MoE wraps up ESL Adventure Summer Camp
The Education Ministry's Migrant Education Support Unit (MESU) recently wrapped up its two-week ESL (English as A Second
Language) Adventure Summer Camp. The camp saw partici -
pation from 458 bilingual learners across Regions One,
and Nine, providing them with a unique opportunity to enhance their English
language skills. Designed with engaging and enjoyable activities, the ESL Adventure Camp aimed to improve the participants' proficiency in English while fostering an inclusive environment for all learners seeking access to public education.
The initiative underscored the Ministry's commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the chance to succeed in the educational system.
Senior Education Officer Renita Barnes highlighted the positive feedback from migrant parents, students, and their teachers. Through her interactions, she noted that parents welcomed the initiative, and children were overjoyed with the opportunity to learn, develop new skills, and build new friendships.
Parents also praised the efforts of the MESU and expressed a strong desire for the programme to be extended in the coming year.
On Friday, learners from Regions Three and Four, and Georgetown gathered at the Ministry of Education Ground for a celebratory event, where they were awarded certificates and backpacks.
The event was highlighted by the presentation of special prizes to participants of the MESU art competition, recognising their creativity and effort.
Coordinator of the Migrant Unit, Rampattie Prashad-Bisnauth emphasised the importance of the ESL Adventure Camp in providing a positive learning experience tailored to the unique circumstances of migrant students.
She noted that this initiative was part of a broader effort to support and integrate migrant learners into the public school system, ensuring they receive the education they deserve. All the activities of the School Support Services Units are geared towards connecting families, schools, and their communities, further strengthening the educational framework for all involved.
Two, Three, Four,
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, July 29 – 23:30h-01:00h and Tuesday, July 30 – no retraction.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, July 29 –11:00h-12:30h and Tuesday, July 30 – 12:35h-14:05h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Light to thundery showers are expected in the early-morning hours followed by sunny conditions. Thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.78 metre and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 11:02h and 23:24h reaching maximum heights of 2.24 metres and 2.31 metres.
Low Tide: 16:52h reaching a minimum height of 1.01 metres.
Caricom more relevant than ever amid rising inflation, natural disasters – outgoing Chairman …as new Chairman outlines challenges ahead
Sunday’s opening of the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) saw the torch being passed, with outgoing Caricom Chairman, President Dr Irfaan Ali, welcoming the new Chairman, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell as he outlined the challenges ahead.
The Conference is being held from July 28-30, with the ceremonial opening occurring in St George’s, Grenada, and the island nation is still reeling from the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl.
According to President Ali, who himself on Sunday visited Guyanese soldiers aiding in Grenada’s rebuilding efforts, the Region must get help from the international community as it finds its footing from the hurricane and the effects of global conflicts and COVID.
“I wish to highlight some of these issues and for the people of Caricom to be the judge, as to the question consistently asked, about the relevance and importance of Caricom. These questions can be easily put to rest. And I want to do so tonight with some examples,” President Ali said.
“Today, all of us in this room, we face rising prices. And all of us, in a reflex action, point all our fingers to the Government. But what about the system failing us globally? What about the fact that we spent two years, redirecting resources for education, agriculture, for security, to fight COVID? To give our people an opportunity to live?”
The Guyanese Head of State pointed out that this was all done from the already-scarce budgetary resources of Caricom States, many of them Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Added to this is the fact that countries in the region have been importing inflation through increased shipping costs.
“We did this with resources from our budgets and very little international help. How many headlines will speak to that crisis and how the leadership navigated that crisis? In the last six months alone,
ping. But we are facing those challenges, with the increased cost of shipping, the increased cost of energy. The countries that must now direct budgetary resources that should have gone to health care, but must now rebuild after
we were importing inflation at a record level. The cost of shipping increasing by more than 1000 per cent,” he noted.
“We did not cause that or create the conflict around the world that is driving up the cost of ship-
Beryl.”
President Ali also challenged the Private Sector to help the regional governments call on the international community, to seek aid that would go towards the rebuilding efforts. He noted that while
leaders were not shying away from the challenges, it was important to address the source of the problems.
“After we fought for dignity and identity, we then had to fight to ensure we had our own values and values were not imposed on us. As we fought these battles, we have to now fight to ensure we build systems that work for us. And not systems that are imposed on us. We have to build systems that work for our region. This requires the Private Sector, Governments, and the academic community, we have to come together and trust in ourselves. We have to have hope for the future.”
Incoming Chairman
The incoming Caricom Chairman meanwhile outlined some of the challenges that remain ahead of the Region during his term. One such issue is rebuilding after the ravages of Hurricane Beryl. Another is advancing the Caricom Single Market Economy (CSME).
Outgoing Chairman, President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering
Incoming Chairman, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Land rights
Some in our society are constantly finding new ways to erode the gains we have painfully made over the years to create a nation in the “Land of Six Peoples” we were left with by the British after their centuries of “divide and conquer” rule. One of these ways is to attempt to deny the rights to land accruing to the Indigenous Peoples who were here long before the Europeans, led by Christopher Columbus in 1498, sailed past our Atlantic Coast. Their attitude is reminiscent of Americans – without any sense of irony – who speak of deporting “immigrants” as if they are not all immigrants excepting for the indigenous “Native Americans” who they have banished to reservations.
One ploy has been to question the definition of “Indigenous peoples” and to seek to expand it to include later arrivals brought by the Europeans. It escapes them that they are, therefore, giving Europeans priority over even themselves. We accept the definition of Indigenous Peoples proposed in 1972 by Mr. José R. Martínez-Cobo, Special Rapporteur on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations:
“Indigenous communities, peoples, and nations are those that, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and precolonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop, and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems.”
In Guyana, even then President Granger acknowledged, when he proposed a Joint Land Commission, that Indigenous Peoples had occupied their lands from “time immemorial” and held it as “sacred”. Back in 1965, Amerindian MP Stephen Campbell attended the Independence Conference in London along with Burnham and the PNC and ensured the official Agreement for the Independence of Guyana, (Annex C) required the independent government to provide legal ownership or rights of occupancy for Amerindians over: “areas and reservations or parts thereof where any tribe or community of Amerindians is now ordinarily resident or settled and other legal rights, such as the rights of passage, in respect of any other lands they now by tradition or custom de facto enjoy freedoms and permissions corresponding to rights of that nature. In this context, it is intended that legal ownership shall comprise all rights normally attaching to such ownership.”
Most Guyanese would now balk at the ridiculous claim of Columbus “discovering” the “New World” and so entering the ranks of humanity upon contact with Europeans. But they do not follow through with the equally-ridiculous corollary of Europeans going on to assume “sovereignty” over the lands occupied by the Indigenous Peoples living there. At the time of Columbus’ unfortunate voyage, the fledgling developing International Law postulated, on natural-law grounds, that its concepts such as “sovereignty” was based on reason and applied to all peoples be they European or not. This was explicitly stated, for instance, in the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which launched the modern state system.
But during the period of empire-building, all sorts of “legal” reasons, doctrines, and norms were conjured up to justify their violent land grab. We now had a distinction between “civilised” and “non-civilised” States in the shift to what was dubbed “positivist” International law where concepts such as “sovereignty” only applied to the “civilised family of nations”. Fine distinctions were now made in the manner in which territories were acquired such as ‘conquest’ and ‘cession by treaty’.
But even under positivist-based International Law, the Dutch’s "full and free ownership" of land and their British successors ("possessors de facto of the soil" and of “usufructuary rights”) acknowledged the right of the Indigenous Peoples to their land. Those who seek to encroach on Indigenous land rights should know that new, rights-based modern norms of justice are evolving to remove some of the inequities imposed by the positivistic stance of European jurisprudence.
Judges are bound to conduct themselves on the Bench judiciously
Dear Editor,
The unfortunate intemperate sentiments expressed by the Hon Justice Gino Persaud in respect of certain written submissions made by a team of lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers, led by yours truly, have regrettably wound themselves into the public domain. In consequence, I am obliged to respond.
As leader of the Bar, leaving such infelicitous remarks on the public record without repudiation is simply not an option. Judges are bound to conduct themselves on the Bench, judiciously, whatever the conduct with which they are confronted. It is for this reason that the majesty of the law in its wisdom imbues them with the exceptional power of contempt “in the face of the Court”. Even in the exercise of this rare power, they are enjoined to do so with a level of calm and sobriety befitting the venerated office that they hold.
Justice Persaud opined that our written submissions conveyed a “veiled threat” to the independence of the Judiciary. I reject this interpretation absolutely. The learned Judge expressed some other injudicious ad hominem and disparaging remarks directed to the Office of the Attorney General to which if I am to respond, would cause the learned
Judge to descend further. As a result, I exercise due restraint.
In reflecting upon this matter, I am reminded of the sagacious admonitions of the illustrious former Chief Justice of India, Bhagwati, speaking on the conduct of Judges on the Bench: “we may observe in conclusion that Judges should not use strong and carping language while criticising the conduct of parties or their witnesses. They must act with sobriety, moderation, and restraint. They must have the humility to recognise that they are not infallible and any harsh and disparaging strictures passed by them against any party may be mistaken and unjustified and if so, they may do considerable harm and mischief and result in injustice.”
For the benefit of the reading public, a contextual background may put the matter in proper perspective. A foreign company filed certain proceedings to register a foreign arbitral award in the High Court of Guyana obtained against two Venezuelan State-owned corporations. The clear objective is to enforce the Arbitral Award against monies that the foreign company believes are held by the Government of Guyana as debts to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The Arbitration Act of Guyana provides for objection to the registration of such an award on the ground that its enforcement would be contrary to the public policy of Guyana. Having regard to our current relations with Venezuela and the imposition by the United States (US) of sanctions against the Government of Venezuela, and in particular, one of the companies named in the Arbitral Award, we are of the considered view that it would be contrary to the public policy of Guyana to have the said Award registered and enforced in Guyana.
In our Submissions, we detailed our current border controversy with Venezuela, making copious references to the bellicose threats of invasion, the Venezuelan Referendum, etc, and the continuous misuse by Venezuela of innocent occurrences to accuse Guyana of acting proactively, escalating tensions and of provoking a response from Venezuela. We referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Interim Order which prohibits both parties from taking any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court. We also placed before the Court the Argyle Declaration in which the Presidents of both countries committed not to take steps that would increase tensions or aggra-
vate the controversy. Against that backdrop, we submitted that it would clearly be injurious to the public interest to facilitate the enforcement of this Award in Guyana. We further submitted that the two other arms of the Government of Guyana – the Executive and the National Assembly (the Legislature) – have already pledged their unreserved support for Guyana to take a united position on this matter. This position is reflected in Resolution No 66, which was debated and passed unanimously in the National Assembly on November 6, 2023.
We argued that this Resolution expresses the mandate of the citizens of Guyana through their elected representatives in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution. We submitted that “it is a justifiable apprehension that if the judicial arm is to extend its processes to be used to allow a foreign company to garnish or levy upon Venezuelan property held by Guyana, such an act will be interpreted, or is capable of being interpreted, as an act of aggression against Venezuela, and an act, if not violative of the letter, would certainly be violative of the spirit, of both the Argyle Declaration and the ICJ’s Interim Measures.
Miss Assakata Dacia Thomas was on Saturday evening crowned Miss Moruca 2024. The first and second runner-up spots went to Miss Santa Rosa Rehanna Gildharie and Miss Kwebanna Destiny Jose respectively
Largest Berbice Emancipation celebrations ever expected in Macedonia Joppa
Dear Editor,
On Thursday, August 1, 2024, the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a registered non-profit organisation, in East Corentyne, Berbice will celebrate 190 years of Emancipation to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Guyana and the end of years of brutalisation, dehumanisation and the liberation of African people.
The holiday is significant not just as a calendar event but as a new lease of life for the Guyanese nation as we know it. It is a day of remembrance, and an opportunity to reflect on the courageous efforts and sacrifices of enslaved men and women in the fight for their freedom. The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC) will mark the occasion with the largest celebrations ever seen in Berbice.
During the last two years, Emancipation celebrations
in Berbice were organised and sponsored by the MJVC group, and they was well attended on both occasions by residents from across the region and beyond. This year’s celebrations are expected to attract thousands of people in and out the region from as far as West Coast Berbice to Molsen Creek on the Corentyne and beyond.
Like in previous years, this year’s Emancipation celebrations are expected to be the largest and only such celebrations in East Corentyne. It will be an all-day gala family celebration starting at 10:00 AM with a road march from Brighton Village to Eversham Village Community Centre Pavilion, where there will be a day of fun for all, especially for the children who will participate in several cultural, social, and educational activities including the recital of poems, singing of folk songs, playing of games and dancing to a variety of songs, and an
education quiz competition on slavery and Emancipation. There will be drumming, African dancers and African dishes to highlight Africa’s interesting tribal traditions and vibrant cultures.
Most residents from the Macedonia Joppa district and elsewhere are expected to join the road march under the theme of “Upliftment and Perseverance.” The revellers will be decked out in a dazzling array of colourful African attire of red, black, yellow, white, and green, representing the colours of the Arrowhead, and depicting Guyanese culture, lifestyle, and heritage.
Residents of all ages and from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or social status from the Macedonia Joppa villages comprised Numbers 35 and 36, Brighton, Kiltearn, Eversham, Epsom, Dingwall, Number 41 Bengal, and Number 43 will line both
sides of the roadways to view the colourful display of costumes and the rich and stylish outfits as the participants danced to the rhythm of the lively and customary Soca music supplied by the region’s most popular DJ, Spanish Eyes.
Emancipation is not only about partying, eating, drinking, and dancing in the streets, all of which are part of our culture and heritage, it is also a celebration of the freedom of enslaved Africans and a time for all Guyanese near and far to put aside their differences and biases and join together to celebrate as one people, one nation.
The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee invites all in the district and elsewhere to join and participate in the celebration on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
Sincerely,
Dr Asquith Rose, MJVC Chair
Judges are bound to conduct themselves...
In short, it would, therefore, be patently injurious to the national interest and public policy of Guyana for this Honourable Court to lend its jurisdiction to such a process.”
We also examined the various case law authorities that evaluated what in law would constitute public policy and its violations.
In fact, Paragraph 71 of our Submissions which Justice Persaud found offensive, largely consisted of a quote from one of the decided cases. It reads: “Should this Court register the Applicant’s Arbitral Award, such action would not only be contrary to public policy but would be “wholly offensive to the ordinary, reasonable and fully informed member of the public on whose behalf the powers of the powers of the State are exercised.” [see Richardson v Mellish (1824) 2 Bing 229].”
Lawyers by their very
oath are duty-bound to defend the causes of their clients fearlessly but respectfully. Many have proudly suffered the loss of liberty in this pursuit. The profession is not for timorous souls. I reiterate that no disrespect was conveyed in our Submissions. Indeed, they were strong and emphatic. The justice of the case demanded it. The nation’s sovereignty is at stake. There is no greater cause. The strongest of language and the most passionate advocacy would not be sufficient. I have no regrets whatsoever.
The Judge’s decision will be appealed. A complaint to the Judicial Service Commission remains an option. I never intentionally disrespect courts, nor will I tolerate disrespect. At least, the Office that I hold deserves better.
I close, once again, with the guiding sentiments of the Supreme Court of India: “Judicial restraint in this re-
gard might better be called judicial respect, that is, respect by the Judiciary. Respect to those who come before the court as well to other co-ordinate branches of the State, the executive, and the legislature. There must be mutual respect. When these qualities fail or when litigants and the public believe that the Judge has failed in these quali-
FROM PAGE 4
ties, it will be neither good for the Judge nor for the judicial process,” Om Prakash Chautala v Kanwar Bhan and Others 14 (1990) 2 SCC 533.
Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs
It is incumbent that President Ali draws the hard line
Dear Editor, Judicial overreach has now been paired with unbelievable arrogance from Judge Gino Persaud, who in response to clear submissions that argue that the courts should cede authority on what can/should be done with PetroCaribe monies owed to the Venezuelan Government by the Government of Guyana declared "I do not agree with the public policy argument as articulated and advanced by the Attorney General".
My view is that the Judge may disagree with the public policy but must respect it and its sanctity as beyond his power and reach, a Judge cannot encroach onto the power of the Executive to make public policy decisions.
Justice Persaud confined himself to following what courts decided in other countries including Jamaica; the Judge may want to note that Jamaica has no border with Venezuela and is not threatened by a war of invasion and annexation with that country. The law does not operate in a vacuum. The Government is aware of the laws that would usually apply if a company has arbitration judgment against a government and is seeking to levy on assets around the globe, but what is different with this case is the border controversy that exists with Guyana and Venezuela and the precarious position that any change in relations could provoke.
The International Court of Justice is hearing the case between the two nations
and has accepted the Argyle Declaration into evidence (this agreement says neither country will take any action that would aggravate the other and increase tensions). Any child can see and understand that adherence to Gino Persaud's judgment can be used by the Venezuelan Government to claim Guyana has broken the agreement.
I am of the firm view that President Irfaan Ali must draw the line here, Guyanese lives and two-thirds of her territory are put at risk with this judgment delivered by Gino Persaud and, when we add the ignorance and arrogance included within the language of the Judge's pronouncements, it has to be cast in a dustbin publicly and along with that must come a presidential admonition to the Judiciary to stay within their lane, it is a matter of life and death, Guyanese lives, Guyanese land, Guyana the country, the shape and size, the history, the culture are all threatened by a judgment that ignores realities on the ground. I am in total agreement with calling this judgment "unpatriotic", but would go further and call it "unthinking"; the product of a failed education system that relies on rote learning with not enough emphasis on 'reasoning'. It is incumbent that President Ali draws the hard line before we lose our country (and lives) to a decision made in a Georgetown courtroom.
Sincerely, Robin Singh
Foundation
Customary Units of Weight
The customary units of weight (that is the units commonly used) are ounces (oz); pounds (lb) and tons.
1 pound = 16 oz
1 ton = 2204.6 lb
You can compare these units to each other.
To complicate matters further, a ton may relate to two different weights.
In the United States, they measure by the US Ton or short Ton, while the British Ton, known as an Imperial Ton or long Ton is heavier.
A short Ton, the US customary version, is equal to 2000 pounds
A long Ton, the mostly outdated Imperial Ton, is equal to 2240 pounds
A tonne, also known as a metric Ton, is equal to 1000kg, (or 2204.6 pounds)
How many ounces are in two pounds?
Step 1: You know that there are 16 oz in one pound. So multiply the number of ounces in one pound by two.
Step 2: 16 x 2 = 32 ounces in two pounds
The
Exercises: Convert
1) 10 pounds to ounces 2) 81 tonnes to pounds 3) 18 ounces to pounds 4) 150 pounds to tonnes 5) 2.5 tonnes to pounds
In this cool and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate bubbles by blowing a bubble inside another bubble.
Water
Sugar
Liquid dish
Pipette
Scissors
Materials:
soap
Instructions:
Add a tablespoon of sugar to one cup of warm water.
Mix until the sugar is dissolved.
Add two tablespoons of liquid dish soap
to the sugar and water solution. Mix gently to avoid creating bubbles or foam.
For the best results, allow the solution to sit overnight.
Snip the end off of the bulb of the pipette.
Find a very smooth and flat surface.
Dip the end of the pipette into the soap solution.
Hold the end of the pipette near the flat surface and slowly blow a bubble. Pull the pipette away from the surface as you blow to allow the bubble room to grow.
Once you have a decent sized bubble, stop blowing and remove the pipette.
Dip the pipette into more of the soap solution.
Now gently push the pipette through the
bubble and blow a new bubble inside the bigger bubble.
How it works:
When you blow a bubble inside a bubble, this actually forces the outside bubble to stretch to accommodate the additional air volume. The outside bubble is elastic and is able to stretch, thus allowing another bubble to be blown inside. The sugar will help slow evaporation and allow the bubble to last longer.
Make this a science project:
Add more soap. Try different brands of liquid dish soap. Try different types of soap. (sciencefun.org)
As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives, Each wife had seven sacks, Each sack had seven cats, Each cat had seven kits: Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, How many were there going to St Ives?
Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes (Oxford University Press, 1997)
WORD SEARCH:
standard units of measurement that should be used in Guyana are the metric measurements. It is necessary to know customary units of weight to convert them to metric units.
Govt invested over $5.9B to construct homes for Guyanese since 2020 – Pres Ali
…says mortgage relief programme has benefited over 16,000 Guyanese …as 56 more land titles distributed to Region 3 residents
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has made enormous strides when it comes to advancements in the housing sector, with President Dr Irfaan Ali recounting these achievements which include the construction of thousands of homes for all brackets of Guyanese since taking office in 2020.
In a video message, the President explained that more than 3000 homes have been built, including thousands of low-income houses, at a cost of over $5.8 billion. He also revealed that more than 400 moderate-income homes, 100 middle-income, and over 1000 young professional homes were built.
“In addition to this, we’ve ensured that we supported the vulnerable, by investing in core homes. Even the hinterland communities were not left out of our housing programme. We’ve invested close to $2 billion in hinterland housing.
“More than 16,000 persons, young people, Guyanese have benefited from the mortgage relief programme. That is an investment of more than $2.8 billion, for young people. We don’t just promise, we deliver. And on housing, we delivered in less than four years,” he further said.
The Head of State also revealed that to support these new housing schemes, hundreds of kilometres of new roads, as well as transmission networks for basic utilities, had to be constructed.
“To support these new housing schemes and 35,000 new house lots and homes that we’ve invested in, we’ve built 414 kilometres of new roads, 250 kilometres of water transmission mains, and more than 2200 kilometres of electricity transmission lines. We did all of this while making housing more
affordable.
“An average low-income house lot is subsidised by almost $4.2 million. We’ve brought down interest rates by close to 2.5 per cent. This has led to an increase of about 18 per cent in new housing loans, at a value of $56 billion,” the President noted.
As part of its manifesto, the PPP/C had promised to deliver 50,000 house lots by the end of its first term in office; the Government has allocated $75 billion in its 2024 budget to continue the housing programme. Some 10,000 house lots are scheduled to be distributed this year.
The Housing and Water Ministry is making a dent in the existing backlog it met upon assuming office in 2020, although it continues to receive applications for house lots. An evaluation of the pending applications for Region Three in 2022 stood at about 14,000; but as of last year, that number had been reduced to just over 13,000.
The housing sector would execute its work programme to the tune of $78 billion, with the Government well on its way to achieving its target of distributing 50,000 house lots within its first
term in office. Water supply and distribution would also be extended to new communities. A total of $16.8 billion was spent last year on water and sanitisation, and $22.5 billion is budgeted for further advancements in this regard in 2024.
Region Three
President Ali accompanied by several officials, also made a trip to Barnwell, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), where they distributed land titles to 56 families from the community.
The President had committed to the residents to look into their land titles, during a previous community outreach in the area. According to the Head of State, these titles represent a very important asset for the residents.
“You have that opportunity to hold your title and say to your children that you now have all the paperwork and legal possession of your land. You will now also be able to use this very important asset to get loans to improve your homes, expand your business, and build prosperity for your family,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Government will also be ad-
dressing land title issues in other neighbouring communities including Good Hope, Philadelphia, and De Willem. He urged those awaiting titles to go through the necessary processes.
“Those residents in Philadelphia, we still require them to sign their doc-
uments to do so, so we can hand over your titles. Your title is awaiting you. There are some other areas we’re looking at. These include Greenwich Park North, Anna Catherina Seawall, and Acme Housing Scheme.
“But I know those who are looking at the live, will
ask what about these three schemes. Well, we’ve started the work and within four weeks, we will be in your communities to have you sign up and deliver your titles to you. Within four weeks, these three communities will be completed,” President Ali stated. (G3)
Caricom more relevant than...
While he acknowledged that some citizens may be sceptical of free movement within the Region, he reminded them that when there are disasters, there are no borders. Mitchell used as an example, Guyana’s swift action in sending not only supplies but manpower in the form of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers to aid in the rebuilding efforts in Grenada.
“I don’t remember any extensive paperwork for the Guyana Defence Force to (provide assistance in Grenada). I don’t recall any extensive paperwork for CDEMA to be in Grenada, to be working and providing support to our National
Disaster Management Agency.”
“In fact, I don’t recall any extensive paperwork for any of the international donor agencies currently in Grenada. So why are we clinging on in fear? So, we will continue to advance work on this issue,” PM Mitchell stated.
Mitchell noted that as Chairman, he would champion this issue and more. What’s more, the Prime Minister echoed President Ali’s sentiments in urging the Private Sector to also play their part in helping the process along.
“The Caricom Single Market Economy and the movement of people remains
a priority… I know some of us in the Region may be a bit cynical on this issue. But as I called out labour and the business community, you too can play your part in helping us to find the solutions that lead to more rapid advancement on those issues.”
“Oftentimes, the timidity may come from the fear of political reaction from citizens at home. So, we have to educate our population. And unshackle them from the idea that the free movement of our citizens within Caricom will do anything other than enhance the growth, strength and solidarity within the Caribbean Community,” the new Caricom Chairman said.
President Ali as he handed over a land title to a Region Three resident
Heads of Government enjoying one of the cultural presentations
Man shot dead after opening fire on Police at Cummings Lodge
Twenty-six-year-old Gordon Sancho of Goedverwagting squatting area, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was in the wee hours of Sunday shot dead after allegedly opening fire on a team of Police Officers. The incident occurred at C Field, Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown about 12:30h.
Based on reports received, officers from the Alberttown Police Station were on mobile patrol when a 15-year-old and her 34-year-old mother informed them that the nowdead man had discharged a loaded firearm with intent. As Police arrived at Sancho’s reported location, he, upon seeing the Police, allegedly drew a handgun and discharged two rounds in their direction prompting them to seek cover.
In retaliation, one
of the officers fired two rounds at Sancho thus injuring him. He reportedly ran a short distance and collapsed. He was immediately picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was treated, but later succumbed to his injuries.
The Police stated that they found a .380 calibre pistol and three live rounds of ammunition at
the scene.
The Guyana Police Force announced that an investigation into the incident was underway as authorities work to ascertain the full details of the shooting.
This comes on the heels of the shooting of wanted murder suspect Quacy Jamal Craig at Yarrow Dam as he attempted to escape from Police. He is presently under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
It was reported that Police were on mobile patrol duties in Georgetown and intercepted a black Allion motor car bearing registration number PAC 9713 along Kingston Seawall Road.
The vehicle was at the time being driven by Craig, 36, who was wanted by the Police for questioning about his alleged
involvement in a murder. As such, the suspect was reportedly instructed to drive his motor car to the Ruimveldt Police Station as two ranks followed behind on motorcycles.
However, upon reaching in front of the Ruimveldt Police Station, Craig made a sudden left turn and drove off at a fast rate into Yarrow Dam thus resulting in the motorcycle ranks giving chase. He reportedly drove to a spot where he could not proceed further.
In another attempt to evade the ranks, he exited the vehicle and started to run. Despite the ranks calling on him to stop, Craig continued his bid to escape by jumping into a nearby trench. The Police discharged a round in his direction which struck him in the buttocks.
A return…
…to beginnings
It’s very telling that more than three centuries after the founding of the colonies that became “Guyana”, we still talk about our “interior”. An amorphous, undifferentiated green blob behind our grid-like coastland where most of us continue to live! What makes this even more intriguing was the Dutch founders had actually first settled parts of that “interior” – the riverine areas along the rivers and creeks. They established plantations for tropical agricultural crops to supply European markets. Look how deep in the “interior” was Cuffy’s Rebellion and Kyk-Over-Al!!
What makes their experience relevant for us today is that when the fertility of those soils was depleted within a century, they moved to the mangrove-and-mosquitoinfested coast and carved out the now-inhabited Atlantic coast! Yet we’ve become more densely packed than the tiny Caribbean Islands and fight over postage-sized houselots!! Even though we know that the rising Atlantic’s gonna engulf us sooner rather than later!! Our villages are strung along a single road and look on maps like ants clinging to a string!! So, what’s stopping us from reversing the Dutch move? They had slaves to do the backbreaking labour, but now we do have excavators, bulldozers and draglines, don’t we?? Burnham tried in the seventies, but his National Service volunteer labour was bound to fail. The US continent wasn’t opened up by volunteer labour – but by good, old, greedy robber barons like Vanderbilt – who just wanted to make money!! If we had the will of those old Dutchmen – who were motivated by wealth as well! – we coulda long been inland and enjoying the bounty of our continental destiny!! But they say it’s never too late, don’t they??
Pres Ali clearly possesses that willpower – and his party has now OFFICIALLY abandoned their socialist cant!! And even before, they’d openly embraced the principle that “private enterprise will be the engine of growth”!! So now that the building of Silica City has kicked off this year with the first 100 houses, that’s just the beginning!! The plans have now been made available to the Private Sector to execute. It’s money that makes the world go round – and it’ll make the opening up of our “interior’ a reality.
The completion of the Highway to Lethem’s gonna turn the old “Highway to Happiness” dream into a reality. Can you imagine the effects on development of having a fivehundred-mile highway opening up 80,000 square miles of real estate for development in an oil-fuelled economy!?! Guyanese must be prepared to follow the exhortation “Go South, young man – and woman”. There’s a whole new world beckoning – and it will go to the bold!!
And maybe we’ll finally stop killing each other for house lots??
…to Mad Maduro
Your Eyewitness doesn’t want you to think, Dear Reader, that he’s joined the ranks of the “conspiracy theorists”. But knowing that Maduro’s gonna rig today’s election as sure as the sun will still rise in the east, he worries whether the Americans will be playing both sides against the middle!! As he pointed out yesterday, Chevron’s still pumping oil and with giving Trinidad the greenlight to exploit the gigantic Venezuelan Dragon Gas field, they are increasing Maduro’s lifeline.
So the billion-dollar question is what will America do today when it becomes clear that Mad Maduro was mamaguying them (and us) about being committed to peace and goodwill and all that jazz?? Your Eyewitness doesn’t give much shrift – if at all – about some anonymous State Department flunkey warning about “consequences” if Mad Maduro doesn’t demit office if he’s voted out.
The only “consequence” that packs a punch is if the madman is forced to obey the rule of democracy. Which –as Lula said to him – is “When you lose, you leave.” …to the classrooms?
To say there remains a gap between the Govt and the GTU on teachers’ salaries is putting it mildly. The difference between the GTU’s 39% demand versus the Govt’s 7% offer is more like a chasm!!
Dead: Gordon Sancho
Another 2 soldiers busted with 316lbs ganja
Less than two weeks af-
ter two Sergeants attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were intercepted at Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) with 154lbs of ganja, another two ranks were busted on Saturday evening while transporting 316 pounds of the illicit plant.
Based on reports received, the two ranks –Edward McCalmont,40, a Corporal attached to Camp Ayanganna who resides at Kaneville, EBD and John Johnson, 24, a Lance Corporal attached to Base Camp Stephenson and of Timehri, EBD, were travelling in a Route 42 minibus when it was intercept-
ed in the vicinity of Space Gym, Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
Police stated that acting on information received, ranks from Special Branch
and other ranks went to Mandela Avenue, where they intercepted the minibus bearing registration number, BTT 27 owned by McCalmont who was in the
driver’s seat.
Johnson was reportedly in the front passenger’s seat.
The two GDF ranks were informed that they were stopped based on intelligence received that they
were trafficking in narcotics.
As such, the Police searched the vehicle during which 49 well-wrapped parcels containing cannabis were found on the seats.
The two ranks were ar-
rested and escorted to the East La Penitence Police Station, where the ganja was weighed. The minibus was impounded and the GDF ranks were placed in custody as investigations continue.
Guyana Times understands that the two ranks were clad in GDF clothing, but were allowed to change into civilian clothing before they were profiled. This was done, allegedly to not embarrass the Defence Force.
Just Tuesday last, Sergeants Clovis Sam, 31, of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, and 42-yearold Adisa Higgins from Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden were charged and remanded to prison for having 154lbs of ganja in their possession.
It was reported that the two Sergeants were busted during a joint intelligence-led operation involving the Special Branch and Regional Division 4B. It was reported that on July 18 at Coverden, EBD, the two ranks were travelling in a vehicle belonging to the Defence Force when it was discovered that they were transporting 22 parcels of cannabis.
They were subsequently arrested, charged and remanded to prison until August 12, 2024.
The two army ranks after their arrest
Sergeants Adisa Higgins and Clovis Sam, who were charged for trafficking in narcotics last week
The cannabis found in the minibus
Over 100 households to benefit from $45M water system at Waramuri, Para
More than 100 households in Waramuri and Para, in the Moruca sub-district of Region One (Barima-Waini) now have improved access to potable water as new water supply systems were commissioned in the areas on Saturday.
Before the new system, the residents of Waramuri relied on a small water system with a shallow well, which only serviced the health centre and a limited number of households.
To address the community’s needs, Guyana Water Inc made several attempts to drill a new well using a PAT rig. These ef-
forts were unsuccessful. Subsequently, a contractor was engaged, but this attempt was also futile.
GWI then shifted its focus to completing wells in other areas such as Hurdiah, Kwebanna, and 5 Miles.
Following discussions with the Village Council and other key stakeholders, a decision was made to drill at Para. This attempt, conducted by the contractor, was successful on the first try and was followed by the installation of a pump and distribution system through community participation.
Housing and Water
Minister Collin Croal, during the commissioning exercise, expressed satisfaction with the project’s completion while adding that Moruca has made significant progress towards water accessibility. He highlighted that six wells have already been installed in Moruca and an additional 12 would be installed before the end of 2024. Croal acknowledged that some residents in Para, who live far from the newly-commissioned system, were not yet connected and assured them that GWI would be working to correct the situation.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal along with regional representatives and residents during the commissioning ceremony
Brazil’s Amazonian Forever Summit
Guyana’s approach to climate finance has evolved into a
market-based
mechanism – Min Bharrat
…says Guyana set to receive over US$1B in carbon credit sales
Guyana’s innovative approach to climate financing was presented by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat at the Amazonian Forever Summit, which was held in Belem, Brazil from July 26 to July 27, 2024.
The Minister outlined Guyana’s model under its visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which shows how economic development and environmental sustainabili-
ty can be achieved harmoniously, specifically, through effective ecosystem valuation of forests.
During his address to the summit, which saw the attendance of Ministers from Amazonian countries, Bharrat presented Guyana’s progress on climate action, including maintaining a low deforestation rate.
He explained that Guyana’s model commenced with international public financing and has since
evolved into a market-based mechanism with private financing.
Further, he informed the summit that Guyana had earned US$224 million under a bilateral agreement, based on verified results, with the Government of Norway and only recently a market-based agreement was finalised with Stabroek Block partner Hess Corporation, for the sale of carbon credits worth over US$750 million.
Over 100 households to benefit...
Further, he noted that a trestle is at the tendering stage to further support the water distribution efforts in the areas.
“Region One, by and large, has coverage of about 83 per cent. We’re hoping that by the time 2024 is complete, we should be somewhere close to 90 per cent coverage,” Croal stated.
Overall, the government is looking to drill at least 40 wells in hinterland and riverine communities to expand accessibility to potable water.
Regional Vice Chairperson Annansha Peters highlighted that the residents have welcomed the initiative, adding that previously, they had to travel long distances to fetch water. She also committed to
ensuring that the community maintains the new system.
Waramuri Toshao Vivian Edwards commended the Government for this crucial intervention, noting that it would have a positive impact on residents’ lives. The total cost of the project, including previous drilling attempts, amounted to $45 million.
He added that already, more than US$230 million of the revenue from that sale has been received by the Government and 15 per cent has been distributed to over 200 Amerindian communities.
The Minister further emphasised the need for a scalable, replicable, and sustainable model for climate finance utilising a low-carbon development approach and highlighted Guyana’s model in taking this forward.
With this year’s Conference of Parties (COP) meeting on the horizon, the Minister also took the opportunity to outline the priorities of Guyana and those of the Amazon region. He indi-
cated that the region would use these opportunities to emphasise the importance of climate finance, the protection of forests, and the ecosystems they support, including watersheds and biodiversity.
Amazonia Forever, a holistic umbrella programme, was launched by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). It aims to scale up financing, share strategic knowledge for decision-makers, and enhance regional coordination to accelerate the sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development of the Amazon region.
The announcement was made in July 2023 after a meeting between the IDB’s Governors for
Bolivia,
Colombia,
and Suriname. The Governors, who are Ministers of Finance, Economy, Planning, or other top officials, had signed a joint statement in support of the new programme.
Amazonia Forever will address the following priority areas: local people; sustainable agriculture and forestry; the bio-economy; infrastructure; sustainable cities; and connectivity. It will focus on promoting the inclusion of women, indigenous peoples, Afrodescendants, and local communities; climate and forest conservation; and strengthening institutional capacities and the rule of law.
Minister Croal samples water from the newly-commissioned system
Regional Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Annansha Peters enjoys water from the Waramuri and Para Water Supply System
Brazil,
Ecuador, Guyana, Peru,
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and other leaders at Brazil’s Amazonian Forever Summit
“A
highly-educated Police Force
is indispensable” – Top Cop …says GPF is committed to supporting officers’ growth
Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken has emphasised the importance of members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) advancing themselves academically since it will allow for the Force to effectively execute its duties.
This was the message delivered to those gathered at a Black and White Award Ceremony hosted as part of the GPF’s 185th anniversary.
“This commitment to knowledge not only enhances their professional capabilities but also broadens their horizons in several critical aspects. It equips them with the critical thinking skills needed to meticulously analyse and effectively resolve complex situations that may arise in the course of their duty. We formally acknowledge that a highly-educated police force is indispensable in cultivating trust, safeguarding pub-
lic safety, and serving our communities with unparalleled excellence,” the acting Commissioner asserted.
Moreover, Hicken stated that the Force was committed to supporting and awarding its ranks and staff who wish to advance themselves academically.
He alluded to a quote from Nelson Mandela, who once said: "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."
"Earning a degree – be it a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate – is a challenge for anyone. However, to do so while shouldering the immense responsibility of law enforcement is truly a remarkable achievement.
These Police Officers have showcased their unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of knowledge amidst the demanding responsibilities of safeguarding our communities."
He added that each offi-
cer and rank recognised at the ceremony has demonstrated exceptional resilience and a thirst for knowledge that go above and beyond their call of duty.
"To our awardees: your dedication is an inspiration to your fellow officers and a testament to the calibre of individuals within our Force. You embody the future of law enforcement – one defined by professionalism, continuous learning, and an unyielding commitment to justice. Let this ceremony serve as a powerful message: 'We are committed to supporting the growth of our officers, coherent with our Strategic Plan under
the pillar of Developing our People”.
Also speaking at the event was Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, who echoed similar sentiments.
“You’ve worked hard and tirelessly; your work has brought credit to the Guyana Police Force and the country as a whole. I urge you, therefore, not to stop at this level but to keep reaching for higher heights, go to the next level, go to a higher degree; success breeds success,” she posited.
Meanwhile, Commander of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali reit-
erated that the Government over the years has been investing heavily in the human resources and infrastructure of the Police Force.
“Over the last four years, the Guyana Police Force has invested in itself, the Government has invested in the Guyana Police Force, and we have seen the growth and development of the Guyana Police Force, but more importantly, we have seen a police force that is being reshaped and structured to face the challenges and to work in an operational manner that is effective as we confront all the challenges we will face as a country in the future,” the President said.
As such, he added that there must be some form of pride, honour, and dignity when you join the Guyana Police Force since the Government intends to build an institution that people must compete to get into. Additionally, the Head of State commended the Police Force for significantly reducing crime in the country by some 17 per cent last year, and indicated that the crime levels have also seen a decrease in 2024 when compared to 2023.
During the event, 136 officers and various ranks were awarded for their academic achievements.
Singapore claims title of world's most powerful passport
– Guyana shares 55th spot with Jamaica
Singapore breaks away from the peloton of six countries that shared the top spot on the Henley Passport Index as we entered the new year, reclaiming its title as the world’s most powerful passport in the latest ranking published on Tuesday.
The city-state also sets a new record score, with its citizens now enjoying access to 195 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free.
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain drop to joint second place, each with visa-free access to 192 destinations, and an unprecedented seven-nation cohort, each with access to 191 destinations without a prior visa — Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden — now sit in
third place on the rankings, which are based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The United Kingdom hangs onto fourth place along with Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland, despite its visa-free destination score falling to 190.
The US continues its decade-long slide down the index, dropping to eighth spot, with access to just 186 destinations visa-free. Former passport powerhouses, the UK and the US jointly held 1st place on the index 10 years ago in 2014.
Afghanistan remains firmly entrenched as the world’s weakest passport, losing access to yet another destination over the past six months, leaving its citizens with access to only
26 countries visa-free — the lowest score ever recorded in the history of the 19-year-old index.
However, Guyana and Jamaica share the 55th spot with visa-free travel to 89 countries.
Commenting in the July 2024 edition of the Henley Global Mobility Report, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, Dr Christian H Kaelin stated, “The general trend over the past two decades has been towards greater travel freedom, with the global average number of destinations travellers can access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024.
“The global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked
Singapore able to access a record-breaking 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan.”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) made it into the Top 10 for the first time, having added an impressive 152 destinations since the index’s inception in 2006 to achieve its current visa-free score of 185, and rising a remarkable 53 places in the rankings from 62nd to 9th position in the process.
Interestingly, both China and Ukraine are among the Top 10 countries that have climbed the highest in the rankings over the past decade. Since
2014, China has jumped up 24 places from 83rd to 59th (with access to 85 destinations visa-free), while Ukraine has advanced by 23 spots, from 53rd to 30th, with its nationals able to visit 148 destinations without a prior visa.
Conversely, Russia has fallen seven places over the past 10 years, from 38th to 45th position (with visa-free access to just 116 destinations).
The biggest faller over the last decade is Venezuela, which has plunged 17 places from 25th to 42nd on the Henley Passport Index. The country has held decisive presi-
dential elections on Sunday that could change the fate of more than seven million Venezuelans who have fled their country over the past decade amid an economic and political crisis brought about by a crash in the oil price combined with chronic government corruption and mismanagement. Yemen has tumbled 15 places to sit at 100th in the rankings, while both Nigeria and Syria have fallen 13 places to 92nd and 102nd, respectively. Bangladesh comes in as the fifth-biggest faller, dropping 11 places from 86th to 97th over the past 10 years.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering
Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken and Traffic Officer Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards handing over an award
Caribbean-American firm signs US$5M MoU with Guyanese company to boost businesses
Caribbean-focused investment firm Blue Mahoe Capital Inc has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guyana-based Impact Venture Fund (IVF) Inc to facilitate Blue Mahoe’s investments in Guyana.
Blue Mahoe will be the anchor investor for IVF, a privately-held investment corporation supporting high-potential startups in science and technology, as well as fast-growing small enterprises in Guyana.
Blue Mahoe is a Floridaheadquartered investment firm focused on giving retail investors, Caribbean Americans in particular, access to the emerging economies and markets of the Caribbean. The firm seeks to connect Caribbean Diaspora investors with investment-grade opportu-
nities in Guyana as an alternative to only sending remittances.
To attract the Caribbean Diaspora to these opportunities in the Caribbean, Blue Mahoe launched a Reg CF offering and plans to eventually list the company on the NASDAQ stock ex-
change, once it qualifies.
Blue Mahoe is being assisted with this transaction by the publicly-traded Plural Industry Holding Group (stock code PIHG). The Reg CF currently provides a regulated and transparent way for US investors to gain access to growth assets in the Caribbean. Initial funds are focused on affordable housing, private credit, and launching an asset management firm to offer multiple funds.
The IVF is the investment company associated with “!nnovate Guyana”, a corporate-funded tech startup incubator, and US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Lab-funded accelerator for high-growth small enterprises.
Through the initiative,
Guyana records 500 hepatitis cases in past few years – Health Minister
As Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing World Hepatitis Day 2024, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony revealed that some 500 hepatitis cases were recorded in Guyana over the past few years.
The cases were identified through various blood screening programmes.
He added that those who tested positive for Hepatitis C are receiving treatment at the National Hepatitis C Clinic while those who have completed treatment now have undetected viral loads for Hepatitis C and have been discharged from the clinic.
A release issued by the Health Ministry stated that Guyana remained committed to achieving the objectives of the World Health Organisation/ Pan American Health Organisation (WHO/ PAHO) Global Hepatitis Strategy, which aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90 per cent and deaths by 65 per cent by 2030.
This year, World Hepatitis Day is observed under the theme, “Time to Act”, which serves as an urgent call to action.
Hepatitis is a disease characterised by liver inflammation that can occur in acute or chronic forms. It is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents and leads to a range of serious health problems, some of which can be fatal. There are five primary hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. Each virus has distinct modes of transmission, in -
cluding faecal-oral transmission, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, sexual transmission, and the use of infected needles.
Hepatitis B and C are major concerns because they cause chronic diseases in millions of people worldwide and are leading causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths. An estimated 354 million people globally are living with Hepatitis B or C. There is limited data on prevalence in the Caribbean.
Acute Hepatitis often presents with abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice, fever, dark urine and pale stool. Chronic hepatitis usually presents with fatigue, weight loss, nausea, myalgia or arthralgia and signs of liver decompensation such as jaundice, enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), ascites, peripheral oedema and encephalopathy. Persons who display these signs and symptoms are urged to visit the nearest health centre where the doctors can evaluate their condition and, if nec -
essary, offer treatment.
Meanwhile, as part of the Government of Guyana’s effort and commitment to combat hepatitis, the Health Ministry last year launched the National Hepatitis Clinic at the National Care and Treatment Centre, in Georgetown.
The clinic operates on Wednesdays and offers specialised care and treatment for individuals living with hepatitis. This facility provides a crucial platform for early detection, treatment, and support for patients, helping to improve the quality of life and reduce the burden of hepatitis on the nation.
Mid-last year, the Health Ministry, with support from PAHO launched its first National Hepatitis B & C Testing and Treatment Guidelines, a guiding tool that governs the management and treatment protocol of hepatitis.
This successful initiative demonstrates Guyana’s dedication to leaving no one behind in the fight against hepatitis.
the IVF will exclusively identify high-quality, investment opportunities on behalf of Blue Mahoe and other investors. The Caribbean-American firm has committed US$5 million to enhance IVF’s capability to serve targeted Guyanese companies.
Through this collaboration, Blue Mahoe and IVF will focus on firms operating in food, ecotourism, education, health care, and services for the underbanked, among other areas.
Blue Mahoe Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Mullings stated, “Oslene [Carrington, IVF CEO and founder of !nnovate Guyana] is highly respected in and outside of the region. She has the business development knowhow, local experience, areas of common interest and the integrity that we seek in local partners. I have gotten to know Oslene over many years, and our values align. I believe that will drive the success of this endeavour. IVF will play an integral role in Blue Mahoe’s approach to investing, as we focus on what I call the Four Caribbean Tigers,
which includes Guyana. Guyana has tripled its GDP per capita in just three years. Partnering with IVF and Oslene’s team will enable Blue Mahoe to move forward with optimism.” IVF CEO and founder of !nnovate Guyana Oslene Carrington related, “My team and I have been building a solid foundation in Guyana for several years now. I am excited to be working with David and the Blue Mahoe team because, among other very important reasons, David is beyond solid. I’ve been watching him make big things happen for quite some time now. Since we share the same vision and have the same ethics, I have no doubt about what Blue Mahoe and IVF can achieve. There really isn’t any better partner for IVF and me, personally, right now.”
Hope murder: Family accuses Police of being slothful in their investigation
The family of 72-year-old Michael Soomair, who was found dead after an apparent home invasion at Phase Two, Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is expressing frustration over the lack of updates by the Police about their investigations.
Soomair was discovered dead on July 9, and since then, family members claim they have not gotten an update from Police and believe that the detectives are dragging their feet.
In an interview on Sunday, Soomair's daughter, Shannon Soomair, told Guyana Times , "I don’t understand why the Police are not doing anything and they have not called to say anything. I even tried reaching out to the officer … the last time we heard from them was when we had to take Daddy’s ID card to them."
She also stated that a neighbour seems to have more information about what occurred and was the last person to have seen her father alive.
“He saw Daddy the night, he saw when my son came and left, Daddy went to him. How come he didn’t see the person who went there? I do not know why the Police haven’t called him in to question him. He seems to know more,” she said.
It was reported that Soomair was found dead in his home, with signs indicating a struggle. His hands were bound with a
rope, his face was down in a pillow, and a sheet covered his head. The house had been ransacked, and some items, including a non-functional smart television and pension money, were missing.
Soomair, who had recently survived two massive heart attacks, lived in the bottom flat of the house, while his grandson resided in the upper flat.
On the morning of the
discovery, the grandson noticed something amiss when he saw that the door to Soomair's apartment was locked from the inside. Upon further inspection, he found that several louver panes were missing from a window, through which he saw his grandfather lying lifeless in the living room.
The Police were summoned, but since their initial response, the family has heard nothing further. The family said the lack of communication has left them feeling abandoned and desperate for justice.
The family believes that Soomair may have known his attacker and is urging the Police to investigate thoroughly and bring the perpetrator to justice.
As family members continue to mourn his sudden and brutal passing, they hope for a resolution that will allow them to find some peace.
Blue Mahoe Capital Inc Chairman & CEO David Mullings
IVF CEO and founder of !nnovate Guyana Oslene Carrington
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
Dead: Michael Soomair
Work to commence soon on new Linden-Soesdyke Highway
– residents informed
After years of anticipation, President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that works will soon commence on the LindenSoesdyke Highway, where extensive works are planned to cater to the economic expansion and increased traffic that comes with it.
According to the President at a recent community roundtable discussion, development along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will also see numerous employment opportunities being generated. Ali noted that based on his directive, residents along the Highway are to be given first preference.
“Very soon, you will see the new Linden-Soesdyke Highway, works commencing on the new LindenSoesdyke Highway. As you know, on this old highway, we have many challenges. And you know the growth of traffic on this highway, I don’t have to tell you. The growth of traffic has been enormous.”
“The growth and the type of proposals we are having, for tourism, agricultural, industrial facilities. New housing developments on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, are just enormous,” President Ali said.
He noted that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s plans were geared for the long term, to ensure monumental changes are made. He noted that the changes being implemented would
of massive, long-term development plans
be felt at both the macro and micro level.
“And as this development continues to evolve, you will get higher value lands here, you will get greater demand for land. So, we have to ensure that the development and the building of the communities are done in a very systematic way, and one in which we can have discipline in the development phase.
“The plans of the People’s Progressive Party are not short-term plans, there are long-term plans to make monumental changes in your life, to ensure that you, this generation, the next generation, and the successive generation, all live in a position of prosperity,” President Ali said.
Included in the macro changes are Silica City, for which the master plan will be unveiled at the upcoming Building Expo, as well as plans for the construction of the Diamond-to-Busby Dam Road, linking to the Timehri four-lane highway.
“We also have, for example, the new city that we’re building. And you will see the beauty of this city when we launch it at the Building Expo. We have completed all the development context, the development framework, the plans, and how the city will be laid out. So, the entire country will see how the city will be laid out.
“We have started a new highway. From Mandela, all the way to Busby Dam now. We’re going to award soon the contracts from Busby Dam to Land of Canaan. And we’re actively engaging developers so we can come from the Land of Canaan to Soesdyke. So, you’ll have a second new highway, from the LindenSoesdyke Highway, all the way to Mandela,” President Ali added.
Upgrading the LindenSoesdyke Highway involves the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 kilometres of the road, with two lanes undivided, nine bridges, and
Child fatalities double in 2024 despite decline in overall traffic deaths
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reported a worrying increase in child fatalities due to traffic accidents from January 1 to July 23, 2024. During this period, four children lost their lives on Guyana’s roadways compared to two for the same period in 2023.
Despite this rise, the overall figures for fatal accidents and deaths have shown a positive trend. The total number of fatal accidents in the first half of 2024 decreased to 55 from 72 during the same period in 2023. Correspondingly, the number of deaths resulting from these accidents also dropped from 82 in 2023 to 66 this year.
The Police Force credits the overall reduction in accidents and fatalities to enhanced road safety measures, increased public awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
However, the rise in
child fatalities underscores the need for continued vigilance and targeted safety initiatives to protect the youngest and most vulnerable road users.
In response to these statistics, the Police Force is urging drivers to prioritise road safety, particularly for children, and to adhere strictly to traffic regulations to ensure safer roads for everyone.
Earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali committed to tackling the issue of traffic accidents in Guyana through a comprehensive approach that includes improved road safety and traffic management strategies. He called for a national discussion on the matter, which is leading to the introduction of new laws, regulations, and technological measures aimed at reducing road accidents.
Despite previous efforts, such as the stricter alcohol consumption laws for drivers enacted in 2022, challenges persist. Traffic
law violations, particularly among motorcyclists, remain a significant concern for Police across all regions.
Moreover, enforcing laws against drunk driving continues to be problematic. The GPF recently reported 41,358 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases from January 1 to April 22, 2024. Of these, 449 cases were taken to court, resulting in 153 convictions.
Pedestrian safety is also compromised in areas like Georgetown, where pavements are often blocked by vehicles or vendors. Additionally, malfunctioning traffic lights and speeding minibuses have exacerbated safety issues for commuters.
In response, the Police Force has initiated a multipronged strategy that includes stricter enforcement of existing laws, public education campaigns, and expedited legal proceedings for traffic law offenders.
six culverts with improved design, quality, and standards. It also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, and improved connectivity with communities, and roadside and other facilities.
The scope of work also entails milling of existing asphalt surface course, application of varying pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt, and sub-base; fulldepth pavement reconstruction in certain sections, construction of two roundabouts along the alignment, sidewalks extension to nine multi-span bridges, drainage work, and utility relocation, and installation of
roadway lighting.
Last year, the PPP/C Government signed a US$200 million agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aimed specifically at financing the reconstruction of the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, and only one day after, a US$150 million agreement was inked with the Saudi Fund to finance infrastructural development works for the housing sector and construction of the Wismar Bridge.
Additionally, the Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IsDB concerning the Country Engagement Framework for Guyana’s green, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure as well
as for supporting economic diversification and doing business. And in this year’s budget, $10 billion had been approved for the rehabilitation of the highway.
Meanwhile, with its potential to become the nation’s most sought-after location for contemporary, environmentally eco-friendly living, Silica City is a significant advancement in Guyana’s developmental approach toward a sustainable and climate-smart future.
In addition to green areas and other facilities, the state-of-the-art development will include smart homes outfitted with the newest energy-saving technologies. In February 2023, some $2.1 billion worth of contracts were signed to expedite these efforts.
Works ongoing simultaneously to meet Cemetery Road project deadline
Four sections of the $475 million Cemetery Road project are being undertaken simultaneously to meet the two-week deadline, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has disclosed.
During a site inspection over the weekend, the Minister explained that the second bridge which is being constructed at Cemetery Road and Princes Street is expected to be cast by Wednesday.
At Sussex Street, culverts are being installed to widen the road for four lanes of traffic. These works are being executed by one of the sub-contractors who were recently appointed to the project.
left for weeks, so the subbase could be compacted to begin paving.
Paving works between Sussex Street and Middle Road are being undertaken by the main contractor, Avinash Contracting Services.
Edghill further highlighted the need for the contractor to remove moisture from the loam and crusher run that had been
He stated that while Avinash Contracting Company has worked from night into morning, it is unsatisfactory that work ceased in the afternoon, noting that the Ministry has encouraged contractors to hire additional staff to maintain progress.
“The contractor needs to show goodwill that he can get that task done. If he cannot show that he can get the task done, we will have to put an additional sub-contractor to execute those jobs and pay them from his contract sum. That is the approach we are taking,” Edghill affirmed.
Additionally, from Laing Avenue to Mandela Avenue, another sub-contractor is cleaning mud and other materials off the shoulders. Upon completion, paving will commence from the Police Outpost to Laing Avenue with an expected completion timeline of Tuesday. To ensure the project stays on schedule, the Ministry has assigned a senior engineer to support the current project engineer. Edghill noted that the construction pace and activities are being closely monitored to prevent any delays.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill inspecting work
The Linden-Soesdyke Highway
$45M solar mini-grids commissioned in Reg 1 to boost power supply
Two Solar Photovoltaic Mini-Grid Systems
totalling over $45 million were commissioned in the communities of Sebai and Canal Bank in the Matarkai Sub-district of Region One (BarimaWaini) on Friday.
The system at Sebai is valued at $26.472 million and consists of a 19-kilowatt solar array and 38 kilowatts of battery power. The system is expected to benefit approximately 600 residents.
During the commissioning ceremony, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips
Additionally, the grid at Canal Bank, costing $19.285 million, comprises a 12-kilowatts solar array, and a battery power of 35 kilowatts. It will drastically improve the lives of the 1200 residents.
noted that the grids would further advance the Government’s objective of bridging the energy divide within the remote and hin-
terland areas, while simultaneously promoting development.
“Today, we are handing over solar systems that are linked directly to renewable energy. Energy is important for development and for the economic growth of Guyana. It is also important for improving the quality of life for all Guyanese,” he noted
With the systems connected directly to public buildings such as schools, health centres, village offices, and other key facilities, Prime Minister Phillips encouraged the residents to take advantage of the available electrical power.
He noted that it would improve the efficiency of telemedicine within the health centres and aid in the timely submission of assignments for those attending school and undergoing tertiary studies.
“You, the residents, now have the solar system from which you will benefit. So, electricity should no longer be an issue for you. We want you to use it and the Internet connectivity as well, to improve your livelihood,” the Prime Minister urged.
Also present was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma, who noted that the systems were a derivative of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
According to the CEO, it is crucial to maximise the use of the sun, forest, and biodiversity to leverage the
services so that they can provide clean and renewable energy for the benefit of all. This, he noted, is exactly what the LCDS does.
“So, the Low Carbon Development Strategy provides a framework to decarbonise our energy, to stop using diesel and gasoline, and so on. So, this solar power grid that we are commissioning today uses absolutely no fossil fuel, it uses the energy from the sun,” Dr Sharma explained.
He urged the residents to save energy and take extreme care of the system, and not to connect additional or unnecessary equipment to the grid.
“You need to make sure
that you don’t overload it. It is designed for a certain number of buildings, for a certain number of appliances in those buildings, a certain number of lights, fans, and a certain number of generators,” the CEO advised.
To ensure the maintenance of the system, the CEO said that they were in the process of employing a resident in each of the two communities to ensure that the grid is properly secured and functions as it should. These individuals will receive a stipend and will be able to improve their skills by way of training on the job in the weeks and months to come.
Yarrowkabra, Long Creek residents benefit from eye-testing, spectacle vouchers
Residents of Yarrowkabra, Long Creek and surrounding communities along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway benefited from the Government’s eye-testing and spectacle vouchers initiative on Saturday. The distribution exercise was held at Yarrowkabra Health Centre.
Minister of Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy visited the health centre and interacted with residents who voiced various concerns.
Residents expressed gratitude for the programme as it provides them with the opportunity to test their eyes. One such beneficiary is Dahlia Lewis from Yarrowkabra, who had her eyes tested for the first time in her community.
“I feel glad because you don’t have to pay money to go to Georgetown and then you have to wait to have your eyes tested…” Lewis said.
sometimes I don’t see good. This programme is very helpful. Thank you very much,” she expressed.
Her husband, who also had his eyes examined, will need to undergo surgery for cataracts.
Yvonne Dexter, a resident of Long Creek, welcomed the programme, which is providing additional support to many families while alleviating the need for persons to travel long distances to access healthcare services.
hassle to go all the way to Georgetown…I feel very much relieved that I’ll be getting my spectacles”.
Meanwhile, the Minister emphasised that this programme was just one of the many programmes in the health sector that are being undertaken, ensuring that ev-
ery citizen leads a healthy lifestyle.
This programme continues to have a major impact on the lives of many Guyanese to reduce the financial burdens of eye care.
“This is a significant help for many people so that they can afford spectacles and for them to have relief of their conditions [relating to eye care]. Generally, we have free health care across our society. We are making sure that we provide good health care to our citizens so that they can lead meaningful lives and contribute to the development of our society,” McCoy stated.
Even though she needs to undergo surgery to remove a cataract, Lewis is glad she decided to test her eyes at the health clinic.
“It is fantastic to bring the programme here especially for the elderly, since it is very difficult for them to move about…
Ehoodia Seebalak, another Yarrowkabra resident, is beyond relieved because she will be acquiring her new spectacles very soon.
“I feel so happy, because
And also for us in these areas which are very far from each other,” Dexter said. She continued, “I love it because that is why I haven’t been wearing glasses for a while because of the
The control room for the solar mini-grids
Guyana Energy Agency Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mahender Sharma speaking at the commissioning ceremony at Sebai
Prime Minister Mark Phillips cutting the ribbon with residents of Sebai, Matarkai Sub-district, Region One to commission the Solar Photovoltaic Mini-Grid System in the community
Regional Venezuelans vote in election challenging Maduro's grip on power
Venezuelans went to the polls in what has been described as the biggest challenge to the governing socialist PSUV party since it came to power 25 years ago.
Nicolás Maduro – who has been President since the death of his mentor, Hugo Chávez, in 2013 – is running for a third consecutive term.
His main challenger is Edmundo González, a former diplomat who has the backing of a coalition of Opposition parties.
Polls suggest González has a wide lead over the incumbent, but as Maduro's 2018 re-election was widely dismissed as neither free nor fair, there are fears that the result of this election could be tampered with, should it not go Maduro's way.
Those fears have been compounded by the fact that Maduro has told his supporters that he would win "by hook or by crook".
But speaking to the BBC's Newshour, Venezuela's Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, maintained that the country's electoral system was "fraud-proof" and called it "one of the best voting systems in the world".
After casting his vote early in the capital, Caracas, on Sunday, Maduro vowed to "make sure" the results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE)
would be respected.
The CNE – the body which organises the election and announces the official result – is dominated by government loyalists.
Its President, Elvis Amoroso, is a close personal ally of Maduro.
"The word of the electoral referee is holy," Maduro added in remarks to Journalists.
González voted later in the day, also in Caracas, describing the occasion as a "day of reconciliation for all Venezuelans" and adding: “The time for change has come."
He promised that if he won the election, he would do "everything possible" to woo back those who had fled the country in the wake of its economic collapse.
Economic hardship has taken its toll on the Venezuelan population, with more than 7.7 million people leaving in search of a better life – about a quarter of the population.
Venezuelans started to turn out before 06:00 local time (10:00 GMT), when voting was scheduled to begin, and huge queues formed at polling stations around the country.
Tensions rose outside a polling station in Caracas, where queuing voters faced off and clashed as they waited for the doors to open, Reuters news agency said.
Polls were scheduled to close at 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT) and results should begin to emerge within hours.
There are only a very limited number of independent election observers in the country to monitor the poll –four from the United Nations and a small technical team from the US-based Carter Center.
An invitation to European Union observers to be present was revoked by the Head of the electoral authority,
Tancoo: Rowley the ‘‘laziest PM ever’’
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley’s failure to do background checks on an Indian businessman supposedly interested in purchasing the former Petrotrin refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre makes him the “laziest PM ever”, Davendranath Tancoo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Oropouche West, T&T, has said.
Tancoo, speaking at the Opposition’s media briefing on July 28, also chided the PM for attacking those who raised concerns about the potential investor, Indian businessman Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, who is facing corruption charges in India.
The PM and Jindal met at the Diplomatic Centre in June.
At the post-Cabinet media conference on July 26, Rowley described those opposed to Venezuelan oil being refined at the Pointe-aPierre refinery as “idiots” and suggested the “attack” on Jindal would chase other potential investors.
In response, Tancoo said the PM appeared more concerned that questions were raised about the potential investor’s integrity rather than his convictions.
Tancoo rubbished the PM’s claims that he was unaware of the potential investor’s reputation since Energy Minister Stuart Young met with Jindal a year ago.
“Nobody believes that the PM, the Minister of Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minister of Foreign Affairs (or other) persons involved in that meeting did
not Google this investor before or even after the meeting with him.
“Let us not start to talk about the lack of ethics and obvious bias demonstrated by the PM, when the PM promotes his meeting with an investor interested in a refinery, while the (tendering) process…is still live and ongoing.
“But he’s not interested in meeting any of the other potential investors. This has to be the laziest PM ever.”
(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
who is a close ally of Maduro.
The ex-President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, was also uninvited after he said that the Maduro Government should accept a possible defeat at the polls.
Witnesses Maduro has, however, welcomed hundreds of guests from countries allied with his government, who he says will "accompany" the vote.
The Opposition, meanwhile, has mobilised thousands of people to act as witnesses at individual ballot stations.
Despite the many hurdles the Opposition has faced – including constant harassment and the arrest of more than 100 persons linked to its campaign since the start of the year – the opposition has been sounding an optimistic note.
It argues that the opinion polls have given its candidate such a big lead over President Maduro that it will not be possible for him to "steal the election".
The Government has dismissed the opinion polls quoted by the Opposition, maintaining it is their candidate who is in the lead.
Maduro himself has resorted to stark language in the run-up to the polls, warning of a "bloodbath" should he be defeated.
That statement earned him a rare rebuke from Brazil's left-wing leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who said that Maduro should learn "that if you win, you stay in power, but if you lose, you go".
Maduro has used the im-
age of a fighting cockerel as a symbol for his campaign and has struck a combative note.
"We have triumphed over a thousand storms. They could not defeat us, nor will they ever be able to," he said at his closing rally in a reference to some of the challenges he has seen off in his 11 years in power.
Following his re-election in 2018, which was widely dismissed as neither free not fair, he thwarted an attempt by Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó to depose him by declaring himself the rightful President.
While Guaidó was backed by more than 50 countries, including the US and the EU, Maduro could count on the loyalty of Venezuelan security forces.
In the end, Guaidó's parallel government withered, with Maduro using it to portray himself as the "defender of Venezuelan sovereignty", a point he drove home at his closing rally.
"On Sunday, we will prove it to the fascists, to imperialism. We will shout, 'Long live Venezuela, my beloved homeland,'" he said.
But despite this fighting talk, many Maduro critics feel that this election –the first in over a decade in which most of the Opposition has united behind one candidate and is not boycotting the poll – could be their best shot at removing him from office.
They have overcome many hurdles on the way to the polls, not least the fact that their chosen candidate, María Corina Machado, was banned from running for office.
Those who want to see a
change of government have united behind her replacement, 74-year-old González, in record time.
One of the promises the Opposition has made is that if it wins, it will turn the country around, so that millions of Venezuelans who have fled the political and economic crisis it has suffered under the Maduro Administration can return.
Closely watched
The emigration of 7.8 million Venezuelans, and the fact that polls suggest this exodus could increase should Maduro win, means that this election will be closely watched in the US and Latin American countries to which Venezuelans have fled en masse.
Cuba, China, Iran and Russia – all of them close allies of the Maduro Administration – will also be keeping a close watch, as a win for González would most probably see a realignment of Venezuela away from them and towards the US.
González also told a rally of tens of thousands of people that it was "time to re-establish democracy" – a reference to the fact that in its 25 years in power, the governing PSUV party has gained control not just of the executive, but also of the legislative arm and to a large extent, the Judiciary.
Voting is electronic and the result is expected to be announced by the CNE on the same night, perhaps as early as 20:00 local time (01:00 BST Monday). Whoever wins is due to be sworn into office on January 10, 2025. (BBC News)
Curaçao becomes associate member of Caricom
Tand co-
A motorcyclist holds a Venezuelan flag [Reuters]
Oropouche West MP Davendranath Tancoo (courtesy TT Parliament)
Prime Minister of Curaçao, Gilmar Pisas with Chairman of Caricom, Dickon Mitchell and Secretary General of the Community Dr Carla Barnett after his country’s admission to Caricom (Caricom photo)
he Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao on Sunday became the newest associate member of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), a bloc promoting
economic integration
operation across a region of largely small island developing states.
Curaçao joined the group during a ceremony at the
opening of the organisation's Heads of Government summit in Grenada, where leaders are set to discuss issues such as the growing impact of climate change. (Reuters)
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Russian oil depot ablaze after suspected Ukrainian drone strike
Suspected Ukrainian military drones have struck an oil storage depot in Russia’s Kursk region, a regional Russian official said Sunday, with video posted online showing a huge blaze lighting up the early-morning sky.
Three storage tanks caught fire as a result of the drone strike, acting regional Governor Aleksei Smirnov said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. He said one of the fires was quickly extinguished, but firefighters were trying to put out the two other blazes. Smirnov said 82 firefighters and 32 units of equipment were involved.
Russian Telegram channels led by Baza, which is linked to Russian security services, posted video showing what were described as the tanks on fire.
Smirnov said the drones also damaged a couple of residential buildings in the region, injuring one person.
The Russian Defence Ministry said on Telegram that its air defence systems had destroyed two drones over the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.
Ukraine considers Russian oil infrastructure a legitimate military target and began targeting it early this year. Ukraine makes extensive use of long-range drones, which are virtually the only weapons that can hit military facilities deep inside Russia.
Russian oil refineries and military facilities are regularly targeted by Ukrainian drones. Ukrayinska Pravda reported Saturday that Ukrainian drones had hit an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan region. (Voice of America)
US discusses with India need for peace in Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday emphasised the importance of a "just and enduring peace" for Ukraine in a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the State Department said. The discussion came amid a visit being reportedly planned to Ukraine by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi is likely to visit Ukraine in August, various Indian media outlets have reported in recent days, which would be his first visit to the country since Russia invaded in February 2022 and would come just weeks after he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had expressed unhappiness and disappointment with Modi's visit to Russia.
While Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow following the invasion of
Israeli Cabinet authorises Government to respond to Hezbollah rocket strike
Israel's Security Cabinet on Sunday authorised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Government to decide on the "manner and timing" of a response to a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 teenagers and children, and which Israel and the United States blamed on Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Thousands of mourners joined a funeral procession on Sunday.
Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack on Majdal Shams on Saturday, the deadliest in Israel or Israeli-annexed territory since Palestinian militant group Hamas' October 7 assault sparked the war in Gaza. That conflict has spread to several fronts and risks spilling into a wider regional conflict.
Israel has vowed retaliation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Israeli jets hit targets in southern Lebanon during the day on Sunday.
But there were expectations a stronger response could follow the Security Cabinet meeting convened by Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
After the meeting ended, Netanyahu's office said the Cabinet "authorised the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister to decide on the manner and timing of the response".
The White House on Sunday also blamed Hezbollah for the Majdal
Shams strike. "This attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control," it said in a statement.
US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, said through her national security adviser that her "support for Israel’s security is ironclad".
The US said Washington has been in discussions with
Israeli and Lebanese counterparts since Saturday's "horrific" attack and that it was working on a diplomatic solution.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops backed by air strikes battled groups of Palestinian fighters around Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, as they continued a week-long operation they said was meant to clear Islamist Hamas militants.
A week after ordering civilians to evacuate the area, tanks pushed into the towns of Al-Karara, Al-Zanna, and Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, where medics said at least 34 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes.
Residents reported fierce fighting as thousands of Palestinians, many displaced multiple times, headed to the overcrowded areas in Al-Mawasi southwest of Khan Younis, and northwards to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Putin warns the US of Cold War-style missile crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday warned the United States that if Washington deployed longrange missiles in Germany then Russia would station similar missiles in striking distance of the West.
The United States said on July 10 that it would start deploying long-range missiles, in Germany from 2026 in preparation for a longer-term deployment that will include SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and developmental hyper-
sonic weapons.
In a speech to sailors from Russia, China, Algeria and India to mark Russian navy day in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg, Putin warned the United States that it risked triggering a Cold War-style missile crisis with the move.
"The flight time to targets on our territory of such missiles, which in the future may be equipped with nuclear warheads, will be about 10 minutes," Putin said.
"We will take mirror
measures to deploy, taking into account the actions of the United States, its satellites in Europe and in other regions of the world."
Putin, who sent his army into Ukraine in 2022, casts the war as part of a historic struggle with the West, which he says humiliated Russia after Soviet Union fell in 1991 by encroaching on what he considers Moscow's sphere of influence.
Ukraine and the West say Putin is engaged in an imperial-style land grab. They have vowed to defeat Russia, which currently controls about 18 per cent of Ukraine, including Crimea, and parts of four regions in eastern Ukraine.
Russia says the lands, once part of the Russian empire, are now again part of Russia and that they will never be given back.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Ukraine, nations friendly with Russia such as India and China have continued to trade.
"Secretary Blinken underscored the importance of realising a just and enduring peace for Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter," the State Department said in a statement on Sunday on the meeting between Blinken and Jaishankar.
Social media posts from both Blinken and Jaishankar on Sunday mentioned their meeting, but did not specifically mention Ukraine. India has refrained from directly criticising Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, while urging the two nations to resolve their conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. New Delhi has resisted pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since the invasion, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and its economic needs.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Kamala Harris campaign raises US$200M in a week
Kamala Harris's election campaign said on Sunday it has raised US$200 million and signed up 170,000 new volunteers in the week since she became the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, as Republicans continued to hammer Harris over her work as Vice President.
President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid on Sunday last week and endorsed Harris for the November 5 vote against Republican former President Donald Trump.
"In the week since we got started, @KamalaHarris has raised $200 million dollars. 66 per cent of that is from new donors. We've signed up 170,000 new volunteers," Harris' deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, posted on X.
Polls over the past week,
including one by Reuters/ Ipsos, show Harris and Trump essentially tied, setting the stage for a closefought campaign over the 100 days left until the election.
Trump's campaign said in early July that it raised US$331 million in the second quarter, topping the US$264 million that Biden's campaign and its Democratic allies raised in the same period. Trump's campaign had US$284.9 million in cash on hand at the end of June while the Democratic campaign had US$240 million in cash on hand at the time.
Harris has secured support from a majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention, likely ensuring she will become the party's nominee for President next month.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Australian Prime Minister rejigs Cabinet ahead of election expected in 2025
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday announced a Cabinet reshuffle after two senior Ministers said they planned to retire at the next election.
The reshuffle, the first since the centre-left Labour Party swept to power at a general election in May 2022, marks an attempt by Albanese to refresh his team ahead of the next poll, expected in 2025.
"I would expect that this is the team that I will take to the election when it is held sometime in the future," Albanese said in a televised media conference in Canberra.
Among a raft of ministerial changes, Albanese said Tony Burke, already Arts Minister, will take the key portfolios of home affairs, immigration and multicul-
tural affairs, and cyber security.
Clare O'Neil shifts from home affairs and cyber security to housing and homelessness, remaining in Cabinet, while Immigration Minister Andrew Giles moves to skills and training, no longer in a Cabinet position.
Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy will take over as Minister for Indigenous Australians.
The appointments come after long-serving Labour Ministers Brendan O’Connor and Linda Burney announced they would retire at the next election.
Albanese paid tribute to O'Connor and Burney as having made an "extraordinary contribution" to the nation over a long period of time. (Reuters)
Thousands of mourners joined the funeral procession on Sunday in Majdal Shams, July 28, 2024 (Reuters/Ammar Awad photo)
SUDOKU
(March 21-April 19)
When in doubt, be resourceful. Go directly to the source, and trust and believe in yourself. A chance to make an upward move looks inviting. Please don’t wait until it’s too late.
Trust your intuition when dealing with people and situations that can impact your personal life. Don’t let anger set in or hinder you from doing what’s best. Discipline will be called for.
(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)
(June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
You’ll gain momentum once you start moving. Don’t settle for less when you can have so much more. Refrain from overthinking or overanalyzing a time-sensitive situation.
Weigh the pros and cons of a situation that can influence your financial security. Acting in haste isn’t in your best interest. Pay attention to detail and look for other options.
Protect your reputation. Refuse to let anyone antagonize you or bait you into an argument or no-win situation. Seek freedom and peace of mind by concentrating on what you want to accomplish.
Take the necessary precautions and do your homework. Decide what you want and how to reach your destination with minimal stress. Think before you act.
A positive attitude will help broaden your scope of possibilities. Set a budget and implement changes to ensure substantial improvements. Lower your overhead and enhance your peace of mind.
Connect with people who make you think. Consider what matters to you and how you can impact the outcome of a situation you face at work or in your relationships.
Keep busy and avoid getting trapped by someone looking for a fight. Your physical contributions will speak volumes about your character. Less talk and more action will boost your reputation.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Talk less and act more. When discussing matters affecting relationships, put your emotions on the shelf. Observation will help you gain insight into what others are experiencing.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Engage in events or activities that boost your adrenaline. Try to minimize irritations and implement what makes you happy. Choose peace and love over aggressive action and confrontation
Choose your words and actions carefully. You can easily trigger an argument if you aren’t careful. Focus on what you can accomplish without the support and help of outsiders.
PEANUTS
CALVIN AND HOBBES
Den Amstel hold Slingerz to surprising draw; Police down Monedderlust
Slingerz Football Club
endured a frustrating 1-1 draw against Den Amstel Football Club on Thursday night, allowing the defending champions, Guyana Defence Force Football Club, to seize a clear three-point lead for the first time this season in the KFC Elite League's sixth edition.
The June 25 Round Two fixtures, held at the vibrant Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara, also saw Guyana Police Force Football Club secure a 3-0 victory over Monedderlust Football Club, reinforcing their third-place position.
In the final match of the evening, Slingerz FC's Andrew Murray converted a penalty in the 39th minute to give his team a first-half lead.
However, Den Amstel FC responded with a stunning goal from Delano Mentore in the 57th minute, levelling the score.
Despite several promis-
ing opportunities for both sides in the latter stages, neither team managed to break the deadlock, resulting in a share of the points.
This draw marks Slingerz FC's third stalemate of the season, following their earlier draw against Monedderlust FC, who lost to Guyana Police Force FC earlier in the evening.
In the night's opener, Guyana Police Force FC dominated their match, with Neron Barrow netting a hattrick with goals in the 54th,
69th, and 78th minutes.
In the latest KFC Elite League standings, Guyana Defence Force FC continue to dominate at the top with forty points, thanks to thirteen wins, a single draw, and a formidable goal tally of sixty-one.
Slingerz FC are holding strong in second place with thirty-seven points, bolstered by eleven victories, three draws, and a total of seventy goals scored. Guyana Police Force FC sit in third with thirty-one
points from ten wins, one draw and three losses.
Western Tigers FC occupy fourth position with twenty-four points, following eight wins and seven losses. Santos FC are just behind with the same points, but with eight wins, six losses and thirty-one goals scored.
Den Amstel FC are in sixth place with nineteen points, which includes five
Wilkinson is latest to benefit from Project “Cricket Gear”
The most recent young cricket player to gain from the collaborative effort between Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana is the aggressive opener and wicketkeeper Vikash Wilkinson. He was just picked to play for the Guyana Under-17 cricket team in the regional competition, which gets underway in Trinidad and Tobago on August 11.
Wilkinson is playing for Guyana at that level for the second year. He recently played for Demerara at the Under-19 and Under-17 levels in the GCB Inter County championships. He is a member of the Enmore Cricket Club. The right-hander received one pair of batting gloves.
He conveyed his appreciation for the token. He is happy that this initiative is contributing to his growth and that it has made him realise how crucial the degree of discipline needed to succeed is.
We'll keep helping kids, and we're proud to be involved in the growth of cricket, particularly among young people, the organisers said.
Total goods obtained or
bought so far for cricket: Thirteen coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, twenty-five pairs of cricket shoes, thirty-three pairs of batting pads, thirty-five cricket bats, thirty-one pairs of batting gloves, twenty-five thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, twelve cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fiberglass bat, thirteen boxes of white cricket balls, three boxes of red balls, and twenty-eight footballs were among the assets valued at $460,000. Sheik Mohamed, a former national wicketkeeper and batsman, also donated equipment valued at over $600,000. The money raised is being utilized to buy cricket equipment that people have requested but isn't currently available.
To date, seventy-nine young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, thirty-two bats, three boxes, six helmets, thirty pairs of cricket shoes, nineteen pairs of batting pads, twenty-four thigh pads, one bat grip, thirty-three pairs of batting
gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Many others benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each. Cold Fusion Cricket Club received thirteen colour uniforms while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves, a set of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No 65 Young Titans with 30 T-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shemar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club and Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each).
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.
wins, four draws and seven losses.
Fruta Conquerors FC are seventh with sixteen points, earned from five wins, one draw, and eight losses, while Monedderlust FC are eighth with twelve points, achieved through three wins, three draws and nine losses.
Ann's Grove United FC hold ninth place with eleven points from three wins, two
draws and ten losses. Buxton United FC remain in tenth place with just one point, coming from a single draw and sixteen losses. The league was scheduled to resume on Saturday evening with Santos FC facing off against Buxton United FC and Ann’s Grove FC taking on Fruta Conquerors FC in another double-header at the Providence venue.
The success of this initiative would never have been possible without the support of the following: Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru and Dennis Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul, Davo Naraine of UK, Dr Cecil Beharry, Raj Mathura, Raj Bharrat, Latch Mohabir and family, Suresh Dhanai, Vishal Nagamootoo, Moses Nagamootoo Jr, Regal Sports Store, Omkar Singh, Parmanand Dhaniram, Reshma Mathura, Booman Singh, Krishna Rengensamy, Ishwar Singh, Ricky Deonarain of 4R Bearings,
Terry Mathura of TDMJ Inc, Kennard Verapen and NY Pioneer CC, Anita and Derek Kallicharran, Subhas Powan Persaud of DX Sports, Ramjit Singh, Vishnu Dudnauth, Johnno Persaud, Bob Harrischan, Kumar Dindial, Shazam Hussain, Ravi Lutchman of JIS&L NY and Muhammad Afzal of Cyber Trading, Georgetown. The role of the media cannot be underestimated and we thank you for your continued support from the inception. Distribution will continue.
Vikash Wilkinson
Neron Barrow celebrates his hat-trick for Police FC
Den Amstel FC held Slingerz FC to a 1-1 draw
England sweep series 3-0 after Wood finishes off West Indies resistance
Mark Wood's breathtaking post-lunch spell netted him a five-wicket haul and put England on the brink of another comprehensive victory over West Indies, which they sealed inside three days at Edgbaston.
Whereas his relentless rockets at Trent Bridge had jaws on the floor but yielded just two wickets for the match, his mastery of a reverse-swinging ball in the hour after lunch accounted for all five remaining West Indies wickets for 19 runs in the space of 39 balls. Wood ended with 5 for 40 from 14 overs, his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests, to add to his 2 for 52 from West Indies' first innings.
The burst obliterated the efforts of Mikyle Louis and Kavem Hodge, who both scored half-centuries, as West Indies were left with a paltry 81-run lead.
The run-chase was perfectly poised for England to Bazball their way to victory, especially with Ben Stokes opening in place Zak Crawley, who had left the ground for scans after injuring his finger while fielding. Stokes struck a staggering 57 off 28 balls as he and Ben Duckett, with 25 off 16, mowed down the target in 7.2 overs without loss for a 3-0 series sweep.
England reached fifty off just 26 balls, equalling their team record posted at Trent Bridge. On this occasion, Stokes scored 41 of those runs. Duckett, seemingly tired of playing the supporting role after he was key to the fastest-fifty record in Nottingham, struck four boundaries in one Jason Holder over.
Stokes, meanwhile, notched the fastest Test fifty for an England batter and joint third-fastest overall, off just 24 balls, and hit the winning runs, swinging a waist-high full-toss from Kraigg Brathwaite for six through backward square-leg, emphasising the one-sided nature of the series despite some encouraging passages of fight from West Indies.
It was Stokes who had initially got the ball reversing in the morning session and he deployed Wood and Gus Atkinson - who had already claimed two wickets for the day - to good effect in the afternoon.
With West Indies five wickets down and just 57 runs ahead, Joshua Da Silva hadn't moved off his
lunch-time score of 2 when he was rapped on the pad by a reverse-swinging yorker delivered at 90mph, umpire Adrian Holstock unmoved by Wood's emphatic appeal and the batter surviving England's review on umpire's call. But Da Silva added just three more runs when Wood had him irrefutably out with a full ball moving in past the bat to strike low on the back leg in line with middle stump.
A short while later, Wood's reversing yorker ripped out Alzarri Joseph's middle stump and West Indies were 162 for 7 with England scenting victory.
It was sound justification for Stokes keeping Wood on for a rare sixth over on the trot and the move paid huge dividends with three wickets falling in the over.
Wood struck first ball to remove West Indies' remaining recognised batter, Hodge getting a thick edge on a late-reversing rocket to be caught behind by Jamie
front pad with a ball that slid under his attempted sweep.
Then Wood sent Jayden Seales' off stump tumbling for a three-ball duck to continue the procession, which he ended with another late reverse-swinging delivery which Shamar Joseph edged to Harry Brook at second slip.
Louis and Hodge had steadied West Indies from 53 for 3 with a 72-run stand off 78 balls for the fourth wicket.
They came together after Shoaib counted for Alick
Athanaze, who man aged to add ten runs for the day, including a four off Wood through third slip, where Brook got his hands to it but couldn't hold what would have been a spectacular catch. Five balls after the reprieve, Bashir clipped Athanaze's
Hodge gave West Indies cause for optimism based on his century at Trent Bride and he delivered with his second Test fifty. He struck back-to-back fours off Wood, one swung through midwicket and the other with a beautiful drive.
pitched on a length outside off stump and edging to Crawley at second slip. Crawley was in the same position when he dropped Holder, on 12 at the time, off Stokes, injuring his finger in the process, but Atkinson removed Holder at the end of the next over with an inswinger that
Louis brought up his half-century with a slogswept six off Bashir and he helped himself to another maximum off Bashir's next over, clearing the boundary
While Stokes was getting the ball to reverse swing, he got Louis fending at one that
struck the front knee roll, the batter's review failing when ball-tracking ruled it was umpire's call on hitting leg stump. (ESPNcricinfo)
Smith.
Mark Wood removed Shamar Joseph to complete his five-for
Mikyle Louis raised his maiden Test fifty
Jamie Smith reached fifty as England recovered from a top-order wobble
Mark Wood holds the ball aloft after claiming a five-for
3 Guyanese in WI Championship XI to face South Africa in warm-up
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the West Indies Championship XI, set to compete in a warm-up fixture against South Africa from July 31 to August 3, which will feature three Guyanese players.
According to CWI, this is a crucial opportunity to engage several talented players who have either demonstrated consistent performance over multiple seasons or have shown impressive emerging talent.
The selection of these players is part of CWI’s strategy to evaluate the readiness of potential squad members for the upcoming
West Indies vs South Africa Home Test Series. The focus is on assessing their battle readiness and potential contributions to the men's Test team.
The West Indies Championship XI includes:
1. Justin Greaves (Captain)
2. Keacy Carty (Vice Captain)
3. Jediah Blades
4. Joshua Bishop
5. Tagenarine Chanderpaul
6. Bryan Charles
7. Amir Jangoo
8. Anderson Phillip
9. Nial Smith
10. Jeremy Solozano
11. Shamar Springer
CWI
Commissioner of Police gives support to Kares One Guyana T10
Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken has committed to participating yet again in the second season of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast and ensuring the venues are safe spaces for families.
The second instalment of the pulsating tournament bowls off on August 3 at the Police Sports Club, Lusignan Community Centre Ground, and Queen’s College Ground, where the best 32 Tapeball teams in Guyana will be on show in a straight knock-out contest.
In 2023, the Commissioner held the gloves behind the stumps during the Cricket for Charity Match, which President Dr Irfaan Ali led at the National Stadium.
That match returns on August 25, along with the finals of the main draw at the Stadium.
In a Sunday press release, the organisers expressed immense gratitude for the support of the Commissioner and, by extension, the Guyana Police Force.
“Based on feedback, we had no security issues on the field or play. We certainly aim to replicate such again, and the support of the Guyana Police Force and private security firms is critical in that endeavour. There is no entrance fee attached to these venues, so we always encourage people to come out with their families and enjoy the festivities of this community sport,” FL Sport expressed.
Other match days will be the Round of 16 on August 4 at the Police Sports Club and Lusignan, while the quarter-finals return to the Enmore Community Centre Ground on August 11.
Matches on August 3: MS-13 All-Stars v Team
Corruption – QC Pitch 1 at 09:30h; Upsetters v GPL Inc – QC Pitch 3 at 09:30h; Montra Jaguars v Falcons XI – PSC at 09:30h; Street Ballerz v Village Rams –Lusignan at 09:30h; EC Express v Mahdia – Lusignan at 11:30h; Soesdyke XI v Airport XI – QC Pitch 1 at 11:30h; Renegades Cricket Club v Tarmac Titans –PSC at 11:30h; Eccles AllStars v Eastsyde – QC Pitch 3 at 11:30h; Titans AllStars v Stripling Warriors – PSC at 13:30h; PREMIER Insurance v Min. Housing – QC Pitch 1 at 13:30h; Moruca Super Giants v Lil Rams – QC Pitch 3 at 13:30h; The Guards v Mahaica Super Strikers – 13:30h at Lusignan; Green Scorpions v Avinash All-Stars – QC Pitch 1 at 15:30h; Brooklyn Youth Strikers v Cotton Tree Die Hard – PSC at 15:30h; Diamond Gunners v TG Titans – Lusignan at 15:30h; The United Crew v Bartica Bulls – QC Pitch 3 at 15:30h. The competition promises to be fierce, and a larger prize pool will entice the 32 participating teams. The champions will receive $1.5
million, while the runners-up will receive $500,000.
Players will vie for the titles of Most Runs, Most Wickets, and Player of the Final. Each winner will receive a Smart TV and a $75,000 cash prize, all compliments of Regal Stationery.
Assuria Insurance is not holding back either, offering a motorbike and $85,000 to the Most Valuable Player.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Blast enjoys the support of Kares Engineering; Banks DIH Limited; Star Rentals; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Montra Restaurant and Lounge; SuperBet; Demerara Mutual; ETS; Metro Office and Computer Supplies; Jacobs’ Jewellery; First Change Builders Inc; KFC Guyana; Building Expo 2024; Giftland OfficeMax; Sankar’s Auto Works; Enet; Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc; Trophy Stall; ANSA McAL Distribution; Ministry of Human Services and Social Security; RS53 RestoBar and Lounge; General Marine; Samaroo Investments and Coel’s Boutique.
Team Management Unit
Head Coach: Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach 1: Ramesh Subasinge
Physiotherapist: Jelani Baptise
Guyana
Strength & Conditioning
Director of Cricket, remarked, “We are excited to see these players in action against a formidable South African side. This fixture is a valuable opportunity to assess their readiness and gauge their potential for the upcoming Test series. Each player selected has shown significant promise, and we are eager to see how they perform on this stage.”
Coach: Shayne Cooper Team Analyst: Keshavar Ramphal
This match will serve as a significant test for these players, providing a platform to showcase their skills and further their case for inclusion in the senior team.
finish 2nd in
OECS Championship invitation category
Guyana’s small team of 6 boxers punched their way to a second-place finish in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championships invitational category over the weekend.
Among the Guyanese team, there were standout performances from Abiola Jackman and Ryan Rogers who copped individual prizes.
The St Lucia Boxing Association (SLBA) and lovers of boxing across the island, continue to soak in the euphoric feeling of excellence following the triumph of their National Boxing Team in the OECS competition.
St Lucia retained the coveted OECS Boxing title, following the 2024 Championships held on July 26 & 27 at the Vigie Sports Complex in Castries, St Lucia, while Trinidad and Tobago won the 2024 Invitational Category.
The official results are as follows;
1. St. Lucia, 1st place OECS Championships – 50 points, 10 Gold Medals, 10 Silver Medals (Winner)
2. Grenada, 2nd place OECS Championships – 18 points, 9 Silver Medals.
3. Martinique,
3rd place OECS Championships – 14 points, 2 Gold Medals, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
Invitational Category
1. Trinidad and Tobago, 1st place - 33 points, 10 Gold medals, 2 Silver Medals (Winner)
2. Guyana, 2nd place - 14 points, 4 Gold Medals, 2 Silver medals
3. Barbados, 3rd place – 13 points, 3 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals.
Special Awards
Best Schoolboy –Shawn Ramnath, Trinidad & Tobago
Best Jr Boxer – Ryan Rogers (Guyana)
Best Youth Boxer –John Didier (St. Lucia)
Best Male Boxer, Michael Fidole (Martinique)
Best Female Boxer –Abiola Jackman (Guyana)
Best dressed Team, St. Lucia
The 2024 OECS Invitational Boxing Championships were held in accordance with international standards, under the IBA approved regulations.
St Lucia have expressed immense thanks to all participating countries, sponsors and affiliates.
Special mention
by the SLBA went to the Government of St Lucia, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the OECS Commission, St Lucia National Lotteries Authority, M&C Group of Companies, St Lucia Olympic Committee, Daren Sammy Foundation, St Lucia Tourism Authority, Blackheart Productions Sports & Entertainment, International Boxing Association (IBA), American Boxing Confederation (AMBC), Blue Waters St Lucia Limited, Trophy Center, Golden Arrow, Anthony Jewelry, Dr Stephen King, Tompty Tools Rentals, Island Sounds, Bay Heights Resort, Vybe Radio, DBS TV, Power 97, MBC/Real FM, Wings & Tingz and Triangle Restaurant.
12. Isai Thorne 13. Kevin Wickham
14. Kemar Roach Miles Bascombe,
Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken (left) and Romario Samaroo of FL Sport
Guyana’s Ryan Rogers received the best youth boxer accolade
Isai Thorne has been called up to the West Indies Championship XI to face South Africa
Tagenarine Chanderpaul has been called up to the West Indies Championship XI to face South Africa
