Construction of $23M housing & water office in Lethem begins 9 homeless after fire destroys Mocha house
Ganja-laden vehicle abandoned on Wismar Bridge
Several injured after car slams into utility pole 3 children among 5 airdashed to city after Bartica accident Son chops father, leaves him to die in backdam COVID-19 vaccination campaign rolls out for adolescents in Region
Students across Guyana on Monday returned to school for face-to-face learning – almost 17 months since the pandemic would have forced a closure. The Education Ministry reported a high turnout.
It was not the swarming back to school rush, synonymous with a pre-COVID setting, as students trickled into their respective schools. Instead, steady caution greeted them along with safety measures brought on
by the new norm.
This meant temperature checks at the gates, handwashing and the wearing of masks upon turning up to their respective schools. With the nursery and primary levels returning this week, secondary students are to wait until they receive both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand would have visited a few locations to assess the turnout and ensure all preparations were in order. On her social media page, she reiterated that students are entering two levels senior to where they initially left and while it is challenging time, a longer closure would have resulted in irreversible damage.
“As it is, it will be hard to catch up and be at a place
where the children ought to be. We have consolidated our curricula and will begin with diagnostic assessments from which we hope to see the academic and wellness level of our children. All children will begin with work from the year they missed and as
they catch that up, they will then move onto their current year.”
She would have added
per cent of their pupils present.
“It must be noted that some schools have chosen to
that parents have the option to let their children remain home and use materials provided by the Ministry of Education.
“There is no right or wrong in this pandemic, what parents choose to do is what we will support…Usually, we say it is mandatory for children to be at school. This year we are giving you a choice. If you are not yet comfortable,
teach specific grades on different days to avoid crowded classrooms and to maintain social distancing. Therefore, the attendance data does not reflect the entire school population but rather those students who were scheduled to attend school,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry had revealed that at the nursery level, 41 of the 348 schools
we are saying you may keep your children at home and access all our resources. And send them when you get comfortable,” Manickchand said.
By the end of the day, preliminary data from 51 per cent of the nursery and primary schools showed a 70 per cent turnout of nursery pupils along with 95 per cent of teachers. For the primary level, 92 per cent of teachers were in attendance with 65
would open for complete face-to-face learning, while the others will operate on a rotation schedule. For primary schools, 44 of the 413 were given the greenlight for full opening at all grade levels; while Grade Six classes would be facilitated every day of the week, in keeping with preparations for the National Grade Six Assessment.
SEPTEMBER 7,
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, Sept 7 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Wednesday, Sept 8 – 04:00h –05:30h and 13:00h – 14:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, Sept 7 – 16:50h – 18:20h and Wednesday, Sept 8 – 05:00h –06:30h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily
There will be sunshine during the day. Expect light rain showers and partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Southerly to North North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 17:02h reaching a maximum height of 2.75 metres.
Low Tide: 10:37h and 22:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.45 metre and 0.43 metre.
…must crack down on crime …says home invasions must be curbed …new vehicles not for “joyride”
ith the Guyana Police Force (GPF) receiving 50 new vehicles, President Dr Irfaan Ali has urged the Police to use the resources at their disposal to crack down on crime and ensure persons can walk the streets safely.
In his feature address at the handing over which was held at the GPF sports ground, Eve Leary, Georgetown, President Ali acknowledged that serious crime was a problem. According to him, the Government is cognisant of the crime faced by citizens and urged the Police to do more.
“I am aware of the existing concerns about the incidence of robberies and acts of violence against citizens. I want to urge the Guyana Police Force to take condign actions to bring an end to these criminal attacks and assaults. Citizens must be able to walk the streets unmolested and free from fear...similarly, home invasions must be curbed,” the President said.
President Ali also spoke of initiatives to foster more trust between the public and the Police, including body cameras. Body cameras were first introduced in local Police patrols in 2019 and their use has since grown. According to the President, the initiative will be expanded.
“The Force must be capable of withstanding public scrutiny. Of operating in a transparent and open manner. And doing things within the confines of the laws. We must destroy the real and perceived conception and misconception, of the Force out there.”
“Our Police ranks will be provided with additional body cameras to protect them against false and malicious allegations. And to promote greater professionalism on the job. It will also be a good check and balance for the way we conduct ourselves also,” President Ali said.
The 50 pick-ups the Guyana Police Force received on Monday were SsangYong Mussos. In his address, the President urged the Police to take care of the vehicles considering how previous vehicle hando-
vers fared.
“My Government is honouring its pledge to improve your capabilities and conditions of service. We are providing the Guyana Police Force with the tools it needs to improve local policing. In our emergency budget for 2020, we allocated $1 billion for ongoing works at Police stations. In the 2021 budget, the Force has been allocated
$15.3 billion, of which $300 million is to be utilised for expanding the Force, land and marine fleet.”
He warned that the Police have to do an “assessment of its capacity to manage these assets and “to find a way that is more reliable, efficiently and less costly that would deliver the results in managing these vehicles. The vehicles provided to the Force must not be used for joyrides, no. The assets being provided to the Force are to boost its capability, its responsiveness and people will judge us by the way in which we care for and use these assets.”
President Ali referenced a previous donation under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. According to him, those vehicles were not taken care of.
“Today I am pleased to be able to hand over to the Guyana Police Force, 50 new vehicles to help boost its
crime fighting efforts. This is yet another tangible expression for my Government’s support for the work of the force. This will improve the Police Force’s mobility and response, which was severely handicapped by the lack of serviceable vehicles,” the President said.
“Four years ago, the People’s Republic of China handed over a fleet of 56 pick-up vehicles, five buses, 35 All-Terrain Vehicles and 48 motorcycles. When my Government assumed office, only 39 of the 140 vehicles were working. With 101 down for repairs, some of which were already unserviceable. This cannot continue.”
The President noted that while the Government is committed to equipping the Force with the resources they need, greater care must be taken of these assets. He noted that “the provision of resources must be accompanied with greater responsibility.” (G3)
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September 5th was designated as International Day of Charity by the United Nations.
The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace”.
In any society that we dwell or live in there will always be pockets of persons who are desirous of help in one form or the other. Poverty is not just limited to Third World or developing countries, it is a global phenomenon that exists in even the richest of countries. Pundits have articulated that once there is a disparity in the distribution of wealth, poverty will always be prevalent.
In so much as the causality may be open to debate and interpretation, the actuality of the condition remains and the onus on the rectification of same should not lie solely on the governing institutions in place.
All of the world’s religions prescribe to the need to render assistance in one way or another to those who are less fortunate. It was built into our cultural systems and that knowledge was passed down from generation to generation.
However, this traditional norm as we would describe it has somewhat been diluted with the passage of time and with the modernist take on cultural assimilation.
Invariably, the day-to-day existence of those persons in the middle-income bracket and the proverbial rat-race to pursue wealth generation as a medium to transcend class stratification has meant that the majority of families have focused more on building themselves over expending resources to help persons outside of their social ambit.
Nevertheless, according to the UN, “notions of volunteerism and philanthropy provide real social bonding and contribute to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the marginalised and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations”.
There is no denying the benevolence of NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) and other non-profit organisations that have contributed tremendously towards the social upliftment of those in need.
But their help is contextualised on a more macro scale. Who, in Guyana’s case, is looking out for the neighbour who, while not poor, cannot afford to place their child in day care or provide that child with the necessary monetary resources to excel in school, because their income can only cover the basics such as food, rent, and utilities?
Beyond the support of the State, there is supposed to be the support of thy neighbour, the support of the village, the support from those who have enough that sharing would not have any effect on their economic footprint.
How do we ensure or bring about a resurgence in providing service to those in need? Well, fundamentally, it should start at the level of our education. Just as how we are taught togetherness and tolerance among all ethnicities in school, education catered towards inculcating formative values that enshrine the need for us to care for each other must also be incorporated into the teaching curriculum from an early age.
We cannot account for the behavioural change in persons who are already entrenched with a particular perspective of thinking, but we can inculcate within the malleable minds of our young ones the need for them to extend their social and economic responsibilities beyond the confines of the family structure.
The bigger picture is that we are all interconnected. Realisation of this fact through an “Edu-care”-based approach to learning will invariably set us on the right path.
By Laurence H TriBe
The Texas legislature and five Supreme Court justices have joined forces to eviscerate women’s abortion rights — the legislature by creating and the justices by leaving in place a system of private bounties designed to intimidate all who would help women exercise the right to choose. But the federal government has — and should use — its own powers, including criminal prosecution, to prevent the law from being enforced and to reduce its chilling effects.
Of course, the best approach would be for Congress to codify the right to abortion in federal law, although Democrats likely lack the votes to make that happen — and there is a risk that this conservative Supreme Court would find that such a statute exceeded Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause.
But as President Biden calls for a “whole of government” response to the fact that thousands of women in Texas — and no doubt soon elsewhere — are being denied their constitutional rights, there are other solutions that already exist in federal law.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has the power, under federal civil rights laws, to go after any vigilantes who employ the Texas law to seek bounties
from abortion providers or others who help women obtain abortions.
The attorney general should announce, as swiftly as possible, that he will use federal law to the extent possible to deter and prevent bounty hunters from employing the Texas law. If Texas wants to empower private vigilantes to intimidate abortion providers from serving women, why not make bounty hunters think twice before engaging in that intimidation?
For example, Section 242 of the federal criminal code makes it a crime for those who, “under colour of law,” wilfully deprive individuals “of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.”
This statute — originally designed to go after the Ku Klux Klan — fits the Texas situation perfectly: The bounty seekers, entitled under the Texas law to collect penalties of at least $10,000, have been made, in effect, private attorneys general of Texas. They act “under colour of state law,” and unless and until Roe v. Wade is overruled, they unmistakably intend to prevent the exercise of a constitutional right.
In addition, Section 241 of the federal criminal code makes it an even more serious crime for “two or more persons” to agree to “op-
press, threaten, or intimidate” anyone “in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same.”
This crime may be committed even by individuals not found to be acting “under colour of law” but as purely private vigilantes, as long as they’re acting in concert with others. Again, the Texas scheme could hardly be more perfectly designed to match the language of that section. The whole point of the Texas law, after all, is to intimidate abortion providers and others by threatening them with penalties of at least $10,000, plus legal fees, in the form of bounties to be paid to the vigilante.
Even jurists who believe the Constitution does not protect abortion rights might be given pause by this seizure of private property, with unlimited penalties not tied to any actual harm suffered by the bounty hunter.
It would be particularly fitting — in tune not just with the letter but the spirit of the law — to use the Ku Klux Klan Act in this way.
After all, the statute was enacted in 1871, in the aftermath of the Civil War, precisely to prevent Klansmen from lynching and other attacks on formerly enslaved Black citizens, including to prevent them from exercising their constitu-
tional right to vote. As the Klan rampaged in the former Confederacy, Southern states didn’t simply turn a blind eye to its vigilante justice but encouraged it.
In addition to these criminal provisions, there are civil actions available under federal law, including the ability to seek and obtain court orders to halt the illegal state scheme. The Justice Department can’t directly use the civil provisions of the Ku Klux Klan Act; only the injured party can. But the All Writs Act, which permits federal courts to “issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions” could allow the department to go to court to seek an order blocking the Texas law from being enforced.
The Justice Department is understandably reluctant to announce particular investigations or prosecutions before pinning down more details than are yet available. But, at some point, the need to disarm those who cynically undermine constitutional rights while ducking all normal avenues for challenging their assault on the rule of law becomes paramount.
We have arrived at that point. (Laurence H Tribe is the Carl M Loeb University Professor Emeritus and a professor of constitutional law emeritus at Harvard Law School.) (Washington Post)
Dear Editor,
On Sunday, September 5, 2021, I tuned in to the virtual meeting which was hosted by the APNU/AFC with residents of Region 10. The meeting was supposed to be a discussion on vaccination which is of concern to many Guyanese. To say that I was disappointed in some of the speakers is an understatement. I thought that as leaders and public figures some of the speakers would have been careful with their utterances especially since the discussion was on the pandemic and vaccination. That was not the case. Editor, I write
to you to express my displeasure with a Member of Parliament, regarding some of the statements he made. From the beginning of the discussion, I could tell that the entire meeting was going to be riddled with misinformation. However, what I was taken aback by was the fact that the MP basically encouraged the use of herbal remedies as an alternative to vaccines in the fight against COVID-19. The coalition and their MPs are always quick to ask for evidence when they are called out for their wrongdoings. So, with that in mind, I ask that
they provide us with the evidence of scientific research to prove this. In his exact words, “we have a number of Guyanese who have contracted COVID, they used other forms of remedies; local herbal remedies; and they’ve recovered.” He then went on to say that there are testimonies of such that cannot be disputed. I am not aware of any scientific study or research which proves the use of herbal remedies as a better alternative to vaccination in the fight against this pandemic. However, if the MP has the information, I think we would all like to know who
conducted this research and when and what herbal remedies were used. After all, the MP is supposed to serve the people so if he knows of an alternative to deal with the spread of the COVID-19 virus which has been proven to work, he should tell the people of Guyana as it would be of great help. In the meanwhile, I ask that Guyanese continue to ignore this nonsense being spewed by the coalition ever so often to deter people from taking the vaccines.
But the MP’s utterances and Dr Karen Cummings’ expression of Opposition support for the vaccination
effort made on the same day are examples of the sort of deception being employed by the Opposition - say one thing publicly and do the complete opposite behind the scenes.
Editor, I want to remind everyone reading this that the COVID-19 vaccines have been scientifically proven to be the most effective form of medicine used for combating the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is for this very reason that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is recommending that everyone gets vaccinated. If there was indisputable evidence that another
alternative to the vaccines is herbs then I am positive that the WHO would have recommended that people use them rather than source vaccines. The truth is that herbal remedies can only strengthen the body but cannot fight the COVID-19 virus on its own as is suggested by the Opposition MP. This just goes to show how barefacedly the entire APNU/AFC continues to spread misinformation, all for the sake of disrupting the Government’s vaccination campaign.
Sincerely, Thomas Cole
Dear Editor, I have no apologies to make when I say that those persons who are fuelling the vaccine hesitancy here should be brought before the courts, charged and locked up.
They are not fighting to protect the rights of the people who are joining the picket line. They are engaged in politics. This is not the politics of the peo -
ple, as expected, according to all they have said. This is nasty, deliberate, and misleading anti-government politics. I mean, your readers, should listen to the Opposition politicians on Facebook using this vaccination issue to score cheap political points. They are milking the issue again for all that it is worth. They cannot keep my
attention because they do not have a programme of developmental goods to offer or talk about. They do not even have a strategy for winning the upcoming Local Government and General Elections here. The APNU/AFC politicians are always short on bright ideas but big on criticising.
I remember reading Michael Young’s column in one of the dailies called
Crossfire. He is right as it pertains to the strategy and nature of politics in Guyana. It is brutish and cold. The Opposition is not concerned about the health and wellbeing of the workers. They probably want this surge in COVID-related deaths and hospitalisations to continue. They will get much to talk about to fuel the
Opposition’s campaign of race hate and discrimination banter. For these irresponsible politicians, it is politics over people. They are not concerned about your health
Finally, I think the Government is doing its part to fight this COVID-19 virus on several fronts. Let us all do our part in the fight. Let us get vaccinated and encourage others to
do the same. And finally, like the then Opposition Leader and now Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said if they come to our communities, with the anti-vaccine campaign telling you frivolous things about the vaccine, we must chase them out!
Yours faithfully, Suraj Singh
Ancient carvings and paintings on rocks are searched for, considered to be historical treasures, and carefully protected. Modern carvings and paintings on rocks are viewed in an entirely different light. Today, many people still have a desire to paint on a wall for communication and personal expression. They produce an art form known as “graffiti” on buildings, walls, railroad cars, trucks, and any flat surface they can utilise. Could an argument be made that graffiti is modern “rock art”, a continuation of our ancestors’ rock carvings and paintings?
By Mother Goose
Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have thirty-one, Excepting February alone, And that has twenty-eight days clear And twenty-nine in each leap year.
In recent months there has been controversy when it comes to promotions at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
According to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, however, this has not affected the operations of the two entities.
In an interview with the media on Monday, Minister Benn noted that when it comes to the GPF, the promotions of persons above the rank of Sergeant rests on the appointment of the Police Service Commission (PSC). According to Benn, only the PSC can resolve the issue of the promotion list that the GPF had approved and sent up. In the case of
the GFS, however, he noted that there is no final list and the service is justified in wanting to screen person’s job performance before promoting them.
“The Fire Service, by some sleight of hand, the list that was being considered and was under review, that information was passed out. There’s no final list at the Fire Service. And particularly, persons being considered for promotions have to be screened in relation to their job performance. Couldn’t be any other way,” he said.
The Minister noted that in both the GFS and the GPF, the operations have not been affected because promotions have been put on hold. As he put it, “if anyone is willing to default on his responsibilities because he is not getting a promotion, we’ll have to deal with that.”
The PSC was suspended by President Dr Irfaan Ali on June 16, 2021, after he had followed the constitutional process involving each member being asked to show cause why he should not be suspended. This decision of the President was communicated to each member of the PSC by a letter bearing that date which was dispatched and received.
Despite this suspension, however, the PSC went ahead on June 28 and released a list of officers it deemed worthy of promotion for 2020. The list was released not long after acting Chief Justice Roxanne George dismissed a case brought by Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Brutus, who was seeking to block the promotion list on the basis that he was being bypassed for promotion by the PSC.
However, some 10 schools were unable to open because teachers tested positive for COVID-19.
Recently, the Education Ministry advised that the reopening of secondary schools for face-to-face teaching will be based on the national vaccination programme for adolescents across Guyana.
It said in a statement that the advice received from the Health Ministry was that it is better to allow students to be vaccinated and be fully inoculated be-
fore returning to the school’s physical environment.
For an adolescent to be deemed fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine they must receive two doses 2128 days apart with an additional seven to 14 days after the second dose to be fully protected. This would mean that the different secondary schools will return to faceto-face instruction on different dates.
The Ministry will be utilising the Guyana Diagnostics Assessment and consolidated curricu-
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government has, however, since rejected this list as unlawful and illegal, with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, issuing a statement reminding the PSC that it is suspended and as such, cannot issue any list.
“The said decision of the President can only be rescinded, revoked, set-aside, or reversed by the President himself, or by a court of competent jurisdiction. No person, let alone, a constitutional commission, will be allowed to become judge, jury, and executioner in our constitutional democracy. The rule of law simply does not permit it,” Nandlall had said.
September 16, 2021, has meanwhile been set aside for High Court Judge Gino Persaud to rule on whether President Ali is immune
FROM PAGE 2
lum to ensure that students are abreast in the given modalities and subject areas, given the impact brought on by the coronavirus disruptions. It will include content, teaching strategies and assessments for students. The consolidated curriculum is not a new tool, but the same in which teachers are exposed to. However, it is “tightening” the existing curriculum, bearing no compromises but simply seeking to effectively utilise time to meet grade level objectives up to Grade Nine.
from being named as a party to the case filed by the PSC challenging its June 16 suspension by the Head of State.
The imminent ruling has its origin in an application filed by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, who is asking that the President be struck out as a respondent.
When it comes to the GFS, controversy erupted last month when several officers were removed from potentially being in line for
promotion because of disciplinary infractions that were on their records.
In fact, it was reported last month that these disaffected officers had retained a lawyer, Eusi Anderson, to write to the acting Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo directing him to send the list of officers eligible for promotion to the Home Affairs Ministry. The Fire Chief has never confirmed receipt of any letter to this effect. (G3)
The decision by the Local Government Commission (LGC) to appoint Candace Nelson as the acting Town Clerk of the municipality of Georgetown is not unlawful, said Attorneyat-Law CV Satram.
He was at the time making oral arguments in a case seeking to nullify Nelson’s appoint which was filed by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown, who complained that the former is not qualified for the position and that the M&CC was excluded from consultations on her appointment.
On Monday, High Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow entertained full arguments in the case and will render her ruling next Monday, September 13 at 13:30h.
During the virtual proceedings, Satram was specifically asked by Justice Barlow whether the LGC, as a constitutional body, did not have a right to exercise its independent mind to the question of eligibility and suitability when appointing someone to the post of Town Clerk.
“I’m not saying that at all your honour. There is no evidence that it did not do so.
There appears to have been a full debate on the question of,” Satram replied.
Attorney-at-Law Teni Housty, who is representing the M&CC, relied on his written submissions that were laid over ahead of Monday’s hearing. He, however, expounded on pertinent points. According to counsel, ahead of the appointment of Nelson, the LGC held no consultations with relevant stakeholders.
“The context of consultation to which we refer is linked to Section 37 of the Local Government Commission Act. In so far as a decision is being made in relation to the staffing of thousands of local government organs, the impact of the decision makes the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown liable to be consulted,” Housty submitted.
The lawyer said that the minutes of previous meetings held by the LGC show that consultations were held in the past concerning the appointment of a Town Clerk. He said, “In the minutes, in their own (LGC) affidavits they have demonstrated a previous practice of consultations. They have highlighted the duty of cooperation that is enshrined in the statute.”
He contended that the M&CC should have an input in the process of identifying a person to serve as Town Clerk. Asked whether this takes away from the independence of the LGC in selecting and appointing a Town Clerk, Housty said, “No please your honour. What it does is adds further strength to their process.”
Last month, the M&CC instituted judicial review proceedings against the LGC challenging its “unilateral” appointment of Nelson. In a Fixed Date Application (FDA)
filed at the Demerara High Court, the M&CC is contending that Nelson’s appointment is unlawful as she is not qualified for the position.
The M&CC submitted that it was not included in consultations on her appointment, and as such, she “is acting without lawful authority”, and continues to disrupt the smooth and efficient functioning of the Council. The M&CC cited Nelson for taking disruptive actions which pose serious ongoing and continuing breaches that compromise the sanctity of the Council’s operations.
She is being accused of influencing the records of the M&CC’s statutory meetings by deleting matters from minutes of meetings and seeking to dictate the contents of the agenda of later meetings.
Court documents state that she suspended a tendering process that began months before her appointment and has potentially compromised the ability of the M&CC to honour its contractual and other financial obligations. She is also being accused of failing to facilitate a proper handover of the M&CC’s assets. Unless
Nelson is removed, the M&CC said she will further disrupt the Council’s business.
Nelson was appointed after the LGC wrote to then acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick and instructed her to return to her substantive position of Assistant Town Clerk effective from July 27. LGC Chairman, Julius Faerber had recently said the decision to remove Jerrick was a unanimous one.
“That decision was unanimously voted in favour of, and when I said unanimously, there were seven Commissioners who were present at that time, and all seven of them voted in favour of having Ms Jerrick return to her substantive position. That was the situation that occurred,” he had told a news conference.
According to Faerber, the decision to appoint Nelson is in keeping with the authority vested in the Local Government Commission under Sections 12 and 13 of the Local Government Commission Act.
Specifically, he pointed to Section 13 (2), which states: “The Commission shall have the power to deal with all matters relating to the staffing of Local Government organs, and in particular shall be responsible for employment, transfer, discipline, and dismissal of staff.”
Nelson had left the Council’s most recent statutory meeting after Mayor Ubraj Narine indicated that the Council would not recognise or include her in the proceedings. Meanwhile, an earlier meeting of the Council was aborted after the Mayor and Councillors protested her appointment and demanded that she leave. However, Nelson did not budge. (G1)
State prosecutors will call some 43 witnesses to the stand when the trial of taxi driver Matthew Munroe, who is accused of the murder of schoolteacher Kescia Branche commences on September 15. A 12-member jury has already been empanelled to hear the case before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Demerara. Munroe has pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is accused of murdering the 23-year-old woman between November 5 and 7, 2017. The case for the prosecution is being led by State Counsel Seeta Bishundial, while Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd is appearing for the murder accused. Munroe was first charged with the schoolteacher’s murder in December 2017 and has been on remand ever since.
After a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) which ended on October 16, 2018, Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman had ruled that sufficient ev-
idence was led by the prosecution against Munroe for him to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence. Munroe had allegedly departed Guyana for the United States of America some time in November 2017, but after spending some time overseas, had returned to Guyana and presented himself to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters at
Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The Police have said that during interrogation, Munroe could not provide information on his whereabouts on the night that the schoolteacher was killed, as well as a reason for his car bumper missing.
Branche, 23, a mother of one of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was discovered lying at the corner of Princes Street and Louisa Row in Georgetown on November 5, 2017.
She was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she died two days later. Her cause of death was given as haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head. According to reports, the young mother had left home for a night of partying. Her son was left in the care of a friend, who revealed that Branche had told her she had intended to go to a city nightclub to meet a male friend.
The teacher had later re-
turned home but had subsequently left again.
She had told her friend that she would be home by 02:00h, but never returned. She was last seen leaving a nightclub on Lamaha Street in the company of two Police ranks.
The father of Branche’s child was also arrested after the teacher’s mobile phone was found in his possession. He and four Policemen were questioned about her death, but they were later released.
(G1)
…with Africa
Well, folks, that day is finally here!! Today’s the Africa-Caricom summit where, as the African Union – representing all 55 countries of the continent lumped in five groups – will be talking, as your Eyewitness said yesterday, with Caricom as their “sixth group”. It’s all happening virtually, but what else is new… nowadays everything is virtual, even marriages!! So you can tune in and listen about what’s going to be done to achieve the objectives: “greater economic trade and investment opportunities; and solidarity in actions to address global challenges, including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
But in life, there are always contingencies to look out: sh*t happens!! And just when your Eyewitness thought everything was all clear on the agenda, up came news last night that there’s been a military coup in the West African nation of Guinea!! This followed bitterly-disputed elections in which the Government of the day rigged like crazy and was allowed to get away with it. In addition, rubbing salt into the wound, the President had diddled with the Constitution to allow him to run – and then give himself – a third term!!
It was all too much and for a lot of people and the country’s elite commando force -- along with elements of the presidential guard – seized the President and announced they’d be forming a new government in a few weeks. So, here we go again with coups and countercoups in Africa! Because the same thing happened recently over in Ivory Coast and Mali So THIS should be the topic on the African Union-Caricom meeting. Otherwise, all the best-laid plans will “go awry”!!
And this is where our own Mia Mottley can take the initiative. She was involved right here in Caricom last year when she was the Chair and the PNC tried to rig the elections to stage a constructive coup – as they’d done for 28 years back in the day. She took the lead and in no uncertain terms asserted that the Caribbean would NOT be allowed to revert to the days of illegal and dictatorial governments.
In addition to the African Union, Guinea is one of the 15 members of the “Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)” – similar to Caricom but with heavyweights like Nigeria and Ghana. While France, the ex-colonial power, has indicated displeasure in the regression of governance structures, Africa has to take a lead in sorting out its challenges. For sure we know that the Lt Colonel who’s taken over in Guinea and promised a new constitution, etc, will soon ensconce himself as a new (illegal) leader who wasn’t elected by the people.
A line must be drawn by the Diaspora.
…the COVID-19 responsibilities
One of the idiosyncrasies of the modern age is the total focus on the RIGHTS of individuals…it’s foundational to the entire civilisation. And if one were to even suggest that rights aren’t the alpha and omega of human existence, you might be drawn and quartered for like you’re denying the sanctity of motherhood!!
Your Eyewitness, however, is old school and was taught to accept that with every right comes an obligation!! They are two sides of the same coin and CANNOT be sundered!!
Take this emphasis of the Opposition on the RIGHT of their supporters to refuse the COVID-19 vaccines. Well….maybe so. But since this is a PUBLIC HEALTH emergency, don’t these same Opposition politicians and their supporters have an obligation to the PUBLIC – of which they’re
a part?? But the most ironic turn of events is that the Government’s being pilloried for being “dictatorial” –simply for doing their DUTY to safeguard the health and welfare of the population!!
Shouldn’t science be the arbiter?
Your Eyewitness was pleased to learn that GuySuCo has asked the army to borrow the five drones – which Ramjattan bought for $30 million each – to spray pesticides, etc, on their sugar cane. Guess the drug routes are being otherwise monitored?
Readers
Afamily of nine is now homeless, after a devastating fire ripped through their Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home on Sunday evening.
The Lot 8 Carol’s Place, Mocha, EBD property –which housed a business in the lower flat – went up in flames at about 19:00h.
Reports are that the fire started in a bedroom in the upper flat of the two-storey building but it took some time for the family to realise what was transpiring.
Owner, Magnel Roberts said she was operating a mobile food truck just opposite the
house when her sister sounded an alarm, sending them into a state of panic.
Customers and neighbours came to the family’s rescue but the flames spread within a short span of time and spiralled out of control.
“I was in the mobile working and my sister alert me of
girlfriend’s execution
the fire upstairs. My father and brother live upstairs and I live downstairs. There were a lot of people around and in the shop area but they didn’t know something was going on upstairs because of the shed. When my sister run out and alerted them, then everybody tried to do something,” Roberts pointed out.
about 45 minutes after, they came. Then they run out of water. I think a lot of things could’ve been saved but they run out of water. They had to go to the canal next door but everything was already gone.”
According to her, the Guyana Fire Service was called but it took responders a while to arrive at the scene. Even then, there was a water shortage. The distraught woman pointed out that some of her valuables could have been salvaged.
father” of murdered woman released
As investigations continue into the execution of Guyana Defence Force Lance Corporal Daniel Fraser and his girlfriend Sheniqua Hodge, the Police are in pursuit of another suspect.
This was according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who also disclosed that the “child father” of the now dead woman, who was arrested, was released after the 72-hour detention period expired.
He nevertheless noted that the suspect has to report to the Police on a regular basis until the determination of the investigation.
With respect to the second suspect, Blanhum stated that detectives visited several locations which are known to the suspect to look for him but they came up empty-handed.
Fraser, 26, of Lot 598
A Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and 23-yearold Hodge, formerly of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and of Barbados, were riddled with bullets moments after leaving a party in C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Wednesday evening last.
In fact, a post-mortem performed on the bodies proved that Fraser died from one gunshot injury to the chest, while his girlfriend died from multiple gunshot injuries.
It was reported that on the day in question, the now dead couple was at a party at C Field Sophia, but left for home at about 23:30h on motorcycle CK 9296.
However, as they were heading along the last street in B Field Sophia, they were confronted by a male on a bicycle who discharged several rounds
at them before fleeing the scene. Police initially stated that Fraser died on the spot, while Forde succumbed on the way to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Fraser reportedly sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest in the vicinity of the heart, while Forde received three gunshot injuries – one to the chest, one to her right knee; and one to the right-side abdomen, which exited the left-side abdomen.
Hodge reportedly arrived in Guyana in July to sort out some documents to join the Barbados Defence Force. Relatives had told Guyana Times that after she arrived in Guyana, she and Fraser met for the first time but prior, they would communicate over the phone.
Investigators had stated that the now dead woman is the mother of a 4-yearold boy from a previous relationship which ended. After the relationship came to an end, the child’s father threatened to kill the woman several times after she and Fraser started a relationship.
After the shooting incident, the man was arrested and questioned. During interrogation, he held out that he was not involved in the execution style killing of the two young people. Now, the Police are working with several other leads with the aim of getting a breakthrough in the matter.
“They were trying to call the Fire Service but we weren’t getting through. At
To compound her distress, Roberts relayed that her children could not attend school, which they were preparing for on Monday morning. She has counted her losses in the millions, since only a section of the business remained intact. On Monday when Guyana Times visited, the family was searching through the rubble and clearing out debris.
“It’s millions. I can’t real-
ly say. School opened today and the children were preparing yesterday but nobody could [go]. Three supposed to be going out to school. I have three kids but my sister died and left two so it’s five I have. One of them approaching CSEC and the other two are in Grade Two and Four. I can’t say what’s my next move but I’m glad if I could get some help because I don’t have anything,” the fire victim told this publication. Initial assessments indicate that the fire could have been electrical in nature but the Fire Service is continuing its probe. For those willing to lend assistance, the family can be contacted on 604-0473. (G12)
The COVID-19 adolescents’ vaccination campaign commenced in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Monday. The initiative saw 12- to 17-year-olds visiting the vaccination site which was set up at the Mackenzie High School to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Fourteen-year-old Talya Gray was the first adolescent to receive the vaccine in the region. According to Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Gregory Harris, over 4000 adolescents within the region are eligible to receive the vaccine, and he noted that despite a “shutdown” organised by some Opposition members, the Health Department will continue to push its vaccination mandate.
“…we’ll continue to play our part, and that is to promote this COVID-19 vaccine and its importance,” Dr Harris said while speaking on the side lines of the vac-
cination initiative. He added that, “I’m trusting that most of the parents would consider bringing their children out to be vaccinated, so that we can reduce the spread of this virus and as a community, as a region.”
The RHO also emphasised to parents and adolescents that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and may prevent or minimise complications of the virus.
“We’re trying to achieve herd immunity and once we’re able to achieve herd immunity, in terms of transmission of this virus it would be reduced drastically...the Pfizer vaccine that we’re giving out this morning is very safe and effective against the coronavirus...one of the ways in which we can prevent or control this continuous mutation is to try our best to vaccinate our population as fast as possible. The earlier stage we do it is the better for us,” the RHO told parents and adolescents as he noted that the
side effects are the same as normal vaccines.
Public Health Nurse Erica Prosper, who is attached to the Health Ministry, thanked parents for bringing out their children to be vaccinated. She advised that the vaccination team has set up an information checklist, along with consent forms. Following these stages, adolescents are registered and then vaccinated.
Jacquey Bourne, who is the mother of Talya Gray, the first to be vaccinated in the region on Monday, said she was happy about the decision as she urged parents to have their eligible children vaccinated.
schools can reopen,” Bourne said.
“I’m happy that my child can get her vaccine today and I’m encouraging all parents to permit their children to come out and have the vaccine. As long as your child is over 12 years, come out. The vaccines are safe and they’re effective. So, let us have a safe community, a safe country again so
Region 2 parents
Meanwhile, over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), hundreds of adolescents on Monday, seized the opportunity to get vaccinated during the Pfizer vaccination rollout held at the Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS). They were among
those who attended school after one year of re-opening.
According to a parent, Natasha Jaigobin, the vaccine is necessary since children come into contact with many other children at school from travelling, and may be exposed.
"So with all of this in mind, I signed the paper to let my son take the vaccine... I don't want to put him, his friends, and also his family at risk. I am happy that he took the first shot and I know he will be safe and free from contracting the virus very easily,” Jaigobin said.
Another parent, Susaan Persaud, told Guyana Times that she opted to allow her child to take the vaccine after realising that it will be safe for her to do so. She said she has been watching the news and with what is happening around the world, she was not hesitant for herself and her child to be vaccinated.
Persaud said that initially she was scared to let her daughter take the vaccine but related that the vaccination process was very smooth since she was the fifth person in line. Persaud called on all parents to take
their children out to be immunised and above all to ensure they protect themselves by taking the vaccine.
800 students
Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer, Dr Ranjeev Singh told this publication that over 800 students in the region have taken the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
“The programme has intensified in the region and targets persons 12 years and older and also persons living with chronic illness. So, with us immunising these persons, it is going to be a major achievement within the region and as such will be COVID free,” Dr Singh said.
As such, he is urging students to take the vaccines to protect themselves from the severe effects of the virus if they are to contract same.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has advised that persons should adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and as such those who would have taken the vaccine must continue to wear their masks, practice social distancing, sanitise, and also avoid huge crowds. (Utamu Bell and Raywattie Deonarine)
Five persons were airdashed to Georgetown following an accident at Byderabo Public Road, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Sunday.
Those who are now being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital are 15-yearold Condolezza Nurse, 6-year-old Donaire Nurse, 16-year-old Angel Hope, Leona Gonsalves, 45, and Mark Nurse, 55, all of Mongrippa Hill, Bartica, Essequibo River.
Condolezza is nursing lacerations about her head and face; Donaire Nurse sustained a broken right hand; Angel Hope sustained lacerations to her head; Leona Gonsalves is suffering from lacerations about her face and left hand and Mark Nurse is nursing a fractured spine. In addition, Caroline Nurse suffered lacerations about her face and right
The pick-up on its side after the accident
hand but she was treated at the Bartica Regional
Hospital.
The accident reportedly involved a motor pick-up bearing registration number GJJ 2802, driven by Mark Nurse and motor lorry GPP 406, owned and driven by a 47-year-old resident of Seventh Avenue Bartica.
Based on reports received, the pick-up was proceeding along the Byderabo access road at a fast rate of speed while motor lorry GPP 406 was proceeding in the opposite direction.
However, Mark Nurse reportedly lost control of the pick-up which toppled several times before colliding with the right side front of the motor lorry.
As a result of the collision, the occupants and driver of the pick-up were flung out of the vehicle and onto the roadway where they received injuries about their bodies.
They were all picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons and taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where they were treated. Five of the persons were then referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital and as such, they were air-dashed to the city by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). A breath alcohol test was conducted on the driver of the motor lorry but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. He was detained and is assisting with investigations.
A26-year-old carpenter of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was stabbed to his right-side abdomen and lashed to his head during a drunken brawl on Sunday evening. Police stated that on the day in question at about 21:10h, the victim, who was under the influence of alcohol, was drinking at a friend’s resident when he saw the suspect and an argument broke out between them.
The argument quickly escalated into a scuffle, during which the suspect armed himself with an object and stabbed the victim. He then dealt several blows to the victim’s head with the same object. The injured man was picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was examined, treated and sent away.
The suspect was contacted, told of the allegation made against him but he denied. He was, nevertheless, arrested and is assisting with investigations.
Meanwhile, two men were injured following a similar incident at No
51 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Sunday. Injured are Tyrese George, 16, and 56-year-old Marvin Ross.
Based on reports received, the lad’s father, Terrence George, and a resident, Wayne Heyligar, had a misunderstanding over a pig which led to a heated argument during which Marvin Ross came in with a cutlass.
The 16-year-old reportedly managed to take the cutlass from Ross and ran towards Heyligar.
However, Heyligar took the same cutlass and dealt the teen one chop to the top of his head. Upon seeing this, the lad’s father picked up a piece of wood and ran towards Ross and dealt him one lash to his forehead.
The injured lad and Ross were picked up in a conscious state and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital. Tyrese George was admitted a patient while Ross was treated and sent away.
The lad’s father and the two other men were arrested and are assisting with investigations.
Police in Linden are on the hunt for two men who abandoned a ganja-laden motor car in which they were travelling at Wismar Bridge on Sunday evening.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Police acting on information travelled to the eastern side of the Wismar Bridge where one silver-grey motor car with registration number PWW 9605 was spotted in the line of traffic, being driven by one of the suspects.
Upon seeing the ranks approaching, the two occupants exited the motor car and ran into the thick vegetation south of the Wismar Bridge.
The ranks went after them but despite their efforts to apprehend the suspects, they managed to make good their escape.
The car was taken to the Mackenzie Police Station where it was searched during which six bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic with a quantity
of cannabis were found in the trunk.
The ganja was weighed and amounted to 44lbs/20kg. Police stated that the estimated street value for the narcotic is $6.6 million.
However, following the incident, Police visited One Mile Wismar, Linden, in an effort to make checks for one of the suspects.
On arrival at the location, contact was made with the suspect’s brother and Police requested to conduct a search on his person.
He violently pushed the policeman, thus causing him to fall to the
ground where he received injuries to his left hand.
Other ranks went to the Sergeant’s assistance but they were also assaulted.
The ranks managed to subdue him and he was eventually arrested and
escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station where he was placed into custody.
The Sergeant and two other ranks were treated at the Linden Hospital Complex and sent away. Investigations are ongoing.
Attorney-at-Law
George Thomas, who is representing the final accused on trial for the 2017 attempted robbery on Republic Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown branch, wants the charge against his client dismissed, and has requested additional time to layover a submission of no case to answer.
His additional time request was granted on Monday by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly before whom his client, Keron Saunders, is on trial for the offence. Particulars of the charge against Saunders of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, allege that on July 4, 2017, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he attempted to rob the bank.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, Saunder’s co-accused were freed after the Magistrate upheld no-case submissions made by their lawyers. Those freed were former Police Constables Anfernee Blackman of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Gladston George of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and former Republic Bank employee Shawn Grimmond of Kitty, Georgetown.
However, the no-case submission made by Saunder’s counsel was overruled and he was called upon to lead a defence. In doing so, he elected to give unsworn testimony. He will return to court on September 27, when his lawyer will layover the submission. Then, it is expected that the Magistrate will further adjourn the matter pending her ruling.
The Director of Public
Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, has since filed an appeal against the decision of the Magistrate to free George, Blackman, and Grimmond. The DPP contended that the Magistrate’s decision is wholly erroneous, and has moved to the Court of Appeal to have it quashed.
Another former employee of the bank, Jamal Haynes, was also slapped with charges of attempting to commit a robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty to the charges at his first court appearance back in 2017 and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.
During the attempted robbery, 23-year-old Elton Wray, an agronomist, was shot dead by Police. He had been a beneficiary of a Government of Guyana scholarship to study in China and had graduated with a degree in agronomy. At the time of his death, he was serving the second of his five-year obligatory contract. It was reported that Haynes and Grimmond knew that businesses would have de-
posited substantial amounts of cash into the chutes through night deposits.
As such, a plan was hatched for the robbers to grab that money which would have been emptied into a canister by a female employee. However, things went awry when their accomplices broke into the bank without knowing that they had received a text message from Grimmond, who was already at work informing them to hold off since the employee who was supposed to open the canister was not at work.
After receiving reports of the robbery, Police responded promptly. The bandits engaged the officers in a shootout, which resulted in the death of Wray. Haynes was also shot as he attempted to evade the lawmen. Saunders subsequently surrendered and was taken into Police custody.
The others were all implicated in the robbery by Haynes and were later arrested. Police said that three high-powered pistols were recovered from the crime scene. (G1)
Several persons were injured after the motor car in which they were travelling collided with a utility pole after which it spun and ended up in a nearby trench at Crane Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
Those injured are the driver, Hemraj Beharry, 50; Khemraj Beharry, 30; Surajay Beharry, 28; Khemraj Beharry, 9, Miguel Beharry, 6; Nirmala Beharry, 19, and Camille Beharry, 51, all of Block X Diamond New
Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Police stated that motor car bearing registration number PFF 8417 was proceeding along the Crane Public Road and was about to negotiate a turn when Hemraj lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole. The vehicle then spun on the roadway and eventually ended up in a nearby trench.
As a result of the incident, the occupants received injuries and were taken to
West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where they were examined.
Camille was admitted as a patient in the Accident and Emergency Unit and her condition is regarded as stable. The others were treated and sent away.
A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. He was, however, arrested and taken to Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station assisting with investigations.
Inspectors from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) along with ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) seized a number of defective and unapproved scales from the Stabroek and Bourda Markets in the capital of Georgetown.
The exercise was conducted on Friday and resulted in 50 dial scales, which were not approved for commercial trade, being seized and removed from vendors.
On Monday, the GNBS said that for some time now it has been advising vendors and shopkeepers to desist from using the domestic dial scales, which were not designed for the rigours of commercial use. These scales easily become inaccurate and result in vendors selling short-weighed goods to consumers.
The regulatory body had encouraged vendors and shopkeepers to only use the recommended metric devices, which include the metric red equal arm scales and masses, metric platform scales, approved dial scales and electronic scales. Approved scales can be purchased from hardware stores in the city and from business locations across the country.
Vendors, shopkeepers
and other users of weighing and measuring devices in trade who have not yet submitted their devices for stamping for the second half of the year are encouraged to do so before the end of September 2021.
Meanwhile, the GNBS said that it continues to urge consumers to avoid making purchases from vendors and shopkeepers selling with unapproved devices. This sensitisation effort will contin-
ue.
Last Friday’s exercise was conducted directly in response to the widespread use of the unapproved scales observed by the GNBS in many markets and other retail outlets. To maintain the accuracy of measurements in commerce, the GNBS plans to expand its surveillance campaign for the rest of the year to seize and remove unverified and unapproved devices in use.
Another six persons have lost their lives to COVID-19, moving the country’s death toll to 647.
They reportedly died on Sunday. In six days of September, 22 persons have already died from the virus.
On Monday, the Health Ministry said those who succumbed included an 83-year-old male, 56-yearold female and 62-yearold male – all of whom hailed from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). The others are a 75-year-old female and 61-year-old male from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); and a 79-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
The patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care. Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests.
New cases In one day, an additional 101 persons tested positive, raising confirmed cases to 26,611.
There are 38 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 128 in institutional isolation, 2219 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic, 276,815 individuals were tested – of which 12,822 males and 13,789 females contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of new cases showed seven in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 71 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); 12 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); three in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)
and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) did not increase.
Safe public spaces
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has stated that the new COVID-19 measures which only allow vaccinated persons to enter public buildings and agencies are geared at making such spaces safer for Guyanese.
In the new guidelines, measure No 17 stipulates that any person who wishes to enter a public building shall be vaccinated. Where an unvaccinated person wishes to enter a public building, they can do so by appointment, and by presenting a negative PCR test taken within seven days.
“There is now a requirement where if you are going to access any public space, you should be able to show your vaccination card once people ask for it. It is one way of ensuring that the environments in the public is much safer because if you have vaccinated people, the chances are we will have a much safer envi-
ronment when we visit those places. It’s not only for the people accessing the service. It’s also for the people who are working there,” he highlighted during the COVID-19 briefing on Monday.
Almost 99 per cent of persons currently hospitalised with COVID-19 complications are unvaccinated against the life-threatening virus.
There are about 2200 active cases in Guyana. Some 100 of the 122 hospitalised cases are being monitored at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, and 38 are in the Intensive Care
Unit.
“We have to be more cautious. Most of the people who are in the hospital right now, almost 99 per cent of them are unvaccinated. Most of them who are in the ICU are also unvaccinated. So, we really want to appeal to people to make sure that they get their vaccination and protect themselves,” he noted.
In Guyana, 320,747 persons or 62.5 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose. Meanwhile 168,201 persons are fully immunised. Almost 10,000 children have also received their first Pfizer shot.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy
All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene. (G12)
As part of the Government’s drive to decentralise services, work is ongoing on an office in Lethem, Region Nine, which will house both the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
According to the CH&PA on Monday, the $23 million
office is expected to improve the services of thousands of residents in the region, which has more than 57 villages. Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal visited the site over the weekend accompanied by GWI’s Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailall.
This follows an earlier visit in May, where the symbolic turning of the sod at
the site which is located at Lethem Commercial Block, was done by the Minister. The office, which will measure 20x40 feet, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The foundation of the building is in the process of completion.
The statement quoted the Housing Minister explaining that the new office will not only improve water
Over 5000 farmers and households in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) who suffered losses as a result of the recent countrywide flood, have begun receiving flood relief.
Farmers and householders are expected to receive checks of no less than $50,000 each and no more than $10 million.
The relief effort, which will be rolled out in every region, will see $7.6 billion being given out to farmers and of that sum, more than $1 billion will go to farmers in the MahaicaBerbice region.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha explained that even though some farmers suffered losses in rice, cash crop and poultry, Government was only giving assistance
A farmer in Region Five collecting his cheque from Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
dermania and we are putting the money to the benefit of the people of our country… This is not compensation for a lost. This is a relief and we must recognise that the Government is trying its ut-
for one category of farming. Meaning that multi-activity farmers will only receive a pay-out on the category which they suffered the most losses.
However, he pointed out
most to ensure that it delivers to the people of our country,” Mustapha said.
President Irfaan Ali had said it was Government’s intention to provide financial assistance to various catego-
the livestock we need as quickly as possible. That is why the President himself has been leading the team around the country to meet with those who were affected. The President made a commitment that, at the end of the day, we will do an assessment to know what was lost. Our officers were tasked with carrying out a thorough investigation so that we can give assistance to farmers as soon as possible. Today is a testament to the promises made by the President, His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, and the PPP/Civic Government,” Mustapha said.
Meanwhile, most of the farmers this publication spoke with expressed appreciation for the relief cheques. Farmers also noted that it was the first time that they received a cheque from any Government after suffering
that all farmers who suffered losses will receive some level of assistance. Explaining that in excess of $7 billion will be distributed to affected persons throughout the country, the Agriculture Minister noted that Government is not borrowing money for the is project while noting that it is not compensation for losses.
“We are fighting corruption, we have stopped squan-
ries of persons who had been affected by the floods.
While addressing the gathering, Minister Mustapha said the Government understands the importance of getting farmers back to the land so that they can begin to earn and provide for their families.
“We recognise the importance of getting our farmers back to the land as quickly as possible and to get back
services to residents, but also considerably reduce GWI’s financial burden in the long-term.
“GWI is currently renting a building that houses about ten staff here in Region Nine. Upon completion, this new facility will significantly cut that expenditure and the company will be able to use its resources in a better way,” the Minister is quoted as saying in a statement from CH&PA.
Croal also emphasised the importance of the provision of potable water in hinterland communities, as part of bridging gaps and ensuring equal access to services available in coastal regions.
When it comes to the housing sector, the Minister said the CH&PA’s regional department, presently housed at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), will now have adequate facilities to service customers.
According to the Minister, this is all part of strengthening the regional housing office.
Additionally, there will be capacity building for staff. It was also revealed that a new Regional Housing Officer is expected to be appointed before the end of September 2021. The Minister said that this will further advance their goals for providing quality service and aid the Government in achieving its housing vision.
The PPP Government has made it clear they have big plans for Region Nine. It was only a few days ago that President Dr Irfaan Ali met with members of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), where he discussed Government’s plans for Region Nine and said that the plan is to make the region into an economic free zone.
The Head of State, who was in Lethem for the Regional Toshaos Meeting, said that his Government is aware of the desire to have parts of Lethem designated as economic free zones, which will stimulate economic activity. He explained that
they have had discussions with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Under the 2021 budgetary allocation to GWI, the sum of $23 million had been budgeted for the construction of the new office. Bids for the project were evaluated in June. The duration for the completion of this project is an estimated three months. Since taking office, Croal has stressed the need for improved infrastructure, adequate staff, and strengthening regional services offered by the Ministry. Already under the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Regional Housing Officers have been appointed in Regions Five and Six. In Region Two, a building has been identified for a Housing office, while additional staff have been employed to strengthen capacity. Further plans are in place for a regional office for Guyana Water Inc in Bartica, which will house the first-ever CH&PA regional office.
losses as a result of a flood which destroyed their crop and stock.
To date, thousands of farmers from Regions Five, Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) have benefited from the Government’s flood-relief initiative. Distribution in other affected Regions is scheduled to commence within the coming weeks.
Ayet to be identified man was shot on Monday evening during a confrontation over a fake $5000 note at the “Good Life” supermarket at Grove, East Bank Demerara.
Police have arrested a 26-year-old man of Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), after he confessed to chopping his father and leaving him to die in the backdam.
Reports are the man and his father left for the backdam but the son returned, claiming
that he was feeling unwell.
According to Police, relatives asked about the whereabouts of his father and the son claimed that he left his father in the backdam.
However, checks for the father led to the discovery of his pants and a cell phone. On Monday evening, Police said that the son then travelled to
Troolie Island where villagers further questioned him and he confessed to chopping his father several times and leaving him to die following an argument. He was apprehended by villagers and handed over to Police. Up to press time Police were searching for the injured man.
This newspaper was told that this led to a confrontation between the men and the proprietor causing the security to intervene.
The security claimed that he saw one of the men pull out what appeared to be a weapon and he discharged a round. The bullet hit the suspect to his back and as
Reports are that about 20:00h two men went into the Chinese supermarket to make a purchase and were about to enter an awaiting car when the proprietor of the establishment realised that the $5000 bill was a counterfeit.
he fell to the ground the other person who was with him jumped into the awaiting car and drove off, leaving him behind.
Police were summoned to the scene and the injured man was picked up and rushed to the Diamond Hospital. The security guard has since been taken into custody and his weapon lodged with Police as investigations continue.
The Regional Toshaos’ Meeting hosted in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was deemed a success, as the leaders engaged with President Dr Irfaan Ali and several Ministers of Government to address issues affecting the various communities.
The two-day conference saw some 34 Toshaos and several senior Councillors from villages within the region converging to elect regional representatives for the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC). Toshao Shamir Khan of Yupukari was elected to represent Central Rupununi, Toshao Lenny Moses of Massara was elected to represent the North Rupununi and South Pakaraimas and Toshao Michael Thomas was elected to represent South Central and Deep South Rupununi.
The Toshaos highlighted some of the issues they intend to make representations for at the national level. Toshao Khan said he plans to work with the relevant agencies to make his community and the Rupununi in general, a better place.
“I would like to see for the entire region that more education opportunities arise like online learning, right now I’m in the process of building my ICT Hub, hopefully it could be completed, it we can have all the furnishing and all the electronics in-
stalled that our kids can get more opportunities to learning, because over the years it has been really good but when you have a lot of people sign in at the same time it’s really difficult for us to really kind of communicate, you know if you wanna do emails sometimes you cannot really get through,” he is quoted as saying in a DPI report.
He is hoping for better quality internet, which will allow children to learn and be on par with children from the coast. Job creation and marketing for craft items are also some of the areas that he will focus on.
Toshao of Aishalton, Michael Thomas in the DPI report stated that his main concern is land rights. “We have been talking about land rights, land issues, we have been advocating for our extensions to our villages, to our titled lands and we have been advocating for other villages that have not been titled as yet, so that is first on our agenda and I would like to see that happen during my term as Toshao,” Thomas said.
He said he hopes to see improvements in the health and education sectors, such as upgrading of schools and district hospitals, upgrading of dormitories for the secondary schools, and for villages to develop themselves through agriculture. “I would like to see where livelihood projects are being push through for
our communities where we can earn from our own resources,” Thomas noted.
He noted that it is important that Toshaos work with the Government and other agencies to improve village livelihoods.
Thomas noted that COVID-19 has affected income generation in the villages and every aspect of village life. He noted that the Regional Toshaos’ Meeting gives an opportunity for Toshaos to have discussions with sector heads and the President. “Having this regional Toshaos’ conference here in Lethem in central Rupununi is very important and we know that it will bring benefit to us,” Thomas said.
Meanwhile Lenny Moses believes that having regional meetings give the village leaders a better opportunity to interact directly with leaders of the country on a one-on-one basis as opposed to the national meeting where there is usually limited time for discussions.
“This initiative I see that it would make a difference given the chance for all leaders to say what they have to say to represent I think that is the best thing to do for me,” Moses said.
The next Regional Toshaos’ Meeting will be held on September 10 and 11, at Mahdia, Region Eight.
Michael K. Williams, who famously played righteous stick-up man Omar Little in HBO’s “The Wire,” was found dead in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment Monday.
A nephew found the 54-year-old actor dead in his apartment on Kent Ave. in Williamsburg about 2 p.m., cops said.
Police found drug paraphernalia inside his apartment, sources said. The city medical examiner’s office will determine his cause of death.
In a 2015 interview with “The Wire” creator David Simon, former President Barack Obama described Omar as “my favorite character on my favorite show.”
Monday night, Simon wrote on Twitter he was “too gutted right now to say all that ought to be said.”
“Michael was a fine man and a rare talent and on our journey together he always deserved the best words. And today those words won’t come,” Simon wrote.
Williams spoke openly about his struggles with drug addiction, both before breaking into show business and during his time on “The Wire.”
“I was playing with fire,” Williams told the Newark Star-Ledger in 2012, describing how he’d score drugs in the city’s most dangerous
neighborhoods. “It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead. When I look back on it now, I don’t know how I didn’t end up in a body bag.”
Williams was an acting powerhouse — and a powerful voice for social justice and police reform off-screen.
The East Flatbush native started his show business career dancing in music videos but on his 25th birthday a bar fight in Queens changed his trajectory. He was knifed in the fracas, leaving him with a distinctive scar down his face.
“Things changed immediately after that,” Williams said in a 2004 interview for the NPR series “My Big Break.” “Directors didn’t want me just to dance in the
videos any more. They wanted me to act out these thug roles.” That led rapper Tupac Shakur to cast him as “High Top,” a henchman working for Shakur’s drug kingpin character in the 1996 film “Bullet.”
His breakthrough role came in the 2002 HBO series “The Wire.”
He played Omar Little, a shotgun-toting openly gay stick-up man who lived by a code: “I ain’t never put my gun on nobody who wasn’t in the game.” He became a mainstay in some of HBO’s most acclaimed dramas, playing Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire” and, most recently, winning a Critics Choice Award and earning an Emmy nomination for his performance as Montrose Freeman in “Lovecraft Country.”
“Shocked and saddened
by the death of Michael K Williams. One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart,” tweeted fellow The “Wire” actor Isaiah Whitlock Jr. “An amazing actor and soul. May
per-special. You guys know him as the actor, we know him as Uncle Mike,” nephew Arvance Williams said, speaking outside Williams’ home Monday night. “It’s heart-breaking. I still can’t
Arvance Williams said his uncle tried to stay positive through his struggles with substance abuse. “He had his, his little demons and he would fight it, but Mike was the type of person and he’ll
you RIP. God bless.” Williams used his fame as a platform to speak up for criminal justice reform, working with the ACLU as an “ambassador for ending mass incarceration” and with the non-profit NYC Together. “It’s gonna be tough living without him. He’s a big part of my life and my whole family. He was something else. He was su-
wrap my head around it. I was just with him.”
Williams loved Brooklyn, and cherished his roots in the borough, his nephew said.
“Brooklyn was everything for Mike. Brooklyn made him,” he said, vowing to live up to his uncle’s example. “I’m gonna do some positive, great things, to keep my uncle’s legacy going,” he said.
fall and he’ll get back up,” he said. “So, he was always, always trying to do better, he was always, he was always fighting.” Nephew Booker T. Williams added: “My family loved him. He loved our family. He loved our community, and he did everything in his power to show love. He’s gonna be missed.” (NY Daily News)
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has signed a decree aimed at restricting the powers of social media companies to remove accounts and content.
Bolsonaro said a change of regulations was needed to combat the “arbitrary removal” of profiles.
He said the new legislation would help protect freedom of speech.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Twitter and Facebook have removed many posts shared by the President and his supporters that were deemed misleading.
The new decree aims to provide clarity on the powers of social media companies to police content on their platforms, the President’s office said.
Details of the decree released so far simply state that tech giants will have to provide “just cause and motivation” before removing an account or content.
It is unclear, however, exactly how the order will be enforced.
The announcement comes on the eve of what are expected to be large pro-Bolsonaro demonstrations across Brazil.
Supporters of the President will be protesting against the country’s Congress and Supreme Court, which last month added Bolsonaro’s name to a list of people being investigated over the alleged production of misinformation.
Critics have said the marches, which coincide with the country’s Independence Day celebrations, represent a danger to democracy.
Bolsonaro and his allies
have frequently had posts on social media removed since the start of the pandemic.
In July, YouTube removed around 15 videos from a channel belonging to Bolsonaro for spreading misinformation about COVID-19.
Some of the posts removed included videos that promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, and the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin as treatments against the coronavirus – neither has been proven to be an effective treatment against the virus.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Three men, including two from metro Atlanta, have pleaded guilty to smuggling at least 30 guns from the United States to Barbados.
Rashad Sargeant, 27, of College Park, pleaded guilty on Thursday to unlawfully exporting firearms, acting US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Kurt Erskine, said in a news release.
Sargeant’s co-defendant, 31-year-old David Johnson, of Belleville, Illinois, pleaded guilty more than a month earlier, on July 22, Erskine said.
A third man who acted as a “straw purchaser” to buy guns from federally-licensed
firearms dealers, 28-yearold Shunquez Stephens, of Flowery Branch, pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme on June 21.
The US Attorney’s case presented in court said Johnson would recruit gun buyers like Stephens to illegally purchase firearms with no intention of keeping the guns for themselves.
Sargeant and Johnson would remove the serial numbers and mail them to Barbados using fake identities. They shipped the guns hidden inside false compartments in boxes using common carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
“Firearms illegally exported from the United
States often end up in the wrong hands and are used to commit further criminal acts,” said Ariel Joshua Leinwand, a special agent of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement in Atlanta.
“Disrupting the flow of illegal guns inevitably saves lives and reduces overall crime, so I’m glad we were able to stop Sargeant’s scheme . . . ,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Katrina Berger said.
Stephens will be sentenced on September 22, Johnson on November 4, and Sargeant on December 16. (The Atlanta JournalConstitution)
Jamaican men urged to change mindset towards prostate cancer screening
The Jamaican Health and Wellness Ministry is urging a change of attitude among Jamaican men towards screening for prostate cancer, the leading cancer-related cause of death in adult males locally.
According to Dr Nicola Skyers, Director of the Non-Communicable Disease and Injury Prevention Unit of the Ministry, prostate cancer screening is not yet where it should be in Jamaica.
“The National Screening Guidelines for Priority NonCommunicable Diseases in Primary Health Care recommend that men start screening for prostate can -
cer at age 40 years, with digital rectal examinations and prostate specific antigen (blood) tests.
“Our men, therefore, need to have regular health checks to be guided by our clinicians through the recommended screening process,” Skyers said in a news release.
She noted that “there is some hesitancy among our men to this screening, but early detection of prostate cancer is invaluable for better outcomes should there be a prostate cancer diagnosis. With early intervention and treatment lives can be preserved.
“Delays in screening usually mean that a man presents late – when
the disease is already advanced. A change of attitude towards prostate cancer screening is a must!” Skyers stressed.
Globally, the month of September is designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Against this background, the Ministry noted that, even as Jamaica grapples with COVID-19, Jamaicans cannot lose sight of the fact that prostate cancer, cancer of the prostate gland, is the number one cancer in the country, and that it has been killing Jamaican men for years and that Jamaicans must take actionable steps to reverse this trend. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Astatue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, which stood on one of the main avenues of Mexico City, will be replaced by one of an Indigenous woman.
Mexico City Mayor
Claudia Sheinbaum said the bronze likeness of Columbus would be moved to a park and a statue of an Olmec woman would take its place.
The Columbus statue was removed from its plinth last year ahead of protests.
Protesters have toppled Columbus statues in Latin America and the US.
Christopher Columbus, an Italian-born explorer who was financed by the Spanish crown to set sail on voyag-
es of exploration in the late 15th Century, is seen by many as a symbol of oppression and colonialism as his arrival in America opened the door to the Spanish conquest.
Mayor Sheinbaum made the announcement on Sunday at a ceremony marking the International Day of the Indigenous Woman.
She said that relocating the statue was not an attempt to “erase history”, but to deliver “social justice”.
Sheinbaum said that the Columbus statue “would not be hidden away”, but that the civilisations which existed in Mexico before the Spanish conquest should receive recognition.
The Mayor said that sculptor Pedro Reyes was working on a statue of a woman from the Olmec civilisation, which flourished in the Gulf of Mexico from 1200 BC to 400 BC, to replace that of Columbus on Reforma Avenue.
The plinth on which the Columbus statue stood has been empty since October 10, 2020 when it was removed “for restoration purposes” just two days before planned protests marking the arrival of Columbus in 1492.
Some activists had issued calls on social media for the statue to be toppled.
(Excerpt from BCC News)
When the Presidents of South America’s Amazonian nations met in Colombia’s jungle town of Leticia two years ago, to discuss how to better protect the world’s largest rainforest, they signed a landmark deal that raised hopes deforestation would decline.
The Leticia Pact aimed to drive sustainable forest use and reforestation, restore degraded land, improve information sharing and the use of satellite data to monitor deforestation and wildfires, and empower women and Indigenous groups.
But since seven Heads of State agreed to the plan, as Indigenous leaders looked on, its pledges have remained largely unfulfilled, with scant evidence of up-and-running forest protection and restoration efforts as a direct result of the pact, critics said.
As deforestation continues to surge in the Amazon, the plan has also failed to attract significant new funding, they said.
Julia Jacobin, a researcher at Institutor Sociambiental, a Brazilian non-profit working in the Amazon region, said what has happened since the
While the Leticia Pact created a protocol on forest fires management in the Amazon, there are few other signs of tangible progress to protect the world’s largest rainforest, despite the fanfare and renewed commitments, environmentalists say [File: Bruno Kelly/Reuters]
deal was signed amounts to “nothing”, with non-profits and other organisations still the key drivers of forest protection and coordination efforts in the region.
Sandra Vilardy, an assistant professor at Colombia’s Los Andes University and head of an observatory on national parks, said agreement backers had “good intentions and Colombia has shown leadership”.
“But the pact doesn’t attack the root problems of deforestation,” she said, with illegal mining, expansion of cattle ranching and farms, and drug traffick -
ing still widespread. Political differences among Governments, changes in national leaders, conflicting economic motivations and COVID19-related distractions all have contributed to the pact’s failure to advance significantly, analysts said.
But the lack of action may have significant consequences both for lastditch efforts to protect fast-vanishing nature and to stem runaway climate change, which is powering increasingly damaging wildfires, floods, droughts and storms globally.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley will deliver a statement at the first African Union-Caribbean Community (AU-Caricom) Summit scheduled to take place virtually today. The aim of the summit is to formalise the relationship between the AU and Caricom through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is currently under ne-
gotiation by the two bodies.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Caricom Chairman, Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, are among those who are also scheduled to deliver remarks.
The talks will explore opportunities to strengthen the linkages between the people of Africa and the Caribbean regions by addressing economic and com-
munication challenges. The Summit further aims to harness the opportunities that will be accrued through integration in trade and investments, debt and development financing, blue economy, gender issues, culture and sports as well as emerging issues on environment and climate change, terrorism and violent extremism among others. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Oil prices fell on Monday after Saudi Arabia's sharp cuts to crude contract prices for Asia revived concerns over the demand outlook.
Brent crude futures fell 39 cents to settle at US$72.22 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude were last down 40 cents at US$68.89 a barrel.
State oil group Saudi Aramco notified customers in a statement on Sunday that it will cut October official selling prices (OSPs) for all crude grades sold to Asia, its biggest buying region, by at least US$1 a barrel.
The price cuts were larger than expected, based on a Reuters poll of Asian refiners.
"When the Saudi giant cuts its selling prices to Asia for October, signalling it sees the supply-demand relationship slightly shifting, traders can't but follow down that path today," said Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of oil markets at Rystad Energy.
Global oil supplies are increasing as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, a grouping known as OPEC+, are raising output by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) each month between August and December.
"Given that OPEC+ is continuing its plan to raise production monthly, despite weak data from China and the US raising slowdown fears and Saudi Arabia looking for market share in the region, oil is likely to remain under pressure," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for Asia Pacific at brokerage OANDA.
The earlier decline in crude futures added to falls on Friday after a weaker-than-expected US jobs report indicated a patchy economic recovery that could mean slower fuel demand during a resurgent pandemic.
Losses were capped by concerns that US supply would remain limited in the wake of Hurricane Ida.
The US Government is releasing crude from strategic petroleum reserves as production in the US Gulf Coast struggles to recover.
About 1.5 million barrels per day of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico remain shut in after Hurricane Ida, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said on Monday. Another 1.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas output also was shut-in.
The hurricane also led US energy companies to cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time in five weeks, data from Baker Hughes showed on Friday. The oil rig count last week fell the most since June 2020. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The Taliban claimed victory on Monday in the last part of Afghanistan still holding out against their rule, declaring that the capture of the Panjshir valley completed their takeover of the country and they would unveil a new Government soon.
Pictures on social media showed Taliban members standing in front of the gate of the Panjshir provincial governor's compound after days of fighting with the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA), commanded by Panjshiri leader Ahmad Massoud.
"Panjshir, which was the last hideout of the escapee enemy, is captured," Taliban
spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference.
However, Massoud remained defiant, and said his force, drawn from the remnants of the regular Afghan army as well as local militia
fighters, was still fighting.
"We are in Panjshir and our Resistance will continue," he said on Twitter. He also said he was safe, but gave no details on his whereabouts. The NRFA's head of foreign relations,
Ali Maisam Nazary, said on Facebook: "The NRF forces are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight."
The steep valley north of Kabul was long famed for holding out against attack, including both by Soviet troops in the 1980s and the Taliban during their previous rule in the 1990s. It was the main redoubt of the Northern Alliance resistance fighters who toppled the Taliban with US air support in 2001 after the Sept 11 attacks on the United States. Residents there are Farsi speakers, ethnically distinct from the mainly Pashtun Taliban.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Israeli authorities have launched a manhunt after six Palestinian prisoners escaped from one of the country's most secure jails overnight.
The men are believed to have dug a hole in the floor of their cell at Gilboa prison, then crawled through a cavity and tunnelled beneath the outer wall.
Officials were alerted by farmers who noticed them running through fields.
The fugitives include a former leader of the militant group Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade and five Islamic Jihad members.
An Israel Prison Service
Maria Kolesnikova, one of the leaders of mass street protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko last year, was sentenced on Monday to 11 years in prison, leading to an outcry from Western countries.
Kolesnikova, 39, had been detained after ripping up her passport to prevent Belarusian security forces from deporting her in a standoff at the Ukrainian border in September.
The musician-turned-politician became one of the faces of the mass opposition movement during the August 2020 presidential election, which the protesters say was rigged to extend Lukashenko's grip on power.
Belarusian Opposition politician Maria
with extremism and trying to seize power illegally, forms a heart shape in handcuffs inside a defendants' cage as she attends a court hearing in Minsk, Belarus, September 6, 2021
Lukashenko, who has denied electoral fraud, has been in office in the former Soviet republic since 1994 and has faced fresh Western sanctions since launching a violent crackdown on his opponents.
Kolesnikova and another senior opposition figure, Maxim Znak, were charged with extremism and trying to seize power illegally. Both denied wrongdoing and Kolesnikova called the charges absurd. Znak was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Both prisoners will appeal the verdict,
Znak's lawyer told reporters.
The European Union denounced the verdict, while Britain's Foreign Minister called it an assault on defenders of democracy.
The United States condemned the "politically motivated conviction and shameful sentencing" of the two and called the charges against them bogus, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
"These sentencings are further evidence of the regime’s total disregard for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Belarus," Blinken said in a statement.
Poland condemned the sentencing as a crushing of human rights intended to intimidate the people of Belarus. "This repression should not go unanswered," Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said on Twitter. (Excerpt from Reuters)
official described the escape as "a major security and intelligence failure". Palestinian militant groups hailed it as "heroic".
The alarm was raised at Gilboa Prison, a high-security facility in northern Israel known as "The Safe", when authorities received reports from local
farmers about "suspicious figures" in nearby agricultural fields.
The Palestinians are believed to have made their way out of the cell that they shared by digging a hole in the floor of their bathroom.
The Jerusalem Post reported that they had used a rusty spoon that they hid behind a poster.
The hole led to a hollow space underneath the prison that was created during the facility's construction, when piles were sunk into the ground. An Israeli Police Commander described it as a "structural flaw".
The inmates are believed to have moved through the space to reach the prison's outer wall, then dug a tunnel that emerged in the middle of a dirt road just outside.
The Shin Bet security service said it believed the prisoners had been in contact with people outside the prison using a smuggled mobile phone and that they had been picked up in a car. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The US Justice Department on Monday said it would not tolerate attacks against people seeking or providing abortions in Texas, as the agency explores ways of challenging the state's recently enacted law that imposed a near-total ban on abortion.
The law, known as SB8, leaves enforcement up to individual citizens, enabling them to sue anyone who provides or "aids or abets" an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
US Attorney Merrick Garland said in a statement the department would “protect those seeking to obtain or provide
reproductive health services” through a 1994 law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act).
The FACE Act prohibits the use of force and physical obstruction to interfere with a person obtaining or providing reproductive health services. Former President Bill Clinton backed the legislation in response to violence by anti-abortion activists in the 1980s and 90s.
"The department will provide support from federal law enforcement when an abortion clinic or reproductive health centre is under attack," Garland said, adding that he would "not tolerate violence
against those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services." Garland said the Justice Department would enforce the FACE Act while it "urgently explores all options to challenge Texas SB8 in order to protect the constitutional rights of women and other persons."
The law took effect early on Wednesday in Texas after the US Supreme Court did not act on abortion rights groups' request to block it. That suggests Supreme Court justices are closer than ever to overturning Roe v Wade, the 1973 decision under which abortion rights have been protected. (Excerpt from Reuters)
(March 21April 19)
CANCER (June 21July 22) LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23Sept. 22) VIRGO
(Sept. 23Oct. 23) TAURUS GEMINI (May 21June 20) (April 20May 20)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
(Feb. 20March 20)
Follow the path to victory, and eliminate challenges rather than create them. Once you do the best you can, take time to nurture a meaningful relationship. Plan something special.
Leave nothing to chance, and put your energy where it counts. How you approach your responsibilities will matter. If you expect others to do things for you, you’ll be disappointed.
Choose facts over hearsay and peace over discord. Maintaining balance and integrity will be your best option. Aim to ease stress, not make matters worse. Make personal growth your priority.
Consider your options carefully and the consequences that can develop if you make a mistake. Time is on your side, and working quietly on something you enjoy will lead to clarity.
Read, educate yourself and say no to anything that feels risky. Focus on relationships and keeping the peace. Take care of responsibilities that will ease stress and improve family ties.
Turn your dream into a reality by ensuring that everything goes according to plan. Share your enthusiasm with someone who offers insight and support. A unique partnership will promote new beginnings. Stay on top of due dates and pending problems waiting for an inopportune moment to make you take notice. Be smart with your responsibilities and you’ll be able to enjoy the good that comes your way.
Let the past dissipate and fall by the wayside, and embrace life at the moment and see where it takes you. Embark on a path that brings you peace.
Look inward, and you’ll know without a doubt what you can do to make your life better and your future brighter. Take the road that leads to a happy and healthy lifestyle.
You are the master of your domain. Head in a meaningful direction; a healthy attitude will encourage you to excel. Revise your priorities and forge ahead.
Distance yourself from anyone who puts you down or manipulates you. Putting more time and effort into attitude, appearance and independence will bring you closer to your goal.
Start making moves that help you achieve your heart’s desire. Put your energy into relationships, causes and actions that make a difference to you and the way you feel about your life and future.
Jasprit Bumrah's devastating reverse-swing, Ravindra Jadeja's miserly spell into the rough and crucial breakthroughs from Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur took India into a 2-1 series lead against England, sealing a 157-run win that had seemed improbable for much of the fourth Test at The Oval.
India were 127 for 7 on the first afternoon, conceded a 99-run first-innings lead, and watched England's openers pile up an unbroken 100-run partnership on the final morning on a flat pitch offering almost nothing for their bowlers. But, after fine individual performances from Thakur and Rohit Sharma had forced them back into the game after the early obstacles, their attack split six wickets in 22.4 dramatic overs to turn the game decisively on the final afternoon, led by Bumrah's remarkable spell with the old ball.
India's task on the final day – take 10 wickets in 90 overs – was plain but hardly straightforward. They had opted to leave out their best spinner, R Ashwin, and the pitch had offered nothing for England's seamers in the second innings. But they succeeded where England had failed, rotating their attack with great effect, using Jadeja to rough up the old ball, and giving their seamers the opportunity to rip through the middle order with reverseswing. Bumrah's high-class spell after lunch – 2 for 6 in six overs – was particularly crucial as he spearheaded a collapse of four wickets for six runs, and Umesh finished things off with the final two wickets after tea.
England started the day hopeful of pulling off an improbable fourth-innings run chase for the third summer in a row after wins against Australia and Pakistan in the last two years.
Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed had both batted fluently on the fourth evening and brought up half-centuries and a 100-run opening partnership, but Burns fell immediately after. It was Thakur who made the first breakthrough. He had spoken to Sky Sports in their build-up to the final day, revealing India's optimism about the prospect of getting the ball to reverse thanks to Jadeja scuffing up one side bowling into the rough, and now he managed to move the old ball away from Burns' outside edge after angling it in from around the wicket. Rishabh Pant took a straightforward chance after a thin nick.
With Jadeja finding turn and bite from the rough outside Dawid Malan's off stump, England were bogged down. Hameed struggled to score against the seamers – he added only 19 runs to his overnight 43 while batting through the morning session – and with the prospect of victory still at the back of their minds, the pressure to score paid. Hameed nudged Jadeja into the covers and called Malan through for a single, but Mayank Agarwal – on as a sub fielder for Rohit – threw quickly and cleanly to Pant in time to beat Malan's dive.
Joe Root came out firing after lunch, reverse-sweeping the first ball of the afternoon session for four as if to warn Jadeja that landing the ball in
the rough outside the righthanders' leg stump would not be enough. But Jadeja stuck to his guns, spinning one past Hameed's outside edge to peg his off stump back as he looked to guide a single to cover with an open face, and England never recovered.
Bumrah sensed an opening and began to reverse the ball prodigiously, moving it late, hitting speeds of 88mph/142kph and targeting the stumps. His full length and late tail were enough to burst through Ollie Pope's defence, angling in from wide on the crease and beating him on the inside edge. It was a fitting dismissal for his 100th in Tests, brought up in his 24th appearance to break Kapil Dev's record for fastest to the landmark by an Indian fast bowler.
Root survived a tight lbw appeal on review in the following over, DRS confirming Jadeja had pitched the ball outside leg stump, but Bumrah was purring and struck moments later. He beat Jonny Bairstow with the first ball of his over, full and reversing away, before turning it around on its axis and zipping it through him with
akistan Head Coach
PMisbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis have stepped down from their roles.
Former off-spinner
Saqlain Mushtaq and allrounder Abdul Razzaq have been appointed as interim coaches for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Misbah and Waqar had served in their respective roles since September 2019 and had a year left on their contracts.
But both said the time spent in bio-secure environments during the COVID-19 pandemic had taken its toll.
"The quarantine in Jamaica post the West Indies series provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the past 24 months as well as the schedule for international cricket ahead," said former Captain Misbah.
"Considering that I would have had to continue to spend considerable time away from my family and that too in a bio-secure environment, I have decided to step down from the role."
Waqar added: "Working with the Pakistan bowlers has been the most satisfying as they have now started to show progress. Bio-secure environments in the past
16 months have had their impact, something we had never experienced during our playing days."
Pakistan face New Zealand on home soil in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20s, with the first ODI taking place on September 17. It is New Zealand's first tour to the country in 18 years. (BBC Sport)
a fast, in-ducking yorker two balls later. India were ecstatic, Virat Kohli geeing the crowd up in celebration, and England's hopes were in tatters.
Kohli's explanation at the toss for Ashwin's continued omission was that Jadeja would provide him with a good match-up against England's left-handers, which prompted some confusion given Ashwin's record against them. But Jadeja's success vindicated his selection: he struck with the first ball he bowled to Moeen Ali, turning one sharply out of the rough created by the rightarm seamers and inducing a hard-handed poke away from the body, which gave Suryakumar Yadav – the other sub fielder – a simple catch at short leg. The slide was four wickets for six runs, enough to turn the game on its head.
India had time to take two more wickets before tea, including the crucial scalp of Root. Kohli opted to delay the second new ball, bringing
Thakur back to bowl the 81st with the reversing old one, and an innocuous, back-of-a-length ball proved deadly: Root looked to run it down to third man, but inside-edged onto his stumps.
Craig Overton survived two tight calls, first dropped at third slip by Ajinkya Rahane, then successfully overturning an lbw decision given against him as Bumrah thudded one into his pad. But Chris Woakes, who had looked solid for his 18, offered a low chance to KL Rahul at short midwicket to give Umesh his first wicket, and England were eight down at the interval.
India belatedly took the new ball shortly after tea and Umesh struck again, finding extra bounce from a length
as Overton played on via the elbow, wincing in pain as he trudged off. James Anderson was the last man out, fending a catch behind to give Umesh a third that was given out onfield and upheld on review. Kohli and India celebrated a fine win that had looked unlikely for large swathes of the match, completed despite the absence of their head coach, Ravi Shastri, and two injured senior players in Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara being off the field through the final innings. England, by contrast, were left facing up to the prospect of consecutive series losses at home – unless they can square this one in Manchester –leading into an away Ashes this winter. (ESPNcricinfo)
Panama stayed undefeated in the Final Round of CONCACAF World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022 with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Jamaica on Sunday at Independence Park in Kingston.
Panama now have four points after Sunday’s win and last Thursday’s opening 0-0 home draw versus Costa Rica, while Jamaica are still searching for its first point of qualification following Sunday’s result and Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Mexico.
Panama opened the scoring in the 14th minute through an unlikely scorer. Centre-back Andres Andrade stepped into the centre circle and picked off a pass, but rather than find an attacker, he opted to dribble forward and fire off a shot before he got into the penalty area. The attempt surprised Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake, and Panama were off the mark, 1-0.
Panama looked for a second in the 35th minute, with Jose Luis Rodriguez getting the ball in the box and looking to curl a shot past Blake, but the Jamaican shot-stopper had the shot in his sights and made
the stop. Two minutes later, Rodriguez turned provider, putting in a cross of his own for Rolando Blackburn, whose header also ended up in Blake’s hands.
But Blackburn used that as experience to double the lead in the 39th minute, beating Liam Moore to an Eric Davis cross and sending his header past Blake to give the Central Americans a 2-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Jamaica Manager Theodore Whitmore made a pair of changes at halftime, bringing Junior Flemmings and Devon Williams into the contest and also made another pair of subs in the 73rd minute, including inserting Shamar Nicholson,
who scored in the 2-1 loss to Mexico, for Michail Antonio, who made his Jamaica debut on Sunday.
Jamaica had perhaps their best chance of the game in the 77th minute, with a shot from Nicholson forcing Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia into action. But moments later, it was Panama on the counter-attack, and midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla played in Cecilio Waterman, who sent his finish past Blake to tie a bow on the victory for Panama. Jamaica close out the window with a trip to Costa Rica, while Panama will put their undefeated record on the line against Mexico in Panama City. (Sportsmax)
The efforts of the cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) to assist the less fortunate and fire disaster victims continue to bear fruit. The teams, which include the Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and First Division, along with the Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division teams are spearheading efforts to assist four families to obtain their own homes.
Construction of a new 20 x 24 home for the family of Chunilall Sonaroo has already started with support from the FloridaGuyana Hope, Crabwood Relief, Regal Stationery, KSM Inc, and Navin and Sons Construction.
The Sonaroo home is expected to be completed by early next month and several other donors, includ-
ing Bakewell and individuals, have contributed clothing, medical supplies and food items to the family who had approached the club for assistance. Sonaroo’s wife is currently bedridden and suffers from type two diabetes while his 14-year-old daughter is a diabetes patient and has to take insulin twice per day. The home where they currently dwell is on the verge of falling down and in desperation, they had visited the club office to seek assistance.
Last Wednesday, another family visited the office seeking assistance and the teams readily agreed to assist. Fire totally destroyed the home of Rajkumar Hamenauth and his family of eight. Mahadeo Panchu of KSM investment and a group of friends handed over a financial donation of $100,000 the
next day after been informed of the family’s sit-
uation by the club. The donation was done in mem-
ory of late Assistant Police Commissioner Winston Colbert. The group also donated a similar amount to the Sonaroo family while KSM Investments would be providing close to 1500 concrete blocks towards the construction of the home.
Bakewell also contributed a donation for both families while RHTY&SC Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster held a successful meeting with BM Soat Managing Director Rameez Mohammed at the latter’s Croal Street office in Georgetown. Mohammed committed his company to rebuilding a home for the Hamenauth family in the village of Toopoo. He is expected to visit the site shortly.
The club and its cricket teams are also constructing a home, at the cost of just under $2 million, for
The action in the sixmatch West Indies
Under-19s tour of England 2021 continued as England now lead 2-0. This was thanks to the efforts of James Rew, whose halfcentury dug his team out of trouble to take them over the line.
Batting first, the Windies U-19 side were once again in trouble as they struggled to find their timing. Wickets continued to fall; it was only Teddy Bishop – unbeaten on 97 – who was able to produce
WEST INDIES UNDER-19S INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM)
Anderson Amurdan b Singh 27
Matthew Nandu retired hurt 4
Teddy Bishop not out 97
Ackeem Auguste (c) b Prest 6
Rivaldo Clarke † b Bethell 2 Giovonte Depeiza b Bethell 3
Anderson Mahase c †Horton
b Prest 4
McKenny Clarke st †Horton
b Bethell 1
Isai Thorne b Baker 11
Andel Gordon c †Horton
b Prest 1
Onaje Amory c †Horton
b Baker 0
Extras (b 8, lb 2, nb 3, w 11) 24
TOTAL (39.3 Ov, RR: 4.55) 180
Fall of wickets: 1-64 (Anderson Amurdan, 11.6 ov), 2-86 (Ackeem Auguste, 15.2 ov), 3-100 (Rivaldo Clarke, 18.5 ov), 4-112 (Giovonte Depeiza, 20.2 ov), 5-120 (Anderson Mahase, 23.3 ov), 6-121 (McKenny Clarke, 24.1 ov), 7-175 (Isai Thorne, 37.5 ov), 8-179 (Andel Gordon, 38.6 ov), 9-180 (Onaje Amory, 39.3 ov)
BOWLING O-M-R-W
6.3-0-19-2
Sonny Baker
Nathan Barnwell 4-0-23-0
Fateh Singh 5-0-21-1
Rehan Ahmed
Tom Prest
Jacob Bethell
7-1-42-0
9-0-36-3
8-1-29-3
ENGLAND UNDER-19S INNINGS
(TARGET: 181 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS)
Tom Prest c Auguste
b Gordon 11
Jacob Bethell (c) lbw
b Amory 20
William Luxton c † RA Clarke b Thorne 0
a masterclass of an innings. No other batsman could render support, Anderson Amurdan was dismissed for 27, and Guyana’s Matthew Nandu retired hurt for 4 to further add to the Windies woes. In the end, they could only muster 180 all out in 39.3 overs, this was inclusive of 24 extras. Bowling for England were Tom Prest with 3-36, Jacob Bethell, 3-29 and Sonny Baker, 2-19. However, with just a small target on the board, the English side struggled as well; wickets kept falling one after the other, offering the Windies a glimmer of hope to level the series. Things continued this way for both sides as the game went neck and neck, Guyanese Isai Thorne was impressive as he added
James Rew run out (Mahase) 63
Rehan Ahmed lbw b Mahase 20
George Thomas c Depeiza b Amory 13
Alex Horton † c Amory b Thorne 6
Thomas Aspinwall lbw
b Mahase 1
Fateh Singh not out 12
Sonny Baker lbw b Thorne 0
Nathan Barnwell not out 3
Extras (b 2, lb 2, nb 2, w 26) 32
TOTAL (38 Ov, RR: 4.76) 181/9
Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Tom Prest, 2.4 ov), 2-26 (William Luxton, 3.2 ov), 3-79 (Jacob Bethell, 12.1 ov), 4-115 (Rehan Ahmed, 17.5 ov), 5-143 (George Thomas, 24.1 ov), 6-155 (James Rew, 28.4 ov), 7-157 (Alex Horton, 30.4 ov), 8-158 (Thomas Aspinwall, 31.4 ov), 9-162 (Sonny Baker, 34.3 ov)
BOWLING O-M-R-W Andel Gordon 5-0-23-1
Isai Thorne 10-1-54-3
Onaje Amory 10-0-42-2 McKenny Clarke 3-0-24-0 Anderson Mahase 10-0-34-2
a further three wickets to his tally, to make it six wickets in two matches at an economy rate of 5.25 runs per over. However, a defiant innings of 63 from Rew saw his side over the line, taking the
game away from the grasp of the men in maroon. England ended on 181-9 off 38 overs. Bowling for the West Indies were Thorne with 3-54, Onaje Amory 2-42, Anderson Mahase 2-34, and Andel Gordon 1-23.
its Assistant Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu, and are also working along with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to provide a home for the BCB Office Assistant on the East Bank of Demerara.
Foster stated that the club was delighted to make a difference in the lives of the families and would continue to do so in the future. He noted that special arrangements have been put into place for the sponsors and the different families to look after the funds for the homes with the club being involved just as an observer.
Foster expressed thanks to all the sponsors for coming on board with the projects and to the members of the RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour and Bakewell cricket teams for their hard work and dedication.
Following more than two years of closure, the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, via its main gate, will now be opened daily for use by residents who want to exercise and keep fit.
The MSC Executive has, since last Monday, made the provision for the general public to access the ground, which is in good shape, for those wanting to have a safe place where they can visit to exercise before going to work in the morning.
The MSC Ground is opened at 04:30h in the morning and closes at 18:00h.
Acting MSC President Norris King informed: "We know that persons are up early and would use the main roadways with the aim of keeping fit."
It was observed this practice could pose safety problems, because at times heavily-laden logging trucks traverse through the town often using the main thoroughfares such as the Linden Highway and the Washer Pond Road.
As such, King opined, "It was a wonderful decision by the Executives of the MSC. I think as a people we would have sat down and collectively agree. There was no one who disagreed with giving the community access to the ground of the MSC, so that persons can be safer while exercising.
"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown persons would sit, wake up, go to sleep, do some basic things, eat and our energies would be building. So, it was noted we have quite a number of persons living with elevated sugar levels as persons are not that hyperactive. So, we as a Club realised that we can contribute to the health and well-being of our society," King recalled.
Hence, the leading MSC official said the decision was taken for persons to have access to the ground to exercise.
He said persons with
personal trainers were also invited to use the pavilion where they can use its steps to do strength training.
King cautioned that for those who decide to make use of the ground, they should treat it as if it was theirs and they should not litter or do the things that could help to destroy the facility.
The MSC Ground as an open space that is available every day from 04:30h until 18:00h.
By Jemima Holmes
It’s the “business end of the tournament”, as the commentary team would say, and beginning today, everything is at stake as local franchise
Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) hope to go all the way in this year’s edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Warriors are currently seated in fourth position on the six- team points table, but it is by no means a comfortable seat, given the unpredictability of the Twenty-20 format.
With more than half of the preliminary games done and dusted, there is a lot of work for the Guyana Amazon Warriors to do, should they wish to maintain a place in the top four.
According to ‘Lead Coach” Rayon Griffith, the Warriors are contented and looking to build momentum with four more preliminary games to go. However, the Guyanese Coach is grateful for the challenges the Warriors have endured thus far, noting that they are necessary in
goes forward,” the Coach said candidly on Monday, during the weekly media engagement.
He added in praise of the team, “We’ve played some good cricket, we bring some good exciting cricket in this CPL if you look at all of our games. So, we have been playing good cricket, but we didn’t bring our best cricket as yet, so we’re just waiting for that right time to peak and to keep moving.”
“And as I said, we just want to gain points and then we will
order to do well.
“It’s all about challenges, it’s challenges and you want challenges because sometimes you might have it smooth playing and you get all the points and could then lose your way. We don’t want to lose our way, we’re going to fight and we know we’re going to take it one game at a time as this tournament
deal with the last four; when the last four teams qualify, then we’ll take it step by step.”
As the engagement winded on, Griffith was questioned about his thoughts on the Warriors’ performance so far, and answered that “it has been going good”, but there are improvements to be made.
“Well, at the moment, everything is going good in
the camp, I think the players’ confidence is building. After we got three wins, we lost three, but having some wins, having those points is very important at this time in this competition.”
Griffith went on to highlight, “Well, the areas to improve definitely is to understand the situation and play the situation. Sometimes we don’t play the situation, but we are getting better. [Chandrapaul] Hemraj and [Brandon] King from the last game were impressive, in terms of getting the opening stance, I think that’s an area we improved also.”
Two of the focal points of the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ setup this year is the fluctuation of Brandon King’s form and Kevin Sinclair’s extended time on the bench.
The Warriors’ last match against the Barbados Royals on Saturday did much to quell the critics in this regard, as Sinclair found himself in the playing squad and King held on to notch some runs. However, this didn’t stop the topic from arising on Monday, where Griffith asserted his faith in King and in the decision making behind selecting the team.
“He’s not having the best of the tournament, but we going to back Brandon. We believe that Brandon will come. Brandon has been somebody who played for
this franchise, this is his third year; we’re going to continue to back him,” the Coach said about the Jamaican batsman.
King has so far accumulated 54 runs in the ninth edition of the tournament with his highest score of 19 coming last weekend against the Royals.
Visibly unfazed, Griffith shared, “We gave him some advice, he had a net session today (Monday) in which he seems pretty good, so let’s wait and see.”
On the other hand, when addressing the topic of Sinclair’s limited outings, this was the reasoning the Guyanese Coach gave:
“Sometimes you’re playing different opposition, you have different combinations you’d like to play, so it was a bit tough for him not getting in in the first couple games, but he will get his opportunity as the tournament goes along.”
Griffith went on to disclose, “It’s a team, you’re looking to put your best XI on the park and our decision making in the first couple of games without Sinclair not playing, we believe that was our best XI.”
Batting in focus
So far, the Warriors Coach sees batting as the team’s biggest hurdle far, stressing that there is a need to assess and adapt to conditions. On a lighter note, he has been pleased with the recent showing by the batsmen, especially Chandrapaul Hemraj.
“Yeah, well it’s time now that we find that balance that we’re looking for. Some of the players have struggled in terms of the condition, the condition was a challenge, but at the end of the day, they still have to understand the conditions and adapt and make the adjustment when it comes to these conditions,” Griffith highlighted.
“The changes to the batting order – definitely we were not getting as much as we want from the top of the order, so we tweak it a bit, but what is important is some of the guys now having some runs underneath their belt, which will help them gain confidence.”
What’s next?
The Amazon Warriors are set to take on the Barbados
Royals again today, from 7pm. On this note, in spite of their loss on Saturday, the Royals are keen on making a comeback.
According to Head Coach Daniel Vettori, the Bajans are looking for a win against the Warriors in order to kickstart their momentum.
“Glenn was telling us the other day that Jamaica qualified with two wins and a rainout last year, so, I don’t think it will be that quite extreme this year, but I think five wins will get it done. But five wins seem a long, long way away for us at the moment,” Vettori shared during a similar media engagement on Monday, with regard to the Royals’ dismal performance thus far.
As such, he asserted, “So, we have to concentrate on the game against Guyana tomorrow (today) and if we get that win, we can start looking ahead.”
“We’ll take the win and see where we go from there,” the Barbados Coach added.
Prior to the Warriors-Royals game today, the Trinbago Knight Riders will do battle with the Jamaica Tallawahs from 10am.
Over the weekend, the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) hosted the Hallmark and C&L Construction Inc tourney. David Harry emerged as the overall champ after facing some tough competition in a contest that featured 31 players, including several female players.
Harry had a Gross of 78, HC of 13 and Net 65 while also bagging the nearest to the pin prize. Second place went to Tom Watkins with Gross of 72, HC 7 and Net 65 and in third place was Rakesh Harry with a Gross of 80, HC 14, and Net 66. Watkins also took the coveted prize of best front nine with scores of Gross 34, HC 7, Net 31, while the best back nine prize went to Rakesh Harry with scores of Gross 40, HC 14 and Net 33.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, LGC Secretary Chet Bowling said, “The feeling was great, I think a lot of members were suffering from tournament deprivation. They were happy to get back on the course as the competition was stiff, but definitely it was noticeable that members were suffering from not playing a lot of games; hence they were off their game. However, some people were still on the game, so we had a very competitive tournament.”
In terms of what was next on the agenda for the Golf Club, Bowling noted that the Guyana Open was slated for October 30-31, 2021 with a practice day and reception on the 29th. He related that there would be a few warm-up tournaments before
the Guyana Open such as the MACORP Golf Tournament which is usually the weekend before the Guyana Open.
“In early October, we are also partnering with the American Chamber of Commerce to host the AmCham Cup, the first annual tournament of this kind and sponsors lined ahead, so great
things ahead for the LGC,” Bowling added. The first-place winner of the Hallmark and C&L Construction Inc tourney carted off a trophy plus a $5000
