Guyanantimes 24 december 2017

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IMF urges review of income tax system guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3432

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Deepened cooperation among South American P7 states needed – Granger

…decades of incremental changes impacting compliance

Opposition Leader hosts Christmas children's party Page 20

Gunmen invade P14 Guyhoc Park home Bagotville gets new $109M P7 bridge …after old bridge started sinking

Lock-ups breakout

…stresses on importance of education Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo poses with children at his office on Church Street, Queenstown, Georgetown where he hosted a children’s party on Saturday.

Children of the Sophia, Gransville and Kuru Kururu communities came out in their numbers and were treated to Christmas goodies and gifts (Carl Croker photo)

GuySuCo sets unrealistic 2018 production target – GAWU

Page 12

Overseas-based couple robbed after leaving CJIA Page 16

…visiting home for Christmas

No sign of 2 escapees – Commander

P13

Drama in National Assembly

Respect is earned by impartiality – Jagdeo to Speaker

P15

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,

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, December 24 – 08:30h-10:00h and Monday, December 25 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, December 24 – 07:40h-09:10h and Monday, December 25 – 08:25h-09:55h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected during the morning hours, with heavy to thundery showers in the afternoon and into the evening. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between North Easterly and East North Easterly from 3.12 metres to 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 08:15h and 20:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.36 metres and 2.39 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:46h and 14:06h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.89 metre respectively.

IMF urges review of income tax system

…decades of incremental changes impacting compliance

A

revealing assessment report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has shed light on deficiencies in tax administration systems in operation in Guyana and other countries in the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The IMF found there is need for revenue authorities to review decades of incremental tax changes that have needlessly complicated personal income tax (PIT) systems. This review, the report notes, must be a fundamental one.

The report, which originated from the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department out of an assessment that began earlier this year, noted that PIT systems “generally comprise multiple allowances and deductions that hamper the implementation of efficient filing (and) payment arrangements; (for example) prefilled tax

GRA CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia

capacities of small and micro businesses. The report notes that this is especially so in low and low-to-middle-income countries.

According to the IMF, tax authorities impose pro-

businesses. In those countries, this initiative is synchronized with the increase of the VAT registration thresholds.”

The report noted the necessity of overall reforms, but observed that authorities are distracted; and, as such, the question of reforms does not receive sufficient attention and resources. It notes that before reforms can take effect, a number of changes must be made.

“Experience shows that adopting this model without strengthening headquarters’ functions, shifting to a functional approach, introducing taxpayer segmentation, improving compliance and performance management, enhancing data exchange, and modernizing IT systems has had limited or no impact on revenue mobilisation,” the report states.

Tax returns in Guyana

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

returns or withholding at source as a final tax.”

“A complex PIT system has two consequences: it deters voluntary compliance (the no-filing rate is above 50 per cent in the region), and it consumes an important workforce to provide immediate assistance, follow-up on no-filers, and enforce collection.”

The report also stated that normal Value Added Tax (VAT) and income tax regimes have not adapted to the limited compliance

portionally higher compliance costs on this segment. In turn, this impacts overall filing and payment rates. A less-than-satisfactory rate of tax collection in Guyana has been highlighted in the past, most notably by the Audit Office of Guyana.

“Only a few countries have introduced, or have planned to introduce, a genuine turnover-based presumptive tax regime with minimal accounting requirements for small

In Guyana, the Auditor General’s 2016 report had revealed that over 70,000 self-employed persons es-

caped the Guyana Revenue Authority’s purview last year.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma had noted that as of December 31, 2016, only 18,337 filed returns.

These income tax returns totalled some $4.045 billion. However, there were 92,326 active self-employed persons registered in the GRA’s database, meaning this sum was derived only from 20 per cent of this category filing their returns.

While GRA’s systemic weaknesses were the highlight of the report, the tax authority, in a statement after the IMF assessment was published, had committed to advancing reforms.

According to manager of the GRA’s Public Relations Unit, Melissa Baird, it was CommissionerGeneral Godfrey Statia who requested an assessment from IMF’s regional Technical Assistance Centre, and some of the issues highlighted are a work in progress.

“In September 2016, CARTAC alerted that such a service (TADAT) was available through the IMF. The IMF did its TADAT assessment, and in its report of May 2017 outlined the GRA’s main strengths and weaknesses.”

“Upon the receipt of the said report, a request was made for a follow-up study to advise on the next steps in modernizing the Authority. This assessment was done in September 2017, and a draft report was submitted in October 2017. Like in the TADAT report, this final report will be made available when released.”

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017

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

Editorial

Highway to Brazil

L

ast week, the Government of Guyana announced grandly: “Construction of the Linden-Lethem road is closer, following the signing of a Complementary Agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding between Guyana and Brazil which created the “Guyana-Brazil Joint Commission to Develop Infrastructure Projects”.

Guyanese have heard about a highway to Brazil being built for so long, its origins have been shrouded in the mists of antiquity. There was, of course, the “cow trail” that had been hacked from the Rupununi to Georgetown in the early decades of the last century, to bring “beef on the hoof” to the coastal markets. Leading a delegation to Brazil in the 1970s, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham raised the possibility of Brazil becoming involved in the highway. Nothing came out of it by the time the PNC departed in 1992.

The win-win scenario for both countries, however, was always clear. For Brazil, the highway would have to culminate with a deep-water harbour on the Atlantic, which would then offer them a faster route to North America and Europe for their industrial goods produced in the city of Manaus, deep in the heart of the Amazon. As it is, the goods take at least weeks to move by river to the eastern Brazilian port of Belem: this would be reduced to a matter of two days to a Guyanese Atlantic port. For Guyana, in addition to earning transit and port charges, northern Brazil would be open to Guyanese exports such as rice and sugar etc.

Most importantly, this highway would open up Guyana’s interior for development.

With that long history, by 2013, the IDB, while conducting a feasibility study on a “Guyana-Brazil Land Transport Link and Deep-Water Port Project”, at the cost of US$1 million, noted: “The improvement of the Linden-Lethem road has been the subject of intermittent discussion and study over many years. The following studies are the most relevant: 1989 TecnEcon-Gibb Feasibility Study, funded by the European Union; 1995 Environmental and Social Impact Report, funded by the World Bank; 2000 ADKGibb Feasibility Study, funded by the European Union; 2006 GOPA Transport Sector Strategy Study, funded by the European Union; 2008 Mott MacDonald-CEMCO Pre-Feasibility Study, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank; 2012 SNC Lavalin: Feasibility Study funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.”

In 2003, on a visit to Brazil, President Bharrat Jagdeo and President Lula of Brazil had initiated feasibility studies on what was called the “Guyana-State of Roraima integration project”. This involved the construction of a highway linking Georgetown and Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima; the construction of a deep water harbour; a hydro-electricity facility in Guyana; and the development of an industrial area in Boa Vista. The Takutu Bridge across the river of the same name was completed in 2009, and was supposed to be the first phase connecting Boa Vista with Lethem. Jagdeo’s successor, President Donald Ramotar, and Lula’s successor had approved plans for the remainder of the project by the time they demitted office in 2015 and 2016.

Subsequently, the new APNU/AFC Government continued the studies. Earlier this year, it earmarked an 80-mile section of the road, stretching from Linden to Mabura Hill, for rehabilitation. The project is being funded by the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) and is being administered by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). A bridge is also planned to replace the pontoon crossing at Kurupukari, and provide 24-hour access over the river. The CDB awarded a grant of $1.06 million to fund a feasibility study for the project, which has been handed over to the Government of Guyana.

Thus the Government will have to be a bit more specific about what exactly it is negotiating with Brazil: the entire road from Lethem to the Coast with a Deep Water Harbour, or the portion from Mabura to Lethem, with Brazilian goods to be shipped from the clogged Port Georgetown?

It is also hoped that there would be no more “feasibility studies”.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo took a stroll down the city streets on Saturday as consumers did their last minute Christmas shopping

Over 300 children were feted on Saturday at the Annandale children’s Christmas party. During the event, the children were treated to lunch, gifts and Christmas music

Salute to Govt on UN vote on Jerusalem

Dear Editor, I must salute the Government of Guyana for its vote on Thursday in the United Nations on the issue of Jerusalem. I must, however, express my disappointment that the 14-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) did not vote in unison in favour of this UN resolution. Seven members abstained, or did not vote.

Prior to the vote, both US President Trump and UN Ambassador Halley issued warnings that America would take note of the names that voted for the resolution, and that aid to those countries would be negatively affected in the future. So, was this threat the

reason why seven Caricom member states abstained, or did not vote at all? Was it Caricom's strategy to have half the member states support the resolution, thereby making it difficult for the Trump Administration to "punish" the region as a whole, should it choose to carry out its threat?

In my view, this split vote provides for the current US administration to "pick off" Caricom member states individually, thereby making it hard for us in the diaspora to lobby as a collective Caribbean against any possible "punishment" against the seven countries that supported the resolution.

As much as I am disappointed in the way some Caricom member states voted on this issue, I still maintain an abiding faith in the regional integration process. I suppose our unity in CARICOM does not preclude a plurality of positions on key issues; it pre-supposes it.

Jean Kirkpatrick, many years ago, while serving as the US Ambassador to the UN in the Reagan Administration, had suggested that US aid to developing countries should be in keeping with their percentage of votes consistent with the US vote in the UN system. Her suggestion was inconsistent with the shared

values which form the foundation of the relationship between the member states of Caricom and the US; and so, too, does the threat from the Trump Administration.

I hope that, should the US Administration attempt to "punish" Guyana in any way because of its principled position, as represented through last Thursday's vote, the Guyanese diaspora in the US will mount a vigorous lobby to avoid any "punishment" that might be contemplated. I am committed to being part of that lobby, should it become necessary.

Sincerely, Wesley Kirton

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

“My daughter’s death gave my life new meaning” – Ron Pilgrim

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he toughest thing many a father does is give away his daughter on her wedding day. It is something that Ron Pilgrim wishes he could have done for his first princess, but all he can do is wish.

You see, Ron’s only daughter, Ronasha, was, on September 1, brutally murdered by her uncle -- all for a pair of gold earrings valued at less than $5,000.

Ron explained that September 1 would forever be etched in his memory, as he vividly remembers digging through the mud for the body of his 18-month-old daughter, hoping and praying that God would grant him a miracle. However, after about 30 minutes of digging, he found Ronasha’s body, lifeless and covered in mud.

“I don’t wish what I went through for any father. The hardest and darkest day of my life was digging in the mud for my daughter, and then taking (her) out of the mud. It was hard; very hard,” he laments.

Ron is a 35-year-old single parent father who works two jobs to care for his children.

He now puts all his efforts into making sure his two sons, Ryan and Ron Jr, are safe from all the elements.

At around 03:00h on that fateful day, Ron’s youngest brother, Sherwin, entered his Lot 98 North Sophia home after breaking one of the windows. When Sherwin entered the house, Ron’s son Ryan, 12 years old, was up watching television, while Ron Jr, 10 years old, and Ronasha were asleep. Sherwin first attempted to toss Ron Jr through the window, but was unsuccessful; then he relieved his niece of her gold earrings, tossed her out of the window, then proceeded to dig a hole and bury her alive.

Ron and his eldest son Ryan

This was done in the presence of her two brothers, and while their father was away at work.

My first encounter with Ron was on December 22, when he came by the Guyana Times’ office to receive two new bikes, food hamper, school supplies and a gift certificate for the holidays, donated by the staff members of TVG/Radio Guyana and Guyana Times. After the presentation, I engaged Ron and we had a rather lengthy conversation, wherein he explained how he has been able to cope with his loss.

What stuck with me was when he fought back tears to explain what life has been without his child. I have been around grave loss, and I have encountered grave loss as well, but Ron’s pain startled me. Generally, men are expected to be stoic and not show emotion, but he dispelled that stereotype when he spoke about raising his children on his own, playing the role of both mother and father, and attempted to de-

scribe his indescribable loss.

“I can’t really describe how I feel, but it is like everything black now. No colour. I know I have the two boys, but I don’t know what happen; it is like I lose part of me, because she mother never really care for she,” Ron said while fighting back tears.

Since Ronasha died, her father have been constantly working to take his sons out of their current place of dwelling. He explained that he was forced to take another job after Ryan and Ron Jr’s mother died in 2011.

After the mother of his sons died, his mother helped to care of the boys, but that eventually stopped, leaving him as the sole caregiver. However, since Ronasha’s death, his mother has resumed caring for the boys during the weekends, and happily said they would be spending Christmas with her.

During our conversation, he explained that his current home is not ideally situated for rearing the children,

since the land would become swampy and flooded; but he noted that one day he would get his children out of there, since the memories of his daughter haunt him daily.

“Since the girl died, life is harder, because for a time the boys were traumatized and them was frighten and so. It is like my daughter’s death gave my life new meaning, because I am a better man now and I care more for the two that I have with me,” Ron said.

He noted that as the holidays gets closer he could only sit and think of how he would have spoilt his princess. He explained that the thought of buying her a doll and princess accessories brings a rare smile to his face, since he is still trying to cope with his loss.

Ron told me that, growing up, he was always different from his brothers, since they are what he described as “thugs”. He added that two weeks prior to murdering his daughter, Sherwin had just came out of jail.

“Is the drugs got them man so. Them does spend all their money on buying drugs, and always in some problem; but them don’t learn,” he declared.

During my interaction

Little Ronasha

with Ron, Ryan was there as well, and I was made to understand that he had witnessed everything his uncle did to his sister. He was very reticent about revealing what happened that night, but told me that his uncle was very vicious, and would have killed all of them if an alarm was not raised.

For now, the Pilgrim family are picking up the pieces of their broken lives and trying to forge ahead. Ron still works extra hard to ensure that his children get the best he can afford. He is focused on making sure they get a quality education, so they could build themselves a career that would take them places.

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017

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T

Anu Dev

oday is Christmas Eve! And this year things have worked out quite nicely to give us a four-day weekend. I’ve really begun to cherish these rare four-day weekends. I usually make plans heading into these long weekends -- plans to make the most of the extra free time, you know, real Carpe Diem “seize the day” type stuff. More often than not, the only thing I actually end up seizing is my pillow, as I roll over in bed to catch up on lost sleep. But I haven't made any ambitious plans for this long weekend because school is out and I'm home for the holidays, so I can just relax and unwind.

This past year has been one of the most taxing years in med school yet. It’s been full of some truly incredible moments, some not-so-great moments, and some pretty horrible moments. There’s been a lot of laughter and a lot of tears, sometimes both at the same time. My final exams are in May/June, and while I'm ready for the

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”

– Laura Ingalls Wilder next few months to be over so I can graduate and come home, I can already tell that there’re a lot of things I'm actually going to miss about being in med school.

But that’s a reflection for another time. For now, I'm just glad to be home, so I can spend the holidays with my family and experience Guyana during the Christmas season. The "December-January" rains seemed to have held back their best for my arrival, and two days last week were positively monsoon-like! While I griped a bit, that was actually pro-forma, since I rather enjoyed the opportunity to vegetate!!

I’ve been home a week now, and everywhere I’ve visited subsequent to the

great downpour, the excitement for the holidays is palpable. The stores are thronged with people doing shopping for the holidays, stocking up their pantries for the feasts they're about to prepare. The traffic, of course, slows to a crawl at best, but, on the other hand, allows one to reacquaint oneself with Georgetown.

The new Burger King seems to have created quite a frisson of excitement!

Houses are festooned with lights and tinsel. It's all very festive! As the old song goes: "It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer" It's the most wonderful

time of the year It's the hap-happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It's the hap- happiest season of all" Yep! It's been only a week since I've been back, and it already looks like it's shaping up to be a wonderful holiday! It’s been a week full of good food, good company, and good fun. I'll be making the most of the week I have left, before I have to return to Trinidad for the final leg of my med school journey.

I hope everyone has a happy, safe and fun holiday!

Merry Christmas!

Why children are scared of Santa and how to reduce their anxiety

By Pamela Mcintosh

S

itting on Santa's knee and sharing your Christmas wish-list is meant to be fun, but for many children (and parents) it can quickly turn to tears and tantrums.

It's not uncommon for children of all ages to express fear or anxiety when meeting Santa Claus, but as The Parenting Place counsellor Agnes Sigley explains, we need to understand the situation from the child's perspective.

"Little children under the age of five can be scared of meeting Santa for many reasons," says Sigley. "Little children experience the world through their senses, so the 'real' encounter of a figure they believe is magical might not coincide with the idea and images they have constructed around the character."

Sigley says it is important to think about the message parents give their children about Santa.

"If there is too much pressure [on the child] to be good in order to receive a present, then all the hope and emotion they have may trigger anxiety of not being good enough, which may result in an overwhelming experience."

So how to we make the experience a positive one for our little darlings?

"Older children may have had a negative experience with an encounter with

Santa when they were little, which may bring up previous emotions," explains Sigley.

"If your child is of talking age it is beneficial to talk it through and get a sense of what their fear might be.

Another idea is to ask your child to draw a story around Santa and their perceptions, so they can express their fear or worry through art and images."

Whatever you do, take your child's anxiety seriously. "It is very important to not force your child to meet Santa - let them get used to him in his or her own time, which will be different for varying age groups," suggests Sigley.

In terms of the credibility and safety of the gentleman behind the beard, candidates - especially public service Santas – are generally discovered by a recruitment company.

Westfield Shopping Centre management says that in order to gain the role their Santas are "interviewed, reference checked and police checked before going through a half-day training school."

There, they meet experienced Santas and are upskilled on how to react in certain situations such as crying children and nervous parents. They also learn the correct way to hold babies, how to greet children, and what to say when they are asked curly questions. (www.stuff.co.nz)

7 Bagotville gets new $109M bridge news

SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…after old bridge started sinking

critical (state) this bridge was in, we decided we needed to deliver as quickly as possible. As such, we worked long hours, but we worked smart. The old structure was used as a temporary platform, so we saved tremendous amounts of time to do temporary works. We worked early in

From left: Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson; Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran; Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson; and GAICO CEO, Komal Singh cutting the ribbon to officially commission the new Bagotville bridge

B

oth ministers within the Public Infrastructure Ministry on Saturday ventured to Bagotville, on the West Bank of Demerara, to commission the new 109.4 million-dollar bridge linking La Grange to Bagotville, constructed after the original bridge began sinking in June 2017.

At the ceremony commissioning this new bridge, Minister David Patterson noted that Government saw the need to reconstruct the bridge to ensure greater efficiency and safety to its end users. He noted that after the bridge began sinking, an emergency task

force was set up to assess the damage, while traffic had to be diverted through other communities.

“The contract to GAICO was done for $94.4 million, and we had a contract for In-Fab for some steel beams for $7.2 million and David Persaud (Investments Limited) for steel beams for $7.8 million.

The contract for the main work was signed on September 15, and work commenced on September 21; the original completion date would have been December 15, but due to hard work, we were able to complete the project a week

before,” Minister Patterson said.

CEO of GAICO Construction, Komal Singh, said that after the bridge began sinking, he sought a discussion with Minister Patterson, who committed to addressing the issue immediately. He noted that, through the contract, they were able to employ 12 persons from the community, and six of those persons eventually became permanent employees with the company.

“We were fortunate to be given the opportunity, through the tendering process, to construct this bridge; and because of the

The new Bagotville bridge

the morning (to) late in the night, utilizing a two-shift system with set objectives we tried hard to achieve on a daily basis. We commenced on September 21, and we completed this project by the end of November,” Singh said.

Region Three Executive

Deepened cooperation among South American states needed – Granger

P

resident David Granger told members of the diplomatic community and Guyanese in Brasilia, Brazil, that he is committed to ensuring that Guyana realises its continental destiny, urging the continued strengthening of relations and cooperation among South American states. The Head of State, who was at the time attending a reception hosted in honour of his State visit to Brazil by Ambassador George Talbot, Guyana’s diplomatic representative in that country, also described his meeting with President Michel Temer as a reaffirmation of the warmth, which characterises the relationship between the two countries.

“This is a visit of friendship; this is a visit of cordiality; this is a visit of partnership. So my visit today has been very significant not only in terms of the signing of agreements but also with renewing the cooperation with Brazil, looking at our borders, looking at education and also looking at the role that the Brazilian Army has been playing in Guyana, a peaceful role and not an aggressive role,” Granger is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

The Guyanese Head of State noted that the prosperity of the states on the

A section of the gathering at the reception in Brazil

continent is dependent on it remaining a zone of peace, adding that continued cooperation and good relations will have a positive economic impact in the region.

“We should not sit on our hands. We should not allow other regions of the world, other continents to simply dominate the world’s economy. Brazil, which occupies 50 per cent of the land space of this continent is already a member of the BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China, which are described as being in a state of newly advanced economic development] community but there is no reason why the other 11 states in this continent should not share the bonanza. We do not need to be poor, but I do believe that with better cooperation,

prosperity can be shared more evenly throughout this continent,” he said.

The President also told those gathered that Brazil has been a reliable partner in the defence of its territorial integrity. The country has always maintained its support for Guyana in the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy. “I’ve referred rather extravagantly, but rather correctly to Brazil as being the guarantor of Guyana’s territorial integrity. Brazil has borders with every country in this continent except two and Brazil from the outset has stated that it has no interest in upsetting or revising any border, which has been determined by international law and that has been the bedrock of our relationship with

the Federative Republic of Brazil for nearly half of a century. I’m very confident given the consistency and the continuity that we’ve always seen in Itamaraty that we’ll always be able to rely on Brazil as a friend and a neighbour,” he said.

Brazil’s Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Marcos Galvão, in brief remarks said that in 2018, the two countries will be celebrating 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The anniversary, he said, will come with an unprecedented increase in bilateral relations between the two countries. Guyana and Brazil established formal diplomatic ties on December 18, 1968.

Officer Dennis Jaikarran said the new bridge is outfitted with rails and a pedestrian walkway – features that the old on lacked.

“The new features are important because we are moving in a new direction to ensure that safety comes first, and the bridge has indications that safety would

have played an important part in allowing us to benefit from that bridge,” he noted.

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson has urged the residents to take care of the new bridge and use it with caution.

8 news

SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

“Saga’s” murder

Charges premature – lawyer

…as probe still incomplete

O

n Friday, Prosecutor Neville Jeffers informed the court that the prosecution’s file is incomplete, almost a month after two Police Officers and an alleged hitman were remanded to prison for the murder of businessman Godfrey “Saga” Scipio.

Aubrey Bobb, a 26-yearold ex-convict of Kitty, Georgetown, was first charged for the brutal killing of Scipio but subsequent intelligence reaching the Police implicated the former Best Cop, Derwin Eastman and his colleague, Constable Jamison Williams in the purportedly calculated murder.

Eastman and Williams were hereafter hauled before the court and charged accordingly.

Jeffers said two separate Preliminary Inquiries (PIs) will be conducted into

the cases; Bobb who was charged separately, will be tried before Magistrate Leron Daly while Eastman and William’s case remain before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

When the duo appeared before the Chief Magistrate on Friday, Eastman’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes vented frustration at the lagging investigation and opined that legal proceedings should not have been initiated whilst investigations were at a premature stage.

This has been a frequent complaint of lawyers, who campaign for the rights of their clients, some of whom spend unreasonably long periods on remand before their matter is ripe for trial. The Chief Magistrate had recently bashed prosecution for commencing proceedings in the face of in incomplete investiga-

tion. However this was the case of a convicted prisoner, Mohammed Ali, who was charged for impersonating First Lady Sandra Granger, to extort monies out of victims in a well-organised scholarship scam.

Eastman and Williams will return to court on January 22, 2018 when statements are expected to be disclosed.

Scipio was gunned down just as he exited a popular Kitty hotel with a female companion on October 12, 2017, in the furtherance of a robbery. He succumbed at the Woodlands Hospital shortly after.

In a statement to the Police, Bobb purported Eastman to be the mastermind behind the brazen daylight murder and robbery. He accused the former Best Cop of hiring him as the hitman and even pro-

viding weapons to facilitate the smooth execution of the plan. Eastman reportedly had everything planned out; even assuring the hitman that a lady would deliver the target to the spot whilst directing the killing to be executed in such a way to appear a robbery.

Notwithstanding the assurance of protection given

by Eastman, reality struck when Bob returned home the next day to find his “employer” in the company of other Police ranks, ready to arrest him.

The accused was reportedly forced to make a false confession as he was intimidated by Eastman’s presence at every step of the interrogation process.

However, when Bob became aware of William’s arrest, he grasped the opportunity to relate what he alleged was the true version of the story.

Christmas traditions…

Y

…evolving

our Eyewitness is resigned to the fact that, while he’s comfortable with “continuity”, “change” is inevitable.

He’s talking about Christmas, which falls tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean he has to cave in to the changes just like that, does it? Naah! He’d going to heed Dylan Thomas’s advice and “rage against the night”. In this case, the dying of Christmas traditions.

Now, don’t get your Eyewitness wrong: he’s no fanatical stick in the mud, but just averse to change just for change’s sake.

Now take this “Christmas shopping” business that now defines Christmas. How did the simple “gift-giving” tradition at Christmas time evolve into this trillion-dollar crass extravaganza?? Your Eyewitness fondly remembers, as a wee lad, his parents taking him to Georgetown to “window shop”. And while some of you, dear readers, might be clucking your tongue at the “deprived” Charles Dickens-like life of your young Eyewitness, believe you me, he felt transported into another world, as his siblings and he “ooohed and aaahed” at the creative displays in the windows of Water Street stores.

This was as close to art as he was going to get…and it wasn’t half bad. The displays, after all, all had Christmas themes, if he remembers correctly. Two days ago, as he wandered around Georgetown, apart from the continuous rain, he was hard pressed to find anything creative in the crude commercialism of the hucksters pushing cheap plastic gewgaws into his face. Is there no longer any appreciation about “man not being able to live by bread alone”?

Then your Eyewitness ambled over to the Marriott to check out how the well-heeled Guyanese might be gearing for their Christmas balls. They still have those, he hoped…and the folks in charge assured him there were several classy goings-on booked. Thank God for the overseas Guyanese he espied filling up the joint!!

But as he walked from the parking lot into the Marriott’s lobby, he encountered the adjoining Forestry Building.

The Forestry Building, more correctly, encountered him!! That joint was jumping at midday, with music blasting at jet-roar decibels, causing your Eyewitness to fear for the integrity of that wooden building!! And he wondered if there was any connection of the revelry to Minister Trotman’s confession that the forestry sector did “badly”. In the past, public servants would’ve observed Christmas with some class and panache -following the example of their bosses at the Georgetown Club -- not grinding down to ghetto vulgarity. Reminded your Eyewitness of the folks dancing frenetically on the Titanic as it was about to plunge into that iceberg!!

Anyway, tonight, yours truly will stick to his black cake and ginger beer -- and maybe seconds on that baked chicken!!

…and sugar workers

While some have accused the British (with good reason!) of foisting Christianity and Christmas on the poor souls they brought to labour on the sugar plantations, circumstances conspired to make Christmas a period of comparative joy. The “big crop” would’ve ended, and bonuses -- first called “back pay”, then “profit sharing”, and later still “API” (annual production incentive) -- would’ve been collected.

Children would be given a new set of clothing, to become their “going-out” clothes -- more generally known as “Sunday best”! The house also may’ve gotten a new piece of furniture. But for sure, relatives would be invited over for a drink and a (comparatively) sumptuous meal on Christmas Day. It was a day that generated great expectations and high anticipations!!

Not this year -- and not only for the 5,000 workers who’ve been fired and not even been given their “severance” pay.

What makes it worse is no one even thought that they, too, are human, and need some Christmas cheer!!

…and prisoners

Using the tradition passed down from the Royal Prerogative, President Granger pardoned some women prisoners so they might enjoy a “Merry Christmas’.

Could he not see fit to also pardon some who were caught with less than a gram of ganja?

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

Opposition Leader hosts …stresses on importance of education

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pposition Leader and former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday hosted a children’s party in the spirit of Christmas, at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Children of the Sophia, Gransville and Kuru Kururu communities came out in their numbers accompanied by their parents and guardians at the festive event.

low-income areas around the region and the former President indicated that it is the least he could do during the Christmas season.

“We thought we’d bring the kids to the office because we have had lots of parties around the country but I want them to be familiar with the office and be comfortable here with their parents and lot of these kids come from areas that are low-income areas wo we just wanted to

Opposition Leader and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo takes a photo with his little guests, along with PPP/C Members of Parliament

ful future.

He was accompanied by Members of Parliament, Juan Edghill and Nigel Dharamlall among other executives of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

The former President serves guests at the Party’s children’s Christmas party

The Opposition Leader in a brief address to the gathering expressed his pleasure at being a part of such an initiative, which sought to bring joy and happiness to the children of Guyana, despite the political and economic hurdles facing the country.

The children were selected from

make sure that we do something small for them and it’s no big deal.”

The former President distributed presents to his guests and served them refreshments while reminding them of the importance of attaining an education, as he urged them to put their best foot forward in the pursuit of a success-

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Walkabout Following the children’s Christmas party, the former President in the company of fellow members of Parliament, took a walk in the midst of the hustle and bustle along Robb and Regent Streets, Georgetown where they met with and greeted business owners and late Christmas shoppers along the tour.

The walk commenced at Freedom House in Robb Street and was definitely a mixed atmosphere, as the party members strolled along the busy streets of Georgetown. Some persons expressed delight while others were not too enthusiastic; taking the opportunity to highlight pressing issues and serve critical remarks.

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Driver fined for swerving into President’s path

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hen brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts, 47-year-old Ewart Darlington readily admitted to droving motor lorry, GWW 806 in a manner dangerous to the public.

The incident occurred as recent as December 22, 2017, reportedly at Friendship on the East Bank of Demerara.

As such, Darlington was fined $50,000 with an option to spend three months in prison if he did not pay the fine. His licence was also suspended for a threemonth period.

According to the prosecution’s case, Darlington was driving on the western carriageway proceeding North along the East Bank Public Road at a fast rate whilst the President’s vehicle was leading the fleet headed in the opposite direction.

Police Prosecutor Arvin

Moore contended that Darlinston, who in apparent haste, had attempted to overtake another vehicle, found himself in the convoy’s path. Luckily, the President’s driver’s swerved just in time to avoid a head on collision.

Notwithstanding Police’s claims that the fleet sounded sirens, the accused claimed that he did not hear such as his windows were up while it poured heavily.

Contrary to Police facts, Darlington said he swerved to avoid a collision with a stationary vehicle in his way but ended up in another lane. He nonetheless accepted responsibility and was penalised accordingly.

Unlimited Christmas cheer

S

atiricus was on a high, and he hadn’t even imbibed anything at the Back Street Bar which he’d just entered! It was the season to be jolly, and he was in a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” mood as he meandered his way to where his buddies had already stationed themselves.

“Can you believe our good luck this year?” he asked excitedly as he took his seat and simultaneously signalled the waitress for a beer.

“Wha’ good luck?” asked Bungi in a surly tone. “All me cane-cuttah fr’en dem get fyaah!”

“Is a good t’ing me bin a ‘Merica an’ketch me han’,” said Cappo. “Or me wo’lda get fyaah too.”

“You all looking at the glass half empty,” advised Satiricus. “And you miss the good things happening!”

“OK, Sato, spill it!” said Hari with a sigh. “Looks like you’re bursting to tell us this ‘good news’.”

“Didn’t you read Rum Jhaat cancelled the order for bars to be closed by 2 am?” said Satiricus, as he finished his beer and called for another. “We can drink till dayclean for the next two weeks!!”

“Sato, leh me aks yuh somet’ing,” said Cappo carefully as he looked at Satiricus. ”Yuh mean fuh tell me wid all wha’ guh-laang, all Rum Jhaat can do a gi’e abee mo time fuh drink?”

“Is the same thing I said,” said Satiricus with a smile. “You-all only looking at the glass half empty.”

“Me na drink fram glass!” said Bungi curtly. “Wha’ yuh mean?”

“Rum Jhaat know you and your sugar-estate friends are depressed at the closing of the estates,” said Satiricus. “And he knows you’all need more time to drown your sorrows. He gave you that time!!”

“Suh lemme get dis right,” said Cappo. “Rum Jhaat na do nuttin fuh dem suga workas jab, but dem must t’ank he fuh time fuh drink mo?”

“Yes!” said Satiricus. “You finally got it!”

“Suh Rum Jhaat guh gi’e de suga workah money fuh buy de rum fuh drink?” asked Bungi.

Satiricus fell silent.

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National Hardware fetes Tiger Bay children

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A bleak Christmas ….

t’s the season to be merry, but all across Guyana, thousands have nothing to be joyous about this holiday season.

All along the sugar belt, 4,000 estate workers – from Wales, Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore – have lost their jobs, and the Granger Government offers no support and no alternatives in order to ensure that they and their families would have financial security going forward.

No one doubts the brutality and the inherent racism of this Granger policy, which cuts even more deeply because of the historical significance of the sugar industry. It was sugar that created and built this country, and that accounts for the presence of the majority of the population. For this historical significance alone, cane cutters and sugar factory workers have a special place in the heart of this nation, and should be treated with much more respect and regard as a mark of our national gratitude.

The majority of the jobless are Indian Guyanese and traditional supporters of the PPP; and since its election to Government, the Granger Administration has had the Opposition and its supporters in their sights for what can only be described as a total and heartless vengeance.

The Coalition Government has reneged on just about every campaign promise, including its promise of ensuring the survival of sugar and the rice industry. Instead, there is no good life; no social cohesion; no new investments; no new jobs; no downturn in crime. In fact, everything appears bleaker than ever before, and with Granger hanging the spectre of a return to Burnhamism over the country, every chance of a bright future becomes considerably dimmer.

Rather than social cohesion, the current administration is ensuring that the ethnic cleavage which has hindered Guyana’s social, economic and political progress solidifies into state-sanctioned policies.

It is an environment that condones the vile racism coming from within the Granger Government, and especially from its female component. The “coolie” and “chatree” comments made respectively by Presidential Press Officer Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett and Education Minister Nicolette Henry have set back the global movement to have increased women representation in Government.

Where women vowed to ensure better and more honest government because of their understanding, compassion, and sensitivity to social and cultural issues, the women of Guyana’s current administration prove themselves a total disappointment in this regard. They are a setback to women’s progress in Government everywhere.

The obscenities that occurred in Parliament with the police entering the chambers to manhandle Opposition members, and the scandal of the US$20 million signing bonus from ExxonMobil are only the latest in a series of corrupt practices that expose Granger’s growing tendency to authoritarian rule, which is perfectly in line with the adulation of his hero, the dictator Burnham.

Burnham’s ideas and “vision” were all built on the fundamentals of institutionalised racism against Indian Guyanese, corruption, terrorism, and an absolute contempt for the rule of law. Granger is following in his footsteps so faithfully that his attempt at a denial of ever having rigged an election rings hollow; especially when, to all public appearances, he is preparing the groundwork to carry through on this Burnhamist idea which allowed the PNC to hold power illegally before.

It is Guyana’s continued tragedy that we have had no sustained political leadership with the moral suasion to govern a divided country with the fairness and justness needed in order to bridge the cleavage. The pendulum of power swings back and forth between the two major ethnic camps, always leaving one side feeling isolated and violated.

Calls for major constitutional reform that would provide a just and fair framework that would satisfy both sides through an inclusive arrangement of government go unheeded, so the next general elections are unlikely to bring about any of the peace, progress and prosperity that have eluded Guyana for so long.

We have failed to tap into, and fulfil, our country’s great potential; and even with oil, we will remain poor. It is not oil, or gold, or diamonds that matter so much as good leadership and good governance. Perhaps we can all make that our Christmas wish, and hope for better.

As we gather with family and friends to share in the seasonal festivities and try to push aside, for a moment, our country’s poor state of affairs under the mismanagement of the Granger Government, spare a thought for the less fortunate among us, especially the jobless and their families on the sugar estates.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad said, “A person is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour goes hungry.”

National Hardware hosted over 100 children of Tiger Bay, Georgetown on Saturday during its annual Christmas outreach to the community. In attendance was Executive Director of National Hardware, Nicholas Boyer, and other senior members of staff. The children were served lunch and given toys. Every child that attended also received a monetary present. In photo, a staff member of the hardware store distributing toys on Saturday

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GuySuCo sets unrealistic 2018 production target – GAWU …as 2017 production expected to be lowest since 1990

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he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is contending that the 115,447 tonnes of sugar production target for 2018 is unrealistic, since only three estates will remain operational. This, they said, is grounded in the fact that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is expected to fall behind its 2017 production target which is expected to be the lowest in 27 years.

“The Budget tells us that sugar production will reach 115,447 tonnes next year from the three estates that

will remain under GuySuCo’s management. This year, those three estates have produced aggregately 88,116 tonnes sugar… and therefore, are budgeted to record a 31 per cent improvement in 2018. For the GAWU, which has been associated with the sugar industry for decades now, this is a magnificent improvement and we cannot help but wonder whether it is grounded in reality,” the Assistant General Secretary of the Union, Aslim Singh, noted.

In his 2018 Budget speech, Finance Minister

Winston Jordan said the key to the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) is tasked with examining and articulating the way forward with respect to the divestment of the Skeldon, Rose Hall, and East Demerara estates. He noted that the SPU would also work to reconfigure operations to guarantee economic viability at the Uitvlugt, Albion and Blairmont estates.

Lacking leadership

He also said the Government intends to uphold its duty to the communities and families in the ar-

eas affected by divestment, as part of the GuySuCo restructuring.

During GAWU’s end of year press conference, Singh told reporters that that sugar production is not expected to exceed 140,000 tonnes in 2017; representing a 23 per cent decline from 2016’s production of 183,000 tonnes.

For 2017, GuySuCo expected production is 152,000 tonnes of sugar.

“It may have missed many that sugar production this year will be the lowest since 1990. As at last Saturday (December 16, 2017), sugar production for the year stood at 137,233 tonnes. With the cessation of cane cutting across the industry, from all indications, sugar production may not top 140,000 tonnes sugar. For us of the GAWU the excitement which greeted the 231,000 tonnes sugar production in 2015, has now come crashing down as production has plummeted by over 40 per cent between then and now,” he said.

“The dramatic decline of the industry has to be placed squarely at the feet of the industry’s leadership. Clearly, their stewardship is questionable and obvious questions about their perfor-

mance have arisen,” Singh added.

He noted that the Union is cognizant of that fact that the Corporation’s administration is seeking to cast blame on the workers and the Union but alluded to statements made by Labour Minister Keith Scott, where he reported a 49.1 per cent decline in strikes for 2017.

He noted that GAWU is eagerly awaiting the next excuse from the Corporation as they seek to defend what he terms as a miserable production.

Mountain out of a molehill

Meanwhile, GAWU’s General Secretary Seepaul Narine noted that the 2016 financial statements revealed that the Corporation recorded a profit of $905 million in 2016, adding that it is intriguing considering that production in 2016 stood at just over 183,000 tonnes sugar; a 26 per cent decline from the previous year.

He said the average price GuySuCo received for sugar rose by nearly 20 per cent in 2016, projecting had the Corporation realised its original 242,000 tonne target in 2016, revenues would have been $5.6 billion higher.

Additionally, Narine said had the sale of the Skeldon Co-Generation plant been reversed as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry into sugar, GuySuCo’s revenues would have been enhanced by at least $9.5 billion more. He further explained that Government’s $11 billion subvention to GuySuCo may not have been required since the Corporation would have been in an even more profitable state.

“Clearly, the data serves to indicate that all is not lost, and the Corporation is seeking to make a mountain out of a molehill,” he said. He added that there is need to also emphasise that faced with daunting challenges, the workers did not give up hope. “They stood up and defended militantly their jobs, their families and their communities.

They demonstrated an indomitable will to succeed and to call attention to and overcome their plight. Their laudable actions to counter the deathly hands of the State on their jobs and livelihood found sincere sympathy among a wide cross-section of Guyanese and also from several overseas organisations.” turn to page 16

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Lock-ups breakout

Who speaks for whom?

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he evident demise of the AFC reminds me of some comments I made back in 2006 about their refusal to break out of the rut established by the PPP and the PNC, purporting to create so-called “multiracial parties” that spoke for all groups in Guyana.

Ultimately, all politics is “identity politics,” as we seek to ensure justice and equality according to some criteria of our identity -- be it race/ethnicity, gender, religion etc. But, in Guyana, no one wants to openly represent “ethnic/racial” interests, even though that’s what the people vote for.

Over the years, I have repeatedly asked the question, “Who speaks for whom?” There is the classic Liberal position of “representation by ideas”, where any individual could be chosen to represent a group once he “re-presents” the ideas that further their interests. The classic Ravi Dev Liberal position, however, assumed that one was dealing with a homogenous people distinguished only by non-ascriptive interests - such as ethnicity/race. One of Liberalism’s founders, JS Mill, in fact declared representative democracy was not possible in an ethnically divided society.

The other position, which has been pushed particularly by feminists since the seventies, is the “representation by presence”. In this view, the members of some social groups, especially those who, in the past, have been excluded from the corridors of power, should personally represent their interests in the marketplace of ideas. Having personally experienced the situation that is sought to be rectified or changed, representation by presence adds an immediacy and life to the articulated ideas and interests, which may be missing when the representation is one level removed.

In Guyana, one-third of the candidates for Parliamentary office must now be women. But we baulk, however, when it comes to self-identified ethnic groups.

There is also a semantic confusion in Guyana between “multi-racial/ethnic” parties and “non-racial/ethnic” parties, and it has twisted us into all sorts of political contortions. A multi-racial/ethnic party can only be one that firstly accepts the validity of racial/ethnic interests; and secondly, has within it individuals who are willing to overtly represent those interests through ideas – and as may be warranted by presence. Such parties can be a coalition of self-identified racial/ethnic parties, as with UNMO in Malaysia (Malays, Chinese and Indians); or through self-identified caucuses, as in the American Democratic Party (Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses). By this definition, none of the parties in Guyana has been truly “multiethnic”, since no individual MP can speak specifically for an “identity” group.

A “non-racial/ethnic” party, on the other hand, believes only in the “representation of ideas”, and rejects the articulation of specific “ethnic” interests – as has, historically, all our major parties, including the PPP, PNC, and the AFC in 2005. So we were returned to square one: an electorate that votes ethnically but with representatives that refuse to overtly accept ethnic interests, and are thus forced to represent them covertly (if at all) to the resentment of other groups, who see the “multi-racial/ethnic” label as more salt in the wound.

ROAR felt that this was not the way to break the logjam in Guyanese politics. The goal was not “multi-ethnic parties”, but “multi-ethnic governments” with parties specifically representing all the various ethnic groups. ROAR declared itself an “Indian ethnic party” and declared its willingness to work with any party openly identifying itself as representing ethnic interests. In the “unity talks” between the smaller parties preceding the 2006 elections, it was because of the ethnic identification of ROAR that the AFC took the position that Ravi Dev could not be a candidate on a unified list. He was deemed “too divisive”. ROAR went into coalition with GAP, the Amerindian party.

I wrote then: “I believe that the entrance of the AFC is a positive development in Guyanese politics, but I believe, too, that unless it deals with the contradictions of representation, including those listed in this article, its effectiveness for being an instrument for change will be dulled in the coming years.”

Sadly, the AFC has all but imploded, and the APNU/AFC coalition is seen representing only “African” interests. Yet, they and all other parties in Guyana still insist they are “multi-racial/ ethnic”, speaking for all, even as the country becomes even more divided on ethnic lines.

The tragedy continues.

No sign of 2 escapees – Commander S

ome five days after three inmates broke out of the Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) lock ups, Police are yet to locate the two missing suspects.

A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander, Marlon Chapman, told Guyana Times on Saturday the Police had received information, however they came up empty-handed after following those leads.

He added that they have visited the homes of the suspects and relatives, along with other places the two escapees are known to frequent, but have not gotten any information about the whereabouts of either Ivre Hooper or Derrol James. The two along with Wayne Gilbert had escaped from the lock-ups of the Golden Grove Police Station on Tuesday afternoon.

It was reported that ranks at the Golden Grove Police Station, located on the East Bank of Demerara, had taken a group of 13 inmates out from the lock-ups to the holding area for them to freshen up.

It was during this exercise that the three suspects made good their escape via an opening in the western wall of the lock-ups. A piece of metal, believed

Escapee Derrol James

to have been broken off from the lockups door and used to break the wall, was subsequently found by the Police.

However, just before midnight on Tuesday, Gilbert, a 25-year-old murder accused of Lot 30 West La Penitence, Georgetown, was handed over to the Police at the Brickdam Station by his father.

He was scheduled to be arraigned before a city Magistrate on Wednesday last for the murder of Rawle Rodrigues, which occurred on January 20 at the Stabroek Square.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Ivre Hooper is an armed robbery suspect of James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown. The other escapee on the run is 22-year-old Derrol James of Lot 131 Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, who was arrested on a simple larceny charge.

Last Wednesday, the acting Crime Chief had told reporters that the breakout happened because of poor supervision on the part of the Police at the station. He believes there should be more ranks present at the station when such exercises are being carried out.

As a result of the breakout, the supervisor, who was in charge of the shift, has been placed under close arrest as investigations are ongoing.

The Police Force is asking anyone with information that would lead to the rearrests of Gilbert and James to make contact with the nearest Police Station or any of the Force’s emergency/hotline numbers.

14 news Gunmen invade Guyhoc Park home Parika/Goshen Road among T major projects for 2018 P SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Police are now on the hunt for two men who allegedly invaded the home of a Guyhoc Park liquor store owner and escaped with a television set and a mobile phone on Saturday morning.

Minerva Thompson, 40, of Lot 50 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, told Police that the two men invaded her home at about 03:20h.

The woman, who resides in the lower flat of a two-storey building, retired to bed but was awakened by a noise coming from her living room.

Upon checking, she was confronted by the two men,

one of whom was armed with a gun. The men allegedly held the woman at

gunpoint and instructed her to remain silent. One of the men then unplugged

the television set while the other relieved her of her mobile phone.

The television set, the victim told investigators, cost $360,000.

As the men made good their escape, they reportedly discharged several rounds in the air to scare off members of the community who were passing at the time.

The woman subsequently contacted the Police who arrived at the scene and commence their investigations. They have since dusted the house for fingerprints.

ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has disclosed that one of the priority projects for 2018 is the Parika to Goshen Road.

Patterson made the disclosure on Saturday during the re-commissioning of the Bagotville, West Bank Demerara.

He explained that the preparation for works is in its final stage with the design almost completed and “hopefully it can go through a public/private partnership and can start soon.”

In January 2015, the Public Infrastructure Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), engaged the consulting Team, J-Dos Internationalé Incorporated to provide engineering designs and supervision of works for the Parika to Goshen Road.

The proposed Parika to Goshen Road is approximately 56 km long and runs within the right-of-way of the Del Conte Road on the East Bank of the Essequibo River, passing through occupied agricultural and forested lands.

Additionally, from the $1.8 billion allocated into the 2018 Budget for miscellaneous roads across the country, $137 million was provided for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Other projects

“We have earmarked funds for repairs to roads in La Parfait Harmonie, Belle West, Wakenaam and other areas. For main access roads, we have funds earmarked

for the repairs and phrase for the Canal One and Two. In 2018, also we are proposing to continue studies for roads, the additional paved highway road from Free and Easy to do an alignment to Sandhill then from Sand Hill to Monkey Jump,” Minister Patterson said The feasibility study for those works should commence shortly.

Other projects slated for the region include the new Demerara River bridge, sea and river defence works and completion of the Parika Stelling, for which funding is already secured from Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

“We have secured about US$15 million from the CDB [Caribbean Development Bank] for two main projects; to complete the Parika Stelling and to convert the Lethem airport into a regional aerodrome. Also in 2018 the Ministry through the Government of Guyana with a grant from the Government of Japan is procuring 1610 LED lamps and several areas in Region Three have written their requests and they will get their fair share of those lights”, the Minister underlined.

Some of those communities include Belle West, La Parfait Harmonie and new housing schemes in the region.

“In 2016, I described Region Three as the new frontier, I think the future of the country lies in the development of Region Three due to the strategic location and the advantages it has,” Minister Patterson noted.

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Drama in the National Assembly

Budget 2018 Debates: SOCU’S $900B – Money Laundering Investigation

Respect is earned by impartiality – Jagdeo to Speaker

- Figure plucked out of the sky; unrealistic, illogical and impossible.

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he Minister of Legal Affairs, in his recent budget presentation, made a bold assertion that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is investigating cases of money laundering amounting to some $900 billion. It was further stated that, “SOCU, in relation to financial crimes, has conduct of investigations of offences deriving from forensic audits of Government ministries, departments and agencies under the last Administration, involving billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money”.

Before crafting this article, it should be mentioned that the author of this column was careful to clarify with key reporters from the media houses the figure cited by the minister of $900 billion. It was presumed by this column that it might have been an error in reporting, or perhaps the minister erred with the numbers. This position is based on the fact that it is absolutely unrealistic and illogical that Guyana could have $900 billion in money laundering cases, simply because Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at the end of 2016 was recorded at $711.7 billion, and aggregate expenditure was $775 billion (Bank of Guyana Annual report, 2016, pg. 13).

Therefore, it is impossible to have money laundering cases to the tune of $900 billion, which is $188.3 billion or 126.4 % more than the size of Guyana’s economy in terms of GDP. On what basis was such a figure derived?

Given the aforesaid highlighted fact, can this figure be substantiated?

There was no reference made, pointing to any empirical evidence in the presentation. Was it an error? The plausibility of probably US$900 million, which is equivalent to Gy$185.4 billion, is more practical, given that one of the known cases SOCU is currently investigating involves US$500 million. But it certainly cannot be Gy$900 billion (US$4.36 billion). Does SOCU even has the resources, including the intellectual capacity, to investigate cases of such magnitude?

Even if it is insinuated that this amount of money was not reflected through the real economy, this also is very unlikely. How could they (SOCU) determine that figure without a sum of such magnitude passing through the system and thus being captured in the GDP? More importantly, if, as he stated, this is money laundering under the previous Administration, then that statement in itself lends validity to the notion of the $900 billion having to be reflected in the GDP. Such an assertion is therefore suggesting that Guyana’s economy is more than a Gy$1.5 trillion economy -- which is evidently not the case, as Guyana’s economy is less than a $900 billion economy.

In the interest of lending greater sensibility to the position taken within the context of this article, a definition of Money Laundering and an overview of the money laundering process is hereunder stated.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has defined Money Laundering as “the processing of criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin in order to legitimise the ill-gotten gains of crime”. The process of Money Laundering constitutes five stages, as illustrated in the table below.

The objective of the second stage (placement) is to deposit the criminal proceeds into the legitimate financial system. The objective of stage 3 (layering) is to conceal the criminal origins of the proceeds. The objective of stage 4 (integration) is to create an apparent legal origin for the criminal proceeds; and the objective of the final stage (integration investment) is to use the criminal proceeds, having laundered (wash) same to make it appear as clean money, for personal benefit.

Hence, having outlined the process by which Money Laundering practices are generally conducted, one can understand clearly that the proceeds -- in this case, the claim of $900 billion -- would have had to be reflected in the financial system; otherwise, an investigation into Money Laundering cases of this magnitude is virtually impossible, implausible and baseless.

It is within this contextual framework that this column conclusively is of the strongly held view that the $900 billion claim is clearly a gross error on the part of the Minister of Legal Affairs/SOCU. Or suffice it to state that it is a deliberate excessive exaggeration of the numbers for whatever political reason(s).

The Author is the holder of a MSc. Degree in Business Management, with concentration in Global Finance, Financial Markets, Institutions & Banking from a UK university of international standing.

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

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he recent sittings of the National Assembly were replete with contention, with singing attendees, and with a mystery female dressed as Santa Claus invading the hallowed chambers. Police were also called in on the Opposition Parliamentarians for what was, at worst, a violation of the Standing Orders.

According to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent press conference, this situation should have been handled differently by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland. Criticising the hand his party has consistently been dealt during the sitting, Jagdeo demanded that the Speaker act in an impartial manner.

“I’m seeing this Speaker saying that the members of Parliament must ensure that their conduct is befitting of the title they hold; and he seems to forget that he must conduct himself befitting of the title he holds as speaker. The Speaker is supposed to be an impartial adjudicator in the National Assembly. The biggest quality of a Speaker, and one that makes him gain respect, is impartiality in the conduct of the affairs of the House.

His conduct is not befitting of the title he holds.”

According to the Opposition Leader, the Speaker’s partiality is evident, and blatantly so.

“He rules against us on almost every single issue of merit. He doesn’t even allow us to make the argument.

Just look at the adjournment motion which he ruled on the last time I tried to argue. Look at the motion to suspend Edghill. He refused to allow a debate on the motion. If someone puts up a motion on the Government side, then at least we should be able to argue it. He says no; sit down.”

Jagdeo noted that while the Speaker has complained about the necessity of protecting the dignity of the House, he has in turn neglected to deal with several undignified incidents. One such incident Jagdeo referred to involve the Santa Claus who, in an attempt to disrupt proceedings, descended on the House during Jagdeo’s contribution to the

budget debates.

“Frankly speaking, personally, for me it wasn’t a big deal. But it is the fact that the Speaker refuses to pursue the (matter) because it was breaching the sanctity of the Parliament from an outsider! Not a member of the House. But I think his refusal to do so has a lot to do with what he was told by the executive.

“Because they know who the person is! And I heard it is a minister’s secretary, and the person who (sneaked)

dignity of the House.”

Unprecedented Zeroing in on the events leading up to, and after Police were called in to remove Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill from the chambers, Jagdeo noted that the presence of Police in the National Assembly in such a capacity was unprecedented.

“I made it clear that if Juan Edghill breached the Standing Orders and he refused to accept the Speaker’s ruling, there could be conse-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

A scene from the events which unfolded on December 11

her out of Parliament was the minister’s driver. So the Speaker is not interested in finding out who did it, this breach of Parliament. And he is worried about, and lectures us on, preserving the

quences for Juan Edghill. I pointed out that the Speaker suspended the sitting. He (Speaker) could have easily called the two Chief Whips and say, ‘This member has to leave, or else we’re not re-

convening’.”

“And the Chief Whip would have gone in and said to Edghill, ‘You’re in breach of the Speaker’s ruling, you have to leave’. turn to page 16

16 news Overseas-based couple robbed after leaving CJIA SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

…visiting Guyana for Christmas

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ours after an elderly couple arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, they were attached and robbed by three

men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

Based on reports received, upon arrival at the airport, Manboth and Kamala Shivran boarded a taxi and requested to

be taken to their Lot 233 Ginder Lilly Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara home.

They had travelled from Texas, United States to Guyana to spend the Christmas season with

friends and family. However, as they were heading to their destination, and in the vicinity of Craig, EBD, the driver, Jermaine Stephens, claimed he had suffered a puncture.

Stephens reportedly disembarked the vehicle to attend to the flat, leaving the two elderly people in the car. In the process of changing the flat, a white Toyota Premio motorcar bearing registration number PSS 3916 pulled up alongside the car and stopped.

Three men exited the car and Stephens assumed they came to his aid, but instead

one of the men whipped out a handgun and held the two-elderly people along with the driver at gunpoint.

The elderly couple was relieved of close to US$15,000 in items and cash. The gunmen also relieved the driver of his cash and mobile phone. The bandits also took the couple’s

passports and phone.

Guyana Times understands that after committing the robbery, the men fled the scene. The matter was reported to the Police, but no arrests were made.

Over the past few days, several persons including business people were robbed of cash by gun-toting men.

This occurrence, as seen in the past, is prevalent during the Christmas season. In November the Police launched the Christmas Security Plan for the festive season, including an increase in mobile patron.

Respect is earned by...

“Notwithstanding that Juan Edghill may have broken the Standing Order, which happens every session, on both sides. People breach Standing Orders all the time, and I’ve seen some really horrible breaches. The issue is how this Speaker dealt with it,” Jagdeo explained.

On December 11, Edghill’s attempts to extend his scrutiny of the Ministry of the Presidency’s budget estimates were met by the Speaker’s protestations and suspension of the sitting. An all-male Police team subsequently arrived and at-

tempted to remove Edghill, but they were blocked by his colleagues, who formed a human ring around the Parliamentarian.

A scuffle ensued, with Parliamentarians being assault by ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

During a late night press conference after the dramatic events, the Speaker denied that he had called the Police or ordered the media out of the Parliament chambers. He claimed that he merely questioned the continued presence of media operatives after the sitting was suspended.

from page 15

He had also said there is no need for an investigation, since it is simply a matter of respecting the rules of the House. However, he did not address the issue of who had instructed the Police to enter the Parliament chambers.

This remains a mystery, as acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine and acting Crime Chief Paul Williams have both professed ignorance of who was responsible for the uniformed invasion of the House.

GuySuCo sets unrealistic...

According to the Union, the workers sustained struggles brought several allies who spoke up in their defence in the press, in social media and elsewhere. “This is a monumental achievement and one that workers should take great pride and solace in,” the Union said.

Last week, following the High Court denial of its application to quash the deci-

sion to shut down the Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates and the subsequent adjournment of the appeal, GAWU moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice to have a hearing.

GAWU President, Komal Chand, told a press conference that as a result of the adjournment of the case locally to January 15, 2018, the Union approached the

from page 12

CCJ to have the matter heard since it is one that is based on time.

In what is described as the largest retrenchment by a private or public corporation in recent history, GuySuCo is expected to send home an estimated 4000 workers by the end of 2017 as part of plans to restructure the sugar industry.

feature

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SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nurse Saigo: Trailblazer in Amerindian communities

Nurse Mathilda Saigo

By Paula Gomes

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truly compassionate Indigenous patriot, Mathilda Saigo has, since 1961, been rendering outstanding service to her home community of Paramakatoi, Region Eight, and surrounding villages in regions Seven, Eight and Nine in both the education and health sectors; and she does not think it is time to retire just yet, notwithstanding attaining the age of retirement in 2012.

This phenomenal woman has served the country well, and could not be more deserving of the national award (Medal of Service) bestowed upon her in the late 1990s. To date, she has thirteen years of teaching service and almost forty years of subsequent nursing service to her credit.

Born in Paramakatoi, an Indigenous village nestled in the Pakaraima Mountains, to parents Iris Williams and Vincent Saigo in 1947, Saigo, commonly called “Nurse Saigo,” attained early basic fundamental education up to standard six (primary level), the highest available level at the time in the traditional community.

Sitting outside her mother’s residence on the peak of a hill overlooking the village, her usual “chill spot” on a Sunday morning, Nurse Saigo took Guyana Times down memory lane, narrating her life-long journey, while casually sipping on a bowl of casirie, a signature Patamona beverage.

Nurse Saigo confessed that teaching was her first passion and nursing merely happen per chance, but it was her inner desire -- having lived the struggles of the Indigenous peoples -- which drove her to be an advocate for change, advancement, and development through education and health in seeking a better life for her peoples.

Upon completion of her primary education, Nurse Saigo started to teach at the local school in her village at the tender age of 14, and it would not be long before she extended her services to the neighbouring regions of Seven and Nine.

“I taught for thirteen years, from 1961. I taught at Paramakatoi school, then at Philippai (Region Seven) for

five years, then back here, then to Konashen (Region Nine) to teach with the WaiWais for three years,” she recalled with a profoundly commendable memory.

It was at Konashen that a new opportunity would present itself, and try as she may, it haunted at her door until she finally answered.

“It was not my choice to go into nursing, but I was at a meeting interpreting for the then Minister of Health, Dr Oliver Harper, (from the English language to WaiWai) when somebody came to tell me that there was a snake bite, and I asked for an excuse and left to treat the patient. When I came back, the minister asked why I left so suddenly, and when I told him, he asked if I was a nurse, to which I responded no. ‘But how can you treat patients?’, Dr Oliver asked,, and I said it’s because I can at least read the English language and understand the prescription,” Saigo heartily recounted.

Within the three weeks that followed, young Saigo made a life-changing decision, as she was summoned to an interview in Georgetown but it was around the same time that she was accepted into the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), having finally attained the age criterion for acceptance.

Upon conclusion of a twoyear training programme

Midwifery.

Nurse Saigo became the sole staff at the Paramakatoi Health Centre in 1977, working both day and night for over eleven years. A Medex from the neighbouring community of Kato would pay occasional visits to the community after this period, yet the headstrong woman would continue to work mostly alone for many upcoming years.

“This time was very difficult. There was no electricity, I did deliveries without lights, holding only a torch light between my neck and shoulders. But I eventually came to love it…working at PK all on my own”.

To date, Nurse Saigo has done a total of 10,707 deliveries in and around the community, and wherever she goes, there always seems to be a sick person or delivery case awaiting the intervention of her gifted hands. She has visited many communities around the region.

In cases of extreme emergencies, medical evacuation by air was summoned via the use of a radio system at the missionaries’ residence.

Today’s difficulties

According to the nurse, in those days she had direct contact with the Health Ministry, and interventions were much more timely, flying in both day and night, as opposed to present. Having to go through the region

Nurse Mathilda Saigo with her husband

she returned to her beloved community in 1977, and was appointed to serve henceforth alongside an American practitioner and state registered nurse, Nurse Wall, and it was there that she remained ever since.

“When I came back in 1977, they told me that I will be here for six months, and I will be sent to wherever they would send me. But the six months never came to pass… it turned into six years, then sixteen years, and almost sixty years,” Nurse Saigo humoured.

The persistent nurse seasonally returned to Dr Bacchus’s Outpatient Clinic in the city during the holidays, where she achieved a certificate in General Nursing and single Trained

causes a delay in the process, as the regional health personnel rarely answer their phones, the nurse said in a state of distress.

“We need more medication, equipment and doctors…there is no doctor at present.”

Today, sadly, the health centre has no basic drugs as malaria medication since the July-August period, despite several efforts made to contact the relevant personnel on the coast to rectify the issue.

Notwithstanding her retirement in 2012, the nurse expressed her willingness to continue serving her community. She is known far and wide in Amerindian villages, and is approached with medical cases wherev-

er she travels.

“I am sleeping in the middle of the night and someone comes rapping on my door, or I have just reached into a community tired as ever, and someone comes with a case. You know, as they say, there is no rest for the wick-

ed!” she laughed.

Nurse Saigo proudly declared that she is proficient in several Amerindian languages, learned over her years of travel and service in communities across the breadth of Guyana. Some of these languages include

the Akawaio, Macushi, WaiWai, and of course her native tongue of Patamona.

She has served as a translator at many forums: court, the National Toshaos Conference, and the NonAligned Conference, among others.

18 news National Disabilities Rights More than 100 dead in Philippine mudslides, campaign launched flooding: officials SunDAY, december 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

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Members of group one participating in the National Disability Rights

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ouths with disabilities from regions Two, Four, Five, Six and 10 were all included in a one-day conference to develop radio and television advertisements as a component of the Young Voices Guyana (YVG) National Disability Rights campaign.

The National Youths with Disabilities (YWDs) conference, catering for 60 youths, worked for most of

the morning session on developing the scripts and ideas for the advertisements, and this was done in six break-out groups, after which they presented their ideas through role plays.

In the afternoon session, the youths developed a petition calling on Government and the Parliament of Guyana to implement the contents of the Guyana Disability Act

2010.

The petition will be distributed in the first quarter of 2018 for persons to add their signatures in support.

In addition, the advertisements will be produced and broadcasted on the various radio and TV stations across Guyana.

The youth conference is a component of the YVG National Disability Rights Campaign, which is a 6-month project funded by

Linden’s children feted by private enterprises

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initiative to the kids at the Upper Demerara Hospital.

As a Director of Vybz Entertainment, our newly formed company OLT Waste Solutions Enterprise and on behalf of Babulu Car Rental and Trucking Services, I would like to thank the Upper Demerara Hospital and staff for giving us this opportunity to give back to our community," he noted.

Dr Roscoe McDonald, who is in charge of the family health clinic at the medical facility, noted that the initiative was a great gesture which lightened the

lage was buried by mudslide in Tubod town in Lanao del Norte.

Ryan Cabus, a local official, said power and communication lines to the area had been cut, complicating rescue efforts. The weather bureau said the storm had gathered strength over the Sulu Sea and was packing winds of up 80 kph (50 mph) and moving west at 20 kph.

It was heading out over the sea by midday on Saturday and would have moved clear of the Philippines by Monday, it said. Emergency workers, soldiers, police and volunteers were being mobilised to search for survivors, clear debris, and restore power and communications.

More than 100 deaths were reported in various places including 60 in Tubod, El Salvador and Munai towns in Lanao del Norte province. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T entertainment stalwarts Mac Ward and Peter Joseph die

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n Friday, the Trinidad and Tobago entertainment industry mourned the loss of two stalwarts, veteran masman McDonald “Mac” Ward and comedian Peter Joseph.

According to reports, Ward died after a brief battle with liver cancer at his Maraval home. He was 78.

Ward, who was best known for his winning portrayal of George Bailey’s Cylindul the Sun God from the Golden City of Palengue, became a staple on the mas circuit up until the 1990s, lending his support to the likes of Peter Minshall and others.

Joseph reportedly also died while being treated at the St Clair Medical Centre on Friday. He was 51. Joseph, who performed

Late comedian, Peter Joseph

alongside other headline acts such as Nikki Crosby and Learie Joseph, had an impressive career as a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He was admitted to the centre earlier this week after falling ill.

Newsday spoke to his close friend and fellow ac-

tor Wendell Etienne who said he was saddened by the news of Joseph’s passing.

Recalling their first meeting at an amateur comedy competition 17 years ago, he said Joseph’s confidence and tireless work ethic would be remembered by all of his friends. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Venezuela expels top Brazil and Canada diplomats

Children with their gifts along with Santa Claus in Linden

group of private entities brought smiles to the faces of children at the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH) at Wismar, Linden, and neighbouring communities, when they hosted a gift distribution and Christmas party exercise.

One of the organisers of the event, Lincoln Zephyr, noted that this was just the beginning of what is expected to be an annual initiative within the Linden community.

"This was the start of what is going to be an annual Christmas give back

the Canada Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI).

The conference was also part-sponsored by the United Women for Special Children (UWSC).

The scripts focused on the various rights areas, such as education, employment, access to physical infrastructure, access to information, independent living, access to transport and access to health care.

tropical storm in the southern Philippines triggered mudslides and flash floods that killed more than 100 people, while dozens are missing, Police and disaster officials said on Saturday.

The casualties, most of them caused late on Friday, were all on the main southern island of Mindanao, they said, adding three provinces were hardest hit. Disaster officials said many residents had ignored warnings to leave coastal areas and riverbanks.

“Many people were swept to the sea as flood waters quickly rose due to the high tide,” Manuel Luis Ochotorena, a disaster agency official, said. “They never heeded the warnings. They thought it was a weak storm but it dumped more rains.”

Hundreds of kilometers to the east, army and emergency workers were checking reports an entire vil-

spirits of the children at the Hospital.

"It was a great initiative. The children that turned out were extremely happy... they were blessed with snacks, games and even presents. I trust that this gesture will continue for it seems to have given them a bright day,” he said.

The companies, Babulu's Car Rental and Trucking Services, OLT Waste Solutions Enterprise and Vybz Entertainment teamed up for the grand initiative, in keeping with the spirit of Christmas.

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enezuela has expelled the Brazilian ambassador to Caracas, Ruy Pereira, and Canadian charge d'affaires Craib Kowalik. The move was announced by the head of Venezuela's powerful Constituent Assembly, Delcy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez accused Canada of interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs and Brazil of violating the rule of law. Canada imposed sanctions on senior Venezuelan officials a few months ago.

The decision to expel Ambassador Pereira may have been triggered by

Brazil's recent complaint that President Nicolás Maduro was "constantly harassing the Opposition".

Venezuela's diplomatic relations with Brazil have deteriorated since Brazil's centre-right President, Michel Temer, replaced left-wing leader Dilma Rousseff. Her impeachment was described by Maduro as a "right-wing coup".

"Diplomatic relations with Brazil will not be restored until the government reinstates the constitutional order it has effectively broken," said Rodriguez at a news conference on Saturday.

She also accused Kowalik of "permanent and insistent, rude and vulgar interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela".

Relations with Canada have been difficult for months. Ottawa imposed sanctions on Venezuelan officials earlier this year for alleged human rights violations and corruption.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said in November that the sanctions were illegal and accused the Canadian government of "shameful and utter submission to Donald Trump's Administration". (Excerpt from BBC News)

sunDAY, december 24, 2017

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Jamaican Government to get Essequibo through to final involved in sport injury research after another wash out M GCB/ Jaguars Franchise 50-Over League 2017…

– Lower Corentyne battle Georgetown in qualifier at Albion

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decision was made by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to formally call off the four matches that were scheduled for Saturday in round seven of the Jaguars 50over tournament following heavy rain at the match venues all day Friday.

In round five, only one match was possible at the Tuschen ground when Essequibo prevailed over West Demerara while the other thee scheduled fixtures were abandoned.

With that win, Essequibo remained unbeaten and continued to lead the points table.

In round six, all four games were abandoned without a ball being bowled leaving the players short of work and the selectors scratching their heads since the 50-overs league is the yardstick for selection to the Guyana Jaguars Regional

Ricardo Adams has put his hand up for Essequibo this season

Super50 team in 2018.

With the final two rounds being washed out, Essequibo remained on top of the standings with 39 pints and have qualified automatically for the December 30 final. Defending champions and second placed Lower Corentyne with 36 points will play Georgetown with 26 points in the play-off

on Thursday December 28 at the Albion Community Centre ground with the winner qualifying to meet Essequibo at Everest Cricket Club which has been named as the tentative venue.

Essequibo who are the current Jaguars 3-day champions will be looking to complete the double, weather permitting.

inister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says the Jamaican Government will be helping with University of the West Indies (UWI) research on traumatic head injuries in sport.

According to Dr Carl Bruce, UWI’s consultant neurosurgeon, there has not been enough information on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the same issue more commonly known as punch-drunk syndrome.

Punch-drunk syndrome speaks to the continuous trauma to the brain that eventually leads to deterioration and sometimes death. The disease generally hides out while an athlete is alive and is only diagnosed after death, but can be detected early.

"At the moment, we are working in partnership with the University of the West Indies and Usain Bolt, to establish a Sports Science Centre, which will play a critical role in research," said Grange, pointing out that her min-

UDFA/GT Beer Christmas Tournament

Unbeaten Eagles soar

into semi-finals

– defending champs Sliver City Shattas also progress

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agles United remained unbeaten when they recorded a second win in Group B to advance to the semi-finals of the fifth annual Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) GT Beer sponsored year end tournament in Linden.

Playing at the McKenzie Sports Club ground on Friday evening, Eagles defeated Botafago 2-1. Eagles United side was able to rebound from a 27th minute goal by Botafago courtesy of D. Francis, as before the half time they were able to tie things up when Kwesi Quintin netted in the 39th minute. With the game on even keel the Eagles United would get the winning goal when Kellon Primo would score in the 76th minute giving his team the lead for good and a safe passage to the business end of the tournament.

More so, defending champions Silver City Shattas were able to come away with a goalless draw against a good performance from Kwakwani Strikers. Despite the draw, Shattas advanced to the knock out stages.

By virtue of their first win 3-1 over Topp XX and their unbeaten play, Shattas will now be to be the top team in Group A. They are ahead of Topp XX who won against the other team in their group Kwakwani by a 3-0 score, and now Topp XX are still in with a chance to advance when they face

Botafago who are also second also in Group B. Come next Wednesday when the competition continues at the Mackenzie sports Club g r o u n d Blueberry H i l l face Net Rockers in the first game at 19.00h which will conclude play in the round robin format of the tournament.

istry was aware of the need for more research in the area.

"Research is an important aspect and we are, in fact, restructuring the sports sector, and our international relations, our bilateral agreements, our partnership with other countries will include the important aspect of research in those areas."

According to Bruce, while there isn’t the National Football League (NFL), Jamaica does have

to be concerned with the issue of athletes suffering from punch-drunk syndrome.

"Even though we don't have American football, it can still happen in soccer, it can still happen in volleyball or rugby, cheerleading, boxing, but we don't have that body of professional sports athletes in the volume for us to see the amount of CTE, that they are seeing in, for example, the NFL." (Sportsmax)

KMTC in perfect shape for Boxing Day Classic – Kennard A ll roads will lead to the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) at Bush Lot Farm for the annual Boxing Day Horse Racing extravaganza where more than 65 horses will battle for honours on what promises to be an exciting day of horse racing.

The feature event is for horses classified C and lower covering a distance of nine furlongs with the winner set to ride away with $1M and the Metro Office and Computer Supplies trophy.

The other races of the day include the L- class Non Winners, F and Lower, Two-Year-old Guyana Bred Open, L Class Open, H and Lower and the J3, K, L and Lower.

There has been some rain recently however, president of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Justice Cecil Kennard has confirmed that a full day of excitement is anticipated since the track is in perfect shape despite the recent rain.

“We haven’t had rain on the Corentyne for a long time and this rain will certainly help the race track because it was bone dry and we needed a little moisture in order to complete the preparation of the track,” Kennard stated.

Kennard is expecting a full turnout once again as turfites from near and far

Justice Cecil Kennard

have already shown their interest. “A lot of Guyanese look forward to the traditional Boxing day race meet and quite a few have already come from abroad to support the race meet.” the long serving president noted.

The Boxing Day race meet is a tradition since 1936 and is the signature event for the KMTC. For the feature race, a lot of competition will come from Storm Bird, Goodwill Boy, Lady Budapest, Beave Sky, Honey Flow, Just Call Me Boss, Princess She Is Not, Vera Finally as they will try to dethrone defending champion Golden Blue Echo.

The horses will take to the starting gates at 13:00h for the first race. Admission is $1,200 for adults and $600 for children.

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, december 24, 2017

Barca demoralise Real Madrid B

arcelona exploited a lacklustre Real Madrid to win the ‘Clasico’ 3-0 on Saturday as goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal gave the Catalans a 3-0 win and moved them 14 points clear of their biggest rivals in La Liga.

Barca outplayed the champions in Real’s Santiago Bernabeu fortress to also extend their lead to nine points at the top over their nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who were beaten 1-0 by Espanyol on Friday.

Barca’s weekend was made complete by third-placed Valencia then stumbling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Villarreal on Saturday which leaves them 11 points off the pace.

Real are 14 points adrift in fourth with a game in hand but their crushing defeat leaves their title hopes looking bleak, even though Barca’s coach Ernesto Valverde said afterwards it was premature to write off the champions.

After a tense but tight first half in the early afternoon sun, Suarez put Barca ahead, capitalising on a

Luis Suarez celebrates the opening goal

wide open space in Madrid’s midfield to knock in a simple pass from Sergi Roberto following a breakaway move in the 54th minute.

Messi hammered in the second goal from the penalty spot 20 minutes later after Dani Carvajal was sent off for blocking a goal-bound

header from Paulinho with his arm after Real were again easily picked apart on the counter attack.

Catalan defender turned winger Vidal hit the third in injury time to pile more misery on Madrid, who looked unrecognisable from the side that crushed Barca 5-1 on

aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup in August.

Real failed to capitalise on their chances in the first half as Karim Benzema’s header came off the post and Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by the flailing leg of Barca

goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

However, the European champions collapsed after the interval and Barca took full advantage.

“We are feeling very angry because it’s a defeat that hurts a lot but we are not going to give up,” Real coach Zinedine Zidane told a news conference.

“It’s a complicated moment because of the defeat and the three goals. I could say we don’t deserve this but football is like this. This is a very painful defeat, we are all sad, especially me. But we will come back much stronger.”

Valverde said it was premature to assume that his side had already wrapped up the title.

“Of course not, the first round of fixtures hasn’t even finished.

We’ve got the advantage, but we don’t focus on that,” he said.

“We’re only focusing on our games, our points and our sensations.”

Instead of the usual late evening kickoff time, Spain’s premier club fixture took place at 1200 GMT in a bid to capture a record television audience in Asia. (Reuters)

ECB won’t stand in DCC, Regal celebrate Windies under-19 duo Stokes’ way over IPL – players urged to remain focused and stick to basics B en Stokes looks set to play the entire IPL season but might not feature for England again before the end of 2018 if he is charged in connection with events outside a Bristol bar in September.

While Stokes was re-

Ben Stokes

cently named in England's ODI squad for the matches in Australia, he will not appear for the team - or travel on tour - until a decision is made by the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over whether to proceed with criminal charges over the incident in which Stokes was arrested.

If the CPS does decide to issues charges, the ECB believes it could take between six and 12 months to resolve irrespective of

any action the board or the Cricket Disciplinary Committee (CDC) take as a consequence. It remains unlikely he will be considered for England selection until any potential trial is resolved.

But the ECB is, according to its chief executive, Tom Harrison, unlikely to resist any attempt

by Stokes to appear in the IPL and is minded to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if and when it is required. Stokes is also likely to be made available for his county side Durham.

Stokes won the Most Valuable Player award at the 2017 IPL having been bought by Rising Pune Supergiant for around 1.7m. News that he could be available for the whole tournament in 2018 may see his value rise further. Bearing in mind that Stokes remains on full pay by the ECB - though he receives none of the match fees he might normally have expected - and he could find his period out of the national side unusually lucrative.

Stokes returns to England this weekend to spend Christmas with his family after a brief stint playing for Canterbury in New Zealand. He is not expected to return and it is safe to say his slim hopes of appearing in the current Ashes series departed with him.

Raymond Perez

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indies under-19 players Raymond Perez and Ashmead Nedd were meat of the attention on Friday evening when the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in partnership with Regal Sport staged an appreciation ceremony for the duo who will depart these shores on Wednesday for the ICC Youth 50-over World Cup in New Zealand.

The two sons of the city’s marque club along with Bhaskar Yadram, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Joshua Persaud are the five Guyanese on the squad.

During the evening of appreciation, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sport of Seafort street Campbellville made tangible cash donations to the duo that will add to their comfort while in New Zealand.

First Vice president of the club,

Roger Harper posited “when we all started playing we all dreamed of playing for West Indies and you have made a significant stride by earning a spot on the World Cup team.”

Harper reminded the players of their club mates Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach who won the title in 2016 to be example in their pursuit of victory.

The former West Indies player also echoed, “conduct yourself in a manner that you will continue to make parents proud and the club. You have the talent but that alone is not enough but you will have to go out and keep it simple by sticking to basics.”

He added, “see it as small step but a great step in maximising your ultimate goals I could remember Clive Lloyd telling us, the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary and I look forward to welcoming you home from the tour as champions.”

Rogers’s brother, Mark Harper, who is a former West Indies u-19 player stated, “the under-19 World Cup has been most significant start for future stars, several have done well but then then struggle to find their feet on the senior level; it means you will now have to remain more focused on your goals.”

More so, club coach Garvin Nedd, Ashmead’s father has been one of the motivating factors behind the players’ growth.

“Young Perez is a revelation. I saw the talent and I always knew he that he had I in him to do well and is doing well”, the coach posited. Nedd reminisced on the days where the batsman would have struggled at the National under-17 level but never gave up as he as determined to succeed.

Regarding his son, the former national off-spinner said with great humour “Ashmead’s coaching began since he was in his mother’s womb.

Garvin also thanked the support from National all-rounder Christopher

Ashmead Nedd

Barnwell who aided the young leftarm spinner to develop his talent. In closing, the coach reminded the players “attitude is linked to altitude.”

Club president, Patrick Harding congratulated the teenagers for a job well done on earning selection but was adamant the hard work has now begun. Harding hoped that the duo can aid the team in defending their title.

Senior member at the club Larry Smith asked to the duo to enjoy their cricket while “keeping it simple and look to make an impact.”

Both Perez and Nedd thanked the club for their support and stated they hope to make everyone proud by retaining the coveted title.

Meanwhile, Philip Simon, a club member since 1962 donated five boxes of cricket balls and disclosed he will continue to support the club in the new year sending various equipment.

(Akeem Greene)

sports

sunDAY, december 24, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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Lowden, Amerally edge Surujbally, Singh to O-45 crown T

he Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA)/Trophy Stall witnessed top performance this past week as the final phase of the Doubles Tournament which continued at the Le Resouvenir Racquet Center.

Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton made it to their first Trophy Stall Doubles Men’s final, having an intense battle with Joshua Kalekeyzi and Viraj Sharma in the semi-finals.

The duo lost their first set 5-7 but managed to regain their composure and take the remaining other two sets 6-3, 6-3. They squared off against the older more strategic team of Philip Squires and Joseph DeJonge who dispelled hard hitters Khalid Gobin and Dominic Fraser 6-2, 6-1.

Tapping into their experience, Squires and DeJonge proved formidable team in the first set, securing an easy 6-1 lead. However, tides soon turned during the second set to the settled youngsters who edged to a

Steve Surujbally, Robin Singh, Godfrey Lowden and Anthony Amerally strike a pose after a heated battle in the Men’s Over 45

6-3 win.

The deciding set was secured by the experienced Squires and DeJonge after serving up big serves and putting together a more comprehensive game plan to secure it 6-3, copping the Men’s Doubles title for the first time.

In the veterans cate-

gory, senior players Steve Surujbally and Robin Singh faced off against the Berbician duo of Anthony Amerally and Godfrey Lowden in a scintillating encounter.

Most of the games went to deuce and could have swung in any direction but Lowden and Amerally

drew first blood when they clinched the first set 6-3.

The second set Surujbally and Singh took a commanding 3-1 lead. However, the determined pair of Lowden and Amerally fought back intensely to 6-4 to be crowned winners of the Trophy Stall Men’s Over-45 Doubles.

Camaraderie the recipe to Essequibo’s success – Hercules

C

oach of the Essequibo Franchise, Ryan Hercules said his team’s success in this year’s Guyana Cricket Board’s Jaguars Franchise League tournaments apart from talent was due to the family-like bond his players developed over the course of the competition.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport on Saturday, Hercules a former national player said Essequibo’s rampant mood this season had numerous factors behind it, some of which ranges from the team’s burning desires to abolish their woes of the past, to the current unbeaten form which has seen them progress through seven rounds unbeaten.

“The 50 Overs weren’t much different from the 3-days, it’s just a different format of cricket and we had to go out and play.

We had a lot of discussions leading up to the 50 over as we discussed our strategies because it’s a shorter version, but we have the same team as we had in the 3-day and the guys made a good transformation and that shows the level of professionalism in the side,” said Hercules.

Playing an unchanged

Shiv Chanderpaul and Ryan Hercules speaking to the Essequibo Franchise team during the 3-day tournament at the Tuschen ground

team from the 3-Day League which they won, Essequibo have been the most consistent team with the most consistent performers and their coach exalted his players for their hunger.

“I said to the selectors that we have young players and they need to understand their roles. I keep mentioning that to them, because they can’t play any format they just need to know what to do when they get out there,” Hercules stated.

Hercules also credited Shivnarine Chanderpaul for coming into the team despite them being on top, saying “Words cannot explain” the presence of the 43 year-old veteran in the

team. He said the ex-West Indies skipper gave great advice to the players and it was him being there which helped turn up the heat.

Speaking about skipper and left-arm spinner Anthony Adams who was the leading wicket-taker in the 3-Days and is now the leading wicket-taker in the 50 overs, the Coach admitted the spinner is one of a kind.

“Anthony is one of the players who go the extra mile, you will find him at four in the morning working out before a game. He’s very focused and dedicated and I keep encouraging him because he does not get disappointed and he always aims to do much better.”

With Essequibo already

in the finals, awaiting the outcome between Lower Corentyne and either West Berbice or Georgetown, whichever advances out of next Thursday’s play-off clash, Hercules said it was important for them to keep their momentum heading into the finals on December 30.

“We used to be knocked out first or second round in the past and now we are 3-day champs and we are unbeaten in the 50 Overs after seven rounds. We haven’t lost four wickets in the tournament and Keemo Paul hasn’t batted and if Shiv comes back we will have another top batsman, so it will be a very entertaining finals” he ended.

22

sundAY december 24, 2017

Boult blows Windies away

guyanatimesgy.com

– New Zealand win series with game in hand

Ronsford Beaton had a hostile opening spell

A

snowballing 1 3 0 - r u n sixth-wicket stand propelled New Zealand to 325 for 6, before a smoldering Trent Boult blasted West Indies out for 121 with help from tearaway Lockie Ferguson.

West Indies have lost every game on tour, but rarely have they appeared so outmatched. The top order showed no fight against Boult's sniping accuracy and Ferguson's out-and-out-pace. They were virtually out of the game inside the first six overs, in which three wickets fell, and were all out by the 29th over. With this match goes the series - West Indies are 0-2 down with one match to play.

For the hosts, the 204-run victory featured several highlights. Not only were Boult's figures of 7 for 34 better than his previous best, they were also the second-best ODI figures for New Zealand by a whisker - Tim Southee having taken 7 for one run fewer in the 2015 World Cup. Henry Nicholls also produced a furious finish to the innings, after he and Todd Astle had lifted New Zealand from 186 for 5. His unbeaten 83 off 62 balls was also a personal best.

Elsewhere, George Worker produced an efficient fifty at the top of the innings, Ross Taylor's half-century held New Zealand together in the middle overs, and Ferguson made clear his potential, claiming 3 for 17 in four overs of hostile fast bowling.

Quicks of both teams were aided by the surface. Though Hagley Oval is usually the domain of swing and seam movement, it was the lift in this pitch that defined the match. West Indies had actually begun the match with some promise, dismissing four New Zealand top order batsmen with deliveries that leapt more than anticipated.

Although the West Indies' quicks' shorter lengths had proved a danger to batsman while the ball was new, there was also opportunity later on - 68 per cent of New Zealand's runs came square of the wicket. All innings long, only two boundaries were hit in the "V".

Boult began to maraud the moment he got ball in hand. He could have had Evin Lewis with his second delivery, had Worker held a very difficult chance some distance to his left. No matter. The last ball of that over zipped between Kyle Hope's bat and pad, and thundered

into the stumps. Next over, Boult had Lewis miscuing a pull shot to the fine leg fielder - the drop having cost no more than nine runs.

Every time Boult bowled, a wicket did not seem far off. Still in his first spell, he had Shimron Hetmyer caught at slip for 2, then later, Shai Hope sending a ball high into the air off his top edge, to depart for a belligerent 23. By the end of Boult's initial six-over burst, the target already seemed 100 too many for the West Indies.

Perhaps they would have made a more creditable reply had Ferguson not added to their discomfort, however. Now quite clearly the fastest bowler in New Zealand - having pipped Adam Milne for that title - Ferguson went either at the stumps or at the body, and on a pitch that suited his bowling, had success doing both.

Jason Mohammed was his first

gan as a recovery into a hailstorm of death-over boundaries. By the time Astle was dismissed for 49 in the final over, the previous 28 balls had produced 64 runs.

As was the case for Ferguson, this was a pitch that suited Nicholls' batting beautifully, however. Adept at the cross-batted strokes, he cut and pulled his way into a rhythm early in his innings, and let fly with the innovations later on. Of particular note was the overhead scoop off Ronsford Beaton in the 45th over - the shot that heralded the mayhem. Three overs later, Nicholls was walloping two sixes and two fours in a Shannon Gabriel over that yielded 22. In the first 37 deliveries he faced, Nicholls had hit 27 - overturning an lbw decision against him in that time. Off his last 25 balls, Nicholls plundered 56, even finding a place for the full deliveries beyond the square boundary.

Astle's innings was not quite so explosive - he had largely sought to turn the strike over to Nicholls, scoring exclusively with singles and twos off his first 35 balls. He did eventually hit out, slog-sweeping Rovman Powell for six twice in

George Worker struck his second consecutive fifty before becoming Ronsford Beaton’s first ODI victim

victim, fending at a delivery headed for his throat - the ball taking the shoulder of the bat and floating back to the bowler. Two balls later Rovman Powell played a shot that seemed to be light years two late - the offstump uprooted before the bat was even in position. Ferguson also dismissed Jason Holder with a short ball, before Boult came back to flatten the tail.

So good were New Zealand's quicks that perhaps West Indies were always going flounder, but in the first third of this match, the visiting quicks made regular breakthroughs, which suggested a contest could be on the cards. Then Nicholls and Astle turned what be-

the 49th over. A little fortune made that final flourish possible: Astle had been dropped off Powell by wicketkeeper Shai Hope, in the 46th over.

West Indies were not completely without performers.

Sheldon Cottrell - the leftarm quick who replaced the injured Kesrick Williams in this match - was the first bowler to use the short ball effectively in this match. His figures worsened as a result of New Zealand's fast finish, but he claimed a creditable 3 for 62 nonetheless. Holder returned 2 for 52 for himself.

But although visiting teams sometimes feel as they have the measure of New Zealand conditions, the home side almost unfailingly have in their ranks players who turn the match emphatically in their favour. This is New Zealand's ninth series victory in their 10 last bilateral series at home. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Trent Boult finished with career-best bowling figures in the big win

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand Innings (50 overs maximum) GH Worker c Powell b Beaton 58 C Munro c Mohammed b Cottrell 30 NT Broom c Holder b Cottrell 6 LRPL Taylor c †SD Hope b Holder 57 TWM Latham*† c †SD Hope b Holder 20 HM Nicholls not out 83 TD Astle b Cottrell 49 DAJ Bracewell not out 5 Extras (lb 3, w 14) 17 Total (For six wickets, 50 Overs) 325 Did not bat: MJ Henry, LH Ferguson, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-50 (C Munro, 6.5 ov), 2-66 (NT Broom, 10.4 ov), 3-124 (GH Worker, 18.6 ov), 4-169 (TWM Latham, 30.1 ov), 5-186 (LRPL Taylor, 32.6 ov), 6-316 (TD Astle, 49.2 ov) Bowling Cottrell 10-0-62-3 (w-2), Holder 10-0-52-2 (w-1), Beaton 8-0-60-1 (w-3), Gabriel 10-0-75-0 (w-3), Nurse 10-045-0 (w-4), Powell 2-0-28-0 (w-1) West Indies Innings (target:

326 runs from 50 overs) E Lewis c Bracewell b Boult 10 KA Hope b Boult 4 SD Hope† c †Latham b Bou lt 23 SO Hetmyer c Worker b Boult 2 JN Mohammed c & b Ferguson 18 JO Holder* c Munro b Ferguson 13 R Powell b Ferguson 0 AR Nurse c Worker b Boult 27 SS Cottrell c †Latham b Boult 8 RR Beaton not out 12 ST Gabriel b Boult 0 Extras (lb-1, nb-1, w-2) 4 Total (All out, 28 overs) 121 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (KA Hope, 1.6 ov), 2-15 (E Lewis, 3.3 ov), 3-21 (SO Hetmyer, 5.1 ov), 4-52 (SD Hope, 9.5 ov), 5-70 (JN Mohammed, 15.3 ov), 6-70 (R Powell, 15.4 ov), 7-86 (JO Holder, 17.6 ov), 8-100 (SS Cottrell, 21.3 ov), 9-121 (AR Nurse, 27.4 ov), 10-121 (ST Gabriel, 27.6 ov) Bowling Henry 7-0-36-0, Boult 10-3-347, Bracewell 5-0-19-0 (w-2), Ferguson 4-0-17-3 (nb-1), Astle 2-0-14-0

Bravo among the wickets as Renegades win again

A

second successive fifty for Cameron White helped Melbourne Renegades home in a low-scoring Big Bash League meeting with Brisbane Heat.

Melbourne Renegades edged out Brisbane Heat by seven wickets to make it two wins from two to start their 2017-18 Big Bash League campaign.

Having missed out on last season's play-offs by virtue of an inferior net run rate, the Renegades look a force to be reck-

oned with this time around as they chase a maiden BBL title.

A disciplined bowling performance restricted the Heat to just 1328 under the roof at the Etihad Stadium, Jack Wildermuth (3-16), the evergreen Brad Hogg (225) and Dwayne Bravo (2-27) doing much of the damage.

Although the Renegades lost both openers cheaply, Cameron White made a second consecutive

half-century before Tom Cooper crashed a six over square leg to finish 52

not out and get his side home with eight balls to spare. (Sportsmax)

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, december 24, 2017

23

‘Sons of Champions’ Boxing Day Card…

Gibson declares war on Allicock – Thomas opts out of bout with Amsterdam

A

n engrossing fistic fury is expected between bantamweight elite boxers Keevin Allicock and Clairmont Gibson when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in collaboration with Briso Promotions stages one night of sizzling action, dubbed ‘Sons of Champions’ at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, on December 26.

It will be a rematch of the National championships and former champion Gibson has openly declared war on his marque when the organisers held a press briefing on Saturday at the Windjammer International Hotel.

“It is going to be another

World War,” the Guyana Defence Force boxer stated who also revealed he has been involved nonstep intense training ahead of the mega bout.

Throwing the punches at him, is Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist Allicock who was more reserved on his plans but said he is focused ahead of the bout.

“I am prepared and well-focused and ready for anything that comes and I want to give the audience something they will want to come again and see,” the 18 year-old expressed.

Meanwhile, GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole revealed that the highly anticipated middleweight bout between Desmond Amsterdam a n d

Policeman Dennis Thomas will not happen since the latter opted not fight.

The battle had many pundits undecided as to a winner since both have held victory over each other. However, Amsterdam will still take the ring but against Alloco Best.

Poole also urged fans to come out in their numbers since a high quality card is expected and they will be making steadfast attempts to return the event an annual occurrence. Poole also felt the event gives the boxers a golden opportunity to be involved in intense competition ahead of what is expected to be a busy 2018.

Additionally, in the first clash of the night junior boxer Shamar Morrison of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) will match gloves with Emanuel Pompey for one bout before Shaquincy Wright of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) face K. Yayah of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG).

Exciting flyweight pugilist Julius Kesney of the Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) will tackle Kelvin Moore (VBG) in an elite flyweight contest.

Junior boxers, Travis Inverary (FYF) and Jaden Graham of the Young Achievers (YA) will next grace the ring in a fight that is much talked about. Both boxers

have earned the right to be touted as top boxers and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

GDF representative Colin “Superman” Lewis has made quite a name for his self and recently returned from St Lucia with a gold medal in the Caribbean Development Tournament. He will be in top shape and rearing to square off with Marlon Darryl (FYF) in a junior welterweight elite matchup.

Two GDF representatives, Aubrey Headley and John Mars, will oppose each other in a contest for bragging rights as well as championship honours while Alex Murray (FYF) will attempt to keep the (Andrew) Murray legacy alive when he squares off with Akeem Crandon of the

Desmond Amsterdam

Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym. The card will also include two female bouts which will see Alicia Rodney, from the newly inaugurated Savannah Boxing Gym (SBG) clash with Abiola Jackman (FYF). Aleema Arokium (RHJ) takes on Army representative Joan Williams in a female elite flyweight battle. Gates will open at 18:00h and organisers further emphasised the first gloves will touch at 19:00h.

Kohli returns for Proteas ODIs

V Dennis Thomas

irat Kohli returns to the limited-overs side to lead India while pacers Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami were included in the 17man one-day international squad for the six-game series against South Africa in February.

Kohli was rested for the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, which India lead 2-0 with Rohit Sharma in charge. Middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav was also included in the team after recovering from a hamstring injury.

India play three test matches in January before the ODI series begins and will end their tour of South Africa with three T20 internationals.

India ODI squad against South Africa: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur. (Reuters)

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

‘Sons of Champions’ Boxing Day Card…

Pg 23

Gibson declares war on Allicock

– Thomas opts out of bout with Amsterdam Bantamweight boxers Keevin Allicock (right) and Clairmont Gibson in an intense square off on Saturday at the Windjammer International Hotel

DCC, Regal celebrate Windies under-19 duo

– players urged to remain focused and stick to basics

Pg 19

Members of DCC, ‘Home of the Legends,’ at the appreciation ceremony on Friday night. Sitting are; from left Raymond Perez, Patrick Harding and Ashmead Nedd (Photo courtesy of The Xercise)

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December 24, 2017

Star Times Hollywood:

Oprah warns fans of internet scammers using her name Page 14 FREE DISTRIBUTION

Page 3

Guyana’s antique Disney-themed stamps celebrate the magic of the festive season

INSIDE

Page 4

Sorrel: An Page 5 interesting look at its origin and health benefits

Origin of Black Cake Page 7

2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Feature

G

ive Another Chance Foundation (GACF) is a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation registered in Guyana, with more than eight years of giv-

ing back to the society.

Its staff spans a range of disciplines from the social sciences, public policy, technology, and the creative arts. This interdisciplinary

team collaborates to bring cross-disciplinary insights to a future that combine complex challenges and require unconventional perspectives.

The Board of Directors is committed to the financial, operational, and intellectual vitality of the organisation. From the earliest days, the Board has collaborated

Spreading Christmas cheer

with management to evolve the organisation’s mission, resources, and administrative practices to meet the demands of a changing world.

Give Another Chance Foundation works in rural and outskirt urban communities of Guyana. These areas are known for high levels of poverty and low levels of educational achievement.

The Foundation works on self-reliant projects where its education programmes

whether you are addressing healthcare, poverty, population control, unemployment or human rights, there is no better place to start than in the corridors of education.

Give Another Chance Foundation works with girls and boys in rural communities of Guyana to ensure they are able to learn the skills and gain the knowledge that will help them break out of poverty and secure their future with an

The community of Baramita, North West District, received a basketball court, a collaboration between GACF and Mr. Thakur of the Atlantic Mining Company

focus not just on access, but on attainment – ensuring vulnerable children have the right infrastructure, resources, teaching and parental support in order to have a quality education, and go on to lead productive, happy lives. This is complemented by the Foundation’s livelihood programmes that work to create secure incomes.

The organisation also helps to improve agricultural practices and market awareness for farming communities.

GACF’s goals are to improve children’s lives by creating a social movement that delivers effective health, education, nutritional programmes; to give children an opportunity to realise their own personal achievement whether academically, artistically or within the realms of sports; and to promote peace, justice, understanding and friendly relations between the people of Guyana and people of the nations.

The organisation is committed to providing basic education from pre-school to university, and healthcare to underprivileged children in rural and urban communities. It believes that

After School Teaching programme.

Laying the foundations for learning, the organisation focuses on delivering quality early learning programmes. It ensures children get the best education at primary level, focusing on math, literacy, sciences, health, agriculture, critical thinking and more.

Notably, the Foundation works with men and women in rural communities to ensure they are able to earn a living, support their children’s education and have enough food to feed their families.

The Foundation helps communities find long-term solutions to poverty through innovative education and livelihood projects, which empower an individual to earn a livelihood. Its goal is to increase awareness on a range of issues – from healthcare to appropriate social behaviour to understanding one's rights, and in the process help persons become better citizens.

Visit Give Another Chance Foundation on Facebook to see all the good work it has been doing throughout the years.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

Guyana’s antique Disney-themed stamps celebrate the magic of the festive season

By Ann Wood

G

uyana and several countries have issued many stamps depicting Disney characters in scenes from animated Walt Disney films, celebrating Christmas or Easter, marking important anniversaries, commemorating the Olympic Games, visiting other countries, and saluting famous people.

Disney themed stamps are appealing to children and to the millions of Mickey Mouse and other Disney character enthusiasts.

There are tens of thousands of Disney stamps collectors as it is one of the most popular themes in stamp collecting. In addition, no matter what other topic you may collect, there are probably Disney stamps within it.

Disney themes on stamps started in 1968 (U.S.), 1970 (San Marino), 1972 (Fujeira and Sharjah) and 1991

(Guyana).

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1901, Walt Disney created some of the most famous cartoon characters in history and received many honours during his life and after his death. One of these honours was a United States commemorative postage stamp issued on September 11, 1968. It was Americas’ first Disney stamp and commemorated Walt's contributions to America and the world. The stamp depicted his portrait with designs in the background of children of the world emerging from Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

The “First Day of Issue” ceremony was held in Marceline, Missouri, as Walt grew up on a farm in that rural town. The Main Street of Disneyland was recreated by Walt to memorialize Main Street, Marceline, Missouri, a town Walt viewed as the ideal community. Almost a million first

day covers were cancelled in Marceline and over 150 million Disney stamps were purchased at U.S. post offices during the next ten days.

In August 23, 2004, the post office in Marceline, where Walt’s 1968 postal tribute was first issued, was renamed “The Walt Disney Post Office”.

Topical collecting, such as Disney stamps, stimulates the interest in the hobby of stamp collecting.

They inspire both the young and old with the variety of topics and bright colours.

However, general collectors continue to seek stamps which depict their interest.

To order the special Walt Disney Post Office Postmark, affix a US$1.15 stamp to envelopes of your choice, address the envelopes to yourself or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: Walt Disney Post Office Postmark

Stamp showing 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' celebrating Christmas

Various Disney characters displayed on Guyana stamps

'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' collection

to help stamp collectors with mation on stamp collection.

Postmaster advice on all aspects of col- (Cover photo: A Disney clas120 E. Ritchie Ave. Marceline, MO 64658- lecting. Visit www.guyana- sic, 'Snow White and the stamps.com for more infor- Seven Dwarfs') 9998 Ann Wood is president of the Guyana Philatelic Society.

The members of the Guyana Philatelic Society are people from all walks of life who collect new issues from Guyana to those who have only very limited stamp budgets. But above all, the stamp club offers the friendship, knowledge and experience of its members The lovable Disney character, Pluto, featured on one of the stamps who are there

Mickey Mouse Guyana stamp

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Feature

By Peter Halder

T

he observation and celebration of Christmas in Guyana dates back to the 17th century. It began, circa 1627, among the Dutch immigrants who had established permanent settlements in Essequibo. The celebration later spread to Berbice in 1627 and then Demerara in 1746.

The counties of Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, which subsequently became British as a result of European wars, were merged in 1831 and became British Guiana.

In the new British colony, the largest ethnic population were African slaves captured by British and Dutch slave ships and brought to Guyana to work on colonial sugar plantations.

Christmas was a popular season during the slavery era for most of the population except the Amerindians who lived in scattered communities in the hinterland observed and celebrated their

own tribal festivals totally unrelated to Christianity.

It was peculiar at that time that while Christmas was about the birth of Christ, for a long while, little religious emphasis was placed on it. The few churches which were in Essequibo, Berbice, and Demerara in the 17th century held no Christmas services on December 25 or on Boxing Day, December 26.

The religious observation and celebration of Christmas may be linked to the coming of the Rev John Wray. In 1810, the London Missionary Society, a Protestant body, sent him to Guyana. He set up a mission for slaves at Plantation Le Ressouvenir, a large cotton estate on the East Coast of Demerara. A church building was constructed and was named Bethel Chapel. It had a congregation of some 600 people.

Rev John Wray launched the religious observation of the Christian festival of Christmas at his church.

Guyana's Christmas stamps dated 1967

Church sermons featured the birth and life of Jesus Christ. An added feature was baptisms and marriages on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. The popularity of the Christmas services and their added attractions gave the slaves forbearance to their miserable lives, remembering how Jesus Christ was beaten and crucified on the cross. Christmas

celebrations quickly spread throughout the country and was popularly known as “the Season of Festivity”. From then to today, Guyanese extend to family, friends and anyone “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Festive Season”.

Christmas and the Christmas season were celebrated not only by the African slaves but by their white masters as well, each in their own way. The occasion expanded from just religious services to family parties and get-togethers on Christmas and Boxing Day. Special lunches and dinners for families and friends

translated into feasting and drinking which remains the culture until this day.

The whole country became a moving scene of feasting, drinking, dancing and gaiety. Cheerful groups traversed the lanes and paths in villages dressed in gaudy trappings, hair cut and fashioned in a variety of shapes, some decorated with beads, bits of ribbons and tinsel ornaments. They were accompanied by drumbeat and singing. Some wore wigs.

Christmas also became a time for gift giving. It perhaps was initiated by the white gentry who shared

out clothing, food items and drinks, including alcohol, to their slaves and at the same time wishing them a “Merry Christmas”. The slaves accepted the gifts for what they were worth but never forgot the whip lashes they received or expected in the future from their masters.

But inspired by the idea and the Christian charity of it all, slaves also began to give gifts of whatever they could afford to their immediate families. And so gift giving became consonant with the Christmas Season. (https://peterhalder.wordpress.com)

Main Street beautifully illuminated in the year 1953 (Wayne McWatt photo)

Children infront of a banner titled 'Father Christmas at Uncle Vivian (Ace Advertisers Robb and King Sts)' n.d.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

Tasty glass of sorrel drink

H

Sorrel plants

ave you ever thought about how sorrel drink became part of our culture, especially at Christmas? Well, it is believed that sorrel may have come from Africa to the Caribbean since the 1700s.

The sorrel plant is an annual shrub, normally planted in August and reaching maturity in December. After flowering, the sorrel petals fall of leaving the sepals (fruit) and these become enlarged and turn crimson as they mature. A beverage made from the fruit of the sorrel plant is made by steeping the sepal in hot water with ginger for about 24 hours. It is then decanted and sugar is added and rum, if desired.

Sorrel drink is called by other names reflecting its country origin. For instance, in Latin America it is referred to as agua de flor de Jamaica; in North Africa, it is called karade; and in the Ivory Coast this red beverage is called da bilen-

ni (where the plant itself is called da).

However, many think of this plant as being useful only to make a drink.

For this reason, the rest of the flower is discarded without much thought. Cultures around the world have been growing and using sorrel for centuries, in everything from soups and salads to vegetable side dishes and the creation of strong tea.

The high content of oxalic acid in sorrel makes it poisonous to a small degree, so intake should be regulated. In smaller quantities, eating sorrel is completely harmless. The oxalic acid is also responsible for the tart, tangy taste that is almost reminiscent of wild strawberries or kiwi. The leaves are the major part of the plant that is eaten or used in culinary preparations. Sorrel is also a key element in a number of different tea preparations due to its strong antioxidant compounds, including the fa-

mous Essiac tea.

Notably, sorrel has a vast array of health benefits associated with it. Along with being a unique flavour in your dishes, sorrel also provides significant amounts of fibre, very few calories, almost no fat, and a small amount of protein. In terms of vitamins, it is rich in vitamin C and also contains vitamin A, vitamin B-6, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

For digestive health, the high content of dietary fibre that can be found in most varieties of sorrel mean that your digestive health can be improved by adding these leaves to your soups and salads. Dietary fibre adds bulk to food as it moves through the digestive system, improving your gastrointestinal health and reducing conditions like constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, and cramping, as well as more serious gastrointestinal issues. Dietary fibre can also help to reduce total cholesterol in the body, thereby protecting heart health and reducing chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Also, sorrel has a very significant level of potassium (1 cup contains 15 per cent of your daily recommended intake), which is an essential mineral for human health. Potassium is a vasodilator, as well as being instrumental in maintaining fluid balance throughout the body. This means that potassium reduces the stress on the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and arteries. Lowered blood pressure reduces the chances of dangerous clotting and excessive strain on the heart that can lead to coronary heart disease and other complications.

For eyesight improvement, sorrel is recommended. Vitamin A, another of the essential vitamins found in sorrel, has been closely connected to the improvement in eyesight and a reduction of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Beta-carotene, which is a derivative of vitamin A, acts as an antioxidant, and combined with the other important antioxidant compounds in the body, sorrel can greatly boost eye health and prevent age-related degradation of that vi-

Crimson sepals used to make the drink

tal sense.

Vitamin C content in sorrel is impressive (a single cup of sorrel contains 106 percent of your daily recommended intake), which means that your immune system can be optimized and brought up to full strength when you add this to your diet. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, stimulates the immune system and increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the first line of defence against pathogens and other foreign invaders in the body.

Vitamin C also helps to reduce swelling, prevent scurvy, and even has analgesic (pain relief) properties when consumed in high quantities.

The significant levels of iron in sorrel mean that it boosts red blood cell production and prevents anaemia (iron deficiency). Increased circulation boosts oxygen levels throughout the body in the vital organs, boosts hair growth, increases energy levels, and speeds up the healing process (in conjunction with the protein content of sorrel).

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Literary Corner

Preserving our literary heritage by Petamber Persaud

This is a Good Time to Reach for A. J. Seymour A

rthur James Seymour ly rapid and dramatic change…He was an died on Christmas ubiquitous poet. He sang on all the themes – the beauty of nature, day of 1989. the cruelty of man, the fickleHe was a dev o t e d ness of fate, the kindness of Christian, good homes, the draevidenced mas of everyday life, especially in the sagas of history, the glory of women, a large volthe greatness of God”. ume of his His poetry, essays, writing given over to autobiographies and Christianother genres of writing effectively mapped based pothe course of his life etry; in esand the history of sence, he the development of a was one of Guyana’s Guyanese literature. most prolific Such a map includes gems like “Introduction religious poto Guyanese Writing”; ets.

“The Making of So this Guyanese Literature”; Christmas, it is a good and all his autobitime to reach ographical books: “Growing up in Guyana”, for Seymour “Pilgrim Memories”, who invoked, “Family Impromptu”, in his poet“Thirty Years a Civil ry, the birth, life, death Servant” and “The and more Years in Puerto Rico and particularMackenzie”. His books of literary criticism like “A ly the resCollected poems by Seymour Survey of West Indian urrection Literature” and “Studies of Christ – the essential tenet of Christianity. in West Indian Poetry” helped to define a Apart from his religious leanings, Caribbean literature. A bibliography of his Seymour has touched on many other mean- writing compiled by the National Library ingful aspects of life which gives us enough was 100 pages long! That was in 1974, alreasons to reach for Seymour at this time of most 40 years ago. A matter of immense interest is that almost all his books were pubthe year.

Ian McDonald in his introduction to “A. lished locally.

J. Seymour: Collected Poems 1937-1989”, Inset in one of those maps is the followedited by McDonald and J. de Weever, sums ing poem taken from the collection “Song to up Seymour this way: “[w]e are speaking of Man” published in 1973.

Now experience Seymour’s impression a body of work that stretches from 1936 to 1989. The poetry, therefore, not only ranges of Christmas in Georgetown some four deover the various stages of a man’s life from cades ago. extreme youth to old age but also traversComposition in December In my fabulous December/Shinning eyes es the different stages of a nation’s and a people’s development in a time of especial- of children

T

wo little children were sitting by the fire one cold winter's night. All at once they heard a timid knock at the door, and one ran to open it.

There, outside in the cold and the darkness, stood a child with no shoes upon his feet and clad in thin, ragged garments. He was shivering with cold, and he asked to come in and warm himself.

"Yes, come," cried both the children; "you shall have our place by the fire.

Come in!"

They drew the little stranger to their warm seat and shared their supper with him, and gave him their bed, while they slept on a hard bench.

In the night they were awakened by strains of sweet music and, looking out, they saw a band of children in shining garments approaching the house. They were playing

Grasping the toy-happy season/Tight in their little fists…

Groups of laughing boys/Dash pell-mell in their yachtings Chasing along crowded pavements…

Limber girls/ Flaunt their shapely banners…

Along the avenue/Under a floating cloud of hair Fabulous Monument/ of the Cathedral,/ after the sun Withdraws its white stare/Listens to the vespers When advent doves/Twitter/ High in the gloomy rafters Of its brain O death has no place here /Only laughter…

I discover crystal raindrops/Floatfalling/ On the heavy rhythmic cars/Lurching/ Around the War Memorial

A tiger moth/With wondering benediction, In its wings/ Flaps slowly/From the saman trees/To condemn hysteria…

What’s happening: Over GYD$1,000,000 in prize money up for grabs in the 2018 issue of The Guyana Annual. New closing date for entries to the various competitions is January 15, 2018.

For further information go to The Guyana Annual on Facebook or email: theguyanaannual@gmail.com

And moss sleeps/On a stone…

On the centenary of his birth anniversary (January 12, 2014), Seymour was inducted into the National Library Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts.

Note: Today’s article title is inspired by Rupert Roopnaraine’s essay on Martin Carter, “This is a good time to reach for Martin”.

Responses to this author please telephone 226-0065 of email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

on golden harps, and the air was full of melody.

Suddenly the Stranger Child stood before them; no longer cold and ragged, but clad in silvery light.

His soft voice said: "I was cold and you took Me in. I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was tired, and you gave Me your bed. I am the Christ Child, wandering through the world to bring peace and happiness to all good children. As you have given to Me, so may this tree every year give rich fruit to you."

So saying, He broke a branch from the fir tree that grew near the door, and He planted it in the ground and disappeared.

But the branch grew into a great tree, and every year it bore wonderful golden fruit for the kind children. (By Lucy Wheelock, from "For the Children's Hour," by Bailey and Lewis)

Notice to Readers

A. J. Seymour

If you have a poem and/or short story you would like to publish on our Literary Corner page, please email to guyanatimes@gmail.com. Kindly include your correct name and a contact number in your email. If you have any questions, please call 223-7230 or 223-7231.

Joyful Christmas Day is almost here

By Dmitri Allicock

Christ’s birth rejoiced with feelings so dear Melodious carols praises the season with delight Stardust illuminates with colourful flickering lights Behold all things are softer and beautiful Pepper pot, garlic pork, black cake so tasteful Rekindled closeness of family and nostalgic festivity Glorified saviour of mankind and Sacred Nativity Beaming children, Father Christmas of happiest times Early church services and distant bells chime Childhood innocence with spirit of rebirth Guyana’s best and hopes for peace on this earth Homes replenished, Christmas tree decorated so well Ham and eggs, fresh bread with ecstatic spell Whistle and drums of dancing Masquerade strumming Mother Sally and Wild Cow are coming Packed airplanes headed home with memories so fine Hoping to enjoy preciousness and perhaps some wine Sorrel or ginger beer, cookup rice and the best dishes A jolly season to celebrate with cheers and wishes

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

I

n Caribbean culture, to give a whole homebaked black cake as a gift is a sign of great affection and intimacy. But have you ever thought about the origin of black cake?

According to Guyanese historian Sushima Naraine, who resides in Canada, black cake is the Caribbean version of the British dessert plum pudding, but with “some slight Caribbeanesque changes(hence the rum)”.

Food and Cooking in Victorian England: A History stated: “Banned by

the Puritans in the 1660s for its rich ingredients, the [plum] pudding and its customs came back into popularity during the reign of George I. Known sometimes as the Pudding King, George I requested that plum pudding be served as part of his royal feast when he celebrated his first Christmas in England after arriving from Hanover to take the throne in 1714.

By 1740, a recipe for ‘plum porridge’ appeared in Christmas Entertainments.

In the Victorian era, Christmas annuals, maga-

zines, and cookbooks celebrated the sanctity of family as much as the sanctity of Jesus’ birth, and the tradition of all family members stirring the pudding was often referenced…

Poorer families made the riches version of plum pudding that they could afford…Even workhouse inmates anticipated a plum pudding on Christmas Day.” Andrea Broomfield [Praeger:Westport CT] 2007 (p. 150-151) “While Christian missionaries made their ways through Caribbean commuBritish Christmas pudding

Slice of Guyanese black cake

'The Empire Christmas Pudding', artwork by F C Harrison produced for the Empire Marketing Board

nities, they left an indelible mark in the foods that continue to be a staple of the Caribbean diet. Plum pudding is but one example of the remaining British presence throughout.

“It’s impossible to have a Christmas without black cake especially because many people gift these cakes to each other. As well, it’s common for everyone in the family to get involved in the actual baking process. Dad might be in charge of soaking the fruits in the rum, while mom takes care of mixing the ingredients. All the children – if they can be trusted with this task – would be involved in mixing the icing.

The prep for baking black cakes is time-consuming, but the results are always

amazing. As well, because of the concentration of rum these cakes can last for a really long time – my family keeps black cake on the kitchen counter for months afterwards…”

Sushima noted.

Interestingly, the cake went by another name the Empire Christmas pudding. This dessert was a staple of the British Empire and, of course, a special cake made and eaten during the Christmas holidays.

It gained popularity during the Victorian era when chefs were able to preserve fruits from summer and use them during the winter.

“The Empire Christmas Pudding”, an artwork by F C Harrison produced for the Empire Marketing Board, is a recipe from 1926-1939

showing various ingredients being sourced from different countries, including sugar and rum from British Guiana.

English cakes were soaked in liquor to preserve them on sea voyages.

But according to Jessica B. Harris, a culinary historian, black cake's Caribbean character is found in the rum (British cakes usually use brandy) and in the cake's intensely dark colour.

Black cake reflects the British presence in the Caribbean. The brown sugar, molasses and rum are reminders that it was the quest for sugar, and the slave labour that harvested it, that kept British colonialists in the islands.

Illuminated City Hall in 1953 (Wayne McWatt photo)

8 Sunday Times Magazine

DECEMBER 24, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Travel and Tourism

A section of Kingston, Georgetown (Tiltshift. Amanda Richards's photo)

The Essequibo River as it snakes its way through thick vegetation

Spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge (Photo by Amanda Richards)

Yachts at Baganara Island, Essequibo (Photo by Guyana Tourism Authority)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

T

here are many fine Christmas traditions, but being healthy is not one of them.

"The average person consumes around 6,000 calories on Christmas day," says Luise Marino, paediatric dietitian and author of Momentums e-cook-book.

"That's enough food for a woman for three days!"

And most people don't just over-eat on Christmas day. Those left-overs can last for days.

"Weight gain over Christmas is common," says Luise. "Come January, though, it can be difficult to shift."

According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA) people gain 2kg (4.4lbs), on average, over Christmas.

A lot of people say, well it's just once a year. What does it matter if I let my hair down? "But don't use it as an excuse," says Sian Porter, a dietitian and spokesperson for the BDA. "At this time of year, it's easy to hide under your [clothing] and ignore what's going on underneath them."

One way of not letting the eating get out of control, says Sian, is to stick to usual meal times.

Start with a healthy breakfast, preferably one that is going to keep you full

for a while, such as porridge oats. That way you won't be tempted to dip into the snacks as much.

Nibbles

The calories in snacks can quickly mount up. A single meat pie packs about 250 calories. A couple of those are equivalent to a quarter of the guideline daily calorie intake for a woman or a fifth of the calorie intake for a man.

"Why not use fresh vegetables with low fat dips instead, and rather than putting out chips, offer bowls of popcorn," says Luise.

Nuts and dates also make healthy snacks.

Bird is the word

However, snacks are just a side-show. The main event is Christmas dinner and although it's never going to be a low calorie affair, there are ways of making it a healthier meal.

First of all, there's the bird.

"Whatever bird you choose to cook—be that duck, chicken, goose or turkey—they all are rich in protein and fat-soluble vitamins, which are essential for muscle repair and neuron function," says Abigail

E

very year thousands of people across the world suffer from Christmas stress. No, Christmas stress is not a medical term. However, every year thousands of people find themselves suffering from an insurmountable amount of stress during, and leading up to Christmas.

For some people, the seemingly endless holiday to-do lists is what triggers their seasonal anxieties. While other people blame the gift giving demands and family expectations for their stress. There are other reasons as to why people find themselves more stressed out during Christmas than any other time of year such as: loneliness, divorce, grief and or toxic relatives.

However, to manage the onset of Christmas stress it's important to recognize the signs so that you can know what to do if and when and it happens to you.

How to Prevent Christmas Stress

One of the best ways to prevent Christmas stress is to set clear boundaries both for you and for others. Try your best not to take on more than you can handle such as: cooking, holiday shopping or gift wrapping. Enlist support from your family, friends and loved ones.

There is nothing wrong with asking the people you love for help. This support can be prac-

Wilson, director of eDietitians. "Of these, turkey is the leaner meat and possibly the healthier option with significantly less fat than duck or goose."

Before cooking, Luise recommends pricking the

tical or emotional but it really helps to spread the load and to ensure that other people are aware of your needs.

Simply expressing your needs to the people closest to you can make all the difference.

Not only will it help you minimize your stress levels, but it will also bring you and your family closer. The alternative is not saying anything, which will only bring about more stress and more resentment.

Ways to Help You Manage Your Christmas Stress

Christmas is one of those holidays where everyone is expected to be happy and in a celebratory mood. However the reality is that the holiday season, particularly Christmas often brings about unwelcome guests, financial strain, and showing up for parties and events when you'd rather stay at home.

Fortunately there are several things you can do to alleviate some of the holiday pressure: Exercise in either a gentle form. Or try a more vigorous exercise such as jogging, both have been shown to be effective when dealing with stress.

Yoga has been known to be an excellent antidote to stress and anxiety. The physical and mental discipline yoga offers

skin of the bird so that fat can drain out.

If you're a vegetarian, you might want to consider a nut roast, says Abigail.

Aside from being rich in healthy unsaturated fats, nuts are also a good source of protein, fibre and a host of micronutrients, including folic acid, niacin, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

They also contain phytosterols which help to lower cholesterol.

Although nuts are a calorie-dense food a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine f o u n d that people who regularly eat nuts are slimmer than those who don't eat nuts. More importantly, the researchers found that people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20% less likely to die, from any cause, over a 30year period than people who don't regularly eat nuts.

helps you to relax thereby allowing the body to de-stress.

Meditation has also been proven to minimize stress. The idea is that as you focus your attention on your breathing, your body begins to relax, thereby allowing you to gain control of your thoughts. When you become aware of your thoughts you can control what you think.

So, if you find yourself spiraling out of control, stop and begin meditating.

Visualization and imagery is another way to dramatically diminish stress and anxiety, particularly in anxiety prone individuals. The idea is that you focus your at-

"People often eat the most vegetables in the week when they have a roast, so Christmas dinner is an ideal time for eating lots of veg," says Sian.

But make sure they're cooked healthily.

"When you cook your veggies, cook them in the minimum amount of time with the minimum amount of water," says Sian. "And use the cooking water to make gravy with, because then it's like eating soup. You get all the goodness out of it."

For roast potatoes, use a non-stick baking tray and lightly spray the potatoes with oil.

If you're using fresh vegetables, make sure you store them in a cool, dark place because sunlight and warm temperatures can affect the nutrients, and don't snub frozen vegetables. They're often every bit as nutritious as fresh vegetables.

Even dessert doesn't have to be unhealthy.

"If you're having something rich and creamy, have an alternative," says Sian.

"You can make a big bowl of fruit salad so that people have an option."

Stay active

With all that eating, the inactivity sets in, but don't be tempted by the sofa, you might stay there until bed-

tention on something else such as relaxing on a sandy beach whenever you feel stressed.

Thus you are tricking your mind to be somewhere else even when you are not.

All of the techniques above will help you create the space and time you will need to get through the Christmas season stress free. However in order for any of these techniques to work, it's important for you be mindful of your stress levels.

That said, do keep your expectations low for the holidays. Too

o f t e n peo-

time.

"Try and get out and about to blow the cobwebs away," says Sian. "It's really important that they remember to be physically active as well."

That doesn't mean you have to do a Zumba class on Boxing Day. A walk shortly after a meal is a good way to stay healthy.

A study by researchers at George Washington University in the US found that taking a 15 minute stroll half an hour after eating helps to control high blood sugar in elderly people and could reduce their risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

Most people take a nap or watch television after a big meal, but that's the worst thing you can do, says, Loretta DiPietro, the person who led the study. "Let the food digest a bit and then get out and move," she advises.

…but don't forget to have fun!

"Christmas is fun, it's enjoyable, so go for it," says Sian. "But definitely don't make it go on and on and on.

Enjoy the day, but then it's business as usual."

Luise advises an "80:20 approach", where 80% of the time you are good and 20% of the time you indulge a little. (WebMD)

ple set their Christmas expectations so high that they become stressed out just thinking about all the plans they made.

Letting go of the belief that Christmas has to be perfect will immediately help to diminish the weight of your expectations.

That means even when someone in your family is not behaving like an angel, the turkey refuses to cook, or the store just ran out of that perfect gift you picked out for your husband or wife, you will be able to handle it.

Managing your Christmas stress is all about eliminating the things that create emotional, mental or emotions stress.

And, when you keep your holiday expectations in check, you are more likely to create a merry Christmas that ends stress free. (HuffPost)

10 Sunday Times Magazine Fashion

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

F

R

ed seems to be a hit this season. But with these tips and tricks, there's no better time to go all out and dress up in varying tones of cherry, scarlet, cranberry, and crimson.

Invest in a long maxi dress that does all the work for you.

If you do want to make your look feel festive, opting for velvet and accessorizing with gold jewellery will do the trick.

Accent your varying shades of red with dark accessories on the top and bottom.

While an abundance of red separates might give off "extreme" vibes, swinging your crossbody bag over the shoulder and going hands free will keep your look relaxed.

or starters, you want to know how to shop for an affordable suit. Avoid shiny synthetic fibers, for instance, and stick with the mass-market retailers that make an effort to offer quality fabrics and modern cuts. Here are a few tricks you can use once you buy the suit to make it look a little nicer. Master these moves and you might even find yourself wearing a suit without being asked to.

Take in the sleeves

You want a narrow, tapered sleeve that hugs, not hangs off your arms, while giving you enough range of motion to do what needs to be done.

This also goes for the pants.

Baggy looks untidy; tailored is elegant… sexy.

Show a sliver of skin at the midriff, then offset your look with one unexpected accessory in a powdery hue.

Try achieving the look with a pair of tights.

This style move will elongate your frame, especially when you're wearing heels.

Replace the buttons

Cheap suits tend to come with flimsy shiny plastic buttons that are easily broken or lost during a particularly hectic work day.

While you’re at the tailor, ask him or her to replace the buttons with genuine horn. Simple, but worth it.

Add a cuff at the ankle

Not only should your tailor give your trousers a slim, tapered leg and that has virtually no break at the hem, but you can also ask him or her to add a 1.5” cuff while they’re at it. It’s a detail you don’t often see on budget suits, so by default it looks expensive.

Try monochromatic styling

For a festive touch, swipe on a red lip and slip into green pumps, instead of the expected red or white.

Finish with expensive shoes

Cheaping out on every element in your look makes the job of looking great that much more difficult. If you invest in one thing (other than tailoring) make it a pair of sturdy, bench-made dress shoes that you can wear over and over—and over again.

Working within a limited palette when selecting your shirt, tie and shoes is a modern move that tends to make the fabric of your suit look richer and finer. Switch up the colours and patterns ever so slightly with each piece to create depth.

Add one item like a pocket square or soft briefcase from a totally different colour family.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe of the week

Ingredients:

18 chicken wings 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne Cooking spray

Sauce:

Entertain in style this season with a festive centrepiece for your holiday table.

1 cup barbecue sauce, preferably Hickory Smoke Flavor 1⁄2 cup honey 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons hot sauce 4 tablespoons butter 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder

Candy-inspired centrepiece: Perfect for a kids' table, this simple, shatterproof centrepiece is made from foam candy cane spheres, tree trimmings, red feathers and glittery plastic ornaments, all tucked inside a box.

Method: Wash, dry, and season the wings with the salt, garlic, pepper, cayenne, sugar, and paprika.

Preheat the oven to 375.

Butter/oil a baking pan, place wings in pan and then in the oven.

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

Ingredients:

5 potatoes 3 eggs Chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion

While they are baking, make the sauce by slowly simmering the sauce ingredients over the lowest heat.

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

1/2 cup sweet pickle relish 1 tablespoon mustard ¼ cup mayonnaise Ground black pepper to taste Salt or vegetable cubes to taste

Golden candlestick holders add a classy touch to your table top; just decorate with some festive greenery.

Method:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop.

Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove

from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, mustard, salt, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

This simple, eye-catching display is perfect for a last-minute party. Pile glass ball ornaments on top of one another in a pyramid shape atop a cake stand. Hold them together using double-sided tape.

Layer garland with a collection of colourful ornaments in your favourite tray to create an irresistible holiday centrepiece.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Puzzles

Crossword ACROSS

1 Thinnest coin

5 Fleetwood Mac singer

10 Gas thief's gizmo

16 Less exciting

21 Scholarly notation

22 Wry humor

23 Princess Leia - 24 Booster rocket 25 Turndowns

26 Spread sand or salt

27 Ad come-on

28 Electrical measure

29 Stated confidently

31 Pac-Man morsel

33 Lyre cousins

35 Derisive snort 36 Scallions' kin

37 Herds of whales

40 London lav

41 Wind into loops

42 W-2 info

45 Malaprop's title 46 Festive night

48 Hi-fi component

50 Sophisticated

52 Powder

54 Cannes cop

55 Eldest of the Pleiades

57 Weed 58 Crocks

59 Bad thing to rock

60 "Stormy Weather" singer

62 Outer garments

66 In charge of 67 Circus (2 wds.)

69 Breakfast nook 71 Scotty beamed him up

72 Future (hyph.)

74 Boston Bruin great

76 Napoleon's fate

78 Mauna -Gasps of delight

79 80 Abhors 83 Price of horror flicks

85 Early stages

88 Thirteen witches

89 Knee, perhaps

90 Dries lumber 93 Instants

95 It's often modified

97 Mav's foe

98 Ms. Zellweger

100 Spinks' defeater

101 Spring flowers

106 Fermi split it 108 Good brandy

110 Patron

112 Flapjack chain 113 Majestic

115 Lament loudly 116 Part of A.D.

117 Japanese mushroom

118 Secure a tent

120 Actress Tyne -122 Forest browsers

123 Lodestone

124 Florida racetrack

128 Sprawl

129

130

131

132

133

135

137

139

140

142

144

148

150 153

155

156

157

158

159 160

161

162

163

1

2

3

4

5

6 7 8

9

10

11

12

13 14

15

16

17 18

19

20

30 32

34 38

39

41

42

43 44

46 47

49

51

53 54

56 59

61

63

64

65 67

68

69

70

Dangerous curve Stockholm carrier Mdse.

Drama award Dull routine Term paper abbr. (2 wds.)

Buyer U.K. lexicon French clerics Woody's ex Clearly written Fuss with makeup Looked good on Parking attendant Man-goat deity Bus routes Still closed Wed impulsively "Kon- --" Large-billed raptor Saying Burn sandalwood Slide downhill DOWN Ms. Merrill Nigerian people (var.)

-- van der Rohe Famous lemon College exam Pond feeders Vacuums Financial mag Gave the once-over -- voce High dudgeon Nicklaus' org.

Leftovers dish NBA's Shaquille Cramped Prize marbles Turkish honorific Procedure Involve Without due thought Romulus and -Fuel cartel Tigger's pal Reservoir boundary Tiny Store employee Kind of pigeon Round of applause Poet -- Ginsberg On cloud nine Corleone patriarch Jigsaw components Loud argument Truckers' loads Eighty-day traveler Strong as -- -Flour holders Tel -Felt crummy Point of an antler Large aquarium fish Scrooge's oath D.C.'s river Whodunit poison Yale alumnus

73 75 77 81 82 84 85 86 87 91 92 93 94 95 96 99 102 103 104 105 107 109 111 114 117 119 121 122

Machine part Luxuriate Indifference Kind of system Explosive ltrs.

Foxy Grouchy Muppet "Groovy!"

"Stompin' at the --" Toshiba rival Blizzard maker Hireling Glistens Prefix for "second" Libras' mo.

"I say!"

Sudden urges Flip-flop Phonied it up Kebab holders Kind of sugar Kate's sitcom friend Vietnam neighbor Bruce -- of kung fu Assuaged Formal or tux So far Pastrami purveyor

123 Dugong cousin

124 Comic-strip Major 125 Two-nation peninsula

126 Coming to the rescue

127 To-do 130 Wins every game

134 -- -bopper 136 Make better

137 Acrylic fiber 138 White-water craft

140 141 143 145 146 147 149 151 152 154

Basilica part Trash hauler With, to Henri Pitch water "Cool Hand --" Oklahoma town Brooks or Gibson Military addr.

Mal de -Stein filler Solution on Pg 13

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- OBEISANCE (OBEISANCE: oh-BAY-sens: An attitude of deference or homage.)

Average mark 38 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 58 or more words in OBEISANCE?

obese obscene ocean once oscine bacon bane base basic basin beacon bean beanie been bias bine bison bone bonsai ease

ebon encase icon sane scab scan scene scion scone seance seen seine since sine snob sone sonic absence acne aeon

anise nice niece noes noise nose cabin cane canoe case casino cease cense cobia coin cone conies cosine

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed.

3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

Tech news

A

More expensive Apple AirPods said to launch next year

pple is preparing to launch new AirPods in the second half of 2018, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo said Apple is sourcing smaller components from a company named TXC, which suggests the AirPods might also be smaller.

According to AppleInsider, which obtained Kuo's note, Kuo is also expecting a higher average selling price, suggesting that the AirPods might cost more than the current model.

Kuo didn't mention it, but it's possible that Apple eventually adds health tracking features to its AirPods, too.

According to a report from CNBC, the ear is a better

Tech news

F

place to track health data than the wrist.

AirPods have gained in popularity since they hit the shelves a year ago and are currently out of stock heading into the holidays.

Apple has also promised

and tied into your current use of the site's facial recognition software, which suggests friends to tag in your photos — if you've got that feature turned on, then you would get these new alerts unless you opt out.

"You're in control of your image on Facebook and can make choices such as whether to tag yourself, leave yourself untagged, or reach

Crossword Solution

wo class action lawsuits have been launched against Apple in the US following the tech giant's admission that it slows down older models of the iPhone as

T

compensation, claiming that iPhone owners never consented to the "interference".

James Vlahakis, of the Sulaiman Law Group is representing the plaintiffs in the

they age.

Apple has said that it did this to "prolong the life" of the devices and maximise diminishing battery power.

The lawsuits were filed in California and Chicago by groups of iPhone users representing others, who they claim have suffered "economic damage".

In the California court papers, Stefan Boganovich and Dakota Speas, who both live in LA, cite loss of use, loss of value and the purchase of new batteries as reasons for

Chicago legal action.

"Apple's failure to inform consumers these updates would wreak havoc on the phone's performance is being deemed purposeful, and if proven, constitutes the unlawful and decisive withholding of material information," he said in a statement.

Mr Vlahakis added that in his view it would be a "direct violation" of consumer fraud-related legislation in Illinois, Indiana and North Carolina, where the complainants are based. (BBC)

a wireless charging case for the AirPods — likely to appear next year — which will work with the current model. It seems plausible an upgraded version would ship with this out of the box.

(CNBC)

Facebook will soon send alerts when a photo of you is posted, even if you're not tagged

acebook is expanding the use of its facial recognition technology to alert users when a photo of them is posted, even if they're not tagged.

The idea is to round up photos posted by friends that you might want to add to your profile and to detect when someone else is using your photos as their own.

The setting is optional

Apple faces lawsuits over slowed iPhones

out to the person who posted the photo if you have concerns about it," the company said in a statement.

The alerts notify users when a friend or someone in their broader network posts a photo "that might include you," and then offers options to ignore the photo, tag themselves, mark that it's not them or report the photo. (CNBC)

Tech news

Facebook ditches fake news warning flag

F

acebook no longer displays red warning icons next to fake news stories shared on the platform, as it says the approach has not worked as hoped.

In December 2016, the site started showing a "disputed" warning next to articles that third-party fact checking websites said were fake news.

However, it said research suggested the "red flag" approach actually "entrenched deeply held beliefs".

It will now display "related articles" next to disputed news stories.

"Academic research on correcting misinformation has shown that putting a strong image, like a red flag, next to an article

may actually entrench deeply held beliefs - the opposite effect to what we intended," Facebook's Tessa Lyons wrote in a blog post.

Instead of displaying a warning icon in the news feed, it will instead "surface fact-checked articles" and display them next to disputed stories.

Facebook said it had tested the approach and found that although the new approach did not reduce the number of times disputed articles were clicked on, it did lead to them being shared fewer times.

People who do try and share a disputed article are showed a pop-up with links

to fact-checked sources.

"Using language that is unbiased and non-judgmental helps us to build products that speak to people with diverse perspectives," Facebook's designers said.

"Just as before, as soon as we learn that an article has been disputed by fact-checkers, we immediately send a notification to those people who previously shared it."

Critics say social networks should face regulation if they do not tackle the spread of misinformation and propaganda. (Excerpted from BBC)

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Bollywood/Hollywood

Salman Khan tops Forbes India Celebrity 100 list

B

ollywood star Salman Khan has once again maintained the top spot in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list for the second consecutive year.

Shah Rukh Khan and India’s cricket captain Virat Kohli took the second and third spot respectively with Priyanka Chopra as the only female celebrity featuring in the top 10 list.

The 2017 Forbes India Celebrity 100 list rankings are based on estimates of entertainment-related earnings of celebrities. The period under consideration is October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017. The methodology for calculating the ranking may have changed this year (to exclude the “fame” quotient), but the list’s top three names have remained constant.

The 51-year-old Salman, for the second

successive year, grabbed the top spot, despite the subdued box office performance of his film “Tubelight”. The actor earned a significant amount of money backed by endorsements of several consumer-facing brands. In fact, his earnings constitute 8.67 percent of the total earnings of the top 100 celebrities for the year.

Joy Chakraborthy, CEO - Forbes India and President - Revenue, TV18, said, “We are delighted to present yet another collector’s edition of Forbes India which will hit the stands soon. Over the years this list has established itself as the definitive benchmark of who’s making what in the entire entertainment world.

“This year’s Celebrity 100 list is based on a revised methodology focusing on the celebrities’ earnings, thus reflecting in better representation and hence a well-rounded celebrity list of 100.” (IANS)

Oprah warns fans of internet scammers using her name

I

t's no secret that Oprah Winfrey is one of the most generous celebrities in Hollywood. However, someone is using her giving nature to their advantage by posing as the TV icon in a questionable social media "giveaway" promotion.

In an attempt to prevent anyone from falling for the scam, Oprah has taken to social media herself to warn folks not to fall for the trick.

The post, which bares the media queen's name, has gone viral on Instagram, specifically, and is promising a Holiday giveaway of US$5,000 to its first 100,000 fans who follow its OWN media network Christmas page.

Those who eventually follow the instructions, however, are eventually asked for money. Lil' Duval put the page on blast after noticing that a few folks had already fallen victim.

After getting word of the scam, Oprah took to social media to personally urge her fans not to take the bait.

"I just wanted you to know that some-

body out there is trying to scam you using my name and my avatar on social media by asking for money and to sign up for an OWN account on Instagram," she told her followers. "It's a fraud, it's a fraud, it's a fraud!

Don't believe it! Don't give up any banking or personal account information to anyone posing as me or anyone else for that matter." (BET)

Shah Rukh Khan: ‘Hugh Jackman inspires us with his performances’

B

ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has hailed Hugh Jackman and said that the Hollywood actor always inspires him with his performances.

“My love and thanks to my friend Hugh Jackman for always inspiring us with his performances. You are ‘The Greatest Showman’ in Wolverine’s clothing,” Shah

A

Rukh tweeted on Friday.

Directed by Michael Gracey, “The Greatest Showman” is a period musical drama film, which also features Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya. Jackman, who plays the role of P. T. Barnum in the film, had earlier praised Shah Rukh at the Sydney premiere of

ctress Priyanka Chopra hopes the controversy surrounding “Padmavati” clears up soon and the people get to witness the magnum opus in all its glory.

Priyanka, who featured in a song in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela” and essayed a full-fledged role as Kashibai in his film “Bajirao Mastani”, said she would always stand by the filmmaker.

The period drama, “Padmavati”, is yet to receive a certificate from the CBFC. Several Rajput outfits and political leaders have accused the director of “distorting historical

the film.

Jackman said at the premiere, “I have done a lot of dancing and singing in this film and I had Shah Rukh Khan in mind while shooting for it. He is my mentor and I need to take more dance lessons from him. I have also done the signature SRK move, spreading my arms wide.I would love to see Shah Rukh in the Indian version of this film.”

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh, who is currently seen as the host of TED Talks India Nayi Soch, said the show is making him a better person. While replying to TED Talks curator Juliet Blake on Twitter, Shah Rukh wrote, “It’s all your hard work Juliet Blake and tenacity. Hosting ‘Nayi Soch’ is making me a better person. Thanks for watching.”

(Hindustan Times)

facts” in the movie.

Starring Deepika Padukone in the title role, with Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji, the film was earlier scheduled to arrive in the theatres on December 1.

“I have an incredible relationship with Sanjay sir and I admire him tremendously. I know this film will come out and people will see the art behind it.

“They just need to make sure that everything is sorted. I will always stand not only

by Sanjay sir but also Deepika, Ranveer and Shahid for the film,” Priyanka told reporters. (PTI)

R

ita Ora has (not so subtly) hinted at a collaboration with Liam Payne for the final

S

“Fifty Shades” film, and fans are pretty excited.

Rita took to Twitter and Instagram to share a sultry

ylvester Stallone is the latest famous figure to be hit with sexual assault allegation. According to a new TMZ report, an unidentified woman filed a police report in mid-November alleging that the now-71year-old actor and filmmaker raped her at his Santa Monica office in 1990.

To Reuters, a spokesman for the Santa Monica Police Department confirmed that law enforcement was investigating the matter, adding that it would refer its findings to the district attorney. The 27-year-old accusation could fall within California's complex statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of sexual abuse, as offenses must generally be prosecuted within 10 years.

"We got a complaint that was made in November of alleged sexual misconduct in the 1990s," SMPD spokesman Saul Rodriguez said by phone on Thursday, December 21. "We are looking into it and will gather information and whatever we discover will be passed to the district attorney."

Stallone's attorney Martin Singer con-

picture of her and the former One Direction star, along with the hashtag #FiftyShadesFreed. Liam Payne also tweeted the cryptic picture, and naturally, fans went nuts.

Liam's former bandmate Zayn Malik collaborated with Taylor Swift on "I Don't Want to Live Forever' on the most recent film, “Fifty Shades Darker”.

Rita has been cast as a supporting role in the “Fifty Shades” series, and the final film is out on February 9 2018. (Glamour)

firmed that a woman had "filed a police report alleging a rape that occurred 27 years ago." Singer said in an emailed statement that Stallone "categorically disputes the claim."

Though Stallone denied he raped the woman, he did admit to spending three days with her during a film shoot in Israel in 1987. But the "Creed" actor and director claimed that he never saw her in 1990, the year the incident was alleged to have taken place. His attorney Martin told TMZ that the "Rocky" star might be planning to take legal action against the accuser for filing a false police report.

This is the second time that Stallone has been accused of sexual assault in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. In November, the Daily Mail reported that it had obtained a police report filed in Las Vegas in 1986 in which the actor was accused of pressuring a then-16-year-old girl to engage in a threesome with himself and his bodyguard, Mike De Luca.

Stallone denied the allegation, with his representative calling it a "ridiculous, categorically false story." The rep also said that the father of five had never been contacted by law enforcement over the alleged incident. (AceShowbiz)

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

DECEMBER 24, 2017

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES Making plans with some(March 21- one special will brighten April 19) your day. Don't be discouraged by the cost and energy it will take to reach your goal.

Discipline, desire and love will bring good results.

Open up about the way you

TAURUS feel and what you want. Make (April 20- a promise to someone you love.

May 20) A change in your personal life and living arrangements is encouraged.

GEMINI (May 28June 20)

Don't be gullible. Ask questions if something doesn't feel right. It's best to know where you stand before you make a commitment to someone you aren't sure you want to be with.

Say little, but do a lot.

CANCER Your contribution should be (June 21- one of action, not of promJuly 22) ises. Socializing, shopping or doing something you've never done before looks inviting.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Make subtle changes that will help reduce your overhead. A unique plan may grab your attention, but don't believe everything you hear.

Indulging in excess and taking on too much are discouraged.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Keep the peace when dealing with friends and relatives. Ignore remarks or comments made by opinionated individuals. A positive attitude will serve you far better than getting into a debate.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Be careful not to let anyone put limitations on you.

Problems with older individuals or someone who doesn't share your opinions will surface if you aren't diplomatic.

Protect your home and SCORPIO family from theft or anyone (Oct. 24- who is liable to take advanNov. 22) tage of you. Don't fear being different or offering something unique to someone you love.

SAGITTARIUS Socialize, shop or make per(Nov. 23- sonal changes that will leave Dec. 21) you feeling good about the way you look and how you present yourself. Romance is in the stars.

Calvin and Hobbes

Mix the old with the new.

CAPRICORN Visiting old friends or getting (Dec. 22together with relatives you Jan. 19) don't see often will give you insight into new trends and what you should aspire to be and do.

Emotional disappointAQUARIUS ment is apparent. Try not (Jan. 20to be obviously crestfallen if Feb. 19) someone lets you down. It's a busy time of year, and patience will be required. Make personal growth a priority.

PISCES Listen to what a friend or (Feb. 20- relative has to say, but don't Mar. 20) believe everything you hear.

Commit to doing what's best for you. A gift or financial gain will make your day.