Guyana Times - Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Diletta Doretti named World Bank Group Rep for Guyana

Guyana deploys 1st support mission to Grenada today –

Housing Ministry to regularise 325 house lots in Reg 2 – Min Croal

Pres Ali – as CDEMA, CPSO, regional & int’l partners pledge support to countries affected … says Guyana activated full emergency response team

“Amity” Steel Band presentation celebrates collaboration, showcases Guyanese culture Bush Lot, WCB fire ravages several buildings

Disability groups welcome new online digital platform to aid PWDs

Govt reaffirms commitment to support Pakuri Village amid flash flood crisis – distributes over 400 hampers

Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc on Carriacou, a Grenadine Island in Grenada (right) and on Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines (left) on Sunday

Guyana getting “the lion’s share of the profits” – ExxonMobil VP

…says company’s net cash flow still in negative

Vice President and Business Services Manager of ExxonMobil, Phillip Rietema related that the oil giant has only recovered some US$20 billion of the US$30 billion investments in Guyana as of the end of 2023 while asserting that the Guyana Government has been getting “the lion’s share of the profits”.

He also added that the company’s net cash flow is still in the negative.

“Our net cash flow is still negative…we’ve committed, through the six projects that we’ve talked about plus gas to energy to invest up to US$55 billion in these projects and we’re still exploring…” Rietema stated during a recent edition of the Energy Prospectives podcast.

Nevertheless, he admitted that “we’ve had profitable operations, we’ve had earnings which as an investor that’s what you hope for, but we’re more than reinvesting those earnings into new projects…”

He reminded that “these investments, they don’t pay off in one year.”

The Exxon official further explained that the oil company expects to be operating in Guyana for decades and as such, the existing contract that governs

the current operations must remain stable.

Meanwhile, he explained that the Guyana Government is actually earning “the lion’s share of the profits”.

“Under the agreement,

nues are available for repayment of those costs. It’s really just a repayment, once that’s repaid, then that cost oil share will be much lower than 75 per cent. Then the remainder is considered profit oil and that’s shared

Guyana are always going to have the lion’s share of the profit…52 per cent of the profit is for Guyana and 48 per cent for the contractor group,” Rietema outlined. He added that as revenue grows with increased

you take the revenues that are earned, and then its split between what we call cost oil and profit oil. Cost oil…that is oil that we’re entitled to as the contractor to repay our cost. And so, in the early stage of development, as we are today where we’re investing a lot, up to 75 per cent of the reve-

50/50 between the contractor group and the government. In addition…there’s a royalty of 2 per cent of revenue that is paid to the government and that comes out of the profit oil share of the contractor group. So, the contract is structured in a way that the Government of Guyana, and the people of

production, the amount of profit oil will also significantly increase. When the company’s sixth multi-billion-dollar project in Guyana comes on stream in 2027, it will bring the country’s production capacity to approximately 1.3 million barrels per day.

The ExxonMobil official

highlighted that the earnings in Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund is currently close to US$5 billion and external estimates predict this can grow to more than US$100 billion.

“Those are just really huge numbers. I always like to put in context, before our first production, the annual GDP of Guyana was on the order of US$5 billion and now we’re talking about revenues just from our six projects, which will be north of US$100 billion and so, clearly that’s transformative for Guyana and gives the government and people of Guyana lots of opportunities to grow and develop rapidly over the coming years,” Rietema posited.

In further putting things into context, he explained that before the discoveries in the Stabroek Block, over 40 dry wells were drilled in the basin. He also made references to the company’s exploration campaigns in other blocks like Canje and Kaieteur.

Rietema explained that the company had drilled multiple wells in both blocks but did not find any hydrocarbons in commercial quantities.

While they exited the Kaieteur Block last year, ExxonMobil is still conducting evaluations to determine if there are other opportunities to drill in Canje.

“It does highlight…the high-risk nature of the business we’re in. Walking away from Kaieteur, we spent significant amounts of money in that block…but that’s not money we can recover… that’s just a lost investment and that’s the nature of exploration, it's high-risk, but if you have a great discovery like we do, multiple discoveries in the Stabroek Block, it can be very rewarding as well,” he explained.

The Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, and Payara projects, which are producing overall more than 600,000 barrels of oil per day, account for the three floating Production, Storage

and Offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in Guyana’s offshore Stabroek Block.

ExxonMobil has been present in Guyana since 1999 and initiated exploration activities in 2008. According to the provisions of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, 75 per cent of gross revenue goes to cost oil while Guyana gets a total of 14.5 per cent from the remaining revenue and royalty and Exxon gets 10.5 per cent.

Under the new conditions of the model PSA that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has implemented, the cost recovery ceiling has been lowered from 75 per cent to 65 per cent.

This is in addition to including terms for all future PSAs to feature the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing after cost recovery; the increase of the royalty from a mere two per cent to a fixed rate of 10 per cent and the imposition of a 10 per cent corporate tax. Additionally, Guyana stands to benefit from as high as US$20 million signature bonuses for the deep-water blocks and US$10 million for the shallow-water blocks based on the model PSA.

The model PSA is being applied to future oil contracts, which will likely be signed once the Government reaches agreements with the companies that were successful at Guyana’s inaugural oil block auction last year.

(G-11)

Vice President and Business Services Manager, Phillip Rietema

Guyana 1st FPSO, Liza Destiny

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, July 2 –13:55h-15:25h and Wednesday, July 3 – 14:50h-16:20h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, July 2 –01:00h-02:30h and Wednesday, July 3 – 02:00h-03:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers are expected during the day and at night, with sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North Easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 13:43h reaching a maximum height of 2.32 metres.

Low Tide: 07:12h and 19:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.90 metre.

54th Regular Session of the General Assembly of

OAS

Guyana depends on OAS’s support amid border controversy with Venezuela – Min Todd

... reiterates Region must remain zone of peace

Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd has informed the Organisation of American States (OAS) that his country continues to depend on its support amid the ongoing border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.

Minister Todd was at the time addressing the Second Plenary Session of the 54th OAS General Assembly in Paraguay.

Referencing Article 1 of the OAS Charter – which states that “The American States establish by this Charter the international organisation that they have developed to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence”

– Minister Todd expressed that “Guyana holds these purposes in high esteem.”

“As many of you know, Venezuela lays claim to 5/8ths of Guyana's territory, despite the full, final, and binding Arbitral Award of 1899 which delimited the land boundary between our two States."

"This claim and the actions by the Venezuelan Government in furtherance therefore in violation of the most fundamental principles of international law, pose a significant threat to Guyana's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence as well as the security and stability of the hemisphere."

In this regard, Guyana’s International Affairs Minister posited that "We will continue to count on the support of the OAS as we seek to implement the December 1, 2023 order of the International Court of Justice and the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela agreed upon on December 14, 2023, even as we await the ruling of the court on the validity of the Award."

Last year, Guyana had asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide provisional measures in light of the December 3 referendum by the Venezuelan Government, saying questions in the referendum sought to annex the Essequibo region, which makes up two-thirds of the country.

On December 1, the World Court ruled unanimously, insisting that Venezuela comply with international law as it is legally binding, preventing Venezuela from taking any action upon Guyanese territory.

The ICJ’s ruling states that “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, shall refrain from taking any action, which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Cooperative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area” and that “Both parties must refrain from any action that can aggravate or extend the dispute before the court or make it more difficult to resolve”.

Then on December 14, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro met in St Vincent and the Grenadines for peace talks – which were brokered largely by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in his role as President Pro Tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Those talks culminated with the two Presidents signing the Joint Declaration of Argyle, agreeing to, among other things, ‘not threaten or use force against one another’. They also agreed to

good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and unity between Latin America and the Caribbean.

Minister Todd, speaking before the international gathering, reaffirmed that, “Guyana remains committed to the peaceful resolution of any controversies or disputes in the region based on the provisions of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law including the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the right to self-determination.”

Just last month, agents of Guyana and Venezuela met with the President of the ICJ Judge Nawaf Salam regarding the border controversy case, where it was agreed that both sides would make a second round of submissions. The World Court will now issue an order setting appropriate timelines for both parties to submit their respective second round of pleadings.

Venezuela maintains that the border with Guyana, a former colony of The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK), was fraudu-

lently imposed by the British, which it has denounced as a “land grabber”. Guyana, on the other hand, maintains that the line was determined on October 3, 1899, by an arbitration panel (Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899). The Anglo-Venezuelan Arbitral Tribunal met in Paris, France, and on October 3, 1899 — 122 years ago — gave its award defining the border between Venezuela and then-British Guiana.

After abiding by the 1899 Arbitral Award for over half a century, Venezuela in 1962 claimed that the Essequibo area of Guyana belonged inside its borders. The debate heated up after ExxonMobil found oil in Guyana in 2015, and has intensified in recent months, with Venezuela holding a referendum on December 3 in which it was voted to purportedly annex the Essequibo; however, the country’s Opposition has since reported that 89 per cent of eligible voters did not vote.

Nevertheless, following the referendum, Maduro claimed that, among other things, he would now authorise oil exploration in Guyana’s Essequibo River.

Maduro also claimed that he has announced the activation of a human and social care plan for the population of Guyana’s Essequibo that includes censuses and identity cards.

He also claimed to have announced the creation of the “High Commission for the Defense for Guyana’s Essequibo region”; and the creation of the Comprehensive Defense Zone for Guyana’s territory.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd at the OAS Meeting

Editor: Tusika Martin

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

Strategic opportunity

In a global economy increasingly defined by connectivity and trade, the opportunity for countries like Guyana to leverage international airports as platforms for promoting and selling local products is not just advantageous but strategically crucial.

The announcement made by President Dr Irfaan Ali recently that Guyana was “actively” pursuing, with support from various Government entities, including the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, the placement of local products at these international facilities. This will benefit immensely stakeholders.

President Ali said: “We want to see a Guyana Shop in the busiest airport in the world…having a Guyana Shop at JFK, a Guyana Shop in Toronto, Miami where you can pass through and pick up products of Guyana. Whether it’s agroprogressing products, whether it’s hammocks, because every product carries a story. It’s the story that attracts persons to products. We are doing a very poor job at telling the story of our products… We have to find a way in which local supermarkets, must not in the back shelf, must in the most prominent shelves carry our local products, but we also as a government, we have to embark on buying shelf space and branding space on the international shelves and regional shelves to take our products.”

Partnering with international airports to showcase and sell Guyanese products opens up a plethora of opportunities. It serves as a direct channel to introduce the world to the country’s unique offerings such as spices, handicrafts, and even eco-friendly products sourced sustainably. This exposure not only boosts market access, but also enhances the global reputation of Guyanese products for quality and authenticity.

Economically, such initiatives can significantly contribute to Guyana's growth and diversification efforts. By tapping into the high traffic and diverse passenger base of international airports, Guyana can stimulate its export sector, create jobs in agriculture and manufacturing, and attract foreign investment interested in the country's burgeoning industries. Moreover, it encourages local entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering a dynamic business environment.

Beyond economic benefits, promoting Guyanese products in international airports serves as a form of cultural diplomacy. It allows Guyana to showcase its rich cultural heritage and traditions to a global audience, fostering goodwill and understanding. Each product sold becomes a tangible ambassador for Guyanese identity, telling a story of craftsmanship, tradition, and environmental stewardship.

Importantly, many Guyanese products are sustainably sourced. By promoting these products in international markets, Guyana not only encourages sustainable practices but also highlights its commitment to environmental conservation. This can resonate strongly with environmentally-conscious consumers worldwide, enhancing the country's image as a responsible global citizen.

Collaborating with international airports also opens doors for partnerships with airlines, duty-free operators, and retail chains, facilitating broader distribution channels. These collaborations can be mutually beneficial, driving revenue growth for all parties involved while offering travellers unique and authentic products they may not find elsewhere.

Guyana has a golden opportunity to harness the potential of international airports as strategic hubs for promoting and selling its distinctive products. By leveraging this platform effectively, Guyana can enhance economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and environmental stewardship simultaneously. It’s a win-win scenario where the world gains access to highquality Guyanese products, and Guyana gains recognition and economic vitality on the global stage. This forwardthinking approach not only strengthens Guyana's position in international markets, but also enriches its national identity and pride in diverse cultural and natural heritage.

The newly-elected Leader of AFC’s dishonesty, inaccuracies

Dear Editor,

Having reviewed the newly elected leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Mr. Nigel Hughes’ “victory” speech that he delivered at the party’s 8th congress, I would like to address a few things he mentioned, that were factually inaccurate.

Mr. Hughes contended that the incumbent government is undertaking multi-billion-dollar projects without any feasibility studies. Specifically, he was referring to the Gas-To-Energy (GTE) project. In the same breath, he put forward the case that all political parties should agree on the development plan for the country, such that whenever there is a change in government, there is no disruption and change of plans. The AFC leader perhaps forgot that a feasibility study was done for the GTE project. It was actually done under his own coalition government, the APNU+AFC, which in part, aided the incumbent government’s decision regarding the said project. So, for him to assert that the project is being carried out without a feasibility study, is a totally false assertion. The referenced study can be found on the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) website. Additionally, several other supplementary studies were done internally by the technical staff of the ministry.

Coming back to the point where he argued that all political parties should sign on to a national development plan, it doesn’t appear that he appreciates the process in which policymaking is conducted. The incumbent government has presided over

the development of several national development strategies, starting with (i) the National Development Strategy (1996), (ii) the Poverty Reduction Strategy (2000), (iii) the National Competitiveness Strategy (2006), (iv) the Low Carbon Development Strategy (2009), and (v) the updated Low Carbon Development Strategy (2022-2030). All of these strategies were developed, inter alia, the contribution of the business sector organisations, civil society groups, representatives from the indigenous communities, and Guyanese professionals, coupled with open public consultation and engagement with the citizens at large.

The political parties contribute as well, mainly through debates in the National Assembly, and outside of the National Assembly, within the public domain through several mediums.

Contrary to the above methodology consistently employed by the incumbent government, the former APNU+AFC Government produced a “Green State Development Strategy” (GSDS) during their tenure (2015-2020), which was put together by an internship consultant from the United Nations. More interestingly, a study of that document revealed that it was a “cut” and “paste” document from the aforementioned existing national development strategies, whereby various parts were taken from all of the abovementioned documents. Yet again, we hear a repeat by the AFC leader for “international experts” to craft our

development plans.

Of key note is the difference in the approach to policymaking by the PPP/C Government versus their opponents, the APNU+AFC. One would appreciate that any national development plan for the country ought to be developed in consultation with and the approval of the people of Guyana; not the political parties per se. And, as I have demonstrated, the methodologies employed by the different administrations are in stark contrast to each other.

The AFC leader referred to a “study” he had done to show statistical evidence of discrimination and claimed that the government never challenged those statistics. This is another outright falsehood. The government challenged those statistics and disproved those statistics. I had also challenged those statistics and disproved those numbers, including, exposing the flawed methodology of the study.

Interestingly, the AFC leader undertook to apologise for his party’s failures in government, and to examine where they faltered in government so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. However, there is no need to reconstruct a post-mortem analysis thereof. The reasons for the AFC’s failure, and collectively, the APNU+AFC can be summarised as follows:

Dishonesty

• Political Opportunism

Unethical conduct in public office (the case of a former minister approving government contracts to her

own private company)

• Contractionary fiscal policies, poor economic management, and incompetence

Multiple breaches of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, in particular, as well as other laws, and constitutional excesses.

Of note, the AFC leader is already committing at least two of those mistakes cited above, as I have so established herein. These are (i) dishonesty: I have established at least three instances of him being dishonest in his “victory” remarks, and (ii) a repeat of the same issues of unethical conduct/ conflicts of interest that he is embroiled in, whereby he has already stated publicly that he will not act on the concerns of conflicts of interests at this time.

Summarily, there is the issue of conflict of interest, which I have already written on separately. You would expect that since he has campaigned on the notion of “integrity”, that he would uphold the highest degree of integrity, but this is not the case. I will deal with this particular issue in some more detail subsequently. Moreover, at least three (3) instances of inaccuracies and/or dishonesty were established on the part of the newly elected AFC leader in “his victory remarks”. For ease of reference, the links below are two pieces that were written by this author challenging the study that he claimed no one challenged.

Sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin

Hollywood star Silvio Simac, who was featured in “The Terminators”, and young actors at the National Cultural Centre on Sunday

GOAL’s success is testimony to astute planning and leadership

Dear Editor, Guyana’s pathway to a quality life for all is predicated on wise investment in its people, and I see an example of this in the case where “… over 7,500 more persons (were) awarded GOAL scholarships.” The news that “Over 7,000 Guyanese will benefit from free, quality education through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme” is most indicative of Guyana’s upward mobility, which is something quite noticeable.

The word from Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, is that “… approval has been granted for 7,782 GOAL Scholarships and that the successful applicants will be informed by email over next week.” And what is noteworthy is the continuity of the GOAL programme, as this “… approval follows on the heels of the graduation, just two weeks ago, of the second batch of students numbering 1,712 who completed their stud-

ies in various disciplines including masters and degree programmes.” And for sure, as the Minister pointed out, all of this is “… in keeping with efforts to foster academic, (and) technical skills to match the country’s exponential growth.”

Editor, I emphasize that education really does transforms lives and is at the heart of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO’s) mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development in a global manner. It is also a human right for all throughout life, and this right can now be easily enjoyed in Guyana. This Organisation, by the way, is the only United Nations agency with a mandate to cover all aspects of education. It has been entrusted to lead the Global Education 2030 Agenda through Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is about quality education and is among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015.

(The full title of SDG 4 is "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all").

I expand further by stating that education is the basic building block of every society. It is the single best investment countries can make to build prosperous, healthy and equitable societies. Article 26 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to education.” It is truly “… a passport to human development that opens doors and expands opportunities and freedoms.

Getting back to Guyana, the report was quite succinct “The GOAL initiative is in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic PPP/C) Government’s commitment to improve the country’s educational and skills training capacity to match its aggressive economic diversification programme and continued rapid economic growth. In fact, the Government has already surpassed its manifesto promise of providing

20,000 online scholarships, with almost 21,500 scholarships provided by the end of 2023.”

This is very remarkable, and now there can be ‘no excuse’ proffered for a lack of education.

I note that Dr. Ashni Singh touched on this as he was speaking at the recent graduation ceremony (at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) last month). According to him, “What GOAL does is that it still gives them (Guyanese) the option to pursue higher technical and tertiary education were they so too desire using the online modality of delivery. It also offers a wider range of training options … as the government is creating an environment where everyone can explore several opportunities that are being created so that the country can continue its rapid development … as all these are all elements of human capital development and improving the skills of the Guyanese workforce and population, to have a better skilled and qualified labour force as well as to

Guyana depends on OAS’s...

The Venezuelan President also announced that in addition to oil, he would be issuing licences for mining and other activities to be conducted in Guyana’s Essequibo County.

The Maduro regime has been untruthfully claiming that Venezuela demonstrated that the award issued in 1899 by the Paris Arbitration Court was “null and void”, and that the controversy under the Geneva Agreement must be amicably resolved in a manner that is acceptable to both parties, while ignoring that such discussions had failed for over 30 years and that the Geneva Agreement provided for the Secretary General of the United Nations to choose another path for the settlement of the controversy, if not settled by discussion between the two countries.

Maduro also ignores the fact that the SecretaryGeneral, in accordance with the Agreement, on January 30, 2018, had advised both Venezuela and Guyana that

“having carefully analysed the developments in the good office's process during the course of 2017” and “significant progress not having been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy”, he had “chosen the International Court of Justice as the means now to be used for its solution”.

Within the framework of the 1966 Geneva Agreement between the two countries, the Secretary-General conducted Good Office processes from 1990 to 2017 to find a solution to the border controversy. On January 30, 2018, Secretary-General António Guterres, following a careful analysis of developments in 2017, chose the ICJ as the means to be used for the solution of the controversy.

As a consequence, Guyana, on March 29, 2018, filed its application to the World Court. In the substantive case, Guyana seeks, among other things, to obtain from the ICJ a final and binding

judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and

FROM PAGE 3

Venezuela, remains valid and binding; and a declaration that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.

have a more fulfilled population.”

I need not elaborate anymore, as I think that no one can doubt how important education and training are, and of course quite expensive. But the good news is that there was the recent launch of the “GuyanaCoursera Platform” and the Government Student Loan Write Off Programme (which will) potentially ben-

efit over 13,000 Guyanese who have $11 billion in student loan debt.” These two moves will lend impetus to the education drive in Guyana, as it is in the most valuable domain, that is, in human capital.

Kudos to those behind this drive and those capitalising on it.

Yours truly, HB Singh

We must set goals

Dear Editor,

The recent letter in the press by Dr. Ramsammy was very insightful and touching. We must however remember that each ambassador position in Europe is quite expensive and should have a clear objective as to what must be accomplished during each ambassador’s tenure. As previously mentioned, Demerara Sugar is being used by Lindt in their product.

Unfortunately, the name “Demerara Sugar” is also associated with sugar produced by Colombia and Mauritius. Only Guyana can offer “Genuine Demerara Sugar”, and given Dr. Ramsammy’s experience in the Ministry of Agriculture,

CRG hopes that he will be able to make inroads into the Swiss chocolate industry. Lindt alone accounts for approximately US$ 5 billion in annual sales.

Dr. Ramsammy will be a very successful ambassador if he is to set and achieve the goal of winning new business for our struggling sugar industry with Swiss Chocolate Companies. Having an established trademark of “Genuine Demerara Sugar” will help arm him with what he needs to be successful in such a pursuit. The Government of Guyana must ensure that this trademark is established.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Dividing whole numbers by decimals

Example:

Step 1: Multiply the divisor by the smallest power of 10 that will move the decimal point all the way to the right: .8 x 10 = 8

Step 2: Multiply the dividend by that same power of 10: 164

Step 3: Set up your division and divide

Instead of leaving a remainder, you can put a decimal point at the end of the dividend and add as many placeholder zeros as you need. Then continue

Exercises: Divide

Introduction

Feathers make flight possible, give birds their color and markings and, in some cases, allow them to stand out when trying to attract a mate or blend in with surroundings when hiding from a predator. Feathers also provide the bird with a "raincoat" and a warm winter "jacket." Kids can examine

real feathers and explore how feathers function and offer protection to birds.

Supplies

Large feathers from the craft store*

Water

Vegetable oil

Containers for water, oil, and soap

Paper towels for drying the feathers

Eye dropper

Mineral oil or baby oil in a small spray bottle

Liquid detergent

Get kids thinking ...

Birds spend a lot of time preening their feathers. A feather can only be replaced by growing a new one, so birds work to keep their feathers in the best condition.

ASK: What do feathers do for birds? How? What happens to the bird if something happens to its feathers?

What Actually Makes Water Roll Off a Duck's Back? youtu. be/Q-8GXk9r0ik

BY KIMBERLY CASEY

When you caught one to keep, we took it home and I asked you to teach me. You showed me how to spike the brain— I thanked the fish, looked away, pressed down. We bled it, shaved away the scales, severed meat from bone.

I’m afraid of leaving my loved ones alone. Flying into an endless sunset the next day, a soft glow through the window, and every passenger is glazed a smooth bronze. Every other seat empty, each face masked, some with simple fabric, others medical-grade filtration set beneath serious eyes.

No one here talks much. Bodies pull away from the aisle each time a passenger scurries by. If a plane crashes in the middle of a pandemic, would the world make a sound? How do we grieve one loss among so many?

Yesterday the breeze caught the water making waves beneath the boat, and you swayed staring out toward the setting sun. Your skin slick with sweat bronzed in the light bouncing under the bridge where you waited for something to bite—

I told you I didn’t understand the need to maim something just to send it swimming back below with a taste of blood. You said we are all violent. It’s about finding the way out that does the least damage.

Source: Poetry (July/August 2021)

PNCR Congress passes motion for Aubrey Norton to be presidential candidate at 2025 polls

– as curtains pulled on 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress – CEC to soon meet to select new GS

After his two contenders dropped out of the race due to concerns over irregularities in the electoral process, Aubrey Norton who was unchallenged returned as leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR).

At the Congress over the weekend, a motion was also passed decreeing that the elected leader be the party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, which are due next year.

Norton's competitors were PNC's parliamentarians Roysdale Forde and Amanza Walton-Desir, who both suspended their campaigns and withdrew from contesting for the position of leader on the eve of the party's 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress.

Since Norton was the only person contesting for the position, he won; it is unclear, however, how many votes he secured.

Meanwhile, Shurwayne Holder was re-elected Chairman of the Party; Vinceroy Jordan and Elizabeth WilliamsNiles were re-elected ViceChairpersons, and Elson Low was elected Treasurer of the Party.

Members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) are Riaz Rupnarain, Coretta McDonald, Ganesh Mahipaul, Robin Simon, Deron Adams, Joan Ann Ramascindo, Anil Sugrim, Mervyn Williams, Wainright McKintosh, Sherwood Lowe, Marcia Gordon, Kemal Kissoon, Troy Garraway, and Egerton David.

The CEC is expected to

meet where they will select the party’s new general secretary.

At the Congress, the PNC discussed their desire to win at the 2025 polls, admitting the need for the party to build credibility and electability. However, their Congress has been marred by numerous controversies – bringing into question whether this group of politicians is fit to be leaders within the government.

Apart from the concerns expressed by Forde and Walton-Desir, the PNC’s General Secretary Dawn Hastings-Williams resigned just four days before the Congress, citing similar issues. Additionally, a PNC member had even taken the party to court, to stop it from hosting its Congress and internal elections.

Furthermore, in the leadup to the Congress, damning allegations of sexual assault/sex threats were made by seasoned PNC politician Vanessa Kissoon, against Norton. Kissoon, who is currently a councillor on the Linden Town Council, accused Norton of threaten-

ing to rape her at gunpoint. Norton has maintained his innocence and the matter is currently being investigated by the party.

Electoral irregularities

On Thursday, WaltonDesir in a statement cited serious concerns over procedural fairness and transparency as key reasons for her decision to pull out from the elections. Particularly, she said there were doubts about the integrity of the leadership selection process.

Hours after Walton-Desir announced the suspension of her campaign, Forde announced that he too has taken a decisive step, amid the PNC internal elections turmoil by suspending his campaign and refusing all nominations for party positions. His actions come as a response to what he perceives as severe irregularities within the party’s electoral process.

Forde outlined several critical reasons for his decision, chief among his concerns are allegations of electoral malpractice and procedural flaws that have tainted the integrity of the ongoing election proceedings.

Forde said that his decision was precipitated by a lack of response to his repeated communications to the Central Executive Committee and the General Secretary regarding his concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. Despite raising an alarm over discrepancies in delegate lists and unrealistic timelines imposed for the party congress, Forde said his concerns have gone unad-

dressed.

However, the PNC in a statement following the conclusion of its Congress, expressed that elections for party officers and members of the Central Executive Committee of the Party were “conducted in accordance with the procedures set out by the independent Returning Officer Mr Vincent Alexander.”

The statement added that “for identification, delegates were required to display to the election officials both their delegates badge and a picture ID.”

The PNC also said the turnout was “overwhelming”, though actual figures were not provided.

Court proceedings

Meanwhile, two days before the commencement of the PNC’s Congress, a member took the party to court seeking to stop the event, over the irregularities in the process.

The member, Brian Collison, is contending that in light of irregularities in the process leading up to the selection of the PNC delegates, the High Court must intervene to protect the will of the PNC members and support base. Collison is being represented by Attorneyat-Law Vivian Williams, with Norton being named as a respondent in this case.

While the member did not secure an injunction, the matter will be heard later this year.

Resignations

Hastings-Williams’ resignation letter highlighted several concerns, including the lack of readiness for this weekend’s congress and concerns regarding financial accountability.

She also expressed concerns that as General Secretary, she was not being integrally involved in the preparations. Additionally, Hastings-Williams highlighted that she has received complaints from several groups

and party members, some in writing, that the records of the secretariat do not correspond with their previous submissions, and that their membership register does not reflect their true membership.

The General Secretary further revealed that many members also claim that they have been unable or will be unable to meet the short deadlines set for the submission of the delegates and other information because of the short notice period for Congress.

Hastings-Williams’ resignation follows the resignation of her predecessor, Geeta Chandan Edmonds, in 2022. Also resigning at that time had been party treasurer, Faaiz Mursalin. At the time Mursalin had resigned, he had also claimed a lack of financial accountability.

Sex threat

On June 19, Kissoon released a statement to the press explaining that she was travelling in Norton’s car, with Norton as the driver, when he allegedly threatened her at gunpoint.

“Mr Norton stopped his car, locked it, showed me his gun in his foot, and asked me, “If I put this to your head and rape you, what would you do?”,” Kissoon detailed in her statement, adding that Norton did not carry out “his threats or desires”.

Personal cake shop

Meanwhile, former General Secretary Amna Ally had also expressed concerns about Norton’s leadership and made it clear her decision to not support him as leader of the PNC.

“I am not going to lift a finger under Aubrey Norton’s leadership. When he is changed as the leader, I will look and see what contribution, if any, I can make. But as of now, I want nothing to do with Norton and his quality of leadership,” Ally, who served the party for over 50 years, expressed in a statement in April.

“Aubrey Norton’s style of leadership is undemocratic. He has demonstrated a lack of accountability in the Party by undermining and destroying various party structures and practices by which he can be held accountable effectively placing himself as an autocratic leader with the CEC rendered ineffective and impotent,” Ally had further contended.

Among other things, Ally had further asserted that “We must ask Aubrey Norton what entitles him to run the PNCR like his personal pig farm or cake shop. I have served every leader of the PNCR and our members as well as supporters faithfully.”

“Knowing Aubrey Norton the way I do. I cannot sit and quietly watch him weaken and destroy the Party of LFS Burnham, I cannot in all conscience support his leadership,” the seasoned politician had argued. (G-11)

“…but I have carried the burden of this threat, disrespect, and violation for years,” Kissoon had expressed. The matter is currently being investigated by a group of senior Executives of the PNC, referred to the Council of Elders.

Aubrey Norton

Roysdale Forde

Amanza Walton-Desir

Gun, ammo belonging to dead businessman found at accident scene

One day after businessman, Inderpaul Pramenauth died in a two-vehicle collision along the Railway Embankment Road at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD), his licensed .9mm firearm and three live rounds of ammunition were found in the 'glove’ compartment of his Cadillac Escalade.

Crime Scene Technicians reportedly processed the motor vehicle after it was taken out of a trench and a search conducted unearthed the firearm and ammunition. The items were lodged along with a cellular phone.

It was reported that 43-year-old Pramenauth also called “Babai” of NonPareil, ECD died following an accident on Friday.

According to the police, Pramenauth’s motorcar, PKK 2473, and vehicle PAC

5742, driven by a 31-yearold woman who resides at Paradise Housing Scheme, ECD, were involved in a smash-up.

Police stated that the female driver, who was travelling east along the northern side of the Enmore Railway Embankment Road, told ranks that she observed Pramenauth’s vehicle speeding in a southerly direction along the Enmore Estate Access Road; and as Pramenauth attempted a right turn to head west onto the Railway Embankment Road, his vehicle collided with hers.

The impact caused Pramenauth’s car to crash into a utility pole and plunge into a trench on the northern side of the road.

Police officers on patrol duty arrived on the scene shortly after, extracted the unconscious Pramenauth from his vehicle, and transported him to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the other motorcar was taken into custody pending investigation.

Follow…

…the (PNC) leader

It wasn’t quite the five months it took to get a result for our 2020 Mingoed elections – but with just 1300 delegates eligible to vote – according to the Returning Officer (RO) Vincent Alexander of GECOM fame – your Eyewitness was hoping he’d get to know whether Comrade Norton was returned as leader of the PNC before going to bed on Sunday night. While he’d assumed that this was gonna be a Michael Jordan-like slam dunk with no one to oppose Norton, the meticulous Alexander noted that Walton-Desir and Forde hadn’t OFFICIALLY withdrawn –just SUSPENDED their campaign – and as such their names remained on the ballots!! Alexander also implicitly disputed the numbers claimed by Congress Administrator Sherwyn Benjamin that just under 2000 delegates had registered. PNC and numbers!!

So, your Eyewitness pried open his eyes till midnight but keeled over and fall asleep without the confirmation. Finally, it was announced bright and early the next morning that Comrade Norton had received 1040 votes of the 1066 votes cast! Now this is an overwhelming vote of confidence in Comrade Norton – never mind the 200 or so delegates who didn’t bother to vote. Like your Eyewitness, they probably figured it was a done deal. But for a man who during national elections parses all sorts of possible anomalies on the voters' list to the nth degree, your Eyewitness was taken aback by Alexander not bringing up the claims by WaltonDesir and Forde that the PNC delegates list wasn’t really kosher!!

Anyhow, the PNC now has a leader who’s been ratified by TWO Congresses!! With all the talk about a possible “consensus” leader coming from outside PNC, for good measure, there was also a resolution passed that declared that the chosen leader was the one who’s gonna be taking them into the 2025 General Elections!! But just in case the leader in his infinite wisdom – a quality PNC leaders are stipulated to have! – thinks he’s not good enough for the job, then he can defer to someone of his choice.

Now your Eyewitness is a tad confused about this “consensus candidate” business that’s been bloated to get all the Opposition parties under a single banner. His confusion comes from the fact that since the PNC is – and will remain – the largest Opposition party by light years – how come the “Consensus candidate” shouldn’t be the leader of the PNC?? Why exactly should some tail be wagging the Opposition dog?? Is there something WRONG with Comrade Norton? Did goat bite him? Somebody has to explain this conundrum – very slowly – to your Eyewitness!!

Anyhow, the names of the other Executives elected show that – like Desmond Hoyte did when he became leader – Norton is creating his PNC!!

…Caricom?

Well, yesterday was “Caricom Day” – which most citizens would be hard-pressed to explain save that it was made a Public Holiday!! Since Guyanese are always willing to have a day off, they’ll take Caricom Day!! But exactly what are we commemorating?? Over fifty years ago, Caricom had been launched – but sadly, even its most vociferous cheerleaders would have to concede that its performance has fallen waaaay short of the initial expectations!!

But your Eyewitness is very supportive of supporting Caricom – and for very pragmatic reasons for our country. We gotta be honest with ourselves and accept that since rigging elections is part of the PNC’s DNA – just ask Forde and Walton-Desir!! – we’re gonna need an “inside” group of “our people” to tell it like it is – like Caricom did in 2020. With Rowley and his “This will not end well” to Golding’s “Sanctimonious Gangster”, they caught the pulse of the PNC!!

And the riggers can’t accuse Caricom of pushing “regime change”!!

…Hurricane Beryl

Remember the old Mariner’s ditty that predicted the Hurricane season: “June, too soon; July, stand by; August, come they must; September, remember; October, all over” But with Beryl the first June Category 4 hurricane ever recorded, climate change has upended our world!!

The gun and ammunition found at the scene

Housing Ministry to regularise 325 house lots in Reg 2 – Min Croal

– says new lands to open up soon

In keeping with its manifesto promise to deliver 50,000 house lots to Guyanese by 2025, the Government is moving to regularise some 325 lots in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

This includes 18 lots in Sparta, 22 in Windsor Castle, 37 in Coffee Grove, 42 in Fair Knot, and 48 in Lima Sands.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal said the exercise is being spearheaded in con-

junction with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC).

“We have done a lot of work on behalf of Central Housing and Planning Authority to address the ownership for Lima Sands. These are matters that we have inherited but we have had duplication, we have different persons who have come over the period. But the Community Development Department

has completed the occupancies for that area so, we have a report, a file on every one of those lots,” Minister Croal said.

The Minister who was at the time speaking at the cement and steel vouchers distribution exercise Friday last, also disclosed that when this exercise is complete, new lands will be available to residents.

“We are also working with the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission to be able to acquire addi-

Housing and Water Minister

tional lands. see the lands here in region two but all the other lands are owned or leased by private indi-

Further, through the Ministry, the government is looking to increase the occupancy rate in the

ed lands accessible to their owners, and reinforcing regional services.

“There are 226 lots within that area (Charity Housing Scheme) but there have been only 60 of those occupants who have processed title. So whenever you hear anyone now who's from the charity area that says they do not have ownership, then it has to be they have not put their house in order, meaning we probably cannot verify the respective ownership or they have not paid off their fees for us to be able to process the title. So, I thought I would make that

viduals. And that's where our challenge is - however, we’re working very closely with Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to address that.”

Onderneeming and Charity Housing Schemes by ensuring citizens have ownership of their certificate of title.

These efforts include making previously allocat-

mention of that so that you can encourage the others because obviously you can use this document for other purposes and it's also a surety,” Croal added.

Diletta Doretti named World Bank Group rep for Guyana

Diletta Doretti was named the World Bank Group Resident representative for Guyana, a position that will unify country-level leadership across the institution to better support Guyana’s public and private sector priorities.

This newly created position provides a single point of contact for access to the full breadth of World Bank Group products and services and will enhance the institution’s ability to address global challenges and drive development with speed, efficiency, and impact.

“Our goal is to increase operations in Guyana, and having a unified leadership to partner with the government and the private sector will ensure that we can deliver impactful results,” Doretti stated.

“We are exploring key sectors including agribusiness, tourism, education, access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well transportation and logistics infrastructure.”

In Guyana, the World

Newly-appointed World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana, Diletta Doretti

Bank Group works to advance human capital, with a particular focus on education and strengthening climate resilience to flood risk management. Doretti, who previously led the Group’s engagements with the public sector in Guyana, will now also be responsible for deepening and managing the partnership with Guyanese authorities and the private sector.

Additionally, she will develop integrated solutions that span both sectors to ensure the effective implementation of the World

Bank Group’s engagement framework in Guyana.

Since joining in 2002, Doretti has held various positions at the World Bank, including as Senior Private Sector Development Specialist for the World Bank West Africa region, based in Mali. She has extensive World Bank experience, including country engagements and developing strategies for private sector development, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

The introduction of the joint country representation is an important step towards building a stronger World Bank Group. Guyana is one of 21 World Bank Group offices transitioning to a single World Bank Group Country Manager or Resident Representative for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). Doretti assumed her position with effect from July 1, 2024.

Collin Croal addressing citizens during the cement and steel vouchers distribution exercise

Surveillance of entities trading minerals among measures aimed at curbing illegal mining, smuggling

– GGDMA welcomes new measures

In light of recent calls by several organisations including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to curb illegal mining, the government stated in addition to the already existing measures, surveillance of entities that are trading in vulnerable minerals will be reinforced.

This is one of several measures that were identified following a meeting with stakeholders over the weekend aimed at improving the mining sector as well as curbing illegal mining and smuggling.

In a release issued by the GGDMA on Sunday, it stated that the Government has stated that in addition to already existing measures to fight the scourge, there will be ramped-up efforts to deal with the issues.

Some of the other measures include identifying and regularising specific areas that will be designated landings in the interior; additional mechanisms to sufficiently address the legitimacy of where persons can conduct business in support of the mining sector in the mining community; address more aggressively the movement of itinerant individuals in the interior, including

shops and miners and engaged in additional strategic operations in targeting cluster/area that have been reported on raiding.

On this note, the GGDMA fully supports these measures and promised to continue engaging the Government to address the rogue elements that sully the operations of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

“Since taking office, the present administration has, much to the benefit of the industry, reinstated all of the incentives that were previously removed and have worked closely with stakeholders in the industry to create even more incentives in support of the industry and also to boost declaration,” the GGDMA added.

Further, it applauded the

minister for constantly engaging operators throughout the country and has worked directly with stakeholders to resolve issues.

“The GGDMA therefore reminds miners that it is part of their responsibility to ensure fair and true declarations, increase production, and work with the government to reduce illegal operations in the sector.”

⁠Meanwhile, the GGDMA reiterated its support for the Government of Guyana and the Natural Resources Ministry in taking the necessary actions to increase production, declarations, and curbing smuggling.

Only recently, the GGDMA argued that illegal mining is taking place on closed area lands in Mining Districts Three, Four, and

Five. The organisation stated that as of 2020, there were approximately more than 6 million acres of closed area mining lands, and many miners had made repeated appeals to the GGMC about illegal activities, but very little gets done.

In these regards, the

GGDMA is calling on the Government to demonstrate that it is serious about finally addressing the precursors to smuggling and other activities that currently taint Guyana’s gold and would make it undesirable internationally.

“For the future survival of the mining industry, the GGDMA continues to stand with the Government of Guyana to tackle these problems. This is not the first time the GGDMA has made this appeal,” the GGDMA has said. “We remain ready to support practical solutions to this rising threat.”

Hurricane Guyana deploys 1st support mission

… says Guyana activated full – as CDEMA, CPSO, Regional & Int’l partners

As the region battles with its first major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season – Beryl - President Dr Irfaan Ali who also serves as Chairman of the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM) on Monday stated that he was closely coordinating with all affected countries and Guyana has activated a full emergency response team.

“Currently, we are mobilising for our first support mission, prioritising Grenada for tomorrow morning. Hurricane Beryl is still very active in the region, and the coming days will be crucial in determining its path and the continued devastating impact it could have.”

As such, the Caricom Chairman called on the regional private sector and other agencies to be fully mobilised to provide support at this crucial juncture.

“I urge all citizens and the private sector of our region to coordinate closely with their respective governments and regional emergency response mechanisms in providing immediate support and relief to those affected by the hurricane.”

He added that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is already working to mobilise and coordinate assistance and disaster relief even as the storm is still passing through the Windward Islands.

“This is a time for all of us as a regional community to stand together and extend our support to those impacted or likely to be impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Let us mobilise the necessary assistance and relief efforts in the true spirit of regional solidarity. Together, we can overcome the adversities posed by this hurricane and ensure the safety and well-being of all our peoples and communities.”

In addition, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and Regional and International partners have indicated their readiness to assist affected States.

Hurricane Beryl continues to surge through the Windward Islands, delivering violent winds, intense rainfall, and a life-threatening storm.

According to reports, CDEMA and the Caribbean Development Partners Group (CDPG) summoned a meeting on Monday with over 166 key stakeholders, to devise a plan in preparation for the category four hurricane.

The meeting, co-chaired by CDEMA’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley, and the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett saw the attendance of Prime Minister of St. Vincent and

the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves and Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell.

Also present were National Disaster Coordinators who gave updates on activation of National Emergency Operation Centres, logistics, communication as well as relief and response to the levels of impact.

CDEMA says it will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Beryl and remains committed to supporting affected States during this time, including Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. This is part of efforts to promptly address the aftermath of the hurricane.

Meanwhile, the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) on Monday hosted its first Coordination Meeting aimed at mobilising the regional private resources to assist Member States, which may be impacted by the passage of Hurricane Beryl, currently affecting the Windward Islands.

The CPSO meeting was held within the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) framework in which the organisation participates on behalf of the regional private sector. The meeting, chaired by CPSO Executive Committee Member, Dr Thackwray Driver, and supported by Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director, Dr Patrick Antoine, sought to ensure coordination and alignment of the private sector response and that participating entities were on standby and in a state of readiness to provide the required aid.

This first meeting, convened against the backdrop of Hurricane Beryl’s destructive path through Grenada, Carriacou, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, was attended by private sector firms, and Business Support Organisations from Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, and Guyana, and CARICHAM.

“Ultimately, the assistance and support that we aim at providing must be informed by a Needs List,” Dr Driver stated. “Sometimes, unfortunately, well-meaning private sector and other persons may wish to share a variety of items, but we want to ensure that the support we extend matches the needs of the persons and private sectors in the affected countries as much as possible.”

Thus far, pledges have been confirmed from regional bottled water manufacturers to ensure that an emergency supply is ready and on hand if required. Additionally, several manufacturers and conglomerates have been approached for the provision of required relief items. Warehouse

Waves batter palm trees as Hurricane Beryl impacts Hastings, Barbados

Hurricane Beryl floods a street in Hastings, Barbados on Monday

Barbados in the path of Hurricane Beryl

Hurricane Beryl mission to Grenada today – Pres Ali

full emergency response team

pledge support to countries affected

space has been identified for the staging of relief items, regional marine vessel providers are being engaged to provide the required marine, and outreach is being made for ground transport services.

“To ensure that the support we provide matches the needs of the affected countries, we are in contact with CDEMA, and the disaster coordinating agencies in the respective countries, coordinating with regional private sector associations through CARICHAM, and are awaiting information from them,” Dr Antoine said.

“At this point, we are pooling all of the resources at our disposal and confirming the logistics so that we will be ready to mobilise, move ahead, and lend the required support at short notice.”

Hurricane Beryl, which intensified to a Category 4 hurricane on Monday, is moving through St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Carriacou.

The CPSO says that it joins with the Community in demonstrating our support for the Member States and CARICOM people who are being so badly affected by the wrath of Hurricane Beryl at this time.

“We will continue to work assiduously in contributing to the critical needs of those affected and to support the rapid recovery of the private sector and the Communities in affected Member States,” CPSO stated in a release.

Magnitude of Hurricane Beryl

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted that the first hurricane for the Atlantic season would start mid-August, and as a result, Hurricane Beryl’s arrival on Sunday shocked thousands.

The bathtub-warm ocean waters that facilitated Beryl’s alarming strengthening are a clear indicator that this hurricane season will be far from normal in a world warming due to fossil fuel pollution.

National Hurricane Center said it is the strongest known hurricane to pass through the region since 1851.

The storm located in Carriacou Island, Grenada, has sustained winds of 150 mph and is moving to the west-northwest at 20 mph. Beryl’s hurricane-force winds extend 40 miles from center while tropical-storm-force winds extend about 125 miles.

The National Hurricane Center warned that the “life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 9 feet above normal

tide levels” when Beryl made landfall.

Additionally, towering waves could also create life-threatening surf and rip currents and threaten small vessels and fishermen well after landfall while flash flooding is also a concern in parts of the Windward Islands.

Hurricane warnings

The Governments of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Tobago have issued hurricane warnings and urged citizens to be “extremely vigilant” at this time.

Meanwhile, hurricane watches are in effect for Jamaica, Trinidad, and the south coast of the Dominican Republic.

According to multinational news channel Cable News Network (CNN), over 400 people were being housed in hurricane shelters across Barbados and a state of emergency was declared by Grenadian Governor General Cecile La Grenade, which means all businesses are closed except the police force, hospitals, prisons, waste disposal and ports. This state of emergency took effect from 18:00h on Monday.

Further, over in St. Vincent and the Grenadines shelters remain open as well as grocery stores and gas stations. There has been reports of some destruction to properties and infrastructure in Tobago.

Late Monday, Prime Minister of Grenada Dikon Mitchell reported widespread damage across Grenada, with families battling heavy winds and rain. He stated that many have lost their roofs.

Also late on Monday, Barbados’ Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, announced that all is cleared after the national shutdown.

“Our teams are hitting the road to bring you more coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl,” he added.

Airport closures

Several regional flights have been postponed, as many of the major airports are also closing their doors.

Specifically, airports in Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia closed Sunday night as Beryl approached.

Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport is expected to reopen soon; however, Barbados is still hosting cricket fans from around the globe who traveled to the island for the T20 World Cup and were not able to evacuate before Beryl arrived. This includes the world campions, Team India.

One of the streets around Barbados with debris

The roof of a house being ripped off by Hurricane Beryl

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) kicked off its 185th

Drum Head Church Service at the Police Officers' Mess Annexe, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. The occasion

on July 1, 1839 (Photos by CCU's photography team)

Govt reaffirms commitment to support Pakuri Village amid flash flood crisis

– distributes over 400 hampers

The Government has reassured residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri Village of its unwavering commitment to supporting them not only in prosperous times but also during hardships.

This reassurance was made by the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, following the recent heavy downpours which led to severe flooding in the area.

“The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is not a Government that is there only in good times and times of celebration but even amid your misery and struggles. We are not a fair-weather Government; we are there with you every time, on every occasion, and for every season. It has to be so,” McCoy stated.

He further emphasised that the government’s role extends beyond photo opportunities and being present only when things are going well. According to him, the government is committed to helping the community navigate every situation, finding solutions, and providing support through difficult times.

During the outreach over the weekend, some 400 hampers were distrib-

uted to residents.

“Today’s activity serves as a way of supporting you in cleaning up and getting back to your usual operations. We have provided cleaning hampers and food hampers for every household. We understand that people's livestock and farm households were affected, and these hampers come from our genuine concern and interest in the people of the village. We want to see you through this difficult time and help you recover,” McCoy added.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Toshao Alvoro Simons expressed his gratitude for the government’s initiative, highlighting the road repair work that was done as workers from the village council received aid from the Public Works Ministry and the CDC.

“Our entrance road was repaired in 24 hours, and the council acted quickly on that. Villagers had a sense of comfort knowing that help was coming and that we had the CDC on board,” Simons stated.

“We had excavators come from the Ministry of Public Works; however, the laborers were all sourced from the village.”

Additionally, he mentioned that this effort was not just about repairing the road but also ensuring that residents don’t have to

face another repeat of what happened during the flash flood period.

“As the village develops and we have more experienced people, including engineers, coming in, it’s a learning process. While it might not have been perfect this year, we’re going to propose to the government at the NTC that the road needs further attention,” he said

Amid his views, he expressed great thanks to the government for its progressive swift help.

“The road is in a much better state now. I must commend them for acting so quickly. It wasn’t just the three parts that broke away; they also did some remedial work on other parts. We are very thankful for their swift action,” Simons added.

St. Cuthbert’s Mission/ Pakuri Village Flash Flooding

On June 25, a severe weather event struck St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri Village, resulting in a flash flood that caused extensive damage. The downpour persisted for approximately 12 hours thus flooding homes and farms along the Mahaica River and severely damaging infrastructure.

By the morning of June 26, residents woke to find roads leading into

the village washing away. Reports of flooding from various parts of the village began pouring in, detailing the widespread impact on both residential and agricultural areas.

In response, the local village council, comprising a 16-member team, convened early at the community center. The council, under the leadership of its newly elected chairperson, acted swiftly to coordinate with relevant agencies, including the Community Disaster Committee (CDC), the Regional Transportation Committee (RTC), and the Prime Minister's office.

This coordination was crucial in mobilising resources and providing immediate relief to the affected residents.

Throughout the day, continuous communication between the council and these agencies facilitated rapid action. The CDC was instrumental in delivering aid, including essential hampers for the affected families. Moreover, the council prioritised the restoration of the village’s main access road, which was accomplished in an impressive 24-hour period. This feat was made possible by the relentless efforts of local workers who labored around the clock to ensure the road was repaired promptly. The swift and efficient response by the village council, supported by the CDC, provided much-needed relief and reassurance to the residents. The community expressed gratitude for the timely assistance and the council's dedication to keeping them informed about ongoing relief efforts. The collaboration between the council and various agencies underscored the importance of preparedness and community solidarity in the face of natural disasters.

Disability groups welcome new online digital platform to aid PWDs

Various different-

ly-abled groups across Guyana have praised the new digital online platform that facilitates quicker processes for pensioners and persons with disabilities (PWD).

Last week, the Human Services Ministry introduced an automated machine at its Cornhill Street, Georgetown office to allow differently-abled individuals to swiftly apply for pensions and permanent disability benefits online or switch to receiving benefits through banks.

All they need to do is visit the reception area with their ID card or passport, a recent bank statement, and an immigration letter (if applicable). An officer will be available to assist, eliminating the need for waiting and long lines.

Praising this initiative as an excellent move was Programme Manager

Programme Coordinator of the Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), Ganesh Singh

at Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Ganesh Singh.

“This system will make the process less burdensome, removing many barriers and making it much easier for people with disabilities to access the grant.”

He added, “It is a very positive move. We have done some testing, and the assistance is in place. I fore-

Officials testing out the new Digital System for Persons with Disabilities

see great benefits for the disabled community.”

Meanwhile, the Guyana Times spoke with the Advocacy and Communications Officer for the National Commission on Disability, Avonel Corrica

who also praised the initiative but noted some areas for improvement.

She highlighted that not all physically challenged persons might be able to access the equipment due to varying levels of education

and specific needs.

“I think it's an excellent initiative. However, not all persons with disabilities may be able to take advantage of it because of their level of education. With the required training, they will be able to do so sooner,” she explained.

Corrica emphasised the need for tailored approaches when dealing with different disabilities.

“For example, the deaf population requires a different method of communication. If you're rolling out a programme for all persons with disabilities, you must consider the type of disabilities. The blind population, for instance, may face setbacks in using this technology.”

She added that there are other disability types, such as amputees and those with other physical disabilities, who may be able to access it. However, special consid-

eration must be made for the deaf and the blind.

“It's a great initiative, but there are areas that must be addressed to ensure the service is inclusive for all people with disabilities. You can't just focus on a specific type of disability; you have to cater to all types.”

Corrica concluded, “Once the required measures are put in place to meet the needs of all disability types, the initiative will be excellently executed. For those who can access it, it will reduce the time they spend going to banks and other places.”

The new digital platform marks a significant step towards improving the efficiency and accessibility of services for persons with disabilities in Guyana, showcasing the Government's commitment to inclusivity and technological advancement in social services.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy engaging with residents

100 young actors benefit from workshop facilitated by Hollywood star

Some 100 young actors from across Guyana on Sunday gained crucial knowledge that will help bolster their acting careers as the Culture Youth and Sport Ministry conducted its first-ever “Actors’ Workshop” at the National Culture Center.

Delivering remarks at the workshop was the Director of National Events at the Culture, Youth, and Sport Ministry, Andrew Tyndall who highlighted that this initiative has been a long-time goal of the ministry.

“We’ve done a lot of work

this is something we must expose to the young people of Guyana,” he asserted.

in dance, music, and visual arts. We’ve worked in theatre and drama, but we haven’t been able to have an actor’s workshop until now. Having a Hollywood actor here is exceptional, and

Also delivering remarks subject minister Charles Ramson Jr who noted that performing arts is a growing sector in the country. In this regard he stated that the government has

made significant investments such as the development of the Guyana School of Theatre Arts and Drama which will provide students with various skills and training to advance in their careers.

Additionally, the minister underscored that it is important for learners to get first-hand information that will provide a realistic view and better help students navigate their careers.

“We don’t get a lot of opportunities to have persons who are from our country who have had that experience in Hollywood, so this investment that we made is an investment that we are making in you” he stated.

Meanwhile, facilitating the workshop was Hollywood actor Silvio Simac who was featured in The Terminator. Simac thanked the participants for gracing him with hospitality and expressed his excitement to work alongside potential future actors.

Simac also encouraged students not to let setbacks deter them from accom-

plishing their goals noting that each setback is a lesson, not a failure. In this regard, he encouraged students to take small steps

ing, and initiating momentum always requires the greatest effort.”

Moreover, he urged the students to call on their

felt at the time. That initial spark will sustain you through tough times and challenge you to be better. When you face obstacles, remind yourself why you started in the first place.”

To ensure the workshop was a comprehensive learning experience, the sessions focused on different aspects of acting. The students participated in improvisation exercises, learned about stage presence and received feedback on their performances.

The interactive nature of the workshop allowed the students to engage directly with Simac, who provided personalised advice

toward accomplishing their goals.

“Make small changes that will contribute to long-term success. Always remind yourself, this is not a race. Starting something new, getting the ball roll-

emotions in their acting endeavours and throughout challenging times.

“Think back to the moment when you first set your goals. Remember the excitement, motivation, and sense of purpose you

and encouragement. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport plans to continue such workshops, seeing the value they bring to the development of young talent in Guyana.

“Don’t sit in offices and wait for people, get on the ground”

– Burton-Persaud tells union officers

In a swift move to rejuvenate Guyana’s Cooperative Union, its Director, Gillian BurtonPersaud, has called officers across Guyana to be more proactive.

She made this call during an interfaith service on Sunday when the union kicked off Guyana’s 102nd International Co-operatives Week.

According to Persaud, there is significant work for everyone in co-operative societies and they must get active. “I call upon the Co-

operative officers of the ministry across the lengths and breaths of Guyana, don’t just sit in your offices and wait for people to come to you. Get out there, hit the ground.”

Using this as the basis

of her point, she exclaimed that they should be field workers, not desk workers, and should visit each co-operative, especially those that are shrinking and dying, to inject life back into them.

Burton-Persaud stressed that this initiative is crucial due to Guyana’s rapid growth. “They must do this because they’re needed at this time as Guyana moves forward at a very rapid pace of development. We can only progress if you help to put in the work.”

Meanwhile, she drew reference to President Dr Irfan Ali who has been traveling across Guyana, encouraging people to be part of the country's fast-paced developmental process and to work together to achieve the nation’s goals.

“As we look at our oil and gas sectors, we need to also see where we can have people come together and be part of that industry not only as individuals but as co-operative societies, my call to you is to let us come together and work for the betterment of Guyana. Co-

operatives are a main and important tool in that process, we can do it.”

Lending her perspective on the notion that Guyana has undergone numerous changes over the years, Burton-Persaud asserted that co-operatives need to return to the drawing board. She noted that in Guyana, co-operatives are very important and that they have come through the ages, and faced numerous tests, trials, and challenges, but they have withstood the test of time.

“We need to go back to the drawing board and come up with new, fresh, and innovative ideas for new types of co-operatives.”

As the nation continues to grow, the co-operative movement is seen as a vital component in ensuring that progress benefits all citizens.

Director of the Guyana National Co-operative Union Ltd, Gillian Burton-Persaud

Hollywood actor Silvio Simac and one of the participants during the workshop on Sunday

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr

Hollywood actor Silvio Simac addressing the young actors

The participants who attended the workshop

Women in Energy Guyana elects 2024-2025 BoD

Women in Energy (WIE) Guyana on Sunday revealed the results of its Annual General Meeting that was held on June 30, 2024, where the organisation elected its Board of Directors (BoD) for the 2024-2025 term.

President of MBW Energy Support Services Inc., Abbigale LonckeWatson has been re-elected as Chairwoman, reaffirming her leadership and commitment to advancing women in the energy sector. Founder and CEO of Sure Gig Inc., Filisha Duke joins the board as Vice Chairwoman, bringing her entrepreneurial spirit and vision to the organisation.

Field Engineer at SLB, Shanae Heber assumes the role of Secretary, le-

veraging her technical expertise to support WIE’s

administrative functions while Corporate Director and Internal Auditor at Caribbean CAGE LLC., Alista Bishop will continue her role as Treasurer, ensuring financial stewardship and accountability.

Typist Clerk at the Guyana Elections Commission and Student at the University of Guyana, Mowavia Williams, has been elected as Membership Director, focusing on expanding WIE’s network and community engagement efforts.

Founder and CEO of Camille’s Academy Inc., Camille Deokie Gorakh joins as Fundraising and Events Director, driving initiatives to support

WIE’s mission through strategic events and fundraising activities.

Reflecting on the achievements of WIE, Abbigale Loncke-Watson expressed heartfelt gratitude to outgoing Board members Michelle A. Nicholas, Founder and CEO of The NICO Consulting, Inc., and Camille Boyle, Business Strategist/ Investor at Executive Business Solutions.

Their dedicated service and leadership in external affairs, governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, program development, and operational oversight have been instrumental in shaping WIE’s success.

Loncke-Watson fur-

ther encouraged members to continue advocating for diversity and inclusivity within the energy sector, emphasising the importance of collaboration and empowerment. Under her continued leadership, WIEG looks forward to pioneering new initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women to excel in every facet of the energy industry.

For more information about Women in Energy Guyana and its initiatives, please visit https:// wie-guyana.org/. You can also connect with WIE on social media to stay updated on future events and opportunities for women in energy.

“Amity” Steel Band presentation celebrates collaboration, showcases Guyanese culture

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Unit once again brought the vibrant sounds of steel pan music to life with its annual “Amity” Steel Band presentation, celebrating the talents and creativity of students from across Guyana. Held on Sunday at the Kingston Seawall

In his opening remarks, Education Officer with Responsibility for Music, Joel Gonsalves highlighted the cultural and historical importance of steel band music, noting that Guyana’s embrace of this tradition has made it a cornerstone of the country’s artistic heritage.

He reminded those in attendance that the Ministry of Education believes talent

what we are doing today is a testimony of that,” he said.

According to Gonsalves, this activity is also aligned with the five priority areas outlined by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand. These areas are Music, Sport, Volunteerism, Language and TVET.

He pointed out that the country currently has 18

Esplanade, the event featured performances from West Demerara Secondary School, The Bishops’ High School, St. Rose’s High School, Dolphin Secondary School, Buxton Steel Orchestra, President’s College, and Berbice High School.

flourishes when nurtured. They have consistently demonstrated this commitment by supporting children’s artistic development.

“We in the Ministry of Education, with responsibility for music, believe that music can only grow if we continue to enhance it. And

steel bands, and the ministry has endeavoured to increase this number.

In this regard, he disclosed that before the end of the year, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) will receive a steel band.

“The ministry has committed to three bands every year to a school, whether it’s

a primary or a secondary school. And before the end of this year, we have a commitment to several schools, including the Cyril Potter College of Education. Before this year ends, Cyril Potter College will receive a steel band,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Allied Arts Unit, Nicholas Fraser, identified several issues within the arts that the unit has been addressing, including care and maintenance of musical equipment, and the availability of instructors.

“We may be able to

give out as many pans and as many bands to schools around the country. But we do need to have more instructors who will be able to hone those talents,” he explained.

He added that “Amity,” meaning friendly relations, perfectly captures the spirit of this event, as it is not a competition, but a celebration of teamwork, showcasing the fruits of collaborative effort.

The event saw the attendance of parents, teachers, and senior officials from the Ministry of Education

Bush Lot, WCB fire ravages several buildings

Several buildings including businesses were gutted on Monday following a fire at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB). Based on reports received, the fire started at one building and within minutes engulfed other nearby buildings.

While the cause and origin of the fire remain unknown, the Guyana Times understands that the fire reportedly started at about 17:30h but firefighters were still battling the blaze two hours later.

Onlookers at the scene could be heard blaming the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for the destruction since had they arrived in time to contain the blaze, businesses and houses would have been saved. Full details will be available in Wednesday’s edition.

Head of the Allied Arts Unit, Nicholas Fraser

Buxton Steel Orchestra performing at ‘‘Amity’’

Education Officer with Responsibility for Music, Joel Gonsalves

The new Board of Directors

Regional

Hurricane Beryl makes landfall as Caribbean braces for days ahead

Hurricane Beryl has made landfall on Carriacou Island in Grenada, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The hurricane, which has regained strength in the past hours, has sparked warnings of life-threatening winds and dangerous storm surges.

"In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened," Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell said.

A hurricane warning is also in effect in Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago.

Earlier, airports and businesses shut down and residents across the Caribbean were urged to seek shelter as the potentially devastating storm hit the region.

Dozens of flights were cancelled across the region as Beryl approached on Sunday night, while leaders urged the public to heed warnings.

In a news briefing on Monday, Mitchell warned:

"We are not yet out of the woods." Grenada has also experienced several power outages, impacting com-

munications and access to Government updates.

Maximum sustained winds for the hurricane are near 150mph (241 km/h), according to the NHC's lat-

Founder of Venezuela's most feared gang arrested

Police in Colombia have arrested one of the founders of the feared transnational crime gang Tren de Aragua.

Larry Amaury Álvarez Núñez, also known as “Larry Changa”, was captured in a rural area in Quindío province.

Colombia's Ministry of Defence said Larry Changa was wanted in his native Venezuela as well as in Chile on charges of terrorism, arms trafficking, extortion and kidnapping.

The Tren de Aragua criminal group which he co-founded has spread in recent years from Venezuela as far south as Chile and as far north as the United States.

Larry Changa, 46, is

from the Venezuelan state of Aragua, from which his criminal gang takes its name.

Under his leadership, the Tren de Aragua grew from a prison gang based at Tocorón jail, where he and co-founder Héctor Guerrero Flores were serving time for murder, into an international crime syndicate.

Changa managed to escape from Tocorón in 2015.

Three years later, he reappeared in Chile, where, according to Prosecutors, he set up money-laundering operations for the gang.

Venezuelan author Ronna Rísquez, who has written a book about the Tren de Aragua, has de -

scribed in a BBC News Mundo article [in Spanish] how crime has shot up in Chile as a result of the expansion of the Tren de Aragua.

Rísquez says that the gang took advantage of the flow of millions of migrants from Venezuela to other Latin American nations to expand its empire.

It extorts migrants, is involved in sex trafficking, contract killings and kidnappings.

Larry Changa is believed to have fled Chile in 2022 as Chilean Police closed in on him.

Police in Colombia tracked him down in the small town of Circasia, in Colombia's coffee region.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Cuba announces new measures for "war-time economy" amid growing crisis

Cuba’s Government said late on Sunday it would double down on price controls and continue to fight tax evasion in an increasingly desperate bid to tamp down on a ballooning fiscal deficit and spiralling inflation that have devastated its economy.

The measures will bring the 2024 budget and goals in line with what the Government refers to as a "war-time economy," according to a State-run media summary of a meeting of the Council of Ministers,

the country`s top executive body.

"All of us are here to save the (Cuban) Revolution and save socialism," President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in the meeting.

Cuba`s economy has been decimated by a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, stiffened US sanctions and a State-dominated business model plagued by bureaucracy, mismanagement and corruption.

The social and economic crisis is widely seen as

among the worst since Fidel Castro`s 1959 revolution, leading to a record-breaking exodus of Cuban migrants in the past two years.

The announced measures – many long discussed and implemented in various forms by Cuba’s socialist Government –- aim to bolster foreign exchange, encourage food production and bring order to flailing Staterun businesses, said Mildrey Granadillo de la Torre, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning. (Excerpt from Reuters)

est update, as the storm moves west.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Jamaica, which means the region is likely to experience hurricane conditions by Wednesday.

"It is not a joke," said the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, reminding people of the devastation caused by past hurricanes in the Caribbean.

In a national address from his official residence, Gonsalves said he was

seeking shelter in his basement.

"The roof, certainly the old part of the roof, may not survive winds at 150mph. I am making preparations to go downstairs," he said.

Beryl's strength has been fluctuating.

The hurricane was upgraded to a category four on Monday after slightly weakening earlier.

The NHC said fluctuations in strength were likely to continue, but warned that portions of the Windward islands should prepare for "potentially catastrophic wind damage".

It said St Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Grenada were at the highest risk of damage.

Hurricane shelters opened at 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday.

The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, also urged citizens to be alert.

"We need to be ready. You and I know when these things happen, it is better to plan for the worst and pray for the best," she said.

"Do not let your guard down," she added.

Meteorologists say that it is unusual for a hurricane of this strength to form this early in the year.

"Only five major

(Category 3+) hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic before the first week of July," hurricane expert Michael Lowry posted on X, formerly known as twitter.

"Beryl would be the sixth and earliest this far east in the tropical Atlantic," Lowry wrote.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned that the North Atlantic could get as many as seven major hurricanes this year – up from the average three in a season. It said record high sea surface temperatures were partly to blame.

Meteorologists have also remarked on how quickly Beryl developed.

The storm strengthened from a tropical depression into a major hurricane – category three or above – in only 42 hours, hurricane expert Sam Lillo told Associated Press news agency.

Much of the region has heeded the warnings.

Shops have closed and people have stocked up on fuel and groceries.

Grenada issued a state of emergency and St Lucia imposed a "national shutdown", ordering schools and businesses to remain closed. (BBC News)

Peru's ex-presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori begins

trial for money laundering

Former Peruvian presidential candidate

Keiko Fujimori arrived in court on Monday at the start of a trial over allegations she received illegal funds from a Brazilian construction company and local firms, which could carry a jail penalty of up to 30 years.

The politician, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, faces charges of money laundering and leading a criminal organisation

that received contributions for her 2011 and 2016 electoral campaigns, according to Prosecutors who have been investigating her for nearly a decade.

Keiko Fujimori – who currently leads the influential Popular Force party – arrived at the courtroom alongside her lawyer and other defendants in the trial, which is being broadcast on television.

The more than 40 other defendants include for-

mer officials and militants of Fujimori's party. She has previously said she was innocent and rejected the charges.

According to Prosecutors, Popular Force was used to irregularly receive some US$17 million from various contributors, such as Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht (renamed Novonor in 2020) and Peruvian financial holding company Credicorp. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Advocates for reparations say Dutch slavery apologies not enough

As the Netherlands on Monday marked 161 years since the abolition of slavery with annual Ketikoti celebrations, activists have questioned the sincerity of apologies by Dutch authorities since the issue of reparations has not been addressed.

"Ketikoti" is a Surinamese expression that means the "the chain is broken", and it is the title given to July 1 as a day of remembrance of slavery and celebration of freedom.

But in an incident high-

lighting the issue's divisiveness, Speaker of the House Martin Bosma was uninvited from Monday's celebrations for refusing to apologise for past dismissive remarks on slavery.

The Government has ruled out reparations, instead setting up a 200 million euro fund to promote social initiatives in the Netherlands, the Dutch Caribbean, and Suriname.

It said in a statement on Friday that the fund would benefit descendants

of enslaved people and other groups, with the goal of countering "the harmful effects of the past in the present".

The idea of reparations for the transatlantic slavery is long-standing, but has recently been gaining momentum worldwide. Opponents say countries shouldn't be held responsible for historical wrongs, while proponents say the legacy of slavery has resulted in persistent and vast racial inequalities today.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A man screws a board onto the window of a shop in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 30, 2024 [Getty Images]

Around the World

Middle East disruptions could push prices to US$90

Oil prices move a notch higher Monday ahead of the July Fourth weekend and the broader summer driving season. Could geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and seasonal factors push crude oil even higher?

Lipow Oil Associates President Andy Lipow communicates oil market concerns around potential escalations in these Middle East conflicts and how the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, including Russia, commonly known as OPEC+ can continue to constrain supply.

"It's easy to see that OPEC+ has surprised the market before, they could do it once again. If crude oil prices were to remain in the $80 per barrel range, they could extend those voluntary production cuts through the end of the year," Lipow tells The Morning Brief. "But the initial announcement from OPEC+ was reacted [to]quite bearishly with the oil market as they saw more supply coming on to the market sooner than expected." (Yahoo Finance)

Leader of Russia's Dagestan blames attacks on

'international terrorists'

The leader of Russia's mainly Muslim Dagestan region where gunmen last month staged deadly attacks in two cities said on Monday that the security threat was coming from "international terrorist organisations".

State media quoted Sergei Melikov as saying 22 persons had died in the June 23 attacks, whose targets included churches and synagogues.

Western security experts said the attacks were further evidence that Russia, preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, faces a growing problem with Islamist militant violence at home. But

Palestinian militants fire rockets into Israel, tanks advance in Gaza

The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets into Israel on Monday as fighting raged in Gaza and Israeli tanks advanced deeper in parts of the enclave, residents and officials said.

Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas – both of whom are backed by Iran - -said its fighters fired rockets towards several Israeli communities near the fence with Gaza in response to "the crimes of the Zionist enemy against our Palestinian people".

The volley of about 20 rockets caused no casualties, the Israeli military said. But the attack showed militants still possess rocket capabilities almost nine months into an offensive that Israel says is aimed at neutralising

threats against it. Residents of several neighbourhoods in eastern Khan Younis, which is in southern Gaza, said they

had received audio messages from Israeli phone numbers ordering them to leave their homes.

"For your safety, you

must evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone," army spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on social media platform X in a call to residents and displaced people living in those areas.

Some suggested this could mean Israeli forces will return to the area, which they left several weeks ago. The Israeli military said in a statement earlier on Monday the rockets were fired from the Khan Younis area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was nearing its goal of taking out the military capabilities of Hamas, the Islamist group that governs Gaza and led the October 7 assault on Israel that sparked the war. Less intense operations would continue, he said.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Victims of Hamas attack sue Iran, Syria, North Korea in US court

More than 100 victims and relatives of victims of the October 7 attack by Hamas militants in Israel sued Iran, Syria and North Korea on Monday, accusing the countries of providing Hamas support and demanding at least US$4 billion in damages.

The lawsuit filed in fed-

eral court in Washington, DC, by the Anti-Defamation League is the largest case against foreign countries in connection with the attack, and the first backed by a Jewish organisation, the ADL said in a press release.

It accuses the three countries of providing financial, military and tactical support to Hamas. The US

US Supreme Court finds Trump has broad immunity from prosecution

The US Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for actions that were within his constitutional powers as President in a landmark ruling recognising for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.

Melikov insisted the threat was an external one.

"The main threat factor influencing the situation in the republic remains the increased activity of international terrorist organisations," State news agency RIA quoted him as saying.

"And no matter how they try to convince us that the events in Dagestan happened internally, I, for one, will never believe this."

He said there was direct and indirect evidence pointing to the role of "our direct enemies" in the attacks, but did not specify who they were or what the evidence was.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The Justices, in a 6-3 ruling authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, threw out a lower court's decision that had rejected Trump's claim of immunity from federal criminal charges involving his efforts to undo his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. The six conservative Justices were in the majority, while its three liberal members dissented.

Trump is the Republican candidate challenging Biden, a Democrat, in the November 5 US election in a 2020 rematch. The Supreme Court's slow handling of the case and its decision to re-

turn key questions about the scope of Trump's immunity to the Trial Judge to resolve make it improbable he will be tried before the election on these charges brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

"We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office," Roberts wrote.

Immunity for former Presidents is "absolute" with respect to their "core constitutional powers," Roberts wrote, and a former president has "at least a presumptive immunity" for "acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility," meaning prosecutors face a high legal bar to overcome that presumption. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Government has designed Iran, Syria and North Korea State sponsors of terrorism.

More than 1200 persons were killed in the attack and 250 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. The plaintiffs in the case include US citizens injured on October 7, as well as relatives and the estates of victims killed in the attack.

Israel's offensive in Gaza in response has killed nearly 38,000 persons, according to Gazan health officials, and

left the enclave in ruins. "Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of antisemitism and terror – along with Syria and North Korea, they must be held responsible for their roles in the largest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust," ADL Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement.

Iran already faced several similar lawsuits in connection with the October 7 attack. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rival French parties seek to build antifar right front

Opponents of France's far right sought to build a united front to block the path to Government of Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) on Monday, after the party made historic gains to win the first round of a parliamentary election.

The RN and its allies won Sunday's round with 33 per cent of the vote, followed by a left-wing bloc with 28 per cent and well ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's broad alliance of centrists, who scored just 22 per cent, official results showed.

While financial markets rallied on relief the RN tally was not greater, it was still a huge setback for Macron, who had called the snap election after his ticket was trounced by the RN in the European Parliament election last month.

"I'm satisfied, because we need change," said RN

supporter Jean-Claude Gaillet, 64, in Le Pen's northern stronghold of Henin-Beaumont. "Things have not moved, and they must move."

But others feared the rise of the RN and its nationalist platform would cause growing tensions in French society.

"I don't think people realise what's happening, they are only thinking of the cost of living and shortterm things like that," said Yamina Addou outside a supermarket in the nearby town of Oignies, south of Lille. "I find it very sad." Whether the anti-immigrant, Eurosceptic RN can form a government will depend now on how successfully other parties manage to thwart Le Pen by rallying round best-placed rival candidates in hundreds of constituencies across France.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Palestinians, who fled the eastern part of Khan Younis, walk, after they were ordered by the Israeli army to evacuate their neighbourhoods amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, July 1, 2024 (Reuters/Mohammed photo)

Sergei Melikov, the head of the Dagestan region, visits Derbent synagogue following an attack by gunmen and a fire, in Derbent in the region of Dagestan, Russia, June 24, 2024, in this still image taken from video (Head of the Dagestan region Sergei Melikov via Telegram/Handout via Reuters photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

You'll be overwhelmed by what others do or say. Take time to examine your options before you respond. Protect your heart, possessions and cash. Don't share your secrets or intentions.

You'll click with people who share your beliefs or objectives. Use your connections to expand your knowledge. Put your skills to good use, and promote yourself with finesse.

20-May 20) (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Keep your thoughts to yourself until you clearly understand what you want to do and how to exercise your plans. Keep your ideas private, or someone will take over and steal your thunder.

Don't let an opportunity elude you. Reach out and grab what's yours. Take advantage of whatever comes your way and use your intelligence to turn your dream into a reality. Embrace life.

Expect someone to use manipulation or false information to gain your approval or get you to sign up for something. Don't let your ego get in the way of common sense. Look out for your best interests.

Set your sights on what you want to achieve and initiate the necessary changes. Pay attention to detail and proceed with confidence. Trust your instincts and make things happen.

Review your options, consider what's necessary and focus on what you want to achieve. Use your imagination, and you'll outshine any competition you encounter. Let your charm lead the way.

Focus on fitness, style and socializing. Pay attention to detail and get involved in activities that spark your imagination. Personal change and looking your best are in the stars.

Opportunities are apparent if you are willing to do something different. A partnership can help improve your lifestyle and personal decisions.

Take care of domestic issues quickly. Adjust your schedule to meet demands. Add activities to your routine that promote a healthy attitude and physical well-being.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) (June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22) (March 21-April 19) (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) (May 21-June 20)

Don't make premature alterations. Take the time to accurately assess situations. If you take on too much at once, you'll fall short of your expectations. Take the road less traveled.

Simplify your life and walk away from overly demanding situations. Don't participate in gossip or share your data or secrets. Focus on self-improvement, better health and looking your best.

South Africa Women tour of India, Only Test, Chennai

Rana's 10-wicket haul wraps up India’s victory over South Africa

India won the one-off Test against South Africa by 10 wickets on the final session of the final day at Chepauk, keeping the visitors winless in the series so far. Shafali Verma's double-century, Smriti Mandhana's 149, Sneh Rana's sensational 10-wicket haul – there were multiple high-points for India. The match will also be remembered for the way South Africa fought hard for almost 240 overs in testing conditions.

That South Africa forced India to bat for the second time after declaring at 603 for 6 showed the visitors' extraordinary determination, coming on the back of the limited red-ball practice. From being bowled out for 266 in the first innings, South Africa rose thanks to centuries each

from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus and a resolute Nadine de Klerk to keep the contest alive till the final ses-

SCOREBOARD

South Africa Women

2nd Innings (Following on)

Laura Wolvaardt (c) lbw

b Gayakwad 122

Anneke Bosch lbw

b Sharma 9

Sune Luus

b Kaur 109

Marizanne Kapp lbw

b Sharma 31

Delmi Tucker c Rodrigues

b Rana 0

Nadine de Klerk

b Gayakwad 61

Sinalo Jafta †c Shubha

b Rana 15

Annerie Dercksen lbw

b Vastrakar 5 Tumi Sekhukhune run out

(Gayakwad) 6

Masabata Klaas

b Shafali Verma 2

Nonkululeko Mlaba not out 1

Extras (b 8, lb 1, nb 3) 12

TOTAL 154.4 Ov (RR: 2.41) 373

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Anneke Bosch, 7.4 ov), 2-206 (Sune Luus, 73.2 ov), 3-264 (Marizanne Kapp, 98.5 ov), 4-266 (Delmi Tucker, 99.5 ov), 5-281 (Laura Wolvaardt, 105.5 ov), 5-302,

6-310 (Annerie Dercksen, 120.4 ov), 7-324 (Tumi Sekhukhune, 134.3 ov), 8-334 (Sinalo Jafta, 140.2 ov), 9-357 (Masabata Klaas, 151.5 ov), 10373 (Nadine de Klerk, 154.4 ov) • DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Renuka Singh 10-1-30-0 Sneh Rana 40-12-111-2 Pooja Vastrakar 16-7-35-1

Deepti Sharma 45-10-95-2

Rajeshwari Gayakwad 30.4-12-55-2

Shafali Verma 3-1-7-1

Harmanpreet Kaur 10-0-31-1

India Women 2nd Innings (T: 37 runs)

Shubha Satheesh not out 13

Shafali Verma not out 24 Extras 0 TOTAL 9.2 Ov (RR: 3.96) 37/0

Did not bat: Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh †, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Nonkululeko Mlaba 5-0-18-0

sion.

South Africa started a gloomy day four on 232 for 2, trailing by 105 runs, with Wolvaardt seven short of her maiden hundred. She brought up her century in 259 balls, punishing anything short and wide of off stump, but 15 overs into the game, South Africa lost Marizanne Kapp when she played down the wrong line and was trapped lbw by Deepti Sharma. Delmi Tucker was the next one to fall in the following over when Jemimah Rodrigues took a sharp catch at cover off Rana. Not long after that, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, in her first over of the day, dismissed Wolvaardt for 122. After pitching the first four balls outside off stump, she darted one on middle and leg and it went in quicker than Wolvaardt anticipated to trap her in front.

Thirty overs, 70 runs, three wickets in the morning. India needed just five more for victory, but were made to toil for those.

The afternoon session was a quiet one with South Africa scoring 34 runs in 29 overs. De Klerk was an unsung hero in that period. There was joy in her slow-burn, and was a test of her ability to play the long game. She is usually ultra-aggressive in whiteball cricket. De Klerk spent 213 minutes on the field, and notched up her maiden Test fifty in 174 balls with seven fours. It was one of the great blockathons, almost giving away nothing to the Indian spinners.

Sinalo Jafta, retired hurt due to lower limb cramps at 9, came back to bat in the

session,

it seemed like they would bat out the overs to eke out a draw if de Klerk continued

her resilience.

But then, a wicket came out of nowhere. Shafali, in her third over of the second innings, got one to turn in to clean up Masabata Klaas. In the next over, Rajeshwari Gayakwad ended de Klerk's innings with a flighted delivery to disturb her stumps. South Africa had managed to push into the lead, but it was only 36 runs. Shafali and Shubha Satheesh, who came in ahead of Smriti Mandhana, took 9.2 overs to chase it down.

The focus shifts to the T20 Internationals (T20Is) quickly in a few days' time, but this was cricket at its finest at Chepauk, where women's Tests returned for the first time since 1976.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Afghanistan women request...

The women's players expressed their joy at the men's achievements even as they reflected on their own plight.

"We, the formerly contracted players of the Afghanistan Women's team, are proud and excited by the achievements of Afghanistan at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, and wish to congratulate Rashid Khan and his team on reaching the semi-finals," the letter read. "A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers."

In November 2020, the ACB had held a women's cricket trial in Kabul, and agreed to contract 25 women's players, with the aim of developing a slow progression of fixtures. A tour to Oman was being mooted as their first assignment, but it never took place, as nine months later, the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan saw women and girls banned from most areas of public life, including sport.

Many of those involved in sport sought exile abroad, and a significant proportion of Afghanistan's female footballers and cricketers now live in Australia. There are also some in the UK and Canada. Most of them continue to play cricket at local clubs, and while they have received assistance from various organisations, they have not been able to formalise themselves into a representative team. They have chosen this moment, with Afghan cricket in the headlines, to remind the world of their existence and to propose a solution to their continued exclu-

FROM PAGE 22

sion.

"We want to recruit and train girls and women who love cricket to show the world the talent of Afghan women, and to demonstrate the great victories they can achieve if given a chance through the leadership and financial support of the ICC"

Excerpt from Afghanistan women's letter to the ICC

Currently, the ICC is unable to offer them official status, because as a member organisation, it relies on individual boards to compile and recognise teams. The ACB, because of the Taliban's position on women, cannot recognise a women's team. There are fears from various quarters that forcing the issue of a women's team on the Taliban Government would put lives at risk.

The exiled players understand the sensitivities, and have asked for recognition in

a different way, by being afforded the status of a refugee team. From their communication, it appears that only Afghan refugee cricketers will be included in their proposed set-up.

"Our goals in having a refugee team are to develop and showcase our talent, give hope to the women remaining in Afghanistan, and to draw attention to the challenges women of Afghanistan face," the letter said. "Like the Afghanistan men's team, we aim to compete at the highest levels. We want to recruit and train girls and women who love cricket to show the world the talent of Afghan women, and to demonstrate the great victories they can achieve if given a chance through the leadership and financial support of the ICC."

The ICC has been contacted for comment. (ESPNcricinfo)

second

lasting 36. At tea, South Africa were 336 for 8, trailing by one run and

The Taliban's reluctance to recognise a women's team has meant Afghanistan's women have not received official status from the ICC

Laura Wolvaardt stroked a fluent 122 before falling lbw Sneh Rana is ecstatic after picking 10 wickets for the match

Sune Luus runs to Laura Wolvaardt to celebrate her maiden Test ton

JAAA prepares contingency plans ahead of Hurricane Beryl

…to protect Olympic athletes' training programmes

With Hurricane Beryl barrelling towards Jamaica and expected to make landfall later this week, the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) is proactively looking at ways to mitigate potential disruptions to the training programmes of Olympic athletes.

The athletes, who secured their spots on Jamaica's team for the 2024 Paris Olympics just this past weekend, face the looming threat of the hurricane's strong winds, which exceed 100 kilometres per hour (kph). These conditions could lead to blockages on roadways and significant damage to training sites, hampering the athletes' final preparations for the global competition, which kicks off

in just over three weeks.

JAAA Vice President Ian Forbes spoke to Sportsmax. TV about the Association's plans to address any significant disruptions caused by the hurricane.

"One has to try forecast and plan ahead as best as possible," Forbes said. "A lot of that would possibly be done on a case-by-case basis, so in terms of contingencies, we have facilities. Once they are accessible, they will be allowed full access, the main one being the National Stadium for the locals and even some of the overseas athletes who might, for want of a better term, be trapped here because of the inclement weather. So, certainly, full access would be granted."

Forbes also mentioned other potential sites that could be utilised to ensure the athletes' training is not compromised. "There are some other sites that could

be called upon to facilitate, for example, GC Foster College, possibly UWI, Jamaica College, Calabar, and Kingston College, those places with synthetic surfaces."

The discussions within the JAAA are still in the preliminary stages, with a meeting scheduled soon to address all these issues comprehensively. "We are going to be meeting in a little while so all those issues will be addressed," Forbes added.

The Association's contingency measures are geared towards providing the best possible support to the nation's athletes as they gear up for one of the most significant sporting events in the world. (Sportsmax)

Hurricane warning leaves India stranded in Barbados after World Cup triumph

Ahurricane warning has left the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cupwinning India team stranded in Barbados.

Hurricane Beryl (Category 4) was expected to pass by Barbados on Sunday night local time with the centre of the storm approximately 80 miles off the south coast. India are currently staying at the Hilton Hotel. They were initially planning a charter straight home, but the airport was closed since Sunday evening. South Africa had left earlier on Sunday.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah said that the Board is planning a felicitation for the victorious team after they reach India.

"Like you we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation," Shah told reporters in Barbados.

Shah: New India Coach to take charge from SL series

Shah has said that the Indian team will have a new Head Coach from the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka starting later this month, but did not reveal who has been finalised to succeed the outgoing Rahul Dravid.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner to take up the position of the Head Coach. The Cricket Advisory Committee [CAC] has conducted the interviews for the post and shortlisted Gambhir and former India Women's Coach WV Raman.

"Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly," Shah, who is in the Caribbean with the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup 2024, said. "CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reach-

ing Mumbai whatever they have decided, we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe, but a new coach will join from the Sri Lanka series."

The Indian team is due to tour Sri Lanka for three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) starting July 27.

“Seniors will be there for CT and WTC”

Shah has also said that "seniors will be there" in next year's Champions Trophy (CT) and the World Test Championship (WTC) final, if India qualify for it, while a decision on whether Hardik Pandya succeeds Rohit Sharma as the next T20I Captain will be taken solely by the selectors.

"The transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah said when asked about the team's next phase following the T20I retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja.

"The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."

This means that the se-

nior players, fitness permitting, are likely to be available for the nine ODI matches that India will play before the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March 2025 in Pakistan.

India's ODI assignments before that include three games each against Sri Lanka (away), New Zealand (home) and England (home).

“From Rohit to Virat, all excelled”

Shah also praised the efforts of Rohit and Kohli, who played a match-winning knock in the final against South Africa which India won by seven runs in Barbados. Both Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement from T20Is after the triumph and were joined by all-rounder Jadeja in saying goodbye to the format a day later.

"It was the same Captain last year and same here in Barbados. We won all games except the final in 2023 [ODI World Cup] as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title," Shah said. "If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference. In World Cups, you can't experi-

ment much also. A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit's strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players."

India, who had lost big finals in the past decade, finally ended their title drought after losing two ICC finals – World Test Championship and ODI World Cup final –over the last 12 months and Shah hoped the winning run would continue.

"I would want India to win all the titles. We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises," he said. "The way this team is progressing, our target is to win World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."

On Hardik's all-round

Afghanistan women request ICC to help set up a refugee team in Australia

Seventeen female players, contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in 2020 before the Taliban takeover, have asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to assist them in setting up a refugee team based in Australia in the absence of a national side.

The players made their request in a letter sent to ICC Chair Greg Barclay on Saturday, pleading for "support and guidance" from the game's governing body to formalise themselves, even as the ACB is unable to recognise them.

Crucially, the players acknowledged that "due to the Government policies of Afghanistan, the Afghanistan

Cricket Board and thus the ICC cannot recognise them as a national team of Afghanistan", and have not demanded to play under an ACB banner or even to be called the Afghan national team. Instead, they have asked to be administered by the East Asian Cricket office based at Cricket Australia as a refugee team which will enable them to "represent all Afghan women who dream of playing cricket, but are unable to in Afghanistan".

Their letter comes against the backdrop of their men's team's unprecedented success in reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, and capturing global attention with their performances.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

performance in the T20 World Cup and chances of him taking over the captaincy from Rohit, Shah said: "Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form, but the selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself."

India will next travel to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series which begins on July 6 in Harare. Shubman Gill will lead the Indian side there with plenty of seniors being rested. Shah also confirmed that an India A team will be travelling to Australia later in the year ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. (ESPNcricinfo)

JAAA is looking for ways to mitigate training disruptions in light of the impending hurricane

Hurricane Beryl delayed the Indian team's departure a day after the T20 World Cup final

BCCI’s Jay Shah

Online tickets for CPL 2024 go on sale from Wednesday

Fans with Visa Cards will not have to wait too long to ensure their attendance at this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with tickets going on sale for Visa customers 9am ECT on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. This initial batch of tickets will be available exclusively to Visa customers who will be able to purchase tickets by visiting www.cplt20.com.

These tickets will also include those for the CPL playoffs and finals, scheduled for Guyana. Meanwhile, tickets will be available for general sale

on the CPL website from July 8, with tickets available for all CPL matches with games set to take place in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2024 tournament gets underway on August 29, with the opening match taking place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, with Antigua and Barbuda Falcons facing St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The final will take place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on October 6.

Republic Bank CPL’s Chief Executive Officer

(CEO), Pete Russell, said:

“The interest in the CPL is huge, and we are excited that we are able to partner with Visa to release this initial batch of tickets to their customers. We are looking forward to another successful tournament in 2024 and we are looking forward to getting underway in Antigua and Barbuda when we will welcome the Falcons to the CPL family. With the interest in the final in Guyana being even bigger than it was last year, we are certain that the tournament will have an amazing finish on 6 October.”

St Ignatius Secondary triumphs in Blue Water U15 tourney

An excellent display of goalkeeping from a future talent out of St Ignatius Secondary on Sunday propelled that team to an inaugural victory in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) -Blue Water Shipping Girls’ Under-15 National Championship.

The final showdown was hotly contested by two teams from Guyana’s extreme geographical points, Region One’s Waramuri Primary Top and Region Nine’s St Ignatius Secondary.

Waramuri had numerous chances to shut down the game in regulation time, but their finishing was not at its best in the feature match. At the other end of the pitch, eventual MVP of the tournament, Sonia Simon was finding it difficult to get past Waramuri’s defence. As such, regulation time ended in a stalemate, requiring a deci-

National Schools’ Basketball Festival… Marian Academy, QC, Skeldon among opening-day winners

The Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) commenced its much-anticipated 17th National School Basketball Festival on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the National Gymnasium, and Marian Academy, Queen's College, and Skeldon Line Path Secondary were among the day one winners.

In the first match-up of the festival, the Bishops’ Male Under-14 team oblit-

erated the strike force of Skeldon Line Path as the scoreline read 51-7, with Kimol Pickering leading the attack with 18 points.

The second game of the night was filled with excitement as the Boys’ U14 School of the Nations and St Stanislaus College teams clashed. The game went into overtime with St Stanislaus College coming out on top with the scoreline reading

17-15. In the Girls’ U14 encounter, Queen's College managed to top the proceedings against Marian Academy with a score of 12-10 as Riuelle Fowler led the offensive attack.

In the penultimate match-up of the night, Skeldon Line Path, in their Boys’ U18 match-up, manage to upset a powerful and fierce St Rose’s Secondary;

the scoreline read 33-27. With a score of 34-23, Marian Academy’s U18 boys obliterated the defences of West Demerara Secondary as they were pivotal in getting the ball through the net effectively.

The 17th edition of the National School Basketball Festival will continue today at the National Gymnasium and will run the duration of the week.

sion on penalty kicks.

There, St Ignatius’ Shantel Joe showed her quality, holding her nerves to execute three saves, leading her team to a 3-2 win on penalties.

Following the game, an ecstatic St Ignatius Captain, LaDonna Simon shared how

‘okay, it’s up to you’ and she did exceptionally well. I’m proud of her,” the Coach related to Guyana Times Sport David went on to talk about Joe’s journey as a goalkeeper, “At first, she couldn’t even save, but we trained her. She picked up, she learned really quickly and I’m very hap-

she felt about the team’s win.

Simon said, “It went well for all of us, I thought we would have lost. Without our coach, we couldn’t make it. My players did very well and they worked hard to win this game.”

“Yes, all of us want to play

py for her.”

Earlier in the day at the GFF’s National Training Center, St Ignatius booked their spot in the final after edging Santa Rosa Secondary 1-0. Meanwhile, Waramuri Primary Top had defeated Bartica Secondary 2-0 to

to the national team,” Simon disclosed about her teammates’ hopes.

Meanwhile, St Ignatius Coach Gabriel David revealed that it was the keeper’s hope that the clash would go down to penalties.

“We didn’t want it to go down to penalties, but it was the goalkeeper’s wish. She was confident in herself and we were confident in her. So, she said, ‘Sir, I want it to go down to penalties’ and I said

move on to the final.

In the third- place playoff, Santa Rosa Secondary topped Bartica Secondary. While St Ignatius’ Joe was named the best goalkeeper in the tournament, Santa Rosa’s Veronica Chatta was the highest goalscorer with 19 goals in the tournament.

Aside from trophies and medals, each of the top three schools were rewarded with a complement of football gear.

Shantel Joe receives her award for being the best goalkeeper (Jemima Holmes photo)

St Ignatius Secondary are presented with their Blue Water U15 championship trophy (Jemima Holmes photo)

The teams along with the sponsor’s representative and organiser of the event

Sonia Simon was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) (Jemima Holmes photo)