Guyana Times Thursday July 9, 2020

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High wind disrupt power supply, damage several homes Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4341

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

CCJ quashes Court of Appeal’s decision

…says it had no jurisdiction to hear APNU/AFC supporter’s case

…says GECOM must ensure CEO submits report in accordance with June 16 directive by Chair

GECOM must now declare winner based on recount – US, Canada Govt officials

See stories on pages 3 & 7

Page 12

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Time for GECOM Chair to bring elections to a close ꟷ Change P14 Guyana …urges int’l community to deal with “hybrid dictatorship”, riggers

Man dies P10 after building collapses during demolition …4 injured

Sophia murder suspect dies after shootout with cops P10

CCJ unanimously invalidates Lowenfield’s fraudulent report See story on page 3

“The Court of Appeal impliedly invited the CEO to engage unilaterally in a further and unlawful validation exercise that trespassed on the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court established by Article 163. It was inconsistent with the constitutional framework for the CEO or GECOM to disenfranchise tens of thousands of electors in a seemingly non-transparent and arbitrary manner, without the due processes established in Article 163 and Validation Act” – CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders

Jagdeo calls for swift election declaration

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Berbice woman remanded for P8 abducting baby

...GECOM to meet today

Page 9

PRICE

CCJ's judgement: “We must retake our place as a respected, celebrated democracy” – Ali Page 16

Fire set to P8 Suddie Magistrate’s Court It’s now up to GECOM – Granger P14 admits

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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 9 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Friday, July 10 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 9 – 07:00h-08:30h and Friday, July 10 – 07:40h-09:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

CCJ unanimously invalidates Lowenfield’s fraudulent report …says GECOM must ensure CEO submits report in accordance with June 16 directive by Chair hear the proceedings, which it contends is a matter for an elections petition to the High Court after the elections have been completed and a new president is sworn in.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions will prevail throughout the day, interrupted by light rain showers during the midmorning hours. Light rain showers with instances of thunder are expected, followed by partly cloudy skies. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Unanimous decision

Winds: South South-Easterly to East NorthEasterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:03h and 19:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.38 metres.

Low Tide: 13:05h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.

CCJ President Justice, Adrian Saunders

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday discarded the fraudulent report submitted by embattled Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in which he invalidated over 115,000 votes

In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the CCJ allowed the appeal filed on behalf of PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali and General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, saying that the decision of the Appeal Court was invalid, and was made without jurisdiction, and is therefore of no effect.

Against this backdrop, CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders declared Lowenfield’s fraudulent report to be invalid as well.

“This Court is entitled and required to declare it invalid…the report issued by the CEO, which was based on the decision of the Court

CCJ ORDERS:

1) Special leave is granted to the Applicants to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal dated 22 June 2020; 2) The Appeal of the Appellants is allowed; 3) The said decision of the Court of Appeal was made without jurisdiction, is invalid and of no effect.

4) The Court declares that the report of the Chief Election Officer of 23 June 2020 is similarly of no effect.

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based on the recent ruling of Guyana’s Court of Appeal.

In a 2:1 majority decision on June 22, the Appeal Court had ruled that the Constitutional phrase “more votes are cast” must be interpreted to mean “more valid votes are cast”. This essentially inserted the word “valid” in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution.

The ‘flawed’ interpretation was presented by Appeal Court Justice Dawn Gregory and High Court Justice Brassington Reynolds, while Appeal Court Justice Rishi Persaud had found that the Court does not have the jurisdiction to entertain the case that was filed by APNU/ AFC supporter Eslyn David.

The day following the ruling, which was stayed by the Appeal Court for three days, Lowenfield had submitted his final elections report with figures which he deemed “valid”, and in the process had invalidated over 115,000 voters to give the APNU/AFC a win with 171,825 votes, while the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was given 166,343 votes.

This is despite the certified National Recount showing the PPP/C victorious, having secured 233,336 votes while the caretaker Coalition obtained 217,920 votes – a difference of 15,416 votes.

The PPP/C had subsequently moved to the CCJ to challenge the Appeal Court’s decision and jurisdiction to

of Appeal,” he posited.

Article 177 (2) (b) which states: “where… there are two or more Presidential candidates, if more votes are cast in favour of the list which a person is designated as Presidential Candidate than in favour of any other list,

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

that Presidential candidate shall be deemed to be elected as President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of the Elections Commission acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Election Officer, after such advice has been tendered to the Elections Commission at a duly summoned meeting…”

However, according to Justice Saunders, by unnecessarily inserting the word “valid” into the Article, the Appeal Court invited Lowenfield to submit his fraudulent report.

“The Court of Appeal im-

pliedly invited the CEO to engage unilaterally in a further and unlawful validation exercise that trespassed on the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court established

by Article 163. It was inconsistent with the constitutional framework for the CEO or GECOM to disenfranchise tens of thousands of electors in a seemingly non-transparent and arbitrary manner, without the due processes established in Article 163 and Validation Act,” the CCJ President said in the unanimous ruling.

TURN TO PAGE 8

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

Views PNCR is left with no option Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM must act swiftly

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he landmark decisions handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday, in which it threw out a controversial decision by the Guyana Court of Appeal to insert the word ‘valid’ into the consideration of votes for the election of a President, has now paved the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to move ahead and declare the Presidential Candidate of the PPP/C as the next President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

In what was a unanimous decision, the CCJ ruled that the decision by the Court of Appeal was null and void and of no effect. Of significance, too, is the decision by the CCJ to invalidate the recent report by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, in which he attempted to discard over 115,000 valid votes and produce concocted figures that show a ‘victory’ for the APNU/AFC Coalition.

We applaud the ruling of the CCJ. The ruling of the Court was very reasoned and on target. More importantly, the ruling is seen by all stakeholders as clearing the hurdles which were carefully orchestrated by the incumbent APNU/AFC to block the true winner of the elections from being declared, even after a National Recount had confirmed that the PPP/C had garnered the majority of votes.

As expected, the Court took into consideration the fact that the electoral process has been dragged out for too long, and said it must now come to an end in a transparent manner, in order to allow the country to move forward.

It also took into consideration that the country has been without a Parliament for more than a year, following the noconfidence motion. As Justice Saunders pointed out, no one could be satisfied with this state of affairs. He said: “Now the law must run its course”.

Now that the CCJ has handed down its clear ruling as to what the next steps should be, Chairperson of the GECOM, Justice (Rtd) Claudette Singh, must act swiftly in ensuring the Court’s directives are carried out.

We had said several times before that Justice Singh, as the Chair of GECOM, has wide-ranging powers to bring to an end the madness that has occurred over the past four months.

Not only does the Chair have the backing of the Constitution, she has the support and confidence of major international powers, local civil society groups, and all the other political parties who have contested the polls.

All eyes will now be shifted to the GECOM Chair, and all stakeholders expect her to do what is right for the country, based on the Constitution and her own moral judgment.

The Chief Elections Officer was already directed by the Chair to prepare and submit a Report “using the results of the recount, for consideration by the Commission”, pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. Contrary to what the APNU/AFC Coalition is peddling, the entire nation knows what the certified recount results are.

There were no ambiguities in the ruling of the CCJ. As stated by Justice Saunders, periodic elections that are free and fair are the lifeblood of any true democracy. Guyana cannot claim to be a democracy if the process by which a democratic government is elected is being threatened.

The electorate have voted for a government of their choice, and that government must be allowed to govern in peace and with the support of all stakeholders who are interested in putting the national interest first.

That said, we join with the several others to call for President David Granger to ignore those within his ranks who are hell-bent on taking Guyana down a destructive path and do what is right for country. We urge him to concede gracefully and allow the country to move forward.

We have noted that even after the CCJ handed down its decisions, some persons within the Coalition are still behaving irresponsibly by restating unsubstantiated claims of voter irregularities. President Granger cannot allow this state of affairs to continue while he operates as if he is unconcerned. The perception is that he fully supports such reckless behaviour.

GECOM must act now. The nation has waited too long for this process to come to an end. The electoral body has a legal obligation to declare the results based on the recount figures, with or without the cooperation of Lowenfield.

Dear Editor, The ruling handed down today by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s apex court, has literally pushed the PNCR to the end of the road. Their attempt to allow Lowenfield to interpret and apply, in his report to the Elections Commission, the Court of Appeal’s (CoA) ruling on “valid” votes was dumped by the CCJ in its unanimous ruling.

The President of the Court, Justice Adrian Saunders, in his erudite, unambiguous and intellectually stimulating presentation, said the CCJ has jurisdiction to hear the matters on appeal brought before it by Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali. He further stated that there was nothing in Eslyn David’s application to trigger the CoA’s jurisdiction.

Having asserted its jurisdiction in the matters, Justice Saunders noted that, for example, the word “valid” is mentioned several times

in the law, and that only valid votes are counted after a tough screening process.

There is no need for any refinement. The ruling by the CoA on “valid” votes was to give Lowenfield the ability to discard what he determined were invalid votes.

And Lowenfield did that by arbitrarily rejecting over 115,844 votes in his report to the GECOM Chair.

The President of the CCJ admonished Lowenfield for usurping the power of the High Court, which is the duly constitutional body to deal with such matters as allegations of electoral fraud via an election petition. The CCJ also stated that since a President has not yet been elected, it is improper to inquire into his qualifications.

This could only be done after the President is elected/ installed.

The CCJ therefore declared the Lowenfield report to the GECOM Chair invalid, and advised that

Lowenfield provide the figures from the recount, as directed by GECOM Chair.

Since it is pellucid from the ruling of CCJ that Lowenfield has no power to reduce or eliminate any valid vote of the recount, he is forced to submit, in his new report, only the official recount figures. He will not be able to seek shelter in any law or judicial ruling, as he did previously with the CoA ruling. The only option for Lowenfield is for him to submit the real recount figures, which show that the PPPC won the 2020 elections by 15,416 votes.

As part of this new report, he has to work out the allocation of Parliamentary and Regional seats.

What is striking also is that before the highly anticipated CCJ’s ruling, the ABCE ambassadors and high commissioners met with the Guyana Foreign Minister and insisted that a declaration must be on the

basis of the recount figures.

They are also reinforcing the conclusion of the Caricom High Level Team that scrutinised the recount process.

The Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo says that they are delighted with the CCJ’s ruling, and asks Guyanese to listen carefully to the CCJ’s judgment.

But he cautions, “Let’s see what is next on their (PNCR) agenda.”

Just after the ruling, a crowd of PNCR supporters gathered by State House, where President Granger explained that the matter is now in the hands of GECOM, and further stated that the CCJ cannot instruct GECOM what to do. I wonder who could! The CCJ’s ruling has been received with great joy by all the people with whom I spoke. They say, “It’s a win for democracy and for Guyana.”

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Will this translate to an early reality?

Dear Editor, Guyana woke up on Wednesday, trembling with anxiety, and patiently waited for 3pm to arrive to listen with rapt attention to the President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders, deliver his judgement on the appeal case brought by Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali et al vs Eslyn David.

As all legal luminaries, sober-minded and right-thinking people in the world had expected, the CCJ ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case; and, in fact, the Guyana Appeal Court had no jurisdiction in that matter. What a slap in the face of the Appeal Court for a third time in a row! Three strikes and you are out, as per the rules.

The CCJ further surmised that since it had jurisdiction, it invalidated the Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield’s report, which had sought to invalidate some 115,000 valid votes. The world was advising the APNU/AFC Party that the election was free and fair, and the election recount was creditable, which confirmed that the PPP/C had amassed some 15,000 creditable and valid votes more than them, thereby paving the way for Mr. Irfaan Ali to be legitimately elected as the new President of Guyana and for the PPP/C Party to occupy 33 seats and to invite them to form the new Government to rule legally for the next 5 years.

Mr Lowenfield’s report must conform with the request and direction of the Madam Chair.

Only the APNU/AFC Party, with the admirable exceptions of Mr Dominic Gaskin and Mr CN Sharma, refused to listen to the voice of reasoning, and to their conscience, but deliberately and callously ignored the confirmed and creditable recount findings of the Caricom Team and the OAS reports that confirmed that the PPP/C won the election, and that all the acclaimed irregularities were not meritorious because there were no evidence to substantiate their allegations, and they must be ignored as aspersions.

To further rub salt in the wound, the reports described the wilful interference of members of the APNU/AFC Party and certain members of the Election Commission who were engaged in the corruption and collusion to interrupt and interfere with the smooth flow of the election process and to manipulate the correct counting procedure by inserting fictitious figures in order to increase votes for the APNU/ AFC Party and decrease votes from the PPP/C Party, which would have allowed the Coalition Party to win the election instead.

The next step perhaps is for the Chair of GECOM, Madam Claudette Singh, to request the written report from the CCJ with its rulings, so that the Election Commission can study it at their next meeting (if they have a quorum).

More shameful and disgraceful pussy-footing is anticipated from the disgusted and disgruntled APNU/

AFC Party. How much more indigestion can Guyana tolerate? This has been their norm and way of life for the past 2 years. How will they react to the rulings of the CCJ, and what will be their next unscrupulous move?

Many national and international stakeholders, parties and individuals continue to call on Mr Granger and his cabal to secede and accept the results of the election recount, which clearly confirmed that the PPP/C Party enjoyed an overwhelming majority over the APNU/AFC party by some 15,000 valid and legitimate votes. This was not only clarified and verified by the local electoral personnel, but was also witnessed and observed, one stage or the other, by local stakeholders, GECOM, CARICOM, the ABCE Diplomats, OAS, the Commonwealth, the Carter Center, the media and others.

The global community forewarned about sanctions, their applications and implications, and the consequences that may affect all, directly and indirectly. The APNU/AFC has been called out by its own kit and kin, by many of its strong-holders and ardent supporters and followers. Despite the glaring evidence ascertained by CARICOM pertaining to a free, fair and credible election, and a recount process validating and upholding a PPP/C Party electoral majority of 15,000 valid votes over the APNU/AFC Party, the APNU/AFC continue to claim election fraud and refuse to accept defeat.

In fact, the APNU/AFC Party went on an infamous campaign to besmirch the good name and credibility of CARICOM, distinguished heads of governments, and dignitaries from the rest of the global community, accusing them of “foreign interference.” They even overstepped their boundary by not only trying to influence the CCJ’s decision, but also of flagrant attempts to coerce and intimidate different and various diplomats and dignitaries from the international community, and even those individuals whom they regarded as friends simply because they refuse to be sympathetic to their reckless and illegal behaviour.

When all is said and done, it’s still not over. There is still the need to deal with the spoilt little brat throwing tantrums, the child who wants to suck his toffee and still have it, the child who is still sulking and frowning because he lost the race, the little rascal who misbehaves in public, the mischief-maker who spins a web of lies, the monster who breaks his old toy to have a new one, the cantankerous who twists everything around, the little scalawag who pinches from the old lady’s purse, the good-for-nothing who hides behind doors, the little bully who wants to take away your pencil, the scoundrel who refuses to clean his mess, the crotchety who is always fretting, the irascible who doesn’t know the meaning of “no”, and the unfortunate one who knows not who or what he is.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

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

The disease of racism Dear Editor, Racism – prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalised.

Why does it still exist?

Why? This disease came about due to the ignorance of our ancestors; that was a long time ago. I grew up being taught that the human civilisation is the most advanced, and that it was ever-growing; but that’s not so. If we were a species who earned the right to be called the most advanced, why are we still allowing the past to dictate our present and destroy our future?

We are supposed to be one people, united regardless of colour, race, nationality, traditions, religion; I could go on forever, but you are smart enough to get the

idea. We, the advanced species, are allowing the past, that past from which we should have evolved, to dictate our present and destroy our future.

No man, woman or child had control over the circumstances under which they were born; and no man, woman or child is inferior to any other man, woman or child; we are one, one for all, and all for one! But still we allow the past to dictate the present and destroy the future.

I speak, not for one, but for all. If we, humans, are worth all the knowledge and supremacy with which we are much gifted, why must we be the ones to destroy it all? Racism is a disease, one which we have the intelligence to cure! The cure isn’t violence, it isn’t vandalism, it isn’t conquest; the cure isn’t Science or Math. The cure is LOVE, RESPECT, UNITY, PEACE, MORALS, VALUES, PRINCIPLES;

these are the cure to the disease.

Think of this: No one is born a racist. If you don’t believe me, then ask yourself if, when you were a child, you were racist. If you were not so, when did you become a racist? Was I born a racist? My answer is, “NO”. You were infected by racism flowing from the elders, who allowed their lives to be dictated and destroyed by the past.

Hence, since they so dearly loved us and wanted racism to be cured, they did the most sensible things. They used racial speech in the presence of their children, thereby building their vocabulary for the future; and they did racial acts in the presence of children; thereby, again, strengthening their skills for the future.

For endless generations, this is how it has been. We, the adults, unknowingly instill the values of corruption

and racism in the children, and then when the storm arrives, we start blaming this colour, that colour, and so on, and so on. We are all the ones to be blamed, one for all and all for one.

What I am simply trying to say is that we are smarter than this disease.

I mean, come on! Why can’t we stop infecting ourselves, our children, the world, and start using our medication: LOVE, RESPECT, UNITY, PEACE, MORALS, VALUES, PRINCIPLES? Forget about colour, the true colour of a man is the purity of his mind; and from what I am seeing, the disease of racism is not about colour or anything else, it’s a situation whereby all of our minds are polluted. The cure is right there, but it seems as if we like the disunity, it seems as if we like the violence, as if we like to see children suffer and families broken; it seems as if

Gangster has stayed in the past Dear Editor, Is the history of the 1960s being repeated? Let’s rewind a little for our younger readers. March 2020 is nothing new to some of us. Our grandparents usually spoke about the election rigging, suspension of the constitution, fires, massacres, forces and frauds, etc.

With Guyana’s Election completed some 4 months ago, we are still awaiting a declared result from the GECOM Chair. Why such a long wait? All our international observers have reported a free and fair election, with District Four (4) being the battlefield as Mingo decided to declared a rigged result without tabulation.

As a result, a recount was requested for the district.

Nevertheless, the Sanctimonious Gangster re-

quested a National Recount to be done by a special team from Caricom. Our older folks were skeptical with CARICOM, because, thus far, everything transpiring is like deja vu. During the rigged election period of the 60s, 70s and even the 80s, Caricom was silent. They had paid the price when our Guyanese brothers and sisters ran away to the islands, taking away the islanders’ jobs.

Today, the world has changed and Caricom has moved on, but the Sanctimonious Gangster has stayed in the past. He thought he would have bought Mia Mottley with an award. Nevertheless, Ms. Mottley proved to the world that Caricom has leaders of today who are fighting for democracy, and she stood

with the people of Guyana who are threatened by the Sanctimonious Gangster.

He needs to stop stifling our people by having his cohorts inflicting racism each day around our country.

Guyana is ours, not Granger and his gang’s, who are greedy for power.

Caricom is a perfect example for our Guyanese brothers and sisters, showing how we should stick together for a better Guyana. The bashing from the APNU+AFC cabals on Caricom is being re-

jected by a wide cross-section of Guyanese. The Sanctimonious Gangster is destroying our international relationships by making Guyana stand alone. He reminds us of the period when Burnham banned importation of flour, peas, etc. The time when our parents stood up in lines.

We will fight for our democracy, and not be derailed by this Sanctimonious Gangster.

Sincerely, Georgieana George

we are the pollutants.

As I have said before, we are continuing to allow the past to infect and dictate the present and destroy all of our futures!

I say let’s treat everyone equal if we want to save the Earth. We should feel grateful for the fact that we have so much knowledge about the universe and about our world. It is as if we are the guardians of OUR planet; as if we are supposed to take care of it, and care for all other species of plants and animals; but, instead, we fight between and destroy ourselves.

I say let’s make the disease, the word ‘racism’, go extinct. Let racism be a thing of the past, as it should have been a long time ago. It should be so forgotten that schools should stop teaching the

topic, dictionaries should erase the word, and the internet should delete all of its data, so that new generations are pure and take their medication.

Let us see everyone as a special member of this large family, with one mother, the Earth, which we are to care for. From this point onwards, let us forget prejudice, take our medication, and stop the infection. From here onwards, we will forget the past and better the future, but as one species, one family in which no one is perfect but all are united! We, from this point in time, are the guardians of this world.

Take your medication!

I live for only one motto: ‘UNITY, PEACE & LOVE’.

Sincerely, Anand Vivakanand

Will this translate...

But the accommodated stage is finally, carefully and lavishly prepared to cater for all the lighting fixtures strategically placed, and the sound equipment tested and arranged to avoid any static or feedback that can distort clarity and volume. Only the very best is left for the ultimate last, and the compassionate nightingale still needs to vociferously serenade us commandingly with her polished eloquence of a culminated rendition that can synchronise with harmonious melody, sweetly and softly caressing a crescendo that is highly pitched to

FROM PAGE 4

blend an opera’s scale, and stirringly ending with a rocking tempo that mixes a tango with the coolness of a waltzing jazz.

‘When will this precious moment be?’ is the question that the Guyanese public will sleep with on their minds. Will this translate to an early reality? Will the caretaker Mr Granger allow the flow of justice to run a smooth course? Will he conclude that that is the CCJ’s interpretation, and not his?

How should we prepare ourselves?

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish CXC English and Mathematics questions with specimen answers.

CXC QUESTIONS

MATHS MEASUREMENT, GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY (a) On the diagram below, not drawn to scale, RQ =9m, RS = 12m, ST = 13n < QRS = 60˚ and < SQT = 40˚.

ENGLISH

B Orchids

By Hazel Simmons-McDonald

I leave this house Box pieces of the five-week life I’ve gathered.

I’ll send them on to fill spaces in my future life.

One thing is left a spray of orchids someone gave from a bouquet one who makes a ritual of flower-giving sent.

The orchids have no fragrance but purple petals draw you to look at the purple heart.

I watered them once when the blossoms were full blown like polished poems.

I was sure they’d wilt and I would toss them out with the five-week litter.

They were stubborn.

I starved them They would not die.

This morning the bud at the stalk’s tip unfurled.

I think I’ll pluck the full-blown blooms press them between pages of memory.

Perhaps in their thin dried transparency I’ll discover their peculiar poetry.

QUESTIONS

* Summarise the poem * What is the subject of the poem? * Who is the persona? *List and discuss the literary devices used in the poem *Describe the mood of the poem and discuss how it is created *List and discuss the themes of the poem *Describe the form of the poem and discuss its effectiveness *How do you feel about this poem? Discuss your reaction *Suggest an alternative name for the poem, citing evidence found within the text

SAMPLE ANSWER

*Describe the form of the poem and discuss its effectiveness *The poet’s use of blank verse (lacks rhyming pattern) effectively captures the persona’s struggle between hope and despair as he narrates (tells her life-story) with a tone that similarly and occasionally shifts between feelings of optimism and pessimism, adding to a mood that varies between contemplative serenity and foreboding uncertainty.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CCJ quashes Court of Appeal’s decision …says it had no jurisdiction to hear APNU/AFC supporter’s case …"irregularities" must be filed in elections petition

T

CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders

he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday ruled that it has jurisdiction in the case filed by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali and General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, and ruled that Guyana’s Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to hear the matter filed by A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporter Eslyn David, much less interpret the Recount Order.

In a 2:1 majority ruling,

Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee

that there was nothing in David’s application to the Appeal Court that could have triggered that court’s jurisdiction under Article 177 (4) which states: “The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as the question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution….”

Justice Saunders said in Wednesday’s ruling that Article 177 (4) was always intended to operate after the

CCJ ORDERS:

1) Special leave is granted to the Applicants to appeal the decision of the Court of Appeal dated 22 June 2020; 2) The Appeal of the Appellants is allowed; 3) The said decision of the Court of Appeal was made without jurisdiction, is invalid and of no effect.

4) The Court declares that the report of the Chief Election Officer of 23 June 2020 is similarly of no effect.

the Appeal Court last month incorrectly assumed jurisdiction and ruled that “more votes cast” in the Recount Order meant “more valid votes cast”. The Order was made under the Constitution of Guyana and the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act No 15 of 2000 and was invoked by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to guide the national recount exercise that was conducted to verify the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

The PPP/C had challenged the decision at the Trinidad-based regional court, contending that the Appeal Court’s pronouncements have “plunged the law in total confusion and it is now no longer clear how an election of members of the National Assembly is to be challenged and how the election of the President can be challenged.”

Jurisdiction of Appeal Court

Following a marathon hearing last week, the CCJ ruled on Wednesday that “The Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to make the orders that were made. Those orders were not made under Article 177 (4) of the Constitution.”

The unanimous decision of the five-member CCJ panel was delivered by its President, Justice Adrian Saunders, who explained

President had been elected.

He explained that any questions on the validity of the President’s elections under this Article were never intended to impugn or to relate to the validity of ballots cast by the electors.

In fact, he noted that Article 177 (4) only affords jurisdiction to the Appeal Court if the question raised as to the validity of an election of a President depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of the Constitution.

“It is evident from the nature of Ms David’s complaints and the issues she placed before the Court of Appeal that the questions raised by her did not depend on the qualification of any person for election or on the interpretation of the Constitution. Ms David’s complaint was really about the impact of Order 60 and about the conduct of GECOM. What the Court of Appeal majority did was to embark upon an exercise of interpreting Order 60. The Court of Appeal majority considered the effect of Order 60 on the responsibilities of GECOM and then applied that to the clear words of Article 177 (2) (b),” he stated.

Article 177 (2) (b) states: “where… there are two or more Presidential candidates, if more votes are cast in favour of the list in which a person is designated as Presidential Candidate than

Justice Peter Jamadar

in favour of any other list, that Presidential candidate shall be deemed to be elected as President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of the Elections Commission acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Election Officer, after such advice has been tendered to the Elections Commission at a duly-summoned meeting.”

According to the CCJ President, Article 177 (2) (b) requires no refinement.

“That Article in plain and simple language has always said what it meant and meant what it said. There was no need for an interpretation of that Article or any other Article of the Constitution.

Accordingly, there was nothing in Ms David’s application to trigger the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction under Article 177 4.”

Valid votes

Moreover, the court did not accept the argument by David’s lawyer that because the Appeal Court interpreted “more votes cast” to mean “more valid votes cast” at Article 177 (2) (b), then that decision fell under the preview of Article 177 (4).

Justice Saunders explained that the concept of “valid votes” has a particular meaning in that context.

He noted that this phrase appears several times in the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) including at Section 96, which calls on the Chief Election Officer to calculate “the total number of valid votes of electors which have been cast for each list of candidates”.

According to the CCJ President, validity in this context “mean and could only mean” those votes that, on their face, are valid. This, he said, was determined in a transparent exercise that weeds out of the process, for example, spoilt or rejected ballots, and was conducted in the presence of the duly-appointed candidates and counting agents of contesting parties.

“It is after such invalid votes are weeded out that the remaining “valid” votes count towards a determination of not only the members of the National Assembly, but, incidentally as well, the various listed Presidential Candidates,” he stated.

Justice Saunders went on to say in the decision that if the integrity of a ballot or

Justice Jacob Wit

the manner in which a vote was procured, is questioned, then that would be a matter that “must” be pursued in an elections petition in the High Court after the elections were concluded and a winner declared.

“There is not further need to reference valid votes, because subject to Article 163, which is triggered by an elections petition after the election, the relevant validation process has already been completed. By the unnecessary insertion into Article 177 (2) (b) of the word “valid”, the Court of Appeal impliedly invited the CEO to engage unilaterally in a further and unlawful validation exercise that trespassed on the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court established by Article 163,” he posited.

The CCJ President further contended that for the CEO or GECOM, by extension, to disenfranchise tens of thousands of electors in a “seemingly non-transparent and arbitrary manner” without the due processes established in Article 163 and Validation Act” was inconsistent with the constitutional framework.

In handing down its ruling, the CCJ assumed jurisdiction in the matter, citing Article 173 (4) which gives Parliament the power to make the CCJ the final court of appeal for Guyana. It further “recognised and reaffirmed” its duty as Guyana’s final appellate court to ensure adherence to the Constitution.

This is taking into consideration that the Court of Appeal would not have juris-

Justice Denys Barrow

diction since the validity of the election did not depend on a question of the qualification of the person or the interpretation of the Constitution.

“The [CCJ] adjudged that the provisions of Article 177 (4) were not triggered by the Ms David’s application to the Court of Appeal. Since the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to hear the application brought by her, the Finality Clause in Article 177 (4) was inoperable and under the laws of Guyana, this Court had jurisdiction to hear and determine the application by Messrs Ali and Jagdeo, and to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal,” Justice Saunders ruled.

All the parties in the case have two weeks to make written submissions on the issue of cost to the court.

8 NEWS Fire set to Suddie Magistrate’s Court THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The CCJ rocks…

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A

The section of the Suddie Magistrate’s Court that was damaged

rson was attempted on the Suddie Magistrate’s Court in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Wednesday morning.

Reports are that the incident occurred at about 05:00h. When Guyana Times

visited the scene, investigators said that they found several bottles with suspected kerosene at the scene. Investigators said swift action by Police stationed in the area contained the blaze, which was quickly extinguished. Police have also

said that what appeared to be a pile of kerosene-soaked paper was found on the Magistrate’s chair.

Police, in collaboration with the Guyana Fire Service, have since launched an investigation.

Berbice woman remanded for abducting baby

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50-year-old woman of Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) who stole a child from its biological mother was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Crystal Lambert when she made her appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Beverley Gomes was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on July 3, she was in possession of an 11-month-old girl who went missing in March.

Gomes was arrested after Police swooped down on her Kildonan Village,

Corentyne home and discovered the child.

Police Regional Commander of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Linden Lord confirmed that a report of kidnapping of a child was lodged with the Police.

He said that the child’s mother is a 24-year-old Venezuelan.

It was reported that on March 5, the biological mother reported to the Police that Gomes who worked with her at the Quartz Stone Backdam in Cuyuni was tasked with taking care of the baby after she fell ill.

The woman promised to take the child to the

Georgetown Public Hospital) for treatment, but she never returned.

“The 11-month-old baby apparently had spots on her skin, and she gave the woman the baby to take to the hospital, and she was supposed to return in two weeks, but that did not happen,” the Commander said.

After Gomes did not return with the child, the matter was reported to the Bartica Police Station. She reportedly told Police that the mother of the child was supposed to collect the baby a few days later but failed to do so.

Gomes will make her

Charged: Beverley Gomes

next court appearance on July 24, 2020.

CCJ unanimously invalidates...

The CCJ president went on to say that the “valid votes” were already calculated in a transparent exercise; that is, the recount exercise that was witnessed by stakeholders, that weeded out spoilt or rejected ballots.

Moreover, the CCJ contended that if the integrity of a ballot, or the manner in which a vote was procured, is being questioned – as is the case with the allegations of irregularities by APNU/ AFC’s Joseph Harmon, then that would be a matter for an elections petition to be filed in the High Court after the elections are completed in accordance with Article 163.

While declaring the PPP/C with a 15,416 votes lead over the APNU/AFC, Lowenfield, in his report on the Recount Exercise on June 13, said it cannot be ascertained that the results meet the criteria of “free and fair

elections.” This was based on the allegations made by the caretaker Coalition.

However, two days later, the GECOM Chair (retired) Justice Claudette Singh noted that while some of the allegations were serious, the Commission did not have the machinery to adjudicate them. She had ascertained that the Elections Commission lacked the powers of a Court of Law to examine and re-examine witnesses or to procure official documents to determine the truth of the allegations.

To this end, she directed the CEO, via a letter dated June 16, to prepare and submit his report two days later “using the results of the recount.”

But before the CEO could comply with this request, the Elsyn David matter was filed in the Appeal Court.

GECOM lacks legislative authority

In Wednesday’s ruling, Justice Saunders said Justice Singh was right to state that GECOM lacked the legislative authority and the machinery to embark upon a determination of such irregularities.

On this note, he said going forward now, “It is for GECOM to ensure that the CEO submits a report in accordance with his directives of 16th of June in order to proceed along the path directed by the laws of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, the CCJ President also lamented the current protracted political situation in Guyana.

“As Guyana’s final court, the court stated that it could not, however, in all the circumstances, pretend to be oblivious to events that have transpired in that country

FROM PAGE 3

since December 2018. Indeed, the court had to pronounce on some of those events. It has been four months since the elections had been held and the country has been without a Parliament for well over one year. No one in Guyana would consider this to be a satisfactory state of affairs. We express the fervent hope that there would quickly be a peaceable restoration of normalcy. Now the law must run its course,” he asserted.

Back in December 2018, the APNU/AFC Coalition was toppled via a majority vote of a No-Confidence Motion in the National Assembly – which the CCJ had ruled was validly passed.

However, the caretaker Coalition failed to call elections within the stipulated three-month period, as stated in the Constitution.

…for Guyana ot that we’re home free – the PNC will see to that – but like Loretta Lynn crooned back in the day, “We’ve come a long way, baby!” The CCJ just did what all reasonable and patriotic Guyanese hoped they’d do – cut through all the sophistry of the PNC and its minions and look at how the clear words of our constitution relate to the facts of the case.

First, there was the matter as to whether the CCJ had jurisdiction. In this, the Court was clearly persuaded by PPP’s counsel Mendes. While the PNC was running around all hot and sweaty with ponderous exegeses on the import of Art 177(4) as an ouster or “finality” clause, Mendes conceded the point!! But, like the boy who pointed out the Emperor was stark naked, he showed that the Court of Appeal never had jurisdiction to accept David’s case in the first place. You can’t oust a higher court from reviewing a case when you never had jurisdiction to hear the case, to begin with!!

Point of the matter was that David could’ve only invoked the CoA’s exclusive and final jurisdiction if she satisfied one of two conditions as per Art 177 (4): she’s brought up the qualification of someone ELECTED president…or was depending on the interpretation of the constitution for her relief sought. Thing was, as the CCJ intoned, nobody had been ELECTED President (thanks to the shenanigans of the PNC!!) for their qualifications to be questioned!!

Then, on the “interpretation of the constitution” limb, the CoA attempted to satisfy this by “interpreting” Art 177(2)(b) to announce that the requirement of “more votes cast” to elect a President meant “more valid votes cast”. The CCJ pointed out in so many words that to insert “valid” into the phrase was to “gild the Lilly”. Just wasn’t necessary - as the Constitution had already made it pellucid in so many places. It was just a ploy to provide a fig leaf for Lowenfield to fiddle with his Report. Which he promptly did!!

The PNC, via David, was sneaking in an elections petition through the back door, and insisting that GECOM arrogate the powers of an elections court to judge the bona fides of the elections!! Art 163(b)(1) had already given the High Court “exclusive” jurisdiction if an election was lawfully conducted via an elections petition. The CCJ wasn’t about to violate the Constitution, as even the GECOM Chair had protested transforming the Commission into a court!!

So, the CCJ didn’t have to resort to such legal esoterica as deconstructing closure clauses, as your Eyewitness had suggested.

Occam’s Razor – or the rule of parsimony – is always the way to go!! …but not to the PNC But after clearing up the jurisdictional issue for itself (yes) and the CoA (no), the CCJ didn’t just assume matters would revert to the status quo ante. They declared explicitly that Lowenfield’s Report - where he purported to follow the CoA’s “valid votes” stricture and, like Thanos, wipe out 115,000 voters - was “invalid and of no effect”.

He was told he’d have to submit the Report he compiled after the Recount, and which included those numbers which had been certified as “valid votes”.

So where does this leave Guyana? Sadly, still in limbo – cause, as your Eyewitness has been saying all along, Granger and his cabal will accept no other result than one that let them remain in power. Most likely, they’ll have Lowenfield resubmit his “cock” numbers on the ground that no one can tell him what to include in his Report.

We know this is all BS…but all the PNC wants is another time-grinding exercise in the courts.

Let’s hope that the ABCE diplomats told Granger, via Cummings this morning, that “Time’s up!!”

…so will the GECOM Chairwoman As with all “finality or closure clauses”, the CCJ was careful to point out they should be interpreted very narrowly.

And left matters to the Iron Lady to follow the law.

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo calls for swift election declaration …says CCJ ruling vindicates PPP/C, election observers, int’l community

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

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ow that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said that it is clear that Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield has no choice but to prepare a final report based on the recount results that show the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) winning the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo made this pronouncement shortly after the CCJ ruling that Lowenfield’s invalidation of over 115,000 votes is unlawful, and that the Court of Appeal (COA) exceeded its jurisdiction when it interpreted Article 177 (2) of

the Constitution of Guyana, which says “more votes are cast” to mean “more ‘valid’ votes are cast”.

“We are extremely pleased that the Caribbean Court of Justice has set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal of Guyana… we believed from the beginning that the decision of the COA was perverse. We argued that they lacked jurisdiction, that the Article that they used to infringe on other matters relating to the elections has nothing to do with the qualifications of the President, and therefore they were acting outside of their jurisdiction. Today (Wednesday) we’re being vindicated in the sense that the Court of Appeal acted in excess of its declaration,” the General Secretary also said.

Section 87 (2) of the Representation of the People’s Act makes clear the conditions under which a vote is deemed invalid. The Act makes no mention of the absence of statutory documents invalidating votes.

According to Section 87 (2) of the Act, “In counting the votes the returning officer shall, subject to subsection (3), reject as invalid and not count any ballot paper (a) which does not bear the official mark (b) which has not been marked for any list of candidates or is

“The CEO is bound…he needs to prepare the report in accordance with the instructions given to him by the Chair of GECOM, which is to use the recount data which shows a victory for the PPP/C. The CEO has clear guidance now, let us see if he will continue to act unlawfully or in accordance with the guidance of the CCJ, a superior court,” – Opposition Leader void for uncertainty (c) on which votes have been given for more than one list of candidates (d) on which there is any writing or mark by which the elector can be identified.”

According to Jagdeo, it is important that no further attempts be made to prevent GECOM from doing its job.

Jagdeo also expressed his pleasure that the court threw out the Chief Elections Officer’s report.

Jagdeo pointed out that when the Court of Appeal had ruled previously, Lowenfield had compiled his controversial report within 24 hours on the basis of that ruling.

New report

As such, Jagdeo noted that Lowenfield should have no problems quickly complying with the decision of a superior court. He

laid out his expectations that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will now convene a meeting and Lowenfield submit a report in accordance with the CCJ ruling, delivered by the regional court’s President, Justice Adrian Saunders.

“We are extremely pleased that they (CCJ) also set aside Lowenfield’s report that had fraudulently disenfranchised over 115,000 persons. But in doing so, the President of the Court, reading out part of a summary of a unanimous decision, he pointed out how Lowenfield had acted unlawfully.

“The CEO is bound… he needs to prepare the report in accordance with the instructions given to him by the Chair of GECOM, which is to use the recount data which shows a victory for the PPP/C. The CEO has clear guidance now, let

us see if he will continue to act unlawfully or in accordance with the guidance of the CCJ, a superior court,” Jagdeo also said.

GECOM has since announced that a meeting will be convened at 1:30 pm on June 9, 2020.

In Lowenfield’s fraudulent report, the CEO had claimed that the APNU/ AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How the CEO arrived at those figures is unknown, since the certified results from the legally conducted recount exercise supervised

by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) pellucidly show that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC garnered 217,920.

Lowenfield’s attempt to alter the results of the recount and deny the will of the people comes on the heels of two previous attempts he made to give legitimacy to the fraudulent declarations of Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

Mingo, during the tabulation of votes following the March 2 elections, used figures which were heavily inflated in favour of the APNU/AFC coalition – vastly differing from the official numbers recorded on the

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

Statements of Poll (SoPs).

On March 5, Mingo declared fraudulent results for District Four, prompting the PPP/C to move to the courts, which scrapped those results and ordered that the process be done through the legally prescribed procedure. When the process was resumed, Mingo still proceeded to use concocted numbers, and he eventually made a second fraudulent declaration on March 13.

Mingo had declared that the APNU/AFC won 136,057 votes for District Four, while the PPP/C won 77,231. But the certified recount process clearly shows that for Region Four, the APNU/AFC won 116,941 votes while PPP/C won 80,920.

10 NEWS Man dies after building collapses during demolition THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…4 injured

The collapsed structure

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building owned and operated by Banks DIH Limited at Industrial Estate, Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Wednesday collapsed during

a demolition exercise, resulting in the death of one person and injury of four others.

The dead contracted worker was identified as Jagmohan Bissessar while

25-year-old Anthony Lowe of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The three other injured persons were treated and sent away.

Based on reports received, the incident occurred around 13:00h.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, officials from the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force, accompanied by medical personnel, were assessing the situation.

This publication understands that after the building collapsed, the men were trapped under the debris for

some time before they were rescued.

After the men were pulled out, they were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention. Bissessar was pronounced dead on arrival.

Back at the scene of the incident, the area was cordoned off and an investigation was launched.

Speaking with the media at the scene, second-in-command of operations at the Guyana Fire Service, Clive McDonald explained that they received a report at approximately 13:12h, informing them that the building had collapsed.

Two tenders and two am-

Emergency services making an assessment at the scene

bulances were immediately deployed to the location.

“We received a call at the operations room of the Guyana Fire Service of a collapsed shed. Immediately, we dispatched two appliances – one from the Central Fire Station and one from the Ruimveldt Fire Station, and two ambulances to the scene,” McDonald said.

Upon arriving at the scene, the firefighters were informed that two persons were trapped under the debris. Without hesitation, the firemen sprang into action and rescued Bissessar and Lowe.

“There were three others who suffered minor injuries and they are what we would term ‘walking injured’ but

they are stable at this point with no immediate threats,” the Fire Service official added.

Meanwhile, in a release to the media, Banks DIH Limited stated that the men were employed under Home Designs- the company that was contracted to conduct demolition and other works. At that time, they were working to ensure that the employees receive proper medical care.”

“Several of the staff have varying injuries that are being assessed. We are working to ensure they get the best possible emergency care at present,” the company said through its Public Relations Officer, Troy Peters.

Sophia murder suspect dies after shootout with cops

Dead suspect: Keron Mark Adams

H

ours after a wanted bulletin was issued for Keron Mark Adams for the murder of Andre Easton, he was fatally shot during an alleged shootout with Police in Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Wednesday.

Easton was shot dead on Tuesday morning while feeding his horse in B Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, by Adams during an argument.

The wanted bulletin was issued on Wednesday morning, but soon after noon, the Police had reported that the man was apprehended, but not that he was injured during the process.

The Police later confirmed that a pursuit that began in Sophia ended in Mocha on Wednesday with a shooting that left the 32-year-old murder suspect dead.

In a release to the media, the Police stated that around 13:45h, on the day in question, ranks acting on intelligence gathered, went to a location at Mocha, where they spotted the suspect.

Murdered: Andre Easton

Upon seeing the cops, the wanted man allegedly whipped out a handgun and opened fire on them.

In retaliation, the Police returned fire, injuring Adams about his body.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical attention, but succumbed to his injuries. This was confirmed

by Divisional Commander Phillip Azore.

The Police have since retrieved an unlicensed pistol from the scene.

Adams and his girlfriend have been on the run since the gunning down of Easton on Tuesday. It was reported that the shooting incident stemmed from Adams having an issue with Easton tying his horse in an open plot of land next to his house.

On Monday, Adams pointed a gun at Easton and threatened to shoot him if he did not move the animal. After the threats were made, the matter was reported to the Police, but nothing was done.

On Tuesday, however, as Easton went to tend to the horse, he was shot dead.

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CCJ's judgement: “We must retake our place as a respected, celebrated democracy” – Ali …lauds court’s cogent decision

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r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has lauded the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) over its “cogent” decision on Wednesday, noting that it has paved the way for Guyana to reclaim its place as a “respected and celebrated” democracy.

The Trinidad-based regional court ruled that Guyana’s Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to hear the matter filed by APNU/ AFC supporter, Eslyn David, much less interpreting “more votes cast” in the Recount Order to mean “more valid votes cast”.

Not only did the CCJ overturn this ruling but also invalidated the fraudulent report submitted by embattled Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM) in which he disenfranchised over 115,000 votes based on the Appeal Court’s ruling.

Ali and PPP/C’s General Secretary subsequently challenged the decision at the CCJ and were successfully in their appeal.

This decision by the regional court has paved the way for GECOM to move ahead with the anticipated declaration of the March 2 elections results. The 33day national recount has show the PPP/C with a landslide victory having obtained some 15,416 more votes than its main political rival, the caretaker APNU/ AFC Coalition.

Wednesday’s ruling by the CCJ now paves the way for GECOM to make an official declaration of the results of the elections, which were held over four months ago, based on the recount

results.

As such in a statement on Wednesday night, Ali said “Each and every one of us has a duty as Guyanese to move Guyana forward and I reaffirm my commitment to all of Guyana to ensure that we retake our place as a respected and celebrated democracy where each and every citizen, regardless of background, can have an equal opportunity to enjoin all that our beautiful country has to offer.”

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate further posited that the CCJ ruling will have far-reaching impact for democracy beyond Guyana. "[I] salute not only the Court’s judgment but its commitment to free, fair and independent judgments. No doubt the Court’s decision has a far-reaching impact for democracy not

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali

only in Guyana, but in the entire Commonwealth. The Court has made Guyana and indeed the entire of Caricom proud in its swift delivery of a clear and cogent judgment,” he stated.

According to Ali, while the Court’s decision will be

embraced by many and similarly met with disappointment by others, it cannot be ignored that Guyana currently faces significant economic and health concerns, which requires for everyone to unite as a country to immediately address.

Meanwhile, in his brief missive, the PPP/C Presidential Candidate extended appreciation to the all the new political parties for their commitment to respect the legal process, their participation and legal representation. He also expressed his gratitude to the party’s supporters and well-wishers, as well as the outstanding legal team, which he said acted with considerable alacrity and professionalism in leading the party to this victory and Guyana once more on the path of democracy.

Ali and Jagdeo’s legal team was led by Trinidadbased Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes and comprised of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Attorney Devendra Kissoon and Attorney Sanjeev Datadin.

High wind disrupt power supply, damage several homes

A section of a roof that was damaged by high winds

fered. As such, personnel were dispatched to monitor the situation and restore power.

The utility company said in a notice, “Due to high winds, burst power lines, fallen poles and other infrastructural damage have been reported…Teams have been dispatched to conduct remedial work.”

After a few hours, electricity was restored to most areas with the exception of sections of Georgetown, the East Coast of Demerara and Berbice. These were later repowered as remedial works continued.

Following the heavy showers, communities in low-lying ar-

Inundation as a result of the heavy rainfall

T

This fence was destroyed by heavy winds at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara

he power supply along the coastal plain was disrupted for several hours on Wednesday, following heavy winds and rainfall in the morning.

Scores of communities were awakened by the combination

of rain and winds, which ripped apart several structures and left households without electricity.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc later indicated that this was a result of infrastructural damage which the company suf-

eas, primarily in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to Five (Mahaica-Berbice) also experienced some degree of flooding.

Billboards were uprooted and homeowners suffered losses after

their roofs were sent flying.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) indicated that it was able to make an assessment of the possible damage incurred during the storm through its National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS).

“Much of the weather conditions started around 03:00h and lasted until shortly after 06:00h.

Several yards were flooded, but it was observed that the waters were quickly receding with no significant damage reported,” the CDC report indicated.

There were sporadic reports of slight damage that were controlled by householders while three households in Vryheid’s Lust, Success and Lamaha Park in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and

two at Westberry and Line Dam, Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two suffered varying degrees of damage to rooftops.

There was also further damage to public infrastructure, with live wires ripped from main poles to private homes at De Groute, West Bank Demerara and the commentator’s booth at Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground collapsing.

Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) reported severe flooding and teams were mobilised to offer support.

Meanwhile, testing for COVID-19 was also delayed, as the lab was unable to process any new samples collected during the day.

12 NEWS GECOM must now declare winner based on recount – US, Canada Govt officials THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...GECOM to meet today

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he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) is scheduled to meet at 13:30h today where it is expected that the Commissioners will discuss the judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and will again pave the way forward for the declaration of the elections result.

The meeting was confirmed by GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward.

Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Secretary for US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak, on Wednesday evening said that Guyana

GECOM’s Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Elections Commission (GECOM) must now declare the winner of the results based on the recount results.

Kozak made the remarks on Twitter following the ruling handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice.

“The @CaribbeanCourt has ruled. It’s time for #GECOM to declare the winner of Guyana’s election based on the national vote recount,” Kozak tweeted. “The will of Guyana’s voters cannot be ignored,” he added.

Additionally, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Americas of Global Affairs Canada, Michael Grant has described the ruling handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as “important”.

Grant further noted that it is now time for the Guyana Elections

Guyana Goldfields produces 56,000 ounces of gold for 2020 …processes last batch of ore as company prepares for exit

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s Guyana Goldfields wraps up its operations in keeping with its decision to sell its operations to Chinese mining company Zijin Mining Group, the company announced on Wednesday that it had processed its last batch of ore from stockpile, and that the site will soon go into the care and maintenance period.

According to a statement the company sent out, Aurora will continue to recover gold in circuit inventory over the next few days. The company also noted that, based on its data, it produced almost 60,000 ounces of gold for the first half of the year.

“Gold production for the second quarter totalled 28,500 ounces, bringing total gold production for the first half of the year to 56,600 ounces. This is above our guidance of 45,000 to 50,000 ounces for the first half of 2020, as disclosed on May 28, 2020. Our unaudited cash balance as at June 30, 2020 was US$28.8 million (inclusive of US$10 million restricted cash) with

US$6.5 million in debt,” the company said.

It was pointed out that as part of the transaction announced with Zijin Mining Group Co, Ltd, a US$30 million secured loan facility was provided to the company. The loan balance of US$6.5 million is as a result of the first advance under the Zijin Facility.

According to Goldfields, it has paid the C$9.0 termination fee to Silvercorp Metals Inc., enabling it to cut ties with the Canadian company, which had agreed to buy Goldfields before Zijin entered the picture and made a better offer. The compa-

news@guyanatimesgy.com

ny also made known that its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders will feature proxy voting. And according to it, shareholders are urged to vote for the special resolution to approve the selling of Guyana Goldfields to the Chinese company.

“The management information circular and related materials in connection with the upcoming annual general and special meeting of shareholders, at which, among other matters, the Arrangement will be voted on by shareholders, were mailed last week to shareholders of the Company on record as at June 23, 2020.

The Canada-based Guyana Goldfields, which operates local subsidiary Aurora Gold Mine (AGM), had moved to downsize its operations since May, after facing constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with other financial woes. It was also linked to the company’s transition into underground mining. In the meantime, hundreds of local workers have been laid off by Goldfields in the process.

Zijin Mining Group Co, which specialises in gold, copper, zinc, and other mineral resource exploration and development, bettered the purchasing price and conditions that were made by the Canadian company Silvercorp Metals Inc.

Commission (GECOM) to make a declaration based on the recount results.

Grant tweeted: “Important ruling today from Caribbean Court of Justice on Guyana.

It’s time for the election results to be announced by #GECOM based on the recount. No more delays.”

The last meeting of GECOM, prior to the series of legal challenges, was on June 18 when Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield was expected to submit his final elections report in accordance with Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03.

However, that meeting was suspended after Lowenfield failed to honour his constitutional duty.

The meeting also lacked a quorum at that time since two of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)nominated Commissioners – Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman, failed to attend the meeting.

According to Article 226 of the Constitution, the quorum for a meeting of the Commission shall be the Chairman and not less than four members of the Commission – two each appointed by the President and the Opposition respectively.

“If at any stage of a duly summoned meeting, a quorum is not present due to the absence of members without good cause to be determined by the Chairman then the meeting is to be adjourned for two calendar days. If the meeting was to determine the declaration of the results of the presidency, and there is no quorum, then the meeting shall be adjourned to the next day.

If at the adjourned meeting, there is still no quorum then, the members then present, being not less than four members including the Chairman, shall be deemed to be a quorum and any decision made at any such adjourned meeting shall be valid and binding,” the Constitution states.

Sources with intricate knowledge as to the functioning of GECOM told Guyana Times that the Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh could forge ahead with the meeting even if the APNU/AFC-nominated

Commissioners decide to boycott.

On June 18, Lowenfield was served with a Notice of Motion, which was scheduled to be heard in the Court of Appeal on June 19.

That motion was heard and adjudicated by the Appeal Court, which ruled that GECOM should determine

count numbers show that the PPP/C won the March 2 poll with 233,336 votes cast in its favour. The APNU/ AFC secured 217,920 votes.

For the new parties, the numbers are as follows: A New and United Guyana – 2313; Change Guyana – 1953; Liberty and Justice Party – 2657; People’s

the validity of the votes and the constitutional phrase “more votes are cast” can be interpreted as “more valid votes are cast”.

That ruling was set aside by the CCJ, which found

Republic Party – 889; The Citizen’s Initiative – 680; The New Movement – 244; and the United Republican Party – 360.

However, on June 23, despite a stay by the Court of Appeal, Lowenfield presented a report containing numbers which do not reflect those certified at the national recount, which was deemed credible by a high-profile team from Caricom.

In fact, the fraudulent figures included in Lowenfield’s report do not even correspond with the numbers he had concocted in his first report to the Chairperson. In the first report, Lowenfield claimed that the APNU/AFC won 125,010 votes while the PPP/C won 56,627 – disfranchising some 60 per cent of the electorate on mere allegations that their votes are “invalid”.

Lowenfield’s latest report validates votes he would have previously invalidated; the CEO presented numbers that give the APNU/AFC coalition 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How he arrived at those figures is unknown, since the certified results from the legally-conducted recount exercise supervised

by GECOM and a high-level Caricom team showed that the PPP/C won the elections.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

that the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction when it sought to interpret the gazetted recount order – Order 60 of 2020 and not Article 177 (4) of the Constitution.

Lowenfield was advised to submit the report after Justice Singh decided that she would go ahead with the declaration of the certified results from the recount exercise, which showed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won with 233,336 votes. The re-

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It’s now up to GECOM – Granger admits

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Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Presidential Candidate David Granger has admitted that it was now up to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to decide on the next steps in concluding the electoral process.

The caretaker President made those remarks outside State House while addressing a large crowd of supporters– a gathering which is considered to be in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines.

“So, the matter is not closed; it now has to go back to the Election Commission.

We all have to be patient,” the APNU Leader, who was not wearing a face mask, informed the coalition supporters.

“We will have to assess the situation in which we are in now. The matter will go back to the Election

APNU/AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger addressing supporters outside State House

Commission,” Granger said.

GECOM is slated to meet today at 13:30h to discuss the ruling handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which as-

serted that Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield must prepare a final elections report as directed by the Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh –

that is, based on the results of the recount exercise.

On May 17, the APNU/ AFC Leader, while addressing reporters outside the recount venue – the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) – reiterated that he would accept the decision made by GECOM. GECOM’s Chairperson had already made it clear that the declaration of the elections results would be based on the certified recount figures which show that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the elections with 233,336 votes.

Meanwhile, further commenting on the CCJ ruling, Granger admitted to his supporters that the judgment was not in APNU/ AFC’s favour.

“The CCJ has not allowed the position that our Court of Appeal has taken,” he said as he furthered the coalition’s false narra-

APNU/AFC Co-Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon

tive that dead and migrated persons voted at the March 2 polls.

“We all went out on the 2nd of March, March passed, April passed, May passed, June passed and now we’re in July. It is the first time this has happened in the history of our country, and it has happened be-

cause there are some bad elements out there who tried to manipulate the vote,” Granger asserted.

However, the CCJ, in its ruling, made it clear that the concerns being raised by the APNU/AFC should be addressed in an elections petition filed in Guyana’s High Court.

Also reacting to the CCJ ruling, APNU/AFC’s CoCampaign Manager, Joseph Harmon also acknowledged that the decision now lay in the hands of GECOM. “The end of this matter in the Caribbean Court of Justice puts the matter back to GECOM for the final decisions to be made in the declaration and swearing-in of our President…We expect that GECOM, in its understanding of the court’s ruling, will stand firmly with the Constitution, which is our supreme law,” Harmon expressed in a statement.

Time for GECOM Chair to bring elections to a close – Change Guyana …urges int’l community to deal with “hybrid dictatorship”, riggers “What we have here is a hybrid dictatorship that encompasses multiple parties. In my opinion, there are certain players…that have given aid to the de facto Government…and this can only be stopped, or only be recognised globally as totally unacceptable when this international community takes action against those who continue to defy the majority will of the people and the constitution” – Nigel Hinds

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ccountant and Change Guyana co-founder Nigel Hinds has weighed in on the Caribbean Court of Justice

(CCJ) ruling which threw out the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the APNU/AFC supporter Eslyn David case.

According to Hinds, David’s case was nothing more than an exercise to frustrate, delay and waste time. He made it clear that

enough is enough, and a declaration must now be made in accordance with the CCJ ruling.

In a video broadcast, Hinds noted that while the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has become heavily tainted, there is still time for GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, to do the right thing and ensure a lawful declaration is made.

“There is another opportunity for the Chairperson of GECOM to act with the power vested in her and to make a declaration forthwith. We have circled the wagon for far too long. They have turned the Guyana election process into a circus…we cannot continue along this path. So, I ask Claudette Singh to act expeditiously in bringing this matter to a close.”

The accountant urged the de facto A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government to do the right thing and not return Guyana to the basket case it once was, when it was deemed a pariah state under former President Forbes Burnham. According to Hinds, it will not end nicely if the coalition Government continues to hang on to power.

Hinds also urged the international community to be ready to do whatever is necessary to hold those who are part of the rigging conspiracy accountable. Here he cited the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Caribbean Community (Caricom) and others.

“For over a year, we have been in a situation where

Change Guyana Co-founder Nigel Hinds

the de facto Government has been using every crook, every nook and cranny, to deny what is clearly written in the constitution, and then to use the law to abuse the law. It is my opinion that they will continue to do so,” Hinds said.

“That is why it is important that the international community…stop singing and making statements and start taking action against the players who have dragged Guyana down to the point where voters are being disenfranchised, over 115,000 voters have been rejected by the Chief Elections Officer.”

He also made it clear that Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and the embattled former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo did not act alone during their fraudulent acts. According to him, there is a statewide conspiracy that runs deep and across agencies.

“What we have here is a hybrid dictatorship that encompasses multiple parties. In my opinion, there are certain players…that have given aid to the de fac-

to Government, and this can only be stopped, or only be recognized globally as totally unacceptable when this international community takes action against those who continue to defy the majority will of the people and the constitution.”

Among other decisions, the CCJ ruled on Wednesday that the Chief Elections Officer must produce a final elections report as ordered by the Chair, Justice Claudette Singh.

The GECOM Chairwoman had instructed Lowenfield to prepare his report based on the certified recount results, which show that the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) won the elections with 233,336 votes.

Instead, Lowenfield submitted a report invalidating over 115,000 voters based on unsubstantiated allegations made by the APNU/ AFC. The CCJ has since ruled that Lowenfield’s latest report is invalid, and that the concerns raised by the APNU/AFC coalition must be addressed in an elections petition.

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COVID-19 death rate alarming – DCMO

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uyana’s high COVID-19 death rate is now capturing the attention of health officials as the percentage of persons dying from the virus locally is significantly higher than the world statistics.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle highlighted on Wednesday that Guyana has an alarming death rate when compared to other countries. In fact, six per cent of the local cases have died after contracting the virus. Worldwide, this figure is just two per cent.

“The situation in our country is becoming increasingly alarming, since over this past week we have recorded the highest number of cases since the beginning of the COVID-19 … [outbreak] in our country…Currently, six per cent of all infected cases have died; for a country with less than one million inhabitants, this rate is very high,” she indicated.

Health officials continue to plead with residents across the country to observe the precautions, especially in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Four (DemeraraMahaica) and Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) where there is an up-

surge in cases. These precautions are incredibly important, since the health sector is “overburdened” managing the virus.

“If the number of positive cases and deaths are not evidence enough of the presence and effects of COVID-19, then we are in a very terrible position in our response to this disease. I must make it clear that the measures instituted by the Ministry of Public Health are consistent with the management of highly-contagious diseases. The health system is already overburdened with responding to this current situation, and if this becomes worse, then we will not be able to manage,” the DCMO insisted.

The younger population was reprimanded for their actions in flouting the curfew and guidelines. It was noted that persons were extremely vulnerable to the virus and should act as though they are at risk.

“I launch an appeal yet again to the young in our population, especially our 20-29 year olds, who have been openly disregarding the regulations, to reflect on their behaviour and ponder on the way this lifestyle is contributing to the

DCMO, Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle

COVID-19 situation in our country. For fear of repeating myself, I wish to state that in Guyana, the coronavirus disease is not exclusive to the elderly, but as the statistics have shown, our males in the age group mentioned above have been most vulnerable,” Dr Gordon-Boyle said.

She went on to call out customer service representatives and other workers from the business

sector, who fail to protect themselves from the virus while handling money and interacting with customers. Also in this category were patrons who fail to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

Dr Gordon-Boyle detailed, “In our stores, we begin to see some patrons not wearing masks and flouting the physical distancing regulations. Even our cashiers are handling money and citizens’ purchases without constantly sanitising. These are the measures that have helped us so far, but which we are neglecting to go through with. I implore you to do the right thing.”

Meanwhile, those who are following the recommended guidelines were asked to continue doing so, as it would reduce the probability of contracting the virus if a person did come into contact with an infected case.

As of recent, authorities have managed to expand screening to Buckhall, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Aranka, Region Seven.

But even as the DCMO expressed concern about the death rate, the family of the latest

COVID-19 fatality are disputing the diagnosis. The 76-year-old woman, May Portsmouth, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Portsmouth’s family said that she was taken to the hospital after she fell from a flight of stairs at home and suffered a mild heart attack. After she was discharged, she experienced a seizure and was taken back to the public hospital.

The family said that she subsequently died and it was then that they were told that she was tested for COVID-19 and died as a result of the virus.

However, her son, Lester Portsmouth has since said that this diagnosis was suspicious.

“How she dead from coronavirus and she was perfectly [fine] when she go in there, and they gave her the injection, and when my sister go in there, they said she dead. How come she dead from coronavirus?” Lester lamented.

As a result, the aggravated son stated that there might be a hospital cover-up of his mother’s death.

His suspicions are compounded by the fact that the Public Health Ministry has not asked them to go into quarantine nor tested relatives for the virus.

Proposed designs for new Mackenzie-Wismar bridge unveiled …despite incomplete environmental, social impact assessment

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s plans move apace for the construction of a new MackenzieWismar Bridge in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), four possible designs were unveiled during a virtual presentation by Politecnica Engineering and Architecture company

on the proposed designs.

Glasgow noted that the company was cautioned that bauxite still played a significant role in the livelihood of the Linden community and consideration should be given to the fact that ships transporting bauxite traverse

Another proposed design

on Tuesday evening.

The project is being executed as part of the Transport Sector Enhancement Project.

Speaking during the presentation, Politecnica E n v i r o n m e n t a l Management Specialist Marciano Glasgow emphasised that while the company has proceeded with the designs, an environmental and social impact assessment is being conducted.

He noted that as part of the process stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company was required to return to the community and discuss the design alternatives proposed to the Public Infrastructure Ministry and as such, the virtual forum allowed for the public to share its views

the area; therefore, the selected design must not obstruct the regular flow of vessels. Another stipulation he mentioned was that the new bridge has to be of a certain height to allow easy access underneath the structure.

In his presentation, team leader Francisco Reina said that the new bridge proposed would be situated upstream and south of the existing bridge.

It was noted during the presentation that the existing bridge would remain in place, with it being utilised for pedestrians and non-vehicular traffic.

A decision has not yet been made, but Reina highlighted that the company has designed a two-road approach – one for the east bank and the other for the west.

On both sides, the designs cater for new roundabouts which will connect the existing road networks.

The bridge will also cater for two-lane traffic and pedestrian walkway, and would be designed in such a way to cater for culverts related to existing roads.

The bridge will span 44 meters. According to the design, the bridge, road approaches, and roundabouts will be equipped with street

lights, underpass/culvert to maintain the continuity of existing roads, road safety barriers and sidewalks, with provisions made for access to the Linden Hospital Complex at Mackenzie.

Following the presentations, Deputy Mayor of Linden, Wainewright Bethune suggested the need for another consultation. The team has planned

One of the designs presented on Tuesday evening

further engagements with the necessary stakeholders.

The project is also expect-

ed to play an integral role in the Linden-Lethem road network.

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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bandits rob businesswoman after Power failure delays trailing her to Internet café COVID-19 testing

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Georgetown businesswoman was on Tuesday trailed into East Ruimveldt, Georgetown and relieved of a large sum of money and other items by a group of gun-toting bandits.

When contacted by this publication, the woman, Wanita Ashby, explained that she had gone to transact some business in the city, during which she had received a telephone call from her brother, who instructed her to uplift $800,000 he had sent from the interior.

Upon uplifting the money, Ashby said, she made several stops around Georgetown without realising that she was been followed.

“I was doing some business at GRA, and when I finish, I have a wash bay on

The businesswoman’s car that was broken into by the gunmen

the Front Road, so I came back to the wash bay, and my brother called me again and told me that somebody else supposed to send out some money at the same location…when I went to the money place, I did not get the money, so I ended up leaving with just the first set,” she explained.

However, at about 15:30h, Ashby said, she went back on the “Front Road”, and stopped at a friend’s house to use her internet café to call her brother. While so doing, her car’s alarm was triggered.

“I heard the little child say, ‘Aunty, these men break your car’, so when I

run outside, I saw three of them… they had guns. They run through the alleyway, and the car they used was waiting for them on the other side”.

Ashby identified the getaway car as a white new model Premio. “I didn’t know these guys were trailing me until I run my cameras. I have cameras on my car. When I came out of the place, they weren’t any cars around…just two cars, and they weren’t the descriptions of the car the men used”.

Apart from the large sum of money, the men escaped with her passport, ID card, and driver’s licence.

Meanwhile, a report was lodged with the Police, and detectives are in the process of reviewing the camera footage to identify the perpetrators.

Charges withdrawn against 3 suspects in newspaper vendor’s murder – new charges instituted against others

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urder charges filed against three men who were implicated in the murder of newspaper vendor Sham Munilall, who was shot and killed during a robbery at his Queenstown, Essequibo Coast home, have been withdrawn by the state prosecutor.

Initially Carlton Carter, Carl Michael Carter, Delhoya McKenzie, Norlando Brown, and John Li were charged for the crime. As they made another court appearance on Tuesday before Magistrate

Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, they were informed that the old charges would be withdrawn and new charges would be instituted.

However, the new charges were read only to Brown, Li, and a new accused, Pamela Joseph. The charges against Carlton Carter, Carl Michael Carter and Delhoya McKenzie were dropped.

48-year-old newspaper vendor Sham Munilall, also called “Chunnilall” and “Paperman,” was killed during the course or further-

ance of a robbery.

Reports are that the man was in front of his yard having a barbeque with his family when three men - one armed with a handgun and another with a cutlass scaled the fence to gain entry to his residence.

The armed men attacked Munilall’s wife Rita, who was at the front door of the house. Upon seeing this, Munilall confronted the perpetrators, but the gunman opened fire on him, shooting him four times about his body.

The trio then made

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

Sham Munilall, also known as “Chunnilall” and “Paperman”

their escape, while the injured man was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The three accused are expected to make another court appearance on July 10, 2020.

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prolonged period of power outage has resulted in the Ministry of Public Health not being able to provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in the country today.

“Regrettably, the update of the situation in Guyana is not available at this time, due to the blackout that occurred this morning in Georgetown,” Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle said during the update at around 17:00hrs today.

At that time, she said, the lab was still processing samples obtained. As at yesterday, the country had recorded seven new cases, all of which were from Region One (Barima-Waini), bringing the total cases recorded to date to 284.

“The situation in our country is becoming increasingly alarming, since, over this past week, we have recorded the highest number of cases since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in our country,” the DCMO said.

According to the health official, “Guyana, compared to other countries, has a very high COVID-19 death rate, currently 6% of all infected cases have died. For a country with less than one million inhabitants, this rate is very high.”

Dr Gordon-Boyle reminded that authorities have been pleading with all residents across the country to act responsibly and comply with the guidelines.

“Friends, if the number of positive cases and deaths are not evidence enough of the presence and effects of

COVID-19, then we are in a very terrible position in our response to this disease. I must make it clear that the measures instituted by the Ministry of Public Health are consistent with the management of highly contagious diseases. The health system is already overburdened with responding to this current situation, and if this becomes worse, then we will not be able to manage, and what is happening in next door Brazil will become our reality,” she expressed.

“So, I launch an appeal yet again to the young in our population, especially our 20-to-29-year-olds, who have been openly disregarding the regulations to reflect on their behaviour and ponder on the way this lifestyle is contributing to the COVID-19 situation in our country. For fear of repeating myself, I wish to state that, in Guyana, the coronavirus disease is not exclusive to the elderly, but as the statistics have shown, our males in the age group mentioned above have been most vulnerable. Further, we have discussed the potential damage that COVID-19 can cause,” the DCMO further posited.

“Are we so uncaring about our lives that we have no regard for the future, for our offspring? I ask you to spare a thought to the potential you all possess and the waste of that precious gift that will result if you continue blatantly in this current vein. Remember, all it demands is a little effort that is not costly on your part. Our health workers are resolutely doing their part, so why can’t you?”

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

New loss of taste or smell

Muscle pain Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

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International students are Vigilante daughter gets welcome in US – State Dept justice for her father’s killing

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he United States State Department has said that international students are welcome in the US, after reports that the Trump administration will ask the students to leave if classes go fully on line.

A media note from the office of the State Department’s spokesperson Tuesday asserted that the United States has long been the destination of choice for international students.

“We are pleased that many international students who had planned to study this fall in the United States may still have the opportunity to do so,” the note explained.

It said the Department of Homeland Security has announced its plan for tem-

porary modifications to F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant visa requirements for the fall 2020 semester.

“This will allow a mixture of both in-person and some online coursework to meet the requirements for nonimmigrant student status,” according to the US State Department statement.

It observed that this temporary accommodation provides greater flexibility for nonimmigrant students to continue their education in the United States, while also allowing for proper social distancing on open and operating campuses across America.

“International students will still have to obtain the appropriate visa and may still be subject to other visa

processing or travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

Students should check with the local U.S. embassy or consulate for information specific to their country,” the note stated.

US news reports, quoting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have indicated that international students pursuing degrees in the United States will have to go home or face deportation, if their universities switch to on line only courses.

The move may affect thousands of foreign students who come to the United States to attend universities or participate in training programs, as well as non-academic or vocational studies, according to CNN. (St Lucia Times)

S

elf-proclaimed “vigilante” Jennifer Espinal’s tireless digging to find her father’s killer ended Wednesday where the murder probe almost never started: The 103rd Precinct in Queens.

The daughter of murder victim Jorge Cornejo was outside the precinct Wednesday when prosecutors called to tell her the suspected murderer was under arrest.

“They caught him!”

Espinal shouted.

The bust came nearly two weeks after Espinal

Jorge Cornejo

Jennifer Espinal

bare-chested assailant stomped out of a grocery

The death was finally declared a homicide last week by the medical examiner.

“It’s not going to bring my dad back, but I am so happy for the support,” said Espinal, who plans a New York Mets-themed picnic in celebration of her father’s life. “Everyone is going to be wearing Mets hats.”

The daughter, who works as a nurse, believed right away that her father’s injuries were inconsistent with an accidental fall. When the police lieutenant brushed off her suspicions, Espinal was inspired to start her own probe.

“He made me to be a vigilante,” she said of the lieutenant. Espinal recounted how police finally gave credence to her claims of an assault after she tracked down the video and hand-delivered the tape to investigators. One of the officers asked why she hadn’t reported the crime sooner, and she explained the prior encounter.

The NYPD said an “internal review” of the apparently botched investigation was underway. Images of the suspect were made public by cops on June 27.

(NY Daily News)

Queens man accused of stabbing girlfriend 14 times

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Queens man was charged with murder Wednesday after allegedly stabbing his livein girlfriend 14 times in the chest, neck and torso as her teenage daughter watched in horror, authorities said.

Accused killer Carmelo Mendoza, 41, also slashed the 19-year-old daughter’s leg when she rushed to the aid of her mom, Yaqueline Collado, the owner of a local beauty salon, according to prosecutors.

Collado, with her dying breaths, told her bleeding daughter to flee the gore-spattered Jackson Heights apartment where the teen lived with the couple.

“I’m dying,” she told the young woman. “Get out of here.”

Mendoza, who stabbed himself in the torso several times after killing Collado, was lying atop the victim’s lifeless body when police arrived in the apartment at 2:20 a.m. last Friday.

Carmelo Mendoza

He remains hospitalized at Elmhurst Hospital, authorities said.

“This defendant is accused of committing a despicable act of violence against a woman he supposedly loved,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “In the heat of an argument, the defendant allegedly stabbed the victim to death in front of the woman’s daughter.”

Neighbors described Mendoza as a jealous Jekyll and Hyde who behaved well in public but became abu-

sive with Collado behind the closed doors of their sixthfloor apartment.

The teenager was told by her mother to go to her room when the couple began fighting, with the young woman rushing back outside after hearing Collado scream her name, according to Katz.

The daughter began flinging items from the apartment at Mendoza, and eventually fled on her mother’s instructions.

“This defendant is accused of committing a despicable act of violence against a woman he supposedly loved,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “In the heat of an argument, the defendant allegedly stabbed the victim to death in front of the woman’s daughter.”

Neighbors described Mendoza as a jealous Jekyll and Hyde who behaved well in public but became abusive with Collado behind the closed doors of their sixthfloor apartment. (Ny Daily News)

Ivory Coast Prime Minister dies

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vory Coast's prime minister and the governing party's candidate for the October presidential election, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, has died just days after returning from two months of medical treatment in France.

The 61-year-old, who had heart surgery in 2012, became unwell during a weekly cabinet meeting and was taken to a hospital where he passed away on Wednesday, President Alassane Ouattara said in a statement read on national television.

"Fellow compatriots, Ivory Coast is mourning.

It is with deep pain that I announce to you that Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly has left us," Ouattara said in a statement read by the presiden-

Gon Coulibaly had returned to Ivory Coast last Thursday after two months in France to undergo a heart exam and rest [Thierry Gouegnon/Reuters]

cy's secretary-general.

Gon Coulibaly had returned to Ivory Coast last Thursday after two months in France to undergo a heart exam and rest.

Gon Coulibaly’s death is likely to set off a scramble

within the governing RHDP party to replace him as its candidate in an election that is considered a key test of stability for the world’s top cocoa producer.

Ouattara’s first win in 2010 over incumbent Laurent Gbagbo sparked a brief civil war in which about 3,000 people died, and political tensions have been rising ahead of October’s poll.

Ouattara designated Gon Coulibaly as the RHDP candidate in March after announcing he would not seek a third term.

Gon Coulibaly sought medical care in France in May, saying it was only for a checkup. He was allowed to travel abroad despite Ivory Coast’s airports being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Al Jazeera)

Cops released images of the shirtless attacker on June 27, two days after Cornejo died

was brushed off trying to convince a precinct lieutenant that her 76-year-old dad became a homicide victim on a Queens street corner. By Espinal’s recounting, the lieutenant claimed her dad died in an accident, and he wouldn’t file a crime report unless she got more evidence. Espinal, 45, returned to the crime scene at all hours of the day and night. She eventually tracked down a security video of the deadly incident in which the bearded,

store and randomly attacked the elderly Cornejo.

The suspect then ran from the scene.

The suspect in the June 20 attack was identified by police Wednesday as Daniel Rodriguez, 45, of Queens.

He’s charged with murder and assault in the bizarre attack that left Cornejo unconscious on the corner of Jamaica Ave. and 171st St. in Jamaica, where police discovered him around 22:30 h (11:30 pm).

Cornejo died five days later at Jamaica Hospital.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

Regional

Coronavirus: Bolsonaro’s Cabinet gets tested

M

inisters who have had contact with Brazil’s President, Jair Bolsonaro, over the past days are getting tested for coronavirus.

Bolsonaro announced on Tuesday that he had tested positive after developing a high temperature and a cough.

He said that he was already feeling better and later posted a video on social media of himself taking the controversial drug hydroxychloroquine.

Bolsonaro has in the past played down the risks posed by coronavirus.

A number of ministers have already revealed that they have tested negative for coronavirus. Among them are Regional Development Minister Rogério Marinho, Secretary of Government Luiz Eduardo Ramos and Bolsonaro’s chief of staff, Walter Souza Braga Netto.

Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo, who attended an Independence Day celebration with Bolsonaro on

US Ambassador Todd Chapman (left) and Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo came into contact with President Jair Bolsonaro

Saturday, and tweeted a picture of himself with the President, also says he tested negative.

The US Embassy, which hosted the event, said that Ambassador Todd Chapman, who had had lunch with the President on Saturday was also clear of the virus, but added that he would remain in quarantine.

In a photo posted by the Ambassador neither the President nor the Ambassador were wearing masks.

Three more senior members of Bolsonaro’s Cabinet said they had taken the test, but the results were not yet known.

The office of the president released photos of the rooms where Bolsonaro had been being deep cleaned by workers in protective suits.

Bolsonaro told Journalists on Tuesday that he was feeling “very well” and removed his mask so they could “look at …[his] face”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T Top Cop will not push his men “under the bus”

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith (centre) on A Police exercise(TTPS Picture)

T

rinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner Gary Griffith Tuesday said he had no intention of pushing any of his men “under the bus” even as the independent Police Complaints Authority (PCA) formally advised him to place on immediate suspension the Police Officers involved in the fatal killings of three civilians late last month.

Griffith, speaking at a news conference, said the

PCA had not provided to him “any reason for their recommendation” which he also described as “curious”.

“I am not bowing to public pressure. To all citizens of this country I want you all to understand we have a very tired Police Service out there and yet with that some persons want revenge based on the campaign of hate for the Police Service.

“It is my job to keep morale lifted and I will stand firm to defend a proud in-

stitution that has matured remarkably in the last two years. I could make life very easy for me as the PCA seems to have done by just throwing officers under the bus with a media release and exonerate myself from public pressure . . . and easily say I suspend them.”

But he said an action like that would be counterproductive.

“With immediate effect all those [Police] involved in firing their weapons during this incident would no longer be on active duty, either operational or administrative, and I expect that the Police Complaints Authority findings which is what they ought to have done in the first place to forward to me would be sent to me as quickly as possible for me to take decisive action and disciplinary action if required or to ensure that the officers report to full duty based on the findings,” Griffith said.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Colombia extends national lockdown as virus “accelerates”

C

olombia is extending its nationwide lockdown by more than two weeks after reported cases and deaths accelerated in several cities, President Iván Duque has said.

The measure, which was

implemented in March, was due to be lifted on July 15, but has now been pushed back to August 1.

“Considering we have cities where the rate of cases has accelerated and grown, as well as the mortality rate, we have contin-

ued to work on preserving the mandatory preventive isolation as the general concept,” Duque said in a televised address on Tuesday.

More than 120,000 cases of COVID-19 and 4452 deaths have been confirmed in Colombia. (BBC News)

St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party boycotts National Assembly opening

T

he Denzil Douglas-led St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) boycotted Wednesday’s opening of Parliament, arguing that it would not be complicit in sanctioning what it describes as a reign of an oppressive and illegitimate regime.

St Kitts’ general election was held on Friday, June 5. The ruling coalition, Team Unity – consisting of People’s Action Movement, Concerned Citizens’ Movement, and the People’s Labour Party – won a landslide victory, gaining nine of the 11 directly-elected deputies. The coalition is led

by Prime Minister Timothy Harris.

But the SKNLP alleged that the vote was “neither free, fair nor just”, calling the results a miscarriage of justice and of democracy.

based on the assessment of “the massive malpractices”.

“The elected representatives of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party refuse to be complicit in sanctioning a system of apparent election-rigging and voter suppression that has been established, promoted, and protected by the illegitimate Harris-led coalition regime.

SKNLP Leader, Douglas

Dr

Denzil

“As people of conscience, the leadership of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has taken the decision not to attend the official opening of the National Assembly that is set to take place at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 8, 2020,” Douglas wrote.

The decision, he said, was taken after thoughtful and careful deliberation

“In the face of the rampant corruption, massive fraud, widespread irregularities and allegations of bribery, the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party intends to send a strong message that “Democracy Matters” and we will not stand by and allow such practices to become the norm in our voting and election processes here in St Kitts and Nevis,” the Party said in a statement. (Excerpt from CMC)

Trinidad: Man with 24 convictions in 10 years jailed again for theft

C

aught breaking into a woman’s home in Marabella, a 55-year-old man will serve the next seven months in jail.

This is not the first time Elvis Soodeen, also called Davenand Kissoon, will be serving a jail term.

His criminal record showed he had 24 previous convictions in the last 10 years.

He admitted to being a drug addict when he appeared before San Fernando Magistrate Lisa Singh-Phillip during a virtual hearing.

He faced four charges in total, including attempted housebreaking, possession of housebreaking implements, and two counts of larceny.

He pleaded guilty to all the charges. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Jamaica to benefit from climate fund

J

amaica is to benefit from a Cdn$4.7 million for which the country is eligible under the Cdn$20 million Canada-Caricom Climate Adaptation Fund facility, to be implemented by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

A statement issued by the Canadian High Commission noted that the Climate Adaptation Fund allocation

is earmarked for Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility Segregated Portfolio Company (CCRIF SPC) premiums.

It said this could be applied either towards 2020/21 premiums or combined to cover payments for the current year and 2021/22.

This is in addition to a donation of an estimated Cdn$376 000, which the

Canadian Government recently committed to Jamaica’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, through the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO).

The CCRIF SPC, which is headquartered in the Cayman Islands, was founded in 2007 as the CCRIF and is the first multi-country risk pool to be established globally. (Excerpt from CMC)

LIAT staff in Antigua given Friday deadline

A

ntigua-based workers with the cashstrapped regional airline LIAT have until Friday to agree to proposals by the Government as it moves to prevent the liquidation of the company by its major shareholder governments.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who is opposed to liquidating the airline, Tuesday held talks with representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU), but the Union’s General Secretary, David Massiah, would not divulge the details of the deliberations.

Browne is seeking support for his idea for the

formation of a new company, LIAT 2020, should the Governments of Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenada go ahead with their plans to liquidate LIAT (1974) Limited that owes millions of dollars to its creditors.

LIAT employs hundreds of workers in Antigua and Massiah said the Union also met with the workers behind closed doors on Tuesday.

He told the State-owned ABS radio and television that he would not wish to divulge the details of the discussions since the airline’s operations were diverse and involved various departments across the re-

gion.

He said the ABWU needed to involve all stakeholders in their consultation process before any firm decision could be made on the options outlined by Prime Minister Browne during the meeting.

But Prime Minister Browne, while he has not publicly indicated what had been discussed on Tuesday, posted on his Facebook page, a report quoting his Chief of Staff, Max Hurst, indicating that LIAT workers have been asked to agree to a 50 per cent cut in severance payments. (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS Oil prices at 4-month high

O

il futures gained on Wednesday, lifting prices to their highest finish since March, as a rise in US crude imports and a weekly fall in gasoline supplies suggested an improvement in energy demand, even as domestic crude inventories posted a surprise climb.

A closer look at the data shows that the crude-oil build happened “due to higher crude oil imports,” said Manish Raj, chief financial officer at Velandera Energy. “This is a huge positive, since it suggests growing domestic oil demand and the US acting as the market of last resort for this commodity.”

Also, “gasoline inventory declined by nearly five million barrels, despite higher refinery runs and increased production”, Raj told MarketWatch. “As US drivers are back on the roads, growing oil demand is highly positive.”

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Wednesday that US crude inventories rose by 5.7 million barrels for the week ended July 3. That followed a fall of 7.2 million barrels the week before and compared with a forecast by analysts polled by S&P Global Platts for an average decline of 3.7 million barrels. The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported an increase of about two million barrels.

(Excerpt from MarketWatch)

Mary Kay Letourneau: Teacher who married boy she raped dies at 58

Mary Kay Letourneau was returned to prison by a Seattle court in 1998

A

former teacher from Washington state whose sexual encounters with a pupil led to a jail sentence and worldwide notoriety has died of cancer aged 58.

Mary Kay Letourneau was convicted of second-degree child rape in 1997 after

becoming pregnant by Vili Fualaau when he was 12 or 13 and she was 34.

She gave birth to their second daughter in prison in 1998.

After serving her prison term the couple married in 2005. They separated after 12 years of marriage.

Letourneau's lawyer David Gehrke told US media that she had died at home surrounded by her children and Fualaau.

Letourneau was a married mother-of-four living in Seattle when she began to have sexual encounters with her sixth-grade student.

She initially served just a few months in jail, but after she was parolled she was caught having sex again with the young teenager.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Flashy Nigerian Instagrammers caught “with US$40M”

T

he day after his 29th birthday in May, Olalekan Jacob Ponle posted a picture on his Instagram standing next to a bright yellow Lamborghini in Dubai.

"Stop letting people make you feel guilty for the wealth you've acquired," he admonished, wearing designer jewellery and Gucci clothes from head to toe.

A month later, the Nigerian, who goes by the name "mrwoodbery" on Instagram, was arrested

by Dubai Police for alleged

money laundering and cyber fraud.

The most famous of the dozen Africans nabbed in the dramatic operation was 37-year-old Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, "hushpuppi" or just "hush" as he was known by his 2.4 million Instagram followers.

Police in the emirate say they recovered US$40 million in cash, 13 luxury cars worth $6.8 million, 21 computers, 47 smartphones, and the addresses of nearly two million alleged victims.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

US surpasses 3 million coronavirus cases

M

ore than three million people in the US have now tested positive for COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Over 131,000 deaths have been reported, and on Tuesday the US broke its record for most new cases reported in one day.

Despite the rise, the White House wants to press forward on some reopenings, including for schools.

US Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the White House Coronavirus Taskforce, argued rules should not be "too tough".

Cases were flattening out, he said, while President Donald Trump said on

Tuesday that America was "in a good place" regarding the pandemic.

Over 60,000 new cases were reported Tuesday, shattering the previous highest tally of 55,220 new cases on July 2.

The latest figures came as the states of California and Texas each reported more than 10,000 new daily cases.

Dr Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert and adviser to the White House on the coronavirus, said the country was still "kneedeep" in only its first coronavirus wave.

Speaking to reporters at the US Department of Education on Wednesday, Pence defended the Trump

Canada handled the coronavirus outbreak better than United States, PM Trudeau says

C

anada handled the novel coronavirus outbreak better than many of its allies, including the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday, in a rare public comment on the faltering US effort.

Canada – with a population one-tenth the size of the United States – has so far recorded 8711 deaths and 106,167 cases and Trudeau said the situation was stabilising, although some hot spots remained.

In contrast, the United States has recorded more than three million cases and 131,336 deaths. Authorities have reported alarming upswings of daily case loads in roughly two dozen states over the past two weeks.

“We were able to control the virus better than many of our allies, particularly including

our neighbour,” Trudeau told a briefing, saying Canada’s success would help efforts to restart the economy.

Canada and the United States have blocked nonessential travel between the two nations since March and are discussing whether to extend the ban when it expires on July 21.

Canadian health officials said the death toll could hit 8900 by July 17.

Deputy chief public health officer Howard Njoo said the outbreak was largely under control, while stressing measures such as contact tracing and quarantine would still be essential.

“If we relax too much or too soon, the epidemic will most likely rebound, with explosive growth as a distinct possibility,” he told a separate news conference. (Excerpt from Reuters)

California and Texas each reported more than 10,000 new daily cases on Tuesday

Administration's response to the pandemic.

"While we mourn with those who mourn, because of what the American people have done, because of the extraordinary work of our

healthcare workers around the country, we are encouraged that the average fatality rate continues to be low and steady," he said after lowering his face mask.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia and China veto UN extension of crossborder aid to Syria

The UN Security Council will now vote on a rival Russian text that would only approve one Turkish crossing for aid access for six months [Carlo Allegri/Reuters file photo]

R

ussia and China have vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to extend aid deliveries from Turkey to Syria, which the UN says is crucial to save millions of lives.

The six-year-long UN approval of aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey is authorised until Friday. The remaining 13 UNSC members voted on Tuesday in favour of the resolution drafted by Germany and Belgium.

The Security Council will now vote on a rival Russian

proposal to approve one Turkish crossing for aid access for six months. During the coronavirus pandemic, the UNSC has been operating virtually, which means members have 24 hours to cast a vote on a draft resolution.

Earlier on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said cross-border access was "vital to the wellbeing of the civilians in northwest Syria ...

Lives depend on it." (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Coronavirus: Harvard and MIT sue over visa ruling

T

wo elite US universities are suing immigration services over a decision to withdraw visas from foreign students whose courses move fully online.

Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology filed the lawsuit against Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said the visa move's "cruelty [is] surpassed only by its recklessness".

Many colleges are moving courses online amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Harvard had on Monday announced it would hold all classes online for the autumn term, with only 40 per cent of under-

graduates housed on campus.

The decision from ICE, the federal law enforcement agency within Homeland Security, came shortly after that, saying students could face deportation unless they changed to an institution with in-person tuition.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at Harvard, calling its move on-

line "ridiculous". He has been adamant that US schooling should return to normal in the autumn term.

On Twitter on Wednesday, he issued a threat to funding if schools did not reopen: It was filed with the district court in Boston on Wednesday morning, Harvard's student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, reported, seeking a

temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against the visa decision.

The lawsuit argues that ICE's move "threw Harvard and MIT – indeed, virtually all of higher education in the United States – into chaos".

It says ICE's action "proceeded without any indication of having considered the health of students, faculty, university staff, or communities" and leaves "hundreds of thousands of international students with no educational options within the United States".

"We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy, and we believe that it is illegal,", Bacow said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

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Get the facts before you let your anger take control.

Nothing will be as complicated as it seems after you take hold of whatever situation you face and make adjustments.

The information someone gives you will change how you think and how you respond to certain rules.

Stubbornness won't help, but adapting to circumstances will.

Emotional situations will need to be dealt with intelligently. Don't make an assumption based on gossip or scandal. Get the facts and do what's best. Maintain your reputation and leave nothing to chance.

You'll have a way with words. Express your feelings, listen to sound advice and find a way to satisfy both your needs and the concerns of the people who love you.

Call in a favor, offer something that will benefit a loved one and do your best to pay it forward. Don't feel pressured to make a change.

Do what you think is right.

Take the high road.

Think matters through and do what's best for everyone. Don't get hung up on an emotional issue that you cannot change. Focus on the positive.

Do something special for a loved one. Time spent primping and pampering will help you relax and forget about anyone who is causing you grief. Romance is featured.

Pay more attention to your surroundings. How you live and the way you set up your space will affect your productivity. Dig deep and you'll discover what brings you peace of mind.

Don't trust your emoSAGITTARIUS tions to lead you in the (Nov. 23right direction. Take on a Dec. 21) physical challenge that will help you disperse pent-up energy and anxiety. Strive to look your best.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

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You'll come up with good professional and lifestyle improvements. The changes will give you the fuel you need to accomplish more in a shorter period.

Looking at the past will help you make sense of what's happening in your life. Take the initiative to handle matters differently. Focus on being the best you can be.

Listen, gather information and do your best to make a difference. Look for innovative solutions to outshine anyone who tries to compete with you.

Embrace change and thrive.

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

21

Fernando Alonso’s return to Formula 1 with Renault confirmed D

ouble Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will return to the sport next year with Renault. The Spaniard, 39 later this month, left F1 at the end of 2018, but always kept the door open for a potential comeback. He will be returning with the team for whom he won his two titles in 2005-6.

"It's an extremely happy day for me coming back to F1 first, but also to the team with which I had the best experience in the category," Alonso has said.

Renault's progression back to the front stalled last year when they slipped from fourth to fifth in the Constructors' Championship. But Alonso has said he believes that new rules, originally intended for 2021 but delayed until 2022 as a result of the coronavirus crisis, have given the team the chance to return to competitiveness.

"Probably my first intention was to go out in 2018 and see how life was outside the bubble, and have a think for the 2021 rules," Alonso said.

"This has been postponed one year because of COVID, but still it's worth being in the sport in 2021, as a preparation for me after two years not driving these cars, and to build up with the team and have a good season.

"I know only one team will be winning in 2020 - and in 2021 probably - but I think the 2022 rules will hopefully bring some fairness to the sport, and some close action with teams more level, and less scope to invent something that has a large performance advantage. There is time to build on those projects. I am relaxed, I am aware

of what 2021 will be, and I'm hopeful for 2022."

Renault F1 Team Principal and Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul has said: "His presence in our team is a formidable asset on the sporting level, but also for the brand to which he is very attached.

His experience and determination will enable us to get the best out of each other, to take the team towards the excellence that modern F1 demands. He will also bring to our team, which has grown very fast, a culture of racing and winning."

Alonso has signed for at least two years, and there are options for him to

Australian world champion snowboarder Alex Pullin is dead T

wo-time world champion snowboarder Alex Pullin has died while spearfishing in his native Australia, local officials have confirmed.

Nicknamed "Chumpy", the 32-year-old Pullin was Australia's flagbearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

He was found unresponsive off a beach on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday. He was treated by paramedics at the scene, but could not be revived, authorities have said.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said: "The man was spearfishing off Palm Beach. He was brought to shore by bystanders, where he was treated by local lifesavers and paramedics."

A snorkeler had spotted Pullin’s unconscious body on an artificial reef underwater, local media have said. Lifeguards brought him to shore, and called paramedics at about 10:30 local time (00:30 GMT).

A Police official told Australia's Channel 9 News that Pullin appeared to have been diving alone.

"He didn't have an oxygen mask. We understand he was free diving and spearfishing out on the reef," Officer Chris Tritton said.

The athlete had previously shared pictures online of himself spearfishing, swimming and surfing.

The Australian top body of the sport Snow Australia said it was "shocked and saddened" by Pullin's death. "Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community, and he will be dearly missed," the body said in a statement.

"An incredible athlete, beloved teammate and role model, you will be sorely missed," the Australian Olympic Team, which Pullin had been part of three times, said.

The chief executive of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, Geoff Lipshut, described the athlete as "one of our great winter sports pioneers". He told Reuters news agency that Pullin had retired from snowboarding last month, but had not announced the decision before his death.

Other athletes and commentators have also paid tribute, with many describing him as a kind and generous person. "The world will miss such a talented human and a double world champion without ego and without selfishness, who is everyone's best mate," wrote former Australian speed skater Steven Bradbury.

Pullin, who grew up in the town of Mansfield, Victoria, first learned to snowboard when he was eight years old, and he went on to win world championship titles in 2011 and 2013. He also represented Australia in snowboard cross at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympics. (BBC Sport)

continue beyond that. He will partner the Frenchman Esteban Ocon, as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo, who is moving to McLaren.

Can Alonso win at 40?

In addition to his two world titles, Alonso is the sixth most successful driver in F1 history in terms of wins. He has 32, and is regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers in the history of the sport.

He will turn 40 in the midst of his first season back, but he said he did not believe age would be a barrier.

"The stopwatch is the only thing that matters, not the age," Alonso has said. "I feel ready, and I feel I'm at 100% in terms of driv-

ing.

I did a couple of fitness tests 15 days ago, and I had the best results in my career; and I am motivated, happy and stronger than ever."

Alonso has kept himself busy since he left F1 at the end of 2018. He has become a two-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, adding victory in 2019 to his first win in 2018; won the world endurance championship, and also competed in this year's Dakar Rally. He has set himself the target of winning motorsport's so-called triple crown, for which he needs to add only the Indy 500 to the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans victories he has already achieved.

Alonso starred on his debut at Indy in 2017, driving a McLaren-branded car run

by Andretti Autosport. But a second attempt last year with a newly established McLaren team ended in embarrassment, after he failed to qualify because of what the team admitted were a series of organisational failures. He is returning to America's biggest race this year with McLaren, on his delayed date in August.

He said he was "100% committed" to Indianapolis, and would "start the serious job" with Renault in September. (BBC Sport)

Super-bantamweight Super-bantamweightchampion championBrad Brad Foster Fosterheadlines headlinesboxing’s boxing’sreturn return totoBritish Britishscreens screenstomorrow tomorrow

B

rad Foster will switch from working night shifts at a supermarket to topping the bill when boxing finally returns to British screens on Friday.

The British superbantamweight champion headlines the first boxing event to be held in the UK since the coronavirus had prompted the sport's shutdown in March.

will secure a third win as British champion, and in so doing will get to keep the coveted Lonsdale belt.

He has continued working night shifts throughout a training camp, and has been dubbed the "most normal" character 5 Live Boxing's Steve Bunce has met during his 35 years in the sport.

"I keep both feet on the ground," Foster told the

"It was big when football returned to screens," Foster, 22, told BBC Sport. "Now this is a chance for me to shine with boxing coming back, and I'm 100% confident I will (shine) on the night."

If Foster can overcome the undefeated James Beech Jnr, he

5 Live Boxing podcast. "I'll work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on a night shift from two in the morning. I have a good boss at Tesco, who works around my boxing. Then I sleep, wake up, and normally do two sessions."

Foster has been able to spar, but has been unable to fulfil

his usual routine, with access to some training venues restricted during lockdown.

He is now locked down in the fight hotel in London in order to comply with British Boxing Board of Control rules leading into a fight night behind closed doors at BT Sport Studio in Stratford.The Lichfield fighter had a decorated kick-boxing career in his youth, but has had no amateur boxing fights before turning professional at 18. By contrast, current IBF and WBA super-bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev had around 300 amateur fights.

Foster knows that extending his 14-fight unbeaten record with a win on a show of such significance can move him on to international honours, and perhaps lead to him giving up his supermarket work."I focus on this one as this was a goal to win the British title outright," he adds. "I have to do this one before we can unlock that next level. My head is saying that title is mine, whether there's a crowd there, a million people or zero, and it's just me and him. The job is to take that title home." (BBC Sport)

22

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T

he end of the lockdown - maybe the pause in lockdown will prove a more accurate phrase - has precipitated many long-awaited reunions. Friends, lovers and families have all been reunited, and it's hard to say where the resumption of cricket rates compared to such events.

But it's significant in many ways, not least in that it will go some way towards avoiding a financial meltdown in cricket in England and Wales. As things stand, it seems England have a better-than-even chance of fulfilling all their international fixtures for the 2020 summer.

This is a fine achievement from the situation in which the ECB had found themselves when the season was meant to start in April. The fact that the highlights would be shown on the BBC also represents an opportunity. There's never been too much wrong with the English game; if more people can get to see it, there's no reason why they should not fall in love with it.

The ECB - and Steve Elworthy, their Events Director, in particular - deserves a huge amount of credit for making this series a reality.

Realising early that the cost of doing nothing would be far greater than the cost of drastic action, they have requisitioned planes, grounds and hotels. New protocols have been introduced to cover everything, from training to eating, to walking around stadiums. The scope of the project is vast, and would have seemed unimaginable as little as four months ago. A huge amount has been asked of many, and everyone has bought in.

Most of the methods adopted by Elworthy and co in recent weeks would provide a blueprint for governing bodies around the rest of the world. That, in turn, allows cricket to navigate its way through a crisis that could be with us for some time yet. Playing behind closed doors is nobody's idea of perfect, but in the circumstances, most would have settled for this solution.

Elworthy already had an outstanding record in this area. He was tournament

The West Indies team in a net session

director of the World Cup last year, and in 2013 he organised a Champions Trophy that may well have saved the 50-over format. In pulling off this project, he deserves to be viewed alongside the likes of Tony Greig, Andy Flower and Kevin Pietersen, among the most valuable south African imports to the English game.

England owe a great deal to West Indies, too. Leaving a region that has been spared the worst of COVID-19 and travelling to one in the grip of that pandemic has taken a certain amount of courage and determination. Yes, CWI needed the tour to satisfy their sponsors - Sandals, the hotel chain, aims much of its marketing at the UK audience - but the players could easily have opted out.

English cricket owes every one of them.

It's not fair to conclude England would definitely not have toured, had roles been reversed. There would have been doubts, of course, but England returned to India after the terrorist attacks in 2008, and went to Bangladesh i n 2016 at a time when other teams were unwilling. Even before recent

events, there seemed every chance they would return to Pakistan in line with their obligations in the Future Tours programme.

The understanding of their global responsibilities is better than is sometimes credited.

This series in particular, however, seems timely. It comes amidst a renewed focus on racial equality, and will feature a team of cricketers of Afro-Caribbean heritage answering England's plea for help. It perhaps is a reminder of how much England have gained from the Caribbean over the years. It needs to be acknowledged and respected.

Pakistan have been equally helpful to England. Their squad is here already, and are seeing out their period of isolation in a travel lodge in Derby. Not every international team would do that. Again, an opponent who has had a chequered relationship with the ECB has answered their call for help.

It would be nice to think this sense of cooperation would foster a new spirit among the cricketing community.

That it would remind all

involved of our interdependence and shared interests. That it would lead to a new revenue model for international cricket, which sees the biggest earners, like higher-rate tax payers, contribute a little more.

Perhaps it would help those who run the 'big three' to understand that, eventually, without strong opponents, the appeal of the international game would wither and their own business models would be compromised.

It would be nice for all of this to happen, but the early evidence is not encouraging.

The T20 World Cup, an event that would generate income for multiple cricket boards, is on the verge of being postponed for an event - the IPL - that would generate income for one. And while Australia look set to host a lucrative bilateral series against India, they seem less keen to host Zimbabwe.

Within eight months next year, England will play 10 Tests against India, and then travel to Australia for an Ashes series. The obsession for the rich to play the rich is leaving the rest struggling for survival.

The shame of all this is that recent weeks have shown what can be achieved when the game works together. If England are truly grateful for the support of Pakistan and West Indies at a time when they needed them most, they would ensure their words of gratitude are translated into more tangible rewards.

Cricket can be stronger for this experience, but we require more than warm words and gestures; we need change.

Maybe such issues can wait for a day or two. There will be a sense of joy at seeing the resumption of cricket over the next few days. A sense of relief, too, that we are finding a way back towards the normal life we would never again take for granted.

Well, not for a while, anyway. But amid the excitement, let's not forget the debt owed to West Indies, Pakistan, and Ireland too.

And debts need repaying. (ESPN Cricinfo)

England & West Indies players Tridents signing Rashid Khan take a knee in support of a 'massive boost' ꟷ Alex Hales Black Lives Matter movement D E

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ngland and West Indies players all took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement before the first Test in Southampton.

Match officials also took part, while both sets of players are carrying a logo on their shirts.

Speaking on Tuesday, standin England captain Ben Stokes said: "We have a massive opportunity to do something really powerful as an England team. We are doing that by showing support towards the West Indies."

After observing a moment of silence to remember the lives lost to the coronavirus pandemic and West Indies great Sir Everton Weekes, the players and officials took their positions as if to start the Test, while other squad members and backroom staff lined the boundary.

They all then dropped to a knee, with many of the West Indies players raising a right hand covered by a black glove.

There have been protests around the world since the death of American George Floyd in May. Floyd, a 46-yearold unarmed black man, died after his neck was knelt on by a Police officer for nearly nine minutes while he was being restrained.

Premier League players have knelt at the beginning of every

match since English football's top flight resumed following the coronavirus lockdown.

Some Formula 1 drivers took a knee before Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

In Southampton, the players and officials knelt for just over 20 seconds, and there was also a flag carrying the crest of West Indies and the Black Lives Matter logo hung in the tourists' dressing room.

Asked before the match whether any show of support for Black Lives Matter would be repeated throughout the threeTest series, Stokes said talks between England and West Indies were ongoing.

As they practised on Wednesday morning, England players wore training shirts that carried the names of key workers who have served through the coronavirus pandemic. The people named on the shirts were nominated by their local cricket clubs, and included teachers, doctors, nurses and care givers.

"We're only able to play this Test match because of the amazing job that key workers up and down the country have done to help us through this pandemic," said Stokes.

"Wearing their names is a real honour for us, and is a small sign of our appreciation for the incredible work they have done." (BBC Sport)

uring Monday’s 2020 CPL Draft, defending CPL champions Barbados Tridents added a number of potential match-winners to their roster for the coming season. Among them are spinner Rashid Khan and the big-hitting Marcus Stoinis, players whom returning batsman Alex Hales thinks would make the Tridents better than before.

Hales believes that having Khan, world’s number one- ranked T20 bowler, in their side is a massive boost for an already strong side.

“I have played against Rashid Khan a few times, and had a season with him at Sunrisers Hyderabad. Any team that has Rashid Khan in it, you boost your chances of winning the competition,” Hales remarked.

“For me, he and Andre Russell are probably the two best T20 players in the world; so, to have Rashid, particularly on the pitches that favour spin in the Caribbean, he can be an absolute handful.

“And he is fantastic in the field, and obviously smacks a few at the end, so any team that has got him in their ranks seriously boosts their chances of winning,” Hales has said.

Hales is also very optimistic about the addition of Stoinis to the squad. “We have signed Marcus Stoinis as well; and playing against him in the Big Bash, he was in the form of his life, and scored runs in every game that he played.

“We seem to have got an even stronger

squad somehow than we did last year. It is really exciting,” Hales has said.

Hales will be relinking with his Nottinghamshire teammate Harry Gurney for the 2020 tournament, and he was full of praise for this left-arm seamer, saying Gurney was crucial to the Tridents’ championship win.

Gurney arrived for the home leg of the tournament at a time when the Tridents were far from certain of making the playoffs, and Hales says his efforts helped guide them to the knockouts and beyond.

“Signing Harry Gurney was massive.

He learns his trade on Trent Bridge, which is arguably the flattest pitch it the world. So, for him to bowl on probably bowler-friendly pitches was huge for us, for him to come in for the back-end of the tournament.

“He played a massive part in us winning the whole thing. I think we can build on that for next year, knowing that if things don’t quite work out at the start of the tournament, you have got time to figure it (out) and not panic. And that is something Jason and Phil did really well, at no point did they get edgy or concerned about playing well at the start. Everyone kept a cool head, and we really turned it on when it mattered, which is a really good trait in a team.” (Sportsmax)

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1st Test between Windies & England…

Gabriel makes early inroad ꟷ but rain restricts play

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fter months of painstaking preparation, cricket's long-awaited return was held up, not by bio-security protocols, the addition of saliva to a ball, or a shortage of hand sanitiser; but by the weather.

Perhaps it was inevitable that after months of sunshine in the UK, rain and bad light would play their all-too-familiar parts, but that did little to lessen the disappointment, as only 17.4 overs were possible at the Ageas Bowl.

During the three small windows of play possible, England dug in after stand-in captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat. Rory Burns and Joe Denly led the recovery after the loss of Dom Sibley only 10 balls into the innings.

It looked like a good toss to lose, with overcast skies offering assistance for seamers, but the pitch was seemingly slowish underneath a firmer top.

Jason Holder has said he was "not too disheartened" to be bowling first, and asked for "discipline" from his bowlers, after opting to pick an extra batsman in Jermaine Blackwood and fielding four frontline quicks, including himself. So, 117 days after the last ball in international cricket was bowled - a Pat Cummins bouncer which Trent Boult slashed at to offer a steepling return catch in Sydney - Burns fended Kemar Roach into the offside to get proceedings underway; but, in all, the teams managed just 82 minutes of action.

The delayed start offered a chance for Sky - whose £1.1 billion, five-year broadcast deal had given the ECB such an imperative as to get this series on - to show off all the new toys in their

coverage. Those included a new Big Brother-style diary room for midmatch player interactions, and the robot that filled in for a presenter at the toss, but the build-up was primarily dominated by more important issues.As a sign of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, Michael Holding and Ebony Rainford-Brent spoke candidly and openly about their experiences of racism, and players and staff from both teams took a knee before Kemar Roach's first ball was bowled.

England wore the names of key workers on their training shirts, and observed a minute's silence to remember both those who died during the pandemic and the late Sir Everton Weekes.

If there were any concerns that the unprecedented circumstances might, in some way, distract players from the task at hand, West Indies' opening bowlers made sure that England's top order were unable to lose focus. Roach started immaculately, finding hints of movement; while, in his first over, Shannon Gabriel jagged a

length ball in off the seam, and Sibley ill-advisedly left it alone, only to turn around to see his off stump had been pegged back.

Gabriel's opening burst was slightly wayward at times, but despite his status as a late addition to the squad, after being asked to prove he had overcome his ankle injury, he regularly hit 90mph/145kph, and found late movement as the ball passed the bat. He nearly accounted for Denly in his fifth over, Denly having edged him with hard hands through the vacant fourth-slip for four, while Roach nagged away from the Hotel End, landing the ball on a sixpence in the off-stump channel.

Burns and Denly found scoring slightly easier against Alzarri Joseph - included ahead of Rahkeem Cornwall, as West Indies decided to back Roston Chase as their only main spin option - before bad light intervened around teatime. A combination of drizzle and dark clouds kept the teams off the pitch until the umpires eventually decided they had seen enough just before 6:15pm.The main talking point overnight had been Stuart Broad's omission from the England team, which Ben Stokes admitted had been "a very tough decision" as he opted to partner Mark Wood

Yassin, Ninvalle give blood as part of Olympic Day activities

edge that an opportunity would arise later in the series.

James Anderson described England's schedule - which features six Tests in the space of seven weeks - as "gruelling", and rotation would be an inevitable feature of the summer.

There was almost a breach of social-distancing protocols as soon as the coin had landed at the toss, when Stokes's attempted fist bump was met by Holder's handshake; but with so little time in the middle, it was hard to draw any conclusions about the new normal.

The broadcasters pumped in a low-level hum of crowd noise, which was conspicuous only when it failed

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS BATSMEN RJ Burns not out 20 DP Sibley b Gabriel 0 JL Denly not out

14 Extras (nb 1) 1 TOTAL (17.4 Ov, RR: 1.98) 35/1 Yet to bat: BA Stokes (c), JM Anderson,

with Jofra Archer for the first time in Test cricket. Broad and Chris Woakes, the other man to miss out from England's 13-man squad, "took it like champions" according to Stokes, presumably in the knowl-

JC Archer, DM Bess, MA Wood, JC Buttler †, Z Crawley, OJ Pope Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Dom Sibley, 1.4 ov) BOWLING KAJ Roach ST Gabriel AS Joseph JO Holder

O 6 5 3.4 3

M R 4 2 1 19 1 11 1 3

W 0 1 0 0

to turn into a ripple of polite applause after each boundary, but the ICC's ban on the use of saliva may only be noticed when the ball gets older. (Cricinfo)

Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club urges adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines

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he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has chosen to celebrate World Olympic Day in a meaningful way: by taking a direct approach to combating the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

While World Olympic Day is usually celebrated on June 23, the GOA had previously told this publication that that day would not be observed on that exact date, but rather after time had been taken to find activities suited to commemorating the occasion.

The first event hosted by the GOA to commemorate the day was an exercise challenge posted on its Facebook page.

That challenge is, however, yet to garner a response from local athletes.

The second activity commenced on Tuesday and hit closer to home, especially with a global pandemic bringing the world to its knees. The GOA organised a blood drive that would significantly benefit victims of the disease.

“We are asking all of the members of our affiliates, if at

Here Yassin (left) and Ninvalle relax while donating the precious fluid.

all possible, to donate blood at the Blood Bank at Lamaha & East Streets,” a statement from the GOA informed.

On Tuesday, President of the Guyana Olympic Association, K.A JumanYassin, and President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle, donated blood to the Blood Bank as part of Olympic Day activities.

Ninvalle and Juman were the first to donate blood in

support of the activity.

The Olympic Day activities will continue today with a GOA-organised Zoom Fitness event which starts at 6:30pm.

Utilising the Zoom Meeting Platform, there will be half hour of aerobics (Jazzercise) from 6:30-7:00pm, then 10 minutes of strength exercises.

The link to the Zoom room can be found on the Guyana Olympic Association’s Facebook page.

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he Canal #1-based Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club, which has been absent from competitive cricket for approximately 4 months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, has issued an earnest appeal to its active members not to participate in any illegal competition hosted by any private individual.

This is because the club wants to play its part in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The club further desires to educate its members and those of the community in which it resides about the dangers of the novel coronavirus, and how to stay safe from the deadly virus.

In terms of the players keeping fit, everyone is doing independent work. The club aims not to hold any large gathering like practice or meeting and such like. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a halt to cricket being played countrywide, but

members of the club are doing independent work to keep themselves fit and ready for the soon anticipated resumption of cricket.

On 24th April 1992, the now popular Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club was founded by members of the agricultural village of Canal #1, located on the West Bank of the Demerara River. The Club was named after the Mc Gillivary Primary School in Canal #1 which most of its past and present members attended.The club has produced three national athletes over the years: righthanded batsman Travis Persaud, who captained the Guyana Under 19 Team to back-to-back regional titles in 2015 and 2016 in Jamaica and St Vincent respectively; left-arm spinner Kheshram Seyhodan; and left-arm seamer Daniel Basdeo, who was part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise in the inaugural season of the CPL.

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