Central Arkansas (+29, 317), Lamar (+30, 318) and UIW (+32, 320) are grouped together for day two and will get to action at 8:15 a.m. while the lone twosomes of the day will be played by Houston Baptist (+38, 326) and New Orleans (+49, 337). They will be the first teams to tee off at 7:30 a.m. Nicholls (+21, 309), Abilene Christian (+26, 314) and Southeastern Louisiana (+29, 317) finished fourth through sixth after the first day. The Lions are tied for sixth place with Central Arkansas, but the fifth player comparison gave SLU the advantage for pairing. They will tee off beginning at 9 a.m. Noah Steele (68), the Bearkats’ sophomore from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, sits in first for the medalist honor thanks to back-to-back birdies on holes six and seven and his play on the par 4s. He shot four-under for the first round and averaged a 3.70 on the day on par 4 holes, going three-under. He has a three-stroke lead over McNeese’s Ian Berrigan (71) and Central Arkansas’ Lewis George (71). Stephen F. Austin’s Angelo Leyvani (72) and McNeese’s Blake Elliot (72) are four strokes back from the lead, each carding an even par for the day. Sam Houston, McNeese and Stephen F. Austin (+19, 307) will tee off together for the second consecutive day. The teams entered the tournament seeded No. 1-3, respectively, and finished the day in that order. They will be the last squads to hit the course, starting with a 9:45 a.m. CT first tee.
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | LEADERBOARD | PHOTO GALLERYMcKINNEY, Texas – Sam Houston State did not relinquish its top seed in the opening round of the 2018 Southland Conference Men’s Golf Championship at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club (Dye Course) in McKinney, Texas, on Monday. The Bearkats (+1, 289) dominated from top to bottom of the lineup with no player finishing above four-over for the day. Each Sam Houston player finished round one in the top 13 of the individual field. They take a six-stroke lead over McNeese (+7, 295) into the second round Tuesday.
Lewis-Graham, Daigle Honored With Cross Country Weekly Awards
Honorable Mention: Grant O’Callaghan, Southeastern Louisiana; Kevin Kipkosgei, Abilene Christian; Daniel Saina, McNeese. Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athletes is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots. Honorable Mention: Isabella Hudson, Northwestern State; Carnley Graham, Abilene Christian; Alissa Lander, McNeese. Women’s Athlete of the Week: Sophie Daigle, Southeastern Louisiana – So. – Donaldsonville, La.Daigle finished second among a 57-women field at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, La. The sophomore from Donaldsonville, La., ran the three-mile meet with a time of 18:13.29 to a pace a Southeastern team that finished second. The top-10 placement is her second in as many races after finishing seventh at the McNeese Invitational. SLU is back at it Saturday in College Station at the Texas A&M Invitational.
Men’s Athlete of the Week: Brandon Lewis-Graham, Northwestern State – Sr. – Ruston, La.Running in his hometown and at his former school, Lewis-Graham claimed victory in the four-mile run with a time of 20:28.5 at the Louisiana Tech Mook Duals in Ruston, La. The first-place finish paced a NSU squad that finished second overall. The Demons have this week off before heading to Lake Charles for the McNeese Cowboys Stampede on Sept. 29 FRISCO, Texas – Northwestern State’s Brandon Lewis-Graham and Southeastern Louisiana’s Sophie Daigle are the Southland Conference Cross Country Athletes of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. All weekly awards are presented by MidSouth Bank.
SANTA ANITA 20 CENT SINGLE TICKET PICK SIX JACKPOT CARRYOVER INTO MONDAY OF $168,406; FIRST POST TIME ON ‘DOLLAR DAY’ IS AT 12:30 P.M.
SANTA ANITA 20 CENT SINGLE TICKET PICK SIX JACKPOT CARRYOVER INTO MONDAY OF $168,406; FIRST POST TIME ON ‘DOLLAR DAY’ IS AT 12:30 P.M. COLUMBUS DAY RACING WILL FEATURE ONE DOLLAR BEERS, SODAS & TWO DOLLAR HOT DOGS ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 13, 2019)–With special Columbus Day racing on Monday, fans will be greeted by a carryover of $168,406 in the track’s popular 20 cent Single Ticket Rainbow Pick Six Jackpot, which will begin with the third race on an eight-race program.Monday is also Dollar Day at Santa Anita, with one dollar beers, one dollar sodas and two dollar hot dogs available throughout the day.With a Jackpot carryover of $136,917 coming into today, $137,533 in new money was wagered, creating a total Jackpot pool of $274,450. There were 215 consolation tickets with six winners and each paid $341.40.Assigned post time for Monday’s third race is at 1:32 p.m. PT and first post time is at 12:30 p.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
Arsenal should hire ex-Spurs boss Pochettino, says Keown
MARTIN KEOWN believes Arsenal should look at the possibility of appointing former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino should they sack Unai Emery.Emery is under increasing pressure with Arsenal currently sixth and eight points off Man City in fourth.3 Mourinho is now in the Tottenham hot seat replacing Mauricio PochettinoWith no win in five games in all competitions, there has been calls for the Arsenal board to make the decision to sack Emery and with Pochettino now available, Keown believes the Argentinian could be the answer.Speaking to Sportsmail the former Arsenal man said: “There’s no need to panic at Arsenal.”We are getting close to panic by the way, because we’re not having the best of seasons, but the powers that be at the top of the club should be seriously considering Pochettino.”Pochettino was replaced by Jose Mourinho on Wednesday morning following a poor start to the season.Spurs are currently 14th, eleven points off the top four.An embarrassing 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and only three wins in 12 in the Premier League has cost Pochettino his job after a successful five-year spell, achieving three top-four finishes and reaching the Champions League final last season.3 Unai Emery has failed to sort out the mess at the Emirates and now his time is surely close to being upCredit: Getty Images – GettyKeown believes Tottenham’s lack of transfer business over recent seasons may have had an impact on Pochettino’s sacking.The former England defender said: “I have a lot of admiration for what he did at Tottenham, the way he nurtured those young players and he didn’t spend a great deal of money.”I don’t think Tottenham spent enough.”The 53-year-old isn’t the only one to suggest Arsenal should go after their rivals former manager.Harry Redknapp, who left Spurs in 2012, also believes the Argentinian would be a good replacement for under pressure Unai Emery.Speaking to talkSPORT, Redknapp said: “Why shouldn’t he go to Arsenal if he wants to?”You think the Arsenal fans wouldn’t love him there?”3Keown also stated that Tottenham could’ve given Pochettino more time considering what he had done for the club: “I would have stayed with Pochettino.”I think he deserved that. I think it’s a hugely significant sacking.”You’re going to have managers now looking over their shoulders.”I know the poor record he has recently, I know it all but I still would have given him another chance.”I don’t like the way Tottenham have done it.MOST READ IN FOOTBALLTO CATCH A CHEATFurious wife beats and strips her husband’s suspected mistress in the street – but crowd does nothingWORMS FEARSHas your child got threadworms? Here’s the symptoms – and how cure themTAKING THE PISSDisgusting man PEES from airport seat in front of shocked passengersMIND BLOWINGThe rudest hotel room sign ever? Optical illusion has internet in hystericsExclusiveBRIDE AND GLOOMInfamous Don’t Tell The Bride couple reveal what REALLY happens on the showTEST ON ENTRYTourists arriving in Majorca and Ibiza may get coronavirus test at airportBEST ACCESSORIESWilliam wore friendship bracelet he shares with Kate in new documentaryExclusiveAMAZON DELIVERY DODGE7 ways to get free delivery on your Amazon ordersTOP TRUMPSLow carb vs keto diet – experts reveal which helps you shed pounds fasterRADFORD RESOLUTIONSRadfords call 2019 hardest year of their lives after ‘devastating loss'”There will be a lot of chairmen looking at him now.”Manchester United wanted him this time last year.”I think Arsenal would have to be interested if they want to take a step forward.”Pochettino wouldn’t be the first to make the move across North London. Sol Campbell left Spurs for Arsenal in 2001, a move which understandably made him very unpopular to the Tottenham fans.George Graham, who played for and managed Arsenal made the switch to White Hart Lane when he took over the reigns from Christian Gross.
Four machete-wielding robbers raid Vertonghen’s home with wife and kids inside
FOUR men armed with machetes broke into Jan Vertonghen’s house while he was away for Tottenham’s match against RB Leipzig.The defender’s wife Sophie De Vries and his two young children were at home when the balaclava-clad men entered the property at around 8pm on Tuesday.5 Jan Vertonghen’s house was targeted while he was away on duty with Spurs5 Vertonghen trains prior to the Leipzig game, in which he was an unused subCredit: AFP or licensorsA police investigation is underway following the incident on March 10 – but no arrests have been made yet.The Daily Mail report that the quartet, armed with knives and machetes, demanded valuables and cash.A source close to the Premier League club told The Express: “Jan’s wife was obviously terrified and did as she was told.”The group carried out a search and fled with electronic items.”The police carried out a scene examination.”Some officers did door-to-door checks to warn people and ask if anyone had seen anything.”A spokesman from the Met Police said: “Police were called to a residential address in NW3 at 7.49am on March 10 to report a burglary.”It was reported four men wearing balaclavas, armed with knives, had forced entry to the property and stolen a number of items before leaving.”Nobody was injured. There have no been no arrests made and inquiries continue.”5 Jan Vertonghen’s two young children were at home when the four men broke in View this post on Instagram Thank you for all your birthday wishes. This one was the best… 😀 A post shared by Jan Vertonghen (@jvertonghen) on Apr 24, 2019 at 9:33am PDTA Spurs spokesman said: “We have been supporting Jan and his family through this terribly traumatic time and we encourage anyone who has any information to come forward to help the police with their investigation.”Vertonghen was away in Germany at the time of the attack for Tottennham’s clash against RB Leipzig.Jose Mourinho’s side were booted out of the Champions League that night after a 3-0 defeat to the Bundesliga side.5 A police investigation is underway after Jan Vertonghen’s home was raided View this post on Instagram 😍 A post shared by Jan Vertonghen (@jvertonghen) on Mar 17, 2019 at 12:12am PDT5 Jan Vertonghen was away in Germany when his home was raidedCredit: Getty Images – GettyLucas Moura bursts into tears as Tottenham are dumped out of Champions League by RB Leipzig
Man Utd and Spurs in battle for Rakitic as Barca look to offload midfielder
MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham are set to battle it out for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, according to reports.The Catalan giants are prepared to cash in on the Croatian veteran this summer to raise funds of their own.2 Ivan Rakitic is set to spark a transfer scramble this summerCredit: Getty Images – GettyRakitic, 32, has just one year remaining on his deal at the Nou Camp.MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest United newsHis availability is set to spark a transfer scramble with clubs across Europe including Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid set to pursue a deal.But according to Mundo Deportivo, the Premier League pair believe they can lure Rakitic to England.The coronavirus pandemic will leave Barca cash-strapped this summer meaning they will be forced to sell a number of stars to bring in players of their own.Both United and Tottenham are in the market for a new midfielder and know they won’t need to break the bank to sign Rakitic.The Red Devils attempted to land Rakitic in January but the move was blocked because his wife Raquel wanted to remain in Barcelona.He is a serial winner having won ten major pieces of silverware throughout an illustrious career.Rakitic has made it no secret of his desire to rejoin Sevilla whom he left in 2014.But the Spanish side are unlikely to compete financially after the player admitted he is still waiting for them to make contact.2most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’ExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidNEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticREF RELEASEDChampions League ref Vincic released by cops after arrest in prostitution raidKEANE DEALEx Man United youth ace David Jones says Roy Keane negotiated a contract for himNICE RONCristiano Ronaldo goes on family bike ride with partner Georgina Rodriguez & kidsREF RAIDChampions League ref Vincic ‘arrested in raid into drugs and prostitution ring’Last month he said: “I have a special affection for Seville, but directly for the city. I have my family there.”I have always said that it would be a dream to wear that shirt again, everyone knows it but it is not my decision.”Monchi (Sevilla’s sporting director) and everyone at Sevilla has my number but they haven’t called me yet.”Paul Pogba going through gruelling solo fitness sessions at home in bid to come back flying for Man Utd
Titans desperate to rediscover winning feeling
The only team to have defeated the two Telstra Premiership front-runners in the Storm and Sharks – not to mention being a well-executed kick from knocking off fourth-placed Brisbane – the Titans are in danger of vying for the wooden spoon rather than the top eight should they lose a fifth game on the trot this week.It was only a month ago that Gold Coast had pushed into the top eight on the back of three consecutive wins and while that proved they could match it with the top teams, the way back is through energy and effort.Last year the Titans went through a six-week period late in the season where they only lost one game to put themselves in finals reckoning and halfback Ashley Taylor says they can do it again if they get back to executing the basics for 80 minutes.”It was pretty nitty-gritty,” Taylor said of the three-game winning streak. “The boys put their hand up, we were running the ball hard, we were playing hard and there was lots of energy on the field and that’s what we need to get back to. Everyone competing on the field and everyone putting in 100 per cent effort.”I’m sure the boys are doing that but we just need to focus on it a lot more.”That’s what we need in our game, to get the little things right and once those little things come back and everyone’s on the same page we’ve already shown that we can beat the top teams and we can be competitive.”It’s just a matter of getting back to that and getting some wins.”The Titans’ task will be made easier on Friday night with Origin representatives Jarryd Hayne, Jarrod Wallace and Nathan Peats all expected to back up along with the return of Tyrone Roberts from a shoulder injury to partner Taylor in the halves.Another bonus for the Titans is the ankle injury that will keep James Tedesco from lining up for the Tigers and like Taylor, coach Neil Henry believes a return to the competitiveness they displayed in 2016 will help to turn things around.”If we can remember what got us some wins last year and what was keeping us in games we’ll give ourselves a good chance to win games,” Henry said.”We got on a bit of a run and won a few games in a row and we were able to get there. We’ll need to do the same again. We can’t control the injuries we’ve had, we can only react to it and play some decent footy.”The reality is that we haven’t got too long. We need to get over this game first. The focus is on getting a result in Campbelltown and if we get that done we can shift it to a home game against the Dragons. It really needs to be a game at a time.”Taylor was solely responsible for the execution of the game-plan in a decimated team against the Rabbitohs last week and while the return of other key members of the spine is welcome, Henry still wants his young half in control much of the time.”I think we do still need him to be dominant,” Henry said. “He’s our main kicker and warming to that role as a young, developing half.”He’s got a good kicking game, he needs to command the ball on both sides and he’s a good runner of the ball as well.” Photo by: Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos (Titans halfback Ash Taylor will again be called on to lead his side’s attack against Wests Tigers).
PNG Loop’s Pacific Games medal tally
Stay tuned for more results on Loop PNG website………..,Stay tuned for more results on Loop PNG website………..,Stay tuned for more results on Loop PNG website……….. More updates will be coming shortly.
Favourite avoids upset to take Pacific Games squash gold at Port Moresby 2015
PACNEWS The venue was in shock as Webb began the brighter of the two players and took the opening set 11-8.It prompted a response from Vai which her teammate could not deal with.She levelled proceedings, winning the second set 11-1 and then claimed the third set. That seemed to knock the wind out of Webb’s sails as her performance slowly began to deteriorate which the ruthless Vai took advantage of, winning the fourth set by the same margin as the second to ensure she topped the podium.New Caledonia’s medal surge at Port Moresby 2015 continued thanks to Claire Faucompre denying the hosts a clean sweep by beating Sheila Morove in the bronze medal match.“It wasn’t a good start – my nerves took over,” Vai said.“It was more of a challenge than the last time we played and I wasn’t expecting it.“But I had a break, calmed myself down and tried again.“I became more patient, settled in and got used to her game.”Papua New Guinea were not quite able to secure the double, however, as Nicolas Massenet of New Caledonia beat home favourite Madako Suari Junior in four sets to clinch gold in the men’s tournament.Massenet got off to the perfect start, winning the first set 11-9 and the second 12-10.Madako Suari Junior reacted the better of the two players to a brief power failure on court, however, which halted play for around 15 minutes, forcing a fourth set against the run of play.Massenet in the end had too much quality for his rival, he reigning supreme in the fourth to seal yet another gold for his nation.“The Pacific Games for me is like the Olympic Games,” Massenet said.“It was a very physical match and I think my fitness was the key to my victory.“Without my fitness I think I would have lost.”The contest for bronze was an all New Caledonia affair as Gael Gosse overcame Yann Lancrenon in straight sets.
Highlands call on PNG Games Secretariat to extend deadline
While the accreditation forms were delivered a week later than schedule, with less than 90 days to go for the PNG Games in Kimbe later this year, the Secretariat has also raised serious concerns on funding and delay in venue preparations.During the executives meeting for the lead up to the Games at the Molka Lodge in Minj over the weekend, provincial sports coordinators said the venue preparations in Kimbe were behind schedule.Compounded with the fact that provinces are yet to receive sponsorships from their Provincial Governments and local MPs, the Secretariat said things looked bleak and expected delays in the whole program.The Highlands is the first to have an established secretariat outside of the PNG Sports Foundations. The executives are the Provincial Sports Coordinators who head the Provincial Game’s Teams Committee.They are Chairman, Chimbu’s Gabriel Brawa, Deputy Chairman, Southern Highland’s Vincent Pesnu, Secretary, Saki Holle EHP, Treasurer, James Kornam – Jiwaka, Enga’s Jonah McKay and Ken Angope from Hela.Brawa who visited the Games venue in Kimbe last week said whilst there seem to be some minor activities going on for the outdoor activities at the venues in Kulungi, Hoskins, Saraklok, Mosa, Kapore and the main San Remo Stadium now reaching final stages, the racing tracks reportedly ordered from India were yet to arrive.He said there was no indication on construction of facilities for indoor events like boxing, karate, taekwondo, dart, kick boxing, snooker, weightlifting, basketball, volleyball and powerliftingThey said if the government did fund the Provincial Governments and Districts as promised, the games would be held but if the funds did not come, there would be no games as most of the funding came from provincial coffers.They called on the MPs from the districts to help athletes as they came from the districts and it was not a responsibility for the Governors alone.Picture: Elite Highlands athlete Kupsy Bisamo in PNG colours going for gold in the middle distance run during the SP Games last year.
National women’s rugby league head coach position advertised
CEO of the PNG Rugby Football League, Reatau Rau said the position is being advertised following the PNGRFL board meeting last month in Port Moresby.“The board resolved that the position of Head Coach for our national women’s team must be advertised so that a suitable and qualified coach is appointed,” said Rau.Rau said the main role of the head coach will be to identify potential players in the domestic and overseas competitions, instil discipline and values on and off the field and develop a team centred environment, and select and prepare a squad to take part at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup at the end of this year in Australia,He added the position is open to PNG citizens only and urged those who hold a NRL level one coaching certificate or similar qualifications and have been actively involved in coaching for the past three years or so to submit their applications.“The person we are looking for must be committed and dedicated to the task at hand. He or she must be prepared to devote their energies and efforts into developing a competitive side to represent PNG at international events during the year and the World Cup later this year,” said Rau.All applications can be sent to the CEO at PO Box 1845, Boroko or hand delivered to the PNGRFL Headquarters at the National Football Stadium in Boroko.Applications close on Wednesday January 18, 2017.
Deulofeu leaves the field on a stretcher and with oxygen
7 The Spanish Gerard Deulofeu, Watford striker, had to leave the field, on a stretcher, with clear symptoms of pain in the right knee and crying, half an hour after the match that his team plays at the Vicarage Road stadium against Liverpool.Deulofeu He clashed with Liverpool’s defender, the Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk and made a sharp turn with his right leg. The Spanish fell on the grass. He put his hands to his face, aching, and could not get up. Watford’s medical services treated him on the pitch. The player could not get up and left the court on a stretcher and with oxygen. The public of Vicarage Road cheered on his player, who was replaced by Roberto Pereyra.Gerard Deulofeu will be tested in the next few hours to specify the extent of the ailment.
Metropolitan, divine treasure
Metropolitan, divine treasure. Atlético’s stadium is a fortin this season, something almost similar to the previous ones. Part of the fans understood that the rojiblanco team could accuse leaving a magical stadium like Vicente Calderón to go to a new venue, which could lack the passion that was in the Manzanares. The numbers were very positive from the start for Atlético in their new home. This season, without going any further, only Barcelona could win in the Metropolitan. He did it right at the end of the game and with a goal from Messi. Something habitual in this stadium and in many others of our football.Atlético He has played 18 games this season in his stadium, 14 from LaLiga and four from Champions. In the Copa del Rey, Atlético was eliminated by Cultural and there have been no cupbearing matches in the rojiblanco venue. He won eleven games, tied six and lost once, the aforementioned against Barça. Six teams took a tie. Juventus (2-2), Celta (0-0), Real Madrid (0-0), Valencia (1-1), Leganés (0-0) and Sevilla (2-2). Atlético won in the Wanda Metropolitano Getafe, Eibar, Leverkusen, Athletic, Espanyol, Lokomotiv, Osasuna, Levante, Granada, Liverpool and Villarreal. The balance is 26 goals for and 11 against. In Europe, as seen, the numbers have been very positive. Only Juventus was able to get a point. And vital was the 1-0 achieved against Liverpool in front of a crowded Metropolitan who took his team on the wing.Last season, 2018-19, more or less the same thing happened. In this exercise only Real Madrid won at the Metropolitano (1-3). The meeting was in the league championship. Girona, in the Cup, gave the bell and tied three goals and eliminated the rojiblancos. In LaLiga, Eibar, Barcelona and Seville scratched a tie, all to one goal. In Europe, Atlético was once again imperial in their stadium. He defeated Bruges, Dortmund, Monaco, in the group stage, and Juventus, already in the tie.In the 2017-18 financial year, the first in which it was played at the Metropolitano, there was some other defeat at home. The first to win was Chelsea, in Champions. His last goal complicated the pass. That defeat was harsh, but the draw against Qarabag, 1-1, almost scored. Atlético fell to the Europa League, a competition that ended up winning.Barcelona, Villarreal, Real Madrid, Girona, Betis and Eibar tied in LaLiga. Espanyol won 0-2 and was the first team to beat Wanda Metropolitano in the league tournament. Sevilla, in the Cup, also gave the chime and won 1-2. The return was played at Pizjuán and Atlético could not overcome.Total, Chelsea (Champions), Espanyol (LaLiga) and Seville (Cup) they won at the Metropolitano, in the 2017-18 season; Real Madrid (LaLiga), he did it in 2018-19; and the Barcelona (LaLiga), in 2019-20. In the heat of its people, Atlético feels almost impregnable.
Montero: “Zidane is one of the most humble people I know”
The Uruguayan defender, one of the most loved by the Juventus fans, also admitted that would give “anything to be a footballer again” in his time.Currently, Montero trains Sanbenedettese in Serie C (third category) and plays high-quality football, focused on technique and ball possession. “I was lucky to have great coaches in Italy and in South America. César Menotti, Marcello Lippi, Cesare Prandelli, Emiliano Mondonico, Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelotti. You steal a little from everyone, each of them won trophies, “he said.He dreams of arriving in the future to train Juventus, although he considered that it is still something far away. “Every former player who loves Juventus dreams of coaching him. But it is a long way off, anyone who has been through Juventus would like it,” he said.Finally, toassured that the Argentine Diego Maradona is the “strongest” player he has ever seen and that currently, It would motivate him to score the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.“For me the strongest player I have seen has been Maradona. Currently I would like to score Cristiano Ronaldo. Playing against the best makes you understand how to improve,” he acknowledged. Uruguayan Paolo Montero, former player of Juventus Turin and current coach of Sanbenedettese of the Italian C Series (third category), assured this Wednesday that his former French partner Zinedine Zidane “He is one of the most humble people” he knows.“In that Juventus we had players like (Alessandro) Del Piero and Zidane who solved our games for us and in South America they teach us how to defend the strongest. ‘Zizou’ for me was one of the most humble I knew and very strong players passed through Juventus. It was impossible not to love ‘Zizou’, “Montero said in an interview on Italian television” Sky Sport. “Montero shared Juventus’ locker room with Zidane from 1996 to 2001 and continues to have particular affection for the current Real Madrid coach. “Now I’ve been six months without writing to him, because I don’t want to screw him “, Montero explained that in his Juventus career he has won four league titles, an Intercontinental Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, three Italian Super Cups and an Intertoto Cup.He reached Juventus who was the current European champion and reached three other finals in the maximum continental competition, but surrendered to Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Milan. “The finals against Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are the ones that hurt the most. Especially the one that went to Real Madrid. I saw her again after many years with my children and we had a great game. They are the great disappointments of my career, “he acknowledged.
English clubs have already collected TV rights
Sky and BT, the two operators who have the rights to broadcast meetings of the English Premier League, have already subscribed to the clubs all the amounts agreed for this season, which amount to € 1.7 billion, despite the fact that twelve days are still to be disputed, the celebration of which is not even assured.The Premier League has also received all payments for international rights, 1.59 billion per season, according to The Times. Operators have supported clubs to limit the effects of the crisis affecting clubs after the end of competitions during the Covid-19 pandemic in exchange for some advantages. The most important would be to have the possibility of broadcast more than 200 games per season from the next (those scheduled at four in the afternoon on Saturday, which were not offered live) and also have greater better access to changing rooms.
Francis expects special performance from Fraser-Pryce in Beijing
BEIJING, China: Coach Stephen Francis yesterday confirmed that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is listed to compete in the 200m at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, will only be running the 100m, noting that he is expecting a show from the defending double sprint champion. Francis shared that he had decided since last year that the four-time Olympic and seven-time World Championships medal winner would only compete in the 100m this year, as he sets one eye on ensuring she is in the best shape to secure her legacy at next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. “Her situation is really geared towards next year. We took the decision this year that the competition would not be as great in the summer because we are trying to build a big base for her next year, where she can run as well and compete as well as she would like,” Francis told The Gleaner. “That being said, this year I think she is certainly the best she has been. There are still a couple technical things that she still needs to iron out, but by and large she has been doing really well. We expect that she will run brilliantly on Sunday and Monday (200m heats, semi and final),” Francis said. After a poor showing in her season-opening Shanghai Diamond League run in the 100m in May, Fraser-Pryce has bounced back to win all five of her short sprint races to date, going sub-11 seconds in all but one and twice going below 10.80 seconds. Her 10.74 is the fastest time by a woman this year, but she is also responsible for three of the five fastest times registered in 2015, making her the clear favourite to retain her 100m World title. However, despite expecting his athlete to win again, Francis is also keen on ensuring she wins again at the Olympic Games, where he recognises that her legacy as the greatest ever female championship sprinter can be carved deeper into the root of track and field history. “Clearly if she wins the 100m at the Olympics, she will be the only person to win three 100m titles and if she wins the 200m she will be the only person to win three 100m titles plus a 200m, so it’s important and she is somebody who works hard, does what she is supposed to do 95 percent of the time so you want to see her do well,” Francis said, before again explaining his decision to cut the 200m from her assignments this season. Francis shared that this was a decision taken as far back as last season. “This has been in motion since last year. We decided last year that she would not run the 200m, but she has been doing the training and I guess she thinks she is doing the training so she may run, but we already decided that she needed to get the technical basis of the 100m down pat because doing the 200m work in the past has eroded that,” he said. “She needs to iron out her start and middle phase and that is what we have been emphasising this year, but the aim is still for her to do the 200m next year, so the work for her to do that is still being done.”
Wolmer’s celebrate Walker Cup win
They might not have been the most talked about or the loudest in the recently concluded corporate area schoolboy football competitions, but newly crowned ISSA-FLOW Walker Cup champions Wolmer’s Boys’ celebrated Wednesday’s 5-4 penalty triumph over St George’s College in fine style inside the Douglas Orane Auditorium, at Heroes Circle yesterday.The early morning devotion was brief, but set alight an otherwise quiet and serious morning of end of term exams. It clearly brought smiles to the faces of the student population and administrative staff.Principal Dr Walton Small took time out to parade two trophies, the Walker Cup and the trophy for topping the recent tennis tournament. Members of the school’s water polo team were also lauded for their performances in their recent championship.”I have a sad story to tell you, about the defeat of George’s. They came with great expectations, but returned with a box load of shaving cream,” Small sang jubilantly to rapturous applause and laughter from a full auditorium.Chairman of the Wolmer’s Trust, Milton Samuda, said: “The real effort took place long before our team hit the field of play, and I want you to congratulate them for that and to acknowledge that it is a part of our heritage that whatever we do, we do to the best of our ability.” he told the audience.15 scholarships in two yearsTeam manager Kurt Boothe reflected on the past season:”As a management team we had set out a chart of goals and number two was to win trophies. Number one goal that we had set out for this football programme is to be the school that gets the most football scholarships … and I am proud to say that in the past two years we have got 15 scholarships.Distinguished old boy, Douglas Orane, after whom the auditorium is named, hailed the Walker Cup winners.”This (Walker Cup) is very special. They have worked very hard all season and remained very disciplined,” he said. He added that their objective is to count both goals and scholarships and produce well rounded young men for leadership roles in Jamaica.”There is a great demand from young men to come to Wolmer’s and what we want to do is ensure that we keep the standards high,” Orane told The Gleaner.
Champs 2016 in pictures
Calabar and Edwin Allen again ended the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships as top schools.Our photographers were on hand to capture all the excitement.
Diamond Debate | Spencer or Russell?
ROME, Italy: Lowe: The women’s 400m hurdles looks like it’s going to be another interesting event this season. Some good youngsters, including Jamaican Janieve Russell, are looking to upset the applecart with the experienced Zuzana Hejnova and Kaliese Spencer having to show that they are up for the challenge. There’s no Hejnova in Rome, but the field is stacked with quality all around. KC Graham: Stacked indeed as the top pretenders, or I should say contenders, for the Olympic title are in this line-up, and what a race it will be! Lowe: This one is hard to call, but it will go a long way in showing who is really ready to step up and push for that title. Georganne Moline is the fastest this year ahead of Russell, who has two of the four fastest times. She’s also coming off a morale-boosting win in Rabat against some of these girls, but again, we can’t rule out women like Wenda Theron Nel, Cassandra Tate and Eilidh Doyle. Spencer has some work to do, but her experience can be crucial here. KC Graham: All Jamaicans will be eyeing the clash between Russell and Spencer, as coach Stephen Francis has something to prove here. Despite her wealth of experience, I don’t see Spencer finishing ahead of Russell in the near future as Russell has now gone on to bigger things based on her excellent form so far. I see her as a contender for a major medal at the Olympics and this is the right time to dismiss a field like this. Lowe: You’re being a bit too dismissive yourself of a woman who has gone 52 seconds in her career. Sure that was under another coach, but the quality and ability is there. In any event, it’s a very interesting sub-plot and while I think Russell is ahead right now and will most likely finish ahead on Thursday, a lot can change between now and the Olympics. KC Graham: You are dealing with history, and it is the present that I am now talking about. Yes, it is early days, but Spencer has not shown me in her past two races that she will be a main contender this time around. Her technique needs major fixing and she will have problems beating quality hurdlers this time around. Russell was on target to go sub 54 seconds in Rabat, but had a problem over the last barrier where she was in two minds about her lead leg and unfortunately the wrong leg came up, which caused her not to drop a big time. Lowe: Spencer’s technique was never textbook to begin with, but we already agree that some work is needed. She has time, and while I’m still waiting to see that spark, I do believe she’ll look much better the closer we get to her trials/Rio appointments. However, for Rome, if Russell had a normal training week – not too heavy on the legs, I think she wins again here. KC Graham: I expect a big performance from Russell here. Despite Moline being the world leader she normally crumbles under pressure, while Child will need another big effort if she hopes to repeat her Doha’s success. With a better start this time around a sub 54 seconds is on the cards for Russell.
Racing Results
Track: Good Weather: FineRace 1 1200 M (Purse $800,000) NB/IMP 2-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT1. #5 WESTERN WARRIOR RHalledeen 53.0 6/5 114.00 97.002. #3 NIGHT LIGHT JErwin 52.5 5/1 3 92.003. #4 ROCKDALE AChatrie 52.0 5/1 Neck 298.004. #2 EMPRESS CHEYENNE MWard4 49.0 30/1 81/25. #6 BOSS IZZY DAThomas 53.0 42/1 2Final Time : 1:13.1 Splits : 23.0, 46.0, ,Winner : 2yo b colt – WESTERN CLASSIC out of LITTLERICHGIRL byTrainer : WILLIAMS,FITZNAHUM Owner : GOLDEN STABLESBred by MARK & SUSAN WATESQuinella : (3,5) $338.00 Exacta : (5-3) $502.00Superfecta : (5-3-4-2) $1,902.00Race 2 1100 M (Purse $560,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($350,0-$300,0)/NB5YO(NW3)1. #7 FIFTYONESTORM BebHarvey2 53.0 *3/22. #1 TWO STEPS UP SMuir 53.0 14/1 Head3. #2 FRANKENSTORM RHalledeen 54.0 12/1 Head4. #4 TRADITIONAL STORM AntThomas4 50.0 8/1 3/4Final Time : 1:07.3 Splits : 23.1, 46.4, ,Winner : 5yo b filly – STORM CRAFT out of SHE’S A GEM by MARKET RALLYTrainer : DARBY (SR),ROBERT A Owner : CLIFTON L MCLISHBred by ALLAN L. FLOWERSQuinella : (1,7) $692.00 Exacta : (7-1) $861.00D/E : (5-7) $351.00Superfecta : (7-1-2-4) $8,413.00Race 3 1400 M (Purse $560,000) NB4-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE IV(NW3)1. #2 DASH BOARD RLunan 54.0 *1/12. #11 SCAR JInnis3 53.0 3/1 103. #4 SONG BIRD WHenry 51.0 37/1 41/43. #7 TASHIE BABY HPottinger2 52.0 24/1 Sh.HeadFinal Time : 1:11.4 Splits : 23.2, 46.2, ,Winner : 4yo filly – DEPUTY’S REPORT out of GRAND PRIX byTrainer : CHUNG,TENSANG Owner : GEORGE W MILESBred by GEORGE MILESQuinella : (2,11) $208.00 Exacta : (2-11) $472.00D/E : (7-2) $290.00Superfecta : (2-11-4-7) $3,716.00 (2-11-7-4) $3,304.00Rolling Triple : (5-7-2) $1,206.00Race 4 1100 M (Purse $500,000) NB4-Y-O & UP MAIDEN CONDITION RACE1. #10 WALTZING MATILDA MWard4 48.0 *6/52. #9 JASSUR HPottinger2 52.0 7/2 13/43. #6 BREEZY PParchment 53.0 10/1 51/24. #5 GOFORHOME BebHarvey2 53.0 5/2 Sh.Head5. #4 WISE JOHNNY ASybble 53.0 99/1 31/2Final Time : 1:09.0 Splits : 23.3, 48.0, ,Winner : 4yo b filly – STORM CRAFT out of TENSION by SPLINTER REDTrainer : CHUNG,TENSANG Owner : GEORGE W MILESBred by GEORGE MILESQuinella : (9,10) $444.00 Exacta : (10-9) $1,001.00D/E : (2-10) $297.00Trifecta : (10-9-6) $2,743.00Hi-5 carry-over : $61,194.25Rolling Triple : (7-2-10) $947.00Race 5 1000 M (S) (Purse $620,000) 3-Y-O & UP CLM($550,0-$500,0)/NB4YO-NW41. #6 SCOOP JORDYNE BebHarvey2 53.0 *4/52. #9 DRIPPING IN GOLD AChatrie 53.0 8/1 23. #1 GOLD MEMBER RLahoe 56.0 16/1 11/44. #10 ELVIRA AntThomas4 50.0 7/1 21/2Final Time : 0:59.1 Splits : 22.2, 45.3, ,Winner : 7yo b horse – BURNING MARQUE out of ONE ONE NINE by THE MEDICTrainer : CHARLTON,PAUL A Owner : VEN DEEZLEBred by DAVID ECCLESTONQuinella : (6,9) $684.00 Exacta : (6-9) $829.00D/E : (10-6) $308.00 (10-4) $93.00Superfecta : (6-9-1-10) $12,092.00Rolling Triple : (2-10-6) $1,636.00Race 6 1000 M (S) (Purse $530,000) NB4-Y-O & UP RESTRICTED ALLOWANCE V(NW2)1. #6 RED EAGLE RMcNaughton 53.5 8/12. #8 GENUINE ARTICLE RPaige 54.0 7/1 33. #10 GANJA MAN PParchment 54.0 9/2 23/44. #7 PARTY CITY RLahoe 53.0 27/1 11/45. #11 QUICK CHIC PFrancis 52.0 5/1 13/46. #1 I’MNOTFINE HPottinger2 51.5 8/1 NeckFinal Time : 1:00.3 Splits : 23.0, 46.3, ,Winner : 4yo ch colt – BURNING MARQUE out of JAMAICAN DREAM by SOUTHERN HALOTrainer : POWELL,MORRIS Y Owner : MORRIS Y POWELLBred by PETER ASHER, RICHARD AZAN & IAN PARSARDQuinella : (6,8) $2,641.00 Exacta : (6-8) $9,662.00D/E : (6-6) $478.00Trifecta : (6-8-10) $6,126.00Hit-6 carry-over : $19,691.75Rolling Triple : (10-4,6,11-6) $2,469.00Race 7 1500 M (Purse $768,000) NB3-Y-O MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT1. #3 STRAIGHTFROMUHEART 53.0 6/1 368.00 117.002. #7 CORALANDO ISpence 54.0 *3/5 23/4 62.003. #4 LATE N DRAFTY DDawkins2 51.0 15/1 Sh.Head 108.004. #2 PHOTOGENIC PFrancis 52.0 7/1 31/25. #13 LEEKOUT OWalker 54.0 8/5 23/46. #11 HEY CHAMP LSteadman2 53.0 40/1Final Time : 1:33.3 Splits : 24.1, 47.1, 1:12.4,Winner : 3yo b filly – LIQUIDITY out of HEART THROB by SIR LAL BAHADURTrainer : TULLOCH,CONROY D Owner : EWART E BROWNBred by Y.S. (1955) LTD.Quinella : (3,7) $441.00 Exacta : (3-7) $1,661.00D/E : (6-3) $5,479.00 (6-9) $103.00Trifecta : (3-7-4) $4,401.00Hi-5 : (3-7-4-2-13) $56,558.00Rolling Triple : (6-6-3) $29,138.00Super-6 : (7-2-10-4,6,11-6-3) $94,664.20Race 8 1000 M (R) (Purse $768,000) NB3YO(NW2)/IMP3YO&UP(MDN)-REST.ALL.II1. #7 SUPER COP JErwin 53.0 22/1 1180.00 356.002. #11 FLYING MACHINE HPottinger2 51.0 99/1 3/4 1207.003. #8 PROUD PRESIDENT BebHarvey2 52.5 5/1 11/4 141.004. #2 MISS MYRTLE RMcNaughton 52.5 6/1 1/25. #9 LUNAR ROCKET RHalledeen 53.0 *1/5 3/4Final Time : 1:00.1 Splits : 23.1, 46.3, ,Winner : 3yo ch colt – SEEKING THE GLORY out of AHWHOFAH by ROYAL MINISTERTrainer : DACOSTA,WAYNE A Owner : WINSTON A KONGBred by WINSTON A. KONGQuinella : (7,11) $10,701.00 Exacta : (7-11) $30,122.00D/E : (3-7) $25,474.00 (3-1) $912.00Trifecta : (7-11-8) $26,203.00Hi-5 carry-over : $29,302.00Rolling Triple : (6-3-7) $122,009.00Race 9 1500 M (Purse $500,000) 3YO&UP CLM($180,0)-NOT EARNED $120,0 SINCE JULY 15.1. #6 DIRECTOR DALEY JJackson 55.0 3/1 206.002. #5 COSEQUIN DenBrown 54.0 99/1 31/43. #3 SNEAK PEEK OEdwards3 50.0 2/1 Nose4. #8 CODED SECRET AChatrie 52.0 5/15. #1 CAUSE FOR CONCERN OWalker 53.0 13/1Final Time : 1:38.1 Splits : 24.2, 48.0, 1:15.2,Winner : 3yo b colt – FILM DIRECTOR out of THE FLYING BRIDE by EXOTIC TRAVELERTrainer : TODD,STEVEN M Owner : RICHARD P TODDBred by LORENZO B. ROBINSONQuinella : (5,6) $75,083.00 Exacta : (6-5) $18,953.00D/E : (7-6) $10,077.00Trifecta : (6-5-3) $27,005.00Hi-5 carry-over : $128,345.75Rolling Triple : (3-7-6) $195,804.00Pick-4 : Carry-over : $461,630.00Super-6 : (10-4,6,11-6-3-7-6) $15,193.60 (5/6) Carry-over : $911,620.12Pick-9 : (5-7-2-10-4,6,11-6-3-7-6) $7,228.00 (7/9) $151.00 (6/9) Carry-over : $1,864,048.20PlacePot 8 : Carry-over : $236,310.00
More Sports In Brief
Colombia vs Brazil for Chapecoense victims RIO DE JANEIRO (AP): Colombia and Brazil will play a friendly match on January 25 to raise money for the victims of the air crash last month that killed 19 players from Brazilian club Chapecoense. The match is set for Rio de Janeiro’s Engenhao stadium, which was the venue for athletics during the Olympics. Brazil’s team will be composed only of players with local clubs and will not include stars like Neymar who play in Europe. The plane carrying the Chapecoense players crashed just outside Medellin, Colombia, as they headed to play Colombian club Atletico Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana, Latin America’s No. 2 club tournament. Also on January 25, Chapecoense will play their first match since the disaster, facing Brazilian club Joinville in a national tournament. That match will be played at Chapeco’s stadium in southern Brazil. Judo champ fails to show up for sexual assault case VIENNA (AP): Legal authorities in Austria still had no clue on Peter Seisenbacher’s whereabouts yesterday, a day after the two-time Olympic judo champion was supposed to stand trial for the alleged sexual assault of two young girls he was coaching in the early 2000s. The regional criminal court and state prosecution in Vienna said they haven’t heard from Seisenbacher since he failed to show up for the start of his trial on Monday. The case has been adjourned. His lawyer, Bernhard Lehofer, said he spoke to Seisenbacher “a few days ago,” but had failed to contact him since. Seisenbacher is currently head coach of the Azerbaijan judo team. According to state prosecutors, the alleged abuse took place in Vienna between 1999 and 2004, when the two girls were still under 14. The women filed charges against their former coach in 2013. Seisenberger is alleged to have sexually assaulted one of the girls in 1999, when she was 11, and then abused her on multiple occasions until 2002. Also, he allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2004. Additionally, he has been charged with the attempted assault of a 16-year-old pupil while at a training camp in Croatia in 2001.
Zlatan leads United to cup glory
FRAGILE DEFENSE United’s fragile defense, though, nearly contrived to throw away the chance of glory. Although Jesse Lingard extended United’s lead in the 38th minute, Southampton fought back with goals either side of half-time from Manolo Gabbiadini. But as Southampton pushed for its first major trophy since beating United in the 1976 FA Cup trophy, Ibrahimovic produced the bullet header in the 87th minute from Ander Herrera’s cross. Now Ibrahimovic has won a major trophy in a fifth country after honours in France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. Although Wayne Rooney went up to collect the trophy as captain, that was his only role at Wembley. The 31-year-old forward was forced to watch from the bench as his older teammate produced an ageless, match-winning contribution. “This is what I came for. I came to win, and I am winning,” Ibrahimovic said. “I have to keep going because the more I win, the more satisfied I get.” The striker didn’t cost United any transfer fee when he joined in the summer transfer window as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. He sought another final challenge, even in the twilight of his career, rather than an easy payday in an inferior league. “You appreciate winning more the older you get. It’s all about winning and collecting trophies,” he said. “This is my 32nd trophy. Wherever I have been, I have won.” LONDON, England (AP): Zlatan Ibrahimovic powered in a late header to win the English League Cup for Manchester United on Sunday, sealing a 3-2 victory over Southampton after a two-goal lead was thrown away by Jose Mourinho’s side. It was Ibrahimovic’s second goal in the final after putting United ahead from a free kick, taking the 35-year-old Swede’s tally to 26 goals in an incredible first season at United, where his performances have more than lived up to the swagger. That bravado was flaunted on the Wembley Stadium pitch amid the celebrations. Asked by a television reporter if something special was unfolding at United, Ibrahimovic replied: “I came. That’s special.” The free summer transfer window recruit ensured Mourinho became the first manager in United’s history to win a trophy in his first season, adding to his three League Cup triumphs with Chelsea. “(It) is quite a sense of relief,” Mourinho said.
Weary Warriors struggling in adversity
RESTRAINT MINNEAPOLIS (AP): Off-colour jokes. Criticising officiating. Lamenting a tough portion of the schedule. The Golden State Warriors have rarely dealt with adversity over the last three regular seasons. Now that it has arrived, there are signs of tension and frustration with a team trying to find a groove without Kevin Durant while in pursuit of a third straight trip to the NBA Finals. After a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night – Golden State’s fourth defeat in six games – forward Andre Iguodala made several racially tinged comments during his postgame remarks to the media. The comments came after coach Steve Kerr announced that Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson would sit out a showdown with the second-seeded Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night. “No clue,” Iguodala said when asked if he was aware of Kerr’s plan before the game. “I do what master say.” Iguodala also was asked what was at the root of the issues for a Warriors team that was dominant with Durant, but has looked tired and vulnerable since he went down with a knee injury on February 28. Iguodala, who is black, used a racial slur to imply that was what the media was looking for, then said “Just play harder. Figure it out. Change gonna come. You know what we used to say. Change gonna come.” He later clarified to ESPN that he has no issue with Kerr or his decision to rest players in a nationally televised game on Saturday night. The Warriors also expressed significant frustration with the officiating from Ken Mauer’s crew in the 103-102 loss to the Wolves. Kerr said Andrew Wiggins “did not get fouled” on a play late in the game that put him on the free throw line for the winning foul shots. Green didn’t speak to the media until about 45 minutes after the game ended, a very long time for a player who normally likes to address things quickly and move on. He said he spent most of that time contemplating whether he wanted to risk a $25,000 fine from the NBA for criticising the officials. He joked that he was going to buy himself a watch for deciding to use restraint, even after questioning a technical foul he received for getting tangled up with Karl-Anthony Towns. The road-weary team is at the tail end of a tough stretch of eight games in eight different cities in 13 days. With Durant not expected back for another month or so, the minutes are piling up and the heavy favourites to come out of the Western Conference for a chance at a second championship in three years is just one and a half games up on the Spurs for the No. 1 seed. Curry is struggling with his shooting. He was 1 for 8 from 3-point range against the Wolves and is 18 for 76 from long distance in March. But a reprieve is right around the corner. After the Spurs game, the Warriors finish the season with 11 of their final 16 at home, and Green, Curry, Iguodala and Thompson will get three full days of rest before they have to play again.
Rhezie Aragon cops silver in taekwondo
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Bishop Baylon encourages faithful in Albay to help Taal evacuees Rhezie Aragon fought the good fight, but in the end, fell to Mariska Halinda of Indonesia, 4-9, in the gold medal match of the women’s 53kg division in taekwondo in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games Monday at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Hall 1.With only three competitors in the weight class, Aragon was instantly slotted in the Finals while Halinda had to fight off Malaysian bet Jasmin Nabilla to earn the right to face the Filipina jin.ADVERTISEMENT Unfortunately for the 21-year-old Aragon, she fought on the defensive early against her Indonesian foe, struggling to recover from a 3-6 deficit in the second round as she settled for a silver medal in the women’s bantamweight division.Despite the defeat, Aragon’s was the second silver medal bagged by the Philippine taekwondo team, increasing the sport’s haul to seven medals.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’ Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles02:11SEA GAMES 2019: PH’s Nesthy Petecio boxing featherweight final (HIGHLIGHTS)08:07Athletes treated to a spectacle as SEA Games 2019 officially ends06:27SEA Games 2019: No surprises as Gilas Pilipinas cruises to basketball gold05:02SEA Games 2019: Philippines clinches historic gold in women’s basketball05:21Drama in karate: Tsukii ‘very sad’ over coach’s bullying, cold shoulder03:24PH’s James Palicte boxing light welterweight final (HIGHLIGHTS) Takahashi finally gets to be No. 1 MOST READ Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LATEST STORIES
Louie Alas: Wherever Kevin wants to be, we’ll support him
Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. READ: Louie Alas gets wish with Alaska winning and son Kevin playing wellThe renewed partnership between the two had floated the moment the elder Alas was appointed as the new head coach of Phoenix, replacing Ariel Vanguardia.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogBut Louie admits but that’s far from his mind, knowing how satisfied his son is with his team.“My wife [Liza] and I will support Kevin wherever he’s happy,” said Louie in Filipino Thursday at SportsIQ, Inquirer’s omniplatform sports talk show. “He’s very happy right now with NLEX and of course with his girlfriend Selina [Dagdag].” Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next READ: Basketball is part of Alas family cultureWith his new capacity, he has the power to make a move to acquire his son, but Louie doesn’t want to hinder Kevin’s development in NLEX where he has flourished under head coach Yeng Guiao.Kevin ended the PBA Governors’ Cup with averages of 14.27 points, 6.18 rebounds, and 2.91 assists per game.READ: No reunion for Alas, son at Phoenix “He’s happy in NLEX. As for us, we’ll always be behind him,” said Louie. “If he tells me ‘dad I want to play for you’ maybe I’ll make a move but I see that he’s super comfortable in his team and with coach Yeng.”ADVERTISEMENT OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson MOST READ Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? The Alas Family: Kevin, Liza, Louie, Kieffer, Kenneth and Kristoffer. Photo from Kevin Alas’ social media accounts.The father-son duo of Louie Alas and Kevin Alas had become synonymous with Letran from 2009 until 2013 when the Knights flourished as contenders for the title.It’s been almost four years since the two donned the same colors, with Kevin playing for Rain or Shine, TNT, and now NLEX in the PBA and father Louie serving as an assistant for Alaska.ADVERTISEMENT Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Down to his last five years of coaching, Louie Alas gets opportunity of a lifetime Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles00:50Trending Articles02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny LATEST STORIES View comments It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours
Alaska hires Altamirano, Ildefonso as new coaches
MOST READ It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson “Danny Ildefonso is both one of the best players and best men to ever have played in the PBA. He has always had a tremendous work ethic and has detailed knowledge on how to play the game as a big man. He will surely have a tremendous impact on the development of our big men,” said Compton.Rounding out the new hires for Alaska is Tony dela Cruz, who has now shifted to the coaching after retiring last month.“Tony Dela Cruz has always been one of the smartest players in the PBA and he knows the ins and outs of our system as well as any of our coaches. He is an excellent communicator who has a great relationship with everyone on the team and he will make a very smooth transition into coaching,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours LATEST STORIES OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales? Perasol welcomes solid support from alumni: ‘It gives us pressure to deliver’ Compton will be renewing his partnership with Altamirano, both of whom formed the grassroots program National Basketball Training Center (NBTC).“Coach Eric Altamirano is a proven winner at every single level he has coached at including the PBA. Alaska gets a veteran coach with tremendous experience and character in Coach Eric, truly a man of excellence,” he said of the seasoned mentor, who last called the shots for Flying V Thunder in the PBA D-League.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSFederer blasts lack of communication on Australian Open smogIldefonso, meanwhile, boasts a decorated career being a two-time PBA MVP with San Miguel, before finishing his career with Meralco.He is currently serving as a big man coach for the NU Bulldogs under coach Jamike Jarin. Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.netAfter losing key deputies in the offseason, Alaska has enlisted the services of Eric Altamirano, Danny Ildefonso, and Tony dela Cruz to assist coach Alex Compton this upcoming season.“I am really excited about the new coaches we have added to our coaching staff,” said Compton, who lost deputies Louie Alas and Topex Robinson to Phoenix.ADVERTISEMENT Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
Petron blazes past Iriga City in Batangas
As early as the opening set, Iriga City coach Parley Tupas surrendered every illusion of scoring an upset against Petron on Saturday.In a huddle, when they were trailing, 20-10, Tupas was telling his charges to “relax, we have nothing to lose, let’s just score as much points as possible.”ADVERTISEMENT OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ‘a duplicitous move’ – Lacson LATEST STORIES Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Iriga City did lose. But it wasn’t clear if Tupas was happy with the points his team collected.The Blaze Spikers, brimming with confidence as well big-name stars, hammered out a 25-12, 25-15, 25-22 triumph over Iriga in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at Batangas City Sports Center.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’SPORTSBack on the thronePetron registered its sixth win in seven games, while handing Iriga City its fifth defeat in seven outings. Both will qualify for the quarterfinals.From the onset, when the Blaze Spikers piled up a 7-1 lead, it was very clear they were leagues away from the Oragons, who simply had no answer for Petron’s massive firepower anchored on Lindsay Stalzer, Hillary Hurley, Remy Palma and Ria Meneses, among others. Nazareth, La Salle reach Rebisco semis unscathed Jake says relationship with Shaina ‘goes beyond physical attraction’ Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set Jo Koy: My brain always wants to think funny Kiss-and-tell matinee idol’s conquests: True stories or tall tales?
Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Margot Robbie talks about filming ‘Bombshell’s’ disturbing sexual harassment scene It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson MOST READ View comments Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Coco’s house rules on ‘Probinsyano’ set
Westbrook, Thunder roll to 133-96 win over skidding Lakers
Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award MOST READ Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina TIP-INSThunder: Despite the additions of George and Anthony this season, Westbrook leads the team in points, rebounds and assists. Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said Westbrook is no longer the young player who came up with Kevin Durant trying to establish himself. “He is always trying to do what’s best for the team. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well early (this season),” Donovan said. “He puts a tremendous about of responsibility and ownership on himself as a point guard — that it’s his job to get those guys involved. He was trying to get those guys involved.”Lakers: Julius Randle, thought somewhat undersized as a 6-foot-9 power forward, started his fourth consecutive game at center despite the return of Brooks Lopez (ankle). Randle had been getting irregular playing time but in his first three starts averaged 20.7 points and 11.3 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field. “Julius has been great all year. He probably deserves more playing time,” coach Luke Walton said. “He’s obviously been frustrated with me at times, but he’s done a really nice job of when he gets called on does a great job. He produces when he’s out there.” … Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball (shoulder) missed his sixth consecutive game. He is expected to return to practice Thursday.UP NEXTThunder: Play at Staples Center again Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers.ADVERTISEMENT Curry’s 3 lifts Warriors over Mavericks View comments OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Scottie Thompson also worthy of Finals MVP, thinks Cone OSG plea to revoke ABS-CBN franchise ’a duplicitous move’ – Lacson Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Redemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie Thompson Meralco ‘never the same’ after Almazan injury in PBA Finals Lakers: Play the middle game of their three-game homestand Friday against Charlotte.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours LATEST STORIES Brian Heruela arrival bolsters Phoenix backcourt, defense The Lakers were led by rookie Kyle Kuzma’s 18 points. The Lakers shot just 41.3 percent from the field on the night, while the Thunder shot 60.2 percent.Ferguson skipped college to play professionally for one year in Australia. He connected on nine of 12 shots, and the 24 points easily surpassed his previous career high of seven.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkThe Lakers jumped out to a 10-0 lead to start the game, but were caught at 26-all by the end of the period.The Thunder took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 37-18 as George had 13 points in the period. Judy Ann’s 1st project for 2020 is giving her a ‘stomachache’ Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook goes up for a shot in front of Los Angeles Lakers’ Julius Randle during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)LOS ANGELES — Russell Westbrook had 20 points and 12 rebounds in a successful return home and rookie Terrance Ferguson scored 24 in his first career start as the Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Lakers 133-96 on Wednesday night, handing Los Angeles its eighth consecutive defeat.Paul George also scored 24 points and Carmelo Anthony added 21 for the Thunder to complement Westbrook, who was born in Long Beach and went to college at UCLA.ADVERTISEMENT
PSL beach volley: Petron’s Rondina-Pons duo start title-defense bid
Dave Chappelle donates P1 million to Taal relief operations Cignal A’s Mylena Paat and Rap Aguilar recovered from a disappointing second set to fend off Generika-Ayala B’s Bang Pineda and Sheeka Espinosa for the 21-19, 5-21, 16-14 victory to top Pool B.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next LATEST STORIES China population now over 1.4 billion as birthrate falls Winfrey details her decision to withdraw from Simmons film Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, the same partnership who represented the Philippines in the 29th Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball Championships in Singapore, had to fight back from a one-set deficit to Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain in their finals rematch.Rondina said she and Pons had to adjust on the fly, as they didn’t have that much time to train together as the latter just finished her season with Far Eastern University in the UAAP and both didn’t practice in an environment where no shade covered the court whatsoever.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown“We had a hard time moving through the court because we didn’t practice here, and Bernadeth just joined me after the UAAP,” said Rondina in Filipino.“We’re training in UST [University of Santo Tomas] wherein it’s not that hot and the court has trees over it, not this kind of environment where the sun is just blazing,” said Pons. Defending champion Petron XCS was off to a good start as it kicked back Generika-Ayala A 19-21, 21-14, 15-8, in the opening day of the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup Wednesday at Mall of Asia’s Sands by the Bay.ADVERTISEMENT
Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Jury of 7 men, 5 women selected for Weinstein rape trial Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew MOST READ In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ PBA All-Star: Romeo, Duterte’s son-in-law top legends shootout Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award View comments
Woods happy with his game despite another Sunday fade
Winfrey details her decision to withdraw from Simmons film Dave Chappelle donates P1 million to Taal relief operations Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Missing a 3-foot par putt on No. 10 was a killer. He made a slick birdie on the par-5 No. 11, but missed a 7-foot birdie putt on No. 12, then hit his tee shot out of bounds on the 13th and finished with a bogey.He bogeyed the par-3 No. 16 when he missed another short putt, an unfortunate trend for Woods in a week when he was hitting the ball well off the tee.He now turns his attention to the U.S. Open in two weeks.“I just need to hit better putts,” he said. “This week I didn’t really have, didn’t feel comfortable with my lines, and my feel was a little bit off. Consequently I missed a bunch of putts. But I hit it really good this week, so that’s a positive going into Shinnecock, where ball striking is going to be a must.”Moving up and then falling back has become a trend for Woods in his comeback bid.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award He was one shot behind going into the final round at the Valspar Championship in March and finished tied for second, a shot behind winner Paul Casey. He was five back at the Arnold Palmer Invitational the next week, but couldn’t do better than a tie for fifth, eight shots behind winner Rory McIlroy.He knows he has to improve but is happy with his game overall, especially because before back surgery in April he didn’t know if he would ever walk again, let alone play competitive golf.“Overall, if I just keep building on this, with how I’m hitting it right now, I’m in good shape for two weeks from now,” he said.His participation dialed up the energy level here all week, with thousands following him on the course and roaring their approval with every good shot. The crowds were supportive and respectful all week, he said, and he tried to just appreciate being here again.“It’s incredible to be able to play golf again at this level,” he said. “Not to have any worries about being able to walk again, like I was. I was struggling there for a while, and now I’m on the other end of the spectrum.”DeChambeau chuckled when asked whether he was hoping Woods would make a run Sunday so they could duel it out. He answered with a firm “no.”“To be able to have this type of caliber (of players) all chasing is kind of special,” he said. “I knew I had to go out there and play well. I couldn’t make many mistakes.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Jiro Manio arrested for stabbing man in Marikina China population now over 1.4 billion as birthrate falls Cavs’ JR Smith struggles in Game 2 after Game 1 blunder MOST READ “I keep getting a little better,” the 42-year-old Woods said after shooting an even-par 72 on Sunday at Muirfield Village. “Week in, week out, I keep getting just a little bit more fine-tuned. For instance this week, just to be able to make the slight adaptations after the first nine holes and be able to flip it around and shoot a respectable number.”Woods started the final round five shots off the lead, the third time this year he has been within five to start the last day and couldn’t turn it into a win. Bryson DeChambeau won the event in a playoff.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownPlaying in the Memorial for the first time in three years, Woods birdied two of the first five holes Sunday before hitting from a fairway bunker on No. 6 to the rough in the back of the green. Still, he managed par.He hit his approach over the green on No. 7 and settled for par again. He couldn’t make up any ground on the par-3 No. 8, either, leaving his second shot just short of the hole. Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Jury of 7 men, 5 women selected for Weinstein rape trial Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Tiger Woods walks to the green on the seventh hole during the final round of the Memorial golf tournament Sunday, June 3, 2018, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)DUBLIN, Ohio — Tiger Woods made it interesting again, but slipped from contention on the last day of a tournament.Despite being done in by some poor putting at the Memorial, he believes there still was valuable progress.ADVERTISEMENT Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Lacson: Calamity fund cut; where did P4 billion go? LATEST STORIES View comments
SBP expecting for the worst as it awaits sanctions from Fiba
PSL: F2 Logistics blanks Generika-Ayala for 2-0 card ‘High crimes and misdemeanors’: Trump impeachment trial begins Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew SBP President Al Panlilio. Photo by Bong LozadaSamahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is expecting the worst as it awaits the decision from Fiba in the aftermath of the brawl between the Philippines and Australia in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers last Monday.Panlilio said the governing body will submit the Philippines’ statement on the incident to Fiba July 10.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ Australia won the game by default 89-53 with 1:57 left in the third quarter.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Report: Disney dropping the ‘Fox’ from movie studio names Trump assembles a made-for-TV impeachment defense team Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Palace OKs total deployment ban on Kuwait OFWs “We’re hoping that our position can be heard when we submit it, and hopefully the sanctions are not very heavy Again, expect the worst that there will be sanctions,” said Panlilio during the meeting at the PBA office on Thursday.Panlilio met with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Patrick Gregorio and Gilas players to discuss the repercussions of the melee and how the possible sanctions could extend to the PBA.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’“We actually don’t know yet that there will be sanctions, so there can be none, or there can be,” said Panlilio.Gilas and the Boomers got into a free-for-all in the third quarter of the match that saw a total of 13 players get ejected, four from Australia and nine from the Philippines. In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil LATEST STORIES Putin’s, Xi’s ruler-for-life moves pose challenges to West View comments
Jarin says Bulldogs need to ‘get up, play together’ amid 1-5 start
In the Bulldogs’ four other defeats, they lost by five to Adamson University, 63-58, four against De La Salle, 80-76, five against Far Eastern University, 73-68.Their lone victory is a 75-70 win over University of Santo Tomas.Jarin said they can’t afford to feel dejected about themselves and instead just push through with the tasks at hand.“There are a lot of things to be thankful for and we can’t be sorry for ourselves because nobody’s sorry for us,” said Jarin, whose team tied University of the East at the bottom of the standings with a 1-5 card. “I think the results will be in our favor the next time around. This team lost two games by five points, one game by four, and then one game by one, and isn’t that enough experience for these young men to go through?”“We need to get up, there’s nowhere to go but play together and the results will be better.”ADVERTISEMENT The Bulldogs latest blunder was a close 89-88 loss to University of the Philippines Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum but Jarin still kept a positive outlook despite the dreary circumstance.“We just have to do this, we can’t put our heads down, and we have to take this as a man,” said Jarin. “We have to continue to be competitive and we can’t do it by ourselves we have to do it together.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissCredit to the Bulldogs, they were only blown out once in the tournament after suffering a brutal 72-46 loss to defending champion Ateneo.Apart from that 26-point beating, the Bulldogs lost by a five-point margin at worst. Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. LATEST STORIES Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title UP holds off NU for share of 4th spot Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Phivolcs: Slim probability of Taal Volcano caldera eruption Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown
Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal National University has been battered, bruised, and beaten in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament but head coach Jamike Jarin told his team to just roll with the punches and get up as a man.ADVERTISEMENT Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college MOST READ View comments Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 
Ateneo secures twice-to-beat, downs La Salle anew
View comments For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Jarin says current NU team could go down as ‘one of strongest teams’ he’s coached MOST READ Aljun Melecio finished with 13 points, on 4-of-11 shooting, and seven rebounds for the Green Archers while Justine Baltazaer and Santi Santillan combined for 22 points and 16 boards. Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown LATEST STORIES Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum De La Salle, meanwhile, dropped to an 8-5 slate while staying at third.With neither team taking control for most of the game, the Blue Eagles turned on the jets late and went on an 11-2 run to take a 71-58 lead with Thirdy Ravena’s three capping off the furious rally with 2:09 remaining.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissPart of Ateneo failing to quickly establish its tempo in the game was the absence of big men Angelo Kouame, Isaac Go, and Raffy Verano who all fell into foul trouble.Fortunately for the Blue Eagles, seldom-used William Navarro stepped in and his seven first half points proved helped Ateneo go back-and-forth with the Green Archers. Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. “Second quarter was pivotal for us actually because we stepped up defensively and William Navarro did a great job for us especially when our big guys got into foul trouble,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “Willaim enabled us to preserve Ange and George [Go] so they wouldn’t be in foul trouble in the second half.”Go figured in Ateneo’s earlier scoring spurt in the third quarter when his three-pointer capped off a 7-0 run with 15 seconds left in the penultimate period that gave the Blue Eagles a 54-50 lead.Kouame then held Ateneo’s paint for much of the fourth with his driving layup putting his team up 62-56 with 5:20 left to play.Ravena led Ateneo’s charge with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks off the bench while Kouame finished with 11 points and 10 boards.ADVERTISEMENT Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netAteneo swept its season series against archrival De La Salle with a 71-62 and secured its twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball Final Four Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.The Blue Eagles improved to a league-leading 11-2 record and their win also allowed second seed Adamson University (10-3) to take the other twice-to beat perk.ADVERTISEMENT Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil
Donovan Mitchell, Jae Crowder help Jazz crush tired Timberwolves
Japeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for Ginebra Raptors beat Lakers as LeBron James struggles with limited minutes Tom Brady most dominant player in AFC championship history Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 26 points, said the Timberwolves tried to summon energy but admitted, “We knew coming in here the odds were going to be stacked against us. But we’re professionals so we got to go out there and get the job done.”Mitchell converted his scintillating drive and dunk on the baseline and then a tough lay-in from the right angle. The game was within single digits most of the way, but the Jazz led by 24 in the closing minutes as the Timberwolves ran out of steam.The Jazz improved to 17-1 when Mitchell shoots at least 45 percent from the field and has at least five assists (he had six).Utah claimed the season series 3-1 and moved into a tie for sixth in the tight Western Conference, but it wasn’t really decided until the end.Towns had 14 in the third quarter as the Timberwolves drew within 71-70.ADVERTISEMENT Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Timberwolves: Derrick Rose (elbow), Jeff Teague (foot), Luol Deng (Achilles) and Robert Covington (knee) all missed the game for Minnesota. … Towns caught Mitchell in the back of the head during a scramble for a rebound and received a Flagrant 1 foul. … The Timberwolves went 5 for 24 on 3-point attempts.Jazz: Dante Exum, who missed 25 games with an ankle issue and only returned Monday, left the game after three minutes with knee soreness. … Utah outrebounded Minnesota 49-38. … The Jazz had 30 assists on their 44 field goals. “We moved the ball, that’s what it was,” Crowder said.UP NEXTTimberwolves: Visit Houston on Sunday.Jazz: Host Brooklyn on Saturday.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Eugenie Bouchard’s bid for Australian Open spot ends in qualifying Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil
“For that one instance in the third, we found a way to bring it all together,” Towns said. “We need to do that for 48 minutes.”Utah finished the period on a scoring burst and led 91-81 entering the fourth on a rare dunk by Joe Ingles.Andrew Wiggins scored 14 points but shot 6 of 17. Tyus Jones had 12 points and nine assists for the Wolves.JAZZ OWNER SETS TONEJazz owner Gail Miller released a statement and spoke to the crowd prior to the game to address an encounter between Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook and a fan Tuesday. Utah permanently banned the fan from all arena events, and Westbrook was fined $25,000 by the league.Miller, who has owned the team for 34 years with her late husband Larry, implored the crowd to do better and said, “We are not a racist community.”She exhorted fans to enjoy the competition and cheer the Jazz as loudly as ever but cautioned, “No one wins when respect goes away.”Players from both teams listened intently and applauded the speech.“To have your owner to be so forward and so out there and back us the way she did, and back Russell … that’s amazing,” Mitchell said. “That’s the incredible thing about the NBA, because, as we all know, all sports aren’t like that.”TIP-INS Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? Rogue cops marked as Gamboa’s targets in his appointment as PNP chief View comments LATEST STORIES Both teams got winded, but the Jazz got determined and defensive-minded when Minnesota trimmed their lead to one in the third quarter.“Once you play some defense, it’ll lead to offense and change the whole game,” said Jae Crowder, who had 18 points. “We were able to get stops, get out and run and open up the whole court while frustrating those guys.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissSPORTSCoronation night?SPORTSThirdy Ravena gets offers from Asia, Australian ball clubsDerrick Favors had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Ruby Gobert contributed 10 points and 13 boards for the Jazz, who played Wednesday night but didn’t have nearly the travel adventures that beset Minnesota.The Timberwolves didn’t arrive in Salt Lake City until Thursday morning due to a severe snowstorm in Denver that prevented the team from flying. The team showed up for its charter flight a little after 10 a.m. on Wednesday but was stranded at the airport for nearly 10 hours because of high winds before returning to the hotel. Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) lays the ball up as Minnesota Timberwolves’ Josh Okogie (20) and Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)SALT LAKE CITY— When Donovan Mitchell lifted off for the baseline dunk that put the exclamation point on Utah’s win over Minnesota, he didn’t even know if he was going to get above the rim.“My legs were kind of heavy on that one and I was surprised it went in, to be honest,” said Mitchell, who scored 24 points as the Jazz beat the Timberwolves 120-100 on Thursday night.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ
‘Dissolved Checkpoints’ Back in ‘Business’
There is a high probability that commercial drivers might soon take it upon themselves to halt for a day or more, transport activities that expose them to extortion by unscrupulous (corrupt, dishonest) law enforcement or government security officers.What might soon begin to snowball (increase, swell) brings back memories of a strike action that commercial drivers organized for a day in April of 2012, against acts of extortion by Police and Immigration officers assigned at various checkpoints along highways in the country who were extorting money from them.A trip made by the Daily Observer to Nimba last weekend confirmed that the Mount Barclay Checkpoint, the Careysburg Checkpoint, and the 15th Gate Checkpoints have resurfaced, and a new checkpoint has been erected along the highway, near the Gbarnga Police Station.Vehicles with plates bearing PC or BC or other plates freely cross without being checked and without having to pay money; all commercial vehicles, on the other hand, are parked and their drivers required to drop L$25 or more, to get beyond the check-point.At all checkpoints, the vehicle our reporter was on was parked along with other commercial vehicles that arrived ahead of theirs as well as those that followed; without fail, each commercial driver were asked to pay a toll.Although it has become customary that at any legal checkpoint commercial drivers pay money to police, the taxi-driver whose vehicle drove our reporter to Ganta on the night of January 31, recalled that the same harassment that once sparked a strike, had come back to create problems for commuters.“These rogues have come again to be taking money from us, and this is what you passengers don’t know when we are charging you. The gasoline price, the police, and immigration all share in the money we earn. That makes it necessary for us to hike the fare to what you people have to pay.” “You see now, no war or any confusion in the country, but many gates are on this road and any checkpoint we stop at, we have got to pay something,” the taxi-driver complained.The commercial driver said parking their vehicles is not meant to check for anything illegal; it is simply to get money from them.It would have been fair if all vehicles were parked and checked as is done to commercial drivers. Why should we be the only drivers suspected of bringing drugs or foreigners illegally entering the country?” he asked.Look at what happened when a Presidential-convoy-vehicle was caught with drugs as was reported a few months ago. Was that a commercial vehicle?”Our reporter said on his way back early Monday morning from Ganta as rode in a private Jeep, all those checkpoints that were extorting money from those poor commercial drives, were quickly opened for their vehicle to go through.When contacted at the beginning of February, Police spokesperson Sam Collins could not confirm whether authorities had instructed that additional checkpoints besides the existing ones including Salala, Gbarnga Main gate and Ganta , be erected.Mr. Collins said he would contact the Chief of Operations to react to the issue.As a result of the 2012 strike action, government had stepped in and dissolved the numerous checkpoints along highways with specific reference to the Monrovia-Ganta Highway that vehicles regularly ply.The only checkpoints that remained were the original ones including the Salala checkpoint, Gbarnga, and Ganta Immigration checkpoint.With no information of security threat or other issue of concern, those dissolved checkpoints have reemerged and drivers are again beginning to complain about the harassment.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Why was the President missing from the oil & gas summit
Dear Editor,I watched the news reports pertaining to the recently-held oil and gas summit at the Marriott Hotel last week and could not help but notice the absence of our Head of State, President David Granger. I read the ideas and concerns coming out of the discussions and searched to read what our President had to say about the event. I later learnt that President Granger never made the event.I thought this was strange that at our first-ever oil and gas summit dealing directly with this new wealthy, nation-changing industry, the leader of our country was nowhere to be seen. I am very surprised that the President did not attend the event. In fact, I would like to know why President Granger did not attend the summit. I would hate to think that the President allowed someone to give him such poor advice or even worse, he chose on his own not to go, at a time when Guyana is making baby steps toward this new and intriguing shift.Mr President, why did you, the face of Guyana’s leadership, not attend the oil and gas summit?Sincerely,Winston Mars
Unilateralism in clear disregard for some GECOM Commissioners
Dear Editor,The David Granger-led APNU/AFC coalition is continuing with the dodging manoeuvres, as they try desperately to delay the inevitable and urgent Regional and National Elections. So too, is the inclined Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which seems to be unable to disassociate itself from the sleightful hands and ‘game playing’ influences left by the now removed Chairman, Ret’d Justice James Patterson.Recently, public notices revealed that GECOM Secretariat secretly revised several Registration Divisions around the country. Suddenly appearing in the Guyana Official Gazette are several GECOM Orders under the hands of James Patterson. In particular, Order Number 15 of 2019 dated May 15, 2019; Order Number 24 of 2019 dated June 13, 2019, and Order Number 25 of 2019 dated June 14, 2019, seek to inform of a move by the Commission to sub-divide several long-standing and well-established electoral Divisions. It is of significance that GECOM operated these areas unchanged for decades, and these matters were never discussed in the meetings of the Commission.The grave consequences of such unilateralism in clear disregard for at least some Commissioners, emphasises the sinister and lack of a transparent approach in Patterson’s biased behaviour. The man had been operating as a god unto himself, which is apparent due to the fact that GECOM made these orders well after March 21, 2019, and within the period of the CCJ considerations. It certainly smacks a similar disrespect shown by senior members of the Granger Government and the related or influenced unpardonable sins that the GECOM Secretariat continues to commit.There were simply no consultations with relevant stakeholders in arriving at these decisions. The situation begs the question: what is the legal basis for these orders, particularly, since James Patterson placed them in the Gazette after December 21, 2018, and subsequent dates. It is imperative that all stakeholders in the upcoming General and Regional Elections have a thorough look at all the registration districts, registration areas, registration divisions and registration sub-divisions.A careful look at the boundary maps now printed in the Official Gazette compared to what was there for many years is certainly a revelation and a recipe for serious manipulation of the next elections. For example: in the registration district for Region Four or the Demerara-Mahaica region, East Bank, Registration Division 412212 there were four sub-divisions. Namely, A, B, C and D. Currently, the Official Gazette shows additions of two extra sub-divisions with the additional E, and F totalling six sub-divisions in the Mocha /Arcadia area. In Division 412234 there were five sub-divisions 412234 – A, B, C, D, and E, which is now increased to include sub-division F, based on the publication in the Official Gazette.While these are only two of the numerous changes made around the country, the rippling effects will certainly now create serious questions and deep suspicion of what is taking place at GECOM. The splits are making possibilities of highly questionable gerrymandering. The new developments will lead to the putting together of new lists in all the sub-divisions, in alphabetical order most important is the six-digit number. The lists will have to be reflective of the specific locations and will lead to the difficult task of finding suitable polling places.Further, it follows that for each polling place, GECOM will have to recruit additional polling day staff, which means extensions into additional training of a substantial amount of new staff. It has been reported that one family member of a big one at GECOM has made public statements of looking for polling day places and that the costs in addition to the ‘drawbacks’ would be very high.A careful look at the new sub-divisions is also a matter of serious concern, particularly when one looks at security and the locations. Access to some of these locations is worrying as in some instances, people will need 4×4 vehicles to reach. Others would necessitate the use of regular vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, and to move by foot, boat or by air. In one specific area, stakeholders are questioning the situation of ingress and egress, gates, fence, doors along with emergency exits. Some areas are currently without electricity, phones and other needs and amenities, such as water and toilet and washrooms.The usual squandermania situation at GECOM Secretariat suggests at these specific moves are designed to principally create the framework for the drawbacks, which represents the position, regardless of the numerous audit condemnations. It is all about thievery and profit for the boys and matters not about all of the confusion it creates.While GECOM is involved in all these new arrangements, the No-Confidence Motion certainly must be followed by elections within ninety days and the Secretariat must not make it unnecessarily strenuous on political parties. The requirements must be in keeping with the arrangements that we had in 2011 and 2015, as the gerrymandering situation is some instances is clearly unacceptable.Our columnists have observed the less than good faith approach advanced by President Granger in his submission of eight names for inclusion in the considerations for a new Chairman of GECOM. His meanderings even include removed octogenarian James Patterson, which speaks to the callous candour with which the President wants to treat the intelligence of the Guyanese people. Although he and his cabal are showing that they don’t care at all, it is all the more confirmation of the level of untrustworthiness in this cabal. The people of Guyana must remove this cancer from our presence.Sincerely,Neil Kumar
Occupational Health and Safety Officer needed for City Hall – Mayor
In light of the recent fire at the Drop In Centre, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green requested that an Occupational Health and Safety Officer be appointed at the City Hall.According to Chase Green, since the resignation of the Council’s Occupational Health and Safety Officer some time back, no one has occupied the position, but she hoped to have this rectified soon.“Since the resignation of our Occupational Health and Safety Officer, we have not had one functioning and I’m hoping that, and I’ve always been advocating as a qualified Occupational Safety and Health Officer, that we should always have one in place, that we should make sure that one is advertised for at the earliest opportunity,” she said.The Mayor highlighted her uncertainty over the Mayor and City Council’s preparedness in the event of a fire. She asserted that the Fire Service has been invited to conduct an evacuation drill with the members of the Council in the event of an emergency, noting that this had not been done since last year.“I’m not aware that if there is an alarm that goes off in this Council now, if Councillors are aware where is the safest place for them to assemble. And so, I would hope that you can invite the Fire Service to do an evacuation drill in the case of an emergency with the present Council and officers because that would have been long overdue. Since last year we have not had one,” Chase Green voiced.She also requested that discussion be had with the Fire Service to implement fire prevention measures.
UL Students Face Transportation Constraints
Students studying at the state-run University of Liberia are calling on the National Government and the University Authority to negotiate for more buses to take them to the UL Fendell Campus where most of the undergraduate colleges have been transferred.Speaking to the Daily Observer on January 29, on the Fendell Campus during the first day of reopening, students expressed delight over the resumption of classes after two and a half months of closure. In spite of this, they raised concern over transportation constraints causing them difficulty to leave Redlight to Fendell.The University of Liberia currently has over 30,000 students. Most of the undergraduate colleges are being transferred to Fendell with the exception of the Business College and Graduate Program, including the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.Students come from various parts of Monrovia and Margibi County to converge at Parker Paint in Red-Light, Paynesville to board buses to go to campus.There are less than ten buses rented by the UL Administration to transport the thousands of students to the Fendell Campus.The National Transit Authority (NTA) assists in the process of transporting students to and from campus based on negotiation and understanding. Despite the assistance, it is still difficult for students to cope with the situation as the number of buses available cannot meet their needs.Students including Morris H. Nahlon, Albert Kermokai, Joseph F. Kamara and others stressed that though difficulties are associated with education and must be endured, they stand ready to pay the transport fare if buses are made available.According to the students, they are often late for their classes because of the difficulties boarding the few buses as they (students) are many in number struggling to get on them. They told the Daily Observer that when they go late it is counted against them at the end of the semester.In President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Annual Message delivered on January 27, she mentioned that there is a plan underway to transfer all the colleges of the University from the Capitol Hill campus to Fendell.She said the surveying process for the university’s land is at the point of completion, and dilapidated structures there would soon be demolished to build new ones.Even while UL students expressed hope to see these promises kept, they called on government to immediately address their pressing transportation needs. They said tackling this issue would help keep them in school as government works on the long range plan of transferring the colleges.Meanwhile, the students— having stayed out of class for two months— were quite disappointed when their instructors did not turn out on the first day of opening.They said they paid money to cover long distances from other parts of Monrovia to converge on the campus. To their disappointment they arrived only to find they could not start classes.They claimed the time they wasted created setbacks to the completion of the first semester; and that they had no idea when the second would begin. They, therefore, called for their instructors to be honest and fulfill their promises by attending classes; since their main demand (the ousting of former Provost Dr. Wede Brownell) for which they (instructors) disengaged has been resolved.On the Fendell campus Wednesday, January 29, a few instructors showed up on the first day of reopening.During a tour of the various classrooms, three instructors were seen lecturing students in Geography, Education and Communications.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Students Blame Gov’t for ‘Poor Performance’ at WASSCE
Scores of students in their sixth day of writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) on Wednesday, April 9, have blamed government for their poor performance.The saddened students at the William V.S. Tubman High School in Monrovia were spoken for by their president, Samuel Zah of 12-3 class.They claimed this was due to government’s failure to construct and or equip laboratories around the country for use by senior high students.Surrounded by several of his colleagues — who were seen looking gloomy in expectance of poor results for the Physics portion of the exams — Samuel attributed the students’ lackluster performance to several factors he claimed hampered their ability to prepare for the exams.Some of the factors, he said, were students’ inability to comprehend (grasp) the test questions relative to practical laboratory experimentation.“Unlike other high school students, those (students) at Tubman High had no idea on several of the exam’s questions. This is because some of the books being used here are outdated. As a result, the students were left with no other alternative but to write what they could and finish the test,” Mr. Zah complained.“Despite all the difficulties we experienced from our lack of laboratory facilities, coupled with the ‘no teacher syndrome’, we Tubman High students are somewhat hopeful since we believe in the works of God, the Almighty,” he declared.onrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) Superintendent, A. Benjamin Jacobs, agreed with the students concerning the dire need for equipped laboratories and trained instructors. He added that it is the responsibility of the MOE’s authorities to provide learning institutions with the requisite environment, which includes buildings and well-equipped laboratories.“We are not prepared to write the WASSCE head-on; this is taking place while we are piloting the WASSCE with the countries that have previously been writing the exams,” he explained.He, too, was hopeful that some of the students would make a successful pass upon completion of the exams.On April 3, almost immediately after the 5,034 students began writing the WASSCE, complaints about the process of writing the test, which they claimed was characterized by difficulties, began to surface.The students’ qualms were owing to what they claimed were inadequate preparations at the various laboratories and libraries at their respective schools.For example, at the Paynesville Community High School (PCS), in the Voker Mission vicinity, the 342 students who sat the test were embittered after they observed that practical questions in Physics were incomprehensible to them due to “poor laboratory preparation.”The Physics, which is being written on the code number 512, was the only Science test administered to students across the 44 testing centers.The WASSCE began on Thursday April 3, and is being administered to 47 schools by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) office in Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties.The students complained that though the laboratory was constructed, it was done without proper materials or teaching staff to conduct the lab preparation.PCS Principal Alphonso Kanboh, agreed with the students’ complaints when he told the Daily Observer, “Our challenges are enormous in the school. Our lack of an equipped laboratory combined with irregularly attended classes by the students themselves all add to the problems.”Kanboh said the school is in need of laboratory materials for the students to do their practical exercises, or else they would be unprepared for the WASSCE.Like MCSS Supt. Jacobs, Principal Kanboh did not give up his hopes of the students passing the test. He predicted that the result may fall between 50-60 percent in favor of the student populace.The Head of the National Office (HNO) of the WAEC in Monrovia, John Y. Gayvolor, Sr., who toured the various testing centers, has reportedly spoken about similar problems regarding students unpreparedness for WASSCE due to lack of laboratory specimens.He, however, urged the students to remain focused and persevere until the end of the tests.Subjects the students are writing throughout the course of the tests include English Language, which will be written in three different parts that include objective and essay questions.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Bad Road Hampers Trade at Loguatuo Port
A bad road is said to be hampering trade at the Loguatuo port of Entry around the Liberia – Côte d’Ivoire borderThe piece of road linking Karnplay to the port is very deplorable and may certainly collapse if nothing is done urgently.In an interview with the Township Commissioner of Kpateahplay, Mr. H. Womenpea Sandi, told this paper that the present condition of the road is not good. However, he praised the government and its development partners for constructing a major part of the road, which links Sanniquellie and Karnplay.He added that Loguatuo is strategically located and it is one of the busiest rural ports in Liberia where a high percentage of reveue is collected.Recently, when the Nimba Correspondent visited Loguatuo, it was observed that the entire road had been eroded with some of the bridges in very poor condition.When the UN was repatriating returning Liberians from La Côte d’Ivoire some years ago, The UN High Commission of Refugees rehabilitated the road from Bahn to Loguatuo.The road was also constantly in good condition and maintain by the UNMIL Engineering Battalion, when UNMIL officers were present at the border post.The withdrawal of UNMIL forces from Loguatuo over a year ago has left the road bad, hampering movement.In other developments, the police and immigration barracks project undertaken by the Justice Ministry has almost been completed and is awaiting dedication, Commissioner Sandi has said.The barracks will host the police and BIN security assigned along that bordering town to provide security, since the drawdown of UNMIL has left a security vacuum at the lucrative border port.The Loguatuo Port of entry is located north of Karnplay, also on the border. It is one the leading custom collectorates in Liberia.It is a rural port where plastic goods, agriculture products as well as livestock and cattle enter the country.The collapsing of the road may likely hamper the already fragile Liberian economy.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
256 ‘Quarantined’ in Margibi County
Margibi County Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Adolphus Yeiah, has disclosed that about 256 persons have been ‘quarantined’ in Gaygbah and Papa towns, Borlorla Township in Gibi District. At least one person died over the weekend of the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD).Dr. Yeiah’s disclosure comes after nearly a month of not a single case recorded.The Liberia News Agency (LINA) Margibi Correspondent, Richard Baysah, quoted Dr. Yeiah as saying that the victim came from the St. Paul Bridge Community in Monrovia over the weekend with the hope of seeking ‘treatment from an herbalist in the Gibi District of an unknown ailment.’Although Dr. Yeiah did not disclose the name of the victim, he however said the deceased was taken to Gaygbah Town, Borlorla Township in Gibi District where he was later confirmed to have died of the Ebola virus. “Margibi County Health Team (CHT) and partners upon hearing news about the incident quickly moved into the town and performed an Ebola test of the victim, which eventually proved positive,” Dr. Yeiah is quoted as saying.Immediately following the test, he, in collaboration with partners, ordered 256 people to be ‘quarantined’ from Gaygbah and Papa towns, as well as those from the nearby towns and villages that came into direct contact with the victim prior to his death.“This latest case where a lady brought her sick husband into Margibi County from the St. Paul Bridge Community is counterproductive. This unwholesome behavior has the propensity to cause the resurgence of the virus,” the Margibi County CMO lamented.The latest development raises a red flag as government prepares to close down certain Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) in Montserrado County. The National Chairman of Case Management of the Incident Management System, Dr. Moses Massaquoi, told the Ministry of Information daily Ebola press briefing on Tuesday that the ETUs slated for closure through the Ministry of Health are MOD 1 and MOD 2 located in Congo Town outside Monrovia.According to Dr. Massaquoi, the two ETUs will bring to three the number of units shut down so far. The Unity Conference Center ETU in Virginia outside Monrovia was the first that was closed down on February 1. The process of decommissioning most of the ETUs became necessary and very safe, “because the Ministry of Health has assigned teams with expertise in the decontamination process to ensure that the ETUs are disinfected at all levels.”Meanwhile, the head of the Incident Management System, Tolbert Nyenswah, has confirmed an outbreak of new Ebola cases, which he says continue to be reported in Montserrado County.Nyenswah then expressed the fear that the new outbreaks could spread to Margibi, Lofa and Bomi counties, because some residents of the affected communities have fled under the cover darkness to those counties.He named the affected communities with the new cases as Zuba Town, Crab Hole and Gbangai Town in the St. Paul Bridge vicinity.According to Nyenswah, some of those who contracted the virus have already left those communities and reportedly migrated to Margibi, Lofa and Bong counties, which “have been declared free from Ebola for some time now.”Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
‘Return to Junta Rule’
Several lawmakers over the weekend rejected and condemned Executive Order No. 65 as issued by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, describing it as a “return to junta rule in Liberia.”On December 4, 2014 President Sirleaf issued an Executive Order placing a ban on political rallies, parades, and demonstrations in Monrovia for about 42 days.The President’s temporary legislation undermines existing legislation requiring that persons desiring to march or demonstrate be made to obtain prior permits from the Ministry of Justice. Madam Sirleaf further noted that said legal framework has “proven ineffective to address rallies, parades and concerted mass movements on the streets of Monrovia and its environs.”Addressing a news conference at the Capitol Building in Monrovia, 14 of Montserrado County’s 19 legislative caucus members emphatically denounced and condemned the Executive Order, describing it as “draconian.” Delivering the statement on behalf of the 14 Representatives, Montserrado County Representative Henry Farhnbulleh said while cognizant of the fact that the Liberian Constitution guarantees democratically cherished inalienable rights, “we categorically reject any semblance of the return to junta rule and despotism.”“We, therefore, unanimously caution the President to immediately rescind and retract such a tyrannical order which has the proclivity to thwart our nascent democracy.“There shall be no reversal of the democratic gains we have made through the blood and sweat of our compatriots. We want to assure you, our fellow citizens, that we will do everything within the ambiance of the law to protect the Constitution, which we are under oath to uphold,” the lawmakers said.The Montserrado County lawmakers expressed suspicion over the President’s declaration, terming it as “deliberate and with a sinister motive to antagonize only Montserrado County, where her son Robert is contesting and flagrantly violating the mandate of the Supreme Court and the National Elections Commission (NEC) with impunity.Meanwhile, Representative Edward Forh of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to focus their attention on Liberia during the closing stages of the regime of Madam Johnson Sirleaf.Using state security to clamp down on political rivals is an abuse of power and contravenes fundamental human rights, Rep. Forh declared.The caucus believed that allowing such a law to take effect in Liberia means that Liberians are facing a creeping threat to their fledgling democratic governance.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Mother Outraged over 25yrs Jail for Daughter’s Killer
Mrs. Oretha Tipayson, the woman whose 23 year-old daughter, four months pregnant, was murdered by the deceased’s boyfriend, yesterday left the premises at the Temple of Justice, weeping. She broke into tears when Judge Roosevelt Willie sentenced Sylvester Tarpeh Davis to 25 years, contrary to her wish for the death penalty for her daughter’s killer. The sentence, she said, has created a scar of sorrow for her that will continue for many years to come, due to Judge Willie’s judgment. Convict Davies, 35, may likely not serve his entire 25-year sentence because he could benefit from a presidential clemency, normally issued by the Liberian leader at the end of the year to release long serving prisoners based on what she considers “good behavior.”Judge Willie declared that convict “Davis is sentenced to jail for 25 years.” But immediately after Judge Willie announced the sentence Mrs. Tipayson was heard shouting loudly, “I am surprised by the decision to send him to jail for 25years.” Though, she did not speak with journalists following yesterday’s verdict, she was also heard saying, “I really disagree strongly with the judge’s decision because it sends a huge message to the rest of the country that my daughter’s life was valueless.”“The judgment is a very difficult thing for me to accept. It is difficult to live without my daughter.” Davis was convicted of killing his 23 year-old fiancée, Sianneh, on November 30, 2014, in their Paity Town Community in Clara Town, Monrovia, after which he fled to Grand Cape Mount County where he was arrested on December 7 by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP). After the murder he forced her remains into a blue barrel and dumped it in an unfinished room in the home of the deceased’s parents, where family members discovered it three days later. Many legal experts said Judge Willie’s decision could have been influenced by Davis’ remorse about the incident and his admission that he killed Sianneh. However, the verdict makes no mention of the killing of Sianneh’s unborn child which would constitute a double murder.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Over 70 Women Participate in Global Mentoring Walk
More than 70 Liberian women last Sunday participated in the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk launched as part of the International Women’s day celebration at Cooper’s Beach near ELWA hospital in Monrovia.The theme was: Make it happen,” intended to empower women by mentoring them.Speaking at the program, Dr. Nina Bowen, Team Leader, Democracy Rights and Governance, USAID/Liberia and US Embassy, urged the participants’ to focus on what they want to achieve in life.She described mentorship as a key factor because it helps one to find the right way in life.“If we walk alone, we walk faster but when we walk together you can go far and achieve that which you want,” Dr. Bowen said.The resident Chief Judge Eva Mappy Morgan, who is one of the mentors, said peer mentoring begins with the participants and they must be careful in choosing the kind of peers to achieve their goals.“If we must mentor you, you must follow your mind in whatever you have a passion to achieve in life,” Judge Mappy said.She urged women to work together and build self-esteem in achieving their goals.For her part Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah asserted that in order for Liberian women and girls to achieve their goals in life, they must focus on their dreams.“Everyone must have a dream of becoming what they want to become and your dreams must be clearly defined and have a time limit,” she said.According to Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk flag bearer, Nancy Ijeoma Obi, the launch of the program is to bring positive impact into the lives of women and girls women by assigning mentors in various fields like nursing, engineering, geologists, judges etc, to guide them on to achieve their life time goals.She also disclosed that the project will last for six months during which there are plans to take the program to other parts of Liberia.Cecilia Davis, Secretary General of Society for Women Engineers of Liberia (SWEL), said the program has enlightened the participants on how to go about achieving their goals by having passion and gaining self esteem.She said her organization also mentors women and girls to impact society, adding “We want our women and young people to work with passion. Some complain of being maltreated by their spouses because they are now taking bold steps to become what they want to be.”Meanwhile, the Global Mentoring Walk has set up women leaders and emerging women leaders’ groups to walk together in their communities to mentor others.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
VP Boakai Launches Measles, Polio and Deworming Campaign
Vice President Joseph Boakai on Friday, May 8, launched the National Integrated Measles, Polio and Deworming Campaign, which is targeting over 600,000 children under five years old.During the launch at the Duport Road Health Center in Paynesville, the VP said “Today, as we exit the arena of the Ebola war, we are fast marshaling our troops to launch yet another battle in the realm of our national health care system.”VP Boakai was referring to the Ministry of Health report that there is a measles outbreak in the country and that it already had a total of 562 suspected cases in its database as of May 5. Of the suspected cases, 37 tested positive. Out of the total number of suspected cases only 87 of the children were vaccinated. Sadly, seven deaths have been reported, said the VP.According to him, government’s initial response to the outbreak has been “proactive. Two rounds of intensified immunization were conducted in December 2014 and February 2015 to stamp out the measles outbreak in the country.” He admitted sadly that the turnouts to the immunization centers were very low, between 20 and 30 percent. He attributed the setback to widespread Ebola fear that had gripped the nation and the cloud of suspicion that was cast over the Ebola Trial Vaccines which had been launched at about the same time as the integrated measles vaccine campaign.”He emphasized that the vaccination, which runs from May 8 to 14, has no relationship to the Ebola trial vaccine. “They are totally different and the populations they target are not the same. The measles campaign being launched is to protect children below the age of five from measles and polio. Additionally, the worm medicine—Mebendazol–will be given along with the measles and polio vaccines to keep our citizenry strong and healthy, he explained.During the one-week campaign, the Ministry of Health intends to immunize 603,153 children between the ages of six to 59 months who will be given Measles vaccines. Close to 700,000 between the ages of below one and 59 months will be given Oral Polio Vaccine, and 523,000 children between the ages of 12 and 59 months will receive the worm medicine, Mebendazole.After formally launching the campaign, VP Boakai gave the first two drops of vaccine to the first infant below one month.Speaking earlier, the House’s Committee Chair on Health, Representative Johnson T. Chea, called on all parents and guardians to take the responsibility of bringing their children to be vaccinated.Rep. Chea said if a child takes the full dose of the polio vaccine, that child will be protected from the crippling childhood disease.Mr. Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Country Representative, said roughly “one quarter of children die in Liberia before their 5th birthday. They are dying from vaccine preventable diseases.”He disclosed that at least 10 percent of deaths among Liberian children under five is due to measles.Dr. Bernice Dahn, Chief Medical Officer, Republic of Liberia and Health Minister-designate, said immunization is one of the key components to restoring routine health care services in the country after Ebola.She said four years before Ebola, measles and other childhood diseases were not heard of in Liberia, noting that today’s Liberian medical students had not seen whooping cough, measles or neo-natal tetanus in any of the health facilities in Liberia. “Ebola came, and our immunization coverage dropped. Before Ebola, we were immunizing about 10,000 children per month for measles and that reduced to 4,000 per month.” According to the nation’s Chief Medical Officer, this means that Liberian kids are in danger.She disclosed that the measles outbreak was presently in 10 of the nation’s 15 counties.“If our children didn’t die from Ebola, than they should not die from measles; they should not die from whooping cough; they should not die from neo-natal tetanus. (Protecting them through immunization) is something that we have demonstrated before and we can still do that,” she stated.Reinforcing the advice to parents that they should take their children for the routine immunization vaccines, she and Representative Chea followed VP Boakai’ in administering the vaccines to two of the children.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
USAID Pumps US$290K in Recovery Plan for Ebola Survivors
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided US$290,000 through IREX to Search for Common Ground (SFCG) to sensitize communities on the negative impacts stigma makes on Ebola survivors.Since the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Liberia, those who survived the disease have reportedly suffered stigma in various communities, thus causing them to feel discriminated against.The stigma comes about because of fear that survivors could still be transmit the virus when they are touched since it is one way of contracting EVD.During a 4-day workshop in Gbarnga, Bong County over the weekend, the Executive Director of SFCG, Oscar Bloh, said integration of Ebola survivors remains a challenge in the country. To address this problem, USAID through IREX provided the funds to work with civil society organizations and community radios in rural Montserrado, Bong, Margibi, Lofa and Nimba Counties to educate and sensitize communities in order to eradicate stigma.He outlined stigma, survivors’ benefits, and livelihood status as key issues faced in the recovery process through which the CSOs and community radios have to propagate messages about survivors’ reintegration into society in three months.Mr. Bloh also indicated that the project will seek to sensitize communities hit by the virus to plan memorial programs for those who died of the virus.According to him, many of the victims were not properly buried, and therefore, there is a need to assist communities to plan programs that will memorialize their deceased.He said the project will be implemented through community dialogue in which women, youths and men will participate to have it done in the way they want, suggesting fixing of memorial plates bearing names of victims, feast among other activities.He clarified that they will not give out money to communities for a memorial program, but when they (communities) design and begin an activity that will memorialize the victims, USAID and its implementing partners may come in with an affordable assistance.At the workshop in Gbarnga, SFCG taught CSOs and community radio journalists messages that will be balanced between survivors and none survivors.They also taught them to use messages that will not contravene issues about transmission, which is still under investigation, with emphasis on speculation that the disease can be transmitted from survivors through sexual intercourse.A consensus was reached between USAID, IREX and SFCG on the one hand, and community radios on the other that the messages about reintegration of survivors and memorializing the victims begin early September and end late November 2015.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
K-Delta President Commends Youth & Sports for New Guidelines
The president of the K-Delta female basketball team, Abraham Samukai has commended the Ministry of Youth & Sports for the latest guidelines and regulations released to ensure better oversight of federations and associations that receive government subsidy for their development.Samukai, reacting to a validated Guideline for Federations & Associations by the Ministry, released August 14, said it is encouraging that the Ministry has made such an impressive effort to ensure efficiency in the administration of sports but insisted that financial probity must be a priority.“I must commend Minister Eugene Nagbe and Deputy Minister Henry Yonton for a bold step,” Samukai, president and owner of female basketball champions, K-Delta, said, “and therefore the feet of leaders of all the federations must be held to the fire.”Samukai said it is also encouraging that the Ministry has come out, quoting the guideline that it (Ministry) will collaborate with the federations in the implementation of their activities in line with their annual work-plan which it (Ministry) must approve.“This means that tangible decisions that affect the running of the various associations and federations will not elude the ministry,” Samukai said.He meanwhile called on Minister Nagbe and Deputy Minister Yonton to revisit the Liberia Basketball Federation’s leadership crisis that is currently in the corridors of the judicial system.Basketball presidents and their players (athletes) deserve a better deal and therefore, Samukai said every attempt should be made to examine the issues at stake.“Now that the government is interested in financial probity, as well as better and effective management of assets,” Samukai said, “the financial and other issues that are the reasons for the problems in the LBF must be looked into.”It may be recalled that the Ministry of Youth & Sports has come under criticism for allowing associations and federations to have their own way resulting into poor administrative lapses.Recent cases are the crisis in the Liberia Basketball Association leadership and when officials of the Liberia Amputee & Sports Association kept pertinent information from the Ministry concerning the team’s recent visit to the United States.In the last London Olympic Games poor supervision resulted to an embarrassment to Liberia by sending an unqualified athlete to represent the country, and the athlete refused to participate because he was trained for the discipline. The Liberia National Olympic Committee did not accept any blame and now the Ministry has indicated it would supervise any athlete that will leave the country to represent its interest.Poor supervision has affected the Liberia Boxing Association that has led to inadequate preparation, lack of regular bouts resulting into frustration for would-be boxers. The LBA will now be compelled to provide its short and long range program to the Ministry or will face sanctions.In addition poor supervision also resulted in the dismal performance of the national female soccer team, U-20, leading to 14-1 home and away humiliation to their Nigerian side, recently.In the Guidelines, the Ministry said all national sports teams belong to the Government of Liberia and it (Ministry) will supervise and monitor how government teams are managed for ultimate performance and results.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
CDC Tsunami Hits Monrovia
Shortly after Senator George Weah (Montserrado County) accepted the petition statement mandating him to contest for the 2017 presidency by the Congress for Democratic Change’s (CDC) Legislative Caucus, he told the mammoth crowd that he would wage war against the poor standard of education if elected to power.Respond to the petition, Weah, who dropped out of high school in his early years, described the country’s education as substandard, calling it a “national security threat.” He referred to the health sector as disastrous, calling electricity “elusive.”However, Weah now holds a master’s degree from the Arizona-based DeVry University, an online college program for people who want to continue their education.“Under my administration, there will be sufficient budgetary allotment to the education sector so as to meet international standards, as well as invite international experts to come and train teachers,” Weah declared to deafening rounds of applaus from supporters, who defied the scorching sun to grace yesterday’s ceremony.He said he would rebuild the health sector by negotiating with partners in and out of the country, while also promising to revamp the agriculture sector by putting in place agricultural procurement programs for farmers.As for the business community, Weah gave them hope that when he becomes president, he will create an enabling environment for them to employ more Liberians.Meanwhile, Weah, who out-rightly rejected merger talks with any of the political parties, however, called on other political parties to join the CDC in the struggle to end the Unity Party rule. Weah, who is now a first-term Senator for Montserrado County, first ran for president in 2005, coming second to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He ran again in 2011, this time as vice presidential candidate to Winston Tubman, a lawyer by profession, and again his party finished second to Sirleaf’s Unity Party.As early as 6 a.m. yesterday, residents of several communities around Monrovia woke up to a dramatic crowd of mainly supporters of Weah’s CDC as they trooped to the party’s headquarters in Congo Town, where they petitioned Weah to contest the ensuing 2017 presidential election as a presidential candidate.His partisans, some of them from the Monrovia suburbs of West Point and New Kru Town, were joined by fellow CDCians from the central city and made their way to Congo Town; some walked, while others were crammed in the trunks of vehicles heading in the direction of the party’s headquarters for the ceremony.By 10 a.m., CDC partisans from the eastern end of town in the Paynesville District were also connected to their colleagues from SKD Boulevard, SD Cooper Road and the infamous “Peace Island” Community, jubilating with songs of victory and shouting political slogans they coined as they marched to meet Weah, who was on his way, heavily guarded, from ELWA to respond to the petition.Although Weah’s supporters were peaceful, they chanted anti-government slogans as authorities of the Liberia National Police (LNP) increased their manpower to provide the necessary protection. For his part, CDC national chairman, Nathaniel McGill, told the Voice of America’s (VOA) James Butty that the 10-year administration of President Sirleaf has failed to improve the welfare of Liberians in spite of the enormous international goodwill it has received. As a result, McGill said “marginalized Liberians yearn for change, and they believe Senator Weah can be the vehicle for that change.“Considering that the Unity Party-led government has not done sufficient in the face of the enormous resources it has received, we think there’s a need for change. Liberians believe Senator Weah can be the vehicle for that change. He’s a man who understands their condition, who indeed understands their plight,” he told the VOA.Some analysts have commented that the CDC lost the last two presidential elections because, while the party was popular in urban areas like the capital, Monrovia, it failed to extend its reach to the rural areas.McGill described the assertion as a myth. He said the only political party with national appeal is the CDC. “If we are a Monrovia-based party, how come we pushed this president to the second round in two successive elections? The fact that the government did not win on the first ballot shows we are not a Monrovia-based party. We are a national-based party,” McGill said.He also said the CDC hopes to improve on its errors from the last two elections. “We realize that we needed to improve our ability to man the polls, and in that area we had some lapses. But we’ve improved on that, manning the polls making sure we have strong and vigorous poll monitoring officers. And we are quite sure that this time around there will be no reason to complain, because we will be on top of our game.” Following the first-round of the November 2011 presidential election, the CDC decided to boycott the second-round vote because it felt it had been cheated in the first.A rally of its supporters called by the CDC leadership in support of the party’s plan to boycott the run-off election turned violent when police fired on protesters, killing one and reportedly wounding several.A commission set up by President Sirleaf to investigate the violence recommended, among other things, the dismissal of the Director of Police, Marc Amblard.A number of Liberians have already announced their intentions to contest the 2017 election. They include Liberia’s current Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party; Charles Brumskine of the opposition Liberty Party, who also ran in the 2005 and 2011 presidential elections; and businessman Benoni Urey, who served as head of the country’s Maritime Affairs during the presidency of Charles Taylor.Others likely to enter the race include Dr. J. Mills Jones, former governor of the Central Bank of Liberia; former Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan, who resigned last year, saying he wanted to be an “active player” in the coming 2017 presidential and legislative elections; and Alexander Cummings, who was recently appointed political leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC).Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ArcelorMittal Liberia to Operate Mount Gangra
ArcelorMittal Liberia, which is operating a range of mountains in Nimba County, said it will soon begin mining Mount Gangra, another virgin mountain in the county, which is situated west of Mount Nimba near Mount Tokadeh in the former mining town of Yekepa.At a press conference held on Friday, October 14, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Communications Manager Hesta Baker Pearson said the company is now working with consultants from the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) team in the county to gain approval from the government for key permits to proceed on Mt. Gangra, an essential activity for the project to commence.“In addition,” she said, “the Community Liaison unit has started work to establish the correct and fair compensation where land use is required by ArcelorMittal.”Ms. Pearson’s pronouncement has already received the backing of Nimba County Superintendent Fong G. Zuagele. She said the company is currently finalizing the resource drilling at Mt. Gangra which, according to her, will improve confidence in its geology and mining plans.“A project team has been assembled and included modest levels of recruitment of both expatriates and Liberian locals,” she said.For the pending operation, the company has engaged an engineering consultant to support all technical aspects that will lead to the smooth operation of the mountain; they include civil engineering, geotechnical designs for road and bridge constructions, mine infrastructure, waste dump drainages as well as sediment controls to keep the waterways healthy. The mining of Mt. Gangra is expected to start at the end of October, which marks the advent of the dry season and also the completion of the tendering process that is underway for the contractor, Ms. Pearson said.She said Mt. Gangra has been part of ArcelorMittal’s plan since the onset of the company’s operation in the county, and obtained a license to operate Mt. Gangra as far back as 2005 when the company signed the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government.Ms. Pearson said the company suspended its operation in 2014 as a result of the Ebola outbreak, a situation that drastically lowered iron ore price margins, which threatened the competitiveness, viability and sustainability of the ArcelorMittal Liberia operation.As such, the company sought the best solution towards keeping its commitment to Liberia and embarked on a drilling campaign at Mt. Gangra, which accordingly showed 26 million tons of quality iron ore, better than the ore the company was mining at Mount Tokadeh.“ArcelorMittal Liberia recommenced drilling for Direct Shipped Ore (DSO) resource extensions in late 2015, which confirmed the limited availability of DSO at Tokadeh,” Ms Pearson said. “Once the operation begins we could mine five million tons per annum over the next year.” According to ArcelorMittal, owing to the depletion of the higher grade ore at Mt. Tokadeh, the company is working on a plan to build a plant to have the remaining ore concentrated before it is shipped, while at the same time mining Mount Gangra.Prior to the Friday’s press conference, company representatives held a series of discussions with community leaders and citizens who may be affected by Mt. Gangra’s upcoming mining activities.The citizens have meanwhile been informed about the road networks the company intends to use to transport the ore to Mt. Tokadeh by truck for crushing and loading of wagons for onward railing to the Port of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, where the product would be shipped out of the country.The opening of a new mine at this time when the price of iron ore is down – the reason why many think ArcelorMittal is opting to deplete all the mountains before leaving Liberia – remains one of the concerns the citizens have raised.However, Nimba County Superintendent Fong Zuagele warned the citizens against planting cash crops around the operational areas as there will be no compensation for any farms/palntations the company will eventually destroy. Citizens and residents of Yekapa had been murmuring about ArcelorMittal’s failure to adequately provide their social needs after more than five years of shipping. The Yekepa Hospital and Vocational Training Center (VTC), which used to be the best in Liberia during the days of Liberia-America Mining Company (LAMCO), are yet to provide the needed services to the people.During this year’s County Council Sitting, some residents of Yekepa complained about the deplorable state of the hospital, something they said was detrimental to their health.The mining of a new mountain in the concession area and use of feeder roads to transport ore by trucks raised serious qualms among the citizenry, especially the chiefs, who believe it will pose a serious threat to the movement of residents. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Coup in Lower House?
There are clear indications from the corridors of the Capitol that a third attempt to unseat Rep. Alex Tyler from Speakership is in the offing, and could take place any time this month.The Daily Observer reliably gathered that since the House adjourned last Thursday, July 21 for the 169th Independence Day celebrations, there have been several consultations and meetings among “rebellious or renegade lawmakers” to dethrone Speaker Tyler over what has been described as a “fight of morality.” A lawmaker, who asked to remain anonymous, said they have desperately regrouped for what is described as their “last chance” in the remaining nine working sessions before this year’s 5th Session closes at the end of August 2016.Constitutionally, the Legislature on August 31 adjourns for its annual agriculture or constituency break and resumes work the second working Monday of January. Next year, 2017, shall be the 6th and final session of the 53rd Legislature.This would be the group’s third attempt at the removal of Speaker Tyler since he was accused of allegedly receiving US$75,000, according the controversial Global Witness report released May 2016. The report cited his alleged role in changing the Public Procurement Commission Committee (PPCC) Law in favor of London based mining company Sable Mining to acquire a concession deal for the iron ore rich Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County.Late Sunday, impeccable sources told the Daily Observer that only eight affirmative signatures are now needed to unseat Speaker Tyler through a resolution for a cause by signatures of two-thirds (2/3) members of the Lower House.According to our sources, some lawmakers who intensely opposed the Speaker’s removal have affixed their signatures to the resolution document. These include Reps. George Mulbah, Lester Paye and Clarence Massaquoi.Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue still remains a strong supporter for the toppling of the Speaker.The aggrieved lawmakers, who Speaker Tyler described as “surrogates of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf” for his removal, argued that the indictment of the Speaker by Criminal Court ‘C’ has brought the honorable House of Representatives into public disrepute and immorality and urged him to recuse himself and subsequently resign his position as Speaker.The so-called ‘morality campaign’ is spearheaded by Montserrado County Rep. Edwin M. Snowe and Margibi County Rep. Emmanuel Nuquay.Maryland and Montserrado County Representatives, James Biney and Solomon George, and J. Gabriel Nyenkan, respectively, and other Lawmakers said the accusation is politically motivated, that a person is constitutionally presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Armah Z. Jallah also added his voice decrying those who have called for the Speaker to recuse himself, arguing that the Speaker is innocent until proven guilty.Overthrow StrategyIt’s been alleged that a financial package of US$20,000, according to sources, has been offered to each lawmaker to sign the resolution to vote Tyler down, coupled with the approval of District Project Funds (DPF) under the Legislative Support Project (LSP).Reportedly, US$10,000 would be given upon the affixing of each lawmaker’s signature and the approval of DPF, with the remaining US$10,000 given after the final ousting of Speaker Tyler and the last consent of the DPF.It is believed that the ousting of Speaker Tyler has been set for between Tuesday, August 9, and Thursday, August 18.It has also been gathered that if the Speaker delays in putting the resolution on the agenda, which has a cause and signatures of two-thirds (2/3) of members, the supposed “majority” will have a divided session in the Joint Chambers, and will discuss the decision reached. Any ranking official or designated person will serve as presiding officer.After the ousting of the Speaker, reports say, the acting Speaker and Plenary might suspend the Rules and Regulation of 34 Statutory and Standing Committees.LobbyistsPresident Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s trusted servant and political troubleshooter, Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, is said to be the Chief Lobbyist. Nagbe, who serves as the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, is said to be standing in as the Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, a function previously occupied by the late Dr. Edward B. McClain.Minister Nagbe was recently elected as the Secretary General of Unity Party (UP).He is the only Minister in more than 35 years who has served as Minister of three Ministries under one regime, while at the same time heading the Secretariat of the ruling Party after having previously served as Secretary General for the main opposition party, Congress for Democratic Change (CDC).The President replaced Executive Mansion’s Liaison Officer Elijah Seah, who she reportedly referred to as “too diplomatic”, bringing in her Minister of State without Portfolio, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, who she has assigned to troubleshoot legal matters.Mr. Julius Sele, the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), is among others who are part of the campaign to remove the Speaker. LACE is a strong partner of the Government through the Legislature and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in implementing development projects in the country’s 73 electoral districts.Holding funds hostageAfter two unsuccessful attempts to remove him from his speakership, Speaker Tyler accused President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of blackmail, ‘cash violence’ and other dictatorial and undemocratic schemes to unseat him.He said the President, in her politically diabolical ploy, is calling on the lawmakers to induce them with US$20,000 each to unseat him.The Speaker stated that the President threatened to withhold the benefits and entitlements and District Project Funds of lawmakers if they failed to have him removed.“These well-orchestrated ploys by the President to hold the House of Representatives in ransom by denying members their due benefits and entitlement as a means to strangulate us into undue political submission is in itself dictatorial and undemocratic to say the least,” Speaker Tyler said. But President Sirleaf’s office rejected the Speaker’s claims, describing them as baseless and unfounded and instead urging him to focus on the things that matters to the nation.Historical AnalysisIn 2007, Rep. Edwin M. Snowe accused the Executive of interfering into legislative politics and later that year also blamed the President for funding his removal.He was unseated (the race for Speaker was between Montserrado County Lawmaker Edward Forh and the Bomi County Representative Rep. Alex Tyler).The President publicly pledged support to Rep. Forh, and Rep. Snowe as retribution supported Rep. Tyler, who won the election.In the 2011 race for Speaker, the President supported Nimba County Representative Ricks Toweh against incumbent Speaker Tyler. Rep. Tyler again won the election. Some believe that the quarrel between the President and the Speaker escalated when the House of Representatives refused to ratify three offshore blocks, while others say the squabble between them intensified when Speaker Tyler resigned from the Liberia Action Party (LAP) – and influenced the resignation of key officials from the Bomi County chapter of the ruling Unity Party.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Future Stars, Bent Street bracing for electric quarter-final clash
The Georgetown Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” is now down to the business end with the quarter-finals slated for tonight at the parking lot of the National Cultural Centre, none of the four quarter-final fixtures promises more fireworks than that of the Future Stars versus Bent Street clash.Tonight’s quarter-finals promises fireworks on the tarmac of the National Cultural CentreThe two sides are similar in their energetic high octane playing styles and will be sure to have their respective supporters on edge.The two teams who will face each other in the final match of the night progressed from the round of 16 in contrasting fashion as Bent Street scored a single goal against Ol Skool Ballers. If Bent Street’s win was hard earned, Future Stars made it look easy as they demolished a hapless Kingston by five goals to nil.Bent Street will look to Captain Okanie Fraser who has been their standout player time and again; if Bent Street is to go toe to toe with the Future Stars juggernaut they will need Fraser at his brilliant best.One factor that makes Future Stars the powerhouse that they are is that they have a team of players who can up the ante on any given night to dastardly effect. The likes of Jamal Cozier, Akeemo Anthony and Keron Solomon are all players who can upend a game on its head to the benefit of their team.Meanwhile defending champions Sparta Boss look to have an easy match against Queen Street Tigerbay but no team can be taken for granted at this stage.Two other exciting quarter-final matches on the night features Gold is Money taking on Rising Stars while Leopold Street will clash with newcomers California Square.The losers from the round of 16 will have a shot at redemption and $50,000 in the “Plate Section” of the tournament with Trap Squad taking on GTI Ballers, North East La Penitence facing Norton Street, Ol Skool Ballers versus Kingston and North Ruimveldt look to topple Upsetters. (Michelangelo Jacobus)Fixtures are as follows:Gold is Money vs Rising Stars-21:00hLeopold Street vs California Square-21:30hSparta Boss vs Queen Street Tigerbay 22:00hFuture Stars vs Bent Street-22:30hPlate SectionTrap Squad vs GTI Ballers-19:00hNorth East La Penitence vs Norton Street-19:30hOl Skool Ballers vs Kingston-20:00hNorth Ruimveldt vs Upsetters-20:30h
Man deported from US remanded for 2016 New Year’s Day murder
After being deported from the United States, Anthony Bhupdeo was earlier this week remanded to prison for the 2016 New Year’s Day murder of a Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man.The 25-year-old accused of Mon Repos, ECD, is alleged to have been part of a group of people who had fatally beaten to death cane harvester, Deokumar Basdeo. He was arraigned and remanded to prison on Tuesday after being handed over to local authorities last week.Murdered: Deokumar BasdeoBhupdeo had fled to the US on January 2, 2016, one day after the incident, raising suspicions about his involvement in the matter.According to a release from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Bhupdeo entered the North American country as a visitor, with authorisation to remain until July 2016.In the meantime, however, an arrest warrant was issued on January 7, 2016, in the East Demerara Magisterial District for Bhupdeo for violating Criminal Law (PRO) Act, Ch10:01, Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Guyana (murder).Local authorities, after finding out the man had fled the country, approached their US counterparts for help in arresting the suspect and as such, the US Department of State revoked Bhupdeo’s visa in February 2016.The man then failed to depart the United States in July 2016 as required. In September of that year, the HSI office in Bogota, Colombia, notified the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New York that Bhupdeo might be residing in the New York City metropolitan area, and was being sought in Guyana for murder pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice.The man was subsequently arrested on October 5, 2016 in Woodhaven, New York, and placed on removal proceedings. On July 26, 2017, an immigration Judge ordered that Bhupdeo be removed by an immigration Judge, but appealed that decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).However, his appeal was dismissed on February 1, 2018, paving the way for Bhupdeo’s deportation to Guyana.Basdeo, a 22-year-old father of one of Sawah Village, Cane Grove, succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was severely beaten and robbed on 2016 New Year’s Day. It was reported that the now dead man attended a traditional event called “Greasy Pole” in the village and subsequently had few drinks at one of the shops.While at the shop, he reportedly got into an argument with a group of men who had travelled into the village to witness the activities. After sometime, the argument ceased and Basdeo left the drinking spot.After he left the shop, the same group of men followed him in their motor car and in the vicinity of “Jango House”, he was pulled into the vehicle where he was severely beaten and relieved of his personal items.After the men were done, they dumped him out of the moving vehicle. He was subsequently found in an unconscious state and rushed to seek medical attention.
Appointment of new Top Cop not imminent
The appointment of a substantive Police Commissioner could take a while longer, as there are certain clear plans that must be first put in place to make way for this to happen.Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, said Thursday the appointment of a new Police Commissioner is dependent on an agreement with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.Speaking to the press briefly, the President said the Police Service Commission and the Public Service Commission must both be appointed in order to make wayGuyana Police Force Headquartersfor the nomination of a new Top Cop.“Well, again I have to resort to consultation with Leader of the Opposition, and the Chairman of the Public Service also has to be appointed,” he asserted. Asked how soon these commissions, particularly the latter, could see becoming effective, he said that due process will also have to follow for those.Crime Chief Paul Williams recently expressed confidence in taking up the most senior job within the Guyana Police Force, saying that he is prepared and ready if given the chance to serve as the next Police Commissioner. Williams is said to be the top pick to take over the helm of the Force, with Assistant Commissioner Nigel Hoppie as his second in command.Williams was recently interviewed for the position along with: David Ramnarine, Clifton Hicken, Leslie James, Lyndon Alves, Marlon Chapman, Nigel Hoppie, and Maxine Graham.David Ramnarine has been acting in the capacity of the Top Cop for quite some time now, and there has been speculation that he may cop the title too.In November of 2017, when asked whether Williams was likely to take up the mantle, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who was then acting in the capacity of Public Security Minister, offered no direct reply.Harmon, however, had hinted at the possibility of a female assuming the position of Top Cop when he outlined that while there was a line of succession in the Guyana Police Force, female officers were also to be considered when deciding on a Police Commissioner.In so doing, he noted, “You don’t just look at the male ranks in the Police Force; we have female officers as well. And therefore if it is that a female officer is to be the person, then so be it.”Nevertheless, as mandated by the Constitution, the President would have consultations with the Opposition Leader on the names for the Top Cop position and the Deputy Commissioners of Police.
Barbados PM’s statement undermines CCJ – Ram
By Samuel SukhnandanPublic statements made by Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart in relation to withdrawing his country from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court has received mixed reviews.Local commentator and Attorney Christopher Ram is one who is not too pleased with the timing nor the content of Stuart’s statement, which was made recently at a political meeting in St Michael.“I think that is most unfortunate because we should be trying to develop some kind of Caribbean jurisprudence, which admittedly the CCJ has not been able to do or has failed to do,” he stated.While the Barbadian Prime Minister did not go into details, he cited disrespect from the Port of Spain-based court and the limited number of cases being brought before it.“I am determined to put Barbados on the same level as every other (Caribbean Community) Caricom country by de-linking from the CCJ in its appellate jurisdiction. We went in first and we can come out first,” Stuart said.But in the same breath, he also stated that he will ensure that Barbados does not return to the Privy Council, which in effect means the Barbados Appeal Court could be made the country’s final court.More worryingly, however, Ram said the timing of his statement comes almost immediately after a judgement of the CCJ, which he might have considered unpalatable. Ram said this is a bad sign because politicians and political leaders must certainly defer to courts in matters of law.But Stuart had made it clear that he is not commenting on the decisions of the CCJ, noting that as an officer of the court and as a lawyer, he respects the decisions that courts make.“When I’ve disagreed with them I appeal them. But, I’m not going to have Barbados disrespected by any politicians wearing robes, it is not going to happen. And I spoke about this privately to the present President of the CCJ. I don’t want to influence any decisions, I don’t care what they decide,” Stuart said.Again, Ram told Guyana Times that the timing of Stuart’s comment is important for another reason, especially when another Caricom member country is considering to make the CCJ its final court.“I think it is a setback although at the moment, there is no guarantee that he would be able to effect his wish. But coming just before Antigua was supposed to go to referendum. The timing is bad,” he opined.Only recently, the Antigua and Barbuda Government said it intends to hold a referendum within the next four months on whether or not the island would adopt the CCJ as its final court.The country’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in tabling the Constitutional Referendum Bill 2016 in Parliament in October 2016, urged locals to support the initiative to replace the Privy Council even as he admitted that two-thirds support in the referendum “is a tall order”.“At this time we should point out what are the weaknesses of the CCJ and try to fix those weaknesses, not try to weaken the court which I think he has done. His (Stuart) decision is certainly sending a signal to Antigua that could have unfortunate consequences,” Ram added.Nonetheless, Ram firmly believes all Caricom countries should adopt the CCJ, regardless of the current criticisms it is faced with right now. He said if the CCJ has set a precedence based on facts, law and logic, then Caribbean countries should accept it, but must understand that it is still in its early stages.“I think we all should do that. But Stuart has just undermined that kind of commitment to join the CCJ.”In March, the Trinidad-based court began the first of several hearings into Guyana’s Government appeal of the sovereignty of the people case.Guyanese Cedric Richardson had challenged the Constitutional amendments by Parliament that limits the number of times a person can serve as President. He claimed that these amendments were unconstitutional and such a change should have been enacted via referendum. The CCJ is presently considering the case.But much controversy erupted in Guyana after National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced at a Berbice, Region Six meeting that the CCJ will rule in the Government’s favour in the case.This prompted Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to question how it was that Ramjattan could have made such a public statement and whether or not he had inside information.“I don’t know whether it’s loose talk or they do have inside information as they say, but either way this could affect the credibility of the court. If they claim they have inside knowledge, it could also be entirely false,” Jagdeo told the media during a recent press conference.The CCJ was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court, but while many of the 15-member Caricom countries are signatories to the court’s original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Guyana, Belize and Dominica are members of its Appellate jurisdiction.The CCJ also functions as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement.
Linden residents call for removal of equipment
Illegal mining in Demerara RiverWeeks after an alleged illegal mining operation was unearthed in the Demerara River, residents of Linden have joined in calls being made by officials to remove the two draggers which were placed at Watooka, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).The operators of the equipment were instructed by Police to remove them until relevant documentation is provided; however, Chairman of Region 10 Renis Morian indicated that this was not done.To date, Morian noted, the miners have not produced an Environmental Impact Assessment, which he reiterated is a necessity for such activities.Residents and officials, including Chairman of the Linden Chamber of Industry Commerce and Development (LCICD) Victor Fernandes have since expressed concern over mining activities in the region’s waterways, citing health and environmental risks as reasons for their disapproval. Fernandes said while development is necessary, it must not be at the expense of the people.“As the voice of the Private Sector… our concern majorly is environmental, which is everybody’s concern. The environmental issues are genuine concerns for us and I think members of this community, we would like to know what are the environmental considerations in the first place in terms of issuing licences,” Fernandes told the media.Linden resident Gomar Wilson said he is dissatisfied with the situation, noting that if it continues, the people will take action. As such, he has issued calls for the equipment to be removed, noting that some residents are not in support of the mining activity.Wilson added that if it is not removed by the end of the month, there will be consequences. Another resident, Oscar Hector cited health concerns, noting that residents, including those in Indigenous communities depend on the river’s water for their livelihood.Taxi driver Robert Greene in voicing his concerns believes environmental laws and procedures should be followed as it relates to mining in the Demerara River.He further stated that if miners are to come into the community, they must get clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and if such is not done, then the operations can be deemed as a violation.Meanwhile, Divisional Manager of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Rawle Friday explained that should there be any water mining mishaps, approximately 18,000 residents who depend on the water system can be adversely affected.Friday said the GWI would have taken interest in the mining activities, given the risks of contamination.Further, he added that in Linden, there are three water treatment plants which extract water from the Demerara River and there is no capacity to deal with contamination caused by harmful chemicals. These plants, he noted, serve around 18,000 people collectively.Officials have already noted that residents, mainly in Indigenous communities along the river, stand to be affected by the mining operation. Already, there is some amount of activities occurring in the river.A number of persons, including nine Brazilians were questioned and released by Police in connection with the activity which was shutdown weeks ago by Police and regional officials.The Regional Chairman noted that upon inspecting documents presented by the miners, he realised that some of the Brazilians were overstaying their time in Guyana which by itself is a criminal matter. In addition; those who were legal did not have the necessary work permits.
Guyanese should take charge of oil audits – Gaskin
…says foreign companies should not lead the processWith the recent announcement made by the Department of Energy to hire an overseas firm to assist with the auditing of the pre-contract costs for oil recovery, outspoken economist and social commentator, Ramon Gaskin, has said although Guyana lacks the capacity, no overseas company should be allowed to take full charge of this audit.Economist Ramon GaskinGaskin’s argument is premised on the fact that only Guyanese will have Guyana’s interest at heart. He questioned whether there is any guarantee that an overseas firm, especially one that may have connections to oil companies operating here, will look out for Guyana’s interest.“I do not have any confidence in any overseas company to look out for the interest in Guyana,” he said, while recalling that a few years ago; a Canadian-based company was hired to look into the tax regime of the gold mining sector and did nothing for Guyana.“The only thing they came up with was to reduce the royalty of Omai, a Canadian company operating in Guyana. Therefore, I am saying, I have zero confidence. We have to have Guyanese to look out for Guyana’s interests. We cannot go to that route again,” he asserted.Gaskin, a former presidential advisor, believes nothing is wrong with hiring an overseas company to assist Guyanese in understanding the more complex issues in oil and gas, but he thinks Guyanese should remain in charge of the entire auditing process.He said, “Guyanese have to be in charge. We cannot put foreign people to audit the foreign people, they are all the same. We’ve had that experience before. We cannot go there again.”Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe told sections of the media that the plan is to hire an overseas company that would assist both the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Auditor General’s Office to conduct the audit of the pre-contract costs.The controversial US$460 million pre-contract costs that ExxonMobil has charged Guyana is yet to be audited. Finance Minister Winston Jordan is aware of the concerns that the sum is inflated and has noted that there is nothing much that could be done at this time.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has responded to a request for help to audit all costs to be recovered by ExxonMobil. GRA’s Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia said the IMF will be lending its expertise to audit the controversial pre-contract costs.Statia said the IMF and the World Bank would be training GRA officers in the areas of petroleum accounting, cost recovery audits and other tax-related matters. He said help would also be provided to develop a risk assessment strategy for the sector.It has been reported that the IMF and other institutions will be tasked with auditing, examining and verifying all available documentation and records necessary for charges and credits relating to the contractor’s activities under the Petroleum Agreement.This means all books of accounts, accounting entries; material records and inventories, vouchers, payrolls, invoices and any other documents, and correspondence will be requested and checked thoroughly.Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram had called for the US$460 million pre-contract costs to be audited. Based on his examination, he said the numbers were not adding up.Ram said ExxonMobil is represented by three companies as the contractor for the Stabroek Block – Esso, CNOOC, and Hess. Using the financial statements of Esso and CNOOC, the only ones which were publicly available, he pointed out a few important things.He highlighted for example, that the combined expenditure of Esso and CNOOC at December 31, 2015, was $26 billion with reported losses of $21 billion, giving a total of $47 billion. In United States dollars, using a $200 exchange rate, Ram said that gives a total US$245 million, well short of the $460 million that the Government accepted in the Agreement with ExxonMobil.To make up the total of US$460 million, Ram said Hess alone would have had to spend, in contract costs, some US$215 million or approximately $46 billion, which he opined would defy logic. Ram stressed that the only satisfactory and acceptable resolution of this matter is a special audit independently undertaken.
US food company recalls “Fiesta Corn” from Guyana, other Caribbean countries
The US company Del Monte Foods has recalled over 60,000 cases of incompletely sterilised canned corn from eight countries in the Region.The Caribbean countries affected by the recall of Del Monte “Fiesta Corn” are Guyana, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Haiti, Aruba, St Lucia, and Suriname.The other countries are El Salvador, Uruguay and Panama.The company says the recall is specific to Del Monte “Fiesta Corn” only and not any of its other corn and food products. The company warns that the product could cause life-threatening illness if consumed.The US Food and Drug Administration said the recall of 64,242 cases of the “Fiesta Corn” seasoned with red and green peppers were due to under-processing.It said the missed steps from the commercial sterilisation process could result in spoilage and possible contamination with life-threatening pathogens, if eaten, Del Monte warned.There have not been any reports of illness as a result of the products, the company added. It said a central concern with under-processing canned food is the potential growth of bacteria, including clostridium botulinum, which creates toxins that cause botulism poisoning, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (CMC)
Bosai to invest US$23M on expansion plan
A whopping US$23 million investment by the Chinese-owned Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc has already begun as part of the company’s expansion plan for its Linden, Region 10, bauxite operations.Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc’s operations in Linden, Region 10This announcement was made on Friday morning by the mining company, which said that with these major expansions, additional long-term employment will be provided for the residents of the community.Guyana Times understands that Bosai has already commenced preparatory works for a new number 15 rotary kiln for calcined bauxite production. This new kiln and its auxiliary facilities will cost US$20 million and are expected to produce 170, 000 metric tonnes of refractory A Grade super calcine bauxite per year.According to the mining company, it is also investing in a new number 16 drier and auxiliary facilities, costing US$3 million, which is projected to produce 150, 000 metric tonnes of sized chemical grade bauxite.Presently, there are 600 Guyanese employed by Bosai and this latest investment is expected to create between 150 to 200 jobs for locals.The announcement was made on Friday during a site tour by the Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Minerals Resources, Godfrey Oliphant.“Government is happy that Bosai, despite its challenges, and despite our own difficulties with each [other] that Bosai continues to mine,” said the Minister in an invited comment.According to Bosai’s website, the company has ownership of over 200 million tonnes of high alumina and low iron bauxite deposits, and a bauxite reserve as such is unique around the globe in respect to quality and quantity. Currently, the company produces 1.5 million tonnes of metallurgical grade bauxite, 300,000 tonnes of refractory A Grade super calcined bauxite, 200,000 tonnes of sized chemical grade bauxite and 200,000 tonnes of cement grade bauxite, making it the largest supplier of calcined bauxite on the world market.This investment by Bosai comes at a critical time in the bauxite mining company when Russian-owned RUSAL has laid off workers who protested a one per cent salary increase recently.
Ranks come under fire during drug eradication exercise at Kara Kara
A drug eradication exercise by Police ranks attached to E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) on Wednesday reportedly ended in a shootout at a marijuana farm at Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden.The plants before they were destroyedAccording to information received, ranks attached to the Mackenzie Police Station and Community Policing Group ventured 20 miles up the Kara Kara creek in Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice), where they conducted a drug eradication exercise between 06:30h and 15:00h.They reportedly discovered a marijuana farm, which measured approximately two acres and contained approximately 4000 cannabis plants measuring eight inches to four feet in height.The 12-gauge cartridges found at the sceneRanks also discovered a makeshift tent, a quantity of clothing, and a wooden boat, along with five live 12-gauge cartridges.The farm was subsequently destroyed by fire, and samples of the cannabis plants retrieved.However, on their way out of the location, ranks reportedly came under fire by unknown persons. They reportedly returned fire. However, the persons managed to escape. The area has since been marked as Police try to ascertain the owner of the land.An investigation has been launched.
Police record reduction in reports – Senior Superintendent
Drug usage in schools…says students caught reluctant to give up drug dealersNine months ago the alarming problem of increased drug usage in schools was a major concern for parents, teachers and other stakeholders, there has been a reduction in reports of incidents of this sort.Police Narcotics Branch Head, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh SimonThis is according to Head of the Police Narcotics Branch, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon, who, during a recent interview with Guyana Times, said that for the past three months there has been a decrease in reports by schools about students engaged in using illicit substances.“They (reports) are down, or there is a drop. We are not getting (many) reports from the schools. Sometimes it is the Education Ministry that will call us, or sometimes the head teachers call us in. So, for the second quarter, as it stands right now, there has been a reduction,” Simon explained.He said that in cases where the schools directly make contact with the Police for assistance or involvement in addressing the use of illegal drugs among their students and/or on their premises, there is a system that has to be followed; since, ideally, the Education Ministry is the agency responsible for notifying the law enforcement agencies in this regard.“This system (direct contact with the Police) is that the teacher has got to be present, (as well as) the parent and the student. Then we look at if (the situation) is one that warrants counselling and so forth…we cannot prosecute any child anymore, so definitely straight counselling. We try to work them to see if they will give up, if an adult is involved, if they will give up the source,” Simon said.ReluctanceSimon said investigators are not always successful in getting the students to divulge relevant information so that they can pursue and eventually nab the guilty adults involved, but some students are helpful when questioned.“Some are reluctant in giving up the names of the persons, but there are some who do cooperate. Some parents of the children who are caught or involved tend to clog up, and there are some who say to their children that they should tell the truth. So, basically, it is some amount of reluctance and some amount of cooperation, and I would say it is about 50/50 from all the cases we have had so far to deal with,” he added.In September 2018, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) made it public that the use and sale of the drug ecstasy had been discovered in five schools. Known as a recreational drug, ecstasy’s harmful side effects include addiction and altered sensations.At that time, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, speaking on the issue, was quoted as saying that law enforcement agencies were “losing the battle” now that drugs have ended up in schools.
Be more specific on strategy for green economy – Jagdeo tells Granger
Expressing his utmost disappointment with the “haphazard approach” being undertaken to transform the country into a green economy, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday demanded that the Government give specific details about its plan to promote sustainable energies and ultimately create an economy that is less dependent on fossil fuels.According to Jagdeo, at every available opportunity, President David Granger talks up his Government’s intention to develop huge wind farms, solar farms and hydropower plants; however, he hardly ventured into pointedly speaking about how he intends to attain those targets.Only recently at the official opening ceremony of GuyExpo 2016, Granger unveiled Government’s intention to adopt a Green Development Strategy (GDS), noting that every Government institution (hospitals and schools) must soon convert to using green energy.Granger also committed to placing another two million hectares of Guyana’s land under conservation in an effort to protect the country’s rich flora and fauna so that “our grandchildren can see the good things we inherited from our grandparents”.Opposition Leader Bharrat JagdeoPreviously, the President had announced intentions to reduce the tariffs on the importation of key materials and all equipment used to generate renewable energy.The President had also pronounced that the Norway Funds will now be utilised for more strategic projects such as reforestation in mined-out areas, generation of energy apart from hydropower, coastal zone management and tackling the impacts of El Niño.But in light of certain actions taken by the current Administration, the former President believes that their promises are merely rhetoric for support of a green economy.“The President said it is absolutely imperative to develop a green economy… he said it is important for our future and industries. On the other hand, his Government has killed a project, for political reasons not economic reasons… they killed a project that would have saved us at least US$2 billion in 20 years at 2012 prices…,” Jagdeo pointed out, referring to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.“The Amaila was the biggest green project that would have had the biggest impact. It cannot be replaced by planting trees. The green economy is not about planting trees, it is an economic concept,” the Opposition Leader argued.He asserted that no one is even sure about “anything anymore about the green economy”, given Government’s apparent lack of strategy on the matter.“No conceptual framework, no vision excepting they are implementing in a haphazard way some of the things we’ve left,” he posited.Jagdeo also expressed concerns over the status of several of the green projects that were introduced by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration under the Norway/Guyana partnership.It was previously pointed out by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira that since the change of Government, a number of initiatives regarding the partnership have been falling by the wayside, including the LCDS Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee meetings, the absence of information about GRIF-funded projects on the LCDS website and Amerindian and other stakeholders not being consulted on the LCDS or the Guyana-Norway partnership.Jagdeo also noted that the public does not know whether the funds from Norway were released and whether or not Government has embarked on discussing a successor agreement.In general, the Opposition Leader explained that if promoting a green economy is indeed of the biggest thrust of the Government, then its leaders need to be more specific about the respective strategy for the future.
Businessman charged for Tucville fatal shooting
… to make court appearance on MondayPolice have instituted charges against Robert Benn of Lot 10 Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown, who indiscriminately discharged his firearm, killing Colin Perriera and wounding Gailann Chacon in the process. The shooting incident took place on Tuesday evening as the woman drove the car onto the man’s bridge with the intention of turning. The businessman was in his yard at the time and allegedly thought that the occupants of the car had gone to commit a robbery and opened fire.Perriera was shot three times to the chest and abdomen while the woman was shot twice. She remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital in a stable but serious condition.However, after soliciting the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police were given the green light to charge Benn for murder committed on the miner and the attempted murder of Chacon. At a press briefing on Friday, acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine described the incident as “murderous murder” as he iterated the manner in which the incident took place was unbelievable.“It disturbed me greatly… when I was reporting it, I said it was a murderous murder. I can’t understand how he made these levels of appreciation, so shallow… It is very disappointing indeed that a licensed firearm holder could discharge his firearm in those circumstances”, the acting top cop related.At that time, he told the media conference that the Police would have resorted to its legal options since the detention period of the suspect had expired. Nevertheless, now that charges are being instituted, there is no need to approach the high court to make an application for an extension. Twenty-four-year-old Colin Perriera of Lot 213 Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was gunned down at about 21:00h in Perry Street, Tucville.It was reported that the shooter believed the heavily tinted motorcar was bandits and opened fire. After the shooting incident, Perriera managed to exit the car and ran to safety but the businessman kept discharging rounds at him.Perriera eventually collapsed in front of a house a short distance away. A teenager, who was standing where the man collapsed, explained that after the man dropped to the roadway, he called out for help and told them that someone else was also shot.“He said that he was shot so we called 911 but like after 20 minutes, a Police vehicle pull up and they take he to the hospital… he was still alive when the vehicle left but they pronounce he dead at the hospital”.According to the teen, while waiting for the Police, several persons went to the car where they saw the young lady lying in a pool of blood. She too was picked up and rushed to the hospital. The now dead man leaves to mourn his 2-year-old daughter, mother and siblings. (Bhisham Mohamed)
Ramjattan, SOCU officials “sip wine” after arrest operations
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, along with top officials of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), congregated at a popular city café on the evening of the second day after former prominent Government officials were hauled in for questioning and in some cases, arrested and detained.SOCU Head Sydney James; British Adviser to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington and Minister Ramjattan were seen clinking glasses in an extremely celebratory atmosphere in the dimly lit café on Wednesday evening.Ramjattan confirmed to Guyana Times on Thursday that he and the SOCU officials were having some drinks at the popular spot, which usually is not opened to the public after dark.According to Ramjattan, he went to “have a glass of wine” with the SOCU officials as they celebrated Dr Sittlington’s work here in Guyana.The former Police investigator from Northern Ireland explained that he was only required to provide advice to SOCU for a few months.This celebratory event comes on the heels of resounding cries that the Executive has been giving orders to SOCU to attack former Government officials as part of its witch-hunting exercise.Just one week before SOCU arrested some of the former officials, Ramjattan had threatened charges against them.Following the egregious arrest of former top Government officials by agents of SOCU of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Government issued a public statement, dismissing allegations that SOCU’s actions were in any way part of a political vendetta. It stated that SOCU was operating independently and without any interference or direction. Meanwhile, in a statement issued Thursday, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall questioned recent comments made by Dr Sittlington, including whether or not he was operating under the auspices of the British High Commission in Guyana.He said, “I note that Mr Sam Sittlington has taken the liberty of making statements which have political underpinnings, and seems to be functioning as part of the operations of SOCU.”“As a result, I now question his role in the law enforcement process of Guyana. Is he operating under the auspices of the British High Commissioner in Guyana? If so, then one will have to assume that there is some linkage between his actions and the British Government. This must be clarified by the British High Commissioner,” Nandlall added. Guyana Times tried unsuccessfully to reach the UK High Commissioner to clarify this matter; this publication will follow up the issue.
9 arrested in Sophia raid
– bulletproof vest, full-face mask, toy guns foundAn intelligence-led operation conducted by ranks of the Guyana Police Force in C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, between 13:30h and 14:20h on Tuesday, resulted in the arrest of nine men for various offences.A bulletproof vest, a full-face mask, a wig, a pair of black gloves, a police beret and two toy guns were found during the raidItems found during the operation included a bulletproof vest, a full-face mask, a wig, a pair of black gloves, a police beret and two toy guns. In a statement, Police said investigations were ongoing.
“Gross disrespect” forces media to walk out GDF Officers’ conference
By Vahnu ManickchandApproximately 20 media operatives from both private and State entities on Thursday morning stormed out of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Headquarters after “gross disrespect” and poor treatment were meted out to them when they turned up to provide coverage of the army’s Annual Officers’ Conference.This is the second year that the media had experienced difficulties in covering theMedia operatives heading out of the GDF compound on Thursday morning after storming out of the Annual Officers’ Conference over disrespectful treatment by the armyGDF Officers’ Conference.The GDF had invited the press to cover the opening ceremony of the Conference, asking that the media representatives be at Base Camp Ayanganna for 09:30h. Being cognisant of the army protocols, the majority of the media operatives arrived way ahead of that time and were made to wait in the benab outside the compound on Thomas Land.After some time, the group of reporters, cameramen and photographers was made to walk all the way to the other end of the compound (closer to Carifesta Avenue) and instead of being taken straight to the Officers’ Mess Hall where the event was being held, they were diverted to another building where about 20 of them were cooped up in a small room.This caused the media operatives to voice their concern and discomfort to GDFGDF Press Officer, Colonel Michael Shahoud talking to members of the press as they head out the compoundCommunication Officer Major Earl Edghill, who indicated to them that they would be escorted to the conference room shortly.In protest of the treatment meted out to them, media operatives informed the armypersonnel that better arrangements needed to be made to accommodate the press at GDF events. In fact, they decried the fact that they were made to walk several yards in the scorching sun when most of them, particularly the cameramen and photographers, were carrying heavy equipment.They also reminded the officer that they needed to arrive at the conference area ahead of time in order to set up their cameras and run their microphone cables. In furtherance of their protest against the treatment they received, the press questioned why they could not have used the entrance on Vlissengen Road that leads to the sports ground since it was closer to the building where the conference was being held.However, Major Edghill explained that civilians entering the GDF compound were required to pass through the main entrance at Thomas Lands. They then requested, in this case, for transportation to be made available next time.About 15 minutes later, media operatives were removed from the cramped room and escorted to the Mess Hall where, upon arrival, they realised the event was already underway as Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West, could be heard speaking.The members of the press were then led into the lounge area on the bottom floor, where they were offered beverages “as a consolation” but refused the refreshment. Major Edghill subsequently resurfaced and led the press members to the upper flat where the event was ongoing with Brigadier West delivering a presentation.Already frustrated and angered by what was transpiring, media operatives felt further disrespected when they entered the conference room to find that no proper arrangements were made to accommodate them. They were told to set up their cameras at an angle whereby speakers at the podium would have been caught on the side.Additionally, there was no seating arrangement for reporters, who were expected to remain standing beside the seated gathering, which comprised Commander-in-Chief President David Granger and Government Ministers as well as top-ranking military officers.This situation caused the operatives, led by Vice President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) Zoisa Fraser and Executive Member Denis Chabrol, to boycott the event.As the 20-odd media representatives were making their way out of the compound, they were approached by GDF Press Officer, Colonel Michael Shahoud, who attempted to salvage the situation. He pulled aside the GPA Vice President, explaining why the media was prevented from covering the conference from the beginning.“The conference has taken a new dimension … There are some things of national security (being said at the Annual Officers’ Conference) that the Chief-of-Staff would not want in the public’s domain, and for obvious reasons,” he posited.Colonel Shahoud added that for the past two years, under the leadership of Brigadier West, sensitive information has been included in the Chief-of-Staff’s presentation. However, he was informed of previous occasions when the media would comply with instructions not to record or publish sensitive information disclosed during such events.The Colonel went on to say the media would have been allowed in the conference room to set up their equipment in time for the President’s address. “That is what we invited you for,” he stated, but he was reminded that it would have been improper to be setting up while a speaker was at the podium, or worst if the Commander-in-Chief had already started his speech.Last year, media operatives who arrived at the GDF Headquarters for the event were placed in a briefing room for over an hour before they were finally escorted, via a bus, to the Mess Hall for the conference. However, upon their arrival, President Granger had already started his feature address, which upset the members of the press.Meanwhile, the GPA in a subsequent statement on Thursday condemned the treatment of the media operatives, calling it “gross disrespect”.“The Guyana Press Association would like to use this opportunity to remind the Guyana Defence Force of the importance of the media, not only as a group but as a major partner that also works to ensure the integrity and sovereignty of this country. The media does not work in a vacuum and its members should be treated with the respect it deserves,” the Association noted.The GPA further added it was unfortunate that the GDF continued to engage the media in this manner, when it has not acknowledged repeated attempts by the media representative body to engage and work towards a better relationship.The new GPA executive body, which is now being headed by veteran broadcast journalist Nazima Raghubir, said it wrote the GDF since January 15, 2018 for a familiarisation meeting but has gotten no response to date.
Exxon contract contradicts Minister, prohibits impromptu visits – Nandlall
…says Govt has abdicated right to thoroughly inspect operationsFormer Attorney General Anil Nandlall is taking the Government to task for its utterances regarding its right to make impromptu visits to ExxonMobil’s operations, noting that the contract it signed with the oil giant prohibited this.Recently, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman was quoted in sections of the media saying that impromptu visits would still be carried out. Nandlall, in a statement on Monday, however, dismissed this as absurd.“How does Minister Trotman conceive the Government making impromptu visits to the oil operations when the contract expressly and specifically provides that the Minister, through his duly-appointed representative, must give at least seven days’ notice before they can be allowed to observe the petroleum operations conducted by the contractor?” Nandlall questioned.“What this means is that the Government may attempt impromptu visits, but unless that seven days’ notice is given in the manner provided for by the contract, the contractor reserves the right to prevent the Government access to the operations.”Questioning whether the Government meant to disregard its contractual obligations, Nandlall noted that the better thing to do was to acknowledge that they were in a conundrum. He pointed out that the clause restraining Government from inspections – Article Nine – was meant to prevent comprehensive scrutiny.“More significantly, when the clause, which requires the seven days’ notice, is read in conjunction with other related clauses, one gets the clear impression that the collective intent of the contract is to prevent the Government from accessing certain type of data, in respect of the oil operations.“For example, even where the seven days’ notice is given, there are express prohibitions against the Minister interfering with the petroleum operations and there are a whole host of records and reports, which are deemed “confidential” and to which the Minister has no access,” the Attorney-at-Law pointed out.Meanwhile, taking on recent statements from Business Minister Dominic Gaskin whereby he urged Guyanese to not become distracted by the “tiny vocal minority”, Nandlall pointed out that the only persons supporting the contract have been members of the Cabinet.“Apart from Cabinet Ministers, almost every organisation in Guyana and every major commentator are on public record making condignly critical remarks about the contract. The position is no different among the ordinary citizens, including supporters of the Government,” Nandlall said.The contractThe contract was signed in June 2016 between the coalition Government, ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block. While the contractor is obligated to maintain and submit all pertinent records, the Government can neither make impromptu visits nor interfere with Exxon’s operations.Article 9e states that “The Minister, through duly-appointed representatives, upon providing the contractor with at least seven days’ notice, shall be entitled to observe petroleum operations conducted by the contractor at his sole cost and expense…”It goes on to say that “in the exercise of such rights under this paragraph the Minister shall not unduly interfere with the contractor’s operations under this agreement”.In Article 15 of the contract, Exxon is exempted from paying Corporation, Excise or Value Added Taxes on its earnings from petroleum. Article 15.4 also provides for the Government itself to pay the company’s Income Tax.To facilitate this, the oil company has to submit tax returns to the Government. Article 32 also stipulates that Government cannot modify the contract or increase any fiscal obligation the company has.This, therefore, puts a cap on the taxes, royalties, duties, fees, or charges outlined in the contract. Government also has to compensate the operator if a change to existing laws causes loss of revenue for the company.According to Article 32.3, “If at any time after the signing of this agreement, there is a change in the laws of Guyana… and such a change has a materially adverse effect on the economic benefits, including those resulting from the fiscal regime provided by this agreement… the Government shall promptly take any and all affirmative actions to restore the lost or impaired economic benefits to contractor, so that contractor receives the same economic benefit under the agreement that it would have received prior to the change in law or its interpretation, application, or implementation.”The contract goes on to say: “The foregoing obligation shall include the obligation to resolve promptly, by whatever means may be necessary, any conflict or anomaly between this agreement and any such new or amended legislation, including by way of exemption, legislation, decree and/or authoritative acts.”
Guyanese fishermen rescued after boat wreck in Atlantic Ocean
Five fishermen from Corentyne, Berbice have been rescued and are now safe after the vessel in which they had been travelling encountered a storm and sank in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday evening. The fishermen were tossed into the ocean and remained in the water. Two were rescued on Sunday morning, while the other three were rescued on Monday.The men are: Rondell Vanderstoop, 27, and Nuris Dundas 18, two brothers of Epsom Village Corentyne; Andrew Beaton, 22, and Steve McBean 20, of the same village; and Rodwell Captain, 21, of Brighton Village.Reports are that the men left Nickerie, Suriname on Saturday for a 14-day fishing expedition, but by 21:00h the same evening, they were hit by the storm.According to reports, the rough waters caused the boat to split and then submerge. They were all tossed into the water, and initially kept contact by periodically calling on each other.Following the mishap, Beaton and Captain were picked up in the ocean by another fisherman, but it took almost two days before they found the other three.Mc Bean’s wife, Kerry Mayers, 19, said she was able to speak with her husband Steve McBean, 22, after he was rescued. She said initial reports were that the boat sank and two were rescued.She explained that she was told three crew members were missing, and that information did not change until Monday morning.“The boy said that the Captain called him outside, and when he went the boat was already filled with water, and a wave just come and the two of them grab lifejackets and then they get separated in the water, and eventually they get back together and jump on the ice box; and then they separate again, but they did not reach up with the others until today [Monday].”The men were eventually rescued at about 08:30h on Sunday. On Monday morning, the same boat returned to sea in search of the three missing men.Meanwhile, Leroy Vanderstoop said his 27-year-old brother Rondell was the captain of the fishing vessel.Vanderstoop had been going to sea for more than a decade, while his brother Nuris has been a fisherman for two years. It was the first year at sea for the other three. The rescued men all returned to Guyana on Monday afternoon. (Andrew Carmichael)
Ghana offers assistance for incipient local oil & gas sector
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo presented Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo with a book on Guyana’s history during a courtesy call at the Marriott Hotel on TuesdayThe Republic of Ghana has committed to lending assistance to Guyana as the country prepares for first oil early next year – an offer which the Coalition government and the Opposition both welcomes.This commitment was made by President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is on a two-day visit, first, during a meeting with President David Granger and then again at a luncheon at State House on Tuesday.“We’ve heard the good news too of the recent discoveries of large deposits of oil and gas offshore Guyana. We should explore promptly the possibility of establishing a joint vehicle to assist in the effect and efficient management of oil and gas revenues. With our experiences, I believe Ghana is well equipped to share with you the dos and don’ts in the area, and make available fee-free quality technical assistance to you. Hopefully, the proper management of the new revenue will help finance the spectacular development of Guyana,” President Akufo-Addo stated after speaking about Ghana’s own discoveries.This commitment was reiterated during a subsequent meeting with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday afternoon.Following the brief engagement, Jagdeo told reporters that he welcomes this announcement, noting the importance of getting first-hand advice.“I said to the (Ghanaian) President, we appreciate his offer to share their experience and some of their technical advice on issues that they’ve had to deal with because it’s important that we have perspective from a practitioner country, developing country and not just from consultants,” he positedThe Opposition Leader added that after enquiring about the impending elections, the Ghanaian Head of State assured that his commitments are beyond political parties.“(He) said that the offer is to Guyana and not to any political party. We expressed our appreciation for that because even if the PPP were to get into office, we would still need to get support from like-minded countries and Ghana has always been a good political partner,” Jagdeo said.Earlier in the day, Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, had told reporters that this offer of assistance to develop the local oil and gas industry augurs well for Guyana.“What they did was to commit to pay the salaries, the transportation and everything to get the people here and all we will need to do is to find accomodation for them… We’re talking about capabilty building, we’re talking about the capacity of the Department of Energy. Ultiamtely, the President (Granger) has spoken about the establishment of a Minsitry of Energy and so this is really going to require an expanded of talent, of persons and their skills and so on. So these are things that we’re looking at right now,” the government’s spoke’s person posited.Currently, the budding oil and gas industry is being governed by the Department of Energy within the Ministry of the Presidency.Only last month, a large high-level Ghanaian delegation was in Guyana to engage local stakeholders on areas of mutual interest in the oil and gas sector, among others. The more than 15-member team, led by Ghana’s Energy Minister and Deputy Minister of Petroleum Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, had met with Director of Energy Dr. Mark Bynoe and his team.However, while Ghana is ready to help Guyana, the West African State’s own petroleum industry, still young, has not had the best record with the country failing to use its oil boon to avert the economic crisis and deprivations its people are currently facing.Ghana has been producing and exporting crude oil since 2011 having discovered the resource in commercial quantities back in 2007. However, the country’s financial standing has taken a hit in recent years as prices for its main export products, including oil, have fallen.Nevertheless, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Ghana’s economy will grow at 8.8 percent in 2019, pegging the country to be the fastest-growing economy in the world this year.Having made 13 discoveries of commercial oil in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil is preparing to commence production in the first quarter of 2020. The US oil giant has announced an estimated recoverable resource of approximately 5.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels on the Stabroek Block.
Prominent rider to hold seminar in Fort St. John
Webster is known in the riding community as a highly regarded speaker and clinician, and conducts numerous clinics annually. He has even been invited to teach his clinics as the main speaker at prestigious events such as the Equine Extravaganzas in Chilliwack, B.C. and Farmfair at Northlands Park, in Edmonton, Alta.He is also an active competitor in both local and international horse shows.Some of his recent accomplishments include winning the 2011 Canadian Supreme Novice Horse Open Reserve Championship, being named the 2011 NRHA Open Champion, and winning the 2010 Canadian Quarter Horse Nationals as Sr. Reining Champion to name a few.- Advertisement -Webster is also an excellent teacher, as his non-pros and youth riders have reached great achievements under his instruction.His teachings not only apply to the rider, to their companions as well. Horses trained by Webster have proven to be some of the easiest and most successful non-pro mounts to ever attain success in the Canadian Show pen.Despite the clinic being full, riders interested in learning from Webster can attend and watch and listen to what is being taught.Advertisement The Clinic begins at 8 a.m. and will run until both 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with a one hour break for lunch. The cost of admission is $10.
Registration now open for adult co-ed soccer league
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Fort St. John adult co-ed soccer league is resuming play this coming fall, and registration is now open.Registration for the upcoming soccer season is taking place now until April 15th. The upcoming season starts the week of May 1st, with games scheduled to take place on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00p.m. until the end of the season on August 30th. The league will also put on a mid-season tournament June 9th – 11th.For more information, contact Fort St. John’s Director of Mens Soccer Radley Brown at: radleylbrown@outlook.com.- Advertisement –
BC NDP Dropouts
N-D-P Leader Carole James has plugged some holes in her shadow cabinet, caused by the planned departure, of at least five M-L-A’s, next year.Corky Evans, David Chudnovsky and David Cubberley are among those who’ve decided they won’t run in the next election.Mr. Evans’ old job in agriculture has been assumed, by Charlie Wyse and Mr. Chudnovky’s post on the homeless goes to Jenny Kwan.Norm Macdonald takes over the education responsibilities from Mr. Cubberley.He and Mr. Chudnovsky represent Victoria and Vancouver ridings respectively and are the latest two party incumbents to announce their quitting.Their leader’s response fell into the old stiff upper lip category… [asset|aid=152|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=James-1_1_Pub.mp3]The number of NDP incumbents is now down to 28 and there is a growing number of pundits, suggesting rather than threatening the ruling Liberals, the New Democrats will do well, just to stay ahead of the Green Party.- Advertisement –
Man fires rifle near summer students in McLeod Lake
View McLeod Shooting Incident in a larger mapA 42 year old male is in custody after firing a rifle in the direction of two summer students, in McLeod Lake.On July 29th, the RCMP’s Operational Command Centre in Prince George received a 9-1-1 call from someone who witnessed the incident.- Advertisement -The caller reported that the male emerged from a residence and fired the rifle in the vicinity of two summer students hired to complete landscaping in the community.Several bullets hit the student’s equipment, just a few feet from where they were working. The male then re-entered the residence.Police from the Mackenzie Detachment contained the area. The North District Response Team along with trained police negotiators, the Police Dog Service, the RCMP’s Air 4 helicopter, a police boat from the Mackenzie Detachment and a boat from the Conservation Officer Service of BC were all called in to assist.Advertisement Police say they tried to speak with the male, but it was unsuccessful. The Emergency Response Team entered the residence and took the man into custody.His name will not be released until he appears in court later this week.
RCMP pick up two men with drugs; two more appear before judge
The Fort St. John RCMP are also reporting that on Wednesday February 17th, 2010 two men accused of trafficking drugs appeared in a Fort St. John Court.Advertisement By Energeticcity.ca StaffThe Fort St. John RCMP have picked up two males who have allegedy been trafficking cocaine.On Tuesday February 16th, the RCMP Drug Section arrested two males Daniel Tardif of Surrey, BC and Scott Wesner of Abbostford, BC. The RCMP stopped their vehicle without incident and seized bear spray, knives, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana and cash.- Advertisement -Daniel Tardif was charged with three counts of possessing a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of marijuana. Scott Wesner, who was already on a probation order, was charged with two counts of breaching a probation order.A Justice of the Peace released the two men with several conditions including a condition that they not be found in Fort St. John except for court. Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 3rd, 2010 at the Fort St. John Court House. Dean Carson Panrucker is facing seventeen separate charges relating to firearms and drugs. Panrucker was denied bail and remains in custody until his next court appearance on March 1st, 2010.Jordan Anthony Ramos is facing charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and a number of breach of bail charges. Ramos will appear in court again on February 24th, 2010.
Rid yourself of yard waste
The Northern Environmental Action Team is bringing back their Yard Waste Collection Day.Residents are encouraged to bring their organic waste, including leaves, grass and small tree limbs (3’ or shorter) to the area behind the Visitor Centres in Fort St. John between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.NEAT will also be selling composters for $85 to anyone who wants to purchase one.- Advertisement -Children can also come out starting at 1 p.m. to paint a flower pot or have their faces painted and learn about composting and then the Arts Council will hold a Flower Pot Auction.
Region 2 Govt dental clinics out of needles
…residents complain of being turned awayResidents in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are being turned away from medical facilities which offer dental care because of a lack of dental needles to do extractions.This newspaper was told on Friday that dozens of persons, including those who travelled from interior and riverine locations to obtain much-needed tooth extractions at health facilities along the Essequibo Coast, are now being forced to either fork out cash to visit private facilities or endure pain until the shortage is rectified.However, some residents, who were unable to get their extractions done on Friday, told Guyana Times that although they were told by medical staff that the facilities do not have the necessary needles and that they would have to return, the patients were not advised as to how soon the medical supplies would arrive or given a date when they should return.“They just said that last week they did not have and the dental place in Charity village gave them 20 needles but that those needles used up already. We were told that we had to come back another time but they could not tell us when to come back. They did not even say around when they expect more needles,” a pensioner told this publication on Friday.Meanwhile, another resident of Anna Regina told this newspaper that his wife visited a health facility where she had been referred to have an extraction. This was after she was diagnosed with hypertension and other ailments and was advised by a doctor that she also needed to do an extraction.“They tell her that the tooth problems compounding things and sent her to get it pulled out. She is sickly and had to be there sitting outside waiting all the time and when she reached the front they tell her that they cannot do any extraction because they ran out of needles. She had to come back home in pain after spending long hours there and when I asked her when she had to go back she said they never tell she when to check back,” the man complained.As a result of this situation in Region Two, several residents are now concerned that their only option would be to seek private institutions. However, many are complaining that they cannot afford to pay the prices that privately-owned dental offices charge.A source from that region’s Regional Office told this publication that certain medical supplies, such as the needles necessary for tooth extractions, are usually provided by the Dental School in Georgetown and not by regional authorities.“That’s where the needles and so come from for our dental clinics or departments here in Essequibo. It is not something that the region itself sources to provide for those dental departments. However, we do try to assist how we can when something happens and we will try to see how we can have this issue taken care of also,” the source explained.Efforts to contact the Regional Health Officer and other regional authorities on Friday about the matter proved futile.In May, Region Two was plagued by a similar issue when checks found that all of the Government dental clinics in that region hadn’t any dental needles for an almost three-week timeframe.Patients had been turned away from all Government dental clinics in the region due to the lack of dental needles. Those affected by teeth-related problems, including senior citizens and children, had been left to bear the severe pain without any other medical aid, not even a pain killer, one senior citizen had stated at that time.
Next stage is to seek int’l sanctions against Govt officials – Jagdeo
Protests for constitutional compliance– warns that int’l pressure on President to call elections will only get worse– President Granger to address nation on holding elections todayOpposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has warned that his party is prepared to go to the next stage of seeking sanctions from the international community against individuals in the coalition Government, if necessary, to force President David Granger to obey the Constitution.President David Granger during a previous address to the nationOpposition LeaderBharrat JagdeoJagdeo made this pronouncement during a radio programme, “The Hot Seat”, on Tuesday. While he made it clear that the Opposition takes no joy in having to protest against the President for violating the Constitution, it is a necessary fight to protect Guyana’s democracy.“We view it as a tragedy every time we have to protest to get people who took an oath, to uphold the Constitution. It is a tragedy for Guyana. It is a problem for our country when we have to force people to respect the Constitution and the ruling of the court. We don’t do it with excitement, but because it’s necessary. Someone has to stand up for the Constitution.”“The next stage we’ll move, is to seek sanctions against individuals, so that they comply with the Constitution. And we will continue the protests until he names an early election date. We believe he should name one in February. We won’t be happy with it, but at least the country knows there is an end to this.”After strong statements from the diplomatic community calling out President Granger for defying the Constitution, the President in an attempt to hit back at them had criticised them for not having apologised for slavery or paying reparations. Jagdeo described this as clutching at straws.“We believe that international organisations and people accredited to Guyana must work with the Government within a framework. But there are some universal values that go above national frameworks. Issues of human rights. Issues concerning democratic order and the rule of law.”“So when Granger says they’re colonisers, hitting out, what he was [hurting about] was their statement about constitutional rule and democracy… the international pressure will mount on him and he knows this. I think the international community was very explicit. Unconstitutional rule, it will affect business, it will affect investments and their ability to help Guyana.”It was only on Monday that the Commonwealth became the latest in a long line of organisations to criticise the Government for operating outside of the norms of constitutional rule, urging President Granger in a statement to call elections immediately.In the statement, Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland urged the President to immediately set an early election date. Scotland noted that this must be done in accordance with the Constitution, so that constitutional rule can be restored.The Secretary General referenced the Caribbean Court of Justice’s ruling, which had clearly set out the timeframe for an election after a No-Confidence Motion. As such, Scotland said in her statement that elections were constitutionally overdue in Guyana.Guyana is one of 53 member countries of the Commonwealth, which comprises almost entirely of former British colonies. The Commonwealth has been known to suspend member countries for violating democratic principles, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.Even today, Zimbabwe still has a membership application pending before the Commonwealth, with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa meeting Baroness Scotland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday to discuss it.It was only days ago that members of the diplomatic corps, such as representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, called for the President to immediately name an election date.On Friday last, the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana condemned the coalition Government for its failure to hold General and Regional Elections within the period mandated by the Constitution, which it reminded is supreme law.This came after protests against the President and pressure from the diplomatic community, to ensure the Government acts in accordance with the Constitution. The PPP has already warned that they will continue to protest for constitutional compliance until the President names an election date.Meanwhile, as President David Granger is set to address the nation this evening (Wednesday), a source within the PPP stated that his reluctance to set a date for elections before the end of February 2020 will see continuous protests by citizens. His address comes after he would have met with his Cabinet on Tuesday while barricading several streets around the Ministry of the Presidency.
Fraser-Green victorious at National Cycling Championships
United Kingdom-based biker Claire Fraser-Green dominated the competition at the National Cycling Championships over the weekend, impressing in the time-trial championships on Saturday then claiming the female National Road Race Trophy on Sunday.Fraser-Green outdid Shenika Teixeira and Abigail Jeffrey to earn her sixth national road race title, after winning her sixth successive time-trial title on Saturday.In the 53-mile race from Homestretch Avenue to Timehri’s bottleneck and back, Fraser-Green stopped the clock in two hours, 46 minutes and 14 seconds, miles ahead of Teixeira and Jeffrey, who crossed the line together in a time of 3hours, 20 minutes and 21 seconds.In the male side of things, Warren “40” McKay won the spoils in the veteran category ahead of Nigel London and Mark Spencer. The father of 10 recorded a winning time of three hours and 51 minutes; as did junior champion Brighton John in the 85-mile event.The senior will saddle up on Sunday on the same route also from 07:30hrs. However, racers will then proceed to Moblissa on the Linden Highway.Time-Trial and road race champion Raynauth Jeffrey is expected to be tested by standout riders like Shaquel Agard, Paul DeNobrega, Andrew Hicks, Hamza Eastman, Jamal John, Romello Crawford and Alonzo Ambrose.On Saturday, Fraser-Green and USA-based Jeffrey emphatically defended their Time-Trial titles to highlight Day 1 of the National Cycling Championships. Fraser-Greene completed the 20km course in 40 minutes and 12 seconds, more than five minutes ahead of the other competitor, Shenika Texeira (46m: 59s). In the male category, Jeffrey (senior) and John (junior) and Jaikarran Sukhai (veteran) emerged winners in their respective categories. Jeffrey (28m: 36s) finished almost a minute ahead of Andrew Hicks (29m: 24s), while the junior champion, John, finished third overall in 29 minutes and 34 seconds.John was victorious over Berbician Ajap Gopilall (34m: 32s) and Movan Fraser (34:52s) in the junior ranks.Sukhai topped the podium for the vets, leading Stephen Fernandes (32m: 57s) and Paul Thomas (33m: 45s).
Lanferman lands another 3
GFF Elite League…An ordinary night was transformed into a magical experience with 9 goals being scored in total as the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Elite League continued at the Leonora Athletic Track and Field on Friday.In the match featuring Fruta Conquerors versus Cougars FC, it was obvious that both teams had come to play ball, but within 15 minutes of the start, Conquerors FC had asserted their dominance with a Nicolas Mc Arthur piercing of the Cougars’ net.The Cougars played their hearts out, and perhaps their liver as well, but could not equalise at half time; and the Conquerors, with their foot on the accelerator, scored through Domini Garnett in the 33 rd minute and Dennis Edwards in the 43rd minute as they set their sights on the stratosphere.Upon resumption of play, Cougars tried to limit the damage to the scoreline’s reading of 0-3; but the Conquerors, with destination determined, again scored through Jahall Greaves in the 80th minute to slay the untamed Cougars in a 4-0 drubbing.The main event then saw Den Amstel triumphing over the Victoria Kings by a similar 4-0 margin. Before halftime, Den Amstel had already twice demonstrated their superiority over the Kings through the nimble play of the able Delon Lanferman (11th and 39th minutes), as the first 45 minutes of the game ended with a scoreline of 2-0.Lanferman then returned to score his hat trick goal in the 58th minute, to leave Victoria Kings reeling. The Kings eventually managed to score in the 71st minute, but by then it was a little too late for them.Den Amstel then delivered the final blow in the 90th minute with a Chris Macey strike that pretty much summed up the night and the difference between the teams.
Angels, Weaver going slow
“I thought I did everything they told me to,” Weaver said. “I guess I took a little too much time off. Other than that, everything was good.” Brandon Wood finally is getting a chance to take some ground balls at third base, but it might be a little presumptuous to say he can beat out Chone Figgins for the opening day job. The power-hitting shortstop, ranked as the Angels’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball America, will begin fielding drills at third base today. He took ground balls with the middle infielders Wednesday. “If it works out and he can play third base, to have that kind of bat coming up and having a position for him is something that could help us and is something that’s going to be big for our depth,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “We’re not giving up on his ability to play shortstop and I think that’s important.” Wood had 25 home runs last season to give him 66 home runs the last two seasons. Add to that 14 home runs he hit in the Arizona Fall League after the 2005 season. “I think you realize that you don’t have any control over where you play or the changes and the moves that might happen,” Wood said. “The only thing you have control over is how hard you play. I think that’s pretty much what everybody does until you hear something different.” doug.padilla@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2731 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! TEMPE, Ariz. – Left-hander Joe Saunders knows exactly what Jered Weaver is going through with shoulder soreness. Like Weaver did after last season, Saunders tried giving his arm a long break one off-season. That was in the winter of 2002 after Saunders’ first professional season. After pitching a full season at Virginia Tech in 2002, Saunders was drafted by the Angels in the first round and finished that summer pitching at Provo, Utah and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He gave himself 2 months off after the season, and when he resumed throwing he realized he had some muscle atrophy in his shoulder. Instead of trying to rebuild muscle, Saunders tried to pitch through the pain and caused serious damage. He didn’t pitch in 2003 as he rehabbed rotator cuff and labrum damage. 
It helps explain why the Angels have been so cautious with Weaver at the start of camp. Weaver said Wednesday he underwent strength tests on the shoulder with seven of the nine tests coming back positive. That means there will be more long toss days before he throws his first bullpen session. “There is a series of little things they can do with (your) arms and how to hold it and then put it through the computer and (get) the percentage of how much better the right arm is than the left arm,” Weaver said. “There were two of them what I was like three percent better and they want at least 10 percent better.” Weaver had a long-toss session Wednesday and still says he is on schedule to start the season on time. “They want about five or six bullpens and about three or four starts, so if I stay on schedule and everything keeps going the way it’s going, then I think I should be ready,” he said. As for general manager Bill Stoneman’s assessment Tuesday that Weaver should have done more this winter, Weaver seemed surprised at that critique. 
Boys’ soccer: Hunters on track for title-game redemption
Bell (15-3-5) held Canoga Park scoreless for the first half, but the Hunters (23-0-1) quickly took control in the second half. Omar De La Piedra scored 10 seconds into the half, knocking in a rebound after his initial shot hit the post. Jeffrey Quijano extended the lead to 2-0 when he one-timed a corner kick from Salvador Hernandez in the 60th minute. Camilo Rojas provided the final goal on an assist from Garcia in the 77th minute. Canoga Park, which has lost just four games in the past fourseasons, has a chance to be the first unbeaten team in program history, but the nationally ranked Hunters say all they’ve focused on is playing for the City title that eluded them last year when they were upset by Birmingham of Lake Balboa. “It’s a real big relief,” Gwin said of heading to the final. “It’s one thing to win when you’re a surprise, it’s another to carry it out and do it for the whole year when everyone expects you to. … We have a lot of blood, sweat and tears left out on that field at East L.A. College. We are going to be looking for redemption.” The shutout was the 16th of the season and sixth in a row for the Hunters, who defeated San Fernando 3-0 in the season opener. Top-seeded Canoga Park defeated visiting Bell, the No. 4 seed, 3-0 in the semifinals to advance to Saturday’s final against No.2 seed San Fernando at East Los Angeles College. “We’ve been working so hard to get here,” Hunters senior midfielder Rafael Garcia said. “To win, that would be all of our dreams come true. We felt it was ours last year and for whatever reason we didn’t get it done. We get another chance and it’s ours for the taking.” The Canoga Park High boys’ soccer team hoisted coach Jake Gwin on its shoulders and later poured the contents of the water cooler over his head. The Hunters hope that was just practice for Saturday. Canoga Park has waited a year to avenge last season’s loss in the City Section final, and on Wednesday the Hunters secured their chance for redemption. 
“We can’t let up at all,” Garcia said. “We’d be dumb to think we’re favored, we can’t play like that, not after what happened last year.” heather.gripp@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
No on Measure L
This is the political mechanism that would do what Compton Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally couldn’t – get LAUSD’s board members a huge salary. Why else would the school board not be fighting this, when members are resisting every other reform-minded initiative that stems from City Hall? Councilman Jose Huizar, the former school board president, is the force behind Measure L, but it’s not part of the mayor’s takeover bid. Even the reforms in Measure L that sound promising are illusory. The term limits apply only to terms that begin after the election – incumbents would get 12 more years in office. And the $1,000 caps on donations to school-board campaigns won’t stop special interests from bundling their contributions. Measure L is about as honest as its predecessor, Measure R, which last year used misleading advertising to trick voters into thinking they were cleaning up City Hall instead of giving the ineffective council four more years to do nothing. The school board is supposed to be a citizen oversight panel, and members are paid as such with salaries of $24,000 a year. But instead of policymakers, board members have become micromanagers. THERE’S been little campaigning or debate about Measure L on Tuesday’s ballot, and that’s exactly what proponents want. That’s because on its face, Measure L looks like a solid good-government initiative. It imposes spending limits in Los Angeles Unified school board races and limits board members to just three terms in office. But that’s just the sugar coating on the otherwise bitter pill proponents want voters to swallow. The heart of Measure L is the creation of a compensation committee that would be able to set board members’ salaries at any level it wants, with no limit. They don’t deserve more money, and this measure would allow them sky’s-the-limit salaries. It doesn’t set a figure. It doesn’t even set a maximum. Vote no on Measure L.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
New species links two ages of dinosaurs
CLEVELAND – A newly discovered dinosaur species was a plant-eater with yard-long horns over its eyebrows, suggesting an evolutionary middle step between older dinosaurs with even larger horns and the small-horned creatures that followed, experts said. The dinosaur’s horns, thick as a human arm, are like those of triceratops – which came 10 million years later. However, this animal belonged to a subfamily that usually had bony nubbins a few inches long above its eyes. Michael Ryan, curator of vertebrate paleontology for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, published the discovery in this month’s Journal of Paleontology. He dug up the fossil six years ago in southern Alberta, Canada, while a graduate student for the University of Calgary. “Unquestionably, it’s an important find,” said Peter Dodson, a University of Pennsylvania paleontologist. “It was sort of the grandfather or great-uncle of the really diverse horned dinosaurs that came after it.” Ryan named the new dinosaur Albertaceratops nesmoi, after the region and Cecil Nesmo, a rancher near Manyberries, Alberta, who has helped fossil hunters. The creature was about 20 feet long and lived 78 million years ago. The oldest known horned dinosaur in North America is called Zuniceratops. It lived 12 million years before Albertaceratops nesmoi and also had large horns. That makes the newly found creature an intermediate between older forms with large horns and later small-horned relatives, said state of Utah paleontologist Jim Kirkland, who with Douglas Wolfe identified Zuniceratops in New Mexico in 1998. He predicted then that something like Ryan’s find would turn up. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
FBI failed to report Patriot Act spying
It was unclear late Thursday whether the omissions could be considered a criminal offense. One government official familiar with the report said that it concluded that the problems appeared to be unintentional and that FBI agents would probably face administrative sanctions instead of an indictment. The audit, required by Congress over the objections of the Bush administration, contains classified information about how the government pursues terrorists and spies in the United States. The Justice Department began notifying lawmakers of its damning contents late Thursday. FBI Director Robert Mueller was to brief reporters on the report’s findings this morning, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was expected to answer questions about it at a privacy rights event in Washington several hours later. WASHINGTON – A blistering Justice Department report accuses the FBI of underreporting its use of the Patriot Act to force businesses to turn over customer information in terrorism cases, according to officials familiar with its findings. The report, to be released today, also says the FBI failed to send follow-up subpoenas to telecommunications firms that were told to expect them, according to several government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the report by the Justice Department’s inspector general had not yet been released. Overall, the FBI underreported the number of national security letters it issued by about 20 percent between 2003 and 2005, the officials said. In 2005 alone, the FBI delivered a total of 9,254 letters relating to 3,501 U.S. citizens and legal residents. The Patriot Act, pushed through Congress by the Bush administration after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, allows the FBI to issue national security letters without a judge’s approval in terrorism and espionage cases. The letters require telephone companies, Internet service providers, banks, credit bureaus and other businesses to produce highly personal records about their customers or subscribers. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
La Verne native makes Kings history
Of course, the Kings’ exclusion from the postseason – for the fourth consecutive season – has long since been a foregone conclusion, so they were able to enjoy a moment of California hockey history. With his first-period goal, winger Noah Clarke became the first California-born player to ever score a goal for the Kings. Clarke, a native of La Verne, was playing in his 15th NHL game. Kings goalie Mathieu Garon, winless in six starts since Jan. 6, earned the victory. Michael Cammalleri scored two goals as the Kings broke a five-game losing streak. Rob Blake, who had missed four games with a strained groin, returned and had a goal and two assists. The Oilers, expected to be a Stanley Cup contender this season, have fallen into 11th place in the West and have lost eight consecutive games, so they were the perfect prey for the young Kings. The Kings had some shining moments Monday. The first one came just 2:05 into the game. Dustin Brown whiffed on a shot from the left of the net but the puck slid to Clarke, who fired a shot from the middle of the faceoff circle. Clarke’s shot, to the far post, cleanly beat Edmonton goalie Jussi Markkanen to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. The Kings extended their lead at the 5:27 mark when Aaron Miller took a slap shot from near the right boards. The long rebound came to Alexander Frolov, who slapped in a one-timer for a two-goal lead. Cammalleri’s neutral-zone turnover led to Toby Petersen’s shorthanded goal in the first period, but Cammalleri scored his first goal of the game 9:39 into the second period to give the Kings a 3-1 lead. rich.hammond@dailynews.com (818) 713-3611 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! Despite their 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, in front of an announced crowd of 16,954 at Staples Center, the Kings had officially been eliminated from playoff contention before the third period. By virtue of Calgary’s shootout victory over St. Louis, the Kings became the first team in the NHL to have their playoff hopes dashed this season. With 12 games remaining in their season, the Kings can finish with no more than 83 points, and the Flames, in eighth place in the West, already have totaled 84. 
LOS ANGELES – Do you believe in miracles? If you’re a Kings fan, don’t bother. At least not this season. 
Area gains more clout within COG
“It helps to have them on our side of the process,” Olivas said, noting the success that local cities had when they banded together to support funding for upgrades to the 605/10 freeway interchange. “We hope this encourages the county to use more of its resources to support the San Gabriel Valley.” Tony Bell, a spokesman for Antonovich, said the idea behind the agreement is to help all Valley residents, whether they live in cities or in unincorporated county areas. “This is particularly important when it comes to tax dollars that are in jeopardy of being funneled to the city of Los Angeles because of the power base at L.A. City Hall,” Bell said. “The county’s participation will help the cities to compete from a position of strength for transportation resources, housing, public safety, water and many other vital services.” If approved, the move would make COG a more “holistic organization,” said Nicholas Conway, the group’s executive director. “This will help to ensure our Valley’s fair share of funding,” Conway said. “There is still more transportation funding coming, as well as money for water cleanup and housing,” Conway said, referring to the Proposition 1A through 1E package approved by state voters last November. “These measures all passed in the San Gabriel Valley, but the process to allocate those funds has yet to be determined. “Our goal in the next year is to make sure those processes are determined in a way that the Valley receives its fair share,” he added. Olivas said he hoped that all member cities would vote on the county’s membership in time to seat the supervisors with full voting rights by the April or May COG Governing Board meeting. The agreement is likely to receive approval from the majority of COG’s member cities. Thirteen members voted in favor of the agreement at the February board meeting, with only Glendora and South Pasadena raising concerns about the wording of the measure. fred.ortega@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2306 The COG’s governing board approved the agreement adding the supervisors as full-fledged members last month. The issue now goes to each of COG’s member cities. A simple majority is needed to finalize the agreement. Baldwin Park Councilman David Olivas, who is also COG secretary, supports the move. “We have the largest unincorporated area in the county, and they should have a voice in what happens in the COG,” said Olivas, adding the agreement still has to be approved by his council. He said county representation should also have benefits for the Valley’s incorporated cities. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments could soon get some influential new members: three Los Angeles County supervisors. Local Supervisors Don Knabe, Gloria Molina and Michael Antonovich already serve as non-voting members on the council, an inter-governmental lobbying group comprised of representatives from 31 cities throughout the Valley. Officials believe that making supervisors full-fledged members of COG will will raise the group’s profile and lobbying clout, as well as provide representation for the Valley’s 380,000 unincorporated county residents. The Valley is home to a total 4 million county residents overall, according to Antonovich’s office. Other sources put that total at roughly half that figure. “Membership in the Council of Governments is vital to ensure the unincorporated communities of the San Gabriel Valley are provided with an effective voice in regional public policy,” said Antonovich in a statement following the L.A. County Board of Supervisor’s unanimous vote to join COG on Tuesday.
Rat poison in pet food has animal owners extra cautious
ALBANY, N.Y. – Pet owners were rechecking their cabinets and threatening legal action after state officials said rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs. It was unclear how many deaths would eventually be linked to the “cuts and gravy”-style food produced by Menu Foods, but scientists said Friday that they expected more would be announced. The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said. The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched. The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food the company produced and sold throughout North America. After Friday’s announcement, Menu Foods food advised retailers to remove all brands from their shelves, a company spokesman said, though the recall still applies only to the dog and cat foods identified on its Web site since March 16. Those cover cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6. “The recall has not been expanded,” Menu spokesman Sam Bornstein said Saturday. Menu Foods, based in Ontario, Canada, said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the tainted food, but it was cold comfort to the owners of pets sickened or killed. “Before they put this stuff in the bags, there should be some kind of test,” said San Fernando Valley resident Jeff Kerner, whose Yorkshire terrier Pebbles died Thursday. “I can’t just let it go. Even if they just change the law.” The dog had eaten some of the food, Kerner said, and he was contacting an attorney because he wanted to prevent another pet tragedy. Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and one dog. However, pet owners and veterinarians said the tally could actually be higher, and other deaths were reported anecdotally around the country. There is no risk to pet owners from handling the food, officials said. The Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation was focused on wheat gluten in the food. The gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but it could have been contaminated, the FDA said. Paul Henderson, chief executive of Menu Foods, confirmed Friday that the wheat gluten was purchased from China. Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Pest Management Association, said it would be unusual for the wheat to be tainted. “It would make no sense to spray a crop itself with rodenticide,” Rosenberg said, adding that grain shippers typically put bait stations around the perimeter of their storage facilities. Scientists at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University and at the New York State Food Laboratory tested three cat food samples provided by the manufacturer and found aminopterin in two of them. The two labs are part of a network created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to keep the nation’s animals and food supply safe. “Any amount of this product is too much in food,” Hooker said. Aminopterin is highly toxic in high doses. It inhibits the growth of malignant cells and suppresses the immune system. In dogs and cats, the amount of aminopterin found – 40 parts per million – can cause kidney failure, according to Bruce Akey, director of Cornell’s diagnostic center. “It’s there in substantial amounts,” Akey said. Donald Smith, dean of Cornell’s veterinary school, said he expected the number of pet deaths to increase. “Based on what we’ve heard the last couple days, 16 is a low number,” Smith said. Aminopterin is no longer marketed as a cancer drug, but is still used in research, said Andre Rosowsky, a chemist with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Rosowsky speculated that the substance would not show up in pet food “unless somebody put it there.” Henderson said Menu Foods does not believe the food was tampered with because the recalled food came from two different plants – one in Kansas, one in New Jersey. Menu continues to produce food at the two plants.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
L.A. story: richer and poorer
160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! On one hand, Francisco Martinez and Paige Rodriguez aren’t so different. They both live in the San Fernando Valley. They’re both around 30. They both work with cars. But the similarity ends there. Rodriguez customizes high-end automobiles and sells them to celebrities. Last year, his 101 Automotive Group grossed $2.5 million. The Toluca Lake man drives a tricked-out Mercedes-Benz S550 he estimates is worth $150,000. “I’m really blessed,” he said. “I still don’t have a Lamborghini, though. And I need one.” As Rodriguez marveled at the sleek, red Italian sports car, Martinez washed it. For the past seven years, that’s been his living, earning minimum wage plus tips. He has an apartment on Victory Boulevard in Valley Glen with his wife and two kids. He makes $300 to $400 a week. “It’s hard,” Martinez said. “I don’t have a lot of money but compared to Mexico, it’s good. There, $5 is a day’s work.” Rodriguez considers himself well-off; Martinez considers himself poor. And according to a report released today by the UCLA Anderson Forecast, Los Angeles has a growing number of people just like both of them and not so many in the middle. While the local economy has adapted in recent years to accommodate more middle-class jobs, the report, titled “Richer and Poorer: Income Inequality in Los Angeles,” warns that the next generation of workers could find itself ill-prepared to labor its way from poor to rich. The current educational model is not well-suited to the economy of tomorrow, and if it isn’t changed radically, “we could see the middle class hollowed out again,” said Jerry Nickelsburg, an economist with the Anderson Forecast at the University of California, Los Angeles. To illustrate the income gap, economists use a scale in which zero is for a utopian society with wealth evenly distributed, and 100 is for a society in which a few mega-rich individuals hold all the dollars. In the United States, the index has slowly inched up to somewhere near 50 in the past 35 years, meaning wealth is distributed somewhat evenly between rich and poor. In L.A., however, it’s above 60 percent, meaning the wealthy control a disproportionate share of the money. According to the most recent Census Bureau data, the mean annual household income in Los Angeles stood at $66,364. On the wealthy side, nearly 60,000 households made more than $200,000. On the poor side, more than 140,000 made $10,000 or less. Things aren’t as bad as they were in the 1990s, when high-wage manufacturing jobs evaporated by the tens of thousands and the index soared well above the national average. Nickelsburg said the economy had evolved, so high-wage service jobs paralegal, graphic design, communications and audio-visual gave workers a better shot at working their way into the middle class. But the key difference then, he said, was that someone also could land a manufacturing job right out of high school with no special training. And if assembly-line workers got laid off at General Motors in Van Nuys, they could often take a short trip to Burbank and get hired at Lockheed with the same pay. Graphic designers, on the other hand, can’t just apply to be nurses if their firm closes. And without a more comprehensive employment-development and training strategy throughout the region, economist Jack Kyser said, the middle-class jobs of today can easily evaporate tomorrow. “When you have a two-tier economy with a rapidly shrinking middle class, you’ll have some social problems like crime and homelessness,” he said. “You need a balanced economy with a good job ladder so if people want to work hard, they can get ahead.” Jos? Torres, 21, of Sylmar wants to work hard and get ahead. The first isn’t so difficult, he said, but the latter is a challenge. Torres makes $9.25 an hour, plus commissions, answering phones in customer service. He brings home around $285 a week. He rents a room from his mother, has credit card and cell phone bills and makes payments to a friend who lent him money to buy a 1991 Toyota Celica. To try to get ahead, Torres sought assistance from Communities In Schools, a North Hills agency that helped get him into vocational training. He plans to study to get into real estate and to save for a home. “It’s pretty difficult,” he said. “You need a little pile of money to get started, but it’s hard. Everything’s going up rent, gas, everything. You’re not going to get that pile unless you starve yourself.” — Brent Hopkins, (818) 713-3738brent.hopkins@dailynews.com
Subprime lender files Chapter 11
Corporate officials said New Century had agreed to sell its loan-servicing business to Carrington Capital Management LLC and its affiliate for about $139 million, subject to the approval of the bankruptcy court. CIT Group and Greenwich Capital Financial Products Inc. have agreed to provide up to $150 million in working capital to facilitate the reorganization process, officials said. New Century has also agreed to sell some loans and residual interest in some trusts to Greenwich Capital for $50 million. New Century, based in Irvine, filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The move had been expected for several weeks.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! The company made the move after exploring a variety of possible ways to stay in business, he said. New Century was the latest subprime lender to fall on hard times amid a spike in mortgage defaults caused by borrowers unable to make payments. More than two dozen subprime lenders have shut down in recent months, and others are scrambling to stay in business. Subprime loans target borrowers with low credit scores. The mortgages carry relatively high interest rates but can also offer low initial payments. “New Century’s failure raises the very real risk that the problems facing the subprime sector will spread into the broader mortgage market,” said Octavio Marenzi, CEO of Celent, a Boston-based financial research and consulting firm. “Relatively lax lending standards were by no means limited to subprime lenders, and problems could easily spread to the broader banking sector,” he said. New Century Financial Corp., once the nation’s second-largest provider of home loans to high-risk borrowers, filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, the victim of its own financial missteps as well as pressures felt by its rival lenders. New Century immediately fired 3,200 workers – more than half its work force – and said it intends to sell off its major assets. “The Chapter 11 process provides the best means for selling our servicing and loan-origination operations to financially sound parties,” Brad A. Morrice, president and chief executive, said in a written statement. “It is our hope that potential buyers will be in a stronger position than we are to employ many of our associates on an ongoing basis,” he said. 
Victim fashioned own tourniquet
160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! Doctors said Sterne is a former Eagle Scout who kept enough cool to fashion a tourniquet from an electrical cord after a bullet tore a inch-long gash through the femoral artery of his right leg. “The patient that I took care of was an incredible guy,” said Dr. David Stoeckle, chief of surgery at Montgomery Regional Hospital. “He was bleeding significantly … he knew he was bleeding to death.” Emergency workers later applied a second tourniquet to the leg before racing him to the hospital for immediate surgery, Stoeckle said. The surgeon did not identify Sterne by name, but his parents told reporters Tuesday their 6-foot-2 son was the student in the photograph. – Associated Press BLACKSBURG, Va. – The image hinted at the horror that unfolded: a Virginia Tech student, sprawled and bloody, in the arms of others who struggled to carry him to safety. The near-death ordeal of senior Kevin Sterne, captured in that photograph that played Tuesday on the front page of the Daily News and on newspaper front pages across the country, also reflects the resiliency and hope emerging from the nation’s deadliest campus shooting rampage. Sterne was among the dozens of students shot in Norris Hall classrooms Monday. Police on Tuesday identified Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old senior English major, as the shooter in the massacre that left 33 people dead, including himself. Sterne was in stable condition Tuesday, and doctors credited his quick thinking. 
How genuine are efforts by companies to go green?
Colette Brooks, who runs a green ad agency called Big Imagination Group in Culver City, ought to know. She eco-audits clients, asking questions to determine a company’s shade of green. Are they authentically offering products and services that are sustainable? How are the products manufactured? Is the entire life cycle of the product sustainable? “Companies need to seriously look at their business practices in a holistic manner,” Brooks said. But achieving ideal greenness – zero waste and zero energy consumption – is nearly impossible, according to Business for Social Responsibility, a San Francisco-based firm that has helped Genentech Inc., Sony Corp. and The Walt Disney Co. consider their social and environmental impacts. “We have greener products,” president and CEO Aron Cramer . “I’m not sure we ever have perfectly green products.” Everybody is hugging trees these days. At the Academy Awards, Leonardo DiCaprio and former Vice President Al Gore boasted that the celebrity gawk-fest purchased “carbon credits” to offset the show’s negative environmental impact. Jakks Pacific in Malibu debuted a line of recycled doggie toys, and a Calabasas realty firm promises to switch to 30percent recycled paper. But as pressure mounts to combat climate change and businesses realize consumers are often willing to pay a premium for environmentally kind products, “green” abuse is exploding. The trend has even spawned the term “greenwashing,” when brands claim to be more eco-friendly than they actually are. “A lot of companies are seeing it as an opportunity to reposition themselves,” said Daniel Hinerfeld, a spokesman at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “It’s very confusing for consumers. Not all of these claims are bona fide.” Instead, BSR focuses on products and services that have the lowest impact on the environment. That’s much easier now that clients come to the table already convinced it is important to consider Mother Nature. For consumers, sorting out who is green and how meaningful eco-friendly claims are can be frustrating. Product labels are not always what they seem. A `cage-free’ stamp on a carton of eggs “doesn’t mean \ were outside with sun on their backs,” said Urvashi Rangan, a spokeswoman at Consumers Union, which posts reviews of dozens of labels at eco-labels.org. “It could mean they were all crammed onto a barn floor, stepping in each others’ poop.” The terms “natural,” and “biodegradable” are also suspect and not as clear-cut as consumers may think. Evaluating businesses can be even more trying. The Web site www.greenbizleaders.com reviews the business practices of U.S. and foreign companies and claims to be the only one of its kind. Every company on the list has won “credible” awards for making significant progress on its environmental record, said Joel Makower, executive editor of GreenBiz. Firms are searchable by sector and initiative type. One item cites the Palmdale facility of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. for its commitment to reduce hazardous waste and for its plans to work with local groups for land and habitat conservation. But there is no indication how meaningful the steps are and how much they reduce waste. The site only reviews about 1,000 companies, leaving a lot of guesswork for consumers. As for the Oscars, does purchasing “carbon credits” really make a difference, as DiCaprio and Gore bragged, or is it just a way for rich folks to enjoy guilt-free creature comforts? At Jakks Pacific, is the new recycled line merely a gesture tied to Earth Day, or a sign the company has turned over a green leaf? Will Sotheby’s International Realty save trees by switching to 30 percent recycled paper, or will printing new policy manuals overshadow any gains? With no official criteria for being a green business, it’s hard to tell. “What’s exciting,” Makower said, “is how many companies are doing something.” said julia.scott@dailynews.com (818) 713-3735 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Valley median home price dips
Despite the sales slide, association officials said the first quarter turned out a bit better than expected, especially with attention focused on the subprime loan sector meltdown. “Publicity about an impending down market may be a self-fulfilling prophecy, but right now the numbers do not indicate that either prices or sales are plummeting,” said Jim Link, the association’s executive vice president. On a monthly basis, March continued a sales trend that began in October 2005. Last month sales fell an annual 19.9 percent to 770 transactions, the association said. The median price, the point at which half the properties cost more and half less, edged down 3.3 percent, or $20,000, in the past 12 months to $595,000. It dipped 2.5 percent, or $15,000, from February. Daniel Blake, director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge, doesn’t put too much emphasis on the monthly sales figures. “It’s a stale market,” he said. “And weakness is developing in prices.” Some reports have shown slight year-over-price increases, but Blake notes the rate of inflation is 3.8 percent. Housing “is losing real value right now even if the price edges up by a few thousand dollars.” The smaller, condominium market followed a pattern similar to single-family homes’. In the first quarter sales fell 11.3 percent to 753. The median price declined 2.1 percent to $393,000. On a monthly basis sales jumped 48.6 percent and declined 10.2 percent from a year ago. The median condo price was $399,000, unchanged from a year ago, and it fell $1,000 from February. Blake believes that further price declines are likely for both houses and condos, but the annual percentage dips probably won’t reach the double digits anytime soon. At the end of March there were 5,680 properties listed for sale across the Valley, up 20.3 percent from a year ago. This represents about a 5.2-month supply at the current sales pace but is still less than the 6.7-month-supply average for the last 20 years. Association president Winnie Davis said the current market is a good one for negotiation. “I do think the market is stable and is a balanced market where buyers and sellers are on equal footing,” she said. “It’s a lot better market than it used to be.” greg.wilcox@dailynews.com (818) 713-3743160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! Home sales continued falling across the San Fernando Valley during the first quarter of 2007 as the median price slipped under the year-ago level for the first time in 10 years, a trade association said Monday. In the January-to-March period, sales of previously owned houses fell 13.1 percent to 1,865 transactions, and the median price dipped $1,000 to $606,000, said the Van Nuys-based Southland Regional Association of Realtors. That’s the first price decline since the first quarter of 1997, when the median home price fell $27,500, or 5.5 percent, to $158,000. The median-priced Valley home in this year’s first quarter is nearly four times more expensive than a decade ago. 
Learning Plaza future uncertain
PALMDALE – Palmdale Learning Plaza parents are expected to show up in force at a school board hearing Tuesday to discuss a proposed plan to change attendance boundaries districtwide to balance enrollment among campuses. Plaza parents are opposed to one option that would change the school from a school of choice, which draws students from throughout the district, to one that has boundaries. “Our concern is about having our school decimated or eliminated. The programs that we believe are an integral part of our children’s success are being directly threatened,” said parent Tom Lackey, a Palmdale city councilman and former member of the Palmdale School District board. “We feel there are other choices out there. Even though they would not be as easy to do, the pain that it would cause (to set boundaries) would be worth what they would preserve.” Changing the Palmdale Learning Plaza to a neighborhood school would affect about 900 of its students, school officials said. “We have overcrowding at Golden Poppy. Its enrollment has increased by 221 over a one-year period. That’s almost eight classrooms,” said Al Tsai, director of maintenance and operations. This year, the cafeteria stage and a band room are being used for classrooms at Golden Poppy, whose growth is being fueled by housing construction on Palmdale’s east side. Tsai said similar growth will be occurring in the central and western parts of the district where housing tracts are springing up. “We are trying to take a proactive approach to prevent what we did all this year for Golden Poppy,” Tsai said of the district’s proposed rezoning. “Instead of reacting, we are trying to reduce populations in schools in areas that we knew would be growing.” The last time the district made wholesale changes to attendance zones was in 2002-03, when it switched from a year-round to a traditional calendar. District officials intended to revise the boundaries two years ago, when three schools opened, but delayed the changes when enrollment leveled off. Golden Poppy, a K-8 campus, opened in 2004 near 60th Street East and Avenue R. It has more than 900 students, about 200 more than expected, because of housing development nearby. New students in seventh and eighth grades are being sent to Shadow Hills Intermediate, about a mile away. At Juniper Intermediate, enrollment has shrunk for two straight years. The district had expected more than 1,000 students this year, but just 900 enrolled. Yucca School has 750 students, compared with projections of 900. karen.maeshiro@dailynews.com (661) 267-5744 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! About 40 Plaza parents showed up at the board meeting last month to protest the recommendation. At last week’s meeting, nearly 100 attended, many of them holding signs outside before the meeting started. The 920-student school is now a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade campus that offers a program that ties into the academically rigorous International Baccalaureate program at local high schools, with a strong emphasis on the performing arts. The school moved into its new $22 million campus at Division Street and Rayburn Road in September 2005 after having been housed in portable buildings at different schools for about 14 years. The district announced in February it wanted to redraw attendance boundaries to balance enrollment among campuses. Some schools, such as Golden Poppy, are jam-packed with children, while classrooms sit empty at Juniper Intermediate and Yucca schools, in areas where student populations have been declining. 
Pico Rivera city clerk resigns
165Let’s talk business.Catch up on the business news closest to you with our daily newsletter. Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! For more on this story, pick up tomorrow’s Whittier Daily News. PICO RIVERA – After only seven months on the job, Pico Rivera City Clerk Vida Tolman is calling it quits, saying Tuesday she wants more time to spend with her new family. Tolman was appointed Oct. 3 by the City Council in a 3-0 vote. She submitted her letter of resignation April 30. Thursday will be her last day at work. With a wedding planned for August, Tolman will become step-mother to her fiance’s 7-year-old daughter – a job she wants to “give 100 percent to,” “You only have one chance to do [childrearing] right,” she said.
School bond talks revived
WEST WHITTIER – Los Nietos School District board members, at a special study session tonight, will discuss a possible multimillion-dollar bond measure next year to upgrade facilities. Nothing has yet been decided, said Superintendent Lillian French, but the board has previously considered a bond to pay for badly needed repairs. “This is the second or third \ study session we’ve had, and right now we’re really just focusing on the timeline,” French said. “We really do want to take advantage of the state bond monies that are available. “We’ve exhausted all of our modernization money, so our facilities are now at a point where we need to consider doing something.” Last year, the board voted 3-2 to place a bond measure on the November 2006 ballot. But the move prompted a series of anti-bond rallies and protests by teachers. Two board members, Nicholas Aquino and Art Escobedo, voted against it. Ultimately, the board majority of Oscar Payan, Diana Villalba and Grisel Vasquez reversed the decision and decided not to pursue a bond. The Los Nietos Teachers Association also opposed the proposal. Carroll McCrory, the association’s co-president, said teachers felt the board was moving too fast. “But now they’re doing a study and following the proper procedure to decide if a bond is something we can support here in the community,” McCrory said. “I feel better about that.” The Los Nietos district is the oldest operating school district in the state. The infrastructure, such as water pipes and electrical systems, is just as old, officials said. “They are the kinds of things you can’t see but are very important for running a good facility,” French said. Aquino said he has no problem with this year’s bond discussion “as long as we follow the process.” The maximum bond amount the district could try for is about $30 million, Aquino said. And the infrastructure is “absolutely the most pressing need we have,” he said. “We had gas leaks at Aeolian and electrical problems at the middle school, and we need to address those issues,” Aquino said. “It’s something that needs to be done.” tracy.garcia@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3051 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Fort St. John Walmart expanding into Supercentre
Adding an approximate 30,000 square feet to the building, it will balloon to 116,000 square feet once the renovations are done around mid-2014. Spokesperson Felicia Fefer explains that in addition to keeping the departments the store currently has, “fresh” departments will be added, like produce, more dairy, and a deli section. “It’s true one-stop shopping,” she argues. “Supercentres are a favourite format in Canada. I think it just makes sense. It’s really what our customers are looking for.” Walmart, which opened in Fort St. John in 2002, will remain opening during construction.- Advertisement -“We try to be minimally disruptive,” says Fefer. “We’ll move departments, but we never close down. It’s important to be able to provide access to shopping for our customers who trust us to have the items that they want.” Walmart expects both the construction and completed expansion to create jobs in the community.Advertisement
Significant power outage across Dawson Creek
The outages were reported between 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and are encompassing the west of 198 Road, south of Briar Ridge Road, north of 209 Road, north of Boundary Road, south of 197 Road and the 13400 block of Highway 2.The outage on the 13400 block of Highway 2 was caused by a tree down across wires while the rest are still under investigation.B.C. Hydro expects power to be restored between 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.- Advertisement –
American oil and gas production hurting Canadian commodities
He also cited recent data showing for the first time since 1995, the U.S. added three million jobs in 2014, and noted the stronger American economy is responsible for driving up the value of the U.S. dollar.That in turn he said is hurting commodities, as they typically have an inverse relationship with the American dollar.Still, he also noted, U.S. oil demand is up about 700,000 barrels a day since November, and he therefore concluded, if the European economy starts to improve, and if China’s normalizes, the oil and gas industry should be a major beneficiary – leaving open the possibility those who have forecast the price of oil could be back to $80.00 by the end of the year could be right. Even though price of crude oil remains below $50.00 a barrel U.S., and more than 50 per cent less than it was early last summer, pump prices are being hiked across the country.Locally, a $0.08 regular litre increase started to take hold yesterday, and although it has yet to be as confirmed city-wide, as of 6:00 a.m. this morning, it looked like $1.12.09 could soon be the new common posted price.According to gasbuddy.com, that’s still $0.03.5 a litre less than the B.C. average, but it’s nearly $0.08.5 more than the national average.- Advertisement -Making any sense out of this appears next to impossible, as even oil and gas industry analysts are struggling with that challenge.One of the latest assessments however, has come from RBC Global Asset Managements Chris Beer, and he’s put the explanatory focus on the U.S. economy.In a recent Vancouver Sun article, he suggested the Americans are largely responsible for oil supply and demand being out of balance, and he noted the U.S. grew production by one million barrels a day last year.Advertisement
Duncan Cran aspires to build portable greenhouse for entire community
“I really think that students should get back to nature and have the soil in their hands, and learn how to grow and plant their own food,” says Vice Principal of Duncan Cran Christine Todd. “We’ve been learning a lot about energy and our ecological footprint, and growing food locally or buying food locally and how that makes a difference in our energy use.”Todd says this year’s project will be benefit more than just Duncan Cran if it’s fully completed.“When we do activities and challenges like this, I like to think school-wide or community-wide just so it’s not affecting a small group of people,” Todd goes on to explain. “We as a school, we’re trying to decide what would be the most beneficial for the community – so that’s how we kind of got on this portable greenhouse idea.”- Advertisement -Todd hopes the portable greenhouse would be shared with different local schools – perhaps even for an entire year – as well as attending different community events like the Farmers’ Market. She’s also considering the idea of having small planters and a couple seeds given away to anybody who visits the greenhouse.The portable greenhouse is only in its initial phase of conception, according to Todd.“There are a couple ideas about where to actually get a physical school bus, and now it’s kind of ‘Do you have the money to backup what your project is?’” says Todd. “And then the next would be sitting down with the board office and developing it more because we don’t want it to be something that the board office has to be responsible for coming up with the money. We want it to be something that can kind of sustain itself and isn’t a burden on a particular group of people.”Advertisement This is the fourth year Duncan Cran is participating in the Classroom Energy Diet Challenge – a partnership between Shell Canada and Canadian Geographic. They so far have won the past three years.Duncan Cran has 227 votes at the time of publication and hopes to garnish more so they can be accepted into the Top 10.Follow this link to watch the video and vote.Todd anticipates the winner will be announced sometime in mid-May.Advertisement
North Peace Community Choir performing at Carnegie Hall
Choir Director Rachel Casponi says the singers will participate in the 50th anniversary Handel’s Messiah performance of Distinguished Concerts International New York on Sunday November 29th, 2015.The choral concert invitation from the professional production company was extended by conductor Jonathon Griffith and follows what he calls the high quality of a previously submitted audition tape of the North Peace Cultural Centre performance of the Messiah last December.The close to 80 members of the local choir will now join with others to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International.- Advertisement -“So it will be a truly international-body,” says Casponi. “There will be choirs not only from all across Canada, but there will be people from all over the world that come together for this event.”Casponi says the choir will be going into New York will their rehearsed rendition, followed by two half-day clinics and workshop with Mr. Griffith.“He’s the artistic director and he’ll be conducting this work,” Casponi goes on to say. “So they’ll get lots of time with him leading them through, and it will be an incredible learning experience because the focus is also on education.”Advertisement Casponi adds, “This is strictly a program that invests in amateur choirs, and the goal is not to discover stars – it’s not ‘Choir Idol’, it’s to invest in choirs and education, and give them the [performance] opportunity.”The local choir will spend five days and four nights in the big apple preparing for the concert and is hoping for community funding support.It’s scheduled to present its spring concert tomorrow night, and the group will be one of three choirs, and the community band, performing at the Cultural Centre beginning at 7:00 p.m.Admission is $8 and there’s no charge for children 12 and under.Advertisement
Animal lovers and their furry friends show support in ending violence against animals
Local residents and their dogs embarked upon Centennial Park yesterday morning for the SPCA’s Paws for a Cause event. Paws for a Cause is held every year with the intent of putting a stop to animal cruelty, while raising funds for pets that have been abused.North Peace SPCA branch manager Candace Buchamer said while the walk has been going on for at least 15 years locally, its focus has changed recently to help abused animals.“They did that within the last two years, they dubbed it the ‘walk to end animal cruelty.’ We do see a lot of neglect and cruelty in so many different areas. It’s something that we really want to try to get a better understanding for people about is what nowadays classed as appropriate care for animals,” she said.- Advertisement -She added the money helps in a number of areas relating to cruelty.“The good thing is, is that it can be used in so many different allocations. First and foremost it’s going to be used for cruelty investigation as well as medical care for animals that come in that are needing that whether it’s emergency surgeries or extended care for some animals,” she said,” she saidIt’s estimated the SPCA spends approximately $800 per animal that comes into the shelter as a result of cruelty, as oppose to $300 for healthy animals that are surrendered.Advertisement
Tevez must earn right to play -Shenhua
Shanghai’s new coach Wu Jingui said earlier this month that the 33-year-old was overweight and would not play again until he shaped up, only to bring him on as a substitute for the derby at Shanghai SIPG days later.Tevez duly scored his third Chinese Super League (CSL) goal this season, but SIPG went on to hammer struggling Shenhua 6-1.He was back on the bench in the next game but on Saturday was not included at all in the 3-1 home win over Guangzhou R&F.That sparked fresh conjecture about Tevez’s future in China, where he has failed to settle off the pitch and missed half the games injured.Shanghai Shenhua spokesman Ma Yue on Monday hit out at media reports suggesting Tevez and Wu — who replaced Gus Poyet when the Uruguayan quit two weeks ago — had fallen out and said communication between the pair was “very smooth”.Tevez “should have already realised, clearly, that he can’t be sure to be included in the starting line-up based on his fame only,” Ma wrote on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter.Ma said the player had brought his own private fitness coach from Argentina to help him get fit and was doing additional training sessions every day.“All of the above is not to make excuses for Tevez, but I just want to say that he hasn’t given up like certain foreign media have said,” wrote Ma.Tevez, who made his name at Boca Juniors in Argentina before moves to Corinthians, West Ham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, has struggled to settle in throughout his career.The CSL season ends in November and Tevez has hinted that he would like to return to Argentina and Boca.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000Carlos Tevez, among the highest earners in football, has endured a miserable nine months in China and did not feature again at the weekend © AFP/File / Chandan KHANNASHANGHAI, China, Sep 25 – Handsomely paid Carlos Tevez cannot expect to play every game for the Shanghai Shenhua side just because of his famous name, the Chinese team warned on Monday, the latest twist in his turbulent spell with the club.The Argentine, among the highest earners in football on a reported $850,000 a week, has endured a miserable nine months in China and did not feature again at the weekend.
Madrid demands the best even of ‘Galactico’ groundsman
0Shares0000British groundskeeper Paul Burgess is used to dealing with pressure having been lured to Real in Galatico style in 2009 after winning Premier League groundsman of the year three times in 12 years at Arsenal © AFP/File / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOUMADRID, Spain, Dec 21 – “The expectations of Real Madrid are to have the best,” they could easily be the words of world famous player or coach, but it is the club’s English groundsman Paul Burgess who is reflecting on the demanding culture at the Spanish giants.Burgess’s work will be seen by an estimated television audience of 650 million people when newly crowned world champions Madrid host Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday (1200GMT). However, he is used to dealing with that pressure having been lured to Real in Galatico style in 2009 after winning Premier League groundsman of the year three times in 12 years at Arsenal.“Real Madrid and Spain is like the dream move for anybody whether it be the groundsman, the footballer or the press officer,” Burgess told AFP on a cold and grey Madrid morning with preparations for the Clasico in full swing.“That’ll be the sunniest place in Madrid today,” he added pointing to the rows of high-powered lights beaming down on one side of a pitch that has to cope with plus 40 degree heat in summer and freezing temperatures in winter.“For El Clasico there is obviously more build-up, more cameras on the side of the pitch, everyone is talking about it so there is more pressure from the outside.”A two-week layoff since Real’s last home game, though, has ensured Burgess’s best work will be on show for the big day.“The pitch for El Clasico will be better than say a Champions League game because for a Champions League game you have the opposition training the night before,” he said.“Going into El Clasico we’ve got a two-week build up, the conditions look pretty good so the pitch will be in great condition not only for Real Madrid but also for Barcelona. It will be a nice pitch and the best team will win.”The best team in recent times has tended to be Madrid, who have won five trophies in a calendar year in 2017 for the first time in the club’s storied history.“100 percent,” joked the affable 39-year-old when quizzed as to how much success is down to him. “I think the pitch certainly adds value, but the bottom line is the pitch is the same for both teams and it is down to the team to perform on the day. We do our best to give them what they want.”– ‘Serious money’ at stake –Unlike Real’s star names and faces, though, Burgess tends to only get the criticism when things go wrong rather than acclaim as the trophies roll in.“The only time I get feedback is if there is a problem. That is the correct way. I don’t go round looking for compliments, I don’t say to Cristiano (Ronaldo) ‘nice goal’. That’s his job and my job is to produce a good surface.”He recalls a “tough” conversation with Jose Mourinho on the eve of the Portuguese’s first match in charge in 2010 due to a summer “outbreak of disease”.However, the importance of a perfect pitch isn’t just reflected in how good it looks on TV, but can be vital in keeping multi-million euro players fit.“They are paying serious money for these guys and they want them playing football, not injured. Something like 80 percent of injuries are non-contact with another player, so the only contact is with the grass.“That doesn’t mean 80 percent of injuries are the fault of the grass, it could be bad diet, fatigue, but certainly a percentage is down to the pitch so it is very important we have dialogue between the medical department and my department to try and create consistent, comfortable surfaces for them to play on.”That desire to stop avoidable injuries has seen Burgess travel the world looking at the latest technologies to bring back to the Bernabeu and Madrid’s vast Valdebebas training complex.“I’m always trying to be a bit of a pioneer in my industry. By doing that you do make mistakes as well, but you try to be at the forefront of any new technology and Real Madrid reap the rewards of that.“They invest in that, they should be applauded for what they are doing. They want to be the best and want to do everything they can to be the best.”Just like for players and coaches, that investment brings increased pressure.“When you are working for a big club it is more extreme. If we win it is the best thing in the world, if we lose it’s a disaster.“I’m just part of that, but we have more good days than bad days and that’s the important thing.”0Shares0000(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)
Barcelona through to Cup semis as Coutinho makes debut
0Shares0000Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Spanish Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg football match against Espanyol January 25, 2018 © AFP / LLUIS GENEBARCELONA, Spain, Jan 26 – Lionel Messi scored what proved to be the winner as Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday in a game that saw Philippe Coutinho make his long-awaited debut.Luis Suarez scored an early opener in the quarter-final second leg before Messi’s deflected effort gave Barcelona a 2-1 aggregate advantage as the holders overturned a 1-0 deficit from last week’s first leg. Messi had missed a penalty in that match as the leaders of La Liga were beaten for the first time since August, but they did enough on Thursday to join Sevilla, Valencia and Leganes in Friday’s draw for the last four.Coutinho was named on the bench for the first time since his 160 million-euro ($192 million) transfer from Liverpool earlier this month.The 25-year-old Brazilian was introduced midway through the second half in place of Andres Iniesta, entering the Camp Nou pitch to a huge roar from the home crowd.By that point Ernesto Valverde’s men had already turned the tie around against the club for whom Coutinho played on loan from Inter Milan in 2012.“We are placing a lot of hope in Coutinho,” said Valverde.“He is going to do well for us in the game. He can help us because he knows how to create, he’s good in the one-on-one situations.“He is also a player who’s able to see the free man. We know he can be a danger with a shot or a decisive pass. I think he made a good start.”Suarez headed in Aleix Vidal’s cross from the right at the back post in the ninth minute to open the scoring on the night and level the tie on aggregate.The Uruguayan has now scored seven times in Barcelona’s last six matches.Messi scored in the 25th minute, his shot beating goalkeeper Pau Lopez with the help of a sizeable deflection off Brazilian defender Naldo.It was Barcelona’s 4,000th goal at the Camp Nou in an official game.Barcelona, who have won the Copa del Rey in the last three seasons, had a host of chances to put the tie to bed but saw out the victory, with Espanyol unable to get the away goal that would have swung the tie.On Wednesday, Real Madrid were eliminated by Leganes, a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu seeing them go out on away goals and increasing the pressure further on coach Zinedine Zidane.Valencia beat Alaves on penalties while Sevilla beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday for a 5-1 aggregate success.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
Spurs aim to gun down new-look Arsenal
0Shares0000Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring the team’s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 3, 2018 © IKIMAGES/AFP/File / Ian KINGTONLONDON, United Kingdom, Feb 9 – Tottenham host Arsenal at Wembley this weekend aiming to crush the optimism created by the Gunners’ new-look forward line while the absent Riyad Mahrez will be missed by both teams at the Etihad.Elsewhere, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea welcome West Brom with the Italian manager’s job looking precarious following embarrassing back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Watford. Leaders Manchester City host Leicester, who will again be without Mahrez after he failed to force through a move to the Premier League leaders, while Manchester United travel to Newcastle and Southampton welcome back Virgil van Dijk in a Liverpool shirt.AFP Sport picks out three major Premier League talking points this weekend.Spurs to smother high-octane Arsenal?Excitement coursed around the Emirates last weekend as Arsenal’s club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored on his debut and Henrikh Mkhitaryan conjured three assists in a 5-1 demolition of Everton.A tougher task awaits at Wembley on Saturday against a high-flying Tottenham side, who have not lost in 11 games.Spurs are currently in fifth but would climb into third — at least temporarily — with victory and move seven points ahead of sixth-placed Arsenal.Mauricio Pochettino’s squad looks in fine shape to handle the demands of three competitions in the coming months with the return of Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama, Harry Winks and Serge Aurier from injury to complement the arrival of Lucas Moura from Paris Saint-Germain.“Now we are 24 players and it will be tough to find a place in the starting XI for everyone — 24 players that fight to be on the starting XI every single game,” said the upbeat Spurs boss.Mahrez missed by both City sidesRiyad Mahrez could have been lining up for Manchester City this weekend and he should certainly be playing for Leicester.Saturday’s match at the Etihad will be the third consecutive league game the winger has missed since Pep Guardiola’s City failed to get their man on January 31, transfer deadline day.Mahrez, 26, has not even trained with the mid-table Foxes since his dream move to the Premier League leaders collapsed.“Riyad is not available for Saturday’s game,” said Leicester boss Claude Puel, adding that he hoped the player could “get his head right” and return to the fold.Guardiola’s men could also do with extra numbers in attack as they prepare for a run of four games in four different competitions before the end of the month.Guardiola named just six substitutes for last weekend’s draw at Burnley, protesting that he did not have the numbers due to an injury crisis, particularly in attacking areas, with the club forced to deal with lengthy layoffs for Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus.Conte’s last stand?Antonio Conte said he would not lose sleep over the possibility of losing his job following a 4-1 defeat at Watford and he has a great chance to turn the corner with a match against bottom club West Brom at Stamford Bridge on Monday.With a series of ominous-looking ties looming, failure to win could see a new boss put in charge for the business end of the season at a club used to dispensing with their managers just months after winning silverware.Chelsea face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on February 20 before visiting both Manchester United and Manchester City in the league and then making the return trip to the Camp Nou on March 14.Rafael Benitez, Avram Grant, Roberto di Matteo and Guus Hiddink (twice) have been drafted in to tide Chelsea over during the Roman Abramovich era.Di Matteo won the club’s only Champions League title in 2012, Benitez bagged the Europa League in 2013, Hiddink claimed the 2009 FA Cup and Grant was a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League in 2008.Fixtures (6pm unless stated)SaturdayTottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (3:30pm), Everton v Crystal Palace, Stoke v Brighton, Swansea v Burnley, West Ham v Watford, Manchester City v Leicester City (8:30pm)SundayHuddersfield Town v Bournemouth (3pm), Newcastle United v Manchester United (5:15pm), Southampton v Liverpool (7:30pm)MondayChelsea v West Brom (11pm)0Shares0000(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)
Barca visit presents CL stage Conte craves
“We must be excited to play this type of game, especially against this team. I consider Barcelona one of the best teams in the world.”Conte also considers himself one of the best coaches in the world, referring to himself despite a recent 4-1 drubbing at Watford as “a winner.”He does so with some justification.In a glittering coaching career, Conte made Juventus title winners again with three consecutive Serie A titles after a five-year drought.He also surpassed expectations by leading an Italy side short on star names to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, and delivered the Premier League in his debut season at Chelsea.However, a second season slump at the Bridge and his fractious relationship with the club’s hierarchy means most believe the Italian won’t last at Chelsea beyond the end of the season at the latest.Whether it is to convince Roman Abramovich and close aid Marina Granovskaia he should remain in charge next season or to attract the attention of Europe’s other giants who may be looking for a coach come the summer, Conte needs Champions League nights to remember.His two years in the competition at Juventus ended in a 4-0 quarter-final aggregate thrashing from Bayern Munich and an embarrassing group stage exit behind Galatasaray.Conte complained then it was impossible for Italian sides to compete at the latter stages of the Champions League.It didn’t help his case then that his successor Massimiliano Allegri then led Juve to two Champions League finals in three seasons.– Conte’s money complaints –There have been similarities between Conte’s final days at Juventus and many of his public outbursts against the Chelsea ownership this season over his lack of input over recruitment and how much is spent.“I think I’m a bit of a disaster to convince the club to buy the players,” Conte said last week.“I have to speak more with the managers who are very, very good to persuade their clubs to spend money and buy top players.”Conte may then welcome his meeting with the more softly-spoken Ernesto Valverde this week.Barcelona’s coach Ernesto Valverde’s calm has restored stability to a club that badly needed a steady hand after a tumultuous summer © AFP/File / Josep LAGOIn Valverde’s eight-month spell in charge, Barca have smashed their club record transfer fee twice for Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho.Yet, it is in a very different way that Conte may be able to learn from Valverde as neither Dembele or Coutinho have made much impact on Barca opening up a seven-point La Liga lead and booking their place in the Copa del Rey final.Instead, Valverde has made the best of what he inherited to turn Barca from the depths of a pre-season crisis into potential treble winners.Neymar’s decision to walk out on the club for a world record 222 million euros to Paris Saint-Germain was a huge loss that Valverde has used as an opportunity to reconstruct a more solid side that maintains the firepower of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in attack.A change from Barca’s traditional 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 has seen them concede just once in their six Champions League games to date, and 11 times in 24 La Liga outings.Meanwhile, the space left unoccupied by Neymar has unleashed left-back Jordi Alba as an attacking threat.Alba was on target as Barca equalled a club record by avoiding defeat for a 31st straight La Liga game in a 2-0 win at Eibar on Saturday.Most of all, Valverde’s calm has restored stability to a club that badly needed a steady hand after a tumultuous summer.That may be the lesson Conte and Chelsea can learn from most of all before careering towards another messy divorce at the end of the season.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000Chelsea’s head coach Antonio Conte considers himself one of the best coaches in the world © AFP/File / Glyn KIRKLONDON, United Kingdom, Feb 19 – Barcelona’s visit to Chelsea on Tuesday gives Antonio Conte the perfect opportunity to reaffirm his stature as one of Europe’s greatest coaches.“To play against Barcelona is a great challenge for us,” Conte said after easing the pressure on his job with back-to-back home wins over West Brom and Hull in the past week.
Alberta test case: Planned sale of gas wells, pipelines raises cleanup concerns
“You would think these assets fit under that discussion,” he said. “They keep talking about wanting to rework the existing policy they have for ensuring assets are properly looked after. At some point they’re going to have to be proactive and take steps to make sure that happens.”Pieridae spokesman James Millar said in an email that Shell will cover any contamination from when it owned the sites — although that doesn’t include the cost of reclaiming the sites themselves.Millar wrote that Pieridae is “still working through” those costs.“We did consider the asset retirement obligation of the assets before we purchased them.” He points out that Shell had planned to close the field, which would have been a severe blow to nearby communities such as Pincher Creek. Pieridae plans a new drilling program and says the purchase would be profitable almost right away.Advertisement The regulator has promised a closer eye on licence transfers to ensure purchasers are able to cover reclamation costs.“We … are broadening our assessment processes to allow for a more holistic approach to assess a company’s ability to address its end-of-life obligations,” said an email from regulator spokesman Shawn Roth.“The AER will assess the proposed transfer to determine whether regulatory requirements have been satisfied and whether a security deposit will be required.”The Shell-Pieridae sale is a test case, suggested Shaun Fluker, a University of Calgary law professor.Advertisement CALGARY — The possible transfer of hundreds of sour gas wells, pipelines and other facilities from an energy giant to a much smaller company has raised concerns about Alberta’s efforts to ensure taxpayers don’t get stuck with the cleanup bill.“My faith that the (regulator) is making some form of really careful stress test on these companies is just not there,” said Mike Judd, a retired guide and outfitter who lives in the middle of the gas field and has filed a statement of concern over the sale.Last summer, Shell Canada agreed to sell 284 wells, 66 facilities and 82 pipelines in the southern Alberta foothills to Pieridae Energy, a Calgary-based company with a market value less than the price of the assets. Its stock price is under $1.- Advertisement -The purchase is part of a plan to move Alberta gas to a yet-to-be-built, $10-billion liquefied natural gas plant in Nova Scotia, from where it would be shipped to Europe. Pieridae says it is eligible for a $4.5-billion loan from the German government for the project.The Alberta Energy Regulator must approve the transfer, a decision it must make as it copes with a growing list of wells, pipelines and other infrastructure abandoned by companies that went bankrupt during the energy price slump.Since January, the number of wells transferred to the Orphan Well Association has increased to 3,400 from 3,100. Alberta’s cleanup spending is budgeted at $70 million by 2023 — a more than 50 per cent increase in otherwise belt-tightening times.Advertisement The Canadian Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2019.— By Bob Weber in Edmonton. Follow @row1960 on Twitter Fluker said Albertans deserve more than company assurances that those who profit from the province’s resources are able to clean up their mess. This sale is a chance to establish clear, publicly understood rules for such transfers, he said.“Why not … impose what (the regulator) says it’s looking at, which is real timelines for reclamation and things like that? It’s a good opportunity.” Judd just wants to be able to believe that the wells and pipelines pumping toxic sour gas near his home will be cleaned up safely.“Our children and our grandchildren are going to end up with an environmental cleanup that is way beyond their capability to deal with,” he said.“We in Alberta have gotten way too used to backroom deals and backroom regulators that are not transparent.”Advertisement
Picture: When Rio met Moose in Rio
Picture: When Rio met Moose in Rio Rio Ferdinand was a guest on Hawksbee & Jacobs earlier this afternoon, discussing his move to QPR, his thoughts on Manchester United ahead of the new season, and his new role as a TV pundit this season.He also revealed the story behind this remarkable picture that was taken in Brazil this summer! 1
Everton to announce plans for a new stadium
Goodison Park, the home of Everton Everton will announce plans for a new stadium within the Liverpool city boundary, talkSPORT understands.The Toffees have played at Goodison Park since 1892, but the club are now ready to explain their plans for the future.Speaking to the Weekend Sports Breakfast show, talkSPORT’s Merseyside correspondent said: “I understand Everton will announce later this week news of a new stadium within the Liverpool city boundary.“Goodison Park is a great old ground and produces a tremendous atmosphere, but they do need a new ground and the news will be welcomed by everybody.“I don’t think the new ground will be far away from Goodison Park.” 1
Kane savours ‘great night’ after netting first Tottenham hat-trick
Harry Kane was left to reflect on a “great night” at White Hart Lane as his first career hat-trick led Tottenham to a 5-1 Europa League victory over Asteras Tripoli.The England Under-21 striker not only scored his first treble for Spurs but ended the clash in goal after Hugo Lloris’ late sending-off.Unfortunately it wasn’t a dream stint in the net, as he immediately conceded a calamitous free-kick to gift the Greek side a consolation.Nevertheless, the youngster was delighted with the big home win.“It was an eventful night to say the least,” said 21-year-old Kane, who has six goals in five Europa League appearances this season.“It was great to get my first professional hat-trick for Spurs and then stepping in goal, letting in the late free-kick was obviously one to forget.”He added: “I actually fancied in goal myself to be honest!“I hoped it would hit the wall and when it came wobbling at me I probably should have just kicked it away.“Obviously I’m a bit disappointed and I felt bad for the defenders who had done well all night, and Hugo who was brilliant.“In fairness I think I’ll leave that to the keepers from now on, but it was a fun night and we as a team are very happy with the victory.”Looking back on his three goals, the forward added: “The first was a sweet strike.“When it left the foot I knew it had a chance and fortunately it came off the post and went in which is always nice.“I thought it was good to get the second and third as well, extra goals when the team is dead on their feet and when we want to start killing off teams and getting the five goals was great.”Team-mate Erik Lamela threatened to steal the limelight from Kane with two awe-inspiring strikes of his own.The Argentina forward brought the White Hart Lane crowd to their feet on the half-hour mark with a spellbinding ‘rabona’ strike from the edge of the box, and doubled his tally after the break with a fine volley.Kane was pleased to see the Argentine get on the scoresheet, adding that the whole Spurs team are well aware of his technical quality.“He’s got that in the locker, I’ve seen him do it on the training ground,” said the striker.“It was unbelievable technique from him to be able to pull that off, and to even try that on the big stage.“I think I’ll leave that to him, just like id’ leave the goalkeeping to Hugo!“But I’m very happy for Erik for his two goals, they were both top finishes.”