…says slow-moving Judiciary can have negative effect on anti-corruption fight
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, November 6 –03:45h-05:15h and 19:30h-20:30h and Thursday, November 7 – 20:30h-22:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, November 6 –06:45h-08:15h and Thursday, November 7 – 07:35h-09:05h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunshine is expected during the day. Mostly clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 07:56h and 20:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.32 metres.
Low Tide: 13:40h reaching a minimum height of 1.04 metres.
Anti-corruption workshop
Govt working to change bribery culture, needs all hands on deck – Teixeira …says
slow-moving Judiciary can have negative effect on anti-corruption fight
An anti-corruption workshop was held on Wednesday, where the need for all government agencies and the Private Sector to work together to bring corrupt individuals to justice was highlighted. Additionally, the Private Sector pledged its support in this anti-corruption fight and called for harsh penalties against culpable persons.
The Parliamentary Affairs and Governance
public service and Private Sector, a zero tolerance for persons offering or asking for bribes. Or asking or soliciting based on violations of the Procurement Act,” Teixeira said.
Accelerate In an interview with the media afterwards, Teixeira meanwhile expressed the need for the Judiciary to accelerate its work to effectively support the government’s efforts to bring the corrupt to justice, something that senior officials in the government, such as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, have been
“We need to have a new culture, where people feel that if they want a passport or put in a tender for a contract, they don’t have to grease anybody’s palm… and that’s where we’re going and striving to go. To build a new culture. And this requires, at all levels of the public service and Private Sector, a zero tolerance for persons offering or asking for bribes. Or asking or soliciting based on violations of the Procurement Act”
– Gail Teixeira
Ministry on Tuesday held the anti-corruption workshop. According to Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, the government is working hard to build a new culture – one that will eradicate bribes.
She further noted that the workshop, which saw representatives from both the Private Sector and government agencies in attendance at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre Exhibition Centre, is a step in that direction.
“What has to be developed consciously is a new culture that is not based on a view by some that you have to grease someone’s hand to get something built where the systems work transparently and fairly and people trust them to do so. We need to have a new culture where people feel that if they want a passport or put in a tender for a contract, they don’t have to grease anybody’s palm.”
“And that’s what you want. And that’s where we’re going and striving to go. To build a new culture. And this requires, at all levels of the
calling for. According to Teixeira, a slow-moving judiciary can have a negative effect on the anti-corruption fight.
“I think obviously there’s weaknesses in what we have and I think we have to work hard on that. But I think that in terms of investigations and moving with alacrity in investigations, those areas we have to work more on. And also, the judiciary. Things take too long… if it takes five years to deal with a case in the court, nobody is going to take it seriously. (They’ll say) we can be corrupt and get away with it. And you get bail. You’re fine,” Texieira said.
“So, we have to have the combination in the anti-corruption areas, that we have to look at. A thorough investigation, investigations that are based on evidence and facts, that can hold up in a court of law. If we don’t have that continuum between the investigation and the court, then you’re going to lose cases and cases may never get there. Or cases are thrown
out. Because of lack of evidence.”
Private Sector Meanwhile, in his presentation to the anti-corruption workshop, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission’s Economics and Finance Committee, Ramesh Dookhoo, expressed the organisation’s support for the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
According to Dookhoo, there is a lot the Private Sector is not happy about when it comes to the uneven enforcement of the law against companies. However, he acknowledged that for a bribe to occur, it requires at least two willing parties. This means both the government and Private Sector must work together to eliminate this.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Governance, Gail Teixeira
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission’s Economics and Finance Committee, Ramesh Dookhoo
The recent spate of violent altercations involving young teens, with fatal outcomes, calls for a critical examination of the social and emotional support systems provided to children. In the past week, two young lives have been tragically lost in separate stabbing incidents involving teenagers. These events have not only shocked the communities involved, but have raised urgent concerns about the pattern of unresolved conflict, heightened aggression, and unchecked anger among young people. Addressing these issues goes beyond police investigations and legal ramifications, and calls for systemic change starting in schools.
The case of 18-year-old Dowancee Demonick, who was fatally stabbed in a dispute with a 15-year-old in Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, is just one incident in an alarming trend. According to initial reports, their confrontation was rooted in a longstanding disagreement that spiralled out of control. The altercation turned fatal when the suspect allegedly used a pair of scissors to stab Demonick multiple times, ending the conflict in tragedy. Just days earlier, a similar fatality unfolded in another community when 13-year-old Kareem Durant was fatally stabbed by an 11-year-old during a quarrel that also escalated into violence.
These incidents reflect the need for interventions that address the roots of youth aggression, as the physical altercations that follow disputes reveal the volatility underlying many young people’s responses to conflict. Emotional regulation, conflict de-escalation, and anger management skills are noticeably lacking among young people. Schools can play a critical role in equipping students with the emotional tools they need to process their feelings and manage anger effectively, thus potentially averting such violent outcomes.
Anger management courses, incorporated as part of the school curriculum, could teach students to recognize and address their anger before it intensifies. This approach emphasizes self-awareness, helping youths to identify triggers, understand emotional responses, and develop healthy outlets for frustration and conflict resolution. Alongside anger management, peer mediation programmes could foster a culture wherein disagreements are managed constructively, allowing young people to handle disputes in non-violent ways. These interventions can be transformative, reducing the chances of impulsive decisions made in anger.
Some may argue that it is the responsibility of parents to instill these values in their offspring; and indeed, parental involvement is essential. However, given the complex challenges modern youths face, the guidance of both schools and families is crucial. For many, school is a place of learning beyond academics — a space where they build social skills and encounter various perspectives. Incorporating anger management training and conflict-resolution practices within school programmes would not only reduce violent behaviours, but would also encourage young people to develop empathy, patience, and resilience.
While police continue their investigations and families mourn these tragic losses, as a society, everyone must work toward long-term strategies that prevent violence. Offering anger management courses and emotional support to our youths can help reduce violence, break cycles of retaliation, and ultimately protect lives. The presence of these resources in schools could have provided a constructive outlet, allowing them to resolve their differences without resorting to violence.
Our children deserve environments that support them in becoming emotionally mature, capable of managing their impulses and resolving conflicts peacefully. By including and prioritizing anger management education and conflictresolution programmes in schools, the groundwork can be laid for safer communities.
It’s time to redesign the Caribbean’s development
By Daniel Best anD Wazim moWla
Caribbean countries are at an inflection point. On one hand, the region is facing enormous challenges, from the effects of climate change to volatile pricing of commodities to limited fiscal and skills capacity, to just name a few. On the other hand, opportunities for development are numerous. Where there are hurdles like increasingly stronger tropical storms, there are new opportunities to retrofit the region’s infrastructure to be more resilient. Where high import costs for finance, energy, and food plague our economies, there are opportunities to work inter-regionally to build new supply chains and design projects that attract significant commercial investment. But capitalizing on these opportunities means redesigning the region’s development framework with new tools that can be accessed by governments, the private sector, and local communities.
This redesign should focus on innovation to drive transformation and build thriving communities for citizens across the region. Importantly, the institutions that can action these goals and translate benefits to the average person exist. Across sectors, from energy to climate to finance, institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, and the Caribbean Community Centre for Climate Change, among others house the potential to transform the region’s development agenda
framework
in a way that stimulates economic prosperity and stability.
But these institutions cannot operate in a silo given that the open facing and small market nature of Caribbean countries are routinely affected by the ebbs and flows of global markets. Therefore, a redesigned development framework must come with a stakeholder engagement strategy. Support from the international community is needed as regional partners can deliver needed technical assistance and financial resources. At the same time, regional governments and its institutions have a role to play. In a region that is small and oftentimes on the outskirts of global attention, we need to be proactive in our engagement with our most important allies. Enhanced and frequent outreach to relevant capitals, like Ottawa, Washington DC, Brasilia, and others will be needed alongside building consistent modes of communication with other development institutions, such as those that sit in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
So, what does this redesigned development framework look like? First, it needs to start with innovation–the heartbeat of progress. Introducing innovation unlocks new financial and technological resources that can induce greater competition and economic growth across industries. But for innovation to take hold, data gathering will be essential. Designing effective policies and making informed decisions starts with having the needed data on-hand. For instance, enhanced climate
modeling helps us patrol and prepare for hurricane season. Data-driven energy modeling can influence the types of clean energy technologies governments pursue. And surveys and polling can help us understand the best strategies to address gender gaps from country to country.
Innovation also requires new ways to engage with other development institutions, from the World Bank to the Inter-American Development Bank. The Caribbean Development Bank is the only institution in the world that has the innate ability to contextualize world events and policy proposals to the realities of the region’s citizens. Therefore, when other development institutions engage with the region, the first stop should be with the Caribbean Development Bank. It gives–particularly smaller countries–a bigger voice on regional and global stages while also an ability to streamline financial resources and technical assistance for overlooked markets like the Eastern Caribbean countries. Enhancing this engagement will be critical, as will scaling activity with other institutions that provide grant financing, such as Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund, and the Global Infrastructure Facility.
Next, the private sector must be at the table. The private sector holds the key to accessing capital, scaling projects, and utilizing new technologies at a much faster rate. Governments are fiscally capped and often do not have the flexibility to finance projects without taking cost-
ly loans. The private sector can help but will need the room to grow and contribute to the Caribbean’s development objectives across climate adaptation, energy security, tourism, health, and education. The region would benefit from an investment forum, similar to what we see in Asia and Africa, that can encourage global investors, development institutions, and governments to create room for the private sector participate in development. For example, an investment forum–organized by regional institutions like the Caribbean Development Bank–can facilitate early-stage technical assistance and equity financing to projects across multiple sectors.
A new development framework needs to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. It must be designed with foresight–considering geopolitics, the realities of people on the ground, and importantly, utilizing existing indigenous institutions. Caribbean countries are on the frontlines of many challenges but the opportunities for development and prosperity are endless. Any development framework must take this into account as the urgency of the moment has never been greater.
(Daniel Best is the Senior Infrastructure and Development Advisor to the Prime Minister of Barbados and seconded from a substantive role as Director of Projects Department at the Caribbean Development Bank. Wazim Mowla is the Fellow and Lead of the Atlantic Council’s Caribbean Initiative and Vice President of the Guyana-based ACE Consulting Group.)
Participants wearing historical costumes are riding their high-wheel bicycles during the annual Penny Farthing Race in Prague, Czech Republic, November 2, 2024 (Reuters)
Passengers complain about theft, unsanitary conditions on MV MA Lisha
In response to mounting concerns about the MV MA Lisha, which serves the Georgetown to North West District route, the government has pledged swift action to address passenger complaints and improve service quality.
tional standards are met.
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill visited the Kingston Goods Wharf on Tuesday to speak directly with passengers about their concerns. He was accompanied by senior management from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD).
and pilferage on the vessel, unsanitary conditions leading to an unpleasant stench, and malfunctioning air conditioning.
According to a DPI report, among the issues raised were reports of theft
Passengers also expressed frustration with prolonged delays in retrieving goods after docking.
Edghill promised immediate action, including hold-
ing negligent crew members accountable and imposing financial penalties on those responsible for stolen items. He emphasised that while the government has invested substantially in modernising the fleet, some T&HD staff need to improve their management approach to align with these advancements and ensure opera-
GHRA has never published a single annual report in 45 years
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) held its 25th General Members Meeting on October 28th, 2024, ac -
cording to a press release issued by the GHRA on November 2, 2024. At that meeting, the GHRA reported that a new Executive Committee was elected.
Was a 100-year repayment plan the best the REO could do?
Dear Editor, Does it get more bizarre than a contractor who did not complete projects being instructed by the REO of the region to repay the owed sum of six million dollars at a meagre rate of five thousand dollars per month?
At this rate, it was calculated, the repayment would take one hundred years!
It has to be wondered by what authority did the REO think he could be so loose with public funds?
Just what was he thinking? How was the contractor allowed to not complete four projects?
This is surely an indictment on the regional
authorities, and to add insult to injury, a frivolous wildcard repayment plan was hatched. Further, wild revelations blunted reason, as payments were made to contractors before work commenced, and the REO could not do better than the repayment plan hatched with the errant contractor.
As the region’s accounting officer, this REO must be held responsible for these unsatisfactory arrangements, and must take immediate corrective steps to ensure public funds are better managed. This is just pure damn nonsense!
Sincerely,
Shamshun Mohamed
Interestingly, the release made mention of only the former and new Executive Committee members; there was no mention of who constitute the broader membership of the organization and the total active members, other than the executives.
More interestingly, it was reported that during the years 2023 and 2024, the GHRA issued fifteen press releases on governance and election matters. One wonders whether governance and election matters mattered only in 2023 and 2024. Or was the GHRA not formed in the years prior?
What happened to 2020, and 2015-2020? More so, what happened to the ensuing period after the December 2018 NoConfidence Motion, wherein national elections were constitutionally due three months thereafter? There was no election until one year later.
During that period, Guyana was arguably in a constitutional crisis, and the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chair by former President Granger
was unconstitutional. Thankfully, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) overturned that appointment. How many press releases did the GHRA issue during this period?
I expended a considerable amount of time searching the internet for those GHRA press releases, but to no avail.
Further, it is quite ironic that the GHRA, as a non-governmental organization (NGO), does not subscribe to that which it advocates for nationally in relation to transparency and good governance.
The GHRA was founded in 1979, which means it is a 45-year-old organization, and it has never published a single annual report on its activities, operations, and audited financials, as in the case of the private sector NGOs. This is quite troubling, yet the GHRA comprises a group of individuals who are invariably hostile towards the incumbent PPP/C Government.
Yours sincerely,
Joel Bhagwandin
“We must not only buy things and build things we must care things and manage things for the benefit of the people because whenever the government does something any intervention of the government, the beneficiary must be the people of Guyana,” the minister is quoted as saying in the DPI
report. The minister assured passengers that the government is committed to addressing these issues promptly and ensuring the new services meet public expectations. Further discussions with the vessel’s crew are expected soon to address operational shortcomings.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill engaging passengers on the MV MA Lisha
Page Foundation
Comparing and ordering decimals
When you compare whole numbers, you look at place value. To compare decimals, you will look at place value. Line up your decimals so that the decimal points are in a column. Then begin by looking at the column to the immediate right of the decimal point, the tenths place. As you arrange your numbers, work toward the right
Example: Place these decimals in order from least to greatest: .52, 0.21, .09, .22, 0.90, .091
By Rose AusländeR TRAnslATed By CARlie HoffmAn
Step 1: Line up the decimal points: .52 0.21
Step 2: Find the greatest number in the tenths place: 0.9. Then the next greatest number in the tenth place: .52
Step 3: If two decimals have the same number in the tenths place, look at the next place value, the hundredths place and rank according to the higher number. With 0.21 and 0.22, 2 is greater than 1.
Step 4: What do you do with .09 and 0.091? Add a zero to .09 as a placeholder for the thousandths place: 0.090. Now, you can see that 0.091 is greater than 0.090.
Remember: When comparing numbers with decimals, always look at the whole numbers first. If two whole numbers are the same, then compare to the right of the decimal point.
Exercises
Place these decimals in order from least to greatest:
2.66, 4.31, 10.75, 32.20, 0.880, .91, 4.61
What materials can block a wi-fi signal?
Wireless signal strength is measured in units called
Decibel-milliwatts, or dBm. Decibel-milliwatts are different from the regular metric units you are probably used to working with like meters, grams, and seconds. Decibel-milliwatts measure the power level of a signal relative to a base level of 1 milliwatt (mW), which is equal to 0 dBm. So, positive dBm values have a power greater than 1 mW, and negative dBm values have a power less than 1 mW. The dBm values you measure for this project will most likely be negative. It is important to note that a value that is closer to zero means a stronger signal than a value that is farther away from zero. For example, a signal strength of -15 dBm is a fairly strong signal, whereas a signal strength of -90 dBm is a very weak signal.
Materials and equipment
> Wireless router
>Wi-Fi enabled device like a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop with Wi-Fi adapter
>Program or app to analyze the strength of the wireless signal (preferably in dBm). You will need to find one that works with your wireless device and operating system. Try searching for things like "wifi analyser" or "wifi strength meter".
>Blocking materials to test. Note: While it may not be possible with all materials, ideally you should test sheets/pieces of material that are all approximately the same size. While it is obviously not possible to cut up steel or glass baking pans, you can use scissors or a utility knife to cut materials like aluminum foil, cardboard, or plastic so each test sheet is the same size. Some material suggestions include: Aluminum foil, steel baking pans, glass baking pans, cardboard,
large container filled with water, human
Experimental procedure
Make sure you do your background research and formulate a hypothesis about which materials will attenuate a wi-fi signal.
Download and install an app or program for your wireless device that can measure the signal strength of a wi-fi connection. Some programs will provide a "signal quality" rating on a scale of 0–100, but ideally you should use a program that provides measurements in dBm. Ask an adult if you need help installing the program.
Familiarise yourself with how to use the program before you start your experiment. Try walking around your house and using the program to take signal strength measurements in different locations. Do you understand how to read a measurement in dBm? Do you see changes in signal strength? Once you are comfortable using the program, move on to the next step.
Create a data table like Table 1 in your lab notebook. You will use this to record your results.
Strength (dBm)
Attenuation (dBm)
You can change or add rows to the table, depending on which materials you plan to test.
Pick a location in which to place your wireless device for each test. It is important to keep this location consistent for each trial. Ideally, this location should:
Be in the same room as your wireless router, several meters away from it.
Be at the same height off the floor as your wireless router (ie this will change depending on whether your router is on the floor or on a table/ desk).
Not have any other barriers, like furniture or people, between your wireless device and the router.
Allow you to see the screen of the wireless device (to take a signal strength reading) without standing in between the device and the router.
It is also important to keep the orientation of your wireless device consistent between each trial. For example, do not rotate a smartphone from a horizontal to a vertical position between trials. Pick one orientation and keep it the same for each trial.
Determine how you will arrange your test materials for each trial. The most important thing is to keep your setup the same for each trial of the experiment.
Make sure the test materials are as close as possible to the router, without touching it. You do not want to accidentally bump the router, as moving it could cause a change in signal strength.
(Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies) TO BE CONTINUED
“I wasn’t
questioned”- Gail Teixeira on claims of detention in US
Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira on Tuesday had cause to debunk reports circulating in sections of social media that she was detained and questioned by authorities in the United States of America (USA) while on a recent trip there.
On the sidelines of an event hosted by the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ministry at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, Minister Teixeira was asked for a response to the reports. She immediately denied the claims.
While she did travel in September, Teixeira, made it clear that the last time the US authorities had ever stopped and questioned her was in the 1990’s, due to her association with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
“No, I’ve never been questioned. I haven’t been anywhere since early September and no, I have not been questioned. When we were in Opposition in the 80s and 90s, I was questioned because of the PPP, being a member, but I have not been questioned as a Guyanese now and nor from 92 [1992] onwards,” Teixeira said.
Since last year, several Guyanese public officials were stopped and questioned by US authori -
Bushmouth robbery-abduction
ties. They included former Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Thomas-Meerabux,
who in April 2023, was detained and allegedly manhandled by male officers attached to the US Customs and Border Protection.
The Permanent Secretary’s mobile phone was also confiscated during that ordeal. A few months later, ThomasMeerabux was transferred to the Labour Ministry.
In June of this year, it was revealed that she had resigned from the PPP Central Committee after United States Department of the Treasury on Tuesday imposed sanctions on her along with businessmen Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Head of the Major Crimes Unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Superintendent Mitchell Caesar, was also stopped and questioned by US authorities earlier this year, after landing at the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. This was confirmed by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during a press briefing in March. According to Jagdeo, after the interrogation, the senior police rank was permitted entry into the USA. Jagdeo had also noted that in light of the development, the leadership of the GPF would be handling the matter.
Natural Resources Ministry will not act on mining ban calls without proper Police probe
While the representatives of the Natural Resources Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are assisting the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with the investigation into last Saturday’s alleged armed robbery and abduction at Bushmouth Marudi Backdam, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), the Ministry has revealed that it is not banning operations in the area at the moment.
In an invited comment, a senior official from the Ministry told this publication that all actions to be taken “will be guided by the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the Home Affairs Ministry.”
This clarity was provided amid concerns raised on Monday by the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) regarding the safety and security of the Wapichan communities, particularly those near the Marudi mining area.
In a release, SRDC explained that while they’re relieved that all hostages were released unharmed, the mat-
ter of safety is still an issue.
In fact, the Council stated “SRDC has consistently voiced concerns about the effects of mining in the Marudi Mountains on Wapichan communities and lands. We believe that the escalation of such criminal activities is linked to the increase in mining operations.”
Hence, SRDC “insist that all mining operations be suspended until comprehensive regulatory systems are established to protect our communities and until there is meaningful and effective par-
ticipation in line with the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring full respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples under national and international law”.
The Ministry has since indicated that it is awaiting the findings from the police investigation to make a more informed decision that will benefit residents in the community and surrounding areas.
Joint Services search
Meanwhile, members of the Joint Services are still
Govt working to change bribery...
“It takes a Private Sector operative to corrupt a Government official. And it takes a Government official to want to be corrupted. And that’s the difficult part. How do we manage and deal with that? In the Private Sector our favorite piece of legislation exists in England,” Dookhoo said.
“England has a massive anti-corruption legislation that nobody can get away from, whether you’re a Government, regulator, a Private Sector operative, it's very difficult to get away with it. But over many years, that request to lobby
for anti-corruption legislation in Guyana, has not been successful.”
That being said, Dookhoo reiterated the Private Sector’s support for the Government. He highlighted the reality that it will take massive collaboration between public entities and the Private Sector, to bring down corrupt individuals. Dookhoo also called for the existing pieces of anti-corruption legislation to be combined and strengthened, with harsher penalties.
“If you look at our legal framework for corruption, it will take massive collabora-
combing the Deep South Rupununi, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in pursuit of the six men involved in the shocking armed robbery and abduction.
The incident, which occurred around 10:30h on Saturday at GGMC’s checkpoint at Bush Mouth involved several victims including five Guyanese and four Brazilian nationals, among them: Natural Resources Officers Victor Adams, 34, and Romain Simon, 39; Christopher Charles, a 17-year-old barber from Lethem; Curtis Charles, a 35-year-old Lieutenant in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); and a 30-year-old Community Mines Ranger, Karl Antone, from Aishalton
Village.
Investigations revealed that two of the three vehicles allegedly used by the suspects were registered in Brazil, bearing Brazilian licence plates. Police on Monday said that authorities in Guyana have since extended their investigations, partnering with the Federal Police in Brazil to pursue leads and determine the full extent of the crime’s cross-border elements.
According to GPF, Romain Simon was reportedly robbed of a Glock 17 pistol with a fully loaded magazine, along with a Movado watch valued at $140,000. Victor Adams was similarly robbed of a Glock 17 pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.
Additionally, Community
Mines Ranger, Karl Antone, lost $100,000. Meanwhile, Dionei Faribas De Brito, one of the Brazilian victims has said that his initial statements to the police were misunderstood. De Brito revealed that during the encounter with the suspects, he was coerced into transferring 30,000 reais (equivalent to Gy $1.2 million) to a Brazilian Pix account, a real-time digital payment system. This transfer, he explained, was made under duress after the suspects demanded gold, which he did not have at the time. Instead, they insisted on a hefty payment, initially demanding one million reais. The funds have since been recovered by Brazilian law enforcement officials.
Rice farmer dies after tractor plunges into trench
P“You need to take all these pieces of legislation and have an anti-corruption legislation in Guyana, which makes it easy for the Police, for the regulators and everybody else to take you to court and be successful. The penalties also have to be harsh, so that you wouldn’t even want to risk it.” (G3) FROM PAGE 3
tion between several agencies to bring a corrupt person or entity to justice. It’s too much, it’s almost impossible to do. There’s the company’s registrar, the companies law. It’s very vague,” Dookhoo, a former PSC Chairman, explained.
olice are investigating an incident in Black Bush Polder that claimed the life of a 43-yearold rice farmer, Sunil Rampersaud, from Mibicuri South, Berbice. Rampersaud was killed on Monday afternoon when the tractor he was driving flipped into a trench.
The incident occurred around 16:40h as Rampersaud drove an unregistered motor tractor along the Three Bridge Access Dam in Mibicuri South. According to police, Rampersaud was proceeding south along the dam at what was described as a normal speed. However, as he approached a wooden bridge and began to make a right turn, he reportedly lost control of the tractor. The vehicle then veered off course and overturned, plunging
into a nearby trench. Bystanders quickly pulled Rampersaud from the water. He was rushed to the Mibicuri Public Hospital but was pronounced dead on ar-
it awaits a post-mortem examination.
rival. Rampersaud’s body has been transferred to Ramoo’s Funeral Home, where
The tractor after it toppled into the trench
Joint Services ranks searching for the armed suspects
Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira
11-year-old remanded for fatally stabbing 13-year-old friend
An11-year-old boy who has been charged with manslaughter in the stabbing death of his 13-year-old friend has been remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre following his appearance before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Children’s Court in Georgetown. He has also been ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine his fitness for trial.
Resumption of this trial is set for November 11.
Recap
The fatal stabbing of Kareem Durant occurred on October 29 at Cummings Park in E Field, Sophia
during a heated confrontation.
According to police reports, the 11-year-old and Durant, known to each other as friends, had had an al-
tercation that escalated.
Reports indicate that the incident began when Durant allegedly pushed the younger boy off a stack of PVC pipes outside his home. The 11-year -old then ran inside and informed his 16-year-old brother, who then confronted Durant to ask what had happened.
This had led to an argument, after which Durant had left and returned with another youth, who was armed with a pair of scissors.
Durant allegedly used the scissors to stab the 16-year-old brother of the suspect in the lower back, and the 11-year-old then reportedly pulled out a knife
from his waistband and delivered a fatal stab to Durant’s chest.
Durant managed to run a short distance before collapsing near his home. His older brother rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police recovered a brown-handle knife that is believed to be the murder weapon from a nearby trench, and also found the pair of scissors close to where Durant had fallen.
The young suspect was taken into custody at the scene, accompanied by his father, and was transported to the Turkeyen Police Station. (G9)
2 arrested after separate armed robberies on ECD
Two suspects are in custody following separate armed robberies along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Tuesday evening, as police continue their search for additional suspects linked to both incidents.
The incidents, which took place in Clonbrook and Ogle, involved groups of armed men robbing unsuspecting persons of cash, jewelry, and cell phones.
The first incident occurred around 18:50h at a barbershop in Clonbrook, ECD. A 30-year-old barber and two customers were in the shop when four men arrived in a vehicle. One suspect entered alone, posing as a customer and requesting a haircut.
Just moments later,
three more men, wearing masks and wielding what appeared to be pistols, stormed into the shop. The men pointed their weapons at the victims, forcing them to surrender their valuables.
…for health
President Ali ain’t one to hide his emotions!! And boy, did he make his feelings known about the failure of the contractor to keep to the schedule for completing the new specialized Maternal and Paediatric Hospital at Goedverwagting, on the East Coast of Demerara! It’s the first project to come out of an MoU between Guyana and Austria, and the EUR 149 million (Gy$31.9 billion) contract for the hospital was signed on June 8, 2022, with work starting last year. The contractor, VAMED Engineeringappointed by the Government of Austria – is headquartered there. So much for Teutonic efficiency!! So, we can see that delays on Government projects aren’t caused only by “friends and family” contractors - as the Opposition’s been carrying on ad nauseam!!
From the days of the plantation, maternal and paediatric care had been disastrous, and our maternal and post-natal death rates are still much too high. The hospital’s gonna be a referral one for the entire country on tough cases; and, at long last, things should improve in this critical area. The facility would have 256 beds, CT scans, X-rays, and a modern laboratory and MRI scanning equipment that would help in the critical area of providing more accurate and precise diagnoses. Many of our doctors are as competent as those in the developed countries, and some emigrate to practice there; but, up to now, they’ve lacked the comparable sophisticated diagnostic tools to guide them.
The robbers reportedly took two gold chains worth $1 million and $25,000 from the barber, along with a combined total of $180,000 and two mobile phones from the customers. After collecting their loot, the suspects fled the barbershop and sped away in their vehicle.
An alarm was raised, and nearby police patrols were
alerted. Officers soon spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspects’ car near Beterverwagting (BV), ECD. A motorcycle patrol initiated a high-speed chase, but at a certain point, the suspects stopped the car, exited, and attempted to flee on foot. Police managed to apprehend the driver; however, the three other suspects escaped and are still at large.
Just two hours later, at around 20:30h., another robbery took place, this time on the Ogle Embankment, ECD. It was reported that a 25-year-old female security guard was walking along the road when six men arrived on three motorcycles.
One of the men brandished what appeared to be a firearm and pointed it at her, demanding her belongings. The suspects then forcibly took her gold chain, valued at $60,000, $25,000 in cash, and her cell phone before speeding off.
Following an alert, police responding to the area managed to arrest one suspect associated with the Ogle incident. Investigations are ongoing as authorities pursue the other individuals involved in both crimes. (G9)
But this hospital isn’t the only initiative to improve healthcare delivery. In fact, the Govt has embarked on a countrywide expansion programme, even as existing hospitals are improved. In 2022, Govt signed contracts with China’s Sinopharm for the construction of SIX new regional hospitals across five of our ten regions. After checking the P&M Hospital at Goedverwagting, Pressie moseyed over to Enmore, where one of the six is under construction. The others are at Anna Regina (Region Two), De Kinderen (Region Three), Diamond (Region Four), Bath (Region Five), and Skeldon (Region Six). The $6.6 billion Enmore facility should give us an inkling of what’s ahead – with a fully equipped laboratory, two modern operating theatres, - with seventy-five beds in rooms each with their own washroom facilities. As President Ali said, “Basically, everything Georgetown offers will be here.”
In the estimation of your Eyewitness, the greatest challenge would be in staffing. For instance, we’re already challenged for nurses at GPHC - where hundreds are needed. Even with increased training of nurses and new doctors, we’ve been depending on Cuba to make up for the shortfall – also with doctors.
But with the English skills of most being very pathetic, we‘re on the top of a volcano for misdiagnosis and treatment!! For want of a nail…
…for cash grants
This thought crossed your Eyewitness’s mind as he’s following the cacophony that followed the Government’s announcement that it was gonna be handing out $200,000 to every household from our oil revenues!! Right off the bat, there came screams that we don’t have a definition of what’s a “household”, and that would allow the Government to favour “friends and family” and shaft Opposition supporters!!
So, the Government took heed and modified the offer to $100,000 to each Guyanese over 18 – whose names can be extracted from the Official List of Electors, including overseas-based citizens, who’d have to saunter down with their passport or ID to collect!! Well, who told the Government to make it simple?? More screams!! This time that the Government must take its proposal to Parliament for legislative approval!! But it’s gonna be like when the Opposition approved National ID Cards for voting – they reneged and went to the courts!!
There’s the advice of Paul Anka’s “Garden Party”: since you can’t please everyone, you gotta please yourself!!
…for US elections
Well, by now you’ll know who’s gonna be the new president of the good, ole US of A!! Writing this on Tuesday, your Eyewitness predicts that Trump’s gonna come out ahead in a nail-biting finish!!
Dead: Kareem Durant
The car and motorcycle that were seized
One of the suspects from the armed robberies in Police custody
Govt working to beef up enforcement powers of Integrity Commission
The government is looking to beef up the enforcement powers of the Integrity Commission, which was established to ensure that Persons in Public Life maintain high standards of integrity while performing their public functions and as an anti-corruption mechanism.
During an AntiCorruption workshop organized by her Ministry at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre on Tuesday, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira spoke on the government’s anti-corruption efforts from a legislative perspective.
According to Teixeira, the PPP/C government has previously passed a number of legislations in the anti-corruption fight. She explained that these legislations, such as the Integrity Commission Act which ensures transparency in the financial lives of
public officials, are being reviewed and strengthened.
“When we look at our anti-corruption framework, because there is one. And we look at the integrity commission act, which people have felt they could disobey, that’s changing. The screws are tightening on people who hold public office and refuse to declare their assets. The Integrity Commission Act, which has been around for a long time, is now under review,” Teixeira said.
“We have a lot of work to do though. We have a framework. We’ve been making steps forward and tightening up and improving the areas of accountability and transparency… one of the important areas that are under review now… I’m aware the Attorney General Chambers are working on the Companies Act. And that came out of a recommendation of an earlier workshop we had, in 2022,
Man admits to chopping reputed wife to death
Nicholas Shawn Williams, 49, has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter for the fatal chopping of his estranged partner, Clarabel Johnson.
In a recent hearing before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court Williams, initially facing a murder charge, accepted the reduced charge. He will be sentenced on November 27.
The incident occurred on October 6, 2020 in Albouystown, Georgetown. Williams had attacked
his reputed wife Clarabel Johnson at Cooper Street, Albouystown, a short distance from her home, reportedly striking her in the back of her right knee with a cutlass.
The blow severed a major artery, causing intense bleeding. Despite the efforts of public-spirited citizens who rushed her to the Georgetown Public Hospital, Johnson died from her injuries while receiving treatment.
Williams fled the scene but was later apprehended by police that evening at James Street, Albouystown.
Johnson, a mother of three young children, had separated from Williams and was living with her parents, hoping to escape his abuse. Family members had reported that she had taken out a restraining order against him, but her attempts to protect herself ultimately failed to keep him at a distance. Williams was represented by attorney Kiswana Jefford. (G9)
with the Private Sector, government and civil society.”
According to Teixeira, the Attorney General Chamber’s work on the Companies Act would see improvements being made to sections of the Act that would fill gaps in the law and clear up ambiguities. In an interview with the media afterwards, Teixeira noted that defining conflicts of interest and strengthening the reporting mechanism, are among the areas being strengthened in the Integrity Commission Act. However, she admitted that more could be done on the enforcement side of the Integrity Commission Act.
The Integrity Commission Act was assented to on September 24, 1997. It establishes the Integrity Commission, with the aim of ensuring that Persons in Public Life maintain high standards of integrity in the performance of their public functions. This plays a big role in improving the standards of governance, ensur-
ing transparency and accountability.
The Commission has the power to take any measures needed for the proper performance of its function and in discharging its function; it is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. Under the law, any public officer who fails to comply with the Commission is liable upon summary conviction, to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for a period of not less than six months or more than one year.
The Commission had in August of this year published a long list of defaulters, which included notable names such as Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. And last year, when several senior public servants and officials were flagged for failing to submit their declarations to the Integrity Commission, Government had taken a stance that, should those persons remain non-compliant, they would be asked to leave their jobs. (G3)
Fisherman admits to fatally stabbing fellow fisherman
Ramesh Ramdeen admitted to manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of fellow fisherman, Noel Singh. The 20-year-old appeared in the Demerara High Court, before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.
The incident occurred on October 20, 2019, outside Singh’s home in Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara.
According to reports, Singh had just returned home from a nearby bar when Ramdeen confronted him, continuing an argument that had begun almost a week earlier. The verbal exchange quickly turned violent, with Ramdeen reportedly pulling a knife and stabbing Singh twice in the chest and once in the back. Singh managed to stumble to his yard before collapsing, and he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Singh died from stab wounds that perforated his heart. Ramdeen was arrested two days later at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and initially faced a murder charge in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. Ramdeen’s sentencing is set for November 21. (G9)
Dead: Clarabel Johnson
Dead: Noel Singh Charged: Ramesh Ramdeen
Humane approach to correction needed in prison – Benn …as 38 recruits graduate from GPS recruit training course
As the Guyana Prison Service received 38 newly trained officers, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has reemphasised the importance of rehabilitation for persons in prison rather than them experiencing violence.
He made this disclosure while delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony on Tuesday.
Benn also emphasized the importance of reform within the prison system, noting that the GPS’s role is not just custodial but rehabilitative.
“We don’t want people to come into the prison and be treated with cruelty. We want to rehabilitate them. We want to make them better citizens. We want them
to be stable and to come out and have jobs. We want them to go out and join their families and not pose a threat to their families, to themselves, or to the wider community,”
Minister Benn stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to a humane approach in corrections.
Meanwhile, he shed light on the impact of the training and stressed that the officers play a crucial role in the safety and development of society. “This is the biggest movement in the economic, social, and physical development of this country. And you, young people, are now the point and the tip of the spear of this effort,”
Minister Benn asserted, urging recruits to make the best
of the opportunities provided and to embody the discipline and integrity essential to their roles.
Benn commended the recruits and the GPS training team for their commitment to this demanding field of service.
Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot, also welcomed the new recruits, urging them to adhere to high standards of conduct and integrity. “You are now part of a dedicated team working to ensure the security and stability of our nation,” Mr. Elliot noted, encouraging the graduates to approach their roles with commitment and professionalism.
Lending the same perspective, Deputy Director
of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim, during his brief remarks, reminded them of their responsibility in maintaining the rights and dignity of inmates under their care.
“It is crucial that you understand the role you play in the care and rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated,” Mr. Pilgrim remarked. “Let me remind you most emphatically that prisoners, just like other citizens, are entitled to enjoy their fundamental human rights, restricted as they may be.”
Mr. Pilgrim further highlighted the numerous training opportunities available through the Guyana Prison Service, aimed at fostering professional growth and skill development.
Honoring those who excelled in the training course, the GPS awarded several distinctions to outstanding recruits. Farida Adolphus earned the title of Best Student Overall and also placed as Second Runner-Up for Best Shot. Emanuel Benn was recognized as the First Runner-Up for Best Student, while Neol Rose was celebrated for achieving the Best Shot, with Alex LaRose named as the First RunnerUp in the same category.
Kimberly Chase was awarded Best Student in Prison Management, and Kenroy Debideen was acknowledged as the Most Improved Student.
The recruits have completed a rigorous training
course covering security protocols, rehabilitation methods, and prison management skills. This curriculum, aligned with international standards, underscores the government’s commitment to an empathetic and effective correctional approach. Investments in training, modern facilities, and personnel development reflect a broader goal to reduce recidivism and promote humane treatment within the prison system.
The graduates are now poised to contribute to the country’s correctional system, embodying the principles of accountability, respect, and empathy as they uphold their duties in the GPS.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn awarding one of the graduates
A section of the gathering at the event
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
New midwifery training to aid reduction of maternal, neonatal fatalities
Anew midwifery training dubbed ‘The First Midwives Guyana Project’ is expected to equip local healthcare professionals with the skills needed to improve the level of care being accessed by pregnant women, ultimately reducing Guyana’s maternal and neonatal fatality rate.
The programme administered by experts from the Canadian Network for International Surgery is a joint venture being spearheaded by the Governments of Guyana and Canada, and is being powered by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.
Guyana Times understands that the initiative is set to transform midwifery education and practice, resulting in improved birth
outcomes, decreased infant mortality and shorter hospital stays, among others.
During Tuesday’s launch at the Health Ministry’s Boardroom on Brickdam, Deputy Director of Health Sciences Education, Chandroutie Persaud disclosed that simulation exercises will be conducted in batch of fours and fives, fostering a more hands-on learning approach and catering for each student's needs and learning style.
“The First Midwives Guyana Project will implement several key activities strengthening both the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge of midwifery and medex students. These include three basic areas such as the collaborative training programmes
birth, also we expect a decrease in unnecessary medical intervention and an increase in satisfaction among women with their birthing experience,” Persaud shared.
The Deputy Director of Health Sciences Education added that several local midwives will benefit from administration training, which is geared towards promoting the sustainability of the programme.
“We will also have a mentorship programme where
vesting in the health and future of communities across Guyana," she emphasised.
As of September 2024, Guyana has recorded a 60 per cent decrease in neonatal deaths when compared to same period in 2023.
According to data provided by the head of GPHC to the local media, there have been some 28 babies died within an average of 28 or more days of their birth this year while 68 babies died last year.
with our esteemed partners the Canadian Network for International Surgery where
you will have expert trainer to facilitate structured session”.
“The impact of this programme will be profound and long lasting. With enhanced skills and confidence our midwives will be better prepared to provide high quality care leading to more positive health outcomes for both mothers and newborns. We expect this initiative to result in significant reduction in preventable complications during pregnancy and child
we will have 25 midwives who will be trained to guide our students and to nurture this programme so that we will have sustainability and continuality are this grant expires… We know that skilled midwives are essential for reducing maternal and infant mortality, ensuring safe pregnancies, and fostering the holistic well-being of mothers and babies. This initiative is not just about training; it’s about in-
Meanwhile, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) recorded its lowest maternal death record with 10 maternal deaths for 2023. It was disclosed during GPHC’s end of year report that three women died due to ectopic pregnancies, three due to respiratory disorders, another three died of hypertensive conditions during their pregnancies, and one faced a hypovolemic shock after her c-section. (G1)
Some of the persons who are part of the programme
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
Shameless, reprehensible, repulsive that Hughes sees nothing to apologise for
When the PNCled APNU/AFC government was forced to agree to a recount during their disgraceful attempt to thief the March 2020 elections, they denied entry to international observers, including the world-renowned Carter Center, to observe the recount. It was a despicable act, and the AFC was part of the Government that was responsible for this reprehensible act. They have never apologised for this.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
The story of the attempted rigging of the March 2020 elections was not merely the events of the five-monthlong efforts by the PNC-led APNU/AFC to alter the results of the elections. The rigging process started long before the actual elections. One of the shameful actions took place soon after the successful NoConfidence Motion (NCM) against the Government in December 2018. In the clumsy effort to reverse the results of that NCM, the PNCled APNU/AFC claimed that 33 was not the majority of 65.
The mathematics genius in this case was Nigel Hughes, now the leader of the AFC. All the participants in that sordid affair, including the PNC, the AFC, the WPA, and all the other one-man political parties that were part of the APNU/AFC coalition, disgraced Guyana by putting us on a world stage and making us appear as if a whole nation was mathematically challenged. We needed the Caribbean Court of Justice to tell us that 33 is the majority of 65, no matter how bravely Moses Nagamootoo tried to justify the travesty with his half-bottle and quarter-bottle rum story.
But even before that, in June 2018, David Granger violated the constitution and arbitrarily appointed 81-year -old James Patterson as GECOM Chair. The CCJ had to intervene and stop the deliberate violation of the constitution. David Granger had not gone rogue and acted alone; he was part of a machinery that included the AFC. Indeed, several leaders of the AFC publicly tried to justify the appointment of James Patterson. Would Raphael Trotman be able to deny this fact? Does Nigel Hughes not know this story?
It is reprehensible that Nigel Hughes, the leader of the AFC, sees no reason why his party needs to apologise for its action in the shameful, disgraceful attempt to rig the results of the March 2020 elections. Bruce Golding, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, who headed the Organization of American States’ (OAS’) Observer Team said he never saw a more transparent attempt to alter the results of an election. Government leaders at the time, like Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Cathy Hughes, David Patterson, Sherod Duncan, all played roles in the rigging attempt. Yet, Nigel Hughes sees nothing that the AFC did that deserves an apology.
Many of the AFC leaders insisted that APNU/AFC’s Statements of Poll were proof of them winning the elections. Many of them at the time claimed they had seen the SOPs. But up to today, they have not shown anyone their copies of the SOPs. One of them, Cathy Hughes, now admits in court that she did not see the SOPs. Why has the PNC-led APNU/AFC hidden their SOPs like Fort Knox hides gold bars? That AFC leaders insisted initially that they won the elections based on their copies of the SOPs, when in fact they were lying because they either never saw their copies of the SOPs or they saw them and lied about the results, is reprehensible and a betrayal of the Guyanese people, especially their own supporters. Should the AFC not apologise for this dishonesty?
As the rigging strategy began to emerge soon after the March 2, 2020 elections, two AFC leaders, Khemraj Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes, held a press conference and informed the nation that they caught in the country four Russians who came to Guyana to use sophisticated technology to hack the elections results. That no one can hack a paper-based electoral system did not matter in their story-telling. They claimed that three of the Russians were caught and deported, and that one of them managed to escape with the equipment. More recently, Ramjattan dug in his heels in the lie by insisting the men were caught “talking” Russian with Bharrat Jagdeo. This was an insult to the intelligence of the Guyanese people. Their own supporters laughed at the ridiculous story. Is it not high time that the AFC apologise to the Guyanese people?
When Keith Lowenfield - who was then chief elections officer, but is now before the courts for conspiracy to defraud the Guyanese people their votes - tried to disenfranchise the Guyanese people their constitutional right by deciding to discard their votes in the tallying of results, where were the AFC? They have no reason now to apologise for allowing this travesty?
Lowenfield was supported in this crime by the PNC/AFC GECOM representatives. Seriously, is Nigel Hughes not aware why the AFC need to apologise?
When Misenga Jones was recruited to ask the court to have the recount figures discarded and Mingo’s original false declaration for Region 4 used for the preparation of Lowenfield’s report, where was the AFC? Did they not know how and why Jones was recruited to add to the trauma the Guyanese people were being forced to endure? Is Hughes still not aware why the AFC must apologise?
APNU/AFC used COVID-19 as an excuse to delay the recount, when they insisted the Convention Center had to be disinfected. This is just a short list of the atrocities the AFC need to apologise for. It is sheer dishonesty for Hughes to insist there is nothing to apologise for.
Japan’s support for water management in Guyana lauded
The Guyana
Government is working assiduously to develop and implement systems that would ensure all citizens have access to clean potable water, and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal has recently lauded the Japanese Government for its support to Guyana in this respect.
As he delivered remarks at “the JapanCaricom Friendship Year 2024” event, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal told the gathering that the friendship between Guyana and Japan goes all the way back to the late 1960s, during which time Japan has been a key player in several local sectors, such as water and energy.
“Guyana’s friendship with Japan spans more than 50 years since we’ve established diplomatic relations in 1967. Our economic cooperation is strong, and we have built relations through grant aid and training programmes among (other areas). In fact, since 1989, the Government of Guyana has been benefitting from grant and non-project grant assistance from the Government of Japan, primarily aimed at improving the health, water, and energy sectors,” Croal disclosed.
He also highlighted that Guyana and Japan have partnered, over the years, on several collaborative water projects that have since transformed Guyana’s water sector.
“The completion of the Japanese-funded water treatment plant in Queenstown, Corriverton -- that has provided more than 15,000 persons with access to safe water through the rehabilitation of existing wells, the construction of new treatment plants, the installation of distribution mainlines, and the procurement of water meters -- this project followed the completion of the first phase, which involved the construction of a treatment plant at #56 Village on the Corentyne. While Guyana has never been a recipient of a Japanese loan in recent years, having been characterized as an upper-middle-income country, we were however offered concessional loans to assist in the refurbishing (of) the Guyana Water Inc.,” Croal disclosed.
The Housing and Water Minister also revealed that the governments of Guyana and Japan, together with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), are collaborating on a project that would see the construction of a water treatment plant at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.
“Presently, the Government of Guyana, the IDB, and Japan are collaborating on a project for the construction of a water treatment plant at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. Once implemented, this project will reduce our dependency on some of our water sources, while providing a more reliable supply of water to residents on the East Bank of Demerara,” Croal explained.
Considering the importance of water security, Minister Croal took this opportunity to thank the Government of Japan for support rendered to Guyana
over the years, and noted that Japan’s investments and expertise have contributed significantly to Guyana achieving several sustainable water management goals.
“Your support has helped us to meet our water targets that we have set for our country through the years, and we are grateful. Access to clean, safe, and reliable water means greater opportunities, improved health, and the resilience needed to strive in an uncertain future. And we are honoured to have Japan share this journey with us. Let us all therefore reaffirm
our shared commitment to building a future where every community, regardless of size or circumstance, has access to the water resources essential to life and prosperity,” Croal declared.
Commemoration of this anniversary of the CaricomJapan friendship was held as a high-level engagement at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, and officials from Caricom, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), among other agencies, engaged in crucial discussions on sustainable water management.
The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the Japan-Caricom Consultations, and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica, and Japan and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. To commemorate these events, the year 2024 has been designated as the “Japan-Caricom Friendship Year 2024”, and commemorative projects will be implemented in Japan and Caricom countries with the aim of deepening exchanges between Japan and Caricom countries.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal delivering remarks at the event commemorating “Japan-Caricom Friendship Year 2024”
Adelegation from the Parliament of Guyana, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, is currently participating in the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Sydney, Australia.
The Guyanese delegation includes Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Sonia Parag, M.P; Opposition MP, Ganesh Mahipaul; Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, A.A.; Parliamentary Executive Assistant, Candayce Girard-Kirton.
A key highlight of the Guyana delegation’s involvement will be the participation of Speaker Manzoor Nadir in the Small Branches Workshop C, where he will present on "Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Modernising the Westminster System in Small Jurisdictions.” Meanwhile, Minister Parag will lead a presentation at Workshop F, which focuses on “Benchmarking, Standards, and Guidelines: Strengthening the Institution of Parliaments through the Adoption of Best Practice.” Both sessions will showcase Guyana's experiences and innovative approaches to
modernising parliamentary practices, with particular attention to small jurisdictions.
Commenting on the significance of the event, Nadir said, "The 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference offers a critical opportunity for us to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build partnerships that strength-
en democratic institutions and governance worldwide. Guyana’s involvement in this prestigious gathering underscores our commitment to parliamentary excellence and to fostering dialogue on global issues that transcend borders."
The event, which runs from November 3-8, 2024, is hosted by the Parliament of New South Wales and
the CPA New South Wales Branch. The conference is a key global platform for over 700 Parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth to engage on critical issues fac-
ing modern democracies.
The 67th CPC brings together Speakers, Presiding Officers, and Members of Parliament from nearly 180 Commonwealth nations and territories. As the only parliamentary association that unites national, state, provincial, and territorial legislatures, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) provides a unique opportunity for cross-jurisdictional dialogue on strengthening democratic governance, legislative practices, and human rights.
The theme for this year’s conference, “Engage, Empower, sustain: Charting the Course for Resilient Democracy,” reflects the global challenges facing parliaments today. The conference features discussions and workshops on a wide array of pressing issues, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence and technology in parliamentary work, enhancing the security of Members of Parliament (MPs), combatting human trafficking, promoting anti-discrimi-
nation legislation, and fostering inclusivity for marginalized groups, including the LGBT+ community and people with disabilities.
The conference also includes several specialized meetings, such as the 40th CPA Small Branches Conference, the 8th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference, and the 58th Society of Clerks at the Table (SOCATT) meetings. Additionally, delegates will participate in meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network and the CPA General Assembly. As part of the proceedings, delegates will elect the Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee and the CPA Small Branches Chairperson.
The Guyanese delegation’s active participation in the conference reaffirms Guyana’s dedication to advancing parliamentary democracy, enhancing legislative practices, and promoting global co-operation among Commonwealth nations.
Driven by a national mandate, educational facilities nationwide have been embracing technology use in schools and learning environments.
However, on the other hand, students' dependency on smart devices is negatively impacting their spelling abilities.
This point was raised by the education officer with responsibility for literacy in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).
While acknowledging the numerous positives of embracing technology in schools, the education officer with responsibility for literacy in Region Six, Simone Profit, pointed out that there are pitfalls as well.
One such is the impact it has is on students’ abilities to spell.
She made this point at a spelling bee competition in the region. The spelling ‘B’ competition involving grade 4 students was held at New Amsterdam’s Town Hall. It was a part of the Town’s celebratory activities for its 133rd anniversary.
The first place went to All Saints Primary, with St Aloysius Primary and Alleyne’s Academy following in that order.
The top student was Adrian Sookpaul of All Saints, followed by Daniel Griffith of Alleyne’s Academy and Jada Patior of Learners
Academy.
“I would say that it was very exciting to hear the children spell words that would have been perceived as being difficult. Several words were spelled that parents and teachers within the audience squeezing, thinking that the words were too difficult for the children, however, those words were spelled by the learners with no difficulty at all,” Profit revealed.
However, she expressed concern over the impact smart devices are having on their spelling ability.
For example, she lamented that many students were using American spellings as opposed to British versions.
Traditionally, Guyana used the British version of spelling.
“I realise that for the younger generation that for the younger generation, and I am thinking that it is be-
cause they use their electronic tablets and other similar devices so often that has the American spelling it gives the American spelling; so where the British spelling would have ‘o u r’, with most of those words, they were giving the ‘o r’ and then we had to remind them that we are using the British version. I think that is one of the areas that our teachers would need to work on, even parents in helping the children to understand the difference between the two.”
Meanwhile, the literacy officer said more emphasis needs to be placed on words with silent letters since some of those words pose challenges for students to spell.
The presentation of prizes will be at a date still to be announced.
The competition was sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd.
The Guyanese delegation at the event
Region Six Education Officer with responsibility for literacy, Simone Profit
“We cannot advance Caricom if member states fail to produce updated, accurate data” – Deputy SG
Recognising the importance of statistics in achieving the Sustainable Developmental Goals, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has launched the Fourth HighLevel Advocacy Forum on Statistics to reinforce the need for member states to strengthen their capabilities in collecting, analysing and utilising critical data.
On Monday, policy-makers and Government Ministers among others gathered in Placencia, Belize, for Caricom’s Fourth High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics. The event saw stakeholders engaging in crucial discussions on several key topics such as the progress of the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics (RSDS) and the impact of technological advancements on the sector, among others. Speaking at the Engagement was Caricom’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis, who highlighted the importance of statistics as the Region pushes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Despite the significant strides, there is still a long journey ahead. Statistics remain a highly-dynamic field, with growing demand for data from both official and traditional sources. We simply cannot advance the Caribbean Community and secure a viable, sustainable, and prosperous community for all the citizens of Caricom if our member states are not capable of producing up-todate, accurate, relevant, and comprehensive data.”
On this point the Deputy SG highlighted that the fo-
rum will serve as a platform for innovation. Noting that the forum will continue to serve as the Region’s premier statistics event, bringing together policy-makers, Government Ministers, stakeholders in regional statistics.
“For the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) to remain viable over the next 50 years, it must cultivate greater innovation and creativity in responding to the growing demands and expand its reach to build greater appreciation for statistics as a critical input for sustainable development. During this week’s engagements, we will place in sharp focus the mandate of the High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics, which is to lift the profile of statistics and to garner political and other support for its development in Caricom.”
Additionally, the SG revealed that Caricom is currently in the process of bolstering its Regional Statistics Programme (RSP).
“We are in the process of undertaking an assess-
ment of the optimal future state for the Regional Statistics Programme with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The project aims to strengthen the Regional Statistics Programme as a focal point for regional statistics and enhance regional coordination and the development, harmonisation and quality of statistics produced by the National Statistical Offices[NSOs]. It is envisioned that a stronger regional authority will improve the overall coordination of the Caricom statistical system, strengthening its capacity and the capacity of the NSOs, assisting mobilising financing for statistics development and improvement of the statistical infrastructure across the Region.”
Also present at the event was Director of the Statistics Division of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Rolando Alcantar who highlighted the crucial role Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play in the manag-
ing of statistical data.
“Innovation is another focal point today, particu-
larly the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for en-
hancing data quality, access, and security. In the recent 23rd meeting of the SCA’s Executive Committee, we discussed the critical role of technological advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence, in official statistics.”
Additionally, Alcantar lauded Caricom for its support in the regional advancement of statistics, in this regard he also reaffirmed the UN’s commitment towards working with Caricom member states. The theme of the Forum is "Strengthening Statistics through the Regional Strategy for the Development of Statistics for a Resilient Caribbean Community.”
3 suspects detained as Police probe murder of food vendor
Three men are now in Police custody as investigations continue into the death of Nigel Somersall, a 56-year-old food vendor from Wismar, Linden, who was found dead early Monday morning.
On Monday afternoon, a 55-year-old contractor turned himself in at the Wismar Police Station, accompanied by his lawyer. Reports are that his decision to surrender follows the earlier arrest of two other men, a 22-year-old construction worker and miner, and a 19-year-old pork-knocker.
Both men, also from Wismar, were detained shortly before 13:00h for questioning in connection
with Somersall’s death.
According to Police, early Monday morning, Somersall’s cousin found him lying motionless next to his motorcycle on the roadside near his home in West Watooka. According reports, residents heard a motorcycle approaching the area around 03:54h, followed by a burst of gunfire. Moments later, there was a loud crash believed to be the sound of Somersall’s motorcycle hitting the ground.
Police arrived at the scene just after 5:30h. While authorities have not yet commented on the suspected motive, they have acknowledged that Somersall, who operated a popular food stall in Wismar, had
vived a previous shooting in 2022.
sur-
Dead: Nigel Somersall
Caricom’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr Armstrong Alexis
Director of the Statistics Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Rolando Alcantar
Regional
Antiguan lawmaker stabbed to death at home, Police say
Amember of Antigua and Barbuda's Parliament was found dead at his home early on Tuesday with a stab wound to his chest and other injuries, Police said, adding his death was being investigated as a murder.
Lawmaker Asot Michael was killed in "a brutal and senseless act of violence" in his home in the neighbourhood of Dry Hill, in St John Parish on the island's west end, according to a statement from his family.
Police said in a statement that a suspect had been identified, without naming the person.
Michael had previously served as Tourism, Economic Development and Energy Minister under Prime Minister Gaston Browne, though the two had a falling-out and Michael left the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.
He was elected to Parliament last year as an independent.
"Despite our differences, I regarded him as a brother," Browne said in a statement. "I pledge that our Government will provide all necessary resources to the
Royal Police Force to ensure a thorough investigation."
The death sent shock waves across the Caribbean island. Michael was described by local media as a controversial yet influential figure in Antiguan politics.
Other members of the Labour Party expressed their sorrow and shock and paid tribute to Michael.
Describing his death as a significant loss to the Party , the Party s chair, EP Chet Greene, said: It was with profound sadness and great alarm that I received the news of the tragic death of Asot Michael, the elected representative of St Peter,
possibly due to foul play.
The Labour Party s First Vice-Chair, Samantha Marshall, said Michael would be remembered as someone who championed the rights of the marginalised and advocated for policies that uplifted the underprivileged .
The news of Michael s death prompted an outpouring of grief from the local community, with crowds gathering outside his residence. Local authorities have appealed for calm, patience and respect for his family.
(Reuters and the Guardian)
EU official expects Mercosur trade deal this year, dismisses changes on deforestation law
The European Union expects to close the trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur by the end of the year, the EU commissioner for crisis management told Reuters late last week, although noting there were still differences to be solved.
Janez Lenarcic, who is not directly participating in the talks with Mercosur, acknowledged that a new EU law banning the import of products linked to the destruction of the world's forests has been a sticking point, but said the law will not change though its implementation is on the verge of being put off for another year.
Mercosur joins Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and most recently Bolivia in a market that is a sought-after destination for EU manufacturing exporters, though European farmers, especially in France, fear the competition it will bring.
"First of all, the European Union wants this agreement, let me be very clear about that," Lenarcic said in an interview on Friday in Brazil, where he joined a G20 summit focused on climate disas-
ters.
"There are some open questions," he said, adding the EU "hopes to be able to find solutions to the remaining issues soon, by the end of this year".
Lenarcic said he believes the EU's new deforestation law has affected the negotiations, especially when it comes to Brazil.
The European Commission proposed, and the bloc's ambassadors agreed last month, to delay implementation of the law by a year until the end of December 2025 after pressure from some member
states and major agricultural product exporters such as Brazil.
Lenarcic said the EU has listened to the requests to postpone the law's implementation, but noted that, in the end, the regulation will not change.
A deal between the EU and Mercosur has been in the works for some 25 years. The parties had announced an agreement in 2019, but it was never formally ratified due to EU demands for commitments on Amazonian deforestation and climate change.(Excerpt from Reuters)
Brazil looks at curbing health, education spending in fiscal package, sources say
Brazil's Government is preparing measures to curb spending that would put health and education expenditures under a general cap that already applies to other outlays, two officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
The measures, which have not been finalised, are aimed at easing fiscal concerns that have pushed Brazil's currency to its weakest level since March 2021 in recent sessions, amid volatile trading
ahead of the US election.
The Government sources, who requested anonymity to discuss ongoing talks, said the plan is to end an exemption for health and education spending from fiscal rules passed last year under President Luiz In cio Lula da Silva's Administration.
Those new fiscal rules combine annual fiscal targets with a spending growth cap of up to 2.5 per cent above inflation.
The Finance Ministry declined to comment on discussions.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad previously said the Government was working on measures to extend the lifespan of the new fiscal framework, which could be announced this week.
Earlier on Tuesday, Lula's chief of staff was set to meet with the Ministers of Social Security and Social Development to discuss new fiscal measures, his office said in a statement.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Tropical Storm Rafael strengthens as it barrels towards Cayman Islands, Cuba
Tropical Storm Rafael was rapidly picking up steam on Tuesday afternoon as it chugged toward the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, and will likely become a hurricane in the next few hours, according to the US-based National Hurricane Center.
Rafael was blowing maximum sustained winds of 113 kilometres per hour (70 mph) after skirting past western Jamaica around mid-day, the NHC said in a weather report.
Residents in Jamaica hunkered down, with four emergency shelters activated, according to authorities. No deaths or injuries were reported as bursts of heavy rain dumped on the island.
As Rafael chugged toward the Cayman Islands, the British territory was setting up its own preparations and bracing for damage to infrastructure, power lines and water systems, the Government said in a statement.
Premier Juliana O'Connor-Connolly told
Radio Cayman that schools would remain closed today.
Storm Rafael will likely brush near western Cuba or be even stronger when it makes landfall today, the NHC said, and pass over the Gulf of Mexico by this evening.
"We cannot rule out the possibility that Rafael could intensify into a major hurricane before reaching Cuba," AccuWeather
meteorologist Jon Porter said in a statement. "That would be Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of 111 to 129 mph," he explained.
In Cuba, officials quickly worked to collect garbage and clear drains, particularly in capital Havana on the western end of the island, according to State media outlet Granma.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Used-car dealers to pay ANSA Bank TT$24M for loan conspiracy
Five foreign used-car dealerships have been ordered to pay almost TT$24 million in compensation to ANSA Bank for their roles in a fraudulent loan conspiracy.
Delivering a judgment Monday morning, High Court Judge Frank Seepersad granted default judgments to the bank against Ceylon Marketing, Joalex Auto, Miva Import Export Consultancy, Diamond Conceptions
Company, and It s A Deal.
Justice Seepersad ruled that the companies had failed to present sufficient defences to the cogent and comprehensive case of commercial fraud and misrepresentation that was presented against them by the bank.
He said, These allegations required robust and compelling responses so as to convince the court that each defendant had a reasonable prospect that the claimant s claims could be
successfully defended.
As part of his ruling, Justice Seepersad ordered the companies to pay the sums claimed by the bank less the loan payments they had made before the case was filed. The outcome of the bank s preliminary application for summary judgments means that its case against six of its former employees, one of their wives, and another company will now continue to trial before Justice Seepersad.
In October last year, the bank filed an over TT$30 million lawsuit against former employees Randy Gottsleben, Dwayne Rojas, Zaria Sankar, Navinra Rambarran, Reyvaan Rampersad, Kerry Ramsaroop, Gottsleben s wife Adriana Ramsingh, Arnold Ramjass Auto Mechanical & Painting Garage, and the five other companies.
The bank launched an investigation after its director, Larry Howai, re -
ceived a letter from a whistleblower alleging misconduct and disrespect for duty . The initial investigation found that there were loan transactions not in accordance with company policy. In the lawsuit, the bank is alleging that its former employees and the companies engaged in a conspiracy to present fraudulent documents and make fraudulent representations to secure loans. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Asot Michael had previously served as Tourism, Economic Development and Energy Minister (Wayne Mariette/Facebook photo)
Oil prices edge up on Gulf of Mexico storm
ONEWS
Netanyahu sacks Defence Minister, jolting Israeli politics as war grinds on
sraeli Prime Minister
IBenjamin Netanyahu fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, citing a “crisis of trust”, and replaced him with close ally Israel Katz to lead the country’s war in Gaza and Lebanon.
il prices edged up about one per cent on Tuesday with a storm expected to cut US output in the Gulf of Mexico and as the US dollar weakened on Election Day with polls showing America's presidential race being exceptionally close.
Brent crude oil futures rose 45 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to settle at US$75.53 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 52 cents, or 0.7 per cent, to settle at US$71.99.
"Crude oil is bid (up) on bullish supply-demand dynamics, geopolitics, and election fever, with a little weather thrown in for good measure," Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, said in a report.
The US presidential contest between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris hurtled toward an uncertain finish as Americans headed to the polls.
"The (election) result might not be known for days, if not weeks, and it will most plausibly be challenged and contested," said Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM, a brokerage and consulting firm that is part of TP ICAP.
The US dollar slid to a three-week low versus a basket of other currencies as traders squared positions ahead of election results.
A weaker greenback makes oil less expensive in other countries.
The US services sector accelerated to a more-than-twoyear high in October as employment rebounded strongly, suggesting last month's near stall in job growth was an aberration.
The US trade deficit surged to a nearly-two-and-a-halfyear high in September.
Elsewhere in the US, energy firms in the Gulf of Mexico started evacuating workers from offshore platforms ahead of Tropical Storm Rafael, on track to strengthen into a hurricane this week. Analysts say the storm could reduce oil production by about four million barrels.
On Sunday, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies (OPEC+) said they would push back a production hike by a month from December as weak demand and rising non-OPEC supply depress markets.
Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia lowered the price for the flagship Arab light crude it sells to Asia in December.
Busy week ahead
Still, risk-taking remains limited with a busy week –including the US election, the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting and a meeting of China's National People's Congress keeping many traders on the sidelines, said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG International, a financial firm.
"Eyes are also on China's NPC meeting for any clarity on fiscal stimulus to uplift the country's demand outlook, but we are unlikely to see any strong commitment before the US presidential results, and that will continue to keep oil prices in a near-term waiting game," Yeap said.
The Chairman and co-founder of Gunvor, one of the world's largest oil traders, said there was little growth in oil demand and the industry was probably over-investing somewhat.
In the US, oil storage data was due from the American Petroleum Institute trade group later on Tuesday and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) today.
Analysts projected US energy firms added about 1.1 million barrels of crude into storage during the week ended November 1. That compares with an increase of 13.9 million barrels in the same week last year and an average increase of 4.2 million barrels over the past five years (2019-2023). (Reuters)
Netanyahu’s critics accused him of putting politics ahead of national security at a time when Israel is bracing for Iranian retaliation to its October 26 airstrikes on the Islamic Republic.
After Gallant was fired, protesters in Israel blocked highways and lit bonfires on roads, Police said.
The Prime Minister named Gideon Saar as the new foreign minister in
place of Katz. Gallant and Netanyahu, both in the right-wing Likud
From Taiwan to trade, China braces for more rivalry after close US presidential election
As Americans voted in one of the tightest presidential elections in decades, China braced for an outcome that – regardless of who wins – would spell four more years of bitter superpower rivalry over trade, technology, and security issues.
Strategists in Beijing said that while they expected more fiery rhetoric and potentially crippling tariffs from Republican candidate Donald Trump, some said he could be driven by pragmatism and willingness to strike deals on trade and Taiwan.
From Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Beijing expected predictability and a continuation of US President Joe Biden's approach centred on working with allies on Chinarelated issues such as tech curbs, Taiwan, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Either outcome was unlikely to cause a shift, said analysts, given how wide-ranging the geopolitical rivalry with Beijing has
become, and how politically lethal even a perception of reaching out to China is on both sides of the aisle in Washington.
"Regardless who is elected, the structural tensions are an undeniable reality and have become a widely-accepted bipartisan consensus within the US," said Henry Huiyao Wang of the Beijing-based Centre for China and Globalisation think tank.
China policies of either Trump or Harris administrations “will likely be strategically consistent", said experts from Peking University, Wang Jisi, Hu Ran, and Zhao Jianwei in their article in Foreign Affairs.
"As presidents, both candidates would present challenges and disadvantages for China, and neither seems likely to want a major military conflict or to cut off all economic and societal contacts," they said, adding that because of that, "Beijing is unlikely to have a clear preference."
(Excerpt from Reuters)
party, have clashed for months” over the objectives of Israel’s 13-month-old war in Gaza against Palestinian militant group Hamas. But the timing of Gallant’s dismissal was a surprise, and came as Israel’s ally the US
held its presidential election.
Israel’s campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon have entered new phases following the killing of top commanders in both Hamas and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Netanyahu said Gallant has made statements that “contradict the decisions of the Government and the decisions of the Cabinet”. In response, Gallant said: “The security of the State of Israel always was and will always remain my life’s mission.” Katz vowed the return of Israel’s hostages from Gaza and destruction of Hamas and Hezbollah.
“I accept this responsibility with a sense of mission and holy fear for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens,” Katz said on social media platform X.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Exploding parcels in Europe part of plot to target US flights, officials say
Parcels that exploded at logistics depots in Europe were part of a test run for a Russian plot to trigger explosions on cargo flights to the United States, according to security officials.
Western Governments and intelligence agencies in Europe have previously pointed to Moscow as being the source of a series of fires and acts of sabotage in Europe aimed at destabilising allies of Ukraine.
However, explosions in courier depots in Britain, Germany and Poland this July, which a Lithuanian presidential adviser said were the work of Russia, had the potential to mark a serious escalation by causing an explosion on an aircraft.
"I can state that this is part of unconventional kinetic operations against NATO countries that are being undertaken by the Russian military intelligence," Kestutis Budrys, a national security adviser to Lithuanian President
Gitanas Nauseda, told Reuters on Tuesday.
"We note that these operations are being escalated: their focus is moving... to harming infrastructure and actions that could end up killing people," he added. The Russian Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Wall Street Journal on Monday cited Western security officials as saying that the devices that ignited in DHL depots in Birmingham, central England, and Leipzig were part of a Russian operation that was intended to cause fires on cargo or passenger flights to North America.
The US Transportation Security Administration said over the past several months it worked with industry partners to put in place additional security measures for US aircraft operators and foreign air carriers regarding certain cargo shipments bound for the United States.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Ukraine's Zelenskiy says clashes with North Korean troops opened “new chapter of instability in world”
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday the Ukrainian military's first clashes with North Korean troops had opened the way to more "instability in the world".
Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed, in an interview with South Korean television, that the first armed engagements had occurred with North Korean troops in the more-
than-two-and-a-half-yearold war.
"The first battles with North Korean soldiers have opened a new chapter of instability in the world," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
Zelenskiy thanked those in the world who, he said, had reacted to the North Korean troops "not just with words...but who are preparing actions to support our defence".
"We must, together with the world do everything so that this Russian step to expand the war with real escalation fails. That this step of his (Russian President Vladimir Putin) becomes a losing one – both for him and for North Korea."
South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that more than 10,000 North Korean troops had arrived in Russia, with a "significant number" in the
frontline areas, including the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces staged an incursion in August.
Zelenskiy quoted intelligence sources as saying on Monday that 11,000 North Koreans were in Russia. The Pentagon said at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers were in Kursk, but it could not corroborate suggestions that they had been engaged in combat.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defence Minister Yoav Gallant during a press conference at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 28, 2023 (Abir Sultan/Pool via Reuters)
Take advantage of any opportunity to explore new places, go on an adventure or reconnect with someone. A deliberate move will face opposition, but with ingenuity and energy, you will overcome any obstacle.
Embrace change, and doors will open. An opportunity to adopt a healthier lifestyle or choose home improvements that add to your convenience is apparent.
Fact-check; if you believe everything you hear, disappointment will prevail when the truth unfolds. Change only what's feasible, and don't count on old quotes being honored.
Spice up your life and take on something that excites you or encourages you to use your skills differently. Don't expect everyone to be honest. Trust your instincts, and you'll know when to make a move.
Ramp up your energy levels; make the changes that satisfy your soul and put a smile on your face. Taking care of business will encourage you to take advantage of an opportunity to socialize, network or expand your circle.
Get out and see what's happening in your neighborhood, but avoid getting trapped by someone pushing their agenda. Sign up for a seminar or class that will encourage you to make a lifestyle change.
Keep your thoughts to yourself and your emotions invisible. Size up situations carefully and determine what others want before you make promises. Explore what interests you.
Reach out to those sharing your goals or offering incentives to help further your agenda. Staying active will help you avoid negative interactions with someone looking for a fight.
Review investments, medical concerns or contracts. The extra time spent will reveal information that can spare you from making an untimely mistake. Think fast and stay ahead of anyone who challenges you.
Look at situations from different perspectives and consider the most cost-effective way to manage your response. Demonstrating your reliability will lead to an unexpected opportunity involving financial gain.
Clear up unfinished business. The less you must deal with, the easier it will be for you to recognize and take advantage of an opportunity. Ask questions and demonstrate what you can contribute.
Listen, keep your thoughts to yourself and only reveal what you will do and what you expect in return. If something sounds too good to be true, take a pass and stick to what's realistic and within your budget.
ARCHIE
Brava Guyana Open golf tournament 2024…
…Sukhram shines as women’s champion
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) concluded its highly anticipated Brava Guyana Open 2024 tournament on the night of Sunday, November 3, and the event has been marked as one of the most successful in the tournament’s history.
With a record-breaking 104 players participating over two days, the competition showcased remarkable talent and drew spectators and competitors from across the Caribbean, North America, and beyond.
Defending champion Avenash Persaud cemented his legacy by winning his 13th title, solidifying his position as a dominant force in golf in Guyanese. And in the women’s division, Christine Sukhram, a familiar and celebrated figure in the sport, claimed the title that reinforced her status as one of the region’s top female golfers.
LGC President Anasha Ally, in expressing gratitude for the tournament’s success and in recognition of the contributions of players, sponsors, and club staff, said in her closing remarks, “We have come to the end of the Brava Guyana Open Tournament 2024, and what a tournament it has been. It’s been a whirlwind of birdies, bogies, and Bravos. I would like to thank our visitors who travelled by sea and air from Trinidad, Suriname, Barbados, (and) our friends from North America and even further afield.
“Brava, you truly made a great impression on the tournament, and dare I say we look forward to many more. To all our other sponsors, I thank you for your support. Last, but not least, the invaluable contribution of our staff, who were here at the crack of dawn each day to ensure everything was in place, (we proffer) our deepest appreciation. Congratulations to all winners, and let’s pat ourselves
West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been named among the three nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for the month of October 2024.
on the back for navigating this weekend like a seasoned golfer emerging from a bunker.”
Brava General Manager Hilton Wong praised the tournament’s organization and the LGC’s commitment to excellence. Reflecting on his experience, Wong said, “I spent the first day on the course, and it was an extremely challenging experience. The journey with Brava in supporting this tour-
nament has been truly fulfilling, especially seeing LGC’s meticulous execution. The club excelled not only in assembling a competitive field of players, but also in ensuring seamless accommodations. On behalf of Brava, I extend my congratulations to all players, and we eagerly anticipate yet another year of collaboration with Lusignan Golf Club.”
In a significant development, the Barbados Golf Association and the Trinidad Golf Association each made a major announcement at the close of the tournament, underscoring the spirit of regional
collaboration in Caribbean golf.
The Trinidad Golf Association extended an invitation to the first-place Guyanese male (Net Overall) and the first-place Guyanese female (Gross) to participate
in the Trinidad and Tobago Open 2025. This invitation includes complimentary accommodation.
The Barbados Golf Association offered the second-place Guyanese female (Gross) and the second-place Guyanese male (Net) spots in the Barbados Open 2025. This offer includes all airfares for these competitors being sponsored by Panko Steel, adding a significant incentive for regional talent exchange and growth.
The Brava Guyana Open 2024 has set a new standard for competitive golf in Guyana, underscoring the Lusignan Golf Club’s dedication to fostering international partnerships and nurturing local talent. With each successive tournament, LGC continues to cement its place as a premier destination for golf enthusiasts, promising an exciting future for the sport within the region.
The results of the tournament are as follows:
Overall
Ladies Overall Gross 1st: Christine Sukhram (165)
Dottin made her comeback for the national side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, and was a driving force as the West Indies reached their first semi-final at the event since 2018. She was instrumental in victories over Scotland and Bangladesh, but saved her most valuable contributions for the latter stages, where she shone with the bat, ball, and in the field in the West Indies’ group stage win over England; before producing a memorable individual display with 33 runs and four wickets in the thrilling semi-final defeat to eventual champions
Persaud dominates with historic 13th title
Jada Charles (184)
Men’s 0-9 Best Gross
1st: Avinash Persaud (145)
2nd: Kevin Dindanauth (152) won via countback
3rd: Ross Ramkissoon (152)
Men’s 10-18 Best
1st: Lakeram Ramsundar (159)
2nd: Jaipaul Sooknandan (160)
3rd:
The Beharry Toyota Starlet Cup Championship, affectionately known as the class with the “Pocket Rockets”, is gearing up for a high-octane showdown at the ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions on November 10.
This turbocharged Starlet Cup is one of the most electrifying and fiercely competitive classes, with drivers rallying behind the mantra “Boost Run Things.”
Currently leading the pack is Anand Ramchand with 143 points. He has shown remarkable consistency throughout the season in holding the top spot. His skill and steady performances have put him in a prime position for the title.
However, hot on his heels is Afraz Ali, who has 88 points. For Ali to seize the championship, he must take the top step on the podium and hope for favourable outcomes during the races. In motorsport, anything can happen, and this final leg of the season will keep fans on the edges of their seats.
Syed Hassan sits in third place with 60 points. A seasoned driver whose roots in the Starlet Cup date back to the mid-2000s, Hassan aims to finish the championship with a strong showing and
their “pocket rockets” and give fans a race to remember. As the championship nears its thrilling conclusion, fans can expect nothing less than intense racing, strategic manoeuvres, and potentially game-changing moments.
by securing a podium finish for the season. Known for his competitive spirit, Hassan will undoubtedly bring his A-game to challenge for third place or better.
Steven Nobrega, the 2023 champion, has faced a challenging title defence this season, but despite a difficult year, Nobrega aims to end the season on a high note by pushing for wins and challenging the lap record.
This race offers him an opportunity for redemption, and he’s expected to make an aggressive push on race day.
Other drivers to watch include Allan DaSilva, Raymond Seebarran, Nyron Maraj and Keith Evelyn, who are all gearing up for the ultimate Starlet showdown.
This diverse and talented group of competitors is ready to unleash the full power of
The Beharry Toyota Starlet Cup has captivated motorsport enthusiasts all season, and November 10 promises to be an unforgettable day at the South Dakota Circuit. Who will come out on top? With the stakes higher than ever, one thing’s sure: Boost runs things in the Starlet Cup! For this Sunday’s action, a general admission ticket is priced at $4000, while a child’s admission ticket is priced at $2000. A ticket to the DJ Stress Fan Zone Hospitality Suite costs $5000 for adults and $3000 for children; and a ticket to the AJM Elite Zone is priced at $25,000. Here is where an exclusive race day experience is offered. General tickets are available at the GMR&SC Office, while interested patrons can contact DJ Stress at 609-5100 or AJM Elite Zone at
2nd: Shanella London (172)
Deandra Dottin of the West Indies
Anand Ramchand leads Afraz Ali for the moment
Steven Nobrega on the go!
Christine Sukhram in swing
Brava General Manager, Hilton Wong
Avinash Persaud has claimed a record 13th Guyana Open title
England tour of the West Indies 2024/25: ODI Series, Game 3 of 3…
England, West Indies in battle for supremacy
Big picture: experience vs potential
It's been an unlikely clash of ideologies in the Caribbean so far.
In Thursday's one-sided rout, the value of experience was writ large across Evin Lewis's match-winning onslaught: despite missing out on ODI cricket for three years, his muscle memory was keenly attuned to the challenge, as he rode out England's new-ball threat to demolish his opponents in barely 25 overs. In the process, he rushed past his 2000th run in the format, which is more than twice the tally of England's most experienced batter in the format [checks notes] … Adil Rashid.
That battle-hardened narrative had seized an iron grip on the series by the halfway mark of Saturday's second match.
Shai Hope is clearly a fine cricketer, but who could have imagined that his ODI record would one day rival those of Chris Gayle, Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes? And yet, his 17th hundred in the format was exquisitely paced as ever, dripping with the sort of belief in better times that England's T20-trained top four can only guess at attaining, given how rarely they've been asked to tough it out through the fallow middle overs of a 50-over game.
Hope encountered nine different bowlers in the course of his innings, which is surely a record of some description. On the one hand, this was a trib -
ute to England's wealth of options, as a new generation of cricketer arrives on the scene with two professionally serviceable strings to each bow. On the other, it was proof that more is less, as Liam Livingstone's management became ever more muddled with each new switch in the field.
But then, all of a sudden, those old certainties crumbled and a brand-new narrative took hold. One in which the power of responsibility surged into England's experience void to set up an improbable series finale.
Sam Curran had batted higher than #7 just once in 32 ODIs prior to this campaign, and Livingstone higher than #6 just twice in 30. But both men answered the hour of need with precisely the sort of gumption that the management had hoped to coax out of this experimental squad.
Curran's run-a-ball 52 was significantly more valuable than it appears on paper, providing the ballast through the middle overs that enabled England to take the chase deep, before Livingstone, the unlikeliest of England's six captains across formats this summer, dropped bomb after bomb after bomb. He hit nine sixes in total, a tally exceeded by just three England players in a 50-over contest.
And if you squinted at the final scorecard, once a daunting target of 329 had been hunted down with overs and wickets to spare, you could almost believe we were back in the team's pre-2019 heyday,
when such feats of self-assurance were a daily occurrence.
So, which philosophy will seize the day - and the series - in Barbados? The stakes are significantly higher than they might have seemed three days ago, with West Indies eager for a first series win since England's last visit 11 months ago, not to mention vital rankings points as they plot their route back to the top table after missing out at the 2023 World Cup.
comers and cultivating the winning culture that this white-ball setup once took for granted.
An unlikely opportunity now presents itself for both aims to be achieved in one hit.
As for England, Marcus Trescothick's gleeful embrace of his captain spoke volumes as the players
In the spotlight - Shimron Hetmyer and Jordan Cox Shimron Hetmyer had licence for violence on Saturday afternoon,
left the field in Antigua. England's interim coach admitted last week how tough it has been to strike the right balance between nurturing the squad's new -
and he took it… albeit briefly. There were 10.1 overs of the innings remain - ing when the West Indies #6 strolled out to the middlethe sort of scenario that he habitually relishes in the T20 format. This time, however, his team had 234 for 4 on the board already, and he did his bit to propel them past
300 with three sixes in his first ten deliveries. But then he holed out in search of a fourth, and trooped off for 24 from 11 balls.
It was nevertheless the second-highest of his seven innings since his return to the ODI setup in July 2023, after his 32 from 30 balls, also against England, in December. Much like his England counterparts, his unfamiliarity with the format would appear to be holding him back, but the talent and potential are undeniable.
It's a big few months for Jordan Cox, one of the most fascinating characters on the fringes of England's international setup. His restless ambition is palpable - by his own admission, almost to the point of arrogancebut the England management like what they see on the whole.
10 Matthew Forde, 11 Jayden Seales
England's temptation to tinker will be tempered with a series on the line. England: 1 Phil Salt (wk), 2 Will Jacks, 3 Jordan Cox, 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Liam Livingstone (capt), 6 Dan Mousley, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton/ Saqib Mahmood, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 John Turner.
Pitch and conditions:
Weather a factor again
Five years ago, England and West Indies tallied 724 runs in an ODI at Kensington Oval, but there have since been only two scores above 300 in 11 games. Hope said beforehand that the surface "looks like it has a bit of moisture currently". A forecast for thundery showers could once again lead to interruptions.
This opportunity to bat at #3 in the rebooted ODI line-up, ahead of three guaranteed Tests as Jamie Smith's wicketkeeping understudy, means he's got until Christmas to make a real case for his long-term inclusion in their plans. Four matches into his England career, however, he's struggling to make much headway. Despite a confident projection of belonging out in the middle, he's managed 21 ODI runs from 50 balls on this tour, and was bounced out in rather gullible fashion by Shamar Joseph on Saturday. His fabled fielding was off the boil too, which is perhaps a suggestion of preoccupation.
He's not blown his chance yet, but with so many key batters missing on this tour, he could find himself thrust back down the pecking order, unless he shows his true colours soon.
Team news: Few surprises in prospect with series on the line
West Indies could bring back Alzarri Joseph after his namesake Shamar was expensive on debut in the second ODI.
Quotes Shai Hope wants his team to back up their display in the series opener. "I'm always preaching consistency. In order to consider us an elite team, we've got to be consistent, we've got to string performances together. It can't always be one game or two games in a series; we've got to make sure we seal it, play good cricket all the way through."
Sam Curran has said on England's learning curve, "After the first game, we spoke about how much time we had; and even with the ball, being a bit more patient. It's not learning on the job, but it's learning from your mistakes, and I thought we did that pretty well from the first game. If we can win 2-1 it would be a big achievement for a young group."
(Taken from ESPNCricinfo and modified)
Shai Hope is keen on his team displaying consistency
West Indies will be hunting a series win at Kensington Oval today
Liam Livingstone turned the chase for England in the second ODI
West Indies Full Bore Shooting Championships 2024…
Guyana retains WI Short Range Trophy
The Team representing the Golden Arrowhead did not let down their Patron, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali; they successfully defended the West Indies Short Range Shooting Trophy they had won in Antigua last year. The conditions were extremely hot, and at times, subtle changes in the wind caused many teams to lose points. After the first range at the 300 yards, Jamaica were in the lead with 357 points, followed by Antigua, and then Guyana.
Guyana’s dismal 300 was caused by a combination of factors, including the sights of Lennox Braithwaite’s rifle malfunctioning, and he had to switch to Leo Romalho’s rifle. The Guyanese shooters then regrouped their energy and focus to shoot an excellent 370 at the 500 yds to take the lead from their competitors; and being better at the longer ranges, they kept their focus to also win the 600yds range to amass a total of 1091.46 points.
At that stage, Antigua was in second place with 1084.52 points, Jamaica was in third with 1053.39 points, and Barbados was in third with 1017.40. The local shooters, who had to be working on changing the 18 target faces for the various shoots and conducting the management of the championship, were delighted with their final performance for their country.
The top WI individual in
the Team shoot was Noah St. Clair of Antigua & Barbuda, who amassed 147.16 points to win the Wogart Trophy. In the International Short Range Team Match, which included the US Rifle Team and Canada, the US came out victorious. This was a six-man team contest, and was shot concurrent with the WI Short
Range Team Shoot, with their six shooters being named before the shoot. The US shot 863.60 points to win the Gold Team Medal, and the Silver Team Medal was captured by Guyana with a score of 831.35. Antigua shot 823.47, Jamaica 812.34, Canada 794.39, Barbados 763.35. The Bermuda Shield,
Region 1 U13 tape ball tournament bowls off …Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd among contributors
The Region One InterSchool Under-13 Tape ball competition recently bowled off with not only tons of on- field action, but also with several other individuals and entities hopping aboard to support the tournament.
One such pair is Guyanese all-rounder Keemo Paul and West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who combined forces to donate the firstplace cash prize to the tune of $300,000.
The second-place cash prize of $200,000 has been contributed by Orlando Rogers of One plus Total Solutions and Skywest Charter Service.
The long list of willing sponsors includes the International Organization for Migration, the Ministry of Labour, Inspector Chandradat Kooldeep, Maureen Rebeiro, Randy France, Breeze Enterprise, Frontier Pharmacy and Dr. Steven Cheefoon (RHO- Region 1), who have pledged Fiberglass bats, medals, trophies, cash, balls, tapes, bicycles, cases of water, and even gasoline, all geared at realization of the tournament.
When the competition bowled off, Warapoka Primary grabbed the first victory by defeating Karaburi Primary at the Kamwatta Recreational
Ground. Warapoka won the toss and opted to field first, and Karaburi made 69 for 9 from their 10 overs. Top scoring for Karaburi was Ramish Lloyd, who hit an unbeaten 18 runs. Ameer was the most successful bowler for Warapoka, taking 3 wickets.
In reply, Warapoka Primary, chasing 70 runs for victory, achieved the target in the 6th over, winning com-
ing an unbeaten 42, inclusive of three fours and three sixes, and Sunil Thornhill scoring 44 not out, consisting of two fours and five sixes.
Bowling for Santa Rosa Secondary, Joshua Cornelius, Justin Henry and Reon Domingo each took one wicket.
In the chase, Santa Rosa could reach only 49 runs before being bowled out in 7 overs. Their two top batsmen were
fortably by 6 wickets. Their top scorer was Sudesh Jacobs who made 21 runs, including 2 boundaries.
The second match saw Waramuri Secondary getting the better of old rivals Santa Rosa Secondary. Batting first, Waramuri Secondary made 146 for 3 from their 10 overs, with Denzil John scor-
Justin Henry with 19 runs, which included one 4 and two sixes; and Triston Benn, with 12 runs.
Bowling for Waramuri Secondary, Wade Fredericks and Tyron Booker each took 3 wickets, while Garfield John, Usain Fredericks and Sunil Thornhill supported well with 1 wicket each.
The third contested match pitted Kamwatta Primary against Haimacabra Primary. Kamwatta Primary won the toss and opted to give Haimacabra Primary first strike. The result was Haimacabra Primary being restricted to 40 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 10 overs.
Top scoring for Haimacabra Primary were Jonathon De Costa with 8 runs and Alex Benjamin with 7.
Bowling for Kamwatta Primary, Captain Raulin Roberts took 4 wickets, Eldon Adams took 2, and Stephen Benjamin 1.
Chasing 41 runs for victory, Kamwatta’s openers Stephen Benjamin and Dwight Domingo attacked the bowling from the first ball, and reached the target in the 4th over, ensuring victory for the team by 9 wickets. Domingo top scored for Kamwatta with 23 not out, which included three sixes.
Bowling for Haimacabra, Jonathon DeCosta took the lone wicket of Stephen Benjamin, bowled for 12.
Upcoming fixtures in the Region 1 Under-13 tournament would see Waramuri Secondary taking on Warapoka Primary, while Kamwatta Primary would battle Kwebana Primary.
with the highest aggregate of the Individual and Team Shoots, went to Jamaican Dwaine Forde who scored 566.86 points
For the Individual shoot, the US Rifle Team of Lucas Terwin, Team Captain Yvonne Roberts and Nathaniel Guernsey took the Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively. The US Rifle Team performed extremely well at their first attendance at these championships, and the West Indies teams would now be well served to elevate their shooting to be more competitive with them.
The new West Indies Individual Champion was a big surprise in the form of young Barbadian Joshua Trotman, who outperformed his more senior and experienced competitors. Having shot last year as only a tyro (beginner) in Antigua, his now winning the coveted WI Individual title was a great achievement. Jonathan amassed 428.22 points, followed by other WI Shooters: Anderson Perry 426.22, Dwayne Ford 424.29, Laurne Benjamin 421.17, Leo Romalho 418.27, Lennox Braithwaite 415.22, Peter Persaud 413.17, D. John Nelson 410.16, and Dylan Fields 408.19.
The WIFBSC Secretary
Ryan Sampson reported that the ceremonial passing of the flag was presented to Barbados Team Captain Tonia Edwards by the WIFBSC President, Major D. John Nelson. Barbados are to host the 2025 Championships, and the WI Council has also given Trinidad and Tobago the right to host the 2026 Championships. Teams from Ireland and England are expected to visit the WI. He also reported that at their Council Meeting, Grenada was admitted as an affiliate to the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Council. The Guyana NRA hereby thanks H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Brigadier Omar Khan, Captain (CG) Vernon Burnett, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, Lt. Col Andrew Pompey, Mr Mahendra Persaud, Mr. Hemant Narine, Mr Harold Hopkins, Mr. Mohamed Qualander, Mr. David Singh, Mr. Jerry FuSum; GRA Commissioner and Controller of Customs, Chief Statistician Ryan McKinnon, members of the media and members of the Guyana NRA for all the assistance given for the successful hosting of the 2024 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships.
ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions… Stage set for Group 3 Championship showdown
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown in the Group 3 Championship at the ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions on November 10.
Anand Ramchand leads the class with 104 points, but although he has a comfortable lead, he faces fierce competition from Mark Vieira, who has 50 points, and Danny Persaud, who has 43 points.
Ramchand, however, has a simple strategy: finish all three races within the top five to secure the championship.
Ramchand knows that while his rivals may be scheming and strategizing, his lead puts him in a strong position to claim the title.
However, while recovering from an accident, Mark Vieira remains a wildcard, and eagerly awaits medical clearance to get back on track.
Danny Persaud has his work cut out for him: to win the championship, he must win all three races and hope Ramchand would face a DNF (did not finish) in at least two.
Persaud's biggest motivation are the championship and his longstanding rivalry with returning driver Stefan Jeffrey. Persaud and Jeffrey are each expected to bring their best game to the championship, as each has his sights set on reclaiming the lap record and making a mark on the South Dakota Circuit.
The Group 3 Championship promises an action-packed day, with fans eagerly watching to see if Ramchand can hold his lead, if Vieira makes his comeback, or if Persaud and Jeffrey would ignite the track with record-breaking performances.
The Group 3 competitors lined up
Team USA dominated the Individual Shoot division
A look at the opening ceremony in the Region One U13 tournament
