price increases – Pres Ali ... says more measures planned for 2024 to address cost of living
Natraj Center dancers of NY to dazzle at Nirvana’s Dance Festival 2024
Contractors to meet 2-week deadline for completion of $475M Cemetery Road project – Edghill
Govt reviewing proposals for deep-water project – VP Jagdeo ... says freight costs could dip 60% with road link to northern Brazil
$75.8M Good Successto-Timehri Road project delayed due to nonsubmission of road designs – Chinese company to submit designs in the shortest possible time
Shutdown of Liza Destiny, Unity FPSOs scheduled for 3rd quarter of 2024 – ExxonMobil – to allow for tie-in with Gas-to-Energy Project
GT businessman busted with illegal gun, ammo at nightclub
GWI awards $250M in contracts to kick off infrastructure development at 14 water treatment plants
Guyana Fashion Showcase set for October 4 at Castellani House
driver gets bail on gun, ammo possession charge
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, August 4 – 04:00h-05:30h and Monday, August 5 – 04:00h-05:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, August 4 –16:55h-18:25h and Monday, August 5 – 17:10h-18:40h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times –05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily
WEATHER TODAY
Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Westerly between 0.89 metre and 2.68
High Tide: 16:45h reaching a maximum height of 2.40 metres.
Low Tide: 10:19h and 22:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.79 metre.
n light of the steadily increasing food prices on the global market, affecting many countries, including Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali related that Guyana has managed to navigate these challenges successfully thanks to the careful measures implemented by his government.
During an address to the nation on Friday evening, the president spoke on the issue of the cost of living which has impacted the Guyanese populace while pointing to the sharp rise in international food prices between 20212022 – a period when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world.
“From the production side, there was limited production because farmers were not go-
during 2023. Meanwhile, the inflation rates of the largest economies in Latin America reached a 15-year high in 2022,” President Ali said.
Measures
Despite these worldwide
ing to the farms, factories were not opened, agro-processing plants were not opened, and then from the raw materials side, the supply was also limited. So we went through those things, dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequential effects.”
“We saw stimulus packages, interest rates cuts. And this is what this government did in response. As soon as we came in, not only did we have to find billions of dollars to build a COVID-19 facility, but we also had to create stimulus packages, cut interest rates, and direct financial support to individuals, businesses, and families,” President Ali said.
On top of the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to inflation, the world also had to contend with the Russia/ Ukraine war and the middle eastern conflicts. These backto-back crises have resulted in a spike in inflation in as many as 179 countries.
“Let’s look at what is happening globally. Overall inflation figures. According to Global Finance, inflation spiked in 179 countries, out of 194. And let us look at some of the regions and effects. Developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, recorded inflation rates that reached a 40-year high in 2022.”
“In 2022, inflation rates in Canada were the highest since 1983. The European Union also recorded the highest inflation rate in four decades
increases in inflation, which resulted in Guyana importing much of these price hikes, the government took deliberate steps to mitigate this. The government provided direct support to farmers, lowered taxes on items critical to the agri sector, increased public sector wages, and implemented cash grants.
For instance, the government removed Value Added Tax (VAT) on machinery, and
corporate income tax and reversed drainage and irrigation (D&I) fees. VAT was also removed on medical supplies, electricity, and water, measures which resulted in the people of Guyana saving almost $3 billion annually. Another measure taken was removing the taxes on building materials.
Meanwhile, the government restored the subsidies for utility services, as well as increased old age pension and public assistance by more than 75 per cent and 111.1 per cent respectively. This resulted in over $13.4 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, being placed back into the hands of these beneficiaries.
The government also took the step to establish a boiler breeders’ facility locally and constructed shade houses, farm-to-market roads, and D&I infrastructures. The rising fuel and freight costs were also addressed, while the wages and salaries of public servants were increased by more than $90 billion.
To boost the income of many households, the government reinstated the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, placing over $22 billion into the hands of parents over the last four years. Further to that, the one-month tax-free bonus
to the disciplined services was reintroduced, placing $4.1 billion into the hands of the members.
2024 Ali compared the global and regional inflation hikes, with Guyana’s own, noting that Guyana did a commendable job managing its inflation.
“When the inflation rate is rising in these countries and China and India, and we have to import, then the cost of production and transportation are going up. We’re importing those rising costs.”
“But what we’ve done as a government, very successfully, a model that is now being looked at, is the type of measures that we placed to cushion that inflationary cost. So that the effect was not transferred to the consumers.”
Further, President Ali assured that even more strategies would be rolled out before the end of 2024. According to him, the government will be addressing a number of policy areas that will ensure Guyanese can have more disposable income and stimulate economic expansion.
“This is the global environment in which we are a part of and operating. When you look at our figures and the inflation rate for Guyana compared to all of these regions, it is remarkable in the way that we have been able to manage our economy,” President Ali said.
“The way we have been able to cushion these costs. And the way we implemented measures that targeted directly and indirectly. First, the increase in production. Two, to disallow the transfer of inflated prices to the consumer and fourthly, to ensure that the most vulnerable of society were protected.”
President Dr Irfaan Ali
A scene from one of Guyana’s markets
Thundery showers are expected during the day, interrupted by sunshine in the morning and lateafternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies and thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Even as the trial of several GECOM Secretariat officials for allegedly attempting to rig the March 2, 2020 General Elections is finally proceeding – albeit slowly – in our court system, over in Venezuela the Government of Nicolás Maduro appears determined to follow the Burnhamite PNC legacy of election rigging. But this is not mere coincidence since it flows from the inherent contradictions of populist regimes who upend the economic and political systems to “lift up the poor” at the expense of the supposed “rich”. The systems inevitably collapse under the contradictions and the poor end up worse off as the Governments are forced to adopt authoritarian measures to maintain their hold on power. These are justified by the rulers as necessary for the “greater good”.
So, we had Hugo Chávez getting elected democratically in 1998 on his revolutionary ideas that would destroy the “oligarchy” and ensure that à la Burnham, the “small man becomes the real man”. Like Burnham he nationalised the “commanding heights of the economy” – there the oil industry – to retain the profits that were being “sucked out by the foreign capitalist” and now distributed to the poor. It worked for a while, but by the time Chávez died from cancer in 2013 and his hand-picked successor Nicolás Maduro took power, the society was beginning to split asunder.
The foreign oil majors had all left and the Governmentowned PDVSA did not have the expertise nor capital to sustain oil production. That year, Maduro was re-elected by a whisker, and it was clear he was determined not to leave holding onto office to voting vagaries. The refugee crisis exploded as millions of Venezuelans, unable to deal with the astronomical inflation and endemic food and medical shortages, fled the country.
By the next elections of 2018, the arbitrary and draconian measures he had instituted to suppress the Opposition caused them to boycott the elections. The US, which had imposed economic sanctions, tightened these even as they – along with about 50 other Western nations – recognised the Leader of the Opposition, Juan Guaidó as the president of the country. Maduro, however, held on to power with the help of the armed forces, which he secured through bribery and patronage. As a diversionary measure, after Exxon struck oil off our national waters in 2015, he initiated a series of hostile measures that culminated with his ‘annexation” of our Essequibo – two-thirds of our national territory.
We initiated two peaceful measures to this de facto declaration of war against us. The first was legal when we took the Venezuelan border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) through the operation of the Geneva Agreement, which Venezuela had signed. The second was diplomatic when we signed the Argyle Declaration with Maduro, whereby he committed his country to creating a zone of peace in the region. But he violated these with impunity and signalled that he was not to be trusted since holding on to power was his primary goal.
The US, under the aegis of VP Kamala Harris, to whom President Biden had assigned responsibility for maintaining peace and order below their southern border, facilitated the Barbados Agreement where Maduro committed to a menu of measures that would lead to “free and fair elections in late 2024”.
The election was held on July 28 and we now know it was massively rigged, using the same mechanism that the PNC used here in their attempted 2020 election rigging. The electoral law of Venezuela stipulates that each of the 30,000 voting machines produce “tally slips” – comparable to our Statements of Poll (SoPs) detailing how the votes were cast for the candidates. To declare the results, Venezuela’s Elections Council was supposed to make these available, but claimed the system was hacked – yet declared Maduro to be the winner. This was immediately accepted by Russia, Cuba, China and St Vincent. The US, however, along with Brazil and Colombia, has asked for the tally sheets. The US has now gone further and accepted Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner based on the tally sheets produced by the Opposition.
We must do the same.
Criticism must always remain a two-way street for freedoms to abundantly flourish
Dear Editor, I respond to the editorial published on August 2, 2024, in the Stabroek News with the caption “The AG and the Judiciary”. The thematic thrust of the editorial canvasses the assertion that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is intolerant of dissenting views. To illustrate his point, the Editor chose the unfortunate critical comments by Justice Gino Persaud of certain submissions made by the Attorney General Chambers in a case in which the Judge recently rendered a ruling.
The PPP/C’s demonstrable commitment to free expression and democratic norms is supported by a veritable track record of 75 years’ vintage. It hardly requires my endorsement or defence of it. However, when criticism is unfair and unfounded, we will exercise our undoubted reciprocal legal and democratic right of reply. From this posture, we shall not shirk. It is a venerable fact of life grounded in public morality, that those who condescend to publicly lecture others, must ensure that if the searchlight is turned inwards, it does not illuminate their own similar transgressions. That would be duplicitous, nay hypocrisy. Embracing dissenting views is not a mere courtesy but an inalienable tenet of free expression.
As the main purveyor of
free expression, the Fourth Estate is not exempt. When its Deficiencies are highlighted, it must not seek refuge under the shelter of “press freedom under attack”. Criticism must always remain a twoway street for freedoms to abundantly flourish.
The reading public must, by now, be acutely aware of the numerous articles written by Mr Frederick Kissoon, accusing the Stabroek News of publishing the views of commentators who write critically of the Government but refusing to publish replies supportive of the Government from Dr Randy Persaud. Stabroek News has never defended this accusation. Its veracity is, therefore, inferred.
Stabroek News runs a blog online which preponderates with commentaries critical of the PPP/C and the PPP/C Administration. This blog publishes the most toxic and unwarranted criticisms of our government and its officials by anonymous bloggers. The Editor exercises discretion in what is permitted to be published. I know of dozens of persons who made innumerable attempts to get their views published on this blog in response to this daily tirade of baseless and malicious attacks, but were never able to get past the Editor’s guillotine.
The irreversible inference is that it is the editorial policy to permit this blog to
overwhelmingly criticise the Government.
Lastly, I am aware of two commentators who recently wrote letters for publication in the Letters Column of Stabroek News critical of Justice Gino Persaud’s pronouncements. These letters were never published by Stabroek News. They were published by other media outlets. Yet, I have seen at least one letter published by Stabroek News in support of Justice Persaud.
I have provided these indubitable examples to demonstrate that Stabroek News, by its own conduct, lacks the moral authority to publicly pass judgement on the issue of being intolerant of dissent. Unfortunately, the duplicity does not end there. I will continue to illustrate.
I am not at all surprised that Stabroek News came out batting resiliently for Justice Persaud. When the learned Judge handed down the ruling by Zoom, no reporter from any news outlet was present. The Attorney General’s Chambers did not inform the press. If the Attorneys-at-Law on the other side did so, it is hardly likely that they would have been selective in their dissemination. Only two news agencies carried the Judge’s ruling, Demerara Waves and Stabroek News. It is equally not surprising that the very day Stabroek News carried the story as its front page lead,
it also carried a letter written by GHK Lall supportive of the sentiments expressed by the Judge. I have issued a public statement comprising over 1200 words trying to explain to the reading public the legal issues that were before the Court. I am again unsurprised that in its elongated editorial, the Editor generously quotes from the Judge, but mentions not a word of my response. It is very simple for the reading public to untangle the web. We know of each other’s connections.
That the case in question touches on and concerns Guyana’s territorial integrity, national security, and the existential threat that we face from Venezuela cannot be disputed. Like Justice Persaud, the editorial chose to ignore this reality, though irrefutable evidence of this was placed before the Court in an Affidavit from the Solicitor General of Guyana. It is on these evidential matters that the legal submissions were predicated. How these legal submissions with supporting judicial authorities from across the Commonwealth were mischaracterised to be “a veiled threat to the independence of the Judiciary” and “an opportunistic political argument perhaps best suited to the hustings of an elections campaign”, I cannot explain.
After more than 100 years of bauxite mining in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), an old and abandoned mining pit has now officially been declared a tourist destination – the Kara Kara Blue Lake as it is popularly known (Tourism Guyana Photo)
“I’m here on vacation, and I have a firearm to protect myself” – US-based Guyanese
AUS-based Guyanese was on Friday arrested following the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and 10 live rounds of ammunition at No. 58 Village Corentyne Berbice. Ganesh Rampersaud, 52, also called ‘Shami’ reportedly arrived in Guyana on July 27 and was staying at No. 58 Village, Corentyne Berbice.
Police stated that
Election fraud trial must maintain decorum and fairness to both sides
Dear Editor, I wish to comment on some aspects of the pivotal ongoing election fraud trial before it descends into a circus. The written, certified transcripts and videos govern the proceedings, and take precedence over the Magistrate’s and attorneys’ notes. Justice demands that a complete and accurate record be made contemporaneously, and it is essential that it is given utmost importance to ensure the trial’s integrity. The Court cannot cherry-pick the evidence, although it can assess its credibility.
Moreover, the prosecution must be allowed to present its case without obstruction or restrictions, subject to evidentiary rules, like inadmissible hearsay, speculation, relying on non-expert opinions, irrelevance, etc. A trial in democracies, including Guyana, is an open ventilation of the facts, in open, public proceedings.
Statements and previous testimonies given previously can be expanded upon. The fact that the latest testimonies contradict and/or add to what was previously given can be devastating grounds
for cross examination, and, subject to relevancy, cannot be limited to previous parameters. Hence, a trial cannot be restricted only to statements, which are sometimes given to meet the threshold of making a prima facie case in preliminary proceedings before a trial. If not, what use will there be for public trials?
Further, the charges allege that, inter alia, between March 2, 2020, and August 2, 2020, Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo, while in Georgetown, conspired with the other six defendants and others to defraud the electorate of Guyana by declaring a false account of the votes cast. Should the evidence reveal that the “others” not specifically mentioned in the charges, conspired with and/ or aided and abetted those presently charged, then the DPP will be failing in her public duty if they are not similarly charged, even if their conduct is not as shockingly egregious as the main defendants.
In other words, planners, plotters, advisers, facilitators, and “lookout” participants are equally liable, as long as it can be proved
that they knowingly did so, and will meet the threshold of culpability. They do not have to pull the proverbial trigger, or, in this case, compile, circulate, announce, and/or attempt to pass off the fraudulent spreadsheets. For example, knowingly entering the false data, and foisting the false sheets on others knowing they were false, are enough to establish culpability. Defenses like duress, or “being ordered by the party boss to do so,” are excuses they can raise to attempt to refute the cases against them.
Consequently, unindicted co-conspirators can still be made accountable by the filing of updated, additional charges, or a superseding indictment, by the DPP, if reliable testimony implicates others, although they were not originally named in the proceedings. The Court cannot refuse the testimony, as its probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect, and is part and parcel of the scheme the prosecution is alleging. The safeguards of due process demand that, at the end of the day, the prosecution must discharge its
enormous burden of proving that the defendants are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and must meet the highest standard of proof in the law.
As requested by the defense, the Court should also allow a visit to the locus in quo, or the site of the crimes at the former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s Command Centre, as has been obtained in previous trials I conducted in Guyana years ago, where the Court, attorneys, and the jury visited a murder scene. The fact finder or jurist is advised to visit the locus in quo in order to fully understand and appreciate the evidence or matter before it and also to have a proper visual understanding of the facts and modus operandi before the court of this crime-the most brazen, attempted electoral theft in Guyana and Commonwealth history.
Sincerely, Albert
Baldeo Fmr Magistrate, Senior State Prosecutor, and Police Legal Advisor (Guyana)
Criticism must always remain a...
The Editor follows the Judge hook, line, and sinker by pointing out that the foreign award that was sought to be registered in Guyana, was already registered in the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Trinidad, Netherlands, and Portugal. However, like the Judge, he fails to tell us which one of those countries faces a bellicose existential threat of invasion by Venezuela. The comparison is bewildering.
For the record, it is axiomatic and trite law that what amounts to a threat to national security and sovereignty are always matters for the Executive to determine and never the Judiciary. This is an elementary but universal principle of law deeply grounded in the separation of powers doctrine. “Those
who are responsible for national security must be the sole judges of what national security requires,” [per Lord Parker, The Zamora, L.R. [1916] 2 A.C. 77]. In the case under review, there was no shortage of evidence before the Court that Guyana’s national security and territorial integrity could be affected. “Once the factual basis is established by evidence so that the Court is satisfied that the interest of national security is a relevant factor to be considered in the determination of the case, the Court would accept the opinion of the Crown or its responsibility of icers as to what is required to meet it …” [per Lord Scarman, Council of Civil Service Unions v Minister for the Civil Service [1985] A.C. 374]. Having
submitted incontrovertible evidence that national security is a relevant factor to be considered, the Attorney General, as the responsible officer of the State, was simply discharging this sacrosanct duty.
For this, he was met with abuse. The editorial ends with the quote “The AG is not the legal guardian of the minds of the Guyanese people.” Maybe not. However, “… the Attorney General of Guyana performs a constitutional role as legal advisor of the State and guardian of the public interest. The public interest may include several different facets …” [per President Adrian Saunders, Attorney General of Guyana v Environmental Protection Agency, Frederick Collins, Godfrey Whyte & Esso
Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. [2024] CCJ 16 (AJ) GY.]
Guyana’s Arbitration Act prohibits the registration of a foreign award if it is contrary to the “public policy” of Guyana. What is the difference between the public interest and the public policy of Guyana? Are they not synonymous? Is it not the public interest that will determine the public policy? I leave it to the common sense of your readers.
I hope this missive will assist in setting the public record straight.
Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP
Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs
ranks acting on information received, went to Rampersaud’s home and executed a search warrant.
During the operation, he was told of the information received that he had in his possession a firearm and ammunition without a license.
The ranks requested to search his person and home.
As a result, Rampersaud said: “I’m here on vacation,
and I have a firearm to protect myself; I want to be honest. Let me show you.” He then proceeded to a bedroom, where he had his personal belongings, and took out a black handgun with a magazine and 10 live rounds of ammunition.
He handed over the firearm to the Police after which he was escorted to the Springlands Police Station pending investigation.
Re-institution of 2 am curfew
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has noted with concern the recent call by former Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, advocating for the re-institution of the 02:00hrs curfew as a solution to the alarming rise in road fatalities. The Chamber firmly opposes this recommendation and urges a more effective and evidence-based approach to addressing road safety. There is no evidence to support its efficacy in reducing road fatalities. Re-imposing such a curfew would not only be misguided but would also have detrimental effects by hindering economic recovery and growth.
The GCCI believes that the real solution lies in significantly strengthening
the enforcement of existing traffic laws by the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Traffic Department. The focus should be on rigorous action against reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, it is imperative to launch comprehensive public education and awareness campaigns to foster responsible road behavior. Mr. Ramjattan’s suggestion to restrict the free movement of the public is a simplistic and ineffective approach. A more nuanced and robust strategy that emphasises public education and accountability is more suitable. The safety of our roads can only be achieved through concerted efforts to enforce the law and educate the public, not through curfews that impede personal freedom and economic activity.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2024
06:00 (Sign on) Jewanram Gospel Hour
08:00 Shekinah Ministry
08:30 Evening News (RB)
09:30 Fast n Loud 10:30 Cartoons
11:00 David Persaud’s Religious Program
11:30 Blippi Education
12:00 Movie - Camp Cool Kids (2017) 14:00 Movie - Elevator Girl (2010) 15:30 Movie - Ace the Case (2016) 17:00 Explained 17:30 The Healing Touch 18:00 Wheel of Fortune 18:30 Week-in-Review
19:00 Supergirl S1 E18
20:00 Arrow S6 E19
21:00 Riverdale S6 E18
22:00 Movie - My Spy: The Eternal City (2024)
00:00 Sign off
US-based Guyanese Ganesh Rampersaud The gun and ammunition that Rampersaud handed over to the Police
PET EMERGENCIES
Right at the onset, allow me to document – to prevent any misunderstanding – what an emergency is and what it is not.
For all practical purposes, let us understand that an emergency, relative to a companion animal, can be defined as an unforeseen combination of abnormal life-threatening circumstances, which call for immediate action to defuse the predicament. There must be a pressing need for speedy intervention, without which the consequences of the ailment could be dire. A genuine emergency is associated with a (sudden) serious threat to the body’s normal physiological functioning, such as is likely to require immediate medical attention. For example, a ruptured blood vessel, nonstop vomiting (especially if there is blood in the vomitus), uncontrollable diar-
sciousness.
It is important that you also appreciate and understand what conditions emergencies are not. If your pet sneezes twice, please do not get all panicky, and please do not react by calling your veterinarian at 2 am or on a special Public Holiday. Of course, if
intense that the animal is proceeding towards (anaphylactic?) seizures, then it is understandable, admissible, and even compulsory to rouse your vet.
Over the decades of clinic practice, here is the scenario that I confront regularly. Your pet shows symptoms that you feel will
As a pet caregiver, you may decide that there is nothing to worry about, assuming that the pet’s innate healing capability will kick in and remedy the matter without any negative consequences. A week or more later, the animal’s condition has visibly worsened and it is almost comatose. You then respond in panic,
and it is rushed (almost comatose) to the Veterinary Clinic.
The message here is that your vet will always prefer that you call or visit the clinic promptly. You will be much more comforted if the condition has been diagnosed, and corrected and is not life-threatening. Moreover, your pet’s chances of survival are greatly improved if its evolving health situation is detected earlier rather than later.
with bites/fights/vehicular confrontations, head injuries – sometimes resulting in unconsciousness.
• A prolonged epileptic attack
• Poisonings (toxic encounters)
Burns
• Suffocations (drownings; inhalation of smoke/toxic gases)
Snake and insect bites, contact with frogs –especially those that lead to severe anaphylactic shock.
It is most disturbing for a vet to be presented with a patient who is in a state of respiratory distress, lateral recumbency, and semi-comatose – because the caregiver opted for a wait-andsee attitude.
The greatest emergencies are the ones that cause the heart function and breathing to be severely compromised (or to cease altogether)
During the follow -
Here is a list of emergencies that necessitate quick action on the part of the owner/caregiver to prevent the pet from dying,
• Electric shocks
• Obstructed air passages
• Physical traumas (especially when associated
ing weeks, the Pet Care Columns will be dealing with the prevention and treatment of genuine emergencies, especially those interventions that the caregiver can administer even as he/she contacts the veterinarian – preferably without panic and exhibitions of emotional drama.
$75.8M Good Success-to-Timehri Road project delayed due to non-submission of road designs
– Chinese company to submit designs in shortest possible time
The commencement of construction of the high-
ly anticipated US$75.8 million East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road improvement project, spanning from Good Success to Timehri has been delayed as the design plan is yet to be finalised.
Works were slated to commence on August 1 but the Guyana Times understands that the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), has only completed the design for seven kilometres of road. The project spans 24 kilometres.
The Public Works Ministry has since engaged the contractor to address that matter.
“I was disappointed when the design which should have been completed by the end of July was not completed and that is why I met with the team
because a couple of days delay can lead to difficulties. So, they understand that they have to get this design completed and the contractor promises to sub-
mit that in the shortest possible time,” Edghill told the Guyana Times.
East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road improvement proj-
Berbice taxi driver gets bail on gun, ammo possession charge
Selwyn Gray, 46, a taxi driver from Leeds Village in Corentyne Berbice was granted $400,000 bail on a gun and ammunition possession charge. Gray was arrested on
July 30 and appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Albion Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to him. He was charged with Possession of a Firearm without a License and
Possession of Ammunition without a License. He, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted $400,000 bail – $200,000 on each charge.
The case was postponed to August 13, 2024.
ect is aimed at supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development and marks the first of its kind to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Guyana.
When completed it will alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate vital routes for efficient transportation. Given its significance, Edghill has assured that the delayed design will not affect the stipulated 36-month deadline.
“We are not accepting anything less because that is an important road and I can assure the people of Guyana that we are not going to allow that project to falter. One, it is the main road to our international airport and two, it is the main artery that’s available right now to bring sand and stone that is required into the coastland. Every day I think it’s a minimum of 200 trucks traverse that road.”
According to the Ministry of Public Works, the project has been divided into three sections to ensure it remains on sched-
ule with minimal disruption to commuters.
Section A covers the stretch from Good Success, beginning at the Ganga Temple, to Supply, while Section B extends from Supply to the Soesdyke Junction. Section C continues from the Soesdyke Junction to the Timehri Junction, near the Timehri Police Station.
A notable feature of the project is the integration with the Soesdyke/Linden Highway through the construction of a roundabout, designed to facilitate smoother traffic transitions.
The project entails the rehabilitation of 24 kilometres of road, alongside the reconstruction and widening of over 58 bridges and culverts.
The roadway will be upgraded to a two-lane highway, complete with enhanced safety features such as sidewalks and cycle lanes to cater to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Additionally, thermoplastic road markings, LED street
lighting, and traffic signs will be installed to enhance safety and navigation along the carriageway.
To manage the flow of traffic during the construction period, a comprehensive traffic management plan has been developed. Construction will begin in Section B, where there is sufficient space to accommodate ongoing work without severe traffic disruption.
During that time, at least one lane of traffic will remain open at all times, with efforts to maintain two lanes wherever possible. Construction activities will be confined to one side of the roadway at a time to further mitigate traffic issues.
Stakeholders and road users will remain informed through the RESOLV 75 app, which will provide real-time updates on the project activities.
Additionally, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will also be mobilised to maintain order and ensure a steady flow of traffic throughout the construction period.
The
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
An artistic impression of the East Bank Highway
China Road and Bridge Corporation in collaboration with local company Sheladia Associates Inc during surveillance operations along the East Bank of Demerara corridor
Charged: Selwyn Gray The gun and ammunition found in the taxi
Emancipate…
…our minds
Back in the day when the Dutch were ruling us –as the three colonies of Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice – enslaved Africans from their Essequibo and Demerara plantations used to escape and flee to several Catholic missions on the Orinoco. So a good number of those Venezuelans who’s got some African blood – like Hugo Chávez – might be descended from Guyanese Africans!! It was interesting that even though slavery wasn’t abolished in Venezuela till 1854, the escaped Guyanese Africans who were given refuge by the Catholic Missions were free!! So this Emancipation Day, as your Eyewitness celebrated by “nyaming” (“nyam” is a widely-used West African word meaning “eat”!!) scads of conkies and metemjee, he spared a thought for the continued trials and tribulations over in Venezuela.
There, of course, while folks of African descent are only about 10% of the population, they’re overly represented in the poverty statistics. Because Chávez openly acknowledged his African blood (he spoke about his thick lips and darker skin), most of these folks embraced the Chavista ideals and followed Chavismo. But after decades of experimentation with co-operatives like Burnham over here – most of them are in a worse condition than before. It’s said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, innit??
So, in the early days of Chávez’s revolution, they were at the forefront of the struggle – as is evident in the pics taken during those heady days. But take a look at the pics now that Maduro has massively rigged the election once again – and you’ll see numerous African Venezuelans coming out against Maduro. They realise that the bottom line has to be about whether their lives are better or worse than before. And since even the middle class gotta be scrounging in garbage cans for food, Maduro has to go. Have you noticed how many Afro Venezuelans are refugees in our little dinky country?? Certainly, more than the 10% that’s representative!!
And this brings us to our own Emancipation celebrations. Your Eyewitness has already talked about the small-mindedness of some African Guyanese leaders who kvetched about the Government passing on subventions to an expanded list of African organisations doing their own thing in their villages. But what took him aback – but opened his eyes – was what went down in one of the bigger celebrations in the village of Buxton. It was a political campaign meeting plain and simple!! And the leaders gathered had no shame to explicitly dub it as such!! Now we can understand why they don’t want any government funding – since shame might force them to invite some African leaders who are part of the Government!!
Ah well, it’ll be the small man who’ll never become the real man – right?!!
…Douglahs
Over in the States, Donald Trump has kicked off a storm of protest by claiming that Kamala Harris is being opportunistic to now claim she’s “Black”!! He insists she was very comfortable with being called “Indian” early in the day – and cited an episode of Mindy Kaling showing Kamala how to cook Indian – with the latter enthusiastically embracing her “Indianness”!! Now what are the facts??
Kamala’s mother was from India and her father was a mixed fella – what used to be called “mulatto‘ in the pre-woke era – from Jamaica but “Black” in America. Clearly, then Kamala is a Black and Indian mixture. Your Eyewitness thinks she should be free to choose EITHER of her heritages to define herself – since she’s both.
But being from the Caribbean, we solved the problem a hundred years ago when Indian Indentureds mixed with African ex-slaves. We call them “Douglahs”!! So shouldn’t we introduce this word into America’s lexicon so their politicians can move on to more substantive issues??
Like throwing out Mad Maduro!!
…culture
Your Eyewitness learned back in his college days that “culture” was the “way of life” of people – including their perspective on life, the things they created and the practices they engaged in.
So, why’d we need Governments in culture??
Maduro still gambling for resurrection
Having experienced one referendum and five elections rigged over the last half century, Guyanese are uniquely qualified to evaluate the conflicting claims following Venezuela’s July 28 election. Rigging does not begin on Election Day and in Venezuela Maduro’s control over the Supreme Court, the National Elections Council (CNE), the army and other armed forces were precursors. The first violated the Barbados Agreement and banned the charismatic, primary-chosen Opposition challenger Maria Machado. The second did not register her nominated replacement and ensured that her replacement was the innocuous ex-diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez. The EU was “disinvited” as observers and the ex-presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, DR, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay were refused permission to fly in as observers.
The third is deployed and poised to quell protests following CNE’s declaration without any proof that Maduro won the elections. The proof is in the “tally sheets” – the electronic versions of our “Statements of Poll” – printed from the 30,000 electronic voting machines after polls close. All parties had representatives who had to be given copies of the sheets. CNE is mandated to put up these sheets on its site, but failed to do so, claiming that the site was “hacked”. The Opposition, however, was able to collate and put up tallies on their website accounting for 83% of the 12 million who evidently voted. These showed Maduro had garnered a mere 30% to Gonzalez’s 67%.
Even friendly leftist leaders like Lula of Brazil and Petro of Colombia have asked that proof supporting CNE’s announcement be provided. The US has now accepted that González is the winner and the world awaits further actions to fulfil its commitment towards supporting democratic norms, especially in this hemisphere. Immediately, it appears to be canvassing other countries to support González as the president-elect. China, Russia, Cuba, Iran, and Nicaragua have accepted Maduro’s “win” along with Mexico, which, however, wants “detailed reports” from CNE.
It is clear that, as predicted, Maduro will not obey the voice of the people expressed through the ballots to restore democracy as the first step to create a stable Venezuela from which almost eight million of its population – one quarter – have fled his authoritarian rule over the collapsed economy. He represents a clear and present danger to a peaceful region, and us in particular, as he had pledged to work towards in the Argyle Declaration after “annexing” twothirds of our national territory. Any hope for democratization in Venezuela now that the US-brokered Barbados Agreement has been trashed requires relentless pressure from democratic States on Maduro’s regime, demanding recognition of González as the president-elect.
The Barbados Agreement had required Venezuelan elections in the latter part of this year – for which July 28 barely qualified. We can now see that Maduro must have been counting on a distracted American response to the rigging he would be conducting because of their scheduled November elections. If, as expected, Maduro refuses to provide evidence of his “win”, the US, along with its allies, will have to rachet up the pressures on his regime both economically and diplomatically. China, Iran, St Vincent and Russia alone cannot keep the economy afloat. High-level Venezuelan leaders will have to be sanctioned and the easing of the broader sanctions will have to be reversed and even deepened. The test for America putting its money where its mouth is will be the Chevron waiver that allows oil to be shipped into the US, but which has provided a lifeline to Maduro.
One change from previous anti-Maduro initiatives that we have already witnessed is a widening of opposition in the poorer sections of the cities and countryside where their initial enthusiasm for Chávez/Maduro populism has waned as they experienced their lives destroyed and were forced to migrate even more than the elite. The decrease in the old polarisation is now palpable and will have positive outcomes in fewer private militias, or colectivos, which usually wreaked violence on behalf of the regime, deployed. Yet about 20 persons have been killed, a thousand arrested and Machado was forced to go into hiding.
The Chavistas are cornered and dangerous and even more than before, Maduro, with the support of the armed forces which he has bribed for their loyalty, might be willing to gamble for resurrection. That is make an outlier decision, such as staging an incursion into our Essequibo to rally Venezuelans around the flag and offer a lifeline to his sinking fortunes.
Govt reviewing proposals for deep-water project – VP Jagdeo
...
says freight costs could dip 60% with road link to northern Brazil
The Government of Guyana has received several proposals for the construction of a deep-water port in Berbice which are presently being assessed to determine the financial capabilities and competence of the bidders.
This was according to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo during his press briefing on Wednesday when prompted by reporters for an update on the development of the project.
He nevertheless stated that the construction of the deep-water port is dependent on a road to northern Brazil which when complete could improve trade logistics, reduce shipping costs, and integrate with northern Brazil’s trade routes.
“Part of the revenue stream to make this project sustainable has to be the integration with Brazil and the business in and out of Brazil because, on its own, we may not be able to generate enough of a revenue stream to pay back the
capital cost and to give a decent rate of return to the equity investor(s),” he said at his weekly press conference.
“If we can ship bulk, the big ships can come in, you can cut the cost of freight by maybe 60 per cent. That revenue stream that will come from the use of the port for goods going into Brazil and goods coming out of Brazil will help to justify this cost,” he added.
Further, he added that a direct shipping route to Guyana would eliminate delays caused by transshipments through Jamaica and Trinidad, positioning Guyana as a hub for re-exporting goods within the Caribbean, Suriname, Brazil, and beyond.
Based on meetings with industry stakeholders, the Vice President had disclosed that the best model for the project appears to be the ‘causeway model’ which builds out into the Atlantic.
He added that the government is considering proposals
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
from Dubai and India. “We believe that the best model should be a causeway model going out, right into the deep, that would allow the largest vessels in the world to come here.”
He added that while this model might incur higher initial costs, the promises significant long-term savings by reducing dredging expenses and enabling the accommodation
of the largest vessels. He nevertheless added that while this model is preferred, the government is open to others as long as someone makes a sustainable proposal.
However, Jagdeo referenced several “growth hubs” that could be bolstered by the operations of the deepwater port and integrated projects including agriculture, the tourism and hospitality sector, the oil and gas industry, and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
A deep-water port is used by large and heavily loaded ships as the depth of water helps ships which may require the water to be 30 feet deep or even more to dock. The Government is looking at a Build, Own, Operate model for this project.
With the Gas-to-shore project expected to come on stream shortly, cheaper electricity will also see an increase in the manufacture of local products.
Ravi Dev
GWI awards $250M in contracts to kick off infrastructure development at 14 water treatment plants
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Friday signed approximately $250 million in contracts to begin infrastructure works for 14 small water treatment plants in Regions 4, 5 and 6.
These are part of an overall $1.3 billion investment programme to deliver treated water access for over 63,000 residents in small coastal communities.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal participated in the signing at GWI’s Corporate Complex, Vlissengen Road, along with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh and the 10 contractors who would execute the ancillary works.
Several of GWI’s managers also witnessed the signing, where Croal noted that these facilities would complement the seven large water treatment plants being built by GWI under Guyana’s Coastal Water Treatment Programme to improve water quality.
This massive pro-
gramme represents an investment of about $40 billion by the Government of Guyana to achieve 90 per cent treated water coverage by 2025.
Six of the large plants are scheduled for completion by the end of this year. The seventh plant along with all the smaller ones are expected to be finished by the end of the first quarter of 2025. As such, Croal urged the contractors to deliver on time especially considering the needs of GWI’s customers.
Similarly, Baksh highlighted the challenging task for GWI to immediately address all the complaints about water quality and level of service. However, he noted that the ongoing works are intended to bring significant improvements.
“Already we have piloted a small water treatment plant at Sparendaam, which has been performing excellent because there has been praises from the communities at Sparendaam, Plaisance, South Better Hope and Goedverwagting
in the performance of this plant and the treated water being received,” Baksh stated.
The contracts signed on Friday would enable similar facilities in areas such as Agricola, La Bonne Intention, and Lusignan in Region 4; Perseverance, Farm, Calcutta, Weldaad, Strath Campbell and Ithaca well stations in Region Five; Edinburg, Chesney, Mibicuri, Johanna, No. 69 village and Crabwood Creek in Region Six.
12 of the water filters
units for these plants are currently being manufactured overseas and a lo-
GT businessman busted with illegal gun, ammo at nightclub
Twenty-six-year-old
Dwayne Griffith also called ‘Sheik’, a businessman from Kitty, Georgetown was on Saturday arrested with an unlicensed 9mm pistol and 11 live rounds of matching ammunition.
Based on reports received, Police ranks were on mobile patrol duty along Robb Street, Georgetown, when they received certain information and proceeded to the Red Dragon Night Club.
There, they contacted Griffith and conducted a search on his person, during which one 9mm pistol with a
magazine containing 11 live rounds of 9mm ammunition
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal along with contractors and GWI officials after the signing of the contracts
was found in the waist of his pants. Griffith was asked if he was the holder of a firearm license, and he said, “No”. He was arrested and
taken to Alberttown Police Station pending charges.
cal contractor is fabricating three of the plants in Guyana.
Arrested: Dwayne Griffith
The gun and ammunition found on the suspect
Natraj Center dancers of NY to dazzle at Nirvana’s Dance Festival 2024
n a celebration of cul -
Itural fusion and artistic collaboration, the Natraj Center for the Performing Arts of New York is set to dazzle audiences at the upcoming Nirvana Dance Festival 2024 in Guyana.
Renowned for their mesmerising performances, blending traditional Indian dance forms with contemporary flair, the dancers from Natraj Center promises to captivate hearts and minds during this much-anticipated event on Friday, August 9 at the Nirvana Center, Kastev, MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and Saturday, August 10 2024 at the Cornelia Ida Mandir Ground, WCD.
Founded with a vision to promote and preserve Indian classical dance forms in Queens, New York, Natraj Center has emerged as a beacon of excellence under the guidance of Barbara Lemoine. For over 30 years, the center has nurtured exceptional talent, blending rigorous training with creative innovation, thereby earning accolades both locally and internationally.
The forthcoming Nirvana Dance Festival provides a fitting stage for
a repertoire that spans classical Bharatanatyam, Kathak, folk and filmy dances alongside contemporary choreographies, their performances prom -
festival’s mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation for diverse dance forms. Their performance not only celebrates Indian heritage
embark on a journey of cultural exploration and artistic discovery.
As they prepare to grace the stage in Guyana, the dancers of Natraj
body the spirit of dedi cation, creativity, and cultural pride. Their presence at the Nirvana Dance Festival 2024 promises to be a high -
Center at the Nirvana Dance Festival,” as representative Lemoine stated while reflecting on the enthusiasm and dedication of the troupe. “It’s a privilege to share our passion for dance with a global audience and to connect through the universal language of movement.”
Beyond their artistic achievements, Natraj
Indian dance art forms, formances at the Nirvana Dance
Festival 2024 are not to be missed—a testament to the enduring power of dance to transcend borders and inspire harmony.
In the vibrant tapestry of global arts, Natraj Center shines brightly, a testament to the transformative power of dance in fostering understanding and celebrating diversity. The dazzling event will also feature a galaxy of local talents and include music and comedy. All proceeds from the event will go towards helping to maintain Nirvana‘s bi-monthly seniors programme that was established in 2012.
What are green spaces?
Green spaces, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), are “all urban land covered by vegetation of any kind”. This includes street trees, gardens, parks, landscaping around buildings, sports fields, flowerbeds, ponds, green entryways, green roofs, individual plants, and more. Green spaces provide long-term financial benefits as well as social and environmental gains.
Green spaces can positively affect humans’ physical health. Vegetation removes chemicals and filters particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide from the air. Noise pollution, which can harm people’s general well-being by causing stress, is reduced through green spaces. Plants deflect sound, which may promote relaxation for nearby residents. Other benefits to physical health can be created by being in nature, being nearby it or by viewing it.
In cities, nature provides cooling shade to
neighbourhood streets, safe harbour for pollinators, and rainwater absorption to reduce flooding. It’s widely understood that physical activity improves human health, but how parks, lakes, trees, and other urban green spaces boost physical activity and overall well-being is an unsolved piece of the puzzle.
As our world becomes more urbanised and citycentric, the ability to easily access outdoor natural spaces becomes increasingly challenging, especially for overburdened communities.
In a study of hospital patients, those assigned to a window with a view of trees needed less pain medication, healed faster, and were discharged more quickly than those without windows or those who only had a view of a brick wall.
Benefits
Building nature into cities can support overall health and human well-being positively impacting mental and physical health.
Trees decrease stormwater runoff, preventing flooding and soil erosion. They also provide valuable habitats to support biodiversity in insects, birds, and other animals, and microorganisms.
Having access to green spaces has many psychological benefits. Research shows that time in nature can help: lower your stress, reduce your anxiety, lessen your depression, ease your mood disorder, lower rates of substance abuse, improve your concentration and focus, increase your feelings of calm, and recharge you emotionally.
Sustainability
From the planning aspects, urban green spaces include business, retail, leisure development, tourism development; employment centres besides residential areas and the good planning of urban green spaces can play a role as a visual screen, a place for commuting and recreation by providing well-designed networks within parks and other areas.
Ideas for creating sustainable green spaces include the creation of public parks, mini-forests, accessible city gardens, flower gardens, and facilitating an “awareness” day.
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: communications@epaguyana.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The National Park
Local talent shines as Jamaican dancehall star produces music video in Guyana
With over 470,000 views and count ing on YouTube, Nigy Boy’s "Karma" mu sic video – scripted, direct ed, produced, and filmed in Guyana by Guyanese – is a testament to the vibrant lo cal talent pool.
Nigy Boy is an upcom ing Jamaican dancehall
his songs 'Judgment' and 'Continent' - with YouTube views in the millions.
The visually-impaired artiste had performed in Guyana in May 2024, at the Unforgettable Burna Boy concert.
It was during that visit that his team engaged Skeldon-born producer Ridwaan Razack and the idea was formed for them to shoot a music video in Guyana.
Ridwaan is no stranger to the industry – having worked with other dancehall sensations such as Movado, Shenseea, Jada Kingdom, Demarco, and Konshens, among others.
He had been in talks with Nigy Boys’ team for some time but the decision to produce the video in Guyana was only made when the team was here for the concert. "The day after the show, we just linked up to chat and then the idea came up…,” Ridwaan recalled. Presented with a tight deadline of just a few days, Ridwaan assembled a squad of creative geniuses to get the job done.
Dominic Remar Weekes, the owner of Meridian Concepts, and Dwayne Jordan of Dwayne Jordan Studios, excitedly jumped at
the opportunity to work on such a major project. Both Weekes and Jordan have tons of experience working in the creative industry –producing and filming corporate productions, advertisements as well as music videos.
But the Nigy Boy "Karma" project was probably their biggest one yet.
"I picked Dominic because I’ve known him for a while and I like his creative mind…,” Ridwaan explained, noting that Dominic, who has previously collaborated with Dwayne, brought him on the project. Together, they quickly secured filming locations, hired models, and brainstormed ideas for a script.
"The video was scripted, and planned in 36 hours, filmed in two days, and took about two weeks to edit and for us to arrive at a version my team, and his were pleased with," Dominic explained.
"None of us can take full credit…as we were shooting, everybody has different ideas: ‘get these angles, this would be a nice scene to play out’…,” Ridwaan added, noting that their friend, Jonathan Beepat also contributed to the project.
Owner of Meridian Concepts, Dominic Remar Weekes
Skeldon-born producer Ridwaan Razack
The Castellani House is set to explode on October 4, 2024, with rich, creative, sophisticated, and intriguing designs as the 5th edition of the Guyana Fashion Showcase is hosted.
It is an opportunity for seasoned, upcoming, and international designers to bring their ‘a-game’ to the floor and express fashion enthusiasts.
This announcement was made by a panel of representatives from the Guyana Fashion Showcase during a recent press conference.
However, the Guyana Times had the opportunity to get an exclusive interview with the Director of the Guyana Fashion Showcase Philbert Giddings who shared in-depth details of the event, emphasising its significance within the broader context of the Cricket Carnival celebrations.
A platform for talent
According to Giddings, this Fashion Showcase is very important in creating a platform for emerging designers and models. The event aims to highlight the rich talent pool in Guyana, pro-
The selection process will be rigorous, ensuring that only the best of the best make it to the final show case.
Educational opportunities
In addition to the glitz and glamour, the Guyana Fashion Showcase will include a two-day seminar dedicated to students and aspiring designers.
Giddings explained, “We’re going to be teaching with professional designers from abroad. The sem inar focuses on pattern-making, and other fashion techniques. This seminar will feature graduates from Foreign Technology Institutes and Fashion schools which will equip participants with invalu able skills and knowledge.
Meanwhile, Giddings revealed the vast array of participation of several prominent fashion icons.
“Randy Madrid is one of the designers from Guyana. We have confirmed the participation of, Sydney Francois, and David Rolle from the Bahamas. Additionally, we have designers flying in from New York,” Giddings revealed.
Lions Club to ensure transparency and community involvement. Giddings, however, is optimistic about the future of fashion in Guyana.
viding them with exposure and opportunities to shine on a larger stage.
“This is a platform for everyone to come on and showcase their talent. It’s also a platform for those who want to be a part of this mega event that we’re going to be hosting,” he said.
On this point, Giddings painted a vivid picture of what attendees can expect.
“What we have planned for the Guyana Fashion Showcase is a night of total allure. We won’t just be showcasing local and international designers; we’re going to have a high-end show with a well-thought-out stage layout and lighting system,” he shared. The event will also feature pop-up shops, offering a chance for designers to sell their creations.
As preparations continue, the excitement is palpable, he mentioned that an ongoing casting is proceeding and in some 3 weeks persons who have been shortlisted will be contacted to model in the fashion show.
“When we come back in three weeks, we’re going to call everyone and let them know who was selected,” Giddings stated.
This international participation underscores the event’s high standards and its goal of fostering cross-cultural exchanges in the fashion industry.
Supporting future talent
Recognising the importance of nurturing future talent, the showcase will include a student competition in collaboration with the McGraw School of Art.
This event will not just be about fashion; it will also be about giving back to the community.
“We are thankful for the opportunity from the Guyana Government to be on the calendar of events,” Giddings said. There will be collaboration with local organisations like the
“The industry now is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and Guyana is a new frontier. A lot of people are coming to Guyana, and I realise there’s too much talent here to be displayed,” he remarked. He is committed to providing ongoing training and development opportunities for aspiring models and designers.
Meanwhile, he humbly expressed that the success of the Guyana Fashion Showcase is due to the collaborative efforts of many talented individuals such as Sydney Francois, Michael Cole, Cole Pax, and Pax Colab. This collaboration ensures a diverse and rich experience for all involved.
The Guyana Fashion Showcase, launched in 2019, has since gained international recognition. This year’s event promises to be a highlight of the Cricket Carnival, drawing attention from fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Some of the top models who will be featured at the event
The face of Guyana Fashion Showcase 2024
Local talent shines as Jamaican...
Due to the time crunch, some parts of the video had to be filmed after the Jamaican team departed Guyana. Nevertheless, the entire ex-
perience was nothing short of amazing for the local creatives. "I was in awe the entire time, and couldn’t help but be
inspired being around Nigy. Here’s this guy with what many may consider a disability, but he’s here on an all-day video shoot. He has the most
vibrant spirit, always cracking jokes, always filling the room with laughter," Dominic expressed.
“Nigy Boy and his team, they’re really easy to work along with…they trust the producers’ vision…and everything just went well,” Ridwaan added.
“It was a pleasure to work alongside them…,” Ridwaan further noted, hinting at another possible collaboration with a Jamaican musician.
"Karma"
The "Karma" music video tells the story of Nigy Boy struggling to be faithful in his relationship and as such, he consults a therapist.
During the session, he falls asleep and has a dream of being deeply in love with a woman who is being unfaithful to him.
The story ends with him being awakened by his therapist, and Nigy Boy finally feeling accountability for his actions of unfaithfulness.
According to Dominic, he and his team wanted to literally and metaphorically demonstrate the concept of karma in the music video.
"So, in the very literal and visual aspect, you see Nigy in the video, get a taste of his own medicine in a dream, with the woman in his life being unfaithful. It shook him up in real life—woke up from his dream in a therapy session where he grapples with the concept of accountability, in shock and terrified. The Ferris wheel which is shown throughout the video is an artistic and metaphorical repre-
sentation of ‘what goes around comes around’," he explained.
He noted that the highlight of the entire experience was when the music video was released and it went viral.
"It was the moment where all the hard work, scrambling, thought and planning
The success of this music video is a testament to the magnitude of the creative industry in Guyana.
"There used to be a time when people would say “this ting look farren”, when they saw video or photography production of a high quality. It
the world to see. As creatives, having your hard work recognised is always fulfilling," Dominic noted.
Local Talent
was almost as if nothing of a high quality, production-wise, could’ve come from Guyana. Now we’re having some of the Caribbean’s and world's best seek out our talents and expertise. That’s huge for us," Dominic noted.
Ridwaan shares similar sentiments, expressing that “people have to be willing to invest in their craft and it might not pay off immediately but it will set the stage for more to come.”
For Ridwaan, while he has worked on major projects in the past, this is the first time he has produced a video in Guyana and in such record time.
Riding the wave of success from the music video, Ridwaan said there is now a lot of interest from other artistes to have their projects filmed in Guyana and produced by Guyanese.
For Dominic, he believes the local creative industry can reach even greater heights.
"I think we have the most eyes on us now, more than ever than at any other time in history. That’s owing, of course, in large part to oil discoveries. When there’s a buzz about a nation, or region, for a particular reason, it’s seldom that that exposure or publicity would be isolated. So, we’re seen as an opportune place to do business, that will spill over into tourism, the arts, etc. We also have a responsibility as Guyanese creatives to keep our feet on the gas, and to continue to produce a high level of work which shows the beauty of our country," he noted.
A scene from the music video filmed in a restaurant on Sheriff Street, Georgetown
Dwayne Jordan of Dwayne Jordan Studios
Govt to start charging businesses for improper disposal of industrial waste
...EPA to conduct continuous surveillance
In keeping with the Government’s goal to ensure the country remains clean, the Public Works Ministry is moving to charge business owners
for the improper disposal of waste products.
met with several private sector organisations including the Chairman of the National Enhancement Committee, the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Chinese Association of Guyana to urge its members to dispose of their commercial waste responsibly.
Present at the meeting were also the Solid Waste
Walter Narine, and City Councillors Don Singh and Steven Jacobs.
During the engagement, they were informed of the Government’s plan to implement the enforcement plan, which will require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct continuous patrol and surveillance monitoring.
Further, an extensive public relations campaign to educate the public about littering and its harmful effects on the environment
the plan is geared at promoting cleanliness among the Guyanese populace, and fostering a sense of tidiness while ensuring the environs are safer for residents or passersby.
Indar related that the move will address the issue of piles of garbage in unoccupied areas, street corners, and waterways. He further explained that Guyana cannot be the fastest growing economy and tourists are being greeted with the unpleasant sight of garbage in
This will be undertaken by the ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among other stakeholders.
On Friday, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar
Director for the Georgetown Mayor and City Council,
will soon be launched.
This specific aspect of
public spaces.
Minister engagement with the Private Sector
Piled-up garbage at a Supermarket on Cemetery Road
Contractors to meet 2-week deadline for completion of $475M Cemetery Road project – Edghill
Work on the $475 million Cemetery Road project is progressing steadily and Public Work Minister Juan Edghill has confirmed that the project is on track to meet its two-week deadline. In fact, with additional contractors on board, the project is expected to be completed within the next four days.
Four sections of the project are being undertaken simultaneously by three sub-contractors hired to assist Avinash Construction and Metal Works to complete the project which they failed to complete for the past two years.
The work includes the construction of two bridg-
es, installation of culverts at Sussex Street, and widening of the road to four lanes. Upon completion, paving will commence from the Police Outpost to Laing Avenue with an expected completion timeline of Tuesday.
During a site inspection on Saturday, Edghill expressed that he is satisfied with the quality of work and effort of the sub-contractors while adding that the project has moved from 70 per cent complete to 90 per cent.
“This project’s delay has been a nuisance to people who should have been benefiting. We made a decision that we have to nominate sub-contractors because
it was clear that the main contractor was unable and could not deliver this project and the nominated sub-contractors under his contract have been delivering well. We have moved this project in 11 days from 70 per cent to over 90 per cent and we’re going to get this delivery very shortly.”
To ensure the project stays on schedule, the Ministry has assigned a senior engineer to support the current project engineer. Edghill noted that the construction pace and activities are being closely monitored to prevent any delays.
The assigned Project Engineer from the Public Works Ministry, Loken Balkishun says the team is working day and night to maintain progress.
“Works is moving apace,
from Princess to Sussex Street we had to do the widening of the structure which is approximately 95 per cent complete and by this afternoon (Saturday) it will be 100 per cent. We also had to do some minor works on the fence and now we are working on major aspects like the bridge and the walkway. So, within the next four days, we are looking to wrap this up and commuters will have the road to use.”
Back in April, the Government terminated the contract of Kalco Guyana Inc. after it failed to complete Lot 8B of the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street Road project. Around this time, Avinash Construction and Metal Works was also on the chopping block but was given a second chance.
The government has since pursued liquidated damages from the contractor for the delays suffered in the execution of the contract. (Trichell Sobers)
The contract for the Cemetery Road Project was awarded in 2022 and caters to a two-lane carriageway being extended into four lanes. However, the project suffered significant delays owing to heavy rainfall and procurement challenges.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill inspecting work
Project Engineer Loken Balkishun
Work ongoing in the area
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2024 |
47th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting
Regional bloc reaffirms support for Guyana, ICJ resolution in Venezuela Border controversy
During the recently concluded 47th Caribbean Community (CAricom) Heads of Government Meeting in St. George’s Grenada, the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy and the Venezuelan military buildup on the border, was one of the issues raised, resulting in the regional bloc expressing its support for Guyana.
Earlier this year, Venezuela has been building up its military presence near Ankoko Island and Guyana’s border. This build-
up has included them sending troops and equipment, including tanks. They also built a bridge in May of this year, linking Venezuela with their occupied half of Ankoko Island.
A Caricom communique addressed these matters, specifically, Guyana’s concern that this military buildup poses a threat to regional peace and security.
“They noted that despite the 1 December 2023 Order of Provisional Measures made by the International Court of Justice and the Joint
Venezuela continued its aggressive posture towards Guyana.”
“They noted that following the promulgation of the organic law by the Government of Venezuela on 3 April 2024 to annex more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, Guyana brought this matter to the attention of the United Nations Security Council which reminded both parties that they were obligated to comply with the Order of the Court,” the communique said.
Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela, and agreed by the parties on 14
December 2023, with support from Caricom and CELAC,
President Dr. Irfaan Ali while in St. Georges, Grenada for the Caricom Heads of Government Meeting
Shutdown of Liza Destiny, Unity FPSOs scheduled for 3rd quarter of 2024 – ExxonMobil
...to allow for tie-in with Gas-to-Energy Project
The shutdown of the Liza Destiny and Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, which are necessary to install a pipeline that will be an integral part of delivering gas to the Gas-toEnergy (GtE) Project, will be done this quarter.
According to oil giant ExxonMobil Corporation’s recently released second-quarter earnings, the company expects production of gross barrels per day to drop by 80,000 in the third quarter of 2024 when the shutdown occurs for the scheduled work to allow the GtE Project tie-in.
Earlier this year at a press conference, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge had said that during the shutdown, the company would also do debottlenecking activities on the Unity FPSO- that is, modifications to allow the vessel to produce above 250,000 barrels of oil per day. When the vessel was first commissioned, it had a target capacity of 220,000 barrels per day.
“Part of the Unity shutdown is going to include some additional debottlenecking work. We think we could produce above 250,000 barrels per day. Studies have demonstrated that that can be done,” the executive had said.
“So, in that shutdown, when we’re installing the risers, we’ll also be doing some debottlenecking, some additional modifications, some other planned maintenance work that we would have done a little later. We’ve accelerated forward.
Integrity activity. So, other work in that shutdown will also be beneficial to the production capacity.”
When it comes to the Prosperity FPSO, which services Exxon’s third Payara project, the company has also been eyeing the possibility of increasing production there. Routledge had explained that they were going through reviews with government ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“So, in Payara specifically, the FPSO itself is actually very similar to the Liza Phase Two Unity FPSO. So, all the studies that we’ve done would indicate a similar capacity, of 250,000 barrels per day with the existing facilities and relatively minor modifications that would not require any shutdown,” he had said.
On Friday, ExxonMobil announced its second-quarter earnings of US9.2 billion while adding that its Cash Flow from operating activities was US$10.6 billion and cash flow from operations excluding working capital movements was US$15.2 billion.
Exxon, through its local subsidiary EEPGL, is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
The Liza Phases One and
Two and Payara Projects, all of which combined are producing over 600,000 barrels of oil per day, account for the three floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in Guyana’s Stabroek Block in waters offshore.
The current production figures will be further buttressed by the Yellowtail and Uaru developments, which are already underway and are anticipated to contribute 250,000 barrels of oil each following their respective start-ups. Meanwhile, the Whiptail development has already received regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, the GtE Project includes the construction of an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara, utilising natural gas from the country’s offshore operations in the Stabroek Block delivered by the very pipeline being connected to the FPSO’s.
Upon landing on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). A whopping $80 billion was allocated in budget 2024 to advance the project and its associated infrastructure, including transmission and distribution upgrades to offtake the power.
In last year’s national budget, the project received a $43.3 billion allocation in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-
up of the transformational project, for the construction of an NGL Plant and the 300MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales, WBD.
The Liza Destiny FPSO
Local association aims to make hemp a staple product in Guyana
– hosts expo to educate citizens on the plant
The Guyana Hemp Association has expressed its vision of having hemp be a staple product in Guyana. This information was revealed by the Secretary of the Guyana Hemp Association, Cort Gomes, during an interview with the Guyana Times at the Hemp Expo on Main Street in Georgetown on Saturday.
“What we would like to see happen is a ‘Made in Guyana’ stamp; meaning we can grow it from the ground, we can grow it from our soil, and then manufacture it in a manufacturing plant here in Guyana, sold here in Guyana, and exported as a Guyanese product,” he stated.
Gomes added that Guyana can be the leader in hemp cultivation in the Caribbean.
Some of the products that were showcased at the expo
“Currently, hemp is produced in a lot of different countries, including India, the Netherlands, and even neighbouring Suriname, which had a small hemp industry and is still trying to get it back going. Here in Guyana, they say we’re the breadbasket, and we can definitely be the breadbasket for hemp as well. We can literally be the largest hemp producer in the Caribbean region.”
However, at the expo, various items made from hemp were showcased and Gomes revealed various benefits of the plant-based product.
“Hemp also possesses a medicinal purpose, meaning it’s good for medicine, and that’s the CBD part of it. Not limited to cancer, pain, sleep deprivation, anxiety, inflammation, etc. Hemp cannot cure, but help ease, and it’s a natural alternative.”
He added that hemp can also be made into blocks for the building of homes.
“Hemp blocks can be made from the hemp fiber part of the plant, and it’s water-resistant, it’s fire-resistant, it’s also good for the atmosphere, and it’s lighter than concrete. So, you can use that, and it’s a better product to use to build your house with other than concrete.”
The Industrial Hemp
Act, ratified by the government in August 2022, paved the path for the legalisation of industrial hemp in Guyana and created new business and agricultural prospects for local farmers.
Hemp is a multibillion-dollar industry that can lend to the production of hundreds of items. Some uses for hemp include rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, and belts. Hemp is often confused with marijuana, but it is crucial to understand the
distinction between the two. Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of the cannabis plant, which includes over 100 to 156 different strains. The two most recognised strains are hemp and marijuana.
Hemp presents significant economic opportunities for Guyana, with potential benefits spanning various sectors. With around 100,000 to 150,000 potential use cases and products, hemp can be a versatile addition to Guyana’s economy.
Caricom Trade Ministers engage US Trade Rep on investment opportunities
CARICOM Ministers of Trade met with the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Katherine Tai, in Guyana on Friday to advance CARICOM-US Bilateral discussions on key trade and investment issues of mutual interest.
The Meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Ramphal House and co-hosted by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minster, Hugh Todd, and the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, represented by Assistant SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Wayne McCook. The Minister of Trade and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago and current
Govt to start charging businesses...
“We have this clean up on the 7th but it can’t be this way all the time that the President and Ministers out there cleaning garbage… There is not one garbage clean up that we did that we have not taken over 100 truckloads out of the city and that’s the minimum… It is not just the city let me make it clear, all the townships have this problem but Georgetown, the main capital where most visitors come, travel around, and eat and lime in the night and so, is where the most buildup of garbage is,” Indar told the gathering.
Meanwhile, GCCI President Kester Hutson
has pledged support for the move, noting that enforcement is a critical aspect that is lacking in the current system.
“We will support the government; we want to ensure that coming out of this meeting we have an action plan. And more so, from the enforcement standpoint… if members are guilty of such actions let them be dealt with accordingly and we have always taken that position,” Hudson assured.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Komal Singh has also committed to assisting the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC)
Solid Waste Department to ramp up the collection of garbage.
Currently, GM&CC lacks the adequate manpower and trucks to provide the optimal service throughout the city.
“Here is what the Private Sector is going to do – we already procured about sixty drums and hopefully within another week we will have 100 but we will go around to our membership to see if we can get some more bins that you (GM&CC) can put at different locations. But you really need to review the amount of assets that you have and optimise those assets,” Singh noted.
Chairman of COTED (Council for Trade and Economic Development) Paula Gopie-Scoon represented the COTED.
To strengthen the CARICOM-US bilateral trade and investment relationship, the two sides discussed the longstanding trade and investment Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and the need to widen and deepen the scope of the agenda to cover trade in services, trade facilitation, supply chain development, and support for
women and youth employment in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMES) inter alia.
In this regard, they also acknowledged the recent high-level technical engagements under the CARICOM-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the Trade and Investment Council (TIC). The USTR and CARICOM Trade Ministers agreed to consider an early follow-up meeting.
Regional bloc reaffirms
CARICOM also took note of where both sides currently were in the case before the International Court of Justice. According to the communique, CARICOM reiterated its support not only for the ICJ to resolve the matter, but also for the sovereignty and territory of Guyana to be maintained.
“Heads welcomed the submission by Venezuela on 8 April 2024, of its CounterMemorial to the Court and the Court Order dated 14 June 2024, authorising the submission of a Reply by Guyana on 9 December 2024 and a Rejoinder by Venezuela on 11 August 2025,” CARICOM said in the communique.
“They reiterated their continued support for the International Court of Justice, which has accepted jurisdiction over the controversy, to resolve it fully and
finally using its binding legal Judgment. They reaffirmed CARICOM’s unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.”
The case is currently before the ICJ, with Guyana and Venezuela given until December 9, 2024, and August 11, 2025, respectively, to make a second round of written submissions. While both sides had agreed that a second round of written pleadings was necessary, the two sides differed on the period to submit them.
Guyana had proposed six months from April, while Venezuela had requested 12 months. Venezuela had claimed that the 12-month period was necessary given the case’s complexity. This, however, was despite the ICJ’s procedural rules which generally favor shorter time
limits. Guyana’s side argued that this request was excessive.
The case has been before the ICJ since it was brought there in 2018 by Guyana, after the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Antonio Guterres forwarded the case to the world court, as per the procedure adumbrated in the Geneva Agreement. The Secretary-General chose the ICJ as the means to resolve the controversy legally, in keeping with the dispute mechanism outlined by Art 33 of the UN Charter.
Guyana submitted its memorial in March 2022, with Venezuela given until April 2024 to submit its own counter-memorial. It did so on the very last day. This came after two attempts by Venezuela to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, had been overturned.
Cort Gomes - Secretary of Guyana Hemp Association
United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Katherine Tai and Caricom Trade Minister in Guyana
Around the World
Venezuelan Opposition Leader joins protests against election results
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has joined her supporters protesting in the streets of Caracas against contested national election results, as demonstrators marched across the country.
Thousands of people rallied in the streets of Venezuela’s capital on Saturday, waving the national flag and singing the national anthem in support of the opposition leader, who they believe won the presidential election by a landslide.
“Just as it took us a long time to achieve electoral victory, now comes a stage that we take day by day, but we have never been as strong as today, never,” Machado told supporters in Caracas.
Venezuela’s electoral authority, blasted by critics as favouring the governing party, proclaimed President Nicolás Maduro the winner in last Sunday’s vote, saying on Monday he obtained 51 per cent compared with 46 per cent for opposition candidate Edmundo González. The authority reaffirmed a similar margin on Friday.
The published election result has prompted widespread allegations of fraud and protests.
On Saturday, supporters chanted and sang as Machado arrived at the rally in Caracas. Ecstatic, they surrounded her as she climbed onto a raised platform on a truck to address the crowd.
“I am happy because I am here with Maria Corina, sup-
porting Venezuela to escape this terrible injustice,” Yamilet Rondon, 42, who was waving a Venezuelan flag, told Reuters.
In addition to Caracas, demonstrations took place in cities including Valencia, Maracaibo and San Cristobal.
“I came to this march with some fear, with fear of the repression we’ve seen, but it is our struggle,” preschool teacher Susana Martinez, 42, said at a demonstration backing the opposition in Valencia.
Meanwhile, Maduro urged his backers to attend his own “mother of all marches” elsewhere in Caracas.
“Today, we are here heeding the call of our president … to defend democracy,” Alfredo Valera, president of Venezuela’s Fontur union, who took part in a pro-government caravan in Caracas, told state television.
Maduro’s Government has
cracked down on opposition protests and labelled them as part of an attempted USbacked coup.
Security forces have ar-
rested hundreds of opposition supporters who have taken to the streets in the days after the disputed poll.
So far, at least 20 people
have been killed in post-election protests, according to rights group Human Rights Watch.
Earlier, the Organisation
of American States called for calm.
“Today, we urge that there not be one more political prisoner, nor one more tortured person, nor one more disappeared person, nor one more murdered person,” said the OAS, which this week called the election results unreliable.
Nations including the US and Argentina have already recognised Gonzalez as the election’s winner, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday citing “overwhelming evidence.”
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Uruguay also concluded on Friday that Gonzalez received the most votes. Meanwhile, countries including Russia, China and Cuba, have congratulated Maduro. (Al Jazeera)
Iran says Hamas leader killed from close range
Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed with a “shortrange projectile” fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says.
The paramilitary organisation said the projectile weighed about 7kg (16lbs) and caused a “strong blast”, killing Haniyeh and his bodyguard last Wednesday. The Hamas leader had been visiting the Iranian capital for the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian.
The IRGC accused Israel of designing and implement-
Trump is "running scared" after he offers Fox debate – Harris campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump took turns insulting each other Saturday over a weekslong dispute about when and where they would debate each other.
The former president has refused to agree to a previously scheduled Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC News. He has instead tried to pressure Harris, the de facto Democratic presidential nominee, to accept an earlier debate in a vastly different setting on Trump friendly Fox News.
Trump on Friday announced on Truth Social that he had agreed with Fox News to do a Sept. 4 debate against Harris with Fox News moderators and a full audience in attendance.
The Harris campaign on Saturday mocked Trump for walking back his commitment to the ABC News debate.
“Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out,” Harris campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said, in a statement on Saturday.
Trump cited ongoing litigation with ABC News as creating a “conflict of interest.” Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“He needs to stop playing games and show up to the de-
bate he already committed to on Sept 10. The Vice President will be there one way or the other to take the opportunity to speak to a prime-time national audience,” Tyler said.
Later, Trump fired back in several Truth Social messages, calling Harris a “low I.Q. individual.”
“Kamala Harris doesn’t have the mental capacity to do a REAL Debate against me, scheduled for September 4th in Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote in another Truth Social post. “I’ll see her on September 4th or, I won’t see her at all.”
President Joe Biden and Trump in May agreed to two debates on mutually accepted terms, one hosted by CNN on June 27 and the second by ABC News on Sept. 10. Though Biden has since exited the race due to his own disastrous debate performance in June, the
Harris campaign has maintained that the terms of the May deal still hold.
Days after Biden dropped out and endorsed Harris, Trump said he would be willing to debate the vice president multiple times. As Harris has gained in the polls and hauled in record fundraising, Trump has repeatedly walked back that initial May agreement and teased the idea of skipping the debates altogether.
The Harris campaign has said that the vice president will show up at the Sept. 10 debate whether Trump is there or not.
“It’s interesting how ‘any time, any place’ becomes ‘one specific time, one specific safe space,’” Harris wrote in an X post on Saturday, doubling down. “I’ll be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there.”
(CNBC)
ing the operation - supported by the US. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death.
The IRGC account is at odds with reports in Western media, which have suggested that explosives were planted in the guesthouse by Israeli operatives.
The failures surrounding Haniyeh’s death, especially on a day marked by intense security, have caused embarrassment for Iran and the IRGC.
Dozens of IRGC officers have been arrested or dismissed in the days since Haniyeh’s death, the New York Times reported on Saturday.
The paper said the organisation’s intelligence agency had taken over the investigation. Staff members at Haniyeh’s guesthouse have been interrogated and their phones and other electronics have been seized, it added.
Meanwhile, the security details of Iranian politicians have been overhauled.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for Haniyeh on Thursday, but was whisked away soon after the ceremony by his security detail.
The IRGC’s statement on Saturday came after Britain’s Daily Telegraph said Haniyeh was killed by bombs planted in his room by agents of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency
Citing Iranian officials, the paper said two Mossad agents had entered the guesthouse and planted explosives in three rooms. The Iranians, who had viewed CCTV footage of the operatives, said the two subsequently left the country before detonating the bombs from outside Iran.
The New York Times also reported that Haniyeh was killed by explosives detonated in his room, saying they could have been planted up to two months earlier. The BBC has not been able to verify these claims.
But Hamas officials told the BBC earlier this week that Haniyeh had stayed at the same guesthouse before. He had made up to 15 visits to Iran since becoming the head of the political bureau in 2017.
The papers’ reports - if true - would represent an even
bigger failure for the IRGC, who have long controlled internal security in the country. Experts also said it would highlight the degree to which Mossad can operate with impunity in Iran.
Regardless of the manner of Haniyeh’s death, both Iran and Hamas have vowed to retaliate.
The IRGC said on Saturday that Israel would receive “a severe punishment at the appropriate time, place and manner”.
Hezbollah, the Iranianbacked militia and political group in Lebanon, has also vowed reprisals. One of their top commanders, Fuad Shukr, was killed in an Israeli strike last Tuesday.
After an Israeli operation killed IRGC Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi in Damascus earlier this year, Iran fired 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and at least 110 ballistic missiles towards Israel.
His ministers were sent home this weekend with satellite phones in case of an attack on the country’s communication infrastructure.
Despite the government’s warnings, the mood appeared relaxed on Tel Aviv’s seafront, with bronzed bodies lazing under beach umbrellas.
But few are in any doubt that the Middle East stands perilously close to full-scale war.
Israel is on high alert and several international airlines have suspended flights to the country.
The US has also deployed additional warships and fighter jets to the Middle East to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies, the Pentagon said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned that the risk that “the situation on the ground could deteriorate rapidly is rising”. Meanwhile, at least 10 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, the Hamas-run Government media office has said.
It comes as Israel said an airstrike it conducted in the occupied West Bank killed a Hamas commander and four senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters on Saturday.
The Israeli military said the air strike hit a vehicle as the men were on the way to carry out an attack.
Elsewhere, Israeli officials - including the directors of Mossad and the internal security agency Shin Bet - have arrived in Cairo for fresh ceasefire talks. They will meet Egyptian intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, and other senior military officials in a bid to rescue a potential truce. But US President Joe Biden admitted on Friday that Haniyeh’s death had damaged the talks. Haniyeh was heavily involved in negotiations and President Biden said his death “doesn’t help” efforts to end the ten-month old conflict.
The war began in October when Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages.
The attack triggered a massive Israeli military response, which has killed at least 39,550 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
(BBC)
Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado holds a national flag while waving to supporters as she arrives for a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, August 3, 2024 (Matias Delacroix/AP)
Supporters cheer for Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, August 3, 2024 (Matias Delacroix/AP)
Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump and US Vice President Kamala Harris
Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of its new president
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
GEMINI (MAY 21June 20)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)
You must get in the game to win. Don’t sit back and let others decide things for you. Step up and work toward your objective. Consider what’s possible, and don’t hesitate to act.
Keep your emotions in the background and let your charm and intelligence carry you forward with dignity. Wait to reveal your plans until they are ready to launch, and avoid outside interference.
You know how to get things done; stop letting insecurity cause hesitation. Size up situations and look for a simple, direct way forward. Romance and simplicity are favored.
(June 21July 22)
Establish what you can do to satisfy your needs. Don’t leave anything to chance; create the path that leads from where you are to where you want to be. The life you want doesn’t just happen.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19) LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
(Feb. 20Mar. 20)
Evaluate situations before venturing down a path of no return. Refuse to let anger set in when a smile, kind word or gesture will help you get your way. Engage in activities that bring out your best traits.
Sit tight and keep planning your next move. Haste makes waste, and intelligence will win out over brute force today. Hit the reset button if something isn’t working.
An open mind will carry you to the finish line. Don’t fear or dodge change; put your dreams in motion. Reach out and charm those with something to contribute; you will make your way forward.
Spend time working toward something meaningful. Improving yourself and your relationship with someone will help you overcome adversity. A lifestyle shift will have a positive impact.
Investigate your options and work to eliminate interference. Think about how you see yourself moving forward and the logistical implications. Add to your qualifications.
Rethink your financial strategy and consider how to lower your overhead and address personal needs. Hard work and dedication will pay off. Reconsider your aspirations.
Put your power where it counts. Focus on what you want and continue until you reach your goal. Everyone may not appreciate the changes you make at home, but if you satisfy your needs, carry on.
Take notes, get promises in writing and don’t let anyone speak for you. A change is overdue, but interference is likely if you are too open regarding your plans. Pay attention to detail.
Peanuts
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AQUARIUS
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PISCES
After opening classic, Sri Lanka and India look to break tie
Big picture – More grip and turn at the Khettarama?
Where do One-Day Internationals (ODIs) sit on world cricket's priority list? The answer sits right there in India's schedule: they only have one more ODI series lined up between their current tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in February-March 2025.
It's a weird time for bilateral ODIs, then, and weirder still for a series involving Sri Lanka, who haven't even qualified for the Champions Trophy. How appropriate, then, that Friday produced an absolute classic of the format, a twisty, slow-burning tie that showed – just as last year's World Cup did, time after time - that the ODI remains a brilliant canvas for cricket's skills. It would be a pity if the sport's future landscape retained no meaningful space for the format.
For now, two more matches of an unexpectedly zany tour remain. After three successive collapses in the T20 Internationals (T20Is) – 9 for 30, 7 for 31, and 7 for 22 – Sri Lanka will take some confidence from how they fought back from 101 for 5 in the first ODI on Friday, and will hope they can push India even further in the next two matches.
The third T20I in
Pallekele and the first ODI in Colombo both showed that spin-friendly conditions significantly narrow the quality gap between these teams. If Khettarama continues to provide ample grip and turn, then, who can say which way this series will tilt?
In the spotlight –
Avishka Fernando and Washington Sundar
Since the start of 2023, when he returned from a year-long injury absence, Avishka Fernando hasn't quite reached the heights
he had promised in the early part of his ODI career. He has averaged under 20 over these last 19 months, and while that stretch has included scores of 88 and 91 against Afghanistan, it has also highlighted a tendency for early dismissal, with nine of his 13 innings bringing him single-digit scores.
Avishka finished Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 as its third-highest run-getter, however, with 374 runs at an average of 37.40 and a strike rate of 162.60, suggesting that a return to his
international best may also be imminent.
Washington Sundar began the first ODI promisingly, ripping his first ball past Charith Asalanka's outside edge. He endured mixed returns thereafter, however; he picked up the wicket of the half-centurion Pathum Nissanka, but was easily the most expensive of India's three main spinners, going for 46 in his nine overs and conceding 31 off 34 balls to left-hand batters, his favourable match-up. Then he was out for 5 after being
promoted to number four. None of this would be held against him in the normal course of things, because all cricketers go through such days, but Washington knows he's third in line behind Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in India's hierarchy of spin-bowling all-rounders leading up to the Champions Trophy, with Riyan Parag also waiting for a chance to show what he can do in ODIs.
Team news – will Khaleel or Harshit get a chance?
Wanindu Hasaranga might miss the second ODI with a leg injury. He has undergone an MRI scan, but the injury is still being assessed, according to the team manager. Jeffrey Vandersay will likely come into the squad if Hasaranga is unavailable. Sri Lanka have the option of lengthening their batting by bringing in Chamika Karunaratne for Mohamed Shiraz, though it seems unlikely they would leave out a young fast bowler after just one game.
India, meanwhile, could look to give Mohammed Siraj, who has featured in all three T20Is as well as the first ODI, a break, and give either of Khaleel Ahmed or Harshit Rana a go in the pace attack.
India (probable): 1) Rohit Sharma (Captain); 2) Shubman Gill; 3) Virat Kohli; 4) Shreyas Iyer; 5) KL Rahul (wicket-keeper); 6) Shivam Dube; 7) Axar Patel; 8) Washington Sundar; 9) Kuldeep Yadav; 10) Mohammed Siraj and 11) Arshdeep Singh.
Pitch and conditions
Spinners took 13 of the 18 wickets that fell in the first ODI, and this was by no means unusual for Khettarama. Since the start of 2022, spin has accounted for as many wickets there (101) as pace, and while fast bowlers have returned a slightly-better overall average (27.04) than the spinners (28.82) in this time, they have also been more expensive, going at 5.28 to the spinners' 4.67. Expect similar scenes today, weather permitting: scattered showers are expected through the day. (ESPNcricinfo)
Jamaicans Seville, Thompson headline Caribbean men through to 100m semis
Jamaica’s Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson expectedly headlined the Caribbean men through to the 100 metres semi-finals at the Paris Olympic Games, as both were very easy in winning their respective heats at Stade de France on Saturday.
Seville, Thompson, and compatriot Ackeem Blake, along with the British Virgin Islands’ Rikkoi Brathwaite and Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa, are the Caribbean representatives who remain on course for the final.
Currently, the world leader at 9.77s, Thompson was easy in victory in heat one in 10.00s, ahead of Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati (10.08s) and Espinosa (10.11s).
Kenyan stalwart Ferdinand Omanyala
topped heat two in 10.08s, ahead of Italy’s Chituru Ali (10.12s) and Joshua Hartmann (10.16s) of Germany. Trinidad and Tobago’s Devin Augustine (10.31s) was fifth in that heat and missed out on the semi-finals.
Great Britain’s Louie Hinchcliffe sprang a surprise to win heat three in 9.98s, upstaging American Noah Lyles (10.04s), who had to work somewhat towards the end. South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi (10.06s) secured the third automatic spot in the heat. Naquille Harris (10.38s) of St Kitts and Nevis missed out.
Seville also ran a relaxed race to finish tops in heat four as he stopped the clock at 9.99s. Japan’s Sani Brown (10.02s) and Thailand’s Puripol Boonson (10.13s) also progressed.
Bahamas’s Terrence Jones (10.31s) was fifth in that heat.
Heat five was topped by Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi (10.02s), ahead of Italy’s reigning Olympic champi-
on Lamont Marcell Jacobs (10.05s) and Ghana’s AbdulRasheed Saminu (10.06s). Cayman Islands’ Davonte Howell (10.24s) was sixth.
South Africa’s Akani Simbine produced a late
surge to top heat six in 10.03s, ahead of Blake (10.06s) and Brathwaite (10.13s). Bahamas’s Wanya McCoy (10.24s) and Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald (10.40s) were fifth and eighth, respectively. American Kenneth Bednarek was joint fastest in qualifying at 9.97s, which he clocked in winning heat seven, ahead of Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (9.98s) and Canada’s Andre de Grasse (10.07s). Jose Gonzalez (10.40s) of the Dominican Republic was eighth.
A stacked eighth and final heat was topped by another American, Fred Kerly, who also stopped the clock in 9.97s. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo (10.01s) and Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (10.03s) also progressed. Cejhae Greene (10.17s) of Antigua and Barbuda ran well for fourth, but wasn’t fast enough for one of the non-automatic qualifying spots, while Haiti’s Christopher Borzor (10.28s) was fifth.
Jamaica's trio Oblique Seville, Kishane Thompson and Ackeem Blake
Accomplished US entries sent to battle at Guyana Cup
Easy Time, a six-yearold son of leading sire
Not This Time, will seek a repeat win August 11 in the 16th running of the Guyana Cup being held at the Rising Sun Turf Club in West Berbice, Guyana. He won the one-mile race on dirt by about seven lengths a year ago.
South Florida trainer
Saffie Joseph Jr bought Easy Time for US$75,000 during the 2023 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale out of the Grovendale Sales consignment. The horse is now owned by Master Z Racing Stable and trained by Nasrudeen "Junior" Mohamed. Easy Time comes into the race off an unchallenged win going 1350 metres (more than six and a half
furlongs) and racing clockwise at Port Mourant Turf Club in July.
"Easy Time is only 75 per cent ready," said Mohamed after the win. "He had some time off, and I believe this race will be the perfect prep for the Guyana Cup."
South Florida trainer Joseph Jr has sent three horses to Guyana, hoping to upset Easy Time. His strongest entry is Stat, a fiveyear-old Florida-bred gelding by Will Take Charge and owned most recently by Clint Cornett. Stat last won the Soldier's Dancer Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Joseph Jr also trains Novo Sol, the Brazilian-bred son of Agnes Gold owned by Daniel Alonso. The seven-year-old horse was group
1-placed in Brazil and ran second in the Soldier's Dancer Stakes. Novo Sol
Biles wins vault for her 3rd gold of Olympics
American gymnast
Simone Biles won her third Olympic gold of the Paris Games when she took the vault title in emphatic fashion.
After helping the USA to women's team gold and then taking the all-around title, the 27-year-old reclaimed another of the titles she first won at Rio 2016, having lost them in Tokyo when she pulled out of several events.
She nailed her huge Biles II vault before sticking her 'easier' vault – whose difficulty is harder than many attempt as their best vault – to score an average of 15.300.
Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, the only gymnast who has skills that can come close to Biles and who won the title in Tokyo, took silver with 14.966 and American Jade Carey got bronze with 14.466.
Biles had said after winning the all-around title two days ago that facing Andrade was "stressful" as she was the only gymnast who has ever pushed her closely and joked she did not want to face her again.
10
There had been anticipation that Andrade might try a new skill that she has submitted – a triple-twisting Yurchenko vault that would have a difficulty value closer to Biles' best vault – but that did not materialise.
The 25-year-old, who beat Biles on this apparatus at last year's World Championships, performed her vaults well. She scored higher than Biles for execution on both vaults, but with difficulty values that were a full mark lower than her rival's efforts, Andrade would only have had a chance if the American had faltered.
Biles became the third most decorated female gymnast with 10 Olympic medals and with two more finals to come on Monday – floor and beam, she can overtake second-placed Vera Caslavska, who won 11 for Czechoslovakia between 1960 and 1968. The all-time record of 18 is held by Soviet Union gymnast Larisa Latynina. (BBC Sport)
owns the highest Equibase Speed Figure of 110 among the seven Guyana Cup entries. Joseph's third entry is Oy Vey, who is owned and trained by Joseph. The threeyear-old son of Constitution scored his first win May 13 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and was most recently third in a July 6 starter allowance race at Monmouth Park.? Other Guyana Cup entries who are graduates of the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale include Loyal Company and Stormy Entry. Loyal Company is a fouryear-old Godolphin-bred gelded son of Frosted, who sold for US$85,000 during this year's sale to Meah/ Lloyd Bloodstock. Last year, Loyal Company ran third in the 2023 Ellis Park Derby. Stormy Entry is a fouryear-old gelding by Point of Entry that sold for US$15,000 during this year's Fasig-Tipton HORA sale to Sanjeev/Adrian/Caimraj out of the Hunter Valley Farm consignment. Previously
St Lucia's Julien Alfred wins historic women's 100m Olympic title
Julien Alfred made history, becoming the first athlete from St Lucia to win an Olympic gold medal in the women's 100m at the Paris Olympic Games on Saturday.
In a stunning display of speed and determination, Alfred crossed the finish line first, and, much like she did when she copped the world Indoor title earlier this year, etched her name into the annals of Olympic history, bringing immense pride to her island nation.
On a cool, and wet evening at the Stade de France, Alfred, running from lane six, delivered a performance that will be remembered for generations. The 23-year-old’s explosive start and powerful finish left competitors in her wake, as she clocked a
for owner/breeder Charles Fipke, Stormy Entry ran third in the Patton Stakes at Ireland's Dundalk in 2023 following two wins in weight for age races.
Guyana, which does not have a recognised stud book and runs unregulated racing, is trying to establish itself among the recognised Caribbean racing nations.
"We are developing our industry and are on the cusp of being regulated," said Mohamed recently. "Therefore, we are preparing to be ahead of the curve when the legislation becomes law to regulate the sport. We are ready.
"Racing was regulated many decades ago, when it was held in Durban Park, Georgetown, Guyana," the trainer continued. "It was moved from the city by the Government in power then, and it took the industry a very long while to get back its footing."
Rising Sun Turf Club has carded 10 races for Guyana Cup Day that will be run counterclockwise. The other races will include the 1600-metre (one mile) Guyana Derby open to West Indian-bred three-year-olds and the 1000-metre (about five furlongs) Juvenile Classic also for West Indian-bred horses.
(Source: Bloodhorse)
National Record of 10.72s in a negative 0.1 metres per second wind reading.
After crossing the line, Alfred raised her arms in triumph, but later burst into tears, overwhelmed by the magnitude of her achievement. She is now the third Caribbean sprinter to win the title after Jamaicans Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, but more importantly, Alfred also ensured that the women's 100m gold goes to a Caribbean representative for a fifth Olympic Games.
The American duo of Sha’Carri Richardson (10.87s) and Melissa Jefferson (10.92s) took silver and bronze. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton (11.04s) had a slight stumble early and was left back in seventh. (Sportsmax)
Simone Biles now has
Olympic medals – seven golds, one silver and two bronze
St Lucia's Julien Alfred reacts after winning the women's 100m final
Easy Time wins the 2021 Marine Stakes at Woodbine (Photo: Michael Burns)
Archibald’s Paris dreams shattered
Guyana’s 100 metres record holder
Emanuel Archibald bowed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday morning, as a result of an eightplace finish in Heat 6 of the men’s 100m round 1 event.
WI Championship XI force draw against South Africa in warm-up
Archibald, who clocked 10.40s on Saturday morning, would have needed to repeat a National Record performance (10.09s) or come close to punch his ticket to today’s semi-finals. The heat was won by South Africa’s Akani Simbine in 10.03s, while Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake and Rikkoi Brathwaite of British Virgin Islands were the other two automatic qualifiers from the heat, clocking 10.06s and 10.13s for second and third, respectively.
Demerara (WCD) during the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Senior Track and Field Championships. The National Record was previously held by Adam Harris at 10.12s, and was set back in 2014.
It was a drawn result for visitors South Africa and the West Indies Championship XI on Saturday morning, as the visitors readied for their upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies.
while David Bedingham had 74 from 107 deliveries. Also etching half-centuries were Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne, who contributed 80 and 65 runs respectively.
Archibald had, in June of this year, rewritten Guyana’s decades-old men’s 100m National Record, during the lead-up to the Paris Olympics. Archibald clocked his 10.09s record at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), West Coast
As a result of Archibald’s exit, Guyana has one more athlete left to compete at the Paris Olympics in Aaliyah Abrams. Abrams will look to secure a semi-final spot in the women’s 400m event as she lines up for round one on Monday, August 5.
Following the Windies Championship’s big first innings total, South Africa replied with 408-8, as several of their batsmen got to half-centuries. The first to do so was Aiden Markram, who hit 82 in 107 balls before retiring hurt.
Proteas Captain Temba Bavuma hit 51 in 145 balls,
Montra battle Village Rams; Tarmac face Eccles All-Stars in blockbuster Round-of-16 clashes
The second edition of the Kares
One Guyana T10
Tapeball is off to a rollicking start with 16 teams being knocked out and 16 remaining, all battling for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Today, Lusignan Community Centre Ground and Police Sports Club (PSC) will be the centre of activities as eight more teams will go home.
On the East Coast of Demerara, Montra Jaguars will face Village Rams at 09:30h, followed by 2023 semi-finalists Tarmac Titans versus defending champions Eccles All-Stars at 11:30h, and Lil Rams will battle The Guards at 13:30h.
The final match at Lusignan will be Bartica Bulls against Diamond Gunners.
Over at Police Sports Club, the Upsetters face Team Corruption, followed by Mahdia (Movements Family) at 11:30h, Titans All-Stars face Premier Insurance at 13:30h, and Brooklyn Youth Strikers at 15:30h.
Many teams progressing to the Round of 16 have numerous current and former stars of Guyanese cricket, and they all match up today in a truly mouth-watering contest.
The opening day was filled with action, as 257 sixes were struck in the 16 matches, with five players –Shemroy Barrington (Titans All-Stars), Shaquille Wong (CJIA XI), Jonte Thomas
(Eccles All-Stars), and Shamar Apple (Lil Rams) –scoring half-centuries.
While none of the teams crossed the 200-run marker in their respective innings, many surpassed 100 and even 150 in a day of thrills across the three venues.
Full details on the matches can be found on the FL Sport app or website.
The champions will receive $1.5 million, while the runners-up will receive
$500,000.
The losing semi-finalists will each get $250,000.
Players will vie for the titles of Most Runs, Most Wickets, and Player of the Final. Each winner will receive a Smart TV and a $75,000 cash prize, all compliments of Regal Stationery.
Assuria Insurance is not holding back either, offering a motorbike and $85,000 to the Most Valuable Player.
While the wickets were hard to come by for the Windies players, many of the South Africans retired, giving their teammates a feel of the bat.
Aside from Nial Smith and Anderson Philip’s second-day wickets, Shamar Springer and Jediah
Charles and Justin Greaves, who were in the Championship XI, have broken into the West Indies Test squad, while Kemar Roach, also playing in the warm-up match, makes his return. The remainder of the West Indian squad announced on Friday afternoon reads: Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Vice Captain Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis,
Blades claimed the scalps of Matthew Breetzke and Keshav Maharaj as the visitors were eight men down before thy declared.
Batting in the second innings, Guyana’s Tagenarine Chanderpaul got out for 14 from 51 deliveries, while the next best score of 13 came from Springer following a pair of ducks from Jeremy Solozano and Kevin Wickham.
Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers, with returns of 3-8 from 4 overs while Dane Piedt claimed the remaining wicket. West Indies accumulated 46-4 in 27 overs before the drawn result was declared.
Meanwhile, Bryan
Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, and Jomel Warrican.
The South Africa squad reads: Captain Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.
The first official match of the Test series will bowl off on Wednesday, August 7 at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago. The second match will commence on August 15 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald was unable to get over the line fast enough during the 100m heats
Kevin Warner goes big for Montra Jaguars in their match against Falcons XI
Aiden Markram top-scored for South Africa in their lone batting innings
Guyana’s Nial Smith picked up one of only four clear-cut wickets for West Indies
