Guyanatimes 29 june 2018

PPP sticking with traditional P3 way of selecting presidential candidate – Jagdeo Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, June 29, 2018

Issue No. 3608

PRICE

Westfield Prep student tops NGSA with perfect score Page 13

Arthur Roberts, 525 marks

Kaydee Ali, 524 marks

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

2018 NGSA results P2 Poor performance in Maths continues, as English improves

Overseas-based Guyanese, customs broker robbed at P7 gunpoint

PNC/APNU unmoved by AFC’s LGE protestations

Top student Nalia Rahaman, 529 marks

P9

Esha Lakeram, 523 marks Cianna Barkoye, 523 marks Zyla Braithwaite, 523 marks

Krystal Duncan, 523 marks

WCD woman critical after being stabbed by ex-lover

P7

Natania Kissoon, 522 marks Cassie Farinha, 522 marks

Darren Ramphal, 522 marks

Saif Azeze, 522 marks

Lindo Creek CoI wraps up

To present findings to President by Saturday P15

Virendra Dookie, 521 marks

Jaya Jamuna, 521 marks

Dietra Fields, 521 marks

Amaya Ramsarup, 521 marks

2 news

friDAY, june 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

2018 NGSA results

Poor performance in Maths continues, as English improves D

espite the implementation of a series of measures aimed at improving students’ performance in the core subject areas, Mathematics continues to record low pass rates at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

This was revealed when Education Minister Nicolette Henry announced the 2018 NGSA results on Thursday. During an overview of pupils’ performance at this year’s examination, which was written in March, it was highlighted that 38 per cent of the pupils who wrote the NGSA exam this year gained 50 per cent or more compared to 45 per cent last year.

According to Minister Henry, exam pass rates usually fluctuate and it always becomes a cause for concern when that percentage drops below what was obtained previously. To this end, she noted that the Ministry will have to continue what it started last year, that is, mainstreaming methodology that were used in the emergency intervention.

“Last year as you are aware, it was an intervention year… so what we have to do is sustain… There is no subject area that is below the Maths 38 per cent, which was considered high for Mathematics,” she said, while adding that they want those days to be a thing of

any of the four subject areas offered by the National Grade Six Assessment,” the Minister said.

She further highlighted too that all of the administrative regions recorded improved performances in English, with Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) showing significant improvement.

and so that required us recruiting additional supporting staff, developing and strengthening the existing programmes to result in the kind of results that you see today… It is very important you understand that results comes out of process, it just doesn’t appear and it is representative of the hard work of a lot of people,” the Minister said, adding that she looks forward to even more improved performances going forward.

pupils gained 50 per cent or more this year, which is the same as 2017.

Apart from the overall subject pass rates, another issue that was highlighted in reviewing this year’s NGSA results was the continued disparity in the performance of hinterland schools compared to those on the coastland.

Meanwhile, the gender gap was also brought into focus, with the Ministry saying that of the total 174 can-

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

the past, whereby subject pass rate percentages are in the 20s, teens or even lower.

Following disturbing low performances in 2016, Cabinet had mandated in October that year that a strategy be established targeting improvements in students’ performance in the core subject areas. That plan was subsequently approved and implemented.

Among the measures that were recommended are training of teachers in content and methodology, developing learning communities where teachers were able to share information and experiences regarding

mathematical concepts and recruitment of monitors and coordinators to ensure that the emergency plan was implemented.

While these may not have achieved the desired results for Maths, the overall pass rate in English has since been improving. In fact, there was a six per cent increase pupils who gained 50 per cent or more at this year’s NGSA exams, that is, a historic 60 per cent compared to 54 per cent in 2017.

“I’ve also been guided by my officers that achieving 60 per cent is the highest percentage we’ve been able to achieve to date in

A section of the gathering at Thursday’s press conference where the 2018 NGSA results were announced

Henry was heartened by these achievements, noting that these were as a result of increased investments by her administration in the education sector.

“We recognised that we have to invest in our people

With regards to the other two subject areas, Social Studies saw 46 per cent of the pupils who wrote the exam obtaining 50 per cent or more compared to 47 per cent last year. Meanwhile, in Science, 46 per cent of the

didates in this year’s top one per cent, 104 are females compared to 70 males. The officials could not give, at the time, the overall gender ratio of the candidates who wrote the 2018 NGSA exams.

3 PPP will stick with traditional way of selecting presidential candidate – Jagdeo news

friDAY, june 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 29 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, June 30 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 29 – 17:00h-18:30h and Saturday, June 30 – 05:25h-06:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloudy skies with light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with intermittent heavy showers, while thundery showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly and North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 04:54h and 17:21h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.47 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:55h and 23:06h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.75 metre.

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Charles Ramson Jr

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

arious concerns have arisen about the process which will be used to select the next presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), but that party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, has made it clear that the system used since 1992 will remain the chosen one.

“There is a longstanding tradition: The congress selects the central committee and the central committee choses the candidate,” Jagdeo told a media conference on Thursday.

He said this system, which was introduced by the party some 25 years ago under the leadership of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, still obtains today.

“So I doubt that is going to change for these elections, because that is the position. I tell you this because it seems as though many people, in speculating about how the candidate would be chosen, are not aware of this process,” he explained.

The PPP General Secretary maintained that the party remains committed to the highest levels of transparency, accountability and democracy as it undertakes the process of selecting its next presidential nominee.

“That’s the process we have used, and from all indications, that is the process we will use again to select the next candidate; unless the central committee itself decides to change that procedure,” he added.

Jagdeo said the chances of people entering the race for the candidacy are possible, as this has been a longstanding practice of the PPP. “But at the end of the day, it is how many votes you muster there from the 35 (central committee members) that will matter in a democratic fashion. That person will emerge as the candidate.”

Nevertheless, Jagdeo said a special meeting will be convened shortly with 15 of the most senior party members to start planning for the 2020 elections and hold discussions about presidential candidacy.

Announcement

Meanwhile, in regard to Charles Ramson Jnr recently announcing his desire to become the PPP presidential candidate, Jagdeo said the former MP has departed from the party’s tradition.

Just days after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had handed down a decision in the third term presidential case, the former PPP MP announced his bid to contest for the candidacy.

He said Guyana needs high-quality leadership: leadership that exudes integrity, passion, vision; and leadership that is technically sound across many key disciplines. He said he fits these criteria, and in addition to that he is young, and will bring fresh leadership to the table.

However, while the PPP General Secretary has explained that anyone from the party would be allowed to compete for the candidacy, he said a prospective contender would first have to be

nominated.

Asked to comment on Ramson’s announcement, Jagdeo said the presidential hopeful has strayed from the PPP longstanding tradition of employing an internal process to elect their presidential candidate.

“We have a way of approaching these matters.

This is a departure from that approach that we have always used in the past,” Jagdeo stated.

Jagdeo said the presidential candidate for the PPP is usually elected through a secret ballot process that involves the 35-member Central Committee.

He stressed that it has always been an internal process.

Pressed for a comment on Ramson’s statement, and whether Jagdeo thinks Ramson is suitable for the position of presidential candidate, Jagdeo declined.

“I am sure he recognises that if he doesn’t secure what he thinks he is eligible for, he will support the candidate

who emerges out of that process,” Jagdeo said.

The former Head of State rejected claims that Ramson would want to jump ship if he is not supported for the presidential candidate position by saying, “He will be leaving a prosperous ship for a sinking one.”

He noted also that all PPP presidential candidates or those desirous of becoming one must be modest. He used Prime Minister and former PPP Executive Moses Nagamootoo as an example of someone who does not fit that post.

“One thing we’ve frowned upon though is lack of modesty among people who are presidential hopefuls…I see some people saying they have nominations. Once they are nominated, they will be considered; but to be modest (is important) in the process. We don’t want to be the Nagamootoo-type egos to govern how we approach this matter,” Jagdeo added.

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friDAY, june 29, 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

Resolving gender conflicts

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ach year, beginning near the end of November, there are 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. During this time, the public gains more awareness and is inspired to join in the campaign, the aim of which is to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls especially, but also violence against men and boys around the world as well.

One would believe that, in this age of enlightenment and sophistication, violence against women would fast be on its way to becoming a thing of the past. Considered a cultural norm historically, where women were seen as chattel and possessions in some societies, this perspective remains true in many areas unfortunately, as far too many still consider girls and women unequal to males and do not afford them a similar level of respect.

A large part of this problem, as stated before, is cultural. Young boys are not raised to believe in gender equality, and girls are raised to expect poor treatment. In India for example, some young males were reported as saying “girls are so foolish and silly, they have to be beaten so they can get some good ideas in their brains…” while the mothers and sisters in the same community asserted that “all men beat their wives… it’s what to do to be manly…”

Still, the unfortunate truth is that violence against women is also found in so-called liberated Western societies, especially in the form of domestic abuse. The recent onslaught of sexual abuse allegations in the US can in no way overshadow the endless cases of domestic abuse over the years, which prove that women are habitually victims of violence by male spouses.

Yet this horrific action should not be seen as targeting females only. Males are increasingly coming forward to admit that they have been on the receiving end of violence from females. Most hesitate to admit such because they believe it diminishes them in the eyes of their peers, while others simply think that no one would believe their claim.

Luckily, this stereotype is being knocked down one case at a time, and gains momentum when victims come forward and highlight their plight. For instance, actress Naya Rivera of Glee fame was recently arrested on domestic battery charges against her husband Ryan Dorsey, after he called Police.

Likewise, there is another segment of society which is constantly threatened with violence based on their gender identity – the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and Intersex (LGBTI) population. Many in this community were assigned a particular sex at birth, but identify as another, and since gender is a social construct, may even identify as different genders throughout their lifetimes.

They frequently experience discrimination in their daily interactions, but also can experience acts of violence against them by people who are homophobic or intolerant of their nature.

Therefore, one of the first steps to eradicating genderbased violence is to understand and accept that it does not mean violence against females alone. Following this realisation, efforts must be ongoing to address laws that favour perpetrators of violence and discourage victims from coming forward. A little over a week ago, registrar of Barbados’ Supreme Court, Barbara Cooke-Alleyne, put forward a number of proposals to fight this violence, including introducing electronic monitoring equipment for violent offenders; appointing legal aid for victims without representation; increasing length of time for counselling of victims; and removing penalties for false accusations, so victims would be less afraid to speak out.

These proposals would be a step in the right direction, and we encourage their implementation. Yet, as a society, we all have a hand in ending this type of violence. Let our actions speak out, as was stated by former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girls, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to continue.”

Guyana has a lot to learn as it grapples to tackle this issue frontally.

President David Granger, who is currently attending the Sixth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyễn Xuân Phúc during which the two committed to an exchange of visits between Government officials and business leaders as a means of further advancing relations and trade

Are we promoting a “lawless” society?

Dear Editor, Kindly permit me to express myself -- while also assisting other residents in Montrose, East Coast Demerara -- about a most dreadful noise nuisance that emanates on a daily basis from the popular bar, which is located at Montrose.

I would also like to publicly call on Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine to address the matter with urgency.

Over the past 12 months, residents of Montrose have been living at the mercy of this bar. The owners have no consideration for the people who are living around its immediate environs. Most nights we cannot have a good night’s sleep because of the loud music.

Due to lack of rest at nights, we cannot concentrate and work the next day, as we always have a drowsy feeling, sometimes headaches, and lack of energy as well.

Please note, some of us have huge bank loans to repay, hence we have to work.

Some of us are on daily “blood pressure medication”, and when these tablets are taken and we cannot have our sleep, we feel

like we are “running mad”.

Students cannot concentrate on their studies at nights. There are elderly and sick persons in the area who are affected as well. Babies keep “jumping” out of their sleep. Our windows keep vibrating from the bass of the music.

They just don’t have any regard for us and the curfew time as set out by the law enforcement, since they would close off sometimes at 4.00 a .m and 5.00 a.m. in the morning.

We have been desperately crying out for “help” since March 18th, 2017, and, to date, nothing has changed, even though letters were sent to the abovenamed Public Officers.

After twelve continuous months of misery from this bar, and no help seemingly forthcoming, our question is: Are we promoting a “lawless” society, instead of a decent environment for our children?

The vulgar lyrics emanating from that bar are not what we would like our young children to hear. At an early age, their little minds have started to grow in a negative direction, as against towards good values in life.

We cannot continue to

live with this noise, it is having negative health effects on us. It is driving us to the limit. Yes, it is driving us to the limit. Please, Honourable Public Security Minister and please, Police Commissioner, look into this matter with immediate effect. It is not going down well. People need to sleep when the night comes. If you have to CLOSE the business, then do so. Residents in Atlantic Gardens are terribly affected as well.

Just for information purposes, our investigation on the opening of this bar on March 18, 2017 revealed that they were NOT in possession of any permission from the L.B.I./Better hope NDC to build any building; no approval was obtained from the Ministry of Housing; no approval was obtained from the GRA to sell liquor; no approval was received from the E.P.A to play music within the limit of the law, and there is a cut-off time of 11.00 p.m.

Yet this building went up, opened its doors, and it is business as normal, no one can touch them. What are the regulatory bodies doing? It would appear that the law applies only to those who do not have contacts.

Why do the people who are living around this bar have to struggle to get justice; struggle to get a good night’s rest, so that their bodies can recuperate to go on the next day, as against the lawlessness and vulgarity which goes on there on almost a daily basis by a handful of people?

It is indeed regrettable that we have to move to the ministerial level to seek help, so that we can continue to live in our homes in peace when the night comes.

Many nights after 2.0 a. m there seems to be no sign of lowering the music. The DJ with the “mic” usually be in full flow then.

We trust that immediate action will be taken against this bar, and we iterate that this bar should be closed, because it will continue to have our lives in misery. It is NOT easy having to endure this NOISE continuously, and we all do look forward to your personal intervention, as your sub-ordinates seems incapable of dealing with this particular matter.

Thanking you for your prompt action.

Kind regards, Concerned citizen

news

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friDAY, june 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Few successful convictions, investigations cited in US 2018 TIP Report

– says inadequate shelter in hinterland for child and male victims

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he newly released U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons 2018 Report has found that although Guyana has maintained the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, it continues to have low successful convictions, while the number of trafficking investigations and new prosecutions has decreased.

Guyana remains on Tier 1 on the TIP Index, where it has been since last year, having implemented the recommendations made in the 2016 report and satisfied the minimum requirements of the United States’ Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The State Department’s 2018 TIP Report, which was released on Thursday, outlined that Government demonstrated serious and sustained efforts by increasing funding for victim assistance, identifying and assisting more victims for the third consecutive year, and opening and operating a trafficking shelter outside of the capital area.

However, it noted that the number of trafficking investigations and new prosecutions

decreased, and the number of successful convictions remained low.

According to the report, while Government maintains law enforcement efforts to combat TIP, only four new trafficking investigations – two for sex trafficking and two for labour trafficking – were launched last year.

Additionally, there were 17 prosecutions, 12 of which were initiated in previous reporting periods; and there were two convictions. This is compared to 19 investigations, 19 prosecutions, and two convictions in 2016.

The report highlighted that a case from the previous reporting period, in which the Government required the trafficker only to pay restitution -- a penalty inconsistent with the law and one that

the task force appealed -- remained pending.

The Report also cited that a total of 131 victims were identified in 2017 (65 for sex trafficking, 35 for labour trafficking, and 31 for both forms), compared with 98 in 2016. The Government referred 115 victims to shelter and psycho-social services, compared with 40 in 2016. It was noted, too, that the State trained 156 village leaders and 96 Government officials from the interior regions on victim identification and assistance, while also allocating over $40 million to NGO-run shelters.

But despite increased efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, the report mentioned, assistance to them remains insufficient, especially in areas outside the

capital and for child and male victims.

“The Government opened and operated the first shelter outside of the capital; the new shelter caters exclusively to adult female victims of trafficking. All identified victims received shelter, food, training, and psychological therapy. There were no adequate public or private shelters for male or child trafficking victims, despite the Government’s commitment, made in early 2016, to open and partially fund a shelter for male victims. Child victims were placed into foster care, safe homes, or were reintegrated with their families; while adult male victims were placed at non-specialised night shelters on an ad hoc basis,” the report stated.

To this end, the State

Department’s TIP report recommended that Guyana “… fund specialised victim services outside the capital; and for child victims and adult male victims, vigorously investigate and prosecute sex and labour trafficking cases, and hold convicted traffickers, including complicit public officials, accountable by imposing strong sentences… [and] monitor the number of cases reported to the trafficking hotline or by labour inspectors, to promote a rapid investigative and victim assistance response”. Recommendations were also made for the finalisation of the written identification procedures which Government had indicated would be done by this year end, to better guide law enforcement officials. More training for law enforcement, judiciary officials, and frontline responders — especially those working outside the capital — on victim identification and referral procedures was also suggested, along with the development of standard procedures for protecting foreign victims, and the provision of additional protection for victims to testify against traffickers in a way that minimis-

es re-traumatisation.

It was also recommended that the number of cases reported to the trafficking hotline or by labour inspectors be monitored to promote a rapid investigative and victim assistance response, as well as provide training for diplomatic personnel on trafficking. Guyana’s country profile says it is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour in mining, agriculture, forestry, domestic service and shops. For the past five years, women and children from Guyana, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Venezuela have been subjected to sex trafficking in mining communities in the interior and in urban areas.

Only last week, the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons (TIP) revealed that Guyana has recorded 68 cases of alleged TIP already for 2018, of which Latin American nationals are majority of the victims, with Venezuela heading the list.

Police statistics also recorded 41 alleged TIP cases in 2014, 51 in 2015, 98 in 2016, and 50 in 2017.

Mexico to elect new President on July 1 Dear Editor, On July 1, 2018, Mexicans will elect a new President who will serve from December 1, 2018,

to November 30, 2024. As it has been the case since the enactment of the 1917 Constitution, the President is not allowed to run for

“A newborn babe” Dear Editor, As an elected member of the Coordinating Council (Board of Directors) of International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana Country Coordinating Mechanism (IDPADA-GCCM) I do not support the call for IDPADA-G to be scrapped.

Being a resident of Linden, who made over 300 trips to and fro the Linden Highway to attend over 160 meetings, work sessions (many on holidays) and outreaches and endured extensive hours away from home and family of 13 leading up to the formation and subvention of IDPADA-GCCM it is impossible for me to do so.

I put forward to all that there is no perfect organisation anywhere in the world, even the Constitution of Guyana has to be tweaked.

IDPADA-GCCM has to be treated and I repeat as a new born babe who has to have its nose bridge pulled up, buttocks anointed up and head to be rested evenly to maintain/obtain the correct shape.

Definitely some things has to be reshaped and plans implemented to reflect an all-inclusiveness “so that no one could be left out” which

is necessary to achieve and maintain recognition justice and sustainable development. Unity is strength.

Only persons who have no idea of the long hours of tedious labour into the wee hours of the morn, sacrificing holidays, etc, and a selfish person would call for IDPADA-G to be scrapped. I take no sides.

My only allegiance is to the countless impoverished, under privileged and disenfranchised African Guyanese citizens I encountered in every village across the country. I suggest we all sincerely consider the concerns of all African Guyanese, come together to resolve our differences and work together to achieve recognition justice and sustainable development and make our President and Guyana proud.

After all Guyana, is playing a leading role in the implementation of the UN Declared International Decade for People of African Descent. With love and respect for all my brothers and sisters of the African Guyanese family.

Yours sincerely, Esther “Tutashindai” Gittens

re-election. The independent electoral authority (INE) will coordinate the process and citizens will be in charge of counting the votes at polling stations.

The election on July 1, will be the largest election ever held in Mexico. New members will be elected for the Federal Senate (128 senators), as well as for the entire Chamber of Deputies (500 MPs). Nine states will elect governors and 25 states will elect new Mayors. An unprecedented grand total of 3406 positions at the national and local level will be

in the ballot.

Democratic institutions play a key role in strengthening both domestic cohesion and foreign policy. The bilateral relationship between Mexico and Guyana has evolved rapidly and Mexico has become the largest importer of Guyanese rice (201,000 tons were shipped from July 2017 to June 2018) and Mexican companies such as Qualfon and El Puerto de Liverpool (Courts) have a large presence in business.

And the new generations are reaping concrete bene-

fits, as Mexico has awarded scholarships to attend accredited programmes of MSc in agriculture, sustainable development, and oil and gas.

The Mexican Constitution contains tenets of foreign policy that provide a long-term perspective.

There is every hope that, after the July 1 election, the

bilateral dialogue and development cooperation actions between Mexico and Guyana will continue delivering results for our countries.

Sincerely, Iván Roberto Sierra Medel Ambassador of Mexico

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friDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

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By Miriam Kirmayer

T

he best friendships are those that are stable. Unshakable. The ones that withstand the curveballs life throws our way. But the reality is that friendships can and do change drastically during big life changes and transitions.

Never is this truer than during parenthood. Some of these changes can lead to a sense of distance that may be difficult to manage or accept. Others bring us closer to our friends in some fairly unexpected ways. And although we each experience our roles as parents and as friends differently, there are common threads and lessons that connect us all.

The support we receive from friends matters more than ever Parenthood can be one of the most exciting, exhausting, and overwhelmingly meaningful experiences in life. And although we’re constantly surrounded by this wonderful new person, it can also feel incredibly isolating. There are days when we might find ourselves stuck at home or yearning for some adult conversation.

There will also be those times when we struggle to figure out the “right” way to handle a new parenting challenge: What exactly is sleep training? What’s the best way to be consistent with limit setting?

How can I help my child to be more assertive or confident? It's likely in these moments that the meaning behind the saying “It takes a village” is clearest. Having someone we can turn to for practical support, information, or friendly suggestions (unsolicited parenting advice is rarely appreciated!) and lean on during the more difficult and trying times can make all the difference when it comes to managing the never-ending ride of parenthood.

It also helps to have someone to celebrate the small wins with, whether it’s a new milestone met or just getting that extra hour of sleep. And our friends offer a healthy dose of realism (Parenting is hard, you don’t have to always love it, it’s okay to miss your former life, and it’s

Foundation

definitely okay to seek support) that is so helpful for coping with the overwhelming sense of guilt, perfectionism, and even anxiety or depression that so many new parents experience – contrary to societal expectations, both mothers and fathers can experience postpartum depression.

What’s more, being able to offer our support in return helps us to feel connected to a larger community and to build confidence as a new parent.

Lessons Learnt: While becoming a parent can change our friendships, it also happens to be one of the times when we need our friends the most.

Turning to good friends for support, advice, and encouragement can make the challenges of parenthood more manageable and the triumphs more meaningful.

Maintaining our existing friendships will be difficult There are so many reasons why holding on to our friendships can be a challenge when we become parents. Practically speaking, it can limit the amount of time we spend with our friends, the types of activities we’re able to do together, or the topics that get discussed in casual conversations. Leaving the house altogether can also feel like a hassle and it becomes so easy to convince ourselves that it’s just not worth leaving the safety and comfort of our nest.

We might also start to feel like we have less in common with our friends than we used to which can make it harder to stay in touch, especially with those who are in a different life stage. At the same time, we might find ourselves growing closer to other acquaintances who are parents themselves.

It’s not uncommon for friends to worry about being abandoned or left behind.

And it’s worth noting that this can go both ways; just as you might feel like you’re missing out on activities that aren’t child friendly, a friend might be feeling left out from social gatherings with other parents.

Feelings of guilt (e., about not having enough time to spend with your friends, or not enjoying spending time with friend’s children) or even jealousy or envy (eg, whether it’s wanting a child or missing one’s “carefree” life before children) can also creep up. These struggles can be even more delicate when a close friend is struggling with challenges related to infertility. And personal experiences have a way of creating problems in our friendships when they are overlooked or minimised.

Being able to navigate these changes largely rests on our willingness to recognise that these kinds of experiences are normal, and our ability to be open and honest, both with ourselves and our friends. It also helps to remember why investing in our existing friendships is so helpful: They serve as an important reminder of who we are outside of our role as parents.

Lessons Learnt: Changes and fluctuations in friendships are normal and even expected. This is particularly true during big life changes and transitions, and it doesn’t necessarily say anything about your role as a friend or the value of your friendship.

Not all friendships will survive big changes or life transitions and that is okay. That said, going through a difficult or challenging time with a friend can also bring us closer together.

We only have so much of ourselves to give, especially as new parents.

Narrowing down our friend group to a select few allows us to invest in those who really matter. Focus on cultivating fewer, better friendships. The kind that meet your changing needs and allow you to share the best parts of yourself.

Communicate about what it is you are feeling, where your friendship stands in your list of priorities, and what each of you can do to maintain your friendship long term. If it's a friendship you are motivated to keep, it’s better to adjust the terms of your relationship than to lose it altogether. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

By Paul C Holinger, MD

E

xploring the origins of human feelings, cognition, and language leads to examination of some of the problems and potentials in our current times. One of those problems is physical punishment and violence.

Physical punishment elicits precisely the negative effects one does not want in parent-child relationships and in socialising children: distress, anger, fear, shame, and disgust. Socialising and discipline can be accomplished through the positive effects of interest and enjoyment and the early use of language and cognition with infants and young children.

Studies show that approximately 65 per cent of adults approve of physical punishment and about 50 per cent of families use physical punishment to discipline children

Physical punishment: a serious public health problem

Physical punishment is a serious public health problem throughout the world, and it profoundly affects the mental health of children and the societies in which we live. Research documents that physical punishment is associated with increases in delinquency, antisocial behaviour, and aggression in children, and decreases in the quality of the parent-child relationship, children’s mental health, and children’s capacity to internalise socially acceptable behaviour. Adults who have been subjected to physical punishment as children are more likely to abuse their own child or spouse and to manifest criminal behaviour (Gershoff, 2008).

Spanking is a euphemism for hitting. One is not permitted to hit one’s spouse or a stranger; such actions are defined as the crime of assault. Nor should one be permitted to hit a small and more vulnerable child.

Hitting a child elicits precisely the feelings one does not want to generate in a

child: distress, anger, fear, shame, and disgust. Studies show that children who are hit identify with the aggressor and are more likely to become hitters themselves – that is, bullies and future abusers of their own children and partners. They tend to learn to use violent behaviour as a way to deal with stress and interpersonal disputes.

Defining physical punishment

Physical punishment has been defined as “the use of physical force with the intention of causing a child to experience bodily pain or discomfort so as to correct or punish the child’s behaviour” (Gershoff, 2008, p.

9). This includes: spanking, hitting, pinching, squeezing, paddling, whipping, ”whupping”, swatting, smacking, slapping, washing a child’s mouth with soap, making a child kneel on painful objects, and forcing a child to stand or sit in painful positions for long periods of time.

Physical abuse has been characterised by “the infliction of physical injury as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning, shaking, or otherwise harming a child” (Nat’l Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect, 2000, as cited in Gershoff, 2002, p.

540). Behaviours that cause pain but not physical injury are considered physical punishment, whereas behaviours that risk physical injury are termed physical abuse.

However, recent research questions the traditional physical punishment-abuse dichotomy: most physical abuse occurs during episodes of physical punishment. Physical abuse often follows when physical punishment is the intent, form, and effect of discipline.

Both physical punishment and physical abuse must be addressed and stopped.

Alternatives exist which are more effective in enhancing the healthy development of children. (Excerpt from psychologyto-

day.com)

news

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friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese, WCD woman critical after Overseas-based customs broker robbed at gunpoint being stabbed by ex-lover M oments after returning home from transacting business in Georgetown on Thursday, an overseas-based Guyanese, along with a relative, of Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was held at gunpoint and relieved of $1.2 million in cash and other personal items by two men.

Based on reports received, 36-year-old Riaz Ally, a customs broker, and Ramotar Mansingh, 45, of Lot 76 Section B Nonpareil visited the Republic Bank Branch at Triumph, ECD, about 10:00h and Mansingh reportedly withdrew $1.5 million.

After the transaction, the

G

eeta ‘Pinky’ Deochand of Lot 12 ‘P’ View Street, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara has been stabbed at least 20 times about her body allegedly by Rohan Singh, the father of her 3-year-old son, and she is now reportedly battling for her life at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where she has been rushed after the incident.

Based on reports received, the 27-year-old mother of one was taking her son to school on Thursday morning at about 08:00h when the 27-year-old suspect rode up to her at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.

Singh, who works at the Meadow Bank Wharf as a fish cleaner, subsequently request to kiss his son, but the woman did not give him permission, and an argument ensued.

According to information received, the enraged man whipped out a knife from his pants pocket and started to stab the woman in the presence on their three-year-old son.

After committing the act, the man jumped on his pedal cycle and rode away, but was later apprehended by the Police. While in Police cus-

Geeta "Pinky" Deochand

tody, he admitted to committing the crime.

The woman was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but was transferred to the WDRH, where she has been admitted.

Guyana Times understands that, only a few days ago, Deochand had taken Singh to court for child support. In light of this development, she refused to allow Singh to kiss his child.

Singh and Deochand have

separated close to two years ago, but she would allow him to see his son although he was not contributing to the welfare of the child. She recently became fed up with Singh’s attitude and requested that he live up to his obligation to look after the child.

When money was still not forthcoming, Deochand moved to the courts in order to force Singh to support his child.

The boy is the only child for this couple.

Father before court for punching, kicking pregnant daughter

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leem Mohamed appeared on Thursday before Wales Magistrate Dylon Bess on a charge detailing, that on June 12, 2018, he cuffed and kicked his daughter after she objected to his drunken behaviour.

Mohamed admitted to assaulting his pregnant

daughter Bibi Mohamed at the family home at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara on the day in question. He told the court that he “didn’t like the way” his daughter was speaking to him, but the woman said that her father would always swear and behave disorderly when drunk; and

she noted that his behaviour is very stressful.

Mohamed was placed on a bond to keep to peace, and he promised the magistrate not to drink again. He has been advised that if, at any time within the next six months, he is caught consuming alcohol, he would be sent to prison.

two travelled to Georgetown and purchased building materials. However, after conducting business, the two men returned home in their motor car bearing registration number GPP 3666 and parked in the entrance to their property.

As the two men were about to exit the vehicle, two armed men confronted them and ordered them to lie on the ground in the yard during which they committed the robbery. Ally was relieved of $100,000 in cash, two mobile phones, two gold bands and a gold chain while Mansingh was relieved of $600,000 in cash and a mobile phone.

In addition, one of the men went into the vehicle and collected a bag containing $500,000 and at the same time, he discharged a round into the air. The two men then boarded a silver grey Allion motor car and made good their escape.

After the men left, the Police were summoned and upon arriving at the scene, a .32 spent shell was recovered.

In addition, four fingerprints were lifted from the victims’ vehicle. The Police are also in receipt of CCTV footage as they continue their investigations. Up to late Thursday evening, no arrests have been made.

8 news Workshop on sustainable development held for city officials O Hypocrites… friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

fficials from the various municipalities have benefited from a workshop on sustainable management and development, held on Thursday at Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown.

Those present were addressed by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, who explained that participation is the key towards driving sustainability into the towns of Guyana.

“In Guyana, we’re in a transition as far as the governance architecture is concerned. This is a transition from a centralised approach to governance to a decentralised one, and the trajectory is moving in a different direction,” the minister posited.

He added that the restoration of these towns cannot be an ‘overnight endeavour,’ and would therefore involve work on the part of many entities and individuals.

These discussions would also facilitate the ideas which would prove to be beneficial to the townships, after looking at external factors which would be assisted by the Office of the Climate

R Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan (centre) with some of the participants of the workshop

Change of the Ministry of the Presidency.

“Our local democratic organs, including our municipalities and NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils), are not cosmetic organs. They’re not appendages of the Central Government, but this shift from the centralised model that is largely obtained is not one that will happen overnight.”

While highlighting the remodelling that was done to the newly introduced towns, Bulkan explained that Central Government is willing to extend a helping hand to see materialisation of the

additional initiatives proposed by the councils.

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall also shared his remarks on some of the initiatives that his town hopes to achieve in the future. These include the concepts of electric bicycles and hybrid cars, which they hope to bring soon to the community under collaborative efforts with public and private entities.

In relation to Thursday’s planning and discussions, he advised, “Whenever we make decisions, our intentions are often in the right place but we have to able to analyse our decisions and consider the unintended con-

sequences.”

The mayors, town clerks and councillors of these respective towns, along with United Nations (UN) representatives, were given the chance to demonstrate their ideas and opinions for the establishment of sustainable townships.

Meanwhile, from the discussions, it was revealed that some areas of concern should be taken into consideration before these are developed: such as acknowledgement of diversification, protecting and capitalising the natural resources, the inclusion of innovations and sustainable energy.

Shop owners arraigned with human trafficking

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awrence and June Williams of Itaki, Mazaruni River were on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Anne McLennan on allegations that they had trafficked several Venezuelan women for sexual exploitation.

The Williamses were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that between April 1 and April 30, 2018, June Williams recruited, transported and harboured three Venezuelan nationals for the purpose of sexual exploitation; while her

husband Lawrence was accused of doing the same between November 1 and December 31, 2017.

In addition, businesswoman Arita Gould, called “Molly,” was arraigned with allegedly trafficking a Venezuelan woman between May 1 and May 31,

2018 at Puruni Landing.

Shem, too, was not required to enter a plea, and was remanded to prison.

The trio was unrepresented by legal counsels.

They will make their next court appearance on July 5, 2018.

WBD bus driver gets $50,000 bail on dangerous driving charge

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inibus driver Ramkumar Persaud appeared on Thursday before Wales Magistrate Dylon Bess and denied a dangerous driving charge.

Police have accused the La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara resident of driving minibus BTT 3118 on the Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara in a manner dangerous to the public on February 3, 2018.

In his application to be placed on bail, the 44-yearold driver told the court that he has had no other brushes with the law. As such, he was placed on bail in the sum of $50,000, and will return to court on September 13, 2018 in connection with this matter.

…and Pharisees

emember the American saying – meant to epitomise their democracy – “anybody can become President”?? They proved it by electing Trump!! Well, we can’t say the same for Guyana. With the CCJ’s decision on the Richardson case, nary a soul – save one dissenting Justice – spared a thought about the thousands of Guyanese citizens who’re now barred from running for the presidency of Guyana.

The mandarins of the CCJ decided that removing these Guyanese from offering themselves to the supposedly SOVEREIGN populace doesn’t crimp our democracy!! But then again, when Burnham was rigging elections for 28 years that also didn’t affect our “democracy”!! Like old people say, some see what they WANT to see.

But all the Opposition can talk about – and mostly gloat – is that Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the PPP, is barred from being their Presidential Candidate forever. But this in itself tells a story – a story of how petrified the Opposition is of facing Jagdeo at the polls.

Jagdeo is the single, most popular leader of the PPP – just beaten by a whisker – by a coalition of the PNC and five parties forming APNU and then with the AFC!!

Your Eyewitness won’t even speculate on the foreign “influences” in the mix!! Talk about “double banking”!!

But there’s got to be more than just Jagdeo being a formidable electoral foe: the bitterness underlying their glee has to spring from some deep wells of hatred in the Opposition’s collective psyche. Where did this come from? We don’t have to look very far… just remind yourself what happened when Jagdeo became President. Firstly, he was leapfrogged by one of the founders of the PPP – Janet Jagan – over several old guards, who she would’ve known very well. These dinosaurs in the PPP were the first wave of haters – because of what the choice said about them!! A big chunk of these haters is now in the Opposition – like Nagamootoo and Ramjattan – and their bitterness has spiralled out of control.

Then of course, there’s the PNCites. They originally figured the very youthful Jagdeo wouldn’t be able to stand up to what the PNC knows best – brute force and ignorance!! Hoyte launched his “slow fyaah; mo fyaah” strategy and was confident that Jagdeo would fold. He didn’t…and there was hysterical weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth in the PNC camp. They upped the ante with an armed frontal attack by “Freedom Fighters” based in Buxton…but Jagdeo still didn’t buckle.

He’d taken an oath to defend Guyana by any means necessary – and he didn’t flinch from keeping his work.

And that’s why the Opposition’s so ecstatic they don’t have to deal with Jagdeo anymore!!

…and sugar workers

The PNC-led Government showed its true colours when they arbitrarily fired 5700 sugar workers. The latter had long been a thorn in the PNC’s side as faithful supporters of the PPP and the PNC went for the jugular.

Two years down the road, there has been a frenetic public relations effort to show they’re “taking care” of sugar workers through five initiatives. The sad and pathetic bottom line, however, is that not even 100 jobs have been created – especially as had been promised by leasing land to the fired workers and facilitating their transition into cash crop farmers.

But what brought home the callous attitude of the PNC towards sugar workers is the announcement that GAWU has had to resort to the courts to demand that GuySuCo and their Government owners, pay the remainder of the 50 per cent still owed to the fired workers. At the time, the Government said its coffers were empty.

But what do they say now that it’s revealed they paid $265 million for a bottom house warehouse??

…on NGSA

Everyone will be oohing and aahing over the top one per cent of the NGSA cohort. But why not spare a thought to the more than 50 per cent who can’t add or subtract.

Is this deliberate to prevent future generations from checking the PNC’s profligacy?

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

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friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IMF report ‘ringing bells’ about PNC/APNU unmoved by state of the economy – Jagdeo AFC’s LGE protestations

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted the dire state of the Guyanese economy, which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo says careful attention should be paid to.

Having looked at the report in its entirety, Jagdeo said it has highlighted some important facts and is also “ringing some bells about our future and state of our economy.”

In referring to some content of that report, Jagdeo noted that the report has highlighted the fact that credit to business sector grew by 0.9 per cent in 2017, which is less than one per cent.

“That’s less than inflation. That there is a high level of nonperforming loans. That we have a large exposure as a percentage of capital,” he read from the report.

Jagdeo bemoaned the fact that the report noted that the IMF looked at several countries where the average is 20 per cent, but in Guyana’s case it is 160 per cent of capital (level of exposure).

He also pointed to another fact in the report is the low level of provisioning coverage as a percentage of non-performing loans. “So if you have to provide for them, it will affect seriously the profitability of most of our banks. These are very important points in that report,” he added.

In addition to that, the report also pointed to corresponding banking relationships still being an issue.

The IMF noted that fiscal deficit remained stable in 2017. The Government deficit was 4.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lower than the budgeted 5.6 per cent. This better than expected outturn was largely supported by higher revenue

arising from improvements in tax administration.

In 2018, the deficit is projected to widen to 5.4 per cent of GDP due to the cost of restructuring the sugar industry, including severance payments to displaced workers, as well as an increase in infrastructure related capital expenditure.

Guyana’s last best growth rate was 5.2 per cent in 2013. World Bank records show Guyana’s growth rates in 2014 was 3.8 per cent, 2015 3.2 per cent, and 2016 3.3 per cent. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had claimed that the poor performance was linked the dismal figures to sectors including sugar.

However, as the IMF focused on the fiscal outlook for Guyana’s in its recent report, it noted that the country’s medium-term prospects are favourable. The commencement of oil production in 2020 will be a turning point. The main direct effect on the domestic economy will be through higher fiscal revenue, and spillovers to supporting activities.

The balance of payments will swing sharply to positive after 2020.

“Oil revenue significantly improves the fiscal outlook, and is expected to place the public debt on a downward trajectory. The mission welcomed the progress made on establishing a comprehensive fiscal framework for managing oil wealth,” it explained.

An important point made by the IMF was the fact that debt sustainability concerns are weakened by future oil revenues, but it warned that the financing of shortterm deficits should be carefully managed.

“The mission supports the authorities’ prudence towards private external borrowing. The authorities were encouraged to rely to the extent possible on development banks, including non-concessional financing, and to follow-up on their plans to develop the domestic bond market,” it added.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding significant upside benefits, the prospect of revenue from the oil sector could lead to real exchange rate appreciation, eroding competitiveness in some sectors.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo and his party has long argued that the coalition Government does not have what it takes to manage the affairs of the local economy.

He has spoken repeatedly about the increasing debt portfolio by constantly borrowing millions ahead of the impending oil and gas sector.

The former Head of State maintains that the People’s Progressive Party is best suited to handle both the economic and social affairs of the country on any given day.

By Michael Younge

A

high-ranking official within the People’s National Congress (PNC) on Thursday said his party is “unmoved” and “unfazed” by the ongoing protestations by its coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), in relation to the failure of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to reach an alliance to compete in the upcoming Local Government Elections under one banner.

The official, who spoke under anonymity, said the PNC under the leadership of General Secretary Amna Ally and party leader, David Granger, was already engaged in preparatory works for the upcoming elections.

He said the PNC was prepared to “go to the polls with or without the AFC under the APNU platform”.

“Well if push comes to shove and there is conflict within the APNU too, we do not foresee a difficulty going to polls as a single party even though we remain committed to electoral alliances and the notion of coalition politics”.

He said his party was constantly engaged in monitoring the work of the Guyana Elections Commission and had already started to scout and recruit suitably qualified individuals to serve as candidates and Councillors throughout the length and breadth of the country.

“The PNC knows what is at stake at the upcoming LGE polls and we are not willing to take any chances,” he remarked. Asked if the Executive of the party was at all concerned by some of the demands that are being made by the AFC in its discussions with the APNU,” he responded in the positive.

“As you are aware, Mr Harmon is part of those discussions and he is not only

Sophia man shot over old grievance

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ophia, Greater Georgetown resident Shawn Joseph is now nursing a gunshot wound to his back, inflicted on Thursday following an argument with another man over an old grievance.

Based on reports received, the shooting incident, which reportedly took place in the vicinity of a city

business place in Werk-enRust, Georgetown, occurred just after Joseph and a friend had finished consuming a meal in Breda Street and had decided to go to a shop in Leopold Street.

As they were using the compound of the city business place to access Breda Street, Joseph was approached by the suspect,

identified only as “Struggle”, and an argument erupted between the two men over a previous misunderstanding.

“Struggle” allegedly broke a beer bottle and attacked Joseph, a vendor, who in turn whipped out a knife to defend himself.

The sound of an explosion was then heard, and Joseph began to experience a

burning sensation on his upper left back. He reportedly fell unconscious, and when he regained consciousness, he was in an ambulance heading to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Joseph is said to be in a stable condition at the GPHC, but the perpetrator remains at large.

PNC General Secretary Amna Ally

representing the interests of the APNU but the positions of the PNC. We are not likely to enter into an unfavourable agreement with the AFC because it is throwing a temper tantrum and flexing its muscles,” he remarked.

The PNC official said the AFC is becoming “greedy and is asking for far too much” during the talks.

Efforts to contact Ally on Thursday all day for an update on the status of the talks between the PNC-lead APNU and the AFC proved futile as calls went unanswered to both her mobile and office phones.

But AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams, speaking with the Guyana Times on Thursday said the talks which are ongoing have been “aggressive” and “progressive”. He said there are still a number of issues to be ironed out between the APNU and AFC as discussions continue over the coming weeks.

He said the AFC still held the view that the two parties were “better together” but it was still cognisant of the need to reach a finalised agreement on not only how they would compete at the upcoming polls but how they would share their successes and the amount of seats garnered within various municipalities.

“Our biggest challenge remains unseating the People’s Progressive Party Civic [PPP/C],” Williams remarked, as he referred to the large number of votes that the party had garnered at the local polls in various parts of the country after the return of the LGE following an 18-year hiatus. He said the AFC’s talks with the APNU could not affect the party’s own preparation to go to the polls alone if no formidable

agreement was reached.

The AFC’s General Secretary insisted that the AFC wanted what was best for the country’s over development and a complete return to democracy and good governance at the local levels where monies allocated for regional and Local Government Organs are actually spent on the stipulated projects and not returned unused to the public coffers as is the case in certain PPP/C areas.

“Within the AFC and within the talks, we still have various positions on a number of different issues in relation to the LGE polls,” he admitted. Asked if there was a stipulated deadline set to wrap up talks in the interest of having sufficient time to campaign for the LGE, Williams said the party will be guided by its Executive and the status of the talks as the time draws nearer.

On Sunday, following a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the AFC on Saturday, the party said having already commenced its campaign, it has now started with the identification of candidates.

That meeting was held at the Wamlan Pai Kulanau Pona at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Greater Georgetown, and resulted in a pre-campaign plan of action and the broad outlines of strategic plans for the campaigns in each of the nine administrative regions in which LGE will be contested being devised.

Having felt it was disadvantaged in the 2016 Local Government polls with regards to the allocation of candidates, the AFC had been mulling whether it should contest the LGEs alone this time round.

However, the party subsequently initiated discussions with its coalition partner to discuss the way forward.

The AFC had said the party has proposed nine major points to be negotiated; the upcoming LGE being the first. The AFC is reportedly demanding 60 per cent of the total seats secured after the LGE. This demand comes after AFC Councillors in the Georgetown municipality has been sidelined by the APNU’s Councillors on a number of issues inclusive of the controversial parking meter project.

10 news

friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

World Court to decide on jurisdiction after February 2019 – Greenidge – Ministry launches PSAs to increase awareness

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he International Court of Justice (ICJ) will early next year make a determination on whether or not it is its jurisdiction to hear the matter relating to the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

This was related by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge who disclosed on Thursday that the delay was based by an objection by the Bolivarian Republic which said it “does not recognise” the ICJ’s jurisdiction.

“It will be sometime after February next year that the court will decide on jurisdiction,” the Foreign Affairs

Minister posited.

Greenidge said after such time, the court will proceed with the substantive case which could be heard in two years’ time.

In the meantime, the Foreign Affairs Ministry collaborated with the Education Ministry and launched two Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. This seeks to inform and update the public on the ongoing matter which is currently gaining the attention of the ICJ in Hague, The Netherlands.

The PSAs are available on Facebook and YouTube and

will soon be broadcast on television in the near future.

Venezuela claims the entire Essequibo region but according to Guyana’s application to the World Court, for more than 60 years Venezuela had consistently recognised and respected the validity of the binding force of the 1899 Award and the 1905 map agreed by both sides in furtherance of the award.

On March 29, 2018, Guyana filed an application requesting the World Court to confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award regarding its boundary with

Venezuela. This application followed a decision by the UN Secretary General earlier this year in choosing the ICJ as the next means of resolving the controversy that arose as a result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela was null and void.

The court documents noted that while Venezuela has never produced any evidence to justify its belated repudiation of the 1899 Award, the neighbouring country has used it as an excuse to occupy territory awarded to Guyana in 1899, to inhibit Guyana’s economic development, and to violate Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.

In filing the application, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge,

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

who will serve as Guyana’s agent in the proceedings before the ICJ, said: “…

Guyana has respected the Secretary General’s decision and placed its faith in the International Court of Justice to resolve the controversy in accordance with its statue and jurisprudence, based on the fundamental

principles of international law, including the sanctity of treaties, the maintenance of settled boundaries and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.”

On January 30, 2018, Secretary General Antonio Guterres, concluded that the Good Offices Process – which the parties had engaged in for almost 30 years, but failed to achieve a solution to the controversy – and chose the ICJ as the next means of settlement, for which Guyana has long been advocating. United States oil giant ExxonMobil had announced back in May 2015 that it had found oil offshore Guyana. Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found

by ExxonMobil, and has since renewed claims to the Essequibo region. (Shemuel Fanfair)

S RAIGHT There is a shortage of foreign currency in Guyana

S

ince August 2017, the Bank of Guyana has started to shop aggressively for foreign currency in the local private FX market.

While there is no abnormality in the Central Bank entering the private FX market intermittently to buy and sell currency as a tool to manage its monetary policy, there is definitely a problem when it consistently conducts operations that resulted in the harvesting of some US$91.1 million over a 12-month period. This situation is abnormal.

The graph below was created with data published in the Bank of Guyana Statistical Abstract and it reveals some interesting facts.

If one looks at the trend line from the graph, it reveals a case of a deep dive in the supply of foreign currency in the local private FX market and this trend is not expected to improve as GuySuCo implodes. Only in April 2018, the Central Bank sucked some US$33.8 million out of the private FX market. Yet to date, we cannot hear of any policy intervention from the Finance Minister to address this systemic challenge.

The main reason for this situation is the perilous state of Guyana’s trade balance, which has worsened in 2017 as a result of the collapse of production and exports in the sugar industry. Until that is fixed, there will be a depreciation of the Guyana dollars. How do you fix this? New foreign direct investment to replace the sugar money.

Because of what was allowed to happen in the sugar industry by the mavericks in GuySuCo’s boardroom, the value of export flat-lined in 2017 because of the acquisition cost of fuel, the value of imports expanded by some US$170 million. But to add salt to the trade wound, remittance from abroad declined by over US$50 million in 2017. This is a clear indication that in addition to a trade imbalance, the Diaspora (a key source of foreign currency) has demonstrated a declining sense of confidence in the local economy.

While timely interventions in the private FX market can be a positive tool, because of the economic fundamentals of any economy, any sustained withdrawal of foreign currency from the private market is not advisable. All the Central Bank is doing is actively reducing the supply of foreign currency available to the Private Sector in a period when the demand should be increasing. In such a situation, the price will rise and the evidence has started to show. I was told that “offthe-book” trade is currency is now going for G$219 for one US dollar.

As former President and Leader of the Opposition Jagdeo accurately postulated, he expects the exchange rate at Christmas 2018 to be closer to G$240 to US$1. All the computation I have done clearly points me in this direction also. So what is Jagdeo, the local Private Sector and many of us are seeing, that the Government cannot?

As fuel prices increase and as the dollar debt service payments also rise, the demand for foreign currency by the Central Bank will also swell. Rather than supporting the foreign currency generators in the economy such as the sugar sector, all the Government has done was plunder the stock of foreign currency in the private FX market as a short-term measure. But that is not progressive policymaking that is a reckless reaction to a situation where you have lost control. One only has to look at the first crop figures from GuySuCo. The sugar company had a pathetic production of 34,000 tonnes sugar. GuySuCo is now on course to produce less than 90,000 tonnes of sugar in 2018 compared to some 239,000 tonnes just two years ago. Those lost tonnes provided some US$50 million less to the Central Bank compared to two years ago. There is nothing right now filling that gap.

In spite of the situation where GuySuCo was making a Guyana dollar loss, the benefits to the nation was clearly it released valuable foreign currency into the economy. With GuySuCo now a shadow of its former self, those inflows of foreign currency are now lost. All we are hearing from the Granger Administration is the more empty talk of oil inflows but with a projected production of 120,000 bpd in 20202021, peanuts will be left on the table for Guyana after the company has made their claims.

In conclusion, it is clear that Guyana is facing a situation where there are heavy doses of policy paralysis in the Finance Ministry.

Will President Granger acknowledge his mistake and take corrective measures to secure new leadership on this front? It is not too late!

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

11 Former Linden Mayor and convicted terrorist dies in US penitentiary F news

friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ormer People’s National Congress (PNC) Member of Parliament Abdul Kadir, the former Mayor of Linden and a former convicted international terrorist, died in a penitentiary in the United States of America on Thursday morning.

A chemical engineer by training, Kadir had served as a Councillor for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in the Guyana National Assembly from 2001 to 2006.

At the time of his death, Kadir, in his 60s, was serving a sentence of life imprisonment, having been convicted for the 2007 John F Kennedy International Airport terror attack, which was said to be an Islamist extremist terrorist plot to blow up a system of jet fuel supply tanks and pipelines that feed fuel to John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York. Those pipelines travel underground in densely populated areas throughout New York City.

However, the alleged plot was foiled when an undercover law enforcement official was recruited to the homegrown terrorist cell.

The main suspects in the terrorist plot were identified as Russell Defreitas, a Guyanese born naturialised United States citizen. He was employed at the JFK Airport at the time, and was suspected to be the alleged ring leader.

After the plot surfaced, Defreitas was allegedly clandestinely recorded telling an informant, “Anytime you hit Kennedy, it is the most hurtful thing to the United States. To hit John F Kennedy, wow – They love JFK – he’s like the man. If you hit that, the whole country will be in mourning. It’s like you can kill the man twice.”

Defreitas had also allegedly seen arms and missiles being shipped to Israel, and he felt that those would be used to harm Muslims.

The men had allegedly named the plot “Chicken Farm”.

Reports back then indicated that there had been extensive surveillance of the targets, including by the use of satellite photographs, and attempts had been made to reach out to another Islamist terrorist group. However, no explosives had been bought.

According to a Newsday report on the terrorist plot, New York investigators were probing a possible Iran connection to the plot because Abdul Kadir had planned to visit that country. In Trinidad, Police reportedly investigated whether Kareem Ibrahim had ties to Iraq and Iran.

Despite Kadir having always maintained his innocence, US court documents revealed that he was the disciple of Mohsen Rabbani, an Iranian diplomat accused of being one of the mas-

Former PNC MP Abdul Kadir

terminds behind the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires.

However, Defreitas was arrested in Brooklyn, New York. Kadir and Ibrahim

They pleaded not guilty to charges of trying to “cause greater destruction than in the September 11 attacks”.

Russell Defreitas is being held after an earlier

JFK Airport

were arrested in Trinidad on June 3, 2007. Nur surrendered to Police two days later in Trinidad.

On June 25, 2008, Kareem Ibrahim, Abdel Nur and Abdul Kadir were extradited to the United States.

not guilty plea. On June 29, the four men were indicted on charges of conspiring to “cause death, serious bodily injury and extensive destruction” at the airport; and on August 6, a Judge ordered three of the alleged

plotters extradited to the United States.

On August 2, 2010, Kadir and Defreitas were convicted in the JFK Airport bomb plot; while, in 2011, Ibrahim was found guilty of the crime, and in February 2012, Ibrahim was sentenced to life in prison.

In August, 2017, the Guyana Government seized assets belonging to the two Guyanese accused of terrorism activities in the United States of America.

The move on the part of the Administration was made utilising the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Laws, and the order was effected by Minister within the Finance Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma.

Kadir, the former PNC Parliamentarian, was also found guilty, along with Kareem Ibrahim, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, and Abdel Nur, another Guyanese and uncle of late former world welterweight boxing champion Andrew “Six Head” Lewis.

Family members of the convicted terrorist reportedly learnt of his demise on Thursday morning. It was disclosed that the former MP had been ill for some time, and relatives had been informed of his condition.

Reports are that he was rushed to a medical facility, where he succumbed to his aliments. Kadir was said to have had nine children and more than 15 grandchildren.

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friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attorney General in Paris FATF Plenary and Working Group Meetings

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The FATF Plenary meeting in Paris

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, is currently participating in the Plenary and Working Group Meetings of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-XXIX, being held at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris from June 24-29, 2018.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body that was established in 1989. It sets the standards to counter money-laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

The established standards are the FATF 40 Recommendations which the FATF and FATF Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs) -- of which the CFATF is the first one created in the Global Network -- use to monitor

their members’ level of compliance and implementation of measures against money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. The FATF’s decision making body is the Plenary, which meets three times per year (February, June and October).

The Plenary’s reviews are done through discussions on mutual evaluation reports and other projects covering issues that are discussed in each of the technical Working Groups three days prior to the Plenary (June 24-26, 2018).

The Plenary meeting is intended to have all relevant parties present to discuss AML/CFT/PF issues, so that progress is made in a consistent manner by FATF and FSRBs. The CFATF as an FSRB is therefore fully

involved, like other FSRBs, in the work that is discussed during Plenary.

As the Chairman of CFATF, it is therefore important to remain visible and viable in the discussions that take place at the FATF Plenary level. There is an expectation that the issues, their outcomes and requisite follow-thorough in relevant instances will be carried forward by the Chair of each FSRB and their secretariats.

During the plenary, several topics will be covered that are of importance to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Region. These include the Counter Terrorist Financing Operational Plan, Revisions to the Methodology, and FinTech and RegTech issues.

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friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Westfield Prep student tops NGSA with perfect score

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leven-year-old Nalia Rahaman of Westfield Prep has been announced the top student at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations, having secured a perfect score of 529.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry made the announcement at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) on Thursday.

The elated student explained that she was very happy to have been informed that she had secured the top spot this year. Rahaman had sat the examination at a tender age of ten with the aspiration of becoming an author.

“I was very happy, and it is what I prayed for in the month of Ramadan. I made lots of prayers to Allah, so I was very happy, very glad and very grateful. I had to study a lot, and be very disciplined,” she detailed.

Rahaman explained that she hadn’t expected to do this well at the examinations, because the Science Paper Two and Social Studies Paper Two had been most challenging to complete.

Asked if her accomplishment had entailed long nights of studying, the top students said, “Not really, because the latest I went to bed was 10 ‘o’ clock one night. I used to wake up in the morning and pray and then revise, because I

couldn’t really function revising late at night.”

Rahaman’s mother, Nabeenah Mohamed, had this to say: “It is such an honour. Today she’s the top student, and not only the top student, but the top student with a perfect score. It was a very tight schedule, so it’s like constant revision, but Nalia has always been consistent.”

Mohamed’s advice to parents whose children will be writing the examination next year is to listen to their children and devise strategies which would work in their favour.

“You have to do what is best for your child. You don’t pirate what you see in front of you. Just listen to your child, and children should listen to their parents,” Mohamed admonished.

Meanwhile, the second top performer, Arthur Roberts from the New Guyana School, who secured 525 marks, stated: “I feel really great and elated and proud of myself that I made it so far and got such a high score in this examination. For preparation, I had to give up a lot of my extracurricular activities: playing sports and watching a lot of television, playing games on electronic devices.”

Roberts indicated that he was all along aiming for a place at Queen’s College, and he is now working towards his lifelong goal of being a paediatrician.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson pose with the top performers

Cianna Barkoye of North Ruimveldt Primary, who secured 523 marks, noted that she was expecting to excel because of her endless studying.

“I want to enter my new school and make new friends. I think the Social Studies paper was challenging, but the easiest was Mathematics. For this I want to thank my teacher, parents and friends,” she declared.

The top Success Elementary School performer, Zyia Braithwaithe, who gained 523 marks, said, “I feel very excited that I got the school that I got, along with being in the top 10.

Now I plan to relax, because I’ve earned a break from all the tiring studies and late nights.”

Krystal Duncan of the

New Guyana School, who acquired 523 marks, recalled the long nights which accompanied hours of studying to learn everything that she needed to know.

“I feel excited. I stayed up late at nights and woke up every morning to study.

I had to give up some sports, like basketball and so.”

Out of Leonora Primary School on the Demerara West Coast, Darren Ramphal, who obtained 522 marks, explained that he is indeed proud of himself, and is looking forward to entering his new school with the intention of achieving even greater heights.

“My parents were very proud of me, and even more excited than I was. I now plan to go into secondary school and work very hard to achieve my dreams,” he explained.

Cassie Farinha from Peter’s Hall Primary, an aspiring environmental scientist, exclaimed, “I’m very excited! I was kind of expecting this.”

Encouraging her fellow students to study harder and try to dedicate even more time into their studies, she remarked, “Hard work is the key to success”.

Another Leonora Primary School student,

Virendra Dookie, related, “I’m very elated and thrilled at my results. I fell happy that my letter was chosen among the best, because English is not really my favourite subject; I like Mathematics.”

Dookie believes that the most challenging subject for him in this year’s examination was Social Studies, and he is now aspiring to become a lawyer.

The top student for Region One (Barima-Waini) was Romario De Souza; from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), it was Alex Muntaz; from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), it was Darren Ramphal; from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Kaydee Ali prevailed; as did Anne Khemraj from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Rajiv Babulall from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Kenneth Edwards from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Lotasha Stanislaus from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nikolai Kissoon from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Shakina Mc Gregor from Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and Nalia Rahaman from Georgetown.

14 NEWS Lawrence promises to halt rental of controversial drug bond by December 2018 friDAY, june 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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fter doling out $264 million on the Sussex Street bond, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has announced Government will halt the rental of that Charlestown facility owned

by Linden Holdings Inc by the end of 2018.

Lawrence, in 2017, had promised that the rental of the Sussex street drug bond would be no more by the end of that year. The bond is currently being rented by the Ministry to house a CT Scanning machine.

According to Lawrence, the expensive piece of equipment requires strin-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

gent specifications for storage and, according to the Minister, the bond fits

these requirements.

The machine is to be sent to the Bartica Regional Hospital upon completion of a building to install the equipment. This building at Bartica is currently under construction and will be completed shortly.

“As soon as they (the regional authorities give us clearance that the room is ready, we are ready to remove that CT scanner to Bartica and give up that bond. As a matter of fact, I am on record saying that as of the December 31, 2018, the Ministry of Public Health will not be renting any more bonds,” Minister Lawrence explained.

The Sussex Street drugs bond

Lawrence noted that the Ministry has budgeted for the construction of a drug bond in Kingston, Georgetown, while expansion work on the Diamond bond is underway, while outlining that the Ministry’s adoption of a new procurement system for drugs and medical supplies will require them to have adequate, specified and suitable spaces for the storage of these supplies.

The Health Minister’s utterances comes on the heels of the revelation made in National Assembly, in response to questions on notice from the parliamentary Opposition, that the State has paid out over $264 million in rental fees.

In the response tabled in the National Assembly during Monday’s sitting, Lawrence stated that from July 2016 to March 2018, the sum of $264.5 million was paid to Linden Holdings Incorporated.

This company is linked to local businessman Larry Singh, a People’s National

Congress (PNC) financier.

When it comes to action being taken to end the arrangement, Lawrence revealed that a Notice of Quit dated October 31, 2016, was sent by the then Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry, Trevor Thomas.

Further, current Permanent Secretary Colette Adams had sent a reminder dated October 3, 2017. There is no mention of the company’s response to these notices. As of March, it is understood that the bond was still being rented.

The transaction first came to light in 2016 during consideration of Financial Papers, when it was discovered that Government had in fact entered a contract to pay a VAT-excluded $12.5 million monthly rental to Linden Holdings Inc for the storage of drugs and medical supplies.

It was also discovered that $25 million was already spent as a security deposit, in addition to

$12.5 million, representing monthly rentals from August to December 2016.

The sums were paid to the Linden Holdings Inc. The criticisms that erupted after the scandal that occurred under then Health Minister, Dr George Norton, led President David Granger to set up a Cabinet sub-committee to investigate the matter and make recommendations.

That committee which comprised Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman as the Chairman; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon concluded that the contract should be terminated or re-negotiated, since a similar facility could have been found at a cheaper rate.

During the debate on the 2017 Budget in December 2016, a parliamentary delegation accompanied by the media visited the bond and found condoms, lubricants and some unused refrigerators, but no pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

The parliamentary Opposition has since formally requested that the Public Procurement Commission investigate the transaction.

It has since been reported in the media that the expensive CT-scanner that the Minister is referring to is worth approximately $1.8 million, while the monthly rent of the bond exceeds $12 million.

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friDAY, june 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lindo Creek CoI wraps up

To present findings to President by Saturday T he Commission of Inquiry into the June, 2008 deaths of miners Cedric Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong has wrapped up its work, and is set to present its findings to President David Granger on or before Saturday, June 30.

In a release on Friday, the CoI said it had extended invitations to former President Bharrat Jagdeo; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; and Home Affairs Minister at time of the incident, Clement Rohee, to offer information; but they all declined.

The CoI noted that the three men had all held important positions in 2008, and their names were mentioned a number of times by various persons who testi-

fied.

“In response to the Commission’s first invitation in May, 2018, all three officials, through their Attorneys-at-law, Mohabir A. Nandlall & Associates, by way of letter, responded by stating that ‘It is with regret that I inform you that my client/s will not voluntarily attend any private hearing of the Commission. An invitation to attend a public hearing may have attracted a different response from my client/s’.

A second invitation was sent by the Commission to the officials in June 2018, inviting them to submit witness statements relating to the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry, and informing them that consideration would be given to according them a public hearing should

Victims of Lindo Creek

the Commission consider it necessary. This invitation was again declined by way of letter from Attorneys-at-

Consultations on revision of 2006 Amerindian Act begin

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Facilitators at the conclusion of the training workshop

he Steering Committee for the Amerindian Act 2006 Revision has completed training of facilitators to enable a smooth process in making informed recommendations for the Amerindian Act 2006 revision that is currently taking place.

This Steering Committee is comprised of representatives of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), The Amerindian

Peoples Association (APA), The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG), the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), and the Amerindian Development Foundation (ADF).

The last of a four part training workshop concluded on June 22, 2018 in Georgetown with a plan to ensure that as many Indigenous villages and communities as possible, especially those that oper-

ate as District Councils, are prepared to make recommendations in a systematic manner.

The facilitators will assist the Village Councils and other residents to better understand the current Act as it relates to their concerns, and to document their recommendations for revision.

These recommendations are expected to be submitted in written form to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, which has officially commenced consultations.

The Moruca Sub-Region District Council is meeting in the host village of Santa Rosa, Moruca, Region 1, from June 30 to July 2, 2018. The Upper Mazaruni District Council and the North Pakaraimas District Council are also expected to meet in early July. The communities of Region 2 are slated to have their revision meetings in the first week of July.

law Mohabir A. Nandlall & Associates,” the statement explained.

On June 21, 2008 miner Leonard Arokium discovered the charred remains of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Sp,eirs,

Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres, who all worked with him at Lindo Creek in the Upper Berbice River area.

The Police are contending that the Fine Man Gang

killed the men, but Leonard Arokium is holding out that it was the Joint Services who murdered the men.

Following discovery of the bodies, a high-level team comprising acting President Sam Hinds, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, late Police Commissioner Henry Greene, and other senior Police officers had visited the home of Arokium, where Hinds allegedly tried to convince him that Fine Man was responsible for the deaths of the men.

The Lindo Creek CoI is the first of what Government has said would be a series of inquiries into the hundreds of killings which began during a crime wave that began in 2002.

The work of the commission will come to an end on June 30, when Chairman Donald Trotman is expected to submit his findings to President Granger.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, june 29, 2018

Around the World

At least 5 killed in US newsroom shooting

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gunman fired through a glass door at a newspaper office in the Maryland capital of Annapolis and sprayed the newsroom with gunfire on Thursday, killing at least five people and injuring several others, authorities said.

The suspect has been apprehended and no motive is known for the attack at the Capital Gazette office, local political leaders said, adding they believe he acted alone.

A reporter for the newspaper described the scene in the newsroom as being “like a war zone”, with reporters hiding under their desks for safety.

Phil Davis, who identified himself as a court and crime reporter at the Capital Gazette, which runs multiple newspapers in its Annapolis office, tweeted that multiple people had been shot.

Davis said in an interview with the Baltimore

ndia’s Oil Ministry has asked refiners to prepare for a “drastic reduction or zero” imports of Iranian oil starting in November, two industry sources said, the first sign that New Delhi is responding to a push by the United States to cut trade ties with Iran, Reuters news agency reports.

India has said it does not

Law enforcement officials survey the scene after a gunman fired through a glass door at the Capital Gazette newspaper and sprayed the newsroom with gunfire, killing at least five people and injuring several others, in Annapolis, Maryland, US, June 28, 2018

Sun, which owns the Gazette, that he and others were still hiding under their desks when the shooter stopped firing.

“I don’t know why. I don’t know why he stopped,” he said. “But as much as I’m going to try to articulate how traumatising it is to

be hiding under your desk, you don’t know until you’re there and you feel helpless.”

One law enforcement source told CBS News the suspect is a male in his 20s who had no identification on him. (Excerpt from Reuters)

EU leaders fail to agree on migration deal

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uropean Union leaders remained divided over dealing with refugees and accepting migrants as a two-day meeting on migration opened in Brussels on Thursday.

Members have not reached a deal over how to handle the flow of Europe-bound refugees and migrants, despite a significant drop in arrivals this year, diplomats said.

“As one member reserved their position on the entire

India preparing for “cut in oil imports from Iran” I

conclusions, no conclusions have been agreed at this stage,” the spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said in a statement.

Diplomats said the country that was blocking the agreement was Italy.

Tusk and European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker also cancelled a news conference scheduled for Thursday evening.

France and several other

EU countries including Italy have reached an agreement on new wording for migration conclusions, a French diplomat said.

The diplomat said among those on board with the draft text were Malta, Spain and the Netherlands, although a Dutch Government spokesman later said his country was not part of new proposals that came after Rome blocked an earlier agreement. (Excerpt

recognise unilateral restrictions imposed by the US, and instead follows United Nations sanctions. But the industry sources said India, the largest buyer of Iranian oil after China, will be forced to take action to protect its exposure to the US financial system.

India’s Oil Ministry held a meeting with refiners on

Thursday, urging them to scout for alternatives to Iranian oil, the sources said. “[India] has asked refiners to be prepared for any eventuality, since the situation is still evolving. There could be drastic reduction or there could be no import at all,” said one of the sources who have knowledge of the matter. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

133 politicians murdered ahead of Mexico elections – study

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he murders – mostly of local-level politicians, the most frequent targets for Mexico’s powerful drug cartels – were recorded between September, when candidate registration opened, and the close of campaigning on Wednesday, when an interim mayor was killed in the western state of Michoacan.

The victims included 48 candidates running for office – 28 who were killed during the primary campaigns and 20 during the general election campaign, Etellekt, which carried out a study of election-related violence, told AFP Thursday.

“This violence has been concentrated at the local level. At least 71 per cent of these attacks have been against elected officials and candidates running for office at the local level,” said the firm’s director, Ruben

A member of the Regional Coordinator of Community Authorities (CRAC) stands guard during a meeting held by Nestora Salgado, candidate for the senate for the MORENA party, in San Luis Acatlan, Guerrero state, Mexico on May 20, 2018

Salazar.

“This is the result of very serious problems of governability at the local level,” he told Mexican radio network Formula.

Just one of the victims was running for federal of-

fice, he said.

It is by far the most violent election on record in Mexico, which also registered a record number of murders across the board last year at 25,339. (Excerpt from

AFP)

Jamaica: PNP says minimum Pence urges Latin America wage increase too little, too late from Al Jazeera)

to isolate Venezuela

US Vice President Mike Pence (left) shakes hands with Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno, in Quito, Ecuador, June 28, 2018

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S Vice President Mike Pence during a visit to Ecuador on Thursday urged Latin American countries to help isolate crisis-stricken Venezuela, an ideological adversary of Washington that is struggling under a severe and prolonged economic crisis.

Pence met with Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno as part of a tour of Latin America that has included meetings with Venezuelans who left the socialist country because it is

so difficult to obtain food or medicine.

“One specific threat to our collective security that is on (our minds) ... is the ongoing collapse of Venezuela into dictatorship, deprivation, and despair,” Pence said during a joint news conference with Moreno.

“We respectfully urge Ecuador and all of our allies across the Region to take steps to further isolate the Maduro regime.”

Pence said the United States offered to provide US$2 million in assistance

to Ecuador to handle the growing influx of migrants, whose numbers are overwhelming social services agencies in countries all over Latin America.

Washington has already levied sanctions against Venezuela, including barring American citizens from working with a group of high-ranking Venezuelan officials and blocking US investors from acquiring newly-issued bonds.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro called Pence a “poisonous viper” and promised to defeat what he called efforts to overthrow his government.

Moreno said on Thursday that Ecuador was seeking to improve bilateral relations with the United States, which were tense during the decade-long rule of Moreno’s predecessor Rafael Correa, a socialist ally of Maduro.

Moreno stopped short of agreeing to isolate Caracas.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

P

eople’s National Party (PNP) Shadow Minister of Labour and Social Security, Horace Dalley, says he is disappointed with the “meagre J$800” increase in the minimum wage.

Dalley in a release from his party on Thursday accused the Jamaica Labour

Party (JLP) Administration of failing to deliver on its election promise that if elected it would set a minimum wage of $10,000 per 40-hour work week.

Dalley said the increase, which was announced by Labour Minister Shahine Robinson during her contribu-

tion to the sectoral debate on Tuesday, was “disgraceful”.

“It is disgraceful that after two years, the Government would only offer an J$800 dollar increase, moving the minimum wage from J$6400 to J$7000 per 40-hour work week. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

China caps film stars’ pay over ‘money worship and tax evasion’

Forbes ranked Fan Bingbing as the world's fifth highest-paid actress in 2016

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hina’s authorities say they are capping the pay of actors as part of a move to crack down on tax evasion and

“money worship” in the industry.

Actors in Chinese films and TV programmes will have their pay capped at 40

per cent of total production costs.

Meanwhile, lead actors cannot be paid more than 70 per cent of total cast pay, the Government says.

It comes after a debate on celebrity pay, and allegations of tax evasion in the film industry.

The official announcement comes from a joint statement (in Chinese) from five government agencies, including the propaganda department, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and radio, TV and film regulators late on Wednesday.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 29, 2018 The six contestants as they took to the stage on Saturday evening last

Xamiera Kippins as she displayed her evening gown

Newly crowned Miss Guyana Earth posed for the photographer after copping the title

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uyana premier franchise holder of the Miss Earth Guyana pageant says this year’s pageant was an exciting journey, ending at the grand coronation which was held on Saturday evening last at the National Cultural Centre; as six young women took to the stage to compete for the coveted title.

The committee is extremely happy with the judges’ decision and promised to work with the newly crowned queen as she prepares to represent Guyana internationally.

However, for those who were not at the pageant, the evening began with a rousing cultural presentation followed by the introduction of the host, Joel Ghansham.

In spectacular display, the delegates introduced themselves, right after kicking off a night of intense competition; swimwear, evening gown and the hashtag topic.

Following the tallying of scores, the top four delegates were announced – Anita Baker, Luann Pellew, Akisha Payne and Xameira Kippins.

They were required to answer a final question which was pulled directly from the Miss Earth 2001 competition, “Technology makes life very convenient but it is also being blamed for certain environmental problems. How do you propose to find a balance between technology and Earth preservation?”

Intelligently, each girl answered and was then required to display her final look to the judges. In the end, Anita Baker was crowned Miss Earth Guyana – Fire 2018; Akisha Payne was crowned

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eam MMR is doing it once again this evening with another concept party titled “Full of Vibe” at the District Ultra Lounge, Giftland Strip.

The rising entertainment group hosted its 5th anniversary party at the said location which saw an overwhelming response.

After that party in April, the team has been working on several gigs including overseas events. Now that the duo has settled in from a hectic few months, “Full of Vibe Party” was created.

Apart from the action vibes and par-

ty, one of Guyana’s most popular comedians, Leza Singh, also called “Radika from Parika” will be launching her inaugural Radio programme on Radio Guyana 89.5 FM titled “Sauce it up” which is to be broadcast every Wednesday at 18:00h.

However, the party will be pumping with the best music by Deejay Golden Chyld, Selector Andy and the Party Boss himself, WR Reaz. Entrance to the event is $2000 but ladies will be admitted free before 21:00h.

The event is powered by “Team MMR” and “Team MMR 592 Reppin”.

Miss Earth Guyana – Water 2018; while Luann Onika Ray Pellew was crowned Miss Earth Guyana – Air 2018. The coveted title went to Xamiera Kippins, who walked away with the Miss Earth Guyana 2018 crown.

The pageant was judged by former Miss Guyana India contestant Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud; Lawshana Prescott; Dr Kelsie Young; former Mr Guyana Talented Teen contestant, Fazil Rahaman; Stephanie Persaud; and Personnel Manager of Dem Bake, Dave Lalltoo.

s we count down to the Art of War Competition, today we would like to feature another talented deejay who is participating in the competition.

Jeff Meusa is 34 years old and hails from the mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and who resides sometimes in New York. Jeff started his musical career at the age of 25 and is attached to the Spotlight Sound.

He has been in the sound business for seven years. Meusa has competed in two clashes and is still to win a trophy. His preferred musical weapons of choice are dub plates and 45s.

His focus as a deejay is to always maintain crowd interaction; and he sees his ability to select and deejay for himself as his strongest qualities. Meusa gets his inspiration from his fans.

His most memorable moment as a DJ was at the 2017Art of War competition when he was able to convert the fans of the DJs from Georgetown, with his deejaying style.

If you want to see Jeff Meusa in action, be sure to come out on July 28 at the Sports Hall tarmac.

For more information on Art of War 2018, you can check the Facebook page “Empire Media Inc” or call telephone numbers 680-6720 or 862-233-0494.

The auditors for the event were Ian Hoyte and George De Freitas. At the end of the night, the top prize for “Beauties for a Cause” went to Anita Baker followed by the newly crowned queen, Xamiera Kippins.

The best costume went to Kippins as well as the best evening gown, swimwear and talent piece. The top prize for the category of eco-friendly went to Luann Pellew. Miss Kippins will undergo international training as she prepares to represent Guyana on the international stage.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 29, 2018

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he Poolside of Park Vue at Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD), will come alive this Saturday evening as Deejay Stress hosts another concept party titled “Bollywood Night Dance Party”. It is expected to be an epic night with lots of giveaways and excitement, not forgetting great music to dance the night away.

To set your night in the right mood, Deejay Stephan and Selector Andy from Mega Mix Reload will be making sure the right vibes boom through the speakers.

From film hits to Bollywood remixes and saucy chutney songs with a touch of soca vibes will definitely do the magic.

Tickets cost $1000 and can be uplifted at Dave’s Sports Bar, Grove, EBD; Lambada’s Sports Bar, Providence, EBD; Hotshots Bar, Sarwan Street, Eccles, EBD; Coconut Grove Sports Bar, La Grange, West Coast Demerara; Kanchi Shop, 4th Street, Alexander Village; Igloo Icecream Shoppe, Providence, EBD; Joseph Music Store, Avon DVD Club, Uitvlugt, West Bank Demerara (WBD); and Westsiderz Entertainment Vreed-en-Hoop, WBD. With the purchase of tickets, patrons can win $100,000 in cash and hampers

from ANSA McAL Limited. Adding to the excitement will be the Stag Beer and Stag Light Girls, as the beverage company hosts its World Cup promotion. Win $100,000 – your ticket f o r DJ Stress’s Bollywood Night Dance Party with 71 Sounds this Saturday (June 30) at the Poolside of the Park Vue Hotel, Farm, EBD; will give you a chance to win $100,000 and a hamper from ANSA McAL. DJ Stephan and Selector Andy from Megamix Reload will provide all the great Bollywood Hits, Bollywood Remixes and Chutney Spicy Songs with a touch of soca through the 71 Sounds System.

Music will be provided by 71 Sound and gates open at 20:00h.

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ll plans are in place for the hosting of Westsiderz Entertainment 7th annual Auto Expo this Saturday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Bank Demerara.

The night will see several well designed vehicles competing for supremacy. In addition, the judges for the sound clash are in place and ready to impress.

On Saturday evening, there will be several categories of competitions to give everyone an opportunity to win big.

These include best graphics, best lights, best interior, best customised vehicles, best antique, best airbrush, cleanest bike, cleanest car, cleanest bus, cleanest engine, lowest vehicle, best rim and best technician.

There will also be prized for the loudest bike, music cart and bicycle. Prizes for the loudest car, bus and SUV will also be at stake. Registration costs $5000 and will afford registrants the opportunity to compete in three categories.

The event commences at 20:00h but the competition starts at 22:00h. Advance tickets cost $1000 and $1500 at the gate. Vehicle passes will cost $1000.

Music will be provided by Slingerz Family.

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G

uyanese comedy would not be what it is had it not be for this guy.

Michael Ignatius is definitely one of Guyana’s finest actors. His participation in school concerts gave him his start and his career began in 1998.

Like our local theatre, BV Community High School was always buzzing because he had a knack for making people laugh.

His passion and love for comedy coupled with his ability to improvise on stage is what got him selected to be a part of the all-star cast of “Nothing to Laugh About”. From then to now, he has added flare to NTLA that is indescribable, unique and captivating.

He has acted in countless plays such as “83 Million Gees”, “Julius Caesar”, “Colour of Race”, “Till I find ah place”,

“Woman-in Law” and many more.

He quickly shot to fame when

he played the role of “Credit” in the local sitcom: “Welcome to

my Life”. “Credit” has since become a household name and has never failed to please his audience.

Michael Ignatius has starred for many years in “Awe Society”, “Who Laff Last”, “The Link Show” as well as “Nothing to Laugh About”. He is also currently the voice of “Anil” on the popular radio serial, Merundoi.

He is definitely a man of many talents who has even acted in movies such as “Protection Game” and “Brown Sugar Too Bitter for me”. This award winning actor – Best actor in the National Drama Festival 2017 – is one to look for.

He is also the king of UNCENSORED Comedy and King of the Ground standup comedy competition.

This talented 31-year-old actor is a father of two boys who are carbon copies of their father.

You can look out for this gifted thespian in his next production “Till ah find a Place 2” this weekend June 30 and July 1. Every single night of “Till I Find A Place” will definitely be off the hook because “Credit” is a big deal!

n Sunday, four top sound systems from the West Side will have a chance to prove themselves and live up to their names at a ‘sound clash’ at the Belle West Community Centre. The event, “Sound Fest and F a m i l y

winner.

Not only will the winner have bragging rights for a year but will also receive the winning trophy. Apart from the sound clash, there will be lots of activities for the family, especially the kids, including bouncy castle, trampoline and face painti n g

Fun Day” is promoted by Electric Family Entertainment.

This is the first event of its kind promoted by the Entertainment Group and from all indications, plans are moving apace to have a successful sound clash.

On Sunday, Boom Sound, Power Sonic, Electric Sound and Earth Rulers will attempt to impress patrons and the judges who will ultimately decide the

among oth- ers.

There will also be BarBe-Que on sale and this will be available from 14:00h.

Patrons will be entertained by the talented deejays of the four sound systems but Notorious Sound System and its deejays will be passing through.

Admission to the Sound Fest and Family Fun Day is easy. The event is sponsored by Banks DIH.

friDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

19

Kane-less England trumped by Belgium E

ngland will face Colombia in the World Cup last 16 after a defeat by Belgium meant they finished second in Group G. Adnan Januzaj scored the winner with a brilliantlycurled effort in the second half, with both sides fielding much-changed XIs from their previous games.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek miscued a free header for England and Marcus Rashford had a shot tipped wide by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

England play Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday at 19:00 BST, while group winners Belgium face Japan in Rostov-on-Don on Monday, also at 19:00.

Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stages after winning their opening two matches and Red Devils boss Roberto Martinez said before the game "the priority was not to win".

It was his side that carved out the better chances. Youri Tielemans tested Jordan Pickford with a dipping drive from long range and Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi had a close-range effort cleared off the line by Gary Cahill.

Manchester United forward Rashford, one of the players to come in for England, missed a number of good

A

Trent AlexanderArnold became just the fourth teenager to make a World Cup start for England

chances, striking a free-kick over and curling wide in the second period.

England can now plot their route ahead The build-up to this game was played out in the context of who would top the group – with the suggestion finishing second might provide an easier route than winning Group G. It was clear three points was hardly the top priority for either England boss Gareth Southgate or Martinez. The Three Lions made eight changes and Belgium nine, and

the alterations occasionally threatened to reduce the game to a farce, the first half ending in a chorus of jeering.

England now take on the dangerous Colombians, led by striker Radamel Falcao, with the prospect of facing either Sweden or Switzerland if they come through in Moscow.

Only time will tell if England and Southgate will regret not going harder for the greater glory of victory. Colombia will pose a real threat.

Lame without Kane Southgate kept Captain

Harry Kane back for bigger battles ahead – but his absence left him to digest much food for thought after this laboured, unthreatening defeat.

Jamie Vardy and Rashford were entrusted with attacking duties. They both worked hard, but England's lack of penetration only emphasised their heavy reliance, some would argue over-reliance, on the captain and talisman.

Kane is the tournament's leading scorer with five goals and has not yet been the beneficiary of a reliable supply line, two goals resulting from

corners, two from penalties and another a deflection from Ruben Loftus-Cheek's shot to complete his hat-trick in the 6-1 win against Panama.

He is the central figure in England's World Cup ambitions, the leader on and off the pitch and a striker every defence at this tournament would be anxious about facing.

Southgate's reluctance to throw Kane into the action, even when England were losing and posing little danger, was perhaps an even bigger indicator of just how important he feels he will be in the knockout stage.

Vardy and Rashford did their best, and may make contributions further down the line, but toothless England proved here that they simply cannot do without Kane.

Tough night for England's stand-ins Southgate gave several members of England's squad who have been on the margins the chance to at least catch his eye when it came to selection as the World Cup enters the knockout stage.

Eric Dier's importance was emphasised by his selection as captain in the absence of Kane and deputy Jordan Henderson – but this was not a night he will look back on with

satisfaction.

Dier struggled, particularly in the first half, looking off the pace and giving away cheap possession. He did nothing to threaten Henderson's status as Southgate's main midfield pivot.

Vardy and Rashford did not do enough to place Raheem Sterling in peril, even though he has gone 22 England games without a goal.

It was also a difficult night for England's firstchoice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who has largely been unemployed in the wins against Tunisia and Panama.

Pickford had only picked the ball out of the net in those games, having no chance with either goal, but here he looked a little ring-rusty and was fortunate to get away with spilling the ball early on when Gary Cahill cleared Batshuayi's shot off the line.

It was his busiest game in the World Cup so far – and Southgate must hope he will be better for the experience.

Cahill was solid, while Danny Rose and Trent Alexander-Arnold showed Southgate can rely on them – but England's first-choice World Cup line-up will still have a familiar look against Colombia. (BBC Sport)

Tunisia go out in style

second-half strike from Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri ensured Tunisia ended their World Cup Group G campaign with a victory, as Panama finished bottom.

The North African side, who had 14 chances, fell a goal behind when Jose Luis Rodriguez’s effort deflected in off Yassine Meriah.

Fakhreddine Ben Youssef equalised when he tapped home Khazri’s low ball.

The provider of that goal then scored his second of the tournament when he fired home Oussama Haddadi’s cross.

In the build-up to this match, Tunisia Coach Nabil Maaloul had said his team were “two generations” from reaching the level needed be competitive against the best sides in world football.

Aside from the 5-2 defeat by Belgium, that assessment is perhaps a little harsh as his side almost earned a point against England before this deserved victory.

They often overwhelmed their opponents in attack inside

Panama finish with heads held high

Tunisia ended their World Cup Group G campaign with a 2-1 victory, against Panama

Mordovia Arena, with Khazri the heartbeat of their attack.

His pinpoint cross for Ben Youssef helped Tunisia draw level, before he settled the contest with a close-range finish – the 2500th

goal in World Cup tournament history.

Khazri was denied a second goal, his third of the tournament, by an exceptional one-handed stop by keeper Jaime Penedo.

The 27-year-old might be a man in demand after his displays in Russia – Sunderland say they have already rejected offers, and may now have to consider more.

When Panama scored their first goal at a World Cup, in the 6-1 defeat by England, there were tears of joy in the Central American country.

Having lost the lead against Tunisia, perhaps there will be a feeling of disappointment this time.

But luck was on their side for their goal. Tunisia’s Aymen Mathlouthi appeared to be in the right position to collect a shot from Rodriguez; however, the ball took a slight deflection which fooled the keeper.

That was one of the few times they troubled Tunisia’s thirdchoice keeper. Edgar Barcenas went close twice, but his first effort was blocked by Mathlouthi and the second was disallowed for an earlier foul.

Panama finished with zero points from their first World Cup campaign, but their legion of travelling fans will no doubt be satisfied they managed to see their team in football’s biggest tournament. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Japan get easy pass into final 16 J

apan reached the last 16 of the World Cup by having a better disciplinary record than Senegal – after losing to Poland in their final Group H game.

The match finished in farcical fashion, with both sides happy to play the ball around at the back for much of the final quarter.

Akira Nishino’s side finished with the same number of points, goals scored, and goals conceded as Senegal, but were shown only four yellow cards during the group stage, compared to the African side’s six.

Colombia’s 1-0 win over Senegal meant the South American team topped the group ahead of Japan, with those sides facing England or Belgium next.

Southampton defender Jan Bednarek’s well-taken volley following Rafal Kurzawa’s free-kick won the match for Poland, who were already eliminated.

Indeed Japan substitute Makoto Hasebe, who came on with eight minutes remaining, made a ‘card’ gesture to his teammates to make it clear they were through as it stood.

This was the possession chart for the last five minutes. Japan had most of the ball, but without wanting to go anywhere near the opposition goal Japan topped the group going into the final round of

games, needing just a point to be assured of a place in the knockout stage for only the third time after 2002, when they were co-hosts.

They were heading out when Bednarek scored, and Southampton’s Maya Yoshida headed just wide on 72 minutes as they pushed for an equaliser.

But two minutes later they were given a reprieve by Colombia defender Yerry Mina’s thumping header in the group’s o t h e r game.

As the news fil-

tered through to the Volgograd Arena, both teams were content to sit back.

It was a risky strategy for Japan – a second goal for Poland or a Senegal equaliser would have eliminated them – but it ultimately paid off.

“Farcical and embarrassing”

With their game finishing a couple of minutes before Colombia’s victory was confirmed, the Japan players initially waited anxiously around the pitch, before celebrating wildly in front of their supporters.

But there was wide-

spread criticism for the manner in which they had reached the last 16.

“It was a farce, an absolute farce,” said BBC co-commentator Mark Lawrenson. “There has to be a better way of settling the table in the World Cup than bookings.”

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said on BBC Two: “That is embarrassing

- -the way the two teams went about the final 10 minutes is everything we do not want to see in a World Cup. It turned into a farce.”

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill added: “It takes you back to World Cups in 1982 and 1986, when we saw games like that. It is mind-boggling for

me as a coach to leave your whole destiny in the hands of another game, and do it for so long.

“I had developed a bit of a soft spot for Japan, but I hope they get battered in the next round.” (BBC Sport)

The Japanese team celebrate after securing their spot in the final 16

Colombia crush Senegal’s hopes of final 16 Y

erry Mina’s second-half header sent Colombia into a last-16 tie with England at the World Cup at the expense of Senegal, who lost out to Japan having received more yellow cards.

Senegal spent the final 20 minutes pushing for an equaliser which would have sent the African side through – Aliou Cisse’s side were level with Japan in terms of points and goal difference, but crucially not yellow cards.

Colombia had to win to be sure of their progress, but with Poland beating Japan 1-0 in Volgograd, African representation at the World Cup was ended as Senegal failed to secure the point they needed.

The South Americans will face Group G runners-up England in Moscow on Tuesday, while Japan take on Belgium in Rostov-on-Don on Monday.

World Cup has been tainted

Senegal were the better side in the first half against a lacklustre Colombia despite having just 43 per cent possession, but Cisse’s side failed to find a breakthrough from their two shots on target. They were forced onto the back foot more after the break as

Colombia, taking their total to six yellow cards in three games compared to Japan’s four, as Senegal became the first team to be eliminated via the fair play rule which was only introduced for this tournament.

The Poland-Japan match finished in farcical fashion, with both sides happy to play the ball around at the back for much of the final quarter.

That prompted former England Captain Terry Butcher to say on BBC Radio 5 live it “does leave a bitter taste” and that a “magnificent World Cup has been tainted”.

BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson, speaking on BBC Two, called the situation a “farce”, saying “there has to be a better way of settling a table in the World Cup”.

It means no African team has progressed from the initial group stage of the competition for the first time since 1982.

Colombia’s win was heartbreak for Senegal, who lost out to Japan having received more yellow cards

Colombia improved – and should have done better when defending the corner from which Mina scored. Senegal improved after conceding, perhaps also knowing Poland had taken the lead against Japan and sensing the onus was back on them to score.

But despite plenty of flair and

effort, Senegal were unable to find a way past Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, and a pair of yellow cards in the 90th and 91st minute of their 2-2 draw with Japan for Cheikh N’Doye and Youssouf Sabaly retrospectively proved crucial.

Niang was also booked against

Game of two halves for Colombia

Colombia failed to register a touch in the Senegal penalty area in the entire first half, with Jose Pekerman’s side only correcting that statistic in the 57th minute through substitute Luis Muriel, who had replaced the injured

Rodriguez just after the half-hour mark.

Rodriguez had largely been ineffective in his 31 minutes on the pitch for Colombia, although that was the case for all of his teammates in the opening 45 minutes despite knowing only a win would guarantee their progress.

Colombia, who began the final day in third place in the table after losing to Japan and beating Poland with a significantly-improved performance, could also qualify with a draw if Japan lost due to their better goal difference.

Pekerman’s side did only have four touches inside the Senegal penalty area in the second 45 minutes, although one was the key intervention of Mina.

Colombia had 60 per cent of the possession during the match, but worryingly for Pekerman, Mina’s header was one of only two shots on target over the 90 minutes, with striker Radamel Falcao largely ineffective.

In a statement of acceptance, Senegal’s coach Aliou Cisse stated: “It’s the law of football. We didn’t qualify because we’ve earned more yellow cards, but I’m proud of my lads, they’ve worked hard for this tournament and I think we’ve showed we can have a bright future.” (BBC Sport)

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21

MoFA concludes

successful tournaments

T

he Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Sports Committee had a packed weekend, hosting a number of sporting activities under the ‘Inter Ministries’ brand.

The first was a dominoes competition; in contention was the Prime Minister’s trophy. A total of nine teams were in action namely: Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Public Health; Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Supreme Court A and B; Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); Office of the President PSM Division and Ministry of Legal Affairs.

After a number of intense games, the GPHC, Supreme Court B and Ministry of Public Health were the last teams standing.

With a grand total of 40 games won, the GPHC came out on top to cop the Prime Minister’s trophy. Supreme Court B came close with 39 games to cop second place

and the Ink Plus trophy.

The following day, an Inter-Ministries Tape Ball Cricket Competition was staged at the D’Urban Park tarmac. With a total of seven teams competing, the Guyana Forestry

Commission (GFC) and the GCAA beat out all their opponents to face off with each other in the final match-up.

The GCAA was in to bat first and racked up 65 from their allotted six overs.

Although the total seemed

a little steep for amateur players, the GFC cruised to victory in just 5.1 overs. As such, the GFC took home the Global Marketing trophy and medals while the GCAA captured the Ink Plus trophy for second place.

Joe Root’s T20 position safe despite Ben Stokes’ return nearing

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he return of Ben Stokes will not threaten the position of Joe Root in England’s T20 team, according to stand-in head coach Paul Farbrace.

Stokes will make his return from a hamstring injury in Durham’s T20 Blast match against Yorkshire at Headingly on July 5. While he will play as a specialist batsman, the England management have decided that, as long as he comes through it unscathed, he will be available for selection for the third T20 against India in Bristol on July 8 as an allrounder.

And while Farbrace, who has taken charge of the England side for the T20s against Australia and India (and would appear to be in pole position to assume the role of Head Coach in September 2019), accepts Stokes’ return “gives the selectors an issue”, he insists he “can’t believe anybody” would drop Root from any England side.

“Is Root’s place locked in?” Farbrace asked.

“In my mind 100 per cent, I can’t believe anybody else in our set up would argue against that. “He is world class in all forms of the game.

That innings in Mumbai allowed us to win that fantastic run chase because of his nous.

“You do need nous and you do need people playing in different ways. There will be times when he is the outstanding player in a T20 game and get us over the line because of his nous and his high level of skill. You do need the best players. The best players adapt and score runs whether it is 20 overs or 50 overs or Test match cricket and he is, without doubt, one of the finest players in the world.

“You do need different style players. You don’t want everybody playing the same way.

You will play on wickets sometimes when you are chasing when you need someone who is able to rotate the strike and knock it around and be smart in the middle. And that is the role Joe played at Edgbaston. He could go anywhere from No 3 to No 6 and it is nice for us to have that flexibility and that cool, calm head who could go anywhere in the order.

“Absolutely Root always plays.

You need your best batsman in 50-over and T20 cricket. We saw at Edgbaston that the most exciting stuff is strong, good cricket shots and not just slogging. The balls that people didn’t strike particularly well were the ones where they tried to over hit it.”

The fact that

Root’s position is, in any way, a debating point is a reflection of England’s remarkable strength in depth in white-ball batting.

With Jos Buttler, who set a new record for England’s fastest T20 half-century on Wednesday night, now apparently nailed on as an opening batsman and Jason Roy, Alex Hales (who almost matched Buttler’s record) and Jonny Bairstow (who hit his first ball for six) pushing for places at the top of the order, something has to give.

Root’s strikerate (129.45), while respectable, is beneath that of Hales (137.82); Roy (136.07); Stokes (136.17) and Eoin Morgan (132.68).

O n l y Bairstow (121.63) has a lower strike-rate than Root, but he is probably a better player since returning to the side.

But one thing nobody should doubt is that Stokes, when fit, returns. And while some might question Morgan’s position, his influence as captain has been huge.

Both players look, for now, automatic selections.

“Ben is a three-in-one player,” Farbrace said. “He can bowl and he is the best fielder. You are going to bring him in as soon as he is available. It might mean another shift in your batting order, but he’s not a bad bloke to be coming into your team.

“It is a great problem to have, really.

And as Eoin has said, we are still trying to find the right balance. You could easily argue a couple of others could have had a go as opener and maybe Hales walked to the crease in Edgbaston with a bit of a point to prove. It is a great position to be in.”

The plan, for now, would appear to see England use the next 12 months to experiment with the personnel and batting order in T20 cricket.

Then, 12 months ahead of the next World T20 in Australia, they will start to define those plans and select a more predictable side with a more predictable batting order. (ESPNcricinfo) Joe Root cuts one

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

Marian Not right to “keep kicking a man when he’s down” Academy chess D competition slated for Saturday

Darren Sammy on Steven Smith:

arren Sammy has asked the media to move on from the Newlands ball-tampering controversy and get off Steven Smith’s back. Sammy was set to captain Smith on Thursday night, when they teamed up for Toronto Nationals against Vancouver Knights in the inaugural match of Global T20 Canada.

Deposed Australia Captain Smith and his erstwhile deputy David Warner are serving 12-month suspensions from international and state cricket and the Big Bash League for their role in the controversy. They are both set to play in Global T20 Canada, with Warner part of Winnipeg Hawks’ roster.

Smith has been the subject of heightened media attention in Australia in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, a photograph of Smith drinking a beer in a New York pub was splashed over the newspapers, with one headline saying, “Disgraced Smith a sad sight in New York”. At a media interaction on Wednesday night, Sammy mentioned this story and said it was not right to “keep kicking a man when he’s down”.

“As a Christian, you commit sins; there are punishments for your sins. [It] doesn’t mean everything is okay, but there’s always forgiveness after you’ve committed your sins and paid the price, and you move on. Like we said, they’ve done that. They’ve missed out on IPL, they’ve been sacked and all that

stuff, but at the end of the day life goes on.

“It’s truly up to you guys (the media). I saw an article, recently, about something in New York. That’s not called for. You’ve made your point. I think, as sportsmen, we want to do the right things, set the example for the next generation. We will make mistakes, but it doesn’t mean you’ve got to keep kicking a man when he’s down. That’s not the humane way to do things, and I think there’s a right to punish, but there’s also a right to forgive and move on.”

Chris Gayle, who is captaining Vancouver Knights in Global T20 Canada, had tweeted his thoughts on the punishments handed out to Smith and Warner in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, saying he felt a oneyear suspension was “harsh”.

He said he did not want to comment on it again, but asked that the two players be allowed to “go on with their lives”.

“I’m not diverting to the situation,” Gayle said. “I’ve actually tweeted what I had to say about the situation, and decided I wasn’t going to comment on it again, just let the two guys be free. They’ve already paid a penalty for what they’ve done, and just for them to go on with their lives and have some fun, just like any other cricketer, to fulfil and work for the family, and they can actually provide on the table for them.

People make mistakes, you have to give people a chance, and everybody should have to try on from this situation, and rest it to the grave.”

(ESPNcricinfo)

Darren Sammy

Thrilling opening encounters headline Rainforest Waters Squash Championships M T

he 2018 Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Rainforest Waters Senior National Championships commenced Wednesday night with a series of thrilling showdowns in the men’s matches.

The Georgetown Club

Men’s results Wednesday, June 27, 2018 Robert Fernandes beat Reagan Rodrigues 11-3, 11-0, 11-2 Alex Arjoon beat Gianni Carpenter 11-2, 11-6, 11-0 Damien Da Silva beat Jonathan Antczak 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 Shomari Wiltshire beat Adam Alves 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 Jason Ray Khalil beat Lee Fung A Fat 110, 11-3, 11-0

Court saw top seeds sparring with the hopefuls in the first round in the battle of the males. Former junior Caribbean Champion Damien Da Silva returned to the court after a number of years and showed little rust as he engaged in the closest contest of the night against Jonathan Antczak.

Both players were on par throughout the match, but DaSilva’s magic touch prevailed as he secured a three-love win; 11-9, 116, 11-8. Robert Fernandes beat Reagan Rodrigues 113, 11-0, 11-2 while top seeds Shomari Wiltshire and Nyron Joseph also recorded commanding wins, disposing of Adam Alves and Joshua Abdool, respectively Meanwhile, veteran Garfield Wiltshire battled Lloyd Fung A Fat while Brian Young faced

T o n y Farnum in the smallest veteran category, while the women played against the younger ladies in an eight-player draw as action continued on Thursday evening f r o m 18:00h.

Nyron Joseph beat Joshua Abdool 11-2, 11-1, 11-1 Regan Pollard beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 Richard Chin beat Jason Van Dyk 11-1, 11-2, 11-6

Shomari Wiltshire and Nyron Joseph had a good opening night

arian Academy is once again gearing up to host its chess competition, which is held each term and has become a fixture in the school’s extracurricular activities. The tournament will be held at the school’s auditorium this Saturday, June 30 from 09:00h to 15:00h.

For in excess of six years, Marian Academy has been able to successfully implement the Chess in School Initiative as an extracurricular activity for both primary and secondary school students. The programme not only teaches students the game of chess, but it also contributes to their academic excellence. This competition will seek to test the skill and knowledge that they have been acquiring during the programme.

The Chess in School initiative is a worldwide programme being implemented in school systems where chess is used as a sport and a tool to improve students’ performance academically. Guyana, through the National Sports Commission, has moved to introduce the programme this year to schools across the nation. With over 80 registered students, this tournament is expected to be yet another exciting event for pupils who are between the ages of 7 and 16.

Top players such as Ethan Lee and Sasha Shariff are expected to participate on Saturday. Lee, who is ranked at number four amongst Guyana’s top junior players, recently won the St Stanislaus College Open Chess Competition and Sasha was recently selected to represent Guyana at this year’s World Chess Championships scheduled to be held in Batumi, Georgia.

Both players also participated in this year’s CARIFTA Chess Championships that were held in Paramaribo, Suriname last March. Both of them have had an excellent year tournament-wise, and as such, are tournament favourites and are expected to perform excellently. Keen eyes will also be on Roshawn Washington and Dwayne Bess, who also participated in this year’s National Junior Chess Championship.

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friDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

23

Guyana maintain winning streak at CBC C/ship

Guyana’s Stanton Rose (number 11) gears up for a free throw

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he confidence of the men’s national basketball team is at an all-time high, as they are yet to lose a matchup in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname.

It was a battle of the undefeated teams on Wednesday evening, as Guyana met Suriname at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal to contest an

age-old rivalry once again.

With Guyana looking to maintain their successful streak and Suriname seeking to go 4-0 in the competition, both teams were out for blood and couldn’t seem to get out of each other’s way in the first few minutes of the match-up.

Petty squabbles aside, players on the Guyanese side were de-

Bowlers, KohlerCadmore set up 9-wicket win for England Lions

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om Kohler-Cadmore scored a brisk fifty while Liam Dawson and Reece Topley shared eight wickets as England Lions handed West Indies A a huge loss in the ongoing Tri-Series played at Northampton.

Electing to field first after winning the toss, the home team inserted the Windies to bat, a move that paid off as they managed to keep the Caribbean side to 162 all out in 43 overs.

Captain Devon Thomas was the man for the Windies with another useful knock, this time scoring 45, including a maximum.

Sunil Ambris was the next best scorer as Topley grabbed 4-16 while Dawson, the England all-rounder, snapped up a stingy 4-21 with his spin; to keep the visitors in check.

Guyanese opener Chandrapaul Hemraj (10); Windies Test player Jermaine Blackwood (11); Rakeem Cornwall (01); all-rounder Raymon Reifer (06) and all the others failed to support Thomas’s effort.

The Lions, in typical ruthless fashion, made light work of the mediocre total set by the Caribbean side, surging to 163-1 in 25 overs thanks to KohlerCadmore’s boundary-filled 80. The opener stroked eight fours and a pair of sixes off just 70 balls while the in-form Sam Hain supported well with a classy 48, following the departure of opener Nick Gubbins for his 27 off 25.

Unlike the England bowlers who effortlessly scythed through the Windies batting order, the visitors toiled as they struggled to make

termined to make their mark in the neighbouring country.

With a jam-packed crowd, the game got off to a slow start, with both teams lacking in their shot accuracy.

With the quarter ending 1012 in favour of Suriname, the Guyanese boys had to go back to the drawing board to reassess their game plan.

Whatever was said to the team by Guyanese Coach Liam Dawson

Junior Hercules during their break seemed to be a game changer for them as they returned to the game with improved accuracy and defence.

The second quarter proved to be better for the local team as they surged to a 12-point lead thanks to several exciting shots from 17-yearold Kevon Wiggins. With crucial contributions from Shaine Webster, Anthony Moe, Travis Belgrave, and

Orlon Glasgow and Captain Stanton Rose setting up successful plays, Guyana were able to maintain their lead, although Suriname came close on several occasions. At the end of the first half, 39-27 was the score, which set the tempo for how the remainder of the game would play out.

Wiggins continued in excellent fashion, often silencing the Surinamesedominated crowd with his

superb three pointers, as Guyana continued to dominate the encounter despite the height and age advantage that the experienced Suriname team possessed.

Guyana cruised to victory owing to several failed attempts by the home side and a number of clean blocks on the part of the Guyanese defence. The final score was 8372, as Guyana celebrated yet another hard-fought victory.

Singh to lead National Under-17 team

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breakthroughs with Thomas using his glove-work skill to run out Gubbins.

Windies A now languish at the bottom of the points table, yet to register a point after losing three from three.

Meanwhile, England Lions sit nicely at the top with six points with India coming in second with four.

T h e tournament continues on

Friday with India looking to take advantage of the out-ofsorts West Indies in Match 6 at Northampton.

(Clifton Ross) Devon Thomas

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) recently announced a formidable 14-man team led

by Sachin Singh which will compete in the 2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-17 tournament.

The National U-17 team will set out on a campaign to capture the elusive CWI regional title when the tournament bowls off July 8-18 in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Former Guyana Under-15 skipper and star batsman Singh will lead the all-star team, which also comprises Seon Glasgow, middle-order batsman Gevon Shultz, Nigel Deodat, leg-spinner Niron Bissu, pacer Dwain Dick and former U-15 prolific all-rounder Sheldon Charles.

Talented middle-order batsman Andre Seepersaud will be Singh’s deputy.

Veteran Coach Orin Bailey and Nazeer Mohammed are head coach and manager, respectively.

Guyana U-17 team: Sachin Singh (Captain); Andre Seepersaud (Vice Captain); Seon Glasgow; Navendra Persaud;

Sachin Singh

Niron Bissu

Gevon Schultz

Sheldon Charles

Yeudistir Persaud (wicketkeeper); Hrithik Singh; Niron Bissu; Nigel Deodat; Gevon Shultz; Badesh Parsotam; Sheldon Charles; Sylvian Williams; Leon

Swamy; Dwayne Dick.

The four standbys are: Ameer Singh, Andrew Samaroo, Trevon Charles, and Marvan Prashad.

friDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

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

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Guyana maintain winning streak at CBC C/ship Pg 23

Guyana’s Kevon Wiggins

Bowlers, KohlerCadmore set up 9-wicket win for England Lions Pg 23

Kane-less England trumped by Belgium

Pg 19

Belgium's Adnan Januzaj celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Group G match between England and Belgium

Tom Kohler-Cadmore

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