Guyanatimes 11 June 2018

Engineers mull permanent heavy-duty Yamatwao Bridge

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Issue No. 3591

Monday, June 11, 2018

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Weapons, P10 ammo found during raid in Potaro

Page 11

Camp St prisoner dies 2 weeks after admitted to GPHC with swollen face Page 3

Man walks free after multiple hung P10 juries Hike in fuel prices

Reform in taxation process crucial – financial analyst

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G7 summit: P15 War of words erupts between US and key allies

The Guyana Relief Council (GRC) has bid farewell to Lynette Carter, who served the institution for the past 15 years. She was presented with a bouquet of fresh flowers by executive member Barbara Waldron at the organisation’s annual Fundraising Luncheon at the New Thriving Restaurant at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)

Blackout woes

GPL must introduce new energy to grid – Jagdeo Page 3

…expresses concern over absence of Board of Directors

Major division between African cultural groups

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– as majority vote for scrapping of IDPAD-G

Mother of braindead national P9 cycling champion remains hopeful

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monDAY, june 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Hike in fuel prices

Reform in taxation process crucial – financial analyst ...says subvention will create ‘administrative nightmare’

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iven recent concerns about the increasing prices for fuel, USbased Guyanese Financial Analyst Sasenarine Singh is recommending that the coalition Government give thoughtful consideration to reforming the taxation strategy with respect to petroleum products.

Singh said Government should focus on cushioning the adverse effects being felt

locally because of the high fuel price at the pumps, but at the same time, the 2018 budget revenue projections from excise taxes on petroleum products should be preserved.

During December 2017, crude prices averaged about US$57 per barrel. This commodity is currently being traded on the open market at an average price of US$71 per barrel.

The fact remains that the Government has no control over the acquisition cost for fuel. However, Government can do something seismic with its taxation policy without affecting the 2018 Budget Revenue projections.

“The Government must intervene using taxation policy to rationalise the price at the pump. The difference between the acquisition cost and the price at the pump

reduced the tax on diesel from 40 to 30 percent.

Again, in 2015, the PPP Administration had reduced fuel prices from $995 per gallon to $695, representing a 30 percent reduction. Diesel price was also reduced by 30 percent, from $985 to $694; and kerosene saw a reduction of 42 percent, from $850 to $496, similar to what had taken place in 2009.

is the excise taxes applied by the Government. When a shipment of fuel lands in Guyana, the Government applies an excise tax on it. If the acquisition cost is higher, then the Government’s revenues in real dollars will be higher. It is simple arithmetic, it is a percentage, if the base is higher, the absolute dollars in revenue will be higher,” Singh explained.

The financial analyst told

Nightmare

Financial analyst Sasenarine Singh

Guyana Times on Sunday that the budget reported a projected oil price of US$56 per barrel for 2018. This is expected to generate and expand the collection of total dollars from excise taxes for petroleum products over 2018 by G$2.2 billion from the prior year, taking it to G$25.3 billion. However, because the price moved from US$56 to US$71 since the beginning of the year, the Government is now projected to collect on top of that G$2.2 billion an additional G$1.8 billion.

“All I am advocating…is that we pass on… this unbudgeted G$1.8 billion increase to the consumers. I have no problem with the Government holding to its original budgetary projections and proceeding to collect the additional $2.2 billion. What I do have a problem with is, instead of collecting an expansion of $2.2 billion, the Government is now set to collect an additional $4 billion in excise taxes on petroleum products over 2018. I’m arguing that the $1.8 billion, which is the difference between the $4 billion and the $2.2 billion, should be passed on to the consumers,” he asserted.

Singh said there is a way in which Government can do this, and the best recommendation would be to reduce the excise tax on petroleum products by one third (between 30 and 35 percent) immediately.

According to him, since this issue is happening in the middle of the calendar year, Government would be able to still come out a winner with this strategy, because it would have already banked the gains from January 2018 to May 2018.

Singh recalled that this move was made by the previous Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Administration.

In 2009, then Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh had reduced the tax on gasoline from 50 percent to 30 percent, and also went and

Recently, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson affirmed that his Ministry and other Government agencies have been engaging the minibus operators on the issue.

Minister Patterson had also noted that subventions are being considered as a means of cushioning the effects of the increase.

But Singh questioned the rationale behind the idea, claiming that if Government takes that step, it would turn out to be an “administrative nightmare”.

“Basically, what it means is that they will collect the money and you will have to go and apply for a refund, and that is going to feed another bureaucracy with more red tape. Why would you want to do something like that? You may have to hire new people, and this will increase the cost of administering that. It is silly!” Singh said.

“Reduce the rate and let it pass on to everyone! It will filter through the economy, and all will benefit. As the tide rises, all boats will rise if this tax strategy is advanced.

It will also remove the justification from the minibus operators to increase their prices. Also, all other sectors will feel the direct benefit - the miners, the rice farmers, the manufacturing sector and everybody else will feel the benefit of the lower excise tax.

It will percolate across the economy and it will, in the end, drive economic growth,” Singh argued.

Gas station prices for fuel have increased rapidly from $215 per litre to prices ranging from $230 to $250 per litre. Since the hike, there have been widespread protests and fears of public transportation strikes. There have been cases of minibus operators burning tyres along the East Coast railway embankment.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has been among those calling for Government to act swiftly to protect consumers.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

news

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monDAY, june 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Black out woes

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

Monday, June 11 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, June 12 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 11 – 14:45h-16:15h and Tuesday, June 12 – 15:35h-17:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers will prevail in the day with thundery showers prevailing in the evening. Temperatures will range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 14:49h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 08:20h and 20:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.57 metre and 0.62 metre.

GPL must introduce new energy to grid – Jagdeo

...expresses concern over absence of board of directors

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he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) would usually attribute extended power outages to line maintenance, something that rarely provides comfort for the populace. But according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, the GPL must find a way to generate new power in the grid… and fast.

GPL ended 2017 with total combined losses of 29.5 per cent, which is a marginal increase from last year; 12.9 per cent technical and 14.7 per cent non-technical. Jagdeo urged the company to expand its short-term objectives beyond maintaining transmission and distribution mains.

“We’ve always had commercial and technical losses,” Jagdeo said. “When we got into office, it was over 40 per cent, then it fell to 20 per cent. That is people stealing power, and the line losses because of old lines.

“But they are not going to make any big change in that.

You’re not going to save the equal amount from offsetting growth in demand by (only) tackling the transmission and distribution mains. So you have to have – now -- short-

term, new generating capacity.

You have to do that now.”

The fact that GPL is without a board did not escape the former President’s attention.

Jagdeo noted that while GPL is raking in billions in revenue, this is being done while the entity does not have a board of directors. Appointing a board, he noted, is not a time consuming exercise, yet Government has failed to appoint one since January of 2018.

Renewable energy

Government has embarked on a number of renewable energy projects centred on wind, hydro and solar.

However, none of these projects has an individual generating capacity that could rival the 165 megawatts the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project would have brought.

One project on which Government has embarked is the Hope Wind Farm, which has faced criticism centred on the actual investor. One of the investors in question is International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) proprietor Lloyd Singh, who has been identified as being responsible for the ac-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

quisition of the headquarters of the Alliance for Change (AFC).

According to Patterson, there have been some technical issues -- such as the size of the development -- which had to be ironed out; but there has been progress on that front, and the process of finalising the power purchase agreement is ongoing.

Patterson also spoke of a US$3.8 million solar farm funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, which will be constructed at Bartica.

According to the Minister, this will be completed by the end of 2018.

Meanwhile, the update on the Tumatumari hydro project isthat the private developer has been given a deadline to reach financial closure with investors; that is, when all agreements have been signed and conditions met, in order to allow the dispensing of funds.

The update on the Kato hydropower project was a more positive one.

According to Patterson, funding has been secured for the US$2 million project, and work will commence when weather permits.

He also spoke of securing funding from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for Photo Voltaic (PV) farms at Port Kaituma (US$1.8 million), Kwakwani (US$2.6 million), and Matthews Ridge (US$2 million).

“So, by the end of 2018, we would have installed about five megawatts of renewable energy. And that’s a commendable feat, coming from 2015 with zero,” Patterson has boasted.

“And then, by the end of 2020, when all these projects would have been completed, there would be 29 or 30 megawatts.”

Camp St prisoner dies 2 weeks after admitted to GPHC with swollen face

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amp Street inmate Shawn Thom, who two weeks ago had been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) with a swollen face, has reportedly succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

His demise was confirmed to Guyana Times on Sunday

by Acting Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim, during an interview in which Pilgrim stated that he received a telephone call on Sunday morning informing him of the man’s demise.

Extending sincere condolences to Thom’s family members, the Acting Prison Director has said the circumstances surrounding Thom’s demise are presently being investigated by the Guyana Police Force, and, as such, the Prison Service would be cooperating fully with the investigations.

He reiterated that upon Thom being discovered in a semi-conscious state on May 26, the prisoners with whom

he had shared the cell told prison officers that he had sustained the injury in a fall.

Thom had reportedly stabbed another prisoner with a mop stick during a scuffle on May 25, and based on that incident, he had been relocated to another cell with three other inmates.

The then Acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had related that investigations were launched into both incidents, and the findings would be sent to the relevant authorities. Those investigations, according to Pilgrim, had been completed and the findings were sent to the Public Security Ministry.

Taking Thom’s demise into consideration, the investigations will be reopened.

Pilgrim has said that Prison officials will be waiting on the post-mortem results to decide their next step. However, he noted that ever since Thom’s admittance into the GPHC, his mother was in constant contact with

the Prison Service.

The 23-year-old Thom had been serving two three-year consecutive sentences for un-

lawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. His release from prison was expected in 2019.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, june 11, 2018

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

GECOM’s Chair decision: Avoiding judicial responsibility

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ronouncing her judgement on the case brought by PPP representatives -- for a declaration that President David Granger’s rejection of the Opposition Leader’s three lists of names to fill the vacancy in the Chairmanship of GECOM, and his subsequent unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson to the position was unconstitutional -- Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire declared: “I hold that there is nothing before this court to permit a finding that the President acted unlawfully or irrationally in resorting to the proviso to Article 161 (2) [of the Constitution].”

This newspaper finds this decision both inexplicable and unfortunate, given the crucial role of the GECOM Chair to give legitimacy to the decisions of the elections body that determines who governs Guyana. Given the polarised nature of the Guyanese electorate, and that this polarisation is based on ethnic identity -- which is very volatile, since it goes to the heart of group worth and control of the patrimony of the state -- any decision which sidesteps this need for legitimacy based on consensus between the parliamentary parties has to be seen as retrograde; and, in fact, wilfully so.

In the lead-up to the 1992 “free and fair” elections, the Carter Center brokered an agreement between the political parties, including the then incumbent PNC, to constitute an elections commission to address concrete lapses in pre1992 elections that were attributable to a malfunctioning institution, especially attributable to a partisan Chairman.

The six Commissioners of GECOM in the Carter Formula are overtly partisan – three from the Opposition parties and three from the governing parties. The Chairman, then, with his casting vote, becomes the ultimate arbiter of GECOM’s decisions.

It was therefore against this reality of pliant, partisan Chairmen, like Justice Bollers, that Article 161(2) was crafted specifically to mandate the appointment of a Chairman based on a consensual process. He was “to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition…”

However, utilising a very strained interpretation that flies in the face of the intent of the Article, Justice George-Wiltshire ruled, in the end, that after rejecting a list, the President could then UNILATERALLY appoint a Chairman.

She acknowledged that as per her ruling in the case of Gaskin v. , (that) Article 161 (2) was intended to contribute to the balance and impartiality of the Elections Commission. But she then added that once the President rejected the list, he could appoint a person that satisfied the criterion of Article 161 (1): of being either a Judge or any other “fit and proper person”; which vitiates any notion of the fundamental purpose of the Article, which she acknowledged is to encourage accommodation between the two offices of President and Opposition Leader.

Recently, Justice Stephen Breyer of the US Supreme Court summarised the “six tools” judges use in constitutional and statutory interpretation: (1) The text of the statute; (2) Legislative history: how those words got into the statute; (3) Statutory tradition: how those words have been used before and after this statute; (4) Precedent; (5) The purpose of the statute and (6) Practical consequences relevant to the purpose of the statute.

Breyer noted that some judges stress the first four tools and ignore the last two, fearing a creep into “subjectivity”.

For instance, based on his rulings and comments, it was appear that former CCJ Justice Bryn Pollard falls into that category, since he has so summarily rejected the “Basic Structure” doctrine which cites the purpose of the entire constitution. But in the instant case of selecting a Chairman for GECOM, Justice George-Wiltshire explicitly acknowledged the purpose of Art 161 (2), only to then perform a legal somersault, rely on a strained interpretation of the text, and reject legislative history, precedent, purpose and consequence.

Justice Breyer warned that judges who resist utilising the tools of “purpose and consequences” are avoiding their judicial responsibility. It is very clear that this is exactly what Justice George has done, and one hopes this will be rectified at the Appellate level.

Former President Samuel Hinds shares a light moment with his wife, Yvonne Hinds, Chairman of the Guyana Relief Council and Executive Member Barbara Waldron at New Thriving Restaurant on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)

Ethnic balance fiasco at GECOM troubling (Pt 2) Dear Editor, A careful look at the staff working in the twenty-seven GECOM Offices for this current Continuous Registration cycle is indeed a revelation, as it reflects just the tip of the blatant discrimination. In Region #6, all three Offices have Afro-Guyanese at the helm.

In West Demerara Region #3, all three have AfroGuyanese at the helm. It is useful to observe that the GECOM staffing issues have been sliding one-dimensionally since 2011.

The results of elections have often not revealed the many scars of discrimination experienced by many electors as a consequence of biased and unprofessional GECOM staff. In Guyana’s multiethnic framework, it is imperative that GECOM achieve enhanced accuracy and confidence in the electorate. Our people must not have this deep mistrust and suspicion of the GECOM staff.

In the preparation for Local Government Elections, voters must appreciate the need for them to do the necessary transfers and get registered at the place where

they are living. Thousands of citizens have moved to new areas of residence and are living in their new and beautiful homes, away from the areaswhere they were registered. As a consequence, they often make demands for the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to clean up and provide most valuable services for them to live in a clean and highly appreciated community.

The time is now when our citizens must appreciate the importance of the Local Government Elections, and help in the process to make sure they are registered in the right place. This will enable the local leaders to reach and discuss with the villagers, thereby enhancing the best options for the way forward.

GECOM therefore must be able to produce to the nation a clean and acceptable voters’ list, by ensuring and facilitating the process in a professional way.

Maintaining accuracy and accountability would enhance the dirty image of GECOM. The Secretariat at GECOM must be more people-friendly and open to transparency and ac-

countability. The serious corruption image of the Administration is getting worse, as we are witnessing that there are numerous questions in respect to advertisement for the purchasing of accessories for GECOM. Recently, it was revealed via social media that the PNC Commissioners at the Elections Commission are racially sidelining persons of East Indian origin who had applied for advertised vacancies at the Commission.

The recruitment system at the elections body is been manipulated by the PNC Commissioners in favour of applicants of their choice.

The criteria for these choices must be advanced and pre-agreed by both sides, with the Chairman being a figure of objective, rational neutrality in achieving the ideals of the organisation. It is recalled that previous acceptable, negotiated and implemented approaches to balancing of staff were effected through a ‘horse trading-type approach that the secretariat should revisit, providing that other basic criteria are met.

Apparently there is no

fairness being applied or considered by the biased APNU Commissioners, who are biasedly supported by their questionable Chairman, who was unilaterally appointed

by Mr. Granger. Qualified and experienced applicants who were shortlisted by the Elections Commission are scored at zero, whereas as favoured inexperienced persons are scored at 100 percent.

It is rather dangerous and unacceptable if such action of indirect fraud and favoritism are being practised now. It follows that the expectations of any elections result from those responsible could be deemed fraudulent. The GECOM Chairman must also recognise the Commission needs to be objective; that the Commissioners are not his boy toys, nor are they put there to fulfill his seemingly biased whimsical fantasy. We advocate that persons should be employed on merit, and that staffing at GECOM should be diversified to represent the ethnic balance of this country.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Contracts split to facilitate cronies Dear Editor, The National Procurement and Tender Administration Act 2003 was activated to ensure that every contractor and supplier in Guyana, and even overseas, is given equal access to bid for contracts.

Since the coalition Government’s assumption of office in 2015, the

Procurement Act has become more or less a political tool to ensure those political activist friends and families of various APNU/ AFC Government officials are being awarded contracts.

Let me compliment the Opposition Leader, Cde Bharrat Jagdeo, for constantly exposing the coalition Government in violat-

ing the Public Procurement Act, and the rampant corruption in every section of this APNU/AFC Government.

Only recently, the Special Projects Unit invited contractors to submit bids for the “Weeding, Cleaning and Maintenance of the West Coast (Berbice) and Corentyne, Berbice Public Road Shoulders,

Region 5 and 6 Project”, this project would cost taxpayers in excess of one hundred million dollars, and only fifteen selected contractors were given bids.

The specific contracts were divided into eight lots to facilitate the cronies, and would be awarded by the ministerial tender board. continued on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, june 11, 2018

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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

Importance of sharing accurate info on Guyana's burgeoning oil and gas industry Dear Editor, In an article that appeared in the Kaieteur News on Sunday, June 10, which quoted Charles Ramson Jr, it was suggested in the report that the Gy$10 billion spent in Guyana with local companies is minuscule. The article was just shy of suggesting that we take to the streets to protest the supposed injustice.

Some facts we should be aware of: Liza Phase-1 is expected to cost just over US$4.4 billion http://news.exxonmobil. com/press-release/exxonmobil-makes-final-investment-decision-proceed-liza-oil-development-guyana Guyana's oil and gas industry is still in the upstream phase of activities.

Most of the oil and gas activities in Guyana are still centred around exploration, and we are now transitioning to the production stage. (still in upstream) Upstream activities usually require highly specialised knowledge, experience, skill-sets and equipment.

To date, a large portion of the expenditure for Liza project would have gone to foreign companies that would be undertaking large sections of the project.

One prominent example would be SMB Offshore, contracted to design the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, and Keppel Shipyard that will execute the conversion of the very large crude carrier (VLCC) tanker.

This part of the project alone is expected to utilise close to 50% of the total project cost. Also, TecnipFMC, the company contracted to install the sub-sea equipment, would take another significant chunk out of the US$4.4 billion projected to be

spent on the Liza Phase 1 development.

It should be noted that TecnipFMC has recently hired 10 engineering students from the University of Guyana for the Technical Services Personnel Apprentice programme. The students are currently receiving technical training in the US and Brazil. Two of the students were back in Guyana during the GIPEX Conference. [https://www.facebook. com/exxonmobilguyana/ posts/368056343648872] Daily rig rates were as high as US$600,000 a few years ago, but have been reduced somewhat in the past few years, and currently stand at around US$200,000 daily.

The Stena Carron was recently joined by the Noble Bob Douglas drillship, increasing the number to two drill ships operating offshore Guyana.

While this area of activity may not send dollars directly into the pockets of Guyanese, since they also fall into the category of upstream activities, many Guyanese are already benefiting. The Stena Carron employed several Guyanese previously, and the Bob Douglas was recently staffed with a crew of 30 Guyanese.

Several Guyanese companies are also already engaged with provisions for the supply vessels. [https://ihsmarkit.com/ products/oil-gas-drillingrigs-offshore-day-rates.html] Our O&G industry is different in many ways from our neighbours in Trinidad and Tobago and some developments further afield.

The Liza field is in (ultra) deep-water, whereas, in Trinidad, most of their dis-

Contracts split...

If an investigation should be conducted on the names of the contractors, we would conclude they are either APNU or AFC councillors, activist friends, or families of the coalition Government.

According to the Public Procurement Act 2003 Section 30(1), a procuring entity shall solicit tenders by causing an invitation to tender to be published in newspapers of wide circulation and post in public places...as the Constitution of Guyana continues to be ignored to facilitate corruption by the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

Why was there no public tendering for this specific contract? The conclusion is that this will enable certain contractors to be guarantee contracts.

This trend is evident in all the procurement processes in Guyana presently. Competitive bidding

from page 4

promotes effectiveness in procurement, and discourages monopoly situations; avoids favouritism, and will ensure taxpayers get the best deal in terms of value when it is publicly tendered.

The main reason for the diversion by the Government to this method of procurement is because of the excellent work of chairman of the PAC, Mr Irfaan Alli, who continues to expose corruption.

The public procurement system is to ensure the procurement of goods and services and the execution of works are conducted in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost effective manner, according to the laws.

Sincerely, Zamal Hussain, Regional Councillor, Regional Democratic Council Region Six

coveries were much closer to shore.

The location of the field and the method of extraction mean we will need fewer rigs, and therefore fewer personnel, fewer supplies, etc.

However, to give some context regarding the number of wells vs returns, the CEO of Hess recently said 8 wells at Liza will produce more oil than Delaware Basin’s 1,400; the 120,000 bbl/d of Liza will top the Delaware Basin’s 1,400 wells and peak oil production of 86,000 bbl/d.

Mr. Ramson, with his newly acquired tertiary education in the field of oil and gas, should certainly be aware of these intricacies.

As we move into the midand downstream activities, there should be a lot more engagement with local companies; and further, more Guyanese should be employed -- not necessarily directly by Exxon, but by the companies that will be servicing these areas.

It has been discussed ad nauseam that the population will benefit from the boost in cash flow in the local economy, as the demand for existing products and services increase, and the demand for new services and skills grow.

This will be boosted further by significant capital expenditure by Government on infrastructural projects, etc.

It is in the national interest that we provide accurate information to the population.

Sincerely, Michael A Leonard

Power to the People Dear Editor, The title of my letter today is kind of odd, seeing my main discourse centres around the latest court ruling, which in its truest sense gives power to the ruling dictatorship of David Granger, and not to the people of this country. So, the reader just having a cursory glance at my title would be a little befuddled at my choice of topic.

However, in due course of my writings, you will eventually get the point and see where I am going with the above title.

In the first place, I must say hoorah to the Attorney General, he has finally "won" a case in court; because with that limited mentality of his, this is a laudable achievement for him. Poor Basil, he could never amount to much, but with that batch of foreign input, he finally got there.

Kudos to the guy! I propose a toast and a pat on the back!

But is it really a commendation for Williams? I think not. I would rather take off my hat to the hapless people of this country, who continue to fund a sorry excuse for an attorney general, one who wastes their money on matters that suits himself and party. There is nothing in that ruling for the people, who bore the brunt of the costs for Williams's shenanigans.

He has used up valuable resources on high priced foreign attorneys, who really were not needed for that decision. Everything that the Attorney General has done marks overkill.

Further to our discussion is the fact that we saw this coming. With a court that is under duress, any decision emanating therefrom is just another wry reflection of that disappointment. What is also clear is that the rep-

resentatives of the people, through the Opposition, were only testing the integrity of the court system, to see if it would stand by them or stand by the dictatorship. Sadly, the court chose the latter.

It is all about Granger and his PNC Party flexing their stolen power muscle on a powerless people. He is the one calling the shots; he is the one making all the decisions, contrary to the clear guidelines enshrined in the Constitution.

There is nothing left to the imagination when you see the highhanded manner in which the President walked all over us in that unilateral appointment of a GECOM Chairman. That appointment is testimony to the free rein that he enjoys when important decisions are to be made.

He may want to sugar-coat his decision by saying that the one selected would be impartial in his deliberations, so we have nothing to fear. But this is furthest from the truth, because the old buffoon has given his boss away. Patterson is already on the warpath with that obstinate, geriatric attitude of his, stifling dissent. Like his counterpart in Parliament, who is not entertaining comments from the Opposition's chair.

This is a clear sign of this guy's intentions as to the way things ought to be done in "His GECOM." Isn't this a very backward development for a country that is supposed to be a democracy?

So, back to my title.

Power to the People come 2020, on or before. I call on the People of this great country to come out in their numbers and make that unequivocal decision. You see, in Granger's scheme of things,

the old Burnhamite con-artist tricks look pretty attractive: take complete control of the electoral machinery, and all will be well with thee. Of course it worked for Burnham then, but you are now talking about a new dispensation of things, when people abhor dictatorships and their bullyism.

Granger has made that tactical error of taking Guyanese back down a road which we would never want to travel again. So foisting his military style on a country that has grown accustomed to democracy spells the end of him. Our country has no place for dictators, and in this regard we will exercise zero tolerance for them. We have done it in 1992, and will do it again.

For a people who have had a sweet taste of democracy these last 23 years, we are not about to give it away; no, never! We have tasted, and I dare say grown accustomed to, democratic norms and values, hence this PNC backwardness we will not entertain.

And this is a message for the CCJ as well: that nothing will block our path as we march forward to freedom.

We, The PPP, stand on the side of the people. Spikes like horrendous court decisions were set on the road that blew out our tyres, but we are going to stay on our rims and limp to safety.

Our safety is in numbers, people numbers, and power to the people! Let me assure this Government and its handpicked lackeys at GECOM that nothing is going to stop us achieving our goal. Once again, power to The People!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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Foundation

Recognising and alleviating Maths anxiety

…Maths anxiety affects almost half of elementary school students.

Spot the symptoms and use these strategies to counteract it

By Gina Picha

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aths anxiety is much more than a dislike for the subject –it’s a real problem for students, one that blocks the brain’s working memory and starts a self-perpetuating cycle of Maths avoidance, low achievement, and fear. This form of anxiety manifests as early as kindergarten, and nearly half of elementary school children experience it.

Signs and symptoms Avoidance: Maths anxiety and Maths avoidance go hand in hand. Do you have students who seem to grasp at any reason to leave the classroom during Maths instruction? This could be more than just a student trying to get out of work.

Students with high levels of Maths anxiety tend to avoid Mathematics at all costs.

In class, this may look like misbehaving, off-task behaviour, or frequent visits to the nurse. But avoidance may be hard to recognise because some of our Mathsanxious students have perfected the skill of doing very little Maths without drawing too much attention to themselves.

Lack of response: Do you have students who seem to freeze when asked a question involving Maths? When students have Maths anxiety, any Mathsrelated question can make them feel extremely stressed. They lack full access to their working memory, making it nearly impossible for them to think clearly.

They may even have this reaction when they know the answer – it’s the fear that is standing in the way, not the Maths.

Tears or anger: Tears or anger might signal anxiety, especially if they appear only during Maths. Students with Maths anxiety tend to be very hard on themselves and work under the harmful and false assumption that being good at Maths means getting correct answers quickly. These beliefs and thoughts are quite crippling.

Negative self-talk: Students suffering from Maths anxiety have negative thoughts about the subject and their own

abilities. Much of this talk may happen in their heads, making it difficult to catch, but some students may share these comments out loud with peers and teachers, saying things like, “I hate Maths. I’m not good at Maths. I’ll never be able to do this.”

Low achievement: Given that Mathsanxious students avoid Maths, it’s not surprising that this also affects their achievement. With less exposure to Maths than their peers, these students tend to do poorly on assignments and assessments. And students begin to see low grades as labels that verify their belief that they just can’t do Maths.

Strategies to support healthy Maths identities Provide students with time to understand the why: It may seem like a good idea to help struggling students by focusing on procedures, but this may actually make things worse. Many Maths-anxious students tend to see Maths as a series of nonsensical steps that must be memorised.

For example, students are often taught to multiply decimals by moving the decimal out of the factors and back into the product. This makes little sense to students who haven’t developed a conceptual understanding of place value and decimals – they’re left asking procedural questions such as, “Which way do I move the decimal?”

All students deserve the time to truly understand the Maths they’re being asked to do. Skipping this time shortchanges our students and gives them a joyless Maths – one requiring a lot of memory, repetitive steps, and anxiety.

Use healthy and accurate messages: One way to support Maths-anxious students is to have regular class conversations about negative beliefs. Reassuring students that there’s no such thing as a Maths person, or special people born more capable in Maths, will reduce their anxiety and help them see themselves as Mathematicians.

The words that teachers use when conferring with students are also im-

portant. Praising students for correct answers, speed, or good grades does little in the way of providing useful feedback. On the other hand, using specific comments about processes students use to solve problems, their decision to represent the Maths in multiple ways, or their use of particular sense-making strategies encourages all students and makes the Maths accessible to all.

Allow think time when asking questions: For a student with Maths anxiety, being asked a question in front of others can be an excruciating experience. Onthe-spot questioning can also send the unintended message that Mathematics is about quickly firing off answers.

Giving students appropriate think time supports them in developing conceptual understanding and communicates that being fast at Maths is not the same as being good at it.

Students do their best learning when they feel comfortable and safe. A fear that the teacher may call their name at any moment causes some students to focus on the fear instead of the Maths.

If the worry of being singled out is removed, students will have the time and space to think deeply as Mathematicians and, with time, may begin to volunteer their ideas.

Use mixed-ability grouping: Struggling students are often put together in Maths groups in order for the teacher to give targeted instruction. But students rarely exit from these groups and often receive very different Maths instruction than their high-performing peers. And such groups can confirm the negative opinions some students have about their abilities.

Heterogeneous grouping serves all students by giving everyone access to high-quality Maths and to different ideas and perspectives. And Maths tasks with multiple entry points are a great way to foster healthy problem solving that allows for students to share multiple methods and strategies. (Excerpt from edutopia.org)

Continued from Saturday

By Susan Heitler, PhD

At the same time, narcissistic individuals believe that "it's all about me". That belief leads to personalising, that is, taking personally, as an action intended to hurt them, whatever occurs that they dislike. Liz's mother personalises Liz's having spilled dog food, assuming that the mistake was an act intended to hurt her.

Rage at Liz was the result in this case of a mother's narcissistic way of viewing the world. This intertwining of borderline emotional hyper-reactivity and narcissistic functioning is common. The two syndromes often co-occur.

In addition, in response to their strong emotions of fear and anger, people with these diagnoses can easily fall prey to paranoia, that is, to a belief that harm is being done to them in some way. Liz's mom shows paranoid tendencies in her fears about her Dad getting involved with other women and her misreadings of her children's friendships.

At the same time, Liz expresses her painful awareness that her mom does have a second side.

Like many individuals with BPD, narcissism and excessive anger, she can be kind, fun, loving, smart and even very successful in their public lives. At home, however, the anger erupts. Her mom is like the girl in the nursery rhyme who is a "girl with a curl, right in the middle of her forehead; when she was good she was very, very good and when she was bad she was horrid", While the nursery rhyme describes a little girl, Liz's mother is a grownup, a grownup with responsibility for raising children and yet without the emotional evenness to provide them with a safe and consistently nurturing home. The result: a confusing, painful and emotionally unhealthy home that can do major emotional damage to the children raised within it.

What can be done for children who live with a too-often and toostrongly angry parent?

For now, I want at least to mention five things: First, I want to say bravo to you Liz for reaching out for help, for writing about your situation so clearly, and for the insights that you have shared that will help others. As the general public, and also therapy professionals, become increasingly aware of the harm that parents with anger disorders do to their children, help will eventually be forthcoming.

Second, I would like to ask the

writers of the DSM to add anger to anxiety and depression as diagnosable disorders.

Third, I would like to encourage anyone with an anger disorder such as Liz's mom has to please get professional help. My heart goes out to you, as you clearly suffer greatly. You will become happier, and you will be able to have a much more positive impact on your children as well, as you find ways to prevent the anger outbursts. For starters, you might want to check out the chapters on anger in my Prescriptions Without Pills and Power of Two books.

Anger management classes may help. Also, energy therapists who do techniques like Body Code and Emotion Code may be able to turn off the anger tendency altogether.

Fourth, if you know any child or teenager trapped in a family with an abusively angry parent, reach out to them. A little kindness can go a long way. It conveys to the child that maybe he or she is an okay person. That someone does seem to like them and is consistently nice to them. Even if you never discuss the parent's anger with the child, your kindness can help.

If an occasion does arise where you feel that you can talk about the anger, do share your view that the parent has an anger problem that causes mean and untrue words to come out. Emphasise that these words do not accurately describe the child. Maybe even ask the child to list the unkind words that the parent says in anger so that you can explicitly clarify that the words are untrue. Add that you like the parent, and that at the same time, the anger is like an illness that the parent, as well as the child, suffers from. This dose of reality can help a child enormously.

Consider also contacting your local social services. In many communities the folks in charge of investigating child abuse and neglect are quite responsive. And generally they will keep confidential the name of the person who asked them to check out a potentially abusive parenting situation.

Fifth and finally, are you a therapy professional who works with men or women who have an anger disorder and who are parents? If so, do be sure that you ask explicitly whether their client sometimes levies his or her anger at the children.

As Liz so clearly describes, leaving children to cope on their own with an angry parent who erupts into rages is unrealistic and unfair. Children in these circumstances are trapped with few or no help options. Individual therapy professionals who work with such adults have an ethical responsibility to make sure that the children of these clients are getting the help that they need. (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com)

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Gaskin blasts Govt over 2018 revised economic growth rate – says mismanagement, incompetence remain rife

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recent move by Government to revise the economic growth rate for 2018 from 3.8 percent to 3.4 percent is another indication that it is incapable of managing the economy, creating and attracting investments, and promoting sustainable development for future generations to come.

This is according to former Presidential Advisor Ramon Gaskin, who told Guyana Times on Sunday that the David Grangerled Administration remains clueless on how to run the Guyanese economy.

With Government being more than three years in office, Gaskin said, “If they still can’t get it right, they will never get it right.”

At the recent 48th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), held in Grenada, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced that the previous 3.8 per cent growth projection he had announced at the last budget reading would be revised downwards.

Notwithstanding further decline in the sugar industry, Minister Jordan has said the outlook for 2018 is positive, as real growth is projected to be 3.4 per cent, slightly below the budgeted 3.8 per cent, with increased output in rice, construction, manufacturing and services sectors.

Guyana’s last best growth rate was 5.2 per cent, recorded in 2013. World Bank records show Guyana’s growth rates as follows: in 2014, it was 3.8 per cent; in 2015, it was 3.2 per cent; and in 2016, it was 3.3 per cent. For 2017, initial projections of 3.8 per cent were revised to 3.1 per cent. This figure then went to 2.9 per cent before the final figure of 2.1 per cent was determined.

Gaskin said while he feels there is too much emphasis on growth rate as a general rule for Guyana, it is an important indicator for financial institutions like the World Bank, among others.

Focus is most times placed on growth rate, inflation rate, exchange rate and debt to GDP. “I don’t focus too much on that. I focus on the unemployment rate and the rate of job creation…And this is something that this Government shouldn’t feel proud about.

As a matter of fact, the growth rate is not properly captured by the statisticians in this country for many reasons,” he explained.

The economist said production in Guyana is declining rapidly, and unless this is addressed, there is a strong likelihood that the growth rate would continue to decline. While the downsizing of the sugar industry has a major role to play, Gaskin said, gold smuggling is also a contributing factor among other factors.

“Sugar is down to 130,000 tonnes. We are in very big problem with sugar. There is

with the poor performance of the local economy, “it is clear to all Guyanese that mismanagement, incompetence and corruption remain high under this Government.

Economist and former Presidential Advisor, Ramon Gaskin

no production there. That is why you’re not even getting molasses from Enmore. So we have a lot of problems there, because of the mismanagement of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the privatisation plans.”

Bauxite

But to compound the issue, Gaskin noted, bauxite production declined in 2017 somewhere close to 1,417,557 tonnes as a result of inclement weather and mechanical problems. And while Government had promised that the industry was likely to see improvements in its performance in 2018 due to an increase in world demand for aluminum and the construction of a new mine, other factors may hinder that.

Prices of aluminum, a by-product of bauxite, have fallen on the international market by more than 12 percent since April, when the United States (US) Government imposed sanctions against Russian giant Rusal Co., the second-largest supplier of the metal after China, which has operations here. Rusal was one of dozens of entities hit with sanctions designed to punish Russia for interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

On that note, the economist said the expansion of bauxite production in Guyana does not seem to be promising. This is especially since international financial agencies have reported that Rusal’s exports and finances could take another hit if Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, owner of Rusal, is unable to persuade the US to lift sanctions by late August, according to several industry sources.

Mismanagement

Gaskin told Guyana Times that while the rice sector’s production is balanced, the price for the commodity is not where it used to be. Outside of rice, bauxite, gold and sugar collectively are not doing well, and when it comes to forestry, there is some work that needs to be done to create value added.

“Because of the low production and the low exports, we have diminishing revenue from exports and increasing payment for imports for fuel.

So, we have a bigger deficit on the trade account, and the reserves have dropped now below US$500 million for the first time in a long time. So we have big problems with the reserves, the trade deficit, and the massive spending on projects,” he stated.

Gaskin said that, coupled

They are looking to give their party supporters, friends and relatives all the Governmentrelated jobs. And do you know that the monthly bill for public servants is one of

the highest in this country?”

The economist said slow economic growth will continue until the country starts to receive revenues from oil.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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monDAY, june 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Railroading…

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…PPP officials

he DPP’s supposed to review all cases the Police – or in this case SOCU – wants to prosecute. In the case of long-trumpeted accusations by the PNC/APNU and AFC of the PPP government “siphoning off billions and billions”, it took them over two years after their “forensic” audits of dozens of agencies to bring charges against two PPP Administration officials – Brassington, CEO of NICIL and Singh, Minister of Finance.

And what charges!! It was as if the mountain strained – and produced a mouse!! Criminal “Misconduct in a public official” – an English medieval charge coterminous with burning folks at the stake! – that was long thrown out there. And what actions deserve possible “drawing and quartering”? That Singh and Brassington knowingly sold Government land far below the market value. Matters not that “market value” is a very slippery notion, and even if proven, there might’ve been extenuating circumstances for their decision.

Anyhow, SOCU made no accusations that Brassington and Singh took a piece of the action or anything like that – just that they gave away the store. So, even if SOCU’s right, there was no ‘siphoning” from the Treasury, just that the Treasury could’ve been further fattened. But in the latest charges against the PPP’s financial mavens, it’s clear the PNC Government’s clutching at straws to satisfy their constituents, who’d been promised PPP blood.

As your Eyewitness mentioned yesterday, they’ve added the sale of the Sanata Complex -- with facts so dodgy they prove someone’s either sleeping at the DPP’s office or else they’re singing for their supper!!

That SOCU brought the charges we can understand – they’re directly under POLITICAL control.

The gist of the charge, like your Eyewitness said, is that Brassington and Singh knowingly and deliberately gave away the (Government) store. Now, in these sales, how’d you determine “fair” value? Well, you go to qualified and certified “valuators” – which both the Government agents and the buyer did. The facts show NICIL first got a valuation of $245 million; the buyer got one for $350 million; and then NICIL got another one for $1 billion!

Right off the bat, this shows NICIL was batting for the Government!! The final agreed price was the average of the buyer’s valuation and the HIGHER NICIL one.

And this was giving away the store? Oi vey!!

… CSME

Another mountain that rumbled and strained to only produce a mouse was the CariCom “stakeholders” forum, at the Princess last week to consider the status of the CSME. The consensus was it wasn’t the fault of the Secretariat the CSME’s moribund, but of the Heads of Government (HOGS). Well…duh!!...wasn’t this always the case? Do we need a CDB-funded meet to tell us this??

Whatever gap there’s been between the promise and achievement of CariCom has been the handiwork of the Little Caesar HOGS, who won’t concede an iota of their executive authority to a CariCom body to implement their decisions. So what we have is: these HOGS merrily pontificating about “what is to be done” at their “Summits” (which is so named to suggest their elevated statuses!!) but then returning “home” and sitting on their hands! So, what’ll change at the HOGS “special summit” next month? Absolutely nothing!

The ever-candid St Vincent PM, Gonsalves, however, singled out Barbados and TT for preventing the CSME’s “free movement of peoples”.

But since their economies have collapsed, that’s now moot, ain’t it??!!

…G-7

Trump threw a spanner into the G-7 meet when he refused to endorse the final communiqué, and called Canada’s PM, Justin Trudeau, “dishonest and weak”!!

Now onto his Singapore meet with N Korea’s “Rocket Man”!!

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

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Major division between Teenager injured after car African cultural groups slammed into motorcycle – as majority vote for scrapping IDPAD-G

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major rift between several prominent African groups was put on full display on Sunday when a number of the attendees voted in favour of having the International Decade of People of African DescentGuyana (IDPAD-G) scrapped, while a handful voted in favour of it restarting from the beginning.

The meeting, which was held at the Critchlow Labour College, saw representatives from many African cultural organisations, while some were clearly absent. Among the issues raised were the appointment of IDPAD-G’s Chief Executive Officer Olive Simpson, and the overcrowding of certain groups on the team.

African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) Head, Dr Eric Phillips, who is also Chairman of the Reparations Committee, told the gathering that a majority of the groups under IDPAD-G’s were formed last year. In an attempt to sell the audience on the legitimacy of the group, he said it was done in consultation with others.

Certain revelations were made during the meeting, including the fact that IDPAD-G rented office space at 121 Regent Street, Bourda, Georgetown from Charles Corbin, the brother of former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader Robert Corbin.

According to Dr Phillips, issues like these need to be ironed out as they would

IDPAD-G’s Chairman Vincent Alexander

give the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) reasons to raise concerns about possible conflicts of interest between Corbin and IDPAD-G’s Chairman, Vincent Alexander, who are also both Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Another point raised by the ACDA official was the fact that there were concerns over the proposed structure and strategy for IDPAD-G touted by the Chairman. Instead, it was recommended that five thematic areas – expiation, economy, education, equality, and employment – be used to craft policies.

But, more importantly, the ACDA official said the $68 million that has been allocated to IDPAD-G should be used to create a college of African village leaders. This entity, he said, should be used to discuss the many challenges, but more seriously the fear about the coalition losing the 2020 election. Concerns

were also raised about many returning Guyanese being given prominent roles when there was talent here.

The meeting, which was chaired by Jonathan Adams, said based on the unanimous decision taken at the meeting, the vote would be submitted to the IDPAD-G management, who would decide on the next course of action. In the meantime, he called on the participants to fix their differences and work together.

In March, Guyana hosted the 2018 IDPAD Summit, which brought together more than 60 academics, black activists, and other expert speakers from around the world to focus on eradicating the plight of African descendants through the implementation of possible solutions.

The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in a Resolution (68/237) adopted on December 23, 2013. It was subsequently launched by UN two years later, thus commencing the 2015-2024 decade aimed at highlighting issues relating to Africa and its millions of descendants around the world.

Guyana had subsequently established a local arm, the IDPAD-G Committee, which is the only one of its kind in the Region, and has received the support of the Guyana Government.

Mother of brain-dead national cycling champion remains hopeful

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ven as 15-year-old Beyonce Ross, a national cycling champion, remains on life support at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), her mother and family members remain hopeful that she will recover.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Sunday from the medical facility, the grieving mother, Yonette Clarke, posited that she would keep praying for a miracle, and asked that the public do the same.

Although doctors at the medical facility have told the family that the teenager is brain dead, Clarke will not give up hope. “I will fight and pray and ask the Lord to work a miracle”, the mother stated.

Ross, a three-time gold medallist, fell ill in February last, and was diagnosed with a brain tu-

Beyonce Ross

mour in March. Her family became hopeful when they were further informed, just days ago, that the said tumour was not cancerous.

Plans were being made for the young woman to be taken overseas to have the tumour removed when the teenager’s health took a turn for the worse. Ross

suffered a seizure at her home, and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she remains to date. She cannot respond to anyone, and remains in a vegetated state.

Ross is a student of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School.

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teenager is now injured and in hot water following an accident along Haley and Norton Streets, Georgetown on Sunday afternoon.

Based on reports received, the young man, of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was riding along the roadway when a speeding car reportedly struck him off the motorcycle bearing registration number CJ 5018.

The driver of the motor car sped away from the scene, but as Police arrived, it was revealed that the young man was wearing no

Police Officers confiscating the motorcycle

The mangled motorcycle (Photos provided by Mondale A Smith)

helmet at the time of the accident and more so, he had no documents for the motorcycle.

The motorcycle was taken to the Brickdam Police Station while the young man who had injuries to his knee and toe was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was treated and then handed over to the Police as they continue their investigations.

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monDAY, june 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man walks free after multiple hung juries

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nthony Morrison who was accused of murdering his reputed wife, Donna Thomas, six years ago, was recently freed after three successive juries could not agree on a formal determination of guilt or innocence.

This was confirmed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which indicated that the most recent hung jury resulted in the indictment being declared nolle prosequi by the DPP because the accused already had two previous hung jury verdicts in the High Court in April 2014 and December 2015 respectively.

In May, a 12-member jury could not for the third time determine whether or not Morrison was guilty of murdering the woman, whose body was found in a pool of blood at their Cross and D’Urban Streets, Werken-Rust, Georgetown apartment on May 26, 2012.

The accused has always denied killing his partner, but had admitted that they argued prior to her death.

After three hours of deliberations last month, nine jurors felt that he was guilty and three others that he was not guilty, but this verdict was unacceptable to the court since at least 10 jurors would need to agree.

After the jury forewom-

Former accused Anthony Morrison

an had declined further directions, presiding Judge Sandhill Kissoon informed a shocked Morrison that he would need to await another trial despite it being his third trial. He could have been released sooner had his attorney, Maxwell McKay, informed Justice Kissoon that it was the third trial. Morrison was briefly remanded.

G o v e r n m e n t Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh had given the cause of Thomas’ death as asphyxiation due to compression to the neck, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head, saying that she had 16 incised wounds to one hand, while the other hand had six. These were said to be defensive wounds.

Weapons, ammo found in Potaro during raid

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cting on intelligence, members of the Guyana Police Force’s F Division (Interior Locations) have unearthed at least three weapons and a quantity of ammunition when they swooped down on a location in Wild Lang Mission, Potaro River, Essequibo over The weapons and ammunition discovered during the raid the weekend.

Based on ina shotgun stock.

The Police have seized a formation received, the At the time of the raid, total of 47 illegal weapons ranks found a single-barno one was at the location, during the January-April rel 12-gauge shotgun and a but the items were seized period this year. These in.38 revolver along with 22 and taken as evidence. Up clude 30 pistols, nine relive 12-gauge cartridges, 14 to late Sunday evening, no volvers, nine shotguns, one empty 12-gauge casings and arrests were made. sub-machine gun and one rifle.

Only last month, Police

ranks of the C Division (East Coast Demerara) arrested three men, including a teenager, with one Taurus .40 pistol with six live rounds and two .32 Special revolvers with four live rounds.

Man remanded for threatening neighbour Man charged for break

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hemraj Shaffy was on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a threatening language charge.

Shaffy pleaded guilty to the charge and told the court that he was not aware of his actions since he was intoxicated when the incident occurred.

The court heard that on June 3, 2018, the defendant used threatening language towards his neighbour Basil

Persaud, and had already been placed on a court bond to keep the peace.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted and informed the court that Shaffy was charged previously and placed on the bond for a similar matter concerning the Virtual Complainant (VC).

Magistrate Daly agreed with the prosecution, and remanded the man to prison.

The matter will continue on June 15, 2018.

and enter and larceny

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evon Hubbert, of Lot 91 Garnett Street, Newton, was released on $100,000 bail

by Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to two counts of simple larceny.

It is alleged that between April 7 and April 28, 2018 while at School of the Nations, the defendant broke and entered the

said property and stole one computer and a HP printer worth an estimated $130,000 in total.

The second charge stated that he stole one note computer, portable speakers, one webcam, and one bag valued a total of $85,000, property of Orin Ross.

Hubbert denied both charges and was granted bail. The matter was adjourned until June 29, 2018.

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Guyana will fall behind if youths not involved in ICT – IDB …as Govt promises full digitalisation by 2020

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overnment has committed to offering 200 services online to citizens as part of its ICT manifesto promises, while the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is urging more inclusionary policies for youth to advance the sector.

At an IDB-sponsored training summit at the Marriott Hotel on Friday, IDB Regional Head Therese Turner-Jones, in addressing the participants, urged Government to avail itself of youth innovators.

It has been pointed out that youths have led the data revolution in other countries, and those countries have gone on to achieve some form of economic prosperity. As such, transforming the sector can be expedited by more involvement of youths.

“We have more young people today than we (will) have in, say, 2030… young people are thought to be the agents of change. We also know that young people are much more wired to their technology than, say, those over 60. So I think there’s a lot of promise in (them),” TurnerJones pointed out. Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes also addressed stakeholders. According to Hughes, ordinary citizens and

Attendees at the summit, which was held at the Marriott Hotel

businesses would, by 2020, be able to access public services online.

“So imagine your driver’s licence application (or) that application for a TIN number; all these services can be done online, and therefore we have to start heading in that direction… And the private sector, you are going to be left behind also if you continue to do this the old way,” she related, as she stressed that the private sector should therefore avail itself of technological opportunities to improve customer service.

Meanwhile, IDB Country Representative Sophie Makonnen stressed the need for countries to keep up to date with advancing technologies. With new technology,

Makonnen noted, there are new ways to solve old problems, such as with health care.

A few days ago, stakeholders were introduced to the concept of exponential technologies (ET) and their importance in developing small economies like Guyana’s.

A presentation was made by Dr Nicholas Haan, the Track Chair and Vice President of Impact at Singularity University (SU).

SU is a Silicon Valley thinktank that offers educational programmes and serves as a business incubator.

During his presentation, Dr Haan pointed out that, in recent years, there have been major technological transformations which have created

opportunities for agencies to rethink the way they serve people.

“Humanity is currently witnessing, at this very time, a major transformation never ever seen before; a transformation into a digital era where every single one of our social systems – our food system, our energy system, our health system, our government system, etc – every single one of those is being transformed by technology and other global trends.

“This creates incredible opportunities if you’re leading a corporation or if you’re an entrepreneur, and it creates incredible opportunities for Governments around the world to rethink the way to best serve the populace,” Dr Haan posited.

He went on to talk about how exponential technology has advanced and developed over recent years to create new concepts such as artificial intelligence programmes that operate in real time with no human control and 3D printing. IDB’s Senior Specialist on State Modernisation, Mariko Russell, had said that the idea behind hosting this presentation was to highlight how accessible and beneficial exponential technologies can be for local enterprises.

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Caribbean lost 70% of highly-skilled population – CDB rep

Director of CDB’s Economic Department, Dr Justin Ram

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tudies on population trends have shown that the Caribbean region is losing a staggeringly high percentage of its skilled population.

This is according to Director of the Economics Department at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB),

Dr Justin Ram. He was at the time addressing a regional stakeholder consultation session on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) initiative that was held in Guyana last week.

“When we look at the data, many of the countries [in the region] have lost as much as 70 per cent of labour force with more than 12 years of schooling. That is to say, 70 per cent of our population that we have schooled to tertiary education has left our shores,” Dr Ram clarified.

Moreover, the CDB official noted that unemployment rates in the Caribbean remains extremely high.

“In many of our member countries, it is as high as 25 per cent, and low as 4.3 per cent. I should add that youth unemployment is even higher, and in some of our member countries (it) is as high as 40 per cent,” he declared.

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Engineers mull permanent heavy-duty Yamatwao Bridge

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he team of Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI) engineers who visited the site of the collapsed Yamatwao Bridge, which occurred over a week ago in South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), will be presenting their report and recommendations for a permanent structure to be built.

Chief Roads and Bridges Officer at the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Ron Rahaman, told Guyana Times that the team is expected to submit its report today (Monday), following which discussions will be held on the way forward in terms of

tempted to cross over it carrying an excavator. This development had left residents in the South Rupununi stranded, since the bridge was their only access into the community.

The Ministry’s Hinterland Engineer, Jeffery Walcott, had told the Department of Public Information (DPI) last week that the owner of the truck, Cyril King, has financed the replacement of the decking and the bridge beams on the temporary bridge.

Walcott noted that the MPI was “currently exploring the design and cost options for the reconstruction of a heavy-duty (durable) bridge

The temporary Yamatwao Bridge

constructing a durable bridge that would facilitate the rigorous demand of heavy-duty vehicles that traverse the hinterland.

Presently, a temporary bridge is in place, but it can accommodate only light vehicles.

On June 1, the Yamatwao Bridge collapsed while a heavy-duty flatbed truck at-

which can accommodate heavier vehicles, as well as remedial works to the bridge approach.”

Following the incident, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had urged operators in the hinterland to pay keen attention to the weight limits on bridges. “The overweight vehicle overextended the bridge’s capabilities,

thereby causing the collapse.

This incident compounds the Ministry’s call to road users within the hinterland to strictly adhere to weight limits, especially during the wet season; since non-adherence can lead to structural failures, as demonstrated now”, the MPI said in a release.

Pointing out that this incident is not the first of its kind, the MPI sought to caution that those who do not comply with the weight limits will be held accountable.

“Bridge collapses also affect communities, since they make traffic impassable and cut entire villages off from the rest of the country, and road users are urged to remain cognisant of their responsibilities to properly use the roadways.”

This incident occurred mere days after small operators traversing the LindenLethem road called on authorities to suspend heavy duty vehicles from using the trail until the end of the May/ June rainy season, since the weights are causing the already deplorable roads to worsen, making them almost impassable and posing risks to commuters. In fact, it was pointed out that, almost daily, vehicles are overturning along the trail. The Natural Resources Ministry subsequently announced that several interior roads have been contracted for rehabilitation, including the Lethem trail.

“On May 3, 2018, six road contracts valued at over $650 million were awarded to various contractors for the maintenance

of the Rockstone-Mabura, Kurupukari-Annai-Lethem, and Linden-Ituni-Kwakwani Roads. The roads were identified following discussions with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and several miners and forest operators, who had explained that the condition of the roads was hindering their production efforts and costing them more to move supplies in and out of the interior. Ultimately, it is Government's intention to assist miners and foresters to achieve and maintain high yields of production, and as has occurred in the past, the intervention became necessary,” the Natural Resources

The Yamatwao Bridge collapsed with a truck carrying an excavator

Ministry said.

These works will com-

mence after the May-June rainy season.

Canje schoolchildren to benefit from school bus

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hildren of East Canje, Berbice whose parents were made redundant when the Rose Hall Sugar Estate closed on December 31, 2017 will as of today have a bus to take them to and from school.

The decision to implement the school bus system was recently taken after acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop had promised that if they could not get the Region to pay for a bus, one of the David G buses from the Corentyne would be moved to Canje.

This was, however, rejected and as such, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) agreed to take up an offer by a businessman for him to supply a bus for that purpose with the RDC paying the driver and for the fuel.

As a result of this offer, the RDC will be saving at least $30,000, since it will not have to pay for the rental of the 30-seater bus.

Acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop

“We finally have it implemented. It will be implemented as from Monday. Priority will be given to the children of the severed sugar workers, but they will pick up other students too as they are coming up,” DeRoop said.

The bus is expected to pick

up children from 07:30h from Gangaram Village and take them to the secondary schools in New Amsterdam.

The implementation of the school bus service in East Canje could not have come at a better time taking into consideration the fact minibus fares are expected to increase.

DeRoop explained that the bus would have a sign indicating that it was contracted by the RDC. Noting that the arrangement is a highly-subsidised venture, DeRoop said the owner of Lako Car and Bus Rental was giving back to his community.

“On behalf of the Regional Administration, I want to thank Mr Lako for giving back to the community and joining the regional administration in this partnership to provide such a needed service to the children of the severed sugar workers,” the acting Chairman said.

13 MoU inked for large-scale investment in Guyana news

monDAY, june 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Brazilian investors eye Intermediate Savannahs as next agricultural hub

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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between NF Agriculture Inc. and investors of Lucas do Rio Verde which will see the commencement of an Agricultural Village in Guyana’s Intermediate Savannahs.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, the Agreement was signed at the Rio Verde Research Foundation in Moto Grosso.

The work which is scheduled to commence the shortly will cater for the construction of bioethanol stations, a state of the art Research Institute, large-scale agricultural production of corn and soybean, banking institutions among others lucrative ventures. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder who let a delegation to the city of Lucas do Rio Verde, Brazil from June 3-9 got a first-

NF Agriculture Inc President Yucatan Reis (fourth from left) and Rio Verde Research Institute President Marino Franz after signing the MoU. Also in Photo, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

hand look at the production base of the private sector within the State.

While at the Research Station, the team was met by the Research Institute’s President Marino Franz

who showed the work of the institute via a video presentation, highlighting some of the progress the institute has made in the area of research to ensure farmers in Brazil, are exposed only to

the best form of seed materials.

The Foundation which was established in 1992, generates its revenues from research done to support agricultural advancement, in

Caribbean lost 70% of highly-skilled...

Furthermore, Dr. Ram posited that population trends show an expectation of many member countries experiencing a decline in population as the years go by.

“Jamaica’s population is expected to decline by 50 per cent; Trinidad and Tobago’s by 28 per cent, St Vincent and the Grenadines by 29 per cent, and Grenada is actually expected to have less people than it had in 1950,” Dr Ram disclosed.

The CDB official also went on to say that population dynamics are changing rapidly around the world,

with the global continental ratio set for dramatic change by the year 2100.

“North America currently has five per cent of the world’s population, and that will decrease to four per cent in 2100. Europe will go from 10 per cent to six per cent, and Asia will decline from 60 per cent to 43 per cent of global population. But the real figure I want you to pay attention to is Africa, (which) will actually rise from a current 17 per cent to 40 per cent of the global population.”

A working paper published in June 2017 by the International Organisation

for Migration details that, in 2007, the Caribbean emigration rate was four times higher than Latin America’s overall emigration rate.

However, it noted that while the rate has slowed over the years, the region nevertheless remains an area of net emigration.

Guyana has been named one of two countries showing the strongest emigration movements, with 9.65 per 1000 persons emigrating in 2013.

It was cited in a previous study which stated that at least 40 per cent of the people in Guyana would migrate permanently if they get the

from page 11

opportunity.

The 2017 working paper outlined that, from 1992 to the current period, Guyanese out-migration averaged about 10,000 people a year, with the CSME Treaty contributing to this steady outflow of people from Guyana.

According to the World Bank, by 2013, Guyana had a total emigrant population of 463,000. Over half live in the United States, with another significant part living in Canada. The remainder of emigrants are found in the United Kingdom and in other Caribbean nations, as well as in nearby Venezuela.

conjunction with the State University.

“The work of the Institute is diverse in that we not only look for new and innovative ways each day to improve technology, but we work to ensure that all trials are done aimed at improving production and productivity,” Franz said.

According to Franz, the institute which works with Corn, Soy Bean, and Rice were successful in the development of size between crops to improve farmer’s production. Crediting this success, to the improvement of soil spacing, genetics and the will-power of the farmer.

One hundred per cent of the technology employed in the State of Roraima came from the Research Institute which annually, hosts a demonstrating new and innovative ideas to boot production. According to Franz, this has a generating capital of 100 million.

“Our soil type is similar to that of Guyana, so whatever is applied here with this amount of success can be safely adopted in Guyana guaranteeing the said amount of successful returns,” he added.

Asked about the challenges the institute has faced over the years, Franz said that while there had been many, mainly due to the variety being that of subtropical, the institute has maintained its high standards and production.

“If the farmer has a problem they would come to the foundation and we would go to the specific field to address the issue. Our technical professionals also challenge themselves to identify and new areas of research to be done daily,” “The South of Brazil

has very high-quality seeds which the foundation takes and conduct research to ascertain its productive genes in climate and soil type of Moto Grosso, Brazil. It is important for us to get it right the first time; if something is to go wrong, it must occur in the foundation’s farm and not on farmers farm….we take pride in ensuring that our farmers’ investments are protected,” Franz said.

Soil improvement

Enhanced soil analysis is critical if farmers are to reap the benefits of its production. According to the Research Institute’s president, there are two main ways of improving soil fertility; one is through biological and the other being mechanical.

The deeper you break the soil after harvesting through the mechanical method the better your production.

“What is needed is for farmers to first plant the Soy Bean, then plant their corn (the inter-cropping method), then dig half-meter deep and break the soil and apply your limestone….This is the method which has been adopted by the foundation over the years and has been successful in each case for our farmers’,” Franz posited.

Franz stated that for Guyana’s farmers to boost its production base, the method of the right amount of fertilizers and genetic of plants are key. This approach is what the investors will be bringing to Guyana with the completion of the State of the Art Research Institute, which will be used to train Guyanese.

The team was also taken to farms to look at the vast agricultural potential within the region.

14 news

monDAY, june 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Increased capacity needed to deal with high prevalence of asthma, COPD in Linden – Canadian lung specialist

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anada-based lung specialist, Dr Robert Levy has indicated that while staff at Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) have been excellent at performing procedures for the detection of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), there is need for increased capacity to deal with the prevalence of such cases in the Linden community.

Dr Levy made the comment following one of his annual visits to the health institution's Spirometry Department on Wednesday.

The lung specialist, who is part of a team responsible for establishing the Department at the medical facility, said that asthma and COPD were very prevalent conditions in the bauxite mining community, with scores of patients being seen by the Department.

"We still have lots of patients coming to the emergency department, from lit-

From left: Canada-based lung specialist, Dr Robert Levy; GASP Respiratory Therapist Carmen Rempel and International Desk Coordinator attached to the Public Health Ministry, Denroy Tudor

tle kids to the elderly and we just have to continue to increase capacity to meet the need ... These patients can be effectively treated. They can stay out of the emergency departments, out of the hospital when they get appropriate education, and self-management skills as well as appropriate medications ... we're recognising what's perceived to be quite

a high prevalence and incidence of these conditions in Linden that we have to increase capacity of our initial efforts," Dr Levy stated, adding that both conditions were impacted by genetic predisposition as well as environmental conditions.

He said while he did not have any accurate statistics, his team has been carefully tracking patients’ data for

quality assurance purposes. In the case of Linden, Dr Levy said a possible collaboration with the University of Guyana for a population-based study to ascertain the prevalence of these cases in Linden versus other areas in the country would be helpful.

However, he added that the team was working along with the LHC to focus on im-

proving training opportunities for doctors and nurses, and partners were committed to this as well as ensuring accurate treatment and access to medications. As such, he said there was need for an increase in trained nurses to deal with such cases.

Meanwhile, Respiratory Therapist with the Guyana Asthma Education and Spirometry Programme (GASP), Carmen Rempel said nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital have also been observed to have a high skill level in dealing with such cases, and she was optimistic that the Georgetown team would continue to support the Linden team.

International Desk Coordinator attached to the Public Health Ministry, Denroy Tudor said the Ministry was elated by the level of concern shown by Dr Levy in developing the GASP initiative, noting that the Programme has had mean-

ingful impact on the lives of many.

The GASP initiative is centred on accurate diagnosis of people with asthma and COPD using spirometry equipment, where nurses also train patients through education and self-management skills and the use of appropriate medication.

The Programme was initiated by the Canadian medical team five years ago with the only other site set up at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

More than 1500 patients have been tested, with over 6000 utilising the services at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Spirometry Centre was piloted in Linden almost two years ago in an effort to provide accurate diagnosis, education, and self-management skills training.

Presently, the Spirometry Department at the LHC is fully equipped with state-ofthe-art equipment to meet the needs of patients.

Berbice double murder/suicide

Mother and daughter laid to rest …Husband to be interred today

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he two Berbice women who were hammered to death on Wednesday last by their husband and father respectively were on Sunday laid to rest at the Stanleytown Cemetery in New Amsterdam Berbice.

The funeral service, conducted according to Hindu rights, was held a short distance from where they were brutally murdered at Glasgow. Several close family members of the perpetrator, Jainarine Seetaram, were at the funeral service for the two women.

Hundreds turned up to bid farewell to the two women. Many were inconsolable after viewing the bodies.

Addressing the ceremony in what could be considered a very brief funeral service, former Regional Vice Chairman for Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Baupaul Jagroo, called on the community to take a lesson from the incident. He said similar instances are occurring too often in society.

“People feel that when they have a problem, it is

a big problem. There is no problem that is too big to solve,” Jagroo said. The perpetrator might have been of the opinion that whatever problem he had, it was too big to be solved. Jagroo noted that had the perpetrator spoken to someone about his problem, he would have recognised that there are others with bigger problems that his. “Then he might not have committed the act.

“We need to stop this thing, and we are hoping that this is the last; but it is something that we have to

work on. We need to reach out to our people and have conversations in the community…” Jagroo offered.

Referring to the perpetrator, Jainarine Seetaram, Jagroo said many who knew him would not have expected such an act from him.

“He was such an easy-going person, and this gives me the impression that women are not safe, because if this guy can commit such an act, then one would think that anyone else can do it. So women, like all of us (do), need to safeguard our-

selves and try to do the right thing,” Jagroo posited.

He added that some may err, but there is always correction to any problem.

The couple’s ten-year-old son was also attacked on the day of the tragedy, but he managed to escape.

Recap

Dindamattie Behari, 37, was found lying motionless in a hammock at her Lot 1078 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam home, while her daughter Surujdai Khan, 20,

died on her way to hospital after being assaulted with a hammer by her father.

The perpetrator’s lifeless body was found hanging from a beam under an abandoned house about 400 metres away from the scene of the double murder.

About two weeks ago, the perpetrator had accused his wife of having an affair with someone else, leaving investigators to believe that this accusation might have been the motive for the killings.

His funeral is set for today.

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monDAY, june 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

In the school’s curriculum locally, there is currently a Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) initiative which discusses sex.

Do you think there is a need for additional sex education to be taught in schools?

Sosheana Bagwandin “Providing young people with sex education and skills would promote their health and wellbeing, especially in this era, since teenagers are having sex at a much earlier age. Teachers should be having these conversations ‘regularly’ with students regarding consent, protection, pregnancy, and abstinence and STD transmission. Not just have these conversations, but have it be a two-way discussion with students. I mentioned ‘regular’ discussions, since in my academic life I can only remember once I was exposed to sex education from a team of people that came from the Ministry of Health. Teachers should be creative, show movies about the topic, do demonstrations, have dramatisation done in class, video it and share it to spread awareness. Also, make it a topic to be discussed at PTA meetings. Involve the parents, have them play their part at home.”

Filincia Tinnie “I think it should be taught in schools because a lot of young people just think it is fun or fame and I think they need to be taught the harsh truth and consequences and risk about sex. They should also be taught about abstaining, I think it will lower the level or percentage of teenage pregnancy and school drop-outs.”

Tracy Chan-Smith: “I don’t recall much of sex education at school. It's important because more young teenagers are involved with sex and while we would like to push an agenda of abstinence, we also need to prepare the youths with tools in the event they choose to go another path. That is why we have to ensure that what they try to do is safe.”

Naomi Marshall “I think Health and Family Life Education should cover everything, and students should be educated at their level. However, I do think it should be in the curriculum for all five years of secondary school.”

Walter Narine “No, I don't think there is a need for additional subjects if one is already covering the topic; however, it is the responsibility of every parent to educate their kids on this very important topic. Your first teachers are always your parents ... parents need to sit down with their kids and educate them on expectations, changes of body parts, etc, so they could make informative decisions in their adolescent life. The buck starts and stops with every parent.”

Devina Samaroo “There's probably no need to introduce a new subject, especially given that a student's day is already packed with a large number of subjects. Education on all aspects of sex can be taught under Health and Family Life. If it is not included in the official curriculum, the teachers can include it in their teachings, because it is extremely important that students are aware of dos and don'ts and basically how to be responsible.”

Evan Radhay Persaud “How many Guyanese know of the advances in cor-

Gilda Smith “Let children be children.

When the right time comes, they will be educated on sex.

There are billions of people in the world who had no sex education and they are doing just fine.”

Roodi Balgobin “This is, of course, a sensitive issue, many will argue. However, I personally believe that sex education is very important and vital.

Hence, there should be additional sex educational materials being taught in our schools.”

Gem Lim “I think it's wise. Face it, the children will have sex regardless, so it's better that they know completely what they are getting into – all the consequences involved and so forth. It better for them to get involved with some amount of information rather than nothing and just out of curiosity.”

rective penile surgery pioneered by 1939 Guiana Scholar Sir Harry Annamunthodo, late Professor of Surgery at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus? How many Guyanese understand that sex is actually sexual science and is underlain by applied biology, applied chemistry and applied physics? The onset of pregnancy is represented by a flux of positively charged calcium ions sweeping across the egg following penetration by a single spermatozoon. Informative sex education is missing in Guyana. All you hear about is the stupid word "abstain".”

Keeran Williams “I think that ageappropriate sexual reproductive health education should be done in schools by specialist educators.”

Sonia Charran “The syllabus content of Health & Family Life taught in schools does not address actual things happening

sexually between couples. Take any child out from school who has not had other exposure to sexually-oriented material, and they know nothing about SEX. They don't know dos and don’ts of a healthy sex life; they don't know about protection other than condoms...so basic!

They assume pornography is practical things that couples can do. Sex education is more focused on SEX, that oncetaboo topic. Our children and teens need to know what is reality, what to expect, how to deal with sex, how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, what their options are with a partner, the medical complications if they try the things they see on various media.”

Manohar Narine “I believe that the content contained in HFLE caters every aspect of the child's sexual orientation and introduction.

Parents, however, are the child's first teachers and need to be more open to their child/children on the topic of sex, since in many instances parents are guilty of shutting the child up on this issue. So, in conclusion, the school is doing their part, but parents need to step up and do their own.”

Surida Nagreadi “That depends on what sub topics are featured under 'Sex Ed'. It's no surprise nor

is it taboo anymore to think that these kids are engaging in sexual activities; it's prevalent and we see it surfacing from time to time. I think it's important to highlight the topic and teach, so they are given guidance and not necessarily to encourage same; that decision lies entirely with the individuals. It is also with hope that this ‘Sex Ed’ will reduce the number of teenage pregnancy cases, the spread of STIs & STDs and other sexualrelated diseases and illnesses.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, june 11, 2018

Regional

Dominican Republic elected to UN Security Council

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n a single round of voting on Friday, the United Nations General Assembly elected the Dominican Republic among five new non-permanent Members of the Security Council, which will each serve two-year terms on the body that sets the UN’s whole peace and security agenda.

The UN said Germany, Indonesia, South Africa and Belgium will join the Dominica Republic in taking up their seats on January 1, 2019.

They will fill the seats being vacated by Bolivia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, and Sweden at the end of this year, having each served two-year terms on the 15-member Security Council.

Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security, with all UN Member States, including those in the Caribbean, required to comply with Council decisions.

This will be the Dominican Republic’s first time on the Security Council

The UN said the Security Council’s 10 non-permanent seats, are allocated according to a rotation pattern set by the Assembly in 1963, “to ensure fair regional representation on the Council”: five from African and Asian and Pacific States; one from Eastern Europe; two from Latin American and Caribbean States [Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, or GRULAC]; and two from Western European and

Other States (WEOG).

Belgium and Germany, the Dominican Republic, and South Africa, ran unopposed from their respective regional groups, while Indonesia secured its place following a run-off with the Maldives for the Asia-Pacific Group seat, the UN said.

This will be the Dominican Republic’s first time on the Security Council, with the other four countries having previously served on the body. (Excerpt from CMC)

Triple murder in Trinidad ‘collateral damage in gang war’

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schoolboy who was playing a video game at his home, a man who was celebrating a friend’s birthday, and another man who took a chance to urinate in a track, were all shot dead when gunmen opened fire in Laventille, Trinidad on Friday night.

Dead are 16-year-old Joshua James, 38-yearold Carlos Abraham, and 49-year-old Curtis Hepburn.

This brings to 244 the number of the people murdered so far for the year.

The trio are believed to be collateral damage in an ongoing gang war in the

area.

Residents of Erica Street, Laventille, were emotionally distraught by the triple murder, describing the death of the “innocent” trio as “senseless and unnecessary”.

“Alllyuh in a war and allyuh don’t know who allyuh fighting against? Allyuh in a war and don’t know who are the targets?” questioned an Erica Street resident who preferred to remain anonymous.

According to reports, around 22:45h on Friday a car pulled up at the corner of Erica Street and the Old St Joseph Road; gunmen

E

waste.

Among them, Garcia believes, her nine siblings and their families as well as her mother, her own grown-up children and a grandson, making her family possibly the hardest hit in a disaster that officials admit was made worse by delays in official warnings.

The hamlet of San Miguel Los Lotes on the lush southern flank of the volcano was almost completely swallowed by several metres of ash, and formal search efforts have been suspended until the still-erupting volcano stabilises.

Defying the suspension order, each morning, Garcia, 48, leaves the shelter she now sleeps in, grabs a pickaxe or a shovel and heads into the danger zone, where groups of volunteers and other families dig down through ash hardened by rain and sun to try and reach their homes below.

Another desperate survivor, Bryan Rivera, is searching for 13 missing relatives.

All he has found so far in the dust and desolation is a guitar his 12-year-old sister had loved to play. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Opposition Leader Joseph Atherley (left) as he introduced his second nominee, Crystal Drakes

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arbadian Opposition Leader Joseph Atherley has named his nominee for second Opposition Senator. She is Crystal Drakes, who is set to be sworn in this afternoon.

Speaking with the media during a press briefing, which was held in the Opposition’s office Saturday morning, Bishop Atherley introduced Drakes as his pro-

Cuba says cause of illness in US diplomats remains a mystery

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uba said on Sunday it remained baffled by health issues affecting US diplomats, after the US State Department reported two Cubabased functionaries had symptoms similar to previous cases that began in late 2016.

The State Department said on Friday the cases were similar to those of 24 diplomats and family members taken ill through 2017, leading to a drawdown of personnel in Havana to a skeleton staff and the expulsion of 17 Cuban diplomats from Washington.

The United States also issued a travel warning for its citizens.

Sunday’s Foreign Ministry statement termed those actions politically motivated, pointing out that “after more than a year of investigations by Cuba and the United States ... there are no credible hypotheses nor scientific conclusions that justify the actions taken by the US Government against Cuba.”

The statement said Cuba was informed of one case in late May where “a functionary of the (US) Embassy on the 27th of the same month had reported health symptoms as a result of ‘undefined sounds’

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Barbados: 2nd Senator selected by Opposition

Guatemalan woman searches for 50 relatives buried by volcano

ufemia Garcia watched in horror as Guatemala’s Fuego volcano sent scalding ash and gas surging over her home a week ago, burying her children and grandson among 50 members of her extended family. She has been searching for their remains ever since.

At least 110 people died after Fuego erupted last Sunday, pushing fast-moving currents of dust, lava, and gas down the volcano’s slopes in its greatest eruption in four decades, and close to 200 more are believed buried beneath the

then exited and opened fire.

James was in the yard of his family’s home playing a video game when he was shot.

He died on the spot.

The 16-year-old was a student of the nearby Success Laventille Secondary School and an aspiring martial artist.

Minister in the Education Ministry, Lovell Francis on Saturday tweeted his condolences.

“Condolences to the students and staff of Success Laventille Secondary on the loss of another young life.

This must end,” he stated.

in her residence.”

The statement said an exhaustive search of the area around the residence had turned up nothing out of the ordinary and its specialists had been denied access to the functionary.

Cuba said it remained ready to work with the United States to determine what, if anything, was causing the illnesses after its own investigation had uncovered no evidence of foul play.

US experts have yet to determine who or what is behind the mysterious illnesses. (Excerpt from Reuters)

from Barbados Advocate)

Jamaica to establish Procurement Commission

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The US Embassy in Havana, Cuba (file photo)

posed second appointee to the Senate of Barbados.

“I have so advised Her Excellency appropriately and I refer to Miss Crystal Drakes as the voice of the fairer sex and the future,” he said.

“Drakes is an economist by profession. She is 30 years old, so she represents the voice of the youth and the future. She will serve

as the second appointee as the independent voice of the Opposition. She will also serve as my adviser in some respects on economic matters and trade matters.”

Drakes expressed that she was deeply humbled and honoured to be suggested for this post.

“Professionally, as Bishop Atherley stated, I am a trained economist and foresight strategist and I currently work at the UWI Cave Hill Campus at the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies.

Previously and concurrently I worked in development agencies such as the IDB and Commonwealth,” she said.

Given her background, Drakes confidently expressed that she would give an objective and critical eye to the matters and proceedings at hand when they arise.

“I just want to assure the public that anything that I do here on out would be in the best interest of persons in Barbados,” she said. (Excerpt

inance Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke, says a Procurement Commission is to be established by year end.

Clarke, who made the announcement while addressing an investor forum briefing last week, said the Commission would oversee the Government procurement process, for which the existing regime was being revamped, consequent on amendments to the Procurement Act, which was passed in Parliament recently.

The Finance Minister said the accompanying regulations would shortly be tabled and debated in the Houses of Parliament, thereby paving the way for the Commission’s establishment.

This, he added, will facilitate work on other measures that “we

need to take to put the Procurement Commission in place”.

These will include recruiting suitable staff and undertaking the requisite training, while emphasising that the overall process “will usher in a new regime that will benefit many companies”.

Among the benefits are measures that will facilitate greater participation by small and medium-sized Jamaican manufacturers in the public procurement process.

“So, when a procurement happens for a particular government product or service, there will be the opportunity to have differential treatment for small and medium-sized businesses that will make them more competitive in that procurement environment,” he said.(Excerpt from CMC)

monDAY, june 11, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Trump-Kim summit: US and N Korean leaders arrive in Singapore

U

S President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have arrived in Singapore for their historic summit.

Trump flew in aboard Air Force One, a few hours after Kim touched down with his entourage.

The two men are staying in separate hotels, not far from each other, and are preparing for Tuesday’s meeting on the resort island of Sentosa.

Kim told Singapore’s PM “the entire world is watching”. Trump has called it a “one-time shot” at peace.

The US hopes the summit will kick-start a process that eventually sees

Kim give up nuclear weapons.

The two leaders have had an extraordinary upand-down relationship over the past 18 months, trading insults and threatening war before abruptly changing tack and moving towards a face-to-face meeting.

Because so little is known about the reclusive North Korean leader, even the plane he would be flying in from Pyongyang to Singapore became the subject of speculation.

Trump landed in Singapore later in the evening having flown from a contentious G7 meeting in Canada. He told a report-

US President Donald Trump (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

er he felt “very good” about the summit before heading to his hotel, the Shangri La, about half a mile from Kim’s.

The path to the summit has been rocky, with Trump at one point calling

it off completely. But after some diplomatic scrambling, the two leaders will now sit down together.

Singapore is only the third country Kim has visited since he became leader in 2011. (Excerpt from BBC News)

after campaigning on a staunchly anti-immigrant platform, vowing to “put Italians first” and send hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants “home”.

More than 600,000 people have reached Italy by boat from Africa in the past five years. Numbers have dropped dramatically in recent months, but there has been a rise in rescues in recent days, presenting Salvini with his first test

as Minister.

Earlier on Sunday, the charity SOS Mediterranee on Twitter said that its rescue ship, The Aquarius, had taken on board 629 refugees and migrants, including 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 other children and seven pregnant women.

The charity said the group of mainly sub-Saharan Africans were picked up in six different rescue operations off the coast of Libya. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Italy ‘to shut ports’ to boat carrying over 600 refugees

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taly’s new populist government will refuse to let a humanitarian boat carrying more than 600 refugees and migrants dock at any of its ports and has asked the tiny Mediterranean country of Malta to open its doors to the vessel, according to media reports.

Malta said it had nothing to do with the rescue operation, opening the prospect of a diplomatic standoff between the two

17

European Union allies.

“From now also Italy begins to say NO to the traffic of human beings, NO to the business of illegal immigration,” Italian Interior Minister and head of the far-right League party, Matteo Salvini, wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

“My goal is to guarantee a peaceful life for these children in Africa and for our children in Italy,” added Salvini, who is also a Deputy Prime Minister

G7 summit: War of words erupts between US and key allies

A

war of words has erupted between the US and its G7 allies, hours after the group had put on a show of unity at the end of a tense summit.

US President Donald Trump and two of his advisers lashed out at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accusing him of engaging in “bad faith diplomacy”.

Trump retracted his endorsement of the G7’s joint communiqué – drawing a strong rebuke from France and Germany.

That statement had sought to overcome deep disagreements, notably over trade.

In recent weeks, trading partners of the US have criticised new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports imposed by the Trump administration.

In a news conference after

the summit, the Canadian leader reasserted his opposition to the US tariffs, and vowed to press ahead with retaliatory moves on July 1.

“Canadians are polite and reasonable, but we will also not be pushed around,” he said.

Trump responded by tweeting en route to his next summit, in Singapore, that he had instructed US officials “not to endorse the communiqué as we look at tariffs on automobiles”.

He said the move was based on Trudeau’s “false statements... and the fact that Canada is charging massive tariffs to our US farmers, workers and companies”.

His top economic adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro then took to the Sunday morning news shows to further attack Trudeau. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Fire breaks out at ballot warehouse in Baghdad

Priyanka Chopra sorry Vietnam protesters for Hindu plotline clash with Police over on “Quantico” new economic zones

P

rotests have broken out in Vietnam against plans for three new economic zones, amid fears that Chinese investors will dominate the areas.

restrictions, in an attempt to promote growth in target areas.

The protesters suspect that the communist Government will award Chinese investors leases in

The plotline on Priyanka Chopra’s show “Quantico” drew condemnation from some in India

I

ndian actress Priyanka Chopra has apologised after outrage over a plotline on her US TV series “Quantico”.

A recent episode of the spy thriller showed the main character, played by Chopra, thwarting a plot hatched by Hindus ahead of a summit on Kashmir.

Many Indian fans were outraged by the show’s story and attacked her online.

Chopra declared herself a “proud Indian” in a tweet and “extremely saddened” by any hurt caused by the show.

The episode, “The Blood of Romeo”, aired on June 1 and showed the main character, Alex Parrish, stopping

an attempted terror attack.

Though ostensibly planned by Pakistanis ahead of a summit about Kashmir, the disputed territory in the Himalayas claimed by India and Pakistan, Chopra’s character discovers it is in fact Hindu nationalists trying to frame the Pakistanis.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan and India have fought two wars over the Kashmir region since partition in 1947.

In a statement, ABC apologised for stepping into “a complex political issue” and defended Chopra from the attacks online, clarifying she did not write, direct or cast the show, and nor does she have any input over plots.(Excerpt from BBC News)

The Government proposed a law last year that would give foreign investors a 99-year lease on Vietnamese land

Police reportedly detained more than a dozen people in the capital Hanoi and halted demonstrations in other cities.

Some carried anti-China banners, including one reading: “No leasing land to China even for one day.”

The Government proposed a law last year that would give foreign investors a 99-year lease on Vietnamese land.

The bill offers them greater incentives and fewer

the three economic zones in the north-east, south-east and south-west of the country, and that this would be a pretext for Chinese control over the island of Van Don near their shared border.

Vietnam won a naval battle against a Mongolian fleet off the island in 1287, and some Vietnamese people fear their government will give it away amid tensions between the two countries over disputed territory in the South China Sea. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Smoke rises from a storage site in Baghdad, housing ballot boxes from Iraq’s May parliamentary election [Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters]

A

fire broke out in a Baghdad warehouse where ballot boxes from Iraq’s parliamentary election last month were stored, local officials said.

The ballot boxes are part of a manual recount of votes from an eastern Baghdad district. A week earlier, Parliament passed a law for a recount of 11 million votes, following allegations of fraud during the May 12 elections.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, but a local official said that boxes containing the votes from the al-Rusafa district, on the eastern side of the river Tigris, have all been scorched.

“Civil defence forces are on the way, but I can tell you all the boxes and papers have burned,” Baghdad province council member

Mohammed al-Rabeei said.

However, an Interior Ministry spokesman said the fire had destroyed some documents and equipment, but first responders on the site were trying to prevent it from spreading to ballot boxes.

The warehouse is one of four at the site, said Major General Saad Maan, and contained documents and electronic equipment.

“It is possible there were also some ballot boxes in the warehouse that caught fire, but most of the important boxes are in the three warehouses where the fire has been controlled,” he said.

Iraq’s outgoing Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri said that the fire was intentional, and that parliamentary elections should be repeated. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

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monDAY, june 11, 2018

ARCHIE

Keep your eye on the ball when dealing with people who (March 21- tend to use persuasive charm, April 19) wit and deceptive verbiage to lure you into something you should probably walk away from.

ARIES

Emotions are running TAURUS high and should be chan(April 20- nelled into something beneMay 20) ficial. Sharing with someone you love, improving your surroundings and making physical changes are highlighted.

dilbert

An aggressive approach GEMINI (May 21- when dealing with others will June 20) be taken the wrong way. Be prepared and offer solutions that are difficult to refuse.

Don't let your impulsiveness take the reins.

If you take every opportunity you get to help some(June 21- one, you'll get something unJuly 22) expected in return. A window of opportunity will soon open.

Personal gain is apparent.

CANCER

Peanuts

Be careful how you handle LEO others, especially in a work (July 23- environment.

Overreacting Aug. 22) will bring about unwanted change and plenty of questions. Remain calm and take care of business.

Calvin and Hobbes

Take advantage of evVIRGO ery chance you get to learn (Aug. 23something new. Bring about Sept. 22) a change that will help secure your position or stabilize your lifestyle or an important relationship.

Make the first move. Stop LIBRA (Sept. 23- procrastinating and speak up about your intentions and Oct. 23)

plans. Listen to people's concerns, but follow what you feel is in your best interest.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — WITHHOLDS (WITHHOLDS: with-HOLDS: Refrains from giving, granting or permitting.)

Question what you hear.

SAGITTARIUS Go to the source if you feel (Nov. 23unsure of a developing sitDec. 21) uation. Be willing to talk matters through until you resolve any outstanding issues.

Average mark 30 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 42 or more words in WITHHOLDS? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — SCEPTER scree secret sect seep seer sept sere specter spree

steep steer step stere strep creep crepe crept crest

erect ester peer perse pert pest pester peter preset

terse tree resect reset respect rest

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” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Personal changes should SCORPIO be made. Whether you are (Oct. 24updating your image or alNov. 22) tering a personal relationship, the results will turn out better than anticipated.

solution

Don't hesitate to get inCAPRICORN volved in something you find (Dec. 22- interesting or intriguing.

Jan. 19) Consider the best way to turn someone else's negative into a positive. Make choices based on experience.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Emotional matters will escalate quickly if you or someone close to you overreacts or behaves indulgently. Use your intellect to deal with matters that could affect an important relationship.

How you help others will make a difference. Make sure you are clear regarding what's entailed and what you will receive in return.

Don't put up with lip service or evasive answers.

monDAY, june 11, 2018

Brilliant Scotland back up MacLeod’s 140* to seal firstever win over England

Calum MacLeod starred with an unbeaten 140

O

n the eve of Scotland’s fifth-ever ODI against England, coach Grant Bradburn talked about “hunting history”.

Even though England arrived at the Grange as the top-ranked ODI side in the world, Bradburn said England had to lose to Scotland eventually, “so why not Sunday?”

Bradburn’s question was answered affirmatively, emphatically and dramatically in a six-run win. Through much of the day it was hard to tell which team held the No. 1 ranking. After losing the toss and being sent in, Scotland posted 371 for 5, the highest ODI total ever by an Associate country and the fourth-highest ever conceded by England.

Calum MacLeod became the first Scotsman to score an ODI ton against England, finishing unbeaten on 140 just three months after carving up the world’s top limited-overs spinner, Rashid Khan, for an unbeaten 157 at the World Cup Qualifier.

It looked like England might overhaul it with ease during their Powerplay response as they rewrote a few pages in their own record books during a memorable run feast. Jonny Bairstow became the first Englishman to raise a century in three straight ODIs, dazzling the sellout crowd of 4600 with a 54-ball ton. But an inspired effort from spinner Mark Watt and medium-pacer Alasdair Evans brought Scotland back to life in the field, sparking a middle-overs collapse to see England fall from 220 for 2 in the 27th over to 365 all out.

The haymakers landed by Scotland in front of a global TV audience were a reminder about the folly of shrinking next year’s World Cup to ten

teams at the precise moment in time when the quality and competitiveness of Associate teams against Full Members is at an all-time high. Looking far more relaxed in a rare match in which qualification or funding wasn’t at stake - just reputation - Scotland played with freedom to dominate the majority of proceedings.

Bradburn’s batsmen backed his bravado with a blistering broadside almost from ball one, blazing away to break all sorts of ODI benchmarks in the Bannockburn bilateral rivalry: best partnership versus England (broken twice in one match), best individual score versus England, best Scotland score against a Full Member, and when that wasn’t enough they went on to make the best ODI score by any Associate versus a Full Member. Indeed, Scotland were busy bees while England’s bowlers bled boundaries.

Scotland’s biggest ODI stand for any wicket against England was the first record of the day to fall, previously 86 between Gavin Hamilton and Kyle Coetzer in 2010. That went down inside of 13 overs thanks to the brisk start from captain Coetzer and Matthew Cross. The pair were especially belligerent against David Willey, who gave up the first boundary of the day to Cross cutting through point in the second over and proceeded to get a beating throughout the Powerplay, eventually ending the day with 0 for 72.

Adil Rashid eventually stopped the bleeding at 103, getting Coetzer to edge behind just a few balls after Coetzer had driven him for six over midoff for the last blow in his 58, his third half-century against England in five matches. Cross

19

fell in the next over to Liam Plunkett, also edging behind, putting England close to even for the first time since the toss at 107 for 2 in the 15th.

But from there England had few answers to stop the Saltire surge. Another 93-run stand followed between MacLeod and Richie Berrington. Just as MacLeod had done to Rashid Khan in Zimbabwe, he made excellent use of the sweep to England’s tweakers, slogsweeping Moeen Ali over deep square leg for six to bring up a 37-ball fifty.

He continued to play with freedom to bring up Scotland’s

first ever ton against England, doing it off 70 balls with a pinched two to mid-on a ball after his record-breaking 107run stand with George Munsey had ended. Scotland’s best individual score versus England prior to that was 71 by Coetzer at the 2015 World Cup. By the time MacLeod finished, he had nearly doubled it, walking off unbeaten on 140 off 94 balls.

The Scots made history on this ground a year ago this week with a win over Zimbabwe, their first over a Full Member.

On that day, they had made 317 on a beautiful batting track. They bettered that by

SCOREBOARD

Scotland Innings (50 overs maximum) MH Cross † c †Billings b Plunkett 48 KJ Coetzer (c) c †Billings b Rashid 58 CS MacLeod not out 140 RD Berrington c Root b Plunkett 39 HG Munsey c Wood b Rashid 55 DE Budge b Wood 11 MA Leask not out 10 Extras:(lb 5, w 5) 10 TOTAL:(50 Overs, RR: 7.42)371/5 Did not bat: SM Sharif, MRJ Watt, AC Evans, CB Sole Fall of wickets: 1-103 (KJ Coetzer, 13.4 ov), 2-107 (MH Cross, 14.6 ov), 3-200 (RD Berrington, 29.5 ov), 4-307 (HG Munsey, 43.4 ov), 5-360 (DE Budge, 49.1 ov) BOWLING: MA Wood (10-0-711), DJ Willey (10-0-72-0), AU Rashid (10-0-72-2), LE Plunkett (10-0-85-2), MM Ali (10-0-66-0) England Innings (target: 372 runs from 50 overs) JJ Roy c & b Watt 34 JM Bairstow c Munsey

b Berrington 105 AD Hales c Evans b Berrington 52 JE Root run out (Watt) 29 EJG Morgan (c) c Coetzer b Evans 20 SW Billings † c Coetzer b Watt 12 MM Ali c Munsey b Watt 46 DJ Willey c †Cross b Evans 7 LE Plunkett not out 47 AU Rashid run out (MacLeod/Leask) 5 MA Wood lbw b Sharif 1 Extras: (w 7) 7 TOTAL: all out (48.5 Overs, RR: 7.47) 365 Fall of wickets: 1-129 (JJ Roy, 12.4 ov), 2-165 (JM Bairstow, 17.6 ov), 3-220 (JE Root, 26.6 ov), 4-245 (EJG Morgan, 30.6 ov), 5-245 (AD Hales, 31.1 ov), 6-263 (SW Billings, 35.1 ov), 7-276 (DJ Willey, 36.3 ov), 8-347 (MM Ali, 45.3 ov), 9-362 (AU Rashid, 48.1 ov), 10-365 (MA Wood, 48.5 ov) BOWLING: SM Sharif (9.5-071-1), CB Sole (8-0-72-0), MRJ Watt (10-0-55-3), MA Leask (40-50-0), AC Evans (8-1-50-2), RD Berrington (9-0-67-2)

54, seizing upon the shorter boundaries which had been brought in to accommodate for all the space needed to set up Sky TV’s camera scaffolding.

Perhaps most remarkable of all was that Scotland achieved all these marks without ex-captain Preston Mommsen, omitted in favour of debutant Dylan Budge despite Mommsen making himself available for home internationals since coming out of his brief retirement last year.

Also missing was Josh Davey, not even named in the squad after sitting out the World Cup Qualifier to preserve his place with Somerset. Scotland’s depth has never been better and it showed.

But in this British boundary bonanza, the Bairstow bazooka was buzzing even faster than Scotland’s batting brigade. The England opener entered the match coming off two straight ODI hundreds against New Zealand in March, the second of which was a 58-ball bashfest in Christchurch. He bettered that by four balls at the Grange, and for a brief period appeared on course to surpass Jos Buttler’s English record 46-ball ton against Pakistan in 2015.

Bairstow reached his halfcentury off 27 balls in the midst of a brutal beatdown of Michael Leask in the ninth over, bludgeoning his offspin for three sixes in the over. By the end of the Powerplay, England were 107 for 0, Bairstow on 75 off 35. But the wicket of Jason Roy, nudging a waist-high catch tamely back to left-arm spinner Watt in the 13th, broke England’s rhythm.

Evans followed with a maiden to new man Alex Hales in the 14th, before Bairstow reached triple-figures off

54 balls in Evans’ next over.

He joined seven others with three straight tons (Kumar Sangakkara ran off four in a row during the 2015 World Cup) but fell at the end of the 18th for 105, driving Berrington’s gentle medium pace high to Munsey at long-off.

Joe Root and Hales forged a 55-run stand to keep the innings chugging along before Root was run out by Watt’s relay to Leask over the stumps to end the 27th. Scotland were on a team hat-trick a few overs later, Morgan miscuing Evans to Coetzer at midwicket before Hales loosely cut Berrington to Evans at backward point next ball.

At 245 for 5, the crowd began to believe that Bradburn’s prophetic question might end positively for Scotland. That grew stronger when Coetzer’s outstanding day in the field continued with a sharp low catch at midwicket off a low full toss from Watt to snare Sam Billings for 12. Evans had Willey caught behind in the next over to put England seven down.

Moeen appeared poised to take England over the line, but holed out to long-on against Watt to leave 25 off 27 balls for the tail to get. It became 11 off 12 balls with Liam Plunkett batting brilliantly, but Rashid was run out from long-on coming back for a second to keep Plunkett on strike off the first ball of the 49th. Sharif, who starred in Scotland’s World Cup Qualifier campaign, then struck the decisive blow four balls later, trapping Mark Wood leg before with a yorker to spark a wild pitch invasion and ensure the Scotland fans among the 4600 in attendance would party long into the night.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Brazil beat Austria in final warm-up game G

abriel Jesus, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho scored as Brazil swept aside Austria 3-0 in their final World Cup warm-up game in Vienna.

Manchester City striker Jesus calmly curled past Heinz Lindner to open the scoring on 35 minutes.

Neymar, making his first start since February, doubled the lead midway through the second half, slotting in after a nice piece of skill.

Barcelona midfielder Coutinho added the third goal shortly afterwards.

He latched onto a through ball from former Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino before sliding home.

It could have been worse for Austria, Coutinho rattling the bar with a delicate effort after 76 minutes, and Firmino denied by a fine save in the

Gabriel Jesus is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring Brazil’s first goal

closing moments.

Austria, who failed to qualify for

Russia and have not competed at a World Cup since 1998, failed to pose

much of a threat, though West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic did go close in the first half.

Brazil have not lost since June 2017, a run of 10 games, and have kept 16 clean sheets in 21 games since Tite took over in June 2016.

The five-time world champions, drawn in Group E, begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on Sunday, 17 June before facing Costa Rica and Serbia.

Tite wanted to test his team against opposition that would close down spaces, in order to mimic the test posed by defence-minded Switzerland in their World Cup opener in Rostovon-Don. And he will have been pleased to see the Selecao do well against a spirited Austrian side that arrived

for this friendly on the back of a 2-1 victory over Germany, and a sevengame unbeaten run.

Tite opted for a ‘lighter but quicker’ midfield, with Coutinho alongside Casemiro and Paulinho (at the expense of Manchester City’s Fernandinho) and his selection gave Brazil more fluidity, which enabled them to find gaps in Austria’s five-man defensive line at will.

Neymar stole the limelight by scoring his 55th international goal and becoming Brazil’s joint-third alltime leading scorer, but Coutinho and Willian also impressed.

Overall, it was an almost faultless team performance that will give fans in Brazil some confidence as the Selecao chase of a record sixth World Cup in Russia.(BBCSport)

20

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monDAY, june 11, 2018

Nadal beats Dominic Thiem to win 11th title W

orld number one Rafael Nadal won an 11th French Open title by beating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets.

Nadal, 32, won 6-4 6-3 6-2 to earn his 17th Grand Slam, three adrift of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record.

The Spaniard edged an intense opening set, tightening his grip in the second.

And despite having cramp in the third he increased the tempo further, beating Thiem in his first major final when the 24-year-old returned long.

“It’s a dream to win 11 times,” Nadal said.

“It was important to play the way I did. It was a tough moment when I got cramp. He is a player who pushes you to the limit.”

The victory means the past six Grand Slam titles have been won by either Nadal or Federer with the next generation of players finding it hard to break the veterans’ stranglehold on the game.

Nadal is the only second player in history to win the same Grand Slam on 11 occasions after Margaret Court, who won 11 Australian Open titles between 1960 and 1973.

However, it was not all smooth for Nadal, who missed four match points on his own serve before clinching victory when Thiem went long on the fifth.

Nadal dropped his racquet at the baseline in celebration before turning to his box and raising both hands skywards.

The Spaniard had been the hot favourite to win the second Slam of the year, after warming up with three claycourt titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.

The Majorcan has an air of

Rafael Nadal earned his 17th Grand Slam title

invincibility at Roland Garros, losing only twice in 87 matches since making his debut in 2005, and again he delivered on his favourite stage.

He had breezed through his opening four matches without dropping a set - extending his own personal best to 37 consecutive sets here - though falling short of Bjorn Borg’s all-time record of 41 by losing the opener of his quarter-final against Diego Schwartzman.

That was about as disheartening as it got for the world number one.

Against seventh seed Thiem he was at his destructive best, using his athleticism and mental resilience to wear the Austrian down with his relentless shot-making.

Thiem, playing in his first Grand Slam final, simply had few answers to Nadal’s brilliance.

Nadal had made slow starts to his service games against Schwartzman and in

his semi-final with Juan Martin del Potro, but imposed himself straight away against Thiem by holding to love in the opening game and backing it up with a break in the next.

Thiem did break back in the third game, but had to fend off more chances for Nadal on his own serve - particularly in a 13-minute sixth game - before the Spaniard struck in the final game of the set.

Nadal also stamped his authority early in the second set, breaking again at the first opportunity, as Thiem started to become frustrated.

The Austrian had a chance to break back for 4-3, but his opponent saw it off with a backhand down the line and closed out the set as the inevitable loomed.

Only one player had ever beaten Nadal from two sets down at a Grand Slam - Fabio Fognini at the 2015 US Open.

Nadal refused to ease off at the start of the third, missing

five break points in two long service games for the Austrian, who eventually buckled with a wide forehand to trail 2-1.

Nadal broke again for a 5-2 lead, then served out after suffering cramp in his left arm and missing those match points - to win in two hours and 42 minutes.

Thiem has long been heralded as a future Grand Slam champion - with the French Open seemingly his best chance on his favoured surface.

The Austrian is the only man to have beaten Nadal on clay in the past two years, winning in two sets in the Masters events - the tier below the Grand Slams - in Rome and Madrid.

But this was over best-offive sets. And this was Roland Garros.

Thiem showed a few nerves as he failed to find his rhythm in the opening two games and, after he briefly started to look like he could turn it into a contest, was eventually overwhelmed by the favourite.

The world number eight started making mistakes on his backhand - usually his most potent weapon - as it disintegrated under heavy pressure.

It left him standing with his hands on hips after losing energy-sapping points, wondering what more he had to do to break down Nadal.

“What you have done - to win this tournament 11 times - is one of the greatest things in sport,” Thiem told Nadal on court afterwards.

“I hope I soon get another chance here - maybe against you. But it has still been a great two weeks for me here.”

(BBCSport)

UFC 225…

Stockholm Diamond League…

Dina Asher-Smith dips under 11 seconds to win 100m

D

Dina Asher-Smith (right) won bronze in the 200m at this year’s Commonwealth Games

ina Asher-Smith stormed to victory in the 100m at the Stockholm Diamond League meet, clocking just 0.01 seconds outside her new British record.

Asher-Smith, 22, clocked 10.92 in Oslo on Thursday, and followed it up on Sunday with victory in 10.93, beating second-placed Ivorian Murielle Ahoure.

The Briton said she was confident going into August’s European Championships.

“You need quick times to win,” she told the BBC. “I have to ensure I’m in the best physical and mental shape.”

Elsewhere, compatriot Lorraine Ugen won the women’s long jump with 6.85m, and Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarria produced a winning jump of 8.83m in the men’s competition.

It was the best effort for 23 years, however he was aided by an illegal wind of 2.1m per second.

Scot Laura Muir finished second in the women’s 1500m in a season’s best time of three minutes

58.53 seconds, as Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay claimed victory (3:57.64). Britain’s Laura Weightman was eighth in 4:02.90.

Jake Wightman, another Scot, was third in the rarely run 1,000m. The 23-year-old - the 1500m Commonwealth bronze medallist - crossed the line in two minutes 16.27 seconds behind Kenyan Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich (2:14.88).

Turkey’s Ramil Guliyev, who surprisingly won gold in the men’s 200m at last year’s World Championships, clocked 19.92 seconds to win Sunday’s race. Briton Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (20.47) was fifth.

Jack Green (49.73) was fifth and fellow Briton Sebastian Rodger came sixth in the 400m hurdles. Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba won his fourth Diamond League race this year in an Asian record 47.41 seconds.

Another Briton, Morgan Lake, cleared 1.90m to finish eighth in the women’s high jump, which was won by Russian Mariya Lasitskene (2.00m). (BBCSport)

Whittaker defeats Romero again

– Rousey declared a Hall of Famer

I

t was a night to remember for MMA fans as UFC 225 provided what was quite possibly the fight of the year and the Chicago event also delivered the news that will be inducted into UFC’s Hall of Fame.

The main event of the evening saw Australian UFC middleweight world champion Robert Whittaker claim a thrilling split-decision victory over number-one contender, Cuba’s Yoel Romero.

The pair were due to meet for the UFC middleweight title, but Romero failed to make weight at Friday’s weigh-ins, meaning their bout on Saturday night was downgraded to a non-title fight.

But despite the lack of a belt on the line the pair served up a bout worthy of a world title as they bat-

tled back and forth in a fight that is already being talked about as a possible ‘Fight of the Year’.

World champi-

o n Whittaker appeared to be winning the fight comfortably after the first two rounds but a massive right hand from Romero dropped the champion in the third as the Cuban poured on the

pressure.

The pair then proceeded to trade huge shots throughout one of the most thrilling rounds of fighting seen in the octa-

gon in 2018, as Romero - strugg l i n g with a

swollen right eye - and Whittaker - struggling with a broken right hand sustained in the first round - threw everything at each other.

The bout continued with Romero badly rocking Whittaker in the fourth, then dropping him with a huge left hook in the fifth as he came close to finishing the champion in the final round.

But to his great credit, Whittaker showed remarkable heart to survive the round and take the fight to the scorecards.

And when the judges rendered their verdict, it was Whittaker who got the nod, with two judges scoring the fight 48-47 in his favour, and one scoring it 48-47 to Romero.

Despite the fact Whittaker has now defeated Romero twice, talk has already started about a potential third

The champion Robert Whittaker (left) suffered a broken hand during the rematch but still held on for the split decision victory

matchup between the pair.

Romero said he’d have 100 rematches with the Australian, saying “It would b e my pleasure,” w h i l e Whittaker was more guarded, saying he’d discuss his options with his team once he’d healed u p from his inj u ries. (ufc.com)

Ronda Rousey

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21

Vettel takes F1 title lead with Canada win

F

errari's Sebastian Vettel dominated the Canadian Grand Prix to retake the championship lead as Lewis Hamilton could finish only fifth for Mercedes.

Vettel converted pole position into a lead at the first corner and was never headed as he kept Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas at arm's length throughout the race.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took third after a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to pass Bottas through the first two corners.

Hamilton started fourth but dropped back to finish fifth and is a point behind Vettel at the one-third point of the season.

In a bizarre end, the chequered flag was waved a lap too early by model Winnie Harlow, only for Vettel to say over team radio: "Tell them not to wave the flag when it's not done."

He continued on his way to take it again after the correct 70 laps in the end.

The world champion was struggling with engine temperatures in the first part of the race, which forced Mercedes into an earlier than planned pit stop for fresh tyres so they could add more cooling to the car.

It meant Hamilton lost a place to Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo at his stop, and the Briton had a nervy moment when Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen emerged along-

Lap one was eventful, as Canadian Lance Stroll lost control of his Williams, sandwiching Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley between himself and the wall. Hartley subsequently went to hospital for a check-up

side him after his much later stop.

Hamilton managed to fend the Finn off, and even pulled away despite having tyres that were 16 laps older than Raikkonen's.

Vettel had failed to convert his previous two pole positions, in Azerbaijan and China, into wins, after Ferrari were out-foxed on strategy in Shanghai and he made an error in Baku, but there was never any danger of that happening in Montreal.

The German made a strong start and as Bottas was left to fend off Verstappen's attack, the Ferrari started to sprint clear, only for the race to be put under a safety car following a huge crash between Toro Rosso's Brendon

James Anderson to miss 6 weeks to manage shoulder problem

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ames Anderson is to be rested for the next six weeks after experiencing a recurrence of discomfort in a long-standing right shoulder injury.

Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker, suffered a stress fracture in the shoulder during the summer of 2016. It has continued to trouble him and he has previously said that it hurts even when brushing his teeth or putting on a shirt.

With a five Test series coming up against India, England are desperate to have Anderson fully fit. So the team

management have taken the decision to rest him from Lancashire’s next two Championship fixtures against Worcestershire and Hampshire.

He will instead “take a six-week period of rehabilitation” according to an ECB statement.

“We have five Tests against India in a six-week period from August 1, which will be an intense and challenging period for all our bowlers,” Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, said. “Therefore it’s vital that we ensure Jimmy goes into that series in the best possible condition.

“Jimmy has to manage the issue with his right shoulder and we’ve been advised that the best way for him to prepare for the India series is to take a six-week break from cricket now, initially to rest it and then to work slowly back to cricket.

“That six-week period covers Lancashire’s two Championship matches over the next the next three weeks. We will then monitor to see where Jimmy is at and ensuring he is ready for the India series”. (ESPNcricinfo)

Hartley and Williams' Lance Stroll.

Hartley was making a move on Stroll through the flat-out Turn Five. The Canadian edged him wide and then the Williams started to slide, collecting Hartley and forcing the Toro Rosso into the barriers.

It leapt in the air, half-mounted Stroll's Williams, and the two careered together into the runoff area.

Stroll was unhurt but Hartley, who was seen walking back to the pits, was sent to hospital for a scan. Toro Rosso were unable to give any further detail.

The race restarted on lap five and Vettel again sprinted clear, pulling an advantage of 1.2 seconds in one lap

and 3.4secs by lap 10. The race was effectively over, as Vettel controlled events from then on.

Bottas drove strongly to take second, despite a late charge from Verstappen, who had the legs on Ricciardo behind him.

After fending off Raikkonen, Hamilton began to pile pressure on Ricciardo in the last 20 laps.

With eight laps to go, his engineer gave him the option of turning the engine down and settling for fifth, but Hamilton insisted he keep trying. He was hoping to benefit as they picked their way through the battle between three lapped cars and it led to a tense climax, but in the end Hamilton was unable to pass.(BBCSport)

Tiger Bay, North R/veldt take 5-a-side honours

T

Part of the action in the quarterfinal round of the tournament

iger Bay females and North Ruimveldt males claimed the titles of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF’s) 5-a-side youth football tournament which was contested at the National Gymnasium on Sunday.

There were just three teams in the female championship, hence it was run in a round-robin format. Tiger Bay demolished Albouystown 9-0 in the final to take top honours, while Mocha had to settle

for third.

Meanwhile, nine teams also competed in the male tournament, and North Ruimveldt defeated Albouystown 2-1 in the final.

Also vying for the title were teams Mocha, East Ruimveldt, Timehri, Tiger Bay, North La Penitence, East La Penitence, and a combined Ruimveldt.

The top teams were awarded for their performances, while individual awards were also up for grabs.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monday, june 11, 2018

Guyana level series against Barbados A

total team effort from Guyana on both ends of the floor helped them defeat Barbados 70-64 and even their three-game series on Saturday evening at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

Buoyed by the support of a huge Guyanese crowd in the stands, team Guyana, without any individual brilliance, rotated the ball to outplay the ‘Bajans’ throughout the four quarters in the tournament, which is being used by both countries to prepare for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships, to be held in Paramaribo, Suriname from June 24 to June 30.

Anthony Moe, who led the team’s scoring in game one with 19 points, had an off night from the field on Saturday, making just four of his 20 attempts, and missing all of his nine three-pointers.

However, Moe wowed the crowd with perfect timing at the rim defensively, as he finished the night with six blocked shots, one of which had the entire crowd at the gymnasium on their feet when he ‘stuffed’ Keefe Birkett just as he was soaring to the rim for a thunderous dunk.

Moe then turned to the crowd and mimicked Dikembe Mutombo’s trademark ‘no, no, no’ finger-wagging g e s ture after the play.

The USbase ‘baller’ ended

t h e night with 13 points and 13 rebounds to go along with his six blocks.

Harold Adams scored a team-high 15 points and five rebounds, while point guard and team captain Stanton Rose scored most of his 11 points in the second half, and had nine rebounds, four steals and four assists on the night.

Orlan Glasgow’s nine points, eight rebounds and one block, and Shaine Webster’s seven points, seven boards were the other top performers for Guyana.

Jeremy Gill had 13 points for Barbados, while Birkett had 15 points.

No other ‘Bajan’ player reached double digits.

Head Coach Junior Hercules started with Moe, Webster, Adams, Glasgow and Rose; a combination that proved too much for Barbados, as the Guyanese starting five attacked the basket on almost every play.

The system implied by Hercules saw Guyana taking a 17-14 points’ lead at the end of the first period, but in the second half, Guyana struggled with the shot, while Barbados tightened up on defence to race to a three- point lead at half time (34-31).

The two teams would trade baskets much throughout the third period, but it was Barbados who would have the upper hand at the end of the stanza, since Guyana went away from their game and struggled to make the shots from ‘deep’, ending the night scoring four of their 31 attempts from the three-point land, as only Adams (2/4) and Rose (1/9) found the net.

The crowd cheered on every play by the two teams as they entertained with their ‘hustle’ on the floor; especially Guyana, who needed to level the series.

Guyana outscored Barbados 20-10 in the fourth quarter to close out the game, and received a standing ovation from their supporters.

Game three of the series was contested last evening, and scores were unavailable at press time. Guyana returns home today, and will continue training at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Wednesday.

Diamond take inaugural REO Inter Secondary School title I

n a tantalising and sizzling affair, the inaugural Regional Democratic Council (RDC)/ Lloyd Britton/ Devcon Construction/ Regional Executive Officer (REO) Region Four InterSecondary Schools Tournament came to an end when Diamond Secondary defeated Annandale Secondary in a tense and captivating final played at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The match, which was watched by third and fourth placed teams Hope and Friendship Secondary schools, students of other schools that competed, and finals and supporters of their teams, saw those in attendance being treated to excellent cricket, with both teams evidently seeking to capture the coveted title.

Taking first strike, Annandale bounced back from a slow start to post 145-5 from 35 overs, the maximum number of overs in their first innings. Diamond Secondary made it to 146-8, declaring in 30.3 overs to draw the match. Diamond won by virtue of first innings lead.

As the match came to its end, Diamond required all but four runs, while Annandale needed two to secure the first innings lead and ultimately the match, but Alex Singh edged one past the keeper, and it raced to the boundary on the blazing outfield, sending the large crowd in uproar.

At the presentation ceremony, initiator of the competition, Lloyd Britton, stressed the importance of such competition. He recollected past years when competitions were regular features among a number of secondary schools. He gave the assurance to the REO, Ms Pauline Lucas, players and other sponsors that he would be supporting the competition again; and he urged other regions to emulate the example that has been set by the REO, and the Region by extension.

“This is a great initiative, and I am happy to have been involved.

I would like to guarantee that, come next year, I will be here again,” he said to loud applause

Champion School Diamond Secondary pose with REO Pauline Lucas and sponsor Nolan Lancaster

from the players.

Another Sponsor, Nolan Lancaster of DEVCON Construction, stressed he was very happy to have played a role in the competition, and pointed out that there are still a number of gentlemen who are playing cricket. He reminded the players that while winning is important, they must understand that a number of social skills, values and qualities can and would be enhanced and further developed through the sport; thus he urged them to remain disciplined.

“I urge you to be disciplined, to be committed, and to be dedicated, as these qualities will certainly boost your character, and ultimate personality, as you continue to develop yourself,” he said.

REO Pauline Lucas also complimented the teams for their stellar performances, while thanking those who showed their support and dedication to make the event a success.

She repeated sentiments echoed by Regional Education Officer Tiffany Favourite-Harvey: that the competition will return next year; and she promised more prizes and an increased number of teams.

In Annandale’s innings, Diamond skipper Philip McTurk removed Evald Hendricks in the third ball of the match, while Chandrapaul Ramraj and man of the match, Mahendra Singh,

added 44 for the second wicket and laid the platform for the innings.

Ramraj, who is slated for inclusion in the West Indies Youth Team in the upcoming tour of England, was bowled by Rondel Kattow for 13; but Singh went on to raise his half century, his second of the tournament, adding 57 runs for the third wicket with skipper Daniel Prashad.

Prashad was run out by Anil Singh as he scampered a single on his way to 32.

The man of the match also shared in a 40-run collaboration with Guyana youth player Romel Datterdeen as Diamond struggled to pick up wickets.

Datterdeen edged a very weak delivery to Mavindra Dindyal, who was awarded as the best wicket keeper in the competition.

In Diamond’s innings, Dindyal, adjudged most valuable player of the tournament, looked solid, but slashed a wide delivery into the hands of John Roopnarine and marked the player of the match’s first wicket.

Wickets kept tumbling as no one looked as if they were going to spend long at the crease; except McTurk, who came in at three and top scored with 35.

Krnsa Singh, lower down the order, battled after McTurk departed for a spirited 23, but when he was bowled by Yudister Persaud, the crowd was silenced

and people began to bite their nails. Mahendra Singh returned to cap off a splendid match with figures of 4-19.

In the end, a number of other players were awarded for their outstanding performances, including Pradesh Balkishun of Bladen Hall Secondary, who smacked the highest total, 139, and had the highest aggregate; while Covent Garden’s Scott Singh copped the most wickets and best bowling figures of 7-12.

The teachers of Friendship and Annandale Secondary schools were awarded the leadership award for their sterling and impressive services during the competition, while the most disciplined team award was shared between Lancaster and Hope Secondary schools.

The participating schools recognised sponsors Alex Mahaica of SKI Construction, Nolan Lancaster of DEC+VCON, and initiator of the competition, Lloyd Britton; while they also gave a special award to the REO for what they deemed her sterling, significant, continuous, and dedicated support to sport and youth development within the region.

The awards to the sponsors were for their continuous, significant, devoted and remarkable support to youth development and empowerment within Region Four.

Unity Cup Softball…

11 teams record wins T he Unity Cup organized by the Guyana Softball League continued in the various areas, despite the inclement weather making it a challenge for the areas to complete the various rounds.

Results are as follows:

Upper East Coast: Cane Grove defeated Helena Stars by 5 wkts: Helena Stars won the toss and batted, scoring 113-7 in 10 overs (Avinash Singh 42(3x6; 2x4); Mahesh Boodram picked up 3-32 in 2 overs. In reply, Cane Grove found their groove after stuttering initially, and reached 114-5 in 9 overs; with Onkar Narine blasting 47, which included 5 massive sixes. Morris Jones supported with 40 (4x6), and Extras were a healthy 18. No bowler was spared.

Adventure defeated Good Hope XI by a massive 94 runs: Adventure batted first and amassed 183-7 in 10 overs, with Ramkumar Jairam scoring a scintillating 67 (8x6) and Seon Smith 53 (4x6). These players ran riot over the Hapless Good Hope bowling. Good Hope, in their turn, were so shell-shocked they could muster only 89 all out in 7 overs.

Unstoppable defeated Unity Farmers by 8 wkts: Farmers batted first and scored 93 all out in 9.5 overs, with Troy Ford (2-7) and Sean Bristol (4-29) ripping the heart

out of the batting. In reply, Unstoppable cruised to 94 for the loss of two wickets, with Kumar Persaud scoring 40 (4x6).

Lower East Coast/ Georgetown/East Bank/Linden: Success Enforcers defeated Success Warriors by 6 wkts: Warriors batted first and made 117-7 in 10 overs, with Dinesh John contributing 51 (5x6; 1x4). Saif Zobia took 2-14 from 2 overs. Davendra Deosarran also contributed with the ball, taking 2-16 from his 2 overs.

Farm XI, playing unbeaten, defeated Success Youths by 5 wkts: Success Youths batted first and scored a meagre 60 all out in 8.4 overs, with Joseph Ramlall scoring 21 not out (2x6). Bowling for Farm was Rawle Reid, who took 4-17 from 2 overs. Sheldon Adams supported with 2-19 from his 2 overs.

N/A /Canje: Edinburgh defeated N/A Rising Stars by 16 runs: Edinburgh batted first and made 109-4 in 10 overs: Keshan Yadram top scored with 21(2x6; 1x4). In reply, N/A Rising Stars were limited to 93-4 in their 10 overs. Romel Dagiar with 47 (4x6; 2x4) offered some hope, but with the fall of his wicket, going for a slog and being caught on the long on boundary, everything went downhill.

Rotterdam defeated Angoy’s Avenue by 62 runs in a nail-biter:

Rotterdam batted first, but were limited to 46 - 4 in their overs. Michael Adams top scored with 16 (1x6). In reply, Angoy’s Avenue, somewhat complacent, were bundled out for 44 in their overs.

West Coast Demerara: Speedboat defeated Diesel XI by 29 runs.

Speedboat batted first and made 122-5 in 10 overs. Anand Bharat top scored with 39(5x6).

Diesel, in reply, were held to 93-7 in their 10 overs.

VR Squad defeated Marics XI by 5 runs: Marics XI were invited to bat, and were limited to 60 all out in 9.3 overs. In reply VR Squad made 65-5 in 7 overs.

Unknown Squad defeated Rangers by 39 runs. The Unknown squad batted first and compiled 125-8 in 10 overs. In reply Rangers, playing a very youthful and inexperienced squad, were limited to 86 all out in 8 overs.

Bar-B-Q XI defeated Unknown Squad by 24 runs. BarB-Q XI batted first and made 130 all out in 10 overs In reply, Unknown Squad, playing their second game of the day, were limited to 105 in their 10 overs, making it a one-winone-loss day.

VR All Stars defeated Rangers by 8 wkts.

Rangers XI batted first and made 84 all out in 9 overs. In reply, VR All Stars raced to 90-2 in 4 overs.

TODAY’S FIXTURES: Upper East Coast: Helena Ground: Helena #1 Mandir vs BWL XI Supply Superkings XI vs DeHoop Adventure XI Cane Grove vs Unstoppable

Female: Cane Grove Clean of Boundary vs Backstreet Girls West Coast Demerara Parika Ground: Superbet vs VR All Stars Unknown Squad vs Omesh XI Diesel XI vs Cross Breed XI Bar-B-Q XI vs Speedboat.

N/A Canje: Meanwhile, four male and 5 female Under 15 matches in the N/A Canje area will be competed the week.

Teams wishing more information can contact the following persons: West Demerara: Ravendra Ramgobin: 276-1381; Premnauth Bimchan (Pampalam): 6709982; Rawle Higgins: 667-6374; Nadir Baksh (Gas): 672-0378; Lower East Coast Demerara up to Enmore, as well as East Bank Demerara/Georgetown/Linden -Rafman Ally: 654-2233; Darmin Ramnarine: 642-3165;Upper East Coast, Herman Persaud: 643-3033; Linden – Mortimer Denny: 687-3326/442-1562; Canje/Berbice- Corentyne – Pinkey Arthur: 615-2493; Ravi Ramkumar: 642-1206; Celeb Morris: 615- 2874.

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, june 11, 2018

23

Clinical Windies down Sri Lanka by 226 runs A

hard-fought ton from Kusal Mendis was the lone bright spot for Sri Lanka as they suffered a massive defeat against Windies in Port of Spain on Sunday (June 10).

All Mendis's 210-ball 102 did was to take some sheen off the margin of defeat, which was eventually by 226 runs as Sri Lanka were bowled out cheaply for the second time in the game. Roston

When Mendis brought up his fifth Test ton in the fourth over of the morning, with a boundary to the legside, the usual raising of the bat and the helmet followed but there wasn't any over-the-top celebration. He knew that there was plenty of work left and he went about it by showcasing solid defence and astute judgement against the pacers who were looking to use the in-

SCOREBOARD West Indies 414/8d & 223-7d Sri Lanka 185 all out &…

Sri Lanka 2nd Innings Sri Lanka 2nd Innings (target: 453 runs) BKG Mendis c †Dowrich b Gabriel 102 MDKJ Perera c Smith b Gabriel 12 LD Chandimal (c) c Brathwaite b Chase 27 AD Mathews c †Dowrich b Holder 31 ARS Silva c & b Bishoo 14 PLS Gamage lbw b Bishoo 3 N Dickwella † lbw b Chase 19 MDK Perera not out 3 HMRKB Herath c Hope b Bishoo 0 RAS Lakmal c †Dowrich b Chase 1

Chase expedited Windies' victory, picking up two wickets apiece on either side of Lunch on Day 5 to finish with figures of 4 for 15.

CBRLS Kumara c †Dowrich b Chase 0 Extras (b 3, lb 4, nb 7) 14 TOTAL all out (83.2 Overs, RR: 2.71) 226 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (MDKJ Perera, 3.3 ov), 1-49 (LD Chandimal, 10.6 ov), 2-123 (AD Mathews, 43.5 ov), 3-175 (ARS Silva, 52.5 ov), 4-189 (BKG Mendis, 59.6 ov), 5-195 (PLS Gamage, 68.6 ov), 6-218 (LD Chandimal, 79.2 ov), 7-222 (N Dickwella, 79.6 ov), 8-225 (HMRKB Herath, 82.3 ov), 9-226 (RAS Lakmal, 83.1 ov), 10226 (CBRLS Kumara, 83.2 ov) BOWLING: KAJ Roach (15-357-0), ST Gabriel (15-2-522), JO Holder (14-6-24-1), ML Cummins (12-4-23-0), D Bishoo (19-2-48-3), RL Chase (8.2-1-15-4)

consistent bounce from the pitch to their advantage.

However, there was one from delivery from Shannon Gabriel, the quickest bowl-

er for Windies in this game, which took off from a good length and clipped the glove of the centurion who didn't quite have the answer to what looked like an unplayable delivery.

Dinesh Chandimal walked to the crease, having retired ill the previous day with symptoms of a heat stroke, and he was supported by nightwatchman Lahiru Gamage as they negotiated the next eight overs without any damage.

But the fifth wicket for Sri Lanka followed soon after as Gamage was trapped in front by a straight one from Devendra Bishoo and cost Sri Lanka a review in the process. The next man in, Niroshan Dickwella, was flirting with the outside-off lines employed by Kemar Roach, managing a boundary through cover, edging one past the slip cordon for a four before one went past the edge - or at least Windies thought so as they didn't appeal and replays later revealed that there was some bat.

With the second new ball due after a few overs, Chase bowled in tandem with Bishoo, with the offspinner probably being introduced to quickly get through the overs and allow the hosts to operate with the new ball for an over or two before the break. However, the pacers weren't required at all.

Chase struck twice in an over - First it was skipper

Devendra Bishoo and Rolston Chase were instrumental on the final day

Chandimal, whose attempt to go aerial fell flat on his face and Dickwella followed soon after, playing down the wrong line to be out leg-before off the final ball before Lunch. Windies needed only four more overs to finish off the game as Bishoo and Chase ran through the tail.

It was a clinical performance from Windies with several of their players rising to the occasion at different times. Shane Dowrich's measured ton, with strong support from Bishoo and Roach, helped the hosts fin-

ish with a total of 414 in the first innings, having been reduced to 147 for 5 at one stage. The Windies pacers then came to the party to bowl out Sri Lanka for 185.

Deciding against enforcing the follow-on, Windies managed to set Sri Lanka an imposing target of 453 thanks to Kieran Powell's 88 before the spinners took charge of the proceedings on the final day, with Bishoo and Chase picking up seven of Sri Lanka's 10 wickets in the final innings.

For the visitors, the neg-

atives outweighed the positives - be it the manner of the dismissals, not showing enough application, their poor catching or the bowlers lacking the ability to sustain the pressure. Mendis's batting performance would serve as a good example for the rest of the batsmen going forward in the series while Lahiru Kumara's energetic pace bowling - clocking in excess of 140 almost every time he was asked to bowl - is a boost for the bowling department which otherwise lacked the sting.

MoFA gears up Missigher stars in Shine 5K Race to host dominoes T competition

T

he Sports Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has organised a fun filled pre-Father’s Day dominoes competition which carries cash and trophy prizes.

Rumoured to be the biggest competition among Ministries/Government agencies, this dominoes tournament will take the format of four games, and will be overseen by Mr. James Lewis.

The one day tournament is set to be hosted on Friday, June 15, at the Ministry of Agriculture’s canteen on Regent Road. The action is slated to start at 17hrs. The competition i s expected to be riveting, and hopes are that the Ministry

of Business/ National Bureau of Standards team will return to put on a great show, after winning a separate Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) dominoes competition in April of this year.

All teams have until Wednesday, June 13, to enter the competition. This can be done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Coordinator James Lewis has declared that late entries will not be accepted. Apart from the grand prize of the Prime Minister’s Trophy, there will be cash prizes for the winner, runner-up a n d t h i r d placed teams.

James Lewis can be contacted on telephone number 672-6179 or 628-1656.

op runner Winston Missigher starred in Saturday’s Aquatic Starz Shine 5K ‘Fun Run’, which started and ended at the Diamond tarmac, East Bank Demerara.

Some 150 runners from all age ranges participated in the mega event, which saw the highlight race being between Missigher and rival Cleveland Thomas.

When the dust settled, Missigher was victorious, having crossed the line as champion in a time of 15 minutes 16 seconds.

He was closely trailed by veteran Thomas, who narrowly missed out on the title, but managed to clock an impressive 15m 17s for his second place; while third place was sealed by Marlon Nicholson, who ran 15m 32s.

Other top performers this past weekend included Aleka Persaud, the national youth swimmer who exhibited similar class out of the pool. The feisty 12-year-old dominated the

Winston Missigher and Cleveland Thomas

age 11-16 category with a time of 22m12s.

Second and third plac-

es were occupied by Donna Lowe, who ran 24m 51s, and Aliyah Clarke, whose time was 26m 31s. The 5K

race was the first of four scheduled events on the Aquatic Starz calendar for 2018.

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com Jason Holder leads his team off after victory

Clinical Windies down Sri Lanka by 226 runs

Pg 23

Guyana level series against Barbados Pg 22

Pg 22

Guyana’s national men’s basketball team

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