…as Vice President calls position “immoral and obscene” …points to how AFC MPs can vote on legislation in favour of Hughes’ clients
GPF announces rotation of top brass CANU busts trio with over 5kg cocaine
Guyanese man found dead in Suriname Body of missing man found in East Canje Backdam
Aubrey Norton received 1040 votes at PNC elections
Guyana sending ships with supplies for St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 6 –04:00h-05:30h and Sunday, July 7 – 04:30h-06:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Saturday, July 6 –17:05h-18:35h and Sunday, July 7 – 04:50h-06:20h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.
High Tide: 16:56h reaching a maximum height of 2.39 metres.
Low Tide: 10:29h and 22:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.82 metre.
GTU concedes to Govt’s salary increase negotiations from 2024 onwards …talks on new multi-year agreement to start
After months prolonged industrial action, the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) has finally conceded to government’s proposal that salary increases for teachers should be determined under a new agreement from the current year onward.
This is the same proposal Government had made even before the GTU moved to indusial actions.
The GTU had been pushing for a backdated collective bargaining agreement. But Government, through the Ministry of Education, has maintained that it is fully prepared to work on a multiyear agreement from 2024 and not 2019 as being initially demanded by the union. The GTU subsequently recanted and agreed to negotiate from 2022 onwards – a proposal that was also rejected by Government.
However, on Friday, the Education Ministry announced that following discussions with the union over the past two weeks, the two sides have come to an agreement.
“The conciliation process has ended with the parties agreeing that the multi-year agreement will address a period commencing from 2024 and onwards,” the ministry said in a brief statement.
In a separate statement on Friday, the GTU explained that it presented a new proposal covering the period 2024-2026 following consultations with its membership.
“We believe that the members' wishes must be respected at all times and that a speedy resolution is in the best interest of all Guyanese. The union assures its members and the general public that our negotiating team is well positioned to present a strong case for increased salaries and other benefits to our members,” the GTU said in its missive.
Bilateral talks between the ministry and the union on the new 2024-2026 multiyear agreement is now slated to commence on July 11 at 10:30h.
According to the Education Ministry, it “…will continue to serve teachers in various ways and continues to have the best interest of teachers at heart.”
The now concluded conciliation process was initiated by the Education Ministry after the GTU had agreed to end its 70 plus-day strike action that was undertaken by teachers from across the country.
Among the terms of the June 21 agreement was for the end of the strike and full resumption of work by all teachers/educators within two working days; no discrimination or loss of service or transfer of any teachers who were on strike; and for the status quo to prevail pending the outcome of the legal proceedings in the courts.
That Agreement of Resumption follows a breakdown of talks between the ministry and the union, resulting in the intervention of the Labour Ministry to mediate between the two parties.
Since then, the MOE and
GTU have met numerous times, under the supervision of the Labour Ministry, to embark on negotiations to determine a Multi-Year Agreement which would be beneficial to all parties involved.
The process adheres to the guidelines outlined in the 1990 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) titled, "The Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes", as well as the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01 of the Laws of Guyana.
In a statement on Friday, the Labour Ministry said the resumption agreement not only put an end to the strike and ensure full resumption of work but also allows children to resume their academic endeavours.
During the signing, Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Dhaneshwar Deonarine, who served as the conciliator during the engagements between the two parties, voiced his satisfaction that this issue of the strike was peacefully resolved and is now moving towards a solution that would be in everyone’s best interest.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Shannielle Hoosein-
Outar, had reaffirmed that Government has always been committed to ensuring what is best for the children, the teachers and the nation.
On the other hand, President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, had echoed similar sentiments. He had explained to reporters that the decision to end the strike was based on a consensus by teachers across the country during previous consultations.
Initially, GTU was demanding a 20 per cent
across-the-board increase before resuming conciliation talks – something which the Education Ministry had rejected, saying that it will not negotiate under duress. Lyte disclosed that the GTU membership would have changed their stance on this hence the union went ahead and agreed to resumption without pushing for this increase.
Moreover, the GTU president went onto note that many were concerned about the practice that teachers ought to show up on the first and last day of the school term in order to avoid being struck off the payroll. He explained that while this is not a documented policy, some teachers had faced this consequence in the past if they did not report to work on the first or last day.
“This is something that a lot of teachers were concerned about and they raised that during our consultations. So, many of them had indicated that whether the strike was called off or not, they were going to resume duty on or before the last day of school,” the GTU Head had related. (G8)
GTU President Mark Lyte (left) and Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar after signing the Agreement of Resumption in June 2024 – a process overseen by Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine (centre)
Friday’s incident of a four-year-old losing his life in a fire at his Sophia, Greater Georgetown home is a heart-wrenching reminder of the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and community awareness.
Each loss is not just a statistic but a profound tragedy that leaves families shattered and communities in mourning. As a nation, we must reflect on instances where children and adults alike have died in fires and take decisive action to prevent such devastating outcomes in the future.
Fire safety, particularly residential and among vulnerable populations like children, demands immediate attention. The fact that young lives have been lost due to preventable causes, such as playing with matches, underscores the critical importance of education and supervision. Parents, guardians, and caregivers must ensure that children understand the dangers of fire and are supervised at all times. Simple precautions can make a significant difference: keeping matches and lighters out of reach, teaching children about fire safety practices, and installing smoke alarms in homes.
Equally crucial is the rapid and effective response of emergency services. The Guyana Fire Service plays a pivotal role in our communities, but incidents where children are left unsupervised, or where there is a delay in alerting authorities, can tragically diminish its efforts. It is incumbent upon all adults to be vigilant and proactive in protecting our youth.
Several fires that have occurred had resulted from children being left at home alone and/or playing with flammable objects. A study conducted by the New York City Fire Department found that most children have a natural curiosity about fire. They want to know how fire looks and feels, and what it can do. To address this locally, there is a need for early education programmes/lessons on the dangers and consequences of fire. Such a campaign should also include how to avoid fire-related accidents, and how to respond quickly if these should occur. Assuming that playing with flammable items, matches, and lighters is a product of the natural curiosity of children and their lack of understanding, then such programmes should be done at various stages of child development. This would lead to a healthy appreciation for fire safety.
Moreover, there is a need for broader community engagement and support mechanisms. Local authorities, non-profit organisations, and educational institutions should collaborate to conduct regular fire safety workshops, particularly in vulnerable neighbourhoods. Empowering families with knowledge about fire prevention and emergency response procedures can save lives.
Additionally, policies should prioritise fire safety standards in housing just as it is with public buildings. Ensuring that structures are equipped with adequate fire exits, firefighting equipment, and adhering to building codes can mitigate risks significantly.
As a society, we cannot afford to be complacent in the face of such tragedies. While the families and society mourn the lives lost, we must resolve to prevent future losses through collective action and a commitment to fire safety education and preparedness. Let us honour the memories of children who have died by fire – including the tragic loss of 19 lives in Mahdia in May 2023 – by ensuring that every household and community in Guyana prioritises fire safety as a fundamental responsibility.
While the family of young Junior Anderson mourns the loss of his life, let us also unite in a concerted effort to protect children and prevent such heartbreaking incidents from recurring. The safety and well-being of youths must remain our highest priority.
The conflict-of-interest case of presidential hopeful
Dear Editor,
Leading up to the AFC’s congress, I posted a brief reminder on my Facebook page of the history of conflicts of interest that the AFC leader, Mr. Nigel Hughes was embroiled in, in the not-sodistant past. Subsequent to that post, he disclosed publicly that ExxonMobil is a client of his firm, thinking perhaps, that such disclosure would have sufficed. This was just before he was elected as the party’s leader. Readers would recall that following this disclosure, I wrote a letter to the media highlighting some of the implications of the “conflict of interest” between him and ExxonMobil.
At the Vice President’s press conference held on July 4th, 2024, some appalling revelations surfaced on this subject, which I don’t need to regurgitate wholesale here, but would like to expand on the implications thereof, and emphasise a few notable unanswered questions to date. In this regard, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo did an excellent job at “connecting the dots” where he compellingly demonstrated that the relationship between ExxonMobil and Nigel Hughes extends far beyond the traditional client-firm relationship.
As was confirmed by the Vice President, Mr. Hughes misled the public about his resignation from the AFC in 2016. The reasons given
were vague, as was reported by the local media, that his tenure as Chairman of the AFC did not overlap with former Minister and AFC Executive, Mr. Raphael Trotman, when the oil contract was negotiated. But according to the Vice President, Exxon’s own documents showed that the negotiation of the contract commenced in May 2015, which was signed on the 27th day of June, 2016. Reportedly, Mr. Hughes resigned from the AFC in April 2016.
Indeed, the Vice President made a valid observation. Obviously, the contract negotiation period would have lasted for some time before it was finalised and signed by the parties in 2016. In this regard, according to the “Global Witness Report”, the following are questions that remained unanswered by Mr. Nigel Hughes and former AFC Minister, Raphael Trotman, on whether: (i) there was a conflict of interest at that time between him (former Minister Trotman), Mr. Hughes, and ExxonMobil in relation to the negotiation; and (ii) whether Mr. Hughes was part of that negotiation as Exxon’s Attorney.
In light of the aforementioned coupled with this new development whereby Mr. Hughes is now the AFC’s leader and has signaled his interest to contest the next general and regional elections for the Presidential
Office; the Vice President stated that this may necessitate a formal investigation into these issues of conflicts of interest involving ExxonMobil and Mr. Nigel Hughes. In my view, this may very well be warranted for the reasons stated hereunder.
At the time of writing, the conflicted AFC leader offered a preliminary response to the Vice President, stating that he welcomes any investigation into his relationship with ExxonMobil. In his apparent defense, he goes onto to state that his law firm has a complex structure, that there are multiple partners, that he was never personally responsible for ExxonMobil’s portfolio (meaning that he never did any work for Exxon), and that different clients are managed by different partners. In other words, the AFC leader tried to explain that his firm is structured in a way to “ringfence” client relationships, which is a methodology commonly utilised by large professional services firm to manage “conflicts of interest” internally. But here’s an interesting observation; it would appear that in his haste to nervously respond to the Vice President, Mr. Hughes may have inadvertently implicated himself— suggesting that he’s being disingenuous.
Now, if he is saying that he is not the partner with responsibility for
ExxonMobil, that he has never done any work for ExxonMobil, then his latest statement is a total contradiction of his first statement where he said publicly that ExxonMobil is a client of his firm and he cannot comment on any oil and gas policy for the AFC, the party he leads. Further, he went onto state that if there is a dispute between Guyana and his client, ExxonMobil, he will be representing Exxon’s interest, although he would be the Presidential candidate of a political party in Guyana. If that’s the case, then why did he gag himself from speaking on the oil and gas sector? Why didn’t he provide this explanation in the first place? Clearly, his failure to do so, has now led him into becoming a victim of the deadly, bone crushing wrap by an anaconda, proverbially.
Notwithstanding the explanation provided by Mr Hughes about the structure of his firm, and ring fencing of clients, that is totally unapplicable since he remains an active managing partner/ part owner of the firm. I shudder to think what the explanation for this marvelous contradiction might be, which essentially exposed the profound indisputable presence of dishonesty that has characterised this peculiar case of conflict of interest herein, on the part of the AFC Leader.
Astana Qazaqstan Team's British rider Mark Cavendish cycles past spectators in inflatable costumes during the 7th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin (AFP)
A bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush
Dear Editor,
As the saying goes, a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush. The current climate disaster the region faces is a serious reminder of how fragile our region’s development is, and how vulnerable we all are to climate change.
The intensity and size of hurricanes and other climate-related disasters are increasing, making it possible for our nation’s security to be at risk in the future. Given the current disaster in the region, we can revisit the proposal made to the United Nations via the Climate Change Conference.
With a sense of urgency, we must clearly present our firm position that requires the United Nations to move forward with establishing meaningful compensation for the climate services provided by our forests. In addition, we must also propose the urgent need for the United Nations to establish a fund that will compensate countries if they choose to forsake some of their oil and gas reserves to aid in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
If the United Nations is unable to reach an acceptable agreement or if they choose not to pursue moving in this direction, then we must do what is responsible and reduce the rate of production of our oil and gas sector.
This will aid in reducing emissions in the region and the negative impact the sector will have on localised climate change. It is a global problem, but the energy gained by the storms is also driven by what is available, and the increasing amount of energy being released into our environment in the form of heat needs to be limited.
The risk of an oil spill increases as the exposure to hurricanes increases. The recent statement by the government on the coverage being provided in the event of an oil spill is both timely and necessary. Whether it be “An act of God” or by human error, we must continue to ensure that our partners in the oil and gas sector are legally bound to pay for the cleanup and economic loss that a major spill could cause. It is unclear from the government’s
recent statement whether the obligation of our partners in the sector is legally binding for a worst-case scenario oil spill. The financial amount of the coverage must be acceptable.
Guyana has been blessed with a beautiful climate and a healthy environment. We must consider what we may lose as we pursue the wealth gained by exploiting our oil and gas sector. How we capitalise on these resources will have a direct impact on both Guyana and our Region.
We must choose wisely and do what will be in our nation’s best interest over the long term. Being successful at the United Nations in the pursuit of compensation for the climate services provided by our forests and compensation for oil and gas reserves will allow our nation’s continued development, while also helping to maintain the healthy environment in which we live today.
This is where Guyana can show leadership and help alter the current course of humanity.
Sincerely, Jamil Changlee
The conflict-of-interest case...
ExxonMobil Guyana (EMGL) is bound by its internal anti-corruption policy pursuant to the US “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act” (FCPA); whereunder, EMGL is prohibited from conducting business with foreign/government officials, which is equally applied to candidates of political parties. According to the FCPA, the basic prohibitions also apply to any nonUS political party, party official, or candidate for political office.
With respect to the political activities policy, in the United States, ExxonMobil is “authorised to make lawful political contributions to political parties, political associations, candidate committees, and other political organisations, provided that such contributions are approved by the Chairman of the Corporation or his designees…” As regards other nations, the policy states that “the Corporation refrains from making political contributions in any nation other than the United States”. Of note, in accordance with the US laws, the Corporation is legally required to publish its corporate political contributions. (See link here for ease of reference https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/who-we-are/policy/ political-contributions/corporate-political-contributions).
Considering that Mr. Nigel Hughes is now a duly
elected Presidential candidate of a political party in Guyana, if EMGL fails to terminate the contract with his firm, then EMGL is likely to be in violation of its own anti-corruption policy, and by extension the FCPA. Additionally, in respect of the political activities policy, it is stated unambiguously that political contributions are prohibited to nations other than the United States.
Should EMGL fail to take any action to mitigate the foregoing risks, it is likely to be in violation of two of its major internal anti-corruption policies in accordance with US laws. Moreover, it can be argued that presumably, EMGL is meddling in Guyana’s domestic politics, viz-à-viz, funding of a political candidate through a pretextual retainership with the political candidate’s firm. This is contrary to the practice as per US laws in the United States where political contributions are required to be publicly disclosed, thus a lack of transparency in this case.
Therefore, in my duly considered professional view, EMGL has found itself in a perplexing dilemma, such that EMGL may have no other alternative, but to terminate the contract with the law firm in question. Otherwise, the Guyanese people will be well placed to reasonably question wheth-
The PNC does not respect the rule of law
Dear Editor,
Not that they carry any particular relevance to society, and this is due to their duplicitous nature, however, it is of necessity that we take an educated glance at the PNC since their last internal elections. From reports received, it was shown that four days after elections, The PNC/R's Returning Officer cannot determine who sits on The Central Executive Committee. This comes from a total of 1,300 votes cast from which the smaller CEC grouping is to be selected.
Now, to be fair to Alexander, this is not atypical of the man nor his party, because he has been consistent with that rigging formula of theirs, so it comes as no surprise that this man cannot tell the whereabouts, nor could he find a resting place for the people's votes. What is transpiring before our eyes is a reflection of The PNC's true self, which is a bunch of power-hungry, despots roaming free.
from those who do not Like him," Alexander is in a quandary as to how he could best juggle the participants around into position or simply have them struck off the list. This is the most difficult task to surmount.
The point is, that Norton might have gotten away with his clique backers, which was shown in the overwhelming votes he got for party leader, however, those who can and will, become a thorn in his flesh are patiently waiting for their opportunity on the CEC. These are the members who can elevate or downgrade him. So, in the meantime, Vincent plays hopscotch with the votes.
So, even among their own kind they cannot control themselves, I am talking from the way they handled the Vanessa Kissoon scandal up until this point, that party is one big mess; the lawlessness knows no bounds.
And if you can stretch your imagination, these are the people who want to rule Guyana, with that type of dirty attitude, who would like their names to be mentioned with that party? Nigel Hughes did the very same thing when he came up with that mathematical "Genius Formula," with 34 being the sole majority of 65. And may I remind you of the notorious Mingo and Lowenfeld and a few others of their acolyte hackers, who believed that they could have overturned the results of the last general elections in favour of APNU/AFC. So, in closing, let me pose this question to the PNC Leader. Are we going to view another 5 months wait for the results? Well, to be fair to Alexander and his shenanigans, The PNC Folks are stuck with him for the next two years, that is the cold hard facts!
Respectfully, Neil Adams
er EMGL is orchestrating a covert political project in Guyana.
Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin FROM PAGE 4
It does not take a rocket scientist to determine what is going on, and I am talking about the returning officer trying his utmost to cherry-pick who sits on the CEC, or people who fit the qualifications of "Those who like Norton,
Page Foundation
Multiplying decimals
Multiplying decimals and whole numbers is exactly like multiplying whole numbers – except for one important thing. You have to count the number of total decimal places in the numbers you multiply. When you multiply decimals, you don’t have to line up the decimal points.
Example:
Multiply 36.2 x 3.22
Step 1: Set up your multiplication exercise as you would any other multiplication exercise. Do not line up the decimal points: 36.2 .362 x 3.22 x.322
Step 2: Multiply. At this time, pay no attention to the decimal points: 36.2 .362 x 3.22 x .322
Step 3: Count the total number of decimal places in the factors. Factors are the numbers you multiplied. 36.2 has 1 decimal place. 3.22 has two decimal places. 1 + 2 = 3.
Step 4: Starting at the right side of the product and moving left, count off the same number of places. Then place your decimal point. The product of 36.2 x 3.22 = 116.542 three decimal places
Step 5: But what about if you have fewer decimal places in the product than the factors? For example .226 x .321? After multiplying without accounting for the decimal points, the product is 72546. There are six decimal places in the factors, but only five in the product. You have to add enough zeros to make the total number of places in the product equal the total number of decimal places in the numbers you multiplied. Add the needed zeros after the decimal point. So the product of .362 x .3220 = .072546 six decimal places
Exercises: Multiply
In this fun and easy weather science experiment for kids, we’re going to learn how to determine how far away is lightning.
You’ll need: A thunderstorm
Instructions:
During the next thunderstorm, wait in a safe indoor location for a flash of lightning.
Once you see the flash of lightning, begin counting in seconds
until your hear the sound of thunder.
Every five seconds between the lightning flash and the thunder equates to you being roughly one mile away from the lightning.
For instance, a 10-second count would mean you are about two miles away from the lightning.
How it works:
Light travels much faster than sound. This is why you will see the lightning flash before you hear the thunder. (sciencefun.org)
BY WALT WHITMAN
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. n/a
Source: Selected Poems (1991)
WORD SEARCH:
AFC leader-lawyer conflict of interest
Nigel Hughes says will cut ties with law firm if elected to office
…as Vice President calls position “immoral and obscene” …points to how AFC MPs can vote on legislation in favour of Hughes’ clients
Newly-elected Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Attorney Nigel Hughes, has dismissed mounting concerns over the conflict of interests between his political and professional careers, denying having ever participated in the negotiations between ExxonMobil and the then Guyana Government on the lopsided 2016 oil contract.
The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block was negotiated and signed under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government –a process led by then Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who was also leader of the AFC at the time.
There were claims of conflict of interests between Trotman and Hughes, who was also the AFC Chairman at that time, while his law firm –Hughes, Fields & Stoby – represented ExxonMobil and it’s co-ventures during those negotiations.
During a press conference on Friday – his first since being elected to the helm of the AFC last weekend, Hughes denied that there were any conflicts since he never directly participated in the negotiation process
“I have never advised, participated or assisted Exxon in any negotiations with the Government of Guyana at any stage. During the coalition government, I did not act for or assist the Government of Guyana or Exxon. I have never held any governmental office nor have I ever advised the Government of Guyana,” the embattled lawyer stated.
In fact, he pointed out that the law firm, of which he is currently a partner, had started working with oil and gas companies since before the 1990s
under previous management. This work, he added, continued in the early 2000s by himself and Andrew Pollard, S.C.
According to Hughes, it was Senior Counsel Pollard who had “exclusively managed” Exxon during its negotiations with the then coalition government.
Pointing to precedence in the Caribbean and even in Guyana, the controversial Attorney-at-Law went onto declare that only “…If and when elected to office, I will relinquish all ties with the Firm of Hughes, Fields and Stoby.”
In recent weeks, there have been concerns expressed, including by political commentators from both the opposition and government sides, about Hughes’ conflict of interest with his political and professional careers.
This was further compounded when he recently told local news agency, Demerara Waves Online, that he would continue to defend his client’s interest, that is, ExxonMobil, even against Guyana.
“Immoral and obscene”
But General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has called out Hughes over his “immoral and obscene” position.
“This reveals the working of [Nigel Hughes’] mind that national interest will come second to him in any situation where his money is affected,” Jagdeo said during a live broadcast on Friday evening.
To separate himself from any potential conflict, Hughes said all oil and gas related issues within the AFC would be handled by the party’s new Chairman, David Patterson, and former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Vicent Adams, who will establish an advisory
committee and retain industry experts to craft the party’s policies on the oil and gas sector. Even as leader, the embattled lawyer said he would have no input or involvement with AFC Oil and gas committee.
“In my capacity as Leader of the AFC, I am not in a position to influence government policy particularly as it relates to Exxon,” Hughes contended.
But Jagdeo, who is also the Vice President in the current PPP/C Administration, has counter argued that Hughes is in fact in a position currently to influence the Guyana Government’s policy when it comes to the petroleum sector through the National Assembly.
“His party is represented in the National Assembly… his MPs (Members of Parliament) are there. He can influence them now, as Leader of the party, to vote on a legislation in favour of his clients. So, he’s in a conflict-of-interest position there,” the VP noted.
He went onto remind of a statement made by Hughes in the past that the oil companies
can fund political parties and take over the country.
“So, if he remains the lawyer for this company and the company pays him for legal services then what is there to say that this can’t be a conduit for political contributions to his party. They can easily inflate the legal bill to give him funding for this political party,” the Vice President pointed out. Jagdeo went onto dismiss Hughes claim that the ExxonMobil account his being handled by his partner in the law firm, saying that the AFC Leader, as co-owner, still benefits financially from the oil company.
“These are all issues we need to consider,” VP Jagdeo posited.
Investigation
Only Thursday, Jagdeo hinted that there could be an investigation into Hughes’ involvement in the negotiations of the 2016 oil contract, citing some “telling” details that are contained in several reports done back then that contradicts his claim that he had already
resigned from the AFC when his law firm was representing the oil company.
A report done by United Kingdom-based global law firm, Clyde & Co., revealed that Hughes resigned as AFC Chairman on April 11, 2016 –just three days before the concluding stages of the contract negotiations.
According to the report that was commissioned by the coalition government to defend the oil contract it signed with Exxon – a deal many industry experts said has left Guyana short-changed with sweeping benefits going to the US oil major and its partners, those negotiations began almost a year earlier in May 2015 while Hughes was still serving at the helm of the AFC.
In that report, it was noted that Exxon, through its local affiliate – Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) – sent a proposed Escrow Process Flow Chart on May 19, 2015, setting out various timelines for the execution of a PSA which eventually led to the 2016 agreement.
Jagdeo also highlighted that Hughes had “lied” to international agency, Global Witness, that his tenure as AFC Chairman did not overlap with Trotman’s tenure as minister.
Moreover, the vice president went onto say on Friday evening that Government is also waiting to hear from the United States oil company on this matter. “It could get very, very uncomfortable for a large number of people,” Jagdeo stated. In addition to this conflict-of-interest issue, when the no-confidence motion was passed in the National Assembly against the David Granger-led Coalition Administration back in December 2018, Hughes had also sparked a contentious debate that was exacerbated by legal and procedural challenges that had significantly delayed the country’s electoral process. Central to this debate was Hughes’ argument that, mathematically, one half of the House when divided stands at 32.5 members.
“There is no such thing as a half member, so half of the House is 33 members…this is because you have to round up to identify half of the House,” he had said, mere days after the no-confidence motion was passed. Therefore, he posited that 34 is the majority of the 65-member House rather than 33.
The aftermath of the motion as a result of this argument had been marked by legal challenges, appeals, and judicial decisions that extended beyond the constitutionally-mandated three-month deadline. In June 2019, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) handed down its decision that 33, not 34, was the majority of the 65-member House. (G8)
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Newly-elected AFC Leader Nigel Hughes
GPF announces shake-up of top brass
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday announced that three senior ranks were rotated to foster efficiency within the organisation. In addition, this shake-up, according to the GPF is necessary as part of the modernisation plan for the force.
What happened…
…to NGSA promises??
WAs such, Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Calvin Brutus will now Head the Special Branch while Deputy Commissioner 'Operations' Ravindradat Budhram will be in charge of (Administration). In addition, the Head of the Special Branch, Assistant Commissioner Errol Watts will now take over operational duties from Brutus. These new duties will take immediate effect.
However, after the news broke about the shake-up, the GPF late Thursday evening stated: “Relative to several social media posts and online news reports about a
'shake-up' in the top brass of the Guyana Police Force, please note that the rotation of officers is a management tool that is used to create and foster efficiency in an organisation.”
Further, the force also responded to reports about an ongoing investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) by stating, “Relative to a social media post by an overseas-based Guyanese that the Police Commissioner and another senior officer were sent home as part of an ongoing investigation by SOCU, please note that this is not true. This report is misleading and fake.”
The GPF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026 is geared at transforming the law enforcement organisation into a contemporary one through the development of its human resources and other capabilities at levels.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn had stated that in order to implement the strategic plan, officers must have the right attitude and mindset.
“There’s a lot of things going for contemporary policing interventions in relation to information technology and in particular training, but it will all go to naught if you have the physical assets and the vehicles and the best legally trained and other trained managers...nothing matters if, at the middle level, the purpose, the willingness, the activity, and the direction do not integrate [with] what has to happen at the bottom in terms of actions to guarantee security.”
ell, here we are – revelling in one of our quaint annual rituals – squealing as our little (11+) darlings get the NGSA – the National Sixth Grade Assessment – scores!! But more to the point, checking to see WHOSE kids made it to the top four or five Secondary Schools in our dear ole Mudland!! Typically, that’s not more than five hundred of so –with the top 100 going to Queen’s College and the second hundred to Bishops. The names of those two schools signal their colonial origin when the entire country vied to send their little munchkins to mingle – and perchance even mix! –with the scions of the white and coloured crème de la crème!!
The exams used to be called “Common Entrance” –for the commoners, of course, to duke it out mentally for the privilege!! The upper crust didn’t have to write no qualifying exams – THEY, of course, were so much smarter than the natives!!! But eventually, in a “decolonising”, move the Common Entrance was changed to the NGSA. The experts said the one-off Common Entrance put too much pressure on the little ragamuffins at such an early age. So instead, they instituted not one but THREE “ASSESSMENTS” – at Grades 2,4 and 6!!
We were told the assessments weren’t REALLY “exams” – the kids were now ASSESSED from age seven!! So, what’s different!?! The results of the 2nd and 4th Grade “assessments” are supposed to be factored into the NGSA – on the premise that the student’s strengths and weaknesses were monitored over a larger span!! And when they enter High School’s 7th Grade, the teachers would have a good assessment of the raw material they’re being handed to mould into the new Guyana citizen!! Have you ever heard such a crock? Your Eyewitness would like to know of a SINGLE instance where this utopian kiddie paradise is practiced!! The cynical truth is there’s been ABSOLUTELY no change in whatever pressures the Common Entrance exam had placed on the kids. The present NGSA pretty much still determines the “life chances” of the kids’ future success or failure, what could be new?? Of course, there’s gonna be exceptions, but by and large, the race is gonna be won by the “bright” – as defined by NGSA scores!!
Early on when the NGSA was introduced around 2003, there were promises to do away with the invidious comparisons it inevitably created. The “lower” 14,500 kids who didn’t make the “town schools” with the “top” 500, would have the label all their life of being “failures”!! All of the schools across the country would be given the same facilities, same trained teachers, same funding, etc, so that kids would all be sent to schools in their community.
Whatever happened?
…Elder Green?
Your Eyewitness was shocked out of his wits to see Elder Hamilton “Bilal” Green being relegated to the second row of seats at the just-concluded (??) 22nd Biennial Congress of the PNC!! Gasp!! Maybe he can understand Carl Greenidge getting a front seat, because he was a Minister in the PNC under the Founder Leader Burnham. But Bilal wasn’t only Min of Health and a host of other portfolios – he was PRIME MINISTER!! The lowest blow of all was he had to sit BEHIND one fella from the Worst Possible Alternative – according to Burnham –and also a grasshopper who went over from the PNC to the PPP!!
Oh…what has the world come to?? If it was one thing Burnham was known for was to observe the formalities. There was that time – when he and Cheddi were still together and they walked out of the House.
But Burnham was careful to genuflect to the Speaker as he passed in front of him!!
…to Indians in UK voting?
OK…so Rishi Sunak lost the premiership – as had been universally predicted. But including him, at least another half a dozen Indians won seats in Parliament!! Including the victorious Labour Party.
Gotta cover all bases, no??
Deputy Commissioner Calvin Brutus
Assistant Commissioner Errol Watts
Deputy Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram
Aubrey Norton received 1040 votes at PNC elections
…results for new CEC finally declared
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader
o Aubrey Norton was re-elected by just 1040 party members at last weekend’s Biennial Delegates Congress.
This is according to Vincent Alexander, the Returning Officer for the party’s internal elections.
It was previously reported that approximately 2000 party members were eligible to attend and vote at PNC’s congress. However, just under 1300 members voted during Sunday’s elections.
Norton had contested the PNC internal elections unopposed after his two competitors – Roysdale Forde, SC, and Amanza WaltonDesir – dropped out of the leadership race, citing concerns about the transparency of the party’s electoral process.
Moreover, Norton’s re-election to the helm of the PNC comes on the heels of him being embroiled in several in-house controversies resulting in the resignation of multiple senior party members with the most recent being the General Secretary, Dawn
Hastings-Williams, who stepped down just days before the Congress over the lack of readiness for the event and concerns regarding financial accountability, among other reasons.
CEC Members
In addition to Norton, Shurwayne Holder was also re-elected Chairperson of the PNC while Elizabeth Williams-Niles and Vinceroy Jordan were elected as Vice Chairpersons and Elson Lowe as the Treasurer of the party.
While these results were released by the PNC the following day after the conclusion of its congress, the count of votes for the members of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) were not completed until Thursday.
Defended delay
During a press conference on Friday, Alexander defended this delay, citing several factors including the fact that the counting process at this congress was centralised compared to the last elections when it was decentralised with counting in 11 districts hence the results at that time became
available in just two days.
“On this occasion, the election was centralised and the counting took place, this time it took place in one place… The number of persons who voted this time were far more than the number of persons who voted on that occasion.
“The large number is not the long factor… The count actually took place three days and during those three days, we worked essentially in the evenings because those of us who were counting are otherwise occupied during the day… And there were less hands involved in [the counting at] this occasion,” the Returning Officer noted, adding that he did not “see the urgency” in employing more persons to fast-track the count.
While pointing out that the results for the main leadership positions were declared since the night of the election, Alexander argued that they were operating in accordance with the PNCR 2024 Internal Elections Procedures and Instructions, which provided for the announcement of results “not later than 24hrs after the count”. He
contended that Friday’s announcement of the CEC results did not breach this regulation.
The members of the new PNC CEC are: Nima FlueBess, who received 835 votes; Mervyn Williams with 820 votes; Ganesh Mahipaul with 810 votes; Coretta McDonald with 808 votes; Robin Simon with 760 votes; Riaz Rupnarain with 750 votes; Anil Sugrim with 745 votes; Joan Ann Ramascindo with 740 votes; Sherwood Lowe with 726 votes; Troy Garraway with 722 votes; Kemel Kissoon with 702 votes; Marcia
Gordon with 658 votes; Wainwright McIntosh also with 658 votes; Deron Adams with 626 votes and Jermaine Figueira, who secured 527 votes.
Concerns about transparency
In addition to the delay in the count, there had also been serious concerns over the transparency of the PNC elections.
This is not the first time the issue of electoral irregularities has risen at the PNC Congress. Similar allegations had also surfaced within the PNC when former leader David Granger was elected.
“It shows incompetence or either tampering of the ballots,” Jagdeo told reporters during a press conference.
On this note, Jagdeo compared the PNC’s inability to produce these results even after four days to his party’s ability to provide election results within a day after the PPP/Civic congress. He noted that the PNCR had approximately 1000 votes to select 60 candidates while the PPP/C had 2459 votes to determine 93 candidates at its congress held earlier this year.
“It’s either you’re doing something illegal or you’re unbelievably incompetent.”
He also spoke of the Opposition party’s Congress which was shrouded in claims of corruption from its own members. He added that while new leaders of that party will be tasked with proving that the party has changed, the internal elections again showed that this was not true.
Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday cast doubts on the election results of the PNCR, given the prolonged delay.
“You have this opportunity to say now, that we’re going to change…But if your competitors are saying you rigged your own internal elections, how will people trust that you will stick to the democratic norm?” he questioned. (G8)
Guyanese man found dead in Suriname
Surinamese law enforcement is investigating the death of a 52-year-old Guyanese national, whose body was discovered earlier this week after he was reported missing on June 24.
Alie Azeam’s death, suspected to be a result of foul play, has prompted a probe and two persons were arrested.
According to reports from Suriname, Azeam was reported missing by a family member at the Lelydorp police station last month, sparking an investigation by the Major Crimes Department of Suriname. This led to the apprehension of two suspects, who are currently in police custody.
Surinamese police have confirmed that the circumstances surrounding Azeam’s death strongly indicate homicide, although specific details have not yet
Dead: Alie Azeam
been disclosed to the public.
“The investigation into Alie Azeam’s death is ongoing,” stated a spokesperson for the Surinamese police.
“Our teams are diligently working to gather more evidence and establish the exact chain of events that led to this tragic incident.”
Azeam’s family in Guyana has been informed of the news, and they are reportedly cooperating with Surinamese authorities.
Returning Officer for the PNC internal elections, Vincent Alexander
CANU busts trio with over 5kg cocaine
Three men were taken into custody following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine during an operation at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown on Thursday.
The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) stated that during the operation, ranks intercepted a motorcar which when searched unearthed several brick-like parcels containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.
The suspects were arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters along with the suspected narcotic, which subsequently tested positive for cocaine and weighed 5.672 kilograms.
The three men remain in custody pending charges and further investigations.
Govt’s new 20% procurement programme boosts over 100 small businesses
Over 100 small business owners will gain new opportunities as the Small Business Bureau, in collaboration with the Public Procurement Commission, launched their 20 per cent Procurement Programme training this Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
The programme, which aligns with the Small Business Act (2004) and subsequent amendments, as well as the Procurement Act (2003) and its amendments’ main objective is to bolster the economic impact of public spending by ensuring that at least 20 per cent of government procurement opportunities are accessible to small businesses.
Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, Mohamed Ibrahim told the gathering that the strategic objectives of the programme include enhancing small businesses’ capacity to compete for procurement contracts, bolstering private sector capability in contract execution, increasing small business participation in public procurement, and ensuring timely and accurate procurement data dissemination.
Chairwoman of the Public Procurement Commission, Pauline Chase, also provided brief remarks about the Public Procurement Commission.
Deputy Chairwoman at the Small Business Council, Tracy Gibson, who welcomed participants to the informative session, encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity and utilise the knowledge gained to grow their businesses.
One of the main highlights of the event was the live demonstration of the 20 per cent Government
Procurement Programme portal by the training coordinator of the bureau, which showcased its user-friendly interface designed to facilitate small business engagement in government tenders. Participants also benefited from comprehensive presentations by Attorney-atLaw, Esther Osbourne, who expounded on the roles and responsibilities of the PPC, the legislative framework governing procurement, administrative review processes, and the critical issue of debarment.
The three suspects in custody
The packaged cocaine found during the operation
Some of the persons at the launching
700 persons employed to distribute filaria pills
…as Health Ministry launches lymphatic filariasis elimination campaign 2024
The Health Ministry has officially launched the 2024 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, aiming to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), a debilitating disease affecting thousands of Guyanese.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony led the launch on Friday, supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Health Ministry has mobilised 700 pill distributors to administer filaria pills over the next two weeks, targeting Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (DemeraraMahaica), where the risk of LF is particularly high.
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as LF, is a severe disease-causing irreversible swelling in the extremities and genitals. Thousands in Guyana are already affected by LF. According to the Health Minister, this campaign is a critical step towards eradicating filaria from Guyana and improving the quality of life for those at risk.
“For more than one century we have been trying to curtail filaria in Guyana… there is a long history of us trying. It is really a painful thing and the biggest pain
in the societal pain. People look at these people with scorn…,” he said.
Anthony noted that a new, triple drug therapy will be implemented during the MDA, including Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole. This combination has been proven to significantly reduce the burden of filarial infection. He further explained that the latest survey indicated that the two focal regions had a disease prevalence exceeding the one percent threshold.
“Anything above that one per cent we would want to go back and ensure that we reduce it….out of an abundance of caution, what we decided to do is to go back [to Regions Three and Four] …and do both of these regions,” Anthony disclosed.
Over the next two years, the ministry will work intensively to eradicate the disease within these regions. Dr Anthony urged administrators to take their time explaining to patients the benefits of the pill and how it aids in the country’s elimination campaign.
“We have to walk to every house, to every street and we have to talk to people. And if they don’t understand the rationale…we have to spend some time to explain to them what it is and how it helps the country,” he emphasised.
Additionally, Coordinator of the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Campaign, Dr Anastacia Sampson, provided brief remarks on the campaign’s purpose and shared statistics based on previous campaigns
conducted by the Health Ministry.
“Six months after our last MDA in 2021, Guyana would have shifted to its post-MDA surveillance phase. The first activity was an epidemiological monitoring survey targeting 26 filaria hotspots in 13 evaluation units,” she stated.
Further, she highlighted that three out of the 26 hotspots were above the recommended threshold. The Ministry of Health is encouraging all community members in the targeted regions to participate and receive their medication to curb the spread of the infection. (G9)
Govt’s new 20% procurement...
Antonio Yhan provided insights into the specific procurement processes utilised in Guyana, shedding light on tender openings and evaluation procedures. These sessions were instrumental in equipping attendees with practical knowledge essential for navigating the procurement landscape effectively. Meanwhile, one partic-
ipant, who opted to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its potential to uplift marginalised sectors of society, remarking, “This programme caters to the poor people… the man in the street and will definitely make a difference.”
Access to the 20 per cent Government Procurement
Programme is limited to registered clients of the Small Business Bureau, guaranteeing that eligible small businesses directly benefit from this strategic initiative. The event attracted over 100 participants, who hailed the initiative as a pivotal step towards empowering small business owners across Guyana.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony taking his filaria pills
A section of the gathering at the launch of the 2024 campaign
Councillor of Albouystown, Travis Ellis taking his filaria pills at the launching on Friday
A Vessel being loaded at the Friendship Wharf facility, East Bank Demerara with aid from Guyana for Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines as the islands rebuild at Hurricane Beryl. Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has described as the effects of Beryl as “utter devastation”, which ravaged the multi-island country
4-year-old dies in Sophia fire
…children were playing with matches – Fire Service
Afire on Friday afternoon in ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, has claimed the life of a four-year-old boy.
Dead is Junior Anderson of Lot 88, ‘C’ Field, Sophia.
Initial investigations indicate that the blaze which occurred at around 15:59h, was sparked by children playing with matches, which ignited a mattress and quickly spread to other combustible materials in the home.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in a statement on Friday said that Junior lived with his parents, Nigel and Shonnette Anderson, and his three
ing. Despite the swift response from the GFS, the building and all its contents were completely destroyed.
The three children were under the supervision of their 16-year-old sibling.
The teenager had fallen asleep while the children were playing, but was awakened by one of them who noticed the fire. In a state of panic, she fled the house. The Fire Service was notified and upon arrival, discovered that one child was unaccounted for.
After extinguishing the blaze firefighters found the charred remains of the young boy.
siblings ages 15, 11 and six-year-old in a one-flat wooden and concrete build-
children on the dangers of matches and lighters and to ensure these items are
kept out of their reach. “Do not leave children unattended or
without adult supervision. Keep children away from the cooking area, and en-
sure matches and lighters are out of their reach at all times. Remember to equip homes with fire pre -
vention and firefighting devices like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers,” the GFS said on Friday.
Man crushed to death by car after falling off bike
Amotorcyclist was on Friday morning crushed to death by a motorcar after he allegedly fell off his bike on Princes Street, Georgetown.
Dead is 24-year-old Christopher Beckles of Norton Street, Georgetown.
Reports indicate that Beckles was riding his motorcycle eastward along the northern drive lane of Princes Street at a high
rate of speed while simultaneously, a motorcar with registration, HD 740 was traveling westward on the southern drive lane.
Eyewitnesses reported that Beckles appeared to lose control of his motorcycle, resulting in a fall onto the roadway directly into
the path of the oncoming motorcar. The collision was immediate, with Beckles suffering severe injuries upon impact.
Emergency medical responders pronounced Beckles dead at the scene of the collision. The driver of the motorcar involved in the incident has been taken into police custody and is cooperating as the investigation into the circumstances of the collision continues. Beckles was known in the community as the son of the owners of Beck’s Lumber Yard.
The accident that occurred on Princes Street (Photo credits: Joseph Allen)
Dead: Christopher Beckles
The motor car that was involved in the accident (Photo credits: Joseph Allen)
In light of this tragedy, the GFS has urged parents and guardians to educate
at home
(G1)
The aftermath of the fire at C Field, Sophia
Dead: Junior Anderson
Body of missing man found in East Canje Backdam
Fifty-six-year-old Deochan Rai, who had been reported missing for more than two weeks, was on Friday morning found dead in the backdam at East Canje.
Rai, who lived alone at Betsy Ground, East Canje, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) was last seen on June 18. The cane har-
vester had left home to attend to his farm some eight miles into the backdam.
His son, Krishnarine Rai told this publication on
Friday that he received information from two of his colleagues at about 09:30h about the discovery of the body.
Along with friends and the police they ventured into the backdam and the man’s son was able to identify his father.
“I know from the clothes that my father get on and from the parts of the body that were there – the back. According to the police it is
stage four decompose. One of the hands already decay,” the son said. The man had gone into the backdam and reportedly left with another neighbour, a man called ‘Jug Neck’.
Family members related that the man returned after lunch on the same day but the cane harvester did not. Another neighbour said it was only three days later she realised that Rai never returned home and as such, she contacted his family.
A search party which consisted of more than two dozen persons went into the backdam to look for the missing man but they came up empty-handed.
Last Thursday they found his father’s bicycle.
Police are waiting on the results of an autopsy to be performed on the body. Investigations are ongoing. (G4)
Pensioner receives key to new home from MoM
etiree Doreen Yansen
Ris now a proud homeowner as Men On Mission (MOM) handed over the keys to a brand new two bedroom home to her.
Delivering remarks at the simple handing over ceremony, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, commended members from the MOM initiative, for their hard work. The minister noted that the MOM initiative plays a key role in changing common misconceptions about men.
“Sometimes people think of men, and they think of the bad things men do. We believe that men can do a lot of good things, useful things for our society, and this is one of those good things that the Men on Mission is doing,” the min-
ister asserted.
He also highlighted that the new Youth Mentorship programme rolled out by MOM will play a significant role in the proper upbringing of the nation’s men.
“Very often in single-parent homes, for example, young people, if they don’t get the right mentorship, they might be affected, and have issues. So, this other component of Men on Mission, where they offer mentorship is quite significant” the minster stated.
Anthony further highlighted some of the challenges faced by non-home owners. In this regard the minister encouraged beneficiaries to maintain and enhance the structures given to them.
Meanwhile 79-year-old
Yansen expressed her excitement about becoming a home owner, the elderly woman shared that she had applied for land ownership since 1974.
“I feel so happy after all these years of holding on and waiting for a piece of land I feel so good that I actually got through,” she stated.
The woman further commended the MOM initiative.
Additionally, The MOM recently launched their Youth Empowerment and Mentorship Programme in Georgetown and Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) which provides a comprehensive support system that includes exciting after-school activities. These exercises encompass aca-
Dead: Deochan Rai
The man’s bicycle that was found days after he was reported missing Police in the area where the body was found
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony handing over the ceremonial key to the new house to 79-year-old Doreen Yansen
demic assistance, counselling, and motivation sessions. Similar programmes will be launched in New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Upper Corentyne.
Son of Guyanese immigrants now UK’s new Foreign Secretary
David Lammy, the son of Guyanese immigrants, has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s new Foreign Secretary.
Lammy, a seasoned politician and Member of Parliament for Tottenham, has long been a vocal advocate for social justice, equality, and the rights of minorities.
Born and raised in London to Guyanese parents, who immigrated to the UK in the 1960s, Lammy’s journey to becoming Foreign Secretary is seen as a testament to both his personal achievements and the evolving inclusivity of British politics.
In his inaugural address after being sworn in at Downing Street, Lammy emphasised the importance of diplomacy, cooperation, and Britain’s role on the global stage. He outlined his vision for promoting international cooperation, addressing climate change, and fostering stronger ties with Commonwealth nations, drawing on his own heritage and experiences to inform his approach.
Prime Minister Emma Thompson, who announced Lammy’s appointment, praised his dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to representing all communities in the UK. Thompson described Lammy as a “trailblazer” whose leadership would strengthen Britain’s international relations and uphold its values of tolerance and diversity.
The appointment has garnered widespread acclaim from political figures as many have hailed it as a step forward in breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive political landscape where individuals from diverse backgrounds can rise to the highest levels of government.
President Dr Irfaan Ali in a social media post on Friday said that he had the pleasure of speaking with the UK’s new Foreign Secretary to congratulate him and his government and assured him of Guyana’s strong friendship and partnership.
“Additionally, I updated him on the impact of Hurricane Beryl on the region and the need for support and collaboration from the international community. Regarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity, he assured me of the continued support of the United Kingdom. We also discussed our bilateral relationship, investments, and the UKEF support for the development of Guyana,” President Ali said.
Guyana’s Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo also took to social media to offer his congratulations to Lammy.
“I look forward to continuing our close working relationship with this esteemed son of the soil, aiming to further strengthen the bonds between Guyana and the UK and explore new avenues for cooperation and development,” Dr Jadeo posted.
Lammy has been vocal
on his support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and only last December, he condemned Venezuela’s threat of aggression against Guyana in the UK Parliament.
The British politician had also made several official visits to Georgetown over the years.
In December 2021, Lammy had met with President Ali at State House in his capacity as Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Then in May 2023, Lammy was among several dignitaries who were hosted by the Guyanese Head of State during a visit to London.
Lammy then returned to Georgetown in August 2023, accompanying former UK Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair, on a two-day visit. Under the Tony Blair administration, he served as Minister for Culture at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
During that visit last August, Lammy and his wife, Nicola Green, inaugurated the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre in Guyana – a hub of research, education and training for stakeholders seeking to fight against climate change.
The solar-powered, environmentally conscious centre is located at the con-
fluence of the Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers.
During the inauguration ceremony at the University of Guyana, Lammy had explained how this will work to protect and better understand Guyana’s rainforests.
“The centre will make the environment more accessible, providing a platform for students, academics and researchers to study this overlooked and undervalued country – a location metropolis with potential for terrestrial, freshwater and marine research but also a site to facilitate education beyond the biological sciences, to engage with local and Indigenous communities,
music and arts and to tie into the existing vibrant and committed community of conservationists in Guyana, amplifying efforts already underway,” Lammy said. He had noted that Sophia Point will add to the forest research and conservation efforts already being done through the Iwokrama Research Centre and further facilitated by other key organisations.
In addition, Lammy had noted too that this initiative would support the Guyana Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. He posited that at its heart, Sophia Point is about building Guyana’s capacity to tackle forest conservation.
Once completed, the new facility will include a multi-purpose lecture theatre and lab space, internet access, basic lab equipment, and basic accommodation for up to 24 persons with free-standing washroom facilities, a kitchen and a dining space.
An expanded pontoon and jetty will facilitate the arrival of larger boats and operate as a site for sampling and water quality assessments while a canopy access platform aims to support canopy level and meteorological measurements.
As of July 2023, the first phase of construction on the site of the research centre commenced, whereby the site was marked out and logistics for housing the 20 workers at Sophia Point for the next six months were initiated.
President Dr Irfaan Ali with UK’s new Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, during his visit to Georgetown in August 2023
1st batch of trainee technicians graduate from oil and gas institute
The first batch of students to enter the Guyana Technical Training College Inc (GTTCI) which is referred to as the ‘Oil and Gas Institute’ have graduated.
Twenty-four trainee technicians graduated on Friday from the Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) facility having completed courses in instrumentation, production, electrical, and mechanical.
Natural Resource Minister Vickram Bharrat, who delivered the feature address referred to the oil and gas sector as being a very important one to Guyana’s development.
“This is why the government is striving to ensure that Guyanese play an integral role in the sector. You will be the envy and the inspiration for many young Guyanese and you are setting an example. When you actually go into the workforce, it means that you would be representing not only yourself, you will be representing Guyana,” he told the graduates.
He took time out to thank SBM Offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC for their contributions towards the success of the venture.
The first phase of the state-of-the-art facility was commissioned on February 9 – an initiative largely led by SBM Offshore Guyana, Stabroek
block partners ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, and the Government of Guyana. US$13 million has been invested in the facility simulator dubbed FacTor.
FacTor is a fully functional plant that mirrors the operation of real offshore platforms using water and air, designed to accommodate a batch of 24 students.
Minister Bharrat pointed out that the most important resource in Guyana is not its natural resources but its human resources.
“Especially our young people who are entering into the workforce.”
Unprecedented growth
Speaking about the growth Guyana has seen in the oil and gas sector, Bharrat said it is unprece-
dented.
“Where you discover oil in 2015, you have ‘first oil’ in December 2019, and today as we speak, an average production of 650,000 barrels per day. It has never happened anywhere in the world; worst yet in deep sea. We have never seen that onshore but we are seeing that in deep waters in Guyana,” he pointed out.
He noted that the success rate of exploration is more than eighty percent which is also higher than the success rate of exploration seen on other parts of the world.
Speaking of the transitioning to renewable energy, the Natural Resources Minister noted that the government does not mind the criticisms claiming that
Guyana is moving too fast in harnessing fossil fuel and producing too much too fast.
“Because there is only a small window that exists for fossil fuel in the world; that is the reality of the situation. How wide that window is, no one can actually predict,” he said
Nevertheless, Minister Bharrat noted that the transition is not happening as fast as it should because many countries cannot meet their commitment to transition to one hundred percent renewable fuel but those commitments are not being met.
“This is mainly because of external issues and challenges that are happening around the world and the resources needed to transition
fully to green energy while at the same time, the resources for exploration and production of fossil fuel has been dwindling.”
Meanwhile, General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, noted that its partnership with GTTCI underscores the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering a highly skilled workforce in Guyana.
“We believe that investing in education and training is the cornerstone of sustainable development and progress,” he said.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana Alistair Routledge pointed out that one of the company’s priorities is investing in people.
“This is critical for the long-term future of the
country that we continue to invest in people and that you are willing to take that on and invest in yourselves,” he said as he congratulated the graduates.
Director of the college, Professor Clement Sankat pointed out that the first batch spent nine months at the college, however, future batches will only spend six months.
He told the graduates that they are special to Guyana and that much is expected of them. “You represent a very special group of young technicians who will build a future for Guyana’s oil and gas industry. Some of you will become the leaders and managers of this sector as you grow and develop.”
He urged the group to stay focused.
Two members of the graduating class have already been called to work offshore and were not at the graduation exercise.
Meanwhile, GTTCI is a part of a bigger picture that will see a campus being constructed at Port Mourant. The campus will be designed to facilitate oil and gas training (Track One) funded by ExxonMobil, Hospitality and Tourism Institute (Track Two) funded by the government with the Caribbean Development Bank, and the Port Mourant Training College (Track Three) which falls under GuySuCo and the Ministry of Agriculture. (G4)
UG researcher leading efforts to ensure sustainable fish farming
Lecturer at the University of Guyana, Samantha Forrester, an aquaculturist, has been leading the way with her remarkable work in safeguarding the health of fish and ensuring they are reared in a sustainable manner.
Forrester is also a researcher attached to UG’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry for over nine years. In a release on Friday, the University of Guyana said that Forrester holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Guyana and a Master of Science in Fisheries Science from Nanjing Agricultural University in China, the world’s top fish producer. “With support from UG, I was selected for the MOFCOM Scholarship, and the University of Guyana granted me study leave to
bolster my research,” she explained.
Driven by the adage, ‘we are what we eat’, Forrester embarked on a quest to safeguard the health of fishes and their immune systems.
“Over the years, the demand for meat products, particularly fish, has increased as people become more health-conscious about their diets,” she noted.
This shift inspired Forrester to investigate culturing fish in ponds and tanks for commercial purposes. Her research indicated that cultivating a large number of fish in confined spaces increases their susceptibility to stressors, such as bacterial pathogens.
“Aeromonas hydrophila is a bacterial pathogen that seriously affects the aquaculture industry globally, causing massive economic losses due to the high mor-
tality rate of infected fishes. To combat these bacterial diseases, several veterinary drugs are used, but many contain harmful chemical compounds that pollute the aquatic environment and ac-
cumulate as residue in the fish’s tissue,” the researcher explained.
In response, Forrester investigated a local medicinal herb which is an alternative source to antibiotics and
is known for its medicinal properties. “I conducted an in-vitro study to determine the antibacterial properties of herbs effective in treating Aeromonas hydrophila,” she proudly reflected.
After observing positive results from the herbs, Forrester formulated a basal diet to feed the fish daily.
Using crucian carp for her study, she noted: “We tested five groups, each containing twenty fishes chosen at random. One group received only the basal diet as the control, while the other four groups were given the basal diet with herb extract added at varying potencies over eight weeks.”
She further explained that after eight weeks, a subset of fishes from each group was exposed to a known concentration of the bacterium. Further observa-
tions, testing, and statistical analysis followed, leading to conclusive results. The study revealed that the herb extract enhanced the fishes’ physiological and immune functions and enhanced resistance against pathogenic infections in Crucian carp.
Forrester’s research suggests that natural immunostimulants of plant origin may serve as viable alternatives to veterinary drugs containing harmful chemicals in aquaculture. She hopes her work will enhance the sustainability of fish farming as a livelihood while increasing the nutritional value of fish for consumers. Currently, she is focused on expanding her research portfolio in the areas of proximate analysis of selected plant species used in aquaculture and microbiological assessment of farmed fish and shrimp.
Lecturer and Researcher at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at UG, Samantha Forrester
The graduating class flanked by the instructors, ExxonMobil President Alistair Routledge, other officials from the oil companies and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat
Beryl spares top Mexican beaches after furious Caribbean trek
Tropical Storm Beryl passed over Mexico's top beach destinations on Friday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, but without leaving major damage, after forging a deadly trail of destruction across the Caribbean.
The core of the storm, downgraded from a hurricane, crossed the Yucatan Peninsula by Friday afternoon, as its maximum wind speeds slowed to around 113 kilometres per hour (70 mph) after it struck near the coastal beach resort of Tulum in the morning.
While Beryl's passage over Mexico's Quintana Roo and Yucatan states resulted in slower winds, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) still forecast dangerous storm surges in the surrounding area.
For those who hunkered down as Beryl churned overhead, a sense of relief prevailed.
"Holy cow! It was an experience!" said Mexican tourist Juan Ochoa, who was staying in Tulum.
"Really only some plants flew up in the air," he said. "Thank God we're all OK."
While major damage has not been reported in Mexico, many in the area have lost electricity, including 40 per cent of Tulum, said Guillermo Nevarez, an official with Mexico's national electricity company CFE, speaking to local broadcaster Milenio.
Among Mexico's top tourist getaways, the Yucatan Peninsula is known for its white-sand beaches, lush landscapes, and Mayan ruins.
Jamaica taps own funds for hurricane recovery
Jamaican Finance Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke said monies from both the Contingency Fund and the Natural Disaster Fund will be tapped to help finance the recovery spending in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The funds are part of a multi-layered set of financing the Government has put in place to help the country “respond, recover and rebuild” after natural disasters.
Clarke, in a release to the Jamaica Observer late Thursday, said the monies which have been set aside
in previous years would be called upon while assessments were made on whether other sources of funding were triggered or would be needed.
“We are very fortunate that Hurricane Beryl did not make landfall in Jamaica as the trajectory of the centre of the hurricane passed 45 miles south of Kingston and continued just off Jamaica’s south coast,” Clarke said in the release.
“Though there was significant damage in sections of the island, in many other parts, including much of
Kingston, the ackees and mangoes remain on the trees,” he noted.
But he pointed out that the “Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has strategically put in place a multi-layered set of financial instruments to pre-finance the emergency response and recovery costs of natural disasters. While it is neither expected nor designed that all storms will trigger all instruments, the idea is that we will always be able to access some instruments for every storm”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
At least 10 dead after bus crash in Brazil's São Paulo state
At least 10 persons died and 42 were injured when a bus crashed into the central pillar of a bridge in the Brazilian state of São Paulo on Friday, the state government said.
According to local authorities, the accident happened just after midnight local time (0300 GMT) near the town of Itapetininga, some 170 kilometres (105 miles) west of state capital São Paulo.
The bus had been en route from Itapeva to Aparecida, a religious town known to attract many pilgrims to its Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida.
Injured people were taken to hospitals in Itapetininga
While "rapid weakening" is expected as it moves further inland and crosses the peninsula on Friday, according to the NHC, Beryl is expected to pick up intensity once it enters the Gulf of Mexico.
Beryl was the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season. It became this week the earliest Category Five
hurricane on record, with scientists pointing to its rapid strengthening as almost certainly fuelled by human-caused climate change.
Beryl is about 105 km (65 miles) east-south-east of the port of Progreso and a short distance inland from Merida, the colonial-era capital of Yucatan state.
The slow-moving storm churned northwest at just 24 kph (15 mph) by midday, according to the NHC.
Mexico's national water commission, CONAGUA, flagged a risk of flooding around the tourist hubs, as well as in neighbouring Campeche state.
Quintana Roo schools were closed, as were local beaches, and officials lifted a temporary ban on alcohol sales.
Before reaching Mexico, Beryl wreaked havoc across several Caribbean islands. It swept through Jamaica, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, in addition to unleashing heavy rainfall on northern Venezuela. It has claimed at least 11 lives, tearing apart buildings while felling power lines and trees.
Destruction in the is-
lands of Grenada was especially pronounced.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell pointed to major damage to homes in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique during a video briefing Thursday night. Parts of the latter two islands suffered "almost complete devastation", he said.
"Many of our citizens have lost everything."
The NHC predicts that Beryl will move toward northeastern Mexico and south Texas later in the weekend.
Mexico's major oil platforms, primarily located in the southern rim of the Gulf of Mexico, are not expected to be affected or shut down, but some oil projects in US waters to the north had been temporarily paused due to Beryl's expected path.
Research by the ClimaMeter consortium determined that climate change significantly intensified Beryl. According to the study, the storm's severity, along with its associated rainfall and wind speed, saw an increase of 10-30 per cent as a direct result of climate change. (Reuters)
Brazilian industry reps to travel with Lula to Bolivia
in bid to obtain cheaper gas
Brazilian industry representatives will travel with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Bolivia next week, in a bid to obtain natural gas that should become available after expiration of a supply deal to Argentina, the representatives told Reuters.
Argentina has a supply contract with State-run Bolivian oil firm YPFB set to expire in September. Then, a volume of up to around 4 million cubic meters per day could become available, said the representatives.
"We are going to talk to the authorities and find out what is possible", Lucien Belmonte, executive president of Abividro, an in-
dustry association of glass firms, told Reuters.
There are still a number of unknowns, said Belmonte, including price, and if the volume would actually become available come October.
Bolivia has faced a foiled military coup against the Government last week, and the country's diminishing domestic oil and gas output has been at the heart of its economic and political problems.
YPFB President Armin Dorgathen told Reuters in an interview on Sunday that Brazil was one of the countries most keen to secure gas supplies by building strategic partnerships with YPFB. He described the recent investment in June by Brazilian firm Fluxus as "relatively big" and said YPFB was "looking for other Brazilian partners" as well as Petrobras, to boost production, exploration and "industrialise" the sector. The Brazilian representatives hope to use the presidential visit to kickstart talks and eventually sign a deal directly with YPFB, which they claim would allow them to obtain a lower price than if they bought through Brazil's state-run oil firm Petrobras, which has a standing contract with YPFB. (Excerpt from Reuters)
More aid for Beryl-ravaged countries
The ODPM, Defence Force and Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago continue to work toward sending relief aid to support Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Air Guard of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) transported the ODPM’s Operations Manager and Regional Coordinator along with a representative from WASA
to Grenada to assist that country recover from the disaster.
Galleon’s Passage was scheduled to depart Trinidad on Friday evening loaded with relief supplies for Grenada. This is the third vessel of relief supplies that is being sent to Grenada.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has donated €450,000 in relief aid to St Vincent and Grenada after they were
ravaged by Hurricane Beryl. In a Facebook post on July 3, Commissioner For Crisis Management Janez Lenar?i? said, "The EU stands ready to help other populations that might be affected in the next hours.
"All our response instruments, humanitarian aid and civil protection, will be mobilised if necessary."
(Excerpts from Trinidad Newsday and Trinidad Guardian )
Beryl, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm from the hurricane passed over Mexico's top beach destinations, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, but without leaving major damage after tearing through several Caribbean islands (Reuters/Jose Luis Gonzalez photo)
and neighbouring city Sorocaba, the
authorities said in a statement. (Reuters)
The wreckage of a bus after it crashed into the central pillar of a bridge near the town of Itapetininga in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, July 5, 2024 (Civil Defence of São Paulo/Handout via Reuters)
New PM Starmer pledges to rebuild Britain after years of chaos
Britain's new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer pledged on Friday to use his massive electoral majority to rebuild the country, saying he wanted to take the heat out of politics after years of upheaval and strife.
Oil prices settled lower on Friday as the rising possibility of a ceasefire deal in Gaza outweighed strong summer fuel demand and potential supply disruptions from Gulf of Mexico hurricanes.
Brent crude futures settled down 89 cents, or 1.02 per cent lower, to US$86.54 a barrel, after reaching their highest since April earlier in the session. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled at US$83.16 a barrel, down 72 cents, or 0.9 per cent.
For the week, Brent rose 0.4 per cent, while WTI futures posted a 2.1 per cent rise.
The Head of Israel's Mossad has returned from Doha after an initial meeting with mediators trying to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, and negotiations will resume next week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday.
Netanyahu's office said in a statement that gaps remain between the sides.
“Obviously a breakthrough there would help calm the waters,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital.
An easing of the Middle Eastern conflict reduces the risk premium of barrels out of the region and weighs on oil prices.
WTI did not settle on Thursday due to the Independence Day holiday, giving way to thin trading, but prices have risen this week on strong summer oil demand expectations in the US.
"The last couple of days represent the peak of the drive season, in terms of demand and prices continue to creep higher. This is coming from stronger consumer demand and the effects of Hurricane Beryl," Tim Snyder, economist at Matador economics said in a note on Friday.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA), on Wednesday, reported a much larger-than-expected 12.2 million barrel inventories draw last week, compared with analyst expectations for a draw of 700,000 barrels.
On the supply side, Hurricane Beryl, a Category Two storm, made landfall in Mexico, after killing least 11 persons in the Caribbean, tearing through buildings and power lines across several Caribbean islands.
Mexico's major oil platforms are not expected to be affected by the storm, but oil projects in US waters to the north may be disrupted if the hurricane continues on its expected path.
The possibility that US interest rate cuts are approaching, meanwhile, raised expectations for an increase in oil demand.
US job growth slowed marginally in June, but a rise in the unemployment rate to more than a two-and-ahalf-year high of 4.1 per cent and moderation in wage gains pointed to an easing of labour market conditions, and could put a rate cut at the July meeting in their sights.
"This morning’s employment data shows that there are some cracks in the labour market, that could spur on a rate cut even this month,” said Kilduff at Again Capital.
Lower interest rates can boost economic activity and increase crude oil demand.
(Reuters)
Standing outside his new office and residence at Number 10 Downing Street, Starmer acknowledged the scale of the challenge after his party's landslide victory in a parliamentary election ended 14 years of often tumultuous Conservative Government.
He warned that any improvements would take time, and he would need to first rebuild faith in politics.
"This lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that," he said.
"Whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly – My government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good. We will show that."
Starmer was greeted by huge cheers and took time before making his speech to shake hands with and hug aides and well-wishers who lined Downing Street –scenes that were reminiscent of Labour predecessor Tony Blair's arrival in Government in 1997.
Standing behind a lectern, he said he understood that many Britons were disillusioned with politics after years of scandal and chaos under the Conservatives, who were roundly rejected in Thursday's election, suffering a historic loss.
Starmer said the rejection signalled that Britain was ready for a reset: "Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate away to calmer waters."
The centre-left Labour won a massive majority in the 650-seat parliament, prompt-
ing Rishi Sunak's resignation on Friday morning, before Starmer went to meet King Charles and be formally named Prime Minister.
The election result has upended British politics. Labour won more than 410 seats,
an increase of 211, while the Conservatives, the Western world's most successful party, lost 250 lawmakers, including a record number of senior Ministers and former Prime Minister Liz Truss. (Excerpt from Reuters)
NATO allies at summit to unveil Ukraine's 'bridge to membership'
NATO allies at their summit in Washington next week will unveil a "bridge to membership" plan for Ukraine and announce steps to bolster Kyiv's air defences, a senior US official said on Friday.
"Allies will reaffirm that Ukraine's future is in NATO, will make significant new announcements about how we're increas-
ing NATO's military, political and financial support for Ukraine. This is part of Ukraine's bridge to NATO," the official told reporters.
US President Joe Biden, who is battling to remain a viable candidate for re-election after a stumbling debate performance against Republican Donald Trump, will play host to the leaders of NATO's 32 members beginning Tuesday in
Efforts to secure Gaza ceasefire and hostage release gain momentum
Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza gathered momentum on Friday after Hamas made a revised proposal on the terms of a deal, and Israel said negotiations would continue into next week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Head of the Mossad intelligence agency returned from an initial meeting with mediators in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and that negotiations would continue next week.
"There are still gaps between the sides," Netanyahu's office said.
Earlier, a source in Israel's negotiating team, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was now a real chance of achieving agreement.
Those remarks were in sharp contrast to past instances in the nine-monthold war in Gaza when Israel said conditions attached by Hamas were not acceptable.
A Palestinian official close to the internationally-mediated peace efforts said the latest proposal by the militant Islamist group could lead to a framework agreement if embraced by Israel.
He said Hamas was no longer demanding as a pre-condition an Israeli commitment to a permanent ceasefire before signing an agreement, and would allow negotiations to achieve that throughout a first six-week phase.
"Should the sides need more time to seal an agreement on a permanent ceasefire, the two sides should agree there would be no return to the fighting until they do that," the official told Reuters.
Hamas later said it rejected the presence of foreign forces in Gaza, signalling its opposition to any plan to send an international contingent to the Gaza Strip to help keep the peace in the Palestinian enclave. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Washington.
Biden is expected to hold a rare solo news conference during the summit.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who lobbied unsuccessfully for a political invitation to join NATO at its summit in Vilnius last summer, has said that this year's summit should resolve the matter of inviting Kyiv to join.
Meanwhile, Russian drone attacks on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy
earlier today cut power to the local water system and knocked out the water supply, officials were quoted as saying.
Public broadcaster Suspilne reported a series of explosions in the city northeast of the capital Kyiv. It quoted municipal officials as saying water supplies had been temporarily cut.
Reuters could not independently confirm the attacks. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Modi to focus on trade imbalance, Indian soldiers in talks with Putin
Fixing India's trade imbalance with Russia and securing the discharge of Indians misled into fighting in the Ukraine war will be among Prime Minister Narendra Modi's priorities during talks in Moscow next week, a top official said on Friday.
Modi will visit Russia on July 8-9 for talks with President Vladimir Putin as part of annual summits between New Delhi and Moscow, launched in 2000.
Modi's visit coincides with the July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington at which the Ukraine war will hold centre stage, and the timing has raised questions about the signal India could be sending.
But Indian Foreign
Secretary Vinay Kwatra, the most senior diplomat in the Foreign Ministry, rejected any connection and said Modi's visit was part of the calendar of summits between the two countries.
"The bilateral visit this time is just a scheduling priority that we have undertaken and that’s what it is," he told reporters in response to a question at a briefing on Modi's visit.
New Delhi shares historic bonds with Moscow going back to the days of the Soviet Union but has moved closer to the West, especially Washington, in recent decades as it liberalised its economy and expanded its geopolitical ties. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Incoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria arrive at Number 10 Downing Street, following the results of the election, in London, Britain (Reuters/Phil Noble photo)
DAILY HOROSCOPES
(March 21-April 19)
Speak up if you want something. Stand up to anyone using manipulative tactics to push you in a direction that doesn't suit your needs. Work alone if it helps you achieve peace of mind.
Invest more thought into where and how you live, and cut corners to make room for the things you want to do. Don't let outside influences stifle your plans.
(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)
Simplify your lifestyle. Don't let changes others make disrupt your plans. An unusual encounter will lead to alternatives that will encourage you to broaden your awareness.
(June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Moderate your emotions and channel your energy into something that matters to you. Take the initiative and act. Be cheerful when making your case, and you will likely succeed.
Sell your ideas to the people you need on your side to enter a new phase in your life. Listen to the input you receive and compromise where necessary, and you will gain ground.
Surround yourself with people you can count on for backup. A change of plans will inspire you to act quickly. Take the podium and make your voice heard. Love and romance are favored.
Use your eloquence to persuade anyone sitting on the fence. Expect and prepare for opposition. Opportunity knocks, so answer! Make your objective clear.
Size up your situation before you make a move. Having a clear picture and being able to counter any negativity you face will help bring about necessary changes. Romance is favored.
Confusion will lead to chaos. Get your facts straight and a solid plan in place. Opportunity is apparent, but your timing will have to be perfect to take full advantage.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Keep an open mind. Position yourself for success and happiness with a positive attitude and astute comprehension of the possibilities. Socializing and flirting will promote romance.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Be ready to change direction or plan to take advantage of an opportunity. A favorable domestic situation will give you leeway and comfort, knowing you can change your life positively.
Ask questions and get the lowdown before you act. Keep things simple. Discipline and ingenuity will be necessary. Avoid situations that could spiral out of control.
Brits, Kapp fifties help South Africa Women to their 1st victory of India tour
After defeats in the One-Day International (ODI) series and the one-off Test, South Africa began their run to the women's T20 World Cup with a morale-boosting victory over India in the first T20 International (T20I) in Chennai.
Starring in the win were Tazmin Brits, whose 81 –an innings of contrasts – set South Africa up along with Marizanne Kapp. The pair added 96 in just 9.2 overs; Kapp's own contribution was a robust 33-ball 57 as the visitors posted 189 for 4. India's chase began well with Smriti Mandhana's 30-ball 46, but her wicket slowed things down considerably, until they found their ammunition through Jemimah Rodrigues' punchy 29-ball half-century.
Eventually, the target proved steep as South Africa's spinners used the slow pitch and the absence of dew to their advantage. In the end, India fell 12 runs short after flirting with the
possibility of a heist when Rodrigues brought the equation down from 47 off 18 to 21 off six.
Wolvaardt flies, Brits stutters Laura Wolvaardt came
SCOREBOARD
South Africa Women (20 ovs maximum)
Laura Wolvaardt (c)
b Yadav 33
Tazmin Brits c Yadav
b Vastrakar 81
Marizanne Kapp c Sobhana
b Yadav 57
Chloe Tryon c Renuka Singh
b Vastrakar 12
Nadine de Klerk not out 1
Extras (w 5) 5
TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.45) 189/4
Did not bat: Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Eliz-Mari Marx, Sinalo Jafta †, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Laura Wolvaardt, 7.1 ov), 2-146 (Marizanne Kapp, 16.3 ov), 3-184 (Chloe Tryon, 19.3 ov), 4-189 (Tazmin Brits, 19.6 ov)
BOWLING O-M-R-W
Renuka Singh 4-0-42-0
Pooja Vastrakar 4-0-23-2
Radha Yadav 4-0-40-2
Deepti Sharma 4-0-45-0
Asha Sobhana 4-0-39-0
India Women (T: 190 runs from 20 ovs)
Shafali Verma c †Jafta b Khaka 18
Smriti Mandhana c †Jafta b Tryon 46
Dayalan Hemalatha b de Klerk 14
Harmanpreet Kaur (c) st †Jafta
b Mlaba 35
Jemimah Rodrigues not out 53
Extras (w 11) 11
TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.85) 177/4
Did not bat: Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh, Sajeevan Sajana Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Shafali Verma, 5.2 ov), 2-87 (Smriti Mandhana, 9.6 ov), 3-87 (Dayalan Hemalatha, 10.1 ov), 4-177 (Harmanpreet Kaur, 19.6 ov)
BOWLING O-M-R-W
Ayabonga Khaka 4-0-39-1
Chloe Tryon 4-0-32-1
Eliz-Mari Marx 3-0-36-0
Nadine de Klerk 4-0-30-1
Nonkululeko Mlaba 4-0-32-1
Annerie Dercksen 1-0-8-0
out all guns blazing and took Renuka Singh for 16 runs in the third over. But South Africa were not able to build on that, with Brits, at this point, struggling to hit the ball off the square.
Brits took 10 deliveries to get off the mark and the piling up of dots made Wolvaardt more risks than she would've liked. One such stroke
to hang on to a catch behind the stumps when Kapp was on 11 and then Mandhana put down a tough chance running in from long-off with the South African all-rounder on 11. This helped unleash Kapp, which reduced the pressure on Brits after she had limped to a run-a-
at the other end in their near-century stand.
Brits should've been out on 50 when she top-edged a slog, only for Ghosh to grass the opportunity. It would prove game-changing in a sense as Ghosh, who was hit on the chin by the ball rebounding off her gloves, while tumbling to the floor was ruled out of the rest of the game due to concus-
– walking across to expose all three stumps in a bid to sweep left-arm spinner Radha Yadav into acres of open space – led to her downfall in the eighth over to leave South Africa 50 for 1.
Kapp finds her gears straightaway Kapp began with two fours off her first three balls, the first one, an inside-out drive over extra cover, particularly attractive. But she was also massively lucky to be reprieved twice in the 10th over.
First, Richa Ghosh failed
two teams a few days ago. But in perhaps a sign that she was feeling heaps better, Kapp displayed different variations of her sweeps as her innings progressed – the full-blooded ones, the paddles, the scoops and even the reverse – during a 30ball half-century that injected momentum into South Africa's innings.
Brits makes the most of her luck
Brits broke the shackles in the 11th over when she heaved legspinner S Asha over the long-on boundary, even as Kapp went berserk
It took Brits until the 17th over of the innings to hit top gear, when she launched Radha for back-to-back sixes to offset any pressure from Kapp's wicket in the same over. South Africa ran sacked 58 runs off the last five to head into the break with momentum firmly with
India go off rails despite Mandhana, Rodrigues knocks Mandhana's cameo helped India raise their half-century in the fifth over, before Ayabonga Khaka pulled the game back by nicking off Shafali Verma. That wicket slowed things down considerably as India's number three, D Hemalatha, struggled to cope with the pressure of the asking rate. She limped to 14 off 16 at the halfway mark.
This may have resulted in Mandhana's downfall as she left her crease against Chloe Tryon and got caught behind. When Hemalatha was bowled off the very next ball, looking to clip Nadine
de Klerk, South Africa sensed an opportunity with India 87 for 3 in the 11th. Rodrigues kept punching, using the crease superbly to manipulate the bowlers and pick up runs behind square against spin. Her enterprise offset Harmanpreet Kaur's struggle against cramps, which appeared to limit her hitting range. Yet, when she played a full-blooded slog for a boundary to bring the equation down to 17 off 5, India believed. However,
Chloe Tryon is mobbed after removing Smriti Mandhana
Tazmin Brits turned her innings around after a slow start
Marizanne Kapp scored a 33-ball 57
Jemimah Rodrigues made a half-century
Republic Bank renews RHTY&SC
Grade 6 Summer Camp sponsorship
…over 100 students to benefit
Over the past 14
years, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, and its different cricket teams have hosted an Annual Grade Six Summer Camp for students preparing for entry into secondary school.
More than 1200 students have benefited from the camp, which has been sponsored by the Rose Hall Town Branch of Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. The Bank on Tuesday last renewed its long-standing sponsorship of the camp for the 15th consecutive year. The simple presentation ceremony was held at the newly-opened bank building, located at Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town and was attended by officials of the club and the branch
RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that the idea of the summer camp came about after a brief conversation with some First-Form Students
at the Lower Corentyne Secondary School, who told him that they found it a bit difficult to make a successful transition from primary school to secondary school. Not only was the school work very different but thy found the cultural experience, a bit strange with bullies, physical attraction and peer pressure.
The main objective of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Summer Camp is to properly prepare youths for a successful transition from the primary level to the secondary level, to allow students to hit the road running in terms of work in the classroom and understanding the cultural experience at secondary school while inspiring youths to make the correct career choices.
The camp starts on Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Rose Hall Town Primary School and a three-member teaching staff would teach the students the following subjects: Maths, English A,
“It was very successful”
History, Integrated Science and Basic Spanish. The four-week camp would also involve numerous lectures on topics of importance to the students including drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, peer pressure, personal hygiene, the importance of education, personal discipline, classroom manners and suicide.
RHTY&SC Organising
Secretary Robby Kissoonlall stated that a maximum of 120 students would be accepted and while all Berbician students are invited to be a part of the camp, most students would be from the Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, Tain, Belvedere and Cropper Primary Schools. The students would also be provided with basic coaching on how to play cricket and would also be involved in some community projects. At the end of the camp, each student would receive an educational package worth about $3000 while the top
GABA President Slater deems U23 tournament a success
The inaugural Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Under-23 Championship, which concluded on Saturday last after two months of action at the National Gymnasium, has been deemed a success by Association President Jermaine Slater.
The Bounty Colts clinched the title over a dominant Kwakwani Untouchables in the proverbial mother of all basketball tournaments to be played in Guyana with the scoreline reading 76-75.
While speaking to media operatives, GABA President Jermaine Slater divulged that the tournament's goal was achieved.
“This is what we envisioned, this ending here with the two best teams of the tournament clashing in a final that almost went to overtime is exactly what we envisioned and I couldn’t ask for a better finish for the tournament; it was very successful,” Slater divulged.
He went on to expound on the plans for more inclusivity, with regard to regions, translating to bigger tournaments.
Slater explained, “Well, the plan is this, try to get as many teams playing in big tournaments like this, as you mention we involve some other team like
Kwakwani joined the association two years ago, they played both first division and now they are in the final for this U23 and they are a very good basketball club. Bartica joined the fold, Berbice players are playing with Sonics, Linden players playing with some of the other teams, so it is a mixture of talent around Guyana playing in this league and that is what we are trying to do throughout basketball in Guyana: to get big tournaments and get everybody involved, so going forward I am going to try as much as possible to involve multiple regions, towns.”
The GABA President went on to disclose that this league would have an impact on the One Guyana Basketball League.
Slater said, “You can expect many more games; we have changed the format a bit and most teams will now be able to play extra games going forward and what we say here with the youths again as I mentioned, we will have some of these same talents playing in the One Guyana League, because they got what it takes to be on the main stage going forward from what we saw here.
“The players will have to drop and these same young players you see playing today will have to elevate themselves to a tougher division, because they are very capable, skilled, so this tournament so sets the foundation for us to now to get younger players in the senior tournament which will add more excitement and flair to it.”
The GABA U-23 Championship saw the participation of 10 teams which included Cummingsburg Bounty Colts, North Ruimveldt Ravens, Meadowbank Nets, Stabroek Eagles, Lamaha Springs Pepsi Sonics, Leonora D-up Boys, Kwakwani Untouchables, Wortmanville Pacesetters, Prospect Kobras, Festival City Black Caimans, Bartica Wranglers, and Cummings Lodge UG Trojans.
10 students would receive special prizes.
The best student of the 2024 Republic Bank Summer Camp would receive close to $300,000 worth of gifts including an electric bike, a bicycle, an electronic table, designer clothing, designer watch, food hampers, La-Z-Boy, personal care hampers, household utensils among other items.
Rose Hall Town Pepsi
Under-19 Team Captain Matthew Pottaya expressed thanks to Republic Bank for its sponsorship and reassured the company that the camp would be a success. The camp is being organised by the Rose Hall Town Poonai Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, 2 Bakewell Under-17, Pepsi Under-19, Metro Females and the Namilco Thunderbolt First Division and Under-21 Teams.
Republic Bank Rose Hall Town Sales Manager (ag) Denise Ramdial stated that the Bank was pleased to be associated with the Summer Camp as it strongly believes in investing in the educational development of youths. She also expressed confidence in the Summer Camp being a successful one and called on the students to take advantages of the opportunities provided to them.
Bahamas faces Lebanon in Olympic Qualifying Tournament semi-finals
The Bahamas will look to move one step closer to their dream of competing in basketball at the Paris Olympics this summer when they tackle Lebanon in the semi-finals of Olympic Basketball Qualifying Tournament 1 in Valencia, Spain today.
The other semi-final will see hosts Spain taking on Finland, who the Bahamians defeated in the group stage.
The winner of the tournament will advance to the Paris Olympics.
The Bahamians booked their spot in the final four with a 90-81 win over
Poland on Wednesday.
Eighteen-year-old Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr, a projected top-5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft who has committed to Baylor University, led the way with an efficient 21 points on 13 shot attempts. He also pulled in six rebounds and had one steal and one block.
Portland Trailblazers centre Deandre Ayton was also solid with 18 points and nine rebounds while Eric Gordon missed just one of his six shot attempts on his way to 12 points.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan had
16 points and 10 rebounds for Poland.
Lebanon booked their spot in the semis with a 7470 win over Angola, also on Wednesday.
Former Villanova and Golden State Warriors big man Omari Spellman dominated with 22 points and 13 rebounds for Lebanon and will need to be given extra attention by the Bahamians today. (Sportsmax)
Republic Bank’s Christopher Phagoo hands over sponsorship to Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Executive Tyrone Pottaya in the presence of other club and bank officials
VJ Edgecombe (centre) going up for a dunk against Poland on Wednesday while teammate Franco Miller (left) looks on
Guyana Amateur Basketball Association President Jermaine Slater
West Indies v England Test Series…
Athanaze, DaSilva half-centuries
highlight final day of warm-up
Adrawn result was on the cards for West Indies Test team on Friday, as they wrapped up in-game preparation for their upcoming three-match Test series against England.
There was an early interruption in play on Friday at the Kent County Cricket Ground, with rain in the morning session. After finally resuming the day’s play on 57-2, Mikyle Louis did little to trouble the scores further, as he departed after facing two more balls. At the other end, Alick Athanaze cemented his spot and went on to slam a half century, after West Indies lost the wickets of Tevin Imlach and Jason Holder for a duck and 18 off 22 balls respectively.
Athanaze hit 66 in 99 deliveries, encompassing 11 boundaries, while Joshua DaSilva was also in fine touch, notching 51 in 69 deliveries, inclusive of six fours.
West Indies eventually de-
clared at 196-5, leaving their opponents of the First-Class Counties (FCC) Select XI needing 163 runs for victory.
In that chase, Harry Singh was removed for a duck by Jeremiah Louis while Johann Layne removed Jamal Richards for 6 runs from 12 balls.
Hamza Shaikh remained unbeaten on 17 from 28 while
Bertie Foreman added just two runs in 15 balls before close of play was called. With FCC finishing on 30-2, the match resulted in a draw.
Following the game, Assistant Coach Jimmy Adams shared that the Windies have gotten what they needed out of their preparation.
“I think so. What we
Final showdowns in ExxonMobil U14 on today
The Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground is in for a treat today as the grand finale of the fifth annual ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under14 Schools’ football tournament is staged.
Four teams will battle for top honours in the two divisions, with a new boys’ champion set to be crowned after defending champions Bartica Secondary were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
The girls’ final will be the first to be staged at 16:00h, featuring a clash between defending champions Waramuri Primary Top and President’s College, a case of déjà vu for the two sides.
When they met in last year’s final, Waramuri dominated PC 4-1, but according to PC, it will not be as easy this time around.
Guyana Times Sport caught up with the captains, who are both confident of crossing the final hurdle today.
“Yes, I’m confident that my team can do it. Yes, because we have the ability,” Waramuri Captain Tiana Abrams shared with this publication.
On the other hand, President’s College Captain Kimora Edwards stated, “I’m sure that we could beat them in this final.
“We’re coming for the revenge, yah, because last year we didn’t really have the team we have now. So, we will work really hard through the week for this final game.”
On the other hand, Chase’s Academic Foundation and Dolphin Secondary will meet for the first time this year in the final showdown for the boys. For Chase’s, it will be a shot at securing their second
ExxonMobil U14 title, having won the inaugural tournament in 2018.
For Dolphin, this is the furthest they have advanced in the tournament, bowing out in the semi-finals back in 2019.
Similarly to the girls, both boys’ finalists are sure of their abilities heading into the feature match at 17:00h.
“We’re confident. We’re sure about winning. This is my first tournament for the school, so, for me, it would mean a lot. For the rest of players, it would mean a lot too, because this is we first tournament together,” Chase’s Captain Jaden Tasher told this publication. Tasher added that for the final his team needed to work on “the finishing”. They’re always going in front of the goal and throwing away. So, they gotta work on their finishing.”
On the other hand, Dolphin’s Captain, Damani
Hardy expressed, “I think we just have to play ball, control the game and we got this.
“I am pretty confident, but they’re stiff [competition].”
Prior to the finals, placement games and the thirdplace playoff will be staged. The football action begins at 12:00h; the girls’ semi-finals between Santa Rosa and Bartica Secondary takes centre stage at 14:00h, while the boys’ semi between South Ruimveldt and Leonora Secondary kicks off at 15:00h.
The teams are competing for a $400,000 first prize while second place will receive $200,000. The thirdand fourth-place finishers will pocket $100,000 and $75,000 respectively, with all the prizes going towards a school project.
The ExxonMobil U14 tournament is also sponsored by Stenna Drilling, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) under its Pepsi brand, and MVP Sports.
would’ve wanted to get from the time that we’ve spent, we’ve gotten. The weather has been kind to us, we know it can get a bit rough here, weather-wise, in England. So, all in all, we’re pretty happy with what the weather has allowed, the facilities that we’ve been given and what the guys have been able to do since they’ve come here,” Adams shared.
He went on to respond to enquiries about the areas in which he has been helping the team, especially the batters and their reception to such.
SCOREBOARD
West Indies 2nd Innings
Mikyle Louis c Farhan Ahmed
b Baker 28
Zachary McCaskie c Harry Singh
b Turner 2
Kirk McKenzie c Baker
b Foreman 17
Alick Athanaze not out 66
Tevin Imlach
b Baker 0
Jason Holder
b Farhan Ahmed 18
Joshua Da Silva † not out 51
Extras (b 2, lb 9, nb 1, w 2) 14
TOTAL 44 Ov (RR: 4.45) 196/5d
Did not bat: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Kavem Hodge, Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Jeremiah Louis, Isai Thorne, Johann Layne, Nyeem Young, Gudakesh Motie
Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Zachary McCaskie, 2.4 ov), 2-40 (Kirk McKenzie, 9.5 ov), 3-61
Adams expressed, “It’s just to give them a little bit of a heads-up on what conditions may be like; at the end of the day, they’re going to have to experience it for themselves. It’s a really good group,
I think, in terms of their ability to, and their willingness to, learn. Some of them went to Australia a few months back and they showed this capacity to learn very quickly and I’m hoping that that continues.”
“As a coach, you can’t ask for more than that. They work hard, they learn quickly and what we can do is to give them a heads-up on what to expect, both in terms of conditions and opposition,” the former player added.
West Indies will begin their Test series against hosts England at the legendary Lord’s Ground on Wednesday, July 10.
Bailey’s agent refutes JAAA VP’s claims on 4x400m relay withdrawal
Claude Bryan, the agent representing World Championships 400m finalist Sean Bailey, has strongly refuted statements made by Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Vice President Ian Forbes regarding the last-minute withdrawal of top athletes from the 4x400m relay at the Jamaica National Championships on Sunday night.
Bryan clarified that his athlete had provided an explanation for his withdrawal, contrary to Forbes' claims.
Forbes had stated that none of the top three finishers in the 400m— Deandre Watkin (44.48), Bailey (44.65), and Jevaughn Powell (44.79) – nor the 400m hurdles champion Malik James-King, who were expected to run in the relay, offered any explanation for their decision to pull out. The relay was crucial for Jamaica's last-ditch effort to qualify for the 4x400m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, needing a time of 2:59.12 to secure a spot among the top 16 teams in the world.
In a response to Forbes' statements published by Sportsmax.TV, Bryan set the record straight, emphasising the communication efforts made by Bailey and his team.
"For the JAAA VP to say that 'no explanations had been provided by the athletes for their late withdrawals' is wholly inaccurate," Bryan
stated. "Sean Bailey’s physio, Sean Bailey, and myself went and spoke directly with Coach (Maurice) Wilson about his issue. Further to that, out of respect for the JAAA, an email was sent early on Monday morning detailing what had transpired, and said email was acknowledged by the JAAA."
Bailey had been experiencing discomfort in his hamstrings, and the decision to withdraw was made to prevent potential injury, which could jeopardise his chances of winning an individual medal in the 400m at the Olympic Games.
Speaking with Sportsmax. TV earlier this week, Forbes expressed his disappointment with the late withdrawals, noting the extensive preparations made to ensure the athletes were in optimal condition for the relay. "We need to have a pow-wow to look at what really transpired, because the information from the coaches was very fast, things moved very quickly, so we haven’t gathered all the information. But it was most distressing that at the last minute, persons were pulling out," Forbes said.
To ensure the athletes were ready, meetings with athletes, coaches, and agents were held before the National Championships. On the recommendation of the athletes, the top 16 runners advanced to the semi-finals, with
Sean Bailey
heats and semi-finals run on Thursday and the finals on Friday night. This schedule aimed to give the runners ample time to recuperate before the 4x400m relay, scheduled for 8:05 pm on Sunday. The athletes were also provided with hotel rooms for adequate rest and transportation. Additionally, two companies had put up J$1 million as an incentive for the runners to achieve the qualification time. Despite the last-minute changes, four other athletes – Raheem Hayles, Zandrian Barnes, Tarees Rhoden, and Kimar Farquharson –stepped in to run the relay. They clocked a time of 2:59.87, which was just shy of the required time for Olympic qualification.
Bryan's clarification aims to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of the athlete he represents. (Sportsmax)
Waramuri Primary Top Captain Tiana Abrams (burgundy) faces off with President’s College Captain Kimora Edwards
Joshua DaSilva brought up the second half-century on Day 3 (George Halfhide photo)
Alick Athanaze executes a shot (George Halfhide photo)
