Guyana Times Daily

Explosive lobbed at police car

No definitive time for appointment of new GuySuCo board Man electrocuted at Skeldon estate

PNCR General Council zeroes in on social contract proposal

Miner found hanging in camp

GPHC shocked at Chronicle’s article on maternal death Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha celebrates 40th year with grand cultural show

Ramotar lauds Yesu Persaud’s contribution to Guyana

President Donald Ramotar, on Friday evening, lauded industrialist Yesu Persaud, who he said contributed significantly to the growth of the private sector from strength to strength and can be considered one of the pioneers of the local private sector.

Persaud retired in December last year from his position as chairman of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) after serving the company for 48 years. Speaking at the reception at the New Thriving Events Centre, Camp and Lamaha streets, President Ramotar spoke highly of Persaud’s

He recalled that as DDL chairman, Persaud greatly helped the country to transition from the difficult years.

Persaud’s successor, Komal Samaroo noted that under the outstanding leadership of his predecessor, DDL has seen a tremendous transformation, whereby the distilling industry was used as a base to create a diversified group of companies. “He’s a phenomenal fighter; he fights for what he believes in and fights to protect what he builds… he dedicated a great portion of his life to build the company, he has provided very outstanding, visionary lead-

contributions to not only the business community, but to the country’s social and economic development as well.

ership, and given opportunities to many young professionals in the company,” Samaroo said.

He added that Persaud

has never been afraid to take risks and venture out into uncharted waters. He explained that over the years, he has built out of a very traditional compa-

ny, a very modern industry that is in keeping with the trends in the world today.

Persaud, in his remarks, said with determination and perseverance, DDL is now a

company that is second to none in Guyana. “DDL is a shining star, there is nothing precluding it from moving forward.”

The company now em-

Public confidence in police dangerously eroded – PSC

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has told Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell that credibility and public confidence in the Guyana Police Force is being dangerously eroded and something needs to be done soon to correct this.

The commission’s statement was made at a meeting it had on Friday with Brumell and his senior officers to express its very serious concerns about the public allegations of grievous assault and sodomy committed on Colwyn Harding by the Guyana Police Force.

In a statement, the PSC said it told the commissioner that it is the view of the commission, there has not been a satisfactory public response to these very serious allegations. The commission further expressed its concern at the growing number of what appeared to be legitimate complaints about the police resorting to excessive force and violent behaviour towards citizens in the course of their investigations and during arrests.

The PSC pointed out to the commissioner that the increasing public distrust of the police if not promptly, openly and fully addressed, would undermine the ability and competence of the force to carry out its law enforcement responsibilities.

The PSC was heartened by the reception it received from the commissioner and his officers and by the open and frank discussions.

Commissioner Brumell told the commission that he had directed his officers to carry out an immediate investigation on his receiving the report with regard to the allegations of assault on Harding and to take the necessary and appropriate action. He said, as

a consequence, the Office of Professional Responsibility is completing its investigation prior to transferring its report and recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecution.

However, given the seriousness of the alleged offences and the wide coverage that has been given to them, the PSC believes that an independent inquiry should be ordered into the matter. The commission also raised the issue of the deplorable state of most of the lock-ups at police stations and deemed the subjection of citizens to such conditions to be acts of violence against them. The police chief acknowledged the validity of the complaint, noting his own concerns, and undertook to have the matter urgently addressed. He, however, made the point that at a number of locations, including Brickdam, where new facilities had been installed, they had been vandalised by persons held in the lock-ups.

Commissioner Brumell advised the PSC that he welcomed and appreciated the meeting and the views shared by the commission and agreed to meet with the

private sector entity on a regular quarterly basis. Only last Friday, President Donald Ramotar flayed the media for its reportage thus far of the Harding case while casting doubt on the motive behind the allegations by the young man. The president said while his government is against any form of torture by the Guyana Police Force, he does not think people should be hanged before a trial.

Although the president did not state clearly his position on the matter, he noted: “To me, I have my personal views on those things… one, how long it took? And two, who are the people who are now instigating it; where do they stand; what are their political motives?”

The head of state also pointed out that a lot of what is happening is not based on the facts, but is probably an attempt to instigate negative feelings in society. Ramotar explicitly stated that he did not have an issue with an independent investigation into the matter, but the politically-charged negativism of some sections of the media.

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, January 27 from 14:00h to 15:30h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, January 27 from13:25h to 14:55h

WEATHER TODAY

Designer gunned down in Eccles

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Popular fashion design-

er Trevor Rose was early Sunday morning executed when a lone gunman opened fire on the car he was in while in the vicinity of the traffic lights at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Two other persons were wounded, including a female. The shooting occurred about 05:00h.

Rose, 32, lived at Lot 232 East Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. The other injured persons were identified as Trevor Nieuinkirk, 30, a taxi driver and the mother of Rose's two-year-old son, Latoya Towler, 29. Towler was reportedly shot to the buttocks while Nieuinkirk sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm.

While information surrounding the incident remains sketchy, reports reaching Guyana Times revealed that Rose, a father of eight was heading into the Eccles Housing Scheme to drop off Towler.

As they approached the traffic lights in the area, another motor car drove up alongside theirs and accosted the driver, taunting him about the way he was driving. This developed into an argument, and subsequently, the driver of the other car exited his vehicle and opened fire. Rose reportedly received multiple gunshot injuries while Nieuinkirk and Towler were shot once.

Drove to hospital Nieuinkirk, during the ordeal managed to drive off the scene and went straight to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but it was too late for doctors to resuscitate Rose. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the medical facility while the injured driver and woman were admitted.

It is not clear if the bullets were intended for Rose since he had received most of the shots. Police confirmed that a .9mm pistol and 19

matching rounds of ammunition were found at the scene. So far, there has been no sign of the suspect.

Commander of A Division, George Vyphius, when contacted on Sunday morning, said from reports received, the suspect and Rose’s driver had a heated argument while in the vicinity of Eccles.

He stated that based on feedback from ranks, they went to the scene to investigate and found two types of ammunition: .9mm and .45.

Statements

Vyphius also noted that the police have taken statements from the two injured people who gave an account of what transpired. Vyphius added that the suspect has not been located, but the police are continuing their investigations.

Lillian Browne, Rose’s distraught mother, told Guyana Times that she last saw her son about 01:00h on

waiting for the man, a close friend came to the house and offered to take her to the hospital where she saw her daughter leaning over Rose with tears in her eyes.

“I start shake him and tell him to wake up… I said wake up… son wake up… he was covered in blood and was lying there on a stretcher motionless.”

She further stated that

Sunday when he went into her room to collect his hair gel.

She said he left soon after as she heard the gates slam shut. She explained that later in the morning about 06:00h, she received a call from her son-in-law who told her that Trevor was involved in an accident and that she must go at once to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Soon after, she noted that he called again and told her to wait on him.

The aggrieved mother added that as she was

upon inquiring, she was told that her son was with the mother of his last child and another friend when the incident occurred. Attempts to make contact with the two injured persons proved futile. He leaves to mourn his parents, eight children and siblings.

Rose was a three-time designer of the year. He started his designing career by designing costumes. He has represented Guyana in Jamaica and other Caribbean territories as a costume designer.

During this time, he met another renowned designer, Michelle Cole and they joined forces and designed a number of floats for corporate entities such as Digicel, Banks DIH and various government ministries.

Rose and Cole later married but after a few years of marriage, they separated.

Rose recently worked with Pulse Entertainment on several events before parting way with that group. He was a socialite who also had contracts with several other very popular promotional groups.

In February last, two gunmen snatched $2.5 million from Rose after invading the Bank DIH Mash camp at Burnham Court, Middle and Carmichael streets, Georgetown.

It was reported that Rose was about to enter one of the tents when two men approached him and grabbed his haversack containing U.S. and local currency. Rose at the time did not realise that the men were armed, so he held onto the haversack, but released it when one of the bandits placed a gun to his chest. The designer shifted away just as the robber opened fire.

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Recycling

The issue of recycling is engaging the minds of those in authority, as for some time now there were talks about setting up a recycling plant in Guyana, but nothing significant has happened to date. Government has given some indication that it is willing to partner and provide assistance to private investors in making the recycling initiative here a reality.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and Natural Globe Inc last year for the establishment of a recycling plant in Region Four. However, in wake of certain revelations raised in the media, the government took a decision to withdraw the MoU with the firm and subsequently re-advertised for Expressions of Interest.

Recycling, along with reducing consumption, has proven to be an effective way to counter the damage that has been done to the Earth for centuries. A major part of recycling relates to how best we can recycle much of what we use instead of turning it into unusable waste. While Guyana has taken some time to get on board, many companies and individuals the world over are improving their recycling habits by coming up with more ways to reduce and reuse what they use.

In Georgetown, for example, there is no doubt that the single most worrying challenge for the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) remains solid waste management. Data from the council in 2009 shows that approximately 83,000 tonnes of waste is generated annually in Georgetown.

Of this, about 50 per cent is organic food and garden waste; 21 per cent comprises plastic bags and 10 per cent other plastic containers; three per cent plastic bottles; six per cent disposable diapers; and two per cent Styrofoam. Waste is collected from approximately 42,400 households and more than 2000 institutions and retail businesses.

Despite huge investments in garbage collection, public awareness, new landfills and the prosecution of litter-bugs, the general appearance of our capital city and other parts of the coastal areas continues to embarrass residents who are disgusted with the situation. Tourists visiting our country also leave with a bad impression of what we have to offer. While recycling will not solve all of our garbage problems, as it is more so an ingrained habit among citizens which must be addressed from all fronts, it will help to rid our environment of the huge amounts of garbage seen in most parts of the city and other coastal areas.

The government’s intention to ban the use of Styrofoam with effect from June this year is certainly a step in the right direction. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) have both endorsed the plan to significantly scale back the importation of Styrofoam. Other stakeholders have also expressed their support for such a ban at a national consultation held in Georgetown.

In addition to banning Styrofoam, we urge the authorities to focus more on the issue of plastics in general and the harmful effects they have on the environment. In countries such as Guyana, where there is no systematic sorting, collection, and recycling of plastic bags, the thousands discarded become an environmental hazard and a major challenge to drainage and sanitation, among other challenges. There were calls made before for a national policy on plastics, but these calls have not generated the kind of debates or public discussions we had hoped for.

On the issue of recycling, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud said his ministry has received six Expressions of Interest from firms that are willing to come on board with the government to establish a solid waste recycling plant. From all indications, these expressions of interest are at the stage of being evaluated.

Let us hope that Guyana would see its first solid waste recycling plant being established by the end of 2014 latest.

Blazing saddles

A man rides a horse through a bonfire as part of a ritual in honour of Saint

Pinares, Spain on January 16. On the eve of Saint

of the small village during the “Luminarias”, a tradition that dates back 500 years and is meant to purify the animals with the smoke of the bonfires and protect them for the year to come

GCAA is required to be staffed with an FOI, who exercises inspection authority over the entire industry

Dear Editor, I was appalled and dismayed to read in the January 25 Guyana Times report on page 12, attributed to an interview with me and highlighted on your front page headlined, “No qualified flight inspector attached to Trans Guyana – Nascimento”.

Your report is grossly inaccurate and extremely damaging to the airline. It completely misreports me in stating that “currently, the Trans Guyana consultant noted that there is no inspector to overlook the regulations at Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) which is critical to its operation”.

What in fact I said was that “for some years now, the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG) has urged the minister of transport to engage the services of a resident qualified flight operations inspector (FOI) for in the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and that until such time that this is done, the authority is not adequately staffed to carry out its regulatory responsi-

bilities”. I made no reference whatsoever to Trans Guyana Airways.

Reference to other media reporting of similar interviews with me were accurately reported. For instance, it was reported in another section of the press that “Nascimento said that over the past four or five years, operators have urged Transport Minister Robeson Benn, to ensure that the GCAA is sufficiently equipped with a qualified flight operations inspector as part of the regulatory requirements for the industry”.

Unfortunately, this is now the second occasion that I have had reason to draw to the attention of your editor the very serious misreporting by Guyana Times on the subject of the accident. In the Guyana Times report of January 22, you reported that “questioned as to whether there was any suspicion that the aircraft was overloaded, Correia said this was never the case. He noted that the aircraft weighed 2800 lbs”.

In fact, again, accurate-

ly reported in all of the other media at the TGA press conference, held on January 21, it was stated that “seven drums of diesel weighing about 2800 lbs, below the maximum allowable cargo weight of just 3000 lbs was onboard the aircraft”.

Your report also very wrongly speculates that “Guyana Times understands that every company has to contract their own FOI to police the operation to ensure that the company follows all procedures and regulations at the specific site… these inspectors report directly to the GCAA. This publication learnt that the last FOI was not given the opportunity to operate in a manner desirous of the GCAA, and as such, he was literally forced out of Trans Guyana Airways. That official is now working in Jamaica”.

This is sheer nonsense and absolutely libelous. Airlines are not required to employ an FOI. It is the GCAA that is required to be staffed with an FOI, who exercises inspection author-

ity over the entire industry. Each operator is expected to carry out its own maintenance and flight inspection in accordance with established regulatory operating standards. In the case of TGA, as indeed all operators, there are rigid maintenance and inspection procedures in place carried out by highly qualified engineers.

It is absolutely critical that in reporting on a matter as serious as this, that the media assign senior reporters willing and able to report accurately, and that editors review these reports for accuracy.

I am asking therefore, that Guyana Times apologises for the serious damage done by their report and give equal prominence and exposure to the publication of this letter.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Editor’s note Guyana Times sincerely regrets the errors.

Nature-based tourism in Guyana

Dear Editor,

The Tourism Ministry is enthusiastically projecting another record breaking year as it relates to the increase in arrival of tourists in Guyana. Tourism in Guyana has without a doubt become well entrenched, with the tourism industry acquiring an 11.7 per cent increase in tourist arrivals last year. In terms of nature-based tourism, reference must be

made to Guyana’s dynamic rainforest and rich biodiversity. The country stands at a great advantage of being able to maximise on these resources. Though this form of tourism will attract smaller groups of people, it will still greatly be able to contribute to the country’s economy, since many tourists are often willing to pay high prices to have the opportunity to experience nature in its

true form. This form of tourism while still being able to boost the country’s tourism industry will also simultaneously minimise the negative effects of the environment caused by mass tourism. What makes Guyana’s rainforest adventures even more exciting is that there is always the possibility of encountering new species of plants and animals, like

scientists and student researchers have managed to do over the years.

There is without a doubt, great significant scope for nature-based tourism to thrive in Guyana, and so I urge the relevant authorities to become more proactive and make full use of what Guyana has to offer.

Yours truly, Gavin Sullivan

Do businesses have the right to refuse the $5000 bill?

Dear Editor, I would be grateful if you could permit me space in your newspaper to bring attention to the issue highlighted below. I would also be grateful if you could withhold my identity when publishing letter.

Recently, I visited an eatery in Alberttown and proceeded to pay for my order with the recently circulated $5000 bill. Much to my surprise, the cashier informed me that they were ordered by management to refuse the $5000 note.

Dear editor, is this legal? Isn’t this note a legal tender for the purchase I was about to make? Do businesses have the right to refuse the $5000 bill?

Regards, Name withheld by request

When children are loved, they will nearly always respond positively

Dear Editor,

In my recent contacts with parents of teenagers, I was overwhelmed by the common complaints which most of them expressed, some of which are:

“These children nowadays bent in one way and, no matter what you say, they got their own way”; “I decide to leave them by themselves, as any talk don’t seem to get through to them”; “These modern children only worrying with TV and cellphone, and don’t care ‘bout schoolwork”; “I does don’ worry. I just do me work and leave them with they stupidness”; and “I try hard enough, and is time to take a rest. Let dem try deh.”

Those of us who have profited from training in child and education psychology, and had the experience to use this to improve the behaviour of the children in our care, whether our own offspring or our students, will see the common thread in these complaints of a singular lack of the necessary techniques to deal with our young. It paints for us a daunting picture of our society when these grow up

to take over the reins of the various entities in our nation.

I am now positing that some definite and urgent action of national proportions should be embarked on to arrest this decline in the standards of the behaviour of our children. I think the natural channel which we can use to impart any of the needed skills and other requirements to parents is the Parent Teacher’s Association (PTA), which is supposed to be a normal institution connected with each school.

I am therefore appealing to the Education Ministry, the education officers in each region, and the administrators of the individual schools to initiate some programme towards this objective. I am sure that each of these institutions will appreciate that such a project will also help to improve discipline in schools and therefore make their work lighter and more effective.

In the meantime, I would like to pass on to parents some thoughts on how they can immediately start to develop their parenting skills

Fire awareness in Guyana

Dear Editor, Fires, whether accidental or by arson, continue to be a serious threat to people worldwide. Each year, approximately 3400 people are killed or are seriously injured in home fires, and the sad part is that almost every fire is preventable.

One of the leading causes of fires in homes is the lack of attention and carelessness of the occupants. Too often people have the tendency of leaving lit stoves and candles unattended and this is absolutely unacceptable.

and so improve their relationships with their children.

* A weekly family conference in which problems are related and plans for future activities made, and in which everyone has a say in their resolution.

* Regular one-on-one sessions with each child and one parent, in which the child and parent share thoughts on what has taken place and how these can be resolved.

* Attempts at discipline must be based on rules set before, so it is clear when violations occur and what will result from these.

* When children are convinced that they are loved, their views respected, and their interest is being sought, they will nearly always respond positively. It is therefore imperative that we spend time with them, give them our full attention at times, and demonstrate our love and interest physically by hugs, pats, and compliments for things well done.

Yours sincerely, Roy

Paul

Teachers of CPCE

Dear Editor, I once taught for a living and I have to admit that teaching is one of the most complicated jobs in today’s society and it is probably for this reason that good teachers can sometimes be hard to find.

Teaching demands broad knowledge of subject matter, curriculum and standards. It calls for enthusiasm, concern for students, and knowledge of discipline and the use of proper classroom management techniques and most importantly, it calls for the desire to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Guyana’s Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has for many years provided

training for those interested in pursuing a career in teaching. CPCE not so long ago hosted its 79th graduation ceremony where an additional 336 persons graduated. In return, the chief education officer requests that the quality of investments made available for these individuals should at all times be reflected in their profession.

Like every profession, teaching has its ups and downs. However, the bonds that teachers establish with, if not all, then most of their students are often priceless. These teachers are often considered as exceptional teachers since they do almost everything possible with the best interest of

their students at heart.

They make themselves approachable and easily accessible to their students and even parents who need their guidance. Their involvement in school committees and other activities demonstrate their commitment to their work, their school, and their students.

Teachers contribute greatly to the national development of our country and it is important that we show respect for them at all times. I applaud those who recently completed their studies and I wish them a great career, one filled with commitment and longevity.

Sincerely, Loaknauth Tiwari

Additionally, I believe that our buildings and streets should be laid out

in such a way that they allow for easy access to and fro in the event of a fire. Too often, the route to a house on fire is often inaccessible, making it difficult for the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to manoeuvre quickly and to further undertake their duties effectively.

Another aspect that should be addressed is the need to remove or repair potential fire hazards such as old abandoned wooden buildings. A single electric spark can quickly engulf and consume such structures, further threatening any buildings nearby.

I am pleased to know

that the GFS is expected to have a strategic plan completed to accompany its training centre located at Leonora, on the West coast of Demerara. The initiative is expected to boost training for individuals who will be deemed responsible for educating and bringing fire awareness to citizens.

With new business developments and the further establishment of new buildings all around the city, it is essential that aspects of fire awareness measures be taken seriously.

Sincerely, Deepak Mohabir

Smarter ways of handling money

Dear Editor, We have all been warned by the various authorities on several occasions to desist from carrying large sums of money on our person and moreover, businesses should be wise enough to know that a special escorting service should be used in such an event.

Additionally, when it comes to paying employees, some companies avoid issuing cheques

simply because of the hassle of having to cash them. Personally, I strongly believe that it would be much safer and hassle-free if employees had their salaries and earnings deposited directly into their accounts by their respectful employers. This way, employees can then go to an ATM and withdraw smaller sums of money.

I urge people to firstly be cautious and wise, and

always be aware of their environment at all times. Secondly, we all need to look out for each other and that includes reporting any acts of suspicion of criminal intentions.

Crimefighting is everyone’s business, so we must all work together to prevent the unfortunate reoccurrences of lessons learnt in 2013.

Security conscious, Shonette Mangar

Page Foundation

TBY K WALSH

Are the benefits outweighing the downsides of potentially excessive use of these devices by younger and younger children?

I have three children and they love their tech tools, but I worry about the possible effects of electromagnetic radiation, and about the way in which time spent with these devices takes away from time they could be spending in more active pursuits. I also see skills and learning coming from their use of these tools. While I am clearly an advocate of technology, I also recognise that there are down sides and trade-offs that come with these advances.

Digital devices are all the rage among young people today, across all ages. Tablets top the youngest student’s wish lists, pre-teens crave smart phones, and high school students would love to have both plus a laptop computer!

MP3 players and other electronic devices are also widely used by many of today’s

students.

Are digital devices plugging our children into experiences that actually fuel their creativity and make them consider the world beyond their neighbourhood or are they robbing our children of some of the joys of childhood?

A rewarding childhood should include experiences like climbing trees, playing tag, selling lemonade and daydreaming – are these still quintessential experiences for many of today’s youth or are they too glued to their small screens to partake in these types of activities?

Let’s consider some of the pros and cons of the digital age as it reflects in the developing hands and minds of today’s young people.

Pros

Smart phones can give parents some peace of mind

Want to know where your child is at all times? Give them a smart phone. You can call or text your child to confirm their whereabouts. Many smart phones also contain GPS

tracking that can be activated to specify the phone’s exact location.

Every school supply list should include a computer

The reality is, a computer has become necessary to complete many homework assignments. Students are required to research a topic, and sometimes the most current and accurate data is found online. School courses in latter grades will require typed reports. And even the beloved shoebox project –illustrating a summer vacation, depicting the Amazon rain forest – is enhanced with colour printouts.

There’s an awe-inspiring online world to discover

The information age is a glorious gift to the curious child in many ways. Learn how to knit – identify the plants growing in the backyard –research the family tree – visit the depths of the ocean or the peak of the world’s tallest mountain without leaving the couch! Your child’s fondness for the search field may lead to real-life adventures later on.

Young music fans can access more than just the Top 40 It used to be that children tuned into radios to listen to the latest releases. Today, the radio may be where they are introduced to an artist or a band. But the next stop is usually online to download their favourite song. Even better, while exploring an online music store, they can sample every imaginable genre, from A Cappella to Zydeco.

Socialisation and social learning

While this argument can go both ways (for example, the ‘heads down’ nature of children walking around staring at their cellphones has a rather unsocial aspect to it), there is surely a strong element of socialisation to many of the apps that young people use, such as Facebook and other social networking tools. Another possible upside to the social nature of some applications is the potential for social learning in the instructional setting. (Emerging Ed Tech)

he football hold: Because this method puts pressure on your baby’s tummy, it can help relieve gassiness. Place your baby facedown along one forearm, using the crook of your arm to support her neck. Place your other arm between her legs to support her lower body. Once you get the hang of it, you can even use one hand to prepare a bottle.

The over-the-shoulder hold: Like the football hold, this one’s good for gassiness. Hold your baby’s stomach against your shoulder and let her head and neck drape over it. Support her head with your hand until she’s able to control it herself.

The heart-to-heart: In this position, your baby will feel extra close to you as she gets in tune with your rhythms. Hold your baby vertically, with her head resting on your chest, near your heart. Sway from side to side.

Decoding the wails

It’s not easy to figure out what your baby’s various cries mean. But keep these general guidelines in mind:

Newborns have a very distinct, high-pitched wail – and contrary to what you may think, this often doesn’t indicate pain. They simply take in short, rapid breaths and let out a short crying sound each time they exhale. Older babies begin to breathe in deeper when crying, so each cry is longer.

When he’s hungry, a baby will quietly fuss and squirm. If he isn’t fed, the cry will escalate. (Unless he’s a newborn, and then the big wails are likely to start right away.)

If he’s in pain – from gas, teething, or illness – your baby will probably have a piercing cry and a

pained look on his face. He’ll also be especially difficult to console.

Strategies to avoid

Popping in a pacifier right away. Yes, it might quiet her, but you won’t get to figure out what’s really wrong.

Rushing to feed. If you stick a bottle or your breast in your baby’s mouth every time she cries and before you’re sure she’s hungry, you could be showing her that eating is a way to comfort herself. And that can eventually lead to overeating.

Trying too many different ways of soothing at once It takes a while for soothing techniques to work. If you quickly change positions, or swaddle and then unswaddle immediately, your baby will probably become more agitated.

Baby massage

The warm touch of your hands can console your baby instantly. In a warm, quiet room, undress him except for his diaper and put him on a comfortable surface (a bed, couch, your lap). Use baby oil or a moisturising lotion. Apply gentle yet firm pressure with each stroke. Be aware of your baby’s cues: If he wriggles or fusses, stop and try again another time. You can do this entire sequence or just the parts your baby likes. Begin with your baby on his back:

Head

* Using your open hands, stroke both sides of the face, from the forehead to the neck and back up again.

* Using a circular motion, stroke over the temples and the hinge of the jaw.

* Lightly massage behind the ears and continue the circular movements over the rest of the scalp, avoiding the soft spot on the top.

Arms

* Wrap both hands around the baby’s upper arm and stroke down from the shoulder to the wrist, using a gentle, milking motion.

* Stroke the palms of the hand with your thumbs.

* Gently squeeze and then pull each finger.

Chest. Starting with your hands flat on the baby’s chest, stroke up toward the neck, and then downward to his sides.

Abdomen. Using a handover-hand motion (like a paddle wheel), stroke him moving from high to low on the abdomen.

Legs. Wrap both hands around your baby’s upper thigh, and stroke down toward the ankle and back up to the hip

Feet

* Use a thumb-over-thumb motion to massage the entire bottom of the foot.

* Gently squeeze and then pull each toe.

* Make small circles all over the top of the ankle and foot.

Now turn your baby facedown: Back

* Stroke, in a hand-over-hand motion, from the upper back to the buttocks, with the flats of your hands contoured to the shape of his back.

* Using your fingertips, massage the long muscles next to your baby’s spine with circular motions from his head to his buttocks. (Don’t rub directly over the spine.) Continue massaging down his legs to his feet. Neck. Finish by lightly massaging your baby’s neck and shoulders. (Parenting)

Preparatory work for Specialty Hospital to resume soon

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said preparatory work for the construction of the multimillion-dollar Specialty Hospital is expected to resume soon.

The health minister told Guyana Times that the Ramotar administration is very passionate about having the hospital constructed and will work hard to ensure that this vision is fulfilled. Some $34.4 million was approved by the National Assembly recently for the Specialty Hospital.

“The ministry is in the process of getting other things done, like proper site preparation. Surrender company would have won the bid, so they have taken over the site officially and we hope that work will start being visible from now on,” Dr Ramsaran added. The ministry, he said, is in constant contact with engineers from both Surrendra Engineering and Vikab Engineering. Vikab Engineering was contracted to do the consultancy for the construction of the new hospital.

Dr Ramsaran noted that a deadline cannot be fixed at this time, since the work was stalled for a while and things will have to be realigned before such detail is provided. “We had a lot of adjustments, because of the

ruckus, it was put on hold. It is now being discussed with our ministry and stakeholders…. So we have to wait and see what happens before we make any pronouncement on a deadline.”

During the 2013 national budget debate, a $1.25 billion provision for the controversial hospital was cut by the opposition.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had pointed to the government’s lack of dialogue on the opposition’s position that the formulation of the deal was not transparent.

In August the same year, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said a consultancy contract was awarded to ensure government gets “value for money”.

The construction of the hospital is part of an agreement between the government of Guyana and India, for Guyana to use US$18 million through a line of credit to build the hospital. The hospital is being built to cater for complicated surgeries, ranging from heart operations, organ transplants to cosmetic surgery.

Teixeira questions opposition’s sincerity on anti-money laundering bill

Government’s Chief Whip and Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail

Teixeira said the administration was profoundly disturbed and disheartened at the opposition’s lackadaisical approach in the new select committee to which the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill was referred.

Teixeira, who was re-appointed as the committee’s chairperson, said it was regrettable that this is turning out to be a “same old same old” exercise, as there seems to be no urgency on the part of the opposition to address issues on the bill. Thus far, the opposition has shot down the government’s proposal to have the presence of the media and other relevant stakeholders to observe the workings of the committee.

Committee observers

“The opposition appears to be very iffy on it, and said that they have to go back to get clearance from the mentors… they were unprepared to make any commitment on this issue,” she said.

The chief whip pointed

clear to the opposition and in the interest of transparency and accountability, we felt that the presence of the media and other stakeholders as observers of the committee is important to allow the story of the committee to come out, but they had some deep concerns,” Teixeira explained.

The select committees meet in private; however, there is nothing in the standing orders that prohibits a committee from inviting members of the public to sit in and observe, so long as they do not interfere with its deliberations.

out that given that Guyana missed consecutive deadlines in May, August and November last year to pass the bill, it is in the interest of all to expedite this process before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meets on February 13.

She noted that Guyana could very well be reviewed during this meeting, since FATF, the international body, does not have to wait on the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the regional watchdog body. “They can proceed to automatically review us on February 13. We made this

In the interest of time, which is rapidly running out, the government members on the committee suggested that the committee meet at least two to three times per week including Saturdays, if necessary; however, this did not find favour with the opposition.

The opposition has demanded that some of the persons who made written submissions the last time but were not called to appear before the committee, be given an opportunity to do so now. Teixeira explained a number of organisations wrote to the committee, but they did not

No definitive time for appointment of new GuySuCo board

President Donald Ramotar has said he plans to appoint the current chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr Rajendra Singh, as the substantive chief executive officer of the corporation.

He did not state when he plans to make this move. However, Singh’s appointment is dependent on the re-organisation of a new board for the corporation.

The government has moved to renew the life of the current board at least twice before and appears to be dragging its feet on the entire issue.

The corporation over the past several years failed to meet most of the targets set within the past 20 years for sugar production. This is not the only problem; sugar production has been on the decline.

Ramotar told media operatives during a recent press conference that significant technical work is ongoing at the factories, and especially at the new flagship Skeldon facility, to correct a number of faults. He said too that issues relating to agriculture, particularly GuySuCo, will be targeted. Prior to assuming the presidency, Ramotar served as a member of GuySuCo’s board.

The head of state said that in order for the industry to return to its glory days, it would need overseas experts to help in the process.

proposed any amendments to the bill; instead, they just made general comments on money laundering and financial crimes.

Nonetheless, the government has agreed to the opposition’s demands and as such, letters of invitation have already been sent out to individuals and organisations to appear before the committee. Among those invited are Professor Clive Thomas, Christopher Ram, and the Bar and the Bankers’ Association.

“The position of the opposition is that we will not address the contents of the bill until it goes through these other procedures again… basically we have next week and the first week of February, that’s all we have. As of today, not one amendment has been tabled or submitted or circulated by the opposition,” Teixeira noted.

She further explained that the amendments to this bill that are pending are not the end of this process. She noted that it was very likely that the bill would be back before the House once every two years, if not more often, as amendments would have to be made as technology advances. (GINA)

said, will not work in the sugar industry, but other agricultural areas to help in building the sector to become one that is second to none in the region.

GuySuCo has long blamed the low production on poor workers’ turnout, problems at Skeldon, agriculture and weather. A cut in the price by Guyana’s biggest buyer, the European Union (EU), to an accumulative 36 per cent, has not been helping. He said the new 2013-2016 strategic plan supports the mechanisation and field conversion drive, and focuses particularly on critical areas of the sugar company.

In 2013, government advanced $3.1 billion to the company to achieve the implementation of critical recapitalisation aspects of this plan.

The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) on the other hand said that the restructuring of the GuySuCo board is an essential component to the development of the industry.

The union said that mechanisation of the industry has not been as helpful as it was planned and workers are frustrated with the conditions under which they are forced to work under on a daily basis.

Therefore, three experts from an Indian company, Casetech, are already in Guyana and working at the Enmore factory. These experts, he

Sugar production in Guyana has been declining since 2005. During 2002 and 2004, the average production was 315,000 tonnes of sugar per year. The sugar industry is a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, and some 18,000 persons are directly or indirectly employed in the industry.

Eyew tness

New directions...

...in integration

Your Eyewitness knows that President Ramotar gets around. On Saturday alone, he was in Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara and then in Linden to open up the rebuilt PPP/C headquarters there. But when he read the official press release that the president was supposed to be at the opening of the CELAC summit – all the way in Havana – on the same day, he balked. Surely the president hadn’t secured one of the teleporting mechanisms from Harry Potter’s repertoire?

As an avid filcher of the series he’d ostensibly (and ostentatiously) brought for his children, even though he is a muggle, your Eyewitness knows and believes these things do exist. Apparation and disapparation would permit the president to disappear from Guyana and appear in Havana –just like that.

If he hadn’t completely mastered the technique, prezzie could’ve splinched himself. The only drawback is that this meant he would’ve had to leave part of himself behind. If all else failed he could’ve used Floo powder...but this wouldn’t work in Guyana since we don’t have the requisite fireplaces to connect to another in Cuba.

Anyhow, the mystery was solved when your Eyewitness discovered that the CELAC conference actually starts on Tuesday. Time enough for the president to use the interminable airline connections to island-hop his way to Cuba. Or then again, was Copa – the new Panamanian airline servicing CJIA – jetting him directly to the meeting?

That’s what Burnham would’ve done. Remember Burnham chartering a jet for him and his entire entourage to fly to that summit in Africa? Don’t even ask about the exotic dinner menu – while Guyanese were coping with his food ban.

Icing on the cake, Amnesty International just rapped the U.S. for torturing prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. In Cuba.

...in Linden?

What does the poor turnout at the protest in Linden against the president’s visit to open his party’s local office mean? You, Dear Readers, would remember that the said office was torched – along with a string of buildings, including the largest primary school – during the previous protests in July 2012.

Well, we’ll say this for sure: it sure doesn’t mean that the hordes are gonna be beating down the doors to sign up for membership. The sad truth is that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds can write all the thousand-worded letters telling it as it is about the PPP’s record in Linden but the demagoguery of people like Solomon and Lewis will always carry the day.

Who remembers Burnham tear-gassed workers he’d thrown into the slammer because they’d protested for their pension security? Who remembers it was under the PNC’s watch that our calcined bauxite – number one in the world in quality and sales – was supplanted by China’s because of political incompetents like Haslyn Parris.

The same Parris who was appointed by the PNC today as part of the “technical team” that’s supposed to resuscitate Linden!

...on money laundering?

We always suspected media blanking by PNC/ APNU on the anti-money laundering bill was fishy. Now “mouth open and story jump out.” Greenidge says they’re worried the media might hear sensitive info. About their contributors?

ICT must be driven by private sector – GT&T CEO … as company awaits approval for 3G/4G roll-out

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Service Limited

(GT&T) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Radha Krishna Sharma said development in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector must be spearheaded by the private sector.

He also underscored that spectral policies must be transparent, market-based and designed to support national development.

Sharma made the comment while addressing a media event at Grand Coastal Inn Saturday night. He prefaced his remarks by observing government’s plans for the sector, with its ambitious e-governance project. He said GT&T has formally submitted a request to the government for spectrum allocation to facilitate 3G/4G services to its customers, but this request has

not been granted after four years.

This request was made in light of an observation by the company in 2010, that with the advent of the Suriname/Guyana submarine cable system, the bandwidth delivery potential for Guyana was tremendous and would have a commensurate developmental impact consistent with national ICT objectives.

Rapid changes

He noted that the proposed roll out included field test data, economic analysis and a macro-project plan, inclusive of geographic phases. Sharma stated that GT&T intends to intensify efforts in discussions with the government to allow for this to happen, which is an everyday usage in other Caribbean territories.

He said technology has changed and the rapid advances in 3G/4G architecture in the global industry

Why the secrecy?

is everywhere with live regional networks deployed, handsets availability by major suppliers has increased with pricing trending downwards, but unfortunately, GT&T has not been afforded the appropriate spectrum allocation. This, he posited is to the detriment of the sec-

tor and national ICT goals. He reiterated that the company has lost four years since its initial request to facilitate 3G/4G technology in Guyana.

“GT&T and Atlantic Tele-Network in September 2013, again formally submitted an updated request for spectrum allocation to the government of Guyana. While discussions are ongoing and we must respect the confidentiality and integrity of the said process, suffice to say that our plan was adjusted and updated based on growth and changes in the industry and market over a three-year period.”

The net effect of the impasse due to the foregoing has seen sector stagnation, deferred capital outlays, both of which have a net negative effect on the nation as a whole, Sharma stated.

“We must stress that none of our submissions for spectrum prevent barriers to entry and access to

any existing or future investor in the wireless market.”

He said that his company has noted with interest the stated plans for the government’s e-governance deployment, which from publicly available information, has a major LTE component, that is, LTE being used interchangeably with 4G. Towers associated with this state initiative are being constructed.

Vandalism

He disclosed that GT&T with no reservation, based on the global market and industry dynamics and actual success stories, can unequivocally state that the ICT sector development must be spearheaded by private capital and 4G is a major component of same; hence, the criticality of spectral policies which are transparent, market-based and are designed to support national development.

Meanwhile, Sharma dis-

closed that for 2013, the telephone company has sustained 68 instances of third party damages and 40 incidences of vandalism to its line plant facilities. The total restoration cost was in the vicinity of $50 million.

For 2014, thus far, he said there have been six instances of third party damages and one incident of vandalism. Sharma noted that the cost mentioned to restore services does not take into consideration revenue foregone due to lines being out of service.

Additionally, he mentioned that resources have to be diverted to address these damages leading to delays in scheduled works. The GT&T boss said that currently, subscribers at Diamond are out of service because of damage to the cable infrastructure by a third party contractor involved in the road expansion programme. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

Aviators want probe findings into plane crashes released

BY MIcHAEl YOungE

Captain Gerry Gouveia

said there was urgent need for the findings of various investigations into mishaps in the aviation sector to be released and made public as the cloud of secrecy that hovers over these cases is not helping the industry.

Gouveia, the chief executive officer of Roraima Airways, is considered an expert as well as pioneer in the local aviation industry. He criticised the fact that stakeholders here could not gain access to the recommendations made at the end of probes into mishaps and incidents occurring involving flights that take off from the country’s second international airport at Ogle. Gouveia said something must be done by those in authority to correct this worrying trend as operators in the aviation sector need to learn from the mistakes made by others, so as to develop best practices and avoid them in the future.

He did not understand the rationale behind keeping the findings under lock and key and away from key players within the industry, explaining that it is hindering the further development of an otherwise excellent aviation sector.

“I don’t believe we are doing it as correctly as it should be done,” he said, referring to the probes.

“When we are finished the investigations... the public and the professionals in the industry... should know every one of these findings so that we could correct, sur-

gically what that problem was,” he insisted. Gouveia also lobbied for the findings to be published in the media so that they can be duly scrutinised, arguing that the challenges faced will continue unless the status quo changes.

Heightened surveillance Captain Gouveia has welcomed the announcement by Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn that government plans on heightening the surveillance of the sector following the recent string of mishaps.

But in the same breath, he said the minister could be missing the bigger picture if the aforementioned issues are not addressed.

He praised the level of professionalism and standards that are in place and operational at the Ogle

International Airport, declaring that the pilots and other staff there are the best within the country and further afield.

The Roraima chief executive officer dismissed as false any notion that there is a lack of adequate safety and security standards in place at the airport which led to the many incidents over the past six months. He appeared to be saying at great length that while there was room for more to be done to improve the situation, there was a need for those criticising Ogle to accept the bare facts.

Aviation safety

“With the number of flights we are doing, with the number of passengers we are moving, how many deaths have we had? How many incidents have

we had? And if you look at those statistics you will find that Guyana sits at the top of the world in terms of aviation safety. Amongst the top countries in the world that pay very close attention to aviation safety,” he said.

“People may say look all of us are entitled to our own opinion,” he said, but “we are not entitled to our own facts”.

“... So if you would say to me that in Guyana aviation safety is a problem, tell me why, don’t tell me what you perceive and what you think, tell me what the facts are,” he stressed.

Captain Gouveia said there may be need for Guyana to consider establishing a body that is separate from its civil aviation authority to probe the few instances of accidents. He also suggested that that authority could be the subject of any probe if it is found that there was any failure on its part, including to diligently impose sanctions when operators were found lacking.

He has also lobbied for the testing of pilots, and aviation personnel in general, for drugs and alcohol as a means of moving forward. He pointed out that pilots already undergo routine medical examinations and are engaging in constant refresher courses in their field.

Gouveia has also expressed concern that while Guyana seems to understand the need to mount effective search-and-rescue missions when emergencies occur, it does not seem to

fathom the importance of being better equipped to handle these emergencies.

He wasted no time in pointing out that there must never be an occasion where the Bell 412 is inoperable or down as he reflected on hardships encountered utilising equipment and helicopters that were not suitable for the terrain in the recent search-and-rescue mission after the Trans Guyana Airways plane went down last week. He explained the helicopters used

did not have the power to get the men to the jungle site where the plane went down.

“That is why we need the Bell 412, which was parked at the airport, which apparently had a maintenance problem… and still do have a maintenance problem. That is like having a fire engine not working. And you’re saying we have a fire engine, it’s parked, it’s not working. We should never have an occasion where that aircraft is not working,” he opined.

Man electrocuted at Skeldon estate

Ulric Johnson, a 23-year-old electrician employed with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was electrocuted Sunday morning at the company’s Skeldon plant.

Reports are that the

young man was electrocuted around 10:00h. He was reportedly conducing maintenance on a transformer when he was struck by some 3.5 megawatts of electricity. Mother of the dead man, Princess Johnson, told Guyana Times that she got a call sometime after 10:00h informing her that her son was injured and was at the Skeldon Hospital.

She related that by the time she arrived at the hospital, her son had already passed away.

She noted that her son was in the employ of GuySuCo for the past five years, and no one from the company has contacted her to give an explanation for her son’s death.

The Leeds Village, Corentyne, Berbice resident would have celebrated his 24th birthday today.

Women miners want govt to play bigger role in fighting TIP

Guyana continues to act in contradiction of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act of 2005, assented to by former President Bharrat Jagdeo on April 7, 2005.

This is according to the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) 2013 Report released on Friday. The report was launched under the theme “GWMO: Lifting the veil on modern day slavery”, in observance of the organisation’s second anniversary.

The Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005 states that “trafficking in persons involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of threat or use of force or other means of coercion, or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability...” It also addresses the issue of commercial sexual exploitation, including but not limited to pimping, pandering, procuring, and profiting from prostitution.

But most importantly, it outlines the necessary systems to be instituted to safeguard TIP survi-

of labour, human services and social security,” the GWMO said.

But according to 2013 GWMO TIP Report, the reality is “eight years since the law was introduced, survivors of trafficking in Guyana have been poorly treated”.

“The authorities are still in denial about the scale of the problem, largely ignoring it and neglecting the

system against survivors.”

It also accuses the ministries of home affairs, human services and education of failing tip victims, pointing to what it describes as the callous treatment meted out to survivors by ranks of the Guyana Police Force. “Further, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) to an extent has also failed our young victims of traffick-

spect.

The expensive period of investigation is also a concern of the women miners. They believe that while not compromising the integrity of the case, the police should accelerate the rate at which they investigate, paving the way for reports to be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advise in a timely manner.

vors; an area in which the women miners’ organisation said is lacking. The act stipulates that appropriate housing should be provided, in addition to psychological counselling, medical assistance, legal assistance, employment and education.

“Other anti-TIP efforts stated in the legislation include protection for victims, education of the public, and the investigation and prosecution of trafficking offences. The minister of home affairs is expected to lead these efforts in conjunction with the minister

victims of trafficking, who are trapped in mining communities across the country,” the report added.

In 2013, GWMO rescued 29 TIP victims, with 16 of those rescued being under the age of 18 years. But while the organisation is playing a leading role in the fight against human trafficking, it claims that the authorities are failing to accommodate survivors of trafficking. “The provisions outlined under the relevant legislation have not been delivered and no efforts have been made to remove the stigma in the

ing. The agency has no structure in place to specifically meet the needs of survivors and this includes adequate housing and access to counselling,” the 2013 report stated.

According to the organisation, the trend of placing victims of human trafficking into foster homes is not the best solution to the problem. It explained that TIP survivors tell different stories; hence, they should receive special treatment. GWMO argued that TIP survivors should be continuously counselled in a bid to rebuild their self-re-

“The DPP office is one of the agencies that have been very prompt in responding to the GWMO by way of letters whenever queries are made and has treated the organisation with respect.” With the help of the DPP and the police, alleged traffickers were placed before the courts in 2013.

In Guyana, the GWMO contends that there are three primary determinants that contribute to human trafficking, namely, socio economic conditions such as poverty, absentee parents and lack

Some man does dress up more than woman

Acccordin to de Bible, when God mek Adam and Eve, dem was naked in de Garden of Eden. Dem ain’t had nutten that look like clothes. Then some ting happen and Adam and Eve start wearin clothes. Since that day, every body who come into de world start wearin clothes. And every body start to dress up.

Woman and man like to dress up. Dem who not woman or man like to dress up too. Old people seh woman does dress up more than man. But not all de time. It got some man who does dress up more than woman all de time.

Guyana got a man like that. Is a man who like to dress up. This man does buy long suit, short suit, different colour suit, shine suit and all kinda suit. This man does like to pose fuh photo in all he suit. Anywhere he go, is a different suit and plenty photo wid all kinda pose.

De other day it had a wedding. This man thought he was goin to get invite to de weddin. So de man buy a long suit long before de groom buy he suit. Even de groom’s man dem couldn’t find de right suit fuh a long time.

Just that de invite never come. He wait at de wuk place and he wait at he house. He even call de post office to find out whah happen wid de system. He check email and he even check de headitor and dem reporter email to see if it come. He still waitin. He had to put up de suit.

A reporter pun Saffon Street seh he was hopin to use de same suit fuh a party. But he still buy another suit just in case. This man does bad talk de man who hold de party, but he does still wanna go to de party.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! This time he even dress up and wait in he car. But when de invitation didn’t come, he send people pun motor bike and helicopter to spy.

Man dies after tractor topples

Just days after celebrating his birthday, Rameshwar Persaud, 56, of Washclothes, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara died Saturday morning when his tractor toppled.

Guyana Times understands that the now dead man was about to make a “U turn” on the main access dam when the tractor which he was driving toppled into the canal, pinning him in the driv -

of education; neglect; and mainly perception of opportunity which speaks to the idealised notion of earning minerals instead of cash.

“There is a dangerous perception that the opportunity in the bush is a lucrative one. While some women point to a lack of employment, some of them end up in the mining communities because of the idealised notion of opportunity,” the report stated.

But investigations reveal that young girls and women who are lured into this “trap” are often exploited sexually for cash.

er’s seat.

When this newspaper contacted Persaud’s daughter, she would only say that she received the call around 09:00h on Saturday, informing her that something had happened to Persaud.

The woman related that she was told that he was going to fix a pump when the accident occurred. She noted that the news is still “unbelievable” and cannot come to grips with it.

Moving forward, the GWMO said it will continue to advocate the rights of TIP victims, as it extends a hand of partnership to the human service, home affairs and natural resources ministries.

The British High Commission and the U.S. embassy have offered financial support to victims to aid in their campaign against human trafficking. In fact, in 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recognised GWMO’s President Simona Broomes as one of the 2013 heroes in the fight against TIP.

Times Notebook

Let’s discuss the AMLCFT Bill in public

Who has something to hide?

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML-CFT) Bill has been brought back to Parliament and it was sent to the special select committee. Parliament last year considered the bill and the opposition, after delaying for an unreasonable length of time, voted against it. At the time Members of Parliament from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) claimed there were many deficiencies in the bill even though the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) declared that it met all requirements.

Yet not one MP from APNU ever presented a written amendment to the bill last year. As for the Alliance For Change (AFC), it had publicly declared that it had no objection to any of the clauses. But collectively APNU and AFC voted against the bill last November. If they had amendments, they could have passed the bill with amendments. Clearly, they wanted Guyana to be blacklisted.

There are many examples of how Guyana is being affected by being blacklisted. There are greater dangers lurking ahead for Guyana if we allow the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) at the global level to also blacklist Guyana. CFATF black-

listed Guyana and the country will be reviewed again in May 2014. But before then the global FATF will meet in mid-February and they can sanction Guyana before the CFATF deadline of May 2014.

Under great public pressure, the opposition agreed for the bill to come back to Parliament so that Guyana can pass it before the FATF meeting and begin the process of removal from the blacklist. But now that the bill is back in Parliament, the opposition has shown no keen interest in moving the process forward. It appears

to be the same old opposition delaying tactics.

No interest

Times Notebook is recommending that the meetings of the special select committee be open to the media and to other stakeholders, like the Private Sector Commission (PSC). This way, the public will see and hear firsthand what is happening. If no one has anything to hide and if everyone is genuinely working in the interest of the country, then let’s see who will object.

The record in the Parliament tells an interest-

ing story. The record reveals that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) MPs attended about 85 per cent of the meetings of the special select committee for the bill and that the MPs from the opposition only attended about 50 per cent of the meetings. Clearly, the opposition MPs showed no interest in moving the process for a timely passage of the bill.

The record further reveals that the opposition did not submit any amendment for consideration. Clearly, the opposition had no intention of supporting passage of the bill when it was before

Parliament last year.

Both APNU and the AFC have indicated that they would work with government to ensure Guyana passes the bill before the FATF meets. Now it is incumbent on them to demonstrate that they have the interest of the people at heart. But Times Notebook is fearful that the same tactics of delay are being employed by the opposition this time around to again prevent the passage of the bill.

The special select committee for the 2014 version of the bill was first convened on January 13, 2014. It couldn’t

meet again until January 20. At the January 20 meeting, Ramjattan, the AFC representative, was absent. Today is January 27, and no other meeting has been held because the opposition MPs are not available. When the bill was brought to the House in 2013, the public was given ample time to make representations, both oral and written, to the special select committee. Now the opposition MPs want the process to be conducted all over again. Who is stalling again?

Times Notebook believes that there is a good reason why meetings of the special select committee should generally be private meetings. But in this instance where clearly the Parliament has not acted in the interest of the people and blame is being thrown around, the circumstances dictate that the people’s business be conducted with urgency and with observers.

The PPP/C MPs have asked that the meetings of the special select committee on the bill be held in the presence of observers, such as the media and the PSC representatives. This is a reasonable proposition and the special select committee must adopt this position under the circumstances.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

Canadian expert to conduct risk management study in mining sector

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has secured the services of Canadian Executive Service Organisation Advisor William Oates to assist with the development of a policy framework on capital risk management for the gold mining sector.

On Saturday, Oates made a presentation to stakeholders in the industry at the ministry’s Brickdam office. Oates shared some of options and how best the financial portfolio in the mining sector can be managed so as to ensure a much more structured sector.

In 2013, gold output in Guyana reached a record production of over 481,000 ounces; however, it was not a very lucrative year for persons in the gold mining sector because of the tremendous fall in the price of the mineral.

In this regard, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry,

along with the relevant agencies, has been seeking interventions through policy guidance and framework to ensure that gold producers, dealers and other

stakeholders do not feel the full effect of the price fluctuation, by trying to diversify the portfolio and have proper capital risk management for the resources they

have invested.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud recently met and had discussions with various consult-

ants of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and other ministry officials at the ministry’s Brickdam office.

During brief remarks, Minister Persaud stated that the focus is to stay ahead in the gold market and plan ahead for the sector, and this involves the participation of stakeholders and producers who would be able to provide options and advice in terms of how the ministry and agencies can manage risk in the gold market.

Greater participation

Minister Persaud reiterated that he expects greater participation of producers, as well as dealers because the intended output is to determine how best the sector can be managed, as well as the risks that come with it.

Given the way in which

the price of gold has been moving, Minister Persaud pointed out that there is an urgency for all involved in the sector to pay adequate attention in terms of how to manage production which will enable them to see greater outcomes.

Reports will be made available to the dealers, producers, the relevant stakeholders and the GGMA and GGDMA boards, to determine what aspects can be developed and what policies can be put in place.

“The aim is to work with the dealers to see how best we can manage the situation… we look forward to the outcome with great anticipation,” Minister Persaud said. He added that while the intention is to look at gold, the ministry will also be focusing on diamonds to distinguish whether there are risk factors and how they can be addressed, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

monday, january 27, 2014

PNCR General Council zeroes in on social contract proposal

The first general council meeting of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR) for 2014 was held on Saturday at the party’s headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, with a rally call to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Held under the theme “Achieving inclusive democracy and respect for workers through a social contract”, the meeting was chaired by Member of Parliament (MP) Basil Williams, who welcomed members and called on them to recommit themselves to working to overcome any challenges to a good life for the people of Guyana.

According to a release by

the party, in his remarks, Williams who is also the party’s chairman, made mention of the rampant poverty, youth employment and violent crime that continues

to be pervasive in communities across the nation.

PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke gave a report on the work of the party’s secretariat and reports from the 11 party regions. Clarke reported that training for local government elections were well advanced and charged party members to aggressively mobilise within their various districts and regions.

The feature address was delivered by party leader, Brigadier David Granger. In his address, Granger said the PNCR was committed to inclusionary democracy and respect for workers. Towards this end, he said the party had declared

2014 the Year for Workers and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had called for a social contract to promote national unity, ensure human safety and fos-

Dr Ramsammy urges recommitment to hunger fight

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Friday urged local stakeholders and partner agencies of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to recommit to the organisation’s initiative of making by 2025, a hungerfree Caribbean and Latin America.

Addressing the FAO’s Annual Accountability Seminar 2014, at the Agriculture Ministry recently, Minister Ramsammy said that in recommitting to this very noble goal, stakeholders and partner agencies must do so, remembering that their words must be matched with action.

He noted that while indeed there has been a reduction of hunger in the regions of the Americas and in the world, nearly 800 million people around the world still live in pockets of food insecurity. Those living in food insecure circumstances in Latin America amount to 50 million, while closer to home, in the Caribbean there are eight million, Minister Ramsammy said.

Food insecure circumstances

“Whilst we celebrate the fact that we make progress, our celebrations must be tempered by a concern that still too many people are living in food insecure circumstances, in our country and around the world and we must see it as embarrassing for our region. I say that because I do not believe in our region that we have any excuse,” he said.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and FAO representative in Guyana, Dr Lystra Fletcher-Paul at the FAO’s Annual Accountability Seminar 2014

Minister Ramsammy said that it should be seen as a shameful legacy that still millions live in hunger in a region that is a net exporter of food. “The Caribbean can have all the food that we need, but until we are able to develop our systems, and until we are able to ensure equity in the socio-economic lives of people, we will not eliminate the pockets of poverty that exists in our region and we will not eliminate the hunger that exists in so many pockets in all of our countries,” he said.

“We must commit ourselves in a more robust and firmer manner, to the goal of equity. I, therefore, at this accountability seminar, ask that every action we do must bear in mind what the goal is, and that it is to attain food and nutrition security, to ensure the eradication of hunger and therefore poverty,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy noted that local stakeholders and partnering agencies can do so by ensuring that whatever project, initiative or programme is implemented towards the hunger-free initiative is done better.

He noted that improvement such as to the local genetic stock, varieties of crops, and breeds of animal will lead to existing agriculture capacity serving at a higher level.

To this end, he urged chartering of new partnerships and the strengthening of old affiliations. He urged the promotion by FAO of more South-South cooperation, particularly with respect to improving agriculture techniques and ensuring improvement in genetic stocks.

The FAO’s accountability seminar was aimed at informing stakeholders

and partner agencies of the new changes in FAO, to present the achievements of 2013 and the progress made in addressing priorities identified in the 20122015 Country Programme Framework (CPF) for Guyana, to present FAO’s regional initiatives for the 2014-2015 biennium and to identify key elements of the work programme for 2014-2015.

Hard work

It is expected that the information would improve the stakeholders and partner agencies’ understanding of the renewed FAO, and its new way of working, increase awareness of FAO’s work in Guyana and strengthen collaboration between the organisation and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to support the fight against hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty.

Realignment, hard work, accomplishment, partnership, and commitment best describe the FAO’s work in 2013, FAO representative in Guyana, Dr Lystra Fletcher-Paul said. She said that 2013, was a time of re-adjustment to ensure FAO’s work was more closely aligned and strategic to the objectives of the organisation.

ter economic development.

The party leader reminded the council that the PNCR started as a working class party and pledged the party’s continued support for the working men and women in Guyana. Granger also said that APNU would advocate for the human rights of all Guyanese. On this note, he said the coalition will seek to have investigated every act of torture and shooting in the last 20 years.

“We (PNCR) will work to protect the rights of persons who suffer police brutality and will not rest until there is good governance.”

Referring to the Year for Workers, Granger said the

Fletcher-Paul said that the FAO’s director general would have called on FAO Guyana to be more efficient, more strategic and more transparent. “Our work programme must not be a shopping list of disconnected activities, it must be part of the ministry’s (Agriculture) work programme and vision for long-term development of the agriculture sector,” she said.

FAO Guyana was also mandated to seek to build partnership, not just with the public sector, but also with the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders, to find the synergies and work closely so that the organisation’s work has a much greater impact.

Gone are the days “Gone are the days of bringing consultants into the country to do the work for you. We have been mandated to tailor our programmes and projects so consultants work with farmers and with the staff of the ministry to help them to help themselves, so at the end day, you would have been able to teach one another and promote a sustainable system of capacity building,” she said.

In 2013, the FAO Guyana worked very hard and helped to organise and host several seminars and other meetings that were hailed as resounding successes including the Caribbean Week of Agriculture.

Fletcher-Paul said however, the greatest accomplishment for the organisation in 2013 was the award that the government of Guyana received from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in June 2013 for its progress in achieving Millennium Development Goal One, of halving the number of persons suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Fletcher-Paul noted that all FAO’s 2013 achievements were accomplished because the organisation worked in partnership with its stakeholders.

People Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had damaged the labour movement in Guyana. “The PPP has divided the labour movement… and the PNCR will fight to reunite the labour movement.”

The leader of the PNCR said the country’s economic future lies in the hands of the workers and workers must be able to look forward to a better future, better wages and a good life in 2014.

General Council is the governing body and second highest decision-making forum of the PNCR between the biennial congresses. It meets at least once every quarter of each year.

GPHC shocked at Chronicle’s article on maternal death

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Khan has denied claims that Jaiwanti Chanderpaul and her newborn died while in the hospital’s care on Thursday last.

Khan was at the time responding to an article published in the Saturday, January 25 edition of the Guyana Chronicle newspapers, which stated that Jaiwanti and her newborn had died hours apart at the institution.

Maternity Ward Senior Supervisor June Cato explained that she was perturbed by the article. She went on to say that the institution does not have any record of the young lady ever being a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. She mentioned too that she found the article very disturbing, knowing that this was not the case as reported by the newspaper. Cato further explained that the young lady was not in an advanced state of pregnancy that would have required her to be registered with the institution.

Further investigations by the hospital had revealed that the incident had indeed occurred; but at a private hospital. The article in the Guyana Chronicle stated that the baby died on Wednesday, with the young mother passing away the following day.

It explained that Jaiwanti had been diagnosed with a gynaelogical complication, in the third trimester of pregnancy. She had reportedly undergone medical treatment for her ailment and was feeling somewhat better. As her pregnancy progressed, she started feeling ill and had sought treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital as reported in the article. They noted too that she went to the Georgetown Public Hospital earlier in the month where she was admitted and had remained up until the time she had given birth to the baby and passed away. The Health Ministry, along with other organisations has launched campaigns in the medical sector to alleviate this occurrence.

Banks DIH aiming to have products in every home

Banks DIH Limited has rebranded itself the ‘Banks Country’, as it moves to take its products to every corner of Guyana and make the company the new frontier of the industry.

The company hosted its annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Thirst Park, which was attended by hundreds of shareholders. In his report, Banks DIH Limited Chairman Clifford Reis said the new frontier for the company is both challenging and rewarding, noting that there is a sense of satisfaction in witnessing their plans from the previous year being carried out.

He stated that while the company has recorded some $2.5 billion in profits, it is disappointing that it did not meet its targets in the second half of the year, hence it not garnering the expected results. He blamed this on many reasons, but singled out the state of the national economy.

Nevertheless, he said the company has to sharpen its tactics to reduce expenditures and increase profits.

The chairman explained that the report reflects a backdrop of a continued sluggish global economic recovery and tensions which continue to be manifested across the globe, especially in those areas which are prime petroleum producers.

Prudent management

“The impact of these global phenomena affects all that we do in Guyana even though we are far located from the sources. My fellow shareholders, I previously alluded to the measured global growth and by extension, the economies of many smaller countries. Despite this influence, our improved results were possible in part due to increased production availability, resulting from efficiencies garnered from our capital investments, and in part due to the strong demand for our products from our loyal customer base. Recognition should also be given to the excellent route to market systems supported by an efficient pre-selling and distribution network,” he stated.

According to Reis, as a result of comprehensive planning and prudent man-

agement of resources, the overall performance of the group improved, with an operational profit before taxes of $5.340 billion compared to $4.966 billion in 2012, a seven per cent increase of $374 million. Profits after taxes for the group attributable to shareholders grew from $2.812 billion to $2.930 billion, an increase of $118 million or four per cent.

Brewery modernisation

One the topic of capital expenditure, he talked about the implementation of the brewery modernisation programme, which focused on the production capacity and availability especially within the brewhouse and

petitions in which it participated. Reis noted that customer service is one of the company’s main priorities. “Volume growth was not achieved [only] by providing our customers with quality products, additionally our focus has been the anticipation of and response to the rapidly changing dynamics in the market in which we operate,” stated the chairman.

Community relations and partnerships was another issue Reis placed emphasis on. “Our commitment to the sustaining of meaningful relationships with our shareholders, employees, customers, and wider society is demonstrated in our continuing commitment to, and involvement in, the many educational, cultural, sporting, religious and environmental activities undertaken in several communities across our country.”

On another note, the chairman mentioned new appointments to the company’s board of directors.

Frances Sarah Parris was appointed non-executive director while Mohamed Shabir Hussein was appointed engineering services director. The Banks DIH chairman noted that one area the company will be

cellars operations. He went on to mention that further expenditure was directed towards acquiring equipment for the bakery, dairy plant, winery, and water plant. Additionally, there was the installation of a new 1.7 megawatt Hyundai generator.

The chairman also reported that dividends increased from 17 cents to 30 cents and the company won gold medals in international quality control com-

looking to expand in is the field of technology.

He noted that this year more emphasis will be placed on the utilisation of new technology.

At the end of the chairman’s report, several motions were carried and shareholders were given the opportunity to satisfy their enquiries whereby they asked about products’ performance in the local market and shareholders’ dividends.

Miner found hanging in camp

The body of a miner was on Saturday last discovered hanging in a mining camp at 23 Miles, Issano Backdam, Mazaruni, Region Seven.

The body of Rupert Gray, 31, was discovered hanging with a piece of rope around his neck about 07:00h on Saturday. As the news spread about the incident, public-spirited citizens in the community managed to arrest a suspect who was subsequently handed over

to the police.

Police are continuing their investigations with assistance from the suspect who is in police custody.

In December, several miners were found dead with marks of violence about their bodies, the last being Clement David of Baramita, North West District (NWD), suspected to be in his 40s. He was discovered with several marks of violence to the head along the roadway at Baramita, NWD.

Region Seven without youth officer

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford has lashed out at the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry for failing to appoint a regional culture, youth and sport officer in the region, but subject minister, Dr Frank Anthony said regional officials must also take responsibility for the situation.

Speaking at the opposition leader’s office on Friday, Bradford told reporters that Region Seven has not been able to access the services of a culture, youth and sport officer for the past three years.

According to him, “this speaks volume as to the commitment made by the government to our young people”.

During the absence of such an officer, Bradford said he, along with other regional leaders and volunteers, would initiate activities to channel youths into the right direction, away from drugs, alcohol and criminal activities. “I have written the sports minister on three occasions and never had a reply.”

But during an interview with Guyana Times, Dr Anthony said his ministry has been in contact with the Region Seven Regional Democratic Council (RDC). It was explained that the ministry publicly advertised for a culture, youth and sport officer for Region Seven, but no one applied.

According to Dr Anthony, he subsequently instructed the RDC to identify an individual to fill the vacant post, but to date, no one was identified. He also dispelled notions that the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry is neglecting Region Seven, pointing out that already in place is a 2014 Mashramani programme. Dr Anthony also alluded to the spanking new Bartica Community Centre, Pavilion and Stand that is slated to be commissioned soon. He said government has pumped millions of dollars into the construction of the facility to accommodate Region Seven youths, primarily in Bartica.

Amerindian Affairs Ministry hands over truck to Fairview

TEarlier in the month, Terrance France of Oronoque, Port Kaituma, NWD, was found murdered in a mining pit at Long Island, Middle Mazaruni. His body bore several chop wounds.

About a week prior to France’s discovery, the decomposed body of Andre Hercules was found in a mining pit, also at Long Island. His feet and hands were bound.

he Amerindian Affairs Ministry last Friday handed over a Bedford truck valued $6.5 million to Albertino Peters, toshao of Fairview, Region Nine.

Fairview is found along the banks of the Essequibo River, in proximity to the Iwokrama Rainforest reserve. The purchase of the vehicle is a result of the collaborative effort between the ministry, the village and the village council.

The village has been saving for the purchase of this vehicle for the past four years. It has contributed $4 million from its presidential grants, while the council

provided $500,000 and the ministry, the remaining $2 million.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, who handed over the keys to the toshao at the ministry’s compound on Thomas and Quamina streets, said the vehicle will be used for the transportation of goods from Lethem to Georgetown, will be available for rental and will also contribute to the community’s development.

She added that the maintenance of the truck is the responsibility of the village council, and urged the toshao to take good care of it.

The toshao expressed grati-

tude to the ministry for the contribution towards making this long-burning desire of the people of Fairview a reality. He added that with this vehicle at the village’s disposal, residents will benefit greatly.

He added that this reflects the efforts of the government to assist the Amerindian communities and the development of the indigenous people as a whole.

Iwokrama has already indicated that it is interested in renting the vehicle. In 2013, the community also received an all-terrain vehicle from the ministry.

Explosive lobbed at police car

– as Berbicians block road in police stand-off

B y N afeeza y ahya

Hundreds of residents of the Numbers 48 and 49 villages on the Corentyne blocked the public road Sunday evening protesting a robbery they accused police ranks of masterminding, while also lamenting the daily spate of robberies in their communities.

An explosive device was also hurled at a police vehicle thought to be involved in the criminal activities, as ranks tried desperately up to late Sunday night to bring calm to the restive farming communities.

Already residents in the area have been forced to form a vigilante group to protect their communities and Sunday evening’s incident only served to infuriate them more. The residents are alleging that Sunday evening’s act was committed by five police ranks who were in a police car in the vicinity at the time. It is also alleged that the same car was noticed several times on the scene of other robberies. In addition, they are alleging that the number plate of the vehicle is deliberately disguised to avoid easy detection.

The residents surrounded the car and blocked the road with trucks and the entrances and exits to and from the village causing a backup of vehicles that stretched for several miles. The police tried feverishly to keep the crowd calm even as they attempted to

remove the trucks and other vehicles from blocking the traffic.

This, however, caused further uproar and more trucks were moved to the scene, much to the delight of the residents. There were several robberies within recent times in the area and residents have been trying to combat the problem by the formation of a vigilante group. However, this has not gained much success as the robbers keep striking at different times and places. The incident that sparked the protest was a robbery earlier Sunday evening on the popular “Lallman” Shop in Number 48 Village.

Calm

Police in a statement said about 19:00h Sunday, four men armed with shotguns held up Lalman Ramdeen, 66, and his wife Vimlawattie Ramdeen, 62, in their grocery shop at Number 48 Village. During the robbery a number of rounds were dis -

charged by the perpetrators and they took away cash, jewellery and phone cards and escaped on foot. No one was injured.

Ranks of a mobile police anti-crime patrol in a white police motor car with flashing lights which can be clearly identified as a police vehicle responded to the report received. As the ranks arrived at the scene, residents began to claim that the police were involved in the robbery as they had seen a white car earlier travelling in a suspicious manner.

The residents then proceeded to block the path of the police vehicle and also blocked the main road using two trucks and other materials which restricted the movement of traffic.

However, Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph and other ranks eventually managed to persuade the residents to remove the trucks and other materials that were blocking the roadway and traffic is flowing freely. The sit -

Brazil probes police shooting of man after World Cup protest

when he approached an officer with a box cutter

Authorities in Brazil have launched an investigation into the shooting by police of a man on Saturday, following a protest in Sao Paulo against this year’s football World Cup.

Relatives say Fabricio Chaves, 22, is in a critical condition in hospital.

The authorities claim he was carrying an explosive device and tried to flee. They allege he was shot when he moved towards an officer with a box cutter. A human rights official said the officers may have used exces-

sive force.

On Saturday, police arrested more than 130 people after clashes that followed a peaceful demonstration against the hosting of the World Cup.

Shops, banks, and vehicles were damaged. The Sao Paulo State Department of Public Safety said Chaves had fled and was followed by two officers after they found an “explosive device” in his backpack.

“The man pulled out a box cutter from the pocket of his trousers and turned against one of the police officers,” it said in a statement.

“It was then that the police shot him and the suspect fell to the ground.”

Carlos Weis, a human rights lawyer for the Sao Paulo State ombudsman, said he believed the police had overreacted.

“There were three police officers against one person with a hand weapon,” he was quoted as saying by the city’s Estadao newspaper.

“Clearly, there were other less lethal methods of resolving the situation. We are hugely concerned with the violent and excessive way the police have acted,” he added.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

uation is presently being monitored by the police as the investigations into the armed robbery continue, the police statement said.

Masked bandits

According to the proprietor, she was alone in the shop around 19:00h when a masked bandit, dressed in black, first appeared, pointed a gun at her and shoved her with it, causing her to fall. He then jumped over the counter and another bandit dressed in the same apparel jumped over behind him and they fired about four shots inside and outside the shop.

They then proceeded to take an undisclosed sum of money, phone cards and jewellery. Not content, they beat the shopowner and demanded more. While this was happening, another bandit accosted her husband who was in the kitchen and stuck him up with a gun. The bandit then cut the phone wires and started to ransack the house.

The visibly traumatised woman, who was slipping in and out of consciousness, said she pleaded with the criminals to save her life. “Me give ayuh all me get, tek all ,nah kill me”.

She added that when the bandits were finished, they told her to lie on the ground and “don’t look up”. She complied and they kicked her about the body before leaving.

She related that the bandits carted off millions in cash and jewellery and a substantial number of phone cards. According to

a 15-year-old, who was in the shop at the time when the robbery occurred, four bandits ran into the shop, two first and two after.

They stuck up the shopkeeper and demanded cash, jewellery and phone cards, firing several shots. They then proceeded to assault the shopkeeper and her husband.

Christmas Eve

He said after two shots were fired a short distance away, someone from outside called out to the bandits, and they quickly grabbed everything and ran. He related that he and another person was in the shop at the time, but they did nothing to them.

According to Dhanrajie Senauth, another resident of the village, she was robbed at least three times since Christmas Eve with the most recent being last Thursday. She related that the bandits stuck up her husband in the downstairs of their home and demanded that she throw down the money which was kept upstairs.

They proceeded to beat her husband even though she had complied. She said she also believes that the police are involved as the car was seen driving away from the scene without lights on and then a few houses away, the lights came on.

Blue and white car

Residents said the robberies all follow a similar pattern and the blue and white patrol car is always around at the time of the robbery. They are demanding a full investigation and want justice, vowing not to stop until this is resolved as it had been happening for too long now and it's strange that the police always comes up empty handed every time.

Several high ranking police officials were on the scene up to press time including the divisional commander, and the B division crime chief among others. They were desperately trying to calm the residents down so that investigations can be carried out.

In the midst of that, what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail was thrown under the detained police vehicle and exploded, causing widespread pandemonium as residents thought it was gunshots and ran for cover.

This newspaper sought a comment from the commander. However he said he won’t be able to give a comment at the moment since investigations are ongoing.

They subsequently stopped at her house and dropped off one police. Senauth added that there are many persons who saw that these people changing their clothes. She said people were afraid to speak out because they feared victimisation, but they had enough Sunday evening and were now speaking out.

TT: UNC hijacked

Afaction within the United National Congress (UNC) is backing Trade and Industry Minister Vasant Bharath to challenge Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the upcoming internal elections. The minister, Sunday Guardian understands, has the blessings of former leader Basdeo Panday and former party chairman Jack Warner. Bharath is quietly making inroads in Felicity, in Warner’s Chaguanas West constituency, and has been involved in small, low-key meet-and-greets with the residents since December.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has given her blessings to Bharath to start campaigning in Chaguanas West, in preparation for the 2015 general election. They speculate that unknowing to PersadBissessar, Warner has also

given his blessings and support to Bharath since there is a plan for Warner to reunite with the UNC under new management.

People close to the unfolding situation requested anonymity, but said Warner “had to be aware” of the walkabouts as he (Warner) is a “hands-on representative” and is always aware of what was happening in his constituency. “Warner cannot say he does not know. Nothing goes on in his con-

stituency that he does not know about,” one party insider said. As the party prepares not only for its own internal elections but for the 2015 general elections, the UNC is said to be looking at removing some ministers from the line-up.

One minister rumoured to be on the chopping block is Tourism Minister Stephen Cadiz. Sources said they were likely to lose the seat if Cadiz contests. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Syria talks bring offer of exit from siege of Homs

The Syrian government said women and children could leave the besieged rebel city of Homs on Sunday as negotiators from the warring sides discussed humanitarian gestures on a second day of face-to-face talks in Geneva.

Government and opposition delegates also spoke of releasing prisoners and enabling access for aid convoys during what the United Nations mediator acknowledged was a slow process but one which he hopes will lead today to broaching the central issue that divides them after three years of civil war – namely Syria’s political future and that of President Bashar al-Assad.

Homs, occupying a strategic location in the centre

of the country, has been a key battleground. Assad’s forces retook many of the surrounding areas last year, leaving rebels under siege in the city centre, along with thousands of civilians.

Libya says five kidnapped Egyptian diplomats freed

Five Egyptian diplomats kidnapped in Tripoli in retaliation for Egypt’s arrest of a Libyan militia commander have been freed, Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Razak Al-Grady said on Sunday.

The abduction of diplomats in the Libyan capital illustrated the fragility of government control over former rebels and militias who two years ago helped topple Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed revolution.

Gunman snatched four Egyptian diplomatic staff from their homes in Tripoli on Saturday, including the cultural attaché, and kidnapped another on Friday, forcing Cairo to evacuate its embassy and its Benghazi consulate.

“All them have been freed,” Grady told Reuters, without detailing how they were released.

He said three were already back home, and another three were on the way back to Tripoli. Five were diplomats and another man

taken with them was an embassy employee.

Libya’s government said earlier the diplomats had been snatched in reaction to the arrest of Shaban Hadia, commander of the Operations Room of Libya’s Revolutionaries, a powerful militia in Libya.

Kidnappers on Saturday called Dubai-based Arab channel Al Arabiya, demanding Hadia’s release in 24 hours, and put one of the Egyptian diplomats on the line to plead for the demands.

Heavily armed exfighters, militiamen, and Islamist militants who battled Gaddafi forces in 2011 have refused to disarm and often remain more loyal to their brigades, tribal leaders, or local regions than to the new Libyan government.

The Operations Room of Libya’s Revolutionaries denied any involvement in the kidnapping. It is nominally under the control of the chief of staff to work with the armed forces. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad told a news conference after Sunday’s meetings that the government would let women and children leave the city centre if rebels gave

them safe passage. UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said he understood that they would be free to quit Homs immediately.

Mekdad said: “If the armed terrorists in Homs allow women and children to leave the old city of Homs, we will allow them every access. Not only that, we will provide them with shelter, medicines and all that is needed.

“We are ready to allow any humanitarian aid to enter into the city through the ... arrangements made with the UN.”

In the city itself, however, opposition activists said rebels demanded a complete end to the blockade and opposed a limited ceasefire.

Tunisia approves new constitution, appoints government

Tunisia’s national assembly approved the country’s new constitution on Sunday in one of the last steps to establishing full democracy three years after the uprising that toppled autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

Just before the constitution vote, Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa appointed a Caretaker cabinet as part of a deal to end a crisis between Tunisia’s Islamist party and its secular opposition until new elections this year.

Tunisia’s new constitution and progress contrast sharply with messy transitions in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen, which are still caught up in turmoil after ousting their own long-standing leaders in 2011 revolts and uprisings.

After the historic vote, the red and white Tunisian flag was unfurled and assembly deputies embraced, danced, and sang inside the chamber in Tunis to celebrate

the charter, which has been widely praised for its inclusiveness.

“This constitution was the dream of Tunisians, this constitution is proof of the revival of the revolution, this constitution creates a democratic civil nation,” Assembly chief Mustapha Ben Jaafar said.

While the new constitution recognises Islam as the country’s religion, it also enshrines freedom of conscience and belief, and equality between the sexes.

As one of the most secular nations in the Arab world, Tunisia has struggled since the revolt, with divisions over the role of Islam and the rise of ultra-conservative Salafists, who secularists feared would try to roll back liberal rights.

The assassination of two opposition leaders by Islamist militants last year, though, pitched the small North African country. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine protests spread into Russia-influenced east

Protests in Ukraine are spreading further outside Kiev, with reports of unrest in the east, north and south.

Activists besieged government buildings and in some cities clashed with riot police. In the capital, protesters took over the Justice Ministry.

The fresh unrest comes after opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk rejected President Viktor Yanukovych’s offer to appoint him prime minister.

He said key demands must be met, including new elections.

As well as his offer to

Yatsenyuk, he suggested another opposition figure, former boxer Vitali Klitschko, take the post of deputy prime minister following talks on Saturday.

The BBC’s David Stern, in Kiev, says the opposition – confident in its position – appears to have taken Yanukovych’s offer of concessions as a sign of weak-

U.S. carries out air strike in Somalia targeting militant suspect

The U.S. military carried out a missile strike in Somalia on Sunday targeting a suspected militant leader with ties to al Qaeda and al Shabaab, a U.S. military official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The strike took place in southern Somalia, the official said, without offering further information, including the identity of the suspect or whether the strike was believed to have been successful.

Another U.S. official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operation took place in a remote area near Barawe, Somalia.

Barawe, a militant stronghold on Somalia’s southern coast, was the site of a failed raid by American commandos in October targeting a militant known as Ikrima.

The U.S. forces pulled out after a gun battle with-

out capturing Ikrima, described as a planner and operator who has relentlessly plotted attacks on neighbouring Kenya. Al Shabaab has been weakened by African Union troops over the past two years, ushering in some stability in many parts of the Horn of Africa country after a campaign of cross-border raids and kidnappings of Westerners and security forces.

But the rebels, who have waged a seven-year insurgency seeking to impose a strict interpretation of sharia law in Somalia, stunned the world in September when they attacked an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi, killing at least 67 people.

Late last year, the U.S. military deepened its involvement in Somalia, establishing a unit of fewer than five troops in the capital, Mogadishu. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Eight dead in Central African Republic capital, rebel leaders flee city

At least eight people were killed in mob violence in Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, on Sunday as senior officers from the Seleka rebel movement fled the city, according to the country’s Red Cross and a rights group.

ness, and is forging ahead with the campaign to unseat him.

The demonstrations began in November after Ukraine decided not to sign an accord on more cooperation with the European Union. Instead, the government opted to deepen ties with neighbouring Russia.

On Friday protesters seized several government buildings in cities outside Kiev, particularly in the west, which has traditionally favoured closer ties with Europe, including in the cities of Chernivtsi, IvanoFrankivsk, Lutsk, and Lviv.

Almost one million people, or a quarter of the population, have been displaced by fighting that began when the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the majority Christian former French colony in March.

Christian self-defence groups, known as “anti-balaka”, or anti-machete, have since taken up arms against them.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned on Sunday that Washington was prepared to impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for the religious-based violence.

The United Nations estimates that more than 2000

people have been killed since March in tit-for-tat bloodshed that a French intervention force and thousands of African peacekeepers have failed to stop.

“Today there were eight dead. Only one was shot. The rest were killed with primitive weapons. We even had one woman whose throat was slit,” Antoine Mbao Bogo, president of the country’s Red Cross, told Reuters.

Seven others were injured in Sunday’s violence, he said.

Kerry said the United States was deeply concerned with the escalation in clashes.

“The United States is prepared to consider targeted sanctions against those who further destabilise the situation, or pursue their own selfish ends by abetting or encouraging the violence,” Kerry said in a statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

International Financial and Economic Report

Market Summary at 10:30h January 24, 2014

Adetailed forecast from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set out in Table I with the biggest growth increase taking place in the United Kingdom (up 0.6 per cent in 2014), which is expanding rapidly. The United States is anticipated to grow 2.8 per cent in 2014 and 3.0 per cent in 2015, while the euro area is expected to move from reces-

sion to recovery. But, increased financial market and capital flow volatility, including a reversal of capital, remains a concern for emerging countries and especially when the Federal Reserve is cutting back on bond purchases and raising medium and long-term interest rates. This is likely to adversely affect countries that have underlying problems such as Turkey where the ex-

change rate has fallen to 2.33, a fall of about nine per cent this year alone. In fact, as can be seen in Table II, world growth since 2007 has not reached five per cent and seems to be stuck in the three per cent to four per cent range. The optimists think that this range will eventually be exceeded while pessimists think that we are in for a long period of low growth and with each per

cent additional growth amounting to over US$700 billion worldwide.

The big news will be announced on January 29 at the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting in Washington about whether to taper or not. This will be the last meeting of Dr Ben Bernanke before Dr Janet Yellen takes over as chairman.

On January 20, Deutsche Bank stunned investors with the announcement that in the fourth quarter of 2013 it lost nearly US$1 billion when analysts had expected a profit of US$700 million. This loss reflected a downturn in fixed interest trading, but also in litigation and restructuring costs.

Investors are worried that Deutsche Bank is facing more litigation and could find that US$2.3 billion is not big enough as the bank has not yet faced any fines from U.S. and UK regulators over the Libor rate rigging scandal. One view is that the bank will have to add over US$2 billion to its litigation pot in 2014 amid a string of further investigations. To put it mildly, the outlook is not good and could bode

badly for other European banks.

This was a very light week for U.S. economic reporting with almost all the announcements coming out on Thursday. Initial jobless claims rose 1000 to 326,000 in the week ended January 18 and was the first report to show that about 1.35 million unemployed lost emergency extended benefits after Congress allowed the programme to expire at the end of 2013.

Sales of previously owned homes rose one per cent in December for the first time in four months. The increase was less than projected and house prices rose 0.1 per cent in November from October and leading indicators rose 0.1 per cent in December after a revised one per cent gain the prior month which that was larger than previously estimated.

In overseas news, euro area consumer confidence rose more than expected in January. On the other hand, Chinese data showed that growth is slowing a little and the preliminary numbers suggested that manufacturing trailed estimates in January which dragged down virtually all emerging market stocks.

This reading of manufacturing was much weak-

er than expected, with new orders down 1.8 per cent (January 23). Australia’s headline CPI inflation rose to 0.8 per cent in the fourth quarter from the third which was double the consensus expectation of 0.4 per cent. Interest rates continued to fall this week with the 10-year U.S. treasury dropping from 2.85 per cent to 2.73 per cent and the 30-year bond from 3.78 per cent to 3.65 per cent. This means that interest rates on the 10-year area have fallen from 3.03 per cent since December 31, 2013 and the 30-year bond from 3.97 per cent.

The euro rose from US$1.36 to US$1.37, the pound sterling from US$1.64 to US$1.65, the Swiss franc from 0.91 to 0.90 and the yen from 104.3 to 102.6. By contrast, the Australian dollar fell from A$0.88 to A$0.87, the Canadian dollar from Cdn$1.10 to Cdn$1.11 and the Mexican peso fell a little from 13.27 to 13.49. Gold prices moved up over the week from US$1248 per ounce and Friday morning were at US$1267. Also, the price of oil moved up from US$94.17 to US$97.21 Friday morning and, not surprisingly, the Dow Jones fell 2.3 per cent.

Internet marketing methods for small businesses

Keep it fresh

Update your website often. Maintaining a website yourself can become overwhelming when you have a business to run. You can hire an outside web designer to build your site, but if you do, be sure you learn and understand the basics. You can save a lot of money if you do minor updates on your own. And who knows your business better than you?

Get published

Everyone is an expert at something. You are the pro when it comes to your business. Let others know how you can help them by writing articles and stories about your experiences. There are

many article directories that are looking for quality work to publish. You can write about your topics, gain recognition with your peers and increase search ranking for free.

Let your web address be known Print your website address on business cards, letter heads, and brochures. Yellow page and newspaper ads should never be published without your web address. Mobile advertising on vehicles can be as simple as a one-liner in the back window of a car, or make a statement and turn your truck into an ad on wheels with vinyl graphics. Pens, hats and even t-shirts are also ef-

fective ways to promote your website.

Free business listings Search your company name and you will be surprised at the many business listing sites. Claim your listing and customise the information with pictures, logos, contact information and links to your website.

Inquiries

Allow customers to email directly from your site if they have questions or comments. Offer a newsletter or special discount in exchange for their email address. Build a database for future Internet promotions. (Business Dictionary)

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha celebrates 40th year with grand cultural show

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha celebrated its 40th year in existence with a grand cultural show on Sunday at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

The event was attended by hundreds of members, leaders of other religious bodies, along with several government officials including acting president, Prime Minster Samuel Hinds. The packed programme included dances, songs, skits, and several presentations on the sabha’s history.

These performances were presented by members of the eight regional prants within the sabha. Along with celebrating the anniversary of the sabha, the work and contribution of its founder Reepu Daman Persaud were also recognised.

In his remarks, Hinds noted that despite the difficult times in which the sabha was formed, the organisation has managed to keep its doors open to all Guyana in its charity and cultural work. He added that the world is changing in many ways. “I think it is very important that our religious traditions and teachings have come down from our fore parents thousands of years ago which they have established amongst us,” he stated. He urged Hindus to be more aware of their culture, tradition and religion, to keep it alive.

In his remarks, Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) President Fazeel Ferouz said this is a great milestone for the sabha and they should celebrate to mark the triumph of the founders, who faced many struggles to form the

organisation. The CIOG president said that his organisation has had a close relationship with the sabha which dates back many years, to when persons were trying to manipulate society into divisions.

He noted that all Guyanese will have to work together to ensure that there is no division among themselves so that the struggles of fighters such as the late Pandit Reepu do not go in vain. “What we see today is indeed a vision of what he wanted to see for the sabha,” Ferouz stated as he pledged his organisation’s commitment towards working with the sabha to make Guyana a better society for its people.

Other speakers included Guyana Central Arya Samaj President, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, who urged persons to reflect on the life of Pandit Reepu as they continue to carry on his legacy Indian High Commission First Secretary Tirath Singh commended the sabha for promoting Indian culture, keeping it alive and vibrant in the multi-cultural Guyanese society.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha came into existence on January 8, 1974. Since its establishment, the organisation has been the front runner in sustaining and promoting Hinduism, while realising its social responsibilities by getting involved in various projects.

The establishment of the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, which was recently renamed after Pandit Reepu, saw trainings and classes being done in instrument playing, dancing, Sanskrit, pandit practice, cooking and youth programmes.

The sabha also built the Good Hope Crematorium, which is now being used by the public. It also established the Rama Krishna Dharmic Primary School, which has seen great success over years the sabha has now undertaken to build a secondary school.

In realising its social responsibilities, the sabha has been engaged in raising awareness on topical social issues such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, illiteracy – hosting blood drives, among other activities. It is for this reason the organisation has undertaken to build

The shelter, which will cost a total of $80 million, is 90 per cent completed and some $20 million is needed to finish the building. As such, the sabha will be bringing,

the Bal Nivas, a shelter for abused mothers and children at Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice.

Multi-hued images of India’s rich cultural heritage, its achievements in diverse fields, and military prowess were on majestic display at the magnificent Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard, in New Delhi on Sunday as the nation celebrated its 65th Republic Day amid tight security.

There were fears that the uncertain weather might force the cancellation or curtailment of the flypast that concludes the event, but

through Rajpath where President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Pranab Mukherjee took the salute.

The march past was watched by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the chief guest of the Republic Day celebration; Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi; and the country’s top political and military

the mist lifted almost at the last minute.

Marching down from the seat of power at Raisina Hills to Red Fort, the parade showcased India’s ‘unity in diversity’ and defence capability as thousands of spectators along the eight-kilometre-long route cheered the contingents and the mechanised columns.

The well-turned out and synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi), Lieutenant General Subroto Mitra, marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands

brass, besides the diplomatic community.

It was the coldest Republic Day in a decade at a minimum of 9.9 degrees Celsius, forcing spectators –commoners and dignitaries alike – to swathe themselves in layers of protective clothing. Braving the winter chill, a large number of enthusiastic people came to witness the parade that culminated at the historic Mughal monument of Red Fort.

Minutes before the parade began, the prime minister, Defence Minister AK Antony, and chiefs of

Construction of the Bal Nivas shelter began last year and was expected to be completed by the end of 2013. It is being built on a plot of land donated by the government, and with proceeds from fundraising activities and donations from individuals, families, businesses and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s New York Chapter. Among the events hosted by the sabha are several mega concerts featuring renowned Bollywood singers from Indian including Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan.

for the second time, Indian heartthrob Sonu Nigam for another mega concert on May 24 to raise the additional funds. Nigam first came to Guyana in 2012 when he, along with President Donald Ramotar, unveiled an artist’s impression of the Bal Nivas shelter.

Indian Republic turns 65, celebrates unity in diversity

the army, navy and air force laid wreaths at Amar Jawan Jyoti, the war memorial at the India Gate where an eternal flame burns in memory of those who laid down their lives defending the frontiers of the nation. A massive ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the national capital to ensure an incident-free Republic Day celebrations. Snipers of National Security Guard were deployed at all highrises along the parade route.

Around 25,000 security personnel were deployed across the city while the commandos of the IndoTibetan Border Police and Delhi Police kept vigil at important locations.

The unfurling of the tricolour by the president and playing of the national anthem were followed by a customary 21-gun salute. Among others who witnessed the parade at Rajpath was Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Fascinating tableaux

The parade began shortly after Mukherjee and Abe arrived at the saluting base at Rajpath escorted by the president’s bodyguards riding bedecked horses.

Before commencement of the parade, Sub Inspector K Prasad Babu of Andhra Pradesh’s counter-Maoist force was posthumously conferred the highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra. Babu was honoured for an anti-Naxal operation during which he led an assault unit of Greyhounds (anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh) near Andhra-Chhattisgarh border.

The main attractions of the parade were scintillating show of air power, fascinating tableaux depicting the diverse culture and dance by colourfully dressed schoolchildren.

A highlight of this year’s pa

rade was the display of India’s first indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. Tejas is a fourth generation, supersonic, multi-role combat aircraft designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Main battle tank Arjun MK-II, the first indigenously designed and developed tank, also referred to as “Desert Ferrari” for its excellent mobility, was also on display.

The recently inducted transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules, which is optimised for undertaking special operations, and the gigantic C-17 Globemaster, a heavy lift, long-range aircraft, were major attractions of this year’s flypast.

DRDO displayed the Astra and Helina missiles, models of an underwater vehicle, mini UAVNETRA, tracked surveillance vehicle Muntra S and unmanned aerial vehicle-’Nishant’. The weaponry put on display by the Indian Army included T-90 tank ‘Bheeshma’, multi-launcher rocket system Smerch, Brahmos weapon system

and transportable satellite terminals.

A flypast by the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv of the Army Aviation Corps drew loud cheers from the spectators. The marching contingents of the army included horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, the Parachute Regiment, Punjab Regiment, Madras Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Mahar Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, 9 Gorkha Rifles and 103 Infantry Battalion.

The Indian Air Force tableau presented the story of its transformation over the past eight decades, highlighting its fighting prowess. In a first, national broadcaster Doordarshan broadcast high definition live streaming of the Republic Day parade on the Internet.

The crystal clear picture quality arrived on computers, laptops and mobile phones, barely a few seconds behind the actual proceedings. It was a welcome development for those unable to watch it on television screens. (Hindustan Times)

SUDOKU

You may have a secret nemesis. Be careful what you reveal to others. Be precise in your communication, or you will be misunderstood. Issues with superiors or authority figures are likely.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Discuss all the possibilities with someone trustworthy before you sign any binding contracts or agreements. You must consider the motives of others carefully. Read between the lines.

Combine work with pleasure. Socialise with colleagues and clients. Changes in a relationship will be welcome. Take a leap when it comes to commitment.

Take time for selfimprovement. Make the physical and mental adjustments necessary to raise your self-esteem. If you feel confident, success will follow.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)

Plan to deal with bureaucracy today. Settle issues efficiently and be cognisant of the need to maintain your reputation. Spending time with children will prove to be enjoyable.

(March 21-April 19)

You need to reboot by going on an adventure. Travelling to an inspiring destination may give you mental clarity. Attend to your budget, and you will find a way to make your plans work.

(April 20-May 20)

You can make worthwhile financial advancements, but be sure not to use your personal funds. A spontaneous trip is likely to happen. Try to include your partner so that you may mix business with pleasure.

(May 21June 20)

Your mate may be inclined to hassle you today. Extreme sensitivity will lead to a wounded ego. Don’t allow things to spin out of control. Finish housework and then take time to enjoy each other.

Don’t overreact with loved ones. Family members may be needy and take advantage. This will leave you feeling depressed and used. Don’t offer help or ask for any.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You can forge meaningful friendships today. Attend social functions, and romantic opportunities will arise. Travel and social gatherings will increase your popularity.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You will be duped if you invest in joint financial ventures. Be discerning as to the people you do business with. Difficulties with female colleagues are evident.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Avoiding emotional conflict will not improve matters. Tell the truth and learn just where you stand. Don’t take finan

cial risks that may lead to losses.

YELLOW PAGES

monday, January 27, 2014

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Driving School

Shalom Driving School. Lot 2 Croal Street. Call 227-3835, 227-3869, 622-8162 and enjoy 20% discount

One unfurnished three-bedroom flat concrete house with concrete fence at Parfaite Harmonie. Call 231-0821 or 643-4740.

EXECUTIVE 2 STOREY BUILDING; 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVENIENCES. MEADOW BROOK GARDENS. CONTACT MR. NARINE ON 696-8230

Two storey wooden building. Bayroot. Phone: 687-5653

Male and female bartenders, waiters, waitresses urgently. Call: 6773191

Male and female models urgently for upcoming shows. Call: 677-3191

Land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 675-7292

Too much time-wasting on youth policy – GYSM

EDUCATION

Music is fun! Register now and learn to play the Keyboard, Guitar, Drums and do Voice Training. Call Foundation 7 on 225-1151/617-4200.

Available: Fresh long-stemmed ros-

Agricultural tractors and machinery; single and 4-wheel drive: Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deer, New Holland and Fiat. Also available spares parts for these machines. Phone: 619-4483, 601-7883, 2266325

Spare parts for 1-2-3-4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines for Lister, Pieter, Kobota, Perkins, Veutz, Fiat, John Deer, Case IH, Cummings, Bedford and Leyland Daf. Also all middles of diesel generators: super silence and open air from 3KVA- 600KVA. Contact Rams Auto Spares on telephone 226-6325, 227-1454, 6194483 and 685-3568

hEAlTh

Are you suffering from abnormal behaviors, addictions, stresses, or psychosomatic sickness? Feeling suicidal, low self-esteem, loneliness, unloved, anger, conflicts and relationship problems? For appointments call 592-621-0552 from12:00-18:00h Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

We buy cash any land in Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 675-7292

Property for sale at 48 Light Street, Alberttown (between third and fourth streets) Contact Ram on telephone: 619-4483 685-3568 and 226-6325.

Get your home or business spiritually clean to enhance good luck and prosperity. Telephone: 687-5653

Suriname Astrology Palmist and Djuka Healing, the most powerful spiritualist in the world, are you suffering from the following problems (any religion) love, marriage, family, health business, husband and wife relationship, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking ? Also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah etc and give powerful protection. We also do upliftment for clearing of land, dredging operations strictly in the interior. For private and confidential service call 674-2112.

Dutch Spiritual work. Unite lovers, get rid of evil, enhance prosperity, good luck baths and charm bowu guards, etc. Phone: 220-0708, 6126417, 687-5653

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 592-690-1824 from 10:0016:00h Email:anew-life@live.com

Versailles, WBD: almost brand new five-bedroom house for sale, master room & all rooms self-contained with A/Cs & fans, open concept kitchen/ dining/living room, large pantry, office/library room and powder room. Beautiful landscape and wrap around patio. Priced to sell - $75M. Phone: 592-624-8704, 592-6849203, 592-220-7809. JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA ALLION ; TOYOTA COROLLA AXIO; TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; BMW 318I; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; HONDA CRV; LAND CRUISER( FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; TOYOTA HILUX AWD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS- 3 RZ, 5L, SOLID DIFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 3,3.5 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TON DUMP TRUCK; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TON TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNIT S EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. PHONE : 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST. Toyota Hilux 4x4 Extra cab pickup. Excellent condition, $3M. Phone: 649-0707 or 264-2682

Honda Jazz PLL Series. Phone 2273471, 614-1069

BY NATASHA AZEEZ

The National Youth Policy is taking too long to be completed, said Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) National Secretary Adel Lilly, as he queried how long young people must wait before Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony delivers on his promise to the nation.

decisions, moreso, we were given a list with dates of consultation; however, when we received that list it was late, they were in the middle of the consultation already,” Lilly said.

He added: “We represent hundreds of young people in Guyana, and as a body, not being able to voice our opinion is very disheartening. We have a voice and I think our voice should be heard in the process.”

He added that while the GYSM endorses the document and think it is a great initiative, it maintains that the views of more young people should have been solicited.

On the other hand, impressive, good, and muchneeded were words used to describe the policy by the GYSM secretary. Lilly further added that the GYSM endorses the work of the committee, noting that it is impressive and comprehensive in capturing the ideas of young people in Guyana.

on such issues. The future of the young people of this country will outlive the governments. We at the AFC believe that we owe it to the Guyana to work together.”

According to Lilly, there are some noted shortcomings with the posture of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, pointing out that while some youths in Region Four have seen the document, many in the other regions have not.

The top GYSM official also claimed that not enough youths were involved in the drafting of the policy, noting that more youths should have had an input in the drafting process.

“We have had members who served in different capacity of Guyana had their input and were involved but as an organisation, we were not involved in any

“We support the youth policy, we give it our approval,” he said.

Always supportive

Meanwhile, Alliance For Change Youth (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Trevor Williams told Guyana Times that the party has always been supportive of the National Youth Policy.

MP Williams added that while consultants from Caribbean countries have been working on the draft, more input from the political parties should have been sought.

“I believe that in the national interest, government and opposition should work together, or I would say holding hands

Touching on the area of sport, Williams said there should be regional collaboration, not only within the sporting sector, but in the particular areas young people are most active, as this will allow for easy sponsorship of events.

“If Guyana is to emerge a strong country economically and gain ties with other developed countries, we have to have collaboration regionally with more integration in the education, tourism and sports sectors.”

He added: “We have failed our young people long enough and it,s time we get a robust policy programme and it,s time that our leaders show the will and the character to get this done.”

Over the past week, Guyana Times tried to contact Minister Anthony and his Permanent Secretary Alfred King for an update on the policy, but all attempts proved futile.

Six Caribbean countries eligible to participate in visa programme

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says six Caribbean countries are among 63 countries worldwide that are eligible to participate in two visa programmes this year. The H-2A and H-2B Visa programmes allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, respectively.

The USCIS identified the Caribbean countries eligible to participate in the visa programmes as Barbados, Belize, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, and Jamaica.

Generally, USCIS said it only approves H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries the secretary of Homeland Security has des-

ignated as eligible to participate in the programmes. USCIS also said it may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the United States.

Effective January 18, 2014, USCIS said nationals of the identified Caribbean countries are eligible to par-

ticipate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programmes. It said the notice does not affect the status of beneficiaries who currently are in the United States in H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status. The USCIS said each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2014.

Australia secures Ashes clean sweep with fifth ODI win

Brilliant for much of this summer, Australia settled for simply being the lucky country on their national day, as a fortuitous moment at the pointy end of the final ODI effectively handed the hosts a fourth limitedovers victory out of five over England and a ninth from 10 encounters including the Ashes clean sweep.

In a scrappy contest dictated largely by the sluggishness of Adelaide Oval’s drop-in pitch, Australia posted a mediocre total but defended it grandly against an England team who threatened to take control at several stages of the chase but could never quite manage to wrest command of the evening.

Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan all contributed useful scores to take England close, but it was left to Ravi Bopara to try to take his team to a second win in a row. He seemed likely to carry them there, until falling victim to a most unfortunate end, as Matthew Wade’s fumble behind the stumps bounced back onto the leg bail with the batsman’s foot barely raised.

The Australians celebrated their win raucously and fittingly - it was one more moment of joy in a summer brimful of them, while England rued the swings of outrageous fortune that inevitably seem to

go against the side to fall behind. The hosts owed much to Nathan Coulter-Nile, who delivered perhaps his best and most disciplined spell for Australia, before Clint McKay gave nothing away in the closing overs.

James Faulkner also bowled well despite complaining of knee soreness earlier in the day, while Shaun Marsh may be under his own fitness cloud having left the field midway through England’s chase.

Aaron Finch was the beneficiary of two dropped chances in the afternoon but was beaten for pace by a revved up Stuart Broad, before Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Shaun Marsh all perished to loose strokes as they tried to raise the hosts’ run rate.

Struggle

The remainder of the innings was a struggle despite the best efforts of George Bailey, the only batsman to pass 50 in the face of a diligent England bowling lineup. Broad’s pace and direction showed the way for his colleagues, while Ben Stokes, Tim Bresnan, Chris Jordan and James Tredwell also delivered sturdy spells.

Ian Bell and Cook began smartly, until the difficulties posed for shot-making on a decidedly slow surface began to rear. Bell tried to drive on the up and was taken at mid-off. Stokes’ attempted pull shot was not middled and settled in the

hands of midwicket. Then after a partnership with Root that hinted at success, Cook himself mistimed to short cover.

Root showed admirable composure on his return to the team, unhurried and unflustered while building another stand with Morgan. At 3 for 154 they were close to breaking the back of the chase, only for Morgan to follow his predecessors in perishing to a lofted stroke, this time finding Shane Watson at mid-off from the bowling of James Faulkner.

Three runs later and Root was trudging off too, his attempted paddle only succeeding in picking out short fine leg. A previously restive Australia Day crowd found its voice as the Australian huddle grew more enthusiastic. Jos Buttler enhanced their anticipation when he picked out deep midwicket with a pull shot, and Bresnan’s one mowed six over wide longon was cancelled out when he was thrown out by Glenn Maxwell, running in from cover.

Those who had witnessed the final day of the Adelaide Test against South Africa were made nervous by the sight of Wade stationing himself up to the stumps for McKay, but the bowler averted any problems by bringing one between bat and pad to bowl Broad. That left Bopara with just Jordan and Tredwell for company, and the fourth ball of the

penultimate over brought unexpected reward for Wade’s decision to stay up.

Beaten outside off stump by McKay, Bopara very briefly lifted his back foot, and at the same moment Wade’s failure to glove the ball cleanly had it ricochet back onto the stumps. It was an exceptionally tight call, but the third umpire Kumar Dharmasena went the way of Australia. Bopara walked off in a daze, and Watson bowled a suitably tight final over to make the match safe.

Jordan and Broad had almost as much reason to curse their ill-fortune early in the afternoon, when Cook and Bopara both dropped chances they should have taken from Finch. Jordan’s new ball swing posed problems at one end while Broad’s pace was notable at the other, eventually rewarded when Finch was far too late on a ball that uprooted off stump.

Watson made a fairly ugly duck, narrowly avoiding an lbw appeal and DRS referral by Broad then swishing at a wide delivery and offering a catch to Buttler. Clarke spent 26 balls over 8 before trying to smear Bresnan across the line and also being bowled, and Marsh’s start was wasted when he clipped Stokes to midwicket where this time Cook held on.

For a time Bailey and Maxwell stemmed the bleed-

ing, manoeuvring the ball around a somewhat spongy outfield with the occasional muscular blow to the boundary. However Maxwell’s patience is far from infinite, and a dabble too many outside off stump brought an edge behind the wicket.

Bailey’s innings was nothing spectacular but he came closest to finding the right balance between aversion and aggression to score at a reasonable rate. Even so, his last 23 balls were devoid of a boundary, creating pressure that resulted in an attempted punch down the ground that skewed instead to mid-on.

Australia innings (50 overs maximum)

AJ Finch b Broad 7

SE Marsh c Cook b Stokes 36

SR Watson c †Buttler b Broad 0

MJ Clarke* b Bresnan 8

GJ Bailey c Broad b Stokes 56

GJ Maxwell c †Buttler b Stokes 22

MS Wade† b Broad 31

JP Faulkner c Morgan b Jordan 27

Coulter-Nile lbw b Jordan 15 CJ McKay not out 1 XJ Doherty not out 1 Extras (lb 9, w 4) 13 Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 217 Fall of wickets 1-14 (Finch, 4.4 ov), 2-22 (Watson, 6.2 ov), 3-43 (Clarke, 13.6 ov), 4-64 (Marsh, 19.4 ov), 5-112 (Maxwell, 29.2 ov), 6-167 (Bailey, 40.5 ov), 7-176 (Wade, 42.5 ov), 8-215 (Faulkner, 49.3 ov), 9-215 (Coulter-Nile, 49.4 ov) Bowling: SCJ Broad 10-2-31-3, CJ Jordan 10-0-37-2, TT Bresnan 10-0-51-1, JC Tredwell 7-0-28-0, BA Stokes 10-0-43-3, RS Bopara 3-0-18-0

Wade did his best with a busy 31, then Faulkner and Coulter-Nile tried to hit out at the finish, but the final tally looked meagre. Jordan was rewarded for his unrewarded earlier efforts with two wickets in as many balls during an excellent final over, but was to be left crestfallen at the finish as the chase fell maddeningly yet somehow fittingly short. (Cricinfo)

Chelsea through to final 16 of FA Cup

Oscar’s sublime freekick was enough to end Stoke’s interest in this season’s FA Cup and earn Chelsea a fifth round trip to Manchester City.

The Blues, winners of the trophy four times in the last seven seasons, wasted a bundle of chances and hit the post twice in a one-sided cup tie.

But they only had Oscar’s breathtaking 25-yard strike to show for their dominance and were forced to endure a nervy final few moments before securing the victory.

The Potters barely threatened but Stephen Ireland wasted a great chance before the break, smashing a shot into the side netting from close range.

Stoke’s hopes of a cup shock had seemed slim and so it proved.

The visitors had won just two games since an impressive last-gasp 3-2 win, over Chelsea on 7 December, beating Aston Villa in the league and Championship leaders Leicester City in the last round of the Cup.

But six consecutive victories and 10 wins from 13

since that setback at the Britannia have take Chelsea to within two points of the Premier League summit.

Chelsea’s failure to make their first-half dominance count proved their undoing the last time the two sides met. They were once again guilty in front of goal but it did not matter.

Facing a side likely to stack up in defence and flood the midfield, it looked like just the sort of match

when the guile and quality of Manchester United new boy Juan Mata would be most required.

But the Blues did not need their two-time player of the year, and once again it was the pace, direct running and trickery of Eden Hazard and Oscar that did the main damage.

With the giant figure of Nemanja Matic dominant in midfield on his (second) full debut, the hosts bossed pos-

session and made full use of it.

Oscar scored a majestic 25-yard free-kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the far corner to win the game.

But it was Hazard who stood out with a breathtaking display. The Belgian tormented the Stoke defence from the first minute, sparking all that was good about a fine attacking display and earning bookings for Geoff

Cameron and Marc Wilson.

Hazard and Chelsea started impressively.

Samuel Eto’o shot narrowly wide inside two minutes and although Stoke could have easily have led when Peter Crouch sent a header off target soon after, it was a half dominated by the hosts.

Several promising Hazard-inspired breaks failed to lead to strikes on goal but, with the pressure mounting, Oscar put the Blues ahead - and they should have been out of sight by half-time.

Frank Lampard could not stretch out to divert the ball in from close range after a snaking run from Hazard and also shot over from 20 yards.

In between Oscar hit the post with a well-struck low cross-shot that led to Stoke’s best chance of the game.

The Potters broke with good pace and worked the ball in to Ireland but he smashed a near-post shot just off target with Mark Schwarzer beaten.

However that opening provided brief respite for the visitors.

The second half started as the first ended, with Chelsea cracking the frame of the goal and Jose Mourinho doing plenty of head shaking at his side’s failure to kill the game off.

A fierce strike by Andre Schurrle crashed against the post with Asmir Begovic beaten and Oscar almost added his second with a sweet first-time effort that curled just wide of the far post.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes changed tactics in the final 20 minutes, moving the ever-willing Jonathan Walters up front alongside Crouch.

The chances remained Chelsea’s though. Lampard had a fizzing low shot well saved by Begovic and substitute Ramires inexplicably spooned an effort wide after a goalmouth melee, the Brazilian getting his feet in a muddle five yards out with the goal gaping.

Begovic then made a brilliant diving stop to keep out a thunderous David Luiz free-kick, but ultimately Chelsea did not need the luxury of a second goal. (BBC Sport)

Barath in the zone for big runs during NAGICO Super50

PORT-OF-SPAIN,

Trinidad –Adrian

Barath is planning to use the upcoming NAGICO Super50 to regain a spot in the West Indies team. The diminutive Trinidad & Tobago opener believes the big scores will come in the limited-overs series as well as in the WICB Regional Four-day championship to follow.

The NAGICO Super50 tournament will be played at Queen’s Oval in Trinidad and Shaw Park in Tobago from January 30 to February 15. The home side have been drawn in Zone B alongside Barbados, Combined Campuses & Colleges and Leeward Islands.

“I am obviously setting my goals, we have the World Cup in Australia, and I have good memories in Australia,” said the 23-year-old. “My goal is to get into that West Indies team in 2015 (World Cup in Australia and New Zealand). I know I have to perform in the NAGICO Super 50 tournament. I have done a lot of work on my game.”

Barath spent last year at the Sagicor High Performance Centre where he made some changes to his game. Back in 2009 the right-handed opener had an amazing Test debut in Australia, where he made a blazing century in his second Test innings at the Gabba.

“I want to take what I did at the Sagicor HPC camp and apply it so I can have a good regional series. It is not going to be easy because we have a lot of good West Indies players in terms of opening batsmen,” Barath said.

“So I am looking forward to the 2014 season – both in one-day cricket and fourday cricket. I want to use my performances as a platform to get back into the West Indies team once I perform well.”

He added: “We have been working really hard and the preparation is coming along really well. We are confident, playing at home... this is a big tournament and everyone is aware of what they have to do. We aim to go out there and win.”

The NAGICO Super50 tournament will run from January 30 to February 15 and will be broadcast live on ESPN and on Caribbean Super Station radio. Matches at Queen’s Park Oval will be day/night fixtures while matches at

Adrian Barath

Shaw Park, Tobago will be day games.

SQUADS

GUYANA: Christopher Barnwell (captain), Shiv Chanderpaul (vice captain), Anthony Bramble (wicket-keeper), Robin Bacchus, Trevon Griffith, Leon Johnson, Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz, Ramnaresh Sarwan; Esuan Crandon (coach)

IRELAND: William

Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, John Mooney, Tim Murtagh, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Andrew Poynter, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young; Phil Simmons (coach)

JAMAICA: David Bernard Jr (captain), Nikita Miller (vice captain), Andre Russell, Carlton Baugh Jr (wicket-keeper), Tamar Lambert, Andrew Richardson, Horace Miller, John-Ross Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood, Andre

McCarthy, Sheldon Cottrell, Jerome Taylor, Nkrumah Bonner, Kenar Lewis; Junior Bennett (coach) WINDWARD

ISLANDS: Liam Sebastien (captain), Andre Fletcher (vice captain), Johnson Charles (wicket-keeper), Tyron Theophille, Mervin Matthew, Craig Emmanuel, Garey Mathurin, Keddy Lesporis, Devon Smith, Dalton Polius, Delorn Johnson, Kenroy Peters, Romel Currency, Alston Bobb; Ian Allen (coach)

BARBADOS: Kevin Stoute (captain), Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Rashidi Boucher, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich (wicket-keeper), Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Dwayne Smith, Kenroy Williams; Hendy Springer (coach)

COMBINED

CAMPUSES & COLLEGES: Steven Jacobs (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Ryan Austin, Kyle Corbin, Akeem Dewar, Kavem Hodge, Kyle Mayers, Kristopher Ramsaran, Wayne Morgan, Shacaya Thomas, Raymon Reifer, Chadwick Walton (wicketkeeper), Kesrick Williams, Floyd Reifer (player/coach)

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Adrian Barath, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Denesh Ramdin (wicket-keeper), Rayad Emrit, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Imran Khan, Yannick Ottley, Shannon Gabriel, Kevon Cooper; Kelvin Williams (coach)

LEEWARD ISLANDS: To be named on Monday, January 27Caption: Adrian Barath saved as Barath (WICB)

MATCH SCHEDULE

January

Thursday, 30th: Windwards vs Jamaica at Queen’s Park Oval

Friday, 31st: Guyana vs Ireland at Queen’s Park Oval

February

Saturday, 1st: Leewards vs CCC at Queen’s Park Oval

Sunday, 2nd: T&T vs Barbados at Queen’s Park Oval

Monday, 3rd: Jamaica vs Ireland at Queen’s Park Oval

Tuesday, 4th: Guyana vs Windwards at Queen’s Park Oval

Wednesday, 5th: Leewards vs T&T at Shaw Park

Thursday, 6th: CCC vs

Barbados at Shaw Park

Friday, 7th: Ireland vs Windwards at Queen’s Park Oval

Saturday, 8th: Guyana vs Jamaica at Queen’s Park Oval

Sunday, 9th: CCC vs T&T at Queen’s Park Oval

Monday, 10th: Barbados vs Leewards at Queen’s Park Oval

Wednesday, 12th: Semi-final 1

– Zone A winner vs Zone B second at Queen’s Park Oval

Thursday, 13th: Semi-final 2 – Zone B winner vs Zone A second at Queen’s Park Oval

Saturday 15th: FINAL –Winner of Semi-final

Switzerland’s Wawrinka wins first Grand Slam

Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam title with victory over an injury-hit Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.

Wawrinka withstood a fightback from the world number one, who was struggling with a back problem, to come through 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3.

The 28-year-old becomes only the second Swiss man to win a Grand Slam singles title after 17-time champion Roger Federer.

And he is the first man outside the ‘big four’ of Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to win a Grand Slam since Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2009 US Open.

Fortunes fluctuated wildly over the course of two hours and 21 minutes as Wawrinka opened in scintillating form before a tearful Nadal appeared close to quitting at two sets down, only to stage a remarkable recovery in the third.

The Spaniard, 27, showed great spirit to hit back once again from a break down in the fourth, but a forehand winner gave Wawrinka the decisive break at 5-3 and he served out the biggest win of his life with a love game.

“I still think that I’m dreaming,” said Wawrinka. “It’s a strange feeling. I saw so many finals. I always try to watch the finals of Grand Slams because that’s where the best players are playing.

“Before today, for me it wasn’t a dream. I never expected to play a final. I never expected to win a Grand Slam. And right now I just did it.”

Nadal, who revealed he felt the back problem in the warm-up, said: “It is a tournament that I really had some troubles physically in my career and is something that is painful for me.

“But that’s part of life. That’s part of sport. It’s not the end of the world. Is just another tough moment.”

“The last thing that I wanted to do was retire. No, I hate to do that, especially in a final. It’s not the moment to talk about that. It’s the moment to congratulate Stan. He’s playing unbelievable. He really deserved to win that title.”

Wawrinka had never won a set, let alone a match,

in 12 previous attempts against Nadal, and was making his Grand Slam final debut against a man in his 19th.

But Nadal’s travails in the second half of the match should not overshadow what was a magnificent performance from Wawrinka for much of the contest.

He coped brilliantly with the Spaniard’s fizzing forehand in the early stages, using his backhand to return the fire, and 12 winners almost helped him to a 5-1 lead.

Some nerves were finally revealed when he tried to close out a set against Nadal for the first time, failing to make a first serve as he fell 0-40 down, but the 2009 champion could not get a return in play as Wawrinka hit back to seal it with an ace.

Three sweeping forehands helped the Swiss break at the start of the second on a run of 12 straight points, and it was when serving at 2-0 down that Nadal first appeared to feel the problem with his back.

After leaving the court for treatment, to the annoyance of Wawrinka and boos from some sections of the crowd, Nadal returned unable to serve at anything like full speed, and at one stage was close to tears.

Another visit from the physio followed after game five, and when Wawrinka took the second set almost unopposed, the 13-time Grand Slam champion appeared close to calling it quits on a long walk back to his chair.

What followed was remarkable, with Nadal staging the unlikeliest of fightbacks - possibly as the pain killers kicked in - while Wawrinka completely lost his rhythm with victory apparently his for the taking.

The Swiss made 19 unforced errors and, despite still not moving freely, Nadal managed to increase his service speed just enough to keep the misfiring Wawrinka at bay and clinch the third set.

It now appeared to be a test of Wawrinka’s nerve as much as Nadal’s fitness, because the Spaniard was clearly not about about to give up, and he clung on magnificently. (BBC Sport)

‘Treacle’ stretches out to win KMTC rescheduled ‘Boxing Day’ meet

By Rajiv Bisnauth

In a rousing finish in the first classic of the 2014 horse racing season, Treacle put in a superb performance to win the feature A and Lower race on Sunday when the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) staged the rescheduled ‘Boxing Day’ horse race meet at the club’s track, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

Ridden by jockey Drepaul, he took control of the animal within 100 meters of the finishing line to win the one-mile event and first prize of $1 million dollars.

It was a total surprise for the packed turf club as the animal out of Dookhie’s Stable ruined the day of race favourite Score’s Even much to the delight of her supporters.

The animals were off to an even break, but as they approached the first turn,

Score’s Even moved into the lead. However, it was Treacle

that had the final say as it pulled away from Score’s Even and Run Nana Run as

Thomas, Morgan start season on a high note

National Champions

Cleveland Thomas and Alisha Morgan proved their worth when they won their respective categories as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its first event for the year.

The five-mile event around the perimeter of New Amsterdam was won by Thomas in a time of 30:31 while Morgan completed the distance in 48:51.

As 60 athletes left the Esplanade Road starting line in the hot mid-afternoon sun, Thomas quickly showed his superior running skill as he spared no one in the first kilometre to put pressure on the field.

Thomas finished almost eight minutes ahead of Winston Messenger whose time was 38:11:50. Third place went to Devon Barrington in a time of 40:06:75 while Mark Thomas finished fourth with a time of 45:02.

In the second place for the senior females was Malika Williams in a time of 1:03:09 and third was Donna April.

After running around the New Amsterdam Hospital the athletes made their way through the Tucburg Housing Community into one of the worst dams in Berbice known as the High Dam Angoys Avenue.

They were soon on familiar territory which was more comfortable to the sole of the feet as they moved in the town.

Meanwhile in the junior category Carl McKenzie was

the winner of the male encounter in 27:38 and Joshua McKenzie second in a time of27:46. In third place was Orin Prince in 31:22.

The junior girls saw Andrea Fraser finishing in 33:27 and Cassy Kirton second in 38:00. The third spot went to Cassy Torrington in a time of 42:00. The youth boys’ category was won by Joshua Walcott in a time of 29:43. In second

place was Murphy Mash finishing in 34:42 while Delvin Semple took third in 43:41.

The youth girls’ category saw Candace McKenzie winning in a time of 34:04 ahead of Marria McKenzie in 40:11. The third spot was occupied by Layana Charles in 44:53.

The Running Brave Athletic Club (RBAC) was the top club carrying away most of the prizes.

the animals approached the homestretch.

Drepaul used all his ex-

perience to ensure the horse gathered strength and speed to complete the race in a perfect photo finish in almost darkness.

Score’s Even had to settle for second, while Run Nana Run finished third.

Top of the Line of Singh’s Stable took control after enjoying a good start to blister the field and win the G3 and Lower race for the $300,000 first prize and the Harry Saroop memorial trophy from War Craft, Gold Rush and Guyana Star in the sixfurlong race.

Lady Secret of the McKenzie’s Stable race to victory in the event for J3 and Lower horses to capture the $150,000 first prize and the Ravindra Raj memorial trophy from Iron Man, Magaline and Sun Set in another six-furlongs race.

The race for the ThreeYear-Old six-furlong event for Guyana bred horses was won by I Will Get Another from Kanya’s Stable. Roral

Cash, Tripple’s and Sunny Silence finished in that order. The win was worth $250,000 and the Mana Dowlat memorial trophy. The F and Lower six-furlong event produced a major upset as Treacle of Dookie’s Stable whipped pre Race favourite Damacas Dream, for the $400,000 winning purse and the Demerara Distillers Limited trophy. Demacas Dream, Top of the Line and Gold Rush finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Famous Pride out from Washington’s Stable soared to victory in the J and Lower event to capture the winning $200,000. De Gump, Pick Pocket and Smarty Light finished down the order.

Third World seized control in the H and Lower race to take the 250,000 first prize. Party time and Easy to Win followed in that order.

Cook to miss Windies ODI tour

Captain Alastair Cook will miss England’s limited-overs tour of the West Indies which starts in February.

After the 5-0 Ashes loss in Australia, Cook’s team lost the one-day series 4-1 and the Caribbean trip will be used as preparation for the World Twenty20.

“The T20 guys have got their World Cup in Bangladesh [starting on 16 March] and we see it as a great six weeks for them to start building,” Cook said.

“They’re never together very often and it gives them time to build.”

England limited-overs coach Ashley Giles said Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad, who has never previously skippered the team in a one-day international, would probably be in charge for the three ODIs in the Caribbean from 28 February to 5 March.

Those matches are followed by three Twenty20 internationals from 9-13 March, while the ICC World Twenty20 starts three days later and runs until 6 April.

“We are probably going to pick mainly a T20 squad leading up to Bangladesh so it’s likely Stuart Broad will captain,” Giles explained.

Cook admitted that the England team would focus more on one-day internationals in the buildup to the 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starting in February 2015.

“Over the last year with back-to-back Ashes the priority was Test cricket,

but with the World Cup that has to change,” he said.

Following a third successive defeat in the oneday series on 19 January, Cook, who succeeded Andrew Strauss as oneday captain in May 2011, hinted that he was prepared to step down, commenting that English cricket “needs a little bit of a change”.

He subsequently retracted those remarks and insisted he was “desperate” to remain England captain and lead the side at the 2015 World Cup.

Asked about threatening to resign, he said: “I just spoke very honestly and maybe I shouldn’t have done because it’s caused a lot of kerfuffle.”

And on the subject of when he would meet team director Andy Flower and new England managing director Paul Downton to

discuss his future, Cook added: “I fly home on Monday, and over the next week or so I’m sure there will be meetings to have.”

Asked if he felt a sense of relief to be returning home, Cook added: “It’s a sense of a job which hasn’t been done well. Mentally I could do with a break from cricket.”

Meanwhile, Giles offered no excuses after his team lost their last seven wickets for 59 runs to be bowled out for 212 and lose the final ODI in Adelaide by five runs.

“There’s no hiding place, we got it wrong again. Everyone will say from a position of 155-3 you should win those games,” he said.

“There’s no doubt guys should take great joy in winning games for their country and we are giving wickets away too cheaply in the wrong circumstances.”

(BBC Sport)

Deosaran looking forward to stint in T&T, Canada

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

Former Guyana

Under-19 batsman

Krishna Deosaran keenly looking forward to make a big impression in Trinidad and Tobago from this week representing Endeavours Sports Club in the country’s limited-over competition.

The elegant left-hander, who also captained Guyana at the regional under-15 level, stated for the past eight consecutive years, he really enjoyed his game there while he also wants to do well in Canada again later this year.

On his last visit (2013) to the North American continent, Deosaran played for Vikings Cricket Club in the Toronto and District Cricket Association Divisional competition and featured for East Coast Cricket Club in the Ontario Softball Cricket League tournament as well.

“Definitely, I [am] looking to do well here in Trinidad and Tobago; I have enjoyed my game over the years and want to perform to the best of my ability again; the cricket is hugely competitive and that has given me the confidence to play professionally with the aspiration of wearing the Guyana’s colours at the highest level,” Deosaran commented via email.

Deosaran, who plays for Lusignan Cricket Club in Guyana, believes the conditions in both Trinidad and Tobago and Canada are very

challenging but he is always willing to adapt to it very quickly.

“That is one of the biggest challenges as a cricketer who willing to play any part of the world; the conditions sometime can be a discouraging factor but I am never deterred by that as I love playing the game; in Trinidad it is always warm but Canada the weather can be very chilly,” the 25-yearold Deosaran related.

Having registered two centuries for Vikings Cricket Club during his four-year stint, Deosaran was also overwhelmed with his performances, thanked the people who would have contributed to his success in various ways. He was equally appreciative to the softball supporters as well and his 94 is still memorable and those accomplishments have inspired him to play again.

“Certainly, people have played a part with their support; I don’t think I will represent Vikings later this year; I may switch across to Civics Cricket Club but I will remain with East Coast Cricket Club for the softball competition, and I am eagerly looking to make an impression,” Deosaran, who should complete his season in Trinidad and Tobago June, declared.

In his final year for Guyana at the under-19 level, Deosaran compiled an attractive century (115) against Barbados at the former international venue, Bourda 2006. He played a vital role in the batting department and Guyana eventually emerged as champion under the leadership of first-class batsman Steven Jacobs.

He is still now anxious to represent Guyana at the senior level and believes consistency is of paramount importance. He mentioned that the opportunities to play in Canada and among a number of international cricketers also give him the assurance to don the golden arrow head colour.

“Yes, I want to play for my country at the highest level again; I try to travel around to play competitive cricket and that helping me to focus more; I played in Trinidad and Tobago before I come up to Canada the cricket in both countries is was always magnificent; so I am looking forward to make runs on a regular basis,” Deosaran said.

Collins looking to represent his country again

Veteran sprinter Kim

Collins has indicated that he is likely to perform a U-turn and run for St Kitts and Nevis once again at the Commonwealth Games.

The 2002 Commonwealth 100m champion will be 38 when Glasgow hosts the Games in July and August.

Collins was dropped from the London Olympics after a fall-out over visiting his wife in a hotel and said he would never again represent his country.

But he says his fans have persuaded him to change his mind.

“The fans have stepped up and said ‘hey, we want to see you’,” said Collins, who is in Glasgow to captain a Commonwealth Select Team at Saturday’s International Match at the Emirates Arena.

“I have to acknowledge that because these are the people who make things happen in track and field.

“Based on that, I’m thinking that I really should return and one of the big things is that there is not really a big replacement; nobody has really stepped up to carry things on.

“We have a new executive now, a lot of people have moved on and you have to learn how to forgive.

“I’m hoping we can sit down and talk and move on from there.

“I don’t want to jump the gun and say yes to running at the Commonwealth Games, but deep down I’m thinking it’s more possible now.”

Collins has raced in two Olympic 100m finals, with victory in the 2003 World Championships his biggest

Durant triple double carries Thunder to seventh straight win

HILADELPHIA –

PKevin Durant had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in his return from a shoulder injury to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to their seventh straight win, 103-91 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Durant was scratched against Boston on Friday with a sprained right shoulder. Against the Sixers, he was one of the first Thunder players to hit the court for pregame warmups. He dunked several times, even hanging on the rim for several seconds after one, and was fit to play.

The 12-win Sixers trimmed Oklahoma City’s lead to four in the third quarter before Durant keyed a 14-5 run to open a comfortable lead. The NBA’s leading scorer has reached at least 30 points in his last 10 games.

Serge Ibaka had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder. James Anderson led the Sixers with 19 points.

CLIPPERS 126, RAPTORS 118

Jamal Crawford had a season-high 37 points and 11 assists, and Los Angeles overcame Terrence Ross’ 51 points to beat Toronto.

Ross matched Vince Carter’s franchise record set 14 years ago and nearly doubled his previous career high of 26 points against Portland on Jan. 2, 2013.

The second-year guard shot 10 of 17 from 3-point range and 9 for 10 at the free throw line. But he missed his final foul shot with 4 seconds left, failing to top the 51 points Carter scored in a 103-102 win over Phoenix on Feb. 27, 2000.

Sacramento.

Paul George added 18 points and David West 16 for the Pacers, who lost for the eighth time in nine trips to Denver.

BULLS 89, BOBCATS 87

D.J. Augustin scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Chicago held off Charlotte to get back above .500.

The former Bobcats point guard shot 4 of 5 from the field in the fourth quarter, making a trio of 3-pointers, to help break open a tight game. The Bulls (22-21) have won 10 of 13.

Joakim Noah had 11 points, 10 rebounds and

JAZZ 104, WIZARDS 101

Enes Kanter scored 24 points and Gordon Hayward hit two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to lift Utah past Washington. Kanter made 11 of 13 shots and the Jazz overcame a 13-point deficit to take control in the fourth quarter and keep the Wizards from moving above the .500 mark for the first time in more than four years.

Hayward finished with 16 points, Alec Burks added 15 and Derrick Favours had 11 points and 14 rebounds. Trevor Ariza led Washington with 23 points, including a 3-pointer with 52 seconds left that drew the

triumph, while he won a world bronze as recently as 2011.

On Saturday, the Commonwealth Select will compete with Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Scotland and the United States.

Collins, making his fourth successive appearance at the Glasgow indoor meeting, will line up in the 150m and is in confident mood.

“I think I have an excellent chance of winning, I don’t see why not,” he said. “Training has gone very well and I never fear the competition.

“It’s a big honour to be captain. The team hasn’t won in a while and we really need to get back to being the champion team once more.” (BBC Sport)

Blake Griffin scored 30 points and J.J. Redick had 18 as the Clippers won for the 10th time in 13 games and snapped a four-game skid in Toronto. Los Angeles improved to 8-3 without star guard Chris Paul, sidelined with a separated shoulder.

DeMar DeRozan went out with a sprained left foot, and the Raptors lost for the first time in three games.

NUGGETS 109, PACERS 96

Wilson Chandler scored a season-high 25 points and Denver snapped a threegame losing streak with a victory over Indiana.

Nate Robinson and Timofey Mozgov each added 15. First-year Nuggets coach Brian Shaw won in his first matchup against Indiana since leaving his job as a Pacers assistant to come to Denver.

J.J. Hickson had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Lance Stephenson scored 23 for Indiana. The Pacers split a road back-to-back set after winning the night before in

eight assists for the Bulls, who have won 10 of their last 11 against the Bobcats.

Al Jefferson had 32 points and 13 rebounds for Charlotte, his ninth straight 20-point game.

GRIZZLIES 99, ROCKETS 81

Mike Conley scored 17 points and Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds as Memphis beat Houston for the second consecutive night.

The Grizzlies won 88-87 in Houston on Friday, then took control of the rematch. Memphis held the Rockets to 38 per cent shooting and built the lead to as many as 27 points before both teams sent in reserves to finish the game. Courtney Lee also had 15 points and Kosta Koufos scored 14, hitting seven of his eight shots from the field.

James Harden led the Rockets with 16 points.

Dwight Howard had 10 points and 12 rebounds, but Houston’s three-game road winning streak was snapped.

Wizards within 101-98. John Wall banked in a 3-pointer to get within 102101 with 3.6 seconds left, but Hayward made two free throws and Wall missed at the buzzer.

HAWKS 112, BUCKS 87

Paul Millsap scored 20 points to lead six teammates in double figures and key the decisive surge that helped Atlanta rebound from a 26-point home loss for the win over Milwaukee.

Millsap scored 14 points during a 24-5 run that bridged the end of the second quarter and the start of the third and put Atlanta ahead 73-47 with 8:24 left in the quarter. The margin grew to 96-64 heading into the fourth and Atlanta beat Milwaukee for the eighth time in their last nine games. Reserve Louis Williams added 18 points for the Hawks.

Brandon Knight scored 27 points for the Bucks, who lost for the 11th time in their last 12 games. Ersan Ilyasova and Khris Middleton added 11 apiece. (AP)