“We have real-time data access to the FPSOs” – EPA Oil & Gas Head …says entity’s offshore monitoring of oil and gas multi-tiered
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a number of
ways it monitors oil and gas operations offshore, ranging from the virtual monitoring
it is afforded through the use of technology, to in person visits by its officers.
This was explained to this publication by EPA’s Head of the Oil and Gas Department, Joel Gravesande. In an interview with this publication, Gravesande explained the ways in which the agency has been building capacity.
“All of the EPA officers are members of international organisations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, which is an international organisation. And they lend support to us, if there is training. In addition to that, we are trained to go offshore. In addition, there is additional training taking place, including emergency response. So, we have grown. And our training has improved a lot,” he said.
“The EPA’s ability to monitor offshore activities is multi-tiered. I don’t know if you’re aware, but we have real time data access to the FPSO’s. Meaning I can pull out my phone now and see what is the volume of gas being produced, oil, produced water, everything that is being produced.”
According to Gravesande, the EPA also has the data provided by the Crow’s Nest, which is supplied by MAXAR technologies in keeping with the contract the agency signed. This includes the data platform, the monitoring of any oil spills and a number of other technologies.
“All of that data, in real time, is summarised and
submitted in a daily report that government gets. Those daily reports are summarised and submitted in a monthly report and then summarised and submitted in an annual report.”
“These reports are stored at the EPA. Added to this, we also do in person monitoring at the FPSO. There’s a schedule and officers are on the FPSO, at least on a monthly basis. To do in-person monitoring.”
Last year, the Government partnered with MAXAR Technologies in a three-year deal to provide Guyana with satellite capabilities to monitor oil and gas vessels operating offshore.
EPA’s Head of Oil and Gas, Joel Gravesande
An example of the Crow’s Nest technology
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, July 15 – No retraction and Tuesday, July 16 –00:30h-02:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, July 15 –10:35h-12:05h and Tuesday, July 16 – 11:55h-13:25h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected to prevail during the day and at night, with early-morning sunshine. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to North NorthWesterly to between 0.89 metre and 1.78 metres.
High Tide: 11:15h and 23:39h reaching maximum heights of 2.19 metres and 2.24 metres.
Low Tide: 17:09h reaching a minimum height of 1.04 metres.
Over $1B to be expended on roads in Westminster, surrounding communities
The government is planning to spend almost $1.5 billion on roads in at least three communities on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), with President Dr. Irfaan Ali assuring that preference will be given to small contractors in an effort to ensure the works are completed in a timely fashion.
The president was at the time conducting an outreach to Parfaite Harmonie, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Sunday, where he met with and explained to the residents the government’s plans to spend over $1 billion on roads in three communities - Onderneeming, Westminster and RechtDoor-Zee.
“So, we have, between Recht-Door-Zee, Onderneeming and Westminster, in those three areas alone, with the roads that we are picking up on the 75 per cent occupancy, we’re talking about an investment of over $1 billion, in these small roads. Because it’s a lot of roads.”
“We’re working now on getting the region and so on to get short lists. Because we want to use the smaller contractors, so we can get it done quickly. And we’ll do the concrete roads,” President Ali said.
With this in mind, the head of state explained that government engineers and other technical staff would be returning during the week, to continue the planning phase of these roads and do a survey of the area that would determine
“So that’s what they’re coming back to do this week. They’re going to complete the design of the network. Do the survey, on where we have the occupancy, so we know where the priorities are. And we’re talking, in this area, an investment of over $1 billion. In those three areas. It will be close to $1.5 billion,” the Head of State added.
Last year, the PPP/C Government some $60.7 billion for the construction of community roads across the country. In this year’s budget, as much as $73.2 billion has been budgeted for works on thousands of community roads.
In November 2023, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal had revealed that under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), approximately $900 million has been expended to construct several thoroughfares and drainage structures in the Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme
Water
The President also addressed the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) pro-
vision of water and water quality concerns of residents, explaining to them that efforts are currently ongoing to construct new wells.
“The drainage and irrigation engineers are here. They will go through with you all and I know also we have one issue with the water. The low pressure now, is because of the size of the network. We’re now doing a new well,” President Ali said.
An engineer meanwhile provided an update on efforts to improve the provision of water in the area and the construction of a water treatment plant. According to the engineer, the water treatment plant is being built at Lust En Rust and will include the drilling of two new wells.
It was explained that in addition to the new wells, GWI will also use two of the existing wells in the areas to transmit water from in order to supply the plant, which is 65 per cent completed and expected to be finished by December.
Meanwhile, the transmission lines themselves are 95 per cent completed and, according to the engineer, will be finished by the end of July. The engineer
also explained that once the plant and other interconnection work and network updates is completed, residents will receive treated water.
Last year, GWI Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh had revealed that six additional water treatment plants would be built on the coast, including the Lust En Rust plant. In total, GWI had plans to construct 13 new water treatment plants that would cost $32 Billion.
Den Amstel
President Ali and his team also visited Den Amstel on the WCD, where they met with residents and heard their concerns. These concerns were related to roads and drainage, with the President promising that same will be or is already in the process of being addressed.
For instance, he explained that a contract for works on the main road in Den Amstel has already been awarded and should be signed soon.
The President also recalled that commitments were made for various projects within Den Amstel and according to him, most of these projects have already been completed. There are
also community-based initiatives that the President requested updates on, such as the availability of land.
Complaints were also made by farmers about the paddy bug infestation, with the President making arrangements to have extension officers visit the community to make interventions that would help the farmers.
The President also committed to assisting residents in the community to expand their agricultural projects, including with pig farming and the provision of a shade house. President Ali was informed of the success of the government’s previous intervention to supply black giant chickens to farmers in the community.
“In keeping with your vision 25 by 2025, we would like, as a young livestock farmers, assistance to get some black belly sheep, pigs and some more chickens. Persons in the community were very grateful… if you could see those chickens now. Persons are really grateful for them,” one resident said.
The black belly sheep initiative is part of a collaboration between Guyana and Barbados, which saw the breed of sheep, native to Barbados and primarily raised for meat and other high-demand byproducts, being shipped to Guyana.
The first cargo of 132 sheep including 20 rams and 112 ewes, landed in Guyana in August, 2022. The programme was launched with an estimated $600 million (US$3 million) investment from the administration. Earlier this month, it was reported that 300 more sheep are expected to be sent. Barbados has agreed to send a total of 1,000 sheep to Guyana. (G3)
President Dr Irfaan Ali interacting with residents
In our age of social media and instantaneous global communications, the news that there was an assassination attempt on former US President – and presumptive Republican nominee for the November elections against President Joe Biden – Donald Trump flashed across the world within minutes of its occurrence Saturday at Butler, Pennsylvania. Luckily of the several bullets fired by a lone 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, one just brushed Trump’s right ear, missing his brain and certain death by just an inch. Three bullets hit spectators killing one and critically wounding two others; the gunman was killed by Police counter-snipers.
The incident shocked citizens across the world and messages quickly poured in condemning the attack. But it did not surprise veteran political analysts who have been warning about the dangers of violence breaking out in a gun-toting society that has become extremely polarised on account, ironically, of the rhetoric of right-wing members of Trump’s Republican Party. Trump himself epitomises this tendency by constantly using coded and explicit language for violence to be used to defend their values. Back in May 2020, ABC News conducted a nationwide review that identified at least 54 criminal cases where Trump was invoked in direct connection with violent acts, of violence or allegations of assault. Then, there was the Jan 6, 2021 storming of Capitol Hill – dubbed an “insurrection” – to prevent a transfer of power after Joe Biden and the Democrats won the election held the previous November. At least five persons died and dozens of Police were wounded during the melee. The investigating House Jan 6 committee’s final report asserts that “Donald Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and failed to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol”.
But the assassination raises the wider issue of the use of violence as a political option in democratic societies. Democracy was invented as a mechanism to avoid violence to resolve inevitable differences of opinions in society. It stipulated that if the majority of citizens – 50% +1 – vote for a party, then that party is conferred with the legitimacy to govern on behalf of all the citizenry. The premise is that the parties that received votes – but not the majority – should continue championing their views and work towards influencing voters to then form the government in subsequent elections. While this form of governance has its challenges, Winston Churchill once remarked, “Democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried." Some of these “other forms” are monarchies, dictatorships, one-party states, etc.
Democracy, then, requires a certain maturity and civility of spirit, especially from leaders, that springs from the notion that other points-of-view are to be given the benefit of the doubt. What has, unfortunately, occurred over the last few decades in many democracies, however, is a gradual retreat from these premises. Consequently, very polarised factions that define those who differ from them as “enemies” rather than “opponents” have ensued. This is the situation in the US – which has been a model for democracy since its formation in the late 18th century. Unfortunately, in Guyana, the PNC has, from its inception, refused to adhere to the premises of democracy; installed as it was in 1964 by colluding with the British colonisers to subvert those rules and oust the PPP Government. The rigging of elections in the next three decades flowed from that initial cynicism about democracy.
Today, with rise of the anti-democratic spirit and ethos abroad, the PNC and the other Opposition parties have become emboldened and are using the newly-available and ubiquitous social media platforms to spew the violent and divisive rhetoric that Trump is famous for. There is one talk-show host who allowed a call-in respondent to demand that the heads of four top PPP Government officials be lopped off because of their policies. The assassination attempt on former Pres Trump should be a wake-up call for our authorities to institute measures to control the rhetoric of violence in our democracy.
What the Trump assassination attempt means for US politics
By Dr Christopher rhoDes
On Saturday, the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a campaign rally left the former President bloodied but not seriously injured, an audience member and the gunman dead and two other spectators seriously wounded.
A few hours later, in a brief press conference, President Joe Biden condemned the shooting and expressed sympathy to his opponent, calling him “Donald” in a rare break from the animosity between the two men.
Mainstream political figures and pundits from across the political spectrum also immediately expressed concern for Trump and the other victims and condemned this act of political violence.
By contrast, many people on social media were quick to embrace conspiracy theories. Trump detractors speculated that the shooting was staged, while his supporters suspected a left-wing attack, even after the FBI identified the deceased gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, apparently a registered Republican.
The scepticism on both sides of the political spectrum represents the deep political divides that exist in the United States. The two presidential campaigns will undoubtedly seek to make the most out of the incident in the coming days. But in their pursuit of political gains, the two parties should not ignore a major escalation of political violence that needs to be urgently addressed.
Trump emerged from the incident triumphant. As security agents escorted him offstage, he defiantly pumped his fist in the air while his
supporters chanted “USA, USA!” The former President is basking in all the public and media attention.
The spotlight shifting to Trump is ironically what the Biden campaign wants as well. The focus on the incumbent’s fitness for office and cognitive abilities has eaten away at his support.
The hope is now, that all the attention on Trump will highlight his extremism, legal troubles, and his party’s far-right agenda, detailed in the extensive Project 2025 plan, from which he has unsuccessfully tried to distance himself. The Democrats believe that this could encourage swing voters to move away from him.
Despite Trump being a victim of this assassination attempt, he is the candidate who has been associated with encouraging political violence: from his supporters assaulting Capitol Hill during the January 6 insurrection to mocking the near-fatal attack against Nancy Pelosi’s husband by a hammer-wielding intruder seeking to kidnap the congresswoman.
Notably, the former Speaker of the House was one of the first political figures to comment on the Trump shooting, posting on X that “as one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society”.
As the Biden campaign enjoys a break in the media scrutiny of the President’s cognitive abilities, Trump –emboldened by the incident –is heading to the Republican National Convention where his nomination will be confirmed. He will likely use this stage to capitalise on the assassination attempt as much as possible. The shoot-
ing fits well into the narrative that Trump has been robbed of his second term, attacked and victimised. Since his re-election loss bid in 2020, he has presented himself as the target of the Biden Administration, making unfounded claims of “electoral interference” and painting all the legal cases launched against him as political persecution.
Trump has even pushed the narrative that the 2022 FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago residence to retrieve classified documents was an attempt by the feds to assassinate him.
Trump’s base has been quick to react to any act perceived to harm him. For example, after his conviction on felony charges by a New York jury in May, supporters called for attacks on jurors, the death of the Judge and riots.
Journalists on the scene of the shooting at the rally on Saturday reported threats and taunts from the crowd immediately after the incident. A reporter for Axios even witnessed some Trump supporters trying to break into the media area before being stopped by security guards.
So far, Trump has chosen to moderate his rhetoric. He has called for unity and “not allowing evil to win”. Given that he thrives on conspiracy theories and polarising messaging, it remains to be seen whether he will discourage his base from engaging in them following the shooting.
Trump has the opportunity to put the peace and security of the country ahead of his personal ambition. Perhaps coming this close to death will change his perspective on stirring up his supporters.
If not, Saturday’s shoot-
ing could be the start of a very perilous time for America. We have seen his supporters engage in mass violence on January 6 over imagined oppression. And there have been other actors, such as right-wing organisations like the Proud Boys, who have engaged in political violence and various individual fanatics who have perpetrated mass shootings and other attacks. The spread of conspiracy theories and apocalyptic rhetoric within the right have encouraged such violent acts. The attempted assassination may pour more fuel into the fire of violent radicalism. That is why it is crucial for Trump and his Republican allies, as well as Biden and the Democrats, to address the growing polarisation in the country. Political violence must not become a staple of American politics.
Saturday’s shooting was a tragedy that was just inches short of becoming one of the darkest days in American history. It was also an inflection point for this year’s presidential race and for the nature of our politics. The current and former Presidents each have an opportunity to stop this escalation of tensions within American society and help ensure peace and decency prevail in American politics.
(Al Jazeera)
Dr Christopher Rhodes is a lecturer in Government at Harvard University and lecturer in Social Sciences at Boston University. He is the author of the upcoming book Evangelical Violence: Christian Nationalism, the Great Commission and a Millennium of "Holy" Warfare and co-editor of the volume Conflict, Politics, and the Christian East: Assessing Contemporary Developments)
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips at the third Annual Inter-District Kayaking competition in front of the Watooka Guest House in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Saturday (Office of the Prime Minister photos)
Questions require answers from US State Department, Department of Justice
Dear Editor,
Something strange happened at New York's JFK airport on the 11th July 2024, Vickram Bharrat, Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources arrived to visit his father who is hospitalised and ailing; Minister Bharrat was visiting in a private capacity however he was traveling on a diplomatic passport, the minister did not request protocol, no request was made by any official in Guyana and yet, Bharrat was met by American officials and a Caribbean Airlines employee who informed him that the airline had made arrangements to expedite his processing in light of his status and family emergency. Guyana's Minister was escorted by a group of three persons, two men and the CAL as mentioned earlier, during the walk through the JFK labyrinth, one of the officials engaged in seemingly innocuous small talk about Guyana’s prosperity and progress and then made a comment about the sanctions on the Mohamed family the Minister responded that our government was handling it (information in the public domain) and
the conversation moved on seamlessly; there was no detention and/or interrogation. Vickram Bharrat was indeed processed expeditiously and headed to his father's hospital bedside. This entire incident would not have merited retelling by the Minister had he not emerged from the cocoon of the hospital to find that Enrico Woolford, a veteran Guyanese journalist had made a statement on social media to the effect that he (Vickram Bharrat) had been detained and interrogated by federal officials at JFK; then another extremely unusual thing happened, a video made by the CAL employee, of Bharrat walking with the US officials surfaced on the Facebook page of Melly Mel. This is the incident in the fullest detail I could ascertain and it raises a few questions that require answers from the US State Department and Department of Justice.
1. By what means and channels did a CAL off-duty stewardess arrange for a passenger to be expedited?
2. Who were the officials who facilitated the expedited processing?
3. Were they normal
protocol officers or were they from another agency?
4. Was the 'small talk' an official attempt to breach the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic immunity and if so, who authorised it?
5. Why was a CAL off-duty stewardess allowed to video within the corridors of JFK and freely disseminate the video? JFK Rules are clear (Filming for commercial purposes (including journalists, reporters, and other professionals) is permitted only with prior written consent from JFKIAT management, Photographing in Customs and Border Protection areas and the TSA Screening Checkpoints, filming airport personnel and Port Authority Police is prohibited at all times.)
6. Was this entire incident designed by any public agency or official/s to cause embarrassment to the Government of Guyana?
7. If all of this is just happenstance, apologies are owed to Minister Bharrat and the Government of Guyana.
Editor, it is here that I will venture into conjecture (not conclusions) and will ask for some leeway;
there is a well-publicised nexus with Rickford Burke (a Guyanese-American) Letitia James (Attorney General of New York) and Congressman Hakeem Jefferies, in the recent past, Letitia James vowed to rally support of other Democratic Attorney Generals in America to bring pressure to bear on Guyana for purported discrimination by the PPP Government (after listening to Ganesh Mahipaul and Paul Slowe), a clear declaration of her intentions; Hakeem Jefferies who protested to Obama about the Ramotar administration in 2015 and, then infamously sided with the APNU+AFC during their attempt to steal the 2020 elections "why in the world is the US Government engaging in foreign interference in the affairs of an independent nation as Guyana? It's outrageous," and, when Visas were revoked as part of the Trump administration's pressure on the Granger led APNU+AFC in June 2020 ""we can monitor how democracy is playing itself out in different parts of the world, but to interfere in such an extraordinary way and in a manner
“We have real time data access to the...
The deal had marked the first time the company rolled out its Crow’s Nest technology in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The use of more technology in its regulatory duties had been among the EPA’s specific goals for last year, as well as supporting Guyana’s low carbon development trajectory, improving enforcement, incorporating the use of more technology, and effective implementing the various multilateral environmental agreements Guyana is a signatory to.
Real-time monitoring is a crucial element of regulating the oil sector. Before ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) installed its new flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel and reduced its flaring in 2022, the company had had to pay out over US$10 million in fines to the EPA for flaring.
In 2021, the EPA had amended the Environmental Permit for
the Liza 1 Development Project after the oil company had been flaring excessively following technical issues with its gas compressor on the Liza Destiny on two separate occasions in 2021. Initially, a cost of US$30 per ton of carbon emission was agreed upon, but the fee was then increased to US$45 during discussions with the operator over the August-September 2021 period.
EEPGL is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
The company is currently undertaking four production projects – Liza 1, Liza 2, and Payara (which are currently producing oil) and Yellowtail (where installation activities are ongoing) in the oilrich block. It is estimated that when the Yellowtail development project comes on stream, production will climb to 810,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2027.
Additionally, it HAS ALSO received approval for a sixth project, Whiptail.
The US oil major antic -
ipates at least six FPSO vessels in operation by 2027. (G3)
that appears to favour one party, the opposition party, potentially to the detriment of the ruling party, is deeply troubling to a lot of us in Washington DC…" it is not a stretch to see either of these two being pressured into action by Burke; If either of these officials were involved in this ludicrous mini-plot to embarrass Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources by way of pressuring any US agency to act and allow others to act in contravention of the Vienna Convention it would constitute a clear case of malfeasance and that is punishable under US law. The New York duo may escape major scrutiny now as US national elections are in full flow, but rest assured that this issue would be investigated ful-
ly by the next White House administration (Republican or Democrat) as Guyana’s hemispherical importance is growing rapidly. As an interesting side note the prosecution of President Trump by Letitia James in her failed attempt to discredit him, mirrors the APNU+AFC attempt to prosecute Irfaan Ali in the run-up to the 2020 election; plays from the perennial failures playbook as they are forever afraid to face anyone on equal terms; it backfired in Guyana as it did in New York and so has this latest bit of clumsy shenanigans at JFK, as Confucius advised "Seek revenge, and you should dig two graves, one for yourself"
Sincerely, Robin
Singh
Ministry ought to make a statement
Dear Editor, The opposition is making hay of the swim incident in which a 14-year-old regrettably lost his life. Instead of offering support to the family at this critical time, blame laying and cheap politicking are the orders of the day and in full flow. To seek to gain political traction from an incident such as this is pure damn nonsense and ought to be condemned. It is noted the Ministry has not put out a statement on the incident. In the meantime, the opposition is having a field day. My condolences to the family.
Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed
Page Foundation
Zero Property, Equality Properties
Learning these properties will make your mathematics work easier.
Did you ever try to multiply by 0? The answer is 0.
Zero property of multiplication: Any number x 0 = 0.
Remember that an equation is a mathematical statement that two things are equal. 4 + 2 = 1 + 5
Equality Property of Addition: If you add a number on one side of an equation, you must add the same number on the other side of the equation. Both sides will then still be equal. (4 + 2) + 6 = (1 + 5) + 6
Equality Property of Subtraction: If you subtract a number on one side of an equation, you must subtract the same number on the other side of the equation. Both sides will then still be equal. (4 + 2) – 2 = (1 + 5) – 2
Equality Property of Multiplication: If you multiply one side of an equation by a number, you must multiply the other side of the equation by the same number Both sides will then still be equal. (4 + 2) x 8 = (1 + 5) x 8
Equality Property of Division: If you divide one side of an equation by a number, you must divide the other side of the equation by the same number. Both sides will then still be equal. But you never divide by 0. (4 +
Exercises: Identify the property
Answer yes or no
Sound Sandwich
Make beautiful music with sticks, straws, and rubber bands.
By making simple adjustments to this noisemaker, you can raise or lower its pitch and make different kinds of sounds. Materials
Two jumbo craft sticks
Two smaller, narrower rubber bands
Directions
Stretch a wide rubber band lengthwise over one of the craft sticks.
Cut two small pieces of straw, each about 1 inch to 1 1?2 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in length.
Put one of the small straw pieces under the wide rubber band, about a third of the way up from one
end of the stick. Put the other piece of straw on top of the rubber band, about a third of the way from the other end of the stick.
Take the second craft stick and place it on top of the first one.
Wrap one of the smaller rubber bands a few times around the end of the stick where you placed the second piece of straw, about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) from the end. Make sure the rubber band pinches the two sticks tightly together.
Wrap the second small rubber band around the other end of the stick, about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) from the end. When you’re done, both ends should be pinched together and there should be a small space between the two craft sticks, created by the pieces of straw.
To do and notice
When your Sound Sandwich is complete, just put your mouth in the middle, as if you were
playing a harmonica, and blow! (Remember to blow through the sticks, not the straws.) Notice that you can make different sounds by blowing through different areas of the instrument, blowing harder or softer, or by moving the straws closer together or farther apart.
What’s going on?
When you blow into the Sound Sandwich, you make the large rubber band vibrate, and that vibration produces sound. Long, massive objects vibrate slowly and produce low-pitched sounds; shorter, less-massive objects vibrate quickly and produce high-pitched sounds. The tension of a rubber band also will change its pitch: Higher tensions lead to higher-pitched resonances.
When you move the straws closer together, you shorten the part of the rubber band that can vibrate, so the pitch gets higher than the original sound. (exploratorium.edu)
BY PAT MORA
Spinning through space for eons, our earth—oceans, rivers, mountains, glaciers, tigers, parrots, redwoods— evolving wonders.
And our vast array, generations of humans—all shapes, colors, languages.
Can I be the only me?
Our earth: so much beauty, hate, goodness, greed.
“Study. Cool the climate,” advises my teacher. “Grow peace.”
Can I be the only me, become all my unique complexity?
Source: Poetry (March 2021)
WORD SEARCH:
Govt has not abandoned National Gas Strategy – VP
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that the Guyana Government has not abandoned plans to establish a National Gas Strategy but, has, in fact, gone one step ahead with starting the process to determine the viability of monetising the country’s natural gas resources.
During a recent news conference held at the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s Freedom House headquarters, Jagdeo was asked about the status of the strategy.
“We’re working on it, it’s not an abandoned project… We’ve moved forward in the project that we wanted to check the viability for… But the Gas Strategy is a clear one… Normally, a Gas Strategy is about trying to determine how you will not just monetise the reservoir of gas but use it for national development,” the Vice President stated.
Last October, the Government had released the draft National Gas Monetisation Strategy to the public for their feedback. It had said that a large number of comments has already been received on the strategy.
In the meanwhile, Guyana has gone ahead and selected United Statesbased energy firm – Fulcrum LNG Inc., to work in a tripartite arrangement with the Government and US oil major, ExxonMobil, to determine the viability of developing the country's gas resources.
VP Jagdeo has already made it clear that government will not be injecting any financing into this project.
“We don’t know whether we have a project as yet. The Government of Guyana has made it clear we’re not putting any money into this project but we have to explore whether we can develop a viable project now so that means a feasibility study and everything else to see if we can monetise the associated gas that we have outside of the gas that’s coming to the power plant.”
“So, we hired this firm and we’re gonna look at all the streams of benefits –from LNG exports, bringing the gas onshore for electricity or industrial development. All of that would have to be explored before you move to say we have a viable project and then we move to get it financed but
it won’t be financed from the Government of Guyana,” he asserted.
Jagdeo had previously said that Guyana has attracted interests from “deep pocket” firms to develop its gas.
In May, it was revealed that a potential investment partner was shortlisted from the 17 Expressions of Interest (EoIs) that were submitted in February to monetise the country’s natural gas resources.
During a press conference last month, President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed the selected company is Fulcrum, which, according to its website, partners with governments and companies to develop the nec-
essary gas infrastructure to produce and sell natural gas and LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) in order to deliver reliable energy while transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
Fulcrum LNG will now work on developing a viable gas project, via a tripartite arrangement with Government and ExxonMobil, which along with its partners is operating the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where several gas fields have been discovered.
Some 17 trillion cubic feet of gas has already been found in the Stabroek Block, with the Pluma and Haimara wells being proven gas fields.
Back in 2019 and 2023, ExxonMobil drilled for gas at the Haimara-1 and 2 wells, and emerged with varying degrees of success. It was recently revealed that the US oil giant’s drill programme for Guyana for this year and beyond includes plans to further appraise the Haimara 3 and 4 well sites in order to gauge the commercial potential for gas in the Haimara gas field.
The PPP/C Administration is adamant that Guyana cannot miss this opportunity to monetise its gas resources.
Currently, Government is pursuing its model Gasto-Energy (GtE) project which is being constructed in Wales, West Bank Demerara, and will include a 300mw power plant that will utilise gas from the Liza field offshore.
The excess gas from the Stabroek Block is what will be used for the gas monetisation project.
“The first 50 million cubic feet of gas comes in to generate power. We may have another 70 to 80 million cubic feet to come in on that pipeline. We have to now make a determination how we would utilise that. It could be for generating addi-
Search on for large int’l bank to come to Guyana
…as efforts continue to improve access to financing
One of the strategies being pursued by the government to address access to finance, which has been a long-standing challenge in Guyana for entrepreneurs, includes efforts to attract a large, international bank to Guyana’s shores.
During his address at the International Business Conference (IBC) launch over the weekend at the
Marriott Hotel, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Peter Ramsaroop spoke of these efforts.
He mentioned Bank of America (BoA), with whom the government previously discussed the possibility of establishing a presence in Guyana. For example, President Dr Irfaan Ali met with BoA representa-
tives last year to explore opportunities in Guyana and also engage with the local private sector. Ramsaroop added that discussions are ongoing with BoA and other international banks.
“We’re looking at the banks… they’ve all brought their interest rates down for areas like housing. Mortgages are lower for our people. So, more and more, we’ve been speaking to large banks.”
“Bank of America for example. To look at the foreign reserves’ component. Foreign exchange market. We’re looking for a large international bank to come into Guyana. To look at how we can have more access to financing,” the GO-Invest CEO said.
He acknowledged the presence of the New Haven Merchant Bank, which was launched in 2022 with the aim of mobilising lowcost loans for the private
sector and government. Ramsaroop cited the bank’s efforts in working on improving access to finance.
“Access to financing, always an issue. We have a new merchant bank, called the New Haven Merchant Bank, that is putting together a large, multi-million-dollar fund for young companies. It may take a big company 90 days to pay you. But there are ways around the financing option,” he explained.
Last year, it was announced that the New Haven Merchant Bank would be launching its $25 million Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) fund. This initiative aims to empower both investors and entrepreneurs, offering opportunities for capital investment and business growth.
Based on work done by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry
tional power, fertiliser – different things,” the VP posited.
During his June 20 press conference, President Ali had touted the potential establishment of an aluminum plant with neighbouring Suriname using the gas resources.
The Head of State had noted that government has identified a technical team that will work with Fulcrum and Exxon to determine the technical and financial viability of a gas project(s), come up with a model, and to negotiate a potential agreement.
Among the projects being considered for the gas are a shore base facility, an additional power plant as well as a potential joint aluminum plant facility between Guyana and Suriname.
The Guyana Government has been touting an aluminum plant here since August 2022 – something which the Guyanese Leader recommitted to establishing during the Energy Conference held in Georgetown back in February.
Nevertheless, President Ali indicated last week that Government anticipates an agreement on a potential gas model by next year. (G8)
– GO-Invest CEO
(GCCI), it has been found that more than 50 per cent of businesses need formal financing to meet basic working capital needs, and less than 50 per cent need financing for fixed investments and to pay off debts.
A few months ago, President Ali in his address to the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Annual General Meeting had challenged the banking sector to be more innovative and adaptive to the growth of the country and the new opportunities opening up.
“The role of the bank is not to take deposits and to lend in a low-risk environment. The role of the bank is also seeking the opportunity to understand where the economy is going, to create an ecosystem to support where the economy is going and to build upon what is happening in the country,” President Ali had said.
“Some of the banks are
doing an extremely good job at following the initiative, but a very poor job at concluding arrangements… Our local private sector and local leaders are doing a tremendous job in trying to open up opportunities, especially in the non-oil sector, but the speed at which the bank has been operating and processing does not match the type of dynamism that is in the economy.”
Guyana’s economy is expected to continue its growth trend for yet another consecutive year, with projections putting Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at a 34.3 per cent growth in 2024. Once realised, this will represent the fifth consecutive year in which the Guyanese economy will be growing at more than 20 per cent, and will result in Guyana growing at an annual average of 38.8 per cent over that five-year period. (G3)
GO-Invest CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
GNBS implements national standard for ready-mixed concrete
The Guyana National Bearu of Standards (GNBS) has developed the National Standard "GYS 227 - Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete."
The implementation of this new standard is a result of the growing construction sector in the country, it was noted that several local companies are producing ready-mixed concrete to meet the demands of the rapidly growing construction sector.
Like…
…in the movies
There it was – real life imitating the movies as –your Eyewitness watched with astonishment the assassination attempt on ex-president and present Republican nominee Donald Trump, by a sniper. Hadn’t he looked at the entire “Sniper” series – Sniper (1993); Sniper 2 (2002); Sniper 3 (2004); Sniper: Reloaded (2011); Sniper: Legacy (2014); Sniper: Ghost Shooter (2016); Sniper: Ultimate Kill (2017) as he binged away hours of his life in front of the boob-box?? And that was just one series – there were countless variations of the theme in other Hollywood releases.
The standard specifies the conditions for produc-
As such the GNBS has established a criterion for the production of readymixed concrete in Guyana. This standard defines readymixed concrete as concrete delivered to the site or into the purchaser's vehicle in a plastic condition, ready for placement without further treatment.
tion and delivery of readymixed concrete, including methods for nominal mixes, specified strength mix-
es, and specialised mixes. It also outlines how purchasers can specify the required properties of the concrete in their orders. Additionally, the document provides guidance on the information that purchasers should provide when ordering readymixed concrete, the inspection facilities required from the supplier, and the necessary tests. It distinguishes routine tests conducted by the supplier from those the purchaser is responsible for.
However, the GNBS stated that standard does not cover the placement, compaction, curing, or protection of concrete after delivery, nor does it apply to materials for lean concrete or similar road base materials. Regarding materials used in ready-mix, the standard specifies that water should be clean and free from impurities that could affect the concrete mix adversely. Cement should be measured by weight or in whole bags as delivered by the manufacturer, while aggregate should be measured by weight.
Two types of mixers are specified: stationary mixers and truck mixers (or truck agitators). If a stationary mixer is used, the mixing time should be at least two (2) minutes, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. For truck mixers, a revolution counter must be provided, and mixing should continue for at least 100 revolutions at a rate of not less than seven revolutions per minute, as per manufacturer specification.
The standard also sets requirements for concrete delivery, focusing on discharge time and the information that must be included on the delivery ticket. It stipulates that the basis of supply should be in cubic meters, as agreed between the purchaser and the supplier. The standard covers inspection, sampling, and testing of ready-mixed concrete to ensure confidence in the quality of the product supplied. The GNBS encourages suppliers of readymixed concrete to be guided by the requirements of this standard to ensure the consistent delivery of a quality product to consumers.
So, if there’s one thing your Eyewitness knows about US politics is that candidates should be wary about snipers. Yet here it was – one of the most divisive presidents in history in prime redneck territory – and yet a gunman’s allowed to get within 150 yards of Trump, on the roof of a building with an AR 15!! And the gunman wasn’t no expert sniper with experience in Afghanistan like in the series – but a 20-yearold kid just three years outta high school!! It was only AFTER Trump was shot – luckily…VERY luckily, it was just a nick to his right ear missing his brain by millimetres! – that we saw at least half a dozen Secret Service operatives rush to surround him with their bodies.
Then, we saw Police counter-snipers poised on another roof – one of them must’ve shot the sniper AFTER he had nicked Trump, killed one spectator in the stands and wounded two others!! What the heck!! In all the sniper movies, all locations – especially elevated spots – within a certain perimeter would’ve been constantly under surveillance while the candidate was speaking!! These are the SOPs, Dear Readers – not Statements of Polls but Standard Operating Procedures!! What happened? Your Eyewitness is no conspiracy theorist, but something here doesn’t pass the smell test!!
It’s already been announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) that the House will "conduct a full investigation" into the shooting – summoning officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Secret Service. James Comer (R-Ky), Chair of the Oversight Committee, announced. "I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon."
Trump had reversed decades of Republican cuddling of the US intelligence community and – under FBI investigation for much of his presidency – he referred to FBI agents as “scum" who "destroyed the lives of people" and branded as "rats" folks who cooperated with law enforcement. In the far-right manifesto Project 2025, these agencies are slated for major shake-ups and restaffing in any future Trump presidency!!
The enemy within??
…deep sixing inquiry?
Your Eyewitness has been holding his breath waiting for the Committee of Elders – headed by Elder in Chief Hamilton “Bilal” Green – to announce their findings on the accusations made by Linden PNC stalwart Vanessa Kissoon against the new re-elected PNC leader Aubrey Norton!! Since the accusation was made on June 18th and the Elders stepped in to find out the TRUTH on June 20th –this means your Eyewitness (and the rest of the country??) have been holding their breaths for TWENTY-FIVE days!!
Your Eyewitness is afraid when these collective breaths are released, we may have another Beryl over our roofs!!
But seriously folks…the PNC Committee of Elders ain’t doing their party no favours by dragging their feet on an issue that women – who’re half of the electorate – are mightily het up about!! Old heads have been telling your Eyewitness about some similar foot-dragging that took place long ago by one of the Elders and a female Minister of Education!!
History repeating??
…the world’s blind
Who woulda thought that the Israeli army would’ve been allowed their genocidal killing wave from last October to now – with hardly a murmur from the Western leaders?? How can they preach morality to us going forward??
Minister calls for better treatment of citizens at police stations
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, has called for a transformative approach in the way police officers interact with the public, emphasising the need for a more compassionate and respectful treatment of persons, who visit police stations to make reports.
In a recent address to ranks, Benn underscored the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
“We want the investments that we are making, the buildings, the infrastructure, the equipment, and all assets, that are commensurate with the progress that we are making. I want to entreat you all today to keep focus on integrity, to keep focus on the questions of improvement both on the personal level, and at the level between yourself and squaddies, and under your command and also for yourself. This is what we need now, more than ever,”
he said.
Benn highlighted a significant shift in the role of the GPF, noting that it is no longer perceived as an institution of oppression.
“The Guyana Police Force is no longer the militia in the old days which was used to attack the people.
The Guyana Police Force represents our people. You are our police, “Benn said.
This call to action comes amid efforts to improve public trust and cooperation with the police. Benn stressed that the treatment
of vulnerable groups, such as women and children, is paramount in fostering a positive relationship between the police and the community.
The minister’s appeal also follows several reports on social media from individuals claiming they were ill-treated by police officers when they visited police stations to make reports.
These accounts have sparked public outcry and have highlighted the need for immediate reform in the conduct of police personnel.
“You (police ranks) are peacemakers, you are peacekeepers. In our culture today, our multi-culture, multi-ethnic society, in the villages and the communities; how we approach and
speak to each other. How we treat women and children, how we treat people who come to the police stations. The Police stations should be a welcoming place for people,” he said. (G9)
Coast Guard rescue small vessel, crew adrift in Essequibo River
Aquick reaction team from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard rendered timely assistance to a disabled small boat and its crew, 12 nautical miles off the east coast of the Essequibo River.
According to a report from the GDF, on Thursday, at approximately 15:30h, the GDF Coast Guard received information about a disabled small boat in the Demerara River. The boat had departed from the Harbour Bridge to deliver supplies to MV
PROSPERITY 1, which was anchored 12 nautical miles offshore from the Demerara River mouth.
The GDF Coast Guard conducted two separate searches and located the disabled vessel around 23:00h, some 12 nautical miles off the east coast of the Essequibo River, about 10 miles off its intended target. The vessel had three crew members on board. The adrift vessel was subsequently towed back to the GDF Coast Guard headquarters. (G9)
The small vessel that was towed back to shore by the GDF
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn
Top Cop Clifton Hicken
The crew members who the Coast Guard rescued
Body of taxi driver found in drain at Enmore
The body of Rameshwaram
Willie, a 61-yearold taxi driver known as ‘Mice’, was discovered in a drain on Saturday morning.
Willie, a resident of Lot 131 Logwood Enmore, ECD, was found face down around 08:00h by passersby heading to a nearby supermarket.
Relatives revealed that security footage showed Willie stumbling and falling into the drain. They mentioned that he had a history of alcoholism and frequently returned home late at night.
According to sources, Willie left his taxi base around 21:00h on Friday to have a drink with friends at a bar. A friend reported that Willie was the last to leave the bar, despite being advised to go home. He left between 23:00h and midnight, which is believed to be when he met his untimely demise.
Willie’s body has been taken to the mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination. Investigations into the incident are ongoing. (G9)
Dead: Rameshwaram Willie
The body of Willie being retrieved from the drain in Enmore
Guyana, Peru pledge stronger cooperation in energy, food & climate security
Guyana is looking to increase cooperation with its South American neighbour of Peru with emphasis being placed on the areas of energy, food security and climate change.
This commitment was made recently when Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, met with the Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Peter Camino, in Lima.
During the engagement, the two senior officials discussed specific areas of ties between the governments and peoples of Guyana and Peru.
According to statements from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry in Georgetown, the Government of Peru plans to expand its framework of cooperation with Guyana to enable greater collaboration in the mining, agriculture, tourism, and construction sectors among others, through direct investment and technical assistance initiatives.
The Peruvian Vice Foreign Minister further noted Guyana’s leadership in the region as well as its commitment to advancing a number of issues of mutual interest both within the hemispheric fora including in the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) and the Brasilia Consensus, as well as at the multilateral sphere including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where Guyana is currently a non-permanent member.
Meanwhile, Foreign
Secretary Persaud took the opportunity to update the Peruvian Vice Foreign Minister on the current case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.
The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, which is in Essequibo, and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in which almost 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past nine years and oil production activities are ongoing.
In 2018, Guyana moved to the World Court after exhausting all means of negotiation with Venezuela and the failed good offices process between the two South American neighbours. Guyana is seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award to settle the long-standing border controversy.
Last month, the ICJ con-
vened a meeting with representatives of both countries to determine the way forward since Venezuela had submitted its counter memorial back in April of this year.
At that meeting, it was agreed by both sides that a second round of written pleadings were necessary. Following disagreement between Guyana and Venezuelan on the timeline, the court indicated that it would issue an order setting timelines for both parties to make their submissions.
Nevertheless, with Guyana currently undergoing an unprecedented economic transformation, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Administration has been working on positioning the country as a regional leader in a number of areas.
In fact, Guyana is already leading efforts within the Latin America and the Caribbean region to have security in the areas of energy, food and climate.
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud with Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Peter Camino in Lima
“Never forget the courage and dedication” of fallen heroes – Top Cop …as
GPF honours fallen heroes in solemn ceremony
In a solemn ceremony held on Sunday morning at the Monument site for Fallen Heroes at the Officers' Mess Compound, Eve Leary, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) honoured its brave ranks who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The wreath-laying ceremony, is part of the Force’s
uniting us in gratitude for their selfless service,” he said.
The ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Andre Ally; Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar
185th anniversary celebrations.
Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, in his address, issued a heartfelt reminder to "never forget the courage and dedication of those Fallen Heroes who gave their lives in service to others." His speech underscored the selfless sacrifices made by these brave men and women, and their commitment to protecting their communities.
“Today [Sunday], as we gather with solemn hearts to honour the memory of our fallen heroes — those
brave men and women of the Guyana Police Force who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation — we are reminded of the words of Elmer Davis: 'This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave,'” Commissioner Hicken stated. He emphasised that the bravery shown by the fallen heroes in wearing the badge of the Guyana Police Force served as a guardian of the community against chaos. Hicken also expressed sincere appreciation for law enforcement officers worldwide.
“These brave men and women have fearlessly defended their communities and upheld the principles of justice and order, often at significant personal risk and sacrifice. Their commitment and courage serve as an inspiration to us all, transcending borders and
Khan; and other senior officials. The event commenced with the listing of the fallen ranks, their names, the year of their passing, and the circumstances of their deaths, followed by the laying of wreaths.
Deputy Commissioner 'Administration' (ag) Ravindradat Budhram chaired the proceedings and delivered the opening remarks. “We stand with you today, and we will always honour the memories of your loved ones and pledge to carry forward your legacy of service and
sacrifice,” he said, addressing the families of the fallen heroes.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, during his
the line of duty. This includes counseling sessions, financial assistance, educational support for children, and sponsoring wakes and
along with remarks by
of
and
time at the microphone, reflected on the significance of the ceremony, noting that it is always a poignant moment and an insightful one as the nation reflects on what stands between peace-loving Guyanese and anarchy.
funerals to ensure dignified farewells.
“While our efforts can never fully compensate for their sacrifices, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting their families. They
Bishop Raphael Massiah. As the nation continues to commemorate the bravery and dedication of its fallen heroes, Commissioner Hicken's closing words resonated deeply: “Let us never for -
He noted that it is important to ensure, as a nation, that the hopes, aspirations, and ultimate sacrifice of our fallen heroes do not go in vain.
The GPF, through its Fallen Hero Foundation, continues to provide support to the families of those who have lost their lives in
are part of our police family, and we will continue to stand by them, today and in the years to come,” Commissioner Hicken affirmed.
The ceremony concluded with words of comfort from Force Chaplain Reverend Patrick Doolichand, Pandit Seeram Madray, and Imam Warren Barlow,
get the courage and dedication of those who gave their lives in service to others. As John F. Kennedy once said, 'A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honours, the men it remembers.' May their memory inspire us all to strive for a safer and more just world.” (G9)
National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia
Chairman
the GPF's Fallen Heroes Foundation
Scenes from the wreath-laying ceremony
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken
Scenes from the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Fallen Heroes Monument, Police Officers' Mess Annexe, Eve Leary on Sunday morning (GPF photos)
Mazaruni River boat collision
“No help from the Police, and we are exhausted” – family of missing men
The family of Troy
Anthony Joseph, 35, and Cranston Davidson, 43, both from Agatash Village, Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), are desperately searching for the two men after a boat collision
on July 5 in the Mazaruni River near BK Quarries Inc.
Oswald Hudson Jr, also known as "Saddie," 29, from First Avenue Bartica, lost his life in the accident which occurred at about 23:50h. However, Davidson, a father of seven, and Joseph, a father of three, who were also on the boat with Hudson, remain missing. Since July fifth, their families have been tirelessly searching for them.
Initially, the police reported only the death of Oswald Hudson Jr, without acknowledging any missing persons. The families of the missing men confirmed to Guyana Times on Sunday that Davidson and Joseph were also on the boat and have since disappeared.
According to police reports, Shavez Thomas, 29, a boat captain from Itaballi Landing, was returning home from Bartica with Rayon Mohamed, 18, also from Itaballi Landing. Their wooden boat was powered by a 200-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine.
Meanwhile, Oswald Hudson Sr, 60, also a boat captain from First Avenue
Bartica, was heading from Itaballi Landing to Bartica, carrying two minors, a pregnant woman, the now-deceased Oswald Jr., and the two missing men in his wooden boat powered by a 75-horsepower Yamaha engine.
The two boats collided head-on near BK Quarries Inc., throwing the occupants into the water. Witnesses reported that after the collision, Oswald Jr. rescued one of the minors before he, Davidson, and Joseph went underwater and did not resurface.
Public-spirited citizens rushed to assist, retrieving six people from the water and transporting them to Third Avenue Beach. The survivors were then taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital for assessment and treatment. A search
was launched, and Oswald Jr.'s body was found last Saturday.
Davidson’s sister, Felicia Edwards, disclosed
in the same yard. They worked at Echa Quarrie near Cuyuni Village. On the 5th of July, they were waiting for their pay. Cranston and Troy told their wives they would be paid at 3:00 p.m., but the manager delayed payment until 5:00 pm."
She added, "Cranston called his wife at 21:37h.,
She said they went to the hospital and the mortuary in search of the men but they were not there.
She said since then, they have been searching for the men but to no avail.
Edwards also mentioned that her brother Cranston's bag was found floating near Gold Creek, Bartica during the search.
saying he was waiting for a boat to come home. Troy also called his wife, Latoya, at 20:02h, saying he was in a vehicle heading to Itaballi. Cranston called again at 10:13 p.m., still waiting for the taxi from Puruni. At 10:25 pm, he called to say he was in a boat heading home, and his wife could hear the engine. Troy’s wife called him at 10:23 pm, and he said he was in the boat. After that, their phones went straight to voicemail."
Edwards said that at around 03:00h on Saturday morning they received a
to Guyana Times that the missing men are relatives.
"Cranston and Troy are brothers-in-law, who lived
phone call informing them that there was a boat accident and that Joseph and Davidson were in the boat.
"We, the family of the missing men, are frustrated with the authorities and the Guyana Police Force. Only the families are searching day and night with no help from the police, and we are exhausted. We want to know why this situation is being dragged out for so long," she said.
She expressed her frustration with the police, stating that they are not receiving any assistance and are often treated with hostility. “The boat captains should have been arrested and charged until my brother and brother-in-law's bodies are found. When we inquire with the police, they are dismissive and say they can't do anything until a body is found. But they are not even helping us search."
“Mothers lost their sons, children lost their fathers, wives lost their husbands, and they are not doing anything. These people are human beings. Every
day we are searching, hoping to find their bodies and nothing. Right now, we are thinking something isn’t right because both of these men are missing and at least one of them should have surfaced. This is 10 day and we can’t find them anywhere. The boat cap-
tains have to explain what happened. We have to assume the worst because we aren’t getting any answers,” Edwards said. The family is urgently appealing for assistance from the police in their search for the missing men. (G9)
Guyana, Peru pledge stronger...
On the other hand, Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector has made the country an attractive investment destination with interests coming from businesses across the world but in the regional as well.
As a matter of fact, an investment group from Peru was in Guyana in March 2023 and had meeting local stakeholders including President Ali on
the potential investment opportunities here.
During a meeting with the Guyanese Head of State at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Georgetown, discussions between the visiting investors and the Government surrounded the advancement of a pilot project to use satellite and telecommunications to advance the education sector in the
hinterland and the use of drone technology for the delivery of medication and other services to far-reaching areas. Guyana and Peru established diplomatic relations on July 17, 1971. In November 2022, President Ali accredited Ambassador David Malaga as the NonResident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to Guyana. (G8)
Cranston’s bag that was found floating in the river
Missing: Troy Anthony Joseph
Missing: Cranston Davidson
Oswald Hudson Jr, who died in the boat accident
Family members in search of the missing men
Education Ministry extends ESL afterschool classes for migrant learners
The Education Ministry Migrant Education Support Unit (MESU) has recently extended its English as a Second Language (ESL) summer classes for migrant learners.
The extension of these classes was highlighted by the Education Ministry in a recent press release, which stated that the English as a Second Language (ESL) after-school classes will be administered for an additional two weeks, ending on July 19.
This initiative is aimed at learners in Regions One (Barima Waini); Two (Pomeroon – Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara); Four (Demerara- Mahaica); Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni); Nine (Upper Takutu –
Upper Essequibo), and Georgetown.
These engaging classes are designed to enhance English language skills through fun and interactive activities.
Coordinator of the MESU, Shanti Bisnauth, emphasised that the primary goal of the ESL program is to eliminate language barriers that hinder students and to foster inclusion for all learners enrolled in government schools.
The schools participating in the two-week ESL classes include: Region One: Yarakita Primary, White-Water Primary, Wauna Primary, Hosororo Primary, Mabaruma Primary, St. Peter and Paul Primary and Port Kaituma Primary; Region Two: Taymouth Manor
Primary, Charity Primary and Fisher Primary. Region Three: Blake Primary, Parika Salem Primary, Parika Salem Secondary, Vergenoegen Secondary, Tuschen Primary, Victoria Lily Primary, Greenwich Park Primary, Philadelphia Primary, Met-en-Meer Zorg Primary, De Willem Secondary, Zeelugt Primary, Leonora Primary, Leonora Secondary, Windsor Forest Primary, Crane Primary, Vreed en Hoop Primary, Good Fortuin Primary, Parfait Harmony Primary, Two Brothers Primary, Patentia Primary, Belle West Primary, Kawall Primary, Cornelia Ida Primary, Saraswat Primary, Stewartville Primary, Endeavour and the Commons Secondary. Region Four: Kuru Kuru
Primary, Kuru Kururu Primary, Supply Primary, Soesdyke Primary, Timehri Primary, Grove Primary, Diamond Primary, Covent Garden Primary, Eccles Primary, Mon Repos Primary, Lusignan Primary, Enterprise Primary, Helena Primary and Long Creek Primary and Georgetown JE Burnham Primary, Smith Memorial Primary, Rama Krishna Primary, Redeemer Primary, St. Angela’s Primary, St. Ambrose Primary, Fe Pollard Primary
and Ketley Primary. Region Seven: St. Anthony Primary and Region Nine: Arapaima Primary and St. Ignatius Primary. Additionally, the Migrant Education Support Unit (MESU) will be launching its first ever "ESL Adventure Camp," which will take place at ten venues from July 15th to 26th. The participating venues include Mabaruma, Taymouth Manor, Met-en- Meer Zorg, Belle West, Diamond, JE Burnham, Ketley, Smith Memorial, Supply, and
Arapaima Primary. As a mitigating response to eliminate the language barriers, the Ministry of Education introduced ESL training for teachers. This training was done to equip teachers with the requisite skills to support migrant learners and to provide linguistic support to returning Guyanese, Venezuelan and indigenous children through English as a Second language (ESL) classes to aid their integration into the education system.
One million business opportunities for women by 2030 – Blair Foundation
Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women highlighted that her organisation’s goal is to provide some one million women with business opportunities by 2030. Delivering remarks on a recent edition of the energy perspectives podcast was Cherie Blair, King’s Counsel and founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women who highlighted that her organisation has made significant strides in empowering women, particularly in the business field over the years. On this point Blair highlighted that to date over 200,000 women have benefited from the resources offered by her organisation. “Well, so far, we've reached 250,000 women, so we're not doing too badly” Blair stated.
Moreover, Blair highlighted that Guyana has made a significant contribution towards obtaining the 250,000 figure. She noted that Guyanese women, who used the HerVenture App, have seen significant growth in their businesses.
“I’m very proud, in particular, of the contribution that Guyana has made to that figure. And the work that my foundation's been doing these last three years here in this country has been very, very important to us. Now, I'm very
proud to say that one in 25 women in Guyana use our HerVenture app and the outcomes from this app are amazing. Even shortly after using the app, eight out of 10 women have improved their business outcomes” Blair asserted.
The HerVenture App was developed to equip women with the necessary skills and business training and also simultaneously develop their confidence. Additionally, Blair noted that because women are not given equal access to education and economic power, the world is missing out on $12 trillion worth of opportunities.
“Actually, when I made that statistic, which was one that came from some very respectable sources like the World Bank and
McKinsey, shortly after that, actually, things got a bit worse, mainly because of the impact of COVID. But I'm pleased to say that this year, things have slightly turned a corner. So, this year, the World Economic Forum anticipates it will take 152 years before women's economic gender gap is closed, which is actually an improvement of 17 years from last year's estimate” she stated.
In this regard Blair encouraged women to continue empowering each other and also give back to communities. “So it's very important to not only pay back, but also to pay forward, I think. And don't be afraid to ask for support. Because when women come together, they are a force to be reckoned with. One
of the women that we work with in our Road to Growth programme that we delivered in Nigeria described the cohort that were together as sisterpreneurs. And even several, we follow the progress after they finished the course, several years later, those women are still in their WhatsApp group and supporting each other,” she stated. Blair also commended the Government of Guyana for implementing various initiatives geared at promoting economic gender equality. She noted that in 2021 Guyana was ranked 105th out of 156 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of economic gender equality to date the country is ranked 47th.
Founder of Cherie Blair Foundation For Women, Cherie Blair
Youths and Climate Change: A growing concern
The United Nations has issued a stark warning by declaring that the Earth is now in an era of "global boiling" due to global warming, which results in climate change. This global phenomenon would affect everyone, but the impacts on the younger generation can be overwhelming, as they comprise almost a quarter of the world’s population.
Climate change, as we know it, is a devastating reality, and one that our youths would come to know and bear the brunt of its consequences. According to the United Nations, children and youths are among the most vulnerable groups to climate change, which poses one of the biggest threats to their health and future.
No one is immune to the effects of climate change, especially children and youths. Altering weather patterns and causing disturbance to ecosystems have profound implications for human health. Many of the global killers of children, such as flooding and drought, are sensitive to climatic changes. Currently, children are dying from a small number of preventable and treatable diseases and conditions, including diarrhoea, malaria, and malnutrition, exacerbated by climate-related changes.
Additionally, young people generally have fewer assets, and live on lower incomes than older adults. Among young people, those who are worst off are most exposed to climate shocks, making them extremely vulnerable to the destructive impacts of climate change.
Climate change increases outdoor air pollutants like dust from droughts and ground-level ozone. It should be noted that children and young people are estimated to suffer more than 80 percent of the illnesses, injuries and deaths attributable to climate change.
Changing weather patterns also affect agriculture. As the world warms, hunger and water shortages become more prevalent. Failed rains cause crops to wither and livestock to die, exposing
children to starvation and diminishing water supplies for drinking and hygiene purposes.
In addition to the impact on physical health, the climate crisis may also lead to mental stress, particularly among young people, as they are still developing physically and psychologically. This shows a definite need for intervention and action to reduce the severity of the impacts on our young people.
It is now more crucial than ever to educate the next generation about climate change. Youths have the right to understand the impacts of these significant challenges, and learn how they can contribute to solutions by living sustainably. They need to enjoy and respect nature. Encouraging outdoor play nurtures their appreciation for the environment. This is why EPA Guyana has been working with educators across the nation, holding Environmental Education Training sessions with teachers to integrate environmental education into school curricula.
Additionally, the agency constantly participates in outreaches, workshops, exhibitions, open days, and other events focused on educating young people about the role of the agency, and their role in the fight for environmental awareness.
We only have one Earth, and we must take care of it. For the sake of our youths and future generations, combatting climate change is imperative.
The environment is everybody’s business; let us take action to safeguard our youths.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN; or email us at: communications@epaguyana. org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Dr Tariq Jagnarine
Fam meD, enDocrinology/ DiabeTes
Heel pain can result from factors like inflammation, bone changes, and nerve compression. It occurs under or behind the heel, where the Achilles tendon connects to the heel bone. Sometimes, it can affect the side of the heel. Pain that occurs under the heel is known as plantar fasciitis. In most cases, heel pain resolves itself without treatment, but sometimes it can persist and become chronic.
Risk factors
The following are some of the risk factors for heel pain:
Tight calf muscles
High arches
Running excessively Older adult Extra weight having a job that requires a lot of standing or walking Low arches
Causes
Heel pain may occur due to a single injury, such as a twist or fall, or from repetitive stress and pounding of the heel. Flat footwear may also stretch the plantar fascia until the area becomes swollen or inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. Common causes of heel pain include:
Plantar fasciitis
This is inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong, bowstring-like ligament that runs from the calcaneum or heel bone to the tip of the foot. This type of pain often results from a person’s foot anatomy. For example, if the arches are particularly high or low, this can lead to plantar fasciitis.
Heel bursitis
Inflammation can occur at the back of the heel, in the bursa, which is a fibrous sac full of fluid. This condition can result from landing awk-
HEALTH TIPS
HEEL PAIN
bone
wardly or hard on the heels, or from pressure from footwear. A person may feel this pain deep inside the heel, or at the back of the heel.
Haglund’s deformity
Haglund’s deformity is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel. It occurs when footwear rubs against the back of the heel, irritating the bony enlargement and surrounding tissue. Hard-backed shoes and pumps can place pressure on the back of the heel, irritating Haglund’s deformity. This is why people often refer to this condition as “pump bump.”
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
In tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS), tissue compresses the large nerve in the back of the foot, resulting in pain. This type of compression neuropathy can occur either in the ankle or foot.
Stress fracture
Repetitive stress, strenuous exercise, sports, or heavy manual work can cause injury. For instance, runners are at a higher risk of a stress fracture in the metatarsal bones of the foot. Osteoporosis can also cause stress fractures.
Sever’s disease
This is the most common cause of heel pain in children and young adults. It results from overuse and repetitive microtrauma of the growth plates of the heel bone. Sever’s disease most commonly affects children aged 7–15 years.
• Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis occurs when the large tendon in the back of the heel becomes inflamed. Overuse and injury are the most common causes of Achilles tendinitis. People may also refer to tendinitis as tendinosis or tendinopathy.
• Other causes Other causes of heel pain include:
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Plantar fascia tear
• Baxter’s nerve entrapment
• Calcaneal stress fracture or cysts
• Soft tissue mass
• Short flexor tendon tear
• Systemic arthritis
• Bone bruise
• Problems with circulation
• Poor posture when walking or running
• Bone cyst, which is a solitary fluid-filled cyst in a
Gout
Neuroma, or Morton’s neuroma
Osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone or bone marrow
Symptoms
People usually feel heel pain under the foot, toward the front of the heel. The pain typically starts gradually and becomes more severe. Pain may be severe, however, if there is a tear. A person may have noticed a popping sound at the time of the injury, and pain will be immediate.
Sites of heel pain
A person may experience heel pain at specific sites. These may have different causes and treatments:
Bottom of the heel: Health experts typically refer to this as plantar fasciitis. Pain may occur here when too much pressure damages or tears the tissues, leading to inflammation.
Achilles tendon: Pain in this tendon on the back of the lower leg may result from repetitive stress, such as from tight calf muscles or suddenly increasing exercise activity and intensity.
Side of the foot: Lateral foot pain affects the outside of the heel or foot, and medial foot pain affects the inside edge. It may result from stress fractures, sprains, TTS, and other conditions.
Treatment
Most people recover with conservative treatments within months. Treatment options include the following:
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce pain and swelling.
• Corticosteroid injections may work if NSAIDs are not effective.
• Physical therapy can teach exercises that strengthen the lower leg muscles.
• Athletic taping gives the bottom of the foot better support.
• Orthotics, or assistive devices, and insoles can help correct foot deformities.
• Surgery For most people with plantar fasciitis, treatment will resolve heel pain within 6 weeks. However, surgery may be necessary if pain persists after several months of treatment. A surgeon may detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone during surgery. There is a risk that
this may weaken the arch of the foot.
Home remedies
Home care can help get rid of heel pain that is not severe. This includes:
Rest: Avoid running or standing for long periods, walking on hard surfaces, and engaging in any activity that may stress the heels.
Ice: Place an ice pack wrapped in cloth on the affected area, not directly onto the skin, for about 15 minutes.
Footwear: Shoes that fit well and provide good support are crucial, especially for athletes.
Foot supports: Wedges and heel cups can help relieve symptoms.
Some studies suggest that Botox may help treat plantar fasciitis. According to another study, delivering a standard dose of external beam radiation therapy like that doctors use in cancer treatment may help.
Prevention Prevention of heel pain involves reducing the stress on the affected part of the body. Tips include the following:
Wearing shoes when on hard ground, and not going barefooted
Reaching or maintaining a moderate body weight to reduce stress on the heels
Choosing footwear with heels made of material that can absorb some stress, or using inserted heel pads
Ensuring that shoes fit properly and do not have worn-down heels or soles
Resting the feet rather than standing, when possible
• Warming up properly before engaging in sports and activities that may place a lot of stress on the heels
When to contact a doctor
A person should consult a doctor if the heel pain persists for over 2 weeks, or if they experience:
• Severe pain with swelling near the heel
• Pain, numbness, or tingling in the heel, as well as fever
• Difficulty walking as usual
• Difficulty bending the foot downward or tiptoeing
A person should contact a doctor if the heel pain continues for more than 1 week, or if it persists when they are not standing or walking.
Regional
Ecuador court sentences 5 for up to 34 years in candidate murder
Acourt in Ecuador on Friday handed down prison sentences of 12 years and 34 years for five persons found guilty of murdering presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.
Journalist and former legislator Villavicencio was shot while leaving a rally in August 2023, becoming the most prominent victim of Ecuador's spiralling violence.
The ruling, read out by Milton Maroto, one of the court's three Judges, can be appealed by both the prosecution and the defence. The trial started at the end of June.
Prosecutors accused at least two of those tried of belonging to the Los Lobos crime gang, among 22 criminal gangs designated as terrorists by President Daniel Noboa in January.
According to the Attorney General's office, Carlos Edwin Angulo Lara, known as “El Invisible” (“The Invisible”), gave the order to murder Villavicencio from prison, while Laura Dayanara Castillo was in
charge of logistics.
Both Angulo and Castillo were sentenced to 34 years and eight months.
Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores and Alexandra Chimbo were sentenced to 12 years.
Villavicencio, whose journalism exposed corruption and connections between organised crime and politicians, had long faced threats.
Prosecutors are undertaking a separate investiga-
tion into who requested the murder.
One of the hit men died at the scene of Villavicencio's murder and seven other suspects – mostly Colombian citizens – were murdered in October while being held in prisons on pre-trial detention.
Villavicencio's friends and family have decried multiple delays and urged investigation into who ordered the killing.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
7 students drown on summer holidays in Mexico
Seven students drowned in eastern Mexico after their vehicle was dragged into a fast-flowing river as they tried to retrieve a boat from its waters, local government sources said Sunday.
The victims, all between 21 and 23 years old, on Saturday were celebrating the end of the school
year and summer holidays at a private residence on the banks of the river in the city of Coatzacoalcos. They were in a pickup truck that they were using to try to pull a boat from the CalzadasCoatzacoalcos River, sources from the municipal Police and emergency services told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The turbulent waters, strengthened by a storm, dragged the vehicle in.
The victims are “five women and two men. They all knew each other,” said the source with the emergency services.
An AFP reporter at the scene said the intense storm had complicated efforts to retrieve the victims’ bodies. (AFP)
MP Walker says Govt’s plan to usurp Barbuda Council’s authority will be “vigorously resisted”
Member of Parliament (MP) for Barbuda, Trevor Walker said that he is concerned that the Antigua and Barbuda Government’s plans to increase its presence on the sister island is a ploy to make the Barbuda Council redundant.
The Cabinet, during its weekly meeting on July 10, indicated that the Central Government plans to increase its presence on Barbuda.
According to the Executive, a larger presence of the administration will be required on Barbuda when the new airport becomes operational.
But MP Walker said that the Central Government would not be allowed to take over the functions of the Council, whose jurisdiction is entrenched in the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda.
He said that all plans to usurp the authority of the Council will be vigorously resisted.
“It will, because at the end of the day, the law says that there shall be a local Council for Barbuda, local government, a local Council that is responsible for the local government in Barbuda, and that law is an entrenched provision in our Constitution.”
(Excerpt from Antigua Observer)
Barbados “not ready” for Freedom of Info Act – Minister
Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Marsha Caddle says Barbados is not yet prepared for a Freedom of Information Act.
She said there was the need to modernise existing data governance legislation before such could occur.
During the afternoon session of the CATAPULT Technology Conference, held last Friday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, she responded to a query about the long-called-for legislation.
A Freedom of Information Act typically allows citizens to access Governmentheld information, promoting transparency and accountability within public institutions. However, the discussion on bringing such legislation has been ongoing for several years.
“We are more and more creating an industry out of data and, therefore, data governance is important,” Caddle stated.
“There is currently legislation, there is an old Statistics Act, there is the more recent 2019 data protection legislation; there are about four other pieces of legislation that relate to data and how it is shared. Obviously, this has to be modernised and we are having the Policy and
Legislative Unit look into the aspects that are truly in need of change,” she said.
The Minister stressed that a comprehensive approach to data governance could mitigate the need for a Freedom of Information Act.
“We would not be talking about a data industry without understanding that we must address those things. You will find that if you have solid data governance principles and legislation in place, in those jurisdictions people seldom relate or call for a Freedom of Information Act. It just is not necessary,” Caddle said.
Highlighting the benefits of proactive data management, she added: “I actually prefer the positive orientation to make sure that you understand all of the situations that data can be requested and shared, and be led by that part.
“It is not to say that the freedom of information is never required, but in cases where data is flowing freely in the way that you want with sound governance policies, you would find that there are very few requests for a Freedom of Information Act.”
The minister pointed to Jamaica’s experience with freedom of information legislation as a cautionary tale. She underscored the need for thoughtful and effective data governance as the foundation for any future legislative efforts related to information access and transparency.
“Jamaica introduced freedom of information legislation several years ago and found that it could not comply with its own legislation. When you make it law to provide data within a certain time frame, to certain groups of people, with certain frequency, you better be able to fulfil that,” she said.
Caddle said the Statistics Act was a critical step in this process.
“So when we look at our Statistics Act, which is in the process of being reviewed, those steps must be followed first. When you bring a Freedom of Information Act now, it would be incapable of being complied with.”
(E Nation News)
T&T PM defends refinery talks with Jindal
Trinidad and Tobago
Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has defended discussions he held with Indian businessman Naveen Jindal about Jindal Steel and Power Ltd having a potential interest in the now defunct Petrotrin refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre.
Dr Rowley did so when he addressed the 51st annual PNM San Fernando West constituency conference at San Fernando City Hall Auditorium on July 13.
Jindal paid a courtesy call on Dr Rowley at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's on June 17.
A statement issued then by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Jindal’s visit followed Dr Rowley’s trip to India in May, during which he met with several business leaders and invited them to explore investment oppor -
tunities in Trinidad and Tobago.
The OPM said Jindal was interested in the potential of the Petrotrin refinery, and that formed part of the discussions at the meeting.
Jindal Steel and Power is one of India’s leading business houses, with a substantial presence in steel, mining, power and in-
frastructure.
Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne; Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein; Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell; and Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Richie Sookhai attended that meeting.
(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
A woman holds a sign reading "CORREA MAFIA MURDERER" during a demonstration outside a court that handed down prison sentences for five persons found guilty for murdering presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, in Quito, Ecuador, July 12, 2024 (Reuters/Karen Toro photo)
Barbadian Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Marsha Caddle
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley with Indian businessman Naveen Jindal on June 17 at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Kuwait announces 'giant' oil discovery
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said on Sunday it had made a "giant" oil discovery in the Al-Nokhatha field east of the Kuwaiti island of Failaka, with oil reserves estimated at 3.2 billion barrels.
KPC's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Nawaf Saud Nasir Al-Sabah said in a video posted by the company on X that the new discovery's reserves were equivalent to the country's entire production in three years.
The initial estimated area of the newly-discovered oil well is around 96 square kilometres, KPC said in its statement.
It added that the preliminary estimates of the hydrocarbon reserves present at the well were estimated at approximately 2.1 billion barrels of light oil, and 5.1 trillion standard cubic feet of gas, which correspond to 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. (Reuters)
Biden asks Americans to
“cool it down”
Hamas says it has not left ceasefire talks after Israeli attacks
Asenior Hamas official said on Sunday that the Islamist group has not withdrawn from ceasefire talks with Israel after this weekend's deadly attacks in Gaza that Israel said had targeted the group's military leader Mohammed Deif.
But Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of the political office of Hamas, accused Israel of trying to derail efforts by Arab mediators and the United States to reach a ceasefire deal by stepping up its attacks in the enclave.
Saturday's strike in the Khan Younis area of Gaza, in which at least 90 Palestinians were killed, according to local health authorities, has put the ceasefire talks in doubt.
There had been increasingly hopeful signs in recent days that a deal could be reached to halt fighting and return hostages held in Gaza.
Two Egyptian security sources at ceasefire talks in Doha and Cairo said on Saturday that negotiations had been halted after three days of intense talks.
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene his close circle of ministers later on Sunday to discuss the talks. The strike on Saturday which targeted Deif killed Rafa Salama, commander of Hamas' Khan Younis brigade, the Israeli military said on Sunday, but there was no confirmation about the fate of Deif.
"The strike in Khan Younis was a result of surgical intelligence," the head of the Shin Bet domestic security service said in a video released by the service from Rafah. He said 25 Hamas operatives who took part in the deadly October 7 attack in southern Israel that triggered the war had been killed in the past week.
On Saturday, a senior Hamas official denied that Deif had been killed and the group said Israeli claims were aimed at justifying the attack.
The risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions and intelligence.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
after Trump shooting Kenyan Police relocated following body parts discovery
US President Joe Biden used the formal setting of the White House Oval Office on Sunday to ask Americans to lower the political temperature and remember they are neighbours after a would-be assassin wounded Republican rival Donald Trump.
Trump’s shooting “calls on all of us to take a step back”, Biden said in remarks of less than seven minutes. Thankfully Trump was not seriously injured, he said.
“We can’t allow this violence to be normalised. The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down," he said. "We all have a responsibility to do this."
A day after gunshots rang out at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, investigators are now digging into the past of Thomas Matthew Crooks, as the suspect in what Police call an attempted assassination.
It was Biden's third use of the formal setting of the Oval Office to comment on issues of major importance to Americans since he took power in 2021.
Biden's appearance allowed him to demonstrate the power of incumbency, an important symbolic image as he battles some in his own Democratic Party who want the 81-year-old leader to step aside from seeking re-election out of concerns he lacks the mental acuity for another four-year term.
The campaign called off verbal attacks on the former President to focus instead on the future. Within hours of Saturday's shooting, Biden's campaign was pulling down television ads and suspending other political communications.
“Tonight I’m asking every American to recommit," Biden said. "Hate must have no safe harbour.”
Trump arrives in Milwaukee for Republican convention after assassination attempt
Trump arrived on Sunday in Milwaukee, where he will be formally nominated as the Republican presidential candidate later this week after surviving the assassination attempt.
President Biden ordered a review of how a 20-yearold man with an AR-15style rifle got close enough to shoot at Trump from a rooftop on Saturday. As a former President, Trump has lifetime protection by the US Secret Service.
Trump, 78, was holding a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania – a key state in the November 5 election –when shots rang out, hitting his right ear and leaving his face streaked with blood. His campaign said he was doing well.
One person in the crowd was killed and two others wounded. Secret Service agents fatally shot the suspect, the agency said.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Officers at a Police Station near a rubbish dump where dismembered body parts were found have been transferred, Kenya's acting Inspector General of Police has said.
On Sunday, Douglas Kanja Kirocho said that so far, eight female bodies had been retrieved from the site in the capital, Nairobi.
Kenya's Police watchdog previously announced it was investigating whether there
was Police involvement in the gruesome deaths, which come amid allegations of widespread human rights abuses by officers during recent anti-government protests.
Kirocho said officers from Kware Police Station were being moved to ensure "fair and unbiased investigations" into the "heinous" deaths.
Detectives have been scouring the site in the
Mukuru slum since Friday, when the corpses of six women were found in sacks floating in a sea of rubbish.
On Saturday, five other bags containing body parts were recovered.
Preliminary reports show that the bodies were in various stages of decomposition and that the deceased were aged between 18 and 30.
Officers said some of the bags included severed legs and torsos, speculating that
the deaths could be related to the activities of cultists or serial killers.
But the Independent Police Oversight Authority said “widespread allegations of Police involvement in unlawful arrests [and] abductions” meant it was undertaking a preliminary investigation to establish whether there was any Police connection.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Russia claims control of Urozhaine village in Ukraine's Donetsk region
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had taken control of the village of Urozhaine in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, which if confirmed would be the latest in a series of gains since capturing the strategic town of Avdiivka in February.
Ukrainian bloggers said that Kyiv's forces had relinquished control of the village, southwest of the Russian-held city of Donetsk. Ukraine's military said fighting was still going on in the area.
"As a result of successful actions, the 'east' group of forces has taken control of the locality of Urozhaine in Donetsk region...and are carrying out mopping-up and demining operations," the Russian Defence Ministry said on Telegram.
Ukraine's counter-offensive in southern and eastern areas along the 1000-kilometre (600-mile) front line that made only limited headway.
The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces, in a Sunday morning report, said only that Russia had launched 18 attacks on Urozhaine and other nearby localities. It made no mention of the village in a late afternoon report. DeepState, a popular Ukrainian military blog, reported Urozhaine's capture on Sunday, saying Russian forces had launched "mass assaults on the south of the village". It described the loss as a "defence collapse", whose cause would have to be investigated.
(Reuters)
of
Reuters was not able to independently confirm the Ukrainian or Russian reports. The village came under Russian control early in the
February 2022 invasion, but Ukraine retook the settlement near the Mokri Yaly river in July 2023. The operation was part
Palestinians gather following what they say was an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, July 13, 2024 (Reuters/ Mohammed Salem photo)
Russian soldiers at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. On Sunday, Russia said its forces had taken control of the village of Urozhaine in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region
SUDOKU
DAILY HOROSCOPES
(March 21-April 19)
Take a moment to establish what you want. Keep your intentions to yourself until you have details in place. Avoid emotional interference from anyone trying to manipulate you.
Don't take anything for granted. Do your own thing and allow others the same privilege. Don't prematurely implement a change; give yourself a chance to test different scenarios first.
(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)
Learn through trial and error. Refuse to let indulgence get you in trouble. Uncertainty is a sign that more thought is required. Physical fitness will ease stress.
(June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Set boundaries and maintain a healthy routine. Monitor what and who causes you stress, and sign up for selfhelp groups. Avoid making hasty financial decisions.
Find opportunities. Listen carefully, let your imagination kick in and pursue only what feels comfortable and within reach. Don't feel pressured to make a move until you are ready.
Resolve unfinished projects. Actively seek the help of people you can trust to support your efforts. Avoid discussing emotional issues until you feel confident you can do so with a cool head.
Muscle through projects. Using your physical attributes to get things done will encourage you to be adventurous. An opportunity to learn will clear your head and promote new beginnings.
Put your differences aside when dealing with friends, colleagues and family. Focus on what you want to accomplish. Venture down a path that gives you a different perspective.
Refuse to let situations fester. Speak your mind, embrace the people and things that bring you joy, and find your opportunities. A chance to make money is apparent.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Think about your financial situation and how you pay the bills. Consider what's trending or marketable, and let your entrepreneurial instincts kick in and lead the way.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Refuse to let others deter you from following your heart. Opportunity knocks, and it's up to you to take control and make things happen. Don't wait for someone to make the first move.
Clear the way for new beginnings. Be innovative; structure your life to ensure you leave more time and space for what's important. Overdue discussions will help you sort out your plans.
Samson, Dube, Mukesh star as India complete 4-1 series win
imbabwe kept India to a par total of 167 despite a half-century from Sanju Samson, and they took the upper hand in the chase after a strong powerplay.
However, Mukesh Kumar, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube hit back with the ball to snuff out any chance of a Zimbabwe victory, and India sealed a 42-run win to complete a splendid series turnaround in Harare after losing the opening fixture of the series.
Sunday's victory was India's fourth win in a row, all completed in comfortable fashion.
Jaiswal, Abhishek, Gill fall inside powerplay
After Zimbabwe Captain Sikandar Raza won the toss for the first time all series, he sent India in.
Yashasvi Jaiswal began with two sixes off the first two balls of the match, including one off a Raza no-ball, but the opener could not maximise his start, and was bowled in the first over itself.
b Washington Sundar 27
That brought in Abhishek Sharma, but his stay was brief too, Blessing Muzarabani getting him caught behind with a length ball angling across him. Shubman Gill followed Abhishek to the hut when a Richard Ngarava short ball got big on him, and he sliced a mishit to mid-on.
Rinku Singh hit a six in the 20th to ensure India finished above 160. Muzarabani picked up 2 for 19 in his four overs, and was the best of the five bowlers used by Zimbabwe.
Back in the XI for the final game of the series, Mukesh continued his habit of striking early, taking his third first-over wicket in three outings. This time, Wessly Madhevere was the victim, chopping on off a ball that moved into the right-hand batter sharply to fall for a duck.
Mukesh added a second when he tempted Brian Bennett (10) to play over the off side with a full ball swinging away, but the number three could only slice to deep backward point, leaving the hosts 15 for 2 in the third over.
Mukesh could have had a third, pegging back Tadiwanashe Marumani's stumps after a tidy spell to the left-hander from around the wicket, but he had overstepped, and it briefly looked like an expensive mistake as Marumani and number four Dion Myers (34) attacked seamer Tushar Deshpande and wristspinner Ravi Bishnoi.
Yashasvi Jaiswal b Sikandar Raza 12
Shubman Gill (c) c Sikandar
Raza b Ngarava 13
Abhishek Sharma c †Madande
b Muzarabani 14
Sanju Samson † c Marumani
b Muzarabani 58
Riyan Parag c Ngarava b Mavuta 22
Shivam Dube run out
(Sikandar Raza/Faraz Akram) 26
Rinku Singh not out 11
Washington Sundar not out 1
Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 5) 10
TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.35, 94 Mins) 167/6
Did not bat: Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Kumar
The three top-order wickets left India at 44 for 3 after the powerplay and forced a rebuild from number four Samson – he was pushed up in Ruturaj Gaikwad's absence – and number five Riyan Parag, who was batting for the second time this series. They batted together for 56 balls, and even though they added only 65 for the fourth wicket, they ensured India arrested a potential collapse. Parag made a 24-ball 22 and was out to legspinner Brandon Mavuta when he tried to up the scoring rate. Samson, though, made full use of the time he took to get going. At one stage he was on 17 off 18 balls, but when Mavuta bowled in his arc, he capitalised to up the scoring rate. Samson struck four sixes in all, and just the lone four, and when he fell in the deep in the 18th over trying to take Muzarabani on, he was out for a 45-ball 58.
With 15 balls to go and India at 135 for 3, the base was set for an aggressive finish. Dube ruined Ngarava's economy rate by smacking him for 4, 6, 4 in the 19th over in his 12-ball cameo of 26, and
They went particularly hard against Bishnoi, a player Zimbabwe have struggled against all series, and the wristspinner began with a 16-run sixth over that took Zimbabwe to 47 for 2.
Washington kickstarts Zimbabwe's downfall
Washington took the ball after the powerplay, and struck in his second over from around the wicket to Marumani, who was lbw trying to slog across the line. That dismissal forced a slowdown, allowing India to drag the game back into their favour, with Bishnoi and Washington controlling proceedings.
Dube chipped in with a solid shift, picking up a wicket apiece in the 13th and 15th overs, both with short balls. He first dismissed Myers, and then had Johnathan Campbell holing out. In the over in between, he ran Raza out with a direct hit at the bowler's end. All this left Zimbabwe struggling at 90 for 6.
Dube eventually finished with 2 for 25, while Abhishek and Deshpande also picked up a wicket apiece with the game going out of Zimbabwe's grasp. Faraz Akram (27 off 13) entertained the home crowd with two fours and two sixes late in the innings before being caught behind off Mukesh in the 19th over. Number 11 Ngarava then had no answer to a full, fast delivery, and Mukesh finished with his best T20 International (T20I) figures – 4 for 22.
Dube was adjudged Player of the Match for his 12ball 26 and 2 for 25. Washington claimed the Player-ofthe-Series trophy for his eight wickets at an average of 11.62 and an economy rate of 5.16. (ESPNcricinfo)
Sanju Samson top-scored with 58 off 45 balls
England’s quest to end 58 years of pain and disappointment ended in failure as they were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2024 final at Berlin's Olympiastadion.
Gareth Southgate's side were sunk by Mikel Oyarzabal's late winner to leave England heartbroken
Southgate's England fall short again
England’s hopes of crossing the great divide that has separated them from the major prizes were snatched away by a superior Spain side on a tough night in the German capital. The iconic stadium
when Palmer’s smooth finish against the run of play 17 minutes from time drew England level, confidence surged. Many will have felt that Southgate's side were about to mount the sort of comeback that rescued them against Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands earlier in Euro 2024.
Southgate's eight-year reign, tangible success has escaped them. They have lost successive European Championship finals –to Italy three years ago and now an excellent Spain side – plus a World Cup semi-final in 2018 and a World Cup quarter-final in Qatar in 2022.
It remains to be seen whether Southgate stays in charge for the next World Cup, but it may well be that this proves to be one disappointment too far for England's Manager.
Kane & England suffer again
Skipper Kane earned a share of the Euro 2024 Golden Boot by scoring three goals, but in every other respect the tournament was a major disappointment for England's Captain.
Kane has looked short of fitness and match sharpness, a shadow of the world-class striker who has delivered so often in the past and become England's record goalscorer.
England's supporters were loudly demanding the introduction of semi-final matchwinner Ollie Watkins early in the second half – and there was little doubt who they wanted him to replace, voicing their frustration when Kane was slow to react to a loose ball in the penalty area.
Manager Southgate gave them their wish as Kane was taken off, cutting a desolate figure as he departed. He continues to wait for the first major trophy of
his career, another opportunity on the big stage passing him by.
Watkins could not do the trick this time as he remained on the margins, although Palmer showed his class and made a big impact once more with his equaliser.
Southgate made the bold change of selecting Luke Shaw at left-back instead of Kieran Trippier as he reverted to a back four. It was the Manchester United defender’s first start in 148 days and his first England start since June 2023, and he responded with an excellent display.
England could not exert influence in other areas, with Phil Foden ineffective and Jude Bellingham kept quiet apart from one late effort, although the pair worked tirelessly.
Southgate and his players simply found, yet again, that they were playing a better side and now they must wait until the 2026 World Cup to have another tilt at success.
Spain’s young brigade inspire victory
Spain have returned to the top in Europe by trusting in two exceptional young talents who played key roles in ensuring England would not lift this particular trophy.
Alcaraz crushes Djokovic to retain Wimbledon title
Carlos Alcaraz powered to victory over an out-ofsorts Novak Djokovic to retain his men's singles title at Wimbledon.
Although the players on show made this a repeat of last year's final, it failed to live up to the five-set thriller of 12 months ago as Djokovic appeared mostly helpless against the dominant Spaniard.
Despite squandering three championship points when trying to serve out a rapid victory, Alcaraz found focus again and held his arms aloft after battling through the thirdset tie-break for a 6-2 6-2 7-6 (74) win.
"Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy," said Alcaraz, who was presented with the trophy by the Princess of Wales.
"I did an interview when I was 11 and I said my dream is to win Wimbledon."
Gracious in defeat, Djokovic shared a smile and warm embrace with Alcaraz at the net after his comprehensive loss.
For a second straight year, Djokovic was attempting to equal Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon men's titles.
The 24-time major winner was also trying to move ahead of Margaret Court to take sole ownership of the all-time record for the most Grand Slam singles titles.
As tradition now dictates, Alcaraz climbed up to the players' box and was leapt upon by his team and family, celebrating a 14th consecutive match win at Wimbledon.
The result continues the four-time major winner's 100 per cent record in Grand Slam finals, while he becomes the youngest man to win at Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year.
Alcaraz was hoping it would be a day of double Spanish celebrations, too, with the national football team taking on England in the Euro 2024 final in the evening.
Alcaraz saves best for last to topple Djokovic
Alcaraz had looked far from convincing for the majority of this year's Championships – winning in straight sets just twice before Sunday's final.
He had to show resilience to wrestle his way through matches, fighting back against Daniil Medvedev, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe to sustain his title defence.
It made his run to the final all the more impressive, with his never-say-die mentality the mark of a true champion.
And in Sunday's final, Alcaraz showed he was saving his best tennis for the last, all-
important moment.
Former British number one Tim Henman called it an "annihilation", while 1987 Wimbledon winner Pat Cash described it as a "perfect performance".
Alcaraz reeled off deft drop shots, perfect volleys, and thunderous forehand winners that seemed to stun his 37-yearold opponent.
Following in the footsteps of his fellow Spaniard and hero Rafael Nadal in 2008 and 2010, Alcaraz has achieved the rare feat of winning at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.
"Credit to Carlos for playing elite tennis, especially from the back of the court. He had it all today," Djokovic said in his runner-up speech.
Djokovic's wait for record 25th major goes on
When it was revealed that Djokovic had undergone surgery on June 5 for a medial meniscus tear in his right knee, it was not just his title chances that were thrown into doubt.
There were concerns that he would be unable to play at Wimbledon at all.
However, if it was not for the support on his knee, it would have been almost impossible to tell Djokovic had suffered a serious injury.
The seven-time Wimbledon
Yamal, who celebrated his 17th birthday the day before the final, once again played with a maturity way beyond his years and was a constant threat, forcing one superb save out of Pickford, as well as another more routine stop when he unlocked the defence once again.
The teenager was named the Young Player of the Tournament, while 22-yearold Williams was Man of the Match in this final. They have earned the trust of Spain Coach Luis de la Fuente, repaying him spectacularly in Berlin.
Spain should not have had to rely on Oyarzabal's late goal to seal victory. They ought to have had the game wrapped up even before Palmer's equaliser, with Olmo – one of six players with three goals in the tournament – wasting a great chance to win the Golden Boot outright, while John Stones cleared off the line from Morata.
Oyarzabal pounced on Cucurella's cross to ensure those misses were not costly as Euro 2024 got the winners the tournament deserved in this outstanding Spain team. (BBC Sport)
Williams was bursting with energy and belief from the first whistle, finishing unerringly when presented with his chance for the opening goal by Yamal, the other great long-term hope for Spain.
champion had resumed his usual brand of dominant, consistent tennis and dropped just two sets in six matches.
But the level suddenly dropped on Sunday, and Djokovic's game looked unrecognisable with failed attempts to come to the net and handfuls of unforced errors.
What was expected to be an enthralling sequel got off to the most dramatic of beginnings –a 14-minute service game from Djokovic, who saved four break points before finally going behind.
Alcaraz's confident start continued, while a rare double fault from Djokovic gifted a double break that allowed the Spanish third seed to calmly see out the opener.
It was a case of déjà vu for the Serb in the second set, with Alcaraz landing delicate drop volleys and booming winners to break early before benefiting
from another Djokovic double fault.
Still toiling, Djokovic managed to hold firm in the third until Alcaraz struck to lead 5-4 and give himself a chance to serve out for the title.
But the 21-year-old doublefaulted on his first match point, fired into the net on his second, and then sent the ball wide on his third – helping Djokovic to claw a break back and force a tie-break.
At that point, prospects of a remarkable comeback and thrilling finish quickly vanished as Alcaraz took control.
"It obviously was not the result I wanted, but, of course, in the first couple of sets the level of tennis wasn’t up to par from my side," Djokovic said.
"It wasn't meant to be. I tried to extend the match, but he was an absolute deserved winner today, so congratulations for him." (BBC Sport)
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets to retain Wimbledon title
efending champions Guyana
Defence Force (GDF) FC, Monedderlust FC, Den Amstel FC, and Western Tigers are among the latest winners in the KFC Elite League Season Six, when the tournament continued on Thursday last and Saturday evening.
The GDF FC on Thursday, in their first outing since losing team member Enoch Carmichael, made a 7-0 statement victory against Buxton United FC, a victory that was dedicated to the late goalkeeper.
Kelsey Benjamin led the charge for the soldiers with a hattrick. After opening the scoring in the 28th minute, Benjamin went on to find the back of the net in the 35th and 45th minutes; coupled with a 30th- minute strike from Abumuchi Benjamin, GDF were 4-0 up at the half.
Guinness
KFC Elite League…
In the second segment, Lennox Young extended their tally in the 76th minute, while Delroy Fraser struck in the 86th and Shemar Scott added the
“Greatest
cherry on top in the 89th for the 7-0 win.
Earlier that night, a solitary goal made the difference between Den Amstel FC and
of the Streets”…
Scenes from the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West/ East Bank Demerara action
Defending champions Ballerz Empire, three-time winners Showstoppers, Jetty Gunners, and Cayenne advanced to the semi-finals in the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West/East Bank Demerara leg after securing quarter-final wins on Saturday night at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. Ballerz Empire thrashed Epic Touch Family 2-0.
Adams Guinness Goal (GG) [a goal scored in the final three minutes which counts as two] in the 39th minute. Meanwhile, Jetty Gunners dismissed the Pouderoyen Brothers 2-0. Daniel Wilson recorded a double in the 11th and 16th
On the other hand, Cayenne Massive dismantled Family 5-0. O’Neil Sharp recorded a 14th goal and a GG in the 38th minute. Adding goals in the 18th and 36th minutes were siblings Jermaine and Jamiel Harry,
The semi-finals will take place on July 19 at the same venue. Jetty Gunners will oppose Showstoppers in the first semi-final match, while Ballerz Empire will oppose Cayenne Massive in
Complete Results
Guinness Goal –(GG) – 2 Goals
Game 1
Jetty Gunners 2 v
Pouderoyen Brothers 0
Daniel Wilson –11th and 16th
Game 2
Family 0 v Cayenne
Massive 5 O’Neil Sharp – 14th and 38th (GG)
Jermaine Harry – 18th
Jamiel Harry – 36th
Game 3
Showstoppers 2 v Westside Ballers – 0
Dexroy Adams – 39th (GG) Game 4 Ballerz Empire 2 v Epic Touch Family 0 Solomon Austin – 2nd and 15th
Monedderlust the advantage as Ryan Rose broke the ice between the two teams in the 23rd minute followed by a goal off the boots of Lomar Reed four minutes later. Then, in the 30th minute, Terique Benn found the back of the net to give Monedderlust a 3-0 lead by halftime.
While Ann’s Grove’s Travis Williams managed to pull one back in the 52nd minute, the comeback became impossible when Atlyn Brolin further extended Monedderlust’s lead in
It was only until the 45th minute that Michael Oie broke the tie for Western. While his teammate Randolph Wagner made it a 3-1 game in the 68th minute, Ryan Dowding pulled one back for Santos in the 83rd minute, but a comeback for the men in black was not to be, as time expired with the scores stuck on 3-2.
The KFC Elite League is scheduled to continue tonight with another double-
Fruta Conquerors FC. Den Amstel’s triumph came by way of a penalty opportunity, which was successfully converted by Andre Hector in the 58th minute for the 1-0 win.
Then on Saturday night, Monedderlust added to their recent good run of form with a commanding 4-1 victory over Ann’s Grove United FC.
A string of early goals gave
the 86th minute.
In the second game of Saturday’s double-header, Western Tigers squeaked past Santos FC 3-2. Rondell Peters was the first to find the back of the net in the 14th minute, giving Western the advantage. However, Santos’ Bevney McGarrell immediately levelled the scores in the 15th minute.
header. At 18:30h, Slingerz FC will do battle with Buxton United FC while at 21:00h, a law enforcement clash will see GDF FC taking on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC; both at the Guyana Football Federations (GFF) National Training Center (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Couchman eyeing national title after Qualifiers win
Following a riveting weekend of play from approximately 70 of the country’s youngest chess players, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF)-Moo Milk Junior Chess Championship qualifiers have identified 10 players who will vie for the National Championship.
Foremost among them is Kyle Couchman who won with six points. Sachin Pitamber took second place while Ricardo Narine was third and Aditi Joshi was both the best female player and the fourth- place finisher.
Matthew Singh, Kishan Puran, Italy TonChung, Alexander Zhang, Treskole Archibald, and Alek Ubaldo Singh are the remaining six players who have qualified for the Championships.
Guyana Times Sport caught up with Couchman, who spoke of how the qualifying tournament went for him.
“Well, the tournament had really tough compe-
Kyle Couchman has his
tition, a lot of rated players. I gained, I lost ratings, but that happens. Nevertheless, with enough practice and dedication, I emerged victorious,” Couchman told this publication.
Initially, the likes of Pitamber and Zhang were in the lead following the first few rounds of the qualifiers. As such, Couchman spoke of how he was able to take himself to the top spot in the final rounds.
The Queen’s College
student said, “I would’ve had to study my opponents because if I study them, it’s going to help me win. My aim was just to win every game, doesn’t matter who I play, I have to win to end up at the top again.”
It goes without saying that Couchman has his eyes on the national title, since it has been vacated by 2023 winner Keron Sandiford, who has aged out of the junior category. Couchman told this publication of his preparation plans for the Championships.
“I am confident about taking the top spot,” Couchman declared.
The teenager went on to disclose, “I’ve been playing a lot of games, doing my puzzles and most importantly, analysing my games and understanding why I did this, why I did that. So, yeah.”
The Moo Milksponsored National Junior Chess Championships are scheduled to commence on Friday, July 26.
eyes on the junior national chess title
It was an emotional victory for GDF FC on Thursday last
It was a close battle between Western Tigers (yellow) and Santos FC
