Guyana times august 17 2013

Amaila project economically viable

Jordan to perform duties as city mayor

City Councillor Ranwell Jordan has been elected to perform the duties of the mayor while the incumbent, Hamilton Green and his deputy, Patricia Chase-Green are out on leave.

In an extraordinary meeting in the council’s chamber, Councillor Oscar Clarke nominated Jordan, a former mayor, to act in the post. His motion was seconded by councillor Hector Stoute. In a council known for disagreement and internal strife, councillors on Friday put aside their differences to unanimously elect Jordan to act in the absence of Green.

Presenting his maiden speech as the temporary mayor in a packed chamber, he said “I must thank all of you for your support in making this specially-summoned meeting a success and more so for the unanimous decision in having me elected to carry out the duties of the mayor while the mayor and deputy mayor are out of the jurisdiction.”

With the support of councillors, he pledged to work to move the city forward. “We will continue the work of improving this capital city of Georgetown.”

Councillors flooded the chamber with well wishes.

Councillor Monica Thomas pledged her support to the acting mayor as she called on her counterparts to follow suit: “I would firstly like to congratulate Ranwell Jordan. I know you are quite capable of what you are about to undertake and I know it will be a job well done. And you surely have my support.”

Thomas’ congratulatory remarks were followed by those of other wellwishers who pledged their support.

Sooba lauded

Councillor Llewellyn John not only congratulated the acting mayor, but acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba for the level of maturity and professionalism she has displayed during her one-year stint. “You have done exceedingly well, because the law –Chapter 28:01 was created for local democracy... I hope there will be no challenge to your authority... I think you are playing an important role and I will advise you to carry that job with distinction,” his comments were followed by loud rounds of applause.

There was also a call for all councillors to put aside their differences and work together a team in the in-

terest of the residents of Georgetown.

No longer should the council’s progress be stymied by leaders who refuse to compromise in the interest of the people.

While the acting town clerk did not make any presentation during the extraordinary meeting, during an interview with Guyana Times, she said this was the first time the entire council had made a call for greater collaboration between the administration and the council.

“This is the first time in an excess of one year, that I am hearing that call,” she noted.

According to the acting town clerk, Chase-Green departed from the council without official leave.

“She did not write the town clerk nor was any request for leave put forward to the council at its statutory meeting,” Sooba explained. Based on reports reaching the town clerk, Chase-Green is out of the jurisdiction for a three-week period.

During the last statutory meeting on Monday, Mayor Green informed the council that he would be out of the jurisdiction for “an unspecified period”. He subsequently wrote Sooba, informing her of his absence.

According to Sooba, Mayor Green before his departure nominated Jordan to act; however, the law does not permit the mayor to nominate the person who carry his duties in his absence, hence the extraordinary meeting on Friday. The mayor can be absent from his office for no more than three months, the Municipal and District Councils Act states.

APNU denounces murder of women – urges stronger measures to arrest problem

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has “vehemently denounced” the continuing perpetration of all forms of inter-personal violence and, particularly, violence against women.

More than 11 women have been murdered so far this year.

“APNU is aware that the Guyana Police Force has long promised to install a Central Domestic Violence Unit at its headquarters and at divisional, sub-divisional, and station levels,” APNU said in a statement.

Special unit

“APNU, therefore, calls for the establishment of a special Inter-Personal Violence Unit to pro-actively counter this raging crime. The existing neighbourhood, community policing and citizens’ security programmes must be given specific roles to identify human safety situations, which have the potential to become violent.

“The partnership insists that incidents of inter-personal violence must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of the class, race, status or wealth of the perpetrators,” the statement added.

APNU feels that inter-personal violence, as a result, has been allowed to reach epidemic proportions in terms of its frequency, brutality and widespread nature.

Reports indicate that there have been numerous incidents in urban, rural, and hinterland

areas. The partnership recognises that vulnerable women and girl children must be protected by more sympathetic, better trained law enforcement agencies supported by a stronger judicial system.

It recognises the need for more support systems for vulnerable women and girls in crisis and an increase of the number of safe homes for abused, battered, trafficked and sexually-exploited women and girl children.

APNU insists further that the early education curricula for boys and girls, beginning with the primary schools, should include the teaching of values and standards aimed at eliminating the mentality and factors that contribute to disrespect and the abuse of women and girls.

There must also be a positive change in political culture that recognises the worth of women and girls.

The partnership demands also that, where such violence occurs, measures should be taken to protect women from being subjected to such abuse, and to aid their easy access to justice and safety. Women deserve the protection of the state.

APNU encourages all Guyanese to work together to eliminate inter-personal violence, the coalition said, and remains committed to protecting citizens’ rights while ensuring that all citizens can attain the good life to which they are entitled.

Government system

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry earlier this week had expressed sadness over the recent loss of lives and injury as a result of domestic violence, and urged the perpetrators to seek help through the government system or nongovernmental organisations.

“These incidences are preventable, but require much effort from perpetrators, victims, communities, civil society, government and other partners. Domestic violence is everybody’s business,” the ministry

stated in a press release.

The ministry observed that it has been addressing the scourge of domestic violence in Guyana independently and in collaboration with its partners through training, advocacy, sensitisation, and awareness programmes.

This is being done in keeping with the ministry’s mandate through many of its sections/departments, which have launched a multi-dimensional, multi-faceted approach to deal with this problem in a holistic manner.

Officers of the Probation and Social Services Department work in communities across the country sensitising the public about the services available to victims, providing counselling services to victims and perpetrators, and makes community members aware of their social responsibility to report cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) that occur in their respective communities, the ministry said.

In the past two years, the Men’s Affairs Bureau has been working with young boys and men in schools and sports clubs to address issues such as anger management, domestic violence prevention, and interactions with the opposite sex via the “No More Black and Blue” and the “Red Card Domestic Violence” campaigns. The ministry has worked in more than 30 schools and communities, reaching more than 20,000 boys and men.

Amaila project economically viable

– due diligence report

The government has reported that an early due diligence report on the Amaila Falls project has validated the project as economically profitable and beneficial to Guyana.

In early June, the government consulted and shared with the joint opposition a number of key Amaila Falls-related project documents and reports. One report, titled “Economic and Financial Evaluation Study: Guyana Amaila Falls Project”, prepared by Mercados Energetics Consultores and commissioned by the government in 2009, found that the Amaila Falls project would provide an economic rate of return of 33 per cent to Guyana, reduce the Guyana Power and Light Company’s (GPL) average supply costs and bring structural benefits to GPL.

Financial evaluation

In a release, government said in 2009, it retained Mercados Energeticos Consultores to perform an economic and financial evaluation of the Amaila Falls project. The study, conducted by an expert team of energy sector specialists, sought to evaluate the economic profitability of the Amaila project for GPL and ensure the supply of power would be consistent with GPL’s medium and long-term demand projections.

“While the report’s conclusions date back to 2008 and 2009, the fundamentals of the economic profitability are only more pronounced today in a high-fuel cost environment. The Mercados report evaluated the Amaila project against oil prices of

US$75 a barrel. Fuel prices today are significantly higher, translating into an average generation cost for GPL in excess of 19 U.S. cents per kwh. This cost is compared against Amaila Falls which would reduce the cost of generation to 11 U.S. cents, a 40 per cent savings over the first 12 years, and falling to 5.6 U.S. cents in the next eight years of the concession, a 71 per cent savings to today’s generation costs.”

Structural benefits

The report’s findings stated that the Amaila project would bring structural benefits to GPL, is the optimal low-cost generation solution and is economically profitable for Guyana were a key factor in assessing the merits of moving forward with the development of the Amaila transaction, and are only more relevant today then ever, the government said.

Despite numerous

consultations with the joint opposition, access and availability of confidential information for many months and incontrovertible facts showing the economic benefits of the Amaila project, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) still denied the advantages of cheaper and reliable hydropower to the people of Guyana.

Mercados Energéticos Consultores is internationally recognised for its expertise in assisting governments in the design of policies for the energy sector, and in advising companies on how to identify the right strategies to conduct their business successfully.

The company offers consultancy services on market design, regulatory solutions, and the definition and implementation of public policies for the energy sector. The professional team in Mercados Energéticos Consultores

has played a fundamental role in the design and implementation of reforms in the energy sector in Latin American and Caribbean countries. It has also worked in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Their recommended solutions have been successfully applied in very different social, economic and institutional conditions.

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

Investor confidence

The entire country must be disappointed with the most recent events surrounding the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP). The nation was greeted with the news last Sunday that Sithe Global/Blackstone Group has decided to pull out of Guyana after investing millions of U.S. dollars in the project over the fact that there was not total support from all three parliamentary political parties.

Citizens were presented with the facts and justification, and government and other stakeholders were at pains to explain to the main political players that the project is indeed good for Guyana, and will certainly bring down the cost of electricity for all consumers. Stakeholders were shown in detail how the US$840 million project will convert Guyana’s energy supply from one that is almost entirely sourced from fossil fuels to one that is almost entirely renewable.

Guyanese consumers, including manufacturers and service providers everywhere are of the view that electricity rates are too high and wished the authorities would do something about it. Now with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voting against two key pieces of legislation that would have ensured the project come closer to reality, and the fact that they are not willing to budge from their previous position inspite of several engagements with key players involved, there is no certainty that the project will go ahead as planned.

Certainly, the recent happenings in the National Assembly brings into question, and perhaps will raise the level of political discourse, as it relates to the real function of a responsible opposition in a country’s development and their role as it relates to the whole concept of democracy. We are forced to ask how could opposition parties serve the national interest when they are stymieing major development projects which are aimed at benefiting citizens across the racial and political divide?

As far as we are aware, the opposition’s main role is to expose weaknesses in government policies and remain a vigilant watchdog over its action or inaction by ensuring it functions in the best interest of all the people. The two bills relating to AFHE presented by the government required such scrutiny, but they were voted down because of narrow partisan interest.

Citizens did not benefit from mature political debates and discussions which are a normal part of the democratic process, but instead what we did see was a lot of political talk coming from the main opposition party.

Further, APNU must be aware that the longer this project takes to be built, the anticipated increase in the cost of construction materials may very well make it unprofitable to pursue later. Already, we have seen a significant increase in the production cost from US$675 million, to US$840 million.

Also, an important point we wish to underline and which there is not much being said about has to do with the key risks associated with the project, which do not put government on a good footing in terms of negotiating with potential partners on future development initiatives. Investors, who are spending millions of dollars on a project in a country, will have no confidence doing so in the absence of firm guarantees that they will receive the full support at the national level in seeing that project through to the end.

Like most Guyanese, we are convinced that there is no rational justification for the actions taken by APNU, especially because government had made significant efforts to provide all the details of the project to all stakeholders involved. They have also made a good attempt to answer all the relevant questions posed. Added to this, the opposition representatives were taken to the hydro site to inspect the ongoing road construction, where they agreed that much progress has been made.

The president and key players will now have to seriously engage Sithe Global to convince them to reconsider their decision to pull out of Guyana, but much of this engagement will be based on whether or not all political parties are onboard. Will APNU look beyond partisan interests and do what is necessary for the national good? Time will tell.

Making your voice heard

Three wise men

Dear Editor, The Kaieteur News seems to be embarking on another massive disinformation campaign against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and former President Bharrat Jagdeo in a desperate attempt to distract attention from the opposition’s latest act of national disgrace and the national outcry against their act of denying Guyanese, especially the younger generation the foundation upon which their future must be built.

This conclusion could be inferred from the front page comment of the August 11 edition of the Kaieteur News, in which it promised to show its readers how Guyana was stolen from under their nose. But paradoxically, this mission is destined to achieve the exact opposite. It will certainly show how the opposition and its mouthpieces are denying the young people of Guyana a prosperous future by preventing the government of the day from laying the foundations of their future.

The article justified the opposition’s disgraceful act of rejecting the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) by citing comments of three individuals who were elevated to the status of financial analysts – Raymond Gaskin, Christopher Ram and Professor Clive Thomas.

Statements attributed to Gaskin

Gaskin is reported to have shouted “hallelujah” upon hearing the news that Sithe Global pulled out of AFHEP. Imagine Guyana, our beloved country has just lost its biggest and most important development project of all times, a project that took in excess of 15 years to get off the ground,

a project that will tremendously improve the lives of every Guyanese without exception, and Gaskin is praising god for that? How would you describe a person who shouts praise to God for an action that has the potential of destroying the future of an entire nation, and as if to add insult to injury the Kaieteur News bestowed upon him the title of financial analyst.

Gaskin is also reported to have said that the project will cause a sharp increase in electricity tariff. If Gaskin is the financial analyst the Kaieteur News is portraying him to be, then he should have no problem proving this statement using facts and figures. If he can’t then it is humbly suggested that he stops blowing hot air. Every financial analyst that I know of makes use of fact and figures to support their conclusions and so must Gaskin. Of all professions only one, that is, comedians, have the luxury of making statements without supporting them with facts and figures.

Statements attributed to Ram

This suspenders man, who tries his utmost best to imitate the most popular talk show host of all times Larry King, has acquired not only the title of financial analyst, but political and legal analyst also, compliments of the Kaieteur News. However, since the attorney general, on quite a few occasions publicly embarrassed him as a legal analyst, he seems to have voluntary discard that title. Let us now see if he should also discard the title of financial analyst.

Ram is reported to have said that the cost associated with AFHEP is well over Guyana’s national debt and

that there is no guarantee that there will be a reduction in electricity tariffs. According to the Kaieteur News, Ram and Gaskin also met with a number of stakeholders, including the private sector, politicians and the diplomatic corps, all of whom doubt the feasibility of AFHEP. I am challenging Ram and Gaskin to identify by name those stakeholders. If he can’t, it will be a clear indication of lying to the public, and if he should name them, then the public will be able to identify those who helped deny Guyana cheap, reliable and abundant energy.

Interestingly, President Donald Ramotar showed every one that Guyana’s national debt will increase by a whopping zero dollar as a result of the project, that the country will save a minimum of US$600 million ($120 billion) over a period of 20 years which, is itself equal to approximately 75 per cent of the project’s cost. Not to mention the approximately $80 billion that would be left in the pockets of consumers, both domestic and commercial.

A total of approximately $200 billion will, therefore, be saved over a 20-year period.

At an approximate cost of $30 million to construct one mile of asphalted concrete street, $200 billion will give us 6667 miles of much needed streets. That is more than Guyana’s existing road network.

Statements attributed to Professor Thomas

The person I least expected to publicly discredit himself by attempting to discredit AFHEP is Professor Thomas. Why would an accomplished professor of economics want to discredit such a project? He is reported by the Kaieteur

News to have said that there is a possibility that the cost electricity will raise even higher after the project comes on stream. If it is true that the good professor said so, then it is most amazing since as a professor of economics he is well aware that projects such as AFHEP are judged based on cost benefit analysis. Has he done one? Where is it? Figures!

Professor Thomas also said that within five years after completion, Amaila will be unable to meet Guyana’s demand for power. This one statement is in conflict with and defeats every single criticism of AFHEP because there could be only one reason for that, that is, a sharp increase in the demand for energy as a result of increased economic activities. Is this not something positive about AFHEP? It is the clearest indication yet by the opposition themselves of how fast Guyana will be developing as a result. It is also a clear indication of the time within which Guyana must build it capacity to provide the additional energy that will be needed as a result of accelerated growth – a direct result of AFHEP. It is only natural, therefore, that as Guyana develops it will need additional source of energy and I am sure the government and private sector are aware of this fact. Does Kaieteur News really think that Guyanese are that stupid? We just made history at the Caribbean Examination’s Council Examinations – thanks to the PPPC’s investments in education. Cheap energy is the next target.

Yours sincerely, Reaz Holladar

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

National museum continuing a good tradition

Dear Editor,

This is the best time for Guyana’s children. Some 46 children, age groups eight to10 and 11-14, were awarded certificates after completing the seventh annual Guyana National Museum Children’s Taxidermy summer camp.

We have to initiate a cultural shift and starting with children is the best way to do this. Our museum is very rich academically.

There needs to be a quick update in terms of keeping abreast with how we document and archive changes in technology. There is no old typewriter, nor any record player that we used back in the 1970s.

I recall going to a folk cel-

ebration at the University of Guyana titled, “Dis time nah lang time”, and I was so enamoured. I saw an egg-beater and a swivel – these two were so important in baking and the making of special drinks.

The camp facilitated the students in making simple museum exhibits and learning about preservation techniques used in taxidermy. It would not be a bad idea to have them do some of these things in school as well.

I am also thinking of having them do miniatures for storage purposes. We have pictures and relics of so many colonial houses, wells and bicycles, among other things. We must capture our history.

How about language too? The obsoletion of many items means the loss of actual words. I am finding it a bit strange that many people cannot relate with words like “chowkie”, “belnah” and “tawa”. We have different names and various articles coming up all the time. This is why we must make history ever active. We need to be connected.

Come next year, I am hoping that more educational camps will be held. We have gardens, old churches, and even a few ancient tombs that we can go after. Education can be fun this way.

Sincerely,

Imtiaz Ally

Call for community spirit to curb domestic violence

Dear Editor,

Another case of fatal domestic violence took place in Plaisance and I am peeved by a sense of irresponsibility from the community. This month, a Malaysian newspaper echoed the sentiments of the country’s police force:

Maternal care now getting serious attention

Evidence-based interventions for major causes of maternal mortality

“You constantly hear abusive voices, loud banging and pleading cries from your neighbour’s house, and suspect that unspeakable violence is occurring behind closed doors. Whom do you call? The police, of course.

a public issue, and it is not something where you mind your own business.”

“You should not hesitate to contact the police when you suspect domestic violence or any other violence occurring in your neighborhood. Domestic violence is

I ask all of us to think on this. The community spirit must be rekindled within all of us in order to fight domestic violence.

Sincerely, Fabian Gonsalves

Drunk people should be kept off the streets

Dear Editor,

The sad story of how the body of a retired police officer was pulled from a gutter has some important lessons. When it comes to dealing with drunk people, including drivers, we have to get serious.

In Sydney, Australia, a 26-year-old nuisance was found lying legless on the pavement in the middle of town, and when confronted, he blurted out, “I want a drink.”. He was jailed for

three months.

In Wellington, New Zealand, bar owners are urging the city council to introduce fines for drunk people on the streets, but police say an earlier closing time for bars is the best way to curb alcohol problems.

In Guyana, we seem to circumvent the issue of drunk people on the road all the time. Even if we do not want to prosecute them as I think we should, then they must be kept off the streets

by hefty fines.

This will make people much more responsible. I ask that our police do something about drunk people, even if only to lock them up till they are sober.

Yours truly, Dillon

Hamilton

Dear Editor, We have on record now that some 11 maternal deaths have taken place so far for 2013 and this means for me a big wake-up call. I feel better now that the Health Ministry is very much in public purview and cannot act irresponsibly.

The recent disciplining of one nurse and two doctors is testimony to the fact that a new culture is beginning to emerge, and this gives even more assurance to me and the general public that things are looking up.

Both private and public health facilities throughout the country are, by law, required to make death reports within 24 hours. Faroff regions – One, Seven, Eight and Nine – are granted a three-day grace period. For each death reported, a file is immediately opened and leads to the requisite convening of an internal investigation at the facility where the death occurred.

I am really urging the

general public to be totally apprised to what is now obtaining. This will really help. Members must also make sure that all pregnancies are registered and that clinic attendance is not neglected.

The thing on my mind is that the major causes of maternal deaths are all avoidable – severe bleeding/ haemorrhage (25 per cent), infections (13 per cent), unsafe abortions (13 per cent), eclampsia (12 per cent), obstructed labour (eight per cent), other direct causes (eight per cent), and indirect causes (20 per cent).

Indirect causes are ma-

laria, anaemia, HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular diseases, all of which may complicate pregnancy or be aggravated by it. All women need is access to antenatal care in pregnancy, skilled care during childbirth, and care and support in the weeks after childbirth. Guyana has this capacity. So when we have a worrying number of maternal deaths, then I presume some form of attitudinal or professional misconduct, and not because of lack of expertise or facility.

Yours truly, Beverlie

Dorway

Page Foundation

10 mistakes parents make when reacting to results

By Sean Coughlan

It’s a tense moment for families when exam results arrive.

Emotions are running high. It’s not just the students who are under pressure. How should parents avoid saying the wrong thing?

Not realising whatever you say is going to be wrong

Always being in the wrong is part of the job description of being a teenager’s parent. But when the envelope is opened you need to show the right expression to match the results. Otherwise you face a terrible, emergency, gear-crunching change of direction. Just when you’ve put on your best sympathy-at-a-funeral face, you realise that you’re meant to be celebrating. Those results are... absolutely. We’re proud of you. Never doubted you for a second. Punch the air.

Not really meaning it

This is a tough one to get around. You’ve delivered what you thought was a little gem of supportive parenting. It was so sincere that it more or less came with its own orchestra. It’s so empathetic that parts of your head have dissolved into soft focus. But you hit the crash barriers at speed, because you’re told: “You don’t really mean it. You’re just saying it. If you think it’s a disaster, just say it.”

Changing your Facebook status to “gutted”

You know the dangerous territory we’re entering. A Facebook mother armed with an iPad and something chilled, makes a stray comment about exam results not going entirely to plan. There’s a throwaway remark about the Titanic. It’s only intended to be a bit ironic, a little joke between parents. Teenagers might laugh a lot but don’t mistake this for a sense of

humour. Not about these exams, no way. If you want to destroy my life just tell me to my face.

“Why would I be disappointed? This is fantastic news, isn’t it?”

Keep that smile more frozen than fish fingers in a polar bear’s deep freeze. You have to show you’re happy. Those grades look impressive, but don’t make the error of expecting unbridled joy. For today’s high-pressure teenagers, anything that isn’t per-

a constellation of grade A*s shining in the night sky. This has been winding everyone up since nursery school. Also to be avoided are such morale-boosters as: “Congratulations, you’ve nearly done as well as that eight-year-old in Hong Kong.”

“Of course, these days they more or less give away A-levels.”

You might secretly think this, but keep such careless talk to yourself.

fect is a disaster. They may as well scrap their career plans right now. The world has ended. Look at all those blonde triplets jumping on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. They’ve got an A* in everything. Why haven’t I? Keep smiling.

“Almost as good as your cousin.”

Don’t even think about it. The most inflammatory parental response is a comparison to the perfect cousin or sibling, so clever that their results illuminate the entire extended family like

seen the price of tickets? I know we said that if you revised really hard and got good results we’d be really pleased. But let’s not get carried away. There’s always room for improvement, look at your cousin...

“We still love you anyway. It isn’t that bad, considering”

There are some well-intentioned phrases that are about as supportive as a trap door. File them away with “Not the end of the world”, “It could have been worse”, and “To be honest, I wasn’t really ever sure about that university, even though you’ve already bought the sweatshirt”. You may as well start hand-stitching them a banner with “Loser” written on it.

Richard Branson didn’t go to university Folksy optimism works in animated movies about puppies with special powers, not in a world where teenagers’ bad news spreads like a plague from text to Tweet to social networking. Avoid life-affirming success-from-failure stories, especially when someone has just unexpectedly found themselves in a failure-from-success story.

Why having big families is good for you (and cheaper)

By ColIn BRaZIeR

This generation can only take the exams put in front of them and they’ve worked harder than we ever did. Mind you, come to mention it, until 1987, there was a limit on the amount of top grades, so in fact... Stop, there’s no going back.

“If you were really pleased you would pay for my festival ticket.”

Difficult one. Of course, we’re pleased about the results. Not so much about the blackmail. And have you

Looking slightly wistful when you’re meant to sound delighted

You know it’s really good news. Everything has gone well. All the hard work has been worthwhile. But you can’t help but feel that twinge of parental nostalgia. And the “twinge” is a lump in the throat the size of a supertanker in a canal. Five minutes ago, they were bringing home drawings from primary school and now they’re getting exam results at the very end of all their school years. Raise a glass and say nothing. (BBC News)

Chua’s views on parenting have been heeded by millions. But I also wanted to listen to those anonymous child-care professionals who will, often sotto voce, argue that British children are changing, and not for the better. The kindergarten nanny, for instance, who told me of the game she plays spotting which of her new intake has a brother or sister (she claimed a 90 per cent success rate).

To some only-children and their parents, that will sound the ancient hollow note of animus towards those deemed somehow selfish in not –where possible – having another. In truth, that bigotry has fewer adherents nowadays. People understand that being a one-off parent is a natal no-brainer, a logical response to the economic challenges of parenthood. What, hitherto, they have failed to see, is that modern social science is rewriting the way we see siblings and, yes, it may be worth paying in the short term to benefit in the long term. Either way, the Cost of the Sibling is nothing like as high as some would have you believe.

And what of my own children? How do they feel, providing the material for a sibling laboratory? The eldest, just 14, has already announced that, should she have children, their numbers will be limited.

My wife and I started out similarly sceptical about fecundity. But, having struggled to have a second child, it was hard to shake the mindset that a pregnancy was anything other than a blessing. As our family expanded, necessitating bigger cars and fewer holidays, we took to heart the views attributed to Elizabeth Longford, the historian and Roman Catholic mother-of-eight. Asked why so many, she said that since her children were so different, curiosity drove her to find the limits of genetic diversity.

We find that a big family has unleashed the inner anthropologist in us, too. Some friends flinch at the managed chaos of our home, but my wife and I love the abundance of human interaction. We are the directors of our own daily

Malaysian envoy presents letters of credence

Malaysian High Commissioner

Dato Sudha Devi Vasudaven presented her letters of credence to President Donald Ramotar on Friday, expressing hope to strengthen bilateral relations between the countries.

In the presence of Guyana’s Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the Malaysian high commissioner said her goal is to explore and diversify collaborations in the various sectors, making specific mention of tourism, information communication and technology, education and construction.

She noted that the common values shared between the two countries at the social, economic and political levels will serve as a mech-

anism for strengthening existing ties, in the same breath reminding that they not only share relations at the bilateral level, but at the multilateral level as well.

Both countries are members of the United Nations, The Commonwealth and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

“Malaysia values these relations and it is our hope that these relations will grow from strength to strength in the years to come to the benefit of both countries… and provide opportunities for enhanced cooperation in economic trade and culture sphere.”

Vasudaven explained that Malaysia is committed to continue on this strong and positive path.

“As high commissioner, I look forward to the relations between the two countries and I am committed to the relationship… I look forward to work with your government and people of the Cooperate Republic of Guyana during my tour of duties.”

President Ramotar noted that the cooperation between the two countries provides a useful platform to support each other in their respective national development efforts.

“In this regard, the government of Guyana welcomes Malaysia’s commitment to the intensification of our relations through the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme… as well as the conclusion of the trade and economic agreements.”

He said this will “provide the opportunity for our private sector to explore means through which they can contribute to the economic development of our countries”.

“I am convinced that Guyana and Malaysia can actively explore several areas of cooperation,” he added. Ramotar pledged his country’s commitment towards ensuring bilateral ties between the two countries are strengthened through the newly-appointed Malaysian high commissioner to Guyana.

Exhibition on 1823 Slave Revolt heroes on at National Museum

The Museum of African Heritage in collaboration with the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry earlier this week launched an emancipation exhibition at the National Museum under the theme “Honouring Our Heroes of 1823”.

The exhibition, which runs until August 31, is focused on bringing about awareness of the 1823 Slave Revolt, the first major slave rebellion in the history of the British Caribbean, where religious and Christianised slaves played a role.

During the time of the revolt, many slaves lost

their lives. Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara was the village to suffer the most, with over 200 slaves dying. Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony said on Monday, August 19, Guyana will be observing 190 years since the 1823 rebellion. He said it is in this light that the ministry decided to bring about awareness of this rebellion since it has played a significant part in the country’s history.

As a part of this anniversary, a monument was unveiled on August 5 to mark the significance of this revolt. The monument is located opposite the Guyana

Visiting U.S. professor holds talks on sustainable forestry, climate change

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud met Friday with U.S. Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer Jeffrey Barrus, and Dr Janaki Alavalapati, Senior Fellow with the Energy and Climate Partnership of Americas (ECPA).

Barrus expressed his appreciation to the minister for organising the meetings with Dr Alavalapati and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); Protected Areas Commission (PAC); and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier in the week. He noted that Dr Alavalapati also met with other governmental officials and NGOs throughout the week.

Defence Force’s headquarters on the Sea Wall Road.

During his address, Minister Anthony alluded to a book titled Hearing Slaves Speak , that was authored by Trevor Bernard, a Jamaican professor, and tells about the lives of Guyanese slaves. It is based on actual stories told by the slaves to a magistrate, whose job was to listen to slaves’ complaints.

Minster Anthony spoke of the story of a pregnant woman in the book. He said because of her physical state, she was unable to do the task she was allotted, and as a result was given several lashes which caused her foetus to be aborted.

This is among some of the reasons that lead to the revolt; the cruelty the slaves faced, their desire to be free and their desire to escape the harsh slave system.

The revolt was lead by Quamina, an African-born enslaved carpenter and senior deacon of Bethel Chapel; Jack Gladstone, a cooper on Plantation Success; Manuel from Plantation Chateau Margot; Seaton from Success; Joseph and Telemachus from Bachelor’s Adventure; and Paris, a boat captain of Plantation Good Hope.

Dr Alavalapati reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to energy and climate change by making reference to President Obama’s 2009 visit to Trinidad and Tobago. He emphasised that there are seven pillars under the broad thematic area of energy and climate change; however, one of them which is of vital importance to Guyana is sustainable forestry and land use.

Dr Alavalapati brought to the attention of the minister, five themes which emerged over the course of the week in the meetings with the agencies and commissions under the purview of the ministry. These five themes are: research in lesser used species (timber and non-timber); exploration in value added opportunities; assisting Amerindian communities to increase their competitiveness; capacity building, both at the governmental and academic level; and addressing multiple land-use concerns. He added that an idea for consideration is reclamation of mined-out gold and bauxite sites.

Priority activities

The minister responded by discussing several priority activities and policies that the agencies and commissions are working on as it relates to the themes that Dr Alavalapati mentioned. He recognised the importance of all of the themes, but specifically elaborated on value added products and multiple land use.

The minister explained that for value added production to increase, Guyana

needs reliable and renewable energy sources to boost its competitiveness. He made reference to the Land Use Plan, which is being finalised and added that it will aid in the planning process for multiple land use.

Minister Persaud indicated that two plant species that are considered for cultivation on mined-out sites are bamboo and teak; however, he noted that they must be commercially viable species. The minister recognised that there is a need to build technical capacity within this area and a high level of dedicated expertise in developing policy and implementation is required.

Dr Alavalapati briefly discussed the possibilities of bio-energy in Guyana with the minister. The minister alluded to a draft bio-energy policy and a road map and believes that there are tremendous possibilities within the industry. In concluding, the senior fellow asserted that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has the unique strength to balance the extractive sector (mining and forestry) with environmental management in Guyana.

Triangular love affair lands men in court

Two men who allegedly came to blows after one was discovered naked with the other’s reputed wife in his bed were brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday.

It was alleged that on August 7 at Lombard and Sussex streets, Leroy Malcome unlawfully assaulted Gary Beckles causing him actual bodily harm, while Beckles assaulted his reputed wife, Sharona Noble causing her actual bodily harm. He also unlawfully and maliciously damaged two cellphones valued $40,000. It was further al-

leged that on August 13, Beckles unlawfully and maliciously damaged two shirts valued $3500. Both men pleaded not guilty to their respective offences.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, Beckles went to Jamaica and on his return to Guyana, he found his reputed wife and Macolme naked and asleep in bed. He became annoyed and dealt Noble several slaps which caused Malcome to pick up a baseball bat and hit him.

Attorney Paul FungA-Fat represented Gary Beckles and stated that his

client, a 24-year-old blockmaker, came home from Jamaica and found his reputed wife with whom he has a child naked in bed. He then searched the room and found Malcome under the bed, also naked. Beckles became enraged and started to assault Malcome; when Noble intervened, she received some injuries. The lawyer requested reasonable bail for Beckles. Attorney Fung-A-Fat said his client was willing to offer no evidence.

Malcome was represented Attorney Paul Braam, who stated that his client

is a 43-year-old fisherman with a permanent place of abode at Lot 8 Lombard and Sussex streets. He also made an application for bail.

Attorney Braam, who also represented Noble, said his clients will also offer no evidence if Noble is compensated for the items that were damaged.

Magistrate McLennan dismissed the case against Malcome and placed him on a bond to keep the peace. The assault charges were dropped against Beckles, and he has until August 23 to compensate Noble or face six months’ imprisonment.

Pork-knocker remanded for possession of narcotics

Apork-knocker was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday to answer to the charge of possession of narcotics.

It is alleged that on August 16 at Lot 5 Meadow Bank, Georgetown, George Duncan had in his possession 30 grams of cannabis for the purpose of traffick-

ing. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him.

Duncan, who was unrepresented, told the court that he is a 28-year-old porkknocker with a permanent place of abode at Lot 17

Cane Street, Meadow Bank. There were no facts read by the prosecution in court.

The defendant was remanded, and the matter was transferred to Court One for September 16.

Driver placed on $20,000 bail for simple larceny

Adriver charged with simple larceny appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

It is alleged on July 23 at Sussex Street, Maurice Gonzales stole one Samsung cellphone valued $32,000; one memory card valued $5500; and one SIM card

valued $2000, valued a total of $39,500. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Attorney Paul Braam, who represented the defendant, stated that his client is 48 years old and has a permanent place of abode at Lot 30 Kettley Street, Charlestown with his two children. He said Gonzales has no prior matters.

There were no objections put forward by the prosecutor who stated that the virtual complainant and the defendant are friends, and on the day in question, the defendant borrowed the phone to make a call but did not return it. He also stated that the items were not recovered.

Magistrate McLennan set bail at $75,000 initial-

ly but reduced it to $20,000 when Attorney Braam informed the court that Gonzales works for a mere $10,000 a week. She also ordered that the defendant to report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Friday at 16:00h until the completion of trial. The matter was transferred to Court One for September 17.

Man fined $15,000 for cannabis

Accused cannabis trafficker Noel Mitchell pleaded guilty when he was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Mitchell admitted to having in his possession two grams of cannabis on August 16 at Albouystown.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, ranks were conducting searches in the area and the defendant was frisked. Police found two ziploc bags containing the illegal substance in his mouth. He was warned of the offence by an officer to whom, he replied, “Give me a chance”.

When Magistrate McLennan asked the defendant if he had anything to say, he said he uses the substance for his asthma. A fine of $15,000 was imposed on Mitchell, and he has to serve three weeks of community service, if in default he face eight months’ imprisonment.

Spat between neighbours ends up in court

Four neighbours were brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, after they were cross-charged with abusive and threatening language.

It is alleged that on August 14 at Kitty, Diane Etwaroo and Nanda

Hereelall made use of abusive language to each other whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. They both pleaded not guilty to the charge read against

them. At the same place and time, Desmond Etwaroo and Vishwanauth Pandey made use of threatening language to each other whereby a breach of the peace was also occasioned. They too pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Attorney Paul FungA-Fat represented the Etwaroos and stated that it was a neighbourly misunderstanding and his clients would like to offer no evidence.

Pandey and Hereelall were represented by Attorney Candace Braddy who also said that her clients would like to offer no evidence.

The case was dismissed; however, the four were placed on a bond to keep the peace for 12 months or face six months’ imprisonment.

Eyew tness

IHeart attack...

...with Warriors defence

f man in general can’t live on bread alone, believe me when I tell you your trusty Eyewitness can’t live on politics alone. It may be his bread and butter... but there’s only so much you can take? One hears of a dog-eat-dog world, but the politics that’s playing out in Guyana right now needs a very strong stomach to digest it.

I mean, how difficult is it to accept that if at worst we pay the same rates for our electricity... and in 20 years we own a hydroelectric plant that’ll give us more than 160 MW of electricity for another 100 years...is good for us? How do you stomach the kind of politician who can twist this simple scenario with all kinds of three-card shuffling of figures?

What keeps the Eyewitness going after a day of dealing with that sludge is downing some cold beers while watching some real hot cricket. I’m talking about Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) cricket of course – and is it ever so hot! Did you catch that last Guyana Amazon Warriors game Thursday against the Jamaica Tallawahs at their home ground of Sabina Park? Well your Eyewitness had to pull a subterfuge to catch the start at the unholy hour of 15:00h (14:00h in Jamaica). This was because Sabina doesn’t have lights for night games. So who says we Guyanese aren’t ahead of anybody else?

From the looks of things, most Jamaicans couldn’t pull similar stunts, because there were quite a few empty seats. It was a shame because the game was a real cracker. Sent in to bat first by Chris Gayle, who’d won the toss, the Warriors started like a house on fire for the first half. But as has happened in so many of the games, things tightened up so that we only got to 139.

I want to tell you, your Eyewitness didn’t feel that score was enough. Like the rest of the prognosticators, I felt Gayle was due for a big one. When he’s blowing, the gale becomes a hurricane. But like they say....oh ye of little faith! The Warriors’ bowlers came through in the crunch and while Gayle admitted he wanted to bat through the innings, he wasn’t allowed that wish: his stumps were uprooted by Krishmar Santokie.

That little byplay showed the change wrought by franchise cricket in turning our cricketers into professionals. Santokie raised his arms exultantly in victory to his fellow Jamaicans as they fell into stunned silence. But it was the (what turned out to be the inspired) choice of Christopher Barnwell for the last over – with 10 needed from six balls – that nearly did the Eyewitness in.

We have to keep the faith!! The local boy made good. And I’m alive.

...by Malinga

It’s only from experience we learn. And we’re getting real experience with professional Twenty20 (T20) cricket: the flurry of activities aren’t confined to the field. In fact it might be that to bring the non-stop action into our living rooms, there might be more action off the field than on. And we’re not talking about the dancing lasses – but the back office.

We’ve just learnt that Mohammad Hafeez (who Ramnaresh Sarwan said was the man behind the choice of Barnwell at the death over) was called back to his national team that’ll be in Zimbabwe. But not to worry – the back office promptly signed Lasith (the Slinger) Malinga. With all our strength in our bowling department – the brain trust obviously feels we need more firepower at the start of the innings. Well Malinga, the man with the “helmet trick” will provide more than that. Heart attacks in opening batsmen.

...induced in hydro

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo identified those who “killed” the Amaila Falls Hydro project: “charlatan economists” with their heads buried in books and the Internet with absolutely no experience in the real world.

114 benefit from police bursary awards SKYE project trainees in apprenticeship programme at BK Int’l

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday honoured 114 successful students at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) during its annual bursaries and awards presentation ceremony held at the Police Officers Mess Annex, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

According to the Assistant Commissioner (Administration) Balram Persaud, the GPF has been rewarding the children of officers from the force with scholarships and awards since 1944.

Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell told the gathering that education creates capacity to perform in society and children should be given problems to solve rather than answers to remember.

He charged the students to take the lead in educational development and work for a better Guyana.

“Focus on studies and develop your talent and per-

sonalities so that one day you will be able to give back to your country just as how you are receiving from it today,” said Brumell, adding, “Be dedicated, honest, obedient, disciplined and thankful to God in order to be successful… always remember where you came from and who sacrificed time, had sleepless nights and put so many efforts so that you can achieve what you have.”

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary) Marcel Hutson stressed the importance of education, noting that youths today needs to embark on gaining knowledge, rather than attending parties. Hudson emphasised the importance of honouring the system and its workers.

“Education created capacity to perform in society… we have to decide where we want to go and what we want to do… you are about to embark on a different level of education and have to be committed to

the task,” said Hudson, noting that “children must love their teachers and parents should support their children”.

Hudson said that with all the distractions of parties and alcohol, the youths should maintain their focus on education and the future.

“I hope that the children will grow stronger and stronger and add to their development so that they can contribute to their country and society,” said Hudson.

The top performers, Shanice Henry, Shania Baird, Fenton Budhram, Ramzan Singh, Vaidewattie Chetram, Kayron Humphrey and Lydia Reid received monetary awards, ranging from $200,000 to $100,000.

The others received $25,000 each. All the awardees will be given this stipend every year until the end of their five years in secondary school. The cut off marks for qualification to receive the bursary awards is 400 points at the NGSA.

Clerks, security guards still in custody for Toolsie Persaud robbery

The two accounts clerks Jonathan Dookie, 21, and Dewan Chand, 57, attached to Toolsie Persaud Limited and the two security guards who were reportedly robbed by a lone gunman on Thursday afternoon in Georgetown are still in police custody, assisting with investigations.

It was reported that the car, which was transporting the men and $16.9 million, was forced to stop at Sussex Street to avoid hitting a pedestrian who turned out to be the gunman, who allegedly used the opportunity to carry out the brazen attack.

After the car came to a halt, the pedestrian/gunman who was crossing the street at the time, pulled out a firearm and pointed it in the direction of

the armed guards who was driving the car.

The men told investigators that the bandit relieved the two company guards of their firearms –a loaded .32 Taurus pistol and .32 Taurus revolver –during the heist, which occurred around 13:00h. The gunman then allegedly escaped in a waiting silver car.

Speaking with Guyana

Times , a police rank explained that they are working on the theory that the heist may have been an inside job, but investigators need to provide the evidence. He said they are grilling the four men in the hope of getting the “real story”.

Attempts to make contact with management of Toolsie Persaud Limited proved futile.

BK International has agreed to host 10 young men and women from the USAID- sponsored SKYE project on a six-month apprenticeship attachment at the company’s quarries for training as heavy-duty equipment operators, mechanics, welders, carpenters, and construction workers.

The apprentices will be paid a monthly stipend to be reviewed after the first three months and will share in the benefits provided to BK’s employees, including free accommodation, meals, and laundry service; and full access to the workers’ club and entertainment facilities, BK International said in a re-

lease. The young apprentices are between the ages of 20 and 22 and are from Linden, New Amsterdam, and the Corentyne.

This will be the first occasion that the SKYE project has entered into an apprenticeship training relationship with BK International. The SKYE apprentices were introduced to BK International Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer BK Tiwarie and senior management staff by Alana Brassington, workforce development specialist to the project, in early August at the commencement of the project.

The SKYE project is funded by USAID through the

Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and is implemented by the Education Development Centre (EDC), based in Boston and Washington in the USA.

The SKYE project works with young people selected from various educational backgrounds ranging from juvenile offenders, school dropouts, young people who have completed formal education but who do not have the necessary skills to find employment, to youth who have graduated from a formal training institution, such as a government technical institution or other government and NGO training programmes.

Man hospitalised after falling off music

One man is in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital after he fell off a music system that was on a motor lorry on Thursday evening at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.

Anthony Carmichael, 26, of Rosignol, West Coast Berbice was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital, but was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a semi-con-

system

scious state.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the incident occurred about 17:00h while the vehicle was in motion, promoting an event with a music system affixed to the back of a motor lorry. The injured man and another were reportedly sitting on the boxes. As the vehicle was negotiating a bridge, the music box shifted resulting in Carmichael, who was

the deejay, and the other man falling to the road.

The bridge was reportedly under repairs. The injured men were picked up and taken to Fort Wellington Public Hospital where they were treated. Both were subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The second person was treated and sent away. The driver of the lorry is assisting with investigations.

Region’s countries adopt consensus on population, development

Official representatives from 38 member countries and associate members of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) adopted the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, which contains a series of agreements to strengthen implementation of population and development issues beyond 2014, at the end of the first session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, held on August 12 to 15 in the capital of Uruguay.

The conference, which was organised by ECLAC and the government of Uruguay with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also brought together 24 regional and international agencies and 260 non-governmental organisations, with the total number of participants in excess of 800 people (making it one of the largest inter-governmental meetings in the region in recent years).

Priority areas

The Montevideo consensus contains over 120 measures concerning the eight priority areas to follow-up the Programme of Action of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994.

National delegates stated that full integration of population dynamics in sustainable development with equality and respect for human

rights must be the guiding framework for strengthening public policies and actions needed to eradicate poverty, exclusion and inequality. In this sphere, they also agreed to apply a human rights approach with a gender and intercultural perspective when dealing with population and development matters, as well as ensuring sustainable production and consumption patterns, in order to avoid exacerbating the undesirable climate change phenomena.

In the first priority area, rights, needs, responsibilities and requirements of girls, boys, adolescents and youths, countries agreed to provide all such groups with the opportunities to live free of poverty and violence, and without any form of discrimination. They also agreed to invest more in youth, particularly in public education, as well as implementing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health programmes, prioritising the prevention of teenage pregnancy and eliminating unsafe abortions.

Quality old age

As for the second priority area, ageing, social protection and socio-economic challenges, delegates agreed to

formulate gender-based policies to ensure a good quality of life in old age, incorporate older adults as a priority focus of public policy and broaden social security and protection systems.

The third priority area relates to universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. They agreed to promote policies to ensure that people can exercise their sexual rights and make decisions in a free and responsible way, with respect for their sexual orientation, without coercion, discrimination or violence.

Countries also commit to reviewing legislation, standards and practices that restrict access to reproductive health services and ensuring that access to these is universal.

Under the fourth priority area, gender equality, measures agreed by delegates included a commitment to increase equal participation for women in adopting and implementing policies in all spheres of public authority and in high-level decision-making; enforce preventive actions to help eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls; and guarantee shared responsibility of the state, private sector, the communities, families, women and men in unpaid domestic and care work (by incorporating it into social protection systems).

Global migration

In terms of international migration and the protection of the human rights of all migrants, delegates agreed to ensure the full inclusion of all related matters in global, regional and national post2015 development agendas and strategies; provide assistance and protection for migrants; fully respect their rights; and promote the signing of bilateral and multilateral social security conventions that include migrant workers.

Under the sixth priori-

ty area, territorial inequality, spatial mobility and vulnerability, representatives agreed to develop more coordinated and cohesive territories by designing and implementing urban management plans with a people-centred approach, as well as planning territorial development with a human rights and gender perspective.

Indigenous peoples

In relation to the seventh priority area – indigenous peoples, inter-culturalism and rights – countries agreed to respect the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 169 and called on countries to ratify the latter. Countries are called on to guarantee the territorial rights of indigenous peoples and pay special attention to their mobility and forced displacement, as well as developing policies that allow for free and informed consent on matters that affect them.

As for Afro-descendents, rights and combating racial discrimination, countries recommended the application of the provisions of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, as well as addressing the gender, race and inter-generational inequalities, and particularly the discrimination of women and young people in this population group.

After one time is another time

Old people seh after one time is always another time. De people who tink dem bright got a more fancy way to seh de same ting. Dem does seh de only ting constant is change. Both de old people and de bright people right in this case. Because it got some people who does be one ting today and another ting de next day.

One man was in big time politricks only de other day. He was always a really big man, so it was only natural fuh he to want big tings fuh heself and fuh he next half. Dem two half come together used to mek three – KFC + Parliament + Sithe Global. Rum Jhaat had done get minus from de equation. Lucky fuh Rum Jhaat, de only ting constant is change. So he get to hold on to he wuk. De same big man was also a big time liar. He win plenty court case in de liar business. He so big he even mek evidence disappear in Buxton and then turn round and mek people in Lusignan cry bitter. De same liar man even train a jury man fuh turn liar too. But after one time is another time. Liar wuk and politricks wuk done. Jury man ban fuh life.

Another man was in big salipenter business. Big backtrack business. Big snitch business. Big thiefin business. He could thief out milk pun people coffee right in front dem eye. Just ask G-PEE-Hell how dem transformer get huff pun Regent Street wid all de lights on.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now tings change so much that this man is a big newspaper man who does want tell people right from wrong. He get just like dem dutty priest who does play like dem don’t tek off dem pants when dem altar boys around!

Murder suspect among 28 arrested in police raids

Lawrence Rodrigues, 27, of Light Street, Alberttown was on Friday arrested and is being questioned in relation to the murder of Quincy Sooklall, who was discovered with a bullet hole to his chest in the Demerara River on August 3.

He was among the 23 men and five women who were arrested by police during raids at various parts of the city on Friday morning. The raids were conducted in Albouystown, Alberttown, Sophia, Meadow Bank, Charlestown and West Front Road. During the raids, a .25 starter pistol was recovered in Albouystown.

Rodrigues was sentenced to four years imprisonment in June following an ex parte trial on charges of

possession of a firearm without licence and possession of ammunition without licence.

An autopsy performed on the remains of Quincy Oliver Sooklall, who was pulled from the Demerara River with visible marks of violence about his body, including a hole in his chest, proved that he died as a result of a single gunshot wound.

Sooklall’s decomposing body was fished out of the Demerara River behind the Guyana Fisheries, Houston, East Bank Demerara.

He was identified by a mark on his feet and the clothing he had on. Sooklall, a fisherman was missing since August 1. He was apparently severely beaten, shot and thrown overboard. His hands and feet were reportedly bound before he was thrown overboard.

He leaves to mourn his mother, five-months pregnant common-law wife and a host of friends. He reportedly did not have any grievances with anyone and was known as a jovial person.

Guyana to improve business index ranking

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister

Irfaan Ali has announced that government is currently implementing a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving Guyana’s ranking on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

Ali, who made the disclosure at the recent National Economic Forum (NEF), revealed that the administration has set itself a target to have Guyana move to at least number 80 within the next three years in 2015.

“I’m sure with the enabling environment and the right frame of mind which puts country above selfopinion; we will definitely be able to achieve this target,” the commerce minister said.

10-year strategic plan

He stated that staff at the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) have been doing an exceptional job in ensuring the programmes are implemented in a timely manner to improve Guyana’s competitiveness. Ali noted that the final document developed from a concept paper will be used as a 10-year strategic plan after subjection to general discussions among stakeholders.

“The discussions will result in a document that reflects the thoughts, ideas, goals and aspirations of all our people in one common vision.”Ali mentioned that a common strategy, vision and approach must be developed as it relates to Guyana’s development and progress.

The minister stressed that Guyana’s competitiveness remains of paramount importance for the country to ensure economic viability, progress and development. In planning the discussions, President Donald Ramotar issued specific instructions for all stakeholders to become involved, including the parliamentary opposition, labour and the private sector.

Collective views

This is to ensure that the collective views and positions of all the major thinkers in the different thematic areas are represented. According to Ali, 10 major themes were developed to be included in the final document aimed at improving Guyana’s competitiveness.

These are agro-processing, aquaculture, aviation, energy, human resource and manpower planning, infrastructure, land use/ development, manufacturing and standards, non-

Caribbean trade and tourism. Guyana ranked 114 out of 185 countries on the 2013 World Bank’s Doing Business Index, maintaining its position from the previous year.

In the 2011 report, Guyana was ranked 113.

According to the report, Guyana is classified as a lower-middle income country with a gross national income per capita of US$3202 and a population of 800,000.

Should Guyana improve its ranking, the country will join the league of other Caribbean economies such as Trinidad which ranked 69, Jamaica which ranked 90, and the Caribbean region which was given a ranking of 96.

Ali detailed that this will assist Guyana in being identified by the World

Bank as a “top reformer” which in turn would help to consolidate the existing attention Guyana is receiving from foreign investors. It will also signal to new potential investors, Guyana’s

robustness as an emerging destination for business and investment.

The action plan consists of more than 60 competitiveness and efficiencyenhancing reforms which will be implemented in a coordinated manner across 10 targeted policy areas. Work has already commenced under the Support for Competitiveness Programme (SCP) with major financial and technical support for the Deeds Registry, the SWAPS project under the Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund and a feasibility study to introduce a coordinated automated processing system for construction permits under compete Caribbean.

Tourism has been identified as one of the nontraditional sectors that

are poised for exponential growth. Building on the exemplary work to date in the sector, a number of new initiatives are being undertaken under the SCP in 2013.

These include capacity building of the Carnegie School of Home Economics to function as a modern hospitality institute, development of a tourism investment guide, a training programme on eco-tourism, a feasibility study on making port Georgetown a cruise ship dock, making the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) an international hub for connecting flights and consultancy to develop a strategic and professional brand for Guyana.

The SCP is an intrinsic part of a wider initiative to implement Guyana’s

National Competitiveness Strategy. It takes the form of an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$27 million loan signed in 2007 and comprising of a US$18 million policy-based component and a US$9 million investment-based component. It also focuses mainly on policy reforms, institutional strengthening and public-private dialogue, which would all contribute to improving Guyana’s global competitiveness.

Among the activities being supported under the SCP are capacity-building for municipalities, institutional strengthening of the Deeds Registry, mergers and acquisition legislation and capacity building for Go-Invest and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

Dookhoo laments absence of private sector at Caricom

Former Private Sector Commission (PSC)

Chairman Ramesh Dookhoo said the Caribbean Community (Caricom) must put the private sector back on the table to accelerate growth.

He said discussions between Caricom and the private sector have broken down. Dookhoo made the comments while speaking during the recently concluded National Economic Forum at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

“The private sector wants genuine consultations with Caricom. Recently, we were privileged to have met with the Change Team, but before the consultations were over, the Change Team changed themselves and the persons of high calibre with whom we started the consultations were reduced to recorders and the conversation stopped,” he explained.

Private sector involvement

According to the former PSC chairman, Caricom heads of government should waste no time in addressing the issue of putting the private sector back on the table, noting that from Guyana’s perspective, a body consisting of representatives from the various private sectors in the Caribbean, should decide on the rules of engagement.

“If we do not do this, the engagement will benefit only the large Pan Caribbean companies that have contributed to the ruination of the engagement in the past,” Dookhoo opined.

According to Dookhoo, Guyana Office of Trade Negotiations appears to be

very quiet and questioned whether the country had made the right decision to put it under the umbrella of the Caricom Secretariat.

“The private sector hardly hears from them and one wonders whether it was a good decision to have put them under the umbrella of the Caricom Secretariat; a body with which there is Caribbean wide dissatisfaction,” he complained.

“The secretariat believes this is a product of countries not adhering to decisions made at the heads of government level. The same dispensation continues to this day where the bureaucrats record, revise and revisit everything in a most bureaucratic way,” he further added.

The private sector in Guyana, he said, has been unable to compete with other Caribbean nations where similar value added goods are accessible, claiming that narrow-mindedness, lack of accredited bodies to guide the export of food and dairy products and the hostile environment that exists in the private sector in other countries are major blocks.

In Guyana, the National Competitiveness Council, chaired by President Donald Ramotar, has introduced new pieces of legislation; new institutions have been established; and existing agencies and policy-making processes have been strengthened and supported.

Business environment

“Overall, Guyana’s business environment has become more open, more reliable and more robust developments, which are all reflected in consistent levels of improvement in overall macroeconomic (as well as sectoral and sub-sectoral) performance in the years since the NCC structure was established,” Programme Coordinator Rhonda Nelson said.

In May, Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Guyana’s foreign minister recommended that the private sector be involved at the level of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

“I have heard you lament about the absence of the private sector at the table. And the private sector too has been seeking to have access to the council. As you deliberate here today about the future role and construct of the COTED, I urge you to consider positively the plea of the private sector to have a seat at the table of this council,” Ambassador LaRocque said had during the opening ceremony of the 36th meeting of COTED at the Pegasus Hotel.

He added that the region’s economy would definitely benefit from the input of the private sector.

Retrial for North West man accused of 2009 murder

ANorth West District (NWD) man will have to undergo a retrial after the jurors were unable to arrive at a unanimous verdict, forcing a hung jury in the case.

Morris Roberts called “Moses” is indicted with the murder of Martin Daniels of Holoquai of Upper Aruka River, between August 15 and 16, 2009 at Wanakai, NWD.

The trial began on Tuesday before Justice Navindra Singh after a 12-member mixed jury was empanelled. The accused was represented by Attorney Keavon Bess.

The case was prosecuted by state counsels Teshana Lake and Natasha Backer. The prosecution’s case is that on the night of August 15, Roberts and Daniels were partying along with several other persons and later that night while Daniels was sitting on a chair, the accused

hit him on his head with a piece of wood and ran away.

The prosecution called several witnesses, including six eyewitnesses, who testified seeing the accused hit Daniels on the night in question.

The prosecution closed its case on Thursday after which the accused was called upon to lead his defence. Roberts elected to do so by giving an unsworn statement in which he said that he committed the act in self-defence. He said that Daniels had punched him, causing him to fall down and then stomped him in the chest.

Roberts continued that he became fearful and picked-up a piece of wood nearby, which he used to hit his attacker before running away. The man asked the court to give him a second chance.

On Friday, both the defence and prosecutor made

Investment in education beginning to pay dividends – president

The record 20 passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) 2013 exams were enough to convince President Donald Ramotar about Guyana being listed among the region’s top performing nations for another year.

Zimeena Rasheed from Anna Regina Secondary on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two is Guyana’s Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC’s) top student with 18 grade ones and two grade twos. Her peer, Yogeeta Persaud copped 18 grade ones.

“Some of these students that I am seeing… brilliant students… I think that is fantastic… I am willing to bet that we probably topped the Caribbean again,” President Ramotar said.

Guyana topped the region last year with four out of the eight CXC awards.

Sarah Hack from Abraham’s Zuil on the Essequibo Coast gained 16 grade ones, earn-

ing her the region’s top spot. This year’s CXC results revealed 231 candidates securing grade one passes in eight or more subjects, while at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level, Guyana recorded an overall pass rate of 86.6 percent. Shalita Appadu’s six grade ones

and one grade two made President’s College the top performer at CAPE.

“Our investment in education is beginning to pay dividends to us and we are beginning to see that we have the capacity and the brain power as any other country in the world. It is now for us to harness that and to put it towards the development of our country,” President Ramotar said at the National Economic Forum on Wednesday.

A large portion of the country’s annual budget goes towards the education sector, targeting improvements in the physical infrastructure and human resource capacity. Attention has also been given to technical vocational training to produce the technical skills that will be in high demand as Guyana transitions from an agricultural to an industrial economy. A sum of $28.7 billion was allocated to the education sector this year.

East Street Nursery to reopen on September 16

The Education Ministry has advised that the East Street Nursery School will reopen on September 16th.

The ministry in a release said the delay in the opening of the school is to facilitate the completion of construction works.

Parents and guardians are asked to note that registration will be done from August 26 to 29, at the Winfer Gardens Primary School between 09:00h to 12:00h.

Orientation will be held at 09:00h on August 30 at the Winfer Gardens Primary School. The ministry said all parents of the East Street Nursery School are invited to meet with ministry officials and teachers of the school at 12:00h on Friday, August 30 at Winfer Gardens Primary School.

Transition from analog to digital transmission high on CBU agenda

Gtheir closing arguments before the jury after which Justice Singh summed up the evidences presented at the trial.

The panel then retired to the jury room to deliberate on a verdict. Just about an hour after the panel returned for further directions from the judge and then they went back in the jury room only to return about 45 minutes later with a verdict, necessitating a hung jury.

According to reports, Roberts and Daniels were known to each other but they never got along due to a long-standing misunderstanding.

On the night of August 15, the two along with others were partying when Daniels dealt him a blow to his head with a piece of wood. Daniels was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

uyana will host the 44th Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) from August 19 to 23, and the transitioning from analog to digital transmission for broadcasting entities will be high on the agenda.

A local organising committee has been set up to carry out preparatory works for Guyana’s staging of the event. CBU Director Michael Gordon during a press conference on Thursday at the National Communications Network’s (NCN) studio, sought to highlight some of the works undertaken thus far for the general assembly, as well as the expectations of the event.

While the assembly gets going from August 19 at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, Gordon noted that the CBU board will meet on August 18 to discuss its agenda.

Giving an insight into the itinerary, the CBU director said following the opening ceremony, there will be a twoday workshop hosted by the CBU and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.

He said the assembly will also be discussing the importance of Caribbean broadcasting entities to transition its operations from analog to digital. “Had it not been for the CBU, this whole discussion on the digital transition and the analog switch off may not have been given the prominence among Caribbean broadcasting of the CBU and the role it has been playing over the last four years, or there about,” Gordon added.

Expertise

In this regard, Caribbean entities will be drawing from the expertise of the international delegations that will be a part of the event. Major broadcasting manufacturers will also be on hand to display what they have to offer, in order to facilitate the transitioning.

Meanwhile, there will also be the hosting of the annual regional broadcasting awards ceremony, for which the awardees have already been identified.

“I’m hoping that the 2013 broadcasting awards ceremony would act as a catalyst for more Guyanese production

houses and media houses to submit entries to the CBU to at least giving themselves a fighting chance of becoming winners of the regional broadcasting awards.”

Meanwhile, responding to questions posed by the media on whether the conference will be reviewing content that is allowed to be broadcast across the region, Gordon said, “We’ve always at the union examined the whole notion of content, we’ve recognised in the context of the legislation that exists region wide, that the whole notion of self-regulation is one that is more or less accepted and common across the region; however, we as a union have not been advocating for control… I think what we have been seeking is the whole notion of responsibility.”

Some 80 delegates from broadcasting entities across the Caribbean will be participating at the event, with international input from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, India, Australia and Switzerland. The 44th CBU Annual General Assembly will get underway from August 19 to 23.

Ramotar wants final meeting with APNU on hydro project Gouveia makes another push for strategy to market Guyana abroad

resident Donald Ramotar

Pis recommending that a final meeting be convened with the main opposition party A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to address and settle issues surrounding the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, raised by the coalition.

APNU recently highlighted that there are two main issues preventing it from supporting the project.

It believes the project is likely to “condemn Guyanese to excessive indebtedness” and that it will not “provide assurance that the final cost of power to the consumer will be appreciably lower than the current tariff”. APNU and Opposition Leader David Granger said the coalition could not support the hydropower project in its current form and called on government to revise it.

In this regard, President Ramotar, via a statement on Friday, said: “To help build consensus on these two outstanding points, I suggest that Mr Granger’s team and a team from the government meet to, once and for all, settle these issues, and to publicly communicate the meeting’s outcomes.”

“To help build consensus on these two outstanding points, I suggest that Mr Granger’s team and a team from the government meet to, once and for all, settle these issues, and to publicly communicate the meeting’s outcomes.”

– President Ramotar

Forging consensus

He expressed hope that the meeting will result in the two sides agreeing on the fact that “Guyana is incurring no debt from the Amaila Falls Hydro project, and “Amaila Falls will reduce the tariff paid by GPL for electricity by 40 per cent for the first12 years after operations begin, by over 70 per cent for the next eight years”.

Ramotar said if the leader of the opposition and his team could agree that their concerns have been addressed, “Then Guyana can put the rancour of recent weeks be-

hind us, and forge a strong, unified, national consensus in favour of the Amaila Falls project”.

Once there is national consensus on the project, then the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) will be able to complete its due diligence to publicly validate the facility’s costs and benefits.

The government of Guyana had invited the IDB to carry out the due diligence study on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project.

Despite years of work, the due diligence on the project cannot be completed because the developer, Sithe Global, said it could not proceed without national consensus, and withdrew from the project.

Completion of the IDB’s due diligence and a conclusion that the details underpinning the project are sound would see the project going to the IDB Board in October.

This in turn would trigger the six-week public Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) process to release most of the remainder of the taxpayer’s equity contribution to Amaila.

With this, the project will finally gain the IDB Board’s approval that it is financially, socially and environmentally viable and the GRIF Steering Committee’s validation that the project is in line with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.

These will in turn enable final contracts to be signed – at the price agreed for the construction of the Amaila Falls project, which expires on December 31, 2013.

Ramotar reiterated that by 2017 Guyana can have clean, affordable, reliable energy. This can transform our economy, and bring benefits to all Guyanese.

Resort owner and prominent businessman Captain Gerry Gouveia has made another appeal for the government to invest in marketing Guyana overseas.

He also called for the establishment of a national marketing strategy to propel tourism in Guyana. A national marketing strategy has been long in the making, but due to non-support, it has not materialised.

He said the time has come for a public-private partnership with the backing of the Tourism Ministry, which would result in the formation of a national marketing strategy.

“So while we can deal with the security issues, we can deal with the education issues, the number one issue for us is marketing and we urge the government to embrace a national marketing strategy.”

According to Gouveia, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has already acquired the service of an expert who will aid the country in the formulation of the document that will promote tourism as an economic tool for development.

With increased popularity, the private sector official said the tourism sector can now accelerate its action plan to draw people to Guyana to explore its pristine forest, breathtaking waterfalls, terrain, flora and fauna, and not forgetting the wide range of international events staged in the country annually.

He said too that the local media should do more to promote the untold beauty that lies within the country. Supporting the notion of

a tourism-driven economy is nothing strange to the Caribbean and the rest of the world, Gouveia said, as he called on all Guyanese to promote Guyana as a tourism destination. “All over the Caribbean, they have been doing this for decades.”

According to him, Guyana’s branding is non-existent due to the lack of an effective marketing strategy.

“In fact out, of the seven billion people in the world, probably 80 to 90 per cent do not even know we exist; do not know there is this wonderful English-speaking country in the continent of South America.”

“We need to tell the world, we did a bad job in the past. The effort has started as you can see, but it is slowly progressing,” he added.

He said the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) has put Guyana on the world stage. The LCDS, an initiative by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, was designed to rake in financial support for the country’s contribution in the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Unemployment in Jamaica increases to 16 per cent

The unemployment rate rose to 16.3 per cent in April this year, up almost two percentage points over year earlier figures, according to figures released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) on Wednesday.

The figures showed that unemployment among youth, aged 14 to 24 years, rose to 38.5 per cent in April 2013 from 34.1 per cent in April 2012, a 4.1 percentage point increase.

Observers said the figures were indicative of the despair being felt across the country by persons seeking work, despite the increase in the labour force recorded since last year.

Ecuador approves Amazon oil drilling

Ecuador has abandoned a conservation plan that would have paid the country not to drill for oil in previously untouched parts of Yasuni National Park in the Amazon rainforest.

President Rafael Correa said rich nations had failed to back the initiative, leaving Ecuador with no choice but go ahead with drilling.

The park is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.

Hundreds of people gathered in Quito to protest against Correa’s decision.

G2K President Floyd Green said the 16.3 per cent unemployment figure was the highest in more than a decade “and even worse than when the country was faced with the global financial meltdown”.

The announcement triggered a statement from Generation 2000 (G2K), the professional arm of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), that the figures were “a clear indication that the government’s economic policy was failing”.

Women seem to be faltering badly in the competition for jobs. The survey showed that the number unemployed in April 2013 was 215,000, an increase 30,200 (16.3 per cent), with 19,500 males added to the group, and 20,700 females added since April last year. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Oil exploitation has been taking place in parts of the Yasuni National Park, which covers nearly 10,000 square kilometres (3860 square miles), since the 1970s.

Oil is Ecuador’s main export. Exploitation of the new area is expected to start in the coming weeks.

TT prime minister sheds tears for murder victims

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday announced that a police/army post would be set up at Duncan Street, Port of Spain, within the next 24 to 48 hours, as the effort to curb the recent spate of murders there was intensified.

The prime minister said so on the compound of Building 64, where slain teen Niam Antoine had been evicted from his Housing Development Corporation apartment by gunmen, who had since been occupying it.

That was where the post was to be set up, she said. Antoine and his 16-year-old cousin Rasheeda Gomez were shot dead on Wednesday. PersadBissessar wiped tears from her eyes as a weeping

Natasha Rogers, mother of Antoine, told her of her son’s life of pain. The apartment was

Cuban activists to resume protests against Bahamas

Protests against The Bahamas were due to resume in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, according to Cuban activist Ramon Sanchez, who indicated on Wednesday that he is prepared to die for the cause.

Sanchez, a representative of the Democracy Movement, told The Nassau Guardian the group decided to resume protests after it received word that a group of Cubans detained in The Bahamas will be repatriated.

“We are very concerned about that,” Sanchez said.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed that the

Cuban government has approved repatriation requests for some of the detainees. He added that some requests are still outstanding.

But the Democracy Movement is pushing for the Cubans to be sent to a third country.

“They created a very uncomfortable situation with this news,” he said.

“It’s sad, but if this hangs over our heads, we have no choice but to begin our demonstrations and [Thursday] morning you will see us begin our hunger strike in front of The Bahamas [Consul General Office] downtown Miami… I am willing to die for this.” (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

open and empty when the prime minister, accompanied by Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal,

Housing Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jearlean John, National Security Minister Emmanuel George, Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar, Arima parliamentarians Roger Samuel, Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson visited it.

“The proposal is to use this building to put an army and police post right here in the heart of Duncan Street where other exercises and initiatives will be undertaken by the commissioner with their joint forces. I think their presence here will be very important,” PersadBissessar added. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

The UN-backed scheme to attract donations to forego drilling in the east of the park was launched by Correa in 2010.

The aim was to raise US$3.6 billion (£2.3 billion), 50 per cent of the value of the reserves in the park’s Ishpingo-TambocochaTiputini (ITT) oil field, over 13 years.

But in a televised news conference on Thursday, Correa said the initiative had attracted only a fraction of the cash it had aimed to raise.

With only US$13 million so far in actual donations, he said he had no other option, but to abandon the fund as “the world has failed us”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Tropical Storm Erin forms in eastern Atlantic

Tropical Storm Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic on Thursday morning as the system moved away from the Cape Verde Islands.

According to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, at 17:00h Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT) on Thursday, the centre of Erin was located about 245 miles west south-west of the Cape Verde Islands, moving towards the west northwest near 15 miles per hour (mph). This general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days, with a decrease in forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the centre.

Meanwhile, a broad area of low pressure, accompanied by a large but disorganised area of cloudiness and showers, moved over the Yucatan peninsula on Thursday morning.

Development of this system is not anticipated while it moves over land, but there is still potential for development once the disturbance moves over the Gulf of Mexico on Friday.

The low is forecast to move toward the central Gulf of Mexico where the upper-level winds would only favour slow development, if any. This system has a medium chance – 50 per cent – of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours, and a high chance –60 per cent – of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next five days. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Brazil: Gang jailed for American’s rape

Two men in Brazil have been sentenced to 49 years in jail each for kidnapping and repeatedly raping an American woman on a minibus in Rio de Janeiro.

Driver Jonathan Froudakis de Souza, 20, and conductor Walace Aparecido de Souza Silva, 21, were sentenced for robbery, extortion and rape. They abducted the American woman after she boarded the bus in the Copacabana area of Rio in March. She was raped in front of her boyfriend, a French citizen.

Another gang member was given 21 years and a 14-year-old boy is yet to be tried. The incident raised security concerns ahead of next year’s football World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 Olympics, which the city will host.

Judge Guilherme Schilling Pollo Duarte in Rio de Janeiro said the gang had been operating in the area for

months, targeting mainly foreign tourists. The woman was “humiliated, suffering brutally at the hands of her kidnappers, in an act that caused repulsion and indignation”, said Judge Pollo

Around the World

Dozens die in Egyptian bloodbath on Islamists’ “Day of Rage”

Islamist protests descended into a bloodbath across Egypt on Friday, with around 50 killed in Cairo alone on a “Day of Rage” called by followers of ousted President Mohamed Morsi to denounce a crackdown by the army-backed government.

As automatic gunfire echoed across Cairo, the standoff appeared to be sliding ever faster towards armed confrontation, evoking past conflict between militant Islamists and the state in the Arab world’s most populous nation.

While Western governments urged restraint after hundreds died when security forces cleared protest camps two days ago, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah endorsed the government’s tactics against the Muslim Brotherhood, saying on Friday his nation stood with Egypt in its battle against “terrorism”.

Army helicopters hovered low over supporters of Morsi’s Brotherhood in

Ramses Square, the theatre of much of Friday’s bloodshed in Cairo, black smoke billowing from at least one huge blaze which lit up the night sky after sundown.

A Reuters witness saw the bodies of 27 people, apparently hit by gunfire and birdshot, wrapped in white sheets in a mosque. A Reuters photographer said

security forces opened fire from numerous directions when a police station was attacked.

Men armed with automatic weapons appeared to be taking part in the Cairo protests. At Ramses Square, Reuters journalists saw three men carrying guns; protesters cheered when cars carrying gunmen ar-

rived, another Reuters witness said.

“Sooner or later I will die. Better to die for my rights than in my bed. Guns don’t scare us anymore,” said Sara Ahmed, 28, a business manager who joined the demonstrators in Cairo. “It’s not about the Brotherhood, it’s about human rights.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

French "Devil’s Advocate" Jacques Vergès dies

Provocative French Barrister Jacques Vergès, nicknamed the “Devil’s Advocate” for defending some of the 20th century’s most notorious monsters, died Thursday in Paris aged 88.

17 die as ship carrying 700 sinks

At least 17 people died and 572 others were rescued in the Philippines after a cargo ship collided with a passenger ship.

The incident occurred on the Mactan Channel off Talisay City, Cebu province.

The passenger ship – MV St Thomas Aquinas – was coming from nearby Butuan and the cargo ship – The Sulpicio – was leaving Cebu for the province of Davao in Mindanao.

The passenger ferry sank. It carried about 692 passengers, based on the initial manifest.

Authorities say there may have been more passengers not on that list. It is also unclear how many peo-

ple were on the cargo ship.

At least 44 people are in one hospital in Cebu.

The cargo vessel along with Navy, Coast Guard and commercial vessels were helping in the rescue efforts.

Coast Guard officials received a distress call from the passenger ferry around 21:00h.

One of the worst maritime disasters in world history happened on December 20, 1987, in the Philippines. Between 1749 and more than 4000, people were killed when the ferry Dona Paz collided with the tanker MT Victor. The number of casualties has varied; many claim the Dona Paz was extremely overcrowded. (Excerpt from CNN)

South Africa’s ANC to boycott Marikana memorial

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) said it will boycott a ceremony on Friday, marking one year since the killing of 34 miners because the event was organised by an “illegitimate” group.

Vergès made a name for himself by taking on clients such as Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie, Venezuelan revolutionary “Carlos the Jackal”, former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and ex-Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

he told German newspaper Der Spiegel in 2008 that he would have defended Hitler.

He caused a storm when

Vergès died of a heart attack around 20:00h Paris time in the house where 18th century enlightenment philosopher Voltaire once lived

“It was the ideal place for the last theatrical act that was the death of this born actor who, like Voltaire, cultivated the art of permanent revolt and volte-face,” his publisher said in a statement. (Excerpt from France24)

Spain’s richest woman dies at 69

Rosalia Mera, the co-founder of the Spanish fashion giant that owns Zara, and Spain’s richest woman, has died.

According to Spanish media, she suffered a stroke while on holiday in Menorca and was flown back to Coruna in northern Spain where she died at the age of 69 on Thursday evening.

Mera left school at 11 and worked as a tailor before starting Inditex with her ex-husband Amancio Ortega.

She helped build the company into one of the world’s biggest retailers.

Inditex owns the Zara, Massimo Dutti and Bershka brands.

In a statement the com-

pany said: “The group wishes to send its sincere condolences to her loved ones and friends at this extremely difficult time, after the loss of a person who contributed so much to the origins and development of the company.”

Mera did not court publicity and rarely gave interviews, according to the

BBC’s Tom Burridge.

“Rosalia Mera had a rags to riches backstory, and that seems to have shaped her belief that the money of millionaires, or even billionaires like her, should not be flaunted,” he said.

Mera and Ortega divorced in 1986 after 20 years of marriage. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Romanian princess held in U.S. cockfight sweep

ARomanian princess and her husband are scheduled to appear in court after they were arrested in an alleged cockfighting ring in Oregon.

John Wesley Walker and Princess Irina Walker are among six people charged with operating an illegal gambling business

John Wesley Walker and his wife, Princess Irina Walker, the third daughter of Romania’s exiled King Michael I, are among six people charged with operating an illegal gambling business, the Justice Department said in a statement. Those six are also charged, along with 12 others, with conspiracy to violate the animal Welfare Act by conducting unlawful animal fighting ventures on 10 occasions, the statement said. The arrests took place Thursday across vari-

ous sites in Oregon and Washington. The Walkers are from Irrigon, in Morrow County, Oregon, according to the indictment.

They and the others arrested in Oregon are scheduled to appear for arraignment before a federal magistrate judge in Portland on Friday afternoon.

Each of the offences carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of US$250,000, according to the Justice Department.

It was unclear whether the couple has a lawyer.

“The ANC finds it immoral and totally unacceptable that such a traumatic incident could be turning into a political playground by some political parties,” the ANC said in a statement.

On August 16 last year, South African police opened fire on a crowd of striking platinum miners at the Marikana mine north-west of Johannesburg, killing 34.

Earlier Thursday, the powerful National Union of Mineworkers, an ANC ally, had also said they would boycott the event, because it had been “hijacked” by their rivals in the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).

The AMCU, which led the Marikana strike and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) are locked in a bloody turf battle that has seen union leaders on both sides assassinated. The boycott shreds hopes that the unions could use the event to move beyond deadly violence between members. (Excerpt from France24)

MDC drops Mugabe election challenge

Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has dropped its legal challenge to President Robert Mugabe’s re-election, saying it could not get a fair hearing.

It had filed a separate case seeking access to full details of the results from the electoral commission.

But the High Court has delayed judgement in the case.

The MDC said that without information such as the number of people not on the voters’ roll who voted, it cannot prove that the elections were fraudulent.

The arguments in the MDC’s legal challenge were due to begin on Saturday.

But MDC spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said that, without the extra information, the challenge “was going to be a mockery

of justice”, reports the AFP news agency. The withdrawal of its challenge paves the way for Mugabe, 89, to be inaugurated for another five-year term.

He has governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

Mugabe won with 61 per cent of the presidential vote against 34 per cent for MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who called the July 31 election a “huge farce”.

The MDC has said that more than a million voters were prevented from casting their ballots – mainly in urban areas considered to be its strongholds.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, which had 7000 observers around the country, has backed up these allegations. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Cayman, U.S. agree on reporting of Americans’ assets

The Cayman Islands says it has reached agreement with the United States to provide information on accounts held by American citizens to comply with a sweeping U.S. law designed to combat tax evasion. The British Caribbean territory, considered the world’s sixth largest financial centre and a major haven for mutual funds and private equity, said the texts of the new pacts will be made public once an official signing ceremony is held. The

Cayman government said the pacts are tied to a U.S. law called the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which was enacted in 2010 and expected to take effect next year. The law targets non-tax compliance by U.S. citizens with foreign accounts around the globe, and Washington is pressing nations to provide client data.

Financial Services

Minister Wayne Panton said in a Tuesday statement that the agreements illustrate the tiny

three-island territory’s “commitment to engage in globally accepted tax and transparency initiatives.” The islands plan further talks with Britain’s government to finalise terms of a similar information-sharing arrangement for British citizens. There is nothing illegal about U.S. citizens opening bank accounts and trusts in places like the Cayman Islands or Switzerland, but some people use them illegally to hide money and avoid taxes at home. (Trinidad Guardian)

U.S. new home construction rises, buoyed by apartment boom

The rate of new U.S. home-building rose in July, spurred on by a rise in the construction of new apartments. The Commerce Department said new-home construction climbed by 5.9 per cent from the prior month.

The annual rate was 896,000 new homes, below a recent peak of just over one million in March. The rate of new single-family houses being built dropped by 2.2 per cent – a sign that builders could be

worried about rising mortgage rates. Permits to build new homes rose 2.7 per cent but missed analysts’ expectations.

The rate for a 30-year mortgage was 4.4 per cent in July – a full percentage point higher than it had been in May, before the U.S. Federal Reserve started hinting that it might begin to slow down its extraordinary efforts to prop up the U.S. economy.

A spate of mixed economic data since then – includ-

ing news that the U.S. economy grew by 1.7 per cent in the second quarter – has tempered fears of an end to stimulus.

In a separate report, U.S. workers continue to grow more productive although the rate of productivity growth has slowed since 2009. Productivity grew by 0.9 per cent in the second quarter from the same period last year. Labour costs rose by 1.4 per cent, reversing a drop of 4.2 per cent in the prior quarter. (BBC News)

German court puts Liberty Global between rock and hard place

Liberty Global could face costly concessions or an expensive unravelling of its US$4 billion bet on Germany after a court ruling threw its 2012 takeover of KabelBW into doubt.

The regional court in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Wednesday ordered the cartel office to re-examine the U.S. cable company’s acquisition of KabelBW, which was approved at the end of 2011 and completed early last year.

The ruling comes during

an intense phase of consolidation in the telecoms market of Europe’s largest economy where deals with a total value of almost 16 billion euros (US$21.2 billion) are pending.

Liberty, which supplies TV, broadband and telephone services in Germany through its Unitymedia business in competition with Kabel Deutschland, Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone, has said it will fight the decision. But if its legal challenge

fails it will have to make additional concessions to assuage competition concerns, lawyers who are not involved in the case said, or unpick the deal.

“It’s like unscrambling an egg,” said Frederik Wiemer, from law firm Heuking Kuehn Lueer Wojtek. “It would be extremely complicated.”

The closest Germany has come to the unwinding a company on a court’s order was in 1999 when food wholesaler Lekkerland wanted to merge with Tobaccoland. (Reuters)

Africa

The Italian energy company ENI has agreed to pay US$400 million in capital gains tax to the Mozambican authorities. The tax agreement was announced on Tuesday when the ENI Chief Executive Officer, Paulo Scaroni, met Mozambican President Armando Guebuza in Changara district in the western province of Tete.

ENI heads the consor-

Asia

tium exploring for hydrocarbons in Area Four of the Rovuma Basin, off the coast of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where vast deposits of natural gas, amounting to some 80 trillion cubic feet, have been discovered.

ENI signed an agreement on March 13 with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), under which CNPC was to pay US$4.21 billion for 28.57 per

cent of the ENI stake in Area Four. Since ENI held 70 per cent of the rights to Area Four, this equated to 20 per cent of the total stake. When, in 2012, the London-registered company Cove Energy sold its 8.5 per cent stake in the gas field in offshore Area One to the Thai state oil company PTT, the Mozambican government imposed capital gains tax at a rate of 12.8 per cent. (allAfrica)

As Indian rupee hits record low, foreign investors baulk

The rupee fell to a record low on Friday as measures to curb foreign currency outflows were seen as the latest roll of the dice by policymakers struggling to defend the currency in a slowing economy and a toughening global investment environment.

Far from propping up the currency, the measures from the Reserve Bank of India late on Wednesday to restrict how much its citizens and companies can invest abroad raised

fears of outright capital controls that would further undermine the confidence of foreign investors.

Indian policymakers have cobbled together a slew of steps over the past month in a bid to halt the rupee’s slide, including the central bank’s extraordinary steps on July 15 to drain cash from the system and raise short-term interest rates in an economy already growing at a decade low.

Yet none of the steps unveiled so far have convinced

investors that India can attract overseas investments, which is seen as essential in narrowing a record high current account deficit that is the biggest source of the rupee weakness.

The approach is beginning to test the patience of foreign investors, just when emerging markets such as India are already seen as particularly vulnerable ahead of the expected tapering of monetary stimulus by the U.S. Federal Reserve. (Reuters)

Kuwait agrees to missile deal with U.S. defence giant

Kuwait has agreed a deal with U.S. defence firm Lockheed Martin for the delivery of PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC3) missiles.

Lockheed Martin said in a statement that it had received a US$308 million contract from Kuwait, which is the sixth international customer for the PAC-3 missile.

The contract includes production of 244 hit-to-kill PAC3 missiles, 72 launcher modification kits and associated

tooling, as well as programme management.

“Kuwait’s purchase of PAC-3 Missiles will provide its defence forces with a superior air and missile defence capability,” said Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 missile programmes at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

“This is another example of the growing global interest for the PAC-3 missile’s capabilities.” In 2009, Taiwan became the fifth international cus-

tomer for the PAC-3 Missile, joining the Netherlands, Germany, Japan and the UAE in fielding the system. Production will take place at Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing facilities with deliveries slated to begin in 2014. Headquartered in Bethesda, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide. The corporation’s net sales for 2012 were US$47.2 billion. (Arabianbusiness)

Making the jump to self-employment

Bootstrapping financials

If you are planning to go full time right out of the gate, you better be sure your finances are in order to support your endeavours. You’ll need to have enough cash in the bank to not only cover necessary business expenses but also to accommodate living expenses for several months, likely years, until your business pulls in a profit. Don’t forget as an entrepreneur you’ll be responsible for paying relevant taxes in addition to other expenses. You need to preplan how much you’ll need to have on hand to survive and grow the business until it becomes profitable. Then you’ll need a back-up plan in case success does not come in a timely manner. Many business models do not generate

actual profits for the first few years of business, and is exactly why many people start a business while working part time to keep a steady income coming in.

Planning for the future

Ideally, you’ll want to create a business plan that somewhat determines where the business should be headed and how money factors into that plan. Even if you are young when you start out on your own, you’ll need to consider how you’ll save for the immediate future’s needs, like health insurance, and for long-term needs, like retirement. Married couples may be able to organise a plan using the employment benefits of those still in a nine to five job, but it is essential to see the

big picture when planning to start your journey of self-employment.

Coordinate a starting point

Because the financial ramifications of a failure can be too costly to consider, you may want to consider attempting a solo venture on a part-time basis. While you still receive a steady income from your employment, you can experiment with different business concepts until you feel secure enough to let go of the reliable job and its income. If part time is your choice, be sure to remain discreet as some employers may not be appreciative of your perceived moonlighting and may be apt to terminate your reliable income. (Business Dictionary)

GNBS’ operational capacity boosted with new test truck and measure

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ operational capacity has been enhanced to better provide transparency with respect to measurements within the various sectors.

The bureau has acquired a new 30-tonne test truck and 500-litre test measure.

The test truck, valued $38 million, will be used by GNBS to conduct verification of weighbridge scales (truck scales) used in the agricultural, transportation, industrial, and retail sectors. The test measure, an investment of $6.2 million, will improve the capability of GNBS to conduct verification of flow meters used at petrol terminals, airports and other private entities, thus ensuring that accuracy is maintained.

The two assets were formally commissioned on Friday at the GNBS’ office, Sophia, by acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali and

acting GNBS Executive Director Evadnie Enniss, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Competitiveness

“This is, indeed, a welcoming sign and indeed an important aspect of us improving our competitiveness, of us enhancing our ability to better service the community and better enable the business environment to operate within international standards,” Minister Ali said.

The world and the business environment are changing at a rapid pace, and standards are becoming critical aspects of that transformation. It is becoming an important dimension in determining how successful businesses are, he said.

To this end, Minister Ali advised that GNBS has been constantly working on enhancing its capacity – institutional, physical and infrastructure, “to bring ourselves

up to date with the necessary skills, the necessary competence and necessary assets that will enable us to ensure we provide the legislative and the environmental framework through which businesses can accomplish the important objective of improving their competitiveness through standards”.

Institutional strengthening

He shared the view that the GNBS has some of the best trained human resources in the Caribbean. “This is something we should be proud of in terms of certification and in terms of their ability to provide guidance and institutional strengthening, not only to government services, but to the private sector,” he said.

The minister pointed out, however, that there has not been active use by the private sector of the trained human resource skills that exist at the GNBS.

“We have made numerous attempts to take those skills out and to empower the private sector, but I think that after the National Economic Forum we may see, or we should see, a revival of the private sector taking on board the skills that reside here, that we are very willing to share,” he said.

The minister also warned that the GNBS will be taking an aggressive stance in relation to the issue of ‘name and shame’. “We are going to name the businesses that are complying with the standards set out by GNBS publicly, and we are going to encourage persons to do business only with those companies,” he said. “We only speak on behalf of those businesses that have the corporate responsibility to ensure that they subject themselves to the rules, regulations and guidelines of the GNBS.”

The previous tuck that was used by GNBS was in-

curring huge costs to effect annual repairs, which resulted in prolonged inconvenience, especially during the verification period, when the truck would have been down for repairs. The new test truck is capable of transporting a 20,000kg test mass that is required to perform the testing of high-capacity scales. It is equipped with a 5000kg hoist to facilitate loading and offloading of the test mass onto the platform of the scales to aid the verification process.

Transparency

The truck, in addition to providing transparency with respect to measurements within the various sectors and addressing the needs of ISO registered companies, will provide traceability for industries operating in Guyana, and promote equity in local, regional, and international trade.

It will also guarantee the safety of road and water transportation by ensuring that the scales used to weigh vehicles are verified and are accurate and will reduce complaints received from rice farmers and other customers regarding weighing irregularities in the various sectors. Meanwhile, the test measure will facilitate equity in trade and transparency in the petroleum sector, since it will ensure that dealers receive the correct volume purchased from petrol terminals. The equipment was acquired from GNBS’ annual capital budgetary allocation.

Nigerian man fined $50,000 for illegal entry, fraud Businessman gets $25,000 bail for

ANigerian national who entered Guyana illegally appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was charged with two offences.

It was alleged that on July 2, at Springlands, David Ducah, 47, entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer. It was further alleged that on August 15 at the Central Immigration and Passport Office for the purpose of procuring a Guyana passport, he signed a document claiming to be John Clark knowing it to be false. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat, who stated that his client has a wife and two children. He said that the defendant came to Guyana via Suriname to better his life and was sorry for what he did. The defence attorney also made an application for a non-custodial penalty.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the defendant is the holder of Nigerian

Passport A01440231. On July 2, he entered Guyana by sea at Springlands and disembarked without consulting an immigration officer. Ducah then stayed at a guesthouse on Princes Street where he contacted a man by the name of Joseph who told him that he can help him stay in the country legally.

Joseph then gave him a birth certificate with the name John Clark and the defendant made an application for a Guyana passport. On August 15, he went to the Central Immigration and Passport Office to apply for his passport.

Suspicions were aroused and an investigation was carried out which revealed the document to be false. The defendant was told of the offence and was arrested and charged.

Magistrate McLennan gave the defendant the option of paying a fine of $30,000 or facing six months imprisonment for illegal entry and $20,000 or 12 months in prison for fraud. Immediate deportation was ordered after the fines are paid.

Abusinessman who allegedly assaulted his former wife was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

It is alleged that on August 14 at Cummings and Robb streets, Julian Bently unlawfully assaulted Fiona McWatt. It is also alleged that he made use

Aman was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday after he was charged with possession of narcotics.

of threatening language to McWatt whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Ganesh Hira who stated that his client is the 35-year-old proprietor of the Bike and Cycle store and a national cyclist. He said Bently has a fixed place of abode at Lot

It is alleged that on August 15 at East La Penitence, Carl Fresco had in his possession five grams of cannabis. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read against him.

35 Robb Street and has two children with the virtual complainant.

Attorney Hira also said t he was informed by the father of the VC that he will testify in favour of the defendant. The lawyer made a request for both parties to be placed on a bond.

According to Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the defendant allegedly hit the VC

Teenager commits suicide in Bartica

ABartica teenager on Friday evening took his own life after his mother reportedly refused to allow him to further his studies at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI).

The dead teenager was identified as Mohammed Aroon, 16, of 4 Miles Housing Scheme, Bartica, Region Seven. He was found hanging in the lower flat of his parents’ home by his eight-yearold brother about 18:30h.

According to information, the child was cut down and rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Juneann Benn, the dead youngster’s grandmother, said she received the news of her grandson’s death and rushed to the home.

The teenager was described as a very jovial person who is always willing to learn new things. He attended the Bartica Secondary School but dropped out at an early age. He had always been interested in studying computer science. Attempts to make contact with the mother proved futile. The teenager leaves to mourn his parents and one brother.

on her hand with his elbow and threatened to kill her. There were no objections to bail put forward by the prosecution.

Magistrate McLennan granted bail in the sum of $10,000 for the assault charge and $15,000 for the threatening language matter. The defendant will next appear in Court One for September 17.

The defendant, who was unrepresented, told the court that he is a 20-yearold construction worker with a fixed address at Lot 34 Marus Square, East La Penitence. There were no special reasons given.

Magistrate McLennan granted the defendant bail in the sum of $55,000. The matter was transferred to Court One for September 17.

CIA acknowledges its mysterious Area 51 test site for first time

National security scholars at George Washington University have some good news and bad news for UFO buffs - the U.S. government has finally confirmed the existence of Area 51 in Nevada, but it makes no mention of little green men or alien spaceships. The government acknowledged the existence of the mysterious aviation test site known as Area 51, a remote installa-

tion about 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas, in a newly declassified CIA history of its U-2 spy plane programme.

After decades of extreme secrecy surrounding the site, stoking conspiracy theories about UFOs and experiments on alien spacecraft, the CIA lifted its veil on Area 51 in response to a public records request from George Washington University scholars in Washington, D.C.

Publicly released online on Thursday by the university’s National Security Archive, the 400-page CIA history contains the first deliberate official references to Area 51, also known as Groom Lake, as a site developed by the intelligence agency in the 1950s to test fly the high-altitude U-2 reconnaissance plane.

Other top-secret aircraft were tested there later, in-

cluding the supersonic reconnaissance A-12 aircraft, codenamed OXCART, and the F-117 stealth ground-attack jet, said archive senior fellow Jeffrey Richelson, who asked for the CIA’s U-2 history in 2005.

A newly revised document restoring numerous references to Area 51 that had been redacted in earlier versions was furnished by the CIA a few weeks ago, he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

SUDOKU

Emotional situations can be addressed successfully at this time. You will make or gain a commitment that will further your personal or professional plans. An unusual path will bring high rewards.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

It’s time to put more effort and attention into important partnerships. Whether it’s with a friend, an associate or a family member, you need to find a way to keep the peace and please everyone, including you.

Step into the limelight and show everyone how capable you are. You’ve got some creative ideas that can lead to a better position, so share them.

You should give special attention to your overhead and how you can cut costs. A strict budget is necessary at this point in time. Getting facts and figures in writing will ensure your financial safety.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Strut your stuff and show off your talent. The more you express your feelings and intentions, the more respect and positive response you will receive. Opportunities are within reach.

(March 21-April 19)

Your changing attitude will confuse some and keep others on their toes. Most of all, it will help you see your situation from many different angles. Act on fact, not impulse.

(April 20-May 20)

Don’t worry about what others say or think. Follow the direction that suits your lifestyle and that your intuition favors. An educational occurrence will help you move forward.

(May 21June 20)

Focus on home, family and the ones you love. Make positive personal changes that will boost your ego and give you the confidence you need to explore new personal and professional possibilities.

Your helpfulness and consideration will win points and lead to favours that will help you with your own projects. Call on past associates to join you in your quest.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Stay within your budget and stick to a set plan. Moderation will be the key to success. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from those who can provide it.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Indulge in something that fascinates you or travel to a destination that will inspire you. You have a great potential for success at present – don’t hesitate to take a chance.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Speak up and take part in a work or family situation. Your enthusiasm and expertise will attract attention that will result in newfound friends and welcome opportunities.

YELLOW PAGES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2013

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CPCE students receive laptops

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Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

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Some 136 highly subsidised laptops were on Friday distributed to trainee teachers of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), as part of the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) programme, under the Guyana Improving Teachers Education Project (GITEP).

The laptops, the last batch distributed to CPCE students across the country, were handed out at CPCE Turkeyen Campus, Georgetown, by Education Ministry officials. GITEP Coordinator Tota Mangar said the standardised laptops were made possible through GITEP, a World Bankfunded project.

He noted that the Dell laptops cost $119,000 each, but students will only have to pay $40,000 over a one-year period.

“It’s part of the training of teachers because we see it as helping to make the teaching and learning environment more conducive and helping students do cutting-edge research,” Mangar noted.

tive of providing affordable laptops and ICT facilities helps to build the capacity of the staff, since a number of them are currently doing online master’s programmes.

The objective of GITEP is to improve the learning achievement of schoolchildren by improving the effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of teacher education.

This is in keeping with the government of Guyana’s Education Strategic Plan 2008-2013, which seeks to raise the standard of living in Guyana through improving education and literacy.

The project costs about US$5.12 million, with a US$4.2 million loan from the World Bank and the rest from the government of Guyana. Through GITEP, CPCE and UG lecturers and administrators stand to benefit from enhanced training.

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VEHICLES

The CPCE lab costs more than $22.4 million and the School of Education and Humanities lab $8.1 million.

Also through GITEP, staff and students at CPCE were able to benefit from over 600 netbook computers that were also heavily subsidised. Mangar also noted that the initia-

He said the distribution of the laptops is linked to the recently established Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory at CPCE and the School of Education and Humanities, the University of Guyana.

One of the targets of the ministry’s strategic plan is to have at least 50 per cent of primary school students and 75 per cent of secondary students have access to computer training. In this regard, she said all secondary schools, except about eight, are expected to have computer laboratories by year-end.

Human rights body bemoans attacks on Caribbean LGTBIs

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) reiterates its deep concern on violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, transsexual, bisexual and intersex persons (LGTBI), and against persons perceived as such in the Americas.

IACHR is also urging the Organisation of American States (OAS) to adopt urgent measures to prevent this violence and discrimination.

In a statement, the IACHR said in particular, the commission is concerned about the high levels of violence and discrimination faced by gay, lesbian and transsexual youths in the region.

According to information received, there have been several cases of discrimination and violence in schools against LGTBI youths, or those perceived as such, especially lesbian, gay and transsexual children and adolescents, perpetrated by school authorities and schoolmates during this month.

The Inter-American Commission continued to receive information on suicides, especially by LGTBI children and adolescents in the region. During the month of July alone, the IACHR was informed about two suicides of boys aged 15 and 16 in Peru and the United States, respectively. The 15-year-old boy was allegedly bullied by his relatives, while the 16-year-old, who had come out as gay last year, was allegedly bullied by his schoolmates.

Also, the Inter-American Commission was informed that, during the month of July, 23 murders were committed against transsexual persons and transsexual women, or those perceived as such in Brazil (nine), Colombia (two), Honduras (four), Jamaica (one), Mexico (two), Paraguay (one), Peru (two), the United States (one), and Venezuela (one).

It is reported that most of these victims were less than 35 years old, a majority of them being under 25. Also, the majority of these victims were shot, most of them multiple times.

Murders

Additionally, the IACHR was informed of 13 cases of murders of gay men of all ages in Brazil (eight), Honduras (one), Mexico (one), Peru (two), and Venezuela (one), the vast majority of which were beaten to death.

It also received information on the murders of three Brazilian lesbian women, two of them less than 25 years of age. Also, the commission was informed of several cases of violent attacks against transsexual persons in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and in the District of Columbia, United States. The commission learned of a 19-yearold gay man in Chile who had to undergo surgery to have his leg amputated after an attack suffered at a soccer field the month before, and that a young lesbian couple was attacked and beaten by a group of 10 in Chicago, United States.

The Inter-American

Commission recalled that it is the states’ obligation to investigate killings and other acts of violence against LGTBI persons and sanction those responsible. The IACHR urged the states to open lines of investigation that take into account whether these murders and acts of violence were committed because of the gender identity, gender expression and/or sexual orientation of the victims.

In general terms, the commission noted that there are problems in the investigation of these crimes. In this regard, the Inter-American Commission reiterated that the ineffectiveness of the state’s response fosters high rates of impunity, which in turn lead to the chronic repetition of such crimes, leaving the victims and their families defenceless.

Gay clinics Additionally, during the month of July, the Ecuadorean Health Ministry announced the existence of a network of so-called “health centres” or “clinics”, in which LGTBI persons, particularly young lesbian, gay and transsexual persons, or those perceived as such, are allegedly committed against their will by their relatives in an attempt to modify their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and/or expression.

The ministry indicated that it is conducting investigations and that some centres have been shut down since 2011. The IACHR recognised the

state’s efforts in this regard, and encouraged it to adopt all measures necessary to prevent the existence of these centres and to investigate them, as well as to punish those responsible.

The Inter-American Commission urged states to take all necessary measures to apply due diligence in preventing, investigating and sanctioning violence against LGTBI persons, regardless of whether it occurs in the family, the community, or the public sphere, including education and health facilities.

This included the adoption of policies and public campaigns to promote awareness and respect for the human rights of LGTBI persons, in all sectors, including the educational and family settings, as a means to combat the prejudices that underlie violence related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

The commission urged states to take action to prevent and respond to these human rights violations and to ensure that LGTBI persons can effectively enjoy their right to a life free from discrimination and violence.

A principal, autonomous body of the OAS, the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The InterAmerican Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area.

Zimbabwe players’ boycott ends

Zimbabwe’s players are “back to full training,” and are likely to rubber-stamp an agreement with their board today after agreeing terms on payment.

The newly formed players’ union will continue to represent cricketers’ issues and the series against Pakistan will go ahead as planned.

ESPNcricinfo confirmed the players have reached consensus with Zimbabwe Cricket after two days of meetings. One of them, who asked not to be named, said ZC had provided an assurance that outstanding salaries from

the month of July would be paid and that cricketers would receive match fees from now on.

The exact amount has not been revealed, although the Zimbabwe Independent had reported players were demanding US$5,000 per Test match, $3,000 for an ODI and $1,500 for every T20. Given that the board is in severe debt, it is unlikely it will be able to match those figures but the players are said to be satisfied with the amounts ZC has offered.

“We wanted to make them aware we were the only international team

that were playing without match fees,” the player said. “Now we will be receiving them.”

The issue of disbursements from the board’s share of ICC events, which ZC MD Wilfred Mukondiwa said on Friday morning was the only outstanding article of debate, has still not been resolved. Instead, the players have been told the board needs “more time to do research,” and will clarify its position on how the monies from such tournaments will be distributed in an appendix to the new playing contracts.

With financial concerns

smoothed over, the players will continue to prepare for the series against Pakistan that starts August 23, with the board announcing a 21-member practice squad. “Training has resumed in full and as things stand now, there will be no boycott of the series,” the player said.

However, the players’ association formed by a group of senior playersbelieved to be Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Prosper Utseya and Elton Chigumbura - will become a permanent fixture in Zimbabwe cricket.

“It was something the players put together because we did not have a proper arrangement in the past. The board is now open to the idea of having a player association and we wanted to take that chance,” the player said. “There are a lot if issues that crop up in Zimbabwean cricket and without a singular voice it was very difficult for us to get things done.”

Zimbabwe have had many aborted attempts at a players’ association and have not had a fully functioning body since a player representative sat on the board before the white-player walkout. Unlike then, when Zimbabwe’s players were divided over race, they “all united” in their cause to fight for what they consider better pay. (Cricinfo)

Bangladesh World T20 venues make progress

The

The construction work of stadiums in Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar for next year’s World Twenty20 will be completed by mid-October, said BCB president Nazmul Hassan.

The expected finishing time is likely to exceed the ICC’s September 30 deadline but an inspection team from the governing body is likely to see enough evidence of progress buy the BCB the extra 15 days.

The ICC team arrives in Dhaka on Friday, and will visit both cities as well as the two alternative venues in Fatullah and BKSP, Bangladesh’s largest sports institute.

“I have no doubt that the construction work will end by mid-October,”

Hassan said. “We will finish the alternative venues [in Fatullah and BKSP] by September. So I don’t think there will be too many difficulties, but it is unlikely to be finished by September 30.”

A visit by ESPNcricinfo earlier this week showed the Sylhet stadium has made significant progress since work began in June. The structure of two floors of the four-storey pavilion building has been completed. Located on the northern end of the ground, the building is directly linked to the main entrance from the airport road.

On the opposite side, the interiors of the media structure are being refurbished, and work has gone on at a

rapid pace there as well. A hill, on the north-west part of the ground, is being carved to be at the same level as the one-tiered galleries on either side. It is being called the green gallery, and will be a grass bank on top of the hill.

Around 400 workers have been employed for the project, with the contractors being strictly told to work around the clock by the country’s finance minister AMA Muhith, whose hometown is Sylhet. He has visited the ground a number of times since work started, and has directed all authorities to cooperate with the BCB and National Sports Council, the custodian of all sporting venues in the country.

Guyana, SVG, Barbados and Grenada win as Women’s T20 begins

St George’s, GRENADA - StVincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Guyana and Grenada recorded wins as the West Indies Women T20 tournament opened at two venues in Grenada on Friday.

St Vincent defeated St Lucia by nine wickets while Guyana whipped Trinidad and Tobago by 27 runs at the Tanteen playing field.

In the other two matches played at the Progress Park, Barbados edged Jamaica by five runs while host Grenada beat Dominica by forty runs.

Juliana Nero continued her prolific form to blast a half century that allowed the Vincentians to overhaul St. Lucia’s 85 for 8 in 20 overs.

Nero scored an unbeaten 45 ball 55 that included seven fours which steered St Vincent to 88 for one. Also at Tanteen, Guyana’s frontline batsmen fired to compile a competitive 127 for four in 20 overs against Trinidad and Tobago. Shemaine Campbell hit a top score of 37 before she was trapped lbw, June Ogle smashed 29 before she was run out and Tremayne Smartt was bowled for 25.

Guyana’s bowlers contained the run chase as Trinidad stumbled to 100 for nine in their 20 overs.

Only Shenelle Lord 31 and Britney Cooper 21 temporarily survived the bowling of key destroyers Erva Giddings, four for 22 and Tremayne Smartt 2 for 12.

At Progress Park, a stubborn knock from middle order batsman Chinelle Henry was not enough to save Jamaica who crumbled against Barbados in a low scoring affair.

Kycia Knight hit a top score of 31 before she was run out as the Bajans got to 70 for 9 in 20 overs.

The Jamaicans lost wickets quickly on the chase until Henry arrived to try and stabilize the innings and revive the chase. She struck a four and was batting sensibly until she was run out when she was on 21 as Jamaica was eventually bowled out for 65 in 19.5 overs.

At the same venue, host Grenada rode on a well played 39 from Anisha Thomas to reach 116 for seven in 20 overs.

But Dominica’s effort to chase down the target was dealt a severe blow when Annica Andrew retired on a top score of 27 not out. The Dominicans were plunged in early trouble after Rackel Williams removed the openers without scoring-trapping Gem Eloi lbw and dislodging Debra Fredericks’s stumps. However Andrew had made some progress in repairing the damage when she was forced to retire without completing her innings. Dominica were 76 for six in 20 overs.

Guyana enjoy another...

The cricket committee of Sylhet’s Divisional Sports Association has also helped in the project, although they have no direct authority of the stadium or the construction work. They are acting as a conduit in various ways, like making sure each of the two roads and walkways are built around the ground.

Shafiul Alam, the committee’s chairman, was hopeful that the stadium will be completed on time for the World T20 which begins on March 16 next year, and the inspection team that arrives in Sylhet on August 20, will see a lot more than what they saw in June.

“Work has progressed significantly over the last two months,” he said. “When it first started, I couldn’t imagine that it would come to this stage. Now there is the grandstand, the media centre and the green gallery that will be completed. The floodlight towers are almost done too. At this rate, all of this will be done in time. When the inspection team comes next week, I am quite sure they will be surprised by the progress.

PAGE 22

Cayman Islands beat Jamaica 3 - 2

Daniel Murphy lost to Bruce Levy 4-11,8-11,5-11

Gabby Rabess beat Dane Schwier 12-10,5-11,12-10,11-9

Mark Chaloner lost to Chris Binnie 11-4,10-12,11-13,7-11

Cameron Stafford beat Bruce Burrowes 11-5,11-5,11-3

Julian Jervis beat Julian Morrison 11-9,11-9,0-11,411,11-9. Matches continue from 09:00h today.

Thursday action: Guyana win men’s and women’s titles

In other results: Barbados Veterans beat Trinidad and Tobago 4 - 1

Mark Sealy beat Peter Pirtheesingh 11-3,4-11,1210,11-0

Nigel Griffith beat John Holley 11-5,13-11,8-11,11-8

Leon Truss lost to Richard Hart 6-11,2-11,4-11

Lynn De Cambra - Mc Leod walk over

Ayoni Bradshaw walkover

Men’s competition: Jamaica beat Trinidad and Tobago 3 - 2

Chris Binnie beat Kale Wilson 11-7,11-4,13-11

Bruce Burrowes beat Don Lee 11-8,11-2,11-4

Dane Schwier beat Mandela Patrick 15-13,11-7,14-16,9-

11,11-7

Julian Morrison lost to Paul De Verteuil 11-7,11-4,6-11,811,8-11

Bruce Levy lost to Nku Patrick 6-11-10-12,9-11 Cayman Islands beat OECS 4-1

Mark Chaloner beat Jules Snagg 11-4,11-3,11-4

Cameron Stafford beat kevin Hannaway 11-7,11-9,12-10

Gabe Rabess lost to Kevin Bailey 3-11,8-11,11-4,4-11

Julian Jervis beat Jason Doyle 11-8,12-10,11-5

Daniel Murphy beat Deion Anselm 11-8,5-11,11-2,11-6 Individual Veterans match: Janet Sairsingh of Cayman Islands defeated Monique Lovell of the OECS 6-11,11-9,11-7,10-9 retired.

Veterans:

Guyana beat Barbados 3-2

Chauncey Lee lost to Lynn De Cambra- Mc Leod 0-11,511,4-11

Dennis Dias lost to Leon Truss 11-6,7-11,7-11,6-11

Garfield Wiltshire beat Mark Sealy 9-11,11-3,8-11,11-1,11-9

Brendon Mounter beat Nigel Griffith 11-7,11-8,11-2

Jillian Lilico beat Ayoni Bradshaw 11-7,11-6,11-1 The championship is being powered by Powerade and Smalta.

Farah storms to world double

Mo Farah’s career reached incredible new heights as the Briton became only the second man in history to complete an Olympic and world ‘double-double’ in the distance events.

The 30-year-old held on in a thrilling finish to add the 5,000m title to the 10,000m gold he won last Saturday.

It was a battle between Farah and Kenyan Isiah Kiplangat Koech down the home straight, with the Londoner moving away in the last 40m on Friday.

Farah crossed the line in 13 minutes and 26.99s to claim his fifth global outdoor title.

“I never thought in my career I would achieve something like this,” said Farah.

“This was very tough - it was all left to the last two laps. I had a lot of pressure but at the same time I enjoy it.

“I am very proud to represent my country and hold the Union Jack. To all the people who give me great support I can’t thank you enough. Thank you to all the people back home - I am very proud.”

The historic feat in Moscow concludes an incred-

ible 12 months for Britain’s greatest distance runner who has now matched the feats of Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele.

Multiple world record holder Bekele claimed double gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and repeated his exploits at the Berlin World Championships a year later to join his compatriot Haile Gebrselassie on the list of history’s distance running greats.

Some will argue the absence of world records for Farah over the two distances is a hole in his glorious CV.

Farah, however, stands head and shoulders above his compatriots as the most decorated British athlete in history.

Before the start of these championships, Farah was level with triple jumper Jonathan Edwards and decathlete Daley Thompson with three major championship titles, but he moved above them in the space of a magnificent six days in the Russian capital.

BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster called Farah the greatest British athlete of all time.

“For my money he is the

greatest we’ve ever had,” said Foster, who won bronze in the 10,000m at the 1976 Olympics.

“He put himself at the front and he would not let them past. Farah has always had challengers and he’s always been able to hold them off.

“We are enjoying great times in distance running. Now we have a man who’s inspiring the next generation of runners.”

Five athletes in the field had faster personal bests than the 2011 5,000m world champion, and seven had gone quicker than him this season.

The race started at a slow pace which suited the Briton and with 600m remaining the double Olympic champion set off for the finishing line.

Farah could not entirely break free of Koech, but he was always in control and a final lap of 53.51 saw off the challengers.

He finished 0.28 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet, with Koech falling back to take the bronze.

BBC commentator Steve Cram, the 1500m world champion in 1983, said: “That was another incredible performance. His fifth global title - that’s a fistful of gold.

“That was hard, really, really hard. It’s not getting any easier, but it’s just as sweet and just as brilliant. We are in special times with this special athlete.”

Great Britain’s men’s 4x400m relay team were unable to make it a double celebration, though, as they had to settle for fourth place. (BBC Sport)

SLC declines PCB’s offer to play day-night Test

Test cricket will continue to await its first day-night encounter after Sri Lanka’s team management declined Pakistan’s proposal to play a day-night Test during their year-end tour to the UAE.

Sri Lanka Cricket cited its players’ lack of practice with the pink ball as the source of their reluctance.

“Since the national team players have not practiced under lights and with the new pink ball, the executive committee decided to stand by the decision taken by the national team management, to inform PCB that SLC is not willing to play a day-night Test match as requested by PCB,” a SLC release said.

SLC president, Jayantha Dharmadasa, had been positively disposed to the idea of Sri Lanka being part of the first day-night Test, but others closer to the team had

strong reservations. The series against Pakistan will be Sri Lanka’s first Test outing against a top-eight opposition in almost a year, and SLC’s decision is understood to have also been influenced by their desire to safeguard their team’s chances in an important series.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar had told ESPNcricinfo that the PCB’s interest in pioneering day-night Tests was grounded in an attempt to revive interest in the longest format. “The major aspect in our discussion with SLC is the correspondence on the colour and brand of the ball. The venues are definitely ideal and there is no dew factor involved in December and January,” Sarwar had said.

MCC has trialled daynight first-class matches, with a view to fine-tuning the colour and characteristics of the ball in order to

Ponting backs Limacol Caribbean Premier League concept

Ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting has given the concept of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) his thumbs-up.

The batting legend, who made his first senior international tour with his country to the Caribbean in 1995, has been playing for the Antigua Hawksbills, and he said the inaugural tournament involving six franchises was exactly what the region had been crying out for.

“The style of cricket the West Indies play is really suited to this format of the game,” he said. “If you look at (Chris) Gayle, (Kieron) Pollard, Marlon Samuels -- they have got some really terrific Twenty20 players. The West Indies fans and players have really embraced Twenty20 cricket and it has gone really well. The crowds have enjoyed it and they have come out in big numbers wherever we have been.”

Ponting said the concept is great, and it’s right but the biggest challenge now for these types of events is finding the right time in the calendar. Quality of pitches and attracting the world’s best players to the Caribbean would also be hurdles for the organisers in future but he believes those hurdles are ones that can be overcome.

“We have seen that some players who committed to play two or three months ago have not been able to make it and that is going to be a challenge moving forward -- how they attract the

bigger name players -- but the way this event has gone, I am sure they will be able to do that,” he said. “From a cricketing point of view the pitches are so important. In this tournament we have had low-scoring games but otherwise they have been reasonably close as well so the competition has gone really well so far.”

For Ponting, a triple International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup winner, with 27,483 international runs, 71 hundreds for his country at Test and One-Day International (ODI) level, and a total of 560 appearances for Australia in Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals, this tournament has been part of his swansong to playing the game he loves so much.

At 38 years old and with a young family, he dismissed the idea that he might change his mind about retiring this year. “No, I’ve definitely no thoughts of that,” he said. “It has been a pretty hard period for me, I have been away for six months straight,” he said.

“I went to the Indian

Premier League (IPL), I went straight from there to Surrey and then straight from there to here for the Limacol CPL. For someone of my age, that is a little bit too long with a couple of little girls at home -- I am missing them a lot.

“I have been travelling for 20 or 21 years so it is time for me to settle back into a normal life after this tournament. So, depending on how we go in our next game, if we do not qualify for the semi-finals then Saturday (against the Guyana Amazon Warriors) could be my last game of cricket,” added Ponting.

And what is his take on the ongoing Ashes series? “I have kept in touch with it and putting my biased goggles on for a minute I think the boys have probably played a little bit better than the scoreline suggests as they have been in with a chance of winning three Tests,” he said. “But the scoreline reads 3-0 and that is the difference sometimes between the really good and experienced teams and the ones on their way up-- the know-how -- to actually get across the line and to win games.

“That is what England have done. They have got a really good team, an experienced team and their bowling group has been together for pretty much the last six or seven years now,” said the former Australian captain.

Nixon rues loss but confident Tallawahs will rebound

Kingston, JAMAICA – Head coach Paul Nixon was left regretting a tactical decision after Jamaica Tallawahs went down by five runs to Guyana Amazon Warriors in a thriller at Sabina Park on Thursday.

make it fit for international cricket. Day-night Tests are not only likely to stoke viewer interest in the format, but as a result, the matches are also expected to be more lucrative for broadcasters and advertisers.

Last year, the ICC approved day-night Tests, but left it to member boards to agree on the hours of play, and the colour and brand of the ball. Only the PCB has so far shown interest in playing day-night Tests. It has also experimented with day-night long-form cricket twice by playing the firstclass Quaid-e-Azam trophy final in January 2011 and December 2011 under lights with an orange ball.

Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan begins in December, and comprises of two Twenty20s, five ODIs and three Tests. Either Abu Dhabi or Dubai would have hosted the day-night Test, if SLC had agreed to it. (cricinfo)

Chasing 140 for victory and a place in the semi-finals of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, Tallawahs just failed to achieve victory, after needing ten from the final over.

Nixon said in retrospect, with the game delicately balanced at 72 for three at the end of the eleventh over, he could have introduced a right-hander at the fall of Danza Hyatt’s wicket instead of sending in South African left-hander Jacques Rudolph.

“We got ourselves in a good situation but I made the wrong decision, sending Jacques the left-hander in. We should have sent a righthander in and made it much easier. I think I made a tactical error there. With Chris (Gayle) in at the time and Jacques to come in, it was the wrong decision. If we could do it all again, we would change it,” Nixon said.

“We’ve got quite a flexible order depending on the situation of the game. We have a

lot of guys who can hit, a lot of guys who can rotate the strike. The left and righthanders are important and with Steven Jacobs’ off-spin, we think he was a guy at the time we could have targeted.

“The Warriors have got a lot of quality spinners and it’s always going to be tough but when you know a guy is only going to go one way generally, there is a time and a place to put your chips on the table and try and change the game in four or five balls and that could have been it. We’ve learnt our lessons.”

He added: “There are still things we would have loved to have done better. There are still two games to get a win so we’re pretty confident being at home. These guys (Warriors) have done the double on us so well done to them.”

Gayle top scored with 43 and Chadwick Walton

stroked an aggressive 36 in his first match of the tournament, but the Tallawahs batting fell away as they chased quick runs.

They were 130 for six at the start of the final over bowled by Chris Barnwell, but lost South African Vernon Philander and David Bernard Jr, within the first three balls, to lose all momentum.

“The guy held his nerve and bowled a good last over but we shouldn’t have let it come down to that. We’ve got to win the game up front and win the game in the middle of the innings,” Nixon stressed.

“The mood is very sombre. The guys are disappointed to lose the game. We felt we restricted the Warriors well and that pitch was a very good one. The groundsmen did a very good job because the rain we’ve had over the last few days was enormous.”

Jamaica will square off with Barbados Tridents at 14:00h (15:00h Guyana time) the feature match of today’s doubleheader, as they lobby for a spot in the semi-finals of the inaugural tournament.

St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel clash in the first game at 10 am, also at Sabina Park.

Sir Richard seals approval for Limacol CPL

St John’s, ANTIGUA –

Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, has given the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) his seal of approval after attending the Antigua Hawksbills/ Barbados Tridents clash.

The Virgin Group is a founding team sponsor for the Hawksbills and Sir Richard’s presence had a galvanising effect on the team as they overcame the table-topping Tridents in a low-scoring thriller.

“I love this league,” he said as he watched the action. “I love the fact it is not stuffy (and) I love the fact that you arrive and there is music playing. People are partying as you only get in the West Indies. The great thing about this cricket is that it is exciting – it is designed to entertain and people want to be entertained.

“”Equally there are cricket buffs who want fiveday cricket where no-one wins at the end of it and that is very British and that has a place as well, but from a pure entertainment perspective nothing beats this.”

The Hawksbills’ win

against the Tridents ripped up the form book and it was a result that gave Sir Richard cause for celebration.

“It is great to be involved with (Sir) Viv (Richards) and his team,” he said. “We always like to be involved with the underdogs and at the moment the Antigua team is the underdog but that means there is only one way to go –which is up.

“We will have to see how they do in this first season but over the next few years I am sure you will see them competing with the best teams.”

Sir Richard also took time to explain the value of the Virgin Group’s association with the LCPL.

“I think Virgin flies to more destinations (in the Caribbean) than anyone else in Europe and we bring an awful lot of people into the Caribbean and we are very proud of that,” he said.

“We are about to put on brand new planes on all our Caribbean routes and that will be happening in the next few months. The Caribbean has been kind to us and hopefully Virgin’s been kind to the Caribbean,”

he added.

Hawksbills coach Sir Vivian Richards presented Sir Richard with his own Hawksbill playing shirt but was diplomatic about his chances of making the squad.

“He will have to do some practice and then we will assess it from there,” said Sir Viv, to which Sir Richard replied: “At least he is considering me!” Sir Viv added: “It (the LCPL) has been a great format for the region with the excitement and the different side of things it brings with the music, the entertainment and the spectacle.

“To have Sir Richard and his company Virgin involved is great. It is great to have heavyweights behind you.”

The Virgin Group is a tournament partner with Virgin Atlantic the official airline of the LCPL, whle Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Media and Virgin Holidays all support the competition.

The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League runs until 24 August with the two semi-finals and final taking place in Trinidad. (CPL)

Guyana and T&T name squads for two T20 matches

The Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Boards have named their respective squads for the two T20 matches scheduled for August 30 and 31 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The games is organised as part of preparations for the Trinidad and Tobago team ahead of their participation in the

T20 Champions League in India from September 17 to October 6.

Meanwhile, the GCB has also organised one exhibition match each day starting from 14:00hrs.

The feature match begins at 19:00h and tickets for the game cost $1000.

Guyana team reads: Trevon Griffith, Robin Bacchus, Leon Johnson, Ramnaresh Sarwan,

Coaches confident ahead of Boyce and Jefford Classic

By Treiston Joseph

With the fourth edition of the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic set for an explosive start today from 13:00h at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, coaches from the respective clubs are confident of their team’s chances heading into the two-day mega event.

Coach of the defending champions Police Sports Club, Lyndon Wilson, is confident that his team will retain their title since his athletes are well prepared for the event.

“Judging from two weeks ago at the Police Championships I believe we are ready to defend our title, we already have two persons for each event and tomorrow (today) I want them (the athletes) to bring their A-game and qualify for the finals on Sunday.

“We have the confidence that we can do it but we are not under-estimating any other team we know they will come gunning for us be we have prepared physically and mentally for it,” Wilson told Guyana Time Sport in

an exclusive interview.

Meanwhile, the coach of Running Brave Athletics Club Sham Johnny related that his club is ready for Guyana’s marquee track and field event. This club can pose a serious challenge to Police

“We are prepared and focused right now, the good thing about us is that we do not have any injuries, everybody is feeling good and we want them to bring their A-game.

“All we want as a club is no technical errors and a clean sport with no hiccups but we are focused and ready for all, our small club is ready,” Johnny lamented.

Robert Chisholm, Coach of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Sports Club, which h been among the top three finishers since the genesis of the event, was a little skeptical about his club’s chances but assured that his athletes will give their best to represent the army.

“Well we don’t really have a big team this year because some of our athletes are on courses at the moment. The weather has also caused us to not prepare the way we

would like but we will definitely give a good account of ourselves,” Chisholm told this publication.

Moses Pantlitz who coaches the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School track club noted that while it will be tough for his team because of they are young, he believes that they can finish third in the ranking.

“We went through our paces and we had good preparation it is not up to the athletes to go out and perform.

“Our club is pretty young and I know for them to go up against the seniors is going to be tough but we are looking for somewhere between third and fifth,” Pantlitz mentioned.

The event is expected to attract the best of Guyana’s athletes and should produce the best of athletics Guyana has to offer, coupled with the participation of international athletes from Trinidad, Grenada and Suriname.

The heats will be held today, while the finals of the event will be held on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden, from 14:00h.

Guyana enjoy another successful day on the squash courts

Guyana had another successful day at the office when the Digicel Senior Caribbean Squash tournament continued on Friday at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts.

Guyana defeated Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 in the Veterans’ category, while in the men’s category they beat T&T 3-2.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Guyana women swept Jamaica while their men beat Barbados on Thursday to capture the Caribbean titles.

Narsingh Deonarine, Christopher Barnwell, Steven Jacobs, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Rajiv Ivan, Paul Wintz, Keon Joseph, and Zaheer Mohamed. The coach is Esau Crandon while the assistant coach is Orin Bailey. The manager is Alvin Johnson.

Trinidad and Tobago team reads: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Yannic Ottley, Jason Mohammed, Denesh Ramdin, Nicholas Pooran, Adrian Barath, Samuel Badree, Sherwin Ganga, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Shannon Gabriel, Navin Stewart, Rayad Emrit, and Darren Bravo.

The technical team consists of Dudnath Ramkeesoon, Omar Khan, David Williams, Kelvin Williams, Oba Gulston, and Denesh Mahabir.

Caribbean champion Nicolette Fernandes overpowered Melissa Lue-Yen 11-1,11-8,11-1, Ashley Khalil beat Brooke Burrowes 11-5,11-9,11-6, Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Tracie Binnie 11-5,11-4,113, Ashley De Groot had an easy game against Nathalie Boreland 11-3,11-1,11-4 and Keisha Jeffrey had a walkover.

In the men’s competition, Guyana defeated Barbados 4-1. First Richard Chin beat Gavin Cumberbatch 5-11,12-10, 11-5,11-8, Alex Arjoon beat Shawn Simpson in four sets 3-11,11-3,118,11-2, Kristian Jeffrey lost to Barbadian Bryant Cumberbatch 9-11,4-11,311, while Jamaal Callender beat Rhett Cumberbatch 12 - 10,11-5,7-11,11-7 and Jason Ray Khalil beat Zaki Williams 11-3,11-3,11-5, ensuring no other loss for the Guyanese.

Friday results: Trinidad & Tobago upset Cayman Islands

Nku Patrick TT beat Daniel Murphy CI 12-14,117,11-1,12-10

Mandela Patrick TT beat Gabby Rabess CI 11-8,113,11-5

Kale Wilson TT lost to Mark Chaloner CI 6-11,411,2-11

Don Lee TT lost to Cameron Stafford CI 6-11,611,2-11-2

Paul De Verteuil TT beat Julian Jervis CI 11-8,6-11,711,11-7,11-7

Veterans’ category: Guyana defeated T&T 4 - 1

Dennis Dias lost to Richard Hart 5-11,3-11,1113

Garfield Wiltshire beat Peter Pertisingh 9-11,119,11-1,11-5

Brendon Mounter beat John Holley 11-6,12-10,11-5

Jillian Lilico gained a walkover

Chauncey Lee gained a walkover.

Barbados defeated OECS 4 - 1

Leon Truss beat Winston Findley 12-10,11-6,11-6

Lynn Mcleod beat Sherian Slater 9-11,11-5,118,11-9

Mark Sealy lost to James Bentick 6-11,11-1,7-11,1113

Nigel Griffith beat Keith Boyea 11-1,11-4,11-7

Ayoni Bradshaw gained a walkover from Monique Lovell

Barbados defeated Jamaica 4-1

Gylla Mc Kenzie beat Tracie Binnie 11-9,7-11,1214,13-11,11-1

Karen Meakins beat Melissa Lue-Yen 11-0,113,11-0

Alex Jordon lost to Brooke Burrowes 11-4,611,11-8,8-11,6-11

Nadia Mc Carthy beat Nathlee Boreland 11-8,113,11-8

Amanda Haywood gained a walkover.

Men’s category: Guyana defeated Trinidad 3 - 2

Jason Ray Khalil beat Nku Patrick 11-4,8-11,113,11-8

Kristian Jeffrey lost to Mandela Patrick 4-11,1210,7-11,7-11

Sunil Seth beat Kale Wilson 11-9,11-7,6-11,11-5

Alex Arjoon beat Don Lee 13-11,11-6,11-6

Jamaal Callender lost Paul De Vertieul 9-11,119,8-11,6-11

Barbados beat OECS 5-0

Zaki Williams beat Deion Anselm 11-5,11-8,9-11,11-8

Bryant Cumberbatch beat Kevin Bailey 8-11,1210,9-11,11-8,11-8

Gavin Cumberbatch beat Jules Snagg 5-11,11-5,117,11-9

Shawn Simpson beat Kevin Hannaway 5-11,118,11-413-15,11-9

Rhett Cumberbatch beat Jason Doyle 11-2,11-8,11-4

Bodybuilder Davis is Giftland’s “Man of Steel”

…as company launches sports ambassador initiative

By Avenash Ramzan

After weeks of voting, bodybuilder Devon Davis has been chosen as the Sports and Fitness Ambassador for department store, Giftland OfficeMax.

Davis’ appointment as the “Man of the Steel” is the first in a series of athletes to be identified under the store’s new initiative, ‘The Quest’.

At a ceremony at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, Davis inked his contract with Giftland OfficeMax, in the process becoming the first ambassador under the new programme.

Davis, who is from the Guyana Defence Force gym, said he was elated to be on board with the company, and promised to promote its mandate, products and services to the best of his ability. He expressed gratitude to those who lobbied for him during the in-store and social media voting process, which was hosted by Giftland OfficeMax over the past weeks.

Public Relations Manager of the company, Compton Babb, said the aim of choosing athletes to promote its brand is part of a broader effort to assist young aspiring sportsmen and women to achieve their goals.

“It’s about hope for everyone. In the end, this is what the quest will bring to our society- hope for a young school child who cannot af-

ford a track shoe, hope for a girl who can make a difference in her community or village, hope for a child who doesn’t have the best support from his or her parents,” Babb remarked.

The PR manager said while Davis is the winner for bodybuilding, sportsmen and women from squash, football, track and field and hockey will be identified before the end of December to become ambassadors of the company.

“We believe through this nationwide quest our youths will reclaim confidence and hope for a brighter future in sports. Providing every competitor/student of the discipline a fair chance to prevail, to win, to triumph and develop in new dimensions and their relationship with Giftland OfficeMax through the next year,” Babb further stressed.

Babb revealed that each ambassador from the various disciplines will receive different packages based on their needs and requirements. He also promised support in the area of travel for those athletes who will be required to compete overseas, and attire for each.

The company’s investment in the athletes for the next year is pitted at $3,000,000, according to Babb.

Babb pointed out that the brand ambassadors must be knowledgeable and innovative in marketing the company’s brands,

contract for foundation...

He reiterated that the ministry will be placing great emphasis on quality and the timeliness of the capital works, adding that if the contractor fails to deliver he will be penalised.

have a command of the English language, possess leadership skills, must be credible, be a relationship builder, a team player, be inclined to use social media and be open to some level of coaching.

Meanwhile, internationally acclaimed local body-

builder, Hugh Ross, who was installed as one of the company’s first ambassadors three years ago, reminded Davis and the prospective ambassadors of the importance of discipline, which is a core value of being a brand ambassador, he said.

Ross, who does bodybuilding as a hobby and is a law enforcement officer in New York, lauded Giftland OfficeMax for the initiative, noting that it is a step in the right direction.

Also present at Friday’s activity were Delroy Dash and Devon Browne of

event.

“We had some bad experiences with local contractors when the 50m pool was being constructed and we don’t want to repeat that because this time the ministry will be sturdier. We will be monitoring and we will not hesitate if people do not deliver on time, we will not hesitate to terminate their contracts and when we terminate it, you will get problems getting other government contracts,” the minister pointed out. Meanwhile, the pre-fabricated pool is being constructed by Myrtha Pools and according to Permanent Secretary within the ministry, Alfred King, the pool will arrive in Guyana shortly.

The value for the warm up/warm down pool is US $373,600.

TOP SCORES

Contract for foundation works on warm up/warm down pool signed

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The contract to lay the foundation for the warm up/warm down 25m pool at the National Aquatic Centre was inked on Friday between the Sports Ministry and D&S Construction at the ministry’s office, Main Street.

Valued at $37,494,125 million, work is expected to start shortly and is expected to conclude in six months. It is expected that the pool will be operational by the first quarter of next year, according to a previous report by this publication.

At the completion of the warm up/warm down pool, Guyana will be in a position to host international meets here, since having the facil-

ity is a requirement of FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation/International Swimming Federation) for a country to host such meets.

Guyana’s only Olympicsized 50m pool was commissioned in November 2011.

Speaking at the contract signing on Friday, Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony said government has always been committed to adding the 25-metre warm up pool at the site to cater for international competitions and training for local swimmers.

Anthony stated that this project is one of the flagship programmes by the ministry this year, noting that the ministry will closely supervise the project in order to get value for money.

He encouraged the contractor and Innovating

Engineering Consultancy Services, company hired by the ministry to supervise the project, to work together to ensure the project meets the required specifications and desired standard.

“We will be monitoring this contract closely so that we stick with the time-frame given. We don’t want to accept any excuses for not getting the work completed because when people don’t finish these things on time, it’s an opportunity cost lost for us. We want to get these things finished in a timely manner, so we will urge the people who are coming on as contractors and supervisors to make sure we get quality work,” the minister emphasised.