Kaieteur News

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Israel advances plan to seize Gaza City, kills 72 in ‘fierce’ attacks …Hamas calls for global strike today

GECOM’s decision to

…saysCEOproposalsfoundfavourwithchairman,governmentcommissioners

Cops pull-over Mohamed, candidates for 2hrs, over “obscure” number plate en route Corentyne rally

School commissioned

..Berbicians distressed over high car fares despite removal of bridge toll ‘Still no relief’ $930M Tuschen Secondary halt to elections …afterpartyknockedoffballotforregions7,8,9 ...tohostUGCollegeofMedicalSciences “Somebody want kill me” miner tells brother day before his death

Region Six Police Commander and his ranks Speaking with WIN's presidential Candidate, Azruddin Mohamed on Wednesday night W

GECOM's decision to ban cell phones at polling booths was unanimous -Alexander

…saysCEOproposalsfoundfavourwithchairman,governmentcommissioners

The decision by the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) to ban the use of cellphones in polling station was taken unanimously despite the chairperson and some other commissioners last week votedagainstthemeasure. At its statutory meeting onAugust 5, 2025 GECOM had taken a decision not to have voters lodge their phones as a measure to ensure they are not used to photograph their ballots Opposition appointed commissioner Vincent Alexander had told this newspaper that GECOM madethedecisionbywayof amajorityvote.Hesaidthen that the government-

PPP

appointed commissioners were supported by chairperson retired Justice ClaudetteSinghontheissue. This, despite the opposition commissioners objecting to voters being allowed with their phones in the booths. Alexander said then that he believes that not allowing the phones into the polling stations is a way of securing thesecrecyoftheballots.

“There is a rumor that peoplearebeingpaidtovote for specific parties so what happenswhentheyenterthe polling booths, they take a picture to show to the party as proof of how they voted…There was also an instance a few years back of persons voting and taking a

picture of the ballot and postingitassoonastheyleft thepollingstation.Theseare the things we are trying

to continue investing in failing GUYSUCO in second term … manifesto unveils plans for rice

The Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has plans to continue pumping money into the failing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)ifgivenasecond term,PresidentIrfaanAlihas revealed.

At the launch of the party's manifesto on Monday, Ali told the

audience that the government “will continue tosupportthesugarindustry, because we know with the planthatwehave,itisgoing to be viable, and it is too integrated in our economy forustoabandonit.”

The party plans to resuscitate the sugar industry, promising to reopen closed estates and “re-employing over 4,000 persons.”

Initsmanifesto,theparty highlightedthattheprevious administration left the sugar industry in decay However,

they will be bringing additional acreage for rice production on stream especially in Regions Two and Six, as well as expand seed facilities in Regions Two,ThreeandFour

Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh

avoid.”“However,whenthis point was raised, the commissioners opposed it and made a point of not allowingthephonesintothe polling stations being troublesome since the staff would have to be trained to secure people's phones, and itwouldmeanextraworkfor them and so on,” he said noting that the commission has however agreed that the taking of pictures inside the votingboothisprohibited.

About-turn

However, in an aboutturn decision, late Tuesday night GECOM issued a statement saying that as a

matter of policy, they have decided to introduce a comprehensive set of measures to prohibit the use ofcellphoneswithinpolling stationsfortheSeptember1, 2025 General and Regional Elections. Contacted again on this about-turn decision, Alexander said Tuesday's decision was taken unanimously He said the opposition commissioners wererelentlessonthematter and at a recent meeting to reconsider the initially decision by GECOM, the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud proposed that instead of GECOM

collectingthephones,adesk would be provided where voters will lodge their phones. He said this along with other measures was a

d unanimouslyontheissued.

According to GECOM, this decisive action is aimed atprotectingthesanctityand secrecy of the ballot, particularly to address existing concerns regarding the potential for vote selling that is directly linked to photographing of ballots “The prohibition on cell phone use and the penalties forvotesellingarerootedin the Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03,” (Continuedonpage16)

More on its plans for the agricultural sector, the PPP will invest heavily in drainageandirrigation,with plans to finish the “Hopelike”canals.

All of this is critical for the rice industry and the entire agricultural sector at large.

Itwillalsobe,"providing farmers with fertiliser and seed paddy assistance along with planting materials and breeding stock (while) restoring the zero-rated statuspreviouslyextendedto heavy equipment for agriculture, mining, and forestry.”

More specifically on rice, the PPP is promising that,overthenextfiveyears,

efforts to restore it, m o d e r n i s i n g a n d diversifying its operations have already begun.“With mechanisation advancing at several estates, a packaging plant at Albion nearing completion, and ethanol feasibility studies ongoing. Over the next five years, we will ensure the sugar industry remains open and sugar workers remain employed, continue to convert our fields for strategic mechanisation, moderniseourfactories,and invest in value-added productionsuchaspackaged refined,andspecialtysugars, position GUYSUCO as a hub for rural economic development, and convert landintohigh-yielding,high value productive activity, including through coinvestment options,” the documentsaid.

Ifgivenasecondtermin office the PPP will also “facilitatetheestablishment of domestic fertiliser production using our gas resources,whichwillreduce the cost of fertiliser to farmers, organise rice producing clusters in key areas and equip these with criticalmachinery,including a tractor and combine harvester, to be managed collectively by farmers, and enhance storage capacity, with the establishment of climate-controlled storage hubsinRegionsTwo,Three, Five,andSix.”

Additionally,thepartyis promisingtoworkwaymore aggressively internationally to secure lucrative markets for the country's paddy and rice, ensuring that farmers and millers alike are able to selltheirincreasedoutput. It will also promote “the development and marketing of value-added rice-based products, including rice noodles and fortified cereals to facilitate more markets and higher margins for millersand farmers,and roll out the first ever crop insurance facility for rice farmers to help build resilience.”

Police ranks in Berbice, Region Six, Wednesday night stopped theWe Invest In Nationhood (WIN), presidential candidate, AzruddinMohamedandhis team over what they said was an “obscure” number plateandtint,whileontheir waytoapublicmeetingina Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic, stronghold along the Corentyne. Mohamed and his party members were held-upontheroadforsome two hours at Adventure, Corentyne, during what appeared to be a stop and search exercise. The party went live for half an hour accusing that the ruling PPP/C government of using thepoliceforcetovictimise thepartyandpreventitfrom hostingapublicmeetingina PPP/C stronghold Party general secretary, Odessa Primus pointed out that the PPP/Chadalsoheldapublic meeting the area earlier in theafternoon.Shenotedthat

WIN's presidential Candidate, Azruddin Mohamed

some of the vehicles that were leaving the PPP/C event were heavily tinted too, but were being allowed topassthroughthestopand searchunbothered.

Kaieteur News had reached out Region Six's Police Commander, Shivpersaud Bacchus for

clarity on the matter, but he wasunreachableatthetime. However, he arrived shortly after to address the situation and was seen speaking to Mohamed beforeallowinghimtocarry ontothepublicmeeting.

Bacchus noted that the policewereonlydoingtheir job Mohamed could be heard on camera accusing the police of allowing the governmenttousethemasa means to victimise Mohamed also reminded Bacchus of 'assistance' he hadrenderedtothepoliceof theRegionSixdistrict.

In response, Bacchus clarified on camera, that whatever assistance the WIN presidential candidate might have rendered to the district, was not of a personal nature to him and made it clear that he nor ranks, are taking instructions from the g

politician.

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud

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

EDITORIAL

Enforcing the Access to Information Act

Exactlyoneweekago,KaieteurNewsquestionedVice President,BharratJagdeoabouthisgovernment'sfailureto enforcetheAccesstoInformationActandwastoldthatthe issuewouldbedealtwithinthePPP/C'smanifesto.

Given that the Office of the Commissioner of Information had decayed into irrelevance, one was expecting promises of sweeping reform, instead, as if it were an afterthought the manifesto mentioned as part of a sentence"andfullyenforcetheAccesstoInformationAct." LikemanyGuyanese,wewerenotoptimisticthatthePPP would make any grand promise on this matter given the sordid record of its general secretary in the area of media relations.

In their pre-election statement, the Carter Center touched on the issue, not confining its observations on elections, but the general lack of access to public information.Thecentersaidthataccesstoinformationisa critical means of ensuring informed public participation, and transparency and accountability in the electoral process.Thecentersaidelectionsconductedintheabsence ofadequatepublicaccesstoinformation,includingonkey election-related matters, harm the electoral process. “A well-informed electorate is essential to any electoral processandisanessentialbuildingblockofameaningful democracy,”thestatementread.

The Center added that cumulative shortcomings, such as timely completion and publication of the census, the absence of campaign and party finance data, limited information around GECOM decision-making, and obstacles faced by some media outlets and citizens in obtainingpublicinformation,constitutealackofadequate public access to election-relevant information. “The U.N. Human Rights Committee, in its May 2024 report, noted concerns that the commissioner of information does not respondtoallrequestsandurgedGuyanatoensuretheright of access to information is effectively exercised,” the statementconcluded.

For years, the Office of the Commissioner of Informationhasbeenlittlemorethananameplateonpaper andJagdeodidnothing.Journalists,activists,andordinary Guyanese seeking information on critical contracts and otherdocumentsunderthelawhavebeenmetwithsilence, obstruction, or outright neglect. The Commissioner's chronic failure to respond to queries has not only undermined the Access to Information Act but has also betrayed the very principles of transparency and accountability that the office was created to uphold. This has resulted in journalists and civil society being forced ontothestreetstoprotest-astateofaffairsthatshouldnever haveexistedinthefirstplace.

Now,afteryearsofinaction,thegovernmentsuddenly speaks, but appears half-committed to fully enforcing the AccesstoInformationAct.Theobviousquestionremains: why now, given that ensuring the act works requires no elaboratelegislativegymnastics;allittakesisapresidential order to appoint a competent and active Commissioner Five years of ineptitude cannot be erased with empty promisestimedconvenientlybeforeelections.

If the government truly believed in transparency, they wouldhaveenforcedtheactlongago.Todangleitnow,asa political carrot, is nothing short of a sham. Guyana has known no other commissioner of information since the AccesstoInformationActwasenactedherein2011rather than Charles Ramson Snr, a former attorney general who has been a total failure, delivering nothing to Guyanese who seek the services of his office, but the current administration seems unbothered. It must be recalled that forGuyanatoevengettotheplacewhereithastheAccess to Information Act took tremendous lobbying and even protest.Itisdisappointingthough,thattoevengettheactto workrequiresmoreprotest.

The government's new pledge must therefore be read

Call for Inquiry into Guyana Cup 2025 Fiasco

DearEditor, Thestagingofthefeature race of this year's Guyana Cup 2025 was nothing short of a disgrace. The race was shockingly run off in pitch darkness. Horses, jockeys, and fans alike were exposed togravedangers.Thatsucha

situation was allowed to occuratthenation'spremier horse racing meet is utterly unacceptable.

Equally troubling is the inexplicabledecisiontoslate the feature event as the final race on the programme.The resultsofthatraceshouldbe

cancelled and the prize moneywithheld. I call on the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to immediately launch an i n q u i r y i n t o t h e circumstancesthatledtothis fiasco. The public deserves answersandthestakeholders

– owners, trainers and jockeys, sponsors and spectators – deserve to have their say and to be assured that measures will be put in placetoensurethisshameful spectacleisneverrepeated.

Yoursfaithfully, RupnauthHardyal

Sir Walter Raleigh and his search for the City of Gold

DearEditor,

In 1595, the Europeans came in search for wealth headed by English explorer SirWalterRaleigh

He came because he heardofplentygoldandthe golden King in South America.Alltheotherlands were taken by the Spanish, the Portguese and the French in South America. During his sailing, he came acrossariverlaterknownas Cuyuni.

The group of English voyagerssailedthroughthat river and turned left into a smallerrivercalledWaini

After sailing for a short while, he saw about forty Native Indian (who were later called Amerindian) families--- men women and children, living in what looked like tents (benabs) ontherighthandsideofthe smallriver

And since he was flying the English flag, they welcomedhim,astheywere notafraidoftheEnglish

Walter Raleigh then introduced himself and told them, that he was in search ofthegoldenking

The Natives greeted him

by saying, yes, there is a largeamountofgold,inthis land and there is a golden King who lives on the other side of the hill in a golden palace WalterRaleigh,after sharing gifts to them, said take us to the King. The Native Chief said no, come back tomorrow early and you will see the Golden King; he passes here early everymorning

Walter Raleigh and his men returned to their ship

During the night, they put together a plan to steal the King and take him back to England because the Queen ofEnglandlovedgold,they returned early the next morningandwaitedforfour hoursandnoKingpassed.

WalterRaleigh,thentold the Chief let us go to the palaceoverthehill,theyall agreed and walked over several hills and all the nativeskeptsayingwas,just onemore

Walter Raleigh and the English men, having had enough, walked right back totheirship

Walter said, let's leave forEngland

When Walter Raleigh

Jagdeo must go

DearEditor,

I am sitting here and thinking, 'Why do you the Guyanese people allowed one person, the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo to single-handedly run a country with all this wealth?'

This individual pushed himself into a position of power for the last 20 plus years, with many failed projects and policies,

increased the country's debt by approximately 300%, poverty on the rise andnoonequestionshimor no one to account to for his failures. This man must be stoppedimmediately

Together, we have to removethisparasitefromthe system before the entire countrysinksfurther

Thankyou

Regards

LeslieB

forwhatitis:asham.Itisnotacommitmenttoreformbuta campaign gimmick. For half a decade, those in charge had every opportunity to breathe life into the Access to InformationAct.Theychoseinsteadtosuffocateit.Forhalfa decade, the people of Guyana were denied a functional watchdogofficethatcouldshinelightintothedarkcornersof government. They chose instead to embrace opacity That can not be forgotten. Democracy cannot thrive in the dark, anditcannotthrivewhenaccountabilityofficesareallowed tocollapse.

arrived in England, he was knighted by the Queen and hetoldthepeoplehesawthe Golden King and the Golden Palace and every stephewalkedonitwaslike goldandminerals.

On hearing this, the Dutch, the French, the Irish and some Germans, started tosailinsearchofgold.

They too found nothing and eventually left

However, the Dutch found something of value; they found fertile land to plant sugar

However, the Dutch needed a large number of labourer

e labourers Theystartedwith the natives as slaves, but they refused to work as slavesandranawayintothe forest

Theythenturnedtosome whites; that too did not work Thesunandthework were too hot and hard, they thenrealisethattheyneeded strong and reliable labourers

By1651,asmallnumber of African slaves were brought to the Pomeroon and by 1658; they came in large numbers to Pomeroon and Kykoveral and for labour that was also used in Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara African slaves were used to build the seawall, and roads in Guyana,manually

Canals were dug too manually For instance, Croal Street was once

known as Red Road, it was the African labour, who built Croal Street from Vlissengen Road to StabroekMarket

During 1825, the AntiSlaverySocietywasformed by Thomas Forwell Buxton (the village of Buxton was namedafterhim).

Later other anti-slavery, he was joined by Mr John Smith, Reverend Quamina, agoodmanandafighter,for theAfricanslaves

He was shot in Chateau Margot, we must not forget thesemen

We must not forget the people who fought for the freedom of slaves - Akara, Captain in Command of Negroes, Cuffy, Rebel Leader of African Slaves andAtta,African Leader of AfricanSlaves

We must also remember the great work of antislavery advocate and Evangelical, William Wilberforce

Asaresultoftheraise in callstoendslavery,in1825 a British Premier abolished slavery, by his first Act in Parliament

The slave masters in Demerara and Berbice received over twenty-one andahalfmilliondollarsas compensationfortheslaves leaving their plantations, while the slaves who worked from a hundred and eightyyearsgotnothing

Sincerely, FrankDeAbreu

Welcome Back Mr. Jagdeo

DearEditor, I wish to welcome Vice President Jagdeo back to Guyana. It will appear he was away for the past five (5) years as he is now telling us

incompetence at GPL, and a hostofotherills.

The boards of GPL and all state organizations and commissionsaremadeupof families, friends and cronies and the head of GPL is family

So, please stop trying to fool the public Mr VP It won'twork.

This cannot be the same Dr Jagdeo who appointed persons in many of the positions over the past five (5) years. Lawlessness at N P T A B , P u b l i c Procurement Commission, amongotherplaces.

Regards H.Ramcharitar

Clarifying misconceptions about Enterprise & the PPP/C Government's efforts Polling must not take place in religious spaces

DearEditor,

I wish to respond to a letter by one Sultan Mohamed dated August 16th, 2025 published in the KaieteurNews.

Theindividual soughtto suggest that only at election time leaders of the PPP/C visit Enterprise and further thatthecommunityhasbeen neglectedforthethirty-three (33) years the PPP/C was in power

Theclaims made byMr Sultan are nothing further fromthetruthanditappears that the person is just trying tostiruppoliticalmischiefat electiontime.

Firstly, Mr Mohamed's claim that the PPP/C has only now promised roads, drainage and streetlights in Enterpriseisincorrect.Inall PPP/C administrations from 1992tonow,therehasbeena steadyrolloutofnationwide infrastructural upgrades Enterprise and surrounding communities have not been left out and have significantly benefited from thoseupgrades.

Directly focusing on the pastfive(5)years,therehave been several streetlight projects, road resurfacing, completeroadrehabilitation, and drainage enhancements that were initiated and completedwithinEnterprise a n d s u r r o u n d i n g communities with more still ontheagenda.

These have been carried out based on community needs and engineering assessments and not mere politicalwhims.

It is mischievous and

evidently misleading for someonetoevensuggestthe PPP/C has neglected Enterprise for 33 years especially with the village's recent expansion which is largely due to the PPP/C's ownhousinginitiatives.

This is what has created the very infrastructural demand now being address andwesimplycannotblame the government for now respondingtoasituationthat didnotexistadecadeago.

In response to the question on security, "why didn't the government implement these ideas long before?" This question completely ignores the evolving nature of crime trends and community n e e d s S e c u r i t y infrastructure is always adaptive to current situations, police outposts and patrols are deployed in response to current realities and not just static assumptions.

The Presid e n t ' s announcement therefore is notreactionarybutstrategic, evidence based and forms part of a broader national policy to enhance public safetynationwide.

Mr Mohamed went on to mention the $200 million livestock feed mill on the EastCoastbutdismissesitas irrelevant. Contrary to Mr Mohamed's claim, that mill

forms part of a massive Agro-processing and agribusiness development strategy which includes value chain creation, training and ancillary job opportunities all of which the residents of Enterprise can and will benefit from.

The idea suggested that job creationmusthappenwithin Enterprise's borders specificallytobemeaningful is baseless and clearly ignores regional economic integration.

Only thing which Mr Mohamedcorrectlystatedis the closure of the sugar e s t a t e s u n d e r t h e APNU+AFC coalition between 2015 and 2019. However, he failed to mention that it was the PPP/C's government that reopened and transformed some of those very closed estates.Enmoreinparticular has/isbeingtransformedinto a mechanical oil and gas fabrication hub thereby reemploying many of the laid of sugar workers with opportunities in modern industries. If persons within Enterprise have not fully tappedintotothenitisno

(Continuedonpage6)

DearEditor

Sometimes one has to wonderandquestionexactly what is happening with the leadership at GECOM and its secretariat. The decision of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to continue using religious places of worship as polling stations is one that must be revisited if we are to strengthenconfidenceinour electoral process. While the convenience of space and location is often cited, the principle of neutrality in elections must always outweighexpediency

N e u t r a l i t y a n d

Separation of Religion from State

At the heart of this issue is the question of separation between religious life and the administration of the state Elections are the bedrock of our democracy, and they must not only be free and fair but also appear freeandfair Usingmandirs, churches, or mosques for pollingviolatestheprinciple of neutrality by blurring the line between the sacred and the secular Even the perceptionthatonereligious institution is linked to the electoral process can

undermine public trust in GECOM'simpartiality

Impact on Voter Comfort and Inclusion

Inasocietyasdiverseas Guyana, inclusivity must be paramount.AChristianvoter may feel uncomfortable voting in a Hindu mandir, just as a Hindu or Muslim may feel uneasy voting in a church. For persons of no faith, being compelled to casttheirballotinareligious spacemayalsoconflictwith conscience.Votercomfortis not a trivial matter — when people feel alienated or p r e s s u r e d b y t h e environment in which they mustvote,itbecomesaform o f i n d i r e c t disenfranchisement.

International Best Practice

Global electoral standards emphasize the importance of neutrality in polling locations The OSCE/ODIHR Guidelines for Election Observers explicitly note that polling should take place in venues that are "accessible, neutral, and free from influence."

Similarly, the Inter-

Parliamentary Union (IPU) stresses that polling places must not convey the

impression of favoritism towards any political or religious group Many democracies — including the United Kingdom, Canada, and parts of the United States have phased out religious spaces aspollinglocationsprecisely toavoidtheseconcerns.

Risks of Religious Symbolism

Religious spaces, by their nature, are not neutral environments Statues, altars, scriptures, and religious symbols are intrinsic features of such p l a c e s E v e n i f unintentional, these can create an atmosphere of psychological pressure, where voters may feel that their political choice is somehow being "watched" or measured against their religious identity This is especially dangerous in plural societies, where religion and politics are already sensitive and sometimesvolatile. Practical Alternatives Exist

Guyana is not short of alternatives Schools, community centres, sports halls,andgovernment (Continuedonpage6)

Polling must not take place...

Frompage5

buildings offer neutral and accessiblespacesthatcanbe adaptedforpolling.

Where such spaces are unavailable, temporary structures such as tents or mobileunitscanbedeployed —apracticeusedeffectively

in several countries. Choosing convenience over neutrality is not acceptable when the integrity of our democracyisatstake.

Safeguarding Trust in the Electoral Process

At a time when the credibilityofourelectionsis often questioned, GECOM has a responsibility to eliminateeverypracticethat couldgiverisetodoubt.

Trust is the currency of democracy, and the public

must never be placed in a positionwheretheyquestion whetherreligionandpolitics are being intertwined at the ballotbox.

Religious Organizations and Politics

It is also important to recognize that in Guyana, m a n y r e l i g i o u s organizations and leaders have become openly political, whether by endorsing parties, hosting campaign events, or allowing pulpits to be used forpartisanmessages. When such institutions are then designated as polling stations, it amplifies theriskofbias,intimidation, ortheperceptionthatvoting in those spaces indirectly benefitsaparticularpolitical

grouping This further undermines confidence in theneutralityoftheelectoral process and erodes the sanctity of both religion and democracy

For these reasons, I strongly urge GECOM to discontinue the use of mandirs, churches, and mosques as polling stations. Elections should take place inneutral,secularspacesthat welcome every Guyanese equally regardless of faith, ethnicity, or personal belief.

That is how we preserveboththesanctityof our democracy and the sanctity of our places of worship.

Sincerely,

A.Rampersaud

Clarifying misconceptions...

Frompage5 faultofthegovernment.

Mr Mohamed also highlighted and criticised the construction of the regionalhospitalinEnmore, suggesting that Enterprise wasoverlooked.

This hospital like the many others around the country serves not only the individual community but theregion.

Enmore's proximity is a more logical choice as opposed to Enterprise but nevertheless Enterprise will benefit significantly from it. Added to that, many staff of the hospital do come from Enterprise including nurses, cleaners,securitypersonnel, etc.asemploymentdatawill clearlyshow

The statements by Mr Mohamedarequiteunfairto suggest that the PPP/C's is biasedintheirinvestmentsin the various communities

Tipperary Hall is Buxton wasrebuiltbecauseitserves asaheritageandcommunity landmark.

H o w e v e r , t h e government has also rebuilt community centres across allcommunitiesirrespective oftheirpoliticalbiases.

T h e E n t e r p r i s e Community Centre has also benefited from extensive rehabilitationworksoverthe years under the PPP/C governments.

Despite this, plans are alreadyinplacetoassessthe feasibilityofanewconcrete

structure for the community centre under the new PPP/C

g o v e r n m e n t c o m e

September 1st However, thisisaprocessthatinvolves budget, careful planning, community consultation, designing and not simple photoops.

In relation to the Enterprise Primary School, Mr Mohamed failed to mentionthenumeroustimes the Ministry of Education

have refurbished the building, from repairs, repainting, installation of new windows, new tarmac, andconstantmaintenanceof all facilities within the school.

As it relates to the overcrowding, this is not a newissuenoristheMinistry unawareofit.

There are already plans to build new schools in neighbouring communities to help with this. Already a newNurseryschoolhasbeen built and opened in neighbouringBlock12NonPariel.

The building of new schools is not just about spending money and taking photos but it is critically assessed based on population growth and zoning needs. It is worth remembering that it is the PPP/C government that has distributed the house lots around Enterprise that has created this growth, so clearly the development is NOTbeingignored.

‘Don't split the votes'

DearEditor, Absolutely nothing is wrong-indeed,everythingis right - with voting for one's race/ethnic group, particularly when for over two decades it has been deliberately marginalised, i m p o v e r i s h e d a n d discriminated against by the Peoples' Progressive Party (PPP).

The PPP's behaviour towardsAfricanshasbeenso extreme that Guyana was recently described as an apartheidstate.

Africans his party has literallyboughtandhopesto buy,hewentasfarastomake the false claim that in the 1957 elections'the PPPwon most of the African Guyanesevotes.'

Finally, the idea that PPP/C leaders only visit Enterprise during election time is a trope that ignores the numerous outreaches, house lot allocations, and community meetings held onaregularbasis.Ifthereis any party that has treated Enterprise fairly, it is the People's Progressive Party/ Civic Where is Mr Mohamed suddenly surfacing from, that too at election time with such outlandish claims? Why did henotraisethemearlier?

The PPP/C is an inclusiveparty,andassuchit takescareofallcommunities and not just its strongholds. Therefore, Mr Mohamed's suggestedideaofPPP/Cnot taking care of their own communities is untrue and mustbeclearlydebunked.

The PPP/C does not govern based on threats or optics.Instead,itdoessoby current needs, careful planning and fairness Enterprise is not being neglected,itisgrowing,and the government is responding appropriately No amount of political posturingwillerasethat.

As such, the PPP/C deserves another term to continue delivering to the Guyanese people as they havedoneinthepast.Andit isMr Mohamedwhowould be in for a surprise come September1,2025.

Sincerely ShiveshPersaud

Naturally,thePPPclaims that such accusations are false but it was called upon, had sufficient time and resources and failed to conduct an independent ethnic disparity audit to debunk such persistent allegations and if necessary to adopt policies to remove suchgapsasmayexist.

But Guyana is today properly designated an 'elected dictatorship' and having solidified its own, traditionally comparatively closedethnicIndianbaseby perpetual chanting 'don't split the votes' and orchestrating fiascos, the PPPisattemptingtosplitthe African vote by suggesting thatracialvotingisbadanda thingofthepast.Theletterof former President Donald Ramotar('Isracismlosingits potency?' KN: 10/08/2025) and that of Mr Rajendra Bissessar ('We need to escape the hold the PPPand PNC have on us for the past sixty years, ' KN: 14/08/2025)areinsupportof thispropagandamission.

Ramotar assessed that 'the composition of the crowds at PPP/C meetings and rallies; have been truly multi-racial crowds is unmistakable.' About three weeksago,Iwasatmyusual street corner-bar in Beterverwagting Village whentwocolleagues,oneof whom appeared quite perplexed,arrived.

He related that his niece had come home crying because her manager at a stateenterprisewasbullying her,atthepossiblecostofher jobifsherefused,toattenda PPP event wearing a red shirt. Donald, this is the w o r k o f y o u r unconscionable ethnic dictatorships!

Ramotar's missive is a good example of the length to which the PPP will go to encourage African disunity To build the morale of those

In 1957 East Indians were51%ofthepopulation, Africans31%,Mixedpeople 12% and Amerindian, Europeans and Chinese around 7% Voting was along ethnic lines, and the PPP won 48%, the PNC 25%, the middle class urban Indian-orientated National Labour Front of Lionel Luckoo took 14%, and the African-orientated United Democratic Party of John Carter 8% of the votes Indeed,whatboostedthecall forthesystemtobechanged t o p r o p o r t i o n a l representation (PR) is the PPP with only 48% of the votes taking 9 of the 14 available parliamentary seats.

Give it to Mr Rajendra Bissessar:herecognisedthat underForbesBurnham'alot ofIndiansgotrich',butitwas not 'despite the PNC' as he claims.

It was because unlike whatthePPPhasbeendoing to Africans, the Burnham state did not seek to impoverish Indians as a group.Indeed,thePPPisthe only political party in G u y a n a a n d t h e Commonwealth Caribbean that has deliberately sought to impoverish an ethnic group to drive them into its ranks ('The furtive establishment of ethnic d o m i n a n c e , ' SN:17/04/2013).

Whetherherecognisesit or not, the position Mr Bissessar has taken places him on a mission similar to that of Mr Ramotar, but a somewhatmoreutopianone. One cannot and should not seekto'escape'fromdealing withtherace/ethnicityissue, especially in a context such asGuyana.

The opposite is the proper approach ‘As happened in the United StatesofAmericainrelation to the existence of independent geographical states and Suriname and Northern Ireland regarding ethnicity, you must adequately constitutionally accommodate your political context.

'To the extent that the constitutional arrangements ignore this development, tension, alienation, d

,

nd underdevelopmentresult. Power sharing becomes inevitable because of the logicofpoliticalcleavagein competitive democracies ' (Scott Orr, 2007, 'The Theory and Practice of EthnicPolitics...').

I have consistently arguedthatintheabsenceof collectivebargaining,public servants were deliberately severely underpaid and shouldbecompensated.

Mr Bissessar asked and falsely answered his own question. 'At one time, he was the Minister of Labour Did he question the absence ofcollectivebargaining?Let himtelluswhatdidhedoto return to collective bargaining. Henry woke up when he ceased to be a minister.'

IwasMinisterofLabour between 1992 and 2001 and Cheddi Jagan was alive for much of that period Collective bargaining existedandofnoteare1996 the Aubrey Armstrong and Father Malcolm Rodrigues arbitrations for public service and teachers respectively.

Indeed, that period must still be considered the most productiveforlegislationon behalf of the working class inGuyana'shistory Rajendra misses the main point; collective bargainingisonlyoneaspect of the autocratisation of the state that began after Janet Jaganwasforcedtoresignin 1999 ('The Janet Jagan effect' SN: 28/03/2013) Beginning in 2002, once I detected that from a democratic standpoint all was not well, I did what a member of the government issupposedtodo.Ispokeon certainissuesandwascalled upon'writeitdown'.

Thus, by way of a few short memos that were intended for internal discourse only but were leakedtothepress,Ibrought to the attention of the government the possible consequences of being on theundemocraticroaditwas on and recommended changes.

The editor has the entire paper 'Establishing Normal Politics in Guyana ' However, abnormality triumphed, and an 'elected dictatorship' is precisely what the PPP's government hasbecome!

Regards

Dr.HenryJeffrey

Amanza wants halt to elections

…afterpartyknockedoffballotforregions7,8,9

With less than two weeks awayfromthe September 1, general and regional elections and one day away from discipline forceselections,theForward Guyana Movement (FGM) has filed legal proceedings againsttheGuyanaElections Commission (GECOM) after discovering that the party was omitted from the national ballot in Regions Seven,Eight,andNine.

According to FGM, led by presidential candidate Amanza Walton-Desir, the party met all requirements and was duly approved to contest the national elections. While the party is not contesting these regions at the geographical level, it was approved to appear on thenationallistacrossall10 electoralregions.

In response, FGM has petitioned the high court, seekinganimmediatehaltto theelectoralprocessuntilthe party's candidates are properly included in the national ballots for the affectedregions.

Walton-Desir made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, where she also revealed that another new party the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), led by Simona Broomes,hassimilarlybeen omitted from the national ballotsinRegionsOne,Two, Seven,Eight,andNine.

FGMhasarguedthatthe omissions not only disenfranchise voters in those regions, but also impact the party's ability to securevotesandseatsinthe national assembly Reading from a prepared statement, Walton-Desir stated that the

court application seeks 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).

The affidavit outlines fourkeyarguments:

1. Omission of approvedparties

2. Violation of constitutional rights: Electors in these regions are being denied their right to vote for approved national lists, violating Articles 59 and160oftheconstitution.

3. Discrimination: The excluded regions are predominantly inhabited by indigenous Amerindian populations Their exclusion, the affidavit claims, amounts to discriminationbasedonrace andplaceoforigin.

4. Distortion of p r o p o r t i o n a l representation: By excluding parties from key regions, GECOM allegedly distorts the proportional allocation of seats in the National Assembly, accordingtotheaffidavit.

Walton-Desirrelatedthat one of the party's FGM nationalcandidateinRegion Nine, and registered voter, Krystal Hadassah Fisher, is now unable to vote for her own party “The plaintiff is arguing that GECOM's b a l l o t d e s i g n i s u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l , discriminatory, and silences thevoicesofindigenousand rural communities,” she said.

Additionally, during the press conference, WaltonDesir emphasised that FGM

met the threshold for participation in the national elections. “We were given guidancethroughGECOM's official manual, that for every region, you had to have a minimum number of candidates and a maximum number What we did, we struck the midway point. Whenwesubmittedourlist, wewerewrittenbyGECOM tosaythatyouarerequiredto have the maximum candidates.Canyouimagine how difficult that is logistically for a new party, without the logistic capacity of the older giants in this regard? But we were able to doit,”shesaid.

However, Walton-Desir s i g h t e d G E C O M inconsistencies with the requirements stating, “What is the use of providing a minimumstandardifyouare goingtothenretractthatand tellpeopleyouhavetoabide by the maximum? What is the use of saying to the electorate, that in order to qualify to participate in the general elections, you must meet the threshold of being able to compete in six districts, and then you exclude them from the generalelections?”

Shefurtheradded,“allof thesemattersaremattersthat we want clarified, because our giant movement is not intent to proceed just being dragged along We want clarity,wewantthecourtsto pronounce, and we want GECOM to get its act together.”

The legal motion, filed by Dr Vivan Williams of VMW Law on behalf of FGM, seeks the following remediesfromthecourt:

1. A declaration that any elections held without

full party inclusion are null andvoid;

2. A n o r d e r restraining GECOM from excludinganydulyqualified partyfromnationalballots;

3. A d i r e c t i v e requiring GECOM to immediately include the FGMnationallistinRegions Seven,Eight,andNine;

4. An assurance that votersinRegionsOne,Two, Seven, Eight, and Nine are not restricted in their electoralparticipation.

When asked about the urgency of the matter, Walton-Desir responded, “Wewouldwantthecourtto hear the case at the earliest possible time “However, Walton-Desir elaborated on the party's declaration to the court, outlining several key demands.Shesaid,“anorder of mandating that GECOM includes all political parties contesting the national electionsontheballotpapers inallgeographicregions.An order restraining GECOM whether by itself, its officer, servants or agents from

From left to right (Members of the FGM; Nicholas Chesney, Francis Bailey, Amanza Walton-Desir and Malika Ramsey

proceedingwiththeconduct of the upcoming regional a general election unless or until the FGM list of candidates is included in all theballotsinall10electoral regions, in accordance with the constitution and ROPA.

Cost on such other relief as the honorable court would deemjust.”

GECOM'sResponse

When asked about GECOM's response to the matter, Walton-Desir stated that Deputy Chief Elections Officer Aneal Giddings claimed the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding of a graphic previously released by GECOM According to Giddings, the graphic may have incorrectly indicated that all qualified parties would appearonthenationalballot. She said, “He did indicate that contrary to this graphic that there was a graphic put out by GECOM that for the national ballot all parties qualified then there was a geographic constituency whichshowedinthecaseof

FGMthesevenconstituency whichamountsto25seatsin the national assembly and then the last line would be the regional ” However, Walton-Desir rejected this explanation,stating,“Weare not prepared to have GECOM say 'oh that was a mistake. 'That mistake is affecting the ability of residentsinseveralregions.”

KaieteurNewscontacted GECOM's Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, for clarification on the party omissions. However, Ward declined to comment, stating, “since the matter is engagingtheattentionofthe court,wewillnotaddressit.”

“This court challenge is n o t j u s t a b o u t a technicality it's about givingthepeopleofGuyana the knowledge and fair choices they need to make the right decision come September 1. This fight is about fairness, dignity, and ensuring that no community is silenced or treated as second-class in their own country,”Walton-Desirsaid.

New $125M Timehri Police Station commissioned

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday commissioned yet another police station, this time at Timehri, East Bank Demerara(EBD).

Commissioning the modern$125millionstation was Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Permanent Secretary, Mr

Andre Ally; Deputy Commissioner 'Operations', Mr Errol Watts; Regional Division Commander of '4B', Superintendent Wayne

D

Hea

te; Dep

ty CommanderMr.RovinDas;

and other senior ranks and officials. A

o information provided by the ministry, the new building f

e government's ongoing security sector upgrade,

strengthening public safety

operational capacity of the GuyanaPoliceForce. Highlighting the critical role of infrastructure in improvingpolicingservices, MinisterBeeninhisremarks said,“Wewillnotdevelopto

the structure that we need if we don't have better

police…” Speaking also, was the permanent secretary who urgedallrankstoservewith dignity and pride while making full use of the upgraded facility “He acknowledged the serious crime challenges in the division, emphasised the importance of traffic management, and called on

n excellence in service,” the ministryreported.

$125 million Timheri Police Station which

The secret that belongs to everyone

TheConstitutionof Guyana says it in just a few words: “Electionofmembersofthe National Assembly shall be bysecretballot.”Itisashort line, but it carries the full weightofdemocracy

Secrecy of the ballot means that when a citizen enters the polling station, marks a choice, and drops a folded piece of paper into a box, that act belongs to no onebutthevoter

Secrecy is not a formality Itistheshieldthat allows a man or woman to vote freely, without fear of reprisalordemandforproof. It means that a ballot is private, inviolate, and beyond inspection. It means that even the act of voting—whether a person has voted or not is protected from casual disclosure.

The Constitution gives the command, but the RepresentationofthePeople Act provides the machinery Laws are practical things; they worry about screened booths, stamps, and folded papers They speak in clauses and subsections.Yet inalltheirdetail,thepurpose isthesameasthatlineinthe Constitution. It is to make surethevoteissecret.

Walk into a polling station on Election Day and you will see how the law becomes practice. There are private booths where electors mark their ballots. There is a presiding officer who stamps each paper beforehandingitover

The voter folds the ballot, concealing the choice, and slips it into the

box.Aroundtheroom,party agentswatchtheprocess,but they are bound by silence; they may observe, but they may not pry The whole arrangement screened pollingbooths,foldedpaper, solemn procedure is designed to keep one thing hidden. That thing is the choiceofthevoter

The law is not naïve. It knowsthatsecrecyisfragile, and so it strengthens it with penalties Section after sectionoftheRepresentation of the People Act creates offences for those who meddle.

It is an offence to show how someone voted, an offence to obstruct, an offence to molest an elector, an offence to communicate who voted and who is yet to vote.

Returning officers, presiding officers, clerks, and party agents are under strict orders not to reveal who has voted or who has not. To some this may seem excessive. What harm could there be in saying that John or Jane came in to cast a ballot? But the law knows better

Ifsuchinformationwere casually shared, the door would open to pressure and punishment.Politicalparties could harass those who stayed home Employers might demand proof that workers had voted Landlords could ask tenants why they failed to show up. Worse still, it would give cover to the buying and sellingofvotes,whereproof of turnout, or abstention, couldbedemanded. For that reason, secrecy

is extended not only to the markontheballotbuttothe factofvotingitself.

Yetsecrecyisnotsilence. The right to secrecy is a protection, not a gag order After leaving the polling station,avotermayspeakas freely as the wind. He may tell his wife, her husband, their friends, or even a pollsterhowheorshevoted. Exitpollsindemocraciesall over the world, including Guyana, depend on this voluntarydisclosure.

Avotermayevenshoutit in the marketplace, if that is the inclination. What the voter may not do is turn the pollingstationintoatheatre, holding up a marked ballot for all to see or a pulpit by announcing how he or she voted.

That is why cell phones are often barred or strictly regulated. In an age when nearlyeveryonecarriesacell phone with a camera, the temptation to take a photograph of the ballot is real. But a photograph turns thesecretintoevidence,and evidence invites coercion. If b a l l o t s c o u l d b e photographed, someone with money or power could demandproofofloyalty The rule is simple and absolute: the voter’s voice is free, but theballotmustremainsecret andunprovable.

There is wisdom in this. Aman who wishes to reveal his vote may do so; a man who wishes to conceal it is protected by law Both are safe, because no one can compel him either way Without secrecy, voting would become a transaction like any other—subject to

DEM BOYS SEH

De Cup tun Drum

Longtime,Cheddiseh,“Gimmea lilenamelcup.”Hepickthatcup because it humble, simple, and does hold just enough fuh poor people tea oralilswankonahotday Thatcupwasde symbolofdeordinaryman.Yuhcouldasee yuhself in that cup. Small but enough fuh share.

But today? Cup too small, bai. Oil moneynowsobigitspillingoverlikeblack water in de trench when de kokers ain’t work. So de Pee Pee Pee Cee seh, “Nah man,forgetdecup,bringoutdeoildrum!”

And who leff de oil drum? Exxon. Exxon tek de oil, tek de money, tek de shine,andleffdePeePeePeeCeewidone empty drum beating like tassa at election rally

Imagine that de cup weh use to symbolize simplicity done upgrade to a wholedrumjustfuhcollectleffleff.From enamel cup to Exxon drum. From tea and

bargaining, intimidation, or retaliation. With secrecy, it remains what it is meant to be: an act of conscience, privateandfree.

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

swanktoahollowtingmakingnoisewhen yuhbeatit.

Dem boys seh is a perfect symbol. De cupusetofullyuhbelly Dedrumonlyfull yuhearswidnoise.Andifyuhputyuhhead inside,allyuhgonhearisecho.Samelike depromises.Peopleusetoshout,“Votefuh de Cup!” Now dem gon seh, “Vote fuh de Drum!”Becausethatiswhatlef.Anempty containerrattlingdownderoad.Exxontek de contents, PPP tek de container, and de peoplelefholdingdehandle.

Demboysseh,onceuponatimedecup did belong to everybody Now de drum belong to Exxon.All de PPPCee doing is borrowingittomakecampaignmusic. From cup to drum. From humble to hollow.FromChedditoExxon.Demboys seh, watch carefully When yuh see politiciansturncupintodrum,yuhknowis onlyhotairinside. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

ThursdaypompousnessnowstironeMondayanxiousness

For years, every Thursday afternoon without fail,Guyana'sVicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo was the picture and sound of pomposity and bellicosity taken to their farthest extremes. Herewasaman,a leader,whohaddeclaredwar onGuyanese. Nowthesame vicechief,oncetheprinceof Thursday afternoon pomposity is now ravaged by all-day Monday anxiety All of his wretched and wasted Thursdays now climax to one day of reckoning, a Monday in September Hechewsonhis lips, he chews on his fingernails, he would chew on his toes, except that the energy and dexterity required are beyond his ability

For those interested in observing firsthand a scaremonger in action, Guyana's vice chief was the

man to be with on a Thursday afternoon. It was all-day matinee, with rumormongeringandsleazemongering building up the bill. Oh, he was king of a small anthill, with sludge spread liberally, and little of substance coming from a character straight out of science fiction literature One who was once the national leader He was a big,badmanthen,andwhen Guyanese thought that he couldn't (no one could) d e t e r i o r a t e m o r e dangerously, he did. Now, st Monday, September 1 hangs like an albatross around his neck. All of his Thursday afternoons bombast now the ballast used by wags and serious folks to poke holes into his farces.

The biggest one is that a man has a darling that costs allofUS$2billionplus,and

ask him a straight question about that Wales gas-toenergy beauty, and the vice chief transforms into the equivalent of a hostile, volatile domestic abuser I would be the proudest man around to show that US$2 billion trophy not just to every local; I would go global. No one could have stopped me from talking about and highlighting that m

ar Americanbaby Whatmore will he tell the voters between now and Monday, st September1 ?

ThedayIarrivedonWall Streetalmost40yearsago,I heardaboutBlackThursday, livedthroughit. Then,later there was Black Monday, followed by Black Tuesday ThenIcamebacktoGuyana, and its dearly beloved vice chieftain,anditrainedBlack Thursdays, with the master manufacturer going full

blast. Hisfurnaceneverran out of fire, the smoke from which always polluted. He and the PPPhave so little to show that Azruddin Mohamedisnowtheirshow America has him in its sights. Venezuela has vile uses for him. Guyana and the PPP have no use for the likesofhim,nospaceforhis kind. One PPP minister mentioned something about “in a box” as a good resting placefortheWINcontender

And, as for the vice president, each time that he hears the name Mohamed, hebreaksoutinapox. From pompositytoanxiety From aformerpresident'sbombast to who gives a rat's brass? The elections environment indicates that Guyanese votersaresosickandtiredof thePPPthattheydon'tgivea damn about American sanctions and any PPP Government fostered Venezuelan connection for Mohamed.

Local voter reality has gone past what the PPP has

doneforGuyaneseinthelast five years. The fate of the PPP is what it has done to once naïve, gullible, and hopeful Guyanese. It is of howthePPPtookthetrustof the people and fashioned a noose around the necks of Guyaneseandlynchedthem. Another big reality is how Jagdeo'sThursdayafternoon daycare has been swamped by his 24/7 Mohamed nightmare. The man who believedthatheinspiredfear is now himself wracked by fear Theleaderwhoalways thrived on sleaze is now choking on his own mountain of sleaze. It is circle theorem trapping a deserving politician in an iron grip. All that worked for him so well for him so longbecausehisownpeople trusted him blindly that the PPP vice chief came to believe that he is invincible, could get away with anything. Anycheapinsult. One low dirt ball after another hurled at citizens. No mas; and he knows it,

feels cold fingers on his neck; hears voices in his head.

In public, the bluffer talks of an outright victory. In private, his bright lights vanishandthepastfiveyears arehishauntingcompany. A man haunted by his own spirit. Hisownrecordsticks to him like an unwanted shadow, one that's unshakeable. It is a savage irony:abigmancutdownto sizebyal'ilbhai,reducedto blubbering about American sanctions and Venezuelan puppet. If after five years that's all that the vice chief has,thenwhatdoeshereally have, if anything. From Thursday afternoons to the firstMondayinSeptember,a man looks at that long, last walk.

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

MACORP rewards online parts customers in Building Expo Million-Dollar Promotion

Three lucky customers have e

MACORP's One Million Dollar Building Expo Promotion, rewarding those who purchased parts for their Caterpillar machines through the company's online platform, parts.cat.com.

MACORP announced the winners atitsboothattheInternationalBuilding ExpoonSunday

Thewinnersare:

1. Richard Singh – $500,000 in partsorservice.

2 Mekdeci Machinery &

ConstructionInc.–$300,000inpartsor service.

3. Rudolph Seecharan – $200,000 inpartsorservice.

In a press release, MACORP said customers qualified for the promotion bypurchasingtheirCaterpillarmachine parts online, highlighting the growing convenience and adoption of MACORP'sdigitalsolutions.

Felix Rojas, Parts Manager at MACORP, congratulated the winners and expressed his appreciation to customersforembracingtheplatform:

“We thank our customers for

Security guard fined $200,000 for discharging a loaded firearm

A36-year-old security guard, onWednesday, was fined$200,000fordischargingaloadedfirearmwithin 100 yards of a public way Jesse Gibbs of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before Magistrates Teriq Mohamed at the BarticaMagistrates'Courtwherehepleadedguiltyto the charge. He was arrested onAugust 17, 2025; the chargewasfiledunderSection153(1)oftheSummary JurisdictionAct,Chapter8:02.

believing in MACORP and for choosing to use our digital solution to purchase their machine parts Parts.cat.com is convenient, easy to use, shows real-time parts availability andpricing,andofferstangiblesavings andvalueforcustomers,”hesaid.

Theprizepresentationwasheldon the final day of the International Building Expo, where customers also enjoyedbrandedgiveawaysandtickets to the upcoming Guyana Amazon Warriors Caribbean Premier League (CPL)cricketmatchesinGuyana.

Accused: Jesse Gibbs (PC: GPF Facebook page)

Family pleads for help as NA girl goes missing

Familymembersaredistressedoverthedisappearance of 21-y-o Nikkita Grant, of Lot 6, Mt. Sinai, New Amsterdam,Berbice.

TheyoungwomanhasbeenmissingsinceAugust18, 2025whensheleftherhometogotoworkatC&MBakery inNewAmsterdam.

Speakingwiththisnewspaper,hersisterAlexsesGrant disclosed that a missing person report was filed at the CentralPoliceStationinNewAmsterdamonWednesday The police inquired on the colour of the outfit the now missingyoungwomanwore,butthefamilyinformedthem thatshehadlefthomewithoutbeingseenproperly

According to the older Grant, they were told by the police that the details were insufficient, and took her and hermother'snumber."Ifanybodyseeherjustmakecontact with us or the nearest police station. It's affecting my motherbecauseshe'ssickly...whereversheis,whoevershe isat,letthemcallandletusknowwheresheis,"hersister pleaded.Since her disappearance, calls to her cell phone havebeenunsuccessful.

Persons who may have any information on the whereabout of Nikkita Grant are asked to make contact withthefamilyon652-6979/604-3308.

MACORP Team at the International Building Expo share the celebratory moment with winner, Richard Singh representative, Dacia Williams.

MACORP Parts Manager Felix Rojas makes the presentation to the winner, Richard Singh representative, Dacia Williams.

Newly commissioned $930 million Tuschen Secondary to host UG's College of Medical Sciences

President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Wednesday commissioned the new $930 million state-of-the-art Tuschen Secondary School inRegionThree.

First of its kind in the Tuschen community, the school is one of five new secondary schools which the government committed to construct in the region since assumingoffice.

Delivering the featured address, President Irfaan Ali said part of the reason why such a “beautiful facility” wasbuiltinaverypopulated area in Region Three, is because the school will be convertedintheeveningsasa branch of the College of Medical Science of the UniversityofGuyana(UG).

“When we spoke about second jobs, and giving tax break for second jobs, the senior doctors that would be working at the hospitals and seniornursesandtechnicians who are working in the system in Region Three will nowhavetheirtaxincentives in their second job lecturing at the College of Medical ScienceshereinTuschenand here in Region Three,” he said.

According to the president, there are over 17 programmesintheCollegeof Medical Sciences and at the University Some 206 applicants were received from Region Three to attend the college. He said because ofinadequatespace,UGwas only able to accept 86 of the

206. Ensuring that the remaining applicants have somewhere to further their study in medicine, the president said the decision was made to use the new schooltohostabranchofthe college.

Speaking on the reason for government's investment in education, the president stated, “education is not simplyanotheriteminthelist of things, we are doing as a government Education, I

wanttosayisthesinglemost important foundation upon which the future of our country will be built. So that when we build this school, we are not simply erecting another centre of learning, no, we are laying the foundation of a new Guyana thatisbeingcreated.”

“What sense would it make to have oil, gold, agriculture, but not have the people trained to manage it. Whatsensewoulditmaketo have all of the natural resources but not have the scientist and engineers, the economist to multiply this value, what sense would it

make to have billions of dollars flowing into our economy, but not have the childrenpreparedtoturnthat wealth into opportunities. It would make absolutely no sense. One day our natural resources will be depleted, one day it will not be to the extentthatwehaveitbutthe

minds our of our children onceeducated,willneverrun dry or knowledge be ever extinguished,”hecontinued.

In his plan to build a knowledge economy by 2030, the president said that educationisatoppriorityand the bridge from poverty to prosperity

“It is the passport from struggles to success, it is the revolution that transforms a people from surviving to thriving,”headded.

Noting that the new modern school is second to noneinthecountryandthatit can match any other such schools in the entire Caribbean/ Latin American region, he noted that the TuschenSecondarySchoolis part of his government's overarching plan to revolutionise access to and delivereducation.

“It is aimed at ensuring that higher levels of attainmentbyinvestinginthe resources needed to produce better results Tuschen secondary school says to everychildthattheirdreamis valid; it is saying to every parent, your child has a chance and will not be left behind.

It says to every teacher thatyourworkisvalued.Itis m y g o v e r n m e n t ' s expectation that universal secondaryeducationbecome a reality in Guyana sooner rather than later,” he expressed.

Meanwhile in her remarks, Minister

Manickchand noted that when her government came intoofficein2020,therewas not enough space to accommodate some 865

children in Region Three who had just written the NGSAexams.

Not only is the government building five new secondary schools to accommodate the region's children, but over the last three and a half years, the administration created more access to secondary education all across the country

She stated that goal is to achieve universal secondary education for all and by September 2026, “all over this country children will be able to go to a high school close to where they live and get a sound secondary education.”

Manickchand said since assuming office, the government built 67 nursery schools, 45 primary schools, and has either built or is building 42 secondary schools.

In 2023, the education ministry signed six contracts for the construction of Tuschen Secondary school, valued$864,705,395.

Theschoolwassaidtobe a fully reinforced concrete one flat structure combined with a circular and cylindrical building outline covered in a dome roof. At the signing ceremony it was revealed that the building measured in several blocks from600sq.ft.to7105sq.ft. Thebuildingincludesseveral scientific and research centres, a multi-purpose and cafeteria hall, a storage and changing area, a library and document centre. It also has 2 4 c l a s s r o o m s t o accommodate some 800 students.

The new state-of-the-art Tuschen Secondary School in Region Three.

President Irfaan Ali and Minister Priya Manickchand at the newly commissioned school on Wednesday.

Fiveyearson…Kwasi Ace laments being on Govt's blacklist

Local entertainer Kwasi Edmonson is boggled over thereasonswhyhecontinues

government sponsored event, five years after the

Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office.

T h r o u g h o u t t h e government'sterm,therehas been a spate of nationally producedculturaleventsand m u s i c a l s h o w s , backdropped by its 'One Guyana' slogan, with Guyana's topmost artistes recycled rather often. In all likelihood, the selected performers secure earnings, except the Sophia resident, who is regarded as an acclaimed and competent performer and songwriter Who is behind it? He was asked.

Inanexclusiveinterview with this newspaper, the 'stupid questions' hit maker did not waffle with words, but directly styled the governmentasantagonising, naming Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, as the primary enforcer behind well contrived efforts to stymie hismusicalcareer

Edmondson said even when he 'swallowed his pride' and auditioned for shows, the minister ensured he did not advance. Asked what inspired such animosity towards him, Edmonson suggested that it was his outspokenness on many issues. He did emphasise that his takes, w

e mounted by him, were not partial,i.e.hecallsthingsas he sees them, whether it pertains negatively or positivelytothegovernment oroppositionoftheday

"This has affected my life, because this is the way that I use and my means to provide for my family, for my kids. It has affected me mentally, physically, and medically, because I got ill because of this, always taking on, blood pressure rise and I ended up with a condition, life-threatening condition, heart condition because of that, because my pressurehighandI'malways taking on stuff...this is my way of life, this is my craft, and somebody gonna stop you from providing, or hindering you from

"From the time Charles RamsonbecameMinisterof Culture, I've never been on anyshow."

providing for your children, it says a lot and it speaks volumes."

His revelations referencedalistmadebythe higher-ups, entailing names of blacklisted individuals. Detailing this disclosure, he said that he was hired to perform for the 'Mash' launch at the Ministry of Housing.

"When the (junior) Minister(ofHousing)Susan Rodrigues heard that I was scheduled to perform on the show, she called a meeting andsaidIamnottoperform on the show, and when Jumo'snamewassuggested, they were told that Jumo is also blacklisted, and it was said that the list came directly from Ministry of Culture."

Minister Ramson, he said, made an effectual personal policy that no one who is against him can performonhisplatform.

Manyofthecurrentcrop of performers are not there yetinstatustohim,hestated, buttheyarebeingpromoted heavily, in addition to the overuseofaselectedfew He branded it as a monopoly of friendsandfamily

Edmonson told this newspaper that the

investmentsmadetohiscraft amounts to millions, adding alsothathislifehasbeenone dedicatedtothecreativearts in Guyana Indeed, the singer and lyricist is also knownforhischaractersand playwrighting in some of Guyana's most recognised andstageplays.

"I have contributed significantly to the arts of Guyana...I'm not saying I should be spoon-fed or be given stuff because I associate with anything, I don't. " The veteran performer has thrilled crowdsonthebiggeststages alongside many big internationalnamesoverthe years,andhastastedgloryat thehighestlevelsinGuyana. Kwasi Ace is also a former winner of the prestigious soca monarch competition, and is revered as a lyrical maestro.

While maintaining that he is not openly aligned to any political party, and also has a right to liberally express, he stressed that in order to be given the platform or opportunities, it appearsasthoughonewould havetoprofessallegianceto, or be affiliated with the powersthatbe.Heisopenas an artiste to performing for

US$10M Hyatt Place Hotel coming at Providence

TheGuyanaOffice for Investment is facilitating an investmentofmorethan$10 billiontobringaHyattPlace Hotel to Providence on the EastBankofDemerara.

Located just 15 minutes from Georgetown, the property is situated near major landmarks, including the Amazonia Mall, the National Stadium, and the DemeraraHarbourBridge. The hotel will feature 136upscaleroomsdesigned to international 4-star standards. Guests will enjoy modernamenities,including a restaurant, fitness centre, swimming pool, rooftop lounge, and both indoor and outdoorbars.

Situated at 2441 Plantation, Providence, the locationensureseasyaccess to key residential and commercial hubs, as well as

International Airport Construction, which began in 2022, is expected to be completedinthefirstquarter of2026.Theprojectisbeing d

SIR Investments Guyana Inc., with Varaya Guyana Inc serving as the primary contractor

Beyond hospitality, the Hyatt Place Providence forms part of Guyana's broader strategy to expand business tourism and strengthen its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, andEvents(MICE)sector It is also among several branded hotel properties s

any event, and any political party without necessarily h a v i n g t o p l e d g e membership.

"I want to live in a country whereby I must be able to speak my mindrespectfully of course, not disrespecting anybody and still be able to be given jobs or not be blacklisted or sidelinedbecauseIwould've talked something that goes against what you were promoting, or I don't adhere towhateveryouwantmeto.

I want to live in a country where I can be able to talk...and be given equal opportunities..."

"I don't like the idea of being told that I have to be part of your circle or I have to endorse you or be part of anypoliticalpartytobenefit from the resources or the wealth of my country, the countrythatIwasbornin."

Edmonson remains passionate about being able to speak freely, without the nuzzle of allegiance or implications on loyalty As such,hedisclosedthatoffers made by a few political parties to have him featured ontheirlistofcandidatesfor theupcomingelectionswere respectfully declined He reasoned that in as much as

he is an artiste, he is still familiar with the everyday circumstances of Guyanese likehimself. Hedismissedanyhintof a prospective change in his fortune should the incumbentretainofficeafter September1.

" I f t h e p r e s e n t government goes back into power, I don't see any changes coming because of thefactthatmysituationwas brought to the ones in the upper echelon of the government, what is happening to me, and nothing was done about it. What is there to change? If you had so many years to change it, it was brought to your attention and you showedthisdiscrimination,

(Continuedonpage17)

An artist's impression of the hotel

Local entertainer Kwasi Edmondson

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US expands sanctions targeting International Criminal Court

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(AL-JAZEERA) - The United States has announced a new round of sanctions targeting members of the International Criminal Court, the latest instance of a pressure campaign against the court that previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

In a statement on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that two judges and two prosecutors were being added to a list of ICC members sanctioned by the administration of President Donald Trump.

“The court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel,” Rubio said in a statement.

The ICC previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Following the US State Department announcement, the court on Wednesday denounced the expanded US sanctions as a “flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution” and the victims of war crimes around the world and said it would continue its work “without regard to any restriction, pressure or threat”.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, welcomed Rubio’s move as a “decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel”. The new sanctions target Kimberly Prost of

Guillou is an ICC judge who oversaw a pre-trial panel that issued the arrest warrant for Netanyahu, while Khan and Niang are the court’s two deputy prosecutors. The US Department of State cites the role all three played in issuing and upholding the Israeli arrest warrants.

The ICC is also probing possible war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan, although it said it will prioritise abuses by the Taliban and ISIL (ISIS) in that investigation after fierce US pushback.

Prost, according to the State Department announcement, is being sanctioned for “ruling to authorize the ICC’s investigation into US personnel in Afghanistan”.

Neither the US nor Israel

is a party to the ICC, but the court maintains it can issue arrest warrants for citizens of such countries because the places in which the alleged crimes took place are parties to the court.

The US has been a longtime critic of the ICC and has bristled at the prospect that its own officials could someday face prosecution for alleged war crimes, but under previous administrations had stopped short of extreme steps, such as sanctions.

An initial round of sanctions targeting several ICC officials by the Trump administration earlier this year met widespread condemnation and criticism that the US was undermining international law to protect a close ally.

The US accused those officials of taking part in “illegitimate and baseless actions” against Israel and the US.

Two of the individuals sanctioned on Wednesday are from France and Canada, two countries among several that recently announced that they would recognise a Palestinian state in response to Israel’s abuses in Gaza and continuous efforts to seize lands in the occupied West Bank through the expulsion of Palestinian residents.

Both France and the United Nations said the judges’ work is crucial for international justice.

“Their role is essential in the fight against impunity,” a statement from the French Foreign Ministry said.

The US sanctions undermine the foundation of international justice, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, adding: “The decision imposes severe impediments on the functioning of the office of the prosecutor.”

GECOM’s decision to ban cell phones...

From page 3

GECOM said in the statement.

It added that considering that the integrity of the electoral process is of crucial importance, the new measures are designed to ensure that every citizen can cast their vote freely and without undue influence, and that the secrecy of their choice is absolutely protected.

As a consequence of the Commission’s decision, the following measures will be implemented to enforce the prohibition of the use of cell phones in Polling Stations:Posting of a clear and prominent notice by the entrance and within every Polling Station explicitly stating, pictorially and in words, that the use of cell phones is strictly prohibited.

Regular announcement to all voters in the queue by polling day officials, informing them to turn off their cellphones before entering the polling station. Every voter will be reminded of the need

to turn off his/her cellphone before he/she is given the ballot to vote. The National ID Card or valid Guyana Passport or Driver’s Licence as the case may be, of every voter will be retained by the Presiding Officer at the point of the issuing of the ballot and returned after the voter has completed the voting process.

Voting compartments will be strategically positioned to allow GECOM staff and accredited Party Agents to observe if a voter is attempting to use his/her phone to take a photo of his/her ballot. This observation will be respectful of voter privacy while maintaining vigilance against the use of cell phones in Polling Stations.

According to GECOM, in the event that a voter is observed attempting to photograph his/her ballot, GECOM staff and/or Party Agents will immediately raise an alarm to prevent the action. “Any voter observed taking a pho-

tograph of his/her ballot paper will result in a formal note being made of the incident, and a report will be immediately submitted to the Guyana Police Force for investigation.

A designated desk or table will be placed next to each voting compartment where voters will be instructed to place their cell phones before using the voting compartment to cast their vote. This will provide a visible location for phones, by all concerned, during the voting process,” the statement read.

GECOM said its officials will instruct every voter to place their phones on a designated desk/table before proceeding to the voting compartment. “This instruction will be clear and consistently applied to all voters. The Commission’s decision aligns with international best practices for election administration, which often include provisions to protect ballot secrecy and prevent electoral fraud. In this regard, collabo-

ration with the Guyana Police Force underscores the seriousness with which electoral offenses are viewed and the commitment to rigorous enforcement.”

According to GEOM, it is imperative to understand that the selling of a vote constitutes a serious electoral offence which carries significant penalties. “Offenders found guilty of selling their vote are liable to a fine of sixty-five thousand Guyana Dollars (G$65,000) and imprisonment for a term of six (6) months.

The Commission urges all voters to cooperate with these new measures, specifically because they are crucial for upholding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.

GECOM is committed to upholding the principles of free and fair elections and will take all necessary steps to prosecute those who attempt to undermine the democratic process.”

Canada, Nicolas Guillou of France, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal.

Palestinians salvage items from the rubble of homes destroyed in Israeli strikes on the southern Zeitoun neighbourhood in Gaza City on August 19, 2025 [Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP]

GECOM’s system enables bloated list, voter impersonation - Alexander

Opposition-nominate commissioner, Vincent Alexander said the flawed systems within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)continuetocreate conditions for the electoral list to be bloated and voter impersonationtotakeplace.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by UK-based Guyanese Norman Browne, Alexander underscored concerns regarding the size of the official list of voters (OLE). GECOM announced SaturdaythattheOLEstands at757,690electors.

However, the size of OLE released by GECOM has raised concerns among some sections of society Alluding to the issue, Alexander said he is not surprised given that the list contains persons registered asof2008.

“We have a system, wherewehavenotperfected mechanism of taking the dead off the list, internally the registrar of births and deaths sends to GECOM a list of the registered deaths. Once,wegetthatlist,weflag those names, but we have

evidencetothefactthatthat list is deficient and they are personswhosenamesareon thelistwhowouldhavedied years ago Thousands of overseas dead are on the list.” Alexander referenced a recent incident where a dead person's name was detectedonthevoter'slist.

“I attended a session with GECOM and party agents on Sunday and there is one person who came forward to say look 'my mother died 13 years ago; hernameisonthelisthowdo you explain that?' 'Do you expectustohaveconfidence in the system where known dead are on the list?'” he recalled, adding that GECOM's response is basically throwing this on the electorate rather than ensuringallthemechanisms are place to do rectify the issue.

“GECOMrespondswith 'Welldidyouattemptduring theclaimsandobjections,to make an objection to your mother's name being on the list.' Combined with this, Alexander pointed to GECOM's flawed facial

identificationprocess.

He explained that “GECOM does not make it mandatory for persons to have updated ID cards. So, youmightfindapersonwho registered when they were 14yearsoldhavingthesame ID card at age 30 and that it was, they will identify them astheyvote.Thereisnoway that, that person looks the same. This is how voter impersonationcanoccur.”

Further,Alexandernoted that in 2020 there was evidence of overseas Guyanese verified as being votedforinGuyana.

“Given the actual numberofvoterswhoarein country, probably not more than 500,000 there was indicator that votes may have been cast for absent person. That was confirmed by the verification of the absentee votes by the Chief Immigration Officer,” he stated Presidential candidate of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), Amanza Walton- Desir, had alsoraisedconcernsoverthe sizeofOLE.

In a live post via the

Stanleytown resident on $20,000 bail for threatening language, breach of the peace

A r e s i d e n t o f Stanleytown,onWednesday, was placed on $20,000 bail fortwocharges.

The accused, Dwayne K i n g o f L o t 1 6 5 Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Magistrate LeronDaly.

official Facebook page on Tuesday, Walton-Desir noted that the size of OLE should be of concern to all citizensandpoliticalparties.

“Somebody explain it to us,whyisourofficiallistof electors, the size of population. Our population may have grown but they refusedtoreleasethecensus. Guyanese people wake up and understand what is happening and demand answers. Because I can tell you that if you don't, what

theywantistohaveelections andstuffthoseballotboxes.”

Opposition-appointed Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

“We have been trying to get information on GECOM and the voter's list, now we have a situation where, we don't know how many foreignersareonourlist,we don't know how many Commonwealth citizens are on our list, this is a problem because it means that there are people and through the machinations of the PPP, willgetonourlistandthwart the will of the people of Guyana, this is serious business”WaltonDesirsaid.

‘Still no relief’

...Berbicians

distressed over high car fares despite removal of bridge toll

Evenwiththeremovalof tolls from the Berbice River Bridge,commuterstraveling to and from Region Six are dismayed that hire car drivers have refused to reducetheirfares.

A few weeks ago on August 1, the Berbice River Bridge, the Demerara Harbor Bridge and all other cost-incurring crossings became toll-free when the government officially removed all fares for vehicles and vessels operating those main facilities.

Prior to the implications of COVID-19, a passenger from New Amsterdam paid $1,500 to travel to Georgetown.Bridgetollsfor cars at that time stood at $2,200, before being reducedto$1,900.Currently passengers pay as much as $3,000 per individual seat, upfrom$2,000earlierinthe year This figure is very daunting to those who commute that route, but drivershavedecidedto'hold one head' and fasten that figureinplace.

They come across free,” she stated.Withthedriversbeing adamantintheirposition,the vendorofover30yearssaid shehasnooptionthattopay thecaroperators,“becauseI do not have my own vehicle.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Nazeema Mohamed, another vendor of New Amsterdam. She regarded the existing fare as “not too much heavy,” but did agree that all drivers should be considerate of passengers and slash the fare.

It is also alleged that on the same day, at the said address, King provoked Roberts with the intent to insultorannoyher

The accused was represented by attorney DomnickBess.

Magistrate Daly granted King$10,000bailforeachof the two charges and the matter was adjourned for September10,2025.

King pleaded not guilty tothechargeswhichalleged thathe, onAugust 14, 2025, at East Street, Georgetown, used threatening language towardsFayneRoberts.

Frompage15

the whole of Guyana saw it and you choose not to do something about it, what is theretotellmethatit'sgoing tochangeifyougobackinto power?"

Despite the odds, he noted resolutely that having endured such treatment for fiveyears,heispreparedfor any further negative eventuality In a much more profound sense, the Guyanese talent said he would engage President Irfaan Ali if afforded the opportunity,topressonwhy a definite resolution to the ongoing conflict was not

executivelyfacilitated.More thanthat,hewouldoptforan engagement with Minister Ramson, "for singling me out and making sure that I wasn'thired;whodecidedto send lists to different ministriestomakesurethatI wasn't performing on any platformthatisgovernmentassociated, and the minister within the ministry of housing, Susan Rodrigues for also backing him up on thatblacklistedlist."

Theentertainerplacedon record that he has nothing againstthepresident,butdid express disappointment that thepresidentdidnotoutright

Accused: Dwayne King

demonstrate impartiality in his plight, or even gave acknowledgement of his awareness. He did pluckout some roses from among the thorns, offering that education minister Priya Manickchand gave no inkling of discrimination, andthatnotalltheministers are unp

d prejudicialintheirdealings.

"Whoever takes the office this election, I hope they govern without favor and in a diplomatic way, so that every son and daughter of Guyana could benefit from Guyana's wealth," the musiciansaid.

Hire car drivers plying the New Amsterdam to Georgetown route had over theyearscomplainedthatthe fare for crossing the almost 18-year-old facility carved out a significant portion of theirday'searnings.

Many commuters welcomed the cancellation of the toll and were hopeful that there would also be a reductionintravelcost.This has not been realised, however, as drivers have maintainedthattheywillnot beadjustingthefares.

Fifty-nine-year-old Jurette Lewis, a vendor of theNewAmsterdamMarket, told this newspaper that she takes a vehicle frequently to transport her produce from Georgetown at a cost of $12,000 for all seats. She saidthatingoodconscience, she could not have qualms with that amount since her load warrants it. However, like many others, she believes the fare should be reducedinfairness.

“They're supposed to dropthefeebecausetheyare notpayingtocrossanymore.

VeteraneducatorofNew Amsterdam, Ms. Shaundel Phillipstooktheissuetothe cleaners by expressing her disgustwithwhatshedeems as"downrightselfish"onthe partofthehirecardrivers.

The retired headteacher noted that many drivers make more than one trip to andfromGeorgetown.

She firmly opposed the reasoning of vehicle maintenance, mounted by some drivers "They are sayingthatsparepartsisan

(Continuedonpage18)

Against the

background of r e c e n t criticisms, the Joint Services on Wednesday recommittedtostandonthe frontlines of safeguarding this country's sovereignty and ensuring the safety of everycitizen.

“

defending borders, upholdingtheruleoflaw,or responding to national emergencies, is carried out with professionalism, integrity,andsacrifice,”the

Joint Services said in a statement.

According to the Joint Services, recent comments in the public domain, including on social and traditional media, have sought to cast doubt on this commitment.

“Suchremarksoverlook the dedication of the men andwomeninuniformwho serve the country with impartialityanddiscipline,” thestatementadded.

The members of the Joint Services serve all Guyanese, without fear or

favour, regardless of politics, religion, ethnicity, orsocialstanding. This has always been and will remain a core component of the Joint Services as we continue to execute our mandate to

encouraged to engage constructively, and to recognise that national security is

shared

cornerstone of the nation's independenceandfreedom.

Israel advances plan to seize Gaza City, kills 72 in ‘fierce’ attacks

(AL-JAZEERA)Israelforceshaveintensified theirassaultonGazaCityas theypreparetoseizethecity and forcibly displace nearly one million people, with residential neighbourhoods coming under some of the “fiercest” Israeli attacks on the strip in recent weeks, according to sources on the ground.

At least 72 Palestinians, including 27 aid seekers, have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn on Wednesday, and three more people have starved to death in the strip, according to the enclave’s HealthMinistry

In one of the latest reported attacks, medical sources say 12 people were killed when Israeli forces targeted cargo security personnel and aid seekers near the Zikim crossing in northernGaza.

Palestinians watch as a rocket fired by an Israeli warplane targets a building in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip

…Hamas calls for global strike today

60,000 reservists for its planned occupation of Gaza City amid widespread dissatisfaction among the Israeli public for the government’s plans for the war,YossiMekelberg,senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, has toldAl Jazeera.

Public frustration with the Netanyahu cabinet’s planstoseizeGazaCitywas clear to see when hundreds of thousands of Israelis

numbers of reservists than required operationally for the mission to take Gaza City,“ontheassumptionthat about 60 percent will show up”.

This was in contrast to the early days of the war, when overwhelming numbersshoweduptoserve, hesaid.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Palestinian group, Hamas is urging people around the world, including those in Arab and Muslim countries, to take part in the strike on Thursday to show support forpeopleinGaza.

Relatives of Israeli captives held in Gaza have condemned the Israeli DefenceMinistry’sapproval of a plan to seize Gaza City andaccusedthegovernment of ignoring a ceasefire proposal approved by Hamas,sayingitwas“astab in the heart of the families andthepublicinIsrael”.

There has been a clear intensification of attacks in both areas of Gaza City –Zeitoun and Jabalia in the north – where the Israeli military is operating aggressively That includes ongoing explosions from systematic demolitions of homes. This isaveryeffectivestrategyby

the Israeli military, which funnels down into one main goal: emptying the Gaza Strip of its population by depriving people from havingsomethingasbasicas ahome.

By destroying these residential buildings and publicfacilities,allmeansof life are being taken away frompeoplehere.

More people are now receiving phone calls from the Israeli military warning

Berbice commuters distressed over high car fares despite removal...

Frompage17 issue. They do not have to purchase spare parts every day Most of them have owner-drivenvehicles.”

Accordingtoher,whatis alsoconcerningisthatmany of the operators are using private vehicles. This, she said, needs to be addressed bytheauthorities.

“It really is a difficulty to know that this is supposed to benefit the travelling public,” taking into consideration persons whotraveleveryday

The government really hastoputasysteminplace toensurethatthetravelling publiccanbenefitfromthe far decrease; those who do not have their own vehicles....”

As simple as the delivery of a letter to Georgetown, she said, incurs the full fare, when that is not even factored

i n t o t h e s e a t i n g arrangements

In light of the “unfair”

conduct, Phillips is imploringthatsomethingbe

done to ensure that passengersenjoyareliefjust akin to how the drivers benefited from the bridge

feesbeingremoved.

A n o t h e r N e w Amsterdam resident, Burris Griffith, who traverses the city for business a frequently, told Kaieteur News that drivers are being unconscionable in their dealings.

Therecordingartistand businessman criticised the fact that he and others are effectivelyforcedtopaythe full fare even though the drivers were given a significantrelief.

“Nothing in Guyana don’t drop I didn’t expect them to drop the bridge fare when I hear that the bridgeisfreeup ” Griffith, who goes by the stage name ‘Limyt’, confirmed that many individualscryoutagainst the fee, but are without options other than to accede to the drivers’ demands.

He suggested that at the very least, passengers couldpay$2,000

With regard to the operators taking a unified stance,Griffith,muchlike Phillips, is calling on the government to intervene, as this is a direct and

credibleconcernofcitizens.

Another disgruntled commuter is Natassia Rose,amotherofonewho also travels frequently to Georgetown

“The drivers that are going to town, they’re saying $2,500 Now to drop the prices it’s a wholeissue

I don’t understand why How is that fair to p a s s e n g e r s ? ” s h e questioned She reasoned that there is no recent spike ingaspriceforthedriversto premisetheirpositionon.

“Evenifit’s$500 ”

And though drivers have used the car maintenance card, she r e

ordinary Guyanese work daily too, and are trying to maneuvereconomically

“And these people are paying$2,500totownand back, $5,000 out of their pockets,”shelamented

At recent press

conference, Vice-

President, Bharrat Jagdeo indicated that at some point discussions will be initiated with hire car operatorsonthematter

themnottobeinareaswhere they’ve lived all their lives and threatening them that they’regoingtobeintheline of fire if they stay in these areas–askingthemtoleave as soon as possible, giving them just a little window of time.

People are leaving behind their belongings, their food supplies that they managed to get in the past fewweeks.

Israel is calling up

turned out for mass demonstrations on Sunday, he said, adding that “the alternative of reaching an agreement that sees the end of this war, working for a future without constant war istheirpreference.

“Feelings and emotions arerunninghigh,becausethe Israeli people, at least 70 percent of them, know that PrimeMinisterNetanyahuis doing that not for the securityofIsrael.He’sdoing that for complete ulterior motives of staying in power,”hesaid.

Mekelberg said the Israeligovernmentappeared to be calling up greater

“The occupation army’s plans to occupy Gaza, and the resulting aggression and displacement of more than one million people, represent a new chapter in the war of extermination,” Hamas said in a statement sharedonTelegram.

“We warn against the international silence regarding the occupation’s crimesandurgetheworldto takeurgentactiontostopthe massacres and starvation, and to end the aggression andsiege.”

Rwanda-backed rebels

massacred civilians in Congo, Human Rights Watch says

(Reuters) - Rwandabacked M23 rebels killed at least 140 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in July, Human RightsWatchsaidinareport on Wednesday that highlighted how violence remains elevated despite U S - and Qatar-backed peacetalksunderway

The advocacy group provided new details about the killing spree first reported by Reuters inJuly

It said total killings in Rutshuru territory in July may exceed 300, e c h o i n g s i m i l a r findings by the United Nations last month Reuters could not independently verify HRW’sreport

The report included interviews with civilians thatHRWsaidhadsurvived the killings, elaborating on how the attacks had taken place.Onewoman,whosaw M23killherhusbandwitha

machete, described being marched all day to a river with about 70 women and children.

“They told us to sit on the edge of the riverbank, and then they started shooting at us,” the woman was quoted as saying She said she survived after falling into the river withoutbeingshot

Another man said he watched M23 rebels kill his wife and four children aged nine months to 10 years from afar, after failing to make it back in time to save them, according tothereport

On June 27, Rwanda a n d D e m o c r a t i c Republic of Congo signed a U S -brokered p e a c e a g r e e m e n t , raising hopes for an end to fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousandsmorethisyear

M23 has previously denied any role in the killings Rebel official Benjamin Mbonimpa said on X that territories overrun by the group were well administered andthat M23 was gratuitously blamedforthemassacres.

A statement from Congo’s foreign affairs ministry said the atrocities cast a shadow over the sincerity and c o m m i t m e n t o f stakeholders to the Washington peace agreement and the ongoing Dohatalks.

HRW said the witness accounts indicated the attacks took place in at least 14 villages and farming areas near Virunga National Park in easternCongoinJuly Citing 25 witness accounts, medical staff, U.N. personnel and other sources, HRW said most victims were ethnic Hutu, withsomeethnicNande.

Taleb/AFP]

PPP still banking on Amaila Falls hydro, GTE projects to end power woes …renews50%reductioninelectricitytariffpromiseinmanifesto

After failing to deliver a 50% reduction in electricity priceswiththecompletionof the Gas to Energy project in 2024, with its completion date being pushed back twice, the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is now promising a secondgasprojectalongside the reduced rates for a secondterm.

In the party's manifesto, which was launched on Monday the PPP/C said that over the next five years it will complete the Gas to E n e r g y P r o j e c t , subsequently reducing the “electricity tariffs by 50 percent to consumers on the grid.Completetherebuildof the T&D network, and the installationofasmartgrid,to offtake the additional power being produced, improve network reliability, reduce losses, and improve efficiency.”

Additionally,thepartyis promising a second gas-toenergyproject,whichitsaid will bring an additional 300Megawattofpowertobe

able to meet future demand given the country's economic growth trajectory In an effort to generate even morepowerforcitizensthey willalso“continueeffortsto resuscitate the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), and install an additional 100 MW of solar power,tofurtheradvancethe diversification of the energy matrix.”

On August 14 Kaieteur News reported Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saying that while he is not awareofwhatpercentageof the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project is completed, he knows that the deadline is still mid-2026. The GTE project, located in Wales on theWestBankofDemerara, includes a Natural Gas Liquids(NGL)facilityanda 300-megawatt (MW) power plant.

Natural gas will be transported from the offshore Stabroek Blocks Liza oilfield via a 12-inch pipelinetothesite,where50 million cubic feet

(MMCFD) of gas will be converted to electricity daily

During a recent episode of Starting Point, Jagdeo noted, “I don't know the exact percentage but we are still targeting completion by mid next year.” He said that hewasinformedthatalotof work had been done on the foundationandpiledriving.

“The turbines came to the country, but they have been sitting for a while because of the delays in the project,” he added. Back in 2022, government hired CH4 (Texas) and Lindsayca (Puerto Rico) for the construction of the power plant and NGL facility at a cost of US$759 million

However, it was recently announced that the companies have split-up Governmenthasassuredthat this split between the joint venture CH4 and Lindsayca would not affect the completionoftheproject.

Further, Jagdeo underscored the importance of the project and reiterated

“Somebody want kill me” miner tells brother day before his death

A gold miner from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), had informed his brother that somebody wanted to kill him, a day before he was founddead.

Christopher Stephens's body was discovered in the PuruniRiveronMonday Police said there was a chopwoundtohisforehead.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Kevin Blair recalled that his brother last contacted him during the early hours of Saturday morning. “At 12:59 I wake up because my phone ring, when I check is me brother call. Blair told Kaieteur News, while adding that when he answered he heard his brother saying “Kevin somebodywantkillme.”

“Isayboywhowantkill yououtdehboy?Heain'tsay nothing, he say somebody want kill he and lash he off hebike,”Blairrecounted.

Blair said during the conversation with his brother,heinstructedhimto return to the campsite and refrain from being on the road too late, since he is not familiar with the area.Their conversationended,andthat was the last time he heard fromStephens.

According to Blair, at about 5 am the same morning, he contacted their mother Tasha Blair to relay what his brother told him. However, when they both tried contacting him again, hecouldnotbereached. Blair said he then made contact with persons from thePuruniareatosearchfor his brother, but they did not find him, prompting him to make a missing person report to the police. On Sunday afternoon Blair received a photo of a body, but he could not confirm whether the remains were thatofhisbrotheratthetime. The following day the family's' worst fear was confirmed, when a sister, T

hens, identifiedStephens'sbody

Police have si

launched an investigation in what is believed to be a murder

Tatianna said that Stephenswasnewtothearea and she does not believe he had an issue with anyone. According to the female Stephens, Blair and their mother had gone there to do goldmining.However,atthe time, Blair was not around while the mother had traveled out to buy food items leaving Stephens and twoemployeesatPurini.

On the day Stephens disappeared, he and the employeeswereontheirway back to their mining camp from the Purini landing Those employees said he told them to go to the camp, and he would ride behind them. They made it to the camp safely but he never arrived. A day later he was found dead and his motorcycle was found parkedatthePurinilanding.

“Me brother is na no problem child, he doesn't pick problem with nobody,” hisgrievingsistersaid,while notingthatfourpersonshave been detained for questioning.

Artists impression of GTE

thegovernment'spromiseto slashelectricitybillsby50% through the US$2 billion project.

Notably,theGTEproject was initially slated for completion by the end of 2025. Then, in February, Head of the GTETaskforce, Winston Brassington, said that a more realistic target would be the first half of

2026. However, a few monthslater,PrimeMinister (Retd) Brigadier Mark Phillips estimated that the project would be completed in the second quarter of 2026. Aheadofthecompletion of the Wales GTE project, the government awarded a US$422 million contract for t h e e x t e n s i o n o f

transmission lines for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) The transmission lines are being constructed alongtheeasterncorridorof the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).Jagdeonoted,“That project when completed in all of its form, will allow us to solve a lot of the power problemswehave.”

Dead: Christopher Stephens

Delroy James to feature in GBF National 3x3 Championship at Seawall Bandstand

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has confirmed that several overseas-based Guyanese players, including standout forward Delroy James, will competeintheNational3x3 Championship, set for September 27–28 at the SeawallBandstand.

The tournament will see 16 teams battle for national bragging rights, with

$500,000.Second,third,and fourth place will receive $200,000, $100,000, and $50,000respectively

Thisyear’seventwillplay a crucial role in selecting the team to represent Guyana at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup, scheduled for November 27–30inLeón,Mexico,oneof the most prestigious competitions in theAmericas for the fast-paced half-court format For the first time in

Guyana, the championship will be played on a FIBAcertified surface and tiles, similar to those used in internationaltournaments

“The surface is important, and we’re proud to have it here for the first time,” said GBF President Michael Singh “It’s the same standard used at the AmeriCup,anditshowsour commitment to raising the level of 3x3 basketball in

Guyana.” James, who first competedinthe3x3formatat the2022AmeriCup,willmake hisNational3x3debutforthe Predators, alongside fellow AmeriCup teammate Shelroy Thomas, BVI-based guard Ray Victor, and 18-year-old big man Jaden Simon Other overseas-based players expected to feature include Berchell Glenn, Deylon Bovell, and Akeem Ellis, who will line up for Georgetown.

Thursday August 21, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Some unexpected but very welcomevisitorscouldarrive today, Aries They might bring some people you don't knowbutshouldconnectwith rightaway Expectinteresting n e w s , f a s c i n a t i n g information,.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Taurus, who's that intriguing new person in your neighborhood? What is it about this new neighbor that makesitimpossibleforyouto stop wondering about them? Quitobsessing.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

An unexpected letter could arrive today, Gemini, with a check enclosed, perhaps a gift, bonus, or offer to make more money.This might be a welcomebreak.

CANCER(June21–July22)

If you're in the arts or sciences, Cancer, sudden inspirationcouldcauseyouto startorcontinueaprojectthat meansalottoyou.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Meditation, dreams, or visions could bring amazing insights your way, Leo. You mightfindthemtoobizarreto believe, at least at first, but follow-up research could reveal that what you've come upwithisquitecredible.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You're an adventurous soul, Virgo.Areyouthinkingabout a little mischief today? Are yougoingtoproposethatyou and a friend or perhaps your partner skip town for a day andforgetaboutwork,

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

A n u n e x p e c t e d communication may come today from someone connected with your career, Libra.Thisisgoodnews,butit maybesooffthewallthatyou couldwalkaroundinadazefor awhiletryingtomakesenseof itall.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Anunexpectedchancetoflyto a faraway place, perhaps at someoneelse'sexpense,could cometoyoutoday,Scorpio.A group might be involved, perhaps one connected with education.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Some bizarre and rather silly dreams might come to you tonight,Sagittarius.Theymay bethesortthatissocrazythat youactuallywakeuplaughing. Don't dismiss them. Silly or not,thesedreamsaretryingto tellyousomething.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Ifyou'resingle,youcouldfeel a very powerful attraction to someone unusual and perhaps alittlewacky Ifyou'realready inarelationship.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Have you been looking for anewjob,Aquarius?Ifso,you might hear of an opportunity from an unexpected source, perhapsatasocialgathering,if possible.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

If you're single, Pisces, love may come to you completely out of the blue today The person could be standing behind you in line at the store or sitting nearby you in the park.

FormerGuyanayouth...

Frompage26 and Parsram also shared a flamboyant, unbroken, 198runsecond-wicketstand.

When Essequibo Coast Cricket Club batted, Raj Narine scored a defiant 21 whileextrascontributed15.

Another ex-Guyana youth player Troy Gobin grabbed 4-19 from his maximumfouroverstolead the dismantle job. Captain Sunil Ramkissoon was also inthewicket-columnwith214offthreefrugalovers.

“Thisisimportantforusat theGBF,toseeourtopplayers in action at home, so we can select the best team for Mexico,” Singh explained Guyana has been one of the Caribbean’s most consistent AmeriCup participants, missingonlythe2023edition in Puerto Rico due to unforeseencircumstances

Singh noted the Federation’s appreciation for governmen

corporatesupport,whichhas

tournaments.

Looking ahead, Singh revealedthattheGBFintends toexposetheselectednational squadtomultipleinternational 3x3circuitstops,ensuringthe team is battle-ready for the AmeriCup Last year, Renegades, featuring Jude Corlette, Travis Belgrave, NikkoloiSmith,andDominic Vincente,claimedthenational title with a 21–15 win over Linden at the National Gymnasium. Belgrave, Vincente, Adams, and Smith laterrepresentedGuyanaatthe AmeriCup in Puerto Rico, gainingvaluableinternational experience

Mbappepenalty earnsReal1-0...

Frompage25 frominsidethesix-yardbox.

“Itwasimportantforusto start with a win at home, we knew it was going to be difficult,” Mbappe said “Osasuna had a clear plan to wait for us and they had Budimir We are happy with the victory and we are going formore”

With Barcelona beating Mallorca 3-0 in their opening game on Saturday, three points were already a must forAlonso, and he did it without the injured Jude Bellingham,FerlandMendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick, as well as the s

Ruediger

49-year-oldMandolallisthe elder brother of another exGuyana Under-19 cricketer, the late S

Mandolall has now scored 34 softball centuries in NorthAmerica in various softball competitions. The

Mandolall while his two other siblings Ravendra and Narindra also represented Essequibo at the Intercountylevel.Meanwhile,the eight-team competition is slated to continue on Saturday with four matches playing simultaneously across the Greater Toronto Area Mandolall is also leading the runs aggregate with 471 from 10 matches. The two top teams will collide on September 7 to decidethisyear’schampion.

Rain spoils T&T Hibiscus, Guyana Combined Forces Women’s tournament

The five-match series between Trinidad & Tobago’s Hibiscus Women Cricket Club and Guyana’s CombinedForcesendedina draw, with rain allowing only two matches to be completed.

With both teams securing one victory each, the series prize money, sponsored by AGNCustomsBrokerage&

Logistics Services and SS Brokerage Services, was split equally In the limited action available, Combined Forces’playersshonebrightly NaomiBarkoyeearnedthe award for most runs, showcasing her class in the two games, while her teammate Varuni Pitamber topped the bowling charts, picking up five wickets to secure the prize for most

wickets

Hibiscus’loneindividual award went to Sherica Campbell, named Player of the Match. Looking ahead, Combined Forces are set to tour Trinidad and Tobago next year to compete inThe Precision Sports Women’s Cricket Tournament 2026. They will hope for more favorable weather to play a fullseries.

From left: Varuni Pitamber who ended with the Most wickets, Sherica Campbell the Player of the tournament and Naomi Barkoye who ended with the Most Runs.

2025 CWI Rising Stars Regional U17 2-Day Championships … Guyana vs. Leeward Islands

Leewardstrailby3runs,as Guyaneselooktobatoutfinalday

The Guyanese managed to gain the slightest lead possible by a 3-run margin headingintothefinaldayversustheLeeward Islandsontheopeningday,attheInshanAli Park,TrinidadandTobago.

Inthefirstinnings,Guyanawerecleaned up for just 124 runs with contributions coming from Dave Mohabir (34*), Shamar Apple (23), Lomar Seecharran (16),Adrian Hetymer(15)andEmmanuelLewis(14).

Leewards needed just three bowlers in spinnerJathanEdwardswhostarredwith(435), whileTayariTonge and KunalTilokani bothgrabbedtwowicketseach.

2025

The Guyanese trio of Parmeshwar Ram (3-22), Feeaz Baksh (3-47) and Navindra Sankar (2-26) then restricted Leewards to 154alloutintheirfirstinningstohelpsway momentumbackinGuyana’sfavor Guyana, batting again had a nightmare start thanks to seamer Kassim Challenger whograbbedthreewickets,astheylostthree endingon33-3atthecloseofplay In the other games played, Trinidad and Tobago (1st innings 163-6), Jamaica (1st innings 142 all out). Barbados (1st innings 195-9D), Windwards (1st innings 91 all out &2ndinnings38-1).

CFU U14 Challenge Series GFF President pleased with Junior Lady Jags historic achievement

TheGuyanaJuniorLady Jaguars continue to fly the Golden Arrowhead with pride, after finishing as Group ‘C’ winners at the 2025 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Girls’ Under14ChallengeTierIISeriesin Trinidad.

ThespiritedyoungJaguars advanced to the semifinal stageunbeaten,cappingoffthe group phase with a hardfought 0-0 draw against Cayman Islands on Tuesday That result followed three consecutive victories; against Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, and Anguilla, securing Guyana 10 points from four matches to top the table Despite the many challenges faced by the sport locally,thisgroupofgirlshas p r o v e n t h a t w i t h determination, unity, and proper preparation, Guyanese football can stand tall on the regional stage The Junior Lady Jags have displayed tacticaldiscipline, defensive resilience,andattackingflair, earning admiration across the

Wayne Forde GFF President

tournament What makes this accomplishment even more inspiringisthediversityofthe squad, which brings together players from Guyana’s hinterland, coastland, and urbancommunities,reflecting theveryidentityofthenation

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President, Wayne Forde, hailed the team’s accomplishment, saying: “On behalf of the GuyanaFootballFederation,I warmly congratulate our Junior Lady Jags on their historic achievement in winningtheirgroupattheCFU U14GirlsChampionship Iam immenselyproudofyou-you have made every Guyanese proud Your courage, talent

andcharacterareaninspiration to your peers and to generationstocome” Forde also underscored thewidersignificanceofthe achievement: “This team embodiesthetrueidentityof our nation, celebrating our cultural and ethnic diversity as an example of what is possible when we trust and believe in each other Stay focused, the job is not yet complete, and we wish you every success in the playoff” The 2025 edition of the CFU Challenge, a FIFA-CFU collaboration designed as a developmental competition, brings together 23 member associations competing in two tiers Launched in 2018, the tournament serves as a vital introduction to international footballfortheregion’sboysand girls

As the semifinals loom, the Junior Lady Jags remain determined to make their mark.Theirjourneysofaris not just about results, it is about representing Guyana withpride,unity,andbelief.

Grimmond, Munisar, Latchman and Mangru among

Guyanese

The Guyanese quartet of ladies,

A s h m i n i

Munisar, Realeana Grimmond, Mandy Mangru and Niya Latchman are among some 15 players involved in a specialised training camp at the Super KingsAcademy in Chennai, India.

T h e t w o - w e e k programmeispartofCricket WestIndies’(CWI)initiative to provide a world-class developmentopportunityfor itsemergingtalent.

ladies

at cricket high performance camp in India

T

conditioning and cultural adaptationall essential skills forinternationalsuccess.

MbappepenaltyearnsReal1-0 winoverstubbornOsasuna

Osasuna’s Lucas Torro and Osasuna’s Aimar Oroz in action with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. (REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura)

MADRID, (Reuters) -

Kylian Mbappe’s secondhalf penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season on Tuesday,givingXabiAlonso a winning start in his first leaguematchinchargeofthe hosts.

Afterstrugglingtobreak down a stubborn Osasuna defence in the opening half, Mbappewonthepenaltyand converted from the spot six minutes after the break to give Real the lead, but the home side were unable to increasetheiradvantage.

“In the first half we didn’thavespaceandthenin the second half we scored early,” Mbappe told Real MadridTV

“We had more chances andwehadmorecontrol,we expectedtoscorethesecond butitdidn’tcome.”

The visitors had Abel Bretones sent off in added timeforafoulofftheballon

Gonzalo Garcia as Alonso’s side got their league campaign off to a winning, but underwhelming start as theylooktowrestlebackthe leaguetitlefromBarcelona.

Alonso’sside,whoselast competitivegameendedina 4-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals, completely dominated against a visiting side clearly content to sit backandperhapscomeaway with a draw, which they almostmanaged.

Real enjoyed plenty of possessionintheopening45 minutes with lots of slick passing, but their only real chances came through shots from distance, with Eder Militao’s powerful strike forcing Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera into a decent save.

All Osasuna’s defensive work was undone shortly after the break when a foul by Juan Cruz on Mbappe waspunishedwithapenalty, and Real’s French forward

Head coach Merissa Aguilleira and assistant coaches Ryan Hinds and Guyanese Tremayne Smartt areguidingtheteam. “

h e tremendous success of

December, we are proud

opportunity to our most

p

cricketers,” said Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket. He added that the initiative is designed

more resilient player pool and ensure gender

programmemarks

Plans are to alternate

female groups annually

Among the players named, features some players capped at senior level including Munisar, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Jahzara Claxton,

alongside current

Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Steffie SoogrimandSelena Ross.

stepped up and sent the keeperthewrongwayasthe hostsfinallyfoundthenet.

ThegoalforcedOsasuna out of their shell somewhat, while Real pushed to find a second goal to kill the game off, with Arda Guler unleashing a shot from outside the area which zippedjustoverthebar

Alonso, who started the gamewiththreeoftheclub’s new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean HuijsenandAlvaroCarreras —inhisbackfour,thensent on 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono for his Real debut.

Mastantuono almost made an immediate impact, with his effort from a wide anglesavedbyHerreraathis nearpost.

Minutesearlier,Osasuna had their chance to snatch what would have been an undeserved equaliser but AnteBudimirheadedover (Continuedonpage23)

Mandy Mangru

Realanna Grimmond

Nyia Latchman

Ashmini Munisar

Van Lange, Budhoo named in Windies U19 squad for Sri Lanka series

Guyanesenationalyouth all-rounders, Jonathan Van LangeandAfrazAliBudhoo have been called up to the 16-man West Indies Under19 squad ahead of the upcoming series versus Sri Lanka.

The seven-match Youth ODI series will bowl off in Antigua from August 25.

The team, led by dynamic Barbadian batsman Joshua Dorne, comprises the best performersfromtherecently concluded regional Under-

19 tournament. Dorne was the standout player, leading Barbados to the title and earning MVP honors with a tournament-high328runs.

The series is crucial to the team’s preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-

19WorldCup,whichwillbe held in Zimbabwe and Namibiaearlynextyear

“Encounters like these are invaluable to our cricket pathway, as they expose our young players to different styles of play, varying conditions, and the intensity thatcomeswithinternational opposition,” said Cricket West Indies Director of CricketMilesBascombe.

“This tour represents a developmentopportunityfor both teams—allowing our players to test their skills, build confidence, and understand the standards required to excel at the next level.”Thefirstfourmatches will be played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground before the series concludes at the iconic Sir Vivian RichardsCricketStadium.

Sri Lanka’s squad will arrive on August 25 for a five-day preparation period beforethefirstballisbowled onAugust30.

The regional side will

also contest a tri-series with EnglandandtheUSAlaterin the year to further aid its WorldCuppreparations.

West Indies Under-19 Squad: Joshua Dorne (captain), Shaquan Belle, Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Afraz Ali Budhoo, Zachary Carter, Earsinho Fontaine, R’Jai Gittens, Micah Greenidge, Vitel Lawes, Pajay Nelson, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, AadianRacha,JonathanVan

Lange. SERIES SCHEDULE:

1st ODI: August 30 –

CoolidgeCricketGround

2nd ODI: September 2 –

CoolidgeCricketGround

3rd ODI: September 4 –

CoolidgeCricketGround

4th ODI: September 7 –

CoolidgeCricketGround

5th ODI: September 9 –

SirVivianRichardsStadium

6thODI:September12–

SirVivianRichardsStadium

7thODI:September15–

SirVivianRichardsStadium

Chase and Kings close out

CPL-SaintLuciaKingsandStKitts& Nevis Patriots were involved in a last ball thriller in game six of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in Basseterre. A brilliant debut innings from Breakout League pick Navin Bidaisee saw the Patriots stay in contention throughout a tight run chase as they attempted to haul downtheKingstotalof200/8.

The match went down to the final delivery with Bidaisee and the Patriots requiringfourtowinoffDavidWiese’slast ball.Wiesenailedhisyorkerformostofthe over but missed his length slightly off the crucialdeliverytoputoneintheslot.Navin duly bunted down towards the boundary at longoffonlyforthetoweringTimDavidto pull off an ice-veined catch to give Kings victory by three runs and break Patriot heartsintheprocess.

Roston Chase was named player of the match for scoring 61 off 38 deliveries with the bat and cementing an all-round performance with 2/27 with the ball, his wilyspineconomicalaseverandpocketing

thriller

the wickets of Rilee Rossouw and Patriots skipperJasonHolder

“Itwasabitnerve-racking!”saidChase post-match. “I think we made it a hard victory Ithoughtwecouldhavewonitabit more outright, but I’m still grateful for the twopoints.”

With the momentum shifting back and forth all match it was a bitter pill for the Patriots to lose at the last after Bidaisee played such a spectacular maiden CPL inningstofinishwithscoring50runsoffjust 36ballstoseethegamegorightdowntothe wire.ThelossseesthePatriotswithjustone wininfourmatchesandthreedefeatsonthe bounce. The Kings head to the top of the CPLtable on net run rate despite their first matchagainsttheFalconsbeingabandoned duetorain.

Scores:StLuciaKings200for8(Chase 61, Charles 52, David 46, Mayers 2-24, Farooqi2-31,Salamkheil2-34)beatStKitts and Nevis Patriots 197 for 6 (Holder 63, Bidaisee 50, Pierre 2-25, Chase 2-27) by threeruns.

Former Guyana youth player Mandolall slams 113 not out in Canada

Former Guyana youth player Rovendra Mandolall

slammed a brilliant, unbeaten113tohelpBetterHope beat Essequibo Coast CricketClubby178runslast Saturdayinthecontinuation ofthe2025OntarioSoftball Cricket League T20 competition.

The right-handed Mandolall clobbered 11 sixes and five fours during his 62-ball show as Better-

Hope amassed a daunting 241-1attheexpirationofthe 20-overs. Essequibo Coast Cricket Club, in reply, were alloutfor63inthe12thover Mandolall, who skippered his county Essequibo at both the youth and senior level, got quality support fromAbdil Parsram who was with him on 73 which contained four sixes andthreefours.Mandolall (Continuedonpage23)

Jonathan Van Lange

Afraz Ali Budhoo

Rovendra Mandolall

HearMeOut President Ali must force the enactment of the Horse Racing legislation

ByRawleToney

Ithasnowbeenfourdays since 19-year-old jockey Kishawn Periera tragically

lost his life in the penultimate race of the Guyana Cup at Rising Sun TurfClub.

However, not one word has come from the Ministry ofCulture,YouthandSport.

Not even a line of condolence from President IrfaanAli,whoseownstable was lauded as the event’s winner This silence is deafening and very concerning.

People might ask, why does it matter? Well, the Guyana Cup isn’t merely a race, it’s the country’s most significant sporting spectacle after the CPL,

boastingamillionaire-dollar purse and nationwide attention That platform demands accountability A tragedy of this magnitude cannotbemetwithsilence.

Sadly, horse racing is inherently dangerous. The r i s k i s b a k e d i n circumstanceswhereevenin perfect conditions, fatal incidents can happen at any moment. But statistics from abroad remind us this isn’t rare nor isolated, even in well-regulatedcontexts.

Consider Michael

O’Sullivan, a 24-year-old risingstarinIrelandwhofell at Thurles on February 6, 2025 and succumbed to his injuriesonFebruary16,days beforehis25thbirthday InApril 2025, at Japan’s

Sonoda Racecourse, 43year-oldKosukeMatsumoto was killed when his mount went berserk These incidents occurred under stringent regulation, where safety protocols are in place and enforced, but where

Suresh Budhoo excited to umpire in Australia next month; will be officiating with Billy Dowden

Veteran umpire in Canada Suresh Budhoo has expressed excitement of naming on the panel to officiate at the upcoming IMC-Sanctioned Over-50s SpiritofCricketQUADSeriestobeheld inMildura,Australia.

Budhoo, who is currently the ChairmanoftheUmpiringCommitteefor the Cricket Canada Masters Council (CCMC), will be also rubbing shoulders withstalwart,retiredinternationalumpire BillyBowden,theNewZealander

“I[am]indeedexcitedtobenamedon the panel and to umpire alongside one of the greatest umpires Billy,” Budhoo stated.

The action is slated to bowl off September17withsixteamsparticipating including the hosts, New Zealand, Canada, USA, a SOC WX1, and an AustraliaAteam.

“It will be a wonderful experience to umpire in Australia and also to standing withBilly;heisafamousumpireandtobe there will be amazing, so I am looking forward for this opportunity,” Budhoo commented.

Bowden had umpired in an incredible 104 tests, 259 one-day Internationals and 32T20sduringhis20-yearcareer

“He is amazing guy and with his wealthofexperienceanyumpirewouldbe morethandelightedtocallplaywithhim, so this will be a great honour for me to umpire with Billy,” Budhoo, the 60-yearoldCanada-basedGuyanese,related.

Prior to this assignment, Budhoo had done umpiring in Cape Town, South AfricaearlylastyearattheIMCOver-40, 40-over World Cup tournament while he was in Sri Lanka earlier this year at the IMCOver-5040-overWorldCupaswell.

Meanwhile, CCMC has extended congratulationstoBudhooonthisappointment. Director Akshay Pandya stated that the Canadians are proud of Budhoo’s appointment for a tournament of this magnitude.They have expressed confidence as well that Budhoo will do a fantastic job. Budhoo holds an umpire certificationfromCricketWestIndiesUmpire’s Association.

In addition to Bowden, there will be few otherumpireswithinternationalstatus.

were visible in practice Jockeys reportedly flagged concerns about the muddy, fading-light track, but they wereignored.

The fatal consequence?

Kishawn’slifeendedonthat compromisedsurface.

negligentpartiestoaccount.

heartbreakstillfindsaway

Here in Guyana, the Horse RacingAuthorityAct waspassedbyParliamentin April2025,originallytabled last December, and gazetted onMay9,2025.

This critical legislation was meant to usher in licensing, term limits for stakeholders, fair competition standards, animal welfare regulations, a n d e n f o r c e m e n t mechanisms to protect jockeys, horses, and the sport’sintegrity.

But at the sport’s showcase, the Guyana Cup, none of those protections

Now, the law formally exists, but only on paper Its continued absence of enactmentleavesusexposed to another unsettling reality, underground, unregulated racingislikelytoproliferate, its hazards multiply, unchecked. With President Ali’s direct involvement in thevictorystable,onemight have hoped he would publicly affirm his commitment to regularising the sport, using his political capital to enforce the Act. Instead,silenceprevails.

This is not a call for weakness, it’s a demand for leadership.

The government should h a v e i m m e d i a t e l y respond

condolences to the Pereira f

independent inquiry; using the Horse Racing Authority Actasthelegalfoundationto

The danger of horse racing doesn’t absolve accountability,itdemandsit. That young jockey’s death was not merely a tragic occupational hazard, it was preventable. His cries of concern were ignored. Poor conditions were permitted. Thatisnegligence.

Horse racing deserves better Jockeys, who risk everything every time they mount, deserve better And Periera’s family, they deserve justice, clarity, and accountability Ifthislawis not implemented, and if those in power continue to remain silent, we will see moretragedies.

Regulated sport comes with oversight and it is the only way to honour lives lost, protect futures, and preservethesport’sintegrity

The time for quiet contemplation has passed. Guyana must act, and act decisively

President Irfaan Ali

Rawle Toney

Suresh Budhoo

Chase and Kings close out thriller

Roston Chase led the Saint Lucia Kings to victory in a tense contest. (CPL)

Delroy James

in Guyana