Lower oil prices dent ExxonMobil Man dies after car slams into truck
US$20 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel commissioned …asCNOOCsaysfirst-halfprofitfalls13%
15 killed in August from road accidents GPOC halts to US as Trump tariff policy bites partner’s profits package shipments
As of late August 2025, 15 deaths from nine fatal
road accidents were reported, highlighting an alarming rise in road fatalities despite efforts by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to implement traffic safetymeasures.
Authorities are reporting that road accidents are occurring at an almost daily rate, with some of the most recent incidences claiming multiple lives in single crashes.
On Wednesday, August 27, 64-year-old Charles Richard of Lot 31 Sandy
Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown,losthislifeina crash on Heros Highway, East Bank Demerara. Police reportedthatRichardsfailed to comply with traffic signs, which led to the deadly accident.
Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, August 19, a fiery collisionbetweentwotrucks on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway near Loo Creek resulted in three fatalities.
The deceased were identified as 73-year-old
Lionel Campbell, an unidentifiedpassenger,anda Venezuelan woman known only as “Melie”, who tragically burned to death when one of the trucks exploded The incident involved Campbell’s sandladen truck (#GXX 1546) and another lorry (#GAG 313) driven by Carlos Yasmanie, a 29-year-old Venezuelan. According to police, Yasmanie was speeding and swerved to avoidaslowingcar,crashing head-on into Campbell’s vehicle. Police stated, “On seeing that, the Venezuelan driver said he swerved in a north-eastern direction to avoidacollisionwiththecar, and in the process collided head-on with motor lorry #GXX 1546, which was proceeding south along the easterndrivelane.”
On August 16, three young lives were lost in another highway tragedy A Toyota Fielder Wagon collided with a truck along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The victims were seven-year-old Meranzo Campbelle, Shelly Joseph, andKeironWells.
On August 17, a devastating crash along the Rupununi to Lethem trail, Region Nine, wiped out a family of three. The victims were identified as Jagnarine Stephen,KeyraStephen,and their toddler daughter, Laurel Stephen Reports indicatetheycollidedwitha minibus while navigating a curve Allegedly, their motorcycle was on the
wrong side of the road. The couple died on the spot, whilethechildsuccumbedto injuries at the Lethem RegionalHospital.
A separate tragedy occurredonAugust13,when 22-year-oldAlex Persaud of Timehri Base Road was killed by a speeding lorry at Supply, East Bank Demerara, just two weeks after his wedding. The lorry driver fled the scene Persaud had recently married Selina Lumelino on July27.
On August 24, 60-yearoldSookramofLot153Barr Street, Kitty, was killed in a hit-and-run on the Mocha Access Road, East Bank Demerara. The incident involved motorcar PNN 5140, driven by 25-year-old Shawn Alleyne, and motorcycle CP4540, ridden by Sookram Police reported, “Alleyne was proceedingeastatanalleged fast rate when he collided with Sookram who was heading in the same direction Alleyne reportedly failed to stop and fledthescene.”
Anotherfatalityoccurred on August 18 along the Dochfour Public Road, East Coast Demerara, where 72year-old Grace Lyte of Corentynediedinacollision involving a car and a lorry Thecar,drivenbyThaddeus Lyte,reportedlyattemptedto overtake traffic and collided head-on with the lorry Police stated, “The car overtookalineoftrafficand collided head-on with the lorry in the southern carriageway Both vehicles ended up in a trench.” Lyte was pronounced dead at the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation.
That same day, an unidentified pedestrian was
struck and killed around 04:00hrs on the Montrose Public Road, ECD The driver of motorcar PAC 8964, a 24-year-old welder, told police that the pedestrian ran into his path.
Although he initially fled, the driver later returned to thescene.
On August 14, a pedal cyclist was killed on the Blankenburg Public Road, West Coast Demerara, after colliding with a motorcar
Thecyclist,whoseidentityis still unknown, reportedly rodeacrosstheroadandwas struck by 28-year-old driver
Stephens family who were
Anothervictim,64-yearold Ava Brathwaite, succumbed to injuries on August 16, ten days after beingstruckbyadiplomatic vehicle belonging to the Russian Embassy on Ogle MainRoad.Brathwaite,who wasemployedatCaraLodge Hotel, sustained multiple serious injuries including a punctured lung and brain swelling.
OnAugust4,eight-yearold Sahil Naipaul, a student ofCrabwoodCreekPrimary, was struck and killed along the Corentyne road The driver, 22-year-old Ramsarran Samaroo, was arrested and remanded to prison on August 11. He pleadednotguiltytocharges of failing to render assistanceandfailingtostop after the accident The charge of causing death by dangerous driving was consideredindictable.
Despite the introduction ofautomatedspeedmonitors ande-ticketingsystems,road fatalities continue to rise. The GPF reported that by July30,2025,therewere70 road deaths, a six per cent increase over the same period in 2024, even though the total number of road accidentsdecreasedbythree percent.
Responding to the ongoing crisis, Earl Lambert, Chairman of the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), has called for a “threestrike” system targeting repeat traffic offenders
Speaking at a Road Safety
Stakeholders Forum, Lambertsaid:“Indrivingit’s about,go,go,go…youhave to stop and wait and make sure that in that process you think about other road users We need to emphasise safety on our roads.”Heurgedthatrepeat Continued on page 22
Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd, a Chinese-state
owned mining giant operating in Guyana, through its subsidiaryAGM Inc.hasreportedearningsof RMB1 4789 billion (over US$200million) from its Aurora Gold Mine in Guyana for the first half of 2025.
This information was revealed in the company’s interim half-year report published on Tuesday According to the company’s interim report the Aurora Gold Mine total asset is pegged at RMB4 5287 billion “Aurora Gold Mine Operating income for the reporting period is RMB 1.47893,” the report furtherstates.
It was also disclosed in the report that the Aurora Gold Mine produced 2,039 kilograms (over 71,000 ounces) of gold in the firsthalf of 2025. The company saidAurora’s output formed partofthe41,186kilograms of gold produced across its projects worldwide Zijin noted that the gold output
recorded during the reporting period is a 16% increase compared to the same period last year Zijin also noted that a technological upgrade was carried out at the Guyana goldmine.
The Aurora gold project is wholly-owned by AGM and is located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)
Aurora is Guyana’s only large-scale gold project currently in production. The mine holds estimated reserves close to 184 tonnes of gold (183,809 kg), or approximately six million ouncesofgold. While the project is already in production,AGM has also embarked on expanding the project. The mining and processing methods used at the project includes open-pit mining, undergroundmining,gravity separation and cyanide leaching.
According to AGM, the gold mine has a processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes per day and is currently building its Phase 1 underground mine Upon reachingnameplatecapacity, the project will achieve an annual gold production
capacity of more than 4 tonnes.
Zijin Mining Group’s presence spans across 17 provincial-level regions in China and encompasses operations in 15 countries worldwide, including Guyana.
Their foothold in Guyana’s mining landscape was solidified in August 2020whentheyacquiredthe largest gold minesoperation in the country from Canadian-ownedAGMfora substantial sum of US$238 million.
The Aurora gold project was originally developed by
extensive area of 12 square kilometersor2,965acres.
While Aurora is currentlytheonly-largescale goldproducerinGuyana,the Cuyuni-Mazaruni district is also home to most of the other major developments underway
Guyana has a long history of small- and medium-scale alluvial
mining However, its mining-friendlypoliciesand supportivegovernmenthave attracted several foreign firms in recent years. This publication previously reported that five Canadian mining companies collectively control an estimated 15 5 million ounces of gold across various projects in different stages of development
Theseventuresarecurrently
undergoing exploration, feasibility studies, and permitting processes, with first production expected between 2026 and 2028 Most of these companies have commended Guyana’s favourable regulatory environment and view their projects here as key drivers offuturegrowth.
Notably, Guyana’s gold sector has seen a noticeable dip in declarations in recent years.AccordingtotheBank of Guyana’s annual reports, gold declarations declined by roughly 209,000 troy ounces between 2019 and 2023.
However, a modest rebound was recorded in 2024, with declarations risingby1,954ounces,from 432,113 ounces in 2023 to 434,067ounces.
This publication had reported that Guyana has been ranked among the top 10 jurisdictions in the world for mining investment attractiveness, according to the Fraser Institute’sAnnual Survey of Mining Companies2024.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Amidthehustleandbustlethatcharacterisesthiselection cycleinGuyana,onetroublingrealityrisksgoingunnoticed: thealmostdailyreportsofroadfatalities.Forthismonththus far, there have been nine fatal accidents according to this newspaper'srecordsresultingin15deaths.
Theseaccidentshavebecomesofrequentthat,tragically, manycitizensarebecomingdesensitisedtothelossoflifeon ourroadways. Almosteverydaythenewsmediacarrystories of families shattered, breadwinners lost, and children orphaned, yet the conversation about this national tragedy too often remains muted. Earlier this year, the government launchedtheSafeRoadIntelligentSystem(SRIS)Project,a collaborativeeffortbetweentheGuyanaPoliceForceandthe National Data ManagementAuthority (NDMA).As part of this project, new radar speed signs and speed cameras have beeninstalledacrossGuyanatomonitorvehicularspeedsand trafficpatterns.Atthetimeofthelaunchgovernmentsaidthe automatedspeedcameraswilldetectvehiclesexceedingthe speed limit, and tickets will be generated automatically without manual processing. If a driver's contact details are registeredwiththeGuyanaRevenueAuthority(GRA),they willreceiveanotificationviaSMSoremailwithdetailsofthe violation.Iftheircontactdetailsarenotregistered,aphysical ticket will be delivered to their address. The data collected fromthissystemwillalsohelpauthoritiesdevelopeffective strategiestoreducespeedingandimproveroadsafety
Initially when the initiative was launched motorists slowed down, speed clocks reminded drivers of their recklessness, and there was a sense that finally, steps were being taken to bring order to Guyana's notoriously chaotic roads. Unfortunately, that moment was short-lived as speedinghasreturned,recklessdrivinghasresumed,andthe roadwaysareonceagainatheaterofcarnage.
Theproblem,however,isnotjustindividualrecklessness. Itiscompoundedbythestateofroadconstructionacrossthe country Toooften,worksitesareleftpoorlylit,inadequately marked, and dangerously exposed. Drivers are forced to navigatesuddendiversions,unevensurfaces,andhaphazard detours without warning. For a country undergoing rapid infrastructuraltransformation,thisnegligenceisbothironic and deadly Infrastructure is meant to support development and improve quality of life. Instead, the lack of proper road managementduringconstructionisclaiminglives.
The statistics of the past weeks tell a horrifying story: there were three multiple-fatality accidents, with an entire nuclearfamilyofRupununiwipedoutandanothertwoonthe Soesdyke-Linden Highway The Safe Road Initiative, commendable in its intent, has been undermined by poor follow-through.Speedclocksalonecannotsavelivesifthere isnoconsistentpolicingtobackthemup.Toomanydrivers know that they can get away with dangerous behaviour, overtaking recklessly, driving under the influence, ignoring trafficsignalsbecausethechancesofbeingcaughtareslim. Wherearethepatrols?Wherearethebreathalyzerchecks,the randomstops,thevisiblepresenceoftrafficofficersactingas adeterrent?Thereisalsoaculturaldimensiontoourroaduse thatdemandsattention.Toomanydriverstreattheroadways asracetracks.Minibusoperators,inparticular,arenotorious for reckless overtaking, loud distractions and a callous disregard for passenger safety This culture of indiscipline did not emerge overnight, it has been nurtured by years of turningablindeye.Publiceducationmustgobeyondposters and slogans. It must be persistent, targeted, and reinforced fromtheclassroomtothelicensingoffice.Newdriversmust betrainednotjustinhowtooperateavehicle,butinhowto respect human life. Licenses should not be handed out like tokens; rigorous testing and continuous renewal processes mustbemandatory RoaddeathsinGuyanahavereachedthe level of a public health crisis. Every statistic represents a humanbeing.Behindeachheadlineisagrievingfamilyanda community in mourning. This is not an issue that can wait untilaftertheelectioncycle.Itrequiresurgent,sustained,and coordinatedactionnow
DearEditor, The phones have been ringing from early morning asking (my views and interpretation) about the findingsofthepollpublished inKN(Aug27). Therehave been nervous people all around.As I replied, I never dismissed or attacked the findings of any poll. As expected, the poll will be attacked by paid defenders (andtrolls)ofalltheparties. In third world countries like Guyana,pollstersareknown to be ferociously attacked and victimised for penning their views or releasing polls, regardless how scientific they are (were). Parties and candidates with low numbers tend to attack findings.InthisUGstudents' poll, all parties have lower than expected numbers as perconversations. KN is saluted for publishing the findings. All polls and elections analyses arewelcomed.Anindividual or group's views, new and important to the nation around this election season, should be published even if onemaydisagreewithit.The public looks forward for 'something' on the election, and KN has responded by publishing this poll The public is appreciative although many have dismissed the findings Those wanting a minority governmentcheerit.
The country should commend that group of students(andfaculty,ifany) at UG who claimed they conducted the poll and released some of their findings in terms of seat projects. Polls are generally done by individuals (academics) who studied sociology, political science, and statistics; polling is not taught in Guyana, but is known to be taught in all three disciplines at universitiesinthedeveloped countries.Wemustsalutethe group of students for having the courage (although we don't know all their names) to conduct a poll. Khemraj Harryram is very brave to attach his name to a letter interpreting the results. His courageissaluted!
I do have a view on the interpreted findings All polls conducted around the same time give similar results. Several polls were conducted in Guyana including by ABCE interests A poll was conducted by CADRES
recently The PPP commissioned ongoing tracking polls. So, they will all have similar findings dependingonethnicfactor
The timeline of the UG students'pollisnotknown.A pollisareflectionoffindings at a particular time. Views and support are dynamic meaning they change over
timealthoughinthirdworld, polarised societies like Guyana, views and party affiliationtendtobestatic.A poll a week or weeks ago may not reflect exact same findings today. That is why in developed countries, pollsters do tracking polls, some daily while others every few days and yet othersatregularintervalsup till the eve of the election as inUSA.Thiswriterhasbeen conducting tracking polls in Guyana with up-to-date findings having the PPP in the lead, making significant gains among Africans and Mixed and capturing the bulk of the Venezuelan returnees and migrants and Commonwealth voters. And WIN has been very competitive taking voters from PPP, APNU, and AFC astheUGstudents'pollalso found Indians have restrictedtheirvotingtoPPP and WIN with low cross overs to parties led by Africans.
It is not known how the UG students' poll was conducted in terms of percentages by ethnicity; voters in Guyana generally are influenced by race and the ethnic breakdown is not known.Itisbelievedthatthe UG poll was conducted randomly and by intercept contact or visit at homes. Telephone polls are not reliableinGuyanasetting.
Generally, findings of polls don't project the numberofvotersapartywill get but give percentages; Harryram has fearlessly doneboth.Thereisusuallya margin of error factor. Generally,theerrorislinked to sample size which for a sample of 4,900 would be verysmall.Butbasedonthe ethnic composition or subsample,theerrorcouldbeup to4percentwhichtranslates into about two or three seats up or down. It is extremely unlikelytheincumbentparty will get less than what is projected.
There are other issues with the poll but no need to mentionthem.Itisimportant to remind readers that a poll isnotordainedbyGod.Itisa 'guesstimate' of support at a particular time. What was foundaweekagomaynotbe what holds on election day Voters do change their mind on election day and any numbers can play What the studentsfoundarenotlikely toholdonSeptember1.
The UG students are lauded for their field work andHarryramapplaudedfor interpretingthefindingsand appendinghisname.KNhas published a poll that is the subjectofalotofdiscussions around Guyana and the diasporabasedonemailsand phonecallsIreceived.
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
Accountability is a duty of the state, regardless of which party is in office
DearEditor,
As September 1 approaches and Guyana prepares for general elections, I wish to raise severalissuesthatshouldnot be ignored Though the media often prefers singletopic letters, I must write on multiple matters due to my circumstances.
First,Irecallthemurders that occurred on the West Coast of Berbice (Region 5) around the 2020 elections. The first fatality was a man of East Indian descent, reportedly shot by police near Rosignol. Despite listening closely to the radio reports at that time, I heard nofollow-uporexplanation. It was reported only as a “confrontation.”
Notlongafter,twoyoung men, both with the surname Henry, were killed in the Cotton Tree–Rosignol area. To my knowledge, nothing substantial has been said about suspects in their murders A third fatality
occurred at Plantation Bath, where a man lost his life under circumstances that remain unclear Whether meaningfulinvestigationsor inquests were ever held, I cannotsay Butunderhuman rights law, the right to life demands serious state investigation and judicial procedures These appear absent. Accountability is a duty of the state, regardless ofwhichpartyisinoffice.
Second, I recall that His Excellency, the president publicly stated that rapes, including those of children, hadoccurredinRegionFive. I challenged this in a letter, but no clarification or withdrawal followed. If the president was misinformed, his office could have corrected the record Remaining silent only deepenspublicdoubt.
Third,Idrawattentionto the 1978 “Teemal case” circular issued by the then PNC government, which denied increments to public
servants. It triggered strong protests, and eventually the Court of Appeal overturned it. That struggle became an international case for workers' rights, influencing latermovementslikeJubilee 2000, which helped secure debt relief for heavily indebtedcountries.
In 1998, Guyana's debt was managed through the Commonwealth Secretariat, which recommended wage increasesforpublicservants as part of debt relief agreements. The PPP government rejected this. The refusal sparked a major strike and crisis. Some of those who opposed wage increases then are today defending government's policies. When I reminded Mr Jagdeo of this recently, hehadnothingtosay
The fight for social justice cannot be selective.
The current PPP government has disrupted check-off arrangements for teachersandpublicservants, and has also targeted the PublicServiceCreditUnion. Suchactionsweakenunions' ability to represent workers andaredeeplytroubling. Finally, let me remind readers of the historical foundations of cooperative financialsystemsinGuyana.
After emancipation (1834–1838), formerly enslaved Africans pooled their limited wages to purchase plantations and form democratic villages Later, inspired by models in Europe,menlikeMcFarlane Corry of Den Amstel and othershelpedestablishlocal (Continuedonpage6)
The dues check-off system, whichallowstradeunionsto deduct dues directly from workers' salaries, is a foundationofunionstrength worldwide Guyana is among the few countries undermining it. This system helped build GAWU into a strong union in the 1970s. Weakening it undermines labouritself.
DearEditor,
As President IrfaanAli's firsttermdrawstoaclose,he has promised a “shake-up” in government if renewed. That promise must be more than cosmetic Guyana's citizens face rising costs, corruptionallegations,weak accountability, and underdelivery from several ministries. If governance is to match the expectations of t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d performance, then the worst performers must be reconsidered.
1. Susan Rodrigues — HousingandWater Minister Rodrigues has been mired in scandal. A leaked voice recording has triggered calls for an independent international investigation into alleged bribery Civilsocietygroups, including the Institute for A c t i o n A g a i n s t Discrimination (IFAAD), h a v e g o n e further demanding her resignation over claims of corrupt land deals benefitting convicted businessmen Opposition MPs have pressed for a forensicauditofthehousing sector amid unexplained wealth and accusations of selective allocations A ministry as vital as housing, cannot be credible if its reputation is clouded by allegations of cronyism and cover-up.
lawsuits against critics who accused him of corrupt contract awards, kickbacks, and links to politically connected businesses
Allegations of proximity to Double Day Hotel's owners, tied to controversial incidents, have further fueled suspicion While suing his critics may protect hisnamelegally,itdoeslittle to restore public trust Infrastructure is too central to Guyana's future to be handledundersuchacloud.
3. Charles Ramson Jr. —Culture,Youth&Sport
2. Deodat Indar PublicWorks Minister Indar is increasinglyseenasarrogant and dismissive of accountability He has pursuedmulti-million-dollar
DearEditor, As the old saying goes, “when a blind man says he has a brick in his arm and will pelt you, you must believehim.”
A t t h e P P P / C ' s Stewartville Rally, held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, in his usual style, issued a threat that if anyone dares to disrupt the elections on Monday,September1,2025, the army and police force will deal with them accordingly(KaieteurNews, Aug 25, 2025) Such statements are not only irresponsible,butalsoreflect a party in panic mode,
The record under Ramson Jr is one of underdelivery and politicisation.
Opposition MP Nima FlueBess has documented incomplete and poorly managedcommunity (Continued on page 6)
DearEditor,
The Clerical and
CommercialWorkers'Union (CCWU)rejectsallformsof r a c i s m , r a c i a l discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance, including institutional racism and racial prejudices, and stereotyping during the period of the general and regionalelections.
CCWU denounces demagogic politicians and institutions, who exploit the legitimate concerns of peopleabouteconomics.
Social and public insecurity, issues related to reputationandvictimisation, and a multi-ethnic society, manymembersofwhichare themselves affected by the
insecurityforwhichtheyare sometimesheldresponsible.
CCWU criticises politicians and institutions thathavemanipulatedpublic concerns about economic changes over the past five years, stating that the outcomeisclear CCWU notes increasing xenophobia and urges trade unions to address it among membersandthepublic:
Ÿ Ensure adequate protection and remedies against discrimination based on race, colour, origin, language, religion,orbelief.
Ÿ Define racism as a criminal offence and p r o h i b i t t h e
dissemination of racist or xenophobic propaganda, or any related actions, regardlessofwhether theyoccurorallyorin writing, through any form of media (such aspress,letters,orthe Internet).
Ÿ Implement strategies in areas such as public statements, education,andmedia to address prejudices and stereotypes that contribute to racial discrimination or xenophobia.
Yoursfaithfully, SherwoodClarke GeneralSecretary CCWU
resorting to intimidation ratherthaninspiration.What Mr Jagdeo seems not to understandisthatthepeople of Guyana, despite these threats, are clamouring for change.
Mr Jagdeo knows very well what the “post-plan” looks like should the PPP/C not secure victory We all recall the events of March 2020: the storming of the office of the Returning Officer at GECOM's Ashmin'sbuilding(Stabroek News, Mar. 2020); the storming of a school bus carrying students at Bath, West Coast Berbice;and the attacks on innocent persons,
including police officers in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, who were forced to seek refuge from guntoting men (Kaieteur News, Apr 2020).AreMr Jagdeo's threats meant to remind us thatwhattookplacein2020 can, and will, repeat itself? Guyanese do not wish to relive those dark days, memories that remain fresh andhaveleftdeepscars.
Unfortunately, Mr Jagdeo has grown increasingly reckless, behavingasthoughheisthe ruler of this nation and dictating tones and signals thatothersareexpectedto
(Continuedonpage6)
DearEditor,
As Guyana prepares to vote on September 1, 2025, much attention has been given to the economy, inflation, and household incomes.Equallyimportant, however, is the question of democracy Whichpartyhas s t r e n g t h e n e d o u r institutions, protected civil liberties,andupheldtherule oflaw?
The answer is clear The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has a track record of defending and restoring democracy in Guyana.Whenitreturnedto government in 1992, the PPP/C ended decades of dictatorship under the People's National Congress (PNC) and ensured that free and fair elections were held. Unlike the PNC, which seized power in 1966 and suppressed the will of the peopleuntil1992,thePPP/C has consistently respected constitutional timelines and
electorallaws.
The record of the PNC/APNU-AFC is troubling. In 2020, they attempted to subvert the results of free elections, plunging the nation into politicalcrisis.
Only the vigilance of Guyanese citizens, international observers, and foreign governments forced themtoacceptthewillofthe people.Thatepisode proved once again that the PNC/APNU cannot be trusted to safeguard democracy By contrast, since returning to office under President Irfaan Ali, the PPP/C has reinforced democratic institutions. The government has advanced electoral reform, enhanced transparency in budgetary processes, and made fiscal
strengthenedoversightofoil
PNC/APNUwhostillcannot account for the $18 million signing bonus from ExxonMobil.
Moreover, President Ali hasupheldciviliancontrolof the security forces, ensuring they serve the constitution rather than political interests. This is vital for maintaining trust in the rule of law and preserving the rightsofeveryGuyanese. Theupcomingelectionis not only about economic policy, it is about protecting our democratic way of life. The PPP/C has proven itself the party of democracy, while the PNC/APNU and WIN have shown disregard for the law when it suits them. On September 1st, Guyanese must choose the party that restored democracy and continues to defendit:thePPP/C.
Respectfully, Dr Tilokie Arnold Depoo, Economist
TheAlliance for Change (AFC)onWednesdaysaidit will transform Region 10 into a business hub and establish an international airport, should it win the upcoming general and regionalelections. Duringa press conference to discuss the party's plans for the mining town and the region
at large, former member of parliament (MP), and AFC candidate Devin Sears, told reporters that party leader Nigel Hughes has always emphasised the need to restoretheLindenairstrip.
“TheLindenairstripthat we have there is one of the bestinGuyana,fullyasphalt, one and a half mile long, 90
meters wide. We envision that that can lead as a transshipmentpointfornotdrugs, trans-shipment point for cargo, not only for Latin America or the southern hemisphere or even the Caribbean, it also can be a placewherebywecansetup, such as flower farms and different things in that
A 58-year-old vendor
was on Wednesday remanded for assaulting the mother of his child, causing heractualbodilyharm.
The accused, Dioram Narine, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Principal MagistrateJudyLatchman. Narinepleadednotguilty to the charge which alleged that onAugust 25, 2025, on Queen Street, Georgetown, he assaulted Dakota Agard causing her actual bodily harm. The prosecution had no bail objection. The court heardthatNarineandAgard once shared a relationship andhaveachildtogether On the day in question, the woman contacted the defendantinconnectionwith something for the child
Accused: Diaram Narine
There
bal exchange, after which Narine dealt the woman severallasheswithabicycle bar causing her injures. The
matter was reported and an investigation was carried out.
Agard, when given the opportunity to speak, said the only reason she maintains contact with Narine is because of their daughter and asked that he staysawayfromher Meanwhile, Narine said “thechildisboundtomeby spiritandnotbylaw Itisnot legal,”notingthatthereisno relationship between him and Agard He further requestedthatthecourtorder a DNA test to confirm the child'spaternity Magistrate Latchman deniedNarinebailduetothe serious nature and prevalence of the offence. Thematterwasadjournedto September26,2025.
Frompage5 follow without question. I therefore call upon the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force(GDF)toupholdtheir constitutional mandate and professional principles, and to resist the bait set by politicians, especially Mr Jagdeo and his cohorts (Constitution of Guyana, Art.197A).TomyGuyanese brothers and sisters, I imploreyounottofallvictim tothetonesetbyMr Jagdeo. Aswepreparetoheadtothe polls on Monday, let us be
vigilant, exercise wisdom, and keep our guard up Desperationisevidentinthe utterances we are hearing, but this country belongs to all Guyanese; not a single individual.
Yourssincerely, AnnetteFerguson
Frompage4 cooperative banks by the early 20th century These institutions were vital for village development and self-reliance.
particular area there.” AFC said terminals could be established to transform the airstrip into an international airport “We're going to make it an international airport,andalsowithvarious facilities and amenities whichcanaccommodateour storage. We can have bonds and warehouses here and so forth, and an entire community will be boarded onto that the establishment ofthatairport.Sothatisone of the things that is high on ouragenda.”Searsmadethe commitment that his party will push for better health care services within the region and placed some focus on tourism because of thescenicviews.
Heexplainedthatduring the Covid-19 pandemic the regionwasheavyontourism tofacilitatesocialdistancing restrictions. Today, persons are still constantly taking weekend trips to the blue lake, the creeks and the numeroussprings. “We want to ensure that weinvestalot,especiallyin industry As you are probably aware, Linden is considered to be the bauxite mining town, but we're slowly moving away from that. We wanted to be a hub for business and major, major investment, by deliberations, one of the thingsthatwe'regoingtobe pushing is the establishment ofasilicafactory,”hesaid.
Sears told reporters that Linden has some of the best sands in the world right in Linden, and currently it is mostly being used for construction. However, the AFC believes that having a glass factory in the region willmakeuseofthesandand create “more employment, not only for youths, but the youngunemployed.”
Shake-up must begin with the...
Frompage5 grounds projects, questioning his competence and stewardship of public funds.WhileRamsonboasts ofworkonover500grounds and high-profile venues like the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the timelines remain vague, and outcomes unclear Many of these grounds,heboastsaboutare filledwithbushesatthetime of this letter Allegations of nepotism—including claims that contracts and opportunitiesinculturewere steered towards friends and family—further undermine confidence. Many artists were sidelined. His wife's alleged involvement didn't escape onlookers' attention. His failure to invite the opposition to the national flag-raising ceremony underscoredthepartisantone ofhisministry
With Guyana's economy expanding rapidly, this ministry should have been championing workers' rights. Instead, it has been largely silent, leaving workers at the mercy of foreignmultinationals
5.Dr.AshniSingh— Finance
become synonymous with inertia
7. Pauline CampbellSukhai Amerindian
nd democracy
As elections near,Iurge all political parties and citizens to consider these matters seriously
Thishistoryunderscores why undermining unions, cooperatives, and credit systems today is so damaging. These institutions are not just financial structures; they are pilla
Accountability for past killings, honesty in public statements, fair treatment of workers, and respect for unions are essential if Guyanaistomoveforward. People shouldvotetheir conscience.
Sincerely,
EusiKwayana
4 JosephHamilton— Labour Labour under Hamilton hasfaredpoorly Despitethe oilboom,oilfieldandservice workers remain underpaid and work under unsafe conditions Reports of exploitative contracts and lack of strong local labour protections persist, yet his ministry has failed to mount a serious framework of inspections or enforcement.
Dr Singh may be a seasoned technocrat, but citizenshavefeltlittlerelief. The cost of living continues to soar, wages are stagnant, andhisgo-topolicyhasbeen cash grants. While grants temporarily ease pressure, they are band-aids, not solutions. Structural inflation, wage erosion, and a weak middle class remain unaddressed.Moretroubling isthelackofacrediblelongterm fiscal plan to ensure sustainability when oil revenuesfluctuate Afinance ministry should provide stabilityandinnovation not short-term handouts He was moreoutofofficethanin The NISisstillamess Thecensus resultsstillcan'tbeavailable
6 VickramBharrat— NaturalResources MinisterBharratpresides over a portfolio of immense consequence—yet progress has been negligible Allegations of scandals in mining and forestry, coupled with his failure to bring aboutmeaningfulregulatory reform in oil and gas, leave the sector vulnerable Transparency in contract disclosure remains thin, local content obligations weak, and environmental protections under-enforced. In a resource-rich country, the Natural Resources Ministryshouldbeadriverof accountability and transformation Instead, it has
Affairs The Mahdia dormitory fire (May 2023) that claimed 20 indigenous children's lives remains an open wound In its wake, public calls mounted for ministerial resignations, including hers, given the ministry's oversight of hinterland welfare While she did visit survivors and bereaved families, critics note the response was episodic and insufficient, with long-term counselling and safety reforms left wanting. Editorials have since highlighted failures in grief support and accountability Addedtothis, indigenous leaders continue toraiseconcernsoverdelays in land titling, underfunded community projects, and poor consultation Leadership in Amerindian a ff a i r s c a n n o t be symbolic it requires consistency, prevention, and visible advocacy By that measure, performance remainsinadequate President Ali has promised a shake-up But to be meaningful, it must start with those whose ministries have become symbols of corruption allegations,underperformance, or weak crisis response Retaining them would signal business as usual Replacing them would restore some measure of public confidence in governance Guyana deserves leadership that matchesthepromiseofitsoil wealth not ministers weighed down by scandal andfailure.
Regards A.Rampersaud.
As Guyana heads to the polls next Monday, both government and opposition are making a flood of promises to the electorate - from free house lots to increases in pensions, cash grants and numerous other things.
The campaign platforms are overflowing with pledges of a brighter tomorrow. But Guyanese must vote with clear eyes and sharp memory: both sides have a long history of failing to deliver. This is not cynicism, it is fact.
Successive governments have promised accountability, transparency, and opportunity, yet corruption scandals, mismanagement, and political infighting continue to dominate. The opposition, when in power, fared no better,campaign rhetoric quickly collapsed under the weight of reality and incompetence.
The result is a cycle of unfulfilled commitments, leaving ordinary citizens caught between hope and betrayal. This election, voters must strip away the glittering words and measure each party by its record, not its rhetoric. Empty promises are cheap; credibility is priceless.
If politicians want trust, they must earn it through results, not slogans. And unless leaders are held accountable, the cycle of deception will repeat itself. The time for blind loyalty has passed. Vote with memory. Vote with caution. Vote with demands.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has extended the deadline for proposals to provide engineering services for the constructionof a naturalgas liquids (NGLs) Storage and Offloading Facility and pipelineaspartofthegas-toenergy(GTE)project.
The initial deadline for proposals was July 29
According to an amended request for proposals for the
project published in Sunday's edition of the Kaieteur News, bids are expected to be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration
Board (NPTAB) on September 30, 2025. In its advertisement, OPM stated thatthefacilityisrequiredby the Guyana government to enhancethecapacityforsafe storage, efficient operation, develop marine offloading capabilities and effective distribution and marketing of NGLs, both domestically andinternationally
The office noted that the NGLstorage and offloading project is planned for development within and/or near the Wales Industrial Zone, approximately 25 km inlandfromthemouthofthe DemeraraRiverontheWest Bank,adjacenttothePhaseI Power Plant currently under construction, and or on the East Bank of Demerara RiveratGardenofEden.
“The Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Phase I project includes a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) fractionation plantdesignedtoextractC3,
C4, and C5+ components. The engineering services requested under this proposal are intended to support the design of infrastructure required to receive, delivery, store, and offload NGLs sourced from the Phase I plant, as well as accommodate potential future NGL production facilities,” the document stated.
Further, “the production
rate from Phase l is a n t i c i p a t e d t o b e approximately 4,200 bbls perdayofNGLs.Thedesign should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate, with modifications, additional future NGLs anticipated from a Phase Il power plantdeliveringup to 5,900bblsperday.”
Notably, OPM said engineering services are needed to develop a comprehensiveRFPpackage and updated Employers' Requirements (ER) document needed to bid and fully develop the facilities able to receive and store sufficient volume of NGLs to allow for no disruption in thePhaseI/PhaseIlplantand to optimise batch offloading
tomarinevessels.
Firmswillbeexpectedto completetheRFPpackagein approximately three months fromthestartofthecontract.
“Only firms (consortia) adjudged to be experienced in engineering services of comparablefacilities,willbe evaluated.Firmswillneedto have a global presence and have a strong HSSE design culture and able to demonstrate excellent projectmanagementsupport andreportingofengineering and construction with financialcapacitytomanage large-scale projects,” the documentdetailed.
About GTE project
TheGTEproject,located atWalesontheWestBankof Demerara, includes a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt powerplant.Naturalgaswill be transported from the offshore Stabroek Blocks Liza oilfield via a 12-inch pipelinetothesite,where50 millioncubicfeetofgaswill be converted to electricity daily The project is being executed by a joint venture between CH4 (Texas) and Lindsayca (Puerto Rico) The companies, hired in 2022, are constructing the plant and NGL facility at a costofUS$759million.
The GTE project was initially slated for completion by the end of 2025 However, in May, Prime Minister (Retd) Brigadier Mark Phillips statedthatthe projectwould be completed in the second quarterof2026.
Police in Region Seven are investigating the abduction of two Guyanese men, including a boat captain, by members of the Venezuelan Syndicato gang alongtheCuyuniRiverinthe Eteringbangarea.
The incident reportedly occurredbetweenAugust24 and 25, 2025. One of the victims has been identified as 66-year-old Fredrick Pollard, a boat captain of SecondAvenue,Bartica.The identity of the second abducted man remains unknownatthistime.
Pollard was last contacted by his son on Sunday,August24,whilehe was traveling from Ekereku Backdam to Devil Hole Landing According to police, his son, Dameon Williams,a41-year-oldboat builder and captain from River's View, Essequibo River, said he received a disturbing call claiming that his father had been forcibly heldbygunmenatBotanamu Creek.
Policesaidinastatement on Wednesday that they are actively investigating the incident “During the interview, Williams stated that his father operates a metal boat equipped with two 75hp Yamaha outboard engines, which he uses to shuttle fuel for Steve Mathdeo of Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, along a route from Devil Hole Landing to Ekereku Backdam on the Cuyuni River,”thepolicereported.
According to Williams, on August 21, at around 05:00 hours, Pollard left Devil Hole landing on a routine fuel delivery to Ekereku.Then,onAugust24
Boat Captain Fredrick Pollard, who was abducted by Venezuelan gang
at 07:05 hours, Williams received a call from his father who said he was heading back to Devil Hole Landing with an unknown male aboard the boat “Williams affirmed that he has had no further contact with his father since that communication,” the police added.
Williams said that on Monday, around 13:00 hours, he received a phone callfromanunknownperson who stated that “his father hadbeenforciblyheldupby a Venezuelan Syndicato gang against his will while travelling in the vicinity of Botanamu Creek ” Police noted that “further contact was made with the source, and the details were later confirmed.”
A s p a r t o f t h e investigation, police at E t e r i n g b a n g a l s o interviewed Collin Mathews, also known as “Blacks,”a36-year-oldboat captain from San Martin, Venezuela. In a recorded video statement, Mathews told investigators that while he was in his boat with nine passengersnearBlackWater Mouth on the Venezuelan
shore, he heard what sounded like gunshots. He said members of the Syndicato gang intercepted his vessel and took them at gunpointintoanearbycreek.
“There, they observed FredrickPollardandanother identifiablemaleinthesame creek, who appeared to be alive and well,” police said. Mathewsaddedthatthegang memberstookadrumoffuel from his boat before releasing him and his passengers. The other nine individuals
account.
As the investigation continues, concern is mounting among regional officials and residents. On Wednesday, Region Seven ChairmanKennethWilliams tooktoFacebook,urgingthe Government of Guyana to intervene urgently to ensure thesafereturnofPollardand the unidentified man Williams called on the authoritiestodo“everything intheirpower,diplomaticor otherwise,” to secure their release.
Williams described Pollard as “a friend, an exceptional captain and sports enthusiast,” noting that he was known for navigating the Cuyuni and Mazaruni rivers to bring the Eteringbang Football Club to Bartica for Regatta tournaments. “This incident has struck the heart of Eteringbang and this region like a ton of bricks,” Williams wrote. “His last missionwasinservicetothis country ” The Chairman added that the region continues to pray for Pollard's safe return. “The Region prays for his quick release and return to his Family,”heemphasised.
During the recent
Disciplined Services vote, anincidentoccurredthatwas both humorous and telling. One of the Commissioners of the Guyana Elections
Commission, while observing the polling process, expressed concern over a small group of police recruits.
These recruits were wearing outfits that, in part, included a red tie. Red, of course, is the colour of the ruling People's Progressive
P a r t y C i v i c T h e Commissioner's concern was understandable: red, in the context of Guyanese
p o l i t i c s , c a r r i e s unmistakable symbolic weight.
Y e t , w h a t t h e Commissioner did not realisewasthatthisredtieis a longstanding part of the uniform of recruits into the PoliceForce,atraditionthat predatesanycurrentpolitical contest The irony is palpable. The tie, meant to signify discipline and uniformity, was read as a bannerofpartisanship.
As if to underscore the absurdity of the moment, at the same polling exercise at least two candidates appeared, each wearing attire unmistakably in the colours of their respective parties. One donned a green shirt;theother,abluejacket. Nooneraisedaneyebrowat these choices, yet their ensembles were, by all appearances,exactlythesort of partisan signalling that seems to concern some observers.Thejuxtaposition
iscurious:aredtie,wornby the uniformed officer in the service of the nation, is suspect; a green or blue garment, worn voluntarily by a candidate, passes withoutremark.
Ahead of the 2020 elections, the Chair of the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) sought to clarify this very matter “I can't tell somebody he must not wear aredshirtorayellowshirt,” shesaid,“butIwouldexpect thepersontonotbewearing slogans.”
The statement was both practicaland,initsownway, elegant. It recognises the difference between colour and message. To wear a colour—red, yellow, blue, green is to exercise an innocent preference or perhaps a simple sartorial choice. To wear a slogan, to brandish an emblem, is to seek to influence the act of votingitself.Thedistinction, though clear in principle, becomes muddled in practice.
From my reading, it is myinterpretationthatnoone can be prevented from turning up to vote in any of the customary political colours—red, blue, green, yellow so long as the clothing does not contain symbols or logos of their parties. There is, after all, a largedifferencebetweenhue and heraldry. A red tie signals nothing about a voter's preference. A shirt with the party logo emblazonedacrossitsignals everything This is a
distinction that should be universally understood and uniformlyapplied.
Yet uniformity is precisely what is missing. On election day, polling stations are crowded, and inevitably a little chaotic. Presiding officers, human and conscientious, may interpret guidance differently One may see a red shirt and think, “This is improper.”Another may see agreentieandthinknothing at all The result is inconsistent treatment, c o n f u s i o n , a n d , o c c a s i o n a l l y , embarrassment. Voters can be made to feel unsure, polling officials uncertain, andtheprocessitselfslightly tarnished by ambiguity These are matters of perception, yet perception matters. The legitimacy of elections rests as much on theclarityofrulesasontheir strictenforcement.
It is therefore essential that the issue of clothing at polling stations be clarified with precision and communicated widely The rules should be written in languagethatleavesnoroom for guesswork: colours may beworn;slogans,logos,and otherpartyinsigniamaynot. Presiding officers should be trained accordingly, so that enforcement is consistent, impartial, and fair. Such clarity would serve not only the voters but the Commission itself, by removing any pretext for disputeorcomplaint.
The irony of the police rec
Sometimes people only realize how sweet de mango was after dem done throw waydeseed.Demboysseh,islikewhenyuh wife cooking lil saltfish every day and yuh bellystartitchfuhchange.Yuhgoandpick up one fancy gyal who does only want lobster and champagne. Next thing yuh know, yuh bruk and hungry, and suddenly yuhmissdesamesaltfishyouwascussing. Dem two media gyal thought de grass was greener pon de other side. But dem forget—sometimes de grass only green because it full of cow dung. Dem seh dem was going fuh “better opportunities.” Next thing, de new boss man polish dem up like trophy,usedemfuhshowoff,thenflingdem downlikeyesterdaynewspaper
People like to believe promise. Boss manseh,“Come,wegontreatyuhgood,pay yuh better, respect yuh more.” Next ting, reality bite dem like sandfly Pay slow, respectvanish,and“more”meanmorewuk,
instructive.Itremindsusthat context matters, that symbolism is fluid, and that rigid interpretation can be absurd A tie that once signified nothing more than belonging to a disciplined servicecan,intheheatofan election, be mistaken for a partisandeclaration.Agreen shirt or blue jacket, worn by a candidate, may be read as entirelyproper Thelessonis not to ban colour, nor to scrutinise every thread of fabric, but to distinguish
between neutral expression andpartisanpromotion. Electionsare,afterall,an exerciseindemocracy,nota fashion show, yet clothing enters the equation because humansarevisualcreatures. If there is one small reform that can preserve both the dignity of voters and the efficiency of election management, it is clarity on attire. The voters' right to e
preserved.Theimperativeto
preventelectioneeringinthe polling place must be enforced.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the au
h
and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
lesssleep,andnoappreciation.
Now dem realize dem wasn't dispensable where dem deh. Dem was diamond in de rough, but only after dem gone,demseehowvaluabledemreallywas. Dem left fuh betterment and end up worse off—samewaylikemanwhosellhedonkey fuh buy a horse, then can't afford de horse feed.
Is a bitter lesson but sweet example. Sometimes de frying pan might hot, but at least yuh coulda still flip yuh plantain.Yuh jumpindefire,isroastyuhgonget.
So dem boys seh, don't run after shiny promise. Shine does wear off fast. Grass doesonlylookgreentillyuhstepponitand realizeismoss.Atdeendofdeday,allthat glitter ain't gold—sometimes is just cheap brasswithlilpolish.
Demtwofindouttoolate.Derestofwe betterteknote. Talkhalf.Leffhalf
Five years later.There is IrfaanAli.Howhashebeen? Whathashedone?Whereis Guyana? Are Guyanese better today than yesterday, five moons ago? How to begin, and where? I start with the inauguration address, subsequent oaths, of President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli.
T r a n s p a r e n c y
Accountability Unity The manknowswhattopromise. He doesn't know how to deliver There's public procurement, access to info, IDPADA-G. He knows he failed miserably; still, he shrinks in horror: can't go there.Self-destructive,those would be to party, political
fraternity, even he himself. So,hedistancedfromsworn word given. Should such a man,leader,beregarded?
I will walk with kings andthenthepoorestpeasant. He did: fawningly before f o r e i g n p o w e r s ; scandalously with the powerless in the domestic hearth The powers paid homage; the powerless kicked like the cat that irritated Pensioners, teachers, public workers Recall the $60,000 per monthprivatesectorworker
A bright man promised to deliver them out of poverty in six months. A mother-tobe needs nine months for delivery This superstar
guaranteedthedivine:1to6 months Hail! the replacementpresident. Excellency Ali swore to “review and renegotiate” all c
expectedawarrior Theygot a weakling (sanctity of contract).Hownottoadmire a man who to save his own skin, sacrifices his own, through a tricky wordplay? More recently, an Oil Spill Bill that could potentially endanger, bankrupt, Guyana requiredhissignature.Irfaan Ali signed, so that the PPP Government's prime interest, protecting Exxon's parent company is now law Guyana's law now insulates Exxon's parent, thanks to
Pres. Ali's fear and lack of care He bought himself anotherfiveyears.Pres.Ali's supreme test, challenge, choice was Exxon or Guyanese. He chose Exxon. IsthismanMohamedIrfaan Alifittobeapresident,ora man to be pilloried? I pity him. The PNC surrendered the money (contract); the PPP surrendered security (spill law) Bankruptcy's nightmarehangsandhaunts.
Want a house lot, a birth certificate,areferral,seeAli for delivery. Need the national-crime, oil, trustworthy leadership, c l e a n g o v e r n a n c e transparency, and moreaddressed and resolved, go to the US visa section in Kingston, and mention my name.
Listen first to this national leader, Irfaan Ali, who promises truth, decency, and integrity in government Then peer behind the presidential façade, the promises, and there's the dirty tricks supporting cast. A cabinet memberwagingdirtywaron social media Police coveringup.Aninformation office reduced to an almshouse Procurement profaned to a prostitution racket, with buyers, sellers, insiders. Irfaan Ali is less a president; he is more of a parable gone wrong References, comparisons to thePNChavenomerit.PNC
istheStoneAgeofpre-oil; PPPistheglitteringAgeof Oil With oil, Guyana shouldn't be a banana republic. But even oil can't help,whentherearebananas in charge. One is terrible; two a tsunami. To make mattersworse,Guyanahasa leader, who prefers to be an entertainer, a circus performer Praise and thanks.
President Ali has presidedoverbudgetssobig that Guyana is bursting With corruption With bloated bellies and hopeless eyes. For those desirous of studying how hopeless and hungry Guyanese are, absorb how they run, trip over themselves, stretch their hands for pension, a cash grant Temporary r e p r i e v e f o r t h e impoverished in a country withtrillionsforExxon,and trillions for budgets. I call this the terror of the Ali presidency The president canblusterandbristle.Iseea sorry figure: a shell trapped in a shadow putting on a show Thereisthehonorable vice president. What man, leader,ofmeritcouldhavea manliketheVParoundhim, close to anything? If Ali really wants to look presidential, he must clean house. Dr Singh should be sentbacktothePacific.The coconut juice there may restorehisequilibrium.IfDr Nandlall, notwithstanding
his cloying internship to Exxon, must be dispatched, sohemakespeacewithtruth and justice, let that be done, too.
One of the most selfdenouncing symbols of the stickypalmsandorgieswith publicmoneyinthelastfive years is the people that are recruited and embraced and protected by the PPP government and leadership. A l m o s t a l l a r e pathologically corrupt.Why only the tainted, the dirty, those with some past, some record, are hired is the question I put before Pres. Ali.Noanswerexpected.No change envisioned Guyana's world class corruption industry wasn't builtinaday Trythelastfive years; and then the training camps of the 23 before. B e g i n w i t h p a r t y Congresses The national challenge is to find a land more lawless than Guyana. In aggregate, it is what tarnishes theAli presidency, theIrfaanAlialreadymurky legacy Murkyisasynonym for tricky, nasty, unhealthy Mybesttothepresidency (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
A taxi driver was on Wednesday remanded after pleading not guilty to two countsoflarceny
Kelvin Thomas of Lot 13 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.
It is alleged that on August22,2025,atAvenue of the Republic and Regent Road Georgetown,Thomas stole one gold chain valued $285,000 from Lucille Reynolds.
It is also alleged that Thomas on August 23, 2025,atCroalandLongden Streets, Stabroek Georgetown, he stole one gold band valued $175,000 fromShadyahKayum.
The taxi driver asked nottoberemanded,sincehe has no knowledge of this incident. He noted that he has a young child and one
Accused:
Kelvin Thomas
on the way, and also takes careofhisgrandmother
The prosecution objected to bail due to the serious nature and prevalence of the offence, and the need to preserve publicsafety.
It said on August 23, Kayumwasatthecornerof Croal and Longden Streets with her boyfriend, when Thomasapproachedherand
relieved her of her gold band. The prosecution said the incident was captured on CCTV footage and the accused was identified, locatedandarrested.
Thomaswastoldofthe allegationandhereportedly said “when I hear yall looking for me I went and collect back de band and I wentbytroyforanumberfo callyall.”
Thecourtalsoheardthat Reynoldswasatthenumber 44busparkinabus.Asthe buspulledoff,Thomastook Reynolds' chain off of her neck, prompting her to pursue him but he successfully escaped. The woman made a report and d u r i n g a p h o t o identification parade, she was able to identify the accused.
Thomas was denied bail The matters were adjournedtoSeptember17, 2025.
MinisterofHomeAffairs
Robeson Benn, on Tuesday commissioned the newly reconstructed Mahaicony
Police Station and
Command Operation FacilityinRegionFive.
According to the ministry, the Mahaicony stationwhichwasrebuiltata cost of $111,820,000 represents a significant step toward modernising law enforcement infrastructure intheregion.
The new building is outfitted with state-of-theart amenities, similar to o t h e r r e c e n t l y commissioned facilities nationwide. The upgrades are designed to improve operational efficiency, support proactive policing strategies, and strengthen community engagement in law enforcement. Speaking duringthesimpleceremony, MinisterBennstatedthatthe modern infrastructure is important in building public confidence and improving policingoutcomes.“Thisisa tremendous improvement, not only for Region Five itself, but for our law enforcement infrastructure across the country These
investments reflect our commitment to better serve andprotectourcitizens.”
Also in the region, he commissionedthecommand operationfacility,whichwas constructed at a cost of $78,482,944 This operational hub is said to improve coordination among law enforcement agencies and strengthen response capabilities across theregion.
According to the ministry, “the command operations is part of the government's safe city to safe country project, bringing advanced surveillance technologies and monitoring systems to RegionFive.Thiswillboost crime prevention, improve investigative capacities, and ensure safer communities through real-time surveillance and better information-sharing among securityagencies.”
The minister noted that through the safe city to safe country project, they have been able to bring advanced technologies into the policingstrategy,itsaimedis to improve s
curity, s t r e n g t h e n i n g
investigations, and ensuring safer communities for all Guyanese.
Speakingontheprojects, Permanent Secretary Andre Ally stated that the ministry is putting the infrastructure in place and providing officers with the tools, equipment, and technology necessary to effectively performtheirduties.
“Our goal is to create an environment that supports better policing and delivers betterresults,”heinformed.
In his remarks, Deputy C o m m i s s i o n
'Operations', Errol Watts
transformation of the Mahaicony Police Station and its significance for law
community
“Fifteen years ago, this wasanoldwoodenstructure, dilapidated and unsafe
magnificent edifice that represents progress, safety, and a renewed commitment to effective policing,” he related. Watts also urged officers to uphold high standardsofprofessionalism andpublicservice.
The new Command Operation Region Five Facility of the Guyana Police Force.
The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) on Wednesday announced the suspension of all outbound postal parcels and packages to the United States of America, effective immediately until further notice.
GPOC said that this decision comes in response to the suspension of the “de minimis exemption” which previously allowed goods valued under US$800 to enter the United States of Americaduty-free.
Notably, GPOC said it willcontinuetofacilitatethe
shipment of letters and documents to the Unites States. However, it stated that the new policy, enacted as Executive Order 14324, mandates that all international parcels, regardless of value, are subjecttoU.S.importduties andtakeseffectfromAugust 29, 2025 Additionally, packages destined for
countries whose shipments transit through the U.S will not be accepted by GPOC. This includes packages being sent to Australia, Grand Cayman, New Zealand, Turks and Caicos, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Guatemala, Honduras,andParaguay
GPOC said further updateswillbeprovided.
Washington, D.C., August 26, 2025 (PAHO) –
In light of the resurgence of pertussis across several countries in the region and theemergenceandspreadof antibiotic-resistant strains, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reiterated the importance of strengthening vaccination and surveillance systems
The concern was shared duringarecentmeetingwith the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ReLAVRA+), wherethelatestfindingsand response strategies to this highly contagious disease werediscussed.
“ V a c c i n a t i o n , surveillance, and the responsible use of antibiotics are critical to preventing pertussis from becoming a serious public health threat again,” said Pilar Ramón-Pardo, head of PAHO'sSpecialProgramon Antimicrobial Resistance
“We still have time to contain this issue, but we must act now: increase vaccination coverage, strengthen early detection, and enhance our outbreak response capacity,” she added. One of the main
challenges is that standard
macrolide antibiotics, such
d erythromycin However, g
, particularlyinthe23SrRNA gene, are reducing the effectivenessofthesedrugs, complicating treatment for patients and prevention among close contacts During the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread and inappropriate use of antibioticslikeazithromycin may have contributed to the emergence of resistant strains. Since 2024, cases havebeenreportedinBrazil, Mexico, Peru, and the United States, detected thanks to strengthened surveillance and diagnostic systems, including molecular testing and standardized methods in reference laboratories
These advancements, supported by international partnerships, have been key toidentifyingandcontaining thesecases. Given the widespread use of these antibiotics and high international mobility, there is a risk of broader spread if health responses are not reinforced
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when
b a c t e r i a d e v e l o p mechanisms to evade the effects of drugs, rendering themineffective.Inthecase of pertussis, this can limit treatment options, hinder outbreak control, and increase the risk of severe complications, particularly inareaswithlowvaccination coverage.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can be prevented with three doses of the DPT vaccine in children under one year of age, with boosters during childhood and adolescence. However, in infected individuals especially infants—itcanleadtosevere illness, with risks of complicationsorevendeath. Thediseasehasresurged intheAmericas.While4,139 caseswerereportedin2023, thenumbersoaredto43,751 in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025, nine countries reported over 18,595casesand128deaths. The resurgence is linked to declining vaccination rates andunderscorestheneedfor strengthened, standardized surveillance.
During the pandemic, regionalcoverageforthe
(Continuedonpage19)
A64-year-old
man died in an accident on
Wednesday at the
intersection of the Eastern Carriageway of Heroes Highway and Mocha Main Access Road, at Mocha
Village, East Bank Demerara(EBD).
The accident occurred at approximately 05:30 hours and claimed the life of Charles Richards of Lot 31 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown.
The vehicles involved in the accident were a motor lorry bearing registration number GAH 9771, owned and driven by 29-year-old Arif Haniff of Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and a motor car bearing registration number PAH7906whichwasowned anddrivenbythedeceased.
According to police, the car was proceeding east along Mocha Main Access Road, when it approached the intersection of Heroes Highway and Mocha Main AccessRoad.Policerelayed that there is a STOP at that intersection to regulate the movementsoftraffic.
According to reports, Richards failed to comply with the sign and continued east,endingupinthepathof the lorry, which was proceeding south along the Eastern Carriageway of HeroesHighway
As a result of the
Frompage14 first (DTP1) and third (DTP3) doses of the vaccine dropped to historic lows of 87% and 81% in 2021, respectively By 2023,apartialrecoverywas observed (90% and 88%), but these rates remain b e l o w t h e 9 5 % recommended by PAHO, with significant disparities within countries. In addition to childhood
vaccination, PAHO recommends vaccinating p r e g n a n t women—especially during outbreaks—and healthcare workers in contact with newborns.
Strengthening national reference laboratories with reliable, standardized diagnostic methods is
essential for timely detection of resistance and guiding health authorities' responses Collaborative initiatives like PAHO's ReLAVRA+ network and PA H O ' s G e n o m i c Surveillance Regional Networks (PAHOGen), along with other strategic
Dead: Charles Richards
collision,bothvehicleswere damaged. Richards received injuriestohisheadandother parts of his body When the Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMT) arrived, the man was examined and pronounced dead at the scene.
“The body of the deceased was then escorted by the police to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Mortuary, where the body was kept for cold storage awaiting a post-mortem examination,”policesaid.
The car and the lorry were examined by a licensing and certifying officer
A notice of intended prosecution was prepared and served to Haniff. A breathalyser test was done, however,notraceofalcohol was found in Haniff's system He is in police custody, assisting with the investigation.
partnerships, have enabled standardized methodologies and expanded surveillance capacityinseveralcountries intheregion.
As part of its technical cooperation, PAHO organised a virtual ReLAVRA+ network seminar on August 19, bringing together national reference laboratories and microbiology experts from theregion.
During the event, specialists from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Perusharedrecentfindings, methodologies for detecting resistant strains, and surveillance and responsestrategies Given this scenario, PAHO urges countries to bolster their diagnostic capacity, enhance technical training for health personnel, maintain or increase vacci
coverage, and establish a
The recent ballot mix-up involving the Disciplined Services' votes will be rectified during the final ballot counting process following the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
This decision was made during GECOM's statutory meeting held at its headquartersonTuesdayand was con
med by Commissioner Vincent Alexander in an interview with Kaieteur News on Wednesday The issue came to light earlier in the week when ChiefElectionOfficer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud revealed at a press conference that ballots cast
Disciplined Services in DistrictsFour,Five,andTen were affected. According to Persaud, the mix-up was discovered during the sorting phase, where ballots a
to predetermined polling stationstobeintermixedand countedasordinaryballots. Persaud revealed that during the sorting of ballots cast by the disciplined services, two extra ballots were discovered among those assigned to District Four
Additionally, one ballot each was found missing from Districts Five andTen. “One issue that emerged during the sorting of the disciplinedservicesballots–sorting means bringing the ballots cast by Disciplined Forces to a point where we can dispatch them to predetermined polling stationstobeintermixedand counted as ordinary ballots. In close to the end of that activity, we ran into a situationwherewehavetwo extra ballots in the set of ballots in district four, one shortfordistrictfiveandone short for District 10,” Persaudexplained.
H e a d d e d t h a t recommendations were subsequently submitted to rectify the problem. During Tuesday'sstatutorymeeting, theissueoftheballotmix-up was discussed in detail, and Commissioner Vincent Alexander elaborated on the resolution.Hestatedthatthe discrepancy was believed to betheresultofhumanerror He clarified that the ballots will only be opened and sorted correctly during theofficialcountingprocess, and if any are found to be incorrectly assigned, corrective measures will be taken.“Theywouldissuean
Vincent Alexander
orderthatwillallowthemto have it sent to the right place,”hesaid.
In addition to the ballot mix-up, GECOM has also addressed the issue of voter dislocation, which could affect individuals during the upcoming elections According to Alexander, transportation will be provided for voters who are listed at polling stations far from their actual place of residence.Thisdecisionwas also discussed and agreed upon during the same statutorymeeting. Alexander explained, “GECOM associated this problem with the aborted 2019registrationandagreed that discerned dislocated persons would be advised,
and where necessary, transportation provided on E-Day for such persons to attend the wrongly allotted pollingstation.”Heclarified that this measure is particularly aimed at voters whoarelocatedoutsidetheir correct division, and not those who are listed a short distanceaway “There are many instances where people are listed at the wrong place,” Alexandersaid.“IfGECOM has knowledge of such persons, particularly if they are far away, they would provide transportation to go wheretheyarelistedtovote. Some of these people in Georgetown who should vote in Hadfield Street they are listed in Princess Street. Now those people themselves can easily get to theirpollingstation,Itisstill inthesamearea. Basicallyis the people who are far away from where they have to go tovote,”heexplained.
GECOM will submit a list of identified dislocated persons and provide them with individual pick-up servicesfromtheirlocations to the correct polling stations. Voters will also be transported back to their homes after casting their ballots.
(ALJAZEERA) UN officials and aid agencies have warned that famine in Gaza is now a reality, with children increasingly dying of hunger as Israel's siege and bombardment continue to block essential, lifesavingaid.
In a stark address to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, officials said famine and widespread hunger in the besieged enclave are "engineered" a n d " m a n - m a d e " catastrophes.
Joyce Msuya, the UN's deputy humanitarian chief, told the council that famine has been confirmed in the north-central Gaza governorate, where Gaza City is located, and is expectedtospreadtoDeirelBalah and Khan Younis to the south by the end of September
"Over half a million people currently face starvation, destitution and death," Msuya said. "By the end of September, that number could exceed 640,000.Virtually no one in Gaza is untouched by hunger." She added that at least132,000childrenunder the age of five are at risk of
acute malnutrition, with more than 43,000 of them expected to face lifethreateningconditionsinthe comingmonths.
"This famine is not a product of drought or some form of natural disaster," Msuya said. "It is a created catastrophe – the result of a conflict that has caused massive civilian death, injury, destruction and forced displacement " Earlier on Wednesday, Gaza's Health Ministry announced 10 more deaths "due to famine and malnutrition" over the past 24 hours, including two children. The toll brings the total number of hungerrelated deaths in Gaza throughout the war to 313, including119children.
'Anengineeredfamine' For its part, Israel on Wednesday called on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system,afaminemonitoring mechanism supported by non-profits and UN agencies, to retract its findingsonGaza.TheIsraeli Foreign Ministry's director general,EdenBarTal,called last week's report, which detailedfamineinGazaCity
and the surrounding area, " d e e p l y f l a w e d , unprofessional, and gravely missing the standards expected from an international body entrusted with such a serious responsibility".
However, in a joint statementonWednesday,all members of the UNSC –exceptfortheUS–stoodby the IPC and its work "Famine in Gaza must be stopped immediately," the 14 members said in a statement, which called an "immediate, unconditional andpermanentceasefire".
Meanwhile, in her own searing address to the council, Save the Children chief Inger Ashing accused world powers of complicity throughinaction."TheGaza famine is here An engineered famine. A manmade famine," she said "Children in Gaza are systematicallybeingstarved todeath.Thisisstarvationas a method of war in its starkestterms."
Ashing described clinics "packed with malnourished children" who have now fallen silent. "Children do not have the strength to speak or even cry out in
Twenty-seven-year-old
Dion Adam Richards who was released on $400,000 bail for causing death by dangerous driving back in 2023, walked free on Wednesday, after a no case submission was upheld by themagistrate.
Back in 2023, Richards of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate'sCourt.
The charge alleged that onNovember8,2023,onthe RailwayEmbankmentRoad at Triumph, East Coast Demerara, Richard caused the death of Curtly Christopher Cambridge, a 32-year-old of Lot 1578 Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, by dangerousdriving.
The prosecutor did not object to bail The magistrate granted bail on condition that Richards reports to the Sparendaam PoliceStationeverymonth. On August 27, 2025
Richards appeared before MagistrateAbigail Gibbs at t h
Magistrate'sCourtwherehis attorney Bernard DaSilva a
agony
Theyliethereemaciated, quite literally wasting away." She recounted how children's drawings in Save theChildrensupportcentres in Gaza have shifted from depictinghopesofpeaceand education to simple wishes for food, and increasingly, for death. "Once the total siege began in March, children would increasingly tellustheywishforfood,for bread.Thesepastfewweeks, more and more children havesharedthattheywishto bedead,"shesaid.Onechild wrote: "I wish I was in heavenwheremymotheris. Inheaven,thereislove,there isfoodandwater."
Attacks continue
As famine warnings mountedattheUN,hospitals in Gaza reported new casualties from Israeli strikes The Kuwait Specialised Field Hospital said an overnight drone strike on tents sheltering displacedpeopleinsouthern Gaza's Khan Younis killed three people, including a child and a woman, and wounded 21 others. Nasser Hospital said at least six morewerekilledinseparate strikesinthecity
Israeli strikes near aid distribution sites run by the controversialIsraeliandUSbacked GHF killed at least 12 people on Wednesday, according to medical staff.
presentedbytheprosecution toconvicthisclient.
“The state has failed to discharge its evidential burden of proof at this 'Prima Facie' stage of proceedings, in relation to thechargeof'CausingDeath by Dangerous Driving,” DaSilvasaid.
MagistrateGibbsagreed with the submission and dismissedthematteragainst Richards.
It was reported that the accident occurred around 01:15hoursonNovember8, 2023.
Itinvolvedamotorlorry bearing registration GAB 8067,ownedbyBuildSmart Construction and driven at the time by Richards, and a
registration CK 1795, owned and driven by Cambridge.
Four of the victims died in Gaza's north while waiting for meagre food parcels. Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said families in Gaza are "running out of survivalstrategies".
"Parents are relying on sporadic aid deliveries and skippingmealstomakesure their children eat first,"Abu Azzoumsaid,addingthataid deliveries remain "insufficient, disorganised and frequently looted by hungry crowds and armed gangs" "That's why we continuetoseethousandsof people making difficult journeystothecontroversial GHF aid centres in central and southern Gaza. That's why we continue to see deaths from severe malnutrition on a daily basis."Alltold,Israeliforces killed 51 Palestinians since dawn on Wednesday, according to health sources.
To date, Israel has killed at least 62,895 Palestinians in its war on Gaza. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive. The attacks come as Israeli forces continuetocloseinonGaza City, using overwhelming force in its push to occupy the urban centre, with tanks and warplanes levelling entire residential blocks. On
“Split
Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC)
pushed back against warnings by the main opposition -PNCR that citizensshouldnotsplittheir votes. He said by doing so was the only way to get a minoritygovernment.
Hughes remined his listenersthattherehasbeena lotoftalkcomingfromsome quarters,advisingcitizensto not split the vote He explained that the only time the National Assembly will have the power to stop a budgetinordertomakesure themoneyisfunneledinthe correctdirectionortoensure thatcitizensbenefitfromthe country's Natural Resource Fund(NRF)iswhenthereis aminoritygovernment.
Tuesday, Israel dropped leaflets on the as-Saftawi area and al-Jalaa Street containing forced evacuation orders for residents to move to the southoftheenclave.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee again issued a broad forced displacement order, telling residents "evacuation of GazaCityisinevitable".
WhiteHousemeeting
M e a n w h i l e , i n
Washington, DC, US President Donald Trump hosted top officials, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Middle East envoy Jared Kushner, in a meetingtoplanforpost-war Gaza The gathering, described to reporters as a "simple policy meeting", came two days after Trump said that he expected a "conclusive ending" to the war in Gaza in the next two to three weeks, despite ceasefire negotiations remaining at an apparent impasse. Further details of Wednesday's meeting were not immediately available. Experts have long warned that post-war recovery will benearlyimpossiblewithout a clear day-after plan. Israel has long said it plans to indefinitely maintain a military presence in the Palestinianenclave.
“As we've seen in the past five years, the opposition has no power, none, to stop the budget, to stophowthemoneyisspent, to determine how much money you get. So, under our Constitution, the only power you, the people, will
everhave,iswhenyouhave a minority government,” he stressed.
Hughes advised that in order to get this minority government,citizenshaveto vote their conscience, and should not be caught betweentheassumptionthat thereareonlytwopartiesand therefore if they cast a vote for one the other may win. The politician cautioned the electorate that no one owns their vote and the only guaranteefortransparencyis that in a minority all promises have to be kept when a party is elected. He urged “You have to vote for the party that has the best plans.And we know neither of the major parties has the best plans, apart from being offensive.”
By Rev. Dr. Fitzroy Tyrrell
Wednesday morning, I satinmystudyreadingabout a ten-year-old boy fighting for his life in Georgetown PublicHospital.Hismother, Teekadai Solomon was shot deadonCharlotteStreetwith tenbulletwounds.Hisfather hadpulledthattriggerbefore turningthegunonhimself.
I closed the newspaper and wept. ThenIgotangry–notat the perpetrator, though his actions were evil beyond words.Igotangryatmyself. At my colleagues in ministry.Allofuswhohave watched this epidemic unfold while treated it as someoneelse'sproblem.
Today, I write as a Christian leader who has been silent too long. As a husband who should have spoken sooner As a father who owes his sons better than the world, we're creating for them and the women they will one day love.
I'm not writing from somemoralhighground.I'm writing from the valley of confession, acknowledging that my silence has been complicity Whilewomenin our nation died at the hands of those who promised to love them, too many of us treated domestic violence as a private family matter instead of the public sin it trulyis.
To the families of Teekadai Solomon and countless others whose names we'll never know – I am sorry we failed you. To the survivors reading this who needed to hear their pastors say clearly that no scripture, no tradition, no cultural excuse justifies violence against women –I'm sorry we weren't brave enoughtospeakup.Tothose times when we cared more about keeping marriages togetherthankeepingpeople alive–Godforgiveus.
When Numbers Become Faces
The statistics should terrify us. According to the Guyana Police Force Crime Statistics Unit, domestic violence reports have increased by 40% over the past three years (20222025) The Bureau of Statistics indicates that nearly six out of every ten womenmurderedinGuyana die at the hands of intimate partners Research from Caribbean Development Research Services (2024)
placesusamongtheworstin the region – one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence fromsomeonewhoclaimsto lovethem.
But Teekadai's murder strips away the comfort of numbers. Two shots to her abdomen. One to her finger asshetriedtoprotectherself. One to her arm. Two to her chest. Two to her forehead. One to her hip. One on her leg. This wasn't passion or temporaryinsanity.Thiswas the calculated destruction of a human being made in God'simage.
Every woman behind these statistics was someone's daughter, maybe someone's mother Each carried dreams, fears, talents, and dignity that no man had the right to extinguish Each death represents not just personal tragedy but collective moral failure.
What God Actually Says I've spent thirty years studyingscripture,andIcan tell you without hesitation –there is no biblical justification for violence against women. None. The attemptstotwistGod'sword to support abuse are themselves acts of violence againsttruth.
Genesistellsusbothmen and women bear God's image equally (Genesis 1:27), not in hierarchy Not conditionally Equally WhenCainkilledAbel,God declared that Abel's blood cried out from the ground (Genesis 4:10). How much louder must the blood of murdered women cry out to theGodwhosaid,"whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed;forintheimageofGod has God made mankind" (Genesis 9:6)? The Old Testament established cities of refuge for people fleeing violence (Numbers 35:1115). God's law required His people to create safe places for the vulnerable. Isaiah condemned those who "makewidowstheirpreyand rob the fatherless" (Isaiah 10:2), and Malachi declared God's hatred for those who "cover their garments with violence"(Malachi2:16).
Jesusrevolutionizedhow women were treated. He defendedtheadulteressfrom those who would stone her (John 8:1-11). He honored the Samaritan woman when culture said He shouldn't evenspeaktoher(John4:142).Hechosewomenasfirst
witnessestoHisresurrection when their testimony wasn't even legally recognized (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8). His entire ministry elevated and protected women in a society that marginalizedthem.
The most misused passage in Christian marriage teaching comes from Ephesians 5:22-33 Yes, it mentions wives submitting to husbands. But read the whole thing. Husbandsarecommandedto love wives "as Christ loved the church and gave himself upforher"(Ephesians5:25). That's sacrificial love, protectivelove,servantlove. The complete opposite of dominanceandcontrol.Any manwhousesthispassageto justify abuse has missed the entirepointoftheGospel.
Peter tells husbands to treat wives "with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Peter 3:7) Physical differences create moral responsibilities, not o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r exploitation. And there's a warningattached–dishonor your wife and God won't listentoyourprayers.
The Root and the Branches
As someone who believes in biblical truth, I know the ultimate source of this violence is sin –humanity's rebellion against God's design that twists everything it touches. Sin turns protection into possession,loveintocontrol, andstrengthintoaweapon.
But we can't just spiritualize this away Scripture shows us that sin operatesbothpersonallyand systemically The prophets condemned individual wickednessandunjustsocial structures. We need both heart change and system change.
Right now, our systems enable violence Women stay trapped because they can't afford to leave. Police treat domestic calls as nuisances instead of emergencies. Courts hand out restraining orders like p a r k i n g t i c k e t s Communities mind their own business while neighbors die Churches prioritize marriage preservation over personal safety These aren't just social problems – they're moral problems that require moralsolutions.
WhatWeMustDoNow
Beyond prayer and preaching (though we need both), we need specific action:
Legalreforms–Weneed specialized domestic violence courts with trained magistrates Mandatory
arrest policies when evidence shows abuse
Electronic monitoring for restraining orders Real penalties that escalate with repeat offenses. Laws that recognizepsychologicaland economic abuse, not just physicalviolence.
Supportsystems–Crisis centers in every region, not j u s t G e o r g e t o w n Emergency housing with pathways to independence. Mobile response teams for rural areas Witness protection for women testifying against abusive
partners Legal aid specificallyforsurvivors.
Prevention programs –
Healthy relationship education in schools
Mandatory training for police, healthcare workers,
and judges Public campaigns targeting male attitudes about rejection and relationships Community mediation for early intervention Treatment programs for anger and addiction.
Economic independence
– Microfinance for women starting over Emergency a s s i s t a n c e f u n d s Employment protection for survivors Job training
connected to real opportunities.
Church action – Every congregation needs domestic violence response teams. Trained counselors.
Emergency funds Partnerships with professionals. Male leaders who address toxic masculinity directly Sermonsthatcallabusewhat itis–sin.
The Church's Moment
We in Christian leadership must lead this fight.Ourpulpitsshouldring with condemnation of domestic violence as clearly as we condemn any other evil Every sermon on marriage must include explicit teaching that abuse violatesGod'sdesign.
Our churches must become sanctuaries equipped for real help – not just prayer, but practical assistance. We need trained people, emergency resources, safe spaces, and professional partnerships
We can't handle complex traumaalone,butwecanbe part of comprehensiv solutions.
We must confront distorted theology head-on. Any teaching that uses biblicalsubmissiontojustify abuse or marriage preservation to enable violence is heretical. The Gospel liberates – it never enslaves.
Our men's ministries n e e d c o m p l e t e transformation. Biblical manhood means Christ-like sacrifice and service, not domination. We must teach men that real strength protects the vulnerable, neverpreysonthem.
Where Hope Lives
I believe the ultimate solutionisJesusChrist–not as a spiritual bypassing of practical needs, but as the power to fundamentally transform hearts and systems. Only the Gospel can replace the spirit of control with the spirit of service,turndominationinto protection, and change predatorsintoprotectors.
Christ offers healing to survivors and perpetrators both. For women trapped in violence, He offers unshakeable worth and supernatural strength to breakfree.Formenenslaved by anger and control, He offers forgiveness and the Holy Spirit's power to change.
But let me be crystal clear – repentance requires both confession and transformation You can't claim to follow Christ while terrorizing the woman you promised to cherish. Real conversion produces real change, including accountability, restitution, and demonstrated growth overtime.
That little boy in the hospital will wake up to a world where his mother is gone and his father chose violenceoverlife.Whatkind ofsocietywillwegivehim? What legacy will we leave ourdaughters?
President Ali said, "When families break, society bleeds." He's right. Butwhencommunitiesunite to protect their most vulnerable,healingbecomes possible When churches speak truth and act in love, transformationbegins.
The editorial after Teekadai'smurdersaidevery murdered woman "is a victim of a society that did
not act in time " That indictment includes me. It includes all of us who knew betterbutstayedquiet.
I'm calling on my fellow pastors to break our shameful silence Preach against domestic violence with the same passion you bring to preaching the Gospel.Makeyourchurches places where women can findsafetyandhelp.
I'm calling on men to examine your hearts honestly Ifyoustrugglewith anger, jealousy, or the need to control, get help now before you become tomorrow'sheadlines.
I'm calling on women to know your worth in God's eyes.You weren't created to be anyone's victim. There is help available. Some people willbelieveyouandsupport you.
I ' m c a l l i n g o n communities to become villages that actually protect their daughters and sisters. Your silence makes you complicit.Youractioncould savelives.
Most urgently, I'm calling on our nation to say with one voice: "No more." No more silence in our pulpits. No more excuses in our courts. No more women dying at the hands of those theytrustedmost.
Teekadai Solomon's blood cries out from Charlotte Street. The blood oftoomanywomencriesout fromacrossournation.Their voices join ancient cries for justice, demanding we finally act with the urgency thiscrisisdeserves.
We can keep turning away, or we can finally turn towardjustice.Thechoiceis ours.Thetimeisnow
GetHelpNow:
Ÿ Guyana Police Emergency:911
Ÿ Domestic Violence Hotline: 914 or 2273737
Ÿ Women's Crisis Centre:227-3454
Ÿ Red Thread Women's Organization: 2257516
Ÿ LegalAidClinic:2253648
If you or someone you know faces domestic violence, reach out immediately You're not alone. Help exists. Your life hasimmeasurablevalue,and you deserve safety, dignity, andsupport.
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President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday joined the BassoofamilyincommissioningtheUS$20millionCourtyardbyMarriottHotel,which is located near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)atTimehri,EastBank Demerara.
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The six-storey hotel which was built on some 2.5acreplotofleaselandfrom the Guyana Government was built by Cardinal Investment Inc., a company, which was established by the Directors of Bassoo Group.
The 150-room hotel includes six suites, restaurant, bar,fitnesscenter,swimming poolandmeetingspaceswith capacity to accommodate events up to 200 people. It also provides jobs for more than 100 persons.
PresidentAlisaidwiththe opening of this hotel, it is making a statement to the world that Guyana is on the move. “Guyana is serious about transformation, Guyana is ready to take its place as a destination, ready tobecomeatransithub,ready to build a diversified future and we embrace our partners in this journey,” he said. The President stated that the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel located near the Cheddi JaganInternationalAirport,is a majestic structure that attests to the fact that they are doing things “better and quicker in this country.”
“But this hotel is more than that. It is a symbol of ambition, a demonstration of confidenceandacornerstone of the bold future we are building for our people. As I said before we are not waitingonthefuture,wearebuilding it right here, right now,” the head-of-state noted.
He further stated that this investment is not an isolated
act and that it is part of a larger deliberate strategic plan. That plan, he noted is that by the end of this year, Guyana would boast more than 2,000 world-class hotel rooms. “We are not building hotels for the sake of hotels, we are building capacity, we arenotjustliftingceilingswe are lifting standards. To accompany all of these investments,inthenexttermwewill buildaword-classindoorarea where we will be able to host international events of every scale ad magnitude.”
Whether it is in boxing, music and the arts, the president saidtheyaregoingafterthose opportunities aggressively, because “we have a responsibility to these investors, to invest in an ecosystem that will bring people to take and make use of their service.”
According to him, the government is making Guyana fit for purpose as a major tourism destination. “We are not talking about tourisminanarrowsense;we aretalkingaboutasectorthat can host conferences and conventions,asectorthatcan attract international events from business summits to sports and cultural festivals, a sector that welcomes the adventure tourist, the heritage explorer and eco travelers. We are creating an ecosystem one that matches the dynamism of our people and the beauty of our land,” he explained.
Looking to make Guyana this hub, he mentioned that hotels like the Courtyard by Marriott,positionsGuyanato deliver exactly that. “It answers a demand that is high, thatisconsistentandthatwill only grow stronger,” he said.
During his remarks, he also related that this hotel is critically linked to many im-
portant investments of the immediatefuture.Forexample, the racing track that is close to the hotel which he mentioned they have to work to develop,theSilicaCityinitiative and the young professional homes that are being built nearby
“The government is matching the confidence of the private sector and we are investing to secure your investmentandconfidence,”he related.
Confident that his party willgobackintogovernment comeSeptember1,Alitoldthe gatheringthatwithinthefirst week of the new term they plan on issuing expression of interests for all-inclusive resorts in Guyana. The areas identified that will first benefithesaidincludesOrinduik, Lethem, Leguan, Linden, the 63 Beach, Bartica, Stabroek waterfront, Vreed-en-Hoop waterfront and Kamana Village.
“Within the first week of thenexttermwewillbeissuing expression of interest for all-inclusive resorts in these areas, we expect strong local and international partnership andparticipationinthis.Iexpect the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and the Privet Sector Commission to preparethemselvestobuilda consortium to ensure we get this done,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile,inhisremarks, Managing Director of Cardinal Investments Inc., Roy BassoSnr.saidthissmart21st century architectural masterpiece highlights what is pos-
sible when foreign and local expertise merge. “This milestoneisfarmorethanthestrategic investment in our hospitality and tourism sector. It is the beacon illuminating Guyana’sinternationalpromise and our flourishing economy. Under a 20-year agreement, Marriott International will operate this renowned American brand strengthening our bridge to door opening global opportunities,” he disclosed.
With surging demands from airlines and travelers, Bassoo noted that they anticipate that this hotel will be fullybookedwhenitbecomes operational in the coming weeks.
Already, he said that they are planning to expand and are in advanced discussions withtheMarriottteamtoadd 75 more rooms adjacent to this property, which would includeanentertainmentcomplexfeaturingfastfoodhubs, ATM banking, a rooftop bar and a proposed casino.
Assuringthoseattheceremonythatthisinvestmentis only the beginning for his company, the CEO announced that Basso Group has secured the franchise for the Staybridge Suites Hotel under the Intercontinental HotelsGroup.
He noted lease for the land has been secured and it willbesituatedalongtheHeroesHighwayneartheoiland gas hub. The hotel is said to host130roomsandworksare expected to commence early 2026.
From page 2
offenders should have their licenses revoked and be made to undergo retraining.
He also questioned whether existing enforcement measures such as e-ticketing systems, speed cameras, and body cameras are enough to curve the high rate of road accidents. “One of the things that we would like to ask the government to put in place is what I call the three-strike systemwheremotoristmustbepenalizedeverytime,ifthey have been having several traffic tickets or infractions, and thereforehavetheirlicensesuspendedorrevoked,andthey go back through a driving practice, and they improve the way they use the road. That by itself will send a message, because a lot of us use our driver’s license to earn and if those licenses are suspended, it is going to send a message thatyouneedtoexercisecare,caution,consideration,courtesy and common sense when you are using the road, and that will contribute heavily towards the way we use our roads,”Lambertexplained.
CommissionerofPoliceCliftonHickenechoedthissentiment,stressingthatenforcementaloneisnotenough.“We can increase patrols, install more speed cameras, and prosecute offenders, and we will, but unless we change our collectiveattitudetowardroadsafety,wewillcontinuetobury ourchildren,ourfamilymembers,andourfriends.”
Headded,“Thepolicecannotdothisalone.Roadsafety is everyone’s responsibility. It is drivers, pedestrians, parents, teachers, transport operators, policy makers, insurance engineers and media personalities.”
With 15 lives lost in road accidents so far this August, each death leaves behind a grieving family, mourning the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. These fatalities represent fathers, mothers, children, and friends whose lives were cut short on Guyana’s roadways.
Nineteen contractors have submitted bids to rehabilitate the Guyana RevenueAuthority’s (GRA) building located at StrandStreet,NewAmsterdam.
According to the latest reading of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, the project is estimated to cost $212,340,139. This publication understands that those who applied for the contracthavebidbetween$144millionand$290millionto executetheworks.
Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:
GuyanaRevenueAuthority RehabilitationofGRABuilding atStrandStreet,NewAmsterdam.
ConstructionofLivingQuartersBuilding, Corriverton,Berbice,Region#6, LawEnforcement&InvestigationsDivision(LEID)
InstituteofAppliedScience&Technology LandscapingofSouthWesternSideofIASTCompound.
RehabilitationofIASTPlumbingSystem.
(Reuters) - Chinese offshore oil and gas major
CNOOC posted a 13% declineininterimnetincome after lower oil prices offset theimpactofrecord-highoil andgasproduction.
Net profit attributable to equity shareholders dropped to 69.5 billion yuan ($9.7 billion)afterarecordinterim profitin2024,accordingtoa filing to the Hong Kong StockExchange.
D o m e s t i c p e e r PetroChina reported a 5.4% decline in net earnings to around $11.7 billion, while Sinopec’ssank40%to$2.99 billion CNOOC’s net production of oil and gas increased 6% to a record 384.6 million barrels of oil equivalentduringtheperiod,
A 24-year-old air conditioning(Ac)technician from Charlestown was on Wednesday remanded for attempted murder and feloniouswounding.
Micheal Layne of Charlestown, Georgetown, appeared before Principal MagistrateJudyLatchmanat theGeorgetownMagistrates’ Court.
Layne was not required to plead to the indictable charges which alleged that onAugust23,2025,onJohn Street, en Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, he wounded Rafeek Khan with intent to murderhim.
It is also alleged that on the same day, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Julian Vanlange with intent tomaim,disfigure,disableor causegrievousbodilyharm.
The accused was represented by attorney DexterSmarttwhorequested bail on behalf of his client.
Thelawyertoldthecourtthat on the day in question, his client was attacked by Khan andVanlangeandwasacting out of self-defense. Smartt added that his client was dealt lashes to his head and body with a glass bottle and was subsequently taken to the hospital by police officers for stitches He assured the court that Layne isnotaflightrisk.
repairs; he would leave his car and make a down payment of $30,000 and when he returned, he would pay the balance. When the accused returned, he discoveredthatnoworkwas done;Khanlaterapproached Layne requesting some moneywhichwasdenied,as a result the 24-year-old man wenttomovehiscarwhenhe was accused by Khan and Vanlange of hitting Khan’s car
with gas up 12% year-onyear
“We steadily promoted construction of major projects and achieved record-high oil and gas production,”CNOOCsaid. It said reserve utilisation and recovery rates had improved, while the natural declinerateofproducingoil andgasfieldsoffshoreChina continued“atalowlevel”.
CNOOC made five discoveries offshore China, includingJinzhou27-6inthe northern part of the Bohai Sea, and successfully appraisedlargeandmediumsized oil and gas bearing structures, including like Qinhuangdao 29-6, also in theBohaiSea.
T h e c o m p a n y
commenced production at Bozhong26-6oilfieldPhase I off north China’s Bohai Bay, the Buzios-7 project and the Mero-4 project in Brazil, as well as phase 2 of theShenhai-1deepwatergas project in the South China Sea.
Beyond China, CNOOC said it continued to increase reserves through advanced deepwater exploration in Guyana and signed its first
oil contract for exploration inKazakhstan.
Revenuefromoilandgas salesinthefirsthalfof2025 was 171 7 billion yuan, down 7% from the same period last year CNOOC’s Hong Kong-listed shares closed down 1 84% at HK$1864 on Wednesday andaredown2.5%sofarthis year, while the Hang Seng Index ( HSI) has risen 25.6%.
Theprosecutionobjected tobailduetotheseriousness of the offence, preservation of public safety and the safety of the virtual complainants. It added that the defendant and Khan are known to each other and sometimeduringAugust,the accused was involved in an accidentwithhiscarandhad takenittoKhan’srepairshop onAugust22.
The court heard that the men agreed that Layne would pay $80,000 for the
The prosecution further stated that an argument ensued and Layne punched Khan, and Vanlange hit Layne in the head with a bottle.
Layne then went to his car, armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Khan and Vanlange several chops about their bodies The prosecution noted that Khan and Vanlange lost two fingersandarehospitalised. Magistrate Latchman deniedLaynebailduetothe seriousnessoftheoffence.
The matters have been adjourned to September 17, 2025.
(AL-JAZEERA)
Health Ministry has recorded 10 deaths “due to famine and malnutrition” over the past 24 hours, including two children, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths to 313, 119 of whom were children.
Israeli forces also killed 51 Palestinians since dawn onWednesday, including 12 waitingforaid.
At least 75 Palestinians, including 18 aid seekers, have been killed and 268 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave's HealthMinistry
One body was also recoveredfromtherubbleof previous Israeli attacks, the ministry said The latest countbroughtthetotaldeath tollinIsrael'swaronGazato 62,895, with 158,927 injured,thestatementsaid.
Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN's humanitarian coordinatorfortheoccupied Palestinian territory and deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has told the UNSC meeting that on his recent visit to Gaza, he “was stunned at the scale of the destructionandsuffering”.
“I met humanitarian workersriskingtheirlivesto
deliveraidwhilethemselves living in intolerable conditions I saw the immensepersonaltollonthe population, including the UN'sownstaff,butwasalso inspired by our staff's unshakable commitment to do their work as they speak today,” he said via videolinkfromJerusalem.
He said that over 22 months of war, “Gaza is sinking deeper in disaster, markedbyrapidlymounting civilian casualties, mass displacement”, and that the captives held by armed groups“continuetolanguish inappallingconditions”.
A l a k b a r o v a l s o addressed Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, where he said there is an “unprecedented crisis, relentless expansion of settlements, demolitions, [and]intensifyingviolence”.
Amiz Alakbarov, the UN's humanitarian coordinatorfortheoccupied Palestinian territory and deputy special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has told the UNSC meeting that on his recent visit to Gaza, he “was stunned at the scale of the destructionandsuffering”.
“I met humanitarian workersriskingtheirlivesto deliveraidwhilethemselves
living in intolerable
conditions I saw the immensepersonaltollonthe population, including the UN'sownstaff,butwasalso inspired by our staff's unshakable commitment to do their work as they speak today,” he said via videolinkfromJerusalem.
He said that over 22 months of war, “Gaza is sinking deeper in disaster, markedbyrapidlymounting civilian casualties, mass
displacement”, and that the captives held by armed groups“continuetolanguish inappallingconditions”.
A l a k b a r o v a l s o addressed Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, where he said there is an “unprecedented crisis, relentless expansion of settlements, demolitions, [and]intensifyingviolence”.
Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, has also told
theUNSecurityCouncilthat the NGO's clinics in Gaza “are overwhelmed by need, every bench packed with malnourished children and theirmothers,yetourclinics are almost silent now.
Children do not have the strengthtospeakorevencry out in agony.” “They lie there, emaciated, quite literallywastingaway–their tiny bodies overcome by hunger and disease, the medical and specialised
nutrition supplies they need allbutusedup,”shesaid.
“Afew kilometres away standreadyaseaofsupplies, thousandsuponthousandsof truckloads of lifesaving items,allblocked,”shesaid.
“These past few weeks, moreandmorechildrenhave shared that they wish to be dead. One child wrote, 'I wishIwereinheaven,where my mother is. In heaven, there is love. There is food andwater.'”
In his final submission beforetheHighCourtinthe matter which challenges the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission over its decision to exclude the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) from the election ballot in three, attorney for the applicant, Dr Vivian Richardsmaintainedthatthe application of the electoral laws is not in conformity withtheconstitution.
The case is being presided over by Chief Justice (Ag), Navindra Singh who is set to rule on Friday August 29, at 14:00 hours The Fixed Date Application filed on behalf of Krystal Hadassah Fisher, a national candidate of the Forward Guyana Movement (FMG), a party which is founded by politician and attorney, Amanza Walton
Desir contends that GECOM's exclusion of her partyfromballotsinRegions Seven, Eight, and Nine
v i o l a t e s m u l t i p l e constitutionalrights. According to Fisher, guarantees including the righttovote,equalsuffrage, non-discrimination, and proportional representation. In defence of the case, Dr. Williams reiterated his view that the Representation of thePeople'sAct(RoPA)and theapplicationofsectionsof the law by GECOM are in
constitution “It creates tension with the principal object of the Constitution; the court must side with the Constitution. We ask the court to interpret those inconsistencies in favour of constitutionality.”
He held that sections of t
m
nat
on and disenfranchisement of sections of Guyana's electorate. However, Justice Singh reminded the lawyer that much of his submission was being regurgitated and
thathewasyettorespondto the arguments of the defending attorneys. “You really are not responding to anything… you haven't pointed out anything you want to reply to, you have
yesterday,” Justice Singh commented In his presentation, Attorney General Anil Nandall S.C maintained that the case is withoutmerit.“YourHonour this case is clearly without merit…Chaoshasovertaken usbecauseMr Williamshas departed from his pleadings and has gone all over the place; a lot was said this morningthatwasnotpartof the original case. The case hasshiftedfromyesterdayto this morning and the shift has made the case even worse.Fisher[theapplicant] is clearly on a fishing expedition and the lawyer is alsoatsea.”Nandlallstated. He noted that GECOM
acted in keeping with the decision taken by the party and conformity with the provisions of the law. “Political parties make decision based on their strengths and weakness. They strategise to see how besttheycanmaximisetheir resources, and as you know resources have limit. So, we as political parties have to decide how to carefully plot out our resources They [FGM)] decided in a calculated,strategicdecision howmanyseatstheywanted tocontestfornationally,and in doing so omitted to contest in certain regions,” Nandlallreasoned.
Similarly, Arudranauth Gossai said that the vote comesfromtheconstituency listsandthensimultaneously is counted to the National TopUpList.“Inotherwords, if you don't contest in geographicalconstituency9, you can't get a vote for your topuplistbecauseyoudon't
constituencylist.”
“I don't believe that the court can find that with the National Top Up List alone
themselves on the ballot for
constituency where they have not submitted lists, otherwisethecourtwouldbe committingabreachoflaw.”
The FGM filed legal
GECOM after discovering that the party was omitted from the national ballot in Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine. FGM, Walton Desir petitioned the High Court, seeking inter alia an immediate halt to the electoral process until the party's candidates are properly included in the national ballots for the affected regions. FGM has arguedthattheomissionsnot onlydisenfranchisevotersin those regions, but also
impact the party's ability to securevotesandseatsinthe nationalassembly Thecourt a p p l i c a t i o n s e e k s constitutional relief under Part 56 of the Civil Procedure Rules, claiming that GECOM's actions violateArticles 59, 149, and 160 of the constitution, as well as provisions of the RepresentationofthePeople Act (ROPA). Outside the courtroom, Nandlall and Gossaitoldreportersthatitis unlikely that the case would halt the elections slated for nextMonday
BBC Sport - Manchester
United suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exitastheywerebeatenina marathon penalty shootout by League Two Grimsby at BlundellPark12-11afterthe scoreswerelockedat2-2. It had appeared United had rescued themselves in thenickoftimeafterfinding themselves two goals down followingatrulyawfulfirsthalf display, with returning goalkeeper Andre Onana at faultforGrimsby’ssecond.
Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren got the Mariners goals before United substitute Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back
and Harry Maguire equalisedinthefinalminute.
But Matheus Cunha failed to secure victory in United’slastspot-kickofthe regulation five, and
Mbeumo’s second penalty hitthebartohandGrimsbya 12-11 shootout success and triggerapitchinvasionfrom thejubilanthomefans.
They eventually left the fieldbutwaitedintheirseats longafterthefinalwhistleas the players and manager David Artell came out to conduct post-match interviews following one of the greatest nights in the club’s history United manager Ruben Amorim gave the impression of coweringinthedugoutasthe drama unfolded and one of onlytworealisticchancesof silverwaredisappearedatthe firstavailableopportunity
He endured the ‘sacked in the morning’chants from gleeful home fans sat in the stand behind him during the first half as he watched his side find themselves in an even more embarrassing position than those he experienced last season, during which he described themas‘maybetheworst’in theclub’shistory
He was not helped by Onana’sshockingerror Left out for the first two Premier Leaguegamesoftheseason,
Frompage34 new frontier for young gamers.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Ifyou'vebeenthinkingabout investing, Aries, this isn't the day to start. Not only would there be delays in processing your investment but it also probably won't pay off the wayyouhope.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Attempts to reach a potential or current business partner could go awry today, Taurus. Phone messages may not get delivered, emails could get lost, and letters remain unopened This person is havingahecticday
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Today you might feel a little out of sorts, perhaps because of overindulgence from last night.Youmightbetemptedto stay home in spite of other commitments.Thismightbea wisecourseofaction.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Today you might be eagerly awaiting a phone call that never seems to come from a current or potential romantic partner, Cancer This could awaken your insecurity and causeyoutothinktheworst.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Amember of your household could be depressed over their job,Leo.Somethingmayhave gone wrong that wasn't their fault. You might be called upon to distract this person andgethimorhergoingagain.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Someletters,checks,orphone calls you may have been expecting for a long time could still be delayed, Virgo. There's no reason to get too frustrated, as the delays are beyondyourcontrol.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Some news about money, perhaps a check in the mail you've been waiting for still might not come. This could be frustrating, Libra, especially since there isn't much you can doaboutit
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)
Delays in accomplishing certain goals could have you feelingdowntoday Youcould wonder if you did something wrong. The delays probably s t e m f r o m p o o r communication.
SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)
Todayyoumightfeelverylow, Sagittarius, though you may not have any idea why Your lifeisgoingwell,sothere'sno real reason for you to feel this way.Chancesarethatyousaw something that triggered an unconsciousmemory
CAPRICORN(Dec22–Jan19)
Today it looks like you might not be able to attend a group activity that you've been anticipating, Capricorn. Other pressing matters may demand yourimmediateattention.This couldprovefrustrating.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
A delay in completing an important project could have youfeelingirritated,frustrated, andinadequate,Aquarius,even though you've done your best. The problem is probably beyondyourcontrol.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Some pressing matters might haveyouworriedthatyoumay have to postpone a muchneededvacation.Youcouldbe tempted to go into a funk over it,butdon't.Itcouldcreatethe verysituationyoudon'twant.
the Cameroon international had not looked entirely comfortable even before he cametocollectacrossswept into a crowded penalty area after30minutes.
Inexplicably, Onana droppeditandformerUnited academy player Warren turned the loose ball into an emptynet.Thegoaldoubled the advantage given to Grimsby by Vernam, who beat Onana with a low shot after Kieran Green took possessionawayfromAmad Diallo and Manuel Ugarte, allowing Darragh Burns to deliverthefar-postcross.
Amorim sent on skipper
TournamentStructure andKeyDates
C o n s o l e ( 2 v 2 ) : Registration runs from August 26 – September 5, 2025 Matches kick off Saturday, September 6 at 7:00PM.
M o b i l e ( 1 v 1 ) : Registration runs from August 26 – September 12, 2025 Matches begin Saturday, September 13 at 7:00PM.
All competitions will be held virtually, with players participating from home using their own consoles or mobile devices. Eligibility requiresparticipantstobeat least 16 years old and holders of a Guyanese passport.
From these domestic trials, the best players will move on to the FIFAe Regional Online Qualifiers in October, where they will battle against regional counterparts for a place at the World Cup finals in December
The GFF emphasized that the initiative is more than just gaming; it’s about d e v e l o p m e n t a n d opportunity “Through our collaboration with FIFAe, Guyanese youth now have the chance to compete internationally, build digital skills, and represent their countryontheworldstage.It is a proud moment for the FederationandforGuyana,” thereleasestated.
Byofferingbothconsole andmobilecompetitions,the GFF aims to make esports accessible to all eligible gamers, whether equipped with a high-end gaming setuporamobilephone.The Federation also highlighted that esports fosters discipline, teamwork, and digital literacy, skills that extendbeyondthescreen.
Bruno Fernandes, new forward Mbeumo and defensive kingpin Matthijs de Ligt at half-time in an attempttosavethegame.
Mbeumopulledoneback withashotintothecorner15 minutes from time Following more attacking substitutesthatmeantMason Mount and Mbeumo were filling the wing-back roles by the end, Maguire converted the last-minute equaliser
As Cunha strode up to takeUnited’sfifthpenalty,it seemed they would escape. ButCunhafailed–andsodid histeam.
Frompage33
Secretary Marcia Lee were also there to provide support to theplayersandthecompetition.
Thefederationwouldliketoextendheartfeltgratitudeto MrandMrs.Clementforsponsoringthetournamentvenue.
Withthereintroductionofthegameofchessinthecounty of Berbice, the GCF hopes that this tournament will encourage more student participation.The GCF distributed chess sets through the Gift of Chess program to New Amsterdam Secondary and Vryman’s Erven Secondary schoolsandplanstoprovidesetstomoreschoolsinthearea soontodevelopthelocalchesscommunity
Globe-Aphotographerwhowalkedontothecourtinthe middle of Daniil Medvedev’s first-round U.S. Open match againstBenjaminBonziinNewYorkCityonSunday,August 24hasbeenbannedfromthetennistournament.
The umpire granted Bonzi, 29, a re-do of his first serve becauseoftheinterruption,sparkingMedvedevtomeltdown onthecourt,encouragingthecrowdtoboo.
“Areyouaman?Whyareyoushaking?”theRussianbad boy, 29, yelled at the umpire, Greg Allensworth, before speakingtoESPN’scameras.“Hewantstogohome,guys,he doesn’tlikeithere.Hegetspaidbythematch,notbythehour.”
Hisoutburstdelayedthematchformorethansixminutes.
The U.S.TennisAssociation later toldThe Guardian that thephotographerwasescortedfromthecourtbysecurityand thathiscredentialshadbeenrevoked.
“I’m a victim and totally innocent,” the journalist, identifiedbytheDailyMailasSelcukAcar,toldtheoutletvia text message on Monday, August 25. “This incident has alreadyturnedintoalynching,andalthoughI’minnocent,I’ve sufferedgreatly.”
After eventually losing to the French player, Medvedev toldreportersatapressconference,viaSportsIllustrated,that theinterruptionisn’twhatsethimoff.
“I was not upset with the photographer It was nothing special,”Medvedevinsisted.
HesaidhisirewasdirectedsolelyatAllensworth.“Every timethere’s asoundfromthestandsbetweenserves,thereis neverasecondserve.Butwell,thathelpedmegetbackintothe match. It was a fun moment to live. I wasn’t upset with the photographer Iwasupsetwiththedecision.”
Leguan Warriors and Wakenaam will play a friendly T20 match on Saturday at St Bedes ground, Scarborough,Ontario,Canada.
Thisgameistomarkthefirstdeath anniversaryofJanetMonasar,aformer ardent supporter of softball cricket to LeguanWarriors. Janet was the mother ofpopularsoftballplayersNareshBodo andAndyMonasarandgrandmotherof RaviBodo,anothersoftballcricketerin Ontario.
She died age 76 last January in Canadaduetoillness.
Leguan Warriors featured in the Ontario Softball Cricket League and OntarioMastersSoftballCricketClubs’ varioustournamentsovertheyears.
According to Naresh Bodo, one of the organizers for the game which is slatedtocommenceat12:30pm,things have shaped up nicely for this special softballencounter
Naresh Bodo mentioned that the family is still saddened with her death but they are excited to run off the oneday event in her memory because she hadlovedsoftballcricketverymuch.
In addition to that, Janet was a cricket fanatic and always there at the groundwhenLeguanWarriorsinaction.
A
Essequibo Senior Inter-county team while Naresh served as Vice-President of the Essequibo Cricket Board before theirmigrationtoNorthAmerica.
Some of the players coming out on Saturdayare:Naresh,Andy,Ravi,Chilo Doodnauth, Faoud Mohamed, Abdool ‘Whito’ Azeez, Mohin Khan, Ashtaq Mohamed, Rajin Persaud, Shawn Persaud,ArvindraRamroopandBobby Ramlaganamongothers.
PAMedia Sport - Coco Gauff battled through more serving problems to scrape into the second round of the USOpen.
The French Open champion changed her coaching team on the eve of the tournament, adding biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillaninanefforttofix herservingissues.
Gauffhit10moredouble faults under the lights on
Arthur Ashe Stadium, but avoidedarepeatofherfirstround Wimbledon exit, eventually defeating Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4 6-7 (2) 7-5 after two hours and 57 minutes.
“ M e n t a l l y i t ’ s exhausting, but I’m trying,” saidGauffofherattemptsto improveherserve.
“Itwasn’tthebesttoday, but at 30-30 (in the last game) it came in when it
m a t t e r e d I t ’s a n improvement.
“It was a tough match. I had chances for it to be straightsets.Ajlawastough, I felt like she was getting so many balls back. I’m happy to get through to the next round I had so many chances I was like, ‘eventually they’re going to come’.”
Gauff led 4-2 in the second set before losing
three games in a row and then served for the match at 5-4 in the decider only to double-faulttwiceinarow
But the third seed broke Tomljanovic again to give herself a second chance and this time she took it, roaring after hitting a backhand winner down the line on match point to set up a second-round clash with DonnaVekic.
Iga Swiatek set a new
recordwithadominantfirstround victory over Emiliana Arango.
T h e Wi m b l e d o n champion continued her impressive summer form with a 6-1 6-2 stroll against Colombian Arango and has nowwonheropeningmatch at 65 consecutive tournaments, breaking the previous open era record set byMonicaSeles.
While the Pole is seeded second behind Aryna Sabalenka,sheappearstobe theplayertobeatatFlushing Meadows, having followed up her Wimbledon triumph by winning the big WTA event in Cincinnati last week.
Swiatek seemed more excitedaboutnewsofTaylor Swift’sengagementthanher own victory, but she was happy to have made a confidentstart.
“First matches are alwaysabitdifferent,soI’m
happythatIhadsometimeto just get used to the conditions and the surface, becauseforsureit’sdifferent than the practice courts,” said the Pole, who won her only title here in 2022 and next faces Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens. “I think it wasjustasolidmatch,andso I’m happy that I can play anotherroundhere.”
Naomi Osaka, who is seededagainatagrandslam for the first time since before her maternity break, moved into round two with a6-36-4victoryoverGreet Minnen, while Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova beat Kimberly Birrell6-36-2 Tournament organisers announced, meanwhile, that Venus Williams, who impressed in a first-round defeat against Karolina Muchova on Monday, will playinthewomen’sdoubles withLeylahFernandez.
NEWYORK,(Reuters)- EmmaRaducanuproduceda commandingperformanceattheU.S.OpenonWednesdayas the 2021 champion swept aside Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen6-26-1toreachthethirdround.
The 22-year-old, who earned her first victory at the tournamentinheropeningmatchonSundaysinceliftingthe trophy, faced a spirited challenger in Tjen, fresh off an historicupsetover24thseedVeronikaKudermetova.
YetRaducanu’ssharpservingandrelentlesspaceproved too much, as she raced to the finish line in just an hour, her quickestGrandSlamwin.
“I’m very pleased with how I played today Janice is a super dangerous opponent, and I thought any ball that I put thatwasn’tgoodenough,shejustputaway,”Raducanusaid.
“Janiceisplayingsomereallydangeroustennisandbeat oneofthetopseedsinthefirstround.
“I’msureshecanbuildandtakealotofconfidencefrom this.I’mlookingforwardtothenexttimeIplayher.”
Raducanu seemed locked in from the outset, earning a break in her first return game before holding after saving threebreakpointstoopenupa3-0lead.
Britain’s number one never allowed Tjen to find her rhythm, closing out the first set with solid serving and powerfulgroundstrokes.
Shenevertookherfootoffthegasandbroketwiceinthe secondsettotakeanotherdecisiveleadbeforeservingoutthe match, completing a stellar performance that featured 16 winners,eightacesandnodoublefaults.
She will face either Czech teenagerTerezaValentova or 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the next round.
Steve Leung (L) and Dane Grimmond (R).
IntheancientcountyofBerbice,veteranBerbicianchess playerKriskalPersaudemergedasthewinneroftheBerbice 20/20RapidChessTournamentheldatLittleRockSuitesand ConferenceHallinNewAmsterdamlastSunday,August24, 2025.
Persaudplayedsplendidly,withanunbeaten6.5pointsin the challenging seven round competition among the 32 participants,fiftypercentofwhomwereBerbicians.Persaud defeated his opponents Gavin Dev Mahadeo, Farrukh Bahman, Jaden Todd, Rai Sharma, Kim Shing Chong, and SteveLeung.Hisgameinthefifthroundwiththirteen-yearoldNicholasZhangfromGeorgetownendedinadraw Zhang finished in second place with an impressive 6 points, gaining two draws with his matches against Persaud and Jaden Todd. Todd, another Berbician, took third place with 5.5 points. The young, talented fifteen-year-old who attends the Bishops’ High School lost his game against PersaudanddrewhismatchwithZhanginRound6.
CielClement,whogrewupinBerbiceandresidesinNew Amsterdam, played all her Rounds with calm composure, despite the nail-biting and quick-thinking demands of rapid chess.Thesixteen-year-oldQueen’sCollegestudenthandeda crushingdefeattoseniorplayerRaiSharmainRoundSeven, whoisknownforhisdecadesofexperienceinspeedplayin thelocalchesscircuit.Withlessthantwominutesremaining on her clock, Clement forced Sharma to concede the match, evenwithhistimeadvantageofapproximately15minutes.
InanearlierRound,Clementalmostlostontime,buther opponent, Darshanand Ramlall, ran out of time first, giving Clement the victory with just one second out of 20 minutes left. Clement placed fourth with 5 points and took home the Best Female prize out of the thirteen females who participated. Veteran Berbician John London and Kishan Puran from Georgetown placed fifth and sixth, respectively, with5pointseach.
The twenty-minute time control rapid tournament was supervised by NationalArbiter andWCM Jessica Callender Players from Georgetown provided much competition and support to the Guyana Chess Federation-sponsored tournament, with Directors CM Loris Nathoo and Shiv Nandalallinattendance.FideArbiterJohnLeeandCompany
Continued on page 30
The Guyanese cricket fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the passing of former national Under-19 leg-spinner Rafik Khan, who died on August 23athisFloridahomeatthe ageof62.
Khan, who proudly representedGuyanabetween 1979 and 1983, is remembered not only as a talented leg-spinner but also as a beloved teammate, ardentcricketsupporter,and friend to many in the game. His passing has left a void felt deeply by the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), his former teammates, and legends of the sport, includingformerWestIndies captain Roger Harper, who expressed shock and sorrow atthedevastatingnews.
Khan made his mark on the regional stage when he debutedforGuyana’sUnder19 side in August 1979 against Trinidad at Bourda
under the captaincy of Jerry Angus. A few months later, in January 1980, he was included in the Orin Samuels-led squad that hostedEngland’sUnder-19s, againatBourda.
That same year, in July, he toured Barbados with the Roger Harper-led Guyana youth team for the regional championship In a memorablemomentthatstill resonates with those who witnessed it, Khan and Harpercombinedtoshareall 10wicketsinBarbados’first innings, which eventually became one of the fondest memories of his cricketing career
Khan’s journey with the national youth side continued into 1981 under
leadership of
1982,
when he played in Trinidad under the captaincy of AndrewJackman.
From the very outset, Khan announced himself as abowlerofrealpromise.On hisdebutagainstTrinidadin 1979, he claimed 4 for 38 from16overstohelpdismiss the opposition for 132. He followed this up with a devastating spell against the Leeward Islands, returning figures of 5 for 19 from 18 overs, before adding two more wickets in the second innings to finish with seven in the match His performances powered Guyana to a commanding win and a place in the final againstJamaica.
In the Benson & Hedges final,Khanagainimpressed, taking 4 for 104 from 30 overs in Jamaica’s only innings. Despite Guyana’s
loss on first-innings points, Khan finished as the team’s leading bowler in his debut series, claiming 15 scalps andestablishinghimselfasa risingforceinregionalyouth cricket. Off the field, Khan never lost his love for the game He remained a dedicated supporter of both hardballandsoftballcricket, frequently lending his encouragement to the sport locallyandabroad.
In a statement, members of the Demerara Cricket Club paid tribute: “Condolences go out to his wife and children, his extended family and friends during this time of bereavement. He will be rememberednotjustasafine leg-spinnerbutasabrother,a friend and a lover of the game. May his soul rest in peace.”
GFF teams up with FIFAe to launch
Guyana enters the digital football arena with pathway to FIFAe World Cup 2025
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially steppedintotheworldofesports,announcingthelaunchofthe GFF eSports League in partnership with FIFAe. The groundbreaking initiative will give local gamers the opportunitytocompeteinternationally,withtheultimateprize beingaspotattheFIFAeWorldCup2025™inRiyadh,Saudi Arabia.
Unveiled yesterday, the league will feature two competitive formats; GFF eSports League – Console (2v2, eFootball™byKONAMI)andGFFeSportsLeague–Mobile (1v1,eFootball™byKONAMI).
This marks a historic first for Guyana, blending the nation’sfootballpassionwithdigitalinnovationandopeninga Continued on page 30
Ravichandran Ashwin has played in the Indian Premier League since its inaugural season in 2008. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Former India off-spinner Ravichandran AshwinhasretiredfromtheIndianPremierLeague(IPL)and planstoplayinotherfranchiseleaguesacrosstheworld.
Ashwin, 38, played for five franchises including the Chennai Super Kings - where he won the title twice in 2010 and 2011 - and is fifth on the all-time wicket-taker list with 187.
TheBoardofControlforCricketinIndia(BCCI)doesnot allowanyplayerinIndianinternationalordomesticcricketto featureinoverseasleagues.
“They say every ending will have a new start,” Ashwin postedonsocialmedia.
“MytimeasanIPLcricketercomestoaclosetodaybutmy timeasanexplorerofthegamearoundvariousleaguesbegins today.”
AshwinretiredfrominternationalcricketinDecemberas theseventh-highestwicket-takerinTesthistory.
He took 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 TestssecondonlytoAnilKumble’s619amongIndiabowlers.
He also took 156 wickets at 33.20 apiece in 116 one-day internationalsand72atanaverageof23.22in65T20s.
TMZ - Sachia Vickery’s not just serving aces — she’s cashing in on
OnlyFans but she’s telling TMZ flatout, she wouldn’t even be there if tennis players actually got paid what they deserve.TheathletegotrealonTMZLive Monday about her risqué side hustle saying it’s worth the gamble, ‘cause in just a few months on the adult subscription grind, her bank account’s soaring higher than any serve she’s ever launched.
Yougottacatchthefullvid—‘cause Sachia—ranked559intheworld—says lifeoutsidetheTop100isbleak.Sheeven pulledoutthereceipts—$2.1milover14
yearsofprotennis.Soundsbig,butnope every dime went right back into survivalmode—coaches,physio,travel, the whole grind. She told us this kind of financial freedom is a first and wild enough, she only stumbled into it after a shoulderinjurybenchedher
As for breaking tennis’ code of conduct? Sachia says she’s keeping it clean no nudity, just lingerie, and playing by the rulebook. No fouls, no faults justprofits!
Sachia’s serving up the truth like never before. Vickery is of Guyanese rootshavingborntoGuyaneseparentsin theUS.
