Having the AFC leader on Exxon’s payroll is a conflict of interest
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
-VicePresidentJagdeo
NationalAssemblynow.” is deeply concerned about what he
Hecontinued,“Howisthisnota considerstobeaconflictofinterest conflict of interest? Maybe Exxon posed by newly elected leader of has worked this way in other the Alliance For Change (AFC) countries in other parts of the Nigel Hughes being an attorney world…” attached to ExxonMobil Guyana
Last week, Hughes said that he Limited’s(EMGL). welcomesanyinvestigationintohis
Jagdeo voiced his concerns relationship with oil giant again on Thursday at his weekly ExxonMobil His comments pressconference. followed statements by Vice
On Tuesday, Exxon’s Country President Jagdeo who suggested Manager, Alistair Routledge said that an investigation will be there is no conflict of interest launched into Hughes’relationship between Hughes being one of withhisclient,Exxon. Exxon’s attorneys and him being Notably, Hughes has already leaderoftheAFC. acknowledged the critics saying
Nigel Hughes, leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC)
Country Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge
Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo
“… we comply with all laws that while he is a Politically and regulations here and Exposed Person (PEP), there is no internationally so we don’t believe Jagdeo highlighted that neither Hughes said last week, “If and National Assembly that has a law that prevents him from having wehaveanyconflictofinterest[or] Exxon nor Hughes can objectively when elected to office, I will number of seats in the National theoilcompanyasaclient. anyissues,”hetoldreportersonthe determine the absence of a conflict relinquish all ties with the firm of Assembly and therefore in a However, the Vice President sidelineofanevent. ofinterest. Hughes, Fields & Stoby ” He position to have a say on policies,” shares a different view, calling
Notwithstanding the Hughes’ Hughes for his part has stated maintains that currently, there is no hesaid. Hughes position “obscene” and and Routledge’s utterances, Jagdeo thatbecauseEMGLisaclientofhis conflict of interest with Exxon Jagdeo also highlighted “unethical.” isadamantthataconflictofinterest law firm – Hughes, Fields & Stoby beingaclientofhislawfirm.
concerns about the lack of “…it’s even more obscene…I exists. – he will take a back seat when it Jagdeo, however, pointed out transparency regarding the can’t convey the feeling of “[If he thinks] that will prevail comestooilandgasrelatedmatters that Hughes, as AFC leader, could paymentsfromExxontoHughes. revulsion that I felt This is with us, he better think again.” He in the AFC. In fact, the party has potentially influence policies, Jagdeo alleged, “That figure someone aspiring to the highest added, “So the obscenity of it is, he appointed former Director of the given the party’s representation in [Could] be inflated for work not office in the country, who has just is a conflicted party, Exxon is a Environmental Protection Agency theNationalAssembly done and may have all the bearing been elected the leader of a conflicted party itself, so it is like (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams and “Exxon is a conflicted party too of a legal payment but it is a party ” Jagdeo stated at a you have a conflict between two former Minister of Public because they have hired, [they] politicalcontributiontohimandhis previouspressconference. parties and the two parties saying Infrastructure, David Patterson to have on their payroll in the country party to ensure that the interest of Added to that, Jagdeo said that oh we are not conflicted, what else head the AFC’s Oil and Gas of Guyana, the leader of a political ExxonMobil is protected in any whenrunningforoffice,itcan doyouexpectthemtosay.” AdvisoryCommittee. party that is represented in the future government or even in the (Continued on page 3)
General and Regional elections likely in November 2025 -VPJagdeo
While an official date is hedismissedtalksofanearly There can be no election to ensure that the elections Commission (GECOM) and yet to be announced by the election. without the census results process is transparent, a byextension,pollingagents.
G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s The VP was at the time being published first and a manual will be prepared and “In this manual, you will Commission (GECOM), responding to claims made clean electoral list The circulated ahead of the see long befor
the Vice President (VP) Bharrat by Alliance For Change bloated list of electors will elections to the media, elections you will see Jagdeo has disclosed that Leader, Nigel Hughes that not cut it. Why subject the political parties, and other which documents have to go the next General and the People’s Progressive c o u n t r y t o a n o t h e r interested stakeholders, into the box and which Regional Elections will Partyisinelectionmode. problematicelection.” outlining the “duties, doesn’t so if the Presiding likely be held between Hughes had noted in a However, Jagdeo obligations, responsibilities, Officerdoesnotwanttoputa October and November post made two days ago on dismissed the suggestion rights of every member who document into the box, you 2025 socialmedia,“Thetealeaves stating, “It’s all just a bunch will be part of the conduct of willknowifhecommittedan Jagdeo, who is also are suggesting that there is of nonsense All we’re elections.” offence because [we] don’t General Secretary of the (PPP/C), made this likely to be an early election. hoping to have a transparent The manual will also be have room for people calling ruling the People’s disclosure on Thursday Government Ministers are election.” circulated to officers of the up last minute and create Progressive Party/Civic during a press conference as holding public meetings Jagdeotoldreportersthat G u y a n a E
confusion,”Jagdeosaid.
HavingtheAFC...
From page 2 issue because we didn’t sometimes cost you want to discriminate but financially, choosing what change is that now, he between personal gain and has gone to the AFC,” thecountry Jagdeoadded.
“Sometimes you have to The Vice President forego the private benefits, underscored, “Now that we money basically when are looking at this…let me national interest calls you makeitclear,thatExxonhas and, in this case, he was a lot to answer because asked directly and he says Nigel Hughes, knowing no, only if [he] become him, he will not want to president, [he] will do that. resign, knowing him, he In the meantime [he] will would want to collect the work for Exxon , ” the money and still be leader of Vice President said at a the AFC and conflict of previouspressconference. interest would not bother He stated that given that himatall…” Hughes has come under Furthermore, in a letter, scrutiny for conflict of Dr Adams stated, “I am interest, the Government witnessing with laughter will be watching what mixed with concern, the Exxon and its first-tier uncontrolled tirade, panic, contractorsdo. fearfulness, intimidation, “This may necessitate a and emotional distress formal investigation into all exhibited by our VP Jagdeo thesematters.Iammakingit from the minute that clear today There is a lot of eminent Attorney Nigel politically exposed people, Hughes was elected to serve he [Hughes] is politically astheAFCLeader.” exposed as he pointed out, HesaidtoothatJagdeo’s his wife is a Member of “Nigel syndrome” is Parliament,butitwasnotan causingnightmares.
Kaieteur News
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
EDITORIAL
Maybe soon
Guyana's chief policymaker, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo'sresponsetoaroutinequestionhascometorepresent the standard in his oil and gas leadership. Asked several months ago about when the Wales gas-to-energy project (GTE)agreementswillbepublicized,Jagdeogaveoneofhis old classics: “maybe soon.” It is a tribute to how his demanding responsibilities in this crucial national sector have made him into a rope jumper with the English Language. The biggest onshore project to date in this country and the chief policymaker is a study in the slick (“maybesoon”). Hecovershisrear,concealsanypremature exposure of the PPP/C Government's shenanigans, and carries out a defensive action to buy time on this controversialGTEproject.
Because the Vice President has compiled a checkered record of twisting issues to suit his latest objectives, we restate our position on the Wales GTE project: cheap and reliable electricity supplies would be a welcome development in energy starved Guyana. Throughout the lives of most Guyanese, those without their own solar or generator, persistent and prolonged blackouts are all that theyhaveknown. AGTEprojectthatdeliverswhatJagdeo hasswornthatitwilldoatthepricethathestatedwouldbea reliefforahugenumberofcitizens. Afterbroadcastingthe WalesGTEwithabigbang,andsellingittoanyGuyanese whowouldlisten,themanleadingthechargefortheUS$2B schemeisstilltosharewiththisnationwhathehas. Whatis the basis of his confidence, this product that he markets so frequently,thoughatalowervolumenowadays?
Giventhemagnitudeofthemoneytobespent,thegrand promises that he has made, and the high expectations of Guyanese, the Wales GTE champion should have been excited to deliver to Guyanese the supporting project documents. To make his US$2B case for the Wales GTE undertaking,heshouldhavefloodedcitizenswithallmanner ofstudiesthatspeaktoitscompellingtechnicalandfinancial aspects.Thedisappointingrealityisthatthebestthattheman inchargecouldhaveofferedthreemonthsagowas“maybe soon.” It is when Jagdeo comes up with these kinds of slipperysetupsthatGuyanesethinktheworstofhim. Years after he unleashed this Wales GTE project on the consciousness of Guyanese, he can only say “maybe soon” months ago, when forced to answer about when the project agreements would be published. “Maybe soon” is an expressionthathousesaworldofcraftiness,andthisthereis nonemorecunningthanGuyana'schiefpolicymaker When projects are steeped in craftiness, their announcements are immersed in more craftiness, and their foundations are possibly erected on the craftiness favoured by foxes, then “maybesoon”istheonlyresponsethatcanbegiven.
We dissect Jagdeo's latest masterpiece: “maybe soon.” Maybe leaves much to be desired about its certainty A US$2Bproject,massiveandexpensive,shouldnotbebased on guesswork, which is what “maybe” means at the core. Anything that involves US$2B for a country like Guyana calls for something that is close to a guarantee and not this shaky concoction from Jagdeo about “maybe soon.” The questionarisesforthethousandthtime:whymostthings,the costlierthingsinGuyaneselife,thathaveJagdeoleadingthe way with them, harbour some component that raises the worstsuspicionsabouttheVicePresidentandwhatheisup to. Just why does he have to be this way He should be a fountainofinformationaboutthisWalesGTEpetprojectof his. ButthatisalsopartoftherecordofJagdeo,whatisapet project for him usually ends up being a vicious pit bull lungingatGuyanese. Ifthechiefpolicymakerhashisway “maybe” could be never Regarding “soon” that could be nextweek,nextquarter,nextyear Frankly,Jagdeobehaves as though he owes money, but is always says “soon” when pressedtorepay Soonsometimeshasitsownclockandits ownseason:bothnevermove,happen. Jagdeoshouldn'tneedanytime;unlessheisbuyingtime tosortouthisheadandtheWalesGTEprojectpapers.
Opposition appointed GECOM Commissioners have been vocal on the removal of Dr. Asha Kissoon from the National Assembly
DearEditor, It has become a habit of sometotreatthePPPandthe PNCR, and their respective associates as two peas in a pod. One such instance is Jonathan Subrian`s letter of July 10, in the Stabroek News`letterstotheEditor,in whichhestated:“whyarethe GECOM Commissioners three appointed by the governmentandthreebythe opposition …, all paid with Guyanese tax dollars, silent on this seemingly, egregious and contemptuous act of AshaKissoon?”,namelyher refusaltovacateaseatinthe NationalAssembly after her termexpired.
MayIthereforehastento say that the opposition appointed commissioners have been prosecuting this mattervociferouslyandeven boisterously, in GECOM, to the annoyance, resistance and defiance of the Chairperson and the other
three commissioners, who for all intents and purposes comprise a block that slavishly pursues the PPP/C agenda at GECOM rather than its constitutional mandate.
I will elucidate their treatment of the Asha Kissoon matter as an example of my contention; the three opposition appointed commissioners` prosecution of this matter; and the three government appointed commissioners` and the chairperson`s contemptfortheconstitution and the rule of law, in deferenceto partisanPPP/C interest.
WhenAshaKissoontook up the seat in the National Assembly, it was apparent that the Speaker of the Assembly and the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM acted in good faith based on the documents presented to them, at the
time. In hindsight, it may be concluded that that was not the case and that the current situation could have been avoided if the Chief Elections Officer had done the necessary document checks at the time. At that time the documentation to, and from, the Speaker, and the oral presentation of Kissoon, to the Chief Elections Officer, identified Kenrick Morgan as the replacement for Gerald Forde as The New Movement`s representative ofthelist.
Thus, under the signatures of the ostensible representativesofthelistsof the joinder parties, Kissoon wassworninasamemberof the NationalAssembly for a period predetermined by the agreementamongthejoinder parties.
However, when that period expired, Kissoon continuedtooccupytheseat
tothepublicconsternationof the other joinder parties, ANUG and LJP, and the publicatlarge
This development led to Forde, the original representative of theTNM`s list, enquiring of GECOM about Kissoon's illicit retention of the seat and his status in relation to his appointment as the representative of the TNM list.
Apart from illicitly retaining the seat, Kissoon wrote to GECOM on March 24, 2024 purporting to have communicated with GECOM on November, 2020 that Forde was no l o n g e r t h e T N M representative of the list. Pleaseseeacopyoftheletter attached.
However, according to GECOM`s Chief Elections Officer,nosuchdocumentis currently in GECOM`s (Continuedonpage6)
Nigel Hughes is practising the politics of deception
DearEditor,
I read, with interest, the report of Mr. Nigel Hughes' first press conference as leader of the Alliance For Change(AFC)intheJuly9, 2024, issue of the "Kaieteur News",Iwasdisappointed.
My disappointment stemmed from the fact that Mr Hughes has adopted the same methodology of the formerandpresentPNCand AFC leaders. From the very beginning, he has chosen to misrepresent and distort events in our country Same oldPNCpolitics.
It was reported that he urged the government not to undertake big projects without feasibility studies and used as his example the Skeldon Expansion Project intheSugarIndustry Thatis veryfarfromthetruth.
That project had a very good plan. It was conceived atatimewhentheEuropean Union was saying that they would bring an end to the Sugar Protocol which had guaranteed prices for sugar producing countries if the African, Caribbean and Pacific(ACP)regions.
The PPP/C government joined with their ACP colleagues to resist the EU plan. At the same time, it began to plan for the eventuality of the EU
succeeding to abandon the decade's old agreement.The EUeventuallydidafterithad lost a case brought by Australia and Brazil to the WorldTradeUnion(WTO).
The administration was faced with two options, one was to close the industry down, and the other was to take steps to keep it going andsavejobsintheindustry
Thegovernmentchoseto take steps to save the industryandjobs.Itcharged GuySuCo's Board to come upwithafeasibleplanforthe industry
The Board tapped into thetalentsithadinthesector and used international experts to craft the plan. Booker/Tate (BT) was chosen as the international expert and engineer of the projects.
The plan was to transform the sugar industry frombeingjustaproducerof raw sugar into a complex with other revenue streams and at the same time to reduce the average cost of producing raw sugar It envisaged the producing electricity(co-generation);a new distillery and a refinery toprocessourrawsugarinto industrial sugar (white sugar) among other valueaddedproducts.
The plan was sound, the
problem was with its implementation which
B o o k e r Ta t e , t h e international expert was contracted to do. Without going into details, it was the board's view that Booker Tate was responsible for the many problems that developedwiththatproject.
Because of that conviction the Board withheld payments to BookerTate. B.Tdecided to take the issue to court GuySuCo crossed charged Booker Tate and I thought we had a good chance of winning the case and make B.T pay for its poor project management.
Unfortunately, when the government changed in 2015, the PNC and AFC regimedecidedtoreleasethe withheld money to Booker Tate and to withdrew the Board's case against B.T fromthecourt.Thatallowed Booker Tate to walk away withmillions.
The PNC/AFC regime then proceeded to close estates and dismissed thousands of workers. That was a blatant racial and political attack on sugar workers whom the PNC/AFC considered to be PPP supporters. From their (PNC/AFC)warpedpointof view, this was aimed at
damagingthePPP.
I say this because at the time, the PNC/AFC decided to close the estates, the industrywasovercomingthe problems at Skeldon. This can be confirmed by the production figures of 2014 and2015whenSkeldontook theleadinsugarproduction. Moreover,thetechnicalteam that the PNC/AFC put together to examine the operationoftheindustrydid not recommend closing estates.
Mr Hughes must have knownallthissincetheissue was ventilated publicly for many years.As late asApril of this year Mr Vickram OudittandIhadanexchange ontheissue.Thedebatewas not the lack of planning but whether the plan was changed.
In addition to all of the above Mr Hughes had to be aware since he was Booker Tate's lawyer in the case against GuySuCo while being chairman of theAFC. Therefore, to make the statement which he was reportedtohavemadewasa deliberateattempttomislead the public for narrow political ends He is obviously practising the politicsofdeception.
Inclosing,letmesaythat (Continuedonpage5)
A Successful 2024 Cricket World Cup
DearEditor,
Itwasafantasticfinishof the World Cup in Barbados in the final. World cricket was brought to USA and afteradecadetoWestIndies. It also brought in a lot of revenues, the most financially rewarding for ICCintermsofsponsorsand viewership. It brought in viewership from places that didn't pay much attention to the game.Young guns made a mark on the international stage. The veterans were playing their last games. Some of the matches
showcased top-notch
cricketing skills and performances of newcomers andoldtimers.Thefinaland a few other matches also were most unpredictable, mesmerizing and thrilling enco
championshipgames.
India won the final and a
performance over other teams throughout the tournament India was loaded with a blockbuster batting line-up, comprising of three all-rounders and a bowling department comprising of five, three of who are top class batsmen withfirstclasscenturies.The composition of the team made a difference in being undefeated in the tournament.
The final was a great, nail-bitingmatch.Spectators waiteduntilthelastballwas bowled Viewers and listeners waited for the last delivery It was a match for theages.
Nigel Hughes...
Frompage4
almost all the big projects that were undertaken by successive PPP/Civic governments were carefully planned and all hadfeasibilitystudiesdone.
The only one that I am aware of where the PPP/C government did not go alongwiththeadviceofthe experts related to the Bauxite operations in Linden.
Theexpertsadvisedthat the company be closed but both President Jagan and
Jagdeo refused to do so. They both worked to save the industry and workers' job.
Their decision did not only save the industry but allowedLindentoremaina viablecommunity
Mr Hughes should aim at putting some integrity to t h e o p p o s i t i o n ' s propaganda instead of going along the old dishonestandracistpath.
DonaldRamotar, Former President of Guyana
Thespectatorswerevery thrilled, excited and fortunate to have witnessed such a great match. Both teams — India and South A f r i c a p l a y e d exceptionally well and were undefeated going into the final. It was a hard-fought match that could have gone either way India played consistentlywellthroughout thetournament.
One critique in an editorialonIndia'svictoryis thatmatcheswerescheduled togiveheranadvantagewith rest time ahead of big matches.Assumingthatwas the case, Australia and England had more rest time than India Didn't South Africa have a day more rest time over India? Clearly, India the advantage of more resttimedidnotapplytothe final if indeed factual for othergames.
Resttimedoesnotfavour any team; if anything, too much rest may disorient players, placing them off track from their game rendering them out of form. The schedulers don't know who will play the last eight and remain among the last four or play in the semifinalsorfinal.
Whencricketisongoing, no one can manipulate the result. Cricket is a game of skill and strategy and India applied th
es accordingly to make it to f
championship.
Sports today are played for prime-time audience Organizers of leagues and global championships schedule timings to maximize income. Matches ofallsportsarenotplayedin daytime in America except on weekends. Ditto all over Europe.Anditisnodifferent inAsiaandAfrica.TheWest Indies follow the same practice.
Matches are played in prime-time to attract spectators and TV audience as well as for radio listeners (yes people still listen to commentary in South Asia and Africa) and for social media.
The biggest draw for cricket is India with a populationofover1.4billion with Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Oman adding another half a billion. India is the main draw and most of cricket's financescomefromIndia;at one time, it used to be England,Australia,andNew Zealand that had the big money India overtook the bigthreeadecadeandahalf agoandIndiacallstheshots on timing of matches that Indiaplays.Andwhynot?
The 10:30 (8 PM India time) timing of Indian matches was to capture Indian TV viewership and not to give any undue advantage to the Indian players. Indian players were
disadvantagedinstartingthe match at 10:30, giving them less time to loosen up and practice in the morning Indian players also had less resttimethansomeothersin betweengames.
Teamsthatplayedinthe lateafternoonoreveninghad moreresttimeandtheentire day to loosen up and practice.Also,Indiahadless resttimethanSouthAfricato prepare for the final. SA should have the advantage and win. Instead, India pulledoffavictoryfromthe jaws of defeat. India had players who have the ability to change the course of a game single-handedly And that is what happened in the final.
India held their nerves.
The tactical acumen and leadership skills of Rohit
Sharma with advice from Kohliandguidancefromthe dressing room to bring on Bumrah at the right time changed the direction of the match.
SA suffered collective agony;itwasheart-breaking to come so close and lost because of a spectacular catch.ThatcatchfromYadav was among the best ever takenanditshiftedthegame towardsIndia.
In the end, it was the competitive spirit and cricketing prowess of both sides that played the final thatmadeitagreatgamethat no one who saw it will ever forget.
Hats off to all the cricketers for a month of sportsentertainment.
Yourstruly, Dr VishnuBisram
GTU proposes 39.5% salary increase for teachers in 2024
…wants
100UGscholarships,$40,000clothing allowanceand300dutyfreeconcessions
The Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU)hasproposeda39.5percent salaryincreaseforteachersin2024, the proposal submitted to the GovernmentofGuyanastates.
Accordingtothedocument,the GTU is also asking for “30% for eachindicativeyear2025and2026 respectively TeachersfromTS4to TS19 (35%) for 2024, and 30% indicative year 2025 and 2026 respectively.”
Furthermore, the Union proposed that should there be a higher percentage given to Public Servants,thentheteachers/teacher educators must get the benefit of thedifferences.
In the very detailed document, titled 'Proposed Memorandum of Agreement entered between the MinistryofEducationandtheGTU concerningtermsandconditionsof employment for teachers/ teacher educatorsfortheyears2024-2026', theUnionisalsodemandingamong other things 100 University of Guyana scholarships per year, a clothing allowance of $40,000 and 300dutyfreeconcessionsformotor vehiclesupto2000cc.
Additionally, the GTU is proposing “That Teachers/Teacher EducatorswhoserveintheInterior andHinterland/RiverainAreasbe given two (2) years instead of (5) yearstoservetheirCPCEcontracts
and in the case of University Graduates,theybegivenThree(3) points for promotional purposes havingservedfour(4)consecutive years.”
Twoweeksago,theGTUcalled off the strike after being on strike for 75 days. The Union and the Ministry of Education on Friday agreed that the 2019-2023 multiyear proposal put forward by the Union will be shelved and focus willnowbeplacedonthe2024and onwardsmulti-yearproposal.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education said that “the conciliationprocessinitiatedbythe MinistryofEducationtoengagethe GuyanaTeachers'Unionregarding thetimelineforwhichamulti-year agreement should be agreed upon hascometoanend.”
In the statement, the ministry saidthatthebilateraltalkscannow begin on the proposed 2024 multiyearagreement.
“The Ministry of Education will continue to serve teachers in variouswaysandcontinuestohave the best interest of teachers at heart,”theministrystated.
GeneralSecretaryoftheUnion, Coretta McDonald described the agreement as “a land slide victory for not only the Guyana Teacher's Union, but, for Trade Unions in generalwheretherewerethreatsof cuttingtheteacher'ssalariesandall
kindsofthings.”
She explained that despite takingindustrialactionfor75days andevenapproachingthecourtfor assistance, the Union has won and the teachers ought to be proud of theirefforts.
“This is actually a win for the Guyana Teachers' Union, because you and I know that the entire system across this country was interrupted. The ministry had to scaledownonallofitsprogrammes becauseteacherswerenotinschool andtothatend,Iwanttoextendour heartfeltthankstoourmembersall across this country, to the parents who have been supporting us and the civil society in general who have been supporting us throughout that ordeal,” the GeneralSecretarystated.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the MinistryofEducationandtheGTU in a brief joint press statement announced the conclusion of their first meeting to negotiate the new 2024-2026 memorandum of agreement while noting that both sides are “satisfied with the outcome”.
“The meeting held earlier today, was productive and constructive and both parties are satisfied with the outcome,” the statementsaid.
The next meeting is scheduled forThursday,July25.
Frompage4 possession.ButGECOM,from January of this year to the present timehasfoundeveryreasonnotto respond to Forde`s question about hisstatus.
They have contended that the Speaker`s letter cited Morgan as the representative and that GECOM has no involvement beyond responding to the Speaker`sletter
They have also employed MaximumAdministrativeDelayin responding, even after they were persuaded by the three opposition appointed commissioners of GECOM`s obligation to advise Forde that GECOM`s records do notreflectanychangeofhisstatus.
More disconcerting is the fact that the documentation submitted by Kissoon in 2024, under the pretext that those documents had beensubmittedin2022,ostensibly replacing Forde, do not meet the legal requirements to effect the
replacement.
The Representation of the PeoplesAct,ChapI:03,Section98 of the Laws of Guyana clearly states that: “When seats have, in pursuance of section 97, been allocatedtoanylistofcandidates-
(a) The representative of the list;of
(b) If the representative is unwillingorunable sotodo,the deputy representative of such list; or
(c) in case of any such unwillingnessorinability onthe partofthedeputyrepresentative,a majority of the persons named in that list may designate in writing any such person able and willing …sotodo.
It is exactly the last provision that Kissoon sought to invoke when in her letter, she contended that Forde had been replaced, however her letter only bore eight signatories, when at least twentytwo person should have signed, as
providedforinsection11(3)ofthe Representation of the People Act, chap1.03oftheLawsofGuyana.” GECOM is therefore in no position but to indicate to Forde that it has no basis, in any circumstance, but to continue to recognize him as the authentic representative of the list, yet the Legal Officer requires of the o p p o s i t i o n a p p o i n t e d commissioners to prove the existence of the provision quoted above and cited by Kissoon, while the chair proposes a vote on the matter, and the PPP/C appointed commissioners remain silent and/or contend that the matter is moot as Kissoon continues to occupy an illicit seat and the position of Deputy Speaker at the behestofthePPP/Candindefiance of tradition, which allows the oppositionforcestodeterminewho shouldbethedeputyspeaker Yourstruly,VincentAlexander GECOM,Commissioner
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Jagdeo the brawler, now Jagdeo the legal philosopher
Jagdeo is now lecturing Guyanese about conflict.
This is the man whose first name is conflict…
Has Jagdeo taken up comedy?
Or is this a sick man without a remedy?
Jagdeo was a night crawler and a brawler!
Now he has recycled himself into a legal philosopher.
Is Jagdeo now this far gone? So far that he sees shadows, hear footsteps behind him?
Chevron, Hess says US Federal Commission merger review expected for third quarter
Reuters - Oil producers ChevronCorp(CVX.N),and Hess Corp (HES.N), expect the U S Federal Trade Commission will review their proposed merger in the third quarter, the companies said in a statement on Thursday
B l o o m b e rg N e w s
reported earlier on Thursday the FTC planned to delay its decision on whether to block Chevron’s expect to have a decision by review of Exxon’s claim of $53-billion takeover of the end of 2024,” Hess said preemption rights to acquire
Hess until after an on June 19 Exxon has Hess’s Guyana assets. It is arbitration case with Exxon signaled the arbitration expectedtosetaschedulefor Mobil (XOM N), opens process would extend into proceedings in the coming new tab is settled, or at least 2025. weeks.
until the fourth quarter, The deal, which was Hess owns 30% of citingunnamedsources initially planned to close in Guyana’s giant Stabroek Chevron and Hess have the first half of the year, had block operated by Exxon, previously said an FTC alreadystalledafterExxonin which owns 45%. China’s review in the third quarter March filed for arbitration, CNOOC Ltd 0883.HK holds would allow them to resolve claiming a right of first theremaining25%. the arbitration dispute by refusal over Hess’ valuable The companies expect to year-end. assetsinGuyana. double production to 1.3
“The arbitration is A three-member panel million barrels of oil and gas moving forward and we has not yet begun work on a perdayby2027.
GNBS seizes, destroys over 11,000 electrical fittings and equipment
The Product Compliance Department of the Guyana N
S
d s ( G N B S ) destroyed 11,660 pieces of substandard electrical fittings and equipment on Thursday in a bid to tackle the sale and distribution of substandard electrical fittingsandequipment.
Some of the seized items.
TheGNBSinastatement said that the items including wires, cables, lamp holders, circuit breakers, extension cords, power outlets, receptacles, knife switches, and plugs were seized from importers and dealers during were not provided leading to include Decorative Lighting surveillance activities the destruction of the items Products, Lamp Holders, conducted during May and on July 11, 2024, at the Armoured Cables, Panel June in Regions Two, Three, G
xhibition Conduits, Tubings, and
, Boards, Knife Switches, Four,FiveandNine. N
Theseizeditemsfailedto C o m p l e x , S o p h i a , Cable Fittings, Surge m e e t k e y l a b e l l i n g Georgetown. Protective Devices, Moldedrequirements of the relevant He added that there were Case Circuit Breakers, National Standards The many unregistered dealers Molded-Case Switches, and non-conformances included selling non-compliant Circuit-Breaker Enclosures, the lack of certification products which were seized. CordSetsandPower-Supply marks, country of origin and Those persons were urged to Cords, Thermoset- Insulated manufacturers’ name, while register with the GNBS to Wi r e s a n d C a b l e s , some of the items were import and sell electrical Attachment Plugs and incorrectly labelled, and fittings and equipment using Receptacles, Dry-Type others were without any the prescribed forms on the General Purpose and Power label. B u r e a u ’ s w e b s i t e Transformers.
According to the Head of (gnbsgy.org). Importers and dealers of the Product Compliance The GNBS as of these products are required Department (Ag) Lorenzo February 2020, commenced to take the necessary steps to Gill, the dealers and the monitoring of several ensure their products meet importers were given electrical fittings and the respective requirements twenty-one (21) days to equipment based on the outlinedinthestandards. submit Test Certificates, requirements of thirty-one Products monitored by Declaration on Conformity mandatory national the Bureau are flagged for of Origin and other standards. examinationatthetimeof documents. However, these These electrical products (Continued on page 14)
Conversation, coherence and chit-chat
The President's recent performance at the criminal justice reform conference highlighted the need for a more coherent and focused approach to public speaking. The President's performance wasmarkedbyameandering and generally incoherent presentation that did a disservice to his office and thenation.
This event, which was attended by top-notch legal professionals to discuss significant issues, was marred by the President's rambling speech. While his intentionswerenobleandhis points relevant, the delivery left much to be desired.This irony underscores a critical need for a reassessment of how the President communicates in front of suchaudiences.
ThePresidenttouchedon several significant points during his address. First, he emphasized the importance of judicial predictability, highlighting the need for fairness, soundness, and consistency in legal decisions Judicial predictability ensures that similar cases are treated similarly
However, one must questionwhetherthisissueis as pressing in criminal matters in Guyana and the Caribbean as it is in civil actions It is
knownthatthegovernmentis concerned about certain decisions made in our civil courtsandthefactthatsome of these decisions appear to have deviated from establishedprecedents.
The second noteworthy point the President raised was the necessity for strong legislation to be matched by judicialexcellence.Thisisan excellentargument,asrobust lawsaremeaninglesswithout a competent judiciary to enforce and interpret them. Yet, again it remains unclear whether this issue is most pertinent to the criminal law system or if it extends more broadlytootherareasoflaw
The President's third point was perhaps the most contentious. He argued that crime feeds on political instability, and threats to democracy and the rule of law This is a debatable assertion, Authoritarian regimesoftenmaintainlower crimeratesthroughstringent measures,albeitatthecostof human rights abuses. Onto this day, there are persons, for example, in Suriname, who assert that crime in the country was lower under military rule than under electedgovernments.
Democratic societies, on the other hand, strive to balance security and i ndividualfreedoms,which
can present challenges in crimecontrol.Guyana'sown experiencewithcrimeduring periodsofpoliticalinstability is not the same in other jurisdictionsintheCaribbean where apart from Trinidad andTobagoin1990,political instability is rarely a problem.
T h e P r e s i d e n t ' s presentation to such an esteemed audience of members of the regional legal profession, lacked coherence.Theideasoffered, while solid, were not clearly connected and did not flow smoothly from one to the next, making the overall message easy to understand and follow The speech was not clearly structured and at times was superfluous. But this may have been because of the rambling and conversationalstyleutilized. One effective strategy to avoid such missteps by the President would be for there to be debriefings with his staff after each presentation. These sessions would allow the President to receive constructive feedback on what worked and what did not.
Thesedebriefingsshould be conducted honestly, without sycophants and fawners who merely tell the President what they think he wants to hear Instead, the President should be
DEM BOYS SEH
De Wedding Cash Dash
Back in de day, every home used to boast a fancy China Set, likeashrinefuhdetablewaregods. Dem plates, cups, saucers, mugs, andglassesusedtositpretty,never see a meal in dem lifetime. Just decoration fuh de show-off crew Andwhenyuhgetmarried,yuhget enough kitchenware fuh open a lil shop plates, glass sets, cups, mugs.
If yuh lucky, yuh father-in-law mighteventhrowintwocowsand asheepfuhdowry
But now, dem days gone. De newgenerationain'twantnoplates and mugs; dem want flat screens and iPhones. When yuh get invite to wedding now, yuh does get a fancy Gift List with items more expensivethanyuhmonth'ssalary.
DemwahnahgatGiftListdoes tell you dem prefer cash.And yuh bestbringitinanenvelopebecause demyoungcouplesdemwanthard currency.
Dem boys seh at de wedding, dem does got a collection box fuh
de cash envelopes. Some weddings even need a security guard to watch de box. Imagine yuh walking in with yuh lilenvelope,anddefirstthingyuhseeis a big, burly watchman staring yuh down.Atsomeoftheseweddings,dem people dropping cheques because dem scaredsomebodygontiefdecash.
If yuh is an average couple most of decashyuhcollectcan'tevencoverde honeymoon. But deh gat some people, demnahaverage. Demgatrichfriends andfamilywhogenerous.Demdoesget nuffenvelopesanddoesendupendup with enough to buy a piece of land or payoffdemloan.
Dem boys seh if yuh in debt, nah worry about de bank loans. Just find a partner, tie de knot, and tell everybody cash only No plates, no mugs, no toasters.Justcrisp,cleanbills.
Denewweddingtrendiscashdash, and if yuh play yuh cards right, yuh might just come out richer on de other side. Cash is king, and weddings is de newbank.Whoneedsaloanwhenyuh cangetmarried? Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
surrounded by advisors who arewillingtoprovidecandid, constructive criticism aimed at improving his public addresses.
Bodylanguageisanother critical aspect that the President should be more attentive to During his recent address, many attendees, including eminent members of the legal profession, appeared to be not attuned to what he was saying This non-verbal feedbackshouldhavebeena clear indicator that the presentation was not resonating as intended. By becomingmoreawareofand responsive to his audience's bodylanguage,thePresident can adjust his delivery in real-time, ensuring that his message is effectively
communicated. Itwasnotthebestofdays for the President.At another event, he was reported as sayingthatGuyanawillsoon be capable of supplying the Caribbean's sugar needs Clearly,thePresidentwasnot aware of the current realities r e l a t i n g
Caribbean. The Caribbean's sugarconsumptioniscloseto 800,000tonnes,two-thirdsof whichisimported.
Guyana, struggling to produce even 100,000 tonnes,isfarfrombeingable to meet this demand. This kind
rmed statement undermines the President's credibility and highlightstheneedforbetterinformedpresentations.
These criticisms are
offered in good faith and are not intended as an attack on the President. By addressing them, the President can enhancehispublicaddresses, ensuring that his important messages are communicated effectively and respected by his a
nce Th
s improvement is crucial not onlyforthePresident'simage but also for the nation's standing on the global stage. (The views expressed in this articlearethoseoftheauthor anddonotnecessarilyreflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Nigel Hughes has Bharrat Jagdeo
running for cover, sacred sick… - PART II
In this continuation of candle flickering only, but it to offer when that surfaced. overtaken by spirits? In No conflict, my fellow yesterday’s contribution on is still better than the WhentheChineseDragonin thinking about spirits, I urge citizens, for a man who once Bharrat Jagdeo’s reaction to impenetrable darkness than Guyana, Mr Su, a tenant no myfellowGuyanesetothink swore to d
nd the Nigel Hughes’s ascendancy my brother Jagdeo has come less of a fine landlord by the of ‘Bee Gee’ rum or bush Constitution of Guyana Last, my abiding interest to leadership in a major to being the national leader name of Bharrat Jagdeo, not rum. It ‘duz mek peeple’ above and beyond all other is in what is good for opposition party, the focus is he has always been, is even only got a bag of rich with warped minds interests? It is okay to think Guyana. What is good for limited to two issues: moresotoday Guyanese gifts, but also ‘fugget’... A li’l money, a of me as limited, but never Guyana is good for me, conflict of interest and Jagdeo must be given disclosed how there was a quarter rum, and some make the mistake of taking justifies my presence here. interests. credit: he has the nuts to talk juicy sharing arrangement Guyanese suddenly lose me (and the rest of Guyana) Inthiscountry,intheGuyana Jagdeo has driven about conflict of interest, as involved. Only a Biblical c o n s c
n e s s a n d foreitherafooloradunce. It media coliseum. I had the himself into a frenzy about such involves Nigel Hughes. character of Jagdeo’s conscience. was Dr Jagdeo who took out courage to hail David Nigel Hughes’s seeming My God! What is the world standing could not see a ItwasDr Jagdeowhoput his scalpel and hacked away Granger publicly; then I had conflict of interest in his coming to, when a man that conflict of interest in that on his white gown and run to at a Guyanese tax case thestrengthtotellhimhedid
l) hasmoreconflictsofinterest setup. AChinesetenantwho upend Jus
Sandil involving oil money and wrong with the 2020 relationship with Exxon than a small army of became a Guyanese tycoon. Kissoon’s ruling on full Exxon. If there is one leader elections, when all the Interesting! Thisisbeyonda cockroaches could open his God bless Guyana! And the parent company coverage in in this land who shouldn’t marbles were on the line. I coal-pot calling a stove mouthandtalkaboutconflict fertile mind of Bharrat case of a ruff oil spill. No pronounce upon conflicts of got cursed for my troubles. black. of interest? One of his Jagdeo to be the biggest man conflictasaGuyaneseandas interest, it is Dr Bharrat Itwouldbeinspiringtoknow This is the man Jagdeo closest friends got huge and in this town when things like the ranking national political “Conflict of Interest” of any PPP bigshot who can who is the epitome of all that unequalled business these happen, and there is no leader,comrades? ItwasDr Jagdeo Apparently, the say that they have broken is complete darkness in o p p o r t u n i t i e s w h e n conflict of interest. Where Jagdeo himself who out on Hippocratic oath doesn’t ranks and told Jagdeo to his Guyana labeling a Guyanese Bossman Jagdeo was the are his people then? How his green mask and blue apply to him For the face that he has done some who may hold a ray of light chief mover and shaker, and come not one of them no gloves and rush out to enlightenment of everyone, things (many) wrong. The for all the citizens of this there was no conflict. Not longercanfindtheanalytical employGuyana’sassets(AG itreadslikethis:ifgoodcan’t record is there: former distressed State. For sure, one of his old and newly and critical parts of their Nandlall, money, time, bedone,thendonoharm. At APNU+AFC ministers Hughes’s ray may be tiny, a diehards had much objection minds? Have those been systems) to defend Exxon. least,giveitthebestshot. Khemraj Ramjattan (prison On the matter of fires), Winston Felix interests, this is twofold: (passport lines); Yvonne American and my own Yearwood (spousal award) visions of what should be. I to be fired. The caller was warned brother Jagdeo: yours truly Will somebody ‘deze’ Yankees ‘doan’ have help me locate one of permanent friends. They Jagdeo’s media worshippers only have permanent who said a tenth of the same interests.Ifheishalfassmart when it was their own as he thinks he is, he should involved? I stand for who have no difficulty discerning andwhatIbelieveisgoodfor what Alistair Routledge this country and its hurting (sorry, President Routledge) citizens, whether it is David was doing when he made his Granger or Nigel Hughes. public remarks about Nigel And by God, I have the Hughes not having any manly fortitude, the conflict of interest in his masculine attitude, to rise Exxon linkage I hear and assert that I believe that America talking I hear they have faltered, done America come calling. I wrong. hearAmerica telling Jagdeo: And with that I will keep interests always trump no company Who else can insider relationships. Stone say that in this country, the crows... (in Guyanese, if having thought so highly of ‘maan’ can kick dawg in them? Guyanese must learn ‘chuch’...),thenmattershave to cultivate, begin to make a deteriorated to the depths, start, with being honest with with Jagdeo left looking themselves (The views naked and all on his own. expressedinthisarticleare Yeah, the corruption those of the author and do catastrophes under his not necessarily reflect the policymaking watch are that o p i n i o n s o f t h i s kindofkiller. newspaper.)
on vacation following corruption allegation
DeputyCommissionerof Police(ag)CalvinBrutushas proceeded on annual vacation leave following allegations of financial impropriety, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announcedonThursday
According to a statement issued by the GPF, Brutus requested permission to take his leave to allow for an investigation into corruption allegations.
“ C o n s e q u e n t t o allegations of financial impropriety leveled against Deputy Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus on social media and established media Assistant Commissioner of houses, Calvin Brutus has Police Errol Watts. Assistant since requested permission Commissioner Ravindradat to proceed on annualized Budhramhasbeenappointed vacat
f immediate effect to facilitate Administration, while Watts an investigation in the best has taken over Budhram’s interest of the Guyana Police former role as Head of Force,” the statement said Operations. adding that the request was Reportsemergedthattwo g r a n t e d b y t h e senior officers were under Commissioner of Police investigation by SOCU CliftonHicken. However, in the statement Recently, Kaieteur News releasedlastweek,thePolice reported that the Force Force denied these denied claims that a major allegations, clarifying that shake-up among its top the rotation of officers is a officials, including Brutus, routine management was due to an ongoing practice. “…Please note that investigation by the Special this is not true. This report is Organised Crime Unit misleading and fake. Please ( S O C U ) i n t o i t s beguided,”theForcestated. AdministrationDepartment. I n a s u b s e q u e n t Brutus, who was in statement on July 5, the charge of Administration, Police Force explained that was reassigned as Head of the recent shake-up was part the Special Branch Unit at of a modernization plan for Brickdam, replacing theGuyanaPoliceForce.
Sex worker shot dead on King Street
A 2 8 - y e a r - o l d commercialsexworker,who is a member of the Lesbian
B i s e x u a l G a y a n d
Transgender (LGBT) community, was shot dead early Thursday morning in the vicinity of King Street a n d S o u t h R o a d , Georgetown. Dead is Shawn Simonknownas‘ElHopper’ of Grove, East Bank Demerara(EBD).
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the murder occurred at about 02:00h while Simon was standing in rightarmandcollapsed. the company of another sex He was rushed to the workerwhenaheavilytinted Georgetown Public Hospital silver vehicle drove up on Corporation (GPHC) where CroalStreet. he was pronounced dead on According to reports, arrival. shots were fired from the D e t e c t i v e s h a v e vehicleinthedirectionofthe recovered a 9mm spent shell sex workers who attempted fromthecrimescene. to escape. However, Simon Investigations are was hit in the region of his ongoing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (ag) Calvin Brutus
Dead: Shawn Simon
Agri. Ministry seeking new contractor for A-Line pump station project
With the first project
- new works estimated to cost $420 million
With the delay in completion of instances, the NDIA applied terminated, the Ministry of the project, Opposition Member of liquidated damages to contractors Agriculture through the National Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul whohavenotbeenabletocomplete Drainage and Irrigation Authority publicly highlighted the projects according to the
(NDIA) is again seeking
slothfulness of that project, among contractual time period, the contractors to construct the A-Line others. statementdisclosed. Pump Station in Versailles, West
“While he (Minister of “InthecaseoftheA-Linepump BankDemerara,RegionThree. Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha) station, the contractor has not been
This is according to an made a show of visiting the Canal able to complete the project on invitation for bids issued by the No. 1 pump station, conveniently time As a result, liquidated ministry which was published in ignoring its neighbouring A-Line damages are now being applied. Thursday’s edition of this station and Pouderoyen Pump The NDIA has noted that the newspaper The document stated Stations, the truth is clear: projects contractor demobilized several that the new project is estimated to across the region languish in a state pieces of equipment from the site. cost$420,335,740. of abandonment and disrepair,” As such, the NDIAhas notified the It was previously reported that Mahipaul said in a statement back insurance company providing theAgricultureMinistryterminated inApril. bonds on this project, and a file on a $717 million contract for the
Responding to the Opposition the current situation has been sent construction of the A-Line pump MP, the National Drainage and to the Office of the Attorney station. Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in a General for advice on the way
The construction site where the A-Line Pump Station at Versailles, West Bank Demerara was initially being built. (Photo courtesy, Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul)
The Agriculture Minister, statement at the time stated that forward,”NDIAsaidbackinApril. Zulfikar Mustapha had told over the years, the Ministry and the Kaieteur News had reported Kaieteur News that the contract has NDIA crafted programmes aimed thattheministrythroughNDIAhad been terminated and the project at delivering quality drainage and also terminated a pump station halted due to non-performance by irrigation infrastructure across the contract ($978.7 million) for Black the contractor. The Minister “There are a number of MinistryonFacebook. country, especially in vulnerable Bush Polder front-lands in Region explained that due to this set back, contractors who are delinquent, I It was reported previously that areas. These efforts, however, have Six due to poor quality and his ministry will re-start the tender think the President (Irfaan Ali) at following a national bidding been met with challenges as, performance.Thatprojecthassince process in search of another hispressconferencespokeaboutit, process, the NPTAB in April 2022 oftentimes, the NDIA encountered been retendered and is now being contractortocompletetheproject. we have already started to charge awardeda$717,095,940contractto c o n t r a c t o r s w h o h a v e executed by Quality Deliverer for
Late last month, Minister liquidated damages on those contractor Civcon Engineering underperformed. $799million. MustaphavisitedRegionSixwhere contracts and I am hoping those Contractors for the A-Line pump The Authority had further Meanwhile, bids for theA-Line he said that there are several pump contracts are completed shortly so station project. The project was disclosed that these instances have pump station project are expected station projects ongoing across the we can commission them,” he said expected to be completed in June been and are being addressed on a to open on August 06, 2024 at the countrythatisnearcompletion. in a statement published by his 2023. case-by-case basis In some NPTABoffice.
Pres. Ali meets with USAID delegation to discuss bilateral relations
President Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, met with a high-level United States Agency for International Development (USAID) delegation to discuss the continuing relationship betweentheagencyandGuyana.
The USAID delegation, which was led by the Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, Isobel Coleman, engaged the President and other officials on “continued collaboration and strengthening of the bilateral relationship betweenGuyanaandUSAID,andonhowtheorganisationcan help the country to grow and expand its capacity to deal with the rapid and expansive growth of its current development trajectory,” according to a statement from the Office of the President.
Apart from the Deputy Administrator, the USAID team included its Regional Representative for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Mervyn Farroe; Senior Advisor Rob Berschinski; Special Assistant Jocilyn Estes and Senior DevelopmentAdvisorAaronSpencer
Additionally, the United States Ambassador to Guyana, H.E.NicoleTheriot,accompaniedtheUSAIDdelegation.
The Guyanese officials that joined President Ali were MinisterofForeignAffairsandInternationalCooperation,the Honourable Hugh Todd; Foreign Secretary, Mr Robert Persaud and Director of Presidential Affairs, Mrs. Marcia Nadir-Sharma.
The meeting was part of a three-day visit to Guyana by Coleman and her team in the interest of reaffirming USAID’s commitment to promoting democratic governance and economicsustainabilityintheCaribbeanregion.
GNBS seizes, destroys...
From page 8
importation. Inspectors also visit sale outlets across the country to examine products which are offered for sale to ensure compliance. Importers and dealers are required to take the necessary corrective actions when substandard productsareencounteredbytheGNBSInspectors.
Importers and dealers are urged purchase a copy of the relevant national standards from the GNBS to familiarize themselves with the requirements. This will allow them to buy and sell products that meet labelling and quality specifications.Thiscantremendouslyreducethelikelihood of electrical fires caused by the installation and use of substandardproducts.
Lastly, the GNBS encourages importers to provide manufacturer’s warranty and timely redress to their customersregardingdefectiveproductspurchased.
T
Electrical/ElectronicAppliances,Weighing and Measuring Devices, Textiles, Garments, Footwear, Safety Helmets,
The two delegations engage in a discussion on Thursday.
President Irfaan Ali (left) and USAID Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, Isobel Coleman.
WANTED VACANCY
Caricom Insurance is now hiring Sales Agents/Representatives. Attractive Commission and Training provided. Call: (592) 610-6650.
Two canter Driver, Must have a valid driver's license and at least 2 years experience. Call: 644-7088 / 624-7248.
Housekeeper in Georgetown area for cleaning, cooking laundry & supervising 10 year old. Call/ WhatsApp: 643-4203.
Diesel Mechanic to work in the Interior, interested persons can contact: 701-4000 between 8 am-4pm.
Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100-$4900 per day. Workers paid weekly. Call: 6117839.
Cook, Kitchen Assistant and male Helper needed. Call: 603-1278/ 665-5074.
Live in Nanny wanted overseas, ages 18-45 years. Must have a valid visa & travel documents. WhatsApp: +1682-209-9561.
Looking for a live in caregiver to care for an elderly disabled person, ages 50-60 years. Call: 694-1044.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.
Canter truck, great for mobile vending, 2019 December, RHD with 54,500 KM. Arrived in Guyana December 2023. Contact: 676-5051.
1 Toyota Allion, Pioneer DVD, CD & USB deck, reverse camera, alarm, low milage. Call: 649-0956.
FIRST AID/CPR/AED as well as home nursing
Auto Electrician and Mechanics needed. Send your CV To: omaransarimi@gmail.com or Call: 618-7066.
Lathe Operator, Welder & Handyman needed at Good Hope, ECD. Call: 645-9333/ 220-6078.
One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade 2. Email application: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.
Maid to cook & clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132
Male Cleaner for Eccles. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.
Female Cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 645-8443
One Pedicurists for home service in East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.
Live-in Housekeeper needed to cook, clean and do laundry in Virgina, USA. Free room and boarding offered. Call: 845-325-8241.
Experienced Journalists needed at BVI News agency. Email: adsvino@gmail.com or WhatsApp: 1-284-4428000.
Chainsaw Operators and Labourers needed for wood concession. Call: 633-6030.
Supermarket Packers, porters and Bond clerk AM & PM needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, Sheriff St. Call: 6092995,survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com
Experienced Accounts Clerk with Quickbooks knowledge apply @ Survival Shopping Complex, Sheriff St. Call: 6092995,survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com
Supermarket PM Cashiers required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Tel: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2@ gmail.com
Vacancy for Receptionist and Hotel Attendant at Hick's Ville Hotel. Email: info @vegeworld.net or Call: 2310951/ 231-0952.
Sand truck Driver needed, Sand pit to Eccles. $5,000 per trip. Call: 621-5282.
Lorry /Canter Driver in G/ Town or East Bank. Must have lorry license, $135,000 monthly. Call/ WhatsApp: 609-2220.
VACANCY
Live-out Nanny/ housekeeper, $27,000 per week Mon-Sat at Providence. Call/ WhatsApp: 609-2220.
Now hiring: Executive Secretary, Project Engineer & Accounts Clerk, To apply send application via Whatsapp: 638-5303/ 638-1111.
FOR RENT
4 bedrooms house at Lamaha Gardens, $2,800 USD. All amenities provided along with parking, long term only! Call: 679-2966.
CAR RENTAL
Car for rent. For more information Call: 671-7931 / 6216613.
PROPERTY FOR SALE
Double lot at 344 A&B Middle Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Call: 927-6035603/ 592-693-9494.
SERVICES
Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.
Visa Application and consultation, advertisements publishing, graphics design, local & USA passport & i130 application forms. Call: 6267040.
Zee Nail care at Lot G Bent Street is offering pedicure $6000 & manicure $2000. Book appointments now!. Call: 698-9132.
FOR SALE
German shepherd mix with Husky available. Call : 6480111.
2 Howo cement mixer truck for sale, $20 M for both. Call: 652-0251/650-0402/2604018.
Sheriff Construction, lone Guyanese company bid to build Lethem Hospital
Sheriff Construction Inc. is the lone Guyanese company to submit a bid to design and build the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine. Six bids were submitted and the five other bidders are all Chinese companies.
The project which is being executed through the Ministry of Health was recently opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office and it was revealed that the other five bidders are all Chinese companies.
The contractors who bid are: China Railway Construction Caribbean Company Limited; Sheriff Construction Inc; Shandong Hi-Speed Dejian Group Inc.; CMECSinopharmintl Construction; Jiangsu Zhongsen Architectural Design Co Ltd; and Zhenjang No.2 Construction Engineering Co Limited.
This publication reported that the construction of the hospital falls under a US$97 million – Health Care Network
Strengthen – Inter-America Development Bank (IDB) loan. In its tender, the Health Ministry stated that part of the proceeds will be allocated to the construction of the Lethem Hospital, which is envisioned to operate at a level five standard.
The IDB loan, secured by the Guyana Government in December 2022, forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation’s healthcare network under the Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP).
The comprehensive programme aims to bolster the capacity of seven hospitals across various regions, including key hinterland areas and urban centers.
It was reported that the loan will be used to improve the health of the Guyanese population through increased access, quality, and efficiency of health services by improving health outcomes associated with low and high complexity procedures.
This will be done by expanding the capacity of strategic hospitals, by extending coverage of diagnostic, medical consultation, and patient management services, inclusive of the country’s hinterlands, through digital health; and by increasing the efficiency of the public health system, by strengthening key logistic, management, and support processes and inputs.
The project is also expected to target infrastructure improvement and expansion in seven priority hospitals, namely the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital (NARH) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), as well as four District Hospitals located in the hinterland (Moruca, Kamarang, Kato, and Lethem).
Hospital in Region Nine. Six bids were submitted and the five other bidders are all Chinese companies.
Disaster revisits Vermont as Beryl's remnants flood the state a year after catastrophic rainfall
PLAINFIELD, Vt. (AP)
The remnants of Hurricane Beryl dumped heavy rain on Vermont, washing away much of an apartment building, knocking out bridges and cutting off towns, and retraumatizing a state still recovering from catastrophic floods that hit a year ago to the day. At least one person died, officials said Thursday.
More than 100 people were rescued by swift-water teams during the worst of the rainfall, which started Wednesday and continued into Thursday, officials said. In Plainfield, residents of a six-unit apartment building had mere minutes to evacuate before water destroyed it, the town's emergency management director said.
The death came in the community of Peacham, where floodwaters swept away a man in a vehicle, officials said.
Stunned residents emerged Thursday to assess damage in a series of small towns along a hilly corridor on the Winooski River, connected mostly by U.S. Highway 2. Parts of that artery were closed, along with dozens of other roads. Shelters opened in several communities.
“It's just mud everywhere,” said Art Edelstein, who assessed the destruction at a home he has owned for 50 years in Plainfield. “This is, in my impression, catastrophic. I've just never seen anything like this.”
The deluge dropped more than 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain on parts of Vermont,
and the heaviest rainfall was in the same areas devastated on July 10, 2023, said Marlon Verasamy, of the National Weather Service in Burlington. Rivers had crested at virtually all locations by late Thursday afternoon.AP correspondent Jennifer King reports there's been flood damage in Vermont, from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl that swept the northeast U.S.
“It's not lost on any of us the irony of the flood falling on the one-year anniversary to the day when many towns were hit last year,” Gov. Phil Scott told reporters.
The towns hit hardest by Beryl's rains lie east of the capital, Montpelier, which flooded last year but escaped serious damage this week.
In Plainfield, a concrete bridge that collapsed and tumbled downstream was likely responsible for ripping off part of an apartment building with five units, said Michael Billingsley, the town's emergency management director.
The occupant of another home was pulled through a window to safety moments before it was swept downstream, and a mobile home floated away with four pets belonging to a family that narrowly escaped, he said.
Hilary Conant said she had to flee her apartment as the Great Brook rose, just as she did a year earlier.
“It's like rewind to last year,” she said. “The water was coming up, so I knew it was time to leave with my dog. It's very retraumatizing.” A
neighbor offered a camper. She and her dog, Casper, sheltered Thursday at Goddard College, which opened dorm rooms to displaced residents.
Around the corner from her home was the apartment building that collapsed. The front still stood, but the rest was wrecked or gone. “It's otherworldly,” she said. “It's devastating.”
In small Moretown, the ruin appeared worse than a year ago, and the school was once again damaged, said Tom Martin, chair of the town board. Workers hoped to install a temporary bridge Thursday to restore the main road access to town.
“They say we're 'Vermont strong.' We'll get through it,” Martin said.
A police cruiser crashed down a 30-foot embankment Wednesday night when the officer tried to avoid a utility pole and power lines blocking the road in Monkton, south of Burlington. The officer was not seriously injured, state police said.
Beryl landed in Texas on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane and left millions in the Houston area without power. It then cut across the interior U.S. as a post-tropical cyclone that brought flooding and sometimes tornadoes from the Great Lakes to Canada and northern New England. It has been blamed for at least eight U.S. deaths and 11 in the Caribbean.
Six tornadoes hit western New York on Wednesday, damaging homes and barns and uprooting trees, the weather service said.
Guyana's salary scale to match other jurisdictions in a few years
– President Ali says at Caribbean Investment Forum
President IrfaanAli told the Caribbean Investment Forum on Wednesday that the salary scale in Guyana willbematchingthoseofthe other jurisdiction that the nurses and teachers have migrated to in a few years. TheHeadofStatewasatthe time giving the feature address to the forum in the dome of the Arthur Chung ConferenceCenter
Speakingtotheaudience he said that, “As I said beforeinanotherfewyears, our salary structure will be comparable to many jurisdictions that our teachers, our nurses went and they will want to return andthenitwillbecomemore
competitive to enter differentjobs.”
Taking this into consideration, Ali advised that persons who are currently employed should use the opportunity to “continuously upgrade themselves and make personal progress and personalachievement.”
“At the center of all this development is human
transformation, everything we do must involve people at the center So whatever wedo,howwebuildoutthe sectors,howweinvestinthe sectors requires us to bring thehumanresourcesupwith development.
Developing their skill set, deploying new knowledge, upgrading skills,” the president continued.
Explaining that the government is on a swift path of development with economic transformation, there are plans to diversify the country's economic base.
AsGuyanawillnotonly be known as the leader on energy, food security and climateby2030,itmustbea country“inwhoseeconomy resides the most skilled workforce.”
“Thesearetheambitions that we have set ourselves; robust economic growth, developinganon-oilgrowth model and pathway to ensure that they headline of being one of the fastest growing economies in the
worldistranslatedtooneof
strategies in the world,” PresidentAlistressed.
During the first strike, thispublicationhadreported on teachers highlighting the stark contrast between Guyana's booming GrossDomestic Product (GDP) and the abysmally low wages for educators Guyana's global GDP position is owed to the burgeoningoilsector
The point the educators
made is that Guyana has been dubbed the fastest growing economy in the world, while they are still struggling 'to make ends meet'becauseofthemeagre salaries teachers are being paidin2024.
L a s t y e a r , t h e International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2022, Guyana recorded a GDP growth of 62.3%, the highest in the world. Also, the country's GDP is expected to grow by more than100%by2028.
Three-month-old dies
in Enmore fire
…atfirstmeetingofbodysinceappointment
M
f t h e Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) met for the first time on Tuesday, three months after they were appointed, Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs
Anil Nandlall, SC disclosed during his July 9 episode of IssuesintheNews.
Nandlall began his programme by announcing that the Commission met for the first time at 15:00hrs on Tuesday afternoon at its Middle Street, Georgetown location. He disclosed that at the said meeting, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira was elected as the Vice Chairman.
Though the Vice Chairman was appointed, the Commissionisyettoappoint asecretary
"The Commission also begun to consider the appointmentofaSecretaryof theCommission,whoshallbe the head of the secretariat of the Commission
c
A three-month-old baby died on ThursdaymorninginafireatEnmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) that destroyed a two-storey wooden and concretehouse.
The infant, Leroy Archer, was asleep in the house at the time of the fire.
Kaieteur News understandsthatthe house was occupied by four persons includingthebaby.Leroyandhistwoyear-old sibling Lorenzo, were home with his mother, Chandroutie Manickchandwhenthefirestarted.
The children's father, Leon Archer wasatwork.
Neighbours recalled that the fire startedaround10:00hrs.
Kaieteur News understands that Manickchand told investigators that she was showering in the lower flat of
thehousewhilethebabywasasleepin theupperflat.
Thedistraughtmotherreportedthat someonealertedhertothefireandshe rantothebedroomtoremovethebaby but the room was already engulfed in flames.Thisforcedhertoexitthehouse leavingtheinfant.
Neighbours said too that the fire spread quickly even damaging the gutteringofaneighbouringtwo-storey building.
An inconsolable Manickchand collapsed and was rushed to a medical facility Similarly, upon arrival at the scene, Leon Archer fainted and was whiskedawaybyanambulance.
While the cause of the fire is unknown, a neighbour recalled Manickchandsayingthatsheleftafan oninthebedroomwhichthebabywas
sleeping in. “The fan was on but she saidnothingwaswrongwiththefanso she don't know,” the neighbour told reporters.
The owner of the house said that Archer and Manickchand started rentingthepropertysixmonthsago.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service(GFS)inastatementsaidthatit received a call alerting to a fire at 10:25hrs. Firefighters arrived on the sceneat10:35hrsandthefirstjetwent intoactionat10:36hrs.
The response team included Water Carrier #16 from the Melanie Fire Station and Water Tender #106 from the Mahaica Fire Station, carrying a total of 9,463.5 litres of water to extinguishthefire.
Investigationsareongoing.
(ShaniaWilliams)
relation to the terms and conditions of employment andtheremunerationpackage of the secretary will continue via email in what the AG described as a 'Round Robin' basis.
The Commission is scheduled to meet once more todeterminehowtheywould goabouttheappointment.
"All other business of the Commission was suspended until a secretary is appointed because there is no one currently to administer the affairs of the Commission other than the chairman. The commissioners are all parttimecommissioners,theonly person who is a full time memberoftheCommissionis the chairman, and the chairman has no staff, the Commissionhasnosecretary and there is no one to administer the affair of the Commission including the day-to-day running of the Commission," he further stated.
nc
on that appointment as yet, as a decision has to be made in respect of the remuneration package and the terms and conditionsofemploymentfor that post, and then the Commission will decide on a process of how a secretary to the Commission will be appointed,"Nandlallsaid.
The Commission has agreedthatthediscussionsin
The appointment of a secretary is critical to the recruitmentofstaff.
"So shortly we will meet and the question of the appointment of the Secretary to the Commission will be addressed and hopefully concluded.Afterthat,atleast the Commission will have one officer to administer the affairs of the secretariat so that the commission can begin its work," Nandlall added.
President Irfaan Ali
Desperate for food, Gazans turn to mulberry leaves to survive
(Reuters) Palestinians in Gaza are eating whatever they can find to avoid death from starvation. Like many others there, Ahmed AlShanbari and three of his sons risk their lives to pick mulberry leaves to eat. And even these are not easy to find. They have to struggle throughrubbleandbuildings shattered by Gaza's war, to feedafamilyofeight.
This is a common sight across the enclave as Palestinians face a hunger crisis.
Nearly 2 3 million peoplehereliveinoneofthe world's most densely populated places facing shortage of food, water, medicineandfuel.
“Itisscarytowalkwhen the bombing is still happening, ” said AlShanbari, who like many Gazans risks Israeli bombardment in the search forfood.
Ahmed's wife Fatima cleans the leaves and boils themoveramakeshiftstove.
“Nothing in it is tolerable,neitheritstastenor itscolour,”shesaid.
Fatima stuffs the leaves with rice and spices, hoping togetherchildrentotolerate the sour taste Yet the bitternessremains.
The mulberry leaves are animal'sfood,shesays.“But
The Cameroonian-flagged ship Usko Mfu is pictured off the coast of Ukraine [Handout/ Office of Ukraine's Prosecutor General via Telegram T
what can we do? Ever since the war started, we did not taste anything, we're living on the few things we find,” saidFatima.
The war began when militants from the
Palestinian militant group HamasburstacrosstheGaza borderandattackedIsraelon Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Nine months on, Gaza healthauthoritiessayatleast 38,000 Palestinians have beenkilled.
In a July 9 statement, a groupofindependenthuman rights experts mandated by the United Nations said that famine has spread throughouttheenclave.
The experts said that the recent deaths of more Palestinian children from starvation despite medical treatment in central Gaza, leaves no doubt that famine has spread across the entire Gazastrip.
“Fayez Ataya, who was barely six months old, died on 30 May 2024 and 13year-old Abdulqader AlSerhidiedon1June2024at theAl-AqsaHospitalinDeir Al-Balah.
Nine-year-old Ahmad Abu Reida died on 3 June 2024inthetentshelteringhis displaced family in Al-
Palestinians in Gaza are eating whatever they can find to avoid death from starvation
Mawasi, Khan Younis. All three children died from malnutrition and lack of access to adequate healthcare,”theexpertssaid.
The UN experts added, “We declare that Israel's intentional and targeted starvation campaign against the Palestinian people is a form of genocidal violence and has resulted in famine
across all of Gaza. We call upon the international community to prioritise the deliveryofhumanitarianaid by land by any means necessary,endIsrael'ssiege, andestablishaceasefire.”
Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva said the statement amounted to “misinformation”.
“Israel has continuously scaled up its coordination
andassistanceinthedelivery of humanitarian aid across the Gaza Strip, recently connecting its power line to the Gaza water desalination plant,”itadded.
Atleast33childrenhave died of malnutrition, mostly in northern areas which had untilrecentlyfacedthebrunt of the Israeli military campaign,accordingtoGaza healthauthorities.
Gazaremainsathighrisk of famine as the war continues and aid access is restricted, said a U Nbackedglobalmonitorcalled theIntegratedFoodSecurity Phase Classification (IPC), lastmonth.
More than 495,000 people are facing the most severe, or “catastrophic”, level of food insecurity, the IPCsaid.
Ukraine seizes cargo ship carrying 'looted' grain for Russia
Ukraine has seized an international freighteritsayswastransportingstolen UkrainiangrainfromRussian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) saidonThursdaythatitsforcesstopped the vessel in the Black Sea near Ukraine's Odesa region, seizing it and apprehendingitscaptain.
The Cameroon-flagged vessel, UskoMfu,hadbeenworkingforRussia to export grain to the Middle East, the SBU said. It had repeatedly docked at the Crimean sea port of Sevastopol
sincelastyeartopickupseveraltonnes of the “looted” products, the statement said.Sevastopolisanimportantmilitary hubforRussiaontheBlackSea.
Toconcealitsmovements,theSBU said, the vessel regularly shut off its GPS tracker and logged false travel information.
Its captain, an Azerbaijani citizen, couldfaceuptofiveyearsinprisonfor violating travel restrictions governing Ukraine'sRussian-occupiedterritories.
Itisunclearif12otherforeigncrew members, who prosecutors said were also on board the vessel when it was seized, will facecharges.
“The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and identify other persons involved in the illegal activity,”theSBUsaid.
Russian forces occupied swaths of southernUkraine'sagriculturalregions inthefirstyearofits2022invasion,and KyivhasaccusedRussiaofstealingand destroyingitsgrain.
Ukraine also blames Russia for pulling out of a United Nationsbrokereddealin2023thatallowedKyiv to safely transport its grain across the Black Sea, causing its food exports to plummet.Ukraine has since opened newsearoutes,oftenhuggingthecoast, to bypass Russia's de facto blockade, bringing its grain exports back to near pre-warlevels.
The European Union in May imposed “prohibitive” duties on grain imports from Russia in a bid to cut off revenues to Moscow for its war on Ukraine.Thebloc'stradecommissioner said the measure would “tackle illegal RussianexportsofstolenUkrainegrain intoEUmarkets”.
Taxi driver busted with $35M worth of ganja
Ataxi driver was carried out by ranks from werediscovered. on Wednesday Regional Police Division #6 A total of 53 parcels arrested after he and Police Headquarters wrapped in transparent
was caught with along the No 45 Public plastic suspected to be approximately $35M worth Road. cannabis sativa were found. of marijuana during an Police intercepted a The driver was the lone intelligence-led operation in Toyota Spacio bearing occupant of the vehicle. He Berbice. registration number HD 732 was arrested and taken to the
TheGuyanaPoliceForce thatwasdrivenbya33-year- policestation. (GPF) in a statement issued oldfromBlock19LinePath, At the police station, the on its Facebook page said Corriverton, Berbice parcels weighed 116, 641 that the meticulously During a search of the grams(257lbs)amountingto executed operation was vehicle, seven ‘salt bags’ a s t r e e t v a l u e o f $34,992,383. Investigations are ongoing.
Mother who chopped 9-year-old daughter remanded
A 33-year-old housewife from Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) who chopped her 9-year-old daughter was remanded on an attempted murder charge on Thursday when she appeared at the Leonora Magistrates’Court.
The woman, Bibi Fareena Joseph, also known as Christine appeared virtually before Magistrate Faith McGusty where the attempted murder charge was read to her Joseph is accused of attempting to kill her9-year-olddaughter
The remanded woman, Bibi Fareena Joseph
According to the police report, on Sunday, July 7, at However, the child approximately 21:30h, managed to escape and was Joseph was allegedly in a takentotheLeonoraCottage heated argument with her Hospitalbyaneighbour The boyfriend, during which he child was examined by a told her and her child that doctor, who listed her they were “wastes” and that conditionasstable. henolongerwantedthem. Joseph was also found
Following the argument, withachopwoundtoherleft Joseph reportedly called her arm, having reportedly daughter and informed her inflicted the injury on that her father was already herself.Shewasarrestedand dead and that her stepfather escorted to the Leonora did not want them anymore. Cottage Hospital, where she Joseph then allegedly took a wasexamined. chopper and chopped her Sheisscheduledtoreturn daughteronherleftarminan to court on August 2, 2024, attempttokillher. forareport.
Paolini into first Wimbledon final with victory over tearful Vekic
AFP - Italy's Jasmine Paolini reached her first Wimbledon final with a stirring fightback to beat tearfulCroatianDonnaVekic 2-6,6-4,7-6(10/8)yesterday inthelongestwomen'ssemifinalattheAllEnglandClub.
Paolini had never won a main draw match at Wimbledon before this year, but the world number seven tenaciously saw off Vekic in twohoursand51minuteson Centre Court to secure a second successive Grand Slamfinalappearance.
The28-year-old,wholost the French Open final last month, will face 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena RybakinaorCzech31stseed Barbora Krejcikova in Saturday'sfinal.
After surviving the
emotional encounter with Vekic, Paolini could celebrate becoming the first Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon final.It has been a breakthrough year for Paolini, who reached her maiden Grand Slam final at Roland Garros before losing to world number one Iga Swiatek.Paolini, who made theAustralia Open last 16 in January, had not gone past thesecondroundinanySlam beforethisyear
Without a win at the All England Club heading into the tournament, Paolini now has six victories under her beltandhasdroppedjusttwo setsintheprocess.
"You know there is no placebetterthanheretofight for every ball and every point," Paolini said.”I was
strugglingatthebeginning.I wasservingreallybad,soI'm so happy This match I will r
July12,2024
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19
Yourfinancialsituationlooks particularly good right now
An increase in income could be coming your way, Aries. The downside could be that contractsmightbeinvolved.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Recent developments have brought new interests into yourlife,Taurus.Asaresult, you might be seriously considering enrolling in a formalcourse.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
our mind is especially sharp, Gemini. You're logical and objective by nature However,todayyou'relikely to find that your thinking is more influenced by feeling thanusual.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Agroupyou'reinvolvedwith may want to discuss a future trip of some kind, Cancer, perhapstoaconvention.The drive to expand your horizonsisverystrongtoday
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Your intuition is operating at a very high level today, Leo. Youtendtofollowyourheart by nature, so you don't alwaysgooutofyourwayto belogicalorobjective.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Today should be a gratifying day,Virgo,fullofgreatnews, pleasant surprises, and openingdoorsofopportunity on just about every level. Careerbreaksandchances.
gift-wrapped by two waywardPaoliniforehands.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini celebrates reaching the Wimbledon final.
(Ben Stansall)
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Paperwork involving financial transactions may need to be handled today, Libra, but it won't be as tedious as you think Whatever information is requirediseasilyobtained.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
A friend could put you in touchwithalotofinteresting people,someinfieldssuchas law, education, or the ministry
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Youmayspendmuchofyour day trying to sort out financial mat
yourself,yourjob,orperhaps for a friend or relative, Sagittarius. A lot of phone calls, and a lot of research, perhapsontheInternet.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Today you might spend a lot of time with the special person in your life if that’s po
Romance and affection are definitelyapowerfulfactor
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
The possibility of some future houseguests might have you checking your hometoseewhatneedstobe donetomakeitpresentable.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Today you might decide to participate in activities involving children, Pisces. Fieldtripseitherforpleasure or educational purposes may takeplace,ifpossible.
ememberforever."Vekicpaid the price for 57 unforced errors, with the semi-final fittingly ending on another wild forehand from the unseededCroatian.
Unable to contain her frustration at letting 3-1 and
4-3 leads slip in the last set, Vekicbrokedownintearsin the closing stages of a rollercoasterclash.
-FeistyPaoliniVekic landed the first breakinthefifthgameofthe openingset,takinga3-2lead
Unloading baseline winners and deft drop-shots at will, the Croatian broke again in the seventh game and emphatically served out the set Paolini couldn't convert her first break opportunity of the match in thefourthgameofthesecond set But Vekic squandered two break points in the following game, losing her momentum as the feisty Paolini levelled the match with a ferocious forehand to takethesetwithabreakat54.Vekic took a lengthy break off court to gather herself before the decider, reemerging to break in the firstgameofthethirdset.
Yet as the tension mounted, the nervy Croatian stumbled as Paolini broke back to level at 3-3,Vekic earned another break in the following game before handing Paolini a lifeline by tamely dropping serve for 44.In a dramatic finale, Vekic ignoredanapparentinjuryto saveamatchpointinthe10th game. WhenVekiccouldn'ttake a break point in the next game, she broke down in tearsatthechangeofends.
Vekic managed to compose herself enough to save a second match point, butsheblewa3-1leadinthe tie-break as Paolini gutted outamemorablevictory Intheday'ssecondsemifinal, world number four Rybakina will be chasing a second Wimbledon final appearance.Krejcikova has a 2-0 record against the Russian-bornKazakh.
Alcaraz, Djokovic close in on Wimbledon... Frompage23 including a come-frombehindfive-setvictoryatthe FrenchOpenlastmonth.
That third-round match set the record for the latest finishatRolandGarros,with Djokoviccompletingvictory at3:07inthemorning.
Musetti, 22, also took Djokovicthedistanceintheir first meeting at Roland Garros in 2021, when the Italian won the opening two setsoftheirlast-16tiebefore injuryscupperedhishopesin thedecider
" H e ' s a l e g e n d everywhere, but especially here at Wimbledon," said Musetti.
"I expect a big fight. It's one of the toughest challenges But I'm an ambitiousguyandIliketobe challenged."
Donna Vekic (PA Media)
Batting woes continue as West Indies on brink of swift first Test defeat at stumps on day two
SportsMax - The West Indies are on the brink of a quickdefeatatstumpsonday two of the first of threeTests againstEnglandatLord's.
The tourists ended Thursday79-6off34.5overs, needingafurther171runsto forceEnglandtobatagain.
Similar to the first innings, the West Indian top order failed to impress as Kraigg Brathwaite (4), Kirk McKenzie (0), Mikyle Louis (14)andKavemHodge(4)all fell within the first 20 overs of the innings with the West Indiesteeteringatjust37.
AlickAthanaze was next togoafterbattlinghardfor22 toleavetheWestIndies55-5 th in the 29 over before Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva looked set to see out the English bowling for the rest oftheday
This proved not to be the case as Holder became Gus Atkinson'sninthwicketofhis magicaldebutintheday'slast
overfor20toleavetheWest Indies 79-6 off 34.5 overs at stumps.
JoshuaDaSilvawas8*at thecloseofplay
Atkinson and skipper Ben
James Anderson celebrating the wicket of Kraigg
Stokes have taken two wickets,each,sofar
Earlier, the hosts progressed to 371 all out off 90 overs after beginning day two189-3.
Both overnight batsmen, Joe Root and Harry Brook, went on to bring up their fifties.
Root eventually fell for a 114-ball 68 including seven fours while Brook made an even50off64ballsincluding fivefoursandasix.
Thetopscorerontheday, however,wasdebutantJamie Smithwhohiteightfoursand twosixesonhiswaytoa119ball70.
On his return to the Test arena,JaydenSealeswasthe
pick of the West Indian bowlers with 4-77 from20overs.
Gudakesh Motie and Jason Holder provided good support for Seales with 2-41 off 16 overs and 2-58 off 18 overs,respectively Full Scores: West Indies 121 all out off 41.4 overs (Mikyle Louis 27, Gus Atkinson 7-45) & 79-6 off 34.5 overs (Alick Athanaze 22, James Anderson 2-11, Ben Stokes 2-25, Gus Atkinson 2-27); England 371 all out off 90 overs (Zak Crawley 76, Jamie Smith 70, Joe Root 68, Ollie Pope 57, Harry Brook 50, Jayden Seales 4-77, Gudakesh Motie 2-41,JasonHolder2-58).
CWI Men's Rising Stars U19 2-Day tournament...
Thorne named replacement for Jodah
-All-rounderoptsout oftournamentdue toAcademicstudies
Fast-bowler Isai Thorne will replace all-rounder Zachary Jodah who opted out of the CWI Rising Stars 2-Day championships, due to ongoing Academic studies.
Thorne, the West Indies U19 speedster who was instrumental in the Guyana Harpy Eagles retaining their 4-DayChampionshipstitlea few months back during his rookie season, will replace theyoungall-rounder Jodah, a key young player in the Guyana setup will utilize the time to focus on his current academic developmentafteroptingout of the tour, a move which wasendorsedbytheGuyana CricketBoard(GCB).
Thorne met up with his teammatesonTuesdayupon his return from England, ahead of Guyana's opening match versus Leeward Islandsandshouldplayakey roleintheyoungteam'sstarstudded bowling attack, adding tons of regional and international experience to theside.
Jamie Smith on his way to 70 on debut. (Getty Images)
Brathwaite. (Getty Images)
Isai Thorne
Zachary Jodah
Alcaraz, Djokovic close in on Wimbledon final blockbuster
Champion: Carlos Alcaraz (Glyn KIRK)
AFP - Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and seven-time winner
NovakDjokoviccanset-upa W i m b l e d o n f i n a l blockbustertoday
However, standing in their way are Daniil Medvedev and Lorenzo Musetti, who has made the semi-final of a Grand Slam forthefirsttime.
AFP Sport looks at the twosemi-finals:
Alcaraz, Medvedev in repeatshow Spanish world number three Alcaraz defeated Medvedev in straight sets in last year's semi-final at the All England Club before the Russian avenged that loss with an impressive last-four victoryattheUSOpen.
Alcaraz,21,isbiddingto reach his fourth Slam final before setting his sights on becomingonlythesixthman to win the French Open and Wimbledonback-to-back.
It has been an uneven Wimbledon for the Spaniard -- he was pushed to five sets byFrancesTiafoeinthethird
round and then needed four sets to see off Ugo Humbert andTommyPaul.
Alcarazholdsa4-2headto-headleadoverMedvedev, aplayerhelikenedto"awall, everyballbouncesback".
Medvedev is looking to reach a seventh Grand Slam final.
The fifth-ranked Russian, a former US Open champion, stunned top seed Jannik Sinner in five sets in the quarter-finals, gaining revenge for his defeat to the Italian in January's AustralianOpenfinal.
"It'stoughtoplayagainst Carlos because you know whatevershotyouhit,hecan hitawinnerfromthere,"said Medvedev
Medvedevhashit64aces toAlcaraz's52sofar Hehas dropped served eight times while Alcaraz has seen his service games breached 16 times.
Djokovic faces Musetti ingenerationgame
Djokovic has equalled Roger Federer's mark by reaching a 13th Wimbledon
semi-final and is two wins from matching the Swiss star's record of eight singles titlesattheAllEnglandClub.
Victorytodaywouldtake him to a 10th final at the tournament.
At 37, Djokovic could also become the oldest championofthemodernera, an impressive achievement for a man who underwent knee surgery as recently as lastmonth.
This season he has lost his Australian Open and French Open titles and has yettomakeafinalontour
He was handed a free pass into Friday's last-four when Alex de Minaur withdrew from their scheduled quarter-final with ahipinjury
The Serb has been in feisty mood at Wimbledon a c c u s i n g f a n s o f disrespectinghiminhislast16winoverHolgerRune.
"If somebody steps over theline,Ireact,"hesaid.
Djokovic has a 5-1 winningrecordoverMusetti, (Continuedonpage21)
Quarterfinals: Guinness
‘Greatest of the Streets’ West
Dem' edition continues today
Today at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, the Guinness 'Greatest of the Streets' West/East Bank Demerara Championship quarterfinal round will take place, followingasell-outcrowdontheopening night.
In the first quarterfinal fixture at 20:00hrs, the Pouderoyen Brothers will lock horns with Jetty Gunners, while the second encounter at 21:00hrs will pit ESPN against Team Family In the third fixture,Showstopperswilllockhornswith WestsideBallersfrom22:00hrs,whilethe final fixture of the evening will witness defending champion Ballerz Empire battlingEpicTouchFamilyat23:00hrs.
Tournament Coordinator Travis 'Zoti' Bess said, “Last Friday night turnout was the biggest so far for a first night in the West/East Bank Guinness 'Greatest of the
Streets'footballtournament,andI'mhopingthat more fans come out on this Friday night to support their respective teams/villages in the quarterfinals. So far the quality of some teams has improved from last year For example, the Pouderoyen Brothers beat Up Like-7 by 5-1 score and will be making their first appearance inthequarterfinalsofthetournament,whichcan onlyboosttheirconfidencegoingforward.”
He further said, “My expectation going forwardisnotonlytohavealargeturnoutbutto also see top-level football from the teams/village that remains in the tournament. We are looking to have the exhibition games startlike7:30andwillbeplayedfor20minutes (10 minutes a half). Then we will go into the quarterfinal matches, which will be played for 20minutesandahalf(40minutes)permatch.If scoresarelevel,wegotoextratimeof5minutes andahalf(10minutes).”
Girmay wins again as Roglic crashes and loses time
BBC Sport - Historymaker Biniam Girmay sprintedtohisthirdvictoryat thisyear'sTourdeFrancebut overall contender Primoz Roglic lost significant time afteralatecrashonstage12.
Eritrean Girmay became thefirstblackAfricantowin a Tour de France stage with his opening win on stage three and also triumphed on stageeight.
Intermarche-Wanty rider Girmay, 24, beat Wout van Aertinafranticbunchsprint in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, with Mark Cavendish originally finishing fifth before being relegated.
Tadej Pogacar retained theleader'syellowjerseyand remains one minute six seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel, with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard a further eight seconds behind.
But podium contender Roglic, who finished with a ripped jersey and bloodied shoulder, dropped from fourth to sixth in the general classification after he lost two minutes 27 seconds on
theleadersafterbeingcaught upinalatecrash.
Pogacar, of UAE Team Emirates, was also held up behindacrashinthepeloton early in the stage, and required a bike change, but re-joined the main group withoutissue.
The 203.6km route from Aurillac to Villeneuve-surLot offered one of the few remainingopportunitiesfora bunch sprint - assuming the sprinter'steamscouldcontrol anypotentialbreakaway.
A four-man group featuring Groupama-FDJ ridersValentin Madouas and Quentin Pacher, Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility and Total Energies' Anthony Turgis managed to open up a three-and-a-halfminute advantage over the peloton.
But that move was shut down with more than 40km remaining to set up a longinevitabledashtotheline,in which Girmay prevailed to further assert himself as the fastest sprinter at this year's race.In doing so he also extendedhisleadinthegreen
jersey points battle, opening up a likely unassailable 111point advantage over Jasper Philipsen.
"The green jersey gives me wings - I feel super fast. It's in the head. I've had my ups and downs in recent seasons but I changed things this year and it's working," Girmaysaid.
Araremomentofcalmin the peloton was interrupted
Biniam Girmay now leads the green jersey points classification by a huge 111 points. (Getty Images)
with 12km remaining when Alexey Lutsenko crashed and took down Slovenian Roglic.
The Red Bull-BoraHansgrohe rider had been oneminute31secondsadrift ofthepodiumbutthatdeficit now stands at three minutes 28seconds.
Reacting to Roglic's incident,raceleaderPogacar said:"Itisreallydevastating. He was in very good shape already and I could feel he wasgettingbetterwithevery stage.
"I'mprettysurehewould havebeenfightingfortheGC inthenextfewdays."
Both Astana Qazaqstan rider Cavendish and Arnaud Demare, of Arkea-B&B Hotels, were relegated following illegal moves they madeinthesprint.
Stage13today,Friday,is a relatively flat 165 3km route from Agen to Pau but, as the race enters the Pyrenees, hilly terrain approaching the finish could prove difficult for the sprinters.
That is one of only two expected remaining opp
g
Cavendish, who claimed a record 35th Tour de France stage win last week - to take victories at this year's race, alongwithstage16inNimes.
TourdeFrancestage12 results
1 Biniam Girmay (Eri/Intermarche-Wanty) 4hrs17mins15secs
2. Wout van Aert (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike) sametime
3 Pascal Ackermann
(Ger/IsraelPremierTech)"
4 Jasper Philipsen (Bel/Alpecin-Deceuninck)"
5 Arnaud de Lie (Bel/Lotto-Dstny)"
6 Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Uno-X)"
7 Phil Bauhaus (Ger/BahrainVictorious)"
8 Bryan Coquard (Fra/Cofidis)"
9. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned/TeamJayco-AlUla)"
10. Ryan Gibbons (SA/Lidl-Trek)" Tour de France general classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 49hrs17mins49secs
2 Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal-Quick Step) +1min06secs
3 Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min14secs
4 Joao Almeida (Por/UAE Team Emirates) +4mins20secs
5 Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) +4mins40secs
6 Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-BoraHansgrohe)+4mins42secs
7 M i k
(Spa/Soudal-Quick Step) +5mins38secs
8.AdamYates(GB/UAE Team Emirates) +6mins 59secs
9. JuanAyuso (Spa/UAE Team Emirates) +7mins 09secs
10 Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) +7mins 36secs
GHB's Summer Break Junior Hockey tournament unfolds July
T, Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Summer Break Junior Hockey Tournamentbulliesofffrom today (Friday) to July 14 at the Georgetown Cricket ClubTurf.
The action is set to commence today with some gripping outdoor clashes This segment will feature Under 13 mixed teams and Under 16 girls and boys teams, showcasing the incredible talent of our youngathletes.
Following this, the tournament will move indoors to the National Gymnasium on Saturday, July13,andSunday,July14.
The indoor competition will include Under 13 mixed teams, Under 16 girls and boys teams, and Under 21 girlsandboysteams.
A d d i n g
e excitement, teams from Trinidad will be competing in the Under 13 mixed and Under 16 girl's categories, bringing an international dimension to the event and f
camaraderie.
"We are incredibly excited to host the Summer Break Junior Tournament withthegeneroussupportof Va
, Technical Delegate for the tournament.
"This tournament not
12-14
only provides a platform for our young athletes to showcasetheirskillsbutalso promotes the growth of hockey in the region. We lookforwardtoaweekendof competitive and spirited play."
The Guyana Hockey Board invites all hockey enthusiasts, families, and supporters to come out and e
m
s Admission is free, and refreshments will be available at both venues. Join us for a fantastic weekend of junior hockey andcheeronourfuturestars! The tournament is made
of Value4UInc.
Derby winner, Stroke of Luck to miss Sunday'sHorseRaceMeet
Three horses booked to leave yesterday (Thursday July 11), from Trinidad's PiarcoAirport,tocompetein Sunday's eight-race card at Port Mourant, Berbice will notcompete.
Trinidad and Tobago's 2021 Derby Stakes winner, Stroke of Luck trained by John O'Brien, and ridden by Brian Boodramsingh for RaromaStableareamongthe trio who were turned back from the Piarco Airport yesterdaymorning.
This came after a
C a r i b b e a n A i r l i n e mechanicalissue.
The other horses booked to travel with chestnut horse Stroke of Luck are Forza Baby, a three-year-old chestnut filly, and Storm Dancer, a three-year-old dark/baycolt.
Two of the three horses are owned by Jumbo Jet
Thoroughbred Racing Committee. They are Forza Baby, and Stroke of Luck.
The other horse is unraced maiden, Storm Dancer ownedbyFazalHabibulla.
The shipping agent for the horses revealed, "Luck ran out on Stroke of Luck. Thehorseswerescheduledto leave this morning around 7:30amfromPiarcoAirport, Piarco The horses were already on their way to the airport,whenIwasinformed about two hours prior to the cargo plane's arrival, that it has been delayed in Miami.
The reason being a mechanical issue, and Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) could not say how soon the plane will depart fromMiami.
Theyhadtheinformation of the flight's delay close to three horses before I was informed, and never shared theinformationuntilthe'last hour'sotospeak."
Theagentadded,"Thisis verystressfulfortheowners, and more so for the horses. They were tranquilised
before loaded into the trailer to transport them to the Airport. Then I had to send them back to their stables at Santa Rosa Park, because CAL's personnel from the Operationsdepartmentcould not confirm when the flight willdepart.
Itisunfortunatethatthese horses cannot compete on Sunday Asthisracedaywas their preparation race ahead of the Guyana Cup, which
secures spot in Final despite suffering 2-wicket loss CWI Rising Stars T20 Women's championship... - Leewards, Guyana final set for Saturday
will be staged on Sunday, August112024atRisingSun Turf Club, Rising Sun Village,West Berbice. It is a Derby winner coming to competeinGuyana."
The agent also advised that four other horses will leave from Trinidad in two week's time to compete on Guyana Cup day at Rising Sun Turf Club race track, Rising Sun Village, West Berbice.
Windward stunned Guyana by 2-wickets in a low-scoring match yesterday.
WindwardstunnedGuyana
by 2-wickets in a lowscoring match yesterday butthelatterwillnowlooktoshakeoff the loss as they prepare for Saturday's finalversusLeewardIslands.
TheGuyaneseladieshadtheirworst batting game of the tournament, being
Spinner
Guyana in the game until Windwards wicket-keeper Denelle Creese' 25 with threefourssawherteamoverthehump. Windwardseventuallylimpedto618, securing a narrow win in the 18th over GuyanawillplayLeewardIslands in Saturday's final, with history on the lineforthelocalladies.
Stroke of Luck will not run on Sunday July 14 after a mechanical issue at the airline.
GCBU1750-OverInter-countytournamentRound1... Ramdehol all-round heroics, pilots Berbice to huge 6-wicket win over Demerara
Match MVP Romario Ramdehol was electric in both batting and bowling departments yesterday for Berbice.
All-rounder Romario
Ramdehol led Berbice to a comprehensive 6-wicket victory over Demerara as action bowled off in the opening round of the GCB U17 50-Over Inter-county tournamentatEverest.
Demeraraplayedwellas they posted 197-8 after inform opener Vikash Wilkinson stroked a run-aball 44 with two fours and two sixes which helped set the tone All-rounder Emmanuel Lewis who was unfortunately run out for 49 stabilizedthemiddlewhilea cameo from Dhanesh Persaud who ended not out on29off22balls(1x42x6), providedaniceend.
presence known first with
returnsof3-21withMichah Amsterdam (2-43), lending support.
Afraz Budhoo then smashed 5 sixes and a four fours on his way to 72* off 52 while Ramdehol completed a magical game with 40 off 37 deliveries (5x41x6).
Budhoo and middleorder batsman Romesh Bharratwhohitanunbeaten 30, then held their nerves to help see Berbice over the line.
Only spinner Arun Gainda(2-37)escapedsome punishmenttoemergeasthe most successful bowler for Demerara.
Action continues today with Essequibo and the SelectXIplayingatQueen's CollegeGround.
flattened for 60 in 18 overs, with no playerreachingdoublefigures.
Brilliant spells from Selena Ross who bagged 3-8 and Nesha Alexander who starred with 4-8, left Guyana in shambles.
Niya Latchman (2-6) and seamer Trisha Hardat (2-2), kept
and
Ben Stokes (left), James Anderson (middle) and Zak Crawley (right) celebrating the wicket of AlickAthanaze (background) on day two of the first Test between England
the West Indies at Lord's on Thursday. (Getty Images)