Guyana Times Daily 30th Oct 2013

Guyana achieves record rice production

Police probing fatal accident at De Kinderen

Regional stats gurus urged to expose youths to profession

IPA, Pressy’s get big contracts to supply equipment for forensic lab

Latin American gaming rep holds talks with local body

Region 10 for crucial meeting with govt

wednesday, october 30, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Regional stats gurus urged to expose youths to profession

Practitioners in the field of statistics have been challenged to demystify the field to young people in the Caribbean and find imaginative ways to expose them to all that is intriguing about pursuing a career in the field.

The charge was delivered Monday morning by St Kitts and Nevis Education Minister Nigel Carty, as he made remarks at the opening ceremony of the 38th meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) and the 23rd meeting of the Regional Census Coordinating Committee (RCCC). The meetings are being held in St Kitts and Nevis. The SCCS is being held on October 28-30, while the RCCC will be convened on October 31.

According to a Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat report, Carty told delegates to the meeting that ways had to be found to increase the general public’s awareness of the importance of statistics in public and private life, and to increase their comfort level with the subject mat-

ter.

“Firstly, in our outreach to the public, we must avoid even terms like ‘statistical Literacy’ which only serves to place yet another wall between the field of statistics and the public. We must modify our language so that it becomes human and understandable,” he said.

Minister Carty said that practitioners must ensure that within the borders of the Caribbean, there were Caribbean statisticians who provided the data and analyses that were critical to the effective and efficient functioning of Caribbean progress and stability.

Special

significance

The meetings are being held as the Caricom marks its 40th anniversary, when St Kitts and Nevis celebrates its 30th anniversary of independence, and during the observance of International Year of Statistics under the theme “Statistics in Everyday Life – Let us Educate and Appreciate”.

“All of these milestones give our gathering here today a special significance

and resonance because it is a fact that neither Caricom, over the past 40 years, nor St Kitts-Nevis over the past 30, could have achieved much without the data, the trend lines, the projections – the reality that is put before us on a daily basis, all grounded in statistics, and on which we depend,” the minister said.

He pointed out that the vast majority of the world’s population had no idea how many areas of their lives were influenced and governed by the work of pro-

fessional statisticians. He singled out the trends in a country’s inflation rates that were directly tied to decisions about wages and pensions.

Economic growth trajectories influenced what commitments government could make. Past and projected revenue flows, he added, had a direct bearing on whether or not special stimulus programmes were required, while population trends determined whether – and where – banks and other private sector entities

opened branches.

In his remarks, Minister Carty also recognised the pivotal role that the Caricom Secretariat played in helping to advance the regional integration agenda from the Caribbean Common Market (CCM) to the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), which envisaged the free movement of people, capital, and goods and services within the region.

Neither coincidental nor coerced

“These developments are neither coincidental nor coerced, but are the purposeful efforts of Caricom to promote the sustainable growth and development of the region, improve the standard of living and work of our people, and enhance regional integration,” he said.

With specific reference to the Regional Statistics Work Programme (RSWP), Minister Carty said the RSWP was playing a major role in the development and harmonisation of economic, socio-demographic, and environmental statistics

across member and associate member states. More specifically, he said, the secretariat, with the support of various other organisations played a vital role in securing and funding technical expertise to assist member countries in developing good and relevant statistical data sets

He expressed appreciation to key organisations that supported the work of the community in the work of statistics, including the European Union (EU), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Statistics Canada, and various agencies within the UN system.

“I use this opportunity to express sincere thanks for the unwavering commitment and support of these organisations to the development of the community,” the minister said.

Police probing fatal accident at De Kinderen

Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred about 11:45h Monday on the De Kinderen Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

Dead is Ahad Sheik, 19, of De Willem, West Coast Demerara. Investigations revealed that the driver of motor lorry GKK 1849 was proceeding along the road way, when it is alleged that Sheik, who was driving mo-

torcycle CF 2204 and proceeding in the opposite direction, over took a motor car and collided with the lorry. Sheik suffered injuries and was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the motor lorry is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Anti-money laundering bill

West ups pressure on APNU

Key diplomats here on Tuesday met with officials of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) as they continue to pressure the main opposition coalition to move forward with the government and pass the anti-money laundering bill.

The meeting comes on the heels of the United States and the United Kingdom expressing concern about the status of the legislation during an exclusive interview with this newspaper on Monday.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

The APNU said the meeting was held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

“The main concern of the diplomats was the status of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill,” the coalition said in its statement.

The APNU added that it used the opportunity to restate its concerns about the shortcomings of the current legislation and the fact that the work of the select committee was brought to an abrupt end without the benefit of significant input from the partnership and other interested parties. “APNU assured the Western diplomats that the partnership is desirous of an anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism legislation that is not flawed; that restructures and strengthens the capacity of the Financial Intelligence Unit and addresses all of the deficits of the current legisla-

tion.”

Blacklisting Present at the meeting were U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt, British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles, and European Union representative Derek Lambe. APNU was represented by its chairman and opposition leader, retired Brigadier David Granger; Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; Basil Williams; Carl Greenidge; Joseph Harmon; and Ronald Bulkan. During their interview with Guyana Times on Monday, the U.S. and UK envoys warned that the effects of being blacklisted can be damaging if Guyana does not pass the bill. The diplomats also said in the interview that APNU should put forward its proposal when the House convenes. It is anticipated

that the bill will soon be read in the House for a third time before it is debated.

Accusing the APNU of employing delaying tactics ahead of the November 18 deadline set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) concluded the work of the parliamentary special select committee in the absence of the opposition last week. However, Ambassador Hardt believes that the opposition can still make its case. “If the main opposition has amendments or ideas it thinks can make the legislation stronger, to make sure that it meets all of CFATF’s standards, they should put those on the table and debate them and move the legislation forward.”

In noting another delay the bill may face if passed in the National Assembly, the ambassador said, “I don’t know what that process is from approval to assent; I mean the local government bills, that process has taken three months, so I am not sure if this could move more quickly or not.”

He added that the U.S. is a strong supporter of countries that are instituting systems to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. On the local scene, the U.S. embassy has been engaging the government, the opposition, the private sector, and other stakeholders on the issue of compromise. Based on extensive discussions, the

U.S. ambassador opined, all are in favour of ensuring that Guyana has strong and effective anti-money laundering legislation.

Difficulties

Meanwhile, Ayre said already British investors are worried about some substantial investments in the pipeline for Guyana. Guyanese banks will face sanctions if the anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism bill is not passed.

He noted that with regards to the Bank of England, that institution is putting systems in place to cushion the impact that will likely follow if Guyana is blacklisted owing to its non-compliance with the CFATF requirements.

“The Bank of England is concerned about Guyana’s move towards potential blacklisting. It is in touch with my high commission in order to carry out continuous planning if blacklisting formally happens,” the British diplomat said. Ayre said the process of sending remittances from the UK to Guyana will become difficult, as a result of increased scrutiny if the country is blacklisted. “In terms of UK business investors, of course, they are worried about some substantial investments which are in the pipeline, so they don’t want Guyana to be, in any way, blacklisted, because it will increase the cost of doing business here.”

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

Against statelessness

In the present era, not many Guyanese appreciate the plight of “statelessness”. The modern world is one in which the individual finds recognition in being a citizen of a country. Statelessness has a terrifying impact on the lives of individuals since the possession of nationality is essential for full participation in society and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of the full range of human rights.

Selected rights, such as the right to vote, may be limited to nationals, but of even greater concern is that numerous other rights of stateless people are violated in practice. They are often unable to obtain identity documents; they may be detained because they are stateless; and they could be denied access to education and health services or blocked from obtaining employment.

In the worst case scenario, they can be expelled into a putative “home country” that also does not recognise them.

Given the seriousness of the problem, the United Nations (UN) in 1954 adopted the Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to a nationality and that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality, nor denied the right to change his nationality. Yet, this is precisely what the Constitutional Court of The Dominican Republic (DR) has done to over 200,000 of its citizens a month ago.

The DR shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, which we all know, is grindingly poor. From the beginning of their history as independent countries, their histories have intersected, as Haiti occupied the DR several times. Subsequently, as the impoverished Haitians searched for a better life, hundreds of thousands settled in the DR in the 20th century to work as labourers in the sugar industry.

There are presently almost half a million persons of Haitian origin now living in DR with 200,000 born there. For many years, the DR granted citizenship to anyone born in its territory. But starting around the 1990s, the government began denying birth certificates and an identification card, called the “cedula”, to the children of people who had entered the country without papers.

In 2007, the Electoral Council official ordered the denial of citizenship documents to all children born to illegal immigrants and local officials began confiscating the papers of people who already had their documents.

One woman who had been born of Haitian parents in DR challenged the practice. The court then made the Electoral Council’s decision legally applicable to all such persons born from 1929, under the new DR constitution that had been promulgated in 2010. The ruling has racist overtones since it links nationality to notions of race and language. These overtones of race have always permeated Haitian-DR relations.

One irony is that the DR has more than 1.5 million of its citizens (out of a total pop 10.2 million) living in the U.S. with more than half (57 per cent) born in DR. One wonders how the DR would react if the U.S. would treat them under its ongoing reform of its immigration laws as the DR does people of Haitian origin.

The DR has applied to become a member of the Caricom Community (Caricom) since 1989 and in July this year, its President Danilo Medina attended the heads of government meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago as an observer. It is also a member of the Forum of the Caribbean Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM), which accepted the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU back in 2008.

Caricom, therefore, has some influence on the DR While it has “noted with regret” the action of the DR court and pointed out its violation of the American Convention on Human Rights, it has to make a more forceful response. To its credit, Guyana has moved in that direction by insisting it stands in solidarity with “its sister Caricom member state of Haiti in support of its efforts to build international consensus against this inhumane ruling”.

Let us take a stand against statelessness in our region.

Students of Golden Grove Secondary School (green uniforms) and St Stanislaus College perform at the opening of the 16th biennial regional conference of presiding officers and clerks of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on Monday

Letter to Kaieteur News about misleading article

The following is an email which was sent to Kaieteur News editor Adam Harris regarding a misleading headline published in Tuesday’s edition of the newspaper.

Dear Mr Harris,

It was with great dismay that I read the misleading front page headline of Tuesday’s edition of Kaieteur News headlined, “Radio licence court case... govt asks for more time to file defence”.

The matters were called before Chief Justice Ian Chang on Monday and I

appeared for the Attorney General Anil Nandlall on behalf of the first, second, third and fourth named respondents in the constitutional motion filed by attorney Roysdale Ford and for the first and second named respondents in the constitutional motion filed by Rex Mc Kay, SC. These proceedings were filed on April 19 and April 25, respectively.

I never made an application to the court asking for more time to “file a defence” on behalf of the government. Both proceedings were brought by way of notice of

motion, therefore the question of a defence does not arise. Nevertheless, affidavits in answer to both matters were filed on behalf of the government since June 14 and August 20, 2013.

In fact, the attorney holding for Mc Kay asked the court for more time to file an affidavit in reply to the government’s affidavit in answer, which was filed in excess of four months now. All of this can be verified upon perusal of the judge’s minute book, which will reflect same. In the circumstances, therefore, I demand an apology, but more importantly a published correction of the misleading headline. Given the gravity of the implications which the misleading headline portrays, I insist that the published correction be given the same prominence as the misleading headline.

I look forward to your cooperation.

Regards, Arianne Mc Lean

Attorney/State Counsel

Attorney General’s Chambers

Drivers need to exercise greater caution

Dear Editor, Several accidents have occurred recently as a result of drivers or motorcyclists failing to exhibit caution on the roadway. Recently, failure to check for approaching traffic while turning onto a main road has resulted in the occurrence of numerous accidents and even death to many road users.

Just recently, a taxi driver careened on to the Onderneeming Public Road failing to acknowledge any coming traffic. His careless decision resulted in a collision with a truck causing his demise. Prior to this incident, there was a similar

one involving a young motor cyclist who encroached on the main road without coming to a stop and was subsequently struck by a car.

Many drivers are now under the habit of not stopping at junctions. They refuse to approach with caution and hastily proceed onward.

The use of optical illusions at all major roads is one option to consider addressing this issue. In some developed countries, engineers and artists that are engaged by various traffic departments often create images of children playing on roads or approaching

school zones. This method often comes as a surprise to many drivers and forces them to approach with caution.

Guyana’s taxi drivers and minibus operators have claimed the title of being hasty drivers. They are either always in a hurry to get a passenger or to get to their destination. Additionally, some passengers further encourage these drivers to play loud music and increase their speed.

Personally, I believe that loud music should be banned completely. These drivers are fully aware that they can be charged for loud

music and so they play it safe. They amplify their music for their passengers and then lower the volume at the sight of a police officer on the road.

Clearly this matter isn’t being taken as serious as it should. Every campaign held against loud music has been fruitless and short lived.

If we want safer roads, we need to generate cautious and courteous drivers. The reckless and inexperienced should not be allowed to meander the streets.

Sincerely, Wesley

Culpepper

A Hindu mandir on campus

Dear Editor, Kindly consider publishing this letter about the cultural achievements of our foreign students. I live in Miami, Florida.

For the last three years, a group of mostly female Hindu students of IndoCaribbean descent have gotten together and formed a Hindu club and the first ever mandir on a campus in New York City amongst the city universities.

The students are mainly from Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana with a small percentage from India, America and Europe. The Hindu club gave a kind of parallel academic growth and academic empowerment in which most Indian graduates do not have including studies in Hindu philosophy, history and issues they face around the world to uphold that dharma. The club also attracts many non-Hindus out of curiosity and fascination with the culture.

The founding sisters include Nisha Ramracha, Melanie Balmick, Hardai Banjoo, Evelisse Viamonte, Linda Willis, Tina Marie and Roshelle Ramtahal. They are currently trying to have Hindu studies and have Hindi become a part of the school curriculum, since all graduates are required to have a foreign language and diversi-

ty courses for graduation.

However, while the school met all their needs, the ladies were surprised that most of their opposition in forming the club and mandir came from the Hindu students from India. The students from India, many of whom belong to an Indian cultural club on campus, never entertained the idea of having a mandir on campus in an environment that has all places of worship for the other faiths.

These Indians either displayed a high degree of ignorance, jealousy or a lack of nationalism. In fact, the school placed the mandir right next to the campus mosque and one Hindu from India asked them to move the mandir, citing that the Caribbean Hindus should have respect for Islamic beliefs in absolutely no idol worship.

The mandir was built next to the mosque anyway and continues to open its doors to those who want to learn about sanatan dharma. These Indo-Caribbean sisters were credited by some top officials visiting from India in establishing the first mandir in a city university that now seems to be proliferating to other campuses.

Dhanyavaad (thank you), Vassan Ramracha

Stray animals – a leading cause of accidents

Dear Editor,

Like many individuals, I share great concern as it relates to stray animals on the roadways, in addition to the responsibilities of their owners. Too often drivers have become victims of road accidents caused by stray animals, particularly at night. The unnecessary expenses that these individuals incur are only unfair to them.

Just recently, in the vicinity of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat, there were two road accidents as a result of stray horses. It was a matter of days before these decomposing animals were attended to. The unpleasant sight and nauseating scent was left to roam the area for some time.

Stray catching has over time failed to function as ef-

fectively as it should. Others have suggested that these animals be humanely put down; given to the zoo or to butchers, who can make use of their meat. It is heartrending to hit an animal and leave it there to suffer and succumb to its injuries. For some time now, people have been advocating for the owners of these stray animals to face serious penalties.

The presence of stray animals on the roadways has over the years been one of the leading causes of fatal accidents and financial suffering in Guyana. This is an extremely serious matter and immediate action should be taken to address the issue accordingly.

Sincerely,

Jason Massiah

The dire need for good customer service

Dear Editor,

A consultant from the J Walter Thompson Management Institute Inc recently spoke on the need and importance for customer service in any nation. This awareness subsequently prompted further discussion of the topic by many others who found it to be a great necessity.

Just recently I called an organisation to report an incident. Upon making my call, I proceeded to greet the woman at the other end of the telephone line with “good evening”, but to my dismay she refused to portray any conduct of proper customer service. At this

point, I chose to inform her that it was considered common courtesy to respond or acknowledge someone who greeted her in the manner that I did.

From a young age people are taught to say good morning, good afternoon, good night, please and thank you when necessary. Basic customer service begins with these standard expressions of courtesy.

A few Fridays ago, I arrived at the Housing Ministry and was quickly and courteously attended to by the guard on duty. It dawned on me then that it is the individual themselves that need to possess

Drinking spots are prone to mishaps

Dear Editor,

This roadside and bar room culture is taking a toll on many Guyanese. The noise is terrible and it kills all good activities – reading, sleeping babies and exam preparations, among others.

One weekend recently, the Better Hope Community Centre did it yet again. It was a Saturday night happening of some sort and loud music, accompanied by shouting deejays, was most dominant. It affected the on-goings of most people.

I called the Plaisance Police Station, but nothing was done. I was told that there is some kind of collusion between the village councillors and the organisers.

This should be checked out. It is the norm – these kinds of activities pro -

mote fights.

If we think wedding houses, it is the same. As soon as some people get a touch high, they have an excuse to be indecent, disruptive and unruly. We have to do something about what is obtaining at these social spots. They have been the zones for fights, injuries and more than a few killing.

If we want neighbourhood peace and less violence, then bar tenders/owners must not sell rum to people who are already high. Also, these spots must keep the peace – the curses, swearings and arguments always have a bad ending. I maintain that we need strict monitoring of these places.

Yours truly, Yogeeta

Hemraj

and portray good attitudes that are necessary for business and the everyday way of life. It is no doubt that customer service in Guyana is poor at all levels. It has almost become critical for every individual to develop the proper skills necessary to deal with people.

The taxi drivers and bus operators that constitute the public transportation industry in Guyana are an ideal place to start.

Good customer service is a necessity for any business. Proper business etiquette is needed to build and maintain proper customer relationships. This

Companies

then guarantees customer satisfaction and profitability for a business.

Every business should take the initial step of training their staff to address key aspects of customer service. This can include proper techniques for answering the telephone, interacting and listening to people, and dealing with complaints.

Acts of common courtesy can start at home and can further be developed and practised at school and at the work place.

Sincerely, Zameena Bacchus

breaching labour laws should be addressed immediately

Dear Editor, Lately, there have been many discussions pertaining to the addressing of companies guilty of breaching labour laws. It is now necessary that action be taken against those companies who fail to implement the minimum wage law.

Many employees have made complaints as it relates to this matter and it is time for the Labour Ministry to address this issue accordingly in order to ensure compliance. Employers who fail to comply with the law should be brought to light and made an example of.

A large security firm has been suspected of not adhering to the minimum wage law and is expected to undergo scrutiny by the relevant authorities. The Labour Ministry stated that they have given employers adequate time to adapt to the new labou r law and will now prosecute any employer who failed to implement the minimum wage law. There are many instances where untrained and unskilled individuals are underpaid. The minimum wage law is expected to offer some amount of justice to these individuals and so it is necessary for the ministry to represent these individuals by addressing complaints and further prosecuting employers who fail to adhere.

Sincerely, Florence Harmon

Page Foundation

BY CHRIS WELLER

Parents have a lot on their plate when it comes to raising a child – that much is obvious. Past the bulk of daily tasks focused solely on keeping the child alive, parents must study their offspring with detective-like intensity: Is she crawling enough? Has he started grabbing yet? Why isn’t she talking?

Signs your child could be precocious A window on baby’s brain

likely he or she will excel on non-symbolic math tests later in life.

Scientists call children’s natural understanding of value their “primitive number sense.”

revealed that those infants who showed greater preference scores for the numerically changing screen performed better in later assessments.

Childhood cognitive development follows a fairly predictable path, science has found, which on the one hand may worry parents, whose child seems to be falling behind. But on the other, it can alert them to their child’s natural strengths and help them cultivate those talents. From an infant’s innate number sense to a pre-teen’s logical reasoning, here are several signs your child may be precocious.

Early number sense predicts future math skills

Children aren’t born with an innate understanding of numbers. Strictly speaking, the mathematical concepts are abstracts, instilled in children through education of the Arabic symbols that represent them. Infants as young as six months old, however, can intuitively grasp the concept of value. A recent Duke University study has found the better a child can discern between differing values, the more

“When children are acquiring the symbolic system for representing numbers and learning about math in school, they’re tap into this primitive number sense,” said study lead er Dr Elizabeth Brannon, a pro fessor of psy chology and neuroscience, in a state ment. “It’s the concep tual build ing block upon which mathe matical ability is built.”

Brannon had 48 sixmonth-olds look at two screens: one showed eight dots enlarging and chang ing position, while the other switched between eight and 16 dots, which also changed in size and position. Brannon and her colleagues concluded that babies that could tell the difference between the two numerical values looked at the numerically changing screen longer.

“We can’t measure a baby’s number sense ability at six months and know how they’ll do on their SATs,” Brannon conceded. “In fact our infant task only explains a small percentage of the variance in young chil -

dren’s math performance.

But our findings suggest that there is cognitive overlap between primitive number sense and bolic math. These are fundamental

Do they hold false beliefs?

look in her box, because that’s where she put it. But the developing child’s mind doesn’t think this way, at least not initially. Up until about kindergarten, a child’s brain isn’t formed enough to realise the people surrounding him have minds of their own – individual thoughts and fears unique to their personal experiences. The developing child can’t know that Sally doesn’t know. According to his brain, she has to know, for he has that knowledge himself.

So when he’s asked where Sally will look for her marble, the average child will reliably and confidently reply, “In Anne’s pocket.”

This phenomenon has been recreated countless times, with various backstories, and the conclusions have all upheld the original theory published 30 years ago by researchers Josef Perner and Heinz Wimmer in their model of the problem, which they dubbed the “False-Belief Test.”

BY ANNA LACEY

Ababy’s first smile is an exciting moment.

But what can it tell us about their understanding of the world? Boasting about the speed of childhood development is the sport of choice for many a doting parent.

something more, and giving us a way to peer inside the workings of their minds.

“Laughter and smiles start incredibly early, just like tears,” says Dr Caspar Addyman, a baby laughter researcher at Birkbeck College in London.

In follow-up studies three years later, non-symbolic number tests and preschool-calibrated IQ tests

Consider two friends, Sally and Anne. Sally has a marble, which she places in a box for safekeeping, before walking away. While she’s gone, Anne takes the marble from the box and puts it in her pocket. Sometime later, Sally comes back. Where will she look for the marble?

To the rational adult, the answer is obvious: she’ll

In their version, none of the three to four-year-old children correctly indicated where the object was located, while 57 per cent of four to six-year-old children did so. What’s more, 86 per cent of six to 9-year-olds indicated the location correctly. Their findings have since set a foundation for breakthrough research into childhood social disorders such as autism. (Yahoo! Health)

From the 12-week scan right through the early years, monitoring the physical and mental progress of their pride and joy is a source of both excitement and concern.

Especially rewarding is the onset of smiles, squeals and laughter – the kind of milestones that make all the disturbed nights worth it.

But is it all just wind?

Apparently not, as researchers now think that laughter and games like peekaboo could be telling us

“So this leads us to think that it’s a form of communication,” he told the BBC.

Dr Addyman has collected nearly 700 questionnaires about baby smiles and laughter from around the world.

He found that babies are smiling in response to pleasant feelings much earlier than expected, which can be as young as one-monthold. Soon after that, at between two to four months, social smiles develop that are used specifically to engage the parents.

He now hopes to take the research further and use laughter as a new way of tracking what it is that babies understand about the world around them.

The person who most greatly influenced our current view of childhood development was Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget.

Careful observations of children at different ages led him to identify four stages that everyone must go through to reach the cognitive abilities of an adult.

In the earliest months of life, Piaget said that babies are only able to learn about the world by directly interacting with it through grasping, shaking and sucking.

With each experience, he concluded, children gradually build up a picture of how the world works – a kind of naïve physics.

But Dr Addyman thinks that studying babies’ laughter can be just as effective at helping us pinpoint developments in the way their minds are expanding.

“You can’t laugh at something until you get the joke, so what they laugh at really tells us about their understanding of the world,” says Addyman. (BBC News)

Seven years on...

Families of slain KN pressmen await answers from Glenn Lall

– pressmen may have been collateral damage for deal gone

The families of the six Kaieteur News press men who were brutally gunned down on August 8, 2006 are still waiting for answers, and they say none has been forthcoming from the owner and publisher and the muckraking, opposition aligned owner of the newspaper, Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall.

There has been widespread speculation that the slain press men were collateral damage for a deal gone sour––a deal that involved the export of certain substances.

When pressed as to why they expect answers from Lall and not the police, one family member, now a widowed housewife, said, “Everybody in Guyana know the truth. Even the police know the truth. But we still nah get justice yet. The work men dem dead and gone and nobody remember we. But that is life.”

She said moving on since that fateful day has been tough, especially financially, adding that she lives in fear for her safety, thinking that she could also be a target for the same criminals who committed the act. “It got evil people all over. It got one man who know what happen that day and they live free and they can do what they want to,” she said.

At least three senior police sources delined to com-

ment when asked by Guyana Times as to the status of any ongoing investigation.

Another senior officer, who would only give a comment in person and not on the telephone, stated that over the years, one of the most intriguing developments coming out of the crime wave which gripped the country between 2000-2006 was the connection between the criminals and many shady businessmen in Guyana.

He said these people somehow always had advance information about certain incidents and were on the spot to give coverage before anyone else.

The Kaieteur News always appeared to have an inside line to Guyana’s criminal underworld, but the linkage was made explicit after

WikiLeaks released a number of cables from the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown.

In one that went back to June 15, 2006 – inciden-

tally less than two months before the slaying of the Kaieteur News workers – the embassy’s Political Officer Benjamin Canavan report-

sour

ed to the State Department about various Guyanese who passed on information to him the previous week.

Specifically in reference to Lall, Canavan noted that “Lall has a sketchy past –he translated a shoe trading business (and rumoured involvement with alien [human] smuggling) into a muckraking independent newspaper”.

“He has a finger firmly on the pulse of Guyana’s underworld, which serves his media enterprise well,” Canavan said, referring to Lall.

Seven years ago, the Kaieteur News printery at Eccles, East Bank Demerara came under attack by gunmen believed to be connected to a series of murders and robberies during a crime wave that swept Guyana

from the early 2000s. Chetram Persaud, of 76 CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Eion Wegman, 47, of 51 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown; Richard Stewart, 24, of 239 Lamaha Park East La Penitence, Georgetown; Mark Maikoo, 22, of 5 Yarrow Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown, and Shazeem Mohamed of 267 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, were shot point blank and killed.

Another worker, Wordsworth Grey, of 31 Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, was shot dead shortly before the killers stormed the printery. Senior pressman Ramchand Harripersaud and a security guard Julian De Grace were the only survivors of the bloodshed.

wednesday, october 30, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

No bail for armed robbery accused

Three miners were on Tuesday refused bail on two joint charges of robbery under arms when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Derrick Chance, 24, and Sherwin Gillis of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara and Kelon Louis, all pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on Thursday, October 24

at Aranka Backdam, North West District, being in the company of each other and armed with a revolver along with a cutlass, they robbed Sydney Naidoo of 16 penny weight of gold, one leather cap and $18,000 in cash, all together valued $190,000.

It was further alleged on the same day at Aranka Backdam, they robbed Kevin Williams of 12 penny weight of gold and one BlackBerry cellular phone worth $160,000. Again, the

trio pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Attorney Trenton Lake who represented Chance and Gillis made an application for bail for his two clients.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru stated that Naidoo and Williams were walking at Aranka Backdam, when they were approached by the defendants who were armed with a cutlass and a firearm. The trio then relieved them of the articles. Sydney

received injuries during the robbery and the BlackBerry cellular phone was recovered.

Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.

He added that if granted bail, they will not return for their trial. Bail was refused and the matters were transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for November 7.

Duke Lodge bartender fined for theft

On Tuesday, a bartender employed at Duke Lodge was fined after pleading guilty of stealing some $17,289 from Duke Lodge. He was arraigned before Magistrate Judy Latchman. Thirtyfive-year-old Danpaul Dhanraj appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts clad in a white

short sleeve shirt. It was alleged that on October 20 at Kingston, Georgetown, being employed by Roraima Airways Incorporated, he stole the sum of $17,289.

According to the prosecution’s facts, Dhanraj was given the responsibility of taking orders from customers, issuing bills and collecting monies for the orders made.

On the day in question, the defendant was scheduled to work from15:00h to 23:00h and during that time, he collected the sum of $24,214 from a customer for food and drinks, but at the end of his shift, he handed over $5127 and provided a forged bill for that order to show that he collected $5127.

Attorney Paul Fung-

A-Fat, who represented Dhanraj, stated that his client has been incarcerated for three days and also made an application for non-custodial sentencing to be imposed since it is his client’s first offence.

As such, Magistrate Latchman fined Dhanraj $50,000 with an alternative of six months imprisonment.

Eyew tness

Crying wolf...

...in education

In the story of “the boy who cried wolf”, the little alarmist misused warnings about the “big bad wolf” to such an extent that when the “big bad wolf” did actually appear, the kid was left up the creek without the proverbial paddle! Not to mention, most likely his limbs. Some in the opposition are in danger of suffering from the same fate from their sensationalised and provocative cries about “apartheid” in education.

The swami who’s principal of the school over the river, Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) – the one that’s the first Guyanese private school to win a regional award from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) – picked up the issue in our letters pages. But we think he’s too kind. Maybe that comes with “swamihood” and all that.

First of all, to talk about “apartheid” in Guyana’s education system is to really make a mockery of the dehumanisation that the non-white populations of South Africa had to undergo under apartheid in that country.

Do David Granger and Dr David Hinds really believe that there are schools in this country that people of one race cannot enter? What kind of inflammatory nonsense is this? All of the premier schools in this country, for instance, are in Georgetown. How do they draw their student population? Through the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), thank you. Which is open to every child in this country between the ages of 10 and 12. We have universal primary school education.

How can you have “apartheid” in a system that’s open to all and sundry? One argument can be that not all primary schools are equal. Kinda like the old “separate and equal” situation that existed in the U.S. before “Oliver Brown vs Board of Education” (a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in which the court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional).

But the irony is that all the most well-equipped primary schools – with facilities and trained teachers – are in Georgetown, which has the highest percentage of the constituents who Granger and Hinds are complaining of suffering from “apartheid”.

These schools also come under the direct supervision of the highly-qualified staff of the Ministry of Education –unlike the rural schools that have the regional education department. When the complete results of any of the examinations are disaggregated – be it NGSA, Caribbean Secondary Education (CSEC) or Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), the overwhelming number of highly successful students are from the Georgetown schools.

What’s gotten Granger and Hinds upset is the few high flyers who have recently emerged from the rural areas. These are merely the exceptions that prove the rule: to wit, that while there is no “apartheid” in Guyana, there is certainly severe impediments in the path of rural students in their drive for success in education.

...in employment

The seemingly endless saga of the MuckrakerKN’s hatchet man court case drags on. The one about Freddie Kissoon calling former President Bharrat Jagdeo an “ideological racist”. But things perked up a bit a couple of days ago. Seems Kissoon is now more concerned about being on the streets, pounding the pavement for a job, and all that.

Imagine this fella thinks he should still be teaching at the University of Guyana (UG). Yet he tried to convince the court he didn’t know UG’s retirement age was 60!! We aren’t sure if this is “contempt of court”...but Kissoon’s definitely contemptuous of the court.

We know he wrote on countless occasions about that “age of retirement” business. But maybe since he confessed by the time he was let go he was “over 60”, his memory’s giving out. His friend Mark Benschop did reveal he was “approaching 70”.

But surely the other confession couldn’t be a memory lapse. The one where he was forced to admit under cross that he collected and spent three months’ salary that he hadn’t worked for. But won’t admit that was in lieu of “notice” of termination. Maybe he thought UG was a house of charity?

...on Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

The opposition’s having some problems convincing the Western diplomats they couldn’t pass the amended AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation. They can say the government hasn’t informed them now!

IPA, Pressy’s get big contracts to supply equipment for forensic lab

The new forensic laboratory, which will improve the Guyana Police Force’s investigative capacity, is at an advanced stage of completion, with photographic and forensic equipment being procured for investigators.

In a statement, the Home Affairs Ministry said using the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) process, the International Pharmaceutical Agency (Guy) Limited of Lot 22 B Camp Street, Georgetown was awarded the contract to supply and deliver items to the Forensic Laboratory as follows: Lot 1 – Small Apparatus and Glassware (150 items) in the sum of $39,616,509. These items include beakers, test tubes, pipettes, and storage containers and Lot 2 –Consumables and Chemicals

(248 items) in the sum of $10,174,812. These items include chemicals, including reagents and acids. These items are needed to perform daily analysis, testing, and sampling, the ministry said. Additionally, Pressy Enterprise of Cowan and Parade streets, Kingston, Georgetown, was awarded the contract in the sum of $15,024,000 for the procurement of photographic and forensic equipment for the police force.

Back in September, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had announced that a team from Barbados has been contracted to install the equipment to facilitate the smooth running of the forensic laboratory. Rohee explained then that the imported equipment had to be calibrated on arrival in

“The security features have been already installed and by the third week in October, all the installation will be completed with respect to equipment, which will see the facility being in full operation,” he said. The Home Affairs Ministry has already hired staff.

The contract for the $840 million Police Forensic Lab falls under the Citizens’ Security Programme (CSP), initiated by the government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This programme has three components: institutional modernisation of the Home Affairs Ministry; the Community Action Component (CAC); and the modernisation of the police force, which includes the strengthening of forensic capability.

Brain waves

Satiricus is a nostalgia buff. He isn’t old enough to remember too distinctly the trains that used to run on what is now the Railway Embankment across from Lamaha Street, Georgetown. His dad would tell him stories and he would swear that, in fact, he knew the days of the Big Train Station. His favourite story as a child was about “The Little Train That Could”.

So when he saw big machines clearing the embankment the other day, he had hopes the trains would be coming back. Toot!Toot! He’d been really taken aback when all those shacks had sprouted on the embankment even though he liked those that had planted those neat rows of vegetables. Even though somewhat belatedly, they were following the People’s National Congress (PNC) exhortation to “grow more food”. But then the shacks had been removed.

Satiricus had heard the removal was because the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was installing those high-voltage wires over the embankment. Progress never stops with GPL. Who was Satiricus to complain? Anyhow, the reason GPL gave for moving the squatters sounded quite reasonable: if people lived under these high-voltage wires, radiation from the wires would fry their brains.

Well, GPL didn’t actually say “fry their brains”, but with other people who’d been careless with GPL, it was always a matter of brains being fried.

Then Satiricus saw that they were levelling the embankment and sandfilling it. Being a newshound, Satiricus asked around. He was told it was parking for the people who owned the big glass edifice at the corner of Camp and Lamaha streets – Mook Lall and Sukhpaul.

There was talk about another former bigwig (no the ponytail wasn’t a wig – “bigwig” is just a figure of speech meaning a really “big one”) owning a piece of the glass edifice, but he wrote a letter denying he even knew Mook Lall and Sukhpaul.

That wasn’t surprising since Mook Lall regularly “carried news” on people he knows to the U.S. embassy and the names end up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Satiricus was just wondering as to how Mook Lall would convince his clients at the glass edifice to park under the radio-wave emitting cables when he spied an announcement in the StabberNews that the parking was for customers of the tax agency.

Satiricus was disappointed that he’s been scooped by the StabberNews. But his question as to who would want to have people park under the radiation was answered. It was that tough head of the tax agency: whoever didn’t pay up on their taxes – like Suspenders and Mook Lall – would be sent to have their brains fried. The justice wasn’t poetic. But it was justice.

Guyana achieves record rice production

– 514,000 tonnes recorded to date

Guyana’s rice farmers have produced a record production, surpassing the 500,000 tonnes that were targeted for the entire 2013, and based on the current outlook, last year’s production record may be exceeded by 100,000 tonnes, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy disclosed on Tuesday.

“On Monday, the 21st October, for the first time in our history, we reached a goal which many persons in this country said would be impossible, and those who believe it was possible, thought that it would not happen till 2020. On the 21st October, 2013, Guyana surpassed 500,000 tonnes of rice in our production,” the minister announced.

He added: “At the present time, we are approaching 522,000 tonnes. I used that number because last year’s production was 422,000 tonnes, it was a record and for us to break that record, with more than 100,000 tonnes is an astounding story, one that all of Guyana should be very proud of.”

At present, the current rice production is 514,000 tonnes, but there is about six to seven per cent of the cultivated land yet to be harvested.

Expectations are now high that the country can reach the 600,000 tonne mark, the agriculture minister said.

“Indeed, I would say to everyone that should we be able to find the markets, not the market that would take our rice, because we have enough people who want our rice, but the markets that would pay us the price we want for our rice, then we can reach 600,000 tonnes within the next year or maximum two years,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the minister noted that this massive achievement by the farmers came not as a result of increased acreage, but as a result of higher yields.

“We consistently now surpass five tonnes per hectare, that used to be another magical goal that we are now reaching routinely, and we believe that we can reach six tonnes per hectare.”

The Agriculture

Ministry is working towards that, “because if we can do that, that is another 100,000 tonnes without adding more land, and that would mean that our cost of production would go right down and allow us to compete with other countries on the world market,” the minister said.

Guyana had two successive years (2011 and 2012) of production of more than 400,000 tonnes of rice. The 412,000 tonnes set for 2012 was surpassed by 10,000 tonnes. A total of 334,000 tonnes were exported, while in 2011, the production was 402,000 tonnes.

New rice varieties and management strategies such as the six-point practice have been credited for higher yields of rice, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Latin American gaming rep holds talks with local body

Hon Tuesday met with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) Latin American Development Representative Georges Didier, during which the two officials discussed ways in which the local gaming body could be strengthened.

According to a release from the Gaming Authority of Guyana, Didier was on a one-day visit to Guyana. Apart from meeting with Rohee, he also held meetings with the directors of the Gaming Authority of Guyana and other representatives for presentation and

discussions on gaming and its development locally.

The gaming authority welcomed Didier to Guyana and viewed his visit as one of a productive engagement for the capacity-building and institutional strengthening of the local industry.

“The GLI representatives brought an international perspective on the gaming industry that can allow for technical and innovative improvements locally,” the gaming authority said.

Dider has been the Latin American development representative since 2011 and is based in Lima, Peru. He is in charge to work with regu-

lators in assisting in the development of projects, establishing technical standards and trainings.

The GLI is an internationally accredited agency and is responsible for the testing of electronic gaming equipment, certification, inspection, consulting, forensics, research and development of the gaming industry.

The office of the Gaming Authority of Guyana is located at 56 Main and New Market streets, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. The authority’s Chief Executive Officer is Kalima Ali.

Region 10 for crucial meeting with govt

– unhappy with "pace"

By UtamU Belle

Members of the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC), including its chairman Sharma Solomon, are expected to meet with officials of the Office of the President (OP) on Friday, to discuss matters arising from their August 21, 2012 agreement. And Solomon said he was unhappy with the pace at which some of the agreed measures are being implemented.

The agreement was initialled by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Solomon after a month-long protest in Linden last year, over a proposed government increase in electricity tariffs which was eventually put on hold. Key aspects of the agreement initially sought to provide the Linden community and other areas within Region 10 with social and economic stability.

It provided for the establishment of three commit-

tees: a technical committee to assess the tariff increase, a Regional Land Selection Committee and an economic committee. It also made provisions for the region to apply for a broadcasting licence and for the government to facilitate the granting of that licence in keeping with the law, as well as the handing over of a dish and transmitter which were granted to the Linden community by Green Construction some years ago.

The RDC team was expected to meet with the OP officials last Friday, but the meeting was pushed to this Friday, since members of Solomon’s team were unavailable at the time, owing to matters which they said were beyond their control.

Broadcast licence

The regional chairman indicated that at a meeting held last month between the two sides, it was decided that oth-

in implementing agreements

er issues which were not referred to in the August 21 agreement would subsequently be raised with Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon. “Dr Luncheon received the Region 10 TV licence application and undertook to have it forwarded to the broadcasting authority for action,” Solomon stated. In terms of progress

achieved on other aspects of the agreement: the land committee was set up, while the economic committee is expected to commence operations within a few weeks, and a chairman was yet to be selected for the technical committee.

Solomon explained that it was “...agreed that Dr Luncheon will proceed to contact Ms Joycelyn Williams and have her commence the work of the economic committee. It was also agreed that the government will be given time to consult with its nominee, Clinton Williams and then we will discuss the issue of the chairman of the technical committee. Region 10 did not accept the position that we clean the slate and start over with new names.”

It was further agreed that Solomon would provide the Terms of Reference (TORs) for the land committee and the relevant documentation to Dr Luncheon who will engage the

department of the lands and surveys to get their nominees and ensure that the ToRs are in keeping with the law, also ensuring that the committee becomes functional.

One Mile School

With regard to the rebuilding of the One Mile School, which was burnt during the violent August protest, Solomon said a letter will be prepared by himself requesting a waiver of the tendering process. That letter was expected to be sent to Dr Luncheon, who will then request the waiver. “Dr Luncheon (was also identified as the person) to address the issue of ensuring Bai Shan Lin address the concern as it relates to the poor mix that is being used to rehabilitate the road they damaged and other issues with the company.”

Solomon noted that it was also decided that he would send to Dr Luncheon, a list of outstanding concerns that are

to be dealt with by government agencies. “The region is to ensure that an agreement for the rental of the Christianburg Youth, Sport and Welfare Association building for the convening of court by the Ministry of Legal Affairs is drafted and forwarded to Dr Luncheon... Dr Luncheon agreed to have the question of the dredging of the Demerara River addressed,” he said. He added that upgrade works have commenced on the Linden-Kwakwani road as well as the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

Also coming out of the previous meeting, Solomon indicated that concerns raised by the region on community development councils, the establishment of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) Board, roads and the offer made by Toolsie Persaud Limited to upgrade the Mabura road would be addressed.

Tknowledged with cise, established street of some dards dling. New Food Director ing at sampling ised and Organisation Monday, January-September, waters cessed were In situation, a population persons, might general ing at providers we are food

october 30, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Food and drug analyst dept slack with food testing exercise – director

Tgovernregion agreeof the Youth, Sport Association convening of of Legal and forLuncheon... Dr have the dredging of the addressed,” upgrade commenced on the road as Linden/Soesdyke the preSolomon indiraised by community dethe esLinden (LEN) the ofPersaud upgrade the be ad-

he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department has acknowledged that it is lagging with its food sampling exercise, while pointing out that established businesses and street vendors are in breach of some of the minimum standards required for food handling.

New Government AnalystFood and Drug Department Director Marlan Cole, speaking at the opening of a food sampling workshop organised by the Health Ministry and the Pan-American Organisation (PAHO) on Monday, disclosed that from January-September, only 431 waters samples were processed while 412 food samples were taken.

In a quest to explain the situation, he said, “we have a population of over 700,000 persons, of which 10 per cent might be providing food to the general public, you are looking at close to 170,000 food providers in our country and we are only looking at 412 food samples for the year, so

PAHO/WHO representative Adrianus Vlugman interacting with Food and Drug Analysis Department

Director Marlan Cole and Chief Meat and Food Inspector Jackdeep Singh

definitely there is a lot of work to be done.”

Moderate The results from the samples taken are moderate, he posited, but said this is because most of the samples were not taken from high risk entities. Samples were reportedly taken from a few restaurants, water treatment facilities, manufacturing companies and from a few school

cafeterias. “Now the sources of those samples are not from very high risk areas.”

However, based on observation and reports, Cole said street vendors are the most high risk group. It was explained that high risk foods should be kept cold, chilled or warm, but many street vendors do not comply with this due to lack of appropriate equipment.

While some established

food entities may have the necessary equipment, facilities and documentation, they do not necessarily supply consumers with safe food, he said, noting that sampling is critical.

According to the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department director, the workshop was designed to rectify the problems being faced, positing that the department has been exercis-

ing some inconsistency.

As a result, during the three-day workshop, major emphasis will be placed on enhancing the frequency of sampling, the size of sampling of food, the number of submission, as well the containers used for sampling and the time for sampling.

Importance of sampling

Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) official Dr Lisa Indar, who is among the main facilitators, underscored the importance of sampling, noting that it determines the quality of food supplied to consumers. Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud said it is of paramount importance that Guyana produces high quality of food in keeping with international standards.

Food providers’ compliance could only be determined through continuous monitoring and testing.

He posited that the government through the Health Ministry and other sister agencies has provided the

necessary equipment needed to conduct testing, but the acquisition of samples is also important.

“If we don’t get local samples, we will never be able to adequately utilise those facilities that we are building consistently, I understand that we have a lot of equipment, but unless we get samples, we wouldn’t be able to do what we need to do.”

The Food Sampling Workshop comes to a closure today with a wide cross-section of areas covered. Sampling collection techniques, microbiological and viral analysis size and frequency, sample selection, preparation, sealing, packaging and transporting were among areas covered.

The workshop was attended by Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO)/World Health Organisation (WHO) representative Adrianus Vlugman, in addition to food, environmental, veterinary public health and port health inspectors from across the country.

Guyana, get onboard, vote for Roshana!

As the Miss Universe Pageant 2013 heats up, fans of Miss Universe Guyana Katherina Roshana can vote for the beauty up to one hundred times per day at the official People’s Choice Awards website http://missuniverse.com/members/ contestants/year:2013.

Fans can follow these simple steps: look for Miss Guyana Katherina Roshana and click on the “VOTE FOR ME” tab, a small pop up screen will appear. Follow the instruction as required. First , enter your email address and select Guyana from the drop down box, then click on the scale and

rank Miss Guyana with a 10 (pink tiny tab, all the way at the right side), next enter the security code provided, check the box “I certify I am at least 16 years or older” then Click “VOTE”.

After this process is completed, a next pop up screen will appear to VOTE AGAIN. Persons can vote up to 100 times per day. Remember to vote every day.

The reigning Miss India Guyana Katherina Roshana was crowned Miss Guyana Universe 2013 before a packed to capacity Pegasus poolside just before midnight on Sunday, October 6.

The 23-year-old, sponsored by NEW GPC INC under its Limacol brand, is representing Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant slated for November 9 in Moscow, Russia.

Roshana, who is a graduate from a New York University, hopes to become a doctor in oriental medicine.

Barbados court convicts Caribbean nationals on drug related charges

Police said that two Caribbean nationals were ordered to pay more than Bdn 200,000 in fines after they were found guilty of several drug related charges on Monday.

A police statement said that 28-year-old Lamar Osbourne of Jamaica had pleaded guilty to four drug related charges and was fined BBD20,000 to be paid forthwith of serve 18 months in jail on the charge of im-

portation of drugs.

The statement said that he was convicted, reprimanded and discharged (CRD) on the other charges.

Osbourne arrived on October 25, and after clearing Immigration and Customs, was intercepted, and interviewed by members of the Drug Squad.

The court was told on Monday that he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) where he

later passed 68 packages of cannabis weighting 1.5 pounds, which he had ingested.

Trinidad and Tobago national, Nerry Beryl Joefield, 40, appeared in court on Monday charged with possession of four pounds of cocaine, trafficking in cocaine as well as possession with intent to supply and the importation of cocaine. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

First Federation building must be scrapped – fire service

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said First Federation building must be immediately dismantled as it posed a security risk to the occupants and citizens.

According to a statement from the fire department, based on a correspondence received from the chief government electrical inspector on July 8, highlighting the many fires and life threatening conditions, the fire service conducted an inspection on the First Federation building on September 27.

The inspection revealed a number of hazardous conditions on the premises that are an imminent threat to life and fire safety and even to neighbouring properties.

Among the findings is that the building, which is being utilised for offices for the purposes of plying their respective trades and professions, is in a haphazard and unsafe manner.

“This concrete and timber structure is in a state of disrepair and deteriorated to such a state that the tim-

ber materials have rotted and the concrete materials have lost their construction integrity and can no longer carry out their engineering and fire resisting purposes,” the fire department said

According to the department, the electrical wiring throughout the building was found loose and hanging, along with electrical points and outlets that were not properly insulated.

Recommendation

Additionally, numerous illegal and temporary electrical wiring with unsafe connections, used to provide electricity from a portable generator positioned near the main entrance, were observed. Further, there is no legal connection by the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).

The fire department said a large quantity of garbage, unwanted and unserviceable materials were found throughout the building (on the various floors, corridors, within the ceiling and the vacant offices/rooms).

As such, the structure was deemed a derelict building. As a result, the inspector recommended that all occupancy on these premises must be ceased forthwith and that stringent efforts must be made with regulatory authorities and owners of this building to do either of the following; renovate and/or reconstruct to meet the minimum building construction standards and safety requirements or dismantle immediately and have its materials be disposed of in a safe manner.

“The Guyana Fire Service has over the years been following its mandate through the Fire Service Act, Chapter 22:01 and the Fire Prevention Act, Chapter 92:01, Laws of Guyana in offering fire safety and fire prevention for the populace of Guyana.”

Earlier this month, in a notice in the Guyana Chronicle, the government had advised persons not to enter the dilapidated building located at Croal Street and Manget Place, and called on tenants who occupy the building to vacate it because it has been deemed unsafe and could collapse.

The notice also noted the findings on the building from the City Engineer’s Department and the fire service report of September 27.

It was reported in another section of the media that last week, Attorney Saphier Husain secured an injunction against the government, the First Federation Life Insurance Company and the official receiver, which is the public trustee, for the Croal Street property under dispute.

The decision was reportedly handed down by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, ordering that the government be restrained from interfering with Husain’s “ingress and egress and occupation and use of the First Federation Life Insurance building on Croal Street and Manget Place”.

Starved Syrians flee Damascus suburb

Thousands of Syrian civilians have finally been allowed to leave the besieged Damascus suburb of Moadamiya.

The BBC’s Lyse Doucet, who was at the scene, describes a tide of desperate people leaving the area, which has been closed off since March.

Supplies in Moadamiya had been running desperately short, and residents had pleaded to be saved from starvation.

Concordia witnesses describe chaos

PThe Syrian army had previously said that rebelheld areas of Damascus such as Moadamiya could surrender or starve.

At least three of Damascus’s suburbs –Yarmouk, Eastern Ghouta and Moadamiya – have been besieged by government forces for several months.

The situation has become so desperate that earlier this month Muslim

The exodus of civilians has been made possible by an apparent relaxation of a blockade by government forces.

clerics issued a religious ruling allowing people to eat cats, dogs and donkeys just to survive.

Those animals are usually considered unfit for human consumption in Islam.

For months, the UN and other aid agencies have been calling for urgent help, fearing the worst for the people of Moadamiya.

“We didn’t see a piece of bread for nine months,” one woman told the BBC. “We were eating leaves and grass.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

rosecution witnesses at the trial of Captain Francesco Schettino painted a picture of chaos aboard the Costa Concordia on the night the cruise liner sank, as they testified Tuesday in Italy.

The cruise liner capsized after it struck rocks off Italy’s Giglio Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea in January 2012, killing 32 of the 4200 people on board.

Schettino faces charges of manslaughter, causing a maritime disaster and abandoning ship with passengers still on board. He denies wrongdoing.

Among several key witnesses Tuesday, on the second day of prosecution testimony against Schettino, was Moldovan dancer Domnica Cemortan, who dined with the captain and was with him on the command bridge at the time of the accident.

Cemortan, who boarded the ship as a passenger but had worked on another Costa Cruises ship captained by Schettino a few weeks earlier, conceded under questioning that she had been romantically involved with him.

Everything seemed normal at first on the bridge,

she told the court, but then she heard Schettino giving orders, and then “speaking angrily, yelling, to another officer” and telling him to obey the order.

She heard the alarms go off on the bridge, triggering chaos and confusion. She heard a call from the engine room that “water had entered the ship.”

The dancer left the bridge with Schettino and crew member Ciro Onorato, she said, following them around the vessel because she was not sure where they were going. (Excerpt from CNN)

Canadian manufacturers’ head advises TT businesses: Go after larger markets

TT businesses need larger markets to be competitive and succeed, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Canada’s largest industry and trade association said. Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters President and CEO Dr Jayson Mayers, an economist, told his TT counterparts: “Going back about 20-25 years ago when we were negotiating our (North American) Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) with the United States, many com-

panies were very concerned about how they could compete in that market. “Canada is a small economy. For a huge country, we’re actually divided up, as you know, into regional markets. We’ve got a fairly small population compared to the United States, and here we were going into a free trade agreement with the United States, and we signed that free trade agreement in 1989.

“Between 1990 and 2002, manufacturing more than

doubled. We couldn’t have done that without the free trade agreement. The reason was you need a large market if you’re going to specialise. You need a large market if you’re going to succeed and take advantage of opportunities. You need a large market to achieve the economies of scale that are going to make you competitive. “Now, along the way, was also the fact that the Canadian dollar had also fallen in value against the U.S. dollar. (Trinidad Guardian)

JPMorgan’s Us$13b deal hits stumbling blocks – source

JPMorgan Chase and Co’s preliminary US$13 billion deal to resolve federal and state probes into its mortgage bond business has hit two stumbling blocks, a person familiar with the talks said on Tuesday.

In a draft settlement circulated late Sunday, JPMorgan sought a provision that effectively shut down any criminal inquires into the bank’s packaging and sale of mortgage securities apart from an investigation from California prosecutors the bank has al-

ready disclosed, the person said.

The bank had previously agreed to keep all criminal probes out of the settlement, the person said.

Also at issue is a longrunning disagreement between the bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp over legal liabilities from JPMorgan’s takeover of Washington Mutual assets and obligations during the financial crisis.

JPMorgan, which acquired Washington Mutual from the

FDIC for US$1.9 billion at the height of the financial crisis, has disputed its responsibility to cover losses incurred by investors on the failed thrift’s mortgage securities.

Reuters reported exclusively on September 30 that the dispute threatened the preliminary deal.

The Department of Justice has sought a provision in the settlement that prohibits JPMorgan from seeking to push the WaMu liabilities from the settlement onto the FDIC. (Reuters)

Rabobank fined US$1B over Libor

Dutch bank Rabobank says it has agreed to pay fines of 774 million euros (US$1 billion; £662 million) imposed by U.S., UK and Dutch regulators over the Libor interest rate-fixing scandal.

The bank added that its chief executive, Piet Moerland, had stepped down. Libor rates are used to set trillions of dollars of financial contracts.

These include many car loans and mortgages, as well as complex financial transactions around the world. Regulators

have been investigating the manipulation of Libor interbank lending rates since 2012 in the wake of Barclays’ £290 million (US$454 million) fine by U.S. and UK authorities.

A string of international banks have been implicated in the affair, while several criminal charges have been brought against traders.

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it had fined Rabobank £105 million for “serious, prolonged and widespread misconduct relating to Libor”.

The £105 million fine is the third-highest on record by the FCA or its predecessor, the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

The FCA said the bank’s “poor internal controls” encouraged collusion between its traders and Libor submitters and attempts at benchmark manipulation. Rabobank did not fully address these failings until August 2012, despite assuring the regulator in March 2011 that “suitable arrangements” were in place, the FCA said. (BBC News)

India raises interest rates for the second month running

India’s new central bank governor has raised interest rates for the second consecutive month by a quarter of one per cent to 7.75 per cent to try to fight inflation.

The move applies to the benchmark repo rate – the rate at which the central bank lends to commercial banks.

The cash reserve ratio – the percentage of banks’ deposits they must keep in cash – has been kept unchanged. India’s inflation hit a seven-month high

Tannual rate of 6.46 per cent in September.

“The policy stance and measures... are intended to curb mounting inflationary pressures and manage inflation expectations in a situation of weak growth,” bank chief Raghuram Rajan said in a statement.

“It is important to break the spiral of rising price pressures in order to curb the erosion of financial saving and strengthen the foundations of growth,” he said.

India’s main share index rose 0.20 per cent to 20,611.27 points after Rajan’s announcement. Rajan, who took over as the head of the central bank in September, surprised markets by raising interest rates in his first monetary policy meeting. India’s economy has been hurt by a range of factors in recent months.

A slowdown in key sectors such as mining and manufacturing has curbed its growth rate. (BBC News)

UAE confirms new mortgage

he UAE Central Bank has issued long awaited new rules governing bank lending to property buyers. The new rules will limit home loans for expatriates to 75 per cent of a property’s value for a first investment of less than AED5 million (UA$1.36 million). UAE nationals will be allowed to borrow up to 80 per cent.

More expensive homes will restrict expatriates to borrowing 65 per cent of

Oceania Asia

the value, and nationals to 70 per cent. For second and subsequent property purchases, expatriates will only be allowed to borrow 60 percent of a property’s value and UAE nationals up to 65 per cent, regardless of cost.

All mortgages will be restricted to 50 per cent for off-plan properties, regardless of purpose, value or nationality.

Loans will be limited to a maximum of 25 years, while the maximum age at the

cap rules

time of the last repayment is 65 years for expatriates and 70 years for UAE nationals. Repayments also cannot surpass 50 per cent of a customer’s monthly income, or total more than seven years’ annual income for an expatriate and eight years’ annual income for UAE nationals.

The new rules will apply a month after they are published in the Official Gazette, expected in November, a statement said. (Arabianbusiness)

Fonterra chiefs left in dark

Fonterra’s botulism false alarm would not have occurred had responsibility for the contamination been swiftly passed to senior management, says Sir Ralph Norris.

The former Air New Zealand chief executive, and current Fonterra independent director, chaired the independent review committee into the August food safety scare. The results of the inquiry were released on Tuesday in a 163page report that made 33

recommendations for improvements at the dairy giant.

Fonterra first became aware of a possible botulism contamination in 38 tonnes of a whey protein – used by a number of its customers to make a range of consumer products including infant formula – in March this year. Chief executive Theo Spierings was not informed of the problem until August 1.

The company went public with the botulism an -

nouncement on August 3, which was followed by a precautionary recall of products in seven countries, including China and New Zealand. Further testing showed the bacterium present in the whey protein was harmless.

“The chief executive should have been advised a considerable period earlier, right at the outset,” Norris said Tuesday. “If that had happened I am sure that we wouldn’t be sitting here today.” (NZ Herald)

Internet marketing methods for small businesses

Keep it fresh

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

Get published

Everyone is an expert at something. You are the pro when it comes to your business. Let others know

how you can help them by writing articles and stories about your experiences. There are many article directories that are looking for quality work to publish. You can write about your topics, gain recognition with your peers and increase search ranking for free.

Let your web address be known

Print your website address on business cards, letter heads and brochures. Yellow page and newspaper ads should never be published without your web address.

(CONTINUED FROM TUESDAY)

Mobile advertising on vehicles can be as simple as a one-liner in the back window of a car, or make a statement and turn your truck into an ad on wheels with vinyl graphics. Pens, hats and even T-shirts are also effective ways to promote your website.

Free business listings

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

Black Bush Polder murder trial Jury to hear caution statement today

The jury is expected to hear the caution statement issued by murder accused Satrohan Mannaru also called “Andrew” when the Black Bush Polder School sport murder trial continues today in the Berbice Assizes.

Police Detective Superintendent Gary McAllister is expected to return to the witness stand and testify what he was told by the murder accused after the murder was committed.

On trial for the October 7, 2011 murder of 13-year-old Indranie Basdeo also called “Cynthia” of Lot 14 Mibicuri, South Black Bush Polder, is Satrohan Mannaru.

McAllister had started to give evidence in the matter when Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, who is representing the defence, objected. This resulted in a voir dire (trial within a trial).

The prosecution’s case is that on October 7, the deceased made arrangements to attend the school sport swith her sister and brotherin-law at the Mibicuri School ground.

Grabbing

According to State Persecutor Renita Singh, the couple noticed the accused grabbing Basdeo and by the time they got to her, she was lying on the ground with the accused straddling her. The prosecutor told the jury that the accused had a knife in his hand. Singh also told the jury that the accused and the deceased were in a relationship.

Meanwhile, when the trial continued on Tuesday, Singh called government pathologist, Dr Vivakanand Bridgemohan to the stand. He said the girl died as a result of an incise wound (three centimetres long) to the lower chest wall. He said it prevailed between the fourth and fifth left rib, cutting the upper left lobe of the lung, which collapsed.

Under cross-examination by De Santos, Dr Bridgemohan said he did not notice any cuts to the deceased’s hand, but if there were, it would seemed to be defensive.

When the trial opened on October 22, the prosecution called several witness-

es including its key witness Tulsiedai Basdeo, who is the sister of the dead teen. Basdeo said that on the day in question, she was at the school sports with her husband when she went to the lower flat of the school and saw the accused “juck my sister on her left side breast”. She said there was nothing blocking her view and another person known to her was nearby.

“She went on the ground and he hold on to she hair an got the knife in he han.”

The woman pointed out that the accused was sitting on the dead girl. The witness described the knife as an eight inch weapon. She said her husband took the knife away from the accused and a cousin took it and threw it into the school yard.

Knife

Under cross-examination by DeSantos, the witness told the court that in her initial statement to the police, she did not make mention of a knife. That statement was given to the police the day after the incident.

However, in a second statement to the police two days after, the witness told the court she mentioned things which were not in the first statement. During the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Tulsiedai said she did not see the knife. “In the court, me bin confused an me na know what me bin ah say.”

Under cross-examination, the witness denied that she saw the accused “jucking” her sister. This, she said was so because she did not see anything in his hand.

In her evidence in chief, the witness said she saw when her sister fell to the ground. However, under

cross-examination, it was revealed that she said the opposite in the PI. There was also a difference in the things that were said in relation to the position the witness claimed the accused was in when he was on her sister after she fell. In her evidence in chief, she claimed that he held the knife in his left hand; however, under crossexamination she said it was his right hand.

When re-examined by the prosecutor, the witness said she had no explanation as to why she kept changing her story. Her husband Arnold Reddi, who also testified, told the court that on the day in question, the two appeared to be hugging when he saw them. He said he saw blood and then Basdeo fell and when he pulled the accused away, she was bleeding.

Boyfriend

Also taking the witness stand was the deceased mother, Gomattie Latchman, who was the first to testify. She said the accused was the boyfriend of her dead daughter and she knew him for about two years.

The dead girl’s father Mahase Basdeo said he witnessed the post-mortem performed by Dr Bridgemohan. He said he knew the accused for several years as they worked together. “The two ah dem bin know mattei from church.” He also told the court that he had promised the accused his daughter’s hand in marriage.

However, he and his wife did not agree as the girl was “too small”. Corporal Andrew Ward, who visited the scene, said although blood was seen on the school’s corridor, no samples was taken by the police.

City engineers trying to fix faulty Sussex Street koker –

as Albouystown flood woes continue

By Leana Bradshaw

Acting Town Clerk

Carol Sooba said city engineers are trying to detect the fault preventing the proper functioning of the Sussex Street koker. A breakage in the structure has been causing water to escape, thereby flooding the Albouystown community.

“The engineer department tried to go down there to the bottom of the koker to examine the door as to see why the water continues to be high, but they could not find the reason,” she said.

Speed up works

Sooba, who was at the time speaking to Guyana Times during an interview on Tuesday, noted that she solicited the help of the Public Works Ministry to assist the city engineer’s department to speed up works.

“The engineer department is now trying to block off some sections and drain the koker completely, because although they clean the debris that was at the bottom, they still couldn’t get to know that is the problem, so they’re trying to examine the koker door to see if there’s some damage done to the door at the bottom in order to rectify that,” Sooba explained.

She added that she was advised by City Engineer Colvern Venture that the koker needs to be desilted before they can determine the magnitude of the problem. As such, she said they

are awaiting an assessment from the engineering department to go ahead with works.

“Since my appointment 14 months ago we’ve tried to assist the situation with all the pumps in the city of Georgetown as best as I can. I tried to solicit help and whatever repairs and remedies can be done at the competence of the engineer department, I try to prioritise that,” the acting town clerk stressed.

Sooba added that the koker was leaking since 2005 when it was installed, but it has deteriorated further.

Meanwhile, residents in Albouystown continue to plead for assistance to rectify the problem, which has been compounded by sewage and other solid waste blocking the drains in the area.

Construction problem

One resident, Randolph Thorne. noted that he had a meeting with Public Works Minister Robeson Benn on behalf of the community and the minister has promised to address the matter. He said: “Apparently, there is some construction problem there, the lip break off and the water, whenever it comes up, the water bypass and come in the community.

Now, the residents here are in a serious disadvantage, because whenever the water comes up, it’s about six inches of water in the community. And residents are affected, the business community is affected,

schoolchildren affected and so on.”

Another resident, Patrick Corbin, who sells vegetables in the community, said, “The sewage too add to it, if you notice how the water black. It does slow up the business and thing, I sell greens. Sometimes you gotta pack up early ‘cause the street flooding and some cars passing and spill up the water. Wah really happen: the gutter full with stuff so when water run and rain fall, it run over onto the street and in people yards.”

"Under the pave"

One man who asked to remain unidentified outlined that, “Under the pave full of stuff, the gutter full of stuff. Years ago, they used to clean here but now they neglect here, nobody ain’t coming here. The drains want digging out, ‘cause, as the water rise it coming out, while some amount of cleaning is done, that doesn’t go below the surface”.

Rafeek Khan, a shop owner, said, “It affecting me a lot because when the water start coming in, people don’t want come in the shop, ‘cause they got to walk in the water and the sewage running over too and it does smell up all inside the shop.” “I got a lil’ two-year-old and sometimes I does got to close up de shop because of the smell and sometimes she could get sick, so it really affecting we bad in this area.” Areas flooded include Hogg and James streets.(leanab@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyana denies consular service in St Maarten irregular

Guyana on Tuesday denied reports that it was providing unregulated consular services to nationals living in St Maarten, and threatened to sue a reporter of a news website based in the island if she continued to publish allegedly false claims.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its grave concern over an ar-

ticle written by Bibi Hodge Shaw and carried in the St Maarten News Network (SMN News) which has sought to discredit the Consul General of Guyana to Barbados, Mr Michael Brotherson,” a release said. It said that in the absence of a consular representative in St Maarten, Brotherson was authorised by the ministry to travel to St Maarten

to attend to the consular needs of the Guyanese community there. This visit was made only after the necessary protocols were followed between the Guyana Foreign Affairs Ministry and the St Maarten Foreign Affairs Ministry, the statement added.

In the article, Shaw has maligned the characters of the public servants of

Guyana and St Maarten and has made unfortunate accusations that are totally unfounded, the ministry said.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise that all consular fees, as fixed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, were processed in accordance with the financial regulations of the government of Guyana, with the required govern-

ment receipts issued. All such revenue is remitted to the Government of Guyana Consolidated Fund,” the ministry asserted. It further stated that in a separate communication, Shaw was cautioned that any further articles with similar content which contain false and damaging information will result in legal action being taken against

her. The ministry said that in an effort to strengthen the relations between Guyana and St Maarten and to better serve the Guyanese community, a request was made to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its approval for the appointment of a consular representative to be accredited in St Maarten. The ministry is awaiting a response to this request.

SUDOKU

Set your standards and stick to your principles. Your integrity will separate you from any competition you face, allowing you clear passage to the destination you choose. Romance is highlighted.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Get along, no matter how difficult it might be. Arguments will drain you of the energy you’ll need to reflect and make alternate plans when things veer off course.

Make plans, step into the spotlight, do your own thing and reap the rewards. Follow your heart and lay groundwork to secure your home and business future.

Think about what you want and revamp your plans for the future to better suit your needs. Don’t discuss what you are doing until you are ready to take action.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Look into small business ventures or an investment that shows potential. Contracts may not be straightforward, but your negotiating skills will help you find creative solutions that include the perks you want.

(March 21-April 19)

Staying on top of what needs to be finished will be difficult but a necessity. Don’t let restlessness cause you to make a move without sufficient thought. Avoid overindulgence.

(April 20-May 20)

Speak up and offer suggestions. Whether you are dealing with friends, family or peers, you will capture the attention required to put your plans in motion and receive the benefits you desire.

(May 21June 20)

Take care of your interests first. You must not allow anyone to sidetrack you, especially if money is involved. You’ll end up being taken advantage of if you are too complacent.

Put more into your home, family and personal property. Enjoying the company of someone you love or who shares similar interests will lead to future plans.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You may want to help the world, but keep in mind that charity begins at home. Focus on the people you care about most as well as making home improvements.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Show how much you care. Pay more attention to someone you love or make a donation to a cause you feel passionate about helping, and you will achieve personal success and happiness.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

You will learn the hard way if you let anger take over. Don’t complain or waste time arguing a moot point. Concentrate on what is working. Live in the moment.

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

SAT/AP/CXC/IGCSE English classes, personalized tutoring. Phone: 6124821 after 4pm, 274-0437 after 7pm.

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

Spare parts for 1-2-3-4 and 6 cylinder diesel engines for Lister, Pieter, Kobota, Perkins, Veutz, Fiat, John Deer, Case IH, Cummings, Bedford and Leyland Daf . Phone 619-4483, 601-7883, 226-6325

Machinery 2 wheel and 4-wheel drive tractors; Massey Ferguson, Ford, John Deer and New Holland. Also available open air or super silence generators. Phone 619-4483, 601-7883, 226-6325 Tibertian terrior pups phone: 6196086, 699-7077.

Mercury in large quantity, 99.9999% purity. Call: 219-4535/693-5004/ 6791985

Are you suffering from abnormal behaviors, addictions, stresses, or psychosomatic sickness? Feeling suicidal, low self-esteem, loneliness, unloved, anger, conflicts and relationship problems? For appointments call 592-621-0552. 12:00pm -6:00pm, Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

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U.S. Green Card Lottery 2013. We are now accepting entries for the Annual Green Card Lottery sponsored by the U.S. Government. Enter now for a chance to become a permanent resident of the USA. Closing date November 2, 2013. Contact Balwant Persaud Immigration and Visa Services 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings and Light Sts.) Tel: 2251540, 655-3105, 622-8308

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wednesday, october

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Agri minister wants improved handling of pesticides

1 property at reasonable price, located in Bareroot, East Coast Demerara. Phone: 612-6417.

One two storey house at lot 93 Atlantic Gardens, ECD; upperflat-3 bedrooms, kitchen and bath; lower flat-2 bedrooms, kitchen and bath. Call 592-619-4483, 592-656-7471

EXECUTIVE TWO STOREY BUILDING 3 BEDROOMS WITH ALL MODERN CONVIENCES, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230

Gas station land. Size: over one acre Phone Ms Liverpool on 625-7582, 681-9293.

Titan (hardly driven) $3.5M neg. Phone: 691-9984

The improper storage and handling of chemicals in Guyana remains a cause for concern, and the Agriculture Ministry has since increased awareness of the dangers of these unsafe practices.

One 450 Honda ATV. Phone: 626-3817 Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 662-1247.

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2 modern apartments at Campbellville, hot & cold water etc phone:219-4535

One house located in Lamaha Gardens, hot and cold water. Call 219-4535

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Urgently needed! One plot of land in Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling and Eccles. Phone: 675-7292

One female babysitter, between 40 & 45 years, must be from Georgetown, be able to work flexible hours and some weekends, applicant with a sound secondary education may apply. Phone: 614-5711, 9am- 3pm

The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PCTCB), which has direct responsibility for monitoring pesticides, has been playing the lead role in raising awareness through sensitisation campaigns countrywide and by ensuring compliance with its recommended safety standards.

Among the awareness initiatives are a secondary schools pesticide awareness competition and a pesticide storage contest. Schools were on Tuesday honoured for their contributions to the contest at an award ceremony at the De Impeccable Banquet Hall, Brickdam.

Improper usage detrimental Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who delivered the feature address at the event, underscored the importance of proper storage and sale of chemicals. He alluded to the fact that easy access to poisonous pesticides is one of the contributing factors to suicide.

He added that while the use of pesticides in agriculture can mean improved yields; improper usage can be detrimental.

ment,” he said.

Minister Ramsammy stated that specific attention must be placed on safer storage of pesticides and called on all users to comply with all safety rules and regulations.

Presently, Guyana is one of very few countries which have a body which regulates the importation, sale, use, and storage of toxic chemicals.

“We have been tightening rules which govern the trade of pesticide, and now we have made it a criminal act for someone to sell pesticide to a minor.

“This is necessary as we are aiming to change the way pesticide is sold in Guyana,” the minister said.

Competition

secondary schools enables it to sensitise children on the importance and proper use of pesticides.

“I have been to homes and see pesticides in kitchens where the wife is cooking and so children are exposed on many occasions to chemicals when they are not stored properly,” she cautioned.

The competition has been running for the past five years and schools are judged on creativity, the size of the pesticide awareness corner, use of language and visual aids, student participation, and use of materials provided.

“We as a country must understand that pesticide kills, regardless of its usage. We must understand that improper use of chemicals is a cause for concern and while much has been done over the years to raise awareness and reduce the number of deaths, there is still room for improve-

PCTCB Registrar Trecia David, in giving an overview of the programme, spoke of the work the organisation has been doing to raise awareness on the importance of pesticides.

According to David, the competition is one aspect of the board’s thrust to spread awareness, and working with

This year, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary came out the winner and received $100,000 in farming equipment and a trophy. Zeeburg and Charity secondary schools placed second and third respectively.

Fort Wellington, Wakapao, Patentia and Central Corentyne secondary schools were awarded consolation prizes. Geddes Grant Guyana Limited won the prize for best storage facility in Guyana.

No bail for man who tried to kill ex-lover

A62-year-old man was remanded to prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, charged with attempt to commit a murder.

Godfrey Lammy of Lot 5 Laing Avenue, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charge which read that on Saturday, October 26 at Wellington Street,

Georgetown, he attempted to murder Denise Hope. According to the facts, on the day in question, Hope, a street vendor, was conducting her daily business. He added that the accused came up from behind, held her by her neck and stabbed her with a knife to the neck and back. He further stated that, the complainant, who previously shared a relationship

with the accused, could not appear in court since she is hospitalised. Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and the penalty attached to such an offence. Hence, a restraining order was granted for the unrepresented accused and he will make his next court appearance on November 14.

Rubel hat-trick sinks New Zealand

Rubel Hossain’s sixwicket haul, including a hat-trick, turned the first ODI on its head, helping Bangladesh win by 43 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method on Tuesday.

The visitors were starting to get away with the game despite a steep target after the 105-minute rain break, needing 124 off the remaining 13 overs, but Rubel’s spell marked the turning point.

The last time Rubel faced New Zealand in Mirpur, he took four wickets including the last one of Kyle Mills

secutive balls in his third over, and later added two more to become only the second Bangladeshi, after Mashrafe Mortaza, to take six wickets in an ODI.

New Zealand’s target was revised from the original 266 to 206 in 33 overs after heavy rain forced a long interruption 20 overs into the chase. New Zealand were behind on D/L at that stage and had there been no further play, Bangladesh would have won. Play resumed, but the visitors failed to grab their second chance. New Zealand’s chase lost momentum from

that sealed the 4-0 series win. This time, he took the wickets of Corey Anderson, Brendon McCullum and James Neesham in con-

the promising position after rain, when they needed 86 off 60 balls before Rubel started his third over. They smashed 38 runs off the

three overs immediately after the rain break, having been set a stiff total to chase.

The game changed in the 24th over. Anderson had smashed four sixes and three fours till that point and hence posed a threat to Bangladesh’s chances. But he tried one too many slogs, and was bowled by Rubel off the third ball of the over.

McCullum got a ball that took off on him as he advanced on the front foot, taking a leading edge that was taken easily at point by the substitute Shamsur Rahman. Rubel had taken a hat-trick in a domestic oneday competition only last month but oddly, it escaped his attention. This time, he had the 25,000-plus crowd to remind him. He bowled a short one down the leg side and Neesham tried to flick it away. Mushfiqur Rahim took an excellent catch diving to his right, and once

Chelsea knock Arsenal out of Cup

Juan Mata scored his first goal of the season as Chelsea comfortably beat Arsenal to reach the Capital One Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Cesar Azpilicueta gave Chelsea a first-half lead on the break from an Arsenal corner, latching on to Carl Jenkinson’s poor header back and poking in.

Aaron Ramsey fired a shot wide from 25 yards as Arsenal struggled to get a grip on the game.

Mata sealed victory after the hour mark with a sweet strike from 20 yards.

The Spaniard, who made only his sixth start of the season, was the shining light in a one-sided game where Chelsea demonstrated their superior squad strength to earn their sixth successive triumph.

Both teams made multiple changes to their teams after the weekend’s Premier

League action, but Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel bossed midfield with a combination of guile and muscle while Willian and Samuel Eto’o were sharp in attack.

In a repeat of the 2007 League Cup final - which Chelsea also won - the result marked a second consecutive home defeat for Arsenal, the first time this has happened since February 2013, and reduces their chances of ending their eight-year trophy wait.

Although it was a largely second-string Gunners side, with Nicklas Bendtner poor up front, the defeat was a worrying sign ahead of a tough run of games that include Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who kept only Gary Cahill in the side following victory over Manchester City on Sunday,

rarely had reason to be concerned in what was his first match against Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger since May 2007.

Although the visitors only led by Azpilicueta’s goal at the break, they enjoyed the majority of possession, were quick to close down and more composed on the ball.

By contrast, Arsenal were laboured and not helped by lone forward Bendtner, who struggled to hold the ball up in his second start of the season.

After easing their way into the game, Kevin De Bruyne tested Lukasz Fabianski with a curling effort before Chelsea took the lead after 26 minutes.

Arsenal have been criticised for failing to defend properly from their own corners this season, and again they succumbed to a counter attack.

Chelsea burst forward

the umpire Enamul Haque was convinced, Rubel wildly celebrated with his teammates, among whom was Sohag Gazi who took a Test hat-trick earlier this month in Chittagong. Rubel became the third Bangladeshi to take a ODI hat-trick, after Shahadat Hossain (2006) and Abdur Razzak (2010), both against Zimbabwe.

He added the wicket of Nathan McCullum in his fifth over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul. He claimed his sixth when Mortaza took a superb running catch in the 30th overs and the game ended at that point, because Kane Williamson, who had injured his hand while fielding, did not come out to bat.

New Zealand made a poor start to their 266-run chase. Hamish Rutherford tried to hit Gazi down the ground, but missed and was bowled in the fourth over. Grant Elliott was pro-

moted in place of the injured Williamson, but he didn’t force matters. In the 11th over, debutant Anton Devcich missed a heave across the line to Mahmudullah, to be clean bowled like Rutherford.

Ross Taylor started off luckily, under-edging one past the wicketkeeper’s left-hand and one past the first slip in the same over off Mortaza. He became Rubel’s first victim when he tried to cut close to his body but ended up edging to Mushfiqur. The other side of the rain break belonged to Bangladesh.

Earlier, Mushfiqur and Naeem Islam took hold of a situation that had all the makings of a typical Bangladesh collapse, when they were struggling at 25 for 3. Naeem’s dour start, alongside Mushfiqur’s flair, guided the home side out of trouble, as they added 154. Mushfiqur brought out a range of shots, from his favoured slog-sweep to the spinners to the more conventional cuts and drives. He played the upper-cut on a few occasions and also pushed the singles, especially when Naeem got stuck early in his innings. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh innings

Tamim Iqbal lbw b Southee 5

Anamul Haque c N McCullum b Southee 13

Mominul Haque run out (Anderson/McClenaghan) 0

Mushfiqur Rahim*† c †B McCullum b Neesham 90 Naeem Islam c †B McCullum b Southee 84 Nasir Hossain b Neesham 1 Mahmudullah c Taylor b Neesham 29

Sohag Gazi c †B McCullum b Anderson 6 Mashrafe Mortaza c N McCullum b Neesham 6 Abdur Razzak c †B McCullum b Anderson 12

Rubel Hossain not out 3

Extras: (lb 2, w 13, nb 1) 16

Total: (all out, 49.5 overs) 265

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-17, 3-25, 4-179, 5-181, 6-232, 7-241, 8-249, 9-250, 10-265 Bowling: T Southee 10-2-343, M McClenaghan 8-0-51-0, J Neesham 9-0-42-4, C Anderson 8.5-1-46-2, N McCullum 4-0-28-0, A Devcich 5-0-32-0, K Williamson

4-0-20-0, G Elliott 1-0-10-0 New Zealand innings H Rutherford b Sohag Gazi 1 A Devcich b Mahmudullah 22 G Elliott c Mashrafe Mortaza b Rubel Hossain 71 R Taylor c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 8 C Anderson b Rubel Hossain 46 B McCullum*† c sub (Shamsur Rahman) b Rubel Hossain 0 J Neesham c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 0 N McCullum c Mashrafe Mortaza b Rubel Hossain 10 T Southee c sub (Shamsur Rahman) b Abdur Razzak 0 M McClenaghan

and after Ramsey’s block on Essien’s through ball looped up into the air, a poor back header from Jenkinson was poked in by Azpilicueta for his first Chelsea goal.

The goal signalled an improvement by Arsenal, who made eight changes to the side that beat Crystal Palace on Saturday, and one of them, Nacho Monreal, fizzed an angled shot wide soon af-

ter.

Eto’o fired wide in front of 9,000 visiting fans before Ramsey hit a strike past the post from 25 yards.

Then, despite Mesut Ozil coming on to improve Arsenal’s fortunes, they went further behind to a classy Mata goal.

Ryan Bertrand’s throw-in reached Eto’o on the goal line and when the Cameroon in-

ternational cut the ball back, Willian nodded it onto to Mata, who struck in a sweet right-foot shot from 20 yards. Bendtner was mercifully replaced by Olivier Giroud and the French forward’s close-range shot was saved by Mark Schwarzer but substitute Ramires came close to extending the lead at the near post before Laurent Koscielny cleared. (BBC Sport)

Pacesetters start title defence of brucshe’s Classic

The Trinity Grid

Holding Pacesetters got off to a productive start in their title defense to retain the Brucshe’s Classic title by defeating the Amelia’s Ward Jets 69-52 on Sunday in the

tournament opener at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Travis Burnett dropped a crucial game 21 points to lead the Pacesetters to the win with his superb drives that penetrated the lane.

With the Jets entering the second half ahead 2822, Pacesetters responded with a 22-11 third quarter to push them ahead 44-39 when the third period concluded. However, Pacesetters displayed top

zone defence with their 2-1-2 format while Neilon Loncke nailed back-to-back threes to finish the game for the defending champions with 13 points.

Kevin Joseph and Shane Webster had 10 points each

for the Jets in the losing effort for the Georgetownbased team.

Meanwhile, the tournament will continue tonight with the Half Mile Bulls taking on the Wismar Pistons at 19:30h, along with the

Kashif and Shanghai Kings battling Bankers Trust Falcons at 21:30h. The Burnham Court in Georgetown will also have some action from 18:30h with the Colts taking on the Ravens.

Scotland defeat Tonga in thriller

Matty Russell scored a late try as Scotland snatched a dramatic World Cup win over Tonga, who looked to have pulled off a stunning comeback on Tuesday.

Glen Fisi’iahi scored an early try for Tonga but Scotland dominated the opening half, touching down three times to lead 20-4 at the break.

The Tongans responded with four unanswered tries after the restart as they moved into a 24-20 lead.

But Russell powered his way over for a try that Danny Brough converted.

It was a thrilling end to a physical and engrossing encounter that Scotland looked to have under control at the break before their opponents stole the momentum with some blistering attacking rugby.

Tonga scored five tries to Scotland’s four but the trusty boot of Huddersfield Giants’ Man of Steel Brough ultimately proved decisive.

The Bravehearts half-back converted all four tries and kicked a penalty, while Tonga’s Samsoni Langi managed only two conversions.

Chilly and at times soggy conditions at Derwent Park failed to dampen the spirits of the crowd of 7,630 or the two teams in a thrilling match.

It took just nine minutes for Fisi’iahi to give Tonga the lead, crashing through a gap left by Kane Linnett, but Scotland responded brilliantly.

Inspired by half-backs Brough and Peter Wallace, Steve McCormack’s side went ahead when Russell scored the first of his two tries, stepping and powering his way through Tongan tacklers.

Brough clipped his penalty through the posts to extend the lead, then Ben Fisher made the most of Fisi’iahi’s inability to gath-

er a grubber kick to touchdown.

It got better for Scotland when Brett Carter slipped in unopposed on the right to score on his home ground, but it owed much to an offload from Danny Addy.

The Pacific Islanders headed for the sheds looking pretty shellshocked, but whatever was said seemed to spur them on as

they ripped into the Scots after the break.

Sika Manu set the ball rolling, capitalising on a Scotland error to ground the ball, and video referee Ashley Klein awarded the try in the first of a series of calls sent his way from match official Shayne Hayne.

Indiscipline from Scotland gave Tonga a penalty and, from the resulting set, Nafe Seluini forced his way in on the back of brutal attack from Fuifui Moimoi. After two notry calls from Klein, Sika Manu’s faintest of dab downs was awarded.

Willie Manu joined his namesake on the scoresheet when he was put in by Daniel Tupou as Tonga took the lead, before Russell set up a thrilling finale with his try, converted by Brough with eight minutes to go.

Tonga poured forward and could have levelled if they had kicked a late penalty, but Scotland held out and begin their campaign with success.

Scotland are next in action on Sunday when they take on Group C leaders Italy, while Tonga play Cook Islands on November 5. (BBC Sport)

armstrong may help cycling’s doping inquiry

Lance Armstrong could play a key part in an independent inquiry into doping announced by new International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson.

Representatives of the disgraced cyclist have been contacted to gauge his willingness to speak to an inquiry.

Cookson hopes to help to rid the sport of its doping image and restore trust.

It is not clear how much Armstrong would be willing to divulge about his doping past, with the UCI reluctant to give any guarantees in return.

In the organisation’s first meeting since Cookson’s election in September, it was revealed that the Englishman will earn £235,000 a year, £77,000 less than his predecessor Pat McQuaid.

In June, Armstrong used his Twitter account to ask Cookson if he was willing to convene a commission to “fully understand the mistakes of previous generations”.

The 62-year-old replied that he was and would prioritise allegations which implicated the UCI in past cover-ups.

Cookson, who ousted McQuaid at the end of a hard-fought election campaign last month, is deter-

mined to rid the sport of its drug-tainted past and announced an independent commission as a first step.

The commission is due to start work next year after a UCI review of its own current anti-doping measures.

Speaking after an extraordinary meeting of the UCI management committee, Cookson said: “We have made important decisions on women’s cycling, international development, the establishment of a fully independent anti-doping unit and an independent commission to look into allegations of UCI wrong-doing.

“There is a huge amount of work to do in the coming months and beyond, but I am excited by the passion and support my colleagues have shown for implementing a real programme of change for the good of cycling.”

It is also understood that all future drug testing will be carried out by a fully independent unit. Cookson has consulted the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in shaping this plan.

For Armstrong, involvement would be a first step towards repairing his public image after being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from all competitive sport by USADA

last year for his central involvement in a sophisticated doping conspiracy.

The Texan finally admitted to his years of cheating in a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in January. Since then there have been

suggestions that Armstrong has wanted to work with the authorities to shed further light on cycling’s doping culture - but until now nothing has materialised.

The independent investigation is also likely to ex-

amine evidence seized at the UCI’s Swiss headquarters after the recent presidential election.

Staff from corporate investigations company Kroll took IT equipment and documents to ensure all evidence

from the previous regime was preserved for any future investigation.

It is understood that among the items private investigators seized was a laptop belonging to McQuaid. (BBC Sport)

OCA team to tour Guyana, T&T next month

By RavendRa Madholall in ToRonTo

The Ontario Cricket Association (OCA) will be sending a team to Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago mid-next month for several limited over matches as part of its High Performance Programme.

According to president of the association, Mike Kendall, it is the continuous efforts to improve the performance of the association’s players and young prospects on the tour which is labelled as the “Goodwill Tour”.

“The board [is] investing heavily in the future of these deserving players, who are the flag bearers of the future of cricket in Canada and this tour will allow the players to play against the best players coming out of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago over the next three weeks,” Kendall related during a press conference in Toronto recently.

OCA is the oldest cricketing body in the North American hemisphere that was established in the late 1870s and formally registered in 1977. Currently, there is a 10-member league operating from North Bay, Sudbury and from Windsor to Ottawa, including many in the Greater Toronto area.

Cricket is part of Canada’s heritage and OCA has played an extremely important role in nurturing that heritage, proudly carrying on of that tradition for some time.

“We will continue to make Ontario and Canada proud of our heritage by making a sincere and positive contribution to the game of Cricket;

the Board of Directors of the OCA are also very thankful to a number of sponsors who are supporting our boys in making this tour possible and we are especially delighted and appreciative of the major sponsorship from the Scotia Bank in particular as it carries with it, enormous importance for Cricket in Ontario as well as Canada,” Kendall commented.

He further stated that the experience and exposure in the two traditionallyrich cricketing countries will boost the youngsters’ confidence to play the game on a regular basis and with greater inspiration.

“We strongly feel that the invaluable experience gained by our players by playing against some of the greatest Club teams in these countries, that have produced many past and present legends of WI Cricket, will go a long way towards raising their own level of performance; we have no doubt that by the end of this tour, players will gain tremendous insight into the game, make unprecedented stride towards reaching their full

potential and will be full of confidence,” the OCA boss revealed.

The team will have a number of players from the two countries: Royston Crandon, Trevon Garraway, Garvin Singh, among others.

Meanwhile, manager of the touring squad Bisham Mohammed stated that the team is excited to make the inaugural trip and this will benefit the players tremendously. He also mentioned that players were selected based on their performances in the annual competition.

The team will participate in two T20s against Everest and DCC while they play 40-over games against GCC and Albion and two 40-over matches in Trinidad and Tobago.

The touring team reads: Adnan Suleman, Rajiv Bhatia, Aiyub Ahmadzai, Dheeraj Kumar, Nabiullah Nawabi, Muhammad Akber Hussain, Mustafa Popalzai, Sarabjot Singh, Azhad Amidon, Ajmal Chughai, Allan DeSouza, Neeraj Bharadwaj and Priyam Thaker. Bisham Mohammed (manager).

gayle wants ‘big’ tour of india

MUMBAI, India – Chris Gayle wants to score big – very big! The big man who has made two triple centuries in Test cricket is looking to “go big” in the upcoming two-Test series against India.

Gayle has never made a Test century against India and is eyeing up a “big one” when he steps out at Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the first contest and at the Wankhede in Mumbai for the second encounter.

“I’m looking for something big in this series,” the powerful six-footer told WICB Media. “I enjoy playing in India and I know Eden Gardens and Mumbai very well. The pitches are very good but they will turn a bit going into the match.

“I have my plans...I know my areas and I will look to get a ‘big one’ or two when we get going against India. I’m really looking forward to the Tests because I haven’t played one in a while,” Gayle said. “It’s always tough in India, no matter the format, and this is crucial to test ourselves against top-five opposition. It will be difficult to beat India at home for sure.

“We want to start the first Test with a bang and we know what’s required to win in India. I hope this series will be a turning point in my career as I get back to the redball as opposed to the short-format white ball. India are looking to consolidate their Test spot in the rankings so it will be a very engaging contest.”

The 34-year-old has played 97 Test matches and has a good record of 6836 runs including 15 centuries. His highest score is

the memorable 333 against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2010.

The second Test match is slated to be the 150th for Gayle’s team-mate Shiv Chanderpaul and the 200th and final match for Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian legend. Gayle paid tribute to both. “Sachin Tendulkar and I have always shared fun moments whenever we’ve met. The routine’s generally the same. I’ll share a few jokes with him, pull his leg. And he just ends up laughing a lot,” Gayle said.

“Shiv’s our own legend. He’s still going strong and scoring a lot of runs. He’s another phenomenal person. He’s a laid back guy and very easy to relate to. I have played 97 Tests and most of them with Shiv. We have shared great moments on and off the field.” (WICB)

Rain wins first ODI as match abandoned

Port of Spain, Trinidad - West Indies Women and England Women were left frustrated as a rainy day in Trinidad forced the first One Day International between both teams to be abandoned.

The rain greeted the players at the ground, inevitably forcing a delayed start. Between, the scheduled start of 9am ECT and the eventual start time of 2pm ECT, there were two rare moments of hope.

The rain poured constantly but for two brief periods when the groundsmen were allowed to work on the pitch. After lunch, a lengthy period of sun shone some hope on the match. It dried the Queen’s Park Oval surface quickly, and allowed the groundsmen to comfortably go about their jobs.

By that time, the umpires had a chance

to the match going. It was decided that each side would bat a minimum of 23 overs. Merissa Aguilleira won the toss and elected to field first.

As the match started at 2pm, the Windies Women got off to a good start. Treyamaine Smartt’s first two overs cost just four runs. Subina Munroe at the other end conceded one run from her one over. But after the third over, the dark grey clouds that hung above burst down.

It was a heavy shower that sent the players scampering off and the groundstaff scampering on. Without a doubt, the day was over. It was made official at 2:25pm ECT that the match was abandoned.

The second One Day International is on Friday (WICB)

Canadian team aims for success at guyana softball Cup iii

By RavendRa Madholall

in ToRonTo

Canada is confident, according to Manager/ Player Terry Mathura ahead of their preparation for

the tour of Guyana to compete in the Guyana Softball Cup III, set to bowl off on November 8 in Georgetown under the auspices of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA).

This was disclosed during an exclusive interview with this publication in Toronto on Monday.

“I [am] definitely confident that our players will do well in Guyana; they have

shown a lot of enthusiasm and determination to make an impression down there so we are in good shape,” Mathura, current vice president of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), re-

lated.

Canada will participate in the opening 20-over category and Mathura believes his group of boys is accustomed to playing the longer version and that will increase their confidence of bringing back the championship trophy.

He also reserved special mention to the GSFCA for their invitation and the opportunity for them to participate among some of the top softball players in Guyana.

“We have been preparing very hard since the selection of the side but just have the players who are available because other senior players can’t make it due to their work commitment and personal reasons, however, we have several players down in Guyana who would come to Canada and play in our league and will use them there, while we must thank the GFSCA for inviting and hosting us,” Mathura declared.

Canada will begin their quest for supremacy against arch-rivals New York in the first set of preliminary matches while the competition will conclude on November 11 with the grand finale at the once world famous international venue, Georgetown

Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda. Mathura said the team was selected based on performances in the recently-concluded OSCL competitions. He will be accompanied by OSCL president Albert Ramcharran, who will perform duties of Communication Officer while Vish Jadunauth, Treasurer of OSCL, will be the team’s coordinator. Other representatives from the league that will be present in Guyana will be statistician, Patrick Shiva, and West End coordinator Ryan Bhup.

Further, he mentioned that the OSCL thanks the sponsors for making their trip to Guyana a reality and SWK for the uniforms.

Meanwhile, the winning team will receive $800,000 and a trophy while the runner-up will cart off $200,000 and a trophy. Several individual prizes are also up for grabs.

The team reads: Devanand Ramsawack, Trevon Garraway, Ravin Babulall,Navin Bhup, Gavin Singh, Rayburn Gonsalves, Terry Mathura, Ryan Bhup, Rickey Mahadeo, Ian Gonsalves and Andy Persaud.

Spin clinic was the decisive factor for my success, says Motie

keen to continue his learning curve

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Left-arm spinner

Gudakesh Motie said the three-week Saqlain Mushtaq spin bowling clinic was the decisive factor for his success during the seven-match youth One-Day International series between West Indies and Bangladesh.

His economical spells, accuracy and consistency were the hallmarks of his good showing during the tournament where he was West Indies’ most penetrative slow bowler.

The clinic was organised by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for current and emerging West Indies spinners, and Motie said he is richer in experience.

“It was a good experience and I learnt a lot,” Motie said. “It was the main factor for my good showing against Bangladesh. He [Mustaq] spoke to me about my bowling and spoke to me about completing my action, along with my follow through.”

The 18-year-old left-arm spinner was joined by fellow club mates, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul as the Guyanese selected for the stint with the 36-year-old Mushtaq in Barbados last month.

Motie has represented Guyana at the youth level for several years now, dating back to 2007 when he made his debut as a pintsized 11-year in the Regional Under-15 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.

He has played for Guyana four years at the Under-15 level, two years at the Under-17 level and another three at the Under-19 level. Motie has been in tremendous form for Guyana in the regional Under-19 tournament over the past two years, finishing as the joint highest

Flex Night thrills Corentyne audience

The second annual Flex Night Berbice event, staged last Saturday evening at the Corentyne Comprehensive School in Port Mourant, was a thriller for the large and appreciative audience in attendance.

wicket-taker in 2012 with 27 victims in the three-day competition.

He continued with the fine form this year, copping a tournament-high 30 wickets in the three-day competition and another 10 in the 50-over version, ending as the third highest wicket-taker.

Meanwhile, Motie indicated his willingness to continue learning when the young West Indies team tour Bangladesh for a return series in December.

“I am positive that my bowling will be effective in Bangladesh because what I was told; the conditions there are not much different from here, so I am confident I will make some impact there,”

Motie said.

“I want to continue learning every aspect of the game and hope to achieve my gold one day and that is to represent the West Indies at the highest level.”

The West Indies U19s lost the seven-match series to Bangladesh 3-4, and Motie said that he is hoping that the team gets their revenge in the return series.

Following the West Indies/Bangladesh series, youth teams from around the World will focus on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) U19 Cricket World Cup in Dubai next February.

Organised by Flex Night Berbice coordinator, Raheem Ali, in collaboration with Flex Night Incorporated, the event attracted patrons from West Demerara, Georgetown, West Coast Berbice, New Amsterdam, Central and Upper Corentyne.

As expected, the Flex Night Berbice marked the on-stage debut for a number of male and female bodybuilders.

A release from Flex Night Incorporated stated, “Regardless of their placings (and some of the new bodybuilders did very well) these bodybuilders would have learnt valuable lessons which they will use as they climb the competition ladder to participate in the upcoming Flex Night International 2013, and in 2014 in the Berbice Flexouts, and GABBFF Novices and Seniors events.”

The event attracted male and female bodybuilders from the Berbice gyms: Fitness Zone, House of Pain Gym, Power Flex Gym, Skeldon Community Centre Gym and Windero Gym.

The most outstanding performances came from Windero Gym, whose athletes won the overall Mr. Flex Night Berbice (Teon Sancho); Miss Flex Night Berbice (Candacy Lynch) and Miss Flex Night Berbice Bikini (Janica Sandy).

There were two guest appearances; the first by Miss Flex Night 2012 Best Legs title holder, NadinaTaharally, of Interline Fitness Gym and the second by Eybo Orford of Buddy’s Gym.

There was also a miniexpo by two distributors of bodybuilding supplementsGizmos and Gadgets which promoted their Fitness Factory and also sponsored the overall Mr. Flex Night Berbice trophy- and Poonai’s Pharmacy.

The release further stated, “During the intermission, bodybuilders took the opportunity to flock these distributors to learn more about the products availa-

ble. Flex Night Incorporated is now concluding preparations for the publication of its second issue of the Flex Night Magazine and the second Flex Night International scheduled for Sunday December 8 at the National Cultural Centre.”

Competitive Digicel Guyana Open golf tournament envisaged – number of entrants increasing steadily

By avenash Ramzan

If the predictions of

2012 runner-up Roger Rajkumar come to fruition, it is highly likely that this weekend’s Guyana Open, now sponsored by Digicel, will be the most competitive in decades.

Speaking at the launch of the highly anticipated tournament, set for Saturday and Sunday at the ninehole Lusignan Golf Course, Rajkumar, Canadian-based Guyanese, said more than two dozen golfers are in with a chance of copping the prestigious title.

“I’ve got to tell you that there are about 20-30 guys in the field who are of equal or close to equal strength and could produce a winner on any given day depends on the way they play and a little bit of luck,” Rajkumar envisaged as he gave a player’s perspective.

During his remarks

at Digicel’s head office in Kingston, Rajkumar also expressed gratitude to the telecommunication company for embracing the Guyana Open, noting that corporate support is vital for the growth and development of any discipline.

When the tournament tees off at 07:00h on Saturday - or earlier if the number of entries increases by Friday - defending champion Avinash Persaud will be the man to beat in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap).

Persaud, who lives a stone’s throw away from the course at Lusignan, will put his title on the line against overseas golfers Rajkumar, Jaipaul Suknanan, Seupaul Suknanan and Anwar Shafi of New York, as well as local counterparts Mohanlall Dinanauth, Alfred Mentore, William Walker, Patrick Prashad, Imran Khan and Munaff Arjune.

The golfers will com-

pete in four categories: Championship Flight (0-9 handicap), B Flight (10-18), C Flight (19-28) and Ladies Flight, and with the deadline for registration extended to Friday, the number of participants could increase to 100.

The phenomenal Christine Sukhram will look to defend her title from last year against perennial rival Joann Deo and newcomer Shanella Webster, as well as foreign participants.

Meanwhile, vice president of the LGC, David Mohamed, indicated that close to 90 persons have completed registration for the two-day tournament, with one third of those being from Canada, Florida, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Like Rajkumar, Mohamed is confident the competition will produce a high standard of play since many quality players are in the reckoning for top honours.

He also used the opportunity to welcome Digicel as “a premier sponsor of our premier tournament.”

Digicel’s Marketing Director, Jacqueline James, expressed her company’s delight of being a part of the Guyana Open for the first time, after initially partnering with the LGC to stage the Digicel Golf Classic for the past three years.

James’ colleaguesSponsorship and Events Manager Gavin Hope and Head of Sales Nalini Vieiraechoed similar sentiments, adding that their company is keen on driving youth development and urged young persons to not only come out and witness the competition, but also to take up the sport.

Following this weekend’s Digicel Guyana Open, local golfers will engage in the MACORP, Wartsila, ECI and King’s Jewellery World Open tournaments.

FIFA World Cup arrives in Guyana today

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

history will be created today when the fifa world Cup trophy touches down on local soil for the first time.

According to officials close to the local organising team, all systems are in place for the arrival at the Cheddi Jagan international Airport and subsequent activities at Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

The trophy will arrive at in Guyana at 09:00h via a special charter aircraft on its penultimate stop on the 22-country Caribbean tour.

The final leg of the Caribbean tour will take place in trinidad and

Tobago. the tour is being facilitated by fifa through its corporate partner Coca Cola, and local franchise Banks DIH Limited has been putting systems in place to ensure the event is a grand success.

When Guyana Times visited Thirst Park on Tuesday morning, workers were busy putting the final touches to the Banks DIH sports Club and the thirst Park outfield where activities will take place during the day.

Banks DIH Communications Manager, troy Peters, during an interview with this publication, outlined the programme of activities planned for the day.

according to Peters, when the trophy arrives at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, several high-ranking officials, including Banks dih Co-Managing director george Mcdonald, sport Minister dr frank anthony and guyana football federation president Christopher Matthias will have the distinct pleasure of welcoming the solid gold trophy to the country.

The trio will have the privilege of entering the aircraft and having “the first look” of the trophy, which has become an iconic image of the sport.

following a press conference in the arrival lounge of the airport, the delegation will then travel to

georgetown where a four-hour programme of novelty football events and the viewing and photography with the trophy will take place with invitees to the event starting at 13:00 hours.

Later on in the evening, a gala reception will be hosted at Banks dih sports Club where dignitaries, including President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and the Brazilian Ambassador will have the opportunity to share in the historic moment.

the delegation will be led by FIFA Ambassador Dwight Yorke, the former Trinidad and Tobago and Aston Villa footballer.

Competitive Digicel Guyana Open