Guyana has changed significantly – Education Minister …calls for more educators to meet growing teaching demand
Teen shot outside ECD bar
Pedestrian killed on WCD Public Road Forestry Commission examining code of practice for sawmills
NA dumpsite smoke affecting West Bank Berbice residents Teacher charged with assault after heated confrontation in parking area
CH&PA issues RFI for consultants to assess land for housing, commercial projects
Legislative changes
that will better protect shareholders in public companies, could be on the horizon. This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who gave this assurance in the wake of concerns recently raised by a Private Sector Commission (PSC) official regarding publicly traded companies.
During a recent press conference, Jagdeo spoke about public companies which usually have shareholders that range in size from small to large. The Vice President acknowledged that there are cases where small shareholders do end up receiving the short end of the stick, for instance when a company does not declare a profit or even liquidates.
“I saw a big debate. There are some things… we have to start looking at public companies and how we protect small shareholders rights. Either through tougher provisions in the Companies Act or through the Securities Council. And I’m just throwing that out there today…sometimes small shareholders in public companies are being ripped off by unscrupulous management,” Jagdeo said.
During an AntiCorruption Workshop
that was held last week Tuesday, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission’s Economics and Finance Committee, Ramesh Dookhoo spoke about publicly traded companies and the problems they encounter.
“I believe there’s a lot of subjectivity being applied by regulators, in the application of laws. On the other hand, some categories of businesses seem to be over regulated. If you take public companies for example, we have moved from a 10-page annual report, to what is now a report that is 50 pages.”
“Because of disclosure regulations, whereas a private company doesn’t have those requirements. And we may
need to focus, as we move forward, on private companies. A private company is described as a company with less than 50 shareholders in Guyana. Perhaps even that has to be revised,” Dookhoo further explained.
Dookhoo had noted that there have been instances where private companies have encroached into the pensions of employees. However, he noted the need for more clarity on what private and public companies are allowed to do.
Reviewing
During that event on Tuesday, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira had revealed that the Attorney
General Chambers (AGC) is currently reviewing the Companies Act, with the aim of making improvements to sections of the Act that would fill gaps in the law and clear up ambiguities.
“I’m aware the Attorney General Chambers are working on the Companies Act. And that came out of a recommendation of an earlier workshop we had, in 2022, with the Private Sector, Government and civil society,” Teixeira had said.
There has also been talks of the upgrading the Guyana Stock Exchange (GSE), which is where shares of companies are sold. Following calls from the local Private Sector and other stakeholders, the Guyana Government had announced earlier this year that it would be embarking on a review of the legal framework governing the local stock exchange market with the aim of refashioning the system to meet a more competitive financial environment.
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) had previously called for an overhaul of the Guyana Stock Exchange, after highlighting the negatives of current operations and its effect on the business community.
With access to financing
being a leading hurdle for many businesses in Guyana, GCCI had said, GSE has a significant role to play in facilitating a transparent and efficient marketplace for companies to raise capital, invest, and grow.
In a statement, the Chamber noted the lack of necessary infrastructure, technological advancements, and regulatory framework at the GSE, which compromises the financial health of businesses, restrict their ability to attract investment, and ultimately hamper their growth potential.
A stock market allows owners of stocks and shares to dispose of them at fair pric-
es. It allows new investors to buy them at fair prices, and it allows companies to sell new shares to finance the growth of their businesses.
The Guyana Association of Securities Companies and intermediaries (GASCI) is the local Stock Exchange that organises and supervises the stock market in Guyana. Among the public companies with the stock exchange market are Banks DIH, Caribbean Containers, Citizen’s Bank, Demerara Bank, Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL), Demerara Tobacco Company, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Sterling Products Limited, and a few others. (G3)
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, November 11 – 00:30h-02:00h and Tuesday, November 12 –01:30h-03:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, November 11 –12:35h-14:05h and Tuesday, November 12 – 13:25h-14:55h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Light to thundery showers are expected during the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.79 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 12:54h reaching a maximum height of 2.39 metres.
Low Tide: 06:20h and 18:52h reaching minimum heights of 0.84 metre and 0.81 metre.
“We’re forever indebted to them”
Government has committed to rehabilitate the headquarters of the Guyana Veterans Legion as it continues to lend support to those men and women who have served in the military.
This announcement was made by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Sunday while addressing a gathering at the Legion’s headquarters as part of this year’s Remembrance Day observance.
Prior to that event, the National Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony was held early Sunday morning at the War Monument (Cenotaph) in Georgetown to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of World War I and World War II.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, was joined by Prime
Minister Phillips, Chiefof-Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan of the Guyana Defence Force, other heads of the Joint Services, and members of the diplomatic community at the monument site just outside the Bank of Guyana.
During brief remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony, President Ali recognised the sacrifices of those gallant men and women who give their lives in the two world wars. He also urged Guyanese to remember the sacrifices of those service members.
“We’re forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in a cause of peace and freedom. We also recall with gratitude those, who through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression wherever these exist. Their example strengthens our resolve to maintain our efforts for a world at peace with Justice and
prosperity for all peoples,” the Commander-in-Chief noted.
Renovate HQ That wreath-laying event was followed by the annual Remembrance Day ceremony held at the Guyana Veterans Legion headquarters on Carifesta Avenue. There, Prime Minister Phillips delivered the feature address during which he recognised the need for the building to undergo a much-needed facelift.
“It’s about time that we need to make the home of the veterans a better looking home,” he stated.
Editor: Tusika Martin
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The French and Germans have a single word – “La politique” and “politik”, respectively – that encompasses what is distinguished in the English language as “politics” and “policies”. But it is clear that our Opposition refuse to acknowledge the distinction offered as they continue to focus unrelentingly on the attainment and exercise of raw power. Politics, of course, involves the pursuit and retention of power – so you can decide ‘who gets what, when and how’. But less glamorously, policies imply rolling up one’s sleeves to craft principles or rules to achieve articulated goals.
The Opposition could not care less about policies. They have, for instance, trenchantly criticised the Government on ‘corruption”. But examining their pronouncements, all they do is attack individuals within the Government or those they claim are close to the Administration – “friends and family”. This approach is not getting the country anywhere – except to discourage men and women of calibre from entering public service. Where are the policies of the Opposition to deal with corruption?
We are not talking about simply resorting to SOCU handcuffing Ministers like Ashni Singh. We have in mind what Max Weber called “a slow boring of hard boards”: a willingness to interrogate a criticised phenomenon and discern its causes before coming up with the broad principles to deal with it within an institutionalised framework. Returning to the vexed question of “corruption”, are there, for instance deeper systemic causes operating within the neoliberal order that has been imposed on our economic system since 1989?
Is it just coincidence that the same rules of ‘liberalisation” and ‘deregulation’ that were developed and applied in the ‘advanced’ economies have also led to questions of moral laxity there? Are markets the best arbiter of distributive justice, much less moral probity? Unless the Opposition are prepared to pose and then answer such questions that can lead to new and comprehensive policies, they are just spinning wheels. Or maybe worse: they are leading their supporters into believing there will be real change after their theatrics. When the latter discover that it is the ‘same ole, same ole’, then frustration might lead to explosions. This questioning just led to a change of regime in the USA.
After the 2020 elections returned the PPP to office, the Opposition went on a “detour and frolic” – that is ignoring their duty to the people who voted for them to be their agent. Rather than critiquing the mandate of the new Executive headed by President Ali – that is supposed to craft such policies, the Opposition claimed they were ousted through the machinations of the US and Western countries and their leader truculently refused to shake the President’s hand. They ignored the role of Caricom and the Commonwealth to also highlight their crude attempts at rigging the elections to retain power. Politics rather than policies – and gutter politics at that. Most insidiously for good governance, some in the Opposition leaders have condemned the Government’s attempts to include the entire populace in their developmental thrust – which inevitably means including erstwhile Opposition supporters – as “slave catching”. Such pernicious attempts at keeping our country’s citizens in hermetically sealed and antagonistic enclaves must be condemned by all responsible Guyanese.
When the Opposition finally chose to introduce a suggested policy – a Universal Basic Income (UBI) – that would be funded from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), they just could not resist playing politics rather than sticking to the policy. They dubbed it “the Buxton Proposal”: deliberately tying it to an Opposition stronghold that immediately reminds all and sundry of that partisan nexus. The notion of UBI has been floating around for decades, even though no country has adopted it in toto, with mostly Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) sharing out guaranteed small sums for a fixed number of years to villages mostly in Africa. The closest to a “national” deployment is Alaska, where their experience highlights the challenges when the funding runs out and citizens’ “entitlements” are cut.
But it makes clear why the Opposition refuse to focus on policies – the nuances would defang their politics.
Dear Editor,
The world is still trying to digest “The Tariff Man,” Donald Trump’s successful comeback for a second term as the US president-elect and Kamala Harris’s defeat to become the first woman to rule America. What it will mean is, Trump will be traversing on the path of making America great again, tenaciously and tirelessly. With a close fist and his back against the wall, Trump promises to be carefully conservative, cleverly capricious and cautiously committed. The corporate world will be a friendly playground though. There are mixed reactions from the war-torn countries as they remain in abeyance with reservation and skepticism. Many of America’s close alliances are overwhelmed, including Canada and India, both of whom are great trading partners, the US, of course, absorbing a great deal of India’s brain drain to work in the Computer, IT and AI fields.
The Asian-Pacific zone is worried about losing a portion of their voluminous trade due to anticipated trade tariffs to be implemented and Europe is wary of America reducing its financial support to sustain the wars in their region. Venezuela is weighing its precarious position by waving the olive branch while the rest of the
Latin American and the Caribbean nations are sombre as they await Trump’s reaction. Former US ambassador to Panama, John Feeley, said, “The region can expect unpredictable tariffs and cross-sectoral quid-pro-quo transactional proposals, blending migration, organized crime and trade concessions.” Trump will not be looking through the lens of “What America can do for you,” but, he will be searching with a magnifying glass for “What you can do for America.”
America First is what Trump is about. NATO is fearful that Trump will quit the organization and pull the US out. Earlier this year, Trump asserted that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” with NATO allies that did not pay enough in defence spending. With the North Korean leader, Trump said, “I get along with him…I think he misses me....” A former Indian diplomat, Ajay Bisaria said, "Trump is likely to deepen geopolitical engagement with India and the QUAD (a grouping of nations comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia), while intensifying contestation with China.” Trump is expected to attend the G20 meeting in South Africa in 2025. Africa is still nursing a wound after Trump used a deroga-
tory reference in his first term. Will it be primacy or partnership for the African Nation as Washington may very well continue to view them through the geopolitical prism.
Will Trump pick up from where he left off in the Middle East? Trump likes to fashion himself as a “dealmaker.” “He wants to achieve the unthinkable which no American president has done — achieving Middle East peace," according to Chatham House expert Neil Quilliam. Experts opined that Trump has three major political plans for the Middle East. First, he will focus on ending Israel's conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The President elect’s second vision will intertwine “the establishment of a future administration of the Gaza Strip and the potential creation of a Palestinian State.” As a third major political aim, Trump wants to clinch a deal with Iran.
While America’s allies, Israel and Egypt are celebrating the return of Trump to the White House, Qatar, Iran and other members of the “Axis of Resistance” have diplomatically communicated their “political indifference.” The Arabs want to improve ties with Israel but wants the Gaza war to end and a Palestinian state established. That will be challenging for Trump.
Donald Trump is definitely set to reshape American foreign policies with international peace treaties, a revision of their aid programs and a clamp down on illegal immigration. Global warming and climate control will be reprioritized with an influence for the drilling of fossil fuel, boost nuclear energy program and concentrate less on electric vehicles. Domestic policies will reignite, remodify and restructure society with massive reshuffling of government office bearers. Elon Mosk will spear heard the cutting and trimming of Government spending. Will Trump reinterpret the constitution, exercise power and shape laws in ways that America has never seen?
Donald Trump as president-elect is all set to boost the economy, provide a safer America, make Americans stronger and to send a message to the world that, the USA is still the greatest nation in the world and he is the most powerful leader on this globe. With the advent of the "Ice Maiden" guarding the front door to Trump, will Trump's success be contingent upon a woman's input? After all, behind every successful man, is a woman (Susie Wiles &/Or Melania Trump).
Yours respectfully, Jai Lall
Dear Editor,
It is a foregone conclusion that The PNC is not interested in a free and fair election system, instead, they are in a mad rush to create a situation of confusion for GECOM and the electorate before the 2025 Election. Make no mistake, the PNC are in no way concerned about the next election being free and fair, their modus operandi suggests to everyone that they are on a clear course to complicate the present voting system to make it an illegal exercise, then, turn again and run to one of these courts that are sympathetic to that party's cause for a redress just like they did in the 1997 Election. And my answer to that is a definite
no, we will not let it happen again.
The PNC have never accepted a system that brings out the true results of any election held here in Guyana. A general election where there is a loss for The PNC will be considered fraudulent and one that is riddled with errors. So, instead of accepting the truth of what a free and fair system would generate, they are now trying to bungle the present paper balloting system with a new and untried method of voting. First, it was forcing a path for electronic voting, then, now, putting a biometric method to go with it, that is, jumping on several platforms in a mad and confusing way. Whichever the method, it
cannot be instituted at this late hour, for the simple reason that it was never done here and we are in the dark as to its true operations.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the new systems they are advocating, once it is the same rules for all the participants involved, however, huge problems arise when the new system does not produce the results the PNC wanted. We have witnessed this duplicity by that party time and time again. Like I sarcastically responded to a PNC Friend, that paper balloting was embraced by their party for decades when it brought them the results, they prescribed, however, when they became the opposition, everything changed and the
system posed a problem for them.
It is tantamount to the proverb "A bad workman quarrels with his tools," as a plethora of problems was unearthed just to prove that their loss was due to flaws in the system. Once they were booted out of power, from henceforth everything was considered bad about the system of voting. The PNC began nitpicking, that is, from the use of paper balloting to a "clean voters list," it ran the gamut of our entire electoral machinery, everything became an irritation for that party, nothing pleases them.
The point is, a system that is owned and controlled by the PNC, where they can wheel and deal as they
please, that is, falsify figures, bar foreign observers from looking into the workings of the electoral system, to the point where they can openly make fraudulent declarations, then, the system is categorized as just, holy and good. Well, I am happy to disappoint them, that culture of lawlessness will not be countenanced again.
What The PNC and its allies are asking cannot be accommodated now or any time after, for the simple reason that it will mean an extension to The Irfaan Ali Presidency, something The PNC will never accept. I am saying, to institute a system like the one they are demanding would require an awfully lengthy time to educate as well as to imple-
ment, way beyond the fiveyear term limit stipulated in the constitution. So, in actuality The PNC are shooting themselves in the foot with their new found "Theory of Elections."
The mere thought of a general election brings out an extreme form of nervousness in The Opposition's Camp, this is their main concern and nothing else. That party needs to get over the idea of ever being able to rig or complicate our electoral system, theirs is a lost cause. Finally, that party is put on notice, that the electorate in Guyana will be unforgiving when it comes to the PNC and its acolytes.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
Dear Editor,
While geographically far way, the Caribbean region is extremely important for India, a rising global player, and the region must have figured prominently in India’s foreign, if not also security, policy. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the most popular leader in the world and also the leader of the most populous country, is making a trip to the region later this month to interact with CARICOM leaders and the Indian diaspora. His presence is significant not only for India but very important for the region as it is his first since becoming PM in 2014.
The PM’s presence is most welcome and long overdue. It will help to strengthen ties while reassuring the region they have a friend and champion that will speak on their behalf (less developed nations) at global forums such as G-7, G-20, BRICS, the UN, Climate Summit, etc., continuing a trademark since India’s independence in August 1947. And the region, the local or regional Indian diaspora, has looked forward for this trip especially the deep abiding relationship the region shares with India.
India shares many commonalities (such as language, exploitation, same imperial rulers, among others) with the region.
India’s independence in
1947, including the method of struggle for freedom, paved the way for decolonization globally including the Anglophone territories. And though far away physically, India has had very friendly relations with Caribbean states because of history and culture – the common colonial ruler except for Suriname -- and the introduction of Indian culture by indentured Indian laborers in most of the territories right after the end of slavery and migration in recent decades.
The ties with India have been growing in recent decades through trade and bilateral engagements including India’s foreign aid assistance. It is recalled that PM Modi held a regional summit with CARICOM in New York right after he became PM in 2014 and also held bilateral talks with the leaders of CARICOM states on the sidelines of several international forums. And India has remained engaged through diplomacy carried out by its representatives. The upcoming summit is a more direct continuation of the engagement with the PM.
Such regional engagements that result in partnerships are extremely important for development among the states within a region (such as CARICOM) and with a non-dominant, non-exploitative external
major or great (global) player like India. The Caribbean needs a strong, reliable partner to advocate for its development and to support domestic projects (with financing and technology) in each territory. India has been such an ideal partner, non-hegemonic and non-exploitative, championing interests of developing countries and providing much assistance to the region over the last several decades. It is not forgotten that India has been known to assist less developed countries globally with generous developmental assistance in-
cluding during the critical Covid epidemic period. Indian vaccines and other anti-Covid materials regularly reached the region. Caricom territories have also been beneficiaries of other aspects of India’s generosity. Assistance by India was provided based on respect for sovereignty, good governance, transparency, and sustainability. Such assistance has been known to empower developing nations and not place them under debt burden as India’s interests are defined by progress and prosperity for all and not against the inter-
ests of any country. India’s growing diplomatic presence in the Caribbean will not threaten the interests of any dominant or external power as India’s foreign policy has been geared towards providing support to boost development and not dominate another country or threaten the interests of the dominant player. Any partnership with India will be based on shared values and interests and a rules-based international order that applies to all. With India, the Caribbean region has a genuine friend.
As has been his trade-
mark at other regional forums, it is certain that the visiting Indian PM will announce a package of aid to CARICOM as an institution or forum and will express a willingness by India to enter into development agreements with each territory. Thus, CARICOM as a forum and each territory should make every effort to strengthen ties with India. The leader of each territory should reciprocate with agreements for mutual and symbiotic benefits.
Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram
Adding decimals is just like adding whole numbers, except you must be careful to line up the decimals correctly . Once you do that, you can add as if the decimal is not there.
What if a number has no decimal point?
For example: Add 4 + 24.60
Just put a decimal point at the end of the whole number and add placeholder zeros after: 4.00
Observe the birds that enjoy your World’s Easiest Bird Feeder.
How it works:
In their search for nutrition and energy, birds will discover your feeder and enjoy the easy meal.
Make this a science project: Make different shapes with your pipe cleaners and determine which one gets eaten the fastest. Put your World’s Easiest Bird Feeders in different locations and observe any differences in the rate at which the Cheerios are consumed. (sciencefun.org)
BY LucY Larcom
I do not own an inch of land, But all I see is mine, –The orchard and the mowing fields, The lawns and gardens fine. The winds my tax-collectors are, They bring me tithes divine, –Wild scents and subtle essences, A tribute rare and free; And, more magnificent than all, My window keeps for me
A glimpse of blue immensity, –A little strip of sea.
Richer am I than he who owns Great fleets and argosies; I have a share in every ship Won by the inland breeze, To loiter on yon airy road
Above the apple-trees, I freight them with my untold dreams; Each bears my own picked crew; And nobler cargoes wait for them Than ever India knew, –My ships that sail into the East Across that outlet blue.
Announcing that it is looking to explore the development of several parcels of land for residential and other uses, the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on consultants that could do geotechnical assessments of the areas.
Geotechnical investigations are done to assess the physical properties of soil before conducting construction work. This helps to determine whether said soil is sturdy enough to construct structures on, among other things.
According to the CH&PA in their notice, the RFI is to gather information on the available expertise, methodologies, technologies, and potential costs for conducting geotechnical investigations in areas it had identified for residential, commercial, and mixed-use development.
“To ensure the integrity and safety of these projects, it is essential to perform comprehensive geotechnical investigations… the findings from these investigations will contribute to effective planning and safe construction practices within the jurisdiction of the CH&PA,” it was explained.
The consultant is likely to perform site assessments, drill boreholes to collect samples, analyse said samples, identify any potential environmental risks. They may also be required to provide expert advice during the design and construction phases. Companies meanwhile have up to November 19 to submit their proposals to the CH&PA.
Cognisant of the need to expand housing development to meet the demand, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has been doing just that. Back in August, it was revealed that within four years of coming into office, Government,
through the Housing and Water Ministry, had developed a total of 67 new housing schemes across the country.
This was according to Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, who, during an appearance on the Guyana Dialogue, provided an update on progress made within the housing sector, and highlighted that from August 2020 to the current time, 67 new housing areas have been created across the country.
“From August 2020, when we came back into office, to now totals 67. So, 67 new housing areas have been created in the past four years. That (is) spread across the country, all of the regions. It’s a historic investment in the housing sector, and one that we are tremendously proud of,” she had stated.
This remarkable achievement, she explained, is a direct result of the Government’s housing drive, which aims to provide a total of 50,000 house lots to Guyanese citizens by 2025. Moreover, she revealed that during this year’s Building Expo, new housing developments were revealed for Regions Three (Essequibo Islands –West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
“The two regions that were allocated during the Expo was Region Three and some areas in Region Four. So, for Region Three, which is one of the newest areas, it’s at Wales. So, we have started our infrastructure work there, and there’s going to be thousands of people that will be allocated lands.”
The Minister had also spoken about the availability of land to develop new housing areas currently being somewhat of a challenge, noting that with Guyana’s rapidly growing agriculture sector, large sections of land are also being allocated for agriculture.
“And so, we continue to work on new housing areas; it is an ongoing effort to always identify land for housing, because we have com-
peting interests for land. We have to make lands available for GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation, for agriculture, for farming; and we have to make land available for our housing programme. And so, we’re in constant negoti-
ation with NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited) or GuySuCo or Lands and Surveys for lands for housing development,” she had revealed.
The Minister had also not-
ed that Government would continue to develop new areas, as more Guyanese are pushing to become home owners, due to various factors such as the high cost of rent as well as improved access to financing for citizens.
Warning of the hazards that come from purchasing illegally repackaged flour, including health hazards that can leave consumers on their own with no rights to legal redress, the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) is putting Guyanese on notice.
The company pointed out in a statement, that while it only packages flour in its International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) compliant factory, the retailers of unlabeled, repackaged flour usually pack the bags in unsanitary conditions.
“The Management of the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc. hereby urges the general public to only purchase flour in properly labeled packaging, which is in compliance with the Food Safety Laws of Guyana,” NAMILCO said.
“We specifically encourage persons, particularly our loyal customers to purchase our products which have been manufactured and packed at our ISO compliant factory. Not only are our products manufactured from wholesome, carefully sourced ingredients, but the highest levels of sanitation and quality control is applied at every stage of the manufacturing process.”
According to NAMILCO, its Thunderbolt and Maid Marian line of products are machine packed. The company also went on to specify the risks consumers incur by purchasing repackaged flour, often sold in unlabeled plastic bags.
“Products are often repackaged under unsanitary conditions at unregistered establishments in contravention of the laws of Guyana. Products can be expired yet repackaged for human consumption. No claim can be made for compensation or appropriate action taken or redress legal or otherwise,” NAMILCO added.
A few weeks ago, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), had announced that as Guyanese across the country prepare to shop for goods during the holiday season, it would be increasing its market surveillance to protect consumers.
The GNBS, operating under the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, is a semi-autonomous Governmental Organisation responsible for standards and quality in Guyana. The GNBS is an ISO 9001:2015 certified and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited agency.
During a recent interview with this publication, GNBS’ Head of Corporate Communications Lloyd David had said that since the holiday season is usually accompanied by an increase of trade and business, the Bureau will be closely monitoring products on the market throughout this period.
“So, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards acknowledge that there will be lots of purchasing and sale during the Christmas season. We will do our best, our inspectors will do their best to ensure that they monitor these products based on quality and labeling requirements,” he had said.
In 2022, NAMILCO and the GNBS had joined forces to push Guyana’s food safety agenda in observance of World Food Safety Day. That same year, NAMILCO had received certifications for two of its products, with the GNBS “Made in Guyana” certifica-
tion mark.
This meant the company can use the GNBS-approved “Made in Guyana” certification mark on the packaging of their wheat flour (Thunderbolt)- sizes (1kg, 2kg, 10kg, 22.5kg, 45kg) and their Maid Marian self-rising flour (sizes 1kg and 2kg).
The “Made in Guyana” certification mark is a prestigious mark which was unveiled by, First Lady Arya Ali at the GNBS’ National Quality Awards Ceremony in October 2021. It is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets.
Additionally, it is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese products. Among the requirements to become certified are that manufacturers are required to use at least 60 per cent raw materials from Guyana, and to employ 70 per cent Guyanese staff.
Kaprese Nobrega and Shay Carter were found guilty of murdering 25-year-old Kevin Campbell in a violent attack that occurred in “B” Field, Sophia, on March 27, 2020. Both men faced trial last week in the Demerara High Court, where a jury unanimously convicted them. Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, following a probation report and victim impact statements.
The deadly altercation began when Nobrega was involved in a fight with Campbell’s younger brother, Brandon Smith. During this confrontation at Smith's home, Nobrega stabbed him twice with scissors and then fled. Minutes later, Nobrega returned with Carter and a group of men, allegedly seeking Smith, but instead found Campbell. Witnesses testified that Carter dragged Campbell out of his home, after which Nobrega and others began stabbing him mul -
tiple times in his chest, face, and legs. Campbell’s family members witnessed the brutal assault and later provided testimony that proved instrumental in the trial. After the attack, Campbell was rushed to the Georgetown
Public Hospital, where he remained unconscious until his death a week later.
Prosecutors Muntaz Ali and Christopher Belfield presented the State’s case, with evidence including Nobrega’s confession to police and eyewitness accounts from Campbell’s relatives. Defense attorney Ronald Bostwick represented both defendants, who had pleaded not guilty.
Following the attack, Nobrega managed to evade capture until authorities located him with the help of a tip. Carter was initially charged in December 2020, and the charges were later amended to include both men jointly for Campbell’s murder. (G9)
A31-year-old teacher of Coburg Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was released on $40,000 bail on Friday after being charged with assault in connection with a heated parking lot confrontation.
Marcellus Spencer appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from a dispute with a producer, Ruiz Young.
The altercation reportedly took place earlier last week outside Young’s business place at John and Norton Streets, WerkEn-Rust, Georgetown. According to the case presented in court, Young was standing near his parked vehicle, speaking with neighbours, when Spencer arrived and parked her white Honda Vessel. Witnesses allege that Spencer, accompanied by two women, approached Young and began to question his presence in the parking area.
“I want see you scratch up this vehicle,” Spencer reportedly accused Young,
implying he intended to damage her car. It was also reported that Spencer’s companions echoed her concerns, asking Young what he was doing there
and suggesting he should move his car. In response, Young asserted his right to park in the area, stating, “Can’t you see I conduct business here and I
have nowhere else to park my vehicle?”
Tensions quickly escalated as Spencer allegedly retorted, “This is a government vehicle and I can park anywhere.” The exchange grew heated, and sensing the confrontation might turn physical, Young reportedly took out his cellphone to document the incident, as he attempted to record the encounter.
At this point, according to the prosecution, Spencer approached Young aggressively, closing the gap between them. She reportedly slapped the cell phone worth $180,000 out of his hand, causing it to fall to the ground and sustain damage.
Following the incident, Younger filed a report with the police, leading to Spencer’s arrest on an assault charge. In court, Spencer maintained her innocence, denying any intent to harm Young or his property.
Magistrate McGusty granted Spencer bail at $40,000 and the case will continue on December 6.
(G8)
The GRA was reported to’ve raided a Chinese supermarket in the city – actually on Hunter Street in La Penitence – and seized a van-load of items, including liquor!! Now, they didn’t say exactly why the raids, but the fact that goods were seized offers a clue: there had to’ve been one or more of our laws broken on these items. For instance, a grocery or supermarket can’t just start selling liquor without a specific licence. Ditto for expired goods or those that don’t have English language labels. This latter regulation is regularly flouted by these Chinese supermarkets – as your Eyewitness knows to his cost since he can’t figure out what’s perking up his favourite Ramen Noodles at the three Chinese supermarkets in his vicinity!! Could he be getting addicted to pork fat??!!
But as your Eyewitness has written before, this business of Chinese supermarkets springing up everywhere like Jumbie Umbrellas represents a multi-pronged concern. One of them goes far beyond the economic issues since the supermarkets are invariably run by four or five Chinese nationals who now live here. They could be strategically changing our demographics!! Are they naturalising themselves?? Your Eyewitness remembers visiting Suriname some two decades ago and noticing Chinese supermarkets all over the landscape. They ran most of the locals out of business – as is happening here – but as the economy fell on hard times, most of them pulled up stakes and ran. Your Eyewitness wouldn’t be surprised if most of them have ended up here!!
The other problem your Eyewitness has with the phenomenon is there’s definitely some price-fixing mechanism in place. Surely a supermarket in Berbice can’t have the same price on the aforementioned noodles as the one in your Eyewitness’s Demerara neighbourhood by sheer coincidence!! Don’t we have laws against price fixing that can lead to monopolies – which are being created in the supermarket business?? The other dirt your Eyewitness picked up is that containers consigned to the Chinese Embassy arriving duty free may contain grocery items?? Is this true?? Shouldn’t be too difficult to track the number of these containers and enquire as to whether the Chinese Embassy is stocking up to feed the Red Army that might be arriving to support Mad Maduro’s Venezuela – whose diplomatic ties have been recently upgraded to an “all-weather” partnership.??
But more insidiously, even for the containers not consigned to the Chinese Embassy, your Eyewitness was told most of these also don’t pay any duties. When the Customs Officer at the docks punch in the info to generate the requisite duties, etc – friends high up in the GRA hierarchy have already waived such charges on the system!!
GRA has to conduct raids on its own officials??
Our children in the educational system appear to be caught in an endless loop of mediocre performance in Maths. The Ministry of Education has been focusing on getting teachers to improve the performances –and most recently the Min of Education declared ominously that “teachers and schools will now be held accountable for students’ Maths results”!! Now for sure it’s possible Maths teachers might be slackers – but why just Maths teachers?? Could it be the subject itself – the curriculum, that is??
Your Eyewitness remembers being bored out of his wits when forced to do Quadratic Equations in school. Fifty years later, he still hasn’t faced a situation in life where he had to apply quadratic equations!! Is this a clue?? That kids just don’t see any connection between the Maths being shoved down their throats and their own lives!!
Your Eyewitness understands other countries tried having the kids apply Maths – along with other pertinent subjects – to solve real-life problems.
Is this what the new “Maths awareness campaign” is all about??
…on competition
Trump took time to announce that Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley – two prominent officials in the 20162020 term – ain’t being considered for any role in his administration. What gives?? They both thought themselves capable of ousting Trump??
Ariver accident on the Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has left one man dead and another injured as police investigate the circumstances of the mishap.
The incident took place at Fish Pond on Saturday around 11:00h when a ‘River Quest’ jet boat, captained by Odil Cozier, collided with a wooden
boat carrying two men, Davenand Williams, a resident of Kangaruma Village, and James McKenzie.
Williams succumbed to his injuries shortly after the collision. According to police reports, Cozier was steering his jet boat with four passengers and cargo toward
“We’re
According to the Prime Minister, he will work alongside the GDF’s Chiefof-Defence Staff on preparing the estimate for the repairs and will submit the document to the Defence Board for approval.
National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia, on behalf of his company –Roraima Airways, pledged to paint the building and provide the curtains once the repairs are completed.
Additional pledges to the Legion included $1 million from the Office of President, $1 million from the Prime Minister’s Office, $1 million from the GDF and $500,000 from the Guyana Police Force. Other attendees at the ceremony also made financial contributions to the Legion.
As was done last year, President Ali has also committed to giving each surviving World War veteran $100,000. Moreover, PM Phillips, a veteran himself, offered $200,000 as a personal pledge. This is in addition to the hampers that his office distributes twice per year to members of the Veterans Legion.
Currently, there are four surviving veterans of World War II in Guyana: Victor Brush, Donald Grant, James Samuels and
veered unexpectedly into the path of the jet boat. The impact capsized the smaller boat, throwing Williams and McKenzie into the river.
A19-year-old was shot in the arm early Sunday morning outside the Route 626 Bar at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Police are investigating the incident and searching for the suspected shooter.
The shooting occurred around 01:25h while the young man was at the bar with friends. According to reports, one of his friends had stepped outside to urinate when he (the friend) was confronted by a 33-yearold man who allegedly grabbed him by his shirt, sparking a heated argument that quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
The 19-year-old intervened to break up the scuffle and guided his friend back
to their vehicle.
As they attempted to leave, a man reportedly associated with the 33-yearold suspect fired at the car, shattering the rear passenger-side window and hitting the 19-year-old in his upper right arm.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after
and transported him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Police have interviewed several individuals and are gathering information as the investigation continues. Further updates are expected as police work to identify and apprehend the suspected shooter. (G9)
Isseneru Village along the right side of the river when he saw the smaller boat, operated by Williams, coming from the opposite direction on the same side of the waterway.
Cozier reportedly attempted to adjust his course to avoid the oncoming vessel, but the wooden boat
Passengers on the jet boat managed to pull both men from the water and rushed them to Issano Landing for medical attention. However, upon arrival, a doctor pronounced Williams dead. Reports indicate that Williams sustained injuries to his face, while McKenzie suffered injuries to his legs and upper back.
The police investigation remains ongoing as they work to uncover more details surrounding the fatal accident. (G9)
Acyclist was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state on Sunday afternoon following a collision with a truck at the entrance to the Tabatinga housing scheme in Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).
Details of the accident remain unclear. Witnesses reported that the cyclist sustained significant injuries. Investigations are ongoing.
Franklyn Courtman – each of whom are 98-years old. A fifth veteran, Kenneth King, died within the past year.
According to Prime Minister Phillips, caring for the veterans is a true mark of a grateful nation.
“Taking care of our veterans is a collective duty. Our veterans carry the physical and emotional marks of their service and as a society, we must ensure that they receive the care and opportunities that they deserve,” he noted.
The PM added that the Guyana Government is committed to providing veterans with access to quality healthcare, rehabilitation services and other necessities to support their well beings.
“We hold great respect for their sacrifices and want to ensure that they’re properly integrated into the community that they fought to protect… Universally, veterans embody a model of citizenship in their courageous, selflessness and love of country. We find the highest ideals of what it means to serve the nation. Today, I invite us all to look to their example and consider how us all can contribute to a stronger more unified Guyana and by extension, a stronger more unified
world,” he stated.
Not forgotten
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Lt. Colonel (Retired) George Gomes, implored that these fallen heroes are not forgotten.
“We must never forget them. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations are thought about the significance and importance of these annual observances and to inculcate in them, the need to maintain the tradition… We have to ensure that these observances are never watered down. They are the most integral part of our history and must be maintained for prosperity. Time must never diminish the significance of today – Remembrance Day,” he stated.
According to Gomes, another responsibility is to ensure that these veterans are taken care of.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Chief-ofDefence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, who assured that the relationship between the GDF and the Guyana Veterans Legion will continue.
“We will have special interest in all veterans – all the members of this body. I myself will become a vet-
eran and I know the service that all of us would’ve done, it is not to be taken for granted,” Khan posited.
Remarks were also made by members of the diplomatic community during
Sunday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Veterans Legion. Remembrance Day, observed annually on November 11 by Commonwealth nations, honours those who died in the world wars. The commemorative ceremony is traditionally held on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday of November. (G8) FROM PAGE 3
Residents of Blairmont and surrounding communities on the West Bank of Berbice (WBB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have expressed concern over the impact of smoke coming from the Esplanade Dump Site in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
“We are heavily affected by the Esplanade Dump Site which is continuously burning and it is affecting us residents of Region Five on the West Bank of Berbice,” one resident said. Residents have complained that the majority of the impact is felt during the evening hours.
“During the day the smoke is not much because breeze slows down progressively towards the evening and we are confined to our houses and the free flow of air would not be there. Those of us with-out air-conditioning would have to be inhaling the smoke continuously all night.”
The residents said they have addressed the issue with both the chairmen of both regions and also the fire department in New Amsterdam.
site, making it impossible for firefighters to reach the location.
The town’s Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh had also expressed concern
Since September 2023, the Esplanade Dump Site has been emitting smoke.
The then Divisional Fire Officer, Cortland Harry, had told this publication the Fire Service had been battling to contain the blaze but heavy winds would have pushed the raging flames to the far side of the dump-
over the situation saying that the dumpsite had been burning for several days, producing toxic smoke that had been covering sections of the town. The Mayor had referred to it as an environmental crisis but did not speak of what can or would be done to alleviate the situation. (G4)
The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is seeking to standardise safety and quality through a code of practice for sawmills, lumberyards, and other wood processing facilities. The agency also seeks to enforce its code of practice.
The GFC has been engaging operators of sawmills, lumberyards, and other wood processing facilities to enforce its code of practice and to have those facilities adopt the code of practice and have them implemented into their establishments.
Commissioner of the GFC, James Singh recently said there is a pressing need for consistency in quality and safety standards.
He added that while some wood processing facilities adhere to high standards, others lag behind, creating inconsistencies that affect both the quality of products and consumer satisfaction.
“We are concerned that the standards of the sawmills and lumber yards generally do not meet the requirements that we have set and consumers also have
a problem, so we have prepared a code of practice for wood processing operations,” Singh said.
Non-compliant facilities will receive initial warnings, and further actions will be taken if issues remain unresolved.
However, Singh said the agency is adopting a phased approach towards ensuring compliance.
The code was gazetted this year even though it was established in 2011.
“This document prescribes the minimum standards for saw milling, lum-
ber yards and generally for the layout of a mill, health and safety and ensuring the diametrical stability of the lumber that we produce and improvement of the quality.” The commission has so far met with operators at Parika, Anna Regina, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Linden, and Corriverton.
According to Singh, adapting the code of practice will result in higher industry standards, better products for consumers, and increased profit margins for operators. (G4)
Anew model farm has been commissioned in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The $14 million facility was officially opened on Saturday by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha commissioned a model farm at Talorgie, Corentyne.
Funding for the project was provided by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).
It is the fourth such facility to have been commissioned by the government and the second in Berbice. The aim according to the agriculture minister is to have a model farm in each Region. Apart for the new farm on the Corentyne, there is also one at Fort Wellington, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and in Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The farm comprises a storage room, shade houses, cattle pen, composting house, Vermicomposting huts, small ruminant’s pen, Black Giant Pen, and swine pens as well as demonstration plots for orchards and high-value crops such as bell pepper. It also has tanks with blackish water shrimp and tilapia allowing the opportunity to see how they can be reared in commercial quantities in small spaces.
Addressing a gathering of school children and
farmers at the commissioning, Mustapha pointed out that technology must be embraced.
“Agriculture is not just a farmer walking around his farm with a cutlass cutting bushes,” he said.
“Over the past four years, agriculture has become one of the more attractive sectors in our country,”
Mustapha said model farms in modern Guyana are essential as the country focuses on sustainable agriculture, innovation and modernization in the sector.
“Many times people look at agriculture as being a job for people who never went to school or a job for people in the middle of mature age and a job that doesn’t have much status but we are trying to change that perception,” Mustapha said while noting that over the last four years the sector has become one of the most attractive in Guyana.
The agriculture sector grew by 12 percent in 2023 and for the first of 2024 it has grown by 8.7 percent.
“We have built a soil lab where we are going to be doing test so that farmers can know what types of crops they can grow in various areas,” the Agriculture Minister noted.
“We intend to do mass tests in the entire country so that farmers can know what
type of soil they have and we can advise them what type of crops is best suited for those areas. We have seen a total transformation in the agriculture sector with new crops,” he continued.
The minister said in order to capture the interest of young people agriculture must be made modern, more reliant, and less labour intensive.
“Although many of them would have gone to the Guyana School of Agriculture and obtained a diploma in agriculture, or would have gone to the University of Guyana and came out with a degree in agriculture or agronomy, they are still not doing agriculture, they rather to do clerical work. Since we have launched a company that the President conceptualized – the Agriculture
Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, where young people are shareholders of this company and t the end of the year they are receiving dividends, we are seeing hundreds of young people coming and embracing agriculture,” Minister Mustapha disclosed.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman David Armogan in underscoring the importance of agriculture in Guyana which is now considered an oil-producing country noted that there had been growth in all sectors within the industry in Region Six.
Education Officer with responsibilities for agriculture in Region Six Yonette Crandon said the opening of our model farm is not just a piece of land; it is a vision brought to life, a testament to innovation, sustainability, good leadership, and commu-
nity collaboration.
“Our commitment to farming goes beyond mere production; it encompasses the principles of stewardship, environmental responsibility, and the pursuit of knowledge. This model farm serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating how we can harness modern techniques while respecting traditional practices,” the Education Officer said.
The initiative, she added, aims to showcase the best practices in sustainable agriculture from crop rotation and organic farming to innovative irrigation methods and renewable energy solutions.
“This farm should inspire farmers’ community members alike to adopt strategies that not only enhance productivity but also protect our precious resources for future generations.”
She said the initiative underscores the Government's commitment to promoting sustainability and responsible farming practices.
“This Model Farm will serve the 17 secondary schools in Region Six as an excellent platform for students to engage in experiential learning, working alongside experts and industry professionals. This immersive environment will not only enhance their understanding of agricultural practices but will also encourage innovation, problem-solving, and collabo-
ration skills that are critical in today's economy.”
President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) Poonai Bhigroo encouraged the students to take up agriculture and utalise technology.
New farming land being opened up
The CCCC President also pointed out the need for more land to become available in Region Six or farming, pointing out that many young people are seeking to get into farming but are faced with high costs for the rental of farming land.
On this note, the agriculture minister said 38,000 acres of land are being opened up for farming in Region Six. He pointed out that a Technical Implementation Committee (TIP) has been formed in Region Six.
“Two weeks ago, I formed that committee and they are now putting up ideas on how we can expand and develop the 38,000 new acres of land on the Corentyne going up to Moleson Creek. We already have that money budgeted.”
The land to be opened up stretches from Number 52 Village to Moleson Creek.
Mustapha said that very shortly, the TIP should submit a report to the Agriculture Ministry on how the new land should be developed and what crops should be planted there. (G4)
As the government of Guyana works assiduously to ensure children from every corner of the country have easy access to high quality secondary education and modern facilities, Education Minister Priya Manickchand recently revealed that the ministry will need a significant number of educators to cater for these learners.
The minister made this highlight last week during a recent edition of the Guyana Dialogue, whilst speaking on the programme the minister revealed that in an effort to achieve universal secondary education the ministry has already began to construct several secondary schools across the country. In fact, the Minister revealed that majority of these new schools are being built in hinterland areas such as communities in regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
“We're looking to achieve universal secondary education. What that means is that every child of secondary age should be allowed to ac-
cess a high-quality secondary education. Right now, in region 1, we're building five secondary schools…In Region Seven, we're building at Jawalla, at Karrau, at probably one more in the Upper Mazaruni.”
The minister highlighted that a total of 26 secondary schools are currently being erected across Guyana, while several existing schools were rehabilitated and expanded in some cases. In this regard the minister revealed that a significant number of teachers will be
needed to staff these new intuitions. She noted that the ministry has already begun works to bolster the teacher’s workforce, in fact she noted that through government interventions one of the country’s leading tertiary educational institutions the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has been dispersing a significant number of teachers into the education system to date.
“We are training more teachers numerically and qualitatively than we have ever trained before.
Historically, CPCE would be able to graduate just about 535 teachers a year. That's the maximum number they were ever able to graduate. We've expanded the college in many different ways by going online, by creating new satellite centers across the country, by staffing them differently…Last year, we graduated 1,778 teachers. This year, we graduated 1,502 teachers. We have a numerically larger amount and more trained teachers in the system.”
On this point the Miniter revealed that in light of a shortage of teachers to teach several subjects such as Physical Education and Sport (PE), Music and some Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET subjects) the ministry will continue to put systems in place to ensure a significant number of teachers are entering the system each year.
Moreover, the education minister revealed that there has been a decline of teachers leaving the country to peruse job opportunities in
foreign countries. In fact, she noted that in some cases some teachers are migrating back into the country to continue their service.
“Guyana has changed significantly. I know there was a time when we used to bleed teachers to various countries. I have cousins who went to Botswana, because I come from a family of teachers, and I have very good friends who went to the Bahamas You used to have plane loads going out. We don't see that now. We're not seeing that in the country right now In fact, what we get at the Ministry of Education is teachers coming to us to say, I'm returning, and I want to reconnect my service so that they have a continuous service. So we're not seeing a mass exodus.”
Meanwhile, last month during the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) 90th graduation exercise which saw a total of
1502 teachers graduating, Education Minister Priya Manickchand explained that once the graduates are dispatched across the country, the learning experience for students should be significantly enhanced.
“In Region 9, we have 5,924 learners at the primary level. We had 176 trained teachers. We’re adding 83 trained teachers this year. That will bring down our class size or our ratio of 33 students to one pupil to one trained teacher to 22 pupils to one trained teacher. Do you see how we’re moving closer and closer to our ideal numbers and ratio?”
This scenario, the minister explained, will be replicated across all administrative regions as more and more teachers become trained. In fact, across the majority of the regions, there has been an increase in the number of teachers being trained. For instance, in Region Ten during the period 2015 to 2020, there were 182 trained teachers but from 2020 to 2024, that figure stood at 377.
Thirty-six newly trained officers were officially inducted into the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) during a passing-out ceremony held last week at the Guyana Fire Service Headquarters tarmac. The recruits completed
dedication, hard work, and sacrifice. Addressing the recruits, Minister Benn reminded them that the ceremony marked only the beginning of a demanding journey.
“Despite having passed the renewal of the first phase of your test, your most critical test will be your commitment to the organisation as you would have pledged in maintaining and safeguarding your integrity, consistent performance and the ability to work peaceably with your colleagues. Your main mandates are to ensure that offenders are kept in safe custody while you seek to rehabilitate them in preparation for their re-entry into society,” he said.
The minister also noted the government’s investment in enhancing the pris-
the rigorous Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC).
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, attended the ceremony and commended the graduates for their
on facilities and plans to further diversify the service.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, echoed similar sentiments, congratulating the recruits and emphasizing the importance of
responsible and ethical conduct.
“We expect you to act responsibly and ethically, in order to effectively contribute to the safe, secure and
the values instilled in the new recruits, reminding them of their duty to care for and rehabilitate incarcerated individuals.
“It is important that you
humane custody of the people in your care,” Elliot remarked. He added, “I understand that your job can be complex, but I urge you to serve your Guyanese people diligently, faithfully and with pride.”
Acting Deputy Director of Prisons and Head of the Staff Training Department, Kevin Pilgrim, reinforced
understand the role you play in the care and rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated. Let me remind you most emphatically, that prisoners, just like other citizens, are entitled to enjoy their fundamental human rights, restricted as they may be,” he stated.
Pilgrim also highlighted the various training oppor-
tunities offered by the GPS, designed to help officers continue developing the skills essential to their responsibilities.
With this new group of recruits, the Guyana Prison Service looks forward to enhancing its mission of safe custody and rehabilitation, supporting the return of offenders to society as productive members. (G9)
Apedestrian was killed in an early morning accident on the West Coast Demerara public road.
Dead is Sherwin Decunaj, a 47-year-old resident of Lot 83 Back Street, Den Amstel, WCD.
The accident occurred at approximately 00:10h on Sunday, on the public road at Cornelia Ida, WCD.
According to police reports, motorcar, PAG 7971, was travelling eastbound on the northern lane of the road, allegedly at a fast rate,
when the pedestrian, who was standing on the southern footpath, ran from south to north across the road and directly into the path of the oncoming vehicle.
The impact caused the pedestrian to fall onto the road surface. He was subsequently transported to Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.
The body was then taken to the Ezekiel Mortuary for storage and a post-mortem examination.
Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam meD, enDocrinology
Pneumonia is an inflammation of one or both lungs, typically due to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. With pneumonia, the tiny air sacs inside the lungs become filled with fluid or pus, leading to coughing, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. Anyone can develop pneumonia. The people most at risk of developing pneumonia are young children, older adults, and people with pre-existing medical conditions that weaken the immune system. These same groups of people are also at
HIV
Are suffering from AIDS
Have cancer
• Take medicines for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Experience malnutrition
• Smoke tobacco, consume large amounts of alcohol, or both.
• Are exposed to certain chemicals or pollutants.
• Have recently been hospitalized in an intensive care unit
SYMPTOMS
The first symptoms of pneumonia usually resemble those of a cold or flu. A person may then develop other symptoms, which can vary depending on the type of pneumonia a person has.
Common symptoms include: Cough that may produce green, yellow, or even bloody phlegm.
Fast breathing and shortness of breath
Chest pain that usually worsens when taking a deep breath
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever, sweating,
increased risk of developing complications of pneumonia.
Pneumonia is, worldwide, the leading cause of death due to infection in children younger than 5 years of age.
RISK FACTORS
People most at risk of developing pneumonia are those who:
• Are under 5 years old or over 65 years old
Have recently recovered from a cold or influenza infection.
• Have developed cystic fibrosis Have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Are suffering from asthma
• Have conditions that affect the kidneys, heart, or liver
• Are suffering from diabetes
• Have contracted
and chills
Fatigue
• Confusion or delirium, especially in older adults
• Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting
TYPES
Pneumonia types differ depending on their cause. The different types and their associated causes include:
• Bacterial pneumonia: Many bacterial strains can cause pneumonia, but the most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae). A doctor may refer to pneumonia resulting from this strain as pneumococcal pneumonia.
Viral pneumonia: Viral causes of pneumonia include the respiratory syncytial virus and influenza types A and B.
• Fungal pneumonia: This can result from
a condition such as valley fever, caused by the Coccidioides fungus.
• Aspiration pneumonia: This type occurs because of inhaling food, liquids, or stomach contents into the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is not contagious.
• Hospitalacquired pneumonia: This can occur in people receiving hospital treatment for other conditions that involve the use of a respirator or breathing machine.
Walking pneumonia: Walking pneumonia is a non-medical term that describes a mild case of pneumonia with cold-like symptoms. The condition is so-called because people with this type of pneumonia typically do not require bed rest, and can continue their usual daily activities.
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type and severity of the pneumonia. The main types and their associated treatments include: Bacterial pneumonia: Treatment is usually with antibiotics.
Viral pneumonia: Treatment is not usually necessary, though a doctor may prescribe antiviral medications if influenza is the cause.
• Fungal pneumonia: Treatment usually involves antifungal medications.
Doctors commonly prescribe OTC medications to help manage the symptoms of pneumonia. Whatever the cause of pneumonia, people must rest and drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps thin out thick phlegm and mucus, making it easier to cough these up.
• Hospitalisation
Hospitalisation for pneumonia may be necessary if
symptoms are severe, or if a person has a weakened immune system or other serious illness. In the hospital, people may receive intravenous antibiotics and fluids. They may also need a supplemental oxygen supply.
In most cases, a child’s immune system would protect that child from developing pneumonia. If a child does develop pneumonia, it is usually due to a virus. Symptoms in children may include:
• Difficulty breathing, or breathing loudly.
• Not feeding as they usually do
• Coughing
• Fever Irritability
• Dehydration Toddlers may complain of pain in their chest or stomach, and vomit after coughing. Treatment includes plenty of rest and a regular fluid intake. A doctor may suggest OTC medications to help ease symptoms such as abdominal problems or coughing, but those medicines would not help treat pneumonia. Adults should not smoke around children, especially if the child has pneumonia.
COMPLICATIONS
Pneumonia can cause complications. These are more common among the following groups of people: young children, older adults, people with certain pre-existing health conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some potential complications of pneumococcal pneumonia include:
• Empyema: An infection of the space between the membranes that surround the lungs and chest cavity.
Pericarditis:
Inflammation of the sac, or pericardium, surrounding the heart.
Endobronchial obstruction: A blockage of the airway that allows air into the lungs.
• Atelectasis: A complete or partial collapse of an entire lung or an area within the lung.
Lung abscess: A collection of pus in the lungs. This is a rare complication that mostly occurs in people with serious underlying medical conditions or a history of alcohol misuse.
Pleurisy: Inflammation of the thin membranes between the lungs and ribcage; it can lead to respiratory failure.
Septicemia: An infection in the blood that originated elsewhere in the body.
Sepsis: A life-threatening immune reaction to septicemia, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
PREVENTION
There are two different vaccines to help prevent pneumococcal disease, the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia. The vaccines protect against a wide variety of pneumococcal infections. While they may not completely protect older adults from pneumonia, they can significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia and other infections caused by S. pneumoniae, including blood and brain infections. There are two pneumonia vaccines available.
Other preventative measures
Along with vaccinations, doctors recommend the following measures to help prevent pneumonia: Regular hand wash-
ing
Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Refraining from smoking
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
Exercising regularly
Staying away from people who have pneumonia, or being extra vigilant about hygiene when around unwell people.
DIAGNOSIS
To diagnose pneumonia, a doctor would usually ask about a person’s symptoms and medical history, and carry out a physical examination. The physical exam may include listening to the chest through a stethoscope and measuring blood oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter attached to the finger. A doctor may suspect pneumonia if they hear the following when listening to the chest through a stethoscope: coarse breathing, wheezing, crackling, and decreased breath sounds. If doctors suspect pneumonia, they may order additional tests, including:
• Chest X-rays: These can confirm a pneumonia diagnosis and show which areas of the lungs are affected.
• A chest CT scan: This scan can provide more detailed images of the lungs.
• White blood cell (WBC) count: A blood test that measures levels of WBCs in the blood. This helps determine how severe the infection is, and whether bacteria, virus or fungus is the likely cause.
• An arterial blood gas test: A blood test that can provide a more accurate reading of the body’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and other factors.
Blood cultures: These may reveal whether the micro-organism from the lungs has spread into the bloodstream.
Sputum analysis: Testing of the sputum to determine which pathogens are responsible for the pneumonia.
• Bronchoscopy: A procedure that involves passing a bronchoscope into the lungs while a person is under anesthesia. The bronchoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera attached, which enables the doctor to directly examine infected parts of the airways and lungs. A doctor may recommend this procedure when further investigation is necessary.
Haiti will name entrepreneur and former senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime to replace Prime Minister Garry Conille, who was tapped for the role in May, according to a transitional presidential council draft resolution seen by Reuters.
The shake-up is the latest blow to political stability in the country, which has been wracked with worsening violence. Armed gangs have gained control of most of capital Port-au-Prince and expanded to nearby regions, fuelling hunger and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes.
Promised international support still lags and nearby nations have deported Haitian migrants back to the country.
The resolution, dated today, Monday, November 11, is expected to be published in the official gazette.
Didier Fils-Aime is the son of well-known Haitian activist, Alix Fils-Aime, who was jailed under the regime of dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier.
Conille, who also briefly led the country over a decade ago, has been Prime Minister for about six
months. He was in May by Haiti's transition council to return to the role as the Caribbean nation works to restore stability.
The transition council, named in April, was tasked with choosing a Prime Minister and wielding certain presidential powers until conditions are considered secure enough for a new election. There has been some infighting among its councillors.
In recent weeks, Conille embarked on trips abroad to the United Arab Emirates and Kenya to seek security assistance in the aftermath
of a deadly gang attack that killed at least 70 persons.
In a letter circulating Sunday on social media, Conille said the transition council only had power to appoint a Prime Minister, but not dismiss one from the role.
"This resolution, taken outside any legal and constitutional framework, raises serious concerns about its legitimacy and its impact on the future of our country," the letter said.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office did not respond to a request for comment. (Reuters)
An earthquake rocked eastern Cuba on Sunday, shaking buildings in Santiago de Cuba, the island's second-largest city, and the surrounding countryside.
The quake, which the US Geological Survey listed as magnitude 6.8, struck Cuba's southeastern coast in Granma province near the municipality of Bartolome Maso, where former Cuban leader Fidel Castro had his headquarters during the Cuban Revolution.
"There have been landslides, damage to homes and power lines," said Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on X. "We have begun to assess damages...the first and
essential thing is to save lives."
Reuters spoke with several area residents who reported the quake felt as strong as any in their lifetimes. Homes and buildings shook violently, they said, and dishes, glasses, and vases rattled off shelves.
"We've felt earthquakes in the past, but nothing like this," said Santiago resident Griselda Fernandez by telephone.
Many of the region's homes and buildings are older and vulnerable to quake damage. State-run media published images of terracotta roofs and facades of concrete block homes that had collapsed with the shake. Many images showed struc-
tural damage to ceilings, walls, windows and columns as well as to public infrastructure.
The earthquake struck an island still struggling to recover from hurricanes. Much of Cuba's eastern end was still digging out from a direct hit by Hurricane Oscar in October. Last week, Cuba's national grid collapsed after Hurricane Rafael tore through the western end of the island, leaving 10 million without power.
Rolling, hours-long blackouts have been the norm for months across much of eastern Cuba, slowing reports of damages and complicating communications. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Three persons, including a prison officer, have been arrested in connection with the seizure of more than TT$19 million worth of cocaine.
On November 7, Police received information on two cars said to be transporting drugs. They assembled a team and intercepted both cars on the Sir
Solomon Hochoy Highway near Grand Bazaar.
Officers searched the cars, a Toyota Corolla and Nissan Bluebird Sylphy, and found a black plastic bag in the trunk of the Corolla.
Adispute over the safe use of dental radiography has developed between Jamaican dentists and the entity that regulates their operations.
The matter gained traction last week when Jamaica Association of Public Dental Surgeons (JAPDENS) and Jamaica Dental Association (JDA) issued a joint news release responding to concerns raised recently by Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA) Director General Dr Cliff Riley regarding the safety of radiographic equipment used in dental practices.
According to the dentists, “the HSRA’s position reflects a misunderstanding of dental X-rays and threatens access to essential care in an already underserved environment”.
The dentists explained that dental radiography, including intraoral X-rays, is legally recognised as a fundamental part of dental practice under the Dental Act of Jamaica.
“These X-rays are essential for diagnosing and treating oral health issues, preventing complications, and improving patient outcomes. The Dental Act, which regulates all aspects of dental practice, clearly authorises the use of X-rays as part of regulated dental care,” they said.
However, they argued that the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (NSRP) Act – though important in many settings – does not and should not supersede the provisions of the Dental Act.
“Dental professionals, as indubitable major stakehold-
ers, were neither consulted nor involved in drafting this legislation nor was the regulatory body for dentistry in Jamaica, the Dental Council, given a voice in the process,” the dentists said.
“This lack of consultation has led to provisions within the Act that attempt to govern areas outside HSRA’s expertise. For example, the Act presumes to evaluate whether a dentist is ‘fit and proper’ to own an X-ray unit. Unfortunately, the HSRA lacks the clinical expertise to determine if and when dental X-rays are indicated for patient care and thereby regulate dental X-rays, and is encroaching on the professional autonomy of dentists, disregarding our training and ethical responsibilities,” both associations argued. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Gunmen killed 10 persons in a bar in the central Mexican state of Queretaro late Saturday, authorities said, adding to a wave of violent crime that is gripping several areas of the country.
The incident took place in a bar in the downtown area of the state's capital, also known as Queretaro, where four gunmen entered, killing seven men and three women, according to the state attorney general and Queretaro city's security chief.
Seven other persons
were injured. One person was so far in Police custody, authorities said. Investigators were at the scene and also looking into a vehicle believed to be linked to the incident.
Queretaro is not commonly prone to high levels of violent crime, such as homicide, and is considered relatively safer than many other areas of Mexico.
"I reiterate to the people of Queretaro that there will be punishment for those responsible for this brutal act, we will continue to seal our borders
and maintain the security of our state," Queretaro Governor Mauricio Kuri said on X. Mexico is dealing with a security crisis linked to organised crime and warring factions of drug cartels that is one of the most pressing challenges for new Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. There have been 2788 homicides in the country since her inauguration on October 1, according to pollster TResearch's analysis of government data.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
The legionnaires marched briskly.
The event is held annually to honour the service people who lost their lives during World Wars I and II.
Bridge and the WickhamLewis Boardwalk.
The bag contained 12 packets of cocaine hydrochloride, a drug which is also used as a local anaesthetic in some medical procedures. The drugs, weighing 13.8kg, have an estimated street value of TT$19,236,096.
The prison officer was arrested alongside a 19-yearold man and a 35-year-old man, both from Fyzabad. Investigations are ongoing. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
So did the hundreds of Barbados Defence Force (BDF) soldiers, Barbados Police Service Officers, and other military officials who paraded onto Heroes Square on Sunday to the Police band’s solemn music.
When they arrived, they were greeted by applause from the audience gathered in the City to commemorate Remembrance Day and Interdenominational Service.
Although there were a few showers, the parade’s prompt start was not delayed and the sun eventually saved the day.
Although a few of the officers fainted, the hour-long parade was incident free.
The City was filled with spectators who wore national colours and a few visitors who witnessed the proceedings from the Chamberlain
The parade and religious service attracted senior officials including Head of State, President Dame Sandra Mason, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and many foreign diplomats. They were among those who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Members of the BDF band, Barbados Cadet Corp also participated in the parade. (Excerpt from Nation News)
More than a quarter of U.S. Gulf of Mexico oil and 16% of natural gas output remained offline in the aftermath of storm Rafael, the U.S. offshore energy regulator reported on Sunday.
There were 482,790 barrels of oil and 310 million cubic feet of natural gas production shut-in on Sunday, offshore regulator Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) reported.
Oil and gas workers remained evacuated from 37 of the region's 371 manned production platforms, or about 10%, while two drilling vessels remained off their prior locations, BSEE said.
Production losses due to Rafael shut-ins to date have totaled 2.07 million barrels of oil and 1.12 billion cubic feet of natural gas, according to BSEE data.
U.S. Gulf of Mexico federal offshore oil production accounts for about 15% of total U.S. crude oil production and 2% of dry natural gas production.
The storm has been downgraded to a tropical storm after entering the Gulf on Wednesday as a major hurricane. It is expected to meander in the central Gulf of Mexico, then turn toward the south and southwest on Monday and Tuesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. (Reuters)
Botswana’s president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has conceded defeat in Wednesday’s elections, which his Botswana Democratic party lost by a landslide after nearly six decades in power.
With almost all constituencies counted, the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had secured a parliamentary majority, with its leader, the lawyer Duma Boko, on track to become the southern African country’s next president.
Soaring unemployment has hit young people especially hard, fuelling a backlash at the ballot box against the BDP, which has ruled the country of 2.5 million people since it became independent from Britain in 1966. The election result is also part of a wider wave of popular discontent that has swelled across the continent, amid a lack of good jobs for growing youthful populations.
“Although I wanted to
Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been detained by police in Amsterdam after defying a ban on public protests in the Dutch capital.
Hundreds gathered in Dam Square on Sunday, calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza and expressing dissent towards the ban.
Demonstrations were temporarily banned by the mayor after Israeli football fans were targeted in what she called "hit-and-run" attacks on Thursday night after a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam.
The Israeli government has advised its citizens to "categorically avoid" Israeli sports and cultural events while abroad - specifically the football match between France and Israel in Paris on Thursday.
Authorities say Thursday's attacks - which caused five people to be hospitalised - were motivated by antisemitism as the fans were sought out across the
city.
The violence - which led to at least 62 arrests - was condemned by leaders in Europe, the US and in Israel.
The outcry was exacerbated by the attacks occurring on the eve of commemorations of Kristallnacht - Nazi pogroms against German Jews that took place in 1938.
Three-quarters of Jewish people in the Netherlands
were murdered during the Holocaust in World War Two.
Amsterdam police said there had also been trouble the night before the match.
Police chief Peter Holla said there had been incidents "on both sides", including Israeli supporters removing a Palestinian flag from a wall and setting it alight, and attacking a taxi.
The city's Mayor Femke
Halsema announced a ban on public assembly on Friday lasting at least until the end of the weekend, deeming the city a "high-risk security area".
But protesters on Sunday argued they should be free to voice their disapproval of Israel's actions in Gaza and the actions of the Maccabi supporters. (Excerpted from BBC)
An 18-year-old park ranger has died in the US state of New York while battling a wildfire in Sterling Forest - one of several blazes that erupted in the region this week.
The teenager was identified by state police as Dariel Vasquez. Officials said Mr Vasquez, who worked for the state’s parks and recreation department, was helping to fight the fire when he was killed.
stay on as your president, I respect the will of the people and I congratulate the president-elect. I will step aside and I will support the new administration,” Masisi said at a press conference on Friday morning, when only part of the results had been released.
State television later showed that out of 55 of the 61 constituencies that had reported results, the UDC had won 32 seats, while the BDP was in last place out of four parties with just four seats. MPs will now elect the president.
Boko, who had pledged to raise the minimum wage and increase social grants, told the local news outlet Mmegi: “It shocked me, the numbers … I’m humbled.” Botswana is the world’s second-largest diamond producer. Income from the gems is credited with helping the country to be one of the region’s most stable and wealthy states. (The Guardian)
As of Sunday, several brush fires were burning across the region of New England on the US east coast, fuelled by warm, dry weather.
Wildfires have also erupted on the other side of the country, in southern California, where more than 100 structures have been burned.
On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was “deeply saddened” by Mr Vasquez’s death.
“My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time,” she said.
Fires on the east coast led to air quality warnings in the neighbouring states of New York and New Jersey.
One blaze - the Whitehouse
Fire - is burning in Ulster and Sullivan counties, west of Hartford, Connecticut, and is up to 400 acres in size, Hochul said in a statement.
Two others are burning in Sterling Forest State Park, about 45 miles (72 km) north of New York City.
from BBC)
Ukraine attacked Moscow on Sunday with at least 34 drones, the biggest drone strike on the Russian capital since the start of the war in 2022, forcing flights to be diverted from three of the city's major airports and injuring at least five people.
Russian air defences destroyed another 50 drones over other regions of Western Russia on Sunday, the defence ministry said.
"An attempt by the Kyiv
regime to carry out a terrorist attack using airplane-type drones on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted," the ministry said.
Russia's federal air transport agency said the airports of Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky diverted at least 36 flights, but then resumed operations. Five people were injured in the Moscow region, the defence ministry said.
Moscow and its surrounding region, with a population
of at least 21 million, is one of the biggest metropolitan areas in Europe, alongside Istanbul.
For its part, Russia launched a record 145 drones overnight, Ukraine said. Kyiv said its air defences downed 62 of those. Ukraine also said it attacked an arsenal in the Bryansk region of Russia, which reported 14 drones had been downed in the region.
Unverified video posted on Russian Telegram channels showed drones buzzing across the skyline.
The 2-1/2-year-old war in Ukraine is entering what some officials say could be its final act after Moscow's forces advanced at the fastest pace since the early days of the war and Donald Trump was elected 47th president of the United States.
Trump, who takes office in January, said during campaigning that he could bring peace in Ukraine within 24 hours, but has given few details on how he would seek to do this. (Reuters)
Think before you act, and you’ll avoid regret. Approach your path passionately, and you’ll attract someone who can help you advance. Choose an open mind and a positive direction forward.
Surrounding yourself with what excites you will change your perspective and encourage you to reach for things you have denied yourself for too long. It’s time for a new look, direction and lifelong goal.
Don’t trust others to be accurate with the facts. Do the research and verify information. Excess is the enemy; keep your life and plans simple and affordable. Apply your energy and enthusiasm to learning.
Your efforts will help you gain recognition and advancement. Differentiate yourself from the competition, stand tall and make yourself heard. An honest look at your past will help you redefine your future.
Apply force where necessary, but let others decide for themselves. There is a fine line between bullying and encouraging others to do what’s right. Offer facts and a good example, and be willing to lead the way.
Learn from your mistakes and avoid temptation. A change will spark your imagination and drive you to participate in something different. Prevent anyone from pressuring you.
Broaden your horizons, learn about possibilities and seek whatever makes you happy. Finding your happy place will do wonders for your outlook and the response you receive from others.
Enjoy the moment. Don’t let anyone interfere or lead you astray. Secure what you have and want to keep, value those who enrich your life and put your energy into what makes you happy.
Step back, observe, analyze and come up with a plan before you consult with others. You must have sound ideas before you go to bat for what you want to see transpire.
Change begins with you. It’s time to lighten up and have some fun. Be creative and let your diversity shine through. The contributions you make will surprise others and define your beliefs.
Keep an eye on your money, possessions and reputation. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something inappropriate or expensive. Don’t trust hearsay; get facts firsthand.
Declutter your life, home and belongings. Letting go or helping those in need will be rejuvenating. If you need cash, sell off what you no longer use and pay down debt.
Tristan Stubbs' comingof-age season continued as he batted South Africa to a series-levelling win over India at St George's Park. Stubbs rescued South Africa from 66 for 6 and
World Cup final in June, South Africa had played six matches before Sunday and won only one. They appeared to lack a certain structure to their game, which showed glimpses of returning when
shared in a 42-run stand off 20 balls with Gerald Coetzee to end India's winning streak in T20 Internationals, which extended back 11 matches. In the last month, Stubbs has scored his first Test and OneDay International (ODI) centuries and though his 47* in Gqeberha will not go down as a milestone, it was an innings of maturity that turned things around for a struggling South African side.
Since reaching the T20
they put together a complete performance in the field and kept India to 124. The fast bowlers set the tone upfront before the spinners put on a squeeze and all but Keshav Maharaj were among the wickets. Importantly, they removed India's top three early, and for a combined total of eight runs, and their middle order had to play catch up. A 37-run stand between Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh for the seventh wicket was the
India (20 ovs maximum)
Sanju Samson †
b Jansen 0
Abhishek Sharma c Jansen
b Coetzee 4
Suryakumar Yadav (c) lbw
b Simelane 4
Tilak Varma c Miller
b Markram 20
Axar Patel run out (Peter) 27
Hardik Pandya not out 39
Rinku Singh c Coetzee
b Peter 9
Arshdeep Singh not out 7
Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 8) 14
Total 20 Ov (RR: 6.20) 124/6
Did not bat: Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Varun Chakravarthy Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Sanju Samson, 0.3 ov), 2-5 (Abhishek Sharma, 1.5 ov), 3-15 (Suryakumar Yadav, 3.6 ov), 4-45 (Tilak Varma, 7.6 ov), 5-70 (Axar Patel, 11.5 ov), 6-87 (Rinku Singh, 15.2 ov) • DRS
Bowling O-M-R-W
Marco Jansen 4-1-25-1
4-0-25-1
Gerald Coetzee
Andile Simelane 3-0-20-1
4-0-24-0
Keshav Maharaj
Aiden Markram 1-0-4-1
Nqabayomzi Peter 4-0-20-1
South Africa (T: 125 runs from 20 ovs)
Ryan Rickelton c Singh
b Arshdeep Singh 13
Reeza Hendricks
b Varun 24
Aiden Markram (c)
b Varun 3
Tristan Stubbs not out 47
Marco Jansen
b Varun 7
Heinrich Klaasen † c Singh
b Varun 2
David Miller
b Varun 0
Andile Simelane b Ravi Bishnoi 7 Gerald Coetzee not out 19
Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 4) 6
Total19 Ov (RR: 6.73) 128/7
Did not bat: Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Ryan Rickelton, 2.5 ov), 2-33 (Aiden Markram, 5.2 ov), 3-44 (Reeza Hendricks, 7.4 ov), 4-64 (Marco Jansen, 10.5 ov), 5-66 (Heinrich Klaasen, 12.1 ov), 6-66 (David Miller, 12.2 ov), 7-86 (Andile Simelane, 15.4 ov) • DRS Bowling O-M-R-W
Arshdeep Singh 4-0-41-1
Avesh Khan 3-0-23-0 Hardik Pandya 3-0-22-0 Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-17-5 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-21-1 Axar Patel 1-0-2-0
only time India's scoring rate went above six an over.
Given the target, South Africa may have thought the win would come easily, but they were made to work for it. Varun Chakravarthy's first international five-for left them reeling while Captain Aiden Markram's poor form remains a concern. It has been 26 innings since he last scored a T20I half-century. South Africa were kept quiet by India's spinners and as wickets fell, the required run-rate climbed to the point where they needed 40 off the last five overs. Stubbs held his nerve, Coetzee showed his batting prowess, and South
Varun confounds South Africa
South Africa insist they have made progress in their batting against spin, but then someone like Varun comes along and it doesn't seem that way. He followed up a career-best in Durban with another in Gqeberha and made India's modest total appear much bigger than it was. His second ball was a slow googly that Markram, struggling for form, did not pick. Markram slogged, missed, and was bowled. The same delivery did Reeza Hendricks in, in the next over. Hendricks had just hit Varun for four and was foxed by the wrong 'un as he played for turn away and was
down the leg side, but an immediate review proved otherwise. Coetzee had the last laugh when Abhishek topedged him to Jansen at short fine. But the moment of the powerplay came when Andile Simelane, who was wicketless on debut in Durban, seared in a yorker to Indian Captain
Africa got home with an over to spare.
Gerald Coetzee – the batter
Coetzee was put on a 12week conditioning break to work on his bowling, but it seems as though he's paid as much attention to his batting. After an 11-ball 23 at Kingsmead, with the game all but lost, Coetzee came in with everything at stake at St George's Park. South Africa were 86 for 7 and needed 39 runs in 26 balls. He was off the mark with a single and that was all the sighting he needed. He dispatched the next ball he faced, a full delivery from Arshdeep Singh, over long-off to relieve the pressure. Stubbs ended the 17th over with a stunning drive through the covers which left South Africa needing 25 runs from 18 balls. Coetzee got that down to 17 off 16 balls with back-to-back boundaries off Avesh Khan, who erred in length. South Africa scored 12 runs off the 18th over and needed 13 off the last 12 balls to level the series.
bowled. Then, Varun changed ends and was equally dangerous from the other side. In Varun’s third over, Marco Jansen had no idea what to do against the googly, but it was the final over where Varun all but ended South Africa's hopes. Heinrich Klaasen tried to take him on and could only find long-off and with his next ball, Varun bowled David Miller to claim his five-for.
South Africa's sensational bowling start Cricket has its way of humbling humans and it did to Sanju Samson, who was bowled off the third ball of the innings for a duck, after back-to-back hundreds in his last two matches. The delivery was impressive as Jansen got the ball to seam and then swing, but Samson moved too early to give himself room and may have been in a better place to keep it out if he had remained in line. Jansen's first over was scoreless and South Africa had set the tone. Four balls later, Coetzee and umpire Lubabalo Gcume thought Abhishek Sharma gloved him
Suryakumar Yadav to get his first international wicket. Suryakumar tried to flick it away but was beaten for pace and hit on the pad and did not even bother to review. India were 15 for 3 after four overs and recovered to 34 for 3 after the powerplay.
David Miller's wonder catch Tilak Varma smashed Markram towards cover.
The ball rocketed towards Miller who moved to his right, reached overhead and plucked it out of the Gqeberha. Tilak stood open-mouthed and stared at Miller in disbelief. At the stands, the spectators' eyes were the size of saucers. The commentators struggled to get the words out.
'Oh, my, word', was the overall sentiment as India slumped to 45 for 4. South Africa stayed sharp in the field and legspinner Nqaba Peter reacted quickly when Hardik drove the ball to him at the end of his second over. Peter got a touch as the ball deflected onto the non-striker's stumps and Axar Patel was run out.
Hardik hits out Hardik scored 19 runs off the first 29 balls he faced and only found the boundary off the 28th as South Africa dried up India's run-scoring opportunities. The middle overs were heavy going as India scored 24 runs in five overs and went 35 deliveries without scoring a boundary. Finally, in the 18th over, Hardik found his touch. Jansen was brought back on after his first two overs cost only five runs and Hardik immediately punched him through the covers for four. Two balls later, he got under a wider delivery and hit it over extra cover for six and then closed out the over with a ramp shot off a short ball for India's most profitable over.
(ESPNcricinfo)
Jos Buttler rampaged into form in his second innings back in charge of England's T20 International side, a brutal 83 off 45 balls helping to clinically ice a chase of 159 and give the tourists a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Batting once again at number three, Buttler followed up the good work of his bowling attack by peeling off the 26th 50-plus score of his career in T20Is, eight fours and six sixes ringing off his bat during a century stand with Will Jacks that saw England cruise to their requirement with more than five overs to spare.
Having again won the toss and opting to bowl, England made good use of the conditions to leave West Indies three down in the powerplay, Saqib Mahmood striking twice to continue his prolific start to the series. Rovman Powell provided some ballast for West Indies with a 41-ball 43, but Romario Shepherd was the only other batter to reach 20 as Dan Mousley, in his second T20I, and Liam Livingstone shared four wickets.
Although England then lost their centurion from
Saturday's successful chase of 183, Phil Salt, to the first ball of the reply, Buttler and Jacks dispelled West Indies' hopes of making a game of it with a domineering stand of 129 from 72 balls. Both fell in the same Shepherd over, but there was no reprieve forthcoming for West Indies.
Hosein's opening salvo
Only three times had a score of 150 or less been defended in T20Is at Kensington Oval – and none since 2010. West Indies clearly needed to make early inroads with the new ball, and they couldn't have gone any better in that regard. Akeal Hosein gave his first ball some air, found a little turn, and Salt's aggressive thump went straight to hand in the covers. Buttler was then late in jabbing down on Hosein's fourth delivery, the ball deflecting off the toe of the bat before bouncing over the stumps. Might the pitch still be tricky to master?
Buttler serves up a classic
The short answer was: no. Jacks did the early running, picking off boundaries against Matthew Forde and Hosein, with Buttler scoring just three runs off his first 10 balls. Back-to-back fours off Forde followed, before Jacks deposited Hosein over long-off. England were beginning to feel a little more comfortable as Shepherd came on to bowl the final over of the powerplay –and they were metaphorically in a deckchair sipping from a cold bottle of Banks by the end of it.
ing across to the change of length and flipping four more over the head of short fine leg, as England reached the end of the powerplay on 56 for 1.
Another bludgeon down the ground off Gudakesh Motie meant a replacement ball had to be sent for, and Buttler went to a 32ball half-century by smashing Roston Chase into the crowd in the 10th over of the chase. Terrance Hinds, making his debut for West Indies, was collared for 15 runs as England brought up their 100 in the next, before Buttler went 6-6-4 against Chase. He fell in the next over, three balls after Jacks – and one ball after being dropped in the covers. But the finish line was already in sight for England, Livingstone creaming four boundaries in 11 balls and sealing the result with a six.
Jacks again took the lead, clubbing four high over mid-off, before ceding the stage to Buttler. His first of three consecutive boundaries was something of an ungainly hack that spun away to the rope at deep backward point, but that was followed up by emphatically drilling Shepherd's slower ball over the sightscreen, then walk-
Mahmood in the mood again
There was early evidence of some juice in the pitch, with Bridgetown having been lashed by rain during the morning, as Evin Lewis edged Jofra Archer fortuitously wide of slip while attempting to leave in the first over. Brandon King was in no mood for sighters, though, and tried to thrash his second ball from Mahmood over the top: the ball stood up just enough off the surface to send a spiralling leading edge to mid-off.
Archer had Lewis prodding and poking in the channel, before producing a brute of a lifter to flick the glove through to Salt. And although Mahmood struggled at times to control the amount of movement on offer, conceding 10 wides in his opening three-over burst, he picked up his fifth powerplay wicket of the series when beating Chase on the inside to win an lbw decision that was backed up on DRS as umpire's call. West Indies were 35 for 3 inside the fourth over –marginally better off than their start to the first T20I, but not by much.
Powell powers the revival West Indies needed a partnership and they got one from Powell and Nicholas Pooran – but it was not fluent. Pooran soon opted for seeing off the newball pair, given the movement on offer, while Powell was also circumspect, see-
ing off a maiden from Sam Curran in the eighth. The pair put on 35 from 43, with just a boundary apiece, before Pooran was lured from his ground by Livingstone, whose flighted offbreak left the West Indies number three stranded.
Powell had crabbed his way to 18 off 28 before he found his range, panning Livingstone over the midwicket rope for the first six. He lost another partner in Sherfane Rutherford, England reviewing successfully for lbw, and then somehow managed to muscle Adil Rashid on to the rope at extra cover, despite aiming down the ground. Another boundary at the
end of the over brought up West Indies' 100; but just as Powell appeared set to unleash through the death overs, he was undone by Mousley's 116kph/72mph yorker, which dipped under the bat to hit middle stump and give the 21-year-old his maiden international wicket.
Windies’ tail wags
The hosts only managed three boundaries between the end of the powerplay and the start of the 15th over, but after Powell's dismissal, the lower order heaved away to good effect. Motie made good use of the extra pace Mousley put on the ball to thrash two fours in three balls, before Shepherd took back-to-back boundaries off Archer and crunched Curran down the ground. Forde also found the ropes three times in six balls, all of them sweetly struck, while Hinds hit his second ball in international cricket for four – Mousley's final over costing 15, including five wides down the leg side. (ESPNcricinfo)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Jofra Archer 4-0-31-1
Saqib Mahmood 3-0-20-2
Adil Rashid 4-1-32-1
Sam Curran 3-1-20-0
Liam Livingstone 2-0-16-2
Dan Mousley 4-0-29-2
England (T: 159 runs from 20 ovs)
Phil Salt †c King
b Hosein 0 Will Jacks c Forde
b Shepherd 38
Jos Buttler (c) c Powell
b Shepherd 83
Liam Livingstone not out 23
Jacob Bethell not out 3
Extras (b 4, w 10) 14
Total 14.5 Ov (RR: 10.85) 161/3
Did not bat: Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Phil Salt, 0.1 ov), 2-129 (Will Jacks, 12.1 ov), 3-130 (Jos Buttler, 12.4 ov) •
(Roston Chase, 3.5 ov), 4-70 (Nicholas Pooran, 10.6 ov), 5-80 (Sherfane Rutherford, 12.6 ov), 6-102 (Rovman Powell, 15.2 ov), 7-126 (Gudakesh Motie, 17.5 ov), 8-143 (Romario Shepherd, 19.1 ov) • DRS
2-0-34-0 Terrance Hinds 2-0-24-0
The golden trio –Dolphin Secondary, Chase’s Academic Foundation and Waramuri Secondary – kept their records clean on Saturday afternoon when the Republic Bank Under-18 Football League went into Round 3 of 7.
The action began at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Saturday with Waramuri Secondary thrashing East Ruimveldt Secondary 8-0.
Denzel Abrams opened the scoring in the 15th minute and made it a 2-0 game by the 20th. Orwin Abrams pushed the score to 3-0 one minute later and went on to complete his hat-trick
Dolphin Secondary (blue) ease past President’s College
with strikes in the 24th and 60th.
Rondel Peters added a brace to the equation in the 40th and 44th minutes,
Waramuri Secondary (black and white) thumped East Ruimveldt
while Ricardo Lewis added the cherry on top of the cake with a goal in the 51st.
The second game of the day saw Dolphin Secondary easing past President’s College 3-0. Collin David netted early in the third minute while his teammate Kawson Chance pushed the score to 2-0 by the 12th.
David returned in the 16th minute to find the back of the net a second time, but that would be the end of the scoring for Dolphin as their opponents tightened their defences in the second half.
A nail-biter followed next, featuring Chase’s Academic Foundation and a determined West Ruimveldt Secondary. West Ruimveldt
On Saturday at the National Gymnasium, the teams hailing from Region 10 – Kwakwani Untouchables and Victory Valley Royals –achieved incredible victories in the Guyana Basketball Federation Elite 16 Knockout Basketball Tournament, thanks to their ability to overcome defences.
The Kwakwani Untouchables decimated the Black Mambas in their first game after losing their coach. They dominated the tempo and had a 25-13 advantage after the first quarter owing to their ability to counterattack.
In the second quarter, the Mambas scored 14 points, bringing their total points to 27, while the Untouchables demonstrated their experience by continuing to swish the ball for 15 points, totalling 40 points.
After that, the Untouchables continued to increase their lead, scoring 28 points and holding their opponents to nine in the third quarter. The final scoreline for that quarter was 68-49, giving the Untouchables a significant lead.
The Mambas' run in this year's competition came to an end as the Untouchables' offensive game required no help, for a 21-point win, 8968.
In his post-game re-
marks to media operatives, Kwakwani Untouchables
Captain Stanton Rose discussed the game's main elements, the areas that required work, and the joy they had at winning despite losing their coach, Dave Causeway, during the summer.
Rose said: “It was a great feeling, man. After, I would say, a terrible summer: losing our coach; it was hard. But the guys come together, and they know what we have to do. So, it was a hard time, but it was a satisfying victory.
“Yeah, communication and defence. We already know what we can do on offence. So, the communication with defence was key tonight, for us. Fitness, our turnovers. Our jump set worked tonight, but we will keep working on that, and the defence, and rebounding. Because we know
displayed the best of their defending to stifle Chase’s, who were already missing one of their better strikers, owing to a red card in their previous game.
However, Isaiah Ifill would capitalise on a set piece from the corner, connecting in a header in the 47th minute which would eventually become the game winner in the 1-0 contest.
The curtains came down on Round 3 with an excit-
ing 2-2 draw between South Ruimveldt and Bartica Secondary. Bartica’s Billy Smith struck first, in the 28th minute and the reply came almost instantaneously from South, with Devonte Gaime finding the back of the net in the 19th minute.
Rockclif Adamson would score next in the 39th minute to put Bartica ahead again, but an unfortunate own goal from the Region Seven camp led to the score-
line equalising for a second time that evening. The final whistle eventually came with the score still locked at 2-2.
Round 4 of the Republic Bank League continued on Sunday, the results for which will be published in a subsequent edition of Guyana Times Sport.
The League is also supported by Guyana Beverages Inc under its Busta brand, MVP Sports, and Tiger Rentals Guyana.
The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s First Division last weekend received uniforms for the 2024-25 cricket season from its official sponsor, NAMILCO.
The presentation was done at the company’s head office, located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EDB) by Managing Director Bert Sukhai to RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster in the presence of Finance Director Fitzroy McLeod.
for sure that the next game will be a tougher game than tonight’s. So, that's a key thing we will work on coming into the next game.”
Victory Valley Royals defeated Plaisance Guardians by 35 points. They dominated the first quarter, leading 26-12, and set the tone for the rest of the game by dominating from the jump ball.
The Royals increased their total to 49 points in the second quarter and demonstrated their defensive strength by holding their opponents to 10 points, for a total of 22 points.
The Royals then scored 28 points in the third quarter, while the Guardians struggled offensively, finishing the third quarter with just nine points.
The Royals secured the win in the fourth quarter as the scoreline read 93-58.
Foster, noted that the company has been sponsoring the Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team since 2019 and the success of the team has been overwhelming. The team under the sponsorship have won over 10 championships and are the leading team at the First-Division level in the Ancient County. Foster, a former President of the Berbice Cricket Board, stated that the company had already provided uniforms for the team twice before – in 2019 and 2022 – and he expressed gratitude to Managing Director Sukhai for the continued sponsorship.
The team, under the leadership of Berbice senior inter-county and former Guyana player Clinton Pestano, are currently preparing for the finals of the Premier Cup 20/20 finals against arch-rivals Tucber Park CC, and Foster stated that the uniforms would be used by the players
there.
Among the players currently in the team are Pestano, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Slyus Tyndall, Kevin Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Romesh Bharrat, Matthew Pottaya, Jason Sinclair, Eon Hooper, Keon Sinclair, and Troy Mathieson.
The RHTY&SC Secretary informed the NAMILCO delegation that the club have a total of eight members with contracts with either the Guyana Cricket Board or Cricket West Indies. Three of them – Anderson, Sinclair and Tyndall – are currently with the Guyana fifty-over team in Trinidad while Kevin Sinclair was also selected in the team before he was replaced by Junior Sinclair.
The Rose Hall Town NAMILCO team have, so far in 2024, successfully completed over fifty personal development projects and are busy right now, preparing to host the 10th edition of the popular Rose Hall Town Christmas Village from December 21 to 24 in the compound of the Rose Hall Primary School.
The team, along with their clubmates, would also be distributing 1000 food hampers, thousands of Christmas toys, 500 special Christmas packages consisting of apples, grapes, biscuits and confectionery, etc.
The team would also be assisting youths with bicycles and school bags as part of the pro-
gramme . The NAMILCO team are also preparing to launch another edition of their highly successful Say No/Say Yes campaign. The campaign targets over 60,000 youths in Region Six, with the main objective of getting them to say no to drugs and crime and yes to education and religion. NAMILCO is sponsoring four educational outdoor PVC standup promotional signs that would be used at all RHTY&SC functions. The signs would feature the images of Jonathan Rampersaud, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson,. The signs would feature solid pieces of advice on different topics.
NAMILCO Managing Director Sukhai stated that his company was very pleased to be associated with the FirstDivision team and was very impressed with their achievements on and off the cricket field. As he handed over the uniforms , Sukhai urged the team to remain focused and to always strive for excellence. Noting that the club has always been associated with success , the NAMILCO boss pleaded for this to continue in the future. Apart from sponsorship of the team, the company also co-sponsors several of the club activities including award ceremonies, the cricket academy, summer camps, youth magazine, Tribute to Heroes and the Christmas Village.
