Guyana Times - Thursday, January 17, 2019

1st policy to tackle youth violence in Caribbean to be launched – CDB

…Chair refuses to commit to meeting …PPP, Govt Chief Whips left in limbo

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin was born in UK …after

Woman accused of killing abusive husband to face Judge, jury

UK citizen Carl Greenidge is now Guyana’s acting PM

Convicted rapist appealing length of sentence ...as Chief Justice reminds lawyer of violent nature of rape

Former MP calls for wider body of int’l observers at next elections

GuySuCo silent 6 months after Uitvlugt flying knives incident

Ramjattan admits to directing Top Cop in probe against Charrandas Persaud

Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan admitted on Wednesday that he initiated the ongoing probe against the party’s expelled Member of Parliament (MP) Charrandas Persaud, whose vote in support of the Opposition’s no-confidence motion toppled the coalition

Administration.

Speaking at a press briefing at the AFC’s head office in Kitty, Georgetown, Ramjattan said that he caused an investigation to be launched after he received “certain” information

“I said Mr Commissioner, you better make a check on what’s happening” – Ramjattan

concerning Persaud.

“The personal involvement; yes, I got a call from Vice President Sydney Allicock indicating that there is someone that wants to give some information about Charrandas and his conduct, and indeed I then put the Commissioner of

Police after speaking to Sydney Allicock. As a minister of security, if some information does come and it’s information you feel can go somewhere ... he indicated to me certain things and I said Mr Commissioner, you better make a check on what’s happening and that’s it,” he said.

Ramjattan further revealed that the preliminary assessment done by the AFC had shown that the former MP did not vote his conscience as was claimed.

“The assessment is also, apart from Police investigations, is indicating that it could not have been a conscience vote ... even the day when we [debated] the no-confidence [motion]; after we adjourned to have meals, he [Persaud] came to me and said ‘Khemraj, you did a wonderful speech, you proper knock them down heavy’, but it’s definitely blinded us,” the Minister pointed

out.

According to the Public Security Minister, Police Commissioner Leslie James is expected to pronounce on the probe sometime next week. It was only last week that James told reporters that a probe against the former MP, who is in Canada, is ongoing and he would only add that it was a matter of national security.

Charrandas’s vote which gave the Opposition a 33 majority against Government is at the centre of multiple cases at the High Court which will be ruled upon by monthend by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC.

Guyana Times reported on Tuesday the Judge rejected Government’s attempts to extend its time in office on the grounds of the ongoing no-confidence vote case as the court informed that the matters would all be expedited owing to their national significance. Both sides were given until January 18 to exchange legal submissions; January 21 for rebuttal submissions and in the case of Christopher Ram vs the Attorney General and the Speaker of the National Assembly, submissions will be heard on January 23.

Oral submissions for Campton Reid vs the Attorney General, former MP Charrandas Persaud

and the Speaker of the National Assembly will be heard on January 24 and for the case of the Attorney General vs the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Opposition Leader, oral submissions will be done on January 25. Following the passage of the no-confidence vote, elections are to be held in 90 days in keeping with the Constitution.

Parika NDC accuses Police of non-support to enforce court order

After obtaining a court order instructing the removal of a squatter, the Mora-Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has been faced with strong opposition, as the Police are being accused of not assisting in enforcing the court order.

Mora-Parika NDC

Chairman Jaideo Sookhoo told Guyana Times on Wednesday that there was a piece of land, referred to as Parcel 176, which was reserved as “Highway to Parika Stelling”.

However, an individual by the name of Anita London has been operating a business on the piece of land. The title owner would have sold the plot, but the buyers were having an issue with the loan approval, since an illegal structure was constructed on the land.

“Anita London was squatting there for a couple years now and the matter went to court and they applied for prescriptive right and the matter was thrown out in 2015. The title owner sold the land and when the person went to the bank for a loan… the bank didn’t want to approve the loan

because of the incumbent squatter.”

This resulted in the owner, Edwin Doobay, taking the NDC to court, where it was ruled that the law must be adhered to and as such, the Council must demolish the building.

“The owner took the NDC to court and on the 28th September, the Judge stated that we had to comply with the law… the court instructed the NDC to demolish the building,” the Chairman told this publication.

While the NDC would have sought to peacefully resolve the matter, London obtained a stay of execution, which was also dismissed, and the court upheld its decision that she must remove from the property.

Sookhoo insisted that there has been no cooperation or support from the Police in handing the matter despite several requests to have them present when the NDC was going to have the building demolished. He said that one of the excuses he was given was that the Police did not have the “full force” to regulate the activity.

OPENINGS

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

Thursday, January 17 – 01:30h and 13:30h-15:00h and Friday, January 18 –02:30h and 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, January 17 – 12:45h-14:15h and Friday, January 18 –13:50h-15:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

PSC calls on GECOM to be fully prepared for elections within 90 days as required

…Chair refuses to commit to meeting …PPP, Govt Chief Whips left in limbo

in 90 days of the passing of a no-confidence motion.

During last week’s high-level meeting between the Government and the Opposition on the way forward following the December 21, 2018 passage of the no-confidence motion, there was no agreement on the hosting of elections in three months’ time as prescribed in Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, where it is stated that elections shall be held within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion or “such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine”.

Commission (GECOM) Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson has responded to a correspondence from the Government and Opposition Chief Whips requesting a meeting to discuss the Commission’s readiness for the pending General and Regional Elections.

Government Chief Whip Amna Ally and Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira were identified during a high-level meeting last week between Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger to meet with the elections body to determine its readiness for the upcoming polls.

Since then, the Chief Whips have written the Chairman requesting a meeting and according to Ally, Justice Patterson responded acknowledging her correspondence two days ago.

“The Chairman wrote me [for] a meeting with the Commission [but] I don’t know when… The Chairman of GECOM did not indicate when,” the Government Chief Whip told Guyana Times when contacted on Wednesday.

The GECOM Chairman has been on sick leave since November 30, 2018 and had it extended until January 22, when he is expected to return to work.

When contacted, GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward said it was likely that a date for the meeting with the Chief Whips and the Commission would be set once the Chairman returned next week.

PSC concern

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Wednesday called on the Elections Commission to ensure that it was “fully prepared” to host the impending polls.

“The Commission wishes to remind the nation of the fact that unless otherwise ruled by the court, or decided upon by a motion passed by a twothirds majority of the National Assembly, the Guyana Elections Commission must be fully prepared to conduct these elections within this period of time,” the Private Sector body said in a statement after giving serious and continuing consideration to the fact that general elections must be held with-

However, after that meeting, Jagdeo was optimistic that elections were going to be held, since Government had included GECOM’s readiness for elections on the agenda for the meeting.

“Elections will have to be held this year, the Constitution says that. I believe the President and the others would not have put on the agenda for this meeting, which is a meeting to discuss the consequences of the passage of the no-confidence motion, operational readiness of GECOM. So, I think they also share our views that elections will have to be held,” Jagdeo posited.

Meanwhile in a video released by the Ministry of the Presidency following that meeting, President Granger said, “We’ve agreed that the two sides will continue to work together to engage GECOM to ensure that elections are held within the administrative capabilities of the Guyana Elections Commission.”

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Clause 7 goes on to state that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not

less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” Government has gone from promising to respect the vote to denying the vote’s validity on grounds that include an argument that 34 should have been the majority vote in the 65-seat Parliament. The Opposition Leader has already warned that if elections are not facilitated within 90 days and there is no parliamentary agreement to extend this time, Guyana will have in place an unconstitutional government.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Convenient action

Ever since the vote of no confidence against the Government was carried by a parliamentary majority, it subsequently mooted a number of reasons in an effort to have the vote declared invalid. It has resorted to the court, which is expected to rule by the end of the month. Shocking is the convenient argument that 33 is not a majority of 65 elected members of the National Assembly. That is the premise of one of the related cases.

In addition to that and the other convenient argument of dual citizenship, abuse directed at Charrandas Persaud, the Government Member of Parliament who voted against it and whose vote allowed for the motion to be carried, has continued unabated in various forms in both the traditional and new media. Among the many deplorable things stated, is that by voting the way he did, he may have committed treason. That implies a serious offence of wanting to overthrow the Government by unlawful means.

Clearly, those who are trying to make that case are also involved in nothing but an argument of convenience. What they have conveniently discarded is that Guyana is now a democratic country and everyone, including Persaud, has free will that allows for freedom of choice regardless of the impact of their decisions and whether it finds unison in agreement. Each Member of Parliament (MP) took an oath of office, which is not confined to just upholding the Constitution but conducting affairs in the interest of Guyana and Guyanese.

In his mind, he felt that the party and Government he represented were not working in the interest of the people and country and used his freedom of choice to deliver upon the oath he took. A vote of no confidence is enshrined in the Constitution and the process following its success clearly defined. It could have been any other Government MP doing what Persaud did, for, in their opinion, the betterment of their fellow citizens.

He gave a number of reasons for the way he voted. That aside, one cannot dismiss the possible impact of him seeing the daily sufferings of the thousands of fired sugar workers in proximity where he lived. He would have voted to support the Government’s closure of the estates. If that contributed to his decision, it shows that he has a conscience. He did say his vote was one of conscience. Not surprisingly but conveniently, the Government subsequently stated that the vote on the noconfidence motion was not one of conscience.

That in itself speaks to the suppression of free will. In that context, the Government is pellucid that despite how an MP feels about national issues, he/she has to abandon that and support the party even if it could be detrimental to the country and its people. How then can there be relevance in the oath of executing the duties of the office in question without favour or ill will? He was convinced that the party he represented did an about-turn on its principles and promises. Having played along for years, he, like any reasonable human being, has a right to not only change his mind after having felt a sense of betrayal, but to simply do what he believes to be best. How could his actions then be even considered treasonous when his freedom of choice as well as the right to a no-confidence vote are enshrined in the Constitution?

As recently as Tuesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and her Government suffered historically the largest defeat in a parliamentary vote. It was on the Brexit deal. That happened because many of her own MPs voted against her. Their votes were a reflection of how they feel about May’s plans for Brexit. They did not like it; in their minds they did not think it is good for the country and, therefore, could not support it. In other words, it was a vote of their conscience and they will not be accused of being treasonous.

That is what elected representatives are expected to do in a democratic society. While some would disagree and be utterly disappointed, it’s part of the process as safeguarded by the Constitution. Persaud’s vote is protected by the supreme law of the land and must be safeguarded, along with that of those who may do likewise in the future. Threats, therefore, have no place in a free society and must be condemned as must be the accusations of treason.

That raises concerns as to whether there is a veiled threat, in the context of freedom of choice reportedly from what was posited by the Government that he cannot vote against the list he represented in Parliament. Again, that could be seen as an attack on democracy and an indictment on the Government, which boasted of upholding the Constitution and democratic principles.

The said Government, when in the Opposition, had wielding a vote of no confidence over the Donald Ramotar Administration. Then for them, it was constitutional and not treasonous. How now can the opposite be applicable, for the Constitution has not changed? What has, is the thinking and action of convenience for an extended grab of power.

Is the Khashoggi murder being forgotten?

…Turkey’s strategy to turn an international spotlight on the case has been working, but by now, Ankara has exhausted most of its cards

It's been more than 100 days since Jamal Khashoggi's horrendous murder took place at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. A death squad committed the crime, and then reported “mission accomplished” to their bosses in Riyadh. Most were imprisoned to save the real culprits.

From the outset, Turkey pushed hard to reveal those truly responsible, including by publicising information about the hit squad, the last photos of Khashoggi, flight details of two Saudi private jets, information about the investigation of the Consulate, and audio of the killing.

In the early days, even Ankara was not aware of the scope of the geopolitical earthquake that Khashoggi’s murder would trigger. However, Turkey rapidly devised a plan based on two main strategies.

Crucial evidence leaked Firstly, it became apparent that it would be impossible to get an immediate result in the short term, so momentum had to be maintained, with crucial pieces of evidence leaked nearly every day.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's calls for justice, and his claims to reveal the “naked truth”, served to inflame discussions and to increase pressure on the relevant parties – mainly, the Donald Trump Administration. Ironically, all the actors who had criticised Turkey over limited freedom of expression sided with Erdogan on this matter. Secondly, Turkey tried to keep the focus on the legalities of the case, rather than making it a political rift between Ankara and Riyadh. While such a crime couldn’t have been committed without the knowledge of anyone from the royal family, Erdogan tried to preserve a delicate balance between implicating Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the culprit and maintaining Turkish-Saudi relations.

Turkey perceived the new Crown Prince as being symbolic of a new regional order focused on Israel, with Iran and Turkey isolated.

Turkey's attempts to internationalise the issue, however, were not entirely successful. The French President was overheard speaking to Crown Prince Mohammed about the crisis in front of cameras at the recent G20 Summit in Argentina. UK

Prime Minister Theresa May was seen meeting The Crown Prince as though nothing had happened. US President Donald Trump dragged his feet from the very beginning, determined not to lose Saudi money.

The voice recordings of Khashoggi's killing, however, landed as undeniable evidence of what had happened inside the Consulate during those brutal seven minutes. It heaped pressure on Washington, even though National Security Adviser John Bolton said he didn’t listen to it because he did not speak Arabic – though there was no need to know any language to understand the sounds of a bone saw and screaming.

The start of the end?

Although Khashoggi will go down in history as a symbol of personal dignity and sacrifice, the pressure is already dwindling. After 100 days, the many articles, conferences, and panels that were held to commemo-

rate his legacy were mainly part of an effort that aims to mount pressure to hold the real culprits accountable. Meanwhile, Khashoggi's sorrowful face on the cover of Time might have symbolised the start of the end of the story of his murder, without a solid result on the real culprits.

Turkey will likely continue to push for an international investigation, seeking partners courageous enough to stand against Riyadh. But Saudi Arabia is already in recovery mode. Rather than removing the Crown Prince, Riyadh appointed former Ritz Carlton detainee Ibrahim al-Assaf as the new Foreign Minister in a sign of normalisation.

Saudi Arabia is planning to move on as though nothing happened. It’s trying to complete its and the United Arab Emirates’ half-finished job: isolating Iran and Turkey from the region. Syria is the new focal point. It doesn't matter that Riyadh and its allies tried to topple President Bashar al-Assad by funding and supporting the Opposition; the Syrian President is a convenient actor to support their move against Turkey.

By reopening the UAE Embassy in Damascus and inviting Assad back to the Arab League, they are hitting several targets at once. Especially after the US pullout, to keep Turkey's impact on Syria lim-

ited, they want to support the central authority in Damascus. By reviving Assad, Riyadh has also extended an olive branch to Russia – and it's been paying off, with Russia warning the US not to interfere with Saudi royal succession.

Trump joined the drama by declaring that the Saudis will be paying for the reconstruction of Syria. If the Europeans are hesitant to fund the rebuilding of Syria as long as Assad remains in power, Saudi money could shape the country’s future. It’s not difficult to predict they will eschew Turkish involvement.

The role of Parliaments After the guns go silent, money will matter more than boots on the ground when it comes to shaping Syria’s future. Of course, gains on the ground, hosting more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees, and keeping Idlib secure are giving Turkey huge leverage.

Trump is aiming to balance his two rival allies by declaring the US withdrawal from Syria, which Turkey wanted, and stressing the importance of Saudi Arabia to the country’s future.

When it comes to Khashoggi’s murder; however, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. It's obvious that national governments are ready to wash their hands and continue doing business with Crown Prince Mohammed –but Parliaments can become a voice for justice. European and national parliaments can urge their Governments, international bodies and Turkey to pursue an international investigation.

Turkey’s strategy has been working, but at this point, Ankara has exhausted most of its cards. Turkey, and all those determined to bring the real culprits to justice, need to launch a fresh effort to keep international attention on Khashoggi’s case. (Middle East Eye)

Utter nonsense by MP Jermaine Figueira

Dear Editor, It would be remiss of me to let a recent particularly glaring example of misinformation go unremarked upon, as presented by Member of Parliament Mr Jermaine Figueira. I refer to his letter captioned “All Jagdeo and his PPP party care about is votes from the sugar belt region”.

Utter nonsense is my initial response, and I show why I arrived at this conclusion from the listed facts below.

I wish to draw to the attention of the reading public the following facts, and then seek to humbly ask them to ponder on the veracity of this Member of Parliament; one who is not an angel, but one who was caught on national TV dishing out explicit language in the august house of Parliament on December 21, 2018 as he added to the chorus of threats against a fel-

low Member of Parliament. I presume his character lends to this sort of behaviour, which by extension bolsters his engagement in these blatant untruths.

Here are some truths for him to learn from; it is clear he does have issues with his history.

1. In the 2013 World Development Report as published by the World Bank, it outlines the following thought, and I quote, “The downsizing of the bauxite industry in the absence of new opportunities has contributed to a deterioration in family and community relationships in Linden. Between the early 1970s and mid1980s, the bauxite mines were cut by half, and layoff continued into the 1990s. By 1999, formal unemployment in Linden stood at about 40 percent”.

2. Please permit me, Editor, to continue for this

young man’s benefit, since he was not even born, I suppose, when these economically destructive acts were being perpetrated by the then PNC regime. Did I say PNC? Yes, I did; because it was the PNC who was in power when the bauxite industry was cut by half and thousands were sent into the army of the unemployed in Region 10.

3. In that report, one former bauxite worker told the World Bank Team, “They (meaning the PNC leaders in charge at the time) treat us like we don’t exist”.

4. From that experience, the World Bank Team found that there was an escalation of child violence and domestic abuse in the mining town, as the breadwinners of families were rendered into a stayat-home people with little hope and purpose. The home was in crisis in the baux-

ite industry, and that did not happen under the PPP Government. It was conceived, created and executed under a PNC Government.

5. It was the PPP -in 1999 -- that saved the bauxite industry from total destruction by soliciting OMAI to contract mine between 1999 and 2004, and the process saved over 600 jobs. These arrangements then led to a partnership between OMAI and Government. This partnership led to OMAI injected US$10 million cash in vitally needed equipment and refurbishment works in the bauxite industry at Linden. This is what a caring Government does; not cut the industry by 50 percent, as the PNC did in the 1980s, and has again so done in the sugar belt.

6. The PPP has since injected an average of G$1.7 billion per year from 1999

Guyanese must distinguish plans from promises

Dear Editor, General and Regional Elections 2019 are seen by many uninformed persons as ‘the grab for control of oil money’. This is a most unfortunate conclusion, not supported by facts. The 2019 Administration will in fact face the massive challenge of rebuilding an economy devastated by APNU/AFC profligate spending and wanton waste that reduced reserves by US$350 million, increased debt by US$900 million, increased taxation in every sector, and lowered export earnings.

The hard work of rebuilding a thriving economy based on Agriculture (sugar, rice, fisheries); Mining (gold and bauxite), Forestry and

Commerce has been largely undone by the Granger’s Oil inebriation. The job will be made that much more difficult by the continuous reckless claims of fabulous Oil wealth from ‘first oil’. Oil revenues are expected to inject US$300 million per annum for the first five years. The incoming administration will have to deal with expectations made by these claims of windfall riches versus the reality of the contractions of 8-30% in all the productive sectors of the economy.

The recent Oil and Gas forum exposed the vacuity of the APNU/AFC administration. The political decision to host an event for ‘youth’ and have no answers to the

Lenox Shuman may want to reconsider his decision

Dear Editor,

Mr Lenox Shuman may want to reconsider his decision to give up his Canadian Citizenship.

You see, while there has been a lot of debate about the qualifications to serve as a member of the National Assembly, very little attention has been paid to the qualifications to serve as President and/or Prime Minister.

The Constitution (Laws of Guyana) clearly states in Chapter IX, The President, 90 (b), that the nominee must be “...residing in Guyana on the date of the nomination for election and was continuously residing herein for a period of seven years immediately before that date.”

Qualifications for the Prime Minister’s position is similar to that of the president, given that the Prime Minister assumes the duties of the President if the President is away or unable perform his duties.

It is my understanding that Mr Shuman returned to Guyana after the May 2015 elections after being a resident of Canada for many years. If this is true, then Mr Shuman will be not be eligible to be nominated for President or Prime Minister of Guyana until sometime after May 2022.

Sincerely, Mohamed Z Rahaman

very real thirst for knowledge about the industry and, importantly, the jobs available to Guyanese was a misguided exercise in puffery.

To boast, “Guyana has benefitted directly to the tune of over US$65 million from local content in 2018 alone,” to 500 young people who have not earned a dollar of that, or seen a positive impact on their lives demonstrates the problem caused when the rubber of propaganda hits the road of reality.

Guyana needs an administration that understands the importance of a job to a person’s psyche, their sense

of wellbeing. Our people want to earn a living by honest means in any sector of the economy. Talk of a sovereign wealth fund means very little to a citizen without job prospects.

Guyanese need to listen carefully, over the coming weeks, to the utterings of those seeking support at the polls. Distinguishing between plans for developing all of Guyana and promises meant as comfort to fools has never been more important.

Yours truly, Vickram

Bharrat

to 2010 into the Linden Community Power Supply, and then an average of G$2.6 billion between 2010 and 2014, when they increased the cash transfers to the mining town. In the last full year of a PPP Government, the cash transfers to LINDEN POWER were some G$2.8 billion. Add that up, Jermaine; and do not use Nigel’s arithmetic. From my detailed analysis of the individual years, it adds up to G$34 billion in subsidy being transferred to Linden by the rest of Guyana over a 15-year period.

7. As a cushion to the mess that the PNC left in the bauxite industry, the PPP launched a G$3 billion project, called LEAP, to incubate new businesses and to refurbish the infrastructure in the town. It was fully executed.

8. Then the PPP paid off some US$40 million on the PNC borrowed SYSMIN Loans that were wasted under the PNC. Much of these funds found their way into the pockets of the PNC leaders who were financing their relatives abroad.

9. On average, during the latter 15 years of the PPP administration, they spent over G$220 million a year on the Linden- to-Lethem road, which adds up to over $3.3 billion. This investment aided the increase in the volume of trade passing through the town, and led to many new business activities in Linden. Think 2018: What is the state of that road under this now PNC led Government?

10. Under the latter 15 years of the PPP, they spent some G$80 million per year

on the Linden Technical Institute. I am asking this question: Why was more not spent by this post-2015 PNC-led administration to expand the services at the Linden Technical Institute? Why are the children and youths of Linden being shortchanged today? Many would support such an agenda, which grants more scholarships to Lindeners, because history has taught us that Lindeners are a hardworking people who would exploit any opportunity provided to them.

11. Then we must ask which Government invested more massively in the refurbishment of the Linden Water Works? YES, the PPP; not the PNC, my brother Jermaine.

How do you think all of this was being paid for –taxation from people like the sugar workers.

We must all remain committed to the truth, and you are being very economical with the truth my brother Jermaine. The PPP, like the PNC, did bring harm to the sugar belt, and I have written extensively of the harm that PPP appointees like Raj Singh and Donald Ramotar brought to the sugar belt. But let us be clear: as a developmental partner to the people, the PPP, as a team, was far superior to this incompetent and corrupt Team Granger and their PNC apparatchiks.

As a young man who may be a future decision maker of Guyana, learn one thing: the truth outlives all of us, and you must be more aware of the facts.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

Page Foundation

When we asked about brothers and sisters, you guys didn’t hold back! More than 2000 kids wrote in to tell us – often in great detail – about their wonderful brothers and sisters.

OK, not everyone said they were wonderful. But just about everyone said that their brothers and sisters were great at least some of the time – even when they ate all the best cereal, or talked like a baby too much, or pulled their hair. Ouch! Not nice!

Poems

Lots of kids even took the time to write poems about their sisters and bros. Here are some of our favourites:

Thanks for letting me use the stuff that wasn’t always mine.

Thanks for laughs and the fun times, too.

Thanks for not hitting me with your shoe.

Even when you wanted to.

— by Bailey, 11, about her 17-year-old brother Zachary

My sister is Sally

She’s silly and strange,

But she’s my sister and we’re both the same.

Sometimes we fight like all people do,

But I know she loves me and I do her, too.

— by Dean, 12, about his 15-year-old sister, Sally

Uh oh, Here comes Tamsin,

And here comes a fight, A bubbling volcano, push ing out the walls,

Destroying a lovely day, Smashing and bashing thoughts,

I think I’m going to pop.

And what does she say?

“How was your day, Caitlin?” I am sooooooo

astounded!!!!

— by Caitlin, 10, about her 7-year-old sister Tamsin

Do you see that fighting comes up an awful lot? Just about everyone mentioned the fighting. Brothers and sisters do a lot of it, according to our survey. More than half of kids said they fight with their siblings at least once a day, with 38 per cent saying they argue more than once a day. Wow, that’s a lot!

The complaint department

From what kids reported, being annoying or rude is often what most gets on their nerves about their brothers or sisters. Other complaints included: being too competitive ignoring people getting too much attention not respecting privacy (like barging into someone’s room without knocking) having an “attitude” being whiny

When they fight, most kids say they yell at their

per cent — say they ask their mom or dad to help them work out a solution to the problem. That’s a lot better than hitting and hurting each other. And even more kids – almost 40 per cent –say that after a fight, they apologize to their brother or sister and go back to being close.

More good news is that lots of kids said they wanted to stop yelling and fighting with their siblings as much as they do. Alaina, 9, wishes she could stop screaming and crying when she gets angry with her older brother. Here, in her poem, she describes how she’s trying to get along better with him:

I’m not always mad.

His jokes keep me from being sad.

So from now on, I’ll always love him.

Try not to bug him.

And be the sweetest sister you’ve ever seen.

And Caitlin, who wrote the poem about her “volcanic” sister Tamsin, said she needs to make some

would like to change the number of fights we have a day to ZERO!” she said. “I would also like to change the way I do not include her in some of my things, or make her the loser and idiotic character in my games.”

Those are really good things for Caitlin to work on. It’s not always easy, but if brothers and sisters try hard, they might be able to cut down on the fighting. Maybe start with just one day and make it “No Fight Day.” Oh, how happy your mom and dad will be!

And even if it doesn’t last all day, agree to have some rules about what’s OK and what’s not OK when you argue. For instance, hitting and hurting is never OK.

The good news!

Enough about fighting! Let’s talk about the good stuff — like 60% of kids said they’re nice to their siblings most of the time or all of the time.

And 71 per cent said they consider their brother or sister a friend. Even Nicholas, 8, who said he’d like his 10-year-old brother to be nicer to him. In fact, Nicholas likes his brother a lot. Just read his poem about him:

You’re funny and nice, Amaris, 9, wishes her younger brother Philip would start knocking on her door before coming into her room. But she really appreciates how he comes to her ball games and cheers for

And 12-year-old Nick said he loves that his younger sister Lexy is really competitive. It makes her fun to play with,

he said. Here’s his poem:

My sister’s name is Lexy

She can sometimes be a pain!

But she’s someone to play with, when you can’t go in the rain.

We fight sometimes when we get mad, like bros and sisses will do.

Though I can always count on her,

In life, all the way through!

Into the future

A lot of kids agreed with Nick about brothers and sisters sticking together through the years. In fact, 75 per cent of kids said they expected to still hang out with their brothers or sisters even when they’re grownups.

That’s a funny thing to think about. Today, you’re sharing the back seat of the

car, but one day you will be all grown up and driving the car! And maybe your kids and your brother’s or sister’s kids will be sitting together in the back seat. They’ll be cousins. Do you think they’ll fight too? Probably not as much as brothers or sisters would. Uh-oh, when you are grown up, you’ll be the parent having to break up the fights!

But for now, you’re still a kid. Life with brothers and sisters can be rough and tumble sometimes, but there’s a lot of fun and good times to be had too.

The next time you want to complain about your brother or sister, consider this: We asked only-children (kids who don’t have brothers or sisters) if they wished they had a brother or sister. What do you think they said?

Nearly all said…YES! (kidshealth.org)

If you’re going to have a new brother or sister, you’ll want to know some baby facts. Answer this question – A new baby is: smelly funny annoying great all of the above

The answer is #5, of course!

Babies are wonderful, but they can also wake you up at night. They dribble, spit, and make lots and lots of dirty diapers. They can’t talk, walk, or go to the bathroom like you do! Because they need so much care, your mom and dad will be busy making sure the baby gets the rest, food, clean diapers, and love he or she needs. But just because your parents are busy with the baby doesn’t mean they love you any less –they just love the baby too!

It can be a lot of fun to have a new baby in the house, but it can be tiring, too. You might love the baby right from the start. But it’s also OK if you miss the way things were before the baby came. If you feel left out or need some attention, tell your mom or dad. Also be sure to tell a parent if you’re having trouble getting your homework done or you’re not getting enough sleep.

Before the baby arrives

A baby takes nine months to grow big enough to be born. Before the baby comes, ask your parents any questions that you have. Where will the baby sleep? Who will take care of you while everyone is at the hospital? Some hospitals offer classes for kids who are about to be big sisters or big brothers. These classes help kids learn about babies so they know what to expect.

You also can learn about babies by getting books out of the library. But the best way is to spend time real, live baby. Maybe your mom or dad can arrange for you to visit a friend who has a young baby. Then you’ll get to see how a baby looks, smells, and sounds! (Excerpt from kidshealth.org) To be inued

AFC unsure about support for Granger as presidential candidate

With General and Regional Elections expected in the coming months, the minority party in the Coalition Government, Alliance For Change (AFC), has stated that it is too early for the party to say whether it would support President David Granger returning as presidential candidate for the impending polls.

“We’re not there yet right now; we’re absolutely not there right now. We hope that President Granger continues the speedy recovery that he’s making… We continue to wish him the best, [but] we have no idea when the elections are going to be, and so we’re not in a position to answer that right now,” AFC’s Vice Chairperson Cathy Hughes told Guyana Times when asked whether the party would support Granger as the presidential candidate of the Coalition for the upcoming elections.

During a press conference held at the party’s head office in Kitty, Georgetown on Wednesday, AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan reaffirmed the party’s commit-

ment to the Cummingsburg Accord, adding that they will go into the next elections as a Coalition with the APNU, since this would have worked in the past.

On February 14, the APNU and AFC will celebrate their 4th anniversary since signing the “lovers’ deal” that eventual got them into office back in 2015. However, the AFC, in recent years, has come under fire for the submissive role it has been playing since joining forces with the APNU.

The minority party had even contested the November 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) separately from the APNU after planned negotiations to craft another accord had fallen through. It suffered massive defeat at the hands of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party.

At Wednesday’s press conference, however, the AFC executives insisted that the minority party has done as much as it could have to stay relevant within the Coalition administration.

In fact, Hughes told reporters that the AFC came to the table of playing politics with a totally different perspective; that is, playing by the books. This, according to the party’s Vice Chair, is even moreso evident in the way it operates within the Coalition.

Nevertheless, the minority party remains confident that it can continue to push its agenda within Government despite the passage of a NoConfidence Resolution against the Coalition, which was supported by former AFC Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud, whose

vote in favour of the motion toppled the current administration.

No confidence

Since the December 21, 2018 passage of the no confidence motion, several political commentators and stakeholders, including the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition, have been calling on the APNU/AFC Government to call elections, which, according to Article 106 (7), should be held within three months. This means, elections should be held by March 21 this year. It was AFC member Charrandas Persaud who, on December 21, 2018, voted against the coalition in a move which has toppled Government after he broke ranks and voted in favour of the Opposition’s no-confidence resolution in what he described as a “conscience vote”.

However, the High Court has since been asked to pronounce on two matters regarding the resolution –one contesting the validity of Persaud’s vote, given his dual citizenship; and another challenging the 33-32 votes, instead of a 34 majority, that was used to pass the motion.

Those cases came up for hearing on Tuesday, and acting Chief Justice Roxane George has committed to a ruling by the end of this month.

Both Government and the Opposition have agreed to have the court expedite these proceedings as they await the outcomes to determine the way forward.

In fact, following a meeting with President Granger last week, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has

Bandits rob Canje businessman, escape with car

Abusinessman of East Canje, Berbice was on Tuesday robbed some fifty miles away from home.

According to reports, 46-year-old Sahidrul Satar, also called ‘Roshan’, of Cumberland Village, East Canje, was attacked by two bandits, one of whom was armed with a knife while the other carried a firearm.

At the time of the robbery, Satar was at Crabwood

Creek (CWC) on the Upper Corentyne conducting business. Satar, who operates a mobile grocery distribution service, would normally visit customers of Tuesdays to obtain orders, and would deliver on Thursdays. On Tuesday, while at a shop at CWC, two masked men entered and held him at gunpoint. Satar was ordered to remain quiet while

stated that they have up until mid-April for the hosting of General and Regional elections, since the current list of electors which was

used for the November Local government polls will expire thereafter.

As such, the former Head of State is pushing for elections to be held within this timeframe, noting that it is sufficient for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to be ready. He noted that the $3 billion that was budgeted for the elections body to conduct houseto-house registration can be directed towards the actual hosting of national elections, and if more money is needed, they can always go to the National Assembly for supplementary funds.

Fresh registration

But on Wednesday,

Ramjattan argued that the monies allocated for the registration cannot be redirected when it was budgeted for a specific project. He insisted that the $3 billion be spent on fresh registration since the list needs to be sanitised.

“There are a lot of 15year and 14-year-olds who will have to be included in the list, and a lot of dead people…who have to be removed,” the AFC Chairman said while reminding that GECOM had committed to fresh registration every seven years.

Nevertheless, Ramjattan pointed out that the AFC is ready for elections, should they be called.

one of the bandits removed $433,000 from his pocket and relieved him of a gold chain he was wearing. He said the men demanded his car keys, and quickly exited the shop and entered the car. They then drove away. The businessman rushed outside crying for help, and a villager who knew him went to his aid.

They followed the bandits into Black Water Dam, which took them into the backlands where the bandits abandoned the car and crossed a trench. According to the businessman, one of the bandit’s masks fell off and he was able to recognise him. He said the men realised they were being followed and fired several shots in his direction.

The car was recovered, and the Police were contacted. Police are on the hunt for the bandits.

thursdAY, JAnuArY 17, 2019 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Woman accused of killing

abusive

husband to face Judge, jury

Twenty-three-year-old

Lisa Hayley, who is accused of killing her allegedly abusive husband in 2017, was on Wednesday committed to stand trial at the High Court by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

This ruling came after a prima facie case was made out against Hayley. This

means that she will have to face a judge and jury to know her fate when the matter is called in the High Court.

The mother of two made her first court appearance on August 3, 2017 when she faced a charge stating that she unlawfully killed Dailson Hayley on July 29, 2017 at Lot 30 Queen Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Hayley was released on $250,000 bail.

According to reports, the now dead man was very abusive towards Hayley during their relationship. Reports from 2017 stated that when the woman attempted to exit the relationship, the deceased, who did not handle it well,

subsequently turned up at the home armed with two knives.

An altercation then ensued during which Hayley managed to disarm the victim and reportedly inflicted one fatal stab wound to his chest. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Trafficking of Venezuelans for prostitution lands woman in jail

Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Wednesday remanded a 34-year-old Guyanese woman when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It is alleged that she trafficked four Venezuelans.

Fiona Hopkinson denied the charge which stated that between September 1, 2018, and October 31, 2018, at Club Diamond, Georgetown she harboured and trans-

ported four Venezuelan women for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Another charge against Hopkinson detailed that

she unlawfully withheld an identification card belonging to one of the women.

According to Police reports, the four women were arrested during a roadblock operation on November 3, 2018 and were taken into custody, where it was discovered they did not have their identification cards.

The foreigners claimed that they were seeking employment when the defendant employed them to work as prostitutes at Club Diamond, Georgetown.

They further claimed that Hopkinson was in possession of their identification documents after she took them and promised to return the documents.

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh objected to bail noting that the defendant has similar pending matters in another court.

Magistrate Daly upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Hopkinson to prison. The case will continue on February 6, 2019.

Waiting to exhale…

…on “no confidence” elections

Over in Britain, Theresa May lost the parliamentary vote on the treaty she’d negotiated to exit the EU (“Brexit”) by a whopping 200 votes. One hundred and eighteen MPs from her Conservative Party voted against her position while 3 Labourites joined her. But unlike in Guyana, where AFC’s Charrandas Persaud voted against his government, no one called anyone who voted against party line “traitors”, “Judas”, etc. Everyone accepted it was democracy at work.

After the massive defeat for May, Opposition Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn immediately announced he’d tabled a no-confidence motion against the Tory Government, which, however, he lost. There were no death threats or the need for crossover voters to have protection to leave the Chamber. This is how civilised democracies conduct themselves – even in the absence of a written Constitution as in Britain.

But here in Guyana, where Article 106 (6) explicitly commands that the Cabinet SHALL resign on the successful passage of a no-confidence motion, the PNC Government took recourse to the Courts on two far-fetched claims under the principle of “trying a t’ing”! But this is just not how it’s done…our tradition in politics, as in cricket, follows that of England, where we “walk” when we’re given “out” by the umpire. The PNC Government’s action, while allowed, is just not done! But then, this is the PNC, which will hold on to power by hook or crook – especially the latter.

To her credit, the Chief Justice has promised to deliver her judgement in two weeks – which will still allow us to have the elections not too long after the “three months” specified by Article 106 (7). Obviously, your Eyewitness expects the CJ to do the right thing. The actual date, of course, will depend on whether the PNC appeals or not to the Appellate Court and then the CCJ. Even if these Courts act as expeditiously as the High Court, we’re talking about elections in June, when new MPs qualify for pensions! It appears the army’s also of this opinion, since they’ve organised “exercises” across the country for that circumstance. But the notice has provided another reason why citizens are holding their breaths: the history of the army’s role in elections isn’t exactly comforting, to say the least! With Venezuela rattling sabres on our western border and threatening Exxon’s survey vessels in our waters, shouldn’t the GDF be conducting exercises in the Cuyuni region?

Your Eyewitness wonders whether – with all this tension in the air over the PNC’s reaction to their defeat in Parliament – Mash activities will be affected.

It ’ll be most ironic to commemorate Republic Day with PNC street protests.

…on the “new” CJIA

The “new” CJIA was supposed to’ve been completed since Dec 31, 2017, according to the Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson. That date came and went, but no completed airport. After that, was it too much to ask that the MPI be on top of the contractor and ensure an accelerated work schedule? Evidently it was…since here we are, with Dec 31, 2018 behind us, and the airport’s still a work in progress! And to add salt to the wound on our nation’s self-respect, the Government accepted a vastly TRUNCATED project from the original contract signed by the PPP for US$12 million LESS than the US$150 million the Government’s forking over. There are only four skybridges (hopefully!!) –less than the designed eight; there’s no new parking lot and the departure lounge was refurbished rather than rebuilt The result induces claustrophobia, with ceilings almost touching one’s head!

A reminder of life under the PNC before leaving?!

…on the GECOM Chair

Since the topic of dual citizenship’s on the table for MPs, we should be reminded it also concerns the GECOM Chair and Commissioners. According to Art 161 (4), “A person shall be disqualified for appointment as (GECOM) Chairman or other member of the commission if he is an alien.”

Shall we bolt ALL the stable doors?

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin was born in UK

As there continues to be much debate on the dual citizenship status of Members of Parliament (MPs), it has now been revealed that Alliance For Change (AFC) executive member and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin is a born Briton.

AFC Vice Chair Cathy Hughes, at a press briefing on Wednesday, pointed out that no current parliamentarian of the party has dual citizenship, but in the same breath, said that Gaskin was born in UK.

“The AFC wishes to advise that none of its 11 MPs have sworn allegiance to any foreign state. Ten of the party’s MPs are citizens of Guyana only; the other MP, Minister Dominic Gaskin, was born in the United Kingdom... The issue of renouncing citizenship does not apply to Guyanese who were born in another country. Therefore, Mr Gaskin constitutionally sits as a duly elected MP without any hindrance or issue,” Hughes said.

Former

AGaskin is also the sonin-law of President David Granger.

Since the December 21, 2018 passage of the NoConfidence Resolution, which saw former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud voting in favour of the Oppositionsponsored motion that went on to topple the Coalition Government, there has been much debate about the reso-

lution.

In fact, Government supporter Campton Reid has asked the High Court to determine whether Persaud’s vote on the No-Confidence Resolution was valid, given the fact that he dual citizenship status; that is, he’s both a Guyanese as well as a citizen of Canada.

As such, hours after the historic vote in the National Assembly, Charrandas flew

to the North American country, where he currently resides.

However, it has since been revealed that Persaud was not the only MP with dual citizenship. In fact, four senior Government ministers have been reported to have dual citizenship as well.

Among those who have sworn allegiance to other countries are: State Minister Joseph Harmon, who is also a citizen of the United States of America (USA); Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, a citizen of the UK; and Public Service Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, also a Briton. These are all members of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) faction of the coalition.

However, when probed on this during Wednesday’s press conference, Hughes directed questions to its majority coalition partner.

“We have made a statement where we stand. We would not be able to comment on any other political

party. We don’t know whether the information is credible, whether it’s true, or whether it’s false or whatever. So I think those questions should be directed to the individuals or to the party,” the AFC’s Vice Chair insisted.

Case brought against others?

Meanwhile, the matter involving Persaud’s dual citizenship was heard on Tuesday, and acting Chief Justice Roxane George has since committed to a ruling by month end.

As such, when pressed to discuss the implications this could have on the votes of the APNU parliamentarians, given their dual citizenship as well, AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan posited that this legal matter is limited to only the former MP’s situation.

“The lawyers, I think, will be in the best position to answer that. My understanding from the argument from the [Campton] Reid analysis is that if you were a dual citizen, there are cer-

tain implications that you would have voided, or vitiated your parliamentary status from the very inception, and as such, that vote in the No-Confidence ought not to count. So it will go back to a 32-32 scenario, if it does not count… Well, if the court now rules -- by virtue of all the evidence this case has brought from Reid -- that Charrandas has dual citizenship, it will apply to him. They will probably have to bring another case against the rest to neutralise theirs, but that’s what I understand from the Reid case: that Charrandas is what they are getting at,” Ramjattan, a lawyer, told reporters on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, the AFC insisted that due diligence was exercised prior to selecting Charrandas Persaud as an MP. According to the party’s General Secretary Marlon Williams, the former party member failed to disclose his dual citizenship status despite knowing the stipulations in the constitution.

MP calls for wider body of int’l observers at next

lthough a date is still to be decided on the next general and regional elections, the inevitability of this eventuality looms, and many persons are already gearing up to participate in elections this year.

As such, former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Kwame Gilbert is calling for a larger presence of international observers for the next elections.

“The stakes are the highest they have ever been. Compounded by the deterioration of trust, it is even more imperative to have a wider body of international observers,” he said.

Dr Gilbert, a former Presidential Advisor on Social Policy, told this newspaper that he would also call on the parliamentary parties to jointly agree for that level of electoral oversight.

His call comes after the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) reported last October leading to Local Government Elections that there was a shortfall in applications for election observers.

Following that update, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union submitted their applications to become observers. Their applications were approved.

Dr Gilbert has pointed to the need for more groups and countries to join in observing the next elections, which by all suspicions could be another historic one.

Gilbert said he is looking forward to the participation of the Carter Center, which has been deeply involved in

Guyana since observing the election of 1992.

In 1991, Cheddi Jagan visited the former US President and requested that the Center monitor the election of 1992. Carter visited and had extensive discussions with the late former President Desmond Hoyte. He eventually agreed to this proposal for the Center to be an observer.

But on elections day, Jagan’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was winning. This led to riots erupting in Georgetown, with buildings being burned and several people killed. It was later declared that in fact the PPP had won. The chaos continued but later stopped.

“In view of our history, concerns regarding a possible compromise of the process are justified. However, both international and local observers would be valuable in mitigating these concerns,” the former MP said when asked whether he thinks the process would be a fair one.

No-confidence

During the December 21, 2018 no-confidence vote tabled by Opposition

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Head Office located at Kingston, Georgetown

Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in the National Assembly, the coalition Government was defeated when One of the Government MPs broke ranks and voted with the Opposition to have the resolution passed.

The Government has since proposed several legal arguments to question the validity of the vote. But during the first sitting of the National Assembly earlier this month, House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland ruled that the vote was successful-

ly passed.

Persons have for some time argued that the Cabinet

should have resigned by now, pursuant to the laws of Guyana. And even though less than 90 days remain in which elections must be held, the GECOM has made no significant moves towards preparing for holding elections.

The hearing of the legal challenges coming out of the no-confidence vote began on Tuesday with acting Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George approving applications for Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon to be joined to the proceedings.

elections

Attorney Christopher Ram had also appealed to join these proceedings to have the High Court validate the no-confidence resolution and have Government comply with Constitutional provisions to demit office and call elections no later than March of this year. Ram’s application to join was approved by Justice George, who also set aside January 24 for oral submissions.

The CJ has given a commitment to make a ruling on all these matters pertaining to the no-confidence resolution, given the national importance of the issue.

The Government believes there was not a majority passage of the no-confidence motion, but the Opposition disagrees and believes that the Government is attempting to buy time in office.

Head teacher bans parents from entering Diamond Primary School compound

…after teacher allegedly lost laptop, protest erupts

…Education Ministry intervenes

Parents of students attending the New Diamond-Grove Primary School staged a protest outside the institution’s compound on Wednesday, after a decision was taken by the head teacher to prohibit them from entering the facility. Guyana Times understands that the ban on parents was imposed after a teacher reported that she allegedly lost her laptop some-

time last week. On Friday, when parents turned up with their children, the guards were instructed to lock the gates and not allow the guardians into the compound.

This sparked a protest action on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as guardians lined up in front of the East Bank Demerara (EBD) school, voicing their disapproval of the head teacher’s decision. While the protest

started on Monday, no intervention was made by the Education Ministry until Wednesday when Guyana Times and Evening News reporters turned up at the institution to give coverage of the parents’ plight.

Trevor Singh stood in front of the school as he lamented, “What is happening here is that last week, the head teacher made the decision of closing the gate and not allowing the parents to enter the compound. Apparently, some teacher laptop was lost and she decided to close the gate. I have a kid that just come from kindergarten so they need this kind of propping, because the bigger children are taking some advantage.”

Another parent commented that they were treated as the suspects in this case, which was unacceptable. Her child, who is in Grade One, needs attention and care

Berbice man jailed for failing to pay taxi

ABerbician will spend the next six months in jail after he failed to pay debts he incurred while using a taxi.

Gajeshwaririto Sewnarine admitted that he committed the offence when he appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

The court heard that on December 14, 2018, at Laluni Street, Georgetown,

with intent to defraud, he incurred debts of $30,000 by hiring motor car HC 7134 and failing to make payments.

In his defence, Sewnarine told Magistrate McGusty that he attempted to make payments, but faced setbacks from the bank.

However, the Virtual Complainant (VC) related that on the day when payments were supposed to be made, he transported the defendant to the bank and

waited outside. He said that he was left waiting for the entire day outside the bank. However, he realised that something was amiss after the bank closed and Sewnarine failed to return.

A report was made to the Police and surveillance footage showed that Sewnarine left the bank shortly after he arrived. As such, McGusty jailed Sewnarine, who could not give a date when he would be able to pay the taxi driver.

from an adult to adjust to the new environment.

“How can you accuse all the parents for one incident? That’s a Police matter. We have some small kids that just come out of nursery. Parents have to take them to the washroom, make sure they get their food and take them to the canteen, because the older students are bullying them and taking away their money.”

A parent also noted that there was a shed in front of the school where parents could wait for their children. However, they could not utilise the facility and were left with no choice, but to wait in the sun until classes were at recess or dismissed.

“Stopping us from entering the school is actually preventing us from taking care of the kids in this early stage. The mothers have to stand in the sun and there is a shed in front where they can wait,” the parent said.

Disturbed parents claimed that the head teacher has been oblivious to their concerns. It was indicated that any meeting convened by the head teacher would not be attended since they were not welcome at the institution.

“If they ever have a meeting, then she would have to come outside here and meet us, because we aren’t allowed to go inside. I think this is very unprofessional of a head teacher to make a decision like that, because she should have been more tactical and diplomatic in terms of calling the parents about

the situation. She is putting us in the same domain as the person who stole the laptop.”

Meanwhile, when this publication visited the school on Wednesday, the security frantically rushed to the administrative office before returning to her post.

This newspaper was told by an official from the Education Ministry that the matter was reported to the Ministry on Wednesday. This led to an intervention and parents are now being allowed to enter the compound and wait under the shed for their children.

Convicted rapist appealing length of sentence

...as Chief Justice reminds lawyer of violent nature of rape

Convicted rapist Linton Pompey is appealing his consecutive prison sentences on two counts of raping a 14-yearold girl, but acting Chief Justice Roxane George has underscored the violent nature of the offence.

The matter came up on Wednesday at the Appeal Court, where Pompey’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes is arguing that a sentence of 37 years for two counts is too excessive.

In September 2015 trial judge Jo-Ann Barlow handed the 53-year-old man the

two consecutive sentences for acts he was found guilty of committing between May 1 and May 31, 2011; on January 10, 2012, and between June 1 and June 30, 2013 on a 14-year-old girl.

During Appeal Court proceedings, Hughes argued that the trial judge had failed to put his client’s defence to the jury, further arguing that consecutive sentences could only be imposed if there was some degree of extreme violence involved.

Justice George on Wednesday told Hughes that

rape in itself was a violent offence while the Director of Public Prosecutions’ representative, Natasha Backer disputed Hughes’s position of an excessive sentence.

The Prosecutor further added that the father of 12 committed the acts on separate days. Citing case law in the Caribbean, Backer stressed that there were provisions to give consecutive sentences for unrelated acts, emphasising that Pompey committed the acts over a significant period of time, from May 2011 to June 2013.

GuySuCo silent 6 months after Uitvlugt flying knives incident

…engineering manager reportedly transferred – source

By Shemuel FanFair

Six months after what was described as “negligence” wrecked the Uitvlugt Estate’s number two turbine and sent 64 out of 70 knives flying, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is yet to give official word on what specific actions were taken to rein in those responsible for the costly mishap.

Guyana Times now understands that an Engineering Manager (name provided) has been transferred to a supervisory post in what a source famil-

iar with last’s year investigation deemed a “demotion”. After this disclosure was made, this newspaper contacted GuySuCo Public Relations Officer (PRO) Audreyanna Thomas on Wednesday, and she indicated that she could not at the time respond to queries over what specific actions were taken in light of the investigation. She observed that she would be able to provide more information at a later date.

On August 11, 2018, some $18 million worth of sugar cane produce at the

Uitvlugt Estate, West Coast Demerara, was left to spoil after the turbine malfunctioned. Though some of the produce was eventually sal-

vaged, correcting the breakdown was essentially at the expense of the taxpayer. The knives, which are made out of carbon steel, weigh 20lbs

1 remanded for Corentyne carpenter’s murder

Following a spate of murders in East Berbice, Region Six, over the last four weeks, a young man was on Wednesday remanded, bringing the total of those remanded for the recent murders in the region to four.

Between December 16, and January 14, seven robberies were recorded in the

region.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Alex Moore remanded a Corentyne man for the January 11th murder of a carpenter.

Gavindra Shivpersaud, also called ‘Two Feet,’ of Fyrish Village, Corentyne, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which was read to him by Magistrate Moore at the Number 51 Village Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on January 11, 2019, at Number 70 Village, he murdered Navindradat Bhawan, also called ‘Altaf’, 21, of Lot 54 Number 70 Village.

Shivpersaud stood emotionless in the dock when the charge was read to him. The case will continue on February 21 at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

Bhawan’s body was found at about 14:00h on January 11, 2019 face down on the roadway at Number 70 Village. He was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where

he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reports are the man was allegedly beaten after he went away with a $5000 bill the accused had given him to purchase a bottle of rum. This newspaper understands that two persons were arrested in connection with the murder. However, the accused reportedly confessed that he had lashed

the carpenter but did not know if he had died.

Meanwhile, the dead man’s uncle, Mohamed Safraz Noordeen, said the family is still awaiting the release of the body to have it buried.

“The doctor tell me that until they get the registration they cannot release my nephew. I don’t know how long my nephew is going to be there before he is buried, because we don’t know how long it gon take to get the registration,” h disclosed.

This publication understands that authorities are waiting the toxicology report, since the autopsy was inconclusive.

each.

GuySuCo revealed, later in August 2018, that it launched its investigation by senior management to probe the spoilage and also to understand how the mishap occurred.

Though preliminary investigations unearthed by Guyana Times suggested that management was considering “negligence”, official word was never given to solidify this revelation.

It was reported in the media that workers had started up the number two turbine at about 09:30h when a section called the “governor” was reportedly not maintained properly in the out of crop period.

The turbine has 70 knives on the sharp which spins to shred the canes, and on the day of the mishap, when workers had started the machines, it overspun, and the knives flew out several feet away, which had forced sev-

eral workers to dart for safety and take cover. Information which this newspaper sourced from the GuySuCo investigation explained that 10 components from the turbine had been destroyed. The Estate Manager, Yudhisthira Mana, had not publically disclosed the full cost to repair the shredder machine, which was reportedly in the millions.

Guyana Times reported last year that the number two turbine was completely damaged, and it had to be replaced with a turbine from the defunct La Bonne Intention Estate (LBI). The original sharp from the Uitvlugt Estate has also been completely damaged in last year’s mishap. In October 2018, reports surfaced that two mangers were sent on administrative leave to facilitate the probe, but it is yet to be made clear if it was one of those very managers that was supposedly demoted.

The Uitvlugt Estate is the lone Demerara Estate, with Wales and East Demerara having been shuttered in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The Special Purposes Unit assumed control of all of the closed estates. Many of the former workers of the Wales Estate, which numbered over 1000, obtained employment at Uitvlugt.

CCPA clamping down on illegal day-care centres

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) is urging Day Care Service providers to get their facilities registered by March or face closure.

Head of the CPA, Ann Greene, said persons who are desirous of registering their Day Care Facility must possess a valid Police Clearance and Food Handlers Certificate. She added that the facilities will be inspected by the Fire Department, The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and the Ministry of Public Health for safety standards’ compliance.

According to the director, the CPA is working to tighten its grip on illegal Day Care practices, and will be enforcing strict measures and inspections of every Day Care Facility, to ensure compliance.

“This year, we are planning to get all the existing Day Care Facilities licensed. They must be licensed, they must take the time to go and get themselves in order. We are granting the licences, but they must go out and get themselves in order,” Director Greene is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The director further mentioned that the agency saw a large turnout of persons for the Day Care Training pro-

gramme offered last year. She emphasised that day care services is a developing business countrywide and it is important for persons to get serious and ensure their businesses get registered.

More than 130 Day Care Facilities were registered in 2018 under the Ministry of Social Protection’s Early Childhood Development Programme, which aims to monitor and improve Day Care Facilities.

On January 3 last, Guyana Times reported that of 337 day care and playschool facilities found across the country, a mere 131 possessed the required licences, leaving a whopping 206 of these institutions unlicensed. This information was gathered from

the CCPA’s Year-in-Review posted on the Agency’s social media page.

According to statistics provided by the department, three day-care centres were found in Region One (Barima-Waini) with none of those being licensed or registered. Over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 18 facilities were found, with all of those being registered and licensed. In Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 48 playschools were found, of which 33 were registered but only 20 were licensed. Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) had the highest number of playschools found, which stood at 184; however, 160 of those were registered and only 41 had the necessary licences. In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 15 day care centres were found, 13 were registered while five possessed licences. Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) had three, one and three day cares respectively; none of which was licensed or registered. However, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) 28 playschools were found, 26 were registered, while 19 were licensed.

According to a senior official at the CCPA, playschools and day care centres can be registered but not licensed, as the licensing process is a lengthy one.

It was explained that for such entities to be licensed, they must undergo a series of inspections by

the Public Health Ministry, the Guyana Fire Service, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and a number of other agencies. Along with this, a high number of paperwork also has to be sorted out before those businesses can be licensed.

According to the official, the CCPA arm of the Social Protection Ministry would be assisting those businesses in becoming fully compliant with the standards as required of them. The CCPA will be guiding those businesses along the way as they seek to have all the facilities licensed by the end of 2019.

When asked if the required licence would pose any major threat or issue if not possessed, the negative was given as a response.

Guyana Times was told by the senior official that if a child is injured at any of the unlicensed day care centres, the business owners would be held responsible.

“They would still be under our supervision, so whether they licensed or not, if anything happens to the children, they would have to take responsibility. They have to operate at the minimum standard, so it’s just the paperwork is the problem to get, but they have to maintain the minimum standard,” the official stated.

The official added that the CCPA will continue to work with those businesses to achieve the target of 100 per cent licensing by the end of this year.

In September of last year, Executive Officer of Early Childhood Development, Lavern Thorne, during an interview with Guyana Times, had said that as a result of a number of interventions made over time, the CCPA has been able to up the standards of day-care facilities across the country, which were previously below standard.

Some of the works that were done to those centres include rehabilitation to the buildings, proper play spaces and materials, trained and qualified staff, among others.

Werk-en-Rust residents blame city business for sewage in yards

Residents in Werk-enRust, Georgetown are fuming over sewage which runs into their yards as a result of a nearby hotel affecting the sewerage system.

Concerned citizens in the area on Wednesday complained bitterly of not being able to use their washroom facilities as they please, owing to condoms and even sanitary napkins blocking up their systems.

One resident, who gave her name only as Tashana, said residents in the area were quite fed up of the situation and did not know who to turn to for help. According to her, the said sewage keeps seeping into her yard.

The woman, whose home is on Princes Street,

Georgetown, said that she has been trying to put up with the situation for about one year now, but it has landed her four-year-old son in the hospital already. Tashana even noted that she too fell sick for four months and was off of her job, as a result of the unpleasant fumes and materials that end up in her yard.

“The sewage is overflowing for about a year now. Sometimes people come and they pump it out… (but) for about three months or so, I have stuff running through my yard,” the resident said. According to her, every time she makes a complaint about the issue, she is made to wait two to three months while being told “we’re working on it” before the authorities clean the sewage. The horrific situation would somehow reoccur in only about a week’s time, causing her to have to wait again before it can be addressed.

The frustrated woman said her mother, who is a pensioner, lives with her and is often times forced to stay indoors given the situation. “That lady old and she needs exercise, she can’t even take a walk in her own yard because of this nonsense,” she argued.

Body on Number 63 Beach

Surinamese man died from gunshot wound to head – PME

Apost-mortem examination (PME) conducted on 40-yearold Nitender Omewrasingh, whose body was found on the Number 63 Beach, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) died from shock and haemorrhage, gunshot wound and laceration to the brain.

The autopsy was conducted at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary on Wednesday morning by pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan.

The body was found on Monday, clad in a blue vest, a pair of long black track pants and also a pair of black and white boots. The discovery was made by ranks on a routine patrol in the area at about 16:20h. A spent shell and a cellphone were found next to the body. This publication understands that tyre marks were also seen next to the body. He was

later identified as Singh and was implicated in a cocaine bust on January 8, 2019 by Surinamese authorities. Some 2300 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$200

million was found in rice in a canter truck, which was intercepted at Jules Sedney Haven by the narcotics brigade of Suriname.

Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation told this publication that several persons in the area submitted footage from their surveillance cameras as Police continue their probe.

On January 9, the AFP had reported that Suriname Police made the biggest drug seizure in the country’s history.

“The biggest bust ever was around 1300 kilograms and this is likely to be more,” said Suriname’s Prosecutor General, Roy Baidjnath Panday.

The drug was hidden between sacks of rice and destined for the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, from where it was to be exported to the French mainland.

UK citizen Carl Greenidge now Guyana’s acting PM

Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President Carl Greenidge is now acting in the capacity of Prime Minister (PM), since the current PM, Moses Nagamootoo, is acting within the capacity of President, with President David Granger in Cuba receiving treatment for his illness.

Greenidge, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP), recently confirmed with a section of the media that he has United Kingdom (UK) citizenship, after leaving Guyana as a child.

Following the no-confidence motion that was passed against the coalition, Government supporter Campton Reid filed legal

proceedings challenging the validity of the vote of former Member of Parliament (MP) Charrandas Persaud, stating that he had falsely declared that he was a Guyanese citizen.

Persaud, a Guyanese, is also a citizen of Canada.

Reid is arguing, among other things, that Persaud, who has dual citizenship, acted in contravention of Article 155 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Guyana “… by virtue of his own act and acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience and adherence to a foreign power; to wit, the Sovereign State of Canada.”

Pensioners exempted from GWI’s monthly fixed charge

Effective October 2018, pensioners countrywide have been exempted from Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) fixed monthly charge of $250 for water used. Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, said that metered pensioners will now pay a charge of $74 per cubic meter (m3) for the first 10cubic meters (10m3), and $86 for each cubic meter used thereaf-

Werk-en-Rust residents...

ter, until September 30. As for unmetered pensioners, they will pay a rate of $740 per month.

He further mentioned that citizens aged 65 years old and above will be eligible for the exemption, and must provide an Identification Card or Passport when applying. Additionally, the GWI account must be in the pensioner’s name for the reduced rate to be granted.

From page 12

1st policy to tackle youth violence in Caribbean to be launched – CDB

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is in the process of developing a new youth policy with the intent of tackling the scourge of youth violence, which has been plaguing the Region.

This was on Tuesday revealed by the Chief of Social Sector Division at CDB, Deidre Clarendon at the opening of the Caribbean Summit on Youth Violence Prevention, hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

Clarendon said, “At the CDB, we are in the process of developing our first Youth Policy in Operational Strategy and this is scheduled for roll out this year.”

According to the CDB representative, the project will feature youth mainstreaming and crime prevention. As a precursor to this strategy, CDB will be channelling greater investments into other youth innovation and empowerment programmes.

The need for such a programme was highlighted at the forum, especially since 80 per cent of prosecuted crimes was found to be committed by youths between the ages of 19 and 29.

This was according to the Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who shared remarks during the opening ceremony of the Summit on Tuesday.

LaRocque noted, “Some of the main findings of recent studies are that the majority of victims as well as perpetrators of crimes reported by the Police are young males

18 to 35 years old.”

“There are a number of socio-economic determinants of crime, of the least of which is the high youth unemployment in the Region of 25 per cent in 2017. That is three times the average and the highest,” he added.

According to him, it has been realised that there was great need for intervention in order to combat the current challenge.

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, while delivering the feature address on Tuesday, spoke of the need for developing programmes to help build the self-esteem of youths.

Norton told his fellow Caricom States’ representatives that, “We must all continue to implement programmes and activities that seek to develop and enhance youths’ self-esteem and confidence; promote tolerance; respect for laws and rules

and empower them to be change agents in our societies”.

The Minister explained that such programmes must include an avenue for youths to be able to shake off their aggression and release stress and anger, which built up owing to insecurities.

The Summit was hosted with the intent of pooling ideas for the prevention of youth violence in communities and schools and, to an extent, individual countries. It concluded on Wednesday. The Summit was also geared towards creating “targeted actions” for policy-makers and stakeholders to create and maintain a peaceful Caribbean environment.

Participating in the event were a number of Caribbean countries like Jamaica, St Lucia, as well as other nations, including the United States.

“I even called them before Christmas and say it’s Christmas time coming could you just see how it can be cleaned, because I can’t even flush my toilet. I can’t even have people over because of the stench and stuff in my yard. All I’m ever told is sorry for the inconvenience,” the woman added.

area and warned the hotel owners about the issue.

The resident said that the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) usually handled the situation, so she has never made a complaint to the Mayor and City Council. She, however, said that GWI officials were in the

When Guyana Times visited the area on Wednesday morning, manholes were seen open in the quite smelly location, in an attempt to provide some relief to the residents.

MoE sponsors 4 schools for annual Children's Costume Parade 2019

At least four schools have received sponsorship to ensure their participation in the Education Ministry’s Children’s Mashramani Costume and Float Parade 2019.

The schools that are sure to participate in the parade billed for February 16, 2019, are Tucville Primary and Secondary Schools, St Margaret’s Primary School and St Winifred’s Secondary school.

To make the participation of the schools a reality, teachers from the four schools received materials to assist their schools in preparation for the event.

The materials are to be used for the creation of costumes even as the Unit of Allied Arts will also be financing the construction of the costumes.

Further, the unit has undertaken the provision of needed transportation for the students’ participation from the four schools. The total sponsorship for the four schools has been valued at an overall cost of about $500,000.

Handing over the items yesterday was Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts Lorraine BarkerKing who described the gesture as a tradition to select and support some schools annually.

She said, “These schools are selected on the basis of their willingness to participate but their inability to do so because of various reasons”.

Among the items handed-over were shimmering materials, glue guns and glue, pompoms as well as face masks etc.

According to BarkerKing, the idea is to foster a more collaborative approach that encourages the involvement of parents at home, the students and teachers at schools and the community as these stakeholders will all be relied upon to lend their creative abilities towards costume construction.

Explaining further, Barker-King said, “The Unit normally offers support to schools which do not normally participate and this serves as an enabler because we [the Unit] believe that children should be allowed to be children while socialising through the creative arts as well as fostering creativity.”

Meanwhile, the Allied Arts Administrator has informed that planning is in its advanced stages to ensure the successful host-

ing of the Annual Regional and National Children’s Mashramani activities which will see the regional competitions beginning from as early as January 22 in Region three (3).

In addition to the staging of the regional activities, the winners from the eleven education districts will all converge in Georgetown to contest for top honours and bragging rights for the national finals which are slated for staging at the National Cultural Centre from February 1415, 2019.

The categories include dance and masquerade, calypso singing and dramatic poetry presentations.

Addressing the subject of sponsorship aside from the traditional sponsors, several other corporate citizens have signaled their interests in sponsoring the various events in support of the nation’s youths.

Mashramani 2019 is being celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating 49 with victory in mind – re-discovering Eldorado.”

For 2019 it is projected that more than 7000 children, drawn from all eleven education districts, will participate in the regional and national children’s Mashramani activities representing public and private schools as well as children’s organisations.

US arrests Journalist working for Iran's state Press TV

An American journalist working for Iran's English-language Press TV has been arrested by US authorities on unspecified charges, the staterun broadcaster said on Wednesday.

Marzieh Hashemi, 59, was arrested upon arrival at St Louis Lambert International Airport on Sunday and transferred by the FBI to a detention facility in Washington, DC, Press TV said.

"Her relatives were unable to contact her, and she was allowed to contact her daughter only two days after her arrest," the Iranian broadcaster reported.

"Hashemi [...] has told her daughter that she was

handcuffed and shackled and was being treated like a criminal."

Several local jails around Washington that house federal inmates said they did not have her in custody. FBI officials were not immediately available for comment.

Born Melanie Franklin, Hashemi was in the United States to visit family.

The Muslim convert was quoted as saying by the broadcaster she was prevented from observing her Islamic faith and wearing her headscarf. She was also only offered pork as a meal, which is prohibited in Islam.

The only food she has had over the past two days has been a "packet of crackers", Hashemi was quoted as saying by Press TV.

The account of her treatment could not be independently verified.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday called for her immediate release.

"We condemn the illegal arrest of Marzieh Hashemi, the reporter and presenter of Press TV, and the inhumane treatment of her in jail in Washington," Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Hashemi's reported arrest comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US. (Aljazeera)

Oil prices edge down as US fuel stockpiles grow more than expected

US oil prices inched down on Thursday, with traders worried about the strength of demand in the United States after gasoline stockpiles there grew last week by far more than analysts had expected.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were at $52.20 per barrel at 0022 GMT, down 11 cents, or 0.2 percent, from their last settlement. WTI futures closed up 0.4 percent on Wednesday.

International Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 had yet to trade, after closing up 1.1 percent in the previous session.

“While (US) inventories fell slightly more than expected, there was a large build in gasoline inventories. This stoked fears of weak demand in the US,” ANZ Bank said in a research note.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a report on

Wednesday that crude production rose last week to a record 11.9 million barrels per day (bpd), as crude exports jumped close to all-time highs near 3 million bpd. However, gasoline stockpiles USOILG=ECI climbed 7.5 million barrels, far exceeding analyst expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.8 million-barrel gain. At 255.6 million barrels, gasoline stocks were at their highest weekly level since February, 2017. (Reuters)

Education important when addressing mental health

Commonwealth Youth Council, Caribbean and Americas Region Representative, Franz George, on Wednesday said education is extremely important and necessary when addressing mental health issues.

In an invited comment on day two of the Caribbean Summit on Youth Violence Prevention, George said statements suggesting that persons suffering from mental illnesses are “experiencing a spiritual event” or “it’s a demon”, often come from a place of ignorance.

This, he said, emphasises the need to have education on the issue in all levels of society, so it can be better understood. George noted that “these issues are real issues that people are dealing with,” further underlining the need to “understand the causes, symptoms and the solutions.”

“We also need to educate the young people how they can cope; how can they recognise that they are experiencing these issues, and who to go to for help, so they don’t have to deal with these things on their own,” he is quoted by the Department

of Public Information as saying.

The Commonwealth Youth Council, Caribbean and Americas Region Representative also said education must be in the picture, as it plays an integral part in the successful implementation of projects which focus on mental health.

He described the conversation on Wednesday as a positive and progressive one, and called for the strengthening of the mental healthcare system.

“We need to have persons in the community willing to work. The Government also needs to be willing to work, and policymakers and devel-

opment partners.”

George highlighted that establishment of a mental health clinic or a positive mental health programme “is often times a product of many partners coming together”.

He added that the conversation needs to be “expanded amongst the players in the sector, and then from there we can move into implementing these programmes and having more centres.”

In addition to establishing more mental health centres across the region, George said people must also see the importance of accessing the facilities.

DR Congo ethnic violence kills nearly 900 in a few days – UN

At least 890 people are believed to have been killed in ethnic violence in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last month, the United Nations human rights office said on Wednesday, warning that the actual toll could be higher still.

This doubles an estimate provided on Monday by a local priest and a civil society activist who said that at least 400 people had been killed in bloodshed that led the government to cancel voting there in last month's presidential election.

"I have to emphasise that 890 is the number of people we know were actually buried," UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said after the release of a statement on the attacks.

"But there are reports that many others may have been killed and their bodies may have been dumped in the Congo River or they may have been burned to death," she said.

Communal fighting and widespread pillaging around the town of Yumbi led to an estimated 16,000 people seeking refuge by crossing the Congo River into the Republic of Congo, the UN rights office said.

"According to allegations from credible sources, at least 890 people were killed between 16 and 18 December in four villages in Yumbi

territory, Mai-Ndombe province in the west of the DRC, in what appear to have been clashes between the Banunu and Batende communities," the UN human rights office statement read. It said 465 houses and buildings, including schools, a health centre, market and office of the national electoral commission, had been burned or pillaged.

The violence broke out over a dispute linked to a tribal chief's burial, Shamdasani said.

While the bloodshed was not directly related to the election, a local activist told the Reuters news agency in December that tensions between the two ethnic groups had festered because Batende leaders were supporting the ruling coalition while Banunu leaders backed opposition candi-

75-year-old ‘Gaza Nani’ arrested for running small ‘cocaine empire’ in Suriname

The arrest of a 75-yearold grandmother on drug related charges is resulting in people hilariously trolling police and calling for her release.

The woman had been arrested on Tuesday after police raided her home and found that she was running a small “cocaine empire” from her house in the western Paramaribo.

The arrest of coke Nani (granny) Nankoemarie N has become such a hot topic in the country that the hashtag #FreeGazaNani has been trending all day Wednesday.

Prior to the arrest of the woman, police had caught a group of teenagers selling crack cocaine in Piano Street in Victoria Park, a neighbourhood in Kwatta, in western Paramaribo. The boys, ages ranging from 15 to 20 years told police that they were selling the narcotics for a woman with one of them identifying her as his aunt.

When police raided the house, they did indeed find a large amount of cocaine inside. They also found proof that the boys were selling the drugs at her behest. The grandma was immediately arrested. The boys were also kept in custody.

The case took an unexpected turn however, when people nicknamed the woman Gaza Nani — a play on the Gaza Strip’s terrorism reputation and the woman

being as tough as a terrorist — and started calling for her release.

“Free Gaza Nani, she is so inspiring. Girl Power Female Power! Let her go. She is a well-respected drug dealer who wasn’t selling kilograms, but just a couple of grams here and there so she could buy bread, milk and masala,” one person joked on social media.

Another person, who said he had spoken to one of her customers, said the she could easily rival the big dealers.

Then someone found a photograph of the bespectacled Gaza Nani clad in a pristine sari, grinning widely and throwing gang signs, and that only served to further fuel the virility of the story.

The hashtag #free-

gazanani quickly started trending, with many people joking around about the case, but some hinting seriously that a little old lady did not belong in a cold prison and that police would do better to go after big drug dealers. Some also pointed out that the country is in a sad state when its elders have to resort to crime to stay afloat.

Media reports said that Nankoemarie went into the drug trade to augment her retirement income.

“When she started having trouble walking, she asked her nephew to help out and together with friends of his she built her own little drug empire,” the report stated.

None of this has been confirmed by police. (CMC)

India women: 1st female climbs sacred mountain

Awoman has climbed a mountain in India, where only men were allowed until now for religious reasons.

Dhanya Sanal's ascent to the summit of Agasthyakoodam in southern Kerala state came after a court ruling in November.

dates.

Voting was cancelled in three cities in the area during the December 30 presidential polls. The election was meant to lead to the DRC's first democratic transfer of power since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960 but the provisional results have been disputed by opposition groups and monitors.

"It is crucial that this shocking violence be promptly, thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators be brought to justice," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

The rights office said Wednesday that it had launched an investigation into the reports of violence. National judicial authorities are also conducting a probe, according to the office. (Aljazeera)

Local tribespeople oppose women climbing it because of its statue of a Hindu sage associated with celibacy.

Sanal, 38, told the BBC she had not been stopped by locals or protesters. Campaigners say it's a victory in the fight to end gender discrimination.

Sanal said she had been "ready to turn back" if tribespeople stopped her, but while she did encounter protesters, she said they had not prevented her from continuing her trek.

In November, the high court in Kerala ruled that women could trek to the 1,868m (6,128ft) peak. The court said that restrictions on trekking could not be based on gender after a women's group petitioned the court.

The group welcomed Ms Sanal's climb.

"We have moved one

step ahead in ending gender discrimination in Kerala," Divya Divakaran, one of its members, told the BBC.

Located within a biosphere reserve in India's Western Ghats, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala.

The high court rejected the claim made by tribespeople, who live at the foothills, that the verdict hurt their beliefs.

They had said they wor-

shipped the sage, Agastya, and did not want women in the vicinity of his idol as that amounted to disrespecting his celibacy. The terrain is steep and rocky and the trail is inside a thick forest. Trekkers often take two or three days to scale the peak.

"It is extremely tough terrain that demands extra physical fitness," Sanal told the Times of India newspaper.(BBC News)

Regional

Brazil, Argentina leaders step up pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri shakes hands with Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro during a meeting in Brasilia, Brazil January 16, 2019

Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri said after their first meeting on Wednesday that they agreed on their opposition to Venezuela’s authoritarian Government, with Macri calling Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a “dictator”.

“Our cooperation with Argentina on the Venezuelan question it the clearest example of a convergence of positions and shared values,” Bolsonaro said. Since taking office on January 1, Bolsonaro has adopted a tougher stance on Venezuela and a closer alignment with the United States than previous Brazilian governments. (Reuters)

US court blocks census question for Caribbean immigrants

Caribbean American

New York City Council

Member Jumaane D Williams has welcomed a ruling by a US federal judge blocking the Trump administration from including a question on citizenship status for Caribbean and other immigrants in the 2020 Census.

“Time and again, over the last two years, we’ve seen the courts acting as a check against the immorality and inhumanity of this administration in a role they’ve often played throughout our history,” said Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, who represents the overwhelmingly Caribbean 45th Council District in Brooklyn.

“I celebrate this ruling with the millions of immigrants throughout our city and our country who feared they would be targeted or silenced if this question were allowed to tarnish and bias the census,” he added. Justice Jesse M. Furman of the United States District Court in Manhattan ruled on Tuesday that Wilbur L Ross Jr, the US Commerce

Department Secretary, broke “a veritable smorgasbord” of US federal rules when he ordered the citizenship question added to the census nearly a year ago.

The judge described as “egregious” Ross’s cherry-picking of facts to corroborate his stance and said that the Commerce Department Secretary ignored or skewed opposing evidence and concealed deliberations from Census Bureau experts.

“I am a first generation American, the son of immigrants. I represent a community of immigrants, in a city, a state and nation of immigrants.

These communities need to stand up and be heard in this census to ensure that their voices and their numbers are represented by our government,” said Williams, a candidate for New York City Public Advocate.

“This administration’s primary goal is and has always been to create an ‘other,’ and to exploit that division and bigotry. A victory was struck against that goal today, and we will continue to keep up the fight.”

(CMC)

Rihanna takes father to court in trademark dispute

Singer Rihanna has taken her father to court in the US, accusing him of exploiting her name to further his entertainment business.

She claims her father, Ronald Fenty, and his business partner have falsely suggested that she is connected to their firm, Fenty Entertainment.

Their conduct has misled the public and hurt her Fenty brand, the name of her beauty business, the lawsuit says.

Fenty Entertainment did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rihanna has asked the court to bar the firm from using the Fenty name for business.

The lawsuit says

Rihanna owns trademarks in the US for the Fenty name and has sent formal “cease and desist” requests.

“Defendants continue to

this date to use their misrepresentations for their commercial advantage and to mislead the public,” it says. “This fraudulent con-

duct harms not only plaintiffs but the public at large and requires judicial intervention.”

Fenty, with whom Rihanna has said she has a difficult relationship, started the firm in California in 2017 with business partner Moses Perkins, according to the lawsuit.

A press release, posted on the firm’s website until “at least October 2018” announced the launch of the firm “with” Rihanna, despite the fact that she was not involved, it says.

In another instance, Fenty Entertainment entered negotiations for Rihanna to perform 15 shows in Latin America for about $15m, without her authorisation, according to the complaint. (BBC News)

Kamla: Govt fell flat on face with Sandals deal

Government “fell flat” on its face on its flagship Sandals project after the administration withheld information from the public and dismissed concerns on it, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar.

“The position presented during (yesterday’s) press conference that Sandals withdrew based on negative publicity is bordering on absurd. It’s yet another attempt by Government to deflect attention from their incompetence, “PersadBissessar added in a statement yesterday.

“Perhaps, following the recent lecture by the Prime Minister, Sandals chose to do as he instructed and

‘Mind their Business’.”

She spoke shortly after the Government media briefing where Sandals CEO Gebhard Rainer announced Sandals was withdrawing from Government’s planned project for Tobago due to negative publicity. PersadBissessar said the billions that would have been spent on the project should now be invested in Tobago for job creation, health care, education, crime fighting and social services. She added: “Sandals’ withdrawal is no surprise. Repeatedly, the Rowley Government has fallen flat on its face on its flagship projects and so-called game changers. It’s failing in every sector and every project. Sandals’ decision

highlights Government’s incompetence to deliver any significant project to date— their fourth year in office,”

“Throughout the Sandals saga, the Government withheld information from the public, refused to answer the simplest questions and failed to garner public support for the project. They embarked on a PR campaign to vilify stakeholders, including environmentalists which left many wondering whether Government was working for Sandals or the people.”

She said the project was mired in controversy even before Government took office. “As Dr Rowley improperly held talks with the owners of Sandals while he

was Opposition Leader and struck a deal. Sandals was always one of Rowley’s whims and never a well thought out development project. “ “The Government clearly had no plan regarding Sandals, hence the inevitable withdrawal. Throughout the process, they kept changing their story. First, Sandals was to construct and manage the hotel. Later, we heard Government would pay—meaning taxpayers— for construction and Sandals would manage it.”

The former PM said all Government’s “game changers”—Sandals, the Dragon Field project, Petrotrin closure and seabridge, were shrouded in secrecy. (T&T Guardian)

5 murders overnight in T&T

Two double murders were among the five recorded overnight in Trinidad, bringing the murder toll to 20.

A sixth body was found in Tobago. Police also suspect murder in that case as the body was burnt beyond recognition in a car. However, it is yet to be classified.

The murder victims have been identified as Nathon Cummings, 25, Yahvel Joseph, 22, Akash Dookie, 20, Darius Joseph, 19 and Dwayne James, 27.

According to reports, at about 21:00 (9pm) Yahvel Joseph, of Building 7 West, Maloney Gardens, and Cummings, of Tourmaline Street, Demerara Heights, Wallerfield, were standing outside Joseph’s home when a gunman walked up to them and opened fire. The men were taken to the Arima District Health Facility where they died while undergoing treatment.

In the second double murder, police said Dookie and Darius Joseph were killed at Marcano Drive, El Dorado, not too far from the scene where Charisse Bramble, 32, was shot and killed when gunmen entered her home on Monday night. Bramble’s relative was also shot and remains warded in critical condi-

tion. At about 22:00h (11 pm), the men were standing among a group of people when gunmen opened fire on them. They were shot several times about their bodies and were also taken to the Arima Health Facility but were pronounced dead on arrival.

In the third incident, also at about 22:00h (11 pm), James, of Braithwaite Lane, Belmont, was at Maryland Hill sitting in a vehicle when he was shot

once in the head. In Tobago, at about 02:00h (2 am), fire officers responded reports of a car on fire at Belmont Road in Mason Hall. When they extinguished the blaze they found charred human remains of a body in the backseat of the car. Police said they are not sure if the body was that of a man or woman.

Investigations are continuing into all the incidents. (T&T Guardian)

UK PM survives no

confidence vote

UK Prime Minister

Theresa May has seen off a bid to remove her Government from power, winning a no-confidence vote by 325 to 306.

Rebel Tory MPs and the DUP – who 24 hours ago rejected the PM's Brexit plan – voted to keep her in Downing Street.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn argued that Mrs May's "zombie" administration had lost the right to govern.

May said she would start talks with other party leaders to find a Brexit compromise that MPs will back.

Giving her reaction to the result, May told MPs she would "continue to work to deliver on the solemn promise to the people of this country to deliver on the result of the referendum and leave the European Union".

She invited leaders of all parties to have individual meetings with her on the

way ahead for Brexit – starting tonight – but called on them to approach them with a "constructive spirit".

"We must find solutions that are negotiable and command sufficient support in this House," she added.

But Corbyn, who tabled the no-confidence motion, said that before any "positive discussions" could take place, the Prime Minister should rule out a no-deal

Brexit.

Corbyn's no-confidence motion was backed by all the Opposition parties, including the Scottish National Party and the Liberal Democrats. His party has not ruled out tabling further no-confidence motions – but Corbyn is under pressure from dozens of his own MPs to now get behind calls for a further EU referendum instead.(BBC News)

Several US troops killed in north Syria attack

US troops were among those killed Wednesday in an attack in northern Syria, the US military has confirmed to CBS News. The US-led coalition in Syria, Operation Inherent Resolve, confirmed in a tweet that, "US service members were killed during an explosion while conducting a routine patrol in Syria today."

A US military official confirmed separately to CBS News senior national defense correspondent David Martin reports by Kurdish media outlets that at least two Americans were among the dead in the city of Manbij, not far from the Turkish border, after an explosion hit a coalition convoy.

White House press sec-

retary Sarah Sanders told CBS News on Wednesday that President Trump had been "fully briefed and we will continue to monitor the ongoing situation in Syria." She referred all further questions to the US military.

Manbij is just 20 miles from the border with Turkey, in an area held by Kurdish forces allied with the US military coalition fighting ISIS. The terror group's selfstyled news agency Amaq claimed online that the attack was carried out by a member of the group wearing a suicide vest.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told Reuters that 14 people were killed in the attack, including two US soldiers. The US military has not confirmed the number of American casualties. (CBS)

Norway PM succeeds in forming majority Govt platform

Norway’s minority center-right Government has struck a deal with the small Christian Democratic Party to form a four-party majority coalition Government after weeks of negotiations, broadcaster TV2 reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources.

Subject to approval by leadership committees of each of the four parties, the new government’s platform will be presented on

Thursday, it added. If confirmed, the agreement will fulfill a long-standing goal of Conservative Prime Minister Erna Solberg, in power since 2013, who hopes ruling in a majority coalition will provide stability and potentially ease her path to re-election in 2021. Recent opinion polls have shown a majority of voters backing the Labourled center-left opposition.

(Reuters)

Around the World

Spanish emergency services working to rescue toddler trapped in well

Spanish emergency services were working to rescue a toddler trapped in a well since Sunday.

The two-year-old boy was seen falling into the well as his family walked through a private estate in Totalan, Malaga, in southern Spain, his father Jose told Spanish media.

Among debris pulled out of the well, rescuers found hair, which DNA tests confirmed belonged to the child.

No signs of life have been detected. The town’s residents turned out on Wednesday for a vigil to support the family, many holding homemade placards reading “All of Spain is with you” and “We are sending you our strength”. One man held a sign simply reading “Julen,” the name of the toddler.

Emergency services are using cameras to try to locate the child but said access was difficult, with soil

partially blocking the well, which is just 25 cm (10 inches) wide and 100 metres (328 feet) deep.

Spanish police said members of a Swedish firm which helped locate 33 Chilean miners rescued after 69 days underground more than seven years ago had arrived on Tuesday to help in the rescue operation.

Alternative routes were being studied and officials said they were working to dig a tunnel next to the well. (Reuters)

Kenyan Police scour rubble as hotel attack toll jumps to 21

Kenyan police scoured the rubble of a Nairobi hotel complex for more victims Wednesday as the death toll from a jihadist attack jumped to 21 and mourners began to bury the dead.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier announced the end of a 20-hour operation at the DusitD2 complex which saw hundreds of people rescued and all five jihadists "eliminated".

The bloody assault was claimed by the Al-Qaedalinked Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, which said it was acting to avenge the decision by US President Donald Trump to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital, according to the SITE monitoring group.

Chilling CCTV footage broadcast on local media showed four black-clad, heav-

ily armed men calmly entering the luxury complex on Tuesday afternoon. A suicide bomb blast signalled the start of the attack.

Police chief Joseph Boinnet revised the death toll to 21 from 14, saying the victims included 16 Kenyans, one American, one Briton and three of African descent.

"Six other bodies were found at the scene and one police officer succumbed very suddenly to his injuries," he told reporters.

Another 28-wounded people had been admitted to hospital, he said.

As police searched for further victims, bomb disposal experts were looking for any grenades left by the assailants.

As the first explosion and gunfire rang out in the

leafy Westlands suburb on Tuesday, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while others fled.

At least one suicide bomber blew himself up and others traded gunfire with security forces as the assault on DusitD2, a complex which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and offices, unfolded.

"There were five terrorists and all of them are no more," Boinnet told AFP earlier. "It is a clearing exercise now going on there."

Among the dead was an American citizen, identified by his family as Jason Spindler, whose brother said on Facebook that he had been a survivor of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States (AFP)

Israel Police investigate “sex-

for-judgeships” allegations

Police in Israel have arrested a top lawyer as part of an investigation into claims that judicial appointments were traded for sexual favours.

The lawyer has not been named and a gag order covers most details of the case.

But Police said it concerned the appointment of a female magistrates' court

judge and an attempt to promote a male judge to a district court.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has reportedly recused himself because he is a friend of the main suspect.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut, who are members of the Judicial Appointments Committee, are meanwhile expected to be summoned to give testimony.

Israeli Police said in a statement that the Force's Lahav 433 anti-corruption unit had launched an investigation two weeks ago after receiving information about judicial appointments. (Excerpt from BBC News)

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

Don’t get angry when you can get moving. If you take care of your responsibilities, no one will have reason to complain. Personal gains are within reach if you do what’s right.

TAURUS You know better than anyone what you are capable of doing. Set high standards and live up to your expectations. You have the drive and wherewithal to reach your goal.

(May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

(Feb. 20March 20) PISCES

Too much of anything will lead to trouble. Focus more on what you can do to improve your vitality, health and physical appearance. A little romance will enhance your life.

Stick to what and who you know. Avoid anyone who is looking for a fight. You’ll accomplish far more if you keep the peace, go about your business and finish what you start.

Socialize, take up a new hobby, spend time with a loved one or make personal changes that will lift your spirits. Make today special, but don’t overspend or exhibit indulgent behavior.

Don’t let an emotional incident stop you from being productive. Consider whom you are indebted to, and do what you can to wipe out what you owe.

Keep the peace and focus on personal growth, enlightenment and better health. Ease your stress by walking away from people and situations that are causing problems.

Make a plan that will help you convince others to see things your way and support your efforts. A lifestyle change will ease stress and encourage minimalism.

Personal changes will bring you closer to loved ones and improve the way you live. Distance yourself from people who are bad influences. Put health and family first.

Emotional meddling is apparent. Go directly to the source before you help someone or donate to a cause you know little about. Don’t follow someone else; do your own thing.

Take a moment to relax and review your situation at home and at work. An honest look at affairs will help you bring about a positive change and renew your confidence.

Be careful what you wish for. Stick to what you know, and make the most of what you’ve got. Simplicity, moderation and honesty will keep you from making a mistake.

Australian Open 2019…

Federer battles through against Dan Evans

Britain's Dan Evans succumbed in three sets after pushing defending champion Roger Federer hard in an entertaining Australian Open second-round match.

Evans, ranked 189th in the world, lost 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 against the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

But he never looked out of his depth, impressing the Rod Laver Arena with his shot-making.

Federer will play Taylor Fritz in the third round after the American dispatched France's Gael Monfils.

"I couldn't pull away early in the match - it helps when you can sneak in a quick break," said third seed Federer, who at 37 is aiming to become the first man to win seven Australian Open titles.

"He played very well. It was hard to pull away, to his credit. I thought I played well."

British number four Evans, ranked inside the top 50 before a drugs ban, is aiming to climb back up the rankings as he continues his comeback.

And the 28-year-old

showed he still has all the tools to cause problems against the world's best.

Federer was particularly impressed with Evans who, like the Swiss great, has a game heavily reliant on a sliced backhand.

"It felt like playing in a mirror a little bit. That was the mindset I had - how would I play myself potentially," the Swiss said.

Evans had never taken more than five games in a set off Federer in their two previous meetings, bettering that on Rod Laver as he took Federer into a first-set tie-break.

The Briton had been relatively untroubled on serve until the 12th game, swatting away Federer's first break point of the match with a serve and volley and going on to hold to take the set into the decider.

Evans refused to be passive and took on Federer as he raced into a 5-3 lead with a wonderful cross-court forehand winner, leaving him with the set on his racquet.

But, despite landing two first serves having managed only a 56% first-serve percentage previously, he was

undone by Federer's brilliance.

Federer, knowing he was fighting for survival, upped the tempo and forced Evans to miss two difficult volleys.

Wozniacki, Kerber & Sharapova through Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki eased into the third round of the Australian Open with a straight-set win over Sweden's Johanna Larsson.

The Danish third seed needed just 66 minutes

to beat world number 75 Larsson 6-1 6-3. Wozniacki will face Maria Sharapova, who won the tournament in 2008, in the third round on Friday.

Russia's Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, swept past Rebecca Peterson of Sweden 6-2 6-1.

"That's a tough third round," said Sharapova, the 30th seed. "There's no secret she loves playing out here. I've set up the challenge and I'll need to go out there and take it."

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber overcame Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2 6-3.

The German, who won the Australian Open title in 2016, made just 10 unforced errors to the Brazilian's 39.

She will face wildcard Kimberly Birrell next after the world number 240 stunned 29th seed Donna Vekic.

The Australian, 20, beat Croatia's Vekic 6-4 4-6 6-1 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first

England’s Tour of the West Indies 2019…

time.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova made quick work of her second-round match against Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu.

The Czech, seeded eighth, won 6-1 6-3 in 69 minutes and will face Switzerland's Belinda Bencic next.

American Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open winner, set up a third-round meeting with Petra Martic after seeing off Hungary's Timea Babos 6-3 6-1.

Ninth seed Kiki Bertens suffered a surprise exit to world number 42 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, despite the Dutch player taking the opening set.

Russian Pavlyuchenkova, a quarter-finalist in Melbourne two years ago, won 3-6 6-3 6-3.

Australian Ashleigh Barty impressed the home crowd on Rod Laver Arena as the 15th seed saw off China's Yafan Wang 6-2 6-3 in little over an hour.

"I feel great," said Barty. "It's certainly nice to be playing in Australia and playing well." (BBC Sport)

Do the hosts stand a chance?

The West Indies will take on England in an

series in the Caribbean with the first test commencing on January 23, 2019. Despite many be-

lieving that absence of Sir Alistair Cook may hurt England’s chances, the West Indies will still have to take on England’s bowling stalwarts Stuart Broad and James Anderson on the pacey Caribbean track at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Anderson has now become England’s most successive strike bowler, leading with 564 wickets from 145 tests in his illustrious career; while Stuart Broad has taken 433 wickets in 124 test matches. Around the world, this deadly duo is feared, as they can extract swing and bounce from any pitch, and have outfoxed some of the world’s best batsmen.

But the lingering problem that will again arise is the Windies are playing with a fairly young squad on home soil against an experienced England side. The West Indies lost mis-

erably to Bangladesh in the recent 2018 test match series, as their batting failed them numerous times throughout the series. For the 2016-2018 period, the West Indies have played 27 test matches and have won 7, drawn 5, and lost 11 putting, their win percentage ratio at 25.9 % which is horrendous for the mantle that was handed down by the test greats such as Viv Richards, Rohan Kanhai and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

England, on the other hand, have had much more improved stats within the 2016-2018 period; as they have played 42 test matches, winning 21, drawing 5 and losing 16 placing their winning percentage around 50 percent and giving the Englishmen a better chance to succeed when they come to the Caribbean.

Playing against the West Indies from 20042017, Anderson has thus far played 17 test matches, bowling over 590.2 overs

and taking match figures of 9-73 at a bowling average of 21.83. In the West Indies, Anderson’s bowling figures have varied, as he can rarely extract that X factor swing and bounce required to take wickets as per the 20092015 periods. England have played seven test matches, bagging 26 wickets with figures of 7-77 at a bowling average of 24.92.These figures have definitely proven that while Anderson maybe a world class bowler, he tends to suffer more when playing on foreign soil, as compared to playing at home. This was seen in his 2003 to 2018 statistics, wherein he took 368 wickets at home as compared to the 175 wickets on foreign soil.

For Stuart Broad, he has positioned himself in the same category as his English counterpart Anderson. Playing against the West Indies from 20092015, Broad has played 15 test matches, bowling 502.1 overs, taking figures 11-165 at a bowling aver-

age of 28.67. In the West Indies, his bowling figures also reflect differently, as for the 2009-2015 periods, he has thus far played 8 test matches, taking 22 wickets at a bowling average of 31.22 with figures of 5-85. Like Anderson, for the 2007-2018 periods, Broad has taken 275 wickets at home as compared to his 138 wickets on foreign soil. In England’s first contact, they had an impressive run with the ball on day two of the practice match against CWI’s President’s XI where Broad’s hat-trick was the highlight of the day. Therefore, as the first test match looms, and with all the statistics pinned on the board, the West Indies will need to take a look at their strategy. The Windies will now have to be aware of the Anderson/Broad factor; while not successful in the Caribbean, they have proven their worth in the past, and will be aiming to do so again. (Timothy Jaikarran)

CWI President’s XI tour match v England… England bowlers blow away Caribbean batsmen

wickets on day 2, Broad bags hat-trick

Peek into the future

The two-day tour match played at the Tree Ws Oval ended in a draw when CWI President’s XI team was blown away for 128. On day one, England scored 284 all out after Bryan Charles’s five-wicket haul and Joe Root, 87, were the highlight on day one. West Indies selectee John Campbell and Chanderpaul Hemraj opened the batting for the CWI President’s XI, but both left handers failed to impress.

‘Swing King’ James Anderson removed both batsmen; Campbell was out for one while Hemraj was out for three.

Jermaine Blackwood fell for two and Sunil Ambris scored five. CWI President’s XI were in all sorts of trouble at 13-4 after 7.3 overs. They slumped to 46-5 when Captain Hamilton could score no more than 25. The hosts’ wickets continued to fall in clusters, but Guyanese Vishaul

Singh was the rock, playing a fighting knock of 35 from 125 balls.

Singh occupied the crease, striking five classy fours, but received little support batting at number six. Devon Thomas (04) came and went as each England bowler was on target. Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Raymond Reifer stood around a little, scoring 17 from 52 balls. Eventually, CWI President’s XI were bundled out in 56 overs for the paltry score of 128, with Anderson, Curran, Broad and Ali taking two wickets each.

Bowling: J Anderson (6-3-7-2), S Curran (5-1-11-2), J Leach (9-1-271), S Broad (9-6-14-2), C Woakes (7-1-7-1), M Ali (134-30-2), B Stokes (7-0-18-0)

The second time CWI President’s XI batted, they lost nine wickets for 75 runs, with Stuart Broad being the star of the show, grabbing a hat-trick. The second and final warm-up match will be another two-day match at the same Three Ws Oval, staring from Friday January 18, 2019. England will continue their preparation for the first test match that will be played on Wednesday January 23, 2019 at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Barbados. (Brandon Corlette)

Cricket at the highest level: Joshua Bishop

– senior regional debut at age 18

By Brandon Corlette

This is not a prediction on the future, but 18year old, West Indies under 19 and Barbados youth player Joshua Aaron Bishop is a player on which to keep an eye. Born on May 30, 2000, the talented Barbadian player told this reporter that the one Guyanese player he admires is Tagenarine Chanderpaul. In a world where young cricketers are attracted to the big pay cheques and fast-

paced cricket, Bishop finds the patience of the young Chanderpaul inspiring, simply because of his ability to bat for long periods and retain a high level of concentration while so doing.

The right handed batsman, who bowls an impressive slow left-arm orthodox, took time from his hectic schedule to speak with the Guyana Times Sport . The Barbados born Bishop told this reporter that “education is very important to the cricketers in Barbados,

because if they don’t make it to the international level or have a serious injury that could prevent them from playing cricket, they would always have a backup plan to fall back on”.

Bishop made his senior List A debut for the Barbados Pride team in the Regional Super 50 tournament in 2017 against the Combined Campus and Colleges (CCC). In his debut, he snatched 2-35 being the first change bowler in a star-studded Barbados team. The son of Althea and Carmel Bishop, he has a high score of 155 not out against All Saints.

At the tender age of eight, Bishop started playing cricket, and attended St. Albans Primary and Alexandra Secondary School in Barbados. The Maycocks Terrace, St Lucy Barbados resident is greatly motivated by his father and his entire family. His favourite international player is no doubt his countryman, the elegant Shai Diego Hope. “I admire Hope simply because of how he goes about constructing an innings in a busy business-like fashion,” he said.

Additionally, Bishop possesses great leader-

ship skills, having captained Barbados under 15, under 17 and under 19 in various Cricket West Indies Regional Youth Tournaments.

Bishop has already played nine first-class matches, averaging 20.71, with his best bowling figures being 4-44. The bowling all-rounder who looked above his class at the

On of Guyana’s upcoming football talents has experienced a fall from grace after he was remanded to prison on Wednesday.

Nineteen-year-old Job Caesar, who is attached to the Fruta Conquerors football Club and plays in the midfielder position, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to criminal charges after he reportedly attacked and robbed his former girlfriend, damaging her vehicle in the process.

Caesar, who hails from James Street, Albouystown, denied the allegations when he appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The allegations state that: on November 25, 2018 at Lot

Regional level had an outstanding record in the 2018 Regional under 19. In the three unlimited matches

Bishop grabbed 18 wickets in three matches, with his best bowling figures being 9-70 against Leewards Islands Hurricanes.

In the limited over leg of the tournament, Bishop was among the wickets, finishing with eight wick -

ets at a best bowling figure of 4-28 and a brilliant economy rate of 3.46 and a strike rate of 29.25. His main goal is to play for the West Indies at three formats. When the youngster is not playing cricket in Barbados, he continues his development, wherein he recently travelled to India and Australia to play club cricket.

178 Albert and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Jennifer Validin of a Samsung cellphone valued $30,000; and qn the same day and at the said location, he also damaged her motorcar valued $3.5 million.

Attorney for the accused, Paul-a-Fat, contended that the virtual complainant is lying, since in several posts made on social media, the colour of the vehicle which the defendant allegedly damaged keeps changing.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to the 19-year-old national player being placed on bail, citing the fact that a gun was used during the commission of the crime; and further, Caesar reportedly has an-

other pending matter before the Court.

As such, the footballer was remanded to prison and is expected to return to court on January 30, 2019. Job Ceasar was recently part of the National Under 20 team which travelled to Florida, USA to compete in the CONCACAF Under 20 Championship in November 2018. The Guyanese team was drawn in Group F along with Caribbean counterparts Guatemala, Cayman Islands, Curacao and El Salvador. Playing at the IMG Academy in Florida, Job along with his teammates gathered valuable international experience, despite winning only one of their matches 2-0 against El Salvador.

Khan, Dhanai, Algoo, Mohabir star in Young Warriors’ win

The home of Stanford T20 star Imran Khan was set alive last weekend when Young Warriors entered the home team’s backyard and, under beautiful sunshine at Chesney in Corentyne Berbice, destroyed them by 107 runs in a 40-over affair.

Young Warriors captain Suresh Dhanai won the toss and opted to bat on a fast track in Chesney, where Windies female

Shabika

started her cricket. Warriors lost opener Mohabir with the score on 281, but National under 19 batsman Alex Algoo dominated the second wicket partnership. Ramdeholl scored 11, but Algoo bashed the ball to all parts of the small outfield in scoring an aggressive 68. Sanjay Khan also, batting at number 5, played some delightful shots in his top-score of

92. Algoo’s 68 included three fours and five huge sixes, while Sanjay Khan hit six sixes and seven fours in an entertaining knock.

The runs continued to flow for Young Warriors when Captain Dhanai en tered the batting crease and hit eight timely fours and two majestic sixes in his un beaten 70.

When Young Warriors’ al lotted 40 overs were expired, they had registered 331-8.

M Subadar was the pick of the Chesney bowlers, with 3-42 in five expensive overs.

In reply, Dhanai took the new ball and bowled a lively opening spell, hit ting J Samaroo on his jaw, forcing the batsman to re tired hurt, suffering a con cussion the first ball of the innings. The veteran Imran Khan, who was dropped early in his in nings, made the Warriors bowers pay, but his batting exploits were unable to save his team.

Vishaul Mohabir grabbed 5-48 to restrict the Chesney team to 225 all out.

After Imran Khan’s brutal innings of 96,

victory. (Brandon Corlette)

Lakers without James at least 2 more games

LeBron James will not travel with the Los Angeles Lakers for the team’s upcoming road games to Oklahoma City and Houston, ESPN reported Wednesday morning citing agent Rich Paul.

James strained his left groin Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors and has missed 11 games. The Lakers are 4-7 without him, including a 107-100 win

over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

Paul told ESPN James has not been ruled out for Monday’s date with the Warriors, a Martin Luther King Jr. Day game at Staples Center.

Earlier Tuesday, Lakers coach Luke Walton said he was optimistic the Lakers would get good news when James is evaluated Wednesday.

James was active and upramped his physical activity on Tuesday, shooting and passing in half-court activities. “I think we’ll get good news back,” Walton said.

James has not taken part in any full-court team activities.

On Monday, injured point guard Rajon Rondo was cleared by doctors to dribble with his right hand. He also was injured in the Christmas

game and three days later had surgery to repair a ligament in his right ring finger. It was estimated he would miss four to five weeks.

James and Rondo both prac ticed 3-pointers at Tuesday’s shootaround.

“I was encouraged,” Walton said. “(Always) good to see those two on the court.”

(Field Level Media)

Asafa returns to face Kilty at Paris Meet

ormer 100m world record holder Asafa Powell is expected to return to the track later this month after reportedly being booked for an appearance at the Meeting de Paris. The January 27th indoor meet is listed and Indoor Permit Meeting. The 36-year-old Powell, a World Championship silver medallist, could be back on track for the first since 2018 when a groin injury ended his season. Injuries have been a big issue for the former sprint king in recent years as prior to that he suffered a hamstring injury, which kept him out of last year’s Commonwealth Powell is scheduled to line up in the 60m sprint alongside European Indoor champion Richard Kilty of Great Britain. Adding to a competitive field will be American Mike Rodgers and Cuban star Yunier Perez, who is returning from injury, are also down to face the starter. The French contingent of home town heroes will be led by Renaud Lavillenie, Kevin Mayer and Pascal Martinot-Lagarde. (Sportsmax)

GHB selects male and female training squads for Canada Indoor Series

In anticipation of their upcoming Canada Indoor Series, scheduled for Toronto from March 22nd to 24th, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has selected its training squads for the indoor series.

Both the male and female national teams have been invited by Hockey Canada to compete in a four-team competition as part of both countries’ preparations for the 2020 Indoor Pan American Cup.

The GHB have already kicked off their 2019 national programme of activities with the indoor developmental men’s team tour of Trinidad & Tobago, where they placed 4th in

the Ventures and 3rd in the UWI Indoors respectively. GHB President Philip Fernandes explained the board’s approach to selection of the squads.

“Consistent exposure to the intensity of international competition is an area we have identified as lacking in the development of our national players. So opportunities like these have to be used to invest in the players that will benefit most from the experience. We have decided to select young squads of predominantly under-30 players who will be around for the next two to three Indoor Pan American Cups in 2020, 2022 and 2024. There are

still a few experienced players included in the squads to provide leadership, but this tour is about exposure. Later this year, we will be competing in the outdoor Pan American Challenge, and the selection for those teams will be strictly performance-based, since it’s a continental tournament where we earn world ranking points.”

Five members of the indoor developmental men’s team that competed in the Ventures and UWI tournaments (Warren Williams, Nandalall Persaud, Samuel Woodroffe and Nickel Ashby) have indicated that they are unavailable for squad selection due to their

The 2019 edition of the East Coast Cricket Committee/ SPR Enterprise 40 Over cricket competition is slated to commence this weekend with matches at seven grounds on the East Coast of Demerara. This competition, which is in its third year, will see 19 teams vying for honours across two groups, with the preliminary rounds being played in a round-robin format. The last edition of this competition was severely hampered by prolonged inclement weather, and as a result, the organisers have decided to start this compe-

tition early this year, while the weather is favourable for cricket.

After the last finals, in December 2018, the sponsor’s representative Scottie Ramroop challenged teams on the East Coast Demerara to display more discipline in an effort to encourage parents to have their young children engage in sports.

The following teams have been placed in their respective groups: Lusignan SC (A) are the defending champions, and they are in Group A, while 2018 semifinalist Fairfield SC and Better Hope A will join ECCCC and

Strathavon SC in Group B.

In Group A: at Lusignan, Lusignan SC (A) will be taking on Cane Grove SC; while at Buxton, Buxton SC will engage Helena/Supply SC.

At Fairfield, Fairfield SC will be duking it out with Mahaica Cavs, while at Better Hope, Better Hope Sixers will attempt to overthrow Lusignan East. In Group B: Ogle will host Paradise SC, Strathavon SC (A) will see off Lusignan B at Strathavon, and Enmore CCCC will host Mahaica SC.

Cricket action will commence at 11:00 hrs.

academic commitments leading up to their CSEC examinations.

26-Member Women’s Indoor Training Squad

Latacia Chung, Minsodia Culpepper, Nicole Eastman, Marisha Fernandes, Marzana Fiedtkou, Trisha Woodroffe, Alysa Xavier(GK), Gabriella Xavier, Abosaide Cadogan, Madison Fernandes, Briawna Gordon (GK), Makeda Harding, Sarah Klautky, Jessica Mittelholtzer (GK), Dacia Woodroffe, Kezia Chinian, Tekeisha Deleon, Donyale Nurse (GK), Mariah Seegobind, Charlia Webb, Aneesa Permaul (GK), Kenisha Wills, Julia

Gouveia (GK), Candace Glen, Bushani Kaladeen and Akeaba Singh.

23-Member Men’s Indoor Training Squad

Medroy Scotland (GK), Michael Hing (GK), Steven Xavier, Mark Sargeant, Kareem McKenzie, Meshach Sargeant, Robert France, Rayon Branford, Andrew Stewart, Jamarj Assanah, Aroydy Branford, Leon Bacchus, Tivesarid Garnett, Shomere Garnett, David Williams (GK), Paul D’Andrade (GK), Jael Gaskin, Omar Hopkinson, Dominic Alleyne, Stefan King, Hilton Chester, Hilmar Chester and Troy Hodge.

Shepherd has sights on capturing 30+ wickets

–

2nd leading fast bowler after 4 rounds

By Brandon Corlette

Guyana Jaguars has been presented with numerous all-rounders who have shown tremendous promise in a short period. The strong Romario Shepherd, who hails from Tucber Park in New Amsterdam Berbice, has taken 14 wickets after four rounds, and is behind Hurricanes and Windies test fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who has 15 wickets to his name this season.

The 24-year-old Shepherd told this publication that the Regional 4-Day season has started on a positive note, and he will be aiming to build on his successful start. After four rounds, Guyana Jaguars have remained unbeaten, and Shepherd has certainly played a role in the team’s success. This season, his best bowling figure is 4-36 at a good bowling average of 22.14.

In his exclusive interview with >>Guyana Times Sport<<<, Shepherd explained that his batting has been a plus, but he is fully focused on taking wickets. In the four rounds played thus far in the Regional 4-Day Tournament, Shepherd has scored 135 runs at an average of 33.75, with a high score of 72.

This Berbician shares the new ball with fellow Berbician Clinton Pestano and Essequibian Keemo Paul. He has his eyes set

on claiming a five-wicket haul this season.

In the 20162017 Regional 4-Day season, Raymond Reifer, who bowls gentle left-arm medium, was the top wicket-taker for the fast bowlers with 36 wickets.

Shepherd, who is a reg ular member of the West Indies A team and the Guyana Amazon Warriors, is 16 wickets away from cross ing the 30-wicket hurdle that fellow Jaguars team-mate Reifer had done in 20162017.

Shepherd has come through the ranks. Having represented Guyana under 19s, he made his First-class debut in March 2017 against Jamaica, where he picked up three wickets in both innings sharing the new ball with Keon Joseph.

In a short but blooming First-class career, Romario Shepherd has played 15 matches; has taken 44 wick ets, with an overall bowling average of 25.9, and has re corded best bowling figures of 5-42. His strike rate is a decent one, taking 48.4 balls to pick up a wicket, in a spin dominant Jaguars unit.

As an opening bowler, he bats at number eight in the Jaguars team on most occa sions, and has an average of 22 with the bat, scoring 346 runs with two half-centuries to his name.

Asked if he is playing

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

– Kieran Powell returns to Hurricanes squad "Not taking Jaguars for granted", says Coach Cornwall

By Brandon Corlette

The second-placed team in the CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament, Leewards Islands Hurricanes, are ready to play table leaders Guyana Jaguars from today, Thursday January 17, 2019, at Providence. The action is slated to start from 9:30h.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport on the eve of the fifth round clash, Hurricanes Assistant Coach/ Manager Wilden Cornwall highlighted that the Providence pitch looks different from how it had appeared the last season. The 45-yearold Cornwall told this reporter in an exclusive interview that the dry Providence pitch would offer a lot to the faster bowlers, since it’s covered with grass.

The Hurricanes have lost three of their top players: Devon Thomas, Alzarri Joseph and Jhamar Hamilton, who were called up for West Indies duties. The Hurricanes trio are currently playing for the Cricket West Indies President’s XI against the touring England.

The loss of Joseph is a big blow to the Hurricanes, since he is the leading Hurricanes fast bowler and the most fitting complement to Jeremiah Louis. “Hamilton, who has been in the Windies test squads over the past year, has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes,

and his fellow gloves-man Devon Thomas will certainly be missed”, Cornwall added.

With three big players absent from the Hurricanes line-up, the young players in the squad must step up and contribute significantly to the team’s performance.

Kieran Powell, who was dropped from the West Indies test squad, will be aiming to create a big impact to earn his position as the opener on the West Indies team. An elegant left-handed opener, Powell has a wealth of experience in the First-class arena, having played 112 matches and scored 6174 runs at an average of 31. As Hurricanes captain, Powell has 33 half-centuries and seven centuries beneath his belt.

Cornwall added that Jeremiah Louis has been bowling with steam, and is one of the top players. He said the 22-year-old fast bowler has played 35 First-class matches and taken 77 wickets at an average of 26.85. His best bowling figure being 6-69,

Rahkeem Cornwall is certainly a big player in the Hurricanes squad; having played 46 matches at the First-class level, he has 1798 runs to his name. Cornwall averages 23 with the bat, but his bowling record is simply outstanding.

The Jaguars will be wary of

Cornwall, who has taken 214 wickets in only 46 matches, including 14 five-wicket hauls and 11 four- wicket hauls.

The assistant Coach, Cornwall, shared his views on the Guyana Jaguars team, “They have been playing consistent cricket over the past years”, Cornwall related. He explained that the Guyana team has no particular player that they will have an eye out for, but the entire Jaguars team can take the game away. Over the past successive years the Jaguars played, each player has contributed to the team’s success, and Hurricanes will not be taking the formidable Jaguars unit for granted.

In Hurricanes’ three matches this season, Montcin Hodge is their leading run scorer with 327 runs, while young batting sensation Keacy Carty has 209 runs. In the bowling department, off-spinner Cornwall has 12 wickets, second to Joseph’s 14.

Former Guyana Jaguars owner Rajendra Chandrika, who played one match this season for Hurricanes, is still suffering injury and is expected to miss the fifth round.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes will be reminiscing on their four wicket win against the Guyana Jaguars in the 2016-2017 Regional Four Day tournament. In that match, played

in St Kitts, Jaguars managed 293 in their first innings, while Hurricanes were bundled out for 158 in their first innings. In that match, Jaguars were on top, gaining a 135-run lead. Jaguars declared on 2338, setting a target of 371 for victory. The Hurricanes current opener, Montcin Hodge, notched up a match winning centu ry in that monumen tal encounter that saw Hurricanes chase down the target with four wickets to spare. Other outstanding Hurricanes performers in the match were bowlers Cornwall and Hayden Walsh, who wrecked the Jaguars batting line-up that included the leg endary Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Jaguars have been unstoppable in the tournament, and the Hurricanes victory last sea son may have been long forgotten. The Hurricanes, however, are approaching this game with a positive mindset that they have the ability to upset the

Greatness begins in Pouderoyen!

‘Greatest of the Streets’ kicks off

tomorrow

Street football action will make its highly anticipated return to the Pouderoyen Tarmac on the West Bank of Demerara this Friday night, when the 2019 edition of the Guinness ‘greatest of the streets’ tournament gets underway.

Unlike what obtained in years past, the Guinness Greatest of the Streets competition will begin with the West Coast Demerara Sub meet instead of the Georgetown Sub meet.

As shocking as the change may seem, Guinness brand manager Lee Baptiste shared the company’s reasoning for making such a drastic change. He said:

“You would agree that Georgetown is the most popular and the subdivision that carries the greater action and expectation. So the thought behind it was to have the tournament climax with the best sub meet in terms of participation, and then after that we have the nationals.”

The Georgetown leg would formerly have been held in November, and then fans would have to wait un-

til January for the following meets. Citing this, Baptiste explained that the interval was too long and fans would likely have been unable to recall what transpired during the first meet held in the previous year.

Giving the media a peek into the future, Baptiste disclosed plans of a league that would be hosted after the sub division meets.

“We feel that we have our Sub meets; we have our National championships; and to really crown it off and reach that level where you can say you’re the real greatest of them all, a league will make that impression.

It has not been confirmed yet, we need to work out the logistics; but from all indications it looks as though it’s going to be a go,” Baptiste disclosed.

Once again, Colours boutique located on Robb Street will be onboard with the action. This time around, the boutique will be sponsoring the teams’ uniforms in order to eliminate the use of bibs.

Colours Representative

Creanna Damon pledged the company’s continued commitment to the tournament.

“We would usually sponsor this competition with clothing apparel as well as footballs. I am proud to say

that football is our sport, and we will continue to sponsor this competition regardless of the circumstances,” Damon stated. The action will begin on Friday, January 18, at the Pouderoyen tarmac.

Drawing from a whopping total of 35 entries, the West Coast subdivision will run into February, with the finals being staged on February 15. Game days in January will be on the 18th and 25th, while the days in

February will be on the 1st, 6th, 8th and the grand finale on February 15.

Coordinator Travis Best gave the details on what is expected come Friday night:

“We have eight games scheduled for the night, with 16 participating teams. Of the 16 teams, we have four newcomers who will be participating in this year’s tournament. Out of Pouderoyen, we have Phoenix Ballers; from Den Amstel we have Up Top Ballers; from Agricola we have Genna, and from Bagotstown we have Young Ballers.”

The winner of the West Coast subdivision will be walking away with $500,000, while the second place finisher will receive half of that total. Third and fourth place finishers will be awarded $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. Three time defending champions of the West Coast sub meet, Show stoppers will return to defend their long running title on Friday, with their first game against Up like Seven.