Guyana Times Daily

Ramotar roasts Police for weak prosecutions

Barwoman gunned down at ECD night spot

Abarmaid was on Wednesday evening shot dead in the bar which she operates at Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The incident occurred around 22:40h.

The dead woman is Jagwandai Ramnauth also known as ‛Selena’ and was managing the Country Club Restaurant and Bar. According to the police in a

statement, the 46-year-old woman was reportedly involved in an argument with a group of persons at the night spot when one of the men pulled out a firearm and fatally shot her to the head. The perpetrators reportedly escaped after committing the act.

An investigation has been launched into the murder. When Guyana Times visited the premises on

Thursday morning, neighbours were unaware of what transpired the night before, since they did not hear any gunshots.

This newspaper was told that Ramnauth was discovered by an Amerindian woman who went to the bar. The woman saw Ramnauth lying on the ground behind the bar and immediately informed the bar owner, Roy Wong. Ramnauth has been

working at the bar for over a year now, but recently moved into the onsite living quarters and began managing the business.

Wong is renting the bar premises from Rai Gurdat, who lives in the upper flat of the building. Gurdat told this newspaper that he was unaware of what transpired until he was awakened by the police late that night.

The man said he was told Ramnauth was shot to her forehead and the back of her head was blown off (as the bullet exited).

Gurdat said Ramnauth claimed to be from Bath Settlement, West Berbice,

and did not have any relatives. He noted that before the woman moved in at the bar, she was living with her paramour in Mon Repos. According to Gurdat, he usually conversed with Ramnauth and she had told him that she had a house in Sophia, but was having problems with the tenants. The issue was even taken to the High Court to have the tenants evacuated.

The landlord recalled that his last conversation with the now deceased woman was on Wednesday, when she told him that as soon as she is paid by Wong, she will leave the job.

“She was a very hard worker, she used to do everything herself: every time they get waitresses, they does leave, so Ramnauth does clean, cook and do everything,” Gurdat said.

Gurdat said she was a very loving and friendly person. Wong was taken into custody to assist with the investigations; however, he was subsequently released. He, along with a party of policemen, returned to the scene on Thursday morning for further investigations. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the woman’s body today.

US-based NGO expanding scholarship programme

Task Force for Guyana’s Youth; a non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Florida, USA is expanding its support programme in Guyana, with

more underprivileged children in the line up to benefit from a scholarship programme.

The organisation which comprises 12 Guyanese women, based in the US, has been offering unwavering support to the Bernice Manson School for Under Privileged Girls and Friends and Company. Friends and Company, also a non-government organisation, supports 20 families. Support is also being given to the Sophia Literacy Programme.

With the mission to meet the needs of the underprivileged children in Guyana and simultaneously recognising importance of education, the task force will this year offer two more scholarships. These two new scholarships will complement the four that have been issued in recent years. Last year, a 17-year-old was sponsored to attend the University of Guyana. She is being financially supported throughout the programme. Three other scholarships were issued to students attending Queen’s College, President’s College and Bishops’ High School.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Task Force for Guyana’s Youth, Donna London during a press conference at Duke Lodge on Wednesday, said the organisation will be building on its education programme, focusing more on the provision of scholarships. She said while the task force has agreed that two underprivileged youths will be awarded scholarships, the selection process has not been completed. It is expected that the two teenagers will be identified before the commencement of the new academic year 2014/2015.

Those listed under the scholarship programme are financially supported on until the completion of their academic programme; however, London said that good grades must be upheld. She said the requirements of accessing the scholarship are simple, explaining that children must for be needy but have the willingness to excel academically. The CEO assured media operatives that once the financial base is ex-

panded, the organisation would be able to do more in the field of education and its outreach programme.

In addition to academics, major emphasis is also placed on meeting the socio-economic needs of children within the listed facilities, through the provision of school uniforms, regular clothing, food and books, among other items.

Meeting

For the past three days, London and nine other members have been in Guyana, meeting with the children and parents they support, in addition to the organisations.

Secretary of the Task Force for Guyana’s Youth, Michelle Rolston told reporters that the organisation rakes in its finance through the staging of two major events in Florida; a brunch and a tea party. The brunch, which attracts overseas-based Guyanese from a number of states, is held in May every year, in Florida. She added that the tea party, which is the main event, is held at the end of September or early October, drawing patrons from all across North America.

In addition to paying to attend the tea party, persons are given the chance to bid for items on auction with the highest bidder walking away with the prized prossession. She too said that the visit to Guyana will change the dynamics of the organisation, to expand its borders. However, while stating that it is accountable and has necessary records intact, the organisation has declined to disclose the amount of money it rakes in on average every year, and the Guyanese supporters who offer finance. Come October, the organisation will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Formed by a group of overseas-based women, the organisation has been donating a variety of items, including computers and clothing to the families and children they support in Guyana. The members have pledged to continue this good gesture as it seeks to change the lives of children across Guyana, one day at a time.

Ramotar roasts Police for weak prosecutions

By Gomatie GanGadin

President Donald Ramotar on Thursday flayed the Guyana Police Force for its record of weak prosecutions, citing the disastrous collapse of murder cases involving Cricketer Carlyle Barton who was captured on video and Businessman Rondy Jagdeo respectively owing to a lack of evidence.

The President made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference held at Eve Leary. Georgetown. Ramotar noted that the country was heading for a serious crisis, since more and more crimes are being committed with fewer convictions being made. He urged the Police Force to work to tackle this major concern at the earliest opportunity. “Unsolved crimes and the low rate of convictions can have serious consequences. They will lead to heightened criminal activities in our country. This is an area I hope you would spend some time examining during this conference. I understand that all the blame should not be placed on the Police Force and as such, I have spoken to the Minister of Legal Affairs to engage his judicial authorities so that they, too, can do their part,” he said.

The President expressed his disgust at the manner in which murder suspects Jagdeo and Barton walked free, stating that the Government continues to spend billions and billions of dollars to build the capacity of the Police Force and it is time that value is given for the money spent. “It is heart-rending to see someone (Barton) caught shooting another person to death on national television and walking away free. Another person who was accused of murder

had a motorcycle waiting for him as if he was anticipating or knew what would be the outcome. That is totally unacceptable,” the Head of State lamented.

Proper preparation

The President said he was told that proper preparation of cases needs to be done. “There is a failure to muster facts, failure to get witnesses, failure to apply for summons for witnesses, discrepancies in statements and police failing to turn up to give evidence.” Ramotar said the failure of policemen to show up in court to give evidence is very “unacceptable” and is something that “we need to put a stop to. If we do not, we will encourage an avalanche of crimes in the country. We need strong measures to fight corruption, because a healthy police force means a healthy country”, President Ramotar lamented. Barton, a former national cricketer, was on May 27, 2013, allegedly captured on video surveillance footage shooting his friend Shawn

Nelson at Orange Walk, Bourda. According to reports, a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system had showed Barton whipping out a handgun, aiming and firing at Nelson, who was seen falling after he received the shot to his head. It also revealed the man calmly entering his car and driving away.

Jagdeo, on the other hand, was early last month freed of a murder charge. It was alleged that on September 3, 2013, he shot to death his friend, Kirk Davis at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Soon after the case was dismissed, the man pulled on a sweater and then proceeded to leave the court on a CBR motorcycle, which was left by a relative at the front of the court building.

Integrity

The President also emphasised the need for the preservation of the integrity of the Force, noting that strategies were being put in place to rid the force of criminal elements.

“We are in the process of

establishing various teams such as SWAT and in doing so, we will have to ensure that integrity remains intact at all times. There must be integrity to ensure that the Police Force that is empowered to ensure our safety from criminals is themselves free from such elements,” he disclosed.

The President also stressed the importance of having the Anti-Money Laundering Bill passed in the National Assembly, noting that the absence of it can strengthening the drug trafficking network, which fuels high rates of crime and violence in the country. “Many of the crimes stem from the drug trade. While it has local links here, it is also an international issue.

Every country has to deal with this phenomenon. The AML Bill has links to the drug trade, drug money, Trafficking In Persons and every other major crime that is why it is important that it is passed,” Ramotar disclosed.

He noted that many challenges still await the force and they must be prepared to meet these while emphasising the need for the police force to maintain a friendly relationship with communities and their residents as it will make their jobs all the easier. The President stressed that “the Police Force becomes much more efficient when they can gain the trust of the citizens. There is no substitute for the trust of our people. When the communities take part of the police work, the task becomes harder for the criminal enterprise to prosper.”

He told the gathering that the Government will continue to invest in the Police Force so that a safer country can be built for all citizens. The conference commenced on Thursday and will conclude on Saturday.

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

The climate change battle

The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change”, released in Berlin, Germany, recently, states that global greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to rise at an accelerated pace and concludes that urgent action is needed to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius.

The IPCC is the international body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

The report is from the last of three IPCC working groups, the first two looked at the state of climate science and the impacts of unchecked climate change. It details the path by which the worst effects of climate change can be avoided and global warming, including how the world can avoid breaching the two-degree Celsius limit agreed by world leaders in Copenhagen in 2009.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation and the action to be taken, Chair of the IPCC, Rajendra Pachauri, told a press conference in Berlin where the report was released: “The high-speed mitigation train needs to leave the station very soon and all of global society would need to get on board.”

The IPCC report brings into focus the options for mitigating climate change and their underlying technological, economic and institutional requirements. It lays out risks, uncertainty and ethical foundations of climate change mitigation policies on the global, national and sub-national level, investigates mitigation measures for all major sectors and assesses investment and finance issues.

According to the IPCC, keeping global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius means lowering global greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 70 per cent compared with 2010 by midcentury, and to near-zero by the end of this century. Ambitious mitigation may even require removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Ottmar Edenhofer, one of the three co-chairs of the working group presenting the findings of the report in Berlin, was quoted as saying that many different pathways lead to a future within the boundaries set by the two-degree Celsius goal: “All of these require substantial investments. Avoiding further delays in mitigation and making use of a broad variety of technologies can limit the associated costs.”

The IPCC says that estimates of the economic costs of mitigation vary widely. In business-as-usual scenarios, consumption grows by 1.6 to three per cent per year. Ambitious mitigation would reduce this growth by around 0.06 percentage points a year. However, the underlying estimates do not take into account economic benefits of reduced climate change.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has also taken the opportunity to urge all countries to act swiftly and boldly on climate change, to bring ambitious announcements and actions to the climate summit scheduled for September this year, and to make every effort needed to reach a global, ambitious and legal climate agreement in 2015.

The discourse on the impact of climate change on the world and the need for urgent action by all players is getting some prominence on the global agenda. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has been a major voice on the international stage providing global leadership in the climate change battle. He was invited by the Commonwealth Secretary General to lead an Expert Group on Climate Finance to identify solutions to enable small, poor and climate-vulnerable Commonwealth countries to fight climate change.

In Jagdeo’s view, a combination of robust analytics, proof of action, and an informed and critical mass of countries advocating for systemic, international policy change can transform global policies into becoming a reality rather than a vision. We support the call made by the IPCC for action to be taken now by all countries, as it will be far less costly than postponing action for the future.

All that is left. One of Gary Braasch’s photographs documenting climate change depicts severe land erosion in Bangladesh. Could this be Guyana’s fate if action is not taken on mitigation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Braasch has been documenting climate change and its solutions since 1999 in his project, “World View of Global Warming”

The police acted professionally in both cases

Dear Editor, Please allow me to respond to a letter published on April 15 in another section of the press, in which the writer Mr Rayvonne P Bourne talked about Guyana being a divided society where our motto no longer exists.

In that letter, the author compared the actions of the police in relation to protesting sugar workers outside of Parliament with that to protesters in Linden in 2012. He chose to attribute the difference of police actions to the ethnicity of protesters rather than their behaviour on the ground.

Mr Bourne deliberately omitted that the protest-

ing sugar workers were orderly and did not breach the law. He failed to mention that the protesters in Linden, on the other hand, had breached the conditions of permission granted to them to hold a peaceful protest.

He deliberately omitted that, unlike the sugar workers, leaders of the Linden protest instigated the protesters to commit acts of wanton violence and destruction of property and then left them to face the consequences.

He also found it convenient not to mention that the Linden protesters blockaded the entire interior region of our country, an act that is unprecedented in Guyana’s his-

tory.

Mr Bourne seems not to understand, or to be exact, refused to accept that the police also acted professionally in Linden protecting the law, life and property. After all, they have sworn to protect the law and maintain law and order in the country.

It would have certainly been unprofessional and a dereliction of their duty for them to just stand by and allow the Linden protesters to continue their reign of destruction and mayhem.

Why it is then that Mr Bourne wants to import ethnicity as a factor into the professionalism of the police? Can’t he see anything outside

the context of race? His letter is solid proof of his poor intellectual capacity. He should refrain from writing such letters and embarrassing himself in front of the whole world.

Mr Bourne must accept that it is the responsibility of leaders to ensure that their followers behave in a civilised manner whenever they wish to publicly express their discontent. Some leaders need to understand and display this responsibility and not just compare actions of police only from the perspective of race.

Sincerely,

Reaz Holladar

TV station reveals its true identity

Dear Editor,

I always thought that a television station (name given) in Berbice was impartial and has no qualms about airing clean programmes. However, on April 19 I received a rude awakening when I was told by the person in charge that she cannot air my programme since it is political in nature! This is hypocrisy in action.

Every Saturday night, this same TV station is airing a programme which is loaded with lies, deceptive statements, misinformation and downright slanderous statements openly made against reputable and honest citizens. Only recently this TV station became a recipient of a lawsuit brought against it.

On this programme, a guest made slanderous and inaccurate statements with relation to expired drugs. This TV station has allowed the hosts of the programme to slander anyone they feel like, ad lib.

In fact, if I am not mistaken, there are some lawsuits pending against this station because of this same programme. Therefore, I can only

now conclude that this TV station is unwilling to expose the lies sold to Berbicians and is unpatriotic to the core since my programme only seeks to expose the lies and misinformation being peddled by this programme.

This programme is not only slanderous, but is highly political in nature, so it is beyond my comprehension why my ‘political’ programme cannot be aired. My programme which is entitled ‘A Commentary by H. Yusuf’ contained direct rebuttals to that program. Although I have tried many times to get into the programme I was unable to do so.

On a programme aired on April 12, a guest barefacedly told sugar workers that he had staked his life for them. I pointed out that when sugar workers were facing numerous hardships under the PNC Government, the guest was enjoying the luxuries of life in the USA. It was the PPP and GAWU who fought ceaselessly for the cause of sugar workers and no one else!

He further claimed that sugar workers did not know they were going to protest

in anticipation of the $6 billion budget cut, yet he later claimed in that same programme that ‘the sugar workers betrayed the AFC’. He then asked the sugar workers in Berbice what they will get from the $ 6 billion, if any of this will go into their pockets. I explained that the Honourable Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy gave a detailed explanation in Parliament about how that money will be spent, so he should not deviously attempt to mislead Berbicians.

He then played the race card and accused Indians that they voted for the PPP/C because they do not want ‘a black man’ to rule them. I rebutted this racist statement by pointing out that people who voted for the PPP/C did so simply because the PNC dictatorship completely and comprehensively bankrupted this country and it is not about blacks and Indians!

He next propagated the abuse of alcohol by telling cane cutters that the $10,000 given by the Government to assist them to send their children to school, cannot buy a good drink for them in a rum shop. He then gave an example which pointed out the AFC’s true stance on the sugar industry. He told Berbicians that if a person has a business and it is not making a profit then that person should close down that business! I then rebutted this by explaining to him that if that business is vital for the survival of that person, then that person should do an evaluation as to why the business is making a loss and take corrective measures; and that is exactly what the PPP/C Government, the Minister of Agriculture and the management of GuySuCo are doing! So sugar workers, beware, the AFC intends to close down the sugar industry whenever the opportunity presents itself. If the sugar workers had not protested, then that cut would have been affected. Dr Ramsammy made this prognostic statement some time back.

Yours sincerely Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor, Region Six

AFC misinformation continues

Dear Editor, The deceptive lies, misinformation, and defamatory and derogatory statements continue unabatedly by the Alliance on the Move programme aired on DTV 8 in Berbice. This week the gossip lawyer tried to outdo his buddy, the herbal dispenser.

I have pointed out in one of my letters that Charrandass Persaud, being a lawyer, should present his arguments using facts and evidence; and these will help to make his argument strong, especially, if he could quote directly from his sources. That is how an argument is done. Instead, he uses many fallacies to argue his point and the most overused one is argumentum ad hominem – he attacks people personally instead of attacking issues. His puerile and irrelevant statements speak volumes of his paucity of intelligence and knowledge. Many times he robbed the kindergarten kids of their vocabulary. For instance, when referring to Minister Rohee he would say ‘wohee’ and then pretending that he had made a mistake, he would then use the correct name. Then when he said ‘sir’ he would use a sarcastic tone which implied disrespect for the person he is referring to.

On Saturday, April 19, in order to gain political mileage and probably some scarce clients, he had some people on the AFC programme that made allegations of theft, trespass and use of exces-

sive force by some members of the Police Force. As a practising Attorney-atlaw, Charrandass Persaud should be cognisant of the legal procedures to follow in the case mentioned and that there is a hierarchy of authority and the matter should follow those. Moreover, he can institute private criminal proceedings against the alleged perpetrators. Instead, in his haste to politicise the allegations, he brought the alleged victims on the AFC programme and began making derogatory statements about President Donald Ramotar and the Honourable Minister Clement Rohee. In countries all over the world there are allegations of police brutality and the use of excessive force and there are legal procedures in place to deal with those. Then what about the police side of the story? Our country is no different except that in this country the Opposition uses them to attack the President and his Ministers. The Opposition in Guyana uses any and everything to gain the sympathy of the people thereby gaining some more votes. But there is another reason as to why they have to do that – they simply lack the hard facts and evidence to prove that the PPP/C Government is incompetent, so they have to resort to lies and deception. In order to attack Mr Rohee, he said that those allegations stem from an administrative problem and that President Donald Ramotar is a ‘lame duck’.

Charrandass needs to apologise to the President for that derogatory remark. It is this great man who fought alongside the late Cheddi Jagan, the same individual who borne numerous hardships so that you and your counterpart could enjoy the freedom of expression you are enjoying today on DTV 8 to pelt filth in all directions.

He then went on to refer to Dr Ashni Singh as ‘the short man’. Again he can put forward nothing tangible against the 2014 Budget, so he had to attack the Finance Minister personally, because I am sure that he did not even read the Budget since braying does not need any such information. This man has a habit of trying to belittle people by addressing their physical characteristics as vital to their job performance. Last year he made some disparaging remarks about a female doctor attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital and had to apologise. Sometime back he arrogantly claimed that the President does not have a degree in Economics and he later apologised for that. This man is an embarrassment to the AFC, but then who in that Party is not? He appears to have a problem with people who are smarter than him and again that is referring to almost everyone! These people are intellectually bankrupt!

Yours sincerely,

Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor

Shortage of Magistrates is just one problem being faced by the justice system

Dear Editor,

Within recent times, sections of the print media have quite correctly pointed to a shortage of Magistrates in certain magisterial districts and the resulting inconvenience caused to lawyers and litigants alike, together with a concomitant increase in the number of unheard cases in these courts.

This shortage of magisterial manpower is just but one of the many adverse consequences being experienced by the justice system because there does not at present exist a fully constituted Judicial Service Commission.

In addition to the shortage of Magistrates, since November 2013, the Land

Court in Georgetown has been without a Commissioner of Title, the last Commissioner, having reached the age of retirement, demitted office. The number of applications intended for hearing before the Commissioner of Title is growing significantly and while there are pending applications for appointment to this office, those applications cannot be processed because of the vacancies which exist in the membership of the Judicial Service Commission. Additionally, disciplinary matters involving persons who come under the supervisory jurisdiction of the Judicial Service Commission are held in abeyance until

AG's challenge of CJ's ruling on Town Clerk matter will be test of legal systems independence

Dear Editor,

I have noted that the Attorney General has determined that the Ministry of Local Government will appeal Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang’s ruling against the Minister of Local Government on the matter of Royston King vs Ganga Persaud, former Minister of Local Government, regarding the appointment of Carol Sooba to the position of Town Clerk.

I find reasons exist to support the findings of the Chief Justice (ag) against the Minister, since apart from the Local Government Service Commission at Section 95, 96, 97 and its powers of disciplinary control as stated at Section 116 (1) the municipal council is also vested with the powers to appoint a Chief Executive Officer according to Section 117 (1). In exercising powers of the Council under Section 117 (1), the decision of the Council is subject to the approval of the Minister.

In the case at hand between the Georgetown Municipality and the Town Clerk, the Minister of Local Government should have allowed Section 117 (1) Cap 28:01 to prevail whereby the Council should have made the appointment and the Minister granting formal approval as required in keeping with Cap. 28:01, Municipal and District Councils Act.

According to press reports, the Legal Affairs

Minister is preparing to file an appeal against the acting Chief Justice’s ruling and he has warned the City Council against any attempt to remove the Town Clerk. To send an officer on leave that is due cannot be seen to be an attempt to remove the person from the position of office.

I am satisfied that the Attorney General has no mandate over the City Council. Since the Council is within the Local Government structure it is the purview of the Minister of Local Government to advise the Mayor and Councillors not the Attorney General.

However, it is my considered view that the City Council has no need to dismiss Sooba, they only have to reposition her to her substantive post in the administration of the Council, when the dust is settled.

For whatever time Ms Sooba continues to perform the duties of Town Clerk, she should serve with decorum and respect the Council and the Mayor. The Council is the executive; as such, the Town Clerk must show due regard and respect to the elected officers.

My understanding of the issue at City Hall is that Ms Carol Sooba, the Clerk of Council, makes decisions of policy without the views of the Council and implements same. That she ignores or replaces decisions of the Council with her personal decisions.

According to Cap 28:01, Section 75 (1) defines the powers and duties of the Clerk while Section 75 (2) states clearly that the Town Clerk’s duties are in accordance with the sixth schedule. Cap 28:01: 75(3) states “The Clerk or other officer authorised in writing by the Clerk may, subject to the general or specific directions of the Council, exercise the powers of the Council.” “And all acts done by the Clerk or such officer in the exercise of those powers shall be deemed to have been done by the Council.”

Now, therefore, given what is stated at Section 75 (3) Cap 28:01 any action taken by the Town Clerk that does not have the approval of the Council is unlawful/illegal. It is important, therefore, that the Town Clerk should work through the Council since only the Council is authorised to empower the actions of the Town Clerk. A Minister of the Government cannot lawfully instruct a Town Clerk to carry out an action in the name of and/or on behalf of a Council.

The challenge by the Minister of Legal Affairs should give an interesting test of the independence of the legal system when it affects decisions of Ministers of the Government.

Sincerely,

Clement Corlette

Regional Chairman Region Four

such time as the Commission is fully constituted.

An appeal is, therefore, made, for those constitutionally tasked with the responsibility of recommending or making appointments to the Judicial Service Commission to meaningfully engage with a view to filling the vacancies which exist in the membership of that Commission.

Further delay in constituting the Judicial Service Commission will compound the difficulties already faced by an overburdened judicial system.

Office of the Chairman, Judicial Service Commission

Page Foundation

Disorganisation styles of struggling boys

Parents, while you are losing your patience and praying for school to recommence even earlier than next week, spare a thought for how you can help your children start the final, critical term on the right note. Boys seem to be notorious for their after-holiday lethargy, particularly when they are struggling. Here is a guide to identifying their particular brand of school trouble and helping them tame the schoolwork ‘monster’.

In her book That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week: Helping Disorganized and Distracted Boys Succeed in School and Life, author Ana Homayoun identifies eight styles of disorganisation and distraction that are commonly associated with academically struggling boys.

The overscheduled procrastinator

The Overscheduled Procrastinator is a highly-involved student and athlete and a leader among his peers who seems to have the world at his feet, but can never seem to get ahead, meet a deadline without a major meltdown, or turn down another social commitment.

Homayoun’s Tip: Encourage your son to become engaged in activities that are meaningful to him. At the same time, help him to be mindful of not overcommitting himself, which means he will be unable to do anything to the degree he would like. Getting home at 9:00 or 10:00 every night is a recipe for an exhausted, low-functioning young person.

The Scattered Charmer

The Scattered Charmer is happy-go-lucky and fun to be around. He does okay academically, but at a cost, because his forgetful-

ness and general laissez-faire attitude means you’re spending far too much time dropping off forgotten homework assignments or hunting up study sheets.

Homayoun’s Tip: Scattered charmers don’t know how to become organised or create a system that would work (because nobody has ever shown them one), and that leads to trouble being consistent and following through on good intentions. The single most important organisational tool your son will need is an effective, organ-

ised binder, preferably one for each subject.

The Tech Master

The Tech Master can easily show you how to programme your iPhone or keep the household network up and running, but is much less successful putting those technological temptations aside to buckle down and study.

Homayoun’s Tip: Tech Masters may insist that using the latest gadgets will keep them up-to-date and take up less space. I have nev-

er seen a high school student effectively keep track of homework and other activities in a PDA like an iPhone or Blackberry, for one main reason: distractions. If your child has a PDA and likes to use it, he should still use a written planner to track his homework, long-term assignments, and tests and quizzes.

The Seriously Struggling Student

The Seriously Struggling Student would love to be a master at anything; unfortunately, his lower-than-average processing speed make even a normal academic workload a challenge, and any distraction puts him even farther in the hole. He may have a diagnosed learning disability or other challenges.

Homayoun’s Tip: Seriously Struggling Students may have very little self-confidence and a good amount of frustration with their academic abilities. Being a mentor for younger children can be a rewarding and confidence-building experience. It enables them to step outside their world and look at the needs of others who look up to them.

The Creative Wonder

The Creative Wonder is a genius at the keyboard, easel, or lens but is in serious need of a workable plan to succeed within the school walls.

Homayoun’s Tip: Incorporating his creative pursuits within his academic setting whenever possible – such as making a film for a class project – will help a Creative Wonder become more motivated in the classroom environment.

The Intellectual Conversationalist

The Intellectual Conversationalist excels in the language arts but somehow can’t

bring that same level of mastery to the written assignment or test, and can’t figure out why.

Homayoun’s Tip: Intellectual Conversationalists tend to think they’re always right. A good technique to use is to make it seem like his idea or to use examples from his other interests – debate team prep, for instance – to show him how organisation can help him become even more successful.

The Sincere Slacker

The Sincere Slacker has convinced himself that a little effort in just the right place is sufficient and is genuinely puzzled at the lacklustre results of this academic philosophy.

Homayoun’s Tip: Sincere Slackers can be quieter children who sometimes lack social self-confidence. Adults sometimes underestimate the wonderful life lessons that are taught through working at a summer job and earning those first few paycheques. The shift in confidence and perspective when boys have responsibility and ownership for their work can be monumental.

The Seemingly Satisfied Underachiever

The Seemingly Satisfied Underachiever puts in the same modicum of effort as the Sincere Slacker but has no problem with this less-than-stellar result. After all, it’s just school, right?

Homayoun’s Tip: I encourage students to keep all tests and quizzes (especially the ones with scores that were lower than ideal). The quizzes are usually the basis for the tests and the tests are usually the basis for final exams; by holding on to all of them your son can actually learn from his mistakes, save time, and make life easier (a win-win). (school.familyeducation.com)

Is society fuelling the problem?

Factors behind the issue

Educators say several possible factors account for boys lagging behind. A recent study reports that, in general, boys trail girls on a number of physical, cognitive and emotional dimensions right from birth, Susan Hughes of Canadian Living noted. Then there’s homework. While 40 per cent of girls spend at least four and a half hours a week on homework, less than one-third of boys devote that much time to their studies. It’s not surprising that research reveals that boys’ study habits are not as strong as girls’.

All this aside, some experts believe the biggest reason boys trail girls in school is the so-called “feminisation of education”. They make a compelling argument. Several decades ago, it was boys who were ahead of the girls. In the 1970s, the majority of university graduates were men. In response to this, teaching methods and materials were modi?ed to better suit the learning styles of girls. For example, instead of encouraging learning through individual contests and competitions, such as spelling bees, teachers focused more on initiating learning through teamwork and cooperative tasks, a method which was more successful with girls. Adventure stories and non?ction books gave way to tales of friendship and interpersonal dilemmas.

The gender gap soon closed. Today, more than half of university students are women.

Overschooling?

Newsweek had another take on how society has been contributing to the epidemic of struggling boys. Here is an excerpt: Let’s examine the way our child rearing and our schools have evolved in the last 10 years. Then ask ourselves this challenging question: could some of those changes we have embraced in our families, our communities and our schools be adversely affecting our sons?

Instead of unstructured free play, parents now schedule their children’s time from dawn till dusk (and sometimes beyond.) By age four, an ever-increasing number of children are enrolled in preschool. There, instead of learning to get along with other children, hold a crayon and play hide and seek, children barely out of diapers are asked to fill out work sheets or learn computation. The drumbeat for early academics gets even louder when they enter “real” school. Veteran teachers will tell you that first graders are now routinely expected to master a curriculum that, only 15 years ago, would have been considered appropriate for second, even third graders. The way we teach children has changed, too. In many communities, elementary schools have become test-prep factories – where standardised testing begins early and “teaching to the test” is considered a virtue. At the same time, recess is being pushed aside in order to provide extra time for reading and math drills. So is history and opportunities for handson activities – like science labs and art. Active play is increasingly frowned on. Our expectations for our children have been ramped up but the psychological and physical development of our children has remained about the same. Some children are thriving in the changing world. But many aren’t. What parents and teachers see – and what studies show – is that the ones who can’t handle it are disproportionately boys.

10 visually-impaired students set to write CXC AFC hails financial independence of Judiciary

By Jomo Paul

Ten children of varying visual impairment are now prepared to sit the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) exams in May after they took part in an 18-month project by the Guyana Society For the Blind. The project saw them using Information Communications Technology as a learning gateway.

Speaking with Guyana Times in an exclusive interview on Thursday, Coordinator of the Education Ministry-funded project, Ganesh Singh, explained that the initiative was the offspring of another project that sought to teach visually impaired children to use computers.

He said a few years back the Guyana Society For the Blind and One Laptop Per Family Project embarked on an initiative to teach visually-impaired children the proper usage of computer systems using the Jaws software. From that, he explained, he thought “why not use these same systems to teach the children so they can write CXC?”

Singh went on to indicate that the Ministry was contacted and after some deliberations, agreed to fund the project by paying the instructors and subsequently paying the examination fee for the students.

Pilot phase

Since this is the pilot phase of the project, Singh said only five subjects are being offered to the students currently, but this may change in the future as other resources become available.

The project had started with 15 students from Regions Three and Four, but owing to circumstances and resources only 10 remain to write the examinations next month.

Cecil Morris, who is also one of the project coordinators, underscored the importance of the project, stating that it will enable visuallyimpaired young people to make noteworthy contributions to society.

“Young folks don’t have the opportunities they should have and we want to afford them that opportunity so they can take their right place in society... and contribute to the development of our country.

Morris also related that some of the students have

indicated that they will be pursuing tertiary studies at the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana, while others have said that they will be seeking employment to provide for their families before considering tertiary education.

He said he remained hopeful that there will be some infrastructural improvements for the next batch of students since they currently use makeshift classrooms.

Gateway

This publication took the opportunity to speak with a few of the students attending classes. They collectively highlighted that they took the class because they are of the opinion that an education would make them better people and they would be equipped to make valuable contributions to society.

One such student, Leroy Phillips, an aspiring journalist, explained that when he got the opportunity to write CXC, he “grasped at it with both hands”. Phillips pointed out that it has been approximately four years since he has been out of the education system and he was delighted to be a part of the project. He related that after he completes the examinations, he will proceed

to the University of Guyana where he will further pursue his journalistic career.

Rosemary Ramitt, another student, explained that the course thus far has been completely enjoyable. She said the tutors and teachers have been doing a good job at explaining the work to them. When questioned on whether she would recommend the project to anyone, she responded in the positive.

Vishal Mohabir, another of the students, said he considers the project as a gateway for him to show society that he is capable of making meaningful contributions to Guyana. He added that on completion of the course, he will be attending the University of Guyana but will remain an active member of the Guyana Society For The Blind since that is where his passion lies.

The Guyana Society For The Blind is set to commence the registration process for the second batch of CXC students this year. Both the coordinators and students alike are appealing for visually-impaired young people to visit the society and enrol in the classes.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has welcomed what it described as the successful repositioning of the Judiciary from a budget agency under the control of the Finance Ministry, to an independent entity with overarching financial autonomy.

In a statement emanating from its weekly news conference on Friday, the AFC said that since the year 2001 this reform was fought for and won. The party said by Article 222A, the Judiciary’s status was elevated to that of an independent entity to be financed as a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund, determined as a lump sum by way of an annual subvention approved by the National Assembly.

“This long delayed arrangement which took 13 long years to be implemented may not have occurred without persuasion and pressure from the Opposition during consideration of the 2014 Estimates recently. The PPP/C Government evaded and avoided this constitutional configuration, because it wanted overall control over the finances of the Judiciary and as to how it should be disbursed,” the AFC said. “This year, however, a motion moved by

Carl Greenidge and seconded by Khemraj Ramjattan effectuated the new dispensation so as to bring it into conformity with the constitutional amendment of 2001.”

According to the party, this new dispensation will mean that from now on each year’s proposed budgetary allocation for the Judiciary, as prepared by the Chancellor and his team, will come directly to the National Assembly for approval; and not, as used to be the case, go to the Finance Ministry for such approval. “Of course, the Ministry of Finance will play a role in concurring with the lump sum as approved by the National Assembly. It also means that bureaucratic setbacks for the issuance and clearance of monies for the Judiciary will now be negligible, as there will be no ministerial discretion for disbursements,” the AFC asserted. The AFC sees this new institutional arrangement as a practical endeavour to secure more independence for the Judiciary, and make more rigid the separation of powers without which a constitutional democracy is made all the more vulnerable.

Murder case against former beauty queen continues

As the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of then Swiss House Cambio owner Farouk Razack continues, the accused, his wife and former Beauty Queen, Carol Ann Lynch, made yet another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday.

Two witnesses gave testimony against Lynch before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, while the six others who were also called upon were not present. The two witnesses related to the court their recollection of what transpired on the day in question.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru asked the Magistrate for an additional two weeks to present the remaining six witnesses to the court and Lynch’s attorneys, Peter Hugh and Latchmi Rahamat objected, stating that the Police have had enough time since the PI began to gath-

er all witnesses.

Citing the nature of the offence, the Magistrate granted the Prosecutor’s request and at the same time, informed him that should he fail to present his witnesses in two weeks, she will order him to close the case.

The former beauty queen is accused of mur-

dering her husband, on May 7, 2007 at their 106 Ireng Place, Bel Air Park, Georgetown home. Razack’s body was found about 08:30h on the said day with a wound to his head and marks around his neck.

At that time, Lynch had just returned home from taking their daughter to school. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Razack died as a result of asphyxiation (suffocation) due to possible ligature strangulation.

The accused was not

required to plead to the indictable charge and stood silently before the Magistrate. This is the second trial for Lynch after the original case was discharged in 2008. In 2010, the case was ordered reinstituted by Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack.

Lynch is expected to make her next court appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on May 12.

Bus driver accused of assault placed on bond to keep peace

Abus driver was placed on a bond to keep the peace by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday.

Danny Da Silva pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on April 19, at Cornhill and Hadfield Streets he assaulted and caused actual bodily harm to Linden Allen.

The 37-year-old father of two, of West Bank Demerara, was represented by Attorney Dexter Todd, who told the court that his client was placed on station bail (released on his own recognisance in this case).

Da Silva will make his next appearance on May 12, before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Verbal spat lands duo in court

Dindyal Prashad and Andre Todd on Thursday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after it was alleged that they made use of abusive language against each other.

Prashad, a pensioner, and Todd, a construction worker, both of 95 Craig Street, Campbellville, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and were placed on a bond to keep the peace.

They are both to make their next court appearance on May 7, before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Eyew tness

Sellout...

...by Greenidge

The Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) is a private sector entity. It pushes the interests of businesses in the region so it can’t be accused of being a handmaiden of any political party. If the Caribbean is to ever get out of the rut as primary producers – foisted on us by the departing colonial powers – organisations like this have to identify strategies to overcome systemic constraints.

But earlier this week, CAIC that showed native informants and collaborators still conspire to keep us at the bottom of the economic totem pole. Men like Carl Greenidge, for instance, who was a Director of Caricom’s Regional Negotiation Machinery (RNM) that handed us the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe back in 2008. The EPA, Greenidge and company assured us, would lead us to the Promised Land where we’d be exporting our value-added goods to Europe and the good times would roll.

CAIC pointed out, however, that Europe is using nontariff barriers such as “standards” that have to be complied with, to keep out our exports. That’ll take years – not to mention millions and millions of dollars – to overcome. Now, non-tariff barriers are no recent innovation to ensure asymmetrical trading relations. They’ve been around ever since trade agreements were crafted. Every “developed” country uses them to sequester their domestic markets. Point is, Greenidge and his super-salaried buddies at the RNM knew this. They had to know about non-tariff barriers for the simple reason they’d talked about them. But they didn’t cover them in the EPA that the region was forced to sign because of their ineptitude. Even the African nations that had the sweetener of duty-free shipping of “Anything But Arms”, balked. The question is: why hadn’t Greenidge and his chums bolted our stable?

And the short and direct answer is “sellout”. Why’d you think whenever Ashni Singh requests a meeting with Greenidge to discuss APNU’s budget proposal, the man’s off to Brussels. Flying first class and staying in five-star hotels. You didn’t think APNU funds a European Diplomatic Mission, did you? Readers would remember that former President Jagdeo was furious with Greenidge for giving away the store. And cut short Greenidge’s official sinecure by not re-recommending him for the RNM.

And that’s another reason for Greenidge - -the consummate officer of the PNC – joining the radical wing of the PNC and becoming a hardliner. Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat whose gravy train’s been derailed.

...demanded by Nagamootoo

Nagamootoo thinks the Government shouldn’t go to the Courts to contest the Opposition using its one-seat majority to illegally chop the budget. And this fella said Cheddi wanted him to be President!!! If the Courts are the arbiter of the Constitution and the Constitution delineated the prerogatives of all institutions of the state including the Executive and the Legislature, where in the world do you go to settle disputes?

A smoke-filled back room inside some seedy hotel. Well, that’s what the man has to have in mind when he said rather than going to the Courts, the PPP/C should “negotiate” – read “cut a deal” – with the Opposition. What Nagamootoo’s suggesting is the very antithesis of democracy and in fact, this backroom dealing between politicians even has a notorious name in the US – Tammany Hall politics.

Nobody ever said the wheels of democracy, according to the rule of law, didn’t grind slowly – but they do grind transparently. Nagamootoo wants to get a piece of the action in the back rooms. Like the contract he got from NICIL to “relocate” persons affected by the Berbice Bridge. $7 million?

...from grocery heist

Asked why the freshly dug soil in their backyard, the relatives of the suspected burglar in Tuschen said they’d planted some pepper seeds. The police found $700,000 in the hole. Proves that money doesn’t grow on trees: it grows in the soil.

Illegal scrap metal dealers stole GT&T cable – Association

Guyana Metal Recyclers Association (GRMA)

President Desmond Sears has expressed concerns over the vandalising of the 2400-pair feeder cable of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) over the weekend, saying that the act is more than likely the work of illegal scrap metal dealers.

Fifteen metres of the cable were stolen over the Easter weekend in the Sophia area, rendering several areas in the city without telephone service.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Wednesday, Sears said that only one dealer has been given permission to export non-ferrous metal, in the category the copper cable belongs.

He said the dealer is a member of the association, and from all indications, he did not purchase the stolen copper cable. He explained too that in any event, nonferrous materials for export are usually subject to rigorous scrutiny by the authorities, and it would be difficult for the dealer to risk trying to export stolen cables, like the ones from GT&T.

However, Sears said that there has been a mushrooming of illegal dealers, both in the ferrous and non-ferrous metal trade.

Guyana Times was told that these dealers would smuggle the materials through the porous Guyana/ Brazil and Suriname borders, something which the authorities have not been able to clampdown on.

“We are trying to keep

our membership abreast with what’s happening and to be on the lookout for persons trying to sell these stolen materials,” Sears told Guyana Times in an invited comment.

Expressing regrets over the vandalism of the GT&T cable, the GRMA President said the acts happened in an area where he has his assets.

Costs

“I am also cognisant of the costs associated with repairing these damaged infrastructures and the inconvenience to thousands of citizens.” On Tuesday, GT&T expressed regrets to thousands of its customers whose telephone services are affected as a result of the vandalism. This has resulted in the disruption of telephone services to customers in Bel Voir Court, Bel Air, Prashad Nagar, Sophia, Blygezight and surrounding

areas, GT&T said in a statement.

“The damage was severe and thus extensive repairs, including civil works, would be necessary. It is expected that repairs would be completed within four to five days and services fully restored,” the company explained.

According to GT&T, these acts of vandalism continue to affect the rollout of services nationally, since resources have to be diverted from scheduled works.

“Community welfare and security are also affected. GT&T expresses its regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterates its call for communities to be vigilant for persons who set out to destroy such vital communication infrastructure and to report such acts to the police and to GT&T’s vandalism hotline 0908.”

Vandalism on various private and state properties and commercial building sites had been widespread since a vibrant scrap metal business developed here. This has resulted in damage to property belonging to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) site at the Lama Conservancy, the pumping facility of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and the rails around church yards and accessible burial grounds. In 2007, the Old Metal Dealers’ Act was amended, granting Government authority over the scrap metal trade, enabling it to impose fines and criminal charges if necessary.

AFC expresses no-confidence in Haseef Yusuf

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has called on its Region Six Councillor Haseef Yusuf to tender his resignation to the Regional Democratic Council, following a motion by five of the party’s councillors, expressing no confidence in him.

The motion filed on March 14, noted public attacks by Yusuf to discredit the AFC and his declaration of support for another political party, the AFC said in a statement on Thursday.

“It is in this context that the AFC councillors notified the RDC that Yusuf does not speak on their behalf nor represent them in any way.

The councillors called on Yusuf to resign.

“The leadership of the AFC endorses this call by the councillors and by way of letter have informed Haseef

Yusuf that he is no longer considered a representative of the AFC on the Region Six Council, his views and actions are not considered to represent that of the party, and in light of the fact that he no longer has the confidence of the AFC’s regional councillors, the executives and the general membership, he should submit his resignation as a Regional Councillor with immediate effect and, once submitted, his resignation will be accepted.”

Yusuf has openly challenged the minority Opposition party on issues of transparency and corruption.

Three-month fogging exercise begins

The Vector Control Services of the Health Ministry began a series of fogging activities on Thursday evening in Georgetown and its environs.

The exercise is to kill the adult mosquitoes which carry diseases. Speaking with this publication, Director of the Vector Control Services, Reyad Rahaman, noted that persons have been complaining about a high influx of mosquitoes in their homes and communities.

He said the fogging is a continuous exercise that the department will be undertaking, and there will be a few more spraying activities throughout the year around the country.

According to him, to ensure that the fogging exercise is most effective, residents in the targeted areas are reminded to open their windows to allow the fog

mist into their homes to kill the adult mosquitoes.

He added that to avoid any health problems, residents should cover all drinking water and secure all food items (uncooked and cooked) to prevent possible contamination; secure all domestic

animals and poultry; and keep persons who suffer from asthmatic conditions, young children and the elderly away from the direct flow of fog.

The fogging will commence 17:30 daily until June 11 in the following areas: East and West Ruimveldt, Alexander Village, West La Penitence, Albouystown, Charlestown, Werk-en-Rust, Newburg, Wortmanville, Kitty, Section K Campbellville, Newtown, Turkeyen, Bel Air, Bel Air Village, Bel Air Gardens, Subryanville, Campbellville, Oleander Gardens, Ogle, Sophia, Queenstown, Festival City, Meadow Brook, Guyhoc Gardens, and Shirley Field Ridley Square/Roxanne Burnham Gardens.

Citizens are also urged to always sleep under mosquito nets so as to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dr Anthony asks for proof of NOC sexual assault

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday questioned whether there was any proof of sexual assault alleged by inmates at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) to have occurred. He said persons who are levelling the allegations against the staff members of the NOC should go to the police and have the matter investigated.

“If there is any case of wrongdoing... if a child can come forward and say this person has done them wrong like a staff of the institution, then we want to know that because we do not want such persons on our staff,” Minister Anthony said, as he pointed out that no report or any evidence was provided on the claims.

Speaking to media operatives at a press conference at the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Dr Anthony explained that on March 22, a female inmate began to use indecent language in a loud and aggressive manner and subsequently ran out of the compound of the NOC, since the centre does not have any fences.

He further explained that two female supervisors proceeded to pursue the escaped student of the correctional facility, but without success. After they

failed, four male students took up the chase and ran into the densely vegetated backlands of the NOC behind the absconding girl.

Dr Anthony maintained that this incident was reported to the police and the parents were notified, since previously incidents of a similar nature would see the children being returned to their homes.

This was, however, not the case in this incident, as two days after the girl absconded from the facility, another team of staffers were able to locate the campsite and apprehend the students. The female student was reportedly taken to the Suddie Hospital where she was examined by medical staff.

With respect to the students being held at the Sophia Holding Centre, Dr Anthony explained that subsequently, 11 stu-

dents, consisting of seven boys and four girls, were taken to the Suddie Police Station where a formal complaint was lodged. He added that three of the male students are currently in police custody at Suddie Hospital, while the others were placed at the Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia, awaiting a court decision.

On the issue of security at the centre, the Minister

pointed out that the NOC is helping the students and even though it is a juvenile holding centre, it does not look like one, since the facility does not have a fence and the security is at a minimum.

It was reported on a local media website that the parents of one of the inmates had reported that her daughter escaped after being pestered and was subjected to sexual violation after being apprehended by the NOC staffers.

The girl’s mother had told media operatives that instead of the staff at the NOC calling on the police to get involved in the matter and proceed in search of the girl, the NOC staffers allegedly used the older inmates.

The woman also claimed that the said older inmates had also sexually assaulted the female student before she was taken back to the facility.

Man found with unlicensed pistol

Aman was found with an unlicensed gun when police stopped and searched him during a patrol at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD),

Wednesday night.

Police said in a statement that about 22:10h, ranks of a Police mobile patrol searched the man at the Coldingen Access Road, ECD, and found an unlicensed .32 Pistol with 12 rounds in his possession.

He has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with investigations.

A man by a market talk out every ting

Aman was walkin by a market down de road de other day and suddenly he start harpin bout how women tekkin over de world, women tekkin over from men, and women runnin tings all over. He seh de girls doin better in school and de women gettin better jobs.

He seh women drivin taxi and mini bus and women wukkin fuh more money than men. He seh women drinkin in bars and men servin dem. He seh women pilot flyin planes and men wukkin as flight attendants. He seh a woman mek a man run outta Parliament and resign.

Then de man look up and he see he was near to a mud paper headquarters and he suck he teeth long and hard. He point he hand and he seh even somma de men nowadays behavin like women, talkin a certain man name whole day.

He didn’t call name, but every body who was near to he start to smile. One woman let out a big laugh and seh that is true story. She chime in and seh somma dem same men does mek other man tek away dem woman.

De man like he had just read de story bout a woman who stab she man to death in de interior and now de pullice can’t find she. He seh is not that de pullice can’t find de woman. He seh is that de pullice friken she and dem don’t wanna find she.

He seh if de pullice can find five men who kidnap and kill a man dem supposed to find one woman who kill a man. Accordin to de man, de pullice friken whah de woman might do to dem, so dem rather not find she. Plus de Mayor-Fuh-Life friken a woman.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Is no wonder dem got International Women’s Day and Women’s ICT Day, but it ain’t got nutten like this fuh men. So is plain and simple that all de men gon haffu pull up dem socks and do better before dem get leff behind.

UG had no issue with Samad – Opadeyi

University of Guyana (UG)

Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi said he is unaware of any issues that former Director of the Berbice Campus, Professor Daizal Samad might have had with the university since they were at no time raised with the council.

In an exclusive interview with this publication on Tuesday, Opadeyi revealed that Samad, prior to his resignation, sat on two university councils but had never expressed his frustrations.

He was made aware of the issues through the print media. “One thing we don’t do is to run the university based on what you read in the newspapers. Dr Samad,

as I understand, resigned from the university, he gave us three months notice and at the end of the three months, his resignation was accepted. If he had any views, some of which I’ve read in the paper, he has not presented those views at the different bodies of which he was a member,” Professor Opadeyi disclosed.

He was at the time responding to questions regarding the university’s attempt to address the issues raised by the former

Director, who had bitterly criticised the university’s administration for failing to loosen its stern grip on the Tain Campus.

The Vice Chancellor remarked that since the former administrator had never made his concerns known to the council, he could not comment directly on that issue. Samad had said that if given the opportunity, he would have taken every measure to improved the quality of programmes offered and could have weaned the institution off of Government’s subventions. He had, also as part of his plans, the linking of the Tain campus with other international tertiary institutions. It was reported that Government had failed to address the concerns raised, which eventually led to the Director’s resignation last year.

Deadweight

In his resignation letter to Pro-Chancellor, Dr Prem Misir and the UG Council, dated July 4, 2013, Professor Samad stated that relations between him and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, as well as with the “deadweight” Turkeyen Campus had become strained and distant over the past couple of weeks. He had also accused Turkeyen of dictating

the day-to-day running of the Berbice Campus.

After his resignation, Berbice stakeholders and students alike had protested Government’s slow response to reappoint Professor Samad to the post. According to them, since his resignation, the institution had made a radical turn for the worst. Students had reported a lapse in the functioning of basic facilities, including Internet service, among other things. A petition was also signed by individuals, seeking Government’s immediate intervention in reinstating the Professor to the post. However, this was not done.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Opadeyi has confirmed that a new Director is carrying out the administrative functions of the Berbice Campus. According to him, Dr Gomathinayagam Subramanian (Dr Gomes) was appointed two months ago and has been performing his duties exceptionally. Opadeyi noted that as far as he is aware, operations at the Corentyne Campus were running smoothly. He told this publication too, that his scheduled visit to the campus on Wednesday was aimed at addressing all issues facing the institution as well as to appoint an Assistant Director.

MoU signed for archaeological study in Berbice River

Recent studies have shown that Guyana has some of the oldest archaeology sites in South America, and to find out more about these, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Florida for an archaeology study in the Berbice River.

The signing of the agreement was done by the university’s representative, Dr Stephanie Aleman and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Alfred King.

The agreement will see students from the University of Guyana (UG), and individuals from the various museums being part of the study.

Dr Aleman noted that she and a partner have been studying the river for quite some time and they have discovered that there are traces of archaeology sites in that vicinity that are the oldest in all of the

Americas.

She added that they have now returned to begin surveying the area, and would be targeting the middle section of the river; however, due to its depth, a lot of work still has to be done.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said the Walter Rodney Museum is the country’s main archaeological point, and over the years the Ministry has been working with international universities to study the historic sites in Guyana, and to also train individuals in the study of archaeology.

He added that the initiative will allow the Ministry to better understand the area, and what can be done there while building capacity locally through collaboration. He added that George Simon, one of the first persons to walk the entire area, will join the team. Simon noted that research in the

area started in 1985, and Dr Aleman has been in charge of the historic area. He added that there are traces of Dutch presence in the area and the team will try to look back at old maps and reconstruct the area.

She further added that ceramic was found in an area which was used in 5000 BC. There are also signs of a large-scale population and modification of the landscape for agricultural purposes. The archaeologist said that these techniques can be reintroduced into the agricultural system.

Minister Anthony also highlighted that these discoveries can mean that Guyana was perhaps one of the earliest points of civilisation as the other countries in the Caribbean have had historic sites of 1000 BC, but Guyana shows signs of up to 5000 BC, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Four-lane highway projects for year-end completion

The East Bank and East Coast Demerara fourlane highway projects are expected to be completed by year-end, Public Works Ministry Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn said.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Vaughn said a lot of work has been done on the East Bank Project over the last few months.

This projected is divided into three lots and is awarded to three contractors.

Lot One is awarded to Dipcon Engineering, and according to Vaughn, work on this programme is about 45

per cent complete. Work on Lot Two, awarded to Guyco is 49 per cent complete, while work on Lot Three being executed by BK International is some 35 per cent complete.

He noted that work on the lots were held up due to phone lines being in the way, but said this issue has been addressed by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and a removal exercise is in progress.

The engineer said the rainy weather has also put a damper on works, but not to an alarming level, to cause a breach to the new deadline.

With respect to the East Coast Four-Lane Project, works are being done on drains and the widening of roads.

Work on this project is divided into eight lots: Lot One and Lot Two, both being executed by Dipcon Engineering, are 75 per cent complete.

Vaughn said a shortage of stones has also affected the project. The contractors have raised their concerns with the Works Ministry and were told that they can import the commodity to ensure deadlines are met.

Work on lots three and

four is being executed by Courtney Benn Contracting Service and is expected to be completed by June/July.

Dipcon Engineering is executing work on Lot Five, which is about 75 per cent complete.

Work on lots six and seven is being executed by Collin Colbert; Lot Six has been completed while Lot Seven is 50 per cent complete.

Vaughn is hoping that work on Lot Seven and the other lots will be completed by July month-end.

With respect to the fourlane highway from Better Hope to Annandale and the upgrade from Annandale to Bell Field, the Public Works Ministry is hoping that the opening of bids will begin next month as contractors have already been shortlisted.

The public works engineer is also hoping that work will commence next month.

“Once these are open and everything is evaluated, we will have contractors for the East Coast Public Road,” he stated.

Police working to regain public confidence – acting Commissioner

As part of regaining and building public trust and confidence, acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud said bulletin boards are being erected in communities with Police stations countrywide.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Persaud said the boards carry the names and contact numbers of ranks in charge of stations, sub-divisions and officers-in-charge of the divisions.

In addition, it will have information on the stations’ performance in dealing with crime and disorder, and more particularly, prisoners’ rights, among other information intended for the public consumption.

“We believed that this is likely to have a positive impact on accountability at various levels in the Force; accountability to the people we serve as well as to the oversight bodies,” Persaud added.

The acting Police Commissioner further stated that they will continue to

work with the Home Affairs Ministry in implementing the Force’s strategic plan.

Apart from the bulletin boards, another area that will be addressed is the crime and traffic situation, with more focus on crime prevention.

Thus far, the Guyana Police Force has launched Project Albouystown as a pilot programme as part of the “safe” neighbourhood programme, which is expected to be launched in other communities.

“Each will be based on analysis on that particular community and therefore our deploying and targeting will vary since there will be communities without crime and violence, but there might be a large number of youths that need direction.”

The acting Police Commissioner explained that as part of their plan, the Police will go into communities with the hope of engaging youths in vocational training, getting those back in school who would have dropped out, and to help them find jobs after they would have develop

interpersonal skills.

He was happy to report that the Albouystown Project has received much attention, including the business community.

Initially, he noted that the Police did expect some resistance from elements in the community who profit from crime, but ranks remain committed to protecting and ensure the safety of law abiding citizens.

Suicide hotline

He added too that the Force is in discussions with the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry regarding the establishment of a suicide hotline.

“It is intended to have in the first instance, volunteers who will be trained as counsellors to treat with telephone calls coming from depressed persons.”

The Police have also commenced work on the reintroduction of the Drug Abuse Resistance Programme in schools across the country and are working to enhance the

CFATF high-level officials for weekend visit

By Svetlana MarShall

Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Chairperson Allyson Maynard-Gibson and Executive Director Calvin Wilson will arrive here on Saturday to hold meetings with the political parties to end the stalemate surrounding the non-passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill.

Maynard-Gibson, The Bahamas’s Attorney General, and Wilson are scheduled to meet with the Government, Opposition, Caricom General Secretary Irwin LaRocque and the Private Sector Commission. With CFATF’s May 21 Plenary Meeting in Miami approaching, Guyana’s Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said the high-profile officials are seizing this opportunity to re-emphasise the importance of passing the CFATF/ Financial Action Task Force (FATF) compliant bill before the upcoming deadline. The meetings with the various stakeholders will, however, be held separately.

Minister Nandlall who sits on the Parliamentary Special Select Committee that is considering the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill said Government welcomes the opportunity to once again reengage CFATF. “Hopefully, CFATF will be able to persuade the Opposition to pass a bill that has already been deemed by CFATF to be compliant and that is the Government’s bill, which was laid in the National

Assembly,” the AG told Guyana Times in a brief interview on Thursday night. In February, CFATF Financial Adviser Roger Hernandez met with members of the AML parliamentary committee. He had explained that in order for the bill to be considered by CFATF’s Plenary in May, it would have had to be passed by February 28, but Guyana was unable to meet this deadline. When the bill is passed and submitted to CFATF along with a report, the Caribbean institution will plot its next move. Based on the report submitted to the plenary, CFATF will determine whether Guyana should be subjected to further countermeasures or be recommended to the FATF for an International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) review. If Guyana fails to pass the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill, CFATF in May will decide to effectively nominate Guyana for the ICRG review. FATF is due to meet in June. During that meeting, the international financial body will determine whether Guyana should be subjected to a primafacie review by the ICRG Board. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Select Committee, led by Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, resumed meetings on Thursday after they were put on hold to facilitate the consideration of the 2014 National Budget. However, on Thursday, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) seized the opportunity to make further adjustments to its proposed amendments.

New GTU President wants salaries agreement honoured

Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) President Mark Lyte said he will be advocating for better working conditions for teachers, among other things.

traffic education programme.

Persaud said in his 30 years experience as a member of the Police Force, he would have seen some members involved in all sorts of excesses against members of the public, who they are suppose to serve and protect.

“I have seen that commitment from both my superior officers and subordinates. Our efforts, therefore in the next period is to seeks to control excesses and to achieve a multiplier for commitment for officer and ranks in addressing the priority areas.”

As part of the conference, a number of nongovernmental organisations will be facilitating presentations on social issues, including domestic violence, sexual offences and more particularly, trafficking in person.

These essential information, he stated is vital in planning approaches and adjusting standard operational procedures of the Force.

Seelall said the Force will continue to have ranks continuously upgraded to better execute their duties.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Lyte related that as a part of his mandate, he will not only engage the Government, but also the private sector to see how teachers can enjoy some non-salaried benefits.

He further noted that this, however, does not mean that he will not be advocating for better salaries, but pointed out that with the incessant increase in the cost of living, even if teachers are given higher salaries, it still would not be enough.

Lyte also disclosed that GTU will be launching a new project aimed at sensitising teachers about their rights as well as responsibilities ahead of the completion of the education strategic plan.

As of recent, the image of the teaching profession has been blackened by several accusations of rape and misconduct against male and female teachers in the education system, and in an effort to return the profession to its glory days, another plan will also see GTU and the Education Ministry working together to make teachers “true professionals”.

“We want to work closely with our stakeholders to ensure that our teachers know what they have to do,” said Lyte.

As it relates to

the Memorandum of Understanding inked between the teachers union and the Education Ministry in 2011, Lyte said he will be working to ensure that the bargain outlined at that time is addressed by the Government, claiming that it has not been fully honoured.

Also weighing in on the subject was outgoing President Colin Bynoe, who related that the Government has not been holding up its end of the bargain.

“Some aspects of this agreement have not been implemented to date,” Bynoe said at the opening of GTU’s Biennial Conference on Tuesday evening, as he highlighted that a large percentage of the teaching force were yet to receive their benefits from the 2011–2016 agreement.

The Memorandum of Understanding included several incentives for teachers such as a five per cent increase in salaries for all groupings of teachers, duty-free concessions for headteachers and deputies of Grade A schools for motorcars, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and outboard engines, a housing revolving fund, house lots for teachers, return air/bus fare for coastland teachers serving in the hinterland as well as their spouses and two children under 18 years old, Whitley Council Leave Allowance, scholarships for teachers to attend the University of Guyana, among other attractive benefits.

Regional Argentina approves Repsol payment

Argentina’s congress has given final approval to pay the Spanish oil giant Repsol US$5 billion (£3 billion) in compensation for the nationalisation in 2012 of its stake in Argentine oil firm, YPF.

After a marathon 16hour session, the Chamber of Deputies passed the settlement plan by 135 votes to 59.

Jamaica:

The deal is seen as crucial in helping Argentina attract foreign investment in its shale oil and gas reserves, which are among the world’s largest. It has already been approved by Repsol. The deal will come into effect immediately, as it has already been approved by the Senate and signed by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Cattle

YPF is responsible for about a third of Argentina’s oil and a quarter of its gas output.

Argentina is keen to develop the Vaca Muerta shale formation – a key YPF asset – but has so far struggled to attract investors, not least due to the uncertainty over the legal proceedings with Repsol.

As part of the settlement, Repsol agreed to drop its lawsuits against Argentina.

Congressman Mario Metaza said it was “invaluable to have concluded this settlement in a friendly way”.

But during the long debate, many lawmakers spoke out against the deal, arguing the Government was bowing to foreign pressure.

Claudia Lozano of the left-wing Popular Unity party said the Government was giving Repsol “a prize for driving Argentina’s energy resources into the ground” (Excerpt from BBC News)

passports to thwart praedial thieves

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Roger Clarke has announced plans for a new programme to tag animals and issue them passports, backed up by Police prevention support, as the latest effort to break the back of praedial larceny.

“This is not a gimmick,” Clarke said in his budget presentation in the House of Representatives, as he announced plans for the new national animal identification and traceability system (NAITS).

“We have already developed the relevant database and are in the procurement process for the tags, which will arrive in time to facilitate the commencement of tagging in the second quarter of this year,” the Minister added.

He said that under the new programme every head of cattle will be tagged and issued a passport. The passport will contain critical in-

A bull like this one will be tagged on the ear as part of Government’s plan to fight praedial larceny

formation about the animal and will be mandatory for movement of all animals.

“Concomitant with this is the development of a DNA database of all tagged animals,” Clarke said. The Minister also gave credit to the previous administration for the concept of tagging and keeping a database, referring to

Opposition spokesman JC Hutchinson as the “conceptualiser” and himself as the “implementer”. However, the idea really began under the stewardship of former Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, while Hutchinson was Minister of State in the Ministry. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Waste to energy plant planned for Nevis

The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) plans to deliver a waste to energy plant on the island shortly.

The disclosure came in a televised address by Deputy Premier and Health Minister Mark Brantley in observance of Earth Day 2014.

“Your Government is

poised shortly to deliver a waste to energy plant to the island which will alleviate much of our waste issues and allow us to gain a small amount of renewable energy as well from the process,” he said. In addition, Brantley stated that out of the impending joint venture, the administration also expect -

ed additional trucks which would make way for a more efficient waste management system. However, the Minister stopped short of a date for the commencement of the venture, but did say that he hoped to provide firm details soon on a start date for the public. (Caribbean News Now)

St Kitts state media used as arm of ruling party – former Minister

According to a former Government Minister, it is time for the current administration to stop using state-owned National Broadcasting Corporation of St Kitts and Nevis (ZIZ) as an arm of the governing Labour Party.

While ZIZ has been praised for conducting discussions in the areas of music and sports, in which a wide range of interest groups are allowed to participate, Political Activist Dwyer Astaphan said he would like to see further democratisation of ZIZ, to embrace discussions that include politicians from all shades in the federation.

“While it is possible for

people of different opinions to sit and share those different opinions on the ZIZ microphones in music, or in sport, or in other subjects, the political Opposition in

this country, is not allowed an opportunity to go on ZIZ. Mind you, ZIZ belongs to everybody in the country,” Astaphan said.

“I will recall for you, if you don’t recall, that the Labour Party’s manifesto in 1995 condemned the misuse of ZIZ and committed itself – and I was part of that commitment – to opening up and democratising the Government broadcast facilities. That was 19 years ago.”

Astaphan, who was part of the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party Government before retiring from politics, recalled after the 2000 elec

tion being given the portfo

lio that oversaw ZIZ.

Cops probing sex charges against three MPs

Police are investigating three Members of Parliament (MPs) for sexual offences and assault and the investigations will be completed shortly, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams said on Wednesday. The parliamentarians are Dr Delmon Baker, MP for Tobago West; Chandresh Sharma, MP for Fyzabad; and Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, MP for Caroni Central. It is alleged that Baker indecently assaulted a man on two occasions; Sharma allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend Sascha Singh on March 12 at Grand Bazaar; and Ramadharsingh is accused of receiving sexual favours for fast-tracking of a Housing Development

Corporation house. Asked about that status of the investigations, Williams said all were on-going and would be concluded soon. Asked to specify what he meant by soon, Williams said he could not. He added that no special treatment was being afforded to the men or that there was any difficulty in interviewing them. He added: “A person is free to choose to submit to an interview. It is never an issue of difficulty to interview, you cannot force anyone to give an interview. What the Police Service has to do is to make the appropriate effort to interview an individual and that satisfies the requirements of the law.” (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)

Mexico and Guatemala rescue migrants

Mexico and Guatemala say they have rescued at least 104 people from captivity and arrested 14 of their alleged human traffickers.

Police in Guatemala said they raided two houses near the Mexican border and found at least 60 people who wanted to travel to the US illegally.

They arrested eight alleged smugglers.

In Mexico, the authorities said they found 44

Guatemalan migrants in a house near the Guatemalan border and arrested six alleged human traffickers.

Migrants from Central America often pay smugglers to enter the US illegally, but are frequently abused by their traffickers.

They can hold migrants in captivity to extort more money from the victims’ relatives.

Police in Guatemala said they carried out the raids in Huehuetenango province in the west of the country.

They said those rescued were mostly Guatemalans, but did not give the nationalities of those arrested.

In Mexico, the National Immigration Institute said the 44 Guatemalans, including seven women and two boys, were found in a house in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas.

It added that the alleged human traffickers, who are thought to be all from Guatemala, were wanted by the authorities in the US.

“This criminal group was led by Sebastian Rocael Milton Cardona, 42, who was in charge of co-ordinating the movement of migrants from Guatemala to the US, and was one of the most wanted by the authorities of his country.

“They (the alleged smugglers) were arrested by the authorities of the Government of Chiapas for the crime of human trafficking,” it said in a news release. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Narendra Modi turns river city into a sea of saffron

Israel suspends peace talks with Palestinians

This the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate did to great effect, attracting television cameras like a magnet and leaving rivals fuming at the ease with which the BJP had captured headlines yet again even as the election chuntered on in some other parts of Uttar Pradesh and in the far corners of the country.

A sea of locals wearing saffron caps went berserk the moment their poster boy arrived at the filing venue in an open motorised NaMo chariot. Prior to his triumphal entrance, he had garlanded the statues of Sardar Patel and Madan Mohan Malaviya, and even found time to blog on how he wanted to clean the polluted Ganga.

Modi, a consummate campaigner, was not about to let the occasion go to waste. “I have neither come on my own, nor been brought. I have been summoned here by Ma Ganga and feeling just as excited as a child feels in his mother’s lap,” he declared. This is the second time the BJP has successfully

managed to hog the attention on a poll day. It released its long-delayed manifesto on the first day of polling, April 7, grabbing headlines that would normally have been devoted to turn outs and the odd centenarian voter casting his ballot. (Excerpt from the Hindustan Times)

Ukraine deaths prompt Putin warning

Following days of simmering unrest, tensions in Ukraine escalated sharply Thursday; with Russia embarking on new military drills near the border after Ukrainian forces said they killed five proRussian militants.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Ukrainian forces killed the five during operations to take down pro-Russian activists’ roadblocks around the city of Slavyansk.

The Russian response was quick.

President Vladimir Putin said that “if the Kiev regime has started to use the army against the population inside the country, it, beyond any doubt, is a very serious crime.”

It would “have consequences” for those making the decisions, and for relations between the two governments, Putin said at a media forum Thursday, according to state TV channel Russia 24.

Shortly afterward,

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia would conduct military drills in response to the operation in southeastern Ukraine, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said.

“We are forced to react to such a development in the situation,” Shoigu is quoted as saying. “Starting today (Thursday), exercises of battalion tactical groups from the Southern and Western military districts will be-

gin near the borders with Ukraine.”

Ukraine issued a 48-hour deadline for Russia to explain its military drills, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. The Ministry did not say what Ukraine would do if Russia does not comply.

NATO and the US have already voiced unease about an estimated 40,000 Russian troops gathered near the Ukrainian border.

(Excerpt from CNN)

Pakistani jets attack Taliban bases

At least 37 people have been reported killed and 18 injured in air raids, according to military sources, against what the Pakistani military has termed “terrorist hideouts” in the Khyber tribal area. Meanwhile, a bomb blast in the country’s south claimed the life of a police officer and three others.

The military said the raids on Thursday targeted members of armed groups involved in planning recent attacks, including the bombing of a fruit market in Islamabad on April 9 and

the killing of security forces in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

The raids were launched in the Bara area early on Thursday morning, military officials told Al Jazeera. They come a day after the Government and the Pakistani Taliban met in Islamabad to discuss a stuttering peace process.

The Pakistani Taliban, known by the initials TTP, announced on April 16 that it would not be extending a self-imposed 40-day ceasefire on attacks against the state and civilians, a move

which prompted the interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, to say further talks without such a measure in place would be “pointless”.

A senior military official in Peshawar told the Reuters news agency that the air raids were the first phase of an offensive against rebels in the Khyber area.

“After the jets, Pakistan army ground forces also launched operations in the area,” he said.

The assault was the first aerial operation against TTP targets for two months. (Excerpt

The Israeli Government has decided to halt peace talks with the Palestinians in response to a new unity agreement between rival Palestinian factions.

The decision appears to end a nine-month peace initiative by US Secretary of State John Kerry. The negotiating period is scheduled to end next Tuesday, though the sides had been trying to agree to an extension.

Israel’s Security Cabinet unanimously decided to cut off contact after a five-hour meeting on Thursday. It announced the decision in a statement.

Reuters reported that Israel was also considering imposing economic sanctions against the Palestinians.

The Palestinians said they were considering “all options” in response to Israel’s decisions to halt the talks.

“The Palestinian leadership will look into all options to respond to Israeli government decisions against the PA,” senior Palestinian official Saeb Erakat told news agency AFP.

“The priority now for the Palestinians is reconciliation and national unity,” he said.

Israel is furious over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to form a unity Government with the Hamas movement after a seven-year rift. Israel and the US consider Hamas a “terrorist” group.

The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton, meanwhile, welcomed the accord between the Palestinians, but still viewed the peace talks with Israel as a priority, a spokesman for Ashton said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Three Americans killed in Afghan hospital

AChicago pediatrician who “felt called” to move to Afghanistan to treat children and train physicians was among three Americans killed Thursday at a Kabul hospital by an Afghan guard.

The police guard opened fire on the pediatrician and four others with him at the CURE Hospital’s gates, Kabul Police said, in violence not unlike the “greenon-blue” attacks in which Afghan security forces fire upon coalition troops.

Two others were killed, and a third person was injured in the hospital attack.

A fourth person was unharmed.

Dr Jerry Umanos practised medicine in inner-city Chicago before moving to Afghanistan in 2005, according to the US hospital with which he was affiliated, Lawndale Christian Health Centre.

“Our family and friends have suffered a great loss and our hearts are aching,” his wife, Jan Schuitema, told reporters in Chicago.

The doctor and his wife have three children together.

“I know Jerry would also really like everybody to know about his love for the Afghan

people, and our love for the Afghan people, and that we don’t hold any ill will towards Afghanistan in general, or even the gunman who did this. We don’t know what his history is,” she said.

Schuitema stressed that her husband’s work was an extension of his faith.

“He always had a desire to be the hands and feet of Christ. He was always a light for Christ,” she said. Umanos was connected with Lawndale for more than 25 years, said Dr Bruce Rowell, the hospital’s chief clinical officer. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Caricom celebrates girls in ICT with interactive session

An interactive session, hosted by the Caricom Secretariat to commemorate Girls in ICT Day, opened Thursday morning at the secretariat’s headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana.

The Caricom Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan in her remarks to the gathering noted that, observance of the day at the Secretariat showed continued solidarity with the United Nations and the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) call for action to empower women and girls to meet their goals and aspirations, by using and also becoming an active part in delivering success in Information Communications Technology (ICT).

“We choose to observe this day under the theme ‘Celebrating Girls in ICT’ to recognise those girls and women already in ICT and for those of you who will join this ever growing field of study,” she said, according to a report by the Caricom Secretariat.

The Deputy Secretary General, who hopes that the event would help ‘trigger’ participants into taking up ICT studies and careers, highlighted the many success stories of Girls in ICT from the Caricom region. These included having a Caribbean application which featured on the best-

seller list of the Apple iTunes store in the first weekend of February this year, and having many women business owners with ICT businesses. She noted, however, that there were not as many success stories as would be desired.

“There are several reasons for this state of affairs. These include persons and families not being able to afford a computer, no ICT curricula in schools, computer literacy, limited number of computers per student, power challenges, among others,” according to Ambassador Soeknandan.

The Deputy Secretary General explained that concerted efforts to address these challenges were being made at the regional level. She outlined that in March of this year, the Caricom Heads of Government agreed to plans which would positively impact education

Under the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry’s Solid Waste Disposal Programme, this year $1.070 billion is to be expended on several areas, including institutional strengthening and capacity-building, public awareness and community participation, and continued construction and operation of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill.

and treatment and disposal of health care and hazardous waste are initiatives that are also catered for.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Collin Croal said institutional strengthening and capacity-building will target training for the supervision of the construction and operation of the Haags Bosch Sanitary landfill, and as well to assist in developing and implementing post closure plans for Le Repentir and the Lusignan landfill sites.

With regards to the works to be executed at Haags Bosch, Croal said these would entail completion of the expansion of cell one, which is scheduled to be done by November. Work at the facility will also include completion of the construction of leaching management facilities and as well the construction of the storm water management ponds.

programmes and ensure that students would be properly equipped for the digital age.

The event was attended by a number of schools that were invited by the secretariat, girls that were selected by Guyana’s Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry as well as attendees from the University of Guyana, who had a display in the exhibition.

Members of the Secretariat's staff were invited to bring one girl in ICT from their family to the event. Girls in ICT Day is observed annually by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) member states since 2010 to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of ICTs. The ITU is the United Nations’ specialised agency for ICTs.

OAS, World Bank discuss economic outlook for the Caribbean

Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim on Wednesday spoke on the “Economic and Social Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean,” at the 55th Lecture of the Americas.

While noting the progress made in development in the region in recent years, the leaders offered their points of view on pending challenges and areas for improvement in the future.

Secretary General Insulza reiterated that one of the main challenges of the region is building more inclusive societies and reflected on what will be the central theme of the next General Assembly of the OAS, to be held in Paraguay in the first week of June –“Development with Social Inclusion”. He asserted that an important step forward could be taken in this area. Upon recalling that the OAS General Assembly of 2012 approved the Social Charter of the Americas, he called for advances in the application of the Charter during the General Assembly of Asunción. “The theme of this year’s OAS General Assembly provides an impetus to complete and approve the Plan of Action of the Charter and make this instrument a powerful tool for sustainable and inclusive development.”

Unequal growth

management in Region Four.

Croal said that as part of the effort this year, there will be development of promotional materials, ads and posters, among others, to be conducted as a pilot project in three communities.

Meanwhile, a landfill compactor for Haags Bosch will be procured, the tender for which has already been awarded and the awardee has since received 20 per cent of the payment. The Ministry is expecting the delivery of this equipment by June, he said.

Laboratory equipment to monitor the environmental conditions at Haags Bosch will also be procured.

The OAS leader, on one hand, highlighted the economic growth of Latin America and the Caribbean in the last decade, which allowed for a 50 per cent growth of the middle class, made up of some 150 million people. However, he warned that despite this growth, Latin America and the Caribbean continues to be one of the most unequal regions in the world.

parities, but it also prevents intergenerational mobility”, said Insulza. He noted that “half the adults aged 25 to 65 years living in indigence have not completed their primary education.”

“The fragile middle”

Secretary General Insulza recalled that during the recent joint meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), one of the key messages was that “it is imperative not just to lift people out of extreme poverty; it is also important to make sure that, in the long run, they do not get stuck just above the extreme poverty line due to a lack of opportunities….”

taining poverty reduction efforts and reducing inequality.”

Inclusive economic growth

Insulza said four of every 10 people in the region live in what has been called “the fragile middle,” meaning “they are neither poor nor middle class, they earn between US$2 and US$10 a day and are very vulnerable to a slowdown in the global economy”.

In his presentation, the World Bank Group President focused on the need for “inclusive economic growth” in the region, to respond to the growing demands of the population. “The governments of the region are, in part, victims of their own success,” said Kim, and added that “they’ve achieved a great deal in terms of fostering growth and reducing inequality. Yet, precisely because of this success, citizens are now asking for more than ever before, and pressuring governments to respond.”

Waste collection and disposal from Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs)

There will be the furtherance of the public awareness and community participation programme, which is being carried out by Guyenterprise and is aimed at creating understanding of Haags Bosch and promoting proper solid waste collection and disposal

The $1.070 billion will also cover the closure of dumpsites on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara, the partial closure of the Lusignan landfill; purchase of one hook lift truck and 11 to 15 feet waste collectors to service the commercial areas in Georgetown and the market within the NDCs, Croal said.

“At the end of 2013, an estimated 164 million people in Latin America were living in poverty – almost 28 per cent of the region’s population – while 66 million people or 11.5 per cent were living in extreme poverty or indigence..,” Secretary General Insulza remarked during the Lecture, held at the headquarters of the hemispheric institution in Washington, DC.

He said the inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean has its roots in colonialism, and that it is accentuated by the inequality in access to essential public goods such as education.

Following his address, President Kim and Secretary General Insulza took part in a dialogue on the subject with the audience. Minutes before the Lecture, the two leaders held a private meeting which included World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Hasan Tuluy; and OAS Secretary General Chief of Staff Hugo de Zela. $1.07B to be

The design of the hazardous waste treatment facility for waste is also budgeted for within the allocation.

“Unequal access to quality education and other productive assets is not only the source of wide economic dis-

Finally, the OAS Secretary General cautioned that the latest forecasts of the IMF and the World Bank predict that the region will grow by 2.5 per cent in 2014, three per cent in 2015, below the world average of 3.6 per cent in 2014 and 3.9 per cent in 2015. “In this context, an important issue to be addressed is what are the social development implications of a weak economic outlook for the region, in particular in relation to sus-

In order to grow, said President Kim, Latin America must be more productive, innovative and adaptable. Moreover, to promote development, the region must improve “logistics and infrastructure, education, and the contractual environment” as well as competitiveness.

Patsan salesman killed during robbery

By Vahnu Manikchand

Asenior salesman at-

tached to the Patsan Trading Services was fatally shot on Thursday afternoon during a robbery outside the business on John Smith Street, Campbellville. The robbery occurred around 14:40h.

Dead is 57-year-old Bharrat Ramjattan, of Lot 8 Section C, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara. According to the Police, Ramjattan was about to enter the business place when he was attacked by two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

“Bharrat Ramjattan was shot to his back by the armed man and the perpetrators took away a bag with an undisclosed sum of cash and escaped on a motorcycle,” Police said in a release. The injured man was immediately rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 14:50h.

The Police have apprehended a man, who is assisting with the investigation; however, it is unclear whether he is one of the two perpetrators.

Ramjattan had been working at Patsan for 19 years. This newspaper understands that the man usually spends all day collecting payments before heading back to the office in the af-

ternoon. He usually conducts business on his own.

This newspaper understands that Ramjattan returned from his day’s work and parked his car, PJJ 3113, across the road from the premises. He got out, carrying a bag reported to have contained millions of dollars and was about to enter the grilled compound when the gunman discharged a round at him. The man quickly ran inside the compound, but was followed by the bandits who grabbed onto the bag, however, the man refused to let go causing the gunman to shoot him.

tailed Sources close to the investigations revealed that the man might have been tailed from one of the locations he went to earlier.

Ramjattan reportedly suspected something was amiss

when he reached the office, since he took a while to get out of the car and when he did, he walked swiftly towards the gate of the compound, where he was first attacked.

When this publication visited the business, staff there refused to talk about the incident, saying that they were told not to say anything. Efforts to contact the management of Patsan proved futile.

The grieving widow, Yasmattie, told Guyana Times that she had just returned home around 14:45h when the phone rang and a staff from Patsan informed her that her husband was shot. The woman said that she initially thought that he

was just injured and not seriously. “So I thinking, well, that he get shot and maybe he will recover, but I didn’t know he was fatally shot,” she stated.

She disclosed that she was in Georgetown earlier and last spoke to her husband just before she left to go back home. She said she called to inform him that she was going home, so he did not have to come collect her. She noted that at the time, her husband was on his way back to the office.

Ramjattan was the sixth child of 14. He leaves to mourn his wife and only son, along with his brothers and sister. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

Parents will have free access to $10,000 school grant

Dr Roger Luncheon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon has sought to clear the air on the recently-announced $10,000 per child grant by the Education Ministry, noting that parents themselves will be allowed free access to the fund. Dr Luncheon said since the pronouncement was made by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, the question of whether parents themselves will have access to the fund has been raised. He said, however,

that the facts were obvious. “Cabinet’s conclusion was clear. The Minister’s presentation spoke to free access by parents to the $10,000 grant,” Dr Luncheon told reporters at his post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday.

The Cabinet Secretary said the budget measure provides $10,000 to be allocated to every nursery, primary, and secondary school student within the public school system. This money will be made available at the beginning of the new school term in

September.

He noted that questions were also raised regarding how parents would be able to access the funds, since it was obviously unwise for Head-teachers to carry out the disbursement themselves. “That some 180,000 to 200,000 students at $ 10,000 a piece, my Mathematics tell me its $2 billion. Now how could its management contribute to a cashless transaction or at least promote the development of financial services in Guyana?” he queried.

ICT personnel

He said the Ministries of Finance and Education are currently working with technical and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) personnel to evenly distribute the $2 billion to the students across Guyana. “They are working towards handling the disbursements of $2 billion in as cashless a way as possible with the aim of enhancing the delivery of the financing services sector.

During his 2014 bud -

Region 10 Health Committee wants LHC staffers reinstated

Region 10 Health Committee Chairman Maurice Butters said there are growing concerns over the refusal by the management of Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) to reinstate two of its employees, accused of misappropriation of funds at the institution last year.

Butters, who also serves as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Region 10 Representative, added that the employees were sent on administrative leave by the management of the hospital following the fraud probe. He said the two were brought before the court on alleged fraud charges; however, the case against one of the employees has been since dismissed. As such, Butters is now calling for the employee to be reinstated.

“Their matter was taken to the court and based on information and documentation which the Union has, one of the employees’ case has since been dismissed. That is the only credible information that we have. We do not have any for the other (employee) as yet, but the thing is, what we have right now is a case where the management of the Linden Hospital Complex is refusing to reinstate the employee. The rule clearly states that if someone has been charged and placed before the court, that person is either sent on administrative, accumulated, or some form of leave, until such time that the court would determine.

a denial of the rights of working Guyanese. We are calling on the Ministry of Health to have the management of the Linden Hospital Complex reinstate the employee,” Butters stressed. The GPSU Representative said that while the employees were charged with misappropriation of funds, he believes that they would have acted as scapegoats and may have paid the price for the individuals in senior positions who were allegedly involved.

get presentation on March 24, Dr Singh made the announcement that $10,000 would be provided for each child in the public school system. He said that in an effort to provide additional support to parents with school-age children, Government had come up with the initiative.

He had also said that Government had already made significant investments in the education sector, seeking to ensure universal access, and to raise both quality of delivery and attainment rates.

The result, he said, has been the achievement of universal primary education and significant progress towards achieving universal secondary education. According to him, supportive programmes have included the National School Feeding Programme and the National School Uniform Programme, both of which have helped to lift attendance rates and, particularly in the case of the former, raise classroom attentiveness and participation.

“The employees were sent on administrative leave and when they expected to receive their salaries the management indicated to them, not in writing, but verbally that the Ministry of Finance unilaterally took their names off the payroll. Now that too is another breach, because persons who would have experienced the same thing, would have been receiving their salaries or part of it until the matter is resolved.”

Gross abuse of power

Butters said that the employee whose case was dismissed and wishes to be reinstated was not employed by the Finance Ministry, but by the LHC, through the Health Ministry, and as such, it was the responsibility of the LHC to advise the Health Ministry on the way forward. He further stated that several inquires were made by the GPSU to the management of the LHC on the issue, but human resource personnel have indicated that they are awaiting word from the Health and Finance Ministries.

“Now we feel that it’s a gross abuse of power and

“....because this matter was reported to the senior managers of the hospital, including the Chief Accountant, about names of employees who would have left the organisation voluntarily, through dismissal, or through the decision made by the management, but the names continued to appear on the pay sheet. When we questioned them and it was brought to their attention, they changed the policy they used to issue pay sheets to employees.

“Because every month, there was a print-out where each employee was expected to find their names and sign upon receiving their pay slip. After the matter was raised and persons started to recognise the names, that there were names which were not supposed to be on the list, they started giving persons a blank foolscap paper to sign on. This was a directive from the Chief Accountant at the LHC, but nothing was done.”

Butters added that the GPSU has since denounced such behaviour by those parties involved. He said that based on investigations, the fraudulent activity appeared to have been going on for some time prior to it being publicised last year. In addition, it was discovered that the names of employees who had died were still on the LHC payroll. This had led to the GPSU launching an investigation into the matter. Subsequently, three accounting employees within the health institution were arrested and taken into custody over the multimillion dollar fraud allegations.

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Carifta team pays Sport Minister courtesy call

– Dr Anthony reveals immediate plans for athletics

By Treiston Joseph

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) paid Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony a courtesy call on Thursday to congratulate the Junior Carifta team on placing fourth overall at the premier junior Carifta Games which was held in Martinique.

Middle-distance athlete Cassey George gained two gold medals in the girls’ under-18 1500 and 3000 metres, while US- based Guyanese Kadecia Baird won the female under-20 400 metres and finished second in the female under-20 200 metres, to give Guyana their highest overall placing at the meet.

Anthony noted that the team’s success is a proud moment in Guyana’s history: “We are indeed very pleased with the performance of the team, especial-

ly with Ms. George and her two gold medals and I think this is a historic moment for us.

“I want to add my words of congratulations because I think this team has done remarkably well and I think all of Guyana is very very proud of this achievement,” Anthony noted.

Further, Anthony stressed that he looks forward for a closer relationship with the AAG in order to develop athletics to its full potential.

“For a long time now, I think we recognize that we have a lot of potential in athletics, but it has largely been an unfulfilled potential and therefore what we would like to do is to work more closely with the Athletics Association of Guyana to fully realize our athletics potential,” Anthony highlighted.

While Anthony noted that “the synthetic track at

Leonora would be fully operational” later in the year, the sport minister revealed that the ministry will be investing in an athletics coach.

“In addition to the track itself and the infrastructure we will be building, later in the year we will be bringing in an athletics coach from Cuba who would be available to work with our champion athletes,” Anthony revealed.

Meanwhile, George expressed her happiness with her historic performance, while noting her next moves; “I feel great about the win and I want to focus on bettering my times and training hard for Guyana,” George said.

George became the first Guyanese athlete to win two gold medals at the same edition of the games, while Baird became the first sprinter to ever win gold at the event for Guyana.

Injury forces Samuels out of four-day final

amaica batsman

JMarlon Samuels will miss the final of WICB Weekes/Headley Challenge Trophy against Windward Islands in St Lucia due to a hamstring injury.

Samuels, who failed to take part in the team’s semifinal win over Barbados, also due to the injury, recently returned to the country.

He has been replaced in the team’s 13-man squad by opener Jon-Ross Campbell, who made way for all-rounder David Bernard Jr in the semi-finals.

Samuels, who recently returned from the ICC World Twenty20 with the West Indies, played in Jamaica’s final preliminary-round game against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Three Ws’ Oval in Barbados.

Marlon Samuels

He, however, was only able to produce returns of 12 and 11. Campbell has played two matches so far this season. He made 31 and four against Barbados in the preliminary round at Sabina Park, while against Trinidad and Tobago at Queen’s Park Oval, also in the preliminaries, he scored 31 and 11.

in St Lucia starting on Saturday.

The final will be played at the Beausejour Stadium

Jamaica squad: Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Jerome Taylor, Nkrumah Bonner, Damion Jacobs, André McCarthy, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Nikita Miller, Brian Buchanan, Sheldon Cottrell, Jon-Ross Campbell.

Royal Challengers v Knight Riders, IPL 2014

RCB lose after having game in the bag

How quickly does a Twenty20 game change? Ask Royal Challengers Bangalore. For virtually the entire match it was in their grasp: their bowlers had combined to limit Kolkata Knight Riders to 150 on a flat track in Sharjah, their openers had put them on course in the chase, and even though Yuvraj Singh flapped about towards the end, the askingrate was never out of hand. Even at the start of the final over with two renowned finishers, AB de Villiers and Albie Morkel, in the middle, Royal Challengers were favourites.

Nine runs were needed, and Knight Riders’ two major threats, Sunil Narine and Morne Morkel, had bowled out. Vinay Kumar stepped up to the job and delivered an over filled with full deliveries that kept his old team down to six, sparking delirious celebrations from the Knight Riders camp.

When a bowler defends nine off the final over in a Twenty20, that too against some of the finest hitters in the world, you’d expect him to hog the headlines. It is Chris Lynn who everyone will be talking about, however, after he took an acrobatic catch to send back de Villiers and turn the game in the final over.

De Villiers was looking to clear the long boundary at midwicket - the pitch was at the edge of the squareand though he connected well, there wasn’t enough to clear the rope. He might still have survived, as Lynn had slipped and fallen before the ball got to him. That didn’t deter Lynn, who leapt up and plucked that powerful hit bending his back like a high-jumper, and flopped to the ground, somehow managing it all without touching the rope which was a yard behind.

Given the sheer athleticism involved, the stage of the game, and the player who was dismissed by it, it’s hard to see how Lynn’s catch will be topped this season.

“I slipped and I thought if I stood up and dropped the

catch, it would look very silly, so just stayed down,” was Lynn’s straight-faced explanation when asked about his game-changing grab.

After de Villiers’ exit Royal Challengers needed six off two, not entirely out of reach, especially for a hitter like Morkel. But the catch left Royal Challengers stunned, and even though the final delivery was a hittable full toss, Morkel couldn’t put it away, and Knight Riders’ jailbreak was complete. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Kolkata T20 innings (20 overs maximum)

JH Kallis c Takawale b Chahal 43

G Gambhir* lbw b Starc 0

MK Pandey c Kohli b Morkel 5

CA Lynn c de Villiers b Aaron 45

YK Pathan c Kohli b Aaron 0

RV Uthappa† c Starc b Aaron 22

SA Yadav not out 24

R Vinay Kumar c Morkel b Starc 4

Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 4) 7

Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 150

Did not bat: SP Narine, M Morkel, UT Yadav

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Gambhir, 0.3 ov), 2-10 (Pandey, 1.2 ov), 3-90 (Lynn, 11.3 ov), 4-90 (Pathan, 11.5 ov), 5-107 (Kallis, 15.2 ov), 6-129 (Uthappa, 17.1 ov), 7-150 (Vinay Kumar, 19.6 ov)

Bowling: MA Starc 4-0-33-2, JA Morkel 2-0-21-1, VR Aaron 4-0-16-3, M Muralitharan

2-0-25-0, YS Chahal 4-026-1, AB Dinda 4-0-26-0

Bangalore T20 innings (target: 151 runs from 20 overs)

PA Patel† c Lynn b Vinay Kumar 21

YV Takawale lbw b Kallis 40 V Kohli* b Narine 31 Yuvraj Singh c Pathan b UT Yadav 31 AB de Villiers c Lynn b Vinay Kumar 11 JA Morkel not out 6 MA Starc not out 0 Extras: (lb 5, w 2, nb 1) 8 Total:

Injured Woods hopeful of summer return

World number one Tiger Woods hopes to return to competition this summer but is more concerned about ensuring his long-term fitness, his agent has said.

The 38-year-old American has not played since the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March and has since had surgery on a pinched nerve in his back.

“I don’t know when he will be playing but I expect it to be this summer,” his representative Mark Steinberg said.

“This is about the next 10 or 15 years, this is not about the next 10 weeks.”

Woods, who won the most recent of his 14 majors at the 2008 US Open, is highly unlikely to be

fit for this year’s event at Pinehurst, North Carolina, which starts on 12 June.

The third major of the season is the Open Championship, which begins on 17 July at Hoylake.

The Merseyside links venue is where Woods captured the the last of his three Claret Jugs in 2006.

“As the weeks go by we’ll be able to pinpoint an approximate time,” Steinberg said of Woods’s recovery process. “It’s still a little early for that.

“He’s doing a little bit more and more each day but this is not about targeting any specific tournament.

“If he needs to wait one or two or three extra weeks he will, he’s thinking about this very, very long term.” (BBC Sport)

Golf: Pinehurst U.S. Open attracts record entry total

This year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, Northern Carolina has attracted a record total of 10,127 entries, the United States Golf Association (USGA) said on Thursday.

The number of applicants for the June 1215 tournament eclipsed the previous best of 9,860 for last year’s U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

“The number of entries, from across the world, affirms both the great appeal of playing in our national championship and the history surrounding Pinehurst No. 2,” USGA vice president Daniel Burton said in a statement.

The U.S. Open, the second of the year’s four majors, will be held for a third time on the classic No. 2 Course at Pinehurst with its notorious upturned-saucer greens.

The most recent U.S. Open staged there was in 2005, won by New Zealand’s Michael Campbell.

Bernie Ecclestone denies bribery in Germany trial

ormula 1 boss Bernie

FEcclestone has denied bribery charges at the start of his trial in Munich.

He is accused of giving a $45m (£27.5m; 33m euros) bribe to a German banker to secure the sale of a stake in the F1 business to a company he favoured.

Mr Ecclestone admits paying Gerhard Gribkowsky, who is serving a jail sentence for receiving the payment, but has denied any wrongdoing.

He continues to run the F1 business on a day-to-day basis despite the charges.

To alleviate his workload, however, Mr Ecclestone has stood down from a number of F1-related positions until the case concludes.

As the trial began, his lawyers issued a brief statement confirming that he would fight to clear his name.

“The alleged bribery never happened. The prosecution’s claims are based on statements by Dr Gribkowsky, which are wrong, misleading and not conclusive,” the statement read.

Correspondents say that he appeared relaxed as he consulted with his lawyers before proceedings got un-

derway.

Asked by a journalist outside the court whether he was confident of victory, he replied: “I’m confident the sun is shining.”

‘Breach of trust’

German prosecutors allege that he bribed Mr Gribkowsky, who was on the board of Bayern Landesbank, to ensure that F1 was sold to a private equity group of Mr Ecclestone’s choice.

The allegation is that by securing the sale of the stake to a company Mr Ecclestone favoured, he would remain in charge of Formula 1 and its commercial rights, broadcast payments and sponsorship deals.

The payments were made between July 2006 and December 2007.

He admits paying Gribkowsky, but says he was effectively the victim of

blackmail. The 83-year-old Briton has said the banker had been threatening to reveal false details of his tax affairs.

Mr Ecclestone listened through an interpreter as his lawyer read a lengthy statement setting out the F1 boss’s version of events.

The statement went back to his childhood during World War Two and recalled German bomber raids on the town of Dartford, Kent, where he went to school.

Mr Ecclestone, who married for a third time in 2012 to a Brazilian woman more than 40 years his junior, defused some of the early tension when asked to clarify his marital status.

When asked if he was married or divorced, he at first replied “both.”

“I like to remember the divorce part,” he told the court.(BBC Sport)

Roberto Martinez tips Moyes for quick return to management

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has backed predecessor David Moyes to make a swift return to management.

Moyes, who led Everton to fourth in the Premier League during 11 years at the club, left to join Manchester United last summer but was sacked on Tuesday.

“I am sure he will be ready to get into another job and I am sure he won’t have a lack of offers,” Martinez said.

“He will always be well thought of and we will always be thankful of the job he did at our football club.”

dismissed only 10 months into a six-year contract, having achieved 27 wins from 51 matches and suffered seven home defeats, leaving United in seventh place and likely to miss out on European qualification for the first time since the ban on English clubs was lifted in 1990.

Moyes’s final match in charge of United proved to be a 2-0 defeat against his former team at Goodison Park last weekend.

“We all know he is a very successful man and has a real strong winning mentality and he will get ready to bounce back straight away.

“It is very difficult to get that experience, the amount of years he has been working at the highest level, and the know-how he has is a real strength.

England’s Justin Rose will defend the title he clinched by two shots at Merion last year, after overhauling 54-hole leader Phil Mickelson in the final round.

Eleven other former champions are fully exempt for this year’s edition: Angel Cabrera (2007), Campbell (2005), Ernie Els (1994, 1997), Jim Furyk (2003), Lucas Glover (2009), Retief Goosen (2001, 2004), Graeme McDowell (2010), Rory McIlroy (2011), Geoff Ogilvy (2006), Webb Simpson (2012) and Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008).

Local qualifying for the U.S. Open will be held at 111 venues from May 2-19 after which 36 holes of sectional qualifying will take place at 12 locations from May 26-June 2.

For the 10th year in a row, two of the sectional qualifiers are international. One will be held in Japan and the other in England, both on May 26.

To be eligible to enter the U.S. Open, a player must be a professional or have a handicap of 1.4 or better.

(Reuters)

“We all know he is going to be very successful in the future”

Martinez on Moyes Moyes won the League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year three times at Everton, where he won 218 of his 518 matches in charge.

But as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor he was

“We know David Moyes will look forward to the next footballing chapter and next experience,” said former Swansea and Wigan boss Martinez, who has taken Everton to fifth in his first season.

“We all know he is going to be very successful in the future. It has been a difficult experience, but any experience is a good experience in this game unfortunately.”

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce also backed Moyes to make a successful return to the game but suggested the 50-year-old should take some time off before making his next decision. (BBC Sport)

Weight concerns behind Phelps return

Eighteen-time Olympic swimming champion

Michael Phelps says concerns about weight gain were behind his decision to return to the sport.

The 28-year-old American ended his career after winning an unprecedented 22nd Olympic medal at London 2012, but confirmed his competitive comeback earlier this month.

He will swim the 100m butterfly event at the Mesa Grand Prix on Thursday.

“Getting back into shape was the number one thing,” he said.

“At my highest point, I was 225lb [102kg] and I raced at 187lb [85kg] in London, so the weight came on pretty quick.”

Ahead of his return in Arizona, North Baltimorebased Phelps continued: “I wanted to see how much

weight I could lose and how much I could progress.”

Long-term coach Bob Bowman admitted the most decorated Olympian was “really out of shape” when he returned to the pool last year but the swimmer has made encouraging progress since.

Phelps fuelled speculation about a potential comeback in November by reregistering with the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Bowman told the BBC soon after that he believed Phelps could challenge for

further honours at the 2016 Rio Games if he was fully motivated.

Phelps himself was noncommittal over his long-term future at a news conference on Wednesday but admitted to enjoying the sport more than he did leading into the London Olympics.

“Going into 2012, it was hard,” he said. “There were lots of ups and downs and it was hard to get motivated at times.”

Phelps dismissed concerns he could damage his legacy if his comeback failed.

Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe tried to come back ahead of London 2012 but did not qualify.

“I’m doing this for me,” said Phelps. “If I don’t become as successful as you all think I should be, then that’s your own opinion.” (BBC Sport)

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Nadal reaches quarterfinals at Barcelona Open

World number one Rafael Nadal booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open with a 6-3 6-3 win over Croatian Ivan Dodig.

Nadal, who has won the tournament eight times, sealed victory over the world number 37 in one hour and 23 minutes.

The 27-year-old will now meet fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro on Friday after he overcame compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3.

Nadal met Almagro in last year’s final, which he won in straight sets.

Should he come through his last-eight contest, Nadal will face the winner of the quarter-final between German Philipp Kohlschreiber and Colombian Santiago Giraldo.

Nadal has lost just two sets during his 42-match winning streak in Barcelona, and his only defeat came on his tournament debut in 2003 when he was beaten by compatriot Alex Corretja. (BBC Sport)

Rafael Nadal

Atapattu tipped to coach SL in England

Sri Lanka’s chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya issued the strongest indication yet that Marvan Atapattu would be appointed coach for the tour of Ireland and England, following Paul Farbrace’s resignation on Tuesday.

Jayasuriya, head of coaching Jerome Jayaratne, and cricket committee chairman Ranjit Fernando have been appointed in a threemember committee to formulate SLC’s next move.

The panel is expected to recommend a coach - in at least an interim capacity - to the board on Monday.

Atapattu had applied for the head coach posi-

tion when Graham Ford announced he would vacate the job, and had progressed to the final round of interviews in November, before Farbrace was appointed. Atapattu has been Sri Lanka’s batting coach since for three years, and was promoted to assistant coach in March 2013.

“We should look to give responsibility to Marvan because he’s been around for a few years,” Jayasuriya said.

“But we haven’t taken any decisions yet. The first step is to have a discussion with Marvan and clear up how to approach this issue, particularly in light of the fast-approaching England tour.

“We had had a plan for the tour, part of which was to send a group of about six players to England early, which we were hoping Paul would facilitate. Now that he’s gone, we’ve got to find another way to do that.

Atapattu has earned a reputation for his technical acumen - as a coach, as he had been as a playerbut he was deemed unready for head coach role late last year. Both Farbrace and Ford have publicly lauded his work ethic.

“We need to ask Marvan what he feels, and how he’s going to do things before we make any decisions,” Jayasuriya said. (ESPNcricinfo)

Elizabeth Styles U-19, 50-over cricket…

Latchaya (159*), Ramcharran (147*) flay Kendall’s Union

Outstanding batting by two Berbice Under-19 batsmen, both playing for the Albion Community Centre, highlighted the latest matches of the 2014 Elizabeth Styles Under-19, 50-over cricket competition in Berbice.

When Albion took first strike against Kendall’s Union they lost an early wicket with only two runs on the board, but Sharaz Ramcharran joined Guyana Under-15 batsman Adrian Sukhwa, and they put on 110 for the second wicket before Sukhwa fell for 38.

David Latchaya came in and he and Ramcharran proceeded to put on 290 in an unbroken third- wicket stand in 31 overs to help Albion post 402-2 from the allotted 50 overs.

Latchaya ended on 159 not out (15x4s) and Ramcharran 147 not out (13x4s). After that, off-spinner Balchand Baldeo proceeded to take 6-9 from five overs and left-arm spinner Asif Ally 3-15 from four overs to bowl Kendall’s Union out for 46 to give Albion a massive 356-run victory.

Meanwhile, Raymond

Braithwaite slammed 91 (12x4s, 3x6s) to steer D’Edward to 199 in 42 overs against Bush Lot New Generation, whose off-spinner Hakeem Miller took 6-35. Braithwaite, bowling medium pace, then took three early wickets to see Bush Lot shakily placed at 119-6 before Shawn Smith with 56 not out (3x4s, 2x6s) and Winston Joseph (48*), featured in an 85-run unbroken seventh -wicket stand to guide their team to victory.

Elsewhere, Kareem Mentore’s 60 helped Acheivers ‘A’ attain victory

GCA/Brain Street U-15 Tournament…..

ECCCC, Rose Hall meet on Sunday

over their ‘B’ team counterparts at the Bath ground. Below are the summarised scores from the games.

At Albion: Albion Community Centre beat Kendall’s Union by 356 runs. Albion Community Centre 402-2 from 50 overs (David Latchaya 159*, Sharaz Ramcharran 147*, Adrian Sukhwa 38) Kendall’s Union 46 all out in 11 overs (Balchand Baldeo 6-9, Asif Ally 3-15).

At D’Edward: Bush Lot New Generation beat D’Edward by four wickets. D’Edward 199 in 42 overs (Raymond Braithwaite 91, Andrew Rambarran 34, Hakeem Miller 6-35, Randy Singh 2-23) Bush Lot New Generation 204-6 in 37 overs (Shawn Smith 56*, Winston Joseph 48*, Adrian Singh 27, Raymond Braithwaite 3-48).

At Bath: Acheivers ‘A’ beat Acheivers ‘B’ by 82 runs. Acheivers ‘A’ 190 in 33.5 overs (Kareem Mentore 60, Joseph Nicholas 3-39, Carlton Nicholson 3-29) Acheivers ‘B’ 108 in 26 overs (Carlton Nicholson 41*, Osbert Cain 3-19, Darius Nedd 2-2, Grisean Grant 2-20).

Win for GCC, GNIC, TSC and MSC

After another day of action on Thursday in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) sponsored Brain Street Under-15 tournament, the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC), Transport Sport Club (TSC) and Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) came out on top.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), the hosts won by three wickets over Bel Air Rubis. After deciding to bat first, the visitors were undermined by left-arm spinner Stephon Wilson (5-25) and were bundled out for 76 in 28.3 overs.

There were no significant contributions from the batsmen with extras contributing 33 to the total. In reply, the home team stuttered, before reaching 79-7 in 26.2 overs with Wislon and Joshua Ragubar scoring 13 and 16 respectively.

Michael Pooran (3-11) and Vishal Moochan (3-18) were the pick of the bowlers for the losers.

At the Demerara Cricket Club ground, the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) snatched a thrilling one-run victory over the hosts ‘A’ team.

First , the home team bowlers led by Ashmead Nedd, Sagar Hathiramani

and Otto Jones produced magical spells to skittle GNIC out for a paltry 84 in 36.4 overs.

Nedd finished with 4-20 off 7.4 overs, while Hathiramani and Jones had figures of 3-16 and 2-12 respectively.

Paul Thomas (13) and Christopher Campbell (11) were the only batsmen that reached double figures.

However the hosts, after being comfortably placed at 45-3, suffered a middle and late- order collapse and were eventually bowled out for 83. No further details on the innings were available when this publication visited the venue.

At theEverest Cricket Club ground, Transport Sports Club (TSC) defeated the hosts’ by 89 runs.

TSC rattled up 177 in 36 overs, after being asked to bat first. Adrian Hinds topscored with 40, Colin Barlow made 39, while Mark Ramsammy contributed 15. Zaheer Bristol picked up 2-20 bowling for the hosts, who in reply were dismissed for 88 in 30.1 overs.

Joel Spooner (5-22) and Colin Barlow (2-14) were the chief destroyers for the hosts.

At the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) whipped Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) by six wickets.

Batting first, GYO scored 158 in 45 overs with Pradesh Balkissoon (26), Navindra Persaud (25) and Ronald Basdeo (22) being the main contributors with the bat. Sase Nerville (4-26) was the best bowler on show for the hosts.

In reply, MSC reached 159-4 in 45 overs. Sase Nerville returned with the bat to top score with 35 not out. He received support from Renaldo McGarrell 31 not out and Avin Gangadin 30.

The competition continues today.

After rain forced a postponement of the return game between the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) and the Rose Hall Estate Sports Club (RHESC) on April 13, action will take place on Sunday at the Rose Hall Community Centre at Canje.

The RHESC will look for revenge after suffering defeats in two games to hosts ECCCC last month.

Playing at the Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara, the ECCCC first prevailed over the visitors by seven wickets in a 35-over game. Due to the game finishing early, the two teams decided to play a 10/10 match, which the ECCCC won by four runs.

While the RHESC suffered defeats on the field of play in cricket, their tabletennis players returned the favour to their Enmore counterparts, beating the hosts in a two-way showdown in the club’s auditorium.

Come Sunday, when a 40over contest will be played

from 11:00h, the RHESC will look to exploit familiar home conditions and reverse the results.

The home team will bank on Robin Mohabir, Ameer Rahaman, Adrian Haralsingh, Rocky Beepat, Keon Isaacs and Fawaz Hussain.

The ECCCC, on the other hand, will hinge their hopes of maintaining supremacy over RHESC on the likes of skipper Bheemraj Ramkellawan, young batsmen Vishwanauth Ramlakhan and Rudolph Singh, fast bowlers Chetram Ramlall, Gavin Moriah and Ranjeet Heeralall, allrounder Yuvraj Dyal and the talented off-spinner Satesh Jainarine.

Cricket aside, the two clubs, which were resuscitated only last year, will engage each other at dominoes, table-tennis and volleyball. The ECCCC was revived in March 2013, while the RHESC became functional again in October last. (Avenash Ramzan)

Coaches recruited as Child Protectors

Cricket coaches and officers in St. Kitts and Nevis will undergo training in child protection as part of the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) revamped Coaching Education Programme.

The first workshop begins on Friday (April 25) at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium, while the second takes place on May 9 at the Red Cross Centre in Nevis.

Leeward Islands Territorial Development Officer Junie Mitcham is coordinating the one-day workshops. He noted that coaches from the Department of Sports, physical educators at various primary schools and other private coaches will attend. Mitcham said that the topics will have a relevant component to the field.

“The coach himself can be doing something to the child, probably asking the child to run five laps … knowing fully well the condition of the weather – in terms of the heat,” he stat-

ed. “It may be too much for the child [and] that in itself is like abuse because you are putting a child through something that the body may not be able to take.”

Traditional types of abuse such as physical, emotional and sexual will also be covered by Glentine Wattley, a Probation and Child Protection Officer at the local Department of Probation and Child Protective Services.

“We will not only be able to relay the messages of child abuse and child protection to a vast number of children, but also this will give us the opportunity to reach parents of all strata and caregivers who interact with children,” said Ms. Wattley, while highlighting the benefits of educating members of the cricket fraternity.

At the end of the workshop, each participant must demonstrate an understanding of the topic before they are certified to function as child protection advocates.

(Windiescricket)

Back to basics J

Bennett: Tentative batting made it tense

Walsh urges coaches to stress fundamentals to young cricketers

Legendary West Indian fast-bowler Ambassador Courtney Walsh yesterday outlined that the importance of the Cricket Clinics and Camps is to ensure that youngsters know the basics of the game which will lend itself to their development in the sport.

“One of the areas that we work on is to ensure that they have the basics, because once they have the basics to work from, then they can always improvise and improve on the game in technique... but without the basics, then nothing is going to happen for them,” he said.

Speaking at a media briefing to launch the Supreme Ventures/Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinics at the Courtleigh Hotel, the former West Indies captain added that the programme has over the years produced some bright prospects such as John Campbell who is currently a member of the national senior cricket team

Courtney Walsh

and Ramaal Lewis, who has captained the regional team at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels.

“We have worked with a number of youngsters in partnership with the JCA to ensure that those names are kept on the radar and this clinic won’t be any different. We went out and did some scouting of our own and we have about 60 names so far that we can start working

Jamaica teams ready to blaze at Penn Relays

The biggest relay carnival in the world, the Penn Relays, will take centre stage from April 24-26, 2014 on the grounds of the University of Pennsylvania. Many of the world’s top track and field high schools, colleges and national teams will travel miles to this prestigious event seeking glory. This year fans should witness over 22,000 athletes participating in 425 events over the three days of competition. Several outstanding Caribbean athletes will be on display this year at the 120th staging of the Penn Relays representing their respective high schools and universities.

For many years, the Jamaican high schools have brought their flair and highspirited culture to the relays, which has secured their legacy and thrilled spectators. One such school is Kingston College, an institution that paved the way fifty years ago winning on debut, and today remains a shining beacon for other schools. Kingston College will receive official recognition for their inspirational role at the Penn Relays this year.

The Jamaican high school athletes are naturally competitive and usually relish the opportunity to compete not only against their native high school counterparts but also against top U.S. and Caribbean high schools at Franklin Field. The added bonus of securing a track & field scholarship through quality performances is also a magnetic source of motivation.

The strength of the competition from their U.S, Canadian, South African and Caribbean opponents this year are unknown, however, based on the superlative performances at the Gibson Relays and Boys & Girls championships, the Jamaican high schools should equip themselves well against quality opposition.

Some outstanding Caribbean seniors will also be on show, the list includes, Kerron Stewart, Michael Frater, Chris Brown, Michelle-Lee Ahye and Natoya Goule. Other countries represented this year include, Brazil, China, Ireland, Nigeria, Mexico, Sierra Leone and Australia. (Trackalerts.com)

with immediately.

“I think it’s very important that we work with these Under-15 kids... all of them might not play Under-15 for Jamaica, but we want by the time they start playing Under-19, they will be fully ready for it. We want to get a few representatives not just for the West Indies Under-19, but we are hoping that a few of these names will one day play for the senior team in the not-too- distant future,” Walsh said. (Jamaica Observer)

amaica’s senior cricket coach, Junior Bennett, believes players were too tentative and that was the main reason behind their tense, one-wicket victory over Barbados in the WICB Four-day Tournament semi-final at Kensington Oval on Tuesday.

The Jamaicans, resuming the final day on 106 for two and needing 61 runs to win with eight wickets in hand, squeezed home at 167 for nine.

“We lost our two overnight batsmen early and were too tentative, thus allowing the Barbadian bowlers to dictate proceed-

ings,” Bennett said.

“Having said that, credit must be given to Kevin Stoute and [Sulieman] Benn for the way they bowled,” he added.

“We will now turn our attention to the final and try and play good cricket right throughout the match,” Bennett said.

The final, which is set to begin on Saturday, will see Jamaica facing off against the Windward Islands at Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia. The teams are playing for the Weekes/Headley Challenge Trophy. (Windiescricket)