enhancing systems for students pursuing finance, accounting careers
Woman found murdered at Diamond identified as Venezuelan national
EXIM Bank of India, Guyana sign US$2.5M Line of Credit for CJIA solar project
Govt to help EPA in creating economic model for biodiversity, climate services
Fire destroys house, 2 heavyduty machines in East Canje …arson suspected
Beryl Guyana deploys 2nd shipment of goods to affected Caribbean islands
President Dr Irfaan Ali, along with a local team, meeting with the visiting delegation from France which includes Philippe Gautier, the CEO of MEDEF International, France’s foremost private business network (Office of the President photo)
Devastation by Hurricane Beryl Region urged to utilise climatesmart agriculture as it recovers
As the region recovers and rebuilds agriculture sectors in the various countries, President Dr. Irfaan Ali is imploring that Leaders within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) utilise climate smart agriculture to increase yield in crop cultivation.
The Head of State also recommends that this method be used going forward to safeguard against destruction that can be caused by climate change, especially devasting events such as Hurricane Beryl, which has wreaked havoc in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
“…I was speaking about the damage in the agricultural sector with Hurricane Beryl. All the gains we made since 2020 on the islands completely gone in 45 minutes. But what it teaches us is that climate smart is doing everything smart,” President Ali said.
Climate smart agriculture has the ability to enhance crop and livestock production, pro-
vide greater food security, fortify agricultural infrastructure against the destructive effects of global warming, and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere because of farming activities, including methane emissions from livestock, paddy rice cultivation, and synthetic fertiliser use.
The Guyanese leader, who was at the time addressing the 28th Anniversary Dinner and Awards ceremony, for the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) held at Marriott Hotel, underscored that the practice of climate smart agriculture is the most suitable method for the region, as it continues to forge ahead with plans to achieve the ‘25 by 2025’ goal.
President Ali, however, acknowledged that both the initial and long-term costs of rebuilding in the wake of the hurricane, will be devasting, given that many long-term crops that were of a high yielding variety, have been dam-
aged.
Nevertheless, he explained that all hope has not been lost, and posited that the region as a collective must map out a way forward with ‘climate smart agriculture in the center of everything’.
“Maybe we can't have the big mango trees that we had historically in the region, but you can still have high-yielding, prolific mango trees that are of different variety and yield, that can give you the
same revenue and less susceptible to the type of wind. So, as we build back, we have to build back with all of these things taken into consideration,” the President said.
Guyana is currently chairing the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Ministerial Task Force on Food Production and Food Security, which has been driving the ‘25 by 2025’ initiative seeking to boost food production within the region to reduce food imports.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has taken a key role in organising meetings between the Ministerial Task Force on Agriculture and international agencies, in order to trigger the rebuilding process.
In a video address on Sunday, the Head of State explained that as the lead head on agriculture in the region, he will be reaching out to multi-lateral institutions like the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for them to intervene and provide assistance to regional farmers from an early stage.
This will ensure that farmers will be granted the necessary resources and support to rebuild. As a matter of fact, the president noted that he has asked the Chair of the Ministerial Task Force this week, to convene a meeting that will include IICA, as well as the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).
From these meetings, proposals can be made to the new Chairman of Caricom, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, whose country was actually one of those hit hardest by the hurricane.
Hurricane Hurricane Beryl first made landfall on Monday last on Carriacou, an island in Grenada. Beryl reached a Category 5 hurricane status in the Atlantic on Monday, with peak winds of 165 mph (270 kph). In addition to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Beryl wreaked havoc in Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago – countries with large Guyanese diasporas. Over 38000 Guyanese residing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Barbados and Trinidad were reportedly affected by the devasting Hurricane Beryl, which continues to plough through the Caribbean with record-breaking wind speeds, causing massive destruction including loss of lives.
Beryl has killed at least ten people and disrupted economies on the various small islands, from tourism to agriculture… in particular the 25 by 2025 goals that were first championed by Guyana and President Ali, before and during his Chairmanship of CARICOM in the first part of the year. Vision 25 by 2025 aims for the Caribbean to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by the year 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions occur. And in light of this, the intention was to formulate a sense of food stability and security… country by country, with Guyana playing a key role in helping other countries achieve greater food security. (G1)
President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the 28th Anniversary Dinner and Awards ceremony for the EPA
Staff and other invitees at the dinner
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, July 9 – 04:00h-05:30h and Wednesday, July 10 –04:00h-05:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, July 9 – 06:00h-07:30h and Wednesday, July 10 –06:35h-08:05h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Winds: North-Easterly to Southerly between 0.89 metre and 2.68 metres.
High Tide: 06:29h and 18:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.52 metres and 2.39 metres.
Low Tide: 12:30h reaching a minimum height of 0.72 metre.
Extradition Bill will
ensure fugitives
can be brought home to face justice while respecting due process – AG …Opposition says legislation necessary, but concerned about misuse
The Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill that has been passed in the National Assembly will ensure fugitives hiding from the long arms of the law can be brought home to face justice, while at the same time respecting due process. This is according to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who presented the bill.
Debate on the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2024 got underway during Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly as both sides argued for and warned against the bill. The bill was presented by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who noted the importance of being able to ensure fugitives can be extradited to face justice in Guyana.
The attorney general made it clear that the bill contains safeguards against being misused, since it allows the local judiciary to satisfy itself that there is evidence for the extradition request. Additionally, the Minister of Home Affairs has the final say on whether to allow the extradition request to proceed, after a committal order is transmitted from the Magistrate.
“The process of extradition, begins with an inquiry made and put into writing, to the requesting state, whether or not Guyana has extradition arrangements with that particular country. Once that question is answered in the affirmative, a request is made to the prescribed authority. In our case the Minister of Home Affairs, who upon receipt of an extradition request, determines whether or not he will issue what is called an authority to proceed.”
“That is, an instruction directed to the magistrate of the particular district, whether to trigger the extradition or preliminary hearing. Of course, the Minister of Home Affairs will first have to satisfy himself that the request is in compliance with our fugitive offenders’ act. And whatever bilateral treaty we may have… after receiving legal advice,” Nandlall said.
Misuse
For her part, Opposition Member of Parliament Geeta Chandan-Edmonds acknowledged the neces -
sity of such a law. In the same vein, however, she also urged that the law not be misused to go after critics of the government and suppress free speech.
“We must accept that we, in an integrated world and given Guyana’s new status in the grand scheme of things, this type of legislation is very necessary. So, kudos to you, Mr Attorney General, it’s the fifth or sixth time I’m commending you in succession. But sir one wonders whether such legal mechanisms will be misused.”
Responding to these concerns, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn urged the opposition to bring amendments if they have genuine concerns regarding the bill. Benn also noted that already, the government is considering seeking mutual legal assistance for certain criminally offensive state -
ments made by persons outside of Guyana’s jurisdiction.
“I want to remind ourselves that if you think you can write libelous things or say slanderous things or propose insurrection, like we talked about some persons who are perhaps in the safe areas of the United States who said, Georgetown must burn down if the PPP ain’t come out.”
“I’m saying, for some of those statements which we have on record, we are considering mutual legal assistance on those matters,” Benn warned. Despite the parliamentary opposition’s initial objections, however, the Bill was eventually passed without any votes against it.
The Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2024 seeks to alter section 24 of the Fugitive Offenders
Act, Chapter 10:04. Among the changes the bill seeks to bring about, is to expand the types of documents admissible in evidence. Clause Two of the bill amends subsection (1) of the principal act by inserting a new paragraph (d) that will provides a record of evidence of the case against the person.
The bill defines record of evidence as documents, statements, or other evidence that describe the identity and probable location of the person sought, including photographs and fingerprints; a statement of the facts of the case, including, if possible, the time and location of the offence, or a statement of the provisions of the law describing the essential elements and designation of the offence for which extradition is requested. (G3)
Attorney General Anil Nandlall Opposition MP Geeta ChandanEdmonds Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn
The decision to host a job fair specifically targeting Guyanese expatriates in New York is not just strategic but visionary as Guyana currently stands at a pivotal moment as it is poised for growth and development, with its sights set on harnessing the talent and potential of its Diaspora. It signifies a concerted effort to tap into a valuable resource – the skills, experiences, and connections of Guyanese living abroad – to propel the nation forward.
The Diaspora, particularly in cities like New York, represents a significant reservoir of human capital. These are individuals who have gained expertise in diverse fields ranging from finance and technology to healthcare and education. Many have excelled in their respective professions, bringing with them not only knowledge but also networks that could prove invaluable for Guyana's economic and social progress.
Hosting a job fair in New York serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it signals to the Diaspora that Guyana is committed to creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to the country's development. This proactive outreach fosters a sense of belonging and engagement among Guyanese abroad, encouraging them to consider returning home to work or invest in their homeland.
Secondly, such initiatives are crucial for addressing brain drain – the phenomenon where skilled individuals leave their home countries for better opportunities elsewhere. By showcasing job prospects, entrepreneurial ventures, and investment opportunities, Guyana can entice its Diaspora to consider returning, thereby reversing the brain drain and leveraging their skills for national benefit.
Moreover, a job fair provides a platform for networking and collaboration between Guyanese expatriates and local businesses, educational institutions, and Government agencies. It facilitates knowledge transfer, innovation exchange, and partnerships that can spur economic growth and enhance competitiveness across various sectors.
Critically, initiatives like the job fair in New York underscore Guyana's commitment to inclusive development. They demonstrate a proactive approach to ensuring that economic growth benefits all Guyanese, whether they reside within the country or abroad. By harnessing the Diaspora's potential, Guyana not only strengthens its workforce but also enriches its cultural fabric and enhances its global connections.
If one can recall, earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a visit to Brooklyn, New York, had lauded the Diaspora successes in the United States in areas such as health care and education and the willingness to work alongside the government to promote a future of enhanced inclusivity and massive development in Guyana.
He said: “You are an important part of our future. You are an important part of building a stronger Guyana. You are an important part of building prosperity in every home.”
At another forum, speaking about the importance of the Diaspora, the Head of State had said: “We are also keen on transforming the brain drain into brain gain. The technology now exists to also tap into our highly-skilled Diaspora. The Diaspora possesses the skills and expertise that are needed for the modernisation of our economy. We hope to be able to use ICT to be able to make greater use of the wealth of skills available within the Diaspora including in providing educational and health services.”
Of course, hosting a successful job fair is just the beginning. It must be backed by sustained efforts to create an enabling environment for returning expatriates, including supportive policies, infrastructure development, and social integration initiatives. Government and Private Sector collaboration will be essential to providing the necessary incentives and support systems to facilitate smooth transitions and maximise the impact of returning Guyanese talent.
The decision to host a job fair for Guyanese Diaspora in New York is a forward-thinking move that recognises the Diaspora as a strategic asset rather than a loss. It signifies a commitment to harnessing talent, fostering innovation, and building a stronger Guyana.
Technically, the PPP/C Govt has already renegotiated the 2016
Dear Editor,
In what appears to be an attempt at rebranding of a political party, the AFC has claimed that it is committed to the renegotiation of the oil contract and that they are willing to assist the government in this regard. Bear in mind that it was the AFC faction of the APNU+AFC Government during their tenure (2015-2020), that renegotiated the 2016 Petroleum Agreement under questionable circumstances—that they now claiming they will help the incumbent government to renegotiate.
Be that as it may, technically, the PPP/C Government has already renegotiated the unsymmetrical 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which will apply to all new production licenses going forward. Of note, (i) the fiscal terms thereof have already been agreed upon, and (ii) the new model PSAs (deep water and shallow water) were used in the last auction, which was largely successful that attracted a number of expressions of interest.
As it currently stands, ExxonMobil Guyana (EMGL) has registered concerns only on a few of the non-fiscal terms of the new model PSAs, which the government is open to consider, prior to finalising. But importantly, the new fiscal terms are settled, which include the following:
• Royalty rate of 10%, up from 2%,
• The profit share of 50% remains, Cost recovery ceiling down to 65% from 75%, thereby increasing the Government’s upfront take,
and • Corporate tax of 10%, up from 0%
Additionally, since assuming office in 2020, the incumbent government has delivered on the following commitments:
i. It moved swiftly to implement Local Content Legislation which is now generating an estimated G$200 billion annually from cost-oil to procure goods and services from Guyanese suppliers and provision of employment opportunities for Guyanese.
ii. Work began on the implementation of the Gasto-Energy (GtE) project which would translate to another G$200 billion in direct and indirect benefits for the economy.
iii. A new modern Petroleum Activities legislation was developed (already enacted into law) that repealed and replaced the outdated Petroleum law of the 1980s.
Outside of the Stabroek block, which was the only block that had moved to production before the PPP/C Government assumed office in 2020, there are nine other active Petroleum Prospecting/ Exploration Licenses for other blocks. Accordingly, once commercial discoveries are made in those, the new PSA/ fiscal terms will apply as they move into production. In other words, the government has effectively renegotiated nine other contracts that were based on the old fiscal terms because those have not moved to production as yet unlike the Stabroek block.
Furthermore, based on all of the current discoveries and approved projects so far in the
Stabroek block and those in the pipeline pending approval, the combined total size of the project development areas (PDA) is equivalent to less than 10% of the 26,806 km2 Stabroek block. Therefore, when the 2016 PSA expires in 2027, all things being equal, EMGL will have to relinquish an estimated 90%-94% of the unexplored Stabroek block, at which point the new (renegotiated) fiscal conditions/PSA shall apply.
It is worthwhile to note, too, that there were two unprecedented events that weakened the government’s position, even if it wanted to renegotiate the current Stabroek block’s PSA (2016). In this respect, the government would have been in a stronger position if by the time it assumed office following the general and regional elections (2020), EMGL had not moved to production and/ or the investment decision was pending. Cognisant of the ramifications, EMGL had already made its investment decision based on the 2016 PSA, and aggressively transitioned into production in record time by December 2019, knowing full well that election was due in March 2020. By EMGL’s own admission coupled with independent research to verify same, the timeline by which EMGL moved from discovery to first oil in just five years, was a record achievement across the global industry, aided by the deployment of advanced technologies. Historically, it took about seven-ten years to develop projects from commercial discovery to production following an investment decision.
Moreover, it would be re-
PSA
called that after the successful passage of the “No-Confidence Motion” (NCM) in December 2018, the general and regional elections were constitutionally due three months thereafter; but was not held until March 2020. Further, the results of the 2020 election were not declared until five months later (August 2020) attributed to the political impasse following the election fiasco that took place.
Consequently, almost one and a half years later, there was a change in government following the NCM in December 2018 and the 2020 general and regional elections. Ironically, this delay was engineered by none other than the newly elected leader of the AFC, who has now found himself in a deeply conflicted and controversial situation by virtue of him being a presidential candidate of the AFC and his retainership/relationship with EMGL. In hindsight, the indisputable fact is that whatever window may have been there to renegotiate the 2016 PSA—if the general and regional elections were held when it was constitutionally due in March 2019 instead of March 2020 following the NCM in December 2018, that window was nonetheless decimated by the current AFC leader. This outturn was achieved by way of his egregious legal challenge aimed at overturning the outcome of the NCM, which ultimately failed, but succeeded in the delay of the holding of the general and regional elections, by virtually one and a half years.
Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin
The lymphatic filariasis elimination campaign is ongoing as workers distribute pills in communities throughout Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) (Health Ministry photos)
Are the Police ready to play ball and curb the noise nuisance?
Dear Editor,
The summer season in North America is famous for beaches, baseball and bar-bque. The 4th of July in the United States of America, like the 1st July in Canada, are national holidays and being summer, people flock at the sea sides or the parks and also have neighborhood and backyard picnics and parties. To accompany the fun, there are parades, concerts, fairs, carnival and of course, fireworks. In the heat (literally) of the moment, enjoyable music (not mundane), is an integral part of the outings and celebrations and the overall noise level is expected to increase. In Guyana, we incur many such opportunities because of our numerous holidays and also, we tend to capitalise on an all-year summer season, whether its rainy or sunny.
But in such disciplined overseas societies of which, Guyanese and other West Indians form a cohesive and composed component, there is a regulatory control over enthusiasm. What is evi-
dently demonstrated is, the obvious regard for the law and people within the neighborhood. As such, people are naturally time conscious and respect the required regulations which imply, lowering or cutting off the music at the stipulated time in order not to disturb the peace and quiet of society. They clean up and dispose of all the garbage and quietly avoid any noise and environmental pollution. The thought of being obscene by urinating in the public, would not cross their minds. The Diaspora’s sense of orderliness can be overwhelmingly overpowering and there is a dire need for such sensitivity to be ingrained at home.
The very Guyanese who leave our shores are conscious of the requisites of decency and integrity and adopt and abide by the limitations of rules and regulations. Whether rooted from a cultural school or inherited from an ancestral upbringing or adopted from a birthed system, the display of class by such mass is a necessary
content for Guyana’s context. But sad to say, many Guyanese at home are abhorrent to such expected civility or requirement. They prefer to be repugnant and antagonise the very neighbors who may be their friends or families. Their consciences are clandestine with unreasonableness and their behavioral pattern become clouded with obsession and absurdity which would induce any observer to want to formulate a man or animal inquiry.
The guilty ones indulge in playing loud, ludicrous and licentious music at their homes or in cars or buses, or in the public, beefed up by high tech, amplified musical systems enough to reverberate and rock an entire street or village as the case may be. This occurrence prevails in the morning, noon and night. There is no mercy for the tender ear drums and the question of morality becomes a mortality. The listening pleasure of lyrical purity and the sound of musical harmony is overshadowed
Stabroek News did its credibility a great disservice
Dear Editor, The Stabroek News Editorial of Saturday 6th July 2024 does journalism a disservice. It engaged in equivocation of the PPP's policy positions on oil with the direct actions of the AFC's new leader C.A Nigel Hughes; it is an intellectual waffle that should not go unanswered, so here goes.
The editorial correctly points out some of the areas where Mr. Hughes may have a conflict of interest but it pointedly refrained from calling out his recent verbal dance (no other way to put it) that he did not directly represent Exxon at the CCJ but appeared for its partner oil company Hess, as court matters for Exxon are handled by Senior Counsel Pollard (Hughes was passed over by the Granger Administration for that distinction); worse yet was the Stabroek Editorial's failure to mention or analyse Hughes’ statement to an online media entity when asked what would happen if he had to choose between ExxonMobil and Guyanese interests
"You seriously couldn't be asking me to compromise my client's integrity because the interest of Guyana is at stake because I happen to be the leader of a political party.”
I can never fault a man
for being honest and, this may be the most truthful statement ever made by a politician. Still, it certainly disqualifies Hughes as a representative of the Guyanese people and their interests and establishes his credentials as a champion of the oil companies Exxon and Hess. It therefore boggled the mind to see the attempt to equivocate this stance with the policy position with that of the PPP which is to encourage as much exploration and production of oil as possible before the world ceases to need this resource.
In evading the direct naming of C.A. Nigel Hughes as the only politician with direct ties to the oil companies and instead making an unfounded statement "What Guyana and its people desperately need at this point are representatives in the political and other spheres who are free of attachments to the oil industry and, importantly, appear to be so." Stabroek News did its credibility a great disservice; if it knows of a connection between any PPP politician and the oil companies it must reveal it to the public or do what is required for journalistic integrity and issue an apology; as Balzac said in the 19th century "Evasion is unworthy of us, and is always the
intimate of equivocation." It was true then and it holds the same for today.
Sincerely,
Robin Singh
with tasteless and choiceless vulnerability.
Those submerged under musical imperfection and fail to emerge in the finesse of decorum, are unfortunately, already buried in the graveyard of barbaric savagery and will accrue excruciating pain in dissevering the significance of good over bad. Self-interest consumes their personality and functionality whether influenced by power or wealth, or a questionable literacy level, or a total disregard for the welfare of others, or, are on cloud 9 intoxicated by alcohol or drugs or both. Those affected may be the sick, senior citizens, babies, students or employees who may have to go to work next morning.
This ghastly display of perhaps a disguised complex or a coloured deficiency, is a sure sign of a sick society, fed by unfettered discipline, fueled by the freedom of lawlessness and furnished with the help of authoritative agencies. Despite law enforcement being established and exercised, its execution summons room to accommodate efficiency and effectiveness. Many officers perform exceptionally well and go beyond the call of duty and should be congratulated for their dedication towards their duties and services. On the other hand, many fail to represent the distinction of honoring such a privileged uniform.
There are too many docu-
mented cases of officers loaning their weapons and uniforms to be used for illegal purposes by transgressors and also themselves engaged in criminal activities. Many are convicted of bribery, corruption and cover ups. It’s an open secret that this plague has had devastating effects on society and as a result, many innocent victims suffer wrongly while the guilty escape unscathed as a result of police malfeasance, police failing to be proactive or police not responding timely. The process of ‘leff or right’ provides the guarantee of a weekly “box-hand” of eye raising amount and the habit of collecting a weekly pay off ensures an untouchable monthly pay package.
Hot dog stands selling food in localities during all hours of the night where customers gather, eat and discard their garbage in the streets is an unacceptable and disgusting issue.
There is an urgent and pressing need for the Honorable Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall to allay the fears of the nation by discussing these damaging, dangerous and devious issues on his weekly program, “Issues In The News.” Since the PPP/C Government took office in 2020, there has been many changes and shake ups. Many honest officers have pledged to uphold the law and work diligently in the interest of the state and people. Many have shamed the Agency they hide within and there is need for more sanitation. President Ali is always on the lookout for more ‘few good men’ to join in the fight of crime and corruption. It is time the Police step up to the plate and answer the call to resolve the issue of noise nuisance on the road and in the community. They will be helping the President to preserve a clean, consoling and cooperative national community. Are the Police ready to play ball and curb the noise nuisance?
Noise nuisance continues to be a monstrous menace throughout Guyana and recent editorials and letter writers have again painstakingly implored all the relevant authorities to address this parasite which keeps feeding on the patience of society. The operation of bars in residential areas is a crucial matter. The traffic hazard posed by parking cars on narrow streets by customers is a nigh mare. Bars functioning until the wee hours of 5 AM in the morning is astonishingly unforgivable and the Ministry of Home Affairs need to clarify or confirm their opening and closing hours. The problem of patrons from bars urinating in the public and also on residents’ properties and exposing themselves, need to be harnessed and curtailed.
Yours respectfully, Jai Lall
Page Foundation
◄ Exponents
An exponent tells how many times a number should be multiplied by itself. An exponent is usually written as a small number next to, and slightly above a number that is larger in size. The larger number is called the base of an exponent. Each exponent represents a “power”. You have already learnt about the powers of 10. 102 is 10 to the 2nd power. Any number can be a base. 23 is 2 to the 3rd power. 34 is 3 to the 4th power. 102
In this fun and easy geology science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate the rock cycle.
NB: Adult assistance and supervision is required for this experiment.
Materials:
Starburst candies
Aluminium foil
Wax paper
Toaster oven
Oven mitts
Instructions:
Remove the wrappers from the Starburst candies. You need three candies of three different colours.
Stack three different coloured candies on top of each other.
Place a piece of aluminium foil on a sturdy table.
Now place a sheet of wax paper on top of the sheet of aluminium foil.
Put your stack of Starburst candies in the foil and fold the foil over so the stack of candies is covered.
Now use the heel of your hand to try and smash the candy flat. Remove the candies and observe. This represents pressure creating sedimentary rocks.
Next make another stack of candies. Make sure the colours are in the same order as your first stack.
Put a piece of wax paper in another sheet of foil. Put the stack of candies inside and fold the foil wrap around the stack upwardly.
You will need adult supervision for the next steps.
Have the adult put the stack in a toaster oven for a short time, just long enough for the candies to become malleable. Remove the candies and using an oven mitt, put pressure on the candy stack. The combination of heat and pressure will represent the forming of a metamorphic rock.
Now make another candy stack and wrap it in foil and wax paper like before.
Often when the exponent is 2, people say squared instead of to the 2nd power. 102 = 10 to the 2nd power = 10 squared. Remember that squared means “to the 2nd power” You can add and subtract numbers with exponents.
Have the adult put this in the toaster oven for several minutes until the candy melts to liquid. Have the adult remove the candy and open the foil. Set it aside for several minutes and allow it to cool. DO NOT TOUCH THE CANDY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AS IT WILL BE EXTREMELY HOT!
Once the melted candy hardens, this will represent our igneous rock.
How it works:
The rock cycle is a geological process that is undergone by the three main rock types: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. The rock cycle involves the transformation of rocks through erosion into sediment and cementing, or heating and pressure. All three rock types can become the other in the rock cycle. (sciencefun.org)
BY KWAME DAWES
I could not call it holy, until the names of this constantly new land, broken and wrecked by storms and neglect, and then restored in riotous green within days, without aid, without urging, until then, I had no language for the holiness of this Kingston—“It sipple out there,” says the griot. “It slide out there,” says the roots man, calling me up to the hills, and me walking, child astray, up Jack’s Hill, aimlessly moving toward a certain absence, and then arriving at a turn in the road, from where I see the city laid out before me, contained by sea and mountain; far enough to become art, glorious enough to calm my terror of predators and temptations, from there, a city requires psalms, songs, and the distilled language. I can’t say I knew this then, not in such clear holy prophecy, but the impregnation of need did happen, the disquiet of the anticipation of an unseen forming, a kind of lamentation long before the amassed dead drew closer to my door. Bless my eyes, oh God, bless my eyes.
Source: Poetry (June 2024)
WORD SEARCH:
Guyana collected $162.3B in profit oil, royalty payments for 2nd quarter of 2024
…NRF, public accountability annual reports laid in Parliament
The second quarter of 2024 saw Guyana collecting a total of GYD$162.3 billion in revenue from both profit oil and royalty payments, as a result of eight lifts from the Liza Destiny, Prosperity and Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.
This is according to the Notification of Receipts, which was tabled in the National Assembly by the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, during Monday’s 83rd sitting of the house. The record of payments into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) covers the period from April 8, 2024, to June 27, 2024.
Of the eight lifts recorded, there were two from the Liza Destiny (April 13 and May 29), which amounted to $36.1 billion in profit oil. The Liza Unity, which was the second FPSO to be operationalised, recorded three lifts (March 8, April 13, and May 11).
These lifts amounted to payments of $53 billion. Finally, the Liza Prosperity FPSO also recorded three lifts (March 14, April 23, and May 28), for which Guyana recorded
a payment of $52.5 billion.
In a statement, the Finance Ministry pointed to not only the tabling of the notification of receipts, but also the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Annual Report for the fiscal year 2023 and the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee Annual Report for the fiscal year 2023. These actions, according to the ministry, are testimony to the government’s commitment to transparency.
“It would be recalled that a key improvement to the NRF Act 2021 is that the Minister could face
up to ten years imprisonment if he fails to disclose the receipt of any petroleum revenue received by Government in the Official Gazette within three months of receipt of such monies,” the Ministry said.
“The (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) PPP/C Government will maintain its transparent and accountable management of the oil and gas sector and will ensure that NRF funds are used to finance investments that benefit present and future generations,” they further added.
The funds in the NRF have their origins in the oil-rich Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where US oil major ExxonMobil and its partners – Hess Corporation and CNOOC –are producing light sweet crude using the three FPSO vessels.
In 2022, for the first time, Guyana had used oil funds to finance a national budget. In fact, in 2022, the Government withdrew a total of $126 billion (US$607.6 million) in three tranches from the NRF which went towards financing Guyana’s national de-
velopment plans.
In 2023, US$1.002 billion was withdrawn to finance national development priorities. The last withdrawal for last year, of eight in total, was made on December 27, 2023 from the NRF to the Consolidated Fund to the tune of US$152.1 million (equivalent to $31.6 billion).
As much as US$1.617 billion in petroleum revenue was deposited into the Fund last year, and at the end of 2023, the overall balance, inclusive of interest income, stood at US$1.973 billion. For 2023, the Fund received US$1.398 billion in profit oil, that is, US$576.6 million from Liza Destiny and US$822.3 million from Liza Unity. With respect to royalty payments, some US$218.1 million was received from the Stabroek Block operator.
ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has a majority 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block, and is the operator; while Hess Corporation holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
However, Hess Corporation has agreed to merge with Chevron. But this transaction, which was originally expected to be closed in the first half of this year– could be delayed after Exxon filed arbitration proceedings to claim preemptive rights in the offshore Guyana operations.
ExxonMobil, along with its co-venturers, had commenced production activities in the Stabroek Block in December 2019. Currently, production has been ramped up to over 600,000 barrels of oil per day at the Liza Phases One and Two, as well as the Payara projects, all of account for the three floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in Guyana’s waters offshore.
The current production figures would be further buttressed by the Yellowtail and Uaru developments, which are already underway and are anticipated to contribute 250,000 barrels of oil each following their respective start-ups in 2025 and 2026. (G3)
The Liza Unity FPSO, which services the Liza Phase Two project, garnered the most payments in profit oil
Repeating… …the same mistake?
Waaay back when it was launched, the AFC leadership’s motley triune – drawn from the PNC (Trotman); PPP (Ramjattan) and WPA (Holder) –promised they’d be a “swing vote” in Parliament. They’d concluded that neither of the big guns showed themselves capable of looking beyond their holding office to “do the right thing”! So they’d vote either with the PPP or the PNC – depending where they stood “for the good of Guyana” on the issue at hand. The “good of the country” was gonna be their talisman and guide! Quite a few persons choked up at that happy prospect – a few tears might’ve even been shed – and even more voted for them in the 2006 elections. They’d gone in with the PNC fella Trotman as their presidential candidate and picked up 5 seats – mostly drained from the moribund PNC – which leader Corbin just couldn’t jump-start. Maybe Trotman leaving the PNC ‘cause he couldn’t move past Corbin had something to do with it?!! But once in Parliament, the wankers never voted even once with the PPP!! The PPP really didn’t have a single good initiative between 2006 and 2011??
In 2011, they put the PPP fella Ramjattan as their presidential candidate – even as Corbin did a makeover with the PNC by selecting an outsider PNCite – Granger – as the PNC leader and corralled some pipsqueak parties to form APNU. It worked, the PNC’s haemorrhage was stopped and the PPP lost some supporters – who’d become jaded. But still no voting with the PPP – and even nixed the AFHEP along with the APNU – which the neutral Norwegians endorsed as the best thing for Guyana since plait bread!! And having cuddled up with PNC/APNU over AFHEP, it wasn’t no surprise there was a Valentine’s Day engagement in 2015 – with a Prenup called the Cummingsburg Accord. It promised a wedding dowry of 40% Ministries and the Prime Ministership after the coming elections. They swore there wasn’t no issue they agreed on with the PPP. Well, old people say all smart flies does end up on cow’s backside – and the AFC ended up being nothing more than PNC/ APNU’s post-2015 doormats and toilet paper.
They were tossed out on their ears in 2020 – as we all know – and right now are trying to do a makeover à la Corbin’s 2011 PNC makeover!! But rather than bringing in an outsider as Corbin did, they dumped the ex-PPP Ramjattan; brought back the ex-PNC Trotman and an ex-Chairman, Nigel Hughes. But maybe that move is understandable: not learning from their (bitter) experience of going into a coalition with the PNC/APNU, they’re now committed to repeating the move!!
What’d they say about doin’ the same thing and expecting different results?
…in France?
A lot of folks on the liberal left are breathing a sigh of relief after the votes in France came in with the left parties not just defeating Macron but holding off the right wing Le Pen after their first round showing!! But your Eyewitness isn’t so sure they have much to celebrate. Forget all the headlines claiming that Le Pen’s “populist” wings were clipped. First of all, the people she and her father represent are nothing more than racists and fascists in the classic European mould.
And what Marine Le Pen’s done is to reinforce that the Right is doggedly increasing their share of the vote –now 143 seats compared with the Left’s 182 and Macron’s centrists’ 163. Imagine extreme right wingers getting more than one-third of the votes in the country that brought us “Liberty! Equality! and Fraternity!!”
France now has a hung parliament – which could end up in gridlock even as Europe is grappling with a resurgent Russia and its Ukraine war!!
…climate warning
Here we are heading into August and we’re still getting “May-June” rains. With Beryl arriving a full month ahead of the hurricane schedule, are there still some who doubt we’re in the throes of massive climate change??
Troglodytes!!
Fire destroys house, 2 heavy-duty machines in East Canje
…arson suspected
Afire believed to be an act of arson de -
stroyed a house in East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). The fire also destroyed two heavy-duty machines.
Bank of Berbice several days earlier. Another man, Steven Balkarran reportedly secured the premises on Sunday afternoon at about 18:00h and left.
Officer in charge of
and they went into offensive firefighting mode and they were able to suppress the fire quickly and subsequently extinguish it,” Crawford explained.
According to the senior fire officer, the two ten-
The fire was reported to the Guyana Fire Service just after 03:00h on Monday and accord -
the New Amsterdam Fire Service Shannon Crawford said that two water tenders responded.
ders had enough water to extinguish the fire and did not need to find a water source.
ing to the fire department, they are pursuing multiple leads, while the police have apprehended one individual.
At the time of the fire, at Lot 18, Cumberland, East Canje no one was at home. This publication was told that Masood Hussain, 43, had left for the backdam on the East
However, he noted that based on what was observed, it appeared that the fire was burning for some time before the fire department was contacted.
“They got there very quickly within fifteen minutes and they observed a very small building was well engulfed
“We are still in the process of doing our investigation and we have not yet ascertained the cause of the fire but we have some positive leads that we are pursuing and when we have comprehensive evidence, we will conclude the investigation.”
There are reports of an ongoing feud between the
owner of the house and a villager, who at one time frequented the premises until a cellular phone went missing. It is alleged that the owner reportedly withheld property of that man and refused to hand it over until the phone was found. There are reports that the man made threats to burn the building down a few days ago.
The size of the house was 7.8 meters by 6 meters.
A bulldozer and a tractor were also destroyed by the fire. The bulldozer is valued at $18 million.
“It would have been impossible to save the tractor based on the state of fire at the time of arrival. When tenders arrived, the building was totally engulfed in flames. It is
a very small building and the tractor and bulldozer were under a shed which is attached to the building. The tractor was already in flames when the guys arrived,” Crawford pointed out.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested one man and are awaiting the fire department to conclude their investigation.
The aftermath of the fire
Swimming trip ends deadly, bodies of 2 friends found in Atlantic Ocean
Two mothers are now in grief after the lifeless bodies of 20-year-old Navin Seenauth and 17-yearold Daniel Boodram, who went missing at Mahaica
Unity Beach, East Coast Demerara, were found on Monday.
Reports are that at about 14:45h, a search party found the bodies of Seenauth and Boodram
about 800 meters from shore in the Atlantic Ocean.
The bodies were brought to shore, photographed, and appeared to have fish bites on upper and lower lips and right-side eye.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Seenauth related that she was at a shock when the news broke that her son was missing.
“Every weekend at around 18:00h, you would expect him to come home bathe and then get chicken and then he would come back home, it was a shock when I heard the news that he went missing I couldn’t believe it, I started to feel weak when I heard the news,” she sadly expressed.
Meanwhile, Boodram’s mother expressed similar agony stating that she had high hopes that he would return home.
“I just hope that somebody finds him some way that is my only hope.”
The bodies were transported to Memorial Garden Funeral Home in
Georgetown for storage pending a post-mortem examination.
The shores of Unity Beach, Mahaica, became the center of a frantic search effort on Sunday night as law enforcement officials including the Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and community members united in hopes of finding two missing youths, who disappeared while swimming yesterday evening.
Seenauth, 20, and Boodram, 17, both residents of Unity Village, ventured into the waters with
another 17-year-old friend to swim. According to the teen, who does not know how to swim, the trio encountered rough conditions with heavy waves shortly after entering the water.
“I got out after about 30 minutes when the water reached my chest,” the teen recounted, adding, “when I looked back, Navin and Daniel weren’t there. I searched but couldn’t find them.”
Following his unsuccessful search, the teen hurried back to Unity Village to alert residents, prompting an immediate search. (G2)
Woman found murdered at Diamond identified as Venezuelan national
The woman who was found murdered along the New Diamond Development Housing Scheme, East Bank of Demerara (EBD) roadway on Sunday was identified as Venezuelan national, Evelyn Alfonzo Alves.
Police on Sunday stated that her body was found lying on the road leading into the housing scheme, an area primarily under construction.
According to initial reports, employees of a local construction company stumbled upon the scene while traveling to refuel an excavator being used for bridge construction in the vicinity. The mother of two was found lying face down on the roadway. The workers informed the police, who went to the scene.
At the time of discovery, the deceased was dressed in a white jersey with a female photograph, black jeans, and black pumps. She bore a distinctive butterfly tattoo on her right arm, and her head was found in a pool of blood.
Detectives recovered a 9mm spent shell casing approximately ten feet from where the victim lay, along with a cell phone in close proximity to her body. An examination revealed a gunshot wound at the back of her head. Investigations are continuing. In another section of the media, it was reported that the now dead woman was reportedly threatened and intimated by two men. It was reported that Alves left home on Saturday in the company of a female to collect some money but did not return home. Calls to her mobile phone went unanswered. Her mother was reportedly shown a photo of a woman’s body lying in a pool of blood at Diamond. Taking into consideration the threats and the fact that her daughter did not return home, the woman went to the mortuary where her worst fears were confirmed. Alves reportedly migrated to Guyana some six years ago.
Dead: Evelyn Alfonzo Alves
Navin Seenauth
Daniel Boodram
Govt to help EPA in creating economic model for biodiversity, climate services
President Dr. Irfaan
will become a principal programme in the country’s economy aimed at generating revenue from natural assets.
He made this announcement at the EPA’s 28th Anniversary Dinner and Awards ceremony held on Sunday at the Marriott Hotel where he noted that consultations for the model will commence soon with key stakeholders.
portantly, as we build out this plank of the economy, which is ecological services and climate services, the EPA will have to continue to expand its wings,” Dr. Ali said.
into sustainable and climate-friendly spaces.
He explained that one such area earmarked for this aspect of the model is Georgetown.
momentum from the local oil and gas economy to expand its influence and advocacy internationally and strengthen climate security, among others.
Ali on Sunday evening announced that the Government will work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop an Economic model for biodiversity, ecological and climate services in keeping with Guyana’s global commitment to tackle the challenges of climate change, energy sustainability, and food security.
These experts will be tasked with assessing best global practices, conducting theoretical work, and testing the project before it comes on stream.
According to the Head of State, the model for these three key services
CXC enhancing systems for students pursuing finance, accounting careers
The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) in an effort to enhance the certification and preparation of students for careers in finance and accounting across the region has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
According to information from the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), the new MoU which was signed on June 27 at the CXC headquarters in Barbados marks a significant milestone in partnership between the two entities.
The signing of the new MoU, CXC said, marks the seventh year of a longstanding collaboration between both organisations. The new MoU aims to promote knowledge sharing which will bolster the quality of curriculum development, delivery and assessment of accountancy and taxation courses across the region’s education and
training system.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer at CXC, Dr Wayne Wesley stated “This is the third renewal of our MoU, which was first signed in 2017, and then renewed in 2020”, said Dr Wesley. “We believe that by working together, we can leverage the collective expertise of both our organisations, to the benefit of our students, which will in turn enhance professional excellence across the Caribbean,” he added.
The renewal of the partnership has also been hailed as a progressive step towards fostering a robust financial ecosystem in the Caribbean, underpinning the critical role of accountancy and taxation in regional development.
Paula Marcelle-Irish, in emphasising the importance of the collaboration said: “This partnership will have a far-reaching impact and will greatly benefit students throughout the Caribbean.
“The EPA would find itself not only as part of the regulatory body and the oversight mechanism in all the development projects (5:44) and all the oil and gas projects, but im-
“We have already committed to the world that we are going to take on this responsibility. And that would require the EPA in its policy orientation to develop this ability so that we can now move one step forward in the expansion of the plank of development on climate services,” he added.
Ali noted that an important pillar of the economic model is an environmental strategy while adding that it will see landmarks across the country being developed, and in some cases, reorganised
“We are also working on two parks initiatives to not only modernise our parks, but to make them showpieces globally in terms of green parks and how do we manage green parks. We are also aligning a lot of our environmental standards and changes to the legislation now with those of the U.S. because in our strategic discussions, the type of development that is taking place in the Western Hemisphere requires an alignment in terms of our regulations and our laws,” President Ali explained.
According to Ali, his government is using the
The President noted that the EPA has a major role to play in this level of development, especially since the agency is currently on the route of becoming a world-class regulator.
In this regard, funds are being deployed to leverage technology as well as upskill its talent pool.
The Government has invested $100 million in the 2022-2023 budget towards this initiative while over $50 million has been invested to ensure the EPA is equipped with skilled workers to effectively carry out its duties.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering at EPA’s 28th Anniversary Dinner and Awards ceremony
Sealing the deal: Dr Wayne Wesley, CXC Registrar and CEO, signs a renewal MoU with Paula Marcelle-Irish, Head of ACCA Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl Guyana deploys 2nd shipment of goods to affected Caribbean islands
…GDF ranks helping with rebuilding efforts, needs assessments
Guyana has dispatched its second shipment of relief aid to support its Caribbean neighbours that were recently affected by hurricane Beryl which wreaked havoc thorough the Caribbean over the past week.
Some of the items on the vessel bound for St. Vincent and the Grenadines include; pumpkin, cassava, milk, peanut butter, tarpaulin, batteries and battery chargers, solar fans and lamps, mattresses, pillows, clothing, sanitary products, hygienic items, first aid kits, power tools, zinc, lumber,
It is estimated to arrive at its destination today.
An earlier relief package arrived in Grenada several days ago via a
Grenada to assist in rebuilding efforts.
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)
doors, generators, water tanks, and safety vests. These items were acquired through a collaborative effort with the Government of Guyana, the Private Sector Commission, and
Guyana Defence Force (GDF) aircraft. Additionally, the Guyana Defense Force on Monday (GDF) sent an assessment team by GDF Beechcraft 8R -1GY
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will receive these items at their Port Kingstown location. Caricom & the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
These items are currently enroute to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and are being transported via cargo vessel MV Hien. The vessel departed local waters at about 18:00h on Sunday.
from Air Station London, Guyana, to Grenada. The team will conduct damage assessment and needs analysis ahead of the contingent's main body. The team is led by Lt Col Andy Pompey. Following the evaluation, the main body will be deployed to
(CDEMA) are working with all stakeholders to ensure safety and security during the ongoing hurricane season. The Guyana Government has heard the call to render aid and will do so consistently as the need arises.
The category four hur -
ricane made landfall last week in Carriacou, Grenada, and subsequently intensified into a category five storm. According to info received by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management
Kissoon’s Furniture donated 50 cot mattresses and 50 pillows to the Civil Defence Commission. The CDC’s Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Lakshman Persaud accepted the contribution from Christina of
al islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Beryl's journey across the Eastern
dependents, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Haiti,
Agency (CDEMA) Beryl, originating as a tropical depression, underwent a rapid intensification on June 30th, making it
Caribbean was marked by its strength, reaching Category 3 to Category 4 with maximum sustained winds between 130 and
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The impact on Grenada and its dependents and St. Vincent and the Grenadines was sig -
the earliest major hurricane in the Atlantic. The cyclone swiftly moved westward, posing an immediate threat to sever -
Participating
nificant, prompting a level two response support from the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM).
150 MPH. Hurricane Beryl impacted nine (9) CDEMA
States: Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and its
Three members of the GDF’s advance team from the engineer battalion are assisting the Local Government Ministry on Carriacou Island, Grenada, with repairs to a section of the Princess Royal Smart Hospital, which was damaged by Hurricane Beryl
GDF has sent an assessment team by GDF Beechcraft 8R -1GY from Air Station London, Guyana, to Grenada to conduct a damage assessment and needs analysis ahead of the contingent's main body
Kissoon’s Furniture
Eviction from private property Govt to fast-track land applications for Sarah Johanna squatters
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, and a team visited Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara on Sunday where he assured them that in light of the recent developments, their land applications will be fast-tracked.
Several houses were demolished by the owner of a private properly that was occupied by squatters after years of court battle.
During the meeting, McCoy told the displaced residents that the Housing and Water Ministry in collaboration with the Human Services and Social Security
Ministry are working to resolve the issue by working to fast-track the application process for those persons whose names have initially been recorded in the system.
“We will treat everyone, but more so we will treat those who face a much more dire situation and that are a part of the original list in an advanced way while we treat the others at the same time,” he stated whilst then adding that the residents should patiently work with the government to bring about the best desired outcome.
“Let us not be mischievous. Let us not be provocative. Just be positive about the situation,” he encour-
aged the residents.
Meanwhile McCoy explained the swift fast tracking of land, explaining that it is quite a rigorous process to give out lands as lots of works precede it.
“There are some people who would have already been part of the process of activating the application through the Ministry of Housing and Water for a land. we will continue that process as of now to get your lands as quickly as possible. You understand? We are developing thousands of lots across this country.”
He added, “It takes time to develop. It’s not easy. You have to survey the lands, you have to put in infrastructure, you have to grade
out roads, you have to define different parts of the community,” he stressed.
Additionally, he expressed that though many
residents are displaced, they will be provided with their essential needs and shelter.
“We will take care of the families who have been displaced with other interventions to make sure that we can get them at least in a situation where they have food and water and so forth.”
Kwame noted that this arrangement to provide them with assistance will be done swiftly. Through the collaborative efforts of the ministries, a check in with all families on a daily basis will be done for the various things that the government
intends to do.
McCoy noted that everyone is deserving of an intervention that will be able to help the residents out of this situation into a better one. He states that is the main reason why the team is here; to mitigate issues in which residents face.
The demolition of the squatting settlements was done in compliance with a High Court order obtained by the landowner.
It was reported that the bailiffs and police on Saturday dismantled seven homes that were erected on private property. (G2)
Minister McCoy speaking with a resident
Minister within the office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for public affairs, Kwame McCoy
Food stocks for displaced residents
Only 10 complaints received out of 1558 contracts awarded in 2022-2023
…represents less than 1% of contracts awarded by NPTAB
Despite claims from sections of society that Guyana’s procurement system is an unfair one, the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which is statutorily tasked with investigating such matters, only received 10 complaints in a year when 1,558 contracts were awarded.
This is contained in the PPC’s Annual Report for July 2022-July 2023, which was laid in the National Assembly during the 83rd sitting of the house. During that time frame, 1,593 tenders were opened and 1,558 contracts were awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
Based on the PPC report, the complaints received represented less than 1 per cent of the contracts awarded, leading the commission to remark that the complains to contract award ratio was a low one. They did, however, also comment on the challenges faced with conducting their investigations and made recommendations for improving this process.
“Access to information also proved challeng -
ing, as there were delays in the submission of the tender proceedings to the commission. It is proposed that steps be taken to establish a standard operating procedure within procuring entities and tender boards for the submission of information to the commission to facilitate investigations.”
“The absence of a statutorily prescribed process for investigations particularly under Article 212AA (i) and (j) leads to uncertainty in the steps to be taken. It is proposed that legislation be enacted to enable these provisions,” the PPC, which is cur -
rently chaired by former President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) Pauline Chase, said in its report.
Meanwhile, of the 10 complaints received, the PPC had completed its investigations in four of them as of July of last year. The ones that were still open at that time were related to contracts for fixed and mobile pumps (National Drainage and Irrigation Authority), the four lane Eccles to Great Diamond Highway (Central Housing and Planning Authority), the construction of the Bamia/ Amelia’s Ward primary
school (Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development) and supply of dietary to the Guyana Prison Service. Three of the 10 complaints were made by current opposition Member of Parliament David Patterson.
In a bid to clamp down on corrupt practices, the government had said a few months ago that it will be reviewing all public procurement systems countrywide. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had issued this warning a few months ago, when he had assured that if persons get caught in any corrupt practices, they would face the con -
Rose Hall vendor allegedly beaten to death at nightclub
The body of a Rose Hall Town, Corentyne man was picked up on the road shoulder at Portuguese Quarters shortly before midnight on Sunday.
Dead is 34-year-old Kaioum Baksh of Market Street Rose Hall Town. Reports are that the vendor was beaten at a nightclub before collapsing on the road outside. According to Police, the man’s body was picked up from outside of a nightclub at about 22:30h on Sunday. It is alleged that he was beaten by a security guard employed at a nightclub. Reports are that the club attracts women from a neighbouring country and Baksh has reportedly had physical and verbal encounters with some of them.
On Sunday night, he was reportedly refused entry into the club and according to some patrons this angered him and he became violent and was verbally abusive.
His father Navindra Manick told this publication that he was asleep when a neighbour went to his home and informed him that his son was beaten at the nightclub. Manick said he did not go because it was very late in the night.
“So I gone back and lie down and then next friend called me and told me to come out and see because something wrong with my son. He lying down and not moving. Then I decided that it not looking too good and I decided to get up and go out. When I go out he was lying down and the police was there and nobody saying anything to me. So I asked the police what going on and the police say they are waiting to carry him to the hospital for confirmation,” the man’s father said.
Baksh’s lifeless body was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to Elitzel
Grant he was outside of the club at the time of the incident but “nobody come out and try to assist the man.”
He said he took some water and threw it into Baksh’s face but got no response and kicked his foot to see if he would move but he did not.
Police have since arrested a 45-year-old security guard of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, who works at the nightclub.
“I don’t really know the man but I would see him at Shaveh. He would be patting down people as they go in checking for knife of anything...” one visitor to the club told this publica-
tion.
Baksh made a living as a roving vendor. His mother, Devika Manick said it was difficult to accept that her son had passed away.
“The only bad habit that he get is that he does drink. I does always row with him about the drinking. Yesterday [Sunday] morning he went and sell and when he come back like he went and take a few drinks.”
The grieving woman said the family is seeking justice and are counting on the police to ensure that it is served.
Police have launched an investigation. (G4)
sequences. Moreover, the Vice President had said that there could be sting operations set up during this review process to weed out corruption in the public sector.
“You will have sting operations too. So, I’m forewarning them. If you’re engaged in these practices and you get caught, don’t come later and complain that you have two kids or something else, or you belong to some party or something else. Don’t come and complain about that… If you get caught, you face the consequences!” Jagdeo had said.
Another issue the government will be seeking to address during this review process is the delay in processing payments for contractors, who have completed their respective jobs. The Vice President had said many of these contractors complain that they have obligations such as bank loans that they are unable to pay when payments from the State are held up.
Already, President Dr Irfaan Ali has informed his Cabinet Ministers about this review process and instructed them to ensure that their respective procurement systems, as well as payment systems, are examined.
This announcement of a review of the public procurement system comes on the heels of the recent controversy surrounding the award of an $865 million contract to Tepui Group, for the construction of a pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
Only last month, Jagdeo announced that stringent measures against agencies deviat -
ing from standard bidding protocols will be in place. This stern warning follows some controversy over the $2.1 billion contract awarded to Kares Engineering Inc. for the construction of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Wharf.
Jagdeo defended the decision, asserting that Kares Engineering Inc. secured the contract as the lowest bidder in a competitive tender process overseen by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). According to Jagdeo, NPTAB’s adherence to the standard bidding document was lawful and justified.
Speaking at a media briefing at Freedom House, Jagdeo had stressed the importance of uniformity in procurement procedures: “There is a standard bidding document that should be used by every single government entity.”
NPTAB recently issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the contract award. The procurement process for the construction project involved a public tender where bids were evaluated independently, with Kares Engineering Inc. emerging as the lowest responsive bidder. However, controversy arose when Correia & Correia Ltd. contested the decision in March 2024, citing outdated criteria in their bid review request. Jagdeo dismissed these claims, underscoring that any deviation from the approved Standard Bidding Document could open doors to corruption within government agencies. (G3)
CXC enhancing systems...
Through continuous training in international best practices, our students will be equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to become the leading accountancy and finance professionals in the future, thereby driving economic integration and development in our region.”
The new CXC-ACCA MoU outlines several key objectives, which include: Enhanced professional training by organising workshops and courses to provide world-class training on best practices for accountants and tax professionals in the Caribbean, the facilitation of knowledge sharing between both organisations to include exchange
of expertise, resources, and best practices to improve the overall competency and capabilities of professionals in the field, developing professional programmes and undertaking collaborative initiatives for teacher training, developing and upgrading curriculum to prepare regional students for successful careers in finance and taxation, strengthening institutional capacity building through ongoing technical exchange and undertaking joint programmes for continued professional development and training while raising awareness about the importance of sound financial management and tax compliance training.
PPC Chairperson Pauline Chase (centre) handed over the 2022-2023 Annual Report to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir only last week
Dead: Kaioum Baksh
The area where the man’s body was found
French business delegation explores investment opportunities in Guyana
President Dr Irfaan Ali and a high-level Government team met with a delegation of French business leaders on
Monday at the Office of the President.
Led by CEO of MEDEF International, Philippe Gautier France’s foremost
private business network, the delegation comprised representatives from various sectors including agriculture, aviation, ICT, and
EXIM Bank of India, Guyana sign US$2.5M Line of Credit for CJIA solar project
The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) has finalised a significant agreement with the Guyana Government, aimed at facilitating the establishment of a solar photovoltaic power plant. According to an announcement by the Reserve Bank of India on Monday, the agreement involves a line of credit worth $2.5 million.
Although the agree-
ment was formally dated February 29, 2024, its implementation under the Line of Credit is slated to commence from June 24, 2024, as specified by the RBI. The Line of Credit terms stipulate that disbursements must occur within 48 months following the project's completion.
The solar photovoltaic power plant is designated for installation at Guyana's
Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Under the terms of the Line of Credit, the RBI indicated that a minimum of 75 per cent of the contract price for goods, works, and services will originate from suppliers in India. The remaining 25 per cent of the contract value may be sourced by the seller from non-Indian providers eligible under the agreement.
infrastructure.
According to a social media post by Office of the President, the discussions centered on expanding the French group's interests in Guyana and exploring new avenues for investment. This meeting marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties between Guyana and France, leveraging opportunities across multiple industries crucial to both nations' development agendas.
MEDEF International’s presence in Guyana is also tied to their participation in the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF), scheduled from July 10-12, 2024, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. This forum aims to foster regional cooperation and at -
tract foreign investment to Caribbean countries, including Guyana.
Following the meeting at the Office of the President, the French delegation was scheduled to hold follow-up discussions with relevant ministries in Guyana. The delegation’s interactions with key government officials underscore their commitment to exploring and potentially expanding their investments in the country.
Among those present at the meeting were Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill; Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, and Director of Presidential
Affairs Marcia NadirSharma.
President Ali expressed optimism about the prospects of enhanced collaboration with French businesses, emphasising Guyana's strategic advantages and investment potential. He underscored the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for foreign investors, ensuring transparency, and promoting sustainable development across key sectors.
As discussions continue, both sides said that they look forward to exploring concrete investment opportunities that align with Guyana's development priorities and contribute to its economic growth trajectory.
President Dr Irfaan Ali meeting with the visiting delegation from France
More Guyanese undergoing oil development training
Twenty-five technical personnel from the Ministry of Natural Resources are participating in oil development training through an overseas seminar, which started on Monday.
The session is being held at the Guyana Forestry Commission’s Complex in Kingston, Georgetown, and will run for three weeks, concluding on July 28. According to a DPI report, the Natural Resources Ministry, the Chinese Embassy, CNOOC Guyana, and the Development and Research Centre of China Geological Services are collaborating on the initiative.
During the opening ceremony, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, underscored the importance of capacity-building in the oil and gas sector.
“One of the main tasks was to ensure that we build capacity, especially with
regard to the management and regulating of the oil and gas sector. We must build it fast because oil and gas is new to all of us, and at the pace at which it is developing, it is essential that we develop our human resources at the same time,” the minister is quoted as saying in a DPI report.
He added that the training will equip participants
with the knowledge to address global climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
Bharrat encouraged participants to utilise the skills and knowledge they will gain from the course to stay abreast of the sector’s rapid developments and contribute to the country’s transformation.
“What we need to do is shift our focus heavily on
Guyana Govt, Private Sector to host job fair in New York
The Government of Guyana, in partnership with private sector stakeholders, has announced an upcoming Job Fair aimed at Guyanese diaspora members, scheduled to take place on July 27 at the La Guardia Marriott in Queens, New York. This initiative seeks to connect skilled Guyanese living abroad with promising career opportunities back home, fostering their active participation in Guyana's ongoing development endeavors. The job fair promises to be a significant platform, offering attendees insights into diverse job prospects across various sectors within Guyana.
Key features of the job
fair, which will be held from 09:00h to 17:00h include participation from prominent private sector leaders and stakeholders, who will provide valuable information on career openings, industry insights, and the remigration process. Attendees can expect to interact directly with industry leaders, explore a wide array of job opportunities, and gain a deeper understanding of companies ranging from small enterprises to large corporations operating in Guyana.
The event aims to encourage the diaspora community to consider returning home and contributing their skills to Guyana's rapidly expanding economy. By leveraging their
expertise and experiences gained abroad, diaspora members can play a pivotal role in the country's development and economic growth.
In announcing the job fair, government officials emphasised their commitment to harnessing the talents of the Guyanese diaspora and integrating them into the nation's workforce. This initiative underscores a proactive approach to bridging the gap between skilled Guyanese abroad and career opportunities in their home country.
For more information and registration details, prospective attendees are encouraged to visit https:// guyanaconsulatenewyork. org/job-fair-registration
gas utilisation and monetisation and development of our gas resources,” he proffered. Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan,
highlighted that the training is the second of five bilateral courses planned for Guyana in 2024. She emphasised the ne-
cessity of collaboration to support Guyana’s rapid development and strengthen the framework of the oil and gas sector.
“The oil and gas industry is critical to Guyana’s economic transformation and social development. One of the objectives of this seminar is to share management experiences and technology with Guyana to help reduce the negative impact of fossil energy development,” the ambassador said.
Participants are expected to travel to China for further training following the seminar.
Some of the technical staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources undergoing training (DPI photo)
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat speaks at the opening of the Overseas Seminar on Oil Development in Guyana
Regional
Brazil adopts free trade with Palestinian Authority in show of support
Brazil has put into effect a free trade agreement with the Palestinian Authority that has been waiting for ratification for more than decade, in a show of support for the Palestinian people.
"The agreement is a concrete contribution to an economically viable Palestinian State, which can live peacefully and harmoniously with its neighbours," Brazil's Foreign Ministry said on Monday in a statement.
It said Brazil, which recognizes a Palestinian State and allowed a Palestinian embassy to be built in the Brazilian capital in 2010, ratified the agreement on Friday between the Mercosur trade bloc of South America and the Palestinian Authority that had been signed in 2011.
It was not clear whether other Mercosur members would follow suit. Argentina's right-wing Government of President Javier Milei is not expected to do so.
The Foreign Ministries of Uruguay and Paraguay did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Palestinian Ambassador in Brasilia, Ibrahim Al Zeben, called Brazil's decision "courageous, supportive and timely".
It is "the effective way to
(Reuters/Cesar
support peace in Palestine", he said in a message to Reuters, adding that he hopes Palestine trade with Mercosur, currently only US$32 million a year, will grow.
Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday derided the decision by his Argentine counterpart Milei to skip a regional trade group meeting as "immense nonsense", in the latest war of words between the ideological opposites.
Radical libertarian Milei made his first visit to neighbouring Brazil as President last weekend, where he took part in a conservative rally led by Brazil's former
hard-right President Jair Bolsonaro.
Milei, meanwhile, opted against attending meetings held on Monday in Paraguay for the South American regional trade bloc known as Mercosur.
The leftist Lula narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in late 2022, and Brazil's President has not yet met in person with Milei since he took office in December.
"It's immense nonsense for a President of a country as important as Argentina to not participate in a meeting with Mercosur," Lula told reporters after the Paraguay meetings. "It's sad for Argentina." (Excerpts from Reuters)
Cuba foils plot to sneak arms onto island from US, official says
Cuba has foiled a plot to sneak arms and ammunition onto the Caribbean island from the United States, detaining nearly three dozen people in a broader scheme authorities say sought to destabilise its Government, a Cuba Interior Ministry official said on Monday.
Cuba first unveiled details of the plot last December, when authorities said a Cuban man residing in the United States arrived on the island by jetski, armed with guns, ammunition and military gear, to recruit others
and commit acts of violence.
A subsequent seven-month investigation, said Víctor Álvarez, a lead criminal investigator with Cuba's Interior Ministry, unveiled a broader plan that includes participation by 32 Cuban residents and a US-based group called La Nueva Nación Cubana, which Cuban authorities say continues to plot attacks on Cuba from US soil.
Cuba said it had notified the US Government agencies of the results of the investigation, but said the individuals continue to act with impunity.
"These individuals continue to act with impunity in North American territory, organising, financing and supporting activities of a violent nature in order to subvert the internal order of our country," Alvarez said.
The US State Department said it was aware of the most recent allegations.
Cuba has for decades alleged the United States turns a blind eye to plots hatched by Cuban nationals residing in the United States to foment unrest on the island and upend its Government. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Panama Canal expects new water reservoir for ship crossings in 6 years
T he Panama Canal expects to complete a billion-dollar construction of a new water reservoir within six years that will help ensure the passage of 36 ships a day, the administrator of the global waterway said on Monday.
The Indio River reservoir project would become part of the network of existing artificial lakes that allow for safe passage through the canal and provide water for human con-
sumption.
"We are looking at six years," canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez said.
Vasquez said the project "would provide a little more certainty to maintain 36 transits per day, a higher level of reliability for the route".
Last month, the Panama Canal said after recent rains boosted water levels, it would increase the total number of available slots in both Neopanamax and
Panamax locks to 35 slots after August 5. Increased rainfall in recent months has allowed the canal, the world's second-largest, to replenish its watershed, leading to an increase in transits that had been severely restricted last year amid a drought.
Ricuarte estimated the project would cost around US$1.2 billion, plus an additional US$400 million in investments in neighbouring communities. (Reuters)
Banana Board reports 80-100% loss of banana, plantain crops in Jamaica
Preliminary assessments conducted by the Banana Board post-Hurricane Beryl show an 80 to 100 per cent loss for bananas and plantains.
According to a report from JIS News, the Board has, so far, conducted assessments in the larger banana-producing parishes of St Thomas, St Mary, Portland, St James, St Catherine and Clarendon.
“For the commercial banana farmers, which is about 1564 hectares on the ground, they have experienced about 90 per cent in losses. So,
the loss is great, and we are still assessing,” said Banana Board General Manager Janet Conie.
Conie told JIS News that the focus was now on farmers recovering from this setback quickly.
“We have asked the farmers to, as soon as possible, go back [to their farms]. If there are bunches [of fruits] that are down that you cannot take out right away, we ask that you cover them. If they are exposed to the sun they will be damaged and you can’t sell them. That’s the first thing; and since we are at 80 to 100 per cent damage, that means the plants are down,” she said. Conie further advised that farmers can leave bunches that are not yet ready, still attached to the plant to promote the fruits’ continued development.
The General Manager said where this is not possible and bunches can be sold, “we are asking them to ‘chop up’”, which entails cutting off sections of the plant that are broken or bent, and which may be rotting. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Political scientists want T&T PM to clarify coup plot claims after denial by former SSA Head
In light of the alarming claims by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley that an alleged plot to overthrow the Government had been uncovered at the nation’s highest security intelligence agency – the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) – two political scientists have made a call for transparency in the disclosure made by the PM in Parliament on Wednesday.
In an exclusive report in the Sunday Guardian, former Director of the SSA, Major Roger Best, who was terminated, distanced himself from claims by Dr Rowley that the agency un-
der his watch was plotting to overthrow the Government.
There has been strong denial by Best, who labelled the claims as “preposterous” and “ludicrous” and said the information presented by the PM was “filled with many degrees of disinformation to suit a particular narrative that was based on incorrect information”. He described it as a witch-hunt.
Prof Hamid Ghany and Dr Bishnu Ragoonath, responding to the claims made by Prime Minister Rowley, who is the head of the National Security Council (NSC), during the parliamentary sitting, both agreed
the disclosures were “deeply disturbing” and “treasonous”, but lacked critical information.
Responding to claims that a possible plot to overthrow the Government involving SSA personnel had been uncovered, Professor Ghany told Guardian Media yesterday, “The statement made by Prime Minister Rowley in the House of Representatives last Wednesday about a plot to stage a coup to remove the constitutionally-elected Government is deeply disturbing as it raises the spectre of treason.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Colombia’s deforestation fell to historic low last year
Deforestation in Colombia fell by 36 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year, the country’s Environment Ministry said, as President Gustavo Petro’s Government works to halt record-breaking destruction in the Amazon.
In a statement on Monday, the Environment Ministry said deforestation fell to just over 792 square kilometres (305 square miles) across Colombia last year, down from around 1235sq km (477sq miles) in 2022.
“It is very good news, but we definitely cannot say that the battle is won. We continue to confront illicit economies,” Environment Minister Susana Muhamad told reporters in the capital, Bogota.
In Colombia’s Amazon region specifically – traditionally the driver of the national figure – deforestation declined 38 per cent to around 443sq km (171 square miles), down from close to 712sq km (275 square miles) in 2022.
When he was elected in
2022, Petro promised to prioritise environmental protection and halt Amazon deforestation by limiting agribusiness expansion into the rainforest, among other measures. The left-wing leader also has called on rich nations to cancel foreign debt in exchange for conserving areas such as the Amazon, whose destruction scientists say could worsen the global cli-
mate crisis.
Advancing peace talks between the government and armed groups in the area, along with financial incentives for farmers in the Amazon to help with conservation, drove the drop in deforestation last year – a 23year low. It came after deforestation had fallen about 29 per cent in 2022. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gestures to the media during the Mercosur summit in Asuncion, Paraguay, July 8, 2024
Olmedo photo)
A deforested area in Putumayo, Colombia, in 2023 [File: Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters]
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Oil settles lower on worries
Hamas chief says latest Israeli attack on Gaza could jeopardise ceasefire talks
Anew Israeli assault on Gaza on Monday threatened ceasefire talks at a crucial moment, the Head of Hamas said, as Israeli tanks pressed into the heart of Gaza City and ordered residents out after a night of massive bombardment.
Beryl could hit US demand
Oil prices settled down about one per cent to a oneweek low on Monday as Hurricane Beryl shut US refineries and ports along the Gulf of Mexico, and on hopes a possible ceasefire deal in Gaza could reduce worries about global crude supply disruptions.
Brent futures fell 79 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to settle at US$85.75 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 83 cents, or 1.0 per cent, to settle at US$82.33. Hurricane Beryl lashed Texas with strong winds and heavy rain as it churned inland. Oil ports closed, hundreds of flights were cancelled and over 2.7 million homes and businesses lost power.
Texas produces the most oil and natural gas of any US state.
"Some de-risking flows this morning are partially responsible for the move down, as hedges placed ahead of Beryl’s landfall were unwound due to crude oil facilities sustaining relatively little damage in affected areas," analysts at energy consulting firm Gelber and Associates said in a note.
In the Middle East, talks over a US ceasefire plan to end the nine-month-old war in Gaza are under way and being mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
"The complex is starting the week out under significant downside price pressure prompted by optimism regarding a Gaza ceasefire as ongoing negotiations appear to be seeing progress," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.
Elsewhere, investors were watching for how elections in the United Kingdom, France and Iran over the past week would affect geopolitics and energy policies.
The French left said it wanted to run the Government, but conceded talks would be tough and take time, after Sunday's election thwarted the far right's quest for power and delivered a hung parliament.
In the US, President Joe Biden said he would not abandon his re-election campaign as he sought to stave off a possible revolt from fellow Democrats who worry the party could lose the White House and Congress in the November 5 US election.
In Asia, imports of crude oil ticked lower in the first half of 2024 from the same period last year, due largely to lower arrivals in China, the world's biggest oil importer.
In India, the world's third biggest oil consumer, fuel consumption rose by 2.6 per cent year-on-year to 19.99 million metric tonnes in June from a year earlier.
In Germany, exports fell more than expected in May due to weak demand from China, the US, and European countries.
In Kazakhstan, the Energy Ministry said it will compensate for oil output exceeding its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) quota in the first half of this year by September 2025.
OPEC+ has already extended most of its oil output cuts into 2025.
Those output cuts have led analysts to forecast supply deficits in the third quarter as transportation and demand for air-conditioning during the summer eat into fuel stockpiles. (Reuters)
Residents said the airstrikes and artillery barrages were among the heaviest in nine months of conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the enclave. Thousands fled.
The assault unfolded as senior US officials were in the region pushing for a ceasefire after Hamas made major concessions last week. The militant group said the new
Netanyahu and his army will bear full responsibility for the collapse of this path," Hamas quoted leader Ismail Haniyeh as saying.
Gaza City, in the north of the Palestinian enclave, was one of Israel's first targets at the start of the war in October. But clashes with militants there have persisted and civilians have sought shelter elsewhere, adding to waves of displacement. Much of the city lies in ruins.
offensive appeared intended to derail the talks and called for mediators to rein in Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu. The assault "could bring the negotiation process back to square one.
Residents said Gaza City neighbourhoods were bombed through the night into the early morning hours of Monday. Several multi-storey buildings were destroyed, they said. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Russia blasted the main children's hospital in Kyiv with a missile in broad daylight on Monday and rained missiles down on other cities across Ukraine, killing at least 36 civilians in the deadliest wave of air strikes for months.
Parents holding babies walked in the street outside the hospital, dazed and sobbing after the rare daylight aerial attack. Windows had been smashed and panels ripped off, and hundreds of Kyiv residents were helping to clear debris.
"It was scary. I couldn't breathe, I was trying to cover (my baby). I was trying to cover him with this cloth so that he could breathe," Svitlana Kravchenko, 33, told Reuters.
The Government proclaimed a day of mourning today for one of the worst air attacks of the war, which it said demonstrated that Ukraine
urgently needed an upgrade of its air defences from its Western allies.
Air defences shot down 30 of 38 missiles, the air force said. Fifty civilian buildings, including residential houses, a business centre and two medical facilities were damaged in Kyiv, the central cities of Kryvyi Rih and Dnipro and two eastern cities, the Interior Minister said.
An online video obtained by Reuters showed a missile falling from the sky towards the children's hospital followed by a large explosion. The location of the video was verified from visible landmarks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine would retaliate and called on Kyiv's Western allies to give a firm response to the attack.
"We will retaliate against these people, we will deliver a powerful response from our
Putin, Modi hold informal talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Monday and toured him around his residence outside Moscow ahead of official talks in the Kremlin today.
Putin embraced the Indian leader at his home at NovoOgaryovo, greeted him as his "dear friend" and said he was "very happy" to see him, according to an account by Russia's TASS State news agency.
"Our official talks are tomorrow, while today in this comfortable, cosy setting we can probably discuss the same issues, but unofficially," TASS quoted Putin as saying.
The Russian President of-
fered Modi, who is on his first visit to Russia in five years, tea, berries and sweets and took him on a tour of the grounds in a motorised cart.
Modi's trip to Moscow and India's relationship with Russia amid the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine raise concerns, the US State Department said.
Thousands of people have died on both sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. India, which has enjoyed a close relationship with Moscow for decades has refused to condemn Russia for the war, instead calling for an end to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
can they respond?" Zelenskiy, who is visiting Poland, said
Beryl kills 3, knocks out power for 2.7 million in
Texas
Tropical Storm Beryl brought howling winds and torrential rain to southeast Texas on Monday, killing at least three persons, flooding highways, closing oil ports, cancelling more than 1300 flights and knocking out power to more than 2.7 million homes and businesses.
Beryl, the season's earliest Category Five hurricane on record, weakened from a hurricane after pounding the coastal Texas town of Matagorda with dangerous storm surges and heavy rain before moving across Houston, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The agency said conditions could spawn tornadoes in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
The storm, which was expected to rapidly weaken as it moved inland, swept a destructive path through Jamaica, Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines
last week. It killed at least 11 in Mexico and the Caribbean and before reaching Texas, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told reporters.
In Texas, a 53-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman were killed in two incidents by trees that fell on their homes in the Houston area on Monday. A third person, a city of Houston employee going to work, drowned in an underpass, Patrick said. Oil refining activity slowed and some production sites were evacuated in the state that is the nation's biggest producer of US oil and natural gas.
State officials had yet to assess the economic damage as officials remained on a rescue footing while powerful winds continued to blow. Restoring power would take several days, said Thomas Gleeson, chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Israeli soldiers salute on a military vehicle as they manoeuvre near the Israel-Gaza border amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, as seen from Israel, July 8, 2024 (Reuters/Amir Cohen photo)
side to Russia, for sure. The question to our partners is:
during a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Cars are submerged in floodwaters after Hurricane Beryl passed in Houston, Texas, US, July 8, 2024 (Reuters/Rich Matthews photo)
DAILY HOROSCOPES
Physical activity will jump-start your day by easing stress. Be original when faced with challenges, and you'll find a way to overcome any obstacle. Have fun and explore the possibilities.
SUDOKU
Avoid conversations with negative people or bullies. Focus on what you want to achieve. Do things your way and take responsibility. A personal change will turn out better than anticipated.
Expand your interests and participate in inspirational events. Pay attention to how you present yourself, and you'll get the opportunity to take on a leadership position.
You may crave change, but set a budget before you begin. Don't let anyone talk you into something you don't need. Use your skills and choose your path wisely.
Think big but start small. Putting a long-term plan in place will give you the ability to reach your target while maintaining your budget. Give yourself a break.
Consider your next move. Spontaneity will meet with opposition; review information, do more research and reconsider. Emotions will surface if you engage in a heated conversation.
Pay attention and put your energy into something mentally and emotionally enriching. Refuse to let setbacks drag you down. Turn things around with a positive attitude and a desire to learn something.
Proceed with caution. You may crave change, you must but consider the cost before doing something new. Financial or legal partnerships will require more thought and patience to avoid disappointment.
Keep an open mind. Do your best to approach each situation with a positive attitude. Arguing will set you back. Keep your thoughts, money and intentions to yourself.
Change what's necessary. Additional expenses will lead to emotional stress and uncertainty. Pay attention to where your money goes and focus on worthwhile investments.
Share your feelings and intentions. Don't let anger set in when patience is necessary to resolve problems. Adjust your surroundings to accommodate your plans, and you'll find the road to happiness.
Consider what's necessary and let go of what isn't. Balance, integrity and fair play will help you avoid the pitfalls of overindulgence and making promises you cannot keep.
Jason Holder feels the energy as year-long Test absence ends
Jason Holder says that his experience of looking on from afar as West Indies sealed their thrilling eightrun victory over Australia at the Gabba in January has given him "renewed energy" to pick up where he left off, as he prepares to face England at Lord's in his first Test for almost a year.
Holder, 32, was one of the notable omissions when West Indies chose to send a weakened squad to Australia earlier this year, having turned down a central contract in order to fulfil his lucrative deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. In his absence, Kraigg Brathwaite's team bounced back from a 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide to square the series in extraordinary style in Brisbane, a venue where Australia had lost just one Test since 1988.
"It gave me a renewed energy to come back to the group, and try to be a part of something special again," Holder said. "I missed Test cricket. This is my first Test match in a long time, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm just happy that I've been able to still get the body up and going and being up for the challenge here."
On the lure of franchise cricket, Holder insisted "it's not my job to find a solution",
but pointed out that South African and New Zealand players have similarly opted out of central contracts in recent months to maximise their earning potential in T20 tournaments.
"It is what it is," he added. "This is where the game is moving, each and every person has their own personal decision to make. I was just so happy for the boys when they did what they did in Australia."
West Indies have arrived in London, where they will go into the Lord's Test as underdogs given that 1988 was also the last time they won a Test series in England. But, as holders of the Richards-Botham
Trophy after a hard-fought 1-0 win in the Caribbean in 2021-22, and with memorable victories at Headingley and Southampton in each of their last two away series in 2017 and 2020, Holder is confident that his team has the wherewithal to go one better this time out.
"The guys took a lot from that Test victory in Australia," he said after West Indies' training on Monday. "We've been doing some really positive things over the last couple of months. And I think as a young side, the main thing is just to keep learning. What we have in the dressing room is some special talent, no
Jayasuriya appointed Sri Lanka's interim Head Coach
Sanath Jayasuriya, the former Sri Lanka Captain, will be their interim Head Coach through a home limited-overs series against India and an away Test tour in England, which ends mid-September.
He has not previously held a high-profile coaching position, but has been Sri Lanka men's chief selector as well as cricket consultant for Sri Lanka Cricket – the role he held till the fresh appointment.
This decision from the Board comes in the wake of Chris Silverwood's resignation from the role at the end of June, after the conclusion of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2024. SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva had said then that the Board would advertise for the role, as well as seek out candidates it thought suitable. He'd also said Sri Lanka may choose a local coach for the role.
On Jayasuriya's appointment, de Silva said, "Sanath with his wealth of international cricketing experience is well positioned to guide the national team, until we find a permanent solution."
Jayasuriya had, in fact, been with the men's team during their World Cup campaign in the USA and the Caribbean in his capacity as consultant. That role was the first he held officially since his two-year ban for refusing to cooperate with investigations related to corruption, run by
the ICC's anti-corruption unit.
His tenures as chief selector had courted controversy for other reasons too – he had been accused of showing preference to a player connected to the then Government, in which he was a Deputy Minister, as well as fielding too many players during a period of stagnating results for the team.
Jayasuriya had also been Director of Cricket of the Dambulla franchise for the 2023 season of the Lanka Premier League, where he had overseen various areas for the franchise, including strategic planning. In 2022, he had been team mentor for Kandy Falcons in a season in which the Falcons had suffered defeat in the playoffs, but won seven of eight games through the league stage.
His most recent post with the national side as cricket consultant had meanwhile seen him take on a more hands-on approach, and he
was understood to have been an active member of the think tank during Sri Lanka's campaign at the recent World Cup. It is a role, however, that over the past few months had seen overlaps with that of Mahela Jayawardene's position of consultant coach; Jayawardene resigned from the post last month stating that the team's decision-making was "no longer fully aligned" with his.
Jayasuriya was one of Sri Lanka's most beloved cricketers of the nineties and aughts, having helped revolutionise white-ball cricket with his aggressive batting at the top of the innings. He remains the fifth-highest One-Day International (ODI) run scorer of all time, with 13,430 runs. He also has 323 ODI dismissals, making him the 12th-highest wicket-taker in the format. This is in addition to considerable exploits across 110 Tests and 31 T20 Internationals (T20I) as well. (ESPNcricinfo)
doubt about it. It's just a matter for us just to play some solid cricket and they'll have just to believe. It's time for someone to break the shackles, and there's no better time for us to come here and beat England."
The circumstances of West Indies' current visit could not be much further removed from their last tour in 2020, which took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, behind closed doors and in bio-secure environments at Southampton and Old Trafford. Holder himself was captain back then, and though his team earned huge respect for helping to keep international cricket alive in uncertain times, it was not an experience he looked back on with any great fondness.
"Firstly, it's just good to be out in the open again," he said. "I remember being locked in Manchester for three weeks before the Test series, which was tough because you stayed at the ground. And then we went down to Southampton for a week, which felt like a week out of prison. And then we went right back into prison after Southampton."
The fact that the show went on, however, offered a degree of normality to a world that was otherwise in lock-
down, and Holder hoped that something of the same could apply to the people of the Caribbean, a region that was last week hit hard by the devastation of Hurricane Beryl.
"It was tough man, but reflecting on it, you just count your blessings right now," he said. "Obviously, there were a lot of lives lost during COVID. And again, it's a similar situation with the hurricane that just passed. The only impetus that people had was cricket. They finally got a chance to see some cricket which put a smile on people's faces in the Caribbean.
"So coming back here in England four years later, we're just looking to take it one step further. We won one Test match last time out of three. Yeah, two will be a lot better on this trip."
Holder's preparations for his Test return included two First-Class matches for Barbados in March, followed by a five-match stint for Worcestershire in the County Championship, for whom he made an unbeaten century against Kent in his final appearance.
"It was one hell of an experience," he said of his time with the club. "It gave me new energy, because the love that
the boys showed me was second to none."
Although much of the buzz around the first Test will centre on James Anderson and his impending retirement, Holder was reluctant to be drawn into the conversation at this stage. However, he acknowledged the hole that Anderson will leave in England's dressing room could be similar to that left in West Indies' after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul after his own 21-year career.
"It was a bittersweet feeling in a sense," he said, "where someone who's done so much for West Indies cricket is being pinched to wake up that he's actually finishing.
"You're losing such a powerful figure in the dressing room, I guess it'll be the same thing for England. But, as with everything else, we've got to move on many times. You, unfortunately, can't play professional sport forever. At some point, we've got to close the curtains.
"Some people get to do it on their own terms, some people don't . But the experience of me playing with Shiv, it was great to be in the dressing room with him and just learn so much from him."
(ESPNcricinfo)
Smith, Atkinson to debut for England against West Indies
England will hand debuts to the Surrey duo of Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith for the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, which begins on Wednesday.
Chris Woakes also returns to the XI, his first Test appearance since being named Player of the Series in last summer's Ashes, while offspinner Shoaib Bashir makes his home debut after three Tests in India at the start of the year.
Atkinson, who has made 12 appearances for England in white-ball cricket, was unused on the tour of India, but has been earmarked as a longterm pace option, registering in the late 80s and early 90s miles per hour at his most fluent. A breakthrough 2023 summer saw him earn selection for the One-Day International (ODI) World Cup, though he was omitted for this summer's T20 World Cup. This season, he has taken 14 County Championship wickets at 29.78 for Surrey, who lead Division One.
Smith, meanwhile, will assume the gloves as England move beyond Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow. The 23-yearold has been in fine form across all formats and marked his maiden call-up with his second First-Class century of the season. He is currently Surrey's top-scorer with 677 Championship runs at 56.41 with a strike rate of 76.67. He earned two ODI caps against Ireland at the end of last summer and will slot in at number seven with Harry Brook re-
turning to the number five position having missed the India series following the death of his grandmother. Ben Stokes slots between the pair at six, and is back to fulfilling his all-rounder duties, which has allowed for the selection of Bashir. England underlined their faith in the spinner by selecting him in the squad ahead of Jack Leach, after he impressed with 17 wickets in India, despite the fact Bashir had to move on loan to Worcestershire for first-team opportunities with Leach the number one spinner at
Somerset. Woakes adds to that balance as an option with the bat, and will likely be an ever-present this summer in what is set to be a transitional period for England with the impending retirement of James Anderson.
England XI: 1) Zak Crawley; 2) Ben Duckett; 3) Ollie Pope 4) Joe Root 5) Harry Brook;6) Ben Stokes (Captain);7) Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper);8) Chris Woakes;9) Gus Atkinson; 10) Shoaib Bashir and 1)1 James Anderson (ESPNcricinfo)
England have named their playing XI for what will be James Anderson’s farewell Test match
Sanath Jayasuriya has been with the national team as a consultant for the past few months
Jason Holder runs in to bowl at West Indies' training session ahead of the first Test against England
CWI Rising Stars Under-19 tournament…
Revised schedule and format set for Men’s Championships
Cricket West Indies
(CWI) Rising Stars
Men's Under-19 Championship, initially set to commence on July 2, with a three-day competition preceding a 50-over tournament, has undergone significant changes due to Hurricane Beryl's passage last week. The hurricane affected several regions, including host country St Vincent and the Grenadines, necessitating a delay and a subsequent alteration in the tournament's format.
The tournament will now begin on July 11 in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The updated format will feature four rounds of two-day matches and five rounds of 50-over matches. Despite these modifications, the tournament will still conclude on July 31 as initially planned, ensuring teams have a balance of match time to develop their skills and adequate time for recovery between matches.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe stated, "Following an assessment by our Cricket
Department, I am pleased to confirm that the pitches and outfields are in excellent condition. Additionally, electricity and water services have been fully restored at all venues and accommodation facilities."
The Barbados, Leeward Islands, Jamaica, and Guyana teams were scheduled to arrive Monday, July 8. The Trinidad and Tobago team will arrive on Wednesday, July 10. The Windward Islands team are already present in St
Vincent.
Bascombe also commended all stakeholders for their efforts in reorganising and readying the tournament under challenging circumstances. "I want to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the quick and efficient reorganisation of the championship. Your dedication has ensured we can proceed as planned. I also commend the players for their patience and understanding during this period.” Bascombe said.
Puerto Rico dominate 2024 CRTTF mini and pre-Cadet Championship
The 2024 Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) mini and pre-Cadet Championship proved to be a fruitful one for Puerto Rico’s extremely-talented group.
In the championships held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from July 1 to July 7, the Puerto Ricans dominated both the Under-11 and Under-13 categories for both boys and girls.
They took all three medals in the Under-11 Mixed Doubles. Ryan Rivera and Valentina Rodriguez took gold ahead of Carlos Medina and Brianna Gomez while Kennuel Arroyo and Nahia Medina took bronze.
Rodriguez and Taviana Burgos combined to take gold in Under-11 Girls Doubles over the Dominican Republic’s Brendaly Jimenez and Shanya Polanco while Mia Ipia and Melany Quezada, also of the Dominican Republic, took bronze.
Rodriguez also took the Under-11 Girls Singles title ahead of aforementioned teammates Burgos and Nahia Medina.
The Under-11 Boys cat-
egory was dominated by Jamaica as Malone Bird took gold in singles ahead of Puerto Rico’s Rivera and Trinidad and Tobago’s Zayden Sagramsingh. Bird then combined with his brother Shacoil to take top spot in doubles ahead of Puerto Rico’s teams of Kennuel Arroyo and Ian Garcia and Ryan Rivera and Carlos Medina. Puerto Rico also swept the medals in the Under-13 Mixed Doubles. Matthew Cao and April Cintron took gold ahead of Owen Shemesh and Isabella Castro while Angel Melendez and Brianna Rodriguez took bronze. The Under-13 Girls Doubles title went to April Cintron and Brianna
Jockey Hernandez upbeat ahead of Port Mourant horse race meet
The excitement is building rapidly ahead of the Port Mourant Turf Club horse race meet, which is set for Sunday, July 14.
Experienced Trinidadian jockey Rico Hernandez is fully focused ahead of race day, but he has one eye set on the bigger picture, the Guyana Cup.
Hernandez, who plies his trade for the Jagdeo Racing Stables, noted that preparations were moving apace for Sunday’s meet.
“We are hoping for some good weather. The Jagdeo Racing Stables did some work, so we are hoping for the best since the horses are doing great,” he said.
The Guyana Cup, which will be held at the Rising Sun Turf Club on August 11, and is expected to be the biggest event of the year, has been on everyone’s mind. With more than $40 million in cash and prizes up for grabs at the Guyana Cup, Hernandez noted that he was looking forward to some wins.
“This Guyana Cup occasion is very special. We are taking our time, building the confidence that we need, and making sure the horses are in order and happy going into the Guyana Cup. As a jockey, the goal is always to win, but we must get the horses with good abilities, and we must prove that we are capable,” the T&T jockey explained.
Rodriquez while teammates Isabella Castro and Ariana Aponte took silver. The Dominican Republic’s Mers Cabreba and Ana Sosa took bronze.
Cintron completed the treble with gold in singles ahead of Rodriquez and Cabrera.
Gold in the boys’ Under-13 Doubles went to Cuba’s Yadiel Hernandez and Andy Maqueira. The Dominican Republic’s Edwim Martinez and Eidhrian Paulino took silver while Puerto Rico’s Owen Shemesh and Jose Rivera finished third.
Cuba’s Maqueira also took gold in singles ahead of Matthew Cao and Edwim Martinez. (Sportsmax)
Sunday’s race meet at Port Mourant will be the final competitive preparation ahead of the Guyana Cup, and all the top horses will be
out to shine bright. Guyana’s champion horse Spankhurst; Guyana Cup winner for 2023, Easy Time; arch-rival Stolen Money; Jessica’s Pride and the boss lady, Bossalina are among the high-profile horses confirmed for July 14.
The provisional programme set out for the Port
non-earner last start & F and Lower, the two-year-old Guyana-bred, the J & Lower, the L Open, and the J/K/L maiden.
All races will be run under the guidance of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority rules, and races are subject to change. Horse owners would need to show proof of horses’
Mourant race meet has eight races on the cards, and close to $10 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs. The feature race, running at an approximate distance of 1350 metres, will be open to all horses, and the top horse will bag $1.5 million.
The three-year-old Guyana and West Indiesbred horses will run at 1350 metres, and the top horse will be rewarded $500,000.
Horses in the H & Lower will run at 1500 metres, and the top horse will be awarded $400,000. Other races on the cards include the E Class
Edghill, Britton,..
Over in the distaff, Thuraia Thomas and Jasmine Billingy went the distance in a five-set game, which resulted in Billingy prevailing 3-2. The first two sets of the game went to Billingy, who won 11-4, 119. However, Thomas put up a fight in the two sets that followed, winning 11-8, 119. Billingy then claimed the last set and the Under-19 women’s title, 13-11.
Adding to his U-19 victory, Malachi Moore also breezed to the top in the
vaccination at time of entry. Entries for the July 14 horse race meet closed on July 8, 2024.
The Port Mourant Turf Club horse race meet, which was originally listed on the 2024 calendar as the Caricom meet, is sponsored by AJM, KP Jagdeo General Contractors, Old Broom Lounge, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, and Crown Vibes.
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boys’ Under 15 category. Moore defeated Travis Lyken in three straight sets 11-2, 11-1, 11-1.
In a generous gesture, Edghill later donated her winnings from the tournament to the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA).
KFC, ANSA McAL under its Lucozade brand, and Star Party Rentals were among the tournament’s sponsors with support from the National Sports Commission (NSC), GTTA, and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).
Puerto Rico were the stand-out team during the regional tournament
Rico Hernandez has his eyes set on the prize
Jockey Hernandez
Mavendra Dindyal will lead the Guyanese team in the U19 tournament
GAW Women announce signed, retained players for WCPL 2024
…TKR Women also disclose 9 players
Surrounded by a number of regional and international stars, Captain Stafanie Taylor will be back with the Guyana Amazon Warriors camp for the 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Taylor led the Amazon Warriors to the final of the WCPL in 2023 where her team finished as runners-up.
She will be joined by fellow retained players South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail, Karishma Ramharack, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha McClean, and Shakera Selman.
There are seven more spots in the GAW Women’s squad left to fill and six of these players will be selected at the WCPL draft, which will take place in July. The final spot will be the last
The newly-signed players for the Amazon Warriors are Australian batter Erin Burns, who won the WCPL with the Barbados Royals in 2023 and South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon, who was with the Royals at the 2022 WCPL. They will also welcome England batter Lauren Winfield-Hill.
overseas player, who will be confirmed before the start of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Trinbago Knight Riders Women’s team have also disclosed their signed and retained players ahead of the upcoming WCPL season.
Zhang, Narine leading Moo Milk Junior Chess Qualifiers after 4
rounds
Junior chess players
Alexander Zhang and Ricardo Narine are unbeaten and leading the Moo Milk Junior Qualifiers with four points apiece after four rounds of matches at the Guyana National Stadium over the weekend.
Kishan Puran, Under-14 Girls Champion Aditi Joshi, Sachin Pitamber, and Ciel Clement are the players to round off the top six performers currently.
The competition is heating up in the packed tournament hall of almost 70 young chess players making moves to qualify for the 2024 National Junior Chess Championship.
The top 10 in this qualifying tournament will play in the National Junior Chess Championships, commencing on July 26, 2024. The 10 best performers will face each other over the chessboard in nine fighting matches for the junior title in the upcoming Moo Milk championship.
The 2023 Junior Champion, Keron Sandiford is now among the adult players and will not defend
his title. A new 2024 Junior Chess Champion will now be crowned at the end of the championship.
With three points so far are Matthew Singh, Kyle Couchman, Treskole Archibald, Maliha Rajkumar, Javier Davenand, Tivon Grant, Alek Ubaldo Singh, Micaiah Enoe, Angelina Yhap, Jeremy Cole, Tremusa Marshall, and Tejasvarun Kandavel.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is elated to have additional schools participating this year.
Some newcomers are New Amsterdam Special Needs School, St Joseph's High, St Winifred's, Dolphin Secondary, and Georgetown Seventh Day Adventist. Schools that regularly compete are Queen's College, Marian Academy, St Stanislaus College, New Guyana School, Mae's School, Westminster Secondary, and School of the Nations.
Boards 1 to 11 are being live-streamed for viewers at home and being monitored by FIDE Arbiter John Lee.
The assistant arbiters are Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender, Odit Rodrigues, Ethan Lee, and Kim Shing Chong. Prizes will be awarded to the top 10, the best U8, U10, and U12 players.
The GCF would like to thank Moo Milk for sponsoring the tournament and for its unwavering support of junior chess in Guyana. The Federation would also like to thank the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport for facilitating the venue for the tournament.
Their signings are headlined by Indian internationals Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey, who will join Australians Meg Lanning and Jess Jonassen as the overseas players for the Knight Riders this season.
In addition, the Knight
Riders have retained five of the players who represented them in the 2023 season with Deandra Dottin returning along with Shamila Connell, Kycia Knight, Zaida James and Samara Ramnath.
As such, there are six more spots in the squad left to fill and these players will be selected at the WCPL draft. The 2024 Massy WCPL will take place in Trinidad from August 21 to August 29, with all seven matches at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Edghill, Britton, Moore shine as KFC Summer Showdown concludes
Guyana’s frontline table tennis players Chelsea Edghill and Shemar Britton claimed top honours in the Edge Sports Management (ESM) KFC Summer Showdown Table Tennis Tournament, which came to an exciting close at Olympic House, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Sunday evening.
For the first time in the sport’s history, the senior competitors were vying for a $250,000 grand prize and the action that ensued did not disappoint, well worth the winners’ purse.
In the senior women’s final, Edghill downed Trinidad and Tobago’s Imani Edwards in four straight sets. The Guyanese
moved on to complete the tournament win with an 11-6 fourth set.
Meanwhile, Britton also joined the winners’ club, defeating his fellow Guyanese
took the first two sets 114, 11-5 but met strong resistance from Edwards in the third. However, the Guyanese held her cool and won the set 11-8, then
Elishaba Johnson in an entertaining 4-1 encounter. Britton claimed a win in the first set 11-6, but Johnson rebounded in the second to win 11-8. However, from
there on out, it was smooth sailing for Britton, who won three sets on the trot, 11-3, 11-5, 11-6 to take the overall victory. The Under-19 male final was a roller-coaster of sorts, going the entire seven matches in order to arrive at a winner. When that time came, it was Malachi Moore who reigned supreme, defeating Colin Wong 4-3.
As if to set the tone of the game, Moore claimed the first set 12-10, but Wong took the second 1513. Moore won the third set 12-10, while Wong would later triumph in the fourth 11-8. And it was in that tit- for-tat fashion that their nail-biter would continue. Moore won the fifth set 11-8 and Wong went the distance in the sixth, winning 15-13. However, Moore would prevail in the seventh and final set, 14-12 to take the top spot in the category.
A look at the action at the Junior Chess Qualifiers
Ricardo Narine
Stafanie Taylor returns to help steer the GAW Women
A look at the faces that will suit up for the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women this season
Chelsea Edghill took top honours in the women’s category
Shemar Britton (second from right) won the men’s category after facing off with Elishaba Johnson (second from left)
