Guyana Times September 24, 2017

LOOK INSIDE !

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

Issue No. 3342

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, September 24, 2017

New Demerara River bridge hidden costs to run in billions – analyst

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Body of raped 13-year-old recovered P2

Page 9

...country will have to build another bridge in 10 years – consultants

Guyanese to be jailed for fire-bombing Muslims, Page 8 Hindus in NY

GRA officer robbed of service gun, shot

Granger P18 offers land for hurricane victims

Page 11

A girl and her arrow!

Women on night shift

Address the P10 real issues; put measures in place – SASOD

Govt accused of hypocrisy P15

…uses CH&PA “slush fund” for GuySuCo purchase – Edghill

Tapping into her heritage. This young lady of Indigenous decent takes aim at a target with her eyes closed during the archery session at the 2017 Heritage Games at the Everest Ground on Saturday. The use of the arrow and bow by the Indigenous peoples of Guyana dates back for centuries and is used in their survival for the gathering of food (Carl Croker photo)

Casino application

Gaming Page 7 authority overstepped bounds - Auditor

Jagdeo Page 3 pillories mute reform supporters

...says Opposition worried about egregious breaches

PM visits Berbice storm victims, P14 promises relief

…as residents protest his presence

Skeldon cane cutters strike again P12

…GAWU calls for engagement with GuySuCo

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news

SUnDAY, september 24, 2017 guyanatimesGY.com

Body of raped 13-year-old recovered East Bank Berbice (EBB), Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) – some three miles from his home. He was found in a decomposed state on a mud flat.

His hands and feet were tied behind his back.

Archibald, of Lot 51 Brothers, EBB, went missing on Sunday last. He left home to accompany his three sisters from a birth-

day party in the neighbouring village of Sisters. As his siblings were on their way home, he rode ahead of them but never arrived home.

The two suspects, who live three buildings away from the Sisters Police Station, were later arrested and on Friday confessed to sodomising the First Form student.

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Dead: Leonard Archibald

he decomposed body of the 13-yearold boy, who was allegedly sodomised and dumped into the Berbice River while still alive, was recovered on Saturday afternoon.

The body of Leonard Archibald was discovered by a search party at about 15:00h at Khotbradt,

Scores of residents gathered after news that the body was recovered

The search party that found the body

On Saturday, when Guyana Times visited the community, residents alleged that one of the reported perpetrators was a known child molester, who had a reputation of tying young boys and sexually assaulting them.

The now dead teenag-

er’s brother; Orin, told this publication that his brother apparently lost consciousness during the vicious attack.

Police sources have since confirmed that during the confession, one of the suspects related that after the teen became unconscious, they thought that he had died and as a result dumped him in the Berbice River.

Meanwhile, in a twist to events, a 23-year-old has since come forward relating that some 10 years ago, one of the suspects had tied him to a tree and broke his jaw when he started screaming.

“I was coming out from the backdam and he catch me and tie me up in a tree and then the branch brake and I get to come down and lose out. When I coming out, I see he coming with a cutlass and I hide so he

didn’t see me,” he related.

The man told this publication that he was not sexually assaulted.

Police made a breakthrough in the case after they received information that someone was heard screaming from one of the suspect’s home last Sunday evening. As such, ranks took one of the suspects to the house and searched the yard and house. It was during the search that the bicycle the teen was riding when he disappeared was found.

Archibald, who attended the Overwinning Secondary School, had gone missing since last Sunday night. Shortly after Archibald went missing, a pair of slippers was discovered at a remote site in the village. Villagers had linked the slippers to the prime suspect. (Andrew Carmichael)

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, September 24 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, September 25 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, September 24 – 06:25h-07:55h and Monday, September 25 – 06:55h-08:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:42h and 18:54h reaching a maximum height of 2.61 metres at each scheduled high tide.

Low Tide: 00:17h and 12:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.52 metre and 0.66 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, September 23, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

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19 21 24

18 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 03 07 10 15 22 LUCKY 3 4 1 6 Afternoon Draw

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01 05 08 17 18 19 21 DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

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SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo pillories mute reform supporters ...says Opposition worried about egregious breaches

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has lashed out at members of civil society and the international community over their silence on the numerous egregious breaches of the Constitution made by the Coalition Government – “breaches that have been exposed by the political Opposition via statements and positions iterated by our Members of Parliament (MPs)” Jagdeo, over the weekend, responded to queries from the media corps on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) position on constitutional reform and the participation of international bodies in the process.

According to the PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, the party “expects those advocating for constitutional changes to be just as strident in their criticism and condemnation of these breaches.”

Prime Minster Moses Nagamootoo, in August last, ahead of the annual parliamentary recess, tabled a Constitutional Bill which would pave the way for the formation of a commission to aid in the consultation process on constitutional reform—the work of the statutory Parliamentary Constitutional Reform Committee.

According to Jagdeo, the PPP/C remains open to the process of constitutional reform – a process that is locally driven, and one that will see the involvement of the widest possible cross-section of stakeholders, including collaboration from international bodies.

This position obtains since the PPP, according to Jagdeo, believes “the process of constitutional reform was always seen as one that would be continuous, an intention that was enshrined in Article 119 (A) of the Constitution.”

He was adamant, however, “We have to ensure that the process by which we arrive at any proposed changes, if any to the Constitution, must be transparent and must find acceptance among all stakeholders.”

Jagdeo is adamant the numerous breaches that are currently perpetuated by the David Granger-led Coalition Government “are not limited to matters affecting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the judiciary, and the functioning of the statutory bodies.”

Jagdeo, in his commentary on the constitutional reform talks, reiterated that the PPP is “prepared to work with civil society, international partners and others through a transparent, nationally-led process that involves all sections of Guyanese society, in determining whether changes should be made to our Constitution.”

He cautioned, however, “We are very concerned about the silence surrounding the daily breaches of our Constitution by the Coalition Government.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo’s public adumbration comes on the heels of the Turkeyen and Tain talks sponsored by the University of Guyana at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday last, which delved into Constitutional Reform in Guyana.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo was booked to make a presentation, but was instead seen mingling at a cocktail reception on the East Bank of Demerara.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, represented the Coalition Government, while a presentation was made by Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

During his address, persons in the packed conference suite questioned the need for constitutional reform, and pointed to the last such exercise which obtained in Guyana in 2001, when about 200 fundamental changes were made to the then constitution.

“Has our society evolved so drastically over the ensuing 17 years to precipitate the monumental constitutional reforms which are now being contemplated? ...I do not see cogent and compelling reasons being advanced for constitutional reform,” according

to Nandlall.

He observed that numerous local and international bodies have been clamouring in the public space in recent times for Constitutional Reform in Guyana.

According to Nandlall, “I get the clear impression that some believe that the term ‘constitutional reform’ has a particular intellectual ring to it, and abuse and misuse it as the panacea for every wrong in this society.”

The former Attorney General has since questioned whether the most recent push for constitutional reform is in fact being influenced by external forces.

Within recent times—as observed by Nandlall — “We have seen and heard public calls for constitutional reform emanating from various quarters.”

He noted that while the recently formed local group RISE identifies constitutional reform as its very raison d’être, the Carter Centre desires to see constitutional reform.

The British High Commissioner has expressed his government’s disappointment at the slow movement towards constitutional reform. A team visiting recently from the United Nations advocated for constitutional reform.

Constitutional reform was a major plank of the APNU/ AFC’s manifesto in the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

According to the former Legal Affairs Minister, “the nature and magnitude of constitutional reform must be driven and determined by the society itself in which the constitution operates.

“I apprehend that the reform contemplated by the calls to which I have referenced are manifold and of a fundamental nature,” he said.

He noted that in the current context, the deliberate violation of, or non-compliance with, the provisions of the constitution in governmental affairs by public functionaries do not equate to ineffectiveness or unworkability of the scheme of our constitution, justifying an illconsidered rush to constitutional reform.

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sunDAY, september 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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

A democratic constitution for plural Guyana

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alk of “constitutional change” continues to dominate political discussion emanating from several quarters in Guyana. But they seem to be placing the cart before the horse by focusing on their cause celebre in a vacuum, and not paying enough attention to the substantive values -- encompassed by the omnibus term “democracy” -- that constitutions and constitutionalism seek to implement.

Democracy, however, like most value-concepts, can only be appreciated within its historical context and development.

We must always keep in mind the historical specificity of all institutions. This is another point that the partisans of “constitutional change” studiously avoid in their utterances.

The political institutions of Guyana were directly imposed on Guyana by the European colonial powers – which since 1803 meant Britain. In Britain, the development of the democratic idea went hand in hand with the development of Liberalism; and for most Britishers the two were coterminous, especially during the phase of struggling for constitutional government. They are not, and the famous distinction by F.A. Hayek is apropos: “Liberalism is concerned with the functions of government, and particularly with the limitation of all its powers. Democracy is concerned with the question of who is to direct government. Liberalism requires that all power, and therefore also that of the majority, be limited. Democracy came to regard current majority opinion as the only criterion of the legitimacy of the powers of government.”

As we trace the development of democracy, which the British insisted should be practised by Guyanese, it would do us well to keep in mind the distinction occasioned by the exigencies of the British experience. Western constitutionalism arose out of the struggle for personal freedom and escape from arbitrary political will. Guyanese should certainly resonate to this struggle. Constitutionalism is a foundation stone of Liberalism, and defines a political scheme in which law, rather than men, is supreme. Political authority is exercised according to law, which is to be obeyed by, all including the governors, who cannot depart from it by whim. By definition then, a constitutional government is a limited government.

But the Constitution must address the specificities and peculiarities of our social circumstances, and this we avoid.

Unlike Britain, we are the paradigmatic “plural society”, where the culturally defined various groups were differentially integrated into the power relations, steering our politics in a pattern of ethnic mobilisation within “democratic” rules of governance set by the constitution. Unfortunately, the premises of the political system and its Constitution still reflect the biases of Liberalism, in which the supposedly rational individual engages in a variety of roles, and belong to a multitude of organizations and groups whose several interests are “cross-cutting”. The individual makes decisions based on the particular role he is playing when he confronts the given issue. In his political role as a voter, therefore, he makes a “rational” choice based on the position a given party takes on the issues before the electorate. Even if all voters do not conform to this ideal, there are enough who do to constitute a pool of “swing” votes for which all parties compete.

As such, while there will always be blocs of voters who vote “traditionally”, there will also always be a substantial bloc of “undecideds”. This situation creates a centripetal, moderating effect, and the parties line up on a continuum on the issues. Since these swing voters may always change their minds, the majority is always careful to be respectful to the minority. The essential principle is audi alteram partem – hear the other side. Additionally, the multiple membership in organisations that creates the cross-cutting cleavages help to ensure that the party out of office still has other avenues outside of the explicit political institutions for ensuring that their views are considered by those in power.

But with our entrenched ethnic voting, the challenge for the “constitutionalists” is to accept that changes in political behaviour will only occur after changes in political consciousness. To assume otherwise is to engage in spinning wheels.

These 10 beauties of the nine Amerindian nations will be vying for the crown of Miss Indigenous Heritage 2017. They were officially sashed on Saturday during the inter-heritage games and fun day at the Everest Cricket Ground, Georgetown. In photo are Regions One to Ten, from right: Rose Brescenio, Narefa Allicock, Selina George, Cassie Junor, Anastacia Harripersaud, Roberta Alpin, Dolly Chambers, Sherryanna Balkaran, Junisha Johnny and Shanna Boyle

Similar views on Govt in Guyana and Trinidad

Dear Editor, Opinion polls conducted in Trinidad about the Government in June, July and September revealed a similar trend in findings in polls conducted in Guyana – both incumbents losing appeal among voters, with many preferring a third force as a balance to keep Government and Opposition in line.

The polls were conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in June and July in both countries and over the last couple of weeks in Trinidad.

The polls found that the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley and his Government have been badly slipping in popularity ratings, similar to the ruling dispensation in Guyana. However, the T&T Opposition UNC-led People’s Partnership has not been making gains unlike in Guyana, where Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s popularity is much higher than that of the President and the PM. In both T&T and Guyana, rising crime, widespread perception of corruption,

arrogance among some Ministers and Government officials, and a stagnant economy, among other factors, are taking a heavy toll on the approval ratings of the PM (President) and the Government. The TT poll also reveals that the politics over the last several months has been static, with voters disgusted at both major political parties, not significantly different from Guyana. The ruling PNM and Opposition UNC are unpopular even in their own traditional heartlands. But in Guyana, the PNC remains the preferred choice among Africans and mixed Guyanese, while the PPP has re-attracted disgruntled Indians and Amerindians but that may not be enough to capture the Government. Support for the PPP among Africans remains stalled. However, in a free and fair election, the PPP could triumph because of the rising unpopularity of APNU and the AFC. In the latest T&T poll, 96 per cent of those polled said crime was a major concern for them, up from 95 per cent in July and 93 per cent in June. Similarly, in Guyana, almost everyone was con-

cerned about crime in June and July.

The latest poll in T&T also finds “perceived corruption” to be a worrying matter among the population, with 69 per cent saying corruption is a serious worry, up from 63 per cent in July and 54 per cent in June. In Guyana, the overwhelming majority of respondents in the July poll felt several Ministers in the Government were very corrupt.

Another worrying trend in both nations is the rising trend of the percentage of respondents who say they are worried that the country is not moving in the right direction – in T&T 89 per cent now up from 85 per cent in July and 83 per cent in June.

In Guyana, the figure was an alarming 75 per cent in July.

In terms of approval rating, the PNM Government has been tanking – 33 per cent now continuing a downward trend in June and July of 37 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. Voters are very disappointed with the broken promises of the PNM, as they are also with the coalition APNU/AFC in Guyana, especially with regards to constitutional reforms.

The approval rating of Dr Rowley is 40 per cent in September, down from 41 per cent in July and 42 per cent in June. Kamla PersadBissessar’s rating is marginally better at 42 per cent and has not seen much shift from June and July (43 per cent).

In Guyana, President Granger’s approval rating in July was 42 per cent and Nagamootoo 39 per cent and the coalition APNU/ AFC Government was 34 per cent. The approval rating for Opposition Leader Jagdeo was 52 per cent. In terms of popular support, none of the parties has attracted majority support. The PNM and UNC are at 30 per cent each, with people clamouring for a new political dispensation.

In Guyana, many who voted for the AFC have become disenchanted with it, but are not gravitating towards the PPP. A significant number of voters in Guyana want a new force similar to the unaligned voters in Trinidad.

The poll also queried voters on other issues in Guyana.

The findings will be released in a subsequent report.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Evasive, disingenuous and misleading responses Dear Editor, I have observed a few letters appearing in the dailies under the signature of the Public Relations Officer of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown, as she ostensibly attempts the uncomfortable task of defending the incompetence, inanity and treachery of her colleagues at City Hall and the absolute manmade disaster they are creating for the citizens of Georgetown.

But her responses at best

are evasive, disingenuous and misleading but that may be because she is just writing what she is told to write without properly researching the facts, does not understand the questions and concerns being raised or prefers to condone and champion the wrongdoings of her colleagues within the Council.

In response to concerns expressed about harassment of Cuban shoppers, rather than addressing the distress of these and other visitors to

Guyana, she goes into a longwinded, nonsensical and extraneous epistle about how old the City Constabulary is, and the privileges it enjoys in theory because of some archaic laws.

That is irrelevant and of no interest to Guyanese nor visitors to our country. There are Police units all over the world, some which are older than the City Constabulary which are just as renowned for their brutality, and carrying out of the paranoid

whims of immoral and tyrannical leaders. She is running away from the fact that the Constabulary has no responsibility for immigration and thus should not be harassing any visitors to our country, and that their ‘supposed authority’ ends at Cummings Lodge on the East Coast and at Agricola on the East Bank and therefore should not be armed and working at residences in Diamond etc. continued on page 5

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

Sugar made us free Silence is not a choice anymore Dear Editor, The cultivation of sugar in Guyana commenced between the 1630 and 1658 under the Dutch rule. The Africans arrived here in the 1700s. Hence, it would have been the Amerindians and later the lower class of Europeans who would have worked on these plantations. After the abolition of slavery in 1834, labour was sought by way of the immigration system, with the arrival of the Portuguese and later from the East Indians who arrived in 1838 who worked under the system of indentureship. The Chinese arrived in 1853 after the suspension of the Indian immigration system.

Guyana’s unique ethnic composition is one that we brag about. Hence it is noteworthy that our country’s first official product saw the participation of every ethnic group.

All six races played a pivotal role the establishment, cultivation, expansion and sustenance of Guyana’s sugar industry over the centuries. Three hundred and fifty-nine years later, the industry has acquired the track record of positive growth and unparallel contribution to the economy with a decline only on two occasions, the first being in 1980s with a revival after 1992 and again in 2005 after the flood. However, recent events have revealed that the Government is somewhat unaware of these facts or they are vehemently bent on throwing out the baby with the bath water.

Social Studies teach us from an early age that sugar is one of the five natural resources of Guyana and then there is the local expression that “sugar is king.”

What we have not been taught is that because of the blood, sweat, tears and suffering of our foreparents, sugar by way of its contribution to our economy for 359 years “Have made us free.”

Yet today, as we witness and experience the rapid decline of our country’s economy, there are those who are unashamedly refusing to recognise the first official product and the oldest and largest single economic sector in Guyana.

The Government talk of “Greening the economy” but it is hell bent on discarding the industry that can be a major contributor to this initiative by way of by products which are used in the production of food, beverages, confectionery, medicines, paper and ethanol gas. The Government complained of having to bail out the sugar industry in a manner that makes it seem as a burden on the economy yet it willing to provide subsidy to other areas.

Calypsonian “Red Plastic Bag” in his calypso “Sugar Made Us Free” urged that “we need to stop and consider the consequences that we will suffer later.” The closure of the industry will have a ripple effect on individuals and the economy.

Bias and visionless thinking will result in workers being placed on the breadline and the disruption of family and

community life.

What sins have the workers in this aged old industry committed? Can it be that they are being made to suffer unduly based on the premise that the workforce is made largely of Indo-Guyanese, that they are ardent supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), that they are represented by the Unions GAWU and NAACIE which are air marked as affiliates of the PPP or that they were the first sector that was organised by the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, Founder of the PPP. If this is so, then it is a violation of their rights as is stated under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Act Convention No 87 and United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Article 1923 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise.

The latest vendetta is the late payment of wages and salaries to sugar workers which was overdue by two weeks without any explanation. This is a violation of ILO’s Convention, 1949 (No 95) The final chapter on the story of sugar in Guyana is about to end on a sad note and the APNU/AFC Administration has designed its tombstone which reads “Here Rests The Sugar Industry of Guyana, 1630’s – 2017. May Its Soul Rest In Peace.”

Sincerely, Gillian Burton Persaud MP

Evasive, disingenuous and...

The PRO is under the delusion that the image of the Georgetown Municipality is merely fragile. She could not be serious. Someone should tell this lady that the Council has the worst public image possible and has been viewed that way for a number of years, because of allegations of corruption, nepotism, draconian taxation, incompetence etc.

But the biggest joke contained in her correspondence is that persons should call City Hall to report wrongdoings committed by their staffers. Are they blind, deaf and operating in some kind of bubble at City Hall.

Could Ms Lewis say what was done about the Canadian national that was “aggressively assaulted” by ranks of the City Constabulary a while back at City Hall? I speak of the lady that was invited to Guyana’s shores by the Social Protection Ministry to develop a social empowerment programme for girls and women, and who was assaulted by four female officers of the City Constabulary when she took her son to the City Council for a meeting with the then Mayor, and who was

punched in the face, kicked about the body and dragged half naked through City Hall compound as they had ripped off her underwear and pants until she became unconscious and ended up

from page 4

with two perforated discs, a hairline fracture to the hip, and bruises and lacerations about her body.

Sincerely, Shanta Singh

Dear Editor, Every report I have received from Guyana is one of “it has never been this bad economically.”

Only last night in my conversation with a senior Guyanese Private Sector official, he alluded to the fact that in one of his conversations with the ordinary people (in this case some Parika boatmen), they expressed much despair about their economic future. They are increasingly seeing a life of destitution and financial depression under this Granger regime.

But while the Ministers are ignoring the plight of the ordinary people from their temporary sand castles, it is shocking how indifferent they are to the needs of the people. The fact remains the people were patient for two years and have given this increasingly incompetent Granger regime the benefit of the job; but it seems to get worse by the hour in Guyana.

If one read scriptures especially the book of Ezekiel in the Bible, such a situation is written about. That sacred text outlined such ignorance by the rulers and it defines the cause such ignorance as nothing else but plain old greed. Can we understand now why the entire tender procedures are being trampled upon by key players in this Granger regime on all sorts of projects? Where are the so-called men of good governance like Nagamootoo and

Ramjattan?

Misusing our oil related assets and for that matter any assets will only devour the future of our women, our children and our underprivileged. And we all know what happens to society when those classes of people are devoured.

The facts remains that every day that goes by, these gross untruths from the Granger regime seems to be getting persistently more regular. And we all thought that the leader of the pack was a kneeling and prayerful man? Well we now know and therefore it is our duty to oppose, expose and depose.

But more help is needed especially from the righteous religious community leaders. They cannot continue to be silent on these incidents of pillage and misrule by the unrighteous rulers. Silence from the religious leaders is nothing but an unholy cover in the face of this political and economic oppression.

The plain truth remains Minister Patterson does know what he is talking about when he spoke about the awarding of oil blocks in Guyana. Slice it and dice it how you like; the fact remains Minister Patterson made a mistake in his public utterance but so far in an aloft manner has refused to correct the records which has now established that his words were furthest from the truth.

The empirical evidence

clearly illustrated that all of the offshore oil blocks were not allocated, so it was a gross untruth on the part of Patterson to attempt to represent otherwise.

The truth remains and the GGMC records reveals that 100 per cent of the offshore oil blocks were NOT distributed. There is still the Pomeroun Block, the important block next to the oil rich Stabroek Block (which I understand is earmarked for development by a consortium that included front companies for two Government Ministers), the block about 250 miles North of Berbice next to the Canje block and the two nearshore blocks outside of the Essequibo and Demerara coast.

When a Minister swears to carry out the function of the office, he does so with an understanding that he shall act ethically and with integrity. Unfortunately, the axis of evil that is now firmly in control of the Granger regime seems to be on a path that encourages unethical human behaviours.

Thus, we the people must be prepared for an increasing amount of untruth, financial mischief and plundering of the Treasury over the next two years. But our response must be firm but peaceful resistance against the oppression. Silence is not a choice anymore.

Regards, Sase Singh

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SunDAY, september 24, 2017

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Foundation “From the day we arrive on the planet And blinking, step into the sun There’s more to see than can ever be seen More to do than can ever be done.”

-Tim Rice, Lion King

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Anu Dev

'm currently halfway through my year 5 Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation, which builds on what we’d done in year 4. I’d always had a greater interest in this area than several others that come to mind, and was looking forward to the repeat. I'm definitely more knowledgeable than I was back then. There's less of me going, "A speculum?

What?" But, of course, there are still those moments where I stare back blankly on rounds when a consultant asks me about something I'd never even heard of before. But, overall, I'm not in the constant state of befuddlement that I’d grown accustomed to last year.

This year, instead of just observing deliveries, we have to actually perform the deliveries under the guidance of a midwife. My first delivery definitely wasn't as miraculous and profound as I was (naively) expecting. And it all seemed to happen so quickly! The baby's head was crowning, the mom was pushing, the midwife was quickly telling me where to

guyanatimesgy.com

put my hands, how to grasp the baby, and suddenly there I was, holding this newborn baby in my (thankfully, gloved) hands.

I then quickly had to clamp and cut the umbilical cord, show the mom her baby, wipe the baby down, and attach the baby's name tags around his ankle. It certainly wasn’t a Simba moment, and it was not because there was no Pride Rock for me to triumphantly present the newborn to the world!!

E v e n though I’d observed deliveries back in 4th year, I was still surprised by how involved the whole process was. In the back of my mind, I guess I sort of felt like I'd be standing by with a catcher's mitt and the baby would drop into my waiting hands. So, as you can imagine, I was more than a bit thrown when, there I was, actively pulling this little human into the world.

And the process doesn't end with the delivery of the

baby -- that's only the second stage of labour. The next stage is the delivery of the placenta (the afterbirth). And as part of the "Active management of the third stage of labour", I had to gently use controlled traction on the umbilical cord to deliver t h e

placenta after I saw the signs that it had separated from the wall of the womb.

After examining the mom to make sure she didn't have any injuries to the birth canal, and after tidying her up, it was

time to inspect the placenta with the midwife. I dunno, but after getting up close and personal with several placentas now, I really don't understand the trend of women eating their placentas, claiming the nutrients are helpful. To each her own, I guess!

For my next couple of deliveries, as I grew more accustomed to the process, I could understand and appreciate everything a whole lot more. The sight of a mother holding her baby with so much tenderness and love after the excruciating pain she endured is a sight to behold.

T h e s e deliveries of babies have definitely been one of the high points of medical school so far. After my first couple of deliveries, I felt a little bit like running up to random people and telling them, "I just delivered a baby! My hands brought new life into the world!" Thankfully for everyone around, I was able to exercise some restraint.

Maybe I’ll still have my Pride Rock moment!

W

hen they know they're "going to the doctor," many children worry a bit about the visit. Whether they're going to see their primary care doctor for a routine check-up or a specialist for a problem, children might have fears or even feel guilty.

Some of these feelings surface easily, so that children can talk about them.

Others are kept secret.

Here's how to help your child talk about and overcome any worries.

What worries do children have about medical exams?

Things that children worry about when going to the doctor include: Separation.

Children often fear that their parents may leave them in the exam room and wait in another room. This fear of separation during mysterious exams is most common in children under seven years old, but can worry older children too.

Pain. Children may worry that a part of the exam or a medical procedure will hurt. Children ages 6 to 12, for instance, often worry that they'll need to get a shot.

The doctor. Some children's concerns may be about the doctor's manner. A child may misinterpret qualities such as speed, efficiency, or a detached attitude and view them as sternness, dislike, or rejection.

The unknown. Children sometimes worry that a medical problem is much worse than their parents are telling them. Some who have simple problems worry they may need surgery or hospitalisation; some who are ill worry that they may die.

Also, children often have feelings of guilt: They may believe that their illness or condition is punishment for something they've done or should have done. Children who feel guilty also might believe that exams and medical procedures are part of their punishment.

How can I help my children?

Encourage your children to express their fears, and then address them in ways

they understand. Here are some practical ways to do this: Talk about why you're going Prepare children by giving them advance notice of a visit so it's not a surprise.

When explaining the purpose of the visit, talk about the doctor in a positive way.

If you're going to a regular health check-up, explain that it's a well-child visit: "The doctor will check on how you're growing and developing, and also ask questions and examine you to make sure that your body is healthy. And you'll get a chance to ask any questions you want to about your body and your health." Explain that all healthy children go to the doctor for such visits.

If the visit is to diagnose and treat an illness or other condition, explain – in nonscary language – that the doctor "needs to check you to find out how to fix this and help you get better."

Talk about any negative feelings

If your child goes to the doctor because of an illness or other condition, discuss the health problem in neutral language and reassure your child: "This isn't caused by anything you did or forgot to do. Illnesses like this happen to many children.

Aren't we lucky to have doctors who can find the causes and who know how to help us get well?"

If you, your partner, other relatives, or friends had (or have) the same condition, share this information. Knowing that others have been through the same thing can help ease fears.

If your child sees a doctor for something that led to ridicule or rejection by other children (or even by adults), work to relieve shame and blame. Problems like head lice, embarrassing scratching caused by pinworm, and daytime wetting or bedwetting are often misunderstood by others. Stay supportive, and keep reassuring your child that the condition is not his or her fault and that many children have had it. (Children Health) TO BE CONTINUED

news

7

sunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Casino application

Gaming authority overstepped bounds – Auditor

A

s the silence on Sleepin owner Clifton Bacchus’ second casino licence application continues, an audit firm is arguing that the Gaming Authority overstepped its jurisdiction when it requested backdated, personal tax information.

According to Nigel Hinds, of audit firm Nigel Hinds and Associates, it is only the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) that can access such information. Hinds in a missive on Saturday took the Authority to task for its request.

“The casino licence application was made by an incorporated entity on April 5, 2017. Yet Mr Bacchus’ personal Income Tax returns are requested. It seems to me that the Board of the Gaming Authority has acted beyond the remit of the Gaming Authority Act,” Hinds said, adding that according to his understanding of the law, it is only the GRA that has a right of access to an individual’s tax return. He added that the only other person that can make such a request is the President of Guyana.

Sleepin’s Church Street branch has been making preparations for quite some time to set up a casino. Under the law, only three casinos are allowed in each administrative region in Guyana. For Region

The Sleepin Casino which now awaits the gaming licence

Four, Ramada Princess has one, while another has been earmarked for the Marriott Hotel at Kingston. Sleepin has sought the third one.

With a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), made with the previous Government being cast aside by the coalition and after being rejected initially by the Gaming Authority, Bacchus had reapplied for a licence.

It is understood that the Gaming Authority had requested additional financial information. Bacchus had said that this would be provided to go along with his application to the Gaming Authority.

Hinds in his missive questioned the reasoning for the Gaming Authority to request seven years of

tax returns for SleepInn International Hotel and Casino, when it was only incorporated in 2015.

According to Hinds, the casino license application clearly states this.

Hinds said that at the core, these are all the primary requirements needed to comply with the Gaming Authority Act, for approval of the casino licences. He also questioned whether individual tax returns were requested from the directors and shareholders of oil giant ExxonMobil, which has launched a major investment in oil and gas off Guyana’s shores.

Tax laws

Restrictions on other entities accessing confidential tax information were

made clear in a March 2017 court ruling in favour of GRA, against the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

SOCU was at the time carrying out a money laundering investigation and had requested the information as part of its probe. But the tax agency had stood its ground, arguing that it had an obligation by law to protect such information.

It is understood that after being served with documents to produce the information, pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of

Auditor Nigel Hinds

Terrorism Act (AML/CFT), GRA approached the courts to vary, set aside or even discharge the order.

According to Section 4 (1) of Guyana’s Income Tax Act “Every person who has any official duty or is employed in the administration of this Act shall regard and deal with all documents, information, returns, assessment lists and copies of those lists relating to the income or items of income of any person, as secret and confidential, and shall make and subscribe a declaration in the prescribed to that effect before a Magistrate.”

8 news

SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyanese to be jailed for firebombing Muslims, Hindus in NY S

ome five years after going on a fire-bombing spree of mosques throughout southeast Queens, a 45-year-old Guyanese man is expected to be jailed for 20 years after he recently pleaded guilty to the hate crimes against Muslims, whom he claimed back in 2012 were “trying to take over his life.”

The Times Ledger reported on Friday that acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron said he would sentence Ray Lazier Lengend, also known as Suraj Poonai, a resident of Queens Village, to 20 years and five years post-release supervision for first-degree arson as a hate-crime when he returns to court on September 28, according to the Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

“In pleading guilty, the defendant has admitted to carrying out a vicious, hate-filled attack that endangered scores of people,” Brown said. “In a single night, this individual filled glass bottles with gasoline to make crude Molotov cock-

Ray Lengend being escorted by an NYC Police Officer

tails, and then tossed them at five buildings. His targets ranged from private dwellings to houses of worship – endangering those within the buildings as well as the firefighters called to respond to the scene. This kind of intolerance and hate will not be tolerated in Queens.”

In pleading guilty, Lengend claimed responsibility for the attacks, in which he used Molotov cocktails made of Frappuccino bottles filled with gasoline to attack mosques, a deli, a pri-

vate residence, and a Hindu place of worship.

In early January, Lengend drove to a gas station in a stolen rental car, where he purchased the provisions for his attack before heading off to a mosque at 89-89 Van Wyck Expwy. He hesitated to perform the task because of a Police presence near the house of worship, and instead torched a nearby deli at the corner of Hillside Avenue and 179th Street, according to the criminal

complaint.

Lengend immediately drove back to the mosque, where 80 people were praying at the time, and threw one of the Molotov cocktails at the front entrance before fleeing.

Lengend’s blitz attacks did not end there. He went to a home near 107th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard, which he attacked before heading to Elmont, L.I., where his brother-in-law lived. The Molotov cocktail he threw at the house, however, did not explode, and he moved on to the next target.

A house at 170th Street and 88th Avenue which was used as a Hindu temple was next on the list of targets, according to the criminal complaint.

The suspect was later arrested and kept at Bellevue Hospital’s psych ward, where he was arraigned by teleconference.

In statements to the police, Lengend said the goal of the attacks was to inflict as much damage to Muslims, Hindus and “Arabs” as possible.

Blood, sweat…

F

…and land

or a country with 83,000 square miles (…well, actually 82,799 since the Venezuelans grabbed our half of Ankoko Island back in the day) and not even 800,000 people (and that’s men women and children!), you’d think land would be the last thing on earth (pardon the terrible pun!) we’d be fighting about, wouldn’t you?

But there you go…land’s been in the news for all sorts of reasons.

The latest one was news about GuySuCo selling off 4000 acres of its land in Regions 3, 4, 5, and 6 to the Central Housing folks. Now, this land has been in the news for quite a while by African Guyanese activists, who pointed out that their forbears literally slaved for hundreds of years to make it cultivable with their blood, sweat and lives, and weren’t paid a penny (pretty or otherwise!) for their pains.

Later, the indentured servants from Madeira, India and China were exploited something terrible to keep the project viable. So, you’d think the Government would be a little more careful with these lands.

Not this lot! On abandoning sugar, they’d promised the present sugar workers -- descendants of the slaves and indentureds -- would be given plots to get into other agricultural crops. The Government was gonna identify suitable, higher-value crops and markets etc. So, hasn’t the Government lost the plot by converting all those prime agricultural lands into housing plots? Is this how they’ll honour the sacrifice of our ancestors?

And the ironic thing is a hungry world’s crying out for food because of the SCARCITY of irrigated and drained lands suitable for farming. And a heck of those hungry billions are in India and China, which now have the big bucks to pay for the food. All across the world, from Angola to the USA, ground water’s running out, and lands that were made fertile from wells are now reverting to desert. And here’s our Govt taking our intricately blood-irrigated and drained lands and turning them into concrete jungles! Go figure!

Fundamentally, there’s a profound, palpable, historically-induced disconnect between this Government and the entire agriculture sector. The fella they appointed as Minister of Agriculture epitomises all that’s wrong with their approach. While your Eyewitness is informed he has some “background” in the field, that background is totally in books, and he wouldn’t know what to do in a real “field” to save his life.

The Government’s banking on oil to save their blushes. They should look next door, at the fate of Venezuelans -- with the largest oil reserves in the world, but having neglected agriculture.

Some a dem guh hallah; some a dem guh bawl.

Unfortunately it’ll be the people.

…and Amerindian lands

Once again, a report comes out and announces that our Indigenous Peoples are worse off that other Guyanese groups by every measure in the book. This time the report is by UNICEF, and was presented by the Minister of Indigenous Peoples - who just happens to be Indigenous himself. Not that you would suspect that, from his absolute silence on pushing his Government to do something to change that state of affairs.

When the PPP took over in 1992, by pure serendipity, the IFIs had conducted a Guyana Living Conditions Survey which found moderate poverty at 43% and extreme poverty at 28.7%. But Indigenous peoples were practically 100% locked in absolutely poverty. They confirmed the destruction the PNC had wrought on our society.

The poverty surveys in 1999 and 2006 showed the PPP had made a dent in reducing poverty in all groups, including Indigenous Peoples. But they were still the poorest of the poor. Which has now been confirmed in 2017.

Which is why those who rail at them getting back some land are so spiteful.

…and sourcing money for land

The Opposition’s raised a very interesting question: where did the Government get the $2 Billion they paid GuySuCo for the land to Central Housing?

Secret accounts?

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

news

9

SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New Demerara River bridge hidden Amna Ally distorts history telling PNCR costs to run in billions – analyst members ‘fables for facts’ – PPP ...country will have to build another bridge in 10 years – consultants

T

he US$170 million price tag tentatively being flouted for the construction of a New Demerara River Crossing does not include money for the completion of several kilometres of a new road network that the bridge will require, an amount analysts have pegged to reach in the billions.

The hidden price tag is addressed briefly in the report into the feasibility of constructing the New Demerara River Crossing—LievenseCSO. The Dutch consultants, in the recently completed $146 million feasibility report, noted: “Project costs of the low three lane bridge at Houston - Versailles are estimated at US$150 million, including contractors cost and additional costs for services, land acquisition for the approach roads, and limited budget for a first phase of link roads.”

The US$150 million projected cost cited is minus the financing costs, which have been estimated by the consultants to take the entire project to US$170 million; but this does not include the cost of the new read network.

The consultants have also identified the need for new links from the bridge to town, as well as from the bridge to the west -bypassing Vreed-en-Hoop -- to relieve the East and West Bank public roads from traffic.

The cost of this, however, is not included in the projected cost of the bridge, which means the administration will have to construct the accompanying road network separate and apart from the Bridge in order to use the facility, else the new Demerara River Crossing will essentially be useless.

The Dutch consultants have found, too, that in order to reduce the traffic congestion, the bridge is only a part of the problem.

“The city road network has to be improved and extended to serve the pres-

An artist’s impression of the new Demerara river bridge

ent and future traffic demand...The existing bank roads need to be relieved, in addition the East Bank Public Road shall be relieved from the traffic from Diamond and more south by realizing the bypass road now under preparation between Diamond and Ogle.”

The New Demerara River Crossing, in addition to replacing the outdated Demerara Harbour Bridge, is geared at reducing the traffic congestion; but based on projections by the Dutch consultants, the administration will—a few years after the completion of the proposed bridge—be required to construct another bridge.

According to the consultants, the traffic forecast indicates the proposed measures will suffice to mitigate the traffic until about the year 2030.

“At that time the road system is expected to become saturated again...

New investments will be required, like a second bridge as well as extension of the city road network.”

As such, “It is recommended to shift this moment backwards in time by promoting alternative transport modalities (speed-boats and public transport) in order to reduce the traffic demand for the road system.”

Efforts to contact Ministers of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Annette Ferguson, or Ministers of Finance Winston Jordan and Jaipaul Sharma,

proved futile, as all calls from Guyana Times to their personal mobile telephones went unanswered.

This past week, the hidden costs associated with the new river crossing were explored by Financial Analyst Peter Ramsaroop — the economic advisor to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

During an interview with this publication this past week, Dr Ramsaroop revealed that given the hidden costs associated with the construction of the New Bridge, the required sums of money will have to be diverted away from the ailing sugar industry.

Dr Ramsaroop at the time surmised increases, since in all of the financial models that have been presented to this Administration by their consultants, it repeatedly dismisses them as not viable, given the US$170 million price tag for the bridge alone… Each of the models proposed requires an untold amount of Government support.”

The financial analyst said, “These people are smart in a way, because the report speaks to a construction cost of US$150 million, with additional financing such as interest during construction; and in all of the designs, there are mass expanses of road networks that are not optional.”

He is of the firm belief that the true costs of this project have not even been laid out in the report, since there is no reference to the actual cost of the accompanying elevated road network and ancillary structures.

T

he Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) is attempting to rewrite the course of history in order to bury the devastation that was unleashed by the Forbes Burnham Administration, which was engineered into power by external forces.

The machinations were vehemently condemned over the course of the weekend when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) responded to PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally’s attempt to diminish the accomplishments of Dr Cheddi Jagan – all in an effort to paint the PNC in a better light.”

The PNCR General Secretary was quoted over the weekend as saying that under the Government of the PNC Administrations between 1964 and 1992, Guyana experienced advancement. She said when the PNC entered office in 1964, the country was a broken nation.

According to the PPP, as at 1964, up to which time Dr Jagan served as Premier of the then British Guiana, several advances had been made, including: the establishment of a National Economic Council; the development of the Black Bush Polder scheme, in recognition of the need to diversify agriculture and indus-

try; the establishment of the University of Guyana and the Guyana School of Agriculture in 1963; the industrial estate at Ruimveldt; and several other major advances, even as the fight for Guyana’s independence persisted.

Ally also reported to party members that when the PNC took power in 1964, it was after “violence, racial strife, labour disputes” under Dr Jagan as premier.

The PPP maintains, “Again, amnesia seems to have hit Ally, since she says nothing of the infamous ‘X13’ plan of the PNC in June of 1964.”

The PNC, under the leadership of Burnham, Hamilton Green, Ptolemy Reid, former officers of the British Guiana Police and Volunteer Forces among others, are alleged to have been part of the infamous “X-13” plan, which involved a series of bombing attacks.

The PPP, in lashing out at Ally’s remarks, said Dr Jagan spoke on the situation in British Guiana, and called for a Commonwealth team to settle the issues at hand.

Documents on the 1962, 1963 and 1964 disturbances, as well as the ‘X-13’ plan were also handed over to the British at that time.

The PPP, in laying its case, said the circumstances under which the PNC re-

mained in office until 1992 have also been documented, locally and internationally.

“So while Ally says that the PNC in government had a tremendous track record, she is right – the PNC had a tremendous record of rigged elections, economic collapse, and the impositions of hardships on the Guyanese people.”

The political opposition, in its public response to the PNC General Secretary, also observed, “Interestingly, while Ally seeks to rewrite Guyana’s history and talk up the accomplishments of the PNC between 1964 and 1992, she says nothing about the current state of affairs – one that is presided over by the current leader of the PNCR, President David Granger.”

The PPP party, currently led by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, insists that in under three years (in office), the PNCRled Government has racked up over 50 scandals, and Guyanese have witnessed a slowdown of the local economy, breaches of our constitution, massive spending on salaries and benefits for the now largest Cabinet in the Caribbean, among other deplorable acts.”

The opposition maintains it “will not allow the history of Guyana to be rewritten, least of all by operatives of the PNC.”

10 news

sunDAY, september 24, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Women on night shift

Address the real issues; put measures in place – SASOD

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) is wondering whether Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott was trying to deviate from addressing the real issues when he said that single mothers who are security guards should be barred from working the night shift.

In August, Scott made the proposal, saying that he hoped Cabinet would throw its support behind it, but Government has since stated that it does not agree with Scott. However, the Minister seems to be forging ahead with his plan, despite serious backlash from various sections of society.

In an interview with the Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, and the advocacy body’s Human Rights Coordination, Valini Leitch, they told Guyana Times that if the Minister forges ahead and becomes successful, the lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) would be further marginalised.

There are a number of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women working for private security firms because they have no other alternatives, since they are already being

SASOD founder, Joel Simpson

discriminated when accessing jobs. Simpson explained that some security firms would approach the organisation when they have vacancies, so that they can recommend members from the LGBT community to fill those positions.

“SASOD’s position is that, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, persons should have access to all kinds of jobs, and jobs that they want. For many people, working security at night provides the opportunity to do many things during the day, including their own small business, go to school and study, and so on; and they need that as an extra source of income,” he explained.

He said that there are

many lesbian and bisexual women who are in vulnerable positions, and need to work to support their young children.

And he added that in most cases their families are available in the night to take care of the child/children.

He further explained that he understands that the Minister’s action is rooted in the desire to have single mothers present at home to raise their children, but he advised that Government should provide more assistance to single mothers who are in vulnerable positions.

He suggested harsher penalties and higher child support payments as a step to helping single mothers.

The Social Protection Ministry should look at different formulas to address the issues that plague single mothers, he said.

“We don’t try to address root causes, and this is the problem with the Minister’s approach. It doesn’t really tackle the root causes. We like these kind of Band-Aid approach. Why not set up a programme in the Public Service where single mothers can get priority access to certain jobs to provide an opportunity to take care of their families?

And if a programme like that exists and it pays better than the security companies, then I

The Ming Swing

S SASOD Human Rights Coordinator, Valini Leitch

am sure they will take advantage of it,” Simpson suggested.

He said he is sure that women are not lining up to work security at nights, as opposed to having a regular day job, but they do the job because of dire economic circumstances. However, he questioned whether Scott made those statements as a distraction from the real issues, such as ensuring that sweeper-cleaners in schools are given their correct wages.

Leitch questioned the technique used by Scott to arrive at such a conclusion. Leitch noted that such a decision needs careful analysis and a concrete plan to assist the affected mothers.

“Are we going to look at implementing a social welfare plan in the form of something like the EBT, where you give single mothers a card with a specific amount of money to access food at the end of the month? How will they be able to pay bills? Will they be able to get subsidized utility bills?” she questioned.

Minister Scott had warned companies that there were reports of sexual harassment and persons being paid below the minimum wage. He also said that Government was considering measures for single moms not to work the night shifts.

The Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) had warned that Government needed to think the matter through before making a move.

atiricus was in a good mood. Since his in-laws lived “across the river”, he was forced to schlep weekly across the decrepit “floating bridge”. This always tested his fortitude. Satiricus swore the bridge was kept going by a combination of welds and spit, since there was not an occasion he’d crossed when there weren’t always workmen blocking his path. They were always bent over, welding and spitting. But now there was going to be a new concrete bridge!

“Halleluiah!!” he exclaimed to his buddies at the Back Street Bar. “I’ll now be able to visit the old nags across the river and get back in a couple of hours!”

“Who seh dah?” demanded Bungi. “Dem guh spen’ mo’ money dan fuh buil’ de Skelden facktry and de bridge gat fuh still open fuh ship pass!”

“I’m always confused when they say the bridge ‘open’ or ‘close’,” ventured Hari. “They mean for the ships, or the vehicles?”

“They mean for ships,” said Satiricus, the newspaperman. “Which I never understand, because it’s only motorists who read the newspapers.”

“That’s why I’m always confused,” said Hari. “So the bridge ‘open’ really means the bridge ‘closed to traffic!”

“You got it!” said Satiricus, clicking his beer with Hari.

“Dah all ayuh a t’ink ‘bout?” demanded Bungi.

“When ayuh guvment a waste all da money and yuh still gat fuh wait?”

“Budday!” grinned Satiricus. “It’ll be safer than those floating punts!”

“How yuh know da?” said Bungi. “Yuh hear ‘bout de Ming Swing?”

“OK…OK…” said Satiricus sheepishly. “We never denied that we accept ‘political investment’, you know!”

“Hold it!” interrupted Hari. “I know Ming was a big financier of the government, but what is this Ming Swing?”

“Yuh na hear?” smirked Bungi. “All bridge suppose fuh buil’ straight, but des waan guh swing fuh lan’ pan Ming land.”

“So how much the government has to bring for the swing?” Hari asked.

“Mo’ dan dem a spen’ pan cane-cutta,” said Bungi sourly.

news

11

SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

GRA officer robbed of service gun, shot

A

Guyana’s Public Debt and debt management – within the macroeconomic framework efore we examine in some amount of detail today’s theme on

B

public debt management and the actual level of the country’s stock of public debt as at the end of the first half of the fiscal year 2017, it is worthwhile that we first have an understanding of what public debt management is, and why it is important.

Sovereign debt management can be defined as the process of establishing and executing a strategy for the management of the central Government’s debt, which is effectively the debt accorded to a country or nation, and of course it has to be borne by the people of that country. Governments incur debt in order to raise the required amount of funding, achieve their risk and cost objectives, and meet any other sovereign debt management goals they may have set out to achieve (IMF paper, 2001). In a broader macroeconomic context for public policy, Governments should seek to ensure that both the level and rate of growth in their public debt are fundamentally sustainable, and can be serviced under a wide range of circumstances, while meeting cost and risk objectives.

With that said, Guyana’s stock of public debt, which include both domestic and external debts, increased by 6.9 per cent and 5 per cent respectively when compared to the corresponding period ended June, 2016 level. Total stock of domestic debt stood at G$90.2 billion from June 2016 level, and stock of external debt stood at US$1.2 billion, thus bringing the total level of public debt to US$1.638 billion dollars, or close to G$340 billion. At the same time, domestic debt service payments increased by 31.2 per cent or $267 million to G$1.123 billion due to higher principal and interest payments for debentures. This is, no doubt, an exorbitant increase of about $856 million, or 320.5 per cent. Also, external debt service payment increased to US$29 million or by 8.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding period ended June, 2016 level (BOG, half year report 2017 & Mid-year report, 2017).

According to the Bank of Guyana’s half-year report, as at the end of June 2017, one of the causations of the increased debt service payments is attributed primarily to the commencement of principal and interest payments to Venezuela for oil imported under the former PetroCaribe Agreement, which ended in July, 2015. This revelation is a bit baffling to me, as it raises the question, ‘If this agreement ended in the fiscal year of 2015, why are there outstanding payments still? My understanding of how the PetroCaribe arrangement worked was that Guyana and Venezuela virtually had a bartering arrangement, wherein we would have accepted oil from Venezuela in exchange for rice. Secondly, within this arrangement, when the contract ended, all outstanding sums of money should have been settled through this same medium, which would be quite logical. But why did this not happen? In fact, what actually happened, (citing Kaieteur News’ article dated July 09, 2015) was that the Minister of Finance stated (therein) that “by the time the agreement ended in November, debt would decrease, but after November it would increase again, because we will continue to benefit from oil at concessionary prices but we won’t have rice to write it off, the debt like we used to”.

Now, this is clearly an example where we, as a country, and effectively the Government, handled this entire matter between Venezuela and Guyana in a very haphazard, poor and undiplomatic manner; as, if it were a case where indeed there were outstanding payments when the contract ended, it could safely be deduced that there may have been a breach of that contractual arrangement between the two countries; and hence shouldn’t we have undertaken a legal course of action to remedy that matter? Or at least handle it much more gently and at a higher level of diplomacy?

Clearly Venezuela was upset with our response to the issue, which is why they refused to accept our rice, at minimum to bring the contract to a close.

These are practical questions that one may ask, or at least information the public should know. I am certainly baffled, as I cannot fathom how is it that we owe Venezuela, and resulting in the Government being placed with an added burden on the country’s debt servicing ability. And therefore this certainly warrants some amount of further investigation on my part, so that we can all have an understanding of what really happened with respect to this matter; as my main concern is: why only now are we seeking to settle payments in this regard, given that the contract ended more than two years ago?

Citing the BoG half-year report for the outlook of the country’s public debt management structure for the end of December 2017, it is expected that external debt service payments will increase to US$64 million, or 19.6 per cent. Principal and interest payments are projected to increase by 14.9 per cent and 29.2 per cent to US$41 million and US$23 million respectively. Multilateral payments are projected to fall by 2.1 per cent to US$35 million, while bilateral payments are expected to increase by 49.2 per cent to US$26 million.

Altogether, Central Government’s debt servicing is likely to increase to US$64 million from US$50 million as at the end of December 2016.

Next week we shall dissect the information presented in today’s discussion a bit further so as to assess whether the level of country’s current public debt is deemed sustainable; and we will examine some of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) guidelines on public debt management together with a review of our own public debt management framework.

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

n enforcement officer attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is a patient at a private medical institution after he was shot during a robbery early Saturday morning, and relieved of his service weapon.

According to reports, the 35-yearold victim returned home at about 04:30h, and was about to enter his Lot 403 Cactus Street, West Ruimveldt Georgetown residence when he was confronted by a lone gunman.

The suspect went on to relieve the victim of a pouch containing a service pistol along with seventeen live rounds. During the course of the robbery, the bandit shot the GRA officer to his lower abdomen before fleeing.

The injured man was subsequently rushed to the private medical institution, where he is still receiving treat-

ment but is said to be in a stable condition.

Investigators have recovered a spent shell at the scene. Two males have since been arrested and are assisting with ongoing investigations.

This incident comes on the heels of a similar robbery last Sunday when another GRA employee was robbed of his firearm.

According to reports, the GRA employee was in company of some relatives standing on the Silver City Road in Linden, at sometime around 01:15h, when he was accosted by a male who relieved him of his service revolver and five rounds which he had in his waist in a holster.

The suspect then discharged several rounds in the direction of the victims, as he escaped. Luckily no one was injured. The GRA officer was detained to assist with the investigations.

However, the Police in Linden subsequently arrested the suspect, who was in possession of a firearm along with two spent shells and two live rounds of ammunition. He was arrested after shooting and injuring a 22-year-old security guard of Lower Kara Kara, Linden.

12 news Skeldon cane-cutters strike again SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…GAWU calls for engagement with GuySuCo

Cane-cutters attached to the Skeldon Estate have downed tools for the third consecutive day in protest against the “haughty attitude” of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

As such, the Guyana

Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is calling for engagements with GuySuCo, a call which continues to go unanswered.

According to the Union, the sugar workers are protesting against a sudden and

unannounced withdrawal of a long-standing practice whereby they would receive extra payments proportionate to the tasks which they complete.

This has been the system for many years, and as such,

the workers have opted to down tools to defend their rights.

“If it were the case that the corporation had wished to change the practice at Skeldon, certainly it could have engaged the Union and the workers in discussions to reach an amicable solution in the nine months the estate was not operating,” GAWU said.

The Union remarked that the corporation has chosen to employ a “wreaking ball” attitude in addressing issues related to the sugar workers.

According to another report, some 55 cane-cutters were allegedly forcefully taken into the cultivation

field on Saturday.

It is customary that the workers from different villages are transported to the Baker Shop Dam order line in Berbice, where the number of workers is recorded by the relevant managerial personnel before they are finally transported to the worksite.

However, on Saturday morning, these said workers were taken into cultivation without any notice, and their demands for answers were futile.

Seven workers reportedly disembarked the moving lorry, and another six walked out from cultivation when they arrived there.

Presently, the Union is

making efforts to intervene with the GuySuCo at a central level, to arrest the situation.

“The Corporation is seeking to engender the workers’ protest actions towards its own nefarious ends.

Certainly, with sugar production lagging far behind the set target at this time, the Corporation is obviously looking for a scapegoat to cover up its poor management,” GAWU said.

As such, the Union is calling on GuySuCo to revert to the status quo, and to commence engagements with the Union and the workers to reach an amicable solution.

Hit-and-run

Suspect arrested after changing headlamps, respraying vehicle

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ne person was taken into custody as Police continue their investigations into the hit-andrun accident which occurred last Monday at Number Naught Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The accident resulted in the death of Trishan Sahai, also called “Star”, 19, of Number 57 Village, Corentyne.

Injured in the accident was Sahai’s friend, 28-year-old friend

Mooneshwar Jairam, also called “Bodo” of the same village.

Guyana Times understands that Police swooped down on a vehicle owner whose vehicle has since been impounded, after they received information that the man recently had the headlamps changed and a part of the front of the car was re-sprayed.

According to the Police, a motor vehicle was proceeding north along the

Corentyne Highway at a fast rate, when it struck Sahai and Jairam who were walking across the road at Number Naught Village.

Sahai was thrown about 30 feet, while Jairam landed on top of the motorcar breaking the windscreen and rear-view mirror in the process.

However, following the accident the driver sped away. Investigations are ongoing. (Andrew Carmichael)

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SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Land controversy brews at Amelia’s Ward Silencing the Indian

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r Eric Phillips responded to my article that asked the question, “Can the Indian Guyanese speak for Justice?” and claimed, “This shows the malicious degree of deception used by Indian leadership in Guyana”.

He then went on to name a number of media entities owned

by Indian Guyanese and several individuals of Indian descent who write and comment in Guyana to “prove” his point.

First of all, apart from Ms Ryhaan Shah, I doubt the others who were named would take kindly to the notion that they speak “as Indian Guyanese”, as I have done over the last three decades. But secondly, and more germanely, it is clear Mr Phillips chose to ignore the allusion of the title of my column to Gayatri Spivak’s “Can the Subaltern Speak?”, which makes the point writ large.

That point being the Ravi Dev non-white world is locked in a discourse in which the West has universalised its particulars as “Knowledge”. When the subjugated former “speaks”, she is merely uttering words that are unintelligible to the latter, unless the consciousness, premises and values of the West are accepted and incorporated.

As I wrote in 1993 in the SN, “Hegemony and Hinduism in the West Indies”, when the Indian was brought to the West Indies, he was inserted into the dominant Creole culture that derided and devalued all that he was and stood for. Unless he adopted what anthropologist RT Smith called the “white bias” Creole culture he could not speak, because he was not listened to, since by definition he was speaking “nonsense”.

The African, who had been brought as slaves the previous centuries, had already been brutally subjected to this “epistemic violence”, as Spivak called it. They were now the practitioners of Creole culture, which denied them humanity and agency. In its pecking order, the apex, white, represented knowledge and culture; he snickered at the pretentions of the Coloured below him, who obsequiously imitated him even as he constantly changed the goalposts.

The Coloured derided the Africans beneath him; and the African, after the abolition of slavery, now had someone lower than him on the totem pole - the heathen “coolie” and his clannish ways.

I had returned to Guyana when Dereck Walcott, in 1992, dedicated his entire Nobel prize speech to his discovery of the Hindu Ram Lila performance in a village in Trinidad. It had not penetrated the consciousness of “Trinidadians” that such an art form could have existed for almost 150 years without being “heard”. It was “just a coolie thing”. And the same in Guyana, of course.

With Independence, there was a brief period of questioning of the premises of Creole culture by Africans in the Caribbean, with the tools that came out of the Black Power Movement. Rodney made a gesture to include the Indian in that counter discourse, oblivious to the irony of him not recognising he was not allowing the Indian to speak in his own voice. The Rastafarians of Jamaica made a bold assault on the debilitating premises of Creole culture to people of African origin, but when I called it an “abomination”, I was silenced with the “racist” label.

Those individuals mentioned by Mr Phillips, save Ms Shah, do not generally speak outside the dominant paradigm from an Indian perspective, so I will speak my own truth on being silenced. In my paper, “For a New Political Culture”, in 1990, I introduced the notion of an Indian and an African Security Dilemma, which must be addressed if Guyana was to know any peace. Yet no one heard our warning the PPP in 1993 about the African Security Dilemma, for to speak as an Indian, say, for the Police Force, Army and Bureaucracy to be more “balanced” was to be inevitably “racist”. I could call for an inquiry into the use of Phantom Squads at the Square of the Revolution and be cheered, but become “racist” when I call for one into the violence emanating from its epicentre at Buxton. There are thousands of other instances down the years; the latest with speaking about Indigenous Peoples’ lands.

An entire sub-discipline has developed, especially by African Americans, to expose their “silencing” by White Americans by epistemic violence. But if the Indian makes the analogous point in Guyana, he is silenced as “racist”.

S

everal plots of land allocated to Lindeners at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in March by Housing Minister Valerie PattersonYearwood are currently being occupied illegally by other persons.

In an interview with members of the media on Tuesday, PattersonYearwood recalled that she had allocated 72 house lots to members of the Police Force and others, including teachers and nurses in Linden; however, issues have arisen when allottees were taken to identify their plots of land.

According to the Minister, allottees, surveyors and housing officials were prevented from accessing some of these lands by persons who claims that the land belongs to them.

“The office staff here (Linden) along with the surveyor from Georgetown, they went through Amelia’s Ward…

We have major issues in Amelia’s Ward. What we found is that when persons actually went to identify their house lots, it was not happening.

When my officers went on the ground, we noticed that the (palings) that were placed there years ago, persons had displaced them,” the Minister said.

Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood

Patterson-Yearwood said this led to the palings being replaced in some areas by surveyors in order for those lots to be identified by their rightful owners. However, she said they were met with unfavourable responses during the identification exercise. “...I was also informed that during

that time, persons from Amelia’s Ward – or probably elsewhere, I’m not sure – claimed that those lands belonged to them. Some of them put down a cross and they resisted or hindered the surveyor and the persons from having access to those lands,” Patterson- Yearwood stated. The Minister said she was aware that a number of persons were illegally occupying lands in Amelia’s Ward to conduct farming.

“Those lots are residential lots; they are not for farming. They have been allocated to persons since the month of March. Persons have paid for those lots, and they rightfully own those lots. Any person who is resisting our rightful owners from occupying, I will turn the matter into the hands of the Police,” Patterson- Yearwood said.

This publication understands that some of the people “illegally” occupying the lands are in possession of documents for same. However, the Minister claimed that those documents are not for that particular plot of land.

Patterson-Yearwood has also promised strict penalties for persons who illegally construct permanent structures on lands designated for housing projects.

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SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

PM visits Berbice storm victims, promises relief

…as residents stage protest

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rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Friday visited residents of Berbice who were earlier this month devastated after a freak storm damaged several houses at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice (WCB). He promised them relief.

However, as the Prime Minister entered the village, he was confronted with a group of protestors protesting the Government’s position on the sugar industry and what they described as failed promises to residents of Berbice.

Meanwhile, Nagamootoo met with the residents and informed them that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is making arrangements for assistance to be given those affected.

“The CDC will go around and ask contractors and businessmen to help. This is the time when the carpenters and the contractors have to come forward to help the community,” the Prime Minister explained

Repair work being carried out at the home of Sheila Harrichan, whose house collapsed during the freak storm

by the CDC. Nagamootoo noted that similar efforts are being made to reach out to storm victims in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

Presently, efforts are being made also by the CDC to assist countries affected by the hurricanes. A planeload of foodstuff, medication and water has already been shipped, while efforts are

to the residents.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting with residents, Nagamootoo said it was the CDC that requested his presence and also the presence of several representatives from the Region’s administration to be a part of the visiting team, which he eagerly accepted.

According to the Prime Minister, there is an eagerness coming from the Guyanese population to assist -- something he is pleased about.

being made to airlift larger quantities, and in the longterm sending building material by sea.

Some of the protesters during the PM’s visit to Bath Settlement

During Friday’s visit to the village, several items, which include blankets, were distributed to victims

Younge’s Take Trusting the Police

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ecent survey by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) revealed that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is the least trusted law enforcement body in this country.

The survey indicated that Guyanese also lack confidence in the Police and its ability to fight crime.

But what is even more disturbing is the fact that the US Embassy-initiated survey also indicated that citizens do not believe that the Police Force here conducts itself professionally or appropriately. The truth is, Michael Younge the findings of the survey are not remarkable or surprising in any way, as it is a known fact that the level of confidence reposed by citizens in the law enforcement entities here is relatively low if not non-existent.

This is particularly true when one considers the level of crime and criminality prevailing in our society as each day citizens are murdered, victims of other heinous crimes, burglaries, rapes and domestic violence.

The Police’s response is most times slothful, uncaring, unprofessional and unhelpful. Recently, patrons at an East Coast hangout spot witnessed gun-toting ranks of the Police Force swoop down on the location. Persons were ordered out of the establishment as it was past the two o’clock curfew despite the fact that the doors to the business were closed and staff was in the process of cleaning up. Patrons were shoved and one CID rank dressed in plainclothes who identified himself as “Saul” began harassing those in control of the business before pulling a chair from under someone who was still seated.

The other ranks dressed in brown clothes continued to threaten those present, as if they were demanding a bribe or some sort of inducement before departure. When they left, emotions ran high as patrons voiced their concerns over the manner in which the Police executed their ‘duties’. Stories were spoken of how other ranks have collected bribes and other inducements at other places when dealing with issues linked to robberies, murders, traffic offences. In general, there was a general distaste for rouge, unprofessional and corrupt ranks.

It is simple incidents like these that impact public opinion and perception of the entire Police Force as they are not isolated or specific to one policing division. It is therefore laudable that Government through the Public Security Ministry has exhibited no tolerance for ranks who are engaged in unprofessional conduct in any area of their work as they are responsible for the ‘bad name’ the other ranks receive because of their deeds. But the Government has to do much more to create a paradigm shift and culture transformation within the force. The Police Commissioner must ensure that his commanders read the riot act and understand fully that it is their responsibility to ensure that these ranks are disciplined whenever there are reports of such unprofessionalism and thuggery.

Surely, the ranks must understand too that they are not a law unto themselves and therefore whenever there are breaches of the law on their part that they will be offered no protection – not from their colleagues nor superiors.

While it can be argued that the ranks are within their right to enforce the curfew laws, it can also be argued that they could spend their time patrolling the streets in pursuit of criminal elements who are usually wreaking havoc on innocent citizens. They could spend their time solving the many unsolved murders that are staining the pages of the press while at the same time working very hard to rebuild public trust and confidence. It is necessary for the Force’s administration to conduct periodic sessions with junior and middle management ranks on professionalism, ethics, effective communication and integrity. This will go a far way in addressing the basic shortcomings that result in the Force suffering immensely whenever an evaluation is done of its performance and the level of public trust.

In addition, urgent efforts at reforming the Force must be undertaken. Those proposals made by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee must be implemented immediately and should not be cast aside unless the new Government has new ones.

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sunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt accused of hypocrisy …uses CH&PA “slush fund” for GuySuCo purchase – Edghill

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overnment is being accused of using a “slush fund” at the level of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to make a $2 billion GuySuCo land purchase; a practice it was once critical of while in opposition.

Brandishing the headlines in the local press, Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill levelled this accusation at a press conference on Friday.

Referring to the reports, Edghill questioned why the money was coming from CH&PA, rather than the Government or the Consolidated Fund. He noted that the law requires excess sums of money from agencies to be paid into the

Consolidated Fund.

“In the 10th Parliament, the PPPC was accused of holding (sums of money) in extra-budgetary agencies.

And they were even referred to by (the AFC) as slush funds. One of those agencies was the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

“And the (campaign) promise was all these monies would be transferred to the Consolidated Fund,” he stated. “I am shocked that the CH&PA has $2 billion in an account. Why is this money not coming from Central Government and the Consolidated Fund?” he asked.

According to Edghill, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrell, had pro-

Former Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill

vided assurances that sums of money in the CH&PA fund would be transferred to Central Government’s Consolidated Fund.

“If you accuse the PPPC of all of these bad things and violations, I don’t expect the God-fearing, righteous, sincere APNU/AFC Government to be doing this,” Edghill said, brandishing the headlines. “I am judging them by their own standards.

“We are happy that GuySuCo is getting money.

But we are very concerned about the process that is being used to get this money to GuySuCo. This is criminal behaviour,” he posited.

During a post-Cabinet press conference on Thursday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had revealed that the cashstrapped GuySuCo would receive the money as payment for its land. This comes

would then be made available to the Guyanese public, although the exact location or acreage that is being purchased is unknown.

“If you accuse the PPPC of all of these bad things and violations, I don’t expect the God-fearing, righteous, sincere APNU/AFC Government to be doing this.” – Edghill Divestment

GuySuCo, which is bogged down by billions of dollars in debt, is currently engaged in divesting its assets to get cash to pay wages, salaries and other ex-

GuySuCo, as a corporation, is the largest landowner in Guyana

after an emergency Cabinet meeting earlier this week between GuySuCo officials and the Government.

Harmon revealed that the cash was from CH&PA, with assistance from the Ministry of Finance, in order to make the purchase. It is understood that the land

allocated some $130 million “to provide for the establishment of a Special Purpose Unit to manage the reform of the sugar industry.”

penses. At present, a Special Purpose Unit is in charge of this process.

That unit was first announced by Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, when he presented a Policy Paper to the National Assembly on the future of the sugar industry. It was

In July, the Government had presented a supplementary request to tap the national coffers. The National Assembly has since approved the money for the unit, which will be headed

by Colvin Keith-London. It is understood that he will be based at the Kingston headquarters of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Some $60 million have been approved for the company to hire an accounting firm in order to lead the divestment process, including updated valuations of the assets. GuySuCo’s properties will be transferred to the Special Purpose Unit.

GuySuCo has been tasked with identifying its own lands or assets to be divested. The Unit had allocated for its operations in 2017 some $30 million. This was set aside for the payment of salaries for the unit’s director and deputy, along with support staff.

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SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Giftland Mall welcomes string of new businesses

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ver the past few weeks, the Giftland Mall at Pattensen, Greater Georgetown has welcomed a string of new establishments, as the complex seeks to expand their services in an effort to better cater to customers by offering a wide array of eye-catching selections.

During a media tour on Friday, the Mall introduced to the public four new businesses which have set up shop at the one stop safe and convenient location. Among these new concessions are a Chinese food and beverages franchise, a top brands clothing store, an American style hot dog stand and a brand new executive lounge.

The day’s event kicked off with the unveiling of the Shinning House Chinese Restaurant which promises an excitingly new taste to the Chinese cuisine already existing in Guyana.

This eating establishment is the extension of a franchise which is among the more popular choices in China.

Also new at the Giftland Mall is a significant enhancement to The Strip; that is the installation of a luxurious executive lounge.

The lounge allows for a more relaxing environment, tucked away in the comfort of a cozy sports bar and dining setting.

Meanwhile, though already operating in Guyana

Two of the new establishments located at Giftland Mall; Azelea’s Top Brands (left) and Shinning House Chinese Restaurant

for some time now, Azelea’s Top Brands has relocated to the Giftland Mall.

When Guyana Times visited the store’s new location on Friday, media operatives were greeted with an assortment of high quality

male and female clothing, all deemed original brands.

According to the store’s owner, Raveena Piaralall, the clothing establishment offers a variety of clothing brands, namely Calvin Klien, Express, Aeropostale,

Guess, Levis, Kenneth Cole, Armani Exchange, American Eagle and Hollister, among others.

Steps away from this renowned fashion entity is Unique Innovations. This establishment is one of the leading importers, wholesaler/retailers, and distributors of mobile accessories, parts and hardware in addition to gadgets.

Meanwhile, also making the cut of new conces-

sionaires now available at the Giftland Mall is upscale New York styled, Big Kahuna Hot Dogs. Big Kahuna serves up the best hot dogs in Guyana, with their specially boiled and grilled sausages, offered on steamed buns. The hotdog stands which can be found just outside of the building provides a variety of toppings which includes jalapenos, bacon bits, fried onions among others which is an addition to the usual mix.

This, along with the other newly introduced business establishments, all add a special touch to the experience provided at the complex, living up to the promise of a wide array of products and services under one roof. As such, the public is invited to visit and cash in on the special deals and selections offered at these recently launched entities now housed at the Giftland Mall.

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SunDAY, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Anna's

Granger must serve his people first

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resident David Granger during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, suggested that Guyana has “to consider [its] land space as being the hinterland of the Caribbean” and that we have to “sit down and speak to other Caribbean Community (Caricom) States to see how this gift [of our land mass] could be utilised to give the Caribbean people a better life in the wake” of natural catastrophes.

This would have been an honourable proposal were it not for the fact that his Government can barely guarantee the welfare and security of the less than 750,000 of us who make up the local population, much less the distressed victims of the recent natural disasters which hit neighbouring countries.

Whether the President actually meant it or was simply trying to embellish his image in the international arena, is another story.

The hurricanes which rocked several Caribbean nations, followed almost immediately by the two horrendous earthquakes that left at least 298 dead in Anna Correia Mexico, do warrant national concern, solidarity and our empathy for families that have been devastated. So does the ongoing Venezuelan crisis that is currently forcing impoverished families across the country’s borders. They need our support, and where our Government has the resources to help them, especially stranded Guyanese nationals, it must. However, what exactly the President means by our land mass being a “gift” in this context, is yet to be determined.

While it is true that Guyana has immense potential for agricultural development and can assume the role of regional leadership on several fronts should we chose to invest intelligently in our human and natural resources, this reality still exceeds our grasp for now. The change in Government in 2015 marked the commencement of a series of economic and fiscal reforms which are directly responsible for the stagnant state of our since contracted economy, as well as the decimation of the rice and sugar industries in particular.

The subsequent decline in the people’s purchasing power is perhaps the most flagrant indicator of this economic crisis which seems to be the least of the Government’s concerns.

However, development is not only stymied by the reluctance to reverse or to cushion the impact of irresponsible economic measures, but is accentuated by the Government’s neglect of the socioeconomic development of the population. This is marked inter alia by the removal of social welfare programmes or the replacement of some by mediocre hand-outs, as well as the slothful handling of the national housing programme which has been transformed to suit all but the needs of Guyanese families.

It has not yet been disclosed how many of the 1000 turn-key homes initially designed under the previous Administration, have been delivered to date. Yet, the coalition has proceeded to evolve the housing programme through which applicants can either obtain individual house lots or turn-key homes based on their income level, to one which forces families to settle for already built houses at a starting price of GY$6.5 million. This programme restrains the freedom of Guyanese to build at their own pace and to suit their own architectural tastes since it reduces their access to actual individual house lots. And since the price of a low income property is now five times higher than the price of the most expensive house lot proposed by the CH&PA (GY$1.2 million), access to housing might as well be reduced in general.

One of the pretexts advanced by the Government during the launch of its new but largely unwelcomed housing project, was the presumed unavailability of land. Such an absurd argument can only be advanced by a myopic Government which overlooks the fact that from 1992 to now, the expansion of housing schemes boomed across the coastland with the development of a growing middle class.

Incidentally, if more land is needed to match the growing needs of Guyanese as is implied by the current Government, then it is but a question of expanding housing schemes in a country where some 80 per cent of the national territory remains unoccupied.

So, how President Granger intends to put our land mass to the service of distressed nations is an intriguing affair considering his Government’s deficiencies in optimising our resources via sustainable and viable policy-making.

Decidedly, we’re confronted with yet another paradox at a time when deceitfulness is the best the coalition can seemingly offer.

Contact sundayarrow@gmail.com

Heritage Pageant delegates sashed

T

en beauties of the nine Amerindian nations spanning the breadth of Guyana, who are vying for this year’s Indigenous Heritage Pageant, were officially sashed on the second day of the Inter-Heritage Games and Fun Day on Saturday afternoon, at the Everest Cricket Ground in Georgetown, as this month’s celebrations continue in full swing.

Cheers erupted from the crowd as the delegates confidently took to the stage to briefly introduce themselves, boasting bilingual attributes by addressing supporters in their native tongues as well as the English language. turn to page 18

Delegates meet and greet fans

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sunday, september 24, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Granger offers land for hurricane victims

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President David Granger

art of its contribution to humanitarian relief efforts for Dominicans and other Caribbean nationals displaced by the recent back to back hurricanes, could see Guyana offering some of its land to these individuals.

This is according to President David Granger, who was speaking to members of the local media on the sidelines of a United Nations summit in New York. According to Granger, it is something that could be pursued as Guyana has the most land mass in the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

“We are the largest Caribbean Community state

and we have to consider our land space as being the hinterland of the Caribbean.

We have to sit down and speak to other Caricom states to see how this gift could be utilised to give the Caribbean people a better life in the wake of these disasters,” he related.

A delegation from the Guyana Government had conducted a needs assessment in several Caribbean states, in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The delegation recently returned from Antigua, St Maarten and

bers of the local media corps and briefed them on some of the relief initiatives Government is currently considering and to provide a first-hand account of the extent of the devastation.

According to Minister Felix, in addition to food, building and medical supplies, some of the affected Guyanese have been inquiring about the possible evacuation from the devastated islands to Guyana, specifically of school-aged children.

He explained that many of the Guyanese have ex-

Hurricane Irma ravaged British Virgin Islands (Pride News Magazine)

the British Virgin Islands.

Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, who spearheaded that team, on Thursday met with mem-

pressed a willingness to remain on the Caribbean islands in order to cash in on the rebuilding efforts.

According to Felix, the

The devastation in St Marteen

information supplied to him and his team indicates that in St Maarten, there are some 7000 Guyanese domiciled, while in Tortola, BVI, the population stands around 1500.

With category five winds and rain, Irma was one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded over the Atlantic Ocean.

It has completely devastated Barbuda, and affected jurisdictions such as St Maarten, St Barts, St Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands.

The freak of nature claimed the life of Derek Ragnauth, a Guyanese native who resided on the eastern end of Tortola –

Mexico earthquake: New tremor halts rescue operations

A

strong tremor in southern Mexico temporarily suspended the search for survivors of this week’s powerful earthquake in the capital, Mexico City.

People ran into the streets as alarms sounded after the magnitude 6.1 quake hit the state of Oaxaca, some 520km (323 miles) south of Mexico City.

Some buildings already damaged and a bridge collapsed in the state.

Tuesday’s quake left at

least 305 dead. Hope is fading that more survivors can be rescued from the rubble.

Saturday’s earthquake struck near the city of Matias Romero at 07:53 local time

(12:53 GMT) and was relatively shallow, with a depth of 9km, the US Geological Survey said.

Mexico’s disaster agency said it was an aftershock of the magnitude 8.1 earthquake that hit the state on 7 September, in which at least 90 people died.

The tremor was mild in Mexico City but thousands of residents, many wearing pyjamas, ran into the streets when seismic alarms sounded.

“We were about to have breakfast and drink coffee when we felt the movement and we got up and stood underneath the door frame,” resident Antelma Lopez told Reuters news agency. (BBC)

the largest in the chain of British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Ragnauth reportedly perished when the building he was in collapsed, as the monster storm tore through

5 injured in east London 'acid attack'

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t least five people have been injured in Stratford, east London, after a reported acid attack.

Police were called to Stratford Centre, opposite Westfield, just before 20:00 BST. A man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Police said there had been reports of a group of males spraying people with a noxious substance.

Ambulance and fire services were also called. The incident is not believed to be terror related.

Those reported injured

The event was well attended by a wide section of the diverse Guyanese population, who took time off to indulge in the true Indigenous experience of the nation’s first peoples, including representatives from the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, Parliament and the diplomatic corps.

Following the sashing, a highly competitive game of football commenced which had the crowd in an uproar.

Families flocked the Indigenous food, craft and beverages stands as children pranced around on trampolines and engaged in games of the like, while others simply stood by sipping on Indigenous beverages engaging in small talk or the game on the field.

The Amerindian Heritage

Pageant is set to be hosted on the evening of September 30, 2017, at the National Cultural Centre; a night showcasing beauty, intelligence and culture.

Generally, the programme encompasses an introduction segment followed by talent, intelligence, evening wear, traditional wear and the final question segment, which will see the delegates being grilled on their respective platforms, succeeded by highlight of the evening; the crowning of the fittest delegate who will hold the title for two consecutive years.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous heritage games will culminate today with a playoff by the two final teams in a competitive game of football among other sports.

(Paula Gomes)

were believed to be in a number of different locations.

At least five patients were treated at the scene, and three of them were taken to hospital, Paul Gibson of the London Ambulance Service said. No-one is thought to have life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

Witnesses at the scene said an argument had broken out among a group of people.

A man who gave his name as Hossen, an assistant manager at Burger King, said a victim had run into the fast food chain to "wash acid off his face.” (BBC)

US bombers stage North Korea show of force

Heritage pageant... U

from page 17

BVI. Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada, in a public statement from the body stated, “The Community stands ready to render whatever assistance it can to assist in the recovery efforts which are being coordinated by CDEMA (the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency).”

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge has been quoted in local media reports indicating that Government was exploring the possibility of evacuating citizens from hard-hit areas such as St Martin.

S bombers have flown close to North Korea's east coast to demonstrate the military options available to defeat any threat, the Pentagon has said.

It said the flight was the farthest north of the demilitarised zone between the Koreas that any US fighter jet or bomber had flown in the 21st Century.

Tensions have risen recently over Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

At the UN, North Korea's foreign minister said US President Donald Trump was on a "suicide mission".

Ri Yong-ho's comments to the General Assembly mimicked Trump's remarks at the UN on Tuesday, when he called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a "rocket man on a suicide mission".

Ri added that "insults"

by Trump - who was, he said, "mentally deranged and full of megalomania" -

were an "irreversible mistake making it inevitable" that North Korean rockets would hit the US mainland.

Trump, the foreign minister said, would "pay dearly" for his speech, in which he also said he would "totally destroy" North Korea if the US was forced to defend itself or its allies.

Shortly before his address, the Pentagon announced that the show of force underscored "the seriousness" with which the US took North Korea's "reckless" behaviour, calling the country's weapons programme a "grave threat".

"This mission is a demonstration of US resolve and a clear message that the president has many military options to defeat any threat," it said in a statement.

"We are prepared to use the full range of military capabilities to defend the US homeland and our allies."

(BBC)

sunDAY, september 24, 2017

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Lukaku strikes again in unconvincing victory for United

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anchester United made hard work of beating Southampton, with Romelu Lukaku sealing a 1-0 victory.

Romelu Lukaku scored his eighth goal in as many games for Manchester United to seal a 1-0 victory away to Southampton on Saturday.

The Belgium international converted a rebound in the first half to give Jose Mourinho's side a fifth

win in six Premier League games and keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table.

It was a largely unconvincing performance from the visitors, who made the most of their one clear-cut opportunity in a comfortable first half and spent the majority of the second on the back foot.

Lukaku scored after seeing a header saved by Fraser Forster, prompting a repeat of the controversial chant

from the away section in support of the former Everton man, but United created little otherwise in a disjointed display and Mourinho was sent to the stands in the dying minutes.

Mauricio Pellegrino's side enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession in the second half but struggled to find a way through United's rearguard, underlining the attacking problems of a team who have failed to score in nine of their last 11 home

league games.

United move on to 16 points, the same as league leaders City, but Mourinho will no doubt want improvement from his side when they travel to Russia to take on CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Nathan Redmond flashed a half-volley over as Saints started in encouraging fashion, but United snatched control of the half on 20 minutes.

Ashley Young, starting again at left-back, danced his way into space and curled a fine cross onto the head of Lukaku and, although Fraser Forster saved his effort superbly, the Belgian had the simple task of scuffing the rebound into

the unguarded net.

A large number of United fans celebrated with the controversial chant about Lukaku, despite the player and club asking for them to refrain from singing it this week following a complaint by anti-discrimination body Kick It Out. United looked comfortable as they kept Saints at bay for the remainder of the half, but the home side stepped up their pursuit of an equaliser after the break and Oriol Romeu flashed a shot wide when the visitors failed to clear a corner.

Redmond then cut inside from the left and fired in a low shot across goal, forcing David de Gea to save well and gather the rebound away from the lurking Shane Long, before the Republic of Ireland striker was denied a clear run at goal by a strong shoulder charge from Phil Jones that

went unpunished.

Mourinho responded to the growing pressure by bringing on Ander Herrera in midfield, and United should have snatched a second goal on the break, with Lukaku shooting straight at Forster's feet after being played in by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Fellaini cleared a Dusan Tadic header from just in front of the line and the winger dragged a low cross inches past the right-hand post moments later, before Herrera blasted over the crossbar when given time and space to pick his spot on a rare United attack.

Saints kept up the pressure in the closing minutes but United held firm for an important – though far from impressive – three points, even as Mourinho was ordered into the stands in injury time by referee Craig Pawson. (Sportsmax)

comeback and we are considering him," Inzamamul-Haq, the PCB's chief selector, said in a press conference on Saturday. "He was there in our high-performance camp and he was exceptional. It's fantastic to see that a player has been out for five years but still maintained a high standard of fitness. He has checked all the boxes for his selection and we have a plan.

We are not selecting him directly in the international circuit but we are trying to have him play in the A team first and then we will take it from there."

Butt, 32, returned to domestic cricket in January 2016, after serving a fiveyear ban for his role in the spot-fixing scandal in England in 2010. He scored a century in his comeback game in the National OneDay Cup, and went on to finish the tournament as its second-highest run-getter, with 536 runs at an average of 107.20.

He then led his first-class team, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), to the Quaid-eAzam Trophy, scoring twin hundreds in the final to finish the season with 741

runs at 49.40. He was also the second-highest run-getter in the National T20 Cup last year, with 350 at 70.00.

Butt was 26 when he was banned, having played 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is. Since then, he has attended anti-corruption rehabilitation programmes conducted by the PCB, taken part in social work, and publicly apologised, though he had pleaded his innocence until 2013. The two other players punished at the time, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, have also returned to cricket after completing their bans.

Amir has been successfully re-integrated into the national set-up, and has set a precedent of sorts for any more returns.

Butt could have returned to the Pakistan squad as early as their tour of the West Indies in March-May 2017, with the then PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan publicly clearing his possible selection. But the revelations of spot fixing in the PSL - though Butt had no connection to it - created an adverse climate for his return, forcing the selectors to wait a little longer. (Cricinfo)

Man City thrash Butt moves a step closer to hapless Palace 5-0 Pakistan comeback

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ree-scoring Manchester City turned on the style after a difficult start to the game to thrash Crystal Palace 5-0 on Saturday, taking their tally to 16 goals in their last three Premier League games.

But while City are scoring for fun, Palace can’t buy a goal -- Saturday’s thrashing set a new English league record of six successive games without a win or goal at the start of a season.

Palace had the better of the action for much of the first half, with Ruben LoftusCheek twice going close to breaking the deadlock, but Leroy Sane’s well-taken goal on the stroke of halftime gave City momentum going into the break.

After the interval, it was all City, and it was not long before they had their second, with Sane turning provider this time for Raheem Sterling to slot home six minutes after the interval.

Sterling then tapped home his second -- and City’s third -- eight minutes later, Sergio Aguero netted 11 minutes from fulltime, and Fabian Delph’s thunderbolt at the death added the finishing gloss to a result which ensures City stay top of the table, on goal difference, above rivals Manchester United.

Mamadou Sakho almost gifted City the lead as early as the seventh minute, and was fortunate to see his glanced header towards his own goal come out off the post.

However, Palace grew into the match, and almost took the lead themselves in the 19th minute, but Loftus-Cheek’s effort thundered against the post.

The same man really should have found the net in the 28th minute, but missed his kick with the goal at his mercy.

That profligacy proved costly, as Sane

P

Manchester City’s Fabian Delph celebrates scoring their fifth goal with teammates

and David Silva combined to devastating effect, with the former brilliantly chipping the ball over the head of Scott Dann before slotting home.

“We started well, in the first five or 10 minutes, but after that we were not good,” manager Pep Guardiola said after the match. “We did not move the ball well, but in the second half we were at our level.”

After the break Sterling soon had his fourth of the season after great work from Sane to lay the ball across for the England forward, before netting another shortly after, Aguero this time providing the assist.

Aguero ensured he didn’t miss out on the scoring, with Sane returning the favour to find the head of the Argentine, who found the net with ease.

City saved the best for last, with Delph’s superb curling effort from distance finding the top corner to complete another miserable afternoon for Palace.

(Reuters)

akistan's selectors have come up with a plan to reintegrate Salman Butt into the national side. They are impressed with his domestic form since his return from his spot-fixing ban, and will look to pick him in the Pakistan A team to assess his case for a full international return. A similar scheme was shelved earlier this year in light of the PSL spot-fixing controversy.

"He is playing v e r y well after h i s

Salman Butt

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guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, september 24, 2017

Gayle fit as West Indies look for late-tour lift

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est Indies need a victory to give them a lift going into the final week of the tour and offer Stuart Law some belief that he has a group of players to work with ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next year. They have at least been boosted by Chris Gayle’s availability after he pulled out of Trent Bridge at the 11th hour.

Gayle has been passed fit after scans did not reveal any damage following the hamstring tweak he suffered moments before the toss at Trent Bridge. That means he should be reunited at the top of the order with Evin Lewis. Keswick Williams is a doubt having suffered a back spasm at Trent Bridge after the match had started.

It is unlikely that one white-ball innings will sway the selectors when it comes to the Ashes squad, but with it being named on Wednesday morning Alex Hales has one knock left before the names are pencilled in. A month ago momentum was building for him, but since his double century against Derbyshire on August 7 he hasn’t made a half-century in any format.

He has struck the ball sweetly in the T20 and briefly at Old Trafford in the first match of the series, but it appears

more likely he’ll be taking up his T20 deal in South Africa than getting on a plane to Australia.

Marlon Samuels certainly adds experience to West Indies’ middle order but needs to prove he is worth persisting with into the World Cup qualifiers next year.

Samuels remains West Indies’ second-highest ODI run-scorer since the 2015 World Cup, despite not being in the side for the best part of a year, but now’s the time to show he is really up for it.

Eoin Morgan has said there is no intention of rotation for the sake of it and mentioned one of areas he wanted improvement on post the Champions Trophy was taking early wickets.

In their last two ODIs on this ground, against Ireland earlier this season and the washed out match against Sri Lanka last year, England have left out Moeen Ali due to the short, straight boundaries. If they follow a similar pattern, that could mean a spot for either Jake Ball or a debut for Tom Curran.

West Indies squad: Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder (capt), Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Kesrick Williams Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow , Jake Ball, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben

Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes.

Match time 06:00 hrs (Cricinfo)

LeBron James (right, pictured with Steph Curry) last season surpassed Michael Jordan as the NBA’s record post-season scorer

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asketball star LeBron James described US President Donald Trump as a "bum" over comments he made about fellow player Steph Curry.

Trump said the Golden State Warriors were no longer invited to the White House after star player Curry, 29, said he did not want to attend.

"Going to White House was an honour until you showed up," James, 32, said.

On Friday, Trump said NFL players who protest during the national anthem should be sacked.

'We don't stand for the things he's said' Basketball's champion team, the Golden State Warriors from California, were considering turning down the traditional invitation to celebrate their NBA title success at the White House.

Warriors point guard Curry, a two-time winner

Chris Gayle

Virat Kohli

honing and executing their defensive skills better than ever before, and the balance between bat and ball is slowly being restored.

An example is India’s bowling attack. All five bowlers are capable of bowling at any stage of an innings and can adapt their roles holding an end up or attacking. And Australia’s batsmen have failed to raise their own game, particularly against wristspin. They have scored 339 runs against pace and spin in this series for 19 wickets, an average of 17.84 per wicket.

Hardik Pandya may be having the best year of his life: another terrific IPL season, a sensational debut Test series and now an indispensable cog in India’s limited-overs set-up While the rest have been plagued by inconsistency, Steven Smith and David Warner have carried Australia’s batting on their backs over the past few years. Smith struck a measured half-century in Kolkata, while Warner has failed twice.

Australia need them firing in Indore, not just for their runs, but also for the boost in morale they desperately need.

India squad for first 3 ODIs: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni

of the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, said the team could "inspire some change" by refusing to visit the home of the president.

"I don't want to go," Curry said on Friday, adding that it would show the players "don't stand for... the things that he's said and the things that he hasn't said in the right times".

He added: "I don't think us not going to the White House is going to miraculously make everything better, but this is my opportunity to voice that."

Trump responded by tweeting that the invitation had been withdrawn.

James, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers and has won three NBA championships and four NBA MVP awards, campaigned for Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival, during the presidential election campaign. (BBC)

ICC launches Sri Lanka investigation

Australia look to resolve batting woes to save series I n 11 completed innings during Australia’s previous ODI tour of India in 2013, 3569 runs were scored, at an average of 324.45 runs per innings. On this tour, 872 runs have been scored in two matches, including a 21-over innings in Chennai, an average of 218 per innings. If ODIs were a stock market, projected on a year-on-year graph, t h e batting standards would be the bull market and bowling, the not-soscary bear.

With the advent of T20s, that trend is changing.

Bowlers a r e

LeBron James calls Trump a 'bum' after Curry’s comments

Australian batsmen have struggled for fluency on this tour

Pramodya Wickramasinghe played 40 Tests and 132 one-day internationals for Sri Lanka between 1990 and 2002

A (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami.

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith, David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa. Match time 04:00 hrs (Cricinfo)

corruption investigation has been launched into the Sri Lanka team after allegations were made by an ex-player.

Pramodya Wickramasinghe, 46, accused the national side of "unnatural match patterns" and player selections.

"There is currently an ICC (anti-corruption unit) investigation under way in Sri Lanka," the International Cricket Council said.

A Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) statement said current players refuted Wickramasinghe's claims as "baseless".

The statement added the players regarded the comments as "disparaging and hurtful".

The ICC's statement came just a day after SLC said that 40 contracted Sri Lanka players, including captains Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga, had signed a petition to SLC calling for an immediate inquiry into Wickramasinghe's "shocking" allegations.

A pace bowler and former national selector who was part of the Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning team, Wickramasinghe made the comments in a television interview, blaming the current management for the team's poor performance. (BBC)

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Berbice Umpires Association President declares support for Foster

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ong-serving umpire and current President of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association, Joseph Simon, has joined a long list of Berbice Cricket officials and cricketers to urge Hilbert Foster, Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, to run for the presidency of the Berbice Cricket Board at its upcoming general elections on 8th October, 2017.

The Berbice Cricket Board has not held election since December, 2014, but has been mandated by a High Court Order to hold election.

Simon said all Berbicians were concerned about the current state of Berbice Cricket, with hardly any cricket being played at any level, while no off-the-field programme has been organised to aid in the development of the game, especially at the junior level.

He noted that cricket development in the county is at a very low level, and needs someone who has the inspiration to carry it through.

That person should be very respectable, and have vision and the ability to inspire others around him.

The Head of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association stated that not only does Hilbert Foster has those qualities, but he is a leader who get things done. Simon said no cricket administrator in the history of Berbice Cricket has done as much as Hilbert Foster, and he recalled his outstanding and superhuman efforts as Chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board’s Special Events

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Waitress for bar 612-2522

Joseph Simon

naments and to assist clubs, players and others involved in cricket.

Foster has been a major supporter of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association, Simon recalled.

He has hosted several programmes to honour umpires, such as Tribute to Long serving Umpires, Tribute to Heroes, while umpires were also honoured at the

Annual Award Ceremony. He said the Berbice Cricket Board under Foster’s tenure as Special Events Chairman always made the umpires feel appreciated and wanted.

Working with the long-serving Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO, Simon disclosed, has always been educational, and he is willing to listen to advice, share his vast experience with others, and find quick solutions to problems.

Members of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association are always delighted to work along with Foster, because he is a complete professional who cares about people and cricket, and is a man of his word. All tournaments organised by Foster result in high financial payment for umpires, while all umpires are paid well in advance for matches.

Simon is confident that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/CEO would listen to the pleas of all Berbicians and contest for the Berbice Cricket Board presidency.

In an invited comment, Foster expressed surprise at the large amount of cricket clubs, officials and players who called the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club office to urge him to contest the election. Foster, who has, over the last decade, refused to be part of any Berbice Cricket Board election, has said he is considering the requests.

Berbice Cricket, he said, can be put on firm footing with forward and dy-

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Hilbert Foster

namic leadership in a period of six months. The hosting of a minimum of 20 tournaments at all age levels and an organised coaching structure are urgently needed.

Among the other areas of priority are cricket academies, educational programmes, assistance to less fortunate players and clubs, awards scheme, selection policy, elite junior players training programmes, and a well-structured competition committee to organise the numerous planned tournaments.

Foster indicated that he would make a decision by October 1st, 2017.

Meanwhile Secretary of the Young Warriors Cricket Club, Carl Ramsammy, in his personal capacity, is also urging Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Secretary/ CEO to contest the Berbice Cricket Board Election.

Ramsammy expressed full confidence that Berbice Cricket would benefit from the dynamic leadership of Foster, and that players in Berbice would have cricket to be played at all levels.

Ramsammy says he is highly impressed with Foster’s leadership skills, commitment to assisting all clubs, and relationship with donors, and his ability to not only come up with ideas, but to make them reality. The Young Warriors Cricket Club Secretary also stated that Foster always fulfills his commitments to others, and is a man to his word.

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Committee during the period 2008 to 2014.

Foster has successfully completed over 1500 programmes/activities under a wide range of sub-headings, while he single- handedly raised over $20 million in finance, and materials to house over 50 cricket tour-

sports

Diamond stuns Agricola

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rove High Tech continued their unbeaten run even as first-timers Diamond Upsetters trounced defending champions Agricola Red Triangle and Mocha Champs arrested Herstelling Raiders, while Samatta Point/Kaneville and Friendship played to a draw when rivalry in the East Bank Football Association/Ralph Green Under-11 League continued yesterday at the Grove playfield.

Grove ran away easy 4-0 winners over Diamond United, thanks to a double off the boot of Dwayvon Cliffe in the 27th and 29th minutes. Jevon Pluck had earlier opened the scoring in the 11th minute to break the deadlock.

Diamond United looked good for most of the first half, and had a few opportunities to take the lead, but

Agricola Red Triangle's Brandon Narine (#3) clears the ball against Diamond Upsetters at the Grove playfield

were denied on account of some excellent goal-keeping

by Ramesh Persaud. Once Grove was able to score, they continued in that vein with a brace in each half.

Their second goal was converted by Jamal Cordis in the 14th minute.

The biggest upset of the league came when defending champions Agricola Red Triangle lost to new kids on the block, Diamond Upsetters, 2-0. The Diamond side wasted little time in putting Agricola on the back foot by scoring in the

first minute of the match, Shafeek Russell doing the honours.

The exchanges thereafter were intense between the sides, but the Diamond lads sensed all along that they were up to something special. The insurance goal

for them came off the boot of Russell in the 22nd minute, and it resulted in them grabbing full points from the match. Mocha Champs were led to a big 5-3 win over Herstelling Raiders, thanks to a helmet-trick, the first for the league, from Daniel Bradford who hit the back of the net in the 11th, 14th, 18th and 28th minutes. The other goal was scored by Neil Garraway in the 13th minute.

Herstelling Raiders got all their goals from Solomon Austin, in the 17th, 22nd and 25th minutes.

The other match of the day between Samatta Point/ Kaneville and Friendship All Stars ended in a 1-1 draw.

Friendship drew first blood in the 18th minute through an Anthony Christian goal, but that advantage was cancelled by Samatta Point/ Kaneville’s Shamar Lyken’s 23rd minute strike.

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guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, september 24, 2017

GCB/Jaguars 3-Day League

Adams’s savage 95* rocks Georgetown

By Clifton Ross

A

berserk innings of 95 from Ricardo Adams took Essequibo within a sniff of victory, their needing 38 runs heading into the final day against Georgetown as day two of round four of the GCB/Jaguars 3-Day League ended at the Tuschen Ground.

Needing 193 to beat the Georgetown side, Essequibo, in the presence of a supportive crowd, ended their second innings on 155-5 after being reduced to 40-5, thanks mainly to Chris Barnwell’s 4-37 which knocked the wind out of their sails on Saturday.

The left-handed Adams was brutal during his innings, which headlined a pretty exciting pummeling of the bowling around the ground and even in a few yards nearby.

Mark Williams supported Adams well with his knock of 33, and the pair will look to wrap up a resounding come-from-behind win with an entire day’s play left.

After being knocked over for 117 first, Georgetown finished their second innings on 245-10, thanks mainly to a classy knock of 91 from Captain Leon Johnson and a brisk 48 from Barnwell (3x4, 3x6). Spin was the weapon of choice for the Essequibo side, and they were indebted to their slower bowlers: Akini Adams (3-40), Ricardo Adams (3-82) and Chaitram Persaud (1-10), who hogged

5

the majority of wickets to fall.

The Essequibo chase began in nightmare fashion, with Barnwell uprooting the stumps of Parmesh Parsotam for duck before hitting timber again when he knocked over Kevon Boodie (04).

Adams came to the middle with the score on 15-2, teaming up with leading run-scorer Kemol Savory (07).

Barnwell, who sliced through a hapless looking Essequibo top-order, was aggressive during his opening spell, finding a bit of shape which he used perfectly to bag his other two scalps -- Keemo Paul (03) and Persaud (00), who were both caught in the slip cordon.

Adams hit the first six of his team’s second innings, but followed up with a number of clean blows, taking a liking to Barnwell, who was bullied for a four and two sixes in one of his overs. Williams lent ideal support as he also found the ropes a few times, while Adams surged to his half-century with a four off the off-spinner Ramaal Lewis, as the duo steadied the ship until stumps.

Earlier, the overnight pair of Raymond Perez and Robin Bacchus failed to significantly add to their respective scores of 13 and 00. Perez was stylish during his innings, hitting five fours before Adams knocked him over for 24. The dismissal of Bacchus fol-

Leon Johnson

lowed; he was unable to come off the mark.

Johnson dug in following the departure of his openers, and forged an attacking partnership with Barnwell, who launched a counter-attack against the Essequibo bowlers. Barnwell seemed to be in T20 mode,

as he muscled a number a boundaries before having his stumps disturbed by Keemo Paul, breaking the 54-run partnership.

At 97-3, the Georgetown skipper, despite losing the aggressive Barnwell, was looking fluent as he mixed his innings with finesse and power, hammering his opposite number, Anthony Adams, for a six over mid-wicket to raise his 50.

Wickets continued to fall around Johnson, with Ovid Richardson (04) falling LBW to Paul, who ended with two wickets; while Sunil Singh (10) and Dexter Solomon (23) fell victim to off-spinner Persaud.

The Jamaican Lewis hung around for a short time before he was cleaned up by spinner Akini Adams.

Georgetown’s lead went past 160 as tea approached, with Steven Sankar partnering with Johnson who took his score into the 80s. However, it was some brotherly magic from the Adams boys, Akini the bowler and Anthony the catcher at short mid-wicket, which accounted for Johnson’s demise.

When Sankar hit Akini Adams down the throat of Persaud in the deep, falling for a good-looking 25, the innings ended at the stroke of tea when Gajanan Suknanan was trapped lbw by Adams.

The intense battle will resume today at 09:30 hrs

local clubs receive CONCACAF licence F

i v e clubs on Friday received their CONCACAF club licences following a thorough process of ensuring as many clubs in Guyana are equipped with their licences.

The clubs are Western Tigers FC, Milerock FC, Ann’s Grove United FC, New Amsterdam United FC, and Den Amstel FC. Representatives of the clubs received their certificates from President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne

Forde, at a simple ceremony held at the Federation’s Secretariat.

In brief remarks to the recipients, Forde said: “The Executive Committee is indeed very proud of the effort that each and every one of the clubs represented here this afternoon would have invested in securing their CONCACAF licences. We know it’s a challenging task. As you may know, many of your colleagues at the club level were invited to participate in the process and the Federation did its part in supporting, lend-

ing advice in any area that we felt was wanting at the club level. As it turned out, we now have five clubs that were able to satisfy those conditions and criteria set out by the CONCACAF Club Licensing process.”

Forde said the journey to acquire a club licence is a process which he hopes more clubs would embrace.

“We are not happy that we have five clubs (successful) out of a body of almost 20 clubs which participated…but I think there is a natural order of progression ...acquiring the licence

GFF President Wayne Forde is flanked by recipients of the CONCACAF Club Licence

is just one step in the process,” he declared.

Husbands to defend Victor Macedo Cycling Road Race today T

Stephano Husbands won last year’s race

he 15th edition of the Victor Macedo Cycling Road Race will be held today, beginning with an early start at 07:00hrs from Macedo’s residence, Peter Rose Street, Queenstown.

The event is once again being organized by the Flying Stars Cycle Club.

The defending champion for the event is Stephano Husbands, who clocked three hours 11 minutes .70 seconds to win the event last year.

The expected large turnout of cyclists will get the green flag on Homestretch Avenue, from where the seniors and juniors will proceed to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway before turning back to finish at the place of origin; while the veterans, pre-juniors and mountain bikers will turn back at the top of the hill just past Splashmin’s Fun Park and finish on Homestretch Avenue.

The first eight finishers overall, as well as the top four juniors, the first three pre-juniors and the top three mountain bikers, will be rewarded with cash prizes and trophies for their efforts.

Ten prime prizes will be on offer during the course of the race.

The event is being sponsored by Macedo Transportation Services, in collaboration with Floyd Macedo, a former cyclist who was very competitive during his time.

The winning junior last year was Raphael Leung, while Junior Niles won the veterans’ category, Adelie Hodge was the first juvenile to cross the finish line, and Ozeda McAulley was first among the mountain bikers.

He noted that the GFF remains committed “to create as many possibilities and opportunities that we can for the development of the players and clubs”.

Roger Moe, Second Vice President of Western Tigers FC, in an invited comment, said his club was happy to have acquired its club licence: “It’s long overdue, but we’re still excited to acquire same. Our club is a community-based club; it will be very good for the community, because we have a community with a lot of young men who love sports and football, and it will serve the community great.” While noting that Ann’s Grove FC has a huge football base, Colonel Rawle Jerrick, President of the club, said: “I am elated.

This is a sense of accomplishment for us. I, along with the secretary and some other persons, was elected….. In 2013…the club was almost dissolved.

So this is an accomplishment for us.”

Lennox Adams, Secretary of the New Amsterdam FC, also expressed his club’s pleasure

at acquiring its licence: “We’re really happy to reach this stage of our development, and we’re hoping to do good in the future.

We have some seasoned players and some young players we’d like to step up to give them a chance to play.”

Milerock FC’s President, Claude Williams, said his club was extremely happy to receive its licence: “We are elated…this was something long overdue, and it could only be for the better.

Our club is properly structured and has the capacity to perform at the highest level, and we are honoured to be here.”

Patrick Burgess, President of the Den Amstel FC, expressed his gratitude to the GFF for the support provided through the process: “Acquiring the club licence is overwhelming. This is an opportunity we’ve been waiting for for a very long time, and we’re happy we have fulfilled the criteria. Here we have it now, so on behalf of our club, we express a hearty thanks to the Federation for accepting us.”

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sunDAY, september 24, 2017

23

Heritage Games 2017

Defending football champs Mabaruma in the hunt for finals’ berth

– Archery, Volleyball intensely contested

M

abaruma, defending male champions of football at the Heritage Games, are in the hunt for a final berth.

Up to press time, they were preparing to face Port Kaituma in a semi-final playoff as they look to retain their championship trophy.

In semi-final two, Rupununi face old rivals Waramadong.

In the women’s football action, defending champions Parima will face Region One, while Kako will take on Region 9 in semi-finals one and two.

In cricket action, the female final will be between Capoey and Pakuri village.

On their way to the final, lady luck was with Capoey as they drew a bye in the quarter and semi-final stages.

However Pakuri village had a challenging road to the final, as they were made to successfully chase down

Moraikobai’s 48 from 8 overs. Pakuri village racked up 49 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 6.5 overs in the third round.

In the semi-final, Pakuri village, batting first, compiled 71-4 from their allotted 8 overs and restricted

Santa Aratak to 36-6.

Defending Male champions Region 2 United are already in the final, while Mahdia will face Laluni in the semi-final in the first event of today, at 09:00hrs.

In the first semi-final played on Saturday, Region

The female football action was fiercely contested

Bull’s Eye? One of the participants in Archery taking aim (Carl Crooker Photo)

GFF gifts footballs to Indigenous Heritage Games

President Wayne Forde presenting balls to Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has donated footballs to the Indigenous Heritage Games as the 2017 event kicked off at the Everest Cricket Club Ground on Friday. President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, presented the balls to Honourable Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Patron of Women’s Football in Guyana, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, following the official opening ceremony. In brief remarks, Forde said the GFF has made a deliberate effort to cater for hinterland football development, and have national teams that are representative of the talent available countrywide, including in the hinterland. “We have demonstrated that with the composition of our U-17 team which recently competed in the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Qualifiers and the U-15 Boys’ Championship that just concluded in Florida. The level of representation we have at the youth level in the national squad will continue, as these players mature in the senior set-up. “In the not-too-distant future, we will see national teams that are a full reflection of the diverse peoples of Guyana,” he promised.

This presentation follows technical capacity building provided to referees in the hinterland, which will also see some of them officiating in the Games, to be held all weekend. Football is usually a key feature of the Indigenous Heritage Games, which are held as part of the observance of Indigenous Heritage Month.

racked up 97-3 from 10 overs, before restricting Campbell Town to 39-4.

Today’s action will include the final round of the Archery competition as well as the finals of the Volleyball (male and female), before culminating with the football finals, beginning with the women at 18:00hrs, while the male finals will be played at 20:00hrs.

13th annual Laparkan Cycling meet

J

T

2 United beat Pakuri village by 5 runs. Batting first, they made 56-5 from their allotted 10 overs, and then restricted Pakuri to 51-8.

In the quarter-finals, Mahdia beat Sand Hills by 70 runs, amassing 1336 from 10 overs and then bowling Sand Hills out for 63.

Laluni beat Campbell Town by 55 runs, as they

unior Niles was dethroned on Saturday as Andrew Hicks captured the 13th annual Laparkan 11-race cycling meet.

Fresh off of relative success in Berbice earlier this week, where he placed second behind Andrew Green

Hicks dethrones Niles to secure title in the Rose Hall Town Day 40-miler, Andrew Hicks outlasted and outsprinted the likes of Alanzo Ambrose, Paul DeNobrega and Jamaul John to win the 13th Annual Laparkan Holdings Limited 35-lap School boys and Invitational race at the

inner circuit of the National Park.

Hicks was a part of the peloton in the initial stages which was led by DeNobrega and John, with defending champion Niles sharing the prime prizes.

Niles had three, Hicks

two, while DeNobrega had one.

Hicks won the event in a time of 1 hour 18 minutes 30.28s, while Ambrose was second, De Nobrega third, Jamaul John fourth, Raul Leal fifth and Silvio Innis sixth.

Earlier in the day, Marvin Knight and Zab James were first and second respectively in the BMX Boys 12-14 years.

Jaikaran Sookhai claimed the veterans U-50 race in 11 minutes 38.63s, while Junior Niles was second and Leer Nunes third.

In the Juveniles event, Nigel Duguid held of Adealie Hodge to win the 10-lap race in 26 minutes 11.12s.

Omia McAulay won the mountain bike event in 6 minutes 44s, with Nigel Jacobs coming in second.

Triple-header at Victoria today as Hamilton Green Cup K O Tournament continues V

ictoria will host three games as the Hamilton Green Cup Knockout Tournament continues today on the East Coast of Demerara.

Teams will be looking to secure spots in the quarter-final rounds, as Golden Grove take on Den Amstel from 17:00hrs while Mahaica clash with Soesdyke immediately after, at 19:00hrs.

The third game of the night will feature Ann’s

Grove and Buxton/Bakewell at 21:00hrs.

Winners Connection and Mile Rock FC have already secured quarter-final berths.

Both Linden-based sides, Winners Connection and Mile Rock, came out victorious over Kuru Kururu and Plaisance respectively.

Keon Sears netted a hat-trick for Winners Connection as they won 4-0, while Denzil Fordyce bagged a brace with his team running out 3-0 victors.

Winners Connection’s Keon Sears

Sunday, September 24 Venue: Victoria Ground Golden Grove vs Den Amstel at 17:00hrs Mahaica vs Soesdyke at 19:00hrs Ann’s Grove vs Buxton/Bakewell at 21:00hrs Sunday, October 1 Venue: GFC Ground Santos vs Uitvlugt at 17:00hrs Riddim Squad vs Winners Connection at 19:00hrs GFC vs Mile Rock at 21:00hrs

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

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

13th annual Laparkan Cycling meet

Hicks dethrones Niles to secure title

GCB/Jaguars 3-Day League

Adams savage 95* rocks Georgetown Pg 22

Pg 23

Andrew Hicks (third from right) keeps himself with the back before producing a bullet-like finish

Heritage Games 2017

Defending football champs Mabaruma in the hunt for finals’ berth – Archery, Volleyball intensely contested

Pg 23

It was a high tempo affair in the volleyball action (Carl Crooker Photo)

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

September 24, 2017

Star Times Bollywood:

Lata Mangeshkar: ‘It pains me to Page 14 hear my name being used to dupe innocent people’ FREE DISTRIBUTION

Page 3

2 Sunday Times Magazine

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Feature

The Guyana Hemophilia Society

H

Amazing team of the Guyana Hemophilia Society

emophilia is a rare disorder in which your blood does not clot normally because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors). Consequently, there is continuous bleeding, even from the smallest injury.

To sensitise the public on

this blood disorder, a team of amazing people formed the Guyana Hemophilia Society (GHS).

Establishing a worthy cause

The Guyana Hemophilia Society was founded by Laurence and Lloyd Bakhsh - two hemophiliac brothers along with a family member,

Chart showing impaired blood clotting in hemophilia

Freda Figueira, on March 6, 2014. The Society acquired registration as an official Society under the Registrar of Friendly Societies of Guyana in March 2017.

Establishing a close relation with one of Suriname hemophilia patients, Laurence Bakhsh liaised with the World Federation of Hemophilia. He was invited to attend a Hemophilia Conference held in October 2016 in Jamaica. At the conference, he further cemented international ties and relations in the hemophilia global setting.

Notably, GHS recently received accreditation from the World Federation of Hemophilia; consequently the Society will have an internationally recognised

GHS founders - Laurence, Freda and Lloyd

status.

“We are very encouraged with the response from the World Federation of Hemophilia. We are also honoured with the accreditation visit by Fernanda De Carvalho Geiger, Regional Coordinator - South America and a hemophilia volunteer, on September 22-26, 2017,” GHS founders expressed in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Due to this international recognition, two of GHS members will be representing Guyana in October 2017 at the World Federation of Hemophilia conference in Colombia.

GHS objectives

Under its motto, “Strive to Stay Alive”, GHS was established to advance the in-

terests and welfare of hemophiliacs; promote public awareness and understanding of this disorder and its associated complications in Guyana; and to build relationships with hemophiliac organisations and societies around the world.

The GHS is eager to educate the Guyanese public of the seriousness of blood disorders/diseases, specifically hemophilia with signs, symptoms, treatment options and coping mechanisms from persons affected with the blood disorder.

Future plans

The GHS plans to have an annual health fair and march on World Hemophilia Day, which is celebrated on April 17. Additionally, it hopes to partner with other

societies, such as the Sickle Cell Association, to bring awareness on blood disorders/diseases to the public.

Due to lack of information and education regarding hemophilia and other blood disorders/diseases, GHS aims to create an open mind and grasp on the severity of these. Its hope is to save lives by helping others recognise the symptoms of hemophilia, which will help in early definitive diagnoses, and recognition of persons, who were previously unaware of their disorder/disease status, to be added to the GHS patient database.

For more information, visit Guyana Hemophilia Society on Facebook or call 615-3359.

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Feature

Guyana 2013. This souvenir sheet contains one stamp and depicts Pegasus, a constellation in the northern sky named after the winged horse Pegasus in Greek mythology

By Ann Wood

W

hile collecting stamps from around the world is a popular facet of this hobby, collecting stamps related to a subject or a concept is also common.

Topics can be almost anything, from stamps on stamps, birds, trains, cars, music, to famous people, events, astronomy or space.

There are estimated to be as many galaxies visible in the universe as there are stars in the Milky Way - over 100,000 million. So, it is surprising that not many of them are featured on stamps.

As space exploration grew,

so did ‘Astrophilately’ - the area of philately (the collection and study of postage stamps) connected with astronomy and efforts to reach space, both manned and unmanned.

Guyana has many astronomy themed stamps. In 2013, Guyana issued a set of star/ space stamps featuring ten of the 88 constellations recognised today.

List of Guyana’s astronomy themed stamps

1968 - Scott 64-67 Tropospheric Scatter Antenna and Map 1978 - Scott 294-297 - Satellite Earth Station, Georgetown 1989 - Scott 2216-2219 -

Women in Space 1993 - Scott 2637-42 - Earth Summit 92, Anniversaries and Events 1994 - Scott 2809-11 - First Manned Moon Landing 25th Anniversary 1994 - Scott 2900-2906 Star Trek 1996 - Scott 3105A - Mars Meteorite 1998 - Scott 3327a Pioneers of Aviation - The Wright Brothers, 1903 1999 - Scott 3417-3420 30th Anniversary of the First Manned Landing on the Moon 1999 - Scott 3428 - John Glenn’s Return to Space 1999 - Scott 3443 - First Balloon Flight Around the World 2000 - Scott 3496-97 - The 25th Anniversary ApolloSoyuz Joint Project

2000 - Scott 3502-06 Space Satellites 2006 - Scott 3925-32 Space Anniversaries 2006 - Scott 3925-36 - Hot Air Balloons and Airships 2011 - Scott 4055-56 - International Year of Astronomy (2009) 2013 - Scott 4240-41 Exploration of Mars 2013 - Scott 4243-46 Constellations 2014 - Scott 4297-98 Chinese Space Program 2015 - Scott 4393-94 International Year of the Light 2015 - Scott 4442-43 Characters from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Television Series 2016 - Scott 4483-84 ExoMars Mission to Mars 2016 - Scott 4481-82 - Characters from “Star

Guyana 2013. This souvenir sheet contains one stamp and depicts Orion, a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world

Trek: The Next Generation Television Series” If you collect astronomy themed stamps, you could have several segments: famous astronomers, the history of astronomy, observatories and telescopes, and stars.

You could even branch out into various related topics, such as astrology, aviation or meteorology. There are many possibilities.

Astronomy is one of the more popular subjects when it comes to postage stamps. And many countries have created and released many stamps devoted to the subject. It is something that captures the imagination.

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 who are there to help stamp collectors with advice on all aspects of collecting. Visit www.guyanastamps.com for more information on stamp collection.

(Cover: Guyana 2013. These two miniature sheets contain four stamps each, depicting zodiac constellations)

Stamps celebrating 30th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Feature

‘Live2Lead’: A Leader Development Experience in Guyana L

ive2Lead is a leader development experience designed to equip individuals with new perspectives, practical tools and key takeaways. You’ll breathe new life into your leadership during this information-packed event, which will be happening in Guyana soon.

Presented in Guyana on October 6, 2017, Live2Lead is a worldwide leadership simulcast event hosted by the John Maxwell team in Guyana, comprising of Vishnu Doerga, Sonia Noel and Rawle Dundas.

Speakers at the Live2Lead event in Guyana include Dr John C. Maxwell, leadership expert and #1 New York Times bestselling author, coach and speaker, who was identified as the #1 leader in business by the AMA and the world’s most influential leadership expert by Inc. Magazine in 2014; Dave Ramsey, a personal moneymanagement expert, bestselling author who wrote seven best-selling books; Cheryl Bachelder, a passionate restaurant industry executive, who most re-

cently served as the CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., and who is known for her crisp strategic thinking, franchisee-focused approach, development of outstanding leaders and teams. Cheryl also most recently ranked #1 by Inc. Magazine in a Top Ten List of the World’s Best CEOs; Warrick Dunn, former NFL Running Back, who, after a 12-year career in the NFL, retired and in 2009 was approved by the NFL owners to become a limited partner of the Atlanta Falcons. Through Homes for the Holidays, Dunn honours his mother, Better Smothers, who, as a single-mother of six, strived for the American dream of homeownership. While working, she was killed and was never able to realise that dream. In 2002, Dunn founded Warrick Dunn Charities to improve lives through innovative programming inspired by his journey.

Live2Lead is designed to deliver the very best leadership content to inspire and motivate you and your team, plus connect with

John Maxwell Guyana team - Vishnu Doerga, Sonia Noel and Rawle Dundas

other influencers in your community and expand your business network with

relationships that produce tangible results. Live2Lead has made a great impact on the lives and organisations of those who attended in the past and is projected to have resounding impact in many spheres in Guyana as the information gained

is utilised.

The week following Live2Lead, the John Maxwell team in Guyana will be a part of the Global Youth Initiative. Youths across Guyana will benefit from impactful sessions to boost self-esteem, promote

positive thinking and action and to stand against bullies and negative youth activities.

Interested schools, youth organisations and interested individuals can make contact with the team on 223-5583.

guyanatimesgy.com

September 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 5

6 Sunday Times Magazine

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

H

omestretch Avenue was built on the ‘homestretch’ of the former D’Urban Park Race Course, named after Governor Benjamin D’Urban.

Benjamin D’Urban’s tomb can be found in Pointe Claire’s Field of Honour, Canada. The Papineau cemetery, where his remains were originally buried, was in the way of building a new access ramp to a bridge.

D’Urban’s remains, along with those of other Canadian soldiers who have served internationally since the 18th century, were transferred in 1944 to Last Post Fund’s National Field of

A museum displaying the history of the Guyana Police Force was founded in 1932, but left neglected until 1975, when it was resuscitated by John Campbell, a writer who ‘undertook the task of redesigning’ the museum. The John Campbell Police Museum reopened in 1993 near Eve Leary in Georgetown.

The first Europeans to settle in Guyana were the Dutch who cultivated cotton. Sugar was first produced on the Pomeroon River at the village of New Middelburg.

On May 27, 1938 American pilot and mechanic, Art Williams, along with John Henry Hunterm, registered a

Walter Roth (April 2, 1861 –April 5, 1933)

Airways (Government).

On September 1, 1963,

G.A.C. operations were moved to the Atkinson Airfield, now known as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, or the Timehri International Airport. Flight operations had previously been carried out at the then Mackenzie Airport, Ruimveldt and Atkinson Field.

According to Lloyd Luckhoo, Guyana is the only country in the world in which the Prince of Wales (in 1920) and Her Majesty the Queen (in 1966) actually attend-

father, Dr Walter Roth, who had taken up the post of Government Medical Officer in the North West District of British Guiana in 1907. Vincent Roth departed for Barbados in 1964, and died in 1967.

In 1906, Walter Roth was made protector of Indians in the Pomeroon district of British Guiana.

In 1924, his valuable work, “An Introductory Study of the Arts, Crafts, and Customs of the Guiana Indians” was published. Roth retired from the government service in 1928, and became curator of the Georgetown museum of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society, and government archivist.

The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology in Georgetown, Guyana has been named in his honour.

The city once used a tram service around the town. It began and ended on the Georgetown Seawalls.

Bourda Green was once called ‘Bourda Pasture’.

It was a neglected field before becoming a favourite spot for large political meetings. From the

ceremoniously lay the foundation stone of Stabroek Market.

The Town Hall (now the City Hall) was opened in 1889 in the city of Georgetown.

Members of a geological survey team, which included C. Barrington Brown, a British geologist, discovered the Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River on April 24, 1870.

Pvt. Robert Howat of the Scottish Black Watch took the most dangerous dip on record when he swam across the top of Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls in 1955, drawn by both the challenge and the flower blossoms on the far bank. Howat was on the final leg of his risky round trip and “hungry for dinner” when he got caught in a whirlpool and was spat out toward the world’s highest sheer drop-off of water.

“I drifted almost to the lip and was rescued by an Amerindian as I was holding on to weeds 10-15 yards (metres) from the edge,” the former infantryman in the crack Highland regiment said by telephone from Lichfield, England.

Guyana Airways Corporation airplane

Honour in Pointe Claire, Montreal, Canada.

Durban, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal

new company in British Guiana called the British Guiana Airways Limited.

In July 1955, the co-

the Guyana Airways Corporation, established under the Public Corporations Ordinance,

Esplanade, Seawall Georgetown, Demerara

Town Hall circa 1900

province, is also named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban, who was also governor of the territory.

lonial government purchased B.G. Airways Limited and renamed it the British Guiana

took over operations of the B.G. Airways (Government).

In 1965, the entire

ed race meetings – the Prince at Bel Air Park and Queen Elizabeth at D’Urban Park.

In 1943, Vincent Roth became the curator of the Guyana (British Guiana) Museum. He also established the zoo in the Botanical Gardens. Roth arrived in British Guiana in 1907, when he was 18 years old, after completing his schooling in Tasmania. He joined his

late 1940s and into the 1950s, Dr Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham addressed mass meetings there calling for an independent Guyana during various rallies.

In 1891, Lady Gormanston turned on the first electric lights in British Guiana.

On July 17, 1879 Lady Kortright, wife of Governor Cornelius Hendricksen Kortright,

“It was put into the Guinness Book of World Records in 1970-71 as the most dangerous swim recorded, but it was taken out again in 1980 because they didn’t want anyone else attempting it,” said Howat, who was 25 when he took the plunge. To date no one else has gone to such extremes to get a bird’s-eye view of the gargantuan waterfall. (forests.org)

8 Sunday Times Magazine

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Travel & Tourism

T

he Kanuku Mountains are located in the heart of the Rupununi Savannahs in south-western Guyana. The mountains are divided by the Rupununi River into western and eastern ranges. It is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in Guyana with habitats ranging from savannah, gallery forests and semi-deciduous forests in the lowlands.

One of the most notable features of the Kanuku mountain range is the ‘Sleeping Giant’ - a

peak found on the range. Hikers describe the ‘Sleeping Giant’ height to be “almost 3,000ft”.

Despite numerous challenges on the hike to ‘Sleeping Giant’, according to hikers, the views from the peak made them forget all their bruises and bites.

The peak’s unforgettable vistas include streams, creeks, waterfalls, beautiful flowers, “strange” trees, unique insects and a landscape view of beautiful Guyana. (Photos by Ronald Nandlall)

Cascading waterfall along the hike up the mountain

Hammock camp on the peak

Breathtaking view from 'Sleeping Giant'

Stunning view of the Kanuku

Refreshing stream of water flowing down the mountain

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

How to Manage Asthma

A

sthma is a chronic disease characterised by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person.

The causes of asthma are not completely understood. However, risk factors for developing asthma include inhaling asthma “triggers�, such as allergens, tobacco smoke and chemical irritants. Asthma cannot be

workplace air pollution.

Other triggers can include cold air, extreme emotional arousal such as anger or fear, and physical exercise. Even certain medications can trigger asthma: aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and beta-blockers (which are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions and migraine).

cured, but appropriate management can control the disorder and enable people to enjoy a good quality of life.

Symptoms may occur several times in a day or week in affected individuals, and for some people become worse during physical activity or at night. During an asthma attack, the lining of the bronchial tubes swell, causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs.

Recurrent asthma symptoms frequently cause sleeplessness, daytime fatigue, reduced activity levels and school and work absenteeism. Asthma has a relatively low fatality rate compared to other chronic diseases.

Reducing the asthma burden Although asthma cannot be cured, appropriate management can control the disease and enable people to enjoy a good quality of life.

Short-term medications are used to relieve symptoms.

Medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are needed to control the progression of severe asthma and reduce asthma exacerbation and deaths.

People with persistent symptoms must take longterm medication daily to control the underlying inflammation and prevent symptoms and exacerbations. Inadequate access to medicines and health services is one of the important reasons for the poor control of asthma in many settings.

Medication is not the only way to control asthma.

It is also important to avoid asthma triggers - stimuli that irritate and inflame the airways. With medical support, each asthma patient must learn what triggers he or she should avoid.

Although asthma does not kill on the scale of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic diseases, failure to use appropriate medications or to adhere to treatment can lead to death. (World Health Organization)

The causes The fundamental causes of asthma are not completely understood. The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are a combination of genetic predisposition with environmental exposure to inhaled substances and particles that may provoke allergic reactions or irritate the airways, such as: indoor allergens (for example, house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, pollution and pet dander) outdoor allergens (such as pollens and moulds) tobacco smoke chemical irritants in the

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

10 Sunday Times Magazine Fashion

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

An

Collection F

or over 15 years, doyenne of fashion, Rishma Persaud, has been designing under her brand, RP Couture.

The avant-garde designer’s repertoire includes producing bespoke, chic collections for both local and regional fashion shows.

Her stylish collections were showcased at Carifesta, Guyana Fashion Week, and Style Mission - just to name a few. Rishma has also worked with numerous beauty pageants, such as Miss Guyana World and Miss Guyana Universe, and is one of the main designers for the Miss India Guyana pageant.

The couturiere enjoys mixing

and matching colours and textures and working with different body types.

“I love knowing when someone leaves my office they’re happy and satisfied. I love making people happy regardless of body type/complexion,” the designer expressed in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Outfits featured today are part of Rishma’s recently launched collection, Evening Elegance. This velvet collection offers bold colours and contouring outfits. Visit RP Couture on Facebook for more information.

(Photos: Vitesh Guptar. Model: Cideca Mangal. Makeup by B)

Designer Rishma Persaud

Style Tips for Men

Denim Shirts B

ringing back dark and heavy denim is one of the best parts of recent style trends. But it doesn't have to be limited to jeans - denim shirts

are another stylish way to wear the fabric. From light and distressed, to dark and embroidered, there's a denim shirt for every style.

Think beyond blues when it comes to denim. A dark grey is another easy colour to wear.

Stone wash denim shirt has just the right amount of distressing and faded colour to make it feel worn in.

A medium blue looks cool with contrasting black or grey denim (or even a navy suit).

A light-coloured denim shirt is easy to pair with indigo or black denim.

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

Recipe of the week

Ingredients: 2-3 ripe plantains 2 tbsp canola oil ½ lb ground meat ½ medium onion chopped 1 tsp minced garlic ½ cup tomato sauce 1 tbsp smoked paprika 1 small green, yellow or red pepper 2 tbsp parsley ½ cup grated cheese (optional) Salt and pepper as needed

D

on’t let the ‘dead’ space under your stairs go to waste. Check out these ideas on how to put that tricky triangular spot to good use.

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400°F; line baking sheets with foil and coat with some oil.

Using a sharp knife, cut both ends off the plantain; this will make it easy to grab the skin of the plantains. Slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain, peel only as deep as the peel. Remove plantain peel by pulling back.

Place plantains on tray and bake for about 15 minutes. Turn and bake on the other side for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender.

While the plantains are baking, add 2 tablespoon of oil to a sauce pan, followed by onions, garlic and tomato sauce. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning; add about ½ cup of water if needed. Then, add ground meat and continue cooking for about 10 or more minutes. Finally add green pepper and parsley, adjust for seasoning Remove baked plantains from oven cool for a couple of minutes. Make a horizontal slit in the plantains, then stuff with equal amounts of meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. If desired, place in oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt cheese. Serve warm.

Turn the space under your stairs into an exposed wine cellar. The backlit space stores wine and bottled beverages to create an industrial yet rustic ambience.

Greatest Cooking Tips

Bread keeps really well in the freezer. And there are always plenty of uses for it. Just remember: Air is the enemy! Wrap that loaf in foil (sliced or unsliced) and put it in a freezer bag before stashing.

Food that's crowded into a cast-iron skillet or sheet tray gets steamed—and soggy—instead of crisp.

Carrots, squash, tomatoes—these vegetables have a natural sweetness that’s enhanced by a dash (just a dash!) of sugar.

Put a damp paper or kitchen towel under your cutting board.

That way, your board won’t slip around as you chop.

Cool your food before putting it in the fridge or freezer. If you don’t, the temperature in the refrigerator will rise. And the only thing that benefits is mold.

You can’t go wrong with a built-in bookcase underneath your stairs. Build a grid of cubbies perfect for storing books in an orderly display.

Home Help Combat hair product build-up on hairbrushes and combs with a sudsy solution of a few drops of dish soap mixed with warm water.

When you notice your drain is starting to clog, pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down it, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth to contain the science fair-like effects. Wait five minutes and then flush with hot water.

Get your shoes looking bright again by scrubbing them with toothpaste.

Never waste time desperately tugging at tangled jewellery again. Loosen the knot with a little baby powder and use a pin to pull it apart.

The lower level of this home features a playhouse for kids, complete with its own Dutch door.

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Puzzles

Crossword

114 A Knute successor ACROSS

117 Mauna - 1 Quick summary 118 Tiers

6 Camel relative

119 Picky 11 Warm-up

124 Faked out the goalie

15 Gaucho's rope 126 Network

20 Fridge maker

128 Elephant feature 21 Trims

130 Make thinner

22 Gownlike garment 131 Serviceable

24 Very mean people

132 Where icicles hang

25 Delights in

134 A funny Murphy

26 Hound's track

136 Please, in Vienna

27 Cut drastically

137 Wood strips

28 Diver's hazard

138 Tots of whiskey

29 Skirt features 139 Realtor

31 Taj Mahal site

140 Emulated a siren

33 She loved Narcissus

141 Peculiarity

34 Crawled out of bed

142 "So what -- is new?"

35 Flowering shrubs

143 Enter traffic

37 Frontier outpost

144 Manicurist's board

39 Wrestler's coup

41 Dripping DOWN

42 Kiddie-lit author

1 Nader or Bellamy

43 Basketball hoops

2 A Bronte sister

44 Charley horse

3 Crusted over

46 Take it easy

4 Lend -- - 50 Lb. or oz.

5 Tasty carbohydrates

51 Grates upon

6 DJ's platters

52 Feds (hyph.)

7 Frilliest

53 Crazy 8 Hippodromes

57 Opens up 9 Darns

59 Greet the day

10 -- spumante 60 Fibbers

11 Half qts.

61 Hauls into court 12 Overlords

62 "Dragnet" cop

13 Pass, as a bill

63 One, in Bonn

14 Word of contempt

64 Sears a steak

15 Forum habitues

65 Mouse alert

16 Frankenstein's gofer

66 Tend toward

17 Turn signal

67 Enameled metal

18 Pester in fun

68 Chlorophyll maker

19 Up till now (2 wds.)

69 Parboils 23 Teeth

72 Not sm. or med.

30 Underhanded

73 Fourth-down option

32 Really excited

74 Cook in embers

77 Ames inst.

36 Mouth parts

75 Pet rocks and mood rings 78 Denials

38 Chanters' mantras

76 Spooky feeling

79 Go along with

40 Fleming and Holm

79 Auburn tint

80 Glazier's unit

43 Don Juan 80 Footballs

81 Spain and Portugal 44 Chic

84 Overcharge, slangily

82 To wit

45 Rx givers

85 Some Iraqis

83 Does a salon job

46 Disturb or vex

86 "Minimum" amount

85 Smith and Winslet

47 Make furious

87 Vampire - 86 Stir-fry pans

48 Piece of broken glass

88 Destructive insect 88 Clark's "Daily

49 Commotion (hyph.)

91 Prayer-wheel turners Planet" colleague

51 Miss Marple

92 Charged particles

89 Word of honor 52 Jumbo

93 Custer, to Crazy Horse

90 Hudson Bay tribe

54 Novelist Jean - 95 Galley slave's tool

91 Reindeer herders

55 Wine and dine

96 Play stoolie (2 wds.)

92 Othello's betrayer

56 Impatient clucks

97 Kind of sale

93 Hoop site

58 Airport rental

98 Victor's wreath

94 Brownie morsels

59 Dry up 99 Object

96 Ran amok

60 Tibet's capital

101 Frisk about 97 Ten-speed

63 Untold centuries

102 Lively dances

98 Nov. meteor shower

64 Lairds' households

103 Rich and loamy

100 -- de mer 67 Walrus tooth

104 One-time Mets' stadium

101 Hi or bye

68 Swimming holes

105 Bratty kids

102 Tournament of yore

69 Kitchen herb

106 Mrs. Lennon 103 Decree 70 Investment options

107 John Wayne's "-- Lobo"

106 Zippy's cry 71 Invite

108 Voices an opinion

107 Taking a chance

73 Bog material 109 Pounces 110 First-born

74 Put on the late show

111 Wry face

111 Internet hookups

75 Pear-shaped fruits

112 Sawyer of TV news 112 Temper

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- HAMPERS (HAMPERS: HAMP-ers: Prevents the free movement or progress of.)

Average mark 34 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 55 or more words in HAMPERS?

hame hare harem harm harp hasp heap hear hemp herm hers

ahem aper apse arms mare marsh maser mash masher mesa mesh

pare parse pear phase phrase pram prase ramp rase rash rasp

ream reap rhea same samp seam sear seraph sham shame shape

shaper share sharp shea shear smear spam spar spare spear sperm

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.

113 Safe to eat 114 Mature

115 Pave over

116 Watchdog breed 118 Challenger

119 Hot -- sundae

120 Hip bone 121 Bizarre

122 123 125 127 129 133 135

Unmitigated Far from posh Grades 1-12 Red on the inside Quantity of paper NNW opposite Riviera summer Solution on Pg 13

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

D

id you just pre-order a new iPhone? Planning to upgrade in the near future?

Give some thought to how you can make the best use of that old device you're leaving behind.

Sell it to Amazon You could sell your device as an independent seller on Amazon, but the easier path is to let Amazon sell it for you. You can use Amazon's trade-in service to get an estimate based on your iPhone's capacity, finish, and condition. Amazon gives you a mailing label, you send in the phone, then Amazon gives you a gift card for the prearranged amount. Prices change often, but right now Amazon will give you about US$200 for a 16GB iPhone 6S in good condition. A 6S Plus fetches around US$225.

Keep it as a backup It often makes sense to keep your old phone on hand as a backup device for a short while. Maybe your new phone is a lemon, or you get so excited about the new phone that you immediately drop it and break it. So maybe don’t sell your

Tech news

old iPhone right away and instead keep it in a drawer. Hold out for about three months to see how your phone is working. If everything checks out, then trade the old one for some cash.

Apple TV remote In the App Store, there is an Apple TV Remote app that can be downloaded on your device, turning your old iPhone into a fancy touchscreen remote. Using the keyboard to search for shows is an immediate step up.

Home A/V remote Mount your old phone to the wall and leave the Sonos app open all the time. Or just load it with music and sign in to all your streaming accounts, then throw music to AirPlay, Bluetooth, or

Sonos speakers in your home. If you do this, register the fingerprints of everyone in your house.

Become an amateur videographer Even with the advancement of cameras on Apple devices, last year's phone can still produce quality pictures and videos. Your extra phone could easily be repurposed solely as a video camera. Trick it out with accessories such as a nice mic, some quality glass lenses, a battery pack, and a fancy stabilizing mount like the DJI Osmo. Leave it set up all the time for an easy graband-go rig for shooting hi-res videos of skateboard tricks, or even just for doing Facebook Live streams of your friends' bands.

tain children. Not only can they use it for games, but they can also read and draw on it. You can disable Wi-Fi and the App Store if you want, and you can turn on parental restrictions if you're that kind of person. But you can preload it with games, music, or videos—and the camera still works, so your children can make their own movies. Phones control many toys these days. The calculator is great for homework too. Make sure to take out the SIM card before the

Why Deleted Tweets Still Linger Online

S A

Crossword Solution

It's also an iPod Music is probably the biggest space guzzler on iPhones. So now that you have a new iPhone for all your apps, your old iPhone suddenly has all the space in the world.

Use it as an iPod and dump all of your iTunes music onto it. This will eliminate the need to drop another US$200 to get an iPod Touch just for tunes.

Great for kids What do kids like to do nowadays? Not play with toys or go run around outside, but to play with phones! Your old iPhone can be an easy, harmless way to enter-

Amazon ‘reviewing’ its website after Tech reports about ‘bomb-making items’ TIP

mazon recently said that it was reviewing its website after a British television report said the online retail giant’s algorithms were automatically suggesting bomb-making ingredients that were “Frequently bought together.”

The news is particularly timely in Britain, where the authorities are investigating a terrorist attack last week on London’s Underground subway system. The attack involved a crude explosive in a bucket inside a plastic bag, and detonated on a train during the morning rush.

The news report is the latest example of

child uses the phone, just in case they dial 911 or some stranger.

a technology company drawing criticism for an apparently faulty algorithm. Google and Facebook have come under fire for allowing advertisers to direct ads to users who searched for, or expressed interest in, racist sentiments and hate speech. Growing awareness of these automated systems has been accompanied by calls for tech firms to take more responsibility for the contents on their sites.

Amazon customers buying products that were innocent enough on their own, like cooking ingredients, received “Frequently bought together” prompts for other items that would help them produce explosives, according to the Channel 4 News.

Although many of the ingredients mentioned by Channel 4 News are not illegal on their own, the report said there had been successful prosecutions in Britain against individuals who bought chemicals and components that can produce explosives.

Amazon said in a statement that all the products sold on its website “must adhere to our selling guidelines and we only sell products that comply with U.K. laws.”

“In light of recent events, we are reviewing our website to ensure that all these products are presented in an appropriate manner,” the statement continued. “We also continue to work closely with police and law enforcement agencies when circumstances arise where we can assist their investigations.”

A search on Amazon yielded a suggestion for two out of three ingredients necessary to make gunpowder.

earch engines that constantly index the pages on the web can scoop up your Twitter posts as you make them. If you delete the tweet, though, it may still be cached away and therefore available to show up in search results — until the site goes indexing again and updates itself with a fresh copy of your Twitter profile and posts.

How long it takes for the search engine to go out and index your page again can vary, so if the deleted tweet is still appearing in search results and making you uncomfortable, try contacting the search company and requesting that the material be manually removed. The Bing and Yahoo sites have posted information on how to remove certain pages.

Twitter’s help guide provides its own

Tech TIP

B

instructions for making the same request to Google. To do so, find the Twitter post that is still turning up in Google search results and copy its URL before moving on to https:// www.google.com/webmasters/tools/removals.

Paste in the URL and click the red Request Removal button on the page. Twitter warns that you may be asked to log into your Google Account (if you have one) or create a Google Account (if you do not have one) to complete the process.

If someone is searching for you online, your Twitter handle and a selection of recent public tweets often appear in the results. If you find this sort of thing invasive, you can try dodging the indexing webcrawler by changing your Twitter posts from public to protected in your account settings, but future followers will have to ask for your permission to see your posts. Changing your profile name or Twitter user name is another way to modify your identity for search engines.

Things You Should Never Post on Facebook

efore you ever hit "share" again, make sure you're not posting one of these six things.

1. Your home and work addresses.

"Checking in" and geotagging photos can give away your address even when you don't realize you are. When you do this, it pulls the location of where you're currently at.

So if all your made-up geotags point to the same location, some creep can assume that's where you live or work.

2. Certain photos of kids. If there's one time you should be extra, extra careful, it's when it comes to children and social media. When they're not your own kids, you should always get permission from their parents before you post anything. And even if they are your kids, you still want to steer clear of uploading these compromising images, including where they go to school.

3. Vacation details. Telling people

you're away from home for an extended period time is an invite for robbers to break in. This doesn't mean you can't post photos from your trip while you're on vacation. Just limit this to a select, trustworthy group of people as opposed to your entire network.

4. Password clues. Online security questions aren't the strongest, especially when they require information that you could easily give away on social networks.

The small village where you grew up, your childhood pet's name, where you were married, your first boyfriend's name — these are all specific details your larger social circle doesn't need to know anyway.

5. Private photos. You might never post nude photos on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, but you might send them on Messenger or Snapchat. That's still a bad idea, seeing as how no one but you can be trusted with those photos these days.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Bollywood/Hollywood

S

inger Lata Mangeshkar woke up to the shocking news: a lady by the name of Revati Khare is allegedly swindling a whole lot of people of their money in Lata’s name.

Disappointed by the dimensions of duplicity adopted by some people, Lataji said: “It pains me to know that a person can fall so low to make some quick money.

It pains me even more to know that my n a m e was being used to dupe innocent people of their hard-earned money. I can’t begin to tell you how saddened I am by how low human nature has fallen.”

Lataji came to know of the fraudulence only when a friend informed her. “A friend of mine who had been approached by the same lady suspected something was amiss. She rightly surmised that if I was really collecting money for the said charity I’d ask her directly. Why would I approach my friends

through someone whom they had never heard of, and never met?”

Lataji feels the matter should not be discussed in too much detail in public. “The police has taken over the matter. They will act swiftly. I’ve nothing to worry about. But I am scared by this woman’s wherewithal. She not only got letter pads with my picture printed on them but also got an image of my Bharat Ratna trophy printed on the letter pad.

I’ve never had my picture on my letter pad. She also got my signature absolutely right. That scared me.”

The nightingale feels her name can easily be misused as she is not so active in public anymore.

“I want my friends and well-wishers to know that I’d never reach out to them for such a matter. My embarrassment and dismay are multiplied by the fact that the woman pulling this fraud was a married woman with children. What could have prompted her to do something so low?” Lataji pondered. (Hindustan Times)

Bollywood ‘Newton’ goes to the Oscars

O

ne of the best rated Hindi films in recent months, “Newton”, is all set to begin its journey to the Oscars as it is declared India’s official entry to the competition.

The film - featuring Rajkummar Rao in the lead - offers a humorous take on India’s electoral system.

Amit V Masurkar, the director of the film, said he did not expect this news: “This was totally unexpected for me, because I didn’t even know we were part of the competition. I think somebody from the office entered our name into it and I only came to know when somebody called me.”

He added: “I think people are interested in making the story more known. It’s one of the rarely told stories on the Indian screens.

We have received a lot of support from the industry and critics.”

But the road to the Oscars is not easy, Amit admitted: “It’s the first time we will be doing it, so we need to figure it out. It would be a learning experience, but we are backed by solid producers like Manish Mundra and Aanand L Rai. I have faith in them.”

It has been a while since any Indian

D

eepika Padukone shared with the world the first look

F

loyd Mayweather has made himself right at home in his new US$26 million mansion.

The former boxing champion, 40, shared a series

of videos on Instagram on Wednesday, showing off his Beverly Hills home, which includes a massive 50-seat home theater.

“Grabbing a few

Angelina Jolie loses her temper when asked about Brad Pitt

W

hile it has been more than a year since she filed for divorce from the actor, it looks like Angelina still feels bitter about it. The 42-year-old actress reportedly lost her temper when asked about her estranged husband during a recent interview.

When reporter Juju Chang delicately brought up the subject of her divorce during an interview on ABC's "Nightline" last week, Angelina refused to answer. Later, when she was asked about her health issues, Angelina was clearly annoyed. She snapped at Juju, "I'm fine right now. I'm fine right now. My children are healthy. I'm healthy."

The uncomfortable encounter was allegedly cut from the final interview.

Angelina has always been cryptic when it comes to her divorce. Back in July, during an honest interview, she said of the issue, "We're all just healing from the events that led to the filing...They're not healing from divorce. They're healing from some...from life, from things in life. We care for each other and care about our family, and we are both working towards the same goal."

Similarly, Brad has also been tightlipped about the highly-publicized divorce.

"Brad loves being a father and his focus is the kids and making sure he is always there for them. Every decision he makes is for the well-being of his children," a source told HollywoodLife.com. "He is being very careful about any of his disagreements with Angelina. Brad is totally fine and has not taken offense or been upset about anything Angelina brought them into his legal bout with Angelina." (AceShowbiz)

film made a good buzz at the Oscars and many are hoping “Newton” creates a stir.

(Hindustan Times)

from her upcoming film “Padmavati” and surprised all her fans with a drastic change in her appearance. The beauty was seen in two new posters with a unibrow, which has forever been considered unappealing.

While many are talking about the film releasing much earlier than expected, others are discussing Deepika’s brows. Most of her fans are pleased with the power that the look is bringing with it and hailing Deepika for

how beautifully she wears her unibrow.

“Mark my words the unibrow will become a fashion statement because of Deepika,” a very excited fan wrote on Twitter. “Have YOU EVER seen anyone rock a unibrow like that before?” asked another.

Deepika plays Rani Padmavati, a fictional queen of Chittor, in the latest Sanjay Leela Bhansali epic.

Shahid Kapoor plays her husband, Raja Rawal Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh plays ruler, Alauddin Khilji.

(Hindustan Times)

snacks before watching Sportscenter in my Beverly Hills Palace movie theatre, that comfortably seats 50 people,” he wrote in the caption of a video he posted Wednesday.

He also shared a photo of his backyard, which includes a swimming pool, writing, “The grass ain’t greener on the other side. #Beverly Hills#90210#TBE#TMT.” Mayweather, who won the much-anticipated boxing match against MMA champion Conor McGregor in August, also has made sure his wine cellar is fully stocked.

The boxer bought the Beverly Hills property — which he calls his “palace” and “castle” — earlier this month. (PEOPLE)

N

icki Minaj has to feel the wrath of late R&B singer Aaliyah's fans because of an alleged tweet she posted.

In the now-deleted tweet, the "Anaconda" raptress shared a screenshoot of a conversation in a group chat. She wrote alongside the snap, "Someone's in my dm's saying they wish this man, (who's holding a cat) would hold them the way he's holding this dog. I- I'm so confused."

The group chat's name was quickly drawing fans' attention. It's called ‘Aaliyah

Airlines’ with plane and fire emojis, sparking speculation that Nicki insensitively mocked Aaliyah's death, which was caused by a plane crash, by joining the group chat. According to MediaTakeOut, the tweet had been retweeted more than 3,000 times before Nicki deleted it.

Aaliyah's fans were not having it. They slammed Nicki on Twitter for disrespecting the late singer. "@ NICKIMINAJ now beefing with a deceased artist. The great beautiful and amazing woman, Aaliyah. Let

that sink in," a fan tweeted. Another wrote, "Wow...

That's why I have ZERO faith in today's celebs & their psychotic fans. It's 1 thing to disrespect Aaliyah, but that's LOW Nicki Minaj."

This is definitely not a good situation for Nicki as she's gearing up to release new album soon.

She recently said of the upcoming effort, "I've made it my business with this album to not even put a date or a deadline on it. I can't say if I'm 50 percent, 80 percent or 10 percent done, because I don't know. Tomorrow, I might walk into the studio and decide that I don't like anything I've done in the last six months. Or, tomorrow I might walk in and feel like the whole album is done. There's so much beauty in not knowing. I just want to go in the studio and create like I used to, before there were any expectations." (AceShowbiz)

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

Fun Times

Archie

ARIES Back away from any(March 21- one who is a bad influence.

April 19) Erratic or indulgent behavior will not solve anything.

A time-out will help you see matters with greater clarity.

Get involved in something

TAURUS you believe in. Your contri(April 20- bution will put you in a good May 20) position to dictate what you want to see happen. Romance is in the stars.

An emotional incident will GEMINI leave you feeling uncertain.

(May 28- Take time to discover what June 20) you want before agreeing to something that isn't in your best interest. Protect against being taken for granted.

It's OK to be different. Let your unique ideas lead to some(June 21- thing spectacular. Engaging July 22) in activities that are beneficial mentally, physically and emotionally will help ward off indulgent behavior.

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Invest in something you know about. Taking an unorthodox approach to handling your money will raise eyebrows and cause conflicts with those looking out for your best interests.

Push to get what you want.

Approach people in a unique and compassionate manner.

Your technique and thoughtfulness will be make the difference between getting a yes or a no.

Stick to the facts and refuse to let anyone draw you into something that appears unstable. Overreacting or being excessive will make matters worse.

Love, family and an unSCORPIO usual activity will result in a (Oct. 24- memorable day. Enjoy explorNov. 22) ing your creative ideas and expressing your thoughts and intentions.

SAGITTARIUS Neglecting important de(Nov. 23- tails or not updating imporDec. 21) tant papers will leave you in an

awkward position. Take care of matters personally. Don't leave anything to chance or to an irresponsible party.

Calvin and Hobbes

Share your feelings with CAPRICORN a loved one, and discuss joint (Dec. 22- finances and how you can Jan. 19) build a solid and prosperous future. Forming a strong alliance with your partner will help you excel.

AQUARIUS If you appeal to some(Jan. 20- one's emotional side, you Feb. 19) will make progress. Use incentives to help you get your way. Positive action will bring good results.

PISCES Hard work will pay off.

(Feb. 20- Whether working on a cerMar. 20) tain relationship or making your residence more comfortable, the result will leave you feeling good about your future.