kaieteur News

Malcolm Pirtan

Kris Ramphal

Dead:Alisha Narine

Ram Singh

‘7

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) could “verysoon”receiveapproval

for its seventh oil developmentintheStabroek Block – the Hammerhead project, according to Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat. Bharrat, who served in the previous People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) cabinet in the same capacity, was sworn in on Saturdaynightalongwith24 other ministers for the 2025 to2030term.

Duringaninterviewwith this publication on the sidelines of a reception at State House, the Minister

said the Petroleum Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources has beenfocusedinrecentweeks on reviewing EMGL's Field DevelopmentPlan(FDP)for theHammerheadproject.

“TheMinistryofNatural Resources, we have been doing that, ensure that we follow every single procedure laid out and due diligence necessary, is also done before any approval,” the natural resources ministersaid.

Similarly, he noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also been occupied

r e v i e w i n g t h e Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project. Bharrat added, “So that has been ongoing for a while now EPA has been reviewing with the intention o f g r a n t i n g t h e environmental permit, once that due diligence is done, dueprocessisfollowed.”

Minister Bharrat

continued, “So once everything goes well, we could expect an approval verysoonandthesigningof that licence at some point in time soon, providing that all

oil project to be approved very soon’

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

requirementsaremet.”

Notably, the Minister's disclosure comes amid lingering questions about whether Guyana will secure anyadditionalfiscalbenefits from the Hammerhead project On multiple occasions, Vice President BharratJagdeo,thecountry's chiefpolicymakeronoiland gas, had been asked by Kaieteur News whether improvedfiscaltermswould apply to ExxonMobil's seventh development. In April,Jagdeohadstatedthat a thorough assessment is being done and once completed, Guyanese would be informed of additional fiscalbenefits.

In April 2024, Exxon sanctioned its sixth project named Whiptail Shortly after, Exxon began its work to seek regulatory approval for the seventh project and earlier this year, the EIAfor theHammerheadprojectwas submitted.Thecompanyhad madeapartialsubmissionof the project's FDP back in 2024 Hammerhead was announced as Exxon's ninth commercial discovery in August 2018 The Hammerhead-1 well was drilled in a new reservoir,

encountering approximately 197feet(60metres)ofhighquality, oil-bearing sandstonereservoir Thewell was safely drilled to 13,862 feet (4,225 metres) depth in 3,773 feet (1,150 metres) of water Theprojectwilltarget between 120-180,000 barrelsperday(bpd).Exxon is aiming to commence production activities by 2029,followingtherequisite approvals.

Notably, the daily production capacity being targeted is significantly lower compared to the last three projects sanctioned, which each target over 200,000 bpd. Hammerhead1 is located approximately 13 miles (21 kilometres) southwestoftheLiza-1well and follows previous discoveries on the Stabroek Block at Liza, Liza Deep, Payara, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger,PacoraandLongtail. StabroekBlockmeasures 26,800 square kilometers or 6.6millionacres.Todate,six projects have been sanctioned for development. These include, Liza One, Liza Two, Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail The first four projects are already in operation, producing an average 650,000 bpd, with an installed capacity of 900,000 bpd Exxon has already submitted an application for an eighth project, Longtail. The oil company is aiming to bring all eight developments into production by the end of the decade,targetingacombined outputof1.7millionbpd.

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EDITORIAL

Campbell and APNU’s 12

Guyana,inthefreshlightofSeptember2025,entersa chapter of political realignment. For the first time in decades, the PNCR-ledAPNU finds itself reduced to a minority’s voice twelve seats in the National Assembly,whilethenewcomer-WINenteringtheHouse with16andtheForwardGuyanaMovementone.

Faced with this shift,Aubrey Norton has selected a team of twelve MPs to carry the banner Much like Christ’s choosing of the twelve disciples, Norton’s choices will be faced with scrutiny: not only who they are,butwhattheybringandwhattheymustovercomein aparliamentwhereinfluenceisconstrained.

Norton,formanyhasrightlydecidedtostayoutand mustnowmovetoalsohandoverleadershipofthePNCR tosomeoneelse.

He has chosen Businessman Dr,Terrence Campbell to leadAPNU in Parliament.This move, some political observers said might be an indication as to who Norton wantstoreplacehimasleaderofthePNCR.AlthoughDr Campbell is not a member of the PNCR, from all appearances he commands healthy respect from the party’s base judging from their reaction to him on the campaigntrail.

With a solid business background, Campbell no doubt brings to the table connections outside narrow partylinesandalsopragmatism.

Ifheleadstheparliamentarygroupwellandensures disciplined messaging and rally the twelve, his chances at any leadership contest of the PNCR whenever that party holds its congress will be real possibility But Campbell would well know too, that leadership in oppositiondemandscharisma,visibility,discipline. He must manage internal expectations, present credible alternatives, and avoid the trap of reactive politics. By his side are some young and old leaders in theirownright:JurethaFernandes,GaneshMahipaul,Dr Dexter Todd, Businessman, Saiku Andrews, Coretta McDonald,VinceroyJordan,DrDavidHindsandothers. The new role for Campbell will also test his ability to bringfreshideas,tochallengeoldhabitsandtoconnect with younger voters disillusioned with old party structures.

Itwillbeasteeplearningcurvenotjustforhim,but all the newcomers in the 12: both procedurally in understanding parliamentary rules, how to get media coverage, how to engage constituents under limited resources and how to challenge both the PPP/C that is returning to the House with a bigger majority and their new nemesis- theAzruddin Mohamed-led WIN, which willnowtakeovertheirroleasmainopposition.

Much like Jesus’ twelve disciples, though APNU’s twelvearebeingcalledindifficulttimes,notattheheight of power, but at a time of trial. Some will be like Peter, outspoken, first to the breach, visible. Others more like Andrew or Philip: quieter, but essential connectors. SomewillneedtobeThomas:doubting,questioning,but crucial in their integrity The test will not only be individualskill,butunity,trustandsharedmission.

One thing is sure, Norton’s 12 face a moment of history Theoaktreethathespokeaboutinhismessage lastweekhasbeenshaken,butnowmuststandfirmand growanew

They are not called to govern, but to witness, to sharpen,tocheckpower,andtopreparethesoilforfuture resurgence.Asthedisciplesweresentintotheworldata timeofturbulence,sonowAPNU’stwelvearesentinto the public square. The task is not easy, but opportunity liesinadversity ThepeopleofGuyanadeservearobust, honest, and effective opposition. In serving them, these twelve may rebuild trust and restore the party to its inheritance.

Is WIN performance a paradigm shift?

DEAREDITOR,

I would like to congratulate WIN on their historic performance in the recent elections Their

a c h i e v e m e n t s a r e remarkableonmanylevels.

It is a first, where a new party has been able to challenge the hegemony of the two dominant political parties.

Not only did they challenge the status quo but have become the official opposition in the process. This has never happened before.

S

contested along racial lines

with one Indo-Centric party the PPP drawing its base from Indo-Guyanese while the PNC Afro-Centric base consists of Afro-Guyanese. Polarisation and race-based voting was the norm. What WIN has demonstrated, that theywereabletobreak/crack that model whereby a leader of Indian ethnicity of a political party was able to garnerhugesupportandvote fromAfo-Guyanese.

Now this is significant. What this demonstrates that thereisashiftinattitudesand achangeinhowpeoplevote with more willingness to depart from old stereotypes. This is a good development.

Before I begin to sound euphoric, I would stress this is only a start and a point in time phenomenon Raced based voting and racial prejudices are by no means eliminatedordead.

In order, to build on this breakthroughWINwillhave to demonstrate their capabilities in parliament as theopposition.

To a large extent the qualityoftheircandidatesas politicians are not known. While this may seem as a weakness, it is also an opportunitytoimpressonthe public that they are capable of governing. Furthermore, they need to connect with

young voters as they representthefutureandhave different experiences and worldview than prior generations.

It is instructive that they build on this opportunity given to them by the voters and not squander it. Once again, congratulations on thishistoricperformance.

The Guyanese public needs new political options with fresh ideas and energy to build and deliver an equitable society

Dismantlingoftheoldstatus quoisastepforward.

Yourstruly,

Regards

R.Misir

In preparation for war

DEAREDITOR,

Itisbecomingclearthata major war is upon the horizon. Unfortunately, Guyanaisinanareawherea major military conflict will mostlikelyoccur.

As a nation, we must prepare ourselves for the worst and begin to reel in spending.

Given the risks, no a d d i t i o n a l m a j o r

infrastructure projects should be undertaken, especially for those structures that will become key targets during the conflict.

The process of the government stockpiling weapons, ammunition, food supplies, and medical supplies are some of the more important investments that should be made during

this period Solidifying supply chain agreements with our western allies and others within close proximity will help reduce wartimedisruptions.

However, we must ensure that local production of the essentials can be secured and protected. It is timefortheGovernmentand the Opposition work together to layout and

execute the plans necessary in preparation for what may no longer be avoidable. We mustasanationalsourgently rekindle diplomatic discussions with China and the U.S. to help reduce the presence of Venezuelan troops along our western border Time is of the essence!

Sincerely, Mr JamilChanglee

The dangers of populism

DEAREDITOR,

Populism is widely used term, but one that is also widely misunderstood. The most elementary error is to derive the meaning from the adjective “popular”, where thelatterreferstoapersonor thing that is well-liked. By

contrast, we should understand populism as a distinctivewayofpracticing politics. I shall demonstrate that Azruddin Mohamed (AZM hereafter) is a populist.

Inwhatfollows,Ioutline the key elements of populism.

(a) populism is based on a politics of mobilisation rather than a politics of aggregation.

While democratic politicsworkbyaggregating interests and developing policies and program to address the same, populist politics focus on recruiting ormobilisingsectionsofthe population who are told that they are the REAL people, but who have been abandoned, ignored, and forgotten.

(b) populism is leader dominant.Thetopman,such asAZM,presentshimselfas someone who is above

society

Hestandsabovethefray, and will only intervene to save the ‘people’, who in fact, are only a segment of the population. In this case, the populist leader emits messianicwaves.

(c) the populist leader (AZM again) uses images and other signifiers to portray himself as a ‘strongman’who is unafraid of those who hold political and economic power Max Weber, used the term charisma to specify this strongmanquality

(d) the populist leader makes promises to the poor, knowing fully and well that these promises are not realistic and won’t be delivered. The message is if you are a faithful follower, you will be rewarded, one way or another, but nothing reallyspecific.Thetrickisto make belonging to the movement itself, the key reward.

I n a g g r e g a t i v e

(democratic politics) citizens make requests that governments respond to in wayssetoutinthegoverning principles, institutions, and capabilities. The work of AmartyaSenisindicativeof

how this works at an aspirationallevel.

Thepopulist,bycontrast, converts all requests into demands.

Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe explain the differences here. While a request is the product of a civic process, a demand politicises the ‘thing’. For instance, if a trench is clogged resulting in flooding, a community can request that NAREI clears it up.

If that fails, a call might go to Lionel Wordsworth. Stillintheambitof‘request’, the matter can climb the governance ladder all the waytoOP.Nothingpolitical sofar

Ademandoccurswhena request is transformed into something political The populist leader can take the same trench, call a meeting, and say something like, “look how they take their eyes and pass you.” He then callsforamarchtoaniconic political location (perhaps OP).

The task and strategy of the populist leader is to transform a matter of mundane governance, into a political crisis The

underbellyofthecrisisisthe eliteversusthepeople.

The danger of populism is that this strategy can be enacted quite easily at an operational level, and with practically no political costs to the populist movement. The worst the crisis, the higher the populist leader rises.

The ruling party in these instances, must worry about theproclivitiesofthemiddle classwhosepoliticalidentity is highly unstable, and can shift tactically if and when the streets become crisis prone.

The populist model is based on constantly finding ways to divide the country Simple differences are regularly transformed into implacableconfrontations.

The leader of the movement is more like a fieldcommanderwhoissues the order and the infantry goes out because of the movement patriotism, based asitwere,onaworlddivided between the Saved and damned,aManicheanworld cultivated, constructed, and reproduced through endless rhetoricalperformances.

Regards, RandolphPersaud

It is good that the great majority of our people have recognised and

DEAREDITOR,

The 2025 General and Regional Elections are over and done. The results were predictable, though the voters did return some surprises and, to be expected, those who have lost continue to complain that the elections were neither free nor fair, this, in spiteofthefactthatallofthe four (4) international observers deemed the elections to be, using their language,“credible”.

International observers will always be conservative with the language they use,

but there can be no doubt that,bycomparisonwithany previous elections, the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) administered the most efficient, the most professional and the most peaceful elections our c o u n t r y h a s e v e r experienced. It was not a perfect election, but, then, I know of no country recognised as a democracy which has conducted an election free of challenges, norwhichhasescapedsome form of criticism. Not even the United States of

America, often called the bastionofdemocracy,or,for that matter, the United Kingdom, from where we inherit governance by the rule of law, has held an electionfreeofcriticism.So much so that US President Donald Trump, still insists that he won an election which he clearly lost to Joe Biden.

Our election was most certainly free. Every registered voter was free to cast his or her vote without hinderanceandtherewasnot one single credible, evidential incident reported

2025 election takeaways

DEAREDITOR,

The 2025 general election has left us with so much to chew on

Unquestionably, the most salientoutcomeisthedrastic defeat suffered by APNU. The catastrophic drop from 31seatsin2020to12in2025 confirms the sense of an emasculated opposition which APNU has presented for some time. The spate of defections in the run-up to the election was a sign of thingstocome.

Thenthere’sthemeteoric rise of WIN. In just a few months,thispartycamefrom nothing to win 16 seats and snatch the position of lead Opposition in the National Assembly This underlines APNU’s failure in holding ontooutdatednarrativesand notconnectingmeaningfully and energetically with what matters to the public currently There were six parties in the election, but this was really a three-horse race.

W I N m u s t b e complimented for its organizstion and execution against the concentrated attentionsoftherulingparty

and private sector esta

m

nc

, though, confirmsabeliefIhavelong held that there is a strong constituency for change in this country. Every time a new political movement

arises, it immediately gets a following. We saw this with the Rodney phenomenon in the1970s,andwhentheAFC came on the scene in 2005, they won five seats just a year later WIN follows that pattern AFC’s current positionisalessonforWIN.

The honeymoon is soon over You have to perform and keep faith with your supporters and the wider public.

The desire for change reflects a constituency of dissatisfaction with

Guyana’s political conditionsthatisjustwaiting foravehicletogetaboard.A sign that this remains the caseisthedropintheturnout at the polls from 70 percent in 2020 to 58 percent in 2025. Notwithstanding the enlarged voter register, I believethisturnoutdeclineis significant Indeed, the numberofvotersdeclinedby fivepercent.

Based on casual observation, it appears that young people stayed away from the polls on the East Bank, Demerara, where I wasalocalelectionobserver I don’t know how widespread this was Hopefully, GECOM will release figures that will allow analysis of whether thiswasindeedthecase.This wouldbeveryconcerning,if confirmed. A pessimistic o u t l o o k f e d b y

voted for President Ali

of a fraudulent vote being cast. Knowingthattheyhad lost, but refusing to believe it, both APNU and WIN requested Recounts of District 4. WIN was refused for requesting a Recount of all of District 4 by having failed to adhere to the rules. ArecountofaRegion4Sub District and Region 5 did takeplaceandunnecessarily delayed the results of the electionbeingannouncedby five(5)days.

i n c l u d i n g o n l i n e broadcasters who are ungoverned and generally irresponsible, also even licenced broadcasters, which, unfortunately, the Broadcasting Authority fail to regulate, it’s a wild west showinGuyana.

sanctioned by the US Government accused of gross criminal activity and who has been charged in Guyana for further alleged criminal activity Therein lies a potential threat to the future stability of our country

dissatisfaction and confusion among young people in this oil-rich nation aboutthestateofpoliticsisa clamor for change The future agenda must be guided by a need for response.

GECOM must be congratulated for executing anefficientoperationandthe Guyanese public for a peaceful and orderly election. The large presence of overseas observation teamsandmediaoutletswas conspicuous. One overseas photographer I spoke to explained the enhanced interest in one word—oil. While recognising the peaceful, well-run election, the observers almost u n a n i m o u s l y a l s o commented on the massive abuse of the incumbency advantage of the ruling PPP/C, resulting in an election playfield that was not level. Predictably, the P r i v a t e S e c t o r Commission’s observer statement did not independently find this matterworthyofconcern.

The large scale of governmentinvestmentsand

Continued on page 6

I personally, as an Accredited local observer for the Private Sector Commission (PSC), participatedinobservingthe Recount. While I witnessed some ballots being rejected forfailuresofbeingproperly stamped or the voter not marking the ballot correctly, these were few and far between and had absolutely noimpactontheresults.The Recount,infact,established, beyondadoubt,thatwehada credibleelection.

The Carter Center, in their pre-election statement, complained that the ruling party had “benefitted from biasedstatemediacoverage, undermining the equitable treatment of candidates” That’s true, but what the Carter Center neglected to observe is, that, of the three (3) privately owned newspapers, two (2), StabroekandKaieteurNews were almost wholly biased against the ruling party, particularly in their editorial opinions.

Professionally, I am not infavourofstateownedand operated media, as, by their very nature, they will support the government of the day, except if they are governed by legislation and regulations, which require objectivity, for example, the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC).

As for our broadcast media(televisionandradio),

What the Carter Center did most importantly observe is that they could find nothing fraudulent with the voters list and that they have “not received evidence ofinflationofthevoterroll”.

The apparent surprise of theseelectionsisthatAPNU were soundly defeated in theirtraditionalstrongholds, suchasDistrict6andDistrict 10. Apparent, because, it seems obvious to me, at least, that a political party, found to have deliberately attempted to rig the last election and whose minions arebeforethecourt,charged for their roles in this, who refused to acknowledge responsibility, never mind apologise, should expect anyonetovoteforthem.

Alloftheotheraspirants suffered the same faith and for the same reason except for Amanza Walton-Desir, who moved too late to achievesomuchandwhomI am happy to see will take a seatinParliament.

APNU was trounced in its strongholds, not only by the PPP/C, but by newcomers, WIN, resulting inAzurddinMohamedbeing electedtobecometheLeader of the Opposition, once so constitutionally appointed bythePresident.

Mr Mohamed is expected to enter our Parliament as the Leader of the Opposition, as a person

The Stabroek News published a list of questions and answers sent to the US Embassy with regard to the sanctioning of Mr. Mohamed,asking,“whatare the implications for a country’s investment from theUnitedStatesifanOFAC sanctioned individual (GLOMAG program) is electedtogovernmentorwin seats in Parliament?” This was the answer from the US Embassy: “Guyana is not subject to OFAC’s broad jurisdiction-basedsanctions. As a result, US persons are not generally prohibited from investing in Guyana, provided no sanctioned persons are involved in such transactions” The emphasis is mine The Embassywentontosaythat “we cannot comment on the possibility of broader impactstoUSinvestmentin a country as a result of the election of a sanctioned individual to that country’s governmentorparliament.” We can draw two (2) conclusions from that exchange.

The first is that, if Mr Mohamed becomes directly involved in any investment transaction in Guyana from the US we have a problem, and, secondly, the US Embassy left the broader questionofUSinvestmentin ourcountryhavinga

Continued on page 6

2025 election takeaways

Frompage5 social programs (cash grants, etc.), media control and use of social media outlets, and alleged pressure on government employees were cited. The scale of the abuse of the incumbency advantage is reminiscent of alleged Burnham-era acts of election fraud. The observers stressed the urgent need for reform of regulations governing campaign financing, media access for political parties and other aspects to enhance election fairness.

Inevitable questions arise about what we can expect over the next five years.Will the PNCR recover or does this defeat sound its deathknell?Itisnotuncommonforpolitical partiestomakeastrongcomeback.Howwill WIN perform? What new agenda and approacheswillitbring?Whatallianceswill emerge for the conduct of business in this

three-party Parliament? This period can be transformative in the way politics is conducted. Constitutional change that has been initiated with the establishment of the Constitution Reform Commission must take center stage. GECOM must be reformed, along with the election regulations as mentioned. As the Carter Center’s Jason Calderpointedoutattheirpost-electionpress conference, democracy depends largely on whathappensbetweenelections.Inallofthis, civil society must be prepared to play a criticalrole.Itdoesnotmatterwhatpolitical party you belong to. CSOs must recognise their responsibility and pursue it aggressively And entities that have an interest in a stable and prosperous future for thisnationmustgivesubstantivesupport.

Sincerely,

Dr DesmondThomas

Well done GPF and GDF

DEAREDITOR,

PresidentIrfaanAli,onbehalfofsomany, said that ‘You held the line,’referring to the occasion where “Several members of the Disciplined Services were awarded the Joint ServicesMedalClassAfortheirmeritorious and dedicated service in support of Law and Order,duringthejustconcludedelections.”

Ifollowedthehappenings,precedingand followingthejustconcludedelections,andit is now quite appropriate that our Armed Forces be commended for “ their unwavering commitment to duty and their vitalroleinensuringthesafetyandsecurityof the nation, during the recently held 2025 generalandregionalelections.”

Letmepointoutthatoursecuritysectoris always under pressure. If it does not deliver (intheeyesofsome),thereiscondemnation, and when it does, there is the fear of being criticised by some segments in the country Thejobisnotaneasyone.Ithink,thatunder thePeople’sProgressiveParty,weareseeing a dramatic move towards professionalism, and the ability by both the GDF and GPF, to dispense duties in accordance with ‘good governance’ and law So, the recent presidential commendations are quite in order

As per the dailies, President Irfaan Ali statedthat“Youheldtheline,calm,silent,but decisive in your action, and this, of course, allowed the people’s will to be expressed without disruption,” explaining that “Elections can be moments of strain. They stir passion by debate. They expose the division.YetGuyanapassedthetest,andwe passed it because the Joint Services ensured thatpassiondidnotbecomeprovocationand division did not descend into disorder Their vision, their vigilance gave us peace; their disciplinegivesusstability.”

Editor,afternotingthepresident’snoteof encomium, my mind went back to the pre-

electionpronouncementfromCommissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, that “… the police will be present at elections to protect, not interfere…” Hisassurance,quitetimelyand necessary was the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be focussed on protecting the constitutional rights of citizens on election day In his own words he stated that “Police officers and ranks will be in all 10 of the administrative regions…not to interfere, but to protect your constitutional rights to participatepeacefullyandsafely.”

So, on a job well done, without fear nor favour, the chorus of ‘gracefulness’must be repeated and remembered Here is an exampleofwhatImean.OnAugust31,2025, when the GDF had reported that while escortingGECOMofficialsandballotboxes alongtheUpperCuyuniRiverinthevicinity of Bamboo, near the Guyana-Venezuela border,aJointServicespatrolcameunderfire from the Venezuelan shore. (However) The escort team, comprising ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force, conducting official duties in support of GECOM’s ballot distribution to remote polling stations in Region Seven, returned fire, and successfully manoeuvred the escort team out of danger In the end, no injuriesweresustainedbyanypersonnel,and no election materials were damaged nor compromised.

Letus,thenassafeGuyanese,concurwith thepresidentthat“Wemustofferthenation’s gratitude, gratitude not only in words, but in deeds, gratitude that will be reflected in our commitment to support and strengthen the Joint Services to provide you with the tools and resources you need to ensure that your welfarebeprioritisedandthatyourservicebe honoured, not just ceremonially, but substantively,tothepeopleofGuyana.”

Yourstruly,

HargeshB.Singh

It is good that the great majority of...

Frompage5

sanctioned individual (Mohamed) elected to ourParliament,wideopen.

However, US Ambassador, Ms. Nicole Theriot, had previously said, when accosted by a journalist, that Mr Mohamed’s participation in the government or in the opposition in an official capacity would be “concerning” and “problematic” for the US Government.UptonowtheUSGovernment hastakennofurtheraction(suchasanarrest warrant) or for him to be extradited to face specificchargesintheUS.Nevertheless,the people, however foolishly, have spoken and Mr Mohamedis,therefore,entitledtobethe LeaderoftheOppositioninParliament.Now, weshallseeifthereareconsequences.

I cannot conclude without referring to those prominent persons in our society who neveroncepubliclyconfrontedtheattemptto rigour2020elections,buthavebeenquickto mountpersonalpoliticalplatformscriticalof thegoverningparty,especiallywithregardto its refusal to renegotiate the government’s contract with Exxon, even though it would have served little or no purpose. Both Chris Ram and Melinda Janki are guilty and KaieteurNewsowner,GlennLall,dedicated every day of his newspaper to this foolishness. Foolish because Exxon would simply have refused to enter any such negotiations,thoughthetimeforthatmayyet come.

Janki, with whom I have worked professionally and respect as a Lawyer,

unfortunately,becameapolitician,seekingto urge voters to return a ‘hung parliament’, thoughtlesslytogiveusagovernmentwhich could not govern, advancing much the same thing which Chis Ram insisted upon. Our electoratesensiblychosetoignorethem. Democracydemandsscheduledelections so that contesting ideologies, policies and programmes embraced by political parties are regularly put before the public to judge andtochoose.Elections,however,andalltoo often,alsocandangerouslydivideanation’s people. Then, when the contest is over, an emotionally divided people refuse to overcome their differences to work together as a united nation dedicated to the future developmentoftheircountry

InGuyana,Ihavelivedthrough,fromthe time of Independence and before, this division,mostlybasedonrace,asthegreatest enemytoourprogress.Thistime,theresults encourage me to look forward to it being different.

Of all of our political leaders, all with their own good intentions and all individually, genuinely dedicated to their country’s interest, Mohamed Irfaan Ali has shown that he is not only committed to our becoming“OneGuyana”,but,thathehasthe personality, the capacity, the youth and the willtodeliveronthatpromise.Itisgoodthat the great majority of our people have so recognisedandsovoted.

Yourssincerely,

KitNascimento

Mervyn Williams quits PNCR

…says post-elections circumstances triggered decision

Longstanding Executive Member of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Mervyn Williams, has announced his resignationfromtheparty,in a move that has taken both the leadership and the wider membershipbysurprise.

The announcement was madeduringhisweeklylive programme, Nation Watch, in an interview with businessman and newly appointed Member of Parliament, Terrence Campbell.At the end of the broadcast, Williams made the unexpected revelation, markingtheendofhistenure on the party's Central Executive Committee and alsotheparty

Williams served a Member of Parliament for th thePNCinthe9 Parliament and also eight months in the th11 Parliamentfollowingthe resignation of several dual citizenship MPs of the then APNU+AFC coalition. He was not returned as an MP when the coalition lost the 2020electionsandmanyfelt

that he was overlooked for others who did not have his skills and political experience.

In his address, Williams stated, “I've had a good run and, with a heavy heart, I announce my resignation from the Central Executive Committee of the People's NationalCongressReform.I extend sincere gratitude to the delegates of the last Biennial Congress who voted overwhelmingly for me.Ofthe15peopleelected to serve on that committee I thank my colleagues at the level of the Executive Committee and the leader himself for the opportunity toserve,particularlyhereon Nation Watch, where I believeIwasabletomakea small contribution to my party and to the efforts that we have collectively been makingovertheyears.”

Williams explained that while the decision had been difficult, it was one he had been contemplating even before the September 1 General and Regional

Elections. Although he did notstateaspecificreasonfor his resignation, he hinted at certain events that influenced his departure. “It wasoneIcontemplatedeven before September 1, but my duty, commitment, and loyalty to the party did not allowmetodothatandIheld my hand and there were unfortunate occurrences after September 1 that, in fact, one of those two occ

nces pr

-d

e September1,butcametomy attention after I have in regard to those sets of circumstances and recognising the need for the party to go through its rebuildingprocess,I'vehada good run and I thank every memberofthisparty, every supporter of this party,” Williamsstated.

Expressing his gratitude to supporters, Williams added, “I experienced only love from you, warm affection, tremendous support, and I thank you all for the years that you stood by me, to those who

mentored me, to all the past leaders of the party and all pastexecutivecommitteesof the party My sincere gratitudetoyou,butwehave come to this junction, the road where I must say goodbye.”

Despite his resignation, Williamsemphasisedthathe willcontinuetoadvocatefor Indigenouscommunitiesand social justice “I will continuetoliftmyvoicefora better quality of life, for justice,fairness,andequality for all Guyanese, until the dayofmylastbreath.”

According to sources within the party who spoke with Kaieteur News, Party Leader Aubrey Norton was unaware of Williams' decision prior to the broadcast.

The resignation reportedly came as a complete shock to party leadership.Effortstocontact Norton for a comment provedunsuccessful.

Williams' departure follows the recent announcement by the PNCR-ledcoalitionofthe12 individuals who will represent the party in the 13th Parliament over the next five years. Notably, Norton will not return to Parliament but will remain

Longstanding Executive Member of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Mervyn Williams has resigned from the party

as party leader, while TerrenceCampbellwilllead the parliamentary team. The list of MPs includes returning members Coretta

McDonald, Ganesh

Mahipaul, and Nima Natasha Flue-Bess They willbejoinedbyseveralnew faces, including political commentator Dr David H

Rupnarain, Sherod Avery Duncan, Linden Mayor and former Regional Chairman Sharma Raheem Solomon, attorney a

e ambassador Dr Dexter Todd, gospel artiste and e

u Andrews, and PNCR ViceChairman Vinceroy H Jordan, who represents RegionFive.

This announcement comes on the heels of the PNCR and its coalition APNU's disappointing performance in the September 1 elections. The newly formed We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)party,led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, secured 16 parliamentaryseats,pushing APNU to third place. The ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), led by President IrfaanAli, won 36 seats, securing Ali a second term in office. As Norton continuestograpplewiththe fallout from the party's electoral defeat, he now faces the unexpected resignation of one of the PNCR's most longstanding members.

The breach at the swearing-in

ItwasaSaturdayevening meant for the ceremony of swearing- in of Ministers. The weather was fine; the moodofthenationexpectant and the ambiance at State House was one that lent to ceremony

One expects, at such occasions, the cadence of protocol, the reverence of tradition, the careful observance of distinctions that form the backbone of government Yet, what unfolded at the swearing-in of Ministers last Saturday was confusion born of a fundamentalbreach.

After the swearing-in, the President, having summoned his new Cabinet for a photo-op, then invited the other persons who will join them as Members of Parliamenttocomeforward. Hewentasfarasannouncing thenamesofthesepersons.It was a gesture no doubt intended as generous, as inclusive. But it was wrong. Wrong because it erased a vital boundary between the government of the state and the apparatus of the ruling party Those other persons invited to come forward were not taking any oath of office; they were partisan appointees.

T h e C a b i n e t i s government. Ministers are appointed by the President undertheConstitution.Their s w e a r i n g - i n i s a constitutional act, the investitureofstateauthority

Other members of Parliament, though, belong toanothercategory Theyare the outcome of party nomination and electoral victory, and though they sit in the National Assembly, their presence on Saturday was not required at State House, nor was it correct to announce their names there. To conflate Cabinet with

caucus is to conflate governmentwithparty. Here,inminiature,wasa dangerous imprecision. And imprecision is never accidental in politics It reflects a deeper disorder of thought, a failure to respect theformsthatprotectagainst excess.

The President’s action may have been impulsive andinnocent,butimpulsein ceremony betrays ignorance ofpurpose.Ceremonyisnot for show; it is for order Under the Westminster system, the distinction between government and party is foundational. The government refers to the executive authority of the State,exercisedbythePrime Minister and Cabinet who are formally appointed to govern on behalf of the Republic, and who are accountable to Parliament and,ultimately,thepeople.

Thepoliticalparty,onthe other hand, is a private organization whose purpose istocontestelections,secure power, and promote its ideological platform. While thegoverningpartysupplies the personnel for the Cabinet, the Cabinet itself operates as an institution of the state, bound by constitutional rules and public duty, not by party loyaltyalone.Toconflatethe two is to confuse a partisan vehicle with the machinery ofState.

In essence what was glimpsed on Saturday night wasthetemptationtopresent partyasState,tocollapsethe twointooneseamlessentity Yet democracy depends upon their separation Ministers act in the name of t h e R e p u b l i c ; parliamentarians, in the name of their constituents.

To confuse the two is to imperil both One might

Dem Boys Seh...

argue what is the harm in a photograph?

Are we to quibble over optics? But optics are not neutral. A photograph at a state event is not just an image;itisarecord,aclaim to legitimacy When the President called forward the otherMPs,herantheriskof signalling to the watching public that party and State are indistinguishable. That impression corrodes constitutionalorder

What was seen on Saturdaywastherulingparty basking in the aura of State power, using the solemn moment of Cabinet formation as an occasion of partisandisplay Theironyis that this breach was unnecessary The President had already secured his Cabinet, already made his choices. The occasion was theirs alone. There was no reason to invite other MPs. And that instinct, however understandableinpolitics,is destructiveingovernance.

It is a defect of postcolonialStatesthattheforms of democracy were mimicked without the substance being understood. The ceremony would be performed, but the meaning waslost.Theoutwardsignof law and protocol would be retained,buthollowedoutby c o n f u s i o n a n d improvisation.

No one doubts the President’s intelligence, nor hiscommandofpolitics.But command of politics is not command of statecraft. The latter requires the ability to submit to forms larger than oneself.

The oath, the swearingin, the ministerial warrant—thesearenotprops for spectacle, they are constitutional instruments To dilute them with party intrusionistodevaluethem.

Dat’s wat frens are for

Afren in need is a fren indeed.

Nuff times wen yuh deh bad, is only yuh fren does come to yuh rescue.Dat’swatfriendsarefor

Asdelyricsofdesanggoes:

“Keepsmiling,keepshining

Knowing you can always count on me, forsure

That’swhatfriendsarefor

Forgoodtimesandbadtimes

I’llbeonyoursideforevermore

That’swhatfriendsarefor.”

Some frens come with benefits. But a fren who is only a fren because of the benefitsisnofrenatall.

LastSunday,amanlosehegoodfren.He talk how de fren abuse de frenship. Well, is mosly yuh frens and yuh other loved ones wahdoesstabyuhinyuhback.Datisdeway

Itisnottoomuchtosaythat someone must advise the President.

Hemustbetoldthatsuch conflations ca

t precedents.Inthedistinction

ofdeworld.

Dem boys know wat it is to lose a dear fren. Even though yuh vex with dem, yuh does miss dem company In yuh lonely hours,yuhdoesrememberdegoodtimesyuh binhadtogetherandyuhdoeslangfuhdem timesfuhreturn.

We all does need someone to lean on. Anddereisnobettershouldatosupportyuh burdensdandatofafren.AsBillWithersdid sing: “Leanonme

Whenyou’renotstrong

AndI’llbeyourfriend

I’llhelpyoucarryon…”

Butasdesayinggoes,oncebitten,twice shy Sometimes de best ah frens does gat to part. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

safeguard of democracy. On Saturdaynight,thePresident forgotit.

That is why it matters.

That is why it must be said: thePresidentwaswrong.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

opinionsof

H@RD TRUTHS

Now there are 12

In the Gospels, 12 were called. To battle for a revolutionary cause. I give y o u t h e g r e a t e s t commandment of all: 'love

one another Love neighbour And who is my neighbour? The parable involving the despised Samaritan lending a helping hand along that lonely, dangerous Jericho road furnishedananswerthathas lasted through millennia From a motley, ragged, mostlyunletteredgroupofa dozen men-fishermen, a fanatic, a doubter, a tax collector, and two pairs of brothers-emerged a group that changed the world And, let us not forget, there was even a betrayer As Guyanesewouldbeinclined tosay,'moneefullheeye'so he crossover to the Pharisee side.

ThePNChasunveiledits 12, with a smattering of women in the company They are starting afresh,

with their leader gone. Can they rise to the challenge of the times, as those 11 did st from the 1 century did? Thosewhowereleftreeling, withthewolvesdroolingfor a chance to devour them. Guyana has its share of uphill challenges, a place thatgobblesuptheweak,the unsure, the wobbly Jerusalem was renowned as that most notorious of maneaters, a consumer of prophets.'

What will the fate of st these 12 in 21 century Guyana be? Theirs is the opportunity to be pioneers and pilgrims with a vision, and with the drive to make thathappen. Thepeopleare in desperate need of such men and women. How will they respond, as 11 then 12 withacommoncause? Oras the cinematic war spectacular that is remembered as the Dirty Dozen?

In Terrence Campbell,

thePNCteamhasamanwho has endured his share of wars. Ithinkthathecouldbe as quietly dogged as Peter, that rock on which so much wasbuilt.

Indeed, a frail man, and one given to impetuosity, Peter was. But he steadied himself and quickly grew from strength to strength, as the opposition multiplied and solidified against what was dismissed as a ragtag band of brothers The womenwerealwaysinclose attendance,andnevershrank from the troubles and traumas of those days of EmperorsVespasian,Trajan, and Domitian. In today's Guyana,alandthatfloatson a sea of oil, there are emperors who would make Nero and later Macbeth of Shakespearean letters look amateurish.

For sure, just as in the firstcentury,therewillbein that 12 of the PNC, a few who feel that their rightful

Man kills drinking buddy during fight

A 24-year-old miner has admitted to killing his drinking buddy between 23:45 hrsonSaturdayand00:30hrsonSunday,at BlueMountainBackdam,RegionSeven.

Police identified the dead man as FitrawleMcLeannon,called'Cripple',a28year-old miner of Lot 106 Ocean Garden, Meten-Meer-Zorg, East Bank Essequibo.

Police have arrested his alleged killer identified as Shamer Tobin of Moruca, Northwest District, Region One. Tobin reportedly told police, “"Me and the man was drinking, and I was high, and de man box me, and I bore him about three times. Afterward,Iwentbacktocampandputon mylongboots,andIrollout."

Investigators learnt that McLeannon, the suspect, and miners went to a dredge owner's camp during early Saturday evening The suspect and the victim reportedly began drinking and “gaffing” witheachotheruntil23:45hrs.

They, along with the other miners reportedly returned to their respective camps.

However,ashortwhilelater,oneofthe

miners heard a loud scream and upon checking, saw McLeannon, lying on the ground a short distance away from the kitchenareaonthetrail,bleedingprofusely, whilethesuspectwaswalkingaway

Police said based on their inquiries, the victim allegedly slapped the suspect three times and he (the suspect) retaliated by stabbinghim(thevictim)threetimes.

Thesuspect,beforepolicearrestedhim, had also reportedly confessed to one of his workmates that he had stabbed the McLeannonandlefthimontheground.

Ranks arrived hours later to investigate thekilling.

They observed McLeannons body beforeremovingitfromthecrimesceneand noted that it bore a stab wound to the abdomen,anothertothelefthipandoneto his back. Crime sleuths also removed a smallpinkscissorsfromthescenebelieved tobeamurderweapon.

The suspect was later nabbed during a cordon and search exercise at Marawah Backdam,CuyuniRiver,RegionSeven. Investigationsareongoing.

placeistobeincharge,when theleaderleaves. Recallthe brothers James and John, who even recruited their mama to plead their case. Whoever wants to be first, must know what it is to be last. I have come to serve, nottobeserved.

My Lord, my God, if only there were those in Guyana, at every height, in everycornerofthecompass, who could possess such a mentality,beboldwithsuch a psychology of the spirit, then what a place, what a worldthisGuyanawouldbe.

Realitycheck:Yewillbe reviled and subject to all manner of calumny for the pursuit of truth and justice, and the equity that only flows from an authentic fraternity

IbelievethatthePNC12 has a chance to prove themselves. The odds are long. Theterritoryisbarren and bleak. But they must tarry on tirelessly Never

give up Never retreat Never sellout The times demand it. The people yearn for it. In the harder moments of their existence, theymustrememberPeter,a man who was famous for puttinghisfootinhismouth, but who blossomed into an indomitablechampionwhen the call was for him to lead fromthefront.

'We must obey God and not man….' There! Where thereisawill,awaywillbe found.

Peter found it, and so did Thomas who checked and doublechecked for himself,untilhehadnotone doubt left. James and John went from towering ambition to god-fearing resolution.

Tend the sheep. They arelostandlonely,wretched and despairing. For thereis nogreaterlovethanthatofa man willing to lay down his lifeforastranger… Almost

all of the 12 came to that sacred place, where earthly treasures and a wealth of possessions meant nothing, notevenlifeitself.

Guyanaisindireneedof men and women of that rarest of rare character, that nobilityofspirit. Ithassearchedlongand hardforthemamongitssons and daughters, and always walked away disappointed. Will this time be different with this 12 from the PNC? Can they? Will they? The door is open. The times beckon. It is time for real menandwomentostandup, lead the way forward, upward.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

World Bank appoints Susana Cordeiro Guerra as new VP for Latin America and the Caribbean

The World Bank Group announced the appointment of Susana Cordeiro Guerra as Vice President for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, effective today In this role, she will lead the Bank's engagement with 31 countries across the region and oversee a portfolio of US$41.5 billion in ongoing operations.Shewillbebased at the World Bank's headquartersinWashington, D.C.

M s C o r d e i r o Guerra the first Latin American woman to hold this position—brings deep leadership experience in development effectiveness, institutional strengthening, and innovative finance. She will advance the Bank's agenda to deliver jobsdriven development, measurable results and stronger public–private collaborationacrossLAC.

“AsIbeginthisrole,my priority is to support Latin America and the Caribbean in creating quality jobs that are the foundation of inclusive growth and povertyreduction,”saidMs. Cordeiro Guerra. “Jobs not only provide income, they

Susana Cordeiro Guerra

has been appointed Vice

President

for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region

bring dignity, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity By working with governments, the private sector, and local partners, we can create the conditions for investment andinnovationthattranslate into more resilient economies and more prosperoussocieties.”

P r

s appointment, Ms. Cordeiro

G

leadership positions at the

DevelopmentBank(IADB), where she led strategy on f

programs, advanced datadriven decision-making and

cial innovation. Between 20192021, she led Brazil's National Statistics Office (IBGE), overseeing 12,000 staff and spearheading the modernisation of the country's official statistics and national population census.Earlierinhercareer, she worked at the World Bank Group across multiple departments and regions on

nd subnationaldevelopment. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a

International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies from Harvard College. Her publicationsspaninnovation byfront-linemanagersinthe public sector, higher education and labor market o u t c o m e s , a n d decentralisation and regional disparities She succeeds Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, who has been appointedVicePresidentfor EastAsiaandPacific.

Two dead in Corentyne smash-up

The grieving family of 29year-old Kris Ramphal,wholosthislifein a gruesome accident on the Number 19 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice believes thathadhetakentheiradvice tostayindoorshewouldstill bealive.

Ramphal and his friend, 18-year-oldMalcolmPirtan, both of Fyrish Village Corentyne, died after the motorcycle they were riding collided head on with a motorcar

Police report stated that the accident occurred at about 1:40 am on Sunday According to the police, the dead men were riding without helmets, and were heading in the opposite directionofthecarallegedly at a fast rate, without a working headlamp The driver, based on the report, attempted to swerve right to avoid collision, but failed, and the motorcycle crashed intotheleftsidefrontportion of his car on the northern drivelane.

Ramphal's youngest brother, Antonio Ramphal, told Kaieteur News that he

andsomeotherswereattheir FyrishresidenceonaTikTok live, which was viewed by his brother from his workplace at the Albion Estate According to the youngerRamphal,theywere 'sporting', and Kris got excited and wanted to leave hisstationtoengageaswell.

“The man jump on pun thelive;heleffheworktillat Albion Estate and come till in front hay That was about twelve something time…we bounce two shots with he andwestartmektwospinsto buy one and two things,” he related.

TheelderRamphal,who lived with his wife in Chesney, volunteered to purchasetheitemstofurther the drinking spree, and took Pirtanwithhim.

They reportedly proceededataround1:00am to'BananaShop'.According to Antonio, though his brother indulged several roundsofalcohol,hewasnot drunk.

“After the shop, they were supposed to come home back. I don't know whatgointhemboysheadto take more and go up the

road.”

Itwasnotlongafterthat, he disclosed, that the family received a call informing them that the duo was involved in an accident

Upon their arrival, his brother and friend were lifelessalongtheroadway Lamenting the fact that her advice went unheeded, Ramphal's mother, Kamlawattie Mohanram told this newspaper that her son who frequently communicated with her, spoke to her earlier on Saturday evening on the

phone from his workplace. The bereaved mother recalledherfirmadmonition tohimagainstleavingwhere he was to partake in the drinking with his siblings and others He however insisted.

Shesaidherdaughter-inlaw phoned her to inquire if she heard of Kris' involvement in an accident, but her initial thought was that it was not anything major.

“Whenthepersonthathe get the accident with, them call and them answer and I

said'whereismehson?They saidmysonbuttuptothem, andheliedownpuntheroad. So,Isaidwuhhappentohe? They seh he dead,” his mother related. This comes asaharshblowtothemother who has lost yet another offspring in two years. She reflected on her son as “always good to me,” and wouldalwayscheckinonall hisfamilymembers.

This is Kris' third accident involv

n

a motorcycle. His most recent incident occurred at Fort Wellington, West Coast

Berbice, where he suffered severe injuries to his ribs, which was not fully healed. In spite of the physical setbacks, he repaired his motorcycleandcontinuedto take to the road. According tomultiplefamilymembers, he was a chronic speedster, an inclination they consistently sought to persuade against. He had promisedthathewouldease the pace on the road, they shared.

Ramphal sustained major injuries mainly to his headandlowerbody.

Malcolm Pirtan Kris Ramphal

Saiku Andrews enters parliament as APNU's fresh voice

Gospel artiste and entrepreneurSaikuAndrews has pledged to prioritise public service over personal ambitionashepreparessteps intohisnewroleasMember of Parliament for the A Partnership for National Unity(APNU).

Speaking to Kaieteur News on Sunday, Andrews shared that his decision to enter politics was deeply rooted in the principle of “service to the people and not of self.” He emphasised thathenevercampaignedfor o r n e g o t i a t e d a parliamentary seat, and views his appointment as a p r i v i l e g e a n d a responsibility

“There was nothing promised to me. I never negotiated a position. So, whenIgottheappointment,I felt that it was a privilege. I embracedit,andIwilldomy best,”hesaid.

Andrews noted that one ofthefactorsinfluencinghis alignment with APNU was the quality of individuals recently joining the party, including attorney Dexter Todd and Ronald Daniels, people he personally knows and respects. Their involvement gave him confidence in the party's

direction and strengthened his belief that they could collectively make a meaningfulimpact.

Although new to formal politics, Andrews said the timing felt right to step forwardthisyear

“I really wanted to concentrate on my business, my family, and my music. Butafterthecallwasmade,I thought, maybe this is the perfect time,” he said “Politics at a national level allowsmetohelpawholelot of people in one swoop, rather than just a few in my personalcapacity.”

Looking ahead to his parliamentary work, Andrews highlighted the urgent need for civility and issue-focused debate within the house. He criticised the current political climate for being divisive and counterproductive to nationalprogress.

“We need to deal with issues, not personalities Politics in Guyana doesn't benefit people right now because rather than looking at solutions, we focus on howwearedifferentinstead of where we can agree to helppeople,”hesaid.“Being a part of the party these past few months, especially after

Member of Parliament for APNU, gospel artiste and entrepreneur Saiku Andrews

the elections, I realised we have a great opportunity to show the people that we are different We can make meaningful changes and demonstrate that we are ready to work both inside andoutsideparliament.”

Whilehehasnotyetbeen assigned a specific parliamentary portfolio, Andrews expressed particular concern for healthcare reform and the strengthening of public assistance programmes, especially for persons with critical illnesses like cancer He noted that many patients lack access to proper medication at the GeorgetownPublicHospital and are often left to rely on insufficient, one-time public

assistance.

“We want to go to parliamentandsay,'Hey,we need to modify this system.' Public assistance needs to offer real, consistent support, especially when it comes to healthcare,” he said.Another major priority f o r A n d r e w s i s accountability in public spending He intends to advocate for strict oversight of government funds to ensure transparency, efficiency, and value for money

“I'll be rooting for value for money, making sure whateverfundsareallocated are spent in a way that extracts the maximum benefit for the people,” he stressed. “It's not just about

having projects or programmes; the real question is, what are the returns? Every cent must benefit all Guyanese, regardless of race or background.”

Despite his new role in politics, Andrews is confident in his ability to balance his duties as an MP with his personal and professional commitments. Withabackgroundinmusic, business, and philanthropy, he described this next chapter as simply another assignmenttomanage.

“It's not about whether I thinkI'mready;it'saboutthe attitudeIbring.IfI'mgivena role, I'll put in the work and give it my best,” he said.

“Even if the leader asks me to shadow infrastructure, you might say I'm not an engineer,butI'msayingthat I believe as a manager or somebodywho'sabletopull people together, I believe that I'm very much capable of being able to deliver on whatever role I'm placing or whatever responsibility I'm giving.SodefinitelyIwould say that I'm ready because I canmanagethat.”

Onthematterofworking with the opposition, Andrews expressed

optimism about bilateral cooperation, provided both sides are willing to find commonground.

“It's better to find that space where our agendas overlap and just work together for the people,” he said. “Parliamentarians may differ,butmyapproachisto bring positivity, you decide whatyouwanttodowithit.”

Andrews along with 11 other candidates of APNU were appointed as MPs to represent the party for the next five years The appointment was made on Friday by leader of the coalition,AubreyNorton.

The other MPs include returning MPs include Coretta McDonald, A A , GaneshMahipaul,andNima N

commentator, Dr David H

Rupnarain, and Sherod Av

A

o included are Linden's Sharma Raheem Solomon; a

n

peace ambassador Dr Dexter Todd; and Vinceroy H. Jordan. Meanwhile, Dr. Terrence Campbell, founder of the Camex Group, will serve as the parliamentary leader

Man chops wife to death, then ends his life

S throu Creek, comm morning, berserk hiscommonyears hisown poisonous Dead 36, and according inge substance the heinous confirmed while Number Corentyne.

T unfoldedatthe Sawm Crabwood couple Sp News, sister of the now dead woman, related that "this morning, my cousin from NewYorkcalledher,andhe (Singh) was behind her, and heturnedandtellmycousin thathe'sgonnakillher."

dead.

The threat was made while Singh brandished a cutlass,asheorderedNarine to cut the call, the sister recounted. Not long after, hercousincontactedherand quickly updated her on the disturbing details, but according to her, while she

of Singh. “He always illtreats her, beat her, threaten her. Last couple months (ago)hethreatenedsheinthe market and tried to jook she

everybody and the security guardinthemarketcatchhe and he was four months in prison." Even though she underwent endless cycles of assault,thedeceasedNarine, a domestic worker, always warmed up to Singh's apologies and assurances of changing, her sister told this newspaper Multiple pleas

relationshipwiththeabusive man were dismissed, the sistersharedingrief.

Meena also told this newspaper that Singh even attemptedtosethermother's house on fire twice and vowedthatifhecouldnotget to harm Alisha, he would extendhisplottoherfamily Meena reasoned that her sister may have stayed with Singh over fear of him making good on his threats toharmherfamily

Police said the couple's bodies are at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary awaiting port-mortemexaminations.

mother of two was already

Alisha suffered endless physical abuse at the hands

Dead: Alisha Narine

Ram Singh

‘Finish or vanish’

...ManickchandwarnsHitsandJamsoverBamiaschooldelay

Almost four years since the contract was awarded and five missed deadlines,

contractor St8tment Investment Inc. has been givenuptoOctoberthisyear to complete the Bamia Primary School in Region 10.

Newly elected Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand made the call on Sunday, hours after she took the oath of office.

The post was made on her Facebook page. “Just visited the site of Bamia Primary School just outside of Linden in Region 10 which is being built by the Ministry of Local Govt and RegionalDevelopment.This schoolwillbecompletedand

the children will enjoy the benefitsthatthegovernment intended. No ifs and buts. It will finish. The contractors have been made aware that they either finish the project in accordance with our newly set timelines or someoneelsewill.”

Inaseparatevideopostat the school site, the minister further explained that the school will cater for the entire Bamia catchment area She explained that primary school students are currentlyonshiftsystem.

“We can't continue that. So,we'vejusthadameeting withthecontractorandtheir subcontractors and gone through all the things that need to be done, and we're goingtobeputtingsomeone here fully to make sure that

Sections

of the new Bamia Primary School, Region10.

thesefinishingworkswillbe finished, because for the longest while I've been

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand on Sunday engaging contractors of the Bamia Primary School project.

readingthattheyarecloseto finishing. But I've also seen other schools where there isn't a push, and other buildings that the last leg of finishing takes forever We can't afford that here,” she related.

Manickchand noted that thechildrenmustoccupythe schoolatleastbyOctober

“So,we'regoingtomake sure we put a project manager on the premises, andrundownthethingsthat

have to finish And the contractors have been told thatit'seithertheyfinishthis or come off the project. So, we're very clear about what wewantforthechildrenwho are going to attend here.

That's a serious business for us,”shesaid.

Earlier this year, St8tment Investment Inc reported that only minor works had remained to completetheprojectandthat the school would be fully

ready for the new 2025 academicyearinSeptember “With only minor electrical installations, lightingfixtures,andlimited plumbing work remaining, the school is on the verge of being handed over,” the contractorsaidatthetime. The $34

n contract for the Bamia P

APNU says Ali's swapping of ministers pointless

The A Partnership

for National

Unity (APNU) has poured cold water on PresidentIrfaanAli'scabinet switch-up, calling it a pointlessmove.

Inastatementreleasedto media on Sunday, the coalitionsaidtheswearingin of 25 ministers on Saturday evening by the president, proves that the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration is comfortable “with its record of under-performance, incompetence, and corruption,” pointing out that 18 of the cabinet members have returned insteadofbeingreplaced. This begs to question, “Where is the promised cabinet shakeup? Where is the campaign promise to base selection on performance? Switching ineptministers,suchasPriya Manickchand, Sonia Parag, and Oneidge Walrond from one ministry to another is a

‘Finish or...

Frompage14 November2021.Sincethen, the project experienced severaldelaysduetoarange of challenges, including labour shortages, increased material costs, and unfavourable weather conditions The setbacks collectively impacted the original timeline and contributed to extensions; thecontractorclaimed.

St8tmentInvestmentInc. was incorporated in March, 2021 Its principals are RawleFergusonandKerwin Bollers of Hits and Jams Entertainment along with Aubrey 'Shanghai' Major and Kashif Muhammed of the Kashif and Shanghai footballtournament.

At the time of the signing, the project was expectedtobecompletedby July 2023. However, the contractor was unable to finish the project, and was given several deadlines to completetheworks.

In 2024, the National Assembly approved an additional $127 million towards the completion of theschool.

The modern educational building is expected to include 44 classrooms, a fully equipped gymnasium, an auditorium, a science laboratory, a music room, a library, smart classrooms, and modern restroom facilities.

...says more incompetence, corruption expected

pointlessexercise.Theywill continue to blunder and flop,”thestatementadded.

The coalition said the appointment of former ministersRobesonBennand JosephHamiltonasadvisors to ministries, is just another ploy to provide them with a lavish retirement package whichtheydonotdeserve.

“To further insult the Guyanesepeople,weseethe elevation of Deodat Indar from former minister within theMinistryofPublicWorks to a full minister of Public UtilitiesandAviation.

Thisisthesameminister who has failed miserably to fix the blackout problem in Guyana, causing the Guyanese people much frustration and costing the national treasury tens of billions of dollars in financialwaste.”

APNU's contends that instead of being dismissed, Indar has now been put in a position “to wreak more havoconhouseholdsandon theeconomy.”

The coalition said the government's increase in ministers is “a result of the PPP doling out political patronage, resulting in more square pegs in round holes. Withthiscabinet,thePPPis shamelessly indicating that

nothingwillchange,”APNU argued.

The coalition believes there will be continued lack of transfor

r innovative ideas, along with the same ad-hoc and disjointed approach to planning.Itarguedthatthere will still be no peoplec

policymaking.

Thepartyholdstheview that, “Lots of money will be wasted through corruption and incompetence. Friends, families and favorites will still be rewarded at the expense of ordinary Guyanese.”

Therefore, the party is committing to remaining on the forefront to expose the failures of the current administration, standing up for workers, families, communities, and those struggling to make a daily living.

“We will increase our efforts to meet and listen to the people as we strive to

represent them,” the party added.

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday night appointed members of his cabinet and announced the names of other parliamentarians and advisors at a ceremony held atStateHouse,Georgetown.

Most of the ministers who served the last five years were retained while, a few new faces and new ministrieswereannounced.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

Anil Nandlall has retained hisportfoliowhileMinisters Dr Vindyha Persaud (Minister of Human Services), Dr Frank

Anthony (Minister of Health), Vickram Bharrat (Minister of Natural Resources),CharlesRamson (Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport), Gail Teixeira (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance), Dr Ashni Singh (Senior Minister in the Office of the Presidentwithresponsibility

for Finance), Hugh Todd (Ministry of ForeignAffairs andInternationalRelations), Kwame McCoy (Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister), Collin Croal(MinisterofHousing), Juan Edgill (Minister of Public Works) and Zulfikar Mustapha (Minister of Agriculture) also retained theirportfolios.

Former Minister of E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a Manickchand has been assigned to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. She will be joined by former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai Sukhaihasbeenreplacedby f

Secretary,SarahBrowne.

Minister Sonia Parag who was Minister of Public Service, before it was absorbedbytheOfficeofthe President and served as Minis

Local Government and Regional Development, will now replace Manickchand as the educationminister Minister Oneidge Walrondwillreplaceformer Minister Robeson Benn as the Minister of Home Affairs, while Benn will serve as her advisor Former Minister of Housing and

Water,SusanRodrigueswill take Walrond's place as Minister of Tourism, IndustryandCommerce.

Minister Deodat Indar was named Minister of PublicUtilitiesandAviation, a new ministry In the last cabinet, he served as MinisterwithintheMinistry ofPublicWorks. Among the new faces, attorneyKeomaGriffithwill replace Minister Joseph Hamilton as the Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, while Hamilton willserveashisadvisor Businessmanandformer national cricketer, Steven Jacobs has been appointed MinisterwithintheMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSports with Minister Charles RamsonJr retaininghispost as the senior minister. Another new face, Zulfikar Ally,wasnamedMinisterof Public Service, Government E f f i c i e n c y a n d Implementation. Additional new comers i n c l u d e V i c k a s h Ramkissoon, who was named Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, MandanlallRamrajMinister withintheMinistryofPublic Works and Vanessa Benn named Minister within the MinistryofHousing.

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EbolavaccinationbeginsintheDemocratic Republic of the Congo,WHO says

(Reuters) - The World Health Organization on Sunday said it had begun vaccinating frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kasai Province, where an outbreak has been declared.

The WHO said an initial 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine from the

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country’s stockpile of 2,000 doses have been delivered to Bulape, which is the outbreak’s epicentre.

TheInternationalCoordinatingGrouponVaccine Provision has approved the dispatch of some 45,000 additional Ebola vaccine doses to Congo, the organisation said.

The outbreak, the country’s first in three years, wasdeclaredinearlySeptember. Congo’s dense tropical forests are a natural reservoir for the Ebola virus, which causesfever,bodyaches,and diarrhoea,andcanlingerinthe body of survivors only to resurface years later

The latest data from the health ministry in Kinshasa said there were 32 suspected cases,20confirmedcasesand 16 deaths.

Containingtheoutbreakis “possible, but it will be challengingifwemissthewindow of opportunity,” WHO Programme Area Manager Patrick Otim told a Geneva briefinglastweek,callingfor more support for the govern-

A health worker fills a syringe with Ebola vaccine before injecting it to a patient, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, August 5, 2019. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo.

ment and other partners.

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BLUNT BLUNT

Mervyn beat out

The ink has barely dried on the official declaration of results, and already the first political body has hit the floor. PNCR stalwart Mervyn Williams has called it quits.

The Coalition's heavy defeat has begun to take its toll and if history is any guide, this is only the opening act of a very long tragedy. We recall the 2020 elections when, in the aftermath of loss, resignation letters fluttered about like confetti.

This time, it promises to be bloodier. The pre-election defections were bad enough—stalwarts like James Bond, Jermaine Figueira, Ronald Bulkan and Amanza Walton-Desir abandoned ship before the vessel even left the harbour

Now, after the iceberg of electoral defeat, the bleeding is expected to worsen. Aubrey Norton and his crew must stock up on gauze and transfusion kits, because the hemorrhaging is real. Norton had promised to purge the disloyal and strengthen the tested and proven. Instead, it is the “tested” who are sprinting for the exit while the “proven” appear more proven at resignation than resilience. Norton needs not only blood donors but miracle workers. And miracles, as we all know, are in short supply these days.

At least 52 killed after ‘another sleepless night’ across Gaza as Israel intensifies strikes, threatens residents to move south

(AL-JAZEERA) Atleast 52 people were killed on Sunday as artillery shelling and gunfire by Israeli forces were reported in Gaza City, as well as shelling from boats.

The Israeli army is intensifying its military operations in the city, threatening Palestinians to evacuate southwards as attacksaccelerate.

According to an army post on X, more than 250,000 people have reportedly fled the city The military is urging remaining residents to travel via alRashid Street towards alMawasi or camps in central Gaza.

However, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said, “ D e s p i t

n t e n s e bombardment in Gaza City, many residents have stayed put – or returned after seeking shelter elsewhere –because many of Israel’s designatedevacuationzones aredesperatelyovercrowded and under-resourced, including lacking proper

wateraccess.”

The United Nations estimates from late August indicatedapproximatelyone million Palestinians were living in and around Gaza’s largest urban centre, where famineconditionsaretaking hold after months of deterioratingcircumstances.

TheUNandinternational

community have called on Israeltoabandonitsplansto capturethecity,warningthat suchanassaultcouldworsen thehumanitariancrisis.

Israeli army’s Arabiclanguage spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed on SaturdayonX:“Morethana quarterofamillionresidents ofGazaCityhavemovedout

of the city for their own safety ” Gaza’s Civil D e f e n c e a g e n c y contradicted this figure, reporting fewer than 70,000 people had managed to leave.

The Israeli military dropped leaflets Saturday, warning western district residents to evacuate amid

continuous air raids. “The Israeliarmyisoperatingwith very intense force in your area and is determined to dismantle and defeat Hamas,” the leaflets stated.

“Youhavebeenwarned.”

M o h a m m a d A b u

Salmiya,headoftheal-Shifa Hospital, told theAFPnews

agency that while displacement continues within Gaza City, “only a smallnumberofpeoplehave beenabletoreachthesouth”.

He added that those who do fleesouthoftenfindnowhere to stay, as “the al-Mawasi area is completely full and Deir el-Balah is also overcrowded”, causing manytoreturntoGazaCity

C i v i l D e f e n c e spokesman Mahmoud Basal told AFP, “The actual number of displaced people from Gaza to the south is approximately 68,000 only. Many residents are still holding their ground, and many others cannot find spaceinthesouth.”

Bakri Diab, a 35-yearold father of four who fled

western Gaza City, reported thatairraidswerecontinuing in the south as well

“Bombing happens here too –thesouthisn’tsafeeither,” he said. “All the occupation has done is force people to crowd into places with no basicservicesandnosafety.”

Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, at least 64,871 people have been killed and 164,610 wounded in Israeli attacks, the enclave’s Health Ministryreports.

In a post on Telegram, the ministry said that in the past24hours,68bodiesand 346 wounded patients were brought to hospitals in Gaza

Moreover, the bodies of 10 aid seekers and 18 wounded aid seekers have arrived at hospitals in Gaza inthesametimeperiod.

Since the establishment oftheUS-andIsraeli-backed GHF aid distribution sites at theendofMay,atleast2,494 peoplehavebeenkilledinor near them and more than 18,135wounded.

Young activists who toppled Nepal’s government now picking new leaders

(Reuters) - AformerDJ and his obscure Nepalese non-profit used a social media app popular with video gamers to drive massiveprotestsandbecome theunlikelypowerbrokersin installing the country’s new interimleadership.

Sudan Gurung, the 36year-old founder of Hami Nepal (We are Nepal), used the Discord messaging app and Instagram to mobilise massive demonstrations that forced Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli to resign, in the deadliestpoliticalcrisistohit the Himalayan nation in decades, a dozen people i n v o l v e d i n t h e demonstrationssaid.

The group usedVPNs to accessbannedplatformsand issued calls to action that reachedtensofthousandsof young people, they added.

Representatives for Oli could not be contacted for comment.

“I was invited to join a group on Discord where

there were about 400 members. It asked us to join the protest march a few kilometres from the parliament,” 18-year-old student Karan Kulung Rai, whoisnotpartofthegroup, toldReuters.

Hami Nepal’s early social media posts on Discord became so influential that they were referenced on national television.

Asprotestsgrewviolent, the group also identified messages it termed “fake news” and shared hospital phonenumbers.

Hami Nepal members, who asked not to be identified as they had used proxy names online for security reasons, said Gurungandthegroup’sother leaders have since become central to high-stakes decisions, including the appointment of the new interim leadership till elections are held on March 5.

They have already convinced the country’s president and army chief to appointformerChiefJustice SushilaKarki,knownforher tough stance against corruption, as Nepal’s first woman prime minister in an interim capacity, three membersofthegroupsaid.

“Iwillmakesurethatthe power lies with the people and bring every corrupt politiciantojustice,”Gurung said in his first press conference since the protest onThursday

On Sunday, Gurung and histeamwereinmeetingsto decide key cabinet positions and were proposing that some government officials appointed by the previous administration be removed, members of Hami Nepal said.

“Meetings are ongoing betweenKarkiandmembers ofthegroup.Wewillfinalise thecabinetsoon,”oneofthe members said. Gurung and Karki did not immediately

respond to questions sent to theirmobilephones.

The “process is being carefully carried out, so that it consists of skilled and capableyouth,”HamiNepal saidonInstagram.

FROMDJTO REVOLUTIONARY

Monday’s protest by young adults loosely categorised as a “Gen Z” movement, as most participants were in their 20s, turned deadly within hours and rapidly brought downthegovernment.

Sudan Gurung, 36, founder of Hami Nepal, shouts as he returns after a brawl during their press conference, following last week’s deadly anti-corruption protests, in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 14, 2025. REUTERS/Navesh Chitraka Nepal,

directed at perceived government corruption and took off following a ban on multiple social media platforms - a directive that was reversed Protesters clashed with authorities on thestreets,leavingatleast72 deadandover1,300injured. Gurung, who is older than the Gen Z age bracket, andhisteamhavevowednot to take up any cabinet positionsbutwanttobepart of the future decisionmaking.

“We don’t want to be politicians. Sudan Gurung wasonlyhelpingthe‘GenZ’ group and we are only the voice of the nation and not interested in taking leadership positions,” said Ronesh Pradhan, a 26-yearoldvolunteerforthegroup.

Gurung, who was a DJ before he founded Hami Nepal, organised civic relief whentheworstearthquakein Nepal’s history killed over 9,000 people in 2015, and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FinalstageofVueltaabandonedbecauseofprotests

(BBC Sport) - The final stage of the Vuelta a Espana has been abandoned after pro-Palestinian protesters entered part of the course in thecentreofMadrid.

Protestersknockeddown barriers and occupied the road at several points on the course including Gran Via, where cyclists were due to passmultipletimes.

More than 1,000 police officers had been deployed on to the streets of the Spanish capital, with demonstrationsexpected.

Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, who led going into the 21st and final stage, has been declared the winner

Britain’s Tom Pidcockof Q36 5 Pro Cyclingfinishes third, behind UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Joao Almeida.

There have been various protests against the IsraelP r e m i e r Te c h t e a m throughout this year’s Vuelta, forcing some stages tobeshortened.

Riders have crashed as a

result of the protests, with some saying they have been worriedfortheirsafety

Last week, IsraelPremierTechbeganracingin modified jerseys which did notdisplaytheirteamname.

There was no podium presentation for Vingegaard or the winners of the other racejerseys.

“It’s a pity that such a moment of eternity was taken from us,” said Vingegaard.

“Iwaslookingforwardto celebrating this overall win

Pro-Palestinian protesters knocked down barriers and occupied the road along various points of the course (Getty Images)

with my team and the fans. Everyone has the right to protest, but not in a way that influences or endangers our race.”

Monday September 15, 2025

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Clashes continued after the race was abandoned, with protesters throwing bottles of water and other objectsatpolice.

Race organisers had already shortened the 21st and final stage of the Vuelta from111.6kmto103.6km.

Organisers did not specify a reason for the section removed, which wouldhavecrossedtheplush Madrid neighbourhood of Aravaca.

Cycling journalist Brian Smith told BBC Sport: “They realised [there could bedisruption]afewdaysago when the protesters stopped astagegoingintoBilbao.

“So there was always a contingency in place and the riders all voted to ride into Madrid They knew somethingmayhappen.”

The protests come in the wake of the Israeli military launching a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 othersweretakenhostage.

At least 64,871 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-runhealthministry

S p e a k i n g b e f o r e Sunday’s final stage, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he admiredtheprotesters.

“Today marks the end of the Vuelta,” Sanchez told a socialist party rally in the southern city of Malaga “Ourrespectandrecognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilising for just causes like Palestine.”

Madrid’s mayor, Jose LuisMartinez-Almeida,said Sanchez’scommentswereto blame for causing the

abandonment.

“[It is] violence that the prime minister is directly responsible for due to his statements this morning instigating the protests,” he said.

“Todayisthesaddestday since I became mayor of this greatcity.”

Israel’s foreign minister

Saar called Sanchez and his goverment a “disgrace”toSpain.

Posting on X, Saar said:

“Today he encouraged protesters to take to the streets.

“The pro-Palestinian mob heard the messages of incitement - and ruined the cyclingraceLaVuelta.”

Gideon

(BBC Sport) - Two new global 100m champions were crowned as America’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Jamaica’s Oblique Seville claimed stunning breakthroughvictoriesatthe W o r l d A t h l e t i c s ChampionshipsinTokyo.

Jefferson-Wooden, 24, sealed gold in the women’s

final in emphatic fashion, proving a class above her rivals in a championship record10.61seconds.

Less than 10 minutes later inside Japan’s electric National Stadium, Seville, also 24, ripped his vest in celebration after becoming thefirstJamaicanmantowin a global 100m title since

athletics icon Usain Bolt, who was watching here in thestands.

Winning in a personal besttimeof9.77,Sevilleled aJamaicanone-twoaheadof Kishane Thompson as American defending champion Noah Lyles was forcedtosettleforbronze.

Jamaica had already

Jefferson-

previously won three global golds as part of the USA women’s 4x100m team

Jefferson-WoodenandSevillewinworld100mtitles

celebrated Tina Clayton’s silver in the women’s final, while St Lucia’s historic Olympic champion Julien Alfred took bronze and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith finishedeighth.

Jefferson-Woodenstorms tostatementwin Fuelled by her desire to stand on the top of the

podium after winning 100m bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, JeffersonWooden arrived inTokyo as favourite following a stellar season.

Jefferson-Wooden, who has enjoyed success as part of the USA’s 4x100m relay team, had run the fastest three times of 2025 and remained unbeaten over the distance. She d

expectations might weigh heavy as she cruised through the rounds, before producing a devastating, record-breaking final performance

Notonlydiditdeliverthe gold she desired, but she hintedatwhereshemightyet gofromherebyclockingthe fourthfastesttimeinhistory

“It has been an amazing year I have been dreaming of this moment,” said Jefferson-Wooden, who will also chase 200m and relay gloryinTokyo.

Jefferson-Wooden has reached the pinnacle seven years after she put her sportingambitionsonholdto save her dad’s life, stepping forwardasastemcelldonor whenhewasdiagnosedwith a rare blood condition in 2018.

Itremainstobeseenhow her small home city of Georgetown in South Carolina will mark this occasion, after a day was named in her honour following her Olympic achievements.

Sevilledelivers onhispromise

Just 0.01 seconds had separated the leading trio in the semi-finals - Kenny Bednarek, Thompson and Seville - with all eight qualifiers needing to run under10secondstoprogress

tothefinal.

While a staredown shared between Bednarek and Thompson as they crossed the line together in their semi increased excitement among the crowd,Sevilleraisedafinger to his lips as he won the followingheat.

Lessthantwohourslater, as Bolt applauded, Seville silenced questions over his ability to handle the big occasions amid the wait for his long-anticipated golden moment.

“To win this gold medal is something special to me,” hesaid.

“Track and field is both mental and physical. But, to be honest, I think I have mastered the mental part of it.

“Other people are doing and talking about other things,butIjustfocusonme andthatiswhyImanagedto getthisvictory.”

As three-time Olympic 100m champion Bolt watched on, Seville at last delivered the crowning moment his talent has long promised.

Dethroned champion Lyles was never in contention for gold. Instead, it was compatriot Thompson, the fastest man in the world this year with a best of 9.75, who remained Seville’sbiggestthreattothe veryend.

Seville was last in the fastest 100m race in history atlastsummer’sGames,and narrowly missed out on the podium at the previous World Championships in 2023 - but he was not to be deniedthistime.

Under the guidance of Bolt’s former coach, Glen Mills, Seville will hope this is just the start - as will his nation, with its sprinting prowessrevived.

Melissa

Wooden has

(Reuters)

Oblique Seville won gold after finishing fourth at the previous World Championships (Reuters)

Indiaplayersrefusedhandshakes-Pakistancoach

(BBC Sport) - India’s cricketers refused to shake hands with Pakistan after their first meeting since the conflict between the two nations earlier this year, PakistancoachMikeHesson hasclaimed.

India cruised to a sevenwicket victory at the Asia Cup in Dubai, after which captain Suryakumar Yadav and batting partner Shivam Dube immediately left the field rather than shaking handsinthemiddle,asisthe norm.

Afterwards, Pakistan’s players appeared to walk towardsIndia’sdugoutwhen they left the field but the India players had already returned to the dressing room.

There was also no handshake between Suryakumar and Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the toss.

“Obviously, we were ready to shake hands at the end of the game,” New ZealanderHessonsaid.

“We were disappointed thatouroppositiondidn’tdo that.”

At the post-match presentation, Suryakumar described the win as a “perfect return gift to India”

After his final question, headded:“Westandbywith the victims and families of the terror attack and express oursolidarity

“We want to dedicate today’s win to all of our armed forces who showed a lotofbravery.”

No Pakistan players spoke at the presentation. Hesson later said Agha’s decision not do so was a “flow on” from India not shakinghands.

“We sort of went over theretoshakehandsandthey were already going to the

changing room,” Hesson said.

“ T h a t w a s a disappointing way for the match to finish. In a match thatweweredisappointedin the way we played, but certainly we were willing to goandshakehands.”

Whatisthebackground?

India and Pakistan engaged in a four-day military conflict in April following a deadly militant attack on tourists in IndiaadministeredKashmir India blamed Pakistan for the attack - which Pakistan denied - and then launched air strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistanadministered Kashmir, with Pakistan firing missiles back.

It was the worst military confrontation between the neighbouring countries in decades, with dozens of peoplekilled.

Thecountriesalreadydid notplayeachotherincricket other than at global events. TherewerecallsfortheAsia Cup to be cancelled or the matchboycotted,butitwent ahead.

“The government and theBCCI[BoardofControl for Cricket in India], we were aligned,” Suryakumar said “Wetookacallandwe came here just to play the game We gave the proper reply”

India and Pakistan could yet meet again in this Asia Cup should both sides progresstothelatterstages.

The previous meeting between the sides at the Champions Trophy in February was held in Dubai because India refused to travel to Pakistan – the tournament’shosts.

In June, it was announced Sri Lanka will host Pakistan’s matches at the Women’s World Cup,

which begins later this month.

That tournament was originally supposed to be heldentirelyinIndiabutthe schedule was changed now neithercountrywilltravelto theotherforanInternational CricketCouncilevent.

Whathappenedonthe field?

Aw a y f r o m t h e controversy, India were commandingwinners.

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub was caught at backwardpointfromthefirst legitimate delivery of the

matchandMohammadHaris wastakenatdeepsquareleg offJaspritBumrah’sbowling inthesecondover

Pakistan steadied somewhat to 45-2 but lost theirnextfivewicketsfor38 runsasIndia’sspinnerstook hold in the middle overs to limitthescoreto127-9.

Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took 3-18, left-arm spinnerAxarPatel2-18,and Pakistanwereflounderingat 83-7 until Shaheen Afridi clubbed33notoutlateon.

Still,Pakistan’stotalwas alwayswellbelowpar

India opener Abhishek Sharmachargedthefirstball of the chase, bowled by Shaheen, to take four and lifted the second over cover forsix.

SpinnerAyubhadIndia’s Test skipper Shubman Gill stumped for 10, Abhishek caughtatlong-offfor31,and Tilak Varma bowled for the same score, but India still secured their second win from two matches with 25 balls to spare when

Suryakumar heaved a six overmid-wickettofinish47 notout.

The win was India’s sixth in succession against Pakistan in men’s cricket (Getty Images)

Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League… Scorching fifties from Hetmyer, Sampson set up crushing 64-run win

ByCliftonRoss

Terrific knocks from Shimron Hetmyer and Quentin Sampson, coupled withexceptionalbowlingled by Gudakesh Motie’s 5-fer, played a key role in the 64run dismantling of the BarbadosRoyalslastnightat the Guyana National Stadium,Providence.

Makeshift opener, Sampson bludgeoned his second successive halfcentury, an even 50 off 36 ballswith3foursand4sixes, pushing the Warriors to an end score of 189-6 after 20 overs.

The right-handed Sampson added 51 runs alongsideShaiHope(31)but it was the second halfcentury partnership of 50 alongside Hetmyer, which helped the Warriors innings andtheireventualtotal.

Man-of-the-match Hetmyer,carriedtheinnings after the blazing start provided by Sampson, eventually outscoring the opener and his other teammates,asheracedto68 from 39 after clobbering some8foursand3sixes.

The duo did most of the lion’sshareofthescoringas

- Warriors inch closer to finals berth

theytookthewindoutofthe Royalsfromtheinception,as they mistreated most of the opposition bowlers with the Warriors missing out on racking up a possible 200runscore.

All-rounder Romario Shepherd (20) finished the innings nicely, as Guyanese

Sherfane Rutherford (2-39) ended with the best figures fortheRoyals.

After being 3 down for 30 odd after the end of the first power-play, Barbados in reply looked decent but lost their way thanks to some collective bowling from the Warriors, which

left them riddled for 125 all out inside their allotted 20 overs

The trying men were Rutherford who returned to

bash27andKofiJames(26), butnoneoftheirothermates managed to get out the blocks Including Shaqkere Parris (14), former South

African skipper Quinton De Kock (15), fellow Protea Rassie Van Der Dussen (4) andKadeemAlleyne(11).

The final nail in the coffin came when Royals lasthopeinskipperRovman Powell (1) was removed by hisoppositenumberinTahir, leaving the remaining bowlers at the mercy of a rampant Warriors bowling unit.

A returning Shamar Joseph (2-18) helped neutralize any possible threats by the Royals, who lost a cluster of wickets cheaply prior to being bowledout.

But it was the left-arm spinner Motie who had his bestgamethisseasonwith521 backed by speedster/hero from the last game, Dwaine Pretorius(2-29).

Motiecleanedupthetail for cheap as he bagged his maiden 5-fer but more importantly giving his team the leap to the second place spot as they look to cross a their last few hurdles this season.

Canje Secondary through to BCB Republic Bank Inter Secondary final

Action in the game between Canje Secondary and New Amsterdam Multilateral School

Canje Secondary School whipped New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School byninewicketstowintheNewAmsterdam/ CanjeZoneoftheBCB/RBLInterSecondary School cricket competition for schools in East Berbice. The win by CSS has put them through to the overall final against Port Mourant Secondary School, who are the CentralandLowerCorentyneChampions.

ThegamethatwasplayedattheRoseHall Community Centre saw NAMS being asked to bat first. They found things tough against theCSSattackandwerebundledoutfor109 in 25 overs in the 30-over affair Tamesh Deonandan (22) and Jaden Edwards (20) offeredsomeresistancewiththebat. Bowing for CSS, Zaden La Rose picked up three wickets.

In their reply, CSS, led by the Guyana Under-17captain,RomarioRamdehol,made lightworkofthetotal,racingpastthetargetin just14oversforthelossofonewicket. Ramdeholwasinadestructivemoodashe hammered an unbeaten 75 that included 7 fours and 6 sixes to give his team an easy nine-wicketvictory.

ThefinalissetforthisFridayattheRose HallCommunityCentreGround.

The tournament began in 2023 and has beenheldupduetovariouscircumstances.

Thetournamentwassolelysponsoredby the New Amsterdam Branch of Republic Bank Limited. A total of 17 schools were listedtoparticipateinthetournamentisbeing played on a knockout basis in the various zones.(SamuelWhyte)

Barbados Royals players celebrate the wicket of Ben McDermott (Getty Images)

Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League… Royals snatch dramatic last-ball win over Warriors

The fifth game of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) saw a preview of this year’s final as Guyana Amazon Warriors took on Barbados Royals at the Providence Stadium.

A see-sawing match went down to the final over with Warriors needing 11 runs to pull off a calculated chase. A thrilling last six balls were delivered by AaliyahAlleyne and she got rid of the dangerous and set AmyHunterlbwfor63totilt thematchtheRoyalsway

Ashmini Munisar hit the penultimate ball for four to leave four runs required off the final ball but Munisar couldn’t find the boundary for a second time and her

partner Nyia Latchman was runouttoleavetheWarriors shortbyjust3runs.

Earlier, Shemaine

Campbelle won the toss and the Warriors elected to field first. Chamari Athapaththu scored a patient 37 off 42 balls at the top of the order after the early loss of her partner,theaggressiveQiana Josephforeight.

Laura Harris was among thewicketsoncemoreforthe Warriors as she picked up 3/28astheRoyalstoporder, other than Athapaththu, made slim pickings before captain Chinelle Henry hit a crucial 46 off 34 balls to get themupto132/6.

Athapaththu then got to work with the ball and duly picked up 3/25 including

Amy Hunter top scored for the Guyana Amazon Warriors (Getty Images)

bowling out Realeanna Grimmond and Shemaine Campbelle Amy Hunter battledthroughuntilthefinal overbutcouldn’tseeherside overthelineasotherthan40 from captain Campbelle the rest of the Warriors batters failed to make double figures.

The Royals narrowly cameoutontopbutthesides were evenly matched in an exciting game and the Warriors will get the chance to exact revenge in Wednesday’sfinal.

Laura Harris (2nd from Left) of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrates with teammates after taking a caught and bowled to dismiss Kycia Knight (Getty Images)

ChamariAthapaththu of Barbados Royals celebrates getting the wicket of Laura Harris (Getty Images)

Shimron Hetmyer of GuyanaAmazon Warriors celebrates reaching his 50 (Getty Images)

Quentin Sampson of GuyanaAmazon Warriors reaches 50. (Getty Images)

Shamar Joseph (2nd left) of GuyanaAmazon Warriors celebrates with teammates after catching Chris Green. (Getty Images)