“No excuses” –Manickchand on students’ access to learning materials
Father, son arrested for bribery after cattle carcass found in car
Contractor on $200K bail after allegedly shooting longtime friend
Driver brandishing cutlass in road rage arrested
Dem Bake shuts
Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo have extended congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump following his victory in Tuesday’s United States presidential election.
President Ali expressed Guyana’s eagerness to build on the close diplomatic and economic ties that have long characterised relations between the two nations.
In a social media post, President Ali remarked, “I
extend heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in Tuesday’s election in the United States. Guyana looks forward to working closely with the incoming administration to further strengthen the already-robust ties between our two nations.”
Vice President Jagdeo also shared a congratulatory message, affirming his respect for the democratic process in the US.
“Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on being elected the 47th President of the
United States of America,” Jagdeo stated.
Guyana and the US have had years of diplomatic relations. In recent years, Guyana has witnessed growing foreign investment from the US, particularly in the energy sector.
As a matter of fact, bilateral ties between Guyana and the US continue to expand across every facet, especially through trade relations, which have seen yet another year of exponential growth to now be over US$4 billion.
This was revealed by US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, during a reception in June to celebrate the 248th Independence Anniversary of the USA.
“Our commercial ties are deeper than ever. Just a few years ago, we traded a few hundred million US (dollars’) worth of goods, but last year we surpassed $4.6 billion US. It’s amazing,” Ambassador Theriot stated.
The US has long been Guyana’s largest trading partner, with accumulated trade of more than US$3.9
billion recorded in 2022.
In fact, the US is ranked as Guyana’s number one export and import destination, with exports and imports pegged at some US$2.7 billion and US$1.2 billion respectively in 2022.
Moreover, in July 2023, it was reported that in the previous three years alone, the figure for Foreign Direct Investment from the US to Guyana stood at US$4.2 billion.
Currently, over 100 US-based companies are operating in Guyana, and according to the US Ambassador, this number is growing every day across various sectors in the Guyanese economy.
President Ali had also lauded the vast participation of the US Private Sector in various local industries, including the oil and gas, environment, infrastructure, health, tourism, hospitality and services industries. While the Head of State welcomed this participation, he sounded calls for this collaboration to be expanded as Guyana continues to open up new investment opportunities.
“We have a very open economy in which anyone
can participate…We have had difficulty in the past in attracting small and medium-size businesses out of the US, because we were not a known investment destination. Today, we have to do very little lifting in presenting Guyana and the opportunities that are here. And as a result of that, we are seeing a more diversified interest from the US Private Sector, and we are seeing different tiers of companies: from the small to medium-size, large-size largescale companies coming here,” President Ali had said at the reception.
In addition to companies directly out of the North American nation, the Guyanese Leader pointed out, even US companies operating in the region are looking to expand here – something which he noted would further propel and advance relations between the two nations.
Meanwhile, in efforts to further enhance commercial ties between Guyana and the US, President Ali had disclosed that he has coming up a series of engagements that would target big Private Sector players in the US.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, November 7 – 20:30h-22:00h and Friday, November 8 –21:30h-23:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, November 7 –07:35h-09:05h and Friday, November 8 – 08:35h-10:05h.
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Sunshine is expected during the day, interrupted by light to thundery showers in the late-morning to early-afternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.02 metres
High Tide: 07:56h and 20:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.32 metres.
Low Tide: 13:40h reaching a minimum height of 1.04 metres.
The election fraud cases, involving prominent figures accused of manipulating the results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, remain on hold as Chief Magistrate (acting) Faith McGusty, newly assigned to the trial, addresses a set of foundational legal arguments.
This trial has drawn significant attention because of the high profile of the defendants, among whom are former Government Minister Volda Lawrence and exChief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield. Initially overseen by Magistrate Leron Daly, the trial began in July, but was paused following her extended medical leave, which has resulted in the trial being reassigned to Magistrate McGusty.
During a case management hearing on Wednesday, defence attorney Nigel Hughes argued that the trial should be restarted from the defendants’ initial court appearance. Citing the legal principle of De Novo (from the beginning), Hughes contended that since Magistrate McGusty is now presiding, prior rulings should not bind the new magistrate, thereby allowing her to review the case with complete independence.
“When a matter starts de novo, you actually return to the first day the defendants appear before the court, and decisions are taken there,” Hughes stated.
He emphasised the importance of upholding the defendants’ rights, arguing that prior magistrates’ decisions should not influence Mc Gusty’s approach.
On the other hand, special prosecutor Latchmie Rahaman proposed that the trial could continue from where two witnesses, Sonia Parag and Rosalinda Rasul, had already testified. Supporting this approach, lead prosecutor Dharshan Ramdhani explained that transferring cases between magistrates typically involves re-reading charges without resetting all prior proceedings.
“Once a magistrate or the chief magistrate determines that the matter should be tried summarily, another magistrate does not need to revisit that point,” Ramdhani argued.
The prosecution is advocating for minimal procedural resets, believing this approach would allow the case to move forward efficiently, especially given the trial’s already extended timeline. However, both prosecution and defence have agreed to provide written submissions which would help Magistrate McGusty determine whether to proceed with a fresh start or resume from witness testimonies.
Magistrate McGusty also faces the key decision of whether to try the case summarily or as indictable offence. The distinction carries significant implications: a summary trial would allow Magistrate McGusty to hear
the full case and issue a decision herself, while an indictable trial would involve a preliminary inquiry to determine if the case should be sent to the High Court for a jury trial.
Previous magistrates, including Chief Magistrate Isaacs and Magistrate Daly, had determined that the majority of charges would proceed summarily, and two charges initially classified as indictable were later shifted to summary trial status.
Ramdhani has now requested that these two charges be reinstated as indictable offences, asserting that the earlier decision was incorrect and warrants reconsideration. Hughes, however, countered that the charges had already been reviewed and appealed by higher courts, therefore it would be inappropriate for
the magistrate to revisit this matter.
Magistrate Mc Gusty has scheduled December 9 as a hearing date to address these and other preliminary issues, allowing both sides the opportunity to present further arguments.
Prevent misrepresentation
Amidst the legal debate, Magistrate McGusty has appealed to the media and public officials to accurately report on the proceedings in order to prevent misrepresentation of the trial. She emphasized the importance of clarity and caution, noting that any public misinterpretations could potentially disrupt the legal process.
Both defence and prosecution lawyers echoed these concerns, agreeing that the proceedings should be free from undue public influence.
With significant figures facing charges, including former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, ex-GECOM Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence, GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller, Denise BabbCummings, and Carol SmithJoseph, the case has drawn sustained public interest. Together, these nine defendants confront 33 counts of election-related fraud, focused on alleged efforts to manipulate voting results.
The court will next review submissions from both sides on November 29, followed by the December 9 hearing, when Mc Gusty’s rulings on these foundational issues are expected to set the course for the trial’s restart. (G9)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Education is the foundation of progress, and as Education Minister Priya Manickchand emphasises, there should no longer be any excuses preventing children from receiving the quality education they deserve. By equipping schools with essential resources and providing targeted interventions, the Education Ministry is making strides to improve outcomes, particularly in Mathematics. This practical approach is critical, given the longstanding underperformance in Maths across the country. The recent launch of the Mathematics Intervention Programme along the Essequibo Coast is a significant step towards raising the national pass rate at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level to between 45 and 50 per cent, up from the current 31 per cent. Minister Manickchand’s initiatives and her focus on accountability align with a pressing need to ensure that every student has access to education, regardless of geographical or economic barriers.
Currently, Maths performance in several schools, particularly in remote areas, is alarmingly low. At Charity Secondary School, only eight per cent of students passed Mathematics this year. Such statistics underscore the need for targeted programmes and enhanced resources, which the Ministry is now providing. This intervention is particularly timely for students in remote communities who lack access to private tutoring options available in urban areas. For these students, the Ministry’s investment is life-changing, offering hope for improved educational outcomes and broader opportunities.
The Mathematics Intervention Programme goes beyond simply providing resources – it is an approach that includes biweekly lessons broadcast on the Guyana Learning Channel, diagnostic testing, national mock exams, and a Maths hotline. These tools provide students with multiple avenues to engage with Maths, reinforcing concepts and helping them gain confidence in a subject that has long posed challenges. The introduction of a Maths hotline, “736 MATH”, is a unique and forward-thinking initiative, giving students direct access to support when they encounter difficulties. For many students, especially those in isolated areas, such support could be the difference between confusion and clarity, failure and success.
However, resources alone are not enough. As Minister Manickchand rightly pointed out, parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children utilise these resources. Parents are essential partners in this journey, and the Minister’s insistence that they take responsibility is both timely and necessary. A recurring issue in education reform worldwide is the gap between the provision of resources and their effective use. For these interventions to succeed, parents must prioritise their children’s education and encourage consistent school attendance and engagement with available materials. The Minister’s comparison of educational priorities to everyday household expenses is an important reminder: investing in children’s education has lifelong returns, far outweighing the short-term costs.
Additionally, holding schools and teachers accountable is a commendable aspect of the Ministry’s approach. Education is a partnership that requires commitment from all stakeholders, including teachers, who are on the frontlines of this transformation. By setting clear expectations for both students and educators, the Ministry is promoting a culture of accountability and responsibility. This focus on results encourages teachers to tailor their instruction to meet students’ needs and create a supportive learning environment where students can thrive.
A significant element of the programme is its emphasis on bridging educational gaps in disadvantaged areas. Rural and remote students, who may have historically lagged due to limited access to quality resources, now have access to the same materials as their urban peers. The Ministry has established a level playing field, where each child, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to excel. By focusing on schools with historically low performance and enhancing access to resources, the Ministry demonstrates its commitment to equity in education.
The drive to equip all students with strong Maths skills is about more than passing exams; it’s about preparing Guyana’s youth for the future. As the country develops economically, the demand for skilled professionals, especially in technical fields, will grow. Mathematics is foundational for these careers, making it imperative that students master it early on. This intervention, if successful, will play a pivotal role in building a generation of students who are not only mathematically literate but also capable of contributing to the country’s growth and development.
Minister Manickchand’s determination to eliminate excuses and pave the way for educational success is an approach that should be lauded and supported.
Dear Editor, In the end, it was not a photo finish in the American Presidential and Congressional Elections, as the polls had suggested; it was more like a blowout, as Donald Trump recaptured the Presidency that he lost to Joe Biden and the Democrats in 2020. In so doing, Trump has become only the second candidate (Grover Cleveland being the first in 1892, after his defeat in 1888) to make a Presidential comeback after a gap.
The question in everyone’s mind is: why did Kamala Harris lose so badly, after polls put the race neck and neck? And how did Guyanese (Indian and African), Indo-Caribbeans, and Caribbean people in general vote? What is their overall reaction to the results?
Trump gained traction among Indian Caribbean people, and even some Afro-Caribbean people who abandoned Harris. Those who voted Trump, including Democrats and Independents, are celebrating a victory. The Caribbean vote, the Indo-Guyanese, Indian Caribbean, South Asian Indian American votes were critical demographics in several swing states, and a must-win for both candidates to capture the Presidency. Trump did a better job appealing to Indians. Harris assumed she would get the Caribbean (Afros) and Indian American (under whom Indo-Caribbeans are grouped) votes, spending little time to appeal to them. That thought did
not succeed at the polling booths.
Indo-Caribbeans and Indian Americans in general voted to punish the Democrats, similar to what happened in 2016 when Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. Indian Americans reversed their vote in 2020, but did a political U-turn again in 2024. The Democrats did not do much to retain them, while Trump directly appealed for their votes. In particular, Trump appealed to Hindus to vote for him. He promised a Hindu Museum in Washington, and to end the genocide against Hindus in Bangladesh and other countries where Hindus are persecuted. That appeal worked magic in cornering a majority of the Hindu votes.
There are some six million Indian Americans in USA, the overwhelming majority being Hindus in key battleground states. The Indian Guyanese and Indian American vote impacted swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. Guyanese are small numbers in other swing states of North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Large numbers of South Asian Indians reside in the seven swing states, and they went for Trump, abandoning Harris because of her failure to define her identity.
Trump ridiculed her for not defining who she is. Harris could not easily define her identity, as Obama did in 2008, and went on to win twice.
Harris signs decorated yards of Caribbean peo-
ple in NY, Florida, Georgia, etc. and Trump signs and posters laced many IndoCaribbean homes and vehicles. Many Guyanese sported Trump tee-shirts and Trump hats. They supported Trump not only in New York and New Jersey, but in Florida and other states. Trump got some half of the Indian votes and bigger numbers among South Asian Indian Americans. Many Indo-Caribbeans, Hindus in particular, decided to vote Trump at the last minute.
Naturally, Democratic voters are disappointed with the result, as they were confident of a victory. Most Guyanese (Indian, African, Mixed) are members of the Democratic Party. And so are almost all Caribbean people. Many Indian and Afro-Caribbean people donated funds to and campaigned for Harris. Some even volunteered to bring out the voters as they wanted Harris, a Caribbean American who has a Jamaican father, to win.
However, significant numbers of Indo-Caribbean voters and some other Caribbean people broke from their traditional party and cast ballots for Trump and the Republican slate on down ballot. Indo-Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean people as well as Indian Americans (South Asians) in general were (are) dissatisfied with the Biden/Harris Administration. Most AfroCaribbeans stuck with Harris, but some half of Indo-Caribbeans (including Indian Guyanese) went for Trump, an increase from a week ago.
Many voters who supported Biden/Harris in 2020, Caribbean Americans and Indo-Caribbeans included, were angry with the Biden Administration’s handling of the wars in Europe and Middle East, the issue of migrants, and the economy. Because of the wars, the price of goods appreciated considerably, hurting people’s pockets. Biden and the Democrats got failing marks on all three issues, according to pre-election and exit polls. Biden also got poor approval ratings of 40%. Harris is tethered to Biden, affecting her poll numbers.
Crime was also a big issue for Indian Caribbean and Indian Americans in general. They blamed Biden for the wave of crimes of which they were victims, and those crimes were allegedly committed by Latin American migrants. Half of Indo-Caribbeans spurned Kamala Harris as well as the Democrats in down ballots because of crime that has affected their neighbourhoods in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.
Foreign policy towards Guyana was an issue for some Indian Guyanese. They feel Trump would better protect democracy in Guyana, as he did in 2020 during the attempt to rig the election. Several politicians in Guyana cheered and hoped for a Trump victory, confident they can influence a Trump Administration to protect their interests.
Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram
Dear Editor,
We applaud the PPP/C government for appointing 10 puisne judges and several magistrates to reduce the backlog of cases and to ensure that cases are tried in a timely manner. We hate to think that the legal maxim, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” is just a rhetorical flourish, and not a goal in the administration of justice.
For too long, the Judiciary has been treated with awe, being regarded as beyond reproach. That attitude was a colonial heritage, but it has lost its relevance in this age of reason, logic, AI technology and information revolution. The social mores of society are changing to meet this new reality. Citizens want to play a bigger role in governance, and are increasingly demanding accountability and transparency. The Judiciary is no longer viewed as impervious to criticism. Judicial officers are being paid by the citizens, and citizens have the right to demand accountability.
We visited Guyana two times this year, travelled across the coastland and visited three Amerindian villages, and what we heard about case backlog was not pleasant. Not only were people frustrated with prolonged delays, but they have also not been notified of the status of their cases. This ugly situation cries out for remedial measures.
What we also learnt was that many cases for trial are yet to be heard. It has become a matter of national importance that the Chancellor of the Judiciary must urgently look
into this nagging problem. Aggrieved persons yearn for justice and fairness, and the institution that is supposed to work for them has not lived up to their expectations!
In another pressing matter, we noticed that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) reversed the Guyana Court of Appeal’s (CoA) decision that deemed as illegal the appointment of Mr Vikash Ramkissoon and Ms Sarah Browne as Parliamentary Secretaries. The CCJ ruled that both Mr Ramkissoon and Ms Browne were properly appointed, and that they can sit in Parliament. That prompted us to post a message asking for how long would we allow the CoA to make wrong decisions? In almost all the political cases, the CoA were proven wrong by the CCJ. I wonder! Were the CoA’s decisions based on wrong interpretations of the relevant laws and the constitution? How many times would we allow a High Court to consistently make wrong decisions? Or were there non-legal or non-constitutional considerations applicable to these cases?
Having the CoA’s decisions, particularly in political-type cases, reversed 100% of the time can be described as a travesty of justice. Accordingly, we are obligated to call upon the Guyana Bar Association and the Attorney General to review this situation and determine the way forward.
It was suggested that the CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders, had called for the confirmation of appointments to the posi-
tions of Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. But we don’t think that he was asking to confirm the incumbent Chancellor, but rather for appointment/ confirmation of “a” Chancellor. We don’t think that the CCJ President is bold enough to advise a government of appointments/ confirmations when he knows that there is an established process for appointments/ confirmations.
And to the Opposition Leader Mr Aubrey Norton: “Why would you want to confirm the Chancellor when her credentials took a hit with a series of decision reversals by the CCJ? How could you feel comfortable with this position, when you also preach about competence and accountability? Furthermore, since the President has not yet identified anyone for that position, your position is premature.”
The judicial process and the decisions of judges are not sacrosanct, and the public who pays them has the right to criticize proceedings and decisions, but doesn’t have a right to launch personal attacks against a judge or to disrespect the court system.
Like other institutions of the state, the Judiciary must also be held accountable. And by whom? We say by the Judicial Service Commission and by the public. But what mechanism exits to lodge complaints against the Judiciary is not widely known, if it exists.
Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh
Dear Editor,
The recent brouhaha over GuySuCo was missing focus on solutions.
There are two key objectives for GuySuCo:
1. Becoming profitable
2. Preventing layoffs
These two objectives are not at odds with each other, and can be accomplished. To become profitable, GuySuCo needs to shift its focus to:
1a) Producing beverage alcohol
DDL and Banks DIH could have been strengths of GuySuCo in the past, and now is the time to develop the beverage alcohol portfolio of the company. Supplying the main ingredient necessary for world-class quality beverage alcohol, and marketing & selling its products within the region and around the world should be the main strategic focus of GuySuCo going forward.
A partnership with DDL and Banks DIH would be mutually beneficial, and the resulting profitability would ensure that GuySuCo prospers over the long term. This would also help Guyana develop its beverage alcohol portfolio offering in this very profitable global market.
1b) Adjacent products
The Covid pandemic and the Government’s thrust into healthcare offers additional opportunities for the use of GuySuCo as a source of profitable products that would leverage the new capabilities developed in 1a)
1c) White Sugar
There is an increase in profitability that comes with moving into this more refined product, and an agreement has already been made to provide the region with this
product.
Executing this strategic initiative needs to be achieved in order to add to the profitability of the company.
Overall, for GuySuCo to achieve profitability, it would require investment in R&D and new capabilities, and a partnership with the leading companies in the beverage alcohol space. Given the previous experience of GuySuCo in this pursuit, the company should be able to quickly transition.
2a) Developing the workforce
With a transition towards a new strategic focus, many employees can be upskilled to support the new focus of the company. The strategic shift would also give the company the flexibility to mechanise, expand acreage, and maintain the current employee base.
2b) Partnering with Industry Leaders Brazil continues to be the most efficient player in the sugar industry. GuySuCo must partner with the leaders in the Brazil Sugar Industry in order to embrace their best practices so as to be able to increase productivity and yield.
I recommend that the Board of GuySuCo meet and discuss this proposal, so as to chart a clear vision for the future of the company. Once agreed upon, they must act quickly towards the development and execution of their strategy to achieve their new vision.
I have made these initial suggestions to answer the “Where to Play?” and “How to Win?” questions that are necessary to quickly turn around the company. Moving in this direction would help GuySuCo achieve future success.
Best regards, Jamil Changlee
By Rüştü OnuR
Translated By Ulaş
Özgün & Hüseyin Alhas
Oh God I have neither a house nor a garden Nor a boat in the ocean
My head is in the pineapple-smelling clouds
My feet are in the pineapple-smelling water I know the clouds won’t yield my expectations. I know the ship I came on Won’t leave with me.
After all, there I will hear the song of unborn stars.
Translated from the Turkish Source: Poetry (November 2024)
Start out by measuring the signal strength with no blocking material. This is your experiment’s control. Measure the signal strength in dBm and enter this value under “Trial 1” in the first row of your data table. Repeat this two more times, for a total of three trials.
Now, set up your first blocking material. Record three separate signal strength readings in your data table. Remember not to move the blocking material or wireless device in between trials.
Repeat step 8 for each of your remaining blocking materials. For each blocking material (and your control case
with no material), calculate an average signal strength in dBm
and enter this value in your data table.
Calculate the attenuation of the signal for each material by subtracting the signal strength with the material from the signal strength without the material (your control case), and enter this value in your data table.
For example, say that for your control, you measured an average signal strength of -15 dBm, and for a certain material (we’ll call it Material A), you measured an average signal strength of -40 dBm.
The attenuation for Material A would be (-15 dBm) - (-40 dBm) = 25 dBm. Be careful to keep track of the negative signs! Create a bar graph with material type on the horizontal line (x-axis) and attenuation in dBm on the vertical line (y-axis). Remember to label the axes of your graph. Which materials attenuated the Wi-Fi signal the most? The least? Do your results line up with your predictions based on your background research? (Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies)
350,000
AUS$1.5 billion gold project to be spearheaded by shareholder group G-Mining Ventures Corporation in the Oko West area, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is expected to re-energise Guyana’s mining sector with the production of 350,000 ounces of gold annually.
The project, which will come on stream in 2027, is
350,000 ounces a year. The ripple effect, which will be the creation of at least 1500 jobs with strong focus on local employment and capacity building. To ensure that we address community needs effectively, G Mining Ventures has established a multi-stakeholder working group to foster collaboration and transparency in Region Seven. The community representatives in this
momentous situation in terms of development. We have the oil and gas development, which is much talked about, we have the opportunities and synergies spinning out of that and with this new development at Oko West, this will broaden the opportunities for people… We have kept our promise in relation to re-energising and developing the natural resource
situated some 95 kilometres southwest of Georgetown and measures approximately 44 square kilometres.
In October 2023, the Natural Resources Ministry had announced the discovery of gold in Oko West, hinting that the area has potential for a large-scale gold-producing mine.
Delivering remarks at an education forum held at the Pegasus Corporate Suites in Georgetown on Wednesday, G Mining Ventures Country Manager Bjorn Jeune said the Oko West Project represented a significant milestone in Guyana’s natural resources development, adding that its operation would alleviate challenges faced in recent years.
“With a projected mine life of 13 years, we anticipate the production of over
group play a crucial role in hearing and addressing the voices and concerns of our local stakeholders. In addition, our close working relationship with Government agencies has facilitated a smooth permitting process, and we are grateful for the support that we have received,” the Country Manager shared.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in his remarks to the gathering said the development of Oko West represented a continuation of work that started in the sector many years ago.
On this point, he lauded Government’s strategic management of the sector, noting that the gold mining industry is gradually hitting new heights, both locally and regionally.
“Guyana is at the most
sector in relation to mining. There was a time when it was being shut down. There was a time when the bauxite operations were practically dead…Even the small mining…were shut down. We have come back and we are keeping our promises to the people of Guyana,” Benn said.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton indicated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked between the Guyana Government and G Mining Ventures to provide locals with the skills needed to support the Oko West Project.
While the level of training was not disclosed, Hamilton did indicate that the sessions would be administered at the Labour Ministry’s Industrial Training Centre in Bartica,
given that the majority of the beneficiaries would come from Region Seven. “We cannot continue to journey along, whereby for many persons, educators and all, the only education that is important is academic education. And therefore, this country, in my view, we have to rethink, we have to retool and revolutionise education delivery. Where a child with technical aptitude is given the same attention like one with academic aptitude… And I compliment them because in our conversations to reach the position to develop a Memorandum of Understanding, they were clear that they wanted most of their employees to [come from] Region Seven. And that is what we are working towards so that we can train people, upskill people,” Hamilton said.
Gold declaration Aurora Gold Mines
(AGM), the last remaining foreign-owned, large-scale gold mine in Guyana currently producing gold in commercial quantities, produced 68,557 troy ounces of gold in what is a favourable result driven by the successes of the Chinese-owned mine’s underground operations.
According to the recently-released Bank of Guyana Mid-Year Report, declarations from the mine which is operated by Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd through its subsidiary, rose by 35.3 per cent.
Total gold declarations were 188,160 troy ounces. Of this, declarations from small and medium-scale miners declined by 24.8 per cent, to 119,603 troy ounces. The dry weather was a major factor against these miners in the first quarter of the year, while heavy rainfall also stymied their operations in the second quarter. Labour shortages have also not helped declarations.
As far back as 2021, members of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) had informed Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh that the shortage of labour was having a significant impact on the business sector in the region.
In July of this year, an Investment Climate Report released by the United States (US) State Department had shed some light on this labour shortage, finding that the country has a major informal
economy that accounts for between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of the job market.
The government has, meanwhile, been taking a hands-on approach to ensure that more mining blocks are made available for small- and medium-scale miners. In addition to assuring miners that more mining areas will be opened up, there have also been lotteries aimed specifically at small- and medium-scale miners.
Back in April, the Natural Resources Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), hosted a lottery in Bartica which saw the distribution of 150 mining blocks. Additionally, in June, 200 blocks were distributed in Mahdia.
These activities align with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s goal to push the local mining sector to dizzying heights, with the administration looking to have gold production reach over one million ounces by 2030. (G1)
Well, there you have it!! Your Eyewitness – modest fella that he is – doesn’t like to boast and brigah!! But he gotta remind you, dear readers, that yesterday he did call the winner for the US presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump!! As he said, “Writing this on Tuesday, your Eyewitness predicts that Trump’s gonna come out ahead in a nail-biting finish!!” As at the time of writing this on Wednesday morning, Trump had already passed the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency - having snatched 276 to Kamala’s 223 – with 39 more to be allocated.
Now a word about these “electoral votes” that constitute the “electoral college” that intermediates between the popular votes to actually select the President. This mediating device was formed – like the Senate – to guard against mob rule, that was so feared by the framers of the American Constitution. There’s first the popular vote – here with Trump getting 71 million as at Wednesday morning to Kamala’s 66 million – but as you can see, the electoral votes aren’t exactly proportional to the popular vote!! Each state gets as many electors as it has members of Congress (House and Senate – with the House roughly proportional to state population, but the Senate gets 2 from each state, regardless of their population!!). Including Washington, D.C.’s three electors, there are currently 538 electors. We should note that half of 538 is 269, but in 200+ years, they NEVER had anyone arguing that a rounding off was needed!!
Since your Eyewitness called the race, he’s still shaking his head over the establishment types – in the media or academia – going on as Reuters did, about Trump’s “stunning upset”!! One fella in another tabloid – billed as “W. Andy Knight, is Distinguished Professor of International Relations in the Political Science Department, University of Alberta, and past Chair of the Department. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC), former Director of the Institute of International Relations (IIR, UWI), and cofounder and the former head of the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC) – wrote on the same day I predicted Trump’s victory, “All signs point to a Harris victory”!! Your Eyewitness wonders whether the “signs” were tea leaves or chicken entrails!!
Fact of the matter is that – as your Eyewitness has been writing ad nauseam – due to self-inflicted wounds, America’s experiencing what Britain did after WWII: A changing of the World Order – accompanied by the manufacturing sector being degutted by an elite that made obscene profits by exporting their operations to China!! Americans want a strong leader who promises MAGA – to Make American Great Again!! And Trump marketed himself as capable of doing this!
But will he?? That depends on whether he can “drain the swamp” of Washington’s special interests!!
…with checks and balances
As noted, the Electoral College is a check on feared “mob rule” – generally, with the electors chosen by the winning party in the state – like in FPTP. A few states split the electors like in PR. Electors would meet in each state on Dec 17, casting one vote each for President and VP, and transmit these votes to the National Archivist and the President of the Senate in DC. Trump will then be sworn-in on Jan 20 next by their Chief Justice to become the 47th President. Up till then, Biden would be a “lame duck” president who isn’t expected to make any radical initiatives from the status quo. Trump, on the other hand, would be putting together his team, forming the Executive Branch to initiate the changes he’s been advocating for the past two years.
The House and Senate have to authorise spending and approve appointees, so Trump’s life’s gonna be made much easier if the Republicans clinch the House - as they’ve already done with the Senate!!
Meanwhile, in Guyana, we expect Trump would continue taking a strong interest in maintaining democracy here – as he did in 2020 when the PNC/AFC Opposition tried to stymie the voice of the people! Bring back Sara-Ann!!
Education Minister Priya Manickchand has made it clear that when it comes to access to learning materials, there should be no excuses anymore as the Ministry has been making significant investments to ensure every child is properly equipped to attain a sound education.
The Minister made this point on Wednesday at a visit to the Charity Secondary School, where she launched the Mathematics Intervention Programme along the Essequibo Coast. This programme is designed to raise the national pass rate to between 45 per cent and 50 per cent at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, a significant increase from the current 31 per cent.
While speaking to attendees during the launching ceremony, the Education Minister revealed that students’ Mathematics performance at the school this year was considerably low.
“So, to get real, let me just tell you that in 2024, eight per cent of the population in this school passed Mathematics,” she revealed.
On this point, given the unique challenges learners in far-flung communities face, the Minister noted that the Ministry has developed a number of initiatives that would significantly increase the mathematics pass rate.
“We're doing this specifically for children like you, because Georgetown has a number of lessons that children can go to. These areas don't have those kinds of resources, so we are specifically doing that, so your children could benefit from expert lessons. And in those lessons, we tell you what exercises you can do from what page in the book. If you do that, just that, I'm telling you your chances of passing will increase by over 60 per cent,” Minister Manickchand explained.
However, the Minister stressed that parents have a major role to play in en-
suring that this initiative is successful. In fact, the Minister warned that parents should have no excuse as to why their child is unable to access learning resources being made available by the Ministry.
“If you don't send your children to school, they will fail exams. It's as simple as that. If you don't let them supervise them using the resources, they're not going to benefit from those resources. What is more expensive?
Internet for nine months to watch just this show or your child having to repeat or not having the productive adult life she has to get? Because those are some of the real choices you have to get, but, in every home, you have to prioritise what's needed too. And if at this point, we're saying two videos a week, the school has Internet, and your child knows that yesterday a video was shown on the Learning Channel, which they can't get. The first thing they should do on Monday morning is download it so that they can watch it at their own pleasure.”
Math performance
Meanwhile, in light of the persistent decline in Mathematics performance at all levels, the Education Ministry is taking a bold step with a targeted initiative aimed at transforming Maths outcomes across Guyana. This intervention comes at a critical time. While the pass rate for Additional Mathematics saw an increase to 53 per cent, core Mathematics results continue to fall short. To reverse this trend, the Ministry is focusing on schools with historically low performances in CSEC, particularly at the Form Four and Form Five levels.
As part of the initiative, students will now have access to a range of enhanced resources, including past exam papers, scientific calculators, and textbooks. The initiative also introduces national mock exams, diagnostic tests, and bi-week-
ly lessons aired on the Guyana Learning Channel. Additionally, a Maths hotline, “736 MATH”, has been launched for students to seek help when facing challenges.
In an unprecedented move, the Ministry is holding both schools and teachers directly accountable for their students’ Maths results. With the ministry’s focus on accountability, support, and specialised instruction, this aggressive approach marks a turning point in tackling one of Guyana’s most pressing educational challenges. While the road to a 45-50 per cent pass rate in Maths may be
ACorentyne cattle farmer and his son are both in Police custody after attempting to bribe a Police Sergeant. The incident occurred at the Number 51 Police Station.
According to the Police, about 02:30h on October 31, a party of Police Officers were on a mobile patrol at Back Street, Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) when the officers observed a black Fielder Wagon, HD 5120, driving along the street. Upon seeing the Police, the driver exited the vehicle and ran into a yard.
When the Police checked the vehicle, they discov-
ered several pieces of cattle meat. According to reports, about 06:00h, a 26-year-old hire car operator and a cattle farmer, both of the same address at Alness Village, Corentyne, approached a Police Sergeant, who was part of the patrol.
The hire-car operator claimed that he had been driving the car earlier, while the cattle farmer claimed ownership of the meat.
The cattle farmer allegedly told the Sergeant, “Yo, Sergeant [name provided] – see what you can do fuh we, we get a $100,000.”
The Police said the farmer then gave the money to the hire car driver, who
took out a quantity of $5000 notes from his front rightside pocket and handed them to the Policeman.
The cop collected the money and counted it in their presence (it amounted to $100,000) and arrested them for bribing a Police Officer. They were taken to the Number 51 Police Station along with the vehicles, carcass, and cash.
Legal advice was sought and the hire-car driver and his father have been charged. They are expected to appear at the Springlands Magistrate's Court today to answer the charge of bribery. (G4)
The Guyana Police Force has taken Leon Michael David, a resident of Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD), into custody following a road rage incident in which he allegedly brandished a cutlass at another driver.
David is currently held at the La Grange Police Station, WBD, assisting with the ongoing investigation. The incident, which was highlighted on social media, follows a similar ep-
isode last month involving national cyclist Christopher Hochan, who was injured in a hit-and-run altercation on Sheriff Street. Hochan reported that a driver of a
car, with licence plate PAE 9179, deliberately swerved into him after an exchange of words, causing him to lose control of his bicycle and sustain injuries.
Fernandes Guyana Enterprise, the management of local baked-goods franchise Demerara Bakery Incorporated (Dem Bake) is yet to inform the Labour Ministry of its closure despite breaking the news to employees.
Guyana Times understands that staff were informed that Dem Bake will be discontinuing its operations effective from November 30, 2024, citing rising operational costs, resources and an ongoing labour shortage as key factors in the decision.
In a telephone interview with this publication, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton disclosed that he was made aware of the matter via social media and not
through the formal provisions outlined in Guyana’s Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act.
The Minister stated, “We have no official information from the company… But once you’re doing termination of people, more so set of people, there are some procedures they have to follow. One of them is informing the Ministry, submitting the names of all the persons, years of service, and all other issues so that we can ensure that persons are given their right termination benefit.”
As a result, Hamilton indicated that a team of labour officers from the Ministry
pensated.
“I would advise CLO (Chief Labour Officer) to do that, the same thing I did with ITEL. It’s a news report caused me to tell him to make contact. That is when they advise people coming from overseas before they make a final decision.
“So, I would find from him, you know, what I would seek to have him make contact with the principals of this entity to get an understanding of what it is. And secondly, to advise them about the obligations to the State and to the employees… Our obligation is to the citizens of Guyana who would have been workers.
would engage Fernandes Guyana Enterprise during the week to acquire the information needed to ensure that the employees being laid-off are properly com-
We have had one such experience last year with Troy Resources when they closed, where we supervised them to the end of until they completed paying all the people
who were owed,” he added.
Once known as Doolie’s Bakery at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the bakery was rebranded Dem Bake by Fernandes Guyana Enterprise in hopes the transformation would provide customers with a service that matched the very best the industry had
to offer.
The rebranding began in 2018 and during that time, it was noted that the much sought-after upward move is unmistakable. Thus, Dem Bake became a household name gradually expanding and putting down roots in coastal communities in Georgetown, along the
East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, Parika, and Linden.
Additionally, several trucks were stationed across the country to service customers making it easy for citizens to purchase the company’s baked products such as bread, cakes, and pastries. (G1)
Less than six months after his acquittal in a high-profile murder trial, 25-year-old Brian Hermanstyne was found dead in his home in Wismar Hill, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Tuesday afternoon.
Police reported that Hermanstyne’s body was discovered around 17:00h, but details surrounding his death remain sketchy.
Dead: Brian Hermanstyne
It was reported that Hermanstyne and his older brother, Elden Hermanstyne, were both cleared of murder charges in May 2024. They had been accused of the 2022 death of Elick Alexander, a 55-yearold boat captain who operated a passenger vessel between the Wismar and Mackenzie shores in Linden. The brothers were initial-
ly charged after Alexander’s body was found floating in the Demerara River on November 20, 2022, one day after an alleged incident with them.
According to court records, the Hermanstyne brothers reportedly boarded Alexander’s boat on the Mackenzie shore and while approximately 40 feet from the Wismar shore, allegedly pushed Alexander overboard. The boat was then seen moving northward along the river without Alexander. The motive for the alleged attack was never clearly established. Police are awaiting a post-mortem report as investigations continue into Hermanstyne’s death. (G9)
“Nigel Hughes doesn't know what went wrong?” – Nandlall on ‘no apology’ comment
Attorney General and Legal Affairs
Minister Anil Nandlall has said there are lots of things related to the 2020 General and Regional Elections for which the Alliance For Change (AFC) should apologise.
At that party's press conference last week, AFC Leader Nigel Hughes was asked whether he would apologise for the events of the five-month-long elections, which were marred by attempts to undermine democracy. In response, Hughes said there is nothing to apologize for.
"I’m not sure what we would apologise for… If you’re talking about our role in elections, I would ask you to identify to me specifically what it is that you are saying the AFC did in the elections for which you are seeking an apology," Hughes said.
However, during his weekend programme of 'Issues in the News', Nandlall noted that, with that kind of approach, "they (AFC) will never ever come close to the doors of government".
During the 2020 elections, the AFC was a mem-
ber of the then coalition Government which faced massive accusations of undermining the electoral process. For five months following the March 2 elections, the APNU/AFC Coalition had employed various delaying tactics, including filing multiple court cases, to stall the official declaration of results, which were ultimately confirmed through a Caricom-led national recount.
In their report, Elections observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) noted that they had “never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election".
Nandlall reminded of the statements made by the international community, and noted that "the international community is looking, the voter is looking, the ambassadorial community is looking…and Nigel Hughes doesn't know what went wrong and what he did wrong?"
He also lambasted Hughes for distancing himself from questions about the Statements of Poll (SOPs), which would purportedly show that the APNU/AFC coalition had
won the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
When asked at the AFC press conference, Hughes said, "At the last election, I was not in the business of examining SOPs." However, Nandlall has contended, "Your party is claiming that they won the elections, you wouldn't one day ask to look at the SOPs?"
The Attorney General has also rejected claims from the Opposition that the charges of electoral fraud brought against several individuals are “trumped up”.
"You know what happened, and you saw what happened…you don't have to listen to me or the PPP, you just have to look back at the clips. That's the beauty of technology…they're right on your Facebook," Nandlall has said.
Nine people, including former Government Ministers and Opposition members, along with former employees of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), are before the court for electoral fraud. The cases come up again on November 29, 2024 before Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.
Winston Phillips, a 32-year-old Venezuelan labourer who resides at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, appeared on Wednesday in the Georgetown court of Principal Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty on a simple larceny charge of theft of two generator batteries, valued at $120,000, from the compound of the Home Affairs Ministry on Sunday, November 3.
He pleaded guilty as charged, and was handed a nine-month prison sentence.
According to the case presented to the court, during a power outage, an employee of that Ministry discovered the batteries missing while
attempting to start a generator located on the northern side of the compound, and an alarm was raised.
This immediately triggered an investigation that led to a review of CCTV footage, which showed Phillips entering the compound and removing the generator batteries before escaping through an eastern fence that was under construction at the time.
Authorities later apprehended Phillips, and he led police to the location where the stolen batteries were recovered.
Asked by Magistrate McGusty why he had taken the batteries, an apparently
Jailed: Winston Phillips
and I’m sorry.” (G9)
Daniel Spellen appeared on Wednesday in the Georgetown court of Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty on a charge of discharging a loaded firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The 34-year-old contractor of Houston, East Bank Demerara is accused of injuring Kevin Saul, his friend of 20 years, in a shooting incident that occurred on Freeman Street in East La Penitence, Georgetown on October 21.
According to reports, the incident occurred while Spellen, Saul and several friends were socialising. Saul reportedly observed Spellen
Daniel Spellen
handling a firearm, and allegedly questioned whether it was loaded. Spellen reportedly assured Saul that it was not, but moments later, as Saul turned away, he heard a loud explosion and felt a
burning sensation in his right leg above the ankle. It was observed that Saul was bleeding from a small wound, and he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was admitted a patient. Saul was discharged from the GPHC on November 3. Spellen was arrested on November 5. Under police caution, he reportedly detailed that he and Saul had been handling the firearm when it was accidentally fired.
Magistrate McGusty has placed Spellen on $200,000 bail, and has set the case for continuation on November 22. (G9)
…says billions in liquidated damages imposed
Attorney
General Anil Nandlall, SC
The Guyana Government had announced in April that a “Contract Compliance Unit” has been established within the Legal Affairs Ministry. Its duty is to tackle corruption and enforce penalties against defaulting contractors as it examines contractual breaches and enforces liquidated damages and other penalties.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall said on Tuesday evening that since its establishment, “billions in liquidated damages (have been) imposed”, and several major contracts have been termi-
nated due to corruption.
“I can assure you that, every day, our government is working on addressing corruption,” he declared during his weekly programme of ‘Issues in the News.’
The AG also noted that a lot of investigations are ongoing at the level of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework. He indicated that investigations under this framework have led to the exposure and subsequent laying of charges against Assistant Force Commissioner Calvin Brutus.
Brutus has been arraigned, along with his wife Adonika Aulder, his driver Kevin George, and businessman Asif Zafarally, in a Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on October 24 on a series of charges relating to financial fraud. These defendants have all been placed on bail in an accumulative sum that exceeds $10 million.
Nandlall has disclosed that more persons would be charged in relation to these cases.
“The files are being reviewed by the DPP because they are so many in number,” he said. Noting that Government is working to amend laws and put other provisions in place to reduce corruption, he thus cautioned, “A corrupt transaction involves two people. If you don’t offer a bribe, the other person can’t take the bribe.”
Pointing to the prevalence of fraud in the private sector, the AG said, “There are a lot of irregularities taking place in the corporate environment that we are concerned about.”
Referring to large sums of money in local bank accounts owned by certain operatives in the private sector, he said there are complaints of unfair advantage being taken on minority shareholders in private companies, and many allegations of a similar nature exist. He noted that, in order to curb corruption and unfair practices, Government is working on a Companies Act modelled after the Caricom legislation. And he said consultations in this regard would soon be completed, leading to next steps.
Recognizing the important role of visual arts in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), Senior Educational Officer Mark Roberts has noted that the subject produces qualities that are essential for Guyana’s workforce and industry.
Scores of teachers, students and local artists were
among persons who crowded the laws of the Castellani House in Georgetown to participate in the Education Ministry’s annual National Visual Arts Fair and Exhibition, which was launched on Wednesday, November 6.
This fair, which would be held until November 16, would give persons the opportunity to view and pur-
chase a wide array of products, ranging from paintings to hand crafted items; and aspiring artists would be afforded the opportunity to interact with several renowned Guyanese painters and designers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fair, Senior Educational Officer
Single mother escapes abusive relationship, gets new home from MoM …thanks President Ali for support
The living conditions of a 28-year-old single mother of three have been transformed as she is the new recipient of a home from the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative.
The home was handed over to Anisa Deoraj on Tuesday afternoon at her new address in Meten-MeerZorg, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) by the Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar.
The woman currently resides in Tuschen, EBE, after escaping an abusive relationship with her husband.
Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Deoraj said she managed to acquire the land in 2018, but was unable to build on it owing to the many challenges she was facing at the time. “I am currently living at Tuschen North Squatting Area. The state in which I am living is not comfortable and it is not a good environment for my kids or for myself. It is very untidy. Although I don’t feel nice living there, that is the best I could have done for us,” the emotional mother explained.
Her eldest child is 11 years old and will be sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) next year. Her other children are aged eight and four.
Deoraj expressed gratitude to President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is the mastermind behind the initiative, for allowing her to now create a better life for her children.
“Here will be a better upbringing for the kids and me, and we will be comfortable. I am hoping to move into my new home as soon as possible. I would like to say a huge thank you to President Ali and the MoM team for providing this home for me and my children,” the woman said.
She was qualified for the house after attending a meeting with the President at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, where she shared her story.
While handing over the home, Minister Indar encouraged the woman to continue to seek strength and hope so that she can accomplish much more in life.
“Strength comes from different places, and I am glad you found it, so that you can
move on in life. We are here as a region, as a government, and as a community to support you and your children,” the Minister stated.
He urged Deoraj to seek additional opportunities that are being created by the Government to further sustain herself and her children. Minister Indar stressed that the hallmark of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is to always listen to citizens and deploy any is help necessary to those who are in need.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube noted that the MoM initiative was an excellent idea that was crafted by President Ali to support the vulnerable within the country.
Since the establishment of the initiative two years ago, MoM has impacted at least seven families in the region thus far, improving the condition of the most vulnerable.
Also present at the handing-over were MoM’s Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Bhageshwar Murli and other members such as Shawn Duggin and Josh Kanhai.
Mark Roberts, in reaffirming the important role visual arts play in TEVT, said, “The role of visual arts in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) cannot be overstated. Visual arts nurture creativity, enhance problem-solving skills, and drive innovation. These are qualities that are essential for our workforce and industry today.
“Today, through TVET, we are empowering students with practical artistic skills that prepare them for diverse career paths in design, media, fine arts, and beyond,” he declared.
Roberts also disclosed that the Education Ministry
would continue to work with stakeholders and invest in the development of visual arts in Guyana when he said,
“The Ministry of Education, I must say, recognizes the value, and has placed visual arts at the core of the Strategic Plan (for education). By integrating arts education, we are fostering a generation that thinks creatively, innovates boldly, and communicates visually. Our aim is to continue to build strong partnerships with various art institutions, schools, and entities, provide resources for art programs, and expand access to high-quality visual arts education.”
Visual Arts Education Officer Lori-Ann Jacobs, who also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of this fair, highlighted some of the work the MoE’s TVET Unit has done over the years when she said, “The Ministry of Education TVET Unit, led by Ms Marcia PaddyAndrews, has been at the forefront of improving educational standards in all schools, and we have made significant strides this year. Our unit has been committing to training, equipping schools, revising curriculum, and closely monitoring and supervising the implementation of this curriculum to ensure that we meet and exceed TVET standards.”
With a national CSEC pass rate of 84% in visual arts this year, over 65% of Guyanese students who wrote the subject achieved grades One and Two passes. Notably, a total of 22 schools from across the country managed to achieve a whopping 100% pass rate in the subject; and several students have been awarded for exceptional performances at this year’s CSEC examinations.
This year’s Visual Arts Fair and Exhibition is being held under the theme: “Breaking Boundaries”.
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) conducted extensive stakeholders’ engagements across the three towns of New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, and Corriverton in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on November 4.
These exercises were led by ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack and Commissioners Norris Witter, Pandit Krishna Sharma, Reverend Rodwell Porter, Neaz Subhan, Chandrowtie Sarran and Deon Dick (Ras Khafra). They were accompanied by staff of the ERC Secretariat.
Throughout the engagements, Chairman Hack reiterated the ERC’s vision of a unified Guyana, where issues are addressed from a standpoint rooted in the collective wellbeing of all citizens.
“Our goal is to build a Guyana where people work together beyond racial and ethnic lines for the good of the country,” the Chairman has said.
The ERC’s outreach began in New Amsterdam with visits to the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the Berbice High School and the Tutorial Academy Secondary
School.
A stakeholder meeting held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall provided a platform for open discussions on community challenge s and strategies for promoting harmony.
In Rose Hall Town, the ERC conducted interactive sessions at the Lower Corentyne Secondary School and Corentyne Comprehensive High School, where students had opportunity to learn about the Commission’s role and the importance of fostering positive inter-ethnic relationships.
Another stakeholder meeting then followed at the
Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, where stakeholders were allowed to discuss ways to address community issues collectively within Rose Hall.
The ERC’s final stop was in Corriverton, where the team engaged students from Skeldon Line Path, Skeldon Secondary, and the Islamic Institute at Number 74 Village, before engaging in a stakeholders’ meeting in the afternoon at the Corriverton Recreational Park.
The full team then ventured into Orealla, where engagements were held with the Toshao, Councilors and residents of Orealla and the neighbouring village of
Siparuta under the Orella Benab. Attendees were edified on the role, functions, work plan, and efforts of the Commission in the furtherance of its constitutional mandate. The ERC also utilized the opportunity to engage students from Orealla Primary and Secondary schools.
All of the school engagements conducted in Region 6 were centred around discussions on respect, tolerance and inclusivity, with an emphasis on educating our youths about the importance of living in harmony with all of the ethnic groups residing
in Guyana.
Moreover, the ERC invited the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to join in these school visits and stakeholder sessions in order to deliver brief presentations on road safety in recognition of Road Safety Awareness Month in November. The presence of officers was also instrumental in providing clarity on matters within their remit.
Additionally, concerns were raised and addressed throughout all the interactions that were held with the hundreds of stakeholders engaged in Region Six.
15-year-old
Notably, concerns that fell outside of the constitutional mandate of the ERC were also noted, with the ERC giving its commitment that the relevant agencies would be engaged to provide relief. Since being reconstituted in March of 2023, the ERC’s Board of Commissioners has held several engagements with regional officials and stakeholders during outreaches to Regions across Guyana. The ERC remains steadfast in its mission to promote understanding, combat discrimination, and advance tolerance throughout Guyana.
A15-year-old lass has been hospitalized at the GPHC with serious injuries after being crushed by a truck at Grove, East Bank Demerara.
The incident occurred at the junction of the Grove Public Road and Kaneville/ Samatta Point main access road as the girl was attempting to cross the road on Wednesday at about 09:20h.
Motor lorry GXX 1162 was at the time being driven by a 42-year-old man, and reports are that the vehicle was proceeding south along the eastern driving lane on the Grove Public Road in a line of vehicular traffic.
As the lorry approached this particular junction at Jimbo Bridge, the driver stopped behind another truck to allow vehicles to proceed west out of the access road; but as the lorry in
front drove off, this lorry followed. Coincidentally, the teenager started to cross the road, and as a result, the truck knocked her down and its front wheel crushed her.
Public-spirited citizens rushed the girl to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, from whence she was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where an emergency sur-
gery was performed on her hip. She is currently a patient at that hospital. A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the truck, but no trace of alcohol was detected in his system. He has nevertheless been taken into custody, and has since been served with a notice of intended prosecution.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired)
Mark Phillips has emphasised the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilience across the Caribbean, underscoring the importance of disaster management initiatives and reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable approach to disaster preparedness.
Prime Minister Phillips made the statement during his remarks to the 14th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday.
In emphasising the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness, he highlighted the impact of climate change on the Caribbean, pointing out Guyana's firsthand experiences with severe weather events as highlighted in the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the unequivocal warming of the global climate system.
“The La Niña-induced floods of 2021 and the El Niño-driven wildfires of 2023-2024 are not isolated, they are a clarion call to all of us in the Caribbean,” he said, underscoring the necessity of Guyana's climate disaster management strategy.
He said that while it was impossible to prevent disas-
ters from occurring, deliberate steps can be taken to mitigate the impact of disasters and ensure that communities and countries are prepared and resilient in the face of adversity.
In light of these realities, the Prime Minister said, “Guyana has, therefore, made significant strides in adopting a comprehensive disaster management approach aligned with the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and CDEMA's Regional Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy 20142024.”
The Prime Minister
noted, too, that Guyana’s Disaster Risk Management Bill, which is currently under review, aims to establish a solid legal framework for managing both natural and human-induced hazards in Guyana.
Addressing regional partnerships and collaborative efforts, he expressed gratitude to CDEMA for its role in supporting Guyana and other Caribbean nations through coordinated disaster responses and technical assistance.
"CDEMA has played a crucial role in supporting Guyana and other Caribbean nations in building resilient communities through coor-
dinated responses, shared expertise, and technical assistance. These collaborations are a strong demonstration of the strength of a united Caribbean working toward a safer future," he noted.
As part of Guyana’s broader strategy to address climate and disaster challenges, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and noted that enhancements are currently being made to Guyana’s Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He said that improvements to the systems were 70 per cent complete.
Additionally, Guyana has embarked on the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to equip every community with the resources to anticipate and respond to natural threats.
“Our vision is to ensure that, even in the face of disaster, every Guyanese citizen is equipped to respond
and recover,” the PM stated. Community-based strategies are equally vital to the disaster management framework, according to Prime Minister Phillips. He said, “Community-based disaster management remains a cornerstone of our strategy, helping to empower our people and prepare them for swift response in times of need. We are also fostering a culture of preparedness that engages individuals in safeguarding their futures through the Caribbean Resilience Framework and the Community Risk Assessment Tool (CCRIT).”
During his remarks, the Prime Minister also underscored Guyana’s commitment to environmental protection and emphasised the importance of a robust regulatory framework. In this regard, he highlighted some of the steps that Guyana has taken to safeguard the environment, including the establishment of the Petroleum Commission of Guyana, the implementation of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, and the drafting of an Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness,
Response, Cooperation, and Responsibility Bill for 2024. PM Phillips urged Caribbean leaders to treat resilience as a priority across all sectors, adding that disaster preparedness must be integrated into policies and development strategies across industries, from education and healthcare to agriculture and tourism.
“We must engage our communities, particularly our youth, in this mission. They are active participants in securing our future. We must, therefore, empower our young people to engage in disaster preparedness to foster a generation that values and understands resilience, a generation that will be well-prepared to lead.”
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about continued regional cooperation and resilience-building efforts.
"The challenges we face are significant, but they are not insurmountable…May we actively and willingly mobilise our collective expertise, resources, and determination to create a region that stands resilient in the face of adversity.”
The University of Guyana is honouring the incredible journeys of those who are the first in their families to achieve a university degree. For these graduates, earning a degree means more than personal success — it’s a victory for their families and communities. Their stories reflect resilience, ambition, and a deep commitment to creating new paths for future generations. Below, we feature a few of these trailblazers whose academic journeys would no doubt serve as an inspiration to many others.
For Areana Jainandan, 24, being the first in her family to graduate from university is indeed a proud moment. The young teacher of Vreed-enHoop Primary has successfully completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education).
“UG was a rollercoaster for me. There were moments when the number of assignments and deadlines felt overwhelming, and I considered quitting. However, I’m glad I didn’t. I’ve reached the finish line and am now a graduate teacher,” she shared.
“I stayed the course, and today I am overjoyed that I have made myself and my family proud. My family, especially my mother, has always supported me throughout my educational journey. Most importantly, I emerged stronger, equipped with not just a degree, but also a profound appreciation for the journey and the resilient spirit it instilled in me.”
Areana explained that her dream was always to acquire a university education, and that she was determined
not to allow anything to prevent her from achieving that goal.
“Even though my parents were very poor, they always instilled in me and my younger sister the importance of getting a sound education. From high school, I went straight to the Teachers’ Training College; and again, without taking a break, after I graduated as a trained teacher, I went straight to UG. Certainly, I will not stop here. I want to continue working to become the best I can be in my career,” she added.
Inspiration from the journey
Akeem Stoby is paving the way as the first in his family to acquire a university education. He will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Akeem notes that this achievement “creates that path for my younger siblings
to follow.”
His sister has already taken inspiration from his
sue her own dreams.
Akeem’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. He ini-
journey, enrolling at the University of Guyana to pur-
up. The hard work, determination, and commitment truly paid off,” she shared.
tially lacked a laptop and had to rely on borrowing from others.
“When I started university, I was unemployed…my eldest sibling sent a computer, which helped me a lot,” he explained, emphasising the importance of family support in overcoming hurdles.
Throughout his time at UG, Akeem held various leadership roles, including treasurer of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) and faculty representative. These experiences, he says, helped shape him.
Looking forward, Akeem aspires to become a Chartered Accountant. He hopes to leave a lasting legacy for his community. He has said, “I want to be that person that when a little child looks up at me, he/ she will say, ‘I want to be like Akeem’.”
O’statia Simon, a 20-yearold from St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri, is the first in her family to achieve a university degree, earning a BSc in Public Management.
Known as Miss Region Four Indigenous Heritage Queen 2024, she hopes to inspire her family and siblings by showing them that perseverance can open doors.
“Being the first to reach this level of education in my little family makes me tear
Like many others, her journey has not been without struggles, including limited resources and moments of self-doubt. “I’d call home crying, longing to return to my village,” she recalls, adding, “but I never backed down, and that’s the mentality I live with. My biggest lesson was trusting the process.”
She credits her parents as the foundation of her success. “Their stories and sacrifices are my true inspiration. Neither of them finished school, but they’ve ensured we get the best education,” she says proudly.
As a trailblazer in her family, O’statia hopes to give back to her village and region. “I stand as a pioneer of hope,” she says. “If you have a dream, it was placed there for a reason. Take control of it.”
Alliah Simon, a proud Lokono hiaro from Pakuri Village, is set to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Her journey has been driven by a deep commitment to conservation and Indigenous advocacy.
Reflecting on her role as a leader on campus, she shared, “I actively engaged in campus life, serving as President of the University of Guyana Biology Club and co-founding the University of Guyana
Indigenous Students Society.”
Through this society, Alliah focused on preserving Indigenous cultures and knowledge while building a supportive community for Indigenous students studying at UG.
Alliah credits her mother as her greatest inspiration, saying, “As long as I can remember, my mum has been making sacrifices for me and my siblings.”
Her achievement is a moment of pride for their family, and Alliah’s impact is already visible — her two older sisters are now first-year university students, following her lead.
Alliah hopes to further her studies in conservation in order to champion environmental preservation for Indigenous communities.
“The legacy I want to leave is one of empowerment —especially for women, Indigenous women and those from marginalised backgrounds,” Alliah states.
Blazing the path
Aaliyah Baker is the first in her family to graduate from a university. She has successfully completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.
Reflecting on this achievement, she says, “I am blazing the path for my cousins, my brother and sister. It kind of feels like pressure, but it means the world to me.”
Aaliyah’s journey has not only inspired her younger family members, but has also become a beacon of hope, as she breaks generational barriers in her family. Her path was not without challenges. Adjusting to university life was daunting, especially after transitioning directly from high school.
“I was expecting to be spoon-fed, but I had to learn to work independently,” she shares.
Aaliyah also faced academic setbacks, including having to redo a course that delayed her graduation. Yet, she persevered, crediting her parents and boyfriend for their support. “My mum does two jobs, and her hard work pushed me to keep going. There is no such thing as giving up.”
With aspirations for a Master’s in Biochemistry and a career in the oil and gas industry, Aaliyah also hopes to mentor young students in STEM. She encourages others: “Delay is never denial. Keep pushing forward. Make yourself proud, and never give up.”
These graduates stand as pillars of hope and inspiration, showing that dreams can be realised with determination and a strong support system. (Feature written by the Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana)
For two pairs of siblings, this year’s graduation exercise at the University of Guyana marks an extraordinary moment of family pride and achievement. Nicholas and Manisha Sagadaya, along with Xavi and Jomaine Greenidge, are among those celebrating a unique milestone at UG: graduating side by side.
United by shared challenges, support, and the special experience of earning a degree alongside a sibling, they reflect on the bonds that carried them through, celebrating not only their academic achievements, but also the powerful connection that brought them here.
For Nicholas and Manisha Sagadaya, this graduation is the culmination of an academic journey that began in nursery school. Although Nicholas has always been a year behind his sister, this time, they’ll walk across the graduation stage together.
Reflecting on their shared journey, Nicholas has said, “Graduating together feels like reaching mutual ground. Manisha has always inspired me, pushing me to excel.”
Throughout their studies, the siblings leaned on each other, supporting each other through tough times and competing in ways that fuelled their ambition. From late-night study sessions to challenging each other’s ideas, they created a foundation of growth and respect.
“It was like iron sharpening iron,” Nicholas has said in describing their part-
nership.
Meanwhile, Manisha sees a gap year as the twist of fate that brought their journeys into sync. It allowed them to tackle challenges together, guided by their shared motto: ‘Put your best foot forward.’
For her, this achievement is more than a degree; it’s a tribute to the partnership they’ve developed along the way.
Balancing family responsibilities with school wasn’t easy for the duo, but they drew strength from their parents’ guidance. Their mother, who wasn’t able to finish high school, instilled in them a fierce dedication to education, while their father reinforced its value as “the ticket to independence.”
In the process, the siblings have come to admire different qualities in each other. Nicholas respects his sister’s structured approach to academics, while Manisha admires her brother’s natural ease with public speaking. Inspired by Nicholas, Manisha went on to establish the UGBC Orators’ Mastery Society, helping others find confidence in their voices.
Looking ahead, they both plan to continue their studies, with Nicholas pursuing a PhD in Biodiversity and Manisha aiming for an MSc in Procurement Management. They are eager to see what the future holds, knowing they’ll always be there to support each other through every new chapter. Manisha will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Management, while Nicholas
will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.
Journey of faith, family and fortitude
Graduating alongside his brother wasn’t something Xavi Greenidge had planned, but it quickly became a meaningful chapter in his life. Xavi recalls, “Graduating together is unbelievable, especially since my programme was initially my second choice.”
When Jomaine’s acceptance letter finally arrived, both brothers felt a surge of relief — they’d be starting this journey side by side. For Jomaine, the experience made graduation even more significant. “This wasn’t part of the plan, but going through it together turned it into the ultimate celebration.”
The Greenidge brothers faced their own unique challenges along the way. With only one high-speed laptop computer between them, completing assignments tested their patience and required careful coordination.
“My laptop was painfully slow, so we had to take turns with his gaming laptop to finish assignments on time,” Xavi has said with a laugh.
The duo also juggled part-time jobs, which required resilience and careful time management. But with faith as their anchor, they pushed through. “Knowing the other understood exactly what we were going through made it easier to keep going,” Jomaine has shared.
Their parents, who always encouraged prayer and perseverance, celebrat-
ed each of their victories, and constantly reminded them
of their potential. For Xavi, graduating together “is as much a tribute to them as it is to our accomplishment.”
In this journey, both brothers learned important lessons from one another. For Jomaine, Xavi’s resilience served as a powerful reminder to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things got. Xavi, on the other hand, values the steady support his brother has shown, seeing first-hand the strength that comes from family.
As they look to the future, Xavi and Jomaine feel a renewed sense of confidence, ready to face new challenges together.
Xavi and Jomaine will be graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Applied and Exploration Geology) from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
As Nicholas, Manisha, Xavi, and Jomaine prepare to walk the graduation stage, it’s not just the end of school—it’s a celebration of everything they’ve built together. From latenight study sessions to pep talks during tough times, these siblings have shared every step, helping each other reach dreams that once felt distant. They’ve shown that family is not only who stands by you, but also who pushes you forward. With degrees in hand, they’re ready for what’s next, knowing the bond that brought them here would carry them through, no matter where life leads. (Feature written by the Department of Events of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana)
Cuba's national electrical grid collapsed on Wednesday as Hurricane Rafael slammed into the island's southwest shore, packing sustained winds of 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph ) and wreaking havoc on the already crisis-stricken country.
The hurricane was churning about 75km (45 miles) southwest of Cuba's capital Havana late in the afternoon, lashing the capital city of nearly two million with driving rain and violent wind gusts.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) warned of a "life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds and flash flooding" across much of western Cuba. The region, including Havana, remained under a hurricane warning.
Cuba's State-run grid operator UNE said the high winds had caused the country's electrical system to collapse. State-run television reported the entire population of 10 million persons was without electricity – the second such incident in less than a month on the island.
“2 crazy people”: Argentina bonds pop as investors cheer Milei-Trump prospect
Argentina's dollar bonds jumped in early trade on Wednesday and the country's risk index dropped sharply, with investors cheering the prospect of closer ties between libertarian President Javier Milei and newly-elected US ally Donald Trump.
Argentina's markets have already been on a tear under the pro-market austerity of Milei, a right-wing economist and former TV pundit who shares some of the same politics and the brash showman energy of Trump, who won a comeback election on Tuesday.
"El Loco" – the crazy one. He's become a global rightwing icon and drawn close to Trump and allies like Elon Musk.
On the streets of Buenos Aires, many saw Trump's win as a positive for the South American farm-driven economy.
"It seems to me that they are going to get along well," said Buenos Aires resident Micaela Saracero, 29, referring to Milei and Trump. "In economic terms it could have a great impact on Argentina if they get along between two crazy people."
The capital of two million residents is especially vulnerable to a hurricane strike and flooding, with antiquated, densely packed housing and decrepit infrastructure.
Schools and public transportation in the city were suspended until further notice, and authorities grounded flights at both Havana's Jose Marti International Airport as well as at the popular beach resort at Varadero through today.
Officials said they had evacuated more than 100 Canadian tourists from
Conditions had deteriorated quickly by mid-afternoon in Havana, east of the storm's predicted track, and wind and rain had already downed trees and powerlines on city streets.
Cayo Largo, another popular beach destination off southwestern Cuba.
The hurricane is the latest blow to the country's already precarious grid and infrastructure.
Rafael grazed the Cayman Islands as a Category One cyclone overnight before increasing in less than 24 hours to a much more powerful Category Three storm off Cuba's southwestern shore.
Forecasters predict Rafael will spin off towards the western Gulf of Mexico later this week, though the track remains uncertain, the NHC said.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday congratulated former US President Donald Trump on his victory in the presidential election, asking him for dialogue and respect for sovereignty.
In a post on X, Sheinbaum, who took office just last month, wrote she was sure both would "advance in the broad bilateral agenda" that connects the neighbouring countries.
"There will be good relations with the United States," she had said earlier in the day, seeking to calm
worries ahead of Trump's return to power. "I'm convinced of that."
The Mexican peso took a significant hit in overnight trading, dropping to the lowest level in more than two years. As markets digested Trump's win during the day, it trimmed losses, trading at 20.08 pesos per dollar at 17:00h ET.
Earlier in the day, she said she would wait to congratulate Trump until votes were counted.
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, her predecessor, also famously delayed congratulating Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 pres-
idential election, saying he would wait until legal challenges were concluded.
Lopez Obrador's decision was seen by many as a bid to avoid friction with Washington during the transition period.
Mexico is the top trade partner of the US, and the bilateral relationship with its northern neighbour is by far its most important.
While the US election extended a streak of volatility and weakness for emerging markets, Mexico was seen as particularly vulnerable given its exposure to the US economy.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Sovereign bonds advanced an average 2.5 per cent in early trading, while the risk index, a measure of the premium investors demand to hold local bonds versus equivalent US debt, dropped to just over 880 basis points, the lowest in five years.
Milei, who campaigned with a chainsaw as a symbol of his planned spending cuts and often belts out rock songs, has been called
Damian Roux, a 23-yearold in Buenos Aires, agreed Trump's victory in the US election was positive for Argentina.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
ATrinidad and Tobago Policeman was killed on duty in an early-morning shooting on November 6 that also left a colleague wounded and a gunman dead.
PC Krishna Banahar, who was based at Siparia CID, was pronounced dead at Point Fortin Hospital at 05:20h.
The bandit is yet to be identified.
Initial reports said Banahar and a colleague, Corporal Mohammed, were on duty at St Rose Street in Guapo, on the outskirts of Point Fortin, where gunmen shot at them, hitting both. They fired back, hitting
one of the shooters.
The Police and the other wounded man were taken to the hospital, where Banahar died.
Other Police from the South Western Division were notified and a search is under way for the other suspect. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
(Trinidad Newsday)
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest falls to lowest since
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell 30.6 per cent in the 12 months through July compared to the same period a year prior, according to government data released on Wednesday – the smallest area destroyed in the world's largest rainforest in nine years.
Roughly 6288 square kilometres (2428 square miles) of the Amazon were destroyed, an area larger than the US state of Delaware, data from Brazil's space research agency Inpe showed. Scientists consider the Amazon's protection vital to curbing cli-
Panama's Maritime Authority said on Wednesday it has begun a process to cancel flag registrations on four LNG vessels sanctioned by the United States over their links with Russian gas producer Novatek.
The vessels – North Air, North Mountain, North Way and North Sky – are managed by United Arab Emirates(UAE)registered White Fox Ship Management.
The four switched to Panama's flag registry earlier this year from Singapore, according to maritime database Equasis.
The targeted vessels transferred LNG from Russia's Yamal and Arctic LNG 2 projects as part of a lease agreement with Novatek and its UAE-based affiliate New Transshipment FZE, the State Department said.
White Fox Ship Management was sanctioned by Washington in August.
The State Department said last week that Russian firms had sought to obtain second-hand LNG tankers through third-country front companies like White Fox to circumvent US sanctions and revitalise Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project.
The United States has imposed several rounds of
sanctions on companies supporting Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project, including its developer Novatek, and its LNG shipments. The project had been due to become Russia's largest LNG plant with eventual output of 19.8 million metric tons per year.
The tankers had previously been identified as part of Russia's dark tanker fleet, according to media reports quoted by the authority.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
mate change because of the vast amount of climate-warming carbon dioxide its trees absorb.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office nearly two years ago on a promise to step up enforcement of environmental laws to rein in deforestation, which had skyrocketed under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
"What was presented here today is the fruit of our labour," said Environment Minister Marina Silva.
"It is possible for us to confront climate change," Silva said.
The data, which is not measured according to the calendar year because of intense cloud cover in the
November to April rainy season, is the first full annual measure under Lula. Amazon deforestation has fallen by nearly half compared to the final full year under Bolsonaro. Lula has pledged to end deforestation in the country by 2030 in his bid to restore Brazil's climate credentials, with the country also set to host the United Nations COP30 climate talks in the Amazon rainforest region next year.
Lula's government has promised to further bolster enforcement next year by hiring some 800 new federal environmental agents, the largest hiring drive in more than a decade.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Oil prices settled lower on Wednesday as investors weighed a strong US dollar against the potential that US President-elect Donald Trump's foreignpolicy plans could squeeze global oil supply.
Brent crude oil futures settled down 61 cents, or 0.81 per cent, at US$74.92 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled down 30 cents or 0.42 per cent, to US$71.69.
Trump's election triggered a large sell-off that pushed oil prices down by more than US$2 per barrel during early trade as the US dollar rallied, currently at its highest level since September 2022.
A stronger dollar makes greenback-denominated commodities such as oil more expensive for holders of other currencies and tends to weigh on prices.
"All the excitement and initial selling enthusiasm has since waned, and I think there is more upside rather than downside in the short term," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group, noting that investors on Wednesday looked more at the short-term supplydemand outlook.
"There was an over-reaction to the election results, and that a Trump victory could have caused the US industry to sort of drill itself into oblivion and cause a glut," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital in New York.
"But cooler heads have prevailed and this market has a lot of problems on its hands," he added, citing the war in the Middle East as a supportive factor because it could weigh on supply.
Trump's re-election could also mean the renewal of sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, removing barrels from the market, which would be bullish, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.
Iran is an OPEC member with production of around 3.2 million barrels per day, or three per cent of global output.
However, a crackdown on Iran may be more difficult as the country has become adept at evading sanctions, Alex Hodes, oil analyst at brokerage firm StoneX, said in a note.
Trump's support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could heighten instability in the Middle East, according to Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates.
That could boost oil prices as investors price in a potential disruption to global oil supplies. Trump is expected to continue arming Israel.
But setting aside the US election and geopolitical uncertainties, persistent trends in oil markets are likely to shape the outlook ahead, Mukesh Sahdev, global head of commodity markets, oil at Rystad Energy, said in a note.
OPEC+ still pulls the strings, refinery margins battle weaker demand, and higher supply and oil trade flows continue to battle inefficiencies, according to Sahdev.
US crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories rose last week, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.
Crude inventories climbed by 2.1 million barrels to 427.7 million barrels in the week ending November 1, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.1-million-barrel rise.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Donald Trump reshaped the US electorate once again this year, piling up support among Hispanic voters, young people, and Americans without college degrees – and winning more votes in nearly all of the country as he reclaimed the presidency.
Following the Republican's populist campaign, in which he promised to shield workers from global economic competition and offered a wide range of tax-cut proposals, Trump's increasing strength among working-class voters and non-white Americans helped grow his share of the vote almost everywhere.
The starkest increase may have been the 14-percentage-point swing in Trump's share of Hispanic voters, according to an exit poll conducted by Edison Research. Some 46 per cent of self-identified Hispanic voters picked Trump, up from 32 per cent in the 2020 election when Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden.
Hispanics have largely favoured Democrats for decades, but Trump's share this year was the highest for a Republican presidential candidate in exit polls going back to the 1970s, and just higher than the 44 per cent share won by Republican George W Bush in 2004, according to data compiled by the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.
In counties where more
Lebanese rescuers say 30 killed
First responders have recovered the bodies of 30 persons killed in an Israeli air strike on an apartment building south of Beirut, Lebanon’s Civil Defence agency says.
Tuesday evening’s attack destroyed one side of the four-storey building that was reportedly housing displaced people in the predominantly Sunni Muslim coastal town of Barja and sparked a fire.
The Israeli military said it struck “terror infrastructure” belonging to the Shia armed group Hezbollah.
Another 40 persons were killed in Israeli strikes around the eastern governorates of Baalbek and Bekaa on Wednesday,
according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Lebanese Culture Minister Mohammad Mortada also said one of the strikes had seriously damaged an Ottomanera building in the vicinity of the Roman ruins in the city of Baalbek, which is a Unesco World Heritage site.
An Israeli military official said its strikes in the Baalbek area had targeted Hezbollah operatives.
Meanwhile, a rocket fired by Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon killed an Israeli man near a kibbutz in northern Israel, paramedics said.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
than 20 per cent of voting-age Americans were Hispanic, Trump's margin over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris improved by 13 points relative to his 2020 performance against Biden.
Trump has made opposition to immigration a cornerstone of his political career, pledging to conduct mass deportations of people living in the US illegally. Many Hispanic voters supported Trump's hardline positions, according to the Edison Research exit poll.
Hispanic Americans skew more working-class than the country's white majority, with larger shares of Hispanics lacking college degrees, according to US Census Bureau estimates.
Hispanics also tend to be younger than average in America, which means many have had less time to build wealth and have also been more exposed to the economic troubles of recent years, including high inflation and soaring interest rates for mortgages. Trump won 43 per cent of voters age 18 to 29 – seven points more than in 2020.
Trump, 78, clinched Tuesday's election after
a polarizing and dizzying campaign marked by two attempts on his life and Harris's late entry into the race following President Joe Biden's surprise withdrawal.
Trump's resounding victory underscored how disenchanted Americans had become with the economy, border security and the direction of the country and its culture. Voters demanded a change, even if the agent of change was a convicted felon twice impeached and no longer the Washington outsider he was in his 2016 campaign.
"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Trump said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida.
Major stock markets around the world rallied following Trump's victory, and the dollar was set for its biggest one-day jump since 2020.
Trump's win will have major implications for US trade and climate change policies, Americans' taxes and immigration, and US foreign policy, including in the Middle East and Ukraine.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Facing uncertain fate under Trump, Ukraine appeals to his “strength”
Ukraine appealed to Donald Trump's image as a tough leader on Wednesday in the hope of persuading the returning U.S. president not to abandon its cause in pursuit of peace with Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump, who has criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv and vowed to end the war with Russia quickly, without saying how.
In a message released shortly after Trump claimed victory, Zelenskiy said he looked forward to an "era
of a strong United States of America under President Trump's decisive leadership".
"I appreciate President Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelenskiy wrote. "This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together."
The Ukrainian president later said, in a post on X, that he had called Trump to congratulate him and pledged to work together with him.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Be open to suggestions, but first consider the source, and do only what feels comfortable and in your best interest. A reunion will take you on a trip back in time, encouraging forward-thinking.
Tune in to what and who interests you most. Speak up and share your thoughts and beliefs, and you’ll find your tribe. Joining forces with like-minded people will lead to meaningful connections.
Take care of situations swiftly. Create opportunities that suit your needs and protect your reputation from those trying to rewrite history. Define who you are and what you want.
Participation is the name of the game; if you want to win, you have to play. Set high standards and develop a technique that differentiates you from any competition. Don’t fear being different.
Take advantage of any chance to demonstrate what you can achieve. Show your leadership ability and back your words with action. A passionate display that demonstrates honor and integrity will win favors and support.
Take time to participate in something that excites you. The outcome will encourage you to incorporate more activities into your routine that ease stress and connect you to positive individuals who inspire you.
Refuse to let domestic problems deplete your energy or result in an ultimatum. Surround yourself with upbeat people who offer positive suggestions. A reunion will brighten your day.
A journey will lead to enlightenment. Whether it’s an emotional or physical trip, the outcome will leave you with clarity. Be open to the universe, and gain insight by observing how others react to you.
Someone will mislead or tempt you; be ready to say no. A quick response will send a warning not to mess with you. Create opportunities that add to your security.
A partnership or joint venture will take a turn. Pay attention and refuse to give anyone authority to decide for you. Let go of deadweight and do whatever it takes to ease stress.
An opportunity to incorporate something you enjoy doing into your daily routine will help to ease stress, encourage personal growth and enhance your circle of friends. Find new outlets for your skills.
Hesitating or giving in to temptation will be a sign of weakness. Refuse to let anyone compromise you mentally, physically or financially. Stand up for yourself.
In the world of Guyanese motor racing, the ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions stands as the season’s premier event, drawing top racers and their roaring machines from across the Caribbean.
Scheduled for November 10 at the South Dakota Circuit, the event promises high-speed action, fierce rivalries, and a showcase of the best driving talent in the region.
This year, all eyes are on Ryan Rahaman, a seasoned racer with a legacy to uphold and a new title to chase.
Backed by Shi-Oil, a proud, family-owned, independent fuel distributor, Rahaman is poised to cause an uproar in the highly competitive Sports Tuner Championship.
Shi-Oil, Guyana’s independent fuel distributor,
is no stranger to motorsport sponsorship. Known for supporting local sports, especially football through the popular Slingerz FC, ShiOil has again committed to sponsoring Rahaman. With a car decked
“We’re proud to support Ryan, and continue our tradition of investing in Guyanese sports,” said Aswell Mohabir, a representative of Shi-Oil, at a recent
Ryan Rahaman and his machine are sponsored by Shi-Oil Shi-Oil’s Aswell
out in Shi-Oil’s signature branding, Rahaman will be one of over 80 racers tearing up the track at the Caribbean Clash of Champions.
sponsorship event at Rahaman’s Sandy Babb Street garage.
This partnership is not just about brand visibility;
The Group 4 race at the ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions on Sunday, November 10, promises to be a showdown of powerhouse drivers, with big names vying for victory on the South Dakota Circuit. Championship leader Vishok Persaud sits at 133 points, holding a narrow lead, with Mark Vieira trailing
by just 11 points. However, Vieira’s participation hangs in the balance, as he awaits medical clearance following a recent injury.
If Vieira is unable to race, it won’t mean smooth sailing for Persaud, as he faces intense competition from twotime Caribbean Champion Kristian Jeffrey, who is back on the track after a break, and has made his intentions clear: he’s here to win, and is eyeing the track record.
Adding to the heated lineup is U.S. driver Quinlan Lall, who brings international flair to the mix and is ready to take on the local stars.
the ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions.
Alongside these frontrunners, several household names, including the seasoned Andrew King and Kevin Jeffrey, are set to compete, and both are known for their consistency and competitiveness.
GMR&SC President Mahendra Boodhoo will join the grid alongside experienced drivers Mohan Rangasammy, Danny Persaud, Stefan Jeffrey, Denzel Hopkinson, Gavin Gayadin, and others, creating a vibrant and thrilling field. With such a stacked lineup, the Group 4 race is shaping to be one of the highlights of
Fans can expect fierce competition, record-breaking speed, and adrenaline-pumping action on Sunday, November 10, as these drivers give it their all in pursuit of victory.
General admission tickets are priced at $4000 each, while a child’s admission ticket is priced at $2000. A ticket to the DJ Stress Fan Zone Hospitality Suite costs $5000 for adults and $3000 for children. A ticket to the AJM Elite Zone is priced at $25,000, and an exclusive race day experience is offered therein. General tickets are available at the GMRSC Office, while interested patrons can contact DJ Stress at 609-5100 or AJM Elite Zone at 722-3201 for hospitality tickets.
it’s a testament to Shi-Oil’s pride as Guyana’s only independent fuel importer and distributor, serving the nation with gasoline, diesel, lubricants and kerosene.
Mohabir has underlined Shi-Oil’s commitment to fuelling the nation, both literally and figuratively, by stating, “Being 100% Guyanese-owned and operated, we believe in supporting our athletes and helping them reach new heights.”
Rahaman, a former Caribbean champion, currently leads the standings in the Sports Tuner category with 119 points. His nearest competitor, Nasrudeen Mohamed, trails with 90 points, while Azaad Hassan and Adrian Fernandes are close behind with 89 and 86 points respectively.
The narrow gap in points sets the stage for an exhilarating showdown,
the championship in the season’s final race.
“Shi-Oil’s support is invaluable,” said Rahaman, expressing gratitude for the company’s sponsorship. He added, “It’s this kind of support that pushes me to perform at my best.”
The South Dakota Circuit, renowned for its challenging turns and exhilarating straightaways, will be buzzing with excitement as fans gather to witness the final race of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) season. As the ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions nears, anticipation builds. For motor racing fans, November 10 marks the ultimate showdown at the South Dakota Circuit, where speed, skill, and strategy would determine who takes home the coveted championship.
With Shi-Oil fuelling his pursuit, Rahaman has said he is ready to make his mark, leaving fans with memories of high-speed thrills and the enduring spirit of Guyanese motor racing.
In a low-scoring thriller, the Anacondas emerged victorious over the Berbice Caimans by two wickets, chasing down a modest target of 99 runs with eight wickets down and 14 balls to spare at the Everest Cricket Ground on Camp Road in Georgetown.
Sent in to bat, the Caimans struggled against a disciplined Anacondas bowling attack, and managed only 98 runs in their 20 overs. Jonte Thomas with 26, and opener Sachin Balagobin’s 52ball 25 offered brief resistance, but their efforts fell short as the rest of the batting lineup failed to make an impact.
Abdul Ramsammy led the attack in bowling for the Anacondas by claiming 4 wickets for just 16 runs in his four-over spell. Captain Antony Adams supported with figures of 3/20, and Richie Looknauth chipped in with 2/21. They combined to restrict the Caimans to a modest total.
The Anacondas’ chase was not without drama, as
they lost seven wickets in the process. Captain Adams steadied the innings with a patient 30 off 37 balls, and Orrin Gibson contributed 29 runs from 32 balls.
The tension dissipated in the 18th over when Ramnarine Chatura hit a boundary with a well-timed cut to seal the win and finish
The League is sponsored by BetCageSport, and is endorsed by the Government of Guyana.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024
Arain-affected daynight clash between the Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, has resulted in the Harpy Eagles recording their first win of the CG United Regional Super50 tournament.
The Eagles won this match by 8 wickets, and the victory did not only boost their confidence after they had suffered crushing single-wicket losses to the Barbados Pride and the Windward Islands Volcanoes, but it also boosted their standings by moving
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), in collaboration with the Special Education Needs (SEN) Department of the Ministry of Education, hosted a competition for special needs students on November 1st, 2024 at the David Rose Special School on Thomas Lands in Georgetown. Designed to foster intellectual growth and inclusivity, the competition encouraged students to apply the skills they developed during training sessions conducted by their teachers through the GCF.
Seventeen students, including six girls, registered for the competition from David Rose Special School, Diamond Special Needs School, Linden SEN Centre, St Barnabas Special School, and New Amsterdam Special Needs School.
Ms Sabine McIntosh, head of the GCF Special Needs Committee, led the day’s activities, guiding students as they showcased their chess abilities in a spirited tournament.
The event marked a major achievement in the Guyana Chess Federation’s (GCF’s) ongoing initiative to introduce chess to students from SEN schools.
them up into the coveted topfour.
Having languished at fifth place with 14 points prior to Tuesday’s game, the Harpy Eagles accumulated 11 points to move up to fourth place, and now have 25 points from four games played. Their run rate has also been boosted from -0.089 to +0.405.
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are also on 25 points, having played 3 games; while the Barbados Pride currently lead the pack with 31 points from 3 games played.
Despite losing to the Harpy Eagles, the Leeward
Islands Hurricanes continue to occupy second position with 27 points from 4 games.
The Jamaica Scorpions, whom the Harpy Eagles would next face, round off the top five teams with 20 points from 3 games played.
After a lengthy rain delay at the start of the contest on Tuesday, the Harpy Eagles won the toss and opted to bowl first, subsequently routing the Hurricanes for 139 in 34.2 overs out of an allotted 41 overs.
Veerasammy Permaul, with his experience, was the standout bowler of the Harpy Eagles, claiming 3-24 from 9 overs, including the prized
wicket of Justin Greaves to break his 3-game century streak.
Ashmead Nedd took 2-19 from 8 overs, and Nial Smith took 2-42 from his 8-over spell. With Isai Thorne and Keemo Paul having one scalp each, the Hurricanes hardly had opportunity to free their arms. Rahkeem Cornwall was the top scorer with 36 from 33 balls, while Jeremiah Louis hit 34 from 59 balls. In reply, Matthew Nandu and Captain Tevin Imlach aced the chase, after Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Centre, took the third spot. The best female prize
Linden SEN Centre. Teachers from each school were pres-
went to 14-year-old Abigail Jairam, who displayed her strategic skills to take the fourth spot in the tournament.
These winners are all students with a hearing impairment, who would have been taught chess by the coaches from the GCF and by their respective teachers.
ent to support their students. The tournament was overseen by John Lee, Jessica Callender and Marcia Lee. Trophies for the winners and certificates of participation were presented by the GCF.
nament, and would hereby thanks Mrs. Amanda Alli for donating the meals and beverages for the attendees.
This tournament highlighted the remarkable potential of students with special needs in chess. The GCF continues to build pathways for these students to excel academically and competitively through the game.
The Special Education Needs Chess in Schools Competition represents a significant step towards an inclusive future in Guyanese chess, where all players, regardless of background, are given the opportunity to shine on the chessboard. Further chess training of the SEN teachers from the various schools would be ongoing, and a programme has been planned for early next year.
Placing first in the competition was talented fifteenyear-old Samuel
New Amsterdam Special School gained the most points for schools, followed by David Rose Special School and
The GCF has said it is grateful to the Special Education Needs Department for support in making the tournament possible, wishes to thank the David Rose Special School for providing the venue for the tour-
from
…Tickets on sale online from today
Being led again by their trusted skipper Imran Tahir, the Guyana Amazon Warriors are the first team of the five teams of the Global Super League T20 to announce their squad for the tournament, to be played later this Amazon Warriors’ 13- member squad would see Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Shai Hope, Moeen Ali, Dwaine Pretorius and Kevlon Anderson returning from the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 squad that finished as runners-up in that
Riders’ Mark Deyal; while Shamar Springer, who recently performed well for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, would also suit up for the Warriors.
While there has been much clamour about missing characters from the GAW side, such as Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph, it is likely that they would miss out on the Super League action because of international duties.
The West Indies Men’s Test team would be taking on Bangladesh in the same window. The first Test is scheduled for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from November 22nd to 26th, while the second Test in the 2-match series would take place from November 30th to December
4th at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
Tickets In other GSL T20 news, tickets for the event, being hosted solely at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, would go on sale online tomorrow, Thursday, November 9, at GSLT20.com. In addition, organizers have advised that the box office would be opened soon for in- person purchases.
tournament.
TInternational signings have seen Pakistan-born USA allrounder Hassan Khan being added to the Warriors’ roster alongside Bangladeshi fast- bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib. And Regional inclusions encompass St. Lucia Kings’ Roston Chase and Trinbago Knight
of women in motorsport.
he Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) is making history by introducing the female cir-
Luis Kumar shared his enthusiasm for the new class by saying: “In drag racing, we started with four female drivers, and now we have over ten competing. We expect the same growth in circuit racing, though we know it’s more demanding.
cuit racing class at the ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions.
This exciting development would see Guyana’s very own “Speed Queen” Sharima Khan being joined by Trinidadian top female driver Bridget Singh, U.S. racer Krystin Jaenicke and Guyanese newcomer Emily Ali in taking the track to inspire the next generation
Sharima Khan has long held the title of Guyana’s lone female racer, and has blazed a trail for women in the sport. Her Caribbean counterpart Bridget Singh has led the charge in Trinidad, where she has established herself as that country’s top female driver. Krystin Jaenicke brings her experience from the Mazda Miata Cup in the U.S., and Emily Ali, though a newcomer to circuit racing, is chockful of confidence and fighting spirit which has been drawn from her family’s racing background.
GMR&SC Executive
“These women are taking a big step forward for females in the sport, and GMRSC is committed to supporting the FIA’s mandate to promote women in motorsport.”
According to the GMRSC, this all-female class is set to break boundaries and fuel the passion for racing among women across the Caribbean.
Dubbed the President’s National Futsal Championship by renowned coordinators Kashif and Shanghai, a nationwide rivalry in the sport’s most exciting format is brewing, as teams from almost every administrative region in Guyana would be converging in the capital city for the tournament’s kickoff, tentatively set for next week.
Like most Kashif and Shanghai tournaments of the past, the Futsal Championship will culminate on Wednesday, January 1st, 2025.
With 64 teams slated to compete, Co-Director of the K&S organisation, Kashif Muhammad, described the competing teams as he envisioned the competitiveness the tournament would witness.
Relating President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s intention to have as many teams as possible from around the country, Muhammad shared, during the tournament’s launch on Wednesday afternoon, “We have like 3 teams from Berbice that’s going to be here, six from the East Coast, four from East Bank, five from Linden, five from West Demerara, Essequibo All-Stars, Bartica All-Stars, Region 1 All- Stars, Region 7 All-Stars, Region 9 AllStars and we have a couple of Spanish teams. So, we’re going to have 3 Spanish teams in the tournament, and then we’re going to be having 32 teams from Georgetown participating.”
Muhammad went on to justify “Why 32?”, saying it’s because Georgetown plays more Futsal than anywhere in the country, and some real outstanding teams are resident in Georgetown. “What is beautiful is that there is no team that gained the right to be just the number one, and that’s it; they got to play to win every time,” he explained.
The straight knockout tournament is set to get underway at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with playing days being Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Though it will begin at the Mandela Avenue venue, Muhammad disclosed, there are plans for a grand final at the refurbished Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
“Minister Ramson okayed it because it’s almost completed, but he said he would make it available because a tournament like this, with this level of prestige, deserves a nice venue for the semifinals and finals. So, even though it’s not 100% complete, it’s going to be enough to play. The air-condition system is already in, and numerous places are there also for VIP sections and bar areas and everything,” Muhammad, as organizer, disclosed. Female inclusion would also be a highlight of the tournament, as Muhammad revealed why it was decided to feature a mini women’s competition.
“Recently, I went to a Futsal championship, ‘Keep Your Five Alive’, and I saw a final between two female teams. It was real brilliant football, very, very similar to the guys. It was nice passes,
beautiful tackles, nice dribbles, good shots to goal, aggression, everything. It was really beautiful, and we decided that we will have four teams in our tournament,” he declared.
“They will join from somewhere around the semifinal stage and go down to the final,” he added.
The men will be competing for a grand prize of $1.5M. for Second place would receive $1M, and $500,000 and $200,000 would be going to the respective third and fourth place finishers.
Teams in the women’s competition would be vying for $200,000, $100,000, $60,000 and $40,000 from first to fourth place respectively.
For the individual prizes, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the men’s competition would ride off with the customary motorcycle. However, the best goalkeeper, highest goal scorer, and any other individual award would see a twist, with the winners receiving $30,000 instead of just the usual trophy. Another incentive for competing teams will see knocked out teams receiving $30,000 for most stages up until the quarterfinal. In addition, teams would be outfitted from the Round of 16.
