthy situation, which the Guyana Water Inc has the responsibility for.

At the end of every month when I receive a bill from GWI, a sewage fee is accounted for in my bill but when the sewage is clogged up they do not want to look at it. This situation has been reported to GWI since March 2019 to now, October 2019, but the only response I received from them since is “we will let the

sanitation crew come and get it look”. Since this situation started in March, every day I am told that the sanitation crew is coming, but they cannot reach yet. On Friday a call was returned by the utility company and they asked about the situation. When the situation was being related to the person on the phone, he, in turn, responded “you can’t explain with attitude”. The situation is terrible and the odour is much to the annoyance to neighbours.

Neighbours complain daily but I cannot do anything and it depends on GWI’s lackadai-

sical approach.

Yours truly, Harikrishnan John

Commitment to help ensure a peaceful, stable, prosperous future for Guyana Dear Editor, In my capacity as President of the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) and Chair of the Private Sector Council of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), I wrapped up on Friday a series of engagements in Washington, DC with officials at the US Department of State; some key lawmakers and their staffs on Capitol Hill; and representatives of a number of non-Government and political organisations. These engagements had to do primarily with efforts to ensure the renewal of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (old CBI), funding for components of the US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act and activities surrounding the State Department’s designation of 2020 as the Year of the Caribbean. I also participated in two sessions of the Latin America and Caribbean Forecast Forum at the American Association of Chambers of Commerce of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Making African Trade Easy (MATE), a twoday conference and expo held at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.

However, inevitably the current situation in Guyana formed part of the discussions. I will not get into details about my exchanges on this issue other than to say that I totally support the statements issued by the AB and EU countries as well as the Commonwealth and the OAS. I would have preferred an election this year but that is now behind us. My concern now is for a peaceful and stable environment in which free, fair, transparent and verifiable elections can be held which would provide for all the contesting parties to accept the results of the elections and to work together for the future progress and prosperity of Guyana for the benefit of all

Guyanese.

During my stay in Washington, I saw media reports of a tweet from Senator Marco Rubio which made reference to a new Government.

In diplomacy and some national Constitutions and even perhaps political jargon, when reference is made to a new Government following an election, it means whichever party forms the Government including the incumbent.

Unfortunately, certain sections of society were “spinning” the tweet to suggest that Senator Rubio was recommending that the electorate reject the incumbent at the next election and elect a new Government.

I am non-partisan in terms of Guyana’s politics and feel strongly that only in rare cases should foreign elected officials advise on the rejection of any political party contesting an election.

So, I decided that I should seek an audience with the Senator’s office to verify the authenticity and the meaning of the content of the tweet. His office afforded me an audience at short notice and was able to discuss the tweet, the current situation in Guyana, Venezuela’s ongoing claim to Guyana’s territory and maritime space and US/Caricom relations.

On the issue of the tweet, the Senator’s office had the previous afternoon via telephone indicated that the tweet was authentic and that, as it had said earlier that day to some Guyanese journalists including Mark

Benschop via telephone, the tweet was not meant to suggest an endorsement or rejection of any political party contesting the Guyana elections. A spokesperson for the Senator’s office later sent me the following statement indicating that I was free to circulate it: “The Senator’s tweet was not an endorsement to any political party in a sovereign nation.

The future of Guyana is up to the Guyanese people.”

I posted this statement to social media and received significant criticism, some even suggesting it is fake while others questioned whether I was a lobbyist for APNU or the PPP/C. I am not a lobbyist for anyone. In order to be a lobbyist in the US, one has to so register and there are certain conditions under which elected officials must interact with lobbyists. In the case of Senator Rubio, is represents Florida, where I live, and as any good politician would do, he and his staff react to issues and concerns raised by his constituents. I consider the “spin” put on the tweet by certain sections of the media to be unethical, unprofessional and even mischievous.

As indicated earlier, my commitment at this time is to help to ensure a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for Guyana and all Guyanese and I will be doing whatever I can to contribute to this objective.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

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Foundation

Navigate the emotional toll of motherhood and employment …it’s healthy to know that balancing work and family is practically impossible

By Marika Lindholm, PhD

daily grind of aiming for the impossible.

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n 2018, the memoir Becoming by Michelle Obama took the world by storm. It’s been translated into 24 languages and broken numerous sales records. One reason Obama’s memoir resonated with women is that she’s honest about the difficulty of balancing work and family. In fact, she bravely asserts that a true balance is impossible: Sometimes work gets the lion’s share of the attention, and sometimes the focus tips toward the children. The hard truth for working moms is that when our children are under 18, the juggling act is physically and mentally exhausting. Most of us know what we should do for our minds and bodies: Get more sleep, eat better, exercise, and splurge on some self-care rituals. Yet many of us aren’t taking the emotional toll of motherhood seriously enough. We’re so busy managing work and family expectations that we’re lucky if we accomplish even one of our physical goals, let alone addressing the psychological challenges we face. This is why so many of us rejoiced at the First Lady’s candour when she admitted that “leaning in” doesn’t always work. In fact, “leaning in” can lead to burnout, depression, and acute stress.

Day after day, employed mothers are expected to dig deep, shake it off, and move forward without analysing why they might feel so strung out and mentally exhausted. Only social change and policy can fully rectify the immense pressure and demands that are thrust on working moms. Until that day comes, we can take steps to protect our mental health amidst the tug of war between work and family. Here are five suggestions to get you started:

Maintain perspective

It’s critical to see the big picture instead of losing yourself in it. Be aware that the expectations of working motherhood are unrealistic and need to be changed. Does your boss falsely assume that you’re up for frequent travel, or that you’re unwilling to work on weekends? Do co-workers resent you for staying home to take care of a sick child? Instead of

Stop the guilt

Unrealistic expectations are the root of our collective mom guilt. We can’t be all things to our children, and we can’t always be the consummate employee. Unfortunately, society tends to place mom guilt front and centre, but we as mothers don’t have to accept this. If you’ve ever been in therapy, you’re aware that mothering is often under a psychological microscope. But therapy usually reveals that a mother tried her best, given her conditions and experiences. Afford yourself the same analysis. Instead of self-blame, try self-empathy. Compassion is a much healthier emotion.

Motherhood is hard enough; guilt can make it even harder. Let’s cast off the guilt and help moms parent with love, pride, and confidence.

Laugh and play

feeling hurt, speak up. Ideas about work and motherhood are still evolving, so be part of the evolution! When you feel doubtful or insecure, remind yourself of all that you’re balancing and that no one can juggle it all, regardless of the “success stories” in the media or happy Facebook posts that gloss over the hard parts. Employers, friends, family, and even partners can fall back on stereotypes and myths about working moms, but you can’t afford to. Keep it real, and acknowledge the struggle as you do your best.

Build an emotional support network

As a working mom, life is too hard and complicated to skate through unscathed. Whether it’s mansplaining at work or a child struggling at school, we all face challenges that other working moms can relate to. Whether you turn to your tribe to cry together, laugh hysterically, or brainstorm, there is a special beauty in knowing that these people really get it. Don’t turn down opportunities to connect with other working women. Only putting energy into your children, partner, and work won’t offer adequate protection from the very dynamic that’s stressing you out in the first place. An emotional support network is an invaluable buffer from the

Your juggling act won’t always be perfect, so don’t sweat the small stuff. Better yet, learn to laugh at the fact that your briefcase is filled with crayons or your blazer has spitup on the shoulder (true story). Spend time playing with your kids, friends, and family. Having fun and laughing triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feelgood chemicals. Playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress, depression, and anxiety. Play also stimulates your imagination and helps you become a better problem-solver, a trait familiar to all busy moms. So, in the middle of your pressure-filled juggling act, take time to play!

Own your strengths

Are you a superb leader but not that great with toddlers? Or maybe you’re a baby whisperer, but your boss wants you to be more assertive? Working moms often get down on themselves for no good reason. So what if you ordered out for three nights in a row, or your kid watched TV while you had a conference call? We can’t be all things at all times. Focusing on what you do well builds self-esteem and confidence, which can help ward off the inevitable negative emotions. Feeling worthy and practising self-love will yield big payoffs at home and at work. So celebrate all the amazing feats, large and small, that come with the Herculean effort of being a working mother! (psychologytoday.com)

Do the ‘harmless' lies parents tell children have an impact on their emotional well-being?

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study carried out by researchers at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University suggests that parents' lies may have repercussions for their children's mental health, including into adulthood.

Parents tend to lie at least a little bit to their children. Sometimes they lie by omission, sometimes out of spite, sometimes "for their own good". It's important, however, to limit ly-

ing and try to provide honest reasons to children when refusing their requests, according to researchers at Singapore's Nanyang Technical University.

The research, done in collaboration with Canada's University of Toronto, the United States' University of California, San Diego, and China's Zhejiang Normal University, was published in the The Journal of Experimental Child

Psychology. For the study, 379 young adults (whose average was 21) were invited to fill out four questionnaires.

The first gauged the frequency with which they thought their parents lied to them as children. For example, "if you don't leave with me right now, I will leave you here all alone." Or, "I didn't bring my wallet with me, we will come back another day."

The second questionnaire was related to the participants' own lies to their parents. The two others concerned their prosocial behaviours and their tendencies to behave in selfish and impulsive ways.

In analysing the responses, the study's authors noted that the adults whose parents seemed to have lied to them frequently were more likely to adopt intrusive, even manipulative, behaviour.

"Authority assertion over children is a form of psychological intrusiveness, which may undermine children's sense of autonomy and convey rejection, ultimately undermining children's emotional well-being. Future research should examine the nature of the lies and goals of the parents so that researchers can suggest what kind of lies to avoid, and what kind of truth-telling parents should engage in," suggested Assistant Professor Peipei Setoh of Nanyang Technical University Singapore's School of Social Sciences, the study's lead author.

While the theory is interesting, it is limited by the fact that the data came from participants' self-reporting and, what's more, was based on childhood memories.

The authors of the study also specified that it would be advisable to involve parents in future research on the subject, in order to distinguish the "inoffensive" lies from those which could detract from their children's psychologic a l w e l l - b e i n g . (AFP)

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SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Modular oil refinery for Guyana should Gunmen storm be explored – economist Berbice vendor’s home ...says Guyana could earn less than 10% going through middlemen

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hen one considers what Guyana will actually get from its oil agreement, it calls for serious discussions on constructing an oil refinery. This is the view of Economist Sasenarine Singh.

Singh was at the time speaking during a local content interactive discussion, hosted at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.

The economist noted that in the years when Guyana’s net profit will be impacted by cost oil, a refinery could boost Guyana’s earnings and the economy as a whole.

“In the initial contract, 75 per cent is the cap for covering first oil. So the 25 per cent is cut in half, 12.5 per cent. But that 12.5 is not dollars. Its barrels of oil, 12.5 per cent of production is yours. What’s Guyana going to do with raw crude oil?

We don’t have the competence in handling it,” Singh said.

“So we now have to sell back that crude oil to these operators. They [can] charge us demurrage, they’ll charge us for transportation, they’ll charge us marketing, they’ll charge us handling and all the other things that go with it.

When they finish charging all these fees, Guyana will not get that 12.5 per cent profit oil. We’ll actually get less than 10 per cent.”

It has often been cited that the cost of building a refinery is too prohibitive.

76-year-old Drupatee Haraul Economist Sasenarine Singh

However, Singh noted that building the refinery should not be a cost shouldered by the Government, but rather through a public-private partnership.

“I know it’s an expensive venture. But I’m not saying use taxpayers’ money.

I’m saying go out to people who’ve done this, go out to reliance industry in India, who’ve built many refineries and say, guys, we have a proposition for you. Here’s the land, we’re going to [invest] some money, but you come and do it. But with one caveat.”

“All the gasoline you produce, you selling to GuyOil. Because it’s not a big one.

We’re talking about a 40,000 barrel per day modular refinery. Let GuyOil buy everything. If they have to sell it to Suriname, they can do what they have to do,” Singh explained.

The Government had previously hired a consultant, Pedro Haas, to carry out a feasibility study into constructing an oil refinery.

The results of the study did not favour building a refinery, particularly one with a capacity to produce over 100,000 barrels per day.

In his study, Haas had looked at the cost of building an oil refinery with a capacity of producing more than 100,000 barrels of oil per day. The study had come up with a US$5 billion price tag in order to construct the refinery in Guyana.

The findings of a study had also recommended that the unit at the Finance Ministry should be equipped and its capacity boosted enough to understand the microeconomics of the petroleum industry.

This is so that the unit can keep up to date with the

daily calculations of market prices and feed into the global market.

The expert had also suggested that as an alternative to the establishment of an oil refinery, the Government could pursue maximising income from commercialising crude oil.

This included the suggestion that the Government could swap crude oil for products on the global market or create joint ventures with offshore refineries, as well as acquire stock in refining companies.

However, the study was done at a time when ExxonMobil was the only operator in Guyana’s waters to find oil in commercial quantities. Members of the Private Sector have previously urged that construction of a refinery be re-explored when more operators find oil.

A

Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) watermelon vendor was on Friday evening robbed at gunpoint at her Port Mourant, Corentyne home.

Reports are that the incident occurred around 19:30h. This newspaper was told that three bandits, armed with a handgun, cutlass and a crowbar, attacked 76-year-old Drupatee Haraul and demanded cash and jewellery.

The pensioner said she was seated in a hammock under her house when the three men pounced on her.

Recalling the ordeal, the pensioner said the men approached and instructed her not to scream.

"So I asked them what they want and one of them tell me that dem is bandit.

The one with the long thing lash me in the head," Haraul said, explaining that blood

began to run down or face.

It was then, she said, that the one of the intruders snatched the cellular phone from her hand and demanded that she handed over cash and jewellery.

"I tell them I don't have any money," the watermelon vendor said.

Meanwhile, the woman said that she started to scream and one of the bandits ran to the upper flat of the building.

The 36-year-old granddaughter was confronted by the bandit as she was making her way down the stairs, having heard her grandmother’s screams.

Neighbours responded to the woman’s screams, which led to the bandits fleeing, taking three cellular phones with them.

Both Haraul and her granddaughter were treated at the Port Mourant Hospital.

8 NEWS

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Amnesty period granted for miners to pay arrears to GGMC T he Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has embarked on an amnesty period, which commenced on October 1, allowing miners to make payments if they were behind on rental payments.

In a notice, the Commission informed that the Natural Resources Ministry was flanked by numerous requests from miners, who were lagging in their payments for renting medium-scale properties.

A grace period is extended to all medium-scale property holders who are in arrears or those whose properties have not already been cancelled in the official gazette. Adding to that, 50 per cent of the accumulated penalty on these debts will be waived.

“The penalty accrued on said arrears will attract a

waiver of fifty per cent,” the notice read.

Miners were warned that the grace period will end on December 31, 2019, and will not be extended.

For those who do not make use of this opportunity, their properties will be cancelled.

The outstanding payments of rentals should be deposited prior to the said deadline.

Miners have been faced with a number of challenges in the extraction of gold, with deplorable interior trails being a chief issue.

In July, a large number of miners and other business operators complained of not being able to reach the mining areas to work owing to the deplorable state of the Itaballi-Puruni Road,

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The Itaballi-Puruni Road is the main thoroughfare used by persons in accessing the gold mining districts of Puruni Number 3, Cuyuni Number 4, and the Middle Mazaruni area, Region Seven from the Papishou Landing. The Puruni Road

runs from the community of Itaballi, Mazaruni River, Lower Mazaruni, to the Papishou Landing, Mazaruni River, and Middle Mazaruni, and is the only entrance and exit to various key sections of Region Seven.

However, gold declarations by the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) for 2019 are expected to be surpassed by the end of this year in light of the records for the past six months which are higher than expected.

In January, the GGB had projected that for 2019, declarations and exportations are to be pegged at 651,000 ounces. This estimation was established in retrospect to the outcome from 2018, which turned out to be an “encouraging year” for the organisation.

Creating chaos…

J

…with H2H data

ust when we thought it might be safe to relax a bit and enjoy our glorious cricket, like Freddy Kreuger in the “Friday the 13th movies”, the 370,000 names from the Patterson-ordered H2H exercise just keep coming back! To haunt us! The H2H, of course, was one in a series of stratagems the PNC had deployed to violate the clear command of the constitution that elections must be held 3 months after the passage of an NCM. The “rationale” offered by Granger that it was needed because the PVL - extracted from the present NRR - would be “bloated by 200,000 names”. This claim was shown to be specious when the H2H exercise - supposed to become the basis for a new NRR - was discontinued after 370,000 names were recorded in the absence of PPP scrutineers.

The same PNC-derided “bloated” PVL was accepted as the basis for C&O for the March 2 2020 elections.

GECOM however, decided the truncated H2H names would be “cross matched” and then “merged” into the OLE. This precipitated a storm of protests since, for one, as an incomplete list, we’d still be depending on the C&O to capture H2H “missed” names. All we’d get were the new persons – who would’ve come forward in any case to get on the list?? But inexplicably, even though the “merger” proposal was dropped, the costly exercise to “cross match” the H2H names was retained.

The question your Eyewitness had then – and which has now surfaced again like Freddy Kreuger - was what exactly would be done with those H2H names…and even more germanely, why was the PNC insisting on it.

Initially, PNC Commissioner Alexander said it’d be used as a “comparator” and this was what was very worrisome, since a “comparator is something used as a basis for comparison”. Meaning, of course, that the H2H data would now become the standard for the measuring the accuracy of the OLE after the C&O is completed.

We’re now being told by another PNC Commissioner, Corbin, that the H2H data, would be put up for “scrutiny” by the public. Why? To add names? That’s redundant, per above. To remove names? Well, the Chief Justice had ruled that names can’t be taken off from the PLV. And this is where the plot thickens and suggests what the PNC might be up to.

Let’s not forget that Basil Williams’ appeal against the CJ”s ruling is coming up and since the Appellate Court has exposed its proclivities in the “half-man majority” abomination, it’s quite likely after their reversal, there will be demands from the PNC for the H2H data be the “comparator”.

And we’re back to the chaos of multiple lists. To pressure the system and facilitate PNC rigging!

…in human morality

Reviewing the actions of the PNC over the past four years, your Eyewitness is stuck by their moral opportunism.

Even as their leader David Granger is given to striking poses of piety while uttering banal homilies. They follow no overarching moral. But evidently, they have several moral toolboxes - one for every occasion - which they pull out depending on the circumstances. And this has nothing to do with moral relativism – but everything to do with moral prostitution and “favouring their own”..

Take their stance of the “working class”. The PNC had castigated the PPP on the bauxite downsizing for decades and even backed a confrontational protest when the latter attempted to rationalise the subsidised electricity costs to the town. Which they had initially agreed to. Yet they callously shutter 4 estates, fired 7000 sugar workers, and didn’t even return their once subsidised water, much less introduce subsidise subsidised electricity!

The same opportunistic morality was deployed in “preparing for the new economy”. Just look at the composition of the hundreds of “training class” graduated since 2015.

…in critical thinking

Observing the arguments being waged in the political arena, seems that the standard is: “Automatically assume your opponent is wrong, and proceed blithely from there”!

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

9 North Ruimveldt man killed during home invasion news

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…gunmen escape with TV, $11,000

F

ifty-three-year-old Darrell Breedy of Lot 2037 Hummingbird Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot and killed in the wee hours of Saturday morning after two gunmen broke into his home and robbed him of $11,000 and his television.

According to a relative of the now dead man, the incident occurred at about 03:30h on Saturday morning.

Breedy’s mother was in the upper flat with his step-son while the now dead man was in his bedroom in the lower flat and his step-daughter was in her bedroom, also located in the lower flat.

This newspaper was told

Dead: Darrell Breedy

that the two armed bandits removed a few window panes to gain entry into the home. According to reports, one of the men rushed into Breedy’s bedroom, while the other ran into Breedy’s step-daughter’s room to keep her quiet.

“From what I know, the

one who was in his room had a gun threatening him. But somehow he (Breedy) and the gunman ended up in a scuffle…that is when he was shot,” the relative related.

Having shot Breedy, the men gabbed the cash and the television and made good their escape.

Meanwhile, according to one of Breedy’s nephews, just a few weeks ago, two men robbed him of his motorcycle and it is believed that it is the very men who are responsible for Saturday morning’s attack.

“They took his XR motorcycle and thing, his watch and so on. Now they come back and gone inside his house and stole things plus killed him,” the young man

The window through which the gunmen gained entry to the home

added.

Breedy was a tout outside the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts.

He leaves to mourn his wife, who is on vacation, his

mother and two stepchildren.

10 NEWS

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

Oil and gas sector

1% royalty only small part of contract – Tullow …says production sharing main revenue source for Guyana

I

n the wake of public discussions about Guyana’s deal with Tullow and the one per cent recoverable royalty, Tullow’s Head of Communications, George Cazenove, has reminded that most of Guyana’s earnings will come from production sharing and not royalties.

Cazenove made the comment during an exclusive interview with this newspaper on Tullow’s agreement with Guyana. While the one per cent royalty has been heavily criticised, he urged that persons look at the “bigger picture”.

“It’s important when looking at oil contracts that you look at the entirety of the contract. You have to understand the balance between the contractor and the State. And I think that the royalty is a part of that State take,” Cazenove said.

“So when you look at the production sharing agreement, you have a system where 50 to 60 per cent of production is shared with the Government. And it’s important to see that the royalty is just a small aspect of the overall take of the State that it can expect.”

He also noted that Tullow and Guyana are still

in the early stages of developing oil fields. Cazenove pointed to the fact that Guyana, because it has released its oil contracts in these early stages, is at an advantage.

“We’re at the very beginning of our time in Guyana.

And these sorts of discussions about contracts are way off into the future. And Guyana starts with an advantage around oil contracts, which is they are public,” Cazenove added.

“In a lot of countries around the world, oil contracts are not public. So the public and the media do not have an opportunity to ask the Government or oil companies about their relationships and how production is being shared. I think it’s to Guyana’s credit and it’s really important to holding us to account, that they are public.”

When asked if Tullow would be open to discussions with the Government, should they reach out to the British oil company in order to negotiate parts of the contract, Cazenove was unable to say.

It was only recently that in a matter of weeks, Tullow found oil in two wells Jethro and Joe. At the same

Tullow Head of Communications, George Cazenove sits down for an interview with Guyana Times senior journalist Jarryl Bryan

time, it was reported that the one per cent royalty will be recoverable to the company as cost oil.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan has said publicly that the recoverable royalty is not good for the country. For his part, Natural Resource Minister Raphael Trotman has said

he was under orders to accept the 1 per cent royalty.

It is understood that the company has billed Government US$300,000 in pre-contract costs it would have incurred in the years preceding the 2016 contract.

The Orinduik oil block is just a few kilometres from Exxon’s discoveries in

the Liza and Payara fields.

It is under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow, who signed a 10year Petroleum Prospecting license and Production Sharing Agreement with Guyana in 2016. French firm Total E&P Activities Petrolieres entered the fray in 2017, partnering with

Eco with the option to get a 25 per cent share in the block.

Tullow Guyana BV is the operator of the Orinduik Block, with a 60 per cent stake. Besides the 25 per cent held by Total E&P Guyana, the remaining 15 per cent is held by Eco (Atlantic) Guyana Inc.

NEWS

11

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Brothers beaten, robbed after night out A

night out for two brothers and a cousin turned into a traumatic experience after they were beaten and robbed in the wee hours of Saturday in the vicinity of Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara.

Kishan Rameshwar, his brother, Vickram, and his cousin, Trisha Persaud, of Ruimzigt, West Coast Demerara, were making their way to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, where someone was waiting for them to go home, when they were attacked by at least 10 young men.

The men, who were all

armed with knives, relieved the trio of their mobile phones, bank cards, wallets and other personal items.

They were also relieved of some $130,000.

Speaking with Guyana Times, a traumatised Kishan related that they had just passed the Ramada Princess Hotel when they were confronted by the group of young men who all appeared to be teenagers.

“They rushed up and attacked us along with two other persons who were also walking...all of them were equipped with knives,” the young man related.

He said that while they were held at knifepoint, their accomplices raided their pockets and took out their valuables. He said that he put up some resistance and was flung onto the roadway.

According to Kishan Rameshwar, he was disappointed that persons who were witnessing the incident did not offer any assistance but rather just stood there and watched.

He said that the robbers escaped with his iPhone XS Max, car keys, and wallet containing ID card, bank card, driver’s licence and a

sum of cash.

His brother was relieved of cash, cell phone while his cousin was robbed of her bag containing her phone, money and documents. The other two individuals were robbed of their bags and other belongings.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was launched.

Kishan Rameshwar sustained injuries about his body and had to seek medical attention.

The Police are yet to make an arrest.

The dilemma of Guyanese political parties

A

s we approach elections, many new parties calling themselves “multiracial”, will be formed to “solve” our political logjam. I offer an observation made a year before our historical free and fair elections that were supposed to usher in a new age of democracy in Guyana. It is still valid.

“Whatever their faults, our parties, like parties everywhere, do not merely affect, they also reflect the nuances of their societies. So the fault, dear friends, might also lie in ourselves.

Politicians cannot lead followers wherever the politicians want them to go, for followers will only go in directions they find preferable to the alternatives available: leaders can catalyse but not initiate ethnic reactions”.

Political parties arose in Europe that had already “solved” its ethnic problem by transforming it from a national question into an international one.

The people in each state were more or less one ethnic group, with minorities who “go along to get along”.

These countries had completed their national revolutions to form nations Ravi Dev out of diverse peoples and were moving onto their participatory revolution or democratisation, where subjects would become citizens with the right to choose their governors.

Their welfare revolution, focusing on economic justice, was down the road.

We in Guyana, in common with many world states in the post-World War 11 era, were forced to confront all three revolutions simultaneously. We have still not resolved any and the challenges remain. Our politicians ignored the national revolution totally, even though we were an almost textbook case of a plural society. They focused solely on participation and welfare but even here ignored the need to adapt our political institutions. Their mobilisation produced an ethnic party system which is qualitatively different from that of homogeneous societies on which it was modelled.

In the former, the party competition is on a single axis: ethnicity; while in the latter, there are many crosscutting axes: class, religion, region [rural-urban], etc. In an ethnic party system, the ethnic axis of competition controls the party formation, survival and competition. In homogeneous societies, many individuals vote for parties depending on the parties’ stand on issues. Since all parties have to court this bloc of “swing” votes the parties’ positions tend to converge and preclude extremism.

In divided societies such as Guyana, however, voters gravitate to the two ends of the competition axis depending on their ethnic origins. The party’s stand on issues becomes almost irrelevant since it is supported solely as a protector of the group’s interest. This type of voting is not necessarily irrational; the simultaneously ongoing welfare revolution ensures that the economic demands of the ethnic vote may be satisfied if his party secures power.

The PPP began as a true multi-ethnic party, even though it espoused a socialist, non-ethnic line, ie, its members encompassed the main competing ethnic groups and the leadership was seen to represent these sections. The split of the PPP into PPP [Jagan], and PPP [Burnham], subsumed into ethnicity, the incipient urban - rural, middle class - lower class dichotomies. The disintegration of the PPP was not only the result of leadership egos: the reasons go to the extreme difficulty in maintaining multi-ethnic parties into plural societies.

Firstly, the ethnic parties emerged contrary to the wishes of the leaders: both Jagan and Burnham tried to secure multiethnic support. But the question of “who leads” inevitably produces fissionistic strains: witness the AFC leadership elections. The uneasy personal relations between leaders of different ethnic groups, stemming greatly from their different cultural backgrounds, don’t help especially when augmented with the incompatibility of the claims of their several ethnic constituencies. But most importantly, there is pressure from members of each constituency on their respective leaders to go it alone.

The last arises from “flank” parties or groups which inevitably arise to “secure” ethnic rights. They take strong ethnic positions driving the ersatz “multi-ethnic” party to respond in order to retain its base. Witness the role of the WPA vis a vis the PNC today.

Another major reason for the lack of successful multi-ethnic parties is the difficulty of producing a multi-ethnic leadership structure which has the confidence of the various ethnic groups.

The “iron law of oligarchy”, ie that power inevitably accretes in a small elite within any organisations, is perceived to operate.

Who really sees the PNC’s or the PPP’s leaderships as “really” multi-ethnic?

12 news Swift response needed during flooding – Leguan residents SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…say improved defence structure a priority

A

mid high tides last week which affected a large section of Guyana’s coast, residents of Leguan in the Essequibo River also faced the brunt of flooding.

One resident, Somnauth Devar, reached out to Guyana Times and told of a number of complaints about their condition after the inundation. He shared that while assistance was brought to the coastland, his community waited for many days before any relief efforts.

Last weekend, he said the island was hit by massive

flooding along with other sections of the coastland. After severe overtopping for a few days, officials of the Civil Defence Commission would have visited Leguan and Wakenaam on Thursday, where assessments were undertaken.

“We get the flood here and all. They come to see what damage we get Thursday but nobody said anything about the defence and how to fix it for the next time. The West Coast wasn’t the only affected place. We yard had high high water and we had to wait with no assistance. We

needed somewhere to go until this water went away,” the resident related.

He added that while sea defence works are ongoing in some parts of the island, there is much more to be done. In fact, he insisted that the current structure would be inadequate in a few years to support the magnitude of overtopping in the coming years.

“Every year, what we seeing is that the tide coming bigger and bigger. So you can’t build back the same structure and expect that the people here would be safe.

The seawall got to be higher to protect we. They just rebuilding the same thing that we had before…When the people from the Ministry come round the last time, people tell them about it”.

According to other residents, persons residing in close proximity to the river were more severely affected than others.

On September 28, residents in several coastal villages were under water from the unprecedented high tides, which lasted until Thursday.

According to authorities, the communities in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

Water from the Essequibo River overtops the sea defence at Leguan, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara)

A flooded section of Leguan

Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were affected by the high water.

Stakeholders from the various agencies met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the damage from the floods and steps to be taken to prevent or alleviate similar impacts from another

bout of high tides expected on October 26, 2019.

Updating the media during the National Emergence Operation Centre meeting, Senior Response Officer, Capt Salim October, revealed that across the coastline, a total distance of approximately 148 kilometres were impacted by the floods, including some 65 communities across the various regions with Three and Five facing the severity of

the floods.

According to October, the impacts in Region Five were exacerbated by breached sea defence.

Nevertheless, he noted that assessments thus far reveal that approximately 400 households were flooded, causing items to be damaged.

He added too that affected persons have also suffered the loss of cash crops as well as livestock including poultry and cattle, especially in Region Five.

“Salt water accumulation did not only affect homes but the impacts were also to pasture lands that small- and large-scale ruminants are required to graze. There were noted sea defence structure breaches and overtopping of sea and river defences, which would’ve caused heightened levels of erosion. As well as noted, damage to agriculture inputs and by extension, the cascading effect of that is for loss of usual livelihood, and at this point potential livelihood – particularly, compromised rice crops from salt water accumulation,” he was quoted as saying.

13 Freedom Radio, MTV take GNBA to court news

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…after being fined over “infringements”

T

wo broadcasting agencies, Freedom Radio Inc and Multi Technology Vision (MTV) on Friday filed legal proceedings in the High Court against the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) over a decision to impose fines for alleged infringements.

Separate applications were filed by the two agencies, questioning a decision taken by the GNBA in relation to alleged infractions on their part and furthermore, the lawful appointment of their governing Board to appoint a committee to hear the matter.

The applications were filed by Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall, while the respondents were listed as the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) and the Attorney General.

General Managers of the applicants, Raymond Singh for Multi Technology Vision (MTV) and Raymon Cummings for Freedom Radio, made their applications on the basis that no Governing Board of Directors of the GNBA was lawfully appointed for the year 2019-2020.

In the case of Freedom Radio, a letter dated July 12 and sent by the first respondent, informed the applicant

that it had observed breaches of the broadcasting guidelines. The content broadcasted on a programme called “Free Talk”, which aired on June 4, 2019, was allegedly “in contravention with the Sections of the Guidelines which states: Controversial or offensive references to opponents shall be avoided.”

In another letter, the applicant was invited to a hearing on July 26, 2019 “concerning an infraction on June 4, 2019”.

After the hearing, they were informed that the alleged infraction will be taken against the governing Board of Directors. The applicant was invited to another hearing on September 25.

In a letter dated August 21, the applicant was also informed of a breach in the broadcasting guidelines on a programme called “The Chat” which was aired on July 11, 2019. They were invited on September 17 to address the infraction.

The hearings pertaining to both infractions were heard on September 25, 2019, before a hearing committee established by the GNBA. On October 2, they were asked via a letter to pay a fine of $75,000 along with a written statement from the broadcaster, stating that the host would not repeat the infraction.

GNBA head office, Lamaha Street, Georgetown

Meanwhile, for MTV, a letter was sent by the GNBA on March 21, informing them that an infringement was detected during a February 2 airing of one of their programmes called “Viewpoint”.

On April 12, the applicant was informed of another infringement detected on another programme titled: “On The Precipice of a Constitutional Crisis” which was aired on March 21.

By letter dated June 3, the applicant submitted a written response to the GNBA pertaining to sever-

al identified purported infringements. But on July 12, they were notified by the authority of a breach of the Broadcasting Guidelines in the content broadcasted on a programme called “Ed Live”, which aired on the June 8.

On September 25, the applicant was invited to a hearing on September 25, concerning the three infractions. In the October 2 letter, they were slapped with a fine of $150,000.

As such, the applicants are requesting an order to quash the decision of a hearing committee that was es-

tablished by the Governing Board, on the grounds that the Board was not lawfully appointed, and because the said decision was “unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, unenforceable, invalid, irrational, unreasonable, capricious, arbitrary, null, void and of no effect”.

“Effective from the 1st February 2017, the members to the Governing Board were appointed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamatoo for a term of two years.

Since the expiration of the abovementioned appointment on the 31st January

2019, no Governing Board of Directors has been appointed or reappointed,” proceedings filed in the court stated.

The document states that the decision, which was disbursed via a letter on October 2, 2019, by the Board Secretary, Violet Boyal, and addressed to the applicants “is in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers, contrary to and in violation of Article 144 (8) of the Constitution of Guyana, unlawful, void, illegal and of no effect” and on the grounds “that the decision is ultra vires, capricious, arbitrary, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect”.

Also, the applicants argued that the committee is “not a tribunal prescribed by law for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation as provided for and contemplated by Article 144 (8) of the Constitution of Guyana”.

The requests called for a declaration that the decisions of the hearing committee which were addressed to the applicants are in violation of their rights and freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 146 of the Constitution, and in violation of their right and freedom of protection of the law as prescribed by Article 144 (8).

More 8-hour power outages for Georgetown, ECD

S

everal communities within Georgetown and on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) are bracing themselves for more eight-hour power outages.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) in a notice to the public said that it will commence another three days of maintenance work.

The utility company stated that the activities will commence on Tuesday, October 8, at Brickdam, Georgetown, to Golden Grove, North of Railway Embankment, ECD. Meanwhile, Oronoque Street, Queenstown, and environs, Ketley Street, Charles Street, Lyng Street, House Street and Sussex Street will experience maintenance works on October 10, 2019, as well La Bonne Intention (LBI), ECD. Consumers were advised that the works will be undertaken from 08:00h to 16:00h on each day.

Only last month the company had announced its recommitment of buying power as they continued to suffer from the challenges of providing reliable electrici-

ty, but GPL has since admitted that it cannot purchase power from any private company due to its existing licence, which it plans to amend. There was a subsequent

announcement that the company found a loophole in the legislation which will allow them to purchase power until the legislative issues have been resolved.

The power company has come in for much criticism

for the unreliable service. Also, according to the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Annual Report for 2018, the power company has failed to improve its services in accordance with performance targets previously set out.

The PUC also received some 248 complaints against the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. The highest complaints against GPL were received from Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Meanwhile, one project that would have assisted the Guyana Power and Light in getting adequate electricity supply was the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which the coalition Government continually blocked while controlling the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.

The Norway-funded project, when completed, would have provided 165 megawatts to the national grid, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses.

14 NEWS

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Carl Greenidge renounces UK citizenship …expresses interest in APNU/AFC candidates’ list

F

ormer Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge has announced that his British citizenship has been officially renounced, paving the way for him to continue his political career in Guyana.

Greenidge was among four Government parliamentarians who had to resign from the National Assembly and as Ministers because of their dual citizenship status.

This came on the heels of court rulings earlier this year barring persons with dual citizenship from sitting in the National Assembly.

Three Opposition Members of Parliament also had to give up their seats in the House.

The issue of dual citizenship arose late last year when former coalition MP, Charrandas Persaud, who also held a second citizenship, crossed over and voted in favour of an Oppositiontabled No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the APNU/ AFC Government, causing its defeat.

The validity of Persaud’s vote was challenged in the court by Government supporter, Compton Reid, and the High Court, whose rul-

Carl Greenidge

ing was subsequently upheld in the Appeal Court, found that while persons with dual citizenship cannot sit in the National Assembly, the former MP’s vote on the NCM was valid since he was a valid parliamentarian.

After stepping down as Foreign Affairs Minister in March, Greenidge was appointed Foreign Secretary at the Ministry.

On Saturday he announced that he received confirmation from the relevant British authorities that his application to renounce his British citizenship has been accepted.

“I have informed

President Granger accordingly and, therefore, look forward to being included on the list of candidates from which the party will make its selection of MPs following the holding of the Regional and General Elections in 2020,” Greenidge said.

He explained that his UK citizenship and residence had enabled him to take advantage, largely free of cost to his parents, of wide-ranging educational opportunities which he would not have been in a position to access or finance had he remained in Guyana.

He said he was subsequently able to gain invaluable employment and vocational experience in the employ of UK Government agencies before returning to Guyana to serve.

Along with Greenidge, former Minister of State Joseph Harmon, former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin and former Public Service Minister Rupert Roopnaraine also resigned.

With the exception of Gaskin, who is a born Briton, the others had indicated the intention to renounce their second citizenship. Harmon has a United States citizenship while Roopnaraine has a

UK citizenship.

Meanwhile on the other side of the House, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Adrian Anamayah and

Odinga Lamumba also give up their parliamentary seats. However, Anamayah will not be renouncing his United States citizenship.

The process was activated for Teixeira and Lamumba to give up their Canadian and US citizenships, respectively.

Albouystown gunman shot twice A

n Albouystown, Georgetown resident is now nursing two gunshot wounds at a city hospital after he was shot by another man, whom he had allegedly attempted to shoot near the La Penitence Market, Georgetown on Saturday.

The injured man has been identified only as a resident of Albouystown, Georgetown.

Reports are that about 13:00h on Saturday, the Albouystown resident, along with two other men, exited a motorcar in the vicinity of the La Penitence Market, with each of them armed with a handgun, and opened fire at another man who was walking along the public road.

However, the shots fired missed the man as he immediately ran away from the shooters.

According to a vendor, she saw the man, who was running away from the gunmen, whip out a handgun and return fire.

“I was selling my fruits and I did not know what re-

ally was happening because I was attending to four customers. But when I hear the noise and then realise it was shooting, I duck and run to hide and when I look back, then I saw the man who was running shooting back at them.

He did not get shot but they (the trio) had tried shooting him first,” the vendor said.

Another fruit vendor told this publication that she was not sure how many men were pursuing the man that was running for his life. However, she noted that when one of the trio received the gunshot wounds, the other two men stopped firing and tried to assist him.

“That is when the man who shot him two times got to escape. After he managed to shoot one of the men and that man went down to the ground, the man’s friends eventually stop chasing that one and shooting at him. We don’t know any of them but the one who was walking on this road usually passes here,” the vendor related.

The vendors in the area where the shooting occurred told Guyana Times that the incident occurred in the spur of the moment and so they were unable to record the licence plate number of the motorcar that the trio had exited.

“Well, when you realise bullets flying, you don’t stand up and watch before you get shoot. I run behind my stall and duck and hide on the ground. Bullets don’t really fly down but they fly straight and fly upwards so I didn’t see what happened after the shootout started,” one man stated.

Meanwhile, up to press time, no arrests were made in relation to this matter which occurred in close range with the Ruimveldt Police Station, Georgetown.

Attempts to contact the Commander, Marlon Chapman, and Deputy Commander Rishi Das of Region Four’s Policing sub-division of Georgetown on this incident proved futile.

15

news Customers can walk away with cars in Ariel’s Christmas promotion

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Addressing the distorted reality (Part 2) …countering the Lucas delusions

T

oday’s article continues from last week’s edition, and in this article, the author presents the analysis of other key macroeconomic soundness indicators in a very concise manner.

Table 1 below shows a comparison of the growth of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the period 2011-2018. It shows that during the period 2011-2014, real GDP grew by 15% or an average annual growth rate of 4%. Conversely, real GDP for the period 2015-2018 grew by 10% or an average annual growth rate of 2.5%; thus, corroborating the argument that the economy experienced weaker growth during the last four years relative to the preceding four-year period, which spans 2011 to 2014.

The second table, which illustrates average market rate of the USD exchange rate, indicates that the domestic currency depreciated by 1.87% against the USD during the period 20112014, while for the period 2015 to August 2019, the domestic currency depreciated by 3.37%, wherein the average exchange rate increased by $7 compared to $4 in the preceding period.

From examining the first and second graphs below, it shows that International Reserves at the Bank of Guyana (BoG) fell from a high of US$751 million in 2013 to a low of US$536 million at the end of August 2019; the Bank’s gold reserve fell from GY$14.8 billion in 2013 to a low of $636.6 million at the end of August 2019; Government deposits at the BoG fell from a record high of $61 billion surplus in 2009 – which remained in a surplus balance up to 2014 at $21.4 billion – to a massive deficit of $64 billion as at the end of August, 2019; and the fourth variable in the first graph, which shows BoG foreign exchange intervention with commercial banks, revealed that the BoG has moved from a net sales position with commercial banks consistently through the preceding eight years up to the third quarter of 2017.

From the last quarter of 2017, this trend changed to a net purchase position – where it currently stands to date – wherein the BoG purchased US$365.82 million, or GY$76.3 billion to date.

Further, the last graph shows the Balance of Payments’ position from 2009 – 2018, which revealed that the Balance of Payments once enjoyed three years of a surplus balance: from a high of US$234.5 million in 2009, US$116.5 million in 2010, and US$32.9 million in 2012, to a record highest deficit – in the last decade at least – position of US$132.2 million in 2018.

With respect to the $64 billion overdraft balance at the BoG, this is not just equivalent to one year’s worth of oil revenues, it is also where the true domestic public debt is grossly understated, given that this is in fact Government borrowings from the Central Bank. Therefore, the total domestic debt, which stood at $88.8 billion at the end of 2018, adjusted to include this overdraft balance in the Government’s deposit accounts. This will give rise to a real domestic public debt position of $152.8 billion, representing 36% of real GDP. In the final analysis for today, the indicators outlined above are certainly indicators of a macroeconomic and fiscal disaster in the making; and this strongly validates the contentions to these ends: that is to say, the macroeconomic frameworks are certainly weakened relative to the period 2009 through 2014, and they continue to crumble rather worryingly.

By: JC Bhagwandin, MSc Email: jbbankingadvice@gmail.com (The Author is an experienced Macro-finance and Research Analyst and a Senior Lecturer of BBA/MBA programmes at Texila American University, University of Bedfordshire, and the Association of Business Executives (ABE) programmes in Guyana. The discussions and analyses presented are exclusively his own, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper or the institutions with which he is affiliated.)

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

Linden lad feared drowned after falling from bridge

A

Linden lad is feared drowned after he fell into a section of the Kara Kara creek at Mackenzie, Linden in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Saturday.

Guyana Times understands that nine-year-old Imani Leech, who recently moved with his mother to the Lower Kara Kara, Speightland area was sitting on a wooden bridge situated at the creek with his mother and other relatives sometime after midday when he reportedly “slipped” and fell into the creek.

Relatives told this publication that the child’s aunt, who was sitting next to him, grabbed his hand and both of them fell into the creek.

However, efforts to save the duo only resulted in the child’s aunt being saved.

“He was on the bridge and he foot get slip and he

aunty hold he and all two of them go out together. Plenty people went in the water [searching] because we shout for people. That’s the reason why the aunty get saved,” a female relative indicated.

A search party was formed by residents and Police but they were unable to locate the child.

“People came and they searched and they say that when the water settle they will go back and search.

Other than that, nothing.

We went back and we ain’t see he”, the child’s aunt told this publication.

At the home on Saturday, the child’s mother, who is a police officer, wept uncontrollably and was too distraught to speak to the media.

The lad is a Grade Five student of the Regma Primary School in Linden.

Investigations are ongoing.

W

ith the Christmas holidays just around the corner, distribution company for Ariel laundry detergent, Ansa Mcal Trading Limited is ushering in the season’s activities and excitement with the launch of its end-of-year Christmas promotion.

The launch on Saturday was kick-started with a major road march at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and ended at Bounty Supermarket in Kitty, Georgetown, where passersby were handed packs of Ariel detergent and sensitised on how they could enter the promotion.

Speaking briefly to the media on what the promotion entails, Brand Manager of Proctor and Gamble, Padma Kunchbeharry explained that the company recognises that more persons should be given a chance to win, hence the decision to place three motor vehicles as the grand prize.

According to the manager, the grand prizes are al-

ways complimented with consolation prizes which include cash, hampers among other items.

“Three vehicles we are giving away this year, we’ve been doing this promotion four years now. We gave away Rush, Juke, Suzuki and this year we are giving away three. We are not giving one person, or two person an opportunity but three. Along with the grand prizes, there are consolation prizes of cash, hampers so everybody stand a chance in winning something with Ariel. All you have to do is buy as low as $130 and you can win as much as three million,” Kunchbeharry noted. To enter the competition, customers must submit any packet of Ariel except the 95 gram, with their name, address and contact number into any entry boxes at participating outlets countrywide such as DSL, Bounty Supermarket and Matti’s.

The promotion will run from October 5 to December 15, 2019.

16 news

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Int’l Natural Number 66 Fishermen’s Co-op introducing scientific ways of fishing Disaster

T

he Number 66 Fishermen’s Co-op Society is trying to introduce scientific ways of fishing. This is being done with the use of water-testing devices to test the acidity of the water, the amount of oxygen present in the water and its solidity. The project will also see fisher-folk using Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Number 66 Fishermen’s Coop Chairman Parmeshwar Jainarine said that fish catch had been on the decline and fishers are spending more days out at sea.

“We do not have any data as to whether we have been over-fishing or if we have been fishing in such a way that we have been putting pressure on our fishing stock so that they are not regenerating,” Jainarine recently said.

With this in mind, the Co-op has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure fisher-folk have the relevant skills and equipment to provide the information which will be able to address their concerns.

The project will see fisher-folk being equipped with

GPS and water-testing kits.

Speaking with this publication on Friday when the devices were handed over to the fisher-folk— after they were trained to use them— Jainarine said the aim of this project is to train Fishers in the use of GPS. “The handheld device that fishers would use when they go to sea and it will help them to operate in a more efficient manner. It will help them to save fuel, whereby it’s a fishing ground that is profitable. With the features of the GPS, you can go back to the direct spot”.

Another benefit of the GPS is in the case of a boat having difficulty at sea, another boat will be able to rescue them quickly by knowing the exact position of the boat.

“At present, when a boat is having distress at sea, there is nothing in place to assist. The rescuer would just drive until they find the boat, but with the GPS, they can go to the exact position of assistance. GPS is the modern way to navigate the sea. Years ago, fishers did not have this technology”.

He said that management has now seen it fit to

train fisher-folk to be able to use the devices with the hope that they will share the knowledge with all the fishers.

The programme also has a third aspect, which will see fisher-folk being trained to record data as they catch.

According to Jainarine, Guyana has a data collection problem.

“The current system has a lot of gaps. The Fisheries Department is understaffed; the country is so large that the landing sites are so scattered, so it is a challenge to collect information on the amount of fish that has been caught on a daily basis”.

The current system being used by the Fisheries Department allows officers to go to landing sites once per month and get an average to record as the month’s catch.

Jainarine felt that this is wrong.

“You cannot come once a month and collect data and then come up with an estimate of the total cash for the month from records of that one day. That is wrong.

With this system that we are planning to implement, fishers will be filing logbooks daily. When they pick up the scene, they will record in the log book the amount of fish they caught. And when they come in to the landing site, they will give us, the management, this information so that we can have it documented,” he contended.

This information is likely to be used by researchers who will be able to use the information to have an indi-

cation of whether they have been over-fishing or fishing in a way that the fish stock is not being replenished.

“Sometimes we could be catching the fishes with eggs and we have to desist from all of those practices,” Jainarine said.

According to him, the data to be collected could be used by scientists with an aim of being able to use it advise whether to restrict the amount of boats or to fish only in certain areas. At the end of the training, fishers will be allowed to keep the devices. They are being encouraged to share with other fisher-folk and also to teach others how to use the devices. Jainarine said within the next six months, it is hoped that the second project of a similar nature will commence, hitting another group of fishers. The co-op has an excess of 500 fisher-folk. The project, which falls under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grant Programme, also saw a 10-tonne ice-making machine.

National Coordinator for the programme, Patrick John explained that the previous ice-making machine used by the Number 66 Fisherman’s Co-op used dangerous gases. The Fisheries Department provided training on the water-testing kits and the Coast Guard provided training on the use of GPS at Friday’s one-day training session.

A total of 30 kits and 30 GPS were given to the fisher-folk. (Andrew Carmichael)

Reduction Day

L

ast weekend, the Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) issued a warning about high tides with the possibility of flooding on the West Coast of Demerara.

Scores of photos and videos shared on social media highlighted the extent of damage to homes, and even the Parika Stelling and Stabroek Market area in Georgetown.

The UN General Assembly called for the International Day for Disaster Reduction in 1989 as a way to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. That includes disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. It was originally celebrated on the second Wednesday of October (Resolution 44/236, 22 December 1989), but after two decades, the UN General Assembly formally designated October 13 as the annual date (Resolution 64/200, 21 December 2009).

THE SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER REDUCTION The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda, with seven targets and four priorities for action. It was endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR).

The Framework is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement which recognises that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk, but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders. It aims for the following outcome: The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.

The 7 global targets (a) Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030 — aiming to lower average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015. (b) Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030 — aiming to lower average global figure per 100,000 in the decade 2020 -2030 compared to the period 20052015. (c) Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. (d) Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030. (e) Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020 (f) Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of this Framework by 2030. (g) Substantially increase the availability of and access to multihazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030.

THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION IN GUYANA The CDC was established in 1982 to create plans and conduct operations to deal with all types of disasters in Guyana. By 1985, a comprehensive National Disaster Preparedness Plan was documented and implemented. In September 2001, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for the National Emergency Operations Centre were upgraded to meet new challenges posed by worsening domestic and international disasters.

Today, the CDC’s mandate is to coordinate and monitor Disaster Risk Management and Comprehensive Disaster Management in Guyana; identify, analyse and map hazards and conduct related research into their effects and develop appropriate responses; collaborate with Ministries and Departments of Government, national and Regional Democratic Councils, local communities, statutory bodies, private sector entities, non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations having functions related to, or having aims or objectives related to those of the Commission; develop and maintain a database on disasterrelated information including climate change and other new and emerging threats and to ensure access to the database by stakeholders In the context of its mandate, the CDC’ s mission is, to reduce loss of life, damage to property and improve the quality of life in Guyana by leading, coordinating and supporting the nation in the development and enhancement of a comprehensive disaster risk management system, involving preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery.

We all have a role to play in disaster risk management. For natural hazards such as the elements of nature, while we can’t prevent those, we can reduce the impact by being properly prepared; o Adhere to warning messages issued by public authorities, o Adhere to building codes and national standards, o Have an emergency plan and equipment for your home, work and business, o Remove any obstacles can exacerbate the problem, o Have clear signage, o Always maintain a clean and healthy environment.

Additionally, be cognisant of man-made hazards and do what is necessary to protect yourself, family and your property.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019

Regional

Hundreds of thousands voice outrage over Bolivian leader's response to forest fires

National Geographic journalist injured in shootout in Mexico – local authorities

H

undreds of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Bolivia’s largest city, turning up heat on President Evo Morales as they voiced outrage over his government’s response to wildfires that have razed broad swaths of the country’s forests this year.

Protesters in the wealthy, industrial city of Santa Cruz brandished placards at the demonstration late on Friday calling for a “punishment vote” against Morales in the upcoming October 20 presidential election.

Tightening polls show Morales, Latin America’s longest-serving leftist leader, may be forced into a second-round runoff with his chief rival, Carlos Mesa, a business-friendly former president.

For weeks, Opposition candidates and protesters have called on Morales to declare this year’s surge in wildfires, which have already scorched an area larger than Costa Rica,

People attend a town council to demand Bolivian President Evo Morales' government enact laws to protect the environment, and national forest reserves and to defend a referendum aimed at blocking Morales from reelection, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The sign reads, "Evo even the dead told you no" [Photo by: REUTERS/Rodrigo Urzagasti]

a national disaster to help facilitate international aid.

Morales’ Government has said a disaster declaration could invite foreign meddling in a sovereign issue, echoing concerns voiced by neighbouring Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has sparked a global outcry over his handling of fires in the

Brazilian Amazon.

Santa Cruz, where organisers said as many as 1.5 million people joined in Friday’s protest, is home to vast tracts of Bolivia’s bio-diverse Chiquitano dry forests. They are named for the Indigenous people who have inhabited them for hundreds of years.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Ecuador Indigenous groups, workers keep pressure on Moreno

E

cuadorean Indigenous and union organisations kept protests going on Saturday and promised no let-up in their push to overturn austerity measures by President Lenin Moreno’s government that have convulsed the nation for three days.

Demonstrations had been turning violent and shaping into a major challenge for Moreno, who won election in 2017 and has set his oil-producing nation on a centrist track after years of socialist rule under predecessor Rafael Correa.

But he got a reprieve on Friday when transport unions called off their strike after paralysing roads for two days in Opposition to the end of fuel subsidies.

Indigenous groups, however, continued on Saturday to block some roads around the Andean nation of 17 million people.

“The Indigenous movement

People block a road during protests after Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno's government ended four-decade-old fuel subsidies, in Cayambe, Ecuador [Photo by: REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado]

is mobilising indefinitely in the whole country,” Jaime Vargas, President of the CONAIE umbrella indigenous group, told Reuters.

“With or without jail, our resolve is firm”.

Moreno, 66, has declared a two-month state of emergency and authorities have arrested 379 people after protesters set up burning barricades and hurled stones at Police on Thursday and Friday during Ecuador’s worst unrest for years.

Struggling with a large foreign debt and fiscal deficit, Moreno’s government recently reached a three-year, $4.2 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), contingent on belt-tightening economic reforms.

As well as ending fuel subsidies, the government is reducing the state workforce and planning some privatizations.

Moreno says the fuel subsidies, in place for four decades, had distorted the economy and cost $60 billion. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US Coast Guards detain 14 Caribbean migrants

T

he United States Coast Guard says it has detained 14 Caribbean migrants including a suspected a Bahamian smuggler, 25 miles east of Miami.

It said the cutter, William Trump Friday, detected a westbound 21-foot cabin cruiser heading towards Southeast Florida, and on detection, the cabin cruiser crew reversed their course to go east toward the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard said that on intercepting the vessel, the crew discovered six Jamaicans, six Haitians, a Guyanese migrant and the suspected smuggler, a Bahamian, aboard.

A Coast Guard Station Miami Beach 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew transferred the migrants.

“The Coast Guard continues to maintain a focused and coordinated effort with multi-

17

ple agency assets to interdict any attempt to dangerously and unlawfully immigrate by sea to the United States,” said Lieutenant Commander Mark Cobb, Coast Guard Sector Miami chief of enforcement.

“These illegal migrant smuggling ventures are extremely dangerous, especially during the hurricane season, and places families in danger of being lost at sea,” he added.

(Jamaica Observer)

Police vehicles and a yellow Police line cordon are pictured near a crime scene after a journalist from National Geographic was shot in the leg late Friday while interviewing an alleged drug dealer, who was killed when four armed men stormed in on the interview, according to a statement from the Chihuahua State Attorney General's office, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

A

National Geographic journalist was shot in the leg in Mexico late Friday while interviewing an alleged drug dealer, who was killed when four armed men stormed in on the interview, local prosecutors said.

The journalist was part of team of four from the international magazine who were recording the interview when the shootout occurred, according to a statement from the Attorney General’s office of Chihuahua State.

It said the journalist was

taken to a local hospital for treatment and that the rest of the team were being protected by the Attorney General’s office.

The statement said the address where the interview took place had previously been searched by authorities in connection with the killing of two members of a criminal group there.

It said Friday’s incident was under investigation “to find those responsible.” It did not name the journalists or the alleged drug dealer.

Representatives from National Geographic did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The northern border state of Chihuahua is among Mexico’s most violent, ranking sixth among the country’s 32 departments and entities for homicides in 2018, according to government data. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuela detains local head of oil joint venture with China – sources

V

enezuelan authorities have arrested the President and two other officials in a corruption investigation at state oil company PDVSA’s Sinovensa joint venture with China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), oil sector and intelligence sources said on Saturday.

The three detainees, in the latest round-up in the struggling and graft-plagued oil sector, are Venezuelan.

The detention of Sinovensa President Alberto Bockh in eastern Anzoategui state on Thursday was confirmed to Reuters by five PDVSA sources, an intelligence source and another person in the local oil sector

familiar with the case.

It was unclear what the precise accusations were against him and the other two detained Sinovensa employees.

Sinovensa had started an expansion project to boost output to 165,000 barrels per day (bpd), President Nicolas Maduro said in August, from a current capacity of 110,000 bpd.

Owned by PDVSA subsidiary Venezuelan Petroleum Corp (CVP) with CNPC, Sinovensa produces extra-heavy Orinoco crude and blends it with lighter oil to produce medium-grade Merey.

Blended crude grades are widely sought in Asian

markets, where PDVSA is increasingly sending its crude production following U.S. sanctions that have effectively halted sales of Venezuela oil to the US market.

Venezuela last year sold CNPC an additional 9.9% stake in Sinovensa, leaving it with 49% ownership.

Opposition leaders say PDVSA has been crippled by malfeasance under two decades of socialist rule, with sporadic arrests more the result of infighting among rival factions than a real effort to root out corruption.

There was no immediate comment from PDVSA or the Venezuelan government on the Sinovensa case. (Reuters)

Trinidad: Law Association files lawsuit against PM

T

he Trinidad and Tobago Law Association has filed its lawsuit against Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley over his decision to reject its investigation into misconduct allegations levelled against embattled Chief Justice Ivor Archie.

The association’s legal team filed its judicial review application in the High Court Registry at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain on Friday.

Guardian Media understands that the case was randomly assigned to Justice Vasheist Kokaram but a date for the hearing of the application for leave to pursue the case was not immediately set.

Based on the usual timeline for processing such cases, it is likely to come up for hearing, next week.

It is unlikely that the association would be denied leave as the threshold for doing so is low, with Kokaram having to decide whether it had presented a valid claim with a reasonable prospect of success.

In the lawsuit, the association is seeking a series of declarations over Rowley’s handling of the report, which recommended that he exercise his discretion under Section 137 of the Constitution to advise the President to investigate the allegations by commencing impeachment proceedings against Archie.

The declarations include that Rowley’s decision was illegal, irrational, unreasonable and was made in bad faith.

The association is also claiming that Rowley’s decision was not made in the

performance of his constitutional functions in the public interest and that he took into account irrelevant considerations.

It is seeking an order quashing the decision and another compelling Rowley to reconsider it.

In the legal documents, the association’s lawyers sought to give a brief outline of the history of its involvement with the allegations against Archie as well as details of Rowley’s decision and his subsequent comments on the issue.

The association is challenging Rowley’s move based his decision mainly on legal advice obtained from British Queen’s Counsel Howard Stevens. The association claimed that Stevens’ advice was methodologically and analytically flawed. (Excerpt from

T&T Guardian)

18

SUnDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Eight killed, 18 wounded in attack Indian Police detain 40 activists protesting tree felling for new metro near Rwanda's tourist hub

U

nidentified attackers have killed at least eight people and wounded 18 others during an overnight attack in northern Rwanda near the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to Police.

The attack took place on Friday in Musanze district's Kinigi sector which attracts tourists because of its Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas, an endangered species.

"Those criminals killed eight people, including six who were killed using traditional weapons and two

who were shot dead," John Bosco Kabera, police spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday.

"Eighteen people were injured and are being attended by doctors," he added, noting that the search for the attackers was underway.

Police did not say whether any tourists were among those killed. However, the hotels in the area are heavily guarded by the military and are unlikely to have been attacked.

It was not clear who the attackers were or where they came from but Rwanda

has in the past seen incursions by fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group from their bases in eastern DRC. The FDLR is composed of former Rwandan soldiers and Hutu rebels who fled after taking part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Over the years, various groups opposed to Rwanda have found sanctuary in DRC's eastern jungles from where they have occasionally launched attacks on the country. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Hong Kong: Transport paralysed in clampdown on rioters

M

ost of Hong Kong's metro system remains shut after a day which saw stations and businesses attacked in violent anti-Government protests.

Only the Airport Express remained open as protesters began fresh demonstrations in the autonomous Chinese territory.

Chief executive Carrie Lam has defended her decision to invoke emergency powers in order to restore order.

Hong Kong had been through a "very dark night" of "extreme violence", she said.

Unrest intensified on Friday after a young demonstrator was shot in the leg by a police officer.

Protesters have also called on people to defy a ban on face masks announced by Lam.

Unrest in the former British colony started in June, sparked by proposals to extradite suspected criminals to mainland China.

The extradition bill was subsequently cancelled but protests have Causeway Bay MTR train station widened into was damaged by fire pro-democracy and, reportedly, businessand anti-police es with links to mainland demonstrations.

MTR (Mass Transit China.

Hundreds of protestRailway), the rail operator, said it was unable to resume ers, many of them wearing normal services as repairs masks, marched through the were still being made at Causeway Bay shopping disdamaged stations. A limit- trict on Saturday.

A French resident, who ed bus service would be progave his first name Marko, vided.

Supermarkets and banks told AFP news agency the were also closed, reeling face mask ban was "adding to the fire". (Excerpt from BBC from Friday's chaos when ri- oil News) oters targeted MTR stations

Iraq protests: Death toll nears 100 as unrest enters fifth day The death toll from an- been trying to control the ti-Government protests in protests through curfews Iraq has risen to almost 100, and a near-total internet said the country's parlia- blackout. mentary human rights comAn emergency session mission. of Parliament failed to go The unrest entered its ahead on Saturday afterfifth day on Saturday, with noon. at least five people killed in the latest clashes in the capital Baghdad.

The security forces are again reported to have used live rounds.

Demonstrators say they are taking a stand against unemployment, poor public services and corruption.

It is the deadliest unrest since so-called Islamic State was de- Funerals of a number of protesters clared defeated in Iraq were held on Saturday in 2017.

It is seen as the first The city's Tahrir Square major challenge to Prime has been the focal point of Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's protests, but it was blocked fragile Government, nearly a on Saturday, according to loyear since he came to power. cal news agencies.

The authorities have The violence has also af-

fected majority Shia Muslim areas in the south, including Amara, Diwaniya and Hilla.

A number of deaths were reported on Friday in the southern city of Nasiriya, about 320km (200 miles) away.

A total of 540 protesters have been arrested, of whom nearly 200 remain in custody, the human rights commission said.

It also said more than 3000 people had been injured.

The demonstrators do not appear to have any clear leadership at the moment, and their anger is increasingly radicalising their demands, said the BBC's Sebastian Usher.

(Excerpt from BBC News

I

ndian Police detained 40 protesters demanding that the Mumbai Metro Rail Corp Ltd (MMRCL) not cut some 2700 trees to build a train parking shed for an upcoming subway line, a spokesman for the Mumbai Police said on Saturday.

Over 400 people gathered on Friday night and tried to hug the trees, located in the Aarey Colony suburb, in an attempt to stop officials from cutting them. Police eventually removed the protesters and shut entry to prevent further inflow of people, activists said.

“They have been charged with obstructing a Government servant from doing his duty and unlawful assembly. Around 200 policemen have been deployed at the location,” Pranaya Ashok, a spokesman for the Mumbai Police, told Reuters.

The Bombay High Court had dismissed on Friday all

petitions opposing the cutting of the trees, clearing the way for authorities to build a parking shed for Line 3 of a broader train network that aims to reduce traffic c o n g e s t i o n Police stand guard outside the Aarey in one of the Colony after demonstrators held a protest world’s most demanding that the Mumbai Metro Rail densely pop- Corp Ltd (MMRCL) not cut trees to build a ulated cities. train parking shed for an upcoming subway A s h w i n i line, in Mumbai, India, October 5, 2019 Bhide, the will do more to reduce polManaging Director of the lution in Mumbai than the MMRCL, accused the pro- cluster of trees. testers of trying to bypass Environmentalists, polithe law. ticians, Bollywood stars and The MMRCL has said business leaders have opin the past that there is no posed the felling of trees in other viable location for the one of the city’s last green shed, and authorities have spaces, saying destroying stressed that Line 3, slated green cover could exacerbate to open in December 2021, pollution. (Excerpt from Reuters)

North Korea breaks off nuclear talks with US in Sweden

N

orth Korea’s top negotiator said late on Saturday that working-level nuclear talks in Sweden between officials from Pyongyang and Washington had broken off, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate.

The North’s chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Myong Gil, who spent much of the day in talks with an American delegation, cast the blame on what he portrayed as US inflexibility, saying the other side’s negotiators would not “give up their old viewpoint and attitude”.

The US State Department said those comments did not reflect “the content or spirit” of more than 8-1/2 hours of talks, and Washington had accepted Sweden’s invitation to return to Sweden for more discussions with Pyongyang in two weeks.

North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator Kim Gil is seen outside the North Korean embassy in Stockholm, Sweden October 5, 2019

North Korea’s Kim downplayed the US gestures.

The meeting at an isolated conference centre on

the outskirts of Stockholm was the first formal working-level discussion since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in June and agreed to restart negotiations that stalled after a failed summit in Vietnam in February.

On Saturday evening, negotiator Kim Myong Gil accused the United States of having no intention of solving the countries’ difficulties through dialogue, but said a complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula was still possible.

He said it would only happen “when all the obstacles that threaten our safety and check our development are removed completely without a shadow of doubt”, however, an apparent reference to North Korea’s desire to see Washington ease economic pressure on it. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia, Iran take steps towards indirect talks – report

S

a u d i Arabia and Iran have taken steps toward indirect talks to defuse tensions in the Middle East, with Riyadh requesting Iraq and Pakistan to speak with the Iranian leadership about de-escalation, according to the New York Times.

In a report on Saturday, the Times said Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) asked the leaders of Iraq and Pakistan to intervene in the wake of the attacks on two Saudi oil facilities on September 14.

The United States and Saudi Arabia blamed their

arch-foe Iran for the attacks, which knocked out five per cent of the global crude supply, despite Yemen's Houthi rebels claiming responsibility for them.

But the Times reported that US President Donald Trump's refusal to order a military response "raised questions for the Saudis about the American commitment to Saudi security, which has underpinned the strategic layout of the Persian Gulf for decades".

The US's lack of action "prompted Saudi Arabia to seek its own solution to the conflict," it added.

The Saudi Government

told the Times that Baghdad and Islamabad had offered to mediate talks, but denied the move was at MBS' request.

Tehran has meanwhile said it is open to hold talks with Riyadh.

"Iran is open to starting a dialogue with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region," Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran's Parliament, told Al Jazeera in an interview broadcast last week.

"An Iranian-Saudi dialogue could solve many of the region's security and political problems," he added.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

sunDAY, october 6, 2019

19

India hold all the aces after Rohit Sharma’s twin tons I

n his second innings as opener, Rohit Sharma scored a century even better than in the first to set up a declaration for India with a day and 13 possible overs to go. In the nine overs before bad light brought a premature end to play on the fourth day, Ravindra Jadeja removed the first-innings centurion Dean Elgar.

Rohit’s was another sixfilled innings but on a wornout surface with the ball beginning to rag. A strike rate of 85.23 on day four was truly exceptional, and just what India needed after South Africa had kept them in the field for far longer than they would have liked to.

Rohit became only the second India opener to score twin tons in a Test, and now holds the record for most sixes in an international match in all three formats.

Batsmen around him had a merry time as the South Africa spinners went into complete breakdown, undoing the work done by their batsmen on day three and the fast bowlers at the start of India’s innings.

Only two bowlers in Test cricket - timeless ones included - have conceded more runs than Keshav Maharaj’s 318 in this game. He went for 129 in his 22 overs, and wasn’t even close to being the most unimpressive bowler on show. Dane Piedt’s

inconsistency was taken apart: he was hit for nine sixes in his 17 overs, which went for 102 runs. Between them, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada went for just 62 in 25 overs, and it could be argued they bowled better than that.

It is hard to believe, but for a session and a third, it all seemed to be going to plan for South Africa.

Starting the day 117 behind, they had a sticky last-wicket stand of 35 and also kept India’s scoring in check. It took India two hours and 27 minutes of play to get back to a lead of 117. Philander had bowled a spell of 4-3-20, Maharaj has taken a wicket, and Rabada kept asking questions. While Rohit had managed to hit three sixes, rotating the strike had been difficult and the scoring rate hovered around two.

It was an interesting time in India’s innings. It might seem ridiculous after the later onslaught, but there was a brief period when India needed to make sure they didn’t collapse and allowed South Africa hopes of winning the Test. Pujara was cautious to begin with; when he began to look for runs, he found that the pitch was not easy right now to manipulate gaps. He kept skipping down the pitch, but he kept finding fielders on the leg side. An outside edge

off Piedt went down, but so big was the deflection that to call it a chance would be cruel on Quinton de Kock.

Two overs before a drinks break, gloves came out for Pujara. Rohit berated him for lack of urgency in running. You could feel there was pressure building on Pujara. He still kept finding the fielders. You wondered if he would finally try to loft the ball. He skipped down to Piedt again, was beaten in the air - a rare occurrence - and then managed to get a thin inside edge to beat de Kock and get four runs.

After that, as if magically, the ball began to find gaps.

Pujara was 8 off 62 before this, and India 64 for 1 in the 28th over. The flood gates opened so dramatically that he had hit four fours in seven balls. All along the ground.

In the extended middle session, he went past Rohit’s score and also his boundary count. The only time he hit in the air, though, was when spinners bowled long hops, and he put them both several rows back in the stands.

Rohit’s six-hitting at the other end was something else. Except for one, his 10th of the match that landed in long-on’s hands but Senuram Muthusamy’s foot just flicked the rope before he did the release-and-stepout trick, all of Rohit’s sixes were regal languid hits. It

was contagious with Jadeja hitting three in 32 balls, and Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane landing one each of their own. India hit 27 sixes in the match, five more than any team has ever hit in a Test; the overall tally of 34 sin the match was one short of the record.

Pujara once again got a beauty from Philander to be dismissed lbw by a straight ball that seamed away, but by then he and Rohit had put India on the path to domination again. The torment, though, was to continue. India promoted Jadeja possibly to get a right-left combination going, but he didn’t have to worry about picking up the scoring rare because Rohit gave already high rate a boost by hitting Piedt for three consecutive sixes.

By the time Rohit missed o n c e , South Africa h a d been beaten into submission and they chased after him to congratulate on his superb effort: more runs and more centuries in a match than anyone opening for the first

SCOREBOARD India 1st Innins 502/7d SA 1st Innings 431 India 2nd Innings MA Agarwal c du Plessis b Maharaj 7 RG Sharma st †de Kock b Maharaj 127 CA Pujara lbw b Philander 81 RA Jadeja b Rabada 40 V Kohli (c) not out 31 AM Rahane not out 27 Extras (b 8, lb 2) 10 TOTAL (67 Overs, RR: 4.82) 323/4d Did not bat: GH Vihari, WP Saha †, R Ashwin, I Sharma, M Shami Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Agarwal, 7.6 ov), 2-190 (Pujara, 50.6 ov), 3-239 (Sharma, 56.5 ov), 4-286 (Jadeja, 62.5 ov) BOWLING VD Philander (12-5-21-1)

time.

After some more fun - it was arguable India enjoyed themselves for a bit too long keeping in mind there could be some rain on the final day -

KA Maharaj (22-0-129-2) K Rabada (13-3-41-1) DL Piedt (17-3-102-0) S Muthusamy (3-0-20-0) South Africa 2nd Innings (target: 395 runs) AK Markram not out D Elgar lbw b Jadeja TB de Bruyn not out Extras (lb 1) 1 TOTAL (9 Overs, RR: 1.22) 11-1 Yet to bat: T Bavuma, F du Plessis (c), Q de Kock †, VD Philander, S Muthusamy, KA Maharaj, DL Piedt, K Rabada Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Elgar, 3.3 ov) BOWLING R Ashwin (5-2-7-0) RA Jadeja (4-2-3-1)

3 2 5

Kohli asked South Africa to enter the cauldron again.

India were not allowed to use fast bowlers because of the light, but it wasn’t a blow to them. Spinners would have done the bulk of the bowling anyway. Before stumps, Jadeja trapped Elgar in front, but before that he had to convince his captain to go for a review.

Having worked hard with the bat on day three, having batted out 131.2 overs, South Africa’s batsmen will be filthy with their spinners for having put them in such a situation yet again. (Cricinfo)

Rohit Sharma made his opening debut with centuries in both innings

Liverpool score injury-time winner against Leicester

J

ames Milner’s injury-time penalty earned a dramatic win over inform Leicester City and maintained Liverpool’s flawless start to the Premier League season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side looked to be on course for a hard-earned point on his return to Anfield after James Maddison’s low finish 10 minutes from time equalised Sadio Mane’s 40th-minute strike.

And then, with the clock ticking into stoppage time, a communication breakdown between Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel and substitute Marc Albrighton ended with the latter bringing down Mane.

The penalty was awarded after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR) and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrated wildly as Rodgers turned away in despair.

Leicester will feel they had done enough to earn a point and their frustrations boiled over at the final whistle, with substitute Ayoze Perez involved in angry exchanges with several Liverpool players who were celebrating increasing their lead over Manchester City at the top of the table to eight points.

City can reduce the gap to five once more when they host Wolves on Sunday (14:00 BST).

Tottenham’s woes continue Tottenham’s miserable week continued as they followed their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich with a damaging defeat at Brighton.

After their 7-2 drubbing in midweek, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was expecting a response from his players, only for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to gift Neal Maupay a bizarre opener.

Last week’s home win against Southampton offered Spurs some relief after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Colchester but the pressure is mounting on Pochettino with his side having now taken 11 points from a possible 24 this term.

Not only was it Brighton’s first win since the opening day but it was Graham Potter’s first at the Amex, lifting the Seagulls to 12th before the afternoon kick-offs, with Tottenham set to slip out of the top six.

James Milner’s penalty was the 34th time Liverpool have scored a 90th-minute winning goal in a Premier League match - at least nine more than any other side

The Spurs captain suffered a freak arm injury in the process, and Aaron Connolly compounded Tottenham’s problems by doubling Brighton’s lead on his first Premier League start.

And although Spurs made a positive start to the second half, Connolly killed off any hope of them launching a fightback as the 19-year-old Irish striker produced a well-taken strike for his second goal to seal Brighton’s first home win since March.

Tottenham have now failed to win in their last away 10 games in the Premier League, stretching back to a 2-1 victory at Fulham on 20 January, and have lost 17 in all competitions in 2019 - more than any other top-flight side.

AV pushes 5 past Norwich Aston Villa’s club record signing Wesley showed his “massive” potential with a “colossus” display in the ruthless win at injury-hit Norwich City, says manager Dean Smith.

The 22-year-old striker scored twice as Villa moved out of the bottom three and leapfrogged their opponents in the Premier League table.

Wesley, who has been criticised by some Villa fans, opened the scoring with a neat control and finish, doubling the tally with a tap-in before missing a penalty.

Norwich continued to defend woefully after the restart, Jack Grealish allowed to sweep in a third to effectively end the home side’s hopes.

Conor Hourihane and Douglas Luiz added more as Canaries boss Daniel Farke’s 100th league game at the helm headed towards humiliation, before Josip Drmic tucked in a meaningless consolation which few inside Carrow Road even celebrated.Villa’s stunning win moved Smith’s side up to 14th, with Norwich sliding down to thirdbottom with their fifth defeat in six games. (BBC Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, october 6, 2019

GAW v Tridents match…

Play-off is the most important clash of the season – Malik T

oday’s playoff match between Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) and Barbados Tridents (BT) is the most important match of the season, says GAW Captain Shoaib Malik and marquee player Nicholas Pooran following the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ 10th consecutive win in CPL 2019.

A seven-wicket win is, to some, a momentous achievement, especially when it is the tenth consecutive win of a season. However, for the Guyana Amazon Warriors team, this level of excellence is only the beginning of a tougher journey.

According to both captain Shoaib Malik and marquee player Nicholas Pooran, the team’s exceptional preliminary season would mean nothing if they are to mess up at the playoff stage. As such, the Warriors will bring their A+ game against the Barbados Tridents on Sunday afternoon.

“To be honest, it’s a good feeling, but it means nothing to the team because we haven’t achieved the goal. We’re looking forward to the first playoff, and hopefully we get to the final. The main goal is winning the tournament this year; because if we don’t win it would be a shame,” Pooran noted during a post-match interview on Friday night.

Pooran was harshly realistic about his ap-

GAW Captain Shoaib Malik

GAW marquee player Nicholas Pooran

proach, but Captain Malik was subtler, as he explained the importance of today’s matchup.

“There is no over-confidence thing in our

team. I guess every day is a new day, and what we have achieved of course was an exceptional thing, but that’s past now. What’s

coming tomorrow we’re just focusing on that, and I think that’s the key in our dressing room. Just focus; not thinking of winning all the games or anything else, just thinking of who you’re playing against and giving it your best shot,” Malik explained.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will come up against the Barbados Tridents in the first qualifier game, scheduled for 3.30pm at the Providence National Stadium today. Should the Warriors’ maintain their winning streak, they would automatically advance to their 5th CPL final.

In their final home game, on Friday night, the Warriors mauled the Trinbago Knight Riders by 7 wickets. Man-of-the-match Nicholas Pooran hit a careful 54 off 35 balls in an innings that had its fair share of fireworks.

He was supported by Captain Malik, who saw the game out once again, striking 28 from 29. Brandon King had laid a solid foundation at the top, with 33 from 23 before he was sent back by Jimmy Neesham.

Chandrapaul Hemraj was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers, scalping 3-15 as he rocked the Trinidadians’ top order. Malik again chipped in with 1-10 as the GAW restricted the Trinidad side to 143-5.

WMCF, School of the Nations Brathwaite praises prepare for chess competitions Women’s T10 initiative I

The WMCF often introduces students to the game of chess at a very early age

A

vid chess action will continue this weekend through tournaments hosted by the Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation’s fourth Junior Championships and School of the Nations Chess Club’s first Scholastic Competition.

The resuscitated School of the Nations Chess Club will host its first Chess Scholastic Competition at the school’s auditorium from 9am this Saturday. Indeed, this school is among the very few schools with a ‘Chess for Education’ programme especially catering for participants from the nursery level to the secondary level.

Not only do Nations’ students benefit from the “Chess for Education” programme, but the chess club also runs an extracurricular activity in this regard for students, who are mostly trained

by FIDE National Instructor Candidate Master (CM) Wendell Meusa.

The tournament’s format will be 5 rounds, with 30 minutes per player. Categories are as follows: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. Nations’ students, national junior players Joshua Khan and Jacob McDonald, who just represented Guyana at chess in CARIFTA, have each confirmed that they have registered to participate.Former National Champion and FIDE Candidate Master Wendell Meusa will be hosting his 4th Junior Chess Championships on 6th & 12th October, 2019 at the National Sport Resource and Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue.

The Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation is considered the “Home of Chess Champions” in Guyana, especially because they continue to train many young top national junior players.

Operating since 2009 under it old name, the Royal Chess Academy, the WMCF has produced national junior champions Cecil Cox, Ron Motilall, and even Fide Master Anthony Drayton, who discovered his talent there.

With that said, the WMCF 2019 Junior Chess Championships will see participation from Guyana’s current top national juniors -- such as the Lee brothers (Ethan & Ronan), Jaden Taylor, Jarrell Troyer, Chelsea Juma, the Johnson sisters (Waveny & Nellisha), Angel Rahim and Samirah Gobin.

In fact, the entire CARIFTA team should be participating, and it would be a FIDE-rated tournament, which will make it more competitive and entertaining.

The competition will comprise of 7 rounds, with one hour of sudden death time control per player. Games will start at 9am and all games will be played under the rules and laws of FIDE, National Tournament Director Rashad Hussain has said.

Registration fee is $1000 per child, and interested persons can contact Ms Clarke on 669- 4731 (Nations Chess Club Director) or Wendell Meusa on 664-0124 for more information.

n the upcoming week, female West Indian cricketers will get in on a piece of the biggest party in sport when the ladies take to the T10 stage.

Although they are competing in a shorter format than their male counterparts, the two-game action is expected to be equally as exiting. The matches will take place in Trinidad and Tobago on two days; namely, the NLCB Challenge on October 10 at 3pm, and the Courts Invitational on October 12 at 12:30pm.

Caribbean nationals and Guyanese alike are anticipating this female cricket action, and male players are also looking forward to witnessing the two matches. One such person is St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots captain Carlos Brathwaite, who had nothing but praise for the initiative.

Explaining his interest and investment in female cricket, the SKN skipper said it provides a great opportunity for his female counterparts.

“I think it’s fantastic! The women’s IPL! Of course we can give them credit, but there is a tournament in Trinidad for female players, a women’s T20 franchise tournament. I’m fortunate to own one of the female teams, so for me it’s a pleasure to see women’s cricket develop in the way that it is,” Brathwaite said.

He referred to the West Indies Women’s victory in the ICCC T20 World Cup back in 2016, and explained how female cricket maintains the integrity of the maroon colours even when the senior men’s team fails to do so.

“Obviously, we understood and felt the glory that they brought to us in 2016 as well, and we know that sometimes when the men’s team falters, they carry the flag internationally. So for them to have their own stage, or as you say, we’re sharing it, is phenomenal,” he said.

Not only is Brathwaite looking forward to the women’s games, the Bajan national is also hoping that the initiative can continue, and even run concurrently with the Caribbean Premiere League.

“Hopefully it’s something that can run in conjunction with the full CPL, if financing and scheduling are permitted,” he said.

Carlos Brathwaite

sunday, october 6, 2019

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guyanatimesgy.com

21

CPL, MoSC discuss improved stadium capacity and fan experience

C

hief Operations Officer of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Mr. Pete Russell, today paid a courtesy call on Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, at his Main Street office.

Their brief engagement involved participation of Ms. Melissa Tucker, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.

During the visit, Minister Norton discussed several plans to improve the experience for patrons and the capacity of the Guyana National Stadium.

Mr. Russell expressed that game attendance could double if the stadium’s seating capacity is increased.

He also sought to have addressed issues in regard to accommodation when tournaments are hosted in Guyana. He is of the view that more needs to be done in that sector to not only provide adequate accommodation for visitors, but also at competitive rates.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker and CPL COO Pete Russell

In regard to attendance and support for the tournament in Guyana, Mr. Russell

said he is overwhelmed with the support, and noted that in spite of the current

political climate, Guyanese have embraced each other and coexist in a cohe-

sive environment during matches.

He posited that there is no divisiveness based on politics or race, and said he considers this impressive.

These two dignitaries also spoke of plans to expand cricket beyond the coast to persons living in the hinterland. Minister Norton posited that expanding cricket to the outlying regions could see persons becoming regional ambassadors for the sport.

Mr. Russell discussed plans for the expansion of CPL tournaments to become what he considers “a little more gender-friendly”. He explained that there is a long- term plan to hold a women’s tournament in the interest of diversity.

Minister Norton had, in a previous statement, declared that the Government of Guyana stands ready to lend support to this level of inclusivity, as CPL has the capacity to take female cricket to new heights.

Persaud, Bookie, Nedd Barty sets up among runs in DCC win Beijing final ꟷ Mootoo, Sankar bundle GNIC for 69 showdown with Osaka T

By Timothy Jaikarran

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he action continued in the NBS 2nd Division 40 over competition as Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) battled GNIC in a one-sided second round affair at the DCC ground.

The game saw DCC gain an advantage of 8 runs due to a slow start by their opponent, in the 35-over affair.

Batting first, DCC posted a mammoth total of 289 all out in their allotted overs.

They asserted their dominance from the first ball to avoid a reoccurrence of last week’s game where they were forced on the back foot tottering at 54-8.

If it wasn’t for the brilliance of Carlton Jacques (89) and Ashmead Nedd 4-27 they would have registered their first loss in round one.

On Saturday, Shamar Yearwood (12) and Joshua Persaud opened the batting for DCC but Yearwood was removed early when he was trapped lbw by Ramole Bourne.

Nevertheless, Persaud stood firm at the other end alongside Raymond Perez until he narrowly missed out on a century with an impressive 98. From 51 balls.

Persaud slammed eight boundaries and an equal amount of maximums while Perez (17) departed a short while after to take the score to 149-3.

After that, Alphius Bookie supported with a

Ashleigh Barty

Joshua Persaud, Ashmead Nedd and Alphius Bookie were able to propel DCC to 289 in 35 overs. Steven Sankar and Daniel Mootoo demolished the entire GNIC unit with figures of 5-24 and 4-17

sturdy 48 from 32 balls while Ashmead Nedd remained unbeaten on 45 from 22.

GNIC’s bowling efforts were led by Premchand Sukhdeo who had 2-58 with support from Jeremiah Benjamin 2-60, Bourne 1-36, Dwain Dick Jr 1-31 and Chris Harry 1-56.

Needing a mammoth total of 290 off 210 balls at a net run rate of 8.3 runs per over, GNIC got off to a shaky start losing the wicket of the inform Nicholas Marcs who was run out for 2 with the score on 17 in the 3rd over.

Dick took matters into his own hands and blasted a quick fire 33 off 22 balls but

he was bowled by Steven Sankar as he attempted one too many big shots. It wasn’t long after that the wicket of Premchand Sukhdeo fell for 7 to have GNIC pegged at 43-3.

Within a matter of 13 runs two more wickets fell compliments Daniel Mootoo.

The score then was 56-5.

Sankar returned and bagged two more wickets, while Mootoo bagged his fourth as the score reached 60-7.

Nine runs later GNIC folded for 69 in 16.2 overs.

The leg spin duo of Mootoo (5-25) and Sankar (4-17) ensure a comfortable victory ahead of round 3.

A

ustralia’s world number one Ash Barty beat eighth seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 6-3 3-6 7-6(7) in Beijing on Saturday to set up a China Open final with Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

Both Barty and Bertens saved a match point in a thrilling third set tiebreak before the Australian top seed wrapped up the encounter in two hours 20 minutes.

It was Barty’s 19th win in a three-setter this year and her third in a row after beating Zheng Saisai in the last 16 and seventh seed Petra Kvitova in the quarter-finals, with both matches lasting more than two hours.

In a see-saw match, both players dropped serve three times with little to separate the two until the tiebreak in the decider.

Bertens first saved a match point with a long rally to tie the score at 6-6 in the tiebreak before Barty fought back to 7-7. She then forced the Dutchwoman into an error and won the match on her next match point to advance.

Fourth seed Osaka beat defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets in the other semi-final, coming away with a 6-4 6-2 victory in one hour and 24 minutes.

The reigning Australian Open champion smashed 30 winners and saved all seven break points she faced, which included six in the second set.

She also broke Wozniacki three times for her first win over the Danish 29-year-old in three attempts.

Sunday’s final will be the fourth meeting between Barty and Osaka, with the Australian leading 2-1 in head-to-head encounters.

22

guyanatimesgy.com

SUnDAY, october 6, 2019

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League – Day 4…

Timehri Panthers, Swan, Riddim Squad, Eagles win T

he Swan Football Club of the LindenSoesdyke Highway and Eagles Football Club of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara have each posted their first win when play in the fourth edition of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-11 League sponsored

by USA-based Guyanese Ralph Green continued on Saturday at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Defending champions Timehri Panthers, like Riddim Squad, collected their second win in four outings, while Vurlon Mills Academy and Fruta Conquerors battled to a 0-0 draw. There was also a draw (1-1) in the clash between Agricola Red Triangle and Kuru Kururu Warriors.

Despite drawing with the Conquerors, the Vurlon Mills Academy remain the team to beat in Group ‘A’, as they are still in pole position and have sealed their place in the next round of the competition even with a game in hand.

With two matches to play, Fruta Conquerors can still seal a place in the

Vurlon Mills Academy in action against Fruta Conquerors

next round, but they will have to win both their remaining matches and hope that Timehri Panthers slip up in their final match.

The Panthers defeated Diamond United 2-0

on account of goals from Esteban Madina in the 11th minute and Shaquelle Caleb in the 17th minute.

Swan romped to a 3-0 win over Friendship

All Stars in a very close match, which saw Friendship wilting under the midday heat in the final five minutes of the match. It had looked like the match was heading for a draw, but the Swan players had different ideas. They knocked in three unanswered goals: a double from Kevin DeGoias in the 25th and 27th minutes and a Marko Andrews’ goal tucked in in the 29th minute, to seal themselves a memorable win.

Riddim Squad needled Grove Hi Tech through a Jaheam Lewis 9th minute goal, and the win propelled Riddim Squad to the top of the points’ standings in Group ‘B’ on goal difference; ahead of the Kuru Kururu Warriors, who had to claw their way back from being a goal down against Agricola Red Triangle to earn an equal share of the points.

Agricola went ahead in the 4th minute, thanks to a Brandon Narine goal; and it was not until the 22nd minute that the Kuru Kururu Warriors were able to respond in like manner -through a Jahson Maddison goal.

Eagles FC sailed to their first win via a 1-0 margin over Samatta Point/Kaneville. Terez Moore was the player who sealed the deal for the West Demerara-based lads in the 28th minute, two minutes before full time.

Matches will continue next Saturday at the same venue.

Consistent Jamual rides to Breeders’ Cup set for October 13 victory in Hand-in-Hand feature ꟷ to feature auto show Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee…

Outstanding cyclists and sponsors’ representatives gather for a group photo

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At the recently concluded Guyana Cup event, Jumbo Jet’s Valentina won the event for 3-year-old animals

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he Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) will stage their Breeders’ Cup fund-raising event at the Bush Lot United Turf Club on the West Coast of Berbice (Region 5) on Sunday October 13.

This event features a five-race card which commences at 10:30 hrs, to be followed by dirt bike racing and a car-and-bike show.

The feature event of the horse-racing card is the race involving Guyana-bred horses, for which a purse of $400,000 would be up for grabs.

In the E Class race for non-winners (open to animals classified G2 and Lower), a purse of $300,000 will be up for grabs. In the race for animals classified J1 and Lower, the winner’s purse is $200,000. In the race for animals classified 2-Year-Old Guyanabred maiden horses, the purse is $150,000; while the purse for the race involving animals classified L and Lower is $100,000.

Events’ Organiser Nasrudeen Mohamed has said, “We’re having a trio of events to bring out the fans. It’s always about horse racing, so this time we are going different

and just trying to accommodate everyone in the different sports. The car-and-bike show will be in the evening, while the horse-racing and dirt bike (racing) will be in the day.

“The dirt bikes will be classified into two categories, namely the novice and the pro.

The car-and-bike show will see drivers competing in different categories, such as the cleanest sound system; the loudest (sound system); the cleanest car; the oldest model car, and so forth. It’s going to be a really exciting event, and I urge people to come out and support this event.”

All the horse-racing events will mandatorily be run according to established Guyana Horse Racing rules.

Fans can definitely expect a special treat on Sunday October 13, especially since the JJTRC club also boasts the largest dirt-bike racing track.

Persons desiring more information are invited to contact Chandu Ramkissoon on 624-9063, 608-9063, or 232-0633; Alan Padmore on 232-9115; Rajin (Lion) on 6084050; or Nikita Ross on 662-4668.

eam Coco’s Jamual John continued his consistent season by clinching the 15th annual Hand-in-Hand 35-lap Cycle Race at the National Park in one hour, 15 minutes, 48 seconds.

In producing another outstanding finish, Jamual continued to show his prowess as a sprinter.

In yesterday’s 35-lap main event there were 36 starters, and Team Evolution’s Paul De Nobrega returned to form by finishing in second position, while Briton John rode in third position. Other top finishers were Team Evolution’s Christopher Griffith(fourth), Curtis Dey (fifth) and defending Hand-in-Hand champion Michael Anthony (sixth).

Jamual John copped four sprint prizes while Briton John took two. Dey and Christopher Cornelius each took one.

In the earlier races, Junior Niles won the Veterans Under-50 five-lap race in 13 minutes five seconds. Kwame Ridley rode in second, while Jaikarran Sukham completed the race in third position.

Ian Jackson dominated the Veterans Over-50 race, while Andy Spencer and Kennard Lovell rode in respective second and third positions.

In the Juveniles 10-lap affair, Sherwin Sampson rode in first in a time of 21 minutes and 56 seconds, while Aaron Newton rode in second position. Darius Ramsammy had two sprint prizes in the Juveniles race.

Jamual John led the charge early in the race (Brandon Corlette photo)

In the Novices Mountain Bike race, Nigel London copped one sprint prize.

The BMX Boys 6-9 years’ 2-lap event saw Lennox Jackman clinching the first spot, while Aditya Deokaran rode in second and William Green came in third.

(Brandon Corlette)

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, october 6, 2019

23

Top 4 Captains ‘ready to rumble’

By Brandon Corlette

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fter weeks of fascinating contestation, in which heart-stopping outcomes were birthed from impossible situations as cricket’s gladiators battled for primacy in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2019 tournament, things have progressed to the stage wherein four of the six participating teams will battle each other for the right to be considered the pre-eminent team.

That stage, “the playoff matches”, will commence today from 11:00h with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots locking proverbial horns in the first eliminator match; to be followed by the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) similarly engaged against the Barbados Tridents from 15:30h. Both these matches will be played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

At a pre-match press conference, each of the four captains was upbeat about his chances of success on the eve of this Super Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

GAW Captain Shoaib Malik speaks

Having completed the perfect ten, GAW Captain Shoaib Malik was at his usual calm and composed best. Malik said the team has been going in the right direction, and players have been performing consistently.

“Everyone is fit and ready, and I am looking forward for the playoffs,” he declared.

This experienced campaigner, in a confident approach, revealed that being in an unbeaten situation is nothing new.

“Back home (in Pakistan), I captained Sialkot Stallions and we won (matches) continuously, 26 or 28 matches; so there is no over-confidence”, Malik explained.

The Pakistani, who has so far scored 281 runs this season, with seven unbeaten innings, revealed that he feels no pressure in these situations. “Everyone has their own expectations, and a lot of people have asked me when will we win the title; but this is a new year and a new season,

Kieron Pollard addressing the media

dicted.

Evin Lewis has scored 256 runs for the Patriots’ cause, while Rayad Emrit and Sheldon Cottrell have each taken 11 wickets. Thus the Patriots correctly fancy their chances at success.

Defending champs battling to rebound

Captains Carlos Brathwaite, Shoaib Malik and Jason Holder at the pre-match press conference

and we are just focused on the playoff matches first”, Malik explained.

Tridents aiming to invade the Amazon

Fresh from two wins in their last matches, the Jason Holder-led Tridents are confident as they head into the match-up against the GAW. The Tridents are a side that is studded with the likes of Alex Hales, currently struggling; JP Duminy, and Shakib Al Hassan a s the big overseas players. Holder, their captain, has praised the bowlers for reviving the Tridents’ hopes in this tournament.

Speaking about Shakib’s presence in the team, Holder said he brings that added strength in all three departments. “The team has been sticking together, and that has been a plus for us”, he said.

The West Indies Test Captain has acknowledged that the GAW have been performing as a unit.

“In the match against Jamaica Tallawahs, where GAW were 8-4,

other players stepped up. Malik showed his experience, and Sherfane Rutherford as well,” Holder posited.

Holder has said it would be a tough game against the GAW, but on the given day, the team that plays the better cricket would be successful. “We will not take GAW lightly, and we are looking

Chris Green and Imran Tahir have each taken 12 wickets for GAW

forward to dethrone them at home”, he disclosed.

Tridents star player this season has been Hayden Walsh Jr. He has taken 17 wickets, while Johnson Charles has scored 326 runs.

Patriots looking to conquer Knight Riders

The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the TKR have been involved in one of the best match- es of the tourna-

ment -- the super over contest which saw Carlos Brathwaite leading the charge.

On the eve of their match, Brathwaite disclosed that the Patriots have thus far been finding the right combination.

“We are looking forward for tomorrow’s game against TKR,” he said. “We are not concentrating on TKR’s form”.

Sunil Narine has not been featuring in the TKR starting XI, but Brathwaite and his men are expecting him to make his return in this match. “We will be planning for him, and if not, we will adapt to conditions; but there is a 99% chance that he will play”, Brathwaite pre-

Lendl Simmons has had a dream season with the bat, topping the batting charts

It is not an ideal position for defending champions TKR to find themselves in, having lost matches in a cluster. Captain Kieron Pollard has said the TKR have had to take the long route to the final, but the team is confident of success. “We have it in us, and it is just a matter of getting a win under our belt”, he has said.

Newly-appointed West Indies whiteball captain Kieron Pollard has said Sunil Narine’s absence from the TKR team has been a big loss. He explained that Narine has to undergo a fitness test that would deter- mine his selection.

Pollard is pleased with the talent shown by the young players in the tournament; even Holder’s captaincy has excited him.

To be the best we have to beat the best, Pollard explained. He said Lendl Simmons has been performing well with the bat, but the opening combination has been unsettled because of Narine’s absence. “We will look to bring the best combination and get the best results”, the determined Pollard has declared.

Tickets for the final match, to be played in Trinidad, are presently on sale in Guyana.

Hayden Walsh, with 17 scalps, is the leading wicket-taker in CPL 2019

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019

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

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Top 4 Captains ‘ready to rumble’

See story on page 23

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October 6, 2019

Feature

Full name Johan Botha

Role: Head Coach

Full name Clinton Jeremiah

Role: Strength and Conditioning Trainer

Full name Omar Khan

Full name Saurabh Walkar

Role: Team Role: Performance Operations Manager Analyst

Full name Kurlyn Smith-Nicholas Role: Masseuse

Full name Dr Jason Pilgrim

Role: Physiotherapist

October 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

Shimron Hetmyer leads his team in a lap around Providence after winning their playoff game in 2018

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ooking at the CPL schedule for season seven, the 22-year old left-hander has six chances to thrill his fellow Guyanese during the Amazon Warriors’ five home games and a play-off encounter. So far in the 2019 season, ‘Hetty’ as he is fondly called stood out in the Guyana Amazon Warrior’s match against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots with an unbeaten 70 to lead the Warriors to their second victory at home. Aside from this, Hetmyer has been brilliant in the outfield holding on to some stunning catches and saving valuable runs.

While winning on the road is equally as important, the victory is just a little bit sweeter when it is shared with his fellow Guyanese, who turn out in their thousands to support the local franchise.

“That’s why we put every single bit of our energy to make sure when we’re playing at the Guyana National Stadium that we do everything in our power to win the game just for the Guyanese fans,” Hetmyer explained.

But playing at home for Hetmyer is more than just familiar conditions and a familiar space; for the Berbice batsman, performing well at the National Stadium Providence, is something extremely special. Moreover, for the 2019 season of CPL, Hetmyer is elated about sharing those exceptional moments with his fellow countrymen. “Knowing that this year the bulk of the team is Guyanese as well so that’s also a good feeling to know that,” the 22 year old stated.

The Life of the Party

While Hetmyer is known to light up the National Stadium Providence, the 22 year old bats-

man is also know to ignite fireworks in the dressing room, according to his teammates. As Captain Shoaib Malik tells it, there is never a dull moment with ‘Hetty’ around.

“Having someone in your dressing room who’s constantly talking, joking and interacting with other players, you need someone who can give something to the dressing room or to the players,” Malik shared.

Meanwhile, Chris Green enjoys the same view that the fans have of the promising Berbician talent; watching him dispatch the ball to all parts of the ground.

“A lot of the guys look up to him, being how good he is. So he’s actually a leader in our group. What we saw last year, that hundred in Fort Lauderdale against Jamaica was amazing to watch and countless other times. It’s just his ability to hit the ball cleanly,” Green said.

Having been around Hetmyer for years now, fellow Guyanese Sherfane Rutherford, believes that the jokes, wise cracks and overall good vibes that Shimron brings to the team is just a part of who he is.

“It’s always good to be yourself, so I think that’s him and we accept him for what he is,” Rutherford noted.

On the other hand, Hetmyer explains that his jovial personality is more about ensuring that his teammates are in the best spirits ahead of each game.

“If you see someone that’s down you just try to pick them up as quickly as possible and just make sure that they know that the team is there for them as well,” Whether it is cheering a player up in the dressing room or giving the Guyanese fans something to cheer about while at the crease, Shimron Hetmyer reflects on his humble beginnings at times, noting that the beauty of it all can make him emotional.

“From playing cricket in the streets to now playing international cricket, rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in the world, it’s something I sit and think about every now and again. And the more I think about it is like the warmer I feel, it gets a little bit emotional at times.”

With all that is happening for Hetmyer in Guyana’s cricket, he may soon be called ‘Mr Cricket,’ an accolade that he deserves.

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Sunday Times Magazine

October 6, 2019

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Feature

By Timothy Jaikarran

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he Guyana Amazon Warriors have continued to h i g h l i g h t ets at an average of 17.8 with and economy rate of 5.9 runs per over. His best bowling of the Hero Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) 2 0 1 9 , 4/22 was achieved against the Patriots at Warner Park. In his early matches in CPL 2019, Tahir has continued from where he left off claiming eight wickets in his first four matches with stellar performances coming from evand already one of the leading bowlers of the tournament. ery member of the team. The inclusion of the leg spin duo of South African Imran Tahir Meanwhile, 19-year old Qais Ahmad from Afghanistan and Afghan Qais Ahmad to the power made ripples on the international cricket scene when he packed Warriors squad has strengthpicked up 14 wickets in five matches in the U-19 World ened the bowling lineup. The spin Cup in 2018 and ended up as the second leading wicket taker. From then his voyage as a white-ball globe twins have led the Warriors trotter began. from the fore front when most He played in CPL 2018 for the St needed.

Tahir has a wealth Lucia Stars (now Zouks) and latof experience to his er for the Hobart Hurricanes where he snared seven wickname as at the age of ets with an average of 12.7 in 40 he has played for just three matches. teams all around the At just 19 years old world; South Africa, Chennai Super Kings, Ahmad has also played for Delhi Daredevils, Afghanistan, Afghanistan Under-19s, Band-e-Amir Derbyshire, Dolphins, Dragons, Maidan Wardak Durham, Durham Province Under-17s, Mis 2nd XI, Easterns, Ainak Region, Multan Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire, Sultans and Pamir Stars.

Hampshire 2nd XI, The wily bowler joined the Amazon Warriors after Lahore City, Lahore his Test debut in Afghanistan’s Lions, Lahore Ravi, first Test match victory which came Lahore Whites, Lions, against Bangladesh in early September Middlesex, Middlesex 2nd XI, Multan Sultans, 2019 and immediately made an impact. In Nottinghamshire, Pakistan his first game, he returned excellent figures A, Pakistan International of 3/28 and combined with Tahir for figures of 5/45 to give the Warriors an easy Airlines, Pakistan Under-19s, win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Redco Pakistan Ltd, Rising Pune Basseterre.

Supergiants, Sialkot, South Africa Qais Ahmad is too hot A, Staffordshire, Sui Gas Corporation of Pakistan, Despite the 21-year age gap beto handle this season Surrey, Sussex 2nd XI, Titans, Warriors, Warwickshire, tween Tahir and Ahmad they form a Imran Tahir unleashes his Warwickshire 2nd XI, Water and Power Development mesmerizing relationship that possignature celebration es serious threats to all oppositions in Authority, World-XI, Yorkshire.

Overall, the energetic Tahir has played 265 T20 matches bagging 328 wickets at an im- CPL this season which should be a major factor in the Warriors going all the way this year.

Judging from their track records, there will be lots of summersaults from Ahmad and pressive bowling average of 20.36, with best bowling figures of 5/23 and an economy rate of 7.07. even more sprinting around the ground from Tahir as they celebrate the Warriors in CPL When Tahir joined the Amazon Warriors in the 2018 edition of CPL he bagged 16 wick- 2019.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have agreed a tournament window for the 2020 tournament.Next year’s tournament will take place between 19 August and 26 September 2020.

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his window means that for the third successive year all West Indies contracted players will be available for the duration of the event. With high calibre international stars also set to take part fans across the Caribbean will be able to see the best talent the cricket world has to offer. This window also means that there will be no overlap with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new event, The Hundred, meaning both tournaments will benefit from having the best possible players available.

Speaking about the window for the tournament, Pete Russell, COO of Hero CPL, said: “We are very pleased to be playing our tournament in August and September, a time or year that is perfect for us and our fans. Having the best Caribbean cricketers and the world’s best overseas players is the foundation of our tournament and this period gives us that. We may be just days away from the 2019 tournament, but we are already making plans for next year to ensure that we continue to see the phenomenal growth and economic impact that CPL has seen over the years.’

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI, said: “The Hero CPL has developed into one of the best and most exciting T20 competitions in the world and we look forward to hosting another successful tournament next month.

We are pleased that we have once again found a window in our international calendar for the 2020 season to ensure that all the best West Indian cricketers can take part, as the tournament plays a crucial role in our preparations and planning for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2020."

guyanatimesgy.com

October 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

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he record-breaking performance of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL)tournament for 2019 began on September 5 at the National Stadium at Providence.

In that match-up against the St Lucia Zouks, the GAW recorded a 13run win to start their dream campaign.

The spinners featured principally as GAW successfully defended 156 and restricted the Zouks to 142-9.

The second win in as many matches came three days after, when GAW registered a dominant 47-run win against the Barbados Tridents.

Chandrapaul Hemraj scored 63 in

W

that outing, while marquee player Nicholas Pooran smashed 61.

Tridents then ran into a roadblock named Romario Shepherd, the speedster who took four wickets to hand GAW another win.

In the GAW third match of the season, Carlos Brathwaite and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots were outplayed in every aspect of the game. GAW won that match by seven wickets as they successfully chased 122 in 15.5 overs.

It was then time for the GAW to go on the road, and the consistent performances continued abroad.

Shoaib Malik and the GAW

arner Park in Basseterre St Kitts and Nevis did not host matches in the inaugural edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2013 but since 2014 it became the most successful hunting ground for the Guyana Amazon Warriors away from home.

In 11 matches on the relatively small outfield, the Amazon Warriors won eight and lost three thus having a very high winning percentage of 73 percent compared to Providence where they won 14 of the 24 matches completed or just about 58 percent.

While the Warriors were busy chasing success and points on the field they have garnered a huge fan base in the twin island federation that are also very passionate and proud.

After three victories in as many matches at home to kick start their 2019 campaign, the Warriors took to the road for their five away matches and began in Basseterre with a convincing seven-wicket win over hosts, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to remain unbeaten.

Warriors! Warriors! Warriors! Was the chant for most of the night as the Guyana-based franchise took control of the game from the first to the last ball. Fans waving the Golden Arrowhead or the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise flag

defeated the Patriots in their return clash by seven wickets to make it four wins in four games.

In their fifth win of the season, GAW were on a roll with the bat, racking up 218-6 against the Tallawahs -- their highest score in CPL tournaments.

Captain Malik was the star of that show with 67, while the bowlers continued to show their brilliance by restricting the Tallawahs to 137.

GAW made it six wins in six matches when they came against the Tridents at the Kensington Oval in a rain-marred affair, which they won by 12 runs via the Duckworth & Lewis

Method.

Malik and his monumental GAW team then brushed aside the Zouks in their own backyard with an eightwicket win as GAW raced away with seven wins in as many matches.

Continuing his sublime form, Brandon King scored an unbeaten 81 in that chase of 162.

Then the GAW battled the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the clash of the tournament, dubbed by some as The Clash of the Titans. The Guyanese franchise curried the TKR in their backyard with a 19-run win in a thrilling match which saw GAW making it eight wins in a row.

were dressed in eye-catching costumes or players’ replica tops from over the years out numbered the local fans and were obviously louder.

Lennox Herbert and his family of six were part of the large

Warriors contingent that took ferries from Nevis to St Kitts for the match and the at the end of the night said, “the victory compensated for our efforts of catching boats and waiting for long hours to get back home. We are living in Nevis but Guyana will always be home and to support the team is the least we

By then it was the most consecutive wins any team had recorded in the history of CPL. The previous best was seven consecutive wins, a feat achieved by the Tallawahs across two seasons.

It became nine consecutive wins when the GAW toasted the Tallawahs in their second homecoming.

The Tallawahs were defeated by 77 runs in that encounter as the GAW reached their ninth win on the trot riding on the back of some stellar performances from each member of the team, who each stepped up to the forefront when the opportunity arose.

can do. I only decided to go [to Warner Park] when I saw our young Warriors side playing really good cricket and I believe this team will make us proud this year.”

Another reason for the overwhelming support is the fact that there are eight Guyanese players in the Amazon Warriors side this year which makes the connection to the fans easier. Fans in the nearby islands including St Marteen and Antigua and Barbuda were part of another section of the colourful crowd where they were having friendly banter with Patriots’ fans. “We are from Antigua, St Matreen and the USA to support the Warriors. We usually support the Patriots but when they [Patriots] come up against the Warriors we support our boys.

We are just having fun. When the Warriors win this year, we will have more reasons to show off. It is our team and we are proud. We simply love the Warriors,” said a proud fan with his Golden Arrowhead and replica player top. In all his crew totaled 29.

As the Amazon Warriors move around the Caribbean for the remainder of the tournament so too will their fans who will form the 12th man to support and push the team over the line.

6 Sunday Times Magazine Feature

Preserving our literary heritage

October 6, 2019

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October 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

Universe Boss endorses Matthew Nandu as next big thing B y B randon C orlette

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he year 2019 has been a breakthrough year for 16-year old Guyana Under-17 player, Matthew Nandu. From scoring five consecutive halfcenturies with his Canadian based Cricket Club, Tranzac in Guyana early 2019, to sitting in the same dressing room with Chris Gayle and company in the Global T20 (GT20) Canada.

Nandu, the son of former Guyana leg-spinner, Arjune Nandu has followed his dreams of playing cricket at a high level. Upon Nadu’s visit to Guyana, his outstanding performances earned him selection for the Demerara Under-17 team and the Guyana Under-17 team that toured Trinidad and Tobago for the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Under-17 tournament.

Born on June 9, 2003, the left-handed batsman who bowls leg-spin has a high score of 150 not out in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools tournament. The Canadian born player has a best bowling figure of 7-4 against Brampton Juniors. After his successes at the junior level, he then turned out for the Gayle-led Vancouver Knights

in the second edition of the GT20 in Canada.

Nandu did not play a match but he earned invaluable experiences from all these big names in cricket. “The experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I really did enjoy getting pointers and tips from the international players. I got a chance to see how much hard work and time they put in to get where they are”, Nandu disclosed.

It is certainly a special feeling to be endorsed by the Universe Boss, Gayle.

Nandu disclosed that Gayle is very easy going, very funny, and very humble. “He made me feel a-part of the Vancouver Knight family despite the fact that I was the youngest player in the squad. Being the youngest, I was unsure on how I was going to fit in but as a captain, he made me feel welcomed”, Nandu explained. He further added that Gayle was always open to answer any of my questions, and very easy to talk to. “When it was time to say goodbye his last words were "to keep working."

The Vancouver Knights were the first time champs of the tournament and runner up team in the second edition. Speaking about the start studded players in the team Nandu had this to say: “despite there international status, they were very helpful in answering any questions I had, very humble and down to earth people. Teammates like Gayle, Guyana Amazon Warriors captain, Shoaib Malik, Ali Khan, Chadwick Walton and Rassie Van der Dussen (just to name a few) were very open to any questions I needed answers to.”

The youngster who has a long way to go highlighted that T20 cricket is amazing and is definitely growing in Canada. Nandu is delighted for the amazing opportunity with the Vancouver Knights for giving him this wonderful experience.

8 Sunday Times Magazine Feature

October 6, 2019

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Health

10 Sunday Times Magazine Fashion

October 6, 2019

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October 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Guyanese-style Fish Cakes with Mango Sour

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s we prepare for biggest party in the Caribbean – the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) here are some quick recipes that will make game day preparation easy.

Whether you are watching the games from the comfort of your living room at a Stadium cheering on the Guyana Amazon Warriors, these recipes are guaranteed winners.

Honey BBQ Wings

INGREDIENTS • 18 chicken wings • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar • 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika • 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper • 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne • cooking spray SAUCE • 1 cup barbecue sauce,

preferably Hickory Smoke Flavor • 1⁄2 cup honey • 2 tablespoons ketchup • 2 tablespoons hot sauce • 4 tablespoons butter • 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder DIRECTIONS 1. Wash, dry, and season the wings with the salt, garlic, pepper, cayenne, sugar, and paprika. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Spray a cookie sheet with a generous spray of cooking spray.

3. Place the wings in a single layer on the cookie sheet, and place in the oven.

4. Cook for 35-40 minutes, depending on the size of the wings, turning once.

5. While they are baking, make the sauce by slowly simmering the sauce in gredients over the lowest heat.

6. When the wings are done baking, carefully dip them in the sauce, and place them back in the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling.

Tostones with a Garlic Dipping Sauce INGREDIENTS Tostones • 3 green plantains • oil for frying (canola

or vegetable) • black pepper • salt • garlic powder (op

tional) Garlic Dipping Sauce • 1/3 cup olive oil • 1 tsp dried or fresh

thyme/cilantro/pars

ley • black pepper to taste • 1/4 tsp cayenne pep

per • 1/4 tsp salt (not pic

tured) • 1 tbsp lime juice • 5 cloves finely minced garlic INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat oil to a medium-high heat. In the meantime, prepare the plan

tains.

2. Peel plantains and chop into 1-inch rounds.

3. Fry 1 inch rounds for 6 minutes, remove from oil. Drain on paper tow

els.

4. Smash each piece until flattened. Fry for a second time until golden

brown. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and garlic powder if you are using

it, and set aside to cool.

5. For the garlic dipping sauce, finely chop garlic cloves.

6. In a deep bowl, add olive oil, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper,

salt, lime juice, and garlic. Whisk vigorously and enjoy with hot tos

tones.

Notes If you do not own a tostonera (plantain press), you can smash the plan tains with any canned item you may have in your pantry.

INGREDIENTS • 2lbs white flaky fish - seasoned as desired • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/4 tsp Old Bay Seasoning • 1 tsp lime or lemon juice • 1-2 scallions, chopped finely • freshly chopped herbs (optional) • desired amount of hot pepper, chopped finely • 2 tbsp onion-garlic puree or de sired amount of onion/garlic, fine ly chopped • 2 medium potatoes or cassava (yuca) • 1 egg + 1 tsp water (optional) • 1 cup breadcrumbs • Oil for frying • Mango Sour INSTRUCTIONS 1. Wash fish and pat dry with paper towels. Place fish on a baking sheet and season as desired-I sprinkled black pepper, salt, Cajun seasoning.

2. Bake fish at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.

3. Place fish in bowl, flake, and add dry seasonings- mix thoroughly. Add chopped scallions, pepper, onions, garlic (or onion-garlic puree)- mix and set aside.

4. Peel and chop potatoes. Boil until potatoes are cooked, but not falling apart.

Mash immediately after draining.

5. Add enough mashed potato, a little at a time to form a ball. Taste mixture and adjust seasoning to suit. Shape into small discs.

6. If using eggs: beat together one egg and 1 tsp water. Add fish cake to egg mixture, coat on both sides then immediately place in bowl with

breadcrumbs. Coat on both sides. Heat enough oil in a shallow frying pan on medium heat and fry until golden brown on both sides.

7. If not using eggs: after shaping into discs, press firmly into breadcrumb coating on both sides, and fry immediately in a shallow pan until golden brown.

8. Top with mango sour and enjoy.

CHICKEN AND CHEESE EMPANADAS INGREDIENTS • 1 cup cooked boneless chick

en, diced • ¼ cup room temperature

cream cheese • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 green onion, finely chopped • ¼ tsp cumin • ¼ tsp black pepper • ½ tsp salt • ½ grated cheddar cheese • ½ grated Monterey jack cheese • 15 oz frozen pie crust dough • 1 egg yolk • ½ tsp water INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a bowl, mix chicken, cream

cheese, garlic, green onion, cumin, black pepper, salt,

cheddar and Monterey jack cheese.

3. Prepare egg wash by beating egg yolk with water.

4. Unroll frozen pie crust on floured surface and cut into 5 inch circles.

5. Drop about 2 tablespoon of the mixture into the center of the circle then

brush around the edges with egg wash.

6. Fold in half and press the edges with a fork to seal.

7. Place on a baking pan and brush the tops with the egg

wash.

8. Place in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown Remove from the oven and place on a baking rack to cool.

Guyanese Pholourie INGREDIENTS • 1/2 cup dry split peas • 4-5 garlic cloves • 2 wiri wiri pepper or

1/2 red

scotch bonnet (I didn't

have either so I used a

tbsp of hot pepper sauce) • 1/4 tsp turmeric • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp garam masala • 1/2 tsp geera (ground cumin) • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp yeast • 1 tsp baking powder

• 3/4 cup flour • Oil for frying INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a bowl soak dry split peas with about 1 1/2 cups of water. Leave this overnight. By morning the peas will double in size.

2. The next morning, drain the water from the peas. In a blender, put peas, garlic and pepper or pepper sauce, and enough water to cover the peas and blend on high till smooth.

3. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl. Now add all of the dry spices and mix till they are incorporated. Add baking powder, yeast, and flour. Mix thoroughly.

4. Cover the batter and let it sit for 1-2 hours.

5. Heat oil in frying pan, I would say enough oil that comes half way up your pan.

6. Dropping the batter into the oil: This is tricky, you can do this with two spoons, but your pholourie balls will not come out as round as you would like.

Grab some batter in your hand and turn your fist upside down so that the batter falls through your thumb and pointer finger. There is a picture above to help guide you. When you drop the batter into the oil, it should immediately pop up, if it doesn't then your oil is not hot enough. Turn the pholourie balls while they are frying so that they can evenly brown.

7. Continue this process until all your batter is used up.

8. Serve with mango or tamarind sour, lime sour, mango achar or any spicy condiment you like. I served mine with mango achar.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

October 6, 2019

Puzzles

ACROSS

1 6 11 15 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 34 35 37 39 41 42 43 44 46 50 51 52 53 57 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 72 73 74 75 76 79 80 84 85 86 87 88 91 92

Wed in haste Thin clouds Swab (hyph.)

Place of safety Like the moon January in Juarez Swelter "Thereby hangs -- --" Mural base Series of steps Decaf brand Dupe Joke response (3 wds.)

Over Contended Negative particle Impossible! (3 wds.)

Sheik's cartel Sportscaster's shout Prefix for function Leave the sack Firm up Post-sneeze word Couples Keats opus Change Garbage container Knuckle under Ramp Squirrel hangouts Bird features Catamount Faking it Aperture Blender button Kennel sound Towers over Mental fog Mounded up Arm parts Caveman from Moo Walk-on, maybe Quite a while Wine label info Sparkles Harebrained Bit of backbone Verdi opera -- -niner Cats' prey Want-ad letters Nulls Too exacting Make it snappy

93 95 96 97 98 99 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 111 112 114 117 118 119 124 126 128 130 131 132 134 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144

Clear the windshield Future fish Shake hands Burlap fiber Cancel Ricci or Foch Might Yearn deeply Lake Baikal's locale Broad-antlered deer "Daily Planet" name Sturdy lock Packing slip In full view Wrapping paper Tangy Dry run "A-Team" heavy PFC mail drop Sky predator Thespian's desire Attention grabbers Source of linen Chipmunk snack Pedro's wife Ms. Washington of blues Foul-smelling Fridge sticks Delights in Keep -- -- out Nasty laugh Eat soup impolitely Shaman's findings Tool along Bookie's figures Workaholic sort (2 wds.)

Author Eudora

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

British Museum's "-- Marbles" Hasta --, amigo!

Beginning Tasty carbohydrate Beethoven's Third Director -- Craven Strong, as feelings Rap session?

Bwana's sighting Like some losers TD passers Go places Column type Walleyed fish Badger Ra's symbol Insipid

DOWN

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- TANDEM (TANDEM: TAN-dem: A group of two or more arranged one behind the other.)

Average mark 27 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 21 or more words in TANDEM? TODAY'S WORD -- TANDEM tame team tend amen amend ante name neat dame damn date

dean dent made mane mate mead mean meant meat mend

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" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

18 19 23 30 32 36 38 40 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 63 64 67

"Crazy Legs" Hirsch Inert gases Refined Crowd People of action White House staffer Wield Morays and congers Copacetic Spoke sheepishly Make soaking wet Script lines Nerdy Ink shooters Willowy Caesar's farewell Dijon dads Charges it Go radioactive Barks shrilly Advantages Slime Cumbersome Roach and Linden Devoutness Copperfield's wife

68 69 70 71 73 74 75 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 96 97 98

Trivial Wolf lead-in Wharf denizen Dublin's loc.

Lipstick shades German sausage Ugh! Lao-Tzu's "way" Rail securer Snooped around Carpenter's jaws Diet-ad caption New cop Crete's sea Energizes Silent Torrid, for one Worse than bad Relative standing Plant product Viking letter Chaperoned girl Big party nights Slackers (hyph.)

Leave at the altar Opponents

100 101 102 103 106 107 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 118 119 120 121 122 123 125 127 129 133 135

Say please Request an encore Winter wear Tizzy Fishtail Taconite (2 wds.)

Serving of bacon Rolled down the runway Shredded (2 wds.)

Hide out (2 wds.)

"--, I'm Adam" One-horned animal Doctrine Very unpopular Huge mistake Troll's cousin Wretched hut Helen of radio soaps Smart-mouthed "Hold the --!"

Fallon's predecessor Break-even amount JAMA readers Nautilus locale See Solution on page 14

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October 6, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Microsoft bets on foldable, though not bendable, devices

M

By Chris Fox (Technology reporter)

F

acebook and similar apps and websites can be ordered to take down illegal posts worldwide after a landmark ruling from the EU's highest court.

Platforms may also have to seek out similar examples of the illegal content and remove them, instead of waiting for each to be reported.

One expert said it was a significant ruling with global implications.

Facebook said the judgement raised "critical questions around freedom of expression".

The case stemmed from an insulting comment posted on Facebook about Austrian politician Eva Glawischnig-Piesczek, which the country's courts said damaged her reputation.

Under EU law, Facebook and other platforms are not held responsible for illegal content posted by users, until they have been made aware of it - at which point, they must remove it quickly.

But it was unclear whether an EU directive, saying platforms cannot be made to monitor all posts or actively seek out illegal activity, could be overridden by a court order.

Austria's Supreme Court asked Europe's highest court to clarify this.

Thursday's ruling says three things:  If an EU country finds a post illegal in its courts, it can order websites and apps to take down identical copies of the post  Platforms can be ordered to take down "equivalent" versions of an illegal post, if the message conveyed is "essentially un-

A

imed especially at helping people with cognitive disabilities, Google has announced a new accessibility tool named Action Blocks which would allow users to pre-write Google Assistant commands and place shortcuts to them on their home screen.

Action Blocks are an expansion of 'DIVA', the accessibility initiative announced by the tech giant back at the I/O 2019 conference.

'DIVA' aims to make smart speakers more usable for anyone who finds it hard to use spoken commands, by hooking them up to physical controls that are programmed to activate pre-configured actions.

"Think about the last time you did something seemingly simple on your phone, like booking a rideshare. To do this, you had to unlock your phone, find the right app and

changed"  Platforms can be ordered to take down illegal posts worldwide, if there is a relevant international law or treaty Facebook is unable to appeal against this ruling.

"If there's a court order to say that someone's been defamed, then Facebook has to also search for different variations of it," Prof Steve Peers, from the University of Essex, told BBC News.

Privacy campaigner Max Schrems added that the ruling could have implications for Facebook's closed groups.

In the past, the social network had required users to identify each instance of a post they wanted to be taken down before the firm would tackle them. But since some of its pages are members-only, the victim might not be able to access them all.

Now, the onus would be on Facebook to find them, Mr Schrems suggested.

Facebook has said countries would have to "set out very clear definitions on what 'identical' and 'equivalent' means in practice".

It said the ruling "undermines the longstanding principle that one country does not have the right to impose its laws on speech on another country".

However, platforms can be compelled to take down posts worldwide within the framework of relevant international laws only.

"There's no harmonised defamation law internationally," said Prof Peers.

"Facebook might say we can't do this to the United States, because even though it infringes Austrian law, it doesn't infringe US law." (BBC0

icrosoft has unveiled two folding devices, with dual touch screens, which it says will create a new category in mobile computing.

But, unlike attempts from its rivals, the firm has not adopted a bendable screen - nor has it decided to include a high-end camera system on the products.

Panos Panay, Microsoft’s chief product officer, gave the BBC a demonstration of the devices ahead of their public unveiling in New York on Wednesday.

"We want people to see the direction we're taking with productivity,” he said, adding that the products will be released in a year’s time.

“This is the earliest we've ever shown [a prototype] Surface.

We're going to get developer units out pretty soon.”

One industry watcher said it was no surprise that Microsoft had shied away from trying to incorporate an all-in-one foldable screen, despite the fact that products using the technology had already gone on sale.

"Given the issues Samsung had with the initial version of the Galaxy Fold and the wider challenges around the fragility of flexible displays, it makes sense that device makers are experimenting with alternative designs," commented Ben Wood from the consultancy CCS Insight.

As part of Wednesday’s launch, Microsoft also announced several updates to the Surface laptop range due to be released later this year, and open to pre-orders. The Surface Neo consists of two screens which open up to a 13in display with a split in the middle, and runs Windows 10X, a variation of the operating system designed to run on dual-screen devices.

The Surface Duo - a smartphone opens to 8.3in, also with a split, and runs Android, Google’s mobile operating system.

In the BBC’s hands-on with the device, it experienced several glitches - including an unresponsive touchscreen, and sudden powering down. Mr Panay stressed the devices were still in the early stages of development.

Mr Panay would not say how much the devices would cost, nor would he be drawn on whether his engineers had considered a

L

type in your pickup location. The process required you to read and write, remember your selections and focus for several minutes at a time.

"For the 630 million people in the world with some form of cognitive disability, it's not that easy. So we've been experimenting with how the Assistant and Android can work together to reduce the complexity of these tasks for people with cognitive disabilities," Ajit Narayanan, Staff Software Engineer, Accessibility, Google, wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.

According to the tech giant, Action Blocks is the first of its efforts to empower people with cognitive disabilities, help them gain independence, connect with loved ones and engage in the world as they are. (Gadgets 360.com)

ondon's Court of Appeal gave the goahead for action against Google over claims it collected data from more than 4 million iPhone users, overturning a ruling in 2018 that in effect blocked any route to legal redress.

The claimants said Google, a unit of Alphabet, had illegally accessed details of Apple iPhone users' internet browsing data by bypassing privacy settings on the Safari browser between June 2011 and February 2012.

London's High Court ruled in October 2018 that Google's alleged role in the collection, collation and use of data from the browser was wrongful and a breach of duty, but claimants had not suffered "damage" as specified by Britain's Data Protection Act. James Oldnall, lead lawyer on the case, said the Court of Appeal decision had "confirmed our view that representative actions are essential for holding corporate giants to account".

flexible screen that would run across the split. Instead, he said his preference was for the products to incorporate a hinge design that can bend both ways.

"The overload is much less," Mr Panay told the BBC. "I'm staying in context on a web browser on one side, and I'm looking at my mail on the other. Or, I have a calendar on one side, and I have my mail on the other.

"It's structured in a way that you're actually optimising and feeling good about

being productive.”

Analyst Geoff Blaber said it would be some time until it became clear whether the devices would find favour with consumers.

"With Surface Neo and Duo, Microsoft is taking a brave step into a very new category," he said.

"Duo is a bold new category of device and will take time to build developer and carrier support. This is the start of a journey for Microsoft and expectations should be set accordingly."

Benedict Evans, from the venture capitalist firm Andreessen Horowitz, was even more sceptical.

"Every year someone makes a phone that's 'two phones with a hinge in the middle'," he tweeted.

"The problem was always that firstly, the phone was twice the size and weight, and secondly, no developers would bother supporting it since it was a tiny percentage of the base.

"Now Microsoft has one..."

Booklet The Surface Neo can be positioned like a typical laptop, with an additional keyboard placed over the lower screen. In this configuration, the remainder of the screen acts as an extension to the keyboard, similar to - but larger than - Apple’s Touch Bar. (BBC)

Richard Lloyd, the representative claimant in the mass action, said Wednesday's judgment "sends a very clear message to Google and other large tech companies: you are not above the law."

"Google can be held to account in this country for misusing people's personal data, and groups of consumers can together ask the courts for redress when firms profit unlawfully from 'repeated and widespread' violations of our data protection rights," he added.

Lloyd also said he expected a lengthy legal process.

Google said protecting the privacy and security of its users had always been its number one priority.

"This case relates to events that took place nearly a decade ago and that we addressed at the time," a spokeswoman said.

"We believe it has no merit and should be dismissed." (Gadgets 360.com)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

October 6, 2019

Bollywood/Hollywood

P

riyanka Chopra Jonas was offered an acting role in The Sky Is Pink but the actor says she wanted to take on the added responsibility as a producer because the story made her feel closer to her parents.

Directed by Shonali Bose, the film is the love story of motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary’s parents, Aditi and Niren. Aisha was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and passed away in 2015.

Priyanka, 37, said she wanted to be a part of the project more than just as an actor.

“This is a story of a real life couple who have thrived under extraordinary circumstances and not been bogged down by it,” she told PTI in an interview.

In a reference to Rajesh Khanna-starrer Anand, she said, “They put themselves aside and said, ‘Even if I can’t give my daughter a long life, I’m going to give her a big life’.

I wanted to take more responsibility of this film because I believed in it so much.”

It has been a long wait for Priyanka’s fans as The Sky Is Pink is her first Hindi film since 2016 after she made a mark for herself in Hollywood with TV show Quantico, and films like Baywatch, A Kid Like Jake and Isn’t It Romantic.

The actor, who has often said she has been living out of suitcase for quite some time, next touched base with frequent collaborators Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur, who were producing the film.

She asked the duo whether they would have her on board as a fellow producer, even

when she has no experience of backing a Hindi film.

Under her banner, Purple Pictures Productions, the actor has produced a string of regional language films, including National Award-winning Marathi titles Ventilator (2016) and the soon-to-be-released Paani.

“I said, ‘Listen, I’ve never produced a Hindi film. But under your tutelage, I would like to learn. Would you have me as a co-producer?’ And they were really wonderful, and

they totally took me on.”

In the film, Priyanka plays Aditi and Farhan Akhtar will be seen as Niren and she said the couple reminded her of her parents, Madhu and late Ashok Chopra, who died in 2013.

“My parents were like that with me. They stood by me and supported me over their own dreams and ambitions. They sacrificed their lives so that I could have mine and I feel like in this cynical world today, where we somehow become solitary from our families. (Indian Express)

B

M

att Damon has revealed filmmaker James Cameron had originally offered 2009 sci-fi epic Avatar to him but the actor turned him down as it could have caused problems for director Paul Greengrass’ The Bourne Ultimatum.

The role of disabled former marine Jake Sully in the visual spectacle later went to Sam Worthington and the movie earned USD 2.79 billion at the global box office.

Damon said the offer included 10 per cent of the film’s profits; he lost out on USD 250 million.

But for the actor, the bigger regret was passing on the opportunity to work with Cameron, an iconic director who works infrequently.

“Jim Cameron offered me ‘Avatar’, And when he offered it to me, he goes, ‘Now, listen. I don’t need anybody. I don’t need a name for this, a named actor.

“If you don’t take this, I’m going to find an unknown actor and give it to him, because the movie doesn’t really need you.

But if you take the part, I’ll give you ten per cent of…’ So, on the subject of money…” Damon told British GQ magazine.

The Jason Bourne actor said losing out on working with Cameron “sucked and that’s still brutal”.

“The bigger thing still to this day, my bigger regret is – it would have caused a problem for Paul Greengrass and for all my friends on The Bourne Ultimatum, so I couldn’t do it. But Cameron said to me in the course of that conversation, ‘Well, you know, I’ve only made six movies.’

“I didn’t realise that. He works so infrequently, but his movies, you know all of them. So it feels like he’s made more than he has. I realised in having to say no that I was probably passing on the chance to ever work with him… But my kids are all eating. I’m doing ok,” Damon said.

The actor said he shared the story of passing on the film with actor-director

H

rithik Roshan says work will soon begin on the fourth installment of Krrish, his Indian superhero franchise.

The first film, Koi… Mil Gaya, directed by the actor’s father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, released in 2003. It was followed by Krrish (2006) and Krrish 3 (2013).

In 2017, Hrithik Roshan decided to revive the superhit franchise.

The War actor said he is curious about taking forward the series, which was put on the back-burner owing to his father’s ill health.

In January, Rakesh Roshan was diagnosed with “early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the throat”.

“Right after War, I am going to sit with my father, get everyone together and restart work on Krrish 4.

We had put it a little on the side because dad was recovering. Now that he is better, we will kick-start it once more,” Hrithik Roshan told PTI. Speculations are rife that the actor’s next film will be a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s 1982 superhit Satte Pe Satta.

The actor earlier featured in the 2012 remake of Bachchan’s Agneepath.

“Agneepath is dear to me. It was a tough one but it worked out. ‘Satte Pe Satta’ is something I am considering but it is not official,” Hrithik Roshan said.

Filmmaker Farah Khan is set to helm the Satte Pe Satta remake, which will be produced by Rohit Shetty.

The 1982 film, directed by Raj Sippy, was adapted from the American musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The film featured Bachchan as the eldest of seven brothers living on a farm, with Hema Malini as the female lead. (Indian Express)

John Krasinski when they were writing 2012’s Promised Land, in which they also starred.

“We’re writing this movie about fracking. We’re writing in the kitchen and we’re on a break and I tell him the story and he goes, ‘What?’ And he stands up and he starts pacing in the kitchen. He goes, ‘OK. OK. OK. OK. OK.’ “He goes, ‘If you had done that movie, nothing in your life would be different.

Nothing in your life would be different at all. Except that, right now, we would be having this conversation in space.’ So, yeah. I’ve left more money on the table than any actor actually,” he added.

In February, Cameron revealed Hollywood stars Chris Evans and Channing Tatum had auditioned for the lead role in “Avatar”, before zeroing in on Worthington. (Indian Express)

humi Pednekar believes her upcoming film Saand Ki Aankh highlights the inequality towards women that exists even today in society.

The film metaphorically points out the inequalities that women have faced across generations through the life story of two of the world’s oldest sharpshooters of India, Chandro and Prakashi Tomar played by Bhumi and Taapsee Pannu respectively.

“Saand ki Aankh is a film about equality of women at its core. Women have faced inequality in our country ever since we can remember. It’s taken a bunch of bold and courageous women to break those age old moulds of discrimination, to bring about an evolution of equality in our country.

“These women started a revolution. And that’s exactly what the Tomar sisters did. Unknowingly they were a part of a system that didn’t give them any opportunities because the society just didn’t know better, but they didn’t want the same for their daughters and granddaughters,” Bhumi said in a statement.

The actor said she is inspired by both Chandro and Prakashi’s journey.

In their 60’s they broke all shackles of patriarchy through a very inspiring and truly overwhelming journey. Laughing, smiling with never a dull moment they paved the path for a flourished future not just for their girls but for over 50,000 children.

“They are full of love, warmth, hope and all things positive. They are such fun and full of life. Their story is one to be remembered. It’s a roller coaster ride full of tears and laughs,” she added.

Bhumi said the film is a family entertainer that has something for everyone.

There are so many moments in the film where you just want to go hug your mom for all she has done and moments where you’ll be so inspired by them that no task would look tough.

“It is an out and out family film because it is important for the whole family to see this movie and realise that knowingly or unknowingly it is always the woman of the house who get subjected to inequality, it is her dreams that more often than not (it) become secondary or non-relevant.”

She hopes Saand Ki Aankh will bring a positive social change.

I hope, through our film and through the inspiring dadis we can bring about some change in way people think. We need to celebrate our daughters. Love them, nurture them and let them shine,” she added.

The film, directed by Tushar Hiranandani is produced by Anurag Kashyap, Reliance Entertainment and Nidhi Parmar. It is slated to be released on October 25. (Indian Express)

guyanatimesgy.com

OCTOBER 06, 2019

Sunday Times Magazine 15

Puzzles

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

October 6, 2019

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Letting go is one of the most challenging things to do. Look at the broader scope of what you are up against. Trust and believe in your ability to improve your life.

TAURUS (April 20-May TAURUS 20) -- You’ll have plenty of (April 20- options to consider. Don’t let May 20) your desire for change cause you to act in haste. Take your time and choose wisely.

Attitude and truth matter.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) GEMINI -- Participate in something (MAY 28- that will encourage self-imJune 20) provement. Physical fitness and a healthy diet, along with weeding out relationships that aren’t trustworthy or in your best interest, should be your priorities.

CANCER (June 21-July CANCER 22) -- Not all relationships (June 21- are equal. Consider what you July 22) want to achieve in life and who is best suited to fit into your plans. Choose allies based on character, not on charisma.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -You’ll be trapped between what you feel drawn to and what’s right for you. Take time to discover what’s best for you. A change is heading your way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -Keep the peace. Whether dealing with a neighbour or someone you live with, choose not to focus on the negative. Go about your business and offer others the same privilege.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. SCORPIO (Oct. 24- 22) -- You need a diversion.

Nov. 22) Plan to do something you've longed for or that piques your interest. A new adventure will be a wakeup call to discover what you've been missing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) -- Do something different. Putting yourself in a position that is unique or new to you will change the way you do things. Trust your instincts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) -- Think outside the box, but be realistic when it comes to putting your ideas in motion. If you ignore hidden costs, you'll fall short of your goal.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) -- Keep a journal and reflect on the things you have learnt. Your future successes depend on your ability to learn from the past. Prepare to make a positive change.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. AQUARIUS 19) -- Money, health, and le(Jan. 20- gal matters should be adFeb. 19) dressed. Check every detail methodically and you'll find a way to make the most out of what you have to work with.

Romance is encouraged.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) PISCES (Feb. 20- -- Feeling useful will bump up Mar. 20) your confidence. Volunteer to pitch in and help. The people you encounter and the information you receive will help you move in a positive direction.