Guyana Times Thursday, March 5, 2020

See preliminary elections results on page 12 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4216

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

As Guyana anxiously awaits elections results

Mysterious data introduced during Region 4 SOPs tabulation

...halted after observers, PPP/C party agents object Page 3 …deemed as attempt to rig elections …GECOM refuses to verify SOPs for 67 Georgetown boxes GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Non-partisan GECOM P7 Commissioners may improve efficiency, end gridlock – Carter Center …calls out GECOM on last-minute polling places reduction …as Commonwealth upbraids GECOM over last-minute decision on polling stations

ERC cites P2 racially inciting exchanges on social media …warns of consequences in racial hostility laws

Elections 2020

APNU/AFC abused State resources to campaign – EU observers P2

AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP GECOM Mysterious Spreadsheet AUTHENTIC SOP

Political parties must adhere to code of conduct signed – Carter Center P9 …urges leaders not to declare results ahead of GECOM's declarations

Poor turnout at schools as Guyana awaits elections P8 results

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ERC cites racially inciting APNU/AFC abused State resources exchanges on social media Elections 2020

to campaign – EU observers

EU Observer Mission to Guyana Head, Umras Paet (2nd from left) along with other members of the Observer Mission

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he European Union (EU) Elections Observer Mission to Guyana for its 2020 General and Regional Elections is accusing the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance (APNU/AFC) Government of abusing State resources in order to campaign against its political opponents in the lead-up to Monday’s vote.

The observation was made public on Wednesday, when Mission Head Umras Paet briefed media operatives at the Marriott Hotel and said, “APNU/AFC used the advantages of incumbency to appeal to voters through development programmes”.

He said too, “the Mission saw governmental donations provided in the context of APNU/AFC campaign events, in particular in Region Nine”.

Paet told members of the local and international media that “in-kind vote-buying in Indigenous communities was a widely reported practice” of Government.

He said the observations “indicated a common misuse of State resources for the campaign” and that APNU/ AFC “used the advantages of incumbency to appeal to

voters through infrastructure developments which undermined a levelled playing field”.

Paet reported too that observers saw governmental donations provided in the context of APNU/AFC campaigns, especially in locations where voters were primarily of an Indigenous population.

The EU group cited as an example that Head of State, President David Granger, was observed delivering Governmental donations during the APNU/AFC rally in Sand Creek on February 15.

It was noted too that “several APNU/AFC ministers actively campaigned using State resources in their capacity as ministers”.

This addition to the practice of in-kind vote-buying involved using items such as food and other goods, particularly in Indigenous communities.

With regards the media, the Mission reported that State-owned broadcast and print media are not independent of political influence, “as both their chairpersons and boards are appointed by the minister and have been historically reflecting the

views of the Government”.

According to Paet, “the State-owned broadcast media, which benefit from the widest reach in the country showed an overt bias in favour of the Government and ruling coalition”.

The mission documented also that the State-owned television Channel 11, devoted 60 per cent of its news coverage to the Government and President and 25 per cent to the APNU/AFC. Additionally, “clearly misusing State resources, the Department of Public Information, a governmental agency was extensively used to promote coalition campaign activities”.

This was done “for instance, through articles and videos published on its website and Facebook page, as well as via free publications distributed at a regional level”.

It was observed too that the State-owned newspaper, Guyana Chronicle, provided extensive coverage of the incumbent President, Government and the ruling coalition, also “offering considerable space to letters from readers critical towards PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic)”.

…warns of consequences in racial hostility laws

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s Guyana’s 2020 Electoral processes wind down, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has had cause to issue a warning, reminding stakeholders awaiting results of the consequences of race-baiting and inciting. The Commission has since urged stakeholders, “to act in a responsible manner and to be reminded of consequences that can be brought to bear through the Racial Hostility and The Representation of the People Acts”.

The Commission issued the warning in a public missive yesterday and said that “as the country awaits the final results, the Commission remains mindful of prevailing anxieties. It fervently hopes that the results will be announced within the shortest possible time and that it will be respected.

“The rejection of hatred and intolerance takes the collective efforts of all…The

Commission encourages all, especially during this period, to do the best we can to ensure that peace and harmony prevail.”

It was noted, however, that the Commission is also mindful of racially inciting exchanges on social media and said: “such posts are extremely harmful to the process of building harmony and tolerance which are crucial during this sensitive period”.

Meanwhile, the body also reported that having observed the electoral process in some polling stations

in parts of Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10, “has found it, despite some minor hiccups in a few instances, to be free, fair and transparent”.

The ERC said that overall, voters were able to cast their ballots in an atmosphere of peace while few instances which necessitated the intervention of law enforcement were timely resolved.

It added that a more detailed report will be provided after the completion of the entire process.

Supreme Court, Georgetown, she assaulted Prosecutor Tiffany Lyken.

According to reports, the defendant’s son, whilst being escorted out of the courtroom, suddenly hurled a bottle with liquid at the Virtual Complainant (VC), who was the prosecutor in his murder trial.

Upon seeing this, it is alleged that the man’s mother picked up the said bottle and threw it again. She was subsequently arrested.

Nevertheless, the older Graham was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 and was ordered to report to the Wismar Police Station every Friday until the hearing and determination of the case.

The defendant’s son was sentenced to serve three life imprisonment terms after he was found guilty for the murders of 39-yearold Abola Abrams, Shawn Whyte and the woman’s 68-year-old stepfather, Clifford Sampson.

Murder convict’s mother charged for hurling bottle at prosecutor

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ays after her son, 52-year-old Gavin Graham, was sentenced to serve three life sentences, his mother, Sybil Graham, was charged for hurling a bottle with liquid at a State prosecutor after her son’s sentencing.

The 71-year-old woman of Green Valley, Wismar, Linden, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where she denied that on February 28, 2020, at the

Policemen slapped with 21 fraud charges

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olice sergeants – 35-year-old Jermaine Fraser and 29-yearold Michael Corbin – who are both attached to the Guyana Police Force’s finance department made their court appearance on Wednesday after being charged for defrauding the Force of over $11 million.

Fraser and Corbin were slapped with 21 charges. It is alleged that on April 4, 2019, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, while being employed at the GDF finance office, they willfully and with intent to defraud, made false entry in the accounts, that is to say,

they falsely entered the sum of $11,385,000 into the integration and finance management system without the existence of payment vouchers.

Fraser and Corbin were represented by Attorney-atLaw Latchmi Rahamat, stood before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, and were not required to plead to the charges. Rahamat in a bail application asked the court to grant her clients bail.

As such, the Magistrate upheld the lawyer’s application and released both men on $250,000 bail each. The case will continue on March 25.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As Guyana anxiously awaits elections results

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

Thursday, March 5 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 13:00h – 14:30h and Friday, March 6 – 03:00h – 04:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, March 5 – 12:25h – 13:55h and Friday, March 6 – 13:30h – 15:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

Mysterious data introduced during Region 4 SOPs tabulation

...halted after observers, PPP/C party agents object …deemed as attempt to rig elections …GECOM refuses to verify SOPs for 67 Georgetown boxes

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 00:40h and 13:05h reaching maximum heights of 2.13 metres and 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 06:33h and 19:18h reaching minimum heights of 1.11 metres and 0.89 metre.

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GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo speaking to members of the media outside GECOM’s Command Center

ontroverboxes in Georgetown sy emerged “They came with a spreadsheet and started to call out boxes in were verified on over the the spreadsheet. In 23 places that they called out, 17 of those they Tuesday with just verification of the about 70 more boxStatements of had APNU with at least a hundred votes more than what were es remaining from Polls for Region on the Statements of Polls. So, everyone objected – the observ- Georgetown to verify Four (Demerarabefore moving to the Mahaica), with a ers, the political parties – every one objected to this. Then (Chief East Bank and East mysterious spreadElections Officer Keith) Lowenfield came down himself and he Coast of Demerara. sheet being used by But when the verGuyana Elections did a random sample. He took three of them and he found that ification proCommission cess, resumed on in each of these three cases, you had at least 100 votes more for (GECOM), inWednesday mornstead of the SOPs, APNU that is on the Statement of Polls,” – Jagdeo ing, they started during the tabulawith the East Bank tion process. This halt to the process. ed the verification process Demerara tabumysterious spreadsheet saw Jagdeo suspected that on Tuesday night with the lation without completing the APNU/AFC Coalition attempts were made to have SoP as stipulated in the law. Georgetown. getting more votes than vot- the RO use the false spreadHe went onto disclose CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 ers in 17 of 23 areas. sheet but he, instead, start- that the SoPs for 310 ballot Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, explained that the laws say for the tabulation to be verified using the SoPs but there was an attempt to use a spreadsheet, which contained figures that differed from most parties and even the observers.

“They came with a spreadsheet and started to call out boxes in the spreadsheet. In 23 places that they called out, 17 of those they had APNU with at least a hundred votes more than what were on the Statements of Polls. So, everyone objected – the observers, the political parties – every one objected to this. Then (Chief Elections Officer Keith) Lowenfield came down himself and he did a random sample. He took three of them and he found that in each of these three cases, you had at least 100 votes more for APNU that is on the Statement of Polls,” Jagdeo noted.

He told reporters outside the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Operations Centre located at High and Hadfield Streets (in Ashmin’s Building), which also houses the Region Four Command Centre, that they do not know where the spreadsheet/list was generated from.

According to the Opposition Leader, it was first used around 13:00h on Wednesday when the verification process had resumed after Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, had collapsed and was rushed to the GPHC, bring a

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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

A serious response to COVID-19

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

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

Certainly, this outbreak has challenged countries’ public health systems as many of them are very weak and do not have adequate mechanisms in place to detect or contain the virus if the situation were to emerge. Hence, most countries, including Guyana, would need massive financial and other forms of support to be fully prepared, or to contain the virus. The WHO has since called for US$675 million to fund the fight against the disease.

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

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

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

We have noted that some systems have been put in place to detect and deal with suspected cases of the virus.

It was reported that screening is ongoing at the various ports of entry across the country, including the Eugene F Correia International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the ministry has been sensitising officials on how to deal with suspected cases of the deadly virus.

The health authorities have assured the nation that everything is being done to ensure that all systems are in place to effectively and efficiently handle the situation, should the need arise. Guyana must continue to be vigilant and fully prepared to respond to any eventuality, this issue cannot be taken lightly.

Greg Lecoeur won Underwater Photographer of the Year 2020 with “Frozen Mobile Home” showing seals around an iceberg in Antarctica (BBC News)

Birth control and books can slow down climate change …they’re near the top of the list in a ranking of climate solutions

By Justine Calma

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mproving girls’ access to education and reproductive health care is one of the most promising ways to stop human-caused global warming, according to a report published Tuesday that ranks solutions to addressing the threat. Addressing health and education ranks second among 76 solutions, sandwiched between reducing food waste and eating more plant-rich diets, that, together, can limit global warming to two degrees Celsius. The report, “The Drawdown Review”, is a follow-up to the 2017 New York Times bestselling book Drawdown. Promoting girls’ education contributed about as much to a sustainable future as the gains from rooftop solar and solar farms combined, that book found.

So did family planning.

It’s like taking nearly 22,000 coal-fired power plants offline

Securing a quality education and reproductive health care access, particularly for women and girls, can prevent more than 85 gigatons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide from heating up the planet between 2020 and 2050, the new report says. That’s like taking nearly 22,000 coalfired power plants offline.

The report was produced by scientists and advocates at the nonprofit Project Drawdown, which was created by Drawdown editor and environmentalist Paul Hawken.

There’s a chain reaction

A board explaining contraceptive methods at a clinic in Caracas, Venezuela (Photo by YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

when education levels rise: women gain political and economic power. They also have more resources available to help them choose when and how to start a family. When that happens, fertility rates usually drop, the report points out. People tend to marry and have children a little later and have fewer children when they do. Researchers who put the report together estimated the fall in per capita emissions when fewer people in the world are using up energy for housing, food, waste, and transportation (taking into account differences between wealthier and less affluent nations).

To be clear, “in no way are we talking about population control,” Crystal Chissell, a vice president at Project Drawdown, says.

Trying to control who gets to have children and who doesn’t is part of a violent racist and xenophobic history, including the forced

sterilization of Latinas in the US. Chissell makes clear that her new report is talking about access to reproductive health care for women who want it.

“In no way are we talking about population control”

There are 214 million women globally who want to avoid pregnancy, but don’t have modern contraception, Chissell points out. (She cites data from the reproductive health advocacy and research group Guttmacher Institute.) Women who’ve been historically marginalised often also face bigger barriers to getting an education and birth control when they want it – whether that’s because of cost, stigma, or policies.

That last barrier has posed more hurdles for advocates over the past several years. President Donald Trump is responsible for dozens upon dozens of environmental policy rollbacks

— including moves that limit women’s access to reproductive health care. He has pulled US funding from the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, the biggest provider of contraception worldwide, for three years in a row.

Domestically, the Trump Administration has also attempted to give employers greater ability to deny insurance coverage for birth control.

“We’re not saying that the burden is solely on women to advance the solution [to climate change],” Chissell cautions. But the report makes clear that the status of women and girls globally will be crucial to how we shape the world that’s to come.

The status of women and girls globally will be crucial to how we shape the world that’s to come

Gender also plays a role when it comes to who faces the first and worst ravages of climate change.

Women make up a majority of the world’s poor, which can make them disproportionately vulnerable. In the wake of disasters made worse by climate change, like hurricanes, women also face an increased risk of sexual violence. Anything that might help women gain some ground — like, say, having the power and resources to make healthy and informed decisions about their bodies, lives, and families — will be crucial to surviving on a planet that’s in crisis. (The Verge)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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News

Arrests outside St Ambrose Primary Berbice woman not linked to elections – Commander slapped with …High Court orders suspects be released on bail

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wo of the five persons that were arrested on Monday night in the vicinity of the St Ambrose Primary School, Georgetown, have been released on station bail after their lawyer filed an application at the High Court to have access to his clients.

One of the men, who was accused of having an illegal firearm that was found in the vicinity of St Ambrose Primary, which was being used as a polling station for elections, was released on $50,000 bail pending investigations.

However, this was only possible after his attorney, Everton Singh-Lammy, had to resort to getting a Court order to be issued to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to have access to his client, who had been in Police custody for over 24 hours without being allowed to speak to a lawyer.

On Wednesday, SinghLammy told Guyana Times that his client was wrongfully detained and despite repeated requests and visits at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to provide legal counsel to the man, the Police prohibited

Police Commander of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Subdivision A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas

him from such.

He noted that the High Court had ordered that the Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, produce the bodies of his two clients at the High Court on Wednesday. The matter was heard by Justice Gino Persaud.

Meanwhile, Police Commander of Region

Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas, has since confirmed that the men were not arrested for attempting to or tampering with the electoral process.

They were arrested for other infractions, he noted.

When questioned about

the charges that are expected to be laid against the men, the Commander noted that he no longer is heading the investigations, but emphasised that their offences were not linked to causing unrest during the electoral process.

“This matter is being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) so it is out of my hand.

The fact of the matter is that you shouldn’t be within 200 yards of a polling station.

So, you might have had several violations there, they shouldn’t have been there,” he stated.

However, Singh-Lammy pointed out that even if the men had been arrested for such, those offences are bailable and would not explain why he was prevented from speaking with his clients during their custodial period.

According to the attorney, the next step to be taken is that of redress at the Court, in relation to this matter. Additionally, he will be seeking the Court’s attention with regard to the fact that his clients’ legal rights were trampled upon by the GPF.

manslaughter charge …over death of husband

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Corentyne, Berbice housewife accused of killing her husband was on Wednesday slapped with a manslaughter charge and appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court.

Dhannmatie Seenarine, also called “Sisto” or “Nurse”, of Lot 52 Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore. The 52-year-old woman is accused of killing her husband on February 26.

It is alleged that on February 26, at Port Mourant, she killed 41-yearold Anthony Permaul, called “Banks” or “Banko”, of Clifton Settlement Port Mourant. She was charged under section 94 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01.

Bail was granted in the sum of $150,000 and the matter will continue on March 19 at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

It had been reported that Permaul and Seenarine had been living in a common-law relationship for several years. On the day in question, the couple were imbib-

Dead: Anthony Permaul

ing at their premises during which they had a misunderstanding which turned into an argument.

Permaul reportedly assaulted Seenarine who then picked up a cutlass and chopped him. He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital the following day and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he subsequently died.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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y mom says I need to stop using my phone and laptop before bed because the light makes it harder to sleep. Is that really true?

– Ash* Yes, it’s true: The light from a phone or laptop confuses the brain into thinking it’s time to wake up instead of fall asleep.

Light from electronic screens comes in all colours, but the blues are the worst. Blue light fools the brain into thinking it’s daytime. When that happens, the body stops releasing a sleep hor-

Foundation

mone called melatonin.

Melatonin is nature’s way of helping us wind down and prepare for bed. The body starts releasing it a couple of hours before bedtime. Darkness helps trigger the release of melatonin; blue light delays it.

That’s bad enough, but it gets worse: Teens are more sensitive to the effects of blue light than adults are. So, you’re more likely to be tossing and turning hours past your usual bedtime. Add that to the other things that make it harder to sleep — like body clocks that make us feel awake at night, more homework and distractions, and early school s t a r t times — and it’s a

recipe for feeling sleep deprived.

Some people try to get around the blue-light problem by dimming their screens or wearing special glasses. But there’s no proof that these work.

The best way to be sure your brain is at its best for tests, sports, and other things that require focus is to follow your mom’s advice: Don’t use computers and other screens for an hour or two before bedtime.

How do you fill that time?

Call a friend instead of texting. Hang out with family. Play with a pet. Or try some breathing exercises.

Blue light is just one of the ways tech devices can interfere with sleep. It’s best to shut off alerts w h e n y o u go to

sleep and keep devices that emit light out of your bedroom.

5 ideas for better sleep

Most teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night.

But many teens have trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep can affect everything from our emotions to how well we focus on tasks like driving.

It can affect sports performance, increase our chances of getting sick, and may be linked to weight gain in some people. How can we get the sleep we need? Here are some ideas: Be active during the day. You’ve probably noticed how much running around little kids do – and how soundly they sleep.

Take a tip from a toddler and get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day. Physical activity can decrease stress and help people feel more relaxed. Just don’t work out too close to bedtime because exercise can wake you up before it slows you down.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Lots of people think that alcohol or drugs will make them relaxed and drowsy, but that’s not the case.

Drugs and alcohol disrupt sleep, increasing a person’s chance of waking up in the middle of the night.

Say goodnight to electronics. Experts recommend using the bedroom for sleep only. If you can’t make your bedroom a techfree zone, at least shut everything down an hour or more before lights out.

Nothing says, “Wake up, something’s going on!” like the buzz of a text or the ping of an IM. Keep a sleep routine.

Going to bed at the same time every night helps the body expect sleep. Creating a set bedtime routine can enhance this relaxation effect. So, unwind every night by reading, listening to music, spending time with a pet, writing in a journal,

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playing Sudoku, or doing anything else that relaxes you.

Expect a good night’s sleep. Stress can trigger insomnia, so the more you agonise about not sleeping, the greater the risk you’ll lie awake staring at the ceiling. Instead of worrying that you won’t sleep, remind yourself that you can.

Say, “Tonight, I will sleep well” several times during the day. It can also help to practise breathing exercises or gentle yoga poses before bed. *Names have been changed to protect persons privacy. (kidshealth.org)

veryone needs some “alone time” or time to himself now and then.

Time alone gives you a chance to think and to learn. In MT Anderson’s picture book, Me All Alone at the End of the World, a boy lives a very happy and peaceful life all alone at the End of the World. Even though he is alone, he has his own fun and adventure – hunting for treasure, finding bones and fossils, and netting fish.

On his website, Anderson writes about this book, “As a kid, sure, I thought my friends were great – but I really did love being alone too. So, as an adult, I decided to write a book that discussed the pleasures of solitude. I wanted to say to kids: You don’t need to be in a crowd all the time to enjoy yourself. It’s great to make up your own kind of fun.”

So, if you had a day all to yourself — with no teachers, family or friends around — what would you do?

On this day, you can be anywhere you like, but you are by yourself. You also have to spend at least part of your day outside. Write a journal or diary entry that describes your good day and how you felt about spending it alone. You can include drawings that highlight your day’s activities if you like. (startwithabook.org)

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Non-partisan GECOM Commissioners may improve efficiency, end gridlock – Carter Center …calls out GECOM on last-minute polling places reduction “So we would urge, as we have before, a reconsideration of the manner in which the election commissioners are appointed. Again, that is a matter for the Guyanese people (to decide),” Carter added.

Another observation

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

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he Carter Center has recommended a review of the methodology previously used for appointing the commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), noting that having partisan oversight on the Commission may not be the best option.

These preliminary recommendations were made on Wednesday during a press conference called by Carter Centre Observer Mission in Guyana. According to co-leader of the Center’s Observer Mission, Jason Carter, the appointment of GECOM commissioners was formulated based on the old Carter formula.

“It was later integrated into the Constitution. As you know, it gives GECOM a partisan structure that was appropriate at the time of that recommendation. But for the last several elections, the Carter Center has suggested a reconsideration of that formula to increase the efficiency of the Commission and avoid the polarised gridlock possible in the current system,” Carter said.

Co-leader of the Carter Center Observer Mission to Guyana, Jason Carter (second from right) along with co-chair, former Prime Minister of Senegal, Aminata Touré and other members of the Observer Mission at a press conference on Wednesday

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

made by Carter was the fact that over the course of election preparation, certain GECOM decisions lacked transparency.

Carter was also critical of the GECOM deciding at the last minute to change the arrangements for the use of private residences. He noted that this could have led to confusion for some voters, who were previously informed what polling places would be used.

“While the issue was resolved, it was only resolved days before the elections, maybe even Sunday. One of the things we wanted to mention was that some stakeholders have linked this discussion to a recommendation the Carter Centre made after the 2015 elections, with respect to private residences.”

The Carter Center, he added, continues to believe that voters should have the opportunity to vote in locations that are perceived to be and are neutral. “However, the Carter Center also recognises that in some areas, it might be required to use private buildings or others.

And it has not undermined confidence in the process.

However, decisions as to polling stations need to be made well in advance of the election”.

Carter, who is the grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter, stressed that while Guyana adopted previous Carter Center recommendations, times have changed and so has context.

He noted that as such, what applied in 1992 might not apply in 2020 and review and constitutional reform are necessary.

The current commissioners in the GECOM are Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn, who were nominated by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) appointed Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman. These two sides have frequently been gridlocked over critical decisions.

For instance, there was

gridlock among the commissioners last year over proceeding on House-to-House Registration, which eventually led to a delay in the holding of elections in the constitutionally-mandated timeframe.

There was also gridlock

on actually ending the exercise, which began based on the order of an illegally appointed GECOM Chairman.

Eventually, GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh made a decision of her own to end the exercise.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Poor turnout at schools as Guyana awaits elections results

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Queen’s College

wo days after the General and Regional Elections were held, the attendance at schools is at its minimum. Guyana Times visited several schools across the city and attendance was significantly low as parents and guardians remain in heightened fear of post-election issues.

Speaking with this publication, Principal of the St Joseph High School, Nathram Raghubensi, said that there is poor attendance. The Principal further explained that some of the students attending St Joseph High come from as far as Bartica and Berbice.

“Our attendance as of today (Wednesday) is very poor, and it is due to the elections result that is not yet out,” he said.

At Queen’s College, Stella Marris Primary and Richard Ismael Secondary, teachers all said that attendance was “terrible”.

A teacher from St Joseph High also said that school attendance was extremely low.

On Tuesday, students of Houston Secondary on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) were sent home early because of the tense atmosphere in the city over the verification of Statements of Polls.

Richard Ishmael Secondary School

When contacted, Education Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO) Murtland Haley seemed very much surprised to have heard that students were sent home.

“I am not aware that any schools were closed or students were sent home, so I can’t comment to say why. We will be investigating that,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the commercial zone around Georgetown, employees of the few businesses that opened told this publication that they were sent home early from work as a result of the tension over the declaration of the result.

On Tuesday, the city of Georgetown was reduced to almost a ghost town as the country awaits the official declaration of results by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Though Tuesday was not a holiday, businesses remained closed as the commercial district was at a standstill.

When this publication visited several parts of the business hub, a few persons were seen walking in the desolate streets.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday at the Private Sector Commission’s press conference, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Gerry Gouveia, ad-

vised that persons be patient and wait on the official declaration of results by GECOM. “We have seen that statements claiming victory. We support the call for the respect that we all should be patient and wait on the official declaration of results at the Returning Officer’s level and the final results at the level of GECOM”.

Gouveia further added that they were surprised that businesses and schools were not open on Tuesday since they [the Private Sector Commission] did not ask for Tuesday or Wednesday to be a public holiday.

“The Private Sector Commission called for Monday the 2nd to be declared a holiday. We were very pleased that the Government responded to our call and declared it a holiday. We did not ask for Tuesday to be a holiday because we did not think it would be necessary and so we were quite surprised with the level of apprehension by the business community was widespread,” the Chairman explained.

General and Regional Elections were held on Monday. Over 600,000 eligible voters went to polls to elect a new government.

Causing death by dangerous driving

PNCR executive Gary Best finally makes court appearance …denies DUI charge, released on $500,000 bail

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Charged: PNCR executive Gary Best

lmost one month after national cyclist Jude Bentley was struck and killed on the Rupert Craig Highway, executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, who is accused of causing his death, was finally arraigned on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Best was not required to plea to the charge which detailed that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Georgetown, he drove motorcar PRR 8182 in a dangerous manner to the public, thereby causing the death of Bentley.

Magistrate Faith McGusty heard the matter and accepted a bail application presented by Attorneys Nigel Hughes and James Bond. Best was granted $500,000.

Further, Best was then escorted to the courtroom of Magistrate Clive Nurse to answer to another charge, which alleged that on the same day at the same location, he drove while under the influence of alcohol.

The court heard that a breathalyser test done on Best revealed that his alcohol level was .85 micrograms.

He nonetheless denied the charge and was released on self-bail. The case will continue on March 17. As a con-

Dead: Jude Bentley

dition for bail, he is required to report to the Police Force’s Traffic Headquarters on specified dates until the completion of his trial.

The 41-year-old cyclist died after being struck down

by Best in an early morning accident on the Rupert Craig Highway, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy.

Best, who was arrested by Police, complained of feeling unwell and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated for cardiovascular ailments and trauma under Police guard. He was later released on $100,000 station bail.

On February 18, family and friends of the late Bentley picketed the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, calling for charges to be initiated against Best as they somewhat believed that the justice was being delayed.

Shameless…

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…PNC rigging f anyone thought your Eyewitness was crying wolf when he insisted the PNC would resort to rigging to remain in power, he hopes they’ve been following their shenanigans in the last few days. As he said yesterday, it was 1997 déjà vu all over again!! They’d already fiddled with the voters’ list to give them a head start with fake bodies. They’d discouraged PPP supporters from voting by placing all sorts of obstacles in their way – figuring that even 5 each from 2300 polling stations would give them a two-seat advantage!!

But like in 1997, they had a Plan B in place in case the PPP mobilised and garnered support way beyond what they’d achieved in 2015. And as this come to pass, the plan kicked in. First, there were a few skirmishes: claiming that Disciplined Forces votes in Region 3 weren’t mixed in at Vergenoegen and some spoiled votes were given to the PPP in Parika. It wasn’t substantial in the grand scheme of things, but it was enough to hold up the declaration from a region that always gave the PPP a big bump.

The centrepiece of Plan B, however, was always going to be Reg 4. It’s where the PNC’s biggest block of supporters are located and therefore provided the most cover for sleights of hand. Or rigging of elections.

In 1997, the PNC had rushed the polling stations, but this time, tipped off by Volda’s “nightshift” call, this was abandoned. So when the declarations from the outlying regions came in and showed the PPP racing ahead and increasing their gap, Plan B unfolded. The Reg 4 Returning Office (RO) – who certifies the count from the SOPs – after declaring he’d continue through the night, suddenly said he was tired and sent everybody home by 9 pm! Counting ceased!

The fella never showed up till late the next morning and soon promptly declared he was ill and had to be rushed to the hospital. While he was being attended to, the GECOM PRO declared the count had been halted. But when he was discharged and returned to the counting centre, a strange thing had happened.

Suddenly, the count from the SOPs was being read off from a spreadsheet, which varied from the SOPs in the possession of the PPP and other parties’ representatives!!

By now, it was apparent that the PNC had to produce over 50,000 bodies to overcome the lead the PPP had built up from the outlying regions. And this was how they’d do it: by violating the very clear law that the RO check had to be done directly from the SOPs!!

This was chutzpah to the max!! Shameless!! …but stymied Because Granger had been allowed to get away with the nonsense about “majorities” over the NCM – even after the CCJ’s judgement declared his moves illegal – it obviously made him believe he could repeat this nonsense in front of the entire diplomatic corps and their election observers!! He forgot he might be a big fish, but it was in a very small pond. And while they might’ve overlooked his shenanigans with the SOPs, if it were in some footnote in a bureaucratic report, they had to act when it was playing out literally in front of their eyes!! This was eye-pass!!

The PPP and the other parties stood their ground and demanded that the law be followed – and they were supported by the observers and the foreign missions.

The GECOM Commission met and the CEO had to accept that the counting would proceed from the SOPs. But this is the PNC we’re dealing with and we still cannot afford to exhale. Today, expect them to throw some more curves.

Even after the declaration!! It’s in their genes!! …and shameful

Doesn’t GECOM feel ashamed to hear the EU Observer Head describe his experience when he went to one of the cow pasture tents they used as a polling place?

The fella said two cows actually came to vote. Like the rest of us??

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

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Political parties must adhere to code Elections 2020 Trade Union urges timely of conduct signed – Carter Center …urges leaders not to declare results ahead of GECOM’s declarations

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hile declaring that it observed a smooth process on Election Day, the Carter Carter is urging political parties to be responsible and adhere to the code of conduct they signed by not declaring results ahead of the Guyana Election Commission’s official declaration.

This was emphasised during a press conference called by the Center at Pegasus hotel on Wednesday. Co-leader of the Carter Carter Observation Mission, Aminata Toure, reminded that it is GECOM and not the parties who have to declare results.

“I do believe that everyone should refrain from declaring results. There is a constitutional body there for that, it is called the Guyana Election Commission. By law, that’s the only body that should be declaring results.”

“So, we appeal to political parties to refrain from declaring any results and support democracy in Guyana.

I come from Senegal… so I do believe that it’s about exercising responsibilities as leaders and go by what the law says. The law says clearly that only GECOM can declare results.”

Her fellow co-leader, Jason Carter, also reminded that GECOM has a statutory process designed to verify results. He noted that while parties have been granted access to results in the form of Statement of Polls, GECOM must be allowed to do its work.

“There’s a procedure for any sort of dispute that may arise in respect to the results. The parties have had

Co-leader of the Carter Center Observation Mission, Aminata Toure

an enormous amount of exposure to the results and that’s excellent. Through the statement of polls, there has been transparency in the accounting and tabulation.”

“So, if there is a dispute, there is a legal process provided for by law. So that’s the way that we anticipate it going in… we’ve seen a number of court cases and people have responded on all sides to support the rule of law and that is what we would expect.”

This comes even as reports have arrived of victory celebrations in various locations in Guyana. As recent as earlier on Wednesday, supporters of certain political parties began to celebrate in Georgetown, even though results have not yet been declared by GECOM. While GECOM was verifying its Region Four results, a vocal crowd of APNU/AFC supporters gathered on the road outside the Region

Four Returning Officer’s office. This led the Police to bring a truckload of barricades and set up a perimeter around the office.

In other areas in Georgetown, crowds of APNU/AFC supporters also gathered in celebration.

This same occurred in other parts of the country. It was only afterwards that President David Granger, in an address to supporters, appealed for calm and for them to wait for GECOM’s official declarations.

Nine of the 11 political parties who contested the General and Regional Elections signed on to GECOM’s code of conduct, with the majority expressing confidence that the agreement among parties would foment a more amicable environment before, during, and after the polls.

GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh, in introducing the documents for the party representa-

tives, reminded that the exercise was meant to develop the ethical principles that would guide the political leaders and their supporters during the elections’ season.

She did use the occasion to point out that while some of the political parties were absent from the event, this was not their fault since the Commission had been late in sending out the invitations for the activity.

“I would urge all parties to adopt a responsible approach” and to refrain from hate speeches, incitement and provocation, the GECOM Chair had clearly urged.

People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, in brief remarks to the gathering following the signing of the agreement, had expressed confidence that the code of conduct facilitated by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would not only help to secure “free and fair elections” but an “elections that is free from fear”.

President Granger, who leads the list on behalf of coalition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), had committed to abiding by its provisions.

declaration of credible, accurate results

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escribing the current countrywide atmosphere as “uneasy”, a major trade union umbrella body is urging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to declare results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections in a timely manner.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Federation of Independent Trade Union (FITUG) – which represents thousands of workers across the country – said it “remains very much concerned, at this time, that the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections seems to be no closer to finality.”

It has been three days since thousands of Guyanese went to the polls to vote for a party of their choice, but GECOM has not yet released the preliminary results for all of the ten administrative regions.

In fact, the special website it created for the public to follow the updates to the preliminary results has shut down after it was discovered that inaccurate data was being uploaded.

Up to press time, only re-

sults from nine regions, in some cases only partial information, have been declared.

The remaining district, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), faced many setbacks in having the results declared, including tiredness of the GECOM staff, the collapse of the Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and a controversy over the process used to verify the Statements of Poll.

Commenting on the delay in the verification of the results for Region Four – the most populated district – FITUG said it was “dismayed”.

FITUG referred to the initial delay on Tuesday evening when the exercise was halted after the RO complained of being tired.

“The halt on account of tiredness, on the surface, appears to be a reasonable position. But, similarly, we cannot disregard too that there was apparently a seeming commitment to complete the task at hand without any breaks. Therefore, the suddenness has brought to the fore several concerns,” the trade union said.

TURN TO PAGE 10

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Commonwealth upbraids GECOM over last-minute decision on polling stations

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he Commonwealth Elections Observation Mission (EOM) here in Guyana to monitor the General and Regional Elections has raised concerns, among other things, over the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) finalisation of polling stations mere days before polls.

This was expressed by Head of the overseas EOM, former Barbadian Prime Minister Owen Arthur, at a press conference on Wednesday, where he delivered the Mission’s preliminary findings on Guyana’s elections.

He recognised the efforts of GECOM to minimise the use of private residences as polling places through greater use of public polling locations but cited the fact that it was done in the eleventh hour.

“The group noted with considerable concern that the list of polling stations was not concluded until just two days before the election itself. This concern was reflected in the group’s briefings with most stakeholders,” Arthur contended.

Just days before Monday’s polling day, GECOM finalised the polling stations for two loca-

The group deployed members across Guyana from February 28, covering Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Nine (Upper TakutuEssequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

They Head of the Commonwealth EOM, Owen Arthur visited 275 polling stations on elections day. tions on the East Coast of was available.

In its preliminary re“The group had conDemerara, where polling port, the Mission highlightcerns about the location places were reduced as the elections body cut down the of some polling stations ed that among its initial obon upper floors of schools servations was the “urgent use of private residences.

This adjustment was and sports complexes, even need” for constitutional and done after the People’s where there appeared to electoral reforms. This, it Progressive Party/Civic be more accessible alterna- noted, was a key issue re(PPP/C) had raised concerns tives on the ground floor. peatedly raised during its that too many voters were This disadvantaged the el- interactions with stakeholdbeing cramped into some derly and persons with dis- ers. “…Stakeholders view abilities, among others, who polling places.

GECOM’s move to faced challenges access- [this] as a complex and use tents for the upcom- ing these polling units,” the multi-faceted polarisation ing General and Regional Commonwealth Head stat- of the nation. These divisions are reflected in the Elections was in accordance ed.

He also flagged the composition, structure and with previous recommendations by observer missions last-minute move to have operations of GECOM itto avoid the use of private political parties sign a code self. It is essential that of conduct facilitated by electoral processes be fulbuildings as polling places.

Moreover, The GECOM, which was done ly inclusive of different poCommonwealth EOM also just three days before elec- litical stakeholders and minority groups,” The Head of raised other issues relating tions.

“It is unfortunate that the Commonwealth Mission to polling stations such using top floors of buildings such an important measure stated.

He also recognised the when space in the lower flat was concluded so close to need for comprehensive rethe vote,” he contended.

Nevertheless, Arthur forms in the voter registranoted that activities on tion system, including legiselections day at the vari- lative reform.

Indicators US$ Change % According to Arthur, ous polling stations were orderly, transparent and they are aware that many Crude Oil $51.86/barrel -0.08 largely peaceful with the recommendations from preRough Rice $242.69/ton -0.35 professionalism displayed vious Commonwealth and by polling staff. But he be- other observer groups reLondon Sugar $384.70/ton

0.00 lieves that several aspects garding electoral and conof the polling, counting, re- stitutional reform, whilst Live Spot Gold USD Per Ounce sults tabulation and trans- not binding on Guyana, remission of results process- main to be implemented.

Bid/Ask $1635.60 $1636.60 He pointed out that es could be improved by Low/High $1631.30 $1649.80 Commonwealth clearer written instructions when Change -0.60 -0.04 and illustrations for polling Heads met in London in 2018 and endorsed Revised staff.

Commonwealth Guidelines for the Conduct of Election Observation in Member Countries, they noted that “Commonwealth election observation has far greater

COMMODITIES

impact and value when recommendations offered by a Commonwealth Observer Group and other observers, are addressed so as to reduce the risk of shortcomings in future elections. Ideally, there should be some form of domestic mechanism in place in each member country to review the conduct of an election and to take forward prospective reforms as required”.

Against this backdrop, Arthur encourages Guyana to create such a domestic mechanism to consider electoral and constitutional reforms, including the merits and demerits of the structure of the Guyana Electoral Commission and the electoral system itself.

“Electoral reform is a continuous process building on what has worked successfully and addressing weaknesses,” he posited.

Another concern highlighted to the Observer Mission was the delays in hearing and determination of elections petition, where

are required to be filed within 28-days after the declaration of the results. It was noted that the petition filed by the PPP/C following the 2015 election is still pending before the High Court.

According to Arthur, there is also a need to revise, update and implement campaign finance laws and regulations that were highlighted to us. “The current limit on expenses ranges from GY$25,000 to GY$50,000 or the equivalent of US$125-250. This is clearly outdated. Current legislation neither makes provision for disclosure of sources of contributions nor provides effective enforcement mechanisms.

Further, no guidance on the use of state resources exists in legislation,” the Head of Mission posited.

This is the seventh consecutive elections in Guyana that The Commonwealth is observing and the current team will be providing a final report on its findings before leaving the country.

Trade Union urges...

Following the pause on the exercise on Tuesday evening, the intention was for the process to be resumed by 09:00h the following day, but, for some reason, this did not occur.

Later in the day, around 11:00h, the RO complained of feeling unwell and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) – further delaying the verification exercise.

Then, when the activity was eventually resumed, a controversy arose over the use of a spreadsheet, instead of the SoPs, to verify the count.

After much deliberations, the issue was resolved.

According to FITUG, the delay in the declaration of the results has created an “uneasy situation in our

FROM PAGE 9

country and has significantly slowed the wheels of production”.

The trade union added that “This is not helpful for our nation’s workers who have needs and obligations to meet but are unable to work given the situation.”

FITUG further noted that the delay is “unhelpful as it breeds even more anxiety and tension in the society”.

Moreover, the organisation took a swipe at political parties that are celebrating victories when GECOM has not yet declared official results.

As such, FITUG is urging that “every possible step” be taken to ensure the results are declared in a timely manner, and, that they are credible and accurate.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PAC participates in workshop on Concerns remain gold mining in protected areas for Caribbean as

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he Protected Areas Commission (PAC), with local and international support, continues to enhance its skills and capabilities to manage Guyana’s protected areas.

Recently, focus was placed on mining in protected areas.

The focus came in the form of a regional workshop on strategies against the threats from illegal gold mining in the Protected Areas of the Guianas.

The workshop was held in French Guiana from February 12 to February 14.

It was attended by technical personnel from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

The aim of the activity was to improve the management of protected areas through the sharing of best practices and experiences between stakeholders and communities on strategies to address illegal mining in Protected Areas of the Guianas.

The workshop was the third Regional

Guyana’s team that participated in the workshop

Workshop organised under the RENFORSAP (“Strengthening the Network of Protected Areas in the Guiana Shield and their contributions to sustainable development in respect of local cultures, values and lifestyles”) Project.

This project is a multi-stakeholder and transnational approach amongst protected area managers of French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana.

Brief opening remarks

at the workshop were delivered by PAC Commissioner Denise Fraser.

The Commissioner noted the international significance of the Guiana Shield, its geology, and biological and cultural diversity.

Fraser noted that the workshop brought together a range of persons working in the field with different experiences, strategies, and lessons learnt that could contribute towards developing more effective ways to

deal with illegal gold mining in the Protected Areas of the three Guianas. She called on all participants to take part and expect rich and fruitful discussions in the workshop.

PAC Chairperson Raquel Thomas-Caesar also represented the PAC, as well as the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development at the three-day workshop.

Further, the team from Guyana included not only the PAC but representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Core of Wardens, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Conservation International – Guyana.

The completion of the workshop saw the beginning of synthesis on strategies against the threats from illegal gold mining in the protected areas of the Guianas and the identification of potential opportunities for co-operation.

UN Women, CDB, Caricom launch national surveys on gender-based violence

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pproaching this year’s International Women’s Day, UN Women, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Caricom have joined forces to better understand how women experience intimate partner violence with a view to reducing and eliminating this scourge in the Caribbean.

The three organisations on Wednesday launched national prevalence surveys on gender-based violence for five Caribbean countries in Bridgetown, Barbados.

“Without reliable and relevant data, it is not possible to adequately treat, re-

duce and prevent violence against women and girls,” said UN Women MultiCountry Office Caribbean Representative Alison McLean.

Following surveys to measure the prevalence of gender-based violence, specifically intimate partner violence in five Caribbean countries, the picture is disturbingly clear: • Women aged 15-64 have experienced at least one form of violence ranging from 39% to as high as 55%; • 28% to 38% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime;

• Physical violence ranges from 25% to 35%.

• Emotional violence, which is usually the most commonly reported form of violence ranged from 29% to 40% of the women surveyed.

It also needs to be said that the lack of physical scars makes no form of violence a lesser concern. All forms of violence cause grave harm.

With the support from CDB, the Inter-American Development Bank, USAID and Caricom, UN Women has invested significantly in supporting Caribbean countries in strengthening capacities to fill the data gaps on violence against wom-

en and girls using the model. As a result, the initial goal of piloting the survey in two countries surveyed has been exceeded, surveying five countries in total – Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“Support for efforts to achieve gender equality, including ending gender-based violence, is a key priority for the Caribbean Development Bank. Without gender equality we cannot achieve our mandate to reduce extreme poverty in the Caribbean,” said CDB Vice-President (Operations), Monica La Bennett.

drought season continues

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he Barbados-based the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) says that while some parts of the Caribbean, such as the Leeward Islands, experienced above normal rainfall in January, there are concerns over short- and longterm drought by the end of the dry season in May over much of the region.

In its latest Caribbean Drought Bulletin, the CIMH said that of particular concern is the southern portion of the eastern chain into Guyana, where both shortand long-term drought are likely to evolve.

“Monitoring water reserves and enhancing water conservation measures are recommended,” it said, noting that long term drought is evolving in Antigua, Barbados, northwestern half of Belize, Cayman Islands, parts of coastal and interior Guyana, St Kitts, the Windward Islands – Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and

the Grenadines.

It said that long term drought might possibly develop or continue in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (ABC islands), northwestern Bahamas, southeastern Belize, Jamaica, Sint Maarten and Suriname.

“Areas ending up in long term drought by the end of May, may experience significantly reduce water levels in large reservoirs, large rivers, and groundwater during the dry season,” CIMH warned.

It said during the month of January, normal to above normal rainfall was experienced in most of the islands of the eastern Caribbean.

“Towards the end of the Caribbean dry season, a likely reduction in water availability is due to evolving (or possible) long term drought in all countries and territories except French Guiana and Guadeloupe. In addition, frequent dry spells and short-term drought in a majority of places may pose water stress to sensitive rainfed crops.(CMC)

IMF makes US$50B available to help Boyfriend allegedly prime suspect address coronavirus in shooting of Linden woman

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eon Allen, also called Spoil Child, who was injured in a shooting incident which has left his girlfriend dead, remains under guards at the Linden Hospital Complex and is being treated at the main suspect.

Twenty-seven-year-old Collissa Hunte died from a single gunshot to the chest on Thursday last at Amelia’s Ward, Linden. During the shooting incident, Allen was reportedly shot to the upper shoulder and back.

The wound is reportedly in the same area where he was previously shot during an encounter with the Police some time back.

It was reported that Allen and the now-dead woman came under fire while they were alone at the Amelia’s Ward house, which is situat-

Injured and prime suspect: Teon Allen

ed in a “desolate” section of the area.

After the shooting, Police were summoned to the scene where they found the woman dead and her boyfriend, an ex-cop, injured.

The woman was discovered

slumped over on the kitchen floor bleeding from her nose and mouth.

However, ranks who visited the scene recovered four live rounds of ammunition and a few spent shells.

Divisional Commander Hugh Winter had noted that it appeared as though several shots were fired at the location but given the remoteness of the area, there were no eyewitnesses.

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

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

The dead woman’s mother, Yolanda Johnson, had related that she was never in favour of the couple’s rela-

Dead: Collissa Hunte

tionship since she knew her daughter was putting her life in danger.

“I used to beg her to let go but she never listened”, the clearly traumatised woman had related. Nevertheless, the Police are continuing their investigation into the shooting incident.

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he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is making available about $50 billion through its rapid-disbursing emergency financing facilities for low income and emerging market countries that could potentially seek support to deal with the threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Of this amount US$10

billion is available at zero interest for the poorest members through the IMF's Rapid Credit Facility.

The announcement was made a short while ago

by IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva at Joint Press Conference with World Bank Group President David Malpass.

(Jamaica Observer)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Polling Day staff should vote in advance – Caricom observers

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Cynthia Combie Martyr

aving observed the electoral process at 360 polling stations across the country, an observer team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has made several recommendations that could result in the elections day activities being rolled out much more efficiently and effectively.

One such suggestion is for polling day staff to vote in advance, as is done with the members of the Disciplined Services.

Caricom’s Chief of Mission, Cynthia Martyr, in the preliminary findings which were released

on Wednesday, pointed out that poll workers were allowed to leave their respective stations to go vote, which resulted in the process being slowed down. “…there were times when poll workers were noticeably absent which could effectively and, in some instances, slow down the polling process,” the preliminary findings report stated.

In this regard, it is one of the recommendations of the Caricom Observers that provision must be made to include poll workers in the “advance poll”.

Another issue which the

mission observed contributed to hiccups in the process was the time it took for persons to take oaths.

“Polling was executed smoothly with acceptable delays relating to persons to whom oaths and declarations had to be administered by the Presiding Officers,” the mission said.

According to the Caricom team, however, the issues were “minor” and most were resolved.

Additionally, when it comes to the polling officers, the Caricom mission said more could have been done to scrutinise the fingers and hands of voters for any visible signs of previous voting.

Regarding the Presiding Officers, Caricom said it noted some “minor instances” where they were “a bit agitated” in dealing with polling agents. However, the mission said, “it was felt that these instances were not significant enough to hinder the administration or quality of the poll.”

Polling places

Meanwhile, the Election Observer Mission criticised the Guyana Elections Commission for the inadequate provisions in the establishment of polling places, especially for persons with disabilities.

Issues ranged from in-

this challenge could have been averted,” the preliminary findings revealed.

Moreover, “space within stations” was another issue. The Caricom team said space was not always appropriately utilised.

Nevertheless, the team posited that “We noted however that even in those stations where we felt that the physical accommodation did not meet the desired standards, the level of professionalism displayed by polling staff was beyond question.”

The Caricom mission said these deficiencies must

accessibility, space, and poor labels.

According to the Caricom team, access ramps and other support structures to the polling stations/polling places for differently-abled members of Guyanese society were not always available.

The mission did note, however, that additional assistance was given to differently-abled electors

by Presiding Officers, other GECOM staff, and volunteers.

Additionally, the mission observed that school-located polling stations that had ground floor access were not utilised. Polling stations were, the mission said, were located on the upper floors, “thereby creating undue serious difficulty for differently-abled electors”.

Furthermore, the Caricom team lamented that signage on polling stations was not large or visible enough. “It was felt that this may have contributed to electors walking into the wrong stations and having to spend precious voting time relocating. With larger, clearer defined signage,

be addressed by GECOM to ensure that the standard requirements for polling stations are achieved and maintained.

The Caricom Election Observation Mission was organised at the invitation of the Government of Guyana, to observe the

General and Regional Elections held on March 2, 2020.

The 17-member Observation Mission comprised nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

The Mission was led by Cynthia Combie Martyr, Chairperson of the Saint Lucia Electoral Commission.

The Mission comprised persons of extensive experience and technical expertise, including Commissioners and Executive Officers and Officers of various Caricom Electoral Management Bodies and E l e c t o r a l Departments, Directors and Supervisors of Elections and Chief Elections Officers.

The Caricom Election Observation Mission is supported by the Caricom Secretariat. On elections day, the Caricom Election Observers were deployed to polling stations in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.

Elections 2020: Preliminary Regional Results Region 1 APNU/AFC 3,839

LJP 145 PPP/C

7,996

URP

77

Region 6

Region 3

Region 2 ANUG 86 APNU/AFC

7,343

CG 149

PPP/C 18,788 PRP 55 URP 64

Region 7 (General)

ANUG 310 APNU/AFC 23,811 CG 318 PPP/C 47,855 PRP 135 TCI 80 TNM 56 URP 43

Region 4

Region 5 APNU/AFC 14,475

NO

S T L U S E R

IN

PPP/C

18,263

CG

125

PRP

55

URP

60

Region 8

Region 9

Region 10

APNU/AFC 20,350

APNU/AFC 4,817

CG

PPP/C

3,720

APNU/AFC 2,086

APNU/AFC 4,826

APNU/AFC 19,153

JLP

879

LJP

460

LJP

282

PPP/C

3,202

PPP/C

2,041

PPP/C

7,065

PRP

69

URP

39

URP

55

URP

119

248

FED UP 148

PPP/C 43,220 PRP

354

ANUG 78

CG 67

URP

125

URP

23

13 Haiti's new Prime Minister calls for support in "precarious" situation H NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

aitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe said on Wednesday during his first public appearance since his appointment by presidential decree that he would focus

on fighting insecurity and inequality while boosting the economy.

Jouthe, a trained civil engineer, who was appointed this week by President Jovenel Moise, is considered

an experienced policymaker.

He was environment minister and interim finance minister, and also worked for the humanitarian agencies.

“We’re living today in a very precarious socio-eco-

US carries out air strike on Taliban, calls for halt to “needless attacks”

T

he United States on Wednesday carried out its first air strike on Taliban fighters in Afghanistan since the two sides signed a troop withdrawal agreement on Saturday.

A US forces spokesman confirmed the incident in southern Helmand province, hours after President Donald Trump spoke by phone with chief Taliban negotiator Mullah Baradar Akhund on Tuesday, the first known conversation between a US leader and a top Taliban official.

The Taliban fighters “were actively attacking an (Afghan National Security Forces) checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack,” Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US Forces, Afghanistan, said in a tweet.

He said Washington was committed to peace but would defend Afghan forces if needed.

“Taliban leadership promised the (international) community they would reduce violence and not increase attacks. We call on the Taliban to stop needless

attacks and uphold their commitments,” he said.

In a series of posts on Twitter late on Wednesday, U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad did not refer to the U.S. strike, but said: “Increasing violence is a threat to the peace agreement and must be reduced immediately.”

Khalilzad said the United States was committed to facilitating a prisoner exchange and would “support each side to release significant numbers.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Haiti's Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe (left) and President Jovenel Moise

nomic situation which could lead at any time to a humanitarian disaster, our country is in agony,” he said.

“My government reiterates its commitment to continue working to improve public finances in order to increase gross domestic product (GDP), reduce in-

Mysterious data introduced...

“Suddenly, they came, not with the SoPs, they came with a list and started calling out numbers from this list and every list had discrepancies. So the observers objected and started pointing this out and the PPP and the other parties…,” the Opposition Leader noted.

Asked whether efforts were taken to ascertain where the document generated from, Jagdeo posited that this will be looked into later, as the focus now is getting verified results.

“The people of this country are waiting for verified results. They’ve had declaration in all the regions using that very process – Statements of Polls.

Here in Region Four, they want to use a list generated by someone so now we have to ensure that the law is followed. The APNU agents seems to be the only ones with the list that the GECOM is using, nobody

Returning Officer for Region 4 Clairmont Mingo being taken to the hospital

This newspaper was also told that GECOM has refused to verify SOPSs for 67 ballot boxes.

No compromise

According to Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s

Co-chair of the Carter Center Observer Mission, Jason Carter speaking with the media on Wednesday evening

else has it, no observers. So we have to get back to the process of verifying all the statements of poll in Region 4 to see that they’re accurate and then have the results declare for Region Four,” he contended

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the party will not compromise the process and is willing to wait until verified results are available.

“The country has to understand that we have to

have verified results, all the people – APNU supporters as well as PPP supporters, they want verified results.

And if it takes two more days to get that done, then that’s fine with us [rather] than you announce unverified results. The whole country has had their declarations, almost every region, and they’re stalling in Region Four,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, sometime after Jagdeo’s update, it was indicated that the issue has been resolved and a consensus was arrived at to continue verification of the Region Four ballots using the SoPs. At the time when the process was stalled, there some 411 ballot boxes that were verified with SoPs and more than 300 remaining.

The Chief Elections Officer subsequently told reporters that there are about 192 SoPs to be verified for the East Bank and another 170 plus for the East Coast of Demerara. Georgetown was completed at that time, he noted.

“At this time, the whole posture is to ensure there is transparency in the process and plead with citizens

flation, increase public revenues and, above all, fight corruption.”

Jouthe called on Haitians, the divided political class and international organizations to stand by him at a time of economic crisis.

The US Embassy in Haiti

said in a statement it would work with Moise and Jouthe but urged them to improve security and economic growth, and organize “free, fair and credible legislative elections as soon as technically feasible”.

Economic repercussions of a three-month countrywide lockdown are still unfolding in what was already the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation, where around two-thirds of adults are estimated to be unemployed or underemployed.

Moise has been ruling Haiti by decree since January because the mandates of lower house deputies and most senators formally expired when no elections were held.

Jouthe replaces Jean Michel Lapin, who was acting prime minister since Moise appointed him in March last year until his resignation in July. Despite several attempts, his appointment was never approved. (Reuters)

FROM PAGE 3

to remain calm to ensure that we have the correct results that will be to the satisfaction of all Guyanese…,” Lowenfield asserted.

Many of the international observer missions as well as locally accredited diplomats were at the GECOM Centre during discussions to resolve the matter. They indicated to reporters that the important was that the issue was resolved and the verification process will resumed, as prescribed by law, while adding too that it was important to have accuracy over expediency.

The same sentiment was expressed by domestic observers.

It was further indicated by stakeholders that the verification process will continue throughout the night until Region Four is completed.

More controversy

On Tuesday evening, at about 21:00h, Mingo informed the parties and GECOM that he was tired and abruptly halted the verification process. The process was again halted about three hours into the resumption of the verification process on Wednesday evening, controversy rose again after a suggestion was made to suspend the activity.

Two clerks, one of whom is heavily pregnant, under RO Mingo were placed in charge of the verification process and had complained about tiredness sometime after 20:00h.

But stakeholders, including many of the various parties’ representatives, objected to suspension of the verification process resulting in the CEO making arrangements for at least two Deputy ROs to go in to continue the verification.

Despite this, however,

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn and European Union (EU) Ambassador Fernando Ponce-Canto at the GECOM command centre

many came out lashing out at GECOM for not having a contingency plan in place to deal with situations like this. It was pointed out that there are about 80 DROs in Region Four but no arrangements were made to have a rotation system amongst them to ensure that the process continue to the end, as was committed to earlier by the CEO. Nevertheless, with the exception of party agents from the APNU/AFC who had left the Centre, stakeholders from the political parties as well as observers, both local and international, remained there in hopes that the process would resume and be completed during the course of the night in order to ensure that the Region Four results are declared at soonest.

Up to press time, that was the only region remaining with the other nine regions having already declared their results.

However only 36 of the EBD SOPs were verified. The introduction of the mysterious data has since been deemed as an attempt to rig the elections.

Disruptive crowd

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday night while the mysterious spreadsheet issue was being sorted out inside the GECOM Operations Centre, persons started to gather outside the building. Though police ranks were present, no attempts were made to cordon off the area until the crowd, mostly of Coalition supporters, grew bigger and somewhat disruptive.

Member of the A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Timothy Jonas, subsequently urged the APNU/AFC leaders to address the situation.

Almost simultaneous, Leader of the APNU – the majority party in the Coalition – David Granger, sought to address supporters who had been camped outside the party’s Command Centre on Lamaha Street, “celebrating” since Tuesday.

Granger indicated that the verification process was still ongoing and that they needed to wait until GECOM officially announces the results from Monday’s General and Regional elections.

14 NEWS Ukraine PM ousted as President Flybe collapses as impact of coronavirus Zelenskyy seeks "new brains" on flight bookings proves final straw U THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

kraine’s parliament has voted to accept the resignation of Oleksiy Honcharuk, the country’s youngest prime minister, who purportedly ridiculed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s views on the economy as “primitive”.

Denys Shymgal, who was deputy prime minister in Honcharuk’s cabinet, will replace him and has promised to improve the economy by revising the 2020 budget and to cut ministers’ salaries.

The dismissal of Honcharuk, a 35-year-old lawyer, could be a boost for Zelenskyy, a former comedian who won last year’s vote with populist pledges to upend the clout of regional oligarchs, crack down on corruption and reform

Oleksiy Honcharuk was Ukraine’s youngest Prime Minister

an economy cratered by Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its backing of separatists in two southeastern provinces.

In February, Zelenskyy’s ratings fell below 50 percent for the first time as the government has been criticised for inconsistent reforms and failed attempts to negotiate a peace deal with the sepa-

ratists and Moscow.

A scandal with leaked audio recordings of Honcharuk’s meeting with finance officials also hurt Zelenskyy’s popularity.

Posted online in mid-January, the recordings are of a man whose voice resembles Honcharuk’s saying that the president has a “very primitive understanding of the

economy” and describing himself as a “layman” in economic matters.

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s lower house of parliament, is dominated

by Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party and voted Honcharuk out, with 353 legislators out of 411 present approving his resignation.

Before the vote, Zelenskyy said: “This is the first government where there is no high-level corruption. But not stealing is not enough. This is a government of new faces, but faces are not enough. New brains and new hearts are needed.”

According to Ukraine’s constitution, only a parliamentary vote can dismiss a prime minister, and the step entails the dismissal of the entire cabinet. (Al Jazeera)

Michael Bloomberg ends US presidential campaign

A

fter spending millions on his own campaign, Michael Bloomberg is dropping out of the 2020 presidential race.

“Three months ago, I entered the race for president to defeat Donald Trump.

Today, I am leaving the race for the same reason,” he said in a statement.

Mr Bloomberg, a former mayor of New York City, spent at least $409m (£313m) of his own money in the race to become the Democratic Party’s nominee.

He said he would now

Michael Bloomberg

support former VicePresident Joe Biden.

“I’ve always believed that

defeating Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. After yesterday’s vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden,” Mr Bloomberg said in his statement.

He spent $409m up to the end of January, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission, but is believed to have also spent heavily during February ahead of Super Tuesday.

Out of the 14 states and territories which voted on Tuesday, the billionaire only

managed to win in American Samoa.

Joe Biden won 10 of the states, a remarkable rebound for his campaign.

The former US vice-president overturned predictions to narrowly take the key state of Texas from his main challenger, Bernie Sanders.

However, Mr Sanders is projected to win California - the biggest prize of the night - as well as three other states.

They lead the race to face Republican President Donald Trump in November.

(BBC)

and months of severe drought fuelled a series of massive bushfires across the country.

At least 33 people were killed and more than 11 million hectares (110,000 sq km or 27.2 million acres) of bush, forest and parks across Australia burned.

Although it makes sense that human-induced global warming is likely to have led to more bushfires, assigning a figure to that increased risk is complex.

That is because other factors not directly related to climate change may also play a significant role. These include increased water use making the land drier, urban heating effects or unknown local factors.

Nevertheless, Prof Jan van Oldenborgh and 17 fellow climate scientists from six countries gave it their best shot. “It was by far the most complex study we have undertaken,” he told the BBC. The researchers found the climate models consistently underestimated the observed increase in temperatures in south-east Australia and so could not pinpoint a figure for the increased risk from climate change. They

were, however, able to tease out a minimum risk.

“We show that climate change definitely increases the risk of the extreme weather that makes the catastrophic bush fires (that south-east Australia has experienced) in the past few months more likely by at least 30%.

“But we think it could be much more. We don’t know how much more. It could be a lot more.” (BBC)

Climate change boosted Australia bushfire risk by at least 30%

S

The 2019-2020 fire season was particularly challenging for Australia

cientists have published the first assessment quantifying the role of climate change in the recent Australian bushfires.

Global warming boosted the risk of the hot, dry weather that’s likely to cause bushfires by at least 30%, they say. But the study suggests the figure is likely to be much greater.

It says that if global temperatures rise by 2C, as seems likely, such conditions would occur at least four times more often.

The analysis has been carried out by the World Weather Attribution consortium.

Co-author Geert Jan van Oldenborgh of the Royal

Netherlands Meteorological Institute in De Bilt, The Netherlands, told the BBC even the study’s very conservative estimates were troubling.

“Last year the fire prevention system in Australia, which is extremely well prepared for bushfires, was straining. It was at the limits of what it could handle, with volunteers working for weeks on end,” said Prof van Oldenborgh.

“As the world warms, these events will become more likely and more common. And it’s not something that we are ready for.”

During the 2019-2020 fire season in Australia, record-breaking temperatures

F

lybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has collapsed into administration less than two months after the government announced a rescue deal.

The impact of the coronavirus on flight bookings proved the last straw for the Exeter-based airline, which operates almost 40% of UK domestic flights, as the government stalled on a controversial £100m loan. The UK Civil Aviation Authority announced early on Thursday morning that the airline had entered administration.

It said all flights were cancelled and urged passengers not to go to airports.

Flybe’s bankruptcy has come just a week before a budget that it hoped would help bolster its precarious finances, after the previous chancellor said he would look again at levels of air passenger duty (APD) .

However, the airline’s owners Connect Airways – a consortium of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Air and hedge fund Cyrus Capital – have pulled the plug, a little over a year after buying it.

The airline employed more than 2,000 people and was one of the leading carriers at airports including Belfast, Southampton, Manchester and Birmingham. Around 8 million people a year used its services. Unions have warned that other jobs would be put at risk by Flybe’s collapse, and transport links lost on dozens of domestic routes where it is the sole operator.

Flybe has long struggled to balance the books, despite

cost-cutting plans and redundancies, and was reporting losses of around £20m a year before the Connect takeover. With the new government having promised to “level up” the economy, it was anxious to demonstrate it was helping the ailing airline and ministers announced the Flybe rescue in January. However, the measures – which included some deferral of tax, a potential loan, and promises to review regional air connectivity and APD levels – have not proved enough.

Public anxiety and curbs on business travel due to the coronavirus outbreak have forced airlines around the world to retrench in the face of falling bookings, and Flybe was also suffering from the drop in demand.

Virgin Atlantic itself is having to make significant cuts, and earlier on Wednesday announced it was putting in place crisis measures – including cutting executive pay, freezing hiring and pay rises, and offering unpaid leave to staff – as bookings at the airline have fallen by almost 50% in the last week due to Covid-19 fears.

The government has been unwilling to bail out Flybe, despite calls from unions and MPs in the regions, with other airlines, led by British Airways owner IAG and Ryanair, objecting about the prospect of state aid and threatening legal action.

It is the second major British airline to go bankrupt in six months, following the collapse of Thomas Cook last September. (The Guardian)

Brazil.

Kayvon Beykpour, the company’s product lead, said the new feature would allow people to post thoughts they might have felt uncomfortable sharing publicly.

He said posting on Twitter can feel “permanent and performative” which can intimidate some users.

“We’re hoping that Fleets can help people share the fleeting thoughts that they would have been unlikely to Tweet,” he wrote in a seven-part post on Twitter.

The vanishing messag-

es will appear when a user’s profile picture is clicked.

Users will not be able to reply, like, or publicly comment on any of the disappearing messages.

Some Twitter users made plain their reservations.

Beykpour acknowledged that Fleets did sound a lot like the Stories features from Facebook and Instagram.

He said Twitter was making a “few intentional differences” to its version.

The company did not say when Fleets would be rolled out globally. (BBC)

Twitter tests vanishing tweets in Brazil

T

witter is testing a feature that will allow some tweets to disappear after 24 hours, it announced on Wednesday.

The new feature called “fleets” is similar to vanishing posts on Snapchat and Instagram Stories.

The changes prompted the hashtag #RIPTwitter to trend as users complained the new feature would make the micro-blogging site too similar to other social media platforms.

So far Twitter is only testing the function in

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Deadly tornadoes kill 24 and Netanyahu election lead shrinks, flatten buildings in Tennessee raising prospect of another Israel vote

I

T

wo powerful tornadoes that ripped through central Tennessee on Tuesday killed 24 people, according to the state's Emergency Management Authority.

In Nashville, Tennessee's biggest city, the tornadoes caused widespread damage to homes and other buildings.

The storm hit after midnight and moved so quickly that many people sleeping didn't have time to take shelter, US media reported.

President Donald Trump confirmed he planned to visit the state on Friday.

The number of missing people decreased from 88 on Tuesday to 22 on Wednesday after search and rescue efforts continued overnight, Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said.

An earlier death toll of 25 was revised after one person's death was found to be unrelated to the storm.

The scene in Nashville is "like a war zone", one resident told the BBC. One couple in Cookeville told CBS that they tried to shelter in their bathtub.

"We were flying in the air, into the trees back there, where once we hit those trees, the house... it just ex-

A scene from tornado-devastated Nashville

ploded. The house just disintegrated," Seth Wells said.

"I have no clue how we survived, it was like Wizard of Oz." Much of the damage is centred in Putnam County – 80 miles (130 kilometres) east of Nashville – where 18 deaths, including five children, were reported.

In Wilson County, three people died, as well as two people in Davidson County and one in Benton.

A state of emergency remains in place, and several counties are working to clear debris and fallen trees.

Five shelters are open, and about 40,000 people remain without power.

Nashville's Emergency

Operations Centre said it had opened a shelter with running water in a farmers' market to help displaced residents.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was "devastated" and urged people to "lend a helping hand" to neighbours.

There was also "significant damage" to John C Tune Airport, about eight miles from the city centre, the airport said.

The National Weather Service reported that winds of 165 mph hit Nashville.

The storms were the deadliest to hit Tennessee since 2011, according to the Weather Channel. (Excerpt from BBC News)

California declares emergency over coronavirus as death toll rises in US

T

he US death toll from coronavirus infections rose to 11 on Wednesday as new cases emerged around New York City and Los Angeles, while Seattle-area health officials sought to allay anxiety and discourage social gatherings amid the nation’s largest outbreak.

The first California death from the virus was an elderly person in Placer County, near Sacramento, health officials said. The person had underlying health problems and likely had been exposed on a cruise ship voyage between San Francisco and Mexico last month.

It was the first coronavirus fatality in the United States outside of Washington state, where 10 people have died in a cluster of at least 39 infections that have emerged through community transmission of the virus in two Seattlearea counties.

Although the Placer County patient who died was not believed to have contracted the virus locally, that case and a previous one from the San Francisco Bay Area linked to the same ocean liner have led health authorities to seek other cruise passengers who may have had close contact with those two individuals.

Hours after the person’s death was announced, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency in response to the coronavirus, which he

said has resulted in 53 cases across the nation’s most populous state.

“The State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus,” Newsom said in a statement.

Six new coronavirus patients were confirmed in Los Angeles County, public health officials said on Wednesday. One was a federal contractor who may have been exposed while conducting medical screenings at Los Angeles International Airport, the US Department of Homeland Security reported.

Three others likely were infected while travelling recently to northern Italy, one of the areas hardest hit in the global outbreak. Of the six in Los Angeles County, only one has been hospitalised. The other five are recovering in home isolation.

The greater Seattle region represents the biggest concentration of cases detected in the United States from a virus that has killed more than 3000 people worldwide, mostly in China, where the epidemic originated in December.

With most of the Seattlearea cases not linked to travel or exposure to people who might have been infected abroad, that means the virus has gone from being an imported phenomenon to taking up residence in Washington state, health officials say.

“Distancing measures”

Seattle health authorities urged a number of measures for curbing further spread of the disease, including recommendations for anyone aged 60 and older and individuals with underlying chronic health problems or compromised immunity to stay home and away from large gatherings and public places.

They also urged companies to allow their employees to work from home as much as possible, stagger shifts to ease commuter congestion on public transportation and avoid large work-related gatherings when possible.

A growing number of US companies are adopting such steps. On Wednesday Microsoft Corp asked its employees in the Seattle region near its headquarters and in the San Francisco Bay Area to work from home if possible until March 25.

AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, said Wednesday that people in a group from New York that attended its 18,000-person policy conference in Washington, DC, this week potentially had been in contact with an individual who contracted the coronavirus before the conference.

Dozens of Congress members attended the conference, as well as Vice President Mike Pence.US lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement on an US$8.3 billion emergency bill to help fund efforts to contain the virus. The bill garnered enough votes to pass in the House of Representatives.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

srael appeared headed into another political stalemate on Wednesday after nearly-complete results indicated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had failed to secure a clear majority for a right-wing bloc in Parliament, despite his claim of victory.

With 99 per cent of votes counted, Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party was seen taking 35 of Parliament’s 120 seats, down from 36 initially projected after Monday’s election. His centrist challenger, Benny Gantz, was seen holding steady at 32 seats for his Blue and White party.

Israeli Premiers gener-

ally need a coalition commanding 61 seats for their governments to survive.

Wednesday’s tally suggested that, with like-minded parties, a Netanyahu coalition could now expect to garner only 58.

The four-term leader has been hamstrung by corruption cases in which he denies wrongdoing. Gantz has cited Netanyahu’s unprecedented indictment in refusing to join him in a coalition.

Yet Gantz, a former general who leads the centrist Blue and White party, seemed no closer to clinching a coalition, given ideological differences in a camp of Netanyahu-naysayers which includes ultranation-

alist ex-Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Arab-Israeli parties.

That could spell further deadlock and another snap election to follow Monday’s vote, which was Israel’s third in a year.

Netanyahu had claimed victory on Tuesday. Some Israeli commentators ridiculed that, on Wednesday, as “fake news”.

“Most of Israel’s citizens said unequivocally: Just not Bibi,” tweeted Attila Somfalvi, anchor for Ynet TV, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “That raises the danger that Netanyahu will again try to drag the country to elections.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Greek, Turkish Police fire tear gas as migrant border crisis deepens

G

reek and Turkish Riot Police deployed on their shared border fired tear gas on Wednesday as hundreds of migrants tried again to cross into Greece, amid an escalating war of words between Athens and Ankara about what was happening.

Turkey accused Greek forces of shooting dead one migrant and wounding five others, a charge strongly denied by Greece, which said Turkish Police were using tear gas to help the migrants illegally cross onto its territory.

More than 10,000 migrants have been trying to breach the border since Turkey said last Thursday it would no longer abide by a 2016 deal with the European Union to halt illegal migration flows to Europe in return for billions of euros in aid.

Plumes of smoke wafted above the Kastanies border crossing as Greek soldiers fired warning shots in the

Soldiers stand guard as tear gas is being fired near the Turkey’s Pazarkule border crossing, in Kastanies, Greece, March 4, 2020

air.

A Greek army truck with loud speakers told the migrants – mostly from Syria, other Middle Eastern nations and Afghanistan – in Arabic and other languages that the border was closed.

Greece and the EU accuse Turkey of deliberately goading the migrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money or supporting Ankara’s geopolitical aims in the Syrian conflict.

Turkey, which already

hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and faces another influx from an upsurge in fighting in north-west Syria, says it cannot take in any more and complains that EU aid falls well short of what is needed for the refugees.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking in Ankara after talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, announced additional humanitarian aid worth 60 million euros for the most vulnerable people in north-west Syria.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia reinforces Syria before Putin-Erdogan talks – data

R

ussia is racing to reinforce its troops in Syria by sea and air before talks between the Russian and Turkish leaders in Moscow today, flight data and shipping movements show.

The two Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Tayyip Erdogan, agreed to meet after a surge in tensions between their countries over fighting in Syria’s Idlib province between Russianbacked Syrian Government forces and rebels allied to Turkey.

The fighting has raised the prospect of a direct clash between their armies, which operate in close proximity on opposing sides, and Erdogan hopes the talks will yield a ceasefire in Idlib.

A Reuters analysis of flight data and correspondents’ monitoring of ship-

ping in the Bosphorus Strait in north-western Turkey show Russia began to step up naval and airborne deliveries to Syria on February 28, the day after 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in an air strike in Syria.

That incident prompted concern in Moscow that Turkey might close the Bosphorus to Russian warships and bar Russian military transport planes from using Turkish air space.

The Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Turkish official, who asked not to be identified, said there was no plan to close the strait, which would force Russia to take longer routes to Syria.

But Russia appears to be reinforcing Syria at its fastest rate since October, when US forces withdrew

from some parts of Syria and Moscow scrambled to fill the vacuum.

Reuters’ monitoring of the Bosphorus since February 28 shows Russia has sent five warships toward Syria within six days.

That exceeds a usual pattern of one or two warships per week.

The Russian military announced the departure of the Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Makarov frigates for Syria, but three other warships have followed unannounced.

Turkey has responded by beefing up its escort protocol for Russian warships using the Bosphorus.

Three Turkish patrol boats and a helicopter escorted the Russian frigates – such ships are usually accompanied by a single coast guard vessel. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

Regional

Venezuela's Maduro urges Haiti launches appeal women to have 6 children for US$235M in aid H V

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has urged women to have six children "for the good of the country".

Appearing at a televised event promoting a national women's healthcare plan, Maduro instructed women to "give birth, give birth".

The country is facing an economic crisis which has resulted in severe food and medicine shortages.

Between 2013 and 2018, 13 per cent of Venezuelan children were malnourished, says United Nations children’s agency Unicef.

A bitter power struggle between the Government and the Opposition has exacerbated the country's trials.

Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó is considered the legitimate leader of Venezuela by more than 50 countries.

But President Maduro, the country's left-wing leader who enjoys the support of the Venezuelan military, has re-

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

mained in power.

"May God bless you for having given life to six little girls and boys," Maduro told a woman who attended the healthcare event.

"Every woman should have six children for the good of the country", he said, adding that it was "women's week", a reference to International Women's Day on March 8.

Supporters of Guaidó responded angrily on Twitter.

Manuela Bolivar, a member of the Opposition-controlled National Assembly said in a tweet: "Hospitals are not functioning, vaccines are scarce, women cannot breastfeed because they are malnourished or buy baby formula because it is unaffordable, and the country faces forced migration due to the humanitarian emergency.

"Maduro and all of his regime who say this have psychological dissociation."

One in three Venezuelans is struggling to put enough food on the table to meet minimum nutrition requirements, according to a study by the UN World Food Programme.

Amid the economic crisis, one charity said in 2018 that it had seen the number of babies abandoned in the streets or left at the entrances of public buildings increase by 70 per cent. (Excerpt from BBC News)

aiti has launched an international appeal for US$235 million aimed at meeting the humanitarian needs of 2.1 million Haitians through the updated version of the Response Plan Humanitarian 2019-2020.

“The Humanitarian Response Plan that we are launching . . . is proof that the Government and humanitarian agencies are driven by the same deep conviction, that of an effective and efficient implementation of humanitarian aid in Haiti,” said Minister of Planning Jean Roudy Aly. "It is imperative, in this context of recurrent crises, to meet this challenge by stopping to assess humanitarian aid only on the basis of what has made it possible, but also on its performance in the prevention and protection dimension of lives; strengthening the coordination of humanitarian actions in order to reach the most vulnerable sections of the population and facili-

There has been a serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Haiti

tate the achievement of recovery and sustainable development objectives,” he added.

The launch on Monday in the presence of representatives of various humanitarian agencies comes at a time when the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country has been experiencing a serious political, economic and social crisis.

The plan has been up-

dated to respond to a significant increase in the number of people in need, which increased from 2.6 million in 2019 to 4. 6 million in 2020.

Officials said that this increase is explained by the serious deterioration of the humanitarian situation closely linked to the crisis, but also by an improvement in the calculation methodology and greater availability of data. (Excerpt from CMC)

Jamaica's int'l airports Armed robbery, burglary and respond to coronavirus crisis rape common in Bahamas, State

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he Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) says that in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, it has, in partnership with the management of the island's airports, taken a number of preventative measures to protect passengers and workers.

According to the AAJ, the island's three international gateways – Norman Manley International Airport, Sangster International Airport and the Ian Fleming International Airport – are working closely with the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW) to alleviate any spread of the virus.

“The safety and security of all passengers, airport workers and users are always of paramount importance to the airport operators,” the AAJ said in a statement on Wednesday.

The organisation said that in addition to the travel restrictions placed on some countries by the Government, it has implemented the following measures at the country's international airports: · Passengers are screened on arrival by heat sensing scanner for high body temperature prior to entering the immigration hall. · Increased stock levels

of personal sanitising items and personal protective equipment (PPE); · Quarantine Stations (located in the incoming immigration hall) which facilitates a constant presence of public health nurses. As per the Aerodrome Emergency Response Plan (AERP) regarding communicable diseases, passengers that meet criteria number one (signs or symptoms) or criteria number 2 (travel history) will be quarantined and transported to an off-site Ministry of Health facility by the Public Health Nurse/MoHW and given requisite provisions.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Department warns travellers

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ravellers to The Bahamas should "exercise increased caution" when vacationing on the islands, particularly New Providence and Grand Bahama islands, the US State Department warned in a travel advisory posted this week.

The "Level 2" warning places the popular destination in the same risk category as Belize, the subject of a similar crime-focused advisory, and European nations with risks of terrorism, including Germany, Spain and France.

In 2018, the US and Canadian Governments is-

sued three travel warnings for The Bahamas. Those prompted Royal Caribbean to issue its own warning to passengers last year, but the cruise line later removed references to specific locations following complaints by the nation's Tourism Ministry.

Other cruise lines that go to The Bahamas from South Florida are Norwegian, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line and Bahamas Paradise.

The latest warning, dated February 25, stated that "violent crime such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assault is common, even during the day and in tourist areas".

Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated, watercraft are often not maintained, and many companies are not certified to operate in The Bahamas, the advisory said. (Excerpt from Sun Sentinel)

Brazil hit by deadly rain and landslides Trinidad: 4 in court charged with

A

t least 23 people have died in Brazil and more than 30 are missing after torrential rain and landslides hit coastal areas in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

The death toll is expected to rise further as firefighters and rescue crews are continuing to search for missing people.

Worst hit is São Paulo state, where at least 18 deaths have been reported.

Among the victims are a mother and her child, as well as two firefighters.

They were trying to rescue the child who was buried under the rubble when a second landslide hit.

In the Guarujá municipality, a number of houses

The death toll is expected to rise further as firefighters and rescue crews are continuing to search for missing people

were swept away by landslides.

Local residents are helping the firefighters in the search and clean-up operation.

A number of roads have been blocked by landslides and falling trees.

Residents are desperate to salvage whatever belongings they can.

In the neighbouring Rio de Janeiro state, at least five people have died.

About a month's worth of rain have been dumped on some areas in a matter of hours.

Brazil's south-east region has suffered from heavy rainfall and storms during what has been a particularly hot summer.

In January, at least 30 people died during severe rainstorms in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, which neighbours São Paulo. (BBC News)

sexual offences against children

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he Child Protection Unit (CPU) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is again urging parents and guardians to play a greater, more active role in ensuring their children’s safety, as well as for the public to report instances of child physical and sexual abuse.

The renewed appeal comes as four suspects were expected to appear before Rio Claro, San Fernando, Point Fortin and Scarborough Magistrates, on Wednesday, after being held for sexual offences against children.

In the first incident, a

24-year-old housewife was arrested by officers of the Eastern Division CPU on one count of abuse of position of trust and familial relationship, and one count of sexual penetration of a child.

The accused was expected to appear before a Rio Claro Magistrate to answer.

In another incident, a 37-year-old labourer was arrested by officers of the Southern Division CPU on two counts of sexual penetration of a 10-year-old female victim, which is alleged to have occurred over a period of six months.

The male relative is ex-

pected to answer to a San Fernando Magistrate.

In the South Western Division, a 25-year-old man was arrested and charged for one count of sexual penetration of a 15-year-old female victim.

The suspect is expected to answer to a Point Fortin Magistrate.

And in the Tobago Division, a 28-year-old woman, who was held while intoxicated in connection with a report of physical abuse to a two-year-old boy, has been charged for one count of wilfully assaulting a child. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Oil prices settle lower as OPEC+ appears to struggle to reach agreement on output cuts

– EIA reports a 6th straight weekly rise in US crude supplies

O

il futures settled lower on Wednesday as oil producers struggled to reach an agreement on production cuts in Vienna in an effort to stabilise prices on the heels of a demand slowdown sparked by the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA), meanwhile, reported a sixth straight weekly rise in US crude supplies, adding further pressure on prices.

“Despite subdued imports, and oil exports coming in well above four million barrels per day, a big drop in refining activity has propelled oil inventories to a sixth consecutive build,” said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at ClipperData.

“Countering the bearish crude build has been solid draws to the products.”

April West Texas Intermediate crude CLJ20 fell 40 cents, or nearly 0.9 per cent, to settle at US$46.78 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after trading as high as US$48.41. The global benchmark, May Brent crude shed 73 cents, or 1.4 per cent, at US$51.13 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.

Data from the EIA on Wednesday revealed that US crude supplies rose by 785,000 barrels for the week ended February 28. The government agency had reported increases in each of the previous five weeks.

Analysts polled by S&P Global Platts expected the data to show a rise of 3.5 million barrels. The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a climb of 1.7 million barrels.

The EIA data also showed supply declines of 4.3 million barrels for gasoline and 4 million barrels for distillates. The S&P Global Platts survey had shown expectations for supply declines of 2.8 million barrels for gasoline and 2.4 million barrels for distillates.

On Nymex, April gasoline rose 2.4 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to US$1.5555 a gallon, while April heating oil settled little changed at US$1.5332 a gallon.

April natural gas, meanwhile, rose 2.7 cents, or 1.5 per cent to US$1.827 per million British thermal units.

The EIA also reported that domestic production edged up to a fresh all-time high of 13.1 million barrels a day and “exports from the US climbed to their second highest level on record, suggesting that the US is continuing to capture market share from OPEC+ producers”, said Tyler Richey, co-editor at Sevens Report Research. “Both of those developments are bearish.”

On Wednesday, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, or JMMC, which monitors compliance with the earlier production-cut agreement, held a gathering, ahead of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member meeting Thursday and the member meeting with allied non-members, a group collectively known as OPEC+, on Friday.

At a technical meeting last month, OPEC+ recommended extending existing cuts of 1.7 million barrels a day, which conclude at the end of March, to the end of the year, and suggested a further output adjustment through the end of the second quarter.

On Wednesday, however, the de facto leader of OPEC, Saudi Arabia, and non-member Russia were reportedly at odds, with the Saudis pushing for an additional supply reduction as large as 1.5 million barrels a day, while Russia favours maintaining output at the current level through the end of the second quarter, Bloomberg News reported, citing comments from delegates.

“The market needs curtailment of one million daily barrels, and Russia’s reluctance to join is weighing in,” said Manish Raj, chief financial officer at Velandera Energy. “A total breakdown of the OPEC+ alliance is not expected, but Russia’s lack of participation in additional cuts is a possibility and would put OPEC in an awkward position of having to decide between cutting all alone and allowing oil prices to decline further.”

Oil prices did get a boost on news that Chinese factories are restarting and traffic is emerging on the roads, said Raj. “As China gets back on its feet, oil producers take a sigh of relief that the impact of the coronavirus is short-lived.”

Still, the viral outbreak has shut down swathes of China’s economy, one of the biggest importers of crude oil, and the spread of the deadly disease also threatens to have a pronounced impact on global demand because economists fear that the outbreak could lead to a world-wide recession if left unchecked.

“We’ve seen some strong responses already from the various monetary authorities in recent days and some governments have also announced some bold measures, with others likely to follow,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, in a Wednesday research report, referring to measures by central banks to limit the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China in December and has sickened around 92,000 worldwide. (MarketWatch.ocm)

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

17

Around the World

Coronavirus death toll jumps to 107 in Italy, all schools shut I

taly closed all schools and universities and prepared other emergency measures on Wednesday to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Europe’s worsthit country as the death toll and number of cases jumped.

The total number of dead in Italy rose to 107 after 28 people died of the highly contagious virus over the past 24 hours, the Civil Protection Agency said.

Education Minister Lucia Azzolina said schools and universities all over the country would be closed from today until at least March 15. Only those in the northern regions most

heavily affected by the epidemic have been closed so far.

The number of cases since the outbreak surfaced 13 days ago rose to 3089 from 2502 on Tuesday. Of those who contracted the disease, about 3.5 per cent had died, the Head of the Protection Agency, Angelo Borrelli, said.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told reporters the Government was preparing a decree to try to slow infections which have been rising by about 500 per day.

“Our hospitals, despite their efficiency, risk being overwhelmed; we have a problem with Intensive Care Units,” Conte said,

The total number of dead in Italy rose to 107 after 28 people died of the highly contagious virus over 24 hours, the Civil Protection Agency said

adding he would outline the new measures later on Wednesday.

A draft of the decree seen by Reuters orders “the suspension of events of any nature ... that entail the concentration of people and do not allow for a safety distance of at least one metre (yard) to be respected.”

It calls for the closure of cinemas and theatres and tells Italians not to shake hands or hug each other and to avoid “direct physical contact with all people”.

It also orders all major sporting events, including top flight Serie A soccer matches, to be played in empty stadiums. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Greta Thunberg brands Super Tuesday: Biden seals comeback with EU’s new climate string of victories, gains law “surrender”

S

wedish teen activist Greta Thunberg has rebuked the European Union’s plan for tackling climate change, telling MEPs it amounts to “surrender”.

Thunberg spoke in Brussels on Wednesday as the EU unveiled a proposed law for reducing carbon emissions.

If passed, the law would make it a legal requirement for the EU to be carbon neutral by 2050.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the law as the “heart of the European Green Deal”.

But 17-year-old Thunberg dismissed the law as “empty words”, accusing the EU of “pretending” to be a leader on climate change.

“When your house is on fire, you don’t wait a few more years to start putting it out. And yet this is what the Commission is proposing today,” Thunberg told the European Parliament’s environment committee.

She said the law, which would give the EU Commission more powers to set tougher carbon reduction goals, did not go far enough.

Bloomberg endorsement

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Greta Thunberg accused the EU of “pretending” to tackle climate change

The law, Thunberg said, was an admission that the EU was “giving up” on the Paris agreement – a deal which committed 197 nations to greenhouse gas reductions.

“This climate law is surrender. Nature doesn’t bargain, and you cannot make deals with physics”, the activist said.

She said its Green Deal package of measures would give the world “much less than a 50 per cent chance” to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Countries signed up to the Paris climate deal have agreed to “endeavour to limit” global temperatures below 1.5 Celsius. (Excerpt from BBC News)

oe Biden has won nine of the 14 states that voted to pick a Democratic White House candidate on Super Tuesday, a remarkable rebound for his campaign.

The former US Vice President overturned predictions to narrowly take the key state of Texas from his main challenger, Bernie Sanders.

However, Sanders is projected to win California -- the biggest prize of the night – as well as three other states.

They lead the race to face Republican President Donald Trump in November.

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent more than US$500 million of his own money on his campaign, but did not win a single state. And Senator Elizabeth Warren, once the frontrunner in the race, suffered a humiliating defeat to Biden in her home state of Massachusetts.

Bloomberg has since dropped out of the race and

endorsed Biden. “Three months ago, I entered the race for President to defeat Donald Trump. Today, I am leaving the race for the same reason,” he said in a statement.

Super Tuesday awards more than 1300 of the 1991 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic White House nomination in July.

As things stand, Biden has 402 delegates and Sanders 314. However, results from California, which has 415 delegates, could affect the current standing.

Only last month, Biden’s campaign was all but written off by some observers after he finished a poor fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary.

But on Tuesday, Biden won Texas – the second biggest state with 228 delegates – along with Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. (Excerpt from BBC News)

6 killed in attack on Nigeria military base

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rmed assailants killed four Police Officers and two civilian militiamen in an attack on a military base in north-east Nigeria’s Borno state on Wednesday.

Suspected Boko Haram fighters in trucks fitted with machine guns launched the dawn raid on the army base in the town of Damboa, sparking intense fighting.

“We lost four mobile Policemen and two civilian militia fighting alongside

soldiers during the fight with the terrorists,” said a military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Anti-armed group leader Ibrahim Liman confirmed the death toll, after supporting soldiers during the attack.

Local resident Modu Malari said the assailants attacked with assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, but were forced out from the town by troops after a fierce twohour battle.

More than 50 residents were wounded by shrapnel from grenades fired by the rebels, he said.

Damboa lies on the fringe of Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold, from where the group has launched repeated attacks on villages and military posts.

In November last year, at least 10 Nigerian soldiers were killed and nine injured in a Boko Haram ambush in Muchima village, outside Damboa.

Boko Haram’s campaign began in 2009 and has displaced more than 2.2 million people across Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon since, with no signs of slowing down despite counterattacks by a joint multinational force across borders.

Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), a Boko Haram faction, has also gone on a spree of violence, attacking military formations in those countries.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Make your surroundings comfortable. Look at real estate or make adjustments that will ensure a secure future. If you explain your choices to a loved one, you will gain valuable perspective.

Be receptive, and opportunities will unfold. Make a change that will update your image and provide the boost you need to do your own thing. Romance is featured.

Listen to someone before you respond or make a promise. If you are sincere about your needs, favors will come your way. Don’t, however, ask what will be required of you in return.

It’s time to incorporate a new philosophy, lifestyle or attitude into your routine. Set new goals and get started. An emotional matter should not be allowed to lead you astray.

A message you receive will lead to a revelation or change of heart. Don’t withhold information. Share your feelings and map out your plans.

Don’t let emotional matters interfere with work.

Make partnerships a priority. Work to find the best way to handle what’s unfolding and take control. Set a specific course that pushes you toward success.

You may have a creative idea, but you’ll need to use charm and the power of persuasion to get others to share your enthusiasm and vision. Communication is key.

Embark on a physical or mental journey that will change the way you think and how you live. Don’t let personal problems interfere with your destiny. Do what’s best for you.

Examine your finanSAGITTARIUS cial situation. Collect or pay (Nov. 23off debts. Stress relief will Dec. 21) change how you handle personal matters. Don’t get angry with someone for making an honest mistake.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

A career change looks promising. Use your ingenuity and make things happen. Be confident and assertive when making your case.

Someone close to you may feel insecure, so include him or her in your success.

AQUARIUS

You will learn something valuable that will help you choose a direction more suited to your personality and qualifications. An honest answer will be what counts if you want to gain approval.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Listen to others and respond respectfully. You’ll have an impact on the way things unfold if you are kind and offer common sense.

Make a physical change.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

19

NBA round-up:

points to lead the 76ers, and Tobias Harris added 18.

The Lakers outshot the Sixers 53.5 percent to 44.7 percent from the floor.

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aris LeVert scored a career-high 51 points, 37 from the fourth quarter on, as the Brooklyn Nets rallied from 21 points down to stun the host Boston Celtics 129-120 in overtime Tuesday.

LeVert shot 17 of 26 from the field and scored all 11 of the Nets’ points in the extra period as they overcame 21 turnovers to snap a four-game losing streak. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 16 points off the bench for Brooklyn.

Jaylen Brown had 22 points, and Kemba Walker scored 21 in his return from five games missed with a knee injury for the Celtics, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 16-18.

The Nets scored a franchise-record 51 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 71-50 deficit with 6:28 left in the third quarter. They entered the fourth down 84-67.

Los Angeles Lakers 120Philadelphia 76ers 107

Anthony Davis had 37 points, 13 rebounds and four steals as Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia, who lost its ninth consecutive road game.

Davis converted 13 of 19 shots from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. LeBron James contributed 22 points for the Lakers, who have won nine of their last 10 games. The 76ers lost their ninth straight road game.

Glenn Robinson III scored 25

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he words ‘cancellation’ or ‘postponement’ were not mentioned during an International Olympic Committee meeting focusing on preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games amid the coronavirus outbreak, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) attends a news conference after an Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Bach was speaking at the end of the two-day meeting at the organization’s headquarters.

The meeting included a report from Tokyo Games organizers that earned praise from Bach.

Asked what made him so con-

Los Angeles Clippers 109Oklahoma City Thunder 94

Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points to lift Los Angeles to a win at Oklahoma City.

The victory was the fifth consecutive for the Clippers, their second-longest winning streak of the season. During the streak, Los Angeles has averaged 120.6 points per game.

The Thunder have dropped back-to-back games.

Dennis Schroder led Oklahoma City with 24 points, including 13 in the first half.

Minnesota Timberwolves 139New Orleans Pelicans 134

Malik Beasley scored 28 points and D’Angelo Russell added 23 to lead eight Minnesota players in double figures during a win at New Orleans.

James Johnson scored 19, Juancho Hernangomez had 16, rookie Naz Reid had his first double-double with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for Minnesota, which made 14 of 34 3-point attempts and shot 55.7 percent from the floor. Jordan McLaughlin scored 13 points, and Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie had 11 each.

Jrue Holiday had 27 points and 12 assists, Lonzo Ball scored 26, rookie Zion Williamson scored 25, Brandon Ingram had 24, Josh Hart 11 and Derrick Favors contributed 10 apiece for the Pelicans.

fident the Games would go ahead, Bach said the IOC and 2020 Games organizers were receiving expert information, including from the World Health Organization.

“I can tell you in the meeting of the IOC Executive Board (that) neither the word ‘cancellation’ nor the word ‘postponement’ was mentioned,” Bach told reporters.

The coronavirus outbreak so far has infected tens of thousands of people globally and killed more than 3,000.

Japan’s confirmed coronavirus infections rose above 1,000 on Wednesday, most of them from a quarantined cruise liner. Twelve people have died in the country, six from the ship.

The outbreak has also prompted the cancellation or postpone-

San Antonio Spurs 104 Charlotte Hornets 103

San Antonio overcame a horrid beginning without its coach and then held on without scoring in the final two minutes of a narrow victory over host Charlotte.

With Spurs coach Gregg Popovich missing the game, the Spurs received 21 points from Dejounte Murray to win a night after a home loss to Indiana. Terry Rozier topped the Hornets with 20 points.

Popovich was absent from the game due to what the team termed as personal business. Assistant coach Tim Duncan, a legendary former player for San Antonio, directed the Spurs.

Toronto Raptors 123Phoenix Suns 114

Pascal Siakam scored 33 points, and visiting Toronto rallied past Phoenix to end a three-game losing streak.

The Raptors trailed by 17 points during the second quarter and were behind by seven at halftime before taking a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Kyle Lowry added 28 points for the Raptors, who have won six straight meetings with the Suns.

Devin Booker scored 22 points for Phoenix, who have lost four straight.

Golden State Warriors 116Denver Nuggets 11

Andrew Wiggins had 22 points and 10 assists as visiting Golden State beat Denver.

Eric Paschall also scored 22 while Marquese Chriss scored 16

ment of numerous major international sporting events and raised concerns about the Tokyo Olympics which are due to start on July 24.

Among those events affected are several Olympic qualifiers that were due to take place in the coming weeks and months but have had to be delayed or canceled.

“We have challenges now with the Olympic qualifications,” Bach said.

“It is challenging, yes, but I must also say I am pretty proud of the Olympic movement and of the great solidarity and flexibility everybody has shown to address these challenges and to ensure fair qualifications.”

Bach said it was not the first time the Olympics were in trouble

Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) drives against Boston Celtics point guard Carsen Edwards (4) during overtime at TD Garden (USA TODAY Sports)

points, Mychal Mulder and Jordan Poole had 15 apiece, and Dragan Bender added 14 for Golden State.

The Warriors outscored Denver 67-36 to end the game to get just their seventh road win of the season.

Denver’s Paul Millsap had 18 points and nine rebounds in his return to the lineup after sitting out one game due to an ankle injury. Will Barton also had 18 points.

Nikola Jokic finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Sacramento Kings 133Washington Wizards 126

Harry Giles III broke a late tie

with consecutive baskets as host Sacramento beat Washington.

De’Aaron Fox had a team-high 31 points for the Kings, who led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter before blowing it in a third period that saw Sacramento head coach Luke Walton ejected.

The Wizards used a 46-point third-quarter explosion to rally into a 95-all tie and the game was deadlocked at 97 and 99 before Giles’ two big baskets gave the Kings the lead for good.

Washington’s Bradley Beal finished with 35 points and eight assists. (Reuters)

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (Reuters)

months before the Games. Since 1896 the Games have only been canceled for the two World Wars.

“We had (before the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games) a situation where we did not know if we could have Games on the Korean peninsula (because of tensions with North Korea),” he said.

“Before Rio de Janeiro 2016 we were talking about the Zika virus.

“Boycott discussions about Moscow 1980, we had the counter-boycott in Los Angeles 1984.

We had a terrorist attack in Munich in 1972. We had the African boycott in 1976. You need more?” (Reuters)

20

M

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

anchester City overcame a spirited Sheffield Wednesday to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and stay on course for a domestic and European cup treble.

Fresh from their Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley, holders City moved into the last eight of the FA Cup as Sergio Aguero’s 23rd goal of the season saw off their Championship opponents at Hillsborough.

Up until the Argentine found the net with a strong left-foot finish, City had been frustrated by a stubborn Wednesday defensive performance.

Nicolas Otamendi and Benjamin Mendy both hit the bar when the tie was goalless yet City, who dominated possession, had to wait 48 minutes before they managed a shot on target.

Wednesday have endured a wretched run of form and although City keeper Claudio Bravo did not have a save to make, they at least ensured they were not embarrassed.

Aguero, who scored in the 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Aston Villa on Sunday, has now scored 20 FA Cup goals in 22 ties since joining City in 2011.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Leicester City needle Birmingham

Ricardo Pereira’s late header sent Leicester into the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of inform Championship side Birmingham.

The full-back guided Marc Albrighton’s cross past Lee Camp to settle the tie just when it looked as if extra time was inevitable.

The Foxes - who had not scored in the previous four games - fully deserved their first victory in six matches.

James Maddison had earlier gone close to breaking the deadlock when his 25-yard shot hit the crossbar.

Norwich squeeze past Tottenham

Tim Krul was the hero by saving two penalties as Norwich beat Tottenham in a shootout after a 1-1 draw to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 28 years.

Norwich were on the back foot in the penalty shootout when Kenny McLean’s first kick was saved by Michel Vorm, but Erik Lamela hit the crossbar for Spurs with Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes seeing their efforts pushed away by Krul.

The Dutch goalkeeper,

Ricardo Pereira (21) heads in a late goal for Leicester (Nick Potts)

who took his time to set himself before each kick, sprinted to the opposite side of the ground to celebrate with the 9,000 joyous travelling supporters in the away end.

Spurs’ opener seemed a long time ago, going in front after 13 minutes through Jan Vertonghen, as the Belgium defender rose rose

highest to powerfully head in from Giovani lo Celso’s superb cross.

But they were forced back by Norwich as the visitors caused plenty of problems - Emiliano Buendia and Lukas Rupp both forcing stand-in goalkeeper Vorm into making sharp saves.

Having looked like being left frustrated, the Canaries got a deserved equaliser on 78 minutes as Josip Drmic bundled in from close range after Vorm has spilled Kenny McLean’s drive.

At the other end, the hosts could have won it with five minutes of normal time remaining but Serge Aurier

saw his low shot cleared off the line by the retreating Ben Godfrey. With no further goals in extra-time, Norwich made it a night to remember.

Daniel Farke’s side will face the winner of Thursday’s tie between Derby and Manchester United in the next round. (BBC Sport)

W

indies T20 Captain Kieron Pollard is very aware that while his side cruised to victory against Sri Lanka in the first game of a T20 series in Pallekele could have gone very differently had Andre Russell not bowled Kusal Perera in the 18th over.

The West Indies won the game by 25 runs after scoring an imposing 196-4 on the back of Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten 67 and 30s from Brandon King (33), Russell (35) and Pollard (34).

It almost wasn’t enough, as Kusal counter-attacked brilliantly, slamming 66 from 38 deliveries, despite Oshane Thomas’ soul-crushing 5-28.

Wanindu Hasaranga was also dangerous against the West Indies, scoring 44 from 34 deliveries, to keep the run chase alive after helping his recover from 56-5 in the sixth over.

While Pollard understands that Kusal was dangerous and could be so again, he was not yet willing to divulge what his bowlers needed to do hold on to a more West Indies Captain Kieron Pollard powerful position.

“I’ll tell you our plan to Kusal Perera after the next game, he’s obviPollard also thought highly of Rovman ously their mainstay,” he said.

Powell’s performance with the ball.

Rather, Pollard wanted to focus on the efPowell removed Hasaranga in the 16th fort the team put into creating a fairly com- over, trapping him leg before and changing fortable victory in the end. the course of the game, as well as Thisara Thomas came in for some praise, with Perera, who was also scoring quickly when he Pollard speaking about the work he had put had him caught by Sheldon Cottrell. in recently after questions arose about his fit“We had an unsung hero in Rovman Powell ness. with the ball late in the innings,” said Pollard, “Total team effort, Oshane Thomas bril- recognizing that the efforts of Thomas and liant, he has been doing hard work back home Simmons may have overshadowed the alland it’s showing,” said Pollard. rounder’s contribution. (Sportsmax)

England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane

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ottenham and England striker Harry Kane insists he will be fit for Euro 2020 and hopes to return next month.

The 26-year-old has not played since rupturing a tendon in his left hamstring at Southampton on 1 January.

The severity of the injury necessitated surgery, leading to concerns about the England captain’s involvement in Euro 2020, which begins on 12 June.

But Kane said: “Unless something pretty drastic happens between now and then, I’ll be there.”

Kane, Tottenham’s leading scorer for the past five seasons, has resumed light training at Spurs ahead of schedule but will miss England’s home friendlies against Italy and Denmark this month.

“I’m still not back training with the first team, but I’m working hard in the gym, I’m getting stronger all the time,” he told the Evening Standard.

“We’re talking a few more weeks, and I’ll be playing again. I don’t want to make a prediction for which game I might be back, but I am hoping somewhere between the start and the middle of April.”

Kane was the leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup when England reached the semi-finals.

He is sixth in the all-time England goalscoring list, with 32 in 45 appearances.

The first match for Gareth Southgate’s team in Euro 2020 is against Croatia at Wembley on 14 June and Kane said: “In my head, I am definitely at the Euros.” (BBC Sport)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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Dear Sir, lease be informed that contrary to a statement made in your daily edition on the 4th of March by Mr Anand Sanasie, I, in my capacity as President of the Berbice Cricket Board, has never been involved in the selection of officials for matches in Berbice.

All officials are selected by the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association with no input from me or the BCB. Venues are selected by the BCB. A simple phone call to the Association President, Joseph Simon or Hilbert Foster Secretary, Moses Ramphal can confirm this. In the past, the Board had always selected match officials for semis and finals, but even this was stopped by my administration and placed in the hands of the Umpires Association.

On the point of venues, they are always selected with the main objectives of promoting the game at the grass-root level and also to avoid home advantage to any one team. Finals have been played at several venues across Berbice including Bush Lot, Canje, Cumberland. Fyrish, Albion, Port Mourant, No 69, No 72, Crabwood Creek, and Cotton Tree among others.

My club, the RHTY&SC has been involved in over 20 finals since my election as BCB President in 2018 and only two of those finals have been played at the Area H Ground, our home venue. Surely, if I was thinking about my club’s own interest, then much more would have been played there. What is even, more amazing is that we lost those two finals at home while we won 20 playing at Fyrish, Albion, Port Mourant, No 69, Cumberland and Hampshire. Home advantage is not important when you have full confidence in your own skills on the cricket field.

The GCB should take a page out of our book and start playing inter-county matches out of Demerara. Why in heaven’s name must one county have all the home advantage in inter-county tournaments along with umpires that are from that county as well.

Bring the Demerara players to Albion, Cumberland, Bush Lot or Port Mourant and let them know how to play away from home. The BCB would be willing to assist with funds if that is a problem. Those grounds have been used for the GCB franchise matches and as such, should be good enough for Under-15, Under-17 , Under-19 and female matches.

I want to make it quite clear that I did not approach the media to make a statement about umpiring, but rather a journalist called me to ask my views about the questionable decisions against Berbice in the Under-17 tournament. That same journalist had reported on the sad standard of the umpiring in his report of the match. By the way, it does not matter how hard a person work to qualify themselves ,what is important is the way they do their job on the cricket field, by being fair to everyone After all, they are paid handsomely to umpire after they qualify, it is not a voluntary position. Some of the worst umpiring decisions on a cricket field are made by the most qualified. Qualifications have nothing to do with fairness. I wish to reassure all umpires in Guyana that I have the highest regard for them and respect their contributions to the game.

In closing, I would like to ask if umpires are above the law that no one can question them.

On television, we hear commentators questioning them; we see bad decisions been overturned on review and in some cases, players show their frustrations for the public to see.

As President of the BCB, I would always put my county’s interest first and speak out when necessary. I would also work every day to lift Berbice cricket higher ,to make sure that every youth is given the chance to fulfil their own skills and to always represent the interest of all our players without thinking about personal reward, the colour of their skin, texture of their hair or which club they come from.

My sole aim in cricket is to make a positive difference, to offer youths an alternative to the evil ways of Satan and nothing else.

Hilbert Foster, BCB President

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Kieron Pollard

est Indies marked Captain Kieron Pollard's 500th T20 game with a dominant victory over Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Pollard became the first player to feature in 500 T20 matches and surpassed 10,000 runs in the format in Pallekele as the Windies cruised to a 25-run win.

The only other T20 series contested by the Windies this year ended in a 1-1 draw with Ireland. However, on this occasion, the reigning T20 world champions provided compelling evidence they could defend their title later this year.

Oshane Thomas took a remarkable 5-28, the third-best figures in the team's T20I history, as Sri Lanka fell well shy of the visitors' 196-4 despite Kusal Perera's 66 off 38 balls.

Lendl Simmons had led the way with the bat for the tourists in the first game of a two-match series; his unbeaten 67 off 51 balls included seven fours and a pair of sixes. Andre Russell cleared the rope four times in a quickfire 35 off 14 before Pollard, whose jersey was adorned with the number 500, added further impetus with 34 off 15 to help the Windies to their highest T20I score against Sri Lanka.

The hosts' hopes of reaching 197 quickly wilted in the face of a devastating bowling performance from Thomas, who had Avishka Fernando caught behind in the second over. Shehan Jayasuriya followed with the next delivery and, though Thomas was unable to claim a hat-trick, Kusal Mendis' exit made it three in four balls for the seamer.

That left Sri Lanka on 17-3, but Kusal Perera and Angelo Mathews steadied the innings before the latter picked out a running Russell at midwicket. Dasun Shanaka was done for pace as Thomas made it a five-for, yet Kusal Perera's stand of 87 with Wanindu Hasaranga (44 off 34) gave Sri Lanka hope.

However, the Windies correctly reviewed an lbw shout against Hasaranga, and Kusal Perera was removed six balls later as Russell struck with a near-perfect yorker. Thisara Perera (11) did offer fleeting resistance, but was caught at deep square leg by Sheldon Cottrell who, after Pollard had fittingly taken a diving catch to remove Isuru Udana, rounded things off by cleaning up Lasith Malinga. (Sportsmax)

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uyana experienced mixed fortunes with their male and female teams in some challenging sets at the InterGuianas Under-21 volleyball tournament in Cayenne, French Guiana from February 27-29.

This encounter saw the Guyana males drawing first blood 2225, 25-16, 22-25, 26-24, and 15-11. Owing to fatigue after spending three days in Suriname to uplift visas, coupled with the fact that bedtime was permissible until 03:00h on the first night, in French Guiana, it was seen that the Guyanese males faltered in the second encounter with Suriname. They lost 3-1 sets, 2522, 26-24, 22-25 and 25-23. When the aggregate of points was checked, Suriname and French Guiana were the teams who had qualified for the final. However, the Suriname setter suffered an ailment and had to be taken to hospital for treatment; as such, French Guiana had an easy victory.

In the female category, after having to play upon arrival following a tiring seven-hour journey, the Guyanese women went under to French Guiana 3 to 0. Against Suriname, they put up a better fight but went down 3 to 0 again, with the score reading 25-23, 26-24, 25-17. Kristoff Sheppard was the only recipient of an award for best server.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Head of Guyanese volleyball, Levi Nedd said, "I am not complaining because we lost, but tiredness was a major factor. I feel that we could have done better and as such, better preparation should have been made. I am still proud of the team; they are young and I know they gave their all, mentally and physically. The females did better than last year as well, but I would like us to have a bigger selection of players to choose from, so that when competitions come, we can have that pool to select from; that is what we will focus on this year."

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Hurricanes motivated by presence of Cornwall, Powell Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

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uyana Jaguars will have their tails up after a commanding seven-wicket win in their last round against Jamaica Scorpions inside three days. The five-time defending champions will meet the Leeward Islands Hurricanes today, Thursday, March 5 from 09:30h at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Chandrapaul Hemraj, who is nursing an injury to his quad and is expected to return for the next round, has made way for Tevin Imlach in the familiar Jaguars 13-man squad, which is welcoming newly-appointed Assistant Coach/ Manager Julian Moore. Jaguars are in second with 79 points while the Hurricanes are on 40.6 points. Jaguars had inflicted a 10-wicket thrashing on the Hurricanes, but over the past seasons, these teams have played in dramatic matches.

The most recent came last season when Hurricanes defeated Jaguars by two wickets at Providence. Despite the Hurricanes not being at their peak this season, they have the record of defeating the Jaguars twice in their last three matches at Providence. On the eve of the match as both teams made their final preparations, Hurricanes Assistant Coach and Manager, Wilden Cornwall shared his sentiments on what promises to be an exciting contest.

Coach Cornwall disclosed that the team played four days of really good cricket the last time these teams met. “We have also played some good cricket against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in St Kitts and we are looking to take this same momentum in this Guyana game,” Cornwall noted.

With the likes of Kieran Powell and Rahkeem Cornwall in the team, the entire Hurricanes squad are motivated.

“Well, any team will be motivated by these guys (Cornwall and Powell), especially the younger guys. Cornwall and Powell add a lot of value to the team,” the Hurricanes Assistant Coach/Manager Wilden Cornwall explained. Sharing his sentiments on the pitch, Cornwall highlighted that it was a working pitch: “whatever you put in that, is what you’re going to get out. I see a lot of grass on the pitch, which is a good sign; may the better team win,” Cornwall concluded.

The premier spinners from opposing sides will be in focus.

Veerasammy Permaul has been this season’s leading bowler so far and West Indies off-spinner Cornwall has jumped into prominence in just four matches, having missed the first two games of the season because of injury.

Jaguars’ leading run scorer this season is Christopher

Barnwell, who has 376 runs followed by skipper Leon Johnson, who has 362 runs.

Permaul has 45 wickets followed by Nial Smith, who has 19. For the Hurricanes, former West Indies opener Powell has 376 runs while Amir Jangoo has 276.

Cornwall leads the bowling charts Top wicket-taker Veerasammy for Hurricanes with 23 wickets while Permaul will be in focus Regional Super50 top bowler Sheno Berridge has 18 wickets.

Squads: JAGUARS: Leon Johnson (Captain); Christopher Barnwell; Anthony Bramble, Kieran Powell batting on the eve of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin the clash Imlach, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair, Vishaul Singh, and Nial Smith.

Esuan Crandon is the Coach and Julian Moore, Assistant Coach/Manager.

IN – Imlach; OUT – Chandrapaul Hemraj HURRICANES: Jahmar Hamilton (Captain); Sheno Berridge; Keacy Carty; Rahkeem Cornwall; Montcin Hodge; Amir Jangoo; Jeremiah Louis; Kian Rahkeem Pemberton; Adelvin Phillip; Cornwall in Kieran Powell; Ross Powell; watchful mode Akeem Saunders and Terance Warde.

IN – Carty, Phillip, Saunders; OUT – Nino Henry, Jaison Peters, Devon Thomas UMPIRES: Nigel Duguid, Christopher Taylor (Jamaica) M A T C H REFEREE: Reon King R E S E R V E Assistant Coach/Manager Chandrapaul Hemraj Tevin Imlach UMPIRE: Javed Hurricanes Wilden Cornwall Persaud

Sangeeta Sawh; Temika Wilson; Afifa Wickham; Jahavi Tularam and Letisha Jordon with Kavita Yadram (Player/ Manager) and Coach Ryan Hercules.

Essequibo: Kumarie Persaud; Divine Rossi; Petra Hoppie; Roxanne Hendricks; Elyina Peterson; Teotia Feliz; Lavina Ragobeer; Nathaly Chaitram; Rhona Jones; Navika Narine; Onicia Story and Natisha Hendricks with Coach Nandkishore Andrews and Manager Debra Daniels.

Defending champions Berbice! (Brandon Corlette photo) Berbice: Marian he 2020 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Samaroo; Erva Superbet Senior Female Inter-County Giddings; Tremayne Smartt (Vice Captain); Tournament, scheduled to commence Shabika Gajnabi (Captain); Kantana today, March 5, 2020, will follow the 50-over Mentore; Devona Frank; Dian Prahalad; format, with the Select Under-19 engag- Oma Matadin; Palffina Millington; Sherika ing Berbice at the Everest Cricket Ground Campbelle; Trisha Hardat; Aleema Arokium; while Demerara challenge Essequibo at the Kassie Munroe and Kimmone Thomas with Enmore Community Centre Ground.

Manager Angela Haniff and Coach Winston The Everest Ground is designated for the Smith. launching of the competition, which will beSelect U-19: Sarah Amin, Shemkia gin at 09:00h sharp, after which the tourna- Edwards, Niveena Ramnauth, Analisa ment will begin at 09:30h. The teams are as D’Aguiar, Lisa Charles, Ashmini Munisar, follows: Naomi Barkoye, Hemwantie Mohabir, Demerara: Akaze Thompson (Captain); Juliana Grimmond, Jamie Campbell, Mandy Mangru (Vice Captain); Lashuna Tiae Isaace, Tilleya Madramotoo, Vinta Toussaint (wicketkeeper); Lotoya Smith; Balkishun, Keshna Boodnall and Ariana Heema Singh; Afruica Gentle; Keysia Bukhan with Coach Clive Grimmond and Schultz; Kesha Fraxer; Haseena Mohamed; Manager Yogeeta Balkishun. (GCB)

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he Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) continues its preparation for the 2020 Carifta junior chess championships, this time with an Under-16 qualifying tournament. With four of the country’s top U-16 players already qualified for the national team, the others will have a chance to grab one of the other 36 places available. Guyana while hosting the event will be putting together a strong contingent of 120 players for the six tournaments which make up the regional championships.

The Under-16 tournament is being hosted with the intention to identify 36 more players from that age group who will be handed the opportunity to compete in the CARIFTA A glimpse of the mind-probing action at Providence Junior Chess Championships slated for Guyana in April. the top three currently, also sitting on four Hosted by the GCF, in collaboration with points.

Caribbean Surgeries Inc, the tournament has On three points are Marian Academy’s seen participation from approximately 40 play- Alexia Mc Adam and QC’s Alex Pires. St ers from Marian Academy, Queen’s College, the Joseph’s Gillysa Hamilton, Bishops’ Anasie Bishops’ High School, St Stanislaus College, St Fredericks, Hinterland Dorm’s Gideon Jacobs, Joseph High, Saraswati Vidya Niketan and the School of the Nations’ Joshua Khan and Tuschen Deaf Academy.

Marian Academy’s Manav Sharma, who all Gareth Da Silva is currently the man in the have three wins under their belts from the four lead with four points from four rounds played. rounds played.

The Marian Academy student stunned his felAleem Baseer of the Tuschen Deaf low competitors by keeping his slate clean Academy, in spite of adversity, is romping with when play began last Saturday. the highly-experienced players, sitting on two Also, on four points is Da Silva’s school- points to round off the current top ten. mate Ronan Lee. Nothing less was expected of The Under-16 competition will continue Lee, who dominated the Mae’s Under-14 tour- this Saturday at the National Stadium, with nament two weekends ago, copping first place. three rounds remaining and the championQueen’s College’s Kishan Puran rounded off ships wide open.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

West Indies v Sri Lanka T20I Series

…Pollard plays 500th T20, passes 10,000 runs

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endl Simmons batted through the innings, while Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard clobbered Sri Lanka through the middle overs to propel West Indies to a commanding score in Pallekele. Despite a half-century from Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka couldn't get close - they lost five wickets, all to Oshane Thomas inside the Powerplay. And although Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga did their best to revive the innings, Sri Lanka had lost too much ground against the new ball.

Thomas blasts out the top five

West Indies had an intimidating score on the board, but still there was bowling to be done, and Oshane Thomas settled this match inside the first five overs. It wasn't the most accurate spell. All up Thomas bowled seven wides. But it was fast and it was hostile, and even on a decent batting track, Sri Lanka's batsmen (aside from Kusal Perera) could not counter him. Avishka Fernando was the first to be dismissed, by a 140kph bouncer that got big on him, and which he could only top edge to the wicketkeeper. Shehan Jayasuriya was out next ball, chasing a short wide one that he top-edged to third man. Later in that same over, Kusal Mendis would be dismissed as well, when he tried to shovel a leg-side bouncer over his shoulder and could only get glove to it.

Next over, Angelo Mathews holed out trying to bash Thomas over the legside, and Dasun Shanaka went too far across and had his leg stump disturbed by a full delivery. Thomas wasn't even required to bowl a fourth over. He'd done enough damage with the new ball to swing the game, picking up figures of 5 for 28

Russell and Pollard go big

Andre Russell was playing his first T20 international in 20 months. Pollard was playing his 500th T20 game. Together they turned what seemed like it was going to be a good total into a downright commanding one, Russell walloping 35 off 14 balls, before Pollard blasted 34 off 15.

So good was the platform the openers had laid that Russell was sent in at No. 4, in the 13th over.

He scored only one run off his first three balls, before his innings took off against Sri Lanka's wristspinners. He smoked two sixes and a four off Lakshan Sandakan, and two sixes and a four off Wanindu Hasaranga in the next over, to seriously raise West Indies' tempo. He was dismissed by an outstanding Lasith Malinga yorker, but Pollard came in immediately after to ensure no momentum was lost. Pollard was especially good against his Mumbai Indians teammate Malinga, whose last over he reaped three fours from. He hit two other sixes in his innings.

Simmons ties the innings together

Before Dre Russ and Pollard could begin their bruising innings', Lendl Simmons had laid the groundwork. He was imperious behind square on the offside early in his innings, lacing boundaries between point and third man, before in the final over of the Powerplay, he exploded against Isuru Udana, bludgeoning two sixes over square leg, and two fours through the off side, to reap 20 runs off the over. While Simmons got the innings cooking, Brandon King warmed up too, and joined him for a 74-run partnership off 50 balls, after which a big West Indies score always Oshane Thomas and Shimron Hetmyer celebrates seemed likely. When the bigger hitters came in, Simmons wisely just strove to turn over the strike. He batted through the innings, but hit his last boundary in the 10th over. Only five of the balls he faced in the second half of the innings were dots, however.

Kusal Perera and Wanindu Hasaranga give Sri Lanka mild hope

Perera had just got married on Tuesday, but was in the saddle with the Sri Lanka team on Wednesday, producing their best innings. Having opened, he was the only Sri Lanka batsman who seemed to have the measure of Thomas in the early overs, and would hit confident boundaries square on either side of the pitch, to have Sri Lanka in touch with the required rate through

Team West Indies

the Powerplay.

He eventually joined forces with Hasaranga, who hit sumptuous early boundaries square on the offside, and got settled into a smart innings. The pair's partnership was worth 87 off 57 balls, but they were dismissed seven balls apart.

Perera made 66 off 38 and Hasaranga 44 off 34. There was hope for Sri Lanka while they stayed together, but it unraveled quickly after they were parted.

Powell locks up the middle overs

though Sri Lanka had a fast start, they couldn't quite maintain that tempo, despite set batsmen being in the middle.

Powell would also pick up the wicket of Thisara Perera in his final over.

CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championships

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uyana’s campaign in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championships came to a disappointing end on Wednesday evening as they conceded a 3-0 loss to Haiti in the quarter-final round.

Coming up against the team with the highest goal accumulation in the 2020 tournament, the Guyanese ladies were aware of the difficulty this hurdle would pose. Nonetheless, a starting XI of Anessa O Brien; Jenea Knight; Anaya Johnson; Brianne Desa (Captain); Jessica Myers; Jade Vuyfhuis; Serena Mc Donald; Kiana Khedoo; Nailah Rowe; Shanice Alfred and Audrey Narine was selected to kickstart the quarter-final encounter against Haiti.

With four on the back line, as opposed to five in their highly competitive game against Mexico in the group stage, Guyana managed to hold off Haiti’s top strikers like Valentina Ornis and Dayana Pierre. However, it was the tournament’s highest goal-scorer Melchie Dumornay who blasted the nets for Haiti’s first goal in the 15th minute. It went downhill for Guyana as their goalkeeper Anessa O Brien picked up an injury and had to be substituted in the 22nd.

Coming in to guard the nets was Raven Edwards- Doedall, who did an impressive job at holding on to Haiti’s many shots at the goal. Much commendation

must be given to the Guyanese defence and even the midfield, who worked tirelessly to ensure that Haiti would be restricted. To make matters worse for Guyana’s opponents, they seemed unable to finish their plays, missing the goal by miles on many occasions. One such instance was when Valentina Ornis was within range of the nets and had already beaten the Guyanese keeper, but as fate would have it, Ornis’ kick was much too hard, sailing over the crossbar.

Guyana’s halftime talk seemed to be very effective as they came out all guns blazing in the second segment. Nailah Rowe had the first of Guyana’s real chances when she took a set piece in the 50th minute. The shot was on point, but Haiti’s keeper, Madelina Fleuriot fisted it out of harm’s way.

Dumornay soon returned to continue her one-woman scoring party, as she found the back of the net in the 54th minute for her second goal. The 16-year-old was not quite done as she tucked in the ball a third time for Haiti’s three in the

60th minute, taking her goals in the tournament to 13.

Dumornay is now tied for the career highest goals in the tournament – 14 goals, having scored one goal in her first outing in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships.

Guyana, with minimal ball possession, found it difficult to find the back of the net or even get close to the area, and as such, could not find a reply to Haiti’s dominance.

Haiti have now advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament, along with the USA, who thumped Canada 4-0 and the Dominican Republic, who stunned Jamaica in a 2-1 game.

Part of the reason why the Perera-Hasaranga stand couldn't quite turn into a match-winning one was down to Rovman Powell, who bowled some cheap overs through the middle. He pitched full - of- Lendl Simmons en route to his halften he didn't pitch at all, century delivering low full tosses. Although his bowling seemed innocuous Sri Lanka's batsmen couldn't get him away, his first three overs going for only 16 runs. This meant that al-

SCOREBOARD WIA Fernando c †Pooran West Indies Innings (Maximum 20 Overs) b Thomas 7 5 BATSMEN MDKJ Perera † b Russell R B 66 38 LMP Simmons not out GSNFG Jayasuriya c

67 51 Cottrell b Thomas 0 1 BA King c de Silva BKG Mendis c †Pooran b Sandakan b Thomas 0 2 33 25 AD Mathews c Russell N Pooran † c Fernando b Thomas 10 8 b de Silva 14 12 MD Shanaka b Thomas 2 8 AD Russell b Malinga PWH de Silva lbw

35 14 b Powell 44 34 KA Pollard (c) c Fernando NLTC Perera c Cottrell b Udana 34 15 b Powell 11 7 FA Allen not out

3 3 I Udana c Pollard b Bravo 3 5 SL Malinga (c) b Cottrell 8 6 Extras 10 (b 2, lb 2, w 6) PADLR Sandakan not out 1 1 TOTAL 196/4 (20 Overs, RR: 9.8) Did not bat: SO Hetmyer, R Extras 19 (lb 10, w 9) Powell, DJ Bravo, O Thomas, SS TOTAL- 171 all out (19.1 Cottrell Overs, RR: 8.92) Fall of wickets: 1-74 (Brandon Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Avishka King, 8.2 ov), 2-106 (Nicholas Fernando, 1.3 ov), 2-16 (Shehan Pooran, 12.3 ov), 3-145 (Andre Jayasuriya, 1.4 ov), 3-17 (Kusal Russell, 15.2 ov), 4-190 (Kieron Mendis, 1.6 ov), 4-41 (Angelo Pollard, 19.2 ov) Mathews, 3.6 ov), 5-56 (Dasun Shanaka, 5.6 ov), 6-143 (Wanindu Hasaranga, 15.3 ov), 7-151 (Kusal BOWLING O M R W Perera, 16.3 ov), 8-161 (Thisara SL Malinga 4 0 37 1 Perera, 17.4 ov), 9-168 (Isuru NLTC Perera 3 0 27 0 Udana, 18.1 ov), 10-171 (Lasith AD Mathews 2 0 16 0 Malinga, 19.1 ov) I Udana 3 0 41 1 O M R W PADLR Sandakan 4 0 38 1 BOWLING 2.1 0 14 1 PWH de Silva 4 0 33 1 SS Cottrell O Thomas 3 0 28 5 AD Russell 4 0 33 1 Sri Lanka Innings (Target 197 from 20 Overs) KA Pollard 2 0 25 0 BATSMEN DJ Bravo 4 0 30 1

R B

R Powell

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championships

West Indies v Sri Lanka T20I Series

Page 23

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…Pollard plays 500th T20, passes 10,000 runs Team West Indies

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