Guyana Times - Monday, July 8, 2024

Youths encouraged to participate in cooperative societies PAC looking to boost powers, moves to Parliament to legally summon witnesses

UG Governing Council expanded from 26 to 32 members for wider representation

…FITUG, religious groups to be allowed to nominate persons

The Government will be rolling out plans to expand the University of Guyana Governing Council, which is empowered to make decisions that impact the running of the educational institution, from its current 26 members to 32.

According to a motion that will be moved by Education Minister Priya Manickchand during today’s 83rd sitting of the National Assembly, section 12(2) of the University of Guyana Act, Chapter 39:02 will be amended as per a gazette order published last month.

That gazette order, dated June 27, 2024, made a number of changes to the principal act. These changes include expanding the governing council by, among other things, increasing the persons that can be nominated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from four to five and including youth nominees to the women, farmers, Amerindian and business nominees already provided for.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) were also afforded a nominee, while the subject minister was granted three additional nominees, raising the number of nominees the minister can make to six persons. According to the amendments, these must be persons, who the minister feels can contribute significantly in the area of “medicine, law, ICT, environment, climate change, natural resources and national defense and security.”

Nominations that can be made by Chancellor of the University of Guyana were reduced from six to four, while a paragraph will be added that will allow “three persons to be appointed by the minister from persons nominated by Christian, Muslim and Hindu organisations.”

The Government has been steadily unveiling its vision for UG, with a sum of $4.1 billion being budgeted this year to support the institution.

There are plans to

launch new programmes in areas such as food security, cyber security, engineering technologies, biopharma, marine studies, earth and climate sciences, and sports medicine. Works have also commenced on a new Health Sciences Education Building, which will be completed in the first half of 2025.

Additionally, the Government has also begun its roll out of free tertiary education. Back in May,

The University of Guyana

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh had announced the commencement of phase

one of the student loan write-off as was outlined during the 2024 budget pre-

sentation and part of the party’s 2020 Manifesto.

The parameters of phase one Student Loan Write Off Programme include the writing off of all loans owed by Guyanese who are able to demonstrate that they completed their course of study and graduated.

This first phase, according to Singh, could potentially benefit over 13,000 Guyanese who have $11 billion in student loan debt. It also applies to students who took out loans and are yet to repay such within the timeframe of the Government’s term in office. Retroactively, they will also benefit from free tertiary education as a result of this. (G3)

Man pinned under ATV in accident dies

Early Sunday morning, Berlington Albert's body was found pinned under an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on the trail linking Paramakatoi and Kato in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). The discovery was reported around 04:00h. Details of the incident were not readily available. This incident tragically follows another ATV-related incident just two weeks ago when Devon Moralis, 39, lost his life after an accident in Eyelash Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

Moralis, of Wauna, Region One, was riding an unregistered ATV alone, en route to Providence Backdam, NWD. He reportedly lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a left bend at a high speed. The ATV veered off to the southern side of the road, flinging Moralis to the northern side where he lay motionless.

Shortly after, Police arrived at the scene along with a doctor from Matthews Ridge Public Hospital. After examining Moralis, the doctor pronounced him dead. His body was later transported to the mortuary at Port Kaituma Public Hospital. (G9)

Dead: Berlington Albert

Albert pinned under the ATV along the trail between Paramakatoi and Kato

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, July 8 – 04:00h-05:30h and Tuesday, July 9 –04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, July 8 – 05:20h-06:50h and Tuesday, July 9 –06:00h-07:30h .

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected to prevail during the day and at night, with late-afternoon sunshine. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.56 metres.

High Tide: 18:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 11:51h reaching a minimum height of 0.69 metre.

Develop home-grown brand to market globally – Pres Ali urges

…as int’l restaurant chain P.F. Chang’s opens in G/Town

President Dr Irfaan Ali is challenging the local business community to create a home-grown brand that is good enough to be taken on the global market.

The Head of State made these remarks on Sunday evening at the opening of international Asian and Chinese food restaurant chain P.F. Chang’s, in Georgetown.

“I want us to use this opportunity today as we celebrate the arrival of a global brand in our country to see how we can now position a local brand that we can develop globally. And we have the capacity. We have the capability…”

“We have a rich culture, a rich tradition in our tastebuds, in our food. Imagine being innovative and bold enough to first develop a local brand, to believe in that brand, to position that brand and then to take that brand globally,” President Ali posited.

According the Guyanese, this new brand does not have to be food but can be in jewellery or craft.

“We have to start thinking outside of the box and being bold in that thinking and in creating Guyanese brand that we can position globally. These are the things that will set us apart,” he posited.

Already, the Guyana Government has been building and pushing ‘Brand Guyana’ as a major tourism attraction.

President Ali pointed out that Guyana, today, carries much more weight given its unprecedent economic growth and ongoing transformation due to the burgeoning oil and gas sector – an opportunity that must not be taken for granted.

Moreover, with more new global brands coming to Guyana coupled with at least 10 new hotels expected to come on stream by the end of next year and bringing with them new restaurants, bars and entertainment areas, the Guyanese Leader underscored the need to attract visitors to utilise these facilities and services.

He talked about investing in the local tourism industry and promoting ‘Brand Guyana’ to bring in that traffic. This responsibility, the President stated, is not just the government’s but also the private sector.

“You don't need three million people living in Guyana but you need at least more than two million people passing through Guyana to utilise the services that we are investing in and creating… And you will see over the coming months, a very strategic approach in addressing this. How do we create events? How do we create tournaments? How do we create

ing yet another international food chain to local shores.

for us,” the Head of State posited.

In the same breath, however, President Ali stressed the need to protect ‘Brand Guyana’ – a responsibility that is not just the government and private sector but also every Guyanese.

“In everything you do, protect the brand and that is what we have to do. Protect Brand Guyana, and all of us must be the marketers of Brand Guyana. This must be a unified approach in positioning brand Guyana because it is only Brand Guyana that can help in that traffic [coming here],” he stated.

On this note, the Guyanese Leader lauded the Corum Group – owned by Guyanese Clairmont Cummings and Iman Cummings, who operate several global restaurant franchises here – for bring-

Corum Group had said the aim is to make P.F. Chang’s Georgetown location as a go-to destination for those seeking an exceptional dining experience in the Caribbean.

During brief remarks, Clairmont said Sunday’s opening of the P.F. Chang’s on main Hight Street, Georgetown, is a culmination of nearly two years of hard work and setback. He noted that this partnership with PFC is not just about bringing a global brand here but a testament of the growing confidence of marquee brands in Guyana as a place for investment and partnership.

“As a group, we believe, fundamentally, that investments like these will only add diversity and growth to the local culinary landscape… The real genuine intent here is not just investment in cool concepts but to also create con-

cepts that foster a sense of community – a place where friends and families can gather, celebrate, talk through issues and make lasting memories.”

“I’m truly excited to see how P.F. Chang’s will bring people together and continue to bridge the human connection through the universal language of simply great food,” the businessman stated.

Remarks were also made by Rafik Farouk – Director of Global Franchising at P.F. Chang’s, during Sunday’s opening.

This venture is the first undertaken by the Corum Group since its partnership with JMMB Jamaica, one of the Caribbean’s largest investment banks that bought a minority stake in the Guyanese owned group. Through this partnership, P.F. Chang’s locations will also be opened in Jamaica, Barbados, and the Cayman Islands. (G8)

the ecosystem to support this initiative of bringing people into the country and that is what is important

PF Chang’s has opened on High Street in Kingston, Georgetown

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Constitutional change and society

Once again a Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) is about to begin its work. However, it is not appreciated enough that before a constitution –which authoritatively allocates power in the state and society through institutions – can be crafted or amended, there must be prior agreement on the nature of the society to ensure the institutions authorised are appropriate to address the autochthonous challenges. The first written constitution, we should remember, was created by the American colonists after a prolonged debate captured in “The Federalist Papers”.

Guyanese political culture and structures, along with their supporting philosophy and institutions, however, were originally imposed by Britain. As such, they had not evolved organically to address the needs of the Guyanese society, but arose either out of the British experience or were constructed to serve the purposes of Imperial Britain. The premises of the political system reflected the biases of Liberalism, in which the supposedly rational individual engaged in a variety of roles and belonged to a multitude of organisations and groups whose several interests are “cross-cutting”. The individual makes decisions based on the particular role he is playing when he confronts the given issue. In his political role as a voter, therefore, he makes a "rational" choice based on the position a given party takes on the issues before the electorate. Even if all voters do not conform to this ideal, there are enough who do, to constitute a pool of "swing" votes for which all parties compete.

As such, while there will always be blocks of voters who vote “traditionally”, there will also always be a substantial block of “undecideds”. This situation creates a centripetal, moderating effect and the parties line up on a continuum on the issues. Since these “swing voters” may always change their minds, the majority is always careful to be respectful to the minority. The essential principle is <<<audi alteram partem>>> – hear the other side. Additionally, the multiple memberships in organisations that create the crosscutting cleavages help to ensure that the party out of office still has other avenues, outside of the explicit political institutions, for ensuring that their views are considered by those in power.

The party system in an ethnically-divided society, however, traditionally operates on a different basis. In addition to the membership of political parties generally coming from different ethnic sections, individuals belong to other organisations, which instead of diffusing the ethnic cleavages, sometimes reinforce them because of their exclusive ethnic membership. Generally, the groups here live in different villages and there is very little interaction at a primary, personal level. The "broker institutions", as one researcher labelled them, in which each group participate and which represent him in the larger society, are also generally ethnically based - -trade unions, religious worship, political parties, etc.

Party affiliation is thus not based on the party's position on a variety of issues, but generally on just one issue: which group’s interest does the particular party purportedly represent. Party membership is generally ascriptive – based on race/ethnicity – where individuals perceive their fate in ethnic rather than individual or class terms. However, since 2011, Guyana has become a nation of minorities and rational political parties should now be forced to tailor their programmes and appeals across the ethnic divide to create swing voters.

The PPP/C has candidly announced since 2020, when it assumed office, that it has made explicit changes in its personnel – especially with its Civic component – and its programmes, to explicitly court African and Indigenous Guyanese votes. Huge blocks of swing votes were seen in the 2023 Local Government Elections. Sadly, however, the Opposition has called the PPP “slave catchers” for this ultimately supremely democratic practice to court the widest possible cache of voters. More insidiously, it has confined its campaigning only to its base knowing that this will lead nowhere and build resentment and hostilities.

It is our position that the PPP’s assessment of the need for the widest possible mobilisation is good for its and the country’s democratic and prosperous future. The constitutional reform process must seek to institutionalise this approach.

Ali, Phillips, Jagdeo proved that politics can be a force for good

Dear Editor,

President Dr Irfaan Ali must be applauded for having a comprehensive socio-economic plan for solving the problems facing the country, including the incessant floods, constant power outages, and last but not least, the high cost of living, which is a worldwide problem in that it exists in almost every country. Like the COVID virus, no country is immune from the effects of cost of living. And even though cost of living does not only exist in Guyana, the President has taken serious and fundamental steps to combat it and thus reduce the burden on the people, especially the poor.

Justifiably, most of these problems have been at the endemic level since independence on May 26, 1966 and are more than five decades old which is an exceptionally long time. That said, the Head of State has a very skillful and talented Prime Minister in Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips to assist him to unite the country, end or reduce poverty, empowered the people to reach their highest potential, improve production outputs in agriculture, mining, the fishing industry,

and other areas and move the country forward.

Both His Excellency and Prime Minister Phillips are aware that the successful transforming of Guyana requires transcending the society by not accepting the status quo but to think creatively and originally. Any effective solution requires political will, the total engagement of the public, and immense patience.

Along with Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, both President Dr Ali and Prime Minister Phillips have a clear understanding of the problems facing the country and their underlying causes and they have developed some of the most effective, workable and requisite solutions to solve them.

Our leaders have accepted the fact that acute problems exist in the country, especially in the rural areas and the farming belt, and they have provided real and sound policies to resolve them and not window dressing with cosmetic changes to appease the public as was done by the previous administration. It is encouraging that during his tenure as President, VP Jagdeo had laid the groundwork to tackle this monumental task in the interest

of the people.

In terms of the Judiciary and the backlog of hundreds of cases, President Ali has fulfilled one of his campaigns promises to solve this legal glitch. He has appointed 10 new puisne judges, eight of whom are female judges, which is another great example of ensuring the equal rights of women, thus shattering the glass ceiling of a male-dominated legal institution. On the international level, he has become a strong advocate of a number of international, hemispheric and regional concerns, and has positioned Guyana as a global leader in food, environmental and energy security and the effects of global warming, which is already having dire consequences, especially on the underdeveloped countries, whose contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is less than a quarter of that of the developed countries. It has severely impacted the poor rural communities which depend on the land to earn a living.

Even with a population of less than one million, Guyana, under President Ali’s leadership has become a model country with unprecedented growth in

GDP. It has heralded a new international system based on fairness with the primary goal to secure global food security, environmental security, energy security, global climate change, and a reduction of global poverty for the more than 750 million in Africa. With increased production in agriculture, Guyana is poised to show the world that agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy.

Truth be told, selflessness has become the corner stone of Dr Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips, and Vice President Dr Jagdeo’s ethos and needless to say, patriotism is intrinsic in the execution of their duties. In their quest and determination to solve the nation’s problems, unify the country, develop the economy and improve the living standards of the people, they have made huge sacrifices as they put country first before self and excellence in all they do. They have opened Guyana to the world and delivered the policies the people yearned for. Simply put, they have proved that politics can be a force for good.

Sincerely,

Dr Asquith Rose

A ''Recortador'' jumps over a bull in the bull ring during the Recortadores festival at the San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, northern Spain (VOA)

Nigel Hughes’ miscalculation this time will be fatal

Dear Editor,

The announcement by Nigel Hughes that he is unwilling to relinquish ties to Hughes, Fields and Stoby (HFS) until and unless he is elected to a government office is but a sobering reminder that this gentleman will always put his personal interest above that of Guyana and its people.

It is black and white:

The benefits derived from having Exxon as a client outweigh the interest of the Guyanese people and Mr. Hughes has made it abundantly clear that he is not relinquishing those benefits unless and until he ascends to public office, where, of course, he will enjoy another set of benefits.

Editor, this level of selfishness, arrogance, and unpatriotic behaviour should never find its way into the halls of power of this country.

By his own admission, Mr. Hughes is incapable of representing the interest of the Guyanese people having been elected to the position of Leader of the AFC

– a party which has parliamentary oversight for the petroleum sector through which Mr. Hughes’ firm is benefitting handsomely.

These were his words:

“If you hired me in a case against the government of Guyana and you’re going to get an advantage to the disadvantage to the citizens, are you saying I should compromise the quality of advice I give to you and the quality of representation I give to you because Guyana is on the other side? That can’t be right.”

To summarise, Mr. Hughes has indicated in no uncertain terms that it would not be right for him to put Guyana’s interest above his client’s.

To further insult the intelligence of the Guyanese people, he then made a futile attempt to argue that he would not participate, recommend, intervene, or engage in discussions on oil and gas within the AFC as this would be left to a twoman advisory committee.

In what world does Mr. Hughes honestly believe that as the leader of the sec-

ond largest opposition party in a country, you have the liberty of not sanctioning your party’s policy visà-vis the most important sector within that country?

Is his position in the AFC therefore one of mere convenience and is he saying to his supporters that he will singlehandedly decide how and when he will represent their interests?

Editor, representational politics is the bedrock of any democracy. The fact that there exist competing interests – private vs. public – and Mr. Hughes has chosen the former over the latter, renders him incapable of serving AFC supporters and by extension the people of Guyana.

Notorious for miscalculations, I posit, finally, that Mr. Hughes will overestimate his abilities and miscalculate his chances of becoming President. This, I humbly submit, will deliver a fatal blow to his already unstable political career.

Yours faithfully, Ravin Singh

Two court rulings

Dear Editor,

With the recent ruling of the Apex Court, that the time limits for judges' decisions, in both the local courts are discretionary rather than mandatory, what impact would this have on the time limits to file appeals? Just wondering.

Staying with the courts: The decision handed down by a High Court judge to block CIB in its fifth attempt to gain access to a substantial sum lodged in our system, was a landmark ruling and another milestone in our judicial system. Further

the ruling that CIB must first seek and obtain leave from the High Court before filing another application must also be commended.

It is unbelievable the Bank would seek to claim this lodgment knowing full well GoG stepped in to assist their creditors, following the collapse of its parent company in 2009.

The GoG must pursue legal proceedings to claim these monies as compensation due.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

These dummy corporations

Dear Editor,

With the pace of progress taking place in Guyana at the present moment, there has been an influx of companies taking advantage of this lucrative business climate. This coupled with Caricom's Single Market and Economy (CSME) these business entities are mushrooming all around, and for the proper functioning of these businesses, foreign currency plays an important part in the importation among other necessary transactions of one’s business.

Seeing foreign exchange is such a vital necessity, there is always a need for the international currency here in Guyana. What happens ever-so often, is a depletion of those resources when the Bank of Guyana is called upon to fill the void.

Now the question is asked, how much of that foreign currency is invested here in Guyana, or how much of that hard currency is plowed back into the economy here? Are those corporations clamouring for currencies, legitimately owned or registered to do business here in this country, or are they dummy corporations?

I believe some of them are in the latter group, dummy entities who are planted here to parasitically plunder our hard currency. From firm evidence

gathered, I am convinced that there are dummy businesses in our midst, that were deliberately set up to take advantage of our liberal foreign currency exchange, there is no question in my mind about that!

Then it behooves us to believe that these entities masquerading here do not have Guyana's development at heart, they are simply here to plunder what we have fought so hard to buildup. For this reason, we need to become more alert to these developments taking place in our foreign currency market.

In this regard, The GRA needs to take a proactive role, the revenue authority needs to mount an investigation into the many corporations doing business here to ascertain legitimate ones, from those acting the role of dummy corporations. I am talking about those who were created to serve as a cover for other sinister activities such as using hard curren -

cy gleaned here, to foster the development of their investments in other countries; that is not allowed! Dummy entities such as these, have the negative effect of hemorrhaging our foreign capital. This cannot be allowed to continue, foreign currency bought in Guyana ought to be spent in Guyana or otherwise used for the furtherance of businesses here in Guyana, there is no other way. So, Guyana needs to have a firmer grip on its fiscal laws as it relates to "foreign companies" operating here, we need to become more conservative in the management of our finances. When you look at the way the developed countries handle its finances and the stringent methods applied to the operations of big companies, it shows how much we have to learn in meeting that goal. The time to get there is now!

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

Page Foundation

Percents and fractions

Since percents are ratios, you can change them to fractions. The denominator will be 100. The numerator will be the number in front of the percent sign.

BY KWAME DAWES

Bless my eyes this morning.

—Bob Marley, “So Much Trouble”

Marcus Garvey prophecize say “One mus’ live 10 miles away,” yeah. I-man satta at the mountain top, Watching Babylon burning red hot, red hot.

—Max Romeo, “War Ina Babylon”

Exercises: Remember…

Some fractions cannot be changed easily to percents. If 100 cannot be divided evenly by the fraction’s denominator, you will not be able to convert that fraction to a percent.

Convert the percent to a fraction and the fraction to a percent, reduce where possible.

In this fun and easy space science experiment, we’re going to show you how to make glow-in-the-dark constellations to investigate and explore.

NB: this experiment is not edible – do not consume

Materials:

Marshmallows

Toothpicks

Glow-in-the-dark paint

Ziplock bags

Chalk

Black construction paper

Wax paper

Instructions:

Sketch out your favourite constellation with your chalk on the black construction paper. You

can also print out an image of a constellation online and use this as your blueprint.

Determine how many stars are in your constellation. Put that number of marshmallows “stars” in the ziplock bag.

In a separate bowl, mix a few squirts of glow-in-the-dark paint with small amounts of water until the paint becomes watery.

Pour the paint and water solution into the bag with the marshmallows.

Gently work the marshmallows around until they are covered in paint. Try not to smash the marshmallows. Place the marshmallows on the wax paper to dry.

Once completely dry, use your constellation sketch or printout to build your constellation by connecting the marshmallows with toothpicks.

Once complete, take your new constellation into a dark area to enjoy or use a black light to really intensify the glow. You may also hang it from something with a piece of string.

How it works:

The toothpicks are used to hold the marshmallows in position to represent the constellations as we see them from Earth.

The glow-in-the-dark paint is used to make marshmallows glow to represent stars in the night sky.

Make this a science project:

This is essentially a STEM activity utilising engineering. Try building other structures (buildings, bridges, etc) with the toothpicks and marshmallows. (sciencefun.org)

It was the prophets and the seers, they were the ones who anointed my city holy—Kingston of dust and stone, Kingston haunted by the ghosts loitering in the pens, the enslaved and the enslavers, the homeless and lost, the flesh and stench of people who have not learned the language of futures of  hope.

Before the prophets and seers the city is a makeshift dwelling, a shelter for the exploiters and the exploited, a village of gutters and middens, where coins are exchanged, where blood is shed, where the dead are an inconvenience. It is words that construct the cathedrals of memory, how a boy, restless and seduced by the culturing of secrets growing in his mind, forgets the difference between words spoken and words rattling about in the soul’s case, a boy walking through lanes and alleys, only to arrive at familiar places, the empty cricket field, the deserted yards and classrooms of  his primary school, arriving there to stand still and listen to the birds, the hum of engines, the hollow echoing of memory, every desire, every revelation, the stories in books in the ticking library, the clandestine looks at the girls leaping over ropes, the vocabulary of love and lust and rejection. The wheezing boy, his nose stuffed with mucus, his skin tender with seething mosquito bites, his shoes worn down by the deformity of an old ankle wound, stands there considering the sky, considering the taste of green mangoes, considering the chaos of memory as if there may be a holy writ to be retained. Perhaps this terror of forgetting is the making of the prophet, the scribe who longs to name each street, each scent arriving and departing, this is where fear is fostered, and perhaps art is made. Until I heard the sound of reggae, psalming its apocalypse across this city,

WORD SEARCH:

Devastation from Hurricane Beryl

Daunting road ahead to rebuild Region's agriculture sectors – Pres Ali

…urges Caricom Task Force to meet with IICA, other agencies to aid islands

…as ‘25 by 2025’ plans significantly delayed

In the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl on the region, particularly on the agriculture sectors of various countries, which were seeking to achieve the ‘25 by 2025’ goal, President Dr Irfaan Ali has taken a key role in organising meetings between the Ministerial Task Force on Agriculture and international agencies, in order to trigger the rebuilding process.

Guyana is currently chairing the Caribbean Community (Caricom)

Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security, which has been driving the ‘25 by 2025’ ini-

gional farmers from an early stage.

This will ensure that farmers will be granted the necessary resources and support to rebuild. As a matter of fact, the president noted that he has asked the Chair of the Ministerial Task Force this week, to convene a meeting that will include IICA, as well as the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).

From these meetings, proposals can be made to the new Chairman of Caricom, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, whose country was actually one of those hit hardest by the hurricane.

sessment is heart wrenching, for our farmers. For our governments and to the people of these countries,” he explained.

“It is heart wrenching, because of the tremendous investment, policy commitments and budget support that was placed in the agricultural sector since 2020. Investment in infrastructure, water system, technology, farm support, farm to market infrastructure. Many of these countries would have lost these investments.”

The destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl on the region, has impacted not only the tourism industry but

tiative seeking to boost food production within the region to reduce food imports.

In a video address on Sunday, President Ali explained that as the lead head on agriculture in the region, he will be reaching out to multi-lateral institutions like the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for them to intervene and provide assistance to re-

Timing of hurricane

The head of state also expressed concern at the timing of Hurricane Beryl, since this is only the beginning of the Hurricane season and already, a number of islands have suffered devasting impacts from the disaster.

“I am tremendously concerned about the set back that hurricane Beryl would have, on the 25 by 2025 food security plan. The initial as-

also agriculture. According to him, hundreds of acres of agriculture produce have been destroyed in countries like Barbados.

“The initial assessment, on the impact of Beryl on the agricultural sector, not only shows that we have lost the years of hard work and investment, but the immediate damage to infrastructure, crops and livelihood from the agriculture and fisheries sector, is in the tens of millions

of dollars.”

“That’s a desktop initial review. It is important to note that Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Barbados. These were countries on track, mostly, to achieving the 25 by 2025 target set by themselves,” President Ali said.

According to President Ali, based on an assessment delivered, at his request, by the Chair of the Ministerial Task force, hurricane Beryl has completely wiped out the agriculture sectors in these countries.

Rebuilding

President Ali noted that both the initial and longterm costs of rebuilding in the wake of the hurricane, will be devasting. This is compounded by the fact that many long-term crops that were of a high yielding variety, have been damaged.

“The way in which we have to rebuild, is to keep resilience and sustainability. And I think the use of hydroponics and shade houses, immediately, will be critical. Because this can accelerate how much vegetables and crops and so on, we can put back on the market quickly, which would give the farmers shorter time lags in terms of getting back resources.”

“We’re also asking the Ministerial Task Force to look at the prices and price stability, to look at what are the critical commodities needed to negotiate with our neighbors. To have those commodities supplied, to keep the price of livestock (stable)… we have to ensure that the market forces does not add additional pressure especially on the lower income families.”

President Ali warned of the devastating impact that

inflation can have on the already beleaguered islands. He noted that one of the initial responses, meanwhile, will be getting food into these hurricane-hit islands.

“In the initial phase of dealing with the consequences of the hurricane, the quick fix now is to get more immediate food in. Whether its pasta, more grain products. So, we can also have the nutritional food value.”

cord-breaking wind speeds, causing massive destruction including loss of lives.

The latest update on the hurricane is that it is expected to make landfall in Texas, United States (US) today. This is after it would have battered the Caribbean and Mexico, leaving over 10 people dead and disrupting economies on the various small islands, from tourism to agriculture… in particular the 25 by 2025

Hurricane

Hurricane Beryl first made landfall on Monday last on Carriacou, an island in Grenada. Beryl reached a Category 5 hurricane status in the Atlantic on Monday, with peak winds of 165 mph (270 kph). In addition to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Beryl wreaked havoc in Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – countries with large Guyanese diasporas.

Over 38000 Guyanese residing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Barbados and Trinidad were reportedly affected by the devasting Hurricane Beryl, which continues to plough through the Caribbean with re-

goals that were first championed by Guyana and President Ali, before and during his Chairmanship of CARICOM in the first part of the year.

Vision 25 by 2025 aims for the Caribbean to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by the year 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions occur. And in light of this, the intention was to formulate a sense of food stability and security… country by country, with Guyana playing a key role in helping other countries achieve greater food security.

Joint plans with Guyana to open a food terminal in Barbados were among the regional initiatives to achieve food security. Seen here was the 2022 ribbon cutting for the terminal in St Lears, Barbados (file photo)

Some of the devastation left by Hurricane Beryl in Grenada

Omar Soloman (L) and Keysha Hill gather what is left of his shop after it was destroyed when Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 4, 2024 in Old Harbour, Jamaica (Joe Raedle, Getty Images)

Simone Francis gathers items from her home that were blown away as Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 4, 2024 in Old Harbor, Jamaica (Joe Raedle, Getty Images)

"Sir, is a ‘fine hustle’” – man caught with ganja tells cops

Pin the confiscation of sub -

amounts of mari -

The first incident un -

folded around 07:40h on Sunday morning in Islington Village, East Bank Berbice, when offi -

cers on mobile patrol noticed a suspicious individual near the sea wall. Upon approaching the 23-year-old man, police conducted a search. They found a bulky parcel locat -

ed over the seawall, containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The labourer of West Canje, Berbice, in a desperate attempt to mitigate his situation, reportedly pleaded with the officers, stating, "Sir, is a 'fine hustle' I doing, is about ten pounds, give me a chance." Despite his plea, law enforcement proceeded with his arrest and escorted him to the Central Police Station. The cannabis, meticulously weighed in his presence, amounted to a staggering 11.5 pounds.

He remains in custody pending charges.

In a related incident on Friday, police intercepted a vehicle driven by a 41-year-old of New Amsterdam, Berbice, on the Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

A search of the motor lorry, GAG 2438, revealed two bulky shopping bags in a toolbox under the vehicle. The bags contained 18 parcels filled with leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The driver, the lone occupant of the vehicle, claimed that "a Rastaman" had given him the bags to deliver to the "West side." He was arrested and taken to the Providence Police Station, where the suspected narcotics were weighed and confirmed to be 9.25 kilograms. He too remains in custody pending charges. (G9)

Nigel factor…

…in Britain

Well, we’ve had some time to digest the elections results in dear old Blighty which taught all we wanted to know about “democracy” – and quite a bit about hypocrisy, innit?? That’s right…what we do in public should NEVER offer a clue about what we do in private!! Gotta keep up the forms, don’t we?? So we saw the Labour Party steamroll all over the Conservatives (Tories) with 440 seats to the Tories 137 in a 660-seat House!! That’s just about two-thirds of the seats – and if Britain had a Constitution, they coulda changed it with a bump. Like their apt student Burnham did here back in the day!!

But when we look at the raw numbers we get a different story!! Labour actually only got 34% of the votes – yet collected 63% of the seats while the Tories snagged 24% of the votes for 19% of the seats!! But the most glaring gap between votes and seats was the performance of Reform UK – the right-wing Tory offshoot led by Nigel Farage - that had led the Brexit pullout!! They polled 14% of the votes yet got less than a measly 1% of the seats – 5!! That’s the very same situation that we faced back in the 1960s when our British overlords decided that the First Past the Post (FPTP) wasn’t fair to the PNC. They arbitrarily introduced PR and the rest – as they say – is history!! Well, over in Blighty, Nigel Farage – who’d fly out all immigrants to Rwanda, especially coloured ones –is protesting the same unfairness and want “electoral reform”!! He want a system just like us – a mix of FPTP and PR!! But you know that ain’t never gonna happen: what’s fair for the goose ain’t fair for the gander – and the gander just gotta lump it!! Now while most of the analysts are blaming Sunak’s handling of the economy for his terrible performance – the worst in the history of the Tories!! – a closer look is warranted.

Firstly, if Farage’s Reform UK’s votes hadn’t siphoned off so many votes from the Tories, the latter’s performance coulda been much more respectable – at least MORE popular votes than Labour (38% to 34%)!! But the Reform UK’s race-driven campaign – several of their activists had to be pulled up and pulled out for their racist statements!! – had to’ve played a big role in Sunak’s loss because of his race!! No one wants to talk about this. But back in the day – when Theresa May resigned and the Tories were looking around for a replacement – hadn’t the polls shown that while the Tory MPs wanted Sunak, the rank and file DIDN’T?? And that’s the dirty (not-so) secret that’s been swept beneath the British carpet!! Can’t say such things in public!!

…in Guyana

And in the meantime, while we gear up for elections that’s a year away, we in Mudland have our own Nigel factor!! The AFC been in turmoil since 2020 after they went along with the PNC Mingo-Rig. And are looking for a resurrection from the “Dead Meat” condition –predicted by Prophet-Leader Ramjattan back in 2015 – when he decided to tie the knot of political (unholy) matrimony with PNC/APNU!! And they’ve turned to Nigel Hughes as the man to levitate them out of their grave!!

Well, in these matters, Hughes woulda – or shoulda – known that a crucifixion’s part of the deal. While he doesn’t drop to the knees at the sight of a church – ANY church – and offer “ejaculations” like Granger did, he does appear to’ve been a choir boy back in his short-pants days!! Now if you think “ejaculations’ are blasphemous – please be informed it means "a short prayer, in which the mind is directed to God, on any emergency."

Let’s check Hughes’ palms!!

…in PNC

But what’s REALLY roiling local politics is Hughes’ vying for AFC’s leadership was joined at the hip to the notion of an Opposition “consensus candidate”. The PNC has retorted that such a being gotta be PNC!!

olice in Berbice have apprehended two individuals in separate incidents, resulting

stantial

juana.

The ganja that was found in Islington Village, Berbice

The ganja that was found at Bagotstown, EBD

Woman robbed of over $3.7M by motorcycle bandits

Awoman was robbed of over $3.7 million after withdrawing cash from a bank in Georgetown. The robbery was carried out by two men on a motorcycle on Friday afternoon.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, the victim recounted that the incident took place between 15:15h and 15:20h at the intersection of Independence Boulevard and Hunter Street, Georgetown.

She said that after leaving the city bank, she did some errands around Georgetown and was proceeding to her mechanic.

While on Hunter Street, she noticed a motorcycle with two men rode past her and the pillion rider reached into her car and snatched her bag through the partially opened window.

"I usually don’t wind my window down while I am driving. I only spotted them when they reached into the car to take the bag. I am doing some construction work on my house and I was going to take care of that. I didn’t take it for anything because I was seeing motorcycles passing me all the time," she said.

In an attempt to prevent the theft, the woman drove her car into the motorcycle,

causing the men to fall into a nearby trench. However, they quickly emerged from the trench, took the bag, and fled, abandoning the motorcycle with the license plate, CM 2659. The stolen items included $3.7 million; 100 Canadian dollars; US$200, a Samsung Galaxy Note 10 valued $120,000, a passport, a driver's license, a National Identification card, and other valuable items. She said that her late husband's wedding ring valued at $100,000 and a knuckle ring inscribed with "MC Rae," val-

ued at $600,000 were also in the bag.

The matter was reported to the Police and an investigation has been launched.

The victim is encouraging individuals who have information regarding the suspects' identities to step forward. If you possess any details that could aid in the investigation, please get in touch using one of these numbers: 602-6252, 6584343, 641-2156, or 6028996. Alternatively, persons can also contact the Ruimveldt Police Station. (G9)

CJIA processes over 6 million kg of

cargo in 2024 …represents 87% increase since 2020

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has seen a significant increase in the amount of cargo handled by the airport.

According to data released by the airport on Sunday, it handed an impressive 6,015,629 kilo -

grammes of cargo so far this year, marking an 87% increase from the 3,215,347 kilogrammes processed in 2020.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir attributes this growth to a strategic blend of factors, including expanded cargo operations by existing airlines. "These existing airlines have started to offer more frequent flights to manage the rising volume of goods," Ghir noted. "This enhanced capacity is vital in meeting the region's growing demand for efficient cargo transport."

Further, Ghir emphasised ongoing efforts to secure additional cargo capacity, underscoring CJIA's commitment to long-term expansion. By expanding its services, CJIA aims to effectively handle future increases in cargo activity.

Simultaneously, Guyana's burgeoning oil and gas sector has significantly contributed to cargo growth. The importation of essential equipment for exploration, drilling, and production activities necessitates a steady flow of air cargo.

As discussions continue for additional cargo capacity and with Guyana's key industries flourishing, CJIA is poised for sustained growth. This expansion not only benefits the airport but also plays a crucial role in facilitating Guyana's economic progress by facilitating the import and export of essential goods.

With discussions ongoing for additional cargo capacity and Guyana's key industries thriving, the airport is set for sustained growth, a release from CJIA said on Sunday.

The increase in cargo movement at CJIA is driven by Guyana's economic sectors, the airport said on Sunday, adding that the thriving agricultural industry, in particular, has increased the need for air cargo services to swiftly transport crops and agricultural products to international markets. This has resulted in a rise in outbound cargo flights transporting Guyana's agricultural produce globally.

The motorcycle that was used to carry out the robbery

The woman being robbed on Hunter Street, Georgetown

A cargo plane at CJIA

Unidentified woman found on Diamond Rd shot through head

olice are investi -

Pgating a suspected murder after the body of an unidentified woman was discovered on a road within the New Diamond Development Housing Scheme, East Bank of Demerara.

In a statement released on Sunday morning, Police confirmed that crucial details about the victim, including her age, nationality, and address, are currently unknown. The body was found lying on the road leading into the housing scheme, an area primarily under construction.

According to initial reports, employees of a local construction company

No increase in retail rice price – Agri Ministry

In response to recent reports suggesting a surge in retail prices for parboiled rice, the Agriculture Ministry has reassured consumers that prices have remained stable in recent months.

Based on comprehensive monthly market surveys conducted by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) in various regions, it has been established that prices for parboiled rice have not seen any notable fluctuations. For the period spanning May to June 2024, the price of parboiled rice stood consistently at $2180 per 10 kg sack. Similarly, white rice prices remained unchanged at $1960 per 10 kg over the same period.

This stability has been affirmed by rice millers, who have confirmed their commitment to maintaining current price levels. They have emphasised their efforts to uphold price stability despite any external pressures.

Data from the surveys indicates that there is an adequate supply of rice within the market, ensuring that consumers continue to have access to this essential staple food.

The Agriculture Ministry in a statement has underscored its dedication to safeguarding the affordability of rice for all consumers while supporting the economic sustainability of rice farmers. Officials emphasised the critical balance needed to

sustain the agricultural sector and meet the nutritional needs of the population.

In response to the reports of price increases, the Ministry expressed concern that these may be driven by misleading information spread by a few individuals seeking to disrupt market stability. They assured the public that the Guyana Marketing Corporation will intervene as necessary to enforce price stability measures nationwide.

Moreover, the ministry, through the GRDB, will intensify its monitoring of rice prices across the country to promptly address any irregularities that may arise.

stumbled upon the scene while traveling to refuel an excavator being used for bridge construction in the vicinity. The woman was found lying face down on the roadway. The workers informed the police, who went to the scene.

At the time of discovery, the deceased was dressed in a white jersey with a female photograph, black

jeans, and black pumps. She bore a distinctive butterfly tattoo on her right arm, and her head was found in a pool of blood.

Detectives recovered a 9mm spent shell casing approximately ten feet from where the victim lay, along with a cell phone in close proximity to her body. An examination revealed a gunshot wound at

the back of her head, indicating murder.

The body has since been transported to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits formal identification and a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, investigators are pursuing leads to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.

(G9)

Motorcyclist dies in collision on Corentyne Highway

Acollision between a motorcycle and a car has resulted in the death of 24-year-old Simeon Munroe of Ulverston Village, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The incident occurred at about 01:30h on Sunday.

According to reports, the motorcyclist was traveling westward along the Corentyne Highway on motorcycle, CL 8946, when the driver of a car, traveling in the opposite direction, allegedly swerved into Munroe’s lane after attempting to avoid a cow crossing the road.

Eyewitnesses recount that Munroe, not wearing a

helmet, was unable to evade the sudden obstruction and collided first with the cow and then with the car. The impact threw Munroe off his motorcycle, leaving him critically injured.

Emergency services

rushed to the scene and transported Munroe to Port Mourant Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the medical facility.

Police did a breathalyser test on the car’s driver- who is also a policeman – which returned a zero reading for alcohol consumption. The driver has been detained to aid in the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

This incident marks the latest in a series of road fatalities plaguing Region Six this year, with 14 reported deaths thus far, 11 of which involved motorcyclists.

Dead: Simeon Munroe

PAC looking to boost powers, moves to Parliament to legally summon witnesses

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is tasked with examining Auditor General reports on public finance but has long grappled with various witnesses not showing up to the hot seat, is expected to soon be able to legally compel witnesses to come before it.

PAC Chairman and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira, will be moving a motion during today’s 83rd sitting of the National Assembly that will seek to empower PAC as a legislative body as defined by the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act.

Currently, the PAC does not have this designation and therefore cannot summon persons to appear before the committee. What the PAC has been doing is writing to witnesses requesting their presence, with the assistance of the Parliamentary Office in reaching out to these persons.

The motion states that “WHEREAS, the Committee for the purpose of examining the Accounts of entities, is required to invite persons to produce books, plans, or documents, to aid in the work of the Committee; AND WHEREAS on occasions, some persons are reluctant to appear before the Committee, thus affecting the work of the Committee; AND WHEREAS the Public Accounts Committee is desirous of summoning persons to appear before the Committee to explain the use of Public Funds during their tenure.”

“BE IT RESOLVED: That the Public Accounts

Committee be deemed a legislative body, as defined in the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act, Chapter 2 of 2012, with the power to summon persons to appear before the Committee, to produce books, plans, or documents, to aid in the work of the Committee.”

When contacted, Figueira was confident that the motion would receive bipartisan support today in the National Assembly since both sides of the PAC have already acknowledged the need for the committee to be able to summon witnesses, as well as the current deficiencies where it concerns PAC’s status under the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act.

“It was discussed to great extent within the public accounts committee. We had the buy in of both government and opposition. So, it was agreed upon to send it to the house. The PAC, collectively, accepted that there is need for that and agreed for us to put such a motion in.”

“Actually, it was one

of the government members, Sanjeev Datadin, who brought it to our attention that the PAC essentially doesn’t have the summoning powers. And having that brought to our attention, we sought the advice of the Clerk, since there were different views on the interpretation.”

Figueira noted that the advice of Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC., were also sought on the matter. According to the Chairman, it is thus from these bipartisan efforts that the motion was birthed.

Reports

Figueira will also be moving another motion today, this time for the PAC’s report on the examination of the 2017 and 2018 Auditor General reports, to be adopted by the National Assembly.

These two reports had been merged in 2021 and examined the next year, as a result of the backlog of several years the PAC is currently in. In fact, the committee is currently examining AG re-

Labourer killed during row over motorcycle

A25-year-old labourer was killed during an altercation over a motorcycle on Sunday evening.

Trevoltor Mangal was stabbed to death by three men at around 19:00h on Park Street, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD)

According to police, Mangal’s mother, Nalanie Chand, a 61-year-old housewife of Gandhi Street, Enterprise, told investigators that her son had left home at about 17:00h wearing a cream-colored jersey and short brown pants.

Approximately 90 minutes later, Mangal entered a bar on Park Street where he purchased a beer and sat outside.

Witnesses report that shortly after Mangal’s arrival, three men, known frequent customers of the bar, began a game of pool. An argument reportedly ensued

between Mangal and one of the men over a motorcycle. Mangal reportedly left the bar, and the three men followed him.

Residents standing in front of PlayLand Restaurant in Enterprise told police that they observed the three men chasing Mangal from the southern direction. A scuffle ensued, but Mangal man-

aged to break free and ran east through Forbes Street towards the bar, with the men in pursuit. Mangal then stood in front of the bar and called out to the bartender before collapsing.

The suspects fled the scene upon seeing Mangal collapse. A police mobile anti-crime patrol arrived shortly after and transported Mangal, who was unconscious, to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Upon examination, a single stab wound to the chest was discovered. Mangal was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending doctor.

The body is currently at the GPHC awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing as several individuals have been questioned, leading to the identification of the suspects. However, the suspects are yet to be apprehended. (G9)

ports from the year 2019.

In his 2019 report, the Auditor General had flagged some cases in Region Five

where payment vouchers had mismatched bill and requisition dates. In others, $22.7 million worth of bills were not cancelled after being paid, a situation that would result in duplicate payments. Another finding that was examined last year by the PAC, was that the sum of $115.9 million was still unreconciled on the books of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).

In February of this year, officials from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) had been grilled by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as to why $131 million worth of cheques were cut and kept on hand, despite the work that was earmarked to be

done and paid for not being carried out. This too had been flagged in the 2019 report.

During a PAC sitting in April, confusion regarding what happened to $111.5 million that was supposed to go towards procuring drugs in Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), prompted calls from the committee for a special investigation into drug procurement in other regions as well.

The Ministry of Health would again make headlines during a PAC sitting last month, when the PAC probed why as much as $306 Million worth of outstanding health supplies were paid for between 2015 and 2017, but millions of dollars in goods were not delivered. (G3)

1 dead in Mazaruni River boat collision

Tragedy struck on the Mazaruni River near BK Quarries Inc, late Friday night when two boats collided, resulting in the death of one individual.

The incident occurred around 23:50h.

Dead is Oswald Hudson Jr, also known as ‘Sadie’, of Lot 1 First Avenue, Bartica. Investigations reveal that Shavez Thomas, 29, a boat captain from Itaballi Landing, was returning home from Bartica with a passenger in his wooden boat, powered by a 200-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine.

Meanwhile, Oswald Hudson Sr, 60, also a boat cap-

tain and resident of Lot 1 First Avenue, Bartica, was traveling from Itaballi Landing to Bartica. He was accompanied by five passengers, including two minors and his son, Oswald Jr, in his wooden boat powered by a 75-horsepower Yamaha engine.

Reports indicate that Thomas’s boat was equipped with lights, and all passengers were wearing life jackets. Despite this, the two boats collided head-on, sending all occupants into the water.

Local residents quickly responded, using their boats to rescue six individuals from the river. They were taken to Third Avenue Beach, where

further assistance was provided before transporting them to Bartica Regional Hospital.

The survivors are currently receiving medical. However, Oswald Jr, 29, a driver, was not recovered at the scene, and both boats sank due to extensive damage.

On Saturday morning his body was found floating near the Mazaruni Prison. It was retrieved and taken to Bartica Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Upon examination, a gaping wound was observed on his forehead and left knee. His body is now at the Memorial Funeral Home.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the accident.

File photo: a sitting of PAC in 2023

Dead: Trevoltor Mangal

Dead: Oswald Hudson Jr

The boats that collided in the Mazaruni River

11-year-old battling muscular dystrophy excels in NGSA exams

Aperson living with a disability are words that does not fit in the vocabulary of 11-year-old Shivkumar Jaggernauth, former student of Mahaicony Primary School as he effortlessly overcomes his diagnosis of muscular dystrophy, securing 485.79 marks at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) earning a spot at St Joseph High School.

Speaking with Guyana Times his mother, Devitri Jaggernauth spoke of a series of challenging experiences that led to Shivkumar’s ultimate destiny, courageously overcoming them one after the other.

According to Jaggernauth, her son’s journey has been marked by his illness, which has confined him to a wheelchair since 2020 which brought many hurdles in his path.

"My son was diagnosed with a rare disease for which I was told there was no cure. However, I kept my hope and trust in God that treatment would be available soon. His sickness caused him to be in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop us from moving forward. I was determined because I see the potential he has," she expressed with resilience in her voice.

Despite the challenges of her son being unable to walk, he was always ready to pursue his academic goals.

Jaggernauth relat-

…as mother pays over $4M yearly to fight his illness

ed that she spent significant amounts of money on Shivkumar's treatment just to see her son feel well.

"I spent nearly $4 million last year on his treatment, and I have to spend the same amount this year. He already completed his fourth dose this year and is awaiting his second dose. Having this treatment should enable him to go forth with his daily life and continue his studies," she stated.

Jaggernauth, who also has health issues revealed the emotional and physical toll the journey has taken on both of them whilst he was in primary school and exams were approaching.

She stated that God has been a fundamental factor in both their journeys as she was always encouraged to keep pushing.

"He cried every day, and knowing I have health issues, I hid my pain and took medication just to keep going. And he made it through," she said.

Meanwhile, Shivkumar's weakness in his arms frequently led to his exclusion from classroom activities, creating numerous barriers in his life.

"Even though the officer from the region [Education Office] asked me to be part of the classroom as an attending worker, the teacher

refused to accept me there to assist my son. He had to struggle his way through on his own in class,” the mother recalled.

Shivkumar’s mother, who would constantly juggle through series of turmoil that would rise up in his life relayed that when he entered Grade 5, the said teacher who remains unidentified was reportedly treating him poorly, constantly refusing to teach him though he always had a record of scoring high in exams.

However, this did not pose a threat to little the 11year old’s academic skills as he continued to defy all odds.

On the day of the exam, he bottled up all of his bad experiences and turned it into a positive one.

This, his mother said, her being filled with unimaginable joy upon hearing his marks which served as a testament to God’s unfailing spurt to her and her son.

“I was very happy and emotional at the same time, I never thought I could have screamed so loud with joy when I heard the marks that my son got.”

She added, "I was very scared and wondered if my son's paper was being tampered with, but God is good and great. I am very thankful for his score, even though my son was emotionally damaged by his class teacher. His attendance was very

poor, and because of all the challenges, I had to give up my job and teach him at home for almost three months."

Not only did Shivkumar have a high score in the NGSA exams but he was also well-prepared and topped his last mock exam, gaining third position in the NGSA exam.

Meanwhile in a pursuit to steadfastly provide for her beloved son, Mrs Jaggernauth has appealed for assistance.

"I will be very grateful if I can get some assistance from the ministry to continue with his treatment and education," Jaggernauth requested.

Special needs officer

It was highlighted that a significant support to the Jaggernauths has been Akiesha Benjamin, the special needs officer from the region.

"If it wasn't for her, I would have given up a long time ago. She stood up and fought for my son, ensuring he received the education he is entitled to. She made it clear that there is a disability policy and had pushed for the classroom to be downstairs. Without her, we wouldn't have made it through," Jaggernauth expressed with gratitude.

When asked about her son’s future goals as he proceeds into this new stage in his life, she relayed that his biggest goal yet is to become a pilot.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.

There are many kinds of muscular dystrophy. Symptoms of the most common variety begin in childhood, mostly in boys. Other types do not surface until adulthood.

Though there are no cure yet for muscular dystrophy, medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease. (G2)

Youths encouraged to participate in cooperative societies

…“these avenues help you to meet your customers directly” – entrepreneur

Youths from across Guyana are being urged to take part in co-operative societies, this call was made by the Chief Cooperative’s Development Officer, Janaknauth Panchu on Saturday during this year’s Co-operatives Market Day, hosted at the Labour Ministry’s tarmac.

Panchu noted that the current co-operative societies’ demographic is made up primarily of adults. On this point he called for youths to participate more in co-operative societies noting that these societies have numerous benefits that will solve some of the everyday hurdles faced by youths such as employment.

“We are hoping to have the youths becoming involved, because there is so much potential in being in a co-operative society, lots of potential and they are youths that may be unemployed. If they get into a corp or form a corp they could benefit economically and improve their whole life,” Panchu posited.

Moreover, he highlighted that Labour Ministry in collaboration with the Legal Affairs Ministry have issued 40 no objection letters to the Housing Ministry for the processing of land titles. These titles will be given to the members involved in the housing co-operative society.

Meanwhile the co-operatives Market Day saw several small businesses showcasing their products and services to members of the public.

One business owner, Abigail John, a young business owner from Buxton, East Coast Demerara who operates a local wine production business (Propa Local Wines) highlighted that the winemaking craft was introduced to her by her uncle. As such the woman noted that she has been practicing the craft for six years however, last year she decided to branch off from operating under her uncle’s business and decided to establish her own, she further thanked the Labour Ministry for giving her a platform to further expand her enterprise.

“This is my first time here at the Ministry of Labour farmers market so I am very optimistic about the outcome. It is a welcomed initiative and I will always support all farmers market,” she stated.

Radhika Basdeo, the owner of Basdeo Agroprocessing highlighted that she wanted to add value to the crops produced on her family’s farm in this regard.

Basdeo also commended the ministry for conducting their annual market day. She further noted that the initiative promotes small businesses and helps bolsters customer relationships with manufacturers.

“These avenues help you to meet your customers directly because when you distribute to a supermarket or a daily market you don’t actually meet your direct customers, so these initiatives makes your reach your direct customers,” she stated.

This year’s Cooperatives Market Day saw the participation of more than twenty (20) co-operative societies, small busi-

nesses and agencies. These include the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union (GPSCCU), Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Bath Agricultural Development Co-operative Society, Vergenoegen Agricultural Producers Co-operative Society, Yarrowkabra Coal Burners Association, Marfriends Land Co-operative Society, East Berbice Aquaculture Co-operative Society, D's Body Therapy, Maliyah's Kitchen, Dixie's Punch De Creme, Jofa, Basdeo's

Dynasty, and Leisa's Salon and Beauty Products, among others. Market Day serves as a platform for agricultural and producer co-operatives, as well as public and private sector agencies, including small businesses, to showcase their products and services, and attract more customers. In a similar vein, it allows persons to purchase a wide range of items from vegetables and fruits to plants and craft, at an attractive price.

Shivkumar Jaggernauth

Mother of Shivkumar Jaggernauth, Devitri Jaggernauth

Chief Cooperatives Development Officer Janaknauth Panchu

Propa Local Wine products

Basdeo Agro Processing

Tamarind Achar

2 missing while swimming at Unity Beach

…“I searched, but couldn't find them” – teen friend

The shores of Unity Beach, Mahaica, became the center of a frantic search effort on Sunday night as law enforcement officials including the Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and community members united in hopes of finding two missing youths, who disappeared while swimming yesterday evening.

Navin Seenauth, 20, and Daniel Boodram, 17, both residents of Unity Village, ventured into the waters with another 17-year-old friend to swim. According to the teen, who does not know how to swim, the trio encountered rough conditions with heavy waves shortly after entering the water.

"I got out after about 30 minutes when the water reached my chest," Deonarine recounted, adding, “when I looked back, Navin and Daniel weren't there. I searched but couldn't find them."

Following his unsuccessful search, the teen hurried back to Unity Village to alert residents, prompting an immediate search.

Speaking from the scene, Minister Benn emphasised the collaborative nature of the operation. "This is a critical time for the community of Unity Village. We urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Navin and

Daniel to come forward," Minister Benn stated. "Our priority is to locate these young men and support their families during this difficult period."

The Home Affairs Ministry has assured the public that all resources necessary for the search and rescue operation are being mobilised, with the community's involvement playing a crucial role. He noted that the Coast Guard will be deployed at first light to assist in the search efforts.

Despite recent flooding in some area communities in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Regional Chairman David Armogan has said that rice cultivation has remained largely unaffected.

Armogan, who was at the time addressing the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), at its recent statutory meeting pointed out that there is an expansion of rice cultivation in the region.

Additionally, in providing an update on rice cultivation within the region he noted that new lands are now under rice cultivation on the East Bank of Berbice.

The recent floods he assured did not affect rice cultivation.

“It has affected to some extent the cash crops but not so much the rice crop. The good news is that the Government of Guyana through the President had allocated a few machines to the East Bank of Berbice to clear lands that were idle over the last ten to fifteen years. So, almost 15,000 acres of new lands are now under rice cultivation in the East Bank of Berbice area. That would take us to 66,000 acers of land un -

David

der rice cultivation in the region,” the chairman told the RDC.

He also informed the RDC that the government through the Agriculture Ministry will be building 100 shade houses for female farmers in the Crabwood Creek area for them to cultivate pepper.

“There is a big market for pepper in the Caribbean and so the President wants those farmers in the Crabwood Creek area to focus a lot on pepper. There is also a processing plant in Black Bush Polder and they are not getting enough peppers to run their factory because the farmers in Black Bush focus on rice and a little bit of cash crop.”

Shade houses are also being promoted in schools with five schools benefiting from the project last year.

“This year we are not doing any, so next year we will be building some shade houses in the farming communities.”

One of the communities he said that would be targeted is Mara on the East Bank of Berbice. This he said might be able to bring down the prices for agricultural commodities.

“The prices of agricultural commodities in the market have gone up a little bit and so we will have to work towards bringing down those prices that are presently pretty high in some of the market places,”

Govt seeking to help secure permanent housing for Sarah Johanna squatters …after

eviction from private property

Following the dismantling of their homes on Friday, some relief is on the horizon for the seven displaced families at Sarah Johanna, East Bank of Demerara. Temporary shelters will be made available to them starting tomorrow.

Minister with -

in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, on Saturday met with the squatters who were residing on private lands aback the community, where he pledged the government’s support.

TO PAGE 16

Rice cultivation thrives despite floods; new lands developed – Region 6 Chair

the Chairman said. Zeroing on rice, the regional chairman expressing optimism about the ongoing growth in rice cultivation. “Things are expanding,” he said, reflecting the region's progress in agriculture.

He pointed out that there are still a percentage of the previous crop still to be harvested.

That rice still has a few more weeks before it is ready for harvesting.

“They planted very late. They don’t listen. We have always set out a time table for planting and for reaping. Some people decide that they will plant at any time. If you plant at any

time then you are at risk when the rains begin to fall, your crop could spoil; that is a risk that they are prepared to take,” the chairman explained to reporters after the RDC meeting.

He pointed out that when farmers go into the crop outside of the recommended planting schedule, apart from the farmer’s paddy being ready to reap during the rainy season; it impacts the regional administration and waste resources.

“It impacts us because we have to pump water just for them because if the rain doesn’t fall, then we have to be able to pump water for

irrigation purposes and so we spend more money on fuel.”

Typically, when the crop is starting if there is not enough rainfall, the regional administration pumps water from the Canje River to ensure that water levels in the cultivation area are kept high enabling farmers to pump water into their fields to flood them.

As the rice grows, they require less water and by harvesting time the farmers require the land to be dry and hard so that it can accommodate the combines. Late planters disrupt the routine and also affect other rice farmers. (G4)

Regional Chairman

Armogan addressing the RDC at its recent statutory meeting

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn speaking to relatives and residents at Unity Beach, Mahaica

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy on Saturday evening visited the community where he engaged with the affected families (DPI photo)

“We want to help Guyanese people” – Humanity First Guyana

Following the grand donation of $1 million from Prime Minister Mark Phillips last month, Humanity First Guyana (NGO) has expressed its willingness to provide relief to Guyanese fleeing Caribbean countries stricken by Hurricane Beryl.

This information was revealed by Chairman of Humanity First Guyana, Maqsood Mansoor, during an interview with Guyana Times.

He told this publication that this aid would include hampers and other essential supplies.

“Our main plan is to work on Guyanese, especially with that donation because it came from the Government of Guyana, so we want to spend back on Guyanese, that's our main goal,” Maqsood stated.

“Definitely, we can help them with food hampers and, you know, maybe some of the basic supplies, we can try to help them, definitely. Anybody who will approach us, we will never say no, our ongoing programmes are like food hampers and supplies, for community programmes or sometimes we provide sports gear to different communities, prison, you know, or children or school supplies.”

Meanwhile he added that as their programmes are set to roll out, Guyanese

in need can fit into them, and they are not reluctant to provide help.

“If anybody asks us, you know, for any help, it is from within these programmes, we can immediately help them. We have programs scheduled to run throughout the year, so I can immediately help them.”

Maqsood also emphasised that this donation from the government is set to fuel their ongoing plans which are already scheduled to run throughout the year.

“Yeah, we already have activities planned, so it will help us in those. So, that donation would enhance

the plans that are already established exactly. So, all those programmes that I said, like food programme, food hamper distribution, feeding kids, school children or supporting youth groups in the community by providing sports gear, by providing school supplies to children or medical outreaches, these are our main activities. We even help the orphanage, right, provide cleaning supplies to different orphanages. So, all those activities will benefit from 1 million dollars.”

This substantial donation is set to significantly bolster Humanity First Guyana’s efforts in provid-

ing critical support and relief to those in need, particularly focusing on the nation’s youth and other vulnerable group

Beryl has killed at least nine people. Over 38,000 Guyanese residing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and Trinidad are reportedly affected by the devasting hurricane, which continues to plough through the Caribbean with record-breaking wind speeds, causing massive destruction including loss of lives.

According to information provided by Guyana’s Diaspora Unit, an estimated 20,000 Guyanese in

Barbados; 30,000 to 35,000 in Trinidad, and about 3000 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were affected. Further, damage assessments are ongoing in all the affected countries and humanitarian efforts are being continuously mobilised.

A preliminary report prepared by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) indicated that over 3000 persons from Union Island alone in St. Vincent and the Grenadines were displaced. In addition to this, the roof of the Union Island airport was destroyed along with the main control tower at the facility.

Recently, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips made a financial contribution of $1 million to Humanity First

Guyana, a local non-profit organisation dedicated to humanitarian efforts. The donation was officially presented to the Chair of Humanity First Guyana, Fahd Peerzada, last Tuesday, at the Office of the Prime Minister on Camp Street. Humanity First Guyana is a branch of Humanity First International, a United Kingdom-based non-profit organisation established in 1995 with the mission of promoting and protecting human life and dignity worldwide. In addition to providing urgent disaster relief, the organisation focuses on long-term sustainable development programmes in Guyana, including initiatives in healthcare, education, clean water access, vocational training, and orphan care.

Humanity First Guyana Chairman Maqsood Mansoor receiving a donation from Prime Minister Mark Phillips

New Foreign Secretary wants to reset UK-EU ties

David Lammy’s whirlwind first trip as foreign secretary, organised at very short notice, is not about instant results or even brave new horizons.

It is all about perception - the appearance of a new, vigorous administration, determined to hit the ground running, brimming with goodwill towards some of the UK’s most important partners.

After an evening spent with his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbockthe two found time to watch a few minutes of England’s European Championship quarter-final - Lammy’s tour moved to the bucolic surroundings of the country estate of Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorsky.

After a couple of hours of talks, it was back on the plane for a short flight north to one of Nato’s newest members, Sweden.

Why Germany, Poland and Sweden?

Partly because of Ukraine. Along with Britain, all three countries play important roles in sustaining Kyiv’s war effort. With the new Defence Secretary John Healey on the ground in Odesa, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government is keen to

stress that the UK’s commitment to Ukraine will remain rock solid.

Following a meeting with President Zelensky and his counterpart Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, Healey said the UK would provide more artillery guns, a quarter-of-amillion ammunition rounds and nearly 100 precision Brimstone missiles.

"There may have been a change in government, but the UK is united for Ukraine," he said, promising to "reinvigorate" support via increased military aid.

He also pledged to fasttrack the reinforcements to ensure they arrive with the

next 100 days.

“We want to double down on our commitment to Ukraine,” Lammy said, as dragonflies swooped over a tranquil lake and a pair of majestic eagles circled overhead.

France, in the midst of its own election - one which seems destined to have far-reaching consequences - was not on the itinerary. Not this weekend.

No stop in Brussels, either. Sir Keir has said the UK will not return to the EU “in my lifetime”.

But Poland and Sweden are both key European partners and fellow Nato members - good places for the foreign secretary to

European leaders gather at Blenheim Palace on 18 July for the next meeting of the European Political Community (established by Emmanuel Macron in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), “the new spirit of co-operation will be on show”. The trip comes just days before Sir Keir takes his own first steps on the international stage as prime minister, at the Nato summit in Washington DC.

start exploring the outlines of closer future relations.

“I want to reset both our bilateral relationship and our relationship with the European Union,” Lammy said, adding a reference to Labour’s still rather nebulous pledge to strike a new EU-UK security pact.

Meanwhile, on a visit to Edinburgh on Sunday, the prime minister said work was already under way to improve the UK's relationship with the EU.

He said his government "can get a much better deal than the botched deal that Boris Johnson saddled the UK with".

Lammy said that when

These are tricky times to be shoring up relationships, with France taking a lurch to the right and the US possibly on the verge of returning the unpredictable Donald Trump to office.

Lammy agreed this was a “tough geopolitical moment”, but said it was important not to confuse disagreements between mature democracies with the threats posed by authoritarian regimes.

“I am concerned when I see Iranian drones turning up in Ukraine,” he said.

“I am concerned when I see shells from North Korea being used here on European soil.

"And of course I'm concerned with the partnership that I see Russia brokering across those authoritarian states.”

Other issues hang heavy over the new foreign secretary’s first trip, in particular the war in Gaza. In Germany on Saturday, Lammy spoke to the need to strike a “more balanced approach to Israel-Gaza”. It is not clear exactly what he meant, but with ceasefire talks apparently poised to resume, finding a way to end the Gaza war and revive the Arab-Israeli peace process seems destined to consume a large amount of diplomatic time in the coming months.

For his part, Lammy’s famously anglophile host said the relatively new Polish government shared something in common with the incoming Starmer administration.

Both, Sikorski said, were “the product of the public being tired with enthusiasts on the nationalist side of politics” - a remark which perhaps only partially reflected the true nature of last week’s general election.

Sikorski said he looked forward to “a more pragmatic approach” from Britain to its relationship with Europe and said the two ministers had discussed “some creative ideas of how to further that”. (BBC)

Govt seeking to help secure...

McCoy noted that the dismantling complied with a court order obtained by the landowner. “The bailiffs, accompanied by police, came yesterday, and seven homes were demolished, which affected about 30 persons, including children. The key thing here is to ensure that the children and the adults are being taken care of. We are working to make sure that they can have temporary shelter arrangements,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

He added that the government will continue working to secure permanent housing for the squatters.

Bringing greater context to the issue, McCoy recalled that in 2020 the gov-

ernment, recognising that many of these squatters have been residing in the area for decades, met with them, and sought to provide some relief. A list of residents was compiled and persons were encouraged to apply for house lots at the Ministry of Housing and Water.

“Those who occupied lands were offered lands in 2021, and we have to look at the list and be able to work with the families here to move into their own homes,” McCoy said.

However, he highlighted that the issue is further complicated by new squatters who were not included on the original list compiled during the government’s

visit. “Some people constructed homes, moved from the area, and are renting to others. The situation is as well, people have moved in here subsequent to that compilation of the families that existed at the time we were here. So people were added to the squatting situation, so it complicated the issue,” he explained

“As a government, we are not in any way, shape or form subscribing to the squatting on private property, but the reality is that their situation drove them to do what they did and we have to find a way to help the families get into a place that they can at least minimally call their own,” the minister added.

David Lammy (right) held talks with Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorsky

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine

Fam meD/enDocrinology/ DiabeTes

Lower back pain is widespread. It usually develops due to overuse or a minor injury, but sometimes there may be no obvious cause. Lower back pain can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Lower back pain may appear suddenly or gradually and can range from a dull ache to intense, sharp pain. In some people, the pain may be chronic.

CAUSES

Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains are a

gaging in low-impact activities such as walking may help prevent the back muscles from becoming too tight.

Herniated or ruptured discs

Receiving a forceful impact on the back may cause spinal damage in the form of herniated or ruptured discs. Possible causes of this can include falls, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries. Back pain usually occurs almost immediately after the injury. Other symptoms may include tingling and numbness that radiates down the legs.

Treatment

The treatment options will depend on the type and severity of the injury. A person may be able to treat minor injuries at home with rest, ice, OTC pain relievers, and gentle stretching.

For people with more severe injuries, a doctor may recommend physical therapy, prescription medications, pain management procedures, or surgery.

Infections

Spinal infections can occur

HEALTH TIPS

LOWER BACK PAIN

Treatment depends on the cause but may include taking antibiotics or antifungal medications. For people with severe infections, a doctor may recommend surgery to relieve pressure on the spine and drain the infected area.

Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs between the spinal vertebrae begin to wear down. These discs act as protective cushions, so when they degenerate, the vertebrae may start rubbing against

common cause of lower back pain. A sprain occurs when a person overstretches or tears a ligament while doing the same to a tendon or muscle causing a strain. Back sprains and strains can result from overuse, sports injuries, twisting awkwardly, or lifting something too heavy or improperly. The symptoms of back sprains or strains can include tenderness, swelling, and muscle spasms.

Treatment

A person can often treat back sprains and strains at home with rest, ice packs, and over the counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and Diclofenac.

Gently stretching and en-

when infections from other parts of the body travel to the spine. They can also develop following injuries or spinal surgery, or as a complication of conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and HIV.

Some examples of spinal infections include vertebral osteomyelitis, an infection of the spinal bones, and a spinal epidural abscess, an infection that develops in the protective membranes around the spinal cord.

Symptoms of a spinal infection vary depending on their exact cause. They may include severe back pain or swelling, flushing, and tenderness in the back.

Treatment

each other, which can cause back pain. This pain may worsen with bending, twisting, and lifting but improve with walking or moving.

Treatment

According to the Arthritis Foundation, treatment options for degenerative disc disease include:

• Trying physical and occupational therapy

• Maintaining a healthy weight taking pain medications Surgery.

Arthritis

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This form commonly affects

the lower back and causes symptoms including stiffness and pain. Healthcare professionals do not know exactly what causes the condition, but some people may be more likely to develop it, such as older individuals.

Treatment

Doctors typically recommend non-surgical treatments for osteoarthritis, including: Maintaining a healthy weight

• Taking anti-inflammatory medications

• Epidural steroid injection

• Physical therapy and certain exercises

• Osteoporosis

People with osteoporosis are more likely to experience vertebral compression fractures due to weak and brittle bones. These fractures can cause lower back pain. Osteoporosis typically affects older individuals.

Treatment

Doctors may recommend a person wear a brace to support any fractures while they heal. Additionally, to treat an osteoporotic compression fracture, a healthcare professional may recommend vertebroplasty. This involves injecting cement into the broken bone to stabilize it and reduce pain.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of a person’s spine. It is a form of arthritis. People with this condition commonly experience stiffness and pain in their lower back. However, symptoms can vary between individuals.

Treatment

Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Steroid injections

Biologic medications Janus kinase (JAK)

inhibitors

• Physical therapy

Surgery to repair or replace joints

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can place pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. Older adults are more likely to develop this condition, but it can affect anyone.

Symptoms of spinal stenosis can include:

• sciatica lower back pain difficulty walking

• numbness or weakness in one or both legs

Treatment

At-home treatments for spinal stenosis can include OTC pain relievers and exercises to strengthen the back muscles and improve mobility. For people with more severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend steroid injections, medication for neuropathic pain, nerve block procedures, or surgery.

Facet joint damage

The facet joints help to keep the vertebrae together. Vertebrae are the bones that make up a person’s spine. Damage to the facet joints can cause lower back pain and may lead to facet joint disease. This condition typically results from osteoarthritis but may also occur due to sports injuries or other accidents.

Treatment

Treatment for facet joint damage depends on the underlying cause. However, it may involve taking anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and radiofrequency ablation.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that can cause uneven shoulders and hips. The condition tends to affect children from the age of 11, often just before they have a growth spurt. However, scoliosis can develop at any age.

Children with scoliosis are more likely to develop lower back pain as an adult.

• Treatment Treatment depends on the extent of the curvature and the person’s age. It might be beneficial for a child to wear a special back brace while they are still growing, as this may help prevent further curving of the spine. In adults, treatment may involve pain medications and exercises to improve flexibility and posture. A doctor may recommend surgery for children or adults with severe scoliosis. A common surgical approach to scoliosis is spinal fusion, wherein a surgeon fuses two or more vertebrae to straighten the spine.

• Sciatica from other causes Sciatica causes sharp back pain that radiates through the buttocks and down into the legs. It occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed due to other causes like spinal stenosis or arthritis.

Additional symptoms can include numbness or burning and tinging sensations that run down the leg. Symptoms may get worse when a person moves, sneezes, or coughs.

Treatment

A person can often treat mild symptoms at home with rest, ice, and OTC pain relievers. For more severe symptoms, a doctor may recommend steroid injections or surgery.

Other causes

Lower back pain can sometimes also be a symptom of conditions that do not relate directly to the back. Some other possible causes of lower back pain can include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Endometriosis

Fibromyalgia

• Kidney stones

• Pregnancy

Cancer

There is not always an obvious cause of lower back pain, and it often gets better on its own.

However, a person should see a doctor for lower back pain that is severe, does not seem to be getting better, or occurs alongside other concerning symptoms, such as tingling or numbness down the legs.

People with lower back pain should seek immediate medical attention if they are experiencing any symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. A doctor can help a person identify potential causes of lower back pain and recommend appropriate treatment.

Regional Argentina's Milei rails against socialism in 1st visit to Brazil as President

Javier Milei, making his first visit to Brazil as Argentina's President, attacked socialism for curtailing liberties and creating corruption in a speech on Sunday to a conservative rally led by former Brazilian hard-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

Reading from a prepared speech at the CPAC Brasil 2024 event, Milei made no mention of Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, even as Bolsonaro supporters chanted insults about the leftist leader and called for him to be put in jail.

Milei skipped the presidential summit of the Mercosur trade bloc in Paraguay today, where he would finally meet Lula, leader of Argentina's main trading partner. He instead decided to attend the rally of his right-wing ally Bolsonaro.

Milei strained relations with the Brazilian Government by calling Lula "corrupt" and a "communist" in a post on X last week – the most recent in a number of

insults. Lula has in the past demanded an apology from Milei.

After the speech, the crowd cheered Bolsonaro, saying they want him back in power, despite his being banned from seeking elected office until 2030 for attacks on democracy, and under investigation for other alleged crimes during his four-year term.

CPAC Brasil is intended

to drum up support for candidates of Bolsonaro's party in this year's municipal elections and project his influence ahead of the 2026 presidential race.

The event, billed as the first major opposition rally in the campaign for local mayoral elections in October, also has served to unite right-wing leaders in the Americas. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Former SSA Head: Coup plot claim ludicrous

Former director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), Major Roger Best is distancing himself from claims by Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley that the agency under his watch was plotting to replace the country’s political leadership.

“The mention of me leading a coup or any form of destabilisation is not only preposterous but ludicrous,” he told the Sunday Guardian on Saturday in his first statement following the Prime Minister’s report.

Last Wednesday in Parliament, Dr Rowley read into Hansard a statement on the conclusion of an audit conducted on the SSA by Director, Brigadier

Anthony Phillips-Spencer.

The audit revealed that the agency under Best amassed military-grade weapons and ammunition and operated a highly-trained and militarised so-called “Tactical Response Unit”, there were disturbing practices of nepotism and opportunism leading to a concentration of members of one church being hired by the SSA, instances of dishonesty and deep deception and the SSA was increasingly incapable of securing public trust.

“Such persons belonged to a cult which was arming itself while preaching a doctrine for trained military and paramilitary personnel with a religious

calling to be the most suitable persons to replace the country’s political leadership. They were exerting high levels of influence on the affairs of the agency to the detriment of National Security,” Dr Rowley said.

For his part, Best has been silent since he was suspended from the agency on March 2 and subsequently fired on May 18.

His firing came after his detention and interview by police, following which three SSA employees— Pastor Ian Brown, Sherwin Waldron and Susan PortellGriffith—were charged with the “transferring” of four “prohibited firearms” from the T&T Police Service (TTPS) to the SSA. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Gunman disarmed by residents in Hanover, firearm handed over to Police

Residents in Mount Peace, Hanover, Jamaica reportedly stopped an altercation from turning deadly when they disarmed a gunman in the community on Saturday.

According to Police reports, around 10:00h, three men approached another man with whom they had a prior dispute.

It is alleged that one of the suspects brandished a firearm and threatened the victim when residents in the vicinity saw what was happening and intervened. They managed to successfully disarm the assailant.

The three suspects then reportedly fled the scene,

prompting the residents to contact the Police.

The firearm was subsequently handed over to them. The men are now on the run and are being sought by the Hanover police. Investigations into the incident continue. (Jamaica Observer)

Massive hurricane relief effort being arranged by Jamaicans in US

As they have always done during the island’s darkest hours, scores of patriotic Jamaicans across the United States are responding to Hurricane Beryl’s devastating passage with a massive relief effort that could spill over to other battered Caribbean territories.

Several organisations and individuals swung into action immediately after the hurricane passed midweek leaving shocking scenes of distress and destruction in its wake, particularly in southern sections of Jamaica and parts of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The effort is being undertaken in collaboration with the Jamaican consulates in New York and Miami, even

as an official estimate of the damage across the island is being awaited, which will help to determine the most crucial needs.

Among the organisations that have already mobilised are Jamaican Men of Florida, Jamaican Association of Maryland, People Profile, Jamaican Women of Florida, and the Jamaican-American Bar Association, among several others.

Separately, the Bob and Rita Marley foundations and Food For The Poor (FFTP) are partnering to bring relief to those impacted by the pounding rains and tempestuous winds of the strongest storm this early in the sixmonth-long Atlantic hurricane season.

In the face of heart-rending pictures of devastation back home, disputing factions of the Jamaican Diaspora have buried the hatchet to present a united front in the disaster relief effort.

The Jamaica Diaspora Task Force on Crime Intervention and Prevention — led by Dr Rupert Francis — which is one of the entities leading protest demonstrations against the Jamaican Government to secure greater engagement with the Diaspora, has joined forces with acting Executive Director of the non-profit Jamaica Disaster Foundation, Angel Grant to rally to the island’s assistance. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

“Thumbs up” for decision on Bail Act – Barbadian Opposition Leader

Barbadian Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne is commending Government on its decision to revisit the Bail Act, particularly focusing on measures to make bail more challenging for those charged with murder.

“The Prime Minister [Mia Amor Mottley] and I would share similar thoughts as to the idea to make bail difficult for persons charged with murder. It is regrettable, however, that the Government had not pursued this partial solution earlier,” he told the Sunday Sun on Saturday.

The King’s Counsel said he had previously advocated for a more nuanced approach to handling murder charges.

“In a parliamentary debate, I had also earlier recommended a system of degrees of murder which would accommodate a more

rational system of bail for lesser degrees of homicide,” he stated.

“If we create a system of degrees of murder, the Police would, at the stage of charging, be able to assess the severity of the offence and decide into which degree the accused would fall. The statute would restrict the grant of bail only to the lesser degrees of murder.”

Mottley announced

on Friday that her Administration planned to go back to amend the Bail Act so people charged with murder and serious firearm offences would not receive bail within a certain time. In addition, an Organised Crime Unit would be set up in the Barbados Police Service and there would be an expansion of community policing. (Excerpt from Nation News)

10 die during fire in nursing home in Uruguay

At least 10 persons died in a fire in a nursing home on Sunday morning in Treinta y Tres in eastern Uruguay, local authorities and media said, with the cause still unclear.

The government of Treinta y Tres, a city of some 25,000 persons, located 250 kilometres (155 miles) from the capital Montevideo, declared three days of mourning on social media.

In its Facebook post, it specified neither what caused the fire nor wheth -

injured.

Argentine President Javier Milei greets former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, as he speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina state, Brazil, July 7, 2024 (Reuters/Anderson Coelho photo)

Yellow tape surrounds the nursing home where people died during a fire in Treinta y Tres, Uruguay, July 7, 2024 (Reuters/ Virginia Viera Amaral photo)

Barbadian Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne (Reco Moore photo)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil hubs, largest Texas ports close as Tropical Storm Beryl approaches

The largest ports in Texas closed operations and vessel traffic on Sunday to prepare for Tropical Storm Beryl, which was expected to strengthen back to a hurricane before hitting the area early today.

The storm, which at one point intensified to a Category Five hurricane, left a deadly trail of destruction across the Caribbean. It could grow into a Category Two hurricane after making landfall in the middle of the Texas coast between Galveston and Corpus Christi.

The ports of Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Freeport and Texas City said they closed after condition "Zulu" was set by Coast Guard Captains on Sunday. All vessel movement and cargo operations are restricted as gale force winds are expected within 12 hours.

Corpus Christi, about 200 miles (322 km) from Houston, is the top crude oil export hub in the United States. Texas City, and Freeport also are major oil and refined products shipping hubs on the US Gulf Coast.

Port closures could bring a temporary halt to crude exports, oil shipments to refineries, and motor fuels from those plants.

The 52-mile Houston ship channel, which on Sunday operated under transit restrictions before halting all traffic, allows access to eight public facilities and some 200 private terminals.

The US National Hurricane Center modified Beryl's expected path, marking a northerly turn with a forecast landfall this morning near Matagorda Bay. The storm could bring 85 mph winds and cause major flooding, including in the western suburbs around Houston.

About 13,000 customers in Texas had lost electricity on Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage. us. Power provider Centerpoint Energy said it was monitoring the storm and making preparations.

Acting Texas Governor Dan Patrick urged people who were on vacation in coastal areas to leave before the storm arrival.

"It's a serious storm and you must take it seriously and be prepared," he said in a meeting with officials in Austin.

Energy infrastructure company Kinder Morgan said on Sunday it shut its West Clear Lake and Dayton natural gas storage facilities, and its Texas City natural gas processing facility ahead of the storm.

"We expect this to have minimal impact on our pipeline operations," it said. All the company's other facilities in the storm's path remain operational.

US liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer Cheniere Energy said on Sunday its Corpus Christi facility was operating without interruptions, but all non-essential personnel were released from work. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Senior Hamas official killed as Israel orders fresh evacuation

Asenior Hamas administration official was among four persons killed in an Israeli air strike at a school in Gaza City, Palestinian sources say.

A local official told the BBC that Ehab Al-Ghussein was appointed to manage the affairs of the Hamas Government in Gaza City and northern Gaza three months ago.

The Israeli army says that it carried out a strike on the area of a school building in Gaza City from which it says "terrorists were operating and hiding".

It says that it took steps to minimise the risk of civilians being harmed.

Eyewitnesses say the attack targeted the Holy Family School next to the Holy Family Church to the

west of Gaza city. A large number of people were sheltering in the building, the BBC understands.

The air strike targeted two classrooms on the ground floor, they said.

Ehab Al-Ghussein was formerly Deputy Labour

Minister in the Hamas administration and before that an Interior Ministry spokesman. His death is not considered to be a blow to Hamas militarily, but he was considered a significant figure in the leadership of the Hamas administration.

Many others in the Hamas administration have been killed in the past nine months.

In one Israeli airstrike last November, the Deputy Culture Minister and the Deputy Speaker of the legislative council were killed, along with other Government employees and officials, as well as senior Police Officers.

Separately, the Israeli military issued another evacuation order for a central part of Gaza City.

Ibrahim Al-Barbari, 47, who lives with his wife, five children, mother and sister in the Bani Amer neighbourhood, told the BBC that dozens of families were leaving and women and children were carrying bags and heading west. (Excerpt from BBC News)

French voters deliver a win for the left, a blow for Le

France faced potential political deadlock after elections on Sunday threw up a hung parliament, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the top spot ahead of the far right, but no group winning a majority.

Voters delivered a major setback for Marine Le Pen's nationalist, Eurosceptic National Rally (RN), which opinion polls had predicted would win the second-round ballot, but ended up in the third spot, according to pollsters' projections.

Pen and a hung parliament

The results were also a blow for centrist President Emmanuel Macron, who called the snap election to clarify the political landscape after his ticket took a battering at the hands of the RN in European Parliament elections last month.

He ended up with a hugely-fragmented parliament, in what is set to weaken France's role in the European Union and elsewhere abroad and make it hard for anyone to push through a domestic agenda.

Heavy rains trigger landslides in Nepal; 11 killed, 8 missing

Heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods killing at least 11 persons in the last 36 hours in Nepal and blocking key highways and roads, officials said on Sunday.

Eight were missing, either washed away by floods or buried in landslides, while 12 others were injured and being treated in hospitals, Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki said.

“Rescue workers are trying to clear the landslides and open the roads,” Karki told Reuters, adding heavy equipment was being used to clear debris.

In southeastern Nepal, the Koshi River, which causes deadly floods in the eastern Indian state of Bihar almost every year,

was flowing above the danger level, a district official said.

“The flow of Koshi is rising and we have asked residents to remain alert about possible floods,” Bed Raj Phuyal, a senior official of Sunsari district where the river flows, told Reuters.

He said at 09:00h (0315 hours GMT) water flow in Koshi River was 369,000 cusecs per second, more than double its normal flow of 150,000 cusecs.

Cusec is the measurement of the flow of water and one cusec is equal to one cubic foot per second.

Authorities said all 56 sluice gates of the Koshi Barrage had been opened to drain out water compared with about 10-12 during a normal situation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The election will leave parliament divided in three big groups – the left, centrists, and the far right –with hugely different platforms and no tradition at all of working together.

What comes next is uncertain.

The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance, which wants to cap prices of essential goods like fuel and food, raise the mini -

Pope

mum wage to a net 1600 euros (US$1732) per month, hike wages for public sector workers and impose a wealth tax, immediately said it wanted to govern.

"The will of the people must be strictly respected ... the President must invite the New Popular Front to govern," said hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon. (Excerpt from Reuters)

decries populists, warns democracy is in bad health

Pope Francis denounced populist politics and what he called "the dross of ideology" on Sunday, warning that democracy was not in good shape in many parts of the world.

The 87-year-old Pope was in the northeastern city of Trieste for a flying visit, his fourth trip within Italy in just over two months as he prepares for a 12-day journey across Asia in September, the longest of his papacy.

Speaking at an annual Roman Catholic convention on social affairs, Francis said many people felt excluded from democracy, with the poor and the weak left to fend for themselves.

"It is evident that democracy is not in good health in today's world," he said, denouncing polarisation and partisanship.

"Ideologies are seductive. Some people compare them to the Pied Piper of

Hamelin. They seduce you, but they lead you to deny yourself," he said.

He said the "crisis of democracy" afflicted various nations, but did not give any specific examples.

"Let us not be deceived by easy solutions. Let us instead be passionate about the common good," the Pope said on Sunday, highlighting the damage caused by political "corruption and illegality".

The Pope, who himself rules as an absolute monarch in the tiny Vatican state, said it was important to teach children the importance of democratic values, warning that "indifference is a cancer of democracy".

"I am concerned about the small number of people who went to vote. Why is it happening?" he asked.

Later, in a homily at an open-air Mass, the Pope denounced widespread complacency over social injustice. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Oil tanks are pictured at Buckeye Partners' South Texas Gateway oil terminal in Corpus Christi, US, May 14, 2023 (Reuters/Arathy Somasekhar file photo)

Ehab al-Ghussein [Getty Images]

SUDOKU

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Check out what’s available in your community. Participation will lead to a new lease on life. Broadening your horizons will encourage a positive attitude.

Changing your attitude and actions will help you avoid an emotional confrontation. Search for ways to compromise and set a standard, and encourage others to do the same.

(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)

Stick close to home. Refuse to let others take advantage of you, your skills and your generosity. It’s time to take care of your needs first and to seize opportunities.

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Set priorities and stick to your plans. A high-energy approach will ensure you reach your target. Make a plan and stick to it if you want to improve your health or appearance.

Sit tight, observe and research the possibilities. Consider what brings you joy and encourages personal growth. Expand your circle by participating in positive functions.

Sign up for something enlightening. Reach out to people from different backgrounds and consider every angle of a situation to ensure you understand what’s in your best interest.

Broaden your outlook by studying the facts. Plant your feet firmly on the ground and put your energy into something that allows you to use your skills in weird and wonderful ways.

Your actions will impact others and bring you in contact with those who can help turn your ideas into something tangible. A personal adjustment is apparent.

Your enthusiasm is infectious; use it to your advantage. Don’t let anyone diminish your chance to get ahead. Let your light shine brightly by taking on responsibilities.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Pay attention, focus on what’s important and meaningful, and look for ways to improve your relationships. How you choose to live will determine your quality of life.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Take your time, organize and plan, research your choices and initiate what you want to achieve with confidence. Refuse to let what others do or say influence your decisions.

Consider your objective and think about different ways to reach your goal. A change may not be welcome or gain everyone’s approval, but you should take advantage of it.

Abhishek strikes 46-ball ton as India give Zimbabwe a thrashing

India's first step into a new era of T20 cricket began with a stumble on Saturday, but they dusted themselves off well and truly to close out the weekend with a portentous win headlined by their most futuristic player.

Abhishek Sharma, who lit up Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with his incandescent, all-intent displays at the top of the order, gave international cricket its first glimpse of his ability on Sunday, taking Zimbabwe apart with a 46-ball century, the joint third-fastest by an India batter in T20 Internationals (T20Is).

That effort led India to 234 for 2 – their second-highest T20I total away from home –and left Zimbabwe needing to pull off their highest successful chase – they had only once hauled down a target above 199. They didn't get anywhere near close, as India's vastly-superior bowling attack made full use of a two-paced pitch while defending a total that was well above par. The margin of victory – exactly 100 runs – perfectly summed up the contest.

A deceptive start

On Saturday, Zimbabwe had opened the bowling with Brian Bennett, deploying his offspin against India's lefthand debutant, and that had brought a first-over wicket-maiden with Abhishek out for a duck. The same match-

up kicked off the second T20I after India opted to bat, and Abhishek got off the mark in international cricket off the first legal ball he faced, pulling it for six.

It was a sign of what was to come, but it also wasn't. International cricket isn't necessarily a better standard than the IPL, but it can be very, very different. This was a Harare pitch with a bit of spongy bounce and seam early on, and Zimbabwe's attack used it well in the powerplay to keep India to 36 for 1.

Shubman Gill fell in the second over, chipping Blessing Muzarabani straight

SCOREBOARD

India (20 ovs maximum)

Shubman Gill (c) c Bennett

b Muzarabani 2

Abhishek Sharma c Myers

b Masakadza 100

Ruturaj Gaikwad not out 77

Rinku Singh not out 48

Extras (w 7) 7

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 11.70, 93 Mins)

234/2

Did not bat: Riyan Parag, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel †, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Shubman Gill, 1.2 ov), 2-147 (Abhishek Sharma, 13.6 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING

Brian Bennett

Blessing Muzarabani

Tendai Chatara

Sikandar Raza

Luke Jongwe

Dion Myers

O-M-R-W

2-0-22-0

4-1-30-1

4-0-38-0

3-0-34-0

4-0-53-0

1-0-28-0

Wellington Masakadza 2-0-29-1

Zimbabwe (T: 235 runs from 20 ovs)

Innocent Kaia

b Mukesh Kumar 4

Wessly Madhevere

b Ravi Bishnoi 43

Brian Bennett

b Mukesh Kumar 26

Dion Myers c Singh b Avesh Khan 0 Sikandar Raza (c)c †Jurel b Avesh Khan 4 Johnathan Campbell c Ravi Bishnoi

b Washington Sundar 10 Clive Madande † lbw b Ravi Bishnoi 0

Wellington Masakadza run out (†Jurel) 1 Luke Jongwe c Gaikwad b Mukesh Kumar 33 Blessing Muzarabani c Washington Sundar b Avesh Khan 2 Tendai Chatara not out 0 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 8) 11

TOTAL 18.4 Ov (RR: 7.17, 89 Mins)

134 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Innocent Kaia, 0.3 ov), 2-40 (Brian Bennett, 2.6 ov), 3-41 (Dion Myers, 3.2 ov), 4-46 (Sikandar Raza, 3.6 ov), 5-72 (Johnathan Campbell, 9.4 ov), 6-73 (Clive Madande, 10.3 ov), 7-76 (Wellington Masakadza, 11.1 ov), 8-117 (Wessly Madhevere, 16.3 ov), 9-123 (Blessing Muzarabani, 17.4 ov), 10-134 (Luke Jongwe, 18.4 ov) • DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W Mukesh Kumar 3.4-0-37-3 Abhishek Sharma 3-0-36-0 Avesh Khan 3-0-15-3 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-11-2 Washington Sundar 4-0-28-1 Riyan Parag 1-0-5-0

to mid-on, and the towering quick was Zimbabwe's best bowler in the early stages, troubling Ruturaj Gaikwad in particular with his lift and movement in the corridor. Abhishek took time coming to grips with the conditions too, and at one point was batting on 27 off 23 balls.

Then he looked to clear his front leg and hit Luke

Chatara running to his right from long-off and getting only the heel of his palm to a lofted drive off Sikandar Raza, when Abhishek was on 77 off 40. Zimbabwe were in the firing line, though, and with all the batting India had in the dugout – they had left out the left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed and included

Jongwe's nibbly medium pace over the top, and miscued it high in the air over the mid-off region. Wellington Masakadza got under it, and put it down.

Abhi shakes the room

From that point on, Abhishek was unstoppable, clattering 72 runs in his last 23 balls at the crease, hitting five fours and seven sixes in that time. Suddenly, the conditions ceased to bother him. He was rocking back to marginally short balls and pulling with fierce power. He was stepping out and freeing his arms gloriously to loft over the covers. A modest Zimbabwe attack, suddenly, was looking like what it was.

There was another drop along the way, Tendai

an extra batter, handing Sai Sudharsan his T20I debut –he was taking nearly every ball on. Abhishek wasn't worried about getting out – this is why he made such an impact in the IPL even though his longest innings of the season only lasted 28 balls – and on this day luck smiled on him. Along the way, he left a couple of bowlers nursing vivid bruises. Dion Myers' slow-medium disappeared for 4, 6, 4, 6, 4 in the 11th over, the pick of the hits a monster pull that hit the roof beyond the leg-side boundary to bring up Abhishek's fifty. Then Masakadza, unfortunate both to have dropped Abhishek and to be a purveyor of left-arm orthodox, went for 6, 6, 6 in the 14th over – the last of them a one-handed swipe over back-

ward square leg that brought up Abhishek's century – before a miscue off the next ball ended the onslaught.

Gaikwad and Rinku pile it on

Or not, because Zimbabwe still had six overs to bowl and India were in the mood now. Gaikwad's struggle against the conditions and the rust of playing his first competitive cricket since the IPL extended all the way until his 38th ball, when he brought up his fifty with a pulled four off Jongwe. He took Chatara apart in the next over, the 18th, hitting him for three fours and a six to eventually finish unbeaten on 77 off 47.

India's main source of endovers carnage, however, was Rinku Singh, who had been unlucky to miss their World Cup campaign while boasting an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176.23 in 11 innings at the time the squad was announced. He was in his element here, promoted to number four with the perfect entry point for his skills, slapping the sixth ball he faced for a charging six over the covers and finishing the innings with a four and back-to-back sixes off Jongwe, who ended with figures of 0 for 53 in four overs. Not what he may have anticipated when he induced Abhishek to miscue on 27.

Mukesh, Avesh, and Bishnoi wrap it up If Zimbabwe had any hope going into their chase, it lay in the composition of India's attack. Having picked the extra batter, they were playing only four frontline bowlers, which left four overs to be completed by part-timers Abhishek and Riyan Parag. Abhishek isn't a part-timer in domestic cricket, and has plenty of variations to go

with his stock left-arm orthodox, but he discovered how difficult bowling in the powerplay in an international game can be, conceding 19 in the second over with Bennett in an aggressive mood. Bennett took hold of Mukesh Kumar in the next over as well, hitting him for a pair of massive back-to-back sixes – over square leg and then down the ground – but he fell next ball. That was the second wicket Mukesh had taken with an in-ducker, after one in the first over to bowl Innocent Kaia through the gate. That sort of seam movement, with a bit of inconsistent bounce thrown in, was a defining feature of Zimbabwe's powerplay: they scored 22 runs more than India did in that phase, thanks to Bennett's aggression, but they lost four wickets to India's one.

One of these summed up how challenging the conditions still were: a bouncer from Avesh Khan skidding onto Raza as he shaped to hook, forcing him to fend a catch off the glove to the keeper.

Zimbabwe's innings continued to flounder after the powerplay, with Ravi Bishnoi looking particularly unhittable – Johnathan Campbell, sweeping and reverse-sweeping with increasing desperation, failed to put bat on five successive balls from him, and bottom-edged the sixth into his body. Wessly Madhevere batted from the start of the chase all the way to the 17th over, and made 43 off 39 balls. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 134 with eight balls remaining, with Mukesh and Avesh bagging three wickets apiece and Bishnoi finishing with 2 for 11 from his four overs.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Ravi Bishnoi was nigh unplayable and finished with figures of 4-0-11-2

Brian Bennett got Zimbabwe off to a flying start with 26 off 9 before being bowled by Mukesh Kumar

Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad put on 137 off 76 for the second wicket

PC, Kwakwani Secondary, Berbice High, Bishops’ High School and QC book semi-final spots

outh Basketball

YGuyana (YBG) continued its much-anticipated 17th National Schools Basketball Festival with the semi-finals on July 6 at the National Gymnasium with President’s College A, Kwakwani U18 Boys and Girls, Berbice High, Bishops’ High School and Queen’s College U14 booking their place in the finals.

In the first encounter of the day, the President’s College Female A team smashed the defences of the President’s College Female B team with a scoreline of 16-7. Onehsa Trotman and Ronaya Grant led the way for the PC A team with six points each.

Berbice High achieved a significant margin of victory; their tenacity in offence enabling them to smash the defences of St Rose’s High School and leave the scoreboard reading 34-30 . Jeremy Chung’s 15 points proved important for Berbice as Avion Kesney scored 18 points for St Rose’s High School.

In the second Boys’ U14 semi-final match-up, Queen’s College showed their ability to counter to

the hoops against Bishops’ High School and secured their tickets to the final, with the scoreline reading 28-19. Jonathon Gomes scored 12 points for Queen’s College, while Kenial Pickeng scored 12 points for Bishops’ High School.

The schools From Region 10 locked horns, but it was defending champions Kwakwani Secondary who got the victory over the Linden Technical Institute with the scoreline reading 54-26. Roshane Thomas led the Kwakwani outfit’s offence with 13 points and Stephen George led

the Linden outfit with 13 points.

In a comment to Guyana Times Sport , Kwakwani Secondary Captain Cordel Hoyte divulged the key elements of their success.

“Feeling good. I feel that we can go to the finals and do the same again with the same energy, just play together as a team and just keep up the hard work. It was a normal thing once we played together and not nothing difficult,” Hoyte said.

The Bishops’ U18 Team with a 10-point margin smashed the defences of the St Stanislaus College

Uruguay beat Brazil to reach Copa America semis

Uruguay reached the Copa America semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Brazil following a feisty 0-0 draw in Las Vegas.

Manuel Ugarte scored the decisive spot-kick to send Uruguay through after Eder Militao's effort was saved and Douglas Luiz hit a post at Allegiant Stadium.

Both sides struggled to create chances during normal time and Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay ended the match with 10 men after Nahitan Nandez was sent off.

They will face Colombia, who thrashed Panama 5-0 earlier on Saturday, on Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"It was a very tense match, against a very tough opponent, suffering in the last minutes a man down. But we showed character despite our youth," said Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.

"The truth is that it is a tremendous happiness that this group deserves. The country deserves it.

"We are very excited, so we are going for more."

In a match featuring 41 fouls, both sides struggled for fluency.

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez headed Uruguay's

best chance over the crossbar from close range.

Moments later, Raphinha was denied by Rochet after a rapid Brazil counter-attack.

Nandez was shown a yellow card in the 74th minute for a heavy tackle on Rodrygo, but it was upgraded to red following a video assistant referee review.

Uruguay defended in numbers for the remainder of the 90 minutes, with the match going straight to penalties without extra time.

In the other quarter-final, James Rodriguez scored one goal and set up two for Colombia at State

Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Jhon Cordoba headed home James' corner for an early opener before former Real Madrid and Everton forward James scored a penalty.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz scored with a clever lob from James' quick free-kick shortly before half-time.

A long-range strike from Richard Rios and Miguel Borja's penalty capped a convincing Colombia display.

Argentina, the defending champions, meet Canada in the first semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday.

(BBC Sport)

with a scoreline of 36-26 as Carmelo Man-Son-Hing led the way for Bishops’ with 21 points.

Man-Son-Hing also spoke to this publication and expounded the key elements needed to secure

the title.

“It was a comfortable win, compared to the finals of the regionals; like we really came out, we did our part to play much more together and so, we executed well and were successful. Well, we know the challenges are high; we know what we got to do – a much faster team, a much physical team so we just gotta adapt and play together again and we should be good.”

The finals of the National Schools Basketball Festival were contested on Sunday and details will be in tomorrow’s edition of the newspaper.

Hamilton ends long wait for F1 triumph with historic 9th British GP

Lewis Hamilton ended his three-year wait for a Formula One victory after claiming a record-extending ninth British Grand Prix triumph on Sunday.

The seven-time world champion rolled back the years as he fended off a late challenge from Max Verstappen to emerge victorious.

Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate George Russell started on pole before Lando Norris snatched the lead, but pitstops proved pivotal in challenging conditions at Silverstone.

Russell's hopes of claiming back-to-back victories were dashed when a water system issue forced him to retire on lap 34.

Verstappen, who had struggled for pace through much of a race that was hit by two separate periods of rain, came on strong in the closing stages, but it proved too little, too late for the defending world champion.

It marked Hamilton's 104th victory of his glittering career, and his first triumph since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix back in December 2021, ending a 945-day period without success.

Norris continued his pursuit of Verstappen in the driver's championship as he claimed the final podium place, with his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in fourth.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished in fifth as Nico Hulkenburg impressed again for Haas, finishing a place behind.

Data Debrief: Hamilton silver patch at Silverstone continues

Hamilton achieved a remarkable feat with this victory, surpassing his own eight-win record in Hungary and Michael Schumacher (also eight) in France for

the most victories at a single event in F1 history.

Mercedes' improvements have been impressive in recent weeks, and the team have now won backto-back races for the first time since 2021 between São Paulo and Saudi Arabia (all three won by Hamilton).

Both Russell and Norris will have to wait another year to become the 36th driver to win a home Grand Prix, however, as Hamilton's silver patch at Silverstone continued.

Though not successful for Verstappen, the championship leader still overtook Alain Prost and Fernando Alonso (both 106) for the fourth-most podium individual finishes in F1 history.

Top 10

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

6. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

9. Alex Albon (Williams)

Leclerc

Manuel Ugarte beat Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to seal victory for Uruguay

10. Yuki Tsunoda (RB) Championship standings Drivers 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 255 points

Lando Norris (McLaren) – 171

Charles

(Ferrari) – 150 Constructors

Ferrari

McLaren

(Sportsmax)

Lewis Hamilton had a long-awaited win on Sunday morning

The Kwakwani Secondary U18 Boys’ Team

The Bishops’ U18 Boys’ Team

Chase, PC come from behind to script exciting victories

Ariveting display of skill and rivalry captivated a boisterous crowd at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Saturday afternoon for the respective girls’ and boys’ final in the ExxonMobil Under-14 Schools’ football tournament. When the dust settled, it was President’s College’s girls and Chase’s Academic Foundation’s boys who proved they were better than the rest, lifting the respective championship trophies.

The girls’ final was a matter of revenge for President’s College, who were drubbed 4-1 in last year’s main event of the U14 tournament. However, the script was not the same in 2024, as eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kimora Edwards led her troops to a thumping win.

It was not too long after that PC utilised a short pass from a corner kick to send a shot into the box; when the original shot was fended off

The defending champions, Waramuri Primary Top, took the lead first in the 20th minute, after Tina Williams capitalised on a loose ball to set up a 1v1 with the President’s College keeper.

by the Waramuri defenders, Edwards sent the rebound into the back of the net in the 24th minute.

The entertaining battle between the young ladies pressed on into extra time

with the scores locked 1-all until Edwards again showed her class. The PC number 10 was perfectly positioned after a goal kick to challenge the Waramuri defenders. When Edwards finally got past the back line, the teenager patiently made her way into the box, sending the ball into the opposite corner of the net in the 56th minute.

PC had a lot of defensive work to do, but the whistle finally sounded, crowning the East Coast outfit the new ExxonMobil girls’ champions.

Another exciting game of school football followed, with Chase’s Academic Foundation and Dolphin Secondary going down to extra time before witnessing the game winner. Chase’s Mark Glasgow, Jashan Haynes and Akeel Young had many an opportunity to take the lead early on. On the other side of the pitch, Tyler Abrams and Damani Hardy were working overtime to find the lead for Dolphin and made many

hearts race, especially when utilising their free kicks.

However, it was a goalkeeper’s game and both of the goal custodians displayed excellent skill to keep the score locked at a stalemate.

Eventually, in the first half of extra time, Chase’s Glasgow sent a tame shot into the right corner of the net which escaped the grasp of the Dolphin keeper for the game winner.

Earlier in the day, Bartica Secondary were crowned the girls’ third-place finisher after a 4-1 victory. Orlene Jameson opened the scoring in the 12th minute, during their clash with Santa Rosa Secondary while Nerismar Williams extended their tally in the 18th and 26th minutes. Vilerky Simon added the cherry on top for Bartica in the 40th minute, while Santa Rosa’s consolation came off the boots of Veronica Chatta in the 46th.

On the other hand, Leonora Secondary were

Guyana U19 brush aside Barbados in low-scoring thriller

Adismal batting display from Guyana’s Under-19 Women was soon compensated for by brilliant bowling as they extended their winning streak in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championships, with a five-run victory over Barbados’ Women on Sunday morning.

Guyana’s women won the toss and elected to bat first after which they were promptly bundled out for 57 runs in 17.2 overs.

There were hardly any starts from the top order, with the highest score on their sheet coming from Tilleya Madramootoo, who hit 12 runs from 33 deliveries. Captain Realeanna Grimmond contributed eight from 18 balls while Tramaine Marks added nine from 11 balls down the order.

Coupled with 12 useful extras, Guyana got to the meagre total before being bowled out.

Erin Deane was on fire for Barbados’ bowling attack taking 4-5 in 2.2 overs while Nia Wood claimed 2-8 in 4 overs.

The batting did not see any

improvement in Barbados’ innings, as they fell five runs short of the Guyanese. Three ducks came at the top of the Barbadian batting order, with Niya Latchman claiming two of the three scalps, alongside Marks.

Elecia Bowman stood up to the Guyanese bowling with

15 from 20 balls, while Wood contributed 12 in 41 deliveries. Another 12 extras given away in this innings propelled Barbados’ Women to 52 in 17.1 overs, before they were bowled out.

The bowling effort was a collective one from the Guyanese, with Danellie Manns claiming 3-13 from four overs, while Latchman, Marks and Crystal Durant took two wickets each.

The five-run victory keeps Guyana at the top of the points table in the CWI Rising Stars tournament, with three wins in as many games.

Their next fixture will see the Guyanese coming up against Leeward Islands’ Women on Tuesday, July 9 at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex, Trinidad and Tobago. The game is expected to bowl off at 10:00h.

the boys’ third-place finisher following a nail-biting 2-1 win over South Ruimveldt Secondary. Keon Grant netted early for Leonora in the third minute, while Quincy Fraser made it a 2-0 affair in the eighth minute. South’s Jahim Hart pulled one back for his side in the 13th minute, but neither side could find the back of the net again, resulting in Leonora’s victory.

“What an amazing set of games we’ve seen this evening. ExxonMobil is Guyana’s energy partner and we have seen energy tonight and I’m sure we’ve seen energy in every game that’s gone on in this amazing competition. I want to give a huge thank you to Petra, for this organisation of this tournament which has grown hugely year after year and is now at the point of almost covering the entire country and that’s what we look forward to next year,” ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge pledged following the conclusion of Saturday evening’s finals.

In individual prizes, Bartica’s Nerismar Williams was the girls’ tournament’s highest goalscorer with 20 strikes, while PC’s Kimora Edwards was the MVP.

Waramuri Primary Top’s Lilianna was the best goalkeeper, only conceding two goals (which came in the final) in the entire tournament.

Meanwhile, Chase’s Academy’s Mark Glasgow was the boys’ tournament’s MVP, while Bartica’s Jaden Christian was the highest goalscorer with 10 goals. Dolphin Secondary’s keeper, Armando Osmund was the tournament’s best goalie. In addition to trophies, each of the individual prize winners received sizeable vouchers.

Chase’s Academic Foundation and President’s College will both receive a $400,000 first prize while Waramuri Primary Top and Dolphin Secondary will both score $200,000 for second place. Third-place finishers Leonora Secondary and Bartica Secondary will pocket $100,000 and fourth-place finishers South Ruimveldt and Santa Rosa Secondary will receive $75,000, with all the prizes going towards a school project.

The ExxonMobil U14 tournament is also sponsored by Stenna Drilling, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its Pepsi brand, and MVP Sports. (Jemima Holmes)

Barbados Women Asabi Callender b N Latchman 0 Theanny Herbert-Mayers b TK Marks 0 Naijanni Cumberbatch b N Latchman 0 Elecia Bowman c TR Isaacs b DD Manns 15 Eboni Brathwaite c & b TK Marks 0 Solange Holford run out RMAU Grimmond

(CF Durant, 15.5 ov), 9-56 (TK Marks, 16.5 ov), 10-57 (DD Manns, 17.2 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Nia Wood 4-0-8-2

Solange Holford 4-0-21-1

Naijanni Cumberbatch 4-2-8-1

Theanny Herbert-Mayers 2-0-4-1

Erin Deane 2.2-0-5-4

SD Headley 1-0-11-1

Niya Latchman took two crucial wickets for Guyana on Sunday

President’s College’s girls receive their championship trophy

(Jemima Holmes photo)

MVP Mark Glasgow netted the game winner for Chase (Jemima Holmes photo)

Girls’ MVP Kimora Edwards celebrates after netting the game-winning goal (Jemima Holmes photo)