The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, July 17 –01:00h-02:30h and Thursday, July 18 – 02:00h-03:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, July 17 –13:10h-14:40h and Thursday, July 18 – 14:10h-15:40h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected to prevail during the day and at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Northerly to South South-Westerly between 0.89 metre and 2.23 metres.
High Tide: 13:20h reaching a maximum height of 2.20 metres.
Low Tide: 06:48h and 19:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.93 metre and 1.03 metres.
US lauds Guyana’s int’l, regional leadership on climate, food security, UNSC
…as State Dept official reaffirms commitment to supporting defence modernisation
Guyana came in for praise from the United States on its international and regional leadership on climate change and food security, as well as commitments for deepened commercial ties and defence modernisation support.
On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud hosted a virtual strategic dialogue with US officials from the State Department. Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the United States National Security Council (USNSC), Daniel Erikson, spoke about the strength of relations between the United States and Guyana.
“Your leadership in the Caribbean Community is well recognised and your current role on the United Nations Security
that is currently in the process of returning some semblance to normalcy.
Council is a testament to the growing stature and influence of Guyana… in the area of climate, your areas through the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, clean resilient growth will go a long way to alleviating climate induced hazards.”
“The United States remains a steadfast partner in helping Guyana achieve low-carbon future. And we’re also appreciative of your leadership on food security in this region, to include our work together on the youth Caribbean partnership to address the climate crisis,” Erickson said.
Praise also came Guyana’s way from Erickson when it comes to the leadership displayed in Haiti’s rebuilding efforts, after the country was rocked by weeks of gang violence this year. According to him, Guyana has been instrumental in leading the way for the Haitian transitional council and the multi-national security mission.
As then Caricom Chairman, President Dr Irfaan Ali has been instrumental in several agreements being reached between Caricom Heads and Haitian stakeholders, including for the establishment of a Transitional Council that would select a new interim Prime Minister.
Coming out of crucial talks among Caricom Heads in Jamaica on how to return Haiti to a state of normalcy, the regional bloc had announced that the Transitional Council would be established to guide Haiti towards elections and the restoration of order.
That council was established and in May, had named Garry Conille as the interim Prime Minister. He wasted little time in forming a new government
Commercial and defence ties
Meanwhile, Erickson also assured that the US remains committed to growing its commercial ties with Guyana and to further support Guyana’s efforts to modernise its defence capacity. One example in recent times has been Guyana’s use of American company Metal Shark to supply an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).
“The United States is well positioned to support Guyana, as you continue to expand your civilian defence institutions, whether through Karate training, our international military
education training programmes or by assisting the modernisation efforts, the US can help Guyana improve your existing defence capabilities.”
For his part, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud noted the strong ties between Guyana and the US. He expressed Guyana’s hopes to grow these ties and have many bilateral discussions with the United States at various levels.
“Recently, we have witnessed heightened interactions between Guyana and the United States at all levels. We hosted visits by Secretaries of State, members of Congress and other senior US government functionaries, as recent as last week.”
“President Ali has also visited the United States and met with members of Congress and senior government officials, during which fruitful discussions were held and which we intend to continue, not only in Washington DC, but also during the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September,” he further said.
Also among the US delegation were Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols; Special Advisor to the US Vice President for the Western Hemisphere, Scott
Winton; and other senior officials of the White House, the US State Department, the US National Security Council, the US Department of Energy, the US Department of Defence, and the US Department of Commerce
Bilateral ties between Guyana and the US have continued to expand across every facet, especially through trade relations, which have seen yet another year of exponential growth to now be over US$4 billion.
The US has long been Guyana’s largest trading partner, with accumulated trade of more than US$3.9 billion recorded in 2022. In fact, the US is ranked as Guyana’s number one export and import destination, with exports and imports pegged at some US$2.7 billion and US$1.2 billion respectively in 2022.
Moreover, in July 2023, it was reported that in the previous three years alone, the figure for foreign direct investment from the US in Guyana stood at US$4.2 billion. Currently, over 100 US-based companies are operating in Guyana, with US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, recently revealing that this number is growing every day across various sectors in the Guyanese economy. (G3)
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the United States National Security Council (USNSC), Daniel Erikson; Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols and another senior member of the US delegation during the virtual meeting with Guyanese Foreign Ministry officials
Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, as he addressed the meeting
The Education Ministry has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at nurturing the potential of young minds across the nation, where, as part of the 2024 Summer Camps, students are being equipped with essential skills.
In general, summer camps provide a structured environment wherein students are immersed in a variety of supervised activities, and this keep students occupied in constructive pursuits. A structured schedule reduces idle time, which is often linked to delinquent behaviours, and provides positive outlets for energy and creativity.
We must note that at the heart of these camps lies a commitment to empower students with a diverse range of skills necessary for success in the 21st century. From academic enrichment to practical hands-on experiences, these are the types of programmes which not only cater to the varied interests and needs of participants, but engage them meaningly during the July/August school break.
This school break is not merely a hiatus from the academic routine, but is a valuable opportunity to foster meaningful engagement for students.
As we peruse the programme set by the ministry, we have so far seen students engaged in masonry, basic electronics, pastry and cake making.
It must be noted that beyond the acquisition of academic knowledge, school camps emphasise the cultivation of critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. These are foundational skills that not only prepare students for academic excellence, but also equip them to navigate an increasingly complex society. By encouraging collaboration and problem-solving in a supportive environment, the camps foster an ethos of lifelong learning and resilience.
The importance of utilising this period to enrich students' learning experiences beyond traditional classrooms cannot be overemphasised in this fast-paced world. Research has indicated that extended breaks from structured learning environments can contribute to learning loss.
Importantly, the 2024 camps must be commended as a proactive approach, as, by making these camps accessible to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, the ministry ensures that every child has the opportunity to learn. This inclusivity not only promotes social cohesion, but also underscores the commitment to nurturing a generation of empowered and capable individuals.
Moreover, the 2024 Summer Camps serve as a platform for holistic development, nurturing not just academic ability, but also emotional intelligence and social skills. Through interactive engagement initiatives, students should be encouraged to explore their passions and develop selfconfidence.
Summer camps serve as invaluable platforms for fostering positive behaviour and personal growth among students.
The Education Ministry's Summer Camps 2024 represent not just a summer activity, but a transformative educational experience. By equipping students with essential skills and nurturing their talents, the teachers and volunteers involved in these programmes are setting a commendable example of investing in youths.
Meaningfully engaging students during the July/August school term nurtures a well-rounded approach to education, promotes personal growth, and prepares students to thrive; and they will discover passions and interests that contribute to their personal development. These positive experiences instill a sense of purpose and achievement, reinforcing values that deter delinquent behaviours. As the ministry recognizes the impact of such programmes in Guyana, parents, too, must support the investment in summer camps, as these become not just a recreational choice, but strategic investments in the wellbeing and future success of young people.
Utilising data to ensure rights, choices, and population resilience in the
Op-Ed by UnitEd natiOns
pOpUlatiOn FUnd (UnFpa)
Over the past 30 years, significant advancements have been made in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). This progress has been inspired by the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which underscored the critical links between reproductive health, human rights, and sustainable development.
The ICPD was a groundbreaking 1994 meeting in Cairo, where 179 governments adopted a revolutionary programme of action emphasizing the need to prioritize women’s reproductive health and rights in both national and global development initiatives. It also highlighted the role of healthcare systems in promoting human rights and progress.
The use of quality data and analysis has facilitated many advancements, such as increased access to reproductive care for women, reductions in maternal mortality, and improvements in gender equality. With more comprehensive and precise information at our fingertips, we have been able to plan and monitor more effectively, allowing societies to measure and achieve goals related to health and the fulfillment of rights and choices.
However, better data
Caribbean
has also revealed some uncomfortable truths. Despite the ICPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development prioritizing people, their dignity, and their SRHR, the most vulnerable communities are still being left behind.
The UNFPA's State of the World Population 2024 Report shows that healthcare inequality is worsening both within and between countries. Although maternal mortality has decreased by 34%, progress in preventing avoidable maternal deaths has been stalled since 2016.
Maternal mortality rates in the Caribbean region are significantly higher than in developed regions, with most ranging from 21 to 156.7 deaths per 100,000 live births. Several English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries have maternal mortality ratio estimates above the SDG
target of 70. While countries such as Antigua & Barbuda (21) have made significant strides in reducing the MMR, countries such as Jamaica (156.7), Belize (130), and Guyana (112), continue to report high MMR figures.
Adolescent birth rate (ABR) is another indicator that further shows the levels of inequality in the Caribbean. National data has revealed that only the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago have met the SDG target of having an ABR below 40. Further examination of the data reveals even more inequalities, especially among certain social and ethnic groups.
The UNFPA State of the World Population (SWOP) Report 2024 shows that the most marginalised women often benefit the least from healthcare improvements.
In the Caribbean, this is -
sue is made worse by challenges such as climate change, as we have seen with the recent passage of Hurricane Beryl; demographic shifts, particularly population aging; urbanisation, and inequalities. This complex situation makes reliable and inclusive population data even more crucial. We need this data to understand and meet the needs of those left behind, and to build more resilient communities that can better withstand natural disasters and emergencies. To fully capture people's experiences, we need to collect data that includes gender, ethnicity, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, immigration status, and other important factors. New data tools can help us understand hidden problems and create tailored solutions. However, it is essential to use these tools carefully in order to avoid bias, stigma, and unnecessary risk.
World Population Day 2024 (Thursday, July 11) has been an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in gathering and analyzing data, but it has also been a time to ask some tough questions: Are we really focusing on the right issues? Is our data collection inclusive and respectful of everyone's privacy and safety? Who are we still leaving out?
Elizabeth Arnold-Talbert, Director & Representative, UNFPA SubRegional Office for the Caribbean
National Summer Camp 2024: Students engaged in pastry and cake making at Westminster Secondary School. The activities for the 2024 programme, which aims to offer a well-rounded experience that fosters intellectual growth and personal development in a supportive environment, were organised by the Education Ministry (Education Ministry photo)
AG Chambers’ public outreach and engagement
Dear Editor, I was heartened when I saw in the media that the Attorney General's Chambers was conducting an outreach in one of the outlying regions of Guyana. I immediately decided to publicize the need of the residents that live/own plots of land along the riverine area above Timehri.
Some of the villages now have very few inhabitants, because the old-
er folks who were farmers have died or become senile and succeeding generations have migrated to the roadside villages and the urban areas. As such, the lands have remained untended, and unscrupulous people are doing illegal transactions to acquire the untended lands.
Many of those unscrupulous people knew the legal system, and dishonest lawyers and judges are al-
ways there for a price.
A few children of parents that had ownership of their plots were surprised that someone else had acquired ownership of their land.
They are being offered to sell their land as they were able to have their documents or transports in order.
Then there are a few cases wherein owners had to submit their transport
to facilitate surveying the village. That was when my father was alive. He died in 1978, and none of the children was advised on how to retrieve that document; and no one in authority thought it wise to return those important documents. Attempts were made to address this matter, but the lawyers’ fees for simple consultation were always daunting.
A number of people
have similar issues, in that they have no legal document through no fault of theirs. As such, they all gave up, not knowing what else to do and whom to see for help and advice. So, I decided to highlight these matters, and I am sure that people with varying land issues, paper issues, transport issues, and more would welcome meeting with the people from the AG's Chambers.
I am hereby appealing on their and my own behalf for the intervention of the Attorney General. We would all look forward for a Public Outreach to help us deal with our issues. A likely venue can be anywhere around Timehri. We would also like for such a meeting to be adequately advertised.
Yours truly, R Udho
Visionless approach in agri sector between 2015 & 2020
Dear Editor,
From 2015 to 2020, Guyana had a unique opportunity to revolutionise its agriculture sector and uplift its people. Unfortunately, the administration during these ye ars failed to capitalise on this potential, demonstrating a lack of vision that
hindered progress and left many opportunities unexplored.
During that period, global demand for agricultural produce was on the rise, with increasing opportunities for export in emerging markets. Guyana, blessed with vast arable land and favour-
able climatic conditions, was well positioned to become a leading agricultural powerhouse. However, the administration's lack of strategic planning and forward-thinking policies meant that those advantages were not effectively leveraged.
Despite the clear po-
tential for growth, the APNU/AFC had neglected to implement comprehensive agricultural policies that could have modernised farming techniques and boosted productivity. Investment in critical infrastructure such as irrigation systems and transportation networks
Utilising data to ensure rights...
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ICPD, making it a perfect time for decision-makers to revisit how we can utilise data to improve our health and social systems. We need systems that empower people, respect diversity, protect human dignity, and help everyone achieve their rights and bodily autonomy.
Ensuring that our data collection is safe and inclusive allows us to be confident that everyone counts
and is counted. To maximize these benefits, the UN recommends a significant funding boost: a 50% increase in domestic funding for data and statistics by 2030, and a rise in official development assistance for data to at least 0.7%. This investment would help us build resilient systems and societies, creating a future wherein everyone can enjoy peace, prosperity, and the full realization of their rights and choices.
As we continue to build on advancements made since the inception of ICPD, UNFPA remains committed to achieving our three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths, to end unmet need for family planning, and to end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
The theme of this year's World Population Day, "Empowering People, Developing Nations", reinforces our dedication to pri-
oritizing women's health and rights as essential components of global progress. Relevant gender-inclusive data is crucial in driving this mission forward, enabling us to create informed, effective policies that truly empower individuals and foster sustainable development.
(Elizabeth Arnold–Talbert is the Director & Representative of UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
was insufficient. This neglect resulted in significant post-harvest losses and inefficiencies that could have been mitigated with proper planning and investment.
Moreover, the APNU/ AFC failed to support smallholder farmers adequately. These farmers, who form the backbone of Guyana's agricultural sector, were left without the necessary resources and training to improve their yields and adopt sustainable practices. By not prioritising education and technological advancement in agriculture, the then Government missed an opportunity to empower these farmers and enhance their livelihoods.
In contrast, other countries in the region made significant strides in agricultural innovation during the same period, further highlighting the missed op-
portunities in Guyana. The Government’s inability to recognize and act upon these opportunities reflects a visionless approach that has had lasting negative impacts on the country's agricultural sector and its people.
The APNU/AFC of Guyana, from 2015 to 2020, had the potential to bring about transformative changes in agriculture. However, their lack of vision and strategic planning resulted in missed opportunities that could have significantly benefitted the nation. It is crucial for future leaders to learn from these mistakes, and prioritise visionary policies that can unlock Guyana's agricultural potential and improve the lives of its citizens.
Sincerely,
Fawaz Harry
Page Foundation
Solving equations by addition and subtraction
You have learnt about the Equality Properties of Addition and Subtraction, which say that if you add or subtract a number to one side of an equation, you must add or subtract the same number to the other side of the equation. This rule is important when you are trying to solve equations that use addition and subtraction.
Examples:
Problem: y – 4 = 7. Find y
Can you add 4 to the left side of the equation to leave y by itself? You can do that, but you also have to add 4 to the right side of the equation.
Step 1: Add the same number to both sides of the equation. y = 7 + 4
Step 2: Add 7 + 4 = 11. So y = 11
Problem: x + 11 = 33. Find x
This time, you can subtract 11 from the left side of the equation to leave x by itself? But you also have to subtract 11 from the right side of the equation, too.
Step 1: Subtract the same number from both sides of the equation. x = 33 – 11
Step 2: Subtract. 33 – 11 = 22. So x = 22
Exercises: Solve
1) x + 8 = 15 2) y – 8 = 14 3) 20 = x + 10 4) 2b + 18 = 20 5) 7 – a = 0
Origami Olympic Rings
Paris, France, the site of the second modern Olympics that were modelled upon the ancient Greece games, will again hosted the global athletic event from July 26 to August 11, on the centenary of those 1900 games. The Olympic symbol – widely known throughout the world as the Olympic rings – is the visual ambassador of olympism for billions of people, according to the official Olympics website.
“Based on a design first created by Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic rings remain a global representation of the Olympic Movement and its activity.”
You will need:
6-inch square origami paper (or cut your own squares from standard paper) in red, green, black, blue and yellow Glue stick
Instructions:
1. Take your red piece of paper. With your paper coloured side down, fold your square horizontally and then vertically to crease.
2. Cut carefully along one of the crease lines to make two rectangles.
3. You now need to fold each rectangle
The Pardoning Hour
BY KHATY XIONG
Here at my parents’ farm trumpeting bees scoring in the ears of all flowerkind chilies and kabocha 3,400 searing stakes of Indian bitter melon Nkauj Hnub in her hot prison bearing witness. My father emerges from the field his arms in blooming greens and yellows a mutable image I never thought possible my life running in every direction devoted and never into death. My father calls me over.
into thirds so that you end up with thin strips.
4. Carefully fold the two ends down and in at a 45-degree angle, creasing well. Repeat with the second rectangle.
5. Slide the two parts of the ring together, pushing the ends of one inside the other. Use a glue stick to make the joins permanent.
Repeat steps 1-4 with the green paper. When you reach step 5, thread one of the ring parts through the red ring before joining the ends of the green ring so they are linked. Use a glue stick to stick the two rings together so they don’t move about.
Repeat with the black, yellow, and blue paper in turn, linking on to the previous ring. (activityvillage.co.uk)
There by the roadside farm stand a young coyote repentantly crossing into the golden hills of no return spilled brain and other wounds bubbling under the aegis of Nkauj Hnub. Tus hma my father tells me the losing cousin of a tiger once revered in the former country. At home such tales are revealed to me. But there is no story for the desperate cry of a killdeer locked in a small sandstorm uninvited and combing away at the foot of my father’s lesser garden. No hidden meaning when it finally breaks at the towering row of his Chinese waxy corn where I await my mother’s song returning from beyond the Sierra Nevada and into the fettered throats of his guarding cowbirds whistling in an alarming rise to keep away the flies.
WORD SEARCH:
GECOM records over 4500 transactions during Claims & Objections
…almost 1600 new persons apply to be registered on voters list
Monday marked the end of the claims period of the second cycle of the 2024 Claims and Objections timeline, with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) recording over 4500 total transactions between July 2 and July 15, 2024.
General and Regional Elections are expected next year and GECOM is in preparatory mode for the upcoming polls.
Starting July 2, 2024 GECOM had been conducting Claims and Objections, which gave electors a chance to make claims to be included on the voters list, among other transactions.
While the objections period of the exercise is expected to be concluded on July 22, 2024, the claims portion concluded on July 15. In an interview with this publication, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward provided a breakdown of the 4,593 transactions the agency recorded during that period.
“The breakdown of these numbers is particularly for the Claims and Objections period, for the various transactions.
And so, for new registration, we have a total of 1599. These are new registrations. Persons who have never been registered. And they’re making a claim to entry unto the Official List of Electors.”
“For transfers, we had 885. Changes or corrections, 597. For replacement ID cards, 1179. And for persons who requested photo retakes, 336. Which gives us a total of 4593 transactions during the claims period,” Ward further explained. Meanwhile, Ward does not anticipate that the claims period would be extended. She pointed out that due to the cycles of
continuous registration, eligible persons are given many opportunities to be included on the Official List of Electors.
“While it’s a decision of the Commission to determine whether that period can be extended, I want to remind that we still have continuous registration that is ongoing. So even while the claims is running, simultaneously we’re also running continuous registration. Which is in keeping with what the law mandates we should do. Because on the continuous aspect, it caters for persons 14 years old,” she explained.
Claims and Objection exercises are aimed at forming a Preliminary List of Electors (PLE), thence an Official List of Electors (OLE). Accordingly, the PLEs have been posted at prominent locations across the country. GECOM previously conducted Claims and Objections from January 2 to 29, 2024.
GECOM had explained at the time that persons who had attained the age of 18 years and older as of December 31, 2023 and are Guyanese citizens by birth, descent or naturali -
sation or “is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more,” met the criteria to be included in the OLE and eventually vote in the expected 2025 elections.
When it comes to claims, persons can make a claim to be included in the OLE if their name is not on the list, or can apply for a transfer from an address they no longer live at. Additionally, they can apply for a change of name or for a correction, if incorrect information is on the PLE.
During last year’s Claims and Objections period, which captured persons who would have been eligible to vote by October 31, 2022, GECOM had recorded more than 3000 new applicants, as well as a total of 18 objections to names on the PLE.
The government has already indicated that the next General and Regional Elections will be within the period of October to November
2025. Recently, the government, opposition parties and other stakeholders met with the Carter Center’s pre-assessment team and other Election Observer missions invited to be a part of the next elections process.
Guyana’s previous election process lasted from March 2 to August 2, 2020 – a period of five months – due to efforts by the now Opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition to remain in Government.
Litigation, missing Statements of Poll (SoPs) and missing documents from some ballot boxes were among strategies used to derail the dec -
laration of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as the new Government.
The government has announced that a manual will be prepared and circulated ahead of the elections to the media, political parties and other interested stakeholders, outlining the “duties, obligations, responsibilities, rights of every member who will be part of the conduct of elections.”
These include members of GECOM and by extension, polling agents.
In this regard, the manual will also outline documents to be included in the ballot boxes for submission to the offices of the District Returning Officers. (G3)
The Guyana Elections Commission
GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward
Matrimonial Causes (Amendment) Bill
2024
Bill simplifies divorce process, allows ex-husbands to seek alimony – AG
…changes made to ensure gender equality, equal treatment
The government re-
cently tabled the Matrimonial Causes (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the National Assembly, which seeks to make several adjustments to the current law in order to facilitate greater gender equality.
“Equal treatment is a guaranteed fundamental right, you cannot have unequal treatment...We have changed wherever we found this inequality of gender to ensure there is gender equality and equal treatment to both the husband and the wife,” Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall stated on Tuesday during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News.’
Key among the proposed amendments is a provision that would enable ex-husbands to seek compensation from their wives, aligning with the landmark judgment by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in a February 2024. This ruling arose from a constitutional challenge against outdated alimony laws in Guyana.
Nandlall said the current law discriminated against men on the basis of their gender but many things have changed in society since the law was drafted.
“That has been removed and now the provisions are gender neutral so a husband can claim maintenance from his wife and the wife from the husband,” he stated.
While the Clause 14 of the Matrimonial Causes Act No. 34 of 1916 states that the court may order that a husband pay his wife a gross or annual sum of money “for any term not exceeding her life.” The sum, it stated, should have regard for her fortune (if any), the ability of the husband and to the conduct of the parties it deems reasonable. Other factors were taken into consideration including the ability of the court to suspend the order, or increase the amount if
the means of the husband has increased.
The 2024 Bill seeks to amend the subsection to replace “husband” with “a party” referring to both genders. It states that the court, if it thinks fit, may make an order “requiring a party to the marriage to maintain the other party to the extent that the fist mentioned part is able to do so.” However, this liability arises “only where the other party is unable to support herself or himself adequately, whether by reason of having the care of a child of the marriage...or by reason of age, or physical or mental incapacity for appropriate gainful employment, or any other adequate reason.”
To institute this clause,
the court must consider the health, age, possessions, duration of the marriage, whether the person has moved onto another relationship, responsibilities of each party along with “the contributions made by the party whose maintenance is under consideration.”
Further, the new Bill has insertions of 14A, B and C replacing other sections in the old Act. The additions address the timelines for the “maintenance” or alimony to be paid, what happens after the death or re-marriage of either party, and the ability of the court to suspend or revive the order.
As a result of the amendments, the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates) Act is amended to become gender neutral in relation to spouses.
The 2024 Bill also addresses Divorce making it easier to complete such process. The grounds for divorce will be amended to include “irreconcilable differences which has caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage,” provided that the parties have been separated and lived apart for a continuous period of six months prior to filing for the divorce. This includes instances where the two persons have separated “notwithstanding” that they have continued to occupy the same space.
The Attorney General stated that this addition will remove the need for the petitioner to prove before the court that their partner was involved in adultery or desertion, cruelty, or any other provisions which may not necessarily be the reason for the divorce.
“Unless you can prove those things, you can’t get a divorce and this has led to innumerable problems in society. This has led to persons being forced to live together and then those where married persons severed all relations,” he noted.
“The most nasty set of details can come out in divorce petitions as evidence in court and is publicly done and damaging the relationship between the parties forever and the persons who suffer most are the children in the marriage,” he added.
The AG believes that it is time that Guyana positions itself with the rest of the world and update its laws.
Several other legislations are currently under review to ensure that people are treated equally regardless of race, gender or other means.
Celebrating…
…our African culture
There’s a silly tempest raging in a teapot and being whipped up by some rascals that, because there are more groups than before seeking to celebrate African Emancipation Day, that is “divisive”!! Now, wherever in the world are these people from?? African culture always extolled diversity over everything else – for the simple reason that the world is indeed diverse, and all we can do is find ways to deal with that!! Now, when we in Guyana speak about “African” culture, we’ve tremendous legitimacy to do so, ‘cause our African citizens were brought from all parts of West Africa – from Angola in the south to Senegal in the north. This includes the Congo, Ghana and Nigeria, just to mention some of the more popular names. So we can immediately appreciate that, while in Africa - even within what we call Ghana today - there are dozens of ethnic groups or tribes, and during the hundreds of years of enslavement, those cultural differences were homogenized as the whites tried to grind their culture out of them in totality. Diversity, baby!! Let a thousand cultures and celebrations flower!!
But what’s not appreciated enough is that, after the abolition of slavery in 1838, there were over 13,000 Africans brought directly from Africa and transported to Guyana to work as Indentured Immigrants!! That’s right – not as slaves, but as indentured servants - to drive down the wage aspirations of the freedmen and women – just like those indentureds!! So how were they brought?? Well, after the Brits abolished the slave trade in 1807, and emancipation was achieved in 1838, other countries, such as Brazil and Cuba - which continued with slavery - kept on shipping their African “cargo”. The British Navy was assigned to patrol the coast of West Africa and intercept these slave ships.
The “liberated” Africans were sent generally to Liberia or Sierra Leone, from where they were persuaded to emigrate to the West Indies. One unintended consequence of this latter arrival, when African cultural practices weren’t seen as a threat, was that after the Indentured Africans were distributed to plantations in all three countries, they became the nucleus and catalyst for the flowering of African culture. And, once again, we have to emphasise that was not singular. We might have made it so over the last 100 years, but the PRINCIPLE remains!!
Some African cultural retentions have spread in the wider Guyanese populace in the kind of food we eat. While we may think of foo-foo and conkie, let’s not forget that the entire repertoire of “ground provision” dishes from soups (including metemjee) and “boiled and fried” are of African provenance!!
So, this August 1st lets us all celebrate this African Heritage that is now “ours” – whichever way we know how!!
…Hillbilly culture
Well, Trump’s having quite a week. First, he gets shot and emerges a hero to knock Biden’s bobby socks off right into the next county!! It’s now conceded it’ll take a miracle for the Democrats to beat him in November – no matter who they replace Sleepy Joe with!! And believe your Eyewitness, replacing him is about the only option they got right now!!
Your Eyewitness is no fan of Trump – but can the Democrats really say with a straight face that Biden woulda been able to react quicker to an emergency than Trump??
But Trump then went on to gild the lily by appointing 39-year-old Sen JD Vance as his VP!! “Who’s JD Vance”?? Well, for starters, he wrote a NYTimes bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy”, which was then made into a Netflix movie that picked up TWO Oscar Nominations!! And what was the book all about??
Only about JD Vance and how he transcended a Hillbilly home and went on to Yale Law School and become an investment whiz!! Most critically, it explains how Trump has energized Red Neck America!!
…moderation
Another good thing coming out of the Trump assassination attempt is that it puts a spoke in the wheels of the local extremists who’d been entertaining calls for heads of PPP leaders to be lopped off!!
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC
Home Affairs Minister condemns police corruption, urges immediate action
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn on Tuesday denounced the practice of police extortion, urging law enforcement officers to uphold their duty with integrity and intervene promptly to prevent situations from escalating.
Speaking at a recent event, Benn emphasised the importance of maintaining public trust and ensuring that officers do not exploit their positions for personal gain.
"Police must help people, police must not extort people. Police must not wait
Body dumped on roadside EBD man remanded for murder of Venezuelan woman
An East Bank Demerara (EBD) man was remanded to prison on Tuesday for the murder of Venezuelan national, Evelyn Alfonzo Alves, who was found dead with a gunshot wound to the back of her head over a week ago.
Haslyn Hodge, a 47-yearold resident of Lot 43 Prospect, EBD, arraigned at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court. He was not required to plea to the murder charge read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman.
The accused will return to court on August 2.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Guyana Police Force said that investigators received legal advice to charge Hodge, who was the prime suspect in the woman’s murder.
On July 7, Alves’s body was found lying on the access road leading into the New Diamond Development Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara – an area primarily under construction.
Based on initial police reports, employees of a local construction company stumbled upon the woman’s body while traveling to refuel an excavator being used for bridge construction in the vicinity.
The mother of two was found lying face down on the roadway. The workers informed the police, who went
for things to build up, get worse, and then intervene, only to find people in a situation where they have to pay money, where they have to pay bribes,” he declared.
to the scene.
At the time of discovery, the deceased was dressed in a white jersey with a female photograph, black jeans, and black pumps. She bore a distinctive butterfly tattoo on her right arm, and her head was found in a pool of blood.
Detectives recovered a 9mm spent shell casing approximately ten feet from where the victim lay, along with a cell phone in close proximity to her body. An examination revealed a gunshot wound at the back of her head. Investigations are continuing.
In another section of the media, it was reported that the now dead woman was reportedly threatened and intimated by two men. It was reported that Alves left home on Saturday in the company of a female to collect some money but did not return home.
Calls to her mobile phone went unanswered. Her mother was reportedly shown a photo of a woman’s body lying in a pool of blood at Diamond.
Taking into consideration the threats and the fact that her daughter did not return home, the woman went to the mortuary where her worst fears were confirmed.
Alves reportedly migrated to Guyana some six years ago. (G8)
es and restoring confidence in the police force. He called for stricter oversight and professionalism.
"This must stop. The police commanders and others who find themselves in authority must not think that arriving at the job, they need to reward themselves and to walk around with plenty of gold and diamonds around their necks and fingers…,” he said.
The minister reiterated that the police stations should be a welcoming place and a place of safety for all.
selves and our people,” the minister said.
Complaints of lack of police help
Two days ago, the families of Troy Anthony Joseph, 35, and Cranston Davidson, 43, were desperately searching for the two men following a tragic boat collision on July 5 in the Mazaruni River near BK Quarries Inc. The families claimed that there was no help from the police in their search efforts.
Benn outlined a series of measures aimed at curbing these unethical practic-
The minister's comments come in response to increasing public concerns about police corruption and the detrimental impact it has on community relations. Numerous reports have surfaced regarding officers demanding bribes in exchange for leniency or expedited services, creating a culture of fear and mistrust among citizens.
“If I go to the washrooms, it must be clean… we should not face criticism. The standards and the personal things we want for ourselves are those that may occur to the people who pay our taxes. We don’t have any reason to have any low, dirty… we need to pull ourselves up in relation to how we view our-
The families claimed that since the accident, they had been searching for the men and had called on the police for help. It was only after Guyana Times published the article on Monday that police ranks and an officer from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) joined family members in the search. (G9)
GPL urges over 40,000 prepaid customers to upgrade meters
Over 40,000 Guyana Power and Light (GPL) customers, who use prepaid meters are being urged to upgrade those devices before October 31, 2024, following the Standard Transfer Specification upgrade worldwide from its current 'Version Four' to 'Version Six'. This information was revealed by a GPL’s Customer Service Representative, Shawndel Smith, who stated that unless customers upgrade their meters, they would not be able to use the system to pay for and receive electricity. According to the rep -
resentative, only a minor fraction of the population has upgraded thus far.
"Persons would have been hearing on the radio that we have this prepaid
upgrade going on. It's important. Today, being less than 17 weeks away from the deadline, only about 7,000 plus customers have upgraded so we're appeal -
ing to those customers that haven't done the upgrade yet. We have the numbers that are available to get your prepaid upgrade.”
She emphasised the significance of the upgrade, stating that starting October 31, customers who have not upgraded will lose access to their connection.
“It's important because come October 31st, then you won't be able to purchase credit, which means then the credit that you have in your meter bed that goes out. If you don't do the upgrade, then you won't be able to purchase,” she stated.
Using cell phones as an
example of continual upgrades, she drew a parallel to the GPL system.
“Every now and then, Samsung or Apple, will send you messages to upgrade likewise, with the prepaid, we need to upgrade. We're basically moving from version 4 to version 6. so, if you don't do the upgrade, then come the 3rd or 4th or November 4th, you won't be able to have access to purchasing credit for your meter.”
She added “Persons who come into the office to pay a bill, they can come over to the front desk or go over to the front desk to the customer service order and the staff will then
do the upgrade for them. Once their meter is within the sequence that GPL is upgrading, they can have that done.”
These upgrade urgencies are being posted on their Facebook and social media platforms all day. Persons can call GPL or WhatsApp on telephone number 603-8645 or 6903128.
“In no way do you need to be worried about your credit running out, you know, but if you don't do the upgrade when your credit runs out, then you're out of power until you have that upgrade done,” the customer service representative said. (G2)
GTU proposes 39.5% & 35% salary hikes ahead of new 2024-2026 pact
The Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) has submitted a proposal to the Education Ministry for consideration in keeping with the signed agreement to start negotiations for teachers’ salary increases from 2024 onwards.
In this new round of negotiations GTU is seeking a 39.5 per cent salary increase for teachers on Scales One to Three for 2024 and an additional 30 per cent for 2025 and 2026.
Further, the union is pushing for teachers on Scales 4 to 19, to receive a salary increase of 35 percent for 2024, and 30 per cent for 2025 and 2026.
In an invited comment GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald disclosed that the union believes the new Memorandum of Agreement is “fair” and coincides with the government’s request to think ahead for the future.
transportation grant of $150,000 in the case of those operating on the coastland and $300,000 for hinterland/ riverain schools or alternately a mode of transport (boat, ATV etc.) to offset the cost of teachers travelling to attend meetings, workshops, orientation sessions, or emergencies at school.
The Education Ministry and GTU are expected to meet again on July 27.
End of strike
After months of prolonged industrial action, the GTU conceded to government’s proposal that salary increases for teachers should be determined under a new agreement from the current year onward.
of Education, has maintained that it is fully prepared to work on a multi-year agreement from 2024 and not 2019 as being initially demanded by the union.
In fact, earlier in the month, the two sides came to an agreement which GTU explained at the time followed consultations with its membership.
The now concluded conciliation process was initiated by the Education Ministry after the GTU had agreed to end its 70 plus-day strike action that was undertaken by teachers from across the country.
for the status quo to prevail pending the outcome of the legal proceedings in the courts.
That Agreement of Resumption follows a breakdown of talks between the ministry and the union, resulting in the intervention of the Labour Ministry to mediate between the two parties.
Since then, the MOE and GTU have met numerous times, under the supervision of the Labour Ministry, to embark on negotiations to determine a Multi-Year Agreement which would be beneficial to all parties involved.
“…we submitted a new proposal to the government… And we are awaiting whether it’s a counter-proposal from the government or whether we will just sit at the table and continue to move on,” Mc Donald told this publication.
with effect from January 1, 2024.
The Union has also proposed a performance-based incentive of two per cent per annum to be paid to eligible teachers during the period of the multi-year agreement,
This is in addition to an annual health/risk allowance of $25,000, and monthly internet/mobile data allowance of $10,000 to be paid to all teachers.
Moreover, the body is seeking a termly school’s
Prior to this, GTU had been pushing for a backdated collective bargaining agreement. But government, through the Ministry
Among the terms of the June 21 agreement was for the end of the strike and full resumption of work by all teachers/educators within two working days; no discrimination or loss of service or transfer of any teachers who were on strike; and
The process adheres to the guidelines outlined in the 1990 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) titled, “The Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes”, as well as the Labour Act, Chapter 98:01 of the Laws of Guyana. (G1)
GTU President Mark Lyte (L) and Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry Shannielle Hoosein-Outar after signing the Agreement of Resumption in June 2024 – a process overseen by Chief Labour Officer Dhaneshwar Deonarine (centre)
Illegal use of sirens
"No more warnings, it's court proceedings from now on" – Traffic Chief Singh
…calls out lapse in import control measures by GRA
In a move to enhance road safety and enforce existing traffic laws, Traffic Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, has initiated a rigorous crackdown on the unauthorised use of sirens and "doom lights" by private vehicle owners.
This new enforcement drive marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order on the nation's roads.
In a recent interview with reporters, the traffic chief stated that the Guyana’s law outlines that only fire, police, and am-
bulance vehicles are authorised to use sirens and flashing lights. He stated that a worry-
ing trend has emerged, with private citizens installing these devices on their vehicles, mimicking emergen-
Cop among 4 busted with 14.35 kg of ganja
In two intelligence-led operations, law enforcement officials have apprehended a 29-year-old police constable and three other individuals while seizing 14.35 kilogrammes of marijuana at East Bank Demerara (EBD) and the SoesdykeLinden Highway.
The first operation which was conducted on Monday at Garden of Eden Public Road, EBD at about 16:50h, the constable of Linden was arrested with 9.60 kilogrammes of marijuana.
According to reports, the constable admitted to having narcotics in the car,
leading to a search of the vehicle's trunk. Officers discovered a cardboard box containing two bulky parcels wrapped in plastic. These parcels were found to contain leaves, seeds, and stems.
Police on site said that the constable chose to remain silent when he was arrested. In another operation conducted at about 14:30h on Monday, ranks from Special Branch and Regional Police Division
4B intercepted a red Toyota Sienta with license plate, HD 4281, which was traveling west on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway near Hill Foot.
During the search of the vehicle, two boxes containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be narcotics were found in the trunk.
The driver, a 20-yearold of Wismar, Linden, along with two other passengers, a 40-year-old of Amelia's Ward, Linden,
and a 21-year-old female of Campbell Street, Albouystown, were apprehended. The total weight of the narcotics was 4.75 kg.
When questioned by cops, the driver admitted that he was given the narcotics to transport to Georgetown. All suspects, along with the seized narcotics, were taken to Diamond Police Station. Investigations are ongoing into both drugs bust. (G9)
cy vehicles and potentially causing confusion and danger on the roads.
Superintendent Singh had a firm stance on the severity of this issue.
"We have no authority over anyone to give them approval or permission to use sirens and doom light because the authority to do so is not even invested in anybody else. The law is clear. It's either fire, the police, or the ambulance," Singh emphasised.
He explained that each time an unauthorised vehicle is found using these devices, the individuals involved are stripped of the equipment and charged with a breach of prescribed fitness conditions.
In a bid to educate the public, Singh noted that initial efforts involved sensitising individuals who might not have been aware of the legal restrictions.
"We already took away about 15 already, meaning the flashlights and who had on the siren or the things that give the noise or sound like a police vehicle," he
stated. These confiscated items are presented as evidence in court, and the offenders face legal consequences.
Singh also raised concerns about how these devices are entering the country.
"There's no way those things will come into the country without customs not recognising it or coming into contact with it. It's impossible," he asserted, highlighting a potential lapse in import control measures.
The traffic chief made it clear that warnings to errant persons are no longer sufficient and immediate legal action is now the chosen course to deter this dangerous behavior. "It's the action of the police, court proceedings, nothing else," he declared. Singh's decisive actions reflect his commitment to altering public attitudes and behaviors regarding vehicle modifications.
By targeting unauthorised use of sirens and doom lights, the police are not only ensuring compliance with the law but also foster-
ing a safer environment for all road users.
Sometime ago, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had issued a warning to private security vehicles that have been using sirens.
The Road Traffic (Guyana Fire Service) Order made under Section 49 specifically states: “Approved Police Vehicle means any vehicle carrying a lamp showing to the front an amber light and sounding continually a bell, gong or siren. Vehicles of the Fire Service means any engine, pump, trailer or another vehicle of the Guyana Fire Service, and includes any vehicle carrying a lamp showing an amber light and sounding continually a bell, gong or siren, in which any member of the Guyana Fire Service is being conveyed to any fire or suspected fire”. citizens have been moving to install sirens and flashing lights on their vehicles to clear the road during traffic congestion on the roadways, particularly during the rush hours. (G2)
Govt terminates several contracts over delayed community works in Reg 3
The government has demonstrated its zero-tolerance policy towards contractors causing project delays by terminating several infrastructure contracts on Tuesday.
The contracts were incomplete and the timeline for the projects had ended. These projects are crucial for improving citizens’ livelihoods and the country’s landscape.
According to a DPI report, during an inspection on Tuesday, Public Works
Minister, Juan Edghill decided to terminate the projects on the spot in the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara district.
“As a ministry, we have to take responsibility for the inconvenience and the difficulty that you are facing…The intent was that we should have brought relief to you by building the road because when we embark on a road project, it is to improve the lives of people but to the contrary, it would be that we would have made life more diffi -
cult,” the minister is quoted as saying.
One significant project affected is the Bendorff to Maripa Access Road, valued at $55 million awarded to JP General Construction and Services on August 2, 2023.
The six-month contract involved constructing a 1000-metre road. However, the contractor completed only 45 per cent of the work, prompting the minister to terminate it. “We have to work with principle. So, you are no longer
on this project,” Minister Edghill declared.
A similar situation occurred with the rehabilitation of a bridge connecting Zeelugt North and Tuschen North, and First Cross Street (SH), Aracari, facing significant delays.
“I am committing to you that this work will be completed within a few months. Whoever it is contracted to it will not be 6
months. They will have to work day and night to complete it,” the minister promised. A shortlist of contractors will be provided by the end of the day to
ensure prompt completion of these vital projects,” the minister said as he assured residents that immediate measures are being taken.
Remember effort made by ‘Ballot Box’ Martyrs – MP
The preservation of democracy in Guyana centers on upholding the efforts of the ballot box martyrs, said Member of Parliament Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo on Tuesday as he addressed scores of persons, who braved the inclement weather to commemorate the sacrifice made by the two Corentyne residents.
Mahadeo noted that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is calling on all Guyanese regardless of their political affiliation to ensure that the cause for which the
Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in honor of the ballot box martyrs.
July 16, 2024, marked the 51st death anniversary of
Defence Force (GDF) as they were protesting the removal of ballot boxes from a polling station along the Corentyne Coast.
ballot box martyrs made the ultimate sacrifice is not gone in vain.
He made the statements as he addressed the gathering at the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Number 65 Village, Corentyne, Region
17-year-old Jagan Ramessar and 42-year-old Bholanauth Parmanand – the “ballot box martyrs”.
The duo was killed after becoming victims in a hail of bullets from guns carried by members of the Guyana
Member of Parliament Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo pointed out that the two martyrs were standing up for their rights when they were shot and killed.
“They were part of a gathering at Number 63 Village
by the school and everybody there was asking for the same thing; they were asking for the same thing – for their votes to be counted. The soldiers got instructions and they shot into the crowd and these two young men were shot and they literally bled to death; that is what the post-mortem report showed. What we also learned from the investigation which was done is that instead of them being picked up and taken to the hospital for medical intervention right away, they were taken and driven around all over and after they were dead, then they were taken to the hospital,” Dr. Mahadeo said.
On Tuesday, wreaths were laid at their graves at Number 65 Village, Corentyne.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony Dr. Mahadeo
called on attendees to keep up the legacy of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand.
Dr. Mahadeo noted that Tuesday’s wreath-laying ceremony was a significant one since Guyana should never be going back to those days when persons voted and their ballots were not counted. That happened during a period when there were rigged elections and no counting of ballots at the place of poll.
“That is during the period when the PNC [People National Congress] could have done whatever they felt like. The history of rigged elections is linked with the PNC and these two martyrs and testimony that the people of Guyana are not going to sit idly and allow their votes not to be counted and idly allow people to destroy the future of
Guyana,” he added.
In 1992, the PPP won the national elections after being in opposition for 28 years.
“We saw what happened in 2020. There was again a major attempt to have elections stolen. We remember the bed sheet story and the announcement by officials of the Elections Commission of numbers that did not correspond with what the Statement of Poll said. We won that and in the name of these two heroes we have got to continue that fight to ensure that there are free and fair elections and to ensure that my vote and your vote and everybody’s vote irrespective of who they voted for, that their votes are counted and that democracy prevails,” the MP stated. (G4)
Inspection of works at a bridge connecting Zeelugt north and Tuschen
Road works on First Cross Street (SH), Aracari
Minister Juan Edghill engaging Bendorff residents on the road project
Scores braved the inclement weather to attend the wreath-laying ceremony
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
Agriculture was, remains today and tomorrow, the foundation of Guyana’s economy
By 2014, Guyana had no reason to import broccoli and carrots. Guyana was also ready to begin commercial production of potatoes, onions and garlic. Between 2015 and 2020, the new government’s tsunami-like assault on agriculture led to the resumption of broccoli and carrot importation, and local commercial production of potato, garlic and onion came to a complete standstill.
In 2024, under the inspired leadership of President Irfaan Ali and Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, agriculture is blazing brilliant new trails, with no need to import broccoli and carrots, and positioned again for commercial production of potatoes, onions and garlic and to be a regional powerhouse for production of corn, soya, millet, and red beans.
The Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha, this week was not timid in bragging about increased agriculture production, the expansion of agriculture in our country, and improved infrastructure. It was not idle bragging. In fact, the Minister was humble in his boast about the enormous expansion of agriculture and the government’s strategy to consolidate agriculture’s place in the economy today and tomorrow. But, across Guyana, there is quiet confidence that as glorious as agriculture has been in Guyana’s history, agriculture’s greatest glory is being scripted for 2030 and beyond, with Guyana playing a leadership role in the global food security drive.
Oil and Gas have made an impactful presence in Guyana’s economy the last four years, and have been responsible for Guyana achieving the rank of the fastest growing economy in the world for the last four years. Guyana will retain this status for years to come because of oil and gas. But without agriculture, Guyana’s diversified economy would be considerably more fragile.
President Irfaan Ali has established food security as a major plank in Guyana’s present and future development agenda, and as part of Guyana’s presence on the global stage. Minister Mustapha has been chosen as the leader of the agriculture sector. There can be no doubt that together this team has rescued agriculture from the doldrums into which the previous regime had pushed agriculture. President Ali’s 25 X 25 has already impacted food security in CARICOM. Together, President Ali and Minister Mustapha have restructured and reignited the Jagdeo Initiative.
In 2011, Guyana’s rice production averaged just over 250,000 tons. As the new Agriculture Minister, in December 2011, I declared an ambitious target of more than 700,000 tons by 2015 and 1,000,000 tons in 2020. While people dismissed me as crazy, Guyana reached a production of 698,000 tons in 2014. If rice production at Santa Fe in Region 9 and at Moco Moco were included, Guyana had reached the 700,000 tons target one year ahead of schedule. In the first crop of 2015, under President Ramotar’s Government, Guyana had a record single-crop rice production, with close to 400,000 tons under the leadership of Jagnarine Singh, presently at NAREI, and Ricky Ramraj, presently the DG at the Ministry. Yet, Guyana’s production for 2015 fell by almost 100,000 tons.
Under APNU/AFC, agriculture became a victim, and consequently, Guyana’s economy collapsed. When then Minister, Noel Holder told rice farmers to stop drinking beer to afford increased lease rates. He made it clear, as was also articulated by the then president David Granger, that agriculture was the people’s problem, not the Government’s.
In 2024, under Minister Mustapha, Guyana will officially cross the line of 700,000 tons. Under this Government, the 2030 production could exceed 1,000,000 tons.
But the story of rice is only part of agriculture’s transformational story. Guyana has moved from being an importer of soya and corn for the stockfeed industry and poultry and livestock production to where the country has already reduced importation of soya and corn and is expected to totally eliminate importation of corn and soya by 2028. Indeed, CARICOM’s needs for soya and corn are likely to be significantly filled by Guyana by 2030. Imagine moving from importing corn and soya to becoming an exporter! This transformation story is worth telling.
Guyana, in fact this year, has become a producer of millet, one of the most important grain products in the world, and can become the main supplier of millet for both human and livestock nutrition in CARICOM, and even for some South American countries.
As President Ali travels around the country, he works with ordinary citizens to start production of products we usually import. Minister Mustapha has the job of empowering people to become producers of such products. For example, the people of Bara Cara and other communities are already reaping red beans.
But agriculture cannot expand without infrastructure. When Bharrat Jagdeo conceived of the Hope Canal project, people said it was impossible. PNC/APNU and AFC people came to my office demanding we discontinue the dangerous Hope Canal project, arguing it is not engineeringly possible.
Lionel Wordsworth and the young engineers proved PNC/APNU and AFC wrong, and today the Hope Canal is an engineering masterpiece. The Irfaan Ali-led Government is now completing design work for six more of these Hope-like canals, and construction is soon to follow. New highways, such as the Del Conte Road along the Essequibo River past Hubu, the farm road from #59 on the Corentyne, and the Road network from Orealla to Kwakwani are opening up new agriculture lands.
In spite of climate change and the challenges the whole world faces, Guyana is proving it is capable of improving and expanding agriculture. Visionary leaders and competent ministers are ensuring that, long after oil and gas, Guyana’s economy remains strong, because agriculture has been, remains today, and will long into the future be, the foundation. Minister Mustapha is not idly bragging. The food security goal for Guyana and CARICOM places Guyana in a leadership position on the global stage.
Law enforcement officers better equipped to identify human trafficking
As the Guyana Government, through the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), move to ensure that perpetrators face the full brunt of the law, officers from various law enforcement agencies as well as stakeholder bodies were recently engaged in a human trafficking capacity-building training session.
During the training exercise held at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Officers' Training Centre on Monday, the participants were provided with a clear and comprehensive definition of human trafficking and provided with skills to identify forced labour, sexual exploitation and debt bondage, among others.
Further, they were brought up to speed with the updated Combating of TIP Bill 2023, which lays the foundation for the implementation of a number of new measures to protect the rights of individuals and prevent and combat trafficking of persons within or across the borders of Guyana.
The Act also stipulates that anyone who engages in human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for five years while conviction on an indictment carries a penalty of life imprisonment.
In providing an overview of the training, Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Andre Ally posited that it is important for law enforcement officers to be acquainted with the legislation to allow for effective implementation.
On this point, he also stated that the requisite knowledge will play a crucial role in building capacity in the National Task Force and other supporting agencies to combat human trafficking in Guyana.
“By familiarising ourselves with indicators of human trafficking and supporting legislation we can become more effective in identifying more potential trafficking situations and responding appropriately. The C-TIP Act
provides a robust framework but it is our responsibility to ensure its success,” Ally said.
Ally added that through knowledge sharing Guyana, especially law enforcement officers will be able to increase their footprints in areas known as breeding grounds for human trafficking.
“Strengthening of law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute traffickers which includes provisions for harsher penalties, special investigative techniques inclusive of a mandatory reflection period of victims. And lastly expansion of the Ministerial Task Force to ensure
proximately 1,446 victims who were identified and supported by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry for several years.
While it was not revealed what countries the victims were from, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn who commented on the issue, explained that majority of the migrants are usually housed here in mining areas, where they are exploited in exchange for food and basic daily needs.
The issue of prostitution in the mining districts and, in the city, smuggling and other forms of modern-day slavery also still
coordinative efforts among government and NGOs (non-government organisations),” he said.
On Monday, the TIP Unit of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry disclosed that migrants in Guyana accounts for 90 per cent of victims who were human trafficked over the last five years here.
According to data provided, the migrants are among ap-
exists.
He explained that while Guyana has made significant strides in countering Trafficking in Persons, there is still a “far way” to go.
Despite this, Guyana has been able to maintain its US Tier 1 Ranking for eight consecutive years, and the country continues to take steps to address this global scourge. (G1)
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Law enforcement officers standing alongside Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and Permanent Secretary Andre Ally
STEMGuyana launches AI tutoring for learners countrywide
STEMGuyana in an effort to revolutionise the delivery of high-quality Education for learning pod learners in every region of Guyana will soon be introducing their Artificial Intelligence (AI) for learners in Grades one to 10.
According to a recent press release by STEMGuyana, the AI tutor is embedded as an advanced feature within the IDB Lab sponsored software, enhancing the Learning Pod after-school tutoring programme initially developed to mitigate educational disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic. The newly upgraded AI tutor is designed to align with the Education Ministry’s curriculum and will offer innovative features such as reading lessons aloud, integrating tutorial videos, and providing real-time feedback to student questions along with an embedded quiz-correction feature. The AI upgrade further enhances learning by offering corrections and detailed explanations at a grade-appropriate level, facilitating a customized educational experience.
STEMGuyana Director, Karen Abrams, emphasised the transformative potential of the AI tutor “Our goal is to scale high quality tutoring identified across all of our programmes for children and parents, many of whom are struggling with literacy challenges. This AI tutor is a technological advancement and a source of hope. It aims to extend the capabilities of excellent teachers by providing consistent, high-quality educational support, enabling students to learn at their own pace, anytime,
anywhere “she stated. Meanwhile, before the official rollout, the new AI tutor will undergo rigorous testing with six groups of learners to assess its impact on student engagement and academic outcomes. It was noted that the testing phase is crucial for fine-tuning the system to ensure it meets the diverse needs of Guyanese learners. The effectiveness of the Learning pod AI tutoring assistant is also the subject of a University of Florida EdTech dissertation. Following
a successful testing phase scheduled for the summer of 2024, STEMGuyana will extend access to the AI tutor across all Learning Pods and STEM clubs nationwide, making this cutting-edge educational tool available to every student, regardless of geographical location. According to Karen Abrams, “it will be like any student, anywhere having access to a highly trained, top quality personal teacher. It is truly a ground-breaking development’ she stated.
Atotal of 12 females from the Timehri Prison on Tuesday received certificates for their participation in the Guyana Prison Service anger management training programme which is designed to help them change their behaviour after they are released.
According to a social post made by the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), the programme, which has duration of 10 weeks involved discussions on anger triggers, ways to correct behaviours and anger management plans, overcome criminal thinking, set and achieve goals, become more responsible, develop healthy relationships and avoid substance abuse.
According to Officer-inCharge, Michelle Boyce, the programme is part of the Guyana Prison Service drive to rehabilitate inmates and hopefully prevent them from being repeat offenders.
Moreover, Officer-inCharge (ag) Welfare and Corrections Department, Tessa McGarrell expressed appreciation to MLG Consultancy and General Services, for this collaborative initiative aimed at improving the mental health of the inmates.
Meanwhile, in a move to curb recidivism and promote the successful reintegration of inmates into society, GPS has spearheaded a series of programmes across its five prison facilities countrywide. The programmes encompass vocational, academic, and behavioural aspects, ensuring a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of each individual.
Partnerships with various Ministries, and internal and external facilitators, played a crucial role in the successful execution of these training programmes.
Last year the Prison
Service, witnessed a simultaneous implementation of diverse programmes at each location, with a primary focus on preparing inmates for reintegration into society. While a range of skills was imparted, special emphasis was placed on Literacy, Family Reconciliation, Anger Management, Culinary Art, Food and Nutrition, Domestic Violence, Men on Mission (MoM) sessions, Citizenship, Carpentry and joinery, Welding, Masonry, Plumbing, Animal and Crop Husbandry, Information Technology, and Agriculture.
Over 40 children benefitting from UG reading programme
Over 40 children are benefitting from a reading programme initiative following the launch of the University of Guyana’s 'Reading is Fun' programme at the university's library on the Turkeyen Campus, on Wednesday.
This initiative, which is also being undertaken at UG’s Tain Campus, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), aims to support the development of children from surrounding communities, is being supported by Unicomer, specifically its Courts Optical Department.
During the launch, UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, expressed gratitude to Unicomer, formerly Courts, for its long-standing support
and quick response to the university’s request for collaboration. She highlighted the university's delight in offering this three-week reading programme to students, hoping they will take full advantage of it to enhance their skills. She also thanked the UG library team for their dedication to the project and extended appreciation to the parents for allowing their children to participate in this essential programme.
Courts Optical Chain Manager, Richard Simpson, echoed the Vice-Chancellor's sentiments, emphasising the importance of supporting such initiatives and noting that few universities globally undertake similar efforts.
Meanwhile, UG’s Chief Librarian, Gwyneth George,
noted that the programme has been running for more than 15 years and targets vulnerable children, particularly those between the ages of five and 13. She explained that while reading forms the core, the programme extends beyond literacy, incorporating activities such as educational excursions, basic computer skills, and creative pursuits like poetry. The youngsters are grouped and guided by expert facilitators from the university's library.
Simultaneously, a similar program is being held at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) where more than 30 children from surrounding communities are participating.
Last row from left: Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, UG's Chief Librarian, Mrs Gwyneth George; second from right, Courts Optical Chain Manager Mr Richard Simpson, along with other UG and Unicomer staff and some of the children who will be participating in this year’s "Reading is Fun" Programme (UG photo)
Int’l Business Conference earmarked for Guyana targeting over 100 speakers
…says more than 500 delegates
already booked
Organisers of the first ever International Business Conference, which gets underway this October at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, are anticipating the attendance of over 100 speakers and more than 500 delegates at the event.
According to a statement in which they also announced that Floor It Guyana had come on as an Associate Partner at the event, the organisers also revealed that over 15 conference sessions are scheduled to be held.
The IBC, which was organised by the Guyana-Suriname Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA), the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), is being held at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, from October 15 to 17, 2024. In their statement, they laid out key priority areas for the conference.
“The International Business Conference is focused on streamlining the ease of doing business and facilitat-
ing investments between international businesses and Guyana/Suriname in key sectors of the economy including manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, finance, logistics, agriculture, and business support services.
Speaking at the launch of the event a few days ago, SITA’s Director Amar Alakhramsing spoke of how Guyana was being used as a model in Suriname, when it comes to growing trade relations with other countries and
putting the country on the global map, to attract investments.
“There are some main focus points looking at SITA… setting up SITA in Suriname is actually giving us a bit of pride, because now we are
trying to get Suriname out of Suriname itself. Trying to get Suriname known by the world,” Alakhramsing said.
“And we are starting with Guyana. Because is now a great example for us. We actually learn from Guyana. Actually, the way I see is, we are trying to promote the exporters in Suriname to get out of Suriname.”
The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce had also sent out a statement of its own, in which it noted the influence IBC will have on the region and the benefits that participants in the conference will have.
“IBC strives to play a central and influential role in the regions socio-economic growth by guiding sustainable capital towards key sectors and business opportunities while serving as a credible and trusted entry point into the region. We connect our participants to business opportunities through a dynamic and pragmatic business conference and one to one business matching service.”
“With an international reach and local understand-
ing IBC offers a leading private sector led investment platform where participants will be provided with access to an unrivalled network and unique information, market intelligence and exposure to business opportunities. With high standards and integrity IBC is built on a belief that a responsible and profitable private sector has a crucial role to play in the regions development and prosperity,” the chamber had said.
Meanwhile, GMSA President Ramsay Ali had laid out further details on what the aim of the conference would be. According to Ali, government policies would also be examined during the summit, with the aim of finding solutions to overcome challenges such as trade barriers, which would help to enhance regional and international trade.
At the launch event, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were inked between the Guyana-Suriname Chamber of Commerce and other Chambers of Commerce to increase cooperation. (G3)
Labour Ministry, ILO to upgrade OSH Act
Several officials from the Labour Ministry on Monday met with a delegation from the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean to discuss future collaborations between both parties and the way forward to strengthening their existing relationship.
Spearheading the meeting was Labour Minister Josheph Hamilton, who spoke of the significant progress demonstrated by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) department within four short years to reduce work-related injuries and fatalities and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
This approach, he said, is a result of intensified sensitisation sessions aimed to educate public and private sector employees and employers on the OSH Act, Chapter 99:06, which highlights the impor-
tance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and accident prevention amongst others.
However, efforts are being made to upgrade the country’s Occupational Safety and Health Act specifically to deal with the Oil and Gas sector to ensure the workers’ rights and welfare are secured. On this point the minister said that he
hopes to partner with relevant stakeholders to develop a strategy to allow the department to oversee the operations of the facilities required within the sector.
The National Minimum Wage for private sector employees was increased during this period by 36 per cent from $44,200 to $60,147 in 2022. The achievements made by these departments
and others, he said, were made possible under his directive, and by extension, the Government of Guyana. Following the meeting’s conclusion, the ILO team pledged to assist the ministry in every way possible to protect the wellbeing and rights of workers, despite their profession.
The Labour Ministry team was comprised of Hamilton, who was
joined by Advisor to the Minister, Gillian BurtonPersaud, Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Consultant of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department, Gweneth King, Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn, Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer, Yolanda
Grant, and Chief Cooperatives Development Officer, Janaknauth Panchu among other officials.
The ILO team comprised Joni Musabayana, Director, Maria Victoria Giulietti, Senior Specialist for Employers’ Activities, Vera Guseva, Specialist for Workers’ Activities, and Ingerlyn Caines-Francis, Senior Programme Officer.
ILO Director Joni Musabayana and Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton
Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA) Director Amar Alakhramsing and Guyana-Suriname Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dr Vishnu Doerga following the signing of an MOU at Saturday’s IBC launch
Brazil's Lula questions need for spending cuts, hints at missing fiscal target
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he needs convincing on the need for his government to cut spending, and did not rule out the possibility of Brazil not complying with its fiscal target, according to extracts of an interview to be published on Tuesday.
"It's a matter of vision", Lula said in the interview with local broadcaster Record TV, after being asked about the fiscal target. "You are not obligated to set a goal and achieve it if you have more important things to do," he said.
Parts of the television interview were released on Tuesday afternoon, while the full interview will be broadcast later in the day.
Lula said, however, that Brazil will do "whatever is needed" to meet its fiscal target, which aims to eliminate the primary deficit, with a tolerance band of 0.25 percentage point of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in either direction.
He also said it would "not be a problem" for Brazil to post primary deficits of 0.1 per cent or 0.2 per cent of GDP.
Brazil's economic team is expected to unveil next week a bimonthly fiscal report, which investors are eager to get details of as it could bring the need to cut or block more spending to comply with the fiscal framework. (Reuters)
At least 23 die in Peruvian Andes after bus plummets off cliff
At least 23 persons were killed and 13 injured in Peru on Tuesday after a bus crashed while travelling through a mountainous area, the country's Interior Ministry said on social media.
The bus skidded off a highway in Peru's Andean Ayacucho region at dusk, overturning and plummeting down a slope of about 200 metres, Jhonny Rolando Valderrama, head of the highway protection divi-
sion, told State news agency Andina.
Valderrama said the accident occurred on the Los Libertadores highway in Ayacucho in the south-central Andes and that rescue work was ongoing.
Peru's ground transportation superintendent SUTRAN said in a statement the bus belonged to local company Turismo Molina Union SAC and that it has initiated an investigation.
Company representatives were not immediately available for comment.
Deadly bus accidents are common in Peru, where many buses travel on precarious mountain roads or are driven by inadequately trained drivers.
At least 25 persons died in April when a bus fell into a river in Peru's northern Cajamarca region, while last September at least 24 died in a similar accident in the Anco region.(Reuters)
T&T business leaders call for immediate action in response to “worrying” crime
Members of the business community in Trinidad and Tobago are frustrated and fed up with the recent spate of killings in the country.
Business owners told Guardian Media on Monday that not only were they unhappy with the constant loss of lives, but they have been left daunted as the country’s economic future is under threat by gun-toting criminals.
T&T recorded 19 murders between Thursday and Monday. Among those killed were three men who were gunned down outside the Pizza Boys outlet in Cunupia on Sunday afternoon.
A Rio Claro businesswoman identified as Carissa Ramrattan was also shot dead shortly after dropping off her vehicle to be serviced
at Toyota Trinidad, South Park, San Fernando, on Saturday.
Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher and senior officers assured on Sunday that all Police Officers in stations across the country would be on high alert following the violent and bloody weekend. But this has left business
Colombia calls off ceasefire with some units of EMC armed group
Colombia's Government has ended a ceasefire with some factions of the EMC rebels, led by commander Ivan Mordisco, who reject peace talks, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
The Estado Mayor Central (EMC) was formed by dissident former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) fighters who themselves reject a 2016 peace deal with the state.
"(The ceasefire) will continue for three months with the Gentil Duarte block, the
Jorge Suarez Briceno block, and the Raul Reyes front," the Defence Ministry said in a message via X.
The Government in March suspended a ceasefire with the EMC in certain provinces because of ongoing violence.
The move stoked demands by a majority of units in the EMC to reinstate the ceasefire, eventually provoking an internal division that saw various fronts pull out of the talks.
The ceasefire will continue in provinces such as Norte de Santander,
Antioquia, Meta, and Caqueta.
Ivan Mordisco, whose legal name is Nestor Gregorio Vera, was a much-feared commander in the FARC before he began leading dissident rebels.
President Gustavo Petro has promised to end Colombia's 60-year conflict, which has killed 450,000 persons, through new peace deals, but he is confronting significant hurdles, including the fraught EMC negotiations, which began in October last year.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
6 tonnes of cocaine found in banana shipment
Sniffer dogs in Ecuador have found 6.23 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment, Police say.
The dogs alerted their handlers, who seized 5630 parcels filled with a white substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
The shipment was destined for Germany, officials said, and would have been worth US$224 million had it reached its destination.
Five persons had been arrested following the discovery, according to the Prosecutor-General's office.
Police said they had found the massive cocaine haul
owners sceptical. The time has come for action.
Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce President Kiran Maharaj said existing crime-fighting measures have not been yielding the success that her members and the wider public have been hoping for.
“We are very sceptical as to what has been put in place to try and curb the spate of crime. About two years ago, I was very hopeful because I felt that we had a crime conference and there were many discussions. I know that many ideas were put out there, but I have yet to see a holistic and properly coordinated” approach with stakeholders to address crime.
(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
during a routine inspection of containers stored at Posorja deepwater port south-west of Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil.
The cocaine parcels had been hidden beneath crates of bananas destined for export.
One of those arrested in connection to the drug discovery was a representative of the export company responsible for the shipment, whom prosecutors said had been present at the inspection and gave officials the names of the four other suspects.
They include the managers of the banana plantation
where the cocaine is suspected to have been added to the fruit shipment, as well as the driver who took the container to the port.
Ecuador has become a major transit country for cocaine produced in neighbouring Peru and Colombia, with transnational criminal gangs using Ecuador's ports to ship the drug to Europe and the US.
Last year, Ecuadorean security forces seized more than 200 tonnes of drugs, most of it cocaine. Only the US and Colombia seized more drugs in 2023. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Dominica experiencing a “burst of volcanic earthquakes”
The Seismic Research Centre of the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (SRC-UWI) Tuesday said that Dominica has been experiencing a “burst of volcanic earthquakes”.
SRC-UWI, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said that from 12:45h (local time) on Tuesday “a burst of volcanic earthquakes were recorded beneath northern Dominica.
“Some of these events were sufficiently large to be felt, but were smaller than magnitude 3.5 which is below the threshold for posting to the SRC’s social media platforms”
It said so far 345 earthquakes have been recorded in the sequence and that the rate of events has decreased.
“The Seismic Research Centre is continuing to monitor the activity and provide ODM – Office of Disaster Management, Dominica with regular updates,” it added.
Last week, the SRCUWI said Dominica’s Boiling Lake is “ slowly refilling and the water temperature have ranged between 70° and 80° Celsius”.
The Boiling Lake is a volcano-hydrothermal feature located in an area next to the Valley of Desolation in southern Dominica. It is roughly 60 metres in diameter and ap-
proximately 15 metres deep. The Boiling Lake is the second largest feature of its kind in the world with the largest being Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand. In a statement, the SRCUWI said that water levels had changed significantly during the past few days, noting “this is a phenomenon that has occurred several times in the past but was first recorded in 1876” It said changes in water levels at the lake were last observed in March 2024 and that the current state of the lake shows a large drop in water levels with steam emission from the main vent area now more clearly visible. (CMC)
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Reuters/Adriano Machado file photo)
Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce President, Kiran Maharaj
The cocaine was divided into more than 5000 individual parcels wrapped in tape
Around the World
Crude inventories fall again as fuel stocks build
CIsraeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 57, Palestinian health officials say
Israeli forces battled Hamas-led fighters in several parts of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, and Palestinian health officials said at least 57 persons were killed in Israeli bombardments of southern and central areas.
rude oil inventories in the United States fell sharply this week by 4.44 million barrels for the week ending July 12, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API).
For the week prior, the API reported a 1.9 million barrel draw in crude inventories.
This week marks the third week in a row of APIestimated inventory draws for crude oil, for a total loss of 15.5 million barrels.
On Tuesday, the Department of Energy (DoE) reported that crude oil inventories in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) rose by 0.6 million barrels as of July 12. Inventories are now at 373.7 million barrels the highest level since December 2022, but still well below the 656 million barrels in inventory in June 2020.
Oil prices were trading substantially down ahead of the API data release on Tuesday. At 16:11h ET, Brent crude was trading down US$1.04 (-1.23 per cent) on the day at US$83.81 down about US$1 per barrel from this time last week. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was also trading down on the day by US$1.08 (-1.32 per cent) at US$80.83 down nearly US$1 per barrel from this time last week.
Gasoline inventories rose this week by a small amount, +365,000 barrels, after last week s three-million-barrel decrease. As of last week, gasoline inventories are one per cent below the five-year average for this time of year, according to the latest EIA data.
Distillate inventories rose this week by 4.92 million barrels, on top of last week s 2.3-million-barrel increase.
(Excerpt from Oilprice.com)
US Senator
Menendez convicted at corruption trial
US Senator Bob Menendez was convicted on Tuesday on all 16 criminal counts he faced including bribery at his corruption trial in Manhattan federal court, completing the once-powerful New Jersey Democrat's dramatic downfall.
Senior Democrats including US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and fellow New Jersey Senator Cory Booker quickly called on Menendez, who has served in the Senate since 2006 and avoided conviction in a prior 2017 corruption trial due to a deadlocked jury, to resign from the chamber.
Jurors began their deliberations on Friday and met for more than 12 hours over three days before reaching their verdict in a trial that had taken nine weeks. Menendez, 70, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which also included illegally acting as an agent of the Egyptian government, obstruction of justice, wire fraud and extortion.
Menendez remained defiant after the verdict, telling reporters outside the court-
house that he would appeal, though he did not answer questions about resignation. Menendez previously resisted calls from fellow Democrats to quit after he was charged in September.
"I have never violated my public oath. I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country," Menendez, who stepped down as chair of the influential US Senate Foreign Relations Committee upon being charged, told reporters. "I have never, ever been a foreign agent."
The trial centred on what federal prosecutors called several overlapping bribery schemes in which the senator and his wife Nadine Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and car and mortgage payments from three businessmen who wanted his help.
"This was politics for profit," Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, told reporters. "His years of selling his office to the highest bidder have finally come to an end."
(Excerpt from Reuters)
The Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas has accused Israel of stepping up attacks in Gaza to try to derail efforts by Arab mediators and the United States to reach a ceasefire deal. Israel says it is trying to root out Hamas fighters.
In Rafah, a southern border city where Israeli forces have been operating since May, five Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on a house, Gaza health officials said.
In nearby Khan Younis, a man, his wife, and two children were killed, they said.
Later on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike on a car killed at least 17
ally of Hamas.
"We are looking into the reports stating that several civilians were injured as a result of the strike," the military statement said.
Reuters footage showed residents carrying bodies of the dead and wounded on donkey carts and in rickshaws to hospitals.
Palestinians and wounded 26 others in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the officials said.
The airstrike hit near a tented area housing displaced families in Attar Street in the humanitarian-designated area of Al-Mawasi, the Health Ministry said.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted
Toronto reels from floods and power cuts after severe storms
Recordrainfall from three huge storms has flooded parts of Toronto, cut power and left drivers stranded on the major motorway through the city.
Environment Canada reported that almost 100 millimetres (4in) of rain fell on Toronto on Tuesday, surpassing the city's daily record set in 1941.
Images and videos showed severe flooding across the city, cars nearly submerged, and water cascading down the staircases at Union Station.
The storm left more than 167,000 customers without power, according to Toronto Hydro.
Several flights were also delayed or cancelled out of
Billy Bishop Airport, on the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario.
The Don Valley Parkway, a major motorway that runs adjacent to the Don River, was blocked in both directions by flooding. Ontario Highway 410 was also closed, with Police anticipating that it will not open up for another day as crews clean up.
Authorities said they have rescued at least 14 persons, including one person who had to be plucked from their car's roof.
Toronto's fire service received numerous calls from people trapped in lifts, after large areas of the city centre lost power during working hours.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
a senior militant of the Islamic Jihad group, an
In the historic Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, at least four Palestinians were killed in separate shelling and aerial strikes in central Gaza, medics said. An Israeli airstrike also killed four in Sheikh Zayed in northern Gaza, they said. (Excerpt from Reuters)
French Government resigns, stays on for now in caretaker role
French centrist Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his Government resigned on Tuesday, but will stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new Cabinet is appointed following an inconclusive snap election.
The caretaker government will run current affairs in the eurozone's second-largest economy, but cannot submit new laws to parliament or make any major changes, experts say.
"Handling current affairs means implementing measures already decided and managing emergencies that arise. No more no less," said Mathieu Disant, a law professor at Paris' Panth on-Sorbonne university.
"An outgoing government is deprived of its full powers. This completely and quite logically deprives it of any margin for political action."
There have been caretaker governments before in France, but none has ever stayed on for more than a few days. There is no set limit to how long an acting govern-
ment can stay on. Parliament cannot force it to quit.
Strict rules on the separation of powers do not usually allow Ministers in France to be lawmakers simultaneously.
But their resignations, even if they stay on in a caretaker capacity, will allow Attal and other members of the Government to sit in Parliament and take part in the election of the assembly's President when it convenes on Thursday, experts say. Who becomes President of the assembly, equivalent to a speaker who organises the chamber's agenda and runs debates, is crucial at a time when it is still unclear who will run the Government as no party or group has an absolute majority.
A left-wing alliance that unexpectedly topped the June 30 and July 7 election, and which has since been fighting bitterly over who to put forward as Prime Minister, hopes to agree on a name for Parliament chief.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Islamic State group claims deadly attack in Oman
Six persons, including a Policeman, have been killed and 28 others injured in a rare shooting attack near a Shia Muslim mosque in Oman's capital, Muscat, Police say.
The three attackers were also killed by security forces during the incident
in the al-Wadi al-Kabir area on Monday night, according to a statement.
Police gave no details about the identities of the victims and gunmen, or the motive. But Pakistan said four Pakistanis were among those killed in a "terrorist attack" on the Imam Ali
Mosque. India also said one of its citizens was killed.
The Sunni Muslim jihadist group Islamic State (IS) says three of its members were involved in the attack.
Supporters of the group celebrated the shooting on social media networks. IS has repeatedly targeted Shia ceremonies, processions, and worshippers in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it has never before claimed an attack in Oman, where the Shia are a minority. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Palestinians at a UN school sheltering displaced people, following an Israeli strike amid Israel-Hamas conflict in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, July 16, 2024 (Reuters/Ramadan Abed photo)
Cars were almost submerged in floodwater on Toronto's Don Valley Parkway
French Ministers leave following the weekly Cabinet meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 16, 2024 (Reuters/ Stephanie Lecocq photo)
SUDOKU
(March 21-April 19)
Set your sights on what makes you happy. Learn from experience; don’t leave making the first move to someone else or wait for situations to fall into place on their own.
Revisit your investments and how you handle them. Don’t be fooled by someone’s rhetoric. Find out what’s at stake and focus on making improvements. You can make the world a better place.
(May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20)
Discuss your intentions with someone you trust to offer sound advice. Gaining insight into the possible consequences of a decision will enable you to change your plans accordingly.
(June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Use your connections, imagination and drive to bring about change. Opportunity is within reach, but it will take effort to get there. Mingle with people who can offer insight or connections.
Network, mix business with pleasure and verify information you receive before you change what or how you do things. Talks will lead to opportunities and newfound friends.
Discover what’s new and possible. Listen, take notes and adjust your agenda to meet demands. Don’t take on too much or make promises that deter you from doing what’s best for you.
Attend talks or functions that can give you the information you require to formulate your next move. Don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position by being too open with someone.
Handle money matters carefully. Avoid risky joint ventures if you want to lower stress. Take better care of yourself mentally, physically and financially. Speak on your behalf and keep life simple.
Take one step at a time. Listen, but don’t believe everything you hear. Too much of anything will end up dragging you down. Surround yourself with like-minded people.
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Monitor what’s happening and who’s doing what, and you’ll avoid getting roped into a messy situation. Put your energy into personal growth and getting rid of tension and turmoil.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Sit tight. Look inward and make adjustments that improve your living conditions and surroundings. A new look or healthier routine will offer the boost you need.
Stick to the facts, or someone will blame you for being misleading. Keep life simple and honest, and focus on your needs. You may have to work alone for best results.
Lusignan Golf Club elects first female president
The Lusignan Gold Club (LGC) has welcomed a historic first following the hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at its Club House at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
A new committee has been elected, and it consists of the first female president
of the LGC. Anasha Ally has been bestowed this honour at these elections.
The new committee members are listed hereunder.
Vice President: Troy Cadogan
Secretary: Chet Bowling
Treasurer: Sandy Ramsundar
Captain: Ayube Subhan
Asst Treasurer/Secretary:
Arnold Deo
Public Relations Officer:
Brian Hackett
Ground Superintendent: Dino Bissesar.
At the meeting, the new president committed to restoring respect and goodwill to the club, and prioritising revenue collection, sponsorship, and attractive tournaments. She announced that her goal for the upcoming
Richards-Botham Test series 2024…
disciplinary actions, and the Guyana Open will be established. Hence, the committee will be reaching out to its members to participate in these teams.
The new General Manager and Assistant/ Barman have also been introduced; they are Ariel Cappell and Ajay Ramsaroop.
year is to add three more holes to the course, transforming it into a 12-hole golf course.
The new committee has been tasked with ensuring the accounts are in good standing and the course is maintained in top condition.
Additionally, the new subcommittees for fundraising, clubhouse maintenance,
Windies Coach Coley calls for grit ahead of crucial second Test
West Indies coach Andre Coley has challenged his team to draw upon their resilience displayed earlier this year as they prepare to contest the second Test against England, starting tomorrow (Thursday, July 18).
Having been defeated in the first Test by an innings at Lord’s, Coley is urging his players to channel the fighting spirit they displayed in Australia when they turned their series around with a remarkable victory.
In January, the West Indies suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval. However, they bounced back dramatically in the second Test at the Gabba, thanks to Shamar Joseph’s sensational seven-wicket haul in the second innings. As they prepare for the second Test against England, to be played at Trent Bridge, Coley is confident his team can draw inspiration from that experience and set the stage for a thrilling decider at Edgbaston.
Reflecting on the Gabba Test, Coley said, “The way we bounced back was powerful. It shows that even if you start poorly, you can compose yourself and come back strong in a series. That’s the mindset we need to carry into this second Test.”
Despite the defeat at
Lord’s, Coley believes his team has learned valuable lessons. “We’ve had time to acclima- tize and get time in the middle. Yes, the result at Lord’s wasn’t what we wanted, but there’s a lot to learn from it. This is a young, emerging side, and we’re positive about our approach to the second Test.”
Coley emphasized the importance of intensity and longer partnerships from his batters. “We need to show more intensity in the field, and put together longer partnerships. There were
moments in the game (when) we showed grit, but we need to be consistent. Our bowlers did well to restrict England, and now it’s up to our batters to build on that.”
The coach also highlighted the importance of mental and emotional resilience.
“Test cricket is challenging, especially away from home.
Our players need to be mental-
ly and emotionally prepared. We have it within our ranks to compete with England, and we need to believe in our abilities.”
Coley is confident his team can rise to the occasion.
“We know the conditions will be testing, but we have the talent and the spirit to compete. Our players are in good spirits, and we’re ready to take on the challenge at Trent Bridge.”
As the West Indies prepare for the crucial second Test, Coley’s message is clear: With the right mindset and determination, they can bounce back and keep their series hopes alive.
(Sportsmax)
Ms Ally has thanked outgoing President Patanjalie for their efforts during the past year, despite the challenges encountered.
“I spent endless nights dreaming about Real Madrid” – Kylian Mbappe
As he was unveiled to a packed Bernabeu, Kylian Mbappe said his childhood dream of joining Real Madrid had come true. The France forward, 25, has signed a five-year deal at the club in July, after the expiry of his Paris St-Germain contract. His presentation was delayed by France’s involvement at Euro 2024, where they were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Spain. But, speaking to a crowd of over 80,000 spectators at the Bernabeu, Mbappe told supporters he had dreamt of the moment he could call himself a Real Madrid player.
“I spent endless nights dreaming about one day playing for Real Madrid, and today I am one happy guy,” said Mbappe. “My family are so happy here (that) I can see my mum crying. It’s an incredible day for me; I’ve dreamt of this day since I was a kid, and this day means a lot to me.”
Mbappe, who was kitted out in the club’s new home kit and addressed spectators in Spanish, was introduced to the crowd by club president Florentino Perez. Speaking to Mbappe before the Frenchman spoke to the crowd, Perez said: “The love that you felt for Real Madrid, and you identifying with this club since your childhood, made it possible for you to be here and to overcome those obstacles on the way to your dream.”
For Perez, Mbappe’s arrival has been a long time in
the making, and comes three years after Real failed with a £137m offer for the World Cup winner. PSG accepted a world record bid of £259m from Saudi Arabian side AlHilal in 2023, but Mbappe rejected the move, as it became apparent that he wanted to move to the Bernabeu. Mbappe, who had been offered a contract extension by the French club, was left out of PSG’s pre-season tour as a result, but was eventually reintegrated by manager Luis Enrique.
The forward left PSG after scoring 256 goals in 308 appearances. (BBC Sport)
LGC’s first female president, Anasha Ally
The newly-elected LGC Executive
The second Test in the Richards-Botham 3-Test series commences on Thursday
Kylian Mbappe kissed the Real Madrid badge during his unveiling
Junior chess team off to Pan-American Youth Championships
An eight-member chess team of top junior players from the Guyana Chess Federation is set to participate in the Pan-American Youth Championships XXXIV in Orlando, Florida, USA from July 15th to 20th 2024. The team is representing the Under-10 to Under-16 Open and Girls’ categories in the tournament.
Players such as Kyle Couchman, Under-16; Aditi Joshi, Under-14; and Katalya Sam, Under-12, who earned a bronze medal at the XIV CAC Youth Chess Festival last year, have already competed internationally, and will have the experience to improve their performances.
Young Sachin Pitamber, an under-14 player who is on the Olympiad team to go into action later this year, is also a player who can give Guyana its first medal at these games. He has had strong finishes in tournaments throughout the
year, and has won national under-14 and under-16 titles. He has a passion and talent for the game, and has also secured major victories over Guyana’s top chess players.
Kyle Couchman will be looking to improve his 6th place from last year’s finish in his category in the CAC Youth Chess Festival, and will be utilizing the experi-
ence and confidence he has acquired. Also representing Guyana in this tournament are Maliha Rajkumar, U16 Girls; Jermey Cole, U12 Open; Vir Narine, U10 Open; and Saura Rooplall, U10 Girls. These young players are being accompanied to the tournament by their parents.
GCF President Anand
Banks DIH return as official beverage sponsor for Kares
One Guyana T10 Tape ball Blast
Beverage giants Banks DIH Limited have reaffirmed their commitment to the Kares One Guyana T10 Tape ball Blast by being the tournament’s official sponsor again this year.
GT Beer would again be the official beer, while
even bigger.”
King also expressed his desire to see the tournament grow into a regional event, providing a platform for players to showcase their talent and potentially earn spots on national teams.
The Kares One Guyana
the National Stadium.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Blast boasts a larger prize pool this year, with the winner taking home a cool G$1.5 million.
The runner-up would receive G$500,000, while the losing semifinalists
Rainforest Water would keep players and fans hydrated.
Banks DIH have also hinted at giveaways featuring other products from their extensive range.
Colin King, Water Beverages Manager at Banks DIH, in expressing the company’s excitement at being a partner with the tournament again, has said, “We believe in supporting these initiatives.”
King added, “Last year’s event was electric, and we’re hopeful this year’s will be
es to be a thrilling spectacle, with a knockout format and a lucrative prize pool. The tournament will commence on August 3.
Those who win would return to DCC and PSC the next day for the Round-of-16.
Matches on both days are scheduled to begin at 09:00h, 11:00h, 13:00h and 15:00h.
The eight remaining teams will battle at the Enmore Community Centre on August 11 for a spot in the semi-finals and final, which will be held on August 25 at
Kares Engineering, Banks DIH, Star Rentals; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Montra Restaurant and Longue, Ministry of Housing and Water; Premier Insurance, Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall, Demerara Mutual Insurance, Massy Distribution, RS53 Restobar & Lounge, Jacobs’ Jewellery & Pawn Shop, and First Change Builders Inc. are the other sponsors on board thus far.
and the exposure for young Guyanese players in the international chess circuit. “I think this is the strongest junior team by rating and skill to have participated in an international championship. There are some players who are ranked in the top five for women and males in the country”, he said.
The United States Chess Federation has organized the event in partnership with the Confederation of Chess for the Americas, the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and the Rosen Shingle Creek playing venue.
Caricom horse race meet 2024…
Port Mourant Turf Club track stood out despite inclement weather
…Guyana Cup preparations moving apace
The Port Mourant Turf Club’s Caricom horse race meet on Sunday last has been hailed a success. Despite heavy rainfall, expected during the MayJune season, and which occurred hours before the start of the meet, the track stood firm.
Fans turned out in large numbers, and were treated to a spectacular show of high-quality horse racing action.
Credit has been given to the KP Jagdeo Racing Stables, which worked overtime to maintain a solid track.
According to an official of the Jagdeo Racing Stables, work on the Port Mourant track commenced since in December 2023.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the patrons for coming out despite the rain. We have been doing a lot of work on the track from since late last year. We are reaping the success now. (There was) a lot of rainfall during the May-June season, and we had a lot of rain on the eve of the race. A lot of people (were) uncertain whether there would be races, but the track held up
good. That was because of the preparation,” the official disclosed.
“Guyana Cup is the pinnacle of horse racing in Guyana. Everyone always turn out (to witness this meeting), and I would like to thank the fans in advance. Without fans, we cannot have racing, and I want to thank them in advance for supporting Guyana Cup,” the official has said.
Easy Time won the feature race at the Caricom meet, and this champion horse will be aiming to defend his Guyana Cup title on August 11 at the Rising Sun Turf Club.
The 16th staging of the Guyana Cup is organized by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, and in excess of Gy$40 million in cash would be paid out. The top horse of the feature race would be rewarded a whopping sum of $11,625,000.
Last year’s Guyana Cup expended a total of $24 million in prize money across all races, while the top horse in that feature event was rewarded with $10 million.
According to organizers,
the 2024 Guyana Cup meet would certainly be the biggest, and the day would be packed with side attractions. The first-ever fun park is set to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club with kids witnessing a parading bar on spot, and multiple stages will be set up across the venue.
Ten races are listed on the provisional programme, and entries will be open from July 27 and be closed on August 3. No late entry would be accepted at this year’s Guyana Cup meet. With this year’s Guyana Cup purse being the biggest in the Caribbean, horses from various countries would be attracted to Guyana to battle for supremacy. In addition to the feature event, which would be run over a distance of approximately 1800 metres, other races on the provisional card include: the 1600-metre derby; 1000-metre Sprint Classic; the 1000-metre twoyear-old; 1000-metre F1 Class; the 1600-metre H1 Class; the 1400-metre J & Lower; 1400-metre K Class; 1400-metre L Class, and the 1400-metre non-earners.
A look at the members of Guyana’s Pan Am Youth Championships Chess team
Water Beverages Manager Colin King presenting a ceremonial cheque to Romario Samaroo of FL Sport
Raghunauth is upbeat about the team’s participation
The Port Mourant Turf Club track stood firm despite heavy rainfall
Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2024…
GAW drafts 6 Regional players as draft is completed
The Guyana Amazon Warriors Women have stacked their side with 6 Regional players during the Massy Women’s CPL Draft on Tuesday morning. The other women’s teams: Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals, have also completed their sides for this season.
The Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) teams are locked and loaded ahead of the 2024 season. This is as a result of the players’ draft which was conducted virtually on Tuesday morning.
Local franchise the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have added six regional players to their line-up, which is already stacked with the likes of Stafanie Taylor, Australia’s Erin Burns and South Africa’s Chloe Tryon.
Amazon Warriors
Meanwhile Karishma Ramharack, speaking of the previous season and the team’s intent for the upcoming one, has said, “Obviously we were gutted not to win the final, after not making it the previous year. So, I feel like it was a big thing making it to the final for us. I said it last year when we got there, and I’ll say it again: I feel like it’s a massive thing for the team, and we’re looking forward for that again this year.”
et-keeper Rashada Williams and batter Trishan Holder; while also welcoming Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry Ann Fraser and Djenaba Joseph, who were all with the Guyana Amazon Warriors last year. Local all-rounder Naijanni Cumberbatch has also been
drafted to the Royals.
Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed and Shunelle Sawh would all return to the Trinbago Knight Riders’ camp after being drafted again, with Jannillea Glasgow and Chedean Nation, who were with the Royals in 2023, being the newcomers to that squad.
The Massy WCPL will bowl off on Wednesday, August 21, with a rematch of last year’s final between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Royals Women at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
Manager Leon Johnson made the announcements, which saw Sheneta Grimmond being drafted in the 6th Round, Ashmini Munisar in the 7th Round, Kate Wilmott in the 8th Round, Kaysia Schultz in the 9th Round, Nyia Latchman in the 10th Round, and Realeanna Grimmond in the 11th Round.
The bowler went on to add, “I guess it’s only us to get that title now. I feel like, TKR won it, Barbados won it, so, it’s up to us now; it’s our time. I believe it’s our time to win this title.”
The other two teams in the competition have also seized the opportunity to boost their rosters. Reigning champions Barbados Royals have drafted two players who were with their squad in 2023: wick-
contrasting wins
The KFC Elite League continued at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center (NTC) at Providence on Monday evening with the top two teams in the league enjoying contrasting victories.
Slingerz FC gave a resounding boost to their goal difference, while the Guyana Defence Force eased past their law enforcement counterparts, thus these two teams remain the top two teams in Season Six of the KFC Elite League.
First up on Monday night was a clash between West Demerara’s Slingerz FC and Buxton United out of East Coast Demerara. Marcus Tudor opened the scoring for Slingerz in the 6th minute, and it was only until the 33rd that the next goal was witnessed, off the boots of Kemar Beckford.
struck again in the 45th+2 for a 5-0 score at the half.
Curtez Kellman opened the scoring in the second segment with a strike in the 55th, while Beckford went on to complete his 6-goal tally in the 64th, 76th and 90th.
However, that goal opened the floodgates, and Slingerz went on to trash their opponents 110.
While Beckford found the back of the net twice more in the 37th and 43rd, Tudor
Tudor added another in the 61st, while Deon Alfred also found the back of the net in the 85th minute.
In the following game, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC managed to restrict defending
champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC. However, the latter still came away with a 2-0 win.
Abumuchi Benjamin first found the back of the net for GDF in the 20th minute, giving them a 1-0 lead that they held on to for much of the encounter. It was only until the dying minutes of the clash that Delroy Fraser (84th) made it a 2-0 affair.
As such, GDF lead the League with 40 points from 14 games, while Slingerz are second with 35 points in 13 games. Police occupy the third position with 28 points in 13 games, and Santos FC are fourth with 24 points from 14 games. Western Tigers FC round off the Top 5 of the ten-team tournament with 21 points from 14 games played.
The KFC Elite League is expected to continue this Saturday, July 20th, at the same venue, when Monedderlust FC will face off against Western Tigers FC at 18:30hrs, while Slingerz FC would do battle with Ann’s Grove FC from 21:00hrs.
Slingerz, GDF bag
The GPF FC tried to avoid it, but GDF FC still slipped two goals past them for a win
Kemar Beckford (on ball) netted 6 goals in Slingerz’s 11-0 victory
Former West Indies Under-19 Captain Ashmini Munisar has again been drafted to the GAW Women
A look at the complete Barbados Royals Women’s team
A look at the complete Trinbago Knight Riders Women’s team
A look at the complete Guyana Amazon Warriors Women’s team
