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LOCAL PAGE 2

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Suicide in Guyana linked to unemployment, other factors – Opposition MP says From the beginning of 2016 Guyana has had more suicide cases than the average third world country would like to admit. The first thing that a family usually does after a loved one commits suicide is try to find a reason in an attempt to heal the scar that is left, and similarly people who read the stories in newspapers try to do the same, leading to some of the most popular revelations such as depression, a irreparable mistake and a broken love life.

However at Thursday’s 41st sitting of the National Assembly, Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr. Vidhya Persaud, led the opposition’s speech on the number of suicide cases in Guyana.

Dr. Persaud in her speech laid out reasons such as the stagnant economy, unemployment rate, poor condition of the rice industry, “shameful and indiscriminate” firing of individuals whose livelihood depend on it. In addition to those mentioned above Dr. Persaud went as far to say that the plan to impose the parking meters as a way of merciless taxation is also a reason for the current suicide rate. After sitting through the presentation, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence refuted the claims, noting that the opposition’s presentation lacked evidence to support the points they had set forth. She went on to say that the current administration of Government is taking the

social problem of the rising suicide rate very seriously and has several programs to deal with the issue. If it was a competition Guyana would be winning as it sits at the top of the table with the leading number of suicides, with the figures being 44 per 100,000 people annually, according to worldatlas.com.

-BY- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.

FEATURE PAGE 3

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

The Unruly Horse Job crea on: A duty of Government

By: Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP.Attorney-at-Law is jobs and we have a strategy for providing young people with jobs.

Now in Government, the President sings a completely different tune. This is but one of dozens of promises made to the electorate during the 2015 general elections campaign which the Coalition Government has abrogated. I doubt that in the post -Independent Caribbean a greater fraud has ever been perpetrated against the electorate than that upon the Guyana electorate at the 2015 elections by the APNU-AFC. The Coalition Government Speaking on last week's edition of the TV has not only failed to deliver on multiple areas that will provide jobs in the programme “Public Interest”, President promises but in many instances they have engineering and construction sectors”. In David Granger, made some startling done or are doing the opposite of what they recent times, no other head of state on the global stage has spoken more disclosures. He said, “Employment is not p r o m i s e d . I t i s t h e u n d o u b t e d comprehensively about a government's something to be provided by the responsibility of a government to create duty to create jobs for its people than government. There is self employment and jobs, directly, as well as, indirectly. President Barack Obama. At every we are working with villages to generate Governments create jobs, directly, through convenient forum, President Obama, has more employment in those villages, but it the pursuit of policies and projects emphasized the uncompromising duty of a is going to be agro- based employment”. specifically designed to create jobs; government to create jobs. Indeed, These statements must have shocked the through the expansion of the public sector; President Obama, often cites the millions most ardent supporter of the Coalition through the expansion of state institutions; of jobs created during his two terms after Government. After all, the creation of jobs, through the expansion of state-offered the great economic decline of 2008, as one especially, for young people, was one of services; through capital/infrastructural of his most signal achievements. During p r o j e c t s a n d v i a v a r i o u s o t h e r his final State of the Union address, the major planks of the APNU-AFC government-driven initiatives. For President Obama, boasts “We are in the platform promises. In their 2015 Election's example, the PPPC government's middle of the longest streak of job creation Manifesto, the APNU-AFC promised, Infrastructure and Housing policy alone “The aim of your new government is to g e n e r a t e d s e v e r a l t h o u s a n d j o b s . in history; more than 14 Million new jobs; create jobs, jobs and more jobs in the Indirectly, it is the government's duty to the strongest two years of job growth since shortest time possible. Our young people create the type of environment that will the 1990's”. To kick-start job creation in the U.S., President Obama presented to cannot wait “five more years” for jobs for conduce to the growth and expansion of Congress, the American Jobs Act. This which they could be adequately trained the private sector and the attraction of local initiative was designed by the Obama and get better pay and greater job and foreign investments that will administration, specifically, to create jobs satisfaction”. In fact, many of their ineluctably lead to the creation of jobs and for Americans both directly and indirectly. billboards around the country promised p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f j o b - c r e a t i n g . In his speech proposing the Act, he said jobs. Some are still standing at various opportunities. President Granger is “The purpose of the American Jobs Act is points in Georgetown. During the 2015 perhaps the first head of state who does not simple: to put more people back to work E l e c t i o n s c a m p a i g n , s p e a k i n g a s view job creation as an obligation of and more money in the pockets of those Opposition Leader to students of the g o v e r n m e n t . S p e a k i n g o n h e r who are working.

University of Guyana, Mr. Granger said government's 2011-2012 National “This government [PPPC] has no strategy Budget, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar said, “The budget will increase to deal with jobs for young people. One of infrastructural development specifically in the biggest problems facing young people continued to next page...

FEATURE PAGE 4

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

The Unruly Horse...con’t...

It will create more jobs for construction economy is contracting; that the private sugar industries and the imposition of VAT workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs sector is recording declining level of on capital agricultural equipment are just a for veterans, and more jobs for long-term business activities and, consequently, few. The truth is that Guyana's agricultural unemployed. It will provide a tax break profits; that the private sector is shedding sector will never move beyond its current for companies who hire new workers, and staff to survive; that new investments are stagnant state unless there is a shift to it will cut payroll taxes in half for every non- existent; that the new regime of agro-processing. This shift will only take working American and every small increased taxation and anti- business place with the availability of affordable business. It will provide a jolt to an policies of the government have had a energy. When the APNU-AFC voted economy that has stalled, and give debilitating factor on commercial down the Amaila Falls Hydro project in companies confidence that if they invest activities; that SOCU and SARA are the tenth Parliament, they killed this and if they hire, there will be customers for driving fear in private sector - are all potential. The same can be said of the their products and services.” Indeed, factors of which the President seems G o v e r n m e n t ' s p o s t u r e o n s e l f undoubtedly, job creation is one of the unaware but which have rendered the employment which the President now most critical issues in the ongoing U.S. private sector incapable of creating jobs touts. For example, when the government Presidential campaign. Quite apart from and have killed the self-employment hounded Bai Shan Lin out of the forestry the President Granger's flawed view that it opportunities which the President sector, they devastated dozens of small is not the government's obligation to anticipates will proliferate. Ironically, the self-employed loggers who depended c r e a t e j o b s , h i s s h o v i n g o ff t h a t President cites agriculture to be the upon the company for market for their responsibility to the citizens (self- greatest generator of these jobs. Yet, his logs. The President, in attempting to employment) and the private sector, is yet government has implemented policies and abdicate his government's responsibility another indicia of how far removed from taken positions that spell doom for the to create jobs, has certainly become a reality the President actually is. That the agro-sector. The refusal to aid the rice and victim of his own political artifice.

M&CC employees still to be paid lacking the means to get to back home among other

As some of the officials at the Mayor and City Council continue to find and introduce newer methods such as the container tax and parking meters as a means of obtaining more money from the Guyanese people in an attempt to make Georgetown and its environs a better place, the officials might have forgotten about their employees who are still awaiting their salaries. This has not been the first time this year something of this nature has happened as earlier in the year, there were indications out of the M&CC that they were unable to pay garbage companies who they were in debt to in excess of $150M, together with being unable to pay their staff. Officials said that this situation persists due to the exorbitant amounts of outstanding rates and tax payments by property owners. Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan in one of his Facebook posts today did in fact confirm the reports stating “I am now beyond disappointed that nine (9) days after the official pay date our hard working employees are yet to be paid.” He continued to vent his anger at the current ruling administration of the M&CC saying, “Today I listened to stories of bills that are to be paid which are now beyond late; of children who are depending on their parents to bring home a meal; and others

narratives. Our workers are demoralized and this reward for their labour is untenable! We MUST do better!!!”

Deputy Mayor Duncan over the past few months has found himself in a controversial position as it relates to the management of the M&CC by Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen.

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan

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LOCAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Forestry Commission ends “Illegal” joint ventures with BaiShanLin PAGE 6

The new board of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) on Thursday voted to end its joint ventures with the highly controversial logging company BaiShanLin on the grounds that the ventures were illegal. It was reported that the only known venture between BaishanLin and the GFC were the logging operations since all other lands previously under the control of the company have been returned to the State. The joint ventures were highlighted in the report of the forensic audit, which was conducted by Anand Goolsarran. In his report, Goolsarran noted that BaiShanLin gained control of five major companies in the forestry sector – Sherwood Forrest Inc, Haimorakabra Logging Co., Wood Associated Industries Co. Ltd., Puruni Woods Inc. and Kwebanna Wood Products Inc. Goolsarran found this move was illegal stating that the Forests Act prohibits the transfer of ownership/control of a forest concession without the specific approval of the GFC and that he found no evidence of any such

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

approval by the GFC. He argued that the companies who are the holders of the Timber Sales Agreements (TSAs) should have surrendered their agreements to the Commission for reallocation to other potential concessionaires. In response to the reports, GFC Commissioner James Singh maintained that the ventures were legal, a stance he has maintained over the years dating back to 2014, when questions were originally raised. Regardless of the Commissioner’s stance the new board members found otherwise, although the specific details on how the decision was made is sparse. The vote to end the joint ventures between the commission and the company will be an end to the existing operations of BaishanLin in Guyana. By- Pablo Cupido, Guyana Daily News.

LOCAL PAGE 8

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Draft Cybercrime Bill sent to Special Select Committee The draft Cybercrime Bill was presented and read for the first time yesterday ibn the National Assembly. The Bill was presented by Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, who referred the Bill to a special select committee for more scrutiny and review. The Bill seeks to upgrade the criminal laws of Guyana to the information technology age and gives authority to law enforcement to investigate, prosecute, and provide penalties done on the Internet also referred to as “Cyberspace”. The Bill makes it illegal for persons to access a computer without permission, intercept transmitted data, and interfere with data and unauthorized receiving or granting of access to computer data. The Bill also deals with Computer-related forgery and fraud, identity-related offences, violation of privacy and the more serious, child luring and child pornography. Penalties for offense under the legislation range from fines up to ten millions dollars to prison sentences up to ten years. The opposition PPP related that it is pleased to see that after 15 months that the government is actually unitizing the option of sending important bills to the a special select committee. The draft legislation will be moved to a special select Committee, where its content will be mulled over by both sides of the House and then forwarded back to the National Assembly for a second and third reading, Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams before it is becomes an actual law. -By- Pablo Cupido, Guyana Daily News.

The diminishing state of Guyana’s roads Over the past few years the Ministry of Public Works, which is now known as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has seen the beginning of some major road projects such as the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara Highway extension project, the OgleTimheri access road and recently the Mocha Scheme Road Rehabilitation. However, the Ministry has come under criticism for not completing the roads on time. It has been noted thought that some roadways have deteriorated even before the construction is complete. One such instance is the East Bank Demerara Highway extension project which started in 2011 and was slated to be completed by the end of 2015; however the construction is still ongoing. Despite the road project not being completed there are parts where initial construction would have begun that are beginning to deteriorate. This has been affecting drivers so much so that one commuter told the Guyana Daily News “I am seriously thinking about switching back and taking public transportation to work because the cracks and bumps are damaging my car and sending up my expenses.” Something that was pointed out in an impromptu interview with a commuter was the “improper engineering of the roadways”, something that the commuter said has been lacking in Guyana over the past few years. “The engineers of the country need to get back to the drawing board and fix the formula because at the moment it

makes no sense to build multi-million dollar roadways that are going to break-up after a few mornings,” the commuter said. The Government by way of the Mayor and City Council over the past few months has been trying to combat the excessive breaking up of the roadways by the heavier vehicle by way of the introduction of a “Container Tax Fee” which they have said will be used to fix damages made to roadways by the heavier motor vehicles. Though a possible step in the right direction, the proper rehabilitation of roadways over the years is not a cheap process and the M&CC may look to explore the cheaper option towards the fixture as a means of saving. -By- Jarred Singh, Guyana Daily News.

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REGIONAL PAGE 10

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Tough time rebuilding life Deomatee Rajballysingh turned up in the San Fernando First Assizes yesterday to support her son, Ajai, in the prisoners’ dock where she, along with his brother, Ganesh, just four months ago stood for killing her other son. It was in April that Justice Carla Brown-Antoine ordered Rajballysingh, 56, and her other son, Ganesh Rajballysingh, 25, to serve four more months in prison after she deducted from their sentence the eight years they spent in custody awaiting trial and their guilty plea.

However, the judge felt Ajai needed to be assessed further before he could be reintegrated into society and deferred sentence to research what steps the court could take to assist him in rehabilitation. Ajai will return to court today when the judge is expected to give her decision. All three were charged with murder but the State accepted a plea to manslaughter in the death of Vicky, 25, who was tied to a coconut tree near their home at Avocat Village, Fyzabad, and beaten by Ajai, then 16, and Ganesh, then 17, who were acting on instructions from their mother. Vicky, who was being punished by his mother for verbally abusing her, died from a fatal heart attack.

Rajballysingh’s eldest son, Rajesh, was not at home at the time of the incident. Speaking with reporters afterwards, Rajballysingh said she was happy to be released but she was scared as she has to start from scatch.

Rajballysingh recalled how she broke down in tears when she went to visit her former home which has since crumbled and the area is overgrown with bush. “I cry when I see the place. My big son did not take out nothing from the house. I lost everything. I left the prison with just my clothes.

The officer give me a few pieces of cloth and $200.” And through her three sisters organised an apartment for her at Dow Village, South Oropouche, the rent was too much for them to pay. She said the Government, through its rental programme, gave a committal to pay the first three months but they have to wait a long time to get the payment. Ganesh lives with her but he has been unable to secure a job as he has no identification card or birth paper. “I really need a place to live for me and my children. That is my biggest issue now.”

Deomatee Rajballysingh

Although people still look down on her as the woman who killed her son, Rajballysingh said she was just trying to discipline him. Saying she had a tough life, Rajballysingh, who cannot read, recalled she got married at age 18 to a man five years older than her through an arranged marriage. And for 17 years, she said, her life was a nightmare as she was abused physically, verbally and financially by her husband who was an alcoholic. “He use to beat me and run me out of the house. Sometimes all he give me is $200 for two or three months.

Sometimes we have no food or nothing. “The neighbours use to help us. My mother use to say he will change, go back to him.”

She said her husband left her when her children were very small and never came back. “I never see him again up to this day,” she said. Saying it was difficult trying to grow up four children on her own as she had no family support, Rajballysingh, who worked then as a domestic worker, said Vicky was a heavy drinker. “They (children) grow up seeing their father beating me. My second son (Vicky) was worse then his father.

He always cursing me and threatening to burn down the house and fighting. Is years I talking with my child.” Rajballysingh, who did sewing and assisted in the kitchen while in prison, said she wished Ajai would be released but she agreed with what the judge was trying to do for him. “I really want Ajai to come home but I feel what the judge is doing is a good thing. She want to see him improve himself and be better to come out in society.” Rajballysingh advised parents who were having problems with their children not to take the law into their hands but try to seek help. “Go to the police or someone else who could help you,” she said. (Trinidad Guardian)

REGIONAL PAGE 12

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Boot out UNC leaders or PNM stays in power As the United National Congress (UNC) moved its headquarters out of Rienzi Complex on Wednesday, party founder Basdeo Panday says the current leadership must be booted out or else the People’s National Movement (PNM) will remain in power for the next 15 to 20 years. In an interview, Panday said there must be a reinvention of the party as the current leadership had lost its way and no longer commanded respect from supporters. Saying party loyalists must band together to make this a reality, Panday said it was important to have free and fair internal elections.

“The supporters of the UNC can only succeed in restoring the party to its pristine glory if they have the confidence, belief and trust in the leadership. That kind of leadership can only be found in free and fair elections and that is not what they have there,” he added.

Saying supporters must demand free and fair elections, Panday added: “if we don’t change the leadership, the PNM will retain power for 15 to 20 years.” He also condemned Kamla Persad-Bissessar “for squandering $400 billion over five years” during the People’s Partnership’s term in office between 2010-1015. “People are still living in mud traces.

Many remain without houses, water, electricity,” he added. He also said Persad-Bissessar had lost several elections, adding: “A party usually changes its leadership under those circumstances.” Meanwhile, businessman Bindra Maharaj, who replied to Panday’s comments on Facebook, questioned who would form part of the new UNC leadership. Maharaj, who was the former deputy political leader of the Citizens Alliance, which was headed by former finance minister Wendell Mottley, said: “Who is going to take the bull by the horns and go up for leadership?” He added: “Mr Panday said yesterday that everybody is afraid of victimisation.

Why do people like Panday and Ramesh (Lawrence Maharaj) who are the fathers of the party not come out if there is a problem of leadership. “Why don’t they start to train people in politics to take leadership so that the rank-and-file of the party can have direction?” Maharaj asked. Maharaj, who said he was not aligned to any political party and described himself as a student of politics, said new think tanks should be involved so as to get innovative ideas on the party’s direction.

Former agriculture minister Vasant Bharath, who launched a social media campaign to get back into the executive of the party, has also called for new leadership. Bharath, who challenged Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s for leadership of the party last year and lost, said the party was now dysfunctional because there was no attempt to build any organisational structure or proper party institutions. He also said the UNC was weak and Basdeo Panday ineffective due to dysfunction in the party’s leadership structure. (Trinidad Guardian)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Burnt bodies found in van

Determined not to let 14 years of marriage go down the drain, Ardia Yearwood-Marchan and Peter Marchan were trying to make life work. But those efforts ended when the Fyzabad couple’s burnt bodies were found inside their Isuzu D-Max pickup at Petrotrin Forest Reserve on Wednesday night. Marchan-Yearwood, 38, was a dance teacher at the La Romain High School while Marchan was a civilian mechanic at the Southern Division Fire Headquarters, Mon Repos, San Fernando.

Police said an anonymous caller reported a fire off Sudamah Trace, Fyzabad, and when officers responded they found the burning pickup along the No 42 Road and contacted the Siparia Fire Station. When the blaze was extinguished, firefighters found the remains seated in the pickup burnt beyond recognition. Although investigators linked the bodies to the couple, DNA analysis and comparison of dental records will have to be used to confirm their identities. Investigators, spearheaded by Snr Supt Nazrool Hosein, are yet to determine whether the deaths were a double murder or murder/suicide.

However, they learned the couple had at argument at Marchan-Yearwood’s home along the Guapo Main Road, Fyzabad, hours before their bodies were found. They are working with the theory that she could have been killed and placed in the pickup before being taken to Forest Reserve. Speaking at Marchan’s Robert Hill home yesterday, a relative said the couple separated last November and Yearwood-Marchan had moved back to her mother’s home.

However, he said they were trying to rekindle their marriage and they would both spend time at each other’s home. He said up to when he saw Marchan on Sunday and spoke to him on Tuesday, everything appeared to be going well. Relatives said they spent Wednesday together and when they left that afternoon, they sped off in the vehicle and it appeared that they had an argument but no one knew what it was about. The next time they heard of the couple was when police reported that their pickup was found burnt with two charred remains inside. At Yearwood-Marchan’s home, relatives said they were not ready to comment on her death.

However, students, past and present, described her as a loving teacher. Former student, Shyienn Millette, 19, said Yearwood was a mother figure to those she interacted with at the school.

“Miss Yearwood was an outgoing and a very straightforward person. If she didn’t like what you were doing, she would come and talk to you about it. “She was a respectable person and students never really gave her trouble because they were comfortable with her. She was a mother figure and a friend to us so to hear that she died is really heartbreaking,” Millette said.

Several people also posted condolences and tributes to Yearwood-Marchan on her Facebook page after news of her death spread. Bar owner shot dead Police believe that the assassination of a 52-year-old Cocorite man may be linked to his past brushes with the law for narcotic offences, as robbery was clearly not a motive. After a night’s sales Wednesday, Earl Douglas, of Harding Place, Cocorite, owner of Bonafide bar along the Western Main Road, St James, was closing up when a gunman walked into the bar and shot him. Police reports indicate that Douglas, commonly referred to as “Dougie,” had criminal cases for narcotics thrown out for various reasons in the past and was on their radar for drug trafficking.

This, police say, is their only motive for his death. The gunman reportedly went into the bar around 12.30 am shot Douglas and left without touching anything in the bar. Douglas was taken to the nearby St James Health Facility but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are asking for anyone with information on the Peter Marchan and his wife Ardia Yearwood-Marchan, whose burnt killing and that of the other 270 murders committed for the year bodies were found at Forest Reserve, Fyzabad, on Wednesday. so far to provide the information to them. (Trinidad Guardian)

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL PAGE 16

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Bedridden woman, 73, killed in fire

Despite attempts to save his bedridden wife, a raging fire proved too much for a Moruga pensioner who was forced to jump through a window, leaving his wife in their burning house. After the Fire Services extinguished the blaze, the charred remains of great grandmother Jean Mc Leod, who celebrated her 73rd birthday on July 24, were found close to the front door of their Sixth Company Village home. Her husband, Hector Mc Leod, 82, is currently warded at the San Fernando General Hospital, where he is being treated for second degree burns to about 30 per cent of the body. The elderly couple lived with their son, Melville, the last of their 12 children (two deceased) but he was at work at the time the fire occurred around 4.10 pm on Wednesday.

The family also lost their four-bedroom home, valued at over $200,000 and over $100,000 worth of equipment for their welding and mechanic company. Police reports said after Mc Leod jumped through the window from an eight-foot height and alerted neighbours, they formed a bucket brigade. However, they could not extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. In a telephone interview yesterday, Melville said his father received burns to his back, hands and face. “My father was trying to pull her out of the house but because of the blaze he could not. He ended up having to dive through the window to save his life,” he added.

He said they lost everything in the fire. “We do need a lot of assistance because we lost a lot here. We have a company and all the tools we lost,” he said. Melville said there was a lot of speculation but he could not say what caused the fire. He thanked the Fire Service sand the Princes Town Regional Corporation for their swift response and assistance. Corporation chairman, Aiknath Singh, who visited the family along with councillors Natalia Mendez and Haniff Salamat, described the incident as sad.

“The family also had a motorcar repair business. I saw at least three vehicles burnt, the welding plant, brand new compressor. They indicated to me that the current went and when it came back they heard an explosion,” he said. Singh said the corporation’s ODPM Unit responded quickly and assisted with mattresses and food. He said they were also liaising with the relevant agencies to find temporary lodging for the family until clearance was given to demolish the ruins. They will also be monitoring the situation and assisting in whatever way they could to help the family rebuild their home, he added. (Trinidad Guardian) Princes Town Regional Corporation chairman, Aiknath Singh, right, speaks to brothers, Melvin, left, and Alfred Mc Leod, whose mother, Jean Mc Leod (INSET), died in a fire which destroyed their home and business place at Sixth Company Village, Moruga, on Wednesday.

PHOTO: TONY HOWELL

PNM clueless about terrorism

As law enforcement officials await the return of nine Trinis who were deported from Turkey after they were caught trying to join terrorist fighters in Syria, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she is not satisfied with how the Government is tackling terrorism threats in T&T. Persad-Bissessar, who called a state of emergency in 2011 after an alleged plot to kill her and her Cabinet was exposed, said she was not happy with how Isis threats were being handled by the Dr Keith Rowley administration.

Saying under her tenure there was political will to tackle terrorism, she said that was one of the reasons her government decided to co-sponsor in September 2014 the UN Security Council resolution on foreign terrorist fighters. Admitting she got a lot of “flak” for her decision, Persad-Bissessar said they were well aware of the grave threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters to peace, law and order and the need to combat the scourge of terrorism. Asked whether she had seen results from the signing of the UN agreement, Persad-Bissessar said: “It was the right thing to do then and it remains totally correct now.

“I am not of the view that the present government is doing sufficient. We have heard absolutely nothing about their plans. Every time a noise arises they say more police on the streets, more security. It is just more and more talk without any action.” She said crime was also at an all-time high. “I am of the view that they are not doing enough on the international or national front. We need leadership that is permitted with devising a proper plan,” she said. During her address to party supporters at the formal opening of the new UNC headquarters on Wednesday, Persad-Bissessar said under the Rowley Government crime had become worse.

“This Government has no clue how to defeat criminals, gangsters and international terrorists. While blood is flowing across the land with an ever growing terrorist threat, instead of developing a plan to fight crime, the PM is taking off on a holiday again,” Persad-Bissessar said. Saying T&T is in crisis, Persad-Bissessar said in “one year the PNM has brought a booming, productive and happy country to a state of hopelessness and fear.” (Trinidad Guardian) Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, centre, shares a light moment with MPs on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the new UNC head office in Couva. Front row, from left: Rodney Charles, Ganga Singh, Bhoe Tewarie, Ramona Ramdial. Back row, from left: Fazal Karim, David Lee and Devant Maharaj. PHOTO: RISHI RAGOONATH

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INTERNATIONAL PAGE 18

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Donald Trump backtracks on 'video of Iran payment’ US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has backtracked on a claim that he saw video footage of a US cash payment to Iran. He made the claim at a rally.

His team admitted it was incorrect, only for Mr Trump to repeat it at another rally. The money was paid at the same time US hostages were freed, but the president said it was a payment linked to the landmark Iranian nuclear agreement. Mr Trump said the video he saw was of the hostage transfer, not the payment. The White House announced in January it was making payments to Iran - a total of $1.7bn (£1.3bn) to settle a decadesold dispute over a failed military equipment deal - as part of the nuclear accord. A newspaper this week revealed that $400m of that was delivered in cash, flown to Iran at roughly the same time as four Americans were released in a prisoner exchange. The timing of the transfer brought attacks from Republicans, including Mr Trump. President Barack Obama denied any connection between the cash and the prisoner swap, saying: "We do not pay ransom for hostages." He said the payment had to be in cash because strict financial sanctions precluded other methods. However, the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in Washington says it did not help that Iranian defence officials had described the money as a ransom payment. Mr Trump insisted on Wednesday he had seen video showing the money being delivered. His team on Thursday acknowledged this was not the case, saying Mr Trump was referring to cable news file footage of hostages being released. But Mr Trump repeated his claim at another rally later on Thursday.

On Friday, his tweet was echoing the campaign team, saying: "The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!" 'Blank cheque' Donald Trump has had a difficult week. His rival, Hillary Clinton, has seen a significant opinion poll boost since the Democratic convention. He has also run into trouble by rowing with the parents of a Muslim US army captain who was killed in Iraq and was criticised for calling Mrs Clinton "the devil". A number of highprofile figures, including Republicans, have come out against him. Republican Congressman Mike Coffman

was one to air an anti-Trump advertisement. Former director of the CIA, Michael Morell, not affiliated to either party, said in the New York Times that he would "do everything I can to ensure [Mrs Clinton] is elected our 45th president". Citing Mr Trump's positions on Russia, Mr Morell called the New York billionaire an "unwitting agent" of Vladimir Putin. Key national security figure endorsements Endorsed Mrs Clinton Gen John Allen, retired Richard Armitage, former deputy secretary of state (Republican) Gen Wesley Clark, retired, former head of Nato Michael Morell, former CIA director Leon Panetta, former defence secretary Adm James Stavridis, retired, former head of Nato Brent Scowcroft, former national security adviser (Republican) Not voting for Mr Trump William Cohen, former defence secretary (Republican) Michael Hayden, former CIA director (Republican) On Thursday, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan told fundraisers the party had to protect its majority in Congress or "we could be handing President Hillary Clinton a blank cheque". It echoed the "Let's not give Clinton a blank cheque" phrase used by Republicans in 1996 when it became clear Bob Dole would not defeat Bill Clinton. However, Mr Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, stood firmly behind him on Friday, telling NBC: "Donald Trump and I are standing shoulder to shoulder to say to the American people, 'we can be strong again'." (BBC)

Donald Trump claims the Iranian military has a tape of the US transferring $400m (£305m) to Iran

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INTERNATIONAL PAGE 20

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Nearly 200 Mexicans stuck at Madrid airport for days Nearly 200 Mexicans have been stranded at Madrid-Barajas airport for days - some for as long as two weeks - waiting to fly home from Spain. They have Aeromexico budget tickets, issued to airline staff and their relatives, which enable them to fly only if seats become available. The airline says it advised ticket-holders not to fly during the peak holiday season. Most are sleeping rough at Barajas, lacking funds to stay at Madrid hotels. The cheap tickets they bought are not available to the general public.

Aeromexico rejected a plea from the 183 stranded Mexicans to send an extra plane to pick them up, Spain's Efe news agency reported. Public charity A Facebook group called Mexicanas en Madrid issued a public appeal for help. "It would be good to supply them with food, drinks, damp towels, spare bottles for water, fruit," their post said, adding that offers of temporary accommodation would be welcome too. El Pais newspaper said some Madrid residents had offered to put Mexicans up for a few nights. A 67-year-old Spaniard called Rafael said "I have a big house and I sympathised with these people. My wife and I decided to come here with our empty car to pick up a family or six needy people". Mexican doctor Dulce Olveda, 65, told El Pais that there had been up to four Aeromexico flights but none of the stranded passengers had been given a seat. "People no

longer have the funds to survive in the airport," she said. Several passengers sent a group letter to the Mexican consul in Madrid requesting help, but embassy sources said they could not resolve "a recurring problem with this company [Aeromexico]".

However, Consul Bernardo Cordova told the Mexicans at the airport's Terminal One that he was in contact with Aeromexico and was assessing the passengers' individual needs. (BBC)

Many of the stranded Mexicans now lack the cash to afford airport prices(EPA)

Six Indonesians arrested for 'plan to fire rocket at Singapore', police say Indonesian police have arrested six people they say were planning to attack Singapore. The men, aged between 19 and 46, were arrested at several locations in nearby Batam island on Friday. The plot allegedly involved firing a rocket from Batam, just south of Singapore, at Marina Bay - an upmarket, waterfront area. Singapore officials said they were aware of the plot and security had been stepped up. Indonesian police spokesman Boy Rafli told BBC Indonesian that the suspects were now being questioned. It is not clear whether the men had the ability to carry out such an attack. Police said they were investigating whether the suspects had links to Indonesian militant Bahrun Naim, one of the alleged masterminds of the 2016 Jakarta attacks. Singapore's Marina Bay is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations and the Marina Bay Sands hotel is an iconic structure on Singapore's skyline. "What we understand so far is that they were planning to attack vital objects, busy areas including police offices," police spokesman Agus Rianto told Reuters news agency. Singapore's Ministry of Home

Affairs (MHA) said in a statement: "Our security agencies have been coordinating closely with the Indonesian authorities since the discovery of this attack plot, to monitor the activities of the group and to apprehend those involved." (BBC)

Marina Bay Sands, located at the heart of the bay, is one of Singapore's biggest tourist attractions(GETTY IMAGES)

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INTERNATIONAL PAGE 22

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Pokemon Go banned by Iranian authorities over 'security’ Authorities in Iran have banned the Pokemon Go app because of scholar's territory, and is not necessarily applicable to the whole unspecified "security concerns". The decision was taken by the High Council of Virtual Spaces, the official body overseeing online activity. Iran follows a number of other countries in expressing its worries over security related to the game. But it becomes the first country to issue a ban of Pokemon Go, that challenges players to visit real-world locations to catch cartoon monsters. Despite restrictions on internet usage Iranians on social media have discussed playing Pokemon Go in recent weeks. Reports last month said Iranian authorities were waiting to see to what extent the game's creators would co-operate with them before making a decision on banning it. Pokemon Go: A global safety risk? Saudi cleric issues Pokemon Go fatwa Indonesia has banned police officers from playing the game while on duty, and a French player was arrested last month after straying on to a military base while trying to catch Pokemon. A leading Saudi cleric said a fatwa (religious ruling) issued against an earlier Pokemon card game also applied to the new mixedreality app. The 16-year-old edict said the game contained "forbidden images" and violated an Islamic ban on gambling.

But a fatwa's influence might not carry beyond that particular

country. Earlier this week, authorities in New York state said they would ban some 3,000 registered sex offenders from playing Pokemon Go while they are on parole. The ban is aimed at safeguarding the children who play the game. (BBC)

Pokemon Go players catch cartoon monsters in real locations using the app (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

India market attack: Suspected rebels kill 13 in Assam Gunmen have opened fire on a busy market place in India's north-eastern state of Assam, killing at least 13 people, officials say. Police blamed the attacks on suspected rebels from a faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). Reports say one suspected rebel was killed in the gun battle with security forces in Kokrajhar district. The NDFB wants an independent homeland for the Bodo ethnic group to be carved out of Assam. Assam police chief Mukesh Sahay told the BBC that the attack took place in a market in Balajan, an area just outside the town of Kokrajhar.

"Many civilians sustained injuries when militants opened indiscriminate fire. They also lobbed grenades," he said. The banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland is one of many such tribally-based factions in India's remote north-east. The area where the attack happened already enjoys a degree of autonomy. But the insurgents want Bodoland to be given full statehood.

There have been years of sectarian and ethnic clashes there and hundreds of thousands remain displaced from their homes. Grey line One gunman was killed by the security forces and troops were pursuing five others who had fled. Several homes and shops were damaged in the

attack. In 2014, NDFB rebels killed at least 62 people in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar. The Bodos now have an autonomous territorial council which one of their parties, the Bodoland People's Front (BPF), controls. The council offers considerable local autonomy to more than 3,000 villages that are home to Bodo tribesmen. (BBC)

Security forces are searching the blast area in Kokrajhar(INDIAN ARMY)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 24

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

South Africa local elections: ANC suffers major setback South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) has suffered its worst electoral setback since apartheid ended in 1994. With 96% of the votes counted after Wednesday's municipal elections, the party has lost the key battleground of Nelson Mandela Bay to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). The two parties are in a close fight for Johannesburg and Pretoria. But the ANC is still in the lead nationally, with 54% of the vote.

The ANC has won more than 60% of the vote at every national election since the end of apartheid more than two decades ago. Unemployment and corruption scandals surrounding President Jacob Zuma have tarnished the ANC's image. Named after ANC liberation hero and South Africa's first democratically elected president, the loss of Nelson Mandela Bay is a big blow to the party. Many of the leaders of the struggle against apartheid come from the area. The DA, which took 46.5% compared to the ANC's 41% in Nelson Mandela Bay, says it is in talks with other parties to form a coalition in the municipality on South Africa's southern coast. Its leader Mmusi Maimane said Nelson Mandela Bay had voted for change. "I think that to me says that our message got through - it says our people heard us and South Africans still believe in a dream of a non-racial South Africa, South Africans still want our country to prosper," he said. The ANC has conceded defeat in Nelson Mandela Bay after initially saying it was going to challenge the result. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa promised the party would learn from the experience: "They think that we are arrogant, they think that we are self-centred, they think that we are self-serving, and I'd like to dispute all of that and say we are a listening organisation." It looks like no party will win an outright majority in the economic hubs of Johannesburg or Tshwane, which includes the capital, Pretoria, and coalition negotiations are already underway. BBC South Africa analyst Farouk Chothia says the ANC's urban vote has collapsed with both black middle and working classes switching to DA. It is a historic moment as even in the Eastern Cape province working class people rooted in the trade union movement have voted for the DA, he says. The municipal election result is probably the biggest wake-up call the governing ANC has received since it ushered in democracy in South Africa in 1994. Clearly the ANC still commands huge support

across the country but that support is waning. It can no longer take it for granted that the black majority will blindly follow it. The best example is in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, won by the DA, which has a rich history of anti-apartheid struggle. Its new DA mayor is Athol Trollip, who is white. Twenty-two years after the end of apartheid, black people are now voting on issues and not on race. Mr Trollip, who speaks fluent Xhosa, would not be where he is if the vast majority of black people had not voted for him. Grey line Final results are expected later on Friday. By Friday mid-morning, the ANC had 54%, followed by 26% for the DA and 8% for the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The local elections are being seen as an indication of the mid-term popularity of President Zuma. Correspondents say a poor ANC performance could embolden Mr Zuma's rivals within the party to challenge him. The next general elections are due in 2019 but Mr Zuma cannot stand for a third term as president. South Africa's economy has also been one of the main issues for voters, with growth expected to be zero this year, and unemployment standing at 27%. Protests demanding better housing and amenities have sprung up across South Africa. Mr Zuma has also had to weather a corruption scandal, after being ordered to repay taxpayers' money spent on his private home. Security was tight for the elections and the electoral commission said voting had passed off smoothly. (BBC)

DA leader Mmusi Maimane says his party has given voters a viable alternative to the ANC(AFP)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS US First Daughter Sasha Obama serves seafood in summer job PAGE 26

Sasha Obama, daughter of US President Barack Obama, has swapped the comforts of the White House for the counter of a seafood restaurant, US media report. The 15-year-old has taken a summer job serving food at the business in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Sasha, using her full name, Natasha, has been accompanied to the restaurant by a contingent of six secret service agents, the Boston Herald reports.

The town has been a favourite location for the Obamas on their summer breaks. Photographs show the president's youngest daughter wearing the restaurant's uniform of blue T-shirt and cap and working at a till. A co-worker told the Herald: "She's been working downstairs at takeout. We were wondering why there were six people helping this girl, but then we found out who it was." The White House has not commented on the report but First Lady Michelle Obama has spoken about trying to bring her two daughters up as normally as possible. As well as working on the takeaway

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

counter, Sasha Obama's other duties reportedly include waiting on tables and helping to prepare the restaurant for its lunchtime opening. Her security team has been seen waiting nearby in a large car or sitting on benches while the First Daughter deals with tourists' meals.

(BBC)

Sasha Obama was driven away by secret service agents after ďŹ nishing her shift(AP)

RECIPE PAGE 28

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Ingredients

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

RECIPE OF THE DAY: SALARA (COCONUT ROLL)

1 tbsp dry yeast ¼ cup warm water ¼ cup sugar 1 cup MIKO* milk solution ¼ cup shortening 1 tsp salt 3 cups flour 1 egg, beaten 1 tbsp PALMBOOM* butter 1 egg white *Imported and distributed by SUPERFOODS

Filling 1 cup shredded coconut ½ cup sugar ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp vanilla essence 5 drops strawberry food colouring

Preparation Dissolve the yeast in warm water. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of sugar. Mix and let stand. Warm the milk, combine the shortening, salt and sugar; add flour and egg. Knead to make a moderately stiff dough. Shape into a ball. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover; let rise to double in size for about 1 hour. Combine all the filling ingredients and set aside. Punch down the dough and divide in half. Roll each half into an 12 inch x 8 inch rectangle, and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle half of the filling mixture on each rectangle of dough. Roll up lengthwise and seal the edges. Cover and let rise until double in bulk. Brush the rolls with beaten egg white. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 - 30 minutes. Cut into slices and serve. Yields 2 rolls.

HOROSCOPE PAGE 30

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

Daily Horoscope You haven't been watching your spending habits and you may have been neglecting your duties.

You can ask for favors or run your ideas by those who will be able to support your objectives. Be sure to double-check the house on your way out.

You will do your best work on your own. Don't bang your head against a wall. Offers of joint ventures are likely.

Visit those less fortunate than your self; be sure to help them with their personal problems. You will have a tendency to put on pounds. You can ferret out secret information if you just listen to what others have to say.

You need to get out and challenge yourself.

Moneymaking opportunities will surface. Don't let others take advantage of your good nature.

You may find yourself in a predicament with family members. You can meet new friends who will let you know just how valuable you are. Someone you live with will get angry if you are neglecting your duties.

Be careful of disclosing personal information. Do not expect too much from others. You may experience financial loss if you don't use good judgment.

You mustn't make promises that you won't be able to keep. Chronic health problems are likely to surface if you are keeping your problems locked up inside.

Make plans to do the things you enjoy.

If you haven't already, don't be afraid to start your own small business on the side. Your need to obtain additional details will lead you into strange topics of conversation. Travel will be in your best interest regardless of whether it is business or pleasure.

If you can get away for a vacation, do so. Difficulties will result if you have to deal with controversial groups today. You will need a little competition today. Get involved in activities that will stretch your stamina.

You may find it difficult to communicate with someone at work. Your mate will appreciate your honesty. Do some research if you want to find information that you can apply against the opposition you face.

You can make extra money. Rewards will be yours if you put in the overtime required. You can find out interesting information if you get a chance to talk to people you respect. This will be a great night to invite friend over to visit.

Take care of any pressing medical problems that you or one of your parents may be suffering from.

Quarrels will erupt if you get into philosophical debates with friends. Raise your self esteem and your confidence if you want to get back into the mainstream again.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

FUN CORNER PAGE 32

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

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Beaton, McCullum knock out Zouks Trinbago Knight Riders 165 for 5 (McCullum 49*, included seven drops in all. They seemed to have put Akmal 30, Taylor 2-31) beat St Lucia Zouks 164 for 8 (Fletcher 41, Sammy 40, Beaton 3-23) by five wickets.

St Lucia Zouks' dreams of a maiden CPL title were ended by defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders, who turned out a clinical batting display in the eliminator at St Kitts to qualify for the second playoff while knocking Zouks out of the competition.

Ronsford Beaton and Brendon McCullum played starring roles as Knight Riders kept Zouks to 164, before chasing down the target with five wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. St Lucia's innings started strongly and finished strongly, but lost momentum in the middle. After being put in to bat, openers Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher put on a breezy stand of 62 off 44. They had their share of luck along the way - not only did they benefit from three dropped chances, but Fletcher also survived a close shave in the second over when a Beaton yorker squeezed under his bat and hit the base of the stumps without dislodging the bails.

Charles was the more attacking of the two, hitting three fours and two sixes in his 22-ball 31, but it was his dismissal in the eighth over that broke the momentum.

It took Zouks 10.1 overs, and the loss of six wickets, to score their next 62. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Beaton collecting figures of 3 for 23 including two in two in the 18th over. Fletcher, the only batsman to spend appreciable time in the middle during this phase, struggled to find the boundary and ran out of steam to finish with 41 off 43. At the fall of the seventh wicket, Zouks were languishing at 124, with just 15 balls left in the innings. However, captain Darren Sammy and Shane Shillingford provided the innings with a late fillip, smashing 40 runs in those last 15 balls, including two sixes each in that period. Knight Riders' sloppy fielding cost them dearly, as Sammy and Shillingford were each dropped twice before embarking on their respective six-hitting rampages. Shillingford's two sixes came off the last two balls of the innings, propelling Zouks to 164 and leaving Knight Riders to contemplate a shoddy fielding performance that

that behind them by the time the run chase came around, though, with the top three getting the side off to a flying start. Though all three lost their wickets inside the Powerplay, they had helped Knight Riders on to 68 for 3 after six overs, with Umar Akmal scoring 30 off 15. Thereafter, McCullum - who had dropped two catches earlier in the day - steered the innings with an unbeaten 49 off 41. Knight Riders were in cruise control from about halfway through their chase, requiring little over a run a ball as McCullum controlled proceedings. Sunil Narine, coming in at No. 7, ensured that the match did not go into the last over; he hit consecutive sixes off Delorn Johnson* in the 19th and sealed the win with a single past point. Knight Riders now move on to the second playoff, a virtual semi-final, where they will play Jamaica Tallawahs for a berth in the final. (ESPNcricinfo)

Ronsford Beaton's three wickets helped to tie St Lucia Zouks down in the middle phase of their innings © Sportsfile/Getty Images

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Jamaica’s senior squash team gets financial backing for Carib Senior Champs Jamaica National General Insurance (JNGI) has renewed its support for Jamaica’s Senior National Squash Team with a sponsorship package which will help to send the players to the 2016 Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) Senior Championships, scheduled for August 8 – 16 in Trinidad and Tobago. The contribution will help with the team’s travelling expenses and will also cover the cost of competitive gear for the players. The latest allocation marks the third consecutive year that JNGI has served as the Team’s major sponsors. There is considerable anticipation as the team heads to the tournament with a solid mixture of young blood and proven star power. Two major titles are on the line, as defending Men’s Champion, Chris Binnie competes for his sixth consecutive regional title and seventh overall; while Jamaica’s Men’s team seeks to defend its position as Caribbean Champions. Binnie heads into the championship in pole position after jumping up five spots to 77 in the latest Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings. However, he is expected to face stiff competition from his teammate and training partner, Lewis Walters, who finished third at the tournament last year.

Rising star, Julian Morrison could cause an upset in Trinidad and seasoned campaigner, Dane Schwier has experience on his side. On top of that, Junior National team members, Tahjia Lumley and Jonathan Walker, will be looking to make a name for themselves on their first outing with the senior team. Walker only recently returned from Junior CASA where he finished second in the Under-17 category.

In the same vein, Lumley, who has several national junior titles to his name, is eager to make an impact at the senior level. “JN General Insurance is particularly proud of the excellent performance of Jamaica’s Senior National Squash team at the Caribbean Championships in recent years and we hope that 2016 will be another great year for our players,” said JNGI CEO, Chris Hinds. Team Manager, Nathlee Boreland said, “We had a lot to celebrate last year when Chris won his sixth title and the men won the team competition for the first time in 10 years and we’ll be going all out to defend both titles. We think we have a strong team overall and we’re counting on all of the players to do their best and keep Jamaica at the top of the regional game.” (SportsMax)

All positives for Jamaica's Jaheel Hyde's Olympic debut Jamaica's Jaheel Hyde is still a junior but has made his way to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after qualifying from his country's national championships. There have been those who have said maybe Hyde has bitten off more than he can chew, but his coach, former 400 metre champion from Jamaica, Berland Cameron, does not agree. “There is no way he can lose. If he goes out there and goes to the final and even gets a medal, he is the greatest thing on Earth. If he doesn’t make it out of the first round, then he would have gained valuable experience, which I’m sure will make him even better, so it’s a win-win for him,” CAmeron told The Gleaner newspaper in Jamaica. “He has no pressure, but I do believe he will do very well. But he also understands that he will be fine no matter what.” According to Cameron, Hyde is aware that he faces the biggest challenge of his career to date and isn't over awed by it but relishes it. Hyde ran 48.81 seconds to qualify second in the 400-metre hurdles and later went to Poland for the World Under-20 championships where he defended his title in 49.01. “He is well grounded, he is young, but he knows what his capabilities are. He just came off winning the World Juniors and even though it looked easy you know about adrenaline and the

mental that can have for him, but he is here at the Olympics focusing on that. “He is looking very good in training and hopefully he can take it into competition,” said Cameron, who knows from his experiences that stepping up in class can be a terrifying experience. (SportsMax)

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Gayle concerned for Tallawahs form Jamaica Tallawahs skipper Chris Gayle admitted that there were concerns for the team following its third straight loss in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after defeat to the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday. After four consecutive wins at Sabina Park during the previous round the Tallawahs, once seemingly just on the verge of making the final, have seeing their campaign grind to a halt. The team experienced back-to-back losses against the Zouks, which was followed up by Wednesday’s four wicket loss to the Guyana. “It’s a bit of a concern when you lose three games on the trot but given that we still have a chance to make it to the final on Friday so we just need to get it right and see if we can make the final on Sunday,” Gayle said. In their turn to bat the Tallawahs posted 146 all-out, fading quickly after a strong start. Despite the low target a solid bowling effort from the Jamaica-based team fueled by Kesrick Williams’ 4 for 37 led a late match fight back. “The bowlers did well. To chase down 140 is not something you are pleased with but at the same you have to give or take that the wicket was bit slow, but our bowlers put us in an excellent position to win the game.” (SportsMax)

Hope replaces Chandrika for Windies third Test Rajendra Chandrika has been replaced by Shai Hope for the West Indies team’s third Test against India in St Lucia.The Guyanese opener had struggled to gain a foothold in the ongoing series, making figures of 16 and 31 in the team’s innings and 92run loss in Antigua and 5 and 1 in a hard fought draw in Kingston. Chandrika has seen his average fall to 14 in recent outings the worst by any West Indies opener in 10 or more innings. The 22-year-old Hope has been in excellent form this season making two hundreds in his last three appearances in the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL). Hope also made a century against the Indians for WICB President's XI in the visitors first practice match on regional soil. The rest of the team remains unchanged.

SQUAD Jason Holder (Captain) Kraigg Brathwaite (Vice Captain) Devendra Bishoo Jermaine Blackwood Carlos Brathwaite Darren Bravo Roston Chase Miguel Cummins Shane Dowrich Shannon Gabriel

Shai Hope Leon Johnson Alzarri Joseph Marlon Samuels

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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Bolt determined to silence noisy opponents World’s fastest man Usain Bolt has promised that cynical opponents will feel the full force of his wrath when the Rio Olympic sprint events get under way next week. Bolt will be looking to become the first man in history to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays at three consecutive Olympic Games. The athlete’s preparations for the Olympics were hit with a setback last month after he suffered a hamstring strain at Jamaica’s national trials. Bolt, however, insists he has fully recovered and is now fit for his triple title defense. “I think they have not learned over the years that the more you talk, the more I will want to beat you," Bolt said on Wednesday. "It's one of those things, but I'm looking forward to it, should be exciting and they will feel my full wrath as always,” he added. "I'm feeling much more confident now. I'm much more comfortable with where I'm at. "I never try to predict times, because you never know what will happen. But for me the shape I'm in, I'll say I'm in much better shape, so I think 9.6 seconds

definitely." A few American sprinters, including Bolt’s main rival Justin Gatlin seemed to be critical of the sprinter after he received a medical exemption for the 200m at Jamaica’s national trials. (SportsMax)

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The Olympics are here The Summer Olympics 2016 are here to make history. Rio de Janeiro is expected to become one of the most colorful venues of the last four years. Despite all the controversies in the economic and political areas, and the uncountable challenges the country has been facing, Brazil will host the 36th edition of the Olympics, the first in a South American Nation. The eyes of the world are focused on what could become a major disaster or a successful event. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to start this afternoon around the 18hrs, Eastern Time Zone at the Maracana Stadium. This one is expected to be one of the most colorful and exotic ceremony of the last decade, due to the soil where this one is taking place. A summarized display of rhythm, exorbitant colors, traditions and sex-appeal will be the main character of the ceremony. Brazil will do its best to make the globe dance samba for an approximate three hours. The event is set to host 11401 athletes from 208 countries, who will show their skills to the world in 311 events, all of this in the short time of 19 days. There will be 32 venues witnessing the athlete’s performances. Tears, laughter sweat and sacrifice will reign on this fields. Excitement enough to keep the eyes towards the Southern Giant. Land of the exotic nature, beauty and “true colors” as called by Pedro Alvarez Cabral, a Portuguese captain from the colonial times, will have the novelty of representing

Latin America in this exclusive event, in which nations will battle against nations. Medals that represent nations, and years of sacrifice towards a dream; a common goal of thousand souls with diverse origins. -BY- Rocio Perez, Guyana Daily News.