46th CPA Conference Parliamentary institutions play crucial role in advancing democracy – PM Carpenter busted with drugs jailed for 3 years, fined $163,000
EPA working with Linden Town Council to identify new site for landfill – Mayor
5 shot in NYC’s West Indian American Day parade in Brooklyn Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo 2025 launched …7000 delegates already confirmed
Effective immediately, Amerindian community leaders and community development council leaders will now earn a monthly increased stipend of $40,000.
This follows an announcement made by President Irfaan Ali during his address on Sunday at the Amerindian Cultural
Extravaganza 2024 held in the National Park, Georgetown.
Taking it a step further, Ali also disclosed that government will increase the monthly stipend for Community Service Officers (CSOs) in the various Amerindian villages across the country from $30,000 to $40,000.
The means Amerindian community leaders, community development council leaders and CSOs are now on par with the part-time workers employed by the government.
“This will release tens of millions of dollars, again additional money into the community but more importantly it will let these leaders know that we value their service, that we recognize their service, that we acknowledge their service”.
“As we move forward, I want to assure our indigenous brothers and sisters that the plan of your government- the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government is to ensure that we build prosperity in every home. And this prosperity that we want to build must also be built in your homes and in your communities,” President Ali reassured.
The Community Service Officers programme was reinstated by the government in 2020, employing nearly 2700 Community CSOs and injecting over $1. 2 billion annually into the economy.
On the other hand, the part-time jobs initiative was implemented by the Office of the Vice President in 2022, and the ministry was given $10 billion to advance the programme.
Overall, government has expended more than $60 billion to execute various transformative and innovative projects in the hinterland regions.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Among these developmental projects include the construction of educational and health facilities, several telemedicine sites, agro-processing facilities, tractors and trailers, distribution of the education cash grant and textbooks, and improved access to potable water.
President Ali highlighted that these investments are now reflecting in the various disciplines and reaffirmed that the government is accountable and would keep executing the necessary actions to improve Indigenous people’s quality of life.
“Today we have Amerindian doctors, we have more Amerindian brothers and sisters doing medicine, doing engineering and teaching. When I was
in one of villages recently, the Toshao said Mister President, I didn’t hear you say pilots and aeronautical engineers and I said yes, we are going bring those who are interested and we will provide the training because we want you to be in every field,” the Guyanese Leader said.
Further, The Head of state indicated that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government work will also continue to preserve the indigenous culture and way of life.
“We know that you a strong and sustainable future and part of that future is your cultural heritage. One of the most important things that we must do is love our identity and believe in who we are. We don’t have to be different, what we have to do is utilize the opportunity to be the best we can be,” he added. (G1)
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, September 3 –03:45h-05:15h and Wednesday, September 4 – 03:45h-05:15h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, September 3 –16:55h-18:25h and Wednesday, September 4 – 04:50h-06:20h
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Sunshine interspersed with thundery showers are expected during the day. Clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Northerly to West NorthWesterlybetween 0.89 metre and 3.58 metres
High Tide: 16:55h reaching a maximum height of 2.57 metres
Low Tide: 10:33h and 22:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.60 metre
Having recognised the threats to democracy,
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has challenged the delegates participating in the 46th Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic (CAA) Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to draft an action plan to address issues such as threats to territorial sovereignty, climate change and disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The conference which opened on Monday is being held from September 1-7, 2024, under the theme "Democracy: Challenges Facing Modern Parliaments."
The Guyanese Leader suggested that the action plan focuses on way in which governments can better equip parliaments to resist these threats and guard against erosions that are detrimental to democratic norms and values.
Additionally, he recommended that it include strategies to address climate change at the policy level and a robust framework outlining how parliaments can properly manage AI in a way that promotes the dissemination of factual information to the general public.
According to the Head of State, these mediums will play a pivotal role in ensuring that democracy is maintained nationally and sustained regionally.
“AI is going to become a critical challenge for democracy because democracy is built on a foundation of trust, it is built on a foundation of facts. How are adjusting our parliamentary systems to fact check, or to ensure AI does not take over our parliamentary systems and we become a source of misinformation
in countries and society”.
“This is why I believe that much more can and should be done to foster a culture of dialogue and inclusion. Democracy strives in an environment where diverse voices are heard and where differences are respected. In our increasingly polarised world, it is more im-
portant that ever that we promote dialogue and understanding. Both within our parliaments and within our societies,”
Further, on the regional and international front, President Ali disclosed that Guyana is working to increase dialogue on democracy among leaders in the Caribbean, Latin
America and wider hemisphere.
On this point, he underscored the importance of ensuring that democracy stop being a subject for lectures and instead be embedded in all aspect of societal life and national architecture.
“Democracy is not a political commitment, democracy is not confined to a political definition, democracy is that engine that drives development, the shield that protects human dignity and the framework that enables society to thrive. When democracy flourishes, so too does economic development. When the rights of the people are upheld, when the voices are heard and when their representatives act in their best interest nations are empowered to reach their full potential,” Ali said.
(G1)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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As the calendar turns to September, Guyana proudly celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month, a time dedicated to honouring the rich cultural legacy, traditions, and contributions of the nation’s Indigenous peoples.
This year’s celebration is themed, “Many Voices, One Song. Celebrating Amerindian Heritage 2024”.
Guyana’s Amerindian population, comprised of nine distinct tribes, has preserved a wealth of knowledge, culture, and traditions passed down through generations. From their sustainable agricultural practices and deep understanding of the environment to their vibrant arts, crafts, and languages, Amerindian communities embody a living history that enriches the nation’s cultural mosaic.
This year’s theme resonates with profound significance as it beautifully encapsulates the spirit of unity in diversity, a core principle not only of Amerindian communities, but of Guyana as a whole. This theme invites us to recognize the unique contributions of each Amerindian tribe while acknowledging that, together, these voices create a harmonious narrative of resilience, cultural richness, and shared history. It also underscores the importance of collective unity in the face of adversity. It reminds us that while each tribe — whether Arawak, Wapishana, Macushi, or any of the other Amerindian groups — has its own distinct heritage, they all contribute to the larger cultural tapestry of Guyana. In celebrating this diversity, we must also recognize the importance of inclusion and respect for all voices, ensuring that every Amerindian community is heard and valued.
This month provides an opportunity for all Guyanese to learn from, and celebrate, these traditions. Festivals, exhibitions, and cultural showcases highlight the beauty of Amerindian customs — be they through the storytelling of elders, the artistry of traditional attire, or the communal spirit reflected in dances and music. These events not only honour the past, but also ensure that these invaluable traditions are passed on to future generations.
However, as we celebrate, we must also acknowledge the challenges that Amerindian communities face. Despite their significant contributions, many Indigenous peoples continue to grapple with issues of rights, economic development, education, and healthcare.
At this juncture in Guyana’s history, it is essential that we reflect on the strides made towards ensuring the wellbeing of Amerindian communities and the preservation of their lands, especially within the framework of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
As this newspaper stated a few days ago, one of the key benefits of the LCDS to Amerindian communities is the direct financial support through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). Funds derived from the conservation of forests have, under this framework, been used to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services in Indigenous villages. This not only enhances the quality of life of the Indigenous peoples, but also empowers them to participate in national development.
One of the most significant impacts of the LCDS is that the funding has enabled the implementation of projects focused on sustainable livelihoods, such as eco-tourism, agroforestry, and traditional crafts. These projects not only preserve the cultural heritage of Amerindian communities, but also create economic opportunities that contribute to poverty alleviation and improved standards of living.
As Guyana celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month 2024, all Guyanese should embrace the theme, "Many Voices, One Song", with the understanding that it is not just a slogan, but a vision wherein all voices are heard and all contributions are valued.
Dear Editor,
News of the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal on August 30 is cause for some reflection. He was an excellent diplomat, and led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with distinction, even though much of the time it was to defend and obscure the excesses of the destruction that was caused by the PNC dictatorship.
At the pinnacle of his career, he became the Secretary General of the Commonwealth; but in this position, he did nothing to enhance democracy in Guyana. There was never a word of condemnation for the massive rigging of elections, nor for the terrible violations of Human Rights. Not a word was there in regard to the assassination of Walter Rodney and others.
However, he did play a leading and positive role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He stood out in that role, and it was this advocacy that contributed greatly to the isolation of the white racist regime in South Africa.
Caribbean countries did not ever recognise the racist regime, and we took a leading part internationally in bring about its isolation.
The world progressive forces, at that time led and supported by the Soviet Union, the Eastern European Socialist countries, especially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), and China, managed to even have the South African region suspended from the United Nations. Sir Shridath was shoulder-to-shoulder with the anti-apartheid forces.
Today the world is facing another similar but worse situation. Reference is being made here to the grave, inhumane situation confronting the Palestinian people in the Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem. The destruction in the Gaza is now being reflected on the West Bank, in Jenin, where homes are being bulldozed and people are being shot randomly.
Every anti-apartheid righter from South Africa regards what is taking place in Palestine as far worse than anything that ever happened in apartheid South Africa. What is taking place there is really apartheid on steroids. Thousands of innocent babies, children, young women and the aged are among those murdered by the Israeli regime.
The Western supporters of Israel are calling this a war, but the Palestinians do not have an army, neither a single tank nor a single armoured vehicle. The Israeli regime, however, has one of the strongest armies in the world. Moreover, it has access to the most powerful country in the world. They can get, on demand, all the bombs they need and any modern weapon in existence.
The use of the term “was” is deliberately to cover up what is really happening; which is a massacre, a genocide.
Since October 7, 2023, the United States has sent to Israel five hundred (500) transport planes and one hundred and seven (107) ships full of bombs and other military hardware. Israel itself has ac-
knowledge this when it said that, since October 7, it received more than 5,000 tons of armament and military equipment from the US alone.
Many European Union countries have supplied considerable military hardware to the fascist apartheid Israeli regime as well. Ironically, Germany comes second only to the US in provision of weapons to kill innocent civilians.
These amounts are apart from the almost four billion dollars of military equipment that the US gives to Israel annually.
In remembering Sir Shridath Ramphal’s role during the difficult times in South Africa, the Caribbean leaders of today should take up the cause of the Palestinian people and break diplomatic relations with Israel.
We must lobby other countries and regions to have Israel expelled from the United Nations. This issue is the worst humanitarian disaster since the last World War. Our Humanity is on trial in Palestine. It is not enough to utter words of condemnation; Caricom leaders must take a strong position and immediately sever relations with the Israeli Regime! They must now begin advocating for suspension of Israel from the United Nations, as they did when South Africa was ruled by a racist regime. Save our humanity now!
Sincerely,
Donald Ramotar Former President of Guyana
Some two years after it was destroyed by fire, the St George’s Secondary School was on Monday reopened as a first-of-its-kind School of Sciences in Guyana.
At the grand opening of the school, Education Minister Priya Manickchand while de-
being a prestigious facility.
In fact, the Minister explained that the students attending the new school should have scored at least 80 per cent in English, 65 per cent in science and 60 per cent in Mathematics to be eligible for the school.
livering remarks, emphasised that the new institution was developed with the clear intent of
“We have a brand-new school that could hold approximately 300 children, we are only putting
in 80 students…we had a choice where we could of bring in second formers and third formers and I made a hard decision, at a time when we needed space for high schoolers and I said no because they already have their ways and they have already learnt stuff in those schools and they might infect my first formers so we are going to begin as we intend to go on.”
In addition to keeping the standards of the high
school, she pointed out that students’ literacy skills must be on par in order to attend the school – highlighting that the Education Ministry has various plans for the students and English must be required.
“We can’t do what we want to do with your children if they can’t read and write which is why they had to have 80 per cent in English”
Topping it off, the Minister revealed that
Dear Editor,
I have read an article written by a moderate Opposition Member of Parliament and published under the caption "Guyana's politics need to focus less on the past and more on the future." It is a nice piece of writing, filled with choice words that speak well to the mitigating circumstances that would lessen his party's severity or culpability of past criminal offences.
The writer was making a valiant effort to remove that dark stain engraved on our landscape, but how much of an apology he has made is left to be seen.
Now, here's the problem: no one would dare venture to put closure to the severity and long-lasting effects of the PNC's backward policies on this nation. Their lack of vision, coupled with the fact that they have
a built-in corrupt nature, speaks volumes of that party. These are things we will not forget; so, in order for us to make headway in future plans, we must take a glance back at where we've come from, then forge ahead with the great developmental tasks set before us.
Brother Bob's lyrics, which state, "In this great future you can't forget the past", ring true to our cause in this part of the developing world. We will NOT forget that the PNC will never put away that diabolical system of rigging, which held this country down for 28 long years. The 2020 event was the most brazen attempt ever. In the words of Bruce Golding, it was "a transparent act", meaning it was so glaring that it stunned our senses.
THIS tells everyone that the party is well vested, permanently and in-
alienably, in the rigging of elections.
Policy-wise, that party stank to the high heavens. It came into power in 2015, and did not a damn thing for the country; yet, after two months, it raised its ministers’ salaries by 50%. When the splurge ended, that party had imposed more than 200 new taxes on the citizens of this country.
In addition, they took away from the people -- we are talking about the Joint Services -- the end-of-year bonus, and from our children, the “Because We Care” cash grant. In agriculture, there was the closure of the sugar estates and the firing of over 7,000 workers, as well as many more in other sectors. There was no raise of pay or improvement in our financial status, which caused our further downfall.
In closing, I hasten to
each student will be walking home with a brand new laptop.
“This thing with when you sit down and you watch the blackboard and you write out all these notes and you carry it home and your parents or guardian don’t read it, we don’t want that anymore.
"Every child in this school is going to be given a device today, a computer device…It is not a
handout. It is because I want them to learn differently, I don’t want them to sit down whole half day and copy notes. I want the notes to be sent out to their device so they can read it the night before.” She posited while being greeted with a resounding round of applause from all the parents.
(Sign on) Inspiration Time
say there are many other atrocities that party committed, which are too numerous to mention, but I will stop here.
What ‘mister gentleman’ may well consider is to cross the border of politics and join forces with the ‘ONE Guyana’ Team to help build this country. I make this proposal based on the merits of his statement.
One must realize there are in the Opposition a few good people who have ideas and high moral values, and I say these qualities can be utilized to the good of the nation. They need to take their places on the right side of life. There can be no development or future outlook being in the Opposition, this is pellucid; so, why waste human resources over there?
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
Guy's Grocery Games
Stop Suffering
Paternity Court
Divorce Court
A double-line graph often compares how information changes for two or more persons, places or things as time passes.
In which year were the most dolphins seen in Guyana and Suriname?
Step 1: Look for the highest point on the graph for the Guyana data (80)and then the Suriname data(100).
Step 2: Look along the horizontal axis for the time that point relates to: 1999 (Guyana) and 1997 (Suriname).
1) What can you say about the supply and demand of ice cream from the double-line chart?
2) What conclusion can you draw from the double-line graph about students’ grades and how much TV they watched?
By Algernon ChArles swinBurne
I lay there till the warm smell grew More sharp, when flecks of yellow dew Between the round ripe leaves had blurred
The rind with stain and wet; I heard A wind that blew and breathed and blew, Too weak to alter its one word.
The wet leaves next the gentle fruit Felt smoother, and the brown tree-root Felt the mould warmer: I too felt
(As water feels the slow gold melt Right through it when the day burns mute)
The peace of time wherein love dwelt.
There were four apples on the tree, Gold stained on red that all might see The sweet blood filled them to the core: The colour of her hair is more Like stems of fair faint gold, that be Mown from the harvest’s middle floor.
While laud-
ing the members of the local private sector, who are stepping forward and making new investments, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat has also issued a call for more local investors to be bold enough to take advantage of the opportunities springing up.
During Monday’s launch of the 2025 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain expo, the minister spoke of the growth in Guyana’s supply
Acarpenter was on Monday jailed for three years and fined $163,000 when he appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The sentence was imposed by Magistrate Michelle Mathias.
Kevon Bunyan 40, a construction worker of 52 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that
chain. Bharrat pointed out that the fact that the conference will not focus solely on opportunities in oil and gas, is testament to this growth.
“Even today, as people come to Guyana in search of opportunities in the new oil and gas sector, we have a conference that will highlight opportunities across all sectors. So again, it shows that we’re committed to diversifying our economy.”
“And not only to focus on one particular sector. And this is something I think Guyana as a new
oil producing country, we’re becoming a role model across the world,” the Natural Resources Minister said.
According to Bharrat, other countries are looking to Guyana as an example because the country has been able to diversify, rather than focus on one sector. He emphasised the importance of all the economic sectors. The Minister did make a call, however, for more of the local private sector to step forward and make new investments in the various sectors.
“We have continued to grow and incentivise and expand all the sectors. Today, when we launch our energy conference, it is not only an energy conference. But it is a supply chain expo. Because all of these sectors are critical and important in building out the oil and gas sector in Guyana. And we’re seeing those opportunities today and I’m happy that our local private
sector is taking advantage of those opportunities too.”
“Sometimes I know we’re very critical of the private sector not stepping up, as much as they should. But we also need to recognise the ones who have really taken that bold initiative and step to invest in the oil and gas sector. So, we want to call on more investments from local private sector,” he said.
Emerging opportunities
Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, who was present at the launch, meanwhile elaborated on some of the new emerging opportunities for investors. These are opportunities that are being created in tandem with the government’s developmental policies, such as the Gas-toEnergy (GtE) project.
“When you think of the energy cost com-
ing down in 2025, as promised by our government, what happens 25 and beyond, when our President takes office again? It’s the shifting of Guyana’s development. That new wave, which are some of both the small, medium and large projects.”
“But when you think of cheaper energy, you think of bauxite finds, you think of aluminum, you think of glass, gold refinery. Those are things we dreamt about. When you think of deep ports, the connection with Northern Brazil and what we’re building between (Dominican Republic) and Guyana, it tells how fast or how far Guyana has come,” Ramsaroop said.
Ramsaroop therefore urged investors to be cognisant of this next phase of opportunities coming Guyana’s way and to enter the conference, which is being held from February 18 to 21, 2025 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel under the theme
“Connecting the Dots: Integrating the Future’, with a mindset of taking advantage of these opportunities.
The energy conference is expected to bring together at least 7000 delegates, over 180 booths and more than 80 companies on board. There will also be over 70 speakers at the conference. It is expected that regional and international Heads of State, industry experts, and international innovators will grace the event.
(G3)
busted with drugs jailed for 3 years, fined $163,000
on September 1, he had in his possession to179 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Bunyan was charged
under Section (5) (1) (a) (i) of the Narcotics Drug Psychotropic Substance Control Act chapter 10/10.
Police had stated that on Sunday a party of police ranks went to the Lot 52 Stanleytown location where ranks contacted Bunyan and requested to search his premises for arms, ammunition, and narcotics; to which he consented.
During the search on his premises, a multi-color small bag that contained several small transparent zip lock bags with a
number of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis was found.
Bunyan was then told of the offense committed.
The search continued,
and one Parsun boat engine and one red CD motorcycle were also found. He was questioned about these items but could not give a reasonable account. The rank then took possession of them. Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus told this publication that the other items found at the premises are suspected to be stolen articles. He said the police are waiting for persons to come forward and claim ownership after identifying the items. (G4)
Shakespeare told us of the dead that “the good is oft interred with their bones”. But way before Shakespeare, the Romans had advised, “De mortuis nil, nisi bonnum”: ‘of the dead, speak only the good’!! So now that Shridath Ramphal has passed at the ripe old age of almost 96, which homily should your Eyewitness hark to?? He’ll follow that old Clintwood classic, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”!! And Lord knows, with “Sonny”as he was called by his friends, who may’ve balked with him at the provincial “Shridath”, much less “Surendranauth”!! - there was plenty of each!!
The “good”?? Right off the bat, we know he was a “bright boy”, who didn’t waste the opportunities opened up by his father, who was the first to pass the Senior Cambridge from Berbice High and went on to found his own high school in G/town!! Sonny Boy was duly sent to Queen’s, then to London, where he ate his dinners at Gray’s Inn after studying at King’s College to enter the Bar.
Like Cheddi before him, he married a local nurse, returned to serve in the WI Federation, then was called by Forbes Burnham to be his Solicitor General and advisor on his independence instruments reward.
Guyana was always too small for Sonny Boy’s ambitions, and he persuaded Burnham that he could be useful at the Commonwealth Secretariat, and he was duly nominated and appointed in 1975. From that bully pulpit, he championed a host of “progressive” Third World causes – in which Burnham always got a squeeze to bolster his image – such as the anti-apartheid struggle. However, he never got to become UN Secretary General, which was always his ambition. His sponsor had by then been exposed as the vicious dictator he was!!
The “bad”?? Well, they all came out of his loyalty to Burnham - and flogging that horse long after it was clear that Burnham was a bounder!!
The latter was always a stickler for observing the FORMS of the law, even as he ground the substance into the dust. And Sonny Boy was there advising him as he rigged the 1968 and 1973 elections. He was rewarded with nomination to the Commonwealth SG, and headed off any censure of Burnham’s anti-democratic rule henceforth. Imagine him midwifing a democratic transition in Zimbabwe while Burnham legalized his dictatorship with his 1980 constitution!!
The “ugly”?? Intensification of the above, like developing rules for the Commonwealth to monitor elections even as Burnham, and then Hoyte, increased their rigging atrocities. As a private citizen, he was one of the “three wise men” who facilitated the “Herdmanston Accord”, truncated the PPP’s term in office by two years, and didn’t censure the PNC for fomenting mayhem in the streets!!
Your Eyewitness has written often about the importance of the BRICS grouping if the present inherently unstable bipolar world – the US vs China – is ever gonna evolve into a multipolar one. In the latter, of course, as the members of BRICS jockey for influence within their grouping, steam is not focused in one direction to cause an explosion!! For example, like with India visiting Ukraine to purchase turbines to power ships bought from Russia!! Tensions spread out!!
But the contradictions in BRICS seem to be getting attention, with Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov announcing they’re temporarily suspending more admissions from the nine that now include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates – with a waiting list of 40. The reason?? Seems they want to ensure they can coordinate their actions, which would become exponentially hairier with each new member.
Can you imagine what would happen if Mad Maduro’s application is accepted?? He’s already announced his partners would purchase all his oil – even if it pi55es off the Yanks!!
…our anti-drug efforts
The news of the US$200M cocaine bust at Matthews Ridge, with the coordination of local actors like the GDF and the US’s DEA, is indeed good news!! But no GPF?? How corrupt are they exactly??
An Essequibo Coast man was shot dead in the early hours of Monday morning in an attempted home invasion at Adventure, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).
Dead is Ghanraj Bhasmat, also known as "Bharat" of Adventure, Essequibo Coast. The incident occurred around 02:00h.
The man and his 47-year-old wife, Rita Ragubar lived in the upper flat of a two-storey building; the bottom flat was being rented out to a Chinese Restaurant.
The wife told investigators that she and her husband were awakened by a noise, which resulted in the businessman venturing into the hall-
way of the house while she stayed in bed.
According to reports, the gunmen climbed onto the zinc roof of the shop, and when the 61-year-old man peeked outside, he was shot in the left side of his chest.
The bullet struck him near his heart, causing him to collapse to the ground.
The perpetrators fled the scene using a back entrance, making a quick escape. The woman said she heard four gunshots and then someone shouting “thief” and as such, she rushed outside to investigate. It was then that she found her husband, in the washroom area, lying in a pool of blood.
"I heard someone
walking on the zinc roof of the Chinese restaurant, so he got up to use the washroom and peeped to see if he could spot anyone. When he looked, the men saw him, and they shot him in the left chest. It affected his heart, and he fell to the ground. When I reached him, he took two breaths and died," the grieving wife said.
Bhasmat was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police on Monday said that the scene was processed and it is suspected that Bhasmat was shot from outside through a louver window connected to the washroom. An investigation has been launched. (G14)
Visitor arrivals in Guyana contin-
ue its growth trajectory, with as much as 350,000 visitors expected to grace these shores by the end of the year, after over 20,000 increases in visitor arrivals were recorded in the first half of 2024.
According to the recently released mid-year report, total visitor arrivals in Guyana amounted to 170,744 during the period of January to June 2024. This is a significant increase above the 149,020 arrivals recorded in the same period last year.
“This increase of 21,724 arrivals led to the achievement of the highest arrival number at the halfyear to date, with visitors from the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Latin America,
and other markets.”
“Further, supported by Guyana hosting several major international and regional conferences and expos, as well as events such as Cricket Carnival, the growth in arrivals is anticipated to continue throughout the year, with
visitor arrivals projected to reach 350,000 by the end of 2024,” the report further states.
The report attributes the expansion in visitor arrivals to Government’s commitment to government’s efforts to attract new airlines and improve
Guyana’s connectivity to the rest of the world. These efforts, according to the report, have resulted in airlift capacity in Guyana increasing from 112,500 seats in December 2023 to 129,175 seats in June 2024.
“In the first half of the year, airlift capacity expanded, with the commencement of Sky High Dominicana operations in February, servicing the Guyana to the Dominican Republic route with thrice weekly flights.”
“In addition, United Airlines (UA) commenced its four-time weekly operations from Houston to Georgetown in April 2024, and American Airlines (AA) expanded its services
by adding an additional Miami to Georgetown route,” the report explained.
Guyana’s status as a tourist destination was also recognised globally in the first half of the year. The report pointed out that in March, Guyana was acclaimed the Destination of the Year in the Ecological Tourism Category by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association.
“Guyana was also the recipient of the Silver Award for Best Initiatives for Indigenous Communities at the fourth Edition of the World Travel Market Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards. These global recognitions continue to encourage prospective travellers to our shores as well as demonstrate to them the principles and standards that guide our tourism sector development,” the report states.
In light of significant investments being made to upgrade the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), along with efforts being undertaken to facilitate ease of travel, the government has also been encouraging airlines to make Guyana their stopover choice for long-
haul flights.
The call was made by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, during a reception to mark the inaugural UA flights between Georgetown and Houston in April of this year. Edghill had indicated that as Guyana continues to attract more investments in its aviation sector and witnesses increases in arrivals within the country, Government is making the necessary investments to support the growth of the industry.
Further, he explained that the ministry is doing everything within its power to ensure foreigners experience great ease of doing business and travel in Guyana. Further, he had pointed to the legislative amendment made in 2022 to allow licensed foreigners to drive in the country without having a local permit, which are still in momentum.
This amendment ensures that a foreign driver visiting Guyana is able to drive within the country without having to apply for a permit. According to Edghill, all of these privileges are set to enhance the stay of foreigners, and equip them with easy navigation.
Moreover, the Minister said there are a set of specific rules that must be enforced and followed for students to continue learning there.
For instance, she said once a child is late or absent, their parents will immediately get a notification.
Manickchand also said each child must be exposed to at least one musical instrument, a sport, one foreign language and one TVET subject along with volunteering opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister ex-
pressed hope that this newly opened school with its vast array of modernity will produce doctors and various medical practitioners.
In July 2022, the former St George’s High School was destroyed by fire that was electrical in nature.
The school was rebuilt to the tune of $253.8 million.
The new school, however, is called the St. George’s School of Sciences and will be “twinned” with Queen’s College, one of Guyana’s top secondary schools. Already, some 85
students have been enrolled.
In 2022, the fire had also left 512 students and 39 teachers displaced, while 65 students of that 512 were scheduled to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
Even though that devastating fire struck the school just nine days before the 2021 examinations, the Education Ministry had put in place systems to ensure that the students had the opportunity to write the exams in the school’s auditorium. (G2)
Recognising the importance of parliamentary institutions in shaping modern societies, the Guyana Government is actively working to strengthen this institution to embrace the core tenets of democracy, including transparency, accountability, inclusivity and the rule of law.
This is according to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, who contends that strong democracy is reliant on the strength of parliamentary institutions.
PM Phillips, who made these remarks during the opening of the 46th Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic (CAA) Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), highlighted that parliamentary institutions play a crucial role in representing the voice of citizens, ensuring
their diverse perspectives are debated and ensuring that laws are enacted to advance the public good.
He noted that it is with this in mind that government has strengthened Guyana’s legislative processes to advance scrutiny, fostered a culture and bipartisanship and work tirelessly to enhance the transparency and accessibility of parliamentary proceedings.
“Our experience has taught us that democracy is not a static achievement but a continuous process that requires vigilance, adaptability and most importantly, participation. It is this spirit of continuous improvement that guides us as we seek to strengthen our parliamentary institutions and ensure that they remain robust, inclusive and responsive to the need of our citizens,” the prime minister said.
Further, PM Phillips dis-
closed that government is investing heavily in training and retooling of key personnel working with and for government.
He explained that this is being undertaken through mediums such as workshops, fellowships and seminars of similar nature being hosted by the CPA.
“Through regional conferences, workshops and seminars such as the one we are gathered for today, we have the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, share best practices, and collectively address the challenges we face. The work of the CPA CAA region under the capable leadership of the regional Chairperson Mr. Manzoor Nadir and the regional secretariat based here in Guyana is instrumental in fostering collaboration and unity among our member states,” he added.
The 46th Conference of
the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is being held from September 1 – 7, 2024.
The Regional Conference will bring together Parliamentarians and Clerks from jurisdictions across the CPA CAA Region for discussions on the theme, "Democracy: Challenges Facing Modern Parliaments."
Throughout the week, a series of plenary sessions will cover critical topics including Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare Access for Women and Girls, Gender Sensitive Parliaments –Toolkit/Guidelines, Peace and Security, and Migration. Presenters from various countries in the region, including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, who will speak on
"Accountability: Effective Oversight Committees," while other sessions will delve into "The Experiences of Women Presiding Officers" and "Building Greater Autonomy for Houses."
Additionally, the week of activity will see the hosting of the 17th Regional Youth
Parliament, where Youth Parliamentarians from across the region will debate on topical issues. This platform provides a unique opportunity for the next generation of leaders to engage with contemporary challenges and contribute to shaping the future of the region. (G1)
…7000 delegates already confirmed
The 2025 Guyana Energy Conference (GEC) and Supply Chain Expo was officially launched on Monday, with over 7000 delegates already confirmed to attend, even though the event is still five months away.
The expo will be held from February 18 to February 21, 2025 at the Marriott hotel. During the official launch at the Marriott, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the conference, Kiana Wilburg provided details on the event and the sponsors making it happen.
“Even prior to our launch today, I am pleased to share that we have over 80 companies on board, with over 100 booths sold. Our spon-
sors thus far include ExxonMobil Guyana, Technip FMC, Noble, Stena Drilling, X-Pro Guyana Inc, BK Group of Companies and MECP Sales and Services.”
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, the title sponsor for the con-
ference, lauded the continued growth in the event with each successive year. The theme for the conference is connecting the dots, integrating the future and according to Routledge, the theme for the conference is in line with his company’s efforts.
“We’re excited to be that title sponsor again, for 2025. We look forward to the engagement that we anticipate will be even more healthy than in prior years. And to exploring the theme of connecting the dots and integrating the future,
we’ve worked with the GEC team since day one.”
In November of last year, Marks’ company V75 was at the centre of the “AI-4D Showcase” that was held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel under the theme “Democratising AI for Development.” The event showcased homegrown AI innovations that are propelling the nation into a significant role in the global AI arena.
The conference will be implementing several technological measures to improve user experience, including a new conference app and a news and podcast app. Eldon Marks, the founder of V75 Inc, which is
which is very consistent with how ExxonMobil is looking at the future and the challenges we all face, in continuing to deliver affordable and reliable energy supplies for the development of society,” Routledge said.
“We’re doing it in a way that is more and more sustainable for the future. And so, we’re more than excited by the theme for next year’s conference. Excited to see all the people coming to Georgetown to enjoy, not just the conference, but all the other benefits that we talk about. And most importantly, to engage in the dialogue and to further the discussion.”
partnering with the conference on AI solutions, spoke of the contributions his company has made.”
“We’ve worked with numerous private sector entities and now, we’re proud to announce that now, we’re working with the Guyana Energy Conference. In terms of building this technological future that will power the conference as the years go by. The unveiling is really the culmination of months of hard work, from our engineers at V75 Inc. It’s also a lot of hard work with our cyber security partners at Privateers Cybersecurity. And
For the 2025 conference, several critical topics would be examined, including the role of women in energy, and the importance of breaking barriers. Organisers would also place on the agenda the identification of solutions for supply chain optimisation and the financing of sustainable projects with assistance from partners like the World Bank and InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). Strategies for diversification, climate resilience, and local content development would also be discussed. More than 80 companies are already slated to attend this conference, which is set to continue its leadership as a meaningful platform for connecting industry professionals, Government officials, investors and experts in the energy sector. (G3)
ANew York bank manager sentenced last week to 9.5 years behind bars for a foiled murder-forhire scheme against her brother-in-law allegedly told the would-be hitman that "rat poison can do a great job."
Reshma Massarone, a 40-year-old branch manager at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, plotted to kill her sister's husband over Facebook Messenger between July 2023 and August 2023, according to court documents, and was caught on security footage wiring a $2,500 down payment to a would-be hitman at a Western Union kiosk inside a Walgreens.
Massarone asked her years-long friend to kill the man while he was traveling with family in Guyana, according to court documents. But that friend, who is a Guyanese police officer, went undercover to build a case against her, leading to her guilty plea to murder-for-hire. She was sentenced on Aug. 27.
"You take care of business and you be a rich man," Massarone wrote to the would-be hitman in one exchange. In another, she told him that "either way, if I find somebody to do the job, you’re going to get blamed, so cut the bulls**t and let’s get it done."
The plot unraveled when the would-be hitman contacted the victim and his wife, who "went to the United States Embassy in Guyana to report that Massarone ... had placed a hit on the victim" to take place as soon as July 25, 2023.
Massarone's friend recorded a call in which Massarone made it clear that she wanted her brother-in-law dead, saying that the solicited murder should look like a robbery. That call was later translated by a DEA special agent and a native Guyanese speaker and used as evidence in court.
In a presentencing submission, Massarone's attorney said that his cli-
ent had acted "completely out of character" and in a "state of rage," claiming that she had been provoked by her brother-inlaw's "twenty-five-year systemic harassment."
The would-be victim was "clearly scorned," because he "was not given the opportunity to marry [Massarone] at age 15." Instead, the defense wrote, the man married Massarone's then-16year-old sister.
Massarone tried to advance her career in banking, her attorney wrote, but the victim "continued to ruin her professional life by systematically calling her [place of] employment in an attempt to get her fired." "The man spent the last 25 years attempting to ruin Ms. Massarone in every way possible, including but not limited to, harassing her beautiful and highly intelligent eldest daughter who the ‘victim’ attempted to get disqualified from a beauty pageant and is a Dean’s List student in college," the defense memo said. "What prevents this man from calling up a law school she intends on applying to? What prevents this so-called victim from continuing his disparaging remarks on social media of Ms. Massarone’s youngest daughter or husband?"
"Nothing, is the answer," the memo added.
"She lost jobs, paid attorneys, called the police, had orders of protection in place, relocated her family, had security systems installed in her home, and nothing stopped [the vic-
tim] from his continuous attack of her," her attorney wrote. Massarone is no stranger to the courts – she has sued two banks over the past two years, claiming that they had racially discriminated against her while she had worked there. Both cases were tossed out.
Prosecutors were less than sympathetic, with U.S. Attorney Damian Williams saying the woman's "chilling plan to have a member of her own family murdered for the low price of ten thousand dollars" was "unthinkably heartless," after her sentencing.
"Certainly, the victim's conduct is not to be commended," prosecutors wrote in their own sentencing memo. "But it should also not be considered so harassing, or abusive, to [justify Massarone's behavior]."
"The defendant's victim-blaming should not be rewarded, and her request for a sentence reduction... should be denied," prosecutors wrote ahead of the Aug. 27 sentencing. Previously, Massarone's family had accused her of exploiting a dying relative by taking out an insurance policy on her, shedding light on the tensions within the family.
"This cold-hearted animal attempted to exploit my dying sister . . . so this is her karma that came back full circle," one relative wrote on Facebook.
"That woman is evil," another posted, the New York Post reported. "She has been torturing and tormenting people for a very long time." "She wasn’t satisfied, she didn’t get her way, so she wanted to murder him," one family member told the outlet. "I think her next step was to get him assassinated or murdered, because she was stuck with these attorney’s fees and all that . . . I think, in her mind, it was to get rid of the problem rather than go to litigation."
Massarone's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment. (Fox News)
As the University of Guyana kicked off its freshman year with a whopping 3,700 freshmen, in the midst of all these aged pupils, came three intelligent youngsters who exceeded expectations by acing the CXC examinations a full year or two ahead of the normal cohort.
The University of Guyana revealed this in a recent press release on Monday.
These students have remarkably been accepted into the Computer Sciences and Engineering programme in the University of Guyana, marking the first time three such young students have been admitted in a single year and are 14 year and two 15-year-old.
Among the three is one girl. This is the first year that three such students have been admitted; however, it is not the first time the University has made special dispensation for students under the statutory age of admission, which is 17 years, through the office of the Vice- Chancellor in the history of the University.
According to UG, in its 61-year history, this special circumstance has arisen at least 25 times.
However, what is interesting about this year
and the past few years is that the University is considering the cases of younger and younger students, and also more of them, than in previous decades. For instance, at least one person below the age of 17 has been admitted over the last four years, mostly into computing sciences.
In fact, one such student, a female admitted at 15 in 2020, will soon be graduating with an excellent grade point average. The matter is not a simple one, however, since systems created for adult learners must make special provisions for students who are so young. In this regard, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, through Dean Prof Abdulla Ansari, Head of Computing Dr Andresa Morris, and Assistant Dean Dave Sarran, along with their teams, have been exceedingly supportive
and focused not only on the technical abilities of the students but also on their social and developmental well-being as they seek to integrate them into the post-secondary academic culture.
Meanwhile, the UG stated that over the years persons who are of the age of 15 have managed to adjusted quite well upon their admission to the school
“So far, those admitted over the last few years, around the average age of 15, have adjusted well and are excelling academically. This is not surprising since the University has been systematically working on two problems around the education of “special needs” children,” the release stated.
On the one hand, through its internationally acclaimed lab school launched in 2021,
the Early Childhood Centre of Excellence (CDB-UNICEF), headed by Dr Lidon Lashley, which teaches and studies children from age 3 months to 7 years; and on the other hand, through its highly innovative RASSR summer programme (2021, GGI), run as a funded project by the Greater Guyana Initiative, which works with students from nine years old to 15 years old.
The administration of UG sees “special needs” as children with learning challenges as well as those who are considered academically or otherwise gifted.
The RASSR programme seeks to accelerate students from all ten regions of Guyana who are gifted in math and science to enter college or university at least a year ahead of their peers.
This is why, when the requests come for students who are young-
er than normal and who have attained the academic credentials needed to enter the University, the ViceChancellor and Deans in the faculties who have to receive the students do not balk or shy away.
“What we do to identify and support gifted children is as important as what we do to support children who have challenges with learning.
It is important that the gifted at nine do not become bored at 11, and then disruptive at 13, and lost at 15. While we must not force children to perform above their capability, if they can and want to, we must find a way to support, nurture, and celebrate this in a safe and healthy way. Geniuses can come from amongst us too. This prospect delights us at the University of Guyana,” the deans urged.
The university, how-
ever, cautions that it’s not only academic grades that are assessed during the interviews and decision-making process.
The Vice-Chancellor will rely on a diverse group of developmental psychologists, quality assurance staff, and discipline specialists to make recommendations, which are considered in the final presentation of the cases. Some disciplines are, at the moment, still difficult to introduce such young students into. For those who make it through and graduate by age 18 with bachelor’s degrees, the work with them is just going to be the beginning: “We will have to find the next level of endeavor and interest to plug them Into. These considerations are part of the University’s strategic considerations even now,” UG’s vice-chancellor said.
Multiple people were shot at New York City's West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn on Monday, police said.
Five people were wounded when a gunman in Crown Heights "fired his weapon numerous times into a crowd," NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said.
Two of the shooting victims were in critical condition. The others were expected to survive, police said. Four victims are male and one is female, CBS News New York was told. The NYPD is still searching for the suspect, who is described as 6-foot with a slim build, and last seen wearing a bandana over his face and a
brown shirt splattered with paint. The suspect is believed to be in his 20s. "This was an intentional act"
The shooting happened at around 1:45 p.m. on a sidewalk near Eastern Parkway be-
tween Classon and Franklin avenues. "This was an intentional act by one person towards a group of people. We do not, by no means, have any ac-
tive shooter or anything of that nature running around Eastern Parkway as we speak. The parade is going on. It will go on until later on tonight," Chell said.
The parade is a Labor Day tradition in Brooklyn and considered one of the borough's biggest events of the year. It was not disrupted by the shooting. (CBS News)
The US has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, claiming it was bought illegally for $13m (£9.8m) and smuggled out of the country.
According to the US justice department, the Falcon 900EX aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the US state of Florida.
It is unclear how and when the plane ended up in the Dominican Republic. Tracking data showed it leaving La Isabela airport near the capital Santo Domingo on Monday, arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida soon after.
There was no immediate comment from Mr Maduro or Venezuela's government over the matter.
US officials said the plane was seized for suspected violations of US export control and sanctions laws.
They added that an investigation found that people affiliated with Mr Maduro had allegedly used a Caribbeanbased shell company to hide their involvement in the plane's illegal purchase from a company based in Florida in late 2022 and early 2023.
The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023.
The argument by US officials that the plane's sale and export was in violation of US sanctions is unlikely to carry much weight with President Maduro, who has repeatedly accused
the US of meddling in his country’s internal affairs.
A spokesperson for the White House national security council said the action represented "an important step to ensure that Maduro continues to feel the consequences from his misgovernance of Venezuela".
Markenzy Lapointe, US attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said the Dominican Republic authorities had given the US government "invaluable assistance" in organising the seizure.
“It doesn’t matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials – we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled
outside of the United States," said Matthew S Axelrod from the department of commerceone of the federal agencies involved in the operation to recover the plane.
The plane appeared to be flown to the Venezuelan capital Caracas after arriving in Kingston in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in April 2023, according to data held by the Flightradar24 website.
US officials said it subsequently flew "almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela". It is unclear how and when the plane arrived in the Dominican Republic.
But US officials said the jet had been used by Mr Maduro "on visits to other countries".
The Venezuelan gov-
ernment announced in late July that it was temporarily suspending commercial flights to both the Dominican Republic and Panama following the controversial re-election of Mr Maduro.
Venezuela's opposition has released polling data which suggests its unity candidate, Edmundo González, won a convincing victory. However, his win has not been recognised by an electoral council loyal to Mr Maduro.
The European Union has refused to recognise Maduro as having won re-election in July without seeing voting results.
The US has recognised Mr González as the winner, saying there is "overwhelming" evidence of Maduro’s defeat.
This is not the first time Mr Maduro or Venezuela's government have been targeted by US federal authorities over alleged corruption.
In 2020, the justice department charged Mr Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking, among other charges.
The state department has offered a reward of up to $15m for information leading to Mr Maduro's arrest or conviction. (BBC)
Several Latin American countries have also withheld their support, with Mr Maduro's former ally, President Lula of Brazil, among those calling for full transparency by the Venezuelan government.
In light of the buildup of waste material within the vicinity of one of the region’s largest tourist attractions, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, in an effort to better manage the town's waste, is currently engaging with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to scope out a new suitable area to establish a dumpsite.
On Sunday, a video surfaced showing heaps of garbage lining the main access road to the Kara Kara Blue Lake on of the region’s largest tourist attractions.
Guyana Times on Monday spoke with the Mayor of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Sharma Solomon, who explained that the area should not have been designated as a dumpsite given its close proximity to the lake.
On this point, the Mayor highlighted that in an effort to protect one of the region's largest tourist attractions, the Town Council has had several engagements with the EPA to identity a new area to establish a dumpsite.
“We would have picked up from where we found the last council and the last council did a programme; in fact, so far, we would have had three meetings with the EPA because we would have also invited the EPA on some other mat-
“The first policy of this council is that those areas should not have been designated dumpsites,” he said.
ters of waste management”
Solomon revealed that significant progress was made during the various engagements with EPA, noting that more than three possible areas have already been identified where a landfill can be constructed.
“Even though we have a ministry and minister, our assurances from the EPA based on the conversations that we had is just to have
those five locations come down to one that we can agree on,” he stated.
However, in the interim the Mayor revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Bauxite company BOSAI Limited to manage the waste at the area.
“We have an arrangement with BOSAI as it relates to the management of the area so what BOSAI is doing for us based on a MoU that we have with them; they
would normally maintain the dumpsite for us; however, we have persons who are from the community dumping garbage recklessly in the area. It becomes overwhelming for them,” the Mayor explained.
Moreover, he explained that garbage issues are not common within the region, noting that the Town Council has already eliminated several illegal dumpsites within the region.
In October 2021, it
was revealed that 200 square metres of land within the vicinity of the lake which was being used by the council for the disposal of waste was at maximum capacity which subsequently resulted in garbage being dumped onto the side of the access road. Following several complaints from residents, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry had awarded a $10 million contract to clear the access road leading to the Kara Kara dumpsite, which was overflowing with solid waste, negatively impacting the tourism potential of the Kara Kara Blue Lake and its environs. The contract was awarded to Concrete Inc, and the project included clearing the roadway leading to the dumpsite that was overflowing with huge piles of garbage and compressing the area all the way to the site.
Venezuela's Attorney General's office said on Monday a court has issued an arrest warrant for Opposition Leader Edmundo Gonzalez, accusing him of incitement and other crimes amid a dispute over whether he or President Nicolás Maduro won a July election.
Attorney General Tarek Saab shared a photo of the warrant with Reuters via a message on the Telegram app.
The issue of an arrest warrant against Gonzalez would amount to a major escalation in Maduro's Government's crackdown against the Opposition following the disputed election.
Venezuela's national electoral authority and its top court have said Maduro was the victor of the July 28 election with just over half of the votes, but tallies shared by the Opposition show a resounding victory for Gonzalez.
The Opposition, some Western countries and international bodies like a United Nations panel of experts have said the vote was not transparent and demanded publication of full tallies, with some outright decrying fraud.
The Opposition has
Opposition has always denied any wrongdoing.
"They have lost all notion of reality," Machado said on X. "Threatening the President-elect will only achieve more cohesion and increase the support of Venezuelans and the world for Edmundo Gonzalez."
Gonzalez ignored three summons to testify about the website, allowing a warrant to potentially be issued for him in that case.
Lawyers consulted by Reuters said that
Venezuelan law does not allow those over 70 to serve sentences in jails, instead requiring house arrest. Gonzalez turned 75 last week.
The US has drafted a list of about 60 Venezuelan Government officials and family members who could be sanctioned in the first punitive measures following the election, two persons close to the matter told Reuters.
Since the vote, the ruling party-controlled na-
tional assembly passed a law tightening rules on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and unions denounced alleged forced resignations of state employees espousing pro-opposition views.
The warrant request came hours after the Biden Administration said an aircraft used by Maduro had been confiscated in the Dominican Republic, a move the Venezuelan Government slammed as an act of "piracy".
published what it says are copies of over 80 per cent of ballot box-level tallies on a public website, while the electoral council says a cyber attack on election night has prevented its publication of the full tallies.
The warrant request appeared to be the Government's latest salvo in what the Opposition says is a crackdown on dissent.
Attorney General Saab has also launched criminal probes into Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado and the Opposition vote tally website itself and detentions of Opposition figures and protesters have continued
in the weeks since the vote. Protests have led to at least 27 deaths and some 2400 arrests.
In a letter to a court specialised in terrorism cases posted on Instagram by the prosecutor's office, Prosecutor Luis Ernesto Duenez requested a warrant be issued for Gonzalez for usurpation of functions, falsification of public documents, instigation to disobedience of the law, conspiracy and association, all allegedly committed against the Venezuela State.
A Gonzalez spokesperson said they were awaiting any notification of a warrant, but made no further comment. The
Last year's record drought in the Amazon and lessthan-usual rainfall since caused river water levels to drop rapidly, hindering navigation by barges carrying grains for export and cutting off communities that depend on river transport.
The Brazilian Geological Service (SGB) has warned that water levels have been falling since June and all rivers in the Amazon basin are expected to drop below their historical levels.
In Manaus, the Rio Negro river is 21 metres deep, down from 24 metres at the same time in 2023, which is beginning
to worry industries in the Free Trade Zone, where businesses have requested dredging work begin on the river to avoid last year's disruption of transport.
Dredging has started on critical points of the Madeira river where only low-draft vessels are able to pass, according to the Government's department of transport infrastructure DNIT. Dredging work is being contracted for the major Amazon and Solimoes rivers, DNIT said. Following last year's drought, barges were prevented from using some ports on the Amazon River, and the outlook for this year is even worse, said consul-
tancy ARGUS.
"This could lead to the redirecting of grain and fertiliser cargoes in the coming months to Itaqui and other ports in the south and southeast of Brazil," ARGUS said in a study that forecasts increased shipping costs for producers.
In Porto Velho, Rondonia state, the Madeira River has been below two meters since July, when its normal depth is 5.3 meters, the SGB said. The river has two hydroelectric dams, Jirau and Santo Antonio, and transportation is impacted on one of the main waterways for the north of Brazil. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Barbadian Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has been told to stop minding other people’s business and mind his own.
The advice came from Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams during a Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Christ Church South nomination meeting at St Christopher Primary School on Saturday night.
Last Friday during a press conference at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Thorne – the Member of Parliament (MP) for Christ Church who crossed the floor in February and is political
leader of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) –criticised the current administration, including giving it a failing grade on its handling of the gun violence problem.
However, Abrahams, like Thorne an attorney, blasted his former colleague for leaving his constituency in the lurch.
“More people came out to vote for your replacement than for your entire annual general conference (held the previous weekend),” Abrahams said moments after Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight was endorsed as the new BLP candidate for Christ Church South who won
135-5 in a two-person race.
“This party threw the floor open to all. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Christopher Alleyne (Munro-Knight’s opponent on Sunday).
Democracy was served here today.”
Abrahams, the Christ Church East MP, praised Munro-Knight and her team for the work they did in the last few months.
Abrahams said that unlike the DLP’s chaotic scenes during the annual general conference last week, democracy was the clear feature of the BLP’s meeting. (Excerpt from Nation News)
An international forestry group has suspended the sustainability certification of a logging company operating on land near an uncontacted tribe in Peru's Amazon, the NGO Survival International said on Monday, handing an initial victory to groups demanding a stop to logging in the area.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) withdrew its certification of the Canales Tahuamanu company for eight months after members of the Mashco Piro tribe were seen in late June in a remote area of the Madre de Dios region
of Peru, the NGO said.
It said the FSC certification would be suspended from September 13 while the forestry group investigates the case and meets with Peruvian authorities to "understand the land classification issues" in the Andean country.
Peru's Government and Canales Tahuamanu did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The Mascho Piru are fleeing their shelters to escape from loggers who have forestry concessions granted by the authorities, according to Indigenous organisations in Peru.
According to the FSC and Peru's Forest and Wildlife Resources Supervisory Agency, the Canales Tahuamanu logging company has concessions on almost 53,000 hectares of forest in Madre de Dios where it extracts cedar and mahogany.
"This is an important step, but not the final one," Julio Cusurichi, a member of the Indigenous organisation AIDESEP, said in the statement from Survival International. "We will continue fighting with the same strength until we achieve a historic victory in favour of the rights of the people."
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Oil prices edged higher on Monday, recovering some losses from late last week, as Libyan oil exports remained halted and concerns about higher Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) production from October eased.
West Texas Intermediate crude rose 49 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to US$74.04 by 1924 GMT. Brent crude futures settled up 59 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at US$77.52 a barrel. Trading volumes were light as Monday marked a public holiday in the US market.
On Friday, Brent and WTI lost 1.4 per cent and 3.1 per cent, respectively.
Oil exports at major Libyan ports were halted on Monday and production curtailed across the country, six engineers told Reuters, continuing a standoff between rival political factions over control of the central bank and oil revenue.
The country's National Oil Corp (NOC) also declared force majeure on El Feel oil field from September 2.
“The current disturbances in Libya's oil production could provide room for added supply from OPEC+. But these fluctuations have become quite normal over the last few years, meaning any outages will probably be shortlived; with the news flow indicating signals for a restart of production have already been given," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodity analyst at SEB.
Libya's Arabian Gulf Oil Company resumed output of around 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) on Sunday, to feed a power plant at the port of Hariga.
OPEC+ is set to proceed with planned increases to oil output from October, six sources from the producer group told Reuters.
Eight OPEC+ members are scheduled to boost output by 180,000 barrels bpd in October as part of a plan to begin unwinding their most recent supply cuts of 2.2 million bpd while keeping other cuts in place until the end of 2025.
News of increased production helped push oil prices lower last week, but the scale of the sell-off was overdone, said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.
"The market over-reacted to how much supply is coming on and now it seems like the market has put that report into perspective," Flynn said.
However Brent and WTI have posted losses for two consecutive months as US and Chinese demand concerns have outweighed recent disruptions in Libya and supply risk related to conflict in the Middle East.
More pessimism about Chinese demand growth surfaced after an official survey showed on Saturday that manufacturing activity sank to a six-month low in August as factory gate prices tumbled and owners struggled for orders. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for "forgiveness" from Israelis for failing to return six hostages found dead in Gaza on Saturday, as Hamas warned more could be "returned to their families in shrouds" if a ceasefire is not reached.
His comments came as intense street protests over his handling of negotiations entered a second night in Israel.
Pressure also mounted internationally as the United Kingdom suspended some arms sales to Israel, citing a risk of equipment being used to violate international law.
But Israel's Prime Minister struck a defiant tone, insisting its troops must control Gaza's Philadelphi corridor -- a strategically-important strip of land which is a sticking point in negotiations with Hamas.
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on
Monday in fresh protests called by hostages' families to express their anger at Netanyahu's failure to bring home their loved ones after almost 11 months.
The Times of Israel reported that Police were using considerable aggression at one protest outside the Prime Minister’s home in Jerusalem, including violently pushing protesters, throwing some to the ground, and dragging many away.
One member of the
Russia has fired a barrage of missiles at Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, hours before thousands of children returned to school for the first day of the academic year.
The mayor, Vitali Klitschko, says a water treatment plant and the entrance of a metro station used as a shelter were hit. Two schools and a university were also damaged.
According to Ukraine’s military, 22 cruise and air ballistic missiles were destroyed by the air force.
Local authorities say three persons were injured by debris from destroyed missiles.
For schoolchildren across the capital, Monday's bombardment coincided with the first day of the school year, a day of celebration in Ukraine.
Teachers and parents tried to keep a sense of normality, with music playing while smiling students were welcomed by a sea of flowers.
One parent, who hid with her daughter at home during the missile attack before taking her to school, said they were showing once more "that this nation is invincible".
“Children are smiling, but you can see the strain on the faces of their teachers [who] carry this burden”, she told the BBC.
“I’m so thankful to them for all they did to make it a real holiday for the kids."
Air raid sirens rang out for nearly two hours during the attack, before the skies were deemed clear by the military. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Police squeezed the throat of a Times of Israel reporter, according to the newspaper.
The latest demonstrations come after hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in protests across the country on Sunday, with some demonstrators blocking a major highway in Tel Aviv. Many wore Israeli flags and hung yellow ribbons -- a
symbol of solidarity with the hostages -- from a bridge overlooking the Ayalon Highway.
A total of 97 hostages remain unaccounted for after being kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October last year.
Hamas said on Monday that hostages would be returned "inside coffins" if military pressure from Israel continues and added that "new instructions" have been given to militants guarding captives if they are approached by Israeli troops.
Earlier on Monday, Israel's biggest trade union said hundreds of thousands of people had joined a general strike called to put pressure on the Government to agree a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Congo's eastern city of Goma held a memorial service on Monday for 200 victims of the conflict between the army and rebels that are waging a renewed insurgency in the vast central African country's militia-plagued east.
The time and circumstances of the killings were unclear. Authorities said all were direct or indirect victims of the fighting, ranging from unarmed civilians to volunteer defence forces.
The memorial was attended by Government officials that had travelled from Kinshasa, along with local officials and family members.
“The Government must find a solution so that we can live in peace. We've suffered enough. We're tired of burying,”
said Safi Bahuma, who was attending the ceremony in memory of a brother.
The M23 rebels have been waging a fresh insurgency in the vast central African country's militia-plagued east since 2022.
Congo authorities, the United Nations, the United States and other Western Governments have accused Rwanda of backing the group. Rwanda denies the accusations, which have inflamed relations with Kinshasa.
The fighting has driven more than 1.7 million persons from their homes in North Kivu, taking the total number of Congolese displaced by multiple conflicts to a record 7.2 million, according to UN estimates. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Look closer at a situation before you act. It's important to know what and who you are up against. A misconception will give you a false sense of what's possible.
Adjust to the changes around you. The less fuss there is to deal with, the easier it will be to satisfy your soul. How you perceive and respond to situations will make a difference. Let your actions speak for you.
Adjusting your skills and attributes to blend in flawlessly with new trends will open doors. Make sure everything you promise is doable to avoid criticism. Sign up to learn something new.
Establish what you enjoy doing most and find a way to turn it into additional income. Get your house in order, and you'll feel at peace. Put money matters to rest by selling items you no longer use.
Take the uncertainty out of any situation by asking direct questions and giving straight answers. Facts are your route to replacing and revitalizing your path forward. Personal growth will help transform your life.
A problem at work or in your community is best dealt with quickly. Control your emotions and speak the truth; you'll overrule anyone trying to make you look bad. Don't let uncertainty interfere with authenticity. An open mind and a compassionate heart will get you through anything you encounter. Use common sense and bounce your ideas off people you trust. Stop worrying start trying to please yourself.
Focus on getting things done before you venture down a new path. Check out an activity that captures your attention. What and who you encounter will give you something to think about.
Rethink your plans. It's you who must be happy with your path forward. Choose what makes you content with yourself, your lifestyle and the company you keep.
Don't abuse yourself to amuse others or to fit in with the wrong crowd. Surround yourself with positivity and make a plan that ensures you do and achieve the best outcome possible.
Spend more time figuring out how to look and feel your best. Whether you implement a healthy daily routine, give yourself more time to unwind or concentrate on something that brings you joy, it will encourage clarity. Expect matters to get blown out of proportion if anger takes the lead. Use your imagination and do your best to get along with others. Try to remain calm when involved in sensitive situations.
If there were any lingering doubts about the unmatched popularity of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ community football extravaganza, they were quickly put to rest by the irrefutably mammoth turnouts witnessed at this year’s zone competitions.
These community football matches were held across different regions of the country, and football fans clearly demonstrated that even the four-year hiatus caused by the Covid pandemic had little, if any, effect on the most celebrated street football tournament in Guyana.
A glimpse of what to expect when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ final kicks off this Friday
The evidence was so strong that even the newly-included Anna Regina Zone, which was held in Essequibo, had seen massive crowd turnout; which must have been an encouraging sign for the organisers, Banks DIH Ltd. With the culmination
last week of the Bartica Zone, full attention is now being focused on the National Finals, which are to be staged this Friday at the Pouderoyen Tarmac in West Bank Demerara.
Four teams will be contending for the top prize of $100,000 in matches to be played at the Area ‘H’ ground on Sunday, September 29, as the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) hosts the 11th edition of the annual Naeen Nasir Memorial 10/10 cricket tournament.
Bakewell, the company Nasir had founded several decades ago, renewed sponsorship of this one-day tournament last Tuesday, when its General Manager Rajin Ganga handed over a cheque to RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster at the company’s head office at Triumph, East Coast Demerara.
In that simple presentation ceremony, Foster declared that Bakewell became an official sponsor of the RHTY&SC in 2000, and is the club’s second longest official sponsor, after Farfan and Mendes Limited.
Bakewell sponsors the RHTY&SC Bakewell U17 and 2nd division teams, which have won more than 15 major championships while producing players for Berbice, Guyana, the United States of America, and the West Indies. The RHTY&SC teams have produced close to 80 of the club’s 125 players who have played for Berbice or Guyana. Among them are Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Kevin Sinclair, Esan Crandon, Kevlon Anderson,
Nine teams will be vying for top honours, with the winner earning the coveted one-year bragging rights as the best team in the country. More than $2 million in
prize money and trophies would be up for grabs, and fans would benefit from giveaways throughout the night’s proceedings.
The teams making this year’s final are reigning East Coast champions Hustlers, Essequibo’s All Stars, East Bank Gunners from Berbice, Silver Bullets from Linden, Ballerz Empire and Showstoppers from West Demerara, Laing Avenue and North Ruimveldt from Georgetown, and Mighty Rulers from Bartica.
The organisers have said that debutants All Stars will kick-off the night’s proceedings in a match against Hustlers, the
winner of which would advance to the main draw to face Laing Avenue in the final quarter-final matchup.
In the other fixtures: Gunners take on Silver Bullets, Ballerz Empire tackle North Ruimveldt, and Mighty Rulers collide with Showstoppers.
The winners would then advance to the semi-finals, with Game 1 winner playing 3 winner, and Game 2 winner taking on Game 4 winner for places in the final. The winning team would cart off $1 million; while second-, thirdand fourth-place finishers would respectively receive $500,000, $350,000 and $200,000.
Hope, Rutherford, Allen among first-time selections for Men’s teams
WJunior Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, Shemaine Campbelle, Keith Simpson, Mahendra Gopilal, Jeremy Sandia, Romesh Bharat and Silas Tyndall.
Bakewell has also co- sponsored several RHTY&SC activities, such as the popular Christmas Village, the Charity programme, annual magazine, summer camp, cricket Academy, and awards programme.
Foster has proudly declared that Bakewell is one of the main reasons why the RHTY&SC is widely considered Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sports organization.
The Naeem Nasir Memorial cricket tournament would be contested by Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Wiruni, Police, and the Rose
Hall Town Tigers. Two preliminary rounds would be played as 10 overs-perside matches, while the finals would be played over 15 overs. First ball would be bowled off precisely at 9:30hrs, and Bakewell
General Manager Rajin Ganga would be distributing the prizes at the presentation ceremony. The winner, runner-up, and man of the match in the finals would each receive a cash prize and trophy.
Businessman Naeem Nasir died on 9th October 2012 at the Dr Balwant Singh hospital at the age of 52, after a long battle against illness. He had founded the popular Bakewell bakery in 1988, and had been well known for his support of sporting activities, especially cricket and lawn tennis.
Hope and Sherfane Rutherford are among a number of players selected by various franchises in the player draft for the 2024-25 edition of Australia’s premier T20 showcase, the Big Bash League, on Sunday.
Picked in the BBL draft for the first time, Hope will represent Hobart Hurricanes.
He was their pick in the platinum category, with the influence of head coach Ricky Ponting, who was Hope’s coach at the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 IPL.
Also experiencing the Big Bash for the first time, Rutherford was selected by the Sydney Thunder in the silver category.
All-rounder Fabian Allen was snapped up in the silver category by the Adelaide Strikers, while Akeal Hosein, who took 15
wickets in 10 games for the Melbourne Renegades last season, will be representing the Sydney Sixers this time around as one of their predraft signings.
Barbados-born England all-rounder Jacob Bethell is also set for his first BBL stint, having been selected by the Melbourne Renegades.
The 2024-25 Big Bash League will run from December 15 to January 26.
West Indian Deandra Dottin will, for the first time since the 2022 season, be a part of Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League, after being selected by the Melbourne Renegades in the player draft on Sunday.
The Renegades would be the fourth WBBL franchise Dottin has represented in her career, after previous stints with the Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat,
and Adelaide Strikers.
Dottin, who was recently selected in the West Indies squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup set for October 3-20 in the UAE, will be reunited with Windies teammate Hayley Matthews at the Melbourne-based franchise. Matthews will be looking to rebound from what has been by her standards a tough 2023 batting season for the Renegades, wherein she scored 255 runs in 14 innings at an average of 19.61, with no fifties and a highest score of 46. She had done better with the ball in taking 14 wickets at an average of 27.64.
The 2024 WBBL would be held from October 26 to November 30. The Renegades will play their first game, against the Sydney Sixers, on October 27 at the Adelaide Oval. (Sportsmax)
Atournament-record second- wicket partnership of 199 runs between Kyle Mayers and Evin Lewis was not enough to see St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (SKNP) to victory in the fifth match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (RBCPL) in Basseterre, because the St Lucia Kings (SLK) completed an ice-veined run chase to pull off a five-wicket win with 16 balls remaining.
An unbeaten century for Lewis off 54 balls and 92 from Mayers off 62 deliveries lit up the evening, with boundaries raining
down on all corners of the ground. The pair of batters from the Patriots side hit a
combined 16 sixes and 13 fours to set a challenging target of 201/3.
The game looked all but gone for the Kings early in their response. They were at 24/4 inside four overs, with opener and captain Faf du Plessis having been pocketed by countryman Anrich Nortje for 2, and Mayers doing early damage with the ball in hand to get rid of Johnson Charles and Ackeem Auguste.
However, a remarkable passage of play followed. Tim Seifert was
Windward Islands fell victim to Guyana‘s spectacular bowling attack, and suffered a 3-wicket defeat on Sunday during the West Indies Rising Stars Men's Under-17 2-Day and 50-Overs Championship at the Gilbert Park in California, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Windwards Islands opted to field, and it proved beneficial, with the youngsters bowling out Guyana for 99 runs. Captain Jonathan Van Lange top-scored with 24 runs, and Adrian Hetmyer followed with 18 runs.
Edmund Morancie,
dropped twice on his way to scoring 64 off 27 balls, before Bhanuka Rajapaska (68* off 35) and David Wiese (34* off 20) beat the fielders and cleared the ropes with aplomb to knock off the runs with relative ease.
The rain did fall at Warner Park, but it was neither sufficiently heavy nor sustained to come to the Patriots’ rescue, and all of their bowlers shipped heavy runs; apart from Nortje, who finished with 2/29 from his four overs.
Team captain Andre Fletcher intimated that his side need to improve in order to challenge in the competition.
“As a fielding unit, we are not helping the bowlers.” Fletcher said after the match. “We can’t be dropping catches and expect to win match-
es against powerful batting line-ups. Catches win matches, and we have to do that; and buck up on our fielding.”
It was a bittersweet evening for Kyle Mayers, who picked up the Player of the Match award for his sublime century. “It was a good day for me, but the team did not cross the line,
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (20 ovs maximum)
Evin Lewis not out 100
with his ability to take the bails off the wicket, led the charge for Windward Islands by taking three wickets. He received support from Earsinho Fontaine and Jelani Joseph, who each took two wickets, while
Joel Durand and Watson Seaton each added one wicket to their names.
Van Lange then showcased his dominance by taking a hat-trick of wickets for Guyana, and Golcharran Chulai contributed two wickets, while Devon Wharton and Emmanuel Lewis each took one, as Windwards’ batters did not perform to their potential.
Top-scorer Theo Edward hit 21 runs.
Guyana took the field against Leeward Islands on Monday at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, T&T, but that clash was rained out after Guyana was bowled out for 171 in 40.5 overs.
Andre Fletcher (c)† run out (Auguste/†Seifert) 1
Kyle Mayers c Govia
b Wiese 92
Sherfane Rutherford
b Wiese 0
Tristan Stubbs not out 0
Extras (w 8) 8
TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.05) 201 /3
Did not bat: Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Ryan John, Ashmead Nedd, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Fall of wickets: 1 - 2 (Andre Fletcher, 0.3 ov ) , 2 - 201 ( Kyle Mayers, 19.4 ov ) , 3 - 201 (
Sherfane Rutherford, 19.5 ov )
BOWLING O-M-R-W
Matthew Forde 4-0-35-0
Mikkel Govia 2-0-33-0
Roston Chase 3-0-40-0
Alzarri Joseph 4-0-44-0
Noor Ahmad 4-0-20-0
David Wiese 3-0-29-2
St Lucia Kings (T: 202 runs from 20 ovs)
Johnson Charles
b Mayers 12
Faf du Plessis (c) c Mayers
b Nortje 2
Ackeem Auguste c Nortje
b Mayers 6
Bhanuka Rajapaksa not out 68
Roston Chase
b North 4
Tim Seifert † c Mayers
b Smith 64
David Wiese not out 34
Extras (b 4, nb 1, w 7) 12
TOTAL 17.2 Ov (RR: 11.65) 202/5
Did not bat: Mikkel Govia, Matthew Forde, Joseph Alzarri, Noor Ahmad
Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Johnson Charles, 2.2 ov ) , 2-20 ( Ackeem Auguste, 2.6 ov ) , 3-20 ( Faf du Plessis, 3.2 ov ) , 4-24 ( Roston Chase, 3.5 ov ) , 5127 ( Tim Seifert, 10.6 ov )
BOWLING O-M-R-W
Kyle Mayers 4-0-38-2
Ashmead Nedd 3-0-46-0
Anrich Nortje 4-0-29-2
Tabraiz Shamsi 2-0-41-0
Ryan John 2-0-23-0
Odean Smith 2.2-0-21-1
so it is still sad. The difference between us and them was that they executed in the back end, and the rain also kept our spinners out of the game,” he offered. It was a confident start to the 2024 campaign by St Lucia Kings, who chalked up victory in their first outing; but there was plenty to ponder for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, with just one win from three matches so far. (CPLT20)
As Guyana get ready for their League ‘A’ debut in the CONCACAF Nation’s League, one lingering question has been whether or not Guyana would be able to host their local matches.
For the past year, Guyana’s home games have been hosted in Barbados, owing to the poor condition and subsequent closure of the football pitch at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC) at Edinburgh, on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD). The use of that pitch had resulted in CONCACAF fining the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in September last year. However, in the weeks leading up to Guyana’s League ‘A’ debut game,
it was confirmed that that game would be hosted in the Land of Many Waters. Lush green hues are returning to the pitch after rehabilitative work had been done by the Ministry of Culture,
Youth and Sport, and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr has said he is pleased with the turnaround.
“As you can see, it’s now a really fantastic-looking field. The work that the contractor
has done, he’s done fantastic! So, very pleased about what it’s been looking like so far, but we don’t intend to repeat the mistake before,” the Sport Minister shared with media operatives during an event at the
NTFC.
Quelling any fears of a recurrence of last year’s fiasco, Ramson Jr has disclosed that the Ministry’s new procedures have already ensured a joint inspection of the pitch. He enlightened, “We have implemented a new system, that I outlined before. Which is, before any approval is given, there is going to be a joint inspection. That joint inspection is something that already happened for the upcoming game, but that process has been clearly outlined to the GFF. It is now part of our SOPs. It’s now firmly part of our standard operating procedures, and there will be no deviation from that,” he assured.
Guyana’s Golden
Jaguars will take on Suriname this Thursday, September 5th, at the WCD venue. Kickoff is slated for 16:00hrs. The Golden Jaguars squad reads:
Goalkeepers: Quillan Roberts, Kai McKenzie Lyle and Akel Clarke. Defenders: Curtez Kellman, Jalen Jones, Colin Nelson, Terence Vancooten, Leo Lovell, Liam Gordon, Jeremy Garrett, Reis Greenidge and Samuel Cox.
Midfielders: Nathan Ferguson, Ryan Hackett, Elliot Bonds, Daniel Wilson, Nathan Moriah Welch, Stephen Duke McKenna and Kadel Daniel.
Forwards: Kelsey Benjamin, Osaze De Rosario, Omari Glasgow, Isaiah Jones and Deon Moore. (G6)
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) was the venue for an intense day of golfing on Sunday, September 1, 2024, when the annual FARMSUP golf tournament was hosted.
This tournament attracted a diverse field of golfers, all vying for top honours in their respective categories.
The event concluded with Chet Bowling being crowned the overall winner, thanks to his exceptional performance resulting in a best net score of 65.
The tournament was divided into two main handicap categories, each delivering impressive performances:
Mohanlal Dumanath: Mohanlal Dumanath claimed the top position in this category with a gross score of 76. After adjusting for his 6 handicap, he achieved a net score of 70.
Patrick Prashad: Following closely in second place, Patrick Prashad delivered a gross score of 83, and with an 11 handicap, he secured a net score of 72.
David Harry: David Harry earned the third
spot with a gross score of 88 and a 14 handicap, leading to a net score of 74.
Avinash: Avinash rounded out the top four with a gross score of 97 and a 3 handicap, giving him a net score of 94.
Chet Bowling: Chet Bowling emerged as the star of the tournament. Posting a gross score of 87, with a 22 handicap, he achieved an outstanding net score of 65, making him the overall winner of the day.
Maxim Mangra:
Maxim Mangra took second place in this category with a gross score of 85
and an 18 handicap, resulting in a net score of 67.
Joseph Zeplaki: Joseph Zeplaki completed the top three with a gross score of 92 and a 16 handicap, giving him a net score of 76.
In addition to the main awards, special prizes were given out for individual achievements. Patrick Prashad was recognized for "Closest to the Pin", while Avinash Persaud took home the prize for the "Longest Drive."
FARMSUP Managing Director Jason Van Dijk commended all participants for their competitive spirit, and said, “We're proud to sponsor
this tournament. We at FARMSUP would like to see sports such as golf develop more in the country. So, thank you for having us on board, and we looking forward to future partnership.”
LGC PRO Brian Hackett added to the sentiments by noting the importance of such tournaments in strengthening community ties and promoting the sport within the region.
The day concluded with a ceremony wherein winners were celebrated for their achievements on the course.
FARMSUP, founded
in the 1990s in Guyana, began as a small supplier of agricultural inputs like fertilizers and seeds. It quickly grew, expanding its product range and forming partnerships with international brands to introduce advanced farming technology to local farmers. By the early 2000s, FARMSUP had become a major player in Guyana’s agricultural sector, known for enhancing farming practices through quality products and training.
With over 150 staff on board, FARMSUP operates not only in the agri-
culture sector, but also in construction, mining, marine, power generation and warehouse solutions. The company also represents an impressive lineup of world-renowned brands, including Develon, Bobcat, Mercury Marine, Tatu, Jacto, Shaktiman, Solis, Volvo Penta, and more. Today, FARMSUP remains a leading supplier in Guyana.
As the Lusignan Golf Club continues to host such high-calibre events, it reinforces its role as a central hub for the development and promotion of golf in Guyana.
President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a meeting with Executives of the Guyana Cycling Federation, has pledged his government's commitment to the association during the hosting of the Caribbean Elite Cycling Championships in early November. This follows a meeting at the Head-of-State’s Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office, where the Sport Association was able to share their plans to improve the sport of cycling among other things. Vice Presidents Hector Edwards and Linden Dowridge, alongside executives of the federation Dr Karen Pilgrim and Lt Col Mark Sinclair, represented the GCF, while Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr accompanied the President
