Guyana times daily

thursday, october 17, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

Countrywide:

Govt rejects miners’ tax break proposal on imported fuel

The proposed five per cent excise tax on imported fuel put forward by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) was overturned by government, according to the body’s president, Patrick Harding.

High

of 0.59 metre and 0.49 metre respectively.

In August, GGDMA met with President Donald Ramotar, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, and requested several concessions, including the tax break on fuel imported from legitimate Caribbean companies.

Fuel accounts for 25-30 per cent of miners’ production costs, at a time when gold prices continue to fluctuate, coupled with high prices for fuel, lubricants, spares, and replacement parts.

Harding said despite detailed explanations justifying the need for the five per cent excise tax, the proposal was rejected. The GGDMA and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry have now returned to the drawing board in the hope of developing an alternative solution to the fuel problem facing the mining industry.

Additionally, the proposal for miners to be given the opportunity to sell up to 50 per cent of the gold

sold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) for foreign currency was rejected in part. Harding told Guyana Times that while the proposal has not been accepted in its entirety, an alternative is being sought.

4x4 tax waivers

In November 2011, GGB informed miners that foreign exchange was not available but subsequent to the notice, miners were allowed up to 100 per cent of their gold in foreign exchange. “GGDMA is urgently requesting that foreign exchange be made available to assist the small and medium scale miners, during this crisis of falling gold prices, for

them to import much-needed spares and machinery,” the association had said in it plea to the government.

The proposal for the government to assent to tax waivers on the importation of 4x4, 4-door openback pickups, which are considered luxury vehicles thereby attracting heavy import duties, has been referred to the Finance Ministry and Guyana Revenue Authority.

But while the GGDMA waits for the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to arrest many of the problems facing the industry, it has met with the newly-appointed Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell.

Firearm licences

The GGDMA president explained that Police Commissioner Brumell has agreed to accelerate the process of approving firearm licences, permits, and approv-

al for miners to establish their private security services. Brumell reportedly advised GGDMA members to form themselves into subgroups to hire security services, noting that firearm licences will most likely be granted to security firms rather than individuals.

Over the past 31 years, the GGDMA has aided in the transformation of the gold industry, which has grown from a declared production of 10,000 ounces to a record 438,645 ounces in 2012. A declaration of more than 460,000 ounces of gold is expected this year, and, according to Harding, miners are well on their way to surpassing this target. If the target is achieved, it will be the highest annual declared gold production in the country, surpassing Omai gold mine’s and local miners’ combined declaration of 456,000 ounces of gold in 2001.

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

Chinese investment

Chinese investment in the local economy has drawn fire from two quarters. Some in the local merchant community have complained of being undersold by cheap, substandard goods imported by Chinese businessmen, while at the national level, the opposition parties have protested Chinese loans to the government for several potentially game-changing mega projects.

Richard Bernal, a former Jamaican ambassador to the United States and permanent representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), believes that the Chinese presence in the Caribbean is a positive development, but it needs a regional approach if the arrangements are to redound to the full benefit of the individual territories.

Bernal points out the inexorable rise of the Chinese economy that is poised to eclipse the U.S.’s as the largest in the world and notes as follows:

“With its economic ascent, China has amassed considerable reserves from increases in exports, substantial inflows of capital, and a carefully managed exchange rate regime. China’s reserves fuel more than US$74 billion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in emerging markets, including about US$15 billion (or nine per cent of total FDI) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Investment abroad is expected to increase in the coming years as China expands its economic presence.”

While initially, China’s investment was driven by “chequebook diplomacy”, as it sought to woo the Caribbean islands’ votes in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, of recent, the investments have shifted in line with China’s newfound economic and political confidence.

FDI increased by more than 500 per cent in relative terms between 2003 and 2011, with the estimated stock of Chinese FDI in the region totalling almost US$500 million in 2011. Chinese companies have initiated ventures in more than a dozen Caribbean countries. Cuba, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica stand out as the most important destinations for investment.

China’s agenda in the Caribbean now more closely approximates its interests in Latin America and Africa; however, Chinese firms are increasingly active in natural resources and infrastructure sectors, and are seeking avenues to employ Chinese equipment and construction teams.

With China’s expanding population and rapid economic development come a growing demand for energy and food. As they have elsewhere in the western hemisphere, Chinese companies have shown escalating interest in the Caribbean’s natural resources and agricultural sectors.

Large-scale overseas construction projects are of considerable interest to both state-owned and private Chinese firms, which seek opportunities to employ their under-utilised service teams. The use of Chinese construction firms is often stipulated as a condition of financing. The US$3 billion Baha Mar project in The Bahamas alone, for instance, has employed some 5000 Chinese construction workers.

However, as Bernal points out, the Caribbean faces competition for Chinese investment, most notably from neighbouring Latin America. Higher wages, modest resource endowments, and smaller markets relative to Latin America make the Caribbean less attractive as a destination for Chinese capital.

As Chinese investors look for new opportunities, Caribbean governments will need to advance beyond traditional trade and investment to offer prospects in areas such as entertainment, sports training, and real estate. China is also a key market for high-end Caribbean products, among them Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and Mount Gay, El Dorado, Appleton, and Angostura rums.

The region is also attractive as a production platform for manufactured exports to the United States, Canada, and the European Union (EU). Preferential trade arrangements like the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN); and the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, etc, have generated some interest among Chinese investors.

To attract more Chinese investment, Caribbean governments must establish themselves as attractive and diversified partners. Doing this requires an increased diplomatic presence in China and a higher profile in that country’s major business centres.

Governments must also manage high levels of public debt – more than 80 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in some cases –and oversee ongoing natural resources extraction and construction operations in a way that attracts foreign investment, benefits local development, and encourages strategic business alliances and joint ventures.

Guyana has come a

Dear Editor,

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds recently reminded residents of what he described as a bad period of shortages, low wages, poor electricity supply and high inflation which prevailed during the late 1970s up to the early 1990s. These were the conditions that the current government met when it gained power.

Guyana is still undergoing repair. The damage that was done for almost three decades has left some bad cultural traits. One thing that I still hate is this bad approach to work. I recall one day sometime in the 1980s, I went to the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM) on an arranged recruitment

possibility and no one came to meet me. One gentleman told me to sit and wait and he never came back. Being young and scared I stayed for the entire day, wasting some seven hours.

Another incident took place at one of those many outlets that formed part of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC). The place was quite lifeless and the person who was supposed to be in charge just locked up and went off. I asked one person there as regards the waiting factor, and up to what time I should wait. I was told that it was not certain if this person would come back. I think we have significantly improved in this area of work ethics.

very long way

Recently, I had to go to the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) and I arrived just after seven in the morning. To my pleasant surprise, work was full in operation. It was also the same at the Housing Ministry when I turned up just a bit after the starting time.

I have complained against the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), but I would be untruthful to say that it was better in the bygone days. I recall wanting to go to the cinema, but the blackout thing used to deter me. The stretches used to be like for eight to 12 hours too. People seldom bought plenty of fish and meat for storage and I still meet a few of my

friends who had their meat business totally wrecked. The night before I wrote one of my General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE ‘O’ Level) subjects, we had an all night power cut. So in that regard alone, we have come a long way. Do I need to go on to the massive food crises back then? Talk about no flour, split peas and tin stuff and I still shudder. How about slaving at Hope for a pint of oil and a few cigarettes, even though some did not smoke? That ancient régime I hope is totally dead and buried. Another term from it and Guyana too would be buried.

Kind regards, Reginald Hamilton

Distasteful comments about youth unemployment

Dear Editor,

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) beat me to it. I was planning to let all Guyana know that what came from the opposition leader, regarding youth unemployment, is nothing but wild and inflammatory sentiments. Statistics show that a high percentage of prison inmates are young people. More recently, a review conducted by the Home Affairs Ministry found that unemployed males between the ages of 18 and 25 were the main perpetrators of the crimes committed in July in the city. So indeed, youths do commit a lot of crimes, and this is not unique to Guyana.

There should also be a break down on these youths, along a few parameters –family backgrounds, levels of education, community background, and ethnic group.

The more we know about who criminals are, the better we can address the causes for criminal activities. If people do not go to school, then we must ask ourselves why and check to see who are the ones responsible for this. Schooling makes a big difference.

Many youths are on the road because they are without a basic high school foundation. Many from this lot also have a very bad attitude about work. They feel that to work with hands and feet is

demeaning. Yet they want the very things that manual labour can allow people to buy.

I think of discontent and envy as well. If young people will just lime on the road, they will get into trouble. They see what others can get and are getting by virtue of hard work, and they want the same. How they get this? By conjuring up and getting involved in acts of criminality.

This is where I call on the leader of the opposition to do some work. He needs to go out there and urge all straying youths to seek education or skills that will allow them to become marketable.

The PPP/C made reference to the Amaila Falls

Hydro Power Project and how this would have allowed for many to be employed. However, the main opposition was not interested in the project. The members voted against it. Well what do we expect now? If a set of people will be against things national, then these people must not complain.

Potential employment, skilled and unskilled, was knocked down, when the Amaila project was not given the green light. The main opposition could have acted more mature and sensible. So I cannot understand the complaints about unemployment now.

Yours sincerely, Fabian Gonsalves

Congratulations to the first batch of graduates from Regions Five, Six SCCP

The PPP/C continues to invest heavily in education

There are indeed been many views regarding TVET, especially on who can and should access such an education. Educators in the field are now taking the responsibility to change the notion that those who are good with their hands and are not academically inclined should attend technical institutes to learn a trade, and do so way after school. In this regard, this

Dear Editor, The Education Departments in Regions Five and Six recently staged a wonderful graduation ceremony for a whopping 271 students who successfully completed the Secondary School Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP). So big and hearty congratulations to all of these students. This particular graduation made me think carefully about something that is really catching on in Guyana. I refer here to technical/vocational education and training (TVET).

graduation exercise is like a precursor or harbinger to TVET in this land. No one is dunce – we all have different inclinations and this must be recognised and catered for very early. At the broader level, TVET has taken on a stronger image in light of the fact that many of the world’s occupations, particularly those that aid development of industries, depend on people with the necessary skills. TVET programmes require a lot – strong background in mathemat -

ics, science and English language. As a matter of fact, this SCCP commenced in 2009, catered for secondary school children in Grades Nine and 10. Compliments to those who are pushing TVET and I recommend continual work from the education sector. I get scared when I think what could have very well be the end result for these 271 persons had it not been for SCCP.

Sincerely,

Doodnauth Mangal

How Goolsarran secured appointment as auditor general

Dear Editor,

The pieces are finally coming together. Ever wondered how Anand Goolsarran got himself appointed as auditor general by a corrupt People’s National Congress (PNC) administration? First, he accepted appointment as deputy auditor general under a man who was previously the accountant general.

This man incidentally was not a chartered accountant and moved straight from being accountant general in the Finance Ministry to being auditor general under the PNC. But Goolsarran had no problem with this man’s lack of chartered accounting qualification or his lack of indepen-

dence. Why not? Because Goolsarran was busy feathering his own nest and waiting in the wings to cultivate PNC favours. Goolsarran sat in that office for years, subsequently becoming auditor general, knowing that the sister of the then Finance Minister Carl Greenidge was employed in the office and had no problem with that.

In fact, Goolsarran went further. Having already colluded with the government to avoid tabling audited accounts, he sought to curry further favour with Greenidge even more. So, he arranged a lucrative scholarship for Greenidge’s sister to proceed to the

United Kingdom to pursue specialised studies, leapfrogging several more experienced officers in the audit office, and even tried to raise additional funds for her when Greenidge’s sister had to repeat certain courses.

Without a doubt, by covering up the fact that Greenidge had planted his sister in the audit office, by remaining silent on the non submission of audited accounts for years, and by procuring a lucrative scholarship for Greenidge’s sister to study in England, Goolsarran ensured that he earned appointment as auditor general, and the protection of the PNC.

No wonder Desmond

Hoyte chose Goolsarran as his auditor general -- a truly toothless poodle. No wonder Goolsarran can’t stop being a political puppet. He moved straight from being a PNC puppet to an AFC puppet.

He learned the art of being a political puppet a long time ago under Greenidge and Hoyte, and has now perfected it under his best friend Khemraj Ramjattan.

Name and address withheld

Dear Editor,

Several studies have shown that many school systems, particularly those in urban and high-poverty areas, are plagued with temporary locations, and sometimes dilapidated buildings that all threaten the health, safety, and learning opportunities of students.

Proper facilities are of essence when it comes to promoting knowledge. Though we may have adequate teachers and an efficient academic programme, there is still great need for the implementation of proper physical structures.

A common problem in most schools is the lack of proper ventilation. Many students complain of being congested and cramped. These environments can only make students irritable and uncomfortable, making it difficult to focus and perform to the best of their ability.

In Karawab, Lower Pomeroon River, approximately 50 miles or less from Charity, Essequibo Coast, a new primary school, along with a stelling walkway to the school was established by the Region Two administration, in collaboration with the Education Ministry.

The government invested approximately $20.3 mil-

lion in the erection of the school, and approximately $5.3 million in the construction of the stelling. This state-of-the-art two-storey concrete and wooden structure is the last to be constructed under the region’s work programme.

The development of this school was all part of the overall effort to boost education in remote areas in Guyana. The country has already achieved the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) as it relates to primary education accomplishments.

The schools in Region Two have at all times appeared to be well maintained and utilised. With the government showing great interest and willingness to invest in education and the respective facilities needed, it is only fair that corresponding stewardship be offered.

I absolutely support the initiative for the beneficiaries of schools to promote maximum maintenance of these highly appreciated assets. In addition, teachers should ensure that the highest level of punctuality is attained. Any acts of truancy should be dealt with accordingly.

Sincerely, Tamesh Bindu

The importance of fathers in the healthy development of children

The impact of fathers on psychological well-being and social behaviour

Even from birth, children who have an involved father are more likely to be emotionally secure, be confident to explore their surroundings, and, as they grow older, have better social connections with peers. These children also are less likely to get in trouble at home, school, or in the neighbourhood. Infants who receive high levels of affection from their fathers (that is, babies whose fathers respond quickly to their cries and who play together) are more securely attached; that is, they can explore their environment comfortably when a parent is nearby and can readily accept comfort from their parent after a brief separation. A number of studies suggest they also are more sociable and popular with other children throughout early childhood.

The way fathers play with their children also has an important impact on a child’s emotional and social development.

Fathers spend a much higher percentage of their one-on-one interaction with infants and preschoolers in stimulating, playful activity than do mothers. From these interactions, children learn how to regulate their feelings and behaviour. Roughhousing with dad, for example, can teach children how to deal with aggressive impulses and physical contact without losing control

of their emotions. Generally speaking, fathers also tend to promote independence and an orientation to the outside world. Fathers often push achievement while mothers stress nurturing, both of which are important to healthy development.

As a result, children who grow up with involved fathers are more comfortable exploring the world around them and more likely to exhibit selfcontrol and pro-social behaviour.

One study of school-aged children found that children with good relationships with their fathers were less likely to experience depression, to ex-

Dispelling the stereotype of low-income fathers

hibit disruptive behaviour, or to lie and were more likely to exhibit prosocial behaviour. This same study found that boys with involved fathers had fewer school behaviour problems and that girls had stronger self-esteem.

In addition, numerous studies have found that children who live with their fathers are more likely to have good physical and emotional health, to achieve academically, and to avoid drugs, violence, and delinquent behaviour.

It is very important for anybody working with fathers, to dispel one common stereotype: the image of low-income urban fathers as disengaged and uninvolved with their children. As Dr Michael Lamb has stated, “Our research really bashes the stereotype of the low-income father. These fathers care about their kids, but may not show their love in conventional ways and sometimes a lack of a job, poor communication with the mom, or even their own childhood experiences can prevent them from getting involved.” Too often, professionals may assume that a low-income, urban dad who does not live with his children is uninvolved with, even unconcerned about, his children. This can push a father away from his family, the exact opposite of what anyone would want to see happen.

In short, fathers have a powerful and positive impact upon the development and health of children. A caseworker who understands the important contributions fathers make to their children’s development and how to effectively involve fathers in the case planning process will find additional and valuable allies in the mission to create a permanent and safe environment for children. (Childwelfare.gov)

The keys to developing in children

By SuSan LieBerman

One of the most important developmental accomplishments in childhood is the emergence of self-discipline. Studies have found that a child who has self-discipline is often much more prepared for whatever challenges life throws their way, and that self-control is best learned in early childhood.

Every parent wants their child to be the best they can be, and the question often asked is “what parenting style is best in order for children to thrive, have good selfesteem and show appropriate self-control?” Many experts have found that an authoritative parenting style is best at helping your child achieve self-discipline.

An authoritative parenting style is one with expectations, rules and structure. However, it can’t be confused with a dictatorial style. Authoritative parents communicate well with their children, offer support, flexibility and allow for mistakes.

Here are some other suggestions for teaching self-control to children:

* Encourage activities that practice self-discipline: Start by having your children participate in chores.

Chores can start as young as three years old and teach children to be responsible and disciplined.

Other activities such as sports, a job, caring for a pet, music lessons and following family routines – such as morning and bedtime schedules all encourage self-control.

* Give your child an allowance: Teach your children to earn what they want. Encourage children to save their money and make it last. Allowance can help curb impulsive behaviour and provides children with the opportunity to learn how to plan ahead and be goal oriented.

* Think about the future: Talking about the future and encouraging children to have goals helps teach selfcontrol. By achieving goals set out for themselves, children learn to prioritise and work hard. Future thinking children don’t expect things to happen right away. They know that they need to work hard, practice and be positive; this takes self-discipline.

* Develop social skills: From a young age children must be taught not to interrupt, to listen when being talked to and how to control their emotions by reacting to feelings appropriately (that is, it’s okay to feel angry, but it’s not okay to hit).

Other skills that are key to developing self-discipline are the ability to share and wait your turn (playing board games are a great way to teach this).

* Set limits: In this day and age of electronics, it is important to set limits to how much time your child can be on a computer, play electronic games, talk on the phone and text.

Teaching self-discipline in children takes time, effort and a plan. As parents it is your job to think about the type of people you want your children to become. What qualities do you want them to possess? Once you’ve answered these questions, ask yourself “how should I parent my children so that they achieve these qualities?” Self-discipline is one of the most important qualities that a child can develop.

Children who have selfdiscipline have a much greater chance of school, relationship and social success. As a result, they will lead happier more accomplished lives.

(Ourkids.net)

thursday, october 17, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Acquisition of Sanata Textiles Complex

The transformation

Today, the transformation of the Sanata Textiles Complex is testimony to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc’s determined drive and dedication to in-

vest and contribute to the country’s overall growth and development. Despite the significant challenges, QAII, as an investor, is proud to take a leading role in the

economic development of Guyana and remains committed to servicing and improving the social well-being of citizens. This is notwithstanding the continuing un-

warranted and malicious attacks by some sections of the media that are aimed to besmirch the company’s reputation and good image. The compound now hous-

Pictures showing the transformation of the complex

es newly-constructed buildings and infrastructure inclusive of access roads, fencing, lighting, security, and a waste disposal system to name a few. Additionally,

significant investments have been made in the acquisition of state-of-the art machinery and equipment for the printing and hardware manufacturing divisions.

thursday, october 17, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

40 cases listed for October session of Berbice assizes Insularity...

The October session of the Berbice criminal assizes was formally opened on Tuesday with the traditional parade and march past in front of the High Court on Esplanade Road, New Amsterdam.

Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes, who will preside over the criminal session, took the salute and later inspected a guard of honour. The parade, which was led by Cadet Officer Jermaine Duffu, included 27 ranks from B Division. The ranks marched from Central Police Station at LFS Burnham Street to Esplanade Road. After the parade was inspected and dismissed, it was time for business as a total of 40 cases are listed for the October session of the Berbice assizes, which will conclude in January 2014. Thirteen persons are set

to be tried for the capital offence of murder, eight for manslaughter, five for robbery under arms, and three for rape. Additionally, Jabeer Fresco will face seven counts of carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 15, and Suresh Chase Latchman will be tried for one count of carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 12 along with one count of rape.

Jurors warned An arrest warrant has been issued for Newton Hope, who is indicted for murder. Another arrest warrant has been issued for former magistrate’s court clerk Nigel Small who is to face trial on five counts of embezzlement. He is also been indicted for falsification of accounts and possession of a firearm without being the holder of a licence.

Justice GregoryBarnes, in addressing the panel of jurors, expressed her concern over the small number of jury persons who turned up. She said those who were absent will be warned. “Jury duty is serious and it is a civic responsibility.” She said they have a duty to attend when asked and explained that absence is a serious offence. “If you don’t turn up, then persons will come and find you.”

The judge told the jurors that they would only be excused if they were ill and that will have to be proven by a medical document. Examinations were the other acceptable excuse for absence, the justice said. “To say that the workplace will suffer is not an acceptable excuse. Each workplace has to make some form of sacrifice for persons to attend.”

NEyew tness

...in Barbados

o one has to tell Guyanese who’ve had to pass through Barbados, the meaning of the word “insularity”. Once you weren’t Bajan, and especially (God forbid!) you were Jamaican or Guyanese, you’d know what it felt like to be treated as uncultured at best and sub-human at worst.

To be banished to the “Guyanese bench” to stew for hours on end about whether you’d be shipped back to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was the least of your worries.

As we now know after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling on Shanique Myrie’s case, the experience with Bajan immigration officialdom can become a recapitulation of the medieval inquisition, where torture on the rack was routine. Myrie was a Jamaican young woman who flew into Grantley Adams Airport in Barbados for a visit.

As a citizen of the Caribbean Community (Caricom ), she didn’t need a visa – she just had to show that she wouldn’t become “a charge” on the Bajan government (that is collect Bajan benefits) and she wasn’t an “undesirable” (that is, not on a “wanted dead or alive” or some terrorist list).

Myrie did so show the immigration officers –and also that she had someone to receive her at the airport. But that wasn’t enough. She was hauled into a room – a filthy room as she later proved over the denials of the Bajan government – interrogated at length, and told that she was lying through her teeth.

But the Bajans didn’t stop there.

They had one of their officers perform a “cavity search” on the young lady. This euphemism means that the officer poked her finger(s) into Myrie’s private parts. They held Myrie overnight and the next day flew her back to Jamaica.

Up to now, numerous Guyanese could recount the same harrowing experience. But Myrie was different – she didn’t take her humiliation lying down (pun intended). She went to the CCJ with the complaint that her right to travel as a Caricom citizen under the Treaty of Chaguaramas had been violated.

And after two long years, during which Bajan officials tried every which way to deny that they acted in such inhuman manner, Myrie was vindicated. But

the case goes beyond the mere US$75,000 she was awarded: it now sets a standard as to how Caricom citizens must be treated when they arrive in other “sister” countries. But sadly, the story doesn’t end there.

Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart just declared that, with the CCJ ruling, Barbados would now be flooded with “the unemployed and criminals”. But Barbados would comply since it was not “any banana, plantain or fig republic”, but “a country governed by the rule of law”. Sure!

...and idiocy

Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “idiot” was a well meaning fella who was too naive for this world. But that isn’t the only type. Economic historian Carlo Cipolla famously noted that there are basically four kinds of people.

First, there are the martyrs who take an action and suffer a loss while producing a gain to others. They’re quite rare and not to be found in Guyana. After all some suffered the ultimate loss – like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King.

Then there’s the genius or prodigy who takes an action and makes a personal gain, while yielding a gain also to society. You know, like Bill Gates. Not so rare, but not too common either.

More common are the crooks (and liars too) who take an action by which they make a gain, while causing others a loss. Like Mook Lall and his best friend Tony Yassin with Guyana Stores Limited.

Finally, there are the idiots who cause losses to others while deriving no personal gain and even possibly incurring losses. Like those opposing the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity Project (AFHEP).

...and prejudice

How many of us took time to learn what yesterday’s public holiday was all about? How many of us can even pronounce Eid-Ul-Adha properly? Let’s break down these walls of insularity that keep us apart!

Bosai to set up 50MW power plant in Linden

Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc (BMGGI) has proposed to build a 50-megawatt power plant in Linden – an initiative community leaders have welcomed, although they expressed concern about only being made aware of the plan during a recent visit to China.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon and Linden Mayor and Town Council Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman Orrin Gordon said they were optimistic about future investments in the community by China, after concluding the visit to that country.

The disclosure was made at a meeting with stakeholders on Monday at the Egbert Benjamin Centre in Linden. The meeting sought to update stakeholders from various institutions in the community on the outcome of the trip and possible areas of investments by China.

Early last year, Bosai announced a US$100 million expansion project, but there was no mention of a power plant. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud had told a news conference that the company will soon be undergoing massive expansion, which will result in hundreds of jobs being created.

Dissatisfaction

In his address, Gordon noted that an invitation was extended to both parties by the government of China for the visit; however, matters to be discussed were not highlighted. He noted that an itinerary was then prepared by himself and Solomon before their arrival, outlining matters to be discussed as it relates to future developments in Region 10.

In expressing dissatisfaction that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Linden town council were unaware that the power plant investment was in the pipeline, Gordon said: “It’s important for stakeholders to be updated on these matters, we were so disappointed that we had to go to China to learn about this.”

The IMC chairman said: “The trip was extremely rewarding, as we did state clearly what the purpose of the visit was, that we wanted them to understand that we wanted to have investment opportunities, but, at the same time, we need to have mutual respect, understanding of each other’s culture, to ensure that at the end of the day, our laws are being followed and at the end of the day, we have benefits for our community.

“We cannot have so much of our resources being taken up and then at the end of the day, we are worse off...and we need to work with our national government in ensuring that.”

Gordon advised that a percentage of future investments should be given back

to every aspect of the community, including health and education. He said once positive goals are set, in partnership with China , the Region 10 community, utilising the various stakeholder groups, can achieve much development. “We can’t get there by giant steps, we will get there by taking small steps...”

Assurance

In his address, Solomon said that the Chinese indicated that once they are given the assurance to proceed with the power project, a feasibility study would then be completed within three months and the plant can be up and running within two months of completing the study. He noted that it was important for businesspeople as well as farmers within the community to be properly educated to welcome these new initiatives. He asked for the involvement and participation of stakeholders, including the government and opposition, in adopting new perspectives, while calling for the support of the legal system, as well as specialists in ensuring that labour policies are followed.

“We need to culturally prepare ourselves to approach these investments... we have said to the Chinese and to Bosai and all who intend to come, that for us to welcome you, there must be at least a proper cultural understanding... we have a phobia where we see people and resent them without understanding what they’re about and I believe that we need to properly understand...,” the regional chairman remarked.

Solomon further noted that the assistance of the Chinese government was sought for certain community developmental projects such as the beautification programme and the community research centre project.

Dem boys whah seh dem is boys backin up too far

Nowadays de talk of de town is bout how some people does leff tings fuh back up. After all, some people like when tings back up in dem. Other people like to back up into things. Dem boys whah seh dem is boys and does dress like boys, but dem is not boys, leadin de town wid backin up in every sense of de word – whether givin or receivin.

Wheh de backin up concern, dem boys does apply all de golden rules – do to others and let dem do back; do to others more than dem can do back; do to others before dem do back; and do to others and let dem do back any ting whah dem want.

When it come to de back, dem boys whah seh dem is boys don’t friken nutten. Dem boys is de boss fuh any ting whah begin wid “b”. From gettin blow, to behind, to back, to bull, to burger – and not de ones at JR’s. Dem boys whah seh dem is boys accustom to de big “b” since long time. And de bigger de “b” de better.

That is why ever so often dem does need a good flush out, which dem boys also like. Just like how dem flush out all de money from de Water Street store thru de back door. But dem boys whah seh dem is boys tek this back ting too far. Is all a dem taxes backin up.

Mook Lall taxes backin up. Tony Assin taxes backin up. Lall Suspenders Bachan taxes backin up. De mayor-fuh-life Green Ham and he wife taxes backin up. De s*ity council publish a whole list wid all who taxes backin up. GEE-R-A got another list wid people who taxes backin up . Mook Lall, Tony Assin and Lall Suspenders Bachan name deh pun both list. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But dem boys nevah expeck people woulda back dem up like this. Now is all a dem back against de wall. And that is not de kinda backin up whah dem like!

Black Bush Polder quartet remanded on murder charge

Bail was refused to four men who appeared at the Mibicuri Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a joint charge of murder of a Black Bush Polder man last week.

In an overcrowded courtroom, Magistrate Rhondel Weaver refused bail to Kumar Mangru, 17; Nazim Azimulla, 42; Carlton Chetram; and Rajesh Singh. They are accused of killing Jewanlall “Bingle”

Deonarine on October 7. The 50-year-old Deonarine was killed on the South Lesbeholden Public Road during an argument.

In court on Tuesday, the four were not required to plead to the indictable charge. They are being represented by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos. Attorney Ganesh Heira had made an appearance for De Santos on Friday.

Many villagers flocked the

court to get a glimpse of the accused as they were brought in by police. The courtyard was also packed as scores of persons could not get inside the small courtroom.

Police Prosecutor Lance Corporal Althea Solomon told the court that the four were identified during an identification parade. The matter has been fixed for November 5 when the police are expected to present a report.

1:

Water and disasters

WMore than 83 per cent of waterrelated disasters occurred in asia

ater is one of the natural resources that is critical to human existence and development. Man’s actions over the past century and moreso the past decade, have severely impacted the world’s water resources. Water in itself, in excess or lack thereof, can become a threat to our very existence. Water related disasters have become more frequent and intense over the past decade. Population growth in flood-prone areas along with climate change is heightening the risks caused by water-related disasters.

Top worst water-related disasters of 2000s

There are quite a few disasters that make any list. These lists are determined by the loss of life, and the cost to the country’s/region’s economy. Here’s a brief look at some that make almost every list.

Indian Ocean Tsunami

• Occurred on Boxing Day 2004 after a record-setting 9.1 to 9.3 Sumatra-Amdaman earthquake

• Claimed more than 230,000 lives in 11 countries (one third of which were children)

• Waves were 100 feet high (the height of a 10-storey building)

Hurricane Ivan

Formed in early September 2004

• Tenth most intense Atlantic hurricane recorded, spawning 119 tornadoes in the United States

• Deemed the fifth costliest hurricane, racking up damages costing US$18 billion

Drought in East Africa

• Occurred between July 2011 and mid 2012; said to be the worst in 60 years

Deaths per day estimated at 10,000 resulting in approximately 260,000 deaths

Countries affected: Somalia, Dijbouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda; crisis worsened by civil wars and poverty

Hurricane Katrina

Sixth most powerful Atlantic hurricane recorded, originating in The Bahamas

Killed approximately 2000 people

• Cost more than US$80 billion in damage

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill aka BP Oil Spill Hurricane Katrina

Ranked as the largest offshore spill in U.S. history; more than 200 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days

• Affected 16,000 miles of coastline of five states

• Rig explosion killed 11 people, injured 17 More than 8000 animals reported dead

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

• Located in central North Pacific Ocean

• Contains plastics, chemical sludge and debris

Roughly the size of Texas, weighing approximately 3.5 million tonnes

Be prepared

With preparedness and planning, fatal damage can be avoided. The United Nations recommends six actions to be taken by governments to minimise water-related and other disasters:

• Galvanise and mobilise before disaster strikes

• Prioritise systems to forecast, inform, alert, and evacuate

• Incorporate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation as integral to development planning

• Improve disaster response Provide safe water and toilets quickly when disaster strikes

• Special cross-cutting initiatives such as data sharing

Fact 2: During the period 2000 to 2006, a total of 2163 waterrelated disasters were reported globally in the Emergency Disasters Database, killing more than 290,000 people and inflicting more than US$422 billion of damage.

Sources http://www.unwater.org/downloads/water_and_disaster_web.pdf http://www.filtersfast.com/articles/Worst-Man-MadeEnvironmental-Disasters.php

High risks limit bank loans to small businesses – Tracey

Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

John Tracey has noted several factors which hamper banks from granting loans to micro and small businesses.

Speaking at the launching of the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) project on Monday, he said the constraints of lending to small businesses are twofold. He noted that on one hand, limited resources and an underdeveloped business infrastructure drive the allocation of finance to a more profitable and, therefore, less risky business ventures, as micro and small businesses present more risks for lenders.

Tracey listed micro and small enterprises’ “ina-

bility to formulate proper credible business plans…financial illiteracy and poor financial practices…lack of knowledge of markets…inability to forecast and have vision…inability to adapt to market movements and change in situation” as the constraints which will always lead to their inability to access financing.

The CEO noted that the challenges of micro and small businesses are magnified owing to their lack of resources, which are available to large businesses. He recognised that it has been stated that GBTI has a negative attitude to lending, presumably by the small business sector.

“If this is so, it may be a necessary protective measure, why? Because we in the banking sector… we

know and measure risks much better than the individual borrower who sometimes come to us as the eternal optimist, positive that his business plan is bound to succeed,” he explained.

The GBTI is onboard with the MSE project and will assist with providing loans to entrepreneurs’ through a combination of an interest subsidy and support for a portion of the collateral required for loans, while Republic Bank and the Institute of Private Enterprise (IPED) have been identified to come onboard soon. In light of this, the CEO noted that the three financial institutions together have more than 45 branches covering the entire country, so the micro and small business sector

can be assured that coverage will be far and wide.

The Guyana government and the InterAmerican Development Bank on Monday unveiled the US$10 million MSE project which targets small enterprise development, offering loans to start up or expand business, with interest rates of below six per cent.

The MSE Development and Building Alternative Livelihood for Vulnerable Groups project, funded under the GuyanaNorway Partnership, was launched at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. An initial tranche of US$5 million will be released for the first phase of the project, which is expected to create 2200 jobs in the country.

Caribbean women’s unequal participation in digital economy affects development – ECLAC

In several Latin American and Caribbean countries, women equal men in terms of Internet access, but are at a clear disadvantage when it comes to using it. This limits the personal and professional development of women, as well as the growth in equality of the region’s countries as part of a new technological para-

digm. This is according to a new study “Women in the digital economy: breaking through the equality threshold” presented on Monday by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Average Internet usage rates among women are 8.5 per cent lower than among men in 10 countries with

information available. The document will form the basis for discussion in the 12th session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, which opens today in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic.

The digital economy includes telecommunications infrastructure (particularly

broadband networks); information and communications technology (ICT) industries (hardware, software and applications); and the level of users’ digital literacy.

In recent years, all countries saw an increase in the number of men and women reported using the Internet from any access point. The gap between the two sexes only narrowed, however, in Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay. The gap widened in other countries.

Gender gap

This digital gender gap is more common in urban than rural areas, and mainly affects older women of all levels of education. The prevalence of Internet usage increases in proportion with the household level of income, although the gender gap is narrower in those groups where the technology is less accessible. For instance, Uruguay is the most unequal country in this regard.

The inequality is only reversed in the case of waged female workers, who have higher Internet usage rates than men. This piece of in-

formation suggests that having ICT skills can be a powerful tool for women to enter the labour market.

According to statistics, almost half of the region’s women (representing 50.9 per cent of the population – or more than 300 million people) have no link to the labour market: women’s economic activity rates stand at 49.8 per cent (compared to 78.7 per cent among men), and one in 10 women is employed in domestic service (one of the most poorly paid jobs with the lowest levels of social protection).

Ensuring women’s economic autonomy, increasing their participation in the labour market and recognising their unpaid work is one of the main challenges of the region’s countries, according to ECLAC. Given that gender inequalities in the rest of society are reproduced in the digital economy, there is an urgent need for policies that prevent labour segregation, avoid wage gaps, and promote a fair sexual division of labour.

Labour segregation

According to ECLAC, there is blatant horizontal and vertical labour segregation in the world of science, despite an increase in the number of women in the field in recent years. Horizontal segregation refers to the fact that women are concentrated in disciplines related to health, social, humanistic and natu-

ral sciences, with physical sciences and engineering dominated by men. Another expression of horizontal gender segregation is the scarce representation of women in industrial research.

Vertical segregation means that the region’s female researchers have little chance of reaching the highest levels of the career ladder and landing positions of authority or senior management. According to the document: “One of the great problems for women in terms of their professional development is the conflict of roles they experience in having to deal simultaneously with family and professional demands.”

In addition, the commission highlights women’s lack of participation in the production of digital content, which generates a high level of sexism. In the video games industry, for instance, women are often represented as passive and sexual objects, while men are portrayed as active and violent subjects.

According to the study, most Latin American and Caribbean countries now have national digital strategies that have resulted in considerable progress in providing the entire population with access to ICTs. However, most do not include specific actions for promoting gender equality – although there have been noteworthy examples in Ecuador, Mexico and The Dominican Republic.

monday, october 14, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

Avon moving to provide free breast cancer screening

The Avon Community Help Fund (ACHF) is offering free mammograms to women during this month; the foundation is also moving to provide this service free of cost throughout the year to aid in the early detection of breast cancer.

This is because mammograms are usually costly, and ACHF wants to bear the expenses for persons who may be suffering from the disease and cannot afford to have the screening done.

ACHF Chairman Mignon Bowen made these comments at a simple presentation ceremony on Monday when Digicel Guyana presented a cheque to the fund in light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We want to extend our mammogram testing for patients free of cost throughout the year and not only during October, and it’s much more costly during the year,” she said.

Bowen recognised Digicel for its valuable and important partnership, since its breast cancer aware-

ness programme in Guyana started eight years. The institute’s October activities highlight awareness as the key word in disseminating information to women across Guyana.

“From beginning of the

project, the response has been overwhelming and the help fund is now offering free mammograms to women for breast cancer screening to aid in the early detection,” Bowen said.

Man killed in suspected hit-and-run accident

AYakusari, Black Bush Polder man has become the latest victim of an alleged hit-and-run accident after he was struck down while walking along the Jappo Public Road, Black Bush Polder Tuesday evening.

Dead is Arvin Dilall, 35, of Lot 120 Yakusari North, Black Bush Polder. According to information, on Tuesday about 19:30h, a Yakusari resident was driving along the Black Bush Polder access road when he saw a man lying motionless on the roadway.

He reportedly contacted the Number 51 Police Station relating what he saw. When police ranks arrived on the scene, a small crowd was gathered around Dilall. Upon inspecting the body, it was discovered that his head and back had several wounds, and his body had several bruises consistent with a hitand-run accident.

The body was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty, who pronounced him dead on arrival. The body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Mukesh Lilboy, a cousin of the dead man, stated that he was at home when he received the phone call informing him that his cousin was lying on the road and from all indications, he was dead. He said he immediately went to the scene where he saw his cousin’s motionless body. Dilall was apparently dragged several feet since bloodstains were seen on the roadway.

There was a rum bottle nearby, thus he believes that his cousin might have been

under the influence of alcohol.

Lilboy explained that his cousin would normally visit the Skeldon Market to meet with friends, and suggested that he was probably walking into the village when he was stuck down.

Guyana Times understands that Dilall had returned from the United States about two years ago after spending 24 years there. He was not married. He leaves to mourn his parents and siblings. The police have since launched an investigation into the alleged hit-and-run.

She thanked Digicel for the financial assistance offered to the institute and to the Guyana Cancer Society. As part of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, the Avon Foundation for Women provides funding to breast can-

cer programmes operating in three areas, which are scientific research, safety-netaccess-to-care programmes for the medically underserved, and outreach programmes focused on education and screening.

The Avon Foundation has been improving and saving women’s lives, since it was founded in 1955. The foundation said it was proud to be the largest corporate philanthropy dedicated to women’s causes globally.

Through 2012, Avon’s global philanthropy has raised and donated more than US$910 million awards worldwide to breast cancer programmes around the world, supporting cutting-edge research to find a cure or prevent breast cancer, as well as programmes that enable patients to access quality care.

The Avon Foundation has grown into the largest corporate-affiliated foundation focused on causes that most impact women.

The breast cancer crusade was launched in 1992 in the UK, and now includes breast cancer programmes in more than 50 countries focused on advancing access to care and finding a cure.

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has made a significant and lasting difference in this area.

“Oswald” wanted for Sparendaam murder

The Guyana Police Force on Tuesday issued a wanted bulletin for Junior Anthony Henry called “Oswald”, 22, of Lot 56 Third Street, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara for questioning in relation to the murder of Michael Hamilton.

Hamilton, 22, of Lot 128 Sparendaam Housing Scheme, was gunned down two corners away from his home during an altercation with another man with whom he had an ongoing feud. It was reported that Hamilton was armed with a

cutlass, and the suspect was armed with a handgun and was seen in Cross Street. It was reported that during the confrontation, the suspect opened fire grazing Hamilton to his leg. Despite him being injured, Hamilton reportedly followed the suspect where another argument ensued during which he was shot dead. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Henry asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2256411, 226-6978, 229-2702, 229-2557, 911, or the nearest police station.

Regional

Paraguayan couple gets married after 80 years together

An elderly Paraguayan couple have got married in a religious ceremony after living together for 80 years.

From his wheelchair, Jose Manuel Riella, 103, promised his eternal love to Martina Lopez, his 99-yearold bride, who wore a long white dress.

The wedding was held in the couple’s garden, where an altar had been set up.

The ceremony was attended by many of their eight children, 50 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 20 greatgreat-grandchildren.

The priest said they were the oldest newlyweds

he had ever known. The two had already got married in a civil wedding 49 years into their relationship, but had not gone

St Lucia turns to France for help in fighting narcotics trafficking

The French government is assisting the Royal St Lucia Police Force in the fight against narcotics-trafficking. Last Friday, CIFAD, a training partner based in Martinique, concluded a workshop for officers. Course participants are now certified in “boarding and searching of vessels.”

Lead facilitator François Blin says this skill is vital in the fight against the smuggling and distribution of illegal drugs in the region. He noted many similarities in the challenges confronting both Martinique and St Lucia in policing the borders of these islands.

“Yes we have lots of problems concerning the drug at sea because each island is so close that the traffickers can go quickly from one to another one and so we have to fight together, we can’t do it alone and we have to put in function a network. And the network passes through people who are involved in this who are the officers in France, in Martinique and in St Lucia of course,” he said.

Meanwhile, St Lucia Police Commissioner Vernon Francois said the police are cracking down on trafficking activities involving St Lucia, Martinique and St Vincent. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

through a religious ceremony at the time.

Lopez said she felt very emotional at having her relationship blessed by the

The family said the

were followed by an “entertaining”

home in Santa Rosa de Aguaray. (BBC News)

Deadly explosion at gas storage tank in central Mexico

At least six people have been killed and two injured in a gas explosion in the central Mexican state of Puebla, officials say. It is not yet clear what caused the blast at the natural gas storage plant at the Chachapa industrial park.

The explosion set off a fire which engulfed much of the area. The main highway linking Mexico City and Veracruz was closed for more than four hours as firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Businesses and homes were evacuated in a radius of 3km (two miles). The blast occurred at

18:30 local time (23:30 GMT) at the plant owned by Tomza Gas.

Local officials said most of the workers had already finished their shift, keeping the number of casualties relatively low.

Four of the bodies were found soon after the blast. Two other burnt bodies were found later in the plant’s rubble. The victims have not been identified.

Governor Rafael Moreno Valle has visited the site. Some 100 people who spent the night in hostels and improvised shelter have now been allowed to return home. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Alert on cyber threat for Barbadian parents and children

Barbadian children and parents have been warned that cyber predators are just a plane ride away. The alert is coming from James Bynoe, the chief technology officer of Caribbean Cyber Security Centre (CCSC).

“Predators, if they make contact with, and feel they have a vulnerable kid, if they know where they are, the next step is to jump on a plane and go see that child. We need to understand that the Internet crosses borders and as a small country we are susceptible to people way beyond our borders,” Bynoe cautioned.

He was speaking at Ellerton Primary School

Prominent Haitian businessman arrested in corruption crackdown

Haitian law enforcement authorities have confirmed that a prominent businessman and three Customs officials had been arrested on corruption charges, bringing to nearly 100, the number of people either charged or jailed on corruption charges over the past few months.

Prosecutor Francisco Rene said businessman Philippe Victor Chatelin

was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a corruption and contraband case that involved several Customs officials including a senior official, who had been arrested on Monday. The other two Custom officials were detained last weekend.

“We have arrested one important businessman and three Customs functionaries and we are looking for others involved with contraband and corruption. We are determined to fight corruption and I want to tell those who are involved with corruption to give it up, because they will be arrested,” said Rene.

At least 90 people, including government officials have already been detained or indicted for corruption over the past year, and several cases have been submitted to the prosecutor’s office or are being examined by anti-corruption officials.

The authorities said that 63 people have been indicted in the tuition-free education programme fund embezzlement case, while 27 other cases are linked to corruption within the public service. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

yesterday where the CCSC launched the National Campaign For Internet

Safety For Kids. He spoke about the component called “Think, Click, Surf” – a 24-

hour Internet-based portal teaching children to be safe while using the internet.

Bynoe said over the last two years there had been a significant rise in the number of attacks all across the region. He revealed that there were more than 747,408 known cyber predators across the globe and the whereabouts of 100,000 of them were unknown.

“While everyone is focused on financial losses from a business perspective, there is a huge component that needs to be addressed as it relates to raising the awareness of children to the cyber criminal and cyber predator element,” he pointed out. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Wreck of missing Mexican plane found in Baja California Sur

Rescue teams in Mexico have located a small plane that went missing on Monday, officials said. “The Cessna Caravan with 13 passengers and a pilot was found. Unfortunately, no survivors,” Transport Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Esparza wrote in his Twitter account.

The plane crashed in northwestern Baja California Sur state amid bad weather caused by Tropical Storm Octave. It was

spotted by a helicopter that could not land because of the weather. All the victims are believed to be Mexican. The plane started its journey in the resort of Los Cabos, in the southern tip of the peninsula. Three passengers who were on board went off in Loreto, also in Baja California Sur, before the plane took off for Ciudad Constitucion about 60 miles (97km) south. It disappeared shortly after leaving Loreto. Repeated at-

tempts to contact the pilot failed before the wreckage was found on the hills of Baja California Sur.

The search went on for more than 48 hours and was hampered by the tropical storm. Seven states declared a state of alert ahead of the storm, which weakened and made landfall on Tuesday.

More than 100 people died in Mexico last month as a result of Tropical Storms Manuel and Ingrid. (BBC News)

U.S. agency on spiralling TT crime: Gangs stronger than government

Amajor think tank based in Washington, DC, believes gangs are the “new war” in TT, a report on Caribbean360 said on Tuesday. It added that recent incidents of intense violence in the country have also drawn international attention to the “rampant gang problem” in the country. Caribbean360 said a report by the Council on Hemispheric

Affairs (COHA) noted that regardless of size, all forms of gangs in TT were more pervasive than those to be found in developed nations and have now become societal institutions that go beyond social purposes, “and are coming to resemble governments in and of themselves.”

It also charged that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-

Bissessar has been unable to effectively deal with gang activity, adding that legislation passed by the People’s Partnership Government to fight crime, such as the AntiGang Act, “has proven to be ineffective.” “As it now stands, gangs have a stronger hold on the Trinidadian population than its government does,” the organisation said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Iranian man who survived execution must be hanged

again, judges say

On an autumnal Wednesday earlier this month, Alireza, a 37-year-old man jailed for smuggling drugs and sentenced to death in Iran, woke up to what was supposed to be his last day alive.

Just before sunrise, guards hooked ropes around his neck and hanged him for possessing a kilo of crystal meth. Exactly 12 minutes later medics pronounced him dead and sent his body for burial.

But in the morgue the next day, something unusual caught the eyes of a worker who was preparing the corpse for family collection: steam in the plastic cover he was wrapped in. He was still alive. Alireza was instantly taken to Bojnurd’s Imam Ali hospital. Now, to the dis-

Laos crash: Dozens die as plane goes down in Mekong River

Dozens of people were killed in southern Laos when a plane crashed into the Mekong River. Foreigners from some 10 countries including seven from France were among the dead, as well as Laotian nationals.

The plane belonging to state-run Lao Airlines crashed in bad weather just before it was due to land at Pakse airport. A Lao Airlines statement on Facebook gave a total of 49 dead; other earlier reports put the figure at 44.

The statement said there was no news of any survivors so far. Flight QV301 from the Laotian

capital Vientiane came down about 8km (5 miles) from Pakse airport.

The Lao Airlines statement said there had been 44 passengers and five crew on the crashed plane.

Earlier, Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said there were 39 passengers and five crew aboard the plane, citing information from the Thai Embassy in Vientiane.

Thai TV showed a photograph of a plane partly submerged in shallow water, its tail severed, next to a group of rescuers in small boats, Reuters news agency said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

may of his family, Iranian judicial authorities are waiting for him to make a full recovery before they hang him again, according to the

state-run Jam-e-Jam newspaper, which was first to break the news of Alireza’s ordeal.

Iran’s judiciary has argued that he was sentenced to death, rather than to hanging, and should be reexecuted. But human rights activists, already concerned about Iran’s high rate of executions, say he should be spared.

Mohammad Erfan, a judge with Iran’s administrative justice court, told Jam-e-Jam: “The sentence issued by the revolutionary court is the death penalty … in such circumstances it should be repeated once again.”

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

U.S. debt ceiling: Senate passes U.S. budget deal

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill to reopen the government and raise the federal debt limit, with hours to spare before the nation risks default.

The Democraticcontrolled Senate’s bipartisan compromise won swift approval by 81 votes to 18. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives, whose Republican leadership has begrudgingly said it will support the measure. It comes hours before the deadline to raise the US$16.7 trillion (£10.5 trillion) limit.

The deal would extend the federal borrowing limit until February 7 and fund the government to January 15.

The bill would also create a panel of Senate and House

members to draw up a longerterm budget deal.

Shortly after Wednesday evening’s vote, President Barack Obama said at the White House there was “still a lot of work ahead of us, including winning back the trust of the American people”.

“We’ve got to get out of the habit of governing by crisis,” the Democratic president said.

“My hope and expectation is everybody has learned there’s no reason why we can’t work on the issues at hand, why we can’t disagree between the parties without still being agreeable and make sure that we’re not inflicting harm on the American people when we do have disagreements.” (Excerpt

Philippine rescuers scour rubble after quake

Rescuers dug through the rubble of collapsed buildings looking for survivors in the wake of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 144 people on the Philippine islands of Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor.

Officials said on Wednesday that at least 23 people were missing, some under a collapsed public hospital, church and a home in the town of Loon on Bohol island, 630km south of the capital, Manila.

“The most heavily hit in terms of casualties was the town of Loon, and there are still ongoing processes there, of recovery,” Edgardo Chatto, governor of Bohol,

said.

On the island of Bohol, the quake’s epicentre, emergency services said they counted at least 100 bodies. Officials said that 23 bridg-

Canada to grant honorary citizenship to Malala Yousafzai

Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education, will be granted honorary Canadian citizenship, the Canadian government announced on Wednesday.

es were damaged, most impassable, and five roads were closed, making rescue operations difficult.

Officials feared the toll would rise as communi-

cations with remote areas were re-established. Al Jazeera’s Jamila Alindogan said the local government had recorded at least 800 aftershocks since the quake struck. The subsequent tremors caused further damage and left residents anxious about returning to their homes.

The biggest issue at the moment in Bohol is security, our correspondent said.

Patrick Fuller, from the Red Cross, told Al Jazeera that authorities were responding efficiently to the crisis. “It will be a long road to recovery, because so many people have lost their homes,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UN appeals for more troops,

helicopters for Mali mission

“Canada recognises the courageous and inspiring example set by Malala Yousafzai in risking her life promoting education for young women,” the government said in a speech setting out its priorities for the next two years.

“She faced down evil and op-

She will join an elite group of foreign honorees who include South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi.

pression and now speaks boldly for those who are silenced.”

After receiving death threats from the Taliban for defying the Islamist militant group with her outspoken views on the right to education, Yousafzai was shot a year ago while on a school bus near her village in Swat in north-western Pakistan. (MSN)

Suicide bomber kills Pakistani provincial law minister, seven others

Asuicide bomber killed the law minister of a Pakistani province and seven others on Wednesday as the country marked the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.

Israr Gandapur was killed in his home as he greeted residents of his village who had come to celebrate the holiday. More than 30 people were wounded in the attack including Gandapur’s elder brother, said Irfan Mahsud, the assistant commissioner in the city of Dera Ismail Khan, locat-

ed nearly 300 km (190 miles) south-west of Islamabad.

“I saw so many dead people and injured people crying for help,” said eyewitness Haseeb Khan, whose new white holiday clothes were drenched in blood.

“There were arms, legs and heads everywhere.” Ansar al Mujahideen, a group allied to but not part of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group’s spokesman, Abu Baseer, said it was in re-

taliation for the deaths of men killed during a July jailbreak in the same city. He was referring to a major operation by fighters from the al Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban who disguised themselves as police and broke 250 prisoners out of a jail. Gandapur was killed in his home village of Kulachi, about 50 km west of Dera Ismail Khan. He was local chief and the law minister for the northern Khyber Pakutunkhwa province, the heartland of the Taliban. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The United Nations appealed on Wednesday for more troops and helicopters needed so its peacekeeping mission in Mali can effectively stabilise the north of the country and protect civilians from attacks by Islamist extremist and armed groups.

The UN force, known as MINUSMA, assumed authority on July 1 from a UN-backed African force in Mali. But while the UN Security Council mandated a 12,600-strong force, there are only some 5200 troops on the ground.

A report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that to reach its authorised strength the force still needs two infantry battalions, an airfield engineer company for the rehabilitation of the airstrips in northern Tessalit and Kidal, an information operations unit and a special forces company.

The mission was dealt a blow by the withdrawal in August of some 1200 Nigerian troops, who returned home to fight their own homegrown Islamist insurgency. Then last month about 150 Chadian troops abandoned their posts in protest at the length of time they had served and demanded their rotation be speeded up. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“We are faced with severe challenges,” UN Mali envoy Bert Koenders told the UN Security Council. “The mission lacks critical enablers – such as helicopters – to facilitate rapid deployment and access to remote areas to ensure the protection of civilians. Troop generation will have to accelerate.”

Executive director of the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) Ian Chinapoo is confident that TT can weather any fallout from the Federal shutdown in the United States. Speaking just two days ahead of an October 17 deadline for the debt ceiling to be raised before the U.S. Treasury runs out of money and begin defaulting on its obligations, Chinapoo’s confidence was in contrast to the alarm raised by International Monetary Fund Chief Christine Lagarde

Caribbean Africa Asia TT can ride out U.S. shutdown – UTC boss

North America

who warned that the situation could tip the world into recession.

Chinapoo told the TT Guardian: “We are a small open economy and we are all trying to create value. I think many of our investment houses are savvy. We have international connections and we would have been taking good advice from our international advisors going forward. “I can’t speak to any one investment house but given the people I sit across the table with

in the industry, I would be very hard-pressed to believe they wouldn’t take the same type of risk protection action to preserve their investor’s funds.”

Chinapoo is predicting a midnight end to the Federal shutdown. “The U.S. dollar is the global reserve currency and the U.S. paper is the global reserve asset, so that’s what she (Lagarde) is really referring to, if the U.S. has a problem and therefore, it’s debt becomes impaired...” (The Guardian)

JP Morgan fined US$100M by U.S. regulators for London Whale

The U.S.

Commodities

Futures Trading Commission has said JP Morgan will pay US$100 million (£62.4 million) to settle with the agency over losses stemming from its "London Whale" trading debacle in 2012. In a first, the bank will admit that its traders acted "recklessly". The CFTC says the trades, which ultimately cost the bank US$6 billion in losses, distorted prices in the market.

Europe

Last month, the bank agreed to pay US$920 million to other regulators in the U.S. and the UK over the bad trades. The scandal arose from disastrous trades by former bank employee Bruno Iksil, who earned the nickname of the "London Whale" for his big bets on the financial markets.

David Meister, the head of enforcement at the CFTC, said in a statement that the traders tried "to 'defend' their

position by dumping a gargantuan, record-setting volume of swaps virtually all at once, recklessly ignoring the obvious dangers to legitimate pricing forces."

The bank has found itself overwhelmed by mounting legal troubles lately.

Once the darling of Washington and Wall Street, it reported a rare quarterly earnings loss last week, mostly due to legal costs totalling US$9.2 billion. (BBC News)

French banks face new foe as tobacconists offer accounts

The French will soon be able buy their cigarettes and do their banking at the same time with the launch of a stripped-down, cut price bank account by the country's huge network of tobacconists.

France's 27,000 "tabacs", whose distinctive red, diamond-shaped signs dot the nation's streets, will be out to win business from the likes

of BNP Paribas and Societe Generale as established banks cut back their retail networks in a stagnating economy.

The Nickel bank account, which after initial tests is due to be expanded nationwide next year, will offer customers a debit card and a current account for 20 euros (US$27.17). That compares with about 28 to 30 euros for the cheap-

est payment cards at BNP, SocGen and Credit Agricole.

Though Nickel clients will be charged fees for depositing and withdrawing money, the tabac association CBF still estimates the cost of having an account at less than 50 euros a year. The association says this is a third less than the cost of an account with Bank of France. (Reueters)

Russia and Angola – the rebirth of a strategic partnership?

Africa and Russia in general, and Angola and Russia in particular, have a long-standing friendship dating back to the days when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was assisting African national liberation movements in gaining independence.

The USSR forged a strategic alliance with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, which remains to this day the ruling party in Angola, led by the same head

figure.

Although the friendship survived the fall of the USSR in 1991 and the most devastating phase of Angola’s civil war, the nature of the relationship changed dramatically under Russia.

Having gone through a dormant period in the 1990s, the last decade has been prolific in efforts to revive the partnership on both sides, with a clear emphasis on the economic dimension. Notwithstanding, and despite

meaningful progress at diplomatic and political levels, the expansion of economic ties remains sluggish.

The paper offers a comprehensive analysis of contemporary Russia-Angola relations across various dimensions – foreign policy, diplomatic ties, cooperation, trade and investment, and civil-society links – in a bid to identify synergies and challenges in the partnership and ways to address them.

(allAfrica)

PetroChina's former Indonesia chief under investigation – sources

The Chinese government is investigating the former head of PetroChina's Indonesian operations, sources said, just weeks after authorities announced a corruption investigation into other former senior executives at the state oil giant. PetroChina removed Wei Zhigang from his post as general manager of its Indonesian unit several weeks ago amid an unspecified official probe into the ex-

Middle East

ecutive, three Chinese oil industry sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Company spokesman Mao Zefeng said he was not aware of any investigation into Wei, who could not be reached for comment. PetroChina and its parent firm, China National Petroleum Corp, are at the center of one of the biggest corruption investigations into the Chinese state sector in years. Until now, no executives from PetroChina's foreign opera-

tions have been implicated. "The former general manager of the Indonesian business is under investigation," said one source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. "He has already been removed from the general manager position."

A second source added: "Wei has been removed from his job and his replacement has been sent to Indonesia." (Reuters)

Qatar eyes 30,000 more

Thai

workers, says official

Thailand is set to sign an agreement later this month which is likely to see as many as 30,000 migrant workers move to Qatar, it was reported on Wednesday.

Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung will sign the agreement on conditions for the employment of Thai workers, labour permanent secretary Jirasak Sukonthachart said in comments published by the Bangkok Post.

Jirasak was quoted as saying that the ratification

will cover employment contracts, travel expenses and salary and will be agreed with Qatar's ambassador to Thailand.

He said Qatar wants to recruit as many as 30,000 Thai workers to work in various fields such as architecture and engineering, including technical experts and crews for its flagship airline Qatar Airways.

At present about 200 Thais are employed by the airline.

After the signing of the rati-

fication, the number of Thais working with the airline will double, Jirasak said.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Qatar has signed agreements with 30 countries to recruit manpower for the current infrastructure projects boom.

Thailand is reportedly formulating a new system to take care of Thai workers working abroad and foreign workers working in Thailand to ensure they are well protected by the law. (Arabianbusiness)

* Provide a realistic forecast based on macroeconomic conditions Turmoil in the markets has shown us that at any time, any number of economic risks can sink a product’s profitability. Rising commodity costs can sink multiple products –raw materials and fuel can adversely impact your product’s projected margins, depending on the components. You should outline your financial plan realistically, based on your knowledge of the world markets. This shows foresight and preparedness for turbulent times ahead and will re-

assure investors.

* Outline the impact of prospective competitors

Are there any products in the market that are similar to yours, and how is your product different? What makes your product stand out from the rest of the pack – such as better cost, design, or function? Investors need to be reassured that your product isn’t entering a crowded, fragmented marketplace where it will be pronounced dead on arrival. Investors also like products which have high barriers to entry, which are hard to be replicated by just any Chinese facto-

ry. Patenting your product can instantly set up high barriers.

* Create a Prototype. If your idea is a physical product, investors will want to see a working prototype, rather than fancy sketches. Having a working prototype will give investors hands-on experience with the product, letting the experience speak for itself. You can also detail the costs of the components of the prototype, breaking the cost down section by section, and the savings to be attained through higher volume mass production. (Business Dictionary)

TO BE CONTINUED

GAWU worried about effects of missed sugar target

By Samuel Sukhnandan

The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) has expressed concern about the ‘far from reality’ sugar targets that have been set by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) over the years, as the industry is poised to record its lowest yield in 22 years.

Speaking to Guyana Times, GAWU President Komal Chand said the union had predicted that the 2013 sugar production target of 204,000 tonnes was not realistic. Chand told this newspaper that the union has been monitoring the production levels for each crop throughout the year and has found that the targets set by GuySuCo had been unrealistic and had to be constantly revised.

Chand said sugar production as of the week ending October 12 was a mere 82,795 tonnes. He explained that a production target of 240,000 tonnes was outlined in the 2013 national budget and in fact, GuySuCo had given an earlier target of 245,000 tonnes. The

Sugar cane placed in punts to be transported to the factory for grinding

second crop target was given at 155,245 tonnes.

The GAWU president said with the new target set for this year, this will be the lowest sugar production the country has seen in 22 years. He believes that GuySuCo will incur a loss that will have serious effect on its ability to do important capital works and to settle debts with creditors who it depends upon to supply them with materials for the next crop.

Most importantly, this could affect the wage level and possibly put the entity at a disadvantage in retaining

workers. On this note, Chand said the union and the corporation are currently negotiating a wage increase and had their last meeting on Tuesday. Both parties’ met previously on October 8 and are scheduled to meet on October 29.

Chand stated that if GuySuCo moves to keep wages and salaries at the current level, it will be at a further disadvantage, since it has repeatedly stated that the labour force is declining and that was one of the reasons for poor production. (samuelsukhnandan@guyanatimesgy.com)

Bandits invade Port Mourant sawmill

Three bandits on Tuesday tied up a watchman and carted off a quantity of items belonging to Ganesh Sawmill, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice around 03:30h.

The men, one of whom was armed with a small grey handgun, took $7000 from the watchman, Ganesh Biseasar; and one chainsaw valued

$180,000, $15,000 and other items from the office of the sawmill.

According to Biseasar, 39, of Bloomfield, Port Mourant, he was sitting in front of the sawmill’s office when he heard a boat drive up to the wharf from the Corentyne River.

He reportedly told investigators that shortly after he saw the bandits, who con-

fronted him and held him at gunpoint, demanding that he hand over his money. They then took him about 20 feet away from where he was sitting and tied him up.

The men subsequently wrenched open the office door and removed the articles and cash after which they made good their escape. The police are investigating the incident.

Two held for robbing overseas-based Guyanese

Two persons are in custody following an alleged burglary committed on Etwaru “Indall” Indar, 55, an overseas-based Guyanese, of Lot 9 Section B, Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, which occurred on Monday.

According to reports, the burglars carted off US$2000 and one carton of Benson and Hedges cigarettes valued

$8000. It was reported that on Monday about 17:00h, the victim arrived in the country to attend his father’s funeral. However, between 23:00h and 23:30h, Indar placed his suitcase containing the cash and article mentioned in a room on the lower flat of the house and went to a nearby shop.

Police investigations revealed that when the man re-

turned to the house, he saw his suitcase ransacked and the money missing. Several persons were contacted and questioned, and Darmendra Singh, 21, of Number 68 Village and Maheshwar Bridgemohan, 26, of Number 67 Village, were arrested and placed in custody. The police are continuing their investigation.

Guyanese American Hindus observe Navratri

Guyanese American Hindus observed the auspicious festival of Navratri, the annual nineday festival during which they pay obeisance to the universal mother, which ended on Sunday evening. Temples around the New York metro area were packed with worshippers nightly.

Long lines of devotees made offerings of fruit and clothing, among other things, on the final evening. Charity and gifts were offered to little children and the poor.

During Navratri, people tend to pray with great fervour and devotion. It is an extremely wonderful festival that is highly inspiring and instructive on how people should live and how they can become more spiritual. According to

the pandits, the celebration makes devotees realise their higher self and bring them closer to God.

Navratri is associated with the propitiation of the feminine aspects of the Almighty – the goddesses –although Hindus do not discriminate among the sexes, allowing for the worshipping of gods and goddesses. They worship Goddess Durga and her two sisters, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Navratri (meaning nine days of fasting), is one of the holiest periods in the Hindu calendar that is accompanied with fasts (avoidance of foods in the day) and sacrifices. During this period, Hindus perform special poojas at home and or in the mandirs to purify their minds and

bodies and to become closer to God.

In spite of many demands on their time, Guyanese American Hindus made time to visit their temples and to conduct poojas at home just as they would do in Guyana.

Pandit Rajen Balgobind of New Amsterdam conducted a nine-night yagya at the Gyaan Bhatki Mandir.

It is traditional during Navratri for Hindus to invite priests to conduct poojas in their homes. Worshippers tend to fast for the entire period, offering jaal or dhar at a sacred place in their home or yard to a lingum –their mandir.

The pandit’s katha along with the singing of bhajans and music gave fulfilment to the devotees’ religious aspirations.

thursday, october 17, 2013 | guyanatimesgy.com

12-year-old narrowly escapes death after being pinned by falling GPL post

Achild escaped death on Sunday afternoon after a faulty lamp post fell and pinned him under a shed at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Kishan Alli, 12, of Patentia East, received injuries to his feet, back and other parts of his body and was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted for observation.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Alli was in the company of other children sitting under the shed of a popular shop in the area when the post fell.

The others managed to escape, but Alli was pinned and had to be pulled from the rubble. The lad’s father, Saheed Alli, said he was not at home, but as soon as he received the news, he rushed to the scene where he was told that his son was taken to hospital.

GPL negligence

He lashed out at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc, claiming that he had reported that the post had tilted several times, but the company ignored the warnings. He said he even offered to assist to remove the post. Alli disclosed that his son

could have fared worse – all due to the negligence of GPL – and said he intends to pursue the matter, adding that the company has to get its house in order.

The child’s eldest sister recalled that prior to the post falling, there was a heavy wind and a huge spark was seen before the post came crashing down.

She said she ran to her brother’s rescue, but he had several zinc sheets and boards on top of him. Other persons who were there managed to pull the bloodied child from the wreckage.

His feet were swollen and he sustained injuries to his

back and face.

A neighbour said she was in front of her yard when she saw the sparking electric wires and she immediately went to take off her main circuit breaker, and when she returned, she heard a crashing sound.

She said she ran out and saw the post on top of the shed and people were screaming.

“I then realise that someone was under the zinc so I went and I see it was Kishan,” she said. “Plenty children does be around the shop on Sunday afternoon to buy icicle and so, but we thanked God nothing worse happen.”

The shop owner said she was in the shop and saw the spark before the post fell.

“The whole house shake and because the wire still had current, we had to kick down one of the doors to pull out the child. This is slackness on GPL’s part. They should have come and look after the pole all de time,” she said.

GPL workers were up to late Sunday afternoon attempting to restore power to the community. It is not clear if any officials visited the child who is still in severe pain.

Eight homeless after Rechtdoor-Zee fire

Afire of unknown origin on Wednesday evening completely ravaged a home at Lot 5 Recht-door-Zee, West Bank Demerara, which was occupied by at least eight persons, including three minors.

According to information received, the fire started around 17:00h during a power failure in the area, in one of the bedrooms and quickly spread, leaving no time to salvage anything.

The owner of the home, Lorna Robertson, believes that her house was purposely set on fire by a woman in the community with whom she has an issue. She explained that she left home about 16:00h to go to Georgetown to drop off some school stuff for her son who attends school in the city.

“I supposed to reach him at Demico House, so as I reached there, my eldest daughter telephoned me and told me that my house was on fire... I get flustered and drop everything and went back home only to see my entire house up in flames,” Robertson cried.

Ongoing feud

The frustrated woman disclosed that she has a prepaid meter and she could not believe that her house was razed by fire. The woman also revealed that her three grandchildren were at home at the time and they did not have access to her bedroom, since the door was locked.

She said she later learnt

that the same woman with whom she has a problem visited her home minutes before the fire started.

Robertson said she and the woman had had a heated argument which led to an altercation. The women have had an ongoing feud after the neighbour reportedly encouraged Robertson’s 14-year-old grandson to move out of the family home.

As a result, she has had cause to report the matter to the probation officer and the police who both visited the woman’s home late last week. Nevertheless, Robertson said she will wait on the police and fire service reports on the fire. As of now, she said that she has lost everything in the fire, noting that it will be difficult to start over.

Fire officials explained that a tender from the La Grange Fire Station responded to the fire and another from Central Fire Station, but, by the time they arrived at the scene, the entire house was engulfed in flames. They confirmed that the fire started from one of the bedrooms, adding that as usual, they focused their attention on saving the nearby buildings. The fire service has launched an investigation into the fire, and has not ruled out foul play.

“I lost my passport, all my household items; everything... All my furniture... Everything,” the fire victim said. The confused woman also added that the last thing she did before leaving her home was to pray and she was certain that she left everything intact, with no electrical appliances or gas stove on. She had been living in the house for the past 12 years, and is now left to make alternative living arrangements.

SUDOKU

Expect the unexpected and be prepared to counter any negative or difficult situation that arises. Keeping close tabs on what everyone is doing will help you maintain peace and balance.

By Bernice Bede Osol

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

Alter what you need to in order to feel good about a job or commitment that someone has asked you to complete. Focus on selfimprovement and raising your profile.

Check out what someone has to offer. Look for a lifestyle that motivates you to pursue the things that make you happy. Follow your intuition, and you won’t be disappointed.

Bring about any changes that will help you be and do your best. Spending more time with people who encourage you will lead to better and happier circumstances.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Turn an idea into a profitable investment, keep your options open and discuss plans with someone you want to spend more time with. A contract or settlement will improve your cash flow.

(March 21-April 19)

Partnerships will be uncertain. Be open to discussion and prepared to compromise. Stick to the rules and avoid dealing with authority figures, institutions or government agencies.

(April 20-May 20)

Listen to someone you respect, and you’ll get a different outlook on a confusing situation. Don’t feel obligated to make a decision or change something in your life just because someone else does.

(May 21June 20)

A personal situation can influence the way you deal with work. Make a point to finish whatever is expected of you. Don’t let false information lead to a mishap or an argument.

If you believe in your abilities and remain determined in your plans, you can make things happen. Don’t sit back when you have so much to gain. Call in favours.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Share your thoughts, but don’t force your desires on others. Keeping your life simple will help you avoid encounters that are time-consuming. Put time aside for fun.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

An unusual change you make at home will enable you to master a skill or perfect a talent. An interesting emotional connection will inspire you to finish what you start.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Life can be refreshingly simple, so refrain from making it complex. Take matters one step at a time, and you will get everything done correctly and efficiently. Nurture important relationships.

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.

Learn to play the guitar, keyboard, drums, and train your voice at Foundation 7. Phone: 225-1151 or 617-4200.

FlOwErs

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

YELLOW PAGES

thursday, october 17, 2013

Learn transcendental meditation and reduce stress and anxiety, develop full brain potential, increase focus and memory, be healthier & happier, increase energy, vitality and longevity, enjoy more success in life, improve relationships and develop higher states of consciousness. A technique that works for everyone. For next introductory lecture on October 10, contact Ashoke (certified TM teacher) Phone: 233-6921, 6093701. Email kashokejp_68 2yahoo.com askgeneration

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

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

Immigration & Visa Services We han

dle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa mat

ters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visi

tor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

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: 225-1540, 655-3105, 622-8308

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 662-1247.

J Eastman & Associates Financial Services: Taxation, VAT Compliance, Accounting & Consultancy, and Cash Flow Projection. Address: 190 Church St, S/Cburg (East of Austin’s Book Store) Phone: 662-7467, 223-2105 House plans starting at $9,000 Phone: 674-0725, 266-2154.

spirituality

Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer. The most powerful spiritualist in the world. Are you suffering from the following problems? (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection. Private and confidential. Phone: 674-2112.

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationship, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 10AM - 4PM. Tel: 592-6901824. Email:anew-life@live.com

UNFURNISHED, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230

Two-bedroom self contained apt. Caneville, Grove. PHONE: 6691954

House at Lamaha Gardens, hot & cold water, A/C, etc. Call 219-4535

Two modern apartments at Campbellville, hot & cold water etc. Call: 219-4535

One customs clerk with at least three subjects CXC including English Language, mathematics. Applicant must be computer literate. Please submit application before the October 11, 2013 to email: windsortechhomes@ gmail.com or call 669-6874 or 682-3481

(hardly driven) $3.5M

Phone: 691-9984

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA ALLION; TOYOTA COROLLA AXIO; TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 COMPRESSOR; BMW 318i; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; HONDA CRV; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, SOLID DIFFERENTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 3, 3.5 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TON DUMP TRUCK; NISSAN ATLAS 2-TON TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICE AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 6240762, 220-5177. A NAME AND A SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST.

1 Bedford truck. Phone: 616:0617, 663-3285.

Vacancy exists for two cashiers/ office clerks and two porters, cashiers/clerks must be literate, apply in person with written application to May’s Shopping Centre, 98 Regent Street, Georgetown. Urgently needed! One plot of land in Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling and Eccles. Phone: 675-7292

Man shot in Guinness Bar in New Amsterdam

A34-year-old man was shot in the presence of scores of persons who went to Onawa’s Guinness Bar on Main Street, New Amsterdam for a karaoke competition with a first prize of $20,000.

Shortly after 22:15h, Dunston Simpson, who was at the bar, picked up a bottle from a table being used by other patrons and threw it in the direction of two men. At the time, one of the men was holding a small firearm. As Simpson released his second missile, a shot was fired and about three seconds later, another shot was fired at him. There was a mad rush as customers tried to protect themselves. Simpson ran into the bar.

Licensed firearm holder

The shooter went towards him, accompanied by a man who carried a knife. Simpson, who was shot in the arm, was menaced by the man with the knife who held it over him.

He made a dash for the washroom, but the entire lavatory area was filled

with people trying to protect themselves from a bullet.

Meanwhile, the shooter and his accomplice quickly made their way out of the bar and jumped into a white car, which drove off quickly.

Some persons initially thought it was the police firing when the first two shots were heard. Police later arrived and took Simpson to the hospital where he was admitted as a patient.

About 30 minutes after the shooting, two men appeared at the Central Police Station, which is 22 buildings removed from the bar, and reported that a man attempted to steal from one of them and he was shot. The shooter is reportedly a licensed firearm holder.

Suspect arrested

In a release, the police said, “At about 22:50h, on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, Dunston Simpson, 34 of No. 53 Village, Corentyne, was shot and injured to his chest during an alleged altercation with a licensed firearm holder at Main Street, New Amsterdam.

He has been admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital. The suspect has been arrested and the firearm seized by the police as the investigations continue.”

An aunt of the injured man told Guyana Times that she spoke with Simpson earlier in the morning. She said at the time he was trying to get a phone call to contact his girlfriend. She said a relative from overseas called and informed her of the incident.

According to the aunt, who prefers to remain anonymous, several years ago Simpson received a hard blow in life when a woman left with all of his money.

“Since then, he is never himself.” She said for a living he would buy and sell fruits, clothes or other items. “He would always have money on him so that anytime he gets a bargain he could take advantage of it.”

According to the relative, on Tuesday when she spoke with Simpson, he had both local and foreign currency in his possession.

Assistant secretary general underscores importance of statistics to Caricom

Caricom Foreign and Community Relations Directorate Assistant Secretary General Colin Granderson on Tuesday said statistics played a vital role in the community, because “it is crucial in providing data for evidence-based policies that can guide and monitor progress at the country and regional levels”.

Ambassador Granderson was speaking at the prize-giving ceremony for the Regional Statistics Inter-School Quiz and Essay Competitions hosted at the Caricom Secretariat in observance of Caribbean Statistics Day. This year’s celebration of Caribbean Statistics Day occurs during the worldwide commemoration of International Year of Statistics, under the theme “Statistics in Everyday Life; Let us Educate and Appreciate”.

In his remarks, Ambassador Granderson noted that the Regional Statistics

Programme of the Caricom Secretariat worked with countries and international and regional organisations in an effort to strengthen capacity to produce a range of statistics and indicators that were then disseminated to users.

He said there were key international partners that played a significant role in supporting statistical development in the region. According to him, these partners contributed through the development and implementation of frameworks and methods to address and overcome the challenges being in statistical data collection, compilation, and dissemination.

Positive role

Ambassador Granderson said he hoped “the discipline of statistics will continue to play a central and positive role in the lives of all of the peoples of our community and that there would be increased awareness of the profession

through the establishment of the professional association of statisticians”.

He also used the opportunity to thank the schools that participated in the competitions and congratulated the winners. “We feel assured that the key goals of Statistics 2013 through their participation have been achieved and these goals are – increasing public awareness of the power and far-reaching impact of statistics on all aspects of society; promoting and nurturing statistics as a profession, especially among young people; and promoting creativity and development in the sciences of probability and statistics,” he said.

Trophies and prizes were presented to first to third place winners during the ceremony. The winner of the quiz competition in the primary school category was Winfer Gardens Primary, while in the secondary school category, first place went to Brickdam Secondary. The best all-round players were Kessia Fraser from North Georgetown Primary School and Ralicia Mohamed of St Stanislaus College. The winner of the primary essay competition was Jada Angoy of St Angela’s Primary, while Khrista Christian from North Ruimveldt Multilateral School copped the top spot in the secondary category.

There was also a logo competition, which was won by Roydenn Silcott from Montserrat, and a motto competition for which Jason Reynolds from Dominica claimed the top prize.

thursday, OCtOber 17, 2013

Kohli and Rohit Sharma star in India’s record-breaking ODI win

India pulled off the second-highest run chase in one-day internationals to thrash Australia by nine wickets and level their series at 1-1 on Wednesday.

The hosts surged to their target of 360 with 39 balls to spare as Virat Kohli smashed the fastest ODI century by an Indian from just 52 deliveries.

Rohit Sharma struck the winning runs to finish on 141 not out after Shikhar Dhawan weighed in with 95.

The highest run chase is South Africa’s 438-9 against Australia in 2006.

“I’m not sure what to feel at the moment,” said Australia captain George Bailey. “That was some

pretty awesome batting.

“It felt like everything we tried with the ball just seemed to go harder and further.”

Batting first, Australia piled up 359-5, with all of their top five passing 50 and Bailey top-scoring with 92 not out off 50 balls.

But India made a blistering start to their reply as Dhawan and Sharma put on 176 for the first wicket in only 26.1 overs.

Kohli upped the ante still further with a brutal knock that featured seven sixes and eight fours as he finished unbeaten on 100.

His innings eclipsed Virender Sehwag’s 60-ball record for India and was the ninth-fastest one-day hundred of all-time.

SCOREBOARD

Australia innings

A Finch run out (Raina) 50

P Hughes c †Dhoni b Ashwin 83

S Watson c I Sharma

b Vinay Kumar 59

G Bailey* not out 92

G Maxwell run out (Raina/ Kumar/†Dhoni) 53

A Voges c Kumar

b Vinay Kumar 11

B Haddin† not out 1

Extras: (lb 5, w 5) 10

Total: (5 wkts, 50 overs) 359

Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-182, 3-212, 4-308, 5-347

Bowling: B Kumar 10-0-54-

0, I Sharma 9-1-70-0, R Vinay Kumar 9-0-73-2, R Jadeja 10-0-72-0, R Ashwin 8-0-501, Yuvraj Singh 4-0-35-0 India innings

R Sharma not out 141 S Dhawan c †Haddin b Faulkner 95 V Kohli not out 100

Extras: (lb 5, w 21) 26

Total: (1 wkt, 43.3 overs) 362

Fall of wickets: 1-176

Bowling: M Johnson 9-168-0, C McKay 7-0-64-0, S Watson 5-0-47-0, X Doherty 10-0-70-0, G Maxwell 5.3-048-0, J Faulkner 7-0-60-1

“I just wanted to go out there and play my part,” he said. “I was hitting the ball sweetly. I decided to take the pressure and whatever I went for I got in the middle of the bat.

“I’ve been feeling good mentally and I was fresh for this game. I was ready, and I knew if I held my shape I would connect well.

Kohli also paid tribute to 26-year-old Rohit Sharma, whose third oneday century included four

sixes and 17 fours.

“Rohit is by far the best of the young lot as far as talent is concerned,” said Kohli.

“Once he gets set and gets going it’s very difficult to stop him. He’s got every shot in the book and it was a delight to watch from the other end.”

Australia won the first match of the series by 72 runs. The third one-dayer in a six-match series takes place in Mohali on Saturday. (BBC Sport)

Kolkata, Mumbai get West Indies Tests

Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will host India’s two Tests against West Indies in November, which will mark the end of Sachin Tendulkar’s 24-year career.

While Eden Gardens will host the first Test from November 6 to 10, Tendulkar’s farewell Test will be played at his home ground from November 14 to 18.

The decision was taken during the BCCI’s tour programme and fixtures committee meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday.

While the first two ODIs of the tour will be played at Kochi (November 21) and Visakhapatnam (November 24), either Baroda or Kanpur will stage the last match of the series on November 27.

Barabati Stadium in Cuttack will host the visitors’ preparations prior to the series, including a three-day game to be played from October 31 to November 2.

to retire after the Test, was awarded with Tendulkar’s penultimate Test.

The series against West Indies wasn’t scheduled on the FTP. When it was announced in September, it raised doubts over the schedule and duration India’s tour to South Africa, and whether the series would be Tendulkar’s last. Tendulkar confirmed that it would indeed be his farewell series last week.

As for the doubt over the venue for the third ODI, the Baroda Cricket Association, the home turf of BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, was allotted the match as per the BCCI’s rotation policy.

BCCI likely to demand inquiry against Becker

The BCCI is likely to recommend an ethics commission inquiry against former ICC official David Becker for having gone public with confidential information related to the game’s governance in a statement last week.

The ICC’s executive board will meet in London on October 17 and 18, and it is expected that the Becker statement will be brought into focus again.

In his statement released to the media last week, Becker had said it was “improper” to allow a member body to “blatantly disregard an ICC resolution”.

Becker was referring to the uncertainty over India’s tour of South Africa, which was originally scheduled to begin on November 18. Becker had left the ICC in July 2012, due to what he called “questionable governance” within the organisation. His statement listed three examples, all relating to the “dominance of BCCI President N Srinivasan”; the “most concerning one” related to the FTP issue over the Indian tour to South Africa.

The BCCI’s plan to call for an Ethics Committee inquiry is said to be based on their “evidence” that, at the time of making a public statement, Becker was an acting advisor to Cricket South Africa. BCCI insiders allege that Becker’s statement came at the behest of an “aide” within CSA. The BCCI is expected to use this argument to appeal to other Full Members to avoid recurrence of a Becker-like situation that could be, in the words of a BCCI insider, “damaging” for the governance of cricket by any official involved in the game.

Appointment

post would become a rotational one from 2014 while a chairman would lead the executive board and take all important decisions.

It is understood that N Srinivasan and Giles Clarke, the two main contenders for the post of chairman, met over lunch on Tuesday. The executive board had stated that the creation of the post of chairman was “consistent with recommendations in the Woolf Report.” Lord Woolf, leading the ICC’s independent governance review, had submitted a 60-page report last year wherein he made 65 radical recommendations. One of his recommendations was a complete revamp of the ICC’s executive structure, while another suggested a decline in the role of Full Members and the handover of powers to independent directors. Of all his recommendations, the creation of the post of chairman has been taken on by ICC’s executive board with alacrity.

Woolf recommendations

According to the Woolf recommendations, the ICC’s chairman should not hold any leadership or executive post in their home boards. It is a condition that may be of interest both to Srinivasan, the BCCI president, and Clarke, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board. The agenda for the meeting does not feature Becker or the position of the ICC chairman, but discussions are likely to be held on the sidelines and have their own consequences.

One of the more important points on the agenda concerns the discussion and final decision on the four venues of the World Twenty20, scheduled to be played in Bangladesh between March 16 and April 6, 2014.

Once Tendulkar had requested the BCCI to play his last competitive game at his home ground, the decision with regard to his farewell Test - also his 200th - was a mere formality at the meeting of the committee headed by BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla.

As a result, the Cricket Association of Bengal, which had been promised Tendulkar’s 200th before he announced his decision

If the Reliance ground, which usually stages all the ODIs in Vadodara but does not belong to the association, is available, then the match will not be shifted to Kanpur, the home of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association that Shukla is in charge of. (Cricinfo)

Another important issue that is likely to come up for discussion during the two-day meeting is the appointment of the first ICC chairman, an all-powerful executive head of ICC. In 2012, the ICC executive board had reduced the role of the ICC president to a ceremonial one and amended its constitution, vesting executive powers in the chairman. The 10 Full Members had unanimously agreed that the ICC president’s

After its annual conference in June, ICC had extended the deadline to August to ensure that the four venues met required standards. The report of the ICC’s inspection panel, which recently completed its tour of the four venues - Sylhet, Cox’s Bazaar, Chittagong and Mirpurwill be submitted to the executive board. (Cricinfo)

PCB’s governing board dissolved

The prime minister of Pakistan and new patron of the PCB, Nawaz Sharif, has dissolved the governing board of the PCB, and formed a fivemember interim management committee (IMC) to run cricket in the country.

The PCB’s acting chairman Najam Sethi‚ former chairman Shahryar Khan, former players Zaheer Abbas and Haroon Rasheed, former team manager Naved Cheema were appointed to the committee.

The IMC was directed by Sharif to elect one of its members as chairman, and the committee unanimously chose Sethi, who has been acting as caretaker chairman since July and will represent Pakistan at the ICC board meeting on Friday and Saturday in London.

“The patron of PCB, the prime minister of Pakistan, has been pleased to direct the following: 1. Paragraph Section 41 of PCB constitution has been amended [im-

plemented] and under the said paragraphs the board has been superseded,” the PCB said in a release. “An interim management committee has been constituted to ensure that PCB remains

enabled to continue to perform day-to-day domestic and international functions for the promotion of the game and in line with the directions of the court.”

The new IMC, as one

board official confirmed, is essentially a new name for an old method: run by adhoc. This is the sixth time the Pakistan board has resorted to being run ad-hoc, one of those instances being

Pakistan sniffing big upset

It has been nearly two years since South Africa lost a Test match, and as several of their opponents have found out, one or two exceptional individual performances aren’t sufficient to topple them.

Pakistan know that, and nearly everybody in the team has contributed in the first three days to put them in a position to upset the world’s No. 1 ranked team.

Misbah-ul-Haq and Saeed Ajmal, the lynchpins of the batting and bowling respectively, both delivered but unlike other occasions, they had a large supporting cast. Khurram Manzoor went on to make the highest Test score by a Pakistan batsman against South Africa, Asad Shafiq shrugged off his indifferent recent form to make a vital half-century, Mohammad Irfan’s unsettling bounce

made the openers’ life difficult, Junaid Khan ruined Jacques Kallis’ birthday by dismissing him for a duck, and the debutant Zulfiqar Babar struck the biggest blow of the day with his first delivery, getting rid of the super-consistent Hashim Amla late in the day.

All of which combined to leave South Africa tottering at 72 for 4, still needing 121 to make Pakistan bat again.

There was a clear ploy to bowl short to Alviro Petersen, who loves playing the pull. Irfan kept banging it in, with two men in the deep on the leg side, and in the 11th over, he had Petersen gloving a catch to the keeper.

The other opener, Graeme Smith, was edgy early on against pace and spin, but just as it seemed he was settling in, he was drawn out by a flighted

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan 1st innings

Khurram Manzoor c Kallis

b Philander 146

Shan Masood lbw b Duminy 75

Azhar Ali c †de Villiers

b Philander 11

Younis Khan c Petersen

b Morkel 1

Misbah-ul-Haq* lbw b Steyn 100

Asad Shafiq c Petersen

b Duminy 54

Adnan Akmal† b Steyn 32

Saeed Ajmal c †de Villiers

b hilander 13

Zulfiqar Babar run out (Steyn) 2

Junaid Khan c Morkel b Steyn 3

Mohammad Irfan not out 0

Extras: (lb 4, nb 1) 5

Total: (all out, 138.4 overs) 442

Fall of wickets: 1-135, 2-173, 3-178, 4-290, 5-372, 6-394, 7-423, 8-429, 9-437, 10-442

Bowling: D Steyn 28.4-5-88-3, V Philander 26-5-84-3, M Morkel 23-5-35-1, J Kallis 13-2-44-0, R Peterson 27-2-111-0, JP Duminy 19-1-68-2, F du Plessis 2-0-8-0 South Africa 2nd innings

G Smith* st †Adnan Akmal b Saeed Ajmal 32 A Petersen c †Adnan Akmal b Mohammad Irfan 17 H Amla c †Adnan Akmal b Zulfiqar Babar 10

J Kallis lbw b Junaid Khan 0

AB de Villiers† not out 11

D Steyn not out 0

Extras: (nb 2) 2

Total: (4 wkts, 26 overs) 72

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-57, 3-58, 4-72

Bowling: Mohammad Irfan

8-0-29-1, Junaid Khan 6-022-1, Saeed Ajmal 11-4-211, Zulfiqar Babar 1-1-0-1

Misbah-ul-Haq ended a century drought that extended for twoand-a-half years (aFP)

Saeed Ajmal delivery and though Adnan Akmal fumbled the ball, there was time to have Smith stumped for the first time in his 111-Test career.

In the next over itself, Junaid angled one in towards middle stump, Kallis missed it and the umpire had one of the easiest lbw decisions to make. It got worse for South Africa as in the final over of the day, Babar spun the ball away to get the outside edge and Akmal pouched the chance. Pakistan’s ascendancy was highlighted by the five fielders around the bat as the

day came to a close.

Though the ball seemed to be performing tricks when Pakistan bowled, the pitch seemed docile when South Africa were bowling.

One of cricket’s hoary clichés is about how the first hour of the day’s play is crucial, and it seemed particularly true this morning when the new ball gave South Africa their best chance of making breakthroughs.

The quicks bowled better lengths than on Tuesday, but they only had the wicket of Manzoor to show in the first session as Pakistan continued to dominate. (Cricinfo)

between 1999 and 2007.

While the board of governors has been dissolved, the constitution of the board, implemented in 2013, does not stand suspended.

As stated in the board’s release, the dissolution occurred because of the implementation of Paragraph Section 41 of the current constitution, which allows for such a situation.

That clause can be triggered, among other things, if the board is dysfunctional - which was essentially what the PCB had been arguing that the Islamabad High Court judgement severely curtailing Sethi’s powers as acting chairman had made it.

The dissolution is the outcome of an issue that began with the Islamabad High Court’s judgement on a constitutional writ petition challenging the election of the previous PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, who was then suspended and replaced temporarily by Sethi

for a 90-day term.

When Sethi, a senior journalist and former caretaker chief minister of Punjab, had his powers curtailed, the court had also set a deadline of October 18 for the PCB to hold fresh elections for chairman. But the PCB wasn’t able to comply with the deadline.

The reason best known to ESPNcricinfo for the noncompliance was an incomplete electoral college of many regional associations in Punjab - the largest province in the country - and the refusal of the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold the elections.

The PCB had written three letters to the Election Commission in compliance with the court order but it learned the commission cannot carry out the election of an autonomous body.

The PCB has appealed against the judgement of the Islamabad court but the appeal has been pending since July 25. (Cricinfo)

Gibson “not aware” of Glamorgan interest

The WICB has denied reports that Ottis Gibson, West Indies’ head coach, is in contention to take over at Glamorgan.

Gibson has been in his current role since 2010 and signed a three-year contract extension earlier this year, after interest from another county in Warwickshire.

Glamorgan are believed to have carried out a final round of interviews on Tuesday as they seek to appoint a successor to Matthew Mott, who is returning to Australia. However, the West Indies board rejected suggestions, initially reported by the BBC, that Gibson could return to the county he played for in the 1990s.

“Ottis is not aware of this,” a spokesman said. “He signed a new three-year contract this year and is focused on his role as the West Indies

head coach.”

Gibson oversaw West Indies’ victorious World Twenty20 campaign in 2012 and the team has won its last six Tests in a row - their best run since 1988. Their next assignment is in India, where West Indies they will play two Tests - including Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell in Mumbai - and three ODIs next month.

Hugh Morris, the ECB managing director who will take up his position as Glamorgan’s new chief executive in January, has been involved in the interview process and played with Gibson during his spell in Wales. Robert Croft and Steve Watkin, also former teammates and current members of the Glamorgan coaching staff, are expected to be in the running for the head of elite performance role. (Cricinfo)

Berbice, Georgetown Simon Pures clash in upcoming fight card in Rose Hall

The three Berbice medalists at the recentlyheld South American Youth Games are expected to lead a Berbice boxing team against Georgetown from October 26 against a Georgetown contingent on Jeff Roberts “Fight Night: Berbice vs Georgetown” card”.

The event will be held at the Area H ground in Rose Hall.

According to Roberts, the event is being promoted to help the boxers stay active and also to assist in promoting the sport in Berbice. He said he was overwhelmed with the turnout by spectators at the recently-held boxing championship final in New Amsterdam.

“If we don’t keep activities for these boxers then we run the risk of them losing some of what they are being taught,” Roberts emphasised.

Speaking of the Berbice fighters, Roberts said that there are a few youngsters

Jeff Roberts

who have impressed him.

The Jeff Roberts Champion Gym (JRCG) coach added that apart from the three who recently returned from Peru with medals, there is Tyrone Lesley of Rose

Hall. The 12-fight card event should see eleven boxers from the JRCG joining Lesley to take on their Georgetown counterparts.

Intense rivalry is expected since keen attention, according to Roberts, is now being placed on fighters he trains.

“It is obvious that they will be looking at any fighter that I train because after a long time I was able to get three boxers on a national team of four and they all returned with medals. I know that the youngsters in Georgetown would want to be referred to as the top junior boxers in the country again and will be coming hard at my boys, but we are up for the challenge. I don’t produce losers.” Roberts added.

He said some of the boxers that will be on show are being prepared not just to make a Guyana team for the Rio Olympics but to go there and medal. (Andrew Carmichael)

IGG team departs for Suriname today

The Inter Guiana Games (IGG) team departed for the second leg of the completion this morning from the National Gymnasium where they will compete in athletics, volleyball, swimming and basketball.

Athletes from the four disciplines were hard at work prior to their departure for the IGG meet and therefore some admirable performances are expected.

Chef-de-mission of the team Dr Karen Pilgrim noted that all systems were in place for the team’s departure.

“Things have been a little busy lately with the holi-

day tomorrow but everything is set for the team to travel,” Pilgrim told Guyana Times Sport via telephone.

Pilgrim also noted that she believes that athletics and volleyball should be the two teams to do well at the games.

Pilgrim was however, less optimistic about the male basketball and swimming teams, since many of the athletes will be first timers.

She noted that the female basketball team should do well since many of the players competed last year.

The local team is expected to start competition on Friday with basketball action.

North Georgetown to compete against Bartica ahead of schools championships

The North Georgetown/ District 11 athletics team will be competing with the Bartica district to help defending champions’ preparations ahead of the Guyana Teachers’ Union/Ministry of Education Track & Field, Cycling and Swimming Championships

next month.

The defending champs were invited by the Barticians for some friendly competition on October 26 to test their level of preparedness ahead of the championships.

Guyana Times Sport confirmed that North

WICB/UTech cricket coaching programme bowls off

KJAMAICA – Cricket coaches from Jamaica and across the Caribbean region who have been selected by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to participate in the highly anticipated WICB/University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) Cricket Coaching Education programme, began their one-week intense training programme on Monday.

At the opening ceremony held at Sabina Park, Dave Cameron, president, WICB, said the Cricket Coaching Education Programme (CCEP) is charting a new course in West Indies cricket.

“It will ensure that all physical education and kiddie cricket teachers are formally certified by the WICB and UTech as Foundation Level Coaches,” he stated, adding that it will target the training and certification of approximately 1,500 level 1 cricket coaches within the first year, emphasising that the certification will have international recognition.

Cameron said that he was very pleased that the WICB and UTech could participate in such a strategic way for the development of West Indies cricket.

Addressing the group of coaches present, the WICB president admonished them that, “the future of West Indies cricket is in your hands... your role here cannot be over-emphasised or compromised”.

Coaching education

He noted further that as a board, coaching education remains the top priority of the WICB and the redeveloped training and certification programme will now enable “structure, uniformity, standards and consistency in the delivery of coaching education across the region”.

Georgetown will be heading to Bartica on the morning of October 26, provided that the parents consent.

The event will also serve as a yardstick to select the best possible team for the defending champs as they attempt to defend their title come November.

UTech’s President Errol Morrison, in his remarks, noted that performance, achievement and excellence in sport cannot happen by chance, but must be underpinned by specific methodology that is researched, put into practice and guaranteed as far as is possible to get the desired results.

He opined that the game

of cricket has suffered because of an over-reliance on just “raw talent” which he noted has its limitations in building teamwork and overall performance sustainability.

He thanked the WICB for seeing UTech as its logical partner on the programme and assured the gathering that UTech is committed to making a contribution to the development and sustainability of sport through its Faculty of Science and Sport.

Courtney Walsh, former West Indian cricketer, in endorsing the training programme, said, “this is a tremendous occasion in West Indies cricket and a landmark that we have waited for as an important step in passing on the baton”.

To the coaches, he emphasised that “the future of West Indies cricket is in your hands in terms of kids that you are coaching and information that you are passing on. Ensure that you are consistent with it and ensure that everything that is done will help the youngsters not only to excel in cricket, but in their way of life as well”, he said.

Dr Colin Gyles, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Sport, UTech, in his overview of the programme, noted that the Tutors and Assessors Course which began Monday, is the first offering of the partnership between UTech and the WICB which comprises coaching courses up to the advanced Level 3.

He pointed out that the Coaching Education Programme is administered by UTech and will be a fully WICB-accredited programme, will be globally recognised, and will serve as the official Coaching Certification for the West Indies and the Americas.

Programmes

The CCEP includes: Foundation Coaching Programme — a three-day programme targeting coaches working with children up to 12 years old.

Level 1 Coaching Programme — certifying coaches to work with youth at the high school level.

Level 2 Coaching

Programme — equip coaches to coach national junior/ age group teams, senior club and district/county/parish teams.

Tutors and Assessors Coaching Programme

Level 3 Coaching Programme — will equip coaches to coach national senior teams and all West Indies teams — senior and junior and male and female. The Level 3 Programme will be done through an application process. Each programme will include sports science, academic and technical components and will be graded and assessed on standard systems as designed by UTech and the WICB with assistance and expertise from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

There will be a structured syllabus and course outline for each programme which will ensure consistency of delivery throughout the region. The Foundation Coaching Programme will target every physical education teacher and kiddie cricket teacher in the region.

The CCEP has a target of training 1,500 Level 1 coaches across the Caribbean region within the first year of implementation.

On completing level 2, coaches will have the option of becoming a tutor in their respective territories or proceed to Level 3 to become certified as an Elite Coach depending on individual interest.

Dr Gyles noted that the decision was taken to begin the certification programme with the tutors course because having trained the tutors they will now be empowered to go into their respective territories to be the main resource person to deliver the Foundation Course as well as the Level 1 Course.

Coaches previously certified by the WICB will need to renew their accreditation by completing specially organised coaching workshops to bridge the gap between previous certification and the CCEP. Upon successful completion the certification will be re-issued. (First published in the Jamaica Observer)

Young Windies pull one back to beat Bangladesh by 67 runs

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Aspirited West Indies

Under-19 clinched

a sensational 67run victory in a low-scoring thriller to avoid a series loss and restore some pride in the fifth oneday international against Bangladesh Under-19 on Wednesday evening at the Guyana National Stadium.

The hosts’ were first bundled out for a paltry 177 in 46.3 overs before their bowlers put on a brilliant bowling display to stop the visitors at 110 in 38.3 overs in the nervewracking day/night contest.

Fortunes fluctuated for the teams before the hosts finally brought some cheer to the small holiday crowd with the dramatic victory. The seven-match series now stands at 3-2 in the Bangladeshis’ favour.

It was another poor

batting display by the Caribbean side that never really got going after medium pacer Prodhan Rifat (2-17) caused early damage. Zubair Likhon (4-20) and Mossadek Saika (2-19) then contributed with key scalps at critical junctures.

Meanwhile, the Bangladeshis, chasing the

SCOREBOARD

West Indies innings

L Lugg c Jashim b Rifat 0

T Chanderpaul c Anik b Saikat 51

S Hetmyer c Saikat b Rifat 29

T Coleman hit wicket

b Rahuttul 23

T Gabriel b Nehad 6

N Pooran c Rahuttul b Likhon 23

F Allen not out 15

G Motie b Saikat 2

R Lewis c Rahuttul b Likhon 6 Preston McSween lbw b Likhon 0

R Jordan b Likhon 5

Extras: (10w, 3lb, 4b) 17

Total: (all out; 46.2 overs) 177

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-36, 3-79, 4-103, 5-145, 6-145, 7-148, 8-157, 9-157, 10Bowling: Rifat 7-0-27-2 (2w), Saeed 5-0-28-0 (2w), Miraj

8-2-29-0, Saikat 10-2-19-2, Rahuttul 3-0-19-1 (1w), Likhon

7.3-2-20-4 (1w), Anik 0.5-0-30 (1w), Nehad 5-1-25-1 (2w)

Bangladesh innings

S Anik st wkp Pooran off McSween 49

M Jummon c Pooran b Jordan 7 J Uddin lbw b McSween 0

M Saikat c Pooran b Jordan 2

N Shanto c Coleman b McSween 0

M Miraj lbw b Lewis 16

Javed Rahuttul b Motie 10

S Saeed lbw b Gabriel 6

P Rifat run out (Allen/Jordan) 5 Z Nehad not out 1

Z Likhon c Lewis b McSween 0

Extras: (5w, 8lb, 1b) 13

Total: (all out; 38.3 overs) 110

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-12, 3-29, 4-35, 5-55, 6-78, 7-89, 8-102, 9-109, 10-110

Bowling: McSween 8.3-220-4 (4w), Jordan 9-1-302, Motie 10-2-16-1, Lewis 8-2-23-1, Gabriel 3-0-12-1

small target, were rocked by pacers Ray Jordan (230) and Man-of-the-Match Preston McSween (4-20) within the first 11 overs to be precariously placed at 35 for 4.

Jordan removed Jummon (7) and followed it up with the wicket of Saikat (2) while McSween removed Udding and Shanto without scoring.

The visitors then staged a mini-recovery through a gritty 20-run partnership between Sadman Anik (49) and captain Mehedi Mira (16), who were the top contributors for Bangladesh.

Spinners Gudakesh Motie, Ramaal Lewis and Taryck Gabriel all claimed a wicket apiece.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked a half-century after West Indies had earlier won the toss and opted to bat.

Chanderpaul hit 51 with Shimron Hetmyre (29), Tristan Coleman (23), Nicholas Pooran (23) and Fabian Allen (15 not out) being the other batsmen to reach double figures, in yet another woeful batting display by the West Indies.

The Bangladeshis’ var-

Better Hope beat Bath Settlement by

B56 runs in friendly match

etter Hope de-

feated hosts Bath Settlement by 56 runs on Wednesday in a friendly match on a tailor-made for batting.

Better Hope got off to an excellent start from their openers and eventually reached a commanding 215 all out in 33.4 overs of their allotted 35 overs. R. Rohoman topscored with 43, while Suresh Budhu, 31, C. Rampersaud, 25, and M. Azimullah, 23, were the other principal contributors.

Bowling for Bath Settlement, T. Surajbali picked up 4 for 35. In reply, Bath Settlement could only muster 159 in 29.5 overs. A. Dennis topscored with 53, while A. Seekaran contributed 45.

Better

ied attack kept a tight rein on the scoring with Likhon leading the way.

West Indies made a disastrous start after deciding to bat first, losing Leroy Lugg off the first ball of the innings, offering an easy catch to wicketkeeper Jashim Uddin off medium pacer Prodhan Rifat.

Hetmyer joined Chanderpaul and played some exquisite strokes, smashing six handsome fours in his 19-ball 29, but just when he was looking dangerous, Rifat made another breakthrough. Hetmyer chipped a simple catch to Mossadek Saikat at backward point, to leave the hosts’ at 36 for 2.

However, the pair of Coleman and Chanderpaul scored at a pedestrian pace against the spin and lacked the intensity, scoring just 43 runs in 18 overs, before Coleman (23) succumbed. With the momentum shifted the Bangladeshis’ way, the left- handed, Chanderpaul decided to accelerate after his slow start. He and Taryck Gabriel took the West Indies to three figures in the 27th over, but the lat-

ter persished soon after. Chanderpaul, together with Pooran, then maintained a steady scoring rate for the next 8.3 overs, before both batsmen were dismissed at 145.

The 17-year-old, Chanderpaul departed after striking six boundaries and a six in an innings that required 94 balls. West Indies scraped 32 runs for the last four wickets. Game six is scheduled for Saturday at the Albion Community Centre ground from 09:00h. Admission to the venue is free.

West Berbice players selected for Inter-County basketball tournament

Eight West Berbice basketball players have been shortlisted for possible selection in club teams that will represent Berbice at the Inter-County Basketball championships billed to start later this month.

The recently installed Berbice Basketball Association Interim Management Committee, in an effort to include West Berbice clubs in basketball activates, held trials at the Leitchfield basketball court. Players from the four West

Berbice clubs: Paradise, Hopetown, Leitchfield and Mahaicony participated in the two-day event.

At the end it was decided that some players will be included in the line up of the three top clubs in Berbice for the tournament.

Smythfield Rockers, Canje Knights and New Amsterdam Warriors are the three clubs selected to represent the county of Berbice at the tournament which starts October 26.

The players named from West Berbice are

Royden Morris, Lester Noel, Troy McKenzie, Lambert Webster, Ruel Edwards, Neil McCalmont, Sherlund Guinness and Vrol Allen. These players will be split up in what is being called All-Star teams from the ancient county.

The West Berbice players are expected to be at the Vryman Ervin basketball court in New Amsterdam so that they can work with coaches in the afternoons from 17:00h. (Andrew Carmichael)